A state-of-the-art review of scientific knowledge on the environmental risk of ocean discharge of produced water and advances in mitigation technologies.In offshore oil and gas operations, produced water (the water produced with oil or gas from a well) accounts for the largest waste stream (in terms of volume discharged). Its discharge is continuous during oil and gas production and typically increases in volume over the lifetime of an offshore production platform.Produced water discharge as waste into the ocean has become an environmental concern because of its potential contaminant content. Environmental risk assessments of ocean discharge of produced water have yielded different results. For example, several laboratory and field studies have shown that significant acute toxic effects cannot be detected beyond the "point of discharge" due to rapid dilution in the receiving waters. However, there is some preliminary evidence of chronic sub-lethal impacts in biota associated with the discharge of produced water from oil and gas fields within the North Sea. As the composition and concentration of potential produced water contaminants may vary from one geologic formation to another, this conference also highlights the results of recent studies in Atlantic Canada.
This book arises from the challenges and difficulties involved in the evaluation and management of concussions in wheelchair athletes. Concussions are most readily identified in the ambulatory population via identifying gross motor instability or when athletes lose their balance and stumble after a blow to the head or neck region. Because wheelchair athletes participate in sport while sitting down and using a wheelchair, clinicians must be extra attentive to identify a potential concussion. Once a potential concussion is identified, there are many challenges in evaluation of the wheelchair athlete population due to their comorbidities. At baseline, they may have signs and symptoms that mimic a concussion, and their impairments can also alter their cognitive and balance assessments. Therefore, it is critical to make a distinction between these athletes' baseline comorbid impairments and potential new exam findings in a concussion.
Filling in a critical gap in the literature, this is a concise pocket guide for any clinician, trainer, or rehabilitation specialist who is involved in wheelchair sports. It focuses on the unique challenges in evaluating a concussion in the wheelchair athlete, including baseline testing, the process of evaluating the signs and symptoms of a concussion, cognitive and vestibular examination, new clinical techniques specific to wheelchair athletes, and the return to play process. A Concussion Management Program (CMP) for use on the sideline as well as in the office is included.
Practical and timely, Concussion Management for Wheelchair Athletes is a valuable resource to increase awareness, provide guidance on the unique challenges within this population, and generate interest in future research and investigation.
