Polychlorinated naphthalenes in air and snow in the Norwegian Arctic: a local source or an Eastern Arctic phenomenon?

PCNs were measured in air and snow during separate field campaigns at Ny-Alesund (April 2001) and Troms? (February/March 2003) in the Norwegian Arctic. Air concentrations ranged from 27 to 48 and 9 to 47 pg sigmaPCN m(-3) for Ny-Alesund (n=6) and Troms? (n=10), respectively. These concentrations (including the tri-chlorinated naphthalenes) greatly exceeded concentrations previously measured in the Canadian Arctic, but did fall within the upper range of concentrations observed over the eastern Arctic Ocean and regional seas. Local sources appear to be affecting concentrations observed at both sites, with the presence of several hexa-chlorinated naphthalenes at Troms? probably attributed to local/regional sources. Use of air mass back trajectories at Troms? revealed that background air concentrations in the Norwegian Arctic are likely to range between <9 and 20 pg sigmaPCN m(-3) and that contemporary concentrations derived close to potential sources (i.e. arctic towns) may equal or exceed those of PCBs. The mean concentration in surface snow was 350 and 240 pg sigmaPCN L(-1) (meltwater) (or 0.014 and 0.01 pg g(-1) (snow)) at Ny-Alesund and Troms?, respectively. The wide variation in concentrations observed between fresh snowfalls could be explained by different snow densities (as a surrogate of snow surface area), rather than attributed to varying air concentrations. A statistically significant inverse relationship was found between snow density and concentrations of tri- to penta-chlorinated homologues and compliments similar findings for the polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). This suggests that the vapour-sorbed quantity changes rapidly with snow ageing/compaction; with implications for the fate of these chemicals in the Arctic.     

Use of slow filtration columns to assess oxygen respiration, consumption of dissolved organic carbon, nitrogen transformations, and microbial parameters in hyporheic sediments

Biogeochemical processes mediated by microorganisms in river sediments (hyporheic sediments) play a key role in river metabolism. Because biogeochemical reactions in the hyporheic zone are often limited to the top few decimetres of sediments below the water-sediment interface, slow filtration columns were used in the present study to quantify biogeochemical processes (uptakes of O2, DOC, and nitrate) and the associated microbial compartment (biomass, respiratory activity, and hydrolytic activity) at a centimetre scale in heterogeneous (gravel and sand) sediments. The results indicated that slow filtration columns recreated properly the aerobic-anaerobic gradient classically observed in the hyporheic zone. O2 and NO3- consumptions (256 +/- 13 microg of O2 per hour and 14.6 +/- 6.1 microg of N-NO3- per hour) measured in columns were in the range of values measured in different river sediments. Slow filtration columns also reproduced the high heterogeneity of the hyporheic zone with the presence of anaerobic pockets in sediments where denitrification and fermentation processes occurred. The respiratory and hydrolytic activities of bacteria were strongly linked with the O2 consumption in the experimental system, highlighting the dominance of aerobic processes in our river sediments. In comparison with these activities, the bacterial biomass (protein content) integrated both aerobic and anaerobic processes and could be used as a global microbial indicator in our system. Finally, slow filtration columns are an appropriate tool to quantify in situ rates of biogeochemical processes and to determine the relationship between the microbial compartment and the physico-chemical environment in coarse river sediments.     

Spatial patterns of cadmium and lead deposition on and adjacent to National Park Service lands in the vicinity of Red Dog Mine, Alaska

Heavy metal escapement associated with ore trucks is known to occur along the DeLong Mountain Regional Transportation System (DMTS) haul road corridor in Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwest Alaska. Heavy metal concentrations in Hylocomium splendens moss (n = 226) were used in geostatistical models to predict the extent and pattern of atmospheric deposition of Cd and Pb on Monument lands. A stratified grid-based sample design was used with more intensive sampling near mine-related activity areas. Spatial predictions were used to produce maps of concentration patterns, and to estimate the total area in 10 moss concentration categories. Heavy metal levels in moss were highest immediately adjacent to the DMTS haul road (Cd > 24 mg/kg dw; Pb > 900 mg/kg dw). Spatial regression analyses indicated that heavy metal deposition decreased with the log of distance from the DMTS haul road and the DMTS port site. Analysis of subsurface soil suggested that observed patterns of heavy metal deposition reflected in moss were not attributable to subsurface lithology at the sample points. Further, moss Pb concentrations throughout the northern half of the study area were high relative to concentrations previously reported from other Arctic Alaska sites. Collectively, these findings indicate the presence of mine-related heavy metal deposition throughout the northern portion of Cape Krusenstern National Monument. Geospatial analyses suggest that the Pb depositional area extends 25 km north of the haul road to the Kisimilot/Iyikrok hills, and possibly beyond. More study is needed to determine whether higher moss heavy metal concentrations in the northernmost portion of the study area reflect deposition from mining-related activities, weathering from mineralized Pb/Zn outcrops in the broader region, or a combination of the two. South of the DMTS haul road, airborne deposition appears to be constrained by the Tahinichok Mountains. Heavy metal levels continue to diminish south of the mountains, reaching a minimum in the southernmost portion of the study area near the Igichuk Hills (45 km from the haul road). The influence of the mine site was not studied.     

Evaluation of the fern Azolla for growth, nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater

Water fern (Azolla filiculoides Lam.) has been assessed for nitrogen and phosphorus removal in outdoor experiments comparing sewage water (S) from an experimental aquaculture plant, well water (W) and mineral growth medium Hoagland (H). The experiments were undertaken during the spring and the summer. The yield of fern biomass and nitrogenase activity was higher in H than in W and S waters. The enzyme activity had a decreasing trend with significant differences (p < 0.05) in the three waters. Peroxidase (POD) activity in April decreased with significative differences in W and S waters (p < 0.05). The electrical conductivity and the concentrations of NO3- in the three waters decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The highest removal of nitrate from the media was obtained in July. In S water, NO2- concentration decreased, while it increased in W water. PO(4)3- concentration was very low in W and S waters and decreased in H medium. The results obtained confirm the ability of the fern to grow in sewage water.     

Application of Mathematical Modeling in Technology for the Recovery of Rubber from Latex in a Magnetic Field

Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering - The paper presents a study of the process of the isolation of styrene-butadiene rubber from latex with the method of mathematical planning for a...     

Investigation of 12 – 15 Kev Electron Transmission Through Tapered Glass Capillaries

Glass and Ceramics - The results of experimental studies of the transmission of 12 and 15 keV electron beams through tapered glass macro-capillaries are presented. Measurements showed that there is...     

Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Ca/P-Doped Titanium Dioxide Layer Produced by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation: Effects of Applied Voltage and Heat Treatment

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is a technique that produces a hard oxide layer on the titanium surface where its properties can be tailored by changing the process parameters or by a posterior heat treatment (HT). In this work, a TiO₂ layer with different crystallinity was produced by PEO with different applied voltages (250 to 400 V) and post-HT at 600°C. Our aim was to evaluate the influence of the PEO voltage and HT on the mechanical and tribological properties of anodized Ti. There is an increase in pore size, oxide thickness, and Ca/P ratio for the oxide layer with the applied voltage during the PEO process. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated an increase in the crystalline rutile phase in the oxide layer with voltage and HT. Nanoindentation shows an increase in the oxide hardness and elastic modulus with increased voltage and HT, leading to an improvement in the wear resistance.     

The Distribution of Vibroshock Processes in Structures

The problem of calculating the one-dimensional vibration actuators of a simple structure with single inclusions as shock pairs is studied. A methodology for calculating such a system, which is based on the methods of the time-frequency analysis of vibroshock processes, is given. The corresponding motion equations are given along with their operator analogues and the consequent twoparameter representations of the periodic vibroshock processes. The durability is analyzed using the energy condition. There are representations that allow estimating the spectrum of the distributed vibration. The resonance states of vibration actuators with point inclusions as shock pairs are discussed. The calculation examples are given.     

Producing Polydicyclopentadiene from Lower-Grade Dicyclopentadiene

Russian Engineering Research - Polymer samples based on polydicyclopentadiene produced from Russian dicyclopentadiene are investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning...