Microbiological study of bulls of indulgence of the 15th-16th centuries

During the restoration of the church of “San Esteban” in Cuéllar (Segovia, Spain) a few sepulchres were opened. Among them was that of Doña Isabel de Zuazo, from the 16th century. Together with the corpse was found a series of printed documents from the 15th-16th centuries, most of which were bulls of indulgence. A microbiological study of the documents was carried out using techniques of isolation and molecular microbiology, together with scanning electron microscopy. Most of the identified bacteria were highly suggestive of a human origin, particularly the predominance of Clostridium species consistent with the flora of the human intestinal tract. Our results demonstrate that appreciable post-mortem migration of bacteria has taken place from the corpse to the historic documents. This can be explained considering that the documents were found on pelvic region, and were contaminated by body fluids and putrefaction.     

Monitoring associations between clade-level variation, overall community structure and ecosystem function in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems using terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP)

The role of Candidatus “Accumulibacter phosphatis” (Accumulibacter) in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is well established but the relevance of different Accumulibacter clades to the performance of EBPR systems is unknown. We developed a terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) technique to monitor changes in the relative abundance of key members of the bacterial community, including Accumulibacter clades, in four replicate mini-sequencing batch reactors (mSBRs) operated for EBPR over a 35-day period. The ability of the T-RFLP technique to detect trends was confirmed using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). EBPR performance varied between reactors and over time; by day 35, performance was maintained in mSBR2 whilst it had deteriorated in mSBR1. However, reproducible trends in structure-function relationships were detected in the mSBRs. EBPR performance was strongly associated with the relative abundance of total Accumulibacter. A shift in the ratio of the dominant Accumulibacter clades was also detected, with Type IA associated with good EBPR performance and Type IIC associated with poor EBPR performance. Changes in ecosystem function of the mSBRs in the early stages of the experiment were more closely associated with changes in the abundance of (unknown) members of the flanking community than of either Accumulibacter or Candidatus “Competibacter phosphatis”. This study therefore reveals a hitherto unrecorded and complex relationship between Accumulibacter clades, the flanking community and ecosystem function of laboratory-scale EBPR systems.     

Performance of “ductless” personalized ventilation in conjunction with displacement ventilation: Impact of intake height

The importance of the intake positioning height above the floor level on the performance of “ductless” personalized ventilation (“ductless” PV) in conjunction with displacement ventilation (DV) was examined with regard to the quality of inhaled air and of the thermal comfort provided. A typical office room with two workstations positioned one behind the other was arranged in a full-scale room. Each workstation consisted of a table with an installed “ductless” PV system, PC, desk lamp and seated breathing thermal manikin. The “ductless” PV system sucked the clean and cool displacement air supplied over the floor at four different heights, i.e. 2, 5, 10 and 20 cm and transported it direct to the breathing level. Moreover, two displacement airflow rates were used with a supply temperature adjusted in order to maintain an exhaust air temperature of 26 °C. Two pollution sources, namely air exhaled by one of the manikins and passive pollution on the table in front of the same manikin were simulated by constant dosing of tracer gases. The results show that the positioning of a “ductless” PV intake height up to 0.2 m above the floor will not significantly influence the quality of inhaled air and thermal comfort.     

A rigorous small area modelling-study for the helicobacter pylori epidemiology

This paper presents an investigation into spatial risk differences over small distances for the Helicobacter pylori infection in the city of Leipzig, Germany and two rural districts. A model, using Bayesian inference, was developed that adjusts the risk for individual-specific factors, and for spatial or individual over-dispersion, respectively. Additionally, the model takes into account conditional spatial autocorrelation. We found a significant positive association to the H. pylori infection risk for: “more than three children live in the household” (OR = 2.4, p = 0.001), “more persons live per sq.m than average” (OR = 1.4, p = 0.03), “home situated at main road” (OR = 1.4, p = 0.04) and “using well water” (OR = 2.3, p = 0.05). A protective effect was identified for “travelled to low prevalence region” (OR = 0.4, p < 0.0001) and “born in Germany” (OR = 0.2, p < 0.0001). Three administrative areas with significantly increased spatial risk were identified: one in the rural district and two in the city of Leipzig. The model explained 24.9% of the total deviance. Contrary to expectations, the largest part of deviance of the data was not explained by the identified significant risk factors, but by individual-specific heterogeneities. We conclude that further - so far not discussed - factors influence the risk and the spatial variation of the H.pylori infection. Furthermore, from the results we speculate about a possible impact of long-time air pollution and surface water.     

Semi-rigid composite frames with perfobond and T-rib connectors Part 1: Full scale tests

This paper proposes an alternative construction system for composite portal frames. The proposed process uses a perfobond rib shear connector and a connection element, denominated “T-rib” for composite action. The “T-rib” connection element was developed with the aim of transferring the forces from the reinforcing bars, used in hogging moment regions, to edge and corner column flanges. Full-scale test results of a composite semi-rigid portal frame are presented in terms of load-deflection, load-deformation and load-rotation curves.     

A molecular approach to ascertain the success of "in situ" AM fungi inoculation in the revegetation of a semiarid, degraded land

The positive effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation on plant establishment under field conditions has been shown. However, whether this effect is related to the survival of the AMF and how the AMF inoculum affects the colonisation of plant roots by the native AMF remain uncertain.In this study, we assessed the AMF community composition in O. europaea roots inoculated “in situ” with three types of AMF inoculum: Glomus sp., G. intraradices and a mixture of Glomus sp. and G. intraradices. All the AMF isolates inoculated showed a good percentage of persistence. Mycorrhizal inoculation with the mixture of Glomus sp. and G. intraradices was the most effective treatment for increasing the AMF diversity in roots 14 months after plantation. Plant growth was increased significantly by all the inocula tested, although plant biomass was not correlated with variation in the AMF diversity or with the AMF inoculum persistence. Thus, it seems that this positive effect was mediated by the interaction between the AMF inoculum and the natural colonisation. Therefore, the application of native AMF isolates in the planting hole may be considered a good strategy for the revegetation of semiarid, degraded soils, in order to reactivate the indigenous AMF populations and improve the performance of O. europaea seedlings, particularly when mixtures of native isolates are used.     

Haematological status of wintering great tits (Parus major) along a metal pollution gradient

In the long-term biomonitoring of wild populations inhabiting polluted areas, the use of non-destructive biomarkers as markers of condition is very important. We examined the possible effects of metal pollution on the haematological status of adult great tits (Parus major) along a well-established pollution gradient near a non-ferrous smelter in Belgium. We measured blood and feather metal concentrations and assessed the haematological status (amount of red blood cells, haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin) of adult great tits during winter at four study sites. Metal concentrations in blood and feathers indicated that cadmium and lead were the most important metals in the pollution gradient under study. Measurements of haematological parameters revealed that haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin were lower in great tits from the more polluted sites. These parameters were significantly negatively correlated with blood lead concentration. The amount of red blood cells, however, did not significantly differ among study sites. Our results indicate that the haematological status of great tits is negatively affected by metal pollution and may therefore be used as a successful biomarker for monitoring the negative impact of metal exposure in the wild.     

Seasonal bacterial community dynamics in a full-scale enhanced biological phosphorus removal plant

Activated sludge is one of the most abundant and effective wastewater treatment process used to treat wastewater, and has been used in developed countries for nearly a century. In all that time, several hundreds of studies have explored the bacterial communities responsible for treatment, but most studies were based on a handful of samples and did not consider temporal dynamics. In this study, we used the DNA fingerprinting technique called automated ribosomal intergenic spacer region analysis (ARISA) to study bacterial community dynamics over a two-year period in two different treatment trains. We also used quantitative PCR to measure the variation of five phylogenetically-defined clades within the Accumulibacter lineage, which is a model polyphosphate accumulating organism. The total bacterial community exhibited seasonal patterns of change reminiscent of those observed in lakes and oceans. Surprisingly, all five Accumulibacter clades were present throughout the study, and the total Accumulibacter community was relatively stable. However, the abundance of each clade did fluctuate through time. Clade IIA dynamics correlated positively with temperature (ρ = 0.65, p < 0.05) while Clade IA dynamics correlated negatively with temperature (ρ = −0.35, p < 0.05). This relationship with temperature hints at the mechanisms that may be driving the seasonal patterns in overall bacterial community dynamics and provides further evidence for ecological differentiation among clades within the Accumulibacter lineage. This work provides a valuable baseline for activated sludge bacterial community variation.     

Inaccuracy in Legionella tests of building water systems due to sample holding time

Most Legionella culture tests are performed on building water samples that have been shipped to analytical laboratories for analysis. Significant (≥1 log₁₀ unit) changes in results were observed in 52% of held samples (6 h or longer, ambient temperature) drawn from building water systems in a 42-sample initial survey. It was not practical to use the spread plate protocol for on-site “t = 0” cultures in a larger, more diverse survey of thousands of building water systems. Two thousand four hundred twenty-one (2421) building water samples were split for on-site analysis using a field culture protocol and then also cultured after overnight shipment to the lab for analysis with the standardized spread plate method. Legionella test results from building water system samples are usually interpreted as ≥a numerical detection or action limit. Therefore, binary statistical analyses were calculated by setting t = 0 culture results to “true”. Overall in this survey, 10.4% of water samples sent to the laboratory for analysis returned either false-positive or false-negative results. The overall positive predictive value of results was poor (36%). Most (83%) false-positive results were returned from utility water systems. Most (74%) false-negative results were returned from potable water systems. These inaccuracies have serious implications in regard to interpretation and use of Legionella test results. The overall negative predictive value of results was excellent (99%) and also it was good (92%) for results from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that can be therefore used as a negative screening method.     

The effects of Aphis fabae infestation on the antioxidant response and heavy metal content in field grown Philadelphus coronarius plants

The purpose of this study was to explore a possible relationship between the soil availability of metals and their concentrations in various parts of Philadelphuscoronarius plants. Moreover, the possible impact of an aphid infestation on the contamination and antioxidant response of plants from the urban environment of Kraków and the reference rural area of Zagaje Stradowskie (southern Poland) was analyzed. The contents of the glutathione, proline, non-protein − SH groups, antioxidants, and phosphorous and the levels of guaiacol peroxidase and catalase activity in leaves and shoots either infested or not by the aphid Aphis fabae Scop., were measured. The potential bioavailability of metals (Cd; Cu; Ni; Pb; Zn) in the soil and their concentrations in P. coronarius plants originating from both sites were compared.The antioxidant responses were generally elevated in the plants in the polluted area. Such reactions were additionally changed by aphid infestation. Generally, the concentrations of metals in the HNO₃ and CaCl₂ extractants of the soils from two layers at the 0-20 and 20-40 cm depths from the polluted area were higher than in those from the reference area. Such differences were found for nickel and lead (in all examined extractants), zinc (in soil extractants from the layer at 20-40 cm) and cadmium (in HNO₃ extractants). Significant positive relationships between the lead concentrations in the soil and in the plants were found. In the parts of plants from the polluted area, higher concentrations of Pb and Zn (leaves and shoots) and Cd (shoots) were recorded. The shoots and leaves of plants infested with aphids had higher concentrations of Zn but lower Pb. Moreover, their leaves had higher contaminations of Cu and Ni. In conclusion, aphids affected not only the antioxidant response of the plants but also their contamination with metals, especially contamination of the leaves.     

Naphthenic acids and other acid-extractables in water samples from Alberta: What is being measured?

There is increasing international interest in naphthenic acids (NAs, classical formula C_nH_2n + ZO₂) found in the oil sands from Alberta, Canada and in petroleum from around the world. The complexity of NAs poses major analytical challenges for their quantification and characterization. We used ultrahigh resolution electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-ICR MS) to probe the make up of NAs from various sources by searching for peaks corresponding to the formula C_nH_2n + ZO_x, for combinations of n = 8 to 30, Z = 0 to −12, and x = 2 to 5. The sources included three commercial NAs preparations, and the acid-extractable organics from eight oil sand process-affected waters (OSPW) and from six surface fresh waters. Extracts from OSPW contained between 1 and 7% sulfur. The mass spectra showed between 300 and 1880 peaks, with > 99% of the peaks having m/z between 145 and 600. In most cases, < 20% of the peaks were assigned as classical NAs (x = 2) and oxy-NAs (x = 3 to 5). The classical NAs from the OSPW were predominantly Z = −4 and −6, whereas those from the fresh waters were mainly Z = 0, with palmitic and stearic acids being the major components in the fresh waters. Remarkably, when the peak abundances were considered, < 50% of the total abundance could be assigned to the classical and oxy-NAs. Thus, > 50% of the compounds in the extracts of OSPW were not “naphthenic acids”. Based on these findings, it appears that the term “naphthenic acids”, which has been used to describe the toxic extractable compounds in OSPW, should be replaced by a term such as "oil sands tailings water acid-extractable organics (OSTWAEO)". Classical and oxy-NAs are components of OSTWAEO, but this term would not be as misleading as “naphthenic acids”.     

Determination of bioclimatic comfort in three different land uses in the city of Erzurum,Turkey

This study was carried out to determine the human bioclimatic conditions in rural, urban and urban forest areas in the conditions of the city of Erzurum, where an extreme continental climate type prevails. Data were obtained over a 10-month period and human bioclimatic conditions in these three different land-use types were evaluated using human bioclimatic indices, suitable for the data obtained. In the study, thermohygrometric index (THI), which assesses air temperature and relative humidity, and “beer garden days” index, which uses the days when temperature at 21:00 is over 20 °C, were used. While in these three areas “hot” and “comfort” ranges were determined to be 10% of the period, the number of “beer garden” days was only 20 days in rural, 15 days in urban forest and 18 days in urban areas of Erzurum. Consequently, it has been determined that the most suitable area for the human comfort in the conditions of Erzurum is in the urban area which is followed by the urban forest and the rural areas, both for each observation time and across the whole period.     

Pollution of montane soil with Cu, Zn, As, Sb, Pb, and nitrate in Kanto, Japan

Soil cores and rainwater were sampled under canopies of Cryptomeria japonica in four montane areas along an atmospheric depositional gradient in Kanto, Japan. Soil cores (30 cm in depth) were divided into 2-cm or 4-cm segments for analysis. Vertical distributions of elemental enrichment ratios in soils were calculated as follows: (X/Al)_i/(X/Al)_BG (where the numerator and denominator are concentration ratios of element-X and Al in the i- and bottom segments of soil cores, respectively). The upper 14-cm soil layer showed higher levels of Cu, Zn, As, Sb, and Pb than the lower (14-30 cm) soil layer. In the four areas, the average enrichment ratios in the upper 6-cm soil layer were as follows: Pb (4.93) ≥ Sb (4.06) ≥ As (3.04) > Zn (1.71) ≥ Cu (1.56). Exogenous elements (kg/ha) accumulated in the upper 14-cm soil layer were as follows: Zn (26.0) > Pb (12.4) > Cu (4.48) ≥ As (3.43) ≥ Sb (0.49). These rank orders were consistent with those of elements in anthropogenic aerosols and polluted (roadside) air, respectively, indicating that air pollutants probably caused enrichment of these elements in the soil surface layer. Approximately half of the total concentrations of As, Sb, and Pb in the upper 14-cm soil layer were derived from exogenous (anthropogenic) sources. Sb showed the highest enrichment factor in anthropogenic aerosols, and shows similar deposition behavior to NO₃⁻, which is a typical acidic air pollutant. There was a strong correlation between Sb and NO₃⁻ concentrations in rainfall (e.g., in the throughfall under C. japonica: [NO₃⁻] = 21.1 [dissolved Sb], r = 0.938, p < 0.0001, n = 182). Using this correlation, total (cumulative) inputs of NO₃⁻ were estimated from the accumulated amounts of exogenous Sb in soils, i.e., 16.7 t/ha at Mt. Kinsyo (most polluted), 8.6 t/ha at Mt. Tsukuba (moderately polluted), and 5.8 t/ha at the Taga mountain system (least polluted). There are no visible ecological effects of these accumulated elements in the Kanto region at present. However, the concentrations of some elements are within a harmful range, according to the Ecological Soil Screening Levels determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.     

Bioaccumulation of pollutants in the zebra mussel from hazardous industrial waste and evaluation of spatial distribution using GAMs

In the Flix Reservoir (Ebro River, Spain), ca. 300,000 tons of industrial waste were dumped because of the activity of a factory plant in Flix. Within the recovery program implemented, this exceptional situation provides a unique opportunity to test the value of zebra mussel as sentinel organism. Ten metal concentrations were measured in mussels from different sites to assess spatial redistribution of metals and bioavailability to the food web. Our results showed an important metal uptake by mussels; metal concentrations (except As) measured in impacted sites were up to 10 times higher than in control sites, and Mn and Hg exceeded several times the levels previously reported for polluted waters. Concentrations increased downstream showing the metal mobilization from polluted sediments in Flix Reservoir. The higher metal concentrations measured in zebra mussel individuals clearly indicated their bioavailability to the food web, allowing the toxics transfer to predators and occasionally to humans. Thus, zebra mussel is a valuable sentinel organism to identify highly polluted waters, transport routes and trophic transfer.     

Plant crown traits and carbon sequestration capability by Platanus hybrida Brot. in Rome

Measurements of carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentration carried out in the city of Rome in the period January–December 2005 showed a mean yearly CO₂ concentration of 414 ± 45 ppm; polluted sites (P sites) had 21% higher CO₂ concentration than control sites (C sites). The significant (p < 0.01) correlation analysis between CO₂ concentration and traffic density measured during the study period at P sites showed that traffic density explained 51% of the CO₂ variation. The CO₂ trend during the traffic limitation days (provision imposed by ordinance of the City Council) did not show significant differences as regards regular traffic days, suggesting the ineffectiveness of this provision. Leaf area index (LAI) of Platanus hybrida Brot. was on an average 11% lower at P sites than at C ones associated with a lower total photosynthetic leaf surface area (SPT, 34% lower at P sites than at C ones). P. hybrida had a total carbon sequestration of 117 ± 13 kg year⁻¹ (mean value of P and C sites) playing an important role in sequestering CO₂. Thus, the choice of plant species for urban areas may be set out taking into account their own air amelioration capability. Plant traits of each species may be used for urban tree planting programs to ameliorate urban air pollution.     

Contribution of Miscanthus x giganteus root exudates to the biostimulation of PAH degradation: an in vitro study

Phytoremediation is considered as a promising and cost-effective method to enhance bioremediation of polluted soils. Exudation of plant root secondary metabolites similar to organic pollutants may induce the expression of microbial degradative enzymes and favour cometabolism of xenobiotics. We investigated the contribution of Miscanthus x giganteus root exudates in the biostimulation of PAH-degradation. This perennial grass was chosen because of its capability to grow on polluted soils and its high biomass production for non-food purposes. First, the impact of cometabolism phenomena was evaluated on the selective enrichment of pyrene-degrading bacterial consortia. The identification of each isolated strains following incubation with pyrene only, “pyrene + phenanthrene”, “pyrene + salycilate” or “pyrene + diesel fuel” showed a varying bacterial diversity and pyrene-degrading ability, depending on the co-substrate used. Then, a microplate assay was designed, based on the simultaneous measurement of bacterial consortia growth and degradation activity, in the presence of PAH and total root exudates. Results showed that i) the addition of root exudates was efficient for promoting bacterial growth, ii) but a selective enrichment of PAH-degraders compared to aliphatic ones could be clearly demonstrated, thereby conducing to an enhanced PAH catabolism. The identification of plant secondary metabolites showed the presence of a broad range of flavonoid-derived compounds that could play a role in cometabolic processes. Microplate assays with the two major molecules, quercetin and rutin, suggested a partial involvement of these compounds in biostimulation processes. Further investigations with the other identified secondary metabolites (apigenin, isovitexin, catechin, gallic and caffeic acid) should provide more information on the exudate-PAH cometabolic degradation phenomenon.     

Quantification of pathogenic microorganisms and microbial indicators in three wastewater reclamation and managed aquifer recharge facilities in Europe

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) is becoming an attractive option for water storage in water reuse processes as it provides an additional treatment barrier to improve recharged water quality and buffers seasonal variations of water supply and demand. To achieve a better understanding about the level of pathogenic microorganisms and their relation with microbial indicators in these systems, five waterborne pathogens and four microbial indicators were monitored over one year in three European MAR sites operated with reclaimed wastewater. Giardia and Cryptosporidium (oo)cysts were found in 63.2 and 36.7% of the samples respectively. Salmonella spp. and helminth eggs were more rarely detected (16.3% and 12.5% of the samples respectively) and Campylobacter cells were only found in 2% of samples. At the Belgian site advanced tertiary treatment technology prior to soil aquifer treatment (SAT) produced effluent of drinking water quality, with no presence of the analysed pathogens. At the Spanish and Italian sites amelioration of microbiological water quality was observed between the MAR injectant and the recovered water. In particular Giardia levels decreased from 0.24-6.14 cysts/L to 0-0.01 cysts/L and from 0.4-6.2 cysts/L to 0-0.07 cysts/L in the Spanish and Italian sites respectively. Salmonella gene copies and Giardia cysts were however found in the water for final use and/or the recovered groundwater water at the two sites. Significant positive Spearman correlations (p < 0.05, r_s range: 0.45-0.95) were obtained, in all the three sites, between Giardia cysts and the most resistant microbial markers, Clostridium spores and bacteriophages.     

Cancer incidence in a petrochemical industry area in Sweden

Emissions from petrochemical industries may contain suspected or established carcinogens. As increased incidence of cancer in residential areas close to petrochemical industries has been reported in the literature, we conducted a study of cancer incidence in Stenungsund, Sweden, where petrochemical industries were established in the mid1960s.A number of cancer cases in the central parts of Stenungsund were collected from the regional cancer registry for each year between 1974 and 2005. In addition to the total number of cases, the numbers of leukemia, lymphoma, liver cancer, lung cancer, and brain cancer were also collected. Expected numbers for each year were calculated based on age- and sex-specific incidence rates in reference areas. Levels of carcinogenic volatile hydrocarbons (VOC) were estimated from measurements and emission data. A dispersion model was used to classify Stenungsund into a “low” and “high” ethylene level area.Standardized Incidence Ratio (SIR) for all cancer for the entire period was 1.02 (95% CI 0.97-1.08). The occurrence of leukemia, lymphoma, and cancer in the central nervous system was slightly lower than expected for the entire period. SIR for lung cancer was 1.37 (95% CI 1.10-1.69), and SIR for liver cancer was 1.50 (0.82-2.53). VOC levels were low.Taking estimated exposure and demographic factors into account, our assessment is that occurrence of cancer was not affected by industrial emissions in any of the studied sites.     

Population dynamics of filamentous bacteria in Danish wastewater treatment plants with nutrient removal

Bulking and foaming are two frequently occurring operational problems in activated sludge wastewater treatment plants, and these problems are mainly associated with excessive growth of filamentous bacteria. In this study, a comprehensive investigation of the identity and population dynamics of filamentous bacteria in 28 Danish municipal treatment plants with nutrient removal has been carried out over three years. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was applied to quantify more than twenty probe-defined populations of filamentous bacteria that in total constituted a large fraction of the entire microbial community, on average 24%. Despite the majority being present within the flocs, they occasionally caused settling problems in most of the plants. A low diversity of probe-defined filamentous bacteria was found in the plants with Microthrix and various species belonging to phylum Chloroflexi (e.g., type 0803 and type 0092) as the most abundant. Few other filamentous probe-defined species were found revealing a large similarity between the filamentous populations in the plants investigated. The composition of filamentous populations was stable in each plant with only minor changes in relative abundances observed during the three-year study period. The relative composition of the different species was unique to each plant giving a characteristic “fingerprint”. Comprehensive statistical analyses of the presence and abundance of the filamentous organisms did not reveal many correlations with a particular plant design or process parameter.     

Assessment of Portuguese thermal building legislation in an energetic and environmental perspective

The aim of this study is to assess the consistency of Portuguese thermal building legislation in terms of energy and environmental performance.To illustrate this, a case study has been carried out for different scenarios of a dwelling home located in an extreme climate zone (I3, V1 north) in Portugal with a T3 typology: four occupants and net floor area of 150 m², modelled according to Regulation Thermal Performance Characteristics of Buildings and a Life Cycle Assessment approach.The results show that the Portuguese thermal building legislation can be considered consistent in terms of energy efficiency and environmental performance if we take the damage categories into account - “human health” or “ecosystem quality” or the impact category - “emission into air”. It cannot be considered consistent if we take the damage category into account - “resources” or the impact category - “CO₂ eq” (equivalent carbon dioxide emissions)/“climate change”/“global warming”.