Containment

The fast and outstanding development and growth of the United Arab Emirates has shown not just significant recognition among top-tier international companies in the long-term strength of business in the United Arab Emirates but deep commitment and effort by the UAE government in ensuring and providing a competitive infrastructure to support and enable the overall vision of success for the United Arab Emirates. When SKZ convenes the 3rd International Conference on Geosynthetics Middle East, it will do so with the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City as a headline supporter. Geosynthetics Middle East 2010 will take place 9-10 November 2010 in Abu Dhabi under the theme of "Waterproofing Systems and Reinforced Structures." Learn more.

You can still register online for the Global Waste Management Symposium (GWMS) 2010. Registration will be available on-site too for the 3-6 October 2010 event at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. The GWMS is an esteemed forum for the presentation of peer-reviewed applied and fundamental research and case studies on waste management. This unique educational opportunity will not be around again until 2012. Learn more.

ASTM International's Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has revised standard D5994, "Standard Test Method for Measuring Core Thickness of Textured Geomembrane," to D5994-10. Thickness is one of the basic index properties used to control and track the quality of many geomembranes. Additionally, many mechanical properties (for example, tensile yield strength, puncture strength, etc.) can be related to core thickness. Core thickness values may also be required in calculation of some parameters such as diffusion coefficients or tensile stresses. Learn more here.;

ASTM International's Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has revised standard D7466, "Standard Test Method for Measuring the Asperity Height of Textured Geomembrane," to D7466-10. The asperity height is an index property used to quantify one of the physical attributes related to the surface roughness of textured geomembranes. Learn more here.;

ASTM International's Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced two geomembrane-related revisions. First, the Committee has revised standard D7466, "Standard Test Method for Measuring the Asperity Height of Textured Geomembrane," to D7466-10. Also, standard D5994, "Standard Test Method for Measuring Core Thickness of Textured Geomembrane," has been revised to D5994-10. Read more.

Tri-Tech Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: TRIT), a premier Chinese company that provides leading turn-key solutions in China for water resources, water and wastewater treatment, industrial safety and pollution control markets, announced today that its affiliate, Beijing Satellite Science and Technology Co. (BSST), has won a RMB 7.8 million (approximately $1.15 million) Phase II bid from the China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) for an automated monitoring and communication system in the Puguang gas field in Sichuan Province. Phase II represents an expansion of the information gathering and monitoring Phase I project, which includes the 48-station system implemented by BSST in September 2010 at the Puguang field.

Hesco Bastion Ltd., a manufacturer of cellular confinement systems for soils, erosion control, and protective barriers (such as those used by Coalition Force military units in Iraq and Afghanistan), has confirmed that its chairman, Jimi Heselden OBE, has died in a tragic accident near his home in West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. The company has invited people to leave sympathy notes on a special "In Memoriam" web page. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA) seeks nominations for its next committee. The current terms end 10 Novembe 2010 during the annual general meeting of GIGSA, which is the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) South Africa chapter. GIGSA seeks 10 new member nominees before 8 October 2010. If more than 10 nominees are accepted, an online election will be held. Read more.

The Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA) seeks nominations for its next committee. The current terms end 10 Novembe 2010 during the annual general meeting of GIGSA, which is the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) South Africa chapter. GIGSA seeks 10 new member nominees before 8 October 2010. If more than 10 nominees are accepted, an online election will be held. Download the informational document here (PDF).

The Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA) and the Environment Agency have awarded a US$436 million contract for the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the world’s largest strategic water project to a joint venture between Arabian Construction Co (ACC) and POSCO Engineering and Construction Co (POSCO). Learn more here.;

Geovic Mining Corp. ("Geovic" or "the Company"), on behalf of its 60.5%-owned subsidiary Geovic Cameroon PLC, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Phillip R. Mason as General Manager of Geovic Cameroon PLC. Mr. Mason is a 30-year mining industry veteran, including 20 years experience in Africa. The Nkamouna Project has an approved Environmental and Social Assessment (ESA) in conformity with both Cameroon regulations and international environmental standards. The new tailings facility incorporates a two-celled, fully engineered containment system. The acidic leach tailings will be stored in a separate tailings cell with a geosynthetic liner, isolating the leach tailings from the inert physical upgrade tailings.

Granite Falls, Minnesota is proposing to use collapsible geotextile cells as part of a flood defense scheme. The 2 to 2.5-foot-high, earthen flood wall (levee) base would be constructed in the property backyards that still allow views and access to the river. The levee would have a six-foot-wide grass-covered top that is orientated as close to the river bank as possible. Additional riprap would be used on the slope facing the river to shore up the river bank and prevent erosion. The six feet of space atop the levee is to allow for temporary flood barriers that would be put into place at the time of significant flood events. Learn more here.;

Tri-Tech Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: TRIT), a premier Chinese company that engineers, manages and monitors municipal sewer systems, natural waterways and other water resources, announced today the appointment of two new senior executives. Mr. Cliff Zhu was named general manager of the sales management department and Ms. Jenny Du was appointed general manager, department of marketing and communications. Tri-Tech designs customized sewage treatment and odor control systems for China's municipalities and larger cities.

The commercial raising of algae is seen as a highly promising sector of renewable energy, but as more operations have come about a greater rate of algal collapse has also been found. In these events, the algae production is interrupted, perhaps by the accidental introduction of a fungus, and, utlimately, the production ceases. Sandia National Laboratories is studying algae raising practices and potential causes of algal collapse. Will liners or covers be part of a solution? Learn more here.;

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released a draft Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), a mandatory "pollution diet" designed to restore the Chesapeake Bay and its vast network of streams, creeks and rivers. The Bay is a complex ecosystem and an economic engine for the region, supporting a variety of industries from fishing to tourism. The draft TMDL -- which EPA is legally required to produce -- sets limits on the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution discharged into the Bay and each of its tributaries by different types of pollution sources.

With 2010, Canadian Environmental Protection (CEP) redesigned and rebranded its publication as Environmental Solutions Magazine (ESM). The new name, however, was challenged as being too similar to a private company's identity, and after discussion with that firm and readers, the publication has opted to return to its former, well-established identity. As they say, "What's in a name?" The content, editorial direction and design remain the same. Learn more here.;

The Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation (LEEDCo) has selected a team of three companies to develop an offshore wind farm on Lake Erie. It will be the first offshore wind farm built on a fresh water lake in North America. Increasingly, wind farm installations are utilizing geosynthetics. Inland sites use reinforcement geosynthetics for access roads and turbine pads. Off-shore wind farms are beginning to use geosynthetics for stabilization and scour protection of footings. Learn more here.;

Over on the World Bank's blog regarding reducing poverty in Africa, today's post pertains to the role infrastructure can play and the challenges to that idea. A side-event at the United Nations on-going Summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) took place on September 22 and focused on "Scaling up Africa’s infrastructure to meet the MDGs." The writer of the post notes that the discussion on infrastructure's potential role was unusual for three reasons. Read more. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) is pleased to announce the third class of GSI Fellows for the academic year 2010-2011. Four new proposals were approved and three proposals from the previous two years were awarded additional funds to continue research. New proposals includes research regarding temperature effects and shear behavior, vertical drains in railway stabilization, protection of buried pipes in fault zones, and improving water quality and filtration in stormwater runoff. Read more about GSI's fellowship program.

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to offer "Constructing with Fabricated Geomembranes -- Flexibility and Superior Performance," its popular short course, on 15 October 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The course organizers have added a presentation on the geomembranes used in the Gulf oil spill clean up. Dr. Timothy Stark will present on the geomembrane technology that was used to assist experts in the Gulf during the clean up and contaminant containment.

The American Public Works Association (APWA) 2011 Sustainability in Public Works Conference and exhibition is accepting presentation proposals through 30 September 2010. The event location and dates have yet to be announced, but 2010's event in Minneapolis was a great success. APWA's sustainability initiatives include not just this event series but a new APWA Center for Sustainability. Learn more here.;

The American Public Works Association (APWA) 2011 conference and exhibition is accepting presentation proposals through 30 September 2010. The event will be held 18-21 September 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Learn more here.;

The mission of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) Awards Program is to recognize outstanding achievements in the erosion and sediment control industry in the following categories: Environmental Achievement; Sustained Contributor; Young Professional; Professional of the Year; Contractor of the Year; Organization of the Year; Technological Innovation; and Educational Achievement. Only current IECA members may nominate an individual, project or program for an award. Nominations must be submitted electronically and are due by November 1. Learn more here.;

Geo-Frontiers 2011 brings together the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute (GI) and the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). It will be held 13-16 March 2011 in Dallas, Texas. Current tracks include Soil/Rock Mechanics and Modeling; Geotechnical Testing and Site Characterization; Foundations and Ground Improvement; Slopes, Embankments, and Earth Retaining Structures; Geosynthetics; Geoenvironmental Engineering; Geo-Hazards (Earthquakes, Landslides, Erosions, Others); Transportation Materials and Pavements; and Other Geotechnical Related Issues. Registration for this key event is now open.

One often doesn't think of fish when an oil and gas company is mentioned but the people at BP Canada Energy are doing their part for the continued welfare of aquatic dwellers in the region. BP, working in conjunction with Alberta Environment and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, have been replacing road culverts over streams with fish arches on their access roads. The program, which employs geotextile-reinforced soil structure technology for stream crossings on resource roads, is a state-of-the-art process that strengthens the streambed and removes barriers for fish--barriers that had been created by the culverts. Read more in Ed Moore's article. Learn more here.;