Regional radiation risk and vulnerability assessment by integration of mathematical modelling and GIS analysis

The Kola Peninsula, Russian Arctic exceeds all other regions in the world in the number of nuclear reactors. The study was aimed at estimating possible radiation risks to the population in the Nordic countries in case of a severe accident in the Kola Peninsula. Two approaches were tested: (1) probabilistic analysis of modelled possible pathways of radionuclide transport and precipitation and (2) deterministic approach (case studies) for most possible or worst-case scenarios of modelled transport and deposition of radionuclides. For the general population, Finland is at most risk with respect to the Kola nuclear power plant (NPP) because of (a) relatively high population density or proximity to the radiation-risk sites and (b) rather high probability of an airflow trajectory there and precipitation. After considering the critical group, northern counties in Norway, Finland and Sweden appear to be most vulnerable. The case scenarios demonstrate that population in many counties in each country, both near and far away from a nuclear site, might be subject to high risk depending on the meteorological situation.     

Potential and Shortcomings of Numerical Weather Prediction Models in Providing Meteorological Data for Urban Air Pollution Forecasting

The last decade progress in numericalweather prediction (NWP) modelling and studies of urbanatmospheric processes for providing meteorological data forurban air pollution forecasting is analysed on examples ofseveral European meteorological centres. Modern nested NWP models are utilising land-use databasesdown to 1 km resolution or finer, and are approaching thenecessary horizontal and vertical resolution suitable forcity scale. The recent scientific developments in the fieldof urban atmospheric physics and the growing availabilityof high-resolution urban surface characteristics datapromise further improvements of the capability of NWPmodels for this aim. A strategy to improve NWP data forthe urban air pollution forecasting is suggested.     

Formation of polyester blends by a recombinant strain ofPseudomonas oleovorans: Different poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) are stored in separate granules

WhenPseudomonas oleovorans (GPo1) is grown on sodium octanoate under ammonium limiting conditions, it is able to accumulate a copolyester consisting of medium chain length 3-hydroxyalkanoic acids (PHA_m). 3-Hydroxybutyrate is only incorporated in trace amounts. WhenP. oleovorans is equipped with the PHB biosynthetic genes ofAlcaligenes eutrophus (GPo1[pVK101::PP1]), it forms a polyester containing major amounts of 3-hydroxybutyrate. The resulting polymer however is a blend of PHA_m and PHB, rather than a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyrate and medium chain length 3-hydroxyalkanoic acids [11]. To establish whether PHA_m and PHB molecules are stored in the same or separate granules by this recombinantP. oleovorans strain, we studied polymer forming cells by freeze-fracture electron microscopy. This approach is possible because previous freeze-fracture electron microscopy studies on PHA_m and PHB accumulating strains have shown that PHA_m and PHB granules can be distinguished from each other: PHA_m granules from mushroom-like structures, whereas PHB granules from needle structures during freeze-fracturing. In this paper we show that stationary phase cells of GPo1[pVK101::PP1] contained both mushroom and needle-like structures, indicating that PHA_m and PHB chains were stored in separate granules. To be able to determine whether the separation of PHA_m and PHB is complete, the respective granules were separated on sucrose gradients. A total cell extract of GPo1[pVK101::PP1] which was subjected to sucrose gradient centrifugation revealed two white bands of different densities: the upper band with a density of 1.05 g/mL consisted exclusively of PHA_m granules, while the lower band with a density of 1.19 g/mL consisted of PHB granules only. Thus, when bacteria synthesize both PHA_m and PHB, the resulting polymer chains are segregated completely and stored in separate granules.     

Wildfire effects on hiking and biking demand in New Mexico: a travel cost study

We use a travel cost model to test the effects of wild and prescribed fire on visitation by hikers and mountain bikers in New Mexico. Our results indicate that net benefits for mountain bikers is $150 per trip and that they take an average of 6.2 trips per year. Hikers take 2.8 trips per year with individual net benefits per trip of $130. Both hikers' and mountain bikers' demand functions react adversely to prescribed burning. Net benefits for both groups fall as areas recover from prescribed burns. Because both visitation and annual recreation benefits decrease to these two types of visitors, this gives rise to multiple use costs associated with prescribed burning. With respect to wildfire, hikers and mountain bikers both exhibit decreased visitation as areas recover from wildfires, however, only hikers indicate an increase in per trip net benefits. Bikers' demand effectively drops to zero. These results differ from previous findings in the literature and have implications for efficient implementation of the National Fire Plan and whether prescribed burning is a cost effective tool for multiple use management of National Forests. Specifically, that fire and recreation managers cannot expect recreation users to react similarly to fire across recreation activities, or different geographic regions. What is cost effective in one region may not be so in another.     

UV-VIS spectroscopy of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene-hydroxide reaction

Contamination of groundwater, surface water and soil by explosives has occurred at military sites throughout the world as a result of manufacture of explosive compounds, assembly of munitions, and deployment of explosives containing devices. Due to the adverse effects of explosives on humans and other natural receptors, a low cost means of decontaminating these areas of contamination is needed. Base-induced transformation of explosives has shown promise as a rapid, low cost, and minimally resource-intensive technology for detoxifying explosives in soil and water. In order to understand the reaction mechanism, a reaction mixture of 2:1:1 (water:2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT):1 N KOH) was analyzed by UV/VIS spectrometry from 190 to 1,100 nm. Time course measurements were conducted at 25, 20, 15, and 12 degrees C. A factor analysis program was used to analyze the spectral data. Principal component analysis indicated that six principal components explained the spectra to within experimental error, with four factors explaining the majority of the variance. Test spectral vectors for four components were developed, including TNT, two intermediates, and the final product, and were tested against the abstract vectors. Two possible reaction mechanisms were suggested and tested to explain the spectral data.     

Genotoxicity is unrelated to total concentration of priority carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soils undergoing biological treatment

A solid-phase microbiological assay was used to determine the changes in genotoxicity associated with sequestration or biodegradation of carcinogenic compounds in contaminated soils. The concentration of six carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) did not change in 59 d in sterile soil, but the genotoxicity declined markedly. In a soil undergoing bioremediation in the field for 147 d or biodegradation in the laboratory for 180 d, the concentrations either changed little or declined at different rates, but the genotoxicity increased followed by a decline. The genotoxicity of a second soil declined as a result of biological treatment. The data show that genotoxicity of contaminated soils may be unrelated to the concentration of carcinogenic PAHs because of aging or new mutagens formed during biological treatment.     

PM2.5 assessment in 21 European study centers of ECRHS II: Method and first winter results

The follow-up of a cohort of adults from 29 European centers of the former European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) I (1989-1992) will examine the long-term effects of exposure to ambient air pollution on the incidence, course, and prognosis of respiratory diseases, in particular asthma and decline in lung function. The purpose of this article is to describe the methodology and the European-wide quality control program for the collection of particles with 50% cut-off size of 2.5 microm aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) in the ECRHS II and to present the PM2.5 results from the winter period 2000-2001. Because PM2.5 is not routinely monitored in Europe, we measured PM2.5 mass concentrations in 21 participating centers to estimate background exposure in these cities. A standardized protocol was developed using identical equipment in each center (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Well Impactor Ninety-Six [WINS] and PQ167 from BGI, Inc.). Filters were weighed in a single central laboratory. Sampling was conducted for 7 days per month for a year. Winter mean PM2.5 mass concentrations (November 2000-February 2001) varied substantially, with Iceland reporting the lowest value (5 microg/m3) and northern Italy the highest (69 microg/m3). A standardized procedure appropriate for PM2.5 exposure assessment in a multicenter study was developed. We expect ECRHS II to have sufficient variation in exposure to assess long-term effects of air pollution in this cohort. Any bias caused by variation in the characteristics of the chosen monitoring location (e.g., proximity to traffic sources) will be addressed in later analyses. Given the homogenous spatial distribution of PM2.5, however, concentrations measured near traffic are not expected to differ substantially from those measured at urban background sites.     

RESEARCH: Triage Law Enforcement: Societal Impacts on National Forests in the West

/ Uses of outdoor natural areas, like National Forests in the United States, have been undergoing change. Some changes, including criminal activities and domestic terrorism, may have quite important impacts to outdoor enthusiasts and managers. Activities include some relatively traditional management challenges, like arson and thefts, and newer challenges, such as domestic violence and murder. To better understand the prevalence and impacts of these activities, selected managers in the western United States were interviewed in summer and fall 1998. Results indicate criminal activities and domestic terrorism are found in both urban-interface and rural sites. The most prevalent challenges were arson, criminal damage, domestic violence, dumping of household trash and landscape materials, marijuana cultivation, satanic cult activity, and thefts. Not as prevalent but found in almost all study sites were body dumping, extremist group activity, gang activity, murders, and suicides. Managers felt that most outdoor recreationists were unaffected by the activities. Most managers noted the increasing prevalence and the costs to management in time, personnel, and in other ways. They noted that their job had ceased being one of natural resources law enforcement and became one of "city" law enforcement. The findings of the study raise serious issues that require additional research.