Leaching characteristics of the fine fraction from an excavated landfill: physico-chemical characterization

Leaching of fine fraction (<10 mm) obtained from landfill mining activities in an Estonian landfill was done. On-site excavation was carried out in four test pits (TP1, TP2, TP3, TP4) that were further divided in four layers (L1, L2, L3, L4). Total chemical oxygen demand (CODt), dissolved chemical oxygen demand (CODd), total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and metals (Zn, Cu, Pb and Cd) were analyzed. The results showed that approximately 70 % of CODt were in particulate/colloidal state. The TOC released ranged between 2326 and 3530-mg/kg dry matter for test pits suggesting spatial differences in the studied landfill. DOC ranged between 365–874 and 317–940 mg/kg for different test pits and sampling layers, respectively. Low average leaching rates of metals were observed (0.2–1.5 %). Pb had a significantly higher average leaching rate (1.0 %) compared to Zn (0.70 %) and Cu (0.35 %). The potential use of CODt as a surrogate indicator of TOC, DOC and Zn on the basis of high correlation coefficients was observed. To conclude, the implementation of adequate strategies to manage fine-grained fractions obtained from excavated waste relies on physico-chemical characterization of both the fine fractions itself and the leachate generated during storage and use. © 2015 Springer Japa

Trichosanthes dioica root extract induces tumor proliferation and attenuation of antioxidant system in albino mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

Trichosanthes dioica Roxb. (Cucurbitaceae), called pointed gourd in English, is a dioecious climber grown widely in the Indian subcontinent. The present study assessed the influence of treatment of hydroalcoholic extract of Trichosanthes dioica root (TDA) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) in Swiss albino mice with effects on antioxidant systems. Twenty-four hours after intraperitoneal inoculation of tumor (EAC) cells in mice, TDA was administered at 25 and 50 mg/kg for 8 consecutive days. On the 9th day, half of the mice were sacrificed for estimation of tumor proliferation, hematological, and hepatic antioxidative parameters. The rest were kept for assessment of survival parameters. TDA exhibited dose dependent and significant increase in tumor weight, tumor volume, packed cell volume and viable cells and reduced non-viable cells and life span of EAC bearing animals. Hematological parameters were significantly worsened in TDA-treated mice. TDA treatment significantly aggravated the hepatic antioxidative parameters. The present study demonstrated that T. dioica root possessed tumor promoting activity in EAC bearing albino mice, plausibly mediated by attenuation of endogenous antioxidant systems

Estimation of combined sewer overflow discharge from the city of Malmo.

A study aiming at the estimation of yearly volumes of CSO and yearly quantities of pollution load from CSO had been carried out in the city of Malmo, Sweden. Storm Water Management Model was used both to simulate single CSO events and for continuous simulation. The results from these simulations were compared with actual measurements.-from Author

Calculation of mass transport of pollutants via storm water discharge

The National Swedish Environmental Protection Board recommends a standard value method for calculation of mass transport of pollutants via storm water sewer systems. In this paper mass transport calculations based on this method are compared with actual measurements. Measurements during one and a half years in the city of Lund show high amounts of leakage and drainage into the storm water sewer system. The paper shows that the pollution transport during base flow conditions is significant

Privatizing community animal health worker based veterinary services delivery system in West Kordofan, Southern Sudan; The needed roles of community animal health assistant (CAHA) and Pastoral unions

Historically the Government of Sudan (GoS) has provided nationwide veterinary services free of charge. In 11993 however, the southern Sudan, where the west Kordofan is situated, was hit by deteriorating security situation, which compounded by budgetary constraint, poor infrastructure and recurrent drought rendered the state unable to provide even the basic veterinary services. For the livestock owners in the south, the near total collapse of the veterinary service delivery system was exacerbated by the adoption of policies aimed at liberalizing and privatizing the delivery of inputs and services in face of a non-performing economy and lack of disposal income. The transhuman pastoralism practice has kept to a very regular pattern between north and south. During the dry season (December to May) the herders move southwards while with the onset of the rainy season (June to November), which coincides with the influx of biting flies and diseases, they migrate northwards. This pattern of movement renders fixed point delivery of veterinary services currently being offered by the GoS and some private practitioners totally ineffective. In addition the migration pattern and the inaccessibility of the routes used during the migration makes it expensive and physically difficult to sustain a motorized delivery system. In response to the UNICEF/OLS, CARE, UNDIP-UNSO/ARS, SKADP and El Bir introduced the community based animal health worker (CAWH) programmes in 1992. Initially veterinary inputs and services were subsidized but emphasis is now shifting to full cost recovery. The services provided by the CAWHs were paid for from the money received through a cost recovery system. This arrangement, however involves both development agencies and the GoS and all thus not viewed as being sustainable in the long run the present study undertaken to review the current CAHW structure and provide a realistic plan that outlines the details necessary for providing a middle management level structure of animal health care providers to evaluate, monitor and support the CAHWs in the field. This paper describes the proposed services delivery and administrative structure envisaged as being the most cost effective, practical and sustainable for the area. The Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 27 2004: pp. 52-6

Aspects of computer modelling techniques for a semi-arid, small catchment in Tunisia.

Addresses the issue whether computer modelling techniques developed for humid climates are applicable in runoff forecasting in the semi-arid zone. Four different simulation models were applied to a partly urbanized catchment in northern Tunisia. Two of the models used were developed for urban runoff simulation (SWMM and ILLUDAS) and two for typical rural application (HBV and VANMOD). -Author

Physical, chemical and biological processes for optimizing decentralized composting

On-site composting of nonpolluted organic wastes avoids costs and energy for transportation since the volume to be transported can be reduced to about 20% of the original. This paper describes the aerobic processes in a small-scale composting reactor, and evaluates how these processes can be optimized. The optimized composting process has a relatively short turnover time for organic matter; at the same time the temperature of about 60degreesC decreases the problems with pathogens and weeds in the mature compost. The compost produced has a high nutritional value, with high concentrations of especially nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, while the contamination by heavy metals and other toxic substances are very low

Spatial and temporal quantification of forest residue volumes and delivered costs

Growing demand for bioenergy, biofuels and bioproducts has increased interests in the utilization of biomass residues from forest treatments as feedstock. In areas with limited history of industrial biomass utilization, uncertainties in the quantity, distribution, and cost of biomass production and logistics can hinder the development of new bio-based industries. This paper introduces a new methodology to quantify and spatially describe delivered feedstock volumes and costs across landscapes of arbitrary size in ways that characterize operational and annual management decision-making. Using National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) imagery, the forest is segmented into operational-level treatment units. A remote sensing model based on NAIP imagery and Forest Inventory and Analysis plot data is used to attribute treatment units with stand-level estimates of basal area, tree density, above ground biomass, and quadratic mean diameter. These methods are applied to a study site in southwestern Colorado to assess the quantity and distribution of treatment residue for use in bioenergy production. Results from the case study demonstrate how this generalized approach can be used in the analysis and decision-making process when establishing new bioenergy industries that use forest residue as feedstock.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Water balance for landfills of different age

Water-related processes in landfills are discussed with emphasis on internal processes such as field capacity, moisture variation in time and space, and macropore flow. Runoff production and evaporation from landfills in Sweden of different age are investigated. It is clarified in what ways and for how long a closed municipal landfill differs from an ordinary land area from a hydrological point of view