Journal of Environmental Management

ISSN 0301-4797
Visit publication homepage

Publisher: Academic Press

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2519-2528

Trade-offs between development, culture and conservation – Willingness to pay for tropical river management among urban Australians

References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.

Kerstin K. Zandera, , , Stephen T. Garnetta and Anna Stratonb

a School for Environmental Research, CharlesDarwinUniversity, Ellengowan Drive, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia

b CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia

Abstract

Australia’s system of tropical rivers constitutes one of the largest and least changed drainage networks in the world. However increasing demand for water in parts of Australia, along with ongoing drought, is driving pressure to develop these rivers. This paper reports the results of a choice experiment (CE) to assess the benefits of different management strategies for three tropical rivers in northern Australia: the Daly, Mitchell and FitzroyRivers. The CE was carried out using a survey mailed to Australian urban populations. The results showed that 90% of Australians were willing to pay a once-off payment for the management of tropical rivers. Respondents who had visited or lived near the rivers were willing to pay more for cultural, recreational and environmental services than those who had not. Respondents classed as ‘developers’, who made up only 4% of the 684 respondents, considered a substantial income from irrigated agriculture as important. Unlike ‘environmentalists’ and ‘neutrals’, ‘developers’ were unwilling to pay for high quality recreational fishing or for having floodplains in good environmental condition. All groups, however, were willing to pay for high cultural values.

Keywords: Australia; Choice experiment; Compensating surplus; Ecosystem services; Recreational values; Tropical rivers

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2529-2534

A basic neural traffic noise prediction model for Tehran’s roads

References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.

Sh. Givargis, a, and H. Karimia,

a HoushAfzar Research Institute (HARI), No. 56, Iranshahr St.Tehran15816-15434, Iran

Abstract

We present an artificial neural network model to predict hourly A-weighted equivalent sound pressure levels (LAeq,1h) for roads in Tehran at distances less than 4m from the nearside carriageway edge. Our model uses the UK Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CORTN) approach. Data were obtained from 50 sampling locations near five roads in Tehran at nearside carriageway edge distances of less than 4m. The data were randomly assigned to training, testing, and holdout subsets. Model training was carried out using the training and testing subsets and comprised 60% and 20% of the data, respectively. Model validation was performed using the remaining 20% of data as a holdout subset. We examine the overall model efficiency using non-parametric tests, such as the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test for the training step and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for two independent samples for the validation step. Our results indicate that a neural network approach can be applied for traffic noise prediction in Tehran in a statistically sound manner. The Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks test detects no significant difference between the absolute testing set errors of the developed neural network and a calibrated version of the CORTN model.

Keywords: Artificial neural networks; Hourly A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (LAeq,1h); UK Calculation of Road Traffic Noise (CORTN); Tehran’s roads

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2547-2553

The effectiveness of arbuscular-mycorrhizal fungi and Aspergillus niger or Phanerochaete chrysosporium treated organic amendments from olive residues upon plant growth in a semi-arid degraded soil

References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.

A. Medinaa, , , A. Roldánb and R. Azcónc

a Department of Plant Ecology, EcologyBuilding, LundUniversity, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden

b Department of Soil and Water Conservation, CSIC-Centro de Edafología y Biología Aplicada del Segura, P.O. Box 164,Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain

c Department of Soil Microbiology and Symbiotic Systems, CSIC-Estación Experimental del Zaidín, Profesor Albareda 1, 18008 Granada, Spain

Abstract

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and a residue from dry olive cake (DOC) supplemented with rock phosphate (RP) and treated with either Aspergillus niger (DOC-A) or Phanerochaete chrysosporium (DOC-P), were assayed in a natural, semi-arid soil using Trifolium repens or Dorycnium pentaphyllum plants. Theeffects of the AM fungi and/or DOC-A were compared with P-fertilisation (P) over eleven successive harvests to evaluate the persistence of the effectiveness of the treatments. The biomass of dually-treated plants after four successive harvests was greater than that obtained for non-treated plants or those receiving the AM inoculum or DOC-A treatments after eleven yields. The AM inoculation was critical for obtaining plant growth benefit from the application of fermented DOC-A residue. The abilities of the treatments to prevent plant drought stress were also assayed. Drought-alleviating effects were evaluated in terms of plant growth, proline and total sugars concentration under alternative drought and re-watering conditions (8th and 9th harvests). The concentrations of both compounds in plant biomass increased under drought when DOC-A amendment and AM inoculation were employed together: they reinforced the plant drought-avoidance capabilities and anti-oxidative defence. Water stress was less compensated in P-fertilised than in DOC-A-treated plants. DOC-P increased D. pentaphyllum biomass, shoot P content, nodule number and AM colonisation, indicating the greater DOC-transforming ability of P. chrysosporium compared to A. niger. The lack of AM colonisation and nodulation in this soil was compensated by the application of DOC-P, particularly with AM inoculum. The management of natural resources (organic amendments and soil microorganisms) represents an important strategy that assured the growth, nutrition and plant establishment in arid, degraded soils, preventing the damage that arises from limited water and nutrient supply.

Keywords: Olive residue; Aspergillus niger; Phanerochaete chrysosporium; Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Phosphate solubilisation; Revegetation; Plant growth in degraded soil; Drought stress; Organic amendment; Organic matter

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2554-2564

Towards the ecotourism: A decision support model for the assessment of sustainability of mountain huts in the Alps

Mojca Stubelj Arsa, , and Marko Bohaneca, b,

a University of Nova Gorica, Centre for Systems and Information Technologies, Vipavska 13, SI-5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia

b Jožef Stefan Institute, Department of Knowledge Technologies, Jamova 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Abstract

This paper studies mountain hut infrastructure in the Alps as an important element of ecotourism in the Alpine region. To improve the decision-making process regarding the implementation of future infrastructure and improvement of existing infrastructure in the vulnerable natural environment of mountain ecosystems, a new decision support model has been developed. The methodology is based on qualitative multi-attribute modelling supported by the DEXi software. The integrated rule-based model is hierarchical and consists of two submodels that cover the infrastructure of the mountain huts and that of the huts’ surroundings. The final goal for the designed tool is to help minimize the ecological footprint of tourists in environmentally sensitive and undeveloped mountain areas and contribute to mountain ecotourism. The model has been tested in the case study of four mountain huts in TriglavNational Park in Slovenia. Study findings provide a new empirical approach to evaluating existing mountain infrastructure and predicting improvements for the future. The assessment results are of particular interest for decision makers in protected areas, such as Alpine national parks managers and administrators. In a way, this model proposes an approach to the management assessment of mountain huts with the main aim of increasing the quality of life of mountain environment visitors as well as the satisfaction of tourists who may eventually become ecotourists.

Keywords: Mountain hut; Ecotourism; Protected area management; Alps; Sustainable development; Decision support; Decision model

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2581-2589

Evaluation of sustainability by a population living near fossil fuel resources in Northwestern Greece

Konstantinos I. Vatalisa,

a Western Macedonia Technological Education Institution of Greece, Dept. of Geotechnology and Environmental Engineering, Lab. of Environmental Geotechnology, Kila, 50100 Kozani, GR

Abstract

The emergence of sustainability as a goal in the management of fossil fuel resources is a result of the growing global environmental concern, and highlights some of the issues expected to be significant in coming years. In order to secure social acceptance, the mining industry has to face these challenges by engaging its many different stakeholders and examining their sustainability concerns. For this reason a questionnaire was conducted involving a simple random sampling of inhabitants near an area rich in fossil fuel resources, in order to gather respondents’ views on social, economic and environmental benefits. The study discusses new subnational findings on public attitudes to regional sustainability, based on a quantitative research design. The site of the study was the energy-rich Greek region of Kozani, Western Macedonia, one of the country’s energy hubs. The paper examines the future perspectives of the area. The conclusions can form a useful framework for energy policy in the wider Balkan area, which contains important fossil fuel resources.

Keywords: Sustainability; Quantitative survey; Socioeconomic and environmental impacts; Fossil fuel resources

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2599-2607

Watershed-scale assessment of arsenic and metal contamination in the surface soils surrounding Miyun Reservoir, Beijing, China

References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.

Wei Luoa, Yonglong Lua, , , Yan Zhanga, Wenyou Fua, Bin Wanga, Wentao Jiaoa, Guang Wanga, Xiaojuan Tongb and John P. Giesyc, d

a State Key Lab of Urban and Regional Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China

bCollege of Forestry, BeijingForestryUniversity, Beijing 100083, China

c Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

d Zoology Dept., Center for Integrative Toxicology, MichiganStateUniversity, East Lansing, MI48824, USA

Abstract

Concentrations of As and selected metals were determined in surface soils of the Miyun Reservoir watershed of Beijing, China. The degree to which concentrations of As and metals exceeded the corresponding background concentration of soils was: CrCuZnAsNi with no apparent anthropogenic contamination with Cd and Pb. Based on the results of a combination of multivariate statistics and geostatistical analysis, greater concentrations of Cr and Ni in soils were determined to be primarily from iron ore mining near where the Chaohe River enters the northeast portion of the reservoir. Agricultural activities were responsible for the observed elevated concentrations of Cu and Zn in soils. Relatively great concentrations of As were found in soils near the upstream regions of the Baihe River in Chicheng County where small gold mining activities have taken place. The greatest potential for adverse effects of Cr and Cu occurred along the eastern shore of Miyun Reservoir.

Keywords: Multivariate statistical analysis; Geostatistical analysis; Ordinary kriging; Disjunctive kriging; Contamination risk assessment

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2763-2770

Restoration of foothills rough fescue grassland following pipeline disturbance in southwestern Alberta

Peggy Desseruda, , , C. Cormack Gatesb, , Barry Adamsc, and Richard D. Revelb,

a Department of Renewable Resources, 751 General Services Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2H1, Canada

b Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W., CalgaryABT2N 1N4, Canada

c Sustainable Resource Development, 1st fl Agriculture Centre, 5401 – 1 Avenue South Lethbridge, ABT1J 4V6, Canada

Abstract

The effects of pipeline construction and reclamation techniques on the restoration of rough fescue plant communities following pipeline construction in southwestern Alberta, Canada were evaluated after 7–40 years. The pipeline construction right-of-way (ROW) sites varied from no recovery of rough fescue grassland to moderate recovery. The ROW sites had a higher proportion of introduced grasses and forbs, less topsoil, and poorer rangeland health than the adjacent undisturbed grassland. Within the ROW sites, less topsoil was present on those with larger diameter pipe and which had topsoil fully stripped from the ROW during construction. Introduced grasses, Festuca ovina (sheep fescue) and Poa compressa (Canada bluegrass), succeeded in establishment following seeding and persisted for at least 40 years. Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass) dominated many of the ROW sites. Contributing factors to moderate recovery of rough fescue grassland were related to post-growing season pipeline construction, ideally, between August and March, summer or fall seeding, and minimum disturbance trench-only stripping. Reclamation practices appeared more important than time since restoration in the restoration of rough fescue grassland.

Keywords: Grassland restoration; Rough fescue; Sheep fescue; Kentucky bluegrass; Pipeline construction; Pipeline reclamation

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2754-2762

Assessing the impact of petrol stations on their immediate surroundings

Isabel M. Morales Terrésa, Marta Doval Miñarro, a, , Enrique González Ferradasa, Antonia Baeza Caracenaa and Jonathan Barberá Ricoa

a Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry, University of Murcia, 30071 Murcia, Spain

Abstract

This paper describes a novel methodology for evaluating the extent to which petrol stations affect their surroundings. The method is based on the fact that the ratio of the concentrations of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbon pollutants in the air of the petrol stations and their surroundings (basically determined by vapor emissions from unburned gasoline) differs from the ratio found in urban air, which is mainly influenced by traffic emissions. Bearing this in mind, the spatial limit of influence of petrol stations in any direction would be the first point, moving away from the station, where the ratio becomes equal to the urban background ratio. Application of the methodology involves multipoint measuring campaigns of the air at the studied petrol station and built-up area in general and processing the data with software capable of providing isoconcentration contours. The procedure should help local authorities in terms of land management, so that a “belt” can be established around petrol stations where housing or vulnerable populations and activities such as those in schools, hospitals and community centers should be restricted.

Keywords: Petrol stations; Volatile organic compounds; Aromatic/aliphatic concentration ratio

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2736-2747

Economic assessment of flash co-pyrolysis of short rotation coppice and biopolymer waste streams

a Research Group Environmental Economics and Law, Centre for Environmental Sciences, HasseltUniversity, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium

b Laboratory of Applied and Analytical Chemistry, Centre for Environmental Sciences, HasseltUniversity, Agoralaan Gebouw D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium

c NuTeC, Department TIW, XIOS, Agoralaan Gebouw H, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium

Abstract

The disposal problem associated with phytoextraction of farmland polluted with heavy metals by means of willow requires a biomass conversion technique which meets both ecological and economical needs. Combustion and gasification of willow require special and costly flue gas treatment to avoid re-emission of the metals in the atmosphere, whereas flash pyrolysis mainly results in the production of (almost) metal free bio-oil with a relatively high water content. Flash co-pyrolysis of biomass and waste of biopolymers synergistically improves the characteristics of the pyrolysis process: e.g. reduction of the water content of the bio-oil, more bio-oil and less char production and an increase of the HHV of the oil. This research paper investigates the economic consequences of the synergistic effects of flash co-pyrolysis of 1:1 w/w ratio blends of willow and different biopolymer waste streams via cost-benefit analysis and Monte Carlo simulations taking into account uncertainties. In all cases economic opportunities of flash co-pyrolysis of biomass with biopolymer waste are improved compared to flash pyrolysis of pure willow. Of all the biopolymers under investigation, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is the most promising, followed by Eastar, Biopearls, potato starch, polylactic acid (PLA), corn starch and Solanyl in order of decreasing profits. Taking into account uncertainties, flash co-pyrolysis is expected to be cheaper than composting biopolymer waste streams, except for corn starch. If uncertainty increases, composting also becomes more interesting than flash co-pyrolysis for waste of Solanyl. If the investment expenditure is 15% higher in practice than estimated, the preference for flash co-pyrolysis compared to composting biopolymer waste becomes less clear. Only when the system of green current certificates is dismissed, composting clearly is a much cheaper processing technique for disposing of biopolymer waste.

Keywords: Flash co-pyrolysis; Willow; Biopolymer; Economics; Bio-oil; Crotonic acid

Journal of Environmental Management
Volume 91, Issue 12, December 2010, Pages 2727-2735

Integrated emergy, energy and economic evaluation of rice and vegetable production systems in alluvial paddy fields: Implications for agricultural policy in China

References and further reading may be available for this article. To view references and further reading you must purchase this article.

Hongfang Lua, Yu Baib, Hai Rena, , and Daniel E. Campbellc