Artificial Streams for Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM): Development and Application in Canada over the Past Decade

2002 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique G. Dubé ◽  
Joseph M. Culp ◽  
Kevin J. Cash ◽  
Nancy E. Glozier ◽  
Deborah L. MacLatchy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Benthic Invertebrate ◽  
Artificial Streams ◽  
The Past ◽  
Artificial Stream ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents ◽  
Environmental Effects Monitoring ◽  
Stream Systems

Abstract Development of artificial stream systems has been an on-going research effort in Canada over the past decade. At the National Water Research Institute (NWRI) of Environment Canada, artificial stream systems have been developed to assess the effects of point source effluents on aquatic biota. Initial applications (1990–1994) focused on assessing the effects of pulp mill effluents on benthic invertebrate and algae communities in large western Canadian rivers. Artificial streams were then used to assess the effects of pulp mill effluents on fish in marine and estuarine environments in eastern Canada (1997–1999). Most recently (2000–2001) artificial stream systems have been developed as tools to evaluate the effects of mining effluents on fish and benthic invertebrates. In addition, multi-trophic level (algae + benthic invertebrate + fish) applications have been developed for cumulative effects bioassessment. Based upon this culmination of research and development, artificial stream systems have been incorporated into the federally legislated Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) program as an alternative to field surveys for assessment of pulp and paper and mining pollution. The Canadian experience in development of artificial stream systems should serve as a model to demonstrate how research tools can be incorporated into federally legislated monitoring programs.

Sublethal Toxicity Findings by the Pulp and Paper Industry for Cycles 1 and 2 of the Environmental Effects Monitoring Program

2002 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard P. Scroggins ◽  
Jennifer A. Miller ◽  
Anne I. Borgmann ◽  
John B. Sprague
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Paper Industry ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Toxicity Tests ◽  
Secondary Treatment ◽  
Sublethal Toxicity ◽  
Biological Surveys ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents ◽  
Environmental Effects Monitoring

Abstract Sublethal toxicity tests successfully measured the improved quality of pulp mill effluents from the first cycle of environmental effects monitoring (1992–1996) to the second cycle (1997–2000). Test endpoints showed notable shifts to higher concentrations (less toxic). During the second cycle of monitoring, significantly more tests showed no effect in full-strength effluent. Five case studies were considered as part of this exercise. Most of the improvement came with installation of secondary treatment. Twelve Ontario mills with secondary treatment showed reduced toxicity, compared to results with primary treatment. All 29 sets of sublethal data showed higher IC25s during the second cycle, and 23 of these differences were statistically significant. Any other changes between the two cycles of study caused only marginal overall improvement in toxicity, judging by 12 freshwater mills in British Columbia which had secondary treatment during both cycles. Sublethal tests successfully predicted the zone of potential effect in receiving water, agreeing with effects observed in biological surveys. Overlapping zones from multiple discharges could also be demonstrated. In a situation near Niagara Falls, sublethal tests estimated the proportions of toxic loading that four mills contributed to one water body. The prediction was realistic; the actual toxicity found for a mixed effluent was 57% of that predicted from separate toxicities. The conservative prediction agrees with the usual less-than-additive sublethal action of combined toxicants.

Assessment of the Effects of Endocrine Disrupting Substances in the Canadian Environment

2001 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly R. Munkittrick
Keyword(s):  
Endocrine Disruptors ◽  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Endocrine System ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Agricultural Chemicals ◽  
Effective Manner ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents ◽  
The Government ◽  
Government Of Canada

Abstract Endocrine disruptors are a complex issue that continues to evolve. From a government perspective, the issue of endocrine disruptors is complicated by the inclusion of several related issues, making it difficult to deal with in an effective manner. The sub-issues probably need to be dealt with through different regulatory mechanisms. The endocrine disruptor issues can be divided into three main categories: a) issues associated with subtle responses to compounds that are persistent, lipophilic and capable of biomagnification; b) issues associated primarily with non-persistent and relatively hydrophilic substances in industrial and municipal effluents; and c) issues associated with screening existing and new chemicals for their capability of interacting with the endocrine system in an adverse manner. This paper discusses options for dealing with chemicals found in complex mixtures such as pulp mill effluents, sewage effluents and in-use agricultural chemicals. When studies documented potential concerns about the potential for pulp mill effluents to cause reproductive and endocrine changes in fish, the Government of Canada developed an Environmental Effects Monitoring program as part of the new regulatory package. The EEM program is designed to provide information on whether effects are present in the environment when industry complies with their regulated discharge requirements. Endocrine disruptors have the potential to cause environmental effects with other regulated effluents, and an EEM-type of approach would be capable of identifying situations where effects are present and need to be dealt with.

Investigation of Cause in Pulp and Paper Environmental Effects Monitoring

2005 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Mark Hewitt ◽  
Monique G. Dubé ◽  
Sandra C. Ribey ◽  
Joseph M. Culp ◽  
Richard Lowell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Effects ◽  
Pulp And Paper ◽  
Sufficient Information ◽  
Response Patterns ◽  
Pulp Mills ◽  
Metal Mining ◽  
Scientific Disciplines ◽  
Specific Stage ◽  
Metabolic Disruption ◽  
Environmental Effects Monitoring

Abstract Environmental Effects Monitoring (EEM) Programs in Canada have been developed for the pulp and paper and metal mining industries. The EEM Program conducts cyclical evaluations of receiving environments to determine whether effects exist when facilities comply with existing regulations. Investigation of cause (IOC) is a specific stage in the EEM Program that is used after environmental effects in fish and/or benthos have been detected, confirmed and their extent and magnitude have been documented. This paper presents an overview of the processes associated with this phase of monitoring. The objective of an IOC is to obtain sufficient information so that the source of the effect can be identified and removed, or its effects reduced to an acceptable level. The initial direction of an IOC is dependent upon the type of response patterns observed for fish and/or benthos during EEM cycles and extent/magnitude studies. The framework presented in this paper is based on an amalgamation of research projects conducted at Canadian pulp mills over the last decade and selected studies are summarized as examples. It also represents an integration of several research philosophies and scientific disciplines. The framework is based on national response patterns from the second cycle of pulp and paper EEM studies. IOCs are directed into either an eutrophication-based investigation or a contaminant-based investigation (including metabolic disruption in fish). The framework is constructed with a progression of investigative levels designed to provide more information on the causative factors. Each of these phases also represents a decision point for stakeholders to determine if sufficient information has been attained about the causal factor(s) and whether the IOC should be concluded. It is expected that the framework will evolve with a growing knowledge base of causal factors, as facilities enter into this phase of the EEM Program.

The Onset of Lignin-Modifying Enzymes, Decrease of AOX and Color Removal by White-Rot Fungi Grown on Bleach Plant Effluents

1991 ◽  
Vol 24 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 189-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. P. Lankinen ◽  
M. M. Inkeröinen ◽  
J. Pellinen ◽  
A. I. Hatakka
Keyword(s):  
Lignin Peroxidase ◽  
Active Form ◽  
White Rot Fungi ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Color Removal ◽  
Effluent Treatment ◽  
White Rot ◽  
White Rot Fungus ◽  
Lignin Peroxidases ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents

Decrease of adsorbable organic chlorine (AOX) is becoming the most important criterion for the efficiency of pulp mill effluent treatment in the 1990s. Two methods, designated MYCOR and MYCOPOR which utilize the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium have earlier been developed for the color removal of pulp mill effluents, but the processes have also a capacity to decrease the amount of chlorinated organic compounds. Lignin peroxidases (ligninases) produced by P. chrvsosporium may dechlorinate chlorinated phenols. In this work possibilities to use selected white-rot fungi in the treatment of E1-stage bleach plant effluent were studied. Phlebia radiata. Phanerochaete chrvsosporium and Merulius (Phlebia) tremellosus were compared in shake flasks for their ability to produce laccase, lignin peroxidase(s) and manganese-dependent peroxidase(s) and to remove color from a medium containing effluent. Softwood bleaching effluents were treated by carrier-immobilized P. radiata in 2 1 bioreactors and a 10 1 BiostatR -fermentor. Dechlorination was followed using Cl ion and AOX determinations. All fungi removed the color of the effluent. In P. radiata cultivations AOX decrease was ca. 4 mg l−1 in one day. Apparent lignin peroxidase activities as determined by veratryl alcohol oxidation method were negligible or zero in a medium with AOX content of ca. 60 mg l−1, prepared using about 20 % (v/v) of softwood effluent. However, the purification of extracellular enzymes implied that large amounts of lignin peroxidases were present in the medium and, after the purification, in active form. Enzyme proteins were separated using anion exchange chromatography, and they were further characterized by electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to reveal the kind of enzymes that were present during AOX decrease and color removal. The most characteristic lignin peroxidase isoenzymes in effluent media were LiP2 and LiP3.

scholarly journals Analgesia for Sheep in Commercial Production: Where to Next?

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1127
Author(s):  
Alison Small ◽  
Andrew David Fisher ◽  
Caroline Lee ◽  
Ian Colditz
Keyword(s):  
Research Effort ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Worth Living ◽  
Life Worth Living ◽  
The Past ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
Husbandry Practices ◽  
Industry Practice ◽  
Successful Launch ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs

Increasing societal and customer pressure to provide animals with ‘a life worth living’ continues to apply pressure on livestock production industries to alleviate pain associated with husbandry practices, injury and illness. Over the past 15–20 years, there has been considerable research effort to understand and develop mitigation strategies for painful husbandry procedures in sheep, leading to the successful launch of analgesic approaches specific to sheep in a number of countries. However, even with multi-modal approaches to analgesia, using both local anaesthetic and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), pain is not obliterated, and the challenge of pain mitigation and phasing out of painful husbandry practices remains. It is timely to review and reflect on progress to date in order to strategically focus on the most important challenges, and the avenues which offer the greatest potential to be incorporated into industry practice in a process of continuous improvement. A structured, systematic literature search was carried out, incorporating peer-reviewed scientific literature in the period 2000–2019. An enormous volume of research is underway, testament to the fact that we have not solved the pain and analgesia challenge for any species, including our own. This review has highlighted a number of potential areas for further research.

A solid-phase extraction method that eliminates matrix effects of complex pulp mill effluents for the analysis of lipophilic wood extractives

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-588
Author(s):  
Sebastian España Orozco ◽  
Philipp Zeitlinger ◽  
Karin Fackler ◽  
Robert H. Bischof ◽  
Antje Potthast
Keyword(s):  
Solid Phase Extraction ◽  
Matrix Effects ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Internal Standard ◽  
Pulp Mill ◽  
Phase Extraction ◽  
Wood Extractives ◽  
Wood Extractive ◽  
Pulp Mill Effluents ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe extraction of lipophilic wood extractives from pulp and paper process waters proves to be a challenging task, due to harsh and alternating process and sample conditions. This study has determined the potential use of polymeric sorbents for solid-phase extraction (SPE) and compared to classical silica-based reversed-phase packed columns, with polymeric hydrophilic-lipophilic balanced (HLB) cartridges being the sorbent with the most potential. Recovery functions were obtained with an internal standard mixture representative for the main lipophilic wood extractive groups, which are fatty acids and alcohols, sterols, sterol esters and triglycerides. The impact of pH, sample volume and sample matrix, expressed as TOC and cations, on the retention behavior of lipophilic extractives during SPE of industrial samples were determined with polymeric HLB sorbent. High variations in the composition of pulp mill matrices led to different optimal extraction conditions. Thus, a new SPE protocol was developed, which bypasses matrix interferences and omits the loss of analytes due to sample preparation. The method is applicable to different pulp mill effluents with large discrepancies in pH and sample matrices, resulting in recoveries >90 % with RSD <5 % for all lipophilic wood extractives.

Explosive Removal of Concrete From Reinforced Walls

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis D. Rickman ◽  
John Q. Ehrgott ◽  
Stephen A. Akers ◽  
Jon E. Windham ◽  
Dennis W. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Explosive Charge ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Us Army ◽  
Steel Reinforced Concrete ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Us ◽  
Development Center ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Improved Methods ◽  
Combat Environment

During the past several years, the US Army has focused considerable attention toward developing improved methods for breaching walls in the urban combat environment. A major thrust area is centered on finding improved methods to breach the toughest wall type that Army units are likely to face: a double (steel) reinforced concrete (RC) wall. One impediment to this effort is that the relationship between the contact explosive charge configuration and the quantity of concrete removed has not been thoroughly understood. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center has conducted a research effort to better define the effectiveness of various explosive charge configurations in breaching RC walls. This paper presents a discussion of results from this research.

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