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Training course in estuarine biology
Marine Pollution Bulletin He called for the early ratification of further tanker safety and anti-pollution measures adopted by IMCO last year; the provision of adequate shore reception facilities, particularly for oily wastes in important centres where none exist; and a scheme for regional cooperation to combat pollution in which the developing technical services of the Federation could provide useful aid.
Cadmium Recovery A new system has been devised by the British Electricity Council Research Centre to help electronics firms recover poisonous cadmium waste. The 'Chemelec cell', based on the simple principle of electrolysis, has already been installed by a South Wales electronics firm. The system is recovering about 10 kg of cadmium per month that would otherwise have been discharged as sewage waste.
Radiation Hazards A recent report of a study carried out jointly by the UK National Radiation Protection Board and the French Commissariat ~ l'Energie Atomique for the Commission of European Communities deals with the health hazard of radioactive emissions. An attempt has been made to establish comprehensive methods for assessing the total health detriment to the populations of the European Communities due to liquid and gaseous radioactive effluents during the normal operation of nuclear plants. The study was undertaken as part of an investigation of the difference in radioactive impact of the nuclear fuel cycle if plutonium were to be recycled in Light Water Reactors instead of restricting the fuel to uranium. Health detriment is expressed as the incidence of fatal and non-fatal cancers in the exposed population and hereditary effects in its descendents. The report describes the development of mathematical models which will allow this to be estimated. The report (Doc W3011/75 EN) can be obtained free of charge from the Commission of the European Communities in Luxembourg.
Training Course in Estuarine Biology Following the very successful course in estuarine hydrography run experimentally by the Estuarine and Brackish-Water Sciences Association last year, a further l-week course based at Heriot-Watt University has been arranged for Spring 1980. This course will deal with the biology of estuaries and is designed to be particularly suitable for water authority and river purification board staff, and staff of other laboratories engaged in environmental measurement and interpretation. The course is intended to be a wide-ranging introduction to practical aspects of the subject which will include sampling techniques, design of sampling programmes, interpretation of results, production measurement and introductory organism identification. It will supplement further courses elsewhere which deal solely with identification. The course is open to anyone interested, and further details of syllabus, cost etc. can be obtained from Dr M. Wilkinson, Department of Brewing and Biological Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Chambers Street, Edingurgh EH1 1HX. 346
Round-the-World News Hong Kong A recent report has stated that beaches around Hong Kong are so badly polluted that they would be closed down if the government there enforced limits proposed by the World Health Organization. Dr Brian Morton, a marine biologist at Hong Kong University, who has studied Hong Kong's waters for 9 years, said that it is the most popular beaches that are the worst polluted, and that the high incidence of hepatitis and other diseases is probably due to contaminated seafood and swimming in polluted waters. It is estimated that 160 I. of sewage per person per day flows into the harbour, and he predicts that soon very little of Hong Kong's original seashore will be left.
United Kingdom Giant flasks of radioactive liquid are likely to be regularly transported by sea from northern Scotland to the Windscale nuclear plant in Cumbria in the near future. The Atomic Energy Authority say that the flasks, weighing over 20 tons and containing plutonium nitrate from the Dounreay reactor are too big to go by rail or air, and it is safer to transport the dangerous liquid by sea.
Mediterranean A broad agreement to control the most serious pollution threats to the Mediterranean has been reached by most of the 18 Mediterranean governments and the European Economic Community. About 80% of all municipal sewage now enters the sea untreated or inadequately treated, and along with factory waste, pesticides and fertilizers, endangers the health of the Mediterranean surrounding areas, and the 100 000 000 tourists who visit it every year. It is hoped that the Mediterranean governments will hold a diplomatic conference in Athens next spring and sign the treaty.
England The English North-West Water Authority has said it will not be able to pay a £25 million bill to clean up the sea at Blackpool to meet the stringent health standards for bathing waters laid down by the EED. Chairman Mr George Man said that the number of bathers at Blackpool was not high enough for it to be given priority for grants and that the sea provided no danger to public health.
United States of America The Californian Court of Appeals has found four public employee unions in the city of San Francisco equally liable for pollution to the bay caused by raw wastewater discharged during the 6-day treatment plant workers' strike in 1974. The court ruled that the state of California, which brought the action, should be awarded the full penalty of $10 000 per day of violation. The fine was apportioned between the city and the four unions involved.
United States of America Several major public interest groups have reacted strongly to President Carter's plans to commercialize synthetic
Cadmium Recovery A new system has been devised by the British Electricity Council Research Centre to help electronics firms recover poisonous cadmium waste. The 'Chemelec cell', based on the simple principle of electrolysis, has already been installed by a South Wales electronics firm. The system is recovering about 10 kg of cadmium per month that would otherwise have been discharged as sewage waste.
Radiation Hazards A recent report of a study carried out jointly by the UK National Radiation Protection Board and the French Commissariat ~ l'Energie Atomique for the Commission of European Communities deals with the health hazard of radioactive emissions. An attempt has been made to establish comprehensive methods for assessing the total health detriment to the populations of the European Communities due to liquid and gaseous radioactive effluents during the normal operation of nuclear plants. The study was undertaken as part of an investigation of the difference in radioactive impact of the nuclear fuel cycle if plutonium were to be recycled in Light Water Reactors instead of restricting the fuel to uranium. Health detriment is expressed as the incidence of fatal and non-fatal cancers in the exposed population and hereditary effects in its descendents. The report describes the development of mathematical models which will allow this to be estimated. The report (Doc W3011/75 EN) can be obtained free of charge from the Commission of the European Communities in Luxembourg.
Training Course in Estuarine Biology Following the very successful course in estuarine hydrography run experimentally by the Estuarine and Brackish-Water Sciences Association last year, a further l-week course based at Heriot-Watt University has been arranged for Spring 1980. This course will deal with the biology of estuaries and is designed to be particularly suitable for water authority and river purification board staff, and staff of other laboratories engaged in environmental measurement and interpretation. The course is intended to be a wide-ranging introduction to practical aspects of the subject which will include sampling techniques, design of sampling programmes, interpretation of results, production measurement and introductory organism identification. It will supplement further courses elsewhere which deal solely with identification. The course is open to anyone interested, and further details of syllabus, cost etc. can be obtained from Dr M. Wilkinson, Department of Brewing and Biological Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Chambers Street, Edingurgh EH1 1HX. 346
Round-the-World News Hong Kong A recent report has stated that beaches around Hong Kong are so badly polluted that they would be closed down if the government there enforced limits proposed by the World Health Organization. Dr Brian Morton, a marine biologist at Hong Kong University, who has studied Hong Kong's waters for 9 years, said that it is the most popular beaches that are the worst polluted, and that the high incidence of hepatitis and other diseases is probably due to contaminated seafood and swimming in polluted waters. It is estimated that 160 I. of sewage per person per day flows into the harbour, and he predicts that soon very little of Hong Kong's original seashore will be left.
United Kingdom Giant flasks of radioactive liquid are likely to be regularly transported by sea from northern Scotland to the Windscale nuclear plant in Cumbria in the near future. The Atomic Energy Authority say that the flasks, weighing over 20 tons and containing plutonium nitrate from the Dounreay reactor are too big to go by rail or air, and it is safer to transport the dangerous liquid by sea.
Mediterranean A broad agreement to control the most serious pollution threats to the Mediterranean has been reached by most of the 18 Mediterranean governments and the European Economic Community. About 80% of all municipal sewage now enters the sea untreated or inadequately treated, and along with factory waste, pesticides and fertilizers, endangers the health of the Mediterranean surrounding areas, and the 100 000 000 tourists who visit it every year. It is hoped that the Mediterranean governments will hold a diplomatic conference in Athens next spring and sign the treaty.
England The English North-West Water Authority has said it will not be able to pay a £25 million bill to clean up the sea at Blackpool to meet the stringent health standards for bathing waters laid down by the EED. Chairman Mr George Man said that the number of bathers at Blackpool was not high enough for it to be given priority for grants and that the sea provided no danger to public health.
United States of America The Californian Court of Appeals has found four public employee unions in the city of San Francisco equally liable for pollution to the bay caused by raw wastewater discharged during the 6-day treatment plant workers' strike in 1974. The court ruled that the state of California, which brought the action, should be awarded the full penalty of $10 000 per day of violation. The fine was apportioned between the city and the four unions involved.
United States of America Several major public interest groups have reacted strongly to President Carter's plans to commercialize synthetic