Polybrominated diphenyl ethers at a solid waste incineration plant II: atmospheric deposition

In the second of two papers, the atmospheric polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) deposition (wet and dry) at a municipal solid waste incineration (MSW) plant with electronics recycling is compared with that at an industrial urban reference site (URS) producing asphalt and concrete. Results of BDE209 and SigmaPBDE excluding BDE209 as representatives of "new" vs. "old" PBDEs are presented. Volume weighted mean SigmaPBDE and BDE209 concentrations at the MSW were 6.2 and 14.4 ng l(-1), and at the URS were 2.5 and 14.1 ng l(-1). Median SigmaPBDE and BDE209 deposition fluxes were 21.3, 63.8 and 7.0, 14.7 ng m(-2) day(-1) at the MSW and URS, respectively. The concentrations in precipitation and the deposition fluxes were significantly higher at the MSW compared to the URS. Measured total washout- ratios (W-T) were dependent on particle scavenging and the median WT for all congeners was 5.4x 10(5). Median dry particle deposition velocities ranged from 0.4 to 49 cm s(-1), depending on congener, showing that PBDEs are effectively removed from the atmosphere by particle deposition. PBDE fluxes increased at the reference site when winds were blowing from west south-west, i.e. from the direction of the MSW. PBDE deposition and washout ratios were not influenced by temperature or rain volume, suggesting a constant emission from the MSW regardless of weather conditions. Together with the results of paper I (Agrell et al., 2004, Atmospheric Environment, this issue) we therefore suggest that treatment of waste, e.g. electronics recycling, is more a source of "old" PBDEs to the environment, whereas the rather similar BDE209 concentrations at the two urban sites are more a result of proximity to potential diffuse sources. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDES) at a solid waste incineration plant I: Atmospheric concentrations

In the first of two papers, the atmospheric poly brominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations at a municipal solid waste incineration (MSW) plant with electronic recycling is compared with that at an industrial urban reference site producing asphalt and concrete. In the second paper, atmospheric deposition and washout behaviour is presented (Atmos. Environ. (2004a)). PBDEs (BDE28, -47, -66, -100, -154, -153, -183, -209) in the gaseous and particulate phase were measured with high resolution in time during the colder parts of the year to minimise the influence of potential historical pollution at the sites through volatilisation. This also means that reported levels are lower compared to other reported data. Results of BDE47 (TetraBDE) and BDE209 (DecaBDE) as representatives of "old" vs. "new" PBDEs as well as SigmaPBDE, excluding BDE209, are presented. Median SigmaPBDE, BDE47 and BDE209 concentration were 6.3, 2.1 and 10.4 pg m(-3) at the MSW and 3.5, 1.7 and 6.5 pg m-3 at the reference site. The total concentrations (gaseous and particulate phase) were significantly higher at the MSW compared to the reference site for SigmaPBDE and BDE47 but not for BDE209. The same results were obtained regarding concentrations in the gaseous phase. Particle concentrations were significantly higher at the MSW for SigmaPBDE, BDE47 and BDE209. Within each site, the gaseous-phase concentration was significantly higher than the particulate-phase concentration except for BDE209 at the MSW. Thus, the proportion of BDE209 detected in the particulate phase was higher at the MSW compared to the reference site. Together with the results of the second paper, we suggest that treatment of waste is presently a source of "old" PBDEs to the environment, whereas the rather similar BDE209 concentrations at the two sites are more a result of proximity to potential diffuse sources

A review of evidence on the environmental impact of Ireland’s Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS)

peer-reviewedSince its inception in 1994, there has been strong demand for evidence of the environmental effectiveness of the Rural Environment Protection Scheme (REPS), which paid farmers in the Republic of Ireland over €3 billion by 2010. A variety of research projects have been undertaken that investigate the environmental effects of REPS through an examination of either specific environmental measures or specific geographical areas. A review of available publications confirmed the absence of a comprehensive, national-scale study of the environmental impacts of REPS. Because of this, there is insufficient evidence with which to judge the environmental effectiveness of the national-scale implementation of the whole scheme. For some specific measures, however, sufficient evidence is available to inform an objective assessment in some cases, and to help learn how to improve environmental effectiveness in most cases. The majority of the REPS payments are now dedicated toward biodiversity objectives. Thus, biodiversity measures and options should be a priority for any national-scale environmental assessment of the scheme. Such a study would help identify the environmental benefits of REPS, the specific elements of REPS that are performing adequately, and those elements that are in need of improvement. Given the considerable overlap between REPS measures and options and those included in the 2010 Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS), assessment of REPS measures could also be used to inform the likely environmental performance of the AEOS

Swiss people’s attitudes towards field margins for biodiversity conservation

Arable land in Switzerland harbours low biodiversity and lacks permanent species-rich structures. To remedy this situation,improved field margins(IFMs)will be introduced as a new ecological compensation type in the Swiss Lowlands. IFMs are extensively managed, sown species- and flower-rich vegetation strips which provide both habitats for a wide range of species and valuable structures for the ecological network. However, the success of ecological compensation measures depends strongly on their acceptance by farmers and the general public. In summer 2004, we investigated in a case study the attitudes of 108 Swiss people to IFMs directly in the field. Study participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of IFMs of different species richness and composition that were presented to them, to explain their rating and to estimate the number of species present. In addition, they were asked to imagine a field margin of their particular liking, to describe it, and to state their opinion on several aspects of IFMs. Study participants responded very positively to species-rich vegetation. The more species-rich an IFM was perceived to be, the more it appealed to them. Species richness and general diversity were named as the main reasons for a positive rating. Study participants strongly approved the establishment of improved field margins. The positive rating and high acceptance of IFMs in this study indicate that they may be a successful new tool for biodiversity enhancement in intensively used agricultural landscapes