PM10 Source Apportionment in Ahvaz,Iran, Using Positive Matrix Factorization

Source apportionment of particulate matter <10 µm in diameter (PM₁₀), having considerable impacts on human health and the environment, is of high priority in air quality management. The present study, therefore, aimed at identifying the potential sources of PM₁₀ in an arid area of Ahvaz located in southwest of Iran. For this purpose, we collected 24‐h PM₁₀ samples by a high volume air sampler. The samples were then analyzed for their elemental (Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Se, Si, Sn, Sr, Li, Ti, V, Zn, Mo, and Sb) and ionic (NH, Cl^?, NO, and SO) components using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and ion chromatography instruments, respectively. Eight factors were identified by positive matrix factorization: crustal dust (41.5%), road dust (5.5%), motor vehicles (11.5%), marine aerosol (8.0%), secondary aerosol (9.5%), metallurgical plants (6.0%), petrochemical industries and fossil fuel combustion (13.0%), and vegetative burning (5.0%). Result of this study suggested that the natural sources contribute most to PM₁₀ particles in the area, followed closely by the anthropogenic sources.     

On the Impact of the Assimilation of SARAL/AltiKa Wave Data in the Operational Wave Model MFWAM

As a part of our calibration/validation activities five months of SARAL/AltiKa wave data have been analyzed in this study. A robust quality control procedure using threshold values on signal and retrieved wave heights was implemented before the assimilation. Assimilation runs in the wave model Météo-France (MFWAM) were performed for a long period. The validation of the model outputs was performed with independent wave observations from altimeter and buoy data. The results indicate good performance in terms of bias and scatter index for the significant wave height and the peak wave period. Statistical analyses were performed for different ocean basins (high and intermediate latitudes and tropics). The use of SARAL/AltiKa and Jason-2 wave data combined was also investigated. This leads to further improvements for the analysis and forecast periods. In other respects, the impact of the assimilation of SARAL/AltiKa wave data is discussed for waves under strong wind conditions such as typhoons Fitow and Danas which occurred in early October 2013.     

Application of water pinch technology for water and wastewater minimization in aluminum anodizing industries

This study aims to describe the application of water pinch technology in industrial water consumption management in aluminum anodizing industry. Water pinch analysis is a systematic technique for designing, optimization and retrofitting of energy, mass and water recovery networks. The selection of different operations existing in an industry has an important role in correctness of application of pinch technology. Water usages in anodizing industry are various, but researches have been shown that, it has the best efficiency on the selection of rinsing chambers to pinch technology. There are different methods in pinch technology mostly based on mass transfer of single or multiple contaminants. In this research, a new method is used to select effective contaminant to be applied to pinch analysis. This research is based on Mann and Liu’s method in single contaminant. But “the guide for classification of raw water, wastewater and recycled water for industrial and recreation” is chosen to use a complex of index contaminants as a single contaminant. This method is very simple and applicable for various industrial processes. By an index contaminant like total dissolved solids, the water usage reduced about 6.7 %. Using pinch technology and this new approach in three rinsing chambers, water usage reduced about 14.4 %.     

Formulation of hydrodynamic pressures in cracks due to earthquakes in concrete dams

A new analytical development of the seismic hydrodynamic pressure inside pre-existing cracks on the upstream face of concrete dams is presented. The finite control volume approach is utilized to derive an expression for the seismic hydrodynamic pressure using the continuity principle and the linear momentum theorem for the fluid inside the crack. The derived pressure expression is a function of the relative crack-opening acceleration and velocity. The acceleration and velocity terms are then recast in the form of added mass and damping matrices which can then be included at the nodes inside the discrete crack of a finite element model. This procedure linearizes the solution of the problem. A dam, 55 m high and having an initial crack opening of 2 mm at the base or near the crest and subjected to two different accelerograms, is analysed. For high-frequency ground motion, the seismic hydrodynamic pressure inside the crack, at the base of the dam, appears to be 50 per cent higher than the corresponding hydrostatic pressure.     

Glutamine Synthetase activity in limnetic phytoplankton

The seasonal distribution of potential Glutamine Synthetase (GS) activities was studied in eutrophic Lake Aydat (France, Massif Central). The validity of this index of N-assimilation in field studies was tested by a comparison with the coupling of distributions of inorganic nitrogen uptake rate based on¹⁴C incorporation into proteins and the amino acids to protein ratio together with several abiotic and biotic parameters. The potential GS activities recorded during the seasonal succession of phytoplankton (characterized by the dominance of diatoms) were in the same order of magnitude of those reported from the very poor literature on this subject. Over high N-NO ₃ ^- availability, the potential GS activities recorded were close to indirect estimations of N-uptake rates. During nitrogen depletion, high potential GS activities (which coincided with a development of small diatoms) were recorded suggesting that cell metabolism adapted to N-nutrient constraints. In addition, potential GS activity evolved concomitantly to other indicators of N-uptake and N-status. However, N-assimilation rates based on the enzymatic approach were lower than those obtained through indirect isotopic determination of uptakes rates. We suggest therefore that GS was not the unique pathway of ammonium assimilation in field populations.     

Optimizing the dataset size of a topo-bathymetric survey for Hammam Debagh Dam,Algeria

The capacity of water reservoirs may be considerably reduced by sediment transport and accumulation. This phenomenon may occur quickly in regions prone to erosion, such as Hammam Debagh Dam region in Algeria. For better management of water resources, it is important to estimate the volume of a reservoir by regular and frequent topo-bathymetric surveys. Topo-bathymetric surveys with a high point measurement density are expensive and time-consuming. To reduce this expense and to increase the frequency of topo-bathymetric surveys, it is required to optimize their size and density. The complete survey of the reservoir created by the Hammam Debagh Dam in Algeria was examined in comparison with 19 reduction subsets using geostatistics. The study showed that the complete dataset of 32,164 points, corresponding to a density of 42 points ha^-1 could be reduced to 10,000 points, i.e. 13 points ha^-1, without affecting the estimation of the water volume in the reservoir. This reduction could considerably simplify the work load, reduce the expenses to do these surveys, and, therefore, allow for an increased frequency of topo-bathymetric surveys.     

Phytoplankton-pigment signatures and their relationship to spring–summer stratification in the Gulf of Gabes

We investigated the phytoplankton dynamics (determined by CHEMTAX analysis of HPLC pigment data) and its relationships with nutrients and water column structure, during two oceanographic cruises in May–June and September 2006 in the Gulf of Gabes (south-eastern Mediterranean). The May–June cruise coincided with the beginning of the summer stratification, while a strong stratification occurred in September with a more than 30 m deepening of the thermocline, and a reduction of the euphotic depth. This strong stratification resulted in a shift in nitrogen sources from nitrates to ammonium as well as phosphate depletion (0.2 μM) and a decrease in silicate concentrations (<2 μM). With the exception of chlorophyll a, pigment concentrations were higher in September than in May–June samplings. The pico- and nanophytoplankton were the major contributors to phytoplankton total biomass, accounting for 90% and 87% of total chlorophyll a in May–June and September, respectively. Picoplankton persisted throughout the entire survey, occupying different depth layers. Chlorophytes were present at substantial amounts (average 23% of total chlorophyll a) during May–June; however, they declined in September (average 5%). Diatoms were overall poorly represented in this study (2% of total chlorophyll a), due probably to silicate shortage. Apparently, the nutrient availability, but also the water column stability seemed to be among the major factors determining phytoplankton dynamics. Indeed, cyanobacteria were prominent in surface samples during the period of strong stratification, whereas the relative contribution of chlorophytes decreased, probably due to low phosphate availability.     

Temporal and bathymetric variation of epiphyte cover and leaf biomass in a southern Posidonia oceanica (L.) meadow: the case of Mahdia coast,Tunisia

The aim of this research was to study spatial and temporal variation in epiphyte cover and leaf biomass of Posidonia oceanica in Eastern Tunisia. Sampling was conducted at four stations on the Mahdia coast during October and December 2010, and April and August 2011, which correspond respectively to autumn, winter, spring and summer in this area. Posidonia oceanica shoots were collected at two depths (5 and 10 m). Cover of macroinvertebrates and macroalgae was estimated on adult leaves. The results showed that leaf and epiphyte biomasses vary significantly according to sampling date, with the highest values recorded in August. We found a high diversity of epiphytic assemblages on the leaves of P. oceanica with clear qualitative and quantitative dominance of Rhodophyceae compared to other groups, followed by Phaeophyceae. Most epiphyte species on the leaves of P. oceanica in Eastern Tunisia are the same as those in other parts of the Mediterranean Sea. No bathymetrical variation in the epiphytic community was found in our study area, which can be explained by the high levels of water clarity in Mahdia.     

Factors driving the seasonal distribution of planktonic and epiphytic ciliates in a eutrophicated Mediterranean Lagoon

We studied the distribution of planktonic and epiphytic ciliates coupled with environmental factors and microalgae abundance at five stations in Ghar El Melh Lagoon (Tunisia). Planktonic ciliates were monitored for a year and epiphytic ciliates were sampled during summer 2011 in concordance with the proliferation of the seagrass Ruppia cirrhosa. Ciliate assemblage was largely dominated by Spirotrichea followed respectively by Tintinnida of and Strombidiida. No significant difference was found in the distribution of ciliate species among the stations. Redundancy analysis indicates that abiotic factors (temperature and nutriments) have a significant effect on the dynamics of certain ciliates. For epiphytic ciliates, 4 species were identified: Tintinnopsis campanula, Aspidisca sp., Strombidium acutum and Amphorides amphora. Based on PERMANOVA analyses, ciliates exhibit significant correlations among months and stations. According to ACP, epiphyte distribution follows roughly those of R. cirrhosa and pH. Significant correlations were found between harmful dinoflagellates and both planktonic and epiphytic ciliates.