Global NEST Journal

An investigation was carried out in Olokemeji Forest Reserve (Nigeria) to examine the impact of
farming activities on the vegetation of the reserve. The 5,888 hectare forest reserve was divided into
three zones for the purpose of this study. They are natural forest (zone 1), plantation (zone 2) and the
fallow area (zone 3). Ten plots of 40m x 50m were randomly selected from each zone for
enumeration. In addition 100 questionnaires were administered to elicit information on the effects of
farming activities on the plant resources of the Olokemeji forest reserve. The inverse of Simpson
diversity indices of the three zones showed that zone 1 had 43.5, zone 2, 2.1 and zone 3, 11.8. The
very low diversity indices recorded in zones 2 and 3 resulted from the extensive and intensive farming
activities as most species in the zones had been cut down during farm clearing.
Farming activities in the reserve have resulted in large hectares of impoverished secondary forest, bare
and degraded lands, grasslands and plantation of exotic species. About 25 plants useful to the
respondents have also been lost due to farming activities.

Firing range activities have been proven to adversely impact the environment. The main concern in
small arms firing ranges (SAFRs) is the fate and transport of heavy metals from bullets and bullet
fragments accumulating in soil with lead (Pb) being the primary contaminant. Frequently however,
bullets are jacketed with copper (Cu). The presence of Cu results in an increased galvanic corrosion
potential. This in turn may lead to elevated levels of Pb release and subsequent lead mobility. In this
paper we investigate the presence of Pb and Cu in an attempt to identify any synergistic effects
between Pb and Cu and to accurately establish the extent of contamination. Soil samples from an
active 20-position firing range and from a former range located at Fort Irwin in the Mojave Desert
were analyzed for total concentrations of the respective metals. Overall, the Pb and Cu concentration
levels and their spatial distribution correlated well with the associated range activities. Most Cu and Pb
contamination appeared to concentrate at the berm surface with contamination levels rapidly
decreasing with depth. Metal concentrations were elevated in the immediate vicinity of the target area,
but were somewhat lower in areas between target positions. The presence of Cu increases the
solubility of Pb by increasing its corrosion potential. Pb corrosion results in the formation of
hydrocerussite and cerussite, a Pb carbonates.

The scope of this paper is the evaluation of wastewater reuse quality criteria and treatment specifications,
appropriate to Greek conditions. The parameters that affect wastewater reuse criteria were taken
into consideration, concerning among others reuse priorities, available treatment plants and effluent
characteristics. The proposed wastewater reclamation criteria were verified by a series of lab-scale
experiments, designed to study the feasibility and effectiveness of the following treatment schemes to
produce treated wastewater suitable for reuse: a) disinfection of secondary effluent with UV radiation
and chlorination and b) tertiary treatment and disinfection of wastewater with UV radiation and chlorination.
The experimental data were analyzed using a stochastic statistical model that employs Monte
Carlo simulation. The main scope of the stochastic approach was the regeneration of a greater set of
data, based on the defined by the experimental information mathematical distribution of each parameter
involved and the determination of relative probability distributions. Following this approach the
standards proposed are realistic and feasible and in the case of restricted reuse can be readily achieved
by the existing wastewater treatment plants in Greece. Even in the case of unrestricted reuse the additional
treatment required can be achieved at a moderate cost, through upgrading of the existing plants
with tertiary treatment.

In this study, ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) stereo
imagery was analysed in combination with Global Positioning System (GPS) data and field observations,
using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) techniques to examine the potential of satellite
remote sensing to support watershed management. Terrain elevation data were derived for the region
of Heraklion, Crete. The accuracy of the ASTER derived DEM (Digital Elevation Model), was better
than 20 meters (planimetric) and better than 15 meters (elevation). Supervised classification techniques
were applied for land cover production using ASTER multi-spectral imagery and filed observations
at predefined application sites. The determination of training areas required in the supervised
classification scheme was based on these observations. Finally, GIS methods were applied to estimate
watershed characterization parameters for the study area offering the advantages of spatial data handling
capabilities and automatic extraction of thematic information. The drainage pattern, which was
derived, provided a generally representative depiction of the watershed. The output pixel spacing of 15
m of the produced DEM as well as the high spatial resolution of ASTER imagery found to be quite satisfactory
for the watershed characterization of the study area, indicating the high potential of ASTER
imagery to support watershed management.