Modelling radionuclide transport for time varying flow in a channel network

Water flowrates and flow directions may change over time in the subsurface for a number of reasons. In fractured rocks flow takes place in channels within fractures. Solutes are carried by the advective flow. In addition, solutes may diffuse in and out of stagnant waters in the rock matrix and other stagnant water regions. Sorbing species may sorb on fracture surfaces and on the micropore surfaces in the rock matrix. We present a method by which solute particles can be traced in flowing water undergoing changes in flowrate and direction in a complex channel network where the solutes can also interact with the rock by diffusion in the rock matrix. The novelty of this paper is handling of diffusion in the rock matrix under transient flow conditions. The diffusive processes are stochastic and it is not possible to follow a particle deterministically. The method therefore utilises the properties of a probability distribution function for a tracer moving in a fracture where matrix diffusion is active. The method is incorporated in a three dimensional channel network model. Particle tracking is used to trace out a multitude of flowpaths, each of which consists of a large number of channels within fractures. Along each channel the aperture and velocity as well as the matrix sorption properties can vary. An efficient method is presented whereby a particle can be followed along the variable property flowpath. For stationary flow conditions and a network of channels with advective flow and matrix diffusion, a simple analytical solution for the residence time distribution along each pathway can be used. Only two parameter groups need to be integrated along each path. For transient flow conditions, a time stepping procedure that incorporates a stochastic Monte-Carlo like method to follow the particles along the paths when flow conditions change is used. The method is fast and an example is used for illustrative purposes. It is exemplified by a case where land rises due to glacial rebound. It is shown that the effects of changing flowrates and directions can be considerable and that the diffusive migration in the matrix can have a dominating effect on the results.     

Through-electromigration: a new method of investigating pore connectivity and obtaining formation factors

The retardation of radionuclides and other contaminants in fractured crystalline rock is strongly associated with the diffusive properties of the rock matrix. At present, the scientific community is divided concerning the question of long-range pore connectivity in intrusive igneous rock. This paper presents a fast new method, called the through-electromigration method, of obtaining formation factors and investigating pore connectivity. The method involves the migration of an ionic tracer through a rock sample with an electrical potential gradient as the main driving force. The method is analogous to the through-diffusion method but the experimental time is reduced by orders of magnitude. This enables investigations of pore connectivity, as measurements can be made on longer samples. In a preliminary investigation, the new method is compared to the traditional through-diffusion method as well as to rock resistivity methods. The diffusive properties of nine granitic rock samples from Laxemar in Sweden, ranging from 15 to 121 mm in length, have been investigated and the results are compared.     

Petroleum Pollutant Degradation by Surface Water Microorganisms (8 pp)

Background, Aims and Scope It is well known that the composition of petroleum or some of its processing products changes in the environment mostly under the influence of microorganisms. A series of experiments was conducted in order to define the optimum conditions for an efficient biodegradation of petroleum pollutant, or bioremediation of different segments of the environment. The aim of these investigations was to show to what extent the hydrocarbons of a petroleum pollutant are degraded by microbial cultures which were isolated as dominant microorganisms from a surface water of a wastewater canal of an oil refinery and a nitrogen plant. Biodegradation experiments were conducted on one paraffinic, and one naphthenic type of petroleum during a three month period under aerobic conditions, varying the following parameters: Inorganic (Kp) or an organic medium (Bh) with or without exposition to light. Methods Microorganisms were analyzed in a surface water sample from a canal (Pančevo, Serbia), into which wastewater from an oil refinery and a nitrogen plant is released. The consortia of microorganisms were isolated from the water sample (most abundant species: Phormidium foveolarum - filamentous Cyanobacteria, blue-green algae and Achanthes minutissima, diatoms, algae). The simulation experiments of biodegradation were conducted with the biomass suspension and crude oils Sirakovo (Sir, paraffinic type) and Velebit (Ve, naphthenic type). After a three month period, organic substance was extracted by means of chloroform. In the extracts, the content of saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols and fatty acids was determined (the group composition). n-Alkanes and isoprenoid aliphatic alkanes, pristane and phytane, in the aliphatic fractions, were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC). Total isoprenoid aliphatic alkanes and polycyclic alkanes of sterane and triterpane types were analyzed by GC-MS. Results and discussion. Paraffinic type petroleums have a significant loss of saturated hydrocarbons. For naphthenic type petroleum, such a trend has not been observed. The most intensive degradation of n-alkanes and isoprenoid aliphatic alkanes (in paraffinic oil) and isoprenoids (in naphthenic oil) was observed using the inorganic medium Kp in the light; the microbial conversion is somewhat lower with Kp in the dark; with organic medium Bh in the light the degradation is of low intensity; with the same medium in the dark the degradation is hardly to be seen. Steranes and triterpanes were not affected by microbial degradation under the conditions used in our experiments. Obviously, the petroleum biodegradation was restricted to the acyclic aliphatics (n-alkanes and isoprenoids). Conclusion Phormidium foveolarum (filamentous Cyanobacteria - blue-green algae) and Achanthes minutissima (diatoms, algae), microbial cultures isolated as dominant algae from a surface water in a wastewater canal of an oil refinery and a nitrogen plant, have degradable effects dominantly involving petroleum hydocarbons. Petroleum microbiological degradation is more intensive when inorganic medium (in the light) is applied. Having in mind that the inorganic pollutants have been released into the canal as well, this medium reflects more the natural environmental conditions. Polycyclic alkanes of sterane and triterpane type, in spite of the fact that these compounds could be degraded, have remained unchanged regarding abundance and distribution. Since this is the case even for naphthenic type petroleum (which is depleted in n-alkanes), it can be concluded that the biodegradation of petroleum type pollutants, under natural conditions, will be restrained to the n-alkane and isoprenoid degradation. Recommendation and Outlook Performed experiments and simulations of petroleum microbiological degradation may serve for the prediction of the fate of petroleum type pollutants, as well as for definition of conditions for bioremediation of some environmental segments.     

Radionuclide transport and retardation in rock fracture and crushed rock column experiments

Transport and retardation of non-sorbing tritiated water and chloride and slightly sorbing sodium was studied in Syyry area SY-KR7 mica gneiss, in altered porous tonalite and in fresh tonalite. Experiments were performed using dynamic fracture and crushed rock column methods. Static batch method for sodium was introduced to compare retardation values from static and dynamic experiments. The ¹⁴C-PMMA method was used to study the pore structure of matrices. The pore aperture distribution was evaluated from Hg-porosimetry determinations and the surface areas were determined using the B.E.T. method. The flow characteristics and transport behavior of tracers were interpreted using a numerical compartment model for dispersion. The effect of matrix diffusion was calculated using an analytical solution to the advection-matrix diffusion problem in which surface retardation was taken into account. Radionuclide transport behavior in rock fractures was explained on the basis of rock structure.     

农户视角下台湾农业技术在大陆扩散影响因素分析——以广东韶关粤台农业合作试验区兰花种植业为例

以广东韶关粤台农业合作试验区兰花种植业为例,基于农户视角,构建三个维度下7个外因潜在变量,利用问卷调查数据,通过结构方程模型对台湾农业（兰花）技术扩散效果（内因潜在变量）的影响因素进行了分析。结果表明:农户社会网络与主观规范因素、农户对台湾农业的认知因素、台湾农业特点因素、台湾农业技术服务特点因素及基础条件因素等对兰花技术扩散效果具有显著正向影响,相应假设通过检验;农户创业特征及政策环境等两个因素对兰花技术扩散效果的影响不显著,相应假设未通过检验;试验区特殊的地域文化在促进兰花技术扩散的同时,也带来了一些消极影响;试验区应结合当地实际情况,根据兰花技术扩散的影响因素,制定合理的兰花产业发展对策。     

长江经济带区域空间结构演化研究

在构建城市影响力指数测度指标体系基础上,运用熵值法计算得出1988、2001及2012年长江经济带内110个地级市以上城市影响力指数;在ArcGis软件平台下,利用空间分析方法,依据改进场模型、扩散模型,综合测度了长江经济带内地级市以上城市的可达性、空间场能及扩散效应,并对其进行深入分析。结果表明:城市间影响力指数差异较大但整体呈缩小趋势,城市可达性水平基本呈现出"东部> 中部> 西部"的格局;区域内存在一条主轴、三大核心圈、多条辅轴的区域空间结构,构成区域"1+3+X"发展格局;长江经济带经过城市孕育、极核发展、点轴扩散、网络化、局域一体化发展5个阶段,基本形成串珠式核心-边缘结构,区域内出现同一时期多个阶段并存的现象。为加快长江经济带空间结构的优化重组,依据"以点布轴,以轴拓面"空间思想,进行结构要素优化,主要有:合理构建城市等级体系,培养地方增长极;科学规划交通网络,优化空间扩散轴线;合理优化区域分工与合作,构建多层级城市群。     

影响机动车尾气污染物扩散环境因素概述

论述了环境因素对机动车尾气污染物扩散的影响,分析了环境因素在污染物扩散过程中起到的作用。     

量化计算在爆炸危险区域划分中的应用

爆炸危险区域附加2区的划分是国标强制性要求,介绍了泄漏计算的模型和关键参数的选取,利用泄漏扩散计算模型对爆炸危险区域附加2区的划分作出判断,通过计算示例解释模型的应用。     

量子点在环境污染物检测中的应用研究进展

量子点是半径小于或接近于激子玻尔半径的一类半导体纳米晶,具有激发光谱宽、发射光谱窄且对称、最大发射波长位置可调、不易光降解的特点。作为一种新型的荧光标记物,量子点因其独特而优良的光学性质已在生物和医学研究领域中得到了广泛的应用。文章对量子点在环境有机污染物、重金属离子、微生物分析检测中的应用进行了综述,介绍了量子点荧光淬灭法、荧光增敏法、量子点标记免疫分析法、量子点表面印迹法、荧光共振能量转换法等不同的作用机制在环境污染物检测中的应用,并对方法的检出限及所应用的环境样品进行了阐述,在重金属的检测中,对量子点和稳定剂不同时方法的检出限进行了对比研究。同时指出了需要进一步关注的问题,展望了其发展方向。     

武汉地区秋冬季清洁与重污染过程的水溶性离子特征研究

利用武汉地区2014年秋、冬季在线离子色谱分析仪Marga监测所得的大气PM_(2.5)中水溶性离子数据和武汉市环境空气质量自动监测的细颗粒物数据,分析了武汉地区秋、冬季重污染和清洁过程的大气污染特征.结果表明,PM_(2.5)是武汉地区秋、冬季大气污染的首要污染物,无论是在清洁还是重污染过程中,NO_3~-、SO_4~(2-)和NH_4~+3种成分都是PM_(2.5)的主要无机成分.重污染过程中PM_(2.5)的平均浓度是清洁过程的4.5倍,而3种主要水溶性离子平均浓度增长至清洁过程的5~6倍,且有着显著的相关性,二次生成水溶性离子的污染已成为武汉秋、冬季大气污染的主要因素.Cl-在重污染过程中的浓度及与PM_(2.5)的相关系数显著增大,表明化石燃料燃烧等过程也对重污染的形成产生了较显著的作用,值得关注的是,K~+在重污染过程中的浓度及与PM_(2.5)的相关系数增大也验证了燃烧过程对重污染起到的贡献.硫氧化率和氮氧化率的分析结果表明,重污染过程中的二次转化要多于清洁过程,可能是非均相反应生成了二次污染的硫酸盐和硝酸盐.线性回归分析的方程系数研究表明,NH_4NO_3和(NH_4)_2SO_4可能是清洁和重污染过程中主要的盐类物质.NO_3~-/SO_4~(2-)的平均质量浓度比说明移动源对武汉地区秋、冬季二次污染的形成和发展已经起到越来越大的作用,特别是重污染过程中的影响更大.