Environmental concern due to handling of hazardous chemicals is growing. This issue drawsstakeholder attentions more than before to risks associated with accidental spillage in industryor traffic. This study aims at addressing the risks resulting from the spillage of one metrictonne nonylphenol from an imaginary traffic accident.The environmental risk assessment approach outlined in this study attempts to address theconcern for the potential impact of hazardous substances on the environment by examiningboth exposures and effects of such incidents on the structure and function of the ecosystem.Nonylphenol has been selected as the discharged contaminant in this thesis for these reasons.It is an organic liquid with low vapour pressure. It is not produced in Sweden. About 2400tonnes are imported yearly. It is mainly used for making nonylphenol ethoxylates, which havea wide use as detergents, emulsifiers, lubricants and additives in a variety of industries. It isreleased from the ethoxylates in waste water. There are some published reports on its toxicityas well as endocrine property to species.In this study the exposure concentrations are predicted through developing a multimedia fateexposuremodel for the Göta älv fresh water ecosystem. It is a dynamic version of QMXfugacitymodel applicable for river basins. This fate model is integrated with a simplified foodweb model in order to quantify the extent of nonylphenol concentration in organisms.Moreover the dose response correlation derived from the most validated experimental studiesis utilized to estimate Predicted No Effect Concentration for aquatic ecosystem.The probability of accidental spillage of nonylphenol is extremely low and is not part of thisstudy. On the other hand the consequence of spillage affecting the ecosystem is treated fromseveral aspects, mainly by using the PEC/PNEC ratio. In the aquatic ecosystem pelagic (freewater) and benthic (bottom zone) organisms are studied.Estimated risk concerning the spillage suggests that acute toxicity among pelagic organisms isplausible up river especially in the Trollhättan region. However sub-lethal effects such asreproduction and growth inhibition will probably be observed all along the river with mostconcern in up river. In the sediment phase the benthic organisms are shown to be put at riskfor a prolonged period of time and organisms may suffer from chronic toxicity. In addition thesediment acts as a sink for contaminant with potential release of the hazardous substance.However, it is difficult to predict a full extent of adverse consequences. But it seems that sublethaleffects on benthos and consequent side effects on other populations should beconcluded as the most important direct consequence of a nonylphenol spillage. / Uppsatsnivå: D

Um novo herbicida da classe das sulfonamida-triazolopirimidinas do grupo dos herbicidas inibidores da síntese do acetolactato (ALS) encontra-se em desenvolvimento. Trata-se de um herbicida ionizável, com caráter ácido fraco (pKa = 4,67). Sua solubilidade em água depende do pH do meio, trata-se de uma molécula hidroliticamente estável, sendo bastante suscetível à fotodegradação em meio aquoso. A fotodegradação em solo não é significativa. Neste estudo, avaliaram-se os potenciais de sorção, lixiviação e dissipação deste herbicida em quatro solos brasileiros: Gleissolo Melânico Alumínico típico (GMa), Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico típico (LVdf), Neossolo Quartzarênico órtico típico (RQ) e Argissolo Vermelho eutroférrico chernossólico (PV). No estudo de sorção, as isotermas foram ajustadas através do modelo de Freundlich e os valores dos coeficientes de sorção (Kd) variaram de 0,5 a 22,4 mL g-1 indicando um potencial de sorção baixo a moderado. No estudo de mobilidade, nenhuma radioatividade foi observada nos lixiviados coletados até 48 horas nos solos GMa, LVdf e PV, no solo RQ detectou-se 2 % do aplicado. Os resultados de mobilidade comparativos sugerem que o herbicida seja classificado como moderadamente móvel pelo critério do Fator de Mobilidade Relativa (FMR) em todos os solos estudados. No estudo de dissipação, a taxa de transformação do herbicida em condições aeróbicas além da natureza e taxa de formação e declínio de produtos de transformação do herbicida foram acessados. Um modelo exponencial de primeira ordem foi utilizado para ajustar a dissipação do herbicida nos solos. A meia-vida do herbicida foi de 22, 15, 110 e 39 nos solos GMa, LVdf, RQ e PV, respectivamente. Uma avaliação de risco ambiental inicial do herbicida foi acessada pelo uso do método dos quocientes (RQ risk quotient), sendo risco = exposição/efeito. A exposição é representada pela Concentração Ambiental Esperada (CAE) e foi avaliada nos compartimentos ambientais solo, águas superficiais e águas subterrâneas. Os cálculos de CAE foram obtidos por avaliação de cenários simples do tipo pior caso nos diferentes compartimentos e pelo emprego dos modelos matemáticos GENEEC e SCIGROW para águas superficiais e subterrâneas, respectivamente. Na estimativa do efeito, usou-se os valores limite (endponts, exemplos: EC50, NOEC) disponíveis para diferentes organismos representantes dos diferentes compartimentos ambientais estudados. O resultado do quociente exposição/efeito foi comparado com os níveis de preocupação (LOC level of concern) empregados pelo EPA para avaliação do potencial risco do uso deste herbicida para os diferentes organismos representativos dos diferentes compartimentos ambientais estudados. Assumindo o pior cenário (menor valor de Kd e maior valor de DT50), as estimativas das CAEs foram baixas e iguais a 0,024 mg kg-1 no solo, a 0,0008 mg L-1 na água superficial e a 0,04 \'mü\' L-1 na água subterrânea. Os valores de RQ obtidos (< 1 e inferiores aos respectivos LOCs) indicaram baixo potencial de risco do uso deste herbicida para os diferentes organismos, representativos dos diversos compartimentos ambientais estudados / A new active ingredient of the triazolopyrimidine sulfonamide herbicide class from the ALS group is under development. This is an ionizable herbicide with weakly acidic behavior (pKa = 4.67). Its solubility in water depends on pH, it is a hydrolytically stable molecule, being highly susceptible to photodegradation in aqueous medium. The photodegradation in soil is not significant. This study evaluated the potential of sorption, leaching and dissipation of this herbicide in four Brazilian soils: Gleissolo Melânico Alumínico típico (GMa), Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico típico (LVdf), Neossolo Quartzarênico órtico típico (RQ) e Argissolo Vermelho eutroférrico chernossólico (PV). In the study of sorption isotherms were fitted using the Freundlich model and the values of sorption coefficients (Kd) ranged from 0.5 to 22.4 g mL-1 indicating a potential low to moderate sorption. In the study of mobility, no radioactivity was observed in the leachate collected until 48 hours in soils GMa, LVdf and PV, in the soil RQ was detected about 2% of applied radioactivity. The results of comparative mobility suggest that the herbicide is classified as moderately mobile by the criterion of Relative Mobility Factor (FMR) in all soils. In the study of dissipation, the rate of transformation of the herbicide under aerobic conditions and rate of formation and decline of transformation products of herbicide were accessed. A first order exponential model was used to adjust the dissipation of the herbicide in soils. The half-life of the herbicide was 22, 15, 110 and 39 days in soils GMa, LVdf, RQ and PV, respectively. An initial environmental risk assessment of the herbicide was accessed by using the method of quotient (RQ - risk quotient), RQ = exposure / effect. The exposure is represented by the Expected Environmental Concentration (EEC) and was evaluated in the environmental compartments soil, surface water and groundwater. EEC calculations were obtained by assessing simple scenarios such as \"worst case\" in the different compartments and the use of mathematical models GENEEC and SCIGROW to surface and groundwater assessments, respectively. In estimating the effect, endponts (examples: EC50, NOEC) available for different organisms representative from the different environmental compartments studied were used. The result of the quotient exposure / effect was compared to the \"levels of concern (LOC - level of concern) employed by the EPA to assess the potential risk from use of this herbicide for different organisms representing different environmental compartments studied. Assuming the worst case scenario (lower Kd value and higher value of DT50), the estimates of EECs were low and equal to 0.024 mg kg-1 soil, 0.0008 mg L-1 in surface water and 0.04 \'mü\' L-1 in the groundwater. The RQ values obtained (< 1 and below the respective LOCs) indicated low potential risk from use of this herbicide for different organisms, representative from different environmental compartments studied

Um novo herbicida da classe das sulfonamida-triazolopirimidinas do grupo dos herbicidas inibidores da síntese do acetolactato (ALS) encontra-se em desenvolvimento. Trata-se de um herbicida ionizável, com caráter ácido fraco (pKa = 4,67). Sua solubilidade em água depende do pH do meio, trata-se de uma molécula hidroliticamente estável, sendo bastante suscetível à fotodegradação em meio aquoso. A fotodegradação em solo não é significativa. Neste estudo, avaliaram-se os potenciais de sorção, lixiviação e dissipação deste herbicida em quatro solos brasileiros: Gleissolo Melânico Alumínico típico (GMa), Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico típico (LVdf), Neossolo Quartzarênico órtico típico (RQ) e Argissolo Vermelho eutroférrico chernossólico (PV). No estudo de sorção, as isotermas foram ajustadas através do modelo de Freundlich e os valores dos coeficientes de sorção (Kd) variaram de 0,5 a 22,4 mL g-1 indicando um potencial de sorção baixo a moderado. No estudo de mobilidade, nenhuma radioatividade foi observada nos lixiviados coletados até 48 horas nos solos GMa, LVdf e PV, no solo RQ detectou-se 2 % do aplicado. Os resultados de mobilidade comparativos sugerem que o herbicida seja classificado como moderadamente móvel pelo critério do Fator de Mobilidade Relativa (FMR) em todos os solos estudados. No estudo de dissipação, a taxa de transformação do herbicida em condições aeróbicas além da natureza e taxa de formação e declínio de produtos de transformação do herbicida foram acessados. Um modelo exponencial de primeira ordem foi utilizado para ajustar a dissipação do herbicida nos solos. A meia-vida do herbicida foi de 22, 15, 110 e 39 nos solos GMa, LVdf, RQ e PV, respectivamente. Uma avaliação de risco ambiental inicial do herbicida foi acessada pelo uso do método dos quocientes (RQ risk quotient), sendo risco = exposição/efeito. A exposição é representada pela Concentração Ambiental Esperada (CAE) e foi avaliada nos compartimentos ambientais solo, águas superficiais e águas subterrâneas. Os cálculos de CAE foram obtidos por avaliação de cenários simples do tipo pior caso nos diferentes compartimentos e pelo emprego dos modelos matemáticos GENEEC e SCIGROW para águas superficiais e subterrâneas, respectivamente. Na estimativa do efeito, usou-se os valores limite (endponts, exemplos: EC50, NOEC) disponíveis para diferentes organismos representantes dos diferentes compartimentos ambientais estudados. O resultado do quociente exposição/efeito foi comparado com os níveis de preocupação (LOC level of concern) empregados pelo EPA para avaliação do potencial risco do uso deste herbicida para os diferentes organismos representativos dos diferentes compartimentos ambientais estudados. Assumindo o pior cenário (menor valor de Kd e maior valor de DT50), as estimativas das CAEs foram baixas e iguais a 0,024 mg kg-1 no solo, a 0,0008 mg L-1 na água superficial e a 0,04 \'mü\' L-1 na água subterrânea. Os valores de RQ obtidos (< 1 e inferiores aos respectivos LOCs) indicaram baixo potencial de risco do uso deste herbicida para os diferentes organismos, representativos dos diversos compartimentos ambientais estudados / A new active ingredient of the triazolopyrimidine sulfonamide herbicide class from the ALS group is under development. This is an ionizable herbicide with weakly acidic behavior (pKa = 4.67). Its solubility in water depends on pH, it is a hydrolytically stable molecule, being highly susceptible to photodegradation in aqueous medium. The photodegradation in soil is not significant. This study evaluated the potential of sorption, leaching and dissipation of this herbicide in four Brazilian soils: Gleissolo Melânico Alumínico típico (GMa), Latossolo Vermelho Distroférrico típico (LVdf), Neossolo Quartzarênico órtico típico (RQ) e Argissolo Vermelho eutroférrico chernossólico (PV). In the study of sorption isotherms were fitted using the Freundlich model and the values of sorption coefficients (Kd) ranged from 0.5 to 22.4 g mL-1 indicating a potential low to moderate sorption. In the study of mobility, no radioactivity was observed in the leachate collected until 48 hours in soils GMa, LVdf and PV, in the soil RQ was detected about 2% of applied radioactivity. The results of comparative mobility suggest that the herbicide is classified as moderately mobile by the criterion of Relative Mobility Factor (FMR) in all soils. In the study of dissipation, the rate of transformation of the herbicide under aerobic conditions and rate of formation and decline of transformation products of herbicide were accessed. A first order exponential model was used to adjust the dissipation of the herbicide in soils. The half-life of the herbicide was 22, 15, 110 and 39 days in soils GMa, LVdf, RQ and PV, respectively. An initial environmental risk assessment of the herbicide was accessed by using the method of quotient (RQ - risk quotient), RQ = exposure / effect. The exposure is represented by the Expected Environmental Concentration (EEC) and was evaluated in the environmental compartments soil, surface water and groundwater. EEC calculations were obtained by assessing simple scenarios such as \"worst case\" in the different compartments and the use of mathematical models GENEEC and SCIGROW to surface and groundwater assessments, respectively. In estimating the effect, endponts (examples: EC50, NOEC) available for different organisms representative from the different environmental compartments studied were used. The result of the quotient exposure / effect was compared to the \"levels of concern (LOC - level of concern) employed by the EPA to assess the potential risk from use of this herbicide for different organisms representing different environmental compartments studied. Assuming the worst case scenario (lower Kd value and higher value of DT50), the estimates of EECs were low and equal to 0.024 mg kg-1 soil, 0.0008 mg L-1 in surface water and 0.04 \'mü\' L-1 in the groundwater. The RQ values obtained (< 1 and below the respective LOCs) indicated low potential risk from use of this herbicide for different organisms, representative from different environmental compartments studied

Österbyverken is an industrial estate in Östhammars municipality in Uppland, Sweden. Many different activities have taken place on the estate the last 600 years. During the last 15 years both health and environmental studies have been made by different companies. At the most recent study a great increase of metals in Nerån, a river that runs partly through and partly next to the estate, was identified with mass balances. The purpose of this thesis is to accomplish a deepened study about the reasons for the increase of metals in Nerån. The aim is to identify knowledge gaps in the mass balances and try to complete these. From the outcome an environmental risk assessment will be attempted for Nerån and its outlet in the lake Filmsjön. The method went through steps and started with data analyses after which calculations for new mass balances were made. Beginning by acknowledge the increase of metals from the groundwater, both through measured results and through calculated confidence intervals. In addition, among other methods, calculations of theoretical leakage data from Kd-values were made. Surface water concentrations were also compared with levels of metals in sediments to see whether any connection existed between them. Additional mass balances were calculated to take suspended solids in the surface water under consideration. From the results an environmental risk assessment was made using guidelines from Netherland and Canada and the state division from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The results of the study show that the differences of metal content between surface water and groundwater and between surface water and sediments might be smaller than first revealed, but there is still a great increase caused by another, unknown source. The environmental risk assessment shows that there are hazards for both Nerån and Filmsjön because of the leakage of metals from Österbyverken. For the surface water in Nerån it is mainly cobalt, copper and zinc that contributes with risks, for the sediment in Nerån it is mainly barium, cobalt, copper, chromium and nickel and for the sediments in Filmsjön it is mainly lead, cobalt, copper, chromium, nickel and zinc. Reasons for the differences between metal contents and medias might be from surface water outlet from the Österbyverken or because of differences in methods of taking specimens in surface and groundwater. Conclusions that have been drawn of the study is that further studies of the knowledge gaps needs to be done, particularly regarding the metals cobalt, copper, chromium, nickel and zinc. Further, the biodiversity in Nerån and Filmsjön is at risk, partly because several metals in the sediments reaches such high concentrations, partly because high concentrations of several metals in one area may increase risks.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 231-239). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2002. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 231-239). Also available on the Internet.

The following thesis presents the results of a two year study that addressed lay perceptions of the risks to the water resources of the Lower Fraser Basin, British Columbia. Studies of this nature are important because by clarifying public perceptions, risk communication policies as well as land and water resource use plans that accommodate people's concerns can be developed appropriately. The study was based on a written survey that was administered to 183 lay subjects in four communities within the Lower Fraser Basin. Sixteen experts participated in a portion of the survey. Analysis involved the determination of how people perceive distinct human activities in terms of the risk each may pose to the health of aquatic ecosystems. Further analysis compared these perceptions to those of specialists in the aquatic sciences. The thesis is structured as a collection of three papers that examine different aspects of the study. The First paper provides a review of the overall data set, while the remaining two papers address related subsets of the data. One paper reviews perceptions of activities that cause eutrophication problems and the other reviews perceptions of forest industry activities. The results demonstrated that people tend to view risks to water environments in a multi-faceted fashion. Four factors were found to influence people's general perception of risk and the need for regulation of the activities that were perceived to pose the risk. These factors were termed Ecological Impact, Human Benefit, Controllability and Knowledge. Another significant result was the fact that there were often striking differences between the views of the lay sample and those of the expert sample. Some activities were perceived by the lay sample as posing substantial risk while the experts did not view this to be the case. Alternatively, for some activities, the reverse scenario occurred. Accordingly, there were differences in judgements between the two groups as to the degree of regulation that should be imposed on the respective activities.

No description available.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2010. / "Graduate Program in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering." Includes bibliographical references (p. 209-237).

Orientador: Roberto Wagner Lourenço / Coorientador: Lígia Ferrari Torella di Romagnano / Banca: Viviane Moschini Carlos / Banca: Kelly Cristina Tonello / Resumo: A presente dissertação de mestrado teve como objetivo geral a construção de metodologia para a identificação das áreas de risco e prioritárias para restauração e conservação de remanescentes florestais através do estudo da diversidade de riqueza das espécies da avifauna, utilizando técnicas de Geoprocessamento e Sensoriamento Remoto por meio de Sistemas de Informações Geográficas na Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Una, localizado no município de Ibiúna - São Paulo. Para isso foi realizado estudos do meio físico contemplando o mapeamento do uso do solo e cobertura vegetal para identificação dos fragmentos florestais a serem utilizados como unidades amostrais, realizada a análise da Densidade de Drenagem e a geração de Índices de Circularidade e Índice de Efeito de Borda para a construção do Indicador de Exposição Antrópica de cada fragmento. Após a obtenção dessas variáveis, foi realizada a análise da riqueza e diversidade das espécies de avifauna e a análise da população através de um levantamento das espécies. Por fim, foi elaborada uma metodologia para identificação de áreas de risco e prioritárias para conservação da avifauna na área de estudo. Os resultados obtidos com o mapeamento do uso do solo e cobertura vegetal mostraram que o tipo de uso do solo dominante em toda a área de estudo é a classe de Matas com 3.945,0 hectares. No entanto, é possível observar forte presença de áreas de exposição antrópica a montante da área de estudo em direção a sua jusante. Com relação ao Índice de Circularidade das unidades amostrais, não houve nenhum fragmento classificado como forma arredondada, ou seja, com valores superior a 0,8, sendo apenas um fragmento localizado na região central da bacia e um fragmento localizado a montante classificados como alongados, sendo os demais classificados como muito alongados. Com relação ao Índice de Efeito de Borda apenas um fragmento, localizado a... / Abstract: The present dissertation aimed to build a methodology for the environmental risk areas identification and priorities for restoration and conservation of forest remnants by studying the richness and the diversity of birdsspecies, using GIS and Remote Sensing techniques through the Geographic Information Systems in the watershed of the Una River, located in the city of Ibiúna, São Paulo/Brazil. Furthermore, was realized studies of the physical environmentcompleting the mapping of land use and vegetation cover for identification of forest fragments to be used as sampling units performing the analysis of the Drainage density (Dd) and the generation of the Roundness Index (IC) and Edge Effect Index (IEB) for the construction of an Anthropic Exposure Indicator (IEA) for each fragment. After obtained these variables, was realized the richness analysis and thespecies diversity of birds and the population analysis was conducted through a survey of the species. Finally was elaborated a methodology for identification of risk areas and priorities for conservation of birds in the study area. The results obtained with the land uses and vegetation cover map showed that the type of the dominant land use throughout the study area is the class of forests with 3945.0 hectares. However, it is possible to observe strong presence of anthropic exposure areas upstream of the study area toward it's downstream. Regarding IC, the sample units weren't classified as rounded shape, i.e. with higher value to 0.8, with only a fragment located in the central part of the watershed and a fragment located upstream classified as elongated, and the others classified as very elongated. Concerning the IEB only a fragment, located downstream and two fragments located in the central part of the watershed, were classified as Low Pressure Anthropic, the others were classified as Medium Pressure Anthropic. The Anthropic Exposure Indicator (IEA) composed of the previous indexes ... / Mestre