VI trends in analytical chemistry, vol. 3, no, 2, I984

their nuclear power programmes. It has been demonstrated that it is possible to save energy, and the consumption of energy in some indus- trialized countries has been reduced. If uncontrolled growth continues, then uncontrolled losses and waste continue to increase.

Frank KlGtzli (Zurich) discussed international programmes to solve the COz problems. He discussed the results of the co-operation between

UNEP (UN Environmental Pro- gramme), UNESCO and WMO (World Meteorological Organization). International co-operation is often slow, and there is national resistance, for instance to protecting tropical forests. An important problem which is now also being tackled is the spread of information to the public.

The former German minister of international affairs, Gerhart Rudolf Baum (Bonn) discussed possibilities

for and limitations of solving ecological problems. Fortunately, very often, prevention, economy and reducing side-effects (for instance reducing the loss of valuable resources) go hand- in-hand.

ERNEST MERIAN

Dr Ernest Merian is at the International Association of Environmental Analytical Chemis- try, Im Kirsgarten 22, CH-4106 Therwill, Switzerland.

Environmental protection and waste disposal

A report from the 4th ENVITEC (International Fair and Congress on Techniques in Environmental Protec- tion), held in Dusseldorf, FRG from 21 to 25 February 1983.

The number of exhibitors at the ENVITEC fairs has increased each time and at this meeting they num- bered 479. The exhibitors demons- trated developments in air pollution control, in water and waste water treatment, waste treatment and re- cycling, measuring control and analys- ing instruments, noise abatement and other environmental control tech- nologies.

ENVITEC 83 was opened by the Federal President Karl Carstens and by the Federal Minister for Interior Affairs, Friedrich Zimmerman; Prof. Dr Siegfried H. Eberle (Karlsruhe) opened the Congress. He pointed out that in environmental protection, and in waste management in particular, one is often obliged to work with circumstantial evidence. In the Euro- pean Communities about 2 X 10’ tons of waste are produced per year, and about 70% of this is disposed of in landfills. Waste management is often troublesome and expensive, and it is not possible to recycle all waste.

A. Fairclough (Brussels) spoke on the raw material potential of solid waste in the European Communities and Jan Torrens (Paris) discussed the problems involved with collection of refuse, mechanical sorting, reuse of some material, recycling and recovery of energy.

Prof. Dr H. Hoberg (Aachen) discussed other possible waste utiliza- tion techniques. Since it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide new dumping grounds for sanitary landfill purposes, and primary feedstock and energy prices are rising, it has become important to reduce the quantity of waste produced and to reuse secondary raw materials.

Recycled Raw Materials Conference 1983

The problems of waste disposal and recycling were discussed in a more detailed meeting organized by the Federal Union of the German Raw Material Industry, which represents the German refuse sorting and recov- ery enterprises. The Chairman of the Union, C.-M. Nagel (Frankfurt) ex- plained that these enterprises have traditionally been protectors of the environment and of resources. Johann Philip Freiherr von Bethmann (Frank- furt) demonstrated how the prices of iron-scrap have fallen within a short time from 190 to 140 DM t -’ which led to interruptions in the supply. Another financial problem is that older shear- ing equipment has to be replaced by shredders which give better quality scrap. It is also necessary that the steel industry becomes more flexible in its use of energetically advantageous scrap. R. Kimper (Schwelm) also mentioned that the recovery of non- iron metals suffers from low metal prices, high interest rates and general uncertainty.

H. de Fries (Hochheim) discussed the situation in the paper recovering

industry where the recovery of waste paper is still more economical than incineration and dumping. H.-J. Kampe (Emmendingen) explained that textile raw materials are getting more expensive and/or of lower quality. Demand is decreasing in all grades and there is reduced export of used textiles.

Prevention of air pollution Prof. Dr H.-W. Thoenes (Essen)

discussed the progress which has been made in the measurement of emitted and ambient atmospheric pollutants, particularly the developments in sep- aration techniques and in particulate analysis. Multiphase systems allow differentiation between pollutants in the vapour phase, in solid form or adsorbed to particles. It is still easier to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with capilliary gas chromatography than with HPLC. In the latter case new possibilities were introduced by the use of electrochemi- cal detectors instead of UV-detectors. It is now possible to differentiate routinely between about 40 nitro- polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in air samples. Impactors are used for monitoring emissions from coal com- bustion or from refuse incineration.

Dr Gillman (Essen) spoke about the effectiveness of instruments for air pollution prevention. With mass power separators, filters, electro- separators and wet washers it was possible to reduce total dust emissions in the FRG from 2.6 million t a-’ (1964) to 0.6 million t a-’ (1982). It must, however, be admitted that this decrease is mainly related to a decrease in gross dust, and less to a reduction in fine dust. Gas purification resulted in

@ 1984 Ekvicr Science Publishers B.V.

trends iwanalytical chmishy, vol. 3, M. 2, I!?84 VII

considerable additional costs, and about two thirds of the investments related to electro-filters. Total emis- sion of SO2 decreased from 4 million t a-’ (1972) to 3.5 million t a-’ (1982), mainly because of the efforts of industry. Total emissions of NOx increased from 2 million t a-r ( 1966) to 4 million t a+ (1982).

Dr H.-J. Pietrzeniuk (Berlin) anal- ysed the possible utilization of residual matter from air pollution prevention plants. There are growing problems with dumping these residues. 8.5 million t of residues are produced annually by fossil-fuel power stations (especially sulfate - containing residues from combustion of brown coal), of which 20% are reused. Another 1.6 million t are produced in iron and steel works, and 2.2 million t of ash and 120 000 t of filter residues (containing salts) in refuse incinera- tion processes. The use of all these residues in concrete cement and road constructions is limited to 40-80 kg rnma.

Prof. Dr P. Schiitt (Munich) discus- sed the very important problem of acid rain. SO2 and NOx are released in large amounts by the combustion of fossil fuels. They form acid rain, which affects plants, soils and surface waters. In forest soils, the entry of protons leads to exchange processes, for instance the liberation of phytotoxic Al and Mn ions, which may damage the fine root systems, and disturb ecosystems in the long term. But gaseous SO2 and NOx are not the only sources of forest damage. New critical effects have recently been observed, possibly as a result of hydrocarbon, photo-oxidant and aerosol (heavy metals or biocides) emissions. It is possible that the vitality of forests have been weakened so that predisposition to disease has been considerably increased. New damage has recently been observed. In southern Germany spruces have lost 90% of their needles, giving transparent tree tops and leading to the death of the trees. It seems to be very unlikely that viruses or climatic changes play a role in these deaths.

Water supply and the environment Dr B. Weimann (Gelsenkirchen)

dealt with reliable water supply and

ecological effects. Prof. Dr H. Sonth- eimer (Karlsruhe) gave a paper on ground water. Fossil mineral products, halogen-organic compounds, heavy metals, solvents, other chemicals from dumping sites, nitrates from agricul- ture, and sulfates may persist in the soil for 20-40 years, their presence is endangering ground water. The urgent nitrate problem should be solved by co-operation between agriculture, water supply and water legislation. So long as the production of agricultural crops can be doubled by application of four times more nitrate, the prognosis of this problem is likely to be poor.

als in the sea bed (oil, gas, coal, ores), those on the sea bed (gravel, mangan- ese nodules, tin stones) and raw materials in solution in sea water (sodium chloride, magnesium salts, boron, uranium). When exploring in the sea it is important to control influences on local flora and fauna (spawning places), which may also be covered mechanically by sediments and sand. Steinbrink discussed his experiences in the Bed Sea and on the coasts of the USA. Unfortunately, there is not yet sufficient knowledge about high-pressure chemistry at the sea bed, which can influence dumped materials.

Raw matewials extrsction and the environment

Prof. Dr G. Kaule (Stuttgart) spoke about surface mining and landscape protection. Woods have a regeneration time of 150-600 years, and very often ground water levels alter in 50-100 years, therefore conditions for regener- ation are completely altered today. It is especially difficult to regenerate areas poor in nutrients. Some ecologists have regenerated gravel-pits, and obtained pleasing local landscapes which can- not necessarily be designated as regenerated areas.

The Congress concluded with a panel discussion about economic growth and raw material extraction in conflict with the environment. Eberle stressed that it was always possible to pay for environmental protection when really necessary. Parson Dr K. Oeser warned that one should think more of the responsiblity to the future users, and that expense alone cannot be a criterion.

The 5th ENVITEC will take place in February 1986 in Diisseldorf

ERNEST MERIAN Finally, K.-O. Steinbrink (Diissel-

do@ made a few remarks about the Ds Ernest Merim is at the Znternutional

recovery of raw minerals from the sea. AssocMtion of Environmental Analytical Chetnis-

He differentiated between raw materi- try, In Kirsgarten 22, CH-4106 Themill, Switzerland.

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CALL FOR PAPER

3rd International Symposium on the Interactions Behveen Sediments and Wster

28-31 August 1984, Geneva, Switzerland

This symposium will focus on research into the source, transfer and fate of organic and mineral sediments, including colloidal materials in fluvial and lacustrine systems. Themes for the symposium will cover: sediment dynamics and distribution in estuarine and shell marine environments; deltaic sedimentation and geochemistry; diffuse sources of pollutants to aquatic systems; sediments as concentrating mechanisms of natural and anthropogenic organic and inorganic materials; release mechanisms, bioavailability and biological effects; disposal of contaminated sediments and dredging. Abstracts (6 copies) of 300-400 words should be submitted to the Secretariat before 30 March 1984 for refereeing. The programme co-ordinator is Professor J. P. Vernet of the lnstitut F-A Forel, University of Geneva. further details can be obtained from the Secretariat: CEP Consultants Ltd., 26 Albany Street, Edinburgh EHl 3QH, UK. (Tel: 031 557 2478).