Concentrations,Cumulative Exposure and Critical Levels of Ozone in Ireland

Concentrations of tropospheric ozone(O₃) and exceedance of critical levels to vegetationhave been investigated and mapped for Ireland. Hourlyozone concentration data (1995–1997) at 7 sevenmonitoring stations and the CORINE landcover database,supported by a Geographical Information System, wereused. AOT40 (Accumulated exposure Over a Threshold of 40ppb) was calculated for daylight hours for each station,and mapped using surface interpolation. Average O₃concentrations vary from year to year, and were estimatedto be 28 ppb, 26 ppb and 24 ppb for 1995, 1996 and 1997respectively. Ozone concentrations show a large diurnalvariation, with a maximum in the afternoon and a minimumat night-time. The critical level for crops and (semi-)natural vegetation was exceeded in all years examined.The highest exceedance occurred in 1995, where thecritical level was exceeded for almost 35% of the mappedarea. Approximately 15% and 1% of the mapped area wasexposed to exceedance levels during 1996 and 1997respectively. The maximum cumulative exposures (AOT40)were approximately 5000, 3890 and 3230 ppbh in 1995, 1996and 1997 respectively. The critical level for forests wasnot exceeded during the period of investigation.     

Successive identification of biodegradation rates for multiple sequentially reactive contaminants in groundwater.

At the field scale, the biodegradation rate is usually estimated from analytical solutions to single species transport with first-order reactions, using measured data as input. Because many contaminants, e.g., chlorinated solvents, are degraded in a sequential pattern, with degradation products further reacting to produce new species, it is of great interest to quantify the transformation rate of every reaction. The conventional inverse solutions for identifying the transformation rates are limited to single species problems. In the present study, we propose a successive optimization approach to identify the biodegradation rate for each species by using a previously developed analytical solution to multi-species first-order reactive transport using data obtained at the field scale. By specifying a link between analytical solutions to sequentially reactive transport problems and optimization methods and assuming constant transport parameters (velocity, dispersivities, and retardation factors), the first-order transformation rates are optimized successively from parent species to its daughter species.     

Mitochondrial cytochrome b variation in sleeper sharks (Squaliformes: Somniosidae)

Sleeper sharks are a poorly studied group of deep-sea sharks. The subgenus, Somniosus, contains three morphologically similar species: S. microcephalus found in the Arctic and North Atlantic; S. pacificus in the North Pacific; and S. antarcticus in the Southern Ocean. These sharks have been reported mainly in temperate to polar waters and occasionally in subtropical locations. They have not been recorded in tropical waters. This study investigates the relationships among the accepted species of Somniosus through analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence variation. Seventy-five samples were examined from four sampling locations in the North Pacific, Southern Ocean and North Atlantic. Twenty-one haplotypes were found. A minimum spanning parsimony network separated these haplotypes into two divergent clades, an S. microcephalus and an S. pacificus/antarcticus clade, strongly supporting the distinction of S. microcephalus as a separate species from the Pacific sleeper shark species. Analysis of genetic structure within the S. pacificus/antarcticus clade (analysis of molecular variance, allele frequency comparisons, and a nested clade analysis) showed limited or no differences amongst three populations. Further examination of genetic variation at more variable mtDNA and nuclear markers is needed to examine the species status of S. pacificus and S. antarcticus.     

Phytoplankton as index of water quality with reference to industrial pollution

In this paper Shannon-Weaver (SI-3.58-4.07, SII-3.1-3.72, SIII-1.64-2.25, SIV-2.54-2.95 and SV-3.09-3.23) diversity index was applied to surface phytoplankton to study the water quality status of river Bhadra receiving Mysore paper mill and Iron and steel mill effluent. A total of 45 species of phytoplankton belonging to 5 classes were recorded and study indicated that the phytoplankton diversity (Chlorophyceae-19 species, Bacillanophyceae-16 species, Cyanophyceae-07 species, Euglenophyceae-2 species and Chrysophyceae-1 species) did not reveal the same type of water quality (water temperature 24.62-27.32 degrees C, pH-7.08-7.25, electrical conductivity-67.49-201.94 micromhos/cm, dissolved oxygen-4.13-5.98 mgl(-1), chloride-12.30-40.85 mgl(-1), calcium-6.49-23.74 mgl(-1), total hardness 28.98-76.65 mgl(1), magnesium-4.69-15.92 mgl(-1), total alkalinity-77.26-86.53 mgl(-1), BOD-1.88-4.01 mgl(-1), COD - 16.53-45 mgl(-1), phosphate-0.001-0.53 mgl(-1), sodium-2.70-7.46 mgl(-1) and potassium-2.37-7.88 mgl(-1)). The investigation emphasized the need of phytoplankton community as index of water quality polluted by industrial effluents at the downstream stretch of the Bhadra river.     

Optimal control of lake pH for mercury bioaccumulation control

Mercury is recognized internationally as an important pollutant since mercury and its compounds are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic, and pose human and ecosystem risks. A critical aspect of mercury cycling is its bioaccumulation, mainly as methylmercury, along the aquatic food web resulting in high risk of human exposure through contaminated fish consumption. Since lake acidity (pH) and mercury methylation are correlated, control of lake pH through lake liming is a possible option to mitigate mercury bioaccumulation. This work proposes to use optimal control theory to derive time-dependent lake liming strategies for a tighter control of lake pH. Since the behavior of the freshwater ecosystems such as lakes is often associated with considerable uncertainties, a robust and realistic analysis should incorporate such uncertainties. This work models the time-dependent uncertain variations in the basic lake pH value and derives the liming profiles in the presence of such seasonal pH fluctuations. Established techniques from real options theory are employed for modeling the uncertainty as a stochastic process, and stochastic optimal control is used for deriving liming profiles. The approach is critically evaluated through applications to various case study lakes. Considering the substantial costs associated with liming operations, the work formulates a multi-objective problem highlighting the tradeoff between accurate pH control and liming cost. The results of the control problem solution are also compared with heuristics based liming. The results, while highlighting the success of using time-dependent liming, put forth certain interesting aspects that might be helpful to a decision maker. The analysis is expected to make liming operation more reliable, thereby presenting one more tool to manage the harmful effects of mercury pollution.     

CO2 fluxes near a forest edge: a numerical study

In contrast with recent advances on the dynamics of the flow at a forest edge, few studies have considered its role on scalar transport and, in particular, on CO2 transfer. The present study addresses the influence of the abrupt roughness change on forest atmosphere CO2 exchange and contrasts the concentration and flux fields against those of a uniform forested surface. We use an atmospheric boundary layer two-equation closure model that accounts for the flow dynamics and vertical divergence of CO2 sources/sinks within a plant canopy. This paper characterizes the spatial variation of CO2 fluxes as a function of both sources/sinks distribution and the vertical structure of the canopy. Results suggest that the ground source plays a major role in the formation of wave-like vertical CO2 flux behavior downwind of a forest edge, despite the fact that the contribution of foliage sources/sinks changes monotonously. Such a variation is caused by scalar advection in the trunk space and reveals itself as a decrease or increase in vertical fluxes over the forest relative to carbon dioxide exchange of the underlying forest. The effect was more pronounced in model forests where the leaf area is concentrated in the upper part of the canopy. These results can be useful both for interpretation of existing measurements of net ecosystem exchange of CO2 (NEE) from flux towers in limited fetch conditions and in planning future CO2 transport experiments.     

Biophoton emission of MDCK cell with hydrogen peroxide and 60 Hz AC magnetic field

We studied biophoton characteristics of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells under the influence of H2O2 by employing a photomultiplier tube (PMT) and a fluorescence microscope. H2O2 was used for producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the measurement. Images from a fluorescence microscope show an increase of photon intensity emitted from the sample due to H2O2. By using a PMT we measured quantitative change in biophoton emission with application of H2O2 to the MDCK cell culture, found that the increase of the biophoton is dependent upon the amount of H2O2. The agreement between the results of the PMT and the fluorescence microscope suggests the possibility of quantitative measurement of the influence of ROS on living tissue or cell. In addition we applied a 60 HzAC magnetic field on the cells to investigate the change in reaction between MDCK cell and ROS. It showed that a decay of chemiluminescence intensity has taken a different path following exposure to the magnetic field. As a result, the PMT measurement might be considered as a useful tool for studying biochemical characteristics in relation to ROS.     

The impact on tropospheric ozone formation on the implementation of a program for mobile emissions control: a case study in São Paulo,Brazil

The main sources of reactive hydrocarbons (RHC) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x), ozone precursors, in the Metropolitan Area of São Paulo (MASP) in the southeast of Brazil are emissions from vehicles fleets. Ambient surface ozone and particulate matter concentrations are air quality problem in the MASP. This study examined the impact that implementing a control program for mobile emissions has on ozone concentrations, An episode of high surface ozone concentrations occurring in the MASP during the March 13–15, 2000 period was used as a case study that was modeled for photochemical oxidants using the California Institute of Technology/Carnegie Mellon University three-dimensional photochemical model. Different scenarios were analyzed in relationship to the implementation of the Programa Nacional de Controle de Poluição por Veículos Automotores (PROCONVE, National Program to Control Motor Vehicle Pollution). Scenario 1 assumed that all vehicles were operating within PROCONVE guidelines. Scenarios 2 and 3 considered hypothetical situations in which the PROCONVE was not implemented. Scenario 2 set the premise that vehicles were using pre-1989 technology, whereas scenario 3 allowed for technological advances. A base case scenario, in which the official emission inventory for the year 2000 was employed, was also analyzed. The CIT model results show agreement with most measurements collected during 13–15 March 2000 modeling episode. Mean normalized bias for ozone, CO, RHC and NO _x are approximately 9.0, 6.0, ?8.3, 13.0%, respectively. Tropospheric ozone concentrations predicted for scenario 2 were higher than those predicted for scenarios 1, 3 and base case. This study makes a significant contribution to the evaluation of air quality improvement and provides data for use in evaluating the economic costs of implementing a program of motor vehicle pollution control aimed at protecting human health.