Starting next March can not be used or marketed in the EU mercury. Despite its high level of toxicity, this metal has been used for many years to make fluorescent lamps, thermometers, sphygmomanometers and other measuring devices.
The EU is now seeking solutions to store surplus mercury safely and efficiently, as one of the most toxic compounds, methylmercury, can cause serious health problems in living beings and pollute the environment. It is estimated that European countries, Spain is the biggest producer will face a surplus of 8,500 tons of mercury, both from the extraction of the mine waste used by businesses.
Spain's proposals were presented Monday in Almaden (Ciudad Real). These two projects: a temporary storage system that will reuse the mercury in the event that necessary, and a final technical transforms it into a non-polluting.
"It is not known if in the future be re-used metallic mercury. This is why we also designed a system that is securely stored and will retrieve it if necessary, thus avoiding having to remove it again from the mine," Ana says Conde, project manager and head of the department of corrosion of the National Center for Metallurgical Research, CSIC.
And that, to date, there is no clear alternative in some industrial processes: "For example, companies clorocáusticas still use mercury as an electrode for the production of chlorine." In his case, the time to find alternative methods expires in 2020. Once the industry confirm that mercury is no longer necessary, final systems will be used for disposal of waste.
Double steel wall
The temporary storage system designed by researchers at the CSIC is shaped like a sphere and can store 50 tons of liquid mercury, but larger containers can be constructed.
It consists of a double wall of steel with a thickness of 8 mm: "It has followed the model of double hull tankers. If there is a break, there is another compartment that would store the mercury. The area is earthquake resistant and has an alarm system and surveillance, "says Conde. The vessel meets all standards for transport by truck can be moved if necessary, using a crane.
The second technique is final and transform the liquid mercury in an inert solid material that does not pollute, "similar to those used in the construction sector," said Aurora Lopez, a researcher in the department of primary metals and recycling of materials from center. "It's kind of brick which contains 30% mercury, with a size of 4x4x16, but can be made with any other dimension."
"We have done several studies on saline and alkaline environments to see how this material behaves when outdoors and the results have been satisfactory, presents a very good durability," says Lopez. In the future we will see if it can be used in civil engineering: "It would be an added value if we could succeed to use paving or construction of dams, although the initial objective is to develop an inert material."
The European Commission will now study the solutions provided by all countries (in Germany, for example, have proposed to put the mercury in a salt mine) and decide what is the procedure to be used on European soil.
martes, 29 de junio de 2010
lunes, 28 de junio de 2010
Government support of Spain to GM unleashes controversy
The genetic modification of foods that are the staple diet of mankind and is a fact, though not lacking controversy in that regard. While some believe that GM foods have many benefits, environmental organizations, consumer groups and advocates of the organic farmers questioned its effectiveness and consider it a dangerous practice with a high risk to health, the environment and the economy.
Now, the environmental organization Friends of the Earth has claimed that the Spanish government spends 60 times more money to fund research on GM agriculture, which it devotes to research in organic farming. The latter generates 25 times more jobs and takes 16 times more area in Spain, according to this organization. Given the current moment of economic crisis and high unemployment rates, environmentalists believe that the Government's support to GM is not justified.
A reasoned investment?
Genetically engineered foods are causing alarm among a large segment of the population. The contamination of organic crops and the environment, deterioration of biodiversity and local agriculture, and the possible effects on public health are some of them.
However, since Antama Foundation, which represents some of the leading producers of GM crops, say that "the seeds of transgenic corn (which eliminates the so-called boring insect) 95% reduced pesticide use, making it possible reduce costs and increase productivity of land. In addition, the reduced use of toxic chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides is good for the environment, "says Juan Quintana, spokesman for the organization.
However, this argument is opposed by environmental organizations to ensure that GM crops (eg soybean resistant to glyphosate herbicide), being genetically resistant to pesticides and pests, are sprayed with amounts up to three times higher than crops conventional.
From Friends of the Earth, a determined advocate for organic farming models. "With such high unemployment rate and a state of complete abandonment of rural areas, the Government has to opt for agriculture models that generate employment and social fabric in the field," said David Sanchez, in charge of Agriculture and Food of the association.
The industry lobbies have this agricultural model as a sure and profitable.
Still, the Government is still committed to promoting through public support of research to agricultural biotechnology. "What we can not afford to bet it all for an agricultural model also presents many problems, and do not lean all the ecological model. We need to be encouraged, not only with aid, but also from the investigation," David Sanchez said.
For its part, the outlook for the majors is quite the opposite, presenting this model of agriculture as a sure and profitable even able to solve world hunger.
"The spearhead of transgenic agriculture is the need of a ultra-advanced investigation. While the ecological base is to maintain a status quo that does not need to introduce advanced technologies. Thus, research comparing the two is like comparing a spacecraft and a bicycle, "says Juan Quintana, director of the foundation Antama. 'Must be investigated, but not equal.
Addressing the regulation of transgenic
Spain is the only country that permits the cultivation of GM maize on a large scale in the European Union, while countries like France, Germany, Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Italy prohibit betting on growing and farming models. What lies behind this confused regulation?
Now, the environmental organization Friends of the Earth has claimed that the Spanish government spends 60 times more money to fund research on GM agriculture, which it devotes to research in organic farming. The latter generates 25 times more jobs and takes 16 times more area in Spain, according to this organization. Given the current moment of economic crisis and high unemployment rates, environmentalists believe that the Government's support to GM is not justified.
A reasoned investment?
Genetically engineered foods are causing alarm among a large segment of the population. The contamination of organic crops and the environment, deterioration of biodiversity and local agriculture, and the possible effects on public health are some of them.
However, since Antama Foundation, which represents some of the leading producers of GM crops, say that "the seeds of transgenic corn (which eliminates the so-called boring insect) 95% reduced pesticide use, making it possible reduce costs and increase productivity of land. In addition, the reduced use of toxic chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides is good for the environment, "says Juan Quintana, spokesman for the organization.
However, this argument is opposed by environmental organizations to ensure that GM crops (eg soybean resistant to glyphosate herbicide), being genetically resistant to pesticides and pests, are sprayed with amounts up to three times higher than crops conventional.
From Friends of the Earth, a determined advocate for organic farming models. "With such high unemployment rate and a state of complete abandonment of rural areas, the Government has to opt for agriculture models that generate employment and social fabric in the field," said David Sanchez, in charge of Agriculture and Food of the association.
The industry lobbies have this agricultural model as a sure and profitable.
Still, the Government is still committed to promoting through public support of research to agricultural biotechnology. "What we can not afford to bet it all for an agricultural model also presents many problems, and do not lean all the ecological model. We need to be encouraged, not only with aid, but also from the investigation," David Sanchez said.
For its part, the outlook for the majors is quite the opposite, presenting this model of agriculture as a sure and profitable even able to solve world hunger.
"The spearhead of transgenic agriculture is the need of a ultra-advanced investigation. While the ecological base is to maintain a status quo that does not need to introduce advanced technologies. Thus, research comparing the two is like comparing a spacecraft and a bicycle, "says Juan Quintana, director of the foundation Antama. 'Must be investigated, but not equal.
Addressing the regulation of transgenic
Spain is the only country that permits the cultivation of GM maize on a large scale in the European Union, while countries like France, Germany, Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Italy prohibit betting on growing and farming models. What lies behind this confused regulation?
The man-made noise also affects fish
The oceans are no longer the haven of peace we imagined. Noise pollution caused by humans is increasingly affecting the inhabitants. Several investigations had already warned that the noise emitted by ships mislead marine mammals like whales and dolphins, leading to cause death.
However, a new study has analyzed the impact of noise from ships, offshore oil and gas in fish and has demonstrated that affects them as well as vehicle traffic to terrestrial animals.
"The fish make sounds to communicate (for example, to attract mates and deter rivals), bearings, find food and avoid predators. The man-made noise may be masking important sounds and threaten biological reproduction and survival ", explains Hans Slabbekoorn email, the main author of the research, published in 'Trends in Ecology and Evolution'.
Animals clueless
And that noise pollution can confuse animals and away from the best areas to find food or reproduce. And not only that. We also produce stress, which in turn may adversely affect their growth and reproductive ability.
And what are the most affected? Many fish, but not all, emit sounds. Scientists have known about 800 species, although their hearing sensitivity is different. In addition, fish that do emit have been little investigated. Among the best known are the perch, herring and cod. Researchers believe that the eel also occurs even if the reality is as yet unknown details about its ability to emit and receive sounds.
In general, fish detect sounds better in the range of 30 to 1000 Hz, although some may do so at rates of 3,000 Hz and 5,000 Hz, according to this study. For example, Atlantic cod has an average hearing sensitivity while the golden carp or goldfish can hear high frequencies.
Scientists have observed that herring, cod and tuna are developed worse in noisy environments and seek refuge elsewhere.
However, a new study has analyzed the impact of noise from ships, offshore oil and gas in fish and has demonstrated that affects them as well as vehicle traffic to terrestrial animals.
"The fish make sounds to communicate (for example, to attract mates and deter rivals), bearings, find food and avoid predators. The man-made noise may be masking important sounds and threaten biological reproduction and survival ", explains Hans Slabbekoorn email, the main author of the research, published in 'Trends in Ecology and Evolution'.
Animals clueless
And that noise pollution can confuse animals and away from the best areas to find food or reproduce. And not only that. We also produce stress, which in turn may adversely affect their growth and reproductive ability.
And what are the most affected? Many fish, but not all, emit sounds. Scientists have known about 800 species, although their hearing sensitivity is different. In addition, fish that do emit have been little investigated. Among the best known are the perch, herring and cod. Researchers believe that the eel also occurs even if the reality is as yet unknown details about its ability to emit and receive sounds.
In general, fish detect sounds better in the range of 30 to 1000 Hz, although some may do so at rates of 3,000 Hz and 5,000 Hz, according to this study. For example, Atlantic cod has an average hearing sensitivity while the golden carp or goldfish can hear high frequencies.
Scientists have observed that herring, cod and tuna are developed worse in noisy environments and seek refuge elsewhere.
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