Apr 04 2021 Read 6 Times
There are thousands of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in use around the world today. Sadly, the majority of these have not been fully tested to ascertain how long they will endure in the environment if they are allowed to infiltrate it, nor have their impacts upon flora and fauna been investigated to a satisfactory degree.
However, numerous studies have shown that PPCPs are present in wastewater effluents in alarmingly high concentrations. These findings have traditionally been arrived at by collecting samples from the effluent in question, then subjecting them to complex laboratory processes such as liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to identify and isolate any PPCP components. Despite this state of affairs, pharmaceutical pollution receives far less attention than other contaminants, such as heavy metals and pesticides.
Apr 02 2021 Read 2 Times
The noise generated from anthropogenic activities such as shipping, seismic surveys and offshore wind farms is having a sizable negative effect on countless marine species, according to a new study. Meanwhile, sounds of biological origin are decreasing in volume and frequency due to fishing, hunting and habitat displacement, while other naturally occurring noises are being disrupted by climate change.
While the study finds all of these phenomena can play havoc with the internal compasses of fish and other marine animals, it also suggests a variety of ways in which anthrophony (noises produced by human activity) can be curbed. These potential solutions include redesigning the propellers of vessels, changing their shipping routes, using lower-intensity seismic vibrations and employing acoustic bubble curtains in energy generation stations.
Apr 02 2021 Read 35 Times
Image analysis is one technique of particle characterisation which can provide many tangible benefits in comparison to more traditional methods. For example, it can contribute greater informational content and increased accuracy, while it is unique in its ability to deliver reliable data about the shape parameters of the particles in question, including their aspect ratio and roundness.
In recent years, image analysis has become an ever more popular technique of particle characterisation, which has led to an increased amount of research into developing the capabilities of the medium. Generally speaking, there is a broad distinction between static and dynamic analyses, both of which fields have seen impressive advances in the last few years. Here’s a quick look into the particulars of those advances as they pertain to the field of particle characterisation.
Much of the last year in the UK has been dominated by the search for ways to tackle the spread of coronavirus using viricidal surface decontamination and a viable vaccine candidate, among other methods. Click to read more.
Mar 23 2021 Read 120 Times
The Industrial Emissions Directive was introduced in 2011 (and transposed into national law by EU member states by 2013) as a means of controlling and reducing the amounts of harmful contaminants like sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and dust emitted by industrial sources.
Given that the IED covers a wide range of sectors, it’s necessary to delineate the specific thresholds of emissions that are deemed allowable in each individual industry. To do this, the EU has implemented Best Available Techniques (BATs), using them to arrive at BAT-associated emissions levels (BAT-AELS). These BAT-AELS are listed in BREFs, or Best available technique REFerence documents.