Wastewater Quality Characteristics as Affected by Industrial Discharges, Its Extent for Environmental Pollution and Implication on Food Security in Ethiopia: A Case Study from at Akaki and Debre Zeit

In Ethiopia, there is a growing concern with regard to the adverse effect of industrial discharge on the environment where soil and water qualities are the main pillar of it. The majority of the people who lived in agriculture are highly affected by this consequence. Therefore, this study was conducted on wastewater discharged from industries in the central part of Ethiopia with the objective of studying its quality as affected by these industries, the extend for environmental pollution and their implication on food security efforts in Ethiopia. For these, several wastewater samples were collected at the point of impact and every 100 m from the point of discharges, and characterized for their chemical composition, concentration and proportion of elements in them. The analytical results indicated that the reaction (pH) ranged from slightly alkaline (7.86- textile) to heavily alkaline (9.27- Agro-stone) at Akaki while at Debre Zeit t varies from 7.99 (flower) to 9.23 (East Africa food processing) and heavily saturated with basic cations except Ca2+ raising the electrical conductivity to 2.2dS m-1. Available P, chlorides, sulfate and carbonates and bicarbonates were found to be too high to use for agricultural purposes while micronutrients are too low to affect the wastewater quality. Sodium Adsorption Ratio (SAR) vary from 2.01 (low) to 16.41 (medium) at Akaki while it ranges from 11.19 (medium) to 46.13 (high) at Debre Zeit implying that the high potential of these wastewater to contaminate or pollute the soil. Accordingly, it might significantly affect the soil physico-chemical properties as well as plant growth. Positive Relative Pollution Potential (RPP) and positive ad more than 1 contamination/pollution index (C/P) implying that these wastewater do have a potential to pollute the environment and significantly affecting the food security efforts in the region. Keywords: Discharges, environmental pollution, food security, soil quality, water qualit

Adhesion-induced lateral phase separation of multi-component membranes: the effect of repellers and confinement

We present a theoretical study for adhesion-induced lateral phase separation for a membrane with short stickers, long stickers and repellers confined between two hard walls. The effects of confinement and repellers on lateral phase separation are investigated. We find that the critical potential depth of the stickers for lateral phase separation increases as the distance between the hard walls decreases. This suggests confinement-induced or force-induced mixing of stickers. We also find that stiff repellers tend to enhance, while soft repellers tend to suppress adhesion-induced lateral phase separation

The water footprint assessment manual: setting the global standard

This book contains the global standard for \u27water footprint assessment\u27 as developed and maintained by the Water Footprint Network (WFN). It covers a comprehensive set of definitions and methods for water footprint accounting. It shows how water footprints are calculated for individual processes and products, as well as for consumers, nations and businesses. It also includes methods for water footprint sustainability assessment and a library of water footprint response options. A shared standard on definitions and calculation methods is crucial given the rapidly growing interest in companies and governments to use water footprint accounts as a basis for formulating sustainable water strategies and policies

Jahresbericht 1988 - 1989

Elektronische Version der gedr. Ausg. 199

The syringe sampler: An inexpensive alternative borehole sampling technique for CO2-rich fluids during mineral carbon storage

Mineral carbon storage involves the dissolution of injected gaseous or supercritical CO2 followed by interaction of the carbonated solution with the host rock at depth resulting in the precipitation of carbonate minerals. Monitoring of elemental chemistry and tracers is required to evaluate the evolution of the fluid geochemistry and the degree of CO2 mineralization during its injection into the subsurface. To avoid degassing during sampling, which is a common feature of commercial groundwater samplers, especially vacuum samplers, a syringe-like sampler was designed, constructed, and tested in the lab and field. This system was successfully deployed during the injection of 175 tons of pure gaseous CO2 at the CarbFix injection site in Hellisheidi, SW Iceland. This study presents in detail this sampling tool and its application to the monitoring of the CO2-rich fluid evolution during subsurface carbonation. The syringe sampler was developed as a flexible and mobile unit of low investment and operating costs making it an attractive option for deployment at small scale carbon storage demonstration sites that do not command the budgets to deploy commercial alternatives, e.g. from the oil and gas industry

Evaluation of the Water Footprint of Beef Cattle Production in Nebraska

Data were compiled on feed usage to model the amount of water needed to produce beef in typical Nebraska production systems. Production systems where cows were wintered on corn residue utilized 18% less water than systems utilizing native range as a wintering source, because of water allocations. Therefore, the water footprint (gallons of water required to produce one pound of boneless meat) was decreased by 18%. In addition, increasing the dietary inclusion of distillers grains from 0% to 40% decreased the water footprint in the finishing phase by 29%, again based on water allocation. Utilizing corn residue and distillers grains in Nebraska beef cattle systems decreases the overall water footprint of production. Additionally, the water footprint of the systems analyzed was 80% green water as rain, minimizing the environmental impact of beef production on freshwater use and ecological water balance

Arjen Y. Hoekstra 1967–2019

Arjen Hoekstra introduced the water footprint in 20021, building on the concept of virtual water Tony Allan to discuss the role of trade in alleviating water scarcity in the Middle East. He thereby opened a new dimension in the debate around fair and sustainable allocation of freshwater resources. He laid the foundations to show the role of indirect water (that is, water used elsewhere to produce goods we consume) in our daily life beyond our direct use for drinking, cooking or washing. The water footprint is an indicator of direct and indirect water use by a producer or consumer, showing how water flows through our economies by tracing it through supply chains and trade. Hoekstra was born and raised in Delft, a student town close to the Dutch North Sea coast. According to his two brothers, at a young age he was already known for his sharp mind, passion for reasoning and strong argumentation. Later he earned an MSc degree in Civil Engineering and a PhD degree in Policy Analysis from Delft University of Technology, after which he worked for few years at UNESCO-IHE, including in Zimbabwe

Cervical scoliosis: clinical and radiographic outcomes

Study Design Retrospective study. Objective Cervical scoliosis is a rare condition that can arise from various etiologies. Few reports on the surgical management of cervical scoliosis exist. Our objective was to evaluate clinical and radiographic outcomes following surgical management of cervical scoliosis. Methods We evaluated our cervical spine surgical database for patients with cervical scoliosis (Cobb angle > 10 degrees) from 2005 to 2010. Demographic data including age, gender, diagnoses, and primary versus revision surgery was collected. Surgical data including procedure (anterior versus posterior), estimated blood loss (EBL), length of surgery, length of hospitalization, and complications was recorded. Preoperative and postoperative Cobb angle measurements and Neck Disability Index (NDI) scores were recorded. Results Cervical scoliosis was identified in 18 patients. We excluded 5, leaving 5 men and 8 women with an average age of 50.7 (median 52, range 25 to 65). The average follow-up was 40 months (median 36.5, range 5 to 87). An anterior-only approach was used in 6 cases (average 4 levels fused), 5 cases were posterior-only approach (average 8.7 levels fused), and 2 cases were combined anterior-posterior approach. The EBL was an average of 286 mL (median 150, range 50 to 900), the average surgical time was 266 minutes (median 239, range 136 to 508), and the average hospital stay was 2.7 days (median 2, range 1 to 7). Complications occurred in 7 patients, and 2 developed adjacent segment pathology. The average coronal Cobb angle preoperatively was 35.1 degrees (median 31, range 13 to 63) and corrected was 15.7 degrees (median 10.5, range 2 to 59) postoperatively (p < 0.005). The average NDI preoperatively was 24.9 (median 26, range 6 to 37) and was reduced to 17.8 (median 18, range 7 to 30) postoperatively (p < 0.02). Conclusion Surgical management of cervical scoliosis can result in deformity correction and improvement in patient outcomes. Higher rates of complications may be encountered

Leveraging Breadth and Depth: Strategies to Characterize Population Diversity to Address Cancer Disparities in the DF/HCC Catchment Area

Abstract Background: NCI-Designated Cancer Centers provide key cancer research, prevention, and treatment services to members of their catchment area. Characterization of these areas may be complex given the diverse needs of the populations within, particularly those from low socioeconomic position (SEP). The purpose of this paper is to describe the characterization of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) catchment area through using a two-pronged approach. Methods: Participants (n = 1,511) were recruited through (i) an online, probability-based survey (n = 1,013) and (ii) a supplementary, in-person survey from priority groups (African Americans, Latinos, blue-collar workers, low SEP, homeless; n = 498) within Massachusetts. Study staff worked closely with community partners across the state to reach individuals who may not usually be included in online surveys. Results: There were several differences across samples, with the community-based sample having a higher percentage of low SEP, low education, African Americans, and Latinos compared with the online sample. Differences were also noted in the cancer-related behaviors of the samples, with the community-based sample having higher rates of smoking, particularly within those who were homeless or make less than $20,000 per year. Fewer community-based subgroups were current with cancer screenings, and more showed more indication of potential communication inequalities compared with statewide estimates. Conclusions: The sampling strategy used to characterization of the DF/HCC catchment area provided broad, statewide estimates and additional focus on vulnerable populations, highlighting several potential areas for intervention. Impact: This study provides data to highlight the value of using multiple sampling strategies when characterizing cancer center catchment areas

A Study Focus on Concrete Replacing LD Slag as Fine Aggregate

Concrete is a composite material composed of fine and coarse granular aggregate (which acts as a filler material) embedded in a hard matrix of cement (which acts as binder) that fills the space among the aggregate particles and glue them together. The main constituents being cement, fine aggregate (river sand), coarse aggregate and water. The increase in cement production and its USAge and also its impact on the environment is addressed widely throughout the world in recent years, which gave light to researches to use alternative materials to cement such as fly ash, silica fume, ggbs etc. But now the focus is also on the increase in demand of the other constituent materials of concrete such as fine and coarse aggregate. Following the same lines of research and in a verge to find a new alternative material for river sand which is available in sufficient quantity in India and other countries also as a potential to be use as sand in concrete as resulted in using LD slag ( granulated blast furnace slag) as a fine aggregate in concrete