An up-to-date discussion of the latest in weather-related event forecasting and management In Responding to Extreme Weather Events, a team of distinguished researchers delivers a timely and authoritative exploration of three international extreme weather projects: ANYWHERE, I-REACT, and BeAWARE. The key contributions from policymaking, science, and industry in each project are discussed, as are the resulting improved measures and technologies for forecasting and managing weather-related extreme events. The authors cover the entire crisis management cycle, from awareness and early warning to effective responses to extreme weather events. Readers will also find: A thorough introduction to the science and policy background of managing extreme weather events Comprehensive explorations of impact forecasting for extreme weather events, including discussions of the ANYWHERE project Practical discussions of how to improve resilience to weather-related emergencies with advanced cyber technologies A novel framework for crisis management during extreme weather events, including discussions of the BeAWARE project Essential for disaster management professionals, Responding to Extreme Weather Events will also benefit academic staff and researchers with an interest in extreme weather events and their consequences.

Proceedings of a conference on "Integrated River Basin Management under the Water Framework Directive," held at Le Nouveau Si cle, Lille, France on 26th-28th April 2010. The book reviews technical challenges faced by EU Member States, stakeholder organisations and scientists while developing the first River Basin Management Plan under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). It focusses on aspects of multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary integration and how emerging issues such as adaptation to climate change will be considered in the future."

Until recently, focus on groundwater mainly concerned its use as drinking water and as an important resource for industry (e.g. cooling waters) and agriculture (irrigation). It has, however, become increasingly obvious that groundwater should not only be viewed as a drinking water reservoir, but that it should also be protected for its environmental value. In this respect, groundwater represents an important link of the hydrological cycle through the maintenance of wetlands and river flows, acting as a buffer through dry periods. Hence, deterioration of groundwater quality may directly affect other related aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The groundwater legislative framework under the EU Water Framework Directive and the newly adopted Groundwater Directive establishes criteria linked to environmental objectives which have to be met by 2015 following successive operational steps including characterisation, risk assessment (analysis of pressures and impacts), monitoring and design of programmes of measures. These milestones require that sound technical and scientific information be made accessible to water managers, which is so far still not sufficiently streamlined. In this context, this book describes the groundwater legislative milestones and presents series of research and development activities that aim to directly support them. It has, therefore, the ambition to become a vehicle liaising policy requirements and available scientific knowledge in this area.

The ongoing progress of science has shown that it is important for analytical scientists to determine not only the presence of particular elements, but also their species. There are many fields where this is applicable, and where there are a number of topics to be addressed. Developing separation and measurement systems for the many element species has tested the resourcefulness of analytical chemists over recent decades. A product of the EU sponsored Speciation 21 Network, this book presents a detailed review of the state-of-the-art of speciation issues in the occupational health, food and environment sectors, along with the main conclusions arising from discussions held during expert meetings. Topics covered include mercury and organotin compounds in the environment; factors affecting the health of workers; the importance of speciation of trace elements for health, and subsequent metabolism in the body; analytical methodologies; risk assessment; and legislation. Trace Element Speciation for Environment, Food and Health provides an insight into applied research in the speciation field and how it has become so important in all the fields represented. With its comprehensive coverage, it will be of particular interest to researchers in industry and academia, as well as government agencies and legislative bodies.

Speciation is one of the growing features of analytical chemistry of this decade. It is now widely recognized that the determination of total trace element contents is no longer sufficient - understanding pathways of trace elements depends on specific chemical forms, such as oxidation states, organometallic compounds, etc. However, lack of quality control of speciation often hampers the comparability of data within and between laboratories. Considering the high number of analyses performed by a wide range of EC laboratories, the SM&T programme (formerly BCR) of the European Commission has launched collaborative projects to improve the state-of-the-art of speciation analysis in Europe. Method Performance Studies for Speciation Analysis presents an overview of these recent studies. As well as discussion of the techniques used, their performance as applied to real-case analyses and possible sources of error, the preparation of Certified Reference Materials for the validation of methods used is also described. With its broad coverage and in-depth discussions, which encompass the work of eminent European experts, this unique book will be essential reading for laboratory staff in industry, academia and government.