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Environmental Agency (environmental + agency)
Selected AbstractsUtilization of a Copper Solid Amalgam Electrode for the Analytical Determination of AtrazineELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 22 2005Djenaine De, Souza Abstract A copper solid amalgam electrode was prepared and used for the voltammetric determination of atrazine in natural water samples by square wave voltammetry. This electrode is a convenient substitute for the hanging mercury electrode since it is selective, sensitive, reliable and inexpensive and presents low toxicity characteristic. The detection limit of atrazine obtained in pure water (laboratory samples) was shown to be lower than the maximum limit of residue established for natural water by the Brazilian Environmental Agency. The relative standard deviation for 10 different measurements was found to be only 3.98% in solutions containing 8.16×10,6,mol L,1 of atrazine. In polluted stream water samples, the recovery measurements were approximately 70.00%, sustaining the applicability of the proposed methodology to the analysis of atrazine in such matrices. [source] The role of indicators in improving timeliness of international environmental reportsENVIRONMENTAL POLICY AND GOVERNANCE, Issue 1 2006Ulla Rosenström Abstract Environmental indicators were developed mainly to improve information flows from scientists to policy-makers. This article discusses the importance of timely environmental data and investigates the influence of indicator-based reporting on the data timeliness of environmental reports by international organizations. Timeliness of information contributes to the quality and appeal of the reports, and to their role as early warning tools, and increases their usability by decision-makers in short-term decision cycles. The results of an analysis of 11 international reports by the European Environmental Agency (EEA) and the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) show a considerable time lag of three years on average, with only minor development towards more timely reporting. The results suggest that the introduction of environmental indicators has not improved the timeliness of reporting. In order to overcome these problems, the article recommends some methods for improving timeliness. These include better choice of indicators in smaller sets, use of preliminary data and outlooks, development of new indicators, publishing on the internet and more effective use of internet databases to avoid intermediate levels in data collection. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Use of microemulsions for removal of color and dyes from textile wastewaterJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 6 2004Tereza Neuma de Castro Dantas Abstract One of the major environmental problems in the textile dyeing industry is the removal of color from effluents. The present study deals with color removal from effluents using microemulsions. The wastewater used in this study was the reactive exhausted dye liquor from a dyeing house containing Procion Yellow H-E4R (CI Reactive Yellow 84), Procion Blue H-ERD (CI Reactive Blue 160) and Procion Red H-E3B (CI Reactive Red 120). Color removal was determined by CIEL*a*b* (CIELAB) color space, CIEL*a*b* color difference, ,E*ab, and absorbance. Color removal greater than 95% was achieved, attaining values lower than the consent requirements established by the Environmental Agency. It was observed that pH is an important parameter in color removal and effluent pH correction from 10.44 to 9 before extraction improved results. The results obtained were modeled using the Scheffé net method and evaluated through the construction of isoresponse diagrams by correlation graphics between experimental values and those obtained through use of model equations, providing an experimental error of less than 2%. The optimized method very efficiently removed all dyes contained in the effluent. The same microemulsion phase recovered after the extraction process can be used at least a further 14 times and all the extractions gave good color removal. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] A metric for corporate environmental indicators , for small and medium enterprises in the PhilippinesBUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, Issue 1 2009Purba Rao Abstract This paper is an outcome of the empirical research, funded by UNDP Philippines and National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), done to establish and implement a metric of corporate environmental indicators for SMEs in the Philippines. SMEs have always played a vital role in the creation of goods and services in the country. It is therefore imperative that SMEs adhere to safe environment practices so that the greening of industries in this region is consummate. In this research we have considered SMEs operating in the food and beverage, furniture, fashion accessories, hotel and restaurant, automotive parts and electroplating sectors. The metric adopted in this research follows the framework given by the Federal Environmental Ministry in Bonn and the Federal Environmental Agency in Berlin. ,,The empirical approach develops an exploratory analysis and a structural equation model to bring out statistically significant linkages between five latent constructs: environment management indicators, environment performance indicators, environmental performance, business performance and competitiveness. The research hopes to urge SMEs to implement this metric with confidence given that this would not only enhance their environmental performance but also lead to superior business performance and enhanced competitiveness. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment. [source] Efficiency of alternative property right allocations when farmers produce multiple environmental goods under the condition of economies of scopeAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS, Issue 1 2003Loris Strappazzon The efficiency implications of different property right allocations when two environmental goods can be produced under the condition of economies of scope are analysed. It is assumed that an environmental agency , acting on behalf of the community , employs an auction-based mechanism to buy biodiversity services from farmers. However, farmers' production of biodiversity produces a second good as a by-product (e.g., mitigation of a river pollutant) that is valued by point-source emitters who are engaged in a pollution trading market. The efficiency implications of allocating the property right of the good, mitigation, to either the agency or farmers are analysed. If the agency owns the mitigation then the agency can sell mitigation to point-source emitters, offsetting the cost of biodiversity. If farmers own mitigation, then they sell it directly to point-source emitters. Assuming similar transaction costs associated with each property-right allocation, allocating the property right to farmers improves efficiency, as farmers take account of their private information to make profit-maximising decisions about the supply of biodiversity and mitigation; the agency would have trouble accessing this private information. [source] | |||||||||||||