Hard work for the microbes: Soil remediation in a tank farm

 

Landfill sites as a source of pests: Waste disposal often leads to problems with pests at the landfill site
In Germany, tipping untreated household waste has been banned since 2005. But the country still has numerous landfill sites, collection points and intermediate storage areas. Here, one specific problem has not been resolved it has only been relocated: vermin and pest infestation. However, pest control has to be limited to containing the problem. This article describes pest control methods that could be used throughout the world.

Investigations of Site-Contaminations in China: Initial Site-Contamination-Investigation and -Remediation in China
Currently in China there is proceeding a serious intensification of the environmental law relating to future critical limit values and the obligation of accompanying measures. Also in China the assessment of possible financial relevant features of sites like hazardous waste contaminations and groundwater pollution is becoming more important. Nowerdays, the investigation concerning contaminations of sites in China is becoming necessary and interesting for German investors. Meanwhile, in the course of all-embracing Due-Diligence-examinations for site assessments in China for a German investor the R&H Umwelt GmbH from Nuremberg/Germany (R&H) already has performed several initial site-contamination-investigations including the initial investigation of the building-substance on industrial sites.

Comparison of the effect of heavy metals on the pedofauna of forest and meadow stands
In order to examine the soil contamination by heavy metals and to estimate its influence on the pedofauna, two forest stands and two meadow stands (located in the vicinity of woody areas) have been chosen. The content of Cd, Ni, Pb, Cu, and Zn in the soil of the stands was investigated using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Some environmental parameters were also analyzed, such as temperature, humidity and soil pH. The soil samples were neutral or slightly alkaline. The content of all heavy metals was smaller in the soil of the forest park. Cd and Pb content in the meadow and forest soil of the protected landscape park was high. It was found that in the forest park the density of pedofauna was higher than in the meadow and forest of the protected landscape park.

 

How Europe's agriculture can boost biodiversity
Intensive farming has long been a major cause of biodiversity decline in Europe. The European Environment Agency's (EEA) new short assessment examines Europe's efforts to strike a balance between producing sufficient food and maintaining agro-ecosystems that are rich in biodiversity above and below ground.

Ecosystem accounting and the cost of biodiversity losses — the case of coastal Mediterranean wetlands


Check out Europe's 'Urban Atlas'
How densely populated is your city? Where are the green areas and transport networks? The European Environment Agency (EEA) now hosts detailed maps and land cover information for the 117 European cities currently included in the new 'Urban Atlas'.