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Article
Publication date: 1 July 2006

A.J. Englande and Guang Jin

The purpose of this paper covers a perspective as related to sustainable development of natural resources with a focus on application of biotechnology in waste management.

3583

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper covers a perspective as related to sustainable development of natural resources with a focus on application of biotechnology in waste management.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents an overall view of industrial waste management practices as pertaining to substantiality of resources with emphasis on biodegradation of industrial pollutants. Methodologies employing biotechnology and striving towards the goal of sustainable development/production are discussed in this regard and particular attention is given to: regulatory consideration and trends; characterization of toxics for resource reuse; ecotoxicological assessment evaluations; treatment trends and innovative techniques, residual management.

Findings

Biotechnology is an important component needed to successfully achieve the goal of sustainability. “Value‐added” products from by‐products/waste and novel technologies employing biotechnical principles represent areas where significant opportunities exist.

Practical implications

The approach described here not only applies to water resource management but also includes multi‐media and multi‐disciplinary consideration.

Originality/value

The information presented herein hopefully will stimulate discussion and act as a catalyst for future direction. It perhaps may also serve as a point of reference for future evaluations of accomplishment.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

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Article
Publication date: 2 January 2009

Guang Jin and A.J. Englande

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate five erosion control measures at a residential development area in Louisiana, USA in order to provide Best Management…

1197

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate five erosion control measures at a residential development area in Louisiana, USA in order to provide Best Management Practices (BMPs) that have been tested in the field with demonstrated cost‐effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of six testing sites at a nine‐degree slope were used in parallel to study five erosion control measures with one being the control site (no protection). Soil erosion rate was quantified using the erosion bridge method. Soil underlying the study area was analyzed for surface runoff potential. Precipitation was monitored using a Sigma rain gauge. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student Newman‐Keuls Post‐Hoc ANOVA analysis were conducted to evaluate statistical significance of erosion control effectiveness. Ratio of soil erosion rate reduction to cost of each control measure is also analyzed.

Findings

All erosion control measures studied were very effective in reducing soil erosion for soils with high runoff potential, ranging from 75 percent to about 100 percent reduction in soil erosion rate. The most effective soil erosion protection was observed by Geojute fabric and Curlex blanket with greater than 90 percent reduction in soil erosion rate. However, after factoring‐in cost, straw bedding was observed to be five times as cost‐effective as Geojute fabric and Curlex blanket. The most cost‐effective measure is temporary seeding using perennial rye grass. For each dollar spent, about 12 tons of soil per acre per year will be prevented from eroding.

Originality/value

The study evaluated erosion control measures in the field with quantitative cost‐effectiveness analyzed. Besides enforcement, providing practical and cost‐effectiveness control measures that have been tested in the field is critical for actual implementation of erosion control measures.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

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Article
Publication date: 20 April 2010

Guang Jin, A.J. Englande and Chih‐Yang Hu

The purpose of this paper is to describe the investigation of distribution of metals in water and sediment samples of Poydras‐Verret wetland, an area that has received…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe the investigation of distribution of metals in water and sediment samples of Poydras‐Verret wetland, an area that has received approximately 40 years input of secondarily treated municipal effluent.

Design/methodology/approach

Water and sediment samples were analyzed for metals for a period of 18 months. These metals were also monitored for the secondarily treated effluent, and at a reference/control wetland that does not receive wastewater. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student Newman‐Keuls post‐hoc ANOVA analysis were conducted to evaluate the pattern of metal distribution within the Poygras‐Verret wetland and compare results to the reference wetland. Heavy metal criteria established by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and State of Louisiana were also used to assess the potential chronic and acute health impacts of heavy metals in the Poydras‐Verret wetland.

Findings

Concentrations of metals of the Poydras‐Verret wetland water are not different from those found in the reference wetland water, suggesting no observed accumulation of these metals within the receiving wetland water. All metals are below the acute criteria.

Originality/value

Historical data regarding metal accumulation in wetlands in the published literature is limited. This paper provides supporting evidence that using wetlands to assimilate wastewater could be a long‐term, practical solution with the side benefits including wetland restorations and protection from wave erosion and storm surge.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

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Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

Guang Jin and A.J. Englande

The primary objective of this study is to develop a predictive model that will predict the swimmability of certain areas of a brackish water body (Lake Pontchartrain) based on…

355

Abstract

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to develop a predictive model that will predict the swimmability of certain areas of a brackish water body (Lake Pontchartrain) based on physicochemical and meteorological conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Samples were collected and analyzed for bacteria indicator organisms at 13 sites along and adjacent to Lincoln Beach for four years. Physicochemical parameters and meteorological data were also recorded. A logistic regression model and an artificial neural networks (ANNs) model were both used to predict whether a lake condition is “safe to swim” or “not safe to swim”, given only physicochemical and meteorological parameters.

Findings

Both models predicted very well the results observed when lake conditions were “safe to swim” (97.7 percent of time the statistical model predicted correctly and an average >99.5 percent of the time for the ANNs model). However, for conditions under which the lake water quality was “not safe to swim”, the statistical model predicted correctly only 5.6 percent of the time. The ANNs model successfully predicted the “not safe to swim” conditions for an average 98.5 percent of the time. However, this percentage decreases to 53.9 percent when ANNs is used for forecasting “not safe to swim” conditions.

Research limitations/implications

The poorer performance of both models for “not safe to swim” conditions is probably due to the fact that most data (84.5 percent) were collected during “safe to swim” conditions. The limited database for “not safe to swim” conditions resulted in a poorer forecasting success rate.

Originality/value

The ANNs model might serve as a useful tool for public beach management with increased data on “not safe to swim” conditions.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

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Article
Publication date: 14 June 2011

Chih‐Yang Hu, Guang Jin and A.J. Englande

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the water quality of the wetland that received treated municipal wastewater for 40 years and its application for nutrients removal and…

653

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the water quality of the wetland that received treated municipal wastewater for 40 years and its application for nutrients removal and wetland restoration.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess the water quality impact of the study, wetland sampling sites were selected to represent the receiving wetland, wetland background, effluent discharge point, and the adjacent canals. Water samples were taken in different seasons of the year and analyzed for water quality parameters including pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, salinity, chloride, total organic carbon, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, TKN and phosphorus. USEPA‐approved standard methods were followed and Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures were compiled. Analysis of variance and Student Newman‐Keuls Post‐Hoc analysis were performed on the sampling results to evaluate the water quality differences among the sampling sites.

Findings

No water quality degradation was detected in the wetland study after receiving treated municipal wastewater for 40 years. Dissolved oxygen, pH and temperature were not different from the background level. Total organic carbon and nutrients levels reduced significantly in the receiving wetland, indicating effective waste assimilation. Salinity in the immediate receiving area was reduced substantially, which offers potential application to buffer saltwater intrusion and wetland restoration.

Practical implications

The practice in this study offers potential implications in wastewater nutrients removal, wetland restoration, minimizing saltwater intrusion in coastal wetland.

Originality/value

This study investigated the water quality impact in wetland after receiving municipal effluent for 40 years. Results provide evidence of effective assimilation in wetlands and offer potential applications in coastal wetland restoration.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 22 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

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Article
Publication date: 20 January 2021

Charanjit Singh, Davinder Singh and Jaimal Singh Khamba

In order to improve environmental performance, manufacturing companies around the world have started to seek green practices (GPs) to adopt in their operations. Environmental…

415

Abstract

Purpose

In order to improve environmental performance, manufacturing companies around the world have started to seek green practices (GPs) to adopt in their operations. Environmental awareness of the stakeholders has put the pressure and changed the focus of manufacturers. The purpose of this article is to gather GPs used in manufacturing industries through a literature review. It also aims at exploring other elements related to GPs in manufacturing firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is exploratory in its approach. After searching relevant research articles from the online database, a review of 103 research articles has been conducted in the area of GPs in manufacturing industries.

Findings

This work attempts to offer a comprehensive list of GPs by studying the detailed relevant literature. This paper concludes that the concern of the use of GPs within manufacturing organisations is rising fast around the world, and research in this area is of great interest throughout the world over the last decade.

Research limitations/implications

This study has reported several earlier studies by searching the online database through some selected keywords only, but it has not performed a subjective overview for screening and choosing the research articles. This paper explores and gives a concise description of the GPs in manufacturing that will be helpful for further studies of green manufacturing (GM).

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive literature review of GPs in manufacturing industries. This review should give benefits to other scholars and practitioners interested in studying GPs related to manufacturing industries. It might represent new opportunities for relevant research that would contribute to more knowledge of GM being gained.

Details

World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, vol. 17 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5961

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 17 June 2022

Adwoa Boadua Yirenkyi-Fianko, Ernest Kwesi Yanful and Jemima Antwiwaa Ottou

Total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and other physicochemical parameters of the Birim River, which serves for drinking and domestic purposes for rural…

206

Abstract

Purpose

Total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and other physicochemical parameters of the Birim River, which serves for drinking and domestic purposes for rural mining communities, were analysed to assess the suitability of water quality for human consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 40 samples were collected from 20 sampling sites during the rainy season from July to September and the dry season from December to February in addition to two repeat samples and two blank samples. Samples were analysed for physiochemical parameters and the results were compared with World Health Organisation standards (WHO).

Findings

Data obtained for both rainy and dry seasons indicated TOC ranged from 1.1 to 7.3 mg/L and DOC 1–7.2 mg/L; pH, 5.6–8.63; temperature, 23.3–29.3°C; turbidity, <1.00–869NTU; apparent colour, <2.5–600 mg/L Pt-Co; true colour <2.5–150 mg/L Pt-Co; alkalinity, 27.8–80.4 mg/L; total suspended solids, <1.00–998 mg/L; electrical conductivity, 82–184 µS/cm; and bicarbonate, 33.9–98.1 mg/L. Particulate organic carbon (POC) was constituted between 1 and 10% of the TOC. Values for pH, turbidity, total suspended solids, and true colour indicated contamination of the river. p -value of <0.05 between seasons for the physicochemical parameters also suggests that the water is polluted.

Practical implications

Water from the Birim River is unsuitable for human consumption and may constitute a serious health risk to the consumers.

Originality/value

The paper yields immense value to inhabitant of communities using surface water affected by mining activities, policy makers in sustainability. It warns of the unsuitability of water from the Birim River for human consumption due to the potential health risk to consumers.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 33 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

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Book part
Publication date: 22 August 2019

Brett Lashua

Abstract

Details

Popular Music, Popular Myth and Cultural Heritage in Cleveland: The Moondog, The Buzzard, and the Battle for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78769-156-8

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Article
Publication date: 30 March 2010

Mohamed M. Mostafa

Understanding efficiency levels is crucial for understanding the competitive structure of a market and/or segments of a market. The purpose of this paper is to assess the market…

561

Abstract

Purpose

Understanding efficiency levels is crucial for understanding the competitive structure of a market and/or segments of a market. The purpose of this paper is to assess the market performance of the top retailers in the USA using 2007 operating data. It also aims to benchmark the performance of neuro‐intelligence models against traditional statistical techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses neuro‐intelligence models to classify the relative efficiency of top USA retailers. Accuracy indices derived from the application of a non‐parametric data envelopment analysis approach are used to assess the classification accuracy of the models.

Findings

Results indicate that the neuro‐intelligence models are superior to traditional statistical methods. The paper also shows that the neuro‐intelligence models have a great potential for the classification of retailers' relative efficiency due to their robustness and flexibility of modeling algorithms.

Originality/value

The paper contributes practically and methodologically through the comparison of various parametric and non‐parametric techniques, which results in considerable information for business analysis.

Details

International Journal of Intelligent Computing and Cybernetics, vol. 3 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-378X

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Article
Publication date: 1 August 1995

Francis McKee

Considers the history of one fruit – the apple – andone vegetable – the potato. Outlines the mythological, culturaland social context in which attitudes to both of these have been…

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Abstract

Considers the history of one fruit – the apple – and one vegetable – the potato. Outlines the mythological, cultural and social context in which attitudes to both of these have been shaped. Demonstrates the relevance of these histories to the study of fruit and vegetable consumption in lower income groups. Highlights the importance of psychological factors in the choice of food, and of awareness of the cultural context in which foods are consumed.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 97 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

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