Neoliberal governance, sustainable development and local communities in the Barents Region

There are currently high hopes in the Barents Region for economic growth, higher employment and improved well-being, encouraged by developments in the energy industry, tourism and mining. The article discusses these prospects from the perspective of local communities in five locations in the region, which spans the northernmost counties of Finland, Norway, Sweden and Northwest Russia. The communities studied are remote, relatively small, multicultural, and dependent on natural resources. The salient dynamic illuminated in the research is how ideas of sustainability and neoliberal governance meet in community development. While the two governmentalities often conflict, they sometimes also complement one another, posing a paradox that raises concerns over the social aspect of sustainable development in particular. The article is based on international, multidisciplinary research drawing on interviews as well as statistical and documentary analysis

Acquisitions et services bbliographiques

copies of this thesis in microform, paper or electronic formats. The author retains ownership of the copyright in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it may be printed or othenvise reproduced without the author's permission. L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive pennettant a la Bibliotheque nationale du Canada de reproduire, priiter, distribuer ou vendre des copies de cette these sous la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur forma

Heavy metal concentrations in soils and vegetation in urban areas of Quezon City, Philippines

Limited data have been published on the chemistry of urban soils and vegetation in the Philippines. The aim of this study is to quantify the concentrations of heavy metals (i.e., Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) in soils and vegetation in the urban landscape of Quezon City, Philippines, and to elucidate the relationships between soil properties and the concentration of heavy metals pertaining to different land uses [i.e., protected forest (LM), park and wildlife area (PA), landfill (PL), urban poor residential and industrial areas (RA), and commercial areas (CA)]. Soil (0–15 cm) and senescent plant leaves were collected and were analyzed for soil properties and heavy metal concentrations. Results revealed that the concentrations of heavy metals (i.e., Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pb) in urban soils were higher in areas where anthropogenic activities or disturbance (PL, RA, and CA) were dominant as compared to the less disturbed areas (LM and PA). Organic matter and available phosphorous were strongly correlated with heavy metal concentrations, suggesting that heavy metal concentrations were primarily controlled by these soil properties. The average foliar heavy metal concentrations varied, ranging from 0 to 0.4 mg/kg for Cd, 0–10 mg/kg for Cr, 2–22 mg/kg for Cu, 0–5 mg/kg for Pb, and 11–250 mg/kg for Zn. The concentrations of Cd and Cr exceeded the critical threshold concentrations in some plants. Leaves of plants growing in PL (i.e., landfill) showed the highest levels of heavy metal contamination. Our results revealed that anthropogenic activities and disturbance caused by the rapid urbanization of the city are major contributors to the heavy metal accumulation and persistence in the soils in these areas

Efficiency of Combined Co-composting, Vermicomposting, and Drying in the Treatment of Cadmium, Mercury, Helminths, and Coliforms in Sludge from Wastewater Facilities for Potential Agricultural Applications

Sludge generated from wastewater treatment facilities has been applied in agriculture as soil conditioners. However, the incomplete and/or inappropriate treatment of wastewater may result in sludge that may still contain heavy metals, helminth ova, and coliforms posing a risk to both humans and the environment. This study assessed various pretreatment techniques such as co-composting, vermicomposting, and a combination of these on sludge samples to remove heavy metals (cadmium and mercury), helminth ova, and coliforms. Physico-chemical and biological analyses were used to compare untreated (i.e. raw) and treated sludge samples. The results showed that for the raw sludge, mercury (4.02 +/– 0.17 mg/kg) and cadmium (6.30 +/– 0.48 mg/kg) exceeded the limits specified under the Philippine National Standard (PNS) for Organic Soil Amendments of 2 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg, respectively. Laboratory examinations also revealed the presence of helminth ova (5 ova/g) and coliforms (10 CFU/g) in the samples. Sludge samples subjected to a combination of co-composting and vermicomposting resulted in the elimination of mercury and a significant reduction in cadmium concentration from 6.30 mg/kg to 1.12 mg/kg. No helminth ova were observed in the samples after further drying. However, both treated and untreated sludge samples had low nutrient content. The study highlights the need for raising public awareness and educating farmers on the potential risks associated with the use of raw sludge for agriculture