Includes bibliographies. / This study resulted from a perception held by the author that more attention is afforded to complying with the procedural elements of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in South Africa, than to ensuring the validity of its technical content. The routing of high voltage overhead transmission lines provides a relevant field of study in which to address this perception. An initial literature review to contextualise the perceived problem showed that the questionable validity of the technical content of EIA was one of six shortcomings identified. To address the problem, an inductive approach was adopted to focus on the interpretation and prediction activities of EIA and two propositions, stated as research questions for discussion, were developed. These referred to the theoretical question of whether methods are specified for high voltage overhead transmission line EIAs, and to the practical question of whether the environmental impacts that are known to result from transmission line projects are effectively addressed in such EIAs in South Africa. Investigating these questions provides insights into whether the technical content of transmission line EIA is sufficiently rigorous in South Africa. The method of study takes the form of a sequentially more focused examination of the literature on EIA, from the strategic level, to the sectoral level and culminating at the project level. EIA methods specified for linear developments were identified at the sectoral level, while at the project level the known environmental impacts that result from high voltage overhead transmission lines were determined. A theoretical background was compiled in this way, which allowed for comparison with the practice as determined from benchmark and case study Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs).

The yearly production of shoes has, the last decades, increased by a significantly amount. The increased production have put pressure on the environment, and therefore it is important to decrease the environmental impact from the shoe industry. Icebug is a shoe company, that want to run their business with environmental sustainability and thereby they need to possess knowledge of their shoe production, and its environmental impacts. A method to estimate the environmental impact from products is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method. An LCA therefore have been performed for the shoe model Ivalo2 M Bugrip, one of the most sold models from Icebug. The result from the LCA show that the materials with the highest environmental impact was suede and rubber. The suede was the material with the highest environmental impact per weight unit. Therefore Icebug should decrease or replace the suede, with a material that has similar properties. The rubber was the most represented material within the shoe, and even if the environmental impact, per weight unit, was higher than most of the materials, Icebug should remain the rubber, because of its durability properties. The nylon plastic had high environmental impact, compared to the other plastics, whereby Icebug should decrease or replace the nylon. The environmental impact from the electricity was high. Therefore Icebug should try to decrease the energy consumption, and invest in renewable energy at the assembly factory. To decrease the resource depletion, recycled plastics and recycled rubber could be the best option. / <p>2018-12-11</p>

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2001. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / MSc / Unrestricted

In developed countries, approximately 222 million tons of food is wasted at the consumer level per year (FAO, 2011). These amounts of food waste have large social, economic, and environmental impacts. Studies have shown that one of the main causes of food waste in developed countries is consumers’ elevated expectations for appearances in fresh produce, causing imperfect produce to be wasted. In this study, we estimate consumer willingness to pay for sweet potatoes with five different skinning injury levels using a Vickrey 2nd price non- hypothetical auction. We test if consumer knowledge about (1) the percentage of blemishing, (2) the relationship between blemished produce and food waste, and (3) the environmental impacts of food waste influences willingness-to-pay for blemished produce. We find that consumer bids were affected by knowing the blemishing levels and after gaining knowledge about food waste and its environmental impacts.

In the recent years, environmental regulations enforced by federal,state, and local agencies have increasingly addressed water quality issues through progressively more stringent regulations. These regulations have raised concerns in the blue crab industry because processors are now subject to regulations under which new processors are unable to meet the effluent limitations with current processing techniques. This study focuses on the mechanized processing of crab claws. Currently, processors use a brine bath, referred to as the Harris Claw machine, to separate crab claw meat and shell, nd this process yields a waste water which is significantly high in pollutant strength, and is untreatable by biological methods due to the toxicity associated with the high chloride concentrations found in the waste stream. Several alternative crab claw processing systems were developed and evaluated in terms of the meat product yield, the meat product quality, and the wastewater characterization. Two alternatives involved the use of dense media, a 22.5% Staley 1300 corn syrup solution with 5.0% salt and a 30.0% Staley 1300 corn syrup solution, to separate the crab claw meat and shell. These methods, in full scale tests, produced meat yields comparable to that of the brine solution and improved the overall taste of the meat product. However, the effluents had significantly higher BOD5 concentrations. Another alternative to the Harris Claw machine, involved the design, characterization, and testing of a hydraulic separator system (HSS). The HSS was tested on a small scale, but was found to have a meat yield comparable to the Harris Claw machine. The HSS significantly improved the flavor of a final meat product, although the HSS meat product had a significantly lower shelf life than the Harris Claw machine meat product. The waste water quality was improved, because the HSS eliminates the problems associated with a high chloride ion concentration and potentially reduces overall water consumption. / Master of Science

No description available.

For this report, four municipal services provided by the City of Lakeland were studied. The environmental impact of these services was discussed. Recommendations were made for solutions to problems found. It was found that the water supply services has on deleterious impact on the environment. Hydrogen sulfide occasionally found in the water supply gives the latter objectionable odor and taste. Installation of a centralized water treatment plant with aeration facilities for hydrogen sulfide removal was recommended for resolution of the problem. The waste water treatment plant removes 91% of the BOD5 and the suspended solids in the plant influent. The plant effluent and dried sludge are used for irrigation and fertilization in local agricultural enterprises. It was concluded that this service has a beneficial impact on the environment. It was determined that the electric power supply service has one deleterious impact on the environment. Sulfur dioxide emitted from five power generating units results in higher than allowable ground level concentrations. Several recommendations were made for resolution of the problem. Taller stacks were recommended for all five units. Burning lower sulfur content fuel oil was recommended for three of the units. Installation of an ammonia scrubbing system for sulfur dioxide removal was recommended for the other two units. Sanitary landfill disposal of solid waste collected by the city has two potentially deleterious impacts on the environment. Available land area may be quickly exhausted. Water runoff may leach undesirable materials out of buried refuse and contaminate ground water supplies. Incinerations of Lakeland's solid waste in one of the city's power generating unites was recommended as the solution to the problem. As follow-up to this report, a discussion has been held with city officials concerning the potential sulfur dioxide problem.

Forests are a key ecosystem to protect biodiversity in Sweden. One important aspect is to protect endangered species and their habitat. Evernia divaricata is an endangered lichen that is sensitive to habitat loss and changing environmental conditions. As consequenceEvernia divaricata is an excellent indicator to observe ecosystem change or habitat disturbance. In the summer 2020 ten different sites were investigated in Dalarna, wherelichens also been investigated two times earlier (year 2006 and 2012) at the same sites. For some of the investigated sites, deforesting was recorded nearby, whereas other sites exhibited favorable conditions without impact because of nearby mires. The Wilcoxon testwas used to examine if there was any statistical difference between the three different inventories, both in terms of number and size of lichens. The study showed that there has been a statistically significant decrease between the three lichen inventories. There was both a decrease over time, but also a decrease within most individual sites. Additional sites should be included, and future inventories will show whether the decline is temporary or if the population keeps decreasing.

A Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental é um instrumento que auxilia o processo decisório, a elaboração de projetos e propostas de desenvolvimento, e que oferece campo para a integração de valores associados à sustentabilidade e ao desenvolvimento sustentável. Para que a avaliação de impacto ambiental seja efetiva, deve estar embasada na delimitação das questões prioritárias, bem como em respostas adequadas e necessárias aos tomadores de decisão, em um processo conhecido como scoping. A delimitação do escopo de um Estudo de Impacto Ambiental (EIA) tem como principal objetivo definir os estudos considerados adequados para a correta avaliação dos impactos potencialmente significativos relacionados a um projeto, orientado pelo diagnóstico preliminar de suas áreas de influência. Diante da necessidade de avaliar a efetividade dessa etapa dentro do quadro geral da AIA praticada, o objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a etapa de delimitação do escopo de estudos de impacto ambiental de processos de Avaliação de Impacto Ambiental ocorridos no Estado de São Paulo, utilizando-se como marco referencial a promulgação da Resolução SMA 54/2004. A fim de estudar o processo de scoping no estado de São Paulo, nos termos da regulamentação vigente e com base nas melhores práticas preconizadas para este instrumento, foram analisados 34 processos de licenciamento ambiental que tramitaram na Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo (SMA/CETESB), para diferentes tipologias de empreendimento. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que a estrutura preconizada para o scoping no estado, ainda que seja potencialmente diferenciada em relação aos demais estados do país, não tem assegurado a formulação de Termos de Referências concisos e focados nos impactos significativos dos empreendimentos, pouco contribuindo para a efetividade das avaliações de impacto. / The Environmental Impact Assessment is an instrument which helps in the decision making, the elaboration of projects and development of proposals, also offers a way for the integration of values associated with the sustainability and sustainable development. For the environmental impact assessment to be effective, it should be based on delimitation of priority issues, as well as responses appropriate and necessary to the decision makers, in a process known as scoping. The main objective of the EIA scoping is define the studies considered suitable for the correct evaluation of potentially significant impacts related to a project, directed by the preliminary diagnosis of their areas of influence. Considering the need to evaluate the effectiveness of this step within the overall framework of the EIA carried, the aim of this study was to evaluate de scoping phase in environmental impact statement of Environmental Impact Assessment processes occurred in São Paulo State, under the current regulation and based on best practices recommended for this instrument. The study evaluated 34 environmental licensing process which were proceed through the Secretary of Environment of the São Paulo State (Secretaria de Meio Ambiente do Estado de São Paulo - SMA/CETESB), with different development typologies. The results obtained showed that the structure recommended for the scoping in the São Paulo State, although it is potentially different than the other states in Brazil, it hasnt ensured the elaboration of Terms of Reference concise and focused on significant impacts of the projects, with few contribution to the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment.

Shi, Xiaoxin. / "August 2010." / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-169). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract (English) --- p.iv / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.iiiv / Acknowledements --- p.iv / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x / Abbreviations --- p.xii / "Terms in English, Chinese, and Chinese pinyin" --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- SEA and its practice in China --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Research objectives --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Research questions --- p.3 / Chapter 1.4 --- Significance of this research --- p.5 / Chapter 1.5 --- Structure of the thesis --- p.6 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- SEA and Its Chinese Context --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- The definition of SEA --- p.9 / Chapter 2.3 --- The two schools of SEA theory --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- EIA-based SEA --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Policy-oriented SEA --- p.112 / Chapter 2.4 --- SEA in the Chinese context --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- Institutional context: administrative structure and governmental organs --- p.15 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- "Planning system context: urban SEPs, basic classification, and attributes" --- p.21 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Historical context: from EIA to SEA --- p.25 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- "Regulatory context: a ""grey area"" for urban SEPs" --- p.28 / Chapter 2.5 --- Summary --- p.30 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Research Methodology and Design --- p.31 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.31 / Chapter 3.2 --- Inquiry process as a social practice --- p.31 / Chapter 3.3 --- Framing the research --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- "Starting from the tangible top of an ""iceberg""" --- p.33 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Establishing criteria for evaluation --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Research Framework --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4 --- Literature review: summarizing key elements of good SEAs of urban SEPs --- p.37 / Chapter 3.5 --- Research instruments --- p.39 / Chapter 3.5.1 --- Literature review --- p.39 / Chapter 3.5.2 --- Questionnaire Survey --- p.39 / Chapter 3.5.3 --- Case studies --- p.40 / Chapter 3.5.4 --- Interviews --- p.42 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Review of Chinese SEA of Urban SEPs --- p.44 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.44 / Chapter 4.2 --- Key elements of SEA of urban SEPs --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Integrated approach --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Integrated content --- p.47 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Integrated process --- p.48 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Communicative and participative process --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Consideration of alternatives --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Tiering and follow-up --- p.54 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- "Applying the six ""key elements of SEAs of urban SEPs"" to the evaluation of Chinese practices" --- p.56 / Chapter 4.3 --- General issues of Chinese SEA practices: a Chinese literature review --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- SEA approach --- p.58 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- SEA content --- p.60 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Integration with the planning process --- p.622 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Stakeholder involvement --- p.63 / Chapter 4.3.5 --- Consideration of alternatives --- p.64 / Chapter 4.3.6 --- Establishment of continuous SEA process --- p.64 / Chapter 4.4 --- Questionnaire feedbacks from SEA practitioners --- p.65 / Chapter 4.5 --- "Case studies from three cities: Dalian, Wuhan, and Shanghai" --- p.69 / Chapter 4.5.1 --- SEA of the Urban Development Plan of Dalian City (2003-2020) --- p.72 / Chapter 4.5.2 --- SEA of the 11th Five-Year Economic and Social Development Plan (FYP) of Wuhan City (2006-1010) --- p.75 / Chapter 4.5.3 --- SEA of the 11th Five-Year Economic and Social Development Plan of Pudong New District in Shanghai (2006-2010) --- p.77 / Chapter 4.5.4 --- Findings from case studies --- p.81 / Chapter 4.6 --- Interviews with SEA practitioners and urban planners --- p.82 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- Applying EIA-based approach along with data deficiencies --- p.83 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- "SEA contents: narrow in scope, technical in presentation" --- p.84 / Chapter 4.6.3 --- Linkages with the planning process --- p.85 / Chapter 4.6.4 --- Insufficient non-government stakeholder involvement --- p.87 / Chapter 4.6.5 --- Inadequate consideration for alternatives at strategic levels --- p.88 / Chapter 4.6.6 --- One-time-only assessment exercises --- p.89 / Chapter 4.7 --- Conclusion --- p.90 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Discussion and Recommendations --- p.93 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2 --- Recommendations for SEA approach --- p.93 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Moving beyond the rational decision-making mindset --- p.94 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Moving beyond the end-of-pipe control mindset --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3 --- Recommendations for SEA content --- p.102 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Reporting: making sense for non-environmental experts --- p.102 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Building up SEA team --- p.104 / Chapter 5.4 --- Recommendations for SEA process --- p.107 / Chapter 5.5 --- Recommendations for stakeholder involvement: engaging non-government stakeholders --- p.110 / Chapter 5.6 --- Recommendations for considering alternatives at strategic levels --- p.114 / Chapter 5.7 --- Applying SEA more strategically --- p.116 / Chapter 5.8 --- Summary --- p.120 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Conclusions --- p.122 / Chapter 6.1 --- Research findings --- p.122 / Chapter 6.1.1 --- Deficiencies in content and process of recent Chinese SEA of urban SEPs --- p.122 / Chapter 6.1.2 --- Views and recommendations from stakeholders on the deficiencies of Chinese SEA of urban SEPs --- p.124 / Chapter 6.1.3 --- Recommendations to improve SEAs of urban SEPs in China --- p.126 / Chapter 6.2 --- Limitations and future research --- p.128 / Chapter 6.3 --- Concluding remarks --- p.129 / Appendix I Questionnaire Survey --- p.131 / Appendix II A full list of the interviewees in this research --- p.134 / Appendix III Guiding questions for semi-structured interviews --- p.136 / Appendix IV Main contents of Five-Year Plans and UMPs --- p.141 / Appendix V Main topics in SEAs of urban SEPs --- p.144 / Appendix VI Recommendations to improve Chinese SEA of urban SEPs by interviewees --- p.15147 / Appendix VII Recommendations and challenges to address the six issues of Chinese SEA of urban SEPs --- p.151 / References --- p.153