Embodied Vulnerability in Large-Scale Technical Systems: Vulnerable Dam Bodies, Water Bodies, and Human Bodies

2016 ◽  
pp. 47-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
May-Britt Öhman
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Technical Systems

scholarly journals A Short Review on Recent Advances of Hydrogel-Based Adsorbents for Heavy Metal Ions

Metals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 864
Author(s):  
Suguna Perumal ◽  
Raji Atchudan ◽  
Thomas Nesakumar Jebakumar Immanuel Edison ◽  
Rajendran Suresh Babu ◽  
Petchimuthu Karpagavinayagam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Metal Ions ◽  
Heavy Metal Ions ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
High Porosity ◽  
Adsorption Method ◽  
Toxic Heavy Metal ◽  
Practical Applications

The growth of industry fulfills our necessity and promotes economic development. However, pollutants from such industries pollute water bodies which pose a high risk for living organisms. Thus, researchers have been urged to develop an efficient method to remove toxic heavy metal ions from water bodies. The adsorption method shows promising results for the removal of heavy metal ions and is easy to operate on a large scale, thus can be applied to practical applications. Numerous adsorbents were developed and reported, among them hydrogels, which attract great attention because of the reusability, ease of preparation, and handling. Hydrogels are generally prepared by the cross-linking of polymers that result in a three-dimensional structure, showing high porosity and high functionality. They are hydrophilic in nature because of the functional groups, and are non-toxic. Thus, this review provides various methods of hydrogel adsorbents preparation and summarizes recent progress in the use of hydrogel adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions. Further, the mechanism involved in the removal of heavy metal ions is briefly discussed. The most recent studies about the adsorption method for the treatment of heavy metal ions contaminated water are presented.

scholarly journals A Simple Technique for the Identification of Environmental DNA (eDNA ) in the Water Samples

2021 ◽  
pp. 77-80
Author(s):  
Chitra K. Y.
Keyword(s):  
Water Samples ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Dna Isolation ◽  
Simple Technique ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Easy Method ◽  
Selective Staining ◽  
Generation Sequencing ◽  
Dark Pink

The environmental DNA(eDNA) is the DNA that is shed by the organisms in their environment by different ways viz. , mucous, faeces, skin, eggs, sperms and also when these organisms die due to natural death or disease. The eDNA will persist for several days. Identification of eDNA is a useful method of determining the organisms present in an aquatic environment like amphibians, reptiles, fishes , insects and larval forms of some of these organisms. By analysing the e-DNA it is possible to monitor the species distribution in water bodies like lakes and ponds simply by collecting a sample of water. The technique can be applied for the survey of the water bodies on a large scale for the genomic, taxonomic as well as pollutional studies. The DNA isolation procedures that are available are laborious and time consuming. Therefore, during the present study, a simplified method was devised i. e. , isolation of eDNA with ethanol after which Feulgen stain was applied to identify and confirm it, as it is an easy method before proceeding to work with the isolated eDNA using other techniqnies for further studies. The Feulgen method is used for the selective staining and the localisation of the DNA in the tissues but is adopted during the present study for the water samples for quick identification of eDNA. The smear of eDNA stained with Feulgen showed dark pink or magenta colour under the microscope where it was concentrated but stained lightly when dispersed and fragmented as observed in the present study. Further studies of the isolated eDNA are in progress in our laboratory for quantifying and sequencing eDNA using latest techniques like next generation sequencing for the identification of fish species in the lakes.

scholarly journals Recognition of Water Colour Anomaly by Using Hue Angle and Sentinel 2 Image

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yelong Zhao ◽  
Qian Shen ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Shenglei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Water Body ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Measured Data ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Polluted Water ◽  
Water Colour ◽  
Hue Angle ◽  
Anomalous Water ◽  
Sentinel 2

As polluted water bodies are often small in area and widely distributed, performing artificial field screening is difficult; however, remote-sensing-based screening has the advantages of being rapid, large-scale, and dynamic. Polluted water bodies often show anomalous water colours, such as black, grey, and red. Therefore, the large-scale recognition of suspected polluted water bodies through high-resolution remote-sensing images and water colour can improve the screening efficiency and narrow the screening scope. However, few studies have been conducted on such kinds of water bodies. The hue angle of a water body is a parameter used to describe colour in the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) colour space. Based on the measured data, the water body with a hue angle greater than 230.958° is defined as a water colour anomaly, which is recognised based on the Sentinel-2 image through the threshold set in this study. The results showed that the hue angle of the water body was extracted from the Sentinel-2 image, and the accuracy of the hue angle calculated by the in situ remote-sensing reflectance Rrs (λ) was evaluated, where the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean relative error (MRE) were 4.397° and 1.744%, respectively, proving that this method is feasible. The hue angle was calculated for a water colour anomaly and a general water body in Qiqihar. The water body was regarded as a water colour anomaly when the hue angle was >230.958° and as a general water body when the hue angle was ≤230.958°. High-quality Sentinel-2 images of Qiqihar taken from May 2016 to August 2019 were chosen, and the position of the water body remained unchanged; there was no error or omission, and the hue angle of the water colour anomaly changed obviously, indicating that this method had good stability. Additionally, the method proposed is only suitable for optical deep water, not for optical shallow water. When this method was applied to Xiong’an New Area, the results showed good recognition accuracy, demonstrating good universality of this method. In this study, taking Qiqihar as an example, a surface survey experiment was conducted from October 14 to 15, 2018, and the measured data of six general and four anomalous water sample points were obtained, including water quality terms such as Rrs (λ), transparency, water colour, water temperature, and turbidity.

scholarly journals Ecological engineering of small urban water bodies

2020 ◽  
Vol 157 ◽  
pp. 02026
Author(s):  
Antonina Suzdaleva ◽  
Anna Hirsch ◽  
Maria Kuchkina
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Engineering ◽  
Interdisciplinary Approach ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Prognostic Assessment ◽  
Technical Maintenance ◽  
Technical Systems ◽  
Positive Functions

The ecological and sanitary epidemiological condition of small urban water bodies is an important factor in ensuring safety in urbanized areas of the technosphere. All modern small urban water bodies are naturaltechnical systems that can be uncontrollable or controllable. In managed natural-technical systems, favorable environmental conditions are formed as a result of the operation of special engineering devices and systems called ecological regulators. Their creation and ensuring sustainable existence are the main goal of ecological engineering of small urban water bodiesThe choice of a strategy for the environmental engineering of water bodies should be determined on the basis of a prognostic assessment of the possibility of improving or maintaining its positive functions: videoecological, recreational, biotopical potential, and also cultural, historical or religious significance. In addition, it is necessary to take into account public opinion, which can be changed by disseminating positive information about the goals of the proposed activity (active ecological image-making). The issue of organizing long-term technical maintenance of ecological regulators and monitoring of natural-technical systems of water bodies is being considered. The paper provides a classification of small urban water bodies and a generalized scheme of their ecological engineering. The necessity of an interdisciplinary approach to decision making and the development of syncretic thinking in this area is substantiated.

scholarly journals Out to explore the cybersecurity planet

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-307
Author(s):  
Giampaolo Bella
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Human Factor ◽  
Human Behaviour ◽  
Current Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technical Systems ◽  
Security Ceremonies ◽  
Beautiful City

PurposeSecurity ceremonies still fail despite decades of efforts by researchers and practitioners. Attacks are often a cunning amalgam of exploits for technical systems and of forms of human behaviour. For example, this is the case with the recent news headline of a large-scale attack against Electrum Bitcoin wallets, which manages to spread a malicious update of the wallet app. The author therefore sets out to look at things through a different lens.Design/methodology/approachThe author makes the (metaphorical) hypothesis that humans arrived on Earth along with security ceremonies from a very far planet, the Cybersecurity planet. The author’s hypothesis continues, in that studying (by huge telescopes) the surface of Cybersecurity in combination with the logical projection on that surface of what happens on Earth is beneficial for us earthlings.FindingsThe author has spotted four cities so far on the remote planet. Democratic City features security ceremonies that allow humans to follow personal paths of practice and, for example, make errors or be driven by emotions. By contrast, security ceremonies in Dictatorial City compel to comply, hence humans here behave like programmed automata. Security ceremonies in Beautiful City are so beautiful that humans just love to follow them precisely. Invisible City has security ceremonies that are not perceivable, hence humans feel like they never encounter any. Incidentally, the words “democratic” and “dictatorial” are used without any political connotation.Originality/valueA key argument the author shall develop is that all cities but Democratic City address the human factor, albeit in different ways. In the light of these findings, the author will also discuss security ceremonies of our planet, such as WhatsApp Web login and flight boarding, and explore room for improving them based upon the current understanding of Cybersecurity.

Habitat use of the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) in Estonia

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riinu Rannap ◽  
Maris Markus ◽  
Tanel Kaart
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Agricultural Landscapes ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Habitat Requirements ◽  
Spadefoot Toad ◽  
Pelobates Fuscus ◽  
The Common

Habitat loss and degradation are the most obvious and acute factors which influence amphibian decline. Fortunately, however, habitat deterioration is potentially reversible. Recognizing the factors critical for the species is therefore essential for successful habitat restoration and maintenance. In this study we explored the habitat requirements of the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), a severely declining species in Europe. The toad is considered a typical representative of herpetofauna in open agricultural landscapes but at its northern and western range edge the species occurs also in forested areas. So far, studies on the habitat requirements of the common spadefoot toad have only focused on agricultural areas and the significance of forest habitats has remained indistinct. In order to determine the habitat characteristics vital for the species as well as the function of forests as possible sink or source habitats, we explored 34 water bodies and their surroundings comparatively in forested and open landscapes in Estonia. Our study demonstrated that land cover type did not influence the presence of the species – the limiting habitat factors were related to soil type and quality of the reproduction site only. Respectively, the species preferred large fish free sun exposed water bodies in areas with sandy soil. In our study sites such conditions were best met in old growth coniferous forest areas. Thus we suggest that these types of forests holding viable populations of the common spadefoot toad should be protected with large scale clear cuttings as well as altering of hydrology avoided.

scholarly journals Gradient Outbreak of Coconut Slug Caterpillar, Macroplectra nararia Moore in East Coast of India

CORD ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Rajan P.
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Control Strategy ◽  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Light Trapping ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Monitoring Tool ◽  
Pest Population ◽  
Mechanical Control

Gradient outbreak of coconut slug caterpillar. Macroplectra nararia Moore (Limacodidae: Lepidoptera) in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh during April-May 2009 is closely interlinked with rise in ambient temperature and humidity along the water bodies. This favoured large scale explosion of pest population leading to widespread damage in coconut plantations ranging from 90-95% in severely affected gardens, indicating the sporadic nature of the pest. Exacerbation by grey leaf blight fungus, Pestalotiopsis palmarum accelerated the damage causing rampant scorching of coconut leaflets in pest affected gardens. In the field, some caterpillars were found infected by entomopathogens. Light trapping is suggested as an effective monitoring tool and a feasible mechanical control strategy of the pest.

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