Ash deposition impact on the energy performance of photovoltaic generators

A little known side effect of the atmospheric air pollution is the degradation of photovoltaic (PV) cells’ performance due to the deposition of solid particles varying in composition, size and origin. In this context, an experimental-based investigation is conducted in order to compare the energy performance of two identical pairs of PV-panels; the first being clean and the second being artificially polluted with ash, i.e. a by-product of incomplete hydrocarbons’ combustion mainly originating from thermal power stations and vehicular exhausts. A series of systematic measurements of current intensity, voltage output and solar radiation are executed simultaneously for the clean and the polluted PV-panel, so that the effect of several mass depositions on the PVs’ power output, energy yield and conversion efficiency may be determined. According to the results, a considerable deterioration of the PV-panels’ performance is obtained, i.e. almost 30% energy reduction per hour or 1.5% efficiency decrease (in absolute terms) for ash accumulation on the panels’ surface reaching up to 0.4 mg/cm².     

Seven suppositions about energy security in the United States

Changing the patterns of energy use requires investigating how energy consumers - not experts - conceive of energy challenges. This article explores the varying beliefs, attitudes, and views on energy security in the United States among experts and residents. Based primarily on an academic literature review to distill expert views, and a survey distributed to hundreds of residents in the U.S. to capture consumer views, the study begins by explaining its methodology before identifying seven suppositions related to energy security. These suppositions involve security of fuel supply, energy democracy, energy research and development, affordability of energy services, environmental pollution, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. The second section of the study tests these suppositions with a survey distributed to 427 respondents in the United States. Three suppositions are supported, two are unsupported, and two are neither supported nor unsupported. The final section of the study offers implications for U.S. energy policy and scholarship.     

Changes of AhR-mediated activity of humic substances after irradiation

Humic substances (HS) and natural organic matter (NOM) are natural organic compounds ubiquitous in the environment. However, some studies indicate that both HS and NOM can act as xenobiotics, e.g. induce hormone-like effects in fish, amphibians and invertebrates. Molecules of these substances contain a number of aromatic rings and conjugated double bonds--the so called chromophores. Irradiation of dissolved HS and NOM can lead to a series of photochemical reactions which can act on these substances itself, or on other substances present in aquatic environment along with HS and NOM such as e.g. xenobiotics. In our previous study, we have found significant interactions of five humic acids (HA) with cytosolic aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in an in vitro bioassay based on H4IIE-luc cells. In the present study, we have studied the changes in AhR-mediated activities both of HS and NOM after irradiation that simulated natural solar light. Nine different HS and two NOM samples were irradiated in Pyrex tubes with a medium-pressure mercury lamp for a duration of 0 to 52 h (which corresponds to 0-52 d natural solar radiation). Original concentrations of the samples were 50 mg L(-1), and the greatest concentration of HS and NOM photoproducts subsequently tested in the bioassay was 17 mg L(-1), which is an environmentally relevant concentration. After irradiation the absorbances of all the samples were less than the original materials. The AhR-mediated activity of the HA-Fluka and HA Sodium Salt were partially decreased by irradiation. The activities of other HS and NOM, that were either AhR-active or -inactive were not changed by irradiation. The results of the study demonstrate that AhR-mediated activities of two active HA is caused by both photo-stable and photo-labile AhR activators, while the other three active HA contain only photo-stable AhR activators. Potential mechanisms of the observed irradiation-induced changes in AhR-mediated activities are discussed.     

Analysis of radiocaesium in the Lebanese soil one decade after the Chernobyl accident

Fallout from the Chernobyl reactor accident due to the transport of a radioactive cloud over Lebanon in the beginning of May 1986 was studied 12 years after the accident for determining the level of (137)Cs concentration in soil. Gamma spectroscopy measurements were performed by using coaxial high sensitivity HPGe detectors. More than 90 soil samples were collected from points uniformly distributed throughout the land of Lebanon in order to evaluate their radioactivity. The data obtained showed a relatively high (137)Cs activity per surface area contamination, up to 6545Bqm(-2) in the top soil layer 0-3cm. The average activity of (137)Cs in the top soil layer 0-3cm in depth was 59.7Bqkg(-1) dry soil ranging from 15 to 119Bqkg(-1) dry soil. The horizontal variability was found to be about 45% between the sampling sites. The depth distribution of total (137)Cs activity in soil showed an exponential decrease. Estimation of the annual effective dose due to external radiation from (137)Cs contaminated soil for selected sites gave values ranging from 19.3 to 91.6 micro Svy(-1).     

Generic approaches to transfer

A review of methods which have been used to describe and predict transfer of radionuclides in biota was undertaken. The intent was to identify approaches that might prove useful in extending predictive estimates to other organisms and environments. Empirical approaches, such as found in the use of transfer factors, were examined. Kinetic methodologies were also presented. Allometric functions, with their ability to make broad generalizations, were also discussed. Data from several earlier radioecological assessments were tested for their potential utility in developing allometric relationships, with the result implying that such an approach might prove useful.     

The value of Seasonal Correction Factors in assessing the health risk from domestic radon: a case study in Northamptonshire, UK

Following an intensive survey of domestic radon levels in the United Kingdom (UK), the former National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), now the Radiation Protection Division of the Health Protection Agency (HPA-RPD), established a measurement protocol and promulgated Seasonal Correction Factors applicable to the country as a whole. Radon levels in the domestic built environment are assumed to vary systematically and repeatably during the year, being generally higher in winter. The Seasonal Correction Factors therefore comprise a series of numerical multipliers, which convert a 1-month or 3-month radon concentration measurement, commencing in any month of the year, to an effective annual mean radon concentration. In a recent project undertaken to assess the utility of short-term exposures in quantifying domestic radon levels, a comparative assessment of a number of integrating detector types was undertaken, with radon levels in 34 houses on common geology monitored over a 12-month period using dose-integrating track-etch detectors exposed in pairs (one upstairs, one downstairs) at 1-month and 3-month resolution. Seasonal variability of radon concentrations departed significantly from that expected on the basis of the HPA-RPD Seasonal Correction Factor set, with year-end discontinuities at both 1-month and 3-month measurement resolutions. Following this study, monitoring with electrets was continued in four properties, with weekly radon concentration data now available for a total duration in excess of three and a half years. Analysis of this data has permitted the derivation of reliable local Seasonal Correction Factors. Overall, these are significantly lower than those recommended by HPA-RPD, but are comparable with other results from the UK and from abroad, particularly those that recognise geological diversity and are consequently prepared on a regional rather than a national basis. This finding calls into question the validity of using nationally aggregated Seasonal Correction Factors, especially for shorter exposures, and the universal applicability of these corrections is discussed in detail.     

有机磷农药降解方法及应用研究新进展

现代农业的发展和有机磷农药的使用密切相关,所造成的严重的农产品和环境污染是农业发展有待解决的关键问题之一。介绍了超声波技术、吸附、洗涤和辐照等物理方法,微生物、降解酶和工程菌等生物方法,水解、氧化分解和光化学降解等化学方法对有机磷农药的降解作用及其相关的应用研究。     

西北干旱区中小城市水价探析

为了促进西北干旱区中小城市的快速、稳定的发展,解决该地区中小城市的水资源短缺问题,以水价作为出发点,充分利用水价格的经济杠杆作用,制定出该地区中小城市的水价。以西北干旱区中具有代表性的城市石河子为例,通过实地调研,得到石河子居民、居民生活用水情况、现行水价、居民家庭节水情况、居民的心理承受水价以及平时生活的节水意识等情况,通过分析,得出居民的心理承受偏低,现行水价仍有一定的上调空间,调价范围为1.58~2.31元/m3,最高可调至4.11元/m3。结合石河子的水价,为西北干旱区的中小城镇的水价改革、提高水资源的利用率等提出一些切实可行的建议。     

己内酰胺生产废水的铁碳微电解深度处理与机理研究

采用铁碳微电解方法对己内酰胺生产废水进行深度处理,探讨了pH值、停留时间、铁碳质量比对处理效果的影响。在pH为4、停留时间为120 min、铁碳质量比为4的最佳处理条件下,COD去除率可达57.8%,色度去除率可达68.4%。微电解对己内酰胺废水的作用主要通过铁的絮凝作用,处理过程中的酸性条件、微电解的氧化还原和电场作用,从而提高其去除效率。     

焦化废水对蚕豆和大麦毒性的影响

以COD作为主要参照指标,研究了焦化废水在符合GB 13456-92<钢铁工业水污染物排放标准>焦化一级、二级排放标准限值要求时,对蚕豆和大麦幼根生长、根尖细胞遗传毒性的影响.结果表明:在实验周期内,焦化废水对蚕豆幼根根长、根重和有丝分裂指数的影响不大;对大麦幼根根重无明显影响,而对大麦根长和有丝分裂指数有促进作用.焦...