Global NEST Journal

The understanding of marine eutrophication in semi enclosed areas due to agricultural
runoff, assumes a more integrated approach taking into account the agricultural
watershed, seasonal patterns of soil nutrients, rates of erosion and vegetation types. In
the present case study in the Gulf of Geras, Lesvos, Greece, the transport of dissolved
and solid phase nutrients of terrestrial origin to the marine environment was studied in
detail using mathematical modelling. Fifteen criteria describing environmental and socioeconomic
aspects were analysed using multi criteria choice methods and a number of
scenarios were evaluated. Parallel to that an eutrophication model was used to describe
the problem of eutrophication in the marine environment and also to assess the
environmental impact from the proposed scenarios. The emphasis was placed in the
interconnection between Mediterranean type ecosystem and marine coastal
eutrophication. The results showed that the coupling of multi criteria analysis together
with simulation modelling, provide a powerful tool for integrated coastal management
practices and assessing eutrophic trends in semi enclosed areas.

Peroxides collected in rainwater readily decompose in the natural matrix, consequently it is hard to
estimate their values present during precipitation events. For this reason, only few data concerning the
concentration of aqueous H2O2 in dew, cloud and rainwater are available. Therefore, it is necessary to
establish a sampling protocol under conditions that assure the real-time estimation of hydrogen
peroxide in rainwater samples. Hydrogen Peroxide was determined by a fluorometric method in
rainwater collected in fives sites in Mexico. Measured levels for all sampled sites were in agreement
with values reported by other authors for marine and continental sites. To establish a sampling
protocol, several methods reported for preservation of H2O2 in rainwater were assessed. Sampling
protocol proposed in this research involves forming fluorescent dimmer on-site immediately after
sample collection, and storing at dark and 4 ºC. This procedure gives a 10 days margin to perform
sample analysis, guarantying a minimal decomposition of H2O2 in rainwater samples (approximately
10%) and allowing more time to perform sampling campaigns even in remote sites. The other methods
evaluated (freezing, filtering, using acidified samplers, adding sodium stannate, and storing samples
and their fluorescent dimmer at 0ºC) do not exert any preservation effect over H2O2 levels in rainwater
samples.

This paper investigates the physical and chemical transformation of metallic lead (Pb) in Ft. Irwin firing
range soils. Soil samples were collected from berms of two small arms firing ranges, an active one and an
abandoned one, located in the Mojave desert. Pb bullet fragments found in field samples were analyzed by
means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to determine the
mechanism of metal breakdown in desert climates. Moreover, in order to further elucidate metallic Pb
surface reactions, the process by which Pb fragments are subjected to field weathering conditions was
simulated in the laboratory by performing wetting and drying cycle tests on the surface of metallic Pb
specimens. Results indicated that metallic Pb bullet fragments recovered from the active range field
samples were primarily covered by surface layers of cerussite and hydrocerussite, but litharge was also
identified. In the abandoned range, hydrocerussite and metallic Pb were the predominant Pb species, but
laurionite was also identified. The wetting and drying test results also confirmed the predominant presence
of cerussite and hydrocerussite. In addition, the presence of copper (Cu). Overall, it seems that in these high
pH desert environments, Pb would eventually form insoluble secondary minerals and therefore, its mobility
is expected to be quite limited.

Undoubtedly, sun is the cleanest energy source. Specific systems are needed however for the
collection and transformation of solar energy and the manufacturing processes of such systems, as
well as the production of the raw materials required, are associated with impacts to the environment.
As a result, the life cycle environmental impact of solar systems depends on the type and the size of
the systems. System characteristics and also the climate of the installation area, affect the substituted
conventional energy (solar coverage). In this paper, the net environmental gain of flat plate
thermosyphonic solar systems for domestic use is determined, accounting for the household size
(different collector sizes) and the installation area (different solar coverage and transportation
distance) for the major cities of Greece. Calculations are based on the “Eco-Indicator ‘99”
methodology and database and it is proved that substituting electricity with solar energy is always
environmentally beneficial for systems installed in all major cities of Greece.