In Publication 103, the Commission included a section on the protection of the environment, and indicated that it would be further developing its approach to this difficult subject by way of a set of Reference Animals and Plants (RAPs) as the basis for relating exposure to dose, and dose to radiation effects, for different types of animals and plants. Subsequently, a set of 12 RAPs has been described in some detail, particularly with regard to estimation of the doses received by them, at a whole-body level, in relation to internal and external radionuclide concentrations; and what is known about the effects of radiation on such types of animals and plants. A set of dose conversion factors for all of the RAPs has been derived, and the resultant dose rates can be compared with evaluations of the effects of dose rates using derived consideration reference levels (DCRLs). Each DCRL constitutes a band of dose rates for each RAP within which there is likely to be some chance of the occurrence of deleterious effects. Site-specific data on Representative Organisms (i.e. organisms of specific interest for an assessment) can then be compared with such values and used as a basis for decision making.

This volume is a collection of papers produced within the framework of the Italian National Antarctic Research Programme (PNRA) on the monitoring and control of environmental contamination. The volume represents a contribution of the PNRA to the study of planetary contamination and to the understanding of the processes of global change.;The research focuses on the measurement and analysis of trace elements and organic micropollutants in the following matrices: snow/firn, seawater, soils, sediments, suspended particulate matter, pack ice, atmosphere, and biota.;The results presented extend beyond the development of specific analytical methodologies, to explicitly tackle significant environmental issues concerning global changes. Particularly relevant are the results concerning time changes of CFCs in the troposphere and lead concentration in Antarctic snow in Victoria Land, the presence of organic micropollutants in various Antarctica matrices, and the seasonal evolution of trace elements and organics in seawater.

An innovative anthology that offers a global perspective on how people think about predicting the future of life on Earth This anthology provides an historical overview of the scientific ideas behind environmental prediction and how, as predictions about environmental change have been taken more seriously and widely, they have affected politics, policy, and public perception. Through an array of texts and commentaries that examine the themes of progress, population, environment, biodiversity and sustainability from a global perspective, it explores the meaning of the future in the twenty-first century. Providing access and reference points to the origins and development of key disciplines and methods, it will encourage policy makers, professionals, and students to reflect on the roots of their own theories and practices.

This book addresses challenges and opportunities in the Energy-Water-Environment (EWE) nexus, with a particular focus on research and technology development requirements in harsh desert climates. Its chapters include selected contributions presented during the 1st international conference on sustainable Energy-Water-Environment nexus in desert climates (ICSEWEN-19) held at the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI) in Doha, Qatar in December 2019. This volume is comprised of three main chapters, each describing important case studies and progress on water, energy and environmental questions. A fourth chapter on policies and community outreach on these three areas is also included. This compilation aims to bridge the gap between research and industry to address the socioeconomic impacts of the nexus imbalance as perceived by scientists, industrial partners, and policymakers. The content of this book is of particular importance to graduate students, researchers and decision makers interested in understanding water, energy and environmental challenges in arid areas. Re searchers in environmental and civil engineering, chemistry, hydrology and environmental science can also find unique in-situ observations of the current nexus imbalance in deserts climate to validate their investigations. It is also an invaluable guide for industry professionals working in water, energy, environment and food sectors to understand the rapidly evolving landscape of the EWE nexus in arid areas. The analyses, observations and lessons-learned summarized herein are applicable to other arid areas outside North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula as well, such as central Australia, the southwest of the United States and deserts in central Asia.

This book provides a unique account of cross-sectoral innovations through efficient partnerships based on the hands-on experience of internationally renowned contributors specialised in the field of Science of Delivery. The challenges and lessons learned from large development initiatives based in Asia, and from the work undertaken by international research institutions, such as the FAO, are brought together in this book to benefit development agencies, policy makers, corporates, post graduate students, farmers' organizations, and those involved in supplying agricultural inputs and/or buying agricultural produce, particularly in developing countries within Asia and Africa. Through a number of case studies the book describes how the consortium approach of capacity building for equitable and efficient benefits, collective action, and convergence, will benefit millions of small farm-holders in different regions of Asia

Since the publication of the first volume "Infrasound monitoring for atmospheric studies" published in 2010, significant advances were achieved in the fields of engineering, propagation modelling, and atmospheric remote sensing methods. The global infrasound network, which consists of the International Monitoring Network (IMS) for nuclear test ban verification completed by an increasing number of regional cluster arrays deployed around the globe, has evidenced an unprecedented potential for detecting, locating and characterizing various natural and man-made sources. In recent years, infrasound has evolved into a broad interdisciplinary field encompassing academic disciplines of geophysics and innovative technical and scientific developments. The advances in innovative ground-based instruments, including infrasound inversions for continuous observations of the stratosphere and mesosphere, provide useful insights into the geophysical source phenomenology and atmospheric processes involved. Systematic investigations into low-frequency infrasound signals and the development of complementary observational platforms point out new insights into the dynamics of the middle atmosphere which play a significant role in both tropospheric weather and climate. This monitoring system also provides continuous relevant information about natural hazards with high societal benefits, like on-going volcanic eruptions, surface earthquakes, meteorites or severe weather. With this new edition, researchers and students benefit from a comprehensive content of both fundamental and applied inter-disciplinary topics.

Computer Modeling Applications for Environmental Engineers in its second edition incorporates changes and introduces new concepts using Visual Basic.NET, a programming language chosen for its ease of comprehensive usage. This book offers a complete understanding of the basic principles of environmental engineering and integrates new sections that address Noise Pollution and Abatement and municipal solid-waste problem solving, financing of waste facilities, and the engineering of treatment methods that address sanitary landfill, biochemical processes, and combustion and energy recovery. Its practical approach serves to aid in the teaching of environmental engineering unit operations and processes design and demonstrates effective problem-solving practices that facilitate self-teaching. A vital reference for students and professional sanitary and environmental engineers this work also serves as a stand-alone problem-solving text with well-defined, real-work examples and explanations.

Environmental analysis techniques have advanced due to the use of nanotechnologies in improving the detection sensitivity and miniaturization of the devices in analytical procedures. These allow for developments such as increases in analyte concentration, the removal of interfering species and improvements in the detection limits. Bridging a gap in the literature, these books uniquely bring together state-of-the-art research in the applications of novel nanomaterials to each of the classical components of environmental analysis, namely sample preparation and extraction, separation and identification by spectroscopic techniques. Special attention is paid to those approaches that are considered greener and reduce the cost of the analysis process both in terms of chemicals and time consumption. Advanced undergraduates, graduates and researchers at the forefront of environmental science and engineering will find these books a good source of information. It will also help regulators, decision makers, surveillance agencies and the organizations assessing the impact of pollutants on the environment.

The diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique is a means of measuring the concentration and speciation of metals in natural waters. Edited by one of the pioneers of the technique, this unique volume provides a complete and authoritative guide to the theory and applications of DGT. The book includes explanations of the fundamental principles of DGT, accessible to readers with a modest background in chemistry, as well as more advanced chapters that provide a thorough treatment of the physical and chemical dynamics of this technique and evaluate how well it mimics the biological uptake process. Chapters on natural waters, soils and sediments illustrate the applications of DGT, and detailed instructions are included on how to use DGT in practice. Combining the fundamentals of DGT with more advanced principles, this is an indispensable text for students, researchers and professional scientists interested in the chemistry of natural waters, soils and sediments.

While innovative technologies in remediation need to be developed, so do innovative ways of site assessment. This monograph describes the development, testing, and performance of a new laser-induced fluorescence soil probe. A screening tool for site characterization, this probe has the potential to provide an economical, rapid assessment of contaminated sites. Cone Penetrometer testing equipment advances the probe into the subsurface. The probe identifies hydrocarbon classes using a multi-channel excitation-emission matrix. This technique facilitates the collection of significant amounts of subsurface information - surpassing conventional data collection methods - that can be used to rapidly identify areas of concern beneath a site. The technology has significant application for the following: Rapid environmental site assessment Monitoring remediation programs Monitoring manufacturing processes and industrial waste water operations Subsurface Contamination Monitoring Using Laser Fluorescence provides comprehensive reference material for researchers and engineers as well as engineering consultants interested in subsurface monitoring techniques or further development of this technology. It describes innovative technology that focuses on finding cost effective solutions for site assessment and remediation.