Evaluation of climate change adaptation in the energy generation sector in Colombia via a composite index — A monitoring tool for government policies and actions

The aim of the article is to evaluate the national adaptation to climate change in the energy generation sector in Colombia via a composite index. To build an index, a framework by stages is used, which includes the definition of the main concepts that supports the measurements; the selection of the relevant indicators using a subject matter experts; standardization of the indicators using a mathematic formula regarding the relationship between the variables that represent the adaptation to climate change; and establishment of the weights using an analytic hierarchical process of paired comparisons and the aggregation of indicators to obtain the following three sub-indexes: reactive adaptation, wherein the replacement of hydraulic energy by thermal energy is evaluated; anticipatory adaptation, which measures the gap between the generation of total energy and the demand of the national energy system; and planned adaptation, which considers indicators such as the sectoral plan for adapting to climate change, the law of alternative energies, and the generation of alternative energies as a percentage of generation capacity. By adding these sub-indices, the climate change adaptation index (CCAI) is obtained. The results of CCAI show that progress was made from a reactive adaptation scenario in which the system vulnerability was high to an anticipatory adaptation scenario wherein the vulnerability was average, indicating that the foundations for this sector to build a planned adaptation are currently being laid. © 201

Seasonal variability of beach characteristics between Candoliam and Colva coast, Goa, India

<p>The aim of the present study was to investigate the seasonal impact on beach dynamics and the status of heavy mineral distribution along the study area. Beach profile measurements were made in 7  profiling sites between Candoliam and Colva on seasonal basis between pre-monsoon (May 2009) and monsoon (July 2009). Beach profile<br>data was used to calculate the variation in beach width, slope and volumetric changes. The seasonal action of wind and wave currents create near-shore bar and erosion of berms during monsoon. Surface sediment samples were collected from High Tide Line, High Water Line, Water Line and Low Water line to quantify the sediment texture and heavy<br>mineral weight percentage. The results reveal that the deposited sediment has been eroded during the monsoon season and the concentration of heavy mineral percentage increased from pre-monsoon to monsoon. The long-shore current measurement also shows that the current speed varies from pre-monsoon to monsoon. The results suggested that monsoonal action has influenced the seasonal changes in beach morphology and heavy mineral distribution. The beach profile helps to understand the change in the beach morphological characteristic.</p> <p> </p

Mercury levels in human population from a mining district in Western Colombia

A biomonitoring study was carried out to examine the adverse impacts of total mercury in the blood (HgB), urine (HgU) and human scalp hair (HgH) on the residents of a mining district in Colombia. Representative biological samples (scalp hair, urine and blood) were collected from volunteered participants (n = 63) to estimate the exposure levels of THg using a Direct mercury analyzer. The geometric mean of THg concentrations in the hair, urine and blood of males were 15.98. μg/g, 23.89. μg/L and 11.29. μg/L respectively, whereas the females presented values of 8.55. μg/g, 5.37. μg/L and 8.80. μg/L. Chronic urinary Hg (HgU) levels observed in male workers (32.53. μg/L) are attributed to their long termed exposures to inorganic and metallic mercury from gold panning activities. On an average, the levels of THg are increasing from blood (10.05. μg/L) to hair (12.27. μg/g) to urine (14.63. μg/L). Significant positive correlation was found between hair and blood urinary levels in both male and female individuals. Thus the present biomonitoring investigation to evaluate the Hg levels and associated health issues would positively form a framework for further developmental plans and policies in building an ecofriendly ecosystem. © 2017