电厂燃煤中主要有害元素的种类、迁移及潜在环境影响

Distributions of elements especially hazard trace elements in coals and their wastes from a coal fired power plant have been studied in detail using knowledge of Geology, Mineralogy, Geochemistry and Environmental chemistry. The key work is on the small particle sizes of fly ashes which escaped from electric precipitator and discharged into atmosphere. By means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectrometer (SEM-EDS), the characteristics of minerals and morphologies were studied. Different types of fly ash were formed in different stages and processes. More than 50% of small fly ashes belonged to inhalable particles (PM10). The very fine fly ashes preferred to attach on surface of bigger fly ash or conglutinate with each other and this decreased the environmental impact of tiny fly ashes. The trace elements in coal, fly ashes, slags and small particle sizes of fly ashes had been analysed by means of Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). As particle sizes decreasing, distributions of most elements increased, but in contrary to most studies, this increasing trend was not very obviously because of the tendency of attachment of tiny fly ashes. The occurrence of 30 elements including hazard trace elements of Cd, Cr, Ni, Co, Pb, Zn, As, Se, Cu, V was studied by means of sequential chemical extract. The annual discharge of hazard trace elements of slag, fly ash, small fly ash (PM10), tiny fly ash (PM2.5) and air was calculated by mass balance. S, V, Cu, Pb, Se, Mo, Cd from power plant had potential impacts on environment. Hazard trace elements from the power plant had little effect on soil and aerosol comparing to those from other industrial sources and the effects were mostly on downwind direction. Both the high performance electric precipitator and high chimney made the hazard trace elements from power plant being transported far away but little environmental impacts.

Influência de fatores climáticos na decomposição de resíduos culturais de aveia e trigo.

RESUMO: Os efeitos de fatores climáticos sobre a dinâmica da decomposição de resíduos culturais, apesar de importantes para a compreensão de processos como a formação da matéria orgânica, são pouco conhecidos e estudados, sendo raros os estudos, principalmente os de longa duração. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os impactos das temperaturas máxima e mínima, da quantidade de chuvas (precipitação) e da evaporação sobre a evolução da decomposição de resíduos de aveia e trigo, em semeadura direta e convencional, utilizando-se dados de um ensaio de longa duração (12 anos) conduzido no campo experimental da Embrapa Soja, em Londrina, PR. Enquanto as temperaturas mostraram não ser um fator limitante à decomposição dos resíduos, as maiores quantidades de chuvas foram diretamente relacionadas às maiores taxas de decomposição dos resíduos estudados, principalmente no sistema plantio convencional. ABSTRACT: Climatic effect studies on residue decomposition are scarce in spite of its importance to understand the formation of the soil organic matter. The infl uence of maximum and minimum temperatures, rain and evaporation was studied on oat and wheat residues with emphasis on decay levels, considering tillage and no-tillage practices, over 12 years, in a clayish soil at the experimental fi eld of Embrapa Soybean, Londrina-PR, Brazil. While temperatures showed no limitations on decomposition of residues studied, rainfall was directly associated with high levels of residue decay. Decomposition levels were greater for tillage systems in both crops.

An Imperial Legacy? An Exploration of the environmental impact of ancient metal mining and smelting in southern Jordan

Pyatt, B. Gilmore, G. Grattan, J. Hunt, C. McLaren, S. An imperial legacy? An exploration of the environmental impact of ancient metal mining and smelting in southern Jordan. Journal of Archaeological Science. 2000. 27 pp 771-778

Co-incineração em fornos de cimenteiras

Com o objectivo de conhecer o processo da co-incineração, foram realizadas visitas ao sistema integrado de tratamento e eliminação de resíduos, sA (sisAV), na chamusca, e à cimpor, em souselas. pode concluir-se que o tratamento das emissões gasosas, principal questão conflituosa associada à co-incineração, não difere substancialmente daquele realizado nas instalações onde se procede à queima de combustíveis fósseis, excepto no tocante à instalação de algum equipamento adicional. Não podendo afirmar-se que se trate da solução ideal para a eliminação dos resíduos perigosos, apresenta vantagens como seja o aproveitamento de instalações pré-existentes, ao mesmo tempo que se minimiza a utilização de energia não renovável. Aiming to understand the co-incineration process, the sistema integrado de tratamento e eliminação de resíduos, sA (sisAV), in chamusca, and the cimpor, in souselas, both in portugal, were the two facilities visited to that purpose. It is possible to conclude that the treatment of atmospheric emissions, the main concern associated to conflicts in co-incineration, does not substantially differ from the one used in facilities where fossil fuel is burnt,except in what concerns to some additional equipment that must be installed. though it is not possible to state that this is the ideal solution to solve the hazard waste problem, it has advantages such as the use of pre-existing facilities and, at the same time, the use of nonrenewable energy sources is minimized.

A concise review on some frequently used solid waste management technologies and their effects into the environment and human health

uma revisão sobre alguns estudos epidemiológicos melhorará a compreensão quanto aos efeitos potenciais na saúde da gestão de resíduos e permitirá obter informação importante em termos de trabalho futuro. Alguns estudos mostraram associações significativas entre diversos métodos de gestão de resíduos e impactos potenciais na saúde humana. noutros estudos as associações foram consideradas inconsistentes ou susceptíveis de conduzir a equívocos, sendo necessários mais estudos epidemiológicos para averiguar as consequências para a saúde humana e para determinar os seus efeitos toxicológicos directos, assegurando assim que a gestão de resíduos representa um risco mínimo para a saúde. os estudos epidemiológicos devem ser analisados com uma mente aberta, tomando em consideração factores como o estatuto social e a migração das populações. A review of a few epidemiologic studies will improve the understanding of the potential health effects of waste management and will provide important information regarding future work. several studies showed significant relationships between several methods of waste management and potential impacts on human health. in other studies associations were found to be inconsistent or equivocal and more specific epidemiological studies must be performed to assess consequences to human health and to determine their direct toxicological effects, thus ensuring that waste management pose minimum risk to health.

Resíduos de medicamentos

Projeto de Pós-Graduação/Dissertação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências Farmacêuticas

Biomethane production from food waste and organic residues

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of biodegradable waste is an environmentally and economically sustainable solution which incorporates waste treatment and energy recovery. The organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW), which comprises mostly of food waste, is highly degradable under anaerobic conditions. Biogas produced from OFMSW, when upgraded to biomethane, is recognised as one of the most sustainable renewable biofuels and can also be one of the cheapest sources of biomethane if a gate fee is associated with the substrate. OFMSW is a complex and heterogeneous material which may have widely different characteristics depending on the source of origin and collection system used. The research presented in this thesis investigates the potential energy resource from a wide range of organic waste streams through field and laboratory research on real world samples. OFMSW samples collected from a range of sources generated methane yields ranging from 75 to 160 m3 per tonne. Higher methane yields are associated with source segregated food waste from commercial catering premises as opposed to domestic sources. The inclusion of garden waste reduces the specific methane yield from household organic waste. In continuous AD trials it was found that a conventional continuously stirred tank reactor (CSTR) gave the highest specific methane yields at a moderate organic loading rate of 2 kg volatile solids (VS) m-3 digester day-1 and a hydraulic retention time of 30 days. The average specific methane yield obtained at this loading rate in continuous digestion was 560 ± 29 L CH4 kg-1 VS which exceeded the biomethane potential test result by 5%. The low carbon to nitrogen ratio (C: N <14:1) associated with canteen food waste lead to increasing concentrations of volatile fatty acids in line with high concentrations of ammonia nitrogen at higher organic loading rates. At an organic loading rate of 4 kg VS m-3day-1 the specific methane yield dropped considerably (381 L CH4 kg-1 VS), the pH rose to 8.1 and free ammonia (NH3 ) concentrations reached toxicity levels towards the end of the trial (ca. 950 mg L-1). A novel two phase AD reactor configuration consisting of a series of sequentially fed leach bed reactors connected to an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) demonstrated a high rate of organic matter decay but resulted in lower specific methane yields (384 L CH4 kg-1 VS) than the conventional CSTR system.

Impacts of shale gas wastewater disposal on water quality in western Pennsylvania.

The safe disposal of liquid wastes associated with oil and gas production in the United States is a major challenge given their large volumes and typically high levels of contaminants. In Pennsylvania, oil and gas wastewater is sometimes treated at brine treatment facilities and discharged to local streams. This study examined the water quality and isotopic compositions of discharged effluents, surface waters, and stream sediments associated with a treatment facility site in western Pennsylvania. The elevated levels of chloride and bromide, combined with the strontium, radium, oxygen, and hydrogen isotopic compositions of the effluents reflect the composition of Marcellus Shale produced waters. The discharge of the effluent from the treatment facility increased downstream concentrations of chloride and bromide above background levels. Barium and radium were substantially (>90%) reduced in the treated effluents compared to concentrations in Marcellus Shale produced waters. Nonetheless, (226)Ra levels in stream sediments (544-8759 Bq/kg) at the point of discharge were ~200 times greater than upstream and background sediments (22-44 Bq/kg) and above radioactive waste disposal threshold regulations, posing potential environmental risks of radium bioaccumulation in localized areas of shale gas wastewater disposal.

Prospect for EPM application to environmental technology

EPM seems to have good prospects for the future not only in the materials processing but also in environmental technologies by the help of superior features like contactless processing, clean heating and melting, and good controllability. In the present paper, the authors commentate on the possibility of EPM to avoid environmental issues of energy, resources and hazardous wastes by the use of the functions of Lorentz force and Joule heating. Firstly, the present situation and future trend of electric power generation is outlined, and then some examples of the application of EPM to environmental technologies are introduced, which have been performed by the author’s group. Examples are as follows: production of spherical solar cell from a liquid jet by using intermittent electromagnetic force; fabrication of semi-solid Al-Si slurry for die-casting of vehicle-parts to reduce the weight of vehicle; electromagnetic separation of nonmetallic inclusions from liquid Al scrap and its application to the fabrication of partially particle-reinforced aluminum alloy; electromagnetic melting of hazardous wastes from power plants to stabilize wastes in glass state.

Bioremediation of waste under ocean acidification: Reviewing the role of Mytilus edulis

Waste bioremediation is a key regulating ecosystem service, removing wastes from ecosystems through storage, burial and recycling. The bivalve Mytilus edulis is an important contributor to this service, and is used in managing eutrophic waters. Studies show that they are affected by changes in pH due to ocean acidification, reducing their growth. This is forecasted to lead to reductions in M. edulis biomass of up to 50% by 2100. Growth reduction will negatively affect the filtering capacity of each individual, potentially leading to a decrease in bioremediation of waste. This paper critically reviews the current state of knowledge of bioremediation of waste carried out by M. edulis, and the current knowledge of the resultant effect of ocean acidification on this key service. We show that the effects of ocean acidification on waste bioremediation could be a major issue and pave the way for empirical studies of the topic.

Chapter 11: Human activities and ecosystem service use: impacts and trade-offs

Ecosystem services provided by the marine environment are fundamental to human health and well-being. Despite this, many marine systems are being degraded to an extent that may reduce their capacity to provide these ecosystem services. The ecosystem approach is a strategy for the integrated management of land, water and living resources that promotes conservation and sustainable use in an equitable way (UN Convention on Biological Diversity, 2000). Its application to marine management and spatial planning has been proposed as a means of maintaining the economic and social value of the oceans, not only in the present but for generations to come. Characterising the susceptibility of services (and combinations of services) to particular human activities based on knowledge of impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (as described in preceding chapters) is a challenge for future management of the oceans. In this chapter, we highlight the existing, but limited knowledge of how ecosystem services may be impacted by different human activities. We discuss how impacts on one service can impact multiple services and explore how the impacts on services can vary both spatially and temporally and according to context. We focus particularly on the effects on ecosystem services of activities whose impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning have already been considered in previous chapters. Some of these activities are associated with poor management of ecosystem benefits, for example, from provisioning services (aquaculture and fisheries), or with excessive input of wastes, fertilisers and contaminants into the system overburdening the waste treatment and assimilation services. Other impacts are associated with the construction of structures or use of space designed to generate benefits from environmental services such as the presence of water as a carrier for shipping, or sources of wind, wave and tidal power. We discuss the trade-offs that are made, consciously or otherwise, between different ecosystem services, which arise from human activities to optimise or manage specific ecosystem services.

Reuse of construction waste: performance under repeated loading

The use of recycled aggregates has increased greatly over the last decade owing to enhanced environmental sensitivities. The level of performance required by such materials is dependent upon the applications for which they are used. Many recycled construction wastes have adequate shear strength in relation to various geotechnical applications. However, a possible drawback of these materials is the risk of crushing during repeated loading. The work reported in this paper examined two waste materials: crushed concrete and building debris, both regarded as construction wastes. Tests were also performed on traditionally used crushed rock, in this case basalt. The materials were subjected to repeated loading in a large direct shear apparatus. The amount of crushing was quantified by performing particle size analysis of the tested material. The results have shown that both recycled construction wastes were susceptible to particle crushing. The amount of crushing was influenced by both the vertical pressure and the number of loading cycles. This leads to a marked decrease in peak friction angle

Mineralogy of selected geological deposits from the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland as possible capping materials for low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities

Solid low-level radioactive waste (LLW) is currently being disposed at a number of facilities in the United Kingdom (UK). The safety of these facilities relies to some extent on the use of engineered barriers, such as a cap, to isolate the waste and protect the environment. Generally, the material used as the barrier layer within such a cap should be of low permeability and it should retain this property over long timescales (beyond a few decades normally required for facilities containing non-radioactive wastes). The objective of this research is to determine the mineralogy of selected geological deposits from the UK and Ireland as part of a larger project to examine their suitability as a capping material, particularly on LLW sites. Mineral transformations, as a result of future climate change, may impact on the long-term performance of the cap and even the disposal facility. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was carried-out on the sand, silt and clay fractions of the London Clay, Belfast Upper Boulder Clay, Irish Glacial Till, Belfast Sleech, and Ampthill Clay geological deposits. Minerals were present that could pose both positive and negative effects on the long-term performance of the cap. Smectite, which has a high shrink swell potential, may produce cracks in London Clay, Belfast Upper Boulder Clay and Ampthill Clay capping material during dry, hotter periods as a possible consequence of future climate change; thus, resulting in higher permeability. Ampthill Clay and Belfast Sleech had elevated amounts of organic matter (OM) at 5.93% and 5.88%, respectively, which may also contribute to cracking. Over time, this OM may decompose and result in increased permeability. Gypsum (CaSO4) in the silt and sand fractions of Ampthill Clay may reduce the impact of erosion during wetter periods if it is incorporated into the upper portion of the cap. There are potential negative effects from the acidity created by the weathering of pyrite (FeS2) present in the silt and sand fractions of Belfast Sleech and Ampthill Clay that could impede the growth of grasses used to stabilize the surface of the capping material if this material is used as part of the vegetative soil layer. Additionally, acidic waters generated from pyrite weathering could negatively impact the lower lying capping layers and the disposal facility in general. However, the calcium carbonate (CaCO3) present in the silt and sand fractions of these deposits, and dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) in Belfast Sleech, may counter act the acidity.

Spatial Allocation of Material Flow Analysis: A Geographic Information System Application of Material Flow Analysis in Ireland

This study concerns the spatial allocation of material flows, with emphasis on construction material in the Irish housing sector. It addresses some of the key issues concerning anthropogenic impact on the environment through spatial temporal visualisation of the flow of materials, wastes and emissions at different spatial levels. This is presented in the form of a spatial model, Spatial Allocation of Material Flow Analysis (SAMFA), which enables the simulation of construction material flows and associated energy use. SAMFA parallels the Island Limits project (EPA funded under 2004-SD-MS-22-M2), which aimed to create a material flow analysis of the Irish economy classified by industrial sector. SAMFA further develops this by attempting to establish the material flows at the subnational geographical scale that could be used in the development of local authority (LA) sustainability strategies and spatial planning frameworks by highlighting the cumulative environmental impacts of the development of the built environment. By drawing on the idea of planning support systems, SAMFA also aims to provide a cross-disciplinary, integrative medium for involving stakeholders in strategies for a sustainable built environment and, as such, would help illustrate the sustainability consequences of alternative The pilot run of the model in Kildare has shown that the model can be successfully calibrated and applied to develop alternative material flows and energy-use scenarios at the ED level. This has been demonstrated through the development of an integrated and a business-as-usual scenario, with the former integrating a range of potential material efficiency and energysaving policy options and the latter replicating conditions that best describe the current trend. Their comparison shows that the former is better than the latter in terms of both material and energy use. This report also identifies a number of potential areas of future research and areas of broader application. This includes improving the accuracy of the SAMFA model (e.g. by establishing actual life expectancy of buildings in the Irish context through field surveys) and the extension of the model to other Irish counties. This would establish SAMFA as a valuable predicting and monitoring tool that is capable of integrating national and local spatial planning objectives with actual environmental impacts. Furthermore, should the model prove successful at this level, it then has the potential to transfer the modelling approach to other areas of the built environment, such as commercial development and other key contributors of greenhouse emissions. The ultimate aim is to develop a meta-model for predicting the consequences of consumption patterns at the local scale. This therefore offers the possibility of creating critical links between socio technical systems with the most important challenge of all the limitations of the biophysical environment.

Optimised microwave-assisted synthesis of methylcarbonate salts: a convenient methodology to prepare intermediates for ionic liquid libraries

The reaction of 1-butylpyrrolidine with dimethyl carbonate to yield the ionic liquid precursor, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium methylcarbonate, has been investigated under microwave heating conditions and the reaction parameters optimised to achieve 100% yield of the pyrrolidinium salt with no by-products in under 1 h. The reactions of tributylamine, trioctylphosphine, and 1-butylimidazole with dimethyl carbonate under comparable conditions have also been evaluated, yielding the corresponding methylcarbonate salts which can be used as intermediates for the preparation of halide-free ionic liquids without generating any undesirable salt wastes.