The socioeconomic impacts of nuclear generating stations: An analysis of the Rancho Seco and peach bottom facilities

This paper presents the results of a comparative analysis of the socioeconomic impacts of the construction and operation of two nuclear generating stations. Although the construction of nuclear power plants is typically a multiyear process utilizing large numbers of workers and requiring large expenditures for equipment and materials, the socioeconomic changes in the areas in which the plants are located were small and temporary. The extent and size of the changes were found to be related to the size of the work force residing in the local area, the magnitude of local utility and contractor purchases, the amount of tax payments resulting from the plant, and the level of involvement of area groups over plant-related issues.     

Isotopic evidence on the origin of the Shamrocke copper mine,Rhodesia

The Shamrocke ore body is a stratiform deposit of disseminated copper-iron sulphides found within lenses of calcareous meta-arkose occurring in Lomagundi Group graphitic schist (Late Precambrian) at Karoi, Rhodesia. Both sulphides and sediments were subjected to high grades of regional metamorphism. Argon/argon isochron ages indicate a major metamorphic event at 550 m. y. (Damaran orogeny) with later minor argon losses. Ore sulphide ³⁴S values range from +3.0 to +14.8 CDT and a general decrease from footwall to hanging-wall reflects an original sedimentary environment where sulphides formed about the sea bed from hydrothermal fluids progressively mixing with sea water. Isotopically lighter sulphides formed syngenetically in the host rocks from bacterial reduction of sulphate. The pyrrhotite was probably formed from pyrite during metamorphism, and owing to reducing conditions maintained similar ³⁴S values to the original pyrite. Oxygen and carbon isotopic analyses of mineralised and unmineralised carbonate lenses are consistent with deposition as marine limestones in an evaporitic environment and/or near hot spring vents.I. N. S. Contribution No 734     

An extrusion energy absorber suitable for the protection of structures during an earthquake

A structure moving under the influence of an earthquake is normally required to absorb its own energy of motion. However, in many cases it is possible to attach to the structure energy absorbing devices which absorb most of its energy of motion. One such device is an energy absorber which works by extruding lead back and forth through an orifice. On being extruded the deformed lead recrystallizes immediately, thereby recovering its original mechanical properties before the next extrusion or stroke. Accordingly, the amount of energy absorbed is not limited by work hardening or fatigue of the lead, but rather by the heat capacity of the device, the melting point of lead being the upper limit to the operating temperature. Furthermore, the device is able to absorb energy during a large number of earthquakes. A number of 20 kN × 2 cm stroke to 200 kN × 26 cm stroke extrusion energy absorbers have been tested at rates of 10^?6 to 3.6 × 10^?6 cm/min. They behaved as ‘plastic solids’ or ‘coulomb dampers’ with nearly rectangular hysteresis loops and little rate dependence.     

Magma fractionation systems beneath the mid-Atlantic ridge at 36–37 ° N

Variation of major and trace elements in drilled basalts from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (DSDP Leg 37) reflects distinct cycles of low pressure fractionation operating independently within a complex network of magma storage reservoirs beneath the crustal spreading axis. Low pressure phase relations are determined by parental magma composition, which varies from An-rich (An/Di > ca. 1.4) to Di-rich (An/Di < ca. 1.4). High An/Di magmas probably formed under slightly hydrous conditions in the mantle. They have low LIL element contents, low P/Y and high Mg/(Mg + Fe) ratios. Zr, P and Y abundance and inter-element ratios are highly diagnostic of primary magma type, and are used to quantify fractional crystallization models.Low pressure fractionation hypotheses were tested by least-squares modelling of whole-rock and phenocryst chemistry, which indicated removal or addition of phenocryst assemblages: ol; pl; ol + pl; ol + pl + cpx; pl + cpx, (± sp). Accumulation of plagioclase or olivine is an important mechanism for generating highly porphyritic rocks. A rare 3-phase (ol + pl + cpx) cumulate resulted from cotectic fractionation of a low An/Di magma type. Olivine and plagioclase cumulates appear to be related to high An/Di magmas. Olivine accumulation has been monitored by comparison of olivine/bulk rock partitioning of Fe and Mg to experimental measurements of the equilibrium K_D value. A single extensive sub-axial magma chamber could not account for the observed chemical variation and would probably be dynamically unstable.     

Heavy metal release by peat erosion in the Peak District,southern Pennines,UK

Upper North Grain (UNG) is a heavily eroding blanket peat catchment in the Peak District, southern Pennines, UK. Concentrations of lead in the near‐surface peat layer at UNG are in excess of 1000 mg kg⁻¹. For peatland environments, these lead concentrations are some of the highest globally. High concentrations of industrially derived, atmospherically transported magnetic spherules are also stored in the near‐surface peat layer. Samples of suspended sediment taken during a storm event that occurred on 1 November 2002 at UNG, and of the potential catchment sources for suspended sediments, were analysed for lead content and the environmental magnetic properties of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM). At the beginning of the storm event, there is a peak in both suspended sediment and associated lead concentration. SIRM/ARM values for suspended sediment samples throughout the storm reveal that the initial ‘lead flush’ is associated with a specific sediment source, namely that of organic sediment eroded from the upper peat layer. Using the magnetic ‘fingerprinting’ approach to discrimination of sediment sources, this study reveals that erosion of the upper peat layer at UNG is releasing high concentrations of industrially derived lead (and, by inference, other toxic heavy metals associated with industrial particulates) into the fluvial systems of the southern Pennines. Climate‐change scenarios for the UK, involving higher summer temperatures and stormier winters, may result in an increased flux both of sediment‐associated and dissolved heavy metals from eroding peatland catchments in the southern Pennines, adversely affecting the quality of sediment and water entering reservoirs of the region. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

National defense applications of autonomous underwater vehicles

During the 1982 invasion of southern Lebanon, the Israeli Air Force faced the problem of neutralizing the massive Syrian air defense network in the Bekka Valley as a step in gaining air control in the area. They accomplished this, in a matter of days, without the loss of a single aircraft, while inflicting a loss of over 80 aircraft on the Syrian Air Force. The key to this smashing tactical success was the tactic used to suppress the extensive air defense network. The Israelis used remotely piloted vehicles (RPV's) for the high-risk elements of their tactical plan. RPV's conducted in-depth reconnaissance to spot and fingerprint the search and fire control radars in the valley and on adjacent mountainsides and to locate surface-to-air missile (SAM) launch sites. When the attack started, the first waves were RPV's configured to appear as attack aircraft and draw first fire. As the engagement started, manned attack fighter-bombers used antiradiation missiles (ARM's) and other smart ordnance to destroy enemy radars and launch sites as they were engaging the RPV's. While there was some loss of the low-cost RPV's, there were no losses to the Israeli aircraft. A "hornet's nest" of weapons and radars had been effectively neutralized without loss and in a period of a few hours. Recent statements of current U.S. Naval doctrine [1] emphasize a forward area strategy of naval action in or near enemy waters. The Soviet Navy in turn has been attributed as having a "bastion" strategy [2] to operate their SLBM force in Arctic waters and heavily defend the sea approaches to these waters. In other words, we postulate that they will create a "hornet's nest" and the U.S. Navy would intend to attack it, a Naval "Bekka Valley." This article examines the potential need for unmanned systems in the execution of the forward-area strategy. Emphasis is upon medium- and long-range submersibles capable of autonomous operation.     

The relation between flare-related metric continuum bursts and coronal mass ejections

We describe a simple irradiance monitor intended for use in assessing the suitability of candidate sites for a worldwide network of small solar telescopes. The network will observe the Sun as continuously as possible in order to provide high quality solar oscillation data with low diurnal sidelobe contamination and high temporal frequency resolution.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under contract with the National Science Foundation.