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Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste

Author : National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

Publisher :

Page : 250 pages

File Size : 43,11 MB

Release : 2022-09

Category : Political Science

ISBN : 9780309458856

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Book Description

An estimated 8 million metric tons (MMT) of plastic waste enters the world's ocean each year - the equivalent of dumping a garbage truck of plastic waste into the ocean every minute. Plastic waste is now found in almost every marine habitat, from the ocean surface to deep sea sediments to the ocean's vast mid-water region, as well as the Great Lakes. This report responds to a request in the bipartisan Save Our Seas 2.0 Act for a scientific synthesis of the role of the United States both in contributing to and responding to global ocean plastic waste. The United States is a major producer of plastics and in 2016, generated more plastic waste by weight and per capita than any other nation. Although the U.S. solid waste management system is advanced, it is not sufficient to deter leakage into the environment. Reckoning with the U.S. Role in Global Ocean Plastic Waste calls for a national strategy by the end of 2022 to reduce the nation's contribution to global ocean plastic waste at every step - from production to its entry into the environment - including by substantially reducing U.S. solid waste generation. This report also recommends a nationally-coordinated and expanded monitoring system to track plastic pollution in order to understand the scales and sources of U.S. plastic waste, set reduction and management priorities, and measure progress.





Marine Anthropogenic Litter

Author : Melanie Bergmann

Publisher : Springer

Page : 456 pages

File Size : 42,67 MB

Release : 2015-06-01

Category : Science

ISBN : 3319165100

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Book Description

This book describes how man-made litter, primarily plastic, has spread into the remotest parts of the oceans and covers all aspects of this pollution problem from the impacts on wildlife and human health to socio-economic and political issues. Marine litter is a prime threat to marine wildlife, habitats and food webs worldwide. The book illustrates how advanced technologies from deep-sea research, microbiology and mathematic modelling as well as classic beach litter counts by volunteers contributed to the broad awareness of marine litter as a problem of global significance. The authors summarise more than five decades of marine litter research, which receives growing attention after the recent discovery of great oceanic garbage patches and the ubiquity of microscopic plastic particles in marine organisms and habitats. In 16 chapters, authors from all over the world have created a universal view on the diverse field of marine litter pollution, the biological impacts, dedicated research activities, and the various national and international legislative efforts to combat this environmental problem. They recommend future research directions necessary for a comprehensive understanding of this environmental issue and the development of efficient management strategies. This book addresses scientists, and it provides a solid knowledge base for policy makers, NGOs, and the broader public.



Life Cycle Impact Assessment

Author : Michael Z. Hauschild

Publisher : Springer

Page : 345 pages

File Size : 10,2 MB

Release : 2015-03-24

Category : Technology & Engineering

ISBN : 9401797447

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Book Description

This book offers a detailed presentation of the principles and practice of life cycle impact assessment. As a volume of the LCA compendium, the book is structured according to the LCIA framework developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)passing through the phases of definition or selection of impact categories, category indicators and characterisation models (Classification): calculation of category indicator results (Characterisation); calculating the magnitude of category indicator results relative to reference information (Normalisation); and converting indicator results of different impact categories by using numerical factors based on value-choices (Weighting). Chapter one offers a historical overview of the development of life cycle impact assessment and presents the boundary conditions and the general principles and constraints of characterisation modelling in LCA. The second chapter outlines the considerations underlying the selection of impact categories and the classification or assignment of inventory flows into these categories. Chapters three through thirteen exploreall the impact categories that are commonly included in LCIA, discussing the characteristics of each followed by a review of midpoint and endpoint characterisation methods, metrics, uncertainties and new developments, and a discussion of research needs. Chapter-length treatment is accorded to Climate Change; Stratospheric Ozone Depletion; Human Toxicity; Particulate Matter Formation; Photochemical Ozone Formation; Ecotoxicity; Acidification; Eutrophication; Land Use; Water Use; and Abiotic Resource Use. The final two chapters map out the optional LCIA steps of Normalisation and Weighting.



NPDES Storm Water Sampling Guidance Document

Author : Washington Us Epa

Publisher : CRC Press

Page : 232 pages

File Size : 49,58 MB

Release : 1993-02-18

Category : Technology & Engineering

ISBN : 9780873719612

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Book Description

The NPDES Storm Water Sampling Guidance Document provides a comprehensive description of basic sampling requirements for NPDES storm water discharge permit applications and offers procedural guidance on how to conduct sampling. Many of the procedures in this manual are also applicable to the sampling requirements contained in NPDES storm water permits. Topics covered include background information and a summary of permit application requirements, the fundamentals of sampling (including obtaining flow data, handling samples, and sending them to the lab), analytical considerations, regulatory flexibility regarding storm water sampling, and health and safety considerations. This book will be a cornerstone of NPDES compliance for wastewater treatment plant managers and supervisors, consultants, laboratories, lab managers and chemists, regulators, current NPDES permit holders, and anyone applying for an NPDES permit.







Tackling Marine Debris in the 21st Century

Author : National Research Council

Publisher : National Academies Press

Page : 218 pages

File Size : 13,46 MB

Release : 2009-01-17

Category : Science

ISBN : 0309126975

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Book Description

Marine debris from ships and other ocean-based sources-including trash and lost fishing gear-contributes to the spoiling of beaches, fouling of surface waters and the seafloor, and harm to marine animals, among other effects. Unfortunately, international conventions and domestic laws intended to control marine debris have not been successful, in part because the laws, as written, provide little incentive to change behavior. This book identifies ways to reduce waste, improve waste disposal at ports, and strengthen the regulatory framework toward a goal of zero waste discharge into the marine environment. Progress will depend on a commitment to sustained funding and appropriate institutional support. The Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee should, through planning and prioritization, target research to understand the sources, fates, and impacts of marine debris. It should support the establishment of scalable and statistically rigorous protocols that allow monitoring at a variety of temporal and spatial scales. These protocols should contain evaluative metrics that allow assessment of progress in marine debris mitigation. The United States, through leadership in the international arena, should provide technical assistance and support for the establishment of additional monitoring and research programs worldwide.



Sensors for Environmental Monitoring, Identification, and Assessment

Author : Wani, Khursheed Ahmad

Publisher : IGI Global

Page : 508 pages

File Size : 34,40 MB

Release : 2024-05-23

Category : Technology & Engineering

ISBN :

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Book Description

In our world today, the pervasive threat of air, water, and soil contaminants has reached unprecedented levels, pushing ecosystems to the brink and causing harm to individuals worldwide. Despite numerous attempts by scholars to mitigate this crisis, we find ourselves in the infancy of understanding and combatting these pollutants. The lack of awareness among researchers regarding the types and extent of damage caused by contaminants further exacerbates the problem. This environmental dilemma calls for a transformative solution that not only identifies pollutants but also guides sustainable efforts to cleanse our vital ecosystems. Sensors for Environmental Monitoring, Identification, and Assessment is a groundbreaking book designed to revolutionize environmental research and provide a roadmap for tackling pollution head-on. This comprehensive guide is poised to make a significant impact on scholars, environmentalists, planners, researchers, industrialists, and academics globally. By delving into the diverse realms of environmental sensors, the book equips readers with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify pollutants in varied ecosystems and adopt sustainable approaches for cleanup. Its recommended topics cover critical areas such as indoor pollution, noise pollution, advancements in sensor technology, and the detection of pollutants in soil, water, air, and oceans.