Earth Sciences, Geography & Environment Books

Book SynopsisThis series covers leading-edge research focusing on the environment, including current research data on renewable energy technologies, sustainable development and the environment; bioenergy for energy or materials; use of coal to manufacture carbon integral honeycomb monoliths with environmental applications; synthesis, characterisation and applications of nanocomposite materials in diverse fields; effect of marine environmental factors on the formation kinetics and phase equilibrium of CO2 hydrate; biodegradation of crude oil by rhizosphere micro-organisms; and environmental impacts and prospects of petroleum production.

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Book SynopsisKey issues related to freshwater availability and use, such as concerns about population growth straining water supplies, lack of information on water availability and use, and trends in types of water use, remain largely unchanged since 2003, according to state water managers, experts, and literature. The nation''s water bodies have long supplied Americans with abundant freshwater, but recent events, such as the ongoing California drought, have focused attention on competing demands for this limited resource. In the United States, the states are primarily responsible for managing freshwater resources, and many federal agencies influence states'' management decisions. This book examines issues related to freshwater availability and use; expectations for water availability and use over the next 10 years and how these expectations may affect water planning; steps, if any, states have taken to manage freshwater resources; and actions, if any, federal agencies have taken to support management of freshwater availability and use and perspectives from state water managers, experts, and literature on what the federal government can do to enhance its support.

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Book SynopsisFederal and state regulatory agencies manage and oversee the development of federal and Indian oil and gas resources by issuing rules and guidance, reviewing drilling applications, and inspecting wells to ensure compliance with environmental, safety, and other regulations. In fiscal year 2013, federal and Indian energy production, including oil and gas, generated almost $15 billion in revenue. Recent advances in drilling technologies have greatly expanded the ability to develop oil and gas resources, particularly from shale and tight sandstone rock formations. This book discusses the changes to federal and selected state agencies'' rules over the past 5 years and examines the effectiveness of BLM''s management and oversight of federal and Indian resources. It also examines U.S. oil and natural gas production data for federal and non-federal areas with an emphasis on the past five years of production.

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Book SynopsisThe Department of Energy''s (DOE) Loan Programs Office administers the Loan Guarantee Program (LGP) for certain renewable or innovative energy projects and the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program for projects to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles and components. This book assesses the extent to which DOE has developed and adhered to loan monitoring policies for its loan programs.

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Book SynopsisThis book focuses on five of the policy types that are most relevant to the U.S. market and political context for the exploration and confirmation of conventional hydrothermal (geothermal) resources in the United States. They include drilling failure insurance; loan guarantees; subsidised loans; capital subsidies; and government-led exploration. The book describes each policy type and its application in other countries and regions. It offers policy-makers a guide for drafting future geothermal support mechanisms for the exploration-drilling phase of geothermal development. The book also focuses on the design of Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) incentive policies for geothermal electric projects and how FITs can be used to reduce risks.

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Book SynopsisHurricane Sandy struck the East Coast with incredible power and fury, wreaking havoc in communities across the region. Entire neighbourhoods were flooded. Families lost their homes. Businesses were destroyed. Infrastructure was torn apart. After all the damage was done, it was clear that the region faced a long, hard road back. That is why President Obama pledged to work with local partners every step of the way to help affected communities rebuild and recover. On August 19, 2013, the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force released its Rebuilding Strategy for the Sandy impacted region. The Rebuilding Strategy included a long-term plan for rebuilding that guides Sandy supplemental spending to drive regional co-ordination and make communities more resilient to future disasters. The Rebuilding Strategy also aligns federal, state and local policies to achieve goals that are important to the long-term rebuilding of the region in the most economically efficient, ecologically robust and innovative ways possible. This book discusses the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy in detail.

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Book SynopsisThis book compiles the works of many authors from some of the best academic institutions in the world, all related to Mexico''s contemporary general conditions. The main objective of this compilation is to examine Mexico as a whole, giving the reader an insight in its social, economic, political and environmental problems. For this purpose, the texts have been chosen in a way that after analysing a few of them, one will find them all correlated. The problems analysed in this book range from very recent (some of them occurring this past year) to others that go back decades or even centuries. In this sense, this contribution gives readers a historical perception of the problems captured. Some chapters develop scientific conclusions based on strict scientific research; however, the reader will find that the language is not overwhelming and the chapters can be thoroughly and easily read. Overall, it is a wonderful compilation made possible by all contributing authors and their interest to publish their most recent research on it. We hope that readers enjoy going through the pages of these chapters as they venture through contemporary Mexico, analysing topics from the environmental difficulties of Coahuila''s sand dunes to social changes in the Meseta Purépecha, passing through other topics, such as, the conditions of human rights protection in Mexico or the return of the PRI regime, among other great discussions. The authors'' interests are as different as their disciplines, but, in this case, diversity is important for maintaining multidisciplinary interpretations on the current needs of the Mexican society.

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Book SynopsisFor most disasters across the nation, the affected local, state, or tribal governments have sufficient capabilities to respond to the incident. However, for disasters with consequences that require unique capabilities or that overwhelm the existing capabilities of a respective state or tribal government, Congress has authorised and appropriated a suite of deployable federal assets to support domestic disaster response operations. This book reviews several key concepts about these federal assets, and highlights possible issues Congress may consider when evaluating their authorisation and appropriation. This book also provides information that can aid policymakers as they navigate through the many levels of responsibility, and numerous policy pressure points, by having an understanding of the laws and administrative policies governing the disaster response and recovery process. The book also reviews the legislative framework that exists for providing federal assistance, as well as the implementing polices the executive branch employs to provide supplemental help to state, tribal, and local governments during time of disasters.

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Book SynopsisWhen there is a catastrophe in the United States, state and local governments lead response activities, invoking state and local legal authorities to support them. When state and local response capabilities are overwhelmed, the President, acting through the Secretary of Homeland Security, can provide assistance to stricken communities, individuals, governments, and not-for-profit groups to assist in response and recovery. Aid is provided under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) upon a presidential declaration. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) also has both standing and emergency authorities in the Public Health Service Act, by which he or she can provide assistance in response to public health and medical emergencies. This book examines, with respect to public health and medical incidents, the authorities and coordinating mechanisms of the President and the Secretary of HHS in providing routine assistance, and assistance pursuant to the Stafford Act and/or the Public Health Service Act; mechanisms to assure a coordinated federal response to these incidents, and overlaps or gaps in agency responsibilities; and existing mechanisms, potential gaps, and proposals to fund the costs of a response to public health and medical incidents.

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Book SynopsisThe National Response Framework is a guide to how the Nation responds to all types of disasters and emergencies. It is built on scalable, flexible, and adaptable concepts identified in the National Incident Management System to align key roles and responsibilities across the Nation. This Framework describes specific authorities and best practices for managing incidents that range from the serious but purely local to large-scale terrorist attacks or catastrophic natural disasters. The National Response Framework describes the principles, roles and responsibilities, and co-ordinating structures for delivering the core capabilities required to respond to an incident and further describes how response efforts integrate with those of the other mission areas. The structures, roles, and responsibilities described in this Framework can be partially or fully implemented in the context of a threat or hazard, in anticipation of a significant event, or in response to an incident. Selective implementation of National Response Framework structures and procedures allows for a scaled response, delivery of the specific resources and capabilities, and a level of coordination appropriate to each incident. This book discusses the National Response Framework, as well as the National Disaster Recovery Framework in full detail.

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Book SynopsisAs a result of advanced oil drilling and extraction technologies (primarily horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing), crude oil production in the United States is growing and, according to Energy Information Administration (EIA) reference case projections, may reach 9.6 million barrels per day by 2019. Production of light tight oil (LTO) is, and is expected to be, the primary contributor to U.S. crude oil production growth in the near to medium term. This book provides background and context about the crude oil legal and regulatory framework, discusses motivations that underlie the desire to export U.S. crude oil, and presents analysis of issues that Congress may choose to consider during debate about U.S. crude oil export policy.

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Book SynopsisNatural catastrophic events such as volcano eruptions have greatly affected environments in wide regions around the world. Ash and gases impelled by these eruptions into the atmosphere carry large volumes of particles of different sizes (nanometer and ultrafine) that are scattered around the earth. However, the greater accumulation of different grain size was observed in the range of 10 kilometres from the centre of the volcano, causing devastating effect. The most important consequences of this type of event are loss of habitats for flora and fauna. This book discusses the triggers of volcanic eruptions, as well as environmental effects and the role they play in climate change.

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Book SynopsisTyphoons pose a threat for coastal populations, offshore and onshore industries, shipping, agriculture, or forestry. Thus it is of great interest to assess future changes in cyclone activity. Thereby tropical cyclones may change both in frequency and intensity or they may have different track locations, shapes, dimensions or lifetimes. This book discusses risk prediction, crisis management and economic and environmental impacts of typhoons and landslides.

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Book SynopsisSince the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Act) was passed in 2010, relevant U.S. agencies have undertaken various activities related to responsible sourcing of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. In response to the Act, the Department of State (State) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) developed a strategy in 2011 to address the linkages among human rights abuses, armed groups, and the mining of conflict minerals and are implementing various strategy objectives. This book examines, among other things, the extent to which relevant U.S. agencies have undertaken activities related to responsible sourcing of conflict minerals; and what is known about the status of, and information provided by, stakeholder initiatives focused on responsible sourcing of conflict minerals from the DRC and adjoining countries.

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Book SynopsisIn its Fiscal Year 2012 Climate Change Adaptation Roadmap, the Department of Defense (DOD) identified climate change phenomena such as rising temperatures and sea levels as potentially impacting its infrastructure, and officials at sites GAO visited or contacted noted actual impacts they had observed. This book describes potential impacts identified by DOD that may affect its infrastructure; evaluates DOD''s efforts to conduct vulnerability assessments; assesses how DOD is accounting for climate change impacts in certain planning efforts; and evaluates the extent to which DOD incorporates adaptation into its infrastructure-investment efforts.

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Book SynopsisWithin the tropical fruits, the papaya, Carica papaya L. (family Caricaceae Dumort.), is presented as the main representative being cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical areas mostly in developing countries. Papaya''s nutritional value, beneficial to health, as well as various industrial applications of their products, led to be economically important for both developing and developed countries. Within this broad field of knowledge, this book aims to contribute to better understanding of the topic. The organization of the chapters and sections is also straightforward; Chapter One presents what papaya is (Carica papaya L.), its taxonomy, distribution, origin and morphology. Closing the first part, Chapters Three and Four show the nutritional and medical values, discussing vitamins, minerals and dietary fibers, the industrial applications of using papaya and various parts of the plant, as a source of proteolytic enzymes and some active compounds reported to antimicrobial, anticancer, amongst other properties, illustrating the fatty acid composition, triacylglycerol profile and papaya seed oil of malaysian papaya fruits. In the second part of the book, the readers should find the relevant aspects of papaya microbiology related to fresh fruits quality and safety and the beneficial effects of microorganisms isolated from papaya, such as some Latic Acid Bacteria strains that have been proposed to be potentially probiotics, as shown in Chapters Five and Six. Finally the book addresses the importance of Integrated Management of the Papaya Ringspot Virus, which is transmitted by several aphid species and could commit 100% of the crop as described in Chapter Seven and the biotechnological strategies for control of papaya virus diseases as show in Chapter Eight.

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Book SynopsisAsh produced as a consequence of explosive volcanic eruptions can cause multiple hazards both close to the volcano and at great distances. Explosive volcano eruptions often release volcanic plumes into the atmosphere, which consist of tephra (submillimeter-sized rock particles), water vapor and other gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Particles from volcano eruptions are transported by wind to thousands of kilometers away, or even over 10,000 km from their source for some fine particles. This book discusses the environmental impact and health risks volcanic ash poses as well as its chemical composition.

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Book SynopsisThis series covers leading-edge research focusing on the environment, including current research data on water and nutrient use efficiency and root distribution of selected horticultural crops; development of green energy-saving mechanisms; sustainable research and technological development on bio-energy; lentic habitats as study models for assessing aquatic contamination; significant change-points of subperiod levels in tree-ring chronologies as indications of climate change; differences in bryophyte diversity between subalpine abies forests and larix plantations; and mosses as biomonitors of atmospheric pollution.

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Book SynopsisOne of the most exciting new trends in water quality management today is the movement by many cities, counties, states, and private-sector developers toward the increased use of Low Impact Development (LID) to help protect and restore water quality. LID comprises a set of approaches and practices that are designed to reduce runoff of water and pollutants from the site at which they are generated. By means of infiltration, evapotranspiration, and reuse of rainwater, LID techniques manage water and water pollutants at the source and thereby prevent or reduce the impact of development on rivers, streams, lakes, coastal waters, and ground water. This book summarizes 17 case studies of developments that include Low Impact Development (LID) practices and concludes that applying LID techniques can reduce project costs and improve environmental performance. This book also compares green energy programs and policies in China and the United States.

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Book SynopsisCooking and cooking burners emit pollutants that can adversely affect indoor air quality in residences and significantly impact occupant health. Effective kitchen exhaust ventilation can reduce exposure to cooking-related air pollutants as an enabling step to healthier, low-energy homes. This book identifies barriers to the widespread adoption of kitchen exhaust ventilation technologies and practice and proposes a suite of strategies to overcome these barriers.

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Book SynopsisDiscussions of food security usually focus on the question "Can we feed the world?" Providing enough food is a major challenge. To do so without unacceptable environmental impacts, so that food sufficiency is not compromised over time, is a deeper challenge that systemically links to other issues of sustainability, notably including climate change. This book discusses several challenges involved in providing food security. It also examines the role of biotechnologies and the implications for developing countries.

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Book SynopsisWildland fire has and continues to impact humans and our environment both positively and negatively. Being able to co-exist with fire on the landscape is becoming increasingly more important as man expands his use of the world''s ecosystems. This book is the latest contribution dedicated towards the scholarship surrounding the subject of wildland fires. The present volume consists of a collection of essays covering fire science and technology topics that support the management of wildfires and prescribed fires written by specialists in their respective fields. The nine chapters cover the following: (i) the need of fire and the consequences of policies of attempted fire exclusion to try and manage the wildfire problem; (ii) a review of the current state-of-knowledge of the role of remote sensing technologies in managing wildfires; (iii) a description of how the Canadian system of forest fire danger rating has been introduced into Argentina; (iv) the rationale for adding an "QA" for anchor point(s) to the LCES (Lookout(s)-- Communication(s) -- Escape routes -- Safety zone(s)) safety system for wildland firefighters, thus denoting LACES; (v) a case study involving the use of cloud-based geographic information system on the 2013 Silver Fire in southern California; (vi) the deaths that have occurred amongst rural firefighters and members of the public in Greece since 1997; (vii and viii) two separate overviews of the history, ecology and management of two large Argentinian regions of South America; and (ix) an assessment undertaken of wildland firefighter fatalities in South Africa over the past twenty years or so.

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Book SynopsisUnder Executive Order 12866, agencies are required, to the extent permitted by law, "to assess both the costs and the benefits of the intended regulation and, recognising that some costs and benefits are difficult to quantify, propose or adopt a regulation only upon a reasoned determination that the benefits of the intended regulation justify its costs". The purpose of the "social cost of carbon" (SCC) estimates presented here is to allow agencies to incorporate the social benefits of reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into cost-benefit analyses of regulatory actions that have small, or "marginal", impacts on cumulative global emissions. The estimates are presented with an acknowledgement of the many uncertainties involved and with a clear understanding that they should be updated over time to reflect increasing knowledge of the science and economics of climate impacts. This book presents a summary of the interagency process that developed these SCC estimates.

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Book SynopsisNatural resource policy and management in the United States often are characterized by limited budgets and multiple, and sometimes competing, societal objectives. The use and management of forest lands in the U.S. involve tradeoffs between the current and potential benefits public and private lands provide to society and the effects the policy and management actions have on the resiliency of natural systems. However, translating society''s multiple forestry objectives into policies and management actions has become more difficult as society''s objectives have become more complex. This book characterizes the concept of ecosystem services as it could apply to national forests; describes the value of an ecosystem service approach and provides examples of how management actions support the provision of these services; compares the Deschutes National Forest''s current accomplishment reporting system to ecosystem service outcomes that potentially result from management activities; identifies partners with potential to collaboratively plan, fund, or implement projects to enhance or conserve ecosystem services; describes current research efforts to support management application of the ecosystem service concept; and identifies research needs.

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Book SynopsisFor over a century, Experimental Forests and Ranges (EFRs) have provided critical science on the ecosystems and management activities of the National Forest System. Forest Service EFRs play a unique and important role both within the agency as well as in the broader field of land management. The goal of EFRs is to generate knowledge that benefits both public land managers and private land owners. This goal is achieved through research projects on pressing natural resource topics such as hydrology, fire dynamics, range management, erosion, climate change, silviculture, and forest regeneration. EFRs are uniquely situated for such research due to their relative stability and long-term datasets. This book specifically discusses the role of EFRs in understanding and adapting to climate change.

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Book SynopsisThe Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), the nation''s largest public power provider, is a self-financing, federal electric utility with annual revenues of about $11 billion. In its budget proposal for FY2014, the Obama Administration proposed a "strategic review" of the Tennessee Valley Authority. The preamble to the TVA Act lists flood control, reforestation, and agricultural and industrial development as primary considerations in the original establishment of the TVA. TVA is now required by the TVA Act to be self-supported using funds from the sale of electric power. This book will discuss the history and role of TVA mostly from an energy standpoint, considering current and future obligations, and other issues related to TVA''s provision of electrical energy. This book will also examine how TVA plans to meet future demand for electricity and how TVA''s resource planning and forecasts compare to those from other sources; TVA''s efforts to use energy efficiency to meet demand for electricity; and TVA''s financial condition and how it affects TVA''s ability to meet its operational and financial goals.

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Book SynopsisAlthough over two thirds of the Earth''s surface is covered by water, more than 97% is ocean water which is too salty for human use or even for irrigation. Consequently, the freshwater is only 3% and almost 1% of the available freshwater is liquid surface water that can be used directly by humans. The rest is groundwater and iced water. Yet still, freshwater is considered to be one of the most abundant resources on earth. In the agriculture sector only, over two-thirds of the available freshwater is used for irrigation. This book focuses on the technology, management and efficiency of drip irrigation.

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Book SynopsisThe magnitude 9.0 Great East Japan Earthquake occurred on March 11, 2011, claiming over 20,000 lives. It crippled the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, whose hydrogen-air explosions contaminated wide areas around Fukushima with radionuclides. The number of evacuees initially totaled 328,903, but has been reduced to 263,392 as of February 13, 2014. More than half of the evacuees (132,500) consist of Fukushima residents, and 67% of whom have experienced mental or physical disorders. Indeed, refugee life is so difficult that many Fukushima families have been affected by suicide, divorce, separation of family members, migration and settlement to other places, mental illness, etc. The difficulty is caused by the fear of low-dose radiation induced by the LNT model which claims that radiation cancer risk is linearly proportional to dose without any threshold. Careful scrutiny of the model, however, clearly indicates that the linearity is invalid; low dose radiation is not hazardous, but is even beneficial or hormetic because of the adaptive response to radiation. This book provides ample evidence to negate the LNT model. This book is primarily compiled to get rid of the spell of the LNT model and release Fukushima people from undue torture. The book would also be useful to the public in general who have CT scans and have concerns. In addition, the people who use radiation world-wide such as nuclear power plant workers, radiation researchers, radiologists, and X-ray operators would be relieved to learn from reading this book that the alleged risk of low-dose radiation is illusionary and that the low-dose radiation is even beneficial. Policy makers of nuclear energy and radiation who are working for governmental and/or regulatory agencies are also recommended to read this book. Severe guidelines from a safety standpoint sometimes entrap people into a fear-stricken situation rather than save them, as no one was killed by radiation directly, but more than 1,000 people have been killed by the fear of radiation secondarily in Fukushima. By the same token, this book is recommended to civil activists and journalists who emphasise dangers of low-dose radiation and raise fear of low-dose radiation. It is the time to shed new scientific light on the outdated LNT model.

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Book SynopsisHydrothermal crystal growth offers a complementary alternative to many of the classical techniques of crystal growth used to synthesise new materials and grow bulk crystals for specific applications. This specialised technique is often capable of growing crystals at temperatures well below their melting points and thus potentially offers routes to new phases or the growth of bulk crystals with less thermal strain. Borate crystals are widely used as nonlinear optical, laser and luminescent materials due to their diversified structures, and good chemical and physical properties. The growth of high-quality borate crystals is required for their applications. A fundamental problem for borate crystal growth is the high-temperature melt structures in the crystal growth systems. This book discusses several crystals and the crystal growth processes.

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Book SynopsisLandfills have been targeted by geophysical methods in order to investigate their environmental impacts. In fact, landfills have been the classic way to deposit domestic and industrial waste and have generated a large range of negative environmental impacts in groundwater and soils. These problems often persist even after the effective use of the landfills and subsequent recovery processes. Owing to their characteristics, landfills are difficult to access and because of the general lack of accurate information regarding the shape, nature of the refuse, history and development of the landfill, non-invasive, non-destructive methods and sometimes autonomous data acquisition devices must be used to monitor impacts and to investigate and prevent groundwater and soil contamination. This book discusses processing systems, environmental impacts and adverse health effects of landfills and other recycling centers.

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Book SynopsisWaste-to-Energy is one of the key technologies for sustainable waste management. The book by Laura Mastellone offers a comprehensive overview of the various processes for thermal waste treatment such as incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification. It is instrumental for understanding objectives, functioning, residues, and environmental impacts of thermal processes. This is worthwhile reading for any expert in the field of resources and waste management.

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Book SynopsisNatural gas is regularly lost as it is burned (flared) and released into the atmosphere (vented) during the production of oil and gas. While the exact amount of gas lost in this way is uncertain, given the vast extent of oil and gas production throughout the world, it could be significant. In addition to resulting in the loss of a potentially valuable resource, the burning and release of natural gas into the atmosphere contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which are generally considered to be warming the earth''s atmosphere. This book describes flaring and venting data and what the federal government could do to improve them; reports on the basis of available information, on the extent of flaring and venting and their contributions to greenhouse gases; and identifies opportunities for the federal government to reduce flaring and venting.

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Book SynopsisThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed to identifying and responding to the challenges that a changing climate poses to human health and the environment. Scientific evidence demonstrates that the climate is changing at an increasingly rapid rate, outside the range to which society has adapted in the past. These changes can pose significant challenges to the EPA''s ability to fulfill its mission. The EPA must adapt to climate change if it is to continue fulfilling its statutory, regulatory and programmatic requirements. The Agency is therefore anticipating and planning for future changes in climate to ensure it continues to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment even as the climate changes. This book discusses the EPA''s climate change adaptation plan, and discusses the impacts of climate change on the United States.

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Book SynopsisCleaner Production is an emerging field of research that comprises concepts and methodologies from different disciplines in a problem-oriented manner. Research efforts are often concentrated in a variety of sectoral domains; and, for understanding the global change which embraces a variety of processes on several scales, a variety of environmental and sustainability aspects can be addressed. This book brings contributions from researchers that participated in editions of the International Workshop Advances in Cleaner Production (www.advancesincleanerproduction.net) held in São Paulo, Brazil. The book includes contributions from researchers from various countries for the development of Cleaner Production. Divided into three sections, the book addresses national experiences for the implementation of CP programs, research related to the metrics used to assess the effects of CP initiatives in the production sector and discussions that emerge before and after the implementation of these programs. Methodological approaches presented can be useful in the design and management of production systems, for policy development, environmental risk reduction, and prevention/mitigation strategies.

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Book SynopsisThis book presents and discusses research in the field of earth science, with a focus on the impact of internal wave breaking on ocean upper layer formation; geoexchange; neutron clusters in the earth''s core; pyrite as a concentrator of gold in laboratory and natural systems; triggering earthquakes by rainfalls; and mineralogy and origin of rare-earth-element-bearing granites.

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Book SynopsisSignificant quantities of oil can be extracted using Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) methods. One of the main methods of this type is CO2-EOR, which also has a positive impact on the environment as it results in the practically permanent storage of CO2, the main greenhouse gas (GHG). When its use is economically viable, the technology for extracting oil using CO2 (CO2-EOR) enables significant quantities of oil to be obtained and at the same time, provides storage for large volumes of CO2. It thus brings in both financial profits and environmental benefits if the oil extracted is used instead of crude oil obtained by conventional methods and does not entail any increase in consumption. This book discusses the different methods of EOR, as well as all of the economic benefits and impacts it has on the environment.

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Book SynopsisThis is an introduction to present sustainable development including its processes, challenges and prospects. We are living in an era of rapid technological change where innovation has increased exponentially. Accordingly, companies with cutting-edge research are facing lots of challenges in creating new products to enable a sustainable human existence and to ensure their acceptance by the society, especially when we hear of reports like tomorrow''s market signalling that the current trends are leading to an unsustainable human society. The relevance and importance of the study is discussed in the communication, which also highlights the objectives of the study and the scope of the book.

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Book SynopsisThis book is a compilation of information on airborne microalgae and cyanobacteria. This includes a survey of the literature, biology and ecology of airborne algae, mechanisms involved in their aerosolisation, the role of environmental factors in shaping the structure and composition of aero-algal communities, and information on methodological approaches used to study airborne algae. It also discusses the importance of airborne algae, including their ecological significance, as well as the role they could play in estimating the diversity and biogeography of different microalgal groups. Studies have shown that airborne algae may act as allergens. Since many reported airborne algae are known to produce toxins, they could also therefore be responsible for certain toxicoses. The book is intended to rejuvenate the academia''s interest in the above aspects of this fascinating group of microbes.

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Book SynopsisAlien -- also called non-indigenous or non-native -- species are defined as those species that colonise an area beyond their natural range, where they reproduce and establish a population. It is known that plants, animals and micro-organisms have been intentionally transferred with human discovery voyages for centuries and, possibly, since the shift from foraging to agricultural and pastoralist societies. As a result, many ''exotic'' species are now among our preferred foods, dearest pets, good-looking houseplants and decorative aquarium weeds, but most of them cannot be considered alien species, as they grow well only in artificially-controlled conditions or in protected environments. Conversely, alien species are capable of ready acclimation to novel habitats, where they may find themselves unconstrained by the limiting factors -- both abiotic and biotic -- typical of their original habitat. In these ''favorable'' conditions, they might outgrow, and ultimately overthrow, resident organisms with which they happen to compete: in this case, alien species are often dubbed ''invasive''. This book discusses patterns, management and economic impact of these biological invasions.

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Book SynopsisOcean acidification is the process whereby seawater becomes less alkaline (or more acidic). It is a concern to Congress because of the potential harm ocean acidification may cause to marine resources, and resource dependent industries and communities. The chemistry of the Earth''s oceans is changing as increasing amounts of anthropogenic carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves into the water. The intent of this book is to guide research and monitoring investments that will improve our understanding of ocean acidification and its potential impacts on marine species and ecosystems. It will further the development of adaptation and mitigation strategies to conserve marine organisms and the resources and services provided by the ecosystems in which they live.

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Book SynopsisThe growing quantities of waste sludge generated in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants containing various organics and other contaminants require novel treatment technologies that are capable of achieving significant removal efficiencies and producing reusable sludge products. As a response, a large variety of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have been investigated to remove the present contaminants from wastewaters and limited cases of waste sludge. Multidisciplinary researches have been carried out accordingly. In this regard, electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) have emerged as novel environmental-friendly and effective treatment technologies for the elimination of several organic contaminants. Considerable validation of these methods has been performed at both the bench-scale and pilot-scale. Although a promising new technology, the mechanisms involved in the oxidation of organic compounds during electrochemical advanced oxidation processes and the corresponding environmental impacts have not been completely addressed until now. This book aims at the electrochemical advanced oxidation processes occurrence from different points of view, describing its related technologies, providing an assessment of the development and efficiency, and highlighting various aspects of waste activated sludge stabilisation and reuse accordingly in five chapters. In the first chapter a brief review to waste sludge stabilisation and reuse has been presented. The second chapter provides an overview to advanced oxidation processes. The third chapter describes the various electrochemical advanced oxidation methods. Chapter four presents and discusses the own experimental investigations results employing the Fered-Fenton EAOP. The modeling of the results of the own experimental studies results by means of Taguchi method and artificial neural networks has been performed in the fifth chapter. The main goal of this book is to gather different updated viewpoints according to the electrochemical advanced oxidation processes and to provide the own experimental studies results accordingly in order to present students, researchers, engineers and managers with useful knowledge in this regard.

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Book SynopsisBentonite are usually found in deep geographical areas. They are produced from rock, fossils, weathering of volcanic ash and disposal of high-level of radioactive waste in many countries. Bentonite mainly consist of clay mineral such as montmorillinite and kaolinite. They mainly exist in cationic form of organic compounds such as aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbon and are employed to modify high cations exchange capacity, higher structural integrity, thermal conductivity, high chemical buffering capacity, and stiffness. Bentonite is a layer of natural silicate clay mineral having numerous properties such as large specific surface area, great absorption and interlayer exchangeable cation. Bentonite consists of outstanding physico-chemical properties which make it applicable in the areas such as water treatment, medical, groundwater barrier, farming, and construction. They are well known to be one of the most versatile and inexpensive treatments. The current book describes the bentonite characteristic, uses and implications for the environment in many areas of environmental science in particular, such as remediation, clean energy, water research and waste management. Researchers working in the area will benefit from the fundamental concepts and advanced approaches described in the book. The book is going to also be beneficial to researchers who are working for their graduate and postgraduate degrees in the area of science and technology. The book also provides a platform for all researchers as it covers a wide background in the subject from recent literature, abbreviations, and summaries. Additionally, this book covers a broader research area of chemistry, physics, environmental science, materials science, polymer science and engineering to present an interdisciplinary approach. This book contains the fundamental knowledge as well as recent advancements in the research and development of bentonite. The book also covers recent approaches and prospects about the current research and development of bentonite.

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Book SynopsisOver the last couple of decades, rapid urbanisation, unplanned industrialisation, and a rising population jointly created several issues worldwide, particularly in developing and underdeveloped countries. One such issue that requires urgent attention is the ever-increasing waste problem which has become an exasperation for regional and local governments and an issue of both national and international importance. Waste in any form and character are the byproduct of anthropogenic activities. To move forward towards a cleaner and greener future, we need to deduce sustainable technologies -- to reduce, reuse and recycle our waste. This book includes important information and views on new developments of waste management technologies, especially from developing and underdeveloped countries. In this book, there are contributions of experts from different countries. Each one of them shows interesting research outputs on waste management technologies which are both economical and eco-friendly; and if applied properly, can lead us towards a ''zero-waste'' world.

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Book SynopsisHurricane Sandy struck the United States in October 2012, causing an estimated $65 billion in damages. FEMA provides assistance to survivors through IHP and other programs. Part of its mission is to provide assistance quickly, but the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) previously identified weaknesses in FEMA''s ability to do so while protecting government resources. Moreover, GAO''s 2006 reports on Hurricane Katrina and Rita showed that FEMA did not consistently validate the identity of applicants or inspect damaged properties. This book discusses the extent to which FEMA implemented controls to help prevent IHP payments that are at risk of being improper or potentially fraudulent; and challenges FEMA and states faced obtaining information to help prevent IHP payments from duplicating or overlapping with other sources in its response to Hurricane Sandy. This book also discusses the timeliness of SBA''s disaster assistance to small businesses; the loan approval rates for small businesses and reasons for decline for Hurricane Sandy and previous disasters; the extent to which SBA has implemented programs mandated by the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2008; the progress DOT has made allocating, obligating, and disbursing DRAA surface transportation funds; how FTA''s new Public Transportation Emergency Relief program compares to FEMA''s and FHWA''s emergency relief programs; and the extent to which FTA and FEMA have implemented their memorandum of agreement to coordinate their roles and responsibilities when providing assistance to transit agencies.

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