| 1. |
- Björklund, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
Evaluating a municipal waste management plan using ORWARE
- 1999
-
Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 7:4, s. 271-280
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Environmental consequences of implementing Uppsala's waste management plan have been analysed using ORWARE, a computerized static substance flow model based on life cycle assessment methodology. Normalizing emissions from waste management to total emission loadings in the municipality was tested as a means to improve the evaluation. It was found that anaerobic digestion of biodegradable waste can reduce net environmental impact, while large-scale composting either increases environmental impact or gives less reduction than anaerobic digestion. In either case, metal contamination of digester sludge or compost may limit the feasibility of the systems. Increased materials recycling has the potential of reducing environmental impact, provided that processing of recycled materials causes equal or less environmental impact than extraction and processing of virgin raw materials. Normalization showed that all impact categories were of roughly equal importance. It was shown that easy accessible data published by a Swedish municipality were sufficient to do a relatively comprehensive normalization.
|
|
| 2. |
- Björklund, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
Planning Biodegradable Waste Management in Stockholm
- 1999
-
Ingår i: Journal of Industrial Ecology. - 1088-1980 .- 1530-9290. ; 3:4, s. 43-58
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The environmental impact of the management of biodegradable waste in Stockholm, based mainly on incineration and landfilling, was compared to systems with significant nutrient recycling; large-scale composting, anaerobic digestion, and separate collection and utilization of urine. The systems' emissions, residual products, energy turnover, and resource consumption were evaluated from a life-cycle perspective, using a computerized model, ORWARE (ORganic WAste REsearch model). Transportation was of relatively low importance to overall environmental impact, even at high rates of nutrient recycling. This is remarkable considering the geographical setting of Stockholm, with high population density and little nearby farmland. Ancillary systems, such as generation of electricity and district heating, were crucial for the overall outcome. Increased recycling of nutrients in solid biodegradable waste in Stockholm can reduce net environmental impact, whereas separation of human urine to be spread as fertilizer cannot yet be introduced without increased acidification. Increased nutrient recycling from solid biodegradable waste inevitably increases spreading of metals on arable land. Urine is by far the least contaminated residual product. Spreading of all other residuals would be limited by their metal content.
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
- Cronberg, Nils, et al.
(författare)
-
Genetic variation in the clonal bryophyte Hylocomium splendens at hierarchical geographic scales in Scandinavia.
- 1997
-
Ingår i: Heredity. - 1365-2540. ; 78:3, s. 293-301
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The widespread bryophyte Hylocomium splendens was sampled in a hierarchical fashion from populations representing four Scandinavian vegetation zones. Allozyme electrophoresis revealed variation at 11 out of 13 screened loci, allowing accurate identification of genotypes. From a total sample of 298 shoots 79 genotypes could be detected, giving the proportion of distinguishable genotypes (PD) of 0.265. The total allelic diversity (HT) based on polymorphic loci was 0.274. The relative differentiation among populations was low (GST=0.073), indicating a high level of gene flow. Differences in population structuring occurred between a subarctic-alpine site vs. three lowland sites. The subarctic-alpine population had one widespread clone, which appeared to be propagated by dispersal of vegetative fragments. That population also comprised many rare genotypes, often occurring together within 10´10 cm patches. The lowland populations had genotypes that were locally common and often dominant within the patches. When identical genotypes were observed in multiple patches within these populations, it was usually statistically highly probable that they had arisen by independent sexual recombinations.
|
|
| 5. |
- Dalemo, Magnus, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of including nitrogen emissions from soil in environmental systems analysis of waste management strategies
- 1998
-
Ingår i: Resources, Conservation and Recycling. - 0921-3449 .- 1879-0658. ; 24, s. 363-381
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The environmental impacts of nitrogen emissions from soil resulting from the use of organic fertilizers, such as manure, are large compared with the corresponding impacts of mineral fertilizers. However, soil emissions are rarely included in systems analysis of waste management strategies. This study examines whether the inclusion of soil emissions can affect the environmental ranking of systems for managing solid biodegradable waste. Waste management scenarios based on incineration, anaerobic digestion and composting, respectively, were compared. The scenarios were analysed using the organic waste research (ORWARE) simulation model. A simplified model for calculating nitrogen availability and emissions was also constructed. Life-cycle analysis methodology was used for choosing system boundaries and evaluating the results. Global warming, acidification and eutrophication were the impact categories considered. The results indicate the vital importance of considering nitrogen emissions from soil when comparing biological waste management systems with other waste management methods, especially with regard to eutrophication effects. Soil emissions are also important when comparing the environmental impacts of anaerobic digestion and composting systems. However, the variation in nitrogen emissions from soil is large and depends on the spreading technique used, climate, drainage and soil texture
|
|
| 6. |
|
|
| 7. |
- Davies, Roy C, et al.
(författare)
-
A Practical Example Using VR in the Assessment of Brain Injury
- 1998
-
Ingår i: The International Journal of Virtual Reality. - 1081-1451. ; 3:4, s. 1-7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Virtual Reality (VR) as a complementary tool for medical practitioners in the assessment and rehabilitation of people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is discussed. A pilot-study has been undertaken on a prototype VR assessment tool. The design involved nine occupational therapists with expertise in the care of traumatic brain injured patients and one (computer experienced) patient. The aim was to begin a dialogue and to ascertain the potential of a VR system. A common method for occupational therapists to assess function and ability is to ask a patient to brew coffee. From the performance of such a task, an individual’s “functional signature” can be determined. The prototype was built using Superscape, a personal computer based VR system, to be close to the real coffee making task, including effects of making mistakes, realistic graphics and sound effects. The world was designed to be as easy to use and intuitive as possible, though problems of mental abstraction level, transfer of training and realistic interaction have yet to be resolved. The comments from the test participants have highlighted problem areas, given positive insight and pointed out other scenarios where VR may be of use in the rehabilitation of people with a traumatic brain injury.
|
|
| 8. |
|
|
