Olof Hjelm

The connection between environmental management systems and continual environmental performance improvements

This paper discusses the connection between standardized environmental management systems and environmental performance, based on a case study. By comparing the environmental reviews for a group of ...

Implementation of standardised environmental management systems in Swedish local authorities: reasons, expectations and some outcomes

Environmental issues have become increasingly important in Swedish local authorities during the last decade. This has been shown as almost half of the local authorities are implementing environment ...

Production of organically-bound chlorine during degradation of birch wood by common white-rot fungi

Abstract In vitro net production of organically-bound chlorine by common white-rot fungi during degradation of birch wood was investigated. It was found that eight of the nine strains examined caused a significant increase in the total amount of organically-bound chlorine (TOX) during the first 8 weeks of incubation, and seven of these species caused a further increase when incubated for an additional 22 weeks. Extractable, GC-amenable chlorinated organic compounds were detected only in samples of two of the investigated fungi and corresponded to 3%, or less, of the total amount of organically-bound chlorine. Possible underlying mechanisms and ecological role for production of organically-bound chlorine by white-rot fungi are discussed.

Organically bound halogens in coniferous forest soil : distribution pattern and evidence of in situ production

Abstract We examined organically bound halogens in a coniferous soil profile and in Norway spruce litter enclosed in litter bags and subjected to degradation in field. Throughout the soil profile the total amount of organically bound halogens (TOX, μg Cl/g soil) was related to organic matter, i.e. amounts decreased with increasing depth. In contrast, the organic chlorine to organic carbon ratio (mg Cl org :g C org ) increased with increasing depth, and a pronounced increase in this ratio was observed in the transition between the O-horizon and the A-horizon, strongly indicating that in situ production of organically bound halogens occur in soil. This conclusion was strengtened by the results of the litter bag study, which clearly showed that a net-production of organically bound halogens occurred during decomposition of the spruce needle litter. Furthermore, this part of the study showed that organically bound halogens are not a static factor of organic matter. On the contrary, the results strongly indicated that during decomposition of organic matter, organically bound halogens are subjected to both production, i.e. incorporation of inorganic halides into organic matter, and mineralisation, i.e. release of inorganic halides from organic matter. A method previously developed in our laboratory to determine TOX in soil was further evaluated; there were no indications that inorganic halides interfere with the determination.

Analysis of halogenated organic compounds in coniferous forest soil from a Lepista nuda (wood blewitt) fairy ring

Abstract Soil collected at the arc of a Lepista nuda fairy ring growing in a coniferous forest was examined for the occurrence of low-molecular-weight halogenated organic compounds. This was done by subjecting organic soil extracts to GCMS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and GC-AED (gas chromatography-atomic emission detection) analyses. Fourteen organohalogens were detected and a number of these represented the major low-molecularweight compounds found in the analysed extracts. The fourteen compounds were chlorinated anisoles, dimethoxybenzenes, methoxybenzaldehydes methoxybenzoic acids and three brominated methoxybenzaldehydes. To our knowledge, this is the first time brominated low-molecular-weight compounds have been found in an unpolluted soil sample.

Towards sustainability management systems in three Swedish local authorities

This paper explores the development towards sustainability management systems (SMSs) in three Swedish local authorities. Many local authorities have extensive experience in using standardised Environmental Management Systems (EMSs). Recently EMSs have extended their reach by widening the scope of the systems including other dimensions of sustainable development. Case studies have been performed in three of the most EMS-experienced local authorities in Sweden. These authorities have extended their EMSs into a sustainability management approach in different ways. This paper discusses the development, possible contributions, and constraints with this development. Expanding EMSs into SMSs can be seen as a learning process in which a larger systems perspective leads to increased awareness that the management system becomes limited by only managing environmental issues. Expanding the EMSs into SMSs may lead to a more complete view of the organisations total impact on nature and society, and issues that need to be managed.

Production of organically bound halogens by the litter-degrading fungus Lepista nuda

The ability of Lepista nuda to produce organically bound halogens was tested both in a laboratory study of a pure culture and in a field study. It was found that L. nuda caused an increase in the t ...

Managing Indirect Environmental Impact within Local Authorities' Standardized Environmental Management Systems

Abstract Many local authorities use standardized environmental management systems (EMSs) to improve their environmental management. These authorities often find it difficult to manage environmental impact caused by their exercise of authority i.e. indirect environmental impact (IEI) within their EMSs. Since this is connected to their core activities, it is important to understand how IEI could be more efficiently managed with respect to EMS work. The purpose for this paper is to study if and how IEI could be managed within the framework of EMS. In this study we have identified two different approaches to managing IEI. Because managing IEI is complex, it is often ignored when initiating EMSs or managed by explicitly avoid mentioning the concept. Managing IEI is seen as a matter of maturity within the organization. The paper concludes with a discussion regarding a developed definition of IEI and how management of IEI could be facilitated.

Chemical characterization of organohalogens in a coniferous forest soil

The molecular-weight distribution of organic matter and organohalogens was studied in soil collected from the litter layer and the eluviation horizon (A-horizon) of a coniferous forest. The presence of chlorinated and non-chlorinated lignin-derived aromatic structures was also determined in the soil. The molecular-weight distribution was examined by determining the amount of AOX (adsorbable organic halogens) and TOC (total organic carbon) in ultrafiltered sodium hydroxide leachates of the collected samples. Lignin-derived aromatic structures were detected by subjecting the soil to oxidative degradation followed by derivatisation and then analysing the degradation products by gas chromatography.

Excess heat supply collaborations within the district heating sector: Drivers and barriers

This article combines the theoretical field of Industrial Symbiosis (IS) with a business model perspective to increase the knowledge about drivers and barriers behind the emergence of excess heat supply collaborations between district heating companies and industrial firms. The increased knowledge is gained by identifying and examining drivers and barriers associated with collaborative efforts to funnel excess heat produced by industrial firms into district heating grids in Sweden. An increased recovery of excess heat has the potential to reduce the primary energy demands of district heating systems. This study examines both existing and potential developments of industrial collaborations of excess heat-based district heating systems. The focus of the study consists of two Swedish cases of existing collaboration between district heating companies and pulp and paper industries as well as 16 industrial firms that all produce unused excess heat as a by-product. Confirming earlier research results, this study shows that financial issues are both the main drivers and the main barriers behind the emergence and development of inter-organisational collaborations. In addition, this study confirms earlier research that found the trust, joint problem solving, and fine-grained information transfer are important elements of successful collaboration. This study complements and clarifies these three features by including honesty and shared visions on common goals as important qualities needed for well-functioning collaborations. Combining the IS and the business model perspective has made it possible to examine more factors related to collaboration. The business model perspective has contributed with knowledge about central components of the business agreement between the collaborating parties, and the IS-perspective has contributed knowledge of the important organisational factors behind the emergence and development of long-term sustainable business agreements between firms.