Michael Norton

Sewage sludge dumping and contamination of Liverpool Bay sediments

Abstract The results of four MAFF surveys (1975–1980) of the sediments in and around the sewage sludge dumping site in Liverpool Bay are presented. Sediments were analysed for particle size distribution, organic carbon concentrations and concentrations of Hg, Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni and Cr. Concentrations of organic carbon and metals were found to be elevated in the fine ( In an attempt to determine any temporal trends between surveys, stations were grouped into four 8×8 km areas from offshore of the dumping ground to the mouth of the Mersey. Changes in the metal concentrations in sediments in the square nearest the sewage sludge dumping site were larger than in the other squares including that nearest the Mersey. Comparison of temporal trends near the sewage sludge site with the quantities actually dumped showed a correlation between the two, consistent with sewage sludge dumping being a major contributor to the metal levels in fine sediments near the dumping ground.

Water quality studies around the sewage sludge dumping site in Liverpool Bay

Abstract The results of two studies (in 1978 and 1979) of metal concentrations in the waters of Liverpool Bay are presented and discussed. Concentrations of zinc, copper, cadmium and nickel were measured in solution and in suspension at a series of stations from the mouth of the River Mersey to seaward of the sewage sludge dumping ground. Dissolved metal concentrations were found to be well correlated with salinity and no significant elevations due to dumping were apparent. Particulate metal concentrations, on the other hand, were found to be substantially elevated near the dumping ground in 1979.

The Metal Content of Fish and Shellfish in Liverpool Bay

Abstract Liverpool Bay supports a productive commercial fishery yet at the same time is also used as a site for the disposal of waste by dumping, as well as receiving discharge of effluent from pipelines, rivers and estuaries. This paper summarizes the results of the monitoring programme of fish and shellfish quality in Liverpool Bay carried out in recent years including two special surveys conducted in and around the sewage sludge dumping site in 1980 and 1981. The concentrations of trace metals are discussed in relation to inputs into the bay. Mercury concentrations in fish appear to vary with the two major imputs (sewage sludge dumping and industrial discharges). There is no evidence of widespread elevated concentrations of cadmium, lead, zinc and copper in fish and shellfish from the bay but there is some evidence of local contamination by these metals. None of the elevated concentrations of metals found appear to be significant from a public health viewpoint.

Overseas internships as a vehicle for developing a meta-level awareness regarding science communication

The overseas internship programme offered at Tokyo Institute of Technology as part of the science communication curriculum is highly significant, as it prompts graduate students to acquire new skills and awareness levels, including an enhanced meta-level understanding of the importance and complexity of human communications. The capacity to correlate and respond on-site in human interaction can be gradually cultivated during the internship as students experience diverse communication environments. Moreover, the exposure to different organisational, cultural and social environments helps develop a more international outlook. As a result of the initial experience described in this paper, TiTech has adopted internships as an important part of the educational tool-kit to produce scientists and engineers who can play an active role at the global level using their acquired technical knowledge and broad practical capabilities.

Influence of four antimicrobials on methane-producing archaea and sulfate-reducing bacteria in anaerobic granular sludge.

The influence of Cephalexin (CLX), Tetracycline (TC), Erythromycin (ERY) and Sulfathiazole (ST) on methane-producing archaea (MPA) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in anaerobic sludge was investigated using acetate or ethanol as substrate. With antimicrobial concentrations below 400mgL(-1), the relative specific methanogenic activity (SMA) was above 50%, so that the antimicrobials exerted slight effects on archaea. However ERY and ST at 400mgL(-1) caused a 74.5% and 57.6% inhibition to specific sulfidogenic activity (SSA) when the sludge granules were disrupted and ethanol used as substrate. After disruption, microbial tolerance to antimicrobials decreased, but the rate at which MPA utilized acetate and ethanol increased from 0.95gCOD·(gVSS⋅d)(-1) to 1.45gCOD·(gVSS⋅d)(-1) and 0.90gCOD·(gVSS⋅d)(-1) to 1.15gCOD·(gVSS⋅d)(-1) respectively. The ethanol utilization rate for SRB also increased after disruption from 0.35gCOD·(gVSS⋅d)(-1) to 0.46gCOD·(gVSS⋅d)(-1). Removal rates for CLX approaching 20.0% and 25.0% were obtained used acetate and ethanol respectively. The disintegration of granules improved the CLX removal rate to 65% and 78%, but ST was not removed during this process.

Vibrational and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies on some carbonyl complexes of gold, palladium, platinum, rhodium, and iridium

Detailed i.r. and Raman studies are reported for [AuCl(CO)], [PtX3(CO)]–(X = Cl, Br, or I), [PdX3(CO)]–, cis-[PtX2(CO)2], cis-[RhX2(CO)2]–(X = Cl or Br), and cis-[IrCl2(CO)2]– together with assignments. Skeletal stretching wavenumbers are reported for cis-[PtX2(CO)(PMe3)](X = Cl, Br, or I), trans-[PtX(CO)(PMe3)2]+, trans-[RhX(CO)(PMe3)2](X = Cl or Br), and [RhCl3(CO)(PMe3)2]. The results of 13C n.m.r. studies on the carbony complexes are reported together with those from 1H n.m.r. and 1H-{31p} and 1H-{195Pt} INDOR spectroscopy on the phosphine-containing complexes. The 195Pt chemical shifts of [PtX3(CO)]– from direct measurements are reported. The results are discussed with the assistance of stretching force constants for some of the simpler complexes.

Estimating particulate dispersiveness and accumulation at nearshore ocean dumpsites

Abstract The characteristics controlling the dispersion and accumulation of ocean-dumped sewage sludge are analysed for eight sites in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the United States. Based on the assumption that the sludge consists of a rain of fine materials descending on a sandy substrate, annual dispersiveness from both the local dumpsite and the dumpsite region is calculated as a fraction of sludge solids dumped during a given year. Using actual dumping amounts, indices of local and regional sludge accumulation are then calculated. The local index ranges from less than 1 for slightly impacted sites to 35 for the most severely impacted location. The regional index is less than 1 in all but one case. The index appears to be useful as a predictive tool for assessing impact from a given dumping scenario.

Vibrational spectra of some gold(I), palladium(II), and platinum(II) complexes with trialkylphosphines and trialkylarsines

Infrared and in most cases, Raman spectra are reported for trimethylphosphine and trimethylarsine complexes AuXL, Au(PMe3)2+, MX3L–, M2X4L2, MX2L2(trans and cis), M2X2L42+, MXL3+, ML42+(M = Pd or Pt; X = Cl, Br or I), as well as for triethylphosphine and triethylarsine species MX3L–, M2X4L2 and MX2L2. Vibrational assignments are suggested where possible, and point of spectroscopic interest are noted. Frequency relationships between the systems are discussed.

Nurturing Environmental Leaders Among Science and Engineering Researchers—Tohoku University Approach

This chapter sets the scene for the book by explaining the background reasons why Japan decided to support a range of environmental leader programs. Current trends in growth of both population and economy are placing demands on the Earth’s ability to supply resources or absorb the wastes. This is widely recognized but the current socio-economic system is currently not adapting and exhibits system failures in prioritizing growth over sustainability. Japan’s environmental leader programs are designed to nurture human resources who can help lead society towards a transition to a more sustainable socio-economic system. Tohoku University’s environmental leader program is described in this chapter and the background to the course materials on which this book is based introduced.

Environmental Leadership Training—Effects on Students’ Future Environmental Leadership

This book is based on the experience of developing and applying environmental leadership education and training at Tohoku University, where learners are masters and doctorate researchers in sciences, engineering and humanities. This book’s focus is on a range of issues in energy and resources, but is just one part of the wider curriculum outlined in Chap. 1 aiming to strengthen motivation and provide the necessary knowledge and personal skills to support environmental leadership in the student’s future workplace. This final chapter thus assesses how far we have achieved that role based on student feedback, their decisions in selection of future jobs, and limited feedback from their employment after graduating. This is set against a theoretical framework of leadership in sustainable development.