Drawing from the substantial body of literature on life cycle assessment / analysis (LCA), the article summarizes the methodology’s limitations and failings, discusses some proposed improvements and suggests an additional improvement. After describing the LCA methodology within the context of ISO guidelines, the article summaries the limitations and failings inherent in the method’s life cycle inventory and impact assessment phases. The article then discusses improvements meant to overcome problems related to lumped parameter, static, site-independent modeling. Finally, the article suggests a remedy for some of the problems with LCA. Linking industrial models with spatially explicit, dynamic and site-specific ecosystem models is suggested as a means of improving the impact assessment phase of LCA.
The calibration of a portable three-channel gamma-ray spectrometer for in situ analysis of thorium, uranium, and potassium is discussed. A method of regression analysis is suggested as the best means of including all of the data available from the calibration stations. Calibration indicates a nonlinear relation between count rates obtained in the field and concentrations in parts per million obtained from laboratory analysis. The range of radioelement content must be taken into consideration and appropriate sets of calibration constants applied. As an example of the method, calibration constants are calculated for a portable gamma-ray spectrometer using data for the Blind River uranium region of Ontario.
This article explores the use of ecosystem landscape models to estimate the environmental impacts of industrial activities at the regional / local scale. Integrated ecosystem and industrial modeling is first introduced within the context of life cycle assessment. Then, the use of integrated modeling to overcome problems stemming from the lumped parameter, static, site non-specific nature of life cycle assessment is discussed. Finally, the results of linking a handful of industrially relevant material and information flows demonstrate the ability of current ecosystem landscape models to respond to industrial burdens and estimate some environmental impacts.
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