Sex-specific predation on two lizard species by kestrels

Sex-biased predation is thought to have important implications for sexual selection, sex allocation, and population dynamics (Magnhagen, 1991; Le-Galliard et al., 2005 for an example in lizards). Most studies found that males are subjected to higher predation pressure than females during the reproductive season (Korpimäki, 1985; Lodé et al., 2004; Christe et al., 2006; Costantini et al., 2007). In that period, males are very mobile, emit acoustic signals and exhibit brilliant colourations, which are needed to attract females but may make them more visible to predators. With regard to lizards, a recent study provided the first evidence that males of a lizard species may be preyed on more than females (Costantini et al., 2007). In the present study, we investigated whether there is sex-biased predation on two small lacertid species, the common wall lizard Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768) and the Italian wall lizard Podarcis sicula (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1810), by Eurasian kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) during the reproductive season. We also examined whether (1) the rate of predation differed between species and (2) the rate of predation differed across years or among hunting habitats for each species.     

Validation of a dynamic model of hydrogen permeation through Pd-based membranes

Pd-based membranes have been studied for pure hydrogen separation from syngas: in particular, a mathematical model of a Pd membrane for hydrogen separation has been developed.This model can be used in process and assessment studies of the parameters which characterize the mass transfer phenomena (such as: hydrogen permeability, surface coverage and limiting step). By coupling the permeation and water gas shift reaction kinetics, it can also be used to evaluate the performances of the membrane reactor. Further, it can be helpful to evaluate the best assembly and sizing of a H₂/CO₂ separation system.The model takes into account the kinetics of H₂ adsorption/desorption on Pd surface, the H₂ permeation into the palladium bulk and in the porous layer, and the kinetics of CO, CO₂, H₂O, O₂, H₂S competitive adsorption/desorption on Pd surface. It is also comprehensive of flux equations and bulk mass, momentum and energy balance.The results released by the model were compared to the experimental data during both the transient phase and the steady state conditions. A satisfactory agreement between model and experimental data was found.     

Development of processes for environmental protection based on self-propagating reactions

The possibility of exploiting self-propagating reactions for environmental protection is discussed in this paper. In particular, results obtained at the laboratory scale and related to the fixation and consolidation of high level radioactive wastes, the recycling of silicon sludge and aluminum dross produced by semiconductor industries and aluminum foundries, the treating and recycling of a highly toxic solid waste from electrolytic zinc plants, and the degradation of chlorinated aromatics, are examined with particular emphasis on the latter case. Specifically, the self-propagating destruction of hexachlorobenzene and 2-(2-4-dichlorophenoxy)-propanoic acid with calcium hydride as reductive substrate is demonstrated. In fact, the heat liberated by the reactions involved is large enough to guarantee the self-sustaining character of the process within a wide range of reactants compositions. Moreover, no residual chlorinated organic compounds were found in the final solid product. Some reactor engineering aspects, as well as other significant future scientific and technological issues, are also addressed in view of large-scale applicability of processes based on self-propagating reactions. To date, the batch reactor technology seems to be more easily applicable, although the use of continuous reactors is not excluded in the next future.     

Electrochemical remediation of copper (II) from an industrial effluent Part II: three-dimensional foam electrodes

A batch recycle removal of copper ions from an industrial effluent by means of copper foam cathodes was tested. A constant current of 750 A was applied to the cell in order to perform the reduction. Copper depletion was investigated at different solution flow rates and a removal greater than 98% was obtained with a flow rate of 1000 l/h. The influence of initial metal concentration on copper deposition and current efficiency is also discussed.     

An experimental and numerical investigation into the impact of dissolution/precipitation mechanisms on CO2 injectivity in the wellbore and far field regions

Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology is gaining credibility as the best short to medium term solution for significantly reducing net carbon emissions into the atmosphere. From a capacity point of view, deep saline aquifers offer the greatest potential for CO₂ storage. In this respect, well injectivity is considered a key technical and economical issue. Rock/fluid interactions – dissolution/precipitation of minerals, in particular carbonates – are currently considered as one of the principal reasons for wellbore injectivity changes in aquifers.This research investigated the mechanisms involved in injectivity losses through experimental and theoretical methods. The impact on injectivity of permeability changes occurring at various distances from the wellbore was studied using an idealised CO₂ injection well flow model. A new experimental set-up was used to investigate the effect on dissolution/precipitation mechanisms of the pressure and temperature changes that the fluid is subjected to as it advances from the wellbore.Numerical modelling of the injection wellbore has shown that changes in the petrophysical properties of the reservoir several metres away from the wellbore can still have a significant impact on injectivity. As indicated by the experimental research carried out, pressure and temperature gradients that exist inside the reservoirs may lead to re-precipitation in the far field, however no significant permeability and porosity changes were detected to suggest major losses of injectivity due to these effects.     

Fire as a Soil-Forming Factor

In the span of a human generation, fire can, in theory, impact all the land covered by vegetation. Its occurrence has many important direct and indirect effects on soil, some of which are long-lasting or even permanent. As a consequence, fire must be considered a soil-forming factor, on par with the others traditionally recognized, namely: parent material, topography, time, climate, living beings not endowed with the power of reason, and humans.     

Assessment of state-of-the-art models for predicting the remobilisation of radionuclides following the flooding of heavily contaminated areas: the case of Pripyat River floodplain

The performances of models are assessed to predict the wash-off of radionuclides from contaminated flooded areas. This process should be accounted for in the proper management of the aftermath of a nuclear accident. The contamination of the Pripyat River water following the inundation of a floodplain heavily contaminated by (90)Sr and (137)Cs of Chernobyl origin is used as the basis for modelling. The available experimental evidence demonstrated that remobilisation of radiostrontium is an important process implying a significant secondary radioactive load of water flowing over the contaminated floodplain. On the contrary, there is no empirical evidence of a similar behaviour for radiocaesium. In general, state-of-the-art models properly predicted the remobilisation of strontium, whereas they significantly overestimated radiocaesium concentrations in water. The necessary model improvements for a more accurate prediction of radiocaesium contamination levels include a reassessment of the values of the model parameters controlling the remobilisation process.     

The role of soil and active ingredient properties in degradation of pesticides: A preliminary assessment

Pesticide disappearance from soils was observed in laboratory studies in which leaching and runoff were impeded, and volatilisation and degradation evaluated. Advection by volatilisation was negligible for the less volatile chemicals, and significant for the more volatile (Trifluralin and Heptachlor). Basic statistics applied to degradation DT50 data of 14 active ingredients in four different soils showed that the properties of pesticides play a major role in determining their degradability.     

Pesticides and groundwater quality protection

A simple approach for ranking the leaching of pesticides from surface soil is presented and tentatively calibrated with field data from an agricultural area. The approach is based on the calculation of a leaching index indicating the proportion of active ingredient, with respect to the quantity applied, leaching from a soil model in a given time interval (one year). In the selected area, 85 wells tapping an unconfined aquifer were sampled for groundwater pesticide residue analysis, in order to explore the index region between leachers and nonleachers.     

Comparative Evaluation of Biomonitoring Techniques of Tropospheric Ozone

During a survey of tropospheric ozone pollution carried out using tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum L.) cv. Bel-W3, ozone- supersensitive, and cv. Bel-B, ozone-resistant, as bioindicators, the effectiveness of the traditional biomonitoring method, based on the use of adult plants, was compared with an innovative miniaturized kit of seedlings. The ratio of foliar and cotyledonar necrosis, respectively, was estimated as ozone injury rate. The miniaturized kit proved to be advantageous, since seedlings need only easy growth procedures and a large number of individuals can be placed in a small space, supplying good data amounts for statistical elaboration. Moreover, correlation studies among cotyledonar and foliar injury index and ozone levels monitored through physico-chemical measurements and results of analysis of variance tests highlighted the high sensitivity of the innovative methodology.