scholarly journals Daphnia Magna Acute Immobilization Test: an Opportunity to Test the Ecotoxicity of Alternative Fuels

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-82
Author(s):  
Katalin Eszter Hubai

The increasing need for environmental protection has led to the development of alternative biofuels. While the use of alternative fuels has significantly increased recently, only a few studies have addressed the problem of their ecotoxicity. The main aim of this work was to provide a short review of the \textit{Daphnia magna} acute immobilization test, which has been the most commonly discussed in the literature.

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 35-38
Author(s):  
Bolesław Karwat ◽  
Dariusz Głowiński ◽  
Emil Stańczyk

Abstract The paper presents a modern approach to environmental protection in a cement plant. The possibilities of using alternative fuels are discussed along with the consequences of using them. The authors describe the feeding systems of impregnated and shredded solid fuels and tyres, as well as of liquid fuels. The basic parameters of alternative fuels used are also discussed


2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-84
Author(s):  
David Sopta ◽  
Tomislav Bukša ◽  
Juraj Bukša ◽  
Ivan Peronja

Awareness of the consequences of excessive greenhouse gas emissions in maritime transport has prompted research on the use of alternative fuels and technology, towards environmentally neutral ship propulsion, which has resulted in a number of possibilities. This review provides a systematic overview of the current state of use of ship propulsion and alternative options from the aspect of costs, infrastructure, regulations, availability, environmental protection, technology and the perspective of complete decarbonisation by 2050.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Gamal Elkafas ◽  
Mohamed Khalil ◽  
Mohamed R. Shouman ◽  
Mohamed M. Elgohary

Abstract Emissions from vessels are a major environmental concern because of their impacts on the deterioration of the environment, especially global warming of the atmosphere. Therefore, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) concern significant care to environmental protection through the reduction of exhaust emission and improvement of energy efficiency through technical and operational measures. Among the suggested measures from IMO, the alternative fuel such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has the priority to be used instead of fossil fuels. The present paper calculates the effect of using LNG in a dual fuel engine from Environmental and Energy efficiency perspectives. As a case study, a Container Ship has been investigated. The results of the analysis show that percent of CO2, NOx and SOx emissions reduction corresponding to using a dual-fuel engine operating by LNG instead of a diesel engine operating by Heavy Fuel Oil is about 30.1%,81.44%, and 96.94%, respectively. Also, the attained Energy Efficiency Index Value in the case of using the dual-fuel engine is lower than its value by using diesel engine by about 30% and this value will be 77.18%, 86.84%, and 99.27% of the required value of the first, second and third phases, respectively as recommended by IMO.


2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Vukasinovic-Pesic ◽  
Milka Djikanovic ◽  
Nada Blagojevic ◽  
Ljubinka Rajakovic

Arsenic is an ubiquitous element found in natural materials and in industrial products. The range of its concentrations found in the environment is large. Arsenic can occur in several oxidation states and is found in inorganic and organic forms. It is relatively mobile. The presence of arsenic in the environment, even at low levels, has negative effects on human and animal health. The investigation of arsenic content and behaviour in different type of waters and environment is important for chemistry and environmental protection. This paper represents a short review of scientific and expert investigations on the source, characteristics and distribution of arsenic in the environment.


Author(s):  
Aviva Brecher ◽  
Melissa Shurland

A recent Volpe Center report [1] for the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Rail Energy, Environment, and Engine (E3) Technology research and development program reviewed rail industry best practices (BPs) and strategies for improving energy efficiency (E2) and environmental sustainability. The review included examples of and opportunities for adoption of international transferrable BPs, and US technologies for equipment, operations and logistics software tools that have measurably improved E2 performance for passenger and freight railroads. Drivers providing renewed impetus for rail industry E2 advances include environmental compliance requirements with US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) locomotive emission standards, US Department of Transportation Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality improvement program grants, state, regional and urban clean diesel campaigns, as well as the FRA National Rail Plan, and High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) initiatives. The report presented comparative rail system energy efficiency data and trends relative to competing modes, illustrated the benefits of energy-efficient technologies, and of alternative fuels use. Based on a comprehensive literature review and on experts’ inputs, the report highlighted models of corporate rail sustainability plans and system-wide BPs and success stories. Available rail equipment and operational practices proven to improve E2 with environmental and economic benefits for all rail industry segments were illustrated. Findings and recommendations for further improving rail E2 and sustainability were tailored to the specific needs and goals of intercity and commuter passenger rail, and freight railroads (Class I-III). Key opportunities highlighted included: public-private partnerships (P3) with Federal agencies (FRA, EPA/SmartWay) for joint research, development test and evaluation (RDT&E)on advanced equipment (electric and hybrid, or dual fuel locomotives), or alternative fuels (biodiesel, CNG/LNG, Fuel cells/Hydrogen); participation in international rail organizations (UIC) and trade associations (AAR, AREMA, APTA, AASHTO), and partnering with regional and State environmental protection agencies for cross-enterprise E2 and sustainability improvements.


Author(s):  
R. E. Ferrell ◽  
G. G. Paulson ◽  
C. W. Walker

Selected area electron diffraction (SAD) has been used successfully to determine crystal structures, identify traces of minerals in rocks, and characterize the phases formed during thermal treatment of micron-sized particles. There is an increased interest in the method because it has the potential capability of identifying micron-sized pollutants in air and water samples. This paper is a short review of the theory behind SAD and a discussion of the sample preparation employed for the analysis of multiple component environmental samples.


Author(s):  
Patricia L. Jansma

The presence of the membrane bound vesicles or blebs on the intestinal epithelial cells has been demonstrated in a variety of vertebrates such as chicks, piglets, hamsters, and humans. The only invertebrates shown to have these microvillar blebs are two species of f1ies. While investigating the digestive processes of the freshwater microcrustacean, Daphnia magna, the presence of these microvillar blebs was noticed.Daphnia magna fed in a suspension of axenically grown green alga, Chlamydomonas reinhardii for one hour were narcotized with CO2 saturated water. The intestinal tracts were excised in 2% glutaraldehyde in 0.2 M cacodyl ate buffer and then placed in fresh 2% glutaraldehyde for one hour. After rinsing in 0.1 M cacodylate buffer, the sample was postfixed in 2% OsO4, dehydrated with a graded ethanol series, infiltrated and embedded with Epon-Araldite. Thin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and Reynolds lead citrate before viewing with the Philips EM 200.


Author(s):  
E. R. Macagno ◽  
C. Levinthal

The optic ganglion of Daphnia Magna, a small crustacean that reproduces parthenogenetically contains about three hundred neurons: 110 neurons in the Lamina or anterior region and about 190 neurons in the Medulla or posterior region. The ganglion lies in the midplane of the organism and shows a high degree of left-right symmetry in its structures. The Lamina neurons form the first projection of the visual output from 176 retinula cells in the compound eye. In order to answer questions about structural invariance under constant genetic background, we have begun to reconstruct in detail the morphology and synaptic connectivity of various neurons in this ganglion from electron micrographs of serial sections (1). The ganglion is sectioned in a dorso-ventra1 direction so as to minimize the cross-sectional area photographed in each section. This area is about 60 μm x 120 μm, and hence most of the ganglion fit in a single 70 mm micrograph at the lowest magnification (685x) available on our Zeiss EM9-S.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1393-1404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Brand

Abstract The Popeye domain-containing gene family encodes a novel class of cAMP effector proteins in striated muscle tissue. In this short review, we first introduce the protein family and discuss their structure and function with an emphasis on their role in cyclic AMP signalling. Another focus of this review is the recently discovered role of POPDC genes as striated muscle disease genes, which have been associated with cardiac arrhythmia and muscular dystrophy. The pathological phenotypes observed in patients will be compared with phenotypes present in null and knockin mutations in zebrafish and mouse. A number of protein–protein interaction partners have been discovered and the potential role of POPDC proteins to control the subcellular localization and function of these interacting proteins will be discussed. Finally, we outline several areas, where research is urgently needed.


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