Digital Commons Network^™

Grundlagenreflexionen Zur Thematik Anthropomorpher Schnittstellen, Rudolf Kaehr

Rudolf Kaehr

Report for the EMBASSI Project

An Investigation Of Environmental Management Systems Motivations And Firm Performance, Robert Sroufe, Steven A. Melnyk, Frank L. Montabon, Roger Calantone

Frank L. Montabon

There are many of issues associated with Environmental Management Systems (EMS). One attempt to overcome these issues can be found in the development of IS0 14000. In this paper, a hypothesized model of the motivations influencing the decision to seek IS0 14000 certification and the relationship to firm performance is examined. The hypothesized model is tested through the use of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results identify positive relationships between uncertainty and the motivations to seek EMS certification. A positive relationship is shown between the status of a firm’s EMS, the environmental options a firm will explore. Finally, a positive …

Iso 14000: Assessing Its Perceived Impact On Corporate Performance, Frank L. Montabon, Steven A. Melnyk, Robert Sroufe, Roger J. Calantone

Frank L. Montabon

The IS0 14000 environmental standard is a relatively recent development in Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing (ERM). It applies to environmental systems and processes the same approach used by its predecessor, the IS0 9000 quality standards. Being relatively new, there are numerous questions regarding the impact of this new standard both on the corporate environmental management system and corporate performance. This paper addresses some of these questions, by drawing on data generated by a large-scale survey of American managers. The results indicate that, even though IS0 14000 has achieved relatively limited acceptance, there is strong evidence to indicate that this standard can …

Investigating The Linkage Between Total Quality Management And Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing, Sime Curkovic, Steve Melnyk, Rob Handfield, Frank L. Montabon, Robert Sroufe

Frank L. Montabon

This paper explicitly examines the relationship that exists between Total Quality Management (TQM) and Environmentally Responsible Manufacturing (ERM) systems. It has been presumed in numerous past studies that such a relationship does exist. It has been argued that those firms that have successfuhy implemented a TQM system are better positioned to successfully implement an ERM system. This relationship, however, has not yet been statistically and empirically evaluated. In this study, the authors evaluate this relationship using a large-scale survey of plant managers as the data source and Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling as the statistical tools. The study …

Regional Hydrology Of The Dixie Valley Geothermal Field, Nevada: Preliminary Interpretations Of Chemical And Isotopic Data, Gregory Nimz, Cathy Janik, Fraser Goff, Charles Dunlap, Mark Huebner, Dale Counce, Stuart Johnson

Charles Dunlap

Chemical and isotopic analyses of Dixie Valley regional waters indicate several distinct groups ranging in recharge age from Pleistocene (<20 ka) to recent (<50a). Valley groundwater is older than water from perennial springs and artesian wells in adjacent ranges, with Clan Alpine range (east) much younger (most <50a) than Stillwater range (west; most > 1OOOa).Geothermal field fluids (-12-14 ka) appear derived from water similar in composition to non-thermal groundwater observed today in valley artesian wells (also -14 ka). Geothermal fluid interaction with mafic rocks (Humboldt Lopolith) appears to be common, and significant reaction with granodiorite may also occur. Despite widespread occurrence of carbonate rocks, largescale chemical interaction appears minor. Age asymmetry of the ranges, more extensive interaction with deep- seated waters in the west, and distribution of springs and artesian wells suggest the existence …

Pirolityczne Metody Utylizacji Odpadów Niebezpiecznych - Przykładowe Rozwiązania I Emisja Zanieczyszczeń, Robert Oleniacz

Robert Oleniacz

The paper presents the pyrolysis and gasification processes of organic matter and the main directions of their use for the thermal disposal of hazardous waste. Used for this purpose the basic technical solutions are discussed with regard to existing and new technologies. Given the fact that the pyrolytic methods in Poland were primarily used for the incineration of medical waste, most attention was paid to a facility designated for such waste disposal. The problem of air pollutant emissions from this type of installation and some operating guidelines was also presented on the basis of the literature analyses and own research. …

Zastosowanie Procesów Pirolizy I Zgazowania Do Termicznej Utylizacji Odpadów, Robert Oleniacz

Robert Oleniacz

The paper presents characteristic of pyrolysis and gasification processes and main trends to their application for the waste thermal treatment. Selected examples of the applications and course of these processes as well as sorts of their final products is here also discussed.

English title: The use of pyrolysis and gasification processes to waste thermal utilization.

New Developments In A Hazard Identification Algorithm For Hormone Receptor Ligands, Steven P. Bradbury, Ovanes Mekenyan, Nina Nikolova, Stoyan Karabunarliev, Gerald T. Ankley, Bjorn Hansen

Steven P. Bradbury

Recently we described the Common REactivity PAttern (COREPA) technique to screen data sets of diverse structures for their ability to serve as ligands for steroid hormone receptors [1]. The approach identi®es and quanti®es similar global and local stereoelectronic characteristics associated with active ligands through a comparison of energeticallyreasonable conformer distributions for selected descriptors. For each stereoelectronic descriptor selected, discrete conformer distributions from a training set of ligands are evaluated and parameter ranges common for conformers from all the chemicals in the training set are identi®ed. The use of discrete partitions of parameter ranges to de®ne common reactivity patterns can, however, …

Emisja Związków Fluoru Z Hutnictwa Żelaza, Marian Mazur, Marek Bogacki, Robert Oleniacz

Robert Oleniacz

The article presents the results of the last few years of comprehensive researches related to the emission of fluorine compounds from iron metallurgy in Poland. Determined of the levels of flue-gas concentrations and air emissions for fluorine in the form of gaseous and solid compounds, including water-soluble compounds (considered to be toxic). The study also made it possible to analyze of raw materials used in these processes taking into account fluorine content and its impact on the amount of fluorine compounds emitted to the air.

English title: Emissions of fluorine compounds with iron metallurgy.

Modelowanie Stężenia Ozonu W Niskiej Troposferze Na Przykładzie Nowego Sącza, Marek Bogacki, Marek Mazur, Robert Oleniacz

Robert Oleniacz

The paper presents the results of research related to the modeling of physicochemical phenomena occurring in the ground layer of the atmosphere in terms of ozone formation. For this purpose, the box model was used, in which the computational area is defined as a space designated by a steady surface and a variable height. Conducted in Nowy Sącz (Poland) experiment confirmed the possibility of using this type of model to diagnose and possibly forecasting ozone concentrations in any area of ​​calculation. The study also showed that the quality of the results depends mainly on accuracy in preparing of input data, …

Biotransformation Of 4-Methoxyphenol In Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) Hepatic Microsomes, Steven P. Bradbury, R. Kolanczyk, P. Schmieder, T. Spizzo

Steven P. Bradbury

Rainbow trout liver microsomes were used to study the O-demethylation and ring hydroxylation of 4-methoxyphenol (4-MP) (4-hydroxyanisole) at 11 and 25°C by directly measuring the production of the primary metabolite hydroquinone (HQ), 4-methoxycatechol (4-MCAT), and additional metabolites. An HPLC method with integrated ultraviolet (UV) and electrochemical detection (ECD) was developed for metabolite identification and quantification at low concentrations. Sample handling with appropriate buffers, solvents, low temperature and light prevented loss of extremely labile metabolites. Saturation kinetics for the production of HQ via O-demethylation of 4-MP (0.66–40 mM) was never achieved, with substrate solubility being the limiting factor. The linear rate …

The Effect Of Water Level Management On The Soils And Vegetation Of Two Coastal Louisiana Marshes, Brian J. Wilsey, K. M. Flynn, I. A. Mendelssohn

Brian J. Wilsey

Wetland degradation and loss is the result of a combination of natural causes and anthropogenic activities and is a serious problem in coastal Louisiana, where approximately 80% of the total US coastal wetland loss since the 1930’s has occurred. One method currently used to address this wetland loss problem is structural marsh management,which is the use of levees and water control structures to control hydroperiod. The effects of structural marsh management on two managed marshes in Southern Louisiana (Unit 4 of the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge and the Fina LaTerre Mitigation Bank) were evaluated by comparing the soils and the dominant …

Temporal Changes In Purity And Specific Activity Of Tritium-Labeled 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-Ρ-Dioxin: Radiopurity Model For Toxicology, Steven P. Bradbury, Joseph D. Fernandez, Philip M. Cook, Brian C. Butterworth

Steven P. Bradbury

The specific activity (S) and radiopurity (R) of tritium labeled 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, [3H]TCDD, were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/ MS) while attempting to accurately characterize TCDD doses received by invertebrates, fish, and fish embryos during several toxicology studies conducted over a 3 year period. The [3H]TCDD sample was found to consist of six TCDD analogues involving hydrogen, deuterium, and tritium substitution at the 1,6-dibenzo-p-dioxin carbon positions and a complex mixture of impurities (with and without tritium labels). Planar aromatic impurities were identified as tolyl- TCDD adducts and appeared to result from the decay of 3H radiolabels to produce TCDD carbocations …

Derivation Of Wildlife Values For Mercury, Steven P. Bradbury, John Nichols, Jeff Swartout

Steven P. Bradbury

A procedure has been developed to estimate surface water concentrations of toxicants (“wildlife values”) that will protect the viability of wildlife populations associated with aquatic resources. This procedure was designed primarily to protect piscivorous birds and mammals from compounds that bioaccumulate in fish and was used in the Great Lakes Water Quality Initiative (GLI) to calculate wildlife values (WV) for mercury, DDT/DDE, total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD). Published in 1995, and expressed as total mercury in unfiltered water, the final wildlife value (WVf) for mercury derived in the GLI was 1300 pg Hg/L. This value was selected as …

New Testing Apparatus For Assessing Interactive Effects Of Suspended Solids And Chemical Stressors On Plankton Invertebrates, Steven P. Bradbury, Carl Herbrandson, Deborah L. Swackhamer

Steven P. Bradbury

To better predict and interpret the responses of aquatic organisms to environmentally relevant chemical exposures, it is necessary to investigate the combined effects of physical (e.g., suspended solids) and chemical stressors. One of the limitations in investigating suspended solids–chemical interactions has been the lack of an appropriate testing system. The specific objective of the current study was to develop and assess a suspended solids testing apparatus (SSTA) for studies on the combined effects of suspended solids and chemicals on aquatic invertebrates. The SSTA was designed to permit the assessment of varying suspended solids concentrations on Daphnia magna at a constant …

A Model For Stripping Multicomponent Vapor From Unsaturated Soil With Free And Trapped Residual Nonaqueous Phase Liquid, David Ostendorf, Chiu-On Ng, Chiang C. Mei

David Ostendorf

We present a model for the multicomponent vapor transport due to air venting in an unsaturated zone in the presence of free and trapped phases of residual nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL). On the microscale the soil particles are assumed to form spherical aggregates with micropores filled with immobile water, trapped phases of NAPL and air. The interaggregate space is occupied with mobile air, and a thin film of free NAPL adheres on the aggregate surface. While the free NAPL can readily be in equilibrium with macropore vapor, the mass transfer from immobile phases in aggregates is rate-limited by aqueous diffusion. …

A Synthesis Of Lead Isotopes In Two Millennia Of European Air, Charles Dunlap, Eiliv Steinnes, A. Russell Flegal

Charles Dunlap

Four airborne particulate records from ombrotrophic peat bogs in southern Norway, extending back 300 years, have been measured for chronology, lead concentration, and lead isotope composition. Since southern Norway receives an airborne lead signal that accumulates emissions from the European continent, the trend in the four bog records can be used to correlate previously reported measurements from France, Switzerland, England, and Greenland that cover different ranges of time. When these are compiled, the integrated European record that emerges spans the last 2300 years of human influence on lead in the air over Europe and suggests human control of lead in …