Diffuse Minewater Pollution: Quantification and Risk Assessment in the Tamar Catchment

Merged with duplicate record: 10026.1/2901 on 01.02.2017 by CS (TIS)Abandoned metal mines in the Tamar catchment, south west England, represent a significant threat to surface water quality via generation of acid mine waters. Currently the River Tamar fails environmental quality standards (EQS) established under the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) for dissolved Cu (x ̅ = 0.19 ± 0.05 μmol L-1) and Zn (x ̅ = 0.19 ± 0.06 μmol L-1, both 1997-2007) downstream of historic mining area of Gunnislake. The aim of this study was to quantify the risk to surface water quality by diffuse drainage generated by mine waste tips. For the first time, a GIS model was compiled and used to generate a priority list of known areas of mine waste, based on physical and environmental factors. The methodology was consistent with European guidance documentation published to meet the requirements of the Mining Waste Directive (2001/21/EC) and has since been applied, in a modified form, to other catchments in south west England. Two study sites, with contrasting mineralogy and hydrology, scored highly in the model and were the subject of field investigations from 2007-2009. These were Devon Great Consols (DGC), an abandoned Cu-As mine near Gunnislake and Wheal Betsy (WB), an abandoned Pb-Ag mine, near Mary Tavy. At each site, surface waters and shallow groundwaters were sampled and analysed for dissolved metals (including Al, Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Ni, and Cd), metalloids (As, Sb), major ions and anions. Samples of four selected mine waste tips were also gathered and subjected to a range of laboratory leaching experiments including the novel application of a dynamic upflow percolation test, based on an existing European method (CEN TS 14405). Leachates generated by the waste tips in the field were highly variable and elevated with respect to EQS for Al (up to 1850 μmol L-1), Cu (570 μmol L-1), Zn (34 μmol L-1), Ni (3.8 μmol L-1), Cd (0.17 μmol L-1), Mn (216 μmol L-1), Fe(537 μmol L-1) , As (380 μmol L-1) and Sb (5.4 μmol L-1). Estimated annual fluxes of dissolved metals were predicted using average rainfall data and catchment areas calculated in ArcHydro9 to estimate the annual discharge of waters from the tip. These calculations showed annual contaminant flux from the tips to exceed, or be of the same order of magnitude to, major adit discharges in the catchment (e.g. Cu 50900-66900 mol y-1 at DGC and 470 mol y-1 Cd at WB) and represented a significant contributor to metal flux in the Tamar catchment. Primary sulphide minerals in the waste were generally highly altered and metals (Pb, Cu, Zn, and Mn) and As were found to be strongly associated with secondary iron minerals, precipitated under oxic conditions. In finer wastes, sorption to clay minerals was also found to be very important for the retention of dissolved metals, particularly Pb. Concentrations of contaminants in column field leachates were similar for most metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni and Cd) and may provide a useful tool for prediction of leachate composition. However, sorption and release of metals and As to the secondary phases and clays were highly sensitive to pH change and where laboratory experiments did not replicate field pH, discrepancies between in situ and laboratory results were observed up to two orders of magnitude in scale (particularly for As and Pb).Great Western Research, Environment Agency, University of Exete

Perceptions and expectations of hospitalisation and attitudes towards mental illness : a study of first admission psychiatric patients in Edinburgh, Scotland and St John's Newfoundland

Attitudes and perceptions of patients admitted to a psychiatric facility for the first time were investigated with a view to considering the applicability of psychiatric/sick role and labelling perspectives to the subjective experience of becoming a psychiatric patient. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 100 first admission patients admitted to the Royal Edinburgh. Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, and Waterford Hospital and the General Hospital Health Sciences Centre Psychiatric Unit, St John's, Newfoundland. The subjects were interviewed within the first few days of their stay in hospital. The thesis examines: these subjects' perceptions of the process leading to their psychiatric admissions; their views of the causes, course and nature of mental illness and of their own conditions; their expectations and perceptions of the psychiatric facilities and their understanding of their role as psychiatric patient; and their attitudes towards the stigma associated with mental illness and psychiatric hospitalisation and their plans to deal with this issue. The following emerged: a majority of the subjects entered hospital willingly, described mental illness and the mentally ill in an 'informed' way or in a way not implying socially unacceptable behaviours or conditions, and did not plan to actively conceal that they had been patients in a psychiatric hospital. There was a relationship between some of the views expressed. A core group of 32 held all three of these positions and these subjects had a higher level of education, were older and more were currently in employment compared to the rest of the sample. The subjects responded differently to the label of mental illness. However each response indicated an attempt to maintain a positive self identity. In addition a wider range of disorders were identified as in need of psychiatric attention than the literature would suggest. Most subjects were satisfied with the hospital environment. A passive view of the patient role was widespread but this did not indicate resistance. A psychiatric/sick role perspective better explains these subjective experiences of becoming psychiatric patients than does labelling theory. However there was a wide recognition of stigma. Almost half of those advancing an 'informed' view of mental illness planned to conceal that they had been in hospital because they might be stigmatised. This may reflect a realistic appraisal of the existence of discrimination

Incidence of Pre-, Peri-, and Post-Natal Birth and Developmental Problems of Children with Sensory Processing Disorder and Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

As the diagnosis of sensory processing disorder (SPD) is advanced, it is important to investigate potential contributing factors to this disorder as well as early diagnostic signs. An exploratory descriptive study, utilizing retrospective chart review, was conducted to investigate the incidence of pre-, peri- and post-natal, birth and developmental problems in a sample of 1000 children with SPD and of 467 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), who also had SPD. This study revealed that although no one factor was strongly associated with SPD or ASD, an average of seven events for children with SPD and eight events for children with ASD occurred across categories. These included: one pre-natal/pregnancy problem, delivery complication, assisted delivery, gestational or birth-related injury/illness; one or more early childhood illnesses or injuries; two or more infancy/early childhood developmental problems; and one or more delayed early childhood developmental milestones. When comparing results to national studies of the typical population, most remarkable was the incidence of jaundice, three to four times higher in both the SPD and ASD groups than in typical children. In addition, rates of breech position, cord wrap/ prolapse, assisted delivery methods (particularly forceps and suction deliveries), and high birth-weight were greater in both groups. Incidence of premature birth was higher in the ASD although not significantly different from the SPD group. Also of note was a high frequency of absent or brief crawling phase, and high percentages of problems with ear infections, allergies, and maternal stresses during pregnancy

Studies in the production and effects of volatile fungal metabolites

Previous surveys in this Department have been extended by examining 35 species of Fomes and 12 species of Clitocyte. Seventeen Fomes species showed biological activity against at least one of the assay organisms (lettuce, Aspergillus niger and 8 bacteria). There was no particular pattern of activity in this group. Fifteen species showed conspicuous peaks on G.L.O. traces. Of these, only two groups of species, one of 5 and one of 4, produced similar G.L.O. patterns. The conspicuous peaks produced by one of these groups, (F. pomaceus et al.) was subsequently shown to be due to the presence of methyl chloride. No other patterns, were produced by more than one species. There was no consistent correlation between biological activity and the production of conspicuous peaks on G.L.C. traces and ho consistent correlation of pattern production with any existing taxonomic arrangement, Hexatriyne, previously reported from F. annosus was not produced by any species examined hers. The inhibition of lettuce seedling growth by the culture gases of F. scutellatus has been show to be attributable to the production of gaseous hydrogen cyanide. A new adaption of Feigl & Anger's technique was developed for quantitative measurement of HCN in this study. The factor responsible for characteristic inhibition of lettuce root growth by F. noxius has not been identified. None of the compounds, acetaldehyde, ethanol, isobutanol or a mixture of pentanols which gave conspicuous peaks on G.L.C. traces produced comparable inhibition either individually or in mixtures. There are indications that a sulphur-containing compound are awaiting analysis. Nine of the Clitocybe species showed biological activity against at least one of the assay species. A pattern of activity was observed which correlated with the production of hydrogen cyanide. All 4 species, C. geotropa, C. infundibuliformis, C. Candida and C. cyanthiformis, producing HCN inhibited lettuce seedling growth, the first two of these also consistently inhibited growth and stimulated sporulation of A. niger; C. Geotropa inhibited the growth of bacteria. The concentrations of HCN produced by these species were shown to be sufficient to account for the inhibitory effects produced on lettuce; other effects of these species have not been examined further. Nine Clitocybe species produced conspicuous peaks on G.L.C. traces. Of these, only two produced similar patterns. No other pattern was produced by more than one species, although there are indications that several species may be producing similar compounds. Earlier work was extended by examining the factor reported to stimulate production of zygospores in Rhizopus sexualis at low temperatures. This factor could not be identified. Zygospore production was found to be variable over the critical temperature range and differences of one Centigrade degree had a large effect on the numbers of zygospores produced. Because of this, it was suspected that physical factors could contribute to the stimulation effect under certain circumstances. The effect of F. scutellatus and F. noxius gases acting through soil was studied briefly with a view to examining the possible effects of volatile metabolites in nature. The inhibition produced by these species through soil layers of three types was similar to that demonstrated on agar medium

Building Future Research Capacity In Student Healthcare Practitioners Through Research-Informed-Teaching

The Research-Informed-Teaching (RIT) agenda aims to broaden the scope of learning and teaching within higher education (Jenkins, Healey and Zetter, 2007). This may encompass raising students’ awareness of the research environment and knowledge base relevant to their discipline, developing advanced skills in critical appraisal of published research, engaging active researchers in the delivery of teaching, plus facilitating students’ direct experience of research processes and conduct. It may be anticipated that that RIT is already intrinsic to the nature of professional education in healthcare, where Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a now a fundamental requirement of professional regulation (Health and Care Professions’ Council (2014). However frameworks of RIT are not necessarily sufficiently defined to promote the required depth of critical reflection on clinical practice (Dey, Downe, Milston, Roddam and Hart, 2009)

LC-REHAB: randomised trial assessing the effect of a new patient education method - learning and coping strategies - in cardiac rehabilitation

Due to improved treatments and ageing population, many countries now report increasing prevalence in rates of ischemic heart disease and heart failure. Cardiac rehabilitation has potential to reduce morbidity and mortality, but not all patients complete. In light of favourable effects of cardiac rehabilitation it is important to develop patient education methods which can enhance adherence to this effective program. The LC-REHAB study aims to compare the effect of a new patient education strategy in cardiac rehabilitation called \u27learning and coping\u27 to that of standard care. Further, this paper aims to describe the theoretical basis and details of this intervention

Inter-Rater Reliability of Goal Attainment Scaling with Children with Sensory Processing Disorder

Background: Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) is advocated as a meaningful outcome measure for parents and clinicians using an Ayres Sensory Integration® Intervention (ASI) approach. Although used in several treatment effectiveness studies, reliability of therapist goal writing and scoring has not been established in this area. Method: Ten occupational therapists and 40 parents of children receiving ASI participated across two clinical sites. The interview therapists and inter-rater therapists wrote GAS goals based on the same goal-setting interviews conducted with parents. Follow-up parent interviews were conducted post-ASI intervention, and the GAS goals were rated by both the interview therapists and inter-rater therapists. Results: Seventy-eight percent of interview therapist and inter-rater therapist-written goals agreed on content. Intra Class Correlation coefficient of agreement between the two sets of raters was .70 for the total score. Control of bias for establishing and rating the projected level of performance and scaled GAS goals was within an acceptable range. Conclusion: Findings contribute reliability evidence for use of GAS with children with sensory processing and integration challenges. Two therapists, from different clinical sites who were unfamiliar with the child, identified goal areas, wrote similar GAS goals based on the same parent interview, and scored goals post intervention with good inter-rater reliability