........ published in NEWSLETTER # 61
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........ published in NEWSLETTER # 61
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND POLLUTION PREVENTION
By Professor B. Gemende, Technische Universitaet, Dresden (Germany)
This book explores global and international strategies, for the solution of environmentatl problems with global impact. A non- profit European Research Network would be a perfect basis for such an approach. The volume (NATO ASI SERIES 2-18) summarizes the main contents, projects, and partners for such a proposed network as discussed at the ARW "Environmental Engineering and Pollution Prevention" in Liberec, in 1995. The first approaches are introduced, refined and discussed together with the primary results of ongoing and completed projects. All projects are directed to solutions for the heavily polluted "Black Triangle": Bohemia, Saxony, and Silesia, which was selected as a nucleus for the network because of its geographical location and cross-border environmental problems. Thus a unique summary and extensive description of environmental problems in that region is given, as well as prospective approaches for solutions and potential partners. The book stresses the interdisciplinary nature of approaches for solving global environmental problems.
Several contributions outline the general strategy and solutions for tackling the most stringent and critical environmental problems of this region. Priority is given to the development and application of clean technologies. Their utilization both in the military and industrial branches could effectively reduce detrimental environmental consequences and prevent further risks. A comprehensive study of examples for clean technologies describes the principal ways for sustainable development. A special chapter addresses those projects and problems related to the environmental risks and decontamination of military areas. Besides risk assessment and case studies, advanced remediation technologies (e.g. supercritical extraction, oxidizing destruction) are also presented. A survey summarizes the state and consequences of former Soviet military installations in Czechia and Slovakia. The presentation of an investigation into the environmental impacts from ammunition waste considers the long-term effects of related military activities. Two further chapters are devoted to innovations and new approaches for the problems of contaminated sites and hazardous as well as municipal waste. Special attention is given to biological and biotechnological treatment methods. Progress in thermal treatment processes is also discussed. A number of contaminants and compounds are referred to, e.g. halogenated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, mineral oils and toxic metals. Technologies for recycling and re-use of contaminants are described together with very promising results of first application tests.
One of the key targets of the proposed network is to improve knowledge transfer to Central and Eastern European countries about the afore-mentioned technologies and facilitate their selection, management and application. Thus, in two chapters the problems of environmental education and environmental information systems as well as decision support systems are examined. A number of interesting approaches and new projects are presented for comprehensive curricula and re-training courses. Certain institutions, which would support international knowledge transfer and assist in project management and coordination are introduced. Detailed ideas about a cross-regional environmental information system are described in some individual contributions. Each of these focuses on special aspects and tools of the system: information linkage, environmental risk evaluation, decision support e.g. for remediation technology selection. Finally, some detrimental health effects related to environmental pollution are discussed together with the respective causes. Special methods to monitor such pollutants as well as for the modelling of the transport and pathways are also considered.
Reference books: 2-1, 2-5, 2-18, 2-19, 2-20, 3-19, C370, D14, E275, G4