Multicompartmental fate of persistent substances: Comparison of predictions from multi-media box models and a multicompartment chemistry-atmospheric transport model

Background, Aim and Scope. Modelling of the fate of environmental chemicals can be done by relatively simple multi-media box models or using complex atmospheric transport models. It was the aim of this work to compare the results obtained for both types of models using a small set of non-ionic and non-polar or moderately polar organic chemicals, known to be distributed over long distances. Materials and Methods. Predictions of multimedia exposure models of different types, namely three multimedia mass-balance box models (MBMs), two in the steady state and one in the non-steady state mode, and one non-steady state multicompartment chemistry-atmospheric transport model (MCTM), are compared for the first time. The models used are SimpleBox, Chemrange, the MPI-MBM and the MPI-MCTM. The target parameters addressed are compartmental distributions (i.e. mass fractions in the compartments), overall environmental residence time (i.e. overall persistence and eventually including other final sinks, such as loss to the deep sea) and a measure for the long-range transport potential. These are derived for atrazine, benz-[a]pyrene,DDT, alpha and gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane, methyl parathion and various modes of substance entry into the model world. Results and Discussion. Compartmental distributions in steady state were compared. Steady state needed 2-10 years to be established in the MCTM. The highest fraction of the substances in air is predicted by the MCTM. Accordingly, the other models predict longer substance persistence in most cases. The results suggest that temperature affects the compartmental distribution more in the box models, while it is only one among many climate factors acting in the transport model. The representation of final sinks in the models, e.g. burial in the sediment, is key for model-based compartmental distribution and persistence predictions. There is a tendency of MBMs to overestimate substance sinks in air and to underestimate atmospheric transport velocity as a consequence of the neglection of the temporal and spatial variabilities of these parameters. Therefore, the long-range transport potential in air derived from MCTM simulations exceeds the one from Chemrange in most cases and least for substances which undergo slow degradation in air. Conclusions and Perspectives. MBMs should be improved such as to ascertain that the significance of the atmosphere for the multicompartmental cycling is not systematically underestimated. Both types of models should be improved such as to cover degradation in air in the particle-bound state and transport via ocean currents. A detailed understanding of the deviations observed in this work and elsewhere should be gained and multimedia fate box models could then be 'tuned in' to match better the results of comprehensive multicompartmental transport models

Abschaetzung der innovativen Wirkungen umweltpolitischer Instrumente. Teilprojekt: Informatorische Instrumente - Oekologische Wirkungszusammenhaenge, Leitbilder, Zielvorgaben und oekologischer Abgleich

The aim of the study was to work out and to weight those ecological points of view which are to be considered in the part projects, in the starting phase of the mainly scientifically orientated overall project. The following environmental problem areas were analysed and weighted for their relevance to the overall project: (1) CO_2 loading and global climate problems; (2) ozone problems with the sub-points of (2a) stratospheric ozone and (2b) ozone near the ground; (3) energy consumption; (4) use of resources; (5) material loading and (6) using up ground. Each problem area was analysed by the following scheme: (a) Biological/ecological basis of the problem; (b) quantifiable primary effects; (c) possible or proven secondary effects (consequences); (d) estimation of the potential danger, (e) uncertainty; and (f) summary. (orig./SR)Ziel der Studie war es, in der Startphase des vorwiegend wirtschaftswissenschaftlich ausgerichteten Gesamtprojekts diejenigen oekologischen Gesichtspunkte herauszuarbeiten und zu gewichten, die in den Teilprojekten beachtet werden sollen. Folgende Umweltproblemfelder wurden auf ihre Relevanz fuer das Gesamtprojekt hin analysiert und gewichtet: (1) CO_2-Belastung und globale Klimaprobleme; (2) Ozonproblematik mit den Unterpunkten (2a) stratosphaerisches Ozon und (2b) bodennahes Ozon; (3) Energieverbrauch; (4) Ressourcenverbrauch; (5) stoffliche Belastungen und (6) Flaechenverbrauch. Jedes der Problemfelder wurde nach dem Schema (a) naturwissenschaftlich-oekologische Basis der Problemlage; (b) quantifizierbare Primaereffekte; (c) moegliche oder erwiesene Sekundaereffekte (Folgewirkungen); (d) Einschaetzung des Gefaehrdungspotentials; (e) Unsicherheiten und (f) Zusammenfassung einheitlich analysiert. (orig./SR)SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: F97B1057+a / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekBundesministerium fuer Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman

Bewertung von organisch-chemischen Stoffen Besprechungsprotokoll

TIB: D.Dt.F./AC 1000 (15,78) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

System Lifecycle Management: Initial Approach for a Sustainable Product Development Process Based on Methods of Model Based Systems Engineering

Part 7: Interoperability, Integration, Configuration, Systems EngineeringInternational audienceModeling today’s products means modeling interdisciplinary ‘product systems’ integrating various authoring systems with the technical-administrative product structure and the related processes. Achieving sustainability of the stated product systems, yields new artifacts, expanding the area to be considered and impedes traceability. This paper introduces System Lifecycle Management as key concept. Along with an approach based on methods of Model Based Systems Engineering the outlined problems are solved on an exemplary sustainable development process. The paper defines a framework for modeling the product system in the early development phases, which accompanies system design considering sustainability aspects in a prospective view. To demonstrate the proposed method, the paper focuses on expanding existing modeling constructs by relevant behavior elements capturing semantic links and information. First analyses and capabilities of the approach are presented in a case study of a wheeled excavator

Entwicklung der Bewertung von gefaehrlichen Stoffen im Meeresbereich innerhalb des OSPAR-Uebereinkommens

Published in two volumesAvailable from TIB Hannover: RN 8908(2000,62,d): RN 8908(2000,62,e) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEBundesministerium fuer Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit, Bonn (Germany)DEGerman