Kinetic parameter estimation for decomposition of organic peroxides by means of DSC measurements

The thermal stability of organic peroxides (cumene hydroperoxide 80 wt% and dicumyl peroxide) was studied by means of calorimetric measurement (DSC, TA Q1000) in an isotherm mode and a dynamic mode. Analysis of power profiles released in the isothermal mode was combined with the analysis of the decomposed compounds by a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) to determine the reaction mechanisms corresponding to each of the two reactions. In this work, a methodology for estimating kinetic parameters was based on the comparison of the power profile (dynamic mode) given by the model to that obtained experimentally by changing the parameters values. Parameter estimation is achieved using the mixed estimation method where a genetic algorithm is combined with a locally convergent method.     

内蒙古白云鄂博矿区土壤稀土元素污染特征及评价

白云鄂博矿床是世界上最大的轻稀土矿床,在长期开采过程中向周围环境中释放了大量的稀土元素.为了制定有效地修复方案,必须对稀土元素的浓度、空间分布、分布模式、污染水平和生态风险进行分析和评价.结果表明,土壤样品总稀土含量平均值为6064.95 mg·kg^-1,高于对照点（207.44 mg·kg^-1）、内蒙古（150.95 mg·kg^-1）和中国（184.72 mg·kg^-1）土壤背景值,说明周边土壤出现稀土富集现象.轻稀土元素占到稀土总量的83%~99%,Ce是最主要的轻稀土元素.总稀土的高值区域主要集中于矿源附近,分布极不均匀,受外界干扰较大.各个功能区稀土球粒陨石标准化模式相似,归一化曲线向右倾斜,轻重稀土分馏明显.δCe和δEu的计算显示土壤具有明显的Ce正异常和Eu负异常.La/Yb、La/Sm和Gd/Yb的比值表明,土壤中稀土元素的分布模式是轻稀土元素富集,而且轻稀土元素较重稀土元素具有更为显著的分馏作用.采用4种方法对研究区土壤中稀土元素污染状况和生态风险进行评价.地累积指数计算表明Ce、Nd、Pr和La的均值达到了重污染程度.校正污染程度评价结果显示,不同功能区稀土元素的平均mC_d值范围为7.14~31.38,尾矿库属于高污染水平,居民区和工业区属于非常高污染水平,而采矿区和排土场则达到极高污染水平.污染负荷指数评价显示尾矿库属于中度污染水平,其余功能区则达到重度污染水平.白云鄂博矿区土壤中稀土元素的潜在生态风险指数范围为120.99~6376.46,33%的样点呈现出极强生态风险,16%的样点呈现很强的生态风险,12%的样点呈现较强的生态风险,30%的样点呈现中等风险,只有9%的样点呈现较低的生态风险.因此,亟待采取有效地措施来控制白云鄂博矿区土壤中稀土元素的污染和潜在生态风险.     

氮磷比对湖泊富营养化模型参数敏感性的影响

运用Morris方法研究了蓝藻暴发期不同氮磷比条件下,巢湖富营养化模型中蓝藻、溶解有机碳、营养物和溶解氧的参数敏感性.结果表明：蓝藻的敏感参数随氮磷比不同有显著差异;氮缺乏情况下,蓝藻对氮转化过程相关参数较敏感;磷缺乏情况下则反之.在任何氮磷比条件下,溶解有机碳、营养物和溶解氧等非生物变量都是对直接参与其自身转化过程的参数最为敏感,它们在不同氮磷比情况下的敏感参数差异较小.相比较蓝藻生长过程的参数,基础代谢过程的参数对所有变量的影响都更强.此外,各个参数的敏感性与它们的相互作用强度呈显著正相关,且这种相关性在极端氮或磷缺乏情况下尤为显著.本研究的结果有助于深入理解湖泊富营养化现象、改善富营养化模型模拟效果和精度.     

大鹏湾表层沉积物中碳、氮、磷的多年调查结果和有机质来源分析

依据1998—2006年18个航次13个站的调查资料,简要描述和分析了大鹏湾表层沉积物中包括碳、氮、磷的多项生物地球化学要素多年的平均空间分布和年际变化,并依据TOC/TN原子比探讨沉积物中有机质的来源.结果表明,大鹏湾的水动力条件对沉积物中各生物地球化学要素的分布变化影响不大,TOC、TN和TP含量分别为(17600±4600) mg·kg^-1、(1738±446) mg·kg^-1和(562±89) mg·kg^-1,比珠江口和大亚湾高.9年调查期间,TOC、TC、TN和TP含量的年际变化趋势都是上升的,表明随着周边地区经济的迅速发展和人口的不断增加,产生的大量有机质通过小河流和地表径流排放入海,使大鹏湾中沉积物的环境逐渐恶化.TOC/TN原子比为12.4±2.5,介于海洋浮游生物源和陆生高等植物源之间,反映了大鹏湾表层沉积物中有机质是陆源和水生2种来源的混合输入.TOC/TN原子比呈逐年上升趋势,表明大鹏湾接受陆源有机质与水生有机质的比例逐渐增加.     

Mine size optimization using marginal analysis

In this study, a model to estimate the optimum mine size is developed. The model is developed on the basis of marginal analysis. The model solves for the production rate at which the present value of marginal costs equals the present value of marginal revenues—the rate that microeconomic theory shows will maximize the net present value of production from the mine.In addition, the article discusses the effects on the optimum production rate of: the physical characteristics of the deposit, economic factors, and financial factors. It has been found that, not surprisingly, as the reserve tonnage increases, the optimum mine size increases. Also, the optimum production rate increases as the ore grade increases. A direct relationship has been found between the mineral price and the optimum production rate. The optimum mine size is found to be inversely related to the expected growth rate of mineral price, while it is directly related to the expected growth rate of mining costs. A concave relationship has been found between the cost of capital and the optimum mine size.     

Assessing the impact of biological control of Plutella xylostella through the application of Lotka–Volterra model

The Lotka–Volterra model was applied to the population densities of diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella (L.) and its exotic larval parasitoid Diadegma semiclausum (Hellen) data that was collected earlier by icipe's DBM biological control team. The collections were done for 15 months before the release and 36 months after release of the parasitoid in two areas; in Werugha, Coast Province of Kenya and Tharuni, Central Province of Kenya, respectively. For each area in pre- and post-release periods, we estimated Lotka–Volterra model parameters from the minimization of the loss function between the theoretical and experimental time-series datasets following the Nelder-Mead multidimensional method. The model estimated a reduction in the value of the steady state of DBM population from 4.86 to 2.17 in Werugha and from 6.11 to 3.76 and 3.45 (with and without exclusion of the time before D. semiclausum recovery) in Tharuni when transiting from the pre- and post-release periods, respectively. This change was a consequence of the newly introduced parasitoid, in the areas. The study presented a successful and detailed technique for non-linear model parameters restoration which was demonstrated by the correct mimicking of empirical datasets from the classical biological control with D. semiclausum, in different areas of Kenya. The applied model has measured the parasitoids impact on the DBM biological control through a quantitative estimate of the effectiveness of the newly introduced species D. semiclausum. These equations may therefore be used as tool for decision making in the implementation for such pests’ management system strategy.     

Aerobic Biodegradation of Polymers in Solid-State Conditions: A Review of Environmental and Physicochemical Parameter Settings in Laboratory Simulations

During the last few years, biodegradable polymers have been developed to replace petrochemical polymers. Until now, research devoted to these polymers essentially focused on their biodegradability. There is now a need to bear out their nontoxicity. To verify this, the biodegradation must be carried out in accelerated laboratory tests which allow the metabolites and residues to be recovered. To reproduce the natural conditions (compost, field) as closely as possible, degradation experiments must be run on solid-state substrates. We review studies of aerobic degradation in solid-state substrates. This article focuses in particular on the environmental, physical, and chemical parameters (such as substrate nature, moisture, temperature, C/N ratio, and pH) that influence biodegradation kinetics. This study also aims at finding the solid substrate most adapted to residues and metabolite recovery. The most significant parameters would appear to be the substrate type, moisture content, and temperature. Inert substrates such as vermiculite are well suited to residue extraction. This review also opens the field to new research aimed at optimizing conditions for aerobic solid-state biodegradation and at recovering the metabolites and residues of this degradation process.     

On the use of correlated beta random variables with animal population modelling

We give reasons why demographic parameters such as survival and reproduction rates are often modelled well in stochastic population simulation using beta distributions. In practice, it is frequently expected that these parameters will be correlated, for example with survival rates for all age classes tending to be high or low in the same year. We therefore discuss a method for producing correlated beta random variables by transforming correlated normal random variables, and show how it can be applied in practice by means of a simple example. We also note how the same approach can be used to produce correlated uniform, triangular, and exponential random variables.     

Changing effluent chemistry affect survival,growth and physiological function of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nilotica</Emphasis> seedlings in northwestern region of India

Recycling and conservation efforts for water are the need of the day because of the lack of new water sources and the ever-increasing demand for drinking water. Seedlings of Acacia nilotica L. were irrigated with: canal water (T₁, control); municipal effluent (T₂); textile effluent (T₃); steel effluent (T₄); textile + municipal effluent in 1:1 ratio (T₅); steel + municipal effluent in 1:2 ratio (T₆); steel + textile in 1:2 ratio (T₈) and steel + municipal + textile in 1:2:2 ratio (T₇) with views to observe effluents effect on the seedlings and its adaptability and to recommend safe disposal of these effluents. Seedlings in T₆, T₇ and T₈ showed 50% lesser height and collar diameter than those in control. Seedlings in T₂ attained greatest height, collar diameter, numbers of branches and produced 140 g dry biomass seedling⁻¹. Highest concentration of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) and lowest concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the seedlings of T₄, T₆, T₇ and T₈ resulted in nutritional imbalance, mineral toxicity and reduction in photosynthetic (Pn) and transpiration (E) rates and caused seedling mortality. Seedlings of T₃ had highest sodium concentration and low concentration of Ca, Mg and micronutrients resulting in nutritional imbalance, augmented chlorosis and reduced gas exchange and biomass by half as compared to control. Increased growth, Pn and E and biomass in seedlings of T₅ over T₃ and survival period in T₆, T₇ and T₈ seedlings suggested a beneficial effect of effluents mixing. Unscientific disposal should be avoided and toxic concentration of metal ions␣may be reduced for long-term application and harmless disposal of effluents in afforestation and urban development.     

Coupled infrared extinction spectra and size distribution measurements for several non-clay components of mineral dust aerosol (quartz, calcite, and dolomite)

Simultaneous size distributions and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) extinction spectra have been measured for several representative components of mineral dust aerosol (quartz, calcite, and dolomite) in the fine particle size mode (D=0.1–1 μm). Optical constants drawn from the published literature have been used in combination with the experimentally determined size distributions to simulate the extinction spectra. In general, Mie theory does not accurately reproduce the peak position or band shape for the prominent IR resonance features in the 800–1600 cm⁻¹ spectral range. The resonance peaks in the Mie simulation are consistently blue shifted relative to the experimental spectra by 20–50 cm⁻¹. Spectral simulations, derived from a simple Rayleigh-based analytic theory for a “continuous distribution of ellipsoids” particle shape model, better reproduce the experimental spectra, despite the fact that the Rayleigh approximation is not strictly satisfied in these experiments. These results differ from our previous studies of particle shape effects in silicate clay mineral dust aerosols where a disk-shaped model for the particles was found to be more appropriate.