Search

Abstract Background Screen the priority of emerging contaminants (ECs) from sediments is essential for risk assessment to aquatic environment and human health. Currently, priority approaches mainly focus on contaminant identification, exposure analysis, risk assessment, and hazard properties. However, there is still far from the reality due to, for instance, limitations on lack of occurrence data and uncertainty analysis. In this study, the multi-criteria screening method on the basis of hazard potential (HP) and exposure potential (EP) integrating with uncertainty analysis was developed for prioritization of 185 ECs, which have been reported to be widely found in the Yangtze River sediment. The HP based on the ecological risk and human health, and the EP according to the occurrence were both quantitatively analyzed. The priority index of these 185 chemicals was the product of the normalized HP and the normalized EP. Results According to the priority ranking scheme, 20 chemicals were identified as the top-priority, and 58 compounds as high-priority, respectively. After uncertainty scoring for each chemical based on data availability, there were 7 compounds (5 pesticides and 2 PFASs) recommended as the major priority ECs. In addition, the current study also emphasized that necessary for further studying some ECs, such as PFAS alternatives, as the data limitation may lead to reduce accurate prioritization. Conclusions Overall, this study provides an efficient approach for screening priority ECs, which is useful for river ecosystem health management.

The Brazilian National Policy on Dam Safety (PNSB) was enacted in 2010 and there are still many actions to be carried out, especially the classification of dams as to associated hazard potential (PHA) and risk category (RC). The analysis conducted based on the Dam Safety Report 2020 informs that there are 21953 dams distributed throughout the Brazilian territory registered in National Dam Information System (SNISB). However, 14849 (67.64%) of the dams were not classified as RC and 13475 (61.38%) of the dams were not classified as PHA. There are 3724 dams classified as high PHA, 2407 (64.64%) of which are considered small in terms of reservoir capacity. Considering this scenario, bibliographic research was conducted on dam classification criteria used in Brazil, Portugal, International Commission on Large (ICOLD) and United States. In addition, bibliographic research was conducted on two studies that used artificial intelligence-based tools to forecast PHA classification. As a result, this study recommends future research with indicated classification criteria and with applications based on artificial intelligence to forecast PHA classification in Brazil.

The devastating 2004 tsunamis that hit the southwestern coast of Thailand pose a serious threat to people along the coastal zone. A major aim for the tsunami hazard prediction is better prediction of the next tsunamis and their impacts. In this paper, we present the first implications of recent slope failure events of the Andaman outer shelf and upper slope based on a new detailed bathymetric data and subbottom profiler records acquired during two cruises of the MASS project in 2006 and 2007. Morphometric analysis reveals a variety of anomalous features, including: three large plateaus surrounded by moats, ruggedness and unevenness of slope morphology, and two translational submarine landslides. Two submarine landslides are studied from the detailed bathymetric data and subbottom profiler record covering the upper slope of the Andaman Sea shelf break within Thai exclusive economic zone. Maximum approximated volumes of both displaced masses are 4.8×107 m3 and 2.2×107 m3. Considering the data, there is no evidence that landslides have been the sources for tsunami hazard potential in recent geological time. These prerequisites will allow better study of slope failure events in the area. Further investigation is required to better understand obvious geotectonic phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To gain better understanding of the safety behavior of lithium-ion batteries under mechanical stress, crush tests are performed and reported in literature and in standards. However, many of these tests are conducted without the use of a cell clamping device, whereas external pressure is applied to the cell in a battery module in applications such as in an electric vehicle. The objective of this manuscript is to determine the effect of differing external compression on the thermal runaway of battery cells. Therefore, in this study, crush tests are performed with a hemispherical punch in a battery cell test chamber on commercially available 5 Ah pouch cells in a clamping device at four different normal stresses. The results are compared to cells that are free to expand with gas evolution. It is shown that applying compression to the cells not only results in a greater reproducibility of the experiments but that it also affects the thermal runaway process itself. With decreasing clamping stresses, the reaction time of the thermal runaway is increased by up to 19%, and the mass ejection is decreased by up to 10%, which, in turn, strongly influences the measurable gas concentrations by up to 80%. Based on this, a defined clamping compression was selected to obtain comparable results for different cell formats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence and impacts of emerging organic contaminants (EOCs) in the aquatic environment have gained widespread attention over the past two decades. Due to large number of potential contaminants, monitoring campaigns, treatment plants, and proposed regulations should preferentially focus on specific pollutants with the highest potential for ecological and human health effects. In the present study, a multi-criteria screening approach based on hazard and exposure potentials was developed for prioritization of 405 unregulated EOCs already present in Chinese surface water. Hazard potential, exposure potential, and risk quotients for ecological and human health effects were quantitatively analyzed and used to screen contaminants. The hazard potential was defined by contaminant persistence, bioaccumulation, ecotoxicity, and human health effects; similarly, the exposure potential was a function of contaminant concentration and detection frequency. In total, 123 compounds passed the preselection process, which involved a priority index equal to the normalized hazard potential multiplied by the normalized exposure potential. Based on the prioritization scheme, 11 compounds were identified as top-priority, and 37 chemicals were defined as high-priority. The results obtained by the priority index were compared with four other prioritization schemes based on exposure potential, hazard potential, or risk quotients for ecological effects or human health. The priority index effectively captured and integrated the results from the more simplistic prioritization schemes. Based on identified data gaps, four uncertainty categories were classified to recommend: ① regular monitoring, derivation of environmental quality standards, and development of control strategies; ② increased monitoring; ③ fortified hazard assessment; and ④ increased efforts to collect occurrence and toxicity data. Overall, 20 pollutants were recommended as priority EOCs. The prioritized list of contaminants provides the necessary information for authoritative regulations to monitor, control, evaluate, and manage the risks of environmentally-relevant EOCs in Chinese surface water.

To gain better understanding of the safety behavior of lithium-ion batteries under mechanical stress, crush tests are performed and reported in literature and in standards. However, many of these tests are conducted without the use of a cell clamping device, whereas external pressure is applied to the cell in a battery module in applications such as in an electric vehicle. The objective of this manuscript is to determine the effect of differing external compression on the thermal runaway of battery cells. Therefore, in this study, crush tests are performed with a hemispherical punch in a battery cell test chamber on commercially available 5 Ah pouch cells in a clamping device at four different normal stresses. The results are compared to cells that are free to expand with gas evolution. It is shown that applying compression to the cells not only results in a greater reproducibility of the experiments but that it also affects the thermal runaway process itself. With decreasing clamping stresses, the reaction time of the thermal runaway is increased by up to 19%, and the mass ejection is decreased by up to 10%, which, in turn, strongly influences the measurable gas concentrations by up to 80%. Based on this, a defined clamping compression was selected to obtain comparable results for different cell formats.

Polymeric polyisocyanate prepolymer substances are reactive intermediates used in the manufacture of various polyurethane products. Knowledge of their occupational and environmental hazard properties is essential for product stewardship and industrial hygiene purposes. This work reports on the systematic design of a program to explore how structural features (i.e., types of polymeric polyol and diisocyanate reactants, functionality) and physical–chemical properties (i.e., octanol–water partition coefficient [log Kow], viscosity, molecular weight) of a group of 10 toluene diisocyanate (TDI)- and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)-based monomer-depleted prepolymer substances can be related to their exposure and hazard potentials. The revelation of trends or thresholds in such relationships could form a basis for regulatory screening of existing or new prepolymer substances, while also informing the design of substances having reduced exposure and/or hazard profiles. As a first step, the aquatic exposure and hazard potentials of these 10 substances were investigated. The results of this investigation showed that yields of dissolved reaction products (derived from non-purgeable organic carbon measurements and carbon contents of the parent prepolymers) were inversely correlated with the calculated log Kow of the substances. For prepolymer loading rates of both 100 and 1000 mg/L in water, the average dissolved reaction product yields ranged from ≤1% to 32% and from ≤0.1% to 25%, respectively, over calculated log Kow values ranging from −4.8 to 45. For both loading rates, dissolved reaction products were not quantifiable where the calculated log Kow value was >10. Yet, none of the 10 prepolymers and tested loading rates exhibited acute adverse effects on the aquatic invertebrate, Daphnia magna, in the 48-h acute immobilization test. From a product stewardship perspective, polymeric prepolymers of TDI and MDI within the investigated domain and concentration range are not expected to be hazardous in the aquatic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Since 2010, the Brazilian government has required that dams that fall within the national dam policy must present a safety plan, which, among other topics, must address the definition of the hypotheses and possible disaster scenarios. To achieve it, the flood zone due to an eventual failure must be modeled for the Hazard Potential (Dano Potencial Associado – DPA) classification. The flood zone is the result of complex hydraulic phenomena that are difficult to characterize. Given the demand for DPA analysis and the data unavailability, the National Water Agency (Agência Nacional de Águas - ANA) proposed a simplified methodology for generating the flood zone., This paper proposes a Python implementation for this methodology with a user-friendly Graphical User Interface. Our implementation relies on free and open-source software. The results are similar to those produced by the original implementation and can be generated considerably in less time and with less user interaction.

The region of Tajikistan where the Rogun Hydropower Project is currently under construction has experienced large and catastrophic slope failures in the past, often triggered by earthquakes. Co-seismic slope failures are thus common and pose a high hazard potential; however, to date, no specific analysis of slope activity in this area has been presented in international journals. Here, we present an inventory of active landslides identified through satellite imagery analysis and in particular by exploiting space-borne differential radar interferometry. Surface displacements provide the basis for the detection of active slope instabilities, which are then further classified by using geomorphological indicators visible in optical satellite imagery. Additionally, the proximity of active landslides to tectonic lineaments, as well as regional seismicity, is analysed to investigate potential relationships and to provide an integrated river damming hazard potential. The results show that approximately 31% of all detected landslides would have a high damming hazard potential upon catastrophic failure, highlighting the importance of such phenomena for efficient long-term land use planning and management of hydropower plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously demonstrated that there is a relationship between the aspect ratio (AR) of CeO2 nanoparticles and in vitro hazard potential. CeO2 nanorods with AR ≥ 22 induced lysosomal damage and progressive effects on IL-1β production and cytotoxicity in the human myeloid cell line, THP-1. In order to determine whether this toxicological paradigm for long aspect ratio (LAR) CeO2 is also relevant in vivo, we performed comparative studies in the mouse lung and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of zebrafish larvae. Although oropharyngeal aspiration could induce acute lung inflammation for CeO2 nanospheres and nanorods, only the nanorods with the highest AR (C5) induced significant IL-1β and TGF-β1 production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid at 21 days but did not induce pulmonary fibrosis. However, after a longer duration (44 days) exposure to 4 mg/kg of the C5 nanorods, more collagen production was seen with CeO2 nanorods vs nanospheres after correcting for Ce lung burden. Using an oral-exposure model in zebrafish larvae, we demonstrated that C5 nanorods also induced significant growth inhibition, a decrease in body weight, and delayed vertebral calcification. In contrast, CeO2 nanospheres and shorter nanorods had no effect. Histological and transmission electron microscopy analyses showed that the key injury mechanism of C5 was in the epithelial lining of the GIT, which demonstrated blunted microvilli and compromised digestive function. All considered, these data demonstrate that, similar to cellular studies, LAR CeO2 nanorods exhibit more toxicity in the lung and GIT, which could be relevant to inhalation and environmental hazard potential.

Copyright of Österreichische Wasser- und Abfallwirtschaft is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This review aims to elucidate the current knowledge and future research needs regarding the hazard potential of nanocellulose to human health. Growing interest from research and industry alike has led to increasing likelihood of human contact to the material via various exposure routes. Although a number of comprehensive reviews on human health hazards of nanocellulose have been conducted, this paper brings new insights as it systematically analyzes and quantitatively assesses the results of in vivo and in vitro tests in terms of investigated endpoints, tested concentration ranges, physicochemical properties, surface modifications and source of the tested nanocellulose, exposure route, and cell lines used. The quality of the studies is further inspected based on various established criteria. Considering the rapid development of nanocellulose-based products and the novelty of the material, human health studies remain scarce. By assessing those that have been conducted, patterns and gaps were identified that will be helpful to guide future research. The results show that there are still significant uncertainties remaining, particularly regarding in vivo testing, with pulmonary exposure showing some cause for concern. Although a substantial number of in vitro studies have been undertaken, results are often conflicting. The detected effects could not be directly attributed to size of nanoparticles, cell lines, surface modifications or tested concentrations. This may also be linked to the varying quality of the studies. This review ends by identifying key gaps to help pave the way for future research and ensure the safe development and use of nanocellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last five decades the Karakoram Glaciers has revealed irregular behavior and lack of stability. These anomalies lead surge of glaciers and the formation of glacier lakes, and now risk increasing in the context of climate change. The hazard associated with glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) has become an increasingly serious threat to the life, property, livelihoods and infrastructure in the Karakoram Mountains of Pakistan. Shishper Glacier Lake in the Shishper watershed areas of central Hunza in North Pakistan, after its latest activity has turned to a highly prone GLOF hazard. Shishper Glacier and Glacier Lake in the North Pakistan can be harmful to the downstream population and have large socioeconomic impacts if an outburst occurs. This study investigated the spatio-temporal changes in Shishper glacier and its glacial lake, and associated risk of potential GLOF hazard. Shishper glacier was assessed on the basis of field survey carried out in December 2018 combine with GIS and remote sensing data for morphometric, land cover change, physical vulnerability and temporal analysis of Shishper glacier. The Glacier has shown an anomalous behavior in the month of July 2018, no prominent lake was observed while in the month of November 2018 a lake with an area of 0.026 km2 was noticed. Similarly, in the month January, 2019 a prominent lake appeared with an area of 0.057 km2. The physical vulnerability results showed that 80% of the area of Hassanabad village is highly exposed to GLOFs hazard, whereas low lying areas along the Hunza River are also susceptible to inundation. The results show that there is immediate danger of catastrophic outburst through downward movement of the glacier. The study recommends the glacier has an anomalous behavior, it is necessary to monitor the glacier and Glacier Lake continuously, and minimize the adverse effects of potential GLOFs risk. We also recommend strong understanding the phenomenon of glaciers therefore, glacier lakes are very important in north Pakistan with respect to GLOF disaster management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internal short-circuit tests were carried out in a battery safety investigation chamber to determine the behavior of batteries during the nail penetration test. So far, systematic investigations regarding the test setup and its influence are rarely found in the literature. Especially, to improve the comparability of the multitude of available results, it is essential to understand the effects of the geometric, operating and ambient parameters. In this study commercial lithium ion batteries with a capacity of 5.3 and 3.3 Ah were used to study the influence of the varied parameters on the voltage drop, the development of surface temperatures and of infrared active gas species. We studied both the influence of the geometry of the penetrating nail and concentration of water in the inert atmosphere especially on the quantities of the reaction products under variation of cell capacity. It could be shown that the geometry of the nail, within certain limits, has no influence on the processes of the thermal runaway of high energy density lithium ion batteries (LIBs). However, a change in capacity from 5.3 to 3.3 Ah shows that in particular the gaseous reaction products differ: The standardized gas concentrations show a higher measurable concentration of all gases except CO for the 3.3 Ah LIBs. This circumstance can be explained by the intensity of the reactions due to the different battery capacities: In the 5.3 Ah cells a larger amount of unreacted material is immediately discharged from the reaction center, and by the different available amounts of oxidizing reaction partners. An increase of the water content in the surrounding atmosphere during the thermal runaway leads to a reduction of the measurable gas concentrations of up to 36.01%. In general, all measured concentrations decrease. With increased water content more reaction products from the atmosphere can be directly bound or settle as condensate on surfaces.

Soda-anthraquinone (soda-AQ) pulping of barley straw was used to obtain cellulosic pulps for papermaking purposes. The identified parameters, or variables to be optimized, were operating time, anthraquinone concentration, and PFI refiner revolutions, and the influence of these operating variables on pulp properties was studied. A polynomial model that reproduced the experimental results with errors less than 6% was developed. Operating variables were found (46 min of processing time, 0.4 wt.% of anthraquinone concentration, and 3000 rpm of PFI revolution) that yielded competitive pulp properties (82 °SR beating grade number, 870 mL/g of viscosity, Kappa number of 13, 77 Nm/g of tensile index, and 30% ISO brightness) at reasonable chemical and energy costs. On the other hand, this study highlights the usefulness of this polynomial model as a method to minimize the use of anthraquinone in these pulping processes and to be able to predict what the pulp properties will be. For comparison purposes, new operating conditions were found, and the pulp properties still remain at a very good level for this cereal straw.

Natural and human-induced seabed sediment disturbances affect wide areas of the global coastal ocean. These recurrent to chronic disturbances mobilize significant amounts of material, including substances that have the potential to significantly harm the environment once re-released. This very challenging issue is difficult to deal with if sub-surface contaminant concentrations are unknown. Based on the analysis of 11 new, up to 5-m long sediment cores taken offshore in the Gulf of Cadiz, the contamination history (using the trace elements lead and zinc) is well documented over major parts of the gulf. Ore mining and metal processing industries on the southwestern Iberian Peninsula started five thousand years ago and experienced a first peak during the Roman Period, which can be detected over the entire gulf. The Industrial Era added a massive, shelf-wide heavy metal excursion of unprecedented dimension. This metal contamination to the coastal ocean decreased in the 1990s and appears to be today limited to larger areas off the Tinto/Odiel and Guadiana River mouths. The unforeseen, significant finding of this study is that the gulf-wide, peak heavy metal concentration, stemming from the Industrial Era, is widely overlain by a modern sediment veneer just thick enough to cover the contaminant horizon, but thin enough to have this layer within the reach of natural or human-induced sediment mobilization events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chagasin may be considered a potential plant-incorporated protectant (PIP) protein due to its deleterious effects on insect pests. However, extensive safety studies with PIP's are necessary before introducing them into the target plant. Thus, a short-term feeding trial in rats with high doses of r-chagasin was conducted to provide evidences about its safety. Three test diets containing casein + r-chagasin (0.25, 0.5 and 1% of total protein) were offered to rats (10 days). The test diets did not show adverse effects upon the development, organ weight, hematological parameters and serum protein profiles of rats, providing preliminary information on the safety of r-chagasin.Chagasina pode ser considerada como uma proteína com potencial para protetor incorporado a planta (PPI), devido aos seus efeitos deletérios sobre insetos praga. No entanto, estudos extensivos de segurança com PPI são necessários antes de introduzi-las na planta alvo. Assim, um experimento de alimentação de curto prazo em ratos com doses elevadas de r-chagasina foi conduzido para fornecer evidências sobre a sua segurança. Três dietas teste contendo caseína + r-chagasina (0,25; 0,5 e 1% de proteína total) foram oferecidas aos ratos (10 dias). As dietas teste não apresentaram efeitos adversos sobre o desenvolvimento, o peso de órgãos, parâmetros hematológicos e perfis de proteínas séricas dos ratos, fornecendo informações preliminares sobre a segurança da r-chagasina.

Although substantial quantities of toxic wastes are generated from textile industries, the characteristics of textile processing wastes (TPWs) have yet scantily been investigated from ecological and agricultural perspectives. Here, the eco-geological consequences of TPWs are evaluated by considering three types of sludges (i.e., silk fibre sludge (SFS), dye mixed silk processing sludge (DSPS), and cotton processing wastewater sludge (CPWS)). The predominance of certain components between different wastes (e.g., fibrous substances in silk industry wastes (i.e., SFS and DSPS) and amorphous materials in cotton processing wastes (i.e., CPWS)) is accounted for by the use of different raw materials in different industries. According to the FTIR and other characterization analyses, all three types of TPWs were rich in carbonaceous compounds and nutrients (e.g., CNPK) because of their biological origin. Further, high accumulation of toxic metals (e.g., Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, and Mn) was apparent with chemical-processing routes. The principal component analysis indicated strong relationships between certain environmental variables (e.g., moisture content and bulk density) and bioavailability of several metals (e.g., Cd, Zn, Cu, and Mn), while C levels in TPWs were tightly associated with Cr levels. According to the Visual MINTEQ model, the dissolution-precipitation dynamics of potentially toxic elements (e.g., Pb, Cr, and Zn) in TPWs are predicted to be controlled by the levels of phosphates/chlorides/sulphates in line with the textile processing steps employed in different factories. The great toxicity potential of CPWS (e.g., relative to SFS and DSPS) is recognized to pose significant metal-induced hazards to ecosystems and human health over time. Among the three TPWs, SFS could be prescribed for agricultural application after proper treatment (e.g., via valorization techniques) with the aid of its benign nature and high nutrient (Total N: 3.83%; available P: 118.6 mg kg−1) value. • Textile processing wastes (TPWs) were characterized from ecological viewpoints. • PCA clearly differentiated three TPWs depending on their elemental distribution. • Visual MINTEQ predicted PO 4 3−/Cl−/SO 4 2− regulated dissolution kinetics of metals. • Metals were largely distributed in carbonate and oxide bound forms in TPWs. • Cancer and non-cancer risk to human beings from TPWs was trivial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soda-anthraquinone (soda-AQ) pulping of barley straw was used to obtain cellulosic pulps for papermaking purposes. The identified parameters, or variables to be optimized, were operating time, anthraquinone concentration, and PFI refiner revolutions, and the influence of these operating variables on pulp properties was studied. A polynomial model that reproduced the experimental results with errors less than 6% was developed. Operating variables were found (46 min of processing time, 0.4 wt.% of anthraquinone concentration, and 3000 rpm of PFI revolution) that yielded competitive pulp properties (82 °SR beating grade number, 870 mL/g of viscosity, Kappa number of 13, 77 Nm/g of tensile index, and 30% ISO brightness) at reasonable chemical and energy costs. On the other hand, this study highlights the usefulness of this polynomial model as a method to minimize the use of anthraquinone in these pulping processes and to be able to predict what the pulp properties will be. For comparison purposes, new operating conditions were found, and the pulp properties still remain at a very good level for this cereal straw. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tainan, located in southwestern Taiwan, is a high-risk region for flooding and climate change effect and has a potential for future heavy rains. Groundwater pumping for aquaculture and irrigation along the coastal plain of Tainan is monitored due to subsidence. Predicting future subsidence and understanding the effect of climate change on subsidence can assist with regard to the planning and management of water and land resources in the early stages of subsidence, whose possible damage can thus be avoided. This study combines a physical model, called the nonlinear poroelastic model, and a gray-box model, called the gray system model, to evaluate and predict subsidence in the Tainan area. The subsidence under the climate change effect caused by changes in groundwater use is estimated. The climate change impact on subsidence and the potential for subsidence hazards are also analyzed. When taking into consideration the climate change effect, it is predicted that subsidence in Tainan will increase with increasing groundwater use. The maximum subsidence will increase from 29 cm (without additional discharge) to 34 cm (with additional 23.6 % discharge) and 35 cm (with additional 31.7 % discharge) in Xiaying District by 2039. The pattern of subsidence areas obtained by combining the nonlinear poroelastic and the gray system models is similar to that obtained using only the gray system model. However, the largest subsidence areas are different, and the subsidence quantity is much lower for the former due to the constraint of the physics-based poroelastic model. The combination of the nonlinear poroelastic model and the gray system model gives more reasonable estimations than either model can give alone. Large subsidence impact areas are located in the northwestern part of Tainan, and the largest impact is in Xiaying District. The potential for subsidence hazards is classified from the subsidence rates. The subsidence rate in Tainan is below 3 cm/year in the target years, and thus the potential for subsidence hazards is at middle and low levels. With climate change, the area with a middle level of potential for subsidence hazards extends across Yanshui, Xiaying, and Beimen Districts. From the study results, although the subsidence quantity is relatively low, rising sea levels and other effects of climate change expose Tainan to a high risk of flooding. Land and water resources should thus be managed to alleviate subsidence problems in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]