Journal of Environmental Management (J Environ Manag)

Publications in this journal

• Article: Thermal modelling of the completely stirred anaerobic reactor treating pig manure at low range of mesophilic conditions.

  Jianbin Guo, Renjie Dong, Joachim Clemens, Wei Wang
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  ABSTRACT: Most of Chinese middle size agricultural biogas plants run at the lower range of mesophilic conditions and low organic loading rates (OLRs) which result in the low biogas production. How to obtain an economically viable operation mode is a challenge for Chinese farm biogas plants. In this study, the performance of completely stirred anaerobic reactors treating pig manure was studied at 20, 28 and 38 °C. A thermal mathematic model was accordingly developed to decide the optimum digesting temperature and OLRs considering ambient temperature of 20, 10 and 0 °C. The regression surface model can fit well on the experimental data when the ambient temperature was around 10-20 °C, at which maximum net energy production (Np,max) can be achieved when the digesters run at OLR of 4.6-5.4 kgODM/m(3) d with temperature of above 26 °C. Co-digestion on the pig farm was suggested in winter in order to increase the Np.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 127C:18-22.
• Article: Consumer perceptions about a community pharmacy-based medication take back program.

  Andrew V Thach, Carolyn M Brown, Nathan Pope
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  ABSTRACT: The stockpiling and improper disposal of unused or expired medications has the potential to harm the environment and humans. Community-based medication take-back programs have been established to ensure proper disposal of unused drugs; however, few of these programs present consumers' perceptions about the program. Therefore, the main aims of this pilot study are 1) to assess the users' and non-users' perceptions about a medication take-back program and 2) to determine if perceptions differ between users and non-users. The results are based on a survey administered to 35 users and 20 non-users of a medication take-back program located at a community pharmacy in Texas. The majority of users were participating in a take-back service for the first time. Though most non-users had never participated in a take-back program, they would consider participating in the future. All users viewed the medication take-back program as a valuable service, while nearly all (90%) non-users viewed the program as a potentially valuable service. The primary reason for participating in the service was to protect the environment. Most respondents (users and non-users) were likely to choose a pharmacy that provides the take-back service more than a pharmacy that does not. More than half of respondents positively viewed paying for the service on a per weight basis. In comparison to non-users, users were significantly older, had more favorable perceptions about paying for the service, and were more likely to choose a pharmacy that provides the service. This pilot study presents overall favorable user perceptions toward medication-take back services and supports the need to establish more community-based take back programs to meet the needs of consumers.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 127C:23-27.
• Article: Role of sol with iron oxyhydroxide/sodium dodecyl sulfate composites on Fenton oxidation of sorbed phenanthrene in sand.

  Joo-Yang Park, Jung-Hwan Kim
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  ABSTRACT: In situ Fenton oxidation has been recently used to oxidize sorbed organic contaminants in soil. The objective of present contribution was to study the role of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as anionic surfactant and sol with iron oxyhydroxide/SDS for Fenton oxidation of sorbed phenanthrene in sand. The most effective experimental condition for phenanthrene oxidation was the Fenton-like reaction system with 0.35% H2O2, 30 mM SDS, and 4 mM FeCl2. The Fenton-like reactions under these experimental conditions resulted in the production and sustenance of a stable sol with iron oxyhydroxide/SDS composites over 24 h. The formation of iron oxyhydroxide/SDS composites resulted in stabilization of H2O2, and then the Fenton-like reactions were sustained over 24 h. Furthermore, the sol of iron oxyhydroxide/SDS composites gave suitable sites to sustain oxidations of dissolved phenanthrene over a prolonged reaction span, which is required for in situ chemical oxidation.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 126C:72-78.
• Article: Pluri-energy analysis of livestock systems - A comparison of dairy systems in different territories.

  Mathieu Vigne, Jonathan Vayssières, Philippe Lecomte, Jean-Louis Peyraud
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  ABSTRACT: This paper introduces a generic assessment method called pluri-energy analysis. It aims to assess the types of energy used in agricultural systems and their conversion efficiencies. Four types of energy are considered: fossil energy, gross energy contained in the biomass, energy from human and animal labor and solar energy. The method was applied to compare smallholder low-input dairy-production systems, which are common in developing countries, to the high-input systems encountered in OECD countries. The pluri-energy method is useful for analyzing the functioning of agricultural systems by highlighting their modes of energy management. Since most dairy systems in South Mali (SM) are low-input systems, they are primarily based on solar and labor energy types and do not require substantial fossil-energy inputs to produce milk. Farms in Poitou-Charentes (PC) and Bretagne (BR) show intermediate values of fossil-energy use for milk production, similar to that found in the literature for typical European systems. However, fossil-energy use for milk production is higher on PC than BR farms because of a higher proportion of maize silage in the forage area; grazing pastures are more common on BR farms. Farms on Reunion Island (RI) require a relatively large amount of fossil energy to produce milk, mainly because the island context limits the amount of arable land. Consequently, milk production is based on large imports of concentrated feed with a high fossil-energy cost. The method also enables assessment of fossil-energy-use efficiency in order to increase the performance of biological processes in agricultural systems. Comparing the low-input systems represented by SM to the high-input systems represented by RI, PC and BR, an increase in solar-energy conversion, and thus land productivity, was observed due to intensification via increased fossil-energy use. Conversely, though fossil-energy use at the herd level increased milk productivity, its effect on gross-energy conversion by the herd was less evident. Partitioning the total on-farm gross energy produced among animal co-products (milk, meat and manure) highlights the major functions of SM herds, which are managed to produce organic crop fertilizers.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 126C:44-54.
• Article: Estimation of awareness and perception of water scarcity among farmers in the Guanzhong Plain, China, by means of a structural equation model.

  Jianjun Tang, Henk Folmer, Jianhong Xue
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  ABSTRACT: This paper applies a structural equation model (SEM) to analyze the formation of awareness and perception of water scarcity, based on a cross-sectional dataset of 446 farmers in the Guanzhong Plain, Shaanxi Province, China. We find that age, percentage of time spent on farming and social network are the main determinants of awareness. Water price and drought experience are the most important explanatory variables of perception. In addition, awareness and perception strongly interact. The results obtained in this paper are relevant for policymaking, since environmental behavior, which includes efficient use of natural resources, tends to improve if supported by internalization of social norms, which in its turn, is promoted by awareness and perception. From the analysis it follows that spreading information via social networks, rather than via the media, is an important vehicle to enhance awareness and perception and thus to improve irrigation water use efficiency. Special attention should be paid to part-time farmers who are limited in directly perceiving water scarcity. Finally, more use should be made of the price mechanism to strengthen perception and awareness.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 126C:55-62.
• Article: Constructing a ladder of transnational partnership working in support of marine spatial planning: Thoughts from the Irish Sea.

  Sue Kidd, Lynne McGowan
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  ABSTRACT: This paper adds to the growing body of literature on partnerships and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) by constructing a ladder of transnational partnership working which can act as an aid to partnership development. The first part draws upon partnership working and co-management literature and identifies 5 levels of transnational partnership working: Information Sharing; Administration Sharing; Agreed Joint Rules; Combined Organisation; and Combined Constitution and illustrates what these might entail with reference to established maritime partnerships. The second part of the paper then explores how these generic levels may be used to structure transnational partnership development in a particular marine setting. This draws upon the outputs of two Irish Sea Transnational Partnership Working events which were funded by the UK's Economic and Social Research Council, and in particular on the exploration of motivations for collaboration which was a key point of discussion. In conclusion the paper considers the strengths and weaknesses of the ladder and how it may be enhanced and used more widely to better understand and analyse existing transnational partnership activity and guide the development of new transnational partnerships in support of MSP.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 126C:63-71.
• Article: Analysis of social attitude to the new end use of recycled water for household laundry in Australia by the regression models.

  Zhuo Chen, Huu Hao Ngo, Wenshan Guo, Xiaochang C Wang, Clayton Miechel, Nigel Corby, Andrzej Listowski, Kelly O'Halloran
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  ABSTRACT: Recycled water for household laundry can be regarded as a promising strategy to alleviate the current demand on scarce water supplies. Public acceptability becomes fairly important to ensure the successful establishment and development of this new end use. To address the issue, this study conducted social surveys in two locations of Australia, Port Macquarie and Melbourne, where respondents were asked 17 questions. The regression models provide conclusions about which characteristics are more likely to lead to the acceptance of recycled water from society. Three attitudinal variables (RWAlterDW, Attitude and Cost) and three psychological variables (Odour, Reading and SmallUnit) were found to be the key driving forces behind domestic water reuse behaviour. These findings could drive the future research direction to achieve better public perception of this new end use of recycled water.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 126C:79-84.
• Article: Motivating green public procurement in China: An individual level perspective.

  Qinghua Zhu, Yong Geng, Joseph Sarkis
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  ABSTRACT: Green public procurement (GPP) practices have been recognized as an effective policy tool for sustainable production and consumption. However, GPP practices adoption, especially in developing countries, is still an issue. Seeking to help understand these adoption issues, we develop a conceptual model which hypothesizes moderation effects of GPP knowledge on the relationships between GPP drivers and practices. Using primary data collected from 193 Chinese government officials, we find that regulations, rewards & incentive gains, and stakeholders exert pressure to motivate adoption of GPP practices. Knowledge of GPP regulations, responsibilities and experiences in developed countries is found to be limited. The study also found that voluntary regulations may actually be demotivating GPP practices. This study contributes to further theoretical and practical understanding of GPP practices. The findings can be helpful for policy makers, especially those in developing countries, to establish promotion and diffusion mechanisms for GPP practices as an important sustainable development tool.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 126C:85-95.
• Article: Intertidal mudflat and saltmarsh conservation and sustainable use in the UK: A review.

  Natalie M Foster, Malcolm D Hudson, Simon Bray, Robert J Nicholls
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  ABSTRACT: The adoption of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in Ramsar, Iran in 1971 committed the UK to conserve and sustainably use intertidal mudflats and saltmarshes for the benefit of present and future generations. Through consideration of their importance and value, current status, the characteristics, causes and consequences of their loss, and the associated responses to loss, this paper reviews the UK progress towards the conservation and sustainable use of intertidal mudflats and saltmarshes. Uncertainties in their current status and trends make it difficult to assess the overall net change in extent across the UK. However, it is apparent that losses due to erosion continue to exceed gains from intertidal mudflat and saltmarsh reparation (IMSR) schemes in south-east and southern England. IMSR schemes in the UK have been generally limited to relatively small-scale trials in comparison to elsewhere in Europe and in the USA. No research to date has unequivocally identified the causes of erosion. Regardless of the cause, the loss of intertidal mudflats and saltmarshes has adverse impacts on the provision of ecosystem services upon which humans and other species depend. The evidence presented in this paper suggests that alongside further science-based research, there is a need to develop a decision-making process capable of accommodating complexity, uncertainty and multiple diverse perspectives, through which more informed, timely decisions and more effective, concerted actions to conserve and sustainably use intertidal mudflats and saltmarshes can be taken.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 126C:96-104.
• Article: Cost-effective conservation planning: Lessons from economics.

  Joshua M Duke, Steven J Dundas, Kent D Messer
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  ABSTRACT: Economists advocate that the billions of public dollars spent on conservation be allocated to achieve the largest possible social benefit. This is "cost-effective conservation"-a process that incorporates both monetized benefits and costs. Though controversial, cost-effective conservation is poorly understood and rarely implemented by planners. Drawing from the largest publicly financed conservation programs in the United States, this paper seeks to improve the communication from economists to planners and to overcome resistance to cost-effective conservation. Fifteen practical lessons are distilled, including the negative implications of limiting selection with political constraints, using nonmonetized benefit measures or benefit indices, ignoring development risk, using incomplete cost measures, employing cost measures sequentially, and using benefit indices to capture costs. The paper highlights interrelationships between benefits and complications such as capitalization and intertemporal planning. The paper concludes by identifying the challenges at the research frontier, including incentive problems associated with adverse selection, additionality, and slippage.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 125C:126-133.
• Article: An innovative bioremediation strategy using a bacterial consortium entrapped in chitosan beads.

  Alysson Lira Angelim, Samantha Pinheiro Costa, Bárbara Cibelle Soares Farias, Lyanderson Freitas Aquino, Vânia Maria Maciel Melo
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  ABSTRACT: This aim of this work was to develop a bioremediation strategy for oil-contaminated mangrove sediments using chitosan beads containing an immobilised hydrocarbonoclastic bacterial consortium. The consortium composed of 17 isolates was obtained from an enrichment culture. The isolates were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing, which revealed 12 different genera. Thirteen isolates showed resistance to chitosan and were thus able to be trapped in chitosan beads for microcosm evaluation. The data revealed that entrapped consortium grew in the microcosms until day 15, which is when the beads disintegrated and released their biomass into the sediments. Bacterial bioaugmentation within the sediments was confirmed by cell counts; additionally, the dynamics of the bacterial populations were analysed through denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis. The chitosan showed a prebiotic effect on the autochthonous bacterial communities. Therefore, chitosan beads containing selected immobilised bacteria attain two bioremediation purposes, bioaugmentation and biostimulation, and thus represent an emergent approach.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 127C:10-17.
• Article: Potential for control of harmful cyanobacterial blooms using biologically derived substances: Problems and prospects.

  Jihai Shao, Renhui Li, Joe Eugene Lepo, Ji-Dong Gu
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  ABSTRACT: Water blooms of cyanobacteria have posed a worldwide environmental threat and a human health hazard in recent decades. Many biologically derived (but non-antibiotic) bioactive substances are known to inhibit the growth of aquatic bloom-forming cyanobacteria. Some of these biologically derived substances (BDSs) have no or low toxicity to aquatic animals and humans. Most BDSs are easily biodegradable in aquatic environments. These characteristics indicate that they may have potential for control and removal of harmful algae. However, BDSs also have the disadvantages of high cost of preparation, and possible damage to non-target aquatic organisms, and sometimes, low efficiency of algae removal. The ecological risks of most BDSs are still unknown. Here, we review recent research progress relative to the inhibitory effects of BDSs on cyanobacteria, and critically analyze the potential of BDSs as algicides with an emphasis on possible problems during the process of controlling harmful cyanobacteria. We suggest avenues of study to enhance effective use of BDSs in controlling of cyanobacterial blooms; these include guidelines for isolation and characterization of new effective BDSs, exploiting the synergistic effects of BDSs, the merits of controlling harmful cyanobacteria at the early stages of proliferation and evaluation of ecological risks of BDSs.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 125C:149-155.
• Article: Development of ELISA methodologies for the direct determination of 17β-estradiol and 17α-ethinylestradiol in complex aqueous matrices.

  Carla Patrícia Silva, Diana L D Lima, Rudolf J Schneider, Marta Otero, Valdemar I Esteves
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  ABSTRACT: This study comprises the development of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the quantification of 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in complex aqueous matrices without any sample clean-up procedures. Salinity and dissolved organic matter were selected as potential interfering agents in the analysis of E2 and EE2. The optimization was performed in order to (i) overcome matrix effects, and to (ii) increase sensitivity. The addition of a sample buffer containing bovine serum albumin (BSA) prior to the sample was found to decrease the influence of matrix effects. Moreover, adjustments of this buffer's pH together with the optimization of tracer (T) dilution and incubation time were undertaken in order to lower the quantification range. The optimized methods allowed the quantification of E2 and EE2 in the ranges 0.03-200 μg L(-1) and 0.02-10 μg L(-1), respectively. The assays were applied to real aqueous samples. It was possible to do a first approach to the levels of E2 in Portuguese surface and waste waters; however, it was not feasible to detect EE2 in the samples tested.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 124C:121-127.
• Article: Stakeholder analysis combined with social network analysis provides fine-grained insights into water infrastructure planning processes.

  Judit Lienert, Florian Schnetzer, Karin Ingold
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  ABSTRACT: Environmental policy and decision-making are characterized by complex interactions between different actors and sectors. As a rule, a stakeholder analysis is performed to understand those involved, but it has been criticized for lacking quality and consistency. This lack is remedied here by a formal social network analysis that investigates collaborative and multi-level governance settings in a rigorous way. We examine the added value of combining both elements. Our case study examines infrastructure planning in the Swiss water sector. Water supply and wastewater infrastructures are planned far into the future, usually on the basis of projections of past boundary conditions. They affect many actors, including the population, and are expensive. In view of increasing future dynamics and climate change, a more participatory and long-term planning approach is required. Our specific aims are to investigate fragmentation in water infrastructure planning, to understand how actors from different decision levels and sectors are represented, and which interests they follow. We conducted 27 semi-structured interviews with local stakeholders, but also cantonal and national actors. The network analysis confirmed our hypothesis of strong fragmentation: we found little collaboration between the water supply and wastewater sector (confirming horizontal fragmentation), and few ties between local, cantonal, and national actors (confirming vertical fragmentation). Infrastructure planning is clearly dominated by engineers and local authorities. Little importance is placed on longer-term strategic objectives and integrated catchment planning, but this was perceived as more important in a second analysis going beyond typical questions of stakeholder analysis. We conclude that linking a stakeholder analysis, comprising rarely asked questions, with a rigorous social network analysis is very fruitful and generates complementary results. This combination gave us deeper insight into the socio-political-engineering world of water infrastructure planning that is of vital importance to our well-being.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 125C:134-148.
• Article: Invasive riparian vegetation response to flow regimes and flood pulses in a braided river floodplain.

  Brian S Caruso, Callum Pithie, Laura Edmondson
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  ABSTRACT: This study evaluated flow regimes and flood pulse characteristics, and their influences on invasive riparian vegetation, in a free-flowing braided river in the Southern Alps, South Island, New Zealand. A 46-year gauged flow record was used to evaluate 67 flow metrics for the Ahuriri River, and five sets of colour aerial photographs over 20 years (1991-2011) were analysed to quantify temporal and spatial changes in vegetation (crack willow, Russell lupin, and grassland). The correlation between flow metrics and vegetation class cover for each aerial photo interval was analysed, and multiple regression models were developed. Significant changes in different invasive vegetation classes were found, including cover, number and sizes of patches, and distances from patches to primary channels. In addition to infrequent large floods, specific characteristics of small floods, high flows, low/baseflows, and extreme low flows had influences on different vegetation classes. Key metrics that appear to drive changes in cover and provide a useful multiple regression model include the largest flood peak, frequency of floods, and the time since the last flood for each air photo interval. Up to 25% of invasive vegetation cover was removed and bare substrate increased after the largest flood on record (approximately 50-year flood), and the amount of vegetation cover is highly variable over time and space. Within approximately six years, however, the proportion of vegetation recovered to pre-flood levels. The study reach appears to demonstrate the "shifting-mosaic steady state" conceptual model of riverine floodplains, where the total proportion of substrate, vegetation and water remain relatively constant over long time periods.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 125C:156-168.
• Article: Trace element contamination in the arms of the Danube Delta (Romania/Ukraine): Current state of knowledge and future needs.

  Davide A L Vignati, Dan Secrieru, Yuliya I Bogatova, Janusz Dominik, Régis Céréghino, Nikolai A Berlinsky, Gheorghe Oaie, Stefan Szobotka, Adrian Stanica
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  ABSTRACT: This paper provides the first critical synopsis of contamination by selected trace elements in the whole Danube Delta (Romania/Ukraine) to: identify general patterns of contamination by trace elements across the Delta, provide recommendations to refine existing monitoring networks and discuss the potential toxicity of trace elements in the whole Delta. Sediment samples were collected between 2004 and 2007 in the three main branches of the Delta (Chilia, Sulina and Sfantu Gheorghe) and in the secondary delta of the Chilia branch. Samples were analyzed for trace elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) and TiO2, Fe2O3, MnO, CaCO3 and total organic carbon. Cluster analysis (CA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) showed that levels of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn were influenced by anthropogenic activities. At the opposite, concentrations of Cr and Ni largely originated from the weathering of rocks located in the Romanian part of the Danube catchment and naturally rich in these elements. Data analysis using Self-Organizing Maps confirmed the conclusions of CA/PCA and further detected that the contamination tended to be higher in the Chilia and Sulina arms than in the Sfantu Gheorghe arm. The potential ecological risks due to trace element contamination in the Danube Delta could be identified as moderate and localized, provided that the presence of the natural sources of Cr and Ni was properly considered. The available results suggest that monitoring sediment quality at the mouths of Sulina and Sfantu Gheorghe arms is probably enough to get a picture of the sediment quality along their entire lengths. However, a larger network of monitoring points is necessary in the Chilia and secondary Chilia delta to account for the presence of local point sources and for the more complex hydrodynamic of this part of the Danube Delta.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 125C:169-178.
• Article: River rehabilitation for the delivery of multiple ecosystem services at the river network scale.

  David J Gilvear, Chris J Spray, Roser Casas-Mulet
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  ABSTRACT: This paper presents a conceptual framework and methodology to assist with optimising the outcomes of river rehabilitation in terms of delivery of multiple ecosystem services and the benefits they represent for humans at the river network scale. The approach is applicable globally, but was initially devised in the context of a project critically examining opportunities and constraints on delivery of river rehabilitation in Scotland. The spatial-temporal approach highlighted is river rehabilitation measure, rehabilitation scale, location on the stream network, ecosystem service and timescale specific and could be used as initial scoping in the process of planning rehabilitation at the river network scale. The levels of service delivered are based on an expert-derived scoring system based on understanding how the rehabilitation measure assists in reinstating important geomorphological, hydrological and ecological processes and hence intermediate or primary ecosystem function. The framework permits a "total long-term (>25 years) ecosystem service score" to be calculated which is the cumulative result of the combined effect of the number of and level of ecosystem services delivered over time. Trajectories over time for attaining the long-term ecosystem service score for each river rehabilitation measures are also given. Scores could also be weighted according to societal values and economic valuation. These scores could assist decision making in relation to river rehabilitation at the catchment scale in terms of directing resources towards alternative scenarios. A case study is presented of applying the methodology to the Eddleston Water in Scotland using proposed river rehabilitation options for the catchment to demonstrate the value of the approach. Our overall assertion is that unless sound conceptual frameworks are developed that permit the river network scale ecosystem services of river rehabilitation to be evaluated as part of the process of river basin planning and management, the total benefit of river rehabilitation may well be reduced. River rehabilitation together with a 'vision' and framework within which it can be developed, is fundamental to future success in river basin management.
  Journal of Environmental Management 05/2013; 126C:30-43.