Suchergebnisse

For more than 15 years, there has been a progressive reinforcement of legislation related to biosolid utilization in the EU, particularly in France. There is a particular concern about effects on soil organisms, even though sludge spreading has been shown to have a favorable effect on soil biological characteristics by stimulating microbial activity and biomass. Generally, soil amendment of organic matter via sludge application also favors soil invertebrates and abundance of Carabidae, earthworms, nematodes, and mesofauna. However, the responses of organisms to sludge application are specific. Changes in microbial and invertebrate community structure such as a decrease of species and functional diversity was also observed, especially if sludge is contaminated by heavy metals. The present results aimed to assess effects of different biosolids, including sewage sludge, composts, coal ashes and household waste ashes on soil biota. Each type of biosolid was applied manually to each plot (40 m2) according to regulations (four applications of 10 t ha−1 within 10 yr, representing 160 kg of dry matter for each plot). Spreadings have stopped in 2002, and soil biological assessment was carried out in 2010. Biological indicators included bacterial diversity, enzymatic activity, microarthropods and macrofauna abundance and diversity. Some functional indicators, including biostructures, were also studied. Pedologic and agronomic effects have shown the positive effect of biosolids on soil fertility, without serious contamination by heavy metals or organic pollutants. The present results concerning soil biota show no significant effect on soil biota and functional parameters measured.

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Prevailing power transition theories focus on hard sources of power to explain why international institutions do, or do not, adapt to shifts in the balance of power among their members. This article argues that, in the wake of such a shift in the balance between emerging and established powers, institutional adaptations depend on both their hard and soft power resources. Soft power matters for institutional adaptations because both emerging and established powers have to justify the use of hard power to their respective audiences. Whether emerging or established powers are able to use the hard power they have depends crucially on rhetorical resources, such as claims of legitimacy and their (transnational) societal resonance. We provide empirical support for our argument through an analysis of the adaptation of the Trade-Related Aspects of International Property Rights agreement and the adaptation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Emerging powers such as Brazil, India and South Africa were able to bring about institutional adaptations because they not only had the hard power to undermine the respective institutions, but could also build on civil society support that legitimized their demands or constrained established states' use of hard power to fend off their demands.