Showing papers on "Waste disposal published in 1996"

The state of garbage in America

Abstract: As in years past, BioCycle staff surveyed state solid waste management and waste reduction officials to gather data for the State of Garbage in America report. The most accurate and current information available is used, although it should be noted that some states do not track waste generation, waste disposal or recycling figures continuously. Overall, the annual State of Garbage in America reports provides a representation of trends in how solid waste is being handled in the United States.

The Search for the Ultimate Sink: Urban Pollution in Historical Perspective

Abstract: Whether it comes by air, by land, or by water, pollution has long plagued the American city. And for just as long, the question of how to deal with urban wastes has taxed the minds of scientists, engineers, and public officials - and the pocketbooks of ordinary citizens. For over twenty years, Joel A Tarr has written about the issues of urban pollution. In this collection of his essays, Professor Tarr surveys what technology has done to, and for, the environment of the American city since 1850. In studies ranging from the horse to the railroad, from infrastructure development to industrial and domestic pollution, from the Hudson River to the smokestacks of Pittsburgh, his constant theme is the tension between the production of wastes and the attempts to dispose of them or control them with minimal costs. This book stands alone in its scholarly depth and scope. These essays explore not only the technical solutions to waste disposal, but also the policy issues involved in the trade-offs among public health, environmental quality, and the difficulties and costs of pollution control, and all this against the broader background of changes in civic and professional values. Any reader concerned with the interactive history of technology, the environment, and the American city will find this to be an informative and compelling account of pollution problems from the past and a serious guide to urban policies for the future.

Lifecycle assessment and economic evaluation of recycling: A case study

Abstract: Recycling is widely assumed to be environmentally beneficial, although the collection, sorting and processing of materials into new products also entails significant environmental impacts. This study compares the relative environmental impacts of a recycling system (incorporating the kerbside collection of recyclable materials and their subsequent use by manufacturers), with a waste disposal system (in which the waste is disposed to landfill and primary raw materials are used in manufacture), using the technique of lifecycle assessment. The methodology is then extended to incorporate an economic evaluation of the environmental impacts. This combination of lifecycle assessment and economic evaluation can be termed ‘Lifecycle Evaluation’. Lifecycle assessment quantifies and evaluates the environmental impacts of a product from the acquisition of raw materials, through manufacture and use, to final disposal. Lifecycle assessment can also provide a framework for the analysis of environmental impacts from systems such as transport, or waste management, as demonstrated in this paper. The results, for a case study of Milton Keynes in Central England, show that the recycling system generally performs better than the waste disposal system in terms of contribution to global warming, acidification effects and nutrification of surface water. An alternative method of analysis is then used, in which an economic valuation of the environmental impacts is carried out. This produces net benefits for recycling, per tonne of material, of £1769 for aluminium, £238 for steel, £226 for paper and £188 for glass, and net costs of £2.57 for high density polyethylene (HDPE), £4.10 for poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) and £7.28 for poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET). It is concluded that lifecycle evaluation, the combination of lifecycle assessment and economic valuation, can be applied to a variety of waste management issues such as the appraisal of alternative methods of collection for recycling or an examination of the UK waste management hierarchy. This technique allows impacts to be expressed in homogenous units, and the inclusion of social and environmental impacts that would not normally be addressed within a lifecycle assessment. The approach would also facilitate the evaluation of environmental and social effects at a local level, which are particularly crucial to the success of community recycling schemes. Lifecycle evaluation could provide a powerful tool to aid the development of sustainable waste management and recycling policy.

The potential of an earthworm avoidance test for evaluation of hazardous waste sites

Abstract: An earthworm avoidance test has potential advantages for use in evaluation of hazardous wastes sites Because organisms often exhibit behavioral responses at lower levels of stress than those that acute toxicity tests are able to detect, avoidance tests could provide increased sensitivity to hazardous chemicals Avoidance is an ecologically relevant endpoint that neither acute nor sublethal tests measure Avoidance can potentially indicate sublethal stress in a short period of time, testing is easily done in a soil matrix, and an avoidance test has the potential for specialized applications for soil testing Dual-control test data established that, in absence of a toxicant, worms did not congregate, but instead distributed themselves fairly randomly with respect to the two sides of the test chambers, that is, they did not display behavior that might be mistaken for avoidance In tests with artificial soil spiked with reference toxicants and hazardous site soils, worms avoided soils containing various toxic chemicals Avoidance behavior proved in most cases be a more sensitive indicator of chemical contamination than acute tests Determination of avoidance was possible in 1 to 2 d, much less than the current duration of acute and sublethal earthworm tests

Predicting the properties of bentonite-sand mixtures

Abstract: One-dimensional swelling tests and hydraulic conductivity tests have been performed at vertical effective stresses up to 450 kPa on Na-bentonite powder and compacted sand/Na-bentonite mixtures (5, 10 and 20% bentonite by weight) to investigate the use of bentonite-improved soils for waste containment. It was found that bentonite powder swells to reach a final state described by a single straight line on a plot of void ratio against the logarithm of vertical effective stress, regardless of preparation technique. Swelling of sand/bentonite mixtures expressed in terms of the clay void ratio show a deviation from bentonite behaviour above a stress which depends on the bentonite content. Hydraulic conductivity data for bentonite and sand/bentonite mixtures indicate an approximately linear relationship between logarithm of hydraulic conductivity and logarithm of void ratio. A design model based on the clay void ratio, and the sand porosity and tortuosity is presented enabling the hydraulic conductivity of a mixture to be estimated.

An STS case study about students' decision making on the waste issue

Abstract: The physical science curriculum in Dutch junior secondary education in operation since 1993 includes dealing with environmental issues in the classroom—be it in the context of decision making by students or not. A small-scale research and development project with the aim of providing an empirical base for the required educational innovations started midway 1990 as a cooperative effort of the Institute for Curriculum Development (SLO) and the Centre for Science and Mathematics Education (CDβ). This article presents a case study about students' decision making on the waste issue in the physical science curriculum. A teaching unit limiting the waste issue to household packaging waste was developed and trialed in grade 8 middle ability classes with students aged 13–14. The students' existing and developing decision making ability has been assessed against the background of a normative model of the decision making process, with evaluating alternatives on relevant criteria at its core. The research connected to the classroom trials shows that before teaching the unit students are able to evaluate alternatives on one (or more nonconflicting) criteria. After teaching the unit the students argumentations about a decision making situation have improved as far as validity and clarity of the criteria used for evaluating alternatives is concerned, but have remained stable with respect to the limited range of criteria used. After an exploration of the reasons for these disappointing learning effects, the article ends with some reflections on the way in which a new version of the unit might be more effective in developing the students' existing decision making ability. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Acceleration of landfill stabilization using leachate recycle

Abstract: A leachate recycle system was constructed and operated at an existing lined landfill in North-Central Florida to observe the effects of leachate recycle on landfill stabilization. Samples of leachate, landfill gas, and landfilled solid waste were collected and analyzed throughout a four-year period, before and after the start of leachate recycle. The settlement of landfilled waste was also measured in wetted and dry areas of the landfill. Leachate quality was not dramatically impacted by leachate recycle. Moisture content was significantly greater in the area of the landfill subjected to leachate recycle. Waste temperature and pH measurements indicated that conditions suitable for anaerobic decomposition were present in both the treated and untreated areas. Measurements of solid waste biochemical methane potential and subsidence showed that a greater degree of landfill stabilization had occurred in the leachate recycle area relative to the untreated area.

The Scientific and Regulatory Basis for the Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste

Abstract: Waste Characteristics. Repository and Barrier Concepts. The Near-Field. The Far-Field. The Biosphere and Radiological Effects. Selection of Waste Disposal Sites. Site Characterisation and URLs. Performance Assessment. Uncertainty and Confidence Building. Where Next. Index.

Landmark-based autonomous navigation in sewerage pipes

Abstract: We describe a method for an autonomous mobile robot to navigate through a system of sewerage pipes. Landmarks signalling positions in the pipe system have to be detected and classified, where classification is allowed do be unreliable. Self localization is interpreted as a partially observable Markov decision problem and solved accordingly. The method is implemented and used on a prototype robot platform operating in a dry sewage pipe test network.

Environmental Control in Petroleum Engineering

Abstract: Introduction to Environmental Control in the Petroleum Industry. Drilling and Production Operations. The Impact of Drilling and Production Operatons. Environmental Transport of Petroleum Wastes. Planning for Environmental Protection. Waste Treatment Methods. Waste Disposal Methods. Remediation of Contaminated Sites. Appendix: A Environmental Regulations. Appendix B: Sensitive Habitats. Appendix C: Major U.S. Chemical Waste Exchanges. Appendix D: Offshore Release of Oil. Index.

Integrated solid waste management in Urban India: A critical operational research framework

Abstract: Planning for urban solid waste management within the framework of sustainable development raises several intra- and inter-generational issues such as public health, livelihood of actors in the informal recycling sector, present and future cost to society, conservation of resources both renewable and nonrenewable, and environmental impacts of waste disposal. It is essential that planners seek to address the above issues ‘interactively’ by exploring various ‘soft’ alternatives, instead of ‘preactively’ extending conventional ‘hard’ solutions. Such an integrated approach, however, should be developed through consensus among various actors. This paper proposes a Critical Operational Research (COR) framework to facilitate consensus/conflict resolution among actors, and also aid in learning. The nonlinear goal programming model developed within the COR framework provides a platform for discussion among actors involved in urban solid waste management. Its utility as a ‘learning’ tool is demonstrated by applying it to a typical metropolitan city in India. The exercise highlights the limitations of techno-managerial solutions usually adopted in developing countries, and the scope for the informal sector in urban solid waste management.

Oceanography: An Illustrated Guide

Abstract: Frontispiece - the global ocean how the science of oceanography developed, M.B. Deacon the atmosphere and the ocean, H. Charnock the role of the ocean circulation in the changing climate, N.C. Wells et al ocean weather - eddies in the sea, K.J. Richards and W.J. Gould observing oceans from space, I.S. Robinson and T. Guymer marine phytoplankton blooms, D.A. Purdie snow falls in the open ocean, R.S. Lampitt the evolution and structure of ocean basins, R.B. Whitmarsh et al slides, debris flows and turbidity currents - slope failure and sedimentation, D.G. Masson et al mid-ocean ridges and hydrothermal activity, C.R. German et al the ocean - a global chemical system, J.D. Burton the marine carbonate system, M. Varney a walk on the deep side - animals in the deep sea, P.A. Tyler et al light, colour and vision in the ocean, P.J. Herring ocean diversity, M.V. Angel adaptation to life in estuaries, salt marshes, lagoons and coastal waters, A.O.M. Lockwood et al artificial reefs, A. Jensen and K. Collins scientific diving, J. Mallinson et al marine instrumentation, G. Griffiths and S.A. Thorpe the sea floor - exploring a hidden world, P. Riddy and D.G. Masson ocean resources, C. Summerhayes waste disposal in the deep ocean, M.V. Angel. Glossaries: the geological time scale SI units some common SI units some useful values some commonly used words and depths (depth zones, plankton, bacteria and marine animals).

Micro-digestion and ICP-AES analysis for the determination of macro and micro elements in plant tissues

Abstract: A simple automated micro-digestion and analysis method was developed for the determination of 17 elements (Na, K, Mg, Ca, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cd, Pb, P, and S) in plant tissue samples (i.e., feed, forage, crops). A 0.25-1.0 g sample was digested with nitric acid in a 10-mL graduated Kimax culture tube on a programmed heating block. Each element was quantified by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The digestion and analysis method demonstrated statistical control of environmental and biological samples. In comparison to other commonly used methods the dilution was 10, which is an important consideration for low concentration elements that are near instrument detection limits. The method uses only modest sample sizes, needs infrequent supervision during digestion, requires no further extractions or quantitative trans fers, and is amenable to autosampling. The ICP-AES operational parameters have been optimized to allow for the quantification of the above elements in 10-mL plant samples. The small sample size minimizes reagents used and their subsequent waste disposal.

Aqueous magnetorheological materials

Abstract: A magnetorheological material that includes magnetic particles; at least one water-soluble suspending agent selected from the group consisting of cellulose ether and biosynthetic gum; and water. The material can have a high particle loading, minimizes waste disposal problems, and can be produced at a lower cost relative to magnetorheological materials that include hydrophobic-oil type fluids as a carrier fluid.

Environmental Science: The Natural Environment and Human Impact

Abstract: Preface Acknowledgements Introduction I. THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 1. The Nature and Organisation of Matter 2. Energy Flow, Equilibrium and Change 3. The Earth's Surface 4. The Atmosphere 5. Bioelement Cycling 6. The Cellular Basis of Life 7. Population Dynamics 8. Biological Communities 9. Ecosystems and Biomes II. HUMAN IMPACT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: NATURAL RESOURCES 10. Biological Resources 11. Land Utilisation: A Focus on Agriculture and Forestry 12. The Major Extractive Industries 13. Energy Production 14. Water Pollution 15. Atmospheric Pollution 16. Waste Management Glossary Appendices Index