An in-depth look at what microplastics are, how prevalent they are, and what can be done about them for a professional and academic audience. The first part of the book provides an overview of plastics types, how they are released to the environment, and how they interact with organisms. This part also provides a background for several salient aspects of microplastics hazards (e.g., attachment of toxic chemicals, toxicity to organisms). Special attention will be paid to how microplastics decompose in the environment (which is significant in terms of mobility of toxicity). Subsequent chapters address how to sample and identify microplastics. The second part of the book examines technologies for removal of microplastics from water, wastewater and from soil. Biological, chemical and physical technologies are presented. Theory of operation, practical considerations, and possible environmental impacts of their use are discussed. Key aspects include: * technologies available for removal of microplastics from wastewater and surface water; * how various toxins which are sorbed to microplastics adversely affect wastewater treatment processes; * technologies at the pilot- and field stage for removal of microplastics from sediment; * industrial practices for preventing microplastic losses from manufacturing facilities; and * the distribution of microplastics in the atmosphere. Written by John Pichtel, author of the acclaimed Fundamentals of Site Remediation, and Mathew Simpson.

The Anthropocene has arrived riding a wave of pollution. From "forever chemicals" to oceanic garbage patches, human-made chemical compounds are seemingly everywhere. Concerned about how these compounds disrupt multiple lives and ecologies, environmental scholars, activists, and affected communities have sought to curb the causes of pollution, focusing especially on the extractive industries. In Worlds of Gray and Green, authors Sebastian Ureta and Patricio Flores challenge us to rethink extraction as ecological practice. Adopting an environmental humanities analytic lens, Ureta and Flores offer a rich ethnographic exploration of the waste produced by Chile's El Teniente, the world's largest underground mine. Deposited in a massive dam, the waste-known as tailings-engages with human and non-human entities in multiple ways through a process the authors call geosymbiosis. Some of these geosymbioses result in toxicity and damage, while others become the basis of lively novel ecologies. A particular kind of power emerges in the process, one that is radically indifferent to human beings but that affects them in many ways. Learning to live with geosymbioses offers a tentative path forward amid ongoing environmental devastation.

This book provides a current review of the problem of heavy metal removal. Microorganisms and microbial activity in environments of water and soil are presented in Chapter 1. Chapter 2 covers current knowledge about photoactive materials based on porphyrins. This book reports the manner in which plants interact with heavy metals dependent mainly on the type of contamination, species of plant as well as conditions. The book presents biological strategies for the elimination of heavy metals from polluted habitatsaphytoextraction, phytostabilization, phytodegradation, phytostimulation, phytovolatilization and phytofiltration. Also included are analytical methods to determine heavy metals in water such as atomic absorption spectrometry, electrochemical methods, colorimetric and chromatographic techniques.

Carbon capture and sequestration (or storage), known as CCS, has attracted congressional interest as a measure for mitigating global climate change because large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from fossil fuel use in the United States are potentially available to be captured and stored underground and prevented from reaching the atmosphere. Large, industrial sources of CO2, such as electricity-generating plants, are likely candidates for CCS because they are predominantly stationary, single-point sources. Electricity generation contributes over 40% of U.S. CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. Currently, U.S. power plants do not capture large volumes of CO2 for CCS. This book provides an overview of what CCS is, how it is supposed to work, why it has gained the interest and support of some members of Congress, and what some of the challenges are to its implementation and deployment across the United States.

This new edition discusses chemical and engineering principles as they apply to the cleanup and removal of hazardous chemicals from soil and groundwater. There is emphasis on environmental chemistry, soil science, microbiology, and plant science. The first part of the book provides an overview of the recent history of environmental contamination and the formulation of relevant regulations for hazardous waste site remediation. This part also provides a background for several salient aspects of site remediation (e.g., soil science, the site assessment process). The second part of the book examines field remediation technologies, including phytoremediation, bioremediation, and several chemical and physical technologies. Theory of operation, practical considerations, and possible environmental impacts and other consequences of their use are discussed. *Covers both metal- and hydrocarbon-based contamination and remediation *Many competitors only address one industry, or source, of contamination-this title provides an overview of all of the sources. *Presents both the assessment of contaminated sites and the technologies currently available for environmental cleanup *Effective for use in field situations and for academic (i.e., university course) use. *Two new chapters: (i) the use of nanomaterials for remediation of contaminated soil and water; and (ii) revegetation of severely disturbed sites.

Indoor air quality and human health are of continuously growing importance. Indoor air quality may be affected by many factors excluding, but not limited to, more loosely sealed buildings, the use of air purifiers and other pollutant sources (for example, room air fresheners), the use of various chemicals for pesticide management and cleaning, and finally, the use of synthetic building materials and furnishings. In recent years, people have become more aware of potential health and comfort problems that may be associated with poor indoor air quality. It is partly due to the move to more tightly sealed buildings, the implementation of energy conservation programs, and the growing use of laser printers, photocopiers, and other sources of indoor air contamination. Greater general awareness of environmental issues may also play a part. Most IAQ complaints from building occupants are related to a respiratory headache, irritation, odours, or fatigue. These concerns may be associated with chemical vapours, dust generated in the work environment, contaminants associated with fungal growth (mould), materials infiltrating from outside sources (such as pollen or engine exhaust), or other factors such as elevated carbon dioxide levels. This handbook aims to turn the attention to these subjects and to promote methods and technologies to reduce poor indoor air quality and to distribute outdoor air throughout the building, remove contaminants and odours, and control the indoor temperature and humidity. The information in this guide will help to maintain good indoor air quality in a building, prevent indoor air quality problems, and correct issues that may arise. It will also help to understand the indoor air quality requirements. The structure of this text allows for flexibility in course content and design. It may be used equally well either as a textbook for students or a handbook for environmental consultants, mechanical engineers, building occupants, labour unions and suppliers. Furthermore, this text may be useful data for either the undergraduate or the graduate level. The author wishes to acknowledge Nova Science Publishers with special mentions to Nadya S Gotsiridze-Columbus and Carra Feagaiga for their editorial support.

Since 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed and promulgated numerous regulations to implement the pollution control statutes enacted by Congress. Critics have reacted strongly. Some, both within Congress and outside of it, have accused the agency of reaching beyond the authority given it by Congress and ignoring or underestimating the costs and economic impacts and overestimating the benefits of proposed and promulgated rules.

Energy demand in the United States is expected to continue to grow over the coming decades, and the Department of Energy (DOE) considers nuclear energy to be one way to help meet this increased demand without producing air pollution. However, the current domestic commercial nuclear reactor fleet, consisting of 99 large light water reactors (LWRs) that provide about 20 percent of U.S. electricity is aging, and some reactors have shut down in recent years. LWRs use light, or ordinary, water to cool the reactor. New reactor concepts are under development as alternative energy options. Light water small modular reactors (SMRs) have some similarities, including the coolant used, to the existing large LWRs, and advanced reactors differ more from the large LWRs. Both new reactor concepts differ from the existing large LWRs in potential applications. This book discusses the status of light water SMR and advanced reactor concepts under development; the intended benefits of these new reactor concepts; and the challenges associated with developing and deploying these new types of reactors. Furthermore, the book describes DOE's Office of Nuclear Energy's (NE) approach to advanced nuclear reactor research and development (R&D) and examines how NE plans and prioritises its advanced reactor R&D activities, including deploying an advanced reactor.

This book being with an introduction into natural ventilation applications in buildings. It defines the concept of natural ventilation in buildings, and compares natural and mechanical ventilation strategies. It continues by discussing commercial win towers, which is a passive ventilation technology based on traditional vernacular wind towers of the Middle East, particularly in climates of hot, arid conditions. Furthermore, this book evaluates indoor air quality in school buildings; thermal comfort conditions in spaces equipped with radiant floor systems; and differential ventilation strategies in building spaces.

Four million tons of uranium ore were extracted from mines on the Navajo reservation primarily for developing the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile. For over 30 years, the Navajo people have lived with the environmental and health effects of uranium contamination from this mining. In 2008, five federal agencies adopted a 5-year plan that identified targets for addressing contaminated abandoned mines, structures, water sources, former processing sites, and other sites. Federal agencies also provide funding to Navajo Nation agencies to assist with the cleanup work. This book examines the extent to which the agencies achieved the targets set in the 5-year plan and the reasons why or why not; what is known about the future scope of work, time frames, and costs; and any key challenges faced by the agencies in completing this work and any opportunities to overcome them.

La Rana Dinero Aprende a Ahorrar Energia es un libro divertido y educativo sobre la conservacion de energia. Poppi, la rana le ensena a Dinero acerca de la energia, de donde viene, como se utiliza, y lo que podemos hacer para ahorrar energia y reducir la contaminacion de nuestro planeta.

Federal policymakers have long been concerned about the impact of manmade carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on global climate change. To address these concerns, Congress has been debating a range of potential initiatives for reducing atmostpheric CO2 from U.S. sources. Legislative proposals would seek to limit U.S. CO2 emissions to specific (historical) levels through emissions caps, carbon taxes, or other regulatory mechanisms. Many of these proposals dictate or anticipate a declining long-term trajectory for annual U.S. carbon emissions. The most prominent CO2 proposals seek reductions of nationwide CO2 emissions to 1990 levels or lower by 2030. This book examines key uncertainties associated with CO2 emissions abatement measures, with a focus on available and emerging technologies, and new source review permits.

There is nothing more devastating to baseless opinions than good numbers. Air Contaminants, Ventilation, and Industrial Hygiene Economics: The Practitioner's Toolbox and Desktop Handbook helps you obtain "good numbers" on your quest to squash shabby opinions with sound advice. It details real-world applications of good numbers to foster improvements in industrial hygiene, preventing inhalation toxicity and promoting better environmental air quality. Divided into four parts, the book includes: Tips on preparing for the board certification examinations for Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), and Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT) 726 solved problems in industrial hygiene, ventilation, occupational-environmental toxicology, occupational health risk management, and chemical safety engineering 154 economic persuasion techniques based on actual case studies to help feather one's career bed and assist installation of industrial hygiene control methods Tips and guiding principles for professional career development This book provides industrial hygienists with a reference containing the equations, conversions, and formulas they encounter in their day-to-day duties. A study aid to those taking the certification exams (CIH, CSP, CHMM, and DABT), it also includes business economic case studies demonstrating how to preserve your clients' financial resources, promote industrial hygiene, foster worksite safety, learn the financial ropes of business economics, and help control your clients' potential adverse environmental impact and, in so doing, greatly enhance career progress.

"Monitoring Water Quality" is a practical assessment of one of the most pressing growth and sustainability issues in the developed and developing worlds: water quality. Over the last 10 years, improved laboratory techniques have led to the discovery of microbial and viral contaminants, pharmaceuticals, and endocrine disruptors in our fresh water supplies that were not monitored previously.

This book offers in-depth coverage of water quality issues (natural and human-related), monitoring of contaminants, and remediation of water contamination. In particular, readers will learn about arsenic removal techniques, real-time monitoring, and risk assessment. "Monitoring Water Quality" is a vital text for students and professionals in environmental science, civil engineering, chemistry - anyone concerned with issues of water analysis and sustainability assessment.
Covers in depth the scope of sustainable water problems on a worldwide scaleProvides a rich source of sophisticated methods for analyzing water to assure its safetyDescribes the monitoring of contaminants, including pharmaceutical and endocrine disruptorsHelps to quickly identify the sources and fates of contaminants and sources of pollutants and their loading"

Greenhouse gas emissions have increased markedly since the pre-industrial era and are increasing at such a rate that their concentration in the atmosphere is producing a warming influence on the global climate. In order to make well-informed decisions on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, it is important to understand how the different economic sectors contribute to the production of greenhouse gases, which sectors are relatively carbon dioxide (CO2) intensive, and how these patterns have evolved over time. This book analyses energy-related CO2 emissions and intensities for 349 industries, Government (Federal, state and local), and Households. The 349 industries cover the entire economy, providing information on detailed sub-sectors within the aggregate sectors of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Mining, Construction, Manufacturing, Transportation Services, and all other services.

Despite the large research effort in both public and commercial companies, no textbook has yet been written on this subject. This book aims to provide an overview to the topic of Carbon Capture and Storage (CSS), while at the same time focusing on the dominant processes and the mathematical and numerical methods that need to be employed in order to analyze the relevant systems. The book clearly states the carbon problem and the role of CCS and carbon storage. Thereafter, it provides an introduction to single phase and multi-phase flow in porous media, including some of the most common mathematical analysis and an overview of numerical methods for the equations. A considerable part of the book discusses the appropriate scales of modeling, and how to formulate consistent governing equations at these scales. The book also illustrates real world data sets and how the ideas in the book can be exploited through combinations of analytical and numerical approaches.

This book explores policies that Congress is considering to reduce U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases. Prominent among these policies are those promoting the capture and direct sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) from man-made sources such as electric power plants and manufacturing facilities. Carbon capture and sequestration is of great interest because potentially large amounts of CO2 produced by the industrial burning of fossil fuels could be sequestered. Although they are still under development, carbon capture technologies may be able to remove up to 95% of CO2 emitted from an electric power plant or other industrial source. Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is a three-part process involving a CO2 source facility, a long-term CO2 sequestration site, and an intermediate mode of CO2 transportation - typically pipelines. The book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.

With increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, the extent of effects on the ocean and marine resources is an increasing concern. One aspect of this issue is the potential for seawater to become increasing acidic (i.e., ocean acidification). Scientists are concerned that increasing acidity could result in reduced growth or even death of shell-forming animals as well as disruption of marine food webs and reproductive physiology. Congress is beginning to focus attention on better understanding this issue and determining how it might be addressed. As well as examining the above issues, this book also presents an overview of the causes of hypoxia, the U.S. areas of most concern, federal legislation, and relevant research programs. In addition, this book reviews the history and oil spills in the United States; identifies the legal authorities governing oil spill prevention, response and cleanup; and examines the threats of future oil spills in U.S. coastal waters. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.

Nationally-recognised studies and our contacts with a diverse group of industry representatives, non-governmental organisations, and academic researchers show that key barriers to CCS deployment include (1) underdeveloped and costly CO2 capture technology and (2) regulatory and legal uncertainties over CO2 capture, injection, and storage. Among the key technological barriers are a lack of experience in capturing significant amounts of CO2 from power plants and the significant cost of capturing CO2, particularly from existing coal-fired power plants, which are the single largest source of CO2 emissions in the United States. Compounding these technological issues are regulatory and legal uncertainties, including uncertainty regarding liability for CO2 leakage and ownership of CO2 once injected. According to the IPCC, the National Academy of Sciences, and other knowledgeable authorities, another barrier is the absence of a national strategy to control CO2 emissions (emissions trading plan, CO2 emissions tax, or other mandatory control of CO2 emissions), without which the electric utility industry has little incentive to capture and store its CO2 emissions. Moreover, according to key agency officials, the absence of a national strategy has also deterred their agencies from addressing other important practical issues, such as resolving how stored CO2 would be treated in a future CO2 emissions trading plan.