General Audience Blog

General Audience Blog ~Jacob Turley, Environmental Chemist

Pesticide exposure is a prevalent problem prevalent in California and worldwide. Soil pesticides can drift into homes and people can become sick. These pesticides have been sprayed on a crops a century. The Environmental Protection Agency has reviewed hundreds of pesticides. Many have been banned because they have been found to endanger human health an

Chlordane has been banned because the EPA has found it harmful to the central nervous system and causes organ damage in mammals, birds, and fish. Although all approved chlordane uses were discontinued by the US in 1988, the chemical can still be detected in creeks and streams because of the persistence of its high sediment binding strength. Chlordane is not water-soluble (Log Kow = 2.78), but it does leech into water, bioconcentrate, and bioaccumulate. The pesticide tightly binds to organic soil because it has low polarity therefore the highest chlordane concentrations are found in creek sediments.

Sediment from several locations along Tecolote Creek in San Diego, CA were analyzed for persisting chlordane levels: Tecolote Creek (TC), Fiesta Cudahy Creek (FC), a reservoir (RS), a transformer (TR), the Cadman park lawn (CA), the YMCA (YM), and a baseball field lawn (BB).

This figure below reports the GPS locations of the analyzed sites.

A chlordane residue extraction was performed on each sample and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis determined its chlordane concentration. ELISAs combine the specificity of antibodies with the sensitivity of simple enzyme assays, by using antibodies or antigens coupled to an easily-assayed enzyme to provide useful measurements of antigen or antibody concentration.

The lowest concentrations were found in the YMCA (YM) and Cadman Park (CA) sediments. Fiesta Creek (FC) and the Reservoir (RS) sediments showed very high levels of the pesticide contamination. The Telecote Creek location shows a decrease from 560 ppb to less than 200 ppb.

Each sample was also tested for CaCO₃ contents, organic material contents, acidity levels and distribution of particle size. Each sample was pre-weighed; vacuum filtrated in hydrochloric acid (HCl) then dried. The dried samples were reweighed then the value was subtracted from the previous measurement to determine the sample’s CaCO₃ mass content.

This picture shows a USD environmental chemistry student weighing sediment sample for analysis in the laboratory with proper safety wear.

Each dried sample was placed in a pre-weighed crucible and covered with a lid. A Bunsen burner heated the crucible through a clay triangle until the sample glowed. The heated sample was cooled and reweighed to determine the mass of organic content. The picture below shows the heated crucible during the organics analysis.

The video at the end of this blog posting gives a laboratory view of the procedure used to determine the sediment organic material content.

pH paper was used to determine the relative acidity of each soil/sediment sample.

The data for the three experiments is presented in the figure below:

The highest percentages of calcium carbonate were found in the Baseball Field (BB) and Telecote Creek (TC). The lowest percentages of calcium carbonate were found in the Transformer (TR) and the YMCA (YM). A correlation is expected between samples with high levels of CaCO₃ and low pH. As the calcium carbonate increased the sample showed higher

acidity levels due to more weak carbonic acid content. This trend is shown in the Baseball Field (BB), Cadman (CA), and the Transformer (TR). These samples show direct relationships to acidity and carbonate content.

Particle Size Distribution was determined with molecular sieve filtering and Coulter laser particle scattering spectrometry. The smallest particles are in TC and BB (<250>µM diameter> CA has medium sized particles (~250 µM diameter). YMCA and RS have large particles (~500 µM diameter). The transformer has the largest particles (>500 µM diameter).

The figure below shows the distribution of particles in the samples.

E Chem Blog: The Movie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7Pjp9ZHkp0
(may need to copy and paste link)

Artic Contamination Response

In response to people who believe that global warming is not a concern I am presenting information from a recent seminar I attended at the University of San Diego.

Gier Wing Gabrielsen from the Norwegian Polar Institute gave a presentation titled

“Pollution in the Arctic: How physiology can be used in ecological and toxicological studies”

He reported that global air temp increases 0.4° per year but it is 6-8 times higher temp. Increase in the arctic. When arctic regions experienced an amplified heating effect causing a reduction of summer ice.
Research related to the impacts of a warming arctic predicts ice would be completely gone by 2070. More recent data shows very dramatic ice conditions heating faster than expected and a reduction in sea ice and glacier size.
High levels if dangerous pesticides (POPs) have been found in polar bears and aortic fox gulls. This includes HCB, DDT, HCH and chlordane and other lipid soluble materials.
New toxins have been detected that have negative effects on animals: Brominated compounds, PBDE, Siloksaner, PFC.
The pollutant PCBs is deposited into ice. The ice melts and bioaccumulation and biomagnifications of contaminants occur as they enter the food chain through seawater and krill. High PCB levels cause death in animals. PCB levels in arctic birds have increased from 2007 to 2008.
Climate change increases the load of contaminations in arctic marine ecosystems

Pollutants in the Arctic

In the seminar “Pollution in the Arctic: How Physiology can be Used in Ecological and Toxicological Studies”, Geir Gabrielsen from the Norwegian Polar Institute spoke about the impacts of climate change in the Arctic and the effects of heating in particular regions. He spoke about the effects of pollutants, especially POPs such as PCBs, DDT, and Chlordane, and bioaccumulation of PCBs in sea birds and animals because of the presence of the PCBs in seawater and krill. He also discussed a new pollutant, hydroxylated PBDEs, which are of high concern. PBDEs, or polybrominated diphenylethers, are flame retardant chemicals used in foams, plastics, and fabrics. The EPA describes the unintended consequences of using these chemicals, which have now been discovered to contribute to thyroid and liver toxicity when they persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. ( http://www.epa.gov/oppt/pbde/ ). Another article ( http://www.mindfully.org/Heritage/2003/Polar-Bear-Poisoning5jul03.htm ) describes the effects of PCBs, pesticides, and the newly worrying PBDEs in arctic environments, where they have am especially strong impact on polar bears. Because polar bears are at the top of the food chain and have thick layers of body fat, these compounds can reach dangerous levels and accumulate in their bodies due to biomagnification. The toxins are also transferred to newborn polar bears through their mother’s milk, which occurs at a time when exposure to the chemicals could be especially harmful to their development.

EPA Releases New Emissions Ruling

The EPA released a final ruling in regards to major greenhouse gas emitters under the Clean Air Act. Under the rule starting in July 2011, new sources emitting at least 100,000 tons and existing plants increasing emissions by 75,000 tons per year will have to obtain permits. The rule will apply to sites accounting for roughly 70 percent of the country’s emissions and the EPA believes about 15,000 sources will be affected within the first two years of the new policy. The rule is intended to apply to sources such as coal-fired plants, solid waste landfills, and refineries. The ruling was met with mixed opinions. Some worry that the increasing limits on emissions will hurt the economy, while others defend the EPA and claim that the ruling will regulate large sources of emissions without placing further burden on small businesses.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/14/science/earth/14permit.html?src=me&ref=science

Approval of Cape Wind

Cape Wind, a project that would lead to construction of the country’s first offshore wind farm covering 25 miles of Nantucket Sound, has been approved by the federal government after nine years. The project has been debated on various levels, including the impact the turbines would have on nature and aesthetics in the area, property values, the profits allocated to a private developer, and the emphasis being placed on switching to alternative sources of energy. Some compromises have been made to lessen the concerns of opponents, such as reducing the number of turbines from 170 to 130, and painting them a different color and leaving their lights on for fewer hours a day to make them less visible. Despite the concerns of the opponents, the project is claimed to be able to provide 75% of the power for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to an amount reduced by taking 170,000 cars off the road.
http://www.mindfully.org/Heritage/2003/Polar-Bear-Poisoning5jul03.htm

Regulation of Norwegian Industries to Prevent Climate Change

It is important to limit and regulate emissions from shipping, the petroleum business or other industries that emit soot directly in the Arctic. These emissions contribute to a temperature increases in arctic climate. Climate change in the Norwegian Arctic has major damaging consequences such as increased oceanic acidity and damaging ultra-violet rays.

Arctic warming can endanger the livelihoods of indigenous peoples and push creatures such as polar bears toward extinction. The Norwegian Polar Institute urges Norway to limit soot emissions from its oil and shipping industries to slow arctic warming. Climate change would shift Norway's fish stocks, forests and reindeer pastures northwards and even bring a need to re-design hydropower dams to accommodate increased rainfall.

The arctic ice and snow is blanketed by black soot. This dark soot layer absorbs solar energy and increases the rate ice thaws. Most arctic warming has been due to power plant, factory and car emissions. A recent study suggests that a proactive Norwegian response against soot emissions would help curb future Arctic pollution that supports



http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64A1WM20100511

The Artic, Contaminated

Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxins.
A Desert Research Institute (DRI) study reports that North American and European coal burning has contaminated the Arctic.

Coal is mainly elemental carbon with small amounts of hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen. On complete combustion of coal, carbon dioxide is the main product formed. This is non-toxic, but contributes to the green house effect if produced in excess.

Small amounts of oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur formed are responsible for acid rain.

On incomplete combustion of coal, carbon monoxide and unburnt carbon particles are also formed. This causes carbon monoxide poisoning, the formation of smog, and the blackening of buildings.


A Greenland ice core was analyzed by DRI for pollution levels from coal burning. The study of the Greenland ice core produced a record of continuously averaged monthly and annual averaged pollution levels dating from 1772-2003.



The research reported high levels of cadmium, thallium and lead. These metals are all toxic heavy metals. Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxics.
A Desert Research Institute (DRI) study reports that North American and European coal burning has contaminated the Arctic.

Coal is mainly elemental carbon with small amounts of hydrogen, oxygen, sulphur and nitrogen. On complete combustion of coal, carbon dioxide is the main product formed. This is non-toxic, but contributes to the green house effect if produced in excess.

Small amounts of oxides of nitrogen and oxides of sulphur formed are responsible for acid rain.

On incomplete combustion of coal, carbon monoxide and unburnt carbon particles are also formed. This causes carbon monoxide poisoning, the formation of smog, and the blackening of buildings.


A Greenland ice core was analyzed by DRI for pollution levels from coal burning. The study of the Greenland ice core produced a record of continuously averaged monthly and annual averaged pollution levels dating from 1772-2003. The research reported high levels of cadmium, thallium and lead detected in the ice core. All toxic heavy metals.

Recently our USD lab class tested sediment samples for metal ion levels. We used atomic absorption spectrometry to detect lead levels. I would like to analyze a liquid sample of this ice core in our labs and report which heavy metals are detected. I would also like to use a GC-MS to detect organic material concentrations then compare all of my data to DRI's observations.


DRI reports a 10 fold pollution level increase observed between the 1700's and 1900's. A 2 to 5 % pollution level decrease has been reported in arctic pollution levels since last century.


It is worth mentioning that many comments argue against this study. Opponents argue that environmental lobbyists are interested in political power and not lowering pollution levels. Those who oppose the study deem the report "alarmist research" and argue that it is pointless because no one will listen. One opponent claims that global warming prevention advertisements portray industrial pollution that is truly just non toxic water vapor.

http://wattsupwiththat.com/2008/08/25/greenland-ice-core-reveals-history-of-pollution-in-the-arctic-but-theres-a-twist-it-was-worse-100-years-ago/

Reducing Pollution of Chesapeake Bay

Today, the EPA announced guidance for federal facilities to reduce pollution of Chesapeake Bay. The guidance will help provide tools to reduce nitrate and phosphate pollution that is leaching through surrounding sediment. The EPA website says, "The categories of activity that are addressed in this guidance are agriculture, urban and suburban (including turf), forestry, riparian areas, decentralized wastewater treatment systems, and hydromodification." I think it is really great to see more measures being taken to protect waterways. More information can be found at http://www.epa.gov/nps/chesbay502/

General Report

General Audience Report

Donald Millar

The water quality in San Diego county streams is very important to the health of our community and the plants and animals that live within it. Water possesses properties such as temperature, dissolved salt content (salinity), dissolved oxygen content, and pH. These parameters dramatically alter the nature of a stream and subsequently the life that depends on it. Tecolote Canyon is an urban canyon in central San Diego that serves to drain rain and runoff water from public parks, private residences and even a golf course. The water that enters the canyon collects in Tecolote creek where it flows to the ocean via Mission Bay. As a community that is highly concerned with the health of our marine ecosystem, it is important to understand the dynamics of the local creeks and watersheds that empty into the Pacific.

The water of Tecolote Creek was found to be at a temperature of ~17.5 degrees Celsisus and featured little salt content: 1 part salt per trillion parts water. These values are normal for a stream in Southern California. However, the amount of dissolved oxygen recorded in the water samples was significantly lower than would have been expected for a water sample of the same temperature. Organic pollution in the water is produced by the improper disposal and use of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers. The presence of organic pollution can be tested by analyzing the demand for oxygen present in a sample due to the need for oxygen in the metabolic processes of these organic bacteria. Measurements of this demand for oxygen, called Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) found that the levels of organics were very low; a fact that was surprising due to the proximity to a golf course and

Tecolote Canyon near the sampling site

residential area. The BOD levels recorded in Tecolote Canyon were similar to those that would be found in a pristine wilderness waterway. This means that pollution due to overuse and improper disposal of fertilizers is not a significant problem in Tecolote Canyon.

Graph showing the expected dissolved oxygen (DO) and the recorded DO values.

Acid rain is an environmental problem caused by rainfall that has too low of a pH (an elevated concentration of H+ molecules). The acidity of the rain can cause a change in the pH levels of streams and lakes that dramatically alters the natural chemistry of these waterways. Soils and clays contain elements such as calcium, which is effective at neutralizing the acidic content of acid rain, helping to maintain normalcy in the ecosystem. Soils were collected from throughout Dan Diego county and each was tested for its ability to neutralize the effects of acid rain. Soils collected from Tecolote Canyon at the electrical power station and at the mouth of Tecolote creek were able to remove over 99% of H+ ions from the acid that was applied. The soil collected from Tecolote Creek was more effective at neutralizing acid than even pure limestone.

Soil Samples that were collected were tested for their metal content using an atomic analyzer machine. Each sample was tested for the presence of several metals, magnesium, lead, zinc, calcium, and copper. The most common metal found in the samples was calcium, a natural component of soils that did not come as a surprise to be present in such large amounts. The second most numerous metal observed was magnesium. The metal found in the least concentrations in San Diego soils was Zinc. Lead, which can pose a health risk, was found in very low concentrations; below the threshold of health risks.

The atomic analyzer instrument

The water samples that were collected from Tecolote Creek were analyzed using a Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectroscopy instrument that is capable of determing if any toxic compounds were present in the water tested. Two compounds were discovered albeit in low concentrations: hexadecanoic acid (palmitic acid) and methoxyphenyloxime. Hexadecanoic acid is also known as palmitic acid and is commonly found in palm trees, seeing as though this canyon contains many palms it can be assumed that the contamination by hexadecanoic acid is due to natural leaching from palm trees. Methoxyphenyloxime is a compound known as an oxime, oximes are often used in the synthesis of nylon fabrics and in the production of artifical sweeteners.

Overall, the health of Tecolote Creek and the canyon itself is excellent. Little pollution due to organics or toxic compounds was found in the water. The soil has an excellent buffering ability against acid rain and has very little concentration of harmful metals such as lead. The dissolved oxygen content of the water tested in Tecolote Canyon was low, but this may have been due to the stagnant nature of the tested pool. Overall, the health of the canyons soil and water is exemplary and should be looked to as an example of stewardship by the local community.

Pollution in the Arctic

Gier Wing Gabrielsen from the Norwegian Polar Institute, gave at talk at USD entitled, "Pollution in the Arcthic: How Physiology Can Be Used in Ecological and Toxicological Studies". He talked about the studies being conducted to "understand the range of man-made contaminants in marine ecosystems of polar regions". There are both "old" and "new" pollutants that are affecting polar ecosystems. The "old" pollutants are those that have been around for decades, some of which have since been outlawed. These include HCHs, DDT and derivatives, Chlorodanes, and PCBs, which are lipid soluble and are mobilized as the lipid composition of animals changes throughout the year. The "new" pollutants include PBDEs, Siloksaners, PFCs, and PFOs. The levels of these pollutants in Arctic animals is of particular importance because if it can be proven that these compounds are harming Arctic ecosystems, then steps can be made to ban such compounds. 60% of pollutants are transported through the air to the arctic, 30% by the water and 10% through the ice. Studies have shown that contaminants bioaccumulate in marine food webs, but terrestrial contamination levels are much lower. Geir Wing Garbrielsen's information can be found at http://npweb.npolar.no/english/person/geir and more information on studies in the Arctic can be found at http://www.polaryear.no/seksjoner/english.

Chemical Fix to Oil Spill

One of the solutions to the oil spill crisis going on is the controversial use of toxic chemical dispersants to break up the oil and help it more readily evaporate. I personally had not heard of this in the news, but according to The New York Times, 160,000 gallons of these chemical concoctions have already been sprayed on the ocean surface and 6,000 gallons have been pumped down the the shaft where the leak is coming from. In terms of what actually composes the mixture they are using, that's a trade secret. What is known is that the chemicals are coming from a product line called Corexit. This actually got their approval rescinded by Britian due to the harmful affects of the chemicals on the marine life in rocky shores. Good to know that's being spilled into the ocean, right?

Some environmentalists see chemical dispersants as a necessary evil when an oil spill grows out of control like this one. The potentially harmful affects on ocean life cannot be predicted from the results in the rocky shore since the ocean is definitely a different environment, but it would be naive to assume this process is safe. Below is a link to the article and a satellite picture of the oil spill. It's shocking to think we can see this from space!


http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/20162

Cleaner Drinking Water

Almost one billion people across the developing world depend on untreated water sources for drinking and daily needs. It is estimated that each year about two million people die from water-borne diseases. A new research shows that tree seeds could provide a low-cost means of water purification that could drastically reduce water-borne diseases in water sources.

The Moringa oleifera is a vegetable tree native to Africa, Asia, and South America. The tree grows fast, resistant to drought, and contains an abundant amount of nutrition. It yields cooking and lighting oil, soil fertilizer, and edible seedpods, flowers and leaves. Also, the tree’s bark, roots and gum have many medical uses. This tree could help provide millions of people with cleaner drinking water.

According to a Canadian water purification agency, the Clearinghouse, the Moringa tree water treatment method can reduce bacteria in untreated water

by 90 to 99.99 %

“It’s (Moringa oleifera] seeds can be used to purify drinking water at virtually no cost.” ~ Michael Lea, a researcher at Clearinghouse, a Canadian organization

Moringa tree cultivation could provide jobs, nutritional benefits, and cleaner water. This solution could help to limit a large cause of death and disease in the world.

[Tree Cleans Water]

Wastewater Sludge into Electricity!

A University of Nevada, Reno, research group has been developing technology to turn sludge wastewater into electricity. The technology is going to be set up at the Truckee Meadows Water Reclamation facility next month. It has the potential to generate 600 kW of electricity per day.

http://www.waterworld.com/index/display/news_display/144535759.html

Our water treatment plant switches to ozone next month

The Alvarado water treatment plant, which supplies drinking water to USD and central San Diego, is currently in the process of switching its disinfection system from chlorine to ozone. The new system is currently being tested, and the switchover will occur in the next several weeks. (See link for details.) Of course, since ozone doesn't persist in the water, a small amount of chlorine will still be added to provide residual disinfection for the water as it flows through the system. The results should be less organics, less trihalomethanes, and better tasting water. However, according to our text, if bromine or bromide is present in the water supply, different carcinogens such as formaldehyde and bromate ions (instead of trihalomethanes) could be produced.

San Diego's Water Quality

The City of San Diego is required to report annually the water quality of its four water treatment systems. The most recent report available is from 2008. How many carcinogenic trihalomethanes were you drinking two years ago? (Answer: 58 ppb) Anything radioactive in your water? (Answer: usually not ...) Check out page 3 of the report for more data.

Water Emergency in Boston, MA

A water main broke in Boston this Saturday, dumping around 8 million gallons of water into the Charles river every hour. This break has caused nearly 2 million residence of the greater Boston area to be without clean drinking water. People have been told to boil water rapidly for at least one minute before consuming water or using it to cook, in order to kill any possible bacteria that is contaminating the water due to the leak. I was actually in Boston when this event occurred and was eating lunch in a restaurant with my family when a police officer came into the building and announced that the water was "unsafe to drink". Soon after the news had been spread, there was a run on bottled water in all of the stores. Most stores completely ran out of bottled water on Saturday night, although the orders for all of the stores' supplies of bottled water was greatly increased to accommodate the increased demand in the coming days. Here is a link to an article that has a good diagram of the area and a quick video of the damage:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978210983

Lawsuit Against Massey Energy Co.

Five subsidiaries of Massey Energy Co. are being sued by the Sierra Club and three other environmental groups for violations of surface mining laws and the Clean Water Act. The claims against the company includes the dumping of toxic aluminum as well as violating standards iron, pH, and suspended solids levels. "The lawsuit...demands that Massey conduct monitoring and sampling to determine what environmental harm it has caused, then repair any problems and 'restore the environment to its prior uncontaminated condition.'"

Water pollution is incredibly difficult to track down and hold people accountable for, but I think it is extremely important that companies are held accountable for the waste that they produce and the proper disposal of it, so as to minimize the contamination of the water supply.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9FBLH4O0.htm

Mystery Fish

Several hundred fish were found dead near Ponte Verde Beach, Florida between April 14 and April 18. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is still unsure of what could be the most probably cause for the bizarre event. Earlier this year, a similar incident occurred, but the deaths were attributed to the unusually cold weather during the winter and was not isolated to just Ponte Verde Beach and it's surrounding inland water reservoirs. The spokesperson for the Conservation Commission stated that it could be a low level of dissolved oxygen. She then went on to say that determining the cause of the lowered DO levels would be quite a daunting task since there could be a variety of reasons. Some examples could be heavy rain, which has not occurred in the area recently, or stirring of the bottom sediments. The stirring could stimulate the decomposition of organic matter in the water by bacteria that has now surfaced, which would deplete the dissolved oxygen.

http://staugustine.com/news/2010-04-26/pv-fish-kills-mystery-authorities

Fertilizer Contamination of Water Sources.

The increase in the use of fertilizers in recent decades has over-loaded systems with nitrogen.

The figure below shows a graph of the growth trends in fertilizer use worldwide.

Fertilizer Use is Climbing

Estimated Growth in Fertilizer Use, 1960-2020

Source: Balu Bumb and Carlos Baanante, World Trends in Fertilizer Use and Projections to 2020, 2020 Brief No. 38 (International Food Policy Research Institute, Washington, D.C., 1996), Table 1. According to the World Resources Institute, nitrate is the United State's most common and widespread groundwater pollutant and "22 percent of wells in U.S. agricultural areas contained levels of nitrate in excess of the federal limit". Nitrate contamination is most dangerous to infants, as it can cause a disorder that causes their red blood cells to malfunction, causing what is know as "blue baby syndrome". More information on this topic can be found at the the World Resources Institute's website on this topic: http://www.wri.org/publication/content/8439

Llama Dung, a Possible Water Supply Decontamanent

In La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia, the main water supply is being polluted by water seeping from abandoned mines in the Andes Mountain Range. Mine water is dangerous to the environment because it is rich in sulfate and heavy metals (iron and aluminum). As the polluted mine water flows through creeks and streams, algae is smothered with a health hazardous coating that makes it up the food chain through fish and small water animals. In addition, metal particles coat the fish gills and kill fish.

A research team is working with a low-cost development to neutralize the acidic, metal-rich water through an organic filter that uses llama droppings as the decontaminant. Llama excrement was used treat dangerous mine run-off that pollutes a Bolivian alpine lake. The low-tech system utilizes manure microbes to neutralize the acidic water. The process removes most of the dissolved metals. This was tested in the UK with horse and cow dung previous.

Today, the area's mining industry in the region is quite extinct but the trail of abandoned mines still carries the burden of polluted mine run-off water. In these areas, "dead zones" were created in pools of mine. In the UK, the researchers developed a water way system containing cow and horse manure. As the mine water flowed through the organic filter, the acidity neutralized from a vinegar equivalent to drinking water.

Clean Water Supply

Rain Harvesting Supported in Some Arid Western States

Technology improvements have lead to a popularity gain in the eco-friendly activity of rain harvesting. Water storage systems are manufactured and promoted in New Mexico and Arizona. A one inch rain on a 2000 sq. ft roof generates over 1000 gallons of free water.

Drinking and bathing in the collected rainwater is not recommended unless it is treated to health department standards. Roof water carries leaves, dust, bugs, bird excrement into rain capture storage systems and should be filtered. It is heavily suggested that rainwater is used in a manner that returns the moisture to the earth near the location where it fell.

Modular OcTank Rain Capture System

Rain Harvest

Chemical leaching due to Microwaves

It's safer and more healthy to use heat-resistant glass or ceramic containers when heating foods in microwaves. Being conscious in the types of materials you place in a microwave is also positive in lowering greenhouse gas emissions because heating plastics releases carbon dioxides.
Heating plastic materials causes chemicals to pass into (especially fatty) foods.

Microwave in Glass

Testing has also found chemicals after normal heating of the following 'microwave safe' plastics:

BPA leaches from 'safe' products

Arsenic Poisoning in India/Bangladesh is a disaster of heavy consequence

In Bangladesh and India, arsenic poisoning intensifies malnutrition and poverty among the poor villagers. 85 million of its 125 million people have been accidentally poisoned with arsenic-contaminated drinking water. This disaster is proclaimed as a higher destructive magnitude than the Chernobyl tragedy. Arsenic related cancer is on the rise. The epidemic of arsenic related cancer has just begun. So far, no aid has reached the people.


"Green Revolution," refers to a 1943 - late 1970 expansion of irrigation infrastructure, and distribution of hybridized seeds, synthetic fertilizers, and pesticides to farmers. This is a possible cause of poisoning contaminated ground water of Bangladesh and India, along with ignorance and negligence of the organizations responsible for monitoring the waterways for hazards.

Tragedy in Bangladash/India

Colorado Rainwater Ownership Controvers

Harvesting rainwater is an activity that environmentalists commit to to conserve water to use in drier times. In some states gathering this water in containers is deemed illegal because state law
deems that the water belongs to those who bought the rights to waterways.

In Denver, conservationalist Kris Holstrom knowingly defies this law.
She uses 55-gallon buckets underneath the gutters of her house to catch rain and snowmelt. This recycled water is used to irrigate a small private vegetable garden.

Colorado state law declares that the rain water should be allowed to fall to the ground and flow unimpeded into surrounding creeks and streams. The the law states that it is the property of waterway right purchasing farmers and water agencies and not hers to keep and use.


"If you try to collect rainwater, well, that water really belongs to someone else," said Doug Kemper, executive director of the Colorado Water Congress. "We get into a very detailed accounting on every little drop."

Frank Jaeger of the Parker Water and Sanitation District sees water harvesting as a vicious attempt to take water from developers that have paid for the resource.


Nevertheless, I believe, along with Organic farmers and urban environmentalist, that water harvesting makes economic sense and should be a legal and invited practice.

Who owns Colorado's Rain water?

Environmental Lawsuit

The desalination plant in Carlsbad is facing a lot of legal trouble. The Surfrider Foundation has filed suit against the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board for approving a permit for the desalination facility despite the fact that it does not comply with state law. It is believed the the Poseidon Resources' desalination plant will kill countless marine organisms, failing to minimize casualties as required in California. The plant would suck in 300 million gallons of ocean water daily to produce more than 50 million gallons of drinking water a day, which seems great, but millions of organisms would also be sucked in with the ocean water. Currently, there does not appear to be a system established by the desalination plant to reduce the number of potentially trapped sea life.

Poseidon Resources denies the claims in the lawsuit, but this is not the first time it's been smacked with legal trouble. Twelve other challenges have been filed; all by two have been rejected. The negative reaction by environmentalists really begs the question: Can we build a desalination plant that can produce enough drinking water to make an impact on society without destroying a significant amount of marine life? What are the long-term effects of allowing Poseidon Resources to destroy marine organisms on a daily basis, if the allegations of the lawsuit are true?

You can watch to a news report on this issue here: http://www.760kfmb.com/Global/story.asp?S=12367356

Safety of Melamine Dishware

This post is a response to the questions raised in class about the safety of plastic dishware, especially the variety sold at stores like Target. Much of this dishware is a hard plastic, labeled “melamine” on the bottom. Melamine was involved in a 2007 pet food recall, when pets became sick from eating pet food contaminated with melamine. It was also the center of a scandal in China, when it was discovered that infant formula had been laced with melamine to make the protein content appear higher. This article (http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/melamine_in_formula_in_candy_in_kids_dishes/) states that melamine itself is not toxic, but causes kidney problems when combined with cyanuric acid. Although trace amounts of melamine in food are not thought to be dangerous to adults (in amounts below 0.63 mg per kg body weight per day), the FDA dictates that no level of melamine is safe for infant formula. As for melamine dishware, there have been studies that reported leaching of the material, especially into warm or acidic food. Most of the dishware I have seen is not microwave safe because the high temperature of the microwave or oven could melt the material and cause it to leach into food. Also, the material itself is actually a polymer of melamine and formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen. Despite these facts, the consensus seems to be that as long as it is used properly, melamine dishware is generally safe because trace amounts would not exceed the exposure level that adults can withstand.

California Solar Energy

An article I found from the New York Times (http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/04/21/californias-solar-scorecard/) summarizes the many viewpoints about California’s goal to install solar panels on one million households by 2018. The article provides the commentaries of several experts in the field and shows that there is a wide range of opinions and expectations regarding the installation and use of solar panels on private homes. The first three opinions range from disappointment to optimism to a realistic perspective and suggestions for improvement. The first reports that, despite the statewide goal, only about 50,000 homes have installed solar panels, and leaders have not done enough to promote the issue. Although improvements have been made, much of the funding going towards the project will likely be used by corporations rather than private homeowners, who will still face a cost of about $24,000 to install the panels. The second commentary focuses on the promise and potential of solar panels, referring to the jobs and competition that have been created. The writer points out two main benefits of the push for solar panel use. He believes that the push has created a new industry and has led to an area of political agreement. He concludes by comparing the US to Germany, where 8 times more solar power was installed last year, and by trying to inspire the US to reclaim its place in the solar industry. The opinion of the third commentator takes a middle ground. He points out that despite the funding being provided to promote solar panel installation, the panels are still relatively inefficient and although the cost for large-scale installations is decreasing, the cost for residential use remains much higher than that of other alternative energy sources. The commentator suggests putting funding into the currently most cost effective alternative energy sources for residential use and continuing to fund research that could make solar panels more efficient in the future.

Climate and Energy Law Symposium

Last Friday, I attended a series of talks at the Climate and Energy Law Symposium. The panel was titled “Instrument Choice Over Time: Stability vs. Ossification.” The overall theme of the panel was to suggest ways in which to make climate and energy laws as effective as possible over time and the types of legal changes that can be made to accomplish this. Leslie Carothers, President of the Environmental Law Institute, spoke about the Waxman-Markey Bill and its purpose to set a maximum number of greenhouse gases and sources from which they can be obtained. The bill would create standards for producing electricity from renewable sources and standards for energy efficiency. It would also introduce a cap-and-trade scheme, which places caps on emissions and distributes emissions allowances via auction and free allocation, increasing the amount auctioned and decreasing the amount of free allocation each year. There is also an option for parties to buy additional allowances from other lower cost sources to reduce the overall cost of the program. According to Carothers, a great degree of complexity is needed in terms of the scope and allowances of the bill as well as with the legislation, to keep costs down and provide greater flexibility. This was a common theme among the speakers of the panel, who suggested ways to incorporate legislation in differing degrees to attain the best possible outcome.

San Diego Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Students in the Environmental Chemistry class at the University of San Diego completed an analysis of the greenhouse gas emissions of several different forms of energy consumption including electricity, industry, and transportation in San Diego County. Greenhouse gas emissions are reported in terms of CO₂, which is one of the most prevalent and significant greenhouse gases and is a potential contributor to global warming. The greenhouse gas emissions are determined by converting the amount of a resource consumed to an equivalent amount of CO₂ released into the atmosphere.

Greenhouse gas emissions for electricity were obtained from San Diego Gas & Electric. The majority of electricity consumption comes from the residential and commercial sectors. Commercial electricity consumption has shown the largest increase since 1990, and the total CO₂ emissions as a result of electricity consumption has increased from 9.3 teragrams CO₂ in 1990 to 13.3 teragrams of CO₂ in 2008. In the residential category, heating and cooling units and kitchen appliances use the most electricity. Suggestions for decreasing CO₂ emissions due to electricity use are to turn off lights and unplug appliances when not in use, and to keep houses well insulated to reduce waste from warm or cold air lost to the outdoors.

In industry, the production of CO₂ has increased dramatically since 1990, from less than 0.02 to over 1 MMT (million metric tons) CO₂. The greatest contributor is the use of HFCs, hydrofluorocarbons, as a substitution for other compounds that deplete ozone. A possible solution would be to replace these with hydrocarbons for particular uses. Of the CO₂ emissions from natural gas used in public transportation and aviation, use of natural gas for buses is the primary source of emissions, which have increased by a factor of almost 10 for that category since 1990. Suggestions to reduce emissions included better regulations to prevent and repair leaks in pipelines, as well as continued efforts to find alternative fuel sources.

Of transportation dependent on gasoline, diesel, or ethanol, emissions from gasoline are highest and increased from ~5 to ~11 MMT CO₂ from 1990 to 2008. Gasoline also has the highest consumption, with over 1 million gallons consumed in San Diego in 2008. The total CO₂ fuel emissions for heavy trucks, SUVs, and cars have increased in San Diego since 1990, but within the categories of SUVs and cars, emissions have decreased since 2007. Some alternative fuel possibilities include switchgrass and sugarcane ethanol and soybean and waste grease biodiesel, which have CO₂ emissions less than 50% of the values for petroleum ethanol and diesel.

The research done on greenhouse gas emissions was accompanied by a study called “Beaker World” in which the earth’s atmosphere was simulated in a beaker. Beakers filled with water and crushed ice were arranged with two beakers under a lamp and one in an unlit area. The contents of the beakers were stirred and the temperature measured with sensor probes for a determined time. In a second trial, compounds common in the atmosphere such as soot and acetone, were added to the beaker contents. The experiment was repeated and showed that the addition of these compounds affected the rate of temperature change of the solutions in the beakers.

The photos below show the Beaker World set-up and Environmental Chemistry students working on the experiment.

Solar Water Purification

Considering how small of a percentage of the water on Earth is fresh water that we are able to drink, cheap and efficient water purification is a necessity for modern society. This need was really brought into focus when Hurricane Katrina hit a few years back; one of the major problems following that disaster was a lack of mobile water relief. Did you know that in Asia and Africa two-thirds of the population currently have no direct access to drinking water? That statistic is getting worse year-after-year.

SwissINSO is a company that has offerend an interesting solution: Solar powered water purification/desalination and bottling units designed in transportable containers with photovoltaic panels. Each unit they build is capable of converting 100,000 liters of contaminated water and/or ocean water a day into drinkable water. Particulates are removed from the soiled water that are greater in size than 100 um by an automated filtration system. The water is then run through ultra-filtration via reverse osmosis to remove most organic wastes. A series of circular membranes then remove the rest of the contaminants. This seems like an interesting new way to increase the availability of fresh water across the globe!

For more information, check out the company website:
http://www.swissinso.com/products/water-purification.aspx

Natural Gas Wells Contaminate Water

Chemicals getting released into water systems is a wide-spread problem. Whether it be from heavy metals, pesticides, or industrial waste, the contamination of drinking water is a problem that effects everyone. Recently, hundreds of people were evacuated from their homes in northwest Louisiana after natural gas seeped into the water supply from a near-by natural gas drilling site. The news story that shows further details of this contamination can be found on this link. I find this incident incredibly disturbing. I generally take having safe drinking water for granted and just assume that the water supply provided by San Diego will not be harmful. However, after reading about how some harmful chemicals are beyond water purification plant's detection abilities and finding this story about a town that had to be evacuated due to, what it seems to be, carelessness on the part of the company drilling for natural gas, I am increasingly skeptical about how safe our water actually is.