This document examines how the assumption of homogeneous vs heterogeneous radioactive contamination in soil/sediment impacts the external radiation dose rates of fauna. It analyzes contamination profiles from sediment samples in Canada and soil samples in Austria involving various radionuclides. Dose conversion coefficients are calculated using a dosimetry model for different organisms, locations within the contaminated media, and exposure scenarios. The results show dose rates can vary by three orders of magnitude depending on the specific situation. The assumption of homogeneous contamination is not always conservative.
Near and mid-infrared spectroscopic determination of algal compositionzhenhua82
Near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy were evaluated for their ability to determine the composition of algal turf scrubber (ATS) samples. A set of 117 ATS samples spanning a range of nitrogen, phosphorus, ash, sugar, lipid, and fatty acid contents were analyzed using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS), mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (MIRS), and conventional wet chemistry methods. NIRS and MIRS produced accurate determinations of ash and total nitrogen content but not phosphorus, total sugar, or mono-sugar content. Neither NIRS nor MIRS could accurately determine lipid or total fatty acid content in ATS samples. The results indicate that N
This document discusses the history and development of using soil microbial biomass as an indicator of environmental impacts on soil ecosystems. In the 1980s, ecosystem research projects aimed to quantify the effects of pollution. Researchers realized the soil microbe compartment was important for nutrient cycling. Direct observation methods were inadequate, but the chloroform fumigation incubation technique allowed quantifying total microbial biomass. The authors then developed using maximum CO2 output of soils in relation to microbial biomass to assess environmental stress on soil microbes. This built on prior work establishing the concept of microbial maintenance energy, the energy microbes require to maintain themselves even without growth.
Radioactivity exposure level from some mining sites in Wurno LGA, Sokoto have been determined in this paper. The inhabitant’s exposure rates were found through in-situ radiation measurement and liquid scintillation counting of water samples. An invented equation for sampling was used to spot out points. Measurement was done with Digilert-50 at Gonadal height from 15 points. Three closed points were averaged to 5 points between; Kandam, Gyalgyal, Burmawan Masaka, Dinbiso and Giyawa mining sites respectively. Water samples were collected for Hidex 300 liquid scintillation counting of gross alpha and beta radioactivity. The mean in-situ radiation results were 0.206, 0.317, 0.108, 0.335 and 0.230 for the sample points. Annual effective dose and cancer risk were found in range of 0.32542 - 0.411125 and 5.01×10-1 - 1.56×101 respectively. These values were found significantly higher than the WHO and ICRP levels. Dangers from ransacking the major rocks that harbors these nuclides may be more prominent. These trends should be curtailed by authorities to avert future menace of environmental and health maladies.
Prediction of Soil Total Nitrogen Content Using Spectraradiometer and GIS in ...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
This document summarizes a study that used visible near-infrared (VNIR) reflectance spectroscopy and geographic information systems-kriging (GIS-Kriging) to predict total nitrogen content in soil samples from two locations in southern Iraq. Soil samples were collected and their total nitrogen content was measured using chemical analysis. The samples were then scanned using a spectroradiometer to obtain VNIR reflectance spectra. Partial least squares regression models showed strong correlations between reflectance in wavelength bands 500-600 nm and 800-1000 nm and total nitrogen content, with R2 values over 0.84 for calibration and validation sets. GIS-Kriging models performed poorly for prediction with Q2 values around 0.
This document summarizes a study on advancing the adoption of artificial nitrogen sinks like constructed wetlands and denitrifying bioreactors. It conducted a meta-analysis of nitrate removal rates in denitrifying bioreactors and found higher rates in beds compared to walls. Factors like influent nitrate concentration, bed hydraulic residence time, and temperature affected removal rates. The study aims to provide guidance on proper placement and design of artificial nitrogen sinks through an online resource center with research summaries, case studies and other materials. Next steps include developing design recommendations and addressing limitations to adoption like cost and social barriers.
This curriculum vitae summarizes the academic background and activities of Laura Elizabeth Chasmer. She received her Ph.D. in 2008 from Queen's University and has since held positions at the University of Lethbridge, University of Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research interests include forest and wetland ecosystems, permafrost, climate change, and remote sensing. She has over 40 peer-reviewed publications and has received several awards and research grants.
Growth, gas exchanges and accumulation of inorganic matter of Populus nigra L...Innspub Net
1. The study evaluated the effects of treated wastewater irrigation on the growth, gas exchange, and mineral accumulation of Populus nigra L.
2. Irrigation with treated wastewater increased photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates in poplar seedlings over the first 60 days compared to controls, but these effects decreased after 90 days.
3. Treated wastewater irrigation also increased biomass and root growth initially, but decreased the relative growth rate of poplars after 90 days compared to controls, possibly due to accumulation of trace metals like cadmium, lead, and nickel in plant tissues over time.
The 2010 drought in the Amazon was more severe than the 2005 drought, based on record low river levels. Satellite data showed widespread and persistent declines in vegetation greenness over a much larger area in 2010 compared to 2005. The declines in 2010 affected 51% of drought-stricken forests and persisted after rainfall returned to normal, unlike in 2005. The loss of photosynthetic capacity due to the 2010 drought may have significantly impacted the global carbon cycle.
Near and mid-infrared spectroscopic determination of algal compositionzhenhua82
Near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy were evaluated for their ability to determine the composition of algal turf scrubber (ATS) samples. A set of 117 ATS samples spanning a range of nitrogen, phosphorus, ash, sugar, lipid, and fatty acid contents were analyzed using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS), mid-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (MIRS), and conventional wet chemistry methods. NIRS and MIRS produced accurate determinations of ash and total nitrogen content but not phosphorus, total sugar, or mono-sugar content. Neither NIRS nor MIRS could accurately determine lipid or total fatty acid content in ATS samples. The results indicate that N
This document discusses the history and development of using soil microbial biomass as an indicator of environmental impacts on soil ecosystems. In the 1980s, ecosystem research projects aimed to quantify the effects of pollution. Researchers realized the soil microbe compartment was important for nutrient cycling. Direct observation methods were inadequate, but the chloroform fumigation incubation technique allowed quantifying total microbial biomass. The authors then developed using maximum CO2 output of soils in relation to microbial biomass to assess environmental stress on soil microbes. This built on prior work establishing the concept of microbial maintenance energy, the energy microbes require to maintain themselves even without growth.
Radioactivity exposure level from some mining sites in Wurno LGA, Sokoto have been determined in this paper. The inhabitant’s exposure rates were found through in-situ radiation measurement and liquid scintillation counting of water samples. An invented equation for sampling was used to spot out points. Measurement was done with Digilert-50 at Gonadal height from 15 points. Three closed points were averaged to 5 points between; Kandam, Gyalgyal, Burmawan Masaka, Dinbiso and Giyawa mining sites respectively. Water samples were collected for Hidex 300 liquid scintillation counting of gross alpha and beta radioactivity. The mean in-situ radiation results were 0.206, 0.317, 0.108, 0.335 and 0.230 for the sample points. Annual effective dose and cancer risk were found in range of 0.32542 - 0.411125 and 5.01×10-1 - 1.56×101 respectively. These values were found significantly higher than the WHO and ICRP levels. Dangers from ransacking the major rocks that harbors these nuclides may be more prominent. These trends should be curtailed by authorities to avert future menace of environmental and health maladies.
Prediction of Soil Total Nitrogen Content Using Spectraradiometer and GIS in ...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
This document summarizes a study that used visible near-infrared (VNIR) reflectance spectroscopy and geographic information systems-kriging (GIS-Kriging) to predict total nitrogen content in soil samples from two locations in southern Iraq. Soil samples were collected and their total nitrogen content was measured using chemical analysis. The samples were then scanned using a spectroradiometer to obtain VNIR reflectance spectra. Partial least squares regression models showed strong correlations between reflectance in wavelength bands 500-600 nm and 800-1000 nm and total nitrogen content, with R2 values over 0.84 for calibration and validation sets. GIS-Kriging models performed poorly for prediction with Q2 values around 0.
This document summarizes a study on advancing the adoption of artificial nitrogen sinks like constructed wetlands and denitrifying bioreactors. It conducted a meta-analysis of nitrate removal rates in denitrifying bioreactors and found higher rates in beds compared to walls. Factors like influent nitrate concentration, bed hydraulic residence time, and temperature affected removal rates. The study aims to provide guidance on proper placement and design of artificial nitrogen sinks through an online resource center with research summaries, case studies and other materials. Next steps include developing design recommendations and addressing limitations to adoption like cost and social barriers.
This curriculum vitae summarizes the academic background and activities of Laura Elizabeth Chasmer. She received her Ph.D. in 2008 from Queen's University and has since held positions at the University of Lethbridge, University of Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research interests include forest and wetland ecosystems, permafrost, climate change, and remote sensing. She has over 40 peer-reviewed publications and has received several awards and research grants.
Growth, gas exchanges and accumulation of inorganic matter of Populus nigra L...Innspub Net
1. The study evaluated the effects of treated wastewater irrigation on the growth, gas exchange, and mineral accumulation of Populus nigra L.
2. Irrigation with treated wastewater increased photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates in poplar seedlings over the first 60 days compared to controls, but these effects decreased after 90 days.
3. Treated wastewater irrigation also increased biomass and root growth initially, but decreased the relative growth rate of poplars after 90 days compared to controls, possibly due to accumulation of trace metals like cadmium, lead, and nickel in plant tissues over time.
The 2010 drought in the Amazon was more severe than the 2005 drought, based on record low river levels. Satellite data showed widespread and persistent declines in vegetation greenness over a much larger area in 2010 compared to 2005. The declines in 2010 affected 51% of drought-stricken forests and persisted after rainfall returned to normal, unlike in 2005. The loss of photosynthetic capacity due to the 2010 drought may have significantly impacted the global carbon cycle.
This document describes a study that investigated the bioconcentration of three nitrogen-based compounds (4-nitroanisole, 3,5-dinitro-o-toluamide, and 2-methoxy-5 nitropyridine) in earthworms. Toxicity tests were first conducted to determine sublethal exposure concentrations for earthworms. Then, earthworms were exposed to the compounds in an aqueous medium for up to 14 days to estimate bioconcentration factors. Tissue analysis found rapid uptake of the compounds, with steady state reached within 24 h. Estimated steady-state bioconcentration factors were 47, 6, and 11 for the three compounds, respectively. These results provide new bioconcentration data that
The multivariate statistical analysis of the environmental pollutants at lake...Alexander Decker
1. The document analyzes environmental pollutants in Lake Nyamagoma in Tanzania using multivariate statistical analysis of water samples collected from 8 sites during the wet season.
2. The results show variation in pollutant levels controlled by factors like primary productivity, redox conditions, dissolution, nitrification, denitrification, mixing, and reduction processes, as well as human activities in the area.
3. Four factors were extracted from the analysis: 1) high turbidity and primary productivity, 2) cation exchange processes, 3) variation in pollutants by depth and nutrients from the catchment, and 4) reduction processes and increased salinity.
- This poster examines the impact of crop diversification (4-year rotation) versus conventional (2-year) cropping systems on soil and rhizosphere microbial communities of maize.
- Diversified systems had richer, more even microbial communities that differed in structure from conventional systems. Diversification decreased AOA and AOB populations.
- Maize roots hosted distinct microbial communities that varied by cropping system. Diversification led to lower AOA and AOB abundances in the rhizosphere.
- Overall, diversification modified the microbial community in ways that could improve nitrogen retention through tighter coupling of carbon and nitrogen cycles.
Numerical simulation of bioremediation of poly aromatic hydrocarbon pollutedIAEME Publication
The document describes a numerical simulation of bioremediation of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) polluted soil using different species of mushrooms. Three mushroom substrates (saprophytic, symbiotic, and parasitic) were applied to six polluted soil cells for 10 weeks. Residual PAH concentrations were measured every two weeks. A kinetic model was developed using MATLAB to study biodegradation rates. Results showed the parasitic mushroom degraded PAHs fastest with a rate constant of 0.3751 day-1 and lowest residual concentration of 2.825 after 10 weeks, indicating it is most effective for bioremediating PAH pollution.
This document describes a sabbatical grant to study controls on plant-soil stoichiometry in dryland agroecosystems. The objectives are to 1) quantify how human management impacts plant and soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in cork oak savannas and 2) assess effects of woody plant encroachment and UV radiation on litter decomposition. Samples have been collected from sites in Portugal with different land uses and a two-year litter decomposition experiment was conducted measuring effects of litter type, location, and UV exposure.
This study introduces a new method for collecting synoptic sampling data at the Coweeta Long Term Ecological Research site. Researchers recorded behavioral indicators of human activity along transects near streams, noting physical evidence in ten categories. Using text analysis software, they grouped the data into clusters related to broader terms. The clusters were ordered based on nitrate, phosphorus, and conductivity levels from chemical samples. Some patterns were observed between categories like "Treatment" and higher nitrate levels. While relationships between land use and stream chemistry are complex, this study incorporated qualitative observations to more fully characterize human impacts beyond geomorphic, biotic, or chemical data alone.
Although surveys of soft-bottom macrofauna are an important tool in assessing marine pollution,
identifying organisms to the species level is time-consuming and therefore costly. One solution is to identify
organisms to a higher taxonomic level. This study, using data from macrobenthic surveys in Gamak Bay, on the
southern coast of Korea, shows that abundances measured at higher taxonomic levels than species can be
adequate for pollution assessments. 'Second-stage' MDS and 'BIO-ENV' showed that aggregation of data to the
level of family produces results that are close to those based on species-level identification. In severely polluted
areas, a W statistic based on order-level aggregation was identical to that produced by species-level
identification.Although these results could be used to make a general recommendation that the family level, at
least, is a suitable level for faunal identification in pollution assessments, this will to a large extent depend on
the objectives of each individual investigation. In surveys to assess pollution, nonetheless, analyzing the benthic
community at a higher taxonomic level than species is efficient and cost-effective, and is sufficient to accomplish
the assessment’s objective.
This document summarizes a seminar on using isotopes in soil and plant studies. It discusses the history and units of radioactivity, different types of isotopes, and monitoring instruments like Geiger counters. Key applications mentioned include using isotopes as tracers to study groundwater movement, fertilizer usage, soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, and erosion. The document concludes by outlining some future research areas like using isotope signatures to study plant silicon, heavy metal cycling and accumulation, and the effects of biochar application.
This document summarizes a study that estimated solar UV-B radiation levels at Visakhapatnam, India from 2005-2013 using a regression model incorporating satellite-measured column ozone levels and solar zenith angle. The model was developed using earlier UV-B measurements and ozone data from 1989-1993. Analysis found seasonal variations in ozone but no significant long-term trends in estimated UV-B levels. The study concluded the data could help assess biological effects of UV-B radiation at this location over time.
1. The study examined the effects of tetracycline antibiotic on nitrogen cycling microbial communities and N2O emissions in grassland soils treated with manure and tetracycline.
2. Results showed tetracycline inhibited soil N2 production in a dose-dependent manner and enhanced N2O production at high concentrations.
3. Soil mesocosms treated with manure and tetracycline had higher initial N2O fluxes that decreased over time, while N2 production was only inhibited in tetracycline-treated mesocosms.
4. Fungal N2 production was more inhibited in mesocosms treated with tetracycline or manure, suggesting these treatments shift denitrification
Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Water Samples from Aden Gover...paperpublications3
Abstract:The level of natural radioactivity in soils and water of 74 samples collected from locations at Aden governorate south of Yemen was measured. Concentrations of radionuclides in soils and water samples were determined by gamma-ray spectrometer using a NaI (Tl) detector with specially designed shield. The mean activity level of the natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K is 30.41 ±2.4, 36.26 ±2.9 and 358.12±26.54 Bq kg-1, respectively. These values are well within values reported elsewhere in the country and in other countries with similar environments. The study also examined some radiation hazard indices. The mean values obtained are, 215±37Bq kg-1, 50.10±6 nGy h-1, 0.34mSv y-1, 0.30 and 0.34 for Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq), Absorbed Dose Rates (D), Annual Effective Dose Rates (Eff Dose), External Hazard Index (Hex) and Internal Hazard Index (Hin) respectively. All the health hazard indices are well below their recommended limits. The paper recommends further studies to estimate internal and external doses from other suspected radiological sources to the population in Aden governorate.
Keywords:Absorbed dose, south Yemen, Aden governorate, Water, Soil, Natural Radioactivity.
High precision abundances_of_the_old_solar_twin_insights_on_li_depletion_from...Sérgio Sacani
- The document presents the results of a chemical abundance analysis of the old solar twin star HIP 102152 (8.2 Gyr) and the younger solar twin 18 Sco (2.9 Gyr) using high-resolution UVES spectra.
- Abundances of 21 elements were derived for HIP 102152 with precisions up to 0.004 dex relative to the Sun. The metallicity of HIP 102152 was found to be nearly solar at [Fe/H] = -0.013.
- Elemental abundances as a function of condensation temperature reveal a solar abundance pattern for HIP 102152, unlike most solar twins. Its pattern most closely matches the Sun. The Li abundance
Radiometric survey of aluu landfill, in rivers state, nigeriaAlexander Decker
The document summarizes a study that measured terrestrial radioactivity around the Aluu landfill in Nigeria. Measurements were taken in four directions around the landfill at intervals of 10 meters up to 100 meters, using radiation meters and GPS. The average radiation levels ranged from 0.0123 to 0.0151 mR/hr, equivalent to an average dose of 1.001 to 1.270 mSv/yr. This exceeds the recommended public dose limit of 1.0 mSv/yr. Over half of the sampling locations had radiation levels above normal background levels, indicating a potential long-term health risk from the landfill.
Response options: Biological Response Indicator Devices for Gauging Environm...OSU_Superfund
Kim A. Anderson, PhD
Professor, Environmental & Molecular Toxicology
Director, Food Safety & Environmental Stewardship Program
Oregon State University
Response, Recovery, and Resilience to Oil Spills and Environmental Disasters: Engaging Experts and Communities A Symposium and Workshop for Community Stakeholders, Researchers and Policy Makers January 29, 2013Energy, Coast and Environment Building, Woods Auditorium, LSU Campus, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
More information on symposium: http://superfund.oregonstate.edu/LSUSymposium1.13#91
More info on research: http://superfund.oregonstate.edu/project4
This document discusses a study on the effects of herbivory by brant geese and algal blooms on a Zostera marina seagrass community. The study used a factorial experiment to simulate different combinations of clipping/herbivory, algal additions, and nutrient additions. Results showed that clipping significantly reduced seagrass biomass and cover but did not affect its nutrient content. Clipping enhanced seagrass growth after treatment. Algal additions did not affect seagrass directly but a negative relationship was found between green macroalgae and seagrass biomass. Epiphyte biomass on seagrass was also reduced by clipping. Environmental factors like light and
This document summarizes a study that evaluated two different scan methods (full scan and all ions MS/MS) using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF/MS) for the identification and quantification of 182 organic contaminants in fish fillet. In general, full scan acquisition was found to be more reliable (84% identification rate) compared to all ions MS/MS (72% identification rate). Additionally, mass accuracy was better in full scan mode, with errors below 5 ppm for 77% of compounds versus 52% for all ions MS/MS. However, all ions MS/MS provided fragmentation information. The study aimed to assess the best scan mode for
Fukushima fallout in northwest german environmental mediatrabajomuestreo
Traces of radioactive isotopes from the Fukushima nuclear accident, including 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs, were detected in environmental samples collected in Northwest Germany between March and May 2011. Measured concentrations of 131I in rainwater samples agreed with estimated deposition values based on reported air concentrations and rainfall amounts. 137Cs concentrations were higher and were attributed mostly to previous nuclear testing and Chernobyl fallout. The 134Cs/137Cs ratio allowed discrimination of recent versus older 137Cs. While 136Cs was below detection limits, the measurements provide evidence of transoceanic transport of Fukushima-derived radionuclides to Northwest Germany.
Application of radiometric surveys to delineate between sedimentary terrain a...Alexander Decker
Th(Bq/kg)
K(Bq/kg)
1) The study used a NaI(TI) detector and multichannel analyzer to analyze soil samples from sedimentary and basement terrains in Nigeria to determine activity concentrations of radium, thorium, and potassium.
2) The results found higher average activity concentrations of radium, thorium, and potassium in the basement complex compared to the sedimentary terrain. Specifically, the averages were 44 Bq/kg, 53 Bq/kg, 80 Bq/kg for the basement complex and 35 Bq/kg, 43 Bq/kg, 72 Bq/kg for the sedimentary terrain.
3)
1. Di-nitrogen was produced both abiotically and in the presence of live and dead fungi, with no evidence that N2O consumption was required for N2 production.
2. Isotope pairing experiments indicated the N2 was produced abiotically by the combination of glutamine nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen.
3. Di-nitrogen was produced abiotically under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, calling into question the assumptions that anaerobic conditions and N2O production are required for N2 formation.
This study investigated the impact of dairy manure surface application and subsurface injection on the fate and transport of the antibiotic pirlimycin in soil. The key findings were:
1) Pirlimycin levels in soil were highest in injection slits and decreased more slowly over 7 days compared to surface application, likely due to reduced oxygen transfer in closed slits.
2) Pirlimycin levels in runoff water and sediment were significantly higher from surface application plots than subsurface injection plots on the day of and 7 days after manure application.
3) While subsurface injection created localized zones of elevated antibiotic levels, it dramatically decreased pirlimycin loss in runoff compared to surface application, especially on the
Scaling JPA applications or deploying them to flexible resources can be a challenge. How do I scale, what is the impact on caching and how can I reuse resources? In this talk we will work through these challenges with real examples using JPA and EclipseLink. Exploring where and when to apply best practices and the many features available for caching, scalability, resource sharing and elastic deployments.
In this study, we obtain an exact representation of the distribution of the maximum order statistic for homogeneous and heterogeneous random variables that have a matrix–exponential (ME) representation, from which the mean and higher moments follow. We can then apply these results to M/G/1, M/G/1/N, M/G/1//N, M/G/C, and G/G/1//N queues where the stationary queue length and response time distributions, and other performance measures can be ascertained for a wide class of split-merge queues. We give examples of subtasks with homogeneous and heterogeneous service time distributions, subtask failure/repair, G/C-type systems, and a variable number of forked subtasks.
This document describes a study that investigated the bioconcentration of three nitrogen-based compounds (4-nitroanisole, 3,5-dinitro-o-toluamide, and 2-methoxy-5 nitropyridine) in earthworms. Toxicity tests were first conducted to determine sublethal exposure concentrations for earthworms. Then, earthworms were exposed to the compounds in an aqueous medium for up to 14 days to estimate bioconcentration factors. Tissue analysis found rapid uptake of the compounds, with steady state reached within 24 h. Estimated steady-state bioconcentration factors were 47, 6, and 11 for the three compounds, respectively. These results provide new bioconcentration data that
The multivariate statistical analysis of the environmental pollutants at lake...Alexander Decker
1. The document analyzes environmental pollutants in Lake Nyamagoma in Tanzania using multivariate statistical analysis of water samples collected from 8 sites during the wet season.
2. The results show variation in pollutant levels controlled by factors like primary productivity, redox conditions, dissolution, nitrification, denitrification, mixing, and reduction processes, as well as human activities in the area.
3. Four factors were extracted from the analysis: 1) high turbidity and primary productivity, 2) cation exchange processes, 3) variation in pollutants by depth and nutrients from the catchment, and 4) reduction processes and increased salinity.
- This poster examines the impact of crop diversification (4-year rotation) versus conventional (2-year) cropping systems on soil and rhizosphere microbial communities of maize.
- Diversified systems had richer, more even microbial communities that differed in structure from conventional systems. Diversification decreased AOA and AOB populations.
- Maize roots hosted distinct microbial communities that varied by cropping system. Diversification led to lower AOA and AOB abundances in the rhizosphere.
- Overall, diversification modified the microbial community in ways that could improve nitrogen retention through tighter coupling of carbon and nitrogen cycles.
Numerical simulation of bioremediation of poly aromatic hydrocarbon pollutedIAEME Publication
The document describes a numerical simulation of bioremediation of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) polluted soil using different species of mushrooms. Three mushroom substrates (saprophytic, symbiotic, and parasitic) were applied to six polluted soil cells for 10 weeks. Residual PAH concentrations were measured every two weeks. A kinetic model was developed using MATLAB to study biodegradation rates. Results showed the parasitic mushroom degraded PAHs fastest with a rate constant of 0.3751 day-1 and lowest residual concentration of 2.825 after 10 weeks, indicating it is most effective for bioremediating PAH pollution.
This document describes a sabbatical grant to study controls on plant-soil stoichiometry in dryland agroecosystems. The objectives are to 1) quantify how human management impacts plant and soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in cork oak savannas and 2) assess effects of woody plant encroachment and UV radiation on litter decomposition. Samples have been collected from sites in Portugal with different land uses and a two-year litter decomposition experiment was conducted measuring effects of litter type, location, and UV exposure.
This study introduces a new method for collecting synoptic sampling data at the Coweeta Long Term Ecological Research site. Researchers recorded behavioral indicators of human activity along transects near streams, noting physical evidence in ten categories. Using text analysis software, they grouped the data into clusters related to broader terms. The clusters were ordered based on nitrate, phosphorus, and conductivity levels from chemical samples. Some patterns were observed between categories like "Treatment" and higher nitrate levels. While relationships between land use and stream chemistry are complex, this study incorporated qualitative observations to more fully characterize human impacts beyond geomorphic, biotic, or chemical data alone.
Although surveys of soft-bottom macrofauna are an important tool in assessing marine pollution,
identifying organisms to the species level is time-consuming and therefore costly. One solution is to identify
organisms to a higher taxonomic level. This study, using data from macrobenthic surveys in Gamak Bay, on the
southern coast of Korea, shows that abundances measured at higher taxonomic levels than species can be
adequate for pollution assessments. 'Second-stage' MDS and 'BIO-ENV' showed that aggregation of data to the
level of family produces results that are close to those based on species-level identification. In severely polluted
areas, a W statistic based on order-level aggregation was identical to that produced by species-level
identification.Although these results could be used to make a general recommendation that the family level, at
least, is a suitable level for faunal identification in pollution assessments, this will to a large extent depend on
the objectives of each individual investigation. In surveys to assess pollution, nonetheless, analyzing the benthic
community at a higher taxonomic level than species is efficient and cost-effective, and is sufficient to accomplish
the assessment’s objective.
This document summarizes a seminar on using isotopes in soil and plant studies. It discusses the history and units of radioactivity, different types of isotopes, and monitoring instruments like Geiger counters. Key applications mentioned include using isotopes as tracers to study groundwater movement, fertilizer usage, soil carbon and nitrogen cycling, and erosion. The document concludes by outlining some future research areas like using isotope signatures to study plant silicon, heavy metal cycling and accumulation, and the effects of biochar application.
This document summarizes a study that estimated solar UV-B radiation levels at Visakhapatnam, India from 2005-2013 using a regression model incorporating satellite-measured column ozone levels and solar zenith angle. The model was developed using earlier UV-B measurements and ozone data from 1989-1993. Analysis found seasonal variations in ozone but no significant long-term trends in estimated UV-B levels. The study concluded the data could help assess biological effects of UV-B radiation at this location over time.
1. The study examined the effects of tetracycline antibiotic on nitrogen cycling microbial communities and N2O emissions in grassland soils treated with manure and tetracycline.
2. Results showed tetracycline inhibited soil N2 production in a dose-dependent manner and enhanced N2O production at high concentrations.
3. Soil mesocosms treated with manure and tetracycline had higher initial N2O fluxes that decreased over time, while N2 production was only inhibited in tetracycline-treated mesocosms.
4. Fungal N2 production was more inhibited in mesocosms treated with tetracycline or manure, suggesting these treatments shift denitrification
Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Water Samples from Aden Gover...paperpublications3
Abstract:The level of natural radioactivity in soils and water of 74 samples collected from locations at Aden governorate south of Yemen was measured. Concentrations of radionuclides in soils and water samples were determined by gamma-ray spectrometer using a NaI (Tl) detector with specially designed shield. The mean activity level of the natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K is 30.41 ±2.4, 36.26 ±2.9 and 358.12±26.54 Bq kg-1, respectively. These values are well within values reported elsewhere in the country and in other countries with similar environments. The study also examined some radiation hazard indices. The mean values obtained are, 215±37Bq kg-1, 50.10±6 nGy h-1, 0.34mSv y-1, 0.30 and 0.34 for Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq), Absorbed Dose Rates (D), Annual Effective Dose Rates (Eff Dose), External Hazard Index (Hex) and Internal Hazard Index (Hin) respectively. All the health hazard indices are well below their recommended limits. The paper recommends further studies to estimate internal and external doses from other suspected radiological sources to the population in Aden governorate.
Keywords:Absorbed dose, south Yemen, Aden governorate, Water, Soil, Natural Radioactivity.
High precision abundances_of_the_old_solar_twin_insights_on_li_depletion_from...Sérgio Sacani
- The document presents the results of a chemical abundance analysis of the old solar twin star HIP 102152 (8.2 Gyr) and the younger solar twin 18 Sco (2.9 Gyr) using high-resolution UVES spectra.
- Abundances of 21 elements were derived for HIP 102152 with precisions up to 0.004 dex relative to the Sun. The metallicity of HIP 102152 was found to be nearly solar at [Fe/H] = -0.013.
- Elemental abundances as a function of condensation temperature reveal a solar abundance pattern for HIP 102152, unlike most solar twins. Its pattern most closely matches the Sun. The Li abundance
Radiometric survey of aluu landfill, in rivers state, nigeriaAlexander Decker
The document summarizes a study that measured terrestrial radioactivity around the Aluu landfill in Nigeria. Measurements were taken in four directions around the landfill at intervals of 10 meters up to 100 meters, using radiation meters and GPS. The average radiation levels ranged from 0.0123 to 0.0151 mR/hr, equivalent to an average dose of 1.001 to 1.270 mSv/yr. This exceeds the recommended public dose limit of 1.0 mSv/yr. Over half of the sampling locations had radiation levels above normal background levels, indicating a potential long-term health risk from the landfill.
Response options: Biological Response Indicator Devices for Gauging Environm...OSU_Superfund
Kim A. Anderson, PhD
Professor, Environmental & Molecular Toxicology
Director, Food Safety & Environmental Stewardship Program
Oregon State University
Response, Recovery, and Resilience to Oil Spills and Environmental Disasters: Engaging Experts and Communities A Symposium and Workshop for Community Stakeholders, Researchers and Policy Makers January 29, 2013Energy, Coast and Environment Building, Woods Auditorium, LSU Campus, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
More information on symposium: http://superfund.oregonstate.edu/LSUSymposium1.13#91
More info on research: http://superfund.oregonstate.edu/project4
This document discusses a study on the effects of herbivory by brant geese and algal blooms on a Zostera marina seagrass community. The study used a factorial experiment to simulate different combinations of clipping/herbivory, algal additions, and nutrient additions. Results showed that clipping significantly reduced seagrass biomass and cover but did not affect its nutrient content. Clipping enhanced seagrass growth after treatment. Algal additions did not affect seagrass directly but a negative relationship was found between green macroalgae and seagrass biomass. Epiphyte biomass on seagrass was also reduced by clipping. Environmental factors like light and
This document summarizes a study that evaluated two different scan methods (full scan and all ions MS/MS) using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF/MS) for the identification and quantification of 182 organic contaminants in fish fillet. In general, full scan acquisition was found to be more reliable (84% identification rate) compared to all ions MS/MS (72% identification rate). Additionally, mass accuracy was better in full scan mode, with errors below 5 ppm for 77% of compounds versus 52% for all ions MS/MS. However, all ions MS/MS provided fragmentation information. The study aimed to assess the best scan mode for
Fukushima fallout in northwest german environmental mediatrabajomuestreo
Traces of radioactive isotopes from the Fukushima nuclear accident, including 131I, 134Cs and 137Cs, were detected in environmental samples collected in Northwest Germany between March and May 2011. Measured concentrations of 131I in rainwater samples agreed with estimated deposition values based on reported air concentrations and rainfall amounts. 137Cs concentrations were higher and were attributed mostly to previous nuclear testing and Chernobyl fallout. The 134Cs/137Cs ratio allowed discrimination of recent versus older 137Cs. While 136Cs was below detection limits, the measurements provide evidence of transoceanic transport of Fukushima-derived radionuclides to Northwest Germany.
Application of radiometric surveys to delineate between sedimentary terrain a...Alexander Decker
Th(Bq/kg)
K(Bq/kg)
1) The study used a NaI(TI) detector and multichannel analyzer to analyze soil samples from sedimentary and basement terrains in Nigeria to determine activity concentrations of radium, thorium, and potassium.
2) The results found higher average activity concentrations of radium, thorium, and potassium in the basement complex compared to the sedimentary terrain. Specifically, the averages were 44 Bq/kg, 53 Bq/kg, 80 Bq/kg for the basement complex and 35 Bq/kg, 43 Bq/kg, 72 Bq/kg for the sedimentary terrain.
3)
1. Di-nitrogen was produced both abiotically and in the presence of live and dead fungi, with no evidence that N2O consumption was required for N2 production.
2. Isotope pairing experiments indicated the N2 was produced abiotically by the combination of glutamine nitrogen and nitrite nitrogen.
3. Di-nitrogen was produced abiotically under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions, calling into question the assumptions that anaerobic conditions and N2O production are required for N2 formation.
This study investigated the impact of dairy manure surface application and subsurface injection on the fate and transport of the antibiotic pirlimycin in soil. The key findings were:
1) Pirlimycin levels in soil were highest in injection slits and decreased more slowly over 7 days compared to surface application, likely due to reduced oxygen transfer in closed slits.
2) Pirlimycin levels in runoff water and sediment were significantly higher from surface application plots than subsurface injection plots on the day of and 7 days after manure application.
3) While subsurface injection created localized zones of elevated antibiotic levels, it dramatically decreased pirlimycin loss in runoff compared to surface application, especially on the
Scaling JPA applications or deploying them to flexible resources can be a challenge. How do I scale, what is the impact on caching and how can I reuse resources? In this talk we will work through these challenges with real examples using JPA and EclipseLink. Exploring where and when to apply best practices and the many features available for caching, scalability, resource sharing and elastic deployments.
In this study, we obtain an exact representation of the distribution of the maximum order statistic for homogeneous and heterogeneous random variables that have a matrix–exponential (ME) representation, from which the mean and higher moments follow. We can then apply these results to M/G/1, M/G/1/N, M/G/1//N, M/G/C, and G/G/1//N queues where the stationary queue length and response time distributions, and other performance measures can be ascertained for a wide class of split-merge queues. We give examples of subtasks with homogeneous and heterogeneous service time distributions, subtask failure/repair, G/C-type systems, and a variable number of forked subtasks.
Implementation of Agent Based Dynamic Distributed ServiceCSCJournals
This document proposes a design for agent migration between distributed systems using ACL (Agent Communication Language) messages. It involves serializing an agent's code and state into an ACL message that is sent from one system to another. The receiving system deserializes the agent to restore its execution. The design includes defining an ontology for migration messages, a migration protocol specifying the message flow, and components for handling class loading, agent migration, and conversation protocols. The performance of this distributed agent migration approach is evaluated by applying it to a distributed prime number calculation application.
A LIGHT-WEIGHT DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM FOR THE PROCESSING OF REPLICATED COUNTER-LI...ijdpsjournal
In order to increase availability in a distributed system some or all of the data items are replicated and
stored at separate sites. This is an issue of key concern especially since there is such a proliferation of
wireless technologies and mobile users. However, the concurrent processing of transactions at separate
sites can generate inconsistencies in the stored information. We have built a distributed service that
manages updates to widely deployed counter-like replicas. There are many heavy-weight distributed
systems targeting large information critical applications. Our system is intentionally, relatively lightweight
and useful for the somewhat reduced information critical applications. The service is built on our
distributed concurrency control scheme which combines optimism and pessimism in the processing of
transactions. The service allows a transaction to be processed immediately (optimistically) at any
individual replica as long as the transaction satisfies a cost bound. All transactions are also processed in a
concurrent pessimistic manner to ensure mutual consistency
Self adjusting slot configurations for homogeneous and heterogeneous hadoop c...LeMeniz Infotech
Self adjusting slot configurations for homogeneous and heterogeneous hadoop clusters
Do Your Projects With Technology Experts
To Get this projects Call : 9566355386 / 99625 88976
Web : http://www.lemenizinfotech.com
Web : http://www.ieeemaster.com
Mail : projects@lemenizinfotech.com
Blog : http://ieeeprojectspondicherry.weebly.com
Blog : http://www.ieeeprojectsinpondicherry.blogspot.in/
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eesBNUnKvws
Visual aids are powerful communication tools that appeal to humans' innate visual nature. They can demonstrate creativity, increase interest, clarify concepts, provide essential information, and encourage retention of the message. Effective visual aids are brief, simple, focused on a clear idea, and use visually appealing layouts and colors. Computer technologies now allow for dynamic presentations combining slides, video, photos, and animation, accompanied by voice and music. When used properly, visual and audiovisual aids can reinforce verbal messages, stimulate thought, clarify difficult concepts, and lead to better understanding and acceptance of the message.
This document summarizes a presentation about private clouds. It discusses what private clouds are, how they differ from traditional data centers, and some key considerations for deploying a private cloud, such as choosing a hypervisor and cloud management software, capacity planning, charging models, changes to support structures, automation, and network/storage resources. The presentation emphasizes knowing your workloads, protecting core assets, aligning staff, and avoiding vendor lock-in when deploying a private cloud.
The document discusses planning. It likely contains information about creating plans, setting goals, making decisions, or organizing future activities but provides little detail in only stating the word "PLANNINNG". A more detailed document would be needed to generate a meaningful 3 sentence summary.
The document discusses how the student's magazine product uses and develops conventions of real indie magazines. It notes the magazine has a simple color format with one dominant image on the cover like indie magazines. It also includes the issue number, price and barcode in the corner. The contents page lists stories in order of page number and includes small descriptions, and images down the side like other magazines. While the double page spread uses an unconventional large crossed image, overall the magazine draws from typical indie magazine conventions to appeal to its target 14-17 year old indie music fan audience.
This document discusses a study that investigated the effects of hydrocarbon contamination on water repellency and hydraulic properties in tropical sandy soils. The study compared two water repellency measurement tests and evaluated how hydrocarbon contamination impacted water repellency, soil moisture retention, and saturated hydraulic conductivity over time in both laboratory contaminated soils and field contaminated soils from an accidental spill. The study found that laboratory contaminated soils exhibited increased water repellency and saturated hydraulic conductivity, but field contaminated soils did not show water repellency. Predictions of hydraulic properties from pedotransfer functions matched measured field data, confirming their validity even on contaminated soils.
El documento presenta el sílabo de un curso de inglés en la Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo. El curso se ofrece en el cuarto semestre del programa de Contabilidad y Auditoría. El sílabo describe los objetivos, contenidos, resultados de aprendizaje y metodología del curso, el cual se enfoca en mejorar las habilidades comunicativas en inglés de los estudiantes. El curso cubre temas como la vida pasada, lugares en la ciudad, y preparativos para un viaje.
The document analyzes archived soil and herbage samples from the long-running Park Grass Experiment at Rothamsted in the UK to determine the impacts of long-term phosphate fertilizer applications on arsenic concentrations. Samples receiving phosphate fertilizers annually from 1856 to 1947 showed arsenic levels in topsoil that almost doubled during this period and remained stable thereafter. Herbage samples from fertilized plots during 1888-1947 also contained significantly more arsenic. Mass balance calculations indicate the increase in soil arsenic can be explained by arsenic inputs from phosphate fertilizers used before 1948, which contained much higher arsenic levels than later fertilizers. The results demonstrate that phosphate fertilizers applied before 1948 caused substantial arsenic contamination of the soil at the
This document provides an overview of an online marketing company called Ajax Union and summarizes their webinar on SEO. The webinar discusses what SEO is, why it's important, how to do keyword research, implementing keywords through on-page optimizations like meta tags and body copy, and tracking results. It also advertises an upcoming B2B marketing seminar from Ajax Union and provides their contact information.
The document summarizes the ways in which the author's indie music magazine product uses and develops conventions of real indie magazines. It discusses how the format, layout, and design of the magazine follows conventions such as simple block colors, dominant central image on the cover, issue number and price listed, and section headings and images on the contents page. However, it also challenges some conventions with aspects like an unconventionally placed two-page image spread. The target audience is identified as 14-17 year olds interested in indie music and culture based on the tone and content. The selected distributor is Jann Wenner, founder of other successful music magazines, due to his experience in developing music magazines into franchises. The front cover
Este documento anuncia un curso especializado sobre la gestión de operaciones, almacenamiento y manipulación de mercancías peligrosas de acuerdo a las normativas de la OMI. El curso se llevará a cabo en Lima los días 15 y 16 de julio de 2016 e incluye un certificado. Los costos son de S/ 480 para profesionales y S/ 180 para estudiantes. Las inscripciones estarán abiertas hasta agotar las 150 vacantes disponibles.
This document promotes the website www.MyThailand.org, which provides travel guides and information about destinations in Thailand such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Visitors to the site can find complete guides, details on places to visit, photos, videos and downloads to help plan their trips, and they are encouraged to bookmark the site and connect on social media.
- The document outlines the goals and details of a skills training program conducted by Fr. Bosco's Skill Training Centre and St. Joseph Industrial Training Institute over 19 months for 5000 women.
- Short term goals are to create 5000 new entrepreneurs and 50 trainers within 2 years, and long term goals are to train 10000 entrepreneurs by 2018 and establish 100 team enterprises.
- Training will be conducted across 24 wards in Mumbai through community centers and 4 DB centers, offering 15 courses split into 125 batches of 20 trainees each.
- In the first year, 90 batches have already trained 1700 beneficiaries across 15 wards in courses like beautician training, cooking, tailoring and more
This document discusses selenium contamination in soils from mercury mining areas and the paradoxically low accumulation of selenium in rice grown in those soils. It notes that the Wanshan area in China has high soil selenium content due to mercury mining but lower selenium content in rice compared to other seleniferous regions. The document examines the speciation and bioavailability of selenium in the soils, finding that only a small proportion is in bioavailable forms, unlike in other seleniferous regions. This may be due to the formation of inert mercury-selenium precipitates in the soils from Wanshan related to the mercury contamination from mining.
Modus adalah nilai data yang paling sering muncul pada suatu data. Dokumen menjelaskan tentang penentuan modus dari beberapa data yang diberikan secara urut. Modus dari data pertama adalah 3 dan 4, data kedua adalah 8, dan data ketiga adalah 53.
This document discusses elder abuse and neglect. It defines elder abuse as any type of mistreatment or abusive behavior toward older adults, including acts of both commission and omission. The most common form is self-neglect, which can be difficult to detect and treat. Types of abuse include physical, psychological, sexual, material, violation of rights, medical, abandonment, and neglect. Risk factors for victims include poor health, cognitive impairment, and social isolation, while risk factors for perpetrators include a history of family violence, caregiver stress, and substance abuse. Barriers to detecting and treating elder abuse include victims' reluctance to report due to denial, dependence on abusers, or ageism. The document recommends further research and
This document presents a methodology for mapping global ecosystem vulnerability to climate change and local stressors by integrating assessments of future climate exposure and present ecological integrity (adaptive capacity).
The key findings are:
1) Ecoregions in southern/southeast Asia, western/central Europe, eastern South America, and southern Australia are among the most vulnerable due to low climate stability and degraded integrity.
2) Considering both exposure and integrity reveals different vulnerability patterns than exposure-only assessments.
3) The methodology provides a framework to inform spatially-explicit conservation strategies based on vulnerability levels.
1) The study tested whether spatial early warning indicators could detect an upcoming tipping point by inducing a cyanobacteria bloom in an experimental lake.
2) Variance-based statistics (standard deviation and median absolute deviation) of phycocyanin concentrations increased prior to and during the bloom, providing early detection.
3) Spectral analysis also showed a shift to lower frequencies ("spectral reddening") associated with the transition to cyanobacteria dominance, consistent with theoretical early warning indicators.
4) Both variance-based statistics and spectral analysis showed promise as methods for detecting early warning indicators spatially in aquatic ecosystems prior to regime shifts.
Final Draft Determining the effects of freshwater releasesJonathan Valentine
This study examines the effects of freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee on mollusk communities in the maritime environment outside the Caloosahatchee Estuary in Florida. Gastropod assemblages from dredge samples in areas at high and low risk of influence from freshwater releases were analyzed using live-dead fidelity and rank order abundance metrics. Preliminary results show a trend of increasing live-dead fidelity with greater distance from the estuary mouth, though the trend is not statistically significant. Further study is needed to better quantify potential impacts on mollusk communities from freshwater releases and address issues like urbanization and climate change on future water management practices.
Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Water Samples from Aden Gover...paperpublications3
Abstract:The level of natural radioactivity in soils and water of 74 samples collected from locations at Aden governorate south of Yemen was measured. Concentrations of radionuclides in soils and water samples were determined by gamma-ray spectrometer using a NaI (Tl) detector with specially designed shield. The mean activity level of the natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K is 30.41 ±2.4, 36.26 ±2.9 and 358.12±26.54 Bq kg-1, respectively. These values are well within values reported elsewhere in the country and in other countries with similar environments. The study also examined some radiation hazard indices. The mean values obtained are, 215±37Bq kg-1, 50.10±6 nGy h-1, 0.34mSv y-1, 0.30 and 0.34 for Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq), Absorbed Dose Rates (D), Annual Effective Dose Rates (Eff Dose), External Hazard Index (Hex) and Internal Hazard Index (Hin) respectively. All the health hazard indices are well below their recommended limits. The paper recommends further studies to estimate internal and external doses from other suspected radiological sources to the population in Aden governorate.
This document presents a worksheet-based adsorption model that considers both charged and neutral adsorption sites. The model combines a Gouy-Chapman-Stern model for adsorption to charged sites with a Langmuir equation and partition mechanism for adsorption to neutral sites. The model allows for multiple types of charged and neutral sites. Experimental adsorption data for metoclopramide, tetracycline, and chlorpheniramine were well fit by the model using a single set of adjustable parameters for each compound. The versatility and accessibility of the worksheet-based model makes it a potentially useful tool for evaluating the fate of pollutants in the environment.
O presente trabalho tem por objetivo utilizar o Método dos Mínimos Quadrados (MMQ) para analisar através do coeficiente de determinação (R2), qual modelo que melhor se ajusta ao comportamento do conjunto de dados da concentração de HCFC-142b em partes por trilhão entre os anos de 1992 a 2018. Ademais, pretende-se fazer estimativas de concentrações futuras entre 5 e 10 períodos em cada um dos modelos de ajuste.
This document presents the results of a systematic study measuring indoor radon concentration levels across the main urban areas of Cyprus. Between 2004-2012, over 400 measurements were taken using portable detectors in the districts of Lefkosia, Lemesos, Larnaka, and Pafos, which are home to 67.3% of Cyprus' population. The districts were divided into 189 grid cells of 1 km2 each. Grid cell mean radon concentrations ranged from 1.7 to 86.4 Bq/m3, with an overall mean of 14.3 Bq/m3. This is lower than the estimated global average of 39 Bq/m3. Equivalent annual effective dose rates were also calculated and
The document analyzes the implications of utility-scale solar development on public lands in 6 southwestern states where 19 solar energy zones were identified. Landscape condition and integrity models were used to assess the current landscape and quantify existing natural vegetation in each zone. Results showed the zones had landscape condition ratios below average, indicating they were suitable for solar development. The most prominent natural vegetation across the zones was basin shrubland and grassland, and developing solar panels was not expected to endanger these populations. Continued monitoring of the landscape condition was recommended to determine any negative impacts from implementing solar panels.
Mutagenic and genotoxic assessment of atrazine-based herbicide to freshwater ...Taqprimer institute
Mutagenic and genotoxic assessment of atrazine-based
herbicide to freshwater fishChanna punctatus(Bloch) using
micronucleus test and single cell gel electrophoresis
This document discusses a study that examined the effect of electron beam irradiation on bacterial loads, Ascaris ova (parasitic worm eggs), and volatile organic compounds in municipal sewage sludge. The researchers found that an irradiation dose of 4.5 kGy was required to reduce fecal coliform bacteria to safe levels for land application, while a higher dose of 14.5 kGy was needed to decrease Ascaris ova counts to a safe level. Electron beam irradiation had little effect on most volatile organic compounds at low doses, but reduced dimethyl sulfide levels by 50-70% at higher doses while increasing dimethyl disulfide. The study also showed that electron beam treatment was less expensive and had shorter processing
Relationship Between Sampling Area, Sampling Size Vs...Jessica Deakin
This document discusses the importance of order in the public realm and how planning, zoning, transects, and urbanism theories help shape our environment. It mentions several authors who have discussed problems with urban design and provided solutions to make the public realm a better place. The document argues that by improving order and the urban framework, cities could become more cohesive in design.
Monitoring Kuhdasht Plain Aquifer Using the Drastic Model (Water Quality Inde...AJHSSR Journal
ABSTRACT:Identification and provision of zoning of vulnerable aquifers, i.e. areas where pollutants can
penetrate and distribute from ground surface to groundwater system, is an appropriate management tool to
prevent the contamination of groundwater resources. There are several methods to assess the vulnerability of
aquifers, which are generally divided into three main groups: statistical methods, mathematical methods, and
overlapping indexes methods. In this research, due to the importance of plain aquifer for agricultural and
drinking water supply of the region, drastic method is one of the most applicable overlapping methods used. The
plain aquifer vulnerability map derived from the combination of seven raster maps of drastic model parameters
(water table depth, pure supply, aquifer type, soil type, topographic slope, non-saturated environment
ingredients and hydraulic conductivity) is used; it has been developed in seven layers in ArcGis software. The
final aquifer vulnerability map was prepared for contamination by weighting and ranking and combining the
seven layers above. Matching the nitrate ion on the final drastic map, it was determined that all points with high
nitrate are in the high contamination range, approving the accuracy of the model. According to the zoning map
obtained, about 0.98%, 12.98%, 62.56%, and 23.48% of the study area were within the low, moderate, moderate
to high, and high vulnerability ranges, respectively. The results of this study indicate that the highest
vulnerability potential is in the moderate to high class, and the northern, northwestern and western areas of the
plain have a high potential, while the southwest areas have the lowest potential.
The document discusses several key points:
1) There have been few ecosystem-scale experiments investigating the combined effects of increased CO2 and rising temperatures on ecosystems, though these interactions are important to understand for predicting future impacts.
2) Factorial experiments examining multiple factors can be difficult to design and interpret, but are still important for testing models and accounting for potential surprises from interactions.
3) Available data on forest responses to climate change come from limited experimental approaches like soil warming or small tree plots, rather than whole-ecosystem experiments, making it difficult to fully understand interactions between CO2 and temperature at ecosystem scales.
1066_Avoiding ecological constraints in wind energy_revised draft_finalgenevieve hayes
This document discusses strategies for avoiding negative environmental impacts from wind farm development, particularly impacts to avian fauna. It recommends taking a strategic, landscape-scale approach to planning through tools like sensitivity mapping to identify suitable and unsuitable sites. It also stresses the importance of environmental impact assessments and collaboration between stakeholders to share data and increase biodiversity protections. Mitigation measures like turbine placement and shutdown protocols can help reduce impacts, but are not substitutes for early avoidance through siting. Post-construction monitoring is also key to evaluating effectiveness and informing future projects.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AROUND DEEP-SEA MINING SITESiQHub
This document discusses recommendations for environmental monitoring around deep-sea mining sites based on a discussion with international partners. It addresses international regulations for monitoring the deep-sea mining industry and the use of laboratory experiments and numerical modeling for monitoring. Key points discussed include defining best available scientific evidence, techniques, and practices. Visualizations show potential areas impacted by mining plumes and how monitoring the properties, indicator taxa, biological tolerances, and timescales of plumes is important.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AROUND DEEP-SEA MINING SITESiQHub
This document discusses recommendations for environmental monitoring around deep-sea mining sites based on a discussion with international partners. It addresses international regulations for monitoring the deep-sea mining industry and the use of laboratory experiments and numerical modeling for monitoring. Key points discussed include defining best available scientific evidence, techniques, and practices. Factors like plume properties, indicator taxa, biological tolerances, and timescales of measurements for monitoring plume impact are also addressed.
This document presents a research proposal that aims to estimate fish community diversity in the Sepetang River in Perak, Malaysia through chemometric approaches. Specifically, it will compare the forecasting capacity of fish diversity using multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural networks (ANN). The research will collect data on water quality parameters and fish diversity indices at various sites along the Sepetang River. MLR and ANN models will then be developed and evaluated to determine which approach more accurately predicts fish diversity based on water quality inputs. The best performing model could provide a reliable tool for regulating and managing local fish resources.
This document presents the results of a study that used mobile mass spectrometry to measure ambient concentrations of benzene, toluene, and xylene compounds (BTEX) near unconventional oil and gas extraction sites in the Eagle Ford Shale region of Texas. The study found highly variable BTEX contamination events originating from specific sources on well pad sites, including natural gas flaring units, condensate tanks, compressor units, and hydrogen sulfide scavengers. Individual wellheads did not contribute significantly to BTEX levels. The detection of point sources indicates that mechanical inefficiencies, rather than the extraction process as a whole, are responsible for releasing these compounds into the air.
The document summarizes a thesis that developed a conceptual model and risk assessment approach to characterize the cumulative risks of multiple stressors like temperature, salinity, hypoxia and hypercapnia on the physiological functions and vulnerability of Eastern Oysters in the James River, Virginia. It describes the background, methods used including developing a Monte-Carlo simulation model in Crystal Ball, results showing salinity was the most influential factor, and limitations of traditional risk assessment in accounting for multiple stressors.
Application of remote sensing in forest ecosystemaliya nasir
Established remote sensing systems provide opportunities to develop and apply new measurements of ecosystem function across landscapes, regions and continents.
New efforts to predict the consequences of ecosystem function change, both natural and human- induced, on the regional and global distributions and abundances of species should be a high research priority
Comparative analysis between traditional aquaponics and reconstructed aquapon...bijceesjournal
The aquaponic system of planting is a method that does not require soil usage. It is a method that only needs water, fish, lava rocks (a substitute for soil), and plants. Aquaponic systems are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Its use not only helps to plant in small spaces but also helps reduce artificial chemical use and minimizes excess water use, as aquaponics consumes 90% less water than soil-based gardening. The study applied a descriptive and experimental design to assess and compare conventional and reconstructed aquaponic methods for reproducing tomatoes. The researchers created an observation checklist to determine the significant factors of the study. The study aims to determine the significant difference between traditional aquaponics and reconstructed aquaponics systems propagating tomatoes in terms of height, weight, girth, and number of fruits. The reconstructed aquaponics system’s higher growth yield results in a much more nourished crop than the traditional aquaponics system. It is superior in its number of fruits, height, weight, and girth measurement. Moreover, the reconstructed aquaponics system is proven to eliminate all the hindrances present in the traditional aquaponics system, which are overcrowding of fish, algae growth, pest problems, contaminated water, and dead fish.
Literature Review Basics and Understanding Reference Management.pptxDr Ramhari Poudyal
Three-day training on academic research focuses on analytical tools at United Technical College, supported by the University Grant Commission, Nepal. 24-26 May 2024
Redefining brain tumor segmentation: a cutting-edge convolutional neural netw...IJECEIAES
Medical image analysis has witnessed significant advancements with deep learning techniques. In the domain of brain tumor segmentation, the ability to
precisely delineate tumor boundaries from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
scans holds profound implications for diagnosis. This study presents an ensemble convolutional neural network (CNN) with transfer learning, integrating
the state-of-the-art Deeplabv3+ architecture with the ResNet18 backbone. The
model is rigorously trained and evaluated, exhibiting remarkable performance
metrics, including an impressive global accuracy of 99.286%, a high-class accuracy of 82.191%, a mean intersection over union (IoU) of 79.900%, a weighted
IoU of 98.620%, and a Boundary F1 (BF) score of 83.303%. Notably, a detailed comparative analysis with existing methods showcases the superiority of
our proposed model. These findings underscore the model’s competence in precise brain tumor localization, underscoring its potential to revolutionize medical
image analysis and enhance healthcare outcomes. This research paves the way
for future exploration and optimization of advanced CNN models in medical
imaging, emphasizing addressing false positives and resource efficiency.
Understanding Inductive Bias in Machine LearningSUTEJAS
This presentation explores the concept of inductive bias in machine learning. It explains how algorithms come with built-in assumptions and preferences that guide the learning process. You'll learn about the different types of inductive bias and how they can impact the performance and generalizability of machine learning models.
The presentation also covers the positive and negative aspects of inductive bias, along with strategies for mitigating potential drawbacks. We'll explore examples of how bias manifests in algorithms like neural networks and decision trees.
By understanding inductive bias, you can gain valuable insights into how machine learning models work and make informed decisions when building and deploying them.
Presentation of IEEE Slovenia CIS (Computational Intelligence Society) Chapte...University of Maribor
Slides from talk presenting:
Aleš Zamuda: Presentation of IEEE Slovenia CIS (Computational Intelligence Society) Chapter and Networking.
Presentation at IcETRAN 2024 session:
"Inter-Society Networking Panel GRSS/MTT-S/CIS
Panel Session: Promoting Connection and Cooperation"
IEEE Slovenia GRSS
IEEE Serbia and Montenegro MTT-S
IEEE Slovenia CIS
11TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ELECTRICAL, ELECTRONIC AND COMPUTING ENGINEERING
3-6 June 2024, Niš, Serbia
A SYSTEMATIC RISK ASSESSMENT APPROACH FOR SECURING THE SMART IRRIGATION SYSTEMSIJNSA Journal
The smart irrigation system represents an innovative approach to optimize water usage in agricultural and landscaping practices. The integration of cutting-edge technologies, including sensors, actuators, and data analysis, empowers this system to provide accurate monitoring and control of irrigation processes by leveraging real-time environmental conditions. The main objective of a smart irrigation system is to optimize water efficiency, minimize expenses, and foster the adoption of sustainable water management methods. This paper conducts a systematic risk assessment by exploring the key components/assets and their functionalities in the smart irrigation system. The crucial role of sensors in gathering data on soil moisture, weather patterns, and plant well-being is emphasized in this system. These sensors enable intelligent decision-making in irrigation scheduling and water distribution, leading to enhanced water efficiency and sustainable water management practices. Actuators enable automated control of irrigation devices, ensuring precise and targeted water delivery to plants. Additionally, the paper addresses the potential threat and vulnerabilities associated with smart irrigation systems. It discusses limitations of the system, such as power constraints and computational capabilities, and calculates the potential security risks. The paper suggests possible risk treatment methods for effective secure system operation. In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the significant benefits of implementing smart irrigation systems, including improved water conservation, increased crop yield, and reduced environmental impact. Additionally, based on the security analysis conducted, the paper recommends the implementation of countermeasures and security approaches to address vulnerabilities and ensure the integrity and reliability of the system. By incorporating these measures, smart irrigation technology can revolutionize water management practices in agriculture, promoting sustainability, resource efficiency, and safeguarding against potential security threats.
International Conference on NLP, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning an...gerogepatton
International Conference on NLP, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Applications (NLAIM 2024) offers a premier global platform for exchanging insights and findings in the theory, methodology, and applications of NLP, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and their applications. The conference seeks substantial contributions across all key domains of NLP, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and their practical applications, aiming to foster both theoretical advancements and real-world implementations. With a focus on facilitating collaboration between researchers and practitioners from academia and industry, the conference serves as a nexus for sharing the latest developments in the field.
A review on techniques and modelling methodologies used for checking electrom...nooriasukmaningtyas
The proper function of the integrated circuit (IC) in an inhibiting electromagnetic environment has always been a serious concern throughout the decades of revolution in the world of electronics, from disjunct devices to today’s integrated circuit technology, where billions of transistors are combined on a single chip. The automotive industry and smart vehicles in particular, are confronting design issues such as being prone to electromagnetic interference (EMI). Electronic control devices calculate incorrect outputs because of EMI and sensors give misleading values which can prove fatal in case of automotives. In this paper, the authors have non exhaustively tried to review research work concerned with the investigation of EMI in ICs and prediction of this EMI using various modelling methodologies and measurement setups.
ACEP Magazine edition 4th launched on 05.06.2024Rahul
This document provides information about the third edition of the magazine "Sthapatya" published by the Association of Civil Engineers (Practicing) Aurangabad. It includes messages from current and past presidents of ACEP, memories and photos from past ACEP events, information on life time achievement awards given by ACEP, and a technical article on concrete maintenance, repairs and strengthening. The document highlights activities of ACEP and provides a technical educational article for members.
CHINA’S GEO-ECONOMIC OUTREACH IN CENTRAL ASIAN COUNTRIES AND FUTURE PROSPECTjpsjournal1
The rivalry between prominent international actors for dominance over Central Asia's hydrocarbon
reserves and the ancient silk trade route, along with China's diplomatic endeavours in the area, has been
referred to as the "New Great Game." This research centres on the power struggle, considering
geopolitical, geostrategic, and geoeconomic variables. Topics including trade, political hegemony, oil
politics, and conventional and nontraditional security are all explored and explained by the researcher.
Using Mackinder's Heartland, Spykman Rimland, and Hegemonic Stability theories, examines China's role
in Central Asia. This study adheres to the empirical epistemological method and has taken care of
objectivity. This study analyze primary and secondary research documents critically to elaborate role of
china’s geo economic outreach in central Asian countries and its future prospect. China is thriving in trade,
pipeline politics, and winning states, according to this study, thanks to important instruments like the
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Belt and Road Economic Initiative. According to this study,
China is seeing significant success in commerce, pipeline politics, and gaining influence on other
governments. This success may be attributed to the effective utilisation of key tools such as the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation and the Belt and Road Economic Initiative.
TIME DIVISION MULTIPLEXING TECHNIQUE FOR COMMUNICATION SYSTEMHODECEDSIET
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) is a method of transmitting multiple signals over a single communication channel by dividing the signal into many segments, each having a very short duration of time. These time slots are then allocated to different data streams, allowing multiple signals to share the same transmission medium efficiently. TDM is widely used in telecommunications and data communication systems.
### How TDM Works
1. **Time Slots Allocation**: The core principle of TDM is to assign distinct time slots to each signal. During each time slot, the respective signal is transmitted, and then the process repeats cyclically. For example, if there are four signals to be transmitted, the TDM cycle will divide time into four slots, each assigned to one signal.
2. **Synchronization**: Synchronization is crucial in TDM systems to ensure that the signals are correctly aligned with their respective time slots. Both the transmitter and receiver must be synchronized to avoid any overlap or loss of data. This synchronization is typically maintained by a clock signal that ensures time slots are accurately aligned.
3. **Frame Structure**: TDM data is organized into frames, where each frame consists of a set of time slots. Each frame is repeated at regular intervals, ensuring continuous transmission of data streams. The frame structure helps in managing the data streams and maintaining the synchronization between the transmitter and receiver.
4. **Multiplexer and Demultiplexer**: At the transmitting end, a multiplexer combines multiple input signals into a single composite signal by assigning each signal to a specific time slot. At the receiving end, a demultiplexer separates the composite signal back into individual signals based on their respective time slots.
### Types of TDM
1. **Synchronous TDM**: In synchronous TDM, time slots are pre-assigned to each signal, regardless of whether the signal has data to transmit or not. This can lead to inefficiencies if some time slots remain empty due to the absence of data.
2. **Asynchronous TDM (or Statistical TDM)**: Asynchronous TDM addresses the inefficiencies of synchronous TDM by allocating time slots dynamically based on the presence of data. Time slots are assigned only when there is data to transmit, which optimizes the use of the communication channel.
### Applications of TDM
- **Telecommunications**: TDM is extensively used in telecommunication systems, such as in T1 and E1 lines, where multiple telephone calls are transmitted over a single line by assigning each call to a specific time slot.
- **Digital Audio and Video Broadcasting**: TDM is used in broadcasting systems to transmit multiple audio or video streams over a single channel, ensuring efficient use of bandwidth.
- **Computer Networks**: TDM is used in network protocols and systems to manage the transmission of data from multiple sources over a single network medium.
### Advantages of TDM
- **Efficient Use of Bandwidth**: TDM all
2. K. Beaugelin-Seiller / Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 138 (2014) 60e67 61
“classic” approach to media contamination and biota occupancy
scenarios (Vives I Battle et al., 2007, 2011).
2. Materials and methods
Most of the dosimetric approaches used in environmental
radioprotection (Copplestone et al., 2002; US-DOE, 2002; Beresford
et al., 2007; ICRP, 2008) apply a kind of dose coefficient (designed
hereafter as the Dose Conversion Coefficient or DCC) to convert an
activity concentration into a dose rate (e.g., to move from Bq kg1 or
Bq L1 to Gy/unit of time), by considering a homogeneous
contamination of the exposure source. These DCCs are generally
tabulated as default values, which at best allows for some extrap-olation,
for example based on size ratios (US-DOE, 2002; Beresford
et al., 2007). Soils or sediments are described as a one volume
source, characterised by a single contamination value, to which the
corresponding DCC is applied to determine the dose rate absorbed
by the target organism. A few tools, such as EDEN, allow the
calculation of a specific DCC for each case study. Version 3 of EDEN
is now available (IAEA, in press), and can be used to calculate DCCs,
or doses, to any organism, from any radionuclide and any exposure
scenario, by running Monte-Carlo simulations. All the required data
are user-defined with the exception of nuclear data, which are
taken from the JEFF (Joint Evaluated Fission and Fusion File) data-base
(OCDE-NEA, 1997).
The effect of heterogeneous vs. homogeneous contamination of
soil/sediment was investigated in this study by increasing the
complexity of the description of these compartments, in two case
studies. The first was run in the framework of the IAEA EMRAS II
programme (IAEA, in press), according to the Canadian U mines
mills scenario. Measurements from the environmental monitoring
programs of operational mines and mills, as well as decom-missioned
sites were gathered. Sediment profiles from Beaverlodge
Lake, a remote lake in northern Saskatchewan, located east of
Uranium City, displayed a large heterogeneity, i.e., from 0 to a
maximum of 20 cm (at approximately 2 cm intervals) for 226Ra,
210Pb, 210Po, and thorium and uranium. Where specific isotopic data
were missing, parts of the decay chains were considered to be at
equilibrium (238U/234Th/234mPa; 226Ra/230Th; 210Po/210Pb) and/or
their isotopic ratios with 238U were preserved (IAEA, in press).
Profiles from two contrasting sites were used for this exercise
(Table 1). Three exposure scenarios were adopted, considering two
aquatic organisms of various dimensions, body shapes and location
(Table 2, Fig. 1).
It may be important to consider the radioactive decay products
in the radiological risk assessment. The Canadian lake scenario
offered the opportunity to explore this issue for the isotope 234Th,
which is in secular equilibrium with its daughter 234mPa, in com-bination
with the effect of the heterogeneous contamination.
To complete the initial study, a second case study was later
undertaken using the soil contamination profiles published by
Srnick et al. (2008), in relation to plutonium isotopes, 241Am, 137Cs
and 90Sr. Soil samples were collected on an alpine pasture of Austria
in summer 1999. The global fallout was identified as the source of
transuranic contamination when caesium and strontium stem from
the Chernobyl accident. Our study did not aim to produce realistic
dose assessments: data were used as presented by the authors,
without correcting them for radioactive decay to the same date (see
the original publication for details). Characteristic isotopic ratios for
the years 1986 and 2006 were applied in the same dosimetric
simulation. Two contrasting profiles were selected (Table 3),
considering two exposure scenarios (Fig. 2) for three terrestrial
organisms with different characteristics (Table 2).
Finally DCCs were calculated using EDEN, without applying any
radiation weighting factor, for 12 scenarios per site for sediment
and eight scenarios per soil location. A correction factor of 2.6 was
applied to convert the dry weight of sediment into wet weight,
considering a total bulk density of 1300 kg m3 and a volume
fraction of water of 0.8 (EC, 2003). These DCCs were applied to
measurements at a given depth, or to an activity averaged over
several layers, in accordance with the description of
contamination.
3. Results and discussion
3.1. Dose rates to aquatic organisms
Total external doses rates were calculated for fish and insect
larva with and without consideration of the 234Th daughter prod-uct,
234mPa (Fig. 3). The corresponding values have no significance
in themselves; only their relative comparison was considered in
this study. The pattern was similar between the four scenarios
Table 1
Layered (from IAEA, in press) and aggregated radionuclide concentrations in sediments (Bq kg1 d.w.).
Beaverlodge Ace Bay (BAB) Dubyna Lake Deep (DLD)
238U 234U 226Ra 210Pb 238U 234U 230Th 226Ra 210Po 210Pb
0e2 cm 6484 6452 11,500 15,700 470,041 467,757 1740 5480 29,800 30,600
2e4 cm 17,414 17,329 30,886 42,166 63,010 62,704 1090 1840 11,340 12,680
4e6 cm 13,770 13,703 24,424 33,344 18,550 18,460 300 930 3600 5440
6e8 cm 12,103 12,044 21,467 29,307
8e10 cm 2631 2618 4666 6370
10e20 cma 1662 1653 2947 4023
20e2 cm 692 688 1227 1675
Simplified description
Surfaceb 6484 6452 11,500 15,700 470,041 467,757 1740 5480 29,800 30,600
layer 1c 11,712 11,655 20,773 28,360 470,041 467,757 1740 5480 29,800 30,600
layer 2d 1349 1342 2392 3266 34,188 34,022 572 1308 6389 8305
Italics: use of the ratio of each radionuclide to 238U in the sediment layer for which data was available.
a Missing values were estimated from the mean of adjacent layers.
b 0e2 cm.
c 2e8 cm (BAB) 0e2 cm (DLD).
d 8e22 cm (BAB), 2e6 cm (DLD).
Table 2
The mass and dimensions of selected organisms.
Case study Organism Mass (kg) X (cm) Y (cm) Z (cm)
Canadian lake
scenario
Insect larva 1.8E-05 1.5Eþ00 1.5E-01 1.5E-01
Benthic fish 1.5Eþ00 5.0Eþ01 8.0Eþ00 7.0Eþ00
Soil scenario Bee 5.9E-04 2.0Eþ00 7.5E-01 7.5E-01
Rat 3.1E-01 2.0Eþ01 5.0Eþ00 6.0Eþ00
Earthworm 2.6E-02 1.0Eþ01 1.0Eþ00 1.0Eþ00
3. 62 K. Beaugelin-Seiller / Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 138 (2014) 60e67
Fig. 1. Description of the sediment compartment (A: simplest approach; B: intermediate approach; C: realistic approach), and the location of organisms for the two Canadian sites.
studied, regardless of which lake and progeny were considered.
When an organism (fish or insect larva) was present on the sedi-ment,
the maximum absorbed external dose rate (up to three or-ders
of magnitude higher) was always obtained with an
intermediate level of complexity (scenario B, Fig. 1). The homoge-neous
(scenario A) and most realistic (scenario C) approaches
generated similar results, with each producing the highest values
depending on the site. Once located in the subsurface layer (from 1
to 4 cm under the surface), the insect larva received a similar dose
rate (within a factor of about two), regardless of the description of
the sediment. Where organisms burrowed deeper into the sedi-ment
(4e15 cm below the surface) similar results were obtained for
the two complex approaches (B and C), and the values were
approximately one order of magnitude lower than those obtained
for the homogeneous sediment (A). Considering these results and
the associated hypotheses, it was not possible to identify a sys-tematically
conservative approach for the three ways we depicted
the sediment compartment.
The addition of 234mPa, the decay product of 234Th in secular
equilibrium with its parent, increased logically the total external
dose rates, by a factor of up to about 100 (insect larva on the
sediment at Dubyna Lake Deep). However, this depended on the
exposure scenario, and tended to reduce the discrepancies between
the three approaches.
These results indicate that external dose rates for exposed fauna
are affected by the way the sediment contamination is described,
and indicate a dependence on the sediment contamination (nature
and location of radionuclides) and the organism (location).
The effect of the heterogeneity of the sediment contamination
appeared to be significant, but tended to alternatively increase or
decrease the external dose rates absorbed by the organisms for a
given site, depending on their location. The portion of the total
external dose rates due to each radionuclide was determined for
the three possible locations of the organism, by considering only
the insect larva (Fig. 4). At Beaverlodge Ace Bay the contribution of
radionuclides to the total external dose rate absorbed by the or-ganism
only differed when they were located on the sediment.
When considering homogeneous contamination, exposure was
mainly due to seven radionuclides, whereas it was five in the het-erogeneous
approach, with the main contributions being from
226Ra (about 40%) or 210Po (ca 30%). For larva in the sediment, there
was no difference. Six radionuclides contributed significantly to the
total external dose rate absorbed by the organism, with the main
contribution being from 210Po (about 40%). At Dubyna Lake Deep,
five patterns were observed for the six situations of interest. For
heterogeneous contamination, each radionuclide had a different
contribution for each location of organism. In contrast, when ho-mogeneity
was assumed, two patterns of radionuclide contribution
were apparent, one for locations on the sediment surface, and the
other for organisms buried at any depth in the sediment. Three to
six radionuclides contributed significantly to the dose rate absor-bed
by the insect larva. The main contributor was 234U in four of the
five cases (from about 50% to 60%). In the fifth case 234Th (ca 55%)
was the predominant contributor, with very little contribution from
210Po and 226Ra to the total external dose rate (3% and 1%, respec-tively).
Conversely, the two isotopes of uranium (234 and 238)
made a large contribution (25% and 16% respectively).
The contribution of 234mPa to the external exposure of organ-isms
was explored for fish. Accounting for 234Th radioactive decay
by considering its daughter did not change the general pattern of
Table 3
Layered (from Srnick et al., 2008) and aggregated radionuclide concentrations in soils (Bq kg1 d.w.).
Trench T2 Trench T8
238Pu 239Pu 240Pu 241Am 137Cs 90Sr 238Pu 239Pu 240Pu 241Am 137Cs 90Sr
0e1.1 cm 4320 195 0e0.8 cm 0.20 0.77 0.11 0.25 6010 88
1.1e2.0 cm 0.53 14.7 0.84 4.34 4380 97 0.8e1.5 cm 0.23 1.01 0.06 0.30 7760 69
2.0e3.0 cm 0.79 30.4 1.32 8.88 1780 87 1.5e2.8 cm 0.53 8.15 0.35 2.38 5910 108
3.0e3.7 cm 0.25 11.9 0.71 3.53 743 58 2.8e3.9 cm 1.04 22.8 0.87 6.64 3630 187
3.7e4.5 cm 0.08 2.71 0.19 0.81 394 57 3.9e5.2 cm 0.84 21.1 0.98 6.19 2960 208
4.5e5.5 cm 0.05 1.07 0.05 0.31 230 53 5.2e6.4 cm 2330 176
5.5e6.6 cm 0.48 0.03 0.14 142 6.4e7.3 cm 0.17 3.62 0.18 1.06 1496 163
6.6e8.1 cm 0.32 0.02 0.1 113 7.3e8.2 cm 0.09 1.46 0.07 0.43 1131 80
Total 0.19 6.93 0.35 2.04 1465 65 Total 0.42 8.42 0.37 2.46 3771 142
4. the radionuclides contribution in the heterogeneous scenario
(Fig. 4). At both sites, 234mPa contributed to the dose rate absorbed
by the fish (6%e11%), but to a much lesser extent than the main
contributors (230Th, 226Ra and 210Po at Beaverlodge Ace Bay; 234U
and 238U at Dubyna Lake Deep, as was also the case for insect larva).
Conversely, introducing the progeny had a significant impact when
considering homogeneous contamination. At both sites, 234mPawas
the dominant radionuclide, with a contribution that ranged from
about 50% to 75% of the total external dose rate. In secular equi-librium
with 234Th, 234mPa should not be neglected when assuming
homogeneous contamination.
3.2. Dose rates to terrestrial organisms
To extend these results, total external dose rates were calculated
for a bee in the air, a rat on the soil surface and an earthworm on or
in the soil, by considering a homogeneous or heterogeneous dis-tribution
of 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 241Am, 137Cs and 90Sr in soil layers at
the two selected sites (T2 and T8; Srnick et al., 2008). No attenua-tion
of alpha particles by inert layers (e.g., the fur or skin) was
considered. The highest dose rates were obtained for earthworms
in soil, but the overall pattern was similar for all the organisms,
their location, and the site (Fig. 5). The dose rates associated with
alpha emitters are always orders of magnitude lower than those
resulting from exposure to 137Cs and 90Sr. The further the organism
is from the soil, the more pronounced is this effect, because of the
reduced penetrative power of alpha radiation compared to beta and
gamma radiation. Consequently, the total external dose rate was
predominantly due to the contribution from 137Cs (at least 93%). A
more detailed analysis revealed some differences between the two
approaches which suggest that the assumption that a heteroge-neous
description of soil contamination leads to the highest dose
rates it is not necessarily true. Two combinations (plutonium iso-topes
for the earthworm on soil, at sites T2 and T8; and 137Cs, 90Sr
and total dose rates for the T8 site) generated higher dose rates
with a homogeneous description of soil contamination.
The ratio between the external dose rates obtained using the two
approaches was calculated (Table 4). The highest ratios were ob-tained
for alpha emitters, and reached in some cases a value of 50
(earthworm exposure to 238Pu and 240Pu in T8 soil). They were
Fig. 2. Description of the soil compartment (heterogeneous vs. homogeneous), and the
location of organisms for the two Austrian sites.
Fig. 3. Total external dose rates (mGy h1) absorbed by fish and insect larva from Beaverlodge Ace Bay (upper graph) and Dubyna Lake Deep (lower graph) considering homo-geneous
(A; black bar), simplified heterogeneous (B; graded bar) or realistic heterogeneous (C; white bar) contamination of the sediment, without (on the left) or with 234mPa (on
the right).
K. Beaugelin-Seiller / Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 138 (2014) 60e67 63
5. 64 K. Beaugelin-Seiller / Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 138 (2014) 60e67
Fig. 4. Analysis of the radionuclide contribution (%) to the total external dose rates at Beaverlodge Ace Bay (left) and Dubyna Lake Deep (right), considering heterogeneous or
homogeneous contamination of the sediment (A: depending on the location of the insect larva, without considering 234mPa, B: with and without consideration of 234mPa, for the
fish).
generally lower for the T2 station, with a maximal value of about 13.
The ratio decreased for beta (90Sr) radiation, with a maximal value of
three. Finally, for mainly gamma (137Cs) emitters, the results were
within a factor of about two, regardless of the organism, its location,
and the site. The assumption of homogeneous contamination
generally leads to an underestimation of the external dose rates
absorbed by the organisms. The effect depends on the organism, its
location, the radionuclide, and the site (a ratio of 14 for the bee
exposed to 239Pu on T8 vs. a ratio of 2 on T2; a ratio of 1.5 for the
earthworm on soil exposed to 137Cs on T2 vs. a ratio of 0.7 on T8).
The results obtained for terrestrial organisms confirm that the
depiction of the medium may impact on the level of external dose
rates absorbed by organisms exposed to a gradient of radioactive
contamination, depending on the exposure scenario (mainly the
organism location and source term).
3.3. Discussion
This study has considered if the assumption of homogeneous
contamination is an acceptable approach to assess the exposure of
organisms to radionuclides associated with soil/sediment. With
regard to the location of organisms on the surface of a sediment, the
similarity between the dose rates obtained with a single homoge-neous
layer of sediment (case A) and those resulting from a realistic
description (case C) suggests that the intermediate approach (case
B) gives too much weight to the surface contamination. This could
be explained by an overestimation of the corresponding DCCs, or
more likely of the surface contamination. This data was estimated
roughly from the volume activity in the first 2 cm of sediment
(Bq kg1 converted into Bq m2 using a default density of
1500 kg m3 dry weight). For organisms living on the sediment
6. K. Beaugelin-Seiller / Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 138 (2014) 60e67 65
Fig. 5. External dose rates (Gy d1) calculated for the two terrestrial sites (left: T2; right: T8) for different organisms and exposure scenarios, considering homogeneous (white bar)
and heterogeneous (black bar) contamination of soil.
surface, the homogeneous approach provides the closest results to
those obtained using the realistic approach, which was considered
as the reference. However, for organisms buried in the sediment,
dose rates more similar to the reference calculation (within a factor
of two) were obtained using the intermediate approach.
Finally, when comparing the homogeneous approach to the
realistic one, the total external dose rates absorbed by fish were
within a factor of two. The effect of an assumption of heteroge-neous
contamination increased with the depth that the insect larva
is in the sediment. In our case study, the difference was at most one
order of magnitude, and the assumption of homogeneous
contamination, applied considering the average contamination of
the sediment layer, corresponds to a conservative approach.
The soil case study confirmed that the effect of a realistic
depiction of the contamination profile is closely linked to the na-ture
and location of the radionuclides and the location of the
organism.
In this case, due to the huge predominance of 137Cs in the soil
contamination, the effect in terms of total dose rate was not sen-sitive.
The more penetrating the radiation, the less the external
dose rate was influenced by the heterogeneity of the contamina-tion.
This is explained by the shielding effect of the soil layers,
which is more “efficient” for a single layer of given thickness than
for a series of finer layers of a total same thickness, as long as the
radioactivity is mainly located in the upper layers.
Finally, the ratios observed for alpha emitters (Table 4) have to
be put in perspective of the contribution of the external exposure to
the total dose rate absorbed by the organisms. For illustration, it has
been calculated for earthworms in the middle of the homogeneous
soil layer, for a unit concentration of each radionuclide of interest.
Concentration ratios for annelids were taken from the Wildlife
Database (Howard et al., 2013). External contribution to the total
dose rate absorbed by worms exposed to plutonium isotopes in soil
was about 7%, and it decreased to less than 2% for 241Am. The effect
7. 66 K. Beaugelin-Seiller / Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 138 (2014) 60e67
of heterogeneity is at the end negligible regarding the total expo-sure
of the animal.
4. Conclusions
The primary purpose of this study was to account for the actual
distribution of radionuclides in soil/sediment with regard to its
effect on fauna in terms of dosimetry, because most of the avail-able
tools and approaches do not account for heterogeneity of
contamination. Radiological risk assessment is usually conducted
by assuming a single homogeneous volume source, but it is
questionable if this is appropriate. By taking advantage of the
potential of the EDEN tool, this was investigated by describing a
soil/sediment compartment with an increasing complexity, from
the usual single uniform compartment through to a multilayer
representation. For exposure to sediments, depending on the
compartment depiction, the total external dose rates varied by up
to three orders of magnitude. This range was explained by the
variable contribution of each radionuclide that changes with the
configuration of the exposure scene. The degree to which each
sediment depiction is satisfactory depended on the exposure sit-uation,
i.e., the organism, its location as well as the quality and
quantity of radionuclides. There were little divergences between
the results of the different case studies. A maximum of one order
of magnitude was observed between the total external dose rates
obtained using the homogeneous and realistic approaches. The
soil case study, introducing an exposure from alpha emitters,
revealed the extent of the shielding effect of the soil in combi-nation
with the contamination profile, which was particularly
sensitive with less penetrative alpha radiation. It confirmed the
influence of the location of the organism, as well as the nature and
location of the radionuclides.
The way heterogeneous contamination should be described
with regard to the dose calculation for exposed organisms depends
on the goal of the calculation. For a conservative assessment of total
dose rates, it is sufficient to maintain the usual homogeneous dis-tribution,
in combination with the maximal activity reported in the
profile, rather than the average value. This assumption is used in
most approaches to environmental radioprotection. It is well suited
to the screening stage of the radiological risk assessment. If
necessary, the upper tiers of the assessment should be refined by
considering the real contamination profile. These profiles should
also be considered when looking to understand and interpret dose
rates in terms of effect. These conclusions, similar to those from
other studies, indicate two ways for the future of environmental
dosimetry. Simple and robust dosimetric approaches are needed to
meet radiological risk assessment requirements. At the same time,
more refined and accurate approaches should be made available, to
precisely determine the dose rates when assessing their effects on
wildlife. Such approaches may also be useful for the upper tiers of
risk assessment.
Acknowledgements
This work was partly undertaken within the framework of the
IAEA EMRAS II programme. The author would like to thank the
CNSC (Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission), and more especially
its representatives in the EMRAS II BMG, R. Goulet and S. Mihok,
who suggested the initial topic, as well as N. Beresford, the group
leader, who encouraged the study. Thanks also go to all members of
the group, for the interesting and fruitful discussions the pre-sentations
of this work generated, as well as to the reviewers, for
their contribution to the improvement of the paper.
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distribution of 238Pu, 239(240)Pu, 241Am, 90Sr and 137Cs in Austrian soil
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US DOE, 2002. A Graded Approach for Evaluating Radiation Doses to Aquatic and
Terrestrial Biota. DOE Standard DOE-STD-1153e2002.
Vives i Batlle, J., Balonov, M., Beaugelin-Seiller, K., Beresford, N.A., Brown, J.,
Cheng, J.-J., Copplestone, D., Doi, M., Filistovic, V., Golikov, V., Horyna, J.,
Hosseini, A., Howard, B.J., Jones, S.R., Kamboj, S., Kryshev, A., Nedveckaite, T.,
Olyslaegers, G., Pr€ohl, G., Sazykina, T., Ulanovsky, A., Vives Lynch, S.,
Yankovich, T., Yu, C., 2007. Inter-comparison of unweighted absorbed dose rates
for non-human biota. Radiat. Environ. Biophys. 46, 349e373.
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Hosseini, A., Johansen, M., Kamboj, S., Keum, D.-K., Kurosawa, N., Newsome, L.,
Olyslaegers, G., Vandenhove, H., Ryufuku, S., Vives Lynch, S., Wood, M.D., Yu, C.,
Table 4
The ratio between the external dose rates obtained for terrestrial organisms
considering heterogeneous or homogeneous contamination of the soil for the two
trenches.
Trench Organism 238Pu 239Pu 240Pu 241Am 137Cs 90Sr Total
T2 Bee 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.8 2.3 1.2 2.3
Rat 12.9 2.7 11.1 1.1 1.7 2.9 1.7
Earthworm In soil 2.2 2.6 2.6 2.4 0.9 1.1 0.9
On soil 0.7 0.5 0.7 1.1 1.5 3.0 1.5
T8 Bee 2.4 13.7 4.1 12.1 0.7 1.6 0.7
Rat 22.6 28.8 32.6 9.9 0.6 0.8 0.6
Earthworm In soil 4.1 27.2 9.1 22.5 0.5 2.4 0.5
On soil 0.02 0.1 0.02 2.3 0.7 0.4 0.7
8. K. Beaugelin-Seiller / Journal of Environmental Radioactivity 138 (2014) 60e67 67
2011. The estimation of absorbed dose rates for non-human biota: an extended
intercomparison. Radiat. Environ. Biophys. 50, 231e251.
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Beaugelin-Seiller, K., Brown, J.E., Cheng, J.-J., Copplestone, D., Heling, R.,
Hosseini, A., Howard, B.J., Kamboj, S., Kryshev, A.I., Nedveckaite, T.,
Smith, J.T., Wood, M.D., 2010. An international model validation exercise on
radionuclide transfer and doses to freshwater biota. J. Radiol. Prot. 30,
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