Phytoplankton can bypass nutrient reductions in eutrophic coastal water bodies

The EU-water framework directive aims at nutrient reductions, since anthropogenically induced eutrophication is a major threat for coastal waters. However, phytoplankton biomass in southern Baltic Sea coastal water bodies (CWB) remains high and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Therefore, a CWB data set was analysed regarding changes in phytoplankton biomass and nutrient concentration of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) from 2000 to 2014. It was expected to find imbalances between produced phytoplankton biomass and total nutrient concentrations. Inner CWB were cyanobacteria-dominated and showed up to five times higher chlorophyll a-concentrations compared to outer CWB with similar total phosphorus-concentrations. Phytoplankton tended to be P-limited during spring and N-limited during summer. Phytoplankton biomass and nutrient concentrations were even higher during very humid years, which indicated a close coupling of the CWB with their catchment areas. This study suggests that re-mesotrophication efforts need to consider the importance of changed phytoplankton composition and nutrient availabilities.     

The effect of export to the deep sea on the long-range transport potential of persistent organic pollutants

Background  

Export to the deep sea has been found to be a relevant pathway for highly hydrophobic chemicals. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of this process on the potential for long-range transport (LRT) of such chemicals.     

The UN/ECE International Programme on Mapping Critical Loads and Levels

Critical Loads and levels have played a centralrole in the successful development of effect-based emissionreduction strategies for Europe in the fields of acidification,eutrophication and ground-level ozone. The aim of theInternational Programme on Mapping Critical Loads and Levelsled by Germany, with participation of 24 countries, is todetermine critical loads and levels for forest, crops, naturalvegetation, soils, water and materials. The exceedances ofcritical loads and critical levels are used to quantify the riskfor environmental damage by air pollution and tosupport the development of optimised abatement strategies.     

Cold DeNOx development for oxyfuel power plants

Flue gas purification is a necessary method to avoid emission of sour gases like SO_x and NO_x into the environment. Another important aspect is the zero CO₂ emission from coal-fired power plants. Oxyfuel technology is one of the processes to reach this goal. LINDE KCA Dresden in cooperation with Vattenfall Europe is operating a pilot plant producing liquefied CO₂. Product specification and material requirements make flue gas purification for the removal of SO_x and NO_x unavoidable. The new oxyfuel technologies offer new process conditions for flue gas purification which are not available at atmospheric conditions.At Linde laboratories, catalytic and non-catalytic DeNOx and DeSOx processes have been screened for oxyfuel application. After first feasibility studies, laboratory experiments and economic evaluations, it was decided to develop a process based on wet scrubber systems to remove NO_x from flue gas, simultaneously producing ammonia nitrites which can be thermally decomposed into nitrogen in a second step. After demonstration of the single process steps on laboratory scale, a pilot scrubber was erected and commissioned in 2010 at Schwarze Pumpe Oxyfuel Pilot Plant. In September 2010, the successful completion of the pilot tests demonstrated the NO_x removal efficiency of this technology. The data from the pilot plant tests have been used to finalise a kinetic model describing the NO_x absorption behaviour regarding NO_x removal rate and nitrite selectivity for demonstration of plant scale up. This DeNOx-process is now marketed under the name “LICONOX”.     

Beziehungen zwischen Körperbau und Lebensweise bei Blenniidae (Pisces) aus dem Roten Meer. I. Äußere morphologie

The external morphology of 5 species of salariin Blenniidae has been examined. Differences have been established between Salarias fasciatus living in the sublittoral, Antennablennius hypenetes, Istiblennius edentulus and I. flaviumbrinus inhabiting the eulittoral zone, and, especially, Alticus kirkii living on steep rocks of the supralittoral zone. The rays of the anal and (partly) pectoral fins terminate in little hooks; these are most pronounced in A. kirkii and least developed in S. jasciatus. The pelvic fins are short and broad in A. kirkii, but long and slender in the other 4 species. These structures make it possible to cling to uneven substrates. Fins are protected from rough rocks by a well developed cuticula; this is thickest in A. kirkii. Respiratory organs, adapted to function on land, have been discovered in the form of cutaneous blood vessels on the heads and the bodies of A. kirkii, and (less numerous and less developed) in I. edentulus and I. flaviumbrinus. Sensory organs have become specialized in A. kirkii; the eyes protude from the head, and the lateral line is reduced to a small relict. S. fasciatus and A. kirkii must be regarded as terminal representatives of a sequence of development which followed a trend toward the amphibian way of life.