API src

Found 17 results.

Climate Engineering on Land: Potentials and side-effects of afforestation and biomass plantations as instruments for carbon extraction (CE-LAND WP5) Land use trade-offs in terrestrial CDR pathways

Das Projekt "Climate Engineering on Land: Potentials and side-effects of afforestation and biomass plantations as instruments for carbon extraction (CE-LAND WP5) Land use trade-offs in terrestrial CDR pathways" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Potsdam-Institut für Klimafolgenforschung e.V. durchgeführt. The objective of this project is to provide a comprehensive quantification of the potentials and consequences of large-scale terrestrial Carbon Dioxide removal (CDR) as a strategy for climate engineering (CE). Using two state-of-the-art modeling systems, MPI-ESM and LPJmL, we will quantify Carbon sequestration potentials of four different forest CDR types: semi-natural forest, managed forest and biomass plantation of woody and herbaceous plant types, for various biomass utilization pathways such as conventional wood usage or CCS. The analysis includes associated changes in ecosystem processes and surface properties and their effects on, and feedbacks to, local to global climate. We will additionally analyze (unintended) consequences of these different terrestrial CDR strategies vis-à-vis other prospective use of land and water resources, particularly for food production and ecosystem conservation, and identify regions where afforestation is judged to be sustainable from this broader perspective. WP 5 - Land use trade-offs in terrestrial CDR pathways.

DEVCAT - Development of High Performance SCR-Catalysts Related to Different Fuel Types

Das Projekt "DEVCAT - Development of High Performance SCR-Catalysts Related to Different Fuel Types" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Stuttgart, Institut für Feuerungs- und Kraftwerkstechnik durchgeführt. The project focuses on the development of high-dust SCR catalysts to improve the understanding of chemical and physical mechanisms in order to improve operational and lifetime performance of SCR DeNOx catalysts. SCR catalysts have original been developed for the reduction of NOx-emissions in power plants but today the discussion about greenhouse gas emissions and general emission reduction become a great issue in public acceptance of fossil fuel power plants as well as in terms of economic prospective. The mono-combustion of bio-fuels or the co-combustion of secondary fuels like sewage sludge for reduced CO2 emissions and on the other hand side, the reduced NOx-emission levels are new issues which influence the use of SCR technology. On one hand side the reduction of costs for the material and operation, the SCR performance loss caused by bio-fuels or co-combustion leading to accelerated deactivation and also the influence of the SCR technology on mercury emissions are important topics. On the other side the reliable operation of the high-dust SCR system is of major concern. The development of novel SCR catalysts and regeneration technologies facing these different topics related to emission reduction, reliable performance, detailed knowledge of reactions and mechanisms and the flexible application is the focus of the DEVCAT project.

Studie zum Risiko von Spätschäden beim Menschen nach Inkorporation des kurzlebigen Alpha-Strahlers Radium-224

Das Projekt "Studie zum Risiko von Spätschäden beim Menschen nach Inkorporation des kurzlebigen Alpha-Strahlers Radium-224" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität München, Strahlenbiologisches Institut durchgeführt. Die Daten einer Gruppe von Morbus Bechterew-Patienten, die gegen ihr Leiden, eine chronisch-entzündliche rheumatische Erkrankung des Knochengelenksystems, mit dem kurzlebigen Alpha-Strahler Radium-224 (Halbwertszeit 3,66 d) behandelt wurden, dienen als Grundlage der vorliegenden Studie. Es wurden 1471 Bechterew-Patienten beobachtet, die in den Jahre 1948 - 1975 wiederholte intravenöse Injektionen von Ra-224 erhalten hatten. Diese Patienten wurden gemeinsam untersucht mit einer Kontrollgruppe von 1324 Bechterew-Patienten, die nicht mit radioaktiven Präparaten/Röntgenstrahlen behandelt worden waren. Die Anzahl der in einer Normalpopulation zu erwartenden bösartigen Erkrankungen wurde aus Daten des saarländischen und des dänischen Krebsregisters berechnet. Nach einer Follow-up Zeit von 26 Jahren für die Expositionsgruppe und 25 Jahren für die Kontrollgruppe liegen gesicherte Todesursachen für 1006 exponierte Patienten und 1072 Kontrollpatienten vor. Als auffälligste Beobachtung in der Expositionsgruppe ist eine Erhöhung der Leukämien (19 beobachtete Fälle vs. 6,8 erwartete Fälle, p kleiner als 0,001) zu verzeichnen, während in der Kontrollgruppe nur 12 Leukämien gegenüber einem Erwartungswert von 7,5 Fällen aufgetreten sind. Eine genauere Subklassifikation zeigt, dass in der Expositionsgruppe im Besonderen die myeloischen Leukämien erhöht sind (11 beobachtete Fälle vs. 2,9 erwartete Fälle, p kleiner als 0,001) und davon wiederum die akuten myeloischen Leukämien (7 beobachtete Fälle gegenüber 1,8 erwarteten Fällen, p = 0,003), während in der Kontrollgruppe die Anzahl der beobachten Fälle im Rahmen der Erwartung liegt (4 myeloische Leukämien vs. 3,1 erwartete Fälle). Die erhöhte Leukämieinzidenz in der Expositionsgruppe des Patientenkollektivs stimmt auch mit tierexperimentellen Beobachtungen an Mäusen überein, die geringe Mengen des knochensuchenden Alpha-Strahlers Ra-224 erhalten hatten. Dort zeigte sich, dass es bei Ra-224-Dosierungen, die geringer sind als jene, bei denen es zu einem deutlichen Anstieg der Osteosarkomrate kommt, ein erhöhtes Risiko an Leukämien besteht.

Climate Engineering on Land: Potentials and side-effects of afforestation and biomass plantations as instruments for carbon extraction (CE-LAND WP4 ) Direct and indirect biogeochemical consequences of terrestrial CDR

Das Projekt "Climate Engineering on Land: Potentials and side-effects of afforestation and biomass plantations as instruments for carbon extraction (CE-LAND WP4 ) Direct and indirect biogeochemical consequences of terrestrial CDR" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Potsdam-Institut für Klimafolgenforschung e.V. durchgeführt. The objective of this project is to provide a comprehensive quantification of the potentials and consequences of large-scale terrestrial Carbon Dioxide removal (CDR) as a strategy for climate engineering (CE). Using two state-of-the-art modeling systems, MPI-ESM and LPJmL, we will quantify Carbon sequestration potentials of four different forest CDR types: semi-natural forest, managed forest and biomass plantation of woody and herbaceous plant types, for various biomass utilization pathways such as conventional wood usage or CCS. The analysis includes associated changes in ecosystem processes and surface properties and their effects on, and feedbacks to, local to global climate. We will additionally analyze (unintended) consequences of these different terrestrial CDR strategies vis-à-vis other prospective use of land and water resources, particularly for food production and ecosystem conservation, and identify regions where afforestation is judged to be sustainable from this broader perspective. WP 4 - Direct and indirect biogeochemical consequences of terrestrial CDR.

Study of Environmental Arctic Change - Developing Arctic Modelling and Observing Capability for Long-term Environment Studies (SEARCH FOR DAMOCLES)

Das Projekt "Study of Environmental Arctic Change - Developing Arctic Modelling and Observing Capability for Long-term Environment Studies (SEARCH FOR DAMOCLES)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung e.V. in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft (AWI) durchgeführt. We are proposing an SSA 'SEARCH for DAMOCLES' that is based on recent initiatives started in Europe and the USA in the field of Arctic marine ecosystems and Global change, with specific emphasis on Arctic Ocean long-term observatories. The SSA will capitalize on opportunities and significant benefits arising from coordination of large scale research programmes such as the European Integrated Project DAMOCLES (Developing Arctic Modelling and Observing Capabilities for Long-term Environmental studies) and the US research program SEARCH (Study of Environmental ARctic Change). 'SEARCH for DAMOCLES', positioned in the domain of Arctic Science, will be particularly timely in the context of the International Polar Year and will significantly contribute to the coordinated implementation of the DAMOCLES and SEARCH work programmes in the field of Global Change and Ecosystems. Close synchronization of these programmes will enhance the acquisition of pan-arctic data sets, and their analysis, the dissemination and archiving of results, as well as heightening public awareness. International workshops and conferences including other partners such as Canada, Russia, and Asian countries (Japan, China, and South Korea), will enable translation of the results into planning of integrated, future activities that will be based on the SSA 'SEARCH for DAMOCLES'. The coordination and synchronization of Arctic programs such as DAMOCLES and SEARCH, through an SSA is a unique opportunity to ensure the necessary pan-arctic coverage of observations and data evaluation for understanding Arctic system variability, avoiding major gaps and unnecessary overlaps. This EU-US SSA will also contribute to promotion and facilitation of future RTD activities via prospective studies, exploratory measures and pilot actions. The EU-US SSA 'SEARCH for DAMOCLES' is proposed for 3 years covering the 3 last years of the 4-year DAMOCLES Integrated Project (2006-2009) and the 2 years of the IPY (2007-2008). Prime Contactor: Universite Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris VI; Paris; France.

SULAMA - Participatory research to support sustainable land management on the Mahaflay Plateau in south-western Madagascar

Das Projekt "SULAMA - Participatory research to support sustainable land management on the Mahaflay Plateau in south-western Madagascar" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Hamburg, Arbeitsbereich für Weltforstwirtschaft und Institut für Weltforstwirtschaft des Friedrich-Löffler-Institut, Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit durchgeführt. SULAMA is a participatory research project to support sustainable land management on the Mahafaly Plateau in south-western Madagascar. The focus of the first project-phase is set on the investigation of the present land-management to deduce the interdependencies and interactions between the local population and the ecosystematic conditions. Results of the first phase are used for stakeholder-based solutions to replace non-sustainable practices under the scenario of a growing human population, climate change, and prospective land transformation programs. In this project the Institute for World Forestry analyses the composition of the forest, the utilization of timber and non-wood goods and services (NWGS), and carbon stock changes in order to quantify the impact on the forest to provide ecosystem services and functions. In addition the potential of natural regeneration or enrichment planting in degraded or formerly forested sites will be assessed. For this purpose forest ecosystem indicator species are identified and changes in biomass over time are monitored. Thus, options for sustainable timber production and use of NWGS, carbon sequestration taking into account possible benefits from marketable CO2 certificates and the feasibility of enrichment plantings are derived. Together with local stakeholders tree nursieries will be developed and implemented. This is supported by the analyses of the forest and land-use development over time for different future climate change scenarios, facilitating the calculation of opportunity costs for the usage of wood and NWGS and the demonstration of alternative options for sustainable land-use management.

Modell zur Bewertung von klima- und energiepolitischen Maßnahmen (CEPAM)

Das Projekt "Modell zur Bewertung von klima- und energiepolitischen Maßnahmen (CEPAM)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Leibniz Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung GmbH, Forschungsbereich Umwelt- und Ressourcenökonomik, Umweltmanagement durchgeführt. Das Ziel dieses Projektes bestand darin, für das IPTS (Institute for Prospective Technology Studies) ein leistungsfähiges und klar strukturiertes Modellsystem zu erstellen, welches die konsequente und umfassende quantitative Bewertung der ökonomischen Auswirkungen von energie-, technologie- und klimapolitischen Maßnahmen gewährleistet. Das Projekt baute auf dem existierenden allgemeinen, multisektoralen und regionalen Gleichgewichtsmodell GEM-E3-World auf, das bereits gewinnbringend für die Analyse der Umwelt- und Energiepolitik auf EU- sowie globaler Ebene eingesetzt wurde. GEM-E3-World wurde dabei so angepasst, um den Anforderungen der IPTS hinsichtlich der umfassenden und dabei besonders auf flexible und problemadäquate räumliche, sektorale und zeitliche Auflösung bedachten Analyse klima- und energiepolitischer Fragestellungen zu entsprechen. Das Modellsystem wurde so aufgestellt, dass die flexible Disaggregation nach Sektoren und Regionen (einschließlich von Gruppen der EU-Beitrittskandidaten) sowie die Auswahl mittel- und langfristiger Modellhorizonte ermöglicht wurde.

Irkutsk Regional Information System for Environmental Protection (IRIS)

Das Projekt "Irkutsk Regional Information System for Environmental Protection (IRIS)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Jena, Institut für Geographie, Abteilung Geoinformatik und Fernerkundung durchgeführt. Background: IRIS builds on former Framework Programme 4 and 5 projects, extends their networks to Russia and adopts some of their findings to the specific needs of the involved governmental agency. This implements for the first time that the scientific results from former EC-funded scientific co-operations are being collected and transformed to tools for regional management by the administration. Consequently, the involvement of the potential IRIS user community is the most challenging objective and remains an ongoing process. Impacts: As a result of project implementation the prospective research initiatives for the creation of regional GIS, pollution transport models, industrial development scenarios and risk assessments will be formulated. IRIS will be useful for officials of the Russian Federation at different levels of state hierarchy, i.e. at regional level (Irkutsk Region), inter-regional level (since the neighbouring areas are also included in IRIS as the present/potential sources of pollution) and federal level (e.g. management of federally controlled nature resources and stress on the environment by enterprises held in federal property). The international dimension of project implementation is strongly connected with problems of climate change essential worldwide and, in particular, for EU Member States. There is no doubt today that the role of the boreal forests is essential. In this context the Siberian taiga, which is the largest forest region in the world, and Irkutsk region as a part of taiga is of vital importance. Thus the strategic impact of the project could be felt on both national and international levels, helping to manage the environment and develop effective solutions of regional and global problems facing the society. Objectives: The Irkutsk Regional Information System for Environmental Protection - 'IRIS' assesses the current status and dynamics of the Irkutsk Region's forestry environment, influenced by man-made changes and anthropogenic impact arising from pollution sources and other negative anthropogenic drivers located in the region and in adjacent areas. It will investigate the responsiveness and vulnerability of forestry environment within the region under different scenarios of industrial development and nature-preserving measures. The major goal of IRIS is to efficiently share Earth Observation data and domain-specific (ecologic and economic) information within earth science community and regional governance to identify environmental impacts that are both economic and socially responsible. Thus, for integrated environmental management methodical designs are necessary which refer to the complexity of the natural resource to be managed and the difficulty to predict the factors or driving forces influencing them.

Pedometrie und Boden-Landschaftsmodellierung

Das Projekt "Pedometrie und Boden-Landschaftsmodellierung" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Fachbereich Geowissenschaften, Abteilung Bodenkunde und Geomorphologie durchgeführt. As formulated in the Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection prepared by the European Commission soil degradation is a serious problem in Europe. The degradation is driven or exacerbated by human activity and has a direct impact on water and air quality, biodiversity, climate and human life-quality. High-resolution soil property maps are one major prerequisite fort he specific protection of soil functions and restoration of degraded soils as well as sustainable land use, water and environmental management. However, the currently available techniques for (digital) soil mapping still have deficiencies in terms of reliability and precision, the feasibility of investigation of large areas (e.g. catchments and landscapes) and the assessment of soil degradation threats at this scale. A further quandary is the insufficient degree of dissemination of knowledge between the scientific community, relevant authorities and prospective users and deficiencies in standardization. The focus of the iSOIL project is on improving fast and reliable mapping of soil properties, soil function and soil degradation threats. This requires the improvement as well as integration of geophysical and spectroscopic measurement techniques in combination with advanced soil mapping approaches, pedometrical and pedophysical approaches. An important aspect of the project is the sustainable dissemination of the technologies and concepts developed.Work package four (WP4) covers all relevant research and application topics concerning the incorporation of geophysical data into DSM approaches for producing high resolution soil property maps. Pedometrical research includes the quantification of the relationship between geophysical data and target soil properties (e.g. particle size distribution, bulk density, organic carbon), the optimised collection of samples to calibrate the relationships and to assess their strength, and the use of covariate information to improve mapping. Beyond digital mapping of soil properties, data interpretation, validation and analysis of sensors and environmental data, as well as the development and application of machine learning algorithms to understand the data and their relation are very important tasks in this work package.

Nachhaltigkeitseffekte durch Herstellung und Anwendung nanotechnologischer Produkte

Das Projekt "Nachhaltigkeitseffekte durch Herstellung und Anwendung nanotechnologischer Produkte" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Institut für ökologische Wirtschaftsforschung (IÖW) GmbH durchgeführt. Das Projekt griff den aktuellen Stand der Stoff- und Technikbewertung auf und versuchte, ihn in Richtung einer integrierten Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung weiter zu entwickeln. Der Fokus war auf die ökologischen Chancen und Risiken der sich entwickelnden Nanotechnologie gerichtet. Dem Projekt stellten sich zwei zentrale Fragen - 1. Wie kann es gelingen, die erwartbaren Wirkungen einer erst im Entstehen begriffenen Technologie abzuschätzen und - 2. Wie kann erfolgreich auf die nachhaltigkeitsorientierte Gestaltung der Nanotechnologie Einfluss genommen werden? Um der Komplexität der Aufgabenstellung des Projektes gerecht zu werden, wurde im Projekt folgender dreistufiger Ansatz zur prospektiven Technologiebewertung und -gestaltung von Nanotechnologie verfolgt. 1. Der prospektiv orientierte Ansatz fokussiert auf die Bewertung der Nanotechnologie und ihrer Wirkungen durch eine Charakterisierung der Technologie. 2. Im prozessbegleitenden Bewertungsansatz werden Nachhaltigkeitseffekte in Anlehnung an ökobilanziellen Methoden an konkreten Anwendungsbeispielen im Vergleich zu bestehenden Produkten und Verfahren vertiefend untersucht. Vier Fallstudien stellen mögliche Ökoeffizienzpotenziale durch Nanotechnologien dar; eine Fallstudie beschäftigt sich stellvertretend mit den Risikopotenzialen nanotechnologischer Anwendungen. 3. Außerdem werden in einem dritten Schwerpunkt gestaltende Ansätze für eine nachhaltige Nanotechnologie bspw. durch Leitbilder formuliert.

1 2