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CENN - August 9, Daily Digest
Table of Contents:
1.. Processing of manufacturing water
2.. The World Conservation Union reports on progress of Natura 2000
3.. Waste site fined for breaking waste rules
4.. Environment Agency set to commence River Maintenance works in
Henley-In-Arden
5.. Water Dam Put into Usage in Zeitun
6.. Illegal waste operations targeted in South Gloucestershire
7.. American forests getting 'loved to death'
8.. The ecological effects of the Chernobyl disaster
1. Processing of manufacturing water
On August 5, 2005 in the office of Bolnisi Public Informational Center
meeting was held between local NGOs and representatives of local
government. The main objective of the meeting was the processing of
manufacturing water. It was pointed out that in Bolnisi there is no
sewerage system and all the wastes directly spill in river Mashavera.
NGOs raised a question of creating the project on the sewerage system in
Bolnisi. The representative of the city government A. Khucishvili
mentioned that working on this issue was launched at the beginning of
90th. The city scheme was made but then everything was stopped. The
local NGOs proposed to find out the old project or demand from the
government to develop the new project, to make a general plan of the
city development and to include in this plan the construction of
sewerage system and cleaning constructions in Bolnisi.
2. The World Conservation Union reports on progress of Natura
2000
Source: The World Conservation Union (IUCN), 2 August 2005
The World Conservation Union's Programme Office for Central Europe
released an assessment report entitled "Implementation of Natura 2000 in
New EU Member States of Central Europe". The main goal of nature
conservation on a European Union level, is the successful implementation
of a European Ecological Network - Natura 2000. The report, produced by
the World Conservation Union, summarises the ecological efforts made in
the region. More than a year after EU Accession it is still early to
assess the implementation of the acquis communautaire in all areas, but
the environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are
collaborating in order to protect nature with their knowledge, expertise
and experience on the ground. The text of the report is based upon
questionnaires sent out to NGOs of eight of the new Central European
Member States of the EU. It assesses the procedure and methods of Natura
2000 sites designation, involvement of NGOs and local communities in the
process, as well as national and transboundary cohesion of the network.
It furthermore covers the sources of financing Natura 2000 sites and the
adaptation of national legislation for successful implementation of the
Birds and Habitats Directives. A number of areas of implementation
require improvement, whereas for other areas good examples of can be
identified. The readers of this report are encouraged to use the
information for further support and development of Natura 2000.
The report can be downloaded from:
http://www.iucn-ce.org/documents/natura2000/natura2000_ce.pdf
For further information, please contact Dorota Metera on
[email protected]
3. Waste site fined for breaking waste rules
Source: Environment Agency, August 5, 2005
On August 4 Corbuild Limited were fined £5000 after pleading guilty at
Buxton Magistrates to a charge relating to failing to comply with the
conditions of its Waste Management Licence.
The charge was brought by the Environment Agency under Section 33 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1990. The company was ordered to pay
£1174.14p costs.
Speaking after the case, Geoff Craig, an Environment Agency Team Leader
involved in the investigation, said: 'A Waste Management Licence
contains strict criteria which must be followed at all times in order to
protect the environment and reduce the impact operations may have on
those neighbouring the site. Any failure to meet these conditions is
irresponsible, anti-social and illegal and we will not hesitate to take
action when it takes place.'
For the Environment Agency, Patrick Howell told the court that the
company was granted a Waste Management Licence in 1991. It covered a
waste transfer station operating on land at Waterswallows, Fairfield,
Buxton.
On 29 September 2004, Environment Agency officers served the company
with a Notice requiring it to meet conditions of its licence by removing
all waste from the deposit bay, installing a suitable drainage system
and erect a litter net around the bay. This work was to be done by 30
November 2004.
On 3 December 2004 Environment Agency officers inspected the site and
found that waste was still in the deposit bay; that a suitable drainage
system had not been installed; and that a litter tent had not been
erected.
In mitigation, Neil Bolton for the company said that they needed to
remove the waste to rebuild a wall, but their normal tip was closed
down. They had since spent £30,000 in building works, that they were a
small company, and that a large fine might well put them out of
business.
4. Environment Agency set to commence River Maintenance works in
Henley-In-Arden
Source: Environment Agency, August 5, 2005
The Environment Agency will start river maintenance work during the week
commencing 15 August 2005 on the River Alne in Henley-in Arden. This
follows the success of the open day at the Guild Hall on the 21 July
2005 and the positive public response. Work will continue for a duration
of approximately three months.
Our Flood Risk Management team will be undertaking essential river
maintenance work to re-establish flood protection for at-risk
properties. The work is essential to maintain the level of flood
protection to the town. Residents are not likely to be affected by the
noise coming from machinery, as the majority of the construction work is
not taking place beside the houses.
We will be working at various locations between a point just upstream of
Beaudesert Lane Bridge and down past Blackford Bridge (A4189 Warwick
Road) where it joins the Ullenhall Brook. Work will start at Blackford
Bridge and make its way up stream.
In addition to the proposed maintenance work to improve flood
protection, several weirs will be modified to allow fish movement along
the River Alne. A fish pass will be made which involves altering a small
section of the weir.
We will also try to provide additional recreational facilities such as
seats and information boards beside the river so that people can enjoy
the environment. The maintenance work will improve wildlife habitats
such as those for the protected White Claw Crayfish species.
Information and advice on how to prepare for flooding is available form
Floodline on 0845 988 1188 (Quick Dial Reference Number for
Henley-In-Arden is 052442, then Press 2 for the River Alne) or on our
website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
5. WATER DAM PUT INTO USAGE IN ZEITUN
Source: ARMENPRESS, August 5, 2005
Within the frameworks of a joint "Community Development Credit Program"
implemented by the Armenian government and the World Bank water dam was
constructed in Yerevan
Nerkin Zeitun borough and put today into usage.
Head of the "Yerevan Water and Sewage" company Andranik Andreasian
expressed hope that the water dam constructed within the frameworks of
the first credit program with the World Bank will serve as a guarantor
for providing stabile water supply in this borough.
Director of the Kanaker-Zeitun branch Atom Simonian said the water dam
will give an opportunity to secure 24-hour water supply for 70 percent
of the consumers. For the construction of the dam 277 million drams were
invested.
6. Illegal waste operations targeted in South Gloucestershire
Source: Environment Agency, August 8, 2005
Illegal waste operations in South Gloucestershire are being targeted in
a new crackdown by the Environment Agency and South Gloucestershire
Council.
Environmental crime is proving to be an increasing headache in the area
for both organisations. The Agency and South Gloucestershire have both
recorded a sharp increase in the number of unregulated waste transfer
stations, landfills and dumps in recent years.
To try and tackle the problem, the Waste Awareness Partnership Project,
launched last month, will combine education about waste disposal with
tougher enforcement action against those caught operating illegal waste
facilities.
Illegal disposal of waste causes harm to the environment and blights the
appearance of the beautiful countryside in South Gloucestershire. It
also takes business from legitimate waste disposal firms.
Pete Hart for the Environment Agency said: "It is extraordinary how many
illegal dumps have sprung up in South Gloucestershire, probably due to
the area's good transport links and the amount of building and
development going on. We are dedicated to fighting environmental crime
and this project is an excellent way to take this forward.
"We welcome the support of our partner organisation South
Gloucestershire Council, and will need the support of the wider public
to tackle this problem. We will do all that is necessary to ensure the
success of the project and target environmental crime in this area."
Mark Davies, enforcement manager with South Gloucestershire Council,
said: "Unauthorised waste activities are responsible for some of the
most serious breaches of planning control in South Gloucestershire. It
causes harm to the local area and to residents. This council, through
its powers as Local Planning Authority, is committed to protecting and
enhancing the environment. This project represents an excellent
opportunity for waste planning and pollution control authorities to work
together to share expertise and information. Investigations can be
carried out and, where necessary, robust enforcement action can be taken
to remedy breaches urgently."
The Environment Agency investigates around 5,000 incidents and takes
around 200 prosecutions for fly-tipping and illegal waste dumping around
England and Wales every year. The maximum fine in a magistrates court is
£50,000, although magistrates can refer the case up to the crown court
where the fine is unlimited.
People who manage waste are legally obliged to ensure that it is
disposed of properly. And people who produce waste such as builders,
landscape gardeners or office fitters are legally obliged to ensure that
those who take the waste away for them dispose of it in a proper and
safe way.
Even a householder having work done on their home has a responsibility
to ask how the contractor intends to dispose of it and if it's going to
a regulated site. They should also ask if the person or company who is
taking it away is a registered carrier and if they can see a copy of
their registration certificate. If the offer to dispose of waste cheaply
appears too good to be true, then it probably is.
Details about local amenity sites and their opening times are available
from the Environment Agency's helpline on 0845 9333111 or online at:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/wasteman/flytip
Members of the public can report illegal dumping of waste on a free
24-hour Environment Agency emergency hotline 0800 80 70 60.
Media inquiries to:
Environment Agency press office 01392 442008
South Gloucestershire Council 01454 864969 (Mark Davies)
7. American forests getting 'loved to death'
Source: Eco-Portal, August 8, 2005
America's national forests are becoming islands of green that are
increasingly trapped by an expanding sea of new houses, according to a
new study.
Suburban growth threatens to cut off natural corridors, or "wild
highways," that allow plants and animals to move from one wild patch to
another.
Isolated forests "cannot function as well for biodiversity," said Volker
Radeloff, a forestry professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Radeloff analyzed government census data on housing increases in and
near all U.S. national forests between 1950 and 2000. He's presenting
the results today at the 90th annual Ecological Society of America (ESA)
meeting in Montreal, Canada.
The number of housing units within national forest boundaries increased
from 500,000 to 1.5 million, an increase Radeloff largely attributes to
inholdings, or parcels of forest land owned by private citizens.
In the Eastern U.S., most land was settled before national forests were
established in the late 1800s. As a result, private landowners hold up
to 46 percent of the land within forest administrative boundaries.
Nationwide, inholders own about 17 percent of all national forest lands,
Radeloff says.
As more people want to live near wilderness, Radeloff says, forests may
be getting "loved to death."
8. The ecological effects of the Chernobyl disaster
Source: Ecological Society of America, August 9, 2005
Nearly 20 years ago Reactor number 4 at Chernobyl exploded, sending
radiation across a large region of what is now the Ukraine, Belarus, and
Russia. Some 40 radionucleotides were released into the environment,
including Strontium 90 (90Sr) and Cesium 137 (137Cs). Yet despite
radiation levels dangerous to humans, most natural areas in the region
have rebounded, and by ecological standards, are functioning normally.
The session, organized by James Morris and Timothy Mousseau (University
of South Carolina, US) will reveal how the environment has responded --
from genetic mutation rates, to plant and animal communities, to
nutrient cycling.
Sergey Gaschak (International Radioecology Laboratory, Ukraine) will
open the session with his presentation, "Determinants of levels of 90Sr
and 137Cs in birds in Chernobyl." Studying 228 birds of 23 different
species captured in Chernobyl, Gaschak and colleagues from the
University of South Carolina (US) and University Pierre et Marie Curie
(France) measured the birds' levels of radioactive strontium and
radioactive cesium, comparing migrating populations with those that
remain in the area, as well as examining age, sex, and nesting
preferences to determine the amounts and types of radiation accumulating
in the birds. In the presentation, Gaschak will discuss how quantities
of 90Sr and 137Cs vary with feeding, nesting and migration habits.
Timothy Mousseau will present "Consequences of radiation for
reproduction and survival of barn swallows Hirundo rustica from
Chernobyl." Barn swallows are long-distance migratory birds, which nest
across Europe, providing researchers with numerous populations to
sample. Examining swallows from the Chernobyl region and Kanev,
southeast of Kiev, Mousseau and his colleague, Anders Moller
(Laboratorie de Parasitologie Evolutive, France), found reproductive
success was significantly reduced for the Chernobyl-nesting birds.
Survival rates, number of eggs laid, and overall body condition was
lower, despite similar nesting and laying dates.
The radio nucleotides in the area also filter into the soil, and from
there into plants. Animals that consume these plants, including
livestock, then take up the radionucleotides. Viktor Dolin (National
Academy of Sciences, Kyiv, Ukraine) will discuss a newly described
process of environmental self-cleaning in the talk, "Biogeochemical
cycling of radionucleotide: Implications for the human food web." Dolin
calculated the rate of 137Cs and 90Srs moving through the environment,
then used the data to determine an ecosystem's ability to "clean" itself
of excess radiation.
Oleksander Orlov's (Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute)
presentation, "The distribution and cycling of 137Cs in forests of the
Chernobyl exclusion zone," will focus on 137Cs levels in three 50-year
old Scotch Pine forests. Forest litter, moss, lichens, understory,
macromycetes, and canopy 137Cs activity measurements will be described.
Also working in these pine forests, Vadim Skripkin and colleagues from
the Institute for Environmental Geochemistry, Ukraine and the University
of South Carolina will report their findings on the distribution of 14C
in, "The turnover of 14C carbon in forests of the Chernobyl exclusion
zone."
The final presentation of the session, Ronald Chesser (Texas Tech
University, US) will describe the distribution and effects of radiation
doses that hit wildlife that were living in the area at the time of the
accident, as well as how the populations recovered in the talk,
"Temporal trends in radiation doses, survival, and recovery in wildlife
populations at Chernobyl."
Organized Oral Session 7: "Ecological effects of the Chernobyl disaster:
Genes to ecosystems," will take place Monday 8 August 2005, 1:30 - 5:00
PM in Meeting Room 510 A, Level 5, Palais des congrès de Montréal.
For more information about this session and other ESA-INTECOL Meeting
activities, visit: http://www.esa.org/montreal. The theme of the meeting
is "Ecology at multiple scales," and some 4,000 scientists are expected
to attend.
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 75 19 03/04
Fax: ++995 32 75 19 05
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: www.cenn.org
Table of Contents:
1.. Processing of manufacturing water
2.. The World Conservation Union reports on progress of Natura 2000
3.. Waste site fined for breaking waste rules
4.. Environment Agency set to commence River Maintenance works in
Henley-In-Arden
5.. Water Dam Put into Usage in Zeitun
6.. Illegal waste operations targeted in South Gloucestershire
7.. American forests getting 'loved to death'
8.. The ecological effects of the Chernobyl disaster
1. Processing of manufacturing water
On August 5, 2005 in the office of Bolnisi Public Informational Center
meeting was held between local NGOs and representatives of local
government. The main objective of the meeting was the processing of
manufacturing water. It was pointed out that in Bolnisi there is no
sewerage system and all the wastes directly spill in river Mashavera.
NGOs raised a question of creating the project on the sewerage system in
Bolnisi. The representative of the city government A. Khucishvili
mentioned that working on this issue was launched at the beginning of
90th. The city scheme was made but then everything was stopped. The
local NGOs proposed to find out the old project or demand from the
government to develop the new project, to make a general plan of the
city development and to include in this plan the construction of
sewerage system and cleaning constructions in Bolnisi.
2. The World Conservation Union reports on progress of Natura
2000
Source: The World Conservation Union (IUCN), 2 August 2005
The World Conservation Union's Programme Office for Central Europe
released an assessment report entitled "Implementation of Natura 2000 in
New EU Member States of Central Europe". The main goal of nature
conservation on a European Union level, is the successful implementation
of a European Ecological Network - Natura 2000. The report, produced by
the World Conservation Union, summarises the ecological efforts made in
the region. More than a year after EU Accession it is still early to
assess the implementation of the acquis communautaire in all areas, but
the environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are
collaborating in order to protect nature with their knowledge, expertise
and experience on the ground. The text of the report is based upon
questionnaires sent out to NGOs of eight of the new Central European
Member States of the EU. It assesses the procedure and methods of Natura
2000 sites designation, involvement of NGOs and local communities in the
process, as well as national and transboundary cohesion of the network.
It furthermore covers the sources of financing Natura 2000 sites and the
adaptation of national legislation for successful implementation of the
Birds and Habitats Directives. A number of areas of implementation
require improvement, whereas for other areas good examples of can be
identified. The readers of this report are encouraged to use the
information for further support and development of Natura 2000.
The report can be downloaded from:
http://www.iucn-ce.org/documents/natura2000/natura2000_ce.pdf
For further information, please contact Dorota Metera on
[email protected]
3. Waste site fined for breaking waste rules
Source: Environment Agency, August 5, 2005
On August 4 Corbuild Limited were fined £5000 after pleading guilty at
Buxton Magistrates to a charge relating to failing to comply with the
conditions of its Waste Management Licence.
The charge was brought by the Environment Agency under Section 33 of the
Environmental Protection Act 1990. The company was ordered to pay
£1174.14p costs.
Speaking after the case, Geoff Craig, an Environment Agency Team Leader
involved in the investigation, said: 'A Waste Management Licence
contains strict criteria which must be followed at all times in order to
protect the environment and reduce the impact operations may have on
those neighbouring the site. Any failure to meet these conditions is
irresponsible, anti-social and illegal and we will not hesitate to take
action when it takes place.'
For the Environment Agency, Patrick Howell told the court that the
company was granted a Waste Management Licence in 1991. It covered a
waste transfer station operating on land at Waterswallows, Fairfield,
Buxton.
On 29 September 2004, Environment Agency officers served the company
with a Notice requiring it to meet conditions of its licence by removing
all waste from the deposit bay, installing a suitable drainage system
and erect a litter net around the bay. This work was to be done by 30
November 2004.
On 3 December 2004 Environment Agency officers inspected the site and
found that waste was still in the deposit bay; that a suitable drainage
system had not been installed; and that a litter tent had not been
erected.
In mitigation, Neil Bolton for the company said that they needed to
remove the waste to rebuild a wall, but their normal tip was closed
down. They had since spent £30,000 in building works, that they were a
small company, and that a large fine might well put them out of
business.
4. Environment Agency set to commence River Maintenance works in
Henley-In-Arden
Source: Environment Agency, August 5, 2005
The Environment Agency will start river maintenance work during the week
commencing 15 August 2005 on the River Alne in Henley-in Arden. This
follows the success of the open day at the Guild Hall on the 21 July
2005 and the positive public response. Work will continue for a duration
of approximately three months.
Our Flood Risk Management team will be undertaking essential river
maintenance work to re-establish flood protection for at-risk
properties. The work is essential to maintain the level of flood
protection to the town. Residents are not likely to be affected by the
noise coming from machinery, as the majority of the construction work is
not taking place beside the houses.
We will be working at various locations between a point just upstream of
Beaudesert Lane Bridge and down past Blackford Bridge (A4189 Warwick
Road) where it joins the Ullenhall Brook. Work will start at Blackford
Bridge and make its way up stream.
In addition to the proposed maintenance work to improve flood
protection, several weirs will be modified to allow fish movement along
the River Alne. A fish pass will be made which involves altering a small
section of the weir.
We will also try to provide additional recreational facilities such as
seats and information boards beside the river so that people can enjoy
the environment. The maintenance work will improve wildlife habitats
such as those for the protected White Claw Crayfish species.
Information and advice on how to prepare for flooding is available form
Floodline on 0845 988 1188 (Quick Dial Reference Number for
Henley-In-Arden is 052442, then Press 2 for the River Alne) or on our
website: www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
5. WATER DAM PUT INTO USAGE IN ZEITUN
Source: ARMENPRESS, August 5, 2005
Within the frameworks of a joint "Community Development Credit Program"
implemented by the Armenian government and the World Bank water dam was
constructed in Yerevan
Nerkin Zeitun borough and put today into usage.
Head of the "Yerevan Water and Sewage" company Andranik Andreasian
expressed hope that the water dam constructed within the frameworks of
the first credit program with the World Bank will serve as a guarantor
for providing stabile water supply in this borough.
Director of the Kanaker-Zeitun branch Atom Simonian said the water dam
will give an opportunity to secure 24-hour water supply for 70 percent
of the consumers. For the construction of the dam 277 million drams were
invested.
6. Illegal waste operations targeted in South Gloucestershire
Source: Environment Agency, August 8, 2005
Illegal waste operations in South Gloucestershire are being targeted in
a new crackdown by the Environment Agency and South Gloucestershire
Council.
Environmental crime is proving to be an increasing headache in the area
for both organisations. The Agency and South Gloucestershire have both
recorded a sharp increase in the number of unregulated waste transfer
stations, landfills and dumps in recent years.
To try and tackle the problem, the Waste Awareness Partnership Project,
launched last month, will combine education about waste disposal with
tougher enforcement action against those caught operating illegal waste
facilities.
Illegal disposal of waste causes harm to the environment and blights the
appearance of the beautiful countryside in South Gloucestershire. It
also takes business from legitimate waste disposal firms.
Pete Hart for the Environment Agency said: "It is extraordinary how many
illegal dumps have sprung up in South Gloucestershire, probably due to
the area's good transport links and the amount of building and
development going on. We are dedicated to fighting environmental crime
and this project is an excellent way to take this forward.
"We welcome the support of our partner organisation South
Gloucestershire Council, and will need the support of the wider public
to tackle this problem. We will do all that is necessary to ensure the
success of the project and target environmental crime in this area."
Mark Davies, enforcement manager with South Gloucestershire Council,
said: "Unauthorised waste activities are responsible for some of the
most serious breaches of planning control in South Gloucestershire. It
causes harm to the local area and to residents. This council, through
its powers as Local Planning Authority, is committed to protecting and
enhancing the environment. This project represents an excellent
opportunity for waste planning and pollution control authorities to work
together to share expertise and information. Investigations can be
carried out and, where necessary, robust enforcement action can be taken
to remedy breaches urgently."
The Environment Agency investigates around 5,000 incidents and takes
around 200 prosecutions for fly-tipping and illegal waste dumping around
England and Wales every year. The maximum fine in a magistrates court is
£50,000, although magistrates can refer the case up to the crown court
where the fine is unlimited.
People who manage waste are legally obliged to ensure that it is
disposed of properly. And people who produce waste such as builders,
landscape gardeners or office fitters are legally obliged to ensure that
those who take the waste away for them dispose of it in a proper and
safe way.
Even a householder having work done on their home has a responsibility
to ask how the contractor intends to dispose of it and if it's going to
a regulated site. They should also ask if the person or company who is
taking it away is a registered carrier and if they can see a copy of
their registration certificate. If the offer to dispose of waste cheaply
appears too good to be true, then it probably is.
Details about local amenity sites and their opening times are available
from the Environment Agency's helpline on 0845 9333111 or online at:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/wasteman/flytip
Members of the public can report illegal dumping of waste on a free
24-hour Environment Agency emergency hotline 0800 80 70 60.
Media inquiries to:
Environment Agency press office 01392 442008
South Gloucestershire Council 01454 864969 (Mark Davies)
7. American forests getting 'loved to death'
Source: Eco-Portal, August 8, 2005
America's national forests are becoming islands of green that are
increasingly trapped by an expanding sea of new houses, according to a
new study.
Suburban growth threatens to cut off natural corridors, or "wild
highways," that allow plants and animals to move from one wild patch to
another.
Isolated forests "cannot function as well for biodiversity," said Volker
Radeloff, a forestry professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Radeloff analyzed government census data on housing increases in and
near all U.S. national forests between 1950 and 2000. He's presenting
the results today at the 90th annual Ecological Society of America (ESA)
meeting in Montreal, Canada.
The number of housing units within national forest boundaries increased
from 500,000 to 1.5 million, an increase Radeloff largely attributes to
inholdings, or parcels of forest land owned by private citizens.
In the Eastern U.S., most land was settled before national forests were
established in the late 1800s. As a result, private landowners hold up
to 46 percent of the land within forest administrative boundaries.
Nationwide, inholders own about 17 percent of all national forest lands,
Radeloff says.
As more people want to live near wilderness, Radeloff says, forests may
be getting "loved to death."
8. The ecological effects of the Chernobyl disaster
Source: Ecological Society of America, August 9, 2005
Nearly 20 years ago Reactor number 4 at Chernobyl exploded, sending
radiation across a large region of what is now the Ukraine, Belarus, and
Russia. Some 40 radionucleotides were released into the environment,
including Strontium 90 (90Sr) and Cesium 137 (137Cs). Yet despite
radiation levels dangerous to humans, most natural areas in the region
have rebounded, and by ecological standards, are functioning normally.
The session, organized by James Morris and Timothy Mousseau (University
of South Carolina, US) will reveal how the environment has responded --
from genetic mutation rates, to plant and animal communities, to
nutrient cycling.
Sergey Gaschak (International Radioecology Laboratory, Ukraine) will
open the session with his presentation, "Determinants of levels of 90Sr
and 137Cs in birds in Chernobyl." Studying 228 birds of 23 different
species captured in Chernobyl, Gaschak and colleagues from the
University of South Carolina (US) and University Pierre et Marie Curie
(France) measured the birds' levels of radioactive strontium and
radioactive cesium, comparing migrating populations with those that
remain in the area, as well as examining age, sex, and nesting
preferences to determine the amounts and types of radiation accumulating
in the birds. In the presentation, Gaschak will discuss how quantities
of 90Sr and 137Cs vary with feeding, nesting and migration habits.
Timothy Mousseau will present "Consequences of radiation for
reproduction and survival of barn swallows Hirundo rustica from
Chernobyl." Barn swallows are long-distance migratory birds, which nest
across Europe, providing researchers with numerous populations to
sample. Examining swallows from the Chernobyl region and Kanev,
southeast of Kiev, Mousseau and his colleague, Anders Moller
(Laboratorie de Parasitologie Evolutive, France), found reproductive
success was significantly reduced for the Chernobyl-nesting birds.
Survival rates, number of eggs laid, and overall body condition was
lower, despite similar nesting and laying dates.
The radio nucleotides in the area also filter into the soil, and from
there into plants. Animals that consume these plants, including
livestock, then take up the radionucleotides. Viktor Dolin (National
Academy of Sciences, Kyiv, Ukraine) will discuss a newly described
process of environmental self-cleaning in the talk, "Biogeochemical
cycling of radionucleotide: Implications for the human food web." Dolin
calculated the rate of 137Cs and 90Srs moving through the environment,
then used the data to determine an ecosystem's ability to "clean" itself
of excess radiation.
Oleksander Orlov's (Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute)
presentation, "The distribution and cycling of 137Cs in forests of the
Chernobyl exclusion zone," will focus on 137Cs levels in three 50-year
old Scotch Pine forests. Forest litter, moss, lichens, understory,
macromycetes, and canopy 137Cs activity measurements will be described.
Also working in these pine forests, Vadim Skripkin and colleagues from
the Institute for Environmental Geochemistry, Ukraine and the University
of South Carolina will report their findings on the distribution of 14C
in, "The turnover of 14C carbon in forests of the Chernobyl exclusion
zone."
The final presentation of the session, Ronald Chesser (Texas Tech
University, US) will describe the distribution and effects of radiation
doses that hit wildlife that were living in the area at the time of the
accident, as well as how the populations recovered in the talk,
"Temporal trends in radiation doses, survival, and recovery in wildlife
populations at Chernobyl."
Organized Oral Session 7: "Ecological effects of the Chernobyl disaster:
Genes to ecosystems," will take place Monday 8 August 2005, 1:30 - 5:00
PM in Meeting Room 510 A, Level 5, Palais des congrès de Montréal.
For more information about this session and other ESA-INTECOL Meeting
activities, visit: http://www.esa.org/montreal. The theme of the meeting
is "Ecology at multiple scales," and some 4,000 scientists are expected
to attend.
CENN INFO
Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN)
Tel: ++995 32 75 19 03/04
Fax: ++995 32 75 19 05
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