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Increased aerosol or haze is the reason that solar radiation decreases, but there is no evidence to support this theory. This research aims to quantitatively analyze the contribution of air pollution to surface solar radiation (SSR) reduction in Beijing. Because there is no long-term serial ground observational aerosol data, in order to reflect the atmospheric pollution and aerosol levels, we developed an atmospheric turbidity index (ATI).Monthly and annual variations in the ATI are significantly correlated with aerosol optical depth (AOD), and ATI could well reflect the change of air pollution. The ATI and SSR are significantly negatively correlated. The changes in the Beijing SSR presented a clear decreasing trend. From the inter-annual variability, the SSR exhibited a rapidly declining trend from 1960 to approximately1990 and a gradual increasing trend after 1990. The atmosphere turbidity index in the Beijing area was the main factor which indicated the change in SSR.

A comparative economic and life cycle based analysis of five management scenarios for the solid waste generated in the island of Syros was conducted. The LCA part was performed with the LCA – IWM software. The four on-site waste management scenarios were: i) source separation of recyclable materials in combination with landfill disposal of the residuals (existing situation), ii) aerobic, windrow type, biological treatment (composting) with landfilling of residues, iii) anaerobic biological treatment (digestion) with landfilling of residues iv) aerobic mechanical biological treatment (MBT) and landfilling of residues. The off-site management scenario examined the transportation of the whole commingled wastes off the island for processing and disposal to the main mechanical and biological pretreatment plant in Athens. The results of analysis showed that the optimum waste management scenario in terms of environmental burdens (based on six environmental impact categories) and economics was off-site transportation, even when the specific landfill tax is included in calculations. The second best scenario in terms of environmental performance included the on-site aerobic MBT plant while the worst scenario was direct landfilling with mixed dry recyclables’ recycling. On-site anaerobic digestion had less environmental burdens and was more expensive than open windrow composting. Threshold distances were calculated below which the transportation of municipal solid wastes from a small island is financially and environmentally beneficial.

In order to make assessments in understanding of physiological and genotoxic effects of imposing cadmium (Cd) on photosynthetic pigment contents along with the changes occurring in genetic material of Kalanchoe plants were used in relation to various Cd-treatments. Young plantlets were originated from a single host plant as clones, and developed in vitro. Developed clones were grown in standard pots with daily watering of Hoagland solution (20 ml) containing different concentrations of cadmium chloride for two months. Cd concentrations of the collected samples were measured by employing ICP-OES and RAPD-PCR technique was applied for detecting the genotoxic effects of Cd. After two month of experimental period, the comparisons between unexposed and exposed Kalanchoe clone groups revealed reductions in photosynthetic pigment contents, especially at the highest level of Cd exposure and a genomic instability when application of Cd concentration increases. RAPD-PCR analyses demonstrated the distinguishable banding pattern in number and band intensities between Cd-treated and control groups. In addition, progressive Cd accumulations in leaves, stems and roots of plant samples were observed when the application of exposure level increased.