Evaluating suspended sediment and turbidity reduction projects in a glacially conditioned catchment through dynamic regression and fluvial process-based modelling

Elevated turbidity (T_n) and suspended sediment concentrations (SSC) during and following flood events can degrade water supply quality and aquatic ecosystem integrity. Streams draining glacially conditioned mountainous terrain, such as those in the Catskill Mountains of New York State, are particularly susceptible to high levels of T_n and SSC sourced from erosional contact with glacial-related sediment. This study forwards a novel approach to evaluate the effectiveness of stream restoration best management practices (BMPs) meant to reduce stream T_n and SSC, and demonstrates the approach within the Stony Clove sub-basin of the Catskills, a water supply source for New York City. The proposed approach is designed to isolate BMP effects from natural trends in T_n and SSC caused by trends in discharge and shifts in average T_n or SSC per unit discharge (Q) following large flood events. We develop Dynamic Linear Models (DLMs) to quantify how T_n-Q and SSC-Q relationships change over time at monitoring stations upstream and downstream of BMPs within the Stony Clove and in three other sub-basins without BMPs, providing observational evidence of BMP effectiveness. A process-based model, the River Erosion Model, is then developed to simulate natural, hydrology-driven SSC-Q dynamics in the Stony Clove sub-basin (absent of BMP effects). We use DLMs to compare the modelled and observed SSC-Q dynamics and isolate the influence of the BMPs. Results suggest that observed reductions in SSC and T_n in the Stony Clove sub-basin have been driven by a combination of declining streamflow and the installed BMPs, confirming the utility of the BMPs for the monitored hydrologic conditions.     

Total Sulfur Concentration in Geological Reference Materials by Elemental Infrared Analyser

Total sulfur is an analyte for which there are few determinations published, despite the fact that it is a very important element (e.g., a major element in most ores, an important gas constituent in global warming, an active participant in acid drainage). Most geological reference materials have very poor quality sulfur results, that is with relative standard deviations (RSD) in the range of 30–50%, even for concentrations over 100 μg g⁻¹ S, which compromises their use as calibrators. In order to provide modern results with low RSD, sulfur was determined in twenty-nine geological reference materials with a state-of-the-art elemental S/C analyser using metal chips (certified reference materials with a traceability link) and analytical grade sulfur for high concentration samples. Analytical parameters (sample mass, crucible degassing, calibration strategy, etc.) were optimised by testing. Our results agreed with reference material values provided by issuing bodies. Results for CCRMP SY-2 (129 ± 13 μg g⁻¹ S), which has been proposed as a sulfur reference material, were in agreement with the proposed modern value of 122 ± 3.7 μg g⁻¹ S.     

Novel preparation of sensitized ZnS nanoparticles and its use in photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline

Sensitized ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical precipitation method using anthocyanin as the capping agent and sensitizer. X-ray diffractometer, field-emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, UV visible spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectrometry methods were used for the characterization of nanoparticles. The electron microscopy studies of nanoparticles showed that the size of crystallites is in the range of 35–80 nm and optical studies showed a blue shift in the absorption edge by adding capping agent. The effective band gap energy was increased with decrease in the particle size. Photocatalytic activities of sensitized ZnS and pure ZnS were evaluated by degradation of tetracycline in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation, and progress of the reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically. The different parameters affecting degradation such as the pH of solution, amount of semiconductor and reusability of catalyst for three cycles and the photocatalytic degradation kinetics of tetracycline were studied. More than 80% degradation was achieved within 5 h under visible light.     

Comparison of fast elimination of Cr(VI) by alumina nanofiber and alumina nanoporous

The goal of this study is examination of the mixture between adsorption and permeation process for removing chromium (VI) from the water. Two types of supported membranes are developed: The first one which was made by sol–gel method is called nanoporous and the second one which was made by electrospinning is called nanofiber. The sorption capacity of nanoporous and nanofiber is examined in single batch experiments at various pH values, and it is found that maximum chromium removal is observed for both nanoporous and nanofiber at pH 3.5. Adsorption studies illustrated that the Cr(VI) adsorption onto alumina nanoporous and nanofiber is affected by changes in pH, contact time, dosage of adsorbent, concentration of chromium and solution volume. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms can be used to explain the adsorption equilibria of Cr(VI) onto alumina nanoporous and nanofiber. It was found that balance adsorption data adequate Langmuir isotherm more than Freundlich model. Adsorption kinetics was found to be fitted to pseudo-second order and Weber and Morris model. The output of multiple linear regressions was run for the second-order response surface model implied that the linear agents of pH, sorbent dosage and Cr(VI) concentration are more significant factors. Manufacturing electrospun alumina nanofiber and sol–gel nanoporous with these cheap materials, renewable and fast methods are so important although the removal percentage is significant.     

Palynological Analysis of Amber-Bearing Clay from the Lower Cretaceous of Central Lebanon

An amber-bearing lignitic layer of sandy clay from the Lower Cretaceous of Central Lebanon (Mderej-Hammana)yielded a well-preserved,moderately variegated palynoflora,which origin is mixed between land plants and marine microflora.Its detailed analysis led to fulfill its inventory,to propose a paleoenvironmental reconstruction,and to draw the paleoclimate which prevailed over the region:an estuarian area under a rather humid,temperate climate;a variety of ferns grew near the shore-side and in the inward l...     

Jurassic Amber in Lebanon

<正>Reports of amber predating the Lower Cretaceous are unusual and scarce;they mostly refer to amber pieces of millimetric dimension.In the present study,we report the discovery of 10 new outcrops of Jurassic amber in Lebanon.Some of these had large centimetric-sized pieces of amber.The new localities are described,amber is characterized,and its infrared spectra given.Although the new Jurassic amber yielded to date no more than fungal inclusions,this material is significant and promising.The discovery of several Jurassic outcrops provides crucial information on the prevailing paleoenvironment of that time.     

Spatial and temporal variations in the incidence of dust events over Iran

Large near-field tsunamis pose a significant threat to the Canadian West Coast due to its proximity to the circum-Pacific belt where a significant tsunami-inducing earthquake event from the Cascadia subduction zone is expected. This study investigated the risks associated with such an event in terms of pedestrian evacuation needs and plans for the Town of Tofino, a small community located on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The population-at-risk within the hazard zone and its ability to evacuate to safety is evaluated using anisotropic path-distance modelling. Mitigation measures, such as vertical evacuation buildings, are quantitatively evaluated. Site-specific inundation modelling was not performed as part of this study; tsunami hazard and safe zones were computed using a range of run-ups varying between 3 and 25 m. It was established that up to 80% of the population is within the maximum hazard zone considered. This evacuation modelling exercise indicates that a maximum of 13% of the population would have insufficient time to reach safety when using a mobility-impaired ambulatory speed. The use of three vertical evacuation buildings can reduce the risk of losing population in this category by 99%. Although some conservative assumptions were used (vertical datum at higher high water, reductions in safe zones by generalization process and mobility-impaired evacuation speeds), the evacuation potential is likely overestimated due to the coarseness of the topographic data used in the evacuation modelling and from an overestimated first wave arrival time. This is the first Canadian study which used anisotropic evacuation modelling to evaluate the vulnerability of a Canadian community to tsunami inundation.

     

Determination of Te,As, Bi,Sb and Se (TABS) in Geological Reference Materials and GeoPT Proficiency Test Materials by Hydride Generation‐Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry (HG‐AFS)

The study of Te, As, Bi, Sb and Se (TABS) has increased over the past years due to their use in the development of low‐carbon energy technologies. However, there is a scarcity of mass fraction values of TABS in geological reference materials. This underlines the difficulty in undertaking routine determinations of these elements. The mass fractions of TABS were determined in geological reference materials using hydride generation‐atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG‐AFS), calibrated with standard solutions. Comparisons with literature values were used to validate the method. Samples from the GeoPT proficiency test were also analysed. For most elements, there are no assigned or even provisional values for many of the GeoPT and reference materials because of the wide range of results reported. For mass fractions above the quantification limit of the method, our results are in good agreement with the median of GeoPT results. Thus, we propose GeoPT median values as informational values for these elements. In contrast, at mass fractions < 0.5 µg g^?1 median values of Se from GeoPT are systematically higher than our results. Our Se results are in agreement with the reference materials down to 0.02 µg g^?1, which suggest that many of the results for Se reported in GeoPT testing are too high.