This article presents the results of a forensic investigation concerning the origin of hydrocarbons detected in the subsurface soil of the residential neighborhood Volta Grande IV, Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil. Previous ...This article presents the results of a forensic investigation concerning the origin of hydrocarbons detected in the subsurface soil of the residential neighborhood Volta Grande IV, Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil. Previous investigations identified several areas with concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) above the Brazilian regulatory standards of CONAMA 420/2009 within the study area. Concern was raised that these hydrocarbons might be derived from local steel mill wastes. This forensic investigation determined that the VOCs in the residential soil are associated with gasoline and possibly diesel fuel oil releases into the subsurface soils that are not associated with the steel mill waste. The PAHs in residential subsurface soil generally fell below background concentrations and are likely associated with regional soot. The PAHs in the three samples with concentrations above background (out of a total of thirty-six samples) exhibit compositional features similar to coal byproducts, such as tar and coke, possibly attributable to the steel mill operation. This work discusses the geoforensic data and chemical signatures that support these findings.展开更多
In the early period of China,economy developed rapidly at the cost of environment.Recently,it is generally recognized that the heavily polluted environment not only puts a brake on economic development but also paces ...In the early period of China,economy developed rapidly at the cost of environment.Recently,it is generally recognized that the heavily polluted environment not only puts a brake on economic development but also paces negative impact on people’health as well as probably next decades of generations.Accordingly,the latest Environmental Protection Law revised in 2014 makes a clear‑cut division of environmental responsibility and regulates stricter penalties of breaching law.As the new environmental law is enforced gradually,environmental forensic is increasingly required in the process of ascertaining facts in judicial proceedings of environmental cases.Based on the outcomes of documentary analysis for all environmental cases judged on the basis of new environmental law,it is concluded that there still exists problems in the present system of environmental forensic.Thus,this paper is aimed to make proposition on improving Chinese environmental forensic system,which involves:(i)promoting capability of EFS to handle professional questions;(ii)develop price mechanism;(iii)multidepartments cooperate to establish unifying and complete EFS system;and(iv)enhance the probative value of results of EFS.Such protocol for amending present regulation on environmental forensic is of significant importance because a quality report of environmental forensic will contribute to provide strong probative evidence of culprits’activity of releasing contaminant into environment,degree of damages for victims,and above all,causality between the behavior of public nuisance and damages.展开更多
基金supported by CSN—Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional.
文摘This article presents the results of a forensic investigation concerning the origin of hydrocarbons detected in the subsurface soil of the residential neighborhood Volta Grande IV, Volta Redonda, RJ, Brazil. Previous investigations identified several areas with concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) above the Brazilian regulatory standards of CONAMA 420/2009 within the study area. Concern was raised that these hydrocarbons might be derived from local steel mill wastes. This forensic investigation determined that the VOCs in the residential soil are associated with gasoline and possibly diesel fuel oil releases into the subsurface soils that are not associated with the steel mill waste. The PAHs in residential subsurface soil generally fell below background concentrations and are likely associated with regional soot. The PAHs in the three samples with concentrations above background (out of a total of thirty-six samples) exhibit compositional features similar to coal byproducts, such as tar and coke, possibly attributable to the steel mill operation. This work discusses the geoforensic data and chemical signatures that support these findings.
文摘In the early period of China,economy developed rapidly at the cost of environment.Recently,it is generally recognized that the heavily polluted environment not only puts a brake on economic development but also paces negative impact on people’health as well as probably next decades of generations.Accordingly,the latest Environmental Protection Law revised in 2014 makes a clear‑cut division of environmental responsibility and regulates stricter penalties of breaching law.As the new environmental law is enforced gradually,environmental forensic is increasingly required in the process of ascertaining facts in judicial proceedings of environmental cases.Based on the outcomes of documentary analysis for all environmental cases judged on the basis of new environmental law,it is concluded that there still exists problems in the present system of environmental forensic.Thus,this paper is aimed to make proposition on improving Chinese environmental forensic system,which involves:(i)promoting capability of EFS to handle professional questions;(ii)develop price mechanism;(iii)multidepartments cooperate to establish unifying and complete EFS system;and(iv)enhance the probative value of results of EFS.Such protocol for amending present regulation on environmental forensic is of significant importance because a quality report of environmental forensic will contribute to provide strong probative evidence of culprits’activity of releasing contaminant into environment,degree of damages for victims,and above all,causality between the behavior of public nuisance and damages.
