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A neglected aspect of policy research has been the systematic analysis of policy impacts. This paper presents a research strategy for measuring policy impacts based upon the principles of experimental design methodology. The strategy is illustrated through the application of a multivariate factorial design to the area of air pollution control. The overall approach is discussed in terms of its general utility for policy impact analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper includes a discussion of the nature of environmental impact assessment. Then the role of environmental assessment as an instrument for controlling economic growth is presented. The advantages and disadvantages of the instrument are discussed in detail, including the problem of bias from the incentive structure built into the bureaucracy. An appendix shows some of the problems in the U.S. National Environmental Policy Act which instituted the environmental assessment requirement.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study which examined the vegetation patterns on an unusual Gilgai soil in Riverina, New South Wales. The analytical methods used in the study include, particle size analysis, 15-atmosphere moisture percentage by pressure membrane apparatus and organic carbon by dry combustion. Results revealed that small patches of a richer mesophytic sward occurring among a sparse dryland vegetation lie in gilgai depression. It noted that the difference in the level of depressions and the surrounding ground is only about 2 centimeters (cm). Results of the study suggested that vegetational pattern is due chiefly to differences in soil moisture, that arise through the run-off of rain water from mounds to depressions.

The article deals with water pollution which is one of the major environmental problems caused by industrial-urban growth in the U.S. Water pollution results when any input into the water cycle changes water equality to the extent that a legitimate use is impaired or lost with abatement on social, economic, political, and technical aspects. Accordingly, water is one of the essential elements of life that is a need for every person where its availability is a shaper of civilization and cultures. Water quality management is a complex, social and technical system to provide effective and remedial action towards the needs and demands of the people.

This article examines in depth the methods implemented by the Los Angeles County Air Pollution Control District in controlling emissions into the atmosphere. The two sources, stationary and motor vehicles, are discussed, as well as legislation which has been enacted to control pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on a three-year, multi-million dollar study which is evaluating the reliability of standard air pollution testing methods. The study program, entitled "Project Threshold," is being administered by the American Society for Testing and Materials. The project is being sponsored by more than 60 manufacturing firms and trade associations. Under the study, researchers spent five days taking thousands of measurements of contaminants in the air over Los Angeles, California.

The article discusses the wet-heath community that is associated with three major species namely Molinia caerulea (L.) Moench, Calluna vulgaris (L.) and Erica tetralix L. whose relative proportions change according to local conditions of soil drainage. It is suggested that the three species confined to southern England, occur on the eocene strata of the south-east but ranging over a variety of geological formations from Kent to Somerset. It is inferred that the references are listed describing the geology and topography of the Bramshill Forest area are frequently mentioned in the literature by Rutter, Reynolds and Webster.

The article presents a study on both the algal and phanerogamic vegetation of Scolt Head Island in Norfolk, England. The study attempts to secure a general information on the series of marshes between King's Lynn and Blakeney. It was observed that during the flooding and non-flooding tides there is a marked rise and fall of the water table in the sand stratum below the surface mud, ranging greatest near creeks and diminishes with increasing distance from them. Among the main factors in determining the daily movements of water-table includes the following: the height of the previous tide; resistance of the strata; and strength and direction of the wind.

The growing concern about danger to plant's biosphere is focusing attention on the problem of environmental quality and its measurement. This topic has deep political and ethical implications. On one hand, the existence of objective criteria for judging environmental quality can reinforce democratic participation in fields such as regional and urban planning, as decisions become transparent. On the other hand, there are some dangers involved, such as the possibility of deliberate manipulation of measurements to satisfy for particular interests, as is familiar from indices of living costs or the danger of oversimplification of problems. Possible developments of areas should be studied. Relevance-tree or critical-path analysis may then point to those aspects which have the greatest impact on the future quality of environment. Great attention should also be paid to research on perception and learning processes in environment, including socio-cultural differences, and on possible economic and legal action to establish self-regulating mechanisms. Throughout, the quality of possible future environments should occupy a central position, so that means may be found which will help us leave a healthy and enjoyable world for generations to come.

A report is presented of a nuclear power plant run by a utility company which contracts for radiological surveillance with the state health agency and a state university. The utility also supports ecological research beyond that required by regulations. The State Health Department also has similar arrangements with other nuclear facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the author focuses on the problem of environmental decay. It mentions about the need to recognize environmental quality control as a vital social objective and take steps for the establishment of the field of Environmental Management as a new cross-disciplinary applied science professional activity. It states about the importance of the systems approach of operations research and systems analysis with its emphasis on rational decision-making models and techniques. It also states about the application of the new information system technology to observational or environmental monitoring systems.

Based on experience with a number of operating nuclear power plants the author discusses fundamental aspects of the surveillance of nuclear plant activities, among them objectives and techniques, relationships of safeguard activities to public health and regulatory agencies, and discharge of radioactive effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the study conducted on the detrimental effects of pesticides to the environment worldwide. It reveals that the widespread use of synthetic organochloride pesticides caught the attention and concern of environmentalists and biologists because of their negative effect to the environment including the use of dichloro-dipehnyl-trichloroethane (DDT). Researchers discovered that the widespread use of DDT increased the mortality of fish and shellfish in the estuarine environment. Because of its negative impact, it prompted the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries to initiate program to assess and address the extent of the problem.