[Influence of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration on photosynthesis and leaf nitrogen partition in process of photosynthetic carbon cycle in Musa paradisiaca].

PubMed

Sun, G; Zhao, P; Zeng, X; Peng, S

2001-06-01

The photosynthetic rate (Pn) in leaves of Musa paradisiaca grown under elevated CO2 concentration (700 +/- 56 microliters.L-1) for one week was 5.14 +/- 0.32 mumol.m-2.s-1, 22.1% higher than that under ambient CO2 concentration, while under elevated CO2 concentration for 8 week, the Pn decreased by 18.1%. It can be inferred that the photosynthetic acclimation to elevated CO2 concentration and the Pn inhibition occurred in leaves of M. paradisiaca. The respiration rate in light (Rd) was lower in leaves under higher CO2 concentration, compared with that under ambient CO2 concentration. If the respiration in light was not included, the difference in CO2 compensation point for the leaves of both plants was not significant. Under higher CO2 concentration for 8 weeks, the maximum carboxylation rate(Vcmax) and electron transportation rate (J) in leaves decreased respectively by 30.5% and 14.8%, compared with that under ambient CO2 concentration. The calculated apparent quantum yield (alpha) in leaves under elevated CO2 concentration according to the initial slope of Pn/PAR was reduced to 0.014 +/- 0.010 molCO2.mol-1 quanta, compared with the value of 0.025 +/- 0.005 molCO2.mol-1 quanta in the control. The efficiency of light energy conversion also decreased from 0.203 to 0.136 electrons.quanta-1 in plants under elevated CO2 concentration. A lower partitioning coefficient for leaf nitrogen in Rubisco, bioenergetics and thylakoid light-harvesting components was observed in plants under higher CO2 concentration. The results indicated that the multi-process of photosynthesis was suppressed significantly by a long-term (8 weeks) higher CO2 concentration incubation.

A test of the 'one-point method' for estimating maximum carboxylation capacity from field-measured, light-saturated photosynthesis

DOE PAGES

Martin G. De Kauwe; Serbin, Shawn P.; Lin, Yan -Shih; ...

2015-12-31

Here, simulations of photosynthesis by terrestrial biosphere models typically need a specification of the maximum carboxylation rate (V cmax). Estimating this parameter using A–C i curves (net photosynthesis, A, vs intercellular CO 2 concentration, C i) is laborious, which limits availability of V cmax data. However, many multispecies field datasets include net photosynthetic rate at saturating irradiance and at ambient atmospheric CO 2 concentration (A sat) measurements, from which V cmax can be extracted using a ‘one-point method’.

Environmental impact of CO2, Rn, Hg degassing from the rupture zones produced by Wenchuan M s 8.0 earthquake in western Sichuan, China.

PubMed

Zhou, Xiaocheng; Chen, Zhi; Cui, Yueju

2016-10-01

The concentrations and flux of CO2, (222)Radon (Rn), and gaseous elemental mercury (Hg) in soil gas were investigated based on the field measurements in June 2010 at ten sites along the seismic rupture zones produced by the May 12, 2008, Wenchuan M s 8.0 earthquake in order to assess the environmental impact of degassing of CO2, Rn and Hg. Soil gas concentrations of 344 sampling points were obtained. Seventy measurements of CO2, Rn and Hg flux by the static accumulation chamber method were performed. The results of risk assessment of CO2, Rn and Hg concentration in soil gas showed that (1) the concentration of CO2 in the epicenter of Wenchuan M s 8.0 earthquake and north end of seismic ruptures had low risk of asphyxia; (2) the concentrations of Rn in the north segment of seismic ruptures had high levels of radon, Maximum was up to level 4, according to Chinese code (GB 50325-2001); (3) the average geoaccumulation index I geo of soil Hg denoted the lack of soil contamination, and maximum values classified the soil gas as moderately to strongly polluted in the epicenter. The investigation of soil gas CO2, Rn and Hg degassing rate indicated that (1) the CO2 in soil gas was characterized by a mean [Formula: see text] of -20.4 ‰ and by a mean CO2 flux of 88.1 g m(-2) day(-1), which were in the range of the typical values for biologic CO2 degassing. The maximum of soil CO2 flux reached values of 399 g m(-2) day(-1) in the epicenter; (2) the soil Rn had higher exhalation in the north segment of seismic ruptures, the maximum reached value of 1976 m Bq m(-2) s(-1); (3) the soil Hg flux was lower, ranging from -2.5 to 18.7 n g m(-2) h(-1) and increased from south to north. The mean flux over the all profiles was 4.2 n g m(-2) h(-1). The total output of CO2 and Hg degassing estimated along seismic ruptures for a survey area of 18.17 km(2) were approximately 0.57 Mt year(-1) and 688.19 g year(-1). It is recommended that land-use planners should incorporate soil gas and/or gas flux measurements in the environmental assessment of areas of possible risk. A survey of all houses along seismic ruptures is advised as structural measures to prevent the ingress of soil gases, including CO2 and Rn, were needed in some houses.

[Distribution, flux and biological consumption of carbon monoxide in the East China Sea and the South Yellow Sea in summer].

PubMed

Wang, Jing; Lu, Xiao-Lan; Yang, Gui-Peng; Xu, Guan-Qiu

2014-11-01

Carbon monoxide (CO) concentration distribution, sea-to-air flux and microbial consumption rate constant, along with atmospheric CO mixing ratio, were measured in the East China Sea and the South Yellow Sea in summer. Atmospheric CO mixing ratios varied from 68 x 10(-9) -448 x 10(-9), with an average of 117 x 10(-9) (SD = 68 x 10(-9), n = 36). Overall, the concentrations of atmospheric CO displayed a decreasing trend from the coastal stations to the offshore stations. The surface water CO concentrations in the investigated area ranged from 0.23-7.10 nmol x L(-1), with an average of 2.49 nmol x L(-1) (SD = 2.11, n = 36). The surface water CO concentrations were significantly affected by sunlight. Vertical profiles showed that CO concentrations rapidly declined with depth, with the maximum values appearing in the surface water. CO concentrations exhibited obvious diurnal variations in the study area, with the maximum values being 6-40 folds higher than the minimum values. Minimal concentrations of CO all occurred before dawn. However, the maximal concentrations of CO occurred at noon. Marked diurnal variation in the concentrations of CO in the water column indicated that CO was produced primarily by photochemistry. The surface CO concentrations were oversaturated relative to the atmospheric concentrations and the saturation factors ranged from 1.99-99.18, with an average of 29.36 (SD = 24.42, n = 29). The East China Sea and the South Yellow Sea was a net source of atmospheric CO. The sea-to-air fluxes of CO in the East China Sea and the South Yellow Sea ranged 0.37-44.84 μmol x (m2 x d)(-1), with an average of 12.73 μmol x (m2 x d)(-1) (SD = 11.40, n = 29). In the incubation experiments, CO concentrations decreased exponentially with incubation time and the processes conformed to the first order reaction characteristics. The microbial CO consumption rate constants (K(co)) in the surface water ranged from 0.12 to 1.45 h(-1), with an average of 0.47 h(-1) (SD = 0.55, n = 5). A negative correlation between K(co) and salinity was observed in the present study.

[Characteristics of atmospheric CO2 concentration and variation of carbon source & sink at Lin'an regional background station].

PubMed

Pu, Jing-Jiao; Xu, Hong-Hui; Kang, Li-Li; Ma, Qian-Li

2011-08-01

Characteristics of Atmospheric CO2 concentration obtained by Flask measurements were analyzed at Lin'an regional background station from August 2006 to July 2009. According to the simulation results of carbon tracking model, the impact of carbon sources and sinks on CO2 concentration was evaluated in Yangtze River Delta. The results revealed that atmospheric CO2 concentrations at Lin'an regional background station were between 368.3 x 10(-6) and 414.8 x 10(-6). The CO2 concentration varied as seasons change, with maximum in winter and minimum in summer; the annual difference was about 20.5 x 10(-6). The long-term trend of CO2 concentration showed rapid growth year by year; the average growth rate was about 3.2 x 10(-6)/a. CO2 flux of Yangtze River Delta was mainly contributed by fossil fuel burning, terrestrial biosphere exchange and ocean exchange, while the contribution of fire emission was small. CO2 flux from fossil fuel burning played an important role in carbon source; terrestrial biosphere and ocean were important carbon sinks in this area. Seasonal variations of CO2 concentration at Lin'an regional background station were consistent with CO2 fluxes from fossil fuel burning and terrestrial biosphere exchange.

Materials Science Research Rack-1 Fire Suppressant Distribution Test Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wieland, P. O.

2002-01-01

Fire suppressant distribution testing was performed on the Materials Science Research Rack-1 (MSRR-1), a furnace facility payload that will be installed in the U.S. Lab module of the International Space Station. Unlike racks that were tested previously, the MSRR-1 uses the Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS) to reduce vibration on experiments, so the effects of ARIS on fire suppressant distribution were unknown. Two tests were performed to map the distribution of CO2 fire suppressant throughout a mockup of the MSRR-1 designed to have the same component volumes and flowpath restrictions as the flight rack. For the first test, the average maximum CO2 concentration for the rack was 60 percent, achieved within 45 s of discharge initiation, meeting the requirement to reach 50 percent throughout the rack within 1 min. For the second test, one of the experiment mockups was removed to provide a worst-case configuration, and the average maximum CO2 concentration for the rack was 58 percent. Comparing the results of this testing with results from previous testing leads to several general conclusions that can be used to evaluate future racks. The MSRR-1 will meet the requirements for fire suppressant distribution. Primary factors that affect the ability to meet the CO2 distribution requirements are the free air volume in the rack and the total area and distribution of openings in the rack shell. The length of the suppressant flowpath and degree of tortuousness has little correlation with CO2 concentration. The total area of holes in the rack shell could be significantly increased. The free air volume could be significantly increased. To ensure the highest maximum CO2 concentration, the PFE nozzle should be inserted to the stop on the nozzle.

Energy transfer and 2.0 μm emission in Tm{sup 3+}/Ho{sup 3+} co-doped α-NaYF{sub 4} single crystals

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Feng, Zhigang; Yang, Shuo; Xia, Haiping, E-mail: hpxcm@nbu.edu.cn

2016-04-15

Highlights: • Cubic NaYF{sub 4} single crystals co-doped with ∼1.90 mol% Tm{sup 3+} and various Ho{sup 3+} concentrations were grown by Bridgman method. • The maximum fluorescence lifetime was 23.23 ms for Tm{sup 3+} (1.90 mol%)/Ho{sup 3+} (3.89 mol%) co-doped α-NaYF{sub 4}. • The obtained energy transfer rate (W{sub ET}) and energy transfer efficiency (η) of Tm{sup 3+}:{sup 3}F{sub 4} are 1077 s{sup −1} and 95.0%, respectively. • The maximum emission cross section reached 1.06 × 10{sup −20} cm{sup 2}. - Abstract: Cubic NaYF{sub 4} single crystals co-doped with ∼1.90 mol% Tm{sup 3+} and various Ho{sup 3+} concentrations were grownmore » by Bridgman method. The energy transfer from Tm{sup 3+} to Ho{sup 3+} and the optimum fluorescence emission around 2.04 μm of Ho{sup 3+} ion were investigated based on the measured absorption spectra, emission spectra, emission cross section and decay curves under excitation of 800 nm LD. The emission intensity at 2.04 μm increased with the increase of Ho{sup 3+} concentration from 0.96 mol% to 3.89 mol% when the concentration of Tm{sup 3+} was held constantly at ∼1.90 mol%. Moreover, the maximum emission cross section reached 1.06 × 10{sup −20} cm{sup 2} and the maximum fluorescence lifetime was 23.23 ms for Tm{sup 3+}(1.90 mol%)/Ho{sup 3+}(3.89 mol%) co-doped one. According to the measured lifetime of Tm{sup 3+} single-doped and Tm{sup 3+}/Ho{sup 3+} co-doped samples, the maximum energy transfer efficiency of Tm{sup 3+}:{sup 3}F{sub 4} level was 95.0%. Analysis on the fluorescence dynamics indicated that electric dipole–dipole is dominant for the energy transfer from Tm{sup 3+} to Ho{sup 3+}.« less

Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide and its Relation to Carbon Cycle Perturbations During Ocean Anoxic Event 1d: A High Resolution Record From Dispersed Plant Cuticle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richey, J. D.; Upchurch, G. R.; Joeckel, R.; Smith, J. J.; Ludvigson, G. A.; Lomax, B. H.

2013-12-01

Past geological greenhouse intervals are associated with Ocean Anoxic Events (OAEs), which result from an increase in marine primary productivity and/or an increase in the preservation of organic matter. The end point is widespread black shale deposition combined with a long-term atmospheric positive δ13C excursion and an increase in the burial of 12C. Some OAEs show a negative δ13C excursion preceding the positive excursion, indicating a perturbation in the global carbon cycle prior to the initiation of these events. The Rose Creek (RCP) locality, southeastern Nebraska, is the only known terrestrial section that preserves OAE1d (Cretaceous, Albian-Cenomanian Boundary) and has abundant charcoal and plant cuticle. These features allow for a combined carbon isotope and stomatal index (SI) analysis to determine both changes in the cycling between carbon pools (C isotope analysis) and changes in paleo-CO2 via changes in SI. Preliminary (and ongoing) SI data analysis using dispersed cuticle of Pandemophyllum kvacekii (an extinct Laurel) collected at 30 cm intervals indicate changes in SI consistent with changes in CO2. Fitting our samples to a published RCP δ13C profile, pre-excursion CO2 concentrations are high. CO2 decreases to lower concentrations in the basal 1.2 m of the RCP section, where δ13Cbulk shows a negative excursion and δ13Ccharcoal remains at pre-excursion values. CO2 concentrations become higher toward the top of the negative δ13C excursion, where δ13Cbulk and δ13Ccharcoal are at their most negative values, and drop as the negative carbon excursion terminates. Using published transfer functions, we estimate that pre-excursion CO2 concentrations were a maximum of 900 ppm. In the basal 1.2 m of RCP, CO2 drops to a maximum of 480 ppm, and rises to a maximum of 710 ppm near the top of the negative excursion. As δ13C values rise towards pre-excursion values, CO2 declines to a maximum of 400 ppm. The trend in SI is comparable to the trend in δ13Ccharcoal and follows recognized patterns, while SI shows partial divergence from δ13Cbulk. These data, while preliminary, highlight the importance of considering isotope substrate when investigating carbon cycle perturbations.

Elevated CO2 response of photosynthesis depends on ozone concentration in aspen

Treesearch

Asko Noormets; Olevi Kull; Anu Sober; Mark E. Kubiske; David F. Karnosky

2010-01-01

The effect of elevated CO2 and O3 on apparent quantum yield (ø), maximum photosynthesis (Pmax), carboxylation efficiency (Vcmax) and electron transport capacity (Jmax) at different canopy locations was studied in two aspen (Populus...

Geochemistry of soil gas in the seismic fault zone produced by the Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake, southwestern China

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

The spatio-temporal variations of soil gas in the seismic fault zone produced by the 12 May 2008 Wenchuan Ms 8.0 earthquake were investigated based on the field measurements of soil gas concentrations after the main shock. Concentrations of He, H2, CO2, CH4, O2, N2, Rn, and Hg in soil gas were measured in the field at eight short profiles across the seismic rupture zone in June and December 2008 and July 2009. Soil-gas concentrations of more than 800 sampling sites were obtained. The data showed that the magnitudes of the He and H2 anomalies of three surveys declined significantly with decreasing strength of the aftershocks with time. The maximum concentrations of He and H2 (40 and 279.4 ppm, respectively) were found in three replicates at the south part of the rupture zone close to the epicenter. The spatio-temporal variations of CO2, Rn, and Hg concentrations differed obviously between the north and south parts of the fault zone. The maximum He and H2 concentrations in Jun 2008 occurred near the parts of the rupture zone where vertical displacements were larger. The anomalies of He, H2, CO2, Rn, and Hg concentrations could be related to the variation in the regional stress field and the aftershock activity. PMID:21134257

Enhancement of the Co magnetic moment in bcc Co1-xMnx on MgO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Snow, Ryan; Bhatkar, Harsh; N'diaye, Alpha; Arenholz, Elke; Idzerda, Yves; Montana State University Team; Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratries Team

Using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), we show that the elemental Co moment for MBE grown thin films of bcc Co1-xMnx grown on MgO(001) is enhanced by 40% to a maximum value of 2.1 μB at x =0.24. The net Mn moment is found to align parallel with Co for all concentrations and remains roughly constant until x =0.3, then drops steadily, up to x =0.7, where the total moment of the film abruptly collapses to zero. Using a low-concentration Mn moment of 3.0 μB, the average magnetization lies directly on the Slater-Pauling (SP) curve for concentrations up to about x =.25, where it reaches a maximum moment of 2.3 μB /atom. This peak is slightly shifted and the slope is steeper on the high-Mn concentration side of the peak relative to the standard SP curve. This is in stark contrast to the fcc CoMn and hcp CoCr bulk behavior which shows only a rapid total moment reduction with Mn concentration. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant ECCS-1542210. The Advanced Light Source is supported by the Director, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, of the U.S. Department of Energy under Con.

Indoor air quality and health in schools*

PubMed Central

Ferreira, Ana Maria da Conceição; Cardoso, Massano

2014-01-01

Objective: To determine whether indoor air quality in schools is associated with the prevalence of allergic and respiratory diseases in children. Methods: We evaluated 1,019 students at 51 elementary schools in the city of Coimbra, Portugal. We applied a questionnaire that included questions regarding the demographic, social, and behavioral characteristics of students, as well as the presence of smoking in the family. We also evaluated the indoor air quality in the schools. Results: In the indoor air of the schools evaluated, we identified mean concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) above the maximum reference value, especially during the fall and winter. The CO2 concentration was sometimes as high as 1,942 ppm, implying a considerable health risk for the children. The most prevalent symptoms and respiratory diseases identified in the children were sneezing, rales, wheezing, rhinitis, and asthma. Other signs and symptoms, such as poor concentration, cough, headache, and irritation of mucous membranes, were identified. Lack of concentration was associated with CO2 concentrations above the maximum recommended level in indoor air (p = 0.002). There were no other significant associations. Conclusions: Most of the schools evaluated presented with reasonable air quality and thermal comfort. However, the concentrations of various pollutants, especially CO2, suggest the need for corrective interventions, such as reducing air pollutant sources and improving ventilation. There was a statistically significant association between lack of concentration in the children and exposure to high levels of CO2. The overall low level of pollution in the city of Coimbra might explain the lack of other significant associations. PMID:25029649

Indoor air quality and health in schools.

PubMed

Ferreira, Ana Maria da Conceição; Cardoso, Massano

2014-01-01

To determine whether indoor air quality in schools is associated with the prevalence of allergic and respiratory diseases in children. We evaluated 1,019 students at 51 elementary schools in the city of Coimbra, Portugal. We applied a questionnaire that included questions regarding the demographic, social, and behavioral characteristics of students, as well as the presence of smoking in the family. We also evaluated the indoor air quality in the schools. In the indoor air of the schools evaluated, we identified mean concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) above the maximum reference value, especially during the fall and winter. The CO2 concentration was sometimes as high as 1,942 ppm, implying a considerable health risk for the children. The most prevalent symptoms and respiratory diseases identified in the children were sneezing, rales, wheezing, rhinitis, and asthma. Other signs and symptoms, such as poor concentration, cough, headache, and irritation of mucous membranes, were identified. Lack of concentration was associated with CO2 concentrations above the maximum recommended level in indoor air (p = 0.002). There were no other significant associations. Most of the schools evaluated presented with reasonable air quality and thermal comfort. However, the concentrations of various pollutants, especially CO2, suggest the need for corrective interventions, such as reducing air pollutant sources and improving ventilation. There was a statistically significant association between lack of concentration in the children and exposure to high levels of CO2. The overall low level of pollution in the city of Coimbra might explain the lack of other significant associations.

Switching from rivaroxaban to warfarin: an open label pharmacodynamic study in healthy subjects

PubMed Central

Moore, Kenneth Todd; Byra, William; Vaidyanathan, Seema; Natarajan, Jaya; Ariyawansa, Jay; Salih, Hiba; Turner, Kenneth C

2015-01-01

Aims The primary objective was to explore the pharmacodynamic changes during transition from rivaroxaban to warfarin in healthy subjects. Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics were assessed as secondary objectives. Methods An open label, non-randomized, sequential two period study. In treatment period 1 (TP1), subjects received rivaroxaban 20 mg once daily (5 days), followed by co-administration with a warfarin loading dose regimen of 5 or 10 mg (for the 10 mg regimen, the dose could be uptitrated to attain target international normalized ratio [INR] ≥2.0) once daily (2–4 days). When trough INR values ≥2.0 were attained, rivaroxaban was discontinued and warfarin treatment continued as monotherapy (INR 2.0–3.0). During treatment period 2, subjects received the same warfarin regimen as in TP1, but without rivaroxaban. Results During co-administration, maximum INR and prothrombin time (PT) values were higher than with rivaroxaban or warfarin monotherapy. The mean maximum effect (Emax) for INR after co-administration was 2.79–4.15 (mean PT Emax 41.0–62.7 s), compared with 1.41–1.74 (mean PT Emax 20.1–25.2 s) for warfarin alone. However, rivaroxaban had the smallest effect on INR at trough rivaroxaban concentrations. Neither rivaroxaban nor warfarin significantly affected maximum plasma concentrations of the other drug. Conclusions The combined pharmacodynamic effects during co-administration of rivaroxaban and warfarin were greater than additive, but the pharmacokinetics of both drugs were unaffected. Co-administration was well tolerated. When transitioning from rivaroxaban to warfarin, INR monitoring during co-administration should be performed at the trough rivaroxaban concentration to minimize the effect of rivaroxaban on INR. PMID:25475601

Effects of Elevated CO2 Concentration on Photosynthesis and Respiration of Populus Deltodies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, Angela M.

1998-01-01

To determine how increased atmospheric CO2 will affect the physiology of cottonwood trees, cuttings of the cloned Populus deltodies [cottonwood] were grown in open-top chambers containing ambient or elevated CO2 concentration. The control treatment was maintained at ambient Biosphere 2 atmospheric CO2 (c. 450 +/- 50 micro l/l), and elevated CO2 treatment was maintained at approximately double ambient Biosphere 2 atmospheric CO2 (c. 1000 +/- 50 micro l/l). The effects of elevated CO2 on leaf photosynthesis, and stomatal conductance were measured. The cottonwoods exposed to CO2 enrichment showed no significant indication of photosynthetic down-regulation. There was no significant difference in the maximum assimilation rate between the treatment and the control (P less than 0.24). The CO2 enriched treatment showed a decreased stomatal conductance of 15% (P less than 0.03). The elevated CO2 concentrated atmosphere had an effect on the respiration rates of the plants; the compensation point of the treatment was on average 13% higher than the control (P less than 0.01).

North African savanna fires and atmospheric carbon dioxide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iacobellis, Sam F.; Frouin, Robert; Razafimpanilo, Herisoa; Somerville, Richard C. J.; Piper, Stephen C.

1994-01-01

The effect of north African savanna fires on atmospheric CO2 is investigated using a tracer transport model. The model uses winds from operational numerical weather prediction analyses and provides CO2 concentrations as a function of space and time. After a spin-up period of several years, biomass-burning sources are added, and model experiments are run for an additional year, utilizing various estimates of CO2 sources. The various model experiments show that biomass burning in the north African savannas significantly affects CO2 concentrations in South America. The effect is more pronounced during the period from January through March, when biomass burning in South America is almost nonexistent. During this period, atmospheric CO2 concentrations in parts of South America typically may increase by 0.5 to 0.75 ppm at 970 mbar, the average pressure of the lowest model layer. These figures are above the probable uncertainty level, as model runs with biomass-burning sources estimated from independent studies using distinct data sets and techniques indicate. From May through September, when severe biomass burning occurs in South America, the effect of north African savanna fires over South America has become generally small at 970 mbar, but north of the equator it may be of the same magnitude or larger than the effect of South American fires. The CO2 concentration increase in the extreme northern and southern portions of South America, however, is mostly due to southern African fires, whose effect may be 2-3 times larger than the effect of South American fires at 970 mbar. Even in the central part of the continent, where local biomass-burning emissions are maximum, southern African fires contribute to at least 15% of the CO2 concentration increase at 970 mbar. At higher levels in the atmosphere, less CO2 emitted by north African savanna fires reaches South America, and at 100 mbar no significant amount of CO2 is transported across the Atlantic Ocean. The vertical structure of the CO2 concentration increase due to biomass burning differs substantially, depending on whether sources are local or remote. A prominent maximum of CO2 concentration increase in the lower layers characterizes the effect of local sources, whereas a more homogeneous profile of CO2 concentration increase characterizes the effect of remote sources. The results demonstrate the strong remote effects of African biomoass burning which, owing to the general circulation of the atmosphere, are felt as far away as South America.

Alteration of Oceanic Nitrification Under Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentrations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beman, J.; Chow, C. E.; Popp, B. N.; Fuhrman, J. A.; Feng, Y.; Hutchins, D. A.

2008-12-01

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations are increasing exponentially and expected to double by the year 2100. Dissolution of excess CO2 in the upper ocean reduces pH, alters carbonate chemistry, and also represents a potential resource for autotrophic organisms that convert inorganic carbon into biomass--including a broad spectrum of marine microbes. These bacteria and archaea drive global biogeochemical cycles of carbon and nitrogen and constitute the vast majority of biomass in the sea, yet their responses to reduced pH and increased pCO2 remain largely undocumented. Here we show that elevated pCO2 may sharply reduce nitrification rates and populations of nitrifying microorganisms in the ocean. Multiple experiments were performed in the Sargasso Sea and the Southern California Bight under glacial maximum (193 ppm), present day (390 ppm), and projected (750 ppm) pCO2 concentrations, over time scales from hours to multiple days, and at depths of 45 m to 240 m. Measurement of nitrification rates using isotopically-labeled nitrogen showed 2-5 fold reduction under elevated pCO2--as well as an increase under glacial maximum pCO2. Marine Crenarchaeota are likely involved in nitrification as ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and are among the most abundant microbial groups in the ocean, yet this group decreased by 40-80% under increased pCO2, based on quantification of both 16S rRNA and ammonia monooxygenase (amoA) gene copies. Crenarchaeota also steadily declined over the course of multiple days under elevated pCO2, whereas ammonia-oxidizing (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) were more variable in their responses or were not detected. These findings suggest that projected increases in pCO2 and subsequent decreases in pH may strongly influence marine biogeochemistry and microbial community structure in the sea.

Elevated carboxyhemoglobin in a marine mammal, the northern elephant seal

PubMed Central

Tift, Michael S.; Ponganis, Paul J.; Crocker, Daniel E.

2014-01-01

Low concentrations of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO), generated primarily through degradation of heme from heme-proteins, have been shown to maintain physiological function of organs and to exert cytoprotective effects. However, high concentrations of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), formed by CO binding to hemoglobin, potentially prevent adequate O2 delivery to tissues by lowering arterial O2 content. Elevated heme-protein concentrations, as found in marine mammals, are likely associated with greater heme degradation, more endogenous CO production and, consequently, elevated COHb concentrations. Therefore, we measured COHb in elephant seals, a species with large blood volumes and elevated hemoglobin and myoglobin concentrations. The levels of COHb were positively related to the total hemoglobin concentration. The maximum COHb value was 10.4% of total hemoglobin concentration. The mean (±s.e.m.) value in adult seals was 8.7±0.3% (N=6), while juveniles and pups (with lower heme-protein contents) had lower mean COHb values of 7.6±0.2% and 7.1±0.3%, respectively (N=9 and N=9, respectively). Serial samples over several hours revealed little to no fluctuation in COHb values. This consistent elevation in COHb suggests that the magnitude and/or rate of heme-protein turnover is much higher than in terrestrial mammals. The maximum COHb values from this study decrease total body O2 stores by 7%, thereby reducing the calculated aerobic dive limit for this species. However, the constant presence of elevated CO in blood may also protect against potential ischemia–reperfusion injury associated with the extreme breath-holds of elephant seals. We suggest the elephant seal represents an ideal model for understanding the potential cytoprotective effects, mechanisms of action and evolutionary adaptation associated with chronically elevated concentrations of endogenously produced CO. PMID:24829326

Elevated carboxyhemoglobin in a marine mammal, the northern elephant seal.

PubMed

Tift, Michael S; Ponganis, Paul J; Crocker, Daniel E

2014-05-15

Low concentrations of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO), generated primarily through degradation of heme from heme-proteins, have been shown to maintain physiological function of organs and to exert cytoprotective effects. However, high concentrations of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb), formed by CO binding to hemoglobin, potentially prevent adequate O2 delivery to tissues by lowering arterial O2 content. Elevated heme-protein concentrations, as found in marine mammals, are likely associated with greater heme degradation, more endogenous CO production and, consequently, elevated COHb concentrations. Therefore, we measured COHb in elephant seals, a species with large blood volumes and elevated hemoglobin and myoglobin concentrations. The levels of COHb were positively related to the total hemoglobin concentration. The maximum COHb value was 10.4% of total hemoglobin concentration. The mean (± s.e.m.) value in adult seals was 8.7 ± 0.3% (N=6), while juveniles and pups (with lower heme-protein contents) had lower mean COHb values of 7.6 ± 0.2% and 7.1 ± 0.3%, respectively (N=9 and N=9, respectively). Serial samples over several hours revealed little to no fluctuation in COHb values. This consistent elevation in COHb suggests that the magnitude and/or rate of heme-protein turnover is much higher than in terrestrial mammals. The maximum COHb values from this study decrease total body O2 stores by 7%, thereby reducing the calculated aerobic dive limit for this species. However, the constant presence of elevated CO in blood may also protect against potential ischemia-reperfusion injury associated with the extreme breath-holds of elephant seals. We suggest the elephant seal represents an ideal model for understanding the potential cytoprotective effects, mechanisms of action and evolutionary adaptation associated with chronically elevated concentrations of endogenously produced CO. © 2014. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Effect of cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles on the growth and development of Lycopersicon lycopersicum (tomato plants).

PubMed

López-Moreno, Martha L; Avilés, Leany Lugo; Pérez, Nitza Guzmán; Irizarry, Bianca Álamo; Perales, Oscar; Cedeno-Mattei, Yarilyn; Román, Félix

2016-04-15

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthetized and studied to be incorporated in many industrial and medical applications in recent decades. Due to their different physical and chemical properties compared with bulk materials, researchers are focused to understand their interactions with the surroundings. Living organisms such as plants are exposed to these materials and they are able to tolerate different concentrations and types of NPs. Cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) NPs are being studied for their application in medical sciences because of their high coercivity, anisotropy, and large magnetostriction. These properties are desirable in magnetic resonance imaging, drug delivery, and cell labeling. This study is aimed to explore the tolerance of Solanum lycopersicum L. (tomato) plants to CoFe2O4 NPs. Tomato plants were grown in hydroponic media amended with CoFe2O4 nanoparticles in a range from 0 to 1000mgL(-1). Exposure to CoFe2O4 NPs did not affect germination and growth of plants. Uptake of Fe and Co inside plant tissues increased as CoFe2O4 nanoparticle concentration was increased in the media. Mg uptake in plant leaves reached its maximum level of 4.9mgg(-1) DW (dry weight) at 125mgL(-1) of CoFe2O4 NPs exposure and decreased at high CoFe2O4 NPs concentrations. Similar pattern was observed for Ca uptake in leaves where the maximum concentration found was 10mgg(-1) DW at 125mgL(-1) of CoFe2O4 NPs exposure. Mn uptake in plant leaves was higher at 62.5mgL(-1) of CoFe2O4 NPs compared with 125 and 250mgL(-1) treatments. Catalase activity in tomato roots and leaves decreased in plants exposed to CoFe2O4 NPs. Tomato plants were able to tolerate CoFe2O4 NPs concentrations up to 1000mgL(-1) without visible toxicity symptoms. Macronutrient uptake in plants was affected when plants were exposed to 250, 500 and 1000mgL(-1) of CoFe2O4 NPs. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Determination of carboxyhaemoglobin in humans following low-level exposures to carbon monoxide.

PubMed

Gosselin, Nathalie H; Brunet, Robert C; Carrier, Gaétan

2009-11-01

This study proposes to estimate carboxyhaemoglobin (COHb) levels in the blood of men and women of various ages exposed to common concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO) using a model with only one free parameter while integrating alveoli-blood and blood-tissue CO exchanges. The model retained is essentially that of Coburn et al. (1965) with two important additions: an alveoli compartment for the dynamics of CO exchanges between alveoli and blood, and a compartment for the significant amounts of CO bound to heme proteins in extravascular spaces. The model was validated by comparing its simulations with various published data sets for the COHb time profiles of volunteers exposed to known CO concentrations. Once the model was validated, it was used to simulate various situations of interest for their impact on public health. This approach yields reliable estimations of the time profiles of COHb levels resulting from different levels of CO exposure over various periods of time and under various conditions (resting, exercise, working, and smoking). The non-linear kinetics of CO, observed experimentally, were correctly reproduced by simulations with the model. Simulations were also carried out iteratively to determine the exposure times and CO concentrations in ambient air needed to reach the maximum levels of COHb recommended by Health Canada, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) for each age group of the general population. The lowest CO concentrations leading to maximum COHb levels of 1.5, 2, and 2.5% were determined.

A review of the contrasting behavior of two magmatic volatiles: Chlorine and carbon dioxide

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lowenstern, J. B.

2000-01-01

Chlorine (Cl) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are common magmatic volatiles with contrasting behaviors. CO2 solubility increases with pressure whereas Cl solubility shows relatively little pressure or temperature effect. CO2 speciation changes with silicate melt composition, dissolving as carbonate in basaltic magmas and molecular CO2 in more silicic compositions. In H2O-bearing systems, the strongly non-ideal behavior of alkali chlorides causes unmixing of the volatile phase to form a H2O-rich vapor and a hydrosaline phase with important implications for the maximum concentration of Cl in magmas. Addition of CO2 to magma hastens immiscibility at crustal pressures (<500 MPa), inducing the formation of CO2-rich vapors and Cl-rich hydrosaline melts. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.Chlorine (Cl) and carbon dioxide (CO2) are common magmatic volatiles with contrasting behaviors. CO2 solubility increases with pressure whereas Cl solubility shows relatively little pressure or temperature effect. CO2 speciation changes with silicate melt composition, dissolving as carbonate in basaltic magmas and molecular CO2 in more silicic compositions. In H2O-bearing systems, the strongly non-ideal behavior of alkali chlorides causes unmixing of the volatile phase to form a H2O-rich vapor and a hydrosaline phase with important implications for the maximum concentration of Cl in magmas. Addition of CO2 to magma hastens immiscibility at crustal pressures (<500 MPa), inducing the formation of CO2-rich vapors and Cl-rich hydrosaline melts.

The effect of CO2 availability on the growth, iron oxidation and CO2-fixation rates of pure cultures of Leptospirillum ferriphilum and Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

PubMed

Bryan, C G; Davis-Belmar, C S; van Wyk, N; Fraser, M K; Dew, D; Rautenbach, G F; Harrison, S T L

2012-07-01

Understanding how bioleaching systems respond to the availability of CO(2) is essential to developing operating conditions that select for optimum microbial performance. Therefore, the effect of inlet gas and associated dissolved CO(2) concentration on the growth, iron oxidation and CO(2) -fixation rates of pure cultures of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Leptospirillum ferriphilum was investigated in a batch stirred tank system. The minimum inlet CO(2) concentrations required to promote the growth of At. ferrooxidans and L. ferriphilum were 25 and 70 ppm, respectively, and corresponded to dissolved CO(2) concentrations of 0.71 and 1.57 µM (at 30°C and 37°C, respectively). An actively growing culture of L. ferriphilum was able to maintain growth at inlet CO(2) concentrations less than 30 ppm (0.31-0.45 µM in solution). The highest total new cell production and maximum specific growth rates from the stationary phase inocula were observed with CO(2) inlet concentrations less than that of air. In contrast, the amount of CO(2) fixed per new cell produced increased with increasing inlet CO(2) concentrations above 100 ppm. Where inlet gas CO(2) concentrations were increased above that of air the additional CO(2) was consumed by the organisms but did not lead to increased cell production or significantly increase performance in terms of iron oxidation. It is proposed that At. ferrooxidans has two CO(2) uptake mechanisms, a high affinity system operating at low available CO(2) concentrations, which is subject to substrate inhibition and a low affinity system operating at higher available CO(2) concentrations. L. ferriphilum has a single uptake system characterised by a moderate CO(2) affinity. At. ferrooxidans performed better than L. ferriphilum at lower CO(2) availabilities, and was less affected by CO(2) starvation. Finally, the results demonstrate the limitations of using CO(2) uptake or ferrous iron oxidation data as indirect measures of cell growth and performance across varying physiological conditions. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Does low stomatal conductance or photosynthetic capacity enhance growth at elevated CO2 in Arabidopsis?

PubMed

Easlon, Hsien Ming; Carlisle, Eli; McKay, John K; Bloom, Arnold J

2015-03-01

The objective of this study was to determine if low stomatal conductance (g) increases growth, nitrate (NO3 (-)) assimilation, and nitrogen (N) utilization at elevated CO2 concentration. Four Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) near isogenic lines (NILs) differing in g were grown at ambient and elevated CO2 concentration under low and high NO3 (-) supply as the sole source of N. Although g varied by 32% among NILs at elevated CO2, leaf intercellular CO2 concentration varied by only 4% and genotype had no effect on shoot NO3 (-) concentration in any treatment. Low-g NILs showed the greatest CO2 growth increase under N limitation but had the lowest CO2 growth enhancement under N-sufficient conditions. NILs with the highest and lowest g had similar rates of shoot NO3 (-) assimilation following N deprivation at elevated CO2 concentration. After 5 d of N deprivation, the lowest g NIL had 27% lower maximum carboxylation rate and 23% lower photosynthetic electron transport compared with the highest g NIL. These results suggest that increased growth of low-g NILs under N limitation most likely resulted from more conservative N investment in photosynthetic biochemistry rather than from low g. © 2015 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

Prechilling of Xanthium strumarium L. Reduces Net Photosynthesis and, Independently, Stomatal Conductance, While Sensitizing the Stomata to CO(2).

PubMed

Drake, B; Raschke, K

1974-06-01

Greenhouse-grown plants of Xanthium strumarium L. were exposed in a growth cabinet to 10 C during days and 5 C during nights for periods of up to 120 hours. Subsequently, CO(2) exchange, transpiration, and leaf temperature were measured on attached leaves and in leaf sections at 25 or 30 C, 19 C dew point of the air, 61 milliwatts per square centimeter irradiance, and CO(2) concentrations between 0 and 1000 microliters per liter ambient air. Net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance decreased and dark respiration increased with increasing duration of prechilling. The reduction in net photosynthesis was not a consequence of decreased stomatal conductance because the intercellular CO(2) concentration in prechilled leaves was equal to or greater than that in greenhouse-grown controls. The intercellular CO(2) concentration at which one-half maximum net photosynthesis occurred remained the same in prechilled leaves and controls (175 to 190 microliters per liter). Stomata of the control plants responded to changes in the CO(2) concentration of the air only slightly. Prechilling for 24 hours or more sensitized stomata to CO(2); they responded to changes in CO(2) concentration in the range from 100 to 1000 microliters per liter.

Prechilling of Xanthium strumarium L. Reduces Net Photosynthesis and, Independently, Stomatal Conductance, While Sensitizing the Stomata to CO21

PubMed Central

Drake, B.; Raschke, K.

1974-01-01

Greenhouse-grown plants of Xanthium strumarium L. were exposed in a growth cabinet to 10 C during days and 5 C during nights for periods of up to 120 hours. Subsequently, CO2 exchange, transpiration, and leaf temperature were measured on attached leaves and in leaf sections at 25 or 30 C, 19 C dew point of the air, 61 milliwatts per square centimeter irradiance, and CO2 concentrations between 0 and 1000 microliters per liter ambient air. Net photosynthesis and stomatal conductance decreased and dark respiration increased with increasing duration of prechilling. The reduction in net photosynthesis was not a consequence of decreased stomatal conductance because the intercellular CO2 concentration in prechilled leaves was equal to or greater than that in greenhouse-grown controls. The intercellular CO2 concentration at which one-half maximum net photosynthesis occurred remained the same in prechilled leaves and controls (175 to 190 microliters per liter). Stomata of the control plants responded to changes in the CO2 concentration of the air only slightly. Prechilling for 24 hours or more sensitized stomata to CO2; they responded to changes in CO2 concentration in the range from 100 to 1000 microliters per liter. PMID:16658795

CO2, CH4, and DOC Flux During Long Term Thaw of High Arctic Tundra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stackhouse, B. T.; Vishnivetskaya, T. A.; Layton, A.; Bennett, P.; Mykytczuk, N.; Lau, C. M.; Whyte, L.; Onstott, T. C.

2013-12-01

Arctic regions are expected to experience temperature increases of >4° C by the end of this century. This warming is projected to cause a drastic reduction in the extent of permafrost at high northern latitudes, affecting an estimated 1000 Pg of SOC in the top 3 m. Determining the effects of this temperature change on CO2 and CH4 emissions is critical for defining source constraints to global climate models. To investigate this problem, 18 cores of 1 m length were collected in late spring 2011 before the thawing of the seasonal active layer from an ice-wedge polygon near the McGill Arctic Research Station (MARS) on Axel Heiberg Island, Nunavut, Canada (N79°24, W90°45). Cores were collected from acidic soil (pH 5.5) with low SOC (~1%), summertime active layer depth between 40-70 cm (2010-2013), and sparse vegetation consisting primarily of small shrubs and sedges. Cores were progressively thawed from the surface over the course of 14 weeks to a final temperature of 4.5° C and held at that temperature for 15 months under the following conditions: in situ water saturation conditions versus fully water saturated conditions using artificial rain fall, surface light versus no surface light, cores from the polygon edge, and control cores with a permafrost table maintained at 70 cm depth. Core headspaces were measured weekly for CO2, CH4, H2, CO, and O2 flux during the 18 month thaw experiment. After ~20 weeks of thawing maximum, CO2 flux for the polygon edge and dark treatment cores were 3.0×0.7 and 1.7×0.4 mmol CO2 m-2 hr-1, respectively. The CO2 flux for the control, saturated, and in situ saturation cores reached maximums of 0.6×0.2, 0.9×0.5, and 0.9×0.1 mmol CO2 m-2 hr-1, respectively. Field measurements of CO2 flux from an adjacent polygon during the mid-summer of 2011 to 2013 ranged from 0.3 to 3.7 mmol CO2 m-2 hr-1. Cores from all treatments except water saturated were found to consistently oxidize CH4 at ~atmospheric concentrations (2 ppmv) with a maximum rate of -196×12 (dark) nmol CH4 m-2 hr-1. Saturated cores occasionally acted as slight CH4 sources (17×17 nmol CH4 m-2 hr-1) but were generally found to still behave as CH4 sinks (maximum rate -93×56 nmol CH4 m-2 hr-1). Dissolved CH4 in the permafrost pore water immediately upon thaw was ~0.5 μM in all treatments, and remained at this concentration in the saturated cores. In in situ water saturation treatments, however, pore water CH4 concentrations decreased from 0.6×0.3 μM to 0.2×0.1 μM over the course of three weeks without release into the core headspace. This is likely due to aerobic methanotrophy, as the concentration of genomic sequences associated with methanotrophic bacteria was found to be 30 times greater in the upper 60 cm than in the permafrost. Sustained concentrations of CH4 in the deeper portion of saturated cores indicated that methanogenesis is occurring at depths near and below the permafrost table. Measurements of in situ DOC were 0.22×0.05 mmol L-1, whereas core DOC values increased to a maximum of >1.7 mmol L-1 (primarily acetate) during the course of the thawing experiment. These findings indicate that in a warming Arctic, even under various hydrological regimes, these soil types will be able to act as a sink of atmospheric CH4, a moderate source of CO2 and a potential source for DOC.

Detection of CO2 leakage by the surface-soil CO2-concentration monitoring (SCM) system in a small scale CO2 release test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chae, Gitak; Yu, Soonyoung; Sung, Ki-Sung; Choi, Byoung-Young; Park, Jinyoung; Han, Raehee; Kim, Jeong-Chan; Park, Kwon Gyu

2015-04-01

Monitoring of CO2 release through the ground surface is essential to testify the safety of CO2 storage projects. We conducted a feasibility study of the multi-channel surface-soil CO2-concentration monitoring (SCM) system as a soil CO2 monitoring tool with a small scale injection. In the system, chambers are attached onto the ground surface, and NDIR sensors installed in each chamber detect CO2 in soil gas released through the soil surface. Before injection, the background CO2 concentrations were measured. They showed the distinct diurnal variation, and were positively related with relative humidity, but negatively with temperature. The negative relation of CO2 measurements with temperature and the low CO2 concentrations during the day imply that CO2 depends on respiration. The daily variation of CO2 concentrations was damped with precipitation, which can be explained by dissolution of CO2 and gas release out of pores through the ground surface with recharge. For the injection test, 4.2 kg of CO2 was injected 1 m below the ground for about 30 minutes. In result, CO2 concentrations increased in all five chambers, which were located less than 2.5 m of distance from an injection point. The Chamber 1, which is closest to the injection point, showed the largest increase of CO2 concentrations; while Chamber 2, 3, and 4 showed the peak which is 2 times higher than the average of background CO2. The CO2 concentrations increased back after decreasing from the peak around 4 hours after the injection ended in Chamber 2, 4, and 5, which indicated that CO2 concentrations seem to be recovered to the background around 4 hours after the injection ended. To determine the leakage, the data in Chamber 2 and 5, which had low increase rates in the CO2 injection test, were used for statistical analysis. The result shows that the coefficient of variation (CV) of CO2 measurements for 30 minutes is efficient to determine a leakage signal, with reflecting the abnormal change in CO2 concentrations. The CV of CO2 measurements for 30 minutes exceeded 5% about 5 minutes before the maximum CO2 concentration was detected. The contributions of this work are as follows: (1) SCM is an efficient monitoring tool to detect the CO2 release through the ground surface. (2) The statistical analysis method to determine the leakage and a monitoring frequency are provided, with analyzing background concentrations and CO2 increases in a small-scale injection test. (3) The 5% CV of CO2 measurements for 30 minutes can be used for the early warning in CO2 storage sites.

Comparative study for hardwood and softwood forest biomass: chemical characterization, combustion phases and gas and particulate matter emissions.

PubMed

Amaral, Simone Simões; de Carvalho, João Andrade; Costa, Maria Angélica Martins; Soares Neto, Turíbio Gomes; Dellani, Rafael; Leite, Luiz Henrique Scavacini

2014-07-01

Two different types of typical Brazilian forest biomass were burned in the laboratory in order to compare their combustion characteristics and pollutant emissions. Approximately 2 kg of Amazon biomass (hardwood) and 2 kg of Araucaria biomass (softwood) were burned. Gaseous emissions of CO2, CO, and NOx and particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) were evaluated in the flaming and smoldering combustion phases. Temperature, burn rate, modified combustion efficiency, emissions factor, and particle diameter and concentration were studied. A continuous analyzer was used to quantify gas concentrations. A DataRam4 and a Cascade Impactor were used to sample PM2.5. Araucaria biomass (softwood) had a lignin content of 34.9%, higher than the 23.3% of the Amazon biomass (hardwood). CO2 and CO emissions factors seem to be influenced by lignin content. Maximum concentrations of CO2, NOx and PM2.5 were observed in the flaming phase. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of elevated temperature and CO2 concentration on photosynthesis of the alpine plants in Zoige Plateau, China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zijuan, Zhou; Peixi, Su; Rui, Shi; Tingting, Xie

2017-04-01

Increasing temperature and carbon dioxide concentration are the important aspects of global climate change. Alpine ecosystem response to global change was more sensitive and rapid than other ecosystems. Increases in temperature and atmospheric CO2concentrations have strong impacts on plant physiology. Photosynthesis is the basis for plant growth and the decisive factor for the level of productivity, and also is a very sensitive physiological process to climate change. In this study, we examined the interactive effects of elevated temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration on the light response of photosynthesis in two alpine plants Elymus nutans and Potentilla anserine, which were widely distributed in alpine meadow in the Zoige Plateau, China. We set up as follows: the control (Ta 20˚ C, CO2 380μmolṡmol-1), elevated temperature (Ta 25˚ C, CO2 380 μmolṡmol-1), elevated CO2 concentration (Ta 20˚ C, CO2 700μmolṡmol-1), elevated temperature and CO2 concentration (Ta 25˚ C, CO2 700μmolṡmol-1). The results showed that compared to P. anserine, E. nutans had a higher maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pnmax), light saturation point (LSP) and apparent quantum yield (AQY) in the control. Elevated temperature increased the Pnmaxand LSP values in P. anserine, while Pnmaxand LSP were decreased in E. nutans. Elevated CO2 increased the Pnmaxand LSP values in E. nutans and P. anserine, while the light compensation point (LCP) decreased; Elevated both temperature and CO2, the Pnmaxand LSP were all increased for E. nutans and P. anserine, but did not significantly affect AQY. We concluded that although elevated temperature had a photoinhibition for E. nutans, the interaction of short-term elevated CO2 concentration and temperature can improve the photosynthetic capacity of alpine plants. Key Words: elevated temperature; CO2 concentration; light response; alpine plants

Simulated changes in aridity from the last glacial maximum to 4xCO2

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greve, Peter; Roderick, Michael L.; Seneviratne, Sonia I.

2017-11-01

Aridity is generally defined as the ‘degree to which a climate lacks moisture to sustain life in terrestrial ecosystems’. Several recent studies using the ‘aridity index’ (the ratio of potential evaporation to precipitation), have concluded that aridity will increase with CO2 because of increasing temperature. However, the ‘aridity index’ is—counterintuitively—not a direct measure of aridity per se (when defined as above) and there is widespread evidence that contradicts the ‘warmer is more arid’ interpretation. We provide here an assessment of multi-model changes in a broad set of aridity metrics over a large range of atmospheric CO2 concentrations ranging from conditions at the last glacial maximum to 4xCO2, using an ensemble of simulations from state-of-the-art Earth system models. Most measures of aridity do not show increasing aridity on global scales under conditions of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations and related global warming, although we note some varying responses depending on the considered variables. The response is, furthermore, more nuanced at regional scales, but in the majority of regions aridity does not increase with CO2 in the majority of metrics. Our results emphasize that it is not the climate models that project overwhelming increases of aridity with increasing CO2, but rather a secondary, offline, impact model—the ‘aridity index’—that uses climate model output as input.

Carbon biofixation and lipid composition of an acidophilic microalga cultivated on treated wastewater supplied with different CO2 levels.

PubMed

Neves, Fábio de Farias; Hoinaski, Leonardo; Rörig, Leonardo Rubi; Derner, Roberto Bianchini; de Melo Lisboa, Henrique

2018-05-15

This study evaluated productivity, CO 2 biofixation, and lipid content in biomass of the acidophilic microalga Chlamydomonas acidophila LAFIC-004 cultivated with five different carbon dioxide concentrations. The influence of carbon dioxide concentration on nutrient removal and pH was also investigated. Treated wastewater (secondary effluent) was used as culture medium. Five experimental setups were tested: T-0% - injection of atmospheric air (0.038% CO 2 ), T-5% (5% CO 2 ), T-10% (10% CO 2 ), T-15% (15% CO 2 ) and T-20% (20% CO 2 ). The T-5% and T-10% experiments showed the highest values of productivity and CO 2 biofixation, and maximum biomass dry weight was 0.48 ± 0.02 and 0.51 ± 0.03 g L -1 , respectively. This acidophilic microalga proved to be suitable for carbon biofixation and removal of nutrients from secondary effluent of wastewater treatment plants with high CO 2 concentration. All assays were performed without pH control. This microalga species presented high lipid content. However, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) are not suitable for biodiesel use.

Effect of increasing CO2 on the terrestrial carbon cycle

PubMed Central

Schimel, David; Fisher, Joshua B.

2015-01-01

Feedbacks from the terrestrial carbon cycle significantly affect future climate change. The CO2 concentration dependence of global terrestrial carbon storage is one of the largest and most uncertain feedbacks. Theory predicts the CO2 effect should have a tropical maximum, but a large terrestrial sink has been contradicted by analyses of atmospheric CO2 that do not show large tropical uptake. Our results, however, show significant tropical uptake and, combining tropical and extratropical fluxes, suggest that up to 60% of the present-day terrestrial sink is caused by increasing atmospheric CO2. This conclusion is consistent with a validated subset of atmospheric analyses, but uncertainty remains. Improved model diagnostics and new space-based observations can reduce the uncertainty of tropical and temperate zone carbon flux estimates. This analysis supports a significant feedback to future atmospheric CO2 concentrations from carbon uptake in terrestrial ecosystems caused by rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This feedback will have substantial tropical contributions, but the magnitude of future carbon uptake by tropical forests also depends on how they respond to climate change and requires their protection from deforestation. PMID:25548156

Contemporary reliance on bicarbonate acquisition predicts increased growth of seagrass Amphibolis antarctica in a high-CO2 world

PubMed Central

Burnell, Owen W.; Connell, Sean D.; Irving, Andrew D.; Watling, Jennifer R.; Russell, Bayden D.

2014-01-01

Rising atmospheric CO2 is increasing the availability of dissolved CO2 in the ocean relative to HCO3−. Currently, many marine primary producers use HCO3− for photosynthesis, but this is energetically costly. Increasing passive CO2 uptake relative to HCO3− pathways could provide energy savings, leading to increased productivity and growth of marine plants. Inorganic carbon-uptake mechanisms in the seagrass Amphibolis antarctica were determined using the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (AZ) and the buffer tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS). Amphibolis antarctica seedlings were also maintained in current and forecasted CO2 concentrations to measure their physiology and growth. Photosynthesis of A. antarctica was significantly reduced by AZ and TRIS, indicating utilization of HCO3−-uptake mechanisms. When acclimated plants were switched between CO2 treatments, the photosynthetic rate was dependent on measurement conditions but not growth conditions, indicating a dynamic response to changes in dissolved CO2 concentration, rather than lasting effects of acclimation. At forecast CO2 concentrations, seedlings had a greater maximum electron transport rate (1.4-fold), photosynthesis (2.1-fold), below-ground biomass (1.7-fold) and increase in leaf number (2-fold) relative to plants in the current CO2 concentration. The greater increase in photosynthesis (measured as O2 production) compared with the electron transport rate at forecasted CO2 concentration suggests that photosynthetic efficiency increased, possibly due to a decrease in photorespiration. Thus, it appears that the photosynthesis and growth of seagrasses reliant on energetically costly HCO3− acquisition, such as A. antarctica, might increase at forecasted CO2 concentrations. Greater growth might enhance the future prosperity and rehabilitation of these important habitat-forming plants, which have experienced declines of global significance. PMID:27293673

Contemporary reliance on bicarbonate acquisition predicts increased growth of seagrass Amphibolis antarctica in a high-CO2 world.

PubMed

Burnell, Owen W; Connell, Sean D; Irving, Andrew D; Watling, Jennifer R; Russell, Bayden D

2014-01-01

Rising atmospheric CO2 is increasing the availability of dissolved CO2 in the ocean relative to HCO3 (-). Currently, many marine primary producers use HCO3 (-) for photosynthesis, but this is energetically costly. Increasing passive CO2 uptake relative to HCO3 (-) pathways could provide energy savings, leading to increased productivity and growth of marine plants. Inorganic carbon-uptake mechanisms in the seagrass Amphibolis antarctica were determined using the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide (AZ) and the buffer tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS). Amphibolis antarctica seedlings were also maintained in current and forecasted CO2 concentrations to measure their physiology and growth. Photosynthesis of A. antarctica was significantly reduced by AZ and TRIS, indicating utilization of HCO3 (-)-uptake mechanisms. When acclimated plants were switched between CO2 treatments, the photosynthetic rate was dependent on measurement conditions but not growth conditions, indicating a dynamic response to changes in dissolved CO2 concentration, rather than lasting effects of acclimation. At forecast CO2 concentrations, seedlings had a greater maximum electron transport rate (1.4-fold), photosynthesis (2.1-fold), below-ground biomass (1.7-fold) and increase in leaf number (2-fold) relative to plants in the current CO2 concentration. The greater increase in photosynthesis (measured as O2 production) compared with the electron transport rate at forecasted CO2 concentration suggests that photosynthetic efficiency increased, possibly due to a decrease in photorespiration. Thus, it appears that the photosynthesis and growth of seagrasses reliant on energetically costly HCO3 (-) acquisition, such as A. antarctica, might increase at forecasted CO2 concentrations. Greater growth might enhance the future prosperity and rehabilitation of these important habitat-forming plants, which have experienced declines of global significance.

Nitrogen nutrition and temporal effects of enhanced carbon dioxide on soybean growth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vessey, J. K.; Henry, L. T.; Raper, C. D. Jr

1990-01-01

Plants grown on porous media at elevated CO2 levels generally have low concentrations of tissue N and often appear to require increased levels of external N to maximize growth response. This study determines if soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr. Ransom'] grown hydroponically at elevated CO2 requires increases in external NO3- concentrations beyond levels that are optimal at ambient CO2 to maintain tissue N concentrations and maximize the growth response. This study also investigates temporal influences of elevated CO2 on growth responses by soybean. Plants were grown vegetatively for 34 d in hydroponic culture at atmospheric CO2 concentrations of 400, 650, and 900 microliters L-1 and during the final 18 d at NO3- concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 mM in the culture solution. At 650 and 900 microliters L-1 CO2, plants had maximum increases of 31 and 45% in dry weight during the experimental period. Plant growth at 900 microliters L-1 CO2 was stimulated earlier than at 650 microliters L-1. During the final 18 d of the experiment, the relative growth rates (RGR) of plants grown at elevated CO2 declined. Elevated CO2 caused increases in total N and total NO3(-)-N content and leaf area but not leaf number. Enhancing CO2 levels also caused a decrease in root:shoot ratios. Stomatal resistance increased by 2.1- and 2.8-fold for plants at the 650 and 900 microliters L-1 CO2, respectively. Nitrate level in the culture solutions had no effect on growth or on C:N ratios of tissues, nor did increases in CO2 levels cause a decrease in N concentration of plant tissues. Hence, increases in NO3- concentration of the hydroponic solution were not necessary to maintain the N status of the plants or to maximize the growth response to elevated CO2.

Measurements of Carbon Dioxide in the Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bostrom, G. A.; Rice, A. L.

2009-12-01

Urban centers provide large sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere through intensive use of fossil fuels. Due to a lack of federal regulatory framework in the United States, a patchwork of regional and statewide approaches to reducing CO2 emissions has emerged. The City of Portland together with Multnomah County established itself as an early frontier in this regard by creating greenhouse gas emissions inventories in 1990 and adopting a regional plan to reduce emissions in 1993. Most recent emissions inventories suggest that County-wide emissions of CO2 are near 1990 levels, despite a growing population, with an ambitious goal of reducing emissions 80% by 2050. However, there has been no validation of either emissions inventories or their trends in time. Here, we detail preliminary results of a study aimed at testing regional CO2 emissions inventories through measurements of CO2 concentrations and its 13C isotopic composition. In collaboration with Oregon Department of Environmental Quality three test sites were established: a downtown Portland location on the campus of Portland State University; a residential Southeast Portland location; and at Sauvie Island, located ~30km northwest (upwind, rural) of Portland in the Columbia River Gorge. Continuous measurements of summertime CO2 concentrations since late July, 2009 range from approximately 370ppm to 420ppm (±2.7σ) for downtown and residential sites, and 360ppm to 420ppm for Sauvie Island, while maximum outlier levels at all three sites exceed 480ppm. Measurements at all three sites show a marked diurnal cycle averaging 25-35ppm. Maximum CO2 concentrations typically occur 6-8 am and minimum concentrations 5-7 pm. The two dominant forcing mechanisms of this strong diurnal cycle are varying biological sources and sinks and the dynamics of the planetary boundary layer. There is also a significant enhancement of ~7ppm in the average measured concentrations at the two urban sites (~395ppm) compared with the upwind Sauvie Island site (~388ppm). We interpret these results in terms of CO2 emissions inventories and sinks of CO2 in the Portland region. We also present preliminary measurements of the 13C isotopic composition of CO2 as a means of source apportionment with which to better refine emissions inventories.

Direct gas-solid carbonation kinetics of steel slag and the contribution to in situ sequestration of flue gas CO(2) in steel-making plants.

PubMed

Tian, Sicong; Jiang, Jianguo; Chen, Xuejing; Yan, Feng; Li, Kaimin

2013-12-01

Direct gas-solid carbonation of steel slag under various operational conditions was investigated to determine the sequestration of the flue gas CO2 . X-ray diffraction analysis of steel slag revealed the existence of portlandite, which provided a maximum theoretical CO2 sequestration potential of 159.4 kg CO 2 tslag (-1) as calculated by the reference intensity ratio method. The carbonation reaction occurred through a fast kinetically controlled stage with an activation energy of 21.29 kJ mol(-1) , followed by 10(3) orders of magnitude slower diffusion-controlled stage with an activation energy of 49.54 kJ mol(-1) , which could be represented by a first-order reaction kinetic equation and the Ginstling equation, respectively. Temperature, CO2 concentration, and the presence of SO2 impacted on the carbonation conversion of steel slag through their direct and definite influence on the rate constants. Temperature was the most important factor influencing the direct gas-solid carbonation of steel slag in terms of both the carbonation conversion and reaction rate. CO2 concentration had a definite influence on the carbonation rate during the kinetically controlled stage, and the presence of SO2 at typical flue gas concentrations enhanced the direct gas-solid carbonation of steel slag. Carbonation conversions between 49.5 % and 55.5 % were achieved in a typical flue gas at 600 °C, with the maximum CO2 sequestration amount generating 88.5 kg CO 2 tslag (-1) . Direct gas-solid carbonation of steel slag showed a rapid CO2 sequestration rate, high CO2 sequestration amounts, low raw-material costs, and a large potential for waste heat utilization, which is promising for in situ carbon capture and sequestration in the steel industry. Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Enhanced practical photosynthetic CO2 mitigation

DOEpatents

Bayless, David J.; Vis-Chiasson, Morgan L.; Kremer, Gregory G.

2003-12-23

This process is unique in photosynthetic carbon sequestration. An on-site biological sequestration system directly decreases the concentration of carbon-containing compounds in the emissions of fossil generation units. In this process, photosynthetic microbes are attached to a growth surface arranged in a containment chamber that is lit by solar photons. A harvesting system ensures maximum organism growth and rate of CO.sub.2 uptake. Soluble carbon and nitrogen concentrations delivered to the cyanobacteria are enhanced, further increasing growth rate and carbon utilization.

Monitoring of environmental parameters for CO2 sequestration: a case study of Nagpur City, India.

PubMed

Chaudhari, P R; Gajghate, D G; Dhadse, Sharda; Suple, Sonali; Satapathy, D R; Wate, S R

2007-12-01

Carbon dioxide concentration is an index of total amount of combustion and natural ventilation in an urban environment and therefore required more careful attention for assessment of CO(2) level in air environment. An attempt was made to monitor CO(2) levels in ambient air of Nagpur city at industrial, commercial and residential sites. In addition to this a remote sensing studies and biotic survey for floral biodiversity were carried out to study the green cover at respective sampling locations. The observations showed that the largest amount of CO(2) occurred at night due to absence of photosynthesis and lowest concentration of CO(2) was observed in the afternoon due to photosynthesis at its maximum level. The most pollution tolerant species found in Nagpur city are having higher Air Pollution Tolerance Index (APTI) value, which acts as a natural sink for CO(2) sequestration. In case of commercial site the CO(2) level is highest (366 ppm) because of lowest vegetation and vehicular pollution. The generation of database of CO(2) concentration and floral biodiversity along with percentage of green cover helps to formulate the strategy for prevention of global worming phenomenon.

Dissolution of Uranium(IV) Oxide in Solutions of Ammonium Carbonate and Hydrogen Peroxide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, Steven C.; Peper, Shane M.; Douglas, Matthew

2009-09-12

Understanding the dissolution characteristics of uranium oxides is of fundamental scientific interest. Bench scale experiments were conducted to determine the optimal dissolution parameters of uranium(IV) oxide (UO2) powder in solutions of ammonium carbonate [(NH4)2CO3] and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Experimental parameters included variable peroxide and carbonate concentrations, and temperature. Results indicate the dissolution rate of UO2 in 1 M (NH4)2CO3 increases linearly with peroxide concentration ranging from 0.05 – 2 M (1:1 to 40:1 mol ratio H2O2:U), with no apparent maximum rate reached under the limited conditions used in our study. Temperature ranging studies show the dissolution rate of UO2 inmore » 1 M (NH4)2CO3 and 0.1 M H2O2 (2:1 mol ratio H2O2:U) increases linearly from 15 °C to 60 °C, again with no apparent maximum rate reached. Dissolution of UO2 in solutions with constant [H2O2] and [(NH4)2CO3] ranging from 0.5 to 2 M showed no difference in rate; however dissolution was significantly reduced in 0.05 M (NH4)2CO3 solution. The results of this study demonstrate the influence of [H2O2], [(NH4)2CO3], and temperature on the dissolution of UO2 in peroxide-containing (NH4)2CO3 solutions. Future studies are planned to elucidate the solution and solid state complexes in these systems.« less

Elevated CO2 response of photosynthesis depends on ozone concentration in aspen

Treesearch

A. Noormets; O. Kull; A. Sôber; M.E. Kubiske; D.F. Karnosky

2010-01-01

The effect of elevated CO2 and O3 on apparent quantum yield (f), maximum photosynthesis (Pmax), carboxylation efficiency (Vcmax) and electron transport capacity (Jmax) at different canopy locations was studied in two aspen (Populus tremuloides) clones of contrasting O3 tolerance. Local light climate at every leaf was characterized as fraction of above-canopy...

Mixed Wastewater Coupled with CO2 for Microalgae Culturing and Nutrient Removal

PubMed Central

Yao, Lili; Shi, Jianye; Miao, Xiaoling

2015-01-01

Biomass, nutrient removal capacity, lipid productivity and morphological changes of Chlorella sorokiniana and Desmodesmus communis were investigated in mixed wastewaters with different CO2 concentrations. Under optimal condition, which was 1:3 ratio of swine wastewater to second treated municipal wastewater with 5% CO2, the maximum biomass concentrations were 1.22 g L-1 and 0.84 g L-1 for C. sorokiniana and D. communis, respectively. Almost all of the ammonia and phosphorus were removed, the removal rates of total nitrogen were 88.05% for C. sorokiniana and 83.18% for D. communis. Lipid content reached 17.04% for C. sorokiniana and 20.37% for D. communis after 10 days culture. CO2 aeration increased intracellular particle numbers of both microalgae and made D. communis tend to be solitary. The research suggested the aeration of CO2 improve the tolerance of microalgae to high concentration of NH4-N, and nutrient excess stress could induce lipid accumulation of microalgae. PMID:26418261

Adsorption of CO2 on KOH activated, N-enriched carbon derived from urea formaldehyde resin: kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamic studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tiwari, Deepak; Bhunia, Haripada; Bajpai, Pramod K.

2018-05-01

High surface area nitrogen enriched carbon adsorbents were prepared from a low cost and widely available urea-formaldehyde resin using a standard chemical activation with KOH and characterized using different characterization techniques for their porous structure and surface functional groups. Maximum surface area and total pore volume of 4547 m2 g-1 and 4.50 cm3 g-1 were found by controlling the activation conditions. Nitrogen content of this sample was found to be 5.62%. Adsorption of CO2 uptake for the prepared carbon adsorbents was studied using a dynamic fixed bed adsorption system at different adsorption temperatures (30-100 °C) and at different CO2 concentrations (5-12.5%), relevant from the flue gas point application. Maximum CO2 uptake of 1.40 mmol g-1 for UFA-3-700 at 30 °C under 12.5% CO2 flow was obtained. Complete regenerability of the adsorbents over multiple adsorption-desorption cycles was obtained. Fractional order kinetic model provided best description over all adsorption temperatures and CO2 concentrations. Heterogeneity of the adsorbent surface was confirmed from Temkin adsorption isotherm model fit and isosteric heat of adsorption values. Negative value of ΔG° and ΔH° confirms spontaneous, feasible nature and exothermic nature of adsorption process. Overall, very high surface area of carbon adsorbent makes this adsorbent a new promising carbon material for CO2 capture from power plant flue gas and for other relevant applications.

Metalimnetic oxygen minima alter the vertical profiles of carbon dioxide and methane in a managed freshwater reservoir.

PubMed

McClure, Ryan P; Hamre, Kathleen D; Niederlehner, B R; Munger, Zackary W; Chen, Shengyang; Lofton, Mary E; Schreiber, Madeline E; Carey, Cayelan C

2018-04-30

Metalimnetic oxygen minimum zones (MOMs) commonly develop during the summer stratified period in freshwater reservoirs because of both natural processes and water quality management. While several previous studies have examined the causes of MOMs, much less is known about their effects, especially on reservoir biogeochemistry. MOMs create distinct redox gradients in the water column which may alter the magnitude and vertical distribution of dissolved methane (CH 4 ) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). The vertical distribution and diffusive efflux of CH 4 and CO 2 was monitored for two consecutive open-water seasons in a eutrophic reservoir that develops MOMs as a result of the operation of water quality engineering systems. During both summers, elevated concentrations of CH 4 accumulated within the anoxic MOM, reaching a maximum of 120 μM, and elevated concentrations of CO 2 accumulated in the oxic hypolimnion, reaching a maximum of 780 μM. Interestingly, the largest observed diffusive CH 4 effluxes occurred before fall turnover in both years, while peak diffusive CO 2 effluxes occurred both before and during turnover. Our data indicate that MOMs can substantially change the vertical distribution of CH 4 and CO 2 in the water column in reservoirs, resulting in the accumulation of CH 4 in the metalimnion (vs. at the sediments) and CO 2 in the hypolimnion. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Emissions of indoor air pollutants from six user scenarios in a model room

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Höllbacher, Eva; Ters, Thomas; Rieder-Gradinger, Cornelia; Srebotnik, Ewald

2017-02-01

In this study six common user scenarios putatively influencing indoor air quality were performed in a model room constructed according to the specifications of the European Reference Room given in the new horizontal prestandard prEN 16516 to gain further information about the influence of user activities on indoor air quality. These scenarios included the use of cleaning agent, an electric air freshener, an ethanol fireplace and cosmetics as well as cigarette smoking and peeling of oranges. Four common indoor air pollutants were monitored: volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulate matter (PM), carbonyl compounds and CO2. The development of all pollutants was determined during and after the test performance. For each measured pollutant, well-defined maximum values could be assigned to one or more of the individual user scenarios. The highest VOC concentration was measured during orange-peeling reaching a maximum value of 3547 μg m-3. Carbonyl compounds and PM were strongly elevated while cigarette smoking. Here, a maximum formaldehyde concentration of 76 μg m-3 and PM concentration of 378 μg m-3 were measured. CO2 was only slightly affected by most of the tests except the use of the ethanol fireplace where a maximum concentration of 1612 ppm was reached. Generally, the user scenarios resulted in a distinct increase of several indoor pollutants that usually decreased rapidly after the removal of the source.

Ammonia and methane emissions during drying of dewatered biogas digestate in a two-belt conveyor dryer.

PubMed

Awiszus, S; Meissner, K; Reyer, S; Müller, J

2018-01-01

Aim of the present study was to identify type and amount of emissions during the drying of biogas digestate in a two-belt conveyor dryer at different temperature settings and to investigate the effect on its nutrient content. Furthermore, the possibility of recovering nitrogen from the exhaust air was investigated. Emissions of CH 4 , CO 2 and NH 3 were measured by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Biogas is mainly composed of CH 4 and CO 2 , hence gas release from the digestate during drying was expected to increase the concentration of these components. Although CO 2 concentration was elevated above the background concentration, CH 4 did not exceed the background concentration. Maximum NH 3 concentration of 183.3mg·m -3 was detected during drying. A NH 3 concentration of 10.8mg·m -3 was measured in the exhaust air of the ammonia scrubber, which is equal to a NH 3 reduction rate of 94%. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Temporal Trends of NO2, CO and their Relation to the Fire Occurrences over the Indo-Gangetic Plain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pandey, A. K.; Kumar, K.

2016-12-01

Air pollution is an environmental issue that has a gigantic impact on human health, and it is a major problem in the densely populated regions throughout the world. Situated in the foothills of the great Himalayas Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) is among one of the most densely populated regions of the earth. NO2 and CO are among major air pollutants which affect the air quality of IGP predominantly. In the present study, we studied the temporal trends of NO2, CO and fire count over the IGP region. Further, we investigated the role of the fire occurrences in the ambient NO2 and CO levels. We used MODIS instrument (Aqua satellite), OMI sensor and AIRS instrument data for fire count, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) tropospheric column and Carbon monoxide (CO) column study respectively. The IGP is divided into three part geographically i.e. Eastern (E-IGP), Central (C-IGP) and Western (W-IGP). A higher columnar CO concentration is observed in the E-IGP whereas NO2 concentration is highest in the W-IGP. A higher NO2 concentration is obtained in winter followed by summer and a minimum in monsoon months throughout the IGP. Columnar CO concentration is higher in the E-IGP and its concentration is maximum in pre-monsoon months and minimum in the monsoon months. Fire pixel count is highest in the W-IGP with peak twice every year i.e. in the April - May and October - November corresponding to the harvest period in the Rabi-Kharif cropping system. We also obtained a significant positive correlation between fire occurrences and columnar NO2 & CO levels over the IGP which shows the biomass burning practices associated with the agriculture influences the NO2 and CO concentration in the atmosphere.

A diagnostic model for studying daytime urban air quality trends

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brewer, D. A.; Remsberg, E. E.; Woodbury, G. E.

1981-01-01

A single cell Eulerian photochemical air quality simulation model was developed and validated for selected days of the 1976 St. Louis Regional Air Pollution Study (RAPS) data sets; parameterizations of variables in the model and validation studies using the model are discussed. Good agreement was obtained between measured and modeled concentrations of NO, CO, and NO2 for all days simulated. The maximum concentration of O3 was also predicted well. Predicted species concentrations were relatively insensitive to small variations in CO and NOx emissions and to the concentrations of species which are entrained as the mixed layer rises.

Interactive effects of CO2 enrichment and temperature on the growth of dioecious Hydrilla verticillata

USGS Publications Warehouse

Chen, De-Xing; Coughenour, M. B.; Eberts, Debra; Thullen, Joan S.

1994-01-01

Experiments of plant growth responses to different CO2 concentrations and temperatures were conducted in growth chambers to explore the interactive effects of atmospheric CO2 enrichment and temperature on the growth and dry matter allocation of dioecious Hydrilla [Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle]. Hydrilla plants were exposed to two atmospheric CO2 concentrations (350 and 700 ppm) and three temperatures (15, 25 and 32°C) under a 12-hr photoperiod for about 2 months. The plant growth analysis showed that elevated CO2 appeared to enhance the growth of Hydrilla, and that the percentage of the enhancement is strongly temperature-dependent. Maximum biomass production was achieved at 700 ppm CO2 and 32°C. At 15°C, the total dry matter production was increased about 27% by doubling CO2, due to a 26% enhancement of leaf biomass, a 34% enhancement of stem biomass and 16% enhancement of root biomass. At 25°C, the dry matter production was increased about 46% by doubling CO2, due to a 29% enhancement of leaf biomass, a 27% enhancement of stem biomass and 40% enhancement of root biomass. At 32°C, however, the percentage of the enhancement of total dry matter production by doubling CO2 was only about 7%. The dry matter allocation among different plant parts was influenced by temperature but not by elevated CO2 concentration.

Regulation of hormonal responses of sweet pepper as affected by salinity and elevated CO2 concentration.

PubMed

Piñero, María Carmen; Houdusse, Fabrice; Garcia-Mina, Jose M; Garnica, María; Del Amor, Francisco M

2014-08-01

This study examines the extent to which the predicted CO2 -protective effects on the inhibition of growth, impairment of photosynthesis and nutrient imbalance caused by saline stress are mediated by an effective adaptation of the endogenous plant hormonal balance. Therefore, sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuum, cv. Ciclón) were grown at ambient or elevated [CO2] (400 or 800 µmol mol(-1)) with a nutrient solution containing 0 or 80 mM NaCl. The results show that, under saline conditions, elevated [CO2] increased plant dry weight, leaf area, leaf relative water content and net photosynthesis compared with ambient [CO2], whilst the maximum potential quantum efficiency of photosystem II was not modified. In salt-stressed plants, elevated [CO2 ] increased leaf NO3(-) concentration and reduced Cl(-) concentration. Salinity stress induced ABA accumulation in the leaves but it was reduced in the roots at high [CO2], being correlated with the stomatal response. Under non-stressed conditions, IAA was dramatically reduced in the roots when high [CO2] was applied, which resulted in greater root DW and root respiration. Additionally, the observed high CK concentration in the roots (especially tZR) could prevent downregulation of photosynthesis at high [CO2], as the N level in the leaves was increased compared with the ambient [CO2], under salt-stress conditions. These results demonstrate that the hormonal balance was altered by the [CO2], which resulted in significant changes at the growth, gas exchange and nutritional levels. © 2013 Scandinavian Plant Physiology Society.

Performance of an electrochemical carbon monoxide monitor in the presence of anesthetic gases.

PubMed

Dunning, M; Woehlck, H J

1997-11-01

The passage of volatile anesthetic agents through accidentally dried CO2 absorbents in anesthesia circuits can result in the chemical breakdown of anesthetics with production of greater than 10000 ppm carbon monoxide (CO). This study was designed to evaluate a portable CO monitor in the presence of volatile anesthetic agents. Two portable CO monitors employing electrochemical sensors were tested to determine the effects of anesthetic agents, gas sample flow rates, and high CO concentrations on their electrochemical sensor. The portable CO monitors were exposed to gas mixtures of 0 to 500 ppm CO in either 70% nitrous oxide, 1 MAC concentrations of contemporary volatile anesthetics, or reacted isoflurane or desflurane (containing CO and CHF3) in oxygen. The CO measurements from the electrochemical sensors were compared to simultaneously obtained samples measured by gas chromatography (GC). Data were analyzed by linear regression. Overall correlation between the portable CO monitors and the GC resulted in an r2 value >0.98 for all anesthetic agents. Sequestered samples produced an exponential decay of measured CO with time, whereas stable measurements were maintained during continuous flow across the sensor. Increasing flow rates resulted in higher CO readings. Exposing the CO sensor to 3000 and 19000 ppm CO resulted in maximum reported concentrations of approximately 1250 ppm, with a prolonged recovery. Decrease in measured concentration of the sequestered samples suggests destruction of the sample by the sensor, whereas a diffusion limitation is suggested by the dependency of measured value upon flow. Any value over 500 ppm must be assumed to represent dangerous concentrations of CO because of the non-linear response of these monitors at very high CO concentrations. These portable electrochemical CO monitors are adequate to measure CO concentrations up to 500 ppm in the presence of typical clinical concentrations of anesthetics.

Mitochondrial Ubiquinone Homologues, Superoxide Radical Generation, and Longevity in Different Mammalian Species*

PubMed Central

Lass, Achim; Agarwal, Sanjiv; Sohal, Rajindar S.

2010-01-01

Rates of mitochondrial superoxide anion radical ( O2·¯) generation are known to be inversely correlated with the maximum life span potential of different mammalian species. The objective of this study was to understand the possible mechanism(s) underlying such variations in the rate of O2·¯ generation. The hypothesis that the relative amounts of the ubiquinones or coenzyme Q (CoQ) homologues, CoQ9 and CoQ10, are related with the rate of O2·¯ generation was tested. A comparison of nine different mammalian species, namely mouse, rat, guinea pig, rabbit, pig, goat, sheep, cow, and horse, which vary from 3.5 to 46 years in their maximum longevity, indicated that the rate of O2·¯ generation in cardiac submitochondrial particles (SMPs) was directly related to the relative amount of CoQ9 and inversely related to the amount of CoQ10, extractable from their cardiac mitochondria. To directly test the relationship between CoQ homologues and the rate of O2·¯ generation, rat heart SMPs, naturally containing mainly CoQ9 and cow heart SMPs, with high natural CoQ10 content, were chosen for depletion/reconstitution experiments. Repeated extractions of rat heart SMPs with pentane exponentially depleted both CoQ homologues while the corresponding rates of O2·¯ generation and oxygen consumption were lowered linearly. Reconstitution of both rat and cow heart SMPs with different amounts of CoQ9 or CoQ10 caused an initial increase in the rates of O2·¯ generation, followed by a plateau at high concentrations. Within the physiological range of CoQ concentrations, there were no differences in the rates of O2·¯ generation between SMPs reconstituted with CoQ9 or CoQ10. Only at concentrations that were considerably higher than the physiological level, the SMPs reconstituted with CoQ9 exhibited higher rates of O2·¯ generation than those obtained with CoQ10. These in vitro findings do not support the hypothesis that differences in the distribution of CoQ homologues are responsible for the variations in the rates of mitochondrial O2·¯ generation in different mammalian species. PMID:9235911

A two-dimensional model with coupled dynamics, radiative transfer, and photochemistry. 2: Assessment of the response of stratospheric ozone to increased levels of CO2, N2O, CH4, and CFC

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schneider, Hans R.; Ko, Malcolm K. W.; Shia, Run-Lie; Sze, Nien-Dak

1993-01-01

The impact of increased levels of carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and other trace gases on stratospheric ozone is investigated with an interactive, two-dimensional model of gas phase chemistry, dynamics, and radiation. The scenarios considered are (1) a doubling of the CO2 concentration, (2) increases of CFCs, (3) CFC increases combined with increases of nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane CH4, and (4) the simultaneous increase of CO2, CFCs, N2O, and CH4. The radiative feedback and the effect of temperature and circulation changes are studied for each scenario. For the double CO2 calculations the tropospheric warming was specified. The CO2 doubling leads to a 3.1% increase in the global ozone content. Doubling of the CO2 concentrations would lead to a maximum cooling of about 12 C at 45 km if the ozone concentration were held fixed. The cooling of the stratosphere leads to an ozone increase with an associated increase in solar heating, reducing the maximum temperature drop by about 3 C. The CFC increase from continuous emissions at 1985 rate causes a 4.5% loss of ozone. For the combined perturbations a net loss of 1.3% is calculated. The structure of the perturbations shows a north-south asymmetry. Ozone losses (when expressed in terms of percent changes) are generally larger in the high latitudes of the southern hemisphere as a result of the eddy mixing being smaller than in the northern hemisphere. Increase of chlorine leads to ozone losses above 30 km altitude where the radiative feedback results in a cooler temperature and an ozone recovery of about one quarter of the losses predicted with a noninteractive model. In all the cases, changes in circulation are small. In the chlorine case, circulation changes reduce the calculated column depletion by about one tenth compared to offline calculations.

Effect of CO2 enrichment on phytoplankton photosynthesis in the North Atlantic sub-tropical gyre

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tilstone, Gavin; Šedivá, Barbora; Tarran, Glen; Kaňa, Radek; Prášil, Ondřej

2017-11-01

The effects of changes in CO2 concentration in seawater on phytoplankton community structure and photosynthesis were studied in the North Atlantic sub-tropical gyre. Three shipboard incubations were conducted for 48 h at ∼760 ppm CO2 and control (360 ppm CO2) from 49°N to 7°N during October and November 2010. Elevated CO2 caused a decrease in pH to ∼7.94 compared to ∼8.27 in the control. During one experiment, the biomass of nano- and picoeukaryotes increased under CO2 enrichment, but primary production decreased relative to the control. In two of the experiments the biomass was dominated by dinoflagellates, and there was a significant increase in the maximum photosynthetic rate (PmB) and light-limited slope of photosynthesis (αB) at CO2 concentrations of 760 ppm relative to the controls. 77 K emission spectroscopy showed that the higher photosynthetic rates measured under CO2 enrichment increased the connection of reversible photosystem antennae, which resulted in an increase in light harvesting efficiency and carbon fixation.

RESISTANCE OF MICROBIAL COMMUNITIES FROM ECUADOR ECOSYSTEMS TO REPRESENTATIVE TOXIC METALS - CrO4(2-), Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Hg2+.

PubMed

Tashyrev, O B; Prekrasna, Ie P; Tashyreva, G O; Bielikova, O Iu

2015-01-01

Microbial communities of the Ecuadorian Andes and volcano Tungurahua were shown to be super resistant to representative toxic metals. Maximum permissible concentrations of toxic metals were 100 ppm of Hg2+, 500 ppm of Co2+ and Ni2+, 1000 and 1500 ppm of Cr(VI), 10000 and 20000 ppm of Cu2+. The effect of metal concentration increasing on the biomass growth, CO2 and H2 synthesis was investigated. Two types of response of microbial communities on the increasing of toxic metals concentrations were discovered. The first type of response is the catastrophic inhibition of microbial growth. The second type of response is the absence of microbial growth inhibition at certain metal concentration gradient. The succession of qualitative structure of Ecuadorian microbial communities was shown for the first time. Bacteria, yeasts and finally fungi consistently dominate in the microbial community at the Cu2+ concentration raising. Microorganisms resistant to ultra-high concentrations of toxic metals (e.g., 3000 ... 20000 ppm of Cu2+) were isolated from Ecuadorian ecosystems. These microorganisms are able to accumulate toxic metals.

Factors influencing palmitoyl-CoA oxidation by rat liver peroxisomal fractions. Substrate concentration, organelle integrity and ATP.

PubMed Central

Thomas, J; Debeer, L J; De Schepper, P J; Mannaerts, G P

1980-01-01

1. The first dehydrogenation step of peroxisomal beta-oxidation involves the reduction of O2 to H2O2. Production rates of H2O2 and acetyl units by purified rat liver peroxisomes oxidizing palmitoyl-CoA were equal, indicating that H2O2 production is a reliable index for the release of acetyl units during peroxisomal fatty-acid oxidation. 2. Measurements of H2O2 and acid-soluble oxidation products during [1-14C]palmitoyl-CoA oxidation by purified peroxisomes revealed that the number of acetyl units released per molecule of palmitoyl-CoA oxidized rapidly decreased with increasing unbound palmitoyl-CoA concentrations. Structural damage to the peroxisomes caused by detergents or other treatments also decreased the number of acetyl units released. Under conditions where oxidation proceeded linearly with time the theoretical maximum of 5 acetyl units released per molecule of palmitoyl-CoA oxidized [Lazarow (1978) J. Biol. Chem. 253, 1522--1528] was never reached. 3. Expressed in terms of acetyl units produced and measured at low unbound-palmitoyl-CoA concentrations, mitochondrial oxidation was 10--20-fold higher than peroxisomal oxidation. 4. ATP stimulated peroxisomal palmitoyl-CoA oxidation approx. 2-fold. The ATP effect required the presence of Mg2+ and was lost when peroxisomal membranes were disrupted by Triton X-100 or high concentrations of unbound palmitoyl-CoA. 5. Disruption of peroxisomes by detergents, freeze--thawing, osmotic or mechanical treatment did not stimulate palmitoyl-CoA oxidation in the presence of ATP, indicating that peroxisomal fatty-acid-CoA oxidation was not latent. In the absence of ATP, Triton X-100 stimulated peroxisomal palmitoyl-CoA oxidation approx. 2-fold. PMID:7470063

Assessing Modeled CO2 Retention and Rebreathing of a Facemask Designed for Efficient Delivery of Aerosols to Infants

PubMed Central

Mundt, Christian; Sventitskiy, Alexander; Cehelsky, Jeffrey E.; Patters, Andrea B.; Tservistas, Markus; Hahn, Michael C.; Juhl, Gerd; DeVincenzo, John P.

2012-01-01

Background. New aerosol drugs for infants may require more efficient delivery systems, including face masks. Maximizing delivery efficiency requires tight-fitting masks with minimal internal mask volumes, which could cause carbon dioxide (CO2) retention. An RNA-interference-based antiviral for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus in populations that may include young children is designed for aerosol administration. CO2 accumulation within inhalation face masks has not been evaluated. Methods. We simulated airflow and CO2 concentrations accumulating over time within a new facemask designed for infants and young children (PARI SMARTMASK® Baby). A one-dimensional model was first examined, followed by 3-dimensional unsteady computational fluid dynamics analyses. Normal infant breathing patterns and respiratory distress were simulated. Results. The maximum average modeled CO2 concentration within the mask reached steady state (3.2% and 3% for normal and distressed breathing patterns resp.) after approximately the 5th respiratory cycle. After steady state, the mean CO2 concentration inspired into the nostril was 2.24% and 2.26% for normal and distressed breathing patterns, respectively. Conclusion. The mask is predicted to cause minimal CO2 retention and rebreathing. Infants with normal and distressed breathing should tolerate the mask intermittently delivering aerosols over brief time frames. PMID:22792479

CO2 injection into fractured peridotites: a reactive percolation experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Escario, S.; Godard, M.; Gouze, P.; Leprovost, R.; Luquot, L.; Garcia-Rios, M.

2017-12-01

Mantle peridotites have the potential to trap CO2 as carbonates. This process observed in ophiolites and in oceanic environments provides a long term and safe storage for CO2. It occurs as a part of a complex suite of fluid-rock reactions involving silicate dissolution and precipitation of hydrous phases, carbonates and minor phases that may in turn modify the hydrodynamic properties and the reactivity of the reacted rocks. The efficiency and lastingness of the process require the renewal of fluids at the mineral-fluid interface. Fractures are dominant flow paths in exhumed mantle sections. This study aims at better understanding the effect of CO2-enriched saline fluids on hydrodynamic and chemical processes through fractured peridotites. Experiments were performed using the reactive percolation bench ICARE Lab 3 - Géosciences Montpellier. It allows monitoring the permeability changes during experiments. Effluents are recurrently sampled for analysing cation concentration, pH and alkalinity. Reacted rock samples were characterized by high resolution X-ray microtomography (ESRF ID19, Grenoble, France) and SEM. Experiments consisted in injecting CO2-enriched brines (NaCl 0.5 M) at a rate of 6 mL.h-1 into artificially fractured cores (9 mm diameter × 20 mm length) of Oman harzburgites at T=170°C and Ptotal = 25 MPa for up to 2 weeks. Fractures are of few µm apertures with rough walls. Three sets of experiments were performed at increasing value of [CO2] (0, 0.1 and 1 mol/kg). All experiments showed a decrease in permeability followed by steady state regime that can be caused by a decrease in the roughness of fracture walls (dissolution dominated process), thus favouring fracture closing, or by the precipitation of secondary phases. Maximum enrichments in Mg, Fe and Ca of the effluent fluids occur during the first 2 hours of the experiments whereas Si displays a maximum enrichment at t = 20 h, suggesting extensive dissolution. Maximum enrichments are observed with the highest values of the [CO2]. After one day, effluent fluid concentrations decrease and become constant. By analysing both the permeability and the outlet fluid concentration one can investigate the coupling processes controlling the transport and the reaction mechanisms that in turn act at maintaining the circulation in the fractures.

Projected near-future levels of temperature and pCO2 reduce coral fertilization success.

PubMed

Albright, Rebecca; Mason, Benjamin

2013-01-01

Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO2) are projected to contribute to a 1.1-6.4°C rise in global average surface temperatures and a 0.14-0.35 reduction in the average pH of the global surface ocean by 2100. If realized, these changes are expected to have negative consequences for reef-building corals including increased frequency and severity of coral bleaching and reduced rates of calcification and reef accretion. Much less is known regarding the independent and combined effects of temperature and pCO2 on critical early life history processes such as fertilization. Here we show that increases in temperature (+3°C) and pCO2 (+400 µatm) projected for this century negatively impact fertilization success of a common Indo-Pacific coral species, Acropora tenuis. While maximum fertilization did not differ among treatments, the sperm concentration required to obtain 50% of maximum fertilization increased 6- to 8- fold with the addition of a single factor (temperature or CO2) and nearly 50- fold when both factors interact. Our results indicate that near-future changes in temperature and pCO2 narrow the range of sperm concentrations that are capable of yielding high fertilization success in A. tenuis. Increased sperm limitation, in conjunction with adult population decline, may have severe consequences for coral reproductive success. Impaired sexual reproduction will further challenge corals by inhibiting population recovery and adaptation potential.

Projected Near-Future Levels of Temperature and pCO2 Reduce Coral Fertilization Success

PubMed Central

Albright, Rebecca; Mason, Benjamin

2013-01-01

Increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (pCO2) are projected to contribute to a 1.1–6.4°C rise in global average surface temperatures and a 0.14–0.35 reduction in the average pH of the global surface ocean by 2100. If realized, these changes are expected to have negative consequences for reef-building corals including increased frequency and severity of coral bleaching and reduced rates of calcification and reef accretion. Much less is known regarding the independent and combined effects of temperature and pCO2 on critical early life history processes such as fertilization. Here we show that increases in temperature (+3°C) and pCO2 (+400 µatm) projected for this century negatively impact fertilization success of a common Indo-Pacific coral species, Acropora tenuis. While maximum fertilization did not differ among treatments, the sperm concentration required to obtain 50% of maximum fertilization increased 6- to 8- fold with the addition of a single factor (temperature or CO2) and nearly 50- fold when both factors interact. Our results indicate that near-future changes in temperature and pCO2 narrow the range of sperm concentrations that are capable of yielding high fertilization success in A. tenuis. Increased sperm limitation, in conjunction with adult population decline, may have severe consequences for coral reproductive success. Impaired sexual reproduction will further challenge corals by inhibiting population recovery and adaptation potential. PMID:23457572

By-product identification and phytotoxicity of biodegraded Direct Yellow 4 dye.

PubMed

Nouren, Shazia; Bhatti, Haq Nawaz; Iqbal, Munawar; Bibi, Ismat; Kamal, Shagufta; Sadaf, Sana; Sultan, Misbah; Kausar, Abida; Safa, Yusra

2017-02-01

Citrus limon peroxidase mediated decolourization of Direct Yellow 4 (DY4) was investigated. The process variables (pH, temperature, incubation time, enzyme dose, H 2 O 2 amount, dye concentration, co-metal ions and surfactants) were optimized for maximum degradation of dye. Maximum dye decolourization of 89.47% was achieved at pH 5.0, temperature 50 °C, enzyme dose 24 U/mL, H 2 O 2 concentration 0.25 mM and DY4 concentration 18.75 mg/L and incubation time 10 min. The co-metal ions and surfactants did not affect the dye decolourization significantly. Response surface analysis revealed that predicted values were in agreement with experimentally determined responses. The degradation products were identified by UPLC/MS analysis and degradation pathway was proposed. Besides, phytotoxicity assay revealed a considerable detoxification in response of biodegradation of DY4 dye. C. limon showed promising efficiency for DY4 degradation and could possibly be used for the remediation of textile effluents. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Maximum leaf conductance driven by CO2 effects on stomatal size and density over geologic time.

PubMed

Franks, Peter J; Beerling, David J

2009-06-23

Stomatal pores are microscopic structures on the epidermis of leaves formed by 2 specialized guard cells that control the exchange of water vapor and CO(2) between plants and the atmosphere. Stomatal size (S) and density (D) determine maximum leaf diffusive (stomatal) conductance of CO(2) (g(c(max))) to sites of assimilation. Although large variations in D observed in the fossil record have been correlated with atmospheric CO(2), the crucial significance of similarly large variations in S has been overlooked. Here, we use physical diffusion theory to explain why large changes in S necessarily accompanied the changes in D and atmospheric CO(2) over the last 400 million years. In particular, we show that high densities of small stomata are the only way to attain the highest g(cmax) values required to counter CO(2)"starvation" at low atmospheric CO(2) concentrations. This explains cycles of increasing D and decreasing S evident in the fossil history of stomata under the CO(2) impoverished atmospheres of the Permo-Carboniferous and Cenozoic glaciations. The pattern was reversed under rising atmospheric CO(2) regimes. Selection for small S was crucial for attaining high g(cmax) under falling atmospheric CO(2) and, therefore, may represent a mechanism linking CO(2) and the increasing gas-exchange capacity of land plants over geologic time.

Maximum leaf conductance driven by CO2 effects on stomatal size and density over geologic time

PubMed Central

Franks, Peter J.; Beerling, David J.

2009-01-01

Stomatal pores are microscopic structures on the epidermis of leaves formed by 2 specialized guard cells that control the exchange of water vapor and CO2 between plants and the atmosphere. Stomatal size (S) and density (D) determine maximum leaf diffusive (stomatal) conductance of CO2 (gcmax) to sites of assimilation. Although large variations in D observed in the fossil record have been correlated with atmospheric CO2, the crucial significance of similarly large variations in S has been overlooked. Here, we use physical diffusion theory to explain why large changes in S necessarily accompanied the changes in D and atmospheric CO2 over the last 400 million years. In particular, we show that high densities of small stomata are the only way to attain the highest gcmax values required to counter CO2“starvation” at low atmospheric CO2 concentrations. This explains cycles of increasing D and decreasing S evident in the fossil history of stomata under the CO2 impoverished atmospheres of the Permo-Carboniferous and Cenozoic glaciations. The pattern was reversed under rising atmospheric CO2 regimes. Selection for small S was crucial for attaining high gcmax under falling atmospheric CO2 and, therefore, may represent a mechanism linking CO2 and the increasing gas-exchange capacity of land plants over geologic time. PMID:19506250

Similar photosynthetic response to elevated carbon dioxide concentration in species with different phloem loading strategies.

PubMed

Bishop, Kristen A; Lemonnier, Pauline; Quebedeaux, Jennifer C; Montes, Christopher M; Leakey, Andrew D B; Ainsworth, Elizabeth A

2018-06-02

Species have different strategies for loading sugars into the phloem, which vary in the route that sugars take to enter the phloem and the energetics of sugar accumulation. Species with passive phloem loading are hypothesized to have less flexibility in response to changes in some environmental conditions because sucrose export from mesophyll cells is dependent on fixed anatomical plasmodesmatal connections. Passive phloem loaders also have high mesophyll sugar content, and may be less likely to exhibit sugar-mediated down-regulation of photosynthetic capacity at elevated CO 2 concentrations. To date, the effect of phloem loading strategy on the response of plant carbon metabolism to rising atmospheric CO 2 concentrations is unclear, despite the widespread impacts of rising CO 2 on plants. Over three field seasons, five species with apoplastic loading, passive loading, or polymer-trapping were grown at ambient and elevated CO 2 concentration in free air concentration enrichment plots. Light-saturated rate of photosynthesis, photosynthetic capacity, leaf carbohydrate content, and anatomy were measured and compared among the species. All five species showed significant stimulation in midday photosynthetic CO 2 uptake by elevated CO 2 even though the two passive loading species showed significant down-regulation of maximum Rubisco carboxylation capacity at elevated CO 2 . There was a trend toward greater starch accumulation at elevated CO 2 in all species, and was most pronounced in passive loaders. From this study, we cannot conclude that phloem loading strategy is a key determinant of plant response to elevated CO 2 , but compelling differences in response counter to our hypothesis were observed. A phylogenetically controlled experiment with more species may be needed to fully test the hypothesis.

40 CFR 85.2219 - Idle test with loaded preconditioning-EPA 91.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... concentration of CO plus CO2 falls below 6 percent or the vehicle's engine stalls at any time during the test... the overall maximum test time. (b) Test sequence. (1) The test sequence consists of a first-chance... indicator or road-load controller. (ii) The vehicle is tested in as-received condition with all accessories...

40 CFR 85.2219 - Idle test with loaded preconditioning-EPA 91.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... concentration of CO plus CO2 falls below 6 percent or the vehicle's engine stalls at any time during the test... the overall maximum test time. (b) Test sequence. (1) The test sequence consists of a first-chance... indicator or road-load controller. (ii) The vehicle is tested in as-received condition with all accessories...

Evaluation of low-cost electro-chemical sensors for environmental monitoring of ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide.

PubMed

Afshar-Mohajer, Nima; Zuidema, Christopher; Sousan, Sinan; Hallett, Laura; Tatum, Marcus; Rule, Ana M; Thomas, Geb; Peters, Thomas M; Koehler, Kirsten

2018-02-01

Development of an air quality monitoring network with high spatio-temporal resolution requires installation of a large number of air pollutant monitors. However, state-of-the-art monitors are costly and may not be compatible with wireless data logging systems. In this study, low-cost electro-chemical sensors manufactured by Alphasense Ltd. for detection of CO and oxidative gases (predominantly O 3 and NO 2 ) were evaluated. The voltages from three oxidative gas sensors and three CO sensors were recorded every 2.5 sec when exposed to controlled gas concentrations in a 0.125-m 3 acrylic glass chamber. Electro-chemical sensors for detection of oxidative gases demonstrated sensitivity to both NO 2 and O 3 with similar voltages recorded when exposed to equivalent environmental concentrations of NO 2 or O 3 gases, when evaluated separately. There was a strong linear relationship between the recorded voltages and target concentrations of oxidative gases (R 2 > 0.98) over a wide range of concentrations. Although a strong linear relationship was also observed for CO concentrations below 12 ppm, a saturation effect was observed wherein the voltage only changes minimally for higher CO concentrations (12-50 ppm). The nonlinear behavior of the CO sensors implied their unsuitability for environments where high CO concentrations are expected. Using a manufacturer-supplied shroud, sensors were tested at 2 different flow rates (0.25 and 0.5 Lpm) to mimic field calibration of the sensors with zero air and a span gas concentration (2 ppm NO2 or 15 ppm CO). As with all electrochemical sensors, the tested devices were subject to drift with a bias up to 20% after 9 months of continuous operation. Alphasense CO sensors were found to be a proper choice for occupational and environmental CO monitoring with maximum concentration of 12 ppm, especially due to the field-ready calibration capability. Alphasense oxidative gas sensors are usable only if it is valuable to know the sum of the NO 2 and O 3 concentrations.

Weekend effect of O3, NO, NO2, CO and PM10 concentrations in the south of Spain during 2003-2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adame Carnero, Jose Antonio; Lozano, Antonio; Sorribas, Mar; Contreras, Juan; Ángel Hernández-Ceballos, Miguel; Godoy, Francisca; Fernández-León, Mercedes; Bolívar, Juan Pedro; de La Morena, Benito A.

2010-05-01

The weekly evolutions and the difference between labour and non-labour days for O3, NO, NO2, CO and PM10 concentrations have been analysed in the south of Spain (Andalusia). The hourly data have been collected in 70 stations (urban, suburban and rural) belong to the Air Quality Network of Andalusia. The data period used was 2003-2008. The study has been focused in order to identify the weekend effect for those pollutants. The weekly patterns has been evaluated using daily mean of O3 and CO and 90th percentile daily values of NO, NO2 and PM10. The mean daily ozone concentrations show similar values during the week days with a maximum increase of the concentrations during weekend days of 5 ?g m-3 in urban stations. The NO and NO2 levels present in general a decrease of 90th percentile daily values during weekend days. The maximum decrease observed was of 50 and 25 ?g m-3 for NO and NO2 respectively. The most of stations show similar concentrations for the mean daily CO levels during the week. In the event of PM10 while some stations present an increase of the concentrations during the weekdays others have similar values during all days with 90th percentile of 45 ?g m-3. The daily pollutants variation between week and weekend days has been evaluated from the hourly differences between weekend and week concentrations. The ozone daily evolution show negative differences from 00:00 to 5:00 local time (LT) while during the rest of the day the differences are positives. The maximum differences were registered early in the morning ranging between 4 ?g m-3 for rural stations to 14 ?g m-3 for urban stations. The NO and NO2 show positive differences between 00:00 to 7:00 (LT) with negative values within the next hours. The higher differences could reach 80 ?g m-3 for NO and 25 ?g m-3 for NO2, both in urban stations, with values lower than 10 ?g m-3and 5 ?g m-3 in suburban and rural stations respectively. The CO daily evolution show similar values in week and weekend days. The behaviour of the PM10 daily differences is similar to the observed for NO and NO2, with higher differences between 10:00 to 14:00 and values between 5 to 20 ?g m-3. The results obtained in this work point out a weak or absence for weekend effect of O3 and CO concentrations over the study area. Nevertheless, for NO, NO2 and PM10 concentrations present a decrease during the weekend. This phenomenon has been observed with more intensity over the metropolitan areas, mainly in urban stations. The results obtained in this study are being used to define the air quality plans in the south of Spain. These plans will start to apply during 2010 with the purpose to reduce the levels of these air pollutants in Andalusia.

Kinetic parameters for nutrient enhanced crude oil biodegradation in intertidal marine sediments

PubMed Central

Singh, Arvind K.; Sherry, Angela; Gray, Neil D.; Jones, D. Martin; Bowler, Bernard F. J.; Head, Ian M.

2014-01-01

Availability of inorganic nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorous, is often a primary control on crude oil hydrocarbon degradation in marine systems. Many studies have empirically determined optimum levels of inorganic N and P for stimulation of hydrocarbon degradation. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of information on fundamental kinetic parameters for nutrient enhanced crude oil biodegradation that can be used to model the fate of crude oil in bioremediation programmes that use inorganic nutrient addition to stimulate oil biodegradation. Here we report fundamental kinetic parameters (Ks and qmax) for nitrate- and phosphate-stimulated crude oil biodegradation under nutrient limited conditions and with respect to crude oil, under conditions where N and P are not limiting. In the marine sediments studied, crude oil degradation was limited by both N and P availability. In sediments treated with 12.5 mg/g of oil but with no addition of N and P, hydrocarbon degradation rates, assessed on the basis of CO2 production, were 1.10 ± 0.03 μmol CO2/g wet sediment/day which were comparable to rates of CO2 production in sediments to which no oil was added (1.05 ± 0.27 μmol CO2/g wet sediment/day). When inorganic nitrogen was added alone maximum rates of CO2 production measured were 4.25 ± 0.91 μmol CO2/g wet sediment/day. However, when the same levels of inorganic nitrogen were added in the presence of 0.5% P w/w of oil (1.6 μmol P/g wet sediment) maximum rates of measured CO2 production increased more than four-fold to 18.40 ± 1.04 μmol CO2/g wet sediment/day. Ks and qmax estimates for inorganic N (in the form of sodium nitrate) when P was not limiting were 1.99 ± 0.86 μmol/g wet sediment and 16.16 ± 1.28 μmol CO2/g wet sediment/day respectively. The corresponding values for P were 63 ± 95 nmol/g wet sediment and 12.05 ± 1.31 μmol CO2/g wet sediment/day. The qmax values with respect to N and P were not significantly different (P < 0.05). When N and P were not limiting Ks and qmax for crude oil were 4.52 ± 1.51 mg oil/g wet sediment and 16.89 ± 1.25 μmol CO2/g wet sediment/day. At concentrations of inorganic N above 45 μmol/g wet sediment inhibition of CO2 production from hydrocarbon degradation was evident. Analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA genes indicated that Alcanivorax spp. were selected in these marine sediments with increasing inorganic nutrient concentration, whereas Cycloclasticus spp. were more prevalent at lower inorganic nutrient concentrations. These data suggest that simple empirical estimates of the proportion of nutrients added relative to crude oil concentrations may not be sufficient to guarantee successful crude oil bioremediation in oxic beach sediments. The data we present also help define the maximum rates and hence timescales required for bioremediation of beach sediments. PMID:24782848

Distribution of trace gases and aerosols in the Siberian air shed during wildfires of summer 2012

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belan, Boris D.; Paris, Jean-Daiel; Nedelec, Philippe; Antokhin, Pavel N.; Arshinova, Victoriya; Arshinov, Mikhail Yu.; Belan, Sergey B.; Davydov, Denis K.; Ivlev, Georgii A.; Fofonov, Alexandre V.; Kozlov, Artem V.; Rasskazchikova, Tatyana M.; Savkin, Denis E.; Simonenkov, Denis V.; Sklyadneva, Tatyana K.; Tolmachev, Gennadii N.

2017-04-01

During the last two decades, three strong biomass burning events have been observed in Russia: two of them in 2002 and 2010 in the European part of Russia, and another one in 2012 in West and East Siberia. In this paper we present results of the extensive airborne study of the vertical distribution of trace gases and aerosols carried out during strong wildfire event happened in summer 2012 in Siberia. For this purpose, the Optik TU-134 aircraft laboratory was used as a research platform. A large-scale airborne campaign has been undertaken along the route Novosibirsk-Mirny-Yakutsk-Bratsk-Novosibirsk on 31st of July and 1st of August, 2012. Flight pattern consisted of a number of ascents and descents between close to the ground and 8 km altitude that enabled 20 vertical profiles to be obtained. Campaign was conducted under the weather conditions of low-gradient baric field that determined the low speed transport of air masses, as well as the accumulation of biomass burning emissions in the region under study. Highest concentrations of CO2, CH4 and CO over wildfire spots reached 432 ppm, 2367 ppb, and 4036 ppb, correspondingly. If we exclude from the analysis the data obtained when crossing smoke plumes, we can find a difference between background concentrations measured in the atmosphere over regions affected by biomass burning and clean areas. Enhancement of CO2 over the wildfire areas changed with altitude. On average, it was 10.5 ppm in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) and 5-6 ppm in the free troposphere. Maximum CO2 enhancements reached 27 ppm and 24 ppm, correspondingly. The averaged CH4 enhancement varied from 75 ppb in the boundary layer to 30 ppb in the upper troposphere, and a little bit lower than 30 ppb in the middle troposphere. Maximum CH4 enhancements reached 202 ppb, 108 ppb, and 50-60 ppb, correspondingly. The averaged and maximum enhancements of CO differed by an order of magnitude. Thus, in the ABL the maximum difference in concentration between clean and wildfire areas reached 2300 ppb, while averaged one was 170 ppb. In the middle troposphere maximum enhancements varied from 1000 to 1700 ppb. The vertical distribution of ozone has its own peculiarities. Ozone concentration decreased in the layers with enhanced aerosol concentration and it increased in the areas with lower aerosol content. At the same time, photochemical production ozone was observed at the plume edges in the zone of fresh air entrainment. This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant No 17-05-00374).

CO2 adsorption on diatomaceous earth modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and functionalized with tetraethylenepentamine: Optimization and kinetics.

PubMed

Pornaroonthama, Phuwadej; Thouchprasitchai, Nutthavich; Pongstabodee, Sangobtip

2015-07-01

The carbon dioxide (CO2) adsorbent diatomaceous earth (DE) was modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and functionalized with varying levels of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). The CO2 absorption at atmospheric pressure was optimized by varying the TEPA-loading level (0-40% (w/w)), operating temperature (40-80 °C) and water vapor concentration (0-16% (v/v)) in a 10% (v/v) CO2 feed stream in helium balance using a full 2(3) factorial design. The TEPA/CTAB-DE adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and thermogravimetric analyses. The CO2 adsorption capacity increased as each of these three factors increased. The TEPA loading level-water concentration interaction had a positive influence on the CO2 adsorption while the operating temperature-water concentration interaction was antagonistic. The optimal condition for CO2 adsorption on 40%TEPA/CTAB-DE, evaluated via a factorial design response surface method (RSM), was a temperature of 58-68 °C and a water vapor concentration of 9.5-14% (v/v), with a maximum CO2 adsorption capacity of 149.4 mg g(-1) at 63.5 °C and 12% (v/v) water vapor concentration in the feed. Validation and sensitivity tests revealed that the estimated CO2 adsorption capacity was within ±4% of the experimental values, suggesting that the RSM model was satisfied and acceptable. From three kinetic models (pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order model and Avrami's equation), assessed using an error function (Err) and the coefficient of determination (R(2)), Avrami's equation was the most appropriate to describe the kinetics of CO2 adsorption on the 40%TEPA/CTAB-DE adsorbent and suggested that more than one reaction pathway occurred in the CO2 adsorption. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamic analysis of concentrated solar supercritical CO2-based power generation closed-loop cycle

DOE PAGES

Osorio, Julian D.; Hovsapian, Rob; Ordonez, Juan C.

2016-01-01

Here, the dynamic behavior of a concentrated solar power (CSP) supercritical CO 2 cycle is studied under different seasonal conditions. The system analyzed is composed of a central receiver, hot and cold thermal energy storage units, a heat exchanger, a recuperator, and multi-stage compression-expansion subsystems with intercoolers and reheaters between compressors and turbines respectively. Energy models for each component of the system are developed in order to optimize operating and design parameters such as mass flow rate, intermediate pressures and the effective area of the recuperator to lead to maximum efficiency. Our results show that the parametric optimization leads themore » system to a process efficiency of about 21 % and a maximum power output close to 1.5 MW. The thermal energy storage allows the system to operate for several hours after sunset. This operating time is approximately increased from 220 to 480 minutes after optimization. The hot and cold thermal energy storage also lessens the temperature fluctuations by providing smooth changes of temperatures at the turbines and compressors inlets. Our results indicate that concentrated solar systems using supercritical CO 2 could be a viable alternative to satisfying energy needs in desert areas with scarce water and fossil fuel resources.« less

Assessing the Health and Performance Risks of Reduced Carbon Dioxide Exposures and Resource Utilization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

James, John T.

2012-01-01

There have been a cluster of anecdotal reports that ISS crews are experiencing adverse health effects from on orbit exposure to CO2 levels well below the current Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentration (SMAC), which is 5.3 mmHg for 180 days of exposure. Developing evidence that this standard should be reduced to protect crew health is not a simple process. Dr. John James' team looked at the reports of headaches by the crew during private medical conferences and matched these with CO2 levels around the time of these reports. They then compared these to CO2 levels when there were no reports of headache. Using benchmark dose modeling, they found that the risk of headache could be predicted in concentration ranges from 2 to 5 mmHg. However, the data are incomplete because there were insufficient data when crews were exposed to concentrations below 2 mmHg. James' team also asked whether neuro-cognitive effects could be identified with CO2 exposure levels and found that these could not be associated with CO2 levels. Finally, they addressed the question of resource use to meet various levels of CO2 control if the SMACs were lowered. They estimated that CO2 restrictions approaching 2 mmHg would require substantial increases in power use and up-mass resources. They are refining their data on CO2 and headaches, and are looking at potential interactions of intracranial pressure and CO2 levels in eliciting ocular effects.

Absorption of CO2 from modified flue gases of power generation Tarahan chemically using NaOH and Na2CO3 and biologically using microalgae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Purba, Elida; Agustina, Dewi; Putri Pertama, Finka; Senja, Fita

2018-03-01

This research was carried out on the absorption of CO2 from the modified flue gases of power generation Tarahan using NaOH (sodium hydroxide) and Na2CO3 (sodium carbonate). The operation was conducted in a packed column absorber and then the output gases from the packed column was fed into photo-bioreactor for biological absorption. In the photo-bioreactor, two species of microalgae, N. occulata and T. chuii, were cultivated to both absorb CO2 gas and to produce biomass for algal oil. The aims of this research were, first, to determine the effect of absorbent flow rate on the reduction of CO2 and on the decrease of output gas temperature, second, to determine the characteristics of methyl ester obtained from biological absorption process. Flow rates of the absorbent were varied as 1, 2, and 3 l/min. The concentrations of NaOH and Na2CO3 were 1 M at a constant gas flow rate of 6 l/min. The output concentrations of CO2 from the absorber was analyzed using Gas Chromatography 2014-AT SHIMADZU Corp 08128. The results show that both of the absorbents give different trends. From the absorption using NaOH, it can be concluded that the higher the flow rate, the higher the absorption rate obtained. The highest flow rate achieved maximum absorption of 100%. On the other hand, absorption with Na2CO3 revealed the opposite trend where the higher the flow rates the lower the absorption rate. The highest absorption using Na2CO3 was obtained with the lowest flow rate, 1 l/min, that was 45,5%. As the effect of flow rate on output gas temperature, the temperature decreased with increasing flow rates for both absorbents. The output gas temperature for NaOH and Na2CO3 were consecutively 35 °C and 31 °C with inlet gas temperature of 50°C. Absorption of CO2 biologically resulted a reduction of CO2 up to 60% from the input gas concentration. Algal oil was extracted with mixed hexane and chloroform to obtain algal oil. Extracted oil was transesterified to methyl ester using sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. The results of in-situ transesterification method cannot be identified. Both microalgae achieved maximum yield at 2% catalyst concentration. Nannochloropsis occulata achieved the highest yield of algal oil that is 88.5%. The highest content of methyl ester from Nannochloropsis occulata was undecanoic acid methyl ester by 55.42% and the result from Tetraselmis chuii was palmitic acid methyl ester by 81.58%.

Leaf Dynamics of Panicum maximum under Future Climatic Changes

PubMed Central

Britto de Assis Prado, Carlos Henrique; Haik Guedes de Camargo-Bortolin, Lívia; Castro, Érique; Martinez, Carlos Alberto

2016-01-01

Panicum maximum Jacq. ‘Mombaça’ (C4) was grown in field conditions with sufficient water and nutrients to examine the effects of warming and elevated CO2 concentrations during the winter. Plants were exposed to either the ambient temperature and regular atmospheric CO2 (Control); elevated CO2 (600 ppm, eC); canopy warming (+2°C above regular canopy temperature, eT); or elevated CO2 and canopy warming (eC+eT). The temperatures and CO2 in the field were controlled by temperature free-air controlled enhancement (T-FACE) and mini free-air CO2 enrichment (miniFACE) facilities. The most green, expanding, and expanded leaves and the highest leaf appearance rate (LAR, leaves day-1) and leaf elongation rate (LER, cm day-1) were observed under eT. Leaf area and leaf biomass were higher in the eT and eC+eT treatments. The higher LER and LAR without significant differences in the number of senescent leaves could explain why tillers had higher foliage area and leaf biomass in the eT treatment. The eC treatment had the lowest LER and the fewest expanded and green leaves, similar to Control. The inhibitory effect of eC on foliage development in winter was indicated by the fewer green, expanded, and expanding leaves under eC+eT than eT. The stimulatory and inhibitory effects of the eT and eC treatments, respectively, on foliage raised and lowered, respectively, the foliar nitrogen concentration. The inhibition of foliage by eC was confirmed by the eC treatment having the lowest leaf/stem biomass ratio and by the change in leaf biomass-area relationships from linear or exponential growth to rectangular hyperbolic growth under eC. Besides, eC+eT had a synergist effect, speeding up leaf maturation. Therefore, with sufficient water and nutrients in winter, the inhibitory effect of elevated CO2 on foliage could be partially offset by elevated temperatures and relatively high P. maximum foliage production could be achieved under future climatic change. PMID:26894932

Measurement of peroxy radicals in the urban atmosphere by PERCA-LIF technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sadanaga, Y.; Matsumoto, J.; Sakurai, K.; Kato, S.; Nomaguchi, T.; Bandow, H.; Kajii, Y.

2002-12-01

A new instrument has been developed for measuring peroxy radicals (RO2) using the Chemical Amplifier-Laser Induced Fluorescence (PERCA-LIF) technique. RO2 was converted to NO2 via a chain reaction by the addition of NO and CO in a 1/4" Teflon tube. NO2 was detected by LIF using Nd:YAG laser (532 nm, 5W at 10kHz). More selective detection of NO2 is enabled by the LIF than by luminol chemiluminescence because of free from the interference by other oxidants when using luminol. LIF technique can be more sensitive detection of NO2 than the luminol detector. Optimum conditions were investigated by varying reaction time (i.e. the length of reaction tube) and the concentrations of NO and CO. Maximum chain length of approximately 300 was obtained in dry conditions using a H2O/O2 simultaneous photolysis method. Experiments were performed to characterize the dependence of the chain length on humidity for this instrument. In August 2002, RO2 measurements were performed in Osaka using this method. Maximum concentrations of RO2 in the daytime were approximately 100 pptv. Nighttime observations were also conducted and significant concentrations of RO2 were detected just after the sunset. Existence of formation processes in the dark condition was investigated.

Algal evolution in relation to atmospheric CO2: carboxylases, carbon-concentrating mechanisms and carbon oxidation cycles

PubMed Central

Raven, John A.; Giordano, Mario; Beardall, John; Maberly, Stephen C.

2012-01-01

Oxygenic photosynthesis evolved at least 2.4 Ga; all oxygenic organisms use the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco)–photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle (PCRC) rather than one of the five other known pathways of autotrophic CO2 assimilation. The high CO2 and (initially) O2-free conditions permitted the use of a Rubisco with a high maximum specific reaction rate. As CO2 decreased and O2 increased, Rubisco oxygenase activity increased and 2-phosphoglycolate was produced, with the evolution of pathways recycling this inhibitory product to sugar phosphates. Changed atmospheric composition also selected for Rubiscos with higher CO2 affinity and CO2/O2 selectivity correlated with decreased CO2-saturated catalytic capacity and/or for CO2-concentrating mechanisms (CCMs). These changes increase the energy, nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, zinc and manganese cost of producing and operating Rubisco–PCRC, while biosphere oxygenation decreased the availability of nitrogen, phosphorus and iron. The majority of algae today have CCMs; the timing of their origins is unclear. If CCMs evolved in a low-CO2 episode followed by one or more lengthy high-CO2 episodes, CCM retention could involve a combination of environmental factors known to favour CCM retention in extant organisms that also occur in a warmer high-CO2 ocean. More investigations, including studies of genetic adaptation, are needed. PMID:22232762

Ocean acidification stimulates particulate organic carbon accumulation in two Antarctic diatom species under moderate and high natural solar radiation.

PubMed

Heiden, Jasmin P; Thoms, Silke; Bischof, Kai; Trimborn, Scarlett

2018-05-23

Impacts of rising atmospheric CO 2 concentrations and increased daily irradiances from enhanced surface water stratification on phytoplankton physiology in the coastal Southern Ocean remain still unclear. Therefore, in the two Antarctic diatoms Fragilariopsis curta and Odontella weissflogii the effects of moderate and high natural solar radiation combined with either ambient or future pCO 2 on cellular particulate organic carbon (POC) contents and photophysiology were investigated. Results showed that increasing CO 2 concentrations had greater impacts on diatom physiology than exposure to increasing solar radiation. Irrespective of the applied solar radiation regime, cellular POC quotas increased with future pCO 2 in both diatoms. Lowered maximum quantum yields of photochemistry in PSII (F v /F m ) indicated a higher photosensitivity under these conditions, being counteracted by increased cellular concentrations of functional photosynthetic reaction centers. Overall, our results suggest that both bloom-forming Antarctic coastal diatoms might increase carbon contents under future pCO 2 conditions despite reduced physiological fitness. This indicates a higher potential for primary productivity by the two diatom species with important implications for the CO 2 sequestration potential of diatom communities in the future coastal Southern Ocean. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of atmospheric carbon monoxide at a high-mountain background station in East Asia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ou-Yang, Chang-Feng; Lin, Neng-Huei; Lin, Chia-Ching; Wang, Sheng-Hsiang; Sheu, Guey-Rong; Lee, Chung-Te; Schnell, Russell C.; Lang, Patricia M.; Kawasato, Taro; Wang, Jia-Lin

2014-06-01

Atmospheric CO were monitored at the Lulin Atmospheric Background Station (LABS) with an elevation of 2862 m AMSL from April 2006 to April 2011 by the in-situ non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) spectrometer and weekly flask sample collections via collaboration with NOAA/ESRL/GMD. In general very coherent results were observed between the two datasets, despite a slight difference between the two. A distinct seasonal pattern of CO was noticed at the LABS with a springtime maximum and a summertime minimum, which was predominately shaped by the long-range transport of biomass burning air masses from Southeast Asia and oceanic influences from the Pacific, respectively. Diurnal cycles were also observed at the LABS, with a maximum in late afternoon and a minimum in early morning. The daytime CO maximum was most likely caused by the up-slope transport of lower elevation air. After filtering out the possibly polluted data points from the entire dataset with a mathematic procedure, the mean background CO level at the LABS was assessed as 129.3 ± 46.6 ppb, compared to 149.0 ± 72.2 ppb prior to the filtering. The cluster analysis of the backward trajectories revealed six possible source regions, which shows that air masses originating from the Westerly Wind Zone were dominated in spring and winter resulting in higher CO concentrations. As a contrast, the oceanic influences from the Pacific were found mostly in summer, contributing a lower seasonal CO concentration throughout a year.

Cu-Doped ZnO Thin Films Grown by Co-deposition Using Pulsed Laser Deposition for ZnO and Radio Frequency Sputtering for Cu

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shin, Hyun Wook; Son, Jong Yeog

2018-05-01

Cu-doped ZnO (CZO) thin films were fabricated on single-crystalline (0001) Al2O3 substrates by co-deposition using pulsed laser deposition for ZnO and radio frequency sputtering for Cu. CZO thin films with 0-20% molar concentrations are obtained by adjusting the deposition rates of ZnO and Cu. The CZO thin films exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism, and CZO with 5% Cu molar concentration has maximum remanent magnetization, which is consistent with theoretical results.

Nickel-cobalt bimetallic anode catalysts for direct urea fuel cell

PubMed Central

Xu, Wei; Zhang, Huimin; Li, Gang; Wu, Zucheng

2014-01-01

Nickel is an ideal non-noble metal anode catalyst for direct urea fuel cell (DUFC) due to its high activity. However, there exists a large overpotential toward urea electrooxidation. Herein, NiCo/C bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared with various Co contents (0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 wt%) to improve the activity. The best Co ratio was 10% in the aspect of cell performance, with a maximum power density of 1.57 mW cm−2 when 0.33 M urea was used as fuel, O2 as oxidant at 60°C. The effects of temperature and urea concentration on DUFC performance were investigated. Besides, direct urine fuel cell reaches a maximum power density of 0.19 mW cm−2 with an open circuit voltage of 0.38 V at 60°C. PMID:25168632

Transport properties of Y1-xNdxCo2 compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Uchima, K.; Takeda, M.; Zukeran, C.; Nakamura, A.; Arakaki, N.; Komesu, S.; Takaesu, Y.; Hedo, M.; Nakama, T.; Yagasaki, K.; Uwatoko, Y.; Burkov, A. T.

2012-12-01

Electrical resistivity ρ and thermopower S of light rare earth-based pseudo-binary Y1-xNdxCo2 alloys have been measured at temperatures from 2 K to 300 K and under pressures up to 3.5 GPa. The Curie temperature of the alloys, TC, determined from characteristic features in the temperature dependences of the transport properties, decreases with decreasing Nd concentration x and vanishes around xc = 0.3. The residual resistivity has a pronounced maximum at x = xc. The temperature coefficient of thermopower dS/dT at low temperature limit shows a complex dependence on alloy composition: it changes its sign from negative to positive at x ≍ 0.2, having a maximum at x = xc, and is nearly composition independent at x > 0.5. The pressure dependences of TC and ρ0 of Yo.6Ndo.4Co2 reveal the behavior similar to that observed in the Y1-xRxHCo2 (RH = heavy rare earth) alloy systems, which implies that the magnetic state of the Co-3d electron subsystem is responsible for the transport properties in the Y1-xNdxCo2 alloys.

Emission of OH* and CO2* during the high-temperature oxidation of acetone in reflected shock waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tereza, A. M.; Smirnov, V. N.; Vlasov, P. A.; Shumova, V. V.; Garmash, A. A.

2018-01-01

Experimental and kinetic modeling study of the ignition of a stoichiometric mixture of acetone with oxygen diluted by argon was carried out behind reflected shock waves within the temperature range of 1350-1810 K for the total mixture concentration [M 50] ~ 10-5 mol/cm3. Emission signals were recorded simultaneously for three different wavelengths: OH* (λ = 308 nm) and {{{CO}}}2* (λ1 = 365 nm; λ2 = 451 nm). It was revealed that the time it takes to reach the maximum of emission of OH* and {{{CO}}}2* is practically the same over the whole temperature range. At the same time, the emission profiles of {{{CO}}}2* after the maximum was attained, recorded at λ2 = 451 nm, differ noticeably from the profiles recorded at λ1 = 365 nm. For numerical modeling of the emission profiles of OH* and {{{CO}}}2* , the corresponding sets of excitation and quenching reactions available in the literature were used. In the course of our numerical simulations we succeeded in good agreement of our own experimental and simulation results on acetone ignition and the results available in the literature for conditions under consideration.

Supercritical water gasification of landfill leachate for hydrogen production in the presence and absence of alkali catalyst.

PubMed

Weijin, Gong; Binbin, Li; Qingyu, Wang; Zuohua, Huang; Liang, Zhao

2018-03-01

Gasification of landfill leachate in supercritical water using batch-type reactor is investigated. Alkali such as NaOH, KOH, K 2 CO 3 , Na 2 CO 3 is used as catalyst. The effect of temperature (380-500 °C), retention time (5-25 min), landfill leachate concentration (1595 mg L -1 -15,225 mg L -1 ), catalyst adding amount (1-10 wt%) on hydrogen mole fraction, hydrogen yield, carbon gasification rate, COD, TOC, TN removal efficiency are investigated. The results showed that gaseous products mainly contained hydrogen, methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide without addition of catalyst. However, the main gaseous products are hydrogen and methane with addition of NaOH, KOH, K 2 CO 3 , Na 2 CO 3 . In the absence of alkali catalyst, the effect of temperature on landfill leachate gasification is positive. Hydrogen mole fraction, hydrogen yield, carbon gasification ratio increase with temperature, which maximum value being 55.6%, 107.15 mol kg -1 , 71.96% is obtained at 500 °C, respectively. Higher raw landfill leachate concentration leads to lower hydrogen production and carbon gasification rate. The suitable retention time is suggested to be 15 min for higher hydrogen production and carbon gasification rate. COD, TOC and TN removal efficiency also increase with increase of temperature, decrease of landfill leachate concentration. In the presence of catalyst, the hydrogen production is obviously promoted by addition of alkali catalyst. the effect of catalysts on hydrogen production is in the following order: NaOH ＞ KOH ＞ Na 2 CO 3  ＞ K 2 CO 3 . The maximum hydrogen mole fraction and hydrogen yield being 74.40%, 70.05 mol kg -1 is obtained with adding amount of 5 wt% NaOH at 450 °C, 28 MPa, 15 min. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Nitric oxide removal by combined urea and FeIIEDTA reaction systems.

PubMed

He, Feiqiang; Deng, Xianhe; Chen, Min

2017-02-01

(NH 2 ) 2 CO as well as Fe II EDTA is an absorbent for simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification. However, they have their own drawbacks, like the oxidation of Fe II EDTA and the low solubility of NO in urea solution. To overcome these defects, A mixed absorbent containing both (NH 2 ) 2 CO and Fe II EDTA was employed. The effects of various operating parameters (urea and Fe II EDTA concentration, temperature, inlet oxygen concentration, pH value) on NO removal were examined in the packed tower. The results indicated that the NO removal efficiency increased with the decrease of oxygen concentration as well as the increase of Fe II EDTA concentration. The NO removal efficiency had little change with a range of 25-45 °C, and sharply decreased at the temperature of above 55 °C. The NO removal efficiency initially increases up to the maximum value and then decreases with the increase of pH value as well as the raise of urea concentration. In addition, the synergistic mechanism of (NH 2 ) 2 CO and Fe II EDTA on NO removal was investigated. Results showed that urea could react with Fe II EDTA-NO to produce Fe II EDTA, N 2 , and CO 2 , and hinder oxidation of Fe II EDTA. Finally, to evaluate the effect of SO 3 2- on NO removal, a mixed absorbent containing Fe II EDTA, urea, and Na 2 SO 3 was employed to absorb NO. The mixed absorbent could maintain more than 78% for 80 min at 25 °C, pH = 7.0, (NH 2 ) 2 CO concentration of 5 wt%, Fe II EDTA concentration of 0.02 M, O 2 concentration of 7% (v/v), and Na 2 SO 3 concentration of 0.2 M. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reconstructing ice-age palaeoclimates: Quantifying low-CO2 effects on plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prentice, I. C.; Cleator, S. F.; Huang, Y. H.; Harrison, S. P.; Roulstone, I.

2017-02-01

We present a novel method to quantify the ecophysiological effects of changes in CO2 concentration during the reconstruction of climate changes from fossil pollen assemblages. The method does not depend on any particular vegetation model. Instead, it makes use of general equations from ecophysiology and hydrology that link moisture index (MI) to transpiration and the ratio of leaf-internal to ambient CO2 (χ). Statistically reconstructed MI values are corrected post facto for effects of CO2 concentration. The correction is based on the principle that e, the rate of water loss per unit carbon gain, should be inversely related to effective moisture availability as sensed by plants. The method involves solving a non-linear equation that relates e to MI, temperature and CO2 concentration via the Fu-Zhang relation between evapotranspiration and MI, Monteith's empirical relationship between vapour pressure deficit and evapotranspiration, and recently developed theory that predicts the response of χ to vapour pressure deficit and temperature. The solution to this equation provides a correction term for MI. The numerical value of the correction depends on the reconstructed MI. It is slightly sensitive to temperature, but primarily sensitive to CO2 concentration. Under low LGM CO2 concentration the correction is always positive, implying that LGM climate was wetter than it would seem from vegetation composition. A statistical reconstruction of last glacial maximum (LGM, 21±1 kyr BP) palaeoclimates, based on a new compilation of modern and LGM pollen assemblage data from Australia, is used to illustrate the method in practice. Applying the correction brings pollen-reconstructed LGM moisture availability in southeastern Australia better into line with palaeohydrological estimates of LGM climate.

Cycling of greenhouse gases as a function of groundwater level in a floodplain - carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane: Implications for Biogeochemical Change in a Warming World

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bill, M.; Conrad, M. E.; Tokunaga, T. K.; Hobson, C.; Williams, K. H.

2016-12-01

Floodplain sediment-water systems play an important role in carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane greenhouse gas cycling. Changes in temperature and precipitation can alter biogeochemical equilibrium as well as production and consumption of greenhouse gases. We monitored CO2, N2O, CH4 greenhouse gas concentrations and C, O, and N stable isotope variations over a period of 4 years in a cross section of five wells located with increasing distance from the Colorado River. Pore space of partially saturated sediments located above an alluvial aquifer was sampled in vertically resolved profiles from 0.5 m to 3 m depth at a periodicity of one month to 2 weeks. Gas concentrations and stable isotopic signatures show annual-scale fluctuations. From 2013 to 2016 during cold seasons, low δ13C of CO2 ( -24‰) and high δ15N of N2O ( -5‰) and minimum concentrations in CO2 (< 5%v), N2O (< 5ppmv) and CH4 (< 0.5ppmv) coincide with low water table elevation and low temperature. At the beginning of summer, which corresponds to maximum water table elevation, we observed the highest concentrations of N2O ( 50ppmv) and of CO2 ( 5.5%v). Low δ15N ( -16‰) and relatively high δ13C ( -21‰) values were also observed for the summer season. CH4 was observed only in the well closest to the river (7ppmv). The variation of CO2, N2O and CH4 concentrations and δ values suggest changes in reducing/oxidizing microbial activity. Strongest biologically mediated reduction is associated with the highest water table, which typically induces reducing conditions. The maximum water elevation coincides with the annual snowmelt in the Rocky Mountains. Climate change directly impacts on biogeochemical cycling in the floodplain by affecting stream and river water discharge. At local and global scales, a drier and warmer climate will decrease N2O and CH4 production. A wetter climate induces higher stream and river water discharge, which will increase the zone and magnitude of N2O and CH4 production.

Accelerated carbonation using municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash and cold-rolling wastewater: Performance evaluation and reaction kinetics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chang, E-E; Pan, Shu-Yuan; Yang, Liuhanzi

2015-09-15

Highlights: • Carbonation was performed using CO{sub 2}, wastewater and bottom ash in a slurry reactor. • A maximum capture capacity of 102 g CO{sub 2} per kg BA was achieved at mild conditions. • A maximum carbonation conversion of MSWI-BA was predicted to be 95% by RSM. • The CO{sub 2} emission from Bali incinerator could be expected to reduce by 6480 ton/y. • The process energy consumption per ton CO{sub 2} captured was estimated to be 180 kW h. - Abstract: Accelerated carbonation of alkaline wastes including municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash (MSWI-BA) and the cold-rolling wastewatermore » (CRW) was investigated for carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) fixation under different operating conditions, i.e., reaction time, CO{sub 2} concentration, liquid-to-solid ratio, particle size, and CO{sub 2} flow rate. The MSWI-BA before and after carbonation process were analyzed by the thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The MSWI-BA exhibits a high carbonation conversion of 90.7%, corresponding to a CO{sub 2} fixation capacity of 102 g per kg of ash. Meanwhile, the carbonation kinetics was evaluated by the shrinking core model. In addition, the effect of different operating parameters on carbonation conversion of MSWI-BA was statistically evaluated by response surface methodology (RSM) using experimental data to predict the maximum carbonation conversion. Furthermore, the amount of CO{sub 2} reduction and energy consumption for operating the proposed process in refuse incinerator were estimated. Capsule abstract: CO{sub 2} fixation process by alkaline wastes including bottom ash and cold-rolling wastewater was developed, which should be a viable method due to high conversion.« less

Cabin air quality: indoor pollutants and climate during intercontinental flights with and without tobacco smoking.

PubMed

Lindgren, T; Norbäck, D

2002-12-01

The aim was to determine cabin air quality and in-flight exposure for cabin attendants of specific pollutants during intercontinental flights. Measurements of air humidity, temperature, carbon dioxide (CO2), respirable particles, ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and formaldehyde were performed during 26 intercontinental flights with Boeing 767-300 with and without tobacco smoking onboard. The mean temperature in cabin was 22.2 degrees C (range 17.4-26.8 degrees C), and mean relative air humidity was 6% (range 1-27%). The CO2 concentration during cruises was below the recommended limit of 1000 ppm during 96% of measured time. Mean indoor concentration of NO2 and O3, were 14.1 and 19.2 micrograms/m3, with maximum values of 37 and 66 micrograms/m3, respectively. The concentration of formaldehyde was below the detection limit (< 5 micrograms/m3), in most samples (77%), and the maximum value was 15 micrograms/m3. The mean concentration of respirable particles in the rear part of the aircraft (AFT galley area) was much higher (49 micrograms/m3) during smoking as compared with non-smoking conditions (3 micrograms/m3) (P < 0.001), with maximum values of 253 and 7 micrograms/m3. In conclusion, air humidity is very low on intercontinental flights, and the large variation of temperature shows a need for better temperature control. Tobacco smoking onboard leads to a significant pollution of respirable particles, particularly in the rear part of the cabin. The result supports the view that despite the high air exchange rate and efficient air filtration, smoking in commercial aircraft leads to a significant pollution and should be prohibited.

Kinetic bottlenecks to chemical exchange rates for deep-sea animals - Part 2: Carbon Dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmann, A. F.; Peltzer, E. T.; Brewer, P. G.

2013-04-01

Increased ocean acidification from fossil fuel CO2 invasion, from temperature-driven changes in respiration, and from possible leakage from sub-seabed geologic CO2 disposal has aroused concern over the impacts of elevated CO2 concentrations on marine life. Discussion of these impacts has so far focused only on changes in the oceanic bulk fluid properties (ΔpH, Δ[∑ CO2], etc.) as the critical variable and with a major focus on carbonate shell formation. Here we describe the rate problem for animals that must export CO2 at about the same rate at which O2 is consumed. We analyse the basic properties controlling CO2 export within the diffusive boundary layer around marine animals in an ocean changing in temperature (T) and CO2 concentration in order to compare the challenges posed by O2 uptake under stress with the equivalent problem of CO2 expulsion. The problem is more complex than that for a non-reactive gas, since with CO2 the influence of the seawater carbonate acid-base system needs to be considered. These reactions significantly facilitate CO2 efflux compared to O2 intake at equal temperature, pressure and fluid flow rate under typical oceanic concentrations. The effect of these reactions can be described by an enhancement factor, similar to that widely used for CO2 invasion at the sea surface. While organisms do need to actively regulate flow over their surface to thin the boundary layer to take up enough O2, this seems to be not necessary to facilitate CO2 efflux. Instead, the main impacts of rising oceanic CO2 will most likely be those associated with classical ocean acidification science. Regionally, as with O2, the combination of T, P and pH/pCO2 creates a zone of maximum CO2 stress at around 1000 m depth.

Methane Concentrations and Biogeochemistry in Lake Sediments from Stordalen Mire, Sub-Arctic Sweden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Halloran, M.; DeStasio, J.; Erickson, L.; Johnson, J. E.; Varner, R. K.; Setera, J.; Prado, M. F.; Wik, M.; Crill, P. M.

2013-12-01

Lake sediments are an important global carbon sink of both allochthonous and autochthonous inputs. However, lakes are also known to emit carbon in gaseous form, most often as methane (CH4) or carbon dioxide (CO2), which are potent greenhouse gases. As northern latitudes warm, it is increasingly important to understand these gases and the sediments that store them. In July of 2013 we took 48 cores at 16 sites throughout three lakes surrounding a mire underlain by degrading permafrost in sub-arctic Sweden. The goal was to characterize the sedimentology and geochemistry of the lake sediments to better understand the production, distribution, and flux of CO2 and CH4 from these lakes. Villasjön is a shallow lake less than 1.5 meters deep, Mellan Harrsjön has a maximum depth of 7 meters and is stream-fed, and Inre Harrsjön has a maximum depth of 5 meters and is connected to Mellan Harrsjön. Published radiocarbon dates suggest that all three lakes formed approximately 3400 years ago. At each sample site, we retrieved 2 to 4 cores from the lake bottom, approximately 40-80 cm in length. The cores were sub-sampled for measurements of bulk TOC, TC, TN, TS, and CaCO3 (by difference) using a CHNS Elemental Analyzer, and grain size using a laser particle size analyzer. Headspace CO2 and CH4 by gas chromatography and infrared gas analysis (IRGA) yielded production rates and CH4 sediment concentrations. Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) from porewater extractions were analyzed using IRGA and stable carbon isotopes of DIC were analyzed via a Quantum Cascade Laser. The recovered sediments in the cores from all three lakes were composed of three layers: an upper layer of organic rich sediment (30-40 cm thick), a middle transition layer of mixed organic and lithogenic materials (5-10 cm thick), and a deep layer of grey lithogenic clay with less organic carbon (of variable thickness). Preliminary results from the 12 Villasjön sites indicate that CH4 is present and produced from the organic-rich layer in the upper 20-40 cm of the sediment. TOC values in this lake range from <1 to 44 wt. %. The TOC maximum (approximately 20-40 wt. %) consistently occurred at the same depth as the methane maximum, centered at ~20 cm. A TOC minimum zone (approximately 0-5 wt. %) occurs from 35-80 cm. Particle size distributions in this lake are dominated by silt and sand size fractions (>4 um). Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) concentrations varied, but the maximum always occurred in the upper 20 cm of the core. Core sites with known high lake surface methane fluxes from bubble trap measurements also show high methane concentrations in the sediment, high DIC concentrations in the pore fluids, and δ 13C signatures of CO2 ranging from 0 to 10, consistent with methanogenesis. Similar results are expected from the integration of pending sediment methane profiles with these data from the other two lakes: Mellan Harrsjön and Inre Harrsjön. Future work, including 14C dating, microbial community profiling, and δ13C signatures of CH4 will yield more insight into the biogeochemical mechanisms that regulate sediment methane distributions. 13C isotopes of methane and DIC should indicate if methane consumption through AOM or diffusion is controlling its distribution.

Nonlinear refraction of Nd3+-Li+ co-doped CdS-PVP nanostructure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Talwatkar, S. S.; Sunatkari, A. L.; Tamgadge, Y. S.; Muley, G. G.

2018-05-01

Third-order optical nonlinearity of the co-doped CdS nanoparticles embedded in polymer thin films is studied with the Z-scan technique with 632.8 nm excitation using a cw laser. The results show that the co-doped CdS nanocomposite film exhibits enhanced negative nonlinear refractive index in the order of n2 ≈ 10-5 cm2/W, as compared to the undoped CdS nanoparticles. Nonlinear refractive index of co-doped CdS-PVP thin film are found maximum for the sample doped with 5 wt% of Nd3+-Li+ concentration. The underlying mechanism is discussed.

Line-averaging measurement methods to estimate the gap in the CO2 balance closure - possibilities, challenges, and uncertainties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziemann, Astrid; Starke, Manuela; Schütze, Claudia

2017-11-01

An imbalance of surface energy fluxes using the eddy covariance (EC) method is observed in global measurement networks although all necessary corrections and conversions are applied to the raw data. Mainly during nighttime, advection can occur, resulting in a closing gap that consequently should also affect the CO2 balances. There is the crucial need for representative concentration and wind data to measure advective fluxes. Ground-based remote sensing techniques are an ideal tool as they provide the spatially representative CO2 concentration together with wind components within the same voxel structure. For this purpose, the presented SQuAd (Spatially resolved Quantification of the Advection influence on the balance closure of greenhouse gases) approach applies an integrated method combination of acoustic and optical remote sensing. The innovative combination of acoustic travel-time tomography (A-TOM) and open-path Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (OP-FTIR) will enable an upscaling and enhancement of EC measurements. OP-FTIR instrumentation offers the significant advantage of real-time simultaneous measurements of line-averaged concentrations for CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs). A-TOM is a scalable method to remotely resolve 3-D wind and temperature fields. The paper will give an overview about the proposed SQuAd approach and first results of experimental tests at the FLUXNET site Grillenburg in Germany. Preliminary results of the comprehensive experiments reveal a mean nighttime horizontal advection of CO2 of about 10 µmol m-2 s-1 estimated by the spatially integrating and representative SQuAd method. Additionally, uncertainties in determining CO2 concentrations using passive OP-FTIR and wind speed applying A-TOM are systematically quantified. The maximum uncertainty for CO2 concentration was estimated due to environmental parameters, instrumental characteristics, and retrieval procedure with a total amount of approximately 30 % for a single measurement. Instantaneous wind components can be derived with a maximum uncertainty of 0.3 m s-1 depending on sampling, signal analysis, and environmental influences on sound propagation. Averaging over a period of 30 min, the standard error of the mean values can be decreased by a factor of at least 0.5 for OP-FTIR and 0.1 for A-TOM depending on the required spatial resolution. The presented validation of the joint application of the two independent, nonintrusive methods is in the focus of attention concerning their ability to quantify advective fluxes.

Adsorption separation of carbon dioxide from flue gas by a molecularly imprinted adsorbent.

PubMed

Zhao, Yi; Shen, Yanmei; Ma, Guoyi; Hao, Rongjie

2014-01-01

CO2 separation by molecularly imprinted adsorbent from coal-fired flue gas after desulfurization system has been studied. The adsorbent was synthesized by molecular imprinted technique, using ethanedioic acid, acrylamide, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as the template, functional monomer, and cross-linker, respectively. According to the conditions of coal-fired flue gas, the influencing factors, including adsorption temperature, desorption temperature, gas flow rate, and concentrations of CO2, H2O, O2, SO2, and NO, were studied by fixed bed breakthrough experiments. The experimental conditions were optimized to gain the best adsorption performance and reduce unnecessary energy consumption in future practical use. The optimized adsorption temperature, desorption temperature, concentrations of CO2, and gas flow rate are 60 °C, 80 °C, 13%, and 170 mL/min, respectively, which correspond to conditions of practical flue gases to the most extent. The CO2 adsorption performance was nearly unaffected by H2O, O2, and NO in the flue gas, and was promoted by SO2 within the emission limit stipulated in the Chinese emission standards of air pollutants for a thermal power plant. The maximum CO2 adsorption capacity, 0.57 mmol/g, was obtained under the optimized experimental conditions, and the SO2 concentration was 150 mg/m(3). The influence mechanisms of H2O, O2, SO2, and NO on CO2 adsorption capacity were investigated by infrared spectroscopic analysis.

Sulfur capture under periodically changing oxidizing and reducing conditions in PFBC

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zevenhoven, R.; Yrjas, P.; Hupa, M.

1999-07-01

During in situ sulfur capture with a calcium-based sorbent in fluidized bed combustion (FBC), a temperature optimum is found, at atmospheric pressure, at {approximately}850 C. The repeated decomposition of sulfated limestone during stages where the gas atmosphere surrounding the sorbent particle is not oxidizing but reducing has been identified to explain this maximum. Under pressurized (PFBC) conditions, an additional aspect is the direct conversion of calcium carbonate (CaCO{sub 3}) without the intermediate calcium oxide (CaO) due to the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}). In this work it was evaluated how stable calcium sulfate (CaSO{sub 4}) is in amore » gas atmosphere that periodically changes from oxidizing to reducing and vice versa. Atmospheric as well as elevated pressures are considered. CaO or CaCO{sub 3}, and/or calcium sulfide (CaS) are formed during the reducing stage. Using a pressurized thermogravimetric reactor (PTGR) a limestone was periodically sulfated under oxidizing conditions and decomposed under reducing conditions with carbon monoxide (CO), or with CO + H{sub 2} (hydrogen). Experiments at 1 bar and 15 bar were carried out, at temperatures from 850 C to 950 C, at C O and CO + H{sub 2} concentrations up to 4%-vol. The experimental data were modeled using simple first order (parallel) reaction schemes that allowed for sorbent structure changes. This gave rate parameters for the sulfation and the decomposition reactions, and identified the decomposition products. It was found that 1 bar, CO + H{sub 2} gives a higher reduction of CaSO{sub 4} than CO, at the same total concentration. The rate of decomposition increases faster with temperature than the sulfation, explaining the sulfation efficiency maximum mentioned above. At 15 bar, a different picture is seen. The reductive decomposition rate as well as the sulfation rate are slower, with CO as well as CO with small amounts of H{sub 2} as the reducing species. There is a significant effect of the water which is present in the gas at higher concentrations than H{sub 2}. Thermodynamics indicate that this leads to the decomposition of CaS, releasing H{sub 2}S.« less

Relationships between CO 2, thermodynamic limits on silicate weathering, and the strength of the silicate weathering feedback

DOE PAGES

Winnick, Matthew J.; Maher, Kate

2018-01-27

Recent studies have suggested that thermodynamic limitations on chemical weathering rates exert a first-order control on riverine solute fluxes and by extension, global chemical weathering rates. As such, these limitations may play a prominent role in the regulation of carbon dioxide levels (pCO 2) over geologic timescales by constraining the maximum global weathering flux. In this study, we develop a theoretical scaling relationship between equilibrium solute concentrations and pCO 2 based on equilibrium constants and reaction stoichiometry relating primary mineral dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation. Here, we test this theoretical scaling relationship against reactive transport simulations of chemical weathering profilesmore » under open-and closed-system conditions, representing partially and fully water-saturated regolith, respectively. Under open-system conditions, equilibrium bicarbonate concentrations vary as a power-law function of pCO 2(y =kx n)where nis dependent on reaction stoichiometry and kis dependent on both reaction stoichiometry and the equilibrium constant. Under closed-system conditions, bicarbonate concentrations vary linearly with pCO 2 at low values and approach open-system scaling at high pCO 2. To describe the potential role of thermodynamic limitations in the global silicate weathering feedback, we develop a new mathematical framework to assess weathering feedback strength in terms of both (1) steady-state atmospheric pCO 2 concentrations, and (2) susceptibility to secular changes in degassing rates and transient carbon cycle perturbations, which we term 1st and 2nd order feedback strength, respectively. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results for the effects of vascular land plant evolution on feedback strength, the potential role of vegetation in controlling modern solute fluxes, and the application of these frameworks to a more complete functional description of the silicate weathering feedback. Most notably, the dependence of equilibrium solute concentrations on pCO 2 may represent a direct weathering feedback largely independent of climate and modulated by belowground organic carbon respiration.« less

Relationships between CO 2, thermodynamic limits on silicate weathering, and the strength of the silicate weathering feedback

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Winnick, Matthew J.; Maher, Kate

Recent studies have suggested that thermodynamic limitations on chemical weathering rates exert a first-order control on riverine solute fluxes and by extension, global chemical weathering rates. As such, these limitations may play a prominent role in the regulation of carbon dioxide levels (pCO 2) over geologic timescales by constraining the maximum global weathering flux. In this study, we develop a theoretical scaling relationship between equilibrium solute concentrations and pCO 2 based on equilibrium constants and reaction stoichiometry relating primary mineral dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation. Here, we test this theoretical scaling relationship against reactive transport simulations of chemical weathering profilesmore » under open-and closed-system conditions, representing partially and fully water-saturated regolith, respectively. Under open-system conditions, equilibrium bicarbonate concentrations vary as a power-law function of pCO 2(y =kx n)where nis dependent on reaction stoichiometry and kis dependent on both reaction stoichiometry and the equilibrium constant. Under closed-system conditions, bicarbonate concentrations vary linearly with pCO 2 at low values and approach open-system scaling at high pCO 2. To describe the potential role of thermodynamic limitations in the global silicate weathering feedback, we develop a new mathematical framework to assess weathering feedback strength in terms of both (1) steady-state atmospheric pCO 2 concentrations, and (2) susceptibility to secular changes in degassing rates and transient carbon cycle perturbations, which we term 1st and 2nd order feedback strength, respectively. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results for the effects of vascular land plant evolution on feedback strength, the potential role of vegetation in controlling modern solute fluxes, and the application of these frameworks to a more complete functional description of the silicate weathering feedback. Most notably, the dependence of equilibrium solute concentrations on pCO 2 may represent a direct weathering feedback largely independent of climate and modulated by belowground organic carbon respiration.« less

Relationships between CO2, thermodynamic limits on silicate weathering, and the strength of the silicate weathering feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Winnick, Matthew J.; Maher, Kate

2018-03-01

Recent studies have suggested that thermodynamic limitations on chemical weathering rates exert a first-order control on riverine solute fluxes and by extension, global chemical weathering rates. As such, these limitations may play a prominent role in the regulation of carbon dioxide levels (pCO2) over geologic timescales by constraining the maximum global weathering flux. In this study, we develop a theoretical scaling relationship between equilibrium solute concentrations and pCO2 based on equilibrium constants and reaction stoichiometry relating primary mineral dissolution and secondary mineral precipitation. We test this theoretical scaling relationship against reactive transport simulations of chemical weathering profiles under open- and closed-system conditions, representing partially and fully water-saturated regolith, respectively. Under open-system conditions, equilibrium bicarbonate concentrations vary as a power-law function of pCO2 (y = kxn) where n is dependent on reaction stoichiometry and k is dependent on both reaction stoichiometry and the equilibrium constant. Under closed-system conditions, bicarbonate concentrations vary linearly with pCO2 at low values and approach open-system scaling at high pCO2. To describe the potential role of thermodynamic limitations in the global silicate weathering feedback, we develop a new mathematical framework to assess weathering feedback strength in terms of both (1) steady-state atmospheric pCO2 concentrations, and (2) susceptibility to secular changes in degassing rates and transient carbon cycle perturbations, which we term 1st and 2nd order feedback strength, respectively. Finally, we discuss the implications of these results for the effects of vascular land plant evolution on feedback strength, the potential role of vegetation in controlling modern solute fluxes, and the application of these frameworks to a more complete functional description of the silicate weathering feedback. Most notably, the dependence of equilibrium solute concentrations on pCO2 may represent a direct weathering feedback largely independent of climate and modulated by belowground organic carbon respiration.

Responses of invasive silver and bighead carp to a carbon dioxide barrier in outdoor ponds

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cupp, Aaron R.; Erickson, Richard A.; Fredricks, Kim T.; Swyers, Nicholas M.; Hatton, Tyson; Amberg, Jon J.

2017-01-01

Resource managers need for effective methods to prevent the movement of silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (H. nobilis) from the Mississippi River basin into the Laurentian Great Lakes. In this study, we evaluated dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) as a barrier and deterrent to silver (278 ± 30.5 mm) and bighead (212 ± 7.7 mm) carp movement in continuous-flow outdoor ponds. As a barrier, CO2 significantly reduced upstream movement but was not 100% effective at blocking fish passage. As a deterrent, we observed a significant shift away from areas of high CO2 relative to normal movement before and after injection. Carbon dioxide concentrations varied across the pond during injection and reached maximum concentrations of 74.5±1.9 mg/L CO2; 29 532 – 41 393 µatm at the site of injection during three independent trials. We conclude that CO2 altered silver and bighead carp movement in outdoor ponds and recommend further research to determine barrier effectiveness during field applications.

40 CFR 86.1314-94 - Analytical gases.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... CO2. respectively, using nitrogen as the diluent. (b) Gases for the hydrocarbon analyzer shall be: (1... named as NOX with a maximum NO2 concentration of five percent of the nominal value using nitrogen as the... the balance being helium. The mixture shall contain less than 1 ppm equivalent carbon response. 98 to...

40 CFR 86.1314-94 - Analytical gases.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... CO2. respectively, using nitrogen as the diluent. (b) Gases for the hydrocarbon analyzer shall be: (1... named as NOX with a maximum NO2 concentration of five percent of the nominal value using nitrogen as the... the balance being helium. The mixture shall contain less than 1 ppm equivalent carbon response. 98 to...

40 CFR 86.1314-94 - Analytical gases.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... CO2. respectively, using nitrogen as the diluent. (b) Gases for the hydrocarbon analyzer shall be: (1... named as NOX with a maximum NO2 concentration of five percent of the nominal value using nitrogen as the... the balance being helium. The mixture shall contain less than 1 ppm equivalent carbon response. 98 to...

40 CFR 86.1314-94 - Analytical gases.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... CO2. respectively, using nitrogen as the diluent. (b) Gases for the hydrocarbon analyzer shall be: (1... named as NOX with a maximum NO2 concentration of five percent of the nominal value using nitrogen as the... the balance being helium. The mixture shall contain less than 1 ppm equivalent carbon response. 98 to...

Indoor Air Quality of Residential Building Before and After Renovation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánka, Imrich; Földváry, Veronika

2017-06-01

This study investigates the impact of energy renovation on the indoor air quality of an apartment building during the heating season. The study was performed in one residential building before and after its renovation. An evaluation of the indoor air quality was performed using objective measurements and a subjective survey. The concentration of CO2 was measured in the bedrooms, and a sampling of the total volatile compounds (TVOC) was performed in the living rooms of the selected apartments. Higher concentrations of CO2 and TVOC were observed in the residential building after its renovation. The concentrations of CO2, and TVOC in some of the cases exceeded the recommended maximum limits, especially after implementing energy-saving measures on the building. The average air exchange rate was visibly higher before the renovation of the building. The current study indicates that large-scale renovations may reduce the quality of an indoor environment in many apartments, especially in the winter season.

Magnetic and structural transitions in La1-xAxCoO3 ( A=Ca , Sr, and Ba)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kriener, M.; Braden, M.; Kierspel, H.; Senff, D.; Zabara, O.; Zobel, C.; Lorenz, T.

2009-06-01

We report thermal-expansion, lattice-constant, and specific-heat data of the series La1-xAxCoO3 for 0≤x≤0.30 with A=Ca , Sr, and Ba. For the undoped compound LaCoO3 , the thermal-expansion coefficient α(T) exhibits a pronounced maximum around T=50K caused by a temperature-driven spin-state transition from a low-spin state of the Co3+ ions at low temperatures toward a higher spin state at higher temperatures. The partial substitution of the La3+ ions by divalent Ca2+ , Sr2+ , or Ba2+ ions causes drastic changes in the macroscopic properties of LaCoO3 . The large maximum in α(T) is suppressed and completely vanishes for x≳0.125 . For A=Ca three different anomalies develop in α(T) with further increasing x , which are visible in specific-heat data as well. Together with temperature-dependent x-ray data, we identify several phase transitions as a function of the doping concentration x and temperature. From these data we propose an extended phase diagram for La1-xCaxCoO3 .

Ozone uptake, water loss and carbon exchange dynamics in annually drought-stressed Pinus ponderosa forests: measured trends and parameters for uptake modeling.

PubMed

Panek, Jeanne A

2004-03-01

This paper describes 3 years of physiological measurements on ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) growing along an ozone concentration gradient in the Sierra Nevada, California, including variables necessary to parameterize, validate and modify photosynthesis and stomatal conductance algorithms used to estimate ozone uptake. At all sites, gas exchange was under tight stomatal control during the growing season. Stomatal conductance was strongly correlated with leaf water potential (R2=0.82), which decreased over the growing season with decreasing soil water content (R2=0.60). Ozone uptake, carbon uptake, and transpirational water loss closely followed the dynamics of stomatal conductance. Peak ozone and CO2 uptake occurred in early summer and declined progressively thereafter. As a result, periods of maximum ozone uptake did not correspond to periods of peak ozone concentration, underscoring the inappropriateness of using current metrics based on concentration (e.g., SUM0, W126 and AOT40) for assessing ozone exposure risk to plants in this climate region. Both Jmax (maximum CO2-saturated photosynthetic rate, limited by electron transport) and Vcmax (maximum rate of Rubisco-limited carboxylation) increased toward the middle of the growing season, then decreased in September. Intrinsic water-use efficiency rose with increasing drought stress, as expected. The ratio of Jmax to Vcmax was similar to literature values of 2.0. Nighttime respiration followed a Q10 of 2.0, but was significantly higher at the high-ozone site. Respiration rates decreased by the end of the summer as a result of decreased metabolic activity and carbon stores.

Effects of CO(2) enrichment on photosynthesis, growth, and nitrogen metabolism of the seagrass Zostera noltii.

PubMed

Alexandre, Ana; Silva, João; Buapet, Pimchanok; Björk, Mats; Santos, Rui

2012-10-01

Seagrass ecosystems are expected to benefit from the global increase in CO(2) in the ocean because the photosynthetic rate of these plants may be C(i)-limited at the current CO(2) level. As well, it is expected that lower external pH will facilitate the nitrate uptake of seagrasses if nitrate is cotransported with H(+) across the membrane as in terrestrial plants. Here, we investigate the effects of CO(2) enrichment on both carbon and nitrogen metabolism of the seagrass Zostera noltii in a mesocosm experiment where plants were exposed for 5 months to two experimental CO(2) concentrations (360 and 700 ppm). Both the maximum photosynthetic rate (P(m)) and photosynthetic efficiency (α) were higher (1.3- and 4.1-fold, respectively) in plants exposed to CO(2)-enriched conditions. On the other hand, no significant effects of CO(2) enrichment on leaf growth rates were observed, probably due to nitrogen limitation as revealed by the low nitrogen content of leaves. The leaf ammonium uptake rate and glutamine synthetase activity were not significantly affected by increased CO(2) concentrations. On the other hand, the leaf nitrate uptake rate of plants exposed to CO(2)-enriched conditions was fourfold lower than the uptake of plants exposed to current CO(2) level, suggesting that in the seagrass Z. noltii nitrate is not cotransported with H(+) as in terrestrial plants. In contrast, the activity of nitrate reductase was threefold higher in plant leaves grown at high-CO(2) concentrations. Our results suggest that the global effects of CO(2) on seagrass production may be spatially heterogeneous and depend on the specific nitrogen availability of each system. Under a CO(2) increase scenario, the natural levels of nutrients will probably become limiting for Z. noltii. This potential limitation becomes more relevant because the expected positive effect of CO(2) increase on nitrate uptake rate was not confirmed.

Effects of CO2 enrichment on photosynthesis, growth, and nitrogen metabolism of the seagrass Zostera noltii

PubMed Central

Alexandre, Ana; Silva, João; Buapet, Pimchanok; Björk, Mats; Santos, Rui

2012-01-01

Seagrass ecosystems are expected to benefit from the global increase in CO2 in the ocean because the photosynthetic rate of these plants may be Ci-limited at the current CO2 level. As well, it is expected that lower external pH will facilitate the nitrate uptake of seagrasses if nitrate is cotransported with H+ across the membrane as in terrestrial plants. Here, we investigate the effects of CO2 enrichment on both carbon and nitrogen metabolism of the seagrass Zostera noltii in a mesocosm experiment where plants were exposed for 5 months to two experimental CO2 concentrations (360 and 700 ppm). Both the maximum photosynthetic rate (Pm) and photosynthetic efficiency (α) were higher (1.3- and 4.1-fold, respectively) in plants exposed to CO2-enriched conditions. On the other hand, no significant effects of CO2 enrichment on leaf growth rates were observed, probably due to nitrogen limitation as revealed by the low nitrogen content of leaves. The leaf ammonium uptake rate and glutamine synthetase activity were not significantly affected by increased CO2 concentrations. On the other hand, the leaf nitrate uptake rate of plants exposed to CO2-enriched conditions was fourfold lower than the uptake of plants exposed to current CO2 level, suggesting that in the seagrass Z. noltii nitrate is not cotransported with H+ as in terrestrial plants. In contrast, the activity of nitrate reductase was threefold higher in plant leaves grown at high-CO2 concentrations. Our results suggest that the global effects of CO2 on seagrass production may be spatially heterogeneous and depend on the specific nitrogen availability of each system. Under a CO2 increase scenario, the natural levels of nutrients will probably become limiting for Z. noltii. This potential limitation becomes more relevant because the expected positive effect of CO2 increase on nitrate uptake rate was not confirmed. PMID:23145346

[Photometric determination of cobalt by the formation of a multi-ligand complex of Co(II)-C16H16N2S2O2-DEA].

PubMed

Xue, Zhao-ming; Xie, An-jian; Huang, Fang-zhi; Ma, Wen

2002-08-01

The new ligand vanillin S-benzyldithocarbazte(HL) and its complex Co(II)-C16H16N2S2O2-DEA was synthesized and characterized by IR, UV-Vis. The optimum color conditions of the complex in 95% ethanol solution(including reaction temperature T, heating time t, and the concentrations of the three components) have been studied by quadratic regression orthogonal design method. According to the quadratic-regression equation, the maximum absorption intensity and optimum color conditions of the complex were calculated. The results were consistent with those gotten by experiment. The influences of common ions on the determination of cobalt and the methods to eliminate the influence are investigated. The maximum absorption peak of the complex is found at 404 nm and molar absorptivity is 5.29 x 10(4) L.mol-1.cm-1. Beer's law is obeyed in the range of 0-20 micrograms.(25 mL)-1 for Co(II). The composition of Co2+ to HL, and DEA in the complex is 1:2:1. The new method was successfully utilized to the determination of cobalt in VB12 and medicine.

Evaluation of photosynthetic efficacy and CO2 removal of microalgae grown in an enriched bicarbonate medium.

PubMed

Abinandan, S; Shanthakumar, S

2016-06-01

Bicarbonate species in the aqueous phase is the primary source for CO 2 for the growth of microalgae. The potential of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) fixation by Chlorella pyrenoidosa in enriched bicarbonate medium was evaluated. In the present study, effects of parameters such as pH, sodium bicarbonate concentration and inoculum size were assessed for the removal of CO 2 by C. pyrenoidosa under mixotrophic condition. Central composite design tool from response surface methodology was used to validate statistical methods in order to study the influence of these parameters. The obtained results reveal that the maximum removal of CO 2 was attained at pH 8 with sodium bicarbonate concentration of 3.33 g/l, and inoculum size of 30 %. The experimental results were statistically significant with R 2 value of 0.9527 and 0.960 for CO 2 removal and accumulation of chlorophyll content, respectively. Among the various interactions, interactive effects between the parameters pH and inoculum size was statistically significant (P < 0.05) for CO 2 removal and chlorophyll accumulation. Based on the studies, the application of C. pyrenoidosa as a potential source for carbon dioxide removal at alkaline pH from bicarbonate source is highlighted.

Experimental study on CO2 frosting and clogging in a brazed plate heat exchanger for natural gas liquefaction process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jitan; He, Tianbiao; Ju, Yonglin

2018-04-01

The plate-fin heat exchanger (PFHE), which has been widely used in natural gas liquefaction (LNG) industry at present, has some disadvantages such as being sensitive to the impurities in the feed gas, such as water, CO2 and H2S. Compared with the PFHE, the brazed plate heat exchanger (BPHE), which has been applied in some boil off gas (BOG) recycling LNG plants of small to middle size, has simpler inherent structure and higher impurity tolerance. In this study the BPHE is suggested to replace the PFHE to simplify or even omit the massive CO2 purification equipment for the LNG process. A set of experimental apparatus is designed and constructed to investigate the influence of the CO2 concentration of the natural gas on solid precipitation inside a typical BPHE meanly by considering the flow resistance throughout the LNG process. The results show that the maximum allowable CO2 concentration of the natural gas liquefied in the BPHE is two orders of magnitude higher than that in the PFHE under the same condition. In addition, the solid-liquid separation for the CO2 impurity is studied and the reasonable separating temperature is obtained. The solid CO2 should be separated below 135 K under the pressure of 3 MPa.

Role of Southern Ocean stratification in glacial atmospheric CO2 reduction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kobayashi, H.; Oka, A.

2014-12-01

Paleoclimate proxy data at the glacial period shows high salinity of more than 37.0 psu in the deep South Atlantic. At the same time, data also indicate that the residence time of the water mass was more than 3000 years. These data implies that the stratification by salinity was stronger in the deep Southern Ocean (SO) in the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Previous studies using Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) fail to explain the low glacial atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration at LGM. The reproducibility of salinity and water mass age is considered insufficient in these OGCMs, which may in turn affect the reproducibility of the atmospheric CO2concentration. In coarse-resolution OGCMs, The deep water is formed by unrealistic open-ocean deep convection in the SO. Considering these facts, we guessed previous studies using OGCM underestimated the salinity and water mass age at LGM. This study investigate the role of the enhanced stratification in the glacial SO on the variation of atmospheric CO2 concentration by using OGCM. In order to reproduce the recorded salinity of the deep water, relaxation of salinity toward value of recorded data is introduced in our OGCM simulations. It was found that deep water formation in East Antarctica is required for explaining the high salinity in the South Atlantic. In contrast, it is difficult to explain the glacial water mass age, even if we assume the situation vertical mixing is very weak in the SO. Contrary to previous estimate, the high salinity of the deep SO resulted in increase of Antarctic Bottom water (AABW) flow and decrease the residence time of carbon in the deep ocean, which increased atmospheric CO2 concentration. On the other hand, the weakening of the vertical mixing in the SO contributed to increase the vertical gradient of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), which decreased atmospheric CO2 concentration. Adding the contribution of the enhanced stratification in the glacial SO, we obtained larger reduction in atmospheric CO2 concentration than previous studies. However, we still fail to explain the full amplitude of recorded glacial reduction of atmospheric CO2 concentration. The carbonate compensation process, which is not incorporated in our simulations, might be required for further reduction in atmospheric CO2 concentration.

The effect of boron doping on crystal structure, magnetic properties and magnetocaloric effect of DyCo 2

DOE PAGES

Wang, C. L.; Liu, J.; Mudryk, Y.; ...

2015-12-19

In this study, the magnetic properties and magnetic entropy changes of DyCo 2B x (x=0, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2) alloys were investigated. The Curie temperature (TC) increases with increasing B concentration. The frequency dependence of ac magnetic susceptibility of DyCo 2 caused by the narrow domain wall pinning effect is depressed by B doping, but the coercivity and the magnetic viscosity are prominently increased in the B doped alloys. The magnetic transition nature of DyCo 2B x changes from the first-order to the second-order with increasing x, which leads to the decrease of the maximum magnetic entropy change. However, themore » relative cooling power (RCP) of DyCo 2 and the B doped alloys remains nearly constant.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gorshkov, V.G.; Makarieva, A.M.

The oceanic phytoplancton productivity may essentially influence the total rate of the atmospheric CO{sub 2} absorption by the ocean - that is, a considerable amount of CO{sub 2} will be taken-up in the 50 micrometers thick layer near the air-sea interface. Even if phytoplancton production constitutes only 5% of the total oceanic biota production, this will increase the rate of CO{sub 2} absorption more than twice compared with the present estimates. The reason is that metabolic activity of phytoplancton leads to the emergence in a thin scin (50 micrometers, the average size of phytoplancton cells) layer near the water surfacemore » of an additional minimum in the CO{sub 2} partial pressure profile and of an additional maximum of {Delta} {sup 13}C in the same area. These two extremums cannot be detected if the corresponding characteristics are averaged over any microscopic area in the well mixing layer that is more than 1 meter deep, which is usually the case when the oceanic concentrations of CO{sub 2} are measured. This effect may account for the observed contradiction between the existing estimates of the rate of CO{sub 2} absorption, that are based either on measuring gradient of the concentrations of the dissolved organic and inorganic carbon or on measuring of the physical flux of CO{sub 2} through the air-sea interface.« less

Potential of porous Co3O4 nanorods as cathode catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in microbial fuel cells.

PubMed

Kumar, Ravinder; Singh, Lakhveer; Zularisam, A W; Hai, Faisal I

2016-11-01

This study aims to investigate the potential of porous Co3O4 nanorods as the cathode catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in aqueous air cathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The porous Co3O4 nanorods were synthesized by a facile and cost-effective hydrothermal method. Three different concentrations (0.5mg/cm(2), 1mg/cm(2), and 2mg/cm(2)) of Co3O4 nanorods coated on graphite electrodes were used to test its performance in MFCs. The results showed that the addition of porous Co3O4 nanorods enhanced the electrocatalytic activity and ORR kinetics significantly and the overall resistance of the system was greatly reduced. Moreover, the MFC with a higher concentration of the catalyst achieved a maximum power density of 503±16mW/m(2), which was approximately five times higher than the bare graphite electrode. The improved catalytic activity of the cathodes could be due to the porous properties of Co3O4 nanorods that provided the higher number of active sites for oxygen. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of Elevated CO2 on Trace Element Release from Aquifer Sediments of the San Joaquin Valley, CA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fox, P. M.; Nico, P. S.; Davis, J. A.; Spycher, N.

2014-12-01

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a promising technique for mitigating climate change by storing large volumes of carbon dioxide in deep saline aquifers. In California, the thick marine sediments of the Central and Salinas Valleys have been identified as prime targets for future CO2 storage. However, the potential impacts on water quality of overlying drinking-water aquifers must be studied before CCS can be implemented. In this study, we compare trace element release from San Joaquin Valley aquifer sediments with a wide range of textural and redox properties. Kinetic batch experiments were performed with artificial groundwater continuously equilibrated under CO2-saturated (at 1 atm) and background CO2 (0.002-0.006 atm) conditions, resulting in a shift of nearly 3 pH units. In addition, the reversibility of trace element release was studied by sequentially lowering the CO2 from 1.0 atm to 0.5 atm to background concentrations (0.002-0.006 atm) for CO2-saturated systems in order to mimic the dissipation of a CO2 plume in the aquifer. During exposure to high CO2, a number of elements displayed enhanced release compared to background CO2 experiments (Ca, Mg, Li, Si, B, As, Sr, Ni, Fe, Mn, V, Ti, and Co) with concentrations of As, Fe, and Mn exceeding EPA maximum contaminant levels in some cases. On the other hand, Mo and U showed suppressed release. Most intriguing, many of the elements showing enhanced release displayed at least some degree of irreversibility when CO2 concentrations were decreased to background levels. In fact, in some cases (i.e., for V), an element showed further release when CO2 concentrations were decreased. These results suggest that there may be longer-term effects on groundwater quality that persist even after the CO2 plume has dissipated. Several different mechanisms of trace element release including ion exchange, desorption, and carbonate mineral dissolution are explored. Preliminary modeling results suggest that carbonate mineral dissolution can play a key role in driving trace element release even in sediments where carbonates are in low abundance.

Do the pollution related to high-traffic roads in urbanised areas pose a significant threat to the local population?

PubMed

Kobza, Joanna; Geremek, Mariusz

2017-01-01

Many large neighbourhoods are located near heavy-traffic roads; therefore, it is necessary to control the levels of air pollution near road exposure. The primary air pollutants emitted by motor vehicles are CO, NO 2 and PM. Various investigations identify key health outcomes to be consistently associated with NO 2 and CO. The objective of this study was the measurement-based assessment for determining whether by high-traffic roads, such as motorways and express ways, and the concentrations of CO and NO 2 are within normal limits and do not pose threat to the local population. Average daily values (arithmetic values calculated for 1-h values within 24 h or less, depending on result availability) were measured for concentrations of NO 2 and CO by automatic stations belonging to the Voivodship Environmental Protection Inspectorate in Katowice, in areas with similar dominant source of pollutant emission. The measurements were made in three sites: near the motorway and expressway, where the average daily traffic intensity is 100983 and 35414 of vehicles relatively. No evidence was found of exceeding average daily values equal to the maximum allowable NO 2 concentration due to the protection of human health in the measurement area of the stations. No daily average values exceeding the admissible CO concentration (8-h moving average) were noted in the examined period. The results clearly show lack of hazards for general population health in terms of increased concentrations of CO and NO 2 compounds that are closely related to high intensity car traffic found on selected motorways and speedways located near the city centres.

Enhancing ethanol production from cellulosic sugars using Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Studies were performed on the effect of CaCO3 and CaCl2 supplementation to fermentation medium for ethanol production from xylose, glucose, or their mixtures using Scheffersomyces (Pichia) stipitis. Both of these chemicals were found to improve maximum ethanol concentration and ethanol productivity....

Effect of elevated CO2 on chlorpyriphos degradation and soil microbial activities in tropical rice soil.

PubMed

Adak, Totan; Munda, Sushmita; Kumar, Upendra; Berliner, J; Pokhare, Somnath S; Jambhulkar, N N; Jena, M

2016-02-01

Impact of elevated CO2 on chlorpyriphos degradation, microbial biomass carbon, and enzymatic activities in rice soil was investigated. Rice (variety Naveen, Indica type) was grown under four conditions, namely, chambered control, elevated CO2 (550 ppm), elevated CO2 (700 ppm) in open-top chambers and open field. Chlorpyriphos was sprayed at 500 g a.i. ha(-1) at maximum tillering stage. Chlorpyriphos degraded rapidly from rice soils, and 88.4% of initially applied chlorpyriphos was lost from the rice soil maintained under elevated CO2 (700 ppm) by day 5 of spray, whereas the loss was 80.7% from open field rice soil. Half-life values of chlorpyriphos under different conditions ranged from 2.4 to 1.7 days with minimum half-life recorded with two elevated CO2 treatments. Increased CO2 concentration led to increase in temperature (1.2 to 1.8 °C) that played a critical role in chlorpyriphos persistence. Microbial biomass carbon and soil enzymatic activities specifically, dehydrogenase, fluorescien diacetate hydrolase, urease, acid phosphatase, and alkaline phosphatase responded positively to elevated CO2 concentrations. Generally, the enzyme activities were highly correlated with each other. Irrespective of the level of CO2, short-term negative influence of chlorpyriphos was observed on soil enzymes till day 7 of spray. Knowledge obtained from this study highlights that the elevated CO2 may negatively influence persistence of pesticide but will have positive effects on soil enzyme activities.

Aspects regarding vertical distribution of greenhouse gases resulted from in situ airborne measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boscornea, Andreea; Sorin Vajaiac, Nicolae; Ardelean, Magdalena; Benciu, Silviu Stefan

2016-04-01

In the last decades the air quality, as well as other components of the environment, has been severely affected by uncontrolled emissions of gases - most known as greenhouse gases (GHG). The main role of GHG is given by the direct influence on the Earth's radiative budget, through Sun light scattering and indirectly by participating in cloud formation. Aldo, many efforts were made for reducing the high levels of these pollutants, e.g., International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) initiatives, Montreal Protocol, etc., this issue is still open. In this context, this study aims to present several aspects regarding the vertical distribution in the lower atmosphere of some greenhouse gases: water vapours, CO, CO2 and methane. Bucharest and its metropolitan area is one of the most polluted regions of Romania due to high traffic. For assessing the air quality of this area, in situ measurements of water vapours, CO, CO2 and CH4 were performed using a Britten Norman Islander BN2 aircraft equipped with a Picarro gas analyser, model G2401-mc, able to provide precised, continuous and accurate data in real time. This configuration consisting in aircraft and airborne instruments was tested for the first time in Romania. For accomplishing the objectives of the measurement campaign, there were proposed several flight strategies which included vertical and horizontal soundings from 105 m to 3300 m and vice-versa around Clinceni area (20 km West of Bucharest). During 5 days (25.08.2015 - 31.08.2015) were performed 7 flights comprising 10h 18min research flight hours. The measured concentrations of GHS ranged between 0.18 - 2.2 ppm for water vapours with an average maximum value of 1.7 ppm, 0.04 - 0.53 ppm for CO with an average maximum value of 0.21 ppm, 377 - 437.5 ppm for CO2 with an average maximum value of 397 ppm and 1.7 - 6.1 ppm for CH4 with an average maximum value of 2.195 ppm. It was noticed that measured concentrations of GHG are decreasing for high values of sounding altitude, this aspect showing a non-uniform mixing of GHG in the lower atmosphere. These results are part of the 2nd campaign of the project AROMAT - Airborne ROmanian Measurements of Aerosols and Trace gases founded by European Space Agency -ESA, whose objective consist in testing the most recent developed instruments able to provide a 3D representation of the state of the atmosphere for the validation of Sentinel 5P and Sentinel 5 observation systems.

Evaluation of CO2, N2 and He as Fire Suppression Agents in Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ruff, Gary A.; Hicks, Michael; Pettegrew, Richard

2004-01-01

The U.S. modules of the International Space Station use gaseous CO2 as the fire extinguishing agent. This was selected as a result of extensive experience with CO2 as a fire suppressant in terrestrial applications, trade studies on various suppressants, and experiments. The selection of fire suppressants and suppression strategies for NASA s Lunar and Martian exploration missions will be based on the same studies and normal-gravity data unless reduced gravity fire suppression data is obtained. In this study, the suppressant agent concentrations required to extinguish a flame in low velocity convective flows within the 20-sec of low gravity on the KC-135 aircraft were investigated. Suppressant gas mixtures of CO2, N2, and He with the balance being oxygen/nitrogen mixtures with either 21% or 25% O2 were used to suppress flames on a 19-mm diameter PMMA cylinder in reduced gravity. For each of the suppressant mixtures, limiting concentrations were established that would extinguish the flame at any velocity. Similarly, concentrations were established that would not extinguish the flame. The limiting concentrations were generally consistent with previous studies but did suggest that geometry had an effect on the limiting conditions. Between the extinction and non-extinction limits, the suppression characteristics depended on the extinguishing agent, flow velocity, and O2 concentration. The limiting velocity data from the CO2, He, and N2 suppressants were well correlated using an effective mixture enthalpy per mole of O2, indicating that all act via O2 displacement and cooling mechanisms. In reduced gravity, the agent concentration required to suppress the flames increased as the velocity increased, up to approximately 10 cm/s (the maximum velocity evaluated in this experiment). The effective enthalpy required to extinguish flames at velocities of 10 cm/s is approximately the same as the concentrations in normal gravity. A computational study is underway to further evaluate these findings.

Real-time, in situ, continuous monitoring of CO in a pulverized-coal-fired power plant with a 2.3 μm laser absorption sensor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chao, Xing; Jeffries, Jay B.; Hanson, Ronald K.

2013-03-01

A real-time, in situ CO sensor using 2.3 μm DFB diode laser absorption, with calibration-free wavelength-modulation-spectroscopy, was demonstrated for continuous monitoring in the boiler exhaust of a pulverized-coal-fired power plant up to temperatures of 700 K. The sensor was similar to a design demonstrated earlier in laboratory conditions, now refined to accommodate the harsh conditions of utility boilers. Measurements were performed across a 3 m path in the particulate-laden economizer exhaust of the coal-fired boiler. A 0.6 ppm detection limit with 1 s averaging was estimated from the results of a continuous 7-h-long measurement with varied excess air levels. The measured CO concentration exhibited expected inverse trends with the excess O2 concentration, which was varied between 1 and 3 %. Measured CO concentrations ranged between 6 and 200 ppm; evaluation of the data suggested a dynamic range from 6 to 10,000 ppm based on a minimum signal-to-noise ratio of ten and maximum absorbance of one. This field demonstration of a 2.3 μm laser absorption sensor for CO showed great potential for real-time combustion exhaust monitoring and control of practical combustion systems.

Increasing leaf temperature reduces the suppression of isoprene emission by elevated CO₂ concentration.

PubMed

Potosnak, Mark J; Lestourgeon, Lauren; Nunez, Othon

2014-05-15

Including algorithms to account for the suppression of isoprene emission by elevated CO2 concentration affects estimates of global isoprene emission for future climate change scenarios. In this study, leaf-level measurements of isoprene emission were made to determine the short-term interactive effect of leaf temperature and CO2 concentration. For both greenhouse plants and plants grown under field conditions, the suppression of isoprene emission was reduced by increasing leaf temperature. For each of the four different tree species investigated, aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), cottonwood (Populus deltoides W. Bartram ex Marshall), red oak (Quercus rubra L.), and tundra dwarf willow (Salix pulchra Cham.), the suppression of isoprene by elevated CO2 was eliminated at increased temperature, and the maximum temperature where suppression was observed ranged from 25 to 35°C. Hypotheses proposed to explain the short-term suppression of isoprene emission by increased CO2 concentration were tested against this observation. Hypotheses related to cofactors in the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway were consistent with reduced suppression at elevated leaf temperature. Also, reduced solubility of CO2 with increased temperature can explain the reduced suppression for the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase competition hypothesis. Some global models of isoprene emission include the short-term suppression effect, and should be modified to include the observed interaction. If these results are consistent at longer timescales, there are implications for predicting future global isoprene emission budgets and the reduced suppression at increased temperature could explain some of the variable responses observed in long-term CO2 exposure experiments. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Earth system model simulations show different feedback strengths of the terrestrial carbon cycle under glacial and interglacial conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Adloff, Markus; Reick, Christian H.; Claussen, Martin

2018-04-01

In simulations with the MPI Earth System Model, we study the feedback between the terrestrial carbon cycle and atmospheric CO2 concentrations under ice age and interglacial conditions. We find different sensitivities of terrestrial carbon storage to rising CO2 concentrations in the two settings. This result is obtained by comparing the transient response of the terrestrial carbon cycle to a fast and strong atmospheric CO2 concentration increase (roughly 900 ppm) in Coupled Climate Carbon Cycle Model Intercomparison Project (C4MIP)-type simulations starting from climates representing the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and pre-industrial times (PI). In this set-up we disentangle terrestrial contributions to the feedback from the carbon-concentration effect, acting biogeochemically via enhanced photosynthetic productivity when CO2 concentrations increase, and the carbon-climate effect, which affects the carbon cycle via greenhouse warming. We find that the carbon-concentration effect is larger under LGM than PI conditions because photosynthetic productivity is more sensitive when starting from the lower, glacial CO2 concentration and CO2 fertilization saturates later. This leads to a larger productivity increase in the LGM experiment. Concerning the carbon-climate effect, it is the PI experiment in which land carbon responds more sensitively to the warming under rising CO2 because at the already initially higher temperatures, tropical plant productivity deteriorates more strongly and extratropical carbon is respired more effectively. Consequently, land carbon losses increase faster in the PI than in the LGM case. Separating the carbon-climate and carbon-concentration effects, we find that they are almost additive for our model set-up; i.e. their synergy is small in the global sum of carbon changes. Together, the two effects result in an overall strength of the terrestrial carbon cycle feedback that is almost twice as large in the LGM experiment as in the PI experiment. For PI, ocean and land contributions to the total feedback are of similar size, while in the LGM case the terrestrial feedback is dominant.

Genotypes of Brassica rapa respond differently to plant-induced variation in air CO2 concentration in growth chambers with standard and enhanced venting.

PubMed

Edwards, Christine E; Haselhorst, Monia S H; McKnite, Autumn M; Ewers, Brent E; Williams, David G; Weinig, Cynthia

2009-10-01

Growth chambers allow measurement of phenotypic differences among genotypes under controlled environment conditions. However, unintended variation in growth chamber air CO2 concentration ([CO2]) may affect the expression of diverse phenotypic traits, and genotypes may differ in their response to variation in [CO2]. We monitored [CO2] and quantified phenotypic responses of 22 Brassica rapa genotypes in growth chambers with either standard or enhanced venting. [CO2] in chambers with standard venting dropped to 280 micromol mol(-1) during the period of maximum canopy development, approximately 80 micromol mol(-1) lower than in chambers with enhanced venting. The stable carbon isotope ratio of CO2 in chamber air (delta13C(air)) was negatively correlated with [CO2], suggesting that photosynthesis caused observed [CO2] decreases. Significant genotype x chamber-venting interactions were detected for 12 of 20 traits, likely due to differences in the extent to which [CO2] changed in relation to genotypes' phenology or differential sensitivity of genotypes to low [CO2]. One trait, 13C discrimination (delta13C), was particularly influenced by unaccounted-for fluctuations in delta13C(air) and [CO2]. Observed responses to [CO2] suggest that genetic variance components estimated in poorly vented growth chambers may be influenced by the expression of genes involved in CO2 stress responses; genotypic values estimated in these chambers may likewise be misleading such that some mapped quantitative trait loci may regulate responses to CO2 stress rather than a response to the environmental factor of interest. These results underscore the importance of monitoring, and where possible, controlling [CO2].

Immobilized carbonic anhydrase on mesoporous cruciate flower-like metal organic framework for promoting CO2 sequestration.

PubMed

Ren, Sizhu; Feng, Yuxiao; Wen, Huan; Li, Conghai; Sun, Baoting; Cui, Jiandong; Jia, Shiru

2018-05-25

CO 2 capture by immobilized carbonic anhydrase (CA) has become an alternative and environmental friendly approach in CO 2 sequestration technology. However, the immobilized CA usually exhibits low CO 2 sequestration efficiency due to no gas adsorption function for the conventional CA supports. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are an excellent material for gas adsorption and enzyme immobilization. Herein, a combined immobilization system of CA and ZIF-8 with cruciate flower-like morphology for CO 2 adsorption was prepared for the first time by adsorbing CA onto ZIF-8. The immobilization efficiency was greater than 95%, and the maximum activity recovery reached 75%, indicating the highly efficient immobilization process. The resultant CA@ZIF-8 composites exhibited outstanding thermostability, the tolerance against denaturants, and reusability compared with free CA. Furthermore, we demonstrated for the first time that the shape of ZIF-8 could be controlled by adjusting concentrations of Zn 2+ ions at the high concentration of 2-methylimidazole (1 M). More importantly, we also demonstrated the applicability of the CA@ZIF-8 composites to the sequestration of CO 2 in carbonate minerals. The yields of the CaCO 3 obtained by using CA@ZIF-8 composites were 22-folds compared to free CA. Thus, this CA@ZIF-8 composite can be successfully used as a robust biocatalyst for sequestration of CO 2 . Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Optimal control of algae growth by controlling CO 2 and nutrition flow using Pontryagin Maximum Principle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mardlijah; Jamil, Ahmad; Hanafi, Lukman; Sanjaya, Suharmadi

2017-09-01

There are so many benefit of algae. One of them is using for renewable energy and sustainable in the future. The greater growth of algae will increasing biodiesel production and the increase of algae growth is influenced by glucose, nutrients and photosynthesis process. In this paper, the optimal control problem of the growth of algae is discussed. The objective function is to maximize the concentration of dry algae while the control is the flow of carbon dioxide and the nutrition. The solution is obtained by applying the Pontryagin Maximum Principle. and the result show that the concentration of algae increased more than 15 %.

Warming trumps CO2: future climate conditions suppress carbon fluxes in two dominant boreal tree species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Way, D.; Dusenge, M. E.; Madhavji, S.

2017-12-01

Increases in CO2 are expected to raise air temperatures in northern latitudes by up to 8 °C by the end of the century. Boreal forests in these regions play a large role in the global carbon cycle, and the responses of boreal tree species to climate drivers will thus have considerable impacts on the trajectory of future CO2 increases. We grew two dominant North American boreal tree species at a range of future climate conditions to assess how carbon fluxes were altered by high CO2 and warming. Black spruce (Picea mariana) and tamarack (Larix laricina) were grown from seed under either ambient (400 ppm) or elevated CO2 concentrations (750 ppm) and either ambient temperatures, moderate warming (ambient +4 °C), or extreme warming (ambient +8 °C) for six months. We measured temperature responses of net photosynthesis, maximum rates of Rubisco carboxylation (Vcmax) and electron transport (Jmax) and dark respiration to determine acclimation to the climate treatments. Overall, growth temperature had a strong effect on carbon fluxes, while there were no significant effects of growth CO2. In both species, the photosynthetic thermal optimum increased and maximum photosynthetic rates were reduced in warm-grown seedlings, but the strength of these changes varied between species. Vcmax and Jmax were also reduced in warm-grown seedlings, and this correlated with reductions in leaf N concentrations. Warming increased the activation energy for Vcmax and the thermal optimum for Jmax in both species. Respiration acclimated to elevated growth temperatures, but there were no treatment effects on the Q10 of respiration (the increase in respiration for a 10 °C increase in leaf temperature). Our results show that climate warming is likely to reduce carbon fluxes in these boreal conifers, and that photosynthetic parameters used to model photosynthesis in dynamic global vegetation models acclimate to increased temperatures, but show little response to elevated CO2.

42 CFR Appendix - Tables to Subpart I of Part 84

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Test condition Test atmosphere Gas or vapor Concentration (parts per million) Flow rate (liters per... indicated penetration. 2 Relative humidity of test atmosphere will be 95 ±3pct; temperature of test atmosphere will be 25 ±2.5 °C. 3 Maximum allowable CO penetration will be 385 cm 3 during the minimum life...

42 CFR Appendix - Tables to Subpart I of Part 84

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Test condition Test atmosphere Gas or vapor Concentration (parts per million) Flow rate (liters per... indicated penetration. 2 Relative humidity of test atmosphere will be 95 ±3pct; temperature of test atmosphere will be 25 ±2.5 °C. 3 Maximum allowable CO penetration will be 385 cm 3 during the minimum life...

42 CFR Appendix - Tables to Subpart I of Part 84

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... Test condition Test atmosphere Gas or vapor Concentration (parts per million) Flow rate (liters per... indicated penetration. 2 Relative humidity of test atmosphere will be 95 ±3pct; temperature of test atmosphere will be 25 ±2.5 °C. 3 Maximum allowable CO penetration will be 385 cm 3 during the minimum life...

40 CFR 1065.370 - CLD CO2 and H2O quench verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... gas divider that blends binary span gases with zero gas as the diluent and meets the specifications in... the maximum NO concentration expected during emission testing. (6) Zero and span the CLD analyzer... divider. Connect the NO span gas to the span port of the gas divider; connect a zero gas to the diluent...

40 CFR 1065.370 - CLD CO2 and H2O quench verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... gas divider that blends binary span gases with zero gas as the diluent and meets the specifications in... the maximum NO concentration expected during emission testing. (6) Zero and span the CLD analyzer... divider. Connect the NO span gas to the span port of the gas divider; connect a zero gas to the diluent...

40 CFR 1065.370 - CLD CO2 and H2O quench verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... gas divider that blends binary span gases with zero gas as the diluent and meets the specifications in... the maximum NO concentration expected during emission testing. (6) Zero and span the CLD analyzer... divider. Connect the NO span gas to the span port of the gas divider; connect a zero gas to the diluent...

40 CFR 1065.370 - CLD CO2 and H2O quench verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... gas divider that blends binary span gases with zero gas as the diluent and meets the specifications in... the maximum NO concentration expected during emission testing. (6) Zero and span the CLD analyzer... divider. Connect the NO span gas to the span port of the gas divider; connect a zero gas to the diluent...

Seasonal and diurnal trends in black carbon properties and co-pollutants in Mexico City

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Retama, A.; Baumgardner, D.; Raga, G. B.; McMeeking, G. R.; Walker, J. W.

2015-08-01

The Mexico City metropolitan area (MCMA) is a region that continues to grow in population and vehicular traffic as well as being the largest source of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) in Latin America. The local city government has made significant progress in controlling some of these pollutants, i.e., ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO), but particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and black carbon (BC) have shown a less positive response to mitigation strategies that have been in place for almost 3 decades. For the first time, extended measurements of equivalent black carbon (eBC), derived from light absorption measurements, have been made using a Photoacoustic Extinctiometer (PAX) over a 13 month period from March 2013 through March 2014. The daily trends in workdays (Monday through Saturday) and Sunday eBC, PM2.5 and the co-pollutants CO, O3 and NOx are evaluated with respect to the three primary seasons in the MCMA: rainy, cold and dry and warm and dry. The maximum values in all of the particle and gas concentrations were significantly larger (Student's t test, P < 0.05) during the dry periods than in the rainy season. The changes from rainy to dry seasons for eBC, PM2.5, CO, O3 and NOx were 8.8 to 13.1 μg m-3 (40 %), 49 to 73 μg m-3 (40 %), 2.5 to 3.8 ppm (40 %), 73 to 100 ppb (30 %) and 144 to 252 ppb (53 %), respectively. The primary factors that lead to these large changes between the wet and dry seasons are the accelerated vertical mixing of boundary layer and free tropospheric air by the formation of clouds that dilutes the concentration of the SLCPs, the decreased actinic flux that reduces the production of ozone by photochemical reactions and the heavy, almost daily rain that removes particulate matter. A significant "weekend effect" was also identified, particularly the decrease in BC due to fewer large transport vehicles that are fueled by diesel, which produces a large fraction of the BC. The other co-pollutant concentrations are also significantly less on weekends except for O3 that shows no change in maximum values from workdays to Sundays. This lack of change is a result of the balancing effects of lower precursor gases, i.e., VOCs, offset by lower concentrations of NOx, that is an O3 inhibitor. A comparison of the average maximum value of eBC measured during the 1 year period of the current study, with maximum values measured in shorter field campaigns in 2000 and 2006, shows no significant change in the eBC emissions over a 14 year period. This suggests that new methods may need to be developed that can decrease potentially toxic levels of this particulate pollutant.

Investigation of Wyoming Bentonite Hydration in Dry to Water-Saturated Supercritical CH4 and CH4/CO2 Mixtures: Implications for CO2-Enhanced Gas Production

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Loring, J.

2015-12-01

Injection of CO2 into low permeability shale formations leads to additional gas recovery and reduces the flux of CO2 into the atmosphere, thus combining a strong economic incentive with a permanent storage option for CO2. Reduced formation transmissivity due to clay swelling is a concern in CO2-enhanced gas production. Clay minerals partly determine the physical (i.e. permeability, brittleness) and certain chemical properties (i.e. wetting ability, gas adsorption) of shales, and montmorillonites are of particular interest because they swell by the uptake of species in their interlayer. In this study, the hydration and expansion of Na-, Cs-, and NH4+-saturated montmorillonite (Na-, Cs-, and NH4-SWy-2) in high-pressure (90 bar) and moderate temperature (50 °C) methane, carbon dioxide, and CO2/CH4 mixtures (3 and 25 mole% CO2) were investigated using in situ IR spectroscopic titrations, in situ XRD, in situ MAS-NMR, and ab initio electronic structure calculations. The overarching goal was to better understand the hydration/expansion behavior of Na-SWy-2 in CO2/CH4 fluid mixtures by comparison to Cs-, and NH4+-saturated clays. Specific aims were to (1) determine if CH4 intercalates the clays, (2) probe the effects of increasing dissolved CO2 and H2O concentrations, and (3) understand the role of cation solvation by H2O and/or CO2. In pure CH4, no evidence of CH4 intercalation was detected by IR for any of the clays. Similarly, no measurable changes to the basal spacing were observed by XRD in the presence of pure CH4. However, when dry Cs- and NH4-SWy-2 were exposed to dry fluids containing CO2, IR showed maximum CO2 penetrated the interlayer, XRD indicated the clays expanded, and NMR showed evidence for cation solvation by CO2, in line with theoretical predictions. IR titration of these clays with water showed sorbed H2O concentrations decreased with increasing dissolved CO2, suggesting competition for interlayer residency by CO2 and H2O. For Na-SWy-2, on the other hand, CO2 intercalated the clay and was at a maximum only after a minimum sorbed H2O was achieved. Further increases in sorbed H2O led to displacement of intercalated CO2. These findings demonstrate that complicated H2O and CO2 intercalation processes could lead to permeability changes that directly impact methane transmissivity in shales.

Effects of CO2 concentration and light intensity on photosynthesis of a rootless submerged plant, Ceratophyllum demersum L., used for aquatic food production in bioregenerative life support systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kitaya, Y.; Okayama, T.; Murakami, K.; Takeuchi, T.

2003-01-01

In addition to green microalgae, aquatic higher plants are likely to play an important role in aquatic food production modules in bioregenerative systems for producing feed for fish, converting CO2 to O2 and remedying water quality. In the present study, the effects of culture conditions on the net photosynthetic rate of a rootless submerged plant, Ceratophyllum demersum L., was investigated to determine the optimum culture conditions for maximal function of plants in food production modules including both aquatic plant culture and fish culture systems. The net photosynthetic rate in plants was determined by the increase in dissolved O2 concentrations in a closed vessel containing a plantlet and water. The water in the vessel was aerated sufficiently with a gas containing a known concentration of CO2 gas mixed with N2 gas before closing the vessel. The CO2 concentrations in the aerating gas ranged from 0.3 to 10 mmol mol-1. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in the vessel ranged from 0 (dark) to 1.0 mmol m-2 s-1, which was controlled with a metal halide lamp. Temperature was kept at 28 degrees C. The net photosynthetic rate increased with increasing PPFD levels and was saturated at 0.2 and 0.5 mmol m-2 s-1 PPFD under CO2 levels of 1.0 and 3.0 mmol mol-1, respectively. The net photosynthetic rate increased with increasing CO2 levels from 0.3 to 3.0 mmol mol-1 showing the maximum value, 75 nmol O2 gDW-1 s-1, at 2-3 mmol mol-1 CO2 and gradually decreased with increasing CO2 levels from 3.0 to 10 mmol mol-1. The results demonstrate that C. demersum could be an efficient CO2 to O2 converter under a 2.0 mmol mol-1 CO2 level and relatively low PPFD levels in aquatic food production modules. c2003 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of CO 2 concentration and light intensity on photosynthesis of a rootless submerged plant, Ceratophyllumdemersum L., used for aquatic food production in bioregenerative life support systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kitaya, Y.; Okayama, T.; Murakami, K.; Takeuchi, T.

In addition to green microalgae, aquatic higher plants are likely to play an important role in aquatic food production modules in bioregenerative systems for producing feed for fish, converting CO 2 to O 2 and remedying water quality. In the present study, the effects of culture conditions on the net photosynthetic rate of a rootless submerged plant, Ceratophyllum demersum L., was investigated to determine the optimum culture conditions for maximal function of plants in food production modules including both aquatic plant culture and fish culture systems. The net photosynthetic rate in plants was determined by the increase in dissolved O 2 concentrations in a closed vessel containing a plantlet and water. The water in the vessel was aerated sufficiently with a gas containing a known concentration of CO 2 gas mixed with N 2 gas before closing the vessel. The CO 2 concentrations in the aerating gas ranged from 0.3 to 10 mmol mol -1. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in the vessel ranged from 0 (dark) to 1.0 mmol M -2 s -1, which was controlled with a metal halide lamp. Temperature was kept at 28°C. The net photosynthetic rate increased with increasing PPFD levels and was saturated at 0.2 and 0.5 mmol m -2 s -1 PPFD under CO 2 levels of 1.0 and 3.0 mmol mol -1, respectively. The net photosynthetic rate increased with increasing CO 2 levels from 0.3 to 3.0 mmol mol -1 showing the maximum value, 75 nmolO 2 gDW -1 s -1, at 2-3 mmol mol -1 CO 2 and gradually decreased with increasing CO 2 levels from 3.0 to 10 mmol mol -1. The results demonstrate that C. demersum could be an efficient CO 2 to O 2 converter under a 2.0 mmol mol -1 CO 2 level and relatively low PPFD levels in aquatic food production modules.

Effects of elevated CO2 concentrations and fly ash amended soils on trace element accumulation and translocation among roots, stems and seeds of Glycine max (L.) Merr.

PubMed

Rodriguez, J H; Klumpp, A; Fangmeier, A; Pignata, M L

2011-03-15

The carbon dioxide (CO(2)) levels of the global atmosphere and the emissions of heavy metals have risen in recent decades, and these increases are expected to produce an impact on crops and thereby affect yield and food safety. In this study, the effects of elevated CO(2) and fly ash amended soils on trace element accumulation and translocation in the root, stem and seed compartments in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] were evaluated. Soybean plants grown in fly ash (FA) amended soil (0, 1, 10, 15, and 25% FA) at two CO(2) regimes (400 and 600 ppm) in controlled environmental chambers were analyzed at the maturity stage for their trace element contents. The concentrations of Br, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in roots, stems and seeds in soybeans were investigated and their potential risk to the health of consumers was estimated. The results showed that high levels of CO(2) and lower concentrations of FA in soils were associated with an increase in biomass. For all the elements analyzed except Pb, their accumulation in soybean plants was higher at elevated CO(2) than at ambient concentrations. In most treatments, the highest concentrations of Br, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Pb were found in the roots, with a strong combined effect of elevated CO(2) and 1% of FA amended soils on Pb accumulation (above maximum permitted levels) and translocation to seeds being observed. In relation to non-carcinogenic risks, target hazard quotients (TQHs) were significant in a Chinese individual for Mn, Fe and Pb. Also, the increased health risk due to the added effects of the trace elements studied was significant for Chinese consumers. According to these results, soybean plants grown for human consumption under future conditions of elevated CO(2) and FA amended soils may represent a toxicological hazard. Therefore, more research should be carried out with respect to food consumption (plants and animals) under these conditions and their consequences for human health. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Air quality measurements in urban green areas - a case study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuttler, W.; Strassburger, A.

The influence of traffic-induced pollutants (e.g. CO, NO, NO 2 and O 3) on the air quality of urban areas was investigated in the city of Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany. Twelve air hygiene profile measuring trips were made to analyse the trace gas distribution in the urban area with high spatial resolution and to compare the air hygiene situation of urban green areas with the overall situation of urban pollution. Seventeen measurements were made to determine the diurnal concentration courses within urban parks (summer conditions: 13 measurements, 530 30 min mean values, winter conditions: 4 measurements, 128 30 min mean values). The measurements were carried out during mainly calm wind and cloudless conditions between February 1995 and March 1996. It was possible to establish highly differentiated spatial concentration patterns within the urban area. These patterns were correlated with five general types of land use (motorway, main road, secondary road, residential area, green area) which were influenced to varying degrees by traffic emissions. Urban parks downwind from the main emission sources show the following typical temporal concentration courses: In summer rush-hour-dependent CO, NO and NO 2 maxima only occurred in the morning. A high NO 2/NO ratio was established during weather conditions with high global radiation intensities ( K>800 W m -2), which may result in a high O 3 formation potential. Some of the values measured found in one of the parks investigated (Gruga Park, Essen, area: 0.7 km 2), which were as high as 275 μg m -3 O 3 (30-min mean value) were significantly higher than the German air quality standard of 120 μg m -3 (30-min mean value, VDI Guideline 2310, 1996) which currently applies in Germany and about 20% above the maximum values measured on the same day by the network of the North Rhine-Westphalian State Environment Agency. In winter high CO and NO concentrations occur in the morning and during the afternoon rush-hour. The highest concentrations (CO=4.3 mg m -3, NO=368 μg m -3, 30-min mean values) coincide with the increase in the evening inversion. The maximum measured values for CO, NO and NO 2 do not, however, exceed the German air quality standards in winter and summer.

North African savanna fires and atmospheric carbon dioxide

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Iacobellis, S.F.; Frouni, Razafimpaniolo, H.

1994-04-20

The effect of north African savanna fires on atmospheric CO{sub 2} is investigated using a tracer transport model. The model uses winds from operational numerical weather prediction analyses and provides CO{sub 2} concentrations as a function of space and time. After a spin-up period of several years, biomass-burning sources are added, and model experiments are run for an additional year, utilizing various estimates of CO{sub 2} sources. The various model experiments show that biomass burning in the north African savannas significantly affects CO{sub 2} concentrations in South America. The effect is more pronounced during the period from January through March,more » when biomass burning in South America is almost nonexistent. During this period, atmospheric CO{sub 2} concentrations in parts of South America typically may increase by 0.5 to 0.75 ppm at 970 mbar, the average pressure of the lowest model layer. These figures are above the probable uncertainty level, as model runs with biomass-burning sources estimated from independent studies using distinct data sets and techniques indicate. From May through September, when severe biomass burning occurs in South America, the effect of north African savanna fires over South America has become generally small at 970 mbar, but north of the equator it may be of the same magnitude or larger than the effect of South American fires. The CO{sub 2} concentration increase in the extreme northern and southern portions of South America, however, is mostly due to southern African fires, whose effect may be 2-3 times larger than the effect of South American fires at 970 mbar. Even in the central part of the continent, where local biomass-burning emissions are maximum, southern African fires contribute to at least 15% of the CO{sub 2} concentration increase at 970 mbar. 20 refs., 15 figs., 1 tab.« less

Seasonal dynamics of soil CO2 efflux and soil profile CO2 concentrations in arboretum of Moscow botanical garden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goncharova, Olga; Udovenko, Maria; Matyshak, Georgy

2016-04-01

To analyse and predict recent and future climate change on a global scale exchange processes of greenhouse gases - primarily carbon dioxide - over various ecosystems are of rising interest. In order to upscale land-use dependent sources and sinks of CO2, knowledge of the local variability of carbon fluxes is needed. Among terrestrial ecosystems, urban areas play an important role because most of anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide originate from these areas. On the other hand, urban soils have the potential to store large amounts of soil organic carbon and, thus, contribute to mitigating increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Research objectives: 1) estimate the seasonal dynamics of carbon dioxide production (emission - closed chamber technique and profile concentration - soil air sampling tubes method) by soils of Moscow State University Botanical Garden Arboretum planted with Picea obovata and Pinus sylvestris, 1) identification the factors that control CO2 production. The study was conducted with 1-2 weeks intervals between October 2013 and November 2015 at two sites. Carbon dioxide soil surface efflux during the year ranged from 0 to 800 mgCO2/(m2hr). Efflux values above 0 mgCO2/(m2hr) was observed during the all cold period except for only 3 weeks. Soil CO2 concentration ranged from 1600-3000 ppm in upper 10-cm layer to 10000-40000 ppm at a depth of 60 cm. The maximum concentrations of CO2 were recorded in late winter and late summer. We associate it with high biological activity (both heterotrophic and autotrophic) during the summer, and with physical gas jamming in the winter. The high value of annual CO2 production of the studied soils is caused by high organic matter content, slightly alkaline reaction, good structure and texture of urban soils. Differences in soil CO2 production by spruce and pine urban forest soils (in the pine forest 1.5-2.0 times higher) are caused by urban soil profiles construction, but not temperature regimes. Seasonal dynamics of CO2 production are the same for both soils and associated with seasonal changes in climatic parameters (temperature and moisture). CO2 efflux in the annual cycle correlates well with the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm (r2 = 0.7). In the dry summer months, efflux largely depends on soil moisture. Soil CO2 efflux decreased by 1.5 - 2 times during the dry season.

Abiotic production of methane in terrestrial planets.

PubMed

Guzmán-Marmolejo, Andrés; Segura, Antígona; Escobar-Briones, Elva

2013-06-01

On Earth, methane is produced mainly by life, and it has been proposed that, under certain conditions, methane detected in an exoplanetary spectrum may be considered a biosignature. Here, we estimate how much methane may be produced in hydrothermal vent systems by serpentinization, its main geological source, using the kinetic properties of the main reactions involved in methane production by serpentinization. Hydrogen production by serpentinization was calculated as a function of the available FeO in the crust, given the current spreading rates. Carbon dioxide is the limiting reactant for methane formation because it is highly depleted in aqueous form in hydrothermal vent systems. We estimated maximum CH4 surface fluxes of 6.8×10(8) and 1.3×10(9) molecules cm(-2) s(-1) for rocky planets with 1 and 5 M⊕, respectively. Using a 1-D photochemical model, we simulated atmospheres with volume mixing ratios of 0.03 and 0.1 CO2 to calculate atmospheric methane concentrations for the maximum production of this compound by serpentinization. The resulting abundances were 2.5 and 2.1 ppmv for 1 M⊕ planets and 4.1 and 3.7 ppmv for 5 M⊕ planets. Therefore, low atmospheric concentrations of methane may be produced by serpentinization. For habitable planets around Sun-like stars with N2-CO2 atmospheres, methane concentrations larger than 10 ppmv may indicate the presence of life.

TiO2 dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC): linear relationship of maximum power point and anthocyanin concentration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmadian, Radin

2010-09-01

This study investigated the relationship of anthocyanin concentration from different organic fruit species and output voltage and current in a TiO2 dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) and hypothesized that fruits with greater anthocyanin concentration produce higher maximum power point (MPP) which would lead to higher current and voltage. Anthocyanin dye solution was made with crushing of a group of fresh fruits with different anthocyanin content in 2 mL of de-ionized water and filtration. Using these test fruit dyes, multiple DSSCs were assembled such that light enters through the TiO2 side of the cell. The full current-voltage (I-V) co-variations were measured using a 500 Ω potentiometer as a variable load. Point-by point current and voltage data pairs were measured at various incremental resistance values. The maximum power point (MPP) generated by the solar cell was defined as a dependent variable and the anthocyanin concentration in the fruit used in the DSSC as the independent variable. A regression model was used to investigate the linear relationship between study variables. Regression analysis showed a significant linear relationship between MPP and anthocyanin concentration with a p-value of 0.007. Fruits like blueberry and black raspberry with the highest anthocyanin content generated higher MPP. In a DSSC, a linear model may predict MPP based on the anthocyanin concentration. This model is the first step to find organic anthocyanin sources in the nature with the highest dye concentration to generate energy.

Interaction with culture medium components, cellular uptake and intracellular distribution of cobalt nanoparticles, microparticles and ions in Balb/3T3 mouse fibroblasts.

PubMed

Sabbioni, Enrico; Fortaner, Salvador; Farina, Massimo; Del Torchio, Riccardo; Petrarca, Claudia; Bernardini, Giovanni; Mariani-Costantini, Renato; Perconti, Silvia; Di Giampaolo, Luca; Gornati, Rosalba; Di Gioacchino, Mario

2014-02-01

The mechanistic understanding of nanotoxicity requires the physico-chemical characterisation of nanoparticles (NP), and their comparative investigation relative to the corresponding ions and microparticles (MP). Following this approach, the authors studied the dissolution, interaction with medium components, bioavailability in culture medium, uptake and intracellular distribution of radiolabelled Co forms (CoNP, CoMP and Co(2+)) in Balb/3T3 mouse fibroblasts. Co(2+) first saturates the binding sites of molecules in the extracellular milieu (e.g., albumin and histidine) and on the cell surface. Only after saturation, Co(2+) is actively uptaken. CoNP, instead, are predicted to be internalised by endocytosis. Dissolution of Co particles allows the formation of Co compounds (CoNP-rel), whose mechanism of cellular internalisation is unknown. Co uptake (ranking CoMP > CoNP > Co(2+)) reached maximum at 4 h. Once inside the cell, CoNP spread into the cytosol and organelles. Consequently, massive amounts of Co ions and CoNP-rel can reach subcellular compartments normally unexposed to Co(2+). This could explain the fact that the nuclear and mitochondrial Co concentrations resulted significantly higher than those obtained with Co(2+).

Study of carbon dioxide emission inventory from transportation sector at Kualanamu International Airport

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Suryati, I.; Indrawan, I.; Alihta, K. N.

2018-02-01

Transportation includes sources of greenhouse gas emission contributor in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2). CO2 is one of the air pollutant gases that cause climate change. The source of CO2 emissions at airports comes from road and air transportation. Kualanamu International Airport is one of the public service airports in North Sumatera Province. The purpose of this study is to inventory the emission loads generated by motor vehicles and aircraft and to forecast contributions of CO2 emissions from motor vehicles and aircraft. The research method used is quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative method used is to estimate emission loads of motor vehicles based on vehicle volume and emission factors derived from the literature and using the Tier-2 method to calculate the aircraft emission loads. The results for the maximum CO2 concentration were 6,206,789.37 μg/m3 and the minimal CO2 concentration was 4,070,674.84 μg/Nm3. The highest aircraft CO2 emission load is 200,164,424.5 kg/hr (1.75 x 109 ton/year) and the lowest is 38,884,064.5 kg/hr (3.40 x 108 ton/year). Meanwhile, the highest CO2 emission load from motor vehicles was 51,299.25 gr/hr (449,38 ton/year) and the lowest was 38,990.42 gr/hr (341,55 ton/year). CO2 contribution from a motor vehicle is 65% and 5% from aircraft in Kualanamu International Airport.

Species-Specific Morphological and Physiological Responses of Four Korean Native Trees Species under Elevated CO2 Concentration using Open Top Chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, W.; Byeon, S.; Lee, H.; Lee, M.; Lim, H.; Kim, H. S.

2017-12-01

For the last three years, studies on the morphological and physiological characteristics were carried out for four tree species (Pinus densiflora, Quercus acutissima, Sorbus alnifolia and Fraxinus rhynchophylla) which are representative native species of Korea. We used a control site and three open top chambers (con, chamber 1, 2, and 3) which were exposed to ambient and two elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]); the concentration were the ambient (400ppm) for control and chamber 1 and 1.4 times (560ppm) and 1.8 times (720 ppm) of the atmosphere for chamber 2 and 3, respectively. Leaf mass per area (LMA), stomatal size, density and area were examined to investigate the morphological changes of the trees. Among four species, F. rhynchophylla increased their LMA with increase of CO2 concentration. In addition, F. rhynchophylla showed the decrease of stomatal density significantly (p-value=0.02), while there was no difference in stoma size. These findings resulted in 25.5% and 38.7% decrease of stomata area per unit leaf area calculated by multiplying the size and density of the stomata. On the other hand, all 4 tree species were significantly increased in height and diameter growth with the elevated CO2. However, in the case of Q. acutissima, the increase in height growth was prominent. For physiological characteristics, the maximum photosynthetic rate was faster in the chambers exposed to high [CO2] than that in the control. However the rate of carboxylation and the electron transfer rate showed no particular tendency. The measurement of hydraulic conductivity (Ks, kg/m/s/Mpa) for Crataegus pinnatifida, increased as the [CO2] in the atmosphere increased, and the 50% Loss Conductance (Mpa) tended to increase slightly with the [CO2]. The correlation analysis between hydraulic conductivity and vulnerability to cavitation showed a strong negative correlation (P <0.05), which was unlike the general tendency.

Spatiotemporal analysis of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide concentrations over the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zeri, Marcelo; Oliveira-Júnior, José Francisco; Lyra, Gustavo Bastos

2011-09-01

Time series of pollutants and weather variables measured at four sites in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, between 2002 and 2004, were used to characterize temporal and spatial relationships of air pollution. Concentrations of particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) were compared to national and international standards. The annual median concentration of PM10 was higher than the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO) on all sites and the 24 h means exceeded the standards on several occasions on two sites. SO2 and CO did not exceed the limits, but the daily maximum of CO in one of the stations was 27% higher on weekends compared to weekdays, due to increased activity in a nearby Convention Center. Air temperature and vapor pressure deficit have both presented the highest correlations with pollutant's concentrations. The concentrations of SO2 and CO were not correlated between sites, suggesting that local sources are more important to those pollutants compared to PM10. The time series of pollutants and air temperature were decomposed in time and frequency by wavelet analysis. The results revealed that the common variability of air temperature and PM10 is dominated by temporal scales of 1-8 days, time scales that are associated with the passage of weather events, such as cold fronts.

Temporal evolution of mechanisms controlling ocean carbon uptake during the last glacial cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohfeld, Karen E.; Chase, Zanna

2017-08-01

Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the ∼85-90 ppm decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) during the last glacial cycle, between 127,000 and 18,000 yrs ago. When taken together, these mechanisms can, in some models, account for the full glacial-interglacial CO2 drawdown. Most proxy-based evaluations focus on the peak of the Last Glacial Maximum, 24,000-18,000 yrs ago, and little has been done to determine the sequential timing of processes affecting CO2 during the last glacial cycle. Here we use a new compilation of sea-surface temperature records together with time-sequenced records of carbon and Nd isotopes, and other proxies to determine when the most commonly proposed mechanisms could have been important for CO2 drawdown. We find that the initial major drawdown of 35 ppm 115,000 yrs ago was most likely a result of Antarctic sea ice expansion. Importantly, changes in deep ocean circulation and mixing did not play a major role until at least 30,000 yrs after the first CO2 drawdown. The second phase of CO2 drawdown occurred ∼70,000 yrs ago and was also coincident with the first significant influences of enhanced ocean productivity due to dust. Finally, minimum concentrations of atmospheric CO2 during the Last Glacial Maximum resulted from the combination of physical and biological factors, including the barrier effect of expanded Southern Ocean sea ice, slower ventilation of the deep sea, and ocean biological feedbacks.

Volatile Concentrations in Pyroclastic Obsidian: Two Case Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wearn, K. M.; Cashman, K. V.; Wallace, P. J.

2002-12-01

Pyroclastic obsidian is abundant in fall deposits associated with Mt. Mazama's Cleetwood eruption and South Sister's Rock Mesa eruption. Measured concentrations of H2Ototal and CO2 in >300 obsidian samples from these two eruptions provide important information about both the style of degassing (open- vs. closed-system) and changes in eruptive conditions through the course of both eruptions. Obsidian clasts preserve a range of total H2O contents, with samples from lower stratigraphic levels displaying a wider range of water concentrations than those from the uppermost tephra layer sampled. All samples from the Cleetwood section contain <=1 wt% water, with those from the top of that deposit containing <0.4 wt%. Obsidian from the basal ash layer of the subsequent climactic eruption contains 0.1 - 0.8 wt% water. Obsidian fragments from the Rock Mesa eruption show a broader range in H2Ototal contents (from 0.1 to >3 wt%) than those from the Cleetwood eruption. At Rock Mesa, maximum total water contents generally decrease with increased stratigraphic height. However, this decrease is not strictly monotonic: fluctuations in maximum total water contents correspond to stratigraphic unit boundaries. In addition, the Rock Mesa event produced abundant obsidian with very low H2Ototal concentrations throughout the eruption. Dissolved molecular CO2 levels are below the detection limit in all of the Cleetwood and Mazama samples. This is not surprising, given the low initial CO2 measured in Cleetwood and Mazama melt inclusions by Bacon et al. (1992). CO2 concentrations in the Rock Mesa clasts range from <5 ppm to ~44 ppm, and are positively correlated with H2Ototal concentrations. Fluorine concentrations in Cleetwood and Mazama climactic obsidian clasts vary between ~510 and ~695 ppm, with climactic samples averaging slightly lower concentrations than Cleetwood samples. Fluorine concentrations in Rock Mesa obsidians are uniformly low (~300 to ~510 ppm). Chlorine contents of Cleetwood and Mazama climactic samples range from ~1400 ppm to ~1610 ppm. The Rock Mesa samples all contain less chlorine (~510 to ~1120 ppm) than the Cleetwood and climactic samples, and in the Rock Mesa obsidian, chlorine and total water are positively correlated. Stratigraphic variations in the volatile contents of pyroclastic obsidian support previous work suggesting that obsidian forms along the margins of the volcanic conduit and is eroded from the conduit walls by fragmenting magma. Both the Cleetwood and the Rock Mesa deposits indicate initial evacuation of shallow vanguard magma followed by a rapid increase in fragmentation depth. Both deposits also show a gradual decrease in the fragmentation depth through time, consistent with subsequent effusive activity in both cases. More puzzling is the apparent closed-system degassing trend defined by the H2O-CO2-Cl relations in the Rock Mesa obsidian samples, despite the loss of volatiles required for obsidian formation. This suggests that volatile data may also provide information on the relative time scales of volatile exsolution and loss and obsidian formation.

Azolla-Anabaena Relationship

PubMed Central

Ray, Thomas B.; Mayne, Berger C.; Toia, Robert E.; Peters, Gerald A.

1979-01-01

Photosynthesis in the Azolla-Anabaena association was characterized with respect to photorespiration, early products of photosynthesis, and action spectra. Photorespiration as evidenced by an O2 inhibition of photosynthesis and an O2-dependent CO2 compensation concentration was found to occur in the association, and endophyte-free fronds, but not in the endophytic Anabaena. Analysis of the early products of photosynthesis indicated that both the fern and cyanobacterium fix CO2 via the Calvin cycle. The isolated endophytic Anabaena did not release significant amounts of amino acids synthesized from recently fixed carbon. The action spectra for photosynthesis in the Azolla-Anabaena association indicated that the maximum quantum yield is between 650 and 670 nanometers, while in the endophyte the maximum is between 580 and 640 nanometers. Although the endophytic cyanobacterium is photosynthetically competent, any contribution it makes to photosynthesis in the intact association was not apparent in the action spectrum. PMID:16661055

Gas Transfer Controls Carbon Limitation During Biomass Production by Marine Microalgae.

PubMed

Tamburic, Bojan; Evenhuis, Christian R; Suggett, David J; Larkum, Anthony W D; Raven, John A; Ralph, Peter J

2015-08-24

This study presents the first in-depth analysis of CO2 limitation on the biomass productivity of the biofuel candidate marine microalga Nannochloropsis oculata. Net photosynthesis decreased by 60% from 125 to 50 μmol O2 L(-1)h(-1) over a 12 h light cycle as a direct result of carbon limitation. Continuous dissolved O2 and pH measurements were used to develop a detailed diurnal mechanism for the interaction between photosynthesis, gas exchange and carbonate chemistry in the photo-bioreactor. Gas exchange determined the degree of carbon limitation experienced by the algae. Carbon limitation was confirmed by delivering more CO2 , which increased net photosynthesis back to its steady-state maximum. This study highlights the importance of maintaining replete carbon concentrations in photo-bioreactors and other culturing facilities, either by constant pH operation or preferably by designing a feedback loop based on the dissolved O2 concentration. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The relationship between bedding and face-down death in infancy: mathematical analysis of a respiratory simulation system using an infant mannequin to assess gas diffusibility in bedding.

PubMed

Sakai, Jun; Funayama, Masato; Kanetake, Jun

2007-02-14

Rebreathing is a model for the relationship between a prone sleeping position and sudden infant death syndrome. This study used a mechanical simulation model to establish the relationship between types of bedding and rebreathing potential for an infant placed prone (face down) at different postnatal ages. The infant mannequin was connected to a respirator set to deliver physiologically appropriate combinations of tidal volume (V(T)) and respiratory rates (RR) across a range of postnatal ages (0-18 months). Before measurements were made, CO(2) flow was regulated to 5+/-0.1% of end-tidal PCO(2) (EtCO(2)). After the model was placed in a prone position, any increase in the fractional concentration of inspired CO(2) (FiCO(2)) was measured. FiCO(2) increased immediately and rapidly, and reached a maximum value within a few minutes. The maximum FiCO(2) ranged from under 2% to over 10%, depending on the bedding. FiCO(2) was also affected by V(T) and RR. This model is not applicable to actual infants because of the large tissue stores of CO(2) in infants; however, it is useful for evaluation of gas diffusibility of bedding and will simplify the investigation of sleeping environments when a baby is found dead with its face covered by soft bedding. In general, the higher the FiCO(2), the greater the rebreathing potential. Theoretically, considering the paucity of body stores of O(2), changes in FiO(2) would be affected not by changes in FiCO(2), but by CO(2) production and gas movement around the infant's face. The rapid decrease of FiO(2) is approximated at the inverse of the FiCO(2) timecourse, suggesting the significance of not only CO(2) accumulation but also O(2) deprivation in the potential space around the baby's face.

Sustained enhancement of photosynthesis in coffee trees grown under free-air CO2 enrichment conditions: disentangling the contributions of stomatal, mesophyll, and biochemical limitations

PubMed Central

DaMatta, Fábio M.; Godoy, Alice G.; Menezes-Silva, Paulo E.; Martins, Samuel C.V.; Sanglard, Lílian M.V.P.; Morais, Leandro E.; Torre-Neto, André; Ghini, Raquel

2016-01-01

Coffee (Coffea spp.), a globally traded commodity, is a slow-growing tropical tree species that displays an improved photosynthetic performance when grown under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]). To investigate the mechanisms underlying this response, two commercial coffee cultivars (Catuaí and Obatã) were grown using the first free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) facility in Latin America. Measurements were conducted in two contrasting growth seasons, which were characterized by the high (February) and low (August) sink demand. Elevated [CO2] led to increases in net photosynthetic rates (A) in parallel with decreased photorespiration rates, with no photochemical limitations to A. The stimulation of A by elevated CO2 supply was more prominent in August (56% on average) than in February (40% on average). Overall, the stomatal and mesophyll conductances, as well as the leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, were unresponsive to the treatments. Photosynthesis was strongly limited by diffusional constraints, particularly at the stomata level, and this pattern was little, if at all, affected by elevated [CO2]. Relative to February, starch pools (but not soluble sugars) increased remarkably (>500%) in August, with no detectable alteration in the maximum carboxylation capacity estimated on a chloroplast [CO2] basis. Upregulation of A by elevated [CO2] took place with no signs of photosynthetic downregulation, even during the period of low sink demand, when acclimation would be expected to be greatest. PMID:26503540

Volatiles in basaltic glasses from a subglacial volcano in northern British Columbia (Canada): Implications for ice sheet thickness and mantle volatiles

USGS Publications Warehouse

Dixon, J.E.; Filiberto, J.R.; Moore, J.G.; Hickson, C.J.

2002-01-01

Dissolved H2O, CO2, S and Cl concentrations were measured in glasses from Tanzilla Mountain, a 500 m-high, exposed subglacial volcano from the Tuya-Teslin region, north central British Columbia, Canada. The absence of a flat-topped subaerial lava cap and the dominance of pillows and pillow breccias imply that the Tanzilla Mountain volcanic edifice did not reach a subaerial eruptive phase. Lavas are dominantly tholeiitic basalt with minor amounts of alkalic basalt erupted at the summit and near the base. Tholeiites have roughly constant H2O (c.0.56 ?? 0.07 wt%), CO2 (<30 ppm), S (980 ?? 30 ppm) and Cl (200 ?? 20 ppm) concentrations. Alkalic basalts have higher and more variable volatile concentrations that decrease with increasing elevation (0.62-0.92 wt% H2O, <30 ppm CO2, 870-1110 ppm S and 280-410 ppm Cl) consistent with eruptive degassing. Calculated vapour saturation pressures for the alkalic basalts are 36 to 81 bars corresponding to ice thicknesses of 400 to 900 m. Maximum calculated ice thickness (c. 1 km) is at the lower end of the range of predicted maximum Fraser glaciation (c. 1-2 km), and may indicate initiation of volcanism during the waning stages of glaciation. Temporal evolution from tholeiitic to alkalic compositions may reflect compositional gradients within a melting column, instead of convective processes within a stratified magma chamber. The mantle source region for the subglacial volcanoes is enriched in incompatible elements similar to that for enriched mid-oceanic ridge basalt (e.g. Endeavour Ridge) and does not contain residual amphibole. Thus, metasomatic enrichment most likely reflects small degree partial melts rather than hydrous fluids.

Climate versus carbon dioxide controls on biomass burning: a model analysis of the glacial-interglacial contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvo, M. Martin; Prentice, I. C.; Harrison, S. P.

2014-11-01

Climate controls fire regimes through its influence on the amount and types of fuel present and their dryness. CO2 concentration constrains primary production by limiting photosynthetic activity in plants. However, although fuel accumulation depends on biomass production, and hence on CO2 concentration, the quantitative relationship between atmospheric CO2 concentration and biomass burning is not well understood. Here a fire-enabled dynamic global vegetation model (the Land surface Processes and eXchanges model, LPX) is used to attribute glacial-interglacial changes in biomass burning to an increase in CO2, which would be expected to increase primary production and therefore fuel loads even in the absence of climate change, vs. climate change effects. Four general circulation models provided last glacial maximum (LGM) climate anomalies - that is, differences from the pre-industrial (PI) control climate - from the Palaeoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project Phase~2, allowing the construction of four scenarios for LGM climate. Modelled carbon fluxes from biomass burning were corrected for the model's observed prediction biases in contemporary regional average values for biomes. With LGM climate and low CO2 (185 ppm) effects included, the modelled global flux at the LGM was in the range of 1.0-1.4 Pg C year-1, about a third less than that modelled for PI time. LGM climate with pre-industrial CO2 (280 ppm) yielded unrealistic results, with global biomass burning fluxes similar to or even greater than in the pre-industrial climate. It is inferred that a substantial part of the increase in biomass burning after the LGM must be attributed to the effect of increasing CO2 concentration on primary production and fuel load. Today, by analogy, both rising CO2 and global warming must be considered as risk factors for increasing biomass burning. Both effects need to be included in models to project future fire risks.

Leaf gas exchange of Andropogon gerardii Vitman, Panicum virgatum L., and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash in a tallgrass prairie

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Polley, H. W.; Norman, J. M.; Arkebauer, T. J.; Walter-Shea, E. A.; Greegor, D. H., Jr.; Bramer, B.

1992-01-01

Net CO2 assimilation as a function of internal CO2 and stomatal conductance to water vapor were measured on blades of the C4 grasses Andropogon gerardii Vitman, Panicum virgatrum L., and Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash in northeast Kansas over two growing seasons to determine the comparative physiological responses of these dominant grasses of the tallgrass prairie to environmental variables. The response of dark respiration to temperature and of net assimilation to CO2 concentration and absorbed quantum flux differed little among species. A. gerardii had lower potential photosynthetic rates at internal CO2 concentrations below saturation than P. virgatum and S. nutans, but net assimilation under ambient conditions was similar in the three species. Net assimilation and both the initial slope of assimilation versus internal CO2 curves and the maximum potential assimilation rate decreased as leaf water potential declined in blades of A. gerardii and S. nutans. Changes in assimilation capacity were paralleled by changes in stomatal conductance that were similar in all three species. The strong correlations among processes regulating leaf CO2 assimilation and transpiration in A. gerardii, P. virgatum, and S. nutans suggest that the processes are tightly and similarly coupled in these grasses over a wide range of environmental conditions encountered in the tallgrass prairie.

Annual soil CO_{2} production in Moscow Botanical Garden (Russia).

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Udovenko, Maria; Goncharova, Olga; Matyshak, Georgy

2017-04-01

Soil respiration is an essential component of the carbon cycle, determining 25-40 % of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Urban soils are subject to significant anthropogenic influences. Anthropogenic impact affects both the plants and the soil microbiota. So, soil CO2 efflux and soil profile CO2 concentration probably differ in urban and natural soils. Influence of abiotic factors on soil carbon dioxide production is explored insufficiently. The research of their impact on soil carbon dioxide production is necessary to predict soil response to anthropogenic climate change. The aim of this study was estimation of annual soil CO2 production and the impact of climatic factors on it. The research took place in Moscow State University Botanical Garden Arboretum (southern taiga). Investigations were carried out at two sites: the areas planted with Picea obovata and Carpinus betulus. The study was conducted with 1-2 weeks intervals between November 2014 and December 2015. Emission measurement were carried out by closed chamber technique, profile concentration were measured by soil air sampling tubes method. Annual carbon dioxide soil surface efflux of soil planted with Picea obovata was 1370 gCO2/(m2 * year), soil planted with Carpinus betulus - 1590 gCO2/(m2 * year). Soil CO2 concentration increased with depth in average of 3300 to 12000 ppm (at 80 cm depth). Maximum concentration values are confined to the end of vegetation period (high biological activity) and to beginning of spring (spring ice cover of soil prevents CO2 emission). Soil CO2 efflux depends on soil temperature at 10 cm depth (R = 0.89; p <0.05), in a less degree it correlate with soil surface temperature and with soil temperature at 20 cm depth (r=0.88; p<0.05). Soil moisture has a little effect on CO2 efflux in the annual cycle (r=-0.16; p<0.05). However in vegetation period efflux of carbon dioxide largely depends on soil moisture, due to the fact, that soil moisture is limiting factor for soil microbiota activity and plant respiration.

The biodegradation of cable oil components: impact of oil concentration, nutrient addition and bioaugmentation.

PubMed

Towell, Marcie G; Paton, Graeme I; Semple, Kirk T

2011-12-01

The effect of cable oil concentration, nutrient amendment and bioaugmentation on cable oil component biodegradation in a pristine agricultural soil was investigated. Biodegradation potential was evaluated over 21 d by measuring cumulative CO(2) respiration on a Micro-Oxymax respirometer and (14)C-phenyldodecane mineralisation using a (14)C-respirometric assay. Cable oil concentration had a significant effect upon oil biodegradation. Microbial respiratory activity increased with increasing cable oil concentration, whereas (14)C-phenydodecane mineralisation decreased. Bioaugmentation achieved the best cable oil biodegradation performance, resulting in increases in cumulative CO(2) respiration, and maximum rates and extents of (14)C-phenyldodecane mineralisation. Generally, nutrient amendment also enhanced cable oil biodegradation, but not to the extent that degrader amendment did. Cable oil biodegradation was a function of (i) cable oil concentration and (ii) catabolic ability of microbial populations. Bioaugmentation may enhance cable oil biodegradation, and is dependent upon composition, cell number and application of catabolic inocula to soil. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Experimentally determined solidi in the Ca-bearing granite system NaAlSi3O8-CaAl2Si2O8-KAlSi3O8-SiO2-H2O-CO2

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bohlen, S.R.; Eckert, J.O.; Hankins, W.B.

1995-01-01

The phase relationships of melting of synthetic granite in the presence of an H2O-CO2 fluid were determined. These results provide constraints on the maximum temperatures of regional metamorphism attainable in vapor-saturated metapelitic and quartzofeldspathic rocks that escaped widespread melting. At pressures below 10 kbar, a fluid phase of XH2O = 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25 limits temperatures to below ~700-725, ~800-825, and ~850-875??C, respectively. As a consequence, the formation of granulite does not require CO2 concentrations in a coexisting fluid to exceed an XCO2 of 0.25-0.5. -from Authors

Statistical evaluation of nutritional components impacting phycocyanin production Synechocystis SP.

PubMed Central

Deshmukh, Devendra V.; Puranik, Pravin R.

2012-01-01

Alkaliphilic cyanobacterial cultures were isolated from Lonar lake (MS, India). Among the set of cultures, Synechocystis sp, was studied for phycocyanin production. A maximum yield was obtained in BG-11 medium at optimized conditions (pH 10 and 16 h light). In order to increase the phycocyanin yield media optimization based on the eight media components a Plackett-Burman design of the 12 experimental trials was used. As per the analysis CaCl2, 2H2O and Na2CO3 have been found to be the most influencing media components at 95% significance. Further the optimum concentrations of these components were estimated following a Box Wilson Central Composite Design (CCD) with four star points and five replicates at the center points for each of two factors was adopted for optimization of these two media components. The results indicated that there was an interlinked influence of CaCl2, 2H2O and Na2CO3 on 98% significance. The maximum yield of phycocyanin (12% of dry wt) could be obtained at 0.058 g/l and 0.115 g/l of CaCl2, 2H2O and Na2CO3, respectively. PMID:24031838

Characterization and quantification of geochemical reaction rates in mine waste piles using unsaturated zone gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birkham, T.; Hendry, J.; Kirkland, R.; Bradley, S.; Mendoza, C.; Wassenaar, L.

2003-04-01

From 1997 to the present, we have installed and monitored 240 gas probes (maximum depth of 43 m) in unsaturated waste rock, overburden and tailings piles at a uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan, Canada and an oil sands mine in northern Alberta, Canada. Depth profiles of O2, CO2, N2 and CH4 pore-gas concentrations, temperature, and moisture content were measured in the field and used to characterize and quantifyin situ geochemical reaction rates. An innovative field-portable GC system has been developed to monitor pore-gas concentrations. At most sites, gas migration has been attributed to diffusion. At sites where advective transport may be important, subsurface total pressure measurements have been used to assess the contribution of advection to gas migration. The stable isotopes of molecular O2 (16O2 and 18O16O) and C in CO2 (12CO2 and 13CO2) have also been measured and modeled. At the uranium mine, the modelling of the O2, CO2, δ18OO2, and δ13CCO2 depth profiles was used to identify an alternative mechanism of O2 consumption and CO2 production in mine waste-rock piles. At the oil sands mine, a complex and unique system involving O2, CO2, and CH4 fluxes in the unsaturated zone and across the capillary fringe has been identified and is currently being modeled.

Structural and magnetic characterization of Ti doped cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pal, Jaswinder; Kumar, Sunil; Kaur, Randeep; Agrawal, P.; Singh, Mandeep; Singh, Anupinder

2018-05-01

Synthesis of Co1-xTixFe2O4 solid solutions for 0.1≤x≤0.4 using the solid-state-reaction rate has been done. The prepared samples were characterized by using XRD (X-ray diffraction) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). Magnetic studies have been done using Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). XRD confirmed that Cobalt Ferrite spinel cubic structure in all prepared samples. The lattice parameter `a' increases with increase in the concentration of Ti. SEM micrograph shows good grain growth in all samples. Magnetic Study reveals that the M-H curves of all the prepared samples taken at room temperature are very well saturated. The maximum value of remnant magnetization (Mr ˜13.9 emu/g) and saturation magnetization (Ms ˜74.4 emu/g) has been observed for x =0.2 sample. Coercivity does not show any regular variation with increase in the molar concentration of Ti in CoFe2O4 at A-site.

Comparative study of differently treated animal bones for Co(2+) removal.

PubMed

Dimović, S; Smiciklas, I; Plećas, I; Antonović, D; Mitrić, M

2009-05-15

The objective of the present study was the evaluation of differently treated bovine bones for Co(2+) removal from aqueous media. Powdered bones (B), as well as samples prepared by H(2)O(2) oxidation (BH(2)O(2)) and annealing at 400-1000 degrees C (B400-B1000), were tested as sorbent materials. A combination of XRD, FTIR spectroscopies, DTA/TGA analyses, specific surface area (S(p)) and point of zero charge (pH(PZC)) measurements was utilized for physicochemical characterization of sorbents. Sorption of Co(2+) was studied in batch conditions as a function of pH, contact time and Co(2+) concentration. Initial pH values in the range 4-8 were found optimal for sorption experiments. Equilibrium time of 24h was required in all investigated systems. The maximum sorption capacities differ significantly from 0.078 to 0.495mmol/g, whereas the affinity towards Co(2+) decreased in the order: B400>BH(2)O(2)>B600>B>B800>B1000. The pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir theoretical equation were used for fitting the kinetic and equilibrium data, respectively. Ion-exchange with Ca(2+) and specific cation sorption were identified as main removal mechanisms. The amounts of Co(2+) desorbed from loaded bone sorbents increased with the decrease of pH as well as with the increase of Ca(2+) concentration. Heating at 400 degrees C was found to be an optimal treatment for the production of the Co(2+) removal agent.

Climate vs. carbon dioxide controls on biomass burning: a model analysis of the glacial-interglacial contrast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Calvo, M. Martin; Prentice, I. C.; Harrison, S. P.

2014-02-01

Climate controls fire regimes through its influence on the amount and types of fuel present and their dryness; CO2 availability, in turn, constrains primary production by limiting photosynthetic activity in plants. However, although fuel accumulation depends on biomass production, and hence CO2 availability, the links between atmospheric CO2 and biomass burning are not well known. Here a fire-enabled dynamic global vegetation model (the Land surface Processes and eXchanges model, LPX) is used to attribute glacial-interglacial changes in biomass burning to CO2 increase, which would be expected to increase primary production and therefore fuel loads even in the absence of climate change, vs. climate change effects. Four general circulation models provided Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) climate anomalies - that is, differences from the pre-industrial (PI) control climate - from the Palaeoclimate Modelling Intercomparison Project Phase 2, allowing the construction of four scenarios for LGM climate. Modelled carbon fluxes in biomass burning were corrected for the model's observed biases in contemporary biome-average values. With LGM climate and low CO2 (185 ppm) effects included, the modelled global flux was 70 to 80% lower at the LGM than in PI time. LGM climate with pre-industrial CO2 (280 ppm) however yielded unrealistic results, with global and Northern Hemisphere biomass burning fluxes greater than in the pre-industrial climate. Using the PI CO2 concentration increased the modelled LGM biomass burning fluxes for all climate models and latitudinal bands to between four and ten times their values under LGM CO2 concentration. It is inferred that a substantial part of the increase in biomass burning after the LGM must be attributed to the effect of increasing CO2 concentration on productivity and fuel load. Today, by analogy, both rising CO2 and global warming must be considered as risk factors for increasing biomass burning. Both effects need to be included in models to project future fire risks.

Kinetic bottlenecks to chemical exchange rates for deep-sea animals II: Carbon dioxide

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofmann, A. F.; Peltzer, E. T.; Brewer, P. G.

2012-11-01

Increased ocean acidification from fossil fuel CO2 invasion, from temperature-driven changes in respiration, and from possible leakage from sub-seabed geologic CO2 disposal has aroused concern over the impacts of elevated CO2 concentrations on marine life. Discussion of these impacts has so far focused only on changes in the oceanic bulk fluid properties (ΔpH, Δ[∑CO2] etc.) as the critical variable and with a major focus on carbonate shell dissolution. Here we describe the rate problem for animals that must export CO2 at about the same rate at which O2 is consumed. We analyze the basic properties controlling CO2 export within the diffusive boundary layer around marine animals in an ocean changing in temperature (T) and CO2 concentration in order to compare the challenges posed by O2 uptake under stress with the equivalent problem of CO2 expulsion. The problem is more complex than that for a non-reactive gas since, as with gas exchange of CO2 at the air-sea interface, the influence of the ensemble of reactions within the CO2-HCO3--CO32- acid-base system needs to be considered. These reactions significantly facilitate CO2 efflux compared to O2 intake at equal temperature, pressure and flow rate under typical oceanic concentrations.The effect of these reactions can be described by an enhancement factor. For organisms, this means mechanically increasing flow over their surface to thin the boundary layer as is required to alleviate O2 stress seems not necessary to facilitate CO2 efflux. Nevertheless the elevated pCO2 cost most likely is non-zero. Regionally as with O2 the combination of T, P, and pH/pCO2 creates a zone of maximum CO2 stress at around 1000 m depth. But the net result is that, for the problem of gas exchange with the bulk ocean, the combination of an increasing T combined with declining O2 poses a greater challenge to marine life than does increasing CO2. The relationships developed here allow a more accurate prediction of the impacts on marine life from the combined effects of changing T, O2, and CO2 than can be estimated from single variable studies.

Deep soil carbon stock in Chinese Loess Plateau and its turnover

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Song, C.; Han, G.; Yingchun, S.; Liu, C. Q.

2017-12-01

The loess plateau in northwestern China has been regarded as a huge carbon stock in China. However, so far, the mechanisms of carbon cycle in deep loess is still not well known. Hence, we established a field experiment site of carbon cycle in deep loess at Qiushe village, Lingtai county, Gansu province, and observed: (1) the hydro-chemical composition, DIC (Dissolved Inorganic Carbon), DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon), and POC (Particulate Organic Carbon) in spring water discharging from loess section in Qiushe village, Lingtai county, Gansu province of Northwestern China; and (2) soil CO2 concentration and its lateral fluxes in loess section. The results showed that: (i) The DIC and DOC concentration in groundwater of loess area is 5.25 5.45mmol/L, and 0.59 0.62 mg/L, respectively, while POC concentration is high due to the mixture of loess particle matter. According to the ion balance of carbonate weathering reaction, the 2.82 mmol CO2 can be absorbed by carbonate weathering when 1 L rainfall can infiltrate into the loess until below the zero flux plane. (2) CO2 concentration in loess is higher than in atmosphere and reaches the maximum of 4180 μmol·mol-1 in S14, different loess/paleosol fails to display an instinct trend. The δ13C value of CO2 ranged from -21.31 ‰ to -15.37 ‰, and had a positive relationship with 1/[CO2] (r = 0.74), suggesting that CO2 in loess is not only relative to decomposed organic carbon by microbe, and also to the balance system among CaCO3-H2O-CO2 in the interface between saturated and unsaturated zone. The comparison between the lateral flux of CO2 in loess profile and the vertical CO2 flux in ground surface reveal that ignoring the lateral flux of CO2 may lead to a severe underestimation of soil carbon emission in mountainous area. So the geomorphological surficial area should be used instead of acreage in relative models to avoid the underestimation during estimating the soil carbon emission. (3) At the annual scale, the carbon stock in deep loess is an active stock, exchanging carbon with atmospheric stock through two ways at least: (1) the rainfall - infiltration - discharge process; (2) the lateral flux of gases (mainly CO2, and methane in some areas).

Modern climate challenges and the geological record

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cronin, Thomas M.

2010-01-01

Today's changing climate poses challenges about the influence of human activity, such as greenhouse gas emissions and land use changes, the natural variability of Earth's climate, and complex feedback processes. Ice core and instrumental records show that over the last century, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations have risen to 390 parts per million volume (ppmv), about 40% above pre-Industrial Age concentrations of 280 ppmv and nearly twice those of the last glacial maximum about 22,000 years ago. Similar historical increases are recorded in atmospheric methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). There is general agreement that human activity is largely responsible for these trends. Substantial evidence also suggests that elevated greenhouse gas concentrations are responsible for much of the recent atmospheric and oceanic warming, rising sea level, declining Arctic sea-ice cover, retreating glaciers and small ice caps, decreased mass balance of the Greenland and parts of the Antarctic ice sheets, and decreasing ocean pH (ocean "acidification"). Elevated CO2 concentrations raise concern not only from observations of the climate system, but because feedbacks associated with reduced reflectivity from in land and sea ice, sea level, and land vegetation relatively slowly (centuries or longer) to elevated 2 levels. This means that additional human-induced climate change is expected even if the rate of CO2 emissions is reduced or concentrations immediately stabilized.

Quiescent hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide degassing from Mount Baker, Washington

USGS Publications Warehouse

McGee, K.A.; Doukas, M.P.; Gerlach, T.M.

2001-01-01

Volcanic H2S emission rate data are scant despite their importance in understanding magma degassing. We present results from direct airborne plume measurements of H2S and CO2 on a 21-orbit survey at eleven different altitudes around Mount Baker volcano in September 2000 utilizing instrumentation mounted in a light aircraft. Measured emission rates of H2S and CO2 were 5.5 td-1 and 187 td-1 respectively. Maximum concentrations of H2S and CO2 encountered within the 4-km-wide plume were 75 ppb and 2 ppm respectively. Utilizing the H2S signal as a marker for the plume allows the corresponding CO2 signal to be more easily and accurately distinguished from ambient CO2 background. This technique is sensitive enough for monitoring weakly degassing volcanoes in a pre-eruptive condition when scrubbing by hydrothermal fluid or aquifers might mask the presence of more acid magmatic gases such as SO2.

Effect of sorbed methanol, current, and temperature on multicomponent transport in nafion-based direct methanol fuel cells.

PubMed

Rivera, Harry; Lawton, Jamie S; Budil, David E; Smotkin, Eugene S

2008-07-24

The CO2 in the cathode exhaust of a liquid feed direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) has two sources: methanol diffuses through the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) to the cathode where it is catalytically oxidized to CO2; additionally, a portion of the CO2 produced at the anode diffuses through the MEA to the cathode. The potential-dependent CO2 exhaust from the cathode was monitored by online electrochemical mass spectrometry (ECMS) with air and with H2 at the cathode. The precise determination of the crossover rates of methanol and CO2, enabled by the subtractive normalization of the methanol/air to the methanol/H2 ECMS data, shows that methanol decreases the membrane viscosity and thus increases the diffusion coefficients of sorbed membrane components. The crossover of CO2 initially increases linearly with the Faradaic oxidation of methanol, reaches a temperature-dependent maximum, and then decreases. The membrane viscosity progressively increases as methanol is electrochemically depleted from the anode/electrolyte interface. The crossover maximum occurs when the current dependence of the diffusion coefficients and membrane CO2 solubility dominate over the Faradaic production of CO2. The plasticizing effect of methanol is corroborated by measurements of the rotational diffusion of TEMPONE (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone N-oxide) spin probe by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. A linear inverse relationship between the methanol crossover rate and current density confirms the absence of methanol electro-osmotic drag at concentrations relevant to operating DMFCs. The purely diffusive transport of methanol is explained in terms of current proton solvation and methanol-water incomplete mixing theories.

Explore various co-substrates for simultaneous electricity generation and Congo red degradation in air-cathode single-chamber microbial fuel cell.

PubMed

Cao, Yunqing; Hu, Yongyou; Sun, Jian; Hou, Bin

2010-08-01

Microbial fuel cell (MFC) holds a great promise to harvest electricity directly from a wide range of ready degradable organic matters and enhance degradation of some recalcitrant contaminants. Glucose, acetate sodium and ethanol were separately examined as co-substrates for simultaneous bioelectricity generation and Congo red degradation in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) air-cathode single-chamber MFC. The batch test results showed that more than 98% decolorization at the dye concentration of 300 mg/L were achieved within 36 h for all tested co-substrates during electricity generation. The decolorization rate was different with the co-substrates used. The fastest decolorization rate was achieved with glucose followed by ethanol and sodium acetate. Accumulated intermediates were observed during Congo red degradation which was demonstrated by UV-Visible spectra and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Electricity generation was sustained and not significantly affected by the Congo red degradation. Glucose, acetate sodium and ethanol produced maximum power densities of 103 mW/m(2), 85.9 mW/m(2) and 63.2 mW/m(2), respectively, and the maximum voltage output decreased by only 7% to 15%. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of using various co-substrates for simultaneous decolorization of Congo red and bioelectricity generation in the MFC and showed that glucose was the preferred co-substrate. Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Carbon monoxide (CO) emissions and its tropospheric variability over Pakistan using satellite-sensed data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

ul-Haq, Zia; Rana, Asim Daud; Ali, Muhammad; Mahmood, Khalid; Tariq, Salman; Qayyum, Zarmina

2015-08-01

This study presents major anthropogenic sources of carbon monoxide (CO) in Pakistan and discusses the spatio-temporal variability of tropospheric CO over Pakistan and neighboring regions of Afghanistan, India and Iran for a period from 2003 to 2012 using satellite-sensed (AIRS/AMSU) data. The results show a large spatio-temporal variability of CO over the study region mostly associated with anthropogenic activities such as crop residue burning, vehicular transport, and electricity and energy generation, and local meteorology. The annual mean value of tropospheric CO is observed to be 115 ± 2 ppbv that remains almost steady during the study period with decadal increase of only 2%. Due to more anthropogenic emissions of CO and its transport, the eastern zone shows a higher average value of 122 ± 2 ppbv with 2.7% decadal increase than the western zone (111 ± 3 ppbv with 1.4% decadal increase). Elevated concentrations of CO have been observed over the Indo-Gangetic Basin, Lahore, Karachi, and Delhi. During the study period large fluctuations in CO mean monthly values are found ranging from 99 ppbv to 131 ppbv. The fact that, in spite of a large increase in the CO emissions from 2003 to 2012, its average concentration remains almost stable indicates that a large scale regional transport contributes substantially to the tropospheric CO. Carbon monoxide concentrations exhibit a strong seasonal pattern with maximum amplitude in spring and minimum in autumn. July is found to have the highest decadal increasing trend of 13% followed by August at 8%, whereas May has the highest decreasing trend of -8% followed by November at -4.4%.

Hydrothermal synthesis of Mn-doped ZnCo2O4 electrode material for high-performance supercapacitor

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mary, A. Juliet Christina; Bose, A. Chandra

2017-12-01

Mn-doped ZnCo2O4 nanoparticle has been synthesized by hydrothermal method without adding any surfactants. Structural, morphological and electrochemical performances have been studied for the pure and various concentration of Mn-doped ZnCo2O4 nanoparticles. XRD and Raman studies demonstrate the crystalline structure of the material. Specific capacitance of the 10 wt% Mn doped ZnCo2O4 nanomaterial is analysed using the three-electrode system. 10 wt% Mn-doped ZnCo2O4 has a maximum capacitance of 707.4 F g-1 at a current density of 0.5 A g-1. Coulombic efficiency of the material is 96.3% for 500 cycles in the KOH electrolyte medium. A two-electrode device using 10 wt% Mn-doped ZnCo2O4 exhibits the highest specific capacitance of 6.5 F g-1 at a current density of 0.03 A g-1 which is the suitable material for supercapacitor application.

Availability of phosphate for phytoplankton and bacteria and of glucose for bacteria at different pCO2 levels in a mesocosm study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, T.; Thingstad, T. F.; Løvdal, T.; Grossart, H.-P.; Larsen, A.; Allgaier, M.; Meyerhöfer, M.; Schulz, K. G.; Wohlers, J.; Zöllner, E.; Riebesell, U.

2008-05-01

Availability of phosphate for phytoplankton and bacteria and of glucose for bacteria at different pCO2 levels were studied in a mesocosm experiment (PeECE III). Using nutrient-depleted SW Norwegian fjord waters, three different levels of pCO2 (350 μatm: 1×CO2; 700 μatm: 2×CO2; 1050 μatm: 3×CO2) were set up, and nitrate and phosphate were added at the start of the experiment in order to induce a phytoplankton bloom. Despite similar responses of total particulate P concentration and phosphate turnover time at the three different pCO2 levels, the size distribution of particulate P and 33PO4 uptake suggested that phosphate transferred to the >10 μm fraction was greater in the 3×CO2 mesocosm during the first 6-10 days when phosphate concentration was high. During the period of phosphate depletion (after Day 12), specific phosphate affinity and specific alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) suggested a P-deficiency (i.e. suboptimal phosphate supply) rather than a P-limitation for the phytoplankton and bacterial community at the three different pCO2 levels. Specific phosphate affinity and specific APA tended to be higher in the 3×CO2 than in the 2×CO2 and 1×CO2 mesocosms during the phosphate depletion period, although no statistical differences were found. Glucose turnover time was correlated significantly and negatively with bacterial abundance and production but not with the bulk DOC concentration. This suggests that even though constituting a small fraction of the bulk DOC, glucose was an important component of labile DOC for bacteria. Specific glucose affinity of bacteria behaved similarly at the three different pCO2 levels with measured specific glucose affinities being consistently much lower than the theoretical maximum predicted from the diffusion-limited model. This suggests that bacterial growth was not severely limited by the glucose availability. Hence, it seems that the lower availability of inorganic nutrients after the phytoplankton bloom reduced the bacterial capacity to consume labile DOC in the upper mixed layer of the stratified mesocosms.

Growth of Chlorella vulgaris and nutrient removal in the wastewater in response to intermittent carbon dioxide.

PubMed

Liu, Xiaoning; Ying, Kezhen; Chen, Guangyao; Zhou, Canwei; Zhang, Wen; Zhang, Xihui; Cai, Zhonghua; Holmes, Thomas; Tao, Yi

2017-11-01

In this study, Chlorella vulgaris (C. vulgaris) were cultured in cell culture flask supplied with intermittent CO 2 enriched gas. The impact of CO 2 concentration (from 1% to 20% v/v) on the growth of C. vulgaris cultured in domestic wastewater was exploited in various perspectives which include biomass, specific growth rate, culture pH, carbon consumption, and the removal of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds. The results showed that the maximum microalgal biomass concentration, 1.12 g L -1 , was achieved with 10% CO 2 as a feed gas. At 20% CO 2 the growth of C. vulgaris suffered from inhibition during initial 1.5 d, but acclimated to low pH (6.3 in average) with relatively higher specific growth rate (0.3-0.5 d -1 ) during subsequent culture period. After the rapid consumption of ammonium in the wastewater, an obvious decline in the nitrate concentration was observed, indicating that C. vulgaris prefer ammonium as a primary nitrogen source. The total nitrogen and phosphorus decreased from 44.0 mg L -1 to 2.1-5.4 mg L -1 and from 5.2 mg L -1 to 0-0.6 mg L -1 within 6.5 d under the aeration of 1-20% CO 2 , respectively, but no significant difference in consumed nitrogen versus phosphorus ratio was observed among different CO 2 concentration. The kinetics of nutrients removal were also determined through the application of pseudo first order kinetic model. 5-10% CO 2 aeration was optimal for the growth of C. vulgaris in the domestic wastewater, based on the coupling of carbon consumption, microalgal biomass, the nutrients removal and kinetics constants. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Kok effect in Vicia faba cannot be explained solely by changes in chloroplastic CO2 concentration.

PubMed

Buckley, Thomas N; Vice, Heather; Adams, Mark A

2017-12-01

The Kok effect - an abrupt decline in quantum yield (QY) of net CO 2 assimilation at low photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) - is widely used to estimate respiration in the light (R), which assumes the effect is caused by light suppression of R. A recent report suggested much of the Kok effect can be explained by declining chloroplastic CO 2 concentration (c c ) at low PPFD. Several predictions arise from the hypothesis that the Kok effect is caused by declining c c , and we tested these predictions in Vicia faba. We measured CO 2 exchange at low PPFD, in 2% and 21% oxygen, in developing and mature leaves, which differed greatly in R in darkness. Our results contradicted each of the predictions based on the c c effect: QY exceeded the theoretical maximum value for photosynthetic CO 2 uptake; QY was larger in 21% than 2% oxygen; and the change in QY at the Kok effect breakpoint was unaffected by oxygen. Our results strongly suggest the Kok effect arises largely from a progressive decline in R with PPFD that includes both oxygen-sensitive and -insensitive components. We suggest an improved Kok method that accounts for high c c at low PPFD. © 2017 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2017 New Phytologist Trust.

Leaf fossil record suggests limited influence of atmospheric CO2 on terrestrial productivity prior to angiosperm evolution

PubMed Central

Boyce, C. Kevin; Zwieniecki, Maciej A.

2012-01-01

Declining CO2 over the Cretaceous has been suggested as an evolutionary driver of the high leaf vein densities (7–28 mm mm−2) that are unique to the angiosperms throughout all of Earth history. Photosynthetic modeling indicated the link between high vein density and productivity documented in the modern low-CO2 regime would be lost as CO2 concentrations increased but also implied that plants with very low vein densities (less than 3 mm mm−2) should experience substantial disadvantages with high CO2. Thus, the hypothesized relationship between CO2 and plant evolution can be tested through analysis of the concurrent histories of alternative lineages, because an extrinsic driver like atmospheric CO2 should affect all plants and not just the flowering plants. No such relationship is seen. Regardless of CO2 concentrations, low vein densities are equally common among nonangiosperms throughout history and common enough to include forest canopies and not just obligate shade species that will always be of limited productivity. Modeling results can be reconciled with the fossil record if maximum assimilation rates of nonflowering plants are capped well below those of flowering plants, capturing biochemical and physiological differences that would be consistent with extant plants but previously unrecognized in the fossil record. Although previous photosynthetic modeling suggested that productivity would double or triple with each Phanerozoic transition from low to high CO2, productivity changes are likely to have been limited before a substantial increase accompanying the evolution of flowering plants. PMID:22689947

Dominant factors controlling glacial and interglacial variations in the treeline elevation in tropical Africa

PubMed Central

Wu, Haibin; Guiot, Joël; Brewer, Simon; Guo, Zhengtang; Peng, Changhui

2007-01-01

The knowledge of tropical palaeoclimates is crucial for understanding global climate change, because it is a test bench for general circulation models that are ultimately used to predict future global warming. A longstanding issue concerning the last glacial maximum in the tropics is the discrepancy between the decrease in sea-surface temperatures reconstructed from marine proxies and the high-elevation decrease in land temperatures estimated from indicators of treeline elevation. In this study, an improved inverse vegetation modeling approach is used to quantitatively reconstruct palaeoclimate and to estimate the effects of different factors (temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric CO2 concentration) on changes in treeline elevation based on a set of pollen data covering an altitudinal range from 100 to 3,140 m above sea level in Africa. We show that lowering of the African treeline during the last glacial maximum was primarily triggered by regional drying, especially at upper elevations, and was amplified by decreases in atmospheric CO2 concentration and perhaps temperature. This contrasts with scenarios for the Holocene and future climates, in which the increase in treeline elevation will be dominated by temperature. Our results suggest that previous temperature changes inferred from tropical treeline shifts may have been overestimated for low-CO2 glacial periods, because the limiting factors that control changes in treeline elevation differ between glacial and interglacial periods. PMID:17535920

Dominant factors controlling glacial and interglacial variations in the treeline elevation in tropical Africa.

PubMed

Wu, Haibin; Guiot, Joël; Brewer, Simon; Guo, Zhengtang; Peng, Changhui

2007-06-05

The knowledge of tropical palaeoclimates is crucial for understanding global climate change, because it is a test bench for general circulation models that are ultimately used to predict future global warming. A longstanding issue concerning the last glacial maximum in the tropics is the discrepancy between the decrease in sea-surface temperatures reconstructed from marine proxies and the high-elevation decrease in land temperatures estimated from indicators of treeline elevation. In this study, an improved inverse vegetation modeling approach is used to quantitatively reconstruct palaeoclimate and to estimate the effects of different factors (temperature, precipitation, and atmospheric CO(2) concentration) on changes in treeline elevation based on a set of pollen data covering an altitudinal range from 100 to 3,140 m above sea level in Africa. We show that lowering of the African treeline during the last glacial maximum was primarily triggered by regional drying, especially at upper elevations, and was amplified by decreases in atmospheric CO(2) concentration and perhaps temperature. This contrasts with scenarios for the Holocene and future climates, in which the increase in treeline elevation will be dominated by temperature. Our results suggest that previous temperature changes inferred from tropical treeline shifts may have been overestimated for low-CO(2) glacial periods, because the limiting factors that control changes in treeline elevation differ between glacial and interglacial periods.

Performance and emissions of a spark-ignited engine driven generator on biomass based syngas.

PubMed

Shah, Ajay; Srinivasan, Radhakrishnan; To, Suminto D Filip; Columbus, Eugene P

2010-06-01

The emergence of biomass based energy warrants the evaluation of syngas from biomass gasification as a fuel for personal power systems. The objectives of this study were to determine the performance and exhaust emissions of a commercial 5.5 kW generator modified for operation with 100% syngas at different syngas flows and to compare the results with those obtained for gasoline operation at same electrical power. The maximum electrical power output for syngas operation was 1392 W and that for gasoline operation was 2451 W. However, the overall efficiency of the generator at maximum electrical power output for both the fuels were found to be the same. The concentrations of CO and NO(x) in the generator exhaust were lower for the syngas operation, respectively by 30-96% and 54-84% compared to the gasoline operation. However, the concentrations of CO(2) in the generator exhaust were significantly higher by 33-167% for the syngas operation. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cultivation of newly isolated microalgae Coelastrum sp. in wastewater for simultaneous CO2 fixation, lipid production and wastewater treatment.

PubMed

Mousavi, Shokouh; Najafpour, Ghasem D; Mohammadi, Maedeh; Seifi, Mohammad Hasan

2018-04-01

Cultivation of microalgae in wastewater is a promising and cost-effective approach for both CO 2 biofixation and wastewater remediation. In this study, a new strain of Coelastrum sp. was isolated from cattle manure leachate. The isolated microalgae were then cultivated in wastewater. Effects of different sCOD concentrations (600, 750, 900, 1050 mg L -1 ) and light intensities (1000, 2300, 4600, 6900 and 10000 Lux) on biomass production, CO 2 consumption rate and nutrient removal from wastewater were investigated. The results showed that maximum cell growth and CO 2 consumption rate were 2.71 g L -1 and 53.12 mg L -1 day -1 , respectively, which were obtained in the wastewater with 750 mg L -1 sCOD and under the light intensity of 6900 Lux. The microalgae were able to completely consume all CO 2 after incubation period of 4 days. The highest sCOD, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), nitrate and total phosphorous (TP) removal at such conditions were 53.45, 91.18, 87.51 and 100%, respectively. The lipid content of microalgal biomass was also measured under different light intensities; maximum amount of lipid was determined to be 50.77% under illumination of 2300 Lux. Finally, the CO 2 consumption rate and biomass productivity of microalgae in semi-batch culture with continuous gas flow (CO 2 6%:N 2 94%) were investigated. The rate of CO 2 consumption and biomass productivity were 0.528 and 0.281 g L -1 day -1 , respectively. The TKN, nitrate, TP and sCOD removal rate of microalgae were 83.51, 80.91, 100, 41.4%, respectively.

The influence of sperm concentration, length of the gamete co-culture and the evolution of different sperm parameters on the in vitro fertilization of prepubertal goat oocytes.

PubMed

Palomo, M J; Mogas, T; Izquierdo, D; Paramio, M T

2010-11-01

The aims of the present study were: (1) to evaluate the influence of sperm concentration (ranging from 0.5 × 10(6) to 4 × 10(6) spermatozoa/ml) and length of the gamete co-incubation time (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 24 or 28 h) on in vitro fertilization (IVF), assessing the sperm penetration rate; (2) to investigate the kinetics of different semen parameters as motility, viability and acrosome status during the co-culture period; and (3) to analyse the effect of the presence of cumulus-oocytes complexes (COCs) on these parameters. To achieve these objectives, several experiments were carried out using in vitro matured oocytes from prepubertal goats. The main findings of this work are that: (1) in our conditions, the optimum sperm concentration is 4 × 10(6) sperm/ml, as this sperm:oocyte ratio (approximately 28,000) allowed us to obtain the highest penetration rate, without increasing polyspermy incidence; (2) the highest percentage of viable acrosome-reacted spermatozoa is observed between 8-12 h of gamete co-culture, while the penetration rate is maximum at 12 h of co-incubation; and (3) the presence of COCs seems to favour the acrosome reaction of free spermatozoa on IVF medium, but not significantly. In conclusion, we suggest that a gamete co-incubation for 12-14 h, with a concentration of 4 × 10(6) sperm/ml, would be sufficient to obtain the highest rate of penetration, reducing the exposure of oocytes to high levels of reactive oxygen species produced by spermatozoa, especially when a high sperm concentration is used to increase the caprine IVF outcome.

Seasonal variations and cycling of nitrous oxide using nitrogen isotopes and concentrations from an unsaturated zone of a floodplain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bill, M.; Conrad, M. E.; Kolding, S.; Williams, K. H.; Tokunaga, T. K.

2014-12-01

Nitrous oxide (N2O) concentrations and isotope ratios of 15N to 14N of N2O in the vadose zone mainly depend on atmospheric deposition, symbiotic or non-symbiotic N2 fixation, and nitrification/denitrification processes in underlying groundwater. In an effort to quantify N2O seasonal variations, cycling and N budgets in an alluvial aquifer in western Colorado (Rifle, CO), the concentrations and nitrogen stable isotopes of N2O within the pore space of partially saturated sediments have been monitored over the 2013-2014 years. Vertically resolved profiles spanning from 0m to 3m depth were sampled at 0.5m increments at a periodicity of one month. At each of the profile locations, N2O concentrations decreased from 3m depth to the surface. The maximum concentrations were observed at the interface between the unsaturated zone and groundwater, with minimum values observed in the near surface samples. The d15N values tend to increase from the unsaturated zone/groundwater interface to the surface. Both variation of N2O concentrations and d15N values suggest that denitrification is the main contribution to N2O production and both parameters exhibited a strong seasonal variation. The maximum concentrations (~10ppmv) were observed at the beginning of summer, during the annual maximum in water table elevation. The minimum N2O concentrations were observed in the period from January to May and coincided with low water table elevations. Additionally, nitrogen concentrations and d15N values of the shallowest sediments within the vertical profiles do not show variation, suggesting that the main source of N2O is associated with groundwater denitrification, with the shallower, partially saturated sediments acting as a sink for N2O.

Control of Atmospheric CO2 by the Ocean's Biological Pump and Shelf-Basin Fractionation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Anderson, R. F.; Fleisher, M. Q.; Mix, A. C.

2006-12-01

Identifying the cause of the dramatic correlation between atmospheric CO2 concentrations and past climate variability has been one of the principal goals of paleoclimate research over the past quarter century. Several plausible mechanisms have been proposed, and each has been rejected as being incapable by itself of accounting for the full range (80 to 100 ppm) of glacial to interglacial variability of atmospheric CO2 concentration. Consequently, recent studies have focused on scenarios by which a combination of mechanisms work synergistically to account for the full range of CO2 variability. We will present evidence from equatorial Pacific sediment cores that increased strength of the ocean's biological pump was primarily responsible for drawdown of atmospheric CO2 during the early stages of glaciation, and that increased ocean alkalinity (or, more specifically, an increase in the ocean carbonate ion concentration) led to a further reduction of atmospheric CO2 during maximum glaciation. Increased strength of the biological pump is manifest as increasing differences between the carbon isotope composition of planktonic and benthic foraminifera during early stages of glaciation, as predicted a quarter century ago in classic works by Broecker and by Shackleton. Increased carbonate ion concentration is manifest by increased preservation and burial of calcium carbonate in deep equatorial Pacific sediments. The carbon isotope record is noisy, but the pattern is repeated over each of the past three glacial cycles, lending confidence to its reliability. Increased preservation and burial of CaCO3 occurred each time the oxygen isotope composition of benthic foraminifera rose above a threshold value corresponding to a sea level lowering of roughly 70 m below present. This relationship is reproduced systematically throughout the past 450 kyr, again lending confidence to the finding and supporting the view that shelf-basin fractionation, or the shift in CaCO3 deposition from continental shelves to the deep sea, was involved. There is substantial uncertainty in the sensitivity of atmospheric CO2 to each of these factors, but the records suggest roughly equal CO2 drawdown by each process.

Partial purification and some properties of a latent CO2 reductase from green potato tuber chloroplasts.

PubMed

Arora, S; Ramaswamy, N K; Nair, P M

1985-12-16

We have partially purified the CO2 reductase, present in green potato tuber chloroplasts, as a latent form. Illumination of the chloroplasts in the absence of substrate, bicarbonate, activated the enzyme, which could then be obtained in soluble forms. Purification of the enzyme was achieved by (NH4)2SO4 fractionation (0-30%) and adsorption and elution from a DEAE-Sephadex A-50 column. The final preparation showed 15-fold purification and 50% recovery of the activity. The pH optimum for CO2 reductase was 8.0. Hepes and Tricine buffers showed maximum activity whereas Tris/phosphate or borate failed to show any activity. The enzyme reaction was sensitive to the presence of metal ions like Fe3+, Hg2+, Cu2+, Mo6+ and Zn2+, however, a threefold activation was observed with Fe2+. The metal requirement for CO2 reductase was evident from the observed inhibition by metal chelators like o-phenanthroline, alpha, alpha'-dipyridyl, bathocuproine, 8-hydroxyquinoline etc. Out of these o-phenanthroline was the strongest inhibitor and its concentration for 50% inhibition was 40 microM. The presence of Fe2+ ions in the reaction mixture protected the enzyme from heat denaturation upto 50 degrees C. Maximum enzyme activity was observed at 15 degrees C. The enzyme activity showed a 30-s lag period and the maximum was reached in 90 s. Supplementation of sodium dithionite in the reaction activated enzyme activity threefold, suggesting involvement of dithiol groups in the catalytic activity. There was strong inhibition by -SH inhibitors like 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and N-ethylmaleimide and -SH reagents like dithiothreitol, 2-mercaptoethanol and cysteine. Various nucleotide coenzyme tried inhibited the enzyme strongly.

Modelling bio-electrosynthesis in a reverse microbial fuel cell to produce acetate from CO2 and H2O.

PubMed

Kazemi, M; Biria, D; Rismani-Yazdi, H

2015-05-21

Bio-electrosynthesis is one of the significant developments in reverse microbial fuel cell technology which is potentially capable of creating organic compounds by combining CO2 with H2O. Accordingly, the main objective in the current study was to present a model of microbial electrosynthesis for producing organic compounds (acetate) based on direct conduction of electrons in biofilms. The proposed model enjoys a high degree of rigor because it can predict variations in the substrate concentration, electrical potential, current density and the thickness of the biofilm. Additionally, coulombic efficiency was investigated as a function of substrate concentration and cathode potential. For a system containing CO2 as the substrate and Sporomusa ovata as the biofilm forming microorganism, an increase in the substrate concentration at a constant potential can lead to a decrease in coulombic efficiency as well as an increase in current density and biofilm thickness. On the other hand, an increase in the surface cathodic voltage at a constant substrate concentration may result in an increase in the coulombic efficiency and a decrease in the current density. The maximum coulombic efficiency was revealed to be 75% at a substrate concentration of 0.025 mmol cm(-3) and 55% at a surface cathodic voltage of -0.3 V producing a high range of acetate production by creating an optimal state in the concentration and potential intervals. Finally, the validity of the model was verified by comparing the obtained results with related experimental findings.

Exposure to particulate matter in a mosque

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ocak, Yılmaz; Kılıçvuran, Akın; Eren, Aykut Balkan; Sofuoglu, Aysun; Sofuoglu, Sait C.

2012-09-01

Indoor air quality in mosques during prayers may be of concern for sensitive/susceptible sub-groups of the population. However, no indoor air pollutant levels of potentially toxic agents in mosques have been reported in the literature. This study measured PM concentrations in a mosque on Friday when the mid-day prayer always receives high attendance. Particle number and CO2 concentrations were measured on nine sampling days in three different campaigns before, during, and after prayer under three different cleaning schedules: vacuuming a week before, a day before, and on the morning of the prayer. In addition, daily PM2.5 concentrations were measured. Number concentrations in 0.5-1.0, 1.0-5.0, and > 5.0 μm diameter size ranges were monitored. In all campaigns the maximum number concentrations were observed on the most crowded days. The lowest number concentrations occurred when vacuuming was performed a day before the prayer day in two of the three size ranges considered. PM2.5 concentrations (four-hour samples that integrated before, during, and after the prayer) were comparable to the other indoor environments reported in the literature. CO2 concentrations suggested that ventilation was not sufficient in the mosque during the prayers. The results showed that better ventilation, a preventive cleaning strategy, and a more detailed study are needed.

Tracing fresh assimilates through Larix decidua exposed to elevated CO₂ and soil warming at the alpine treeline using compound-specific stable isotope analysis.

PubMed

Streit, Kathrin; Rinne, Katja T; Hagedorn, Frank; Dawes, Melissa A; Saurer, Matthias; Hoch, Günter; Werner, Roland A; Buchmann, Nina; Siegwolf, Rolf T W

2013-02-01

How will carbon source-sink relations of 35-yr-old larch trees (Larix decidua) at the alpine treeline respond to changes in atmospheric CO(2) and climate? We evaluated the effects of previously elevated CO(2) concentrations (9 yr, 580 ppm, ended the previous season) and ongoing soil warming (4 yr, + 4°C). Larch branches were pulse labeled (50 at% (13)CO(2)) in July 2010 to trace fresh assimilates through tissues (buds, needles, bark and wood) and non-structural carbon compounds (NCC; starch, lipids, individual sugars) using compound-specific isotope analysis. Nine years of elevated CO(2) did not lead to increased NCC concentrations, nor did soil warming increase NCC transfer velocities. By contrast, we found slower transfer velocities and higher NCC concentrations than reported in the literature for lowland larch. As a result of low dilution with older carbon, sucrose and glucose showed the highest maximum (13)C labels, whereas labels were lower for starch, lipids and pinitol. Label residence times in needles were shorter for sucrose and starch (c. 2 d) than for glucose (c. 6 d). Although our treatments showed no persistent effect on larch carbon relations, low temperature at high altitudes clearly induced a limitation of sink activities (growth, respiration, root exudation), expressed in slower carbon transfer and higher NCC concentrations. © 2012 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2012 New Phytologist Trust.

Constraining the subsoil carbon source to cave-air CO2 and speleothem calcite in central Texas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergel, Shelly J.; Carlson, Peter E.; Larson, Toti E.; Wood, Chris T.; Johnson, Kathleen R.; Banner, Jay L.; Breecker, Daniel O.

2017-11-01

Canonical models for speleothem formation and the subsurface carbon cycle invoke soil respiration as the dominant carbon source. However, evidence from some karst regions suggests that belowground CO2 originates from a deeper, older source. We therefore investigated the carbon sources to central Texas caves. Drip-water chemistry of two caves in central Texas implies equilibration with calcite at CO2 concentrations (PCO2_sat) higher than the maximum CO2 concentrations observed in overlying soils. This observation suggests that CO2 is added to waters after they percolate through the soils, which requires a subsoil carbon source. We directly evaluate the carbon isotope composition of the subsoil carbon source using δ13C measurements on cave-air CO2, which we independently demonstrate has little to no contribution from host rock carbon. We do so using the oxidative ratio, OR, defined as the number of moles of O2 consumed per mole of CO2 produced during respiration. However, additional belowground processes that affect O2 and CO2 concentrations, such as gas-water exchange and/or diffusion, may also influence the measured oxidative ratio, yielding an apparent OR (ORapparent). Cave air in Natural Bridge South Cavern has ORapparent values (1.09 ± 0.06) indistinguishable from those expected for respiration alone (1.08 ± 0.06). Pore space gases from soils above the cave have lower values (ORapparent = 0.67 ± 0.05) consistent with respiration and gas transport by diffusion. The simplest explanation for these observations is that cave air in NB South is influenced by respiration in open-system bedrock fractures such that neither diffusion nor exchange with water influence the composition of the cave air. The radiocarbon activities of NB South cave-air CO2 suggest the subsoil carbon source is hundreds of years old. The calculated δ13C values of the subsoil carbon source are consistent with tree-sourced carbon (perhaps decomposing root matter), the δ13C values of which have shifted during industrialization due to changes in the δ13C values and concentrations of atmospheric CO2. Seasonal variations in PCO2_sat in most of the drip waters suggest that these waters exchange with ventilated bedrock fractures in the epikarst, implying that the subsoil CO2 source contributes carbon to speleothems.

Abiotic Production of Methane in Terrestrial Planets

PubMed Central

Guzmán-Marmolejo, Andrés; Escobar-Briones, Elva

2013-01-01

Abstract On Earth, methane is produced mainly by life, and it has been proposed that, under certain conditions, methane detected in an exoplanetary spectrum may be considered a biosignature. Here, we estimate how much methane may be produced in hydrothermal vent systems by serpentinization, its main geological source, using the kinetic properties of the main reactions involved in methane production by serpentinization. Hydrogen production by serpentinization was calculated as a function of the available FeO in the crust, given the current spreading rates. Carbon dioxide is the limiting reactant for methane formation because it is highly depleted in aqueous form in hydrothermal vent systems. We estimated maximum CH4 surface fluxes of 6.8×108 and 1.3×109 molecules cm−2 s−1 for rocky planets with 1 and 5 M⊕, respectively. Using a 1-D photochemical model, we simulated atmospheres with volume mixing ratios of 0.03 and 0.1 CO2 to calculate atmospheric methane concentrations for the maximum production of this compound by serpentinization. The resulting abundances were 2.5 and 2.1 ppmv for 1 M⊕ planets and 4.1 and 3.7 ppmv for 5 M⊕ planets. Therefore, low atmospheric concentrations of methane may be produced by serpentinization. For habitable planets around Sun-like stars with N2-CO2 atmospheres, methane concentrations larger than 10 ppmv may indicate the presence of life. Key Words: Serpentinization—Exoplanets—Biosignatures—Planetary atmospheres. Astrobiology 13, 550–559. PMID:23742231

Net carbon dioxide exchange rates and predicted growth patterns in Alstroemeria Jacqueline' at varying irradiances, carbon dioxide concentrations, and air temperatures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Leonardos, E.D.; Tsujita, M.J.; Grodzinski, B.

1994-11-01

The influence of irradiance, CO[sub 2] concentration, and air temperature on leaf and whole-plant net C exchange rate (NCER) of Alstroemeria Jacqueline' was studied. At ambient CO[sub 2], leaf net photosynthesis was maximum at irradiances above 600 [mu]mol[center dot]m[sup [minus]2][center dot]s[sup [minus]1] photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), while whole-plant NCER required 1,200 [mu]mol[center dot]m[sup [minus]2][center dot]s[sup [minus]1] PAR to be saturated. Leaf and whole-plant NCERs were doubled under CO[sub 2] enrichment of 1,500 to 2,000 [mu]l CO[sub 2]/liter. Leaf and whole-plant NCERs declined as temperature increased from 20 to 35 C. Whereas the optimum temperature range for leaf net photosynthesis wasmore » 17 to 23 C, whole-plant NCER, even at high light and high CO[sub 2], declined above 12 C. Dark respiration of leaves and whole plants increased with a Q[sub 10] of [approx] 2 at 15 to 35 C. In an analysis of day effects, irradiance, CO[sub 2] concentration, and temperature contributed 58%, 23%, and 14%, respectively, to the total variation in NCER explained by a second-order polynomial model (R[sup 2] = 0.85). Interactions among the factors accounted for 4% of the variation in day C assimilation. The potential whole-plant growth rates during varying greenhouse day and night temperature regimes were predicted for short- and long-day scenarios. The data are discussed with the view of designing experiments to test the importance of C gain in supporting flowering and high yield during routine harvest of Alstroemeria plants under commercial greenhouse conditions.« less

Rising atmospheric CO2 concentration may imply higher risk of Fusarium mycotoxin contamination of wheat grains.

PubMed

Bencze, Szilvia; Puskás, Katalin; Vida, Gyula; Karsai, Ildikó; Balla, Krisztina; Komáromi, Judit; Veisz, Ottó

2017-08-01

Increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentration not only has a direct impact on plants but also affects plant-pathogen interactions. Due to economic and health-related problems, special concern was given thus in the present work to the effect of elevated CO 2 (750 μmol mol -1 ) level on the Fusarium culmorum infection and mycotoxin contamination of wheat. Despite the fact that disease severity was found to be not or little affected by elevated CO 2 in most varieties, as the spread of Fusarium increased only in one variety, spike grain number and/or grain weight decreased significantly at elevated CO 2 in all the varieties, indicating that Fusarium infection generally had a more dramatic impact on the grain yield at elevated CO 2 than at the ambient level. Likewise, grain deoxynivalenol (DON) content was usually considerably higher at elevated CO 2 than at the ambient level in the single-floret inoculation treatment, suggesting that the toxin content is not in direct relation to the level of Fusarium infection. In the whole-spike inoculation, DON production did not change, decreased or increased depending on the variety × experiment interaction. Cooler (18 °C) conditions delayed rachis penetration while 20 °C maximum temperature caused striking increases in the mycotoxin contents, resulting in extremely high DON values and also in a dramatic triggering of the grain zearalenone contamination at elevated CO 2 . The results indicate that future environmental conditions, such as rising CO 2 levels, may increase the threat of grain mycotoxin contamination.

Interactions of CO2, temperature and management practices: simulations with a modified version of CERES-Wheat

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tubiello, F. N.; Rosenzweig, C.; Volk, T.

1995-01-01

A new growth subroutine was developed for CERES-Wheat, a computer model of wheat (Triticum aestivum) growth and development. The new subroutine simulates canopy photosynthetic response to CO2 concentrations and light levels, and includes the effects of temperature on canopy light-use efficiency. Its performance was compared to the original CERES-Wheat V-2 10 in 30 different cases. Biomass and yield predictions of the two models were well correlated (correlation coefficient r > 0.95). As an application, summer growth of spring wheat was simulated at one site. Modeled crop responses to higher mean temperatures, different amounts of minimum and maximum warming, and doubled CO2 concentrations were compared to observations. The importance of irrigation and nitrogen fertilization in modulating the wheat crop climatic responses were also analyzed. Specifically, in agreement with observations, rainfed crops were found to be more sensitive to CO2 increases than irrigated ones. On the other hand, low nitrogen applications depressed the ability of the wheat crop to respond positively to CO2 increases. In general, the positive effects of high CO2 on grain yield were found to be almost completely counterbalanced by the negative effects of high temperatures. Depending on how temperature minima and maxima were increased, yield changes averaged across management practices ranged from -4% to 8%.

A clear effect of charge compensation through Na+ co-doping on the luminescence spectra and decay kinetics of Nd3+-doped CaAl4O7

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Puchalska, M.; Watras, A.

2016-06-01

We present a detailed analysis of luminescence behavior of singly Nd3+ doped and Nd3+, Na+ co-doped calcium aluminates powders: Ca1-xNdxAl4O7 and Ca1-2xNdxNaxAl4O7 (x=0.001-0.1). Relatively intense Nd3+ luminescence in IR region corresponding to typical 4F3/2→4IJ (J=9/2-13/2) transitions with maximum located at about 1079 nm was obtained in all samples on direct excitation into f-f levels. The effect of dopant concentration and charge compensation by co-doping with Na+ ions on morphology and optical properties were studied. The results show that both, the Nd3+ concentration and the alkali metal co-doping affected the optical properties but had no influence on the powders morphology. The studies of luminescence spectra (298 and 77 K) in a function of dopant concentration showed an increasing distortion of the local symmetry of Nd3+with raising activator content due to certain defects created in the crystal lattice. On the other hand Na+ addition led to significant narrowing of absorption and luminescence bands and also a reduction of the number of their components, showing smaller disturbance of Nd3+ ions local symmetries. Consequently, charge compensated by Na+ co-doping materials showed significantly enhanced Nd3+ luminescence. The decrease of emission intensity and luminescence lifetimes with increase of activator concentration was attributed mainly to phonon-assisted cross-relaxation processes between Nd3+ ions. Analysis with Inokuti-Hirayama model indicated dipole-dipole mechanism of ion-ion interaction. Na+ addition led to much smaller concentration quenching due to smaller clustering of dopant ions in CaAl4O7 lattice.

Using CO2 and He Concentrations in Hydrothermal Fluids to Constrain Along-Axis Magma Chamber Dimensions at 9°N, EPR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lilley, M. D.; Lupton, J. E.; Olson, E. J.

2002-12-01

Magmatic degassing is a common occurrence in subaerial volcanoes and has been reported in shallow submarine volcanoes. It has been speculated that mid-ocean ridge magma chambers may exhibit degassing behavior but to date there has been no direct documentation of its occurrence. Based on very high CO2 and He concentrations, we believe that we now have evidence for a degassing magma chamber at 9°N, East Pacific Rise. M Vent, in the immediate vicinity of the 1991 eruption, exhibited high and relatively stable CO2 concentrations in excess of 150 mmol/kg for at least eight years post-eruption. Such high values are many times the value that can be extracted from basalt by hydrothermal fluid and have previously been seen only at Axial and Loihi Seamounts. Two vents about one km south (Bio 9 and P Vents) had CO2 concentrations around 50 mmol/kg in 1991 which increased to maxima near 200 mmol/kg in 1993. We believe this represents a southward movement of the magma body in this area. He concentrations were also elevated at all the vents but showed different temporal trends from CO2 and reached maximum values in 1994. 3He/heat ratios are significantly different between M and Bio 9 and P Vents implying that separate magma bodies with differing degrees of degassing underlie the two areas. We have seen similarly high concentrations of CO2 and He at 31.8°S on the East Pacific Rise (Lupton et al., 1999) and suggest that magmatic degassing into the hydrothermal convection cell is occurring there as well. This work indicates that the concentrations of magmatic gases in hydrothermal fluids may provide fine scale data bearing on the locations and along-axis dimensions of magma chambers. Reference: Lupton, J., D. Butterfield, M. Lilley, J. Ishibashi, D. Hey and L. Evans, Gas chemistry of hydrothermal fluids along the East Pacific Rise, 5°S to 32°S, EOS, 80, F1099, 1999.

PdCo supported on multiwalled carbon nanotubes as an anode catalyst in a microfluidic formic acid fuel cell

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morales-Acosta, D.; Morales-Acosta, M. D.; Godinez, L. A.; Álvarez-Contreras, L.; Duron-Torres, S. M.; Ledesma-García, J.; Arriaga, L. G.

This work reports the synthesis of Pd-based alloys of Co and their evaluation as anode materials in a microfluidic formic acid fuel cell (μFAFC). The catalysts were prepared using the impregnation method followed by thermal treatment. The synthesized catalysts contain 22 wt.% Pd on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Pd/MWCNT) and its alloys with two Co atomic percent in the sample with 4 at.% Co (PdCo1/MWCNT) and 10 at.% Co (PdCo2/MWCNT). The role of the alloying element was determined by XRD and XPS techniques. Both catalysts were evaluated as anode materials in a μFAFC operating with different concentrations of HCOOH (0.1 and 0.5 M), and the results were compared to those obtained with Pd/MWCNT. A better performance was obtained for the cell using PdCo1/MWCNT (1.75 mW cm -2) compared to Pd/MWCNT (0.85 mW cm -2) in the presence of 0.5 M HCOOH. By means of external electrode measurements, it was also possible to observe shifts in the formic acid oxidation potential due to a fuel concentration increment (ca. 0.05 V for both PdCo1/MWCNT and PdCo2/MWCNT catalysts and 0.23 V for Pd/MWCNT) that was attributed to deactivation of the catalyst material. The maximum current densities obtained were 8 mA cm -2 and 5.2 mA cm -2 for PdCo2/MWCNT and Pd/MWCNT, respectively. In this way, the addition of Co to the Pd catalyst was shown to improve the tolerance of intermediates produced during formic acid oxidation that tend to poison Pd, thus improving the catalytic activity and stability of the cell.

Valorization of crude glycerol and eggshell biowaste as media components for hydrogen production: A scale-up study using co-culture system.

PubMed

Pachapur, Vinayak Laxman; Das, Ratul Kumar; Brar, Satinder Kaur; Le Bihan, Yann; Buelna, Gerardo

2017-02-01

The properties of eggshells (EGS) as neutralizing and immobilizing agent were investigated for hydrogen (H 2 ) production using crude glycerol (CG) by co-culture system. Eggshells of different sizes and concentrations were used during batch and repeated-batch fermentation. For batch and repeated-batch fermentation, the maximum H 2 production (36.53±0.53 and 41.16±0.95mmol/L, respectively) was obtained with the EGS size of 33μm

Elevated Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere: What Might It Mean for Loblolly Pine Plantation Forestry

Treesearch

John W. Groninger; Kurt H. Johnsen; John. R. Seiler; Rodney E. Will; David S. Ellsworth; Chris A. Maier

1999-01-01

Research with loblolly pine suggests that projected increases in atmospheric CO2 concentration will accelerate early growth and could result in shorter rotation length, reduced time until first commercial thinning, higher optimal planting density, and possibly higher maximum stocking level in managed stands. We discuss some of the physiological...

Influence of root-bed size on the response of tobacco to elevated CO2 as mediated by cytokinins

PubMed Central

Schaz, Ulrike; Düll, Barbara; Reinbothe, Christiane; Beck, Erwin

2014-01-01

The extent of growth stimulation of C3 plants by elevated CO2 is modulated by environmental factors. Under optimized environmental conditions (high light, continuous water and nutrient supply, and others), we analysed the effect of an elevated CO2 atmosphere (700 ppm, EC) and the importance of root-bed size on the growth of tobacco. Biomass production was consistently higher under EC. However, the stimulation was overridden by root-bed volumes that restricted root growth. Maximum growth and biomass production were obtained at a root bed of 15 L at ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations. Starting with seed germination, the plants were strictly maintained under ambient or elevated CO2 until flowering. Thus, the well-known acclimation effect of growth to enhanced CO2 did not occur. The relative growth rates of EC plants exceeded those of ambient-CO2 plants only during the initial phases of germination and seedling establishment. This was sufficient for a persistently higher absolute biomass production by EC plants in non-limiting root-bed volumes. Both the size of the root bed and the CO2 concentration influenced the quantitative cytokinin patterns, particularly in the meristematic tissues of shoots, but to a smaller extent in stems, leaves and roots. In spite of the generally low cytokinin concentrations in roots, the amounts of cytokinins moving from the root to the shoot were substantially higher in high-CO2 plants. Because the cytokinin patterns of the (xylem) fluid in the stems did not match those of the shoot meristems, it is assumed that cytokinins as long-distance signals from the roots stimulate meristematic activity in the shoot apex and the sink leaves. Subsequently, the meristems are able to synthesize those phytohormones that are required for the cell cycle. Root-borne cytokinins entering the shoot appear to be one of the major control points for the integration of various environmental cues into one signal for optimized growth. PMID:24790131

Interactive effects of elevated CO2 concentration and irrigation on photosynthetic parameters and yield of maize in Northeast China.

PubMed

Meng, Fanchao; Zhang, Jiahua; Yao, Fengmei; Hao, Cui

2014-01-01

Maize is one of the major cultivated crops of China, having a central role in ensuring the food security of the country. There has been a significant increase in studies of maize under interactive effects of elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and other factors, yet the interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and increasing precipitation on maize has remained unclear. In this study, a manipulative experiment in Jinzhou, Liaoning province, Northeast China was performed so as to obtain reliable results concerning the later effects. The Open Top Chambers (OTCs) experiment was designed to control contrasting [CO2] i.e., 390, 450 and 550 µmol·mol(-1), and the experiment with 15% increasing precipitation levels was also set based on the average monthly precipitation of 5-9 month from 1981 to 2010 and controlled by irrigation. Thus, six treatments, i.e. C550W+15%, C550W0, C450W+15%, C450W0, C390W+15% and C390W0 were included in this study. The results showed that the irrigation under elevated [CO2] levels increased the leaf net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) of maize. Similarly, the stomatal conductance (Gs) and transpiration rate (Tr) decreased with elevated [CO2], but irrigation have a positive effect on increased of them at each [CO2] level, resulting in the water use efficiency (WUE) higher in natural precipitation treatment than irrigation treatment at elevated [CO2] levels. Irradiance-response parameters, e.g., maximum net photosynthetic rate (Pnmax) and light saturation points (LSP) were increased under elevated [CO2] and irrigation, and dark respiration (Rd) was increased as well. The growth characteristics, e.g., plant height, leaf area and aboveground biomass were enhanced, resulting in an improved of yield and ear characteristics except axle diameter. The study concluded by reporting that, future elevated [CO2] may favor to maize when coupled with increasing amount of precipitation in Northeast China.

Interactive Effects of Elevated CO2 Concentration and Irrigation on Photosynthetic Parameters and Yield of Maize in Northeast China

PubMed Central

Meng, Fanchao; Zhang, Jiahua; Yao, Fengmei; Hao, Cui

2014-01-01

Maize is one of the major cultivated crops of China, having a central role in ensuring the food security of the country. There has been a significant increase in studies of maize under interactive effects of elevated CO2 concentration ([CO2]) and other factors, yet the interactive effects of elevated [CO2] and increasing precipitation on maize has remained unclear. In this study, a manipulative experiment in Jinzhou, Liaoning province, Northeast China was performed so as to obtain reliable results concerning the later effects. The Open Top Chambers (OTCs) experiment was designed to control contrasting [CO2] i.e., 390, 450 and 550 µmol·mol−1, and the experiment with 15% increasing precipitation levels was also set based on the average monthly precipitation of 5–9 month from 1981 to 2010 and controlled by irrigation. Thus, six treatments, i.e. C550W+15%, C550W0, C450W+15%, C450W0, C390W+15% and C390W0 were included in this study. The results showed that the irrigation under elevated [CO2] levels increased the leaf net photosynthetic rate (P n) and intercellular CO2 concentration (C i) of maize. Similarly, the stomatal conductance (G s) and transpiration rate (T r) decreased with elevated [CO2], but irrigation have a positive effect on increased of them at each [CO2] level, resulting in the water use efficiency (WUE) higher in natural precipitation treatment than irrigation treatment at elevated [CO2] levels. Irradiance-response parameters, e.g., maximum net photosynthetic rate (P nmax) and light saturation points (LSP) were increased under elevated [CO2] and irrigation, and dark respiration (R d) was increased as well. The growth characteristics, e.g., plant height, leaf area and aboveground biomass were enhanced, resulting in an improved of yield and ear characteristics except axle diameter. The study concluded by reporting that, future elevated [CO2] may favor to maize when coupled with increasing amount of precipitation in Northeast China. PMID:24848097

Qualification of a Multi-Channel Infrared Laser Absorption Spectrometer for Monitoring CO, HCl, HCN, HF, and CO2 Aboard Manned Spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Briggs, Ryan M.; Frez, Clifford; Forouhar, Siamak; May, Randy D.; Meyer, Marit E.; Kulis, Michael J.; Berger, Gordon M.

2015-01-01

Monitoring of specific combustion products can provide early-warning detection of accidental fires aboard manned spacecraft and also identify the source and severity of combustion events. Furthermore, quantitative in situ measurements are important for gauging levels of exposure to hazardous gases, particularly on long-duration missions where analysis of returned samples becomes impractical. Absorption spectroscopy using tunable laser sources in the 2 to 5 micrometer wavelength range enables accurate, unambiguous detection of CO, HCl, HCN, HF, and CO2, which are produced in varying amounts through the heating of electrical components and packaging materials commonly used aboard spacecraft. Here, we report on calibration and testing of a five-channel laser absorption spectrometer designed to accurately monitor ambient gas-phase concentrations of these five compounds, with low-level detection limits based on the Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations. The instrument employs a two-pass absorption cell with a total optical pathlength of 50 cm and a dedicated infrared semiconductor laser source for each target gas. We present results from testing the five-channel sensor in the presence of trace concentrations of the target compounds that were introduced using both gas sources and oxidative pyrolysis (non-flaming combustion) of solid material mixtures.

An analytical study of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide emissions in hydrocarbon combustion with added nitrogen - Preliminary results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bittker, D. A.

1980-01-01

The influence of ground-based gas turbine combustor operating conditions and fuel-bound nitrogen (FBN) found in coal-derived liquid fuels on the formation of nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide is investigated. Analytical predictions of NOx and CO concentrations are obtained for a two-stage, adiabatic, perfectly-stirred reactor operating on a propane-air mixture, with primary equivalence ratios from 0.5 to 1.7, secondary equivalence ratios of 0.5 or 0.7, primary stage residence times from 12 to 20 msec, secondary stage residence times of 1, 2 and 3 msec and fuel nitrogen contents of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 wt %. Minimum nitrogen oxide but maximum carbon monoxide formation is obtained at primary zone equivalence ratios between 1.4 and 1.5, with percentage conversion of FBN to NOx decreasing with increased fuel nitrogen content. Additional secondary dilution is observed to reduce final pollutant concentrations, with NOx concentration independent of secondary residence time and CO decreasing with secondary residence time; primary zone residence time is not observed to affect final NOx and CO concentrations significantly. Finally, comparison of computed results with experimental values shows a good semiquantitative agreement.

Functionalized dithiocarbamate chelating resin for the removal of Co2+ from simulated wastewater

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shi, Xuewei; Fu, Linwei; Wu, Yanyang; Zhao, Huiling; Zhao, Shuangliang; Xu, Shouhong

2017-12-01

Industrial wastewater that contains trace amounts of heavy metal ions is often seen in petrochemical industry. While this wastewater can not be directly discharged, it is difficult to treat due to the low concentration of metal ions. Introducing chelating reagents into this wastewater for selective ion adsorption, followed by a mechanical separation process, provides an appealing solution. Toward the success of this technology, the development of effective chelating resins is of key importance. In the present work, a chelating resin containing amino and dithiocarbamate groups was reported for the removal of Co(II) metal ions in trace concentrations from simulated wastewater. By investigating the adsorption performance of the chelating resin at different solution pH values, adsorbent dosages, contact time, initial ion concentrations, and adsorption temperatures, the maximum adsorption capacity of the resin for Co(II) was identified to be 24.89 mg g-1 for a 2 g L-1 adsorbent dosage and a pH value of 5. After four adsorption-desorption cycles, 97% of the adsorption capacity of the resin was maintained. The adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics were analyzed and discussed as well.

Influence of NH3 concentration on biomass nitrogen-enriched pyrolysis.

PubMed

Chen, Wei; Li, Kaixu; Xia, Mingwei; Chen, Yingquan; Yang, Haiping; Chen, Zhiqun; Chen, Xu; Chen, Hanping

2018-05-08

In this study, nitrogen was used to replace oxygen through biomass N-enriched pyrolysis in a fixed-bed reactor to obtain N-containing chemicals and N-doped biochar. Influence of NH 3 concentration on the formation mechanism of N-species and electrochemical performance of N-doped biochar was investigated in depth. Results showed that increasing NH 3 concentration promoted bio-oil and gas generation, and increased H 2 , CH 4 and CO yield at the diminishing of CO 2 . Simultaneously, bio-oil showed lower oxygen content with non-methoxy phenols and N-heterocyclics as the main components, and the maximums were 57.73% and 16.21% at 80 vol% NH 3 concentration, respectively. With regard to solid N-doped biochar, nitrogen content (4.85 wt%), N-containing groups and specific surface area (369.59 m 2 /g) increased greatly, and excellent electrochemical property (120 F/g) was shown with NH 3 concentration increasing. However, NH 3 conversion efficiency decreased gradually with NH 3 increasing, and 40 vol% may be the optimum NH 3 concentration for biomass N-enriched pyrolysis. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Formation of most of our coal brought Earth close to global glaciation.

PubMed

Feulner, Georg

2017-10-24

The bulk of Earth's coal deposits used as fossil fuel today was formed from plant debris during the late Carboniferous and early Permian periods. The high burial rate of organic carbon correlates with a significant drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) at that time. A recent analysis of a high-resolution record reveals large orbitally driven variations in atmospheric CO 2 concentration between [Formula: see text]150 and 700 ppm for the latest Carboniferous and very low values of 100 [Formula: see text] 80 ppm for the earliest Permian. Here, I explore the sensitivity of the climate around the Carboniferous/Permian boundary to changes in Earth's orbital parameters and in atmospheric CO 2 using a coupled climate model. The coldest orbital configurations are characterized by large axial tilt and small eccentricities of Earth's elliptical orbit, whereas the warmest configuration occurs at minimum tilt, maximum eccentricity, and a perihelion passage during Northern hemisphere spring. Global glaciation occurs at CO 2 concentrations <40 ppm, suggesting a rather narrow escape from a fully glaciated Snowball Earth state given the low levels and large fluctuations of atmospheric CO 2 These findings highlight the importance of orbital cycles for the climate and carbon cycle during the late Paleozoic ice age and the climatic significance of the fossil carbon stored in Earth's coal deposits.

Seasonal trends in black carbon properties and co-pollutants in Mexico City

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Retama, A.; Baumgardner, D.; Raga, G. B.; McMeeking, G. R.; Walker, J. W.

2015-04-01

The Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA) is a region that continues to grow in population and vehicular traffic as well as being the largest source of short lived climate pollutants (SLCP) in Latin America. The local city government has made significant progress in controlling some of these pollutants, i.e. ozone (O3) and carbon monoxide (CO), but particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and black carbon (BC) have shown little response to mitigation strategies that have been in place for more than two decades. For the first time, extended measurements have been made of equivalent black carbon (eBC), derived from light absorption measurements made with a Photoacoustic Extinctiometer (PAX), over a 13 month period from March 2013 through March 2014. The daily trends in workday (Monday through Saturday) and Sunday eBC, PM2.5 and the co-pollutants CO, O3 and NOx are evaluated with respect to the three primary seasons in that region: rainy, cold-dry and warm-dry. The maximum values in all of the particle and gas concentrations were significantly larger (Student's t test, P< 0.05) during the dry periods than in the rainy season. The changes from rainy to dry seasons for eBC, PM2.5, CO, O3, and NOx were 8.8 to 13.1 μg m-3 (40%), 49 to 73 μg m-3 (40%), 2.5 to 3.8 ppm (40%), 73 to 100 ppb (30%) and 144 to 252 ppb (53%), respectively. The primary factors that lead to these large changes between the wet and dry seasons are the accelerated vertical mixing of boundary layer and free tropospheric air by the formation of clouds that dilutes the concentration of the SLCPs and the decreased actinic flux that reduces the production of ozone by photochemical reactions. A significant "weekend effect" was also identified, particularly the decrease in BC due to fewer large transport vehicles that are fueled by diesel that produces a large fraction of the BC emissions. The other co-pollutant concentrations are also significantly less on weekends except for O3 that shows no change in maximum values from workday to Sunday. As has been noted in previous studies, this lack of change is a result of the balancing effects of lower precursor gases, i.e. VOCs, offset by lower NOx that is an O3 inhibitor. A comparison of average, maximum values of eBC measured during the one year period of the current study with maximum values measured in short field campaigns in 2000 and 2006 show that there has been no significant change in the eBC emissions over a 14 year period. This suggests that the current pollution mitigation strategy will need to be evaluated to develop new methods than can decrease potentially toxic levels of this particulate pollutant.

Single-dose pharmacokinetics of co-crystal of tramadol-celecoxib: Results of a four-way randomized open-label phase I clinical trial in healthy subjects.

PubMed

Videla, Sebastián; Lahjou, Mounia; Vaqué, Anna; Sust, Mariano; Encabo, Mercedes; Soler, Lluis; Sans, Artur; Sicard, Eric; Gascón, Neus; Encina, Gregorio; Plata-Salamán, Carlos

2017-12-01

Co-crystal of tramadol-celecoxib (CTC) is a novel co-crystal molecule containing two active pharmaceutical ingredients under development by Esteve (E-58425) and Mundipharma Research (MR308). This Phase I study compared single-dose pharmacokinetics (PK) of CTC with those of the individual reference products [immediate-release (IR) tramadol and celecoxib] alone and in open combination. Healthy adults aged 18-55 years were orally administered four treatments under fasted conditions (separated by 7-day wash-out period): 200 mg IR CTC (equivalent to 88 mg tramadol and 112 mg celecoxib; Treatment 1); 100 mg IR tramadol (Treatment 2); 100 mg celecoxib (Treatment 3); and 100 mg IR tramadol and 100 mg celecoxib (Treatment 4). Treatment sequence was assigned using computer-generated randomization. PK parameters were calculated using noncompartmental analysis with parameters for CTC adjusted according to reference product dose (100 mg). Thirty-six subjects (28 male, mean age 36 years) participated. Tramadol PK parameters for Treatments-1, -2 and -4, respectively, were 263, 346 and 349 ng ml -1 (mean maximum plasma concentration); 3039, 2979 and 3119 ng h ml -1 (mean cumulative area under the plasma concentration-time curve); and 2.7, 1.8 and 1.8 h (median time to maximum plasma concentration). For Treatments 1, 3 and 4, the respective celecoxib PK parameters were 313, 449 and 284 ng ml -1 ; 2183, 3093 and 2856 ng h ml -1 ; and 1.5, 2.3 and 3.0 h. No unexpected adverse events were reported. PK parameters of each API in CTC were modified by co-crystallization compared with marketed formulations of tramadol, celecoxib, and their open combination. © 2017 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Pharmacological Society.

Availability of phosphate for phytoplankton and bacteria and of labile organic carbon for bacteria at different pCO2 levels in a mesocosm study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanaka, T.; Thingstad, T. F.; Løvdal, T.; Grossart, H.-P.; Larsen, A.; Schulz, K. G.; Riebesell, U.

2007-11-01

Availability of phosphate for phytoplankton and bacteria and of labile organic carbon for bacteria at different pCO2 levels were studied in a mesocosm experiment (PeECE III). Using nutrient-depleted SW Norwegian fjord waters, three different levels of pCO2 (350 μatm: 1×CO2; 750 μatm: 2×CO2; 1050 μatm: 3×CO2) were set up, and nitrate and phosphate were added at the start of the experiment in order to induce a phytoplankton bloom. Despite similar responses of total particulate P concentration and phosphate turnover time at the three different pCO2 levels, the size distribution of particulate P and 33PO4 uptake suggested that phosphate transferred to the >10 μm fraction was greater in the 3×CO2 mesocosm during the first 6-10 days when phosphate concentration was high. During the period of phosphate depletion (after Day 12), specific phosphate affinity and specific alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) suggested a P-deficiency (i.e. suboptimal phosphate supply) but not a P-limitation for the phytoplankton and bacterial community at the three different pCO2 levels. Although specific phosphate affinity and specific APA tended to be higher in 3×CO2 than in 2×CO2 and 1×CO2 mesocosms during the phosphate depletion period, no statistical differences were found. Responses of specific glucose affinity for bacteria were similar at the three different pCO2 levels. Measured specific glucose affinities were consistently much lower than the theoretical maximum predicted from the diffusion-limited model, suggesting that bacterial growth was not limited by the availability of labile dissolved organic carbon. These results suggest that availability of phosphate and glucose was similar at the three different pCO2 levels.

Effects of Co2 Concentrations and light intensity on photosynthesis of a rootless submerged plant, ceratophyllum demersum L., used for aquatic food production in bioregenerative life support systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kitaya, Y.; Okayama, T.; Murakami, K.; Takeuchi, T.

Aquatic higher plants are likely to play an important role in aquatic food production modules in bioregenerative systems for producing feeds for fish, converting CO2 to O2 and remedying water quality in addition to green microalgae. In the present study, the effects of culture conditions on the net photosynthetic rate of a rootless submerged plant, Ceratophyllum demersum L., was investigated to determine the optimum culture conditions for plant function in aquatic food production modules including both plant culture and fish culture systems . The net photosynthetic rate in plants was determined by the increase in dissolved O2 concentrations in a closed vessel containing a plantlet and water. The water in the vessel was aerated sufficiently with a gas containing a known level CO 2 gas mixed with N2 gas before closing the vessel. The CO 2 concentrations in the aerating gas ranged from 0.3 to 100 mmol mol-1 . Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) in the vessel ranged from 0 (dark) to 1.0 mmol m-2 s-1 , which was controlled with a metal halide lamp. Temperature was kept at 28 C. The net photosynthetic rate increased with increasing PPFD levels and was saturated at 0.2 and 0.5 mmol m-2 s-1 PPFD under CO 2 levels of 1.0 and 3.0 mmol mol-1 , respectively. The net photosynthetic rate increased with increasing CO2 levels from 0.3 to 3.0 mmol mol-1 showing the maximum value, 70 nmolO 2 gDW s at 3.0 mmol mol-1 CO2 and gradually decreased with increasing CO 2 levels from 3.0 to 100 mmol mol-1 . The results demonstrate that Ceratophyllum demersum L. could be an efficient CO 2 to O2 converter under a 3.0 mmol mol-1 CO2 level and relatively low PPFD levels in aquatic food production modules.

The effect of elevated [CO{sub 2}] on growth and photosynthesis of two eucalyptus species exposed to high temperatures and water deficits

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Roden, J.S.; Ball, M.C.

1996-07-01

Two species of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus macrorhyncha and Eucalyptus rossii) were grown for 8 weeks in either ambient (350 {mu}L L{sup {minus}1}) or elevated (700 {mu}L L{sup {minus}1}) CO{sub 2} concentrations, either well watered or without water additions, and subjected to a daily, 3-h high-temperature (45{degrees}C, maximum) and high-light (1250 {mu}mol photons m{sup {minus}2} s{sup {minus}1}, maximum) stress period. Water-stressed seedlings of E. macrorhyncha had higher leaf water potentials when grown in elevated [CO{sub 2}]. Growth analysis indicated that increased [CO{sub 2}] may allow eucalyptus species to perform better during conditions of low soil moisture. A down-regulation of photosynthetic capacity wasmore » observed for seedlings grown in elevated [CO{sub 2}] when well watered but not when water stressed. Well-water seedlings grown in elevated [CO{sub 2}] had lower quantum efficiencies as measured by chlorophyll fluorescence (the ratio of variable to maximal chlorophyll fluorescence [F{sub v}/F{sub m}]) than seedlings grown in ambine [CO{sub 2}] during the high-temperature stress period. However, no significant differences in F{sub v}/F{sub m} were observed between CO{sub 2} treatments when water was withheld. The reductions in dark-adapted F{sub v}/F{sub m} for plants grown in elevated [CO{sub 2}] were not well correlated with increased xanthophyll cycle photoprotection. However, reductions in the F{sub v}/F{sub m} were correlated with increased levels of nonstructural carbohydrates. The reduction in quantum efficiencies for plants grown in elevated [CO{sub 2}] is discussed in the context of feedback inhibition of electron transport associated with starch accumulation and variation in sink strength. 48 refs., 8 figs., 2 figs.« less

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic profile of systemic nitric oxide-synthase inhibition with L-NMMA in humans

PubMed Central

Mayer, Bernhard X; Mensik, Christa; Krishnaswami, Sriram; Derendorf, Hartmut; Eichler, Hans-Georg; Schmetterer, Leopold; Wolzt, Michael

1999-01-01

Aims It has been demonstrated that inhibition of endothelium derived nitric oxide with NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA) results in a different cardiac and peripheral vascular response. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic profile of l-NMMA and pharmacokinetic interactions with l-arginine in healthy subjects. Methods Plasma pharmacokinetics were analysed from two different studies: In study 1, 3 mg kg−1 l-NMMA was administered i.v. over 5 min and systemic haemodynamics, cardiac output (CO), fundus pulsation amplitude (FPA), and NO-exhalation (exhNO) were measured at baseline and 15, 65, 95, 155, and 305 min after start of drug administration (n=7). In study 2, 17 mg kg−1 min−1 of the physiologic substrate for nitric oxide synthase, l-arginine, was coinfused i.v. over 30 min with a primed constant infusion of 50 μg kg−1 min−1 l-NMMA (n=8). Results Bolus infusion of l-NMMA resulted in a maximum plasma concentration of 12.9±3.4 μg ml−1 (mean±s.d.) with elimination half-life of 63.5±14.5 min and clearance of 12.2±3.5 ml min−1 kg−1 and caused a small hypertensive response, decreased CO by 13%, FPA by 26%, exhNO by 46% and increased systemic vascular resistance by 16% (P<0.05 each) 15 min after start of drug administration. Although only limited data points were available in the l-NMMA plasma concentration range between 0 and 4 μg ml−1, drug effects over time were in good agreement with an Emax model (r2>0.98 each), which also suggested that concentrations producing half-maximum effects were higher for FPA than for CO and exhNO. The coinfusion with l-arginine caused a nearly two-fold increase in plasma l-NMMA levels, indicating a pharmacokinetic interaction. Conclusions In the absence of a systemic hypertensive response, l-NMMA significantly decreased CO, exhNO, and FPA. The concentration calculated to produce a half maximal effect was equivalent for exhNO and CO, but markedly higher for FPA. Furthermore, measurement of FPA is susceptible to changes in l-NMMA levels at small plasma concentrations. PMID:10336578

Vertical observation of molecular hydrogen and carbon monoxide: Implication for non-photochemical H2 production at ocean surface and subsurface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawagucci, S.; Narita, T.; Obata, H.; Ogawa, H.; Gamo, T.

2009-12-01

Biological nitrogen fixation is a key metabolism controlling marine N-cycling and also known as a main H2 source. Recently, it was proposed that a monitoring of surface H2 concentration could be used quickly to figure out the spatial extent of biological nitrogen fixation activity without onboard incubation required for currently used methods for detecting the activity. However, H2 behavior in ocean water was still unresolved. This study carried out vertical observation of H2 and CO concentrations in south of Japan, western North Pacific. Because carbon monoxide, CO, in seawater has no relation with nitrogen fixation metabolism and is produced dominantly by the photochemical reaction, which is an altanative H2 source, simultaneous observation and comparison of H2 and CO concentration is helpful to investigate H2 behavior in ocean water. Reductive gases in seawater were observed during the R/V Tansei-maru KT-08-14 cruise by using a wired CTD-CMS (CTD-carousel multiple sampling) system to conduct vertical sampling (at most 200 m depth) and by using a plastic bucket for sampling surface seawater. The sample in the Niskin-X bottle was directed to the bottom of a 120 mL brown-colored glass vial allowed to overflow by 2 volumes before the tube was slowly withdrawn. After the addition of 0.5 mL HgCl2-saturated solution for poisoning, the PTFE-lined butyl-gum septum was used to cap the vials. Molecular hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) were analyzed at an onboard laboratory within 6 hours after subsampling. 20 mL of sample water was substituted by 20 mL of H2- and CO-free air using a gas-tight syringe; then the vial was put on an automatic shaker and shaken upside down for 6 minutes to achieve a complete equilibrium between the dissolved and head space gases in the vial. The equilibrated headspace was taken by another gas-tight syringe and then injected into a gas chromatograph equipped with a trace reduced gas detector. Vertical distribution of dissolved H2 and CO concentration were observed. Apparently different vertical distributions between H2 and CO concentration were revealed at all the observed stations. At a station where N-nutrient was depleted through surface mixed layer, H2 was supersaturated at the surface while CO concentration was constant through the depths. In contrast, at another station where some amount of terrestrial humic matter was introduced into the surface, H2 concentration was constantly undersaturated through the depth while vertical distribution of CO concentration showed the highest at the surface and exponentially decreased to deep. These facts suggest that H2 production involved with nitrogen fixation played an important role for H2 behavior in ocean water while photochemical H2 production would be a minor process. In addition to the surface, H2 supersaturation accoumpanied with little CO concentration rise were observed at depths just below the mixed layer in pycnocline with Chlorophyll maximum.

Bundle Sheath Diffusive Resistance to CO2 and Effectiveness of C4 Photosynthesis and Refixation of Photorespired CO2 in a C4 Cycle Mutant and Wild-Type Amaranthus edulis1

PubMed Central

Kiirats, Olavi; Lea, Peter J.; Franceschi, Vincent R.; Edwards, Gerald E.

2002-01-01

A mutant of the NAD-malic enzyme-type C4 plant, Amaranthus edulis, which lacks phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in the mesophyll cells was studied. Analysis of CO2 response curves of photosynthesis of the mutant, which has normal Kranz anatomy but lacks a functional C4 cycle, provided a direct means of determining the liquid phase-diffusive resistance of atmospheric CO2 to sites of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylation inside bundle sheath (BS) chloroplasts (rbs) within intact plants. Comparisons were made with excised shoots of wild-type plants fed 3,3-dichloro-2-(dihydroxyphosphinoyl-methyl)-propenoate, an inhibitor of PEPC. Values of rbs in A. edulis were 70 to 180 m2 s−1 mol−1, increasing as the leaf matured. This is about 70-fold higher than the liquid phase resistance for diffusion of CO2 to Rubisco in mesophyll cells of C3 plants. The values of rbs in A. edulis are sufficient for C4 photosynthesis to elevate CO2 in BS cells and to minimize photorespiration. The calculated CO2 concentration in BS cells, which is dependent on input of rbs, was about 2,000 μbar under maximum rates of CO2 fixation, which is about six times the ambient level of CO2. High re-assimilation of photorespired CO2 was demonstrated in both mutant and wild-type plants at limiting CO2 concentrations, which can be explained by high rbs. Increasing O2 from near zero up to ambient levels under low CO2, resulted in an increase in the gross rate of O2 evolution measured by chlorophyll fluorescence analysis in the PEPC mutant; this increase was simulated from a Rubisco kinetic model, which indicates effective refixation of photorespired CO2 in BS cells. PMID:12376660

A study on toxic and essential elements in wheat grain from the Republic of Kazakhstan.

PubMed

Tattibayeva, Damira; Nebot, Carolina; Miranda, Jose M; Abuova, Altynai B; Baibatyrov, Torebek A; Kizatova, Maigul Z; Cepeda, Alberto; Franco, Carlos M

2016-03-01

Little information is currently available about the content of different elements in wheat samples from the Republic of Kazakhstan. The concentrations of toxic (As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, and U) and essential (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Se, and Zn) elements in 117 sampled wheat grains from the Republic of Kazakhstan were measured. The results indicated that the mean and maximum concentrations of most investigated elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Mn, Se, Pb, and U) were higher in samples collected from southern Kazakhstan. The mean and maximum concentrations of toxic elements such as As, Cd, Hg, and Pb did not exceed levels specified by European, FAO, or Kazakh legislation, although the hazard quotient (HQ) values for Co, Cu, Mn, and Zn were higher than 1 and the hazard index (HI) was higher than 1 for samples collected from all areas of Kazakhstan. This indicates that there should be concern about the potential hazards of the combination of toxic elements in Kazakh wheat.

Sixty thousand years of magmatic volatile history before the caldera-forming eruption of Mount Mazama, Crater Lake, Oregon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wright, Heather M.; Bacon, Charles R.; Vazquez, Jorge A.; Sisson, Thomas W.

2012-01-01

The well-documented eruptive history of Mount Mazama, Oregon, provides an excellent opportunity to use pre-eruptive volatile concentrations to study the growth of an explosive silicic magmatic system. Melt inclusions (MI) hosted in pyroxene and plagioclase crystals from eight dacitic–rhyodacitic eruptive deposits (71–7.7 ka) were analyzed to determine variations in volatile-element concentrations and changes in magma storage conditions leading up to and including the climactic eruption of Crater Lake caldera. Temperatures (Fe–Ti oxides) increased through the series of dacites, then decreased, and increased again through the rhyodacites (918–968 to ~950 to 845–895 °C). Oxygen fugacity began at nickel–nickel-oxide buffer (NNO) +0.8 (71 ka), dropped slightly to NNO +0.3, and then climbed to its highest value with the climactic eruption (7.7 ka) at NNO +1.1 log units. In parallel with oxidation state, maximum MI sulfur concentrations were high early in the eruptive sequence (~500 ppm), decreased (to ~200 ppm), and then increased again with the climactic eruption (~500 ppm). Maximum MI sulfur correlates with the Sr content (as a proxy for LREE, Ba, Rb, P2O5) of recharge magmas, represented by basaltic andesitic to andesitic enclaves and similar-aged lavas. These results suggest that oxidized Sr-rich recharge magmas dominated early and late in the development of the pre-climactic dacite–rhyodacite system. Dissolved H2O concentrations in MI do not, however, correlate with these changes in dominant recharge magma, instead recording vapor solubility relations in the developing shallow magma storage and conduit region. Dissolved H2O concentrations form two populations through time: the first at 3–4.6 wt% (with a few extreme values up to 6.1 wt%) and the second at ≤2.4 wt%. CO2 concentrations measured in a subset of these inclusions reach up to 240 ppm in early-erupted deposits (71 ka) and are below detection in climactic deposits (7.7 ka). Combined H2O and CO2 concentrations and solubility models indicate a dominant storage region at 4–7 km (up to 12 km), with drier inclusions that diffusively re-equilibrated and/or were trapped at shallower depths. Boron and Cl (except in the climactic deposit) largely remained in the melt, suggesting vapor–melt partition coefficients and gas fractions were low. Modeled Li, F, and S vapor–melt partition coefficients are higher than those of B and Cl. The decrease in maximum MI CO2 concentration following the earliest dacitic eruptions is interpreted to result from a broadening of the shallow storage region to greater than the diameter of subjacent feeders, so that greater proportions of reservoir magma were to the side of CO2-bearing vapor bubbles ascending vertically from the locus of recharge magma injection, thereby escaping recarbonation by streaming vapor bubbles. The Mazama melt inclusions provide a picture of a growing magma storage region, where chemical variations in melt and magma occur due to changes in the nature and supply rate of magma recharge, the timing of degassing, and the possible degree of equilibration with gases from below.

A Review of Human Health and Ecological Risks due to CO2 Exposure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hepple, R. P.; Benson, S. M.

2001-05-01

This paper presents an overview of the human health and ecological consequences of exposure to elevated levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the context of geologic carbon sequestration. The purpose of this effort is to provide a baseline of information to guide future efforts in risk assessment for CO2 sequestration. Scenarios for hazardous CO2 exposure include surface facility leaks, leaks from abandoned or aging wells, and leakage from geologic CO2 storage structures. Amounts of carbon in various reservoirs, systems, and applications were summarized, and the levels of CO2 encountered in nature and everyday life were compared along with physiologically relevant concentrations. Literature pertaining to CO2 occupational exposure limits, regulations, monitoring, and ecological consequences was reviewed. The OSHA, NIOSH, and ACGIH occupational exposure standards are 0.5% CO2 averaged over a 40 hour week, 3% average for a short-term (15 minute) exposure, and 4% as the maximum instantaneous limit considered immediately dangerous to life and health. All three conditions must be satisfied at all times. Any detrimental effects of low-level CO2 exposure are reversible, including the long-term metabolic compensation required by chronic exposure to 3% CO2. Breathing rate doubles at 3% CO2 and is four times the normal rate at 5% CO2. According to occupational exposure and controlled atmosphere research into CO2 toxicology, CO2 is hazardous via direct toxicity at levels above 5%, concentrations not encountered in nature outside of volcanic settings and water-logged soils. Small leaks do not present any danger to people unless the CO2 does not disperse quickly enough through atmospheric mixing but accumulates instead in depressions and confined spaces. These dangers are the result of CO2 being more dense than air. Carbon dioxide is regulated for diverse purposes but never as a toxic substance. Catastrophic incidents involving large amounts and/or rapid release of CO2 such as Lake Nyos in Cameroon, Mammoth Mountain in California, Dieng Volcanic Complex in Java, Indonesia, and industrial accidents with CO2 fire suppression systems teach that slow leakage rates and effective dilution must be proven to ensure human and environmental safety. Monitoring CO2 levels in occupational settings is done with reliable IR sensors. Remote sensing of low levels of CO2 over long distances cannot be done easily yet, although LIDAR, an airborne laser technique under development, may have good potential. The environmental impacts of elevated CO2 levels on vegetation are being investigated now in free-air CO2 enrichment studies. In general, persistent elevated CO2 levels cause a change in species composition, favoring C3 plants over C4 or CAM. The ecological effects of catastrophic releases are severe but depend upon (a) release rate and amount, (b) surface topography and rate of atmospheric mixing (c) exposure concentrations and duration, (d) the respiratory mechanism of the form of life under discussion, (e) its tolerance for oxygen deprivation, and (f) its ability to maintain homeostatic pH levels. Suppression of root respiration due to elevated soil-gas CO2 concentrations and acidifiction of the root zone are known mechanisms of tree-kill. Soil-gas CO2 in the tree-kill areas at Mammoth Mountain exceeded 20-30% at 15 cm depth. Surface masses of concentrated CO2 probably smother the canopy through oxygen deprivation, but the precise mechanism is not known. Lake Nyos and Mammoth Mountain reveal that catastrophic releases can result in complete dead zones.

Comparative thermogravimetric analyses of co-combustion of textile dyeing sludge and sugarcane bagasse in carbon dioxide/oxygen and nitrogen/oxygen atmospheres: Thermal conversion characteristics, kinetics, and thermodynamics.

PubMed

Xie, Wenhao; Wen, Shaoting; Liu, Jingyong; Xie, Wuming; Kuo, Jiahong; Lu, Xingwen; Sun, Shuiyu; Chang, Kenlin; Buyukada, Musa; Evrendilek, Fatih

2018-05-01

Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of co-combustion of textile dyeing sludge (TDS) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) were studied using thermogravimetric analysis in CO 2 /O 2 and N 2 /O 2 atmospheres. Our results showed that the comprehensive combustion characteristic index (CCI) of the blends was improved by 1.71-4.32 times. With the increased O 2 concentration, co-combustion peak temperature decreased from 329.7 to 318.2 °C, with an increase in its maximum weight loss rate from 10.04 to 14.99%/min and its CCI by 1.31 times (β = 20 °C·min -1 ). To evaluate the co-combustion characteristics, thermodynamic and kinetic parameters (entropy, Gibbs free energy and enthalpy changes, and apparent activation energy) were obtained in the five atmospheres. The lowest apparent activation energy of the TB64 blend was obtained in oxy-fuel atmosphere (CO 2 /O 2  = 7/3). Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A simple, mass balance model of carbon flow in a controlled ecological life support system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garland, Jay L.

1989-01-01

Internal cycling of chemical elements is a fundamental aspect of a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS). Mathematical models are useful tools for evaluating fluxes and reservoirs of elements associated with potential CELSS configurations. A simple mass balance model of carbon flow in CELSS was developed based on data from the CELSS Breadboard project at Kennedy Space Center. All carbon reservoirs and fluxes were calculated based on steady state conditions and modelled using linear, donor-controlled transfer coefficients. The linear expression of photosynthetic flux was replaced with Michaelis-Menten kinetics based on dynamical analysis of the model which found that the latter produced more adequate model output. Sensitivity analysis of the model indicated that accurate determination of the maximum rate of gross primary production is critical to the development of an accurate model of carbon flow. Atmospheric carbon dioxide was particularly sensitive to changes in photosynthetic rate. The small reservoir of CO2 relative to large CO2 fluxes increases the potential for volatility in CO2 concentration. Feedback control mechanisms regulating CO2 concentration will probably be necessary in a CELSS to reduce this system instability.

Carbon dioxide stimulation of photosynthesis in Liquidambar styraciflua is not sustained during a 12-year field experiment

DOE PAGES

Warren, Jeffrey M.; Jensen, Anna M.; Medlyn, Belinda E.; ...

2014-11-17

Elevated atmospheric CO 2 (eCO 2) often increases photosynthetic CO 2 assimilation (A) in field studies of temperate tree species, although there is evidence that the increases may decline through time due to biochemical and morphological acclimation, and environmental constraints. Indeed, at the free air CO 2 enrichment (FACE) study in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, A was increased in 12-year-old sweetgum trees following two years of ~40% enhancement of CO 2. A was re-assessed a decade later to determine if initial enhancement of eCO 2 was sustained through time. Measurements were conducted at prevailing CO 2 and temperature on detached, re-hydratedmore » branches using a portable gas exchange system. Photosynthetic CO 2 response curves (A versus the CO 2 concentration in the intercellular air space (C i); or A-C i curves) were contrasted with earlier measurements using consistent leaf photosynthesis model equations. We accessed relationships between light-saturated photosynthesis (A sat), maximum electron transport rate (J max), maximum Rubisco activity (V cmax) chlorophyll content and foliar nitrogen (N) and chlorophyll content. In 1999, light-saturated photosynthesis (A sat) for eCO 2 treatments was 15.4 ± 0.8 μmol m -2 s -1, 22% higher than aCO 2 treatments (P<0.01). By 2009, A sat declined to <50% of 1999 values, and there was no longer a significant effect of eCO 2 (A sat = 6.9 or 5.7 ± 0.7 μmol m -2 s -1 for eCO 2 or aCO 2, respectively). In 1999, there was no treatment effect on area-based foliar N; however, by 2008, N content in eCO 2 foliage was 17% less than in aCO 2 foliage. Photosynthetic N use efficiency (A sat:N) was greater in eCO 2 in 1999 resulting in greater A sat despite similar N content, but the enhanced efficiency in eCO 2 trees was lost as foliar N declined to sub-optimal levels. There was no treatment difference in the declining linear relationships between J max or V cmax with declining N, or in the ratio of J max:V cmax through time. Results suggest that initial enhancement of photosynthesis to elevated CO 2 will not be sustained through time if nitrogen becomes limited.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Warren, Jeffrey M.; Jensen, Anna M.; Medlyn, Belinda E.

Elevated atmospheric CO 2 (eCO 2) often increases photosynthetic CO 2 assimilation (A) in field studies of temperate tree species, although there is evidence that the increases may decline through time due to biochemical and morphological acclimation, and environmental constraints. Indeed, at the free air CO 2 enrichment (FACE) study in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, A was increased in 12-year-old sweetgum trees following two years of ~40% enhancement of CO 2. A was re-assessed a decade later to determine if initial enhancement of eCO 2 was sustained through time. Measurements were conducted at prevailing CO 2 and temperature on detached, re-hydratedmore » branches using a portable gas exchange system. Photosynthetic CO 2 response curves (A versus the CO 2 concentration in the intercellular air space (C i); or A-C i curves) were contrasted with earlier measurements using consistent leaf photosynthesis model equations. We accessed relationships between light-saturated photosynthesis (A sat), maximum electron transport rate (J max), maximum Rubisco activity (V cmax) chlorophyll content and foliar nitrogen (N) and chlorophyll content. In 1999, light-saturated photosynthesis (A sat) for eCO 2 treatments was 15.4 ± 0.8 μmol m -2 s -1, 22% higher than aCO 2 treatments (P<0.01). By 2009, A sat declined to <50% of 1999 values, and there was no longer a significant effect of eCO 2 (A sat = 6.9 or 5.7 ± 0.7 μmol m -2 s -1 for eCO 2 or aCO 2, respectively). In 1999, there was no treatment effect on area-based foliar N; however, by 2008, N content in eCO 2 foliage was 17% less than in aCO 2 foliage. Photosynthetic N use efficiency (A sat:N) was greater in eCO 2 in 1999 resulting in greater A sat despite similar N content, but the enhanced efficiency in eCO 2 trees was lost as foliar N declined to sub-optimal levels. There was no treatment difference in the declining linear relationships between J max or V cmax with declining N, or in the ratio of J max:V cmax through time. Results suggest that initial enhancement of photosynthesis to elevated CO 2 will not be sustained through time if nitrogen becomes limited.« less

Mechanical model testing of rebreathing potential in infant bedding materials

PubMed Central

Carleton, J.; Donoghue, A.; Porter, W.

1998-01-01

Rebreathing of expired air may be a lethal hazard for prone sleeping infants. This paper describes a mechanical model to simulate infant breathing, and examines the effects of bedding on exhaled air retention. Under simulated rebreathing conditions, the model allows the monitoring of raised carbon dioxide (CO2) inside an artificial lung-trachea system. Resulting levels of CO2 (although probably exaggerated in the mechanical model compared with an infant, due to the model's fixed breathing rate and volume) suggest that common bedding materials vary widely in inherent rebreathing potential. In face down tests, maximum airway CO2 ranged from less than 5% on sheets and waterproof mattresses to over 25% on sheepskins, bean bag cushions, and some pillows and comforters. Concentrations of CO2 decreased with increasing head angle of the doll, away from the face down position. Recreations of 29infant death scenes also showed large CO2 increases on some bedding materials, suggesting these infants could have died while rebreathing.

 PMID:9623394

The effect of ultraviolet irradiation on the ultra-thin HfO{sub 2} based CO gas sensor

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karaduman, Irmak; Barin, Özlem; Acar, Selim

2015-11-07

In this work, an effort has been made to fabricate ultrathin HfO{sub 2}/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} sample by atomic layer deposition method for the fast detection of CO gas at room temperature. The effect of the operating temperature and the UV light on the gas sensing characteristics has been studied. We investigated the optimum operating temperature for the sample by sensing 25 ppm CO and CO{sub 2} gases from room temperature to 150 °C for 10 °C steps. The maximum response was obtained at 150 °C for both gases in the measurement temperature range. Also, the photoresponse measurements clearly show the effect of UV lightmore » on the sample. At room temperature, sensor showed superior response (14%) for 5 ppm CO gas. The response time of sensor is 6 s to 5 ppm CO gas concentration. The ultrathin HfO{sub 2} based sample shows acceptable gas sensitivity for 5 ppm CO gas at room temperature under UV light irradiation.« less

A comparative study of the magnetization in transition metal ion doped CeO2, TiO2 and SnO2 nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Apostolov, A. T.; Apostolova, I. N.; Wesselinowa, J. M.

2018-05-01

Using the microscopic s-d model taking into account anharmonic spin-phonon interactions we have studied the magnetic properties of Co and Cu ion doped CeO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles and compared them with those of SnO2. By Co-doping there is a maximum in the magnetization M(x) curve for all nanoparticles observed in the most transition metal doped ones. The s-d interaction plays an important role by the decrease of M at higher dopant concentration. We have discussed the magnetization in dependence of different model parameters. By small Cu-ion doping there are some differences. In CeO2M decreases with the Cu-concentration, whereas in TiO2 and SnO2M increases. For higher Cu dopant concentrations M(X) decreases in TiO2 nanoparticles. We obtain room temperature ferromagnetism also in Zn doped CeO2, TiO2 and SnO2 nanoparticles, i.e. in non-transition metal ion doped ones. The different behavior of M in Co and Cu doped nanoparticles is due to a combination effect of multivalent metal ions, oxygen vacancies, different radius of cation dopants, connection between lattice and magnetism, as well as competition between the s-d and d-d ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic interactions.

Some aspects of ecophysiological and biogeochemical responses of tropical forests to atmospheric change.

PubMed Central

Chambers, Jeffrey Q; Silver, Whendee L

2004-01-01

Atmospheric changes that may affect physiological and biogeochemical processes in old-growth tropical forests include: (i) rising atmospheric CO2 concentration; (ii) an increase in land surface temperature; (iii) changes in precipitation and ecosystem moisture status; and (iv) altered disturbance regimes. Elevated CO2 is likely to directly influence numerous leaf-level physiological processes, but whether these changes are ultimately reflected in altered ecosystem carbon storage is unclear. The net primary productivity (NPP) response of old-growth tropical forests to elevated CO2 is unknown, but unlikely to exceed the maximum experimentally measured 25% increase in NPP with a doubling of atmospheric CO2 from pre-industrial levels. In addition, evolutionary constraints exhibited by tropical plants adapted to low CO2 levels during most of the Late Pleistocene, may result in little response to increased carbon availability. To set a maximum potential response for a Central Amazon forest, using an individual-tree-based carbon cycling model, a modelling experiment was performed constituting a 25% increase in tree growth rate, linked to the known and expected increase in atmospheric CO2. Results demonstrated a maximum carbon sequestration rate of ca. 0.2 Mg C per hectare per year (ha(-1) yr(-1), where 1 ha = 10(4) m2), and a sequestration rate of only 0.05 Mg C ha(-1) yr(-1) for an interval centred on calendar years 1980-2020. This low rate results from slow growing trees and the long residence time of carbon in woody tissues. By contrast, changes in disturbance frequency, precipitation patterns and other environmental factors can cause marked and relatively rapid shifts in ecosystem carbon storage. It is our view that observed changes in tropical forest inventory plots over the past few decades is more probably being driven by changes in disturbance or other environmental factors, than by a response to elevated CO2. Whether these observed changes in tropical forests are the beginning of long-term permanent shifts or a transient response is uncertain and remains an important research priority. PMID:15212096

Psyllium husk gum: an attractive carbohydrate biopolymer for the production of stable canthaxanthin emulsions.

PubMed

Gharibzahedi, Seyed Mohammad Taghi; Razavi, Seyed Hadi; Mousavi, Seyed Mohammad

2013-02-15

The physical stability of the ultrasonically prepared emulsions containing canthaxanthin (CX) produced by Dietzia natronolimnaea HS-1 strain was maximized using a face central composite design (FCCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The linear and interaction effects of main emulsion components (whey protein isolate (WPI, 0.4-1.2 wt%), psyllium husk gum (PHG, 1.5-4.5 wt%) and coconut oil (CO, 5-10 wt%)) on the stability were studied. The density, turbidity and droplet size of emulsions were also characterized to interpret the stability data. A significant second-order polynomial model was established (p<0.0001). Maximum stability of 98.8% was predicted at the optimum levels of formulation variables (WPI concentration 1.20 wt%, PHG content 3.30 wt%, CO concentration 5.43 wt%). The results also demonstrated that CO and WPI concentration had greater effect on the droplet size and density values, whereas the PHG:WPI ratio had a rather greater effect on the turbidity values. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A thermophilic cell-free cascade enzymatic reaction for acetoin synthesis from pyruvate.

PubMed

Jia, Xiaojing; Liu, Ying; Han, Yejun

2017-06-28

Acetoin (3-hydroxy-2-butanone) is an important bio-based platform chemical with wide applications. In vitro enzyme catalysed synthesis exhibits great feasibility in the production of chemicals with high purity. In the present work, a synthetic pathway involving a two-step continuous reaction was constructed in vitro for acetoin production from pyruvate at improved temperature. Thermostable candidates, acetolactate synthase (coAHASL1 and coAHASL2 from Caldicellulosiruptor owensensis OL) and α-acetolactate decarboxylase (bsALDC from Bacillus subtilis IPE5-4) were cloned, heterologously expressed, and characterized. All the enzymes showed maximum activities at 65-70 °C and pH of 6.5. Enzyme kinetics analysis showed that coAHASL1 had a higher activity but lower affinity against pyruvate than that of coAHASL2. In addition, the activities of coAHASL1 and bsALDC were promoted by Mn 2+ and NADPH. The cascade enzymatic reaction was optimized by using coAHASL1 and bsALDC based on their kinetic properties. Under optimal conditions, a maximum concentration of 3.36 ± 0.26 mM acetoin was produced from 10 mM pyruvate after reaction for 24 h at 65 °C. The productivity of acetoin was 0.14 mM h -1 , and the yield was 67.80% compared with the theoretical value. The results confirmed the feasibility of synthesis of acetoin from pyruvate with a cell-free enzyme catalysed system at improved temperature.

Graphene-derived Fe/Co-N-C catalyst in direct methanol fuel cells: Effects of the methanol concentration and ionomer content on cell performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Park, Jong Cheol; Choi, Chang Hyuck

2017-08-01

Non-precious metal catalysts (typically Fe(Co)-N-C catalysts) have been widely investigated for use as cost-effective cathode materials in low temperature fuel cells. Despite the high oxygen reduction activity and methanol-tolerance of graphene-based Fe(Co)-N-C catalysts in an acidic medium, their use in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) has not yet been successfully implemented, and only a few studies have investigated this topic. Herein, we synthesized a nano-sized graphene-derived Fe/Co-N-C catalyst by physical ball-milling and a subsequent chemical modification of the graphene oxide. Twelve membrane-electrode-assemblies are fabricated with various cathode compositions to determine the effects of the methanol concentration, ionomer (i.e. Nafion) content, and catalyst loading on the DMFC performance. The results show that a graphene-based catalyst is capable of tolerating a highly-concentrated methanol feed up to 10.0 M. The optimized electrode composition has an ionomer content and catalyst loading of 66.7 wt% and 5.0 mg cm-2, respectively. The highest maximum power density is ca. 32 mW cm-2 with a relatively low PtRu content (2 mgPtRu cm-2). This study overcomes the drawbacks of conventional graphene-based electrodes using a nano-sized graphene-based catalyst and further shows the feasibility of their potential applications in DMFC systems.

Gaseous templates in ant nests.

PubMed

Cox, M D; Blanchard, G B

2000-05-21

We apply a diffusion model to the atmosphere of ant nests. With particular reference to carbon dioxide (CO2), we explore analytically and numerically the spatial and temporal patterns of brood- or worker-produced gases in nests. The maximum concentration within a typical one-chamber ant nest with approximately 200 ants can reach 12.5 times atmospheric concentration, reaching 95% of equilibrium concentrations within 15 min. Maximum concentration increases with increasing number of ants in the nest (or production rate of the gas), distance between the centre of the nest ants and the nest entrance, entrance length, wall thickness, and with decreasing entrance width, wall permeability and diffusion coefficient. The nest can be divided into three qualitatively distinct regions according to the shape of the gradient: a plateau of high concentration in the back half of the nest; an intermediate region of increasingly steep gradient towards the entrance; and a steep linear gradient in the entrance tunnel. These regions are robust to changes in gas concentrations, but vary with changes in nest architecture. The pattern of diffusing gases contains information about position and orientation relative to gas sources and sinks, and about colony state, including colony size, activity state and aspects of nest architecture. We discuss how this diffusion pattern may act as a "dynamic template", providing local cues which trigger behavioural acts appropriate to colony needs, which in turn may feed back to changes in the gas template. In particular, wall building occurs along lines of similar concentration for a variety of nest geometries; there is surprising convergence between the period of cycles of synchronously active ants and the time taken for CO2 levels to equilibrate; and the qualitatively distinct regions of the "dynamic template" correspond to regions occupied by different groups of ants.

Hydrogen and lipid production from starch wastewater by co-culture of anaerobic sludge and oleaginous microalgae with simultaneous COD, nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

PubMed

Ren, Hong-Yu; Liu, Bing-Feng; Kong, Fanying; Zhao, Lei; Ren, Nanqi

2015-11-15

Anaerobic sludge (AS) and microalgae were co-cultured to enhance the energy conversion and nutrients removal from starch wastewater. Mixed ratio, starch concentration and initial pH played critical roles on the hydrogen and lipid production of the co-culture system. The maximum hydrogen production of 1508.3 mL L(-1) and total lipid concentration of 0.36 g L(-1) were obtained under the optimized mixed ratio (algae:AS) of 30:1, starch concentration of 6 g L(-1) and initial pH of 8. The main soluble metabolites in dark fermentation were acetate and butyrate, most of which can be consumed in co-cultivation. When sweet potato starch wastewater was used as the substrate, the highest COD, TN and TP removal and energy conversion efficiencies reached 80.5%, 88.7%, 80.1% and 34.2%, which were 176%, 178%, 200% and 119% higher than that of the control group (dark fermentation), respectively. This research provided a novel approach and achieved efficient simultaneous energy recovery and nutrients removal from starch wastewater by the co-culture system. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Seasonal and diurnal variations of methane and carbon dioxide in the highly polluted Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahata, Khadak; Panday, Arnico; Rupakheti, Maheswar; Lawrence, Mark

2016-04-01

Anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide and methane - key greenhouse gases (GHGs) - are primary causes of global warming and resultant impacts. The atmospheric warming is more pronounced and likely to cause more serious damage in vulnerable areas such as the Hindukush-Karakorum-Himalayan region (HKH). The HKH region is a data gap region according to the 5th Assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC). In order to understand the mixing ratios and variability of the key GHGs in the foothills of the Central Himalaya, we carried out continuous measurements of CO2, CH4, CO, and water vapor at Bode (an urban site in the Kathmandu valley, Nepal) for a year (March 2013 - Feb 2014), and again at Bode and at Chanban (a background outside the Valley) for 3 months (July 15 - Oct 3, 2015), with two state-of-the-art cavity ring-down instruments (Picarro G2401). The measurements were carried out as a part of the international air pollution measurement campaign: SusKat- ABC (Sustainable atmosphere for the Kathmandu Valley - Atmospheric Brown Clouds). The annual average CO2 and CH4 concentrations at Bode were 419 ± 24 and 2.192 ± 0.224 ppm, respectively, which are notably higher than those observed at the background site at Mauna Loa Observatory in the same period. The CO2concentration at Bode was high during the pre-monsoon period and low during the monsoon, while CH4 was high in winter and lower during the pre-monsoon period. The monthly CO2concentration was highest in April. Forest fires and agro-waste burning in the region, and the local emissions in the Kathmandu valley were the main sources of the high CO2 in the pre-monsoon period. CH4 showed a maximum in September due to additional emissions from paddy fields. Seasonally, winter has the highest CH4 concentration which is due to brick production, which is a seasonal activity, and other local sources combined with the shallow mixing layer height in winter. The diurnal pattern of CO2 and CH4 showed a high morning peak (7:00-8:00 local time), a daytime low and a nighttime high in all seasons. CO showed similar diurnal patterns in the pre-monsoon and winter. The high concentrations of CO2 and CH4 from January to April were primarily due to emissions from brick industries located in the south-east and eastern side of the valley. The concentrations of CO2, CH4 and CO at the rural site outside the valley (Chanban) were 3.8%, 12% and 64% lower than corresponding concentrations at Bode (urban site) during 3 months of observations. The difference in CO2, CH4 and CO concentrations between urban and rural sites indicates that the the Kathmandu Valley is highly affected by local emission sources, which, if addressed with appropriate mitigation measures, can bring substantial benefits to both local air quality and GHG reduction.

Does Long-Term Elevation of CO2 Concentration Increase Photosynthesis in Forest Floor Vegetation? (Indiana Strawberry in a Maryland Forest).

PubMed

Osborne, C. P.; Drake, B. G.; LaRoche, J.; Long, S. P.

1997-05-01

As the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) in the atmosphere rises, photorespiratory loss of carbon in C3 photosynthesis will diminish and the net efficiency of light-limited photosynthetic carbon uptake should rise. We tested this expectation for Indiana strawberry (Duchesnea indica) growing on a Maryland forest floor. Open-top chambers were used to elevate the pCO2 of a forest floor habitat to 67 Pa and were paired with control chambers providing an ambient pCO2 of 38 Pa. After 3.5 years, D. indica leaves grown and measured in the elevated pCO2 showed a significantly greater maximum quantum efficiency of net photosynthesis (by 22%) and a lower light compensation point (by 42%) than leaves grown and measured in the control chambers. The quantum efficiency to minimize photorespiration, measured in 1% O2, was the same for controls and plants grown at elevated pCO2. This showed that the maximum efficiency of light-energy transduction into assimilated carbon was not altered by acclimation and that the increase in light-limited photosynthesis at elevated pCO2 was simply a function of the decrease in photorespiration. Acclimation did decrease the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and light-harvesting chlorophyll protein content of the leaf by more than 30%. These changes were associated with a decreased capacity for light-saturated, but not light-limited, photosynthesis. Even so, leaves of D. indica grown and measured at elevated pCO2 showed greater light-saturated photosynthetic rates than leaves grown and measured at the current atmospheric pCO2. In situ measurements under natural forest floor lighting showed large increases in leaf photosynthesis at elevated pCO2, relative to controls, in both summer and fall. The increase in efficiency of light-limited photosynthesis with elevated pCO2 allowed positive net photosynthetic carbon uptake on days and at locations on the forest floor that light fluxes were insufficient for positive net photosynthesis in the current atmospheric pCO2.

Gas hazard assessment in the touristic area of Levante Beach (Vulcano island, Italy)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carapezza, Maria Luisa; Di Piazza, Andrea; Gattuso, Alessandro; Ranaldi, Massimo; Sortino, Francesco; Tarchini, Luca

2016-04-01

Since the last eruption occurred at "La Fossa" in 1888-1890, Vulcano remained in a quiescence state characterized by an intense fumarolic activity. The main degassing manifestations are concentrated in La Fossa crater area (high temperature fumaroles) and in the area of Vulcano Porto, between Levante Beach and Faraglioni (medium-low temperature fumaroles). In addition the entire volcanic edifice of La Fossa, its base and the area of Vulcano Porto are characterized by en extensive soil CO2 diffuse degassing. In the last century episodic "crises" have occurred with increase of temperature, gas output and compositional changes of the crater fumaroles indicating an increase of the magmatic component in the discharged fluids. These episodic crises occurred in 1916-1924, in 1988-1993, in 1996 and in 2004-2006. During the period 1988-1990, the accumulation of CO2 in morphological depressions or excavation provoked the death for asphyxiation of two children in the area of Vulcano Porto and of some small animals at the base of the crater area. In April 2015, a child lost his senses while playing at Levante Beach; he was rescued by an air ambulance to the hospital of Lipari. According to the national chronicle (La Repubblica, 22 June 2015), doctors attributed the malaise to a high CO2 air concentration. Soon after this event the Major of Lipari installed at Levante Beach some panels informing tourists on gas hazard. In summer 2015 we performed a geochemical survey of the Levante Beach sector (onshore and offshore) and of the mud pool, estimating the diffuse and viscous gas flux and the air gas concentration in order to evaluate the degassing level. The total gas flux in the Levante Beach area, from 0.3 km2, has been estimated in 1 t/day of CO2 and 16,1 kg/day of H2S; values comparable with those of the 2009 and 2011 campaigns. In addition, a soil CO2 flux survey of the target area at La Fossa crater was performed, ascertaining that the degassing rate was within the range of the inter-crisis period (CO2 = 200 t/day). In the mud pool area, continuous measurements of CO2 and H2S air concentration were also carried out for a period of a week. The CO2 concentration was almost always higher than in the normal unpolluted air. Concentration of H2S displayed high values (maximum of 43 ppm), with the TWA (10 ppm) and STEL (15 ppm) H2S thresholds frequently exceeded. Offshore, gas concentration in atmosphere over the submarine vents of the Levante Beach, displayed extremely high concentrations of H2S (values up to 1000 ppm) and CO2 (8.6 vol.%). these values may cause serious adverse health consequences on the exposed people even in periods when the volcanic activity is not considered high or anomalous.

Extract of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) improves phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and intracellular killing of human peripheral blood phagocytes in vitro.

PubMed

Conrad, Andreas; Hansmann, Cathrin; Engels, Inge; Daschner, Franz D; Frank, Uwe

2007-01-01

Clinical data show that EPs 7630, an aqueous ethanolic extract from the roots of Pelargonium sidoides, can be used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). The biological effects of the preparation have not been fully investigated. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of EPs 7630 on the activity of human peripheral blood phagocytes (PBP). A whole blood-based, flow cytometric assay was used to simultaneously assess phagocytosis and oxidative burst. Calcein-AM stained Candida albicans (DSM 1386) were used as target organisms. Oxidative burst was measured by addition of dihydroethidium (DHE). Target organisms and whole blood were co-incubated and analyzed after 0, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 30 min. Intracellular killing of the target organisms was evaluated by determining the number of surviving yeast cells after co-incubation of C. albicans and human whole blood. EPs 7630 was applied in therapeutically relevant concentrations between 0 and 30 microg/ml. Compared with controls EPs 7630 increased the number of phagocytosing PBP during the observed time points between 2 and 10 min in a concentration-dependent manner, with a maximum enhancement of 56% at 2 min (p=0.002). The application of EPs 7630 also led to a significant increase in the number of burst-active PBP for all time points observed beyond 2 min (p<0.001). The maximum augmentation was 120% after application of 30 microg/ml EPs 7630 at 4 min. Using a microbiological assay, intracellular killing was also enhanced by EPs 7630. This was expressed by a significant reduction in the number of surviving target organisms (p<0.001). The maximum reduction in viable yeast cells (-31%) was observed after co-incubation for 120 min with the highest concentration of EPs 7630 (30 microg/ml). In conclusion, the positive effects of EPs 7630 on phagocytosis, oxidative burst, and intracellular killing of yeast cells as test organisms are important components of the compound's biological activity. Our findings constitute a valuable contribution to understanding the clinical effects of EPs 7630.

Behaviour of the iron vapour core in the arc of a controlled short-arc GMAW process with different shielding gases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilhelm, G.; Kozakov, R.; Gött, G.; Schöpp, H.; Uhrlandt, D.

2012-02-01

The controlled metal transfer process (CMT) is a variation of the gas metal arc welding (GMAW) process which periodically varies wire feeding speed. Using a short-arc burning phase to melt the wire tip before the short circuit, heat input to the workpiece is reduced. Using a steel wire and a steel workpiece, iron vapour is produced in the arc, its maximum concentration lying centrally. The interaction of metal vapour and welding gas considerably impacts the arc profile and, consequently, the heat transfer to the weldpool. Optical emission spectroscopy has been applied to determine the radial profiles of the plasma temperature and iron vapour concentration, as well as their temporal behaviour in the arc period for different mixtures of Ar, O2 and CO2 as shielding gases. Both the absolute iron vapour density and the temporal expansion of the iron core differ considerably for the gases Ar + 8%O2, Ar + 18% CO2 and 100% CO2 respectively. Pronounced minimum in the radial temperature profile is found in the arc centre in gas mixtures with high Ar content under the presence of metal vapour. This minimum disappears in pure CO2 gas. Consequently, the temperature and electrical and thermal conductivity in the arc when CO2 is used as a shielding gas are considerably lower.

Toward a mechanistic modeling of nitrogen limitation on vegetation dynamics.

PubMed

Xu, Chonggang; Fisher, Rosie; Wullschleger, Stan D; Wilson, Cathy J; Cai, Michael; McDowell, Nate G

2012-01-01

Nitrogen is a dominant regulator of vegetation dynamics, net primary production, and terrestrial carbon cycles; however, most ecosystem models use a rather simplistic relationship between leaf nitrogen content and photosynthetic capacity. Such an approach does not consider how patterns of nitrogen allocation may change with differences in light intensity, growing-season temperature and CO(2) concentration. To account for this known variability in nitrogen-photosynthesis relationships, we develop a mechanistic nitrogen allocation model based on a trade-off of nitrogen allocated between growth and storage, and an optimization of nitrogen allocated among light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, and respiration. The developed model is able to predict the acclimation of photosynthetic capacity to changes in CO(2) concentration, temperature, and radiation when evaluated against published data of V(c,max) (maximum carboxylation rate) and J(max) (maximum electron transport rate). A sensitivity analysis of the model for herbaceous plants, deciduous and evergreen trees implies that elevated CO(2) concentrations lead to lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation but higher allocation to storage. Higher growing-season temperatures cause lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation, due to higher nitrogen requirements for light capture pigments and for storage. Lower levels of radiation have a much stronger effect on allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation for herbaceous plants than for trees, resulting from higher nitrogen requirements for light capture for herbaceous plants. As far as we know, this is the first model of complete nitrogen allocation that simultaneously considers nitrogen allocation to light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, respiration and storage, and the responses of each to altered environmental conditions. We expect this model could potentially improve our confidence in simulations of carbon-nitrogen interactions and the vegetation feedbacks to climate in Earth system models.

Toward a Mechanistic Modeling of Nitrogen Limitation on Vegetation Dynamics

PubMed Central

Xu, Chonggang; Fisher, Rosie; Wullschleger, Stan D.; Wilson, Cathy J.; Cai, Michael; McDowell, Nate G.

2012-01-01

Nitrogen is a dominant regulator of vegetation dynamics, net primary production, and terrestrial carbon cycles; however, most ecosystem models use a rather simplistic relationship between leaf nitrogen content and photosynthetic capacity. Such an approach does not consider how patterns of nitrogen allocation may change with differences in light intensity, growing-season temperature and CO2 concentration. To account for this known variability in nitrogen-photosynthesis relationships, we develop a mechanistic nitrogen allocation model based on a trade-off of nitrogen allocated between growth and storage, and an optimization of nitrogen allocated among light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, and respiration. The developed model is able to predict the acclimation of photosynthetic capacity to changes in CO2 concentration, temperature, and radiation when evaluated against published data of Vc,max (maximum carboxylation rate) and Jmax (maximum electron transport rate). A sensitivity analysis of the model for herbaceous plants, deciduous and evergreen trees implies that elevated CO2 concentrations lead to lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation but higher allocation to storage. Higher growing-season temperatures cause lower allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation, due to higher nitrogen requirements for light capture pigments and for storage. Lower levels of radiation have a much stronger effect on allocation of nitrogen to carboxylation for herbaceous plants than for trees, resulting from higher nitrogen requirements for light capture for herbaceous plants. As far as we know, this is the first model of complete nitrogen allocation that simultaneously considers nitrogen allocation to light capture, electron transport, carboxylation, respiration and storage, and the responses of each to altered environmental conditions. We expect this model could potentially improve our confidence in simulations of carbon-nitrogen interactions and the vegetation feedbacks to climate in Earth system models. PMID:22649564

Does long-term elevation of CO{sub 2} concentration increase photosynthesis in forest floor vegetation? Indiana strawberry in a Maryland forest

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Osborne, C.P.; Long, S.P.; Drake, B.G.

1997-05-01

As the partial pressure of CO{sub 2} (pCO{sub 2}) in the atmosphere rises, photorespiratory loss of carbon in C, photosynthesis will diminish and the net efficiency of light-limited photosynthetic carbon uptake should rise. Indiana strawberry (Duchesnea indica) growing on a Maryland forest floor was tested. Open-top chambers were used to elevate the pCO{sub 2} of a forest floor habitat to 67 Pa and were paired with control chambers with an ambient pCO{sub 2} of 38 Pa. After 3.5 years, D. indica leaves in the elevated pCO{sub 2} showed a significantly greater maximum quantum efficiency of net photosynthesis (by 22%) andmore » a lower light compensation point (by 42%) than leaves in the control chambers. The quantum efficiency to minimize photorespiration was the same for controls and plants grown at elevated pCO{sub 2}, showing the maximum efficiency of light-energy transduction into assimilated carbon was not altered by acclimation and the increase in light-limited photosynthesis at elevated pCO{sub 2} was a function of the decrease in photorespiration. Acclimation did decrease the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase and light-harvesting chlorophyll protein content of the leaf by more than 30%. These changes were associated with a decreased capacity for light-saturated, but not light-limited, photosynthesis. Leaves of D. indica grown and measured at elevated pCO{sub 2} showed greater light-saturated photosynthetic rates than leaves grown and measured at the current atmospheric pCO{sub 2}. In situ measurements under natural lighting showed large increases in leaf photosynthesis at elevated pCO{sub 2}, relative to controls, in both summer and fall. The increase in efficiency of light-limited photosynthesis with elevated pCO{sub 2} allowed positive net photosynthetic carbon uptake on days and at locations on the forest floor that light fluxes were insufficient for positive net photosynthesis in the current atmospheric pCO{sub 2}. 33 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.« less

Can increased nitrogen uptake at elevated CO2 be explained by an hypothesis of optimal root function?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McMurtrie, R. E.; Norby, R. J.; Näsholm, T.; Iversen, C.; Dewar, R. C.; Medlyn, B. E.

2011-12-01

Forest free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiments have shown that annual nitrogen (N) uptake increases when trees are grown at elevated CO2 (eCO2) and that increased N uptake is critical for a sustained growth response to eCO2. Processes contributing to increased N uptake at eCO2 may include: accelerated decomposition of soil organic matter due to enhanced root carbon (C) exudation (so-called rhizosphere priming); increased C allocation to fine roots and increased root production at depth, both of which enhance N acquisition; differences in soil N availability with depth; changes in the abundance of N in chemical forms with differing mobility in soil; and reduced N concentrations, reduced maintenance respiration rates, and increased longevities of deeper roots. These processes have been synthesised in a model of annual N uptake in relation to the spatial distribution of roots. We hypothesise that fine roots are distributed spatially in order to maximise annual N uptake. The optimisation hypothesis leads to equations for the optimal vertical distribution of root biomass in relation to the distribution of available soil N and for maximum annual N uptake. We show how maximum N uptake and rooting depth are related to total root mass, and compare the optimal solution with an empirical function that has been fitted to root-distribution data from all terrestrial biomes. Finally, the model is used to explore the consequences of rhizosphere priming at eCO2 as observed at the Duke forest FACE experiment (Drake et al. 2011, Ecology Letters 14: 349-357) and of increasing N limitation over time as observed at the Oak Ridge FACE experiment (Norby et al. 2010, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 107: 19368-19373).

Effects of carbonate species on the kinetics of dechlorination of 1,1,1-trichloroethane by zero-valent iron.

PubMed

Agrawal, Abinash; Ferguson, William J; Gardner, Bruce O; Christ, John A; Bandstra, Joel Z; Tratnyek, Paul G

2002-10-15

The effect of precipitates on the reactivity of iron metal (Fe0) with 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) was studied in batch systems designed to model groundwaters that contain dissolved carbonate species (i.e., C(IV)). At representative concentrations for high-C(IV) groundwaters (approximately 10(-2) M), the pH in batch reactors containing Fe0 was effectively buffered until most of the aqueous C(IV) precipitated. The precipitate was mainly FeCO3 (siderite) but may also have included some carbonate green rust. Exposure of the Fe0 to dissolved C(IV) accelerated reduction of TCA, and the products formed under these conditions consisted mainly of ethane and ethene, with minor amounts of several butenes. The kinetics of TCA reduction were first-order when C(IV)-enhanced corrosion predominated but showed mixed-order kinetics (zero- and first-order) in experiments performed with passivated Fe0 (i.e., before the onset of pitting corrosion and after repassivation by precipitation of FeCO3). All these data were described by fitting a Michaelis-Menten-type kinetic model and approximating the first-order rate constant as the ratio of the maximum reaction rate (Vm) and the concentration of TCA at half of the maximum rate (K(1/2)). The decrease in Vm/K(1/2) with increasing C(IV) exposure time was fit to a heuristic model assuming proportionality between changes in TCA reduction rate and changes in surface coverage with FeCO3.

40 CFR 86.316-79 - Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide analyzer specifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM NEW AND IN-USE HIGHWAY VEHICLES AND...) The use of linearizing circuits is permitted. (c) The minimum water rejection ratio (maximum CO 2...) The minimum CO 2 rejection ratio (maximum CO 2 interference) as measured by § 86.322 for CO analyzers...

Carbon Dioxide Impacts in the Deep-Sea: Is Maintaining a Metabolically Required CO2 Efflux Rate Challenging?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peltzer, E. T.; Hofmann, A. F.; Brewer, P. G.

2011-12-01

Increasing ocean acidification from fossil fuel CO2 invasion, from temperature driven changes in respiration, and from possible leakage from sub-seabed geologic CO2 disposal has aroused concern over the impacts of elevated CO2 concentrations on marine life. Here we describe the rate problem for animals who must export CO2 at about the same rate at which O2 is consumed. We analyze the basic properties controlling CO2 export within the diffusive boundary of marine animals in a changing ocean in order to compare the challenges posed by O2 uptake under stress with the equivalent problem of CO2 expulsion. The problem is more complex than that for a non-reactive gas since, as with gas exchange of CO2 at the air-sea interface, the influence of the ensemble of reactions within the CO2 - HCO3- - CO3= acid-base system needs to be considered. These reactions appear as an enhancement factor which significantly facilitates CO2 efflux compared to O2 intake at equal temperature, pressure and flow rate under typical oceanic concentrations. Possibly as an adaptation to this chemical advantage marine animals typically can respond to external CO2 stress simply by metabolic adjustment. This is energetically more favorable than having to resort to mechanically increasing flow over their surface to thin the boundary layer as is required to alleviate O2 stress. Regionally as with O2 the combination of T, P, and pH/pCO2 creates a zone of maximum CO2 stress at around 1000 m depth. But the net result is that the combination of an increase in T combined with declining O2 poses a greater respiratory challenge to marine life than does increasing CO2. The relationships developed here allow a more accurate prediction of the impacts on marine life from the combined effects of changing T, O2, and CO2 than can be estimated from single variable studies.

The effect of H2O and CO2 on planetary mantles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wyllie, P. J.

1978-01-01

The peridotite-H2O-CO2 system is discussed, and it is shown that even traces of H2O and CO2, in minerals or vapor, lower mantle solidus temperatures through hundreds of degrees in comparison with the volatile-free solidus. The solidus for peridotite-H2O-CO2 is a divariant surface traversed by univariant lines that locate the intersections of subsolidus divariant surfaces for carbonation or hydration reactions occurring in the presence of H2O-CO2 mixtures. Vapor phase compositions are normally buffered to these lines, and near the buffered curve for the solidus of partly carbonated peridotite there is a temperature maximum on the peridotite-vapor solidus. Characteristics on the CO2 side of the maximum and on the H2O side of the maximum are described.

Global warming and carbon dioxide through sciences.

PubMed

Florides, Georgios A; Christodoulides, Paul

2009-02-01

Increased atmospheric CO(2)-concentration is widely being considered as the main driving factor that causes the phenomenon of global warming. This paper attempts to shed more light on the role of atmospheric CO(2) in relation to temperature-increase and, more generally, in relation to Earth's life through the geological aeons, based on a review-assessment of existing related studies. It is pointed out that there has been a debate on the accuracy of temperature reconstructions as well as on the exact impact that CO(2) has on global warming. Moreover, using three independent sets of data (collected from ice-cores and chemistry) we perform a specific regression analysis which concludes that forecasts about the correlation between CO(2)-concentration and temperature rely heavily on the choice of data used, and one cannot be positive that indeed such a correlation exists (for chemistry data) or even, if existing (for ice-cores data), whether it leads to a "severe" or a "gentle" global warming. A very recent development on the greenhouse phenomenon is a validated adiabatic model, based on laws of physics, forecasting a maximum temperature-increase of 0.01-0.03 degrees C for a value doubling the present concentration of atmospheric CO(2). Through a further review of related studies and facts from disciplines like biology and geology, where CO(2)-change is viewed from a different perspective, it is suggested that CO(2)-change is not necessarily always a negative factor for the environment. In fact it is shown that CO(2)-increase has stimulated the growth of plants, while the CO(2)-change history has altered the physiology of plants. Moreover, data from palaeoclimatology show that the CO(2)-content in the atmosphere is at a minimum in this geological aeon. Finally it is stressed that the understanding of the functioning of Earth's complex climate system (especially for water, solar radiation and so forth) is still poor and, hence, scientific knowledge is not at a level to give definite and precise answers for the causes of global warming.

Subjective and physiological effects, and expired carbon monoxide concentrations in frequent and occasional cannabis smokers following smoked, vaporized, and oral cannabis administration.

PubMed

Newmeyer, Matthew N; Swortwood, Madeleine J; Abulseoud, Osama A; Huestis, Marilyn A

2017-06-01

Although smoking is the most common cannabis administration route, vaporization and consumption of cannabis edibles are common. Few studies directly compare cannabis' subjective and physiological effects following multiple administration routes. Subjective and physiological effects, and expired carbon monoxide (CO) were evaluated in frequent and occasional cannabis users following placebo (0.001% Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol [THC]), smoked, vaporized, and oral cannabis (6.9% THC, ∼54mg). Participants' subjective ratings were significantly elevated compared to placebo after smoking and vaporization, while only occasional smokers' ratings were significantly elevated compared to placebo after oral dosing. Frequent smokers' maximum ratings were significantly different between inhaled and oral routes, while no differences in occasional smokers' maximum ratings between active routes were observed. Additionally, heart rate increases above baseline 0.5h after smoking (mean 12.2bpm) and vaporization (10.7bpm), and at 1.5h (13.0bpm) and 3h (10.2bpm) after oral dosing were significantly greater than changes after placebo, with no differences between frequent and occasional smokers. Finally, smoking produced significantly increased expired CO concentrations 0.25-6h post-dose compared to vaporization. All participants had significant elevations in subjective effects after smoking and vaporization, but only occasional smokers after oral cannabis, indicating partial tolerance to subjective effects with frequent exposure. There were no differences in occasional smokers' maximum subjective ratings across the three active administration routes. Vaporized cannabis is an attractive alternative for medicinal administrations over smoking or oral routes; effects occur quickly and doses can be titrated with minimal CO exposure. These results have strong implications for safety and abuse liability assessments. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Plastic and adaptive responses of plant respiration to changes in atmospheric CO(2) concentration.

PubMed

Gonzàlez-Meler, Miquel A; Blanc-Betes, Elena; Flower, Charles E; Ward, Joy K; Gomez-Casanovas, Nuria

2009-12-01

The concentration of atmospheric CO2 has increased from below 200 microl l(-1) during last glacial maximum in the late Pleistocene to near 280 microl l(-1) at the beginning of the Holocene and has continuously increased since the onset of the industrial revolution. Most responses of plants to increasing atmospheric CO2 levels result in increases in photosynthesis, water use efficiency and biomass. Less known is the role that respiration may play during adaptive responses of plants to changes in atmospheric CO2. Although plant respiration does not increase proportionally with CO2-enhanced photosynthesis or growth rates, a reduction in respiratory costs in plants grown at subambient CO2 can aid in maintaining a positive plant C-balance (i.e. enhancing the photosynthesis-to-respiration ratio). The understanding of plant respiration is further complicated by the presence of the alternative pathway that consumes photosynthate without producing chemical energy [adenosine triphosphate (ATP)] as effectively as respiration through the normal cytochrome pathway. Here, we present the respiratory responses of Arabidopsis thaliana plants selected at Pleistocene (200 microl l(-1)), current Holocene (370 microl l(-1)), and elevated (700 microl l(-1)) concentrations of CO2 and grown at current CO2 levels. We found that respiration rates were lower in Pleistocene-adapted plants when compared with Holocene ones, and that a substantial reduction in respiration was because of reduced activity of the alternative pathway. In a survey of the literature, we found that changes in respiration across plant growth forms and CO2 levels can be explained in part by differences in the respiratory energy demand for maintenance of biomass. This trend was substantiated in the Arabidopsis experiment in which Pleistocene-adapted plants exhibited decreases in respiration without concurrent reductions in tissue N content. Interestingly, N-based respiration rates of plants adapted to elevated CO2 also decreased. As a result, ATP yields per unit of N increased in Pleistocene-adapted plants compared with current CO2 adapted ones. Our results suggest that mitochondrial energy coupling and alternative pathway-mediated responses of respiration to changes in atmospheric CO2 may enhance survival of plants at low CO2 levels to help overcome a low carbon balance. Therefore, increases in the basal activity of the alternative pathway are not necessarily associated to metabolic plant stress in all cases.

Production of Chlorella vulgaris as a source of essential fatty acids in a tubular photobioreactor continuously fed with air enriched with CO2 at different concentrations.

PubMed

Ortiz Montoya, Erika Y; Casazza, Alessandro A; Aliakbarian, Bahar; Perego, Patrizia; Converti, Attilio; de Carvalho, João C Monteiro

2014-01-01

To reduce CO2 emissions and simultaneously produce biomass rich in essential fatty acids, Chlorella vulgaris CCAP 211 was continuously grown in a tubular photobioreactor using air alone or air enriched with CO2 as the sole carbon source. While on one hand, nitrogen-limited conditions strongly affected biomass growth, conversely, they almost doubled its lipid fraction. Under these conditions using air enriched with 0, 2, 4, 8, and 16% (v/v) CO2 , the maximum biomass concentration was 1.4, 5.8, 6.6, 6.8, and 6.4 gDB L(-1) on a dry basis, the CO2 consumption rate 62, 380, 391, 433, and 430 mgCO2 L(-1) day(-1) , and the lipid productivity 3.7, 23.7, 24.8, 29.5, and 24.4 mg L(-1) day(-1) , respectively. C. vulgaris was able to grow effectively using CO2 -enriched air, but its chlorophyll a (3.0-3.5 g 100gDB (-1) ), chlorophyll b (2.6-3.0 g 100gDB (-1) ), and lipid contents (10.7-12.0 g 100gDB (-1) ) were not significantly influenced by the presence of CO2 in the air. Most of the fatty acids in C. vulgaris biomass were of the saturated series, mainly myristic, palmitic, and stearic acids, but a portion of no less than 45% consisted of unsaturated fatty acids, and about 80% of these were high added-value essential fatty acids belonging to the ω3 and ω6 series. These results highlight that C. vulgaris biomass could be of great importance for human health when used as food additive or for functional food production. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Mid-depth respired carbon storage and oxygenation of the eastern equatorial Pacific over the last 25,000 years

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Umling, Natalie E.; Thunell, Robert C.

2018-06-01

A growing body of evidence suggests that respired carbon was stored in mid-depth waters (∼1-3 km) during the last glacial maximum (LGM) and released to the atmosphere from upwelling regions during deglaciation. Decreased ventilation, enhanced productivity, and enhanced carbonate dissolution are among the mechanisms that have been cited as possible drivers of glacial CO2 drawdown. However, the relative importance of each of these mechanisms is poorly understood. New approaches to quantitatively constrain bottom water carbonate chemistry and oxygenation provide methods for estimating historic changes in respired carbon storage. While increased CO2 drawdown during the LGM should have resulted in decreased oxygenation and a shift in dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) speciation towards lower carbonate ion concentrations, this is complicated by the interplay of carbonate compensation, export productivity, and circulation. To disentangle these processes, we use a multiproxy approach that includes boron to calcium (B/Ca) ratios of the benthic foraminifera Cibicidoides wuellerstorfi to reconstruct deep-water carbonate ion concentrations ([CO32-]) and the uranium to calcium (U/Ca) ratio of foraminiferal coatings in combination with benthic foraminiferal carbon isotopes to reconstruct changes in bottom water oxygen concentrations ([O2]) and organic carbon export. Our records indicate that LGM [CO32-] and [O2] was reduced at mid water depths of the eastern equatorial Pacific (EEP), consistent with increased respired carbon storage. Furthermore, our results suggest enhanced mixing of lower Circumpolar Deep Water (LCDW) to EEP mid water depths and provide evidence for the importance of circulation for oceanic-atmospheric CO2 exchange.

Volatile fatty acids produced by co-fermentation of waste activated sludge and henna plant biomass.

PubMed

Huang, Jingang; Zhou, Rongbing; Chen, Jianjun; Han, Wei; Chen, Yi; Wen, Yue; Tang, Junhong

2016-07-01

Anaerobic co-fermentation of waste activated sludge (WAS) and henna plant biomass (HPB) for the enhanced production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) was investigated. The results indicated that VFAs was the main constituents of the released organics; the accumulation of VFAs was much higher than that of soluble carbohydrates and proteins. HPB was an advantageous substrate compared to WAS for VFAs production; and the maximum VFAs concentration in an HPB mono-fermentation system was about 2.6-fold that in a WAS mono-fermentation system. In co-fermentation systems, VFAs accumulation was positively related to the proportion of HPB in the mixed substrate, and the accumulated VFAs concentrations doubled when HPB was increased from 25% to 75%. HPB not only adjust the C/N ratio; the associated and/or released lawsone might also have a positive electron-shuttling effect on VFAs production. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of Co2+ on electrical and optical behavior of Mn2+-doped ZnS quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakthivel, P.; Muthukumaran, S.

2018-07-01

Co2+-doped Zn0.98Mn0.02S quantum dots with various concentrations of Co2+ from 0% to 4% have been successfully synthesized by a simple co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the acquirement of cubic structure and phase purity in all the samples. The average crystallite size of the particles was ∼3 nm observed from XRD result. Surface morphology of the samples was studied using scanning electron microscope (SEM). TEM study was also taken to know the structural parameters of the samples. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra proved the presence of Co2+ and Mn2+ in ZnS host lattice. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the elemental composition with their normal stoichiometric ratio. In the dielectric study, dielectric dispersion and dielectric loss were increased with Co2+ composition due to the increase of carrier concentration. From the AC conductivity measurement, the maximum conductivity was observed for Co2+ = 2% due to their higher charge carrier density and it was decreased for Co2+ = 4% due to the scattering of charge carriers. Because of the low dielectric constant at higher frequency, these materials can be used for high-frequency applications. The variation of peak intensity and wavelength shifting in UV-vis absorption and transmittance were discussed on the basis of formation of secondary phase and variation of charge carrier density. The continuous red shift of energy gap by Co2+-doping is attributed to the direct energy transfer between excited states and 3d levels of Co2+ ions. Photoluminescence spectra showed the strong and broad blue emission bands between 468 nm and 483 nm. Since higher transmittance was observed for Co2+ = 2% addition, this material can be selected for optimum applications of optoelectronic devices.

The Carbon Isotopic Record of The C37:2 Alkenone In Sediments From The Equatorial and South Atlantic: Last Glacial Maximum (lgm) Vs. Holocene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benthien, A.; Schulte, S.; Andersen, N.; Müller, P. J.; Schneider, R. R.

The carbon isotopic signal of the C37-alkenone, a taxon-specific biomarker for hap- tophyte algae, has been used in various paleoceanographic studies as a proxy for an- cient surface water CO2 concentration ([CO2aq]). However, a number of recent cul- ture, field and sediment studies imply that the carbon isotopic fractionation (ep) of alkenones is controlled predominantly by physiological processes and environmental factors other than the ambient CO2 concentration (i.e., growth rate, nutrient availabil- ity, light intensity, active carbon uptake, bicarbonate utilisation). The environmental conditions controlling phytoplankton growth are likely to vary strongly with oceano- graphic setting. Culture experiments can not perfectly recreate natural growth con- ditions and physical processes which affect the carbon isotopic signal in the field and its preservation in the sediment. Consequently, the use of the carbon isotopic record of alkenones as a reliable paleoceonographic proxy also requires sediment- based studies covering a broad range of different oceanic regimes for the past and modern ocean. Here, we present the first basin-wide comparison of alkenone ep val- ues from sediments of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the latest Holocene. Different oceanographic regions from the equatorial and South Atlantic Ocean were examined. Generally, alkenone ep is lower during the LGM compared to the Holocene. Considering present understanding of LGM-Holocene changes in surface water condi- tions, the observed glacial/interglacial difference in ep indicates that different effects controlled the isotopic fractionation in alkenone-producing algae depending on the regional setting. In upwelling regions, the variations in ep probably reflect a glacial increase in haptophyte productivity controlled by the availability of surface water nu- trient concentrations. By contrast, in oligotrophic areas slightly lower nutrient content was available during LGM. Here, the observed ep difference can be explained partly with an assumed glacial decrease in surface water [CO2aq]. However, it can not be ruled out that changes in haptophyte productivity also affected the ep signal to some extent. This study clearly demonstrates that a reliable reconstruction of [CO2aq] on the basis of the isotopic composition of alkenones is not feasible without a detailed 1 knowledge of ancient haptophyte growth conditions. 2

Photosynthetic response of Cannabis sativa L. to variations in photosynthetic photon flux densities, temperature and CO2 conditions.

PubMed

Chandra, Suman; Lata, Hemant; Khan, Ikhlas A; Elsohly, Mahmoud A

2008-10-01

Effect of different photosynthetic photon flux densities (0, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 μmol m(-2)s(-1)), temperatures (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 °C) and CO2 concentrations (250, 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 μmol mol(-1)) on gas and water vapour exchange characteristics of Cannabis sativa L. were studied to determine the suitable and efficient environmental conditions for its indoor mass cultivation for pharmaceutical uses. The rate of photosynthesis (PN) and water use efficiency (WUE) of Cannabis sativa increased with photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) at the lower temperatures (20-25 °C). At 30 °C, PN and WUE increased only up to 1500 μmol m(-2)s(-1) PPFD and decreased at higher light levels. The maximum rate of photosynthesis (PN max) was observed at 30 °C and under 1500 μmol m(-2)s(-1) PPFD. The rate of transpiration (E) responded positively to increased PPFD and temperature up to the highest levels tested (2000 μmol m(-2)s(-1) and 40 °C). Similar to E, leaf stomatal conductance (gs) also increased with PPFD irrespective of temperature. However, gs increased with temperature up to 30 °C only. Temperature above 30 °C had an adverse effect on gs in this species. Overall, high temperature and high PPFD showed an adverse effect on PN and WUE. A continuous decrease in intercellular CO2 concentration (Ci) and therefore, in the ratio of intercellular CO2 to ambient CO2 concentration (Ci/Ca) was observed with the increase in temperature and PPFD. However, the decrease was less pronounced at light intensities above 1500 μmol m(-2)s(-1). In view of these results, temperature and light optima for photosynthesis was concluded to be at 25-30 °C and ∼1500 μmol m(-2)s(-1) respectively. Furthermore, plants were also exposed to different concentrations of CO2 (250, 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 μmol mol(-1)) under optimum PPFD and temperature conditions to assess their photosynthetic response. Rate of photosynthesis, WUE and Ci decreased by 50 %, 53 % and 10 % respectively, and Ci/Ca, E and gs increased by 25 %, 7 % and 3 % respectively when measurements were made at 250 μmol mol-1 as compared to ambient CO2 (350 μmol mol(-1)) level. Elevated CO2 concentration (750 μmol mol(-1)) suppressed E and gs ∼ 29% and 42% respectively, and stimulated PN, WUE and Ci by 50 %, 111 % and 115 % respectively as compared to ambient CO2 concentration. The study reveals that this species can be efficiently cultivated in the range of 25 to 30 °C and ∼1500 μmol m(-2)s(-1) PPFD. Furthermore, higher PN, WUE and nearly constant Ci/Ca ratio under elevated CO2 concentrations in C. sativa, reflects its potential for better survival, growth and productivity in drier and CO2 rich environment.

Evolution of CO2 in lakes Monoun and Nyos, Cameroon, before and during controlled degassing

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kusakabe, M.; Ohba, T.; Issa,; Yoshida, Y.; Satake, H.; Ohizumi, T.; Evans, William C.; Tanyileke, G.; Kling, G.W.

2008-01-01

Evolution of CO2 in Lakes Monoun and Nyos (Cameroon) before and during controlled degassing is described using results of regular monitoring obtained during the last 21 years. The CO2(aq) profiles soon after the limnic eruptions were estimated for Lakes Monoun and Nyos using the CTD data obtained in October and November 1986, respectively. Based on the CO2(aq) profiles through time, the CO2 Content and its change over time were calculated for both lakes. The CO2 accumulation rate calculated from the pre-degassing data, was constant after the limnic eruption at Lake Nyos (1986-2001), whereas the rate appeared initially high (1986-1996) but later slowed down (1996-2003) at Lake Monoun. The CO2 concentration at 58 m depth in Lake Monoun in January 2003 was very close to saturation due to the CO2 accumulation. This situation is suggestive of a mechanism for the limnic eruption, because it may take place spontaneously without receiving an external trigger. The CO2 content of the lakes decreased significantly after controlled degassing started in March 2001 at Lake Nyos and in February 2003 at Lake Monoun. The current content is lower than the content estimated soon after the limnic eruption at both lakes. At Monoun the degassing rate increased greatly after February 2006 due to an increase of the number of degassing pipes and deepening of the pipe intake depth. The current CO2 content is ???40% of the maximum content attained just before the degassing started. At current degassing rates the lower chemocline will subside to the degassing pipe intake depth of 93 m in about one year. After this depth is reached, the gas removal rate will progressively decline because water of lower CO2(aq) concentration will be tapped by the pipes. To keep the CO2 content of Lake Monoun as small as possible, it is recommended to set up a new, simple device that sends deep water to the surface since natural recharge of CO2 will continue. Controlled degassing at Lake Nyos since 2001 has also reduced the CO2 content. It is currently slightly below the level estimated after the limnic eruption in 1986. However, the current CO2 content still amounts to 80% of the maximum level of 14.8 giga moles observed in January 2001. The depth of the lower chemocline may reach the pipe intake depth of 203 m within a few years. After this situation is reached the degassing rate with the current system will progressively decline, and it would take decades to remove the majority of dissolved gases even if the degassing system keeps working continuously. Additional degassing pipes must be installed to speed up gas removal from Lake Nyos in order to make the area safer for local populations. Copyright ?? 2008 by The Geochemical Society of Japan.

Environmentally driven evolution of Rubisco and improved photosynthesis and growth within the C3 genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae).

PubMed

Galmés, Jeroni; Andralojc, P John; Kapralov, Maxim V; Flexas, Jaume; Keys, Alfred J; Molins, Arántzazu; Parry, Martin A J; Conesa, Miquel À

2014-08-01

Carbon assimilation by most ecosystems requires ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco). Its kinetic parameters are likely to have evolved in parallel with intracellular CO2 availability, with the result that faster forms of Rubisco occur in species with CO2 -concentrating mechanisms. The Rubisco catalytic properties were determined and evaluated in relation to growth and carbon assimilation capacity in Mediterranean Limonium species, inhabiting severe stress environments. Significant kinetic differences between closely related species depended on two amino acid substitutions at functionally important residues 309 and 328 within the Rubisco large subunit. The Rubisco of species facing the largest CO2 restrictions during drought had relatively high affinity for CO2 (low Michaelis-Menten constant for CO2 Kc) but low maximum rates of carboxylation (kcatc), while the opposite was found for species that maintained higher CO2 concentrations under similar conditions. Rubisco kinetic characteristics were correlated with photosynthetic rate in both well-watered and drought-stressed plants. Moreover, the drought-mediated decrease in plant biomass accumulation was consistently lower in species with higher Rubisco carboxylase catalytic efficiency (kcatc/Kc). The present study is the first demonstration of Rubisco adaptation during species diversification within closely related C3 plants, revealing a direct relationship between Rubisco molecular evolution and the biomass accumulation of closely related species subjected to unfavourable conditions. © 2014 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2014 New Phytologist Trust.

Stable isotope ratios of atmospheric CO_{2} and CH_{4} over Siberia measured at ZOTTO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Timokhina, Anastasiya; Prokushkin, Anatily; Lavric, Jost; Heimann, Martin

2016-04-01

The boreal and arctic zones of Siberia housing the large amounts of carbon stored in the living biomass of forests and wetlands, as well as in soils and specifically permafrost, play a crucial role in earth's global carbon cycle. The long-term studies of greenhouse gases (GHG) concentrations are important instruments to analyze the response of these systems to climate warming. In parallel to GHG observations, the measurements of their stable isotopic composition can provide useful information for distinguishing contribution of individual GHG source to their atmospheric variations, since each source has its own isotopic signature. In this study we report first results of laboratory analyses of the CO2 and CH4 concentrations, the stable isotope ratio of δ13C-CO2, δ18O-CO2, δ13C-CH4, δD-CH4 measured in one-liter glass flasks which were obtained from 301 height of ZOTTO (Zotino Tall Tower Observatory, near 60° N, 90° E, about 20 km west of the Yenisei River) during 2008 - 2013 and 2010 - 2013 for stable isotope composition of CO2 and CH4. The magnitudes of δ13C-CO2 and δ18O-CO2 in a seasonal cycle are -1.4±0.1‰ (-7.6 - -9.0‰) and -2.2±0.2‰ (-0.1 - -2.3‰), respectively. The δ13C-CO2 seasonal pattern opposes the CO2 concentrations, with a gradual enrichment in heavy isotope occurring during May - July, reflecting its discrimination in photosynthesis, and further depletion in August - September as photosynthetic activity decreases comparatively to ecosystem respiration. Relationship between the CO2 concentrations and respective δ13C-CO2 (Keeling plot) reveals isotopic source signature for growing season (May - September) -27.3±1.4‰ and -30.4±2.5‰ for winter (January - March). The behavior of δ18O-CO2 associated with both high photosynthetic rate in the June (enrichment of atmospheric CO2 by 18O as consequence of CO2 equilibrium with "heavy" leaf water) and respiratory activity of forest floor in June - October (depletion of respired CO2 by 18O because of the use of "light" soil water by microorganisms). There is large temporal variation of δ13C-CH4 (-50.0 - -46.1 ‰) with clear minimum in the late summer (August) that corresponds to CH4 concentration maximum and reflects biogenic sources of methane in the surrounding peatbogs. The δD-CH4 varies from -77.4 to -110.2 ‰ and showed no seasonal cycle with many irregular spikes throughout a year. Keeling plot analysis between the CH4 concentration and isotopic composition revealed that isotopic signature of source in the winter (December - February) is -61.3±2.2‰ and -247.5±17.7‰ for δ13C-CH4 and δD-CH4, respectively. For growing season (June -September) the corresponding values for δ13C-CH4 and δD-CH4 are -76.4±2.6‰ and -342.2±14.8‰Ṫhe strong depletion of methane in heavy isotopes throughout a year is the indication of continuous CH4 emissions from biogenic sources. The study has been supported by cooperation agreement between SIF SB RAS and MPI-BGC and RSF grant (14-24-00113).

Magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of Co2-xFexVGa Heusler alloys

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schroeder, K.; Waybright, J.; Kharel, P.; Zhang, W.; Valloppilly, S.; Herran, J.; Lukashev, P.; Huh, Y.; Skomski, R.; Sellmyer, D. J.

2018-05-01

The magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of iron-substituted Co2VGa alloys, Co2-xFexVGa (x = 0, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3), were investigated. The Fe-substituted samples, prepared by arc melting, melt spinning, and annealing, crystallized in the L21 Heusler structure, without any secondary phases. The Curie temperature and high-field magnetization at 50 K decreased from 345 K and 44 emu/g (1.90 μB/f.u.) for Co2VGa to 275 K and 39 emu/g (1.66 μB/f.u.) for Co1.7Fe0.3VGa, respectively, but the maximum entropy change remained almost insensitive to Fe concentration for x ≤ 0.2, the highest value being 3.3 J/kgK at 7 T for Co1.85Fe0.15VGa. First-principle calculations show that Co2VGa retains its half-metallic band structure until at least 30% of the cobalt atoms are replaced by Fe atoms. The wide operating temperature window near room temperature and the lack of thermal and magnetic hysteresis are the interesting features of these materials for application in room-temperature magnetic refrigeration.

Methane and Carbon Dioxide Production Rates in Lake Sediments from Sub-Arctic Sweden

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeStasio, J.; Halloran, M.; Erickson, L. M.; Varner, R. K.; Johnson, J. E.; Setera, J.; Prado, M. F.; Wik, M.; Crill, P. M.

2013-12-01

Ecosystems at high latitudes are undergoing rapid change due to amplified arctic warming. Lakes in these regions are sources of both methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere and will likely be impacted by elevated temperatures. Because of the potential increase in the release of organic carbon due to thawing permafrost, it is believed that methanogenesis rates within neighboring fresh water sediments will display a positive feedback response, by increasing CH4 emission to the atmosphere. We studied CH4 production potential of sediments using cores from three lakes in the Stordalen Mire complex in sub-Arctic, Sweden: Inre Harrsjön, Mellan Harrsjön, and Villasjön. Sediment cores were incubated to determine CO2 and CH4 production rates and were analyzed for CH4 concentrations, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentrations, total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations, as well as carbon, nitrogen and sulfur content. Our results from the Villasjön cores indicate that CH4 production rates were highest at the same sediment depths as peak dissolved CH4 concentrations, with maximum values between depths of approximately 10cm and 30cm. Additionally, the highest observed CH4 production rates were in sediments from areas within Villasjön known to have the highest rates of CH4 ebullition. CO2 production rates were generally highest within surface sediments ranging from about 4cm to 11cm in depth, with production rates displaying a steady decrease below 11cm. Additionally, observed CO2 production rates correlated with total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations with respect to sediment depth, but displayed no relationship with dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). Further analysis will be conducted to determine how CH4 and CO2 production characteristics vary between sediment core samples, as well as isotopic analysis of select samples taken from each lake.

Structure and thermoelectric property of Te doped paracostibite CoSb1-xTexS compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

You, Yonghui; Su, Xianli; Liu, Wei; Yan, Yonggao; Fu, Jiefei; Cheng, Xin; Zhang, Cheng; Tang, Xinfeng

2018-06-01

Paracostibite (CoSbS), a newly developed thermoelectric material, has aroused lots of interest due to its highly earth abundant and inexpensive constituent elements and potential application for thermoelectric power generation in the intermediate temperature range. Herein, a series of CoSb1-xTexS (x = 0-0.09) compounds were prepared by vacuum melting and annealing followed by SPS processing, and the effects of Te doping on the structure and thermoelectric properties were systematically investigated. Doping Te on the Sb site increases the carrier concentration up to 7.24 × 1020 cm-3 for CoSb0.93Te0.07S compound which is several orders of magnitude higher than that of un-doped CoSbS, and enhances the power factor. The maximum power factor of 14.07 μW cm-1 K-2 is attained at 900 K. Concomitantly, doping with Te on the Sb site leads to effective scattering of heat carrying phonon, accompanying with a strong suppression of the thermal conductivity with the increase of Te content, resulting in an increase of the ZT. A maximum ZT of 0.43 at 900 K is attained for CoSb0.93Te0.07S compound, which is 139% higher than that of un-doped CoSbS compound.

Modeling midwave infrared muzzle flash spectra from unsuppressed and flash-suppressed large caliber munitions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Steward, Bryan J.; Perram, Glen P.; Gross, Kevin C.

2012-07-01

Time-resolved infrared spectra of firings from a 152 mm howitzer were acquired over an 1800-6000 cm-1 spectral range using a Fourier-transform spectrometer. The instrument collected primarily at 32 cm-1 spectral and 100 Hz temporal resolutions. Munitions included unsuppressed and chemically flash suppressed propellants. Secondary combustion occurred with unsuppressed propellants resulting in flash emissions lasting ˜100 ms and dominated by H2O and CO2 spectral structure. Non-combusting plume emissions were one-tenth as intense and approached background levels within 20-40 ms. A low-dimensional phenomenological model was used to reduce the data to temperatures, soot absorbances, and column densities of H2O, CO2, CH4, and CO. The combusting plumes exhibit peak temperatures of ˜1400 K, areas of greater than 32 m2, low soot emissivity of ˜0.04, with nearly all the CO converted to CO2. The non-combusting plumes exhibit lower temperatures of ˜1000 K, areas of ˜5 m2, soot emissivity of greater than 0.38 and CO as the primary product. Maximum fit residual relative to peak intensity are 14% and 8.9% for combusting and non-combusting plumes, respectively. The model was generalized to account for turbulence-induced variations in the muzzle plumes. Distributions of temperature and concentration in 1-2 spatial regions demonstrate a reduction in maximum residuals by 40%. A two-region model of combusting plumes provides a plausible interpretation as a ˜1550 K, optically thick plume core and ˜2550 K, thin, surface-layer flame-front. Temperature rate of change was used to characterize timescales and energy release for plume emissions. Heat of combustion was estimated to be ˜5 MJ/kg.

Formation of most of our coal brought Earth close to global glaciation

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The bulk of Earth’s coal deposits used as fossil fuel today was formed from plant debris during the late Carboniferous and early Permian periods. The high burial rate of organic carbon correlates with a significant drawdown of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) at that time. A recent analysis of a high-resolution record reveals large orbitally driven variations in atmospheric CO2 concentration between ∼150 and 700 ppm for the latest Carboniferous and very low values of 100 ± 80 ppm for the earliest Permian. Here, I explore the sensitivity of the climate around the Carboniferous/Permian boundary to changes in Earth’s orbital parameters and in atmospheric CO2 using a coupled climate model. The coldest orbital configurations are characterized by large axial tilt and small eccentricities of Earth’s elliptical orbit, whereas the warmest configuration occurs at minimum tilt, maximum eccentricity, and a perihelion passage during Northern hemisphere spring. Global glaciation occurs at CO2 concentrations <40 ppm, suggesting a rather narrow escape from a fully glaciated Snowball Earth state given the low levels and large fluctuations of atmospheric CO2. These findings highlight the importance of orbital cycles for the climate and carbon cycle during the late Paleozoic ice age and the climatic significance of the fossil carbon stored in Earth’s coal deposits. PMID:29073052

Effects of suspension of air-conditioning on airtight-type racks.

PubMed

Kanzaki, M; Fujieda, M; Furukawa, T

2001-10-01

Although isolation racks are superior to open-type racks in terms of securing breeding conditions for laboratory animals, the contingency-proofing capability of the former has yet to be determined. Therefore, from the view of risk management, we studied the environmental change in isolation racks by forcibly suspending ventilation and air-conditioning and confirming the maximal time length for complete recovery to the original condition after restarting their operations. The isolation racks were placed in a room that was equipped with an independent air-conditioning system. When the inside condition of the racks reached 22-24 degrees C and 59-64% of relative humidity, the air-conditioning and ventilation were forcibly suspended and the subsequent temperature, relative humidity, ammonium and CO2 concentrations in the racks were measured over time. We found that after suspending the air-conditioning and ventilation, it took 40-60 min for temperature, and about 10 min for relative humidity to exceed the maximum values (temperature and relative humidity) referred to in the Showa 58 Nenban Guideline Jikken Doubutsu Shisetsu no Kenchiku oyobi Setsubi (Guidelines of buildings and facilities for experimental animals in Japan; Year 1983 edition). After 17 hr 25 min of the suspension of air-conditioning and ventilation, two rats were found dead. Then, the air-conditioning and ventilation were restarted. It took about 2 hr for temperature, and 50 min for relative humidity to regain the guideline values. The ammonium concentration stayed within the guideline value with a maximum concentration of 2 ppm in the experimental period, whereas the CO2 concentration was found to exceed 9% at the time of animal death.

Pseudorandom Noise Code-Based Technique for Thin Cloud Discrimination with CO2 and O2 Absorption Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Joel F.; Prasad, Narasimha S.; Flood, Michael A.

2011-01-01

NASA Langley Research Center is working on a continuous wave (CW) laser based remote sensing scheme for the detection of CO2 and O2 from space based platforms suitable for ACTIVE SENSING OF CO2 EMISSIONS OVER NIGHTS, DAYS, AND SEASONS (ASCENDS) mission. ASCENDS is a future space-based mission to determine the global distribution of sources and sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). A unique, multi-frequency, intensity modulated CW (IMCW) laser absorption spectrometer (LAS) operating at 1.57 micron for CO2 sensing has been developed. Effective aerosol and cloud discrimination techniques are being investigated in order to determine concentration values with accuracies less than 0.3%. In this paper, we discuss the demonstration of a pseudo noise (PN) code based technique for cloud and aerosol discrimination applications. The possibility of using maximum length (ML)-sequences for range and absorption measurements is investigated. A simple model for accomplishing this objective is formulated, Proof-of-concept experiments carried out using SONAR based LIDAR simulator that was built using simple audio hardware provided promising results for extension into optical wavelengths.

Bioelectrochemical conversion of CO2 to value added product formate using engineered Methylobacterium extorquens.

PubMed

Jang, Jungho; Jeon, Byoung Wook; Kim, Yong Hwan

2018-05-08

The conversion of carbon dioxide to formate is a fundamental step for building C1 chemical platforms. Methylobacterium extorquens AM1 was reported to show remarkable activity converting carbon dioxide into formate. Formate dehydrogenase 1 from M. extorquens AM1 (MeFDH1) was verified as the key responsible enzyme for the conversion of carbon dioxide to formate in this study. Using a 2% methanol concentration for induction, microbial harboring the recombinant MeFDH1 expressing plasmid produced the highest concentration of formate (26.6 mM within 21 hours) in electrochemical reactor. 60 μM of sodium tungstate in the culture medium was optimal for the expression of recombinant MeFDH1 and production of formate (25.7 mM within 21 hours). The recombinant MeFDH1 expressing cells showed maximum formate productivity of 2.53 mM/g-wet cell/hr, which was 2.5 times greater than that of wild type. Thus, M. extorquens AM1 was successfully engineered by expressing MeFDH1 as recombinant enzyme to elevate the production of formate from CO 2 after elucidating key responsible enzyme for the conversion of CO 2 to formate.

Personal Air Pollution Exposure Monitoring using Low Cost Sensors in Chennai City

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reddy Yasa, Pavan; Shiva, Nagendra S. N.

2016-04-01

Air quality in many cities is deteriorating due to rapid urbanization and motorization. In the past, most of the health impacts studies in the urban areas have considered stationary air quality monitoring station data for health impact assessment. Since, there exist a spatial and temporal variation of air quality because of rapid change in land use pattern and complex interaction between emission sources and meteorological conditions, the human exposure assessment using stationary data may not provide realistic information. In such cases low cost sensors monitoring is viable in providing both spatial and temporal variations of air pollutant concentrations. In the present study an attempt has been made to use low cost sensor for monitoring the personal exposure to the two criteria pollutants CO and PM2.5 at 3 different locations of Chennai city. Maximum and minimum concentrations of CO and PM2.5 were found to be 5.4ppm, 0.8ppm and 534.8μg/m3, 1.9μg/m3 respectively. Results showed high concentrations near the intersection and low concentrations in the straight road.

Determination of volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient of carbon monoxide in a batch cultivation system using kinetic simulations.

PubMed

Jang, Nulee; Yasin, Muhammad; Park, Shinyoung; Lovitt, Robert W; Chang, In Seop

2017-09-01

A mathematical model of microbial kinetics was introduced to predict the overall volumetric gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient (k L a) of carbon monoxide (CO) in a batch cultivation system. The cell concentration (X), acetate concentration (C ace ), headspace gas (N co and [Formula: see text] ), dissolved CO concentration in the fermentation medium (C co ), and mass transfer rate (R) were simulated using a variety of k L a values. The simulated results showed excellent agreement with the experimental data for a k L a of 13/hr. The C co values decreased with increase in cultivation times, whereas the maximum mass transfer rate was achieved at the mid-log phase due to vigorous microbial CO consumption rate higher than R. The model suggested in this study may be applied to a variety of microbial systems involving gaseous substrates. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PM2.5 and Black carbon enhancement at Socheongcho Ocean Research Station in the Yellow Sea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jeon, H.; Rhee, H.; Lee, M.; JinYong, J.; Min, I.; Shim, J.

2017-12-01

Socheongcho Ocean Research Station (SORS) has been established in northern Yellow Sea by the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST). At SORS, PM2.5 and Black carbon (BC) were measured every 10 minutes during October 2014 June 2017 using beta-ray absorption method (FH62C14, Thermo. Inc, USA) and Multi Angle Absorption Photometer (MAAP; Model 5012, Thermo. Inc, USA), respectively. In addition, CO, CO2 and CH4 were determined by Cavity Ring Down Spectroscopy (CRDS; Model G2401, Picarro. Inc, USA). Measurements were intermittently interrupted for SORS maintenance reasons. For BC and PM2.5, the mean, 90th %tile and maximum concentrations were 1.16, 2.29, and 20.07 ug/m3 and 25, 48, and 177 ug/m3, respectively. There was no clear diurnal variation observed for both species. PM2.5 and BC concentrations were higher in cold seasons than in warm seasons. The highest PM2.5 and BC concentrations (>99th %tile) were more frequently observed in winter. Particularly, the extremely high BC were sporadically observed and lasted for no longer than 1 hour. The possible sources of PM2.5 and BC were examined using Conditional Probability Function (CPF), Potential Source Contribution (PSCF), and Concentration Weighted Trajectory (CWT) analysis. The results suggest the dominant influence from China, particularly for high concentrations.

Carbon storage in permafrost and soils of the mammoth tundra-steppe biome: role in the global carbon budget

Treesearch

N.S. Zimov; S.A. Zimov; A.E. Zimova; G.M. Zimova; V.I. Chuprynin; F.S. Chapin

2009-01-01

During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), atmospheric CO2 concentration was 80-100 ppmv lower than in preindustrial times. At that time steppe-tundra was the most extensive biome on Earth. Some authors assume that C storage in that biome was very small, similar to today's deserts, and that the terrestrial carbon (C) reservoir increased at the...

Spatial distribution of heavy metals in soil, water, and vegetables of farms in Sanandaj, Kurdistan, Iran.

PubMed

Maleki, Afshin; Amini, Hassan; Nazmara, Shahrokh; Zandi, Shiva; Mahvi, Amir Hossein

2014-01-01

Heavy metals are ubiquitous elsewhere in nature and their measurement in environment is necessary to develop health management strategies. In this study, we aimed to find out concentrations and spatial patterns of heavy metals in main farms of Sanandaj in Kurdistan, Iran. Over May to October 2012, six farms were selected to analyze concentrations and spatial patterns of several heavy metals, namely aluminum (Al), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in their soil, irrigation water, and edible vegetables. Overall, 36 samples of soil and water and 72 samples of vegetables including coriander (Coriandrum sativum), dill (Anethum graveolens), radish (Raphanus sativus) root and radish leaf were collected. The concentrations of metals were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The spatial surfaces of heavy metals were created using geospatial information system. The order of metals in soil was Al > Zn > Ni > Cu > Cr > Pb > Co > As > Cd while in water it was Cr > Co > Zn > Pb > Cu > Ni > Al = As = Cd. The order of heavy metals in vegetables was Al > Zn > Cu > Cr > Ni > Pb > Co > As > Cd. Totally, the minimum concentrations of Al, Cu, Pb, and Zn were found in radish root while the maximum of Al, Co, Cr, and Ni were found in radish leaf. The minimum concentrations of Cd and Cr and maximum concentrations of Cu and Zn were also deciphered in dill. Noteworthy, coriander had the minimum concentrations of Co and Ni. The concentrations of Cr and Pb in vegetables were more than maximum allowable limits of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). In summary, albeit the concentrations of heavy metals in soil and water samples were below FAO and the WHO standards, vegetables were contaminated by chromium and lead.

Sensitivity of ambient dose equivalent to the concentration of cobalt impurity present in stainless steel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shetty, N.; Olsovcova, V.; Versaci, R.

2018-06-01

Stainless steels contain nickel in large amounts (about 8 %) to improve its corrosion and heat resistance. Traces of cobalt are present in nickel, which are hard to separate because of its chemical similarity. Therefore, cobalt content in steel is restricted to a maximum of 2 parts per mille for applications in nuclear industry, as natural cobalt (composed of 100% Co-59) transmutes into highly radioactive Co-60 by absorbing a thermal neutron. Co-60 has a rather long half-life of 5.3 years decaying to stable Ni-60 by emitting 2 gammas of 1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV during the process. These hard gammas will be mostly responsible for the dose rates seen in the next few tens of years. Therefore, it is important to consider the activation of cobalt in steel and estimate the dose contributed by it. Monte Carlo simulations are performed where stainless steel samples with different cobalt concentrations are irradiated with thermal and epithermal neutrons. The ambient dose equivalent, H*(10), from irradiated samples is found to be linearly proportional to the concentration of cobalt. This paper explains the motivation, the procedure, and the detailed results of the simulations.

1073 K (800 °C) Isothermal Section of the Co-Al-V System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liao, Guangjing; Yin, Fucheng; Liu, Ye; Zhao, Manxiu

2017-08-01

The isothermal section of the Co-Al-V ternary system at 1073 K (800 °C) has been determined by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Thirteen three-phase regions have been confirmed experimentally. A new ternary compound named `T' phase (Al2CoV) is found in this study which possesses a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure with a lattice parameter of 11.7224 Å. The T phase can be in equilibrium with Al3V, Al8V5, α-V, Al5Co2, and AlCo. The maximum solubility of Al in Co3V, σ-CoV, and CoV3 is 5.6, 6.3, and 4 at. pct, respectively. The maximum solubility of Co in Al3V, Al8V5, and α-V is 1.1, 2.5, and 24.9 at. pct, respectively. The maximum solubility of V in Al9Co2, Al13Co4, Al3Co, Al5Co2, AlCo, and α-Co is 0.3, 0.2, 0.1, 2.1, 35.0, and 16.4 at. pct, respectively.

Leaf Magnesium Alters Photosynthetic Response to Low Water Potentials in Sunflower 1

PubMed Central

Rao, I. Madhusudana; Sharp, Robert E.; Boyer, John S.

1987-01-01

We grew sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants in nutrient solutions having nutritionally adequate but low or high Mg2+ concentrations and determined whether photosynthesis was effected as leaf water potentials (ψw) decreased. Leaf Mg contents were 3- to 4-fold higher in the plants grown in high Mg2+ concentrations (10 millimolar) than in those grown in low concentrations (0.25 millimolar). These contents were sufficient to support maximum growth, plant dry weight, and photosynthesis, and the plants appeared normal. As low ψw developed, photosynthesis was inhibited but moreso in high Mg leaves than in low Mg leaves. The effect was particularly apparent under conditions of light- and CO2-saturation, indicating that the chloroplast capacity to fix CO2 was altered. The differential inhibition observed in leaves of differing Mg contents was not observed in leaves having differing K contents, suggesting that the effect may have been specific for Mg. Because Mg2+ inhibits photophosphorylation and coupling factor activities at concentrations likely to occur as leaves dehydrate, Mg may play a role in the inhibition of chloroplast reactions at low ψw, especially in leaves such as sunflower that markedly decrease in water content as ψw decreases. Images Fig. 2 Fig. 6 PMID:16665587

Changes in the biological activity of heavy metal- and oil-polluted soils in urban recreation territories

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trifonova, T. A.; Zabelina, O. N.

2017-04-01

Urban recreation areas of different sizes were investigated in the city of Vladimir. The degree of their contamination with heavy metals and oil products was revealed. The content of heavy metals exceeded their maximum permissible concentrations by more than 2.5 times. The total content of heavy metals decreased in the sequence: Zn > Pb > Co > Mn > Cr > Ni. The mass fraction of oil products in the studied soils varied within the range of 0.016-0.28 mg/g. The reaction of soils in public gardens and a boulevard was neutral or close to neutral; in some soil samples, it was weakly alkaline. The top layer of all the soils significantly differed from the lower one by the higher alkalinity promoting the deposition of heavy metals there. As the content of Ni, Co, and Mn increased and exceeded the background concentrations, but did not reach the three-fold value of the maximum permissible concentrations, the activity of catalase was intensified. The stimulating effect of nickel on the catalase activity was mostly pronounced at the neutral soil reaction. The urease activity increased when heavy metals and oil products were present together in the concentrations above the background ones, but not higher than the three-fold maximal permissible concentrations for heavy metals and 0.3 mg/g for the content of oil products. The nitrifying activity was inhibited by oil hydrocarbons that were recorded in the soils in different amounts.

Effect of canagliflozin on the pharmacokinetics of glyburide, metformin, and simvastatin in healthy participants.

PubMed

Devineni, Damayanthi; Manitpisitkul, Prasarn; Murphy, Joseph; Skee, Donna; Wajs, Ewa; Mamidi, Rao N V S; Tian, Hong; Vandebosch, An; Wang, Shean-Sheng; Verhaeghe, Tom; Stieltjes, Hans; Usiskin, Keith

2015-01-01

Drug-drug interactions between canagliflozin, a sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor, and glyburide, metformin, and simvastatin were evaluated in three phase-1 studies in healthy participants. In these open-label, fixed sequence studies, participants received: Study 1-glyburide 1.25 mg/day (Day 1), canagliflozin 200 mg/day (Days 4-8), canagliflozin with glyburide (Day 9); Study 2-metformin 2,000 mg/day (Day 1), canagliflozin 300 mg/day (Days 4-7), metformin with canagliflozin (Day 8); Study 3-simvastatin 40 mg/day (Day 1), canagliflozin 300 mg/day (Days 2-6), simvastatin with canagliflozin (Day 7). Pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed at prespecified intervals. Co-administration of canagliflozin and glyburide did not affect the overall exposure (maximum plasma concentration [Cmax ] and area under the plasma concentration-time curve [AUC]) of glyburide and its metabolites (4-trans-hydroxy-glyburide and 3-cis-hydroxy-glyburide). Canagliflozin did not affect the peak concentration of metformin; however, AUC increased by 20%. Though Cmax and AUC were slightly increased for simvastatin (9% and 12%) and simvastatin acid (26% and 18%) following coadministration with canagliflozin, compared with simvastatin administration alone; however, no effect on active 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitory activity was observed. There were no serious adverse events or hypoglycemic episodes. No drug-drug interactions were observed between canagliflozin and glyburide, metformin, or simvastatin. All treatments were well-tolerated in healthy participants. © 2014, The American College of Clinical Pharmacology.

[Low flow anaesthesia with isoflurane and sevoflurane in the dog].

PubMed

Kramer, Sabine; Alyakine, Hassan; Nolte, Ingo

2008-01-01

The aim of the present study was to compare the safety and efficacy of sevoflurane and isoflurane during low flow anaesthesia (fresh gas flow (FGF) 14 ml/kg/min) as well as to compare the consumption of both anaesthetics. Data were gathered from 60 dogs assigned for surgery under general anaesthesia with an expected duration of 75 minutes or longer. All dogs were induced with 0.6 mg/kg (maximum 25 mg) l-methadone and 1 mg/kg (maximum 25 mg) diazepam i.v.. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane (group 1) or sevoflurane (group 2) in a mixture with 50% O2 and 50% N2O as carrier gases, under controlled ventilation. Monitoring included electrocardiogram, body temperature, the temperature of in- and exspired gases, arterial oxygen saturation, arterial blood pressure as well as a continuous monitoring of inhaled and exhaled gas concentrations (O2, N2O, CO2, isoflurane, sevoflurane). The consumption of isoflurane and sevoflurane as well as the dogs' recovery times were evaluated for both groups. In all groups the inspired oxygen concentrations ranged above the minimum value of 30 Vol% during low flow anaesthesia, with an arterial oxygen saturation above 97%. End tidal concentration of CO2, heart rate and arterial blood pressure were within the physiological ranges and showed no differences between the two groups. Recovery time was significantly shorter after sevoflurane compared to isoflurane anaesthesia, whilst the consumption of sevoflurane was higher than that of isoflurane. Sevoflurane appears to be as clinically safe as isoflurane in low flow anaesthesia. Even considering that sevoflurane is more expensive than isoflurane, the use of the low flow technique decreases the cost of anaesthesia due to the reduced volatile anaesthetic consumption.

[Low flow anaesthesia with isoflurane in the dog].

PubMed

Kramer, Sabine; Alyakine, Hassan; Nolte, Ingo

2005-01-01

The aim of the present study was to compare the safety of two low flow (LF) regimes [fresh gas flow (FGF) 20 ml/kg/min (group 2) and 14 ml/kg/min (group 3)] with the high flow (HF) technique (FGF 50 ml/kg/min; group 1) of isoflurane anaesthesia. Data were gathered from ninety dogs assigned for surgery under general anaesthesia with an expected duration of 75 minutes or longer. All dogs had an anaesthetic induction with 0,6 mg/kg I-methadone (maximum 25 mg) and 1 mg/kg diazepam (maximum 25 mg) i.v. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in a mixture of 50% O2 and 50% N2O as carrier gases, with controlled ventilation. The Monitoring included electrocardiogramm, body temperature, the temperature of in- and exspired gases, arterial oxygen saturation, arterial blood pressure as well as a continuous monitoring of inhaled and exhaled gas concentrations (O2, N2O, CO2, isoflurane). The consumption of isoflurane and carrier gases as well as the recovery times were evaluated for the three groups. The inspired oxygen concentrations always ranged above the minimum value of 30 Vol.-% during low flow anaesthesia. The arterial oxygen saturation ranged between 92-98%, the end tidal concentration of CO2 between 35 and 45 mmHg. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were within normal limits. Recovery time was significantly shorter after LF than after HF anaesthesia. The highest decrease in body temperature occurred in the HF group 1 because of a significantly lower anaesthetic gas temperature. Despite this, LF anaesthesia resulted in a reduced consumption of carrier gases and volatiles. In conclusion, low flow anaesthesia with isoflurane is a safe technique and offers substantial economic advantages over high flow techniques and is moreover better tolerated by the patients.

Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Sacubitril/Valsartan (LCZ696): A Novel Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor.

PubMed

Ayalasomayajula, Surya; Langenickel, Thomas; Pal, Parasar; Boggarapu, Sreedevi; Sunkara, Gangadhar

2017-12-01

Sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) is indicated for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Absorption of sacubitril/valsartan and conversion of sacubitril (prodrug) to sacubitrilat (neprilysin inhibitor) was rapid with maximum plasma concentrations of sacubitril, sacubitrilat, and valsartan (angiotensin receptor blocker) reaching within 0.5, 1.5-2.0, and 2.0-3.0 h, respectively. With a two-fold increase in dose, an increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve was proportional for sacubitril, ~1.9-fold for sacubitrilat, and ~1.7-fold for valsartan in healthy subjects. Following multiple twice-daily administration, steady-state maximum plasma concentration was reached within 3 days, showing no accumulation for sacubitril and valsartan, while ~1.6-fold accumulation for sacubitrilat. Sacubitril is eliminated predominantly as sacubitrilat through the kidney; valsartan is eliminated mainly by biliary route. Drug-drug interactions of sacubitril/valsartan were evaluated with medications commonly used in patients with heart failure including furosemide, warfarin, digoxin, carvedilol, levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol combination, amlodipine, omeprazole, hydrochlorothiazide, intravenous nitrates, metformin, statins, and sildenafil. Co-administration with sacubitril/valsartan increased the maximum plasma concentration (~2.0-fold) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (1.3-fold) of atorvastatin; however, it did not affect the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin. Age, sex, or ethnicity did not affect the pharmacokinetics of sacubitril/valsartan. In patients with heart failure vs. healthy subjects, area under the plasma concentration-time curves of sacubitril, sacubitrilat, and valsartan were higher by approximately 1.6-, 2.1-, and 2.3-fold, respectively. Renal impairment had no significant impact on sacubitril and valsartan area under the plasma concentration-time curves, while the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of sacubitrilat correlated with degree of renal function (1.3-, 2.3-, 2.9-, and 3.3-fold with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment, and end-stage renal disease, respectively). Moderate hepatic impairment increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curves of valsartan and sacubitrilat ~2.1-fold.

Erratum to: Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Sacubitril/Valsartan (LCZ696): A Novel Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitor.

PubMed

Ayalasomayajula, Surya; Langenickel, Thomas; Pal, Parasar; Boggarapu, Sreedevi; Sunkara, Gangadhar

2018-01-01

Sacubitril/valsartan (LCZ696) is indicated for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Absorption of sacubitril/valsartan and conversion of sacubitril (prodrug) to sacubitrilat (neprilysin inhibitor) was rapid with maximum plasma concentrations of sacubitril, sacubitrilat, and valsartan (angiotensin receptor blocker) reaching within 0.5, 1.5-2.0, and 2.0-3.0 h, respectively. With a twofold increase in dose, an increase in the area under the plasma concentration-time curve was proportional for sacubitril, ~1.9-fold for sacubitrilat, and ~1.7-fold for valsartan in healthy subjects. Following multiple twice-daily administration, steady-state maximum plasma concentration was reached within 3 days, showing no accumulation for sacubitril and valsartan, while ~1.6-fold accumulation for sacubitrilat. Sacubitril is eliminated predominantly as sacubitrilat through the kidney; valsartan is eliminated mainly by biliary route. Drug-drug interactions of sacubitril/valsartan were evaluated with medications commonly used in patients with heart failure including furosemide, warfarin, digoxin, carvedilol, levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol combination, amlodipine, omeprazole, hydrochlorothiazide, intravenous nitrates, metformin, statins, and sildenafil. Co-administration with sacubitril/valsartan increased the maximum plasma concentration (~2.0-fold) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (1.3-fold) of atorvastatin; however, it did not affect the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin. Age, sex, or ethnicity did not affect the pharmacokinetics of sacubitril/valsartan. In patients with heart failure vs. healthy subjects, area under the plasma concentration-time curves of sacubitril, sacubitrilat, and valsartan were higher by approximately 1.6-, 2.1-, and 2.3-fold, respectively. Renal impairment had no significant impact on sacubitril and valsartan area under the plasma concentration-time curves, while the area under the plasma concentration-time curve of sacubitrilat correlated with degree of renal function (1.3-, 2.3-, 2.9-, and 3.3-fold with mild, moderate, and severe renal impairment, and end-stage renal disease, respectively). Moderate hepatic impairment increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curves of valsartan and sacubitrilat ~2.1-fold.

Studies on utilization of treated stack gas. II. Growth of water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) in carbon dioxide-rich atmospheres

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Martin, D.F.; Hewes, K.A.

1984-01-01

Water hyacinths survive atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations ranging from ambient to 15% (v/v). The optimum growth during a one-week period with continuous laboratory lighting (200 ..mu..Es/m/sup 2//sec) appeared to be about 10%. Under these conditions, the equation defining inorganic carbon fixed as a function of the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide indicated a maximum of about 75% of available carbon was fixed over the range 1-10% CO/sub 2/. Under a typical light cycle, the percent fixed was reduced to about 60%. The implications of the results are considered.

Micrometeorological measurements of CH4 and CO2 exchange between the atmosphere and subarctic tundra

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fan, S. M.; Wofsy, S. C.; Bakwin, P. S.; Jacob, D. J.; Anderson, S. M.; Kebabian, P. L.; Mcmanus, J. B.; Kolb, C. E.; Fitzjarrald, D. R.

1992-01-01

Eddy correlation flux measurements and concentration profiles of total hydrocarbons (THC) and CO2 were combined to provide a comprehensive record of atmosphere-biosphere exchange for these gases over a 30-day period in July-August 1988 in the Yukon-Kuskokwin River Delta of Alaska. Over 90 percent of net ecosystem exchanges of THC were due to methane. Lakes and wet meadow tundra provided the major sources of methane. The average fluxes from lake, dry tundra, and wet tundra were 11 +/- 3, 29 +/- 3, and 57 +/- 6 mg CH4/sq m/d, respectively. The mean remission rate for the site was 25 mg/sq m/d. Maximum uptake of CO2 by the tundra was 1.4 gC/sq m/d between 1000 and 1500 hrs, and nocturnal respiration averaged 0.73 gC/sq m/d. Net uptake of CO2 was 0.30 gC/sq m/d for the 30 days of measurement; methane flux accounted for 6 percent of CO2 net uptake.

Efficacy of pharmacokinetic interactions between piperonyl butoxide and albendazole against gastrointestinal nematodiasis in goats.

PubMed

Kumbhakar, N K; Sanyal, P K; Rawte, D; Kumar, D; Kerketta, A E; Pal, S

2016-09-01

To test the hypothesis that modulation of hepatic microsomal sulphoxidation and sulphonation by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor piperonyl butoxide could increase bioavailability of albendazole, the present study was undertaken to understand the pharmacokinetics of albendazole in goats at a dose of 7.5 mg kg- 1 body weight with and without co-administration with piperonyl butoxide at 63.0 mg kg- 1 body weight. Plasma albendazole sulphoxide metabolite, the anthelmintically active moiety, reached its maximum concentration of 0.322 ± 0.045 μg ml- 1 and 0.384 ± 0.013 μg ml- 1 at 18 h and 24 h after administration of albendazole alone and co-administration of albendazole with piperonyl butoxide, respectively. Analysis of the data revealed statistically increased albendazole sulphoxide levels at 24 (P 0.05) in values of maximum concentration (normal and calculated) could be observed between groups of goats. However, values of time to reach the concentration maximum (normal and calculated), area under the concentration-time curve (0-∞ and calculated), minimum residence time, distribution half-life, elimination half-life and total area under the first movement of plasma drug concentration-time curve were significantly higher (P <  0.05) in plasma levels of albendazole sulphoxide in goats following single oral co-administration of albendazole with piperonyl butoxide. The faecal egg count reduction and lower 95% confidence limit for the group treated with albendazole alone were 97 and 68%, while for co-administration of albendazole and piperonyl butoxide the values were 99 and 97%, respectively. The ED50 for egg hatch was 0.196, indicating suspected resistance to benzimidazole anthelmintics. The drug combination proved efficacious against an albendazole-resistant nematode parasite population in goats.

Leaf magnesium alters photosynthetic response of low water potentials in sunflower

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rao, I.M.; Sharp, R.E.; Boyer, J.S.

1987-08-01

We grew sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) plants in nutrient solutions having nutritionally adequate but low or high Mg{sup 2+} concentrations and determined whether photosynthesis was effected as leaf water potentials ({psi}{sub w}) decreased. Leaf Mg contents were 3- to 4-fold higher in the plants grown in high Mg{sup 2+} concentrations (10 millimolar) than in those grown in low concentrations (0.25 millimolar). These contents were sufficient to support maximum growth, plant dry weight, and photosynthesis, and the plants appeared normal. As low {psi}{sub w} developed, photosynthesis was inhibited but more so in high Mg leaves than in low Mg leaves. Themore » effect was particularly apparent under conditions of light- and CO{sub 2}-saturation, indicating that the chloroplast capacity to fix CO{sub 2} was altered. The differential inhibition observed in leaves of differing Mg contents was not observed in leaves having differing K contents, suggesting that the effect may have been specific for Mg. Because Mg{sup 2+} inhibits photophosphorylation and coupling factor activities at concentrations likely to occur as leaves dehydrate, Mg may play a role in the inhibition of chloroplast reactions at low {psi}{sub w}, especially in leaves such as sunflower that markedly decrease in water content as {psi}{sub w} decreases.« less

Microstructure and antioxidative capacity of the microalgae mutant Chlorella PY-ZU1 during tilmicosin removal from wastewater under 15% CO2.

PubMed

Cheng, Jun; Ye, Qing; Yang, Zongbo; Yang, Weijuan; Zhou, Junhu; Cen, Kefa

2017-02-15

The response mechanisms of microalgal mutant Chlorella PY-ZU1 cells were investigated in their removal of antibiotic tilmicosin from wastewater under 15% CO 2 . Low concentrations (0.01-2mgL -1 ) of tilmicosin in wastewater stimulated the growth of microalgal cells, whereas high concentrations (5-50mgL -1 ) of tilmicosin significantly inhibited cell growth. When initial tilmicosin concentration increased from 0 to 50mgL -1 , fractal dimension of microalgal cells monotonically increased from 1.36 to 1.62 and cell size monotonically decreased from 4.86 to 3.75μm. In parallel, malondialdehyde content, which represented the degree of cellular oxidative damage, monotonically increased from 1.92×10 -7 to 7.07×10 -7 nmol cell -1 . Superoxide dismutase activity that represented cellular antioxidant capacity first increased from 2.59×10 -4 to the peak of 6.60×10 -4 U cell -1 , then gradually decreased to 2.39×10 -4 U cell -1 . The maximum tilmicosin removal efficiency of 99.8% by Chlorella PY-ZU1 was obtained at the initial tilmicosin concentration of 50mgL -1 . Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Air-sea CO2 flux pattern along the southern Bay of Bengal waters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shanthi, R.; Poornima, D.; Naveen, M.; Thangaradjou, T.; Choudhury, S. B.; Rao, K. H.; Dadhwal, V. K.

2016-12-01

Physico-chemical observations made from January 2013 to March 2015 in coastal waters of the southwest Bay of Bengal show pronounced seasonal variation in physico-chemical parameters including total alkalinity (TA: 1927.390-4088.642 μmol kg-1), chlorophyll (0.13-19.41 μg l-1) and also calculated dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC: 1574.219-3790.954 μmol kg-1), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2: 155.520-1488.607 μatm) and air-sea CO2 flux (FCO2: -4.808 to 11.255 mmol Cm-2 d-1). Most of the physical parameters are at their maximum during summer due to the increased solar radiation at cloud free conditions, less or no riverine inputs, and lack of vertical mixing of water column which leads to the lowest nutrients concentration, dissolved oxygen (DO), biological production, pCO2 and negative flux of CO2 to the atmosphere. Chlorophyll and DO concentrations enhanced due to increased nutrients during premonsoon and monsoon season due to the vertical mixing of water column driven by the strong winds and external inputs at respective seasons. The constant positive loading of nutrients, TA, DIC, chlorophyll, pCO2 and FCO2 against atmospheric temperature (AT), lux, sea surface temperature (SST), pH and salinity observed in principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that physical and biological parameters play vital role in the seasonal distribution of pCO2 along the southwest Bay of Bengal. The annual variability of CO2 flux clearly depicted that the southwest Bay of Bengal switch from sink (2013) to source status in the recent years (2014 and 2015) and it act as significant source of CO2 to the atmosphere with a mean flux of 0.204 ± 1.449 mmol Cm-2 d-1.

Influence of regional-scale anthropogenic activity in northeast Asia on seasonal variations of surface ozone and carbon monoxide observed at Oki, Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pochanart, Pakpong; Hirokawa, Jun; Kajii, Yoshizumi; Akimoto, Hajime; Nakao, Makoto

1999-02-01

Surface O3 and CO measurements were carried out at Oki, Japan during March 1994 to February 1996 in order to elucidate the processes determining temporal variations of O3 and CO in the northeast Asian Pacific rim region. The isentropic trajectory analysis was applied to sort out the influences of the air mass exchange under the Asian monsoon system and the regional-scale photochemical buildup of O3. The trajectories were categorized into five groups which cover background and regionally polluted air masses. The seasonal cycles of O3 and CO in the background continental air mass revealed spring maximum-summer minimum with averaged concentrations ranging from 32 and 120 ppb to 45 and 208 ppb, respectively. In contrast, O3 concentrations in the regionally polluted continental air mass ranged from 44 to 57 ppb and showed a winter minimum and a spring-summer-autumn broad maximum, which was characterized by photochemical O3 production due to anthropogenic activities in northeast Asia. CO concentrations in the same air mass showed a spring maximum of 271 ppb and a summer-autumn minimum of 180 ppb. The photochemical buildup of O3 resulting from anthropogenic activities in this region was estimated to be 21 ppb in summer, while its production was insignificant, an average 3 ppb, in winter. A comparison between data in northeast Asia and in Europe shows many similarities, supporting the contention that photochemical buildup of O3 from large-scale precursor emissions in both regions is very significant.

Hydrogen peroxide release and acid-base status in exhaled breath condensate at rest and after maximal exercise in young, healthy subjects.

PubMed

Marek, E; Platen, P; Volke, J; Mückenhoff, K; Marek, W

2009-12-07

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) contains among a large number of mediators hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a marker of airway inflammation and oxidative stress. Similarly EBC pH also changes in respiratory diseases. It was the aim of our investigation to prove if hydrogen peroxide release and changes in pH of EBC changes with exercise. EBC was collected from 100 litres exhaled air along with samples of arterialized blood of 16 healthy subjects (9 males, 7 females, age 23 +/- 1 years). EBC hydrogen peroxide was analyzed with EcoCheck amperometer (FILT, Berlin). The rate of H(2)O(2) release was calculated from the concentration and collection time. pH and PCO(2) in blood and in EBC were measured with the Radiometer blood gas analyzer, EBC was equilibrated with a gas mixture (5% CO(2) in O(2)). The bicarbonate concentration was calculated according to the law of mass action for CO(2) and HCO(3)(-) (pK = 6.1). H(2)O(2) concentration in EBC was 190 +/- 109 nmol/l, and H (2)O(2) release at rest was 31.0 +/- 18.3 pmol/min. At maximal exercise, the H(2)O(2) concentration in EBC increased to 250 +/- 120 nmol/l, and H(2)O(2) release significantly increased at maximal exercise to 84.4 +/- 39.9 pmol/min (P<0.01). At rest pH of the CO(2) equilibrated EBC was at 6.08 +/- 0.23 and the [HCO(3)(-)] was 1.03 +/- 0.40 mmol/l. At maximum exercise, pH 6.18 +/- 0.17 and [HCO(3)(-)] 1.23 +/- 0.30 mmol/l remained almost unaltered. The rate of H(2)O(2) release in EBC increased during exhausting exercise (external load: 300 Watt) by a factor of 2, whereas the pH and the bicarbonate concentration of the EBC, equilibrated with 5% CO(2) at 37 degrees C were not significantly altered. It has to be proven by further experiments whether there is a linear relationship between the rates of H(2)O(2) release in EBC in graded submaximal exercise.

The influence of agricultural management on soil's CO2 regime in semi-arid and arid regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eshel, G.; Lifshithz, D.; Sternberg, M.; Ben-Dor, E.; Bonfile, D. J.; Arad, B.; Mingelgrin, U.; Fine, P.; Levy, G. J.

2008-12-01

Two of the more important parameters which may help us better evaluate the impact of agricultural practices on the global carbon cycle are the in-situ soil pCO2 profile and the corresponding CO2 fluxes to the atmosphere. In an ongoing study, we monitored the pCO2 to a depth of 5 m in two adjacent irrigated Avocado orchards in the coastal plain of Israel (semi-arid region), and to a depth of 2 m in a semi- arid rain-fed and a arid rain-fed wheat fields in southern Israel. The soil pCO2 profiles and CO2 fluxes measurements were supplemented by measurements of soil moisture and temperature. The results showed differences in the CO2 profiles (both in the depth of the highest concentration and its absolute values) and the CO2 fluxes between the orchards and the wheat fields as well as along the year. In the irrigated Avocado orchards pCO2 values were in the range of 1.5 kPa at a depth of 0.5 m up to 8 kPa at depths of 3-5 m (even though Avocado trees are characterized by shallow roots). Such levels could affect reactions (e.g., enhancement of inorganic carbon dissolution) that may take place in the soil and some of its chemical properties (e.g., pH). As expected, soil pCO2 was affected by soil moisture and temperature, and the distance from the trees. Maximum soil respiration was observed during the summer when the orchards are under irrigation. In the wheat fields pCO2 level ranged from 0.2- 0.6 kPa at a depth of 0.2 m to 0.2-1 kPa at depths of 1-1.5 m (in arid and semiarid respectively). These pCO2 levels were much lower than those obtained in the irrigated orchards and seemed to depend on the wheat growing cycle (high concentration were noted at depth of 1-1.5 m close to the end of grain filling) and precipitation gradient (arid vs. semiarid). Since CO2 fluxes are directly affected by the pCO2 profile and soil moister and temperature the CO2 fluxes from the wheat fields were much lower (0.02- 0.2 ml min-1 m-2) compared to those obtained from the Avocado orchards (2-7 ml min-1 m-2). Our results clearly demonstrate the large variability in soil pCO2 concentration and flux to the atmosphere, and its dependence on the soil moisture regime (annual precipitation and irrigation) and type of cropping (orchard vs. field crop).

Evidence of the Lower Thermospheric Winter-to-Summer Circulation From SABER CO2 Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Liying; Burns, Alan; Yue, Jia

2017-10-01

Numerical studies have shown that there is a lower thermospheric winter-to-summer circulation that is driven by wave dissipation and that it plays a significant role in trace gas distributions in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, and in the composition of the thermosphere. However, the characteristics of this circulation are poorly known. Direct observations of it are difficult, but it leaves clear signatures in tracer distributions. The Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) onboard the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics satellite has obtained CO2 concentration from 2002 to present. This data set, combined with simulations by the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model, provides an unprecedented opportunity to infer the morphology of this circulation in both the summer and winter hemispheres. Our study show that there exists a maximum vertical gradient of CO2 at summer high latitudes, driven by the convergence of the upwelling of the mesospheric circulation and the downwelling of the lower thermospheric circulation; in the winter hemisphere, the maximum vertical gradient of CO2 is located at a higher altitude, driven by the convergence of the upwelling of the lower thermospheric circulation and the downwelling of the solar-driven thermospheric circulation; the bottom of the lower thermospheric circulation is located between 95 km and 100 km, and it has a vertical extent of 10 km. Analysis of the SABER CO2 and temperature at summer high latitudes showed that the bottom of this circulation is consistently higher than the mesopause height by 10 km.

Preparation of Ho3+/Tm3+ Co-doped Lanthanum Tungsten Germanium Tellurite Glass Fiber and Its Laser Performance for 2.0 μm.

PubMed

Zhou, Dechun; Bai, Xuemei; Zhou, Hang

2017-03-17

Ho 3+ /Tm 3+ co-doped 50TeO 2 -25GeO 2 -3WO 3 -5La 2 O 3 -3Nb 2 O 5 -5Li 2 O-9BaF 2 glass fiber is prepared with the rod-tube drawing method of 15 μm core diameter and 125 μm inner cladding diameter applied in the 2.0 μm-infrared laser. The 2.0 μm luminescence properties of the core glass are researched and the fluorescence intensity variation for different Tm 3+ doping concentration is systematically analyzed. The results show that the 2.0 μm luminescence of Ho 3+ is greatly influenced by the doping concentration ratio of Ho 3+ to Tm 3+ and that the maximum fluorescence intensity of the core glass can be obtained and its emission cross section can reach 0.933 × 10 -21  cm 2 when the sensitized proportion of holmium to thulium is 0.3 to 0.7 (mol%). Simultaneously, the maximum phonon energy of the core glass sample is 753 cm -1 , which is significantly lower than that of silicate, gallate and germanate glass and the smaller matrix phonon energy can be conductive to the increase 2.0 μm-band emission intensity. The continuous laser with the maximum laser output power of 0.993 W and 2051 nm -wavelength of 31.9%-slope efficiency is output within the 0.5 m glass fiber and the experiment adopts 1560 nm erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL) as the pump source and the self-built all-fiber laser. Therefore, the glass fiber has excellent laser characteristics and it is suitable for the 2.0 μm-band laser.

Preparation of Ho3+/Tm3+ Co-doped Lanthanum Tungsten Germanium Tellurite Glass Fiber and Its Laser Performance for 2.0 μm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Dechun; Bai, Xuemei; Zhou, Hang

2017-03-01

Ho3+/Tm3+ co-doped 50TeO2-25GeO2-3WO3-5La2O3-3Nb2O5-5Li2O-9BaF2 glass fiber is prepared with the rod-tube drawing method of 15 μm core diameter and 125 μm inner cladding diameter applied in the 2.0 μm-infrared laser. The 2.0 μm luminescence properties of the core glass are researched and the fluorescence intensity variation for different Tm3+ doping concentration is systematically analyzed. The results show that the 2.0 μm luminescence of Ho3+ is greatly influenced by the doping concentration ratio of Ho3+ to Tm3+ and that the maximum fluorescence intensity of the core glass can be obtained and its emission cross section can reach 0.933 × 10-21 cm2 when the sensitized proportion of holmium to thulium is 0.3 to 0.7 (mol%). Simultaneously, the maximum phonon energy of the core glass sample is 753 cm-1, which is significantly lower than that of silicate, gallate and germanate glass and the smaller matrix phonon energy can be conductive to the increase 2.0 μm-band emission intensity. The continuous laser with the maximum laser output power of 0.993 W and 2051 nm -wavelength of 31.9%-slope efficiency is output within the 0.5 m glass fiber and the experiment adopts 1560 nm erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL) as the pump source and the self-built all-fiber laser. Therefore, the glass fiber has excellent laser characteristics and it is suitable for the 2.0 μm-band laser.

Preparation of Ho3+/Tm3+ Co-doped Lanthanum Tungsten Germanium Tellurite Glass Fiber and Its Laser Performance for 2.0 μm

PubMed Central

Zhou, Dechun; Bai, Xuemei; Zhou, Hang

2017-01-01

Ho3+/Tm3+ co-doped 50TeO2-25GeO2-3WO3-5La2O3-3Nb2O5-5Li2O-9BaF2 glass fiber is prepared with the rod-tube drawing method of 15 μm core diameter and 125 μm inner cladding diameter applied in the 2.0 μm-infrared laser. The 2.0 μm luminescence properties of the core glass are researched and the fluorescence intensity variation for different Tm3+ doping concentration is systematically analyzed. The results show that the 2.0 μm luminescence of Ho3+ is greatly influenced by the doping concentration ratio of Ho3+ to Tm3+ and that the maximum fluorescence intensity of the core glass can be obtained and its emission cross section can reach 0.933 × 10−21 cm2 when the sensitized proportion of holmium to thulium is 0.3 to 0.7 (mol%). Simultaneously, the maximum phonon energy of the core glass sample is 753 cm−1, which is significantly lower than that of silicate, gallate and germanate glass and the smaller matrix phonon energy can be conductive to the increase 2.0 μm-band emission intensity. The continuous laser with the maximum laser output power of 0.993 W and 2051 nm -wavelength of 31.9%-slope efficiency is output within the 0.5 m glass fiber and the experiment adopts 1560 nm erbium-doped fiber laser(EDFL) as the pump source and the self-built all-fiber laser. Therefore, the glass fiber has excellent laser characteristics and it is suitable for the 2.0 μm-band laser. PMID:28303946

Improvement in methanol production by regulating the composition of synthetic gas mixture and raw biogas.

PubMed

Patel, Sanjay K S; Mardina, Primata; Kim, Dongwook; Kim, Sang-Yong; Kalia, Vipin C; Kim, In-Won; Lee, Jung-Kul

2016-10-01

Raw biogas can be an alternative feedstock to pure methane (CH4) for methanol production. In this investigation, we evaluated the methanol production potential of Methylosinus sporium from raw biogas originated from an anaerobic digester. Furthermore, the roles of different gases in methanol production were investigated using synthetic gas mixtures of CH4, carbon dioxide (CO2), and hydrogen (H2). Maximum methanol production was 5.13, 4.35, 6.28, 7.16, 0.38, and 0.36mM from raw biogas, CH4:CO2, CH4:H2, CH4:CO2:H2, CO2, and CO2:H2, respectively. Supplementation of H2 into raw biogas increased methanol production up to 3.5-fold. Additionally, covalent immobilization of M. sporium on chitosan resulted in higher methanol production from raw biogas. This study provides a suitable approach to improve methanol production using low cost raw biogas as a feed containing high concentrations of H2S (0.13%). To our knowledge, this is the first report on methanol production from raw biogas, using immobilized cells of methanotrophs. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Seasonal behavior and long-term trends of tropospheric ozone, its precursors and chemical conditions over Iran: A view from space

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Choi, Yunsoo; Souri, Amir Hossein

2015-04-01

To identify spatial and temporal variations over the Iranian region, this study analyzed tropospheric formaldehyde (HCHO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) columns from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), carbon monoxide (CO) columns from the Measurement of Pollution in the Troposphere (MOPITT), and tropospheric column O3 (TCO) from OMI/MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) satellites from 2005 to 2012. The study discovered high levels of HCHO (∼12 × 1015 molec./cm2) from plant isoprene emissions in the air above parts of the northern forest of Iran during the summer and from the oxidation of HCHO precursors emitted from petrochemical industrial facilities and biomass burning in South West Iran. This study showed that maximum NO2 levels (∼18 × 1015 molec./cm2) were concentrated in urban cities, indicating the predominance of anthropogenic sources. The results indicate that maximum concentrations were found in the winter, mainly because of weaker local winds and higher heating fuel consumption, in addition to lower hydroxyl radicals (OH). The high CO concentrations (∼2 × 1018 molec./cm2) in the early spring were inferred to mainly originate from a strong continental air mass from anthropogenic CO "hotspots" including regions around Caspian Sea, Europe, and North America, although the external sources of CO were partly suppressed by the Arabian anticyclone and topographic barriers. Variations in the TCO were seen to peak during the summer (∼40 DU), due to intensive solar radiation and stratospheric sources. This study also examined long-term trends in TCO and its precursors over a period of eight years in five urban cities in Iran. To perform the analysis, we estimated seasonal changes and inter-seasonal variations using least-squares harmonic estimation (LS-HE), which reduced uncertainty in the trend by 5-15%. The results showed significant increases in the levels of HCHO (∼0.08 ± 0.06 × 1015 molec./cm2 yr-1), NO2 (∼0.08 ± 0.02 × 1015 molec./cm2 yr-1), and peak annual TCO (∼0.59 ± 0.56 DU yr-1) but decreases in minimum annual TCO (∼-0.42 ± 0.60 DU yr-1) caused by an increase in NO2 species and annual CO (∼-0.95 ± 0.41 × 1016 molec./cm2 yr-1) partly resulting from the transport of reduced CO. The time series of the HCHO/NO2 column ratio (a proxy for the chemical conditions) indicated that during the last decade, the cities of Tehran, Ahvaz, and Isfahan exhibited steady chemical conditions while Tabriz and Mashhad exhibited a change from NOx-saturated/mixed to more NOx-sensitive chemical conditions.

Role of mitochondrial electron transport complex I in coenzyme Q1 reduction by intact pulmonary arterial endothelial cells and the effect of hyperoxia.

PubMed

Merker, Marilyn P; Audi, Said H; Lindemer, Brian J; Krenz, Gary S; Bongard, Robert D

2007-09-01

The objective was to determine the impact of intact normoxic and hyperoxia-exposed (95% O(2) for 48 h) bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cells in culture on the redox status of the coenzyme Q(10) homolog coenzyme Q(1) (CoQ(1)). When CoQ(1) (50 microM) was incubated with the cells for 30 min, its concentration in the medium decreased over time, reaching a lower level for normoxic than hyperoxia-exposed cells. The decreases in CoQ(1) concentration were associated with generation of CoQ(1) hydroquinone (CoQ(1)H(2)), wherein 3.4 times more CoQ(1)H(2) was produced in the normoxic than hyperoxia-exposed cell medium (8.2 +/- 0.3 and 2.4 +/- 0.4 microM, means +/- SE, respectively) after 30 min. The maximum CoQ(1) reduction rate for the hyperoxia-exposed cells, measured using the cell membrane-impermeant redox indicator potassium ferricyanide, was about one-half that of normoxic cells (11.4 and 24.1 nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) cell protein, respectively). The mitochondrial electron transport complex I inhibitor rotenone decreased the CoQ(1) reduction rate by 85% in the normoxic cells and 44% in the hyperoxia-exposed cells. There was little or no inhibitory effect of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) inhibitors on CoQ(1) reduction. Intact cell oxygen consumption rates and complex I activities in mitochondria-enriched fractions were also lower for hyperoxia-exposed than normoxic cells. The implication is that intact pulmonary endothelial cells influence the redox status of CoQ(1) via complex I-mediated reduction to CoQ(1)H(2), which appears in the extracellular medium, and that the hyperoxic exposure decreases the overall CoQ(1) reduction capacity via a depression in complex I activity.

Seasonal, inter-annual and decadal changes of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) in the Scheldt estuary (Belgium, The Netherlands)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borges, Alberto V.; Middelburg, Jack J. B.; Chou, Lei; Kromkamp, Jacco; Houtekamer, Marco; Harlay, Jérôme

2014-05-01

We carried out monthly cruises to study the seasonal and spatial variations of the partial pressure of carbon dioxide CO2 (pCO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) concentrations in the Scheldt estuary, a strongly human impacted system located in Belgium and the Netherlands. This survey was initiated in 2008 for pCO2, and from 2009 onwards for methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). In the lower estuary, pCO2 strongly decreased and oxygen saturation level (%O2) strongly increased during the spring phytoplankton bloom. In the upper estuary, two yearly maxima of pCO2 coinciding with minima of %O2 occurred in spring and fall due to enhanced nitrification and/or net heterotrophy. In the upper estuary, pCO2 decreased in winter due to lower temperature (affecting solubility and inhibiting biological activity). pCO2 also decreased in summer due to increase in primary production and decrease of net heterotrophy. In the upper estuary, maxima of CH4 were observed in winter due to enhanced river inputs (high discharge) while in the lower estuary higher CH4 was observed in summer. This was probably due to inputs of CH4 from inter-tidal areas at the mouth of estuary that increased in summer due to higher temperatures and higher organic matter availability. N2O also showed higher values during winter in the upper estuary, but in summer N2O was low in the lower estuary due to decreased solubility due to higher temperature. During winter 2009, extremely high N2O values were observed in the upper estuary, up to 3257 nM (23738% saturation). This was related to the problems encountered by the Brussels North waste water treatment plant (WWTP) in late 2009. One of the collectors of the station was shut down in 25 November 2009, and by 8 December 2009, the whole WWTP was shut down and the waste-water was delivered directly to the Rupel. Extremely high N2O values were observed in the upper estuary on 7 December 2009, and abnormally high N2O values (compared to other years) persisted until April 6 2010. The comparison of present day N2O values with historical data obtained in 1993-1997 and 1978 shows a spectacular decrease of N2O levels from maximal values of about 350 nmol L-1 in the 1990's to 50 nmol L-1 in 2009-2012. This decrease reflects the collapse of NH4+ concentrations in the estuary due to the overall improvement of water quality in relation to the implementation of WWTPs, leading to a decrease of nitrification rates. The maximum of N2O concentration in 1978 was located between salinities 10-15, in the 1990's it was located between salinities 2 and 5, and nowadays it is located at salinities < 2.5. This suggests that the maximum of nitrification has migrated upstream in the estuary.

Thermodynamics and kinetics parameters of co-combustion between sewage sludge and water hyacinth in CO2/O2 atmosphere as biomass to solid biofuel.

PubMed

Huang, Limao; Liu, Jingyong; He, Yao; Sun, Shuiyu; Chen, Jiacong; Sun, Jian; Chang, KenLin; Kuo, Jiahong; Ning, Xun'an

2016-10-01

Thermodynamics and kinetics of sewage sludge (SS) and water hyacinth (WH) co-combustion as a blend fuel (SW) for bioenergy production were studied through thermogravimetric analysis. In CO2/O2 atmosphere, the combustion performance of SS added with 10-40wt.% WH was improved 1-1.97 times as revealed by the comprehensive combustion characteristic index (CCI). The conversion of SW in different atmospheres was identified and their thermodynamic parameters (ΔH,ΔS,ΔG) were obtained. As the oxygen concentration increased from 20% to 70%, the ignition temperature of SW decreased from 243.1°C to 240.3°C, and the maximum weight loss rate and CCI increased from 5.70%·min(-1) to 7.26%·min(-1) and from 4.913%(2)·K(-3)·min(-2) to 6.327%(2)·K(-3)·min(-2), respectively, which corresponded to the variation in ΔS and ΔG. The lowest activation energy (Ea) of SW was obtained in CO2/O2=7/3 atmosphere. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

CO2-dependent carbon isotope fractionation in the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wilkes, Elise B.; Carter, Susan J.; Pearson, Ann

2017-09-01

The carbon isotopic composition of marine sedimentary organic matter is used to resolve long-term histories of pCO2 based on studies indicating a CO2-dependence of photosynthetic carbon isotope fractionation (εP). It recently was proposed that the δ13C values of dinoflagellates, as recorded in fossil dinocysts, might be used as a proxy for pCO2. However, significant questions remain regarding carbon isotope fractionation in dinoflagellates and how such fractionation may impact sedimentary records throughout the Phanerozoic. Here we investigate εP as a function of CO2 concentration and growth rate in the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense. Experiments were conducted in nitrate-limited chemostat cultures. Values of εP were measured on cells having growth rates (μ) of 0.14-0.35 d-1 and aqueous carbon dioxide concentrations of 10.2-63 μmol kg-1 and were found to correlate linearly with μ/[CO2(aq)] (r2 = 0.94) in accord with prior, analogous chemostat investigations with eukaryotic phytoplankton. A maximum fractionation (εf) value of 27‰ was characterized from the intercept of the experiments, representing the first value of εf determined for an algal species employing Form II RubisCO-a structurally and catalytically distinct form of the carbon-fixing enzyme. This value is larger than theoretical predictions for Form II RubisCO and not significantly different from the ∼25‰ εf values observed for taxa employing Form ID RubisCO. We also measured the carbon isotope contents of dinosterol, hexadecanoic acid, and phytol from each experiment, finding that each class of biomarker exhibits different isotopic behavior. The apparent CO2-dependence of εP values in our experiments strengthens the proposal to use dinocyst δ13C values as a pCO2 proxy. Moreover, the similarity between the εf value for A. tamarense and the consensus value of ∼25‰ indicates that the CO2-sensitivity of carbon isotope fractionation saturates at similar CO2 levels across all three ecologically prominent clades of eukaryotic phytoplankton. This continuity of εf across taxa may help to explain why there is no coherent signature of phytoplankton evolutionary succession in Phanerozoic carbon isotope records.

The carbon cycle since the LGM in the University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model: Implications of marine ice shelves and late-Holocene deforestation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simmons, C. T.; Mysak, L. A.; Matthews, D.

2012-12-01

The University of Victoria Earth System Climate Model (version v.9) is used to investigate carbon cycle dynamics from the Last Glacial Maximum (21000 years Before Present (BP)) to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (150 BP). A series of simulations with prescribed and freely-evolving CO2 infer that a combination of two factors, a faster overturning of the oceans during the interglacial and a release of carbon from deep-sea sediments, are likely responsible for a substantial proportion of the glacial-interglacial CO2 increase from 190 (23000 BP) to 280 ppm (150 BP). The simulations also indicate that a realistic glacial-interglacial change in the meridional overturning circulation can be generated without accounting for runoff from melting ice sheets. A series of model experiments also investigated the mechanisms behind the Holocene increase in CO2 after 8000 BP. Without the explicit representation of peatlands, permafrost, coral reefs, or human land use, the UVic model simulation of the natural carbon cycle over the period produced a decline in the atmospheric CO2 from 260 to around 250 ppm, in contrast to the increase from 260 to 280 ppm actually observed. Surprisingly, sensitivity simulations with global deforestation actually yielded lower CO2 concentrations (249-254 ppm) at 150 BP than the same simulations with no deforestation; however, deforestation of certain vegetation types lead to higher concentrations (~270 ppm). Even without deforestation, the decrease in CO2 is highly sensitive to the configuration of land ice shelves near Antarctica, with more extensive land ice leading to deeper local circulation in the Southern Ocean, less Antarctic-generated bottom waters globally, and a higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations (260 ppm) at 150 BP. The 5-8 ppm contribution of ice shelf extent may well be an important contributor to the higher analogue CO2 levels during the Holocene interglacial, as current data and reconstructions suggests that these ice shelves are indeed more extensive today than during many previous interglacial periods.

Algal and aquatic plant carbon concentrating mechanisms in relation to environmental change.

PubMed

Raven, John A; Giordano, Mario; Beardall, John; Maberly, Stephen C

2011-09-01

Carbon dioxide concentrating mechanisms (also known as inorganic carbon concentrating mechanisms; both abbreviated as CCMs) presumably evolved under conditions of low CO(2) availability. However, the timing of their origin is unclear since there are no sound estimates from molecular clocks, and even if there were, there are no proxies for the functioning of CCMs. Accordingly, we cannot use previous episodes of high CO(2) (e.g. the Palaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum) to indicate how organisms with CCMs responded. Present and predicted environmental change in terms of increased CO(2) and temperature are leading to increased CO(2) and HCO(3)(-) and decreased CO(3)(2-) and pH in surface seawater, as well as decreasing the depth of the upper mixed layer and increasing the degree of isolation of this layer with respect to nutrient flux from deeper waters. The outcome of these forcing factors is to increase the availability of inorganic carbon, photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) and ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) to aquatic photolithotrophs and to decrease the supply of the nutrients (combined) nitrogen and phosphorus and of any non-aeolian iron. The influence of these variations on CCM expression has been examined to varying degrees as acclimation by extant organisms. Increased PAR increases CCM expression in terms of CO(2) affinity, whilst increased UVB has a range of effects in the organisms examined; little relevant information is available on increased temperature. Decreased combined nitrogen supply generally increases CO(2) affinity, decreased iron availability increases CO(2) affinity, and decreased phosphorus supply has varying effects on the organisms examined. There are few data sets showing interactions amongst the observed changes, and even less information on genetic (adaptation) changes in response to the forcing factors. In freshwaters, changes in phytoplankton species composition may alter with environmental change with consequences for frequency of species with or without CCMs. The information available permits less predictive power as to the effect of the forcing factors on CCM expression than for their overall effects on growth. CCMs are currently not part of models as to how global environmental change has altered, and is likely to further alter, algal and aquatic plant primary productivity.

Investigation Of The Influence Of Temperature Inversions And Turbulence On Land-Atmosphere Interactions For Rolling Terrain

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Osibanjo, Olabosipo O.

The objectives of this work are to calculate surface fluxes for rolling terrain using observational data collected during one week in September 2014 from a monitoring site in Echo, Oregon and to investigate the log law in the ABL. The site is located in the Columbia Basin with rolling terrain, irrigated farmland, and over 100 wind turbines. The 10 m tower was placed in a small valley depression to isolate nighttime temperature inversions. This thesis presents observations of momentum, sensible heat, moisture, and CO2 fluxes from data collected at a sampling frequency of 10Hz at four heights. Results show a strong correlation between temperature inversions and CO 2 flux. The log layer could not be achieved as the value of the estimated von Karman constant (˜0.62) is not close to that of the accepted value of 0.41. The impact of the irrigated farmland near the measurement site was observed in the latent heat flux, where the advection of moisture was evident in the tower moisture gradient. A strong relationship was also observed between fluxes of sensible heat, latent heat, CO2, and atmospheric stability. The average nighttime CO2 concentration observed was ˜407 ppm, and daytime ˜388 ppm compared to the 2013 global average CO2 concentration of 395 ppm. The maximum CO2 concentration (˜485 ppm) was observed on the strongest temperature inversion night. There are few uncertainties in the measurements. The manufacturer for the eddy covariance instruments (EC 150) quotes uncertainty of +/- 0.1°C for temperature between -0°C-40°C. Error bars were generated on the estimated surface sensible heat flux using the standard deviation and mean values. Under the most stable atmospheric conditions, uncertainty (assumed to be the variability in the flux estimates) was close to the minimum (˜+/- 5 W m-2). (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

Estimating Water Use Efficiency at the Watershed Scale Using Stable Isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kavanagh, K.; Blecker, S. W.; Marshall, J. D.

2006-12-01

Ecosystem water use efficiency (WUE) is an important indicator of ecosystem processes, especially under drought conditions. Nocturnal cold air drainage provides an opportunity to monitor ecosystem WUE because as air flows downhill through a watershed, it collects respired CO2 from the soil and vegetation. Thus, sampling the CO2 concentration and δ13C throughout the cold air profile at the base of a constrained watershed could provide an estimate of ecosystem WUE. Because cold air profiles are very deep in complex terrain, they are difficult to sample. We used a tethered helium balloon and attached tubing to investigate the potential of using nocturnal cold air drainage to estimate ecosystem WUE at the watershed scale. The balloon was launched at the base of a constrained forested watershed in Northern Idaho. We monitored air temperature, CO2 concentration and δ13C from 0.1m to 206m on July 22, Aug 16 and Aug 27 , 2006. The inversion was deep, frequently reaching 166m, with observed lapse rates of 63.0, 65.0, and 54.0 °C/km. On the same sample dates, CO2 concentrations ranged from approx. 385 ppm at the top of the profile to 460 ppm at 1m. The δ13C typically ranged from -8.4 ‰ to -11.0 ‰ from 206 to 1m respectively. This range of CO2 concentrations (> 60 ppm) was sufficient for "Keeling plot" analysis and ecosystem respired δ13C was estimated as -24.49, -24.78 and -24.89 ‰. These values matched the mean soil respired CO2 δ13C of -25.0 ‰ (SD=0.98) measured at 40 points in the watershed on Aug 18. These measurements were made during a pronounced seasonal drought and when maximum vapor pressure deficit exceeded 2 kPa almost every day. After the drought breaks in the fall, we will determine if this sampling method is robust enough to detect shifts in δ13C due to soil water availability and declining vapor pressure deficits.

Experiments and High-resolution Simulations of Density and Viscosity Feedbacks on Convective Mixing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hidalgo, Juan J.; Fe, Jaime; MacMinn, Christopher W.; Cueto-Felgueroso, Luis; Juanes, Ruben

2011-11-01

Dissolution by convective mixing is one of the main trapping mechanisms during CO2 sequestration in saline aquifers. Initially, the buoyant CO2 dissolves into the underlying brine by diffusion. The CO2-brine mixture is denser than the two initial fluids, leading to a Rayleigh-Bénard-type instability known as convective mixing, which greatly accelerates CO2 dissolution. Although this is a well-known process, it remains unclear how convective mixing scales with the governing parameters of the system and its impact on the actual mixing of CO2 and brine. We explore the dependence of the CO2 dissolution flux on the nonlinearity of the density and viscosity of the fluid mixture by means of high-resolution numerical simulations and laboratory experiments with an analogue fluid system (water and propylene glycol). We find that the value of the concentration for which the density of the mixture is maximum, and the viscosity contrast between the fluids, both exert a powerful control on the convective flux. From the experimental and simulation results, we obtain the scaling behavior of convective mixing, and clarify the role of nonlinear density and viscosity feedbacks. JJH acknowledges the support from the FP7 Marie Curie Actions of the European Commission, via the CO2-MATE project (PIOF-GA-2009-253678).

Influence of oxytetracycline on carprofen pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in calves.

PubMed

Brentnall, C; Cheng, Z; McKellar, Q A; Lees, P

2013-08-01

A tissue cage model of inflammation in calves was used to determine the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of individual carprofen enantiomers, following the administration of the racemate. RS(±) carprofen was administered subcutaneously both alone and in combination with intramuscularly administered oxytetracycline in a four-period crossover study. Oxytetracycline did not influence the pharmacokinetics of R(-) and S(+) carprofen enantiomers, except for a lower maximum concentration (Cmax ) of S(+) carprofen in serum after co-administration with oxytetracycline. S(+) enantiomer means for area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC0-96 h were 136.9 and 128.3 μg·h/mL and means for the terminal half-life (T(1/2) k10 ) were = 12.9 and 17.3 h for carprofen alone and in combination with oxytetracycline, respectively. S(+) carprofen AUC0-96 h in both carprofen treatments and T(1/2) k10 for carprofen alone were lower (P < 0.05) than R(-) carprofen values, indicating a small degree of enantioselectivity in the disposition of the enantiomers. Carprofen inhibition of serum thromboxane B2 ex vivo was small and significant only at a few sampling times, whereas in vivo exudate prostaglandin (PG)E2 synthesis inhibition was greater and achieved overall significance between 36 and 72 h (P < 0.05). Inhibition of PGE2 correlated with mean time to achieve maximum concentrations in exudate of 54 and 42 h for both carprofen treatments for R(-) and S(+) enantiomers, respectively. Carprofen reduction of zymosan-induced intradermal swelling was not statistically significant. These data provide a basis for the rational use of carprofen with oxytetracycline in calves and indicate that no alteration to carprofen dosage is required when the drugs are co-administered. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Peat-fire-related air pollution in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.

PubMed

Hayasaka, Hiroshi; Noguchi, Izumi; Putra, Erianto Indra; Yulianti, Nina; Vadrevu, Krishna

2014-12-01

The past decade marked record high air pollution episodes in Indonesia. In this study, we specifically focus on vegetation fires in Palangkaraya located near a Mega Rice Project area in Indonesia. We analyzed various gaseous air pollution data such as particulate matter (PM10), SO2, CO, O3, and NO2 study region. We also conducted elemental analysis at two different sites. Results from 2001 to 2010 suggested the longest hazardous air pollution episode during 2002 lasting about 80 days from mid-August to late-October. Maximum peak concentrations of PM10, SO2, CO, and O3 were also observed during 2002 and their values reached 1905, 85.8, 38.3, and 1003×10(-6) gm(-3) respectively. Elemental analysis showed significant increase in concentrations during 2011 and 2010. Satellite retrieved fires and weather data could explain most of the temporal variations. Our results highlight peat fires as a major contributor of photochemical smog and air pollution in the region. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multiparameter analysis of activated sludge inhibition by nickel, cadmium, and cobalt.

PubMed

Hernandez-Martinez, Gabriel R; Ortiz-Alvarez, Daniela; Perez-Roa, Michael; Urbina-Suarez, Nestor Andres; Thalasso, Frederic

2018-06-05

Activated sludge processes are often inhibited by nickel, cadmium, and cobalt. The inhibitory effect of these heavy metals on a synthetic wastewater treatment process was tested through pulse microrespirometry; i.e., pulse of substrate injected in a microreactor system. The inhibitory effect was tested under different conditions including the heavy metals, substrate and biomass concentrations, and exposure time. The inhibitory effect was quantified by the percentage of inhibition, half saturation constant (K S ), inhibition constant (K I ), and maximum oxygen uptake rate (OUR max ). The results indicated that, in a range of concentration from 0 to 40 mg L -1 , the three heavy metals exerted an uncompetitive and incomplete inhibitory effect, with a maximum inhibition of 67, 57, and 53% for Ni, Co, and Cd, respectively. An increase of the biomass concentration by 620% resulted in a decrease of the inhibition by 47 and 69% for Co and Cd, respectively, while no effect was observed on Ni inhibition. An increase of the substrate concentration by 87% resulted in an increase of the inhibition by 24, 70, and 47% for Ni, Co and Cd, respectively. In the case of nickel and cadmium, an increase in the exposure time to the heavy metals also increased the inhibition. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Emission of Carbon Dioxide Influenced by Different Water Levels from Soil Incubated Organic Residues

PubMed Central

Hossain, M. B.; Puteh, A. B.

2013-01-01

We studied the influence of different organic residues and water levels on decomposition rate and carbon sequestration in soil. Organic residues (rice straw, rice root, cow dung, and poultry litter) including control were tested under moistened and flooding systems. An experiment was laid out as a complete randomized design at 25°C for 120 days. Higher CO2-C (265.45 mg) emission was observed in moistened condition than in flooding condition from 7 to 120 days. Among the organic residues, poultry litter produced the highest CO2-C emission. Poultry litter with soil mixture increased 121% cumulative CO2-C compared to control. On average, about 38% of added poultry litter C was mineralized to CO2-C. Maximum CO2-C was found in 7 days after incubation and thereafter CO2-C emission was decreased with the increase of time. Control produced the lowest CO2-C (158.23 mg). Poultry litter produced maximum cumulative CO2-C (349.91 mg). Maximum organic carbon was obtained in cow dung which followed by other organic residues. Organic residues along with flooding condition decreased cumulative CO2-C, k value and increased organic C in soil. Maximum k value was found in poultry litter and control. Incorpored rice straw increased organic carbon and decreased k value (0.003 g d−1) in soil. In conclusion, rice straw and poultry litter were suitable for improving soil carbon. PMID:24163626

Untangling the confusion around land carbon science and climate change mitigation policy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mackey, Brendan; Prentice, I. Colin; Steffen, Will; House, Joanna I.; Lindenmayer, David; Keith, Heather; Berry, Sandra

2013-06-01

Depletion of ecosystem carbon stocks is a significant source of atmospheric CO2 and reducing land-based emissions and maintaining land carbon stocks contributes to climate change mitigation. We summarize current understanding about human perturbation of the global carbon cycle, examine three scientific issues and consider implications for the interpretation of international climate change policy decisions, concluding that considering carbon storage on land as a means to 'offset' CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels (an idea with wide currency) is scientifically flawed. The capacity of terrestrial ecosystems to store carbon is finite and the current sequestration potential primarily reflects depletion due to past land use. Avoiding emissions from land carbon stocks and refilling depleted stocks reduces atmospheric CO2 concentration, but the maximum amount of this reduction is equivalent to only a small fraction of potential fossil fuel emissions.

Dynamics of Carbon-Concentrating Mechanism Induction and Protein Relocalization during the Dark-to-Light Transition in Synchronized Chlamydomonas reinhardtii1[W][OPEN

PubMed Central

Mitchell, Madeline C.; Meyer, Moritz T.; Griffiths, Howard

2014-01-01

In the model green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM) is induced under low CO2 in the light and comprises active inorganic carbon transport components, carbonic anhydrases, and aggregation of Rubisco in the chloroplast pyrenoid. Previous studies have focused predominantly on asynchronous cultures of cells grown under low versus high CO2. Here, we have investigated the dynamics of CCM activation in synchronized cells grown in dark/light cycles compared with induction under low CO2. The specific focus was to undertake detailed time course experiments comparing physiology and gene expression during the dark-to-light transition. First, the CCM could be fully induced 1 h before dawn, as measured by the photosynthetic affinity for inorganic carbon. This occurred in advance of maximum gene transcription and protein accumulation and contrasted with the coordinated induction observed under low CO2. Between 2 and 1 h before dawn, the proportion of Rubisco and the thylakoid lumen carbonic anhydrase in the pyrenoid rose substantially, coincident with increased CCM activity. Thus, other mechanisms are likely to activate the CCM before dawn, independent of gene transcription of known CCM components. Furthermore, this study highlights the value of using synchronized cells during the dark-to-light transition as an alternative means of investigating CCM induction. PMID:25106822

Impact of Anthropogenic CO2 on the Next Glacial Cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herrero, C.; García-Olivares, A.; Pelegrí, J. L.

2014-12-01

A simple relaxation-type model (García-Olivares and Herrero, 2013) based on an optimization of Paillard and Parrenin (2004), has been used to predict the future evolution of atmospheric CO2, global ice volume and Antarctic ice cover during the next 300 kyr, with and without the atmospheric CO2 perturbation caused by anthropogenic emissions.The initial atmospheric CO2 condition is obtained after a critical data analysis that sets 1300 Gt as the most realistic carbon Ultimate Recoverable Resources, with the help of a global compartmental model to determine the carbon transfer function to the atmosphere. This analysis sets a peak of emissions on year 2037 AD and a maximum CO2 concentration of 519 ppmv in 2300 AD, leading to 20 kyr of abnormally high greenhouse effect. Weathering compensation and emission of methane from clathrates have also been considered as they have relevant effects on the dynamics of the system after the perturbation.The anthropogenic CO2 pulse clearly perturbs the natural cycle for all model variables during the forthcoming 300 kyr. The present interglacial will be lengthen by 25 kyr, as the anthropogenic perturbation will lead to a delay in the future advance of the ice sheet on the Antarctic shelf and a consequent perturbation of the deep ocean stratification, so the relative maximum of boreal insolation 65 kyr AP will not affect the developing glaciation. Instead, it will be the following insolation peak, about 110 kyr AP, which will find an appropriate climatic state to trigger the next deglaciation. The next glacial maximum will take place about 105 kyr AP and the following interglacial will be delayed forward in time by 44 kyr in relation to unperturbed conditions.This study endorses the idea that relaxation type coupled models, despite their simple structure, may retain the principal Earth's climatic interactions, being capable of accounting for the natural evolution of an externally imposed atmospheric CO2 pulse. - Garcia-Olivares, A. and Herrero, C. (2013) "Simulation of glacial-interglacial cycles by simple relaxation models: consistency with observational results" Clim. Dyn., 41:1307-1331- Paillard, D. and Parrenin, F. (2004) "The Antarctic ice sheet and the triggering of deglaciations" Earth. Planet. Sci. Lett., 227, 263 - 271

Photosynthetic capacity and dry mass partitioning in dwarf and semi-dwarf wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bishop, D. L.; Bugbee, B. G.

1998-01-01

Efficient use of space and high yields are critical for long-term food production aboard the International Space Station. The selection of a full dwarf wheat (less than 30 cm tall) with high photosynthetic and yield potential is a necessary prerequisite for growing wheat in the controlled, volume-limited environments available aboard long-term spaceflight missions. This study evaluated the photosynthetic capacity and carbon partitioning of a full-dwarf wheat cultivar, Super Dwarf, which is routinely used in spaceflight studies aboard U.S. space shuttle and NASA/Mir missions and made comparisons with other dwarf and semi-dwarf wheat cultivars utilized in other ground-based studies in plant space biology. Photosynthetic capacity of the flag leaf in two dwarf (Super Dwarf, BB-19), and three semi-dwarf (Veery-10, Yecora Rojo, IBWSN 199) wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) was assessed by measuring: net maximum photosynthetic rate, RuBP carboxylation efficiency, chlorophyll concentration and flag leaf area. Dry mass partitioning of carbohydrates to the leaves, sheaths, stems and ear was also assessed. Plants were grown under controlled environmental conditions in three replicate studies: slightly enriched CO2 (370 micromoles mol-1), high photosynthetic photon flux (1000 micromoles m-2 s-1; 58 mol m-2 d-1) for a 16 h photoperiod, 22/15 degrees C day/night temperatures, ample nutrients and water provided by one-half strength Hoagland's nutrient solution (Hoagland and Arnon, 1950). Photosynthetic capacity of the flag leaf was determined at anthesis using net CO2 exchange rate versus internal CO2 concentration curves measured under saturating light (2000 micromoles m-2 s-1) and CO2 (1000 micromoles mol-1). Dwarf wheat cultivars had greater photosynthetic capacities than the taller semi-dwarfs, they averaged 20% higher maximum net photosynthetic rates compared to the taller semi-dwarfs, but these higher rates occurred only at anthesis, had slightly greater carboxylation efficiencies and significantly increased chlorophyll concentrations per unit leaf area. The reduced-height wheat had significantly less dry mass fraction in the stem but greater dry mass partitioned to the ear than the taller semi-dwarfs (Yecora rojo, IBWSN-199). Studies with detached heads confirm that the head is a significant sink in the shorter wheat cultivars.

[Study on the change of dune CO2 concentration in the autumn at Minqin in Tengger desert].

PubMed

Shao, Tian-Jie; Zhao, Jing-Bo; Yu, Ke-Ke; Dong, Zhi-Bao

2010-12-01

In order to find out the CO2 concentration of the desert area, the influence of it on the CO2 in the atmosphere and the role that it played on the global carbon cycle, the research team utilized in September 2009 infrared CO2 monitor to observe the CO2 concentration of the 12 drill holes day and night in Minqin desert area in the Tengger desert. The difference of various observation spots' CO2 concentration of the desert area in the Tengger desert area is relatively big. The CO2 concentration at night is low but high in the daytime and the CO2 concentration at each observation spot changes from 310 x 10(-6) to 2 630 x 10(-6). The CO2 concentration is also obviously different in depth and the CO2 concentration at different depths in order of size is as follows: 4 m(3m) > 2 m > 1m. Compared with Xi' an area where is in the temperate and semi-humid region, the CO2 concentration of the desert area in Tengger desert is very low. The diurnal variation of CO2 concentration of the desert area in Tengger desert is obvious, and from the day 09:00 am to 09:00 am the next day, the CO2 concentrations at different depths which rang from 1 m to 4 m present the regularity that it changes from low to high, and then from high to low. The diurnal variation in temperature is the main reason that causes the change of the CO2 concentration in the sand layer, both of which have the positive correlation. The sand layer's CO2 concentration with higher water content is obviously higher than that with lower water content. The moisture content of sand layer is the main factor of the CO2 concentration. The CO2 concentration above 4m in the desert area is higher than that above the surface, which maybe indicates that the CO2 from the highest desert area is also the resource of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Pharmacokinetic Interaction Study of Ranitidine and Daijokito in Healthy Volunteers

PubMed Central

Endo, Yusuke; Ishihara, Yoshitaka; Tsuno, Satoshi; Matsuda, Akiko; Qian, Weibin; Miura, Norimasa; Hasegawa, Junichi

2016-01-01

Background Ranitidine is a histamine 2 receptor antagonist, and daijokito is a Kampo (Chinese herbal medicine as practiced in Japan) formula, which is traditionally used for treating constipation and digestive trouble. Previous study demonstrated that daijokito significantly affected the pharmacokinetics of ranitidine in rats; however, the doses of ranitidine and daijokito in that study were higher than in clinical practice. Therefore, we examined the pharmacokinetic interaction between ranitidine and daijokito in clinical practice doses in healthy volunteers. Methods This was a randomized, open label, two-period crossover study in healthy volunteers (n = 7). Volunteers received administrations of either a single dose of ranitidine 300 mg, or ranitidine 300 mg in combination with daijokito extract granules 2.5 g. Plasma concentrations of ranitidine were measured over 12 h by LC/MS/MS method. Results Plasma concentrations of ranitidine were lower with co-administration of daijokito compared with ranitidine alone. Co-administration of daijokito significantly decreased ranitidine area under the plasma concentration-time curve from 0 to 12 h (AUC0–12) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) with geometric mean (GM) ratio [90% confidence interval (CI)] for AUC0–12 of 0.609 (0.449, 0.826) and Cmax of 0.515 (0.345, 0.771). Conclusion Co-administration of ranitidine with daijokito resulted in a significant decrease in plasma level of ranitidine in healthy volunteers. PMID:27493481

Jellyfish Lake, Palau: Regeneration of C, N, Si, and P in anoxic marine lake sediments

USGS Publications Warehouse

Lyons, W.B.; Lent, R.M.; Burnett, W.C.; Chin, P.; Landing, W.M.; Orem, W.H.; McArthur, J.M.

1996-01-01

Sediment cores from Jellyfish Lake were processed under an inert atmosphere and the pore waters extracted and analyzed for the following parameters: pH, titration alkalinity (TA), Cl-, H4SiO4, PO43-, NH4+, Ca2-, Mg2+, SO42-, and H2S. Additionally, in one set of pore-water samples (core 10), the ??13C of the ??CO2 was also determined. The TA, H4SiO4, PO43-, NH4+, and H2S increased with depth in the pore waters above anoxic bottom-water values. H2S values increased to 3.8 ??M. In one case, both H4SiO4 and PO43- concentrations increased to a maximum value and then decreased with depth, suggesting removal into solid phases. The H4SiO4 concentrations are equal to or greater than pore-water values observed in sediments underlying upwelling areas. PO43- concentrations are, in general, lower than pore-water values from terrigenous nearshore areas but higher than nearshore carbonate pore-water values from Florida Bay or Bermuda. The Ca2+, Cl-, and Mg2+: Cl- ratios show slight decreases in the top 15-20 cm, suggesting that authigenic carbonate may be forming. This suggestion is supported by the fact that the pore waters are saturated with respect to CaCO3 due to the very high TAs. The ??13C measurements of the pore-water ??CO2 are from a shorter core. These measurements reach their most negative concentration at 72 cm and then become slightly heavier. This change is accompanied by a decrease in TA, suggesting the onset of methanogenesis at this location in this core.

Pseudorandom Noise Code-Based Technique for Cloud and Aerosol Discrimination Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Campbell, Joel F.; Prasad, Narasimha S.; Flood, Michael A.; Harrison, Fenton Wallace

2011-01-01

NASA Langley Research Center is working on a continuous wave (CW) laser based remote sensing scheme for the detection of CO2 and O2 from space based platforms suitable for ACTIVE SENSING OF CO2 EMISSIONS OVER NIGHTS, DAYS, AND SEASONS (ASCENDS) mission. ASCENDS is a future space-based mission to determine the global distribution of sources and sinks of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). A unique, multi-frequency, intensity modulated CW (IMCW) laser absorption spectrometer (LAS) operating at 1.57 micron for CO2 sensing has been developed. Effective aerosol and cloud discrimination techniques are being investigated in order to determine concentration values with accuracies less than 0.3%. In this paper, we discuss the demonstration of a PN code based technique for cloud and aerosol discrimination applications. The possibility of using maximum length (ML)-sequences for range and absorption measurements is investigated. A simple model for accomplishing this objective is formulated, Proof-of-concept experiments carried out using SONAR based LIDAR simulator that was built using simple audio hardware provided promising results for extension into optical wavelengths. Keywords: ASCENDS, CO2 sensing, O2 sensing, PN codes, CW lidar

Performance and emission parameters of single cylinder diesel engine using castor oil bio-diesel blended fuels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rahimi, A.; Ghobadian, B.; Najafi, G.; Jaliliantabar, F.; Mamat, R.

2015-12-01

The purpose of this study is to investigate the performance and emission parameters of a CI single cylinder diesel engine operating on biodiesel-diesel blends (B0, B5, B10, B15 and E20: 20% biodiesel and 80% diesel by volume). A reactor was designed, fabricated and evaluated for biodiesel production. The results showed that increasing the biodiesel content in the blend fuel will increase the performance parameters and decrease the emission parameters. Maximum power was detected for B0 at 2650 rpm and maximum torque was belonged to B20 at 1600 rpm. The experimental results revealed that using biodiesel-diesel blended fuels increased the power and torque output of the engine. For biodiesel blends it was found that the specific fuel consumption (sfc) was decreased. B10 had the minimum amount for sfc. The concentration of CO2 and HC emissions in the exhaust pipe were measured and found to be decreased when biodiesel blends were introduced. This was due to the high oxygen percentage in the biodiesel compared to the net diesel fuel. In contrast, the concentration of CO and NOx was found to be increased when biodiesel is introduced.

Influences of the (NH2)2CO concentration on magnetic photocatalytic composites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liŭ, Dan; Li, Ziheng; Wang, Wenquan; Liú, Dan; Wang, Guoqiang; Lin, Junhong; He, Yingqiao; Li, Xiangru

2016-11-01

Magnetic photocatalytic Fe3O4@TiO2 composites have been fabricated by changing the concentration of (NH2)2CO. Samples were named as low (NH2)2CO concentration group which the (NH2)2CO concentration in the synthesis process was below 2.25 mol/L and high (NH2)2CO concentration group which the (NH2)2CO concentration was above 2.5 mol/L. Photocatalytic degradation experiments of methyl orange showed that the final degradation rates of low (NH2)2CO concentration group samples were higher than that of high (NH2)2CO concentration group, even better than P25 at the same test conditions. And it was interesting that samples of low (NH2)2CO concentration group had smaller values of BET surface areas than that of high (NH2)2CO concentration group. It indicated that the improvement of photocatalytic activity which was effected by BET surface areas was not obvious. There were two main factors enhancing the photocatalytic property of low (NH2)2CO concentration group: First, diffusing reflection spectra showed that the low (NH2)2CO concentration group samples had lower reflectivity, this suggested that the structure improved the efficiency of light absorption; Second, NH4+ would take up the active sites on the surface of the TiO2 particles, the FT-IR test results showed that the samples of the low (NH2)2CO concentration group samples bonded less NH4+, thus leading to the higher photocatalytic activity. It had enlightenment role for optimizing the performance of photocatalytic materials.

The effects of vitamin D, K and calcium co-supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness and metabolic status in overweight type 2 diabetic patients with CHD.

PubMed

Asemi, Zatollah; Raygan, Fariba; Bahmani, Fereshteh; Rezavandi, Zohreh; Talari, Hamid Reza; Rafiee, Motahereh; Poladchang, Somayyeh; Darooghegi Mofrad, Manijeh; Taheri, Sara; Mohammadi, Ali Akbar; Esmaillzadeh, Ahmad

2016-07-01

This study was conducted to examine the effects of vitamin D, K and Ca co-supplementation on carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and metabolic status in overweight diabetic patients with CHD. This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among sixty-six diabetic patients with CHD. Participants were randomly allocated into two groups to take either 5µg vitamin D, 90 µg vitamin K plus 500 mg Ca supplements (n 33) or placebo (n 33) twice a day for 12 weeks. Fasting blood samples were obtained at the beginning of the study and after the 12-week intervention period to determine related markers. Vitamin D, K and Ca co-supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in maximum levels of left CIMT (-0·04 (sd 0·22) v. +0·04 (sd 0·09) mm, P=0·02). Changes in serum vitamin D (+6·5 (sd 7·8) v. +0·4 (sd 2·2) ng/ml, P<0·001), Ca (+0·6 (sd 0·3) v. +0·1 (sd 0·1) mg/dl, P<0·001) and insulin concentrations (-0·9 (sd 3·1) v. +2·6 (sd 7·2) µIU/ml, P=0·01), homoeostasis model for assessment of estimated insulin resistance (-0·4 (sd 1·2) v. +0·7 (sd 2·3), P=0·01), β-cell function (-2·1 (sd 9·0) v. +8·9 (sd 23·7), P=0·01) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0·007 (sd 0·01) v. -0·006 (sd 0·02), P=0·01) in supplemented patients were significantly different from those in patients in the placebo group. Supplementation resulted in significant changes in HDL-cholesterol (+2·7 (sd 7·0) v. -2·5 (sd 5·7) mg/dl, P=0·002), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (-1320·1 (sd 3758·3) v. +464·0 (sd 3053·3) ng/ml, P=0·03) and plasma malondialdehyde concentrations (-0·4 (sd 0·5) v. -1·0 (sd 1·1) µmol/l, P=0·007) compared with placebo. Overall, vitamin D, K and Ca co-supplementation for 12 weeks among diabetic patients with CHD had beneficial effects on maximum levels of left CIMT and metabolic status. The effect of vitamin D, K and Ca co-supplementation on maximum levels of left CIMT could be a chance finding.

Development of chemically activated N-enriched carbon adsorbents from urea-formaldehyde resin for CO2 adsorption: Kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamics.

PubMed

Tiwari, Deepak; Bhunia, Haripada; Bajpai, Pramod K

2018-07-15

Nitrogen enriched carbon adsorbents with high surface areas were successfully prepared by carbonizing the low-cost urea formaldehyde resin, followed by KOH activation. Different characterization techniques were used to determine the structure and surface functional groups. Maximum surface area and total pore volume of 4547 m 2  g -1 and 4.50 cm 3  g -1 were found by controlling activation conditions. The optimized sample denoted as UFA-3-973 possesses a remarkable surface area, which is found to be one of the best surface areas achieved so far. Nitrogen content of this sample was found to be 22.32%. Dynamic CO 2 uptake capacity of the carbon adsorbents were determined thermogravimetrically at different CO 2 concentrations (6-100%) and adsorption temperatures (303-373 K) which have a much more relevance for the flue gas application. Highest adsorption capacity of 2.43 mmol g -1 for this sample was obtained at 303 K under pure CO 2 flow. Complete regenerability of the adsorbent over four adsorption-desorption cycles was obtained. Fractional order kinetic model provided best description of adsorption over all adsorption temperatures and CO 2 concentrations. Heterogeneity of the adsorbent surface was confirmed from the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms fits and isosteric heat of adsorption values. Exothermic, spontaneous and feasible nature of adsorption process was confirmed from thermodynamic parameter values. The combination of high surface area and large pore volume makes the adsorbent a new promising carbon material for CO 2 capture from power plant flue gas and for other relevant applications. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Classroom ventilation and indoor air quality-results from the FRESH intervention study.

PubMed

Rosbach, J; Krop, E; Vonk, M; van Ginkel, J; Meliefste, C; de Wind, S; Gehring, U; Brunekreef, B

2016-08-01

Inadequate ventilation of classrooms may lead to increased concentrations of pollutants generated indoors in schools. The FRESH study, on the effects of increased classroom ventilation on indoor air quality, was performed in 18 naturally ventilated classrooms of 17 primary schools in the Netherlands during the heating seasons of 2010-2012. In 12 classrooms, ventilation was increased to targeted CO2 concentrations of 800 or 1200 ppm, using a temporary CO2 controlled mechanical ventilation system. Six classrooms were included as controls. In each classroom, data on endotoxin, β(1,3)-glucans, and particles with diameters of <10 μm (PM10 ) and <2.5 μm (PM2.5 ) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2 ) were collected during three consecutive weeks. Associations between the intervention and these measured indoor air pollution levels were assessed using mixed models, with random classroom effects. The intervention lowered endotoxin and β(1,3)-glucan levels and PM10 concentrations significantly. PM10 for instance was reduced by 25 μg/m³ (95% confidence interval 13-38 μg/m³) from 54 μg/m³ at maximum ventilation rate. No significant differences were found between the two ventilation settings. Concentrations of PM2.5 and NO2 were not affected by the intervention. Our results provide evidence that increasing classroom ventilation is effective in decreasing the concentrations of some indoor-generated pollutants. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Rubisco activity in Mediterranean species is regulated by the chloroplastic CO2 concentration under water stress

PubMed Central

Galmés, Jeroni; Ribas-Carbó, Miquel; Medrano, Hipólito; Flexas, Jaume

2011-01-01

Water stress decreases the availability of the gaseous substrate for ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) by decreasing leaf conductance to CO2. In spite of limiting photosynthetic carbon assimilation, especially in those environments where drought is the predominant factor affecting plant growth and yield, the effects of water deprivation on the mechanisms that control Rubisco activity are unclear. In the present study, 11 Mediterranean species, representing different growth forms, were subject to increasing levels of drought stress, the most severe one followed by rewatering. The results confirmed species-specific patterns in the decrease in the initial activity and activation state of Rubisco as drought stress and leaf dehydration intensified. Nevertheless, all species followed roughly the same trend when Rubisco activity was related to stomatal conductance (gs) and chloroplastic CO2 concentration (Cc), suggesting that deactivation of Rubisco sites could be induced by low Cc, as a result of water stress. The threshold level of Cc that triggered Rubisco deactivation was dependent on leaf characteristics and was related to the maximum attained for each species under non-stressing conditions. Those species adapted to low Cc were more capable of maintaining active Rubisco as drought stress intensified. PMID:21115663

Iron fertilisation and century-scale effects of open ocean dissolution of olivine in a simulated CO2 removal experiment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hauck, Judith; Köhler, Peter; Wolf-Gladrow, Dieter; Völker, Christoph

2016-02-01

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) approaches are efforts to reduce the atmospheric CO2 concentration. Here we use a marine carbon cycle model to investigate the effects of one CDR technique: the open ocean dissolution of the iron-containing mineral olivine. We analyse the maximum CDR potential of an annual dissolution of 3 Pg olivine during the 21st century and focus on the role of the micro-nutrient iron for the biological carbon pump. Distributing the products of olivine dissolution (bicarbonate, silicic acid, iron) uniformly in the global surface ocean has a maximum CDR potential of 0.57 gC/g-olivine mainly due to the alkalinisation of the ocean, with a significant contribution from the fertilisation of phytoplankton with silicic acid and iron. The part of the CDR caused by ocean fertilisation is not permanent, while the CO2 sequestered by alkalinisation would be stored in the ocean as long as alkalinity is not removed from the system. For high CO2 emission scenarios the CDR potential due to the alkalinity input becomes more efficient over time with increasing ocean acidification. The alkalinity-induced CDR potential scales linearly with the amount of olivine, while the iron-induced CDR saturates at 113 PgC per century (on average ˜ 1.1 PgC yr-1) for an iron input rate of 2.3 Tg Fe yr-1 (1% of the iron contained in 3 Pg olivine). The additional iron-related CO2 uptake occurs in the Southern Ocean and in the iron-limited regions of the Pacific. Effects of this approach on surface ocean pH are small (\\lt 0.01).

In situ preparation of MgCo2O4 nanosheets on Ni-foam as a binder-free electrode for high performance hybrid supercapacitors.

PubMed

Vijayakumar, Subbukalai; Nagamuthu, Sadayappan; Ryu, Kwang-Sun

2018-05-15

A binder-free, MgCo2O4 nanosheet-like architecture was prepared on Ni-foam using a hydrothermal method. MgCo2O4/Ni-foam was characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The FESEM image revealed a nanosheet array-like architecture. The MgCo2O4 nanosheets grown on Ni-foam exhibited the maximum specific capacity of 947 C g-1 at a specific current of 2 A g-1. Approximately 96% of the specific capacity was retained from the maximum specific capacity after 5000 continuous charge-discharge cycles. This hybrid device exhibited a maximum specific capacity of 52 C g-1 at a specific current of 0.5 A g-1, and also exhibited a maximum specific energy of 12.99 W h kg-1 at a specific power of 448.7 W kg-1. These results confirmed that the binder-free MgCo2O4 nanosheets grown on Ni-foam are a suitable positive electrode material for hybrid supercapacitors.

The shift of optical band gap in W-doped ZnO with oxygen pressure and doping level

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chu, J.; Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Chongqing 400714; Peng, X.Y.

2014-06-01

Highlights: • CVD–PLD co-deposition technique was used. • Better crystalline of the ZnO samples causes the redshift of the optical band gap. • Higher W concentration induces blueshift of the optical band gap. - Abstract: Tungsten-doped (W-doped) zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures were synthesized on quartz substrates by pulsed laser and hot filament chemical vapor co-deposition technique under different oxygen pressures and doping levels. We studied in detail the morphological, structural and optical properties of W-doped ZnO by SEM, XPS, Raman scattering, and optical transmission spectra. A close correlation among the oxygen pressure, morphology, W concentrations and the variation of bandmore » gaps were investigated. XPS and Raman measurements show that the sample grown under the oxygen pressure of 2.7 Pa has the maximum tungsten concentration and best crystalline structure, which induces the redshift of the optical band gap. The effect of W concentration on the change of morphology and shift of optical band gap was also studied for the samples grown under the fixed oxygen pressure of 2.7 Pa.« less

Photosynthesis and carbon allocation are both important predictors of genotype productivity responses to elevated CO2 in Eucalyptus camaldulensis.

PubMed

Aspinwall, Michael J; Blackman, Chris J; de Dios, Víctor Resco; Busch, Florian A; Rymer, Paul D; Loik, Michael E; Drake, John E; Pfautsch, Sebastian; Smith, Renee A; Tjoelker, Mark G; Tissue, David T

2018-05-08

Intraspecific variation in biomass production responses to elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO2) could influence tree species' ecological and evolutionary responses to climate change. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying genotypic variation in responsiveness to eCO2 remain poorly understood. In this study, we grew 17 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. subsp. camaldulensis genotypes (representing provenances from four different climates) under ambient atmospheric CO2 and eCO2. We tested whether genotype leaf-scale photosynthetic and whole-tree carbon (C) allocation responses to eCO2 were predictive of genotype biomass production responses to eCO2. Averaged across genotypes, growth at eCO2 increased in situ leaf net photosynthesis (Anet) (29%) and leaf starch concentrations (37%). Growth at eCO2 reduced the maximum carboxylation capacity of Rubisco (-4%) and leaf nitrogen per unit area (Narea, -6%), but Narea calculated on a total non-structural carbohydrate-free basis was similar between treatments. Growth at eCO2 also increased biomass production and altered C allocation by reducing leaf area ratio (-11%) and stem mass fraction (SMF, -9%), and increasing leaf mass area (18%) and leaf mass fraction (5%). Overall, we found few significant CO2 × provenance or CO2 × genotype (within provenance) interactions. However, genotypes that showed the largest increases in total dry mass at eCO2 had larger increases in root mass fraction (with larger decreases in SMF) and photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency (PNUE) with CO2 enrichment. These results indicate that genetic differences in PNUE and carbon sink utilization (in roots) are both important predictors of tree productivity responsiveness to eCO2.

Carbon monoxide concentrations in outdoor wood-fired kitchens in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso--implications for women's and children's health.

PubMed

Thorsson, Sofia; Holmer, Björn; Andjelic, Andreas; Lindén, Jenny; Cimerman, Sandra; Barregard, Lars

2014-07-01

A majority of households in developing countries rely on biomass fuel for cooking, typically burned in open fires or simple stoves. The incomplete combustion of these fuels causes adverse health effects such as respiratory diseases, especially among women and children. However, quantitative data on pollution levels and on associated diseases are limited. We examined cooking habits and self-reported health in 31 households with outdoor open wood fires in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, using structured interviews. In eight households, carbon monoxide (CO) was measured using passive sampling. In addition, meteorology and ambient CO concentrations were assessed. The average CO concentration during cooking was 4.3 ppm, with a maximum of 65.3 ppm and minimum of 0.3 ppm (1-min values). A clear daily pattern was observed, with relatively low concentrations during the day and high during the evening, occasionally exceeding the World Health Organization 1- and 8-h guidelines when the air stabilised. On average, CO concentrations were 43 % higher in kitchens located in closed yards than in those located in open yards, showing that fireplace location affected the levels. Eye irritation and coughing among women and children were reported by 30 % of the households. Based on previously reported relations between CO concentrations and fine particles (<2.5 μm), the exposure to biomass smoke appears to be high enough to pose a considerable health risk among women and children in households with outdoor open wood fires. The results suggest that burning should be limited between sunset and dawn and in areas with limited ventilation to reduce pollutions levels.

Coordination between leaf CO2 diffusion and Rubisco properties allows maximizing photosynthetic efficiency in Limonium species.

PubMed

Galmés, Jeroni; Molins, Arántzazu; Flexas, Jaume; Conesa, Miquel À

2017-10-01

High photosynthetic efficiency intrinsically demands tight coordination between traits related to CO 2 diffusion capacity and leaf biochemistry. Although this coordination constitutes the basis of existing mathematical models of leaf photosynthesis, it has been barely explored among closely related species, which could reveal rapid adaptation clues in the recent past. With this aim, we characterized the photosynthetic capacity of 12 species of Limonium, possessing contrasting Rubisco catalytic properties, grown under optimal (WW) and extreme drought conditions (WD). The availability of CO 2 at the site of carboxylation (C c ) determined the photosynthetic capacity of Limonium under WD, while both diffusional and biochemical components governed the photosynthetic performance under WW. The variation in the in vivo caboxylation efficiency correlated with both the concentration of active Rubisco sites and the in vitro-based properties of Rubisco, such as the maximum carboxylase turnover rate (k cat c ) and the Michaelis-Menten constant for CO 2 (K c ). Notably, the results confirmed the hypothesis of coordination between the CO 2 offer and demand functions of photosynthesis: those Limonium species with high total leaf conductance to CO 2 have evolved towards increased velocity (i.e. higher k cat c ), at the penalty of lower affinity for CO 2 (i.e. lower specificity factor, S c/o ). © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Species characteristics and intraspecific variation in growth and photosynthesis of Cryptomeria japonica under elevated O3 and CO2.

PubMed

Hiraoka, Yuichiro; Iki, Taiichi; Nose, Mine; Tobita, Hiroyuki; Yazaki, Kenichi; Watanabe, Atsushi; Fujisawa, Yoshitake; Kitao, Mitsutoshi

2017-06-01

In order to predict the effects of future atmospheric conditions on forest productivity, it is necessary to clarify the physiological responses of major forest tree species to high concentrations of ozone (O3) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Furthermore, intraspecific variation of these responses should also be examined in order to predict productivity gains through tree improvements in the future. We investigated intraspecific variation in growth and photosynthesis of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don, a major silviculture species in Japan, in response to elevated concentrations of O3 (eO3) and CO2 (eCO2), separately and in combination. Cuttings of C. japonica were grown and exposed to two levels of O3 (ambient and twice-ambient levels) in combination with two levels of CO2 (ambient and 550 µmol mol-1 in the daytime) for two growing seasons in a free-air CO2 enrichment experiment. There was no obvious negative effect of eO3 on growth or photosynthetic traits of the C. japonica clones, but a positive effect was observed for annual height increments in the first growing season. Dry mass production and the photosynthetic rate increased under eCO2 conditions, while the maximum carboxylation rate decreased. Significant interaction effects of eO3 and eCO2 on growth and photosynthetic traits were not observed. Clonal effects on growth and photosynthetic traits were significant, but the interactions between clones and O3 and/or CO2 treatments were not. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between growth traits under ambient conditions and for each treatment were significantly positive, implying that clonal ranking in growth abilities might not be affected by either eO3 or eCO2. The knowledge obtained from this study will be helpful for species selection in afforestation programs, to continue and to improve current programs involving this species, and to accurately predict the CO2 fixation capacity of Japanese forests. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Dissolved gases in hydrothermal (phreatic) and geyser eruptions at Yellowstone National Park, USA

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hurwitz, Shaul; Clor, Laura; McCleskey, R. Blaine; Nordstrom, D. Kirk; Hunt, Andrew G.; Evans, William C.

2016-01-01

Multiphase and multicomponent fluid flow in the shallow continental crust plays a significant role in a variety of processes over a broad range of temperatures and pressures. The presence of dissolved gases in aqueous fluids reduces the liquid stability field toward lower temperatures and enhances the explosivity potential with respect to pure water. Therefore, in areas where magma is actively degassing into a hydrothermal system, gas-rich aqueous fluids can exert a major control on geothermal energy production, can be propellants in hazardous hydrothermal (phreatic) eruptions, and can modulate the dynamics of geyser eruptions. We collected pressurized samples of thermal water that preserved dissolved gases in conjunction with precise temperature measurements with depth in research well Y-7 (maximum depth of 70.1 m; casing to 31 m) and five thermal pools (maximum depth of 11.3 m) in the Upper Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park, USA. Based on the dissolved gas concentrations, we demonstrate that CO2 mainly derived from magma and N2 from air-saturated meteoric water reduce the near-surface saturation temperature, consistent with some previous observations in geyser conduits. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that the dissolved CO2 and N2 modulate the dynamics of geyser eruptions and are likely triggers of hydrothermal eruptions when recharged into shallow reservoirs at high concentrations. Therefore, monitoring changes in gas emission rate and composition in areas with neutral and alkaline chlorine thermal features could provide important information on the natural resources (geysers) and hazards (eruptions) in these areas.

Study on the aerobic biodegradability and degradation kinetics of 3-NP; 2,4-DNP and 2,6-DNP.

PubMed

She, Zonglian; Xie, Tian; Zhu, Yingjie; Li, Leilei; Tang, Gaifeng; Huang, Jian

2012-11-30

Four biodegradability tests (BOD(5)/COD ratio, production of carbon dioxide, relative oxygen uptake rate and relative enzymatic activity) were used to determine the aerobic biodegradability of 3-nitrophenol (3-NP), 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) and 2,6-dinitrophenol (2,6-DNP). Furthermore, biodegradation kinetics of the compounds was investigated in sequencing batch reactors both in the presence of glucose (co-substrate) and with nitrophenol as the sole carbon source. Among the three tested compounds, 3-NP showed the best biodegradability while 2,6-DNP was the most difficult to be biodegraded. The Haldane equation was applied to the kinetic test data of the nitrophenols. The kinetic constants are as follows: the maximum specific degradation rate (K(max)), the saturation constants (K(S)) and the inhibition constants (K(I)) were in the range of 0.005-2.98 mg(mgSS d)(-1), 1.5-51.9 mg L(-1) and 1.8-95.8 mg L(-1), respectively. The presence of glucose enhanced the degradation of the nitrophenols at low glucose concentrations. The degradation of 3-NP was found to be accelerated with the increasing of glucose concentrations from 0 to 660 mg L(-1). At high (1320-2000 mg L(-1)) glucose concentrations, the degradation rate of 3-NP was reduced and the K(max) of 3-NP was even lower than the value obtained in the absence of glucose, suggesting that high concentrations of co-substrate could inhibit 3-NP biodegradation. At 2,4-DNP concentration of 30 mg L(-1), the K(max) of 2,4-DNP with glucose as co-substrate was about 30 times the value with 2,4-DNP as sole substrate. 2,6-DNP preformed high toxicity in the case of sole carbon source degradation and the kinetic data was hardly obtained. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Enhanced CO2 sequestration by a novel microalga: Scenedesmus obliquus SA1 isolated from bio-diversity hotspot region of Assam, India.

PubMed

Basu, Samarpita; Roy, Abhijit Sarma; Mohanty, Kaustubha; Ghoshal, Aloke K

2013-09-01

The present study aimed to isolate a high CO2 and temperature tolerant microalga capable of sequestering CO2 from flue gas. Microalga strain SA1 was isolated from a freshwater body of Assam and identified as Scenedesmus obliquus (KC733762). At 13.8±1.5% CO2 and 25 °C, maximum biomass (4.975±0.003 g L(-1)) and maximum CO2 fixation rate (252.883±0.361 mg L(-1) d(-1)) were obtained which were higher than most of the relevant studies. At elevated temperature (40 °C) and 13.8±1.5% CO2 maximum biomass (0.883±0.001 g L(-1)) was obtained. The carbohydrate, protein, lipid, and chlorophyll content of the CO2 treated SA1 were 30.87±0.64%, 9.48±1.65%, 33.04±0.46% and 6.03±0.19% respectively, which were higher than previous reports. Thus, SA1 could prove to be a potential candidate for CO2 sequestration from flue gas as well as for the production of value added substances. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An open-label drug-drug interaction study of the steady-state pharmacokinetics of topiramate and glyburide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PubMed

Manitpisitkul, Prasarn; Curtin, Christopher R; Shalayda, Kevin; Wang, Shean-Sheng; Ford, Lisa; Heald, Donald L

2013-12-01

Topiramate is approved for epilepsy and migraine headache management and has potential antidiabetic activity. Because topiramate and antidiabetic drugs may be co-administered, the potential drug-drug interactions between topiramate and glyburide (glibenclamide), a commonly used sulfonylurea antidiabetic agent, was evaluated at steady state in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This was a single-center, open-label, phase I, drug interaction study of topiramate (150 mg/day) and glyburide (5 mg/day alone and concomitantly) in patients with T2DM. The study consisted of 14-day screening, 48-day open-label treatment, and a 7-day follow-up phase. Serial blood and urine were obtained and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry for topiramate, glyburide, and its active metabolites M1 (4-trans-hydroxy-glyburide) and M2 (3-cis-hydroxy-glyburide) concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by model-independent methods. Changes in fasting plasma glucose from baseline and safety parameters were monitored throughout the study. Of 28 enrolled patients, 24 completed the study. Co-administration of topiramate resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the glyburide area under the concentration-time curve (25 %) and maximum plasma concentration (22 %), and reduction in systemic exposure of M1 (13 %) and M2 (15 %). Renal clearance of M1 (13 %) and M2 (12 %) increased during treatment with topiramate. Steady-state pharmacokinetics of topiramate were unaffected by co-administration of glyburide. Co-administration of topiramate and glyburide was generally tolerable in patients with T2DM. Glyburide did not affect the pharmacokinetics of topiramate. Co-administration of topiramate decreased systemic exposure of glyburide and its active metabolites; combined treatment may require dosing adjustments of glyburide as per clinical judgment and glycemic control.

Bioethanol production from raffinate phase of supercritical CO2 extracted Stevia rebaudiana leaves.

PubMed

Coban, Isik; Sargin, Sayit; Celiktas, Melih Soner; Yesil-Celiktas, Ozlem

2012-09-01

The extracts of Stevia rebaudiana are marketed as dietary supplements and utilized as natural sweetening agent in food products. Subsequent to extraction on industrial scale, large quantities of solid wastes are produced. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioconversion efficiency of supercritical CO(2) extracted S. rebaudiana residues. Therefore, leaves were extracted with supercritical CO(2) and ethanol mixture in order to obtain glycosides, then the raffinate phase was hydrolyzed by both dilute acid and various concentrations of cellulase and β-glucosidase cocktail. The maximum yield of reducing sugars reached 25.67 g/L under the optimal conditions of enzyme pretreatment, whereas 32.00 g/L was reached by consecutive enzymatic and acid hydrolyses. Bioethanol yield (20 g/L, 2.0% inoculum, 2 days) based on the sugar consumed was 45.55% corresponding to a productivity of 0.19 kg/m(3)h which demonstrates challenges to be utilized as a potential feedstock for the production of bioethanol. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

An assessment of dispersing pollutants from the pre-harvest burning of sugarcane in rural areas in the northeast of Brazil

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rangel, Maria Gabriela L.; Henríquez, Jorge R.; Costa, José A. P.; de Lira Junior, José C.

2018-04-01

In recent years, the Brazilian government has been applying several restrictions with regard to preventing environmental pollution. Although Brazilian legislation is becoming stricter as to the pre-harvest burning of sugarcane, this practice is frequently used in order to assist manual harvesting. In the northeast region of Brazil, sugarcane is an important crop, which accounts for about 15% of the national production in a total area of 1,060,660 ha, the average production being 51,119 kg per hectare. The pre-harvest burning of sugarcane generates smoke, which has a high concentration of atmospheric pollutants such as carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (P.M. 2.5 and 10), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOX). This article estimates the volume of CO, P.M. 2.5 and NOX generated and how they are dispersed in the atmosphere when this arises from the burning of sugarcane biomass in rural areas of Northeast Brazil, and does so by using AERMOD VIEW® simulation software. Using the characteristics of the emissions and environmental (meteorological and topographical) data, quality air profiles based on pollutant dispersion were obtained. Three studies were taken into account in order to determine the relationship between pollutant dispersion and some parameters of the burning process, such as those for the spatial distribution of resources, the duration of pre-harvest burning and the influence of undertaking burning in different months. As to spatial distribution, to divide an area into small lots contributes to decreasing the maximum concentration of pollutants by 53% compared to burning a single area of equivalent size. The study of the burning duration indicated that doing so gradually (using a lengthier procedure) could decrease the maximum concentration of the pollutants by an inverse relation. The harvesting period in this region is between November and April. The pollutants dispersion process was greatest in February. April presented the worst dispersion conditions, and was associated with the highest pollutant concentrations.

Application of NIR Laser Spectroscopy to the Monitoring of Volcanic Plumes: Principles and Practicalities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamish, A.; Christenson, B. W.; Mazot, A.

2014-12-01

The major volatile species in volcanic plume emissions (i.e., H2O, CO2, SO2, HCl, HF) are all strongly infrared (IR)-active, and lend themselves to infrared spectroscopic analysis. However, physical/optical access to plume gases along pathways which include a suitable natural or active IR radiation source is often difficult or impossible to achieve, particularly for timeframes extending beyond short campaign periods. In this study, we present results from preliminary tests conducted on three volcanic CO2 plume emissions using a tunable diode NIR laser system (TDL, Boreal Laser Inc.). The approach is proving itself as a good candidate for continuous monitoring of volcanic plume CO2, and by default all other IR-active constituents for which lasers of appropriate wavelength are available. The CO2 system is configured with a TDL in a transceiver generating laser light which can be tuned to coincide with one of several absorption lines in the CO2 absorption band between 1575 nm and 1585 nm. This beam propagates through the atmosphere (and plume) to a retro-reflector, which returns the beam to a photodiode detector in the transceiver which processes the signal to report real time CO2 column densities. The CO2 absorption line at 1579.1 nm was used to good effect on Mt Ruapehu (NZ) where volcanic gases emanate through a 100 m deep crater lake, resulting in CO2 concentrations of > 78 ppm above background in the mixing zone varying from 4 to 30 m above the lake surface. Subsequent tests on the main plume at White Island, however, generated only poor results with indicated CO2 amounts being less than atmospheric. We concluded that this was the result of interference from a neighboring but comparatively minor H2O absorption band which in the proximal, higher temperature plume (estimated 50-70 °C), had H2O concentrations some 4-5 times greater than ambient. A change to a less sensitive absorption line further removed from potential H2O band interference (1567.9 nm) appears to have solved this problem, and yielded maximum CO2 concentrations along the 730 m pathway in excess of 500 ppm.This approach holds promise for continuous, real-time monitoring of volcanic plume chemistry, and we will now turn our focus to the detection of SO2, HCl and HF plume species.

Occurrence of dichloroacetamide herbicide safeners and co-applied herbicides in midwestern U.S. streams

USGS Publications Warehouse

Woodward, Emily; Hladik, Michelle; Kolpin, Dana W.

2018-01-01

Dichloroacetamide safeners (e.g., AD-67, benoxacor, dichlormid, and furilazole) are co-applied with chloroacetanilide herbicides to protect crops from herbicide toxicity. While such safeners have been used since the early 1970s, there are minimal data about safener usage, occurrence in streams, or potential ecological effects. This study focused on one of these research gaps, occurrence in streams. Seven Midwestern U.S. streams (five in Iowa and two in Illinois), with extensive row-crop agriculture, were sampled at varying frequencies from spring 2016 through summer 2017. All four safeners were detected at least once; furilazole was the most frequently detected (31%), followed by benoxacor (29%), dichlormid (15%), and AD-67 (2%). The maximum concentrations ranged from 42 to 190 ng/L. Stream detections and concentrations of safeners appear to be driven by a combination of timing of application (spring following herbicide application) and precipitation events. Detected concentrations were below known toxicity levels for aquatic organisms.

A feasibility study on the bioconversion of CO2 and H2 to biomethane by gas sparging through polymeric membranes.

PubMed

Díaz, I; Pérez, C; Alfaro, N; Fdz-Polanco, F

2015-06-01

In this study, the potential of a pilot hollow-fiber membrane bioreactor for the conversion of H2 and CO2 to CH4 was evaluated. The system transformed 95% of H2 and CO2 fed at a maximum loading rate of 40.2 [Formula: see text] and produced 0.22m(3) of CH4 per m(3) of H2 fed at thermophilic conditions. H2 mass transfer to the liquid phase was identified as the limiting step for the conversion, and kLa values of 430h(-1) were reached in the bioreactor by sparging gas through the membrane module. A simulation showed that the bioreactor could upgrade biogas at a rate of 25m(3)/mR(3)d, increasing the CH4 concentration from 60 to 95%v. This proof-of-concept study verified that gas sparging through a membrane module can efficiently transfer H2 from gas to liquid phase and that the conversion of H2 and CO2 to biomethane is feasible on a pilot scale at noteworthy load rates. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Direct Observation on the Temporal and Spatial Patterns of the CO2 Concentration in the Atmospheric of Nanjing Urban Canyon in Summer].

PubMed

Gao, Yun-qiu; Liu, Shou-dong; Hu, Ning; Wang, Shu-min; Deng, Li-chen; Yu, Zhou; Zhang, Zhen; Li, Xu-hui

2015-07-01

Direct observation of urban atmospheric CO2 concentration is vital for the research in the contribution of anthropogenic activity to the atmospheric abundance since cities are important CO2 sources. The observations of the atmospheric CO2 concentration at multiple sites/heights can help us learn more about the temporal and spatial patterns and influencing mechanisms. In this study, the CO2 concentration was observed at 5 sites (east, west, south, north and middle) in the main city area of Nanjing from July 18 to 25, 2014, and the vertical profile of atmospheric CO2 concentration was measured in the middle site at 3 heights (30 m, 65 m and 110 m). The results indicated that: (1) An obvious vertical CO2 gradient was found, with higher CO2 concentration [molar fraction of 427. 3 x 10(-6) (±18. 2 x 10(-6))] in the lower layer due to the strong influences of anthropogenic emissions, and lower CO2 concentration in the upper layers [411. 8 x 10(-6) (±15. 0 x 10(-6)) and 410. 9 x 10(-6) (±14. 6 x 10(-6)) at 65 and 110 m respectively] for the well-mixed condition. The CO2 concentration was higher and the vertical gradient was larger when the atmosphere was stable. (2) The spatial distribution pattern of CO2 concentration was dominated by wind and atmospheric stability. During the observation, the CO2 concentration in the southwest was higher than that in the northeast region with the CO2 concentration difference of 7. 8 x 10(-6), because the northwest wind was prevalent. And the CO2 concentration difference reduced with increasing wind speed since stronger wind diluted CO2 more efficiently. The more stable the atmosphere was, the higher the CO2 concentration was. (3) An obvious diurnal variation of CO2 concentration was shown in the 5 sites. A peak value occurred during the morning rush hours, the valley value occurred around 17:00 (Local time) and another high value occurred around 19:00 because of evening rush hour sometimes.

CO2 Enhancement of Growth and Photosynthesis in Rice (Oryza sativa) 1

PubMed Central

Ziska, Lewis H.; Teramura, Alan H.

1992-01-01

Two cultivars of rice (Oryza sativa L.) IR-36 and Fujiyama-5 were grown at ambient (360 microbars) and elevated CO2 (660 microbars) from germination through reproduction in unshaded greenhouses at the Duke University Phytotron. Growth at elevated CO2 resulted in significant decreases in nighttime respiration and increases in photosynthesis, total biomass, and yield for both cultivars. However, in plants exposed to simultaneous increases in CO2 and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation, CO2 enhancement effects on respiration, photosynthesis, and biomass were eliminated in IR-36 and significantly reduced in Fujiyama-5. UV-B radiation simulated a 25% depletion in stratospheric ozone at Durham, North Carolina. Analysis of the response of CO2 uptake to internal CO2 concentration at light saturation suggested that, for IR-36, the predominant limitation to photosynthesis with increased UV-B radiation was the capacity for regeneration of ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP), whereas for Fujiyama-5 the primary photosynthetic decrease appeared to be related to a decline in apparent carboxylation efficiency. Changes in the RuBP regeneration limitation in IR-36 were consistent with damage to the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II as estimated from the ratio of variable to maximum chlorophyll fluorescence. Little change in RuBP regeneration and photochemistry was evident in cultivar Fujiyama-5, however. The degree of sensitivity of photochemical reactions with increased UV-B radiation appeared to be related to leaf production of UV-B-absorbing compounds. Fujiyama-5 had a higher concentration of these compounds than IR-36 in all environments, and the production of these compounds in Fujiyama-5 was stimulated by UV-B fluence. Results from this study suggest that in rice alterations in growth or photosynthesis as a result of enhanced CO2 may be eliminated or reduced if UV-B radiation continues to increase. PMID:16668910

Millennial Variability of Eastern Equatorial Bottom Water Oxygenation and Atmospheric CO2 over the past 100 kyr

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marcantonio, F.; Loveley, M.; Wisler, M.; Hostak, R.; Hertzberg, J. E.; Schmidt, M. W.; Lyle, M. W.

2017-12-01

Storage of respired carbon in the deep ocean may play a significant role in lowering atmospheric CO2 concentrations by about 80 ppm during the last glacial maximum compared to pre-industrial times. The cause of this sequestration and the subsequent release of the deep respired carbon pool at the last termination remains elusive. Within the last glacial period, on millennial timescales, the relationship between the CO2 cycle and any waxing and waning of a deep respired pool also remains unclear. To further our understanding of the millennial variability in the storage of a deep-ocean respired carbon pool during the last glacial, we measure authigenic uranium and 230Th-derived non-lithogenic barium fluxes (xsBa flux) in two high-sedimentation-rate cores from the Panama Basin of the Eastern Equatorial Pacific (EEP) (8JC, 6° 14.0' N, 86° 02.6' W; 1993 m water depth; 17JC 00° 10.8' S, 85° 52.0' W; 2846 m water depth). Sediment authigenic U concentrations are controlled by the redox state of sediments which, in turn, is a function of the rain of organic material from the surface ocean and the oxygen content of bottom waters. At both 8JC and 17JC, the mismatch between xsBa fluxes, a proxy for the reconstruction of oceanic productivity, and authigenic uranium concentrations suggests that the primary control of the latter values is changes in bottom water oxygenation. Peak authigenic uranium concentrations occur during glacial periods MIS 2, 3, and 4, respectively, and are two to three times higher than those during interglacial periods, MIS 1 and 5. EEP bottom waters were likely suboxic during times of the last glacial period when atmospheric CO2 concentrations were at their lowest concentrations. In addition, the pattern of increased deep-water oxygenation during times of higher CO2 during the last glacial is similar to that reported in a study of authigenic U in sediments from the Antarctic Zone of the Southern Ocean (Jaccard et al., 2016). We suggest that a respired carbon pool existed within a large swath of the abyssal Southern and Pacific Oceans throughout the entire last glacial cycle, and that this respired carbon was periodically released through increased ventilation of deep ocean waters. Jaccard et al. (2016) Nature 530, 207-210.

Surface ozone and carbon monoxide levels observed at Oki, Japan: regional air pollution trends in East Asia.

PubMed

Sikder, Helena Akhter; Suthawaree, Jeeranut; Kato, Shungo; Kajii, Yoshizumi

2011-03-01

Simultaneous ground-based measurements of ozone and carbon monoxide were performed at Oki, Japan, from January 2001 to September 2002 in order to investigate the O(3) and CO characteristics and their distributions. The observations revealed that O(3) and CO concentrations were maximum in springtime and minimum in the summer. The monthly averaged concentrations of O(3) and CO were 60 and 234 ppb in spring and 23 and 106 ppb in summer, respectively. Based on direction, 5-day isentropic backward trajectory analysis was carried out to determine the transport path of air masses, preceding their arrival at Oki. Comparison between classified results from present work and results from the year 1994-1996 was carried out. The O(3) and CO concentration results of classified air masses in our analysis show similar concentration trends to previous findings; highest in the WNW/W, lowest in N/NE and medium levels in NW. Moreover, O(3) levels are higher and CO levels are lower in the present study in all categories. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Susceptibility and remanence studies in the quasi-1D mixed ferromagnet CoTAC : Mn

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheikhrouhou, A.; Dupas, C.; Renard, J. P.; Veillet, P.

1985-03-01

The ac susceptibility and dc magnetization of CoTAC : Mn ((CH 3) 3NHCo 1- xMn xCl 3ṡ2H 2O) have been studied in the temperature range 1.3-4.2 K on two monocrystalline samples with x = 2.9 and 9.3%. In CoTAC : Mn (9.3%), the variation with the measuring frequency ν of the temperature of the susceptibility maximum Tg(ν) is well described over five decades of frequency by an Arrhenius law Tg-1(ν) = a - b log ν characteristic of superparamagnetic clusters. In CoTAC : Mn (2.9%) Tg(ν) does not differ significantly from that of pure CoTAC. Both compounds exhibit strong remanence effects below Tg. The variations with time, temperature and applied magnetic field of the IRM and TRM are similar to those observed in spin glasses. These experiments confirm the onset of spin-glass-like behaviour or superparamagnetism in quasi-1D insulators with random intrachain exchange at very low impurity concentration. Comparison with the previously studied mixed compound CHAC : Mn evidences the influence of the exchange anisotropy on the static properties of these systems.

Limits to the Positive Effect of Ocean Acidification on Macroalgal Primary Production, Interactions with Light and Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubler, J.; Dudgeon, S. R.; Nisumaa, A. M.

2016-02-01

About one third of macroalgal species lack any carbon concentrating mechanism (CCM), which prevents carbon limitation under air equilibrium in other seaweed species. It is predicted that those species lacking CCM's will benefit from ongoing ocean acidification in terms of primary productivity and growth. The absolute sizes and pattern of those benefits are not known. Here, we compare the results of a model based on composite data from the literature, with a growth experiment using Plocamium cartilagineum, a broadly distributed rhodophyte species lacking a carbon concentrating mechanism and hypothesized to be carbon limited under current conditions. We grew P. cartilagineum, at 15 and 20°C in seawater aerated with a total of 53 different pCO2s (from 344 to 1053µatm), in 8 multiweek trials over 12 months. We measured growth and photosynthetic rates. A linear mixed model analysis was used to partition the effect sizes of drivers of variation in the experiment. The growth rates and maximum photosynthetic rates responded nonlinearly to OA, increasing with elevated pCO2 from recent atmospheric level to up 450µatm and decreasing at higher pCO2. Light harvesting efficiency was unaffected by pCO2 and inversely related to temperature. We were able to compare the results of the growth experiment directly to the model based on the additive effects of temperature and pCO2 on photosynthetic rates, finding concordance of the pattern of response. The size of the effect of pCO2 on growth rate in the experiment was greater than the effect predicted by the model for net primary productivity. These results predict that the benefit of OA for macroalgal growth may disappear as ocean acidification continues through this century.

Soil greenhouse gases fluxes in forest - fallow succession at the Central Forest Reserve in European Russia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komarova, Tatiana; Vasenev, Ivan

2017-04-01

One of the principal factors influencing the current level of the greenhouse fluxes are land-use changes, including the forest restoration in fallow lands, which is widespread at the Central Region of Russia. The comprehensive environmental studies of soil greenhouse fluxes have been done in comparable sites with different stages of the forest-fallow successions in the southern part of the Central Forest Reserve with spruce domination in the mature forest - representative southern-taiga ecosystems. Seasonal and diurnal dynamics CO2 fluxes measurements were carried out in situ using a mobile gas analyzer Li-820 with soil exposure chambers and parallel observation of air temperature, soil temperature and moisture. Also, every ten days the soil air has been sampled in the vials for further CO2, CH4 and N2O flux measurements by the stationary gas chromatograph. Within forest-fallow successions there are shown the litter gradual development, humus-accumulative horizon differentiation, soil acidity and bulk density increasing. At the same time there is enough obvious in the down part of past-arable horizon gradual restoration of the podzolic horizon. The monitoring results have shown the essential decreasing of soil CO2 fluxes (in 2 times) in frame of successions. The maximum CO2 fluxes have been fixed in July with optimal soil temperature/moisture ratio. In the middle of July the maximum CO2 emission is observed in fallow grassland (34,1 g CO2 / m2day), that is almost in 2-times more than in spruce-forest after fallow stage of 120-150 years. It is important that soil CO2 fluxes essentially increase with soil temperature rise (with up to R = 0,75) and drop soil moisture (with up to R = - 0,66). During the day, the most intense soil CO2 fluxes have been observed from case of 12:00 to 18:00. The maximum CO2 flux has been recorded at 15:00 in the fallow grassland (23 g CO2 / m2 day). In the forest-fallow stage of 10-15 years the maximum soil CO2 flux observed at 12 hours was (16 - 17 g CO2 / m2 day). There were not strong differences in soil CO2 fluxes of these two investigated sites in the night time from 21:00 to 9:00. The essential daily dynamics must be taken into attention for assessment the seasonal fluxes of greenhouse gases and carbon balance. The maximum CH4 flux has been fixed in the fallow grassland and forest-fallow stage of 10 - 15 years - in contrast to stable soil sink CH4 in the spruce-forest after forest-fallow older than 120 years. In the fallow meadow grassland there are observed CH4 emission in July and sink in June and August, with a maximum flux in early July. The level of N2O fluxes usually does not exceed 0,2 mg N2O /m2*day with the maximum flux in mid-August and light sink in early June.

Abundance of the iron containing biomolecule, heme b, during the progression of a spring phytoplankton bloom in a mesocosm experiment

PubMed Central

Bellworthy, Jessica; Esposito, Mario; Achterberg, Eric P.

2017-01-01

Concentrations of heme b were determined in a mesocosm experiment situated in Gullmar Fjord off Sweden. The mesocosm experiment lasted for ca. one hundred days and was characterised by the growth of a primary nutrient replete and a secondary nutrient deplete phytoplankton bloom. Heme b varied between 40 ± 10 pmol L-1 in the prebloom period up to a maximum of 700 ± 400 pmol L-1 just prior to the time of the primary chlorophyll a maximum. Thereafter, heme b concentrations decreased again to an average of 120 ± 60 pmol L-1. When normalised to total particulate carbon, heme b was most abundant during the initiation of the nutrient replete spring bloom, when ratios reached 52 ± 24 μmol mol-1; ten times higher than values observed both pre and post the primary bloom. Concentrations of heme b correlated with those of chlorophyll a. Nevertheless, differences were observed in the relative concentrations of the two parameters, with heme b concentrations increasing relative to chlorophyll a during the growth of the primary bloom, decreasing over the period of the secondary bloom and increasing again through the latter period of the experiment. Heme b abundance was therefore influenced by nutrient concentrations and also likely by changing community composition. In half of the mesocosms, pCO2 was elevated and maintained at ca.1000 μatm, however we observed no significant differences between heme b in plus or ambient pCO2 mesocosms, either in absolute terms, or relative to total particulate carbon and chlorophyll a. The results obtained in this study contribute to our understanding of the distribution of this significant component of the biogenic iron pool, and provide an iron replete coastal water end member that aids the interpretation of the distributions of heme b in more iron deplete open ocean waters. PMID:28426768

Feedbacks of Density and Viscosity Nonlinearities on Convective Mixing: Experiments and High-resolution Simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hidalgo, J. J.; MacMinn, C. W.; Cueto-Felgueroso, L.; Fe, J.

2011-12-01

Dissolution by convective mixing is one of the main trapping mechanisms during CO2 sequestration in saline aquifers. The free-phase CO2 tends to rise due to buoyancy, accumulate beneath the caprock and dissolve into the brine, initially by diffusion. The CO2-brine mixture, however, is denser than the two initial fluids, leading to a Rayleigh-Bénard-type instability known as convective mixing, which greatly accelerates CO2 dissolution. Although this is a well-known process, it remains unclear how convective mixing scales with the governing parameters of the system and its impact on the actual mixing of CO2 and brine. Here, we perform high-resolution numerical simulations and laboratory experiments with an analogue fluid system (water and propylene glycol) to explore the dependence of the CO2 dissolution flux on the nonlinearity of the density and viscosity of the fluid mixture. We find that the convective flux depends strongly on the value of the concentration for which the density of the mixture is maximum, and on the viscosity contrast between the fluids. From the experimental and simulation results we elucidate the scaling behavior of convective mixing, and clarify the role of nonlinear density and viscosity feedbacks in the interpretation of the analogue-fluid experiments.

Partitioning of F between H2O and CO2 fluids and topaz rhyolite melt - Implications for mineralizing magmatic-hydrothermal fluids in F-rich granitic systems

USGS Publications Warehouse

Webster, J.D.

1990-01-01

Fluid/melt distribution coefficients for F have been determined in experiments conducted with peraluminous topaz rhyolite melts and fluids consisting of H2O and H2O+CO2 at pressures of 0.5 to 5 kbar, temperatures of 775??-1000??C, and concentrations of F in the melt ranging from 0.5 to 6.9 wt%. The major element, F, and Cl concentrations of the starting material and run product glasses were determined by electron microprobe, and the concentration of F in the fluid was calculated by mass balance. The H2O concentrations of some run product glasses were determined by ion microprobe (SIMS). The solubility of melt in the fluid phase increases with increasing F in the system; the solubility of H2O in the melt is independent of the F concentration of the system with up to 6.3 wt% F in the melt. No evidence of immiscible silica- and fluoriderich liquids was detected in the hydrous but water-undersaturated starting material glasses (???8.5 wt% F in melt) or in the water-saturated run product glasses. F concentrates in topaz rhyolite melts relative to coexisting fluids at most conditions studied; however, DF (wt% F in fluid/wt% F in melt) increases strongly with increasing F in the system. Maximum values of DF in this study are significantly larger than those previously reported in the literature. Linear extrapolation of the data suggests that DF is greater than one for water-saturated, peraluminous granitic melts containing ???8 wt% F at 800?? C and 2 kbar. DF increases as temperature and as (H2O/H2O+CO2) of the fluid increase. For topaz rhyolite melts containing ???1 wt% F and with H2O-rich fluids, DF is independent of changes in pressure from 2 to 5 kbar at 800?? C; for melts containing ???1 wt% F and in equilibrium with CO2-bearing fluids the concentrations of F in fluid increases with increasing pressure. F-and lithophile element-enriched granites may evolve to compositions containing extreme concentrations of F during the final stages of crystallization. If F in the melt exceeds 8 wt%, DF is greater than one and the associated magmatic-hydrothermal fluid contains >4 molal F. Such F-enriched fluids may be important in the mass transport of ore constituents, i.e., F, Mo, W, Sn, Li, Be, Rb, Cs, U, Th, Nb, Ta, and B, from the magma. ?? 1990 Springer-Verlag.

Recurrence quantification analysis of extremes of maximum and minimum temperature patterns for different climate scenarios in the Mesochora catchment in Central-Western Greece

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panagoulia, Dionysia; Vlahogianni, Eleni I.

2018-06-01

A methodological framework based on nonlinear recurrence analysis is proposed to examine the historical data evolution of extremes of maximum and minimum daily mean areal temperature patterns over time under different climate scenarios. The methodology is based on both historical data and atmospheric General Circulation Model (GCM) produced climate scenarios for the periods 1961-2000 and 2061-2100 which correspond to 1 × CO2 and 2 × CO2 scenarios. Historical data were derived from the actual daily observations coupled with atmospheric circulation patterns (CPs). The dynamics of the temperature was reconstructed in the phase-space from the time series of temperatures. The statistically comparing different temperature patterns were based on some discriminating statistics obtained by the Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA). Moreover, the bootstrap method of Schinkel et al. (2009) was adopted to calculate the confidence bounds of RQA parameters based on a structural preserving resampling. The overall methodology was implemented to the mountainous Mesochora catchment in Central-Western Greece. The results reveal substantial similarities between the historical maximum and minimum daily mean areal temperature statistical patterns and their confidence bounds, as well as the maximum and minimum temperature patterns in evolution under the 2 × CO2 scenario. A significant variability and non-stationary behaviour characterizes all climate series analyzed. Fundamental differences are produced from the historical and maximum 1 × CO2 scenarios, the maximum 1 × CO2 and minimum 1 × CO2 scenarios, as well as the confidence bounds for the two CO2 scenarios. The 2 × CO2 scenario reflects the strongest shifts in intensity, duration and frequency in temperature patterns. Such transitions can help the scientists and policy makers to understand the effects of extreme temperature changes on water resources, economic development, and health of ecosystems and hence to proceed to effective proactive management of extreme phenomena. The impacts of the findings on the predictability of the extreme daily mean areal temperature patterns are also commented.

Trait Acclimation Mitigates Mortality Risks of Tropical Canopy Trees under Global Warming.

PubMed

Sterck, Frank; Anten, Niels P R; Schieving, Feike; Zuidema, Pieter A

2016-01-01

There is a heated debate about the effect of global change on tropical forests. Many scientists predict large-scale tree mortality while others point to mitigating roles of CO2 fertilization and - the notoriously unknown - physiological trait acclimation of trees. In this opinion article we provided a first quantification of the potential of trait acclimation to mitigate the negative effects of warming on tropical canopy tree growth and survival. We applied a physiological tree growth model that incorporates trait acclimation through an optimization approach. Our model estimated the maximum effect of acclimation when trees optimize traits that are strongly plastic on a week to annual time scale (leaf photosynthetic capacity, total leaf area, stem sapwood area) to maximize carbon gain. We simulated tree carbon gain for temperatures (25-35°C) and ambient CO2 concentrations (390-800 ppm) predicted for the 21st century. Full trait acclimation increased simulated carbon gain by up to 10-20% and the maximum tolerated temperature by up to 2°C, thus reducing risks of tree death under predicted warming. Functional trait acclimation may thus increase the resilience of tropical trees to warming, but cannot prevent tree death during extremely hot and dry years at current CO2 levels. We call for incorporating trait acclimation in field and experimental studies of plant functional traits, and in models that predict responses of tropical forests to climate change.

Environmental risk assessment of cobalt and manganese from industrial sources in an estuarine system.

PubMed

Barrio-Parra, F; Elío, J; De Miguel, E; García-González, J E; Izquierdo, M; Álvarez, R

2018-04-01

A total of 74 samples of soil, sediment, industrial sludge, and surface water were collected in a Mediterranean estuarine system in order to assess the potential ecological impact of elevated concentrations of Co and Mn associated with a Terephthalic (PTA) and Isophthalic (PIPA) acids production plant. Samples were analyzed for elemental composition (37 elements), pH, redox potential, organic carbon, and CaCO 3 content, and a group of 16 selected samples were additionally subjected to a Tessier sequential extraction. Co and Mn soil concentrations were significantly higher inside the industrial facility and around its perimeter than in background samples, and maximum dissolved Co and Mn concentrations were found in a creek near the plant's discharge point, reaching values 17,700 and 156 times higher than their respective background concentrations. The ecological risk was evaluated as a function of Co and Mn fractionation and bioavailability which were controlled by the environmental conditions generated by the advance of seawater into the estuarine system during high tide. Co appeared to precipitate near the river mouth due to the pH increase produced by the influence of seawater intrusion, reaching hazardous concentrations in sediments. In terms of their bioavailability and the corresponding risk assessment code, both Co and Mn present sediment concentrations that result in medium to high ecological risk whereas water concentrations of both elements reach values that more than double their corresponding Secondary Acute Values.

Biomethanation of Syngas Using Anaerobic Sludge: Shift in the Catabolic Routes with the CO Partial Pressure Increase.

PubMed

Sancho Navarro, Silvia; Cimpoia, Ruxandra; Bruant, Guillaume; Guiot, Serge R

2016-01-01

Syngas generated by thermal gasification of biomass or coal can be steam reformed and purified into methane, which could be used locally for energy needs, or re-injected in the natural gas grid. As an alternative to chemical catalysis, the main components of the syngas (CO, CO2, and H2) can be used as substrates by a wide range of microorganisms, to be converted into gas biofuels, including methane. This study evaluates the carboxydotrophic (CO-consuming) methanogenic potential present in an anaerobic sludge from an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor treating waste water, and elucidates the CO conversion routes to methane at 35 ± 3°C. Kinetic activity tests under CO at partial pressures (pCO) varying from 0.1 to 1.5 atm (0.09-1.31 mmol/L in the liquid phase) showed a significant carboxydotrophic activity potential for growing conditions on CO alone. A maximum methanogenic activity of 1 mmol CH4 per g of volatile suspended solid and per day was achieved at 0.2 atm of CO (0.17 mmol/L), and then the rate decreased with the amount of CO supplied. The intermediary metabolites such as acetate, H2, and propionate started to accumulate at higher CO concentrations. Inhibition experiments with 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES), fluoroacetate, and vancomycin showed that in a mixed culture CO was converted mainly to acetate by acetogenic bacteria, which was further transformed to methane by acetoclastic methanogens, while direct methanogenic CO conversion was negligible. Methanogenesis was totally blocked at high pCO in the bottles (≥1 atm). However it was possible to achieve higher methanogenic potential under a 100% CO atmosphere after acclimation of the sludge to CO. This adaptation to high CO concentrations led to a shift in the archaeal population, then dominated by hydrogen-utilizing methanogens, which were able to take over acetoclastic methanogens, while syntrophic acetate oxidizing (SAO) bacteria oxidized acetate into CO2 and H2. The disaggregation of the granular sludge showed a negative impact on their methanogenic activity, confirming that the acetoclastic methanogens were the most sensitive to CO, and a contrario, the advantage of using granular sludge for further development toward large-scale methane production from CO-rich syngas.

Biomethanation of Syngas Using Anaerobic Sludge: Shift in the Catabolic Routes with the CO Partial Pressure Increase

PubMed Central

Sancho Navarro, Silvia; Cimpoia, Ruxandra; Bruant, Guillaume; Guiot, Serge R.

2016-01-01

Syngas generated by thermal gasification of biomass or coal can be steam reformed and purified into methane, which could be used locally for energy needs, or re-injected in the natural gas grid. As an alternative to chemical catalysis, the main components of the syngas (CO, CO2, and H2) can be used as substrates by a wide range of microorganisms, to be converted into gas biofuels, including methane. This study evaluates the carboxydotrophic (CO-consuming) methanogenic potential present in an anaerobic sludge from an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) reactor treating waste water, and elucidates the CO conversion routes to methane at 35 ± 3°C. Kinetic activity tests under CO at partial pressures (pCO) varying from 0.1 to 1.5 atm (0.09–1.31 mmol/L in the liquid phase) showed a significant carboxydotrophic activity potential for growing conditions on CO alone. A maximum methanogenic activity of 1 mmol CH4 per g of volatile suspended solid and per day was achieved at 0.2 atm of CO (0.17 mmol/L), and then the rate decreased with the amount of CO supplied. The intermediary metabolites such as acetate, H2, and propionate started to accumulate at higher CO concentrations. Inhibition experiments with 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES), fluoroacetate, and vancomycin showed that in a mixed culture CO was converted mainly to acetate by acetogenic bacteria, which was further transformed to methane by acetoclastic methanogens, while direct methanogenic CO conversion was negligible. Methanogenesis was totally blocked at high pCO in the bottles (≥1 atm). However it was possible to achieve higher methanogenic potential under a 100% CO atmosphere after acclimation of the sludge to CO. This adaptation to high CO concentrations led to a shift in the archaeal population, then dominated by hydrogen-utilizing methanogens, which were able to take over acetoclastic methanogens, while syntrophic acetate oxidizing (SAO) bacteria oxidized acetate into CO2 and H2. The disaggregation of the granular sludge showed a negative impact on their methanogenic activity, confirming that the acetoclastic methanogens were the most sensitive to CO, and a contrario, the advantage of using granular sludge for further development toward large-scale methane production from CO-rich syngas. PMID:27536280

Does pan diameter influence carbon monoxide levels during heating of water to boiling point with a camping stove?

PubMed

Leigh-Smith, Simon; Stevenson, Richard; Watt, Martin; Watt, Ian; McFadyen, Angus; Grant, Stan

2004-01-01

To determine whether pan diameter influences carbon monoxide (CO) concentration during heating of water to boiling point with a camping stove. The hypothesis was that increasing pan diameter increases CO concentration because of greater flame dispersal and a larger flame. This was a randomized, prospective study. A Coleman Dual Fuel 533 stove was used to heat pans of water to boiling point, with CO concentration monitored every 30 seconds for 5 minutes. The stove was inside a partially ventilated 200-L cardboard box model that was inside an environmental chamber at -6 degrees C. Water temperature, water volume, and flame characteristics were all standardized. Ten trials were performed for each of 2 pan diameters (base diameters of 165 mm [small] and 220 mm [large]). There was a significant difference (P = .002) between the pans for CO levels at each measurement interval from 60 seconds onward. These differences were markedly larger after 90 seconds, with a mean difference of 185 ppm (95% CI 115, 276 ppm) for all the results from 120 seconds onwards. This study has shown that there is significantly higher CO production with a large-diameter pan compared with a small-diameter pan. These findings were evident by using a camping stove to heat water to boiling point when a maximum blue flame was present throughout. Thus, in enclosed environments it is recommended that small-diameter pans be used in an attempt to prevent high CO levels.

Reduced chemical kinetics for propane combustion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ying, Shuh-Jing; Nguyen, Hung Lee

1990-01-01

It is pointed out that a detailed chemical kinetics mechanism for the combustion of propane consists of 40 chemical species and 118 elementary chemical reactions. An attempt is made to reduce the number of chemical species and elementary chemical reactions so that the computer run times and storage requirements may be greatly reduced in three-dimensional gas turbine combustion flow calculations, while maintaining accurate predictions of the propane combustion and exhaust emissions. By way of a sensitivity analysis, the species of interest and chemical reactions are classified in descending order of importance. Nineteen species are chosen, and their pressure, temperature, and concentration profiles are presented for the reduced mechanisms, which are then compared with those from the full 118 reactions. It is found that 45 reactions involving 27 species have to be kept for comparable agreement. A comparison of the results obtained from the 45 reactions to that of the full 118 shows that the pressure and temperature profiles and concentrations of C3H8, O2, N2, H2O, CO, and CO2 are within 10 percent of maximum change.

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations, clipping regimen and differential day/night atmospheric warming on tissue nitrogen concentrations of a perennial pasture grass

PubMed Central

Volder, Astrid; Gifford, Roger M.; Evans, John R.

2015-01-01

Forecasting the effects of climate change on nitrogen (N) cycling in pastures requires an understanding of changes in tissue N. We examined the effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration, atmospheric warming and simulated grazing (clipping frequency) on aboveground and belowground tissue N concentrations and C : N ratios of a C3 pasture grass. Phalaris aquatica L. cv. ‘Holdfast’ was grown in the field in six transparent temperature gradient tunnels (18 × 1.5 × 1.5 m each), three at ambient atmospheric CO2 and three at 759 p.p.m. CO2. Within each tunnel, there were three air temperature treatments: ambient control, +2.2/+4.0 °C above ambient day/night warming and +3.0 °C continuous warming. A frequent and an infrequent clipping treatment were applied to each warming × CO2 combination. Green leaf N concentrations were decreased by elevated CO2 and increased by more frequent clipping. Both warming treatments increased leaf N concentrations under ambient CO2 concentrations, but did not significantly alter leaf N concentrations under elevated CO2 concentrations. Nitrogen resorption from leaves was decreased under elevated CO2 conditions as well as by more frequent clipping. Fine root N concentrations decreased strongly with increasing soil depth and were further decreased at the 10–60 cm soil depths by elevated CO2 concentrations. The interaction between the CO2 and warming treatments showed that leaf N concentration was affected in a non-additive manner. Changes in leaf C : N ratios were driven by changes in N concentration. Overall, the effects of CO2, warming and clipping treatments on aboveground tissue N concentrations were much greater than on belowground tissue. PMID:26272874

Tolerant chalcogenide cathodes of membraneless micro fuel cells.

PubMed

Gago, Aldo Saul; Gochi-Ponce, Yadira; Feng, Yong-Jun; Esquivel, Juan Pablo; Sabaté, Neus; Santander, Joaquin; Alonso-Vante, Nicolas

2012-08-01

The most critical issues to overcome in micro direct methanol fuel cells (μDMFCs) are the lack of tolerance of the platinum cathode and fuel crossover through the polymer membrane. Thus, two novel tolerant cathodes of a membraneless microlaminar-flow fuel cell (μLFFC), Pt(x)S(y) and CoSe(2), were developed. The multichannel structure of the system was microfabricated in SU-8 polymer. A commercial platinum cathode served for comparison. When using 5 M CH(3)OH as the fuel, maximum power densities of 6.5, 4, and 0.23 mW cm(-2) were achieved for the μLFFC with Pt, Pt(x)S(y), and CoSe(2) cathodes, respectively. The Pt(x)S(y) cathode outperformed Pt in the same fuel cell when using CH(3)OH at concentrations above 10 M. In a situation where fuel crossover is 100 %, that is, mixing the fuel with the reactant, the maximum power density of the micro fuel cell with Pt decreased by 80 %. However, for Pt(x)S(y) this decrease corresponded to 35 % and for CoSe(2) there was no change in performance. This result is the consequence of the high tolerance of the chalcogenide-based cathodes. When using 10 M HCOOH and a palladium-based anode, the μLFFC with a CoSe(2) cathode achieved a maxiumum power density of 1.04 mW cm(-2). This micro fuel cell does not contain either Nafion membrane or platinum. We report, for the first time, the evaluation of Pt(x)S(y)- and CoSe(2)-based cathodes in membraneless micro fuel cells. The results suggest the development of a novel system that is not size restricted and its operation is mainly based on the selectivity of its electrodes. Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Why small fluxes matter: the case and approaches for improving measurements of photosynthesis and (photo)respiration

PubMed Central

Hanson, David T.; Stutz, Samantha S.; Boyer, John S.

2016-01-01

Since its inception, the Farquhar et al. (1980) model of photosynthesis has been a mainstay for relating biochemistry to environmental conditions from chloroplast to global levels in terrestrial plants. Many variables could be assigned from basic enzyme kinetics, but the model also required measurements of maximum rates of photosynthetic electron transport (J max), carbon assimilation (Vcmax), conductance of CO2 into (g s) and through (g m) the leaf, and the rate of respiration during the day (R d). This review focuses on improving the accuracy of these measurements, especially fluxes from photorespiratory CO2, CO2 in the transpiration stream, and through the leaf epidermis and cuticle. These fluxes, though small, affect the accuracy of all methods of estimating mesophyll conductance and several other photosynthetic parameters because they all require knowledge of CO2 concentrations in the intercellular spaces. This review highlights modified methods that may help to reduce some of the uncertainties. The approaches are increasingly important when leaves are stressed or when fluxes are inferred at scales larger than the leaf. PMID:27099373

In situ detection of microbial respiration in soils and salt flats. [Nevada desert

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tew, R. W.

1973-01-01

Increase in CO2 partial pressures over a desert soil treated with casamino-acids glucose solution correlated with bacterial growth. Few or no increases in numbers of bacteria or CO2 concentrations were noted in similar plots treated with water only or receiving no treatment. Growth in the soil appeared to be severely nutrient limited during the 10 day experiment. Especially rapid growth took place between the third and fifth day, when temperatures ranged from 0 deg. (night) to a maximum of 17.4 deg. (day). Under the conditions of the experiment, intermittent CO2 assay was an insensitive indicator of growth, possibly because of restiction of gas escape by the desert pavement or solution, exchange, or precipitation of carbonate, but more likely because of inefficient sealing of hoods to and below the soil surface. CO2 assay was unable to detect microbial successions. The unpredictable course of these successions, plus unpredictable relative retentions mitigates against assay of organic gases as reliable in situ detection of microbial activity, except perhaps in very alkaline environments such as Owens Lake salts.

Temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration estimates through the PETM using triple oxygen isotope analysis of mammalian bioapatite

PubMed Central

Gehler, Alexander; Pack, Andreas

2016-01-01

The Paleocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) is a remarkable climatic and environmental event that occurred 56 Ma ago and has importance for understanding possible future climate change. The Paleocene–Eocene transition is marked by a rapid temperature rise contemporaneous with a large negative carbon isotope excursion (CIE). Both the temperature and the isotopic excursion are well-documented by terrestrial and marine proxies. The CIE was the result of a massive release of carbon into the atmosphere. However, the carbon source and quantities of CO2 and CH4 greenhouse gases that contributed to global warming are poorly constrained and highly debated. Here we combine an established oxygen isotope paleothermometer with a newly developed triple oxygen isotope paleo-CO2 barometer. We attempt to quantify the source of greenhouse gases released during the Paleocene–Eocene transition by analyzing bioapatite of terrestrial mammals. Our results are consistent with previous estimates of PETM temperature change and suggest that not only CO2 but also massive release of seabed methane was the driver for CIE and PETM. PMID:27354522

Tungsten-Doped TiO2 Nanolayers with Improved CO2 Gas Sensing Properties for Environmental Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saberi, Maliheh; Ashkarran, Ali Akbar

Tungsten-doped TiO2 gas sensors were successfully synthesized using sol-gel process and spin coating technique. The fabricated sensor was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Gas sensing properties of pristine and tungsten-doped TiO2 nanolayers (NLs) were probed by detection of CO2 gas. A series of experiments were conducted in order to find the optimum operating temperature of the prepared sensors and also the optimum value of tungsten concentration in TiO2 matrix. It was found that introducing tungsten into the TiO2 matrix enhanced the gas sensing performance. The maximum response was found to be (1.37) for 0.001g tungsten-doped TiO2 NLs at 200∘C as an optimum operating temperature.

Seasonal, diurnal and nocturnal behaviors of lower carbonyl compounds in the urban environment of Beirut, Lebanon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moussa, Samar G.; El-Fadel, Mutassem; Saliba, Najat A.

Lower carbonyl concentrations were measured for the first time in two different sampling sites (American University of Beirut (AUB) and Abdel-Aziz (AA)) in Beirut, Lebanon. Formaldehyde (C1) and acetaldehyde (C2) were the most abundant carbonyls with respective maximum concentrations of 12.2 and 5.2 ppbv at AUB and 8.6 and 5.1 ppbv at AA. Diurnal variations of carbonyls exhibited similar behaviors, suggesting related formation and decomposition routes. Morning levels of carbonyls were either equal or higher than the ones in the afternoon at the coastal site (AUB) due to atmospheric dilution. However, morning levels were mostly lower than noon levels at a three-busy street intersection (AA) due to the enhancement of photochemical activities. Vehicle emissions constituted the dominant source of carbonyls measured as confirmed by the good correlation between C1, C2 and propanal (C3) and the C1/CO and C2/CO ratios in the mornings. Seasonal variation showed the predominance of summertime photolysis and photo-oxidation reactions of aldehydes. Based on the measured formaldehyde levels, ozone and nitrous acid concentrations, morning and afternoon OH radical fluxes are computed and consequently their contribution to photochemical smog processes are assessed.

Effects of elevated CO(2) concentration and nutrition on net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance and needle respiration of field-grown Norway spruce trees.

PubMed

Roberntz, Peter; Stockfors, Jan

1998-04-01

To study the effects of elevated CO(2) on gas exchange, nonstructural carbohydrate and nutrient concentrations in current-year foliage of 30-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees, branches were enclosed in ventilated, transparent plastic bags and flushed with ambient air (mean 370 &mgr;mol CO(2) mol(-1); control) or ambient air + 340 &mgr;mol CO(2) mol(-1) (elevated CO(2)) during two growing seasons. One branch bag was installed on each of 24 selected trees from control and fertilized plots. To reduce the effect of variation among trees, results from each treated branch were compared with those from a control branch on the same whorl of the same tree. Elevated CO(2) increased rates of light-saturated photosynthesis on average by 55% when measured at the treatment CO(2) concentration. The increase was larger in shoots with high needle nitrogen concentrations than in shoots with low needle nitrogen concentrations. However, shoots grown in elevated CO(2) showed a decrease in photosynthetic capacity compared with shoots grown in ambient CO(2). When measured at the internal CO(2) concentration of 200 &mgr;mol CO(2) mol(-1), photosynthetic rates of branches in the elevated CO(2) treatments were reduced by 8 to 32%. The elevated CO(2) treatment caused a 9 to 20% reduction in carboxylation efficiency and an 18% increase in respiration rates. In response to elevated CO(2), starch, fructose and glucose concentrations in the needles increased on average 33%, whereas concentrations of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, magnesium and boron decreased. Needle nitrogen concentrations explained 50-60% of the variation in photosynthesis and CO(2) acclimation was greater at low nitrogen concentrations than at high nitrogen concentrations. We conclude that the enhanced photosynthetic rates found in shoots exposed to elevated CO(2) increased carbohydrate concentrations, which may have a negative feedback on the photosynthetic apparatus and stimulate cyanide-resistant respiration. We also infer that the decrease in nutrient concentrations of needles exposed to elevated CO(2) was the result of retranslocation of nutrients to other parts of the branch or tree.

[MoS4]2- Cluster Bridges in Co-Fe Layered Double Hydroxides for Mercury Uptake from S-Hg Mixed Flue Gas.

PubMed

Xu, Haomiao; Yuan, Yong; Liao, Yong; Xie, Jiangkun; Qu, Zan; Shangguan, Wenfeng; Yan, Naiqiang

2017-09-05

[MoS 4 ] 2- clusters were bridged between CoFe layered double hydroxide (LDH) layers using the ion-exchange method. [MoS 4 ] 2- /CoFe-LDH showed excellent Hg 0 removal performance under low and high concentrations of SO 2 , highlighting the potential for such material in S-Hg mixed flue gas purification. The maximum mercury capacity was as high as 16.39 mg/g. The structure and physical-chemical properties of [MoS 4 ] 2- /CoFe-LDH composites were characterized with FT-IR, XRD, TEM&SEM, XPS, and H 2 -TPR. [MoS 4 ] 2- clusters intercalated into the CoFe-LDH layered sheets; then, we enlarged the layer-to-layer spacing (from 0.622 to 0.880 nm) and enlarged the surface area (from 41.4 m 2 /g to 112.1 m 2 /g) of the composite. During the adsorption process, the interlayer [MoS 4 ] 2- cluster was the primary active site for mercury uptake. The adsorbed mercury existed as HgS on the material surface. The absence of active oxygen results in a composite with high sulfur resistance. Due to its high efficiency and SO 2 resistance, [MoS 4 ] 2- /CoFe-LDH is a promising adsorbent for mercury uptake from S-Hg mixed flue gas.

A clear effect of charge compensation through Na{sup +} co-doping on the luminescence spectra and decay kinetics of Nd{sup 3+}-doped CaAl{sub 4}O{sub 7}

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Puchalska, M., E-mail: malgorzata.puchalska@chem.uni.wroc.pl; Watras, A.

2016-06-15

We present a detailed analysis of luminescence behavior of singly Nd{sup 3+} doped and Nd{sup 3+}, Na{sup +} co-doped calcium aluminates powders: Ca{sub 1−x}Nd{sub x}Al{sub 4}O{sub 7} and Ca{sub 1−2x}Nd{sub x}Na{sub x}Al{sub 4}O{sub 7} (x=0.001–0.1). Relatively intense Nd{sup 3+} luminescence in IR region corresponding to typical {sup 4}F{sub 3/2}→{sup 4}I{sub J} (J=9/2–13/2) transitions with maximum located at about 1079 nm was obtained in all samples on direct excitation into f–f levels. The effect of dopant concentration and charge compensation by co-doping with Na{sup +} ions on morphology and optical properties were studied. The results show that both, the Nd{sup 3+}more » concentration and the alkali metal co-doping affected the optical properties but had no influence on the powders morphology. The studies of luminescence spectra (298 and 77 K) in a function of dopant concentration showed an increasing distortion of the local symmetry of Nd{sup 3+}with raising activator content due to certain defects created in the crystal lattice. On the other hand Na{sup +} addition led to significant narrowing of absorption and luminescence bands and also a reduction of the number of their components, showing smaller disturbance of Nd{sup 3+} ions local symmetries. Consequently, charge compensated by Na{sup +} co-doping materials showed significantly enhanced Nd{sup 3+} luminescence. The decrease of emission intensity and luminescence lifetimes with increase of activator concentration was attributed mainly to phonon-assisted cross-relaxation processes between Nd{sup 3+} ions. Analysis with Inokuti–Hirayama model indicated dipole–dipole mechanism of ion-ion interaction. Na{sup +} addition led to much smaller concentration quenching due to smaller clustering of dopant ions in CaAl{sub 4}O{sub 7} lattice.« less

Continuous co-production of ethanol and xylitol from rice straw hydrolysate in a membrane bioreactor.

PubMed

Zahed, Omid; Jouzani, Gholamreza Salehi; Abbasalizadeh, Saeed; Khodaiyan, Faramarz; Tabatabaei, Meisam

2016-05-01

The present study was set to develop a robust and economic biorefinery process for continuous co-production of ethanol and xylitol from rice straw in a membrane bioreactor. Acid pretreatment, enzymatic hydrolysis, detoxification, yeast strains selection, single and co-culture batch fermentation, and finally continuous co-fermentation were optimized. The combination of diluted acid pretreatment (3.5 %) and enzymatic conversion (1:10 enzyme (63 floating-point unit (FPU)/mL)/biomass ratio) resulted in the maximum sugar yield (81 % conversion). By concentrating the hydrolysates, sugars level increased by threefold while that of furfural reduced by 50 % (0.56 to 0.28 g/L). Combined application of active carbon and resin led to complete removal of furfural, hydroxyl methyl furfural, and acetic acid. The strains Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCIM 3090 with 66.4 g/L ethanol production and Candida tropicalis NCIM 3119 with 9.9 g/L xylitol production were selected. The maximum concentrations of ethanol and xylitol in the single cultures were recorded at 31.5 g/L (0.42 g/g yield) and 26.5 g/L (0.58 g/g yield), respectively. In the batch co-culture system, the ethanol and xylitol productions were 33.4 g/L (0.44 g/g yield) and 25.1 g/L (0.55 g/g yield), respectively. The maximum ethanol and xylitol volumetric productivity values in the batch co-culture system were 65 and 58 % after 25 and 60 h, but were improved in the continuous co-culture mode and reached 80 % (55 g/L) and 68 % (31 g/L) at the dilution rate of 0.03 L per hour, respectively. Hence, the continuous co-production strategy developed in this study could be recommended for producing value-added products from this hugely generated lignocellulosic waste.

Effects of fire and CO2 on biogeography and primary production in glacial and modern climates.

PubMed

Martin Calvo, Maria; Prentice, Iain Colin

2015-11-01

Dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) can disentangle causes and effects in the control of vegetation and fire. We used a DGVM to analyse climate, CO2 and fire influences on biome distribution and net primary production (NPP) in last glacial maximum (LGM) and pre-industrial (PI) times. The Land surface Processes and eXchanges (LPX) DGVM was run in a factorial design with fire 'off' or 'on', CO2 at LGM (185 ppm) or PI (280 ppm) concentrations, and LGM (modelled) or recent climates. Results were analysed by Stein-Alpert decomposition to separate primary effects from synergies. Fire removal causes forests to expand and global NPP to increase slightly. Low CO2 greatly reduces forest area (dramatically in a PI climate; realistically under an LGM climate) and global NPP. NPP under an LGM climate was reduced by a quarter as a result of low CO2 . The reduction in global NPP was smaller at low temperatures, but greater in the presence of fire. Global NPP is controlled by climate and CO2 directly through photosynthesis, but also through biome distribution, which is strongly influenced by fire. Future vegetation simulations will need to consider the coupled responses of vegetation and fire to CO2 and climate. © 2015 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2015 New Phytologist Trust.

Metal release from sandstones under experimentally and numerically simulated CO2 leakage conditions.

PubMed

Kirsch, Katie; Navarre-Sitchler, Alexis K; Wunsch, Assaf; McCray, John E

2014-01-01

Leakage of CO2 from a deep storage formation into an overlying potable aquifer may adversely impact water quality and human health. Understanding CO2-water-rock interactions is therefore an important step toward the safe implementation of geologic carbon sequestration. This study targeted the geochemical response of siliclastic rock, specifically three sandstones of the Mesaverde Group in northwestern Colorado. To test the hypothesis that carbonate minerals, even when present in very low levels, would be the primary source of metals released into a CO2-impacted aquifer, two batch experiments were conducted. Samples were reacted for 27 days with water and CO2 at partial pressures of 0.01 and 1 bar, representing natural background levels and levels expected in an aquifer impacted by a small leakage, respectively. Concentrations of major (e.g., Ca, Mg) and trace (e.g., As, Ba, Cd, Fe, Mn, Pb, Sr, U) elements increased rapidly after CO2 was introduced into the system, but did not exceed primary Maximum Contaminant Levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Results of sequential extraction suggest that carbonate minerals, although volumetrically insignificant in the sandstone samples, are the dominant source of mobile metals. This interpretation is supported by a simple geochemical model, which could simulate observed changes in fluid composition through CO2-induced calcite and dolomite dissolution.

Saxagliptin, a potent, selective inhibitor of DPP-4, does not alter the pharmacokinetics of three oral antidiabetic drugs (metformin, glyburide or pioglitazone) in healthy subjects.

PubMed

Patel, C G; Kornhauser, D; Vachharajani, N; Komoroski, B; Brenner, E; Handschuh del Corral, M; Li, L; Boulton, D W

2011-07-01

To evaluate the pharmacokinetic interactions of the potent, selective, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, saxagliptin, in combination with metformin, glyburide or pioglitazone. To assess the effect of co-administration of saxagliptin with oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) on the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of saxagliptin, 5-hydroxy saxagliptin, metformin, glyburide, pioglitazone and hydroxy-pioglitazone, analyses of variance were performed on maximum (peak) plasma drug concentration (C(max)), area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC(∞)) [saxagliptin + metformin (study 1) and saxagliptin + glyburide (study 2)] and area under the concentration-time curve from time 0 to time t (AUC) [saxagliptin + pioglitazone (study 3)] for each analyte in the respective studies. Studies 1 and 2 were open-label, randomized, three-period, three-treatment, crossover studies, and study 3 was an open-label, non-randomized, sequential study in healthy subjects. Co-administration of saxagliptin with metformin, glyburide or pioglitazone did not result in clinically meaningful alterations in the pharmacokinetics of saxagliptin or its metabolite, 5-hydroxy saxagliptin. Following co-administration of saxagliptin, there were no clinically meaningful alterations in the pharmacokinetics of metformin, glyburide, pioglitazone or hydroxy-pioglitazone. Saxagliptin was generally safe and well tolerated when administered alone or in combination with metformin, glyburide or pioglitazone. Saxagliptin can be co-administered with metformin, glyburide or pioglitazone without a need for dose adjustment of either saxagliptin or these OADs. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Pilot-scale anaerobic co-digestion of municipal biomass waste and waste activated sludge in China: Effect of organic loading rate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu Xiao, E-mail: liuxiao07@mails.tsinghua.edu.cn; Wang Wei; Shi Yunchun

2012-11-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Co-digestion of municipal biomass waste (MBW) and waste activated sludge (WAS) was examined on a pilot-scale reactor. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer System performance and stability under OLR of 1.2, 2.4, 3.6, 4.8, 6.0 and 8.0 kg VS (m{sup 3} d){sup -1} were analyzed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A maximum methane production rate of 2.94 m{sup 3} (m{sup 3} d){sup -1} was achieved at OLR of 8.0 kg VS (m{sup 3} d){sup -1} and HRT of 15d. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer With the increasing OLRs, pH values, VS removal rate and methane concentration decreased and VFA increased. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The changing of biogas production rate can be a practicalmore » approach to monitor and control anaerobic digestion system. - Abstract: The effects of organic loading rate on the performance and stability of anaerobic co-digestion of municipal biomass waste (MBW) and waste activated sludge (WAS) were investigated on a pilot-scale reactor. The results showed that stable operation was achieved with organic loading rates (OLR) of 1.2-8.0 kg volatile solid (VS) (m{sup 3} d){sup -1}, with VS reduction rates of 61.7-69.9%, and volumetric biogas production of 0.89-5.28 m{sup 3} (m{sup 3} d){sup -1}. A maximum methane production rate of 2.94 m{sup 3} (m{sup 3} d){sup -1} was achieved at OLR of 8.0 kg VS (m{sup 3} d){sup -1} and hydraulic retention time of 15 days. With increasing OLRs, the anaerobic reactor showed a decrease in VS removal rate, average pH value and methane concentration, and a increase of volatile fatty acid concentration. By monitoring the biogas production rate (BPR), the anaerobic digestion system has a higher acidification risk under an OLR of 8.0 kg VS (m{sup 3} d){sup -1}. This result remarks the possibility of relating bioreactor performance with BPR in order to better understand and monitor anaerobic digestion process.« less

Temperature and salinity regulation of growth and gas exchange of Salicornia fruticosa (L.) L.

PubMed

Abdulrahman, Farag Saleh; Williams, George J

1981-03-01

Salicornia fruticosa was collected from a salt marsh on the Mediterranean sea coast in Libya. Growth and gas exchange of this C 3 species were monitered in plants pretreated at various NaCl concentrations (0, 171, 342, 513 and 855 mM). Maximum growth was at 171 mM NaCl under cool growth conditions (20/10° C) and at 342 mM NaCl under warm growth conditions (30/15° C) with minimum growth at 0 mM NaCl (control). Net photosynthesis (Pn) was greatest in plants grown in 171 mM NaCl with plants grown at 513 and 855 mM having lowest rates. Maximum Pn was at 20-25° C shoot temperatures with statistically significant reductions at 30° C in control plants while salt treated plants showed such reductions at 35° C. Salt treatments increased dark respiration over the control at 171 and 342 mM but reduced it at higher concentrations. Photorespiration was reduced by salt treatment and increased by increasing shoot temperature. Greatest transpiration was in 171 mM NaCl treated plants and increasing shoot temperature increased transpiration in all treatments. Stomatal resistance to CO 2 influx was influenced only moderately by temperature while increasing salinity resulted in increased stomatal resistance. In general both temperature and salinity increased the mesophyll resistance to CO 2 influx. The species seems adapted to the warm saline habitat along the Mediterranean sea coast, at least partially, by its ability to maintain relatively high Pn at moderate NaCl concentrations over a broad range of shoot temperatures.

Efficient butanol-ethanol (B-E) production from carbon monoxide fermentation by Clostridium carboxidivorans.

PubMed

Fernández-Naveira, Ánxela; Abubackar, Haris Nalakath; Veiga, María C; Kennes, Christian

2016-04-01

The fermentation of waste gases rich in carbon monoxide using acetogens is an efficient way to obtain valuable biofuels like ethanol and butanol. Different experiments were carried out with the bacterial species Clostridium carboxidivorans as biocatalyst. In batch assays with no pH regulation, after complete substrate exhaustion, acetic acid, butyric acid, and ethanol were detected while only negligible butanol production was observed. On the other side, in bioreactors, with continuous carbon monoxide supply and pH regulation, both C2 and C4 fatty acids were initially formed as well as ethanol and butanol at concentrations never reported before for this type of anaerobic bioconversion of gaseous C1 compounds, showing that the operating conditions significantly affect the metabolic fermentation profile and butanol accumulation. Maximum ethanol and butanol concentrations in the bioreactors were obtained at pH 5.75, reaching values of 5.55 and 2.66 g/L, respectively. The alcohols were produced both from CO fermentation as well as from the bioconversion of previously accumulated acetic and butyric acids, resulting in low residual concentrations of such acids at the end of the bioreactor experiments. CO consumption was often around 50% and reached up to more than 80%. Maximum specific rates of ethanol and butanol production were reached at pH 4.75, with values of 0.16 g/h*g of biomass and 0.07 g/h*g of biomass, respectively, demonstrating that a low pH was more favorable to solventogenesis in this process, although it negatively affects biomass growth which does also play a role in the final alcohol titer.

Potassium Starvation Limits Soybean Growth More than the Photosynthetic Processes across CO2 Levels

PubMed Central

Singh, Shardendu K.; Reddy, Vangimalla R.

2017-01-01

Elevated carbon dioxide (eCO2) often enhances plant photosynthesis, growth, and productivity. However, under nutrient-limited conditions the beneficial effects of high CO2 are often diminished. To evaluate the combined effects of potassium (K) deficiency and eCO2 on soybean photosynthesis, growth, biomass partitioning, and yields, plants were grown under controlled environment conditions with an adequate (control, 5.0 mM) and two deficient (0.50 and 0.02 mM) levels of K under ambient CO2 (aCO2; 400 μmol mol−1) and eCO2 (800 μmol mol−1). Results showed that K deficiency limited soybean growth traits more than photosynthetic processes. An ~54% reduction in leaf K concentration under 0.5 mM K vs. the control caused about 45% less leaf area, biomass, and yield without decreasing photosynthetic rate (Pnet). In fact, the steady photochemical quenching, efficiency, and quantum yield of photosystem II, chlorophyll concentration (TChl), and stomatal conductance under 0.5 mM K supported the stable Pnet. Biomass decline was primarily attributed to the reduced plant size and leaf area, and decreased pod numbers and seed yield in K-deficient plants. Under severe K deficiency (0.02 mM K), photosynthetic processes declined concomitantly with growth and productivity. Increased specific leaf weight, biomass partitioning to the leaves, decreased photochemical quenching and TChl, and smaller plant size to reduce the nutrient demands appeared to be the means by which plants adjusted to the severe K starvation. Increased K utilization efficiency indicated the ability of K-deficient plants to better utilize the tissue-available K for biomass accumulation, except under severe K starvation. The enhancement of soybean growth by eCO2 was dependent on the levels of K, leading to a K × CO2 interaction for traits such as leaf area, biomass, and yield. A lack of eCO2-mediated growth and photosynthesis stimulation under severe K deficiency underscored the importance of optimum K fertilization for maximum crop productivity under eCO2. Thus, eCO2 compensated, at least partially, for the reduced soybean growth and seed yield under 0.5 mM K supply, but severe K deficiency completely suppressed the eCO2-enhanced seed yield. PMID:28642785

Effects of elevated pCO2 on physiological performance of marine microalgae Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Shunxin; Wang, You; Wang, Ying; Zhao, Yan; Zhang, Xinxin; Zhang, Yongsheng; Jiang, Ming; Tang, Xuexi

2018-03-01

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of elevated pCO2 on growth, photosynthesis, dark respiration and inorganic carbon acquisition in the marine microalga Dunaliella salina. To accomplish this, D. salina was incubated in semi-continuous cultures under present-day CO2 levels (390 μatm, pHNBS: 8.10), predicted year 2100 CO2 levels (1 000 μatm, pHNBS: 7.78) and predicted year 2300 CO2 levels (2 000 μatm, pHNBS: 7.49). Elevated pCO2 significantly enhanced photosynthesis (in terms of gross photosynthetic O2 evolution, effective quantum yield (Δ F/ F' m ), photosynthetic efficiency ( α), maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity) and dark respiration of D. salina, but had insignificant effects on growth. The photosynthetic O2 evolution of D. salina was significantly inhibited by the inhibitors acetazolamide (AZ), ethoxyzolamide (EZ) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (DIDS), indicating that D. salina is capable of acquiring HCOˉ 3 via extracellular carbonic anhydrase and anion-exchange proteins. Furthermore, the lower inhibition of the photosynthetic O2 evolution at high pCO2 levels by AZ, EZ and DIDS and the decreased carbonic anhydrase showed that carbon concentrating mechanisms were down-regulated at high pCO2. In conclusion, our results show that photosynthesis, dark respiration and CCMs will be affected by the increased pCO2/low pH conditions predicted for the future, but that the responses of D. salina to high pCO2/low pH might be modulated by other environmental factors such as light, nutrients and temperature. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the interactive effects of pCO2, temperature, light and nutrients on marine microalgae.

Effects of elevated pCO2 on physiological performance of marine microalgae Dunaliella salina (Chlorophyta, Chlorophyceae)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Shunxin; Wang, You; Wang, Ying; Zhao, Yan; Zhang, Xinxin; Zhang, Yongsheng; Jiang, Ming; Tang, Xuexi

2017-06-01

The present study was conducted to determine the effects of elevated pCO2 on growth, photosynthesis, dark respiration and inorganic carbon acquisition in the marine microalga Dunaliella salina. To accomplish this, D. salina was incubated in semi-continuous cultures under present-day CO2 levels (390 μatm, pHNBS: 8.10), predicted year 2100 CO2 levels (1 000 μatm, pHNBS: 7.78) and predicted year 2300 CO2 levels (2 000 μatm, pHNBS: 7.49). Elevated pCO2 significantly enhanced photosynthesis (in terms of gross photosynthetic O2 evolution, effective quantum yield (ΔF/F' m ), photosynthetic efficiency (α), maximum relative electron transport rate (rETRmax) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) activity) and dark respiration of D. salina, but had insignificant effects on growth. The photosynthetic O2 evolution of D. salina was significantly inhibited by the inhibitors acetazolamide (AZ), ethoxyzolamide (EZ) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonate (DIDS), indicating that D. salina is capable of acquiring HCO3 - via extracellular carbonic anhydrase and anion-exchange proteins. Furthermore, the lower inhibition of the photosynthetic O2 evolution at high pCO2 levels by AZ, EZ and DIDS and the decreased carbonic anhydrase showed that carbon concentrating mechanisms were down-regulated at high pCO2. In conclusion, our results show that photosynthesis, dark respiration and CCMs will be affected by the increased pCO2/low pH conditions predicted for the future, but that the responses of D. salina to high pCO2/low pH might be modulated by other environmental factors such as light, nutrients and temperature. Therefore, further studies are needed to determine the interactive effects of pCO2, temperature, light and nutrients on marine microalgae.

Effect of Heat Treatment on Morphology of Fe-Rich Intermetallics in Hypereutectic Al-Si-Cu-Ni Alloy with 1.26 pct Fe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sha, Meng; Wu, Shusen; Wan, Li; Lü, Shulin

2013-12-01

Cobalt is generally considered as the element that can neutralize the negative effects of iron in Al alloys, such as inducing fracture and failure for stress concentration. Nevertheless, Fe-rich intermetallics would be inclined to form coarse plate-like δ-Al4(Fe, Co, Ni)Si2 particles when the content of Fe was high, which could also cause inferior mechanical properties. The dissolution and transformation of δ-Al4(Fe, Co, Ni)Si2 phase in solution heat-treated samples of Al-20Si-1.85Cu-1.05Ni-1.26Fe-1.35Co alloy were studied using optical microscopy, image analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of solution heat treatment time ranging from 0 to 9 hours at 783.15 K (510 °C) on mechanical properties were also investigated. The coarse plate-like δ-Al4(Fe, Co, Ni)Si2 particles varied slowly through concurrent dissolution along widths and at the plate tips as solution treatment time increased, which could be explained from diffusion-induced grain boundary migration. Solution heat treatment also has an important influence on mechanical properties. The maximum ultimate tensile strength and yield strength after T6 treatment were 258 and 132 MPa, respectively, while the maximum hardness was 131 HB. Compared with those of the samples in the as-cast state, they increased by 53, 42, and 28 pct, respectively. Moreover, δ-Al4(Fe, Co, Ni)Si2 phase, which appears as a coarse plate-like particle in two dimensions, is actually a cuboid in three dimensions. The length of this cuboid is close to the width, while the height is much smaller.

Structure and Dynamics of Confined Water and CO2 in Clays under Supercritical Conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Glezakou, V.; Lee, M.; Schaef, T.; Loring, J.; Davidson, C.; McGrail, P.

2013-12-01

Carbon dioxide (CO2) driven enhanced gas recovery (EGR) from depleted fractured shale gas reservoirs has the potential for producing economic benefits and providing long term storage options for anthropogenic derived CO2 emissions. However key scientific processes related to CO2:CH4 exchange rates, mineral volume changes, organic mobility, and mineral stability in the presence of acid gas injections are not well understood. In this paper, we conduct atomistic simulations to examine interactions occurring between model clay minerals and supercritical CO2 equilibrated with water or brines to identify parameters controlling adsorption and desorption of gases. Integrated within these simulations are results derived from a set of newly developed experimental techniques designed to characterize physico-chemical reactions at reservoir conditions. In a series of cell optimizations under pressures relevant to sequestration scenarios, molecular simulations within the NVT and NPT ensembles with varying water/CO2 ratios showed a range of interlayer expansion for specific cation-saturated smectites. In conjunction with experimental in situ high pressure x-ray diffraction (HXRD), semi-quantitative concentrations of interlayer H2O and CO2 were established. For example, Ca saturated smectites maintaining sub-single to single hydration states (<1W to 1W), expand approximately 1.7-2.0 Å when exposed to anhydrous supercritical CO2. In contrast, for single to double hydration states (1W-2W), the simulations indicate formation of a quasi-single, metastable state, leading to a reduced interlayer spacing. Partial dehydration of the interlayer spacing while in contact with CO2 is due to a reduction of the interlayer cation coordination number. Structural analysis of the intercalated species shows an increase in the hydrogen bonding between waters during CO2 intercalation coincident with a decrease in the coordination population around the cations. Power spectra reveal rotationally constrained CO2 molecules over the silica layer of the Ca-smectite surface due to the formation of a two dimensional supercritical CO2 network at lower pressures, expanding to three-dimensions as the water content increases. Diffusion coefficients of the interlayer species determined from the molecular trajectories show dependence on the presence of CO2 and hydration state. In agreement with modeling studies, direct observations of volume changes were observed during in situ HXRD experiments when exposure of a 2W Ca-smectite to supercritical CO2 at 50 °C and 90 bar produced a decrease in the interlayer spacing. In addition to intercalation, surface adsorption and desorption are equally important interactions occurring with clay minerals in the presence of supercritical CO2. Processes related to surface condensation of CO2 were examined through a series of modeling exercises and in situ spectroscopic measurements. Results showed that adsorbed CO2 concentrations were low when no water was adsorbed to the clay, but dramatically increased to a maximum when the clay was at ~1W. With continued water adsorption, CO2 concentrations decreased as the water outcompeted CO2 for adsorption/intercalation sites.

Novel Lipid-Free Nanoformulation for Improving Oral Bioavailability of Coenzyme Q10

PubMed Central

Zhou, Huafeng; Liu, Guoqing; Zhang, Jing; Sun, Ning; Duan, Mingxing; Yan, Zemin; Xia, Qiang

2014-01-01

To improve the bioavailability of orally administered lipophilic coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), we formulated a novel lipid-free nano-CoQ10 system stabilized by various surfactants. Nano-CoQ10s, composed of 2.5% (w/w) CoQ10, 1.67% (w/w) surfactant, and 41.67% (w/w) glycerol, were prepared by hot high-pressure homogenization. The resulting formulations were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, differential scanning calorimetry, and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. We found that the mean particle size of all nano-CoQ10s ranged from 66.3 ± 1.5 nm to 92.7 ± 1.5 nm and the zeta potential ranged from −12.8 ± 1.4 mV to −41.6 ± 1.4 mV. The CoQ10 in nano-CoQ10s likely existed in a supercooled state, and nano-CoQ10s stored in a brown sealed bottle were stable for 180 days at 25°C. The bioavailability of CoQ10 was evaluated following oral administration of CoQ10 formulations in Sprague-Dawley rats. Compared to the values observed following administration of CoQ10-Suspension, nano-CoQ10 modified with various surfactants significantly increased the maximum plasma concentration and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve. Thus, the lipid-free system of a nano-CoQ10 stabilized with a surfactant may be an effective vehicle for improving oral bioavailability of CoQ10. PMID:24995328

Effects of gaseous ammonia on intracellular pH values in leaves of C 3- and C 4-plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yin, Zu-Hua; Kaiser, Werner; Heber, Ulrich; Raven, John A.

Responses of cytosolic and vacuolar pH to different concentrations (1.3-5.4 μmol NH 3 mol -1 gas or 0.940-3.825 mg NH 3 m -3 gas) of gaseous NH 3 were studied in experiments of 3 h duration by recording changes in fluorescence of pyranine and esculin in leaves of C 3 and C 4 plants. After a lag phase of 0.5-4 min, the uptake of NH 3 at 50-200 nmol m -2 leaf area s -1 increased pyranine fluorescence, indicating cytosolic alkalinization in leaves of Pelargonium zonale L. (C 3) and Amaranthus caudatus L. (C 4). A smaller increase in esculin fluorescence induced by NH 3 indicated some vacuolar alkalization in a Spinacia oleracea L. leaf. Photosynthesis and transpiration remained unchanged during exposure of illuminated leaves to NH 3 for up to 30 min (the maximum tested). CO 2 concentrations influenced the extent of cytosolic alkalinization. 500 μmol CO 2 mol -1 gas suppressed the NH 3-induced cytosolic alkalinization relative to that found in 16 μmol CO 2 mol -1 gas. The suppressing effect of CO 2 on NH 3-induced alkalization was larger in illuminated leaves of the C 4Amaranthus than the C 3Pelargonium. These results indicate that the alkaline pH shift caused by solution and protonation of NH 3 in aqueous leaf compartments is affected by assimilation of NH 3.

[Occupational exposure to gases emitted in mild and stainless steel welding].

PubMed

Matczak, W; Gromiec, J

2001-01-01

The objective of this work was to select optimal methods for determination of toxic gases (NOx, NO2, CO, CO2, O3) and to evaluate occupational exposure of welders to those gases. The survey covered workers employed in shipyards, and other metal product fabrication plants engaged in welding mild and stainless steel by different techniques (manual metal are, metal active gas, tungsten inert gas welding; gas, plasma, laser cutting and resistance welding). Personal and stationary air samples were collected to determine time weighted average (TWA) and short-term concentrations of gases. For determination of nitrogen oxides the following analytical techniques were employed: spectrophotometry with collection on liquid and solid sorbents and ion chromatography with collection on solid sorbents. All the gases were determined also by automatic or direct reading methods: flow or diffusion detector tubes and photometric and electrochemical analyzers. The determined TWA concentrations were below respective Maximum Allowable Concentrations (MAC) but exposure limits for short term exposure were exceeded in some cases. The average NO2 i NOx ratio was 1:4. According to Polish regulations regarding the MAC value for nitrogen oxides the analytical method should enable determination of total NOx by either direct or indirect simultaneous determination of both NO and NO2. The applicability of the spectrophotometric method of analysis of atmospheric NOx to determination of low NOx concentrations at welders working posts has been confirmed.

Optimization of conditions for supercritical fluid extraction of flavonoids from hops (Humulus lupulus L.)*

PubMed Central

He, Guo-qing; Xiong, Hao-ping; Chen, Qi-he; Ruan, Hui; Wang, Zhao-yue; Traoré, Lonseny

2005-01-01

Waste hops are good sources of flavonoids. Extraction of flavonoids from waste hops (SC-CO2 extracted hops) using supercritical fluids technology was investigated. Various temperatures, pressures and concentrations of ethanol (modifier) and the ratio (w/w) of solvent to material were tested in this study. The results of single factor and orthogonal experiments showed that at 50 °C, 25 MPa, the ratio of solvent to material (50%), ethanol concentration (80%) resulted in maximum extraction yield flavonoids (7.8 mg/g). HPLC-MS analysis of the extracts indicated that flavonoids obtained were xanthohumol, the principal prenylflavonoid in hops. PMID:16187413

Growth rate and survivorship of drought: CO2 effects on the presumed tradeoff in seedlings of five woody legumes.

PubMed

Polley, H Wayne; Tischler, Charles R; Johnson, Hyrum B; Derner, Justin D

2002-04-01

Traits that promote rapid growth and seedling recruitment when water is plentiful may become a liability when seedlings encounter drought. We tested the hypothesis that CO2 enrichment reinforces any tradeoff between growth rate and drought tolerance by exaggerating interspecific differences in maximum relative growth rate (RGR) and survivorship of drought among seedlings of five woody legumes. We studied invasive species of grasslands that differ in distribution along a rainfall gradient. Survivorship of drought at ambient CO2 concentration ([CO2]) was negatively related to RGR in well-watered seedlings in one of two experiments, but the relationship was weak because interspecific differences in RGR were small. Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no significant relationship among well-watered seedlings between RGR at ambient [CO2] and either the relative or absolute increase in RGR at elevated [CO2]. As predicted, however, CO2 enrichment reinforced interspecific differences in survivorship of seedlings exposed to similar rates of soil water depletion. Doubling [CO2] improved seedling survivorship of the most drought-tolerant species throughout the period of soil water depletion, but did not consistently affect survivorship of more drought-sensitive species. Midday xylem pressure potentials of drought-treated seedlings were less negative at elevated [CO2] than at ambient [CO2], but no other measured trait was consistently correlated with improved survivorship at high [CO2]. Carbon dioxide enrichment may not reinforce species differences in RGR, but could exaggerate interspecific differences in drought tolerance. To the extent that seedling persistence in grasslands correlates with drought survivorship, our results indicate a positive effect of CO2 enrichment on recruitment of woody legumes that are currently tolerant of drought.

CO2 induced growth response in a diatom dominated phytoplankton community from SW Bay of Bengal coastal water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Biswas, Haimanti; Shaik, Aziz Ur Rahman; Bandyopadhyay, Debasmita; Chowdhury, Neha

2017-11-01

The ongoing increase in surface seawater CO2 level could potentially impact phytoplankton primary production in coastal waters; however, CO2 sensitivity studies on tropical coastal phytoplankton assemblages are rare. The present study investigated the interactive impacts of variable CO2 level, light and zinc (Zn) addition on the diatom dominated phytoplankton assemblages from the western coastal Bay of Bengal. Increased CO2 supply enhanced particulate organic matter (POC) production; a concomitant depletion in δ13CPOM values at elevated CO2 suggested increased CO2 diffusive influx inside the cell. Trace amount of Zn added under low CO2 level accelerated growth probably by accelerating Zn-Carbonic Anhydrase activity which helps in converting bicarbonate ion to CO2. Almost identical values of δ13CPOM in the low CO2 treated cells grown with and without Zn indicated a low discrimination between 13C and 12C probably due to bicarbonate uptake. These evidences collectively indicated the existence of the carbon concentration mechanisms (CCMs) at low CO2. A minimum growth rate was observed at low CO2 and light limited condition indicating light dependence of CCMs activity. Upon the increase of light and CO2 level, growth response was maximum. The cells grown in the low CO2 levels showed higher light stress (higher values of both diatoxanthin index and the ratio of photo-protective to light-harvesting pigments) that was alleviated by both increasing CO2 supply and Zn addition (probably by efficient light energy utilization in presence of adequate CO2). This is likely that the diatom dominated phytoplankton communities benefited from the increasing CO2 supply and thus may enhance primary production in response to any further increase in coastal water CO2 levels and can have large biogeochemical consequences in the study area.

Variability of Seasonal CO2 Ice Caps on Mars for Mars Years 26 through 29

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feldman, W. C.; Maurice, S.; Prettyman, T. H.

2011-12-01

We have developed an improved thermal, epithermal, and fast neutron counting-rate time series data of the Mars Odyssey Neutron Spectrometer (MONS), optimized to greatly reduce both statistical and systematic uncertainties. This new data set was applied to study temporal and spatial distributions of the growth, decay, and maximum amount of precipitated CO2 ice during Martian years (MY) 26, 27, 28, and 29. For this study, we concentrate on the epithermal counting rate detected using the down-looking prism (P1) of MONS, and a combination of the epithermal and thermal counting rate detected by the forward-looking sensor (P2) of MONS. Although the energy range of neutrons detected by P2 covers both the thermal and epithermal range, it is heavily weighted to the thermal range. We find that the variance of the maximum epithermal counting rate is remarkably small over both north and south seasonal caps, varying by less than 3% over the four-year period. In contrast, although the maximum P2 counting rate over both poles is sensibly the same within error bars (about 2%) during the first three years, it drops by 18% over the north pole and 8% over the south pole during MY 29. The most-likely explanation of this drop is that abundances of the non-condensable gases N2 and Ar, are unusually enhanced during MY 29. Movies were also made of maps of the growth and decay of P2 counting rates summed over the first three years of these data. Careful inspection shows that both the growth and decay in the north were cylindrically symmetric, centered near the geographic north pole. In contrast, both the growth and decay of CO2 buildup in the south were skewed off the geographic pole to the center of the CO2 residual cap, and contained a small, but definitely distinct ring-like annular enhancement centered at a latitude of about 83.5° S spread over a longitude range that extends between about -35° and +35° E. This arc runs parallel to, and overlays, the very steep drop in altitude from the top of the south-polar CO2/water-ice residual cap at about +4.2 km to the surrounding plains at about +2.5 km. Algorithms developed previously to convert counting rates to CO2 and noncondensable gas column abundance will be applied to interpret the data.

Ocean Fertilization and Ocean Acidification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, L.; Caldeira, K.

2008-12-01

It has been suggested that ocean fertilization could help diminish ocean acidification. Here, we quantitatively evaluate this suggestion. Ocean fertilization is one of several ocean methods proposed to mitigate atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The basic idea of this method is to enhance the biological uptake of atmospheric CO2 by stimulating net phytoplankton growth through the addition of iron to the surface ocean. Concern has been expressed that ocean fertilization may not be very effective at reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations and may produce unintended environmental consequences. The rationale for thinking that ocean fertilization might help diminish ocean acidification is that dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations in the near-surface equilibrate with the atmosphere in about a year. If ocean fertilization could reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations, it would also reduce surface ocean dissolved inorganic carbon concentrations, and thus diminish the degree of ocean acidification. To evaluate this line of thinking, we use a global ocean carbon cycle model with a simple representation of marine biology and investigate the maximum potential effect of ocean fertilization on ocean carbonate chemistry. We find that the effect of ocean fertilization on ocean acidification depends, in part, on the context in which ocean fertilization is performed. With fixed emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere, ocean fertilization moderately mitigates changes in ocean carbonate chemistry near the ocean surface, but at the expense of further acidifying the deep ocean. Under the SRES A2 CO2 emission scenario, by year 2100 simulated atmospheric CO2, global mean surface pH, and saturation state of aragonite is 965 ppm, 7.74, and 1.55 for the scenario without fertilization and 833 ppm, 7.80, and 1.71 for the scenario with 100-year (between 2000 and 2100) continuous fertilization for the global ocean (For comparison, pre-industrial global mean surface pH and saturation state of aragonite is 8.18 and 3.5). As a result of ocean fertilization, 10 years from now, the depth of saturation horizon (the depth below which ocean water is undersaturated with respect to calcium carbonate) for aragonite in the Southern Ocean shoals from its present average value of about 700 m to 100 m. In contrast, no significant change in the depth of aragonite saturation horizontal is seen in the scenario without fertilization for the corresponding period. By year 2100, global mean calcite saturation horizon shoals from its present value of 3150 m to 2965 and 2534 m in the case without fertilization and with it. In contrast, if the sale of carbon credits from ocean fertilization leads to greater CO2 emissions to the atmosphere (e.g., if carbon credits from ocean fertilization are used to offset CO2 emissions from a coal plant), then there is the potential that ocean fertilization would further acidify the deep ocean without conferring any chemical benefit to surface ocean waters.

Toxicological approach to setting spacecraft maximum allowable concentrations for carbon monoxide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wong, K. L.; Limero, T. F.; James, J. T.

1992-01-01

The Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentrations (SMACs) are exposure limits for airborne chemicals used by NASA in spacecraft. The aim of these SMACs is to protect the spacecrew against adverse health effects and performance decrements that would interfere with mission objectives. Because of the 1 and 24 hr SMACs are set for contingencies, minor reversible toxic effects that do not affect mission objectives are acceptable. The 7, 30, or 180 day SMACs are aimed at nominal operations, so they are established at levels that would not cause noncarcinogenic toxic effects and more than one case of tumor per 1000 exposed individuals over the background. The process used to set the SMACs for carbon monoxide (CO) is described to illustrate the approach used by NASA. After the toxicological literature on CO was reviewed, the data were summarized and separated into acute, subchronic, and chronic toxicity data. CO's toxicity depends on the formation of carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) in the blood, reducing the blood's oxygen carrying capacity. The initial task was to estimate the COHb levels that would not produce toxic effects in the brain and heart.

Does ammonia trigger hyperventilation in the elasmobranch, Squalus acanthias suckleyi?

PubMed

De Boeck, Gudrun; Wood, Chris M

2015-01-15

We examined the ventilatory response of the spiny dogfish, to elevated internal or environmental ammonia. Sharks were injected via arterial catheters with ammonia solutions or their Na salt equivalents sufficient to increase plasma total ammonia concentration [TAmm]a by 3-5 fold from 145±21μM to 447±150μM using NH4HCO3 and a maximum of 766±100μM using (NH4)2SO4. (NH4)2SO4 caused a small increase in ventilation frequency (+14%) and a large increase in amplitude (+69%), while Na2SO4 did not. However, CO2 partial pressure (PaCO2) also increased and arterial pHa and plasma bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3(-)]a) decreased. NH4HCO3 caused a smaller increase in plasma ammonia resulting in a smaller but significant, short lived increases in ventilation frequency (+6%) and amplitude (36%), together with a rise in PaCO2 and [HCO3(-)]a. Injection with NaHCO3 which increased pHa and [HCO3(-)]a did not change ventilation. Plasma ammonia concentration correlated significantly with ventilation amplitude, while ventilation frequency showed a (negative) correlation with pHa. Exposure to high environmental ammonia (1500μM NH4HCO3) did not induce changes in ventilation until plasma [TAmm]a increased and ventilation amplitude (but not frequency) increased in parallel. We conclude that internal ammonia stimulates ventilation in spiny dogfish, especially amplitude or stroke volume, while environmental ammonia only stimulates ventilation after ammonia diffuses into the bloodstream. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Incorporation of precious metal nanoparticles into various aerogels by different supercritical deposition methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saquing, Carl D.

2005-11-01

One major hurdle in nanoparticle fabrication is the difficulty in controlling size, distribution and concentration. Conventional methods in nanoparticle formation require high temperatures which lead to particle agglomeration and size broadening, or involve substantial amount of organic solvents. A clean route to supported-nanoparticles fabrication was investigated using various supercritical (SC) based deposition methods. The SC deposition involves the organometallic precursor (OP) (dimethyl(1,5-cyclooctadiene)platinum(II)[CODPtMe 2] or bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato) (1,5-cyclooctadiene) ruthenium(II)) dissolution in SC fluid and contacting this solution with a substrate. The OP is adsorbed and subsequent reduction of the OP-impregnated substrate produces metal/substrate composites. The various methods were: (1) thermal reduction at atmospheric pressure in an inert atmosphere; (2) thermal reduction in SC carbon dioxide (scCO2); (3) chemical reduction in scCO2 with H2; and (4) chemical reduction at atmospheric pressure with H2. The synthesis of resorcinol-formaldehyde aerogels (RFAs) and carbon aerogels (CAs) was also studied and used as substrates (along with commercial silica aerogels (SAs)) in the SC deposition. The surface area, pore properties, and density of these aerogels were evaluated and the effects of reactant concentration, pyrolysis and SC deposition on these properties were determined. Using a static method, the adsorption isotherms of CODPtMe2 in scCO2 on two CAs with different pore sizes were measured at 28 MPa and 80°C to determine the maximum metal loading and the effect of pore properties on adsorption and to examine the interactions between the three components. The isotherms could be represented by the Langmuir model and the adsorption data indicated a strong CODPtMe2-CA interaction and that almost all the preexistent micropore area was covered with CODPtMe 2 molecules even at adsorption lower than the maximum capacity. The observed strong precursor-substrate interaction was corroborated by thermo-gravimetric analyses and N2 physisorption. Transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, H2 and CO chemisorption and N2 physisorption were employed to demonstrate the homogeneity of particle dispersion, to determine the morphology, range and variation in particle size within the solid matrices and to fully identify the resultant particles as Pt and Ru metals. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Estimation of soil respiration rates and soil gas isotopic composition for the different land use of Ultisols from Calhoun CZO.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cherkinsky, A.; Brecheisen, Z.; Richter, D. D., Jr.; Sheng, H.

2017-12-01

CO2 flux from soil is significant in most ecosystems and can account for more than 2/3 of total ecosystem respiration. In many cases CO2 fluxes from soil are estimated using eddy covariance techniques or the classical chamber method with measures of bulk concentrations and isotope composition of CO2. Whereas most of these studies estimate flux from the soil surface, we analyzed its concentration and isotope composition directly in soil profiles down to 8.5m depth. This experiment was conducted in Sumter National Forest in summer of 2016. The samples were collected from 3 different land use history sites: a) reference hardwood stands, mainly of oak and hickory that are taken to be never cultivated; b) cultivated plots, which were also used growing cotton prior to the 1950's but for the last 50 years for growing corn, wheat, legume, sorghum, and sunflowers; c) pine stands, which had been used for growing cotton from beginning of the 19th century and then was abandoned in 1920s and planted with loblolly pine. We have analyzed 3 replicates of each land use. There were measured in the field CO2 and O2 concentration and collected gas samples were analyzed for Δ14C, δ13C and δ18O. CO2 concentration in all types of land use has a maximum about 3m depth, approximately the same depth as the minimum of O2 concentration. Isotope analyses revealed that carbon isotopic composition tend to become lighter with the depth for all three types of land use: in cultivated site it changes from -18%o at 0.5m to -21%o at 5m; in pine site from -22%o to -25%o and in hardwood from-21.5 -24.5%o correspondently, the O2 isotopic composition does not change significantly. Based on analysis of Δ14C the turnover rate of CO2 is getting slower as depth increases. At the first 50 cm the exchange rate is the fastest on cultivated site, likely due to annual tilling, and concentration of 14C is actually equal to atmospheric. However, the turnover rate of Δ14C in soil CO2 slows down significantly as depth increases and reaches 140%o at 5m, which corresponds to a turnover rate of about 30 years. The forest sites have the same trend in the Δ14C changes; however the exchange rates are faster. For the hardwood site the turnover rate changes from about 5-10 years in the top 0.5m to about 15 years at 5m. The pine site has a slightly slower turnover rate than hardwood site but faster than cultivated site.

CO2 Fluxes and Concentrations in a Residential Area in the Southern Hemisphere

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weissert, L. F.; Salmond, J. A.; Turnbull, J. C.; Schwendenmann, L.

2014-12-01

While cities are generally major sources of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, recent research has shown that parts of urban areas may also act as CO2 sinks due to CO2 uptake by vegetation. However, currently available results are related to a large degree of uncertainty due to the limitations of the applied methods and the limited number of studies available from urban areas, particularly from the southern hemisphere. In this study, we explore the potential of eddy covariance and tracer measurements (13C and 14C isotopes of CO2) to quantify and partition CO2 fluxes and concentrations in a residential urban area in Auckland, New Zealand. Based on preliminary results from autumn and winter (March to July 2014) the residential area is a small source of CO2 (0.11 mol CO2 m-2 day-1). CO2 fluxes and concentrations follow a distinct diurnal cycle with a morning peak between 7:00 and 9:00 (max: 0.25 mol CO2 m-2 day-1/412 ppm) and midday low with negative CO2 fluxes (min: -0.17 mol CO2 m-2 day-1/392 ppm) between 10:00 and 15:00 local time, likely due to photosynthetic CO2 uptake by local vegetation. Soil CO2 efflux may explain that CO2 concentrations increase and remain high (401 ppm) throughout the night. Mean diurnal winter δ13C values are in anti-phase with CO2 concentrations and vary between -9.0 - -9.7‰. The depletion of δ13C compared to clean atmospheric air (-8.2‰) is likely a result of local CO2 sources dominated by gasoline combustion (appr. 60%) during daytime. A sector analysis (based on prevailing wind) of CO2 fluxes and concentrations indicates lower CO2 fluxes and concentrations from the vegetation-dominated sector, further demonstrating the influence of vegetation on local CO2 concentrations. These results provide an insight into the temporal and spatial variability CO2 fluxes/concentrations and potential CO2 sinks and sources from a city in the southern hemisphere and add valuable information to the global database of urban CO2 fluxes.

Air pollution over the North China Plain and its implication of regional transport: A new sight from the observed evidences.

PubMed

Ge, Baozhu; Wang, Zifa; Lin, Weili; Xu, Xiaobin; Li, Jie; Ji, Dongshen; Ma, Zhiqiang

2018-03-01

High concentrations of the fine particles (PM 2.5 ) are frequently observed during all seasons over the North China Plain (NCP) region in recent years. In NCP, the contributions of regional transports to certain area, e.g. Beijing city, are often discussed and estimated by models when considering an effective air pollution controlling strategy. In this study, we selected three sites from southwest to northeast in NCP, in which the concentrations of air pollutants displayed a multi-step decreasing trend in space. An approach based on the measurement results at these sites has been developed to calculate the relative contributions of the minimal local emission (MinLEC) and the maximum regional transport (MaxRTC) to the air pollutants (e.g., SO 2 , NO 2 , CO, PM 2.5 ) in Beijing. The minimal influence of local emission is estimated by the difference of the air pollutants' concentrations between urban and rural areas under the assumption of a similar influence of regional transport. Therefore, it's convenient to estimate the contributions of local emission from regional transport based on the selective measurement results instead of the complex numerical model simulation. For the whole year of 2013, the averaged contributions of MinLEC (MaxRTC) for NO 2 , SO 2 , PM 2.5 and CO are 61.7% (30.7%), 46.6% (48%), 52.1% (40.2%) and 35.8% (45.5%), respectively. The diurnal variation of MaxRTC for SO 2 , PM 2.5 and CO shows an increased pattern during the afternoon and reached a peak (more than 50%) around 18:00, which indicates that the regional transport is the important role for the daytime air pollution in Beijing. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The geochemical cycling of trace elements in a biogenic meromictic lake

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balistrieri, Laurie S.; Murray, James W.; Paul, Barbara

1994-10-01

The geochemical processes affecting the behavior and speciation of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in Hall Lake, Washington, USA, are assessed by examining dissolved and acid soluble particulate profiles of the elements and utilizing results from thermodynamic calculations. The water column of this meromictic lake is highly stratified and contains distinctive oxic, suboxic, and anoxic layers. Changes in the redox state of the water column with depth affect the distribution of all the elements studied. Most noticeable are increases in dissolved Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations across the oxic-suboxic boundary, increases in dissolved As, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, and V concentrations with depth in the anoxic layer, significant decreases in dissolved Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the anoxic region below the sulfide maximum, and large increases in acid soluble particulate concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in the anoxic zone below the sulfide maximum. Thermodynamic calculations for the anoxic region indicate that all redox sensitive elements exist in their reduced forms, the primary dissolved forms of Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn are metal sulfide solution complexes, and solid sulfide phases of Cu, Fe, Mo, and Pb are supersaturated. Calculations using a vertical diffusion and reaction model indicate that the oxidation rate constant for Mn(II) in Hall Lake is estimated to be 0.006 d -1 and is at the lower end of the range of microbial oxidation rates observed in other natural systems. The main geochemical processes influencing the distribution and speciation of trace elements in Hall Lake appear to be transformations of dissolved elements between their oxidation states (As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, V), cocycling of trace elements with Mn and Fe (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, Zn), formation of soluble metal sulfide complexes (Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), sorption (As, Co, Cr, Ni, V), and precipitation (Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Zn).

The geochemical cycling of trace elements in a biogenic meromictic lake

USGS Publications Warehouse

Balistrieri, L.S.; Murray, J.W.; Paul, B.

1994-01-01

The geochemical processes affecting the behavior and speciation of As, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in Hall Lake, Washington, USA, are assessed by examining dissolved and acid soluble particulate profiles of the elements and utilizing results from thermodynamic calculations. The water column of this meromictic lake is highly stratified and contains distinctive oxic, suboxic, and anoxic layers. Changes in the redox state of the water column with depth affect the distribution of all the elements studied. Most noticeable are increases in dissolved Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations across the oxic-suboxic boundary, increases in dissolved As, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, and V concentrations with depth in the anoxic layer, significant decreases in dissolved Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn concentrations in the anoxic region below the sulfide maximum, and large increases in acid soluble particulate concentrations of As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn in the anoxic zone below the sulfide maximum. Thermodynamic calculations for the anoxic region indicate that all redox sensitive elements exist in their reduced forms, the primary dissolved forms of Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn are metal sulfide solution complexes, and solid sulfide phases of Cu, Fe, Mo, and Pb are supersaturated. Calculations using a vertical diffusion and reaction model indicate that the oxidation rate constant for Mn(II) in Hall Lake is estimated to be 0.006 d-1 and is at the lower end of the range of microbial oxidation rates observed in other natural systems. The main geochemical processes influencing the distribution and speciation of trace elements in Hall Lake appear to be transformations of dissolved elements between their oxidation states (As, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, V), cocycling of trace elements with Mn and Fe (As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, Zn), formation of soluble metal sulfide complexes (Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn), sorption (As, Co, Cr, Ni, V), and precipitation (Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Pb, Zn). ?? 1994.

Direct gas-solid carbonation of serpentinite residues in the absence and presence of water vapor: a feasibility study for carbon dioxide sequestration.

PubMed

Veetil, Sanoopkumar Puthiya; Pasquier, Louis-César; Blais, Jean-François; Cecchi, Emmanuelle; Kentish, Sandra; Mercier, Guy

2015-09-01

Mineral carbonation of serpentinite mining residue offers an environmentally secure and permanent storage of carbon dioxide. The strategy of using readily available mining residue for the direct treatment of flue gas could improve the energy demand and economics of CO2 sequestration by avoiding the mineral extraction and separate CO2 capture steps. The present is a laboratory scale study to assess the possibility of CO2 fixation in serpentinite mining residues via direct gas-solid reaction. The degree of carbonation is measured both in the absence and presence of water vapor in a batch reactor. The gas used is a simulated gas mixture reproducing an average cement flue gas CO2 composition of 18 vol.% CO2. The reaction parameters considered are temperature, total gas pressure, time, and concentration of water vapor. In the absence of water vapor, the gas-solid carbonation of serpentinite mining residues is negligible, but the residues removed CO2 from the feed gas possibly due to reversible adsorption. The presence of small amount of water vapor enhances the gas-solid carbonation, but the measured rates are too low for practical application. The maximum CO2 fixation obtained is 0.07 g CO2 when reacting 1 g of residue at 200 °C and 25 barg (pCO2 ≈ 4.7) in a gas mixture containing 18 vol.% CO2 and 10 vol.% water vapor in 1 h. The fixation is likely surface limited and restricted due to poor gas-solid interaction. It was identified that both the relative humidity and carbon dioxide-water vapor ratio have a role in CO2 fixation regardless of the percentage of water vapor.

Algal culture studies for CELSS

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Radmer, R.; Behrens, P.; Arnett, K.; Gladue, R.; Cox, J.; Lieberman, D.

1987-01-01

Microalgae are well-suited as a component of a Closed Environmental Life Support System (CELSS), since they can couple the closely related functions of food production and atmospheric regeneration. The objective was to provide a basis for predicting the response of CELSS algal cultures, and thus the food supply and air regeneration system, to changes in the culture parameters. Scenedesmus growth was measured as a function of light intensity, and the spectral dependence of light absorption by the algae as well as algal respiration in the light were determined as a function of cell concentration. These results were used to test and confirm a mathematical model that describes the productivity of an algal culture in terms of the competing processes of photosynthesis and respiration. The relationship of algal productivity to cell concentration was determined at different carbon dioxide concentrations, temperatures, and light intensities. The maximum productivity achieved by an air-grown culture was found to be within 10% of the computed maximum productivity, indicating that CO2 was very efficiently removed from the gas stream by the algal culture. Measurements of biomass productivity as a function of cell concentration at different light intensities indicated that both the productivity and efficiency of light utilization were greater at higher light intensities.

The Ca-looping process for CO2 capture and energy storage: role of nanoparticle technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Valverde, Jose Manuel

2018-02-01

The calcium looping (CaL) process, based on the cyclic carbonation/calcination of CaO, has come into scene in the last years with a high potential to be used in large-scale technologies aimed at mitigating global warming. In the CaL process for CO2 capture, the CO2-loaded flue gas is used to fluidize a bed of CaO particles at temperatures around 650 °C. The carbonated particles are then circulated into a calciner reactor wherein the CaO solids are regenerated at temperatures near 950 °C under high CO2 concentration. Calcination at such harsh conditions causes a marked sintering and loss of reactivity of the regenerated CaO. This main drawback could be however compensated from the very low cost of natural CaO precursors such as limestone or dolomite. Another emerging application of the CaL process is thermochemical energy storage (TCES) in concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. Importantly, carbonation/calcination conditions to maximize the global CaL-CSP plant efficiency could differ radically from those used for CO2 capture. Thus, carbonation could be carried out at high temperatures under high CO2 partial pressure for maximum efficiency, whereas the solids could be calcined at relatively low temperatures in the absence of CO2 to promote calcination. Our work highlights the critical role of carbonation/calcination conditions on the performance of CaO derived from natural precursors. While conditions in the CaL process for CO2 capture lead to a severe CaO deactivation with the number of cycles, the same material may exhibit a high and stable conversion at optimum CaL-CSP conditions. Moreover, the type of CaL conditions influences critically the reaction kinetics, which plays a main role on the optimization of relevant operation parameters such as the residence time in the reactors. This paper is devoted to a brief review on the latest research activity in our group concerning these issues as well as the possible role of nanoparticle technology to enhance the activity of Ca-based materials at CaL conditions for CO2 capture and energy storage.

Carbon Dioxide and Water Vapor Fluxes at Reduced and Elevated CO2 Concentrations in Southern California Chaparral

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Y.; Oechel, W. C.; Hastings, S. J.; Bryant, P. J.; Qian, Y.

2003-12-01

This research took two different approaches to measuring carbon and water vapor fluxes at the plot level (2 x 2 meter and 1 x 1 meter plots) to help understand and predict ecosystem responses to elevated CO2 concentrations and concomitant environmental changes. The first measurement approach utilized a CO2-controlled, ambient lit, temperature controlled (CO2LT) null-balance chamber system run in a chaparral ecosystem in southern California, with six different CO2 concentrations ranging from 250 to 750 ppm CO2 concentrations with 100 ppm difference between treatments. The second measurement approach used a free air CO2 enrichment (FACE) system operated at 550 ppm CO2 concentration. These manipulations allowed the study of responses of naturally-growing chaparral to varying levels of CO2, under both chamber and open air conditions. There was a statistically significant CO2 effect on annual NEE (net ecosystem exchange) during the period of this study, 1997 to 2000. The effects of elevated CO2 on CO2 and water vapor flux showed strong seasonal patterns. Elevated CO2 delayed the development of water stress, enhanced leaf-level photosynthesis, and decreased transpiration and conductance rates. These effects were observed regardless of water availability. Ecosystem CO2 sink strength and plant water status were significantly enhanced by elevated CO2 when water availability was restricted. Comparing the FACE treatment and the FACE control, the ecosystem was either a stronger sink or a weaker source to the atmosphere throughout the dry seasons, but there was no statistically significant difference during the wet seasons. Annual average leaf transpiration decreased with the increasing of the atmospheric CO2 concentration. Although leaf level water-use efficiency (WUE) increased with the growth CO2 concentration increase, annual evapotranspiration (ET) during these four years also increased with the increase of the atmospheric CO2 concentrations. These results indicate that chaparral or other similar ecosystems, under future elevated CO2 concentrations, might be even more water stressed than they are under current conditions.

Development of new measuring technique using sound velocity for CO2 concentration in Cameroonian volcanic lakes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanemasa, M.; Saiki, K.; Kaneko, K.; Ohba, T.; Kusakabe, M.; Tanyileke, G.; Hell, J.

2012-12-01

1. Introduction Limnic eruptions at Lakes Monoun and Nyos in Cameroon, which are sudden degassing of magmatic CO2 dissolved in the lake water, occurred in 1984 and 1986, respectively. The disasters killed about 1800 people around the lakes. Because of ongoing CO2 accumulation in the bottom water of the lakes, tragedy of limnic eruptions will possibly occur again. To prevent from further disasters, artificial degassing of CO2 from the lake waters has been undergoing. Additionally, CO2 monitoring of the lake waters is needed. Nevertheless, CO2 measurement is done only once or twice a year because current methods of CO2 measurement, which require chemical analysis of water samples, are not suitable for frequent measurement. In engineering field, on the other hand, a method to measure salt concentration using sound velocity has been proposed (Kleis and Sanchez, 1990). This method allows us to evaluate solute concentration fast. We applied the method to dissolved CO2 and examined the correlation between sound velocity and CO2 concentration in laboratory experiment. Furthermore, using the obtained correlation, we tried to estimate the CO2 concentration of waters in the Cameroonian lakes. 2. Laboratory experiment We examined the correlation between sound velocity and CO2 concentration. A profiler (Minos X, made by AML oceanography) and pure water were packed in cylindrical stainless vessel and high-pressure CO2 gas was injected to produce carbonated water. The profiler recorded temperature, pressure and sound velocity. Change of sound velocity was defined as difference of sound velocity between carbonated water and pure water under the same temperature and pressure conditions. CO2 concentration was calculated by Henry's law. The result indicated that the change of sound velocity [m s-1] is proportional to CO2 concentration [mmol kg-1], and the coefficient is 0.021 [m kg s-1 mmol-1]. 3. Field application Depth profiles of sound velocity, pressure, and temperature of Lakes Nyos and Monoun were measured in March 2012, and CO2 concentration was calculated using the results of laboratory experiment. The CO2 concentration profiles by Sound Velocity Method were compared to estimated profile of 2012 by chemical analysis with correction using results of Kusakabe et al., 2008. The CO2 concentration profile estimated by Sound Velocity Method looks overestimated. This may be the effect of bicarbonate salt little existed in laboratory experiment. The change of sound velocity was evaluated as a linear function of CO2 and bicarbonate ion concentration by multiple regression analysis. Coefficient for the change of sound velocity of CO2 concentration in Lake Nyos agrees with the laboratory experiment within the precision of 10%. On the other hand, in Lake Monoun, the difference of coefficient is larger than 50%. In Lake Monoun, CO2 concentration may be estimated incorrectly because CO2/bicarbonate ratio seems to have changed. From these results, we concluded that Sound Velocity Method is useful to measure CO2 concentration quantitatively as far as the CO2/bicarbonate ratio does not change. The method is also applicable as an early diagnosis when the CO2 profile changes by a sudden CO2 injection to the lakes.

Future ocean hypercapnia driven by anthropogenic amplification of the natural CO2 cycle.

PubMed

McNeil, Ben I; Sasse, Tristan P

2016-01-21

High carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in sea-water (ocean hypercapnia) can induce neurological, physiological and behavioural deficiencies in marine animals. Prediction of the onset and evolution of hypercapnia in the ocean requires a good understanding of annual variations in oceanic CO2 concentration, but there is a lack of relevant global observational data. Here we identify global ocean patterns of monthly variability in carbon concentration using observations that allow us to examine the evolution of surface-ocean CO2 levels over the entire annual cycle under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We predict that the present-day amplitude of the natural oscillations in oceanic CO2 concentration will be amplified by up to tenfold in some regions by 2100, if atmospheric CO2 concentrations continue to rise throughout this century (according to the RCP8.5 scenario of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). The findings from our data are broadly consistent with projections from Earth system climate models. Our predicted amplification of the annual CO2 cycle displays distinct global patterns that may expose major fisheries in the Southern, Pacific and North Atlantic oceans to hypercapnia many decades earlier than is expected from average atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We suggest that these ocean 'CO2 hotspots' evolve as a combination of the strong seasonal dynamics of CO2 concentration and the long-term effective storage of anthropogenic CO2 in the oceans that lowers the buffer capacity in these regions, causing a nonlinear amplification of CO2 concentration over the annual cycle. The onset of ocean hypercapnia (when the partial pressure of CO2 in sea-water exceeds 1,000 micro-atmospheres) is forecast for atmospheric CO2 concentrations that exceed 650 parts per million, with hypercapnia expected in up to half the surface ocean by 2100, assuming a high-emissions scenario (RCP8.5). Such extensive ocean hypercapnia has detrimental implications for fisheries during the twenty-first century.

Future ocean hypercapnia driven by anthropogenic amplification of the natural CO2 cycle

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McNeil, Ben I.; Sasse, Tristan P.

2016-01-01

High carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in sea-water (ocean hypercapnia) can induce neurological, physiological and behavioural deficiencies in marine animals. Prediction of the onset and evolution of hypercapnia in the ocean requires a good understanding of annual variations in oceanic CO2 concentration, but there is a lack of relevant global observational data. Here we identify global ocean patterns of monthly variability in carbon concentration using observations that allow us to examine the evolution of surface-ocean CO2 levels over the entire annual cycle under increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We predict that the present-day amplitude of the natural oscillations in oceanic CO2 concentration will be amplified by up to tenfold in some regions by 2100, if atmospheric CO2 concentrations continue to rise throughout this century (according to the RCP8.5 scenario of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). The findings from our data are broadly consistent with projections from Earth system climate models. Our predicted amplification of the annual CO2 cycle displays distinct global patterns that may expose major fisheries in the Southern, Pacific and North Atlantic oceans to hypercapnia many decades earlier than is expected from average atmospheric CO2 concentrations. We suggest that these ocean ‘CO2 hotspots’ evolve as a combination of the strong seasonal dynamics of CO2 concentration and the long-term effective storage of anthropogenic CO2 in the oceans that lowers the buffer capacity in these regions, causing a nonlinear amplification of CO2 concentration over the annual cycle. The onset of ocean hypercapnia (when the partial pressure of CO2 in sea-water exceeds 1,000 micro-atmospheres) is forecast for atmospheric CO2 concentrations that exceed 650 parts per million, with hypercapnia expected in up to half the surface ocean by 2100, assuming a high-emissions scenario (RCP8.5). Such extensive ocean hypercapnia has detrimental implications for fisheries during the twenty-first century.

Fabrication and Synthesis of Highly Ordered Nickel Cobalt Sulfide Nanowire-Grown Woven Kevlar Fiber/Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polyester Composites.

PubMed

Hazarika, Ankita; Deka, Biplab K; Kim, DoYoung; Roh, Hyung Doh; Park, Young-Bin; Park, Hyung Wook

2017-10-18

Well-aligned NiCo 2 S 4 nanowires, synthesized hydrothermally on the surface of woven Kevlar fiber (WKF), were used to fabricate composites with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) dispersed in polyester resin (PES) by means of vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding. The NiCo 2 S 4 nanowires were synthesized with three precursor concentrations. Nanowire growth was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Hierarchical and high growth density of the nanowires led to exceptional mechanical properties of the composites. Compared with bare WKF/PES, the tensile strength and absorbed impact energy were enhanced by 96.2% and 92.3%, respectively, for WKF/NiCo 2 S 4 /rGO (1.5%)/PES. The synergistic effect of NiCo 2 S 4 nanowires and rGO in the fabricated composites improved the electrical conductivity of insulating WKF/PES composites, reducing the resistance to ∼10 3 Ω. Joule heating performance depended strongly on the precursor concentration of the nanowires and the presence of rGO in the composite. A maximum surface temperature of 163 °C was obtained under low-voltage (5 V) application. The Joule heating performance of the composites was demonstrated in a surface deicing experiment; we observed that 17 g of ice melted from the surface of the composite in 14 min under an applied voltage of 5 V at -28 °C. The excellent performance of WKF/NiCo 2 S 4 /rGO/PES composites shows great potential for aerospace structural applications requiring outstanding mechanical properties and Joule heating capability for deicing of surfaces.

Effects of CO2 Concentration on Rubisco Activity, Amount, and Photosynthesis in Soybean Leaves 1

PubMed Central

Campbell, William J.; Allen, L. H.; Bowes, George

1988-01-01

Growth at an elevated CO2 concentration resulted in an enhanced capacity for soybean (Glycine max L. Merr. cv Bragg) leaflet photosynthesis. Plants were grown from seed in outdoor controlled-environment chambers under natural solar irradiance. Photosynthetic rates, measured during the seed filling stage, were up to 150% greater with leaflets grown at 660 compared to 330 microliters of CO2 per liter when measured across a range of intercellular CO2 concentrations and irradiance. Soybean plants grown at elevated CO2 concentrations had heavier pod weights per plant, 44% heavier with 660 compared to 330 microliters of CO2 per liter grown plants, and also greater specific leaf weights. Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) activity showed no response (mean activity of 96 micromoles of CO2 per square meter per second expressed on a leaflet area basis) to short-term (∼1 hour) exposures to a range of CO2 concentrations (110-880 microliters per liter), nor was a response of activity (mean activity of 1.01 micromoles of CO2 per minute per milligram of protein) to growth CO2 concentration (160-990 microliters per liter) observed. The amount of rubisco protein was constant, as growth CO2 concentration was varied, and averaged 55% of the total leaflet soluble protein. Although CO2 is required for activation of rubisco, results indicated that within the range of CO2 concentrations used (110-990 microliters per liter), rubisco activity in soybean leaflets, in the light, was not regulated by CO2. PMID:16666460

Effect of CO2 enrichment on the glucosinolate contents under different nitrogen levels in bolting stem of Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra L.).

PubMed

La, Gui-xiao; Fang, Ping; Teng, Yi-bo; Li, Ya-juan; Lin, Xian-yong

2009-06-01

The effects of CO(2) enrichment on the growth and glucosinolate (GS) concentrations in the bolting stem of Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra L.) treated with three nitrogen (N) concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mmol/L) were investigated. Height, stem thickness, and dry weights of the total aerial parts, bolting stems, and roots, as well as the root to shoot ratio, significantly increased as CO(2) concentration was elevated from 350 to 800 microl/L at each N concentration. In the edible part of the bolting stem, 11 individual GSs were identified, including 7 aliphatic and 4 indolyl GSs. GS concentration was affected by the elevated CO(2) concentration, N concentration, and CO(2)xN interaction. At 5 and 10 mmol N/L, the concentrations of aliphatic GSs and total GSs significantly increased, whereas those of indolyl GSs were not affected, by elevated atmospheric CO(2). However, at 20 mmol N/L, elevated CO(2) had no significant effects on the concentrations of total GSs and total indolyl GSs, but the concentrations of total aliphatic GSs significantly increased. Moreover, the bolting stem carbon (C) content increased, whereas the N and sulfur (S) contents decreased under elevated CO(2) concentration in the three N treatments, resulting in changes in the C/N and N/S ratios. Also the C/N ratio is not a reliable predictor of change of GS concentration, while the changes in N and S contents and the N/S ratio at the elevated CO(2) concentration may influence the GS concentration in Chinese kale bolting stems. The results demonstrate that high nitrogen supply is beneficial for the growth of Chinese kale, but not for the GS concentration in bolting stems, under elevated CO(2) condition.

Effects of Acute Exposures to Carbon Dioxide Upon Cognitive Functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Scully, R. R.; Alexander, D. J.; Ryder, V. E.; Lam, C. W.; Statish, U.; Basner, M.

2016-01-01

Large quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) originate from human metabolism and typically, within spacecraft, remain about 10-fold higher in concentration than at the earth's surface. There have been recurring complaints by crew members of episodes of "mental viscosity" adversely affecting their performance, and there is evidence from the International Space Station (ISS) that associates CO2 levels with reports of headaches by crewmembers. Additionally, there is concern that CO2 may contribute to vision impairment and intracranial pressure that has been observed in some crewmembers. Consequently, flight rules have been employed to control the level of CO2 below 4 mm Hg, which is well below the existing Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentration (SMAC) of 10 mm Hg for 24-hour exposures, and 5.3 mm Hg for exposures of 7 to 180 days. However, the flight rule imposed limit, which places additional demands upon resources and current technology, still exceeds the lower bound of the threshold range for reportable headaches (2 - 5 mm Hg). Headaches, while sometime debilitating themselves, are also symptoms that can provide evidence that physiological defense mechanisms have been breached. The causes of the headaches may elicit other subtle adverse effects that occur at CO2 levels well below that for headaches. The concern that CO2 may have effects at levels below the threshold for headaches appears to be substantiated in unexpected findings that CO2 at concentrations below 2 mm Hg substantially reduced some cognitive functions that are associated with the ability to make complex decisions in conditions that are characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and delayed feedback. These are conditions that could be encountered by crews in off-nominal situations or during the first missions beyond low earth orbit. If findings of the earlier study are confirmed in crew-like subjects, our findings would provide additional evidence that CO2 may need to be controlled at levels that are well below current spacecraft limits. Our study will extend the earlier study to determine if crew-like subjects are similarly effected by CO2. In addition to employing the Strategic Management Simulation tool, we will use the Cognition battery of psychometric measures that are being utilized aboard the ISS. It will be important to learn, by using Cognition, if additional cognitive domains are sensitive to concentrations of CO2 at or below limits currently controlled by flight rules. While spaceflight Cognition data will greatly enhance the knowledge base related to inflight behavioral health and performance, some of the measures may be influenced by fatigue (related to sleep deprivation and or workload) and changes in circadian rhythms. Therefore our use of this battery of tests in a well-controlled, ground-based study that is free of these potential confounding influences will establish a baseline terrestrial data set against which Cognition data collected in flight may be assessed. The findings from this study will be useful to the NASA Toxicology Office and the National Research Council Committee on Toxicology, which assists NASA in setting environmental standards, for revision of the SMAC for CO2, and for designing further studies on effects of CO2 upon cognitive functions.

Nitrous Oxide Emissions in a Managed Grassland are Strongly Influenced by CO2 Concentrations Across a Range of Soil Moisture Levels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brown, Z. A.; Hovenden, M. J.; Hunt, M.

2017-12-01

Though the atmosphere contains less nitrous oxide (N2O, 324 ppb) than carbon dioxide (CO2, 400 ppm­), N2O has 298 times the global warming potential of CO2 on a 100-year horizon. Nitrous oxide emissions tend to be greater in moist soils because denitrification is an anaerobic process. The rising concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere reduces plant stomatal aperture, thereby slowing transpiration and water use and leading to higher soil moisture levels. Thus, the rising CO2 concentration could stimulate N2O emissions indirectly via increasing soil moisture. Further, results from field experiments in which CO2 is elevated have demonstrated nitrification is accelerated at elevated CO2 concentrations (eCO2). Hence, N2O emissions could be substantially increased by the impacts of rising CO2 concentrations on plant and ecosystem physiology. However, the scale of this impact could be influenced by the amount of water supplied through irrigation or rainfall since both nitrification and denitrification are sensitive to soil moisture. Here, we use measurements of CO2 and N2O emissions from the TasFACE2 experiment to explore the ways in which the impact of CO2 concentration on greenhouse gas emissions is influenced by water supply in a managed temperate pasture. TasFACE2 is the world's only experiment that explicitly controls soil water availability at three different CO2 concentrations. Application of chemical nitrification inhibitor severely reduces N2O flux from soils regardless of CO2 level, water treatment and time following urea application. This inhibitor reduced soil respiration in plots exposed to ambient CO2 plots but not in eCO2 plots. N2O flux is stimulated by eCO2 but not consistently among watering treatments or seasons. Soil respiration is strongly enhanced by CO2 effect regardless of watering treatment. The results demonstrate that CO2 concentration has a sustained impact on CO2 and N2O flux across a range of water availabilities in this fertilised, ryegrass pasture. Thus, the impacts of rising CO2 concentrations on greenhouse gas emissions are not dependent upon soil water availability, with substantial impacts occurring even in drier soils. Thus, the impact of CO2 concentration on emissions might be stronger than has been believed to this point, with major ramifications for future climate.

Enrichment of Pyrrolic Nitrogen by Hole Defects in Nitrogen and Sulfur Co-Doped Graphene Hydrogel for Flexible Supercapacitors.

PubMed

Tran, Ngoc Quang; Kang, Bong Kyun; Woo, Moo Hyun; Yoon, Dae Ho

2016-08-23

The effect of the doping configuration and concentration of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) on the electrochemical performance of 3 D N and S co-doped hole defect graphene hydrogel (NS-HGH) electrodes is investigated. Surprisingly, by introducing a hole defect on the graphene surface, the difference in the doping concentrations of N and S can be used to effectively modulate the electrochemical behavior of the NS-HGH. The hole defects provide a rapid ion diffusion path. Finally, we showed that the intriguing specific capacitance (536 F g(-1) ) of the NS-HGH could enhance the overall performance of the pseudocapacitance and electric double layer capacitance. The rational design of the NS-HGH-based flexible solid state supercapacitor results in not only outstanding electrochemical performance with a maximum energy density of 14.8 Wh kg(-1) and power density of 5.2 KW kg(-1) but also in extraordinary mechanical flexibility and excellent cycle stability. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Quantification of CO2-FLUID-ROCK Reactions Using Reactive and Non-Reactive Tracers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matter, J.; Stute, M.; Hall, J. L.; Mesfin, K. G.; Gislason, S. R.; Oelkers, E. H.; Sigfússon, B.; Gunnarsson, I.; Aradottir, E. S.; Alfredsson, H. A.; Gunnlaugsson, E.; Broecker, W. S.

2013-12-01

Carbon dioxide mineralization via fluid-rock reactions provides the most effective and long-term storage option for geologic carbon storage. Injection of CO2 in geologic formations induces CO2 -fluid-rock reactions that may enhance or decrease the storage permanence and thus the long-term safety of geologic carbon storage. Hence, quantitative characterization of critical CO2 -fluid-rock interactions is essential to assess the storage efficiency and safety of geologic carbon storage. In an attempt to quantify in-situ fluid-rock reactions and CO2 transport relevant for geologic carbon storage, we are testing reactive (14C, 13C) and non-reactive (sodium fluorescein, amidorhodamine G, SF5CF3, and SF6) tracers in an ongoing CO2 injection in a basaltic storage reservoir at the CARBFIX pilot injection site in Iceland. At the injection site, CO2 is dissolved in groundwater and injected into a permeable basalt formation located 500-800 m below the surface [1]. The injected CO2 is labeled with 14C by dynamically adding calibrated amounts of H14CO3-solution into the injection stream in addition to the non-reactive tracers. Chemical and isotopic analyses of fluid samples collected in a monitoring well, reveal fast fluid-rock reactions. Maximum SF6 concentration in the monitoring well indicates the bulk arrival of the injected CO2 solution but dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) concentration and pH values close to background, and a potentially lower 14C to SF6 ratio than the injection ratio suggest that most of the injected CO2 has reacted with the basaltic rocks. This is supported by δ13CDIC, which shows a drop from values close to the δ 13C of the injected CO2 gas (-3‰ VPDB) during breakthrough of the CO2 plume to subsequent more depleted values (-11.25‰ VPDB), indicating precipitation of carbonate minerals. Preliminary mass balance calculations using mixing relationships between the background water in the storage formation and the injected solution, suggest that approximately 85% of the injected CO2 must have reacted along the flow path from the injection well to the monitoring well within less than one year. Monitoring is still going on and we will extend the time series and the mass balance accordingly. Our study demonstrates that by combining reactive and non-reactive tracers, we are able to quantify CO2-fluid-rock interactions on a reservoir scale. [1] Gislason et al. (2010), Int. J. Greenh. Gas Con. 4, 537-545.

Formation of a nanobubble and its effect on the structural ordering of water in a CH4-N2-CO2-H2O mixture.

PubMed

Kaur, Surinder Pal; Sujith, K S; Ramachandran, C N

2018-04-04

The replacement of methane (CH4) from its hydrate by a mixture of nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) involves the dissociation of methane hydrate leading to the formation of a CH4-N2-CO2-H2O mixture that can significantly influence the subsequent steps of the replacement process. In the present work, we study the evolution of dissolved gas molecules in this mixture by applying classical molecular dynamics simulations. Our study shows that a higher CO2 : N2 ratio in the mixture enhances the formation of nanobubbles composed of N2, CH4 and CO2 molecules. To understand how the CO2 : N2 ratio affects nanobubble nucleation, the distribution of molecules in the bubble formed is examined. It is observed that unlike N2 and CH4, the density of CO2 in the bubble reaches a maximum at the surface of the bubble. The accumulation of CO2 molecules at the surface makes the bubble more stable by decreasing the excess pressure inside the bubble as well as surface tension at its interface with water. It is found that a frequent exchange of gas molecules takes place between the bubble and the surrounding liquid and an increase in concentration of CO2 in the mixture leads to a decrease in the number of such exchanges. The effect of nanobubbles on the structural ordering of water molecules is examined by determining the number of water rings formed per unit volume in the mixture. The role of nanobubbles in water structuring is correlated to the dynamic nature of the bubble arising from the exchange of gas molecules between the bubble and the liquid.

Growth and wood/bark properties of Abies faxoniana seedlings as affected by elevated CO2.

PubMed

Qiao, Yun-Zhou; Zhang, Yuan-Bin; Wang, Kai-Yun; Wang, Qian; Tian, Qi-Zhuo

2008-03-01

Growth and wood and bark properties of Abies faxoniana seedlings after one year's exposure to elevated CO2 concentration (ambient + 350 (+/- 25) micromol/mol) under two planting densities (28 or 84 plants/m(2)) were investigated in closed-top chambers. Tree height, stem diameter and cross-sectional area, and total biomass were enhanced under elevated CO2 concentration, and reduced under high planting density. Most traits of stem bark were improved under elevated CO2 concentration and reduced under high planting density. Stem wood production was significantly increased in volume under elevated CO2 concentration under both densities, and the stem wood density decreased under elevated CO2 concentration and increased under high planting density. These results suggest that the response of stem wood and bark to elevated CO2 concentration is density dependent. This may be of great importance in a future CO2 enriched world in natural forests where plant density varies considerably. The results also show that the bark/wood ratio in diameter, stem cross-sectional area and dry weight are not proportionally affected by elevated CO2 concentration under the two contrasting planting densities. This indicates that the response magnitude of stem bark and stem wood to elevated CO2 concentration are different but their response directions are the same.

Changes in Respiratory Mitochondrial Machinery and Cytochrome and Alternative Pathway Activities in Response to Energy Demand Underlie the Acclimation of Respiration to Elevated CO2 in the Invasive Opuntia ficus-indica1[OA

PubMed Central

Gomez-Casanovas, Nuria; Blanc-Betes, Elena; Gonzalez-Meler, Miquel A.; Azcon-Bieto, Joaquim

2007-01-01

Studies on long-term effects of plants grown at elevated CO2 are scarce and mechanisms of such responses are largely unknown. To gain mechanistic understanding on respiratory acclimation to elevated CO2, the Crassulacean acid metabolism Mediterranean invasive Opuntia ficus-indica Miller was grown at various CO2 concentrations. Respiration rates, maximum activity of cytochrome c oxidase, and active mitochondrial number consistently decreased in plants grown at elevated CO2 during the 9 months of the study when compared to ambient plants. Plant growth at elevated CO2 also reduced cytochrome pathway activity, but increased the activity of the alternative pathway. Despite all these effects seen in plants grown at high CO2, the specific oxygen uptake rate per unit of active mitochondria was the same for plants grown at ambient and elevated CO2. Although decreases in photorespiration activity have been pointed out as a factor contributing to the long-term acclimation of plant respiration to growth at elevated CO2, the homeostatic maintenance of specific respiratory rate per unit of mitochondria in response to high CO2 suggests that photorespiratory activity may play a small role on the long-term acclimation of respiration to elevated CO2. However, despite growth enhancement and as a result of the inhibition in cytochrome pathway activity by elevated CO2, total mitochondrial ATP production was decreased by plant growth at elevated CO2 when compared to ambient-grown plants. Because plant growth at elevated CO2 increased biomass but reduced respiratory machinery, activity, and ATP yields while maintaining O2 consumption rates per unit of mitochondria, we suggest that acclimation to elevated CO2 results from physiological adjustment of respiration to tissue ATP demand, which may not be entirely driven by nitrogen metabolism as previously suggested. PMID:17660349

Contribution of Co2+ in increasing chlorophyll a concentration of Nannochloropsis salina in controlled Conwy medium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hala, Y.; Taba, P.; Suryati, E.; Kasih, P.; Firman, N. F.

2018-03-01

A research in determining the contribution of Co2+ on the increase of chlorophyll a concentration of Nannochloropsis salina has been caried out. The cultivation of N. salina was conducted in the Conwy medium with a salinity of 5%o and 25%o and various Co2+ concentration (2, 4, and 8 ppm). In this research, Co2+ was exposed early in the cultivation of N. salina. The growth of N. salina was observed daily by counting the number of populations using a haemocytometer while the chlorophyll a concentration was determined by a Uv-Vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that the growth of N. salina in the control was higher than that in the medium containing Co2+. The optimum growth time was achieved on 15th days (5%) and 8th days (25%). In the cultivation medium with a salinity of 5%, Co2+ with a concentration of 2 ppm increased the chlorophyll a level while Co2+ with concentrations of 4 and 8 ppm decreased it. In the medium of cultivation with a salinity of 25%, the increase in chlorophyll a level was observed at Co2+ concentrations of 2 and 4 ppm whereas the decrease in chlorophyl a level was given at a concentration of 8 ppm. It can be concluded that at low concentrations, Co2+ increased the concentration of chlorophyll a in N. salina.

Evaluating Carbon and Climate Sensitivities of the NOAA/GFDL Earth System Model ESM2Mb to Forcing Perturbations during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tandy, H.; Shevliakova, E.; Keller, G.

2017-12-01

The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM, 55.5 Myr) was a period of rapid warming resulting from major changes in the carbon cycle and has been cited as the closest historical analogue to anthropogenic carbon release. Up to now, modeling studies of the PETM used either a low-resolution coupled model of the ocean and atmosphere with prescribed CO2 or CH4, or coupled climate-carbon models of intermediate complexity (i.e. simplified ocean or atmosphere). In this study we carried a suit of numerical experiments with the NOAA/GFDL comprehensive atmosphere-ocean coupled model with integrated terrestrial and marine carbon cycle components, known as an Earth System Model (ESM2Mb). We analyzed the output from millennia-scale ESM2Mb simulations with different combinations of forcings from the pre-PETM and PETM, including greenhouse gas concentrations and solar intensity. In addition we explore sensitivities of climate and carbon cycling to changes in geology such as topography, continental positions, and the presence and absence of large land glaciers. Furthermore, we examine ESM2Mb climate and carbon sensitivities to PETM conditions with a focus on how alternate conditions and forcings relate to the uncertainty in the climate and carbon cycling estimates from paleo observations. We explore changes in atmosphere, land, and ocean temperatures and circulation patterns as well as vegetation distribution, permafrost, and carbon storage in terrestrial and marine ecosystems from pre-PETM to PETM conditions. We found that with the present day land/sea mask and land glaciers in ESM2Mb, changes in only greenhouse gas concentrations (CO2 and CH4) from pre-PETM to PETM conditions induce global warming of 3-5 °C, consistent with the lower range of estimates from paleo proxies. Changes in the carbon permafrost storage from warming cannot explain the rapid increase in the atmospheric CO2 concentration. Changes in the ocean circulation and carbon storage critically depend on geological conditions such as continental positions. The study illustrates how models designed for studying future climate change can capture past paleo events, such as the PETM, and how modern day geological conditions may affect climate and carbon cycle sensitivities.

Moderate solar geoengineering greatly reduces the largest changes in climate whilst modestly increasing the changes in climate over a small fraction of the Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Irvine, P. J.; Keith, D.; He, J.; Vecchi, G.; Horowitz, L. W.

2017-12-01

Whilst solar geoengineering reduces global temperature it cannot perfectly offset the climate effects of elevated CO2 concentrations. Solar geoengineering has been shown to have a greater effect on the global hydrological cycle than CO2 and substantial differences in regional precipitation relative to a scenario without elevated CO2­ concentrations have been noted. In this study we evaluate a moderate scenario of solar geoengineering, one which offsets 50% of the forcing from elevated CO2 concentrations, using a 25 Km resolution global climate model and verify these results using the Geoengineering model Intercomparison project ensemble. We calculate the fraction of regions that would be better or worse off after solar geoengineering deployment, defining those which see greater absolute change as worse off and vice versa. We find that 51% of the land area would be statistically significantly better off for precipitation, 33% for Precipitation minus evaporation (P-E), and that less than 3% would be worse off for precipitation, and 1% for P-E. We find that the fraction of the land area experiencing the largest changes in climate, defined as the upper quartile of the CO2 minus control anomaly, is greatly reduced for precipitation, P-E and 5-day maximum precipitation, and eliminated for mean and max annual temperature. The regions which are made worse off in precipitation or P-E by solar geoengineering typically saw relatively little to no CO2 induced climate change and see relatively little to moderate change in the solar geoengineering scenario. There is little overlap between the regions made worse off in terms of precipitation and P-E. In fact, whilst precipitation is reduced in almost all regions made worse off by solar geoengineering, P-E is increased in the majority of regions made worse off. Overall, we find that for each variable considered solar geoengineering greatly reduces the fraction of the world experiencing relatively large change and that those regions made worse off by solar geoengineering are still, relatively speaking, much better off than those regions which fare badly under a climate change scenario.

Acute and Chronic Exposure to CO2 in Space Flight

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Alexander, D.; Wu, J.; Barr, Y. R.; Watkins, S. D.

2010-01-01

Spacecraft and space stations, similar to other habitable confined spaces such as submarines, need to provide a breathable atmosphere for their inhabitants. The inevitable production of CO2 during respiration necessitates life support systems that "scrub" the atmosphere and lower CO2 levels. Due to operational limitations associated with space flight (limited mass, volume, power, and consumables) CO2 is not scrubbed down to its terrestrial equivalent of 0.03% CO2 (ppCO2 of 0.23 mmHg), but is kept below 0.7% (ppCO2 of 5.3 mmHg), a level established in NASA s 180-day mission Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentration (SMAC) to be safe and unlikely to cause symptoms. Reports of space flight crewmembers becoming symptomatic with headaches, fatigue, and malaise at levels below those known to cause such symptoms terrestrially has prompted studies measuring the levels of CO2 on both the space shuttle and the space station. Data from cabin atmosphere sampling were collected on space shuttle missions STS-113, STS-122, STS-123, and International Space Station Expeditions 12-15 and 17, and the measured CO2 levels were then correlated to symptoms reported by the crew. The results indicate that a correlation exists between CO2 levels and symptomatology, however causality cannot be established at this time. While the short-term effects of elevated CO2 exposure are well known terrestrially, less is known regarding potential long-term effects of prolonged exposure to a CO2-rich environment or how the physiological changes caused by microgravity may interact with such exposures. Other challenges include limitations in the CO2 monitors used, lack of convection in the microgravity environment, and formation of localized CO2 pockets. As it is unclear if the unique environment of space increases sensitivity to CO2 or if other confounding factors are present, further research is planned to elucidate these points. At the same time, efforts are underway to update the SMAC to a lower level

BIOGENIC SOURCES FOR FORMALDEHYDE AND ACETALDEHYDE DURING SUMMER MONTHS

EPA Science Inventory

Photochemical modeling estimated contributions to ambient concentrations of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde from biogenic emissions over the continental United States during January 2001 (Eos Trans. AGU, 83(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract A52B-0117). Results showed that maximum co...

The Monitoring of Sallow CO2 Leakage From the CO2 Release Experiment in South Korea

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, H. J.; Han, S. H.; Kim, S.; Son, Y.

2017-12-01

This study was conducted to analyze the in-soil CO2 gas diffusion from the K-COSEM shallow CO2 release experiment. The study site consisting of five zones was built in Eumseong, South Korea, and approximately 1.8 t CO2 were injected from the perforated release well at Zones 1 to 4 from June 1 to 30, 2016. In-soil CO2 concentrations were measured once a day at 15 cm and 60 cm depths at 0 m, 2.5 m, 5.0 m, and 10.0 m away from the CO2 releasing well using a portable gas analyzer (GA5000) from May 11 to July 27, 2016. On June 4, CO2 leakage was simultaneously detected at 15 cm (8.8 %) and 60 cm (44.0 %) depths at 0 m from the well at Zone 3, and were increased up to about 30 % and 70 %, respectively. During the CO2 injection period, CO2 concentrations measured at 15 cm depth were significantly lower than those measured at 60 cm depth because of the atmospheric pressure effect. After stopping the CO2 injection, CO2 concentrations gradually decreased until July 27, but were still higher than the natural background concentration. This result suggested the possibility of long-term CO2 leakage. In addition, low levels of CO2 leakage were determined using CO2 regression analysis and CO2:O2 ratio. CO2 concentrations measured at 60 cm depth at 0 m from the well at Zones 1 to 4 consistently showed sigmoid increasing patterns with the injection time (R2=0.60-0.99). O2 concentrations at 15 cm and 60 cm depths from the CO2 release experiment were reached 0 % at about 76 % and 84 % of CO2 concentrations, respectively, whereas, those from biological reaction approached 0 % when CO2 increased to about 21 %. Therefore, deep underground monitoring would be able to detect CO2 leakage faster than near-surface monitoring, and CO2 regression and CO2:O2 ratio analyses seemed to be useful as clear indicators of CO2 leakage.

Heavy metal contamination of freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and prawn feed in Bangladesh: A market-based study to highlight probable health risks.

PubMed

Rabiul Islam, G M; Habib, Mohammad Ruzlan; Waid, Jillian L; Rahman, M Safiur; Kabir, J; Akter, S; Jolly, Y N

2017-03-01

An assessment of the dietary risk of heavy metal exposure to humans is important since it is the main source of exposure. This study aimed to estimate the degree of contamination and assess the probable health risk in the prawn food chain. In prawn feed, the concentrations of metals were detected in the following order: Hg > Co > Pb > Cd. The concentrations of heavy metals in prawn were the highest for Co and lowest for Cd. Trace amounts of As and Cr were detected in the analyzed sample. Target hazard quotients for heavy metals for adults were >1 for Pb, Cd, Hg, and Co, and for children, the same were high for Co and Hg, indicating significant health risks upon dietary exposure. All the prawn samples contained nine-fold and fourteen-fold higher concentrations than the maximum acceptable levels for Pb and Hg, respectively (0.5 mg kg -1 ; WHO/FAO). Human health risk due to the Co exposure is quite alarming as the level of exposure was found to be very high. In the prawn samples intended for human consumption, the hazard index (HI) was highest in the samples obtained from Bagerhat (3.25 in flesh and 3.26 in skin), followed by the samples obtained from Satkhira (2.84 in flesh and 3.10 in skin) and Dhaka City Corporation (2.81 in flesh and 3.42 in Skin); this indicates a potential risk of prawn consumption obtained from Southeast Bangladesh. This is particularly problematic as this area accounts for the majority of prawn production and export of the country. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Do the rich always become richer? Characterizing the leaf physiological response of the high-yielding rice cultivar Takanari to free-air CO2 enrichment.

PubMed

Chen, Charles P; Sakai, Hidemitsu; Tokida, Takeshi; Usui, Yasuhiro; Nakamura, Hirofumi; Hasegawa, Toshihiro

2014-02-01

The development of crops which are well suited to growth under future environmental conditions such as higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) is essential to meeting the challenge of ensuring food security in the face of the growing human population and changing climate. A high-yielding indica rice variety (Oryza sativa L. cv. Takanari) has been recently identified as a potential candidate for such breeding, due to its high productivity in present [CO2]. To test if it could further increase its productivity under elevated [CO2] (eCO2), Takanari was grown in the paddy field under season-long free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE, approximately 200 µmol mol(-1) above ambient [CO2]) and its leaf physiology was compared with the representative japonica variety 'Koshihikari'. Takanari showed consistently higher midday photosynthesis and stomatal conductance than Koshihikari under both ambient and FACE growth conditions over 2 years. Maximum ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylation and electron transport rates were higher for Takanari at the mid-grain filling stage in both years. Mesophyll conductance was higher in Takanari than in Koshihikari at the late grain-filling stage. In contrast to Koshihikari, Takanari grown under FACE conditions showed no decrease in total leaf nitrogen on an area basis relative to ambient-grown plants. Chl content was higher in Takanari than in Koshihikari at the same leaf nitrogen level. These results indicate that Takanari maintains its superiority over Koshihikari in regards to its leaf-level productivity when grown in elevated [CO2] and it may be a valuable resource for rice breeding programs which seek to increase crop productivity under current and future [CO2].

Do the Rich Always Become Richer? Characterizing the Leaf Physiological Response of the High-Yielding Rice Cultivar Takanari to Free-Air CO2 Enrichment

PubMed Central

Chen, Charles P.; Sakai, Hidemitsu; Tokida, Takeshi; Usui, Yasuhiro; Nakamura, Hirofumi; Hasegawa, Toshihiro

2014-01-01

The development of crops which are well suited to growth under future environmental conditions such as higher atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([CO2]) is essential to meeting the challenge of ensuring food security in the face of the growing human population and changing climate. A high-yielding indica rice variety (Oryza sativa L. cv. Takanari) has been recently identified as a potential candidate for such breeding, due to its high productivity in present [CO2]. To test if it could further increase its productivity under elevated [CO2] (eCO2), Takanari was grown in the paddy field under season-long free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE, approximately 200 µmol mol−1 above ambient [CO2]) and its leaf physiology was compared with the representative japonica variety ‘Koshihikari’. Takanari showed consistently higher midday photosynthesis and stomatal conductance than Koshihikari under both ambient and FACE growth conditions over 2 years. Maximum ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylation and electron transport rates were higher for Takanari at the mid-grain filling stage in both years. Mesophyll conductance was higher in Takanari than in Koshihikari at the late grain-filling stage. In contrast to Koshihikari, Takanari grown under FACE conditions showed no decrease in total leaf nitrogen on an area basis relative to ambient-grown plants. Chl content was higher in Takanari than in Koshihikari at the same leaf nitrogen level. These results indicate that Takanari maintains its superiority over Koshihikari in regards to its leaf-level productivity when grown in elevated [CO2] and it may be a valuable resource for rice breeding programs which seek to increase crop productivity under current and future [CO2]. PMID:24443497

Biosurfactant-enhanced hydrogen production from organic fraction of municipal solid waste using co-culture of E. coli and Enterobacter aerogenes.

PubMed

Sharma, Preeti; Melkania, Uma

2017-11-01

The effect of biosurfactants (surfactin and saponin) on the hydrogen production from organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) was investigated using co-culture of facultative anaerobes Enterobacter aerogenes and E. coli. The biosurfactants were applied in the concentration ranges of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5 and 5.0% each. Cumulative hydrogen production (P), maximum hydrogen production rate (Rmax) and lag phases (λ) were analyzed using modified Gompertz model. Results revealed that both the biosurfactants were effective in hydrogen production enhancement. The maximum cumulative hydrogen production of 743.5±14.4ml and 675.6±12.1ml and volumetric hydrogen production of 2.12L H2 /L substrate and 1.93L H2 /L substrate was recorded at 3.5% surfactin and 3.0% saponin respectively. Corresponding highest hydrogen yields were 79.2mlH 2 /gCarbo initial and 72.0mlH 2 /gCarbo initial respectively. Lag phase decreased from 12.5±2.0h at control to a minimum of 9.0±2.8h and 9.5±2.1h at 3.5% surfactin and 3.0% saponin respectively. Volatile fatty acid generation was increased with biosurfactants addition. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Photorespiration plays an important role in the regulation of photosynthetic electron flow under fluctuating light in tobacco plants grown under full sunlight.

PubMed

Huang, Wei; Hu, Hong; Zhang, Shi-Bao

2015-01-01

Plants usually experience dynamic fluctuations of light intensities under natural conditions. However, the responses of mesophyll conductance, CO2 assimilation, and photorespiration to light fluctuation are not well understood. To address this question, we measured photosynthetic parameters of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence in tobacco leaves at 2-min intervals while irradiance levels alternated between 100 and 1200 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1). Compared with leaves exposed to a constant light of 1200 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1), both stomatal and mesophyll conductances were significantly restricted in leaves treated with fluctuating light condition. Meanwhile, CO2 assimilation rate and electron flow devoted to RuBP carboxylation at 1200 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) under fluctuating light were limited by the low chloroplast CO2 concentration. Analysis based on the C3 photosynthesis model indicated that, at 1200 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) under fluctuating light, the CO2 assimilation rate was limited by RuBP carboxylation. Electron flow devoted to RuBP oxygenation at 1200 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) under fluctuating light remained at nearly the maximum level throughout the experimental period. We conclude that fluctuating light restricts CO2 assimilation by decreasing both stomatal and mesophyll conductances. Under such conditions, photorespiration plays an important role in the regulation of photosynthetic electron flow.

Impacts of CO2 concentration on growth, lipid accumulation, and carbon-concentrating-mechanism-related gene expression in oleaginous Chlorella.

PubMed

Fan, Jianhua; Xu, Hui; Luo, Yuanchan; Wan, Minxi; Huang, Jianke; Wang, Weiliang; Li, Yuanguang

2015-03-01

Biodiesel production by microalgae with photosynthetic CO2 biofixation is thought to be a feasible way in the field of bioenergy and carbon emission reduction. Knowledge of the carbon-concentrating mechanism plays an important role in improving microalgae carbon fixation efficiency. However, little information is available regarding the dramatic changes of cells suffered upon different environmental factors, such as CO2 concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate the growth, lipid accumulation, carbon fixation rate, and carbon metabolism gene expression under different CO2 concentrations in oleaginous Chlorella. It was found that Chlorella pyrenoidosa grew well under CO2 concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 %. The highest biomass and lipid productivity were 4.3 g/L and 107 mg/L/day under 5 % CO2 condition. Switch from high (5 %) to low (0.03 %, air) CO2 concentration showed significant inhibitory effect on growth and CO2 fixation rate. The amount of the saturated fatty acids was increased obviously along with the transition. Low CO2 concentration (0.03 %) was suitable for the accumulation of saturated fatty acids. Reducing the CO2 concentration could significantly decrease the polyunsaturated degree in fatty acids. Moreover, the carbon-concentrating mechanism-related gene expression revealed that most of them, especially CAH2, LCIB, and HLA3, had remarkable change after 1, 4, and 24 h of the transition, which suggests that Chlorella has similar carbon-concentrating mechanism with Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The findings of the present study revealed that C. pyrenoidosa is an ideal candidate for mitigating CO2 and biodiesel production and is appropriate as a model for mechanism research of carbon sequestration.

Transcriptome and key genes expression related to carbon fixation pathways in Chlorella PY-ZU1 cells and their growth under high concentrations of CO2.

PubMed

Huang, Yun; Cheng, Jun; Lu, Hongxiang; He, Yong; Zhou, Junhu; Cen, Kefa

2017-01-01

The biomass yield of Chlorella PY-ZU1 drastically increased when cultivated under high CO 2 condition compared with that cultivated under air condition. However, less attention has been given to the microalgae photosynthetic mechanisms response to different CO 2 concentrations. The genetic reasons for the higher growth rate, CO 2 fixation rate, and photosynthetic efficiency of microalgal cells under higher CO 2 concentration have not been clearly defined yet. In this study, the Illumina sequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly of Chlorella PY-ZU1 cells cultivated under 15% CO 2 were performed and compared with those of cells grown under air. It was found that carbonic anhydrase (CAs, enzyme for interconversion of bicarbonate to CO 2 ) dramatically decreased to near 0 in 15% CO 2 -grown cells, which indicated that CO 2 molecules directly permeated into cells under high CO 2 stress without CO 2 -concentrating mechanism. Extrapolating from the growth conditions and quantitative Real-Time PCR of CCM-related genes, the K m (CO 2 ) (the minimum intracellular CO 2 concentration that rubisco required) of Chlorella PY-ZU1 might be in the range of 80-192 μM. More adenosine triphosphates was saved for carbon fixation-related pathways. The transcript abundance of rubisco (the most important enzyme of CO 2 fixation reaction) was 16.3 times higher in 15% CO 2 -grown cells than that under air. Besides, the transcript abundances of most key genes involved in carbon fixation pathways were also enhanced in 15% CO 2 -grown cells. Carbon fixation and nitrogen metabolism are the two most important metabolisms in the photosynthetic cells. These genes related to the two most metabolisms with significantly differential expressions were beneficial for microalgal growth (2.85 g L -1 ) under 15% CO 2 concentration. Considering the micro and macro growth phenomena of Chlorella PY-ZU1 under different concentrations of CO 2 (0.04-60%), CO 2 transport pathways responses to different CO 2 (0.04-60%) concentrations was reconstructed.

Methods and apparatus for measuring small leaks from carbon dioxide sequestration facilities

DOEpatents

Nelson, Jr., David D.; Herndon, Scott C.

2018-01-02

In one embodiment, a CO.sub.2 leak detection instrument detects leaks from a site (e.g., a CO.sub.2 sequestration facility) using rapid concentration measurements of CO.sub.2, O.sub.2 and optionally water concentration that are achieved, for example, using laser spectroscopy (e.g. direct absorption laser spectroscopy). Water vapor in the sample gas may not be removed, or only partially removed. The sample gas may be collected using a multiplexed inlet assembly from a plurality of locations. CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 concentrations may be corrected based on the water concentration. A resulting dataset of the CO.sub.2 and O.sub.2 concentrations is analyzed over time intervals to detect any changes in CO.sub.2 concentration that are not anti-correlated with O.sub.2 concentration, and to identify a potential CO.sub.2 leak in response thereto. The analysis may include determining eddy covariance flux measurements of sub-surface potential carbon.

Trait Acclimation Mitigates Mortality Risks of Tropical Canopy Trees under Global Warming

PubMed Central

Sterck, Frank; Anten, Niels P. R.; Schieving, Feike; Zuidema, Pieter A.

2016-01-01

There is a heated debate about the effect of global change on tropical forests. Many scientists predict large-scale tree mortality while others point to mitigating roles of CO2 fertilization and – the notoriously unknown – physiological trait acclimation of trees. In this opinion article we provided a first quantification of the potential of trait acclimation to mitigate the negative effects of warming on tropical canopy tree growth and survival. We applied a physiological tree growth model that incorporates trait acclimation through an optimization approach. Our model estimated the maximum effect of acclimation when trees optimize traits that are strongly plastic on a week to annual time scale (leaf photosynthetic capacity, total leaf area, stem sapwood area) to maximize carbon gain. We simulated tree carbon gain for temperatures (25–35°C) and ambient CO2 concentrations (390–800 ppm) predicted for the 21st century. Full trait acclimation increased simulated carbon gain by up to 10–20% and the maximum tolerated temperature by up to 2°C, thus reducing risks of tree death under predicted warming. Functional trait acclimation may thus increase the resilience of tropical trees to warming, but cannot prevent tree death during extremely hot and dry years at current CO2 levels. We call for incorporating trait acclimation in field and experimental studies of plant functional traits, and in models that predict responses of tropical forests to climate change. PMID:27242814

Amelioration of boron toxicity in sweet pepper as affected by calcium management under an elevated CO2 concentration.

PubMed

Piñero, María Carmen; Pérez-Jiménez, Margarita; López-Marín, Josefa; Del Amor, Francisco M

2017-04-01

We investigated B tolerance in sweet pepper plants (Capsicum annuun L.) under an elevated CO 2 concentration, combined with the application of calcium as a nutrient management amelioration technique. The data show that high B affected the roots more than the aerial parts, since there was an increase in the shoot/root ratio, when plants were grown with high B levels; however, the impact was lessened when the plants were grown at elevated CO 2 , since the root FW reduction caused by excess B was less marked at the high CO 2 concentration (30.9% less). Additionally, the high B concentration affected the membrane permeability of roots, which increased from 39 to 54% at ambient CO 2 concentration, and from 38 to 51% at elevated CO 2 concentration, producing a cation imbalance in plants, which was differentially affected by the CO 2 supply. The Ca surplus in the nutrient solution reduced the nutritional imbalance in sweet pepper plants produced by the high B concentration, at both CO 2 concentrations. The medium B concentration treatment (toxic according to the literature) did not result in any toxic effect. Hence, there is a need to review the literature on critical and toxic B levels taking into account increases in atmospheric CO 2 .

Solid Solutions of Rare Earth Cations in Mesoporous Anatase Beads and Their Performances in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

PubMed Central

Cavallo, Carmen; Salleo, Alberto; Gozzi, Daniele; Di Pascasio, Francesco; Quaranta, Simone; Panetta, Riccardo; Latini, Alessandro

2015-01-01

Solid solutions of the rare earth (RE) cations Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Gd3+, Er3+ and Yb3+ in anatase TiO2 have been synthesized as mesoporous beads in the concentration range 0.1–0.3% of metal atoms. The solid solutions were have been characterized by XRD, SEM, diffuse reflectance UV-Vis spectroscopy, BET and BJH surface analysis. All the solid solutions possess high specific surface areas, up to more than 100 m2/g. The amount of adsorbed dye in each photoanode has been determined spectrophotometrically. All the samples were tested as photoanodes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) using N719 as dye and a nonvolatile, benzonitrile based electrolyte. All the cells were have been tested by conversion efficiency (J–V), quantum efficiency (IPCE), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and dark current measurements. While lighter RE cations (Pr3+, Nd3+) limit the performance of DSSCs compared to pure anatase mesoporous beads, cations from Sm3+ onwards enhance the performance of the devices. A maximum conversion efficiency of 8.7% for Er3+ at a concentration of 0.2% has been achieved. This is a remarkable efficiency value for a DSSC employing N719 dye without co-adsorbents and a nonvolatile electrolyte. For each RE cation the maximum performances are obtained for a concentration of 0.2% metal atoms. PMID:26577287

Acetogenic microbial degradation of vinyl chloride

USGS Publications Warehouse

Bradley, P.M.; Chapelle, F.H.

2000-01-01

Under methanogenic conditions, microbial degradation of [1,2-14C]vinyl chloride (VC) resulted in significant (14 ?? 3% maximum recovery) but transient recovery of radioactivity as 14C-acetate. Subsequently, 14C- acetate was degraded to 14CH4 and 14CO2 (18 ?? 2% and 54 ?? 3% final recoveries, respectively). In contrast, under 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES) amended conditions, 14C-acetate recovery remained high (27 ?? 1% maximum recovery) throughout the study, no 14CH4 was produced, and the final recovery of 14CO2 was only 35 ?? 4%. These results demonstrate that oxidative acetogenesis may be an important mechanism for anaerobic VC biodegradation. Moreover, these results (1) demonstrate that microbial degradation of VC to CH4 and CO2 may involve oxidative acetogenesis followed by acetotrophic methanogenesis and (2) suggest that oxidative acetogenesis may be the initial step in the net oxidation of VC to CO2 reported previously under Fe(III)-reducing, SO4-reducing, and humic acids- reducing conditions.Under methanogenic conditions, microbial degradation of [1,2-14C]vinyl chloride (VC) resulted in significant (14 ?? 3% maximum recovery) but transient recovery of radioactivity as 14C-acetate. Subsequently, 14C-acetate was degraded to 14CH4 and 14CO2 (18 ?? 2% and 54 ?? 3% final recoveries respectively). In contrast, under 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid (BES) amended conditions, 14C-acetate recovery remained high (27 ?? 1% maximum recovery) throughout the study, no 14CH4 was produced, and the final recovery of 14CO2 was only 35 ?? 4%. These results demonstrate that oxidative acetogenesis may be an important mechanism for anaerobic VC biodegradation. Moreover, these results (1) demonstrate that microbial degradation of VC to CH4 and CO2 may involve oxidative acetogenesis followed by acetotrophic methanogenesis and (2) suggest that oxidative acetogenesis may be the initial step in the net oxidation of VC to CO2 reported previously under Fe(III)-reducing, SO4-reducing, and humic acids-reducing conditions.

Pure dipolar-interacted CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles and their magnetic properties

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xu, Shi-tao; School of Physics and Electronic Information, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000; Ma, Yong-qing, E-mail: yqma@ahu.edu.cn

2015-02-15

Graphical abstract: The mono-dispersed CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles with the uniform size of 10.5 ± 2 nm were first synthesized and then they were embedded in amorphous SiO{sub 2} matrix with different CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles’ concentrations. The large coercivity (3056 Oe) and the remanence ratio (0.63) were obtained by suitably diluting CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles into the SiO{sub 2} matrix. The reciprocal of the absolute maximum of δm and the M{sub r}/M{sub s} ratio behave in the same trend (as shown in (e)), indicating that the M{sub r}/M{sub s} ratio was dominated by the interparticle dipolar interaction. The presentmore » work is meaningful for revealing the underlying mechanism in nano-scaled magnetic system and improving the magnetic performance. - Highlights: • The mono-dispersed CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles with the uniform size of 10.5 ± 2 nm were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of metals acetylacetonates in solvents with high boiling point. • The large coercivity (3056 Oe) and the remanence ratio (0.63) were obtained by diluting CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles into the SiO{sub 2} matrix with a suitable concentration. • The surface anisotropy and interparticle dipolar interaction affect the magnetic performance and magnetic ordering state. • It was observed that the M{sub r}/M{sub s} ratio was dominated by the interparticle dipolar interaction. - Abstract: The mono-dispersed and uniform CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were synthesized by the thermal decomposition of Fe(acac){sub 3} and Co(acac){sub 2}. Then the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles were diluted in amorphous SiO{sub 2} matrix with different CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles’ concentrations. All samples show the positive or negative exchange bias behavior, indicating the presence of canted spin layer at the CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} nanoparticles’ surface. The large effective anisotropy constant (3.38 × 10{sup 6} erg/cm{sup 3}) was observed, which can be attributed to the induced surface anisotropy by the canted surface spins. The reduced magnetization (M{sub r}/M{sub s}) was dominated by the interparticle dipolar interaction while the coercivity (H{sub c}) was determined by the synergistic effects of the surface anisotropy, interparticle dipolar interaction and interface effect. By suitably diluting CoFe{sub 2}O{sub 4} in the SiO{sub 2} matrix, the high H{sub c} (3056 Oe) and the M{sub r}/M{sub s} (0.63) can be obtained, which is larger than most of those reported before. The present work is meaningful for revealing the underlying mechanism in nano-scaled magnetic system and improving the magnetic performance.« less

Organic matter exudation by Emiliania huxleyi under simulated future ocean conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Borchard, C.; Engel, A.

2012-01-01

Emiliania huxleyi (strain B 92/11) was exposed to different growth, CO2 and temperature conditions in phosphorous controlled chemostats, to investigate effects on organic carbon exudation, and partitioning between the pools of particulate organic carbon (POC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). 14C incubation measurements for primary production (PP) and for extracellular release (ER) were performed. Chemical analysis included amount and composition of high molecular weight dissolved combined carbohydrates (>1 kDa, HMW-dCCHO), particulate combined carbohydrates (pCCHO) and the carbon content of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP-C). Applied CO2 and temperature conditions were 300, 550 and 900 μatm pCO2 at 14 °C, and additionally 900 μatm pCO2 at 18 °C simulating a greenhouse ocean scenario. A reduction in growth rate from μ =0.3 d-1 to μ =0.1 d-1 induced the most profound effect on the performance of E. huxleyi, relative to the effect of elevated CO2 and temperature. At μ =0.3 d-1, PP was significantly higher at elevated CO2 and temperature. DO14C production correlated to PO14C production in all cultures, resulting in similar percentages of extracellular release (DO14C/PP × 100; PER) of averaged 3.74 ± 0.94%. At μ =0.1 d-1, PO14C decreased significantly, while exudation of DO14C increased, thus leading to a stronger partitioning from the particulate to the dissolved pool. Maximum PER of 16.3 ± 2.3% were observed at μ =0.1 d-1 at greenhouse conditions. Concentrations of HMW-dCCHO and pCCHO were generally higher at μ =0.1 d-1 compared to μ =0.3 d-1. At μ =0.3 d-1, pCCHO concentration increased significantly along with elevated CO2 and temperature. Despite of high PER, the percentage of HMW-dCCHO was smallest at greenhouse conditions. However, highest TEP-formation was observed under greenhouse conditions, together with a pronounced increase in pCCHO concentration, suggesting a stronger partitioning of PP from DOC to POC by coagulation of exudates. Our results imply that greenhouse condition will enhance exudation processes in E. huxleyi and may affect organic carbon partitioning in the ocean due to an enhanced transfer of HMW-dCCHO to TEP by aggregation processes.

Effects of ambient and elevated CO2 on growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, photosynthetic pigments, antioxidants, and secondary metabolites of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G Don. grown under three different soil N levels.

PubMed

Singh, Aradhana; Agrawal, Madhoolika

2015-03-01

Catharanthus roseus L. plants were grown under ambient (375 ± 30 ppm) and elevated (560 ± 25 ppm) concentrations of atmospheric CO2 at different rates of N supply (without supplemental N, 0 kg N ha(-1); recommended N, 50 kg N ha(-1); and double recommended N, 100 kg N ha(-1)) in open top chambers under field condition. Elevated CO2 significantly increased photosynthetic pigments, photosynthetic efficiency, and organic carbon content in leaves at recommended (RN) and double recommended N (DRN), while significantly decreased total nitrogen content in without supplemental N (WSN). Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase were declined, while glutathione reductase, peroxidase, and phenylalanine-ammonia lyase were stimulated under elevated CO2. However, the responses of the above enzymes were modified with different rates of N supply. Elevated CO2 significantly reduced superoxide production rate, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde contents in RN and DRN. Compared with ambient, total alkaloids content increased maximally at recommended level of N, while total phenolics in WSN under elevated CO2. Elevated CO2 stimulated growth of plants by increasing plant height and numbers of branches and leaves, and the magnitude of increment were maximum in DRN. The study suggests that elevated CO2 has positively affected plants by increasing growth and alkaloids production and reducing the level of oxidative stress. However, the positive effects of elevated CO2 were comparatively lesser in plants grown under limited N availability than in moderate and higher N availability. Furthermore, the excess N supply in DRN has stimulated the growth but not the alkaloids production under elevated CO2.

Carbon dioxide exchange of buds and developing shoots of boreal Norway spruce exposed to elevated or ambient CO2 concentration and temperature in whole-tree chambers.

PubMed

Hall, Marianne; Räntfors, Mats; Slaney, Michelle; Linder, Sune; Wallin, Göran

2009-04-01

Effects of ambient and elevated temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) on CO2 assimilation rate and the structural and phenological development of shoots during their first growing season were studied in 45-year-old Norway spruce trees (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) enclosed in whole-tree chambers. Continuous measurements of net assimilation rate (NAR) in individual buds and shoots were made from early bud development to late August in two consecutive years. The largest effect of elevated temperature (TE) was manifest early in the season as an earlier start and completion of shoot length development, and a 1-3-week earlier shift from negative to positive NAR compared with the ambient temperature (TA) treatments. The largest effect of elevated [CO2] (CE) was found later in the season, with a 30% increase in maximum NAR compared with trees in the ambient [CO2] treatments (CA), and shoots assimilating their own mass in terms of carbon earlier in the CE treatments than in the CA treatments. Once the net carbon assimilation compensation point (NACP) had been reached, TE had little or no effect on the development of NAR performance, whereas CE had little effect before the NACP. No interactive effects of TE and CE on NAR were found. We conclude that in a climate predicted for northern Sweden in 2100, current-year shoots of P. abies will assimilate their own mass in terms of carbon 20-30 days earlier compared with the current climate, and thereby significantly contribute to canopy assimilation during their first year.

Effects of ocean acidification on primary production in a coastal North Sea phytoplankton community

PubMed Central

Eberlein, Tim; Wohlrab, Sylke; Rost, Björn; John, Uwe; Bach, Lennart T.; Riebesell, Ulf; Van de Waal, Dedmer B.

2017-01-01

We studied the effect of ocean acidification (OA) on a coastal North Sea plankton community in a long-term mesocosm CO2-enrichment experiment (BIOACID II long-term mesocosm study). From March to July 2013, 10 mesocosms of 19 m length with a volume of 47.5 to 55.9 m3 were deployed in the Gullmar Fjord, Sweden. CO2 concentrations were enriched in five mesocosms to reach average CO2 partial pressures (pCO2) of 760 μatm. The remaining five mesocosms were used as control at ambient pCO2 of 380 μatm. Our paper is part of a PLOS collection on this long-term mesocosm experiment. Here, we here tested the effect of OA on total primary production (PPT) by performing 14C-based bottle incubations for 24 h. Furthermore, photoacclimation was assessed by conducting 14C-based photosynthesis-irradiance response (P/I) curves. Changes in chlorophyll a concentrations over time were reflected in the development of PPT, and showed higher phytoplankton biomass build-up under OA. We observed two subsequent phytoplankton blooms in all mesocosms, with peaks in PPT around day 33 and day 56. OA had no significant effect on PPT, except for a marginal increase during the second phytoplankton bloom when inorganic nutrients were already depleted. Maximum light use efficiencies and light saturation indices calculated from the P/I curves changed simultaneously in all mesocosms, and suggest that OA did not alter phytoplankton photoacclimation. Despite large variability in time-integrated productivity estimates among replicates, our overall results indicate that coastal phytoplankton communities can be affected by OA at certain times of the seasonal succession with potential consequences for ecosystem functioning. PMID:28273107

Permafrost carbon as a missing link to explain CO 2 changes during the last deglaciation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crichton, K. A.; Bouttes, N.; Roche, D. M.; Chappellaz, J.; Krinner, G.

2016-09-01

The atmospheric concentration of CO2 increased from 190 to 280 ppm between the last glacial maximum 21,000 years ago and the pre-industrial era. This CO2 rise and its timing have been linked to changes in the Earth’s orbit, ice sheet configuration and volume, and ocean carbon storage. The ice-core record of δ13CO2 (refs ,) in the atmosphere can help to constrain the source of carbon, but previous modelling studies have failed to capture the evolution of δ13CO2 over this period. Here we show that simulations of the last deglaciation that include a permafrost carbon component can reproduce the ice core records between 21,000 and 10,000 years ago. We suggest that thawing permafrost, due to increasing summer insolation in the northern hemisphere, is the main source of CO2 rise between 17,500 and 15,000 years ago, a period sometimes referred to as the Mystery Interval. Together with a fresh water release into the North Atlantic, much of the CO2 variability associated with the Bølling-Allerod/Younger Dryas period ~15,000 to ~12,000 years ago can also be explained. In simulations of future warming we find that the permafrost carbon feedback increases global mean temperature by 10-40% relative to simulations without this feedback, with the magnitude of the increase dependent on the evolution of anthropogenic carbon emissions.

Capillary Trapping of CO2 in Oil Reservoirs: Observations in a Mixed-Wet Carbonate Rock.

PubMed

Al-Menhali, Ali S; Krevor, Samuel

2016-03-01

Early deployment of carbon dioxide storage is likely to focus on injection into mature oil reservoirs, most of which occur in carbonate rock units. Observations and modeling have shown how capillary trapping leads to the immobilization of CO2 in saline aquifers, enhancing the security and capacity of storage. There are, however, no observations of trapping in rocks with a mixed-wet-state characteristic of hydrocarbon-bearing carbonate reservoirs. Here, we found that residual trapping of supercritical CO2 in a limestone altered to a mixed-wet state with oil was significantly less than trapping in the unaltered rock. In unaltered samples, the trapping of CO2 and N2 were indistinguishable, with a maximum residual saturation of 24%. After the alteration of the wetting state, the trapping of N2 was reduced, with a maximum residual saturation of 19%. The trapping of CO2 was reduced even further, with a maximum residual saturation of 15%. Best-fit Land-model constants shifted from C = 1.73 in the water-wet rock to C = 2.82 for N2 and C = 4.11 for the CO2 in the mixed-wet rock. The results indicate that plume migration will be less constrained by capillary trapping for CO2 storage projects using oil fields compared with those for saline aquifers.

Energy-Storing Structures: Composite Capacitors and Batteries

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-07-30

with Li ions, busses electrons, and provides structural reinforcement - Example: Perforated stainless steel foil coated with LiFePO4 + acetylene...m A h /g ) LiFePO4 LiCoO2 Theoretical maximum for LiFePO4 Theoretical maximum for LiCoO2 500 m Expanded Perforated Woven Cathode and

Particulate Matter and Gaseous Pollutions in Three Metropolises along the Chinese Yangtze River: Situation and Implications.

PubMed

Mao, Mao; Zhang, Xiaolin; Yin, Yan

2018-05-28

The situation of criteria atmospheric pollutants, including particulate matter and trace gases (SO₂, NO₂, CO and O₃), over three metropolises (Chongqing, Wuhan, and Nanjing), representing the upstream, midstream and downstream portions of the Yangtze River Basin from September 2015 to August 2016 were analyzed. The maximum annual mean PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations were 61.3 and 102.7 μg/m³ in Wuhan, while highest annual average gaseous pollutions occurred in Nanjing, with 49.6 and 22.9 ppb for 8 h O₃ and NO₂, respectively. Compared to a few years ago, SO₂ and CO mass concentrations have dropped to well below the qualification standards, and the O₃ and NO₂ concentrations basically meet the requirements though occasionally is still high. In contrary, about 13%, 25%, 22% for PM 2.5 , and 4%, 17%, 15% for PM 10 exceed the Chinese Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) Grade II. Particulate matter, especially PM 2.5 , is the most frequent major pollutant to poor air quality with 73%, 64% and 88% accounting for substandard days. Mean PM 2.5 concentrations on PM 2.5 episode days are 2⁻3 times greater than non-episode days. On the basis of calculation of PM 2.5 /PM 10 and PM 2.5 /CO ratios, the enhanced particulate matter pollution on episode days is closely related to secondary aerosol production. Except for O₃, the remaining five pollutants exhibit analogous seasonal patterns, with the highest magnitude in winter and lowest in summer. The results of back trajectories show that air pollution displays synergistic effects on local emissions and long range transport. O₃ commonly demonstrated negative correlations with other pollutants, especially during winter, while moderate to strong positive correlation between particulate matter and NO₂, SO₂, CO were seen. Compared to pollutant substandard ratios over three megacities in eastern China (Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou), the situation in our studied second-tier cities are also severe. The results in this paper provide basic knowledge for pollution status of three cities along Chinese Yangtze River and are conductive to mitigating future negative air quality levels.

Air quality in Moscow megacity: basic level and extreme cases

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pankratova, N.; Skorokhod, A.; Moiseenko, K.

2012-04-01

Moscow is one of the largest megacities in the world. Total annual emissions of polluting substances into the atmosphere in Moscow is likely to be about 2,0 mln. t. More than 90% of pollutants are emitted by traffic. Problem of air quality assessment is very urgent for Moscow both to alarm population and to compare with other world megacities. To study contemporary structure of atmospheric pollution over Moscow megacity data on air composition (including CO, NO, NO2, O3, CH4, CO2, SO2, NMHC, aerosol) obtained since 2002 has been analyzed. The monitoring site is located at Moscow State University meteorological observatory on South-West of Moscow. All observations are provided by A.M. Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics RAS. Due to these continuous measurements typical (basic) level of pollution as well as extreme cases have been studied. The relationship between O3, NOx and VOCs were analyzed as well. Due to weather conditions (cyclonic regime is dominated) concentrations of pollutants usually do not reach dangerous levels but sometimes they are high. The case of abnormal hot and dry weather in the summer of 2010 was investigated. Many Russians were suffering from the record-breaking heat and the worst drought in 40 years. The heat was caused by very intensive and stable blocking anticyclone that established in Moscow since June, 18 till August, 18. Anticyclone of such strength has been never observed before. During 33 days in succession surface air temperature exceeded 30°C. During these 2 months troposphere over ETR was almost closed for western winds. Hot weather led to numerous forest and peat fires (about 29,000 cases) with total covered area about 12,000 km2. One of aftermaths was significant change of atmospheric composition. Many cities and settlements were covered by dense haze from fires. Evident presence of high amount of aerosol in the ambient air caused anxiety and application of safeguards. Meanwhile, less obvious increase of concentrations of trace gases (including toxic CO, NO, NO2, O3, VOCs) was very high as well and made great contribution to air quality deterioration. The strongest haze was registered on August, 6-10 when concentrations of almost all trace gases jumped far above maximum permissible thresholds. Thus, daily average concentrations for O3 reached 50.8 ppb, for CO - 9.8 ppm, for CO2 - 492.8 ppm. The heat wave in central Russia has shown a necessity of warning of population. It can be possible due to the Air Pollution Index (API). In this work the new methodology of air quality estimation was made. A proper method to calculate API, considering specific situation and sources of pollution in Moscow and other Russian cities, has been developed. Methodology is tested on data from maximum air pollution episodes in Moscow in summer 2010. The methodology contains 5 levels of pollution and uses 6 regularly measured components (PM10, NO2, CO, O3, SO2, total non-methane hydrocarbons). The methodology allows taking into account an adverse effect of high temperature and oxygen deficiency. This work was supported by scientific programs of the RAS and the Ministry of Education and Science(project "Megapolis", State Contract N 02.740.11.0676)

Interactive Effects of CO2 and O2 in Soil on Root and Top Growth of Barley and Peas

PubMed Central

Geisler, G.

1967-01-01

Barley and pea plants were grown under several regimens of different compositions of soil atmosphere, the O2 concentration varying from 0 to 21% and the CO2 concentration from 0 to 8%. In absence of CO2, the effect of O2 on root length in barley was characterized by equal root lengths within the range of 21 to 7% O2 and a steep decline between 7 and 0%. In peas, while showing the same general response, the decline occurred between 14 and 7% O2. Root numbers of the seminal roots of barley decreased already with reduction in O2 concentration from 21 to 14%. Dry matter production was affected somewhat differently by O2 and CO2 concentration. Dry matter production in barley was reduced at 14% O2 while root length decreased between 7 and 0%. In peas, dry matter production was favored by low CO2 concentrations except where there was no oxygen. At 21% O2, increasing CO2 concentrations did not seem to affect root length up to concentrations of 2% CO2. At 8% CO2, root length was decreased. The inter-active effects of CO2 and O2 are characterized by a reduced susceptibility to CO2 at O2 values below 7%, and a very deleterious effect of 8% CO2 at 7% O2. PMID:16656508

Lag phase and biomass determination of Rhodococcus pyridinivorans GM3 for degradation of phenol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Defiery, M. E. J.; Reddy, G.

2018-05-01

Among various techniques available for removal of phenol, biodegradation is an eco-friendly and cost effective method. Thus, it is required to understand the process of biodegradation of phenol, such as investigate on lag phase and biomass concentration. Phenol degrading bacteria were isolated from soil samples of industrial sites in enriched mineral salts medium (MSM) with phenol as a sole source of energy and carbon. One isolate of potential phenol degradation from consortium for phenol degrading studies was identified as Rhodococcus pyridinivorans GM3. Lag phase and biomass determination of R. pyridinivorans GM3 was studied with different phenol concentrations under pH 8.5 at temperature 32 Co and 200 rpm. Microbial biomass was directly proportional to increasing phenol concentration between 1.0 to 2.0 g/L with a maximum dry biomass of 1.745 g/L was noted after complete degradation of 2.0 g/L phenol in 48 hours.

Effects of raised CO2 concentration on the egg production rate and early development of two marine copepods (Acartia steueri and Acartia erythraea).

PubMed

Kurihara, Haruko; Shimode, Shinji; Shirayama, Yoshihisa

2004-11-01

Direct injection of CO(2) into the deep ocean is receiving increasing attention as a way to mitigate increasing atmospheric CO(2) concentration. To assess the potential impact of the environmental change associated with CO(2) sequestration in the ocean, we studied the lethal and sub-lethal effects of raised CO(2) concentration in seawater on adult and early stage embryos of marine planktonic copepods. We found that the reproduction rate and larval development of copepods are very sensitive to increased CO(2) concentration. The hatching rate tended to decrease, and nauplius mortality rate to increase, with increased CO(2) concentration. These results suggest that the marine copepod community will be negatively affected by the disposal of CO(2). This could decrease on the carbon export flux to the deep ocean and change the biological pump. Clearly, further studies are needed to determine whether ocean CO(2) injection is an acceptable strategy to reduce anthropogenic CO(2).

Co-pyrolysis of microwave-assisted acid pretreated bamboo sawdust and soapstock.

PubMed

Wang, Yunpu; Wu, Qiuhao; Duan, Dengle; Zhang, Yayun; Ruan, Roger; Liu, Yuhuan; Fu, Guiming; Zhang, Shumei; Zhao, Yunfeng; Dai, Leilei; Fan, Liangliang

2018-05-30

Fast microwave-assisted co-pyrolysis of pretreated bamboo sawdust and soapstock was conducted. The pretreatment process was carried out under microwave irradiation. The effects of microwave irradiation temperature, irradiation time, and concentration of hydrochloric acid on product distribution from co-pyrolysis and the relative contents of the major components in bio-oil were investigated. A maximum bio-oil yield of 40.00 wt.% was obtained at 200 °C for 60 min with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid. As pretreatment temperature, reaction time and acid concentration increased, respectively, the relative contents of phenols, diesel fraction (C12 + aliphatics), and other oxygenates decreased. The gasoline fraction (including C5-C12 aliphatics and aromatics) ranged from 55.77% to 73.30% under various pretreatment conditions. Therefore, excessive reaction time and concentration of acid are not beneficial to upgrading bio-oil. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dedicated Co-deposition System for Metallic Paramagnetic Films

DOE PAGES

Jaeckel, F.; Kotsubo, V.; Hall, J. A.; ...

2012-01-27

Here, we describe a dedicated co-sputtering/ion-mill system developed to study metallic paramagnetic films for use in magnetic microcalorimetry. Small-diameter sputtering guns allow study of several precious-metal-based paramagnetic alloy systems within a reasonable budget. We demonstrated safe operation of a 1" sputtering gun at >5x the rated maximum power, achieving deposition rates up to ~900 Å/min/gun (Cu) in our co-sputtering geometry. Demonstrated co-sputtering deposition ratios up to 100:1 allow accurate tuning of magnetic dopant concentration and eliminate the difficulty of preparing homogeneous alloy targets of extreme dilution.

Effect of ocean acidification on otolith development in larvae of a tropical marine fish

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munday, P. L.; Hernaman, V.; Dixson, D. L.; Thorrold, S. R.

2011-03-01

Calcification in many invertebrate species is predicted to decline due to ocean acidification. The potential effects of elevated pCO2 and reduced carbonate saturation state on other species, such as fish, are less well understood. Fish otoliths (earbones) are composed of aragonite, and thus, might be susceptible to either the reduced availability of carbonate ions in seawater at low pH, or to changes in extracellular concentrations of bicarbonate and carbonate ions caused by acid-base regulation in fish exposed to high pCO2. We reared larvae of the clownfish Amphiprion percula from hatching to settlement at three pHNBS and pCO2 levels (control: pH 8.15 and 404 μatm CO2; intermediate: pH 7.8 and 1050 μatm CO2; extreme: pH 7.6 and 1721 μatm CO2) to test the possible effects of ocean acidification on otolith development. There was no effect of the intermediate treatment (pH 7.8 and 1050 μatm CO2) on otolith size, shape, symmetry between left and right otoliths, or otolith elemental chemistry, compared with controls. However, in the more extreme treatment (pH 7.6 and 1721 μatm CO2) otolith area and maximum length were larger than controls, although no other traits were affected. Our results support the hypothesis that pH regulation in the otolith endolymph of fish exposed to elevated pCO2 can lead to increased precipitation of CaCO3 in otoliths of larval fish, as proposed by an earlier study, however, our results also show that sensitivity varies considerably among species. Importantly, our results suggest that otolith development in clownfishes is robust to even the more pessimistic changes in ocean chemistry predicted to occur by 2100.

Effect of ocean acidification on otolith development in larvae of a tropical marine fish

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Munday, P. L.; Hernaman, V.; Dixson, D. L.; Thorrold, S. R.

2011-06-01

Calcification in many invertebrate species is predicted to decline due to ocean acidification. The potential effects of elevated CO2 and reduced carbonate saturation state on other species, such as fish, are less well understood. Fish otoliths (earbones) are composed of aragonite, and thus, might be susceptible to either the reduced availability of carbonate ions in seawater at low pH, or to changes in extracellular concentrations of bicarbonate and carbonate ions caused by acid-base regulation in fish exposed to high pCO2. We reared larvae of the clownfish Amphiprion percula from hatching to settlement at three pHNBS and pCO2 levels (control: ~pH 8.15 and 404 μatm CO2; intermediate: pH 7.8 and 1050 μatm CO2; extreme: pH 7.6 and 1721 μatm CO2) to test the possible effects of ocean acidification on otolith development. There was no effect of the intermediate treatment (pH 7.8 and 1050 μatm CO2) on otolith size, shape, symmetry between left and right otoliths, or otolith elemental chemistry, compared with controls. However, in the more extreme treatment (pH 7.6 and 1721 μatm CO2) otolith area and maximum length were larger than controls, although no other traits were significantly affected. Our results support the hypothesis that pH regulation in the otolith endolymph can lead to increased precipitation of CaCO3 in otoliths of larval fish exposed to elevated CO2, as proposed by an earlier study, however, our results also show that sensitivity varies considerably among species. Importantly, our results suggest that otolith development in clownfishes is robust to even the more pessimistic changes in ocean chemistry predicted to occur by 2100.

A CO2 concentration gradient facility for testing CO2 enrichment and soil effects on grassland ecosystem function

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Continuing increases in atmospheric CO2 concentrations mandate techniques for examining impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. Most experiments examine only two or a few levels of CO2 concentration and a single soil type, but if CO2 can be varied as a gradient from subambient to superambient concentra...

Effects of CO 2 concentration and moisture content of sugar-free media on the tissue-cultured plantlets in a large growth chamber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qu, Y. H.; Lin, C.; Zhou, W.; Li, Y.; Chen, B.; Chen, G. Q.

2009-01-01

The dynamic fluctuations of CO 2 concentration in the tissue culture growth chamber after transplantation of petunia, chrysanthemum and tomato plantlets were recorded with a real-time control system to determine the critical CO 2 concentration levels of 35 μl l -1 at which CO 2 enrichment is needed. The experimental data showed that the tissue-cultured plantlets of petunia, chrysanthemum and tomato had the same CO 2 concentration dynamics. The results indicated that CO 2 enrichment was proper on the second day after transplantation. Petunia plantlets were used to conduct experiments under PPFD of 80 μmol m -2 s -1, and CO 2 concentrations of 350 ± 50 μl l -1, 650 ± 50 μl l -1 and 950 ± 50 μl l -1 as well as medium moisture contents of 60%, 70% and 80%, with the result that plantlets grew better under CO 2 concentration of 650 ± 50 μl l -1 than under the other two concentrations with all the different media water contents. Three media water contents under the same CO 2 concentration produced plantlets with the same quality. The impacts of CO 2 concentrations on plantlets are more important than those of the media water contents. Sugar-free tissue culture, as compared with the conventional culture, showed that CO 2 enrichment to 350 ± 50 μl l -1 can promote the growth of the cultured plantlets. Sugar-free tissue culture produced healthy plantlets with thick roots, almost equivalent to the common plantlets.

BIOGENIC SOURCES OF FORMALDEHYDE AND ACETALDEHYDE DURING SUMMER AND WINTER CONDITIONS

EPA Science Inventory

Photochemical modeling estimated contributions to ambient concentrations of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde from biogenic emissions over the continental United States during January 2001 (Eos Trans. AGU, 83(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract A52B-0117). Results showed that maximum co...

Detection of CO2 leaks from carbon capture and storage sites to the atmosphere with combined CO2 and O2 measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Leeuwen, Charlotte; Meijer, Harro A. J.

2015-04-01

One of the main issues in carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the possibility of leakage of CO2 from the storage reservoir to the atmosphere, both from a public health and a climate change combat perspective. Detecting these leaks in the atmosphere is difficult due to the rapid mixing of the emitted CO2 with the surrounding air masses and the high natural variability of the atmospheric CO2 concentration. Instead of measuring only the CO2 concentration of the atmosphere, its isotopes or chemical tracers that are released together with the CO2, our method uses O2 measurements in addition to CO2 measurements to detect a leak from a CCS site. CO2 and O2 are coupled in most processes on earth. In photosynthesis, plants take up CO2 and release O2 at the same time. In respiration and fossil fuel burning, O2 is consumed while CO2 is released. In case of a leak from a CCS site, however, there is no relationship between CO2 and O2. A CO2 leak can therefore be distinguished from other sources of CO2 by looking at the atmospheric CO2-O2 ratio. A natural increase of the CO2 concentration is accompanied by a drop in the O2 concentration, while an increase in the CO2 concentration caused by a leak from a CCS site does not have any effect on the O2 concentration. To demonstrate this leak detection strategy we designed and built a transportable CO2 and O2 measurement system, that is capable of measuring the relatively minute (ppm's variations on a 21% concentration) changes in the O2 concentration. The system comprises of three cases that contain the instrumentation and gas handling equipment, the gas cylinders used as reference and calibration gases and a drying system, respectively. Air is pumped to the system from an air inlet that is placed in a small tower in the field. At the conference, we will demonstrate the success of leak detection with our system by showing measurements of several CO2 release experiments, where CO2 was released at a small distance from the air inlet of our instrument.

Optimization of terrestrial ecosystem model parameters using atmospheric CO2 concentration data with a global carbon assimilation system (GCAS)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Z.; Chen, J.; Zhang, S.; Zheng, X.; Shangguan, W.

2016-12-01

A global carbon assimilation system (GCAS) that assimilates ground-based atmospheric CO2 data is used to estimate several key parameters in a terrestrial ecosystem model for the purpose of improving carbon cycle simulation. The optimized parameters are the leaf maximum carboxylation rate at 25° (Vmax25 ), the temperature sensitivity of ecosystem respiration (Q10), and the soil carbon pool size. The optimization is performed at the global scale at 1°resolution for the period from 2002 to 2008. Optimized multi-year average Vmax25 values range from 49 to 51 μmol m-2 s-1 over most regions of world. Vegetation from tropical zones has relatively lower values than vegetation in temperate regions. Optimized multi-year average Q10 values varied from 1.95 to 2.05 over most regions of the world. Relatively high values of Q10 are derived over high/mid latitude regions. Both Vmax25 and Q10 exhibit pronounced seasonal variations at mid-high latitudes. The maximum in occurs during the growing season, while the minima appear during non-growing seasons. Q10 values decreases with increasing temperature. The seasonal variabilities of and Q10 are larger at higher latitudes with tropical or low latitude regions showing little seasonal variabilities.

Heterotrophic Potential for Amino Acid Uptake in a Naturally Eutrophic Lake1

PubMed Central

Burnison, B. Kent; Morita, Richard Y.

1974-01-01

The uptake of sixteen 14C-labeled amino acids by the indigenous heterotrophic microflora of Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, was measured using the kinetic approach. The year-long study showed a seasonal variation in the maximum uptake velocity, Vmax, of all the amino acids which was proportional to temperature. The maximum total flux of amino acids by the heterotrophic microflora ranged from 1.2 to 11.9 μmol of C per liter per day (spring to summer). Glutamate, asparagine, aspartate, and serine had the highest Vmax values and were respired to the greatest extent. The percentages of the gross (net + respired) uptake of the amino acids which were respired to CO2 ranged from 2% for leucine to 63% for glutamate. Serine, lysine, and glycine were the most abundant amino acids found in Upper Klamath Lake surface water; at intermediate concentrations were alanine, aspartate, and threonine; and the remaining amino acids were always below 7.5 × 10-8 M (10 μg/liter). The amino acid concentrations determined chemically appear to be the sum of free and adsorbed amino acids, since the values obtained were usually greater than the (Kt + Sn) values obtained by the heterotrophic uptake experiments. PMID:4207581

Spatial variability of groundwater quality of Sabour block, Bhagalpur district (Bihar, India)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Verma, D. K.; Bhunia, Gouri Sankar; Shit, Pravat Kumar; Kumar, S.; Mandal, Jajati; Padbhushan, Rajeev

2017-07-01

This paper examines the quality of groundwater of Sabour block, Bhagalpur district of Bihar state, which lies on the southern region of Indo-Gangetic plains in India. Fifty-nine samples from different sources of water in the block have been collected to determine its suitability for drinking and irrigational purposes. From the samples electrical conductivity (EC), pH and concentrations of Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), carbonate ion (CO 3 2- ), Bicarbonate ion (HCO 3 - ), Chloride ion (Cl-), and Fluoride (F-) were determined. Surface maps of all the groundwater quality parameters have been prepared using radial basis function (RBF) method. RBF model was used to interpolate data points in a group of multi-dimensional space. Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is employed to scrutinize the best fit of the model to compare the obtained value. The mean value of pH, EC, Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, K+, HCO3 -, Cl-, and F- are found to be 7.26, 0.69, 38.98, 34.20, 16.92, 1.19, 0.02, and 0.28, respectively. Distribution of calcium concentration is increasing to the eastern part and K+ concentrations raise to the downstream area in the southwestern part. Low pH concentrations (less than 6.71) occur in eastern part of the block. Spatial variations of hardness in Sabour block portraying maximum concentration in the western part and maximum SAR (more than 4.23) were recorded in the southern part. These results are not exceeding for drinking and irrigation uses recommended by World Health Organization. Therefore, the majority of groundwater samples are found to be safe for drinking and irrigation management practices.

Mechanistic studies of the transdermal iontophoretic delivery of 5-OH-DPAT in vitro.

PubMed

Ackaert, Oliver W; Van Smeden, Jeroen; De Graan, Jeroen; Dijkstra, Durk; Danhof, Meindert; Bouwstra, Joke A

2010-01-01

A characterization and optimization of the in vitro transdermal iontophoretic transport of 5-hydroxy-2-(N,N,-di-n-propylamino)tetralin (5-OH-DPAT) is presented. The utility of acetaminophen as a marker of electroosmotic flow was studied as well. The following parameters of iontophoretic transport of 5-OH-DPAT were examined: drug donor concentration, electroosmotic contribution, influence of co-ions, current density, and composition of the acceptor phase. The steady-state flux (Flux(ss)) of acetaminophen was linearly correlated with the donor concentration and co-iontophoresis of acetaminophen did not influence the iontophoretic flux of 5-OH-DPAT, indicating that acetaminophen is an excellent marker of electroosmotic flow. Lowering the Na(+) concentration from 78 to 10 mM in the donor phase, resulted in a 2.5-fold enhancement of the Flux(ss). The Flux(ss) showed a nonlinear relation with the drug donor concentration and an excellent linear correlation with the current density. Reducing the pH of the acceptor phase from 7.4 to 6.2 resulted in a dramatic decrease of the Flux(ss) of 5-OH-DPAT, explained by a reduced electroosmotic flow and an increased counter-ion flow. Optimization of the conditions resulted in a maximum Flux(ss) of 5-OH-DPAT of 1.0 micromol x cm(-2) h(-1) demonstrating the potential of the iontophoretic delivery of this dopamine agonist for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Salinity-gradient energy driven microbial electrosynthesis of value-added chemicals from CO2 reduction.

PubMed

Li, Xiaohu; Angelidaki, Irini; Zhang, Yifeng

2018-06-14

Biological conversion of CO 2 to value-added chemicals and biofuels has emerged as an attractive strategy to address the energy and environmental concerns caused by the over-reliance on fossil fuels. In this study, an innovative microbial reverse-electrodialysis electrolysis cell (MREC), which combines the strengths of reverse electrodialysis (RED) and microbial electrosynthesis technology platforms, was developed to achieve efficient CO 2 -to-value chemicals bioconversion by using the salinity gradient energy as driven energy sources. In the MREC, maximum acetate and ethanol concentrations of 477.5 ± 33.2 and 46.2 ± 8.2 mg L -1 were obtained at the cathode, catalyzed by Sporomusa ovata with production rates of 165.79 ± 11.52 and 25.11 ± 4.46 mmol m -2 d -1 , respectively. Electron balance analysis indicates that 94.4 ± 3.9% of the electrons derived from wastewater and salinity gradient were recovered in acetate and ethanol. This work for the first time proved the potential of innovative MREC configuration has the potential as an efficient technology platform for simultaneous CO 2 capture and electrosynthesis of valuable chemicals. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of CO2 enrichment on the glucosinolate contents under different nitrogen levels in bolting stem of Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra L.)*

PubMed Central

La, Gui-xiao; Fang, Ping; Teng, Yi-bo; Li, Ya-juan; Lin, Xian-yong

2009-01-01

The effects of CO2 enrichment on the growth and glucosinolate (GS) concentrations in the bolting stem of Chinese kale (Brassica alboglabra L.) treated with three nitrogen (N) concentrations (5, 10, and 20 mmol/L) were investigated. Height, stem thickness, and dry weights of the total aerial parts, bolting stems, and roots, as well as the root to shoot ratio, significantly increased as CO2 concentration was elevated from 350 to 800 μl/L at each N concentration. In the edible part of the bolting stem, 11 individual GSs were identified, including 7 aliphatic and 4 indolyl GSs. GS concentration was affected by the elevated CO2 concentration, N concentration, and CO2×N interaction. At 5 and 10 mmol N/L, the concentrations of aliphatic GSs and total GSs significantly increased, whereas those of indolyl GSs were not affected, by elevated atmospheric CO2. However, at 20 mmol N/L, elevated CO2 had no significant effects on the concentrations of total GSs and total indolyl GSs, but the concentrations of total aliphatic GSs significantly increased. Moreover, the bolting stem carbon (C) content increased, whereas the N and sulfur (S) contents decreased under elevated CO2 concentration in the three N treatments, resulting in changes in the C/N and N/S ratios. Also the C/N ratio is not a reliable predictor of change of GS concentration, while the changes in N and S contents and the N/S ratio at the elevated CO2 concentration may influence the GS concentration in Chinese kale bolting stems. The results demonstrate that high nitrogen supply is beneficial for the growth of Chinese kale, but not for the GS concentration in bolting stems, under elevated CO2 condition. PMID:19489111

Variability of Surface pollutants and aerosol concentration over Abu Dhabi, UAE - sources, transport and current levels

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phanikumar, Devulapalli V.; Basha, Ghouse; Ouarda, Taha B. M. J.

2015-04-01

In the view of recent economic, industrial, and rapid development, Abu Dhabi (24.4oN; 54.4oE; 27m msl) has become one of the most populated regions in the world despite of extreme heat, frequent dust storms, and with distinctive topography. The major sources of air pollution are from the dust and sand storms, greenhouse gas emissions, and to some extent from industrial pollution. In order to realize the accurate and comprehensive understanding of air quality and plausible sources over this region, we have made a detailed analysis of three years simultaneous measurements during 2011-13 of pollutants such as O3, SO2, NO2, CO, and PM10 concentrations. Diurnal variation of meteorological parameters such as temperature and wind speed/relative humidity clearly shows daytime maximum/minimum in summer followed by pre-monsoon, post-monsoon and winter. The prevailing winds over this region are mostly from northwesterly direction (Shamal wind). Diurnal wind pattern showed a clear contrast with the majority of the wind pattern during nighttime and early morning is from the westerly/northwesterly and daytime is from southwesterly/southeasterly directions. The diurnal pattern of O3 shows minimum during 08 LT and increases thereafter reaching maximum at 17 LT and decreases during nighttime. However, the diurnal pattern of SO2 and NO2 show a peak at ~ 08 LT and dip at ~ 14 LT during all the seasons with some variability in each season. On the other hand, the diurnal pattern of CO shows a peculiar picture of elevated levels during daytime peaking at ~ 10 LT (prominent in summer and post-monsoon) followed by a sharp decrease and minimum is ~14 LT. PM10 concentration has an early morning peak at ~ 02 LT and then decreases to a minimum value at ~11 LT and again increases in the afternoon hours (maximum at ~17 LT) depicting a forenoon-afternoon asymmetry. Monthly variation of PM10 shows maximum in pre-monsoon season and minimum in winter. Our observations show the diurnal pattern of pollutants are in contrast with the diurnal pattern of wind speed as evident from the previous observations. Wind rose diagram of pollutants reveal that the dominant source directions are scattered from northwesterly to southwesterly. Our results (2011-13) are compared with earlier observations from the same region (2007-08) and no alarming differences were observed in the pollutant levels. Our observations are discussed in the light of current understanding of pollutants sources over this region.

Exclusive Ni-N4 Sites Realize Near-Unity CO Selectivity for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction.

PubMed

Li, Xiaogang; Bi, Wentuan; Chen, Minglong; Sun, Yuexiang; Ju, Huanxin; Yan, Wensheng; Zhu, Junfa; Wu, Xiaojun; Chu, Wangsheng; Wu, Changzheng; Xie, Yi

2017-10-25

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) to value-added carbon products is a promising approach to reduce CO 2 levels and mitigate the energy crisis. However, poor product selectivity is still a major obstacle to the development of CO 2 reduction. Here we demonstrate exclusive Ni-N 4 sites through a topo-chemical transformation strategy, bringing unprecedentedly high activity and selectivity for CO 2 reduction. Topo-chemical transformation by carbon layer coating successfully ensures preservation of the Ni-N 4 structure to a maximum extent and avoids the agglomeration of Ni atoms to particles, providing abundant active sites for the catalytic reaction. The Ni-N 4 structure exhibits excellent activity for electrochemical reduction of CO 2 with particularly high selectivity, achieving high faradaic efficiency over 90% for CO in the potential range from -0.5 to -0.9 V and gives a maximum faradaic efficiency of 99% at -0.81 V with a current density of 28.6 mA cm -2 . We anticipate exclusive catalytic sites will shed new light on the design of high-efficiency electrocatalysts for CO 2 reduction.

Effects of Acute Exposures to Carbon Dioxide upon Cognitive Functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryder, V. E.; Scully, R. R.; Alexander, D. J.; Lam, C. W.; Young, M.; Satish, U.; Basner, M.

2017-01-01

Carbon dioxide (CO2) originates from human metabolism and typically remains about 10-fold higher in concentration on the International Space Station (ISS) than at the earth's surface. There have been recurring complaints by crew members of episodes of "mental viscosity" adversely affecting their performance, and there is evidence from the ISS that associates CO2 levels with reports of headaches by crewmembers. Consequently, flight rules have been employed to control CO2 below 3 mm Hg, which is well below the existing Spacecraft Maximum Allowable Concentration (SMAC) of 10 mm Hg for 24-hour exposures, and 5.3 mm Hg for exposures of 7 to 180 days. Headaches, while sometime debilitating themselves, are also symptoms that can provide evidence that physiological defense mechanisms have been breached, and there is evidence that CO2 has effects at levels below the threshold for headaches. This concern appears to be substantiated in reports that CO2 at concentrations below 2 mm Hg substantially reduced some cognitive functions that are associated with the ability to make complex decisions in conditions that are characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity, and delayed feedback. These are conditions that could be encountered by crews in off-nominal situations or during the first missions beyond low earth orbit. Therefore, we set out to determine if decision-making under volatile, uncertain, confusing and ambiguous circumstances, where feedback is delayed or absent, is correlated with low levels of CO2 during acute exposures (several hours) in crew-like subjects and to determine if additional cognitive domains are sensitive to concentrations of CO2 at, or below, current ISS levels by using a test battery that is currently available onboard ISS. We enrolled 22 volunteers (8 females, 14 males) between the ages of 30-55 (38.8 +/- 7.0) years whose training and professional experience reflect that of the astronaut corps. Subjects were divided among 4 study groups. Exposures occurred in the 20-foot environmental chamber in Bldg 7 at JSC. Each group was exposed to each of four concentrations of CO2 (600, 1200, 2500, and 5000 ppm), and the exposure order was balanced across the groups which were randomly assigned to 4 possible complete exposure orders. Study participants and investigators were blinded to the exposure order. Each exposure lasted 4 hours and occurred on the same day each week for 4 consecutive weeks. Testing included the Strategic Management Simulation (SMS) methodology and the Cognition battery of psychometric measures that are being utilized aboard the ISS. Subjects participated in a familiarization session one week prior to the start of exposure sessions. Each exposure session followed the schedule noted in Figure 1 below. On the morning of each exposure, subjects completed the Cognition battery in a conference room at indoor ambient CO2 levels. Subjects then entered the exposure chamber and were acclimated to the environment for 15 minutes before completing another round of the Cognition battery. After a 20 minute rest, subject completed the approx.80 minute SMS. Subjects were allowed another 20 minute rest period before completing the final Cognition test battery in the exposure chamber. Subjects then returned to the conference room where they completed one final round of Cognition. Data from both testing methodologies are currently being analyzed and will be presented. Study investigators have not yet been unblinded to the coded exposure concentrations, but preliminary results suggest differences.

[Diurnal and seasonal variations of surface atmospheric CO2 concentration in the river estuarine marsh].

PubMed

Zhang, Lin-Hai; Tong, Chuan; Zeng, Cong-Sheng

2014-03-01

Characteristics of diurnal and seasonal variations of surface atmospheric CO2 concentration were analyzed in the Minjiang River estuarine marsh from December 2011 to November 2012. The results revealed that both the diurnal and seasonal variation of surface atmospheric CO2 concentration showed single-peak patterns, with the valley in the daytime and the peak value at night for the diurnal variations, and the maxima in winter and minima in summer for the seasonal variation. Diurnal amplitude of CO2 concentration varied from 16.96 micromol x mol(-1) to 38.30 micromol x mol(-1). The seasonal averages of CO2 concentration in spring, summer, autumn and winter were (353.74 +/- 18.35), (327.28 +/- 8.58), (354.78 +/- 14.76) and (392.82 +/- 9.71) micromol x mol(-1), respectively, and the annual mean CO2 concentration was (357.16 +/- 26.89) micromol x mol(-1). The diurnal CO2 concentration of surface atmospheric was strongly negatively correlated with temperature, wind speed, photosynthetically active radiation and total solar radiation (P < 0.05). The diurnal concentration of CO2 was negatively related with tidal level in January, but significantly positively related in July.

CO2 convective dissolution controlled by temporal changes in free-phase CO2 properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jafari Raad, S. M.; Emami-Meybodi, H.; Hassanzadeh, H.

2017-12-01

Understanding the factors that control CO2 convective dissolution, which is one of the permanent trapping mechanisms, in the deep saline aquifer is crucial in the long-term fate of the injected CO2. The present study investigates the effects of temporal changes in the solubility of CO2 at the free-phase CO2/brine interface on the onset of natural convection and the subsequent convective mixing by conducting linear stability analyses (LSA) and direct numerical simulations (DNS). A time-dependent concentration boundary is considered for the free-phase CO2/brine interface where the CO2 concentration first decreases with the time and then remains constant. The LSA results show that the temporal variation in the concentration increases the onset of natural convection up to two orders of magnitude. In addition, the critical Rayleigh number significantly increases as CO2 concentration decreases. In other words, size and pressure of the injected CO2 affect the commencement of convective mixing. Based on LSA results, several scaling relations are proposed to correlate critical Rayleigh number, critical time, and its corresponding wavenumbers with time-dependent boundary's parameters, such as concentration decline rate and equilibrium concentration ratio. The DNS results reveal that the convective fingering patterns are significantly influenced by the variation of CO2 concentration at the interface. These findings improve our understanding of CO2 solubility trapping and are particularly important in estimation of potential storage capacity, risk assessment, and storage sites characterization and screening. Keywords: CO2 sequestration; natural convection; solubility trapping; time-dependent boundary condition; numerical simulation; stability analysis

Southern Ocean biogeochemical control of glacial/interglacial carbon dioxide change

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sigman, D. M.

2014-12-01

In the effort to explain the lower atmospheric CO2 concentrations observed during ice ages, two of the first hypotheses involved redistributing dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) within the ocean. Broecker (1982) proposed a strengthening of the ocean's biological pump during ice ages, which increased the dissolved inorganic carbon gradient between the dark, voluminous ocean interior and the surface ocean's sun-lit, wind-mixed layer. Boyle (1988) proposed a deepening in the ocean interior's pool of DIC associated with organic carbon regeneration, with its concentration maximum shifting from intermediate to abyssal depths. While not irrefutable, evidence has arisen that these mechanisms can explain much of the ice age CO2 reduction and that both were activated by changes in the Southern Ocean. In the Antarctic Zone, reduced exchange of water between the surface and the underlying ocean sequestered more DIC in the ocean interior (the biological pump mechanism). Dust-borne iron fertilization of the Subantarctic surface lowered CO2 partly by the biological pump mechanism and partly by Boyle's carbon deepening. Each mechanism owes a part of its CO2 effect to a transient increase in seafloor calcium carbonate dissolution, which raised the ice age ocean's alkalinity, causing it to absorb more CO2. However, calcium carbonate cycling also sets limits on these mechanisms and their CO2 effects, such that the combination of Antarctic and Subantarctic changes is needed to achieve the full (80-100 ppm) ice age CO2 decline. Data suggest that these changes began at different phases in the development of the last ice age, 110 and 70 ka, respectively, explaining a 40 ppm CO2 drop at each time. We lack a robust understanding of the potential causes for both the implied reduction in Antarctic surface/deep exchange and the increase in Subantarctic dust supply during ice ages. Thus, even if the evidence for these Southern Ocean changes were to become incontrovertible, conceptual gaps stand in the way of a theory of glacial cycles that includes Southern Ocean-driven CO2 change. There are more compelling proposals for the causes of deglacial change, with a sharp reduction in North Atlantic deep water formation implicated as a trigger of increased surface/deep exchange in the Antarctic and the resulting release of CO2 to the atmosphere.

Deep South Atlantic carbonate chemistry and increased interocean deep water exchange during last deglaciation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Jimin; Anderson, Robert F.; Jin, Zhangdong; Menviel, Laurie; Zhang, Fei; Ryerson, Fredrick J.; Rohling, Eelco J.

2014-04-01

Carbon release from the deep ocean at glacial terminations is a critical component of past climate change, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We present a 28,000-year high-resolution record of carbonate ion concentration, a key parameter of the global carbon cycle, at 5-km water depth in the South Atlantic. We observe similar carbonate ion concentrations between the Last Glacial Maximum and the late Holocene, despite elevated concentrations in the glacial surface ocean. This strongly supports the importance of respiratory carbon accumulation in a stratified deep ocean for atmospheric CO2 reduction during the last ice age. After ˜9 μmol/kg decline during Heinrich Stadial 1, deep South Atlantic carbonate ion concentration rose by ˜24 μmol/kg from the onset of Bølling to Pre-boreal, likely caused by strengthening North Atlantic Deep Water formation (Bølling) or increased ventilation in the Southern Ocean (Younger Drays) or both (Pre-boreal). The ˜15 μmol/kg decline in deep water carbonate ion since ˜10 ka is consistent with extraction of alkalinity from seawater by deep-sea CaCO3 compensation and coral reef growth on continental shelves during the Holocene. Between 16,600 and 15,000 years ago, deep South Atlantic carbonate ion values converged with those at 3.4-km water depth in the western equatorial Pacific, as did carbon isotope and radiocarbon values. These observations suggest a period of enhanced lateral exchange of carbon between the deep South Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, probably due to an increased transfer of momentum from southern westerlies to the Southern Ocean. By spreading carbon-rich deep Pacific waters around Antarctica for upwelling, invigorated interocean deep water exchange would lead to more efficient CO2 degassing from the Southern Ocean, and thus to an atmospheric CO2 rise, during the early deglaciation.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morales, M.; Revah, S.; Auria, R.

Biotechnological techniques, including biofilters and biotrickling filters are increasingly used to treat air polluted with VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds). In this work, the start-up, the effect of the gaseous ammonia addition on the toluene removal rate, and the problems of the heat accumulation on the performance of a laboratory scale biofilter were studied. The packing material was sterilized peat enriched with a mineral medium and inoculated with an adapted consortium (two yeast and five bacteria). Start-up showed a short adaptation period and an increased toluene elimination capacity (EC) up to a maximum of 190 g/m{sup 3}/h. This was related tomore » increased CO{sub 2} outlet concentration and temperature gradients between the packed bed and the inlet (Tm-Tin). These events were associated with the growth of the microbial population. The biofilter EC decreased thereafter, to attain a steady state of 8 g/m{sup 3}/h. At this point, gaseous ammonia was added. EC increased up to 80 g/m{sup 3}/h, with simultaneous increases on the CO{sub 2} concentration and (Tm-Tin).« less

Valency configuration of transition metal impurities in ZnO

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Petit, Leon; Schulthess, Thomas C; Svane, Axel

2006-01-01

We use the self-interaction corrected local spin-density approximation to investigate the ground state valency configuration of transition metal (TM=Mn, Co) impurities in n- and p-type ZnO. We find that in pure Zn{sub 1-x}TM{sub x}O, the localized TM{sup 2+} configuration is energetically favored over the itinerant d-electron configuration of the local spin density (LSD) picture. Our calculations indicate furthermore that the (+/0) donor level is situated in the ZnO gap. Consequently, for n-type conditions, with the Fermi energy {epsilon}F close to the conduction band minimum, TM remains in the 2+ charge state, while for p-type conditions, with {epsilon}F close to themore » valence band maximum, the 3+ charge state is energetically preferred. In the latter scenario, modeled here by co-doping with N, the additional delocalized d-electron charge transfers into the entire states at the top of the valence band, and hole carriers will only exist, if the N concentration exceeds the TM impurity concentration.« less

40 CFR 86.318-79 - Oxides of nitrogen analyzer specifications.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

...) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF EMISSIONS FROM NEW AND IN-USE HIGHWAY VEHICLES AND ENGINES... be calibrated per § 86.330. (5) The minimum water rejection ratio (maximum water interference) for the NO NDIR analyzer shall be 5,000:1 (see § 86.321). (6) The minimum CO2 rejection ratio (maximum CO2...

Enhanced thermoelectric properties of nano SiC dispersed Bi2Sr2Co2Oy Ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Qiujun; Wang, Kunlun; Zhang, Yingjiu; Li, Xinjian; Song, Hongzhang

2018-04-01

The thermoelectric properties of Bi2Sr2Co2Oy + x wt% nano SiC (x = 0.00, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3) prepared by the solid-state reaction method were investigated from 300 K to 923 K. The resistivity can be reduced effectively by adding a small amount of SiC nano particles, which is attributed to the increase of the carrier concentration. At the same time, the Seebeck coefficients can be improved effectively due to the energy filtering effect that low energy carriers are strongly dispersed at the interface between the SiC nano particles and the matrix. The decrease of thermal conductivity is due to the increase of the scattering ability of the phonons by the SiC nanoparticles distributed at the boundary of the matrix. As a result, the Bi2Sr2Co2Oy + x wt% SiC composites exhibit better thermoelectric properties. The maximum ZT value 0.24 is obtained when x = 0.05 at 923 K. Compared with the sample without SiC nano particles, the ZT value is increased by about 59.7%.

Responses of high-elevation herbaceous plant assemblages to low glacial CO₂ concentrations revealed by fossil marmot (Marmota) teeth.

PubMed

McLean, Bryan S; Ward, Joy K; Polito, Michael J; Emslie, Steven D

2014-08-01

Atmospheric CO2 cycles of the Quaternary likely imposed major constraints on the physiology and growth of C3 plants worldwide. However, the measured record of this remains both geographically and taxonomically sparse. We present the first reconstruction of physiological responses in a late Quaternary high-elevation herbaceous plant community from the Southern Rocky Mountains, USA. We used a novel proxy-fossilized tooth enamel of yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris)-which we developed using detailed isotopic analysis of modern individuals. Calculated C isotopic discrimination (Δ) of alpine plants was nearly 2 ‰ lower prior to the Last Glacial Maximum than at present, a response almost identical to that of nonherbaceous taxa from lower elevations. However, initial shifts in Δ aligned most closely with the onset of the late Pleistocene bipolar temperature "seesaw" rather than CO2 increase, indicating unique limitations on glacial-age high-elevation plants may have existed due to both low temperatures and low CO2. Further development of system-specific faunal proxies can help to clarify this and other plant- and ecosystem-level responses to past environmental change.

Magnetotelluric Detection Thresholds as a Function of Leakage Plume Depth, TDS and Volume

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yang, X.; Buscheck, T. A.; Mansoor, K.

We conducted a synthetic magnetotelluric (MT) data analysis to establish a set of specific thresholds of plume depth, TDS concentration and volume for detection of brine and CO 2 leakage from legacy wells into shallow aquifers in support of Strategic Monitoring Subtask 4.1 of the US DOE National Risk Assessment Partnership (NRAP Phase II), which is to develop geophysical forward modeling tools. 900 synthetic MT data sets span 9 plume depths, 10 TDS concentrations and 10 plume volumes. The monitoring protocol consisted of 10 MT stations in a 2×5 grid laid out along the flow direction. We model the MTmore » response in the audio frequency range of 1 Hz to 10 kHz with a 50 Ωm baseline resistivity and the maximum depth up to 2000 m. Scatter plots show the MT detection thresholds for a trio of plume depth, TDS concentration and volume. Plumes with a large volume and high TDS located at a shallow depth produce a strong MT signal. We demonstrate that the MT method with surface based sensors can detect a brine and CO 2 plume so long as the plume depth, TDS concentration and volume are above the thresholds. However, it is unlikely to detect a plume at a depth larger than 1000 m with the change of TDS concentration smaller than 10%. Simulated aquifer impact data based on the Kimberlina site provides a more realistic view of the leakage plume distribution than rectangular synthetic plumes in this sensitivity study, and it will be used to estimate MT responses over simulated brine and CO 2 plumes and to evaluate the leakage detectability. Integration of the simulated aquifer impact data and the MT method into the NRAP DREAM tool may provide an optimized MT survey configuration for MT data collection. This study presents a viable approach for sensitivity study of geophysical monitoring methods for leakage detection. The results come in handy for rapid assessment of leakage detectability.« less

Modeling Closed Equilibrium Systems of H2O-Dissolved CO2-Solid CaCO3.

PubMed

Tenno, Toomas; Uiga, Kalev; Mashirin, Alexsey; Zekker, Ivar; Rikmann, Ergo

2017-04-27

In many places in the world, including North Estonia, the bedrock is limestone, which consists mainly of CaCO 3 . Equilibrium processes in water involving dissolved CO 2 and solid CaCO 3 play a vital role in many biological and technological systems. The solubility of CaCO 3 in water is relatively low. Depending on the concentration of dissolved CO 2 , the solubility of CaCO 3 changes, which determines several important ground- and wastewater parameters, for example, Ca 2+ concentration and pH. The distribution of ions and molecules in the closed system solid H 2 O-dissolved CO 2 -solid CaCO 3 is described in terms of a structural scheme. Mathematical models were developed for the calculation of pH and concentrations of ions and molecules (Ca 2+ , CO 3 2- , HCO 3 - , H 2 CO 3 , CO 2 , H + , and OH - ) in the closed equilibrium system at different initial concentrations of CO 2 in the water phase using an iteration method. The developed models were then experimentally validated.

Dynamics of carbon dioxide exchange of a wheat community grown in a semi-closed environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Corey, Kenneth A.

1989-01-01

A wheat (Triticum aestivum Yecora Rojo) community was grown in the semi-closed conditions of the NASA/KSC Biomass Production Chamber (BPC). Experiments were conducted to determine whole community carbon dioxide exchange rates as influenced by growth and development, carbon dioxide concentration, time within the photoperiod, irradiance, and temperature. Plants were grown at a population of about 1500 per sq meter using a 20 hour light/4 hour dark daily regime. Light was supplied by HPS vapor lamps and irradiance was maintained in the range of 590 to 675 mu mol per sq meter. The temperature regime was 20 C light/16 C dark and nutrients were supplied hydroponically as a thin film. Fractional interception of PPF by the community increased rapidly during growth reaching a maximum of 0.96, 24 days after planting. This time corresponded to canopy closure and maximum rates of net photosynthesis (NP). Net daily CO2 utilization rates were calculated to day 48 and a 4th order regression equation integrated to obtain total moles of CO2 fixed by the community. This procedure may be useful for monitoring and prediction of biomass yields in a closed ecology life support system (CELSS).

Evidence that elevated CO2 levels can indirectly increase rhizosphere denitrifier activity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smart, D. R.; Ritchie, K.; Stark, J. M.; Bugbee, B.

1997-01-01

We examined the influence of elevated CO2 concentration on denitrifier enzyme activity in wheat rhizoplanes by using controlled environments and solution culture techniques. Potential denitrification activity was from 3 to 24 times higher on roots that were grown under an elevated CO2 concentration of 1,000 micromoles of CO2 mol-1 than on roots grown under ambient levels of CO2. Nitrogen loss, as determined by a nitrogen mass balance, increased with elevated CO2 levels in the shoot environment and with a high NO3- concentration in the rooting zone. These results indicated that aerial CO2 concentration can play a role in rhizosphere denitrifier activity.

Validation of the MIPAS CO2 volume mixing ratio in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere and comparison with WACCM simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

López-Puertas, Manuel; Funke, B.; Jurado-Navarro, Á. A.; García-Comas, M.; Gardini, A.; Boone, C. D.; Rezac, L.; Garcia, R. R.

2017-08-01

We present the validation of Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) CO2 daytime concentration in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere by comparing with Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) Fourier transform spectrometer and Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) data. MIPAS shows a very good agreement with ACE below 100 km with differences of ˜5%. Above 100 km, MIPAS CO2 is generally lower than ACE with differences growing from ˜5% at 100 km to 20-40% near 110-120 km. Part of this disagreement can be explained by the lack of a nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium correction in ACE. MIPAS also agrees very well (˜5%) with SABER below 100 km. At 90-105 km, MIPAS is generally smaller than SABER by 10-30% in the polar summers. At 100-120 km, MIPAS and SABER CO2 agree within ˜10% during equinox but, for solstice, MIPAS is larger by 10-25%, except near the polar summer. Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) CO2 shows the major MIPAS features. At 75-100 km, the agreement is very good (˜5%), with maximum differences of ˜10%. At 95-115 km MIPAS CO2 is larger than WACCM by 20-30% in the winter hemisphere but smaller (20-40%) in the summer. Above 95-100 km WACCM generally overestimates MIPAS CO2 by about 20-80% except in the polar summer where underestimates it by 20-40%. MIPAS CO2 favors a large eddy diffusion below 100 km and suggests that the meridional circulation of the lower thermosphere is stronger than in WACCM. The three instruments and WACCM show a clear increase of CO2 with time, more markedly at 90-100 km.

CO2 and vitamin B12 interactions determine bioactive trace metal requirements of a subarctic Pacific diatom.

PubMed

King, Andrew L; Sañudo-Wilhelmy, Sergio A; Leblanc, Karine; Hutchins, David A; Fu, Feixue

2011-08-01

Phytoplankton growth can be limited by numerous inorganic nutrients and organic growth factors. Using the subarctic diatom Attheya sp. in culture studies, we examined how the availability of vitamin B(12) and carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO(2)) influences growth rate, primary productivity, cellular iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) quotas, and the net use efficiencies (NUEs) of these bioactive trace metals (mol C fixed per mol cellular trace metal per day). Under B(12)-replete conditions, cells grown at high pCO(2) had lower Fe, Zn and Cd quotas, and used those trace metals more efficiently in comparison with cells grown at low pCO(2). At high pCO(2), B(12)-limited cells had ~50% lower specific growth and carbon fixation rates, and used Fe ~15-fold less efficiently, and Zn and Cd ~3-fold less efficiently, in comparison with B(12)-replete cells. The observed higher Fe, Zn and Cd NUE under high pCO(2)/B(12)-replete conditions are consistent with predicted downregulation of carbon-concentrating mechanisms. Co quotas of B(12)-replete cells were ∼5- to 14-fold higher in comparison with B(12)-limited cells, suggesting that >80% of cellular Co of B(12)-limited cells was likely from B(12). Our results demonstrate that CO(2) and vitamin B(12) interactively influence growth, carbon fixation, trace metal requirements and trace metal NUE of this diatom. This suggests the need to consider complex feedback interactions between multiple environmental factors for this biogeochemically critical group of phytoplankton in the last glacial maximum as well as the current and future changing ocean.

Effects of fully open-air [CO2] elevation on leaf photosynthesis and ultrastructure of Isatis indigotica fort.

PubMed

Hao, Xingyu; Li, Ping; Feng, Yongxiang; Han, Xue; Gao, Ji; Lin, Erda; Han, Yuanhuai

2013-01-01

Traditional Chinese medicine relies heavily on herbs, yet there is no information on how these herb plants would respond to climate change. In order to gain insight into such response, we studied the effect of elevated [CO2] on Isatis indigotica Fort, one of the most popular Chinese herb plants. The changes in leaf photosynthesis, chlorophyll fluorescence, leaf ultrastructure and biomass yield in response to elevated [CO2] (550±19 µmol mol(-1)) were determined at the Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experimental facility in North China. Photosynthetic ability of I. indigotica was improved under elevated [CO2]. Elevated [CO2] increased net photosynthetic rate (P N), water use efficiency (WUE) and maximum rate of electron transport (J max) of upper most fully-expended leaves, but not stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration ratio (Tr) and maximum velocity of carboxylation (V c,max). Elevated [CO2] significantly increased leaf intrinsic efficiency of PSII (Fv'/Fm') and quantum yield of PSII(ΦPS II ), but decreased leaf non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), and did not affect leaf proportion of open PSII reaction centers (qP) and maximum quantum efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm). The structural chloroplast membrane, grana layer and stroma thylakoid membranes were intact under elevated [CO2], though more starch grains were accumulated within the chloroplasts than that of under ambient [CO2]. While the yield of I. indigotica was higher due to the improved photosynthesis under elevated [CO2], the content of adenosine, one of the functional ingredients in indigowoad root was not affected.

The high squareness Sm-Co magnet having Hcb=10.6 kOe at 150°C

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machida, Hiroaki; Fujiwara, Teruhiko; Kamada, Risako; Morimoto, Yuji; Takezawa, Masaaki

2017-05-01

The relationship between magnetic properties and magnetic domain structures of Sm(Fe, Cu, Zr, Co)7.5 magnet was investigated. The developed Sm-Co magnet, which is conducted homogenization heat treatment at ingot state, high temperature short time sintering and long time solid solution heat treatment showed the maximum energy product, [BH]m of 34.0 MGOe and the coercivity, Hcb of 11.3 kOe at 20°C respectively. Moreover, Hcb of 10.6 kOe at 150°C was achieved. Heat treated ingot has clear 1-7 phase in mother phase from optical microscope observation. Kerr effect microscope with magnetic field applied was used to investigate magnetic domain structure. Reverse magnetic domains were generated evenly but generation of them from inside grain were not observed. Cell structure was observed by scanning transmission electron microscope and composition analysis was conducted by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Cell size was approximately 150 ˜ 300 nm, Fe and Cu were clearly separated and concentrated to 2-17 phase and 1-5 phase respectively. Moreover, Cu concentration went up to 40 at% in 1-5 phase. That means the gap of domain wall energy between 1-5 phase and 2-17 phase was increased due to microstructure control by conducting heat treatment for compositional homogeneity.

Year-long simulation of gaseous and particulate air pollutants in India

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kota, Sri Harsha; Guo, Hao; Myllyvirta, Lauri; Hu, Jianlin; Sahu, Shovan Kumar; Garaga, Rajyalakshmi; Ying, Qi; Gao, Aifang; Dahiya, Sunil; Wang, Yuan; Zhang, Hongliang

2018-05-01

Severe pollution events occur frequently in India but few studies have investigated the characteristics, sources, and control strategies for the whole country. A year-long simulation was carried out in India to provide detailed information of spatial and temporal distribution of gas species and particulate matter (PM). The concentrations of O3, NO2, SO2, CO, as well as PM2.5 and its components in 2015 were predicted using Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) and the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) models. Model performance was validated against available observations from ground based national ambient air quality monitoring stations in major cities. Model performance of O3 does not always meet the criteria suggested by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) but that of PM2.5 meets suggested criteria by previous studies. The performance of model was better on days with high O3 and PM2.5 levels. Concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, CO and SO2 were highest in the Indo-Gangetic region, including northern and eastern India. PM2.5 concentrations were higher during winter and lower during monsoon season. Winter nitrate concentrations were 160-230% higher than yearly average. In contrast, the fraction of sulfate in total PM2.5 was maximum in monsoon and least in winter, due to decrease in temperature and solar radiation intensity in winter. Except in southern India, where sulfate was the major component of PM2.5, primary organic aerosol (POA) fraction in PM2.5 was highest in all regions of the country. Fractions of secondary components were higher on bad days than on good days in these cities, indicating the importance of control of precursors for secondary pollutants in India.

Effect of Synthesis Parameter on Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of Magnesium Nickel Ferrite (Mg0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4) Nanoparticles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maulia, R.; Putra, R. A.; Suharyadi, E.

2017-05-01

Mg0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4 nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by using co-precipitation method and varying the synthesis parameter, i.e. synthesis temperature and NaOH concentration. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern showed that nanoparticles have cubic spinel structures with an additional phase of γ-Fe2O3 and particle size varies within the range of 4.3 - 6.7 nm. This variation is due to the effect of various synthesis parameters. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) image showed that the nanoparticles exhibited agglomeration. The observed diffraction ring from selected area electron diffraction showed that the sample was polycrystalline and confirmed the peak appearing in XRD. The coercivities showed an increasing trend with an increase in particle size from 44.7 Oe to 49.6 Oe for variation of NaOH concentration, and a decreasing trend with an increase in particle size from 46.8 to 45.1 Oe for variation of synthesis temperature. The maximum magnetization showed an increasing trend with an increase in the ferrite phase from 3.7 emu/g to 5.4 emu/g possessed in the sample with variations on NaOH concentration. The maximum magnetization for the sample with variations on synthesis temperature varied from 4.4 emu/g to 5.7 emu/g due to its crystal structures.

Significance of CO2 donor on the production of succinic acid by Actinobacillus succinogenes ATCC 55618

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Succinic acid is a building-block chemical which could be used as the precursor of many industrial products. The dissolved CO2 concentration in the fermentation broth could strongly regulate the metabolic flux of carbon and the activity of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxykinase, which are the important committed steps for the biosynthesis of succinic acid by Actinobacillus succinogenes. Previous reports showed that succinic acid production could be promoted by regulating the supply of CO2 donor in the fermentation broth. Therefore, the effects of dissolved CO2 concentration and MgCO3 on the fermentation process should be investigated. In this article, we studied the impacts of gaseous CO2 partial pressure, dissolved CO2 concentration, and the addition amount of MgCO3 on succinic acid production by Actinobacillus succinogenes ATCC 55618. We also demonstrated that gaseous CO2 could be removed when MgCO3 was fully supplied. Results An effective CO2 quantitative mathematical model was developed to calculate the dissolved CO2 concentration in the fermentation broth. The highest succinic acid production of 61.92 g/L was obtained at 159.22 mM dissolved CO2 concentration, which was supplied by 40 g/L MgCO3 at the CO2 partial pressure of 101.33 kPa. When MgCO3 was used as the only CO2 donor, a maximal succinic acid production of 56.1 g/L was obtained, which was just decreased by 7.03% compared with that obtained under the supply of gaseous CO2 and MgCO3. Conclusions Besides the high dissolved CO2 concentration, the excessive addition of MgCO3 was beneficial to promote the succinic acid synthesis. This was the first report investigating the replaceable of gaseous CO2 in the fermentation of succinic acid. The results obtained in this study may be useful for reducing the cost of succinic acid fermentation process. PMID:22040346

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Klasen, Elizabeth M.; Wills, Beatriz; Naithani, Neha

Household air pollution from the burning of biomass fuels is recognized as the third greatest contributor to the global burden of disease. Incomplete combustion of biomass fuels releases a complex mixture of carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) and other toxins into the household environment. Some investigators have used indoor CO concentrations as a reliable surrogate of indoor PM concentrations; however, the assumption that indoor CO concentration is a reasonable proxy of indoor PM concentration has been a subject of controversy. We sought to describe the relationship between indoor PM{sub 2.5} and CO concentrations in 128 households across three resource-poormore » settings in Peru, Nepal, and Kenya. We simultaneously collected minute-to-minute PM{sub 2.5} and CO concentrations within a meter of the open-fire stove for approximately 24 h using the EasyLog-USB-CO data logger (Lascar Electronics, Erie, PA) and the personal DataRAM-1000AN (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA), respectively. We also collected information regarding household construction characteristics, and cooking practices of the primary cook. Average 24 h indoor PM{sub 2.5} and CO concentrations ranged between 615 and 1440 μg/m{sup 3}, and between 9.1 and 35.1 ppm, respectively. Minute-to-minute indoor PM{sub 2.5} concentrations were in a safe range (<25 μg/m{sup 3}) between 17% and 65% of the time, and exceeded 1000 μg/m{sup 3} between 8% and 21% of the time, whereas indoor CO concentrations were in a safe range (<7 ppm) between 46% and 79% of the time and exceeded 50 ppm between 4%, and 20% of the time. Overall correlations between indoor PM{sub 2.5} and CO concentrations were low to moderate (Spearman ρ between 0.59 and 0.83). There was also poor agreement and evidence of proportional bias between observed indoor PM{sub 2.5} concentrations vs. those estimated based on indoor CO concentrations, with greater discordance at lower concentrations. Our analysis does not support the notion that indoor CO concentration is a surrogate marker for indoor PM{sub 2.5} concentration across all settings. Both are important markers of household air pollution with different health and environmental implications and should therefore be independently measured. - Highlights: • We summarized indoor PM2.5 and CO concentrations across three resource-poor settings. • Overall correlations between indoor PM2.5 and CO were low to moderate. • Agreement between observed indoor PM2.5 vs. those estimated based on indoor CO was poor.« less

Rapid Swings between Greenhouse and Icehouse Climate States near the Oligocene - Miocene Boundary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Y.; Fraass, A.; Ruan, J.; Jin, X.; D'haenens, S.; Gasson, E.; Deconto, R. M.; Pearson, A.; Leckie, R. M.; Liu, C.; Liebrand, D.; Hull, P. M.; Pagani, M.

2017-12-01

The Earth's Cenozoic climate is conventionally portrayed as either being in a greenhouse or an icehouse conditions. Greenhouse climates are characterized by warm temperatures, high CO2 concentrations, low continental ice volume and reduced meridional temperature gradients, whereas icehouse climates are the opposite. The transition between greenhouse and icehouse primarily is achieved through stepwise and unidirectional cooling, ice sheet growth and increases in the meridional temperature gradients. Various feedbacks in the climate system and the global carbon cycle as well as the ice sheet hysteresis effect seem to preclude substantial fluctuations in the meridional temperature gradients, atmospheric CO2 concentrations and the volume of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) on a high frequency (orbital timescales). For example, relative to the Holocene, the last glacial maximum (LGM) is characterized by relatively small pCO2 changes (80-100 parts per million, ppm), similar cooling between the mid- and low-latitudes, and a stable East Antarctica Ice Sheet (EAIS). However, here we present geochemical reconstructions that appear to indicate large and rapid swings of CO2 (>200 ppm) and meridional temperature gradients near the Oligocene - Miocene (O-M) boundary ( 23 Ma). Further, transient waxing and waning of the EAIS during the Mi-1 glaciation is suggested by ice volume calculations based on benthic δ18O data, which are supported by the glaciomarine sequences deposited at the Ross Sea. Our results demonstrate a high sensitivity of surface ocean temperatures and temperature gradients, the global carbon cycle, and the cryosphere to changes in boundary conditions, with implications for our future.

Contrasting Extreme Flooding Events and their Influence on Carbon Dynamics in a Salt Marsh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vargas, R.; Kowalska, N.; Lule, A. V.; Seyfferth, A.; Reimer, J.; Cai, W. J.; Moffat, C. F.

2017-12-01

Coastal ecosystems are threatened by sea level rise, making them vulnerable to more frequent extreme flooding events. Thus, it is critical to understand the effect of different flooding events on carbon dynamics to test the resiliency of these ecosystems. We used the eddy covariance method to measure CO2 and CH4 fluxes and instrumented an adjacent creek to measure pCO2 and pCH4 in a temperate salt marsh. The site was influenced by flooding caused by a hurricane storm surge and then a freshwater flood during September-October of 2015 and 2016, respectively. Water level, salinity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity were significantly influenced by the events. Daily mean CO2 fluxes show that during the hurricane surge, the ecosystem became a source of CO2 to the atmosphere releasing about 1.8 umol CO2 m-2 s-1 daily. Ecosystem CH4 fluxes were generally low ( 0.05 umol CH4 m-2 s-1) and showed high temporal variability (maximum of 0.6 umol CH4 m-2 s-1). There was an intermittent temporal coherence at 12-hour period (i.e., subdaily tides) between water level and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) or ecosystem CH4 fluxes. There was strong temporal coherence between water level and pCO2 at 12-hour period during the hurricane surge. During the freshwater surge we did not observe temporal coherence between water level and pCO2 or pCH4, but concentrations of both gases increased in the water of the marsh. These results show that extreme flooding events significantly influence short-term carbon dynamics and provide insights on ecosystem resiliency and lateral transport of pCO2 and pCH4 to the coastal ocean.