PROJECT "LIFE" TO DEMONSTRATE THE FEASIBILITY OF COMPOST BIOREMEDIATION
TECHNOLOGY FOR THE RECLAMATION AND SUSTAINABLE URBAN MANAGEMENT OF BROWNFIELDS.
(18/12/2008) IMPROVED METHODS FOR DECONTAMINATION OF HYDROCARBONS
Removing spots of petroleum or petroleum products of the white continent is a difficult task. Not only because of the unfavourable environmental conditions but also because it can only be done with microorganisms native of the place, because Antarctica is a protected territory, by international consensus, of the introduction of any species not indigenous. Therefore, scientists from Argentina and Spain using indigenous bacteria stimulated with nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus were able to accelerate the process of cleaning soil chronically polluted by oil, according to a research recently published in Microbial Ecology.
We estimate that in the short period in which the Antarctic coastal soils are released, at least in part, of its ice sheet (three-month average from December to March), the bacteria are able, if they are biologically stimulated appropriately, to reduce between 60 and 70% the level of contamination of the fuels used in the area. Its a good efficiency, says to the agency CYTA Walter Mac Cormack, a researcher at the Argentine Antarctic Institute and coordinator of the team of Argentine scientists who, together with their counterparts from Spain, carried out the work. In addition he also states: Of all the variants that have been developed to alleviate the problem of soil contamination by oil, this method is the one that has the best cost-benefit.
(28/10/2008) Spanish industry generates about 59 million tons of waste, of which 2.1 million are dangerous
Spanish industry generated 59.3 million tons of waste during 2006, of which 2.1 million are dangerous, according to the data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE) in the Survey of Waste Generation in Industry .
This volume of waste represents a decline of 1.9 percent over the previous year, thanks to the reduction of mineral waste in the extractive industries, which produced 26.1 million tons.
By type, most of the not dangerous waste due to the minerals (34.3 million tons) and the combustion waste (8.9 million tons).
By sector, manufacturing industry showed up to 25.8 million tons, and the energy sector 7.3 million tons. Specifically, within the manufacturing industry, steel and other metallic and non-metallic products were the most polluted, followed by food, beverages and snuff, and the paper industry and publishing.
The autonomous region that generates greater quantity is Castilla y Leon, which generates almost half (46.5 percent) of all non-hazardous waste in Spain. It remains by far Galicia (8.9 percent), Andalucia (7.3 percent) and Aragon (6.4 percent). Among those that generate less non-hazardous waste, is Canarias, La Rioja and the Baleares (0.3 percent).
As for hazardous waste, Catalonia generates 23.3 percent Basque Country, a 17.9 per cent, and Castilla-La Mancha, a 7.6 per cent. The autonomous regions which generate fewest are Baleares (0.2 percent), Canary Islands (0.4 percent) and La Rioja (0.8 percent).
(19/10/2008) A wild plant could be used to restore degraded soils
The species Rumex acetosa has the capacity to absorb and accumulate pollutants
Researchers from the University of the Basque Country (UPV) study for about 15 years treating the soil with biological technologies such as bioremediation or phytoremediation, namely the use of biological organisms or green plants, respectively, to eliminate or reduce the toxicity of contaminated sites.
An example is the wild plant Rumex acetosa, which is very helpful to extract heavy metals from contaminated soil and restore degraded environments, according to the study developed by the degree in Biology Oiana Barrutia Sarasua under the direction of Txema Becerril, of the Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology of the UPV, in collaboration with the institute Neiker-Tecnalia.
Barrutia explains that this is a cheap, non-intrusive, efficient and friendly to the environment technique, although it is slow. The significant time required for decontamination of naturally encourages the use of conventional physical-chemical methods, more aggressive but faster. Today the regeneration depends on the type of toxic substances and the degree of pollution, being able to implement some of the techniques of chemical washing involving the chemical and physical separation of contaminants or soil excavation.
(13/10/2008) Half of contaminated soil in Euskadi will recover in fifteen years
The plan to clean up industrial land will cost 1,800 million euros
At a time when the relationship between the citizen and the environment is becoming increasingly close, the Basque government has taken a step forward to bring the people the exact location of the nearly 7900 hectares of potentially contaminated soil. This stain will be considerably diminished for the next 15 years due to planning actions in 51% of the total surface, according to the Plan of contaminated soil from the Basque Country. We will work on a total of 4023 hectares, which will be submitted to the medium-term detoxification processes, however, are strongly criticized by environmental groups who question the management and control of landfills, and the effectiveness of the techniques used. The plan to reorganize and recover this land will cost more than the 1,800 million euros.
The recent approval of the decree of inventory of contaminated soil by the Governing Council of the Basque Executive is but a response to the need to reuse industrial land disturbed by the presence of pollutants.
A report by IHOBE says that in 18 of the 40 sites surveyed, approximately 115 hectares, there was an unacceptable risk to human health. An opinion not shared by the environmental group, who recalled that the cocktail of pollutants affecting the health terribly causing the increase in the number of abortions, difficulties in conceiving children, and in the case of lindane congenital defects, cancer and neural diseases, among others.
(02/10/2008) The City Council of Bilbao unlocks the construction of two plants of waste
The new plants of waste that the County Council will build on the outskirts of Artigas to retrieve all the usable elements of bags of trash are a step closer from yesterday. The City Council of Bilbao approved in a Governing Board the amendment of the General Plan in this area to accommodate the facilities planned by the Department of Environment, which will require an investment of over 35 million euros. This will unlock a long planning process that requires participation by both administrations, although there is still a journey into the offices before starting work on the ground. It is planned to start construction in late 2009.
Resolving the location of the new facilities in Artigas, which concentrate the main infrastructure of Bizkaia for the treatment of waste, has not been easy. The soil was classified as non-urban land and it must be reclassified. In addition, the Provincial Council should devise a special plan. The mechanical biological treatment plant (TMB) will occupy 21,000 square meters next to the incinerator. The complex, which follows the German model, will recover with mechanical systems, metals, plastics and other usable items from the trash. Following it will be dried in a tunnel of concrete, so that at the end of the process the volume of waste is reduced by half.
The composting plant is simpler and will be located next to the landfill in an area of 8,000 square meters. It will just treat waste from vegetable-like Mercabilbao centers, farms or local councils, to ensure the quality of the compost.
(27/09/2008) The Provincial Council is planning a composting plant for waste pruning in Rioja Alavesa
Its ultimate goal is to transform waste of vineyards and orchards into organic fertilizer for sale
The company Prointec has been in charge of carrying out the work of technical assistance for the preparation of a feasibility study of technical-economic feasibility and the draft for building a waste transfer plant and for the implementation of a composting plant for the waste of pruning, landscaping… in the municipalities of Laguardia-Rioja Alavesa.
In fact, in the nearby town of Cenicero, in La Rioja, society La Alcoholera del Ebro has been working for years in the recovery of waste from the pressing of grapes of the wineries. With this material produces some organic fertilizers that are widely appreciated in the international market.
(25/09/2008) 10% of industrial waste is not controlled
About 90 percent of hazardous industrial waste generated in Spain is managed correctly, while the remaining 10 percent is uncontrolled, according to estimates by the Association of Managers of waste and special resources (Asegre).
In an informational meeting to present the II National Forum of Hazardous Wastes, which will be held in Madrid next October 2, the president of Asegre, Aitor Jauregui, explained that the trend is to locate the not controlled waste, because although it is not a significant percentage everything that comes out of the circuit is dangerous.
In Spain, are generated about 3.2 million tons of hazardous waste each year, although this figure tends to decrease as the Spanish industrial fabric is changing and industrial processes that allow ever generate less waste and are less dangerous, according Jauregui.
(25/09/2008) Residents of Amara have recycled 38 tons of organic vegetable matter in two months
The 1460 families that have acceded to the experience in summer reach 70% of the target. Waste has a purity of 99% and the compost is of good quality
The 1,500 families in the neighborhood of Amara who voluntarily signed up to the experience to separate their organic matter to produce compost in two months have placed 37 tons. What it mean to get about 7 tons of compost, because for every kilo of vegetable matter deposited is achieved about 200 grams of compost. The result has been a success because the waste had a purity of 99% and has generated a high quality fertilizer, as stated in a press Councilor of the Environment, Denis Itxaso, and the Provincial Councils for Sustainable Development Carlos Ormazabal.
In the first phase, until the netx January, are allowed only the not cooked vegetable matter, plus bread, corks, coffee grounds, egg shells and potato peelings. In January will begin the second phase in which also may be deposited meat, fish and, in general, any other organic, is cooked or not.
The 19,040 kg of organic matter collected in Amarah in July and 17,540 kg in August involves an amount of 154 grams per person per day, 70% of the objective. Itxaso was sure of reaching the 220 grams per person per day throughout the autumn and, above all, as it begins the second phase and families can also deposit the remains cooked.
(24/09/2008) In Spain are produced each year 25 million tons of waste
waste
The volume of waste generated is increasing every year. We have been in the plant Valdemingómez, where every day is incinerated, recycled and buried more than 4000 tons of garbage.
Each Spaniard generates a kilo and a half of trash a day. In total, this year we will produce about 25 million tons of waste, 5 percent more than last year. But, does recycling also increase? At the moment the rate of recycling takes several years stagnated at 10 percent Despite all the technological advances, it seems that our ability to recycle decreases.
The residue is reached this plant in trucks, separately. Following is ground up three times and finally is classified.
But not all waste arrive. There is waste that must be treated in specialized facilities for their high pollution. The refrigerators are an example.
It is estimated that only in Madrid, more than 100,000 of these appliances are left by the wayside. The black market for scrap is responsible for making them disappear.
(22/09/2008) Plants to decontaminate soil
Researchers from the University of Sevilla are going to deal with the problem of soil contaminated by heavy metals due to mining activity. These scientists are going to recover these soils through the use of plants from the family of legumes (chickpeas, lentils ...) and micro-organisms close to the root of these plants. This is a novel technology, low cost, based on the use of solar energy and environmentally responsible. Although in principle are going to use wild plants, is also seeking to obtain genetically modified organisms with their ability to detoxification of metals increased.
The presence on the floor of large concentrations of contaminants such as arsenic or heavy metals (lead, zinc, mercury, etc.) is a serious environmental problem, for its persistence and high toxicity. This has led governments to promote laws, policies and programs to make rapid actions, especially when their concentrations exceed the permitted levels. Specifically, any metal is regarded as a contaminant if their presence is not desired and is in a form or concentration that causes harm to the environment.
In Andalusia there has been a major mining activity for thousands of years. This research group addresses this problem based on phytoremediation, namely the use of plants to extract, kidnap or detoxify contaminants in the soil. The pollutants that are the target of phytoremediation are organic pollutants (insecticide with DDT) and elementary pollutants (arsenic), including heavy metals and radioactive compounds.
The phytoremediation has great advantages such as its easy application in situ. In addition the technology is based on the use of solar energy, and these plants perform the capture of reducing CO2 emissions, among other benefits.
In order for the recovery of the soil is kept properly there will be a phytoextraction, which is based on the ability of plants to adsorb metals from the soil through their roots and transport them to their aerial part, after which it is harvested and withdrawal . Once dried biomass, rich in metals, this can be compacted, burned or recycled for take the metals, whether it is economically feasible.
(14/09/2008) The collection of garbage will be obligatory in 2010
The measure affects first to municipalities with fewer than 5,000 people
There will be yellow, green and blue buckets in all of Catalonia sidewalks, in addition to the brown container for the organic waste. That is stated in the new law passed this summer by the Generalitat, which requires the localities of fewer than 5,000 inhabitants to place these containers in the streets. The previous legislation dating from 1993, and it was only mandatory for municipalities with more people. The Department of Environment has set this challenge with a pioneering law that does not require a specific timetable but the horizon is to be applied in 2010 throughout the territory.
The collection now represents 33% of the garbage generated annually in Catalonia, in total about 4.5 million tons of waste, with an average of 1.64 Kg per capita per day. The percentage is lower in Spain, reaching only 15%. Catalonia has doubled the figures in the last five years: from 125,500 tons harvested in 2002 to 292,000 in 2007. The Department of Environment hopes that the figure reach 50% of the total, but does not dare to specify when.
Since August 9, when it came into effect the new law, every municipality should be developing the plan to undertake the collection in its territory. And they have one year to raise it to the Catalan Waste Agency (RTA), which manages waste in Catalonia.
We do not expect that everything is in place on August 10 2009, said Genoveva Català, director of the RTA. It is one thing to draft the plan and another is to take several years to implement the measure. The law doesn´t set deadlines. The law of 1993 required, for example, more than five years for it to start. And in some populations, such as Tarragona, is still developing.
To achieve this, the Department of Environment will force municipalities to consider environmental concepts. The policy of reward and punishment is not enough. In 2010, the RTA will double the fee it charges to local councils by the use of landfills from 10 to 20 euros per tonne. The RTA will subsidize the plan with eight million euros per year to just minimize the costs of implementing. The key is that municipalities assess the benefits of separate collection of waste, insists Catalan. Those are often intangible: Last year was saved the emission of 100,000 Kg of CO2 just in Barcelona the extraction of 52,000 tonnes of raw material and the felling of 1.5 million trees.
(02/09/2008) Almost nine out of ten Spaniards separate waste at home
The 86 percent of Spaniards states that separated some kind of waste for recycling at home in 2007, 13 percent more than in 2006, while 45 per cent ensures that separated at least five kinds of waste (the Organic and four others), a percentage which rose seven points.
These data are derived from the latest edition of the survey annually handles the integrated management system of collection of the packaging, Ecoembes, which this year took place in five thousand homes.
The number of those who ensured that separated from organic waste another two or three types of waste, including glass and batteries, was the one which has the greatest increase (9 percent) to achieve a 35 per cent while the group who claimed that separate a type of waste from the grey bag fell from eight to six percent.
The group of who separate plastic containers increased by almost thirty percent over the previous year, while the group of those who ensured that separated cardboard and paper grew by nearly twenty percent, the same percentage as those who point out that separate glass.
A 79 per cent of Spanish households separate packages for the yellow container (plastic, cans and briks), the same number of recycling containers destined for blue container (cardboard and paper), while the volume of yellow packaging container that were recovered last year was 63 per cent compared with 65 percent of paper and paperboard.
Most citizens (51 percent) thought that one reason for the increase in the separation of packaging is due to the increased concern about climate change while 45 per cent points to more awareness campaigns and publicity on separation and recycling.
(02/09/2008) COMPANIES IN THE CLUSTER ACLIMA HAVE HELD ITS ANNUAL ASSEMBLY THESE DAYS
companies in the cluster aclima have held its annual assembly these days, in which they have shown their wager on innovation, especially the environmental field, as a way to keep growing. the bill for these companies represents 2.32% of the basque gdp, with a total income in 2007 of 14,475 million euros, representing a 10% higher than a year earlier.
Most companies of Aclima, 32% are engaged in waste management. A 17% carried out consultancy work, a 14% water treatment and other similar percentage offers treatment of contaminated soils. The 8% are engaged in air quality and the 2% work in instrumentation and control. Sustainability is one of the fundamental objectives of this cluster of companies and is one of the fields that require more innovative and competitive solutions.
In terms of innovation, Aclima has worked on seven projects during 2007, with a total budget of 9 million euros:
&61607 Analysis of emission factors for large combustion plants.
&61607 Pilot system for the treatment of sludge and sediment from the estuary of Bilbao
&61607 Technology to separate the cast of waste from construction and demolition
&61607 Technology to separate the plaster of waste from construction and demolition
&61607 Recycling of latest-generation flat screens
&61607 Chemical recycling of polymers from renewable sources and blends of plastics
&61607 Analysis of risks and opportunities of nanotechnology for the environment
(25/08/2008) SOLID WASTE WILL BE USED AS AGRICULTURAL FERTILISERS AND FUEL
The solid waste transporting fecal water, once treated and dried, will be used as fertiliser-a purpose which is already applied with success-and then as fuel for cement manufacture.
Currently, the main outlet is in the form of compost for agricultural use, which in many cases is even transported to other provinces. However, since Emasa, his manager, Jose Luis Rodriguez explains that the best possible application in relation to environmental and economic effects would be intended for the manufacture of cement La Araña, for what they want to achieve a collaboration agreement.
The public company, in collaboration with the University of Malaga, has studied in detail the industrial applications of dried biosolids (scientific name of sewage sludge) as alternative fuel to fossil energy sources such as coke. It would mean saving money and CO2 emissions, explains the technician responsible for the drying plant.
According to this study, in the mud the part of organic matter would bring calorific value, while the inorganic is usable for the creation of clinker (which is the basis of cement) because its components are the same. Thus, a ton of mud replace 0.44 tons of coke. At the same time, the same amount of waste would save 1.32 tons of CO2 from fossil fuel (an equivalent amount of coke produces three tons of CO2).
The cost of coke can average as 110 euros per tonne, and the cost of one tonne of CO2 can be estimated at 20 euros in the emissions market. Our 15,000 tons of dried sludge can save about 19,800 tonnes of CO2 per year. And in terms of comparative economic fossil fuels, we are talking about difference of 74.8 euros per tonne of dry sludge, which represent 1481 million euros annually.
(19/08/2008) EXPERTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SEVILLA USED LEGUMINOUS PLANTS TO REMOVE ARSENIC FROM CONTAMINATED SOILS
A group of researchers at the University of Sevilla devised a method using leguminous plants for cleaning contaminated soil by heavy metals such as arsenic.
According to Andalusia Investiga said in a statement, through a scientific project, experts from the Hispalense intend to recover these soils using plants of the family of legumes (chick peas, lentils) and microorganisms coming to the root of these plants.
This is a novel technology, low cost, based on the use of solar energy and it respects the environment. In addition, they pointed out that although it was initially used wild organisms, researchers aim to get genetically modified organisms with greater capacity for detoxification.
The group led by Miguel Angel Caviedes addresses this problem using as references phytoremediation techniques, use of plants to extract, kidnap or detoxify contaminants in the soil.
This technique has great advantages, such as its easy to apply in situ. In addition, the use of plants makes it a technology based on the use of solar energy and on the other hand, allows alleviate the greenhouse effect (for the capture of CO2). Another of its advantages is to make contaminated sites are aesthetically striking.
Andalusia Investiga explained that for the soil remediation takes the right way should be a phytoextraction, which is based on the ability of plants to absorb the metals from soil through their roots and transport to the aerial parts of the plant. Carried out this operation the leaves and stems are removed to be compacted or burned. The metal recycling would be possible if it is economically viable.
(31/07/2008) The regional government and the College of property registration of Castilla-La Mancha collaborate in defence of the environment and public property
Today they signed the first cooperation agreement between the Minister of the Environment and Rural Development and the dean of the College
The Minister of the Environment and Rural Development, Jose Luis Martinez Guijarro, signed at the Ministry, in Toledo, a collaboration agreement with the College of Registrars in protection registrar of cattle trails, mountains, nature reserves, etc..
Through this agreement will ensure the integrity of public property owned by the Ministry, namely public forests, cattle trails, Protected Natural Areas, Natura 2000, contaminated soil and land affected by a wildfire. This is improving the legal security of citizens in all acts of sale and registration which can be carried out in the Land Registry, said Martinez Pebble
(31/07/2008) Approved the Decree which includes the Aragonese catalogue of Waste
The Governing Council has approved the decree on the Aragonese Waste Catalogue. This paper covers the classification of different types of waste and its treatment. It is an important tool of the Programme of Prevention and Recovery of waste referred to in the Plan.
In drafting this document has participated for over a year representatives of trade unions, business, waste management companies, and the Department of Environment through a working group. The document has been submitted to the Monitoring Committee of GIRA and a process of public information prior to its approval.
This catalogue, as set out in the GIRA (Comprehensive Management Waste Plan of Aragon), allows codify the waste according to the European Waste List, and learn management operations more appropriate in terms of environmental, technical and economic, through a process of updating. With this catalogue is intended to ensure that waste management of Aragon respect for the hierarchy defined in the Community Strategy for Waste Management, in the same order of priority: prevention, recovery, recovery materials, energy recovery and disposal. This will also facilitate greater clarity of criteria to address the administrative authorisations for waste management.
The catalogue is based on the classification of different types of waste, according to the Order of the Ministry of Environment 3042002, February 8, in which are published recovery and disposal operations and the European Waste List. The document provides processing operations envisaged in Aragon for each type of waste, following the Community Strategy and taking into account social, environmental, technological and economic aspects.
(31/07/2008) The recycling of waste in France: main source of raw materials
Currently, humanity generates an unprecedented level of waste, with an estimated annual volume of 3 100 million tonnes (Mt), including 1 800 Mt non-toxic industrial waste, 1 200 Mt municipal waste (household and others) and 100 Mt of toxic waste.
Recycling materials from waste has become one of the major issues in economic and environmental. Thanks to its expertise in waste treatment, gained over many years handling all types of recyclable materials, France has significant expertise tailored to the recycling of waste products from, highly skilled workforce, as well as an experience technological highly regarded. During the summit Grenelle, in the round table dedicated to the environment, it was proposed to reform the legislation on reducing waste in order to increase the volume of recycling up to 35% in 2012, and up to 45% in 2015.
The annual recycling of products, mainly household waste (28 Mt), municipal waste (14 Mt) and industrial waste (90 Mt), which together account for 132 Mt, barely represents 16% of the total volume of waste produced (849 Mt ), including waste from agricultural activities and construction (717 Mt) (source: Adema). However, the major advantages in terms of recycling: in France are extracted from 38.7 million tons of material from the waste stream that, once processed, representing 31.9 million tons of raw materials. The sector has 2 400 companies employing 31,500 people.
(29/07/2008) The metropolitan area of Barcelona increased waste generation and reduces water consumption
1.54% during 2007, while water consumption fell in the area to 113.79 litres per capita per day, a downward trend that continued in the first half of 2008 to 109 litres, according to data from the Institution of Environment.
The figures showed that last year generated 1.46 kg of waste each day per capita, a figure below the average of Catalonia which stands at 1.64 kilograms per inhabitant per day. The metropolitan area of Barcelona has 33 municipalities and over three million inhabitants.
According to the chairman of the EMA, Francesc Narvaez, this is the only negative data balance environmental data from 2007 that the institution announced today. The increased production of waste is due, according Narvaez, an increase in consumption. By contrast, the EMA estimated that in the first six months of this year the volume of waste has been reduced by 4%, which could be the decline in consumption resulting from the economic situation.
As regards the collection, during 2007 there were significant increases in all sections: glass (12.32%), paper and cardboard (10.5%), packaging (21.31%) and organic field (10%). It also increased visits to waste collection municipal plants (31%) and the volume of waste collected (13.5%).
(25/07/2008) Spain is a power in the reuse and recycling of vehicles
The manager of SIGRAUTO, Manuel Kindelán, indicated that in 2015 will be used the 95% of waste from motor vehicles
Spain is a power in reuse and recycling of vehicles but not in the use of waste as alternative fuel, said today the manager of Spanish association for environmental treatment of vehicles (SIGRAUTO), Manuel Kindelán.
Kindelán closed the seminar on ITV in the XXIV Summer Courses at the University of Cantabria (UC) in Laredo with a presentation on the environmental impact in the treatment centers of the vehicles, as reported the academic institution.
SIGRAUTO´s manager explained that there are several ways to retrieve a vehicle before going to landfill, as reuse, because the vehicle is one of the few residues that have a high capacity for reuse. You can recycle many elements. The third option is the use of certain waste with calorific value as an alternative fuel. The latter alternative is more developed in other EU countries than in Spain.
According Kindelán, in Spain the market of recovered component enjoys good health and is backed by the manufacturers, while in other European countries do not believe in reuse as a form of respect for the environment. In addition, the length of the park and the mentality of Spanish are conducive to reuse parts of vehicles, he said.
With regard to recycling, Kindelán commented that Spain has a good infrastructure of centres for the treatment of metals, oil and tires. We have four years ahead of many other EU countries because Spain was the sixth EU country to adopt European legislation, the second of the big ones after Germany ahead of France or Italy, materialized.
(23/07/2008) THEY DEVELOP A TECHNIQUE TO DETECT CONTAMINATION IN THE SOIL WITHOUT DAMAGE
A research team from the University Miguel Hernandez of Elche (UMH) has developed an innovative technique to detect contamination of soils without damaging the environment, whose application in agriculture also allows analyzing more quickly their level of nutrients and moisture.
The results of the project are aimed at reducing the time of soil analysis, deal faster problems arising from environmental pollution and minimize the environmental impact caused by the traditional techniques of measurement.
In addition, this technique aims to provide data systems to improve environmental management and spatial planning, as well as better understanding of the status of wetlands and establishment of soil classification.
Agriculture is also another scope of these investigations, as it would save time to explore on the ground level of nutrients and moisture without having to wait two or three weeks to the analysis of two or three kilograms of material in the laboratory.
Other implementations of this strategy include mapping and remote sensing satellite space, to which this technique can complement providing information instantly and accurately.
Regarding the use of new technologies, the study uses electromagnetic radiation to obtain data on the chemical and physical soil from the reflection of light on this matter.
All bodies reflect a light and we studied the relationship between those radiation in the radiomagnetic spectrum and properties of matter, he explained the expert.
(17/07/2008) They bear bacteria to eliminate contamination
The natural degradation of an oil spill would take to a bacterium nearly 100 years, however with a little help the process could be carried out in a couple of weeks.
Faced with this natural process of biodegradation, scientists from the Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM) Azcapotzalco, headed by Jorge Rodriguez Gonzalez, developed a technology to decontaminate large areas of soil, water and air rapidly, with bioreactors in which they grow bacteria to increase their number to introduce them later on the site concerned.
The procedure called bioaugmentation is carried out through a reactor that keeps microorganisms in the best conditions to reproduce rapidly. They have the best water temperature, food and other conditions for their multiplication.
In 1999, biotechnology was one of the first patented in its kind in the world and is the only Mexican that is marketed in the country.
The academic team has proven its effectiveness in various areas of the country cleaning soil, water and air pollutant chemicals, a result, mostly from industrial activities irresponsible.
Recently the team of UAM restored about 400 hectares of land for cultivation in the town of Acatzingo, Puebla, contaminated by oil, due to the rupture of a pipeline.
Biotechnology brought up in two months 100 per cent of the area in question as dangerous and total loss.
Other recent work is the improvement of water and air quality in the treatment plant Reciclagua. Among the microorganisms most commonly used by scientists found the bacteria pseudomonas, which grow in soils contaminated by hydrocarbons, and which are used to absorb petroleum products.
Researchers also studied the extent of the contamination of the soil to determine the quantity of bacteria necessary.
(30/06/2008) THE INDUSTRY BASQUE DRESS GREEN
The industry never would have imagined that environmental activities would involve as much as 2.32% of GDP Euskadi. Aclima, the cluster of companies in the sector, has presented its findings, 2007, with figures that speak for themselves.
The environment is part of the economic engines of the Basque Country. The cluster of companies engaged in this sector, Aclima, introduced last week its results for 2007, noting that the lines of business closely related to the environment and sustainability have an important gap. The assembly set an essential key to continue the growth achieved in the previous year, as is the R & D & I. Again, research, development and innovation up the block steps needed to promote competitiveness in an emerging area such as the environment.
Currently, this basque cluster consists of a total of 98 companies, with the addition last year of four new companies. Of these, seven are or have headquarters in the territory of Alava (Lasercart XXI, Baimen 21 -Inguru-, Interenvases, Sinfo 21 -Inguru-, Ecocat, LEIA Fundación and Grupo Guascor), and these signatures joins the participation of the House of Trade, the Provincial Council and the Technology Park of Alava. Most of the companies that comprise Aclima (32%) is dedicated to waste management. 17% focuses its activities to the consulting and 14% to treatment and water purification, the same percentage as those focusing on the treatment of contaminated soils. Moreover, 8% is spent on air quality, while only 2% work in instrumentation and control, and the work of the remaining 13% is varied and environment-related.
DATA
Green profitability
The results of Aclima speak for themselves. The turnover amounted to 14,475 million euros at the close of 2007, of which 1,500 million corresponded specifically to the environmental field. In both cases, an increase over the previous year was 10%. These figures mean that the contribution of this industry to GDP basque is 21.8% and 2.32% respectively. Also, employment is another major benefit areas in this cluster, in 2007 the number of workers amounted to 52,000 persons, of whom 4,300 are focused on the environmental field. Each employee achieved a turnover average of 278,000 euros.
(30/06/2008) A mobile plant will recycle construction waste of the Rioja Alavesa
It will cost 400,000 euros and will be available in four months and waste that can not be recycled and are not reusable will retrieve it at the facility being built in Oyón.
The Provincial Council of Alava will buy its first mobile plant of waste classification of construction and demolition (CDW), which will serve as a first step to the region of Rioja Alavesa and then to other areas.
This mobile plant will cost 400,000 euros and will be available in four months. It will comply with Basque legislation that prevents shed any CDW without any prior treaty.
This plant will recycle such waste and discharge those who are not reusable in the facility being built in Oyón and expected to be operating in the autumn.
(30/06/2008) The new plant in Azpeitia Lapatx treat 3,500 tons of waste per year
The deputy general of Gipuzkoa, Markel Olano, today opened the composting plant in Lapatx in Azpeitia, the first of the historical territory, which has involved an investment of 2.6 billion and will treat 3,500 tons of waste per year.
Olano said at the opening of this infrastructure, that it will receive in its initial phase organic matter contained in Aretxabaleta, Azkoitia, Azpeitia, Zumaia, Zarautz and the neighborhood of Amara (Donostia), and that Lapatx represents a clear commitment to recycling, composting and reuse Waste of the historical territory.
The deputy general of Gipuzkoa, who was accompanied by Deputy of Environment and chairman of the Consortium Waste of Guipuzcoa, Carlos Ormazabal, and the chairmen of the eight associations of Guipuzcoa, stressed that the entry into operation of this first composting plant is an important step in the implementation of infrastructure for the next four years which will complete the comprehensive system of treating the 538,000 tons of waste generated annually in Gipuzkoa.
In addition, he recalled that Lapatx, which has two large circulars drums to treat 3,500 tons of waste per year, has meant an investment of 2.6 million of whom 2.1 have been funded by the Department of Sustainable Development of the Provincial Council and 500,000 by the company Waste Management of Gipuzkoa which will be responsible for its management together with the Commonwealth of Urola East.
In a first phase, this new infrastructure will try all organic matter collected in locations that are participating in the pilot collection of not cooked organic matter, Aretxabaleta, Azkoitia, Azpeitia, Zumaia, Zarautz and Amara, and from next year will cover the needs of commonwealths of Urola East, Debabarrena and Urola Kosta.
(30/06/2008) They generate biofuel from organic waste - Rural Engineering
Get sustainable biofuels is one of the recommendations made in recent meetings of the UN. This involves obtaining second-generation biofuels that are, as well as renewable, sustainable. The answer seems to have discovered the investigator Francisco Angulo who has obtained ECOFA. This is a biofuel that is, according to its creator and promoter, multirenovable, multi sustainable and that solves the impact of Urban Solid Waste.
So the new fuel, as its creators call it, is generated from organic waste from the garbage of Spanish households. It performs a culture of bacteria that manage to transform it into a liquid fuel that can be used by diesel engines already circulating on the roads.
(24/06/2008) The Europeans will have to recycle half of the waste paper, plastic and glass in 2020
The new EU directive is binding for the Twenty-seven states | At the moment, the recycling rate fails to reach a third of the 1.8 million tons of waste generated
The European Parliament today approved the new EU directive on waste, which is binding on the Twenty-seven Member States. Among the targets for recycling and reuse of certain materials which fixes for 2020 is that the governments should take steps to ensure that is recycled or reused half of the paper, plastic and glass from the household waste.
With regard to debris from construction and demolition, that threshold rises to 70% of materials consumed in these tasks.
Euro MPs have today voted in favour of the text agreed between representatives of the European Parliament and Member States and which bind all EU countries to establish national plans for waste prevention and the European Commission (EC) to consider imposing objectives in this area too.
The EC will review compliance with the targets set in 2020.
The incineration of solid waste
One of the main points in the discussion of this directive was for years on the incineration of solid waste, a process that for some should be equated with the elimination of waste, while others defended the status of recovery, a term more comprehensive than recycling and that includes the energy of materials.
At the end has been imposed this second position, and incineration will be considered as recovery when it provided certain levels of energy efficiency, so that only the most advanced plants may be included in this section. This provision will also be reviewed in the future.
For the rapporteur in the European Parliament, Caroline Jackson, this measure will encourage operators to meet high levels of energy efficiency and will remind that waste is a good fuel.
Moreover, the directive establishes a hierarchy that must provide guidance on policies for waste management. The text notes that priorities should be, in that order, prevention, preparedness for reuse, recycling, other recovery and disposal.
According to data provided by the Parliament, Europe each year generates more than 1.8 million tons of waste, of which less than a third are recycled. The average assumes that every citizen annually generates 3.5 tonnes of waste, originating largely in business, industry, agriculture, construction and mining.
In the case of urban waste every European generated in 2004, the latest year for which data are known, 520 kilos of debris, a figure that could grow to 680 in 2020.
(23/06/2008) Against toxic waste
Representatives from 170 countries meet in Bali, Indonesia, to discuss the risks of toxic waste.
The ministers considered creating a new agency to regulate the disposal of computer and electronic wastes.
The five-day meeting will focus on the impact of hazardous waste in the health and livelihood of humans.
And they will also seek new ways to dispose of massive amounts of electronic waste, such as cellular phones, which are thrown in the world.
During the meeting will be presented reports on the full range of hazardous waste from the decommissioning of boats to mercury poisoning.
Dangers
Several studies in the past have already addressed the dangers of these wastes by eliminating redundant dangerous substances to human health.
Among them: arsenic, used in electronic circuits asbestos used for insulation cadmium, used in batteries, pigments and coated metal and plastic and lead, also used in battery production.
It is expected that the thousand delegates attending the meeting discussed ways to solve this problem.
Indonesia, the host country, is particularly exposed to illegal disposal of toxic waste, as made clear the Indonesian minister of the environment, Rahmat Witoelar, to inaugurate the meeting.
China
For its part, Greenpeace has been campaigning against the flow of computer waste from the United States to China.
The NGO said that unprotected workers from China melt circuit boards of computers to recover precious metals, putting their health at risk.
China ratified the Basel Convention of the UN, which controls the transnational movements of hazardous waste.
But Greenpeace said that a large volume of boats toward southern China facilitates the smuggling of such waste in the country.
Hong Kong has laws against computer waste, but does not include circuit boards in its definition, says the BBC correspondent Vaudine England.
The United States has not ratified the Convention.
It is expected that at the end of the meeting will adopt a Bali Declaration which highlights the importance of controlling toxic waste in the overall development strategies, including poverty reduction.
As we are often reminded, toxic waste remain a serious risk to human health and the environment, said Executive Secretary of the Basel Convention, Katharina Kummer Peiry.
It is therefore very important that this meeting will reaffirm the undeniable interdependence between control responsible for toxic wastes and achieving sustainable development, especially for those most in need.
(16/06/2008) They propose to reduce waste generation in public buildings
The municipal group of PNV in San Sebastian city council has proposed that the consistory control and reduce waste generation in municipal buildings and implement measures to prevent noise pollution in these buildings.
The spokesman of the PNV in the consistory of Donostia, Xabier Ezeizabarrena, has informed today at a press conference that his group had submitted a total of 24 amendments to the bylaws of Energy Efficiency and Environmental Quality of Public Buildings, which is underway and that the full City could approve next July.
He has asked that the ordinance incorporate measures to control and reduce waste generation in publicly owned buildings and architectural guide interventions planned to save energy and prevent noise pollution.
It furthermore requested that the consistory provide tax incentives for implementing these measures, and has requested that the obligations under the ordinance are updated constantly so that incorporate best available technology.
(28/05/2008) The garbage, a global problem
Naples is just the tip of the iceberg
The problem of garbage in Naples, a city in southern Italy that since 15 years ago is cyclically submerged by mountains of garbage, has become an example of what could happen in many countries, both poor and developed.
The production per year
The world produces about 10 billion tons of waste annually and half of them is not collected or are subjected to treatment, according to estimates by experts from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
The lack of reliable data is one of the biggest problems in deciding the type of treatment, specialists admit.
Nevertheless, there is a global trend, both in poor countries as in developed ones, of lowering biodegradable waste and increasing waste plastics, electrical and electronic.
Astronomical numbers
According to data from the entity for each ton of waste generated in the process of use and consumption, previously had produced five tons of waste in their manufacture and twenty tons of debris in the extraction of raw materials.
The detergent that we will use has already generated wastes before opening, the experts explained.
In India, one of the most populous countries on earth, is recycled only between 10 percent and 15 percent of the garbage and in some of the dumps of New Delhi resident entire families, who live to separate recyclable materials from the filth.
It has no brakes
The volume of garbage is increasing dramatically in developing countries by urbanization, population growth and consumerism, and the lack of proper treatment.
The increase in waste has serious repercussions on the environment, public health and living conditions.
As in Naples, fluids emanating from the landfill have polluted groundwater and soil around the world, including India, the Philippines, Brazil, according to UN studies.
Model Zero
It is almost a utopia for many, but in countries like Germany and Switzerland has achieved the Zero Waste Model, which is to reduce waste completely.
To achieve this the key is the collection of organic matter and its use and the obligation of manufacturers to manage waste generated from upstream of production until after its consumption.
(21/05/2008) THE BASQUE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED THE CREATION OF A FRAMEWORK OF MANAGEMENT AND REMEDIATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL IN THE CAPV
The Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of the Basque Government, Esther Larrañaga, announced yesterday that her department will encourage the creation of an infrastructure of management and recovery of contaminated soils equipped with the latest technology available for treatment and recovery.
Larrañaga made this announcement yesterday in Antwerp, during a visit, in which are taking part parliamentarians of the Basques Environment Committee, to visit several such facilities that are located in Flanders, a leading area of the Union European in this technologies, and with countries like Holland, Germany, Denmark, at the forefront of environmental policies on the continent.
The creation of this facility is part of the Plan of contaminated soil in the Basque Country 2007-2012, recently endorsed by the Basque government and which sees as a necessary condition for an effective policy in this area setting up infrastructure capable of hosting, treat and reusing excavated contaminated materials, which currently are derived in landfills.
Precisely, one of the key actions of this plan is to recover those contaminated sites using the best available technology at an affordable cost and maximizing the reuse of materials.
According Larrañaga, the new infrastructure, shared with public and private capital, will respond to environmental principles of closeness and self-manage (that the CAPV manages on its territory the most possible quantity of affected soils) use best available techniques, and also respect for the waste management hierarchy that gives priority to prevention, recycling and reuse on the elimination landfill.
The facilities visited by the minister and the committee have specific techniques such as floor´s washing, biological treatment, thermal treatment and physical-chemical treatment.
(21/05/2008) VEGETAL TO CLEAN CONTAMINATED SOIL
Brazil may retrieve and decontaminate soil poisoned by mercury, lead, nickel, gold and other metals hazardous to health, using native plants using the technique of phytoextraction, developed at the University of Sao Paulo.
The first step in implementing the technique is the selection of plant species most suitable for metals and site characteristics, which will absorb pollutants metals through their roots and accumulate in stems and leaves. Once completed the vegetative growth of the plant the next step is to cut and incinerate them, and proceeding to the transfer of the ashes in a safety landfill. The plants can also be transformed into into vegetal fertilizer for recycle metals.
The process can be repeated indefinitely until the remaining concentration of metals in the soil is within the limits considered suitable. There are plant varieties suited for this use because they absorb large amounts of metals, compared with other species. The varieties that absorb metals are found in mining areas and they also help to discover deposits.
One idea is to use it to extract gold and mercury in areas of garimpos, as it is called informal mining. It would be applied to remove both metals, recovering gold and selling it for paying the costs of the process, said Fabio Moreno, who investigates the phytoextraction, after an awarded doctorate on the subject in New Zealand.
The families living on contaminated soil can be trained to use the technique and earn additional income, closing the triangle of sustainability with social, environmental and economic benefits, he said.
(13/05/2008) Each Spaniard generates 524 kg per year of municipal waste, a figure that increases annually by 6%
In Spain are generated 524.5 kg of municipal waste per inhabitant, a figure lower than the average of European Union countries that reaches 567 kg. per capita, according to the latest study of environmental indicators from the Ministry of Environment. Thus, during 2007 it is estimated that nearly 45 million Spaniards generated a total of 24.75 million urban waste.
Despite the application of the principles of reducing, reusing and recycling (the three Rs), municipal waste continue to increase by 6% a year, an issue of particular concern to this sector, which will meet in the first Hall of Recovery and The Recycling, within the framework of Tem Tecma 08, International Fair of urbanism and Environment, which organizes Ifema and that will take place on 10 to June 13 next, at the Feria de Madrid.
It is understood by the urban waste the one which is generated in private homes, shops, offices and services as well as all those who do not have the qualification of hazardous and which by its nature and composition can be likened to those produced in previous activities or locations.
The amount of waste attributable to each household is closely linked to the production system, economic growth and consumer habits.
Compared with countries in the EU15 (the 15 European Union countries more developed), Spain occupies seventh place in recycling municipal waste, just below the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and Sweden, according data from the Statistical Office of the European Commission (Eurostat).
Another revealing fact is that it is estimated that by 2020 the member countries of the European Union will reach 680 kg of municipal waste per person, representing an increase of 20%.
(12/05/2008) Bizkaia accepts receive 25,000 tons of garbage that prevented the close San Marcos
The landfill of Donostia may close with the shipment of waste to the area of Bilbao.
The 25,000 tons of garbage that prevented the closure of the landfill of San Marcos already have destination: Bizkaia. The county council of Gipuzkoa and its counterpart based in Bilbao have reached an agreement whereby Bizkaia receive waste of Donostia that none of the infrastructure of this territory has the capacity to host.
Thus, the neighbors in the neighborhood of Beraun, who have suffered for decades over the unpleasant consequences of living next to landfill in San Marcos, may finally breathe a sigh of relief. At least that is what predicts the consensus reached between the provincial institutions of Gipuzkoa and Bizkaia.
(12/05/2008) Power generation with bacteria
From bacteria, U.S. scientists are producing electricity with sufficient energy for powering small appliances such as calculators, computers or measurement tools
Researchers have discovered that bacteria Geobacter sulfureducens, who live in aquatic sediments, are also capable of efficiently clean soils contaminated with heavy metals like cadmium, vanadium, uranium or chromium.
In this project, which involved a researcher at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Katy Lopez Juarez, is planned that in the near future, sewage treatment plants, , which currently represent 4 % of electricity in EU spending, will be able to operate with this type of renewable energy.
These microorganisms feed on organic compounds and metabolised, by doing so, they get and move electrons to metals or electrodes which are a part of a battery, allowing generate electricity.
(06/05/2008) We don´t ever learn
The early morning of April 25, 1998, the raft of residues from the Aznalcollar mine, broke, and six million cubic metres of toxic sludge were scattered by the Guadiamar River basin, road Doñana. An exceptional spill that polluted 63 miles of bed and 4,634 hectares of land. There were no fatalities because the accident happened at night. Just happened the greatest environmental disaster in the history of Spain (the dumping of toxic Boliden was about 1,000 times higher than the Prestige).
The Government of Andalusia banned all farming, fisheries and livestock in the area, and crops of cultivated land were withdrawn to ensure public health. The following year more than 5,000 geese die contaminated.
The figures for the operation of cleaning and restoration make it clear that the response has been commensurate with the size of the accident. Never had faced an operation of similar size in recovery of heavily contaminated soil.
Today we can stroll along the banks of the Guadiamar converted into recreation area and check the excellent conditions of what was a black and toxic river. And we can feel proud of it, although less so in other respects. Boliden, the culprit of all this, never paid anything and probably still are laughing at us.
(06/05/2008) The soil contaminated with heavy metals can be recovered up to 100%, according to a thesis at the University of Vigo
The soils contaminated with heavy metals can be recovered up to 100 percent of cases using techniques electrorremediation , according to the thesis developed by researcher Marta Pazos at the University of Vigo.
The electrokinetic remediation, also known as electrorremediation, is a technology that can be used in soil contaminated with metals, such as those who suffer the consequences of industrial activity. The process uses electrical currents that are able to mobilize the elements that generate pollution, so that it can be eliminated.
According to the researcher, author of the thesis, explained this is a technique that is effective even in soils with low permeability where other techniques are not appropriate, although pointed out that we need a detailed study of each floor and know their characteristics to select the most appropriate working conditions.
In her investigation, Pazos analyzed soil from several points of Galicia, chosen for their high degree of metal contamination, such as electrical mining complex of Endesa in As Pontes and the heaps of iron and steel industry Megasa in Narón.
(05/05/2008) Department of Environment will earmark 7.4 million to subsidize actions that promote sustainable development
The Department of Environment and Spatial Planning earmarked a total of 7.4 million euros to municipalities, commonwealths and other local entities and development agencies that carry out actions that promote sustainable development.
With this aid, are going to be supported, in the area of contaminated soil, actions to promote research and recovery of soil quality of local public ownership.
It is also going to be financed, in terms of atmosphere and biodiversity, actions that promote the improvement of ambient air quality, reducing direct emissions of greenhouse gases andor maintaining or improving the biodiversity of the Basque Autonomous Community, through protection and restoration of sustainable functioning of ecosystems and habitats.
Also, the aid of the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning will be invested in actions that promote coordination between the Local Agenda 21 and School Agenda 21.
In relation to contaminated soil, will be eligible the actions of research and recovery of contaminated soils done on land that have endured potentially polluting industrial activities, and inactive landfills, provided that the recovery is aimed at reconciling the quality of the soil with end-use of the site and that the intended end-use is primarily social, and it is carried out between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010.
The previous actions will be subject to subsidy when they are to be conducted on land owned locally. In the case of projects to be undertaken on land which have a shared ownership, the amount of aid will be calculated on the percentage of ownership of the council or applicant.
(24/04/2008) Galicia will have the first plant in Europe to reuse metal in industry
The first plant that allows to recover and return to the industrial cycle metals will be in Galicia, in the Center of Integrated Waste Management (CIGREG) whose construction has begun in As Somozas (A Coruña), reported today Galician Company of Industrial Waste (Sogarisa).
This centre, which will be the “largest” of Spain for the recovery and “revaluation” of waste, will involve the construction of six new plants, which will be implemented by phases, to achieve full activity in the second half of 2009.
The plant for the treatment of waste with metals will be ready, according to the forecasts of Sogarisa, in the last quarter of the year.
The first plant to begin operation will be the treatment of used tyres, which will operate next summer and allow to crush the tires for its “energy recovery” and reuse in material for drainage, artificial turf, soundproofing or athletics tracks.
In addition, the facility will have infrastructure for the recovery of contaminated containers, which will be operational in December 2008 for the stabilization of wastes, for maturation of waste, as well as a reception, sorting and packaging of the waste centre.
Sogarisa, which is the company that is responsible for treat the waste from the Prestige, said in a statement that they had just received Environmental Integrated Permission (IPPC) to launch the CIGREG project , which will invest 24 million euros.
In addition, on the grounds of the Centre for Treatment of Industrial Waste (CTRIG), in which surrounding will be new construction, there is a plant for decontamination of soil and waste contaminated with organic or hydrocarbon, and facilities that now occupy 290,000m2 will occupy 595,000m2.
(24/04/2008) A plant that grows in contaminated soil gives keys to its recovery
A herbaceous plant that grows on contaminated land with heavy metals is giving keys to scientists on how to retrieve this type of soil, according to a study published today in the British journal Nature.
The genetic research being carried out at the German University of Heidelberg aim to unravel the mysteries of Arabidopsis Halleri, one of the few plants that have adapted to survive in this kind of environment.
Arabidopsis Halleri, an uncommon herbaceous, extracted from the soil toxic substances and through a pumping system send them from the roots to the leaves, where are concentrated to defend the plant from insects and pathogens.
German scientists discovered that this plant has three copies of the gene HMA4 when they compared it with her sister Arabidopsis Thaliana, which only has one and can not survive in contaminated areas with heavy metals, according to the study.
When this gene was transplanted to Arabidopsis Thaliana, became more resistant to heavy metals, but not enough, and the lead author of the study, Ute Kraemer, said that there are other genes involved in the process which still have not been identified at all.
However, the effect of accumulation and tolerance to metals is very broad in HMA4, so the good news is that the number of additional genes needed to make a plant with these characteristics is low (between one and 10, she added.
The German researcher said that due to the low biomass (leaves) from the Arabidopsis Halleri, it would be economically unfeasible to clean up contaminated sites with this herbaceous plant, because in theory it would take about 100 years to regenerate moderately polluted soil.
The solution is to increase the production of biomass in this variety or strengthen genetically leafy plants from the same family as the Brassica Juncea (mustard plant) to survive in these inhospitable terrains and behave like Arabidopsis Halleri.
The aim is to achieve a variety that cleans of contaminants such soils, which in the best of cases, will take ten years, said Kraemer, who said that in the long run this research may have implications for agriculture.
This is the first study to test definitively how does nature to deal with pollutants such as cadmium and zinc, but it is still necessary to know the complete mechanism, she said.
The land contaminated with heavy metals abound in the world and are becoming a serious problem in Europe, especially Eastern Europe, China and India.
(15/04/2008) Amurrio authorizes 44 villas in Maskuribai
The area Maskuribai will have 44 villas. This new urbanization already has authorization from the City Council, although the owners of the field still must meet certain requirements before starting the works.
The lot has an area of four hectares and an initial budget of 1.7 million euros. Before starting construction, developers must provide a certificate of fitness of the soil issued by Environment department of the Basque Government. In this area is a former landfill sand casting, as part of the inventory of IHOBE-a public company dedicated to the management and protection of the environment-Soil potentially contaminated.
(11/04/2008) Sealing of the cell of non-hazardous waste landfill of Cespa in Larrabetzu
The area of the facility for the dumping of non-hazardous waste was filled in 2005. CESPA is in the work of closure and rehabilitation of the area of the landfill completed in phases. At present, the landfill of CESPA in Larrabetzu only receives inert waste.
In the current phase of work, CESPA closed (final sealing), a total of 7 hectares, in phase 1, relating to the years 2005 and 2006, with an investment of three million euros and 1.5 hectares, in phase 2, during the year 2007 with an investment of one and a half million euros.
The closed and rehabilitated slopes are replanted with a grass planting, taking care of their growth a flock of sheep, which lives in the area closed, with a rustic wooden hut for shelter. CESPA says that is not going to make any expansion in the area of non-hazardous waste, not even in the cell of inert waste.
(08/04/2008) THE GREAT BILBAO AND SAN SEBASTIAN CONCENTRATED 62% OF THE CONTAMINATED SOIL IN THE BASQUE AUTONOMOUS REGION
The industry, mining and chemical companies have polluted almost 3% of the usable surface.
Since 1990 it has cleared 229 hectares of contaminated soil useful in CAV but are at least 1,279 hectares by cleaning up other metals, mineral oil, hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic and aromatic volatile organic compounds, among other toxic substances. They represent 2.7% of the usable area of the CAV.
The mining tradition of Bizkaia and Gipuzkoa, the industry that transformed after these metals and the arrival of chemical companies in the eighties have determined that 62.5% of the contaminated soil is in the Metropolitan Bilbao and San Sebastian in the area, although in Gipuzkoa contaminated soil is more
(08/04/2008) BARAKALDO FOUND LINDANE IN ANOTHER SOLAR ANSIO CLOSE UNCOVERED LAST YEAR
The council and Ihobe announce the completion of a study to determine the pollution.
The City of Barakaldo has detected traces of lindane in the basement of a solar Euskadi Avenue, next to one where in February last year also found traces of the pesticide on the surface. The outbreak has occurred during the conduct of some tastings and triggered the reaction of the government team, which yesterday announced that a study be conducted detailed and thorough in collaboration with the Public Company Environmental Management Ihobe With the aim of ascertaining the amount of contaminated land.
The first remnants of HCH were discovered in the area by members of the environmentalist platform Espitzua in February 2007 on the plot V. At the time, the field was discussed and it was determined that lindane had been deposited by a third person who had apparently landfill rubble from another work. Now, during the conduct of the work before the onset of construction of 109 flats have appeared also remains at two and three metres deep in the plot II, something that could check technicians Ihobe on their first visit that have turned to the area .
As reported yesterday the two institutions, soil analysis will be carried out at all times in a coordinated and consideration, as appropriate, the appropriate recovery measures. So far, they have launched a reassuring message to the people and ensure that contaminated land does not represent any risk to the health of neighbors. They have also reported that the site is appropriate fence.
(03/03/2008) Most of the contaminated soil in Gipuzkoa host homes in the future
An industrial past and a future residential development. This is the story of much of Gipuzkoa, where the decline of the manufacturing sector, coupled with the perennial problem of the scarcity of land, is pushing many localities to vacate their companies to build houses in the expanding urban areas.
The truth is that a century of industrial history, as he has underpinned the economic and social development of the territory, has lacerated an important soil which, today, hides many environmental wounds invisible. The first cases detected in the Basque Autonomous Community (BAC) in the early nineties revealed the possibility that the land, half of which had been given little attention until then, was suffering the effects of a long industrial history that had developed with the sole objective of producing.
The Basque Government then decided to start designing an action strategy for soil protection against pollution. Thus, the detoxification of land prior to commencement of operations planning requirements has become law, a measure that has significantly affected the urban development of Gipuzkoa.
(18/02/2008) The Basque government approved the Plan of Contaminated Soils 2007-2012 which aims to guarantee the rights of citizens to enjoy a clean soil
The Councillor of Environment and Spatial Planning, Esther Larrañaga, explained in a press conference the plan, approved at the last Governing Council in the year 2007, and whose content has become known prior to the agents involved in a technical seminar convened with that goal. According to the Plan is founded on principles of environmental conservation and prevention of soil functions, under the maxim that polluter pays.
The document is based on three powerful programs whose purpose is to achieve four strategic objectives: to prevent the disruption of soil quality recover potentially contaminated soils in the most appropriate way reuse soil altered as for the introduction of new uses in a position to guarantee the protection of human health and the environment, and enhance urban soils without interest to assign alternative uses.
(30/01/2008) The recovery of contaminated soil would cost 1,800 million
The recovery of contaminated soil seems an impossible task in Euskadi. The latest calculation is that it may have affected more than 3,000 hectares (6% of the surface of the Autonomous Region) and that the investment to clean up and restore these areas exceed 1,800 million euros.
The recovery of contaminated soil seems an impossible task in Euskadi. The latest calculation is that it may have affected more than 3,000 hectares (6% of the surface of the Autonomous Region) and that the investment to clean up and restore these areas exceed 1,800 million euros. The problem is that regeneration is slow: in the last seven years, when it has implemented a systematic plan of recovery, only 270 hectares have been fair. And the new plan approved by the government until 2012 provides for a public investment of 25.5 million, 1.4% of those 1,800 million calculated by the Department of Environment.
(03/12/2007) GEO2 Sustainable Development Fair at theBilbao Exhibition Centre
The first GEO2 Sustainable Development Fair is to be held at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre on November 4-7, 2008. Its aim is to help give impetus to this sector among businesses, public institutions and the general public.
The content of GEO2 will be marked by innovation and differentiation, seeking to provide quality and maximum returns for all participating firms and institutions. It will bring together in a single venue a trade fair and a highlydeveloped, innovative training programme on renewable energy sources.
(19/11/2007) Only three towns adapt their standards to Soil Law
The soil law, approved by the Basque Parliament last year on June, will change soil policy direction and will affect on the decrease of house prizes. Only three towns of the 251 that form the Basque Country have completely adapted their urban plans to the soil law. This fact does not worry specially to the Department of Housing and Social Affairs, which reminds that the law concede towns a period of 8 years to adapt their standards to the new law.
(16/11/2007) The European parliament supports the identification and inventory of EU soils to protect them from contamination and desertification.
The European Parliament has supported the creation of a communitarian rule to protect the soil in all the countries of the EU by means of the obligation of their government to identify in 25 years time the areas contaminated by aggressions such as contamination or desertification and to take measures to clean them up, as well as inform of their circumstances in case of an eventual sale or change of the site use.
(13/11/2007) Workshop: From soil quality to soil health – From soils management to soil source protection
On 22nd November the workshop: From soil quality to soil health – From soils management to soil source protection, organized by Berrilur, will be held.
Berrilur is a knowledge generation plarform integrated by ten stakeholders of the Basque technology net, it is constituted according to the guidelines established by the support programme on strategic investigation (ETORTEK call).
This workshop is held within the dissemination activities designed by the group and its aim is to release the different knowledge fields tackled from Berrilur, and the progress done.
(06/11/2007) II course “Investigation and recuperation of contaminated soils” organized by ICOG
The official college of the geologist of the Basque Country will organize the second course “Investigation and recuperation of contaminated soils” from 26 to 30 of November in Bilbao.
This course is organized in order that know in depth the requirement of this rule, assess the repercussions that is having in the different sectors implicated and reinforce a high knowledge in the field of investigation and remediation of contaminated sites, because is a one of the areas that more work is generating in the last five-year period and will generate in the next years.
Ekotek will participate presenting the practice case “Recuperation of the Brownfields of Patricio Elorza mills and CAMPSA in Vitoria, where will explain the results obtained in the demonstration experiences of the Biosoil project.
(25/10/2007) Study of the renewable energy employing in the remediation soils
Green remediation is the practice of considering environmental impacts of remediation activities at every stage of the remedial process in order to maximize the net environmental benefit of a cleanup. In that spirit, this study seeks to identify cleanup projects employing renewable, sustainable energy sources andor alternative fuels for site remediation.
The report describes 19 pilot-scale and full scale projects applying renewable energy to power various remedial system components, and provides a preliminary analysis of potential areas of expansion. Amanda Dellens research and production of this paper was supported by a National Network of Environmental Management Studies fellowship from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(15/10/2007) EP Environmetal Committee approves a law to protect european soil
Environmental committee of European Parliament approved, with 45 votes in favour and 13 against, the new directive to protect european soil, which obligue all the Member States to protect soils with high value owing to their ecological or historic richness, to identify contaminated soils, to maintain fertility levels of soil and to protect it from desertification.
As it is explanied, the new directive facilitates a unique market for soils acquisition, as it allows any european citizen to buy a land, It guarantees a list of all contaminated soils and gives freedom to each country to carry out its own initiatives to reduce contamination and to minimize health risks.
(15/10/2007) A new enzyme is designed to help to eliminate environmental pollutants.
“Lacasa Mutante R2”, is the name of a new enzyme, created by researchers of Superior Council of Scientific Researches (SCSR), whose main characteristic is that it has a great resistance to organic solvents. This enzyme could have applications in environmental pollutants elimination, bio-fuels production, or even it could be used to elaborate new medicines.
(15/10/2007) Whole Environmental Impact Evaluation of Contaminated Soils Scheme 2007-2012
On 10th October it was published the resolution of 24th July, 2007 of the Environmental Office by which the reference document for the whole Environmental Impact Evaluation of Contaminated Soils Scheme 2007-2012, run by Environmental Department and Regional Development, is formulated.
(15/10/2007) Wastes Consortium of Guipuzcoa will take the first steps to contribute to an incineration plant.
On Consortium of Guipuzcoa falls the responsibility of developing the Wastes Scheme. This institution creation was approved during last legislature, with the aim of having an organization in which Communities and County Councils are represented.
The consortium must drive the construction of Zubieta incineration, one of the measures described in the Wastes Scheme, but the most controversial without any doubt. It will also have to develop plants of compost and to go on insisting on selective wastes collection.
(15/10/2007) The county council of Alava will crate a wastes observatory and a Plant of Sustainable development
The environmental member of regional council of Alava, Mikel Mintegi, announced a set of initiatives for environment protection, among which are outstanding the redaction of a Strategic Scheme for the sustainable Development of the Historic Land, the creation of wastes observatory in Alava and the backing necessary to run the Local Agenda 21 in the smallest kernels of the province.
(15/10/2007) Basque Government wants the 29 % of energy to be renewable in 2010
Environmental Frame Programme 2007-2010 (EFP) of Basque Government, in which 250 social and institutional representatives have taken part, establishes 44 commitments to fight against climatic change, among which there is the aim that the 29 % of energy consumed in the Basque Country must be renewable in 2010.
(11/10/2007) Basque Government assumes incineration for wastes treatment
Environment Department opened the public information period of Guidelines for Planification and Management of Wastes in the Autonomous Region. The procedure has started after having achieved an agreement with county councils.
According to Basque Environmental Strategy of Sustainable Development 2002-2020, in the Management of wastes, prevention has priority, followed by re-use, recycle, and other valorization operations, among which incineration is, and as the last treatment option, elimination.
The final document, resuting from contributions realized since yesterday to the 31 st of the current month, will establish the guidelines for planification and management of wastes that are generated by citizens of the Basque Country in their residences, as well as all the wastes coming from shops, which are treated as urban wastes.
(01/10/2007) Companies will pay twice the price for wastes continuously dumped
One of the most outstanding environmental measures in the budget is the increase of the landfill tax that the Town-Hall of Madrid will impose to those companies with more than 500 square metres.
Next year, the rubbish that is thrown into the Valdemingómez rubbish dump directly, without having been selected in origin will pay twice the price of its tax : it becomes 35,7 per tonne against the 15,3 per tonne that was previously. On the other hand, those companies that select their wastes before having been carried to the landfill will pay early four times less than in the past : 27 euros per tonne against 107,9 euros (high cost owing to tratment costs) .
(27/09/2007) The industrial oil market generates 200.000 Tn of dangerous wastes every year.
According to SIGAUS, society constituted by the main industrial oils producers, the industrial oil market generates every year 200.000 Tn of dangerous wastes, which comes from the 500.000 Tn of industrial oils that are put in the market every year. The Real Decree, approved in June 2006, intended to regenerate the 55% of used oil recycled until 2008, when it will be modified by another Real Decree that will establish new aims.
(20/09/2007) Environmental pollution responsible for 40% of human deaths
Over the last decade, infectious diseases have spread rapidly, reports the APA agency. Along with demographic growth, the main causes are water, air, and soil pollution, says an American study. On a global scale, 40% of human deaths are linked to environmental factors. To analyse the complex relationship between illness and ecological factors, researchers from Cornell University in New York carried out more than 120 surveys to examine the influence of demographic growth, food, and pollution. Currently the number of people who lack access to clean water and sufficient food is growing, and they represent about 57% of the 6.5 billion or so people on the planet, say the researchers in Human Ecology magazine.
Starvation is the direct cause of death for 6 million children every year. Moreover, under-nourishment makes people more sensitive to illnesses caused or favoured by pollution, such as respiratory tract infections. According to the research, about 1.2 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water, and water-borne infections account for 80% of all infections. Atmospheric pollution is responsible for three million deaths every year. And global warming causes the development of new diseases such as West Nile virus or Lyme-Borreliosis.
(18/09/2007) China, India and Russia top pollution black spot league
Sites in China, India and Azerbaijan have been added to a list of countries home to the worlds most polluted hell holes.
Independent environmental group the Blacksmith Institute has published its 2007 list of the ten worst polluted places on the planet, which now includes Sumgayit, in Azerbaijan, Tianying, in China, and Sukinda and Vapi, both in India.
Six other locations remained from last years top ten, which identifies the places in the world where environmental experts believe pollution is most harmful to human health.
Richard Fuller, founder and director of the Blacksmith Institute, said: The fact of the matter is that children are sick and dying in these polluted places, and it is not rocket science to fix them.
This year there has been more focus on pollution in the media, but there has been little action in terms of new funding or programs.
We all need to step up to the plate and get moving.
Mining, Cold War pollution, and unregulated industrial production are the major culprits behind the pollution, according to the institutes report.
Following publication of last years list, nominations flooded in and the institute now has a database of more than 400 polluted sites they will work to clean up.
The report also names the institutes Dirty 30 - a more comprehensive list of the worlds most polluted sites.
Haina, in the Dominican Republic, Ranipet, in India, Mailuu-Suu, in Kyrgyzstan, and Rudnaya Pristan, in Russia, which were all knocked out of this years top ten, remain in the Dirty 30.
(07/09/2007) Explosive Discovery On Genetically Engineered Tobacco Plant
Tobacco may be bad for human health, but a new study reports that a genetically engineered tobacco plant may be very good for the environment. It shows promise for cleaning up soil contaminated with TNT, a widely used military explosive.
Neil C. Bruce and colleagues noted that TNT contamination is a major environmental problem at many World War II sites, military training areas, and explosive manufacturing sites. In addition to being explosive, TNT is toxic and a human health threat. Researchers knew that certain soil bacteria could metabolize and change trinitrotoluene (TNT) into nontoxic compounds. But those natural bacteria exist at levels too low to detoxify TNT.
In the new study, researchers inserted a gene for a TNT-transforming bacterial enzyme into a tobacco plant. Then they tested the plants effect on TNT-contaminated soil in comparison to regular tobacco plants grown in the same soil for several weeks. The genetically modified plants significantly reduced the toxicity of the TNT-contaminated soil.
This is the first report to demonstrate that transgenic plants engineered for the phytoremediation of organic pollutants can increase the functional and genetic diversity of the bacterial community in acutely polluted soil compared to wild type plants, the report states. Our findings have important implications, not only for use of genetically engineered plants for TNT remediation, but for cleaning up other sources of contamination as well.
(04/09/2007) The construction of new housings help to recover contaminated soils in Álava
The town-planning peak will help to recover contaminated soils in Vitoria, Llodio and Laguardia. In accordance with the Plan of Soils Polluted of the Basque Government 2007-2012, the construction of new housings will constitute, next to the legislation and to the growing conscience environmental citizen, one of the three fundamental pillars for the rehabilitation of these areas that youthey affect in the group of the CAPV to near 6,5% of the useful floor, around 3.100 hectares
(03/09/2007) Envirnmental ministry it finances with 17,26 millions € environmental projects I+D+i
The environment ministry has dedicated this year for the financing of 170 environmental projects in I+D+i 17,26 million €, 25 percent more than the previous year, it informed today that department in a note.
To the convocation of this year 675 applications of companies, PYMES, public and private centers of I+D+i, universities and public organisms of investigation have been presented.
For the convocation 2008 the General Budgets of the State contemplate another increase of 25 percent in I+D+i, with what youthey were almost reached the 22 million €.
(26/07/2007) The use of microorganisms of the own ecosystem is an effective technology to eliminate hydrocarbons after having poured as that of Ibiza
The biorremediación or use of microorganisms to degrade polluting substances and to restore the environmental quality are an effective system to clean soils affected had poured of hydrocarbons like the one that has taken place in the costs of Ibiza. It has put this way it of apparent Concepción Sáinz, investigator of the Institute of the Water of the University of Granada who participates in the course Tendencies in Biomedicina 2007 of the Center Mediterranean, in the town of Almuñécar.
(25/07/2007) The Workshop “Towards the recovery and sustainable management of contaminated soils” was celebrated yesterday in Bilbao”
This workshop holds in the Biosoil Life Project framework. By means of this workshop we pretend to show an actual vision of the current situation in relation to soil decontamination, as well as the results of the experiences about bioremediation with compost in the Biosoil Life project framework. Inkoa, Aclima, Ihobe, Ekotek, Berrilur and Gaiker will take part as speakers.
(12/07/2007) 153 Companies agree to combat the climatic change
Managers of 153 companies from all over the world agree today to accelerate actions to combat climatic change and to advance to an economy less dependent on fossil fuels. They also asked governments to agree new measures to protect the environment.
As a whole, they declare in the Global Compact meeting that they agreed to adopt “practical measures in favour of energetic efficiency”, to establish “ willingly” new aims and to make public their progresses in this concern periodically.
Arturo Gonzalo Aizpiri, general secretary for Pollution and Climatic Change prevention, presented the 3rd edition of Spain 2006 Environmental Profile in Madrid. The report, elaborated by the ministry of Environment, describes the Spanish environmental situation through indicators and tables.
The main aim of this report is to offer, in a rigorous and affordable way, the best available information about the environment condition, natural resources and the environmental impacts of the main productive sectors in Spain, with the aim of contributing to the monitoring of sectorial and integration policies.
(10/07/2007) ACLIMA leads SOILTech demonstration project of innovative technologies for the reclamation and environmental improvement of derelict urban areas in Dhaka City (Bangladesh).
ACLIMA leads SOILTech project whose main objective is to promote the achievement of high environmental standards in urban areas of Asian cities where past industrial activities have left a heritage of polluted soils, and to contribute to the accomplishment of a sustainable urban planning in these cities. For the achievement of these objectives, this action will be focused on the demonstration, by means of pilot experiences, of the technical and economic feasibility of innovative soil remediation technologies for the reclamation of polluted soils in brownfields located in urban and sub-urban areas of Dhaka city.
During this week SOILTech project meeting has been held in ACLIMA headquarters where representatives of KUET, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (Bangladesh) and VITO, Flemish Institute for Technological Research on soils remediation (Belgium), met the project manager from ACLIMA and EKOTEK.
The project, co-funded by the European Commission under Asia Pro Eco-II Programme, has a budget of 731.112,10 € and is being developed successfully in Dhaka City (Bangladesh)
(28/06/2007) The Basque industry discusses the challenges that the new Law on Environmental Responsibility will mean to companies.
More than 200 companies of the Basque Country filled the auditorium of Zamudio Technology Park (Bizkaia) for the technical workshop about the future Law on Environmental Responsibility organized by the Department of Environment and Regional Planning of Basque Government within the commemorative events of the World Environmental Day.
José Antonio Armolea, lawyer of IHOBE, described the most important aspects of the future Law of Environmental Responsibility, he emphasized the “objective responsibility” figure which appears in the new legal text according to which companies causing damages to the environment will have to repair the damage whether there has been premeditation or not.
(28/06/2007) The congress has approved the Law on Environmental Responsibility.
On June 27th the congress approved the Law on Environment Responsibility which will make come true the basic principle “Who pollutes, pays”, which will force to repair damages caused on the environment in order to restore natural resources to its previous conditions.
The law plans to create a State Fund to repair environmental damages caused on the public lands when the new law can not be applied.
(28/06/2007) Trapagaran: The 3rd phase of Meztegi Berdea remediation project will start in September.
The Regional Government of Bizkaia has started the 3rd phase of Meaztegi Berdea project with the aim of recovering the environment in the mining site of Los Cármenes in order to establish a leisure greenspace. Nowadays, the works are in the bidding phase and are planned to start next September. The works will last about eight months and the budget is 1.400.000 €.
(13/06/2007) 5 workteams from the University of the Basque Country colaborate to research polluted soils.
5 workteams from the University of the Basque Country, that almost add up half hundred of scientist from diverse areas, are working all together on the study of polluted soils treatment.
These profesionals from the Public University develop since 3 years an strategic research for the soil and underground water protection, as well as remediation methods for the brownfields rehabilitation.
Its work is framed under the Berrilur project, a consortium financed by the Department of Industry through the ETORTEK program, in which also participate the foundation Gaiker and Labein, and the enterprises Euve and Neiker.
(08/06/2007) Presentation of the soil contaminated programme in the general meeting of ACLIMA
During the general meeting of ACLIMA the general manager of IHOBE, will present the contaminated soil programme of the Basque Country. In this programme are clear the strategic aims and action plan to get this aims.
The target of this programme is to achieve the best soil management under the frame of a socioeconomic system adapted to the new legislation that prevent the pollution and assure the minimum impact of the soil quality on human health and the ecosystem operation.
(06/06/2007) The Basque Government passes the Ambiental framework programme 2007-2010
The Basque government have defined 44 obligations that it can be weigh up in stuff of climatic change, biodiversity, air quality and consumer and sustainable production, during the next four years. So the Ambiental framework programme 2007-2010 gather, This morning, this have been past in the special government board held in the Urdaibai reserve, in the world environment day.
(04/06/2007) Project for the opening of an Industrial Museum in the old Paper Industry Patricio Elorza
Works has already begun for the opening of a museum which collects and recreates the industrial patrimony of the old paper industry Patricio Elorza. In the browndfields of this paper industry was carried out the first demostration experience of the Bioremediation techology with compost under the LIFE demostration project. One of its pavilion will locate the Chillida Space. This proyect will conclude in summer and will show the diverse material that the artist´s family has givendelivered in an area of 500 square meters.
(22/05/2007) 260 BROWNFIELD SITES HAVE BEEN REGENERATED IN SPAIN SINCE 1995
Since 1995, when the National Plan of Polluted Soils Regeneration (1995
