Taiwan marine cage aquaculture originated in Penghu and has been developed over 25 years. The expansion of marine cage scale has caused ecological impacts such as enrichment and changes in marine cage sustainable development. The object of this study is to investigate the approaches for assessing the condition of marine cage aquaculture sediment and impacts in Chaiyuan, Penghu. Study methods including cumulative depth and deposit rate of sediment, heavy metals (Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Al, Fe, Mn), sulfide, Redox, and Total Organic Carbon were carried to investigate the impact of environment in marine cage aquaculture. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Cluster Analysis were implemented to determine the trend of impact distance and depth within the cage areas. This result shows that the average cumulative depth of sediment is approximately 49cm. Cumulative depth and deposit rate of sediment are positive related. The deposit rate of sediment is 0.061g/cm2 per day that is faster than cage farming areas in other countries. The monitoring results from Chaiyuan had the higher concentration of heavy metal than non-farming area. This suggests that the sediment in Chaiyuan has seriously impacted by the cage waste deposition. In particular, higher values of Cr and Ni could be resulted from the discharge of other sources that is needed for further study. High concentration of sulfide was observed under farming cage, Redox from all sites are negative, and the amount of total Organic Carbon is many times than non farming areas. Those conclude that the sediment in Chaiyuan has faced significant III degradation and over its carrying capacity. Contamination of Heavy metal is detected on all the monitoring sites over the farming areas. The higher concentration of heavy metal was observed at the deeper water. The distance, depth and distribution of heavy metal have closely inter-relationships. This study also attempts to provide the approaches of mitigation for improving the farming environment, for example, 1) the authorization should assist farmers in dealing with waste disposal. 2) Implementation of rotation cage farming scheme and integrated multi-trophic aquaculture. 3) Assessment of marine cage carrying capacity and impact to the environment. Those questions should be all taken into concern to achieve the economic and environment sustainable development in the future.

This work increased the value of ferrite process (FP) in three directions: firstly, changed the inferiority of FP on cost by transforming the FP sludge into a catalyst; secondly, used ERFP and elutriation to promote the performance of FP; thirdly, developed Fenton oxidation as a pretreatment step for avoiding the interference from chelating agents. Six ferrite catalysts (MxFe(3-x)O4, M = Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Cr or Fe) formed from FP were tested. Experimental results indicate that the Cu-ferrite catalyst with a Cu/Fe ratio of 1/2.5 can completely convert CO to CO2 at an inlet CO concentration of 4000 ppm and a space velocity of 6000 hr-1 were held at 140¢J. The catalytic performance of Cu-ferrite did not reduce even when the concentration of O2 was just 1%. This work proves that the ferrite catalysts have good potential for catalyzing oxidation. For developing FP for effectively treating almost all heavy metal waste liquid, hence an extremely difficult treating target- simulated waste liquid was designed. It contains ten heavy metals - Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, Ag, Hg, Ni, Sn and Mn, each at a concentration of 0.002 M. Although conventional FP could not be used to treat the simulated waste liquid completely, the enhanced FP, i.e. ERFP, could be used to satisfy regulatory limits. FeSO4 can be added in the extended stage of ERFP intermittently rather than continuously. The optimum operating parameters in the initial stage are pH = 9 , FeSO4 dosage = 0.2 mol/L, temperature = 90 oC, air supply rate = 3 L/min/L and reaction time = 40 min; in the extended stage, they are intermittent dosing, adding 10 mL 1M-FeSO4 solution per liter waste liquid every 5 min, pH = 9, temperature = 90 oC, air supply rate = 3 L/min/L and reaction time = 80min. Elutriation was conducted to reduce the cost of ERFP and ensure that the sludge met Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) standards. An operating pH from 2.88 to 4 and an elutriation time of 6 h were recommended. Used Fenton oxidation to decompose chelating agent in waste liquid and then treated heavy metal by FP, this research showed that under proper operational conditions Fenton/ ERFP could completely solve the chelating agent interference problem. The best condition for decreasing EDTA using the Fenton method was: pH = 2, ferrous ion initial concentration [Fe2+]0 = 1¡Ñ10-2M, hydrogen peroxide addition rate = 5¡Ñ10-4 mol/min/L and reaction time = 10 min. Lastly, a lot of real waste liquids were treated satisfactorily by applying the results of this study.

Ferrite process (denoted by FP) has been used for treating the waste-liquid containing heavy metal for many years. Related researches have shown that this method could catch the heavy metal regulated by environmental law into the structure of spinel, and sludge from FP also conformed the standards of toxicity characteristic leaching procedure in EPA of Taiwan. On comparing with neutral precipitation of conventional method, spinel¡¦s sludge produced in FP had an ease separation of solid-liquid and no need of solidification in further treatment. These spinel, belonged to the magnetic material, could be used for applications such as brick of blinder guide, magnetic symbol, absorber of electric wave and adsorbent. Therefore, this method has a great potential for treating the waste containing heavy metal in laboratory. This study was to investigate the optima conditions in removal of heavy metal in waste liquid in laboratory by using the FP of conventional, two and three stage. All experiments, including one ion and ten ions heavy metal mixed in a solution, were conducted in a batch- type reactor for total concentration of 2000 mg/L heavy metals. The major parameters included temperature, ferric ion dosage, aeration intensity and pH. The performance of treatment in FP was judging by that the concentration of all heavy metals in filtered solution and the heavy metal containing in sediment sludge should be below the regulations of effluent standards and TCLP standards. In conventional one stage of FP experiments performed at constant temperature and pH, the residual concentration of heavy metals in filtered solution was below the effluent standards except of Cd and of Hg; in results of TCLP showed that higher dissolvion of Cd, Cu and Pb leached from sediment and the rest ions of heavy metal passed the regulations. Thus, we conducted individually for Cd, Cu and Pb to find the optimal conditions. The optimal pH of 7 and temperature above 70 ¢J for Cd and Pb and the optimal pH of 10 and temperature above 80 ¢J for Cu were obtained. They were be used for combination of process in various stage to achieve the goal of treatment performance. After the combination of two and three stage reactions, three stage reactions in series was the only selection in removal of ten heavy metals performed by FP. As a result, the sequences were in the following: (1) 70¢J, pH=9 (2) 90¢J, pH=9 (3) 80¢J, pH =10 , and the reaction period was 40 min for each stage.

The Formosa Petrochemical Corporation (FPCC) has operated the No. 6 Naphtha Cracking industry site at Mailiao of Yunlin County for 14 years since it completed the construction in 1995. Although the plant were assessed according to the process of environmental impact assessment as required by government¡¦s guidelines before the approval of FPCC establishment at the site, there is a need to re-evaluate the site strictly for problems resulting from the industry activities over the year. The present study is initiated to research and assess the environmental monitoring data collected over the years to determine the spatial and temporal trend of heavy metal contaminants associated with the FPCC operation at site and its coastal areas. The data information used in this study consist of government annual survey reports with regard to the oceanography data of the site, seawater, sediment, and air quality. The FPCC¡¦s monitoring data are also evaluated for including in the environmental quality assessment of Mailiao coastal areas. The present study employed the annual total contaminant discharges reported by the FPCC for obtaining the total burden emitted into the nearby counties Taihsi and Lunbei. The results showed that the coastal marine environment around the industrial site and the Jhuoshuei River have major immediate impacts and problems from the activities. The results of sediment metal content have substantial increase over the years, although the value of metal concentrations is proclaimed that it is within the government provisional guidelines of sediment contaminant standard. In the current circumstance, there are no standard criteria for sediment metal concentration in the marine environment reported elsewhere in the world with exception of Canada. The air quality results showed that Lunbei which is located east side of FPCC site have a decreasing trend of contaminant discharge compared with Taihsi which is located at southern side of FPCC site have a increasing trend of contaminant discharge. Nevertheless, the FPCC site have an increasing total annual discharge. The present study also conducts a survey at Mailiao and Taihsi residences on the social-economic development and the influence associated with the FPCC operation. The survey consists of all stakeholders such as government municipality official, marine aquaculture farmers, non-government organization and fishery cooperation representatives. They are concern the influence on the social-economic development and environment impact from the industry operation. These include the problems of low spat rating in oyster farming and dust falling into the marine farm site to cause the death of bivalves. The health of local residences from FPCC site is of concern due to the expansion program of plan to the site. The present work shows the change and alteration of marine environment resulting from the FPCC activities that have worsened the sustainability development of coastal area.

This is the first research by using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) to analysis the gene expression in marine macroalga Ulva fasciata Delile against excess copper toxicity, and it gives us a comprehensive understanding of the tolerant mechanism while macroalgae face to the excess copper. Suppression subtractive hybridization was used to identify genes differentially expressed following exposure to 50 £gM CuSO4 for 6- 12h in a marine macroalga Ulva fasciata Delile. In this work, 69 genes were identified, of which 55 were up-regulated and 14 were down-regulated. According to the database of Gene Ontology (GO), these genes were classified into 10 categories as follows: 1. Transcription; 2. Translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis; 3. Posttranslational modification, protein turnover, chaperones; 4. Photosynthesis; 5. Cell redox homeostasis; 6. Stress; 7. Metabolism; 8. Energy production and conversion; 9. Transport; 10. Function unknown. According to the results, we suggest that the responses of U. fasciata against excess copper toxicity are mainly through increase of the energy production for providing sufficient energy to many metabolic pathways, and control of the Fe homeostasis and redox form of thiol groups for maintaining the cellular redox homeostasis, moreover, expression of photosynthetic genes for letting the photosynthesis work. In addition, to scavenge the ROS is by expression of stress-related genes, meanwhile, the proteins, DNA and lipids damaged by ROS (reactive oxygen species) and copper are repaired by expression of the other categorical genes. Over and above, the genes expressing in the metabolism category might maintain the amino acids homeostasis and increase the purine content, and subsequently increase the tolerant capacity of U. fasciata against excess copper toxicity. In addition, the concentrations of antioxidants and the activities and gene expression of antioxidant enzymes were determined in Ulva fasciata Delile by a 4-day exposure to 0, 5, 10, 20 and 50 £gM CuSO4. These results demonstrate that the maintenance of antioxidant homeostasis and the induction of activities of antioxidant enzymes via enhanced gene expression are used by U. fasciata to cope with the Cu-induced oxidative stress, but the defense capacity cannot sufficiently alleviate oxidative damage occurring under the condition of higher Cu concentrations. Moreover, according to the results from the expression of genes involved in the control of redox homeostasis and antioxidant defense was studied in macroalga Ulva fasciata Delile in response to CuSO4 (5 and 50 £gM) and ROS (H2O2 and O2£»-), we suggest that ROS involved in up-regulation of antioxidant defense-related genes and the expression of genes of antioxidant defense enzymes and UfMsrA (methionine sulfoxide reductase A) are associated with long-term adaptation of U. fasciata to Cu excess and transcription of redox- related genes and UfGr (glutathione reductase) is up-regulated for short-term acclimation. Promoters play a key role in regulating gene expression. Based on the analysis of cis-acting elements on UfMsr promoters, we suggested that the signal transduction pathway of copper stress in U. fasciata is related to that of other stresses and of defense-related plant hormones, however, Ca2+ and calmodulin might participate in it. To sum up, U. fasciata could resist oxidative damage caused by excessive copper through the regulation on the molecular level.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Université de Montréal, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the rhetorics of fear operating in public discourses surrounding metal music. This analysis focuses on how the public rhetorics deploy identity on listener populations through both the mediation and legislation of identities. Specifically, this mediation takes place using both symbols of fear and arguments constructed on potential threats. Texts for analysis in this study include film and television documentaries, newspaper articles, book-length critiques of and scholarship on heavy metal, and transcripts from the U.S. Senate Hearings on Record Labeling. "Heavy metal" and "metal music" are labels that categorize diverse styles of music. While there is no exemplar metal song that accounts for a definition of the genre, the terms have been consistently used in rhetorics of fear. These rhetorical movements produce and deploy deviant identities, depend on the construction of cultural crisis, and generate counter rhetorics of agency for individuals and subcultures. The study moves 1) chronologically through metal history, 2) geographically from the United States to Norway, and 3) contextually through media events that produce the public discourses of identity, crisis, and counter rhetorics. This study charts the rhetorical movements that have created fear within communities, leading to threats of legislation or criminalization of segments of the population.

The research used dendro-chemical analysis of ash tree rings and current year leaf litter to track Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Mn, Cr, and Sn spread and cycling from a closed garbage dump-toxic waste site. This technique allowed for determination of areal extent, contaminant levels and time period of initial contaminant contact. Only Zn, Sn, and Cu were found in elevated quantities in the xylem wood and Pb in the leaf litter. Elemental concentrations of Pb, Sn and Cd in xylem wood and leaves of ash were positively correlated. Tin was the only element to demonstrate a clear initial contact period and elemental accumulation with age. Significant levels of Cu accumulated in the heartwood while Zn revealed significant but inconsistent accumulated patterns. Expected attenuation zones associated with municipal solid waste landfill leachate dispersion were not found; thus the pathway for contaminant dispersion was likely through groundwater flow. / An elemental index was developed to facilitate the use of dendro-chemical analysis in periods of suppressed tree growth resulting from environmental pollution.

Innovative means and methods were tested to develop an economical, pragmatic and environmentally sustainable soil remediation process for heavy metal contaminated soils. An unsaturated-flow soil washing procedure was devised to dissolve the soil-bound toxic heavy metals; the latter were extracted by a chemical washing solution that percolated through the soil matrix. Subsequently, the leached toxic heavy metals were selectively concentrated, by a chemical precipitation process, into a solid waste. Thereby, a fraction of the spent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), within the washing and rinsing leachate, was theoretically regenerated and recycle-ready. / The unsaturated-flow washing procedure was perfected by applying different treatments to a soil from a secure landfill. This soil was contaminated with Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, S and Zn. The major contaminants were Fe, Pb, Zn, S, Cu and Mn, making up 25, 1.9, 1.0, 0.4, 0.4 and 0.2%wt of the soil. The extraction responses of the contaminants and those of Al, Ca, Mg and P were established for citric acid (0.5 M) and different molarities of diammonium EDTA ((NH4)2EDTA). The DOW Chemical Company supplied the (NH4)2EDTA (i.e. VERSENE), a 1.37M industrial cleaner, which roughly costs $1.85kg-1 in bulk. The affordability of VERSENE was a pre-condition for hoping to satisfy the economical feasibility of remediating trace metal contaminated soils. / Ultimately, the developed unsaturated-flow washing procedure was tested in a pilot-scale experiment, for its ability to remediate a soil from an abandoned car battery recycling facility. The latter soil was severely contaminated with Pb (3.9%wt). Drip irrigation was used to apply (NH4) 2EDTA and water-rinsing solutions to the surface of soil heaps that rested atop an impermeable barrier, which permitted the retrieval of the leachate. A cumulative EDTA input to the soil of 10.6% wt extracted 49.4% of the total Pb content of the soil. Alternatively, readily biodegradable citric acid barely extracted 2.2% of the total Pb content of the soil, for a cumulative input of 18.1% weight of soil. Different treatments were tested for their effectiveness in concentrating the leached toxic heavy metals into a solid waste. The Pb was best precipitated with Na2S alone, as it provided the most concentrated solid toxic waste. / The environmental sustainability of remediating trace metal contaminated soils was thoroughly examined, as per the amounts of chemical entrants and toxic waste by-products, and per the post-treatment leaching of toxic levels of the remaining and potentially toxic trace metals. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

One of the most recognised values of tidal salt marshes is the ecosystem service they provide as natural sinks for contaminants such as metals. This study examines net accumulation of metals (As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn and V) over a 5-yr period, from 1997 to 2002, in surface sediments of salt marshes in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. Metal accumulation has been measured in seven sites that extend from outer to inner Bay and in low and high marsh areas within each site. Overall, sediment metal concentrations are at or near their natural levels. Concentrations of metals show variability among marshes but are not significantly different between low and high marsh. Concentrations of As, Hg, Pb and V appear to be influenced by anthropogenic inputs. Calculated sediment loading rates for these metals generally showed gradients of increased loading from outer to inner Bay. Variability in sediment deposition rate is the driving force behind this spatial pattern. Results of this study suggest that the value of salt marshes as a sink for metals may be enhanced by high sedimentation rates.