Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Hazardous wastes Environmental aspects Victoria'
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Hung, Chien-ho. "Evaluation of leaching mechanisms and long-term leachability of metallic contaminants solidified/stabilized by cement matrices." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/20761.
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Tsai, Yi-Chang. "A quantitative spatial thoroughness methodology for environmental site characterization." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/19503.
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Tlhapane, Keatlaretse Kefilwe. "A case study exploring the level of awareness of NCP Chlorchem's staff of environmental costs associated with hazardous waste." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1015639.
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[Integrative executive summary] NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd manufactures and distributes Chlor alkali products such as chlorine, hydrochloric acid, caustic soda flakes, etc. and in the process generates both hazardous and general waste. Following changes in South African waste management legislation in 2011, the organisation’s waste service provider had to increase the costs associated with the handling of site’s hazardous waste. Top management of NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd requested a meeting with the waste service provider in order to establish the reasons behind the price increase. In that meeting, which the researcher attended, the waste service provider explained the changes in waste legislation and how it was going to impact on their business. Top management understood the reasons behind the price increase; however, they requested the waste service provider to review the price increase. The waste service provider gave the top management of NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd assurance that they were going to discuss the price reduction request with their own senior management and would provide feedback. The researcher did not participate in the feedback meetings; however, to this day, NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd still uses the services of the same waste service provider. The effect the escalating annual waste handling costs has had on NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd’s management team led to the study. Environmental impacts have costs that directly impact on company’s bottom line, such as the costs associated with the generation of waste. Although environmental costs are only one of the many costs incurred by businesses, they deserve management’s attention. According to Jasch (2003), there is an apparent lack of awareness and understanding of the magnitude of the environmental costs generated by organisations, and many opportunities for cost savings through good environmental management are lost. However, using a relatively new tool in environmental management, that is, environmental management accounting (EMA), management would ensure that relevant and significant environmental costs are considered when making business decisions (Jasch, 2003). The main purpose of the thesis is to explore the level of awareness of environmental costs associated with hazardous waste within NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd. In order to carry out the study, literature about environmental and cost accounting as well as literature on waste management was reviewed. Questionnaires were distributed to staff members, and meetings were held with different senior personnel. This case study seeks to answer the following questions: What is NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd’s staff members’ level of understanding of waste management? What is the level of awareness of NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd’s staff of environmental costs with regard to the generation, handling, transportation and disposal of hazardous waste? How can the current traditional accounting within the organisation be integrated with environmental management accounting? The findings of the first research objective revealed that staff members knew the site’s waste streams as per the South African legal definition of waste and as identified in the site’s environmental management system documentation. The conceptual approach to waste management is underpinned by the waste hierarchy. The respondents support the waste hierarchy in its approach to waste management, which is prevention of waste, reduction, reuse, recycle and safe disposal of waste as the last resort. Lack of awareness of environmental management, among other things, was cited as the cause of waste. In addition to that, the respondents believe the waste hierarchy can be achieved by employing recycling facilities, following procedures and by carrying out environmental awareness campaigns. Improving process design and control and including changes in raw material was cited, among other things, as the respondents’ perception on how waste can be reduced. The findings of the respondents’ understanding of waste hierarchy revealed that staff members understood waste management. The respondents cited the impacts of waste on the business as financial impact on the business, impact on their bonuses, and possible loss of business. In relation to the second research objective, it was found that staff members knew the hazardous waste streams and identified amongst other waste, sludge and chlorine emissions as NCP Chlorchem (Pty) Ltd’s hazardous waste. However, with regard to environmental management accounting data, an average of 55.1% of respondents were not familiar with the physical and monetary components of EMA. An average of 19.6% of respondents who were aware of EMA might have been senior personnel. It could further be established that those who were familiar with EMA information were actually working with the data, either for reporting purposes, or for employing waste minimisation strategies, as well as awareness purposes, to their juniors. On average, 80% of the respondents perceived the production department as the area within site that has the EMA information.
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Robinson, Janet E. "Hazardous waste treatment and disposal: alternative technologies and groundwater impacts." Thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/91066.
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The most important thermal, chemical, physical, and biological methods for treating hazardous wastes and the fate of their land-disposed residues are reviewed and evaluated. Technologies are described as major, minor, and emerging according to their stage of development or application to hazardous waste; major ones include rotary kiln, liquid injection, and cement kiln incineration; neutralization, chemical oxidation-reduction, and ion exchange; filtration, distillation and settling techniques; and activated sludge, aerated lagoon, and landfarming treatment. Emerging technologies include molten salt and fluidized- bed combustion, liquid-ion extraction and other processes, none of which are considered to be outside the realm of current or future economic feasibility. In addition, waste reduction strategies and the land burial of stabilized/solidified wastes are discussed. Residues from these technologies vary widely according to waste type and composition, but a common component in many of them is heavy metals, which, as elements, cannot be further degraded to other products. The results of the available literature suggests that these metals will be retained in clay liners beneath a landfill through the mechanism of cation exchange, with the adsorption of metals favored by their smaller hydrated size, lower heat of hydration, and in some cases, higher valences than the naturally occurring alkali earth metals. Other important factors include ionic activity, the pH and ionic strength of the solution, the presence of complexing agents, and the possible surface heterogeneity of the clay. In soils, metal binding through cation exchange with clay is augmented by adsorption onto iron and manganese oxides and complexing with organic matter such as humic acids. Many field studies with landfarmed metal-bearing wastes show that these mechanisms are usually sufficient to retain metals to within several inches of their zone of application.M.S.
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Woods, William Eric. "Copper migration through petroleum-treated soils." Virtual Press, 1990. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/722463.
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The purpose of the project was to determine the effect of various petroleum amendments on the migration rate of Cu. The petroleum amendments used in this research are frequently added to the soil surface in petroleum landfarming. Such petroleum wastes often contain significant amounts of Cu and other metals.Soil columns were amended with citric acid, used crankcase oil and Illinois crude oil. Each amendment was spiked (treated) with three different concentrations of Cu and each treatment was replicated three times. The columns were leached once per week, for ten weeks, with distilled water acidified to pH 4.5 to simulate acid rain. Leachate from the soil columns was analyzed weekly for total Cu. At the end of the ten week period, the soil was analyzed for Cu and TOC content at 7 cm intervals to determine the amount of migration by Cu and the organic amendments, resectively. The soil (a Glynwood silt loam) and the organic amendments were each analyzed for total Cu to determine background levels. The soil was analyzed for pH, TOC, electrical conductivity and soil texture.Analysis of the leachate and soil showed differential migration of Cu through the soil columns. Significant levels of Cu leached in the columns amended with citric acid (as high as 85.3 mg/L) in the first 3 weeks of the study. The Cu content of the leachate from columns amended with crude petroleum were at approximately background levels (5.5 mg/L) as was the leachate from columns amended with crankcase oil (0.2 mg/L). In the later weeks of the research, as the petroleum amendments were broken down by microorganisms, some Cu was chelated to small fragments of the petroleum and leached through the soil columns. Most of the Cu appeared to remain on the surface of the columns, bound to the petroleum amendments. Analysis of the soil, for total Cu content with depth, showed very little Cu accumulation at any depth in the soil column, beyond the soil surface. In most cases Cu levels remained near the background levels found in the control columns.Moderate correlation was found (r2 = .59 for crude oil; r2 = - .54 for crankcase oil; r2 = .85 for citric acid) between Cu levels and TOC levels in the soil columns with depth.From the results of the current study it can be inferred that practices such as petroleum landfarming and land disposal of some hazardous materials may allow for the migration of both the applied petroleum wastes and any metals which may be contained within.Department of Natural Resources
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Sorenson, Mary T. "Deterministic vs probabilistic ecological risk assessment modeling at hazardous waste sites : a comparative case study." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2000. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/25303.
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Booker, Randall Sulter Jr. "Microbial reductive dechlorination of hexachloro-1,3-butadiene." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/20921.
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Yang, Yun. "Temperature dependent PCDD/PCDF product distributions from phenols." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/20182.
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Akki, Umesh. "Gas phase formation pathways and mechanisms of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans." Diss., Georgia Institute of Technology, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/23157.
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Miller, Carla Joan. "Water quality and macroinvertebrate populations of Finley Creek before and after a hazardous waste cleanup." Virtual Press, 1988. http://liblink.bsu.edu/uhtbin/catkey/546147.
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Water samples and macroinvertebrates were collected from three stations of Finley Creek, Indiana before and after a surface cleanup of an adjacent hazardous waste disposal site. Water quality parameters: iron, total dissolved solids, conductance, hardness, total suspended solids and pH were compared between stations and years. The water quality above the landfill was high but decreased downstream. The water below the disposal site contained high levels of chemicals in both studies. However, the concentrations of chemicals were lower in the water two years after the cleanup.Numbers of macroinvertebrates and the number of taxa were determined and species diversity indicies were established. The results showed a statistically significant increase in macroinvertebrate taxa and mean species diversity indicies below the waste disposal site after the cleanup. These results indicate an improvement of water quality.Department of Natural Resources
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Mayer, Kate A. "Laboratory chamber experiments simulating in-situ plasma vitrification for geoenvironmental concerns." Thesis, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1996. http://hdl.handle.net/1853/18990.
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Lake, Bjorn Anders. "The Use of Semipermeable Membrane Devices (SPMDS) for Monitoring Dioxin Levels in Maine Rivers." Fogler Library, University of Maine, 2003. http://www.library.umaine.edu/theses/pdf/LakeBA2003.pdf.
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Kantachote, Duangporn. "The use of microbial inoculants to enhance DDT degradation in contaminated soil." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2001. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phk165.pdf.
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Leung, Oi-kwan Winnie, and 梁愛群. "A preliminary study on the Hong Kong external trade of non-ferrous metal waste (and scrap) and other potentially hazardous wastematerials." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1995. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31253180.
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Mbakwa, Emmanuel Fon. "Accumulation of lead and manganese in soil along the N1 highway in the City of Cape Town after the banning of leaded petrol in South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/803.
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Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Technology: Environmental Health
Faculty of Applied Sciences
Cape Peninsula University of TechnologySoil contamination by metals is a serious environmental problem that has significant implications for human health. Roadside soils have been shown to have considerable contamination due to depositions of metals by vehicles. Metal pollution poses significant environmental concerns because most metals are not biodegradable and often have long half-lives, thus predicating far reaching effects on biological systems, including the soil. Unleaded petrol has been available in South Africa since 1996. The conversion from leaded to unleaded petrol has been a slow process. Leaded petrol has been totally phased out since January 2006. The manganese-containing fuel additive methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) that was introduced to automobile fuel formulae as an octane boosting and “anti-knock” agent, to replace or reduce the lead content in petrol, was officially approved in some developed countries. Despite the fact that metal contamination of soil has long been known, few studies have been carried out into its vertical distribution in the soil. The objectives of this investigation were: firstly, to assess the accumulation of lead and manganese in soil along the N1 highway; secondly, to determine the vertical distribution of lead and manganese in soil along the N1 highway; and thirdly, to compare the concentrations of lead and manganese in soil along the N1 highway, before and after the banning of leaded petrol in South Africa. Six soil samples were taken at each site approximately two meters from the road verges and at a depth of approximately 0-2cm of surface soil. The sampling period commenced on the 16th of February 2011 and ended on the 28th of December 2011. Once-off soil samples were also collected at sites 1, 5 and 6 at depths of 0-2cm, 30cm and 60cm, respectively. Samples were digested with 10 ml 55% nitric acid. Lead and manganese concentrations were determined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer (ICP–MS). The mean concentrations of lead found in the roadside soils of the N1 highway ranged between 7.32mg/kg and 2068.31mg/kg and these were of high concentrations when compared to studies done in other countries. Results from the vertical distribution of lead investigation showed that lead concentrations ranged from 52.72mg/kg to 215.94mg/kg at surface level, from 15.80mg/kg to 164mg/kg at a depth of 30cm and from 14.06mg/kg to 216.07mg/kg at a depth of 60cm from the surface. It was also shown that there is a positive correlation between lead concentration and the amount of organic content (although not statistical), concluding that as the amount of organic content increases lead concentrations also increase. The mean manganese concentrations found in the roadside soils of the N1 ranged between 12.17mg/kg and 221.47mg/kg. The levels of manganese in the soil were found to be relatively low when compared to other studies an indication of mild to low metal contamination of the sampled soils. Results from the vertical distribution of manganese concentrations showed that concentrations in the soil ranged from 39.23 mg/kg to 63.32 mg/kg at surface level, from 14.4mg/kg to 310.86mg/kg for depths of up to 30cm, and from 4.42mg/kg to 343.96mg/kg for depths of up to 60cm. No relationships of manganese levels in the soil were found at any of the sites when sites were compared prior to the banning of lead and after the banning of lead despite the increased traffic volumes and, thus, increased MMT usage over the years, indicating that manganese contribution from MMT is very low and does not significantly increase soil contamination along the N1 highway. However, further investigations are needed into the future to monitor manganese contamination that may possibly occur.
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Kwok, Hon-chiu, and 郭漢超. "An overview of chemical waste management of printed circuit board manufacturing in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 1996. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31253428.
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Annarapu, Shashidhar. "Thermal Analysis of Binding of Organic Pollutants to Titanium Dioxide." TopSCHOLAR®, 2014. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/1338.
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Conventional waste water treatment processes are not completely effective in removing highly stable organic compounds. Photocatalytic degradation on titanium dioxide is a possible alternative technique for many classes of these compounds. Several studies have been done by other researchers to study mechanisms of photocatalytic degradation, which occurs either through direct oxidation by holes or via indirect oxidation by radical messengers. Titanium dioxide can oxidize substrates directly through hole oxidation mechanisms or indirectly through free radical mechanisms. Substrates must bind onto the catalyst surface to undergo direct oxidation by holes. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed on four different classes of compounds; iodinated contrast agents (iohexol and diatrizoate), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (perylene and pyrene), the antibacterial agent triclosan and the pesticide atrazine, to investigate which of the compounds are adsorbed on the surface of titanium dioxide to undergo direct oxidation through electron holes. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was conducted on triclosan and atrazine to determine if the desorption reaction is endothermic or exothermic. Powder X-ray diffraction was performed on all four classes of compounds to observe diffraction pattern of these compounds.
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Sattar, Mohamed Shaheen. "An environmental impact perspective of the management, treatment, and disposal of hazardous pharmaceutical compounds generated as medical waste at selected hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/2012.
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Thesis (MTech (Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011.Pharmaceuticals have been formulated to influence physiological systems in humans, animals, and microbes but have never been considered as potential environmental pollutants by healthcare professionals. The human body is not a barrier to chemicals, but is permeable to it. Thus after performing their in-vivo functions, pharmaceutical compound introduced into the body, exit mainly via urine and faeces. Sewage therefore contains highly complex mixtures of chemicals in various degrees of biological potency. Sewage treatment works including those in South Africa, on the other hand, are known to be inefficient in removing drugs from sewage and consequently either the unmetabolised pharmaceutical compounds or their metabolites emerge in the environment as pollutants via several trajectories. In the environment, the excreted metabolites may even undergo regeneration to the original parent molecule under bacterial influence, resulting in "trans-vivo-pharmaceutical-pollution-cycles". Although all incinerators are known to generate toxins such dioxins and furans from the drugs they incinerate, all the medicines disposed by the hospitals under research, were incinerated, as the preferred option of disposal. The incineration process employed was found to be environmentally unsafe. Expired and unused medicines which the general public discard as municipal solid waste become landfilled. Because many landfill sites are not appropriately engineered, the unwanted drugs landfilled therein, leach into the surrounding ground water, which is the influent source of water treatment plants. Water treatment plants, including those in South Africa, are also inefficient in eliminating pharmaceutical compounds, releasing them in sub-therapeutic concentrations into potable tap water as pollutants, the full effects of which are yet to be determined.
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Sattar, Shaheen. "An environmental impact perspective of the management, treatment, and disposal of hazardous compounds generated as medical waste at selected hospitals in Cape Town, South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/802.
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Thesis (MTech(Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011.Pharmaceuticals have been formulated to influence physiological systems in humans, animals, and microbes but have never been considered as potential environmental pollutants by healthcare professionals. The human body is not a barrier to chemicals, but is permeable to it. Thus after performing their in-vivo functions, pharmaceutical compound introduced into the body, exit mainly via urine and faeces. Sewage therefore contains highly complex mixtures of chemicals in various degrees of biological potency. Sewage treatment works including those in South Africa, on the other hand, are known to be inefficient in removing drugs from sewage and consequently either the unmetabolised pharmaceutical compounds or their metabolites emerge in the environment as pollutants via several trajectories. In the environment, the excreted metabolites may even undergo regeneration to the original parent molecule under bacterial influence, resulting in “trans-vivo-pharmaceutical-pol ution-cycles”. Although all incinerators are known to generate toxins such dioxins and furans from the drugs they incinerate, all the medicines disposed by the hospitals under research, were incinerated, as the preferred option of disposal. The incineration process employed was found to be environmentally unsafe. Expired and unused medicines which the general public discard as municipal solid waste become landfilled. Because many landfill sites are not appropriately engineered, the unwanted drugs landfilled therein, leach into the surrounding ground water, which is the influent source of water treatment plants. Water treatment plants, including those in South Africa, are also inefficient in eliminating pharmaceutical compounds, releasing them in sub-therapeutic concentrations into potable tap water as pollutants, the full effects of which are yet to be determined.
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朱笑涵. "中國地方政府環保政策執行研究 : 以廣東省貴嶼鎮電子廢棄物回收產業污染問題為例." Thesis, University of Macau, 2010. http://umaclib3.umac.mo/record=b2554444.
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Barbosa, Ricardo. "Avaliação da geração de resíduos em disciplinas de química orgânica e inorgânica e propostas de redução." Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, 2015. http://repositorio.utfpr.edu.br/jspui/handle/1/1162.
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O Departamento Acadêmico de Química e Biologia da UTFPR- Câmpus Curitiba conta hoje com 30 laboratórios dedicados a atividades de ensino e pesquisa. Atualmente, os resíduos gerados por esses laboratórios são recolhidos e seguem para disposição final. Neste trabalho, foi realizado um levantamento da atual situação da geração de resíduos químicos de laboratório no Departamento. Inicialmente os laboratórios de ensino foram selecionados para execução do trabalho por atenderem maior número de alunos e por suas atividades frequentes, sendo identificados os que atendiam maior número de alunos e onde eram executadas mais aulas práticas. Estudou-se as características dos resíduos gerados nestas aulas, com base nos planos de ensino, acompanhamento de algumas disciplinas durante a execução dos experimentos e registros do almoxarifado. Verificou-se as possibilidades de modificações experimentais, visando a prevenção da geração de resíduos, conforme enunciam os princípios da Química Verde. Desta forma, as disciplinas de Química Inorgânica e Orgânica foram consideradas com boas oportunidades de intervenção. Os roteiros experimentais dessas disciplinas foram estudados, e o inventário dos resíduos gerados por elas apontaram a geração de resíduos perigosos, segundo a NBR 10.004 da ABNT. Elaborou-se cinco novos roteiros de aulas práticas e as modificações metodológicas propostas envolveram a substituição de reagentes que pudessem originar resíduos perigosos contendo bário, chumbo, acetato de etila e clorofórmio. Realizou-se estudo na literatura, de modo a embasar teoricamente as propostas, as quais foram testadas em laboratório. Os testes realizados atingiram os objetivos propostos, comprovando a possibilidade de aplicação das modificações sugeridas. Um dos roteiros modificados foi aplicado em aula prática com o objetivo de verificar sua aplicabilidade e como os alunos receberiam as mudanças. Os alunos executaram e verificaram os fenômenos conforme os objetivos do roteiro, comprovando que o aprendizado não foi prejudicado e que o caráter didático da aula foi mantido. Concluiu-se que é possível executar as aulas práticas das disciplinas citadas prevenindo a geração de resíduos perigosos por meio de técnicas simples e aplicáveis, mantendo-se os objetivos iniciais das aulas práticas e incorporando-se princípios da Química Verde.The Academic Department of Chemistry and Biology of UTFPR- Campus Curitiba today has 30 laboratories dedicated to teaching and research activities. Currently, waste generated by these laboratories are collected and proceed to final disposal. In this study, we conducted a survey of the current situation of the generation of laboratory chemical waste in the Department. Initially teaching laboratories were selected for execution of work for meeting more students and their frequent activity, were identified that met more students and where they were executed more practical classes. Studied the characteristics of the waste generated in these classes, based on the teaching plans, monitoring of some subjects during the execution of experiments and records the warehouse. There was the possibility of experimental changes, preventing the generation of waste, as set out the principles of green chemistry. Thus, the disciplines of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry were considered with good opportunities for intervention. The experimental manuals of these subjects were studied, and the inventory of the waste generated by them showed the generation of hazardous waste according to NBR 10004 of ABNT. We developed five new routes of practical classes and methodological changes proposed involved the replacement of reagents that could give rise to hazardous waste containing barium, lead, ethyl acetate and chloroform. It was proposed in the literature to explain theoretically proposed, which were tested in the laboratory. The tests met the proposed objectives, proving the applicability of the suggested changes. One of the modified scripts was applied in practical class in order to verify its applicability and how students receive the changes. Students performed and observed phenomena according to the objectives of the roadmap, proving that learning was not harmed and that the didactic nature of the class was held. In conclusion, you can perform the practical lessons of the disciplines mentioned preventing the generation of hazardous waste through simple and applicable techniques, maintaining the initial objectives of the practical classes and incorporating up principles of Green Chemistry.
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Sedumedi, Hilda N. "Chromium contamination in the vicinity of [the] Xstrata Wonderkop plant." Thesis, 2009. http://encore.tut.ac.za/iii/cpro/DigitalItemViewPage.external?sp=1000304.
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M. Tech. Chemistry.The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate an analytical method for the determination of Cr(VI) in ferrochrome dusts and to apply the method in the analysis of environmental samples (grass, soil and tree bark) for Cr(VI) content (that might be caused by dust emissions originating from the smelter). Both the public and Xstrata Wonderkop ferrochrome plant will benefit from data of Cr(VI) determination generated from the study. The information can potentially be incorporated into health risk assessments of the affected geographical areas. The results of the investigation showed that ferrochrome smelter dust emissions were the source of contamination of the environment with Cr(VI). With time, Cr(VI) could accumulate in soil to unacceptable levels, thereby endangering both plants and animals.
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Baggs, Jennifer Jane. "Trade barriers, international business, and the environment." Thesis, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/13304.
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This dissertation consists of three chapters discussing the effects of changing trade
barriers for Canadian firms and a final chapter investigating hazardous waste trade, one
of the important environmental issues in international business. The first three chapters
use simple theoretical structures and firm level data to examine the evolution of Canadian
manufacturing following the tariff changes imposed by the Canada-US Free Trade
Agreement. Chapter one considers the influence of falling tariffs on firm survival,
chapter two investigates how trade liberalization effects firm growth in terms of size and
productivity, and the third chapter considers the implication o f falling trade barriers for
firm financial structure. The fourth chapter diverges from the first three to explore the
determinants of international shipments in hazardous waste using a gravity model with
factor endowment conditions and waste trade data from 89 countries.
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Like, David E. "Management of chromium wastes in industry." Thesis, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1957/37990.
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Chromium hydroxide sludge is the end product of the
aluminum phosphate coating process used by a truck manufacturer
in the Pacific Northwest. This sludge is listed as an (F019)
hazardous waste by the Environmental Protection Agency, and
must be landfilled in a hazardous waste landfill site. The purpose
of this thesis is to evaluate the characteristics of this sludge,
and to then recommend suitable methods for handling and
disposal. The chemical analysis of the sludge found total
chromium to be 5.4% by weight. Industrial hygiene monitoring
found the highest concentrations of 0.002 mg/m3 total chromium
and 0.00006 mg/m3 hexavalent chromium at the waste treatment
plant. The eight hour permissible exposure limit for total
chromium is 0.5 mg/m3 and 0.05 mg/m3 for hexavalent chromium.
Given the chemical analysis and industrial hygiene monitoring, a
management plan is proposed for this truck manufacturer that
discusses possible options for handling the (F019) waste, and
provides a cost analysis for each of the options. The options that
were investigated were onsite treatment, recycling, no change,
and delisting. Onsite treatment was not required since the sludge
passed the TCLP extraction test. Recycling costs were
determined by contacting four recycling firms. Costs were found
to be $600/ton and above, which exceeded the current disposal
costs of $466/ton. Delisting the sludge from the hazardous
waste listing was determined to be the most feasible from a
management, cost, and environmental standpoint. Delisting would
reduce the costs of handling the waste, would allow a reduction
in landfilling costs, and reduce recycling costs.
A literature survey provides background information on
industrial uses of chromium, health problems associated with
chromium, and discusses the regulations that govern disposal of
these chromium sludges.Graduation date: 1991
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Chetty, Nevendra Krishniah. "Stabilisation of waste in shallow test cells : focus on biogas." Thesis, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/1531.
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Present day society generates large volumes of waste that present an environmental hazard when disposed of in landfills. As our population grows, so does the volume of waste generated and hence the threat to our environment. One method of reducing harmful emissions in landfills is the mechanical-biological pretreatment of waste prior to landfilling. The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the degree of stabilization of waste in shallow landfills (simulated by test cells) with particular focus on biogas production and quality. Municipal waste was composted in aerobic, open windrows for periods of eight and sixteen weeks. Five test cells, designed and operated according to the PAF model (Pretreatment, Aeration and Flushing) were constructed at the Bisasar Road landfill site. These cells were used to simulate large scale municipal landfill sites. They were filled with fresh and pretreated waste and were used to monitor the dynamics of prolonged aeration and degradation of waste over a period of six months. The cells were monitored on a weekly basis while being aerated. Two flushing events were conducted at the beginning of the passive aeration. Gas emissions were also monitored by recording the methane, carbon dioxide and oxygen volumes per volume of air in probes strategically placed in each cell. These results were then analysed to assess the effect of mechanical-biological pretreatment of municipal solid waste on the emission quality of sanitary landfills and the appropriateness of prolonging the aeration in shallow landfills, as often used in sub-tropical countries. It was found that the design of the test cells was appropriate for the landfilling and stabilization of waste that was aerobically treated. After six months in the test cells, analysis of the waste from each cell showed that the waste was completely degraded. The PAF model, when applied to shallow landfills, is very effective in stabilising waste and would be appropriate for a sub-tropical climate. Waste that is pretreated, placed in shallow landfills, initially flushed and then aerated over a six month period was fully stabilized. The requirement for such treatment would be relatively small amounts of waste, a wet climate and the availability of open space for shallow landfills. This method, therefore, would be very appropriate in a South African context. The major problem with this method may be the generation of large quantities of leachate which will have to be treated and disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.
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Kantachote, Duangporn. "The use of microbial inoculants to enhance DDT degradation in contaminated soil / Duangporn Kantachote." Thesis, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/21703.
Full text
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McEvoy, John. "A household hazardous waste survey of Benton County, OR." Thesis, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1957/37019.
Full textAbstract:
Every year, the United States produces at least 236
million metric tons of hazardous waste. Hazardous waste
is defined as solid waste that can pose a substantial
threat to human health and the environment when disposed
of incorrectly. Some commonly used household products,
when disposed of, become hazardous waste; historically,
much of this household hazardous waste (HHW) has been
disposed of into systems not designed to safely handle
hazardous waste. One solution to this disposal problem
is providing safe disposal systems for household
hazardous waste in the community.
The purpose of this study was to survey the
population of Benton County, OR to assess the residents'
HHW disposal practices, attitudes and beliefs about HHW
as an environmental health risk, and preferences for a
safe disposal system. Benton County residents' awareness
of the current community program for recycling used
household items was also investigated.
This study indicated that incorrect disposal methods
were used by the majority of subjects for almost all HHW
surveyed, and that for nonautomotive HHW, landfilling was
the most common means of disposal. The majority of
subjects in this study disposed of used motor oil and
lead-acid batteries by recycling these HHW. A permanent
collection site for HHW disposal was the preferred
disposal option for 62% of subjects, and 100% of those
subjects choosing this option said they would drive up to
5 miles to use this facility. This study indicates that
the largest number of subjects preferred the option of
paying a user fee for HHW disposal as a means of funding
a HHW disposal system. Three-fourths of the subjects
reported a high or moderate amount of concern about the
contribution of HHW to pollution of surface and
groundwater, and 68% of the subjects stated that they
lacked confidence in the landfill to safely contain
chemical wastes. Approximately one-half of the subjects
recalled reading or hearing about HHW disposal in the
past year, and 62% of the subjects stated that they would
call their garbage disposal company for HHW disposal
information.
The results of this study indicate that 90% of the
Benton County residents surveyed were aware of their
curbside recycling program.
This study suggests that Benton County residents are
concerned about the possible adverse environmental health
effects of incorrect HHW disposal, and supports a
permanent collection site for the safe disposal of HHW,
as well as increased public education, as means of
reducing the risks to human health and the environment
caused by incorrect HHW disposal.Graduation date: 1992
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Atagana, Harrison Ifeanyichukwu. "Bioremediation of creosote-contaminated soil by microbial intervention." Thesis, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/4902.
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Desta, Tsegazeab Goje. "Humic acid pretreatment for enhancing microbial removal of metals from a synthetic 'wastewater'." Thesis, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/3576.
Full textAbstract:
The presence of heavy metal ions in waste streams is one of the most pervasive
environmental issues of present times. A rotating biological contactor (RBC) was used
to investigate the potential capacity of microbial biofilms in remediation of the metal
ion species from a mixed metal contaminated effluent solution containing Cr+3
, Pb+2
and Cu+2
, each at a concentration of 200 mg r1
• In the first part of this study the
effectiveness of various support materials for the development of microbial biofilms
capable of removing heavy metals from a synthetic effluent was investigated. EDX
analysis showed that none of the support matrices investigated, viz. gravel, polyester
batting and sand, adsorbed metal ions on their surfaces; hence, metal adsorption was
due purely to microbial activities. The biofilms attached more firmly and uniformly to
polyester batting than to gravel and sand. The characteristics of polyester batting which
made it a superior support matrix were its surface roughness and porous hydrophilic
nature, which provided a larger surface area for the adhesion of microorganisms and
attraction of nutrients during the biofilm development process.
The selective accumulation of metal ion specIes by various microbial populations
grown as biofilm using polyester batting as support matrix in separate compartments of
a single-stage RBC bioreactor was examined. Lead ions were readily accumulated by
almost all the microbial biofilms tested. Fungus-dominated biofilms selectively
accumulated chromium ions whereas biofilms comprising mainly bacteria more readily
accumulated copper ions from the mixed metal contaminated effluent solution.
However, where interactions between the bacterial and fungal components were
encouraged the mechanical stability of the biofilms was enhanced so that large amounts
of all three metal ion species were removed by this biofilm.
The combined effect of a series of bench-scale columns containing liquid humic acid
and a three stage RBC bioreactor on the removal of metal ion species from a mixed
metal contaminated effluent was investigated. After seven days of treatment the
combined system had removed approximately 99% of the Cr+3, 98% of the Pb+2 and 90% of the Cu+2 ions from the mixed metal contaminated synthetic effluent.
Complexation of the metal ions with humic acid was the predominant factor accounting
for approximately 68-86% Cr+3
, 70-86% Pb+2 and 53-73% Cu+2 removal levels within
the columns. A large proportion of the remaining Cr+3 and Pb+2, but not of the Cu+2,
was removed in compartment 1 of the RBC. This suggested that the presence of the
former two metals in solution might have reduced the removal of the Cu+2 ions from the
system. The removal of substantially large amounts of the competing ions chromium
and lead during the initial stages of the treatment process meant that copper was
successfully taken up in the second and third RBC compartments. Hence, the economy
of the treatment process was improved as larger quantities of the metal ions were
removed in a shorter period of time than was possible when using the individual
treatments (humic acid-metal complexation and biofilm adsorption) separately. More
than 75%,92% and 86% of the adsorbed Cr+3
, Pb+2 and Cu+2 ions, respectively, were
recovered from the three RBC bioreactor compartments following repeated washing of
the biofilms with 0.1 M HCI. This relatively easy desorption suggested that the metal
ions were simply adsorbed onto the surfaces of the biofilm cells rather than being taken
into the cytoplasm of the cells.Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.
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Mnisi, Fannie. "Environmental risk assessment associated with unregulated landfills in the Albert Luthuli Municipality, Mpumalanga Province, RSA." Thesis, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2274.
Full textAbstract:
Integrated management of municipal and hazardous waste is one of the challenges facing the new
municipalities in South Africa, especially those located in previously disadvantaged rural areas.
However, much of the research on solid and hazardous waste management in South Africa has
examined waste management problematics in urban areas, the majority of which are located within
the jurisdiction of local governments which are comparatively effective in terms of providing
adequate disposal services. By contrast, this study has examined the environmental risk
assessment associated with unregulated landfill sites in the Albert Luthuli municipality, in the
Mpumalanga province. The determination of the environmental risk was achieved by the use of
questionnaire surveys and landfill analysis forms in selected study areas.
The findings have highlighted a very high environmental risk, nearly four times and above, the
threshold limits set by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT, 2005:15) for
all of the landfill sites examined. Several exposure pathways stemming from associated
environmental impacts have also been identified for the study. The higher environmental risk
determined for the problem sites is ascribed to numerous factors, including their ill-planned
location, the sensitivity and vulnerability of the natural environment and adjacent rural settlements,
the lack of appropriate waste pre-treatment processes prior to disposal, and most significantly, the
lack of regulatory and control measures to contain the myriad of environmental problems
generated. In conclusion, it is recommended that several measures (including closure) should be
taken in order to reduce and contain the magnitude of environmental risks involved.Environmental Sciences
M.Sc.(Environmental Sciences)
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Nayager, Dan. "Causes of near miss and minor operating incidents at selected chemical organisations in Durban and their impact on key functional areas." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10321/1301.
Full textAbstract:
Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Technology in Business Administration, Entrepreneurial Studies & Management Department, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2015.
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Manqele, Mbaweni Beauty. Thesis, Rhodes University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003377.
Full textAbstract:
This case study was done in KwaZulu–Natal province in South Africa within two municipalities Ethekwini and Umsunduzi Municipality. Three communities participated in this study. The research is motivated by the lack of cooperation between some municipalities and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) in implementing the National Waste Management Strategy (NWMS) at a local level. The primary goal is to explore the availability and development of learning support materials (LSMs) that relates to waste management in collaboration with CBOs and local councillors. The secondary goal is to explore the use of learning support material to promote participation in the implementation of the NWMS. Coresearchers were from the Community Based Organisations as well as local councillors who are located within the communities of these CBOs. Pseudonyms for co-researchers from CBOs and Councillors and the name of their townships have been used to protect co-researchers. A literature review has been conducted to explore research that has been done on the development, usage, accessibility and distribution of the LSMs. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews; field visits to communities, tape recording of discussions and the keeping of a field journal. Some of the key findings included that LSMs is used by both CBOs and Councillors to try to reduce local environmental problems. It also identified that there are no formal mechanisms between CBOs and Municipalities in dealing with waste management programmes within the identified communities. The other important finding was that the participation of CBOs in the development of LSMs normally excludes the user groups as a result language used is not always understood. Illustrations used in some cases may be misinterpreted if the reader is not English literate as most of material in circulation is written in English. Some recommendations for further research have been made in relation to the findings made in the study. These included recommendations on the development, usage of LSMs, participation of stakeholders in resource development within the context of CBOs and local municipalities.
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Chisango, Eliot Tichaona. "Potential to grow informal waste recycling in semi-urban areas: case of the P.E.A.C.E. recycling buyback centre in Senwabarwana, Limpopo." Diss., 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/23722.
Full textAbstract:
This research aimed to investigate an area of research that has largely been overlooked in the past, that is, the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of informal waste recycling in semi-urban areas. In exploring the research topic, a recycling buyback centre was used as a case study. The centre facilitates collection, sorting and selling of waste and is located in Senwabarwana, Northern Limpopo Province. Here the P.E.A.C.E (Planning, Education, Agriculture, Cooperatives and Environment) Foundation, an organisation looking at rural poverty alleviation in South Africa, initiated a flagship recycling buyback centre as a community project. This research picks up on prior research that was conducted on a similar project initiated by the same organisation in Ndumo, KwaZulu Natal. Even though the location is different from KwaZulu Natal, both Senwabarwana and Ndumo are faced with similar challenges affecting social, economic and environmental circumstances. Five objectives were identified to provide structure to this research.
Through action research, the study assessed the sustainability of this recycling buyback centre with regard to the impact on social, economic and environmental factors within Senwabarwana. It also covered problems experienced in rolling out waste management initiatives within the semi-urban study location and assessed the municipal framework with regard to waste and how waste is managed and recycled. Furthermore, analyses of the waste data generated at the recycling centre was examined that culminated in offering solutions to the identified problems. Recommendations for acceptable practices in semi-urban waste management are made to enable further research and potentially up-scaling the project for application in other geographic areas.
The study reports both qualitative and quantitative data collected through the investigation of the case study in the start-up phase. The data gathering was done through administering questionnaires to waste pickers associated with the case study centre. Telephonic and face-to-face interviews and secondary data were interchangeably used to address each of the five objectives. The results from the data gathered show that, if properly coordinated and structured, informal waste recycling in semi-urban communities is possible and can contribute positively to the socio-economic and environmental development of these areas. It is envisaged that this study would contribute to the body of knowledge already in existence, whilst also creating an opportunity for further academic research and input within this field to enable the scaling-up of such initiatives.Environmental Sciences
M. Sc. (Environmental Science)