International law obligations for the disposal of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water under the principles of nuclear safety

The disposal of contaminated water from Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant is a significant international nuclear safety issue with considerable cross-border implications.This matter requires compliance not only with the law of the sea but also with the principles of nuclear safety under international law.These principles serve as the overarching tenet of international and China’s domestic nuclear laws,applicable to nuclear facilities and activities.The principle of safety in nuclear activities is fully recognized in international and domestic laws,carrying broad legal binding force.Japan’s discharge of nuclear-contaminated water into the sea violates its obligations under the principle of safety in nuclear activities,including commitments to optimum protection,as low as reasonably practicable,and prevention.The Japanese government and the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA)have breached the obligation of optimum protection by restricting the scope of assessments,substituting core concepts,and shielding dissenting views.In the absence of clear radiation standards,they have acted unilaterally without fulfilling the obligation as low as reasonably practicable principle.The discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water poses an imminent and unpredictable risk to all countries worldwide,including Japanese residents.Japan and the IAEA should fulfill their obligations under international law regarding disposal,adhering to the principles of nuclear safety,including optimum protection,the obligation as low as reasonably practicable,and prevention through multilateral cooperation.Specifically,the obligation to provide optimum protection should be implemented by re-evaluating the most reliable disposal technologies and methods currently available and comprehensively assessing various options.The standard of the obligation as low as reasonably practicable requires that the minimization of negative impacts on human health,livelihoods,and the environment should not be subordinated to considerations of cutting costs and expenses.Multilateral cooperation should be promoted through the establishment of sound multilateral long-term monitoring mechanisms for the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water,notification and consultation obligations,and periodic assessments.These obligations under international law were fulfilled after the accidents at the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl nuclear power plants.The implications of the principles of nuclear safety align with the concept of building a community of shared future for nuclear safety advocated by China.In cases of violations of international law regarding the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water that jeopardize the concept of a community of a shared future for nuclear safety,China can also rely on its own strength to promote the implementation of due obligations through self-help.

Establishing a mechanism for international cooperation for Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water monitoring

The Japanese government’s unilateral decision to discharge the nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean has caused immense nuclear safety risks.Monitoring the unclear contaminated water is a starting point to combat these risks and seek remedies for the rights and interests of all concerned parties.The establishment of a mechanism for international cooperation in this respect is necessary to handle the risks of the Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water and to lay the foundation of a framework for tackling any future disposal of nuclear-contaminated water following Japan’s example.At present,the international legal systems in the spheres of nuclear safety and security,marine environmental protection,and other areas,as well as the questioning of the monitoring reports of the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA)by the relevant parties,the monitoring practices of historical nuclear accidents,and numerous radioactivity monitoring mechanisms have provided the institutional and practical basis for constructing such a mechanism.The mechanism can be promoted by the IAEA through its existing mechanisms or be jointly initiated by China,the Russian Federation,the Republic of Korea,the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea,and the Pacific Island countries,among other stakeholders.Specifically,this mechanism should consist of three levels:first,the framework of the basic legal system,including the cooperative principles of national sovereignty,interest-relatedness,and procedural fairness,and the signing of the Framework Convention on the Monitoring of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water and its Optional Protocol;second,the organizational structure and its responsibilities,which may include the Conference of Parties as the decision-making body,the Secretariat as the central coordinating body,and the monitoring committees in various fields as specific implementing agencies;and third,specific administrative arrangements,which involve the standardization of monitoring,the management system of monitoring networks and stations,the rules for monitoring procedures,and the rules for the utilization of the monitoring data,etc.With the urgent need for the scientific and fair monitoring of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water,China,as a stakeholder country,can promote the establishment of such a mechanism for monitoring nuclear-contaminated water through the following paths:①It is necessary to clarify the factors affecting the construction of an international cooperation mechanism for monitoring nuclear-contaminated water so as to ascertain the standpoints of the stakeholders,claims of their interests,contents of their cooperation,and the relevant international relations.②On the basis of existing practices,China should consider improving the monitoring mechanism to cope with the risks of the discharge of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water by formulating targeted policies and systems,setting up specialized monitoring institutions,and establishing a systematic monitoring network system.③This is an effective way for China to actively promote the participation of stakeholders in the construction of an international cooperation mechanism for monitoring nuclear-contaminated water in Fukushima by further innovating the dissemination mechanism to address the risk of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water discharging into the sea and facilitating the identification of issues for international cooperation in monitoring Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water based on the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Human intestinal parasitism,potable water availability and methods of sewage disposal among nomadic Fulanis in Kuraje rural settlement of Zamfara state

Objective:To ascertain the level of intestinal parasites vis-a-vis the quality of housing and water supply,and sanitary conditions among the people of Kuraje village in Zamfara state. Methods:The study was cross sectional in nature.Individual households were selected using systematic random sampling methods and pre-tested questionnaires were administered to all the members of each household.Stool samples were collected and processed using standard laboratory procedures.Housing conditions,sources of water and sanitary conditions of the households were also inspected.Results were analysed using Epi Info 2006 model.Results: The prevalence of intestinal parasites was 67.0%(347/519).72.3%(251/347),17.0%(59/347),and 10.7%(37/347) had one,two and three or more parasites,respectively.The associated factors with intestinal parasites were poor housing and sanitary conditions,lack of potable water and illiteracy.The commonest parasites encountered were hookworm(22.0%),Ascaris lumbricoides (18.5%),and Strongyloides stercoralis(15.6%) while the least common was Enterobius vermicularis (1.6%).Others were Giardia lamblia(5.7%),Hymenolepsis nana(5.0%),Trichuris trichiura(8.8%), Entamoeba histolytica(14.4%) and Schistosoma mansoni(8.4%).Conclusions:The infection rate of intestinal parasites in Kuraje village is high.More efforts should be intensified towards improvement in sanitary and housing standards,supply of potable water and institution of a more comprehensive literacy programme for the people of the community.

Disposal and Treatment Methods for Pesticide Containing Wastewaters: Critical Review and Comparative Analysis

Pesticides provide the primary means for controlling organisms that compete with man for food and fibre or cause injury to man, livestock and crops. They played a vital role in the economic production of wide ranges of vegetable, fruit, cereal, forage, fibre and oil crops which now constitute a large part of successful agricultural industry in many countries. After application to the target areas, pesticide residues are removed from applicators by rinsing with water which results in the formation of a toxic wastewater that represents a disposal problem for many farmers. Pesticides can adversely affect people, pets, livestock and wildlife in addition to the pests they are intended to destroy. The phenomenon of biomagnification of some pesticides has resulted in reproductive failure of some fish species and egg shell thinning of birds such as peregrine falcons, sparrow hawk and eagle owls. Pesticide toxicity to humans include skin and eye irritation and skin cancer. Therefore, care must be exercised in the application, disposal and treatment of pesticides. Currently, disposal of pesticide wastewater is carried out by: 1) land cultivation, 2) dumping in soil pits, plastic pits and concrete pits or on land and in extreme cases in streams near the rinsing operation, 3) use of evaporation beds and 4) land filling. These methods of disposal are unsafe as the surface run off will reach streams, rivers and lakes and the infiltration of the wastewater into the local soil will eventually reach ground water. The treatment methods currently used for pesticide wastewater include: 1) incineration (incinerators and open burning), 2) chemical treatments (O3/UV, hydrolysis, Fenton oxidation and KPEG), 3) physical treatments (inorganic, organic absorbents and activated carbon) and 4) biological treatments (composting, bioaugmentation and phytoremediation). Therefore, the choice of safe, on farm disposal techniques for agricultural pesticides is very important. A comparative analysis was performed on 18 methods of pesticide disposal/treatment using six criteria: containment, detoxification ability, cost, time, suitability for on farm use, size and evaporation efficiency. The results indicated that of the 18 methods evaluated, 9 scored above 80/100 and can be used on farm. They were organic absorbents (97), composting (94), bioaugmentation (92), inorganic absorbents (90), Fenton oxidation (86), O3/UV (83), activated carbon (82), hydrolysis (82), and land cultivation (80). The other methods are not suitable for on farm use as they suffered from containment problems, high cost and variability of effectiveness.

Impact of slash disposal on soil and water loss and the growth of planted seedlings

The three methods of slash disposal in this experiment were no treatment, strip piling and burning. The results obtained from this study showed that the soil erosion, water and nutrient loss were higher in the logged areas by burning than in the logged areas by no treatment and strip piling. The soil and water loss was not serious when the slope degree of the logged area was less than 16o. The survival rate of planted seedlings was higher and the growth was better in the logged areas followed by burning than in the logged areas by no treatment and strip piling. Burning should not be used when the slope was more than 23o.

An Appraisal of Water Availability, Infrastructures for Faecal Disposal and the Potential of Spread of Infectious Diseases in the Traveling Agencies and Motor Parks in the City of Yaounde (Cameroon)

The number of interurban and urban-rural travelers in the city of Yaounde has recently exceeded one hundred thousand per year, yet surprisingly few studies have assessed travelers’ behavior, illness, and risk factors in a sanitary risks setting. Particularly scarce are surveys of data spanning travel, return, and follow-up of the same cohort in traveling agencies and parks. This study examines behavior and illness among travelers moving from Yaounde to other urban and rural areas of Cameroon and beyond. Patterns of behavior connected to a type of travel and illness are characterized in this study so as to identify risks factors and provide background data for pre-travel advice in our traveling agencies. Assessing the susceptibility that imported cases could pose to the national response to infectious diseases depends both on public health, health services and infrastructures. The six agencies assessed: Nvan, Mokolo, Tongolo, Biyem Assi, Mimbowman and Etoudi reveal that the sanitary infrastructures for faecal and urinary disposal are not sufficient and more so, some agencies do not keep enough cleanliness, let alone provide adequate hand washing material as prescribed by national and international concerns to combat the global health challenges. This could be an impediment to travellers going out or inside of the city, and could be a preponderant mechanism for the spread of infectious disease as presented by the infectious diseases isolated and identified in the health districts around the travelling agencies.

Indiscriminate Waste Disposal and Its Effects on a Nearby Stream

This research paper was carried out specifically to examine the indiscriminate waste disposal and its effects on water quality of a nearby stream.The study witnessed two seasons(dry and rainy seasons).Field survey as well as laboratory analysis of collected samples were carried out.The results obtained indicated that River Ndongo has an important role in the activities of the inhabitants of Molyko.It is used as disposal site for waste,water is used for household activities and agricultural practices.This provides the inhabitants with the efficient site for waste disposal and a source of water for their activities.However,

Study on Safety and Stability Evaluation of Waste Disposal Field of a Hydropower Station Based on <i>In Situ</i>Monitoring

Reasonable site selection, blocking to meet design standards, interception and drainage and other protective measures are the basic conditions for not causing disaster in slag disposal site. A hydropower station is located in mountainous area, the amount of slag abandoned is large, the grade of slag disposal field is high, and the site selection is difficult. On the basis of in Situ deformation monitoring, the slope stability of slag disposal site is calculated by Swedish arc method through the analysis of the scale, grade, site selection, surrounding environment, cut and discharge, blocking and protection design standards of slag disposal site. Under normal and abnormal operating conditions, the slope stability of slag disposal site meets the requirements of the code, and the results of in Situ deformation monitoring verify the calculation results of slope stability of slag disposal site by Swedish circular arc method.

Photothermal-photocatalytic thin-layer flow system for synergistic treatment of wastewater

The integration of the photocatalytic effect into solar steam is highly desirable for addressing freshwater shortages and water pollution.Here,a ternary film structure for the adsorption and photothermal and photocatalytic treatment of wastewater was designed by combining the technique of self-assembled carbon nano paper with a nitrogen composite titanium dioxide(N-TiO_(2))deposited on the surface of carbon nanotubes(CNT)using polyvinylidene fluoride(PVDF)as a substrate.The photogeneration of reactive oxygen species can be promoted by rapid oxygen diffusion at the three-phase interface,whereas the interfacial photothermal effect promotes subsequent free radical reactions for the degradation of rhodamine B(93%).The freshwater evaporation rate is 1.35 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1)and the solar-to-water evaporation efficiency is 94%.Importantly,the N-TiO_(2)/CNT/PVDF(N-TCP)film not only effectively resists mechanical damage from the environment and maintains structural integrity,but can also be made into a large film for outdoor experiments in a large solar energy conversion device to collect fresh water from polluted water and degrade organic dyes in source water simultaneously,opening the way for applications in energy conversion and storage.

建筑物下特厚煤层镁渣基全固废连采连充开采技术与实践

我国建筑物下压煤量巨大,同时煤矸石、粉煤灰等煤基工业固体废弃物排放量日益增加,严重制约地方经济社会发展。以榆林麻黄梁煤矿为试验矿井,针对其特厚煤层、建筑物下压煤、充填成本高等问题,提出了特厚煤层全固废连采连充开采技术。采用四阶段工序并将特厚煤层分为上、下2部分二次回采压覆煤炭,最大程度控制地面沉降。为降低充填原材料成本,采用化学优化剂对镁渣进行源头改性,抑制镁渣冷却粉化,稳定水化活性,协同粉煤灰、脱硫石膏等煤基固废,研发了改性镁−煤渣基胶凝材料。采用改性镁−煤渣基胶凝材料胶结煤矸石、粉煤灰制备了全固废充填材料。针对麻黄梁煤矿四阶段强、弱充填强度要求,设计不同配比的改性镁渣基充填材料试验,优选配比并应用于井下充填。论述了膏体充填系统与充填接顶方法。麻黄梁煤矿全固废胶结充填工艺试验显示,井下28 d龄期充填体钻芯平均单轴抗压强度超设计强度27%,钻芯浸出毒性满足相关国家标准要求,成功回收了建筑物下压覆煤炭资源,社会经济效益显著。麻黄梁煤矿特厚煤层全固废胶结充填开采实践为国内类似矿井提供了有益借鉴,同时为我国大型煤炭基地的“煤−电−化−冶”固废大规模资源化利用提供了新的思路。

我国非常规气田采出水处置方式及处理工艺现状

非常规天然气勘探开发面临耗水量大和采出水污染环境的问题。本文分析了我国非常规气田采出水的类型、特点以及对环境和生产的影响,研究了非常规气田采出水5种处置方式的实施情况,调研了四川盆地7个气田和鄂尔多斯盆地5个采气厂采出水的处置方式及相应的水处理工艺现状,发现四川盆地气田采出水现有主要处置方式是回用、外排,而鄂尔多斯盆地是回注。最后,针对两大盆地非常规气田采出水的处置方式及处理工艺提出了建议。

弃土场原位与弃土斜坡水分运动特征对比分析

降雨入渗会改变斜坡原有的平衡状态,为探究弃土场原位与弃土斜坡降雨入渗过程的水分运动特征。以某弃土场为研究对象重复开展染色示踪试验,对比分析原位与弃土斜坡垂直方向上土壤剖面的染色面积比和渗流前后水分运动特征的差异。结果表明(1)原位斜坡水分入渗以基质流为主,少量优先流动由生物通道引发;0~50 cm深度水分垂直均匀入渗程度高,随深度增大,表现出沿容重小一侧非均匀流动;50 cm深度以下,平均染色面积比与深度呈负相关;(2)无植被发育弃土斜坡无优先流动,沿斜坡土体表层水平扩散流动程度高,平均染色面积比在20 cm深度以下保持为0,无染色特征;植被发育弃土斜坡水分沿植物根茎优先入渗,垂直入渗较活跃;(3)染色面积比及湿润带特征能很好的捕捉斜坡水分渗流的非均匀信息;同时,根系会改变土体的孔隙发育程度,形成内部交织的网状结构,降低土壤容重,增加水分入渗,有利于增强表层土壤含水率,降低水分深层渗流,增强斜坡稳定性;加强弃土场植被生态恢复有利于增加斜坡的固土保水能力及稳定性。

弃渣扰动对藏东山地草甸坡面产流产沙的影响

[目的]明晰铁路修建中弃渣工程扰动引起的水土流失响应,揭示弃渣堆积前后及其植被恢复对藏东生态脆弱的山地草甸区坡面尺度水土流失的影响。[方法]选取未扰动、轻度扰动、重度扰动、覆土恢复4个类型的坡面,建立原位径流小区,通过人工模拟降雨试验,开展了坡面产流产沙过程的研究。[结果](1)坡面的溅蚀量随扰动强度的增大而增加,下坡向的溅蚀量为上坡溅蚀量的1.14~2.67倍。(2)轻度扰动坡面、重度扰动坡面和覆土恢复坡面的初始产流时间分别缩短为未扰动坡面的53.8%~66.7%,34.6%~46.7%,86.7%~92.9%。(3)未扰动坡面、轻度扰动坡面、重度扰动坡面和覆土恢复坡面的产流速率分别为44~86,104~147,200~373,46~95 ml/(min·m^(2)),产沙速率分别为0.026~0.055,0.05~0.098,1.034~2.189,0.047~0.077 g/(min·m^(2))。[结论]覆土恢复坡面的水土保持能力较轻度扰动和重度扰动坡面有显著提高,但距未扰动坡面仍有差距,需采取其他植被或工程措施对工程扰动坡面加以恢复。

拉林铁路弃渣场水土保持型生态恢复技术探讨

为研究高寒高海拔地区铁路建设项目弃渣场的生态恢复措施,该文以拉(拉萨)林(林芝)铁路工程为依托,结合青藏高原的地域条件探讨弃渣场的水土保持型生态恢复技术。研究得到以下结论,根据恢复区立地条件,系统阐明弃渣场的选址原则及水土保持型生态恢复理论;基于物种选择原则和防护措施设计建立适应于青藏高原地区的水土保持型生态恢复技术。研究成果可为该地区铁路工程建设项目的弃渣治理提供一定的借鉴意义。

珠三角地区富水砂层深基坑施工涌水涌砂安全风险控制

针对珠三角地区水文地质条件复杂且有富水砂层的各类深基坑施工易发涌水涌砂现象,结合现场处置过程中遇到的实际问题,进行风险分析,总结提出涌水涌砂预防管理要点和处置措施。应加强全过程施工质量管控,防止突涌水发生;另一方面应做好充足的预防、准备、响应等应急管理工作,确保突涌发生后可成功地进行现场处置。

降低水泥水溶性铬(Ⅵ)方法研究综述

综述了国内外对于水泥中水溶性铬(Ⅵ)含量的管控要求及当前降低熟料及水泥中水溶性铬(Ⅵ)含量的方法措施与途径。从常用降铬剂、工业废渣降铬剂、原燃材料、工艺控制等方面对降低水溶性铬(Ⅵ)所开展的研究和应用案例展开了论述,指出了当前水泥工业降铬研究方面仍存在不足。建议进一步开展工业固废降铬系统性机理研究、水泥窑协同处置固危废技术优化、新型高效低成本降铬剂产品研发等方面的研究。

富水地层破碎围岩浅埋隧道突水涌泥段大变形处置措施

松散围岩隧道施工中发生突水涌泥危险性极大,处理不慎容易发生二次事故,造成较大的人员财产损失。以牛拦岗隧道左线Z2K219+077及右线K219+081的突水涌泥段的大变形事故为背景,深入分析了项目施工过程中的各种危险因素以及事故的产生原因,并以此提出了一种洞内拱顶环向一圈帷幕注浆加固围岩,并用临时止浆墙来稳定掌子面的方法来抑制突水涌泥以及拱顶大变形现象。根据现场的实际监控量测数据,验证了该方法能有效抑制隧道施工过程中的拱顶沉降速率,对于处置突水涌泥段的大变形问题有实际的可行性。

环北部湾广西水资源配置工程水土保持方案弃渣场设计

介绍了生产建设项目水土保持方案管理办法出台的背景。在梳理相关水土保持方案编制要求的基础上,分析环北部湾广西水资源配置工程水土保持方案弃渣场设计的具体内容,提出减少工程弃渣及综合利用、弃渣场选址与防护等方案。

高速公路隧道侵限涌水处置技术

针对高速公路隧道岩溶、断裂地段出现的初支侵限、涌水问题,以光山1号隧道为依托,对地质条件复杂,为了保证施工安全及工程质量,通过采取引排水、径向注浆小导管、超前大管棚、空腔封堵、侵限换拱等有效措施,合理安排先后施作顺序,对出现的围岩变形、突发涌水等情况进行了有效控制处理,为后续施工奠定基础。

浅谈矿井水害事故的应急救援

当前有色金属矿陆续采用了很多新技术、新设备,提高了生产效率及效益,带动了企业的现代化发展。但即使如此,有色金属的开采作业中安全事故时有发生,如水害事故,由于此类事故的危害,各矿井在当下需做好防治水工作。基于此,本文重点分析了有色金属矿水害事故的应急救援策略,以期为实际工作提供参考与借鉴。