Volume 4, Issue 3 (2008) | American Journal of Environmental Sciences

Hydropower System Management Considering the Minimum Outflow

M. L. Arganis — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.178.184

This paper deals with the operating rules of the Grijalva River hydropower serial system obtained by means of stochastic dynamic programming and its subsequent simulation using historical records and ...

Sustainable Management of Effluents from Small Piggery Farms in Mexico

J.L. de Victorica-Almeida — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.185.188

In Mexico, pig farming is the third most important livestock activity due to its contribution to the total meat production. However, it is estimated that around 38% of pig farms dispose their wastewat...

Effect of Earthquakes on Some Kind of Buildings

J. Alberto Escobar S. — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.189.197

A new method that simplifies the current static seismic torsion design procedure for buildings is proposed. Distribution of the shear forces among the storey-resistant elements designed by torsion and...

Estimation of Vehicle Flows and Emissions for Various Scenarios of Street Network Modifications in Mexico City

Angelica Lozano — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.198.203

We estimate flows and emissions (NOx, HC, CO) generated by vehicles circulating on the main streets of the Mexico City Metropolitan Area. The estimation is made for various scenarios, which include a ...

An Applied Research Program on Water Desalination with Renewable Energies

Sergio M. Alcocer — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.204.211

The use of renewable energy for desalination might be quite different in many places of the world. In Mexico, specifically in Baja California, there is an abundance of "traditional" renewable resource...

Geo-Seismic Environmental Aspects Affecting Tailings Dams Failures

Juan M. Mayoral — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.212.222

Seismic performance evaluations of tailings dams are essential for characterizing the geo-environmental risks posed by these earthen structures, which should include the geotechnical hazards implied b...

Valorization of Drinking Water Treatment Sludges as Raw Materials to Produce Concrete and Mortar

R.M. Ramirez Zamora — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.223.228

The purpose of this work was to assess the technical feasibility to valorize sludges, generated and stored at the Los Berros drinking water facility (PPLB), as raw material to produce building product...

A Depth Estimation System for Laboratory Studies using Video Imagery

Alec Torres — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.229.237

A simple video-based system has been developed for depth estimation based on wave propagation characteristics. A numerical simulation of a long-crested monochromatic wave propagating over a beach with...

Physical Characterizations of Sands and Their Influence in Fall Velocity

Ruiz-Martinez Gabriel — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.238.244

Cancun beach is one of the most important tourist resorts on the Mexican coast, and is of prime importance to the local and national economies. As a result of the intense use of the beach and the unav...

Three Dimensional Hydrodynamic Model With Multiquadtree Meshes

Gregorio Posada Vanegas — 2008-06-30

American Journal of Environmental Sciences, Published online: 30 June 2008; doi:10.3844/ajessp.2008.245.258

This study presents a three dimensional model for the transport of conservative contaminants, which can be used for bodies of water which are affected by winds and/or tides. The model solves the equat...