Estimating Emission Control Costs: A Comparison of the Approaches Implemented in the EC-EFOM-ENV and the IIASA-RAINS Models

The paper introduces two major model approaches to estimate emission control costs and develops a methodology to introduce results of energy flow optimization models (such as EFOM-ENV) into models for integrated assessment of acidification control strategies (such as the RAINS model). Based on a reference scenario for West Germany, national cost curves for reductions of SO2 and NOx emissions derived by both the EFOM-ENV and the RAINS model are compared. It is shown that -- as long as changes in the energy structure are excluded as means for reducing emissions -- results obtained from these models are comparable and the reasons for differences can be traced back to different input assumptions. However, as soon as energy conservation and fuel-substitution are utilized to reduce emissions, the simplified approach implemented in the RAINS model results in an overestimation of emission control costs

High Resolution Discrimination of Clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex Strains Based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

Recently, the diversity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) population structure has been described in detail. Based on geographical separation and specific host pathogen co-evolution shaping MTBC virulence traits, at least 20 major lineages/genotypes have evolved finally leading to a clear influence of strain genetic background on transmissibility, clinical presentation/outcome, and resistance development. Therefore, high resolution genotyping for characterization of strains in larger studies is mandatory for understanding mechanisms of host-pathogen-interaction and to improve tuberculosis (TB) control. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) represent the most reliable markers for lineage classification of clinical isolates due to the low levels of homoplasy, however their use is hampered either by low discriminatory power or by the need to analyze a large number of genes to achieve higher resolution. Therefore, we carried out de novo sequencing of 26 genes (approx. 20000 bp per strain) in a reference collection of MTBC strains including all major genotypes to define a highly discriminatory gene set. Overall, 161 polymorphisms were detected of which 59 are genotype-specific, while 13 define deeper branches such as the Euro-American lineage. Unbiased investigation of the most variable set of 11 genes in a population based strain collection (one year, city of Hamburg, Germany) confirmed the validity of SNP analysis as all strains were classified with high accuracy. Taken together, we defined a diagnostic algorithm which allows the identification of 17 MTBC phylogenetic lineages with high confidence for the first time by sequencing analysis of just five genes. In conclusion, the diagnostic algorithm developed in our study is likely to open the door for a low cost high resolution sequence/SNP based differentiation of the MTBC with a very high specificity. High throughput assays can be established which will be needed for large association studies that are mandatory for detailed investigation of host-pathogen-interaction during TB infection

Aktionsprogramm OZON (Sommersmog): Methoden zur Bewertung von regionalen Minderungsmassnahmen und dem Ziel einer bundeseinheitlichen Vorgehensweise Projektdefinitionsphase

Within the framework of the 'Aktionsprogramm Ozon (Sommersmog)' of the German Federal Government a research program of the German Umweltbundesamt is designed to investigate into and evaluate the effects of regional emission control of ozone-precursor substances NO_x and VOC on increased tropospheric ozone concentrations. Atmospheric dispersion models are to be used to perform ozone calculations with emission scenarios on both large- and small-scale levels. To prepare the modelling, a number of basic tasks of research and preselections are performed in this (project definition) study, employing various tools of analyses and evaluations: Selection of representative, typical model regions, evaluation and proposal of suitable atmosph. dispersion models, investigation into the availability of input data for modelling, analyses of NO_x and VOC emission reduction potentials, selection of emission control scenarios, integration of prior UBA study results, coordination with the Bundeslaender. A detailed structure and program of work has been designed for the main phase, including cost and time schedule aspects as well as proposals for expert teams to perform the tasks. (orig.)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: D.Dt.F.QN 1(18,41) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekUmweltbundesamt, Berlin (Germany); Bundesministerium fuer Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

NIR-SWIR-Hyperspectral-Imaging supported surface analysis for the recovery of waste wood

Cascading of waste wood requires a concept for recovery of solid timbers from deconstruction as a source of clean and reliable secondary feedstock for new wood and wood-based products. An essential requirement for the re-use of wood is a sufficient quality of the near-surface areas that must be free of contaminations like coatings or any wood preservatives. Due to the absence of industrial established automatic testing and sorting methods the possible potential for material re-use of recovered wood in the sense of cascading is not utilized so far. Hyperspectral-Imaging (HSI) is a promising method to improve the situation. In the study on hand results according to detection accuracy and limitations of NIR-SWIR-HSI are presented. As input material solid waste wood (e.g. different kinds of hard wood, soft wood, wood with paint or other coatings, particleboards, and medium density fibreboards) obtained from deconstructions is considered. First, the spectral structures of some different kinds of wood and contamination are examined. Desired are the so-called fingerprints according to significant characteristics in the spectra. The results have been incorporated in a database as training set. For classification tasks some decision trees based on PLS-DA (Partial Least Squares DiscriminantAnalysis) were exploited. These decision trees are then passed to an industrial NIR-SWIR-Hyperspectral-Imager for generating chemical images of the contaminated wood samples. Results of some sorting experiments are presented. The aim of the tests was to find the limits for sorting throughput and purity. The tests revealed that the spectral differences are mostly large enough for automatic wood classification and sorting operations even at presence of inorganic wood preservatives. In this case the detectability and accuracy of classification depends much on preservative concentrations

A CLASSIFICATION OF GOETHITE MINERALS BASED ON THE MÖSSBAUER BEHAVIOUR

Les effets de la réduction de la taille des grains dans des échantillons naturels de goethite sont décrits, comme ils se manifestent en spectroscopie Mössbauer, en diffraction de rayons X et en thermogravimétrie. Nous avons trouvé une corrélation entre la dimension moyenne des grains et le type de formation des minerais. Nous proposons une classification dans laquelle les minerais, selon la forme générale de leur spectre Mössbauer, se présentent en trois classes qui correspondent aux différents types de formation.In this paper grain size effects in mineralogical goethite samples are described, as they appear in Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. A correlation is laid between the grain size and the type of formation. According to the general shape of their Mössbauer spectra, the naturally occuring goethite samples can be classified in three groups, corresponding to different types of formation

Handelbare Umweltlizenzen zur Verminderung von VOC-Emissionen aus nicht genehmigungsbeduerftigen Anlagen Konzeption eines Pilotprojektes fuer die Autoreparaturlackierung

The objective is to investigate if a system of tradable environmental permits to reduce VOC-Emissions for facilities not requiring official approval for operation is applicable, and wether such a system offers benefits in practice. A general tradeable permit model and a pilot project for VOC abatement among approval exempt auto paint and body shops were designed. Both are ready for approval. The legal framework for the conception was the EU directive on the limitation of VOC emissions from solvent-using industries, which as an alternative to a command-and-control approach explicitly allows the use of a tradable permit model. The concept came about through a mediation approach: the model was designed by Prognos and B, S, S. Volkswirtschaftliche Beratung in direct co-operation with the German Ministry for the Environment, the Federal Environmental Agency and the paintjob repair shops related trade associations BFL and VdL. The model found is a detailed and very much praxis-oriented approach which offers - compared to traditional environmental law - significant savings: due to our calculations savings of about 11.000 DM for only four small enterprises are offered by tradable permits in comparison with a command-and-control approach. Finally possibilities to transfer this model to other sectors which are not subject to authorisations were analysed. A transfer can be recommended for the sectors: machinery manufacturing, large vehicle manufacturing, electrical/electronics products, iron, tin and metal processing as well as the wood and furniture industry. (orig.)Available from TIB Hannover: RN 8422(1998,23) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEBundesministerium fuer Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman