Bioremediation and toxicity determination of natural seawater polluted with weathered crude oil by salt-tolerant consortia in a SBR

The aim of this research was to compare the bioremediation treatment of seawater polluted with two different concentrations of weathered crude oil (0.2 for experiment (a) and 1.14% for experiment (b), v/v) by salt-tolerant consortia enriched from the sludge of a refinery wastewater treatment facility, in a SBR. The use of a commercial bioremediation stimulant (S200) was also evaluated as an alternative to the traditional nitrogen and phosphorus supplement.     

CO 2 emission trading model with trading prices

In this paper we consider the buying/selling prices of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission permits in trading models with uncertainty. Permission prices, although usually omitted from standard models, may significantly influence the trading market. We thus undertook to construct a more realistic trade model and to compare it with the standard one. To do this, we introduced several important changes to the standard model, namely, (1) a new optimized quality function; and (2) transactions with price negotiations between regions. We also enhanced the model using methods described in the literature to allow it to deal with reported emissions uncertainty. Additionally, we used an original method of simulating this kind of market based on a specialized evolutionary algorithm (EA).     

Characterization of atmospheric surfactants in the bulk precipitation by electrochemical tools

Characterization of atmospheric surfactants in bulk precipitations was carried out by adsorption study at the mercury electrode/solution interface using phase sensitive AC voltammetry. The structure and permeability of the adsorbed organic films at the mercury electrode was tested using the redox processes of lead and cadmium ions as electrochemical tools. The effects of organic matter from the bulk precipitations (rainwater and melted snow) were compared to those obtained for aqueous solutions of model substances: aromatic hydrocarbon (naphtalene), anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, NDBS), protein (albumine) and selected model substances suggested to be representative of water soluble organic compounds (WSOC) in atmospheric water (monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic, and polyacidic compounds and levoglucosan). It was found that substances like humic acid and 3-hydroxybutanoic acid may play an important role in atmospheric heterogeneous chemistry because of their surface active potential.     

Application of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy to examination of carbonized coal blends

Paramagnetic centers in two- and three-component coal blends carbonized at 1000 °C were studied by X-band (9.3 GHz) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique. The blends were prepared from three different Polish coals with carbon contents [wt.%]: 88.66, 86.21, and 82.67, respectively. The aim of this work was to compare EPR parameters and concentrations of paramagnetic centers in the initial and carbonized coal samples. Furthermore the spin–spin and spin–lattice interactions were characterized.EPR spectra were measured with magnetic modulation 100 kHz and microwave power 0.7 mW. Amplitudes and linewidths of EPR spectra were obtained. g-Factors were calculated from resonance condition. Concentrations of paramagnetic centers in the samples were determined. Influence of microwave power in the range 0.7–70 mW on EPR spectra was analyzed.All the studied samples revealed paramagnetism. Unpaired electrons are localized in the same atoms, because similar g-values in the range 2.0035–2.0038 were obtained for all the original samples. The EPR parameters of coal blends were additive in comparison with the parent coals. EPR spectra strongly changed after carbonization of the coal samples. Narrower EPR lines were measured for the original coal samples than for carbonized ones. We detected lower concentrations of paramagnetic centers in carbonized three-component coal blends than in two-component carbonized blends. EPR lines of the studied carbonized blends were not saturated at the microwave power used, which suggests fast spin–lattice relaxation processes in the samples. EPR examination proved chemical interactions between coal constituents during carbonization of coal blends.     

Binary gas sorption/desorption experiments on a bituminous coal: Simultaneous measurements on sorption kinetics,volumetric strain and acoustic emission

There is still no clear understanding of the specific interactions between coal and gas molecules. In this context sorption–desorption studies of methane and carbon dioxide, both in a single gas environment and gas mixtures, are of fundamental interest. This paper presents the results of unique simultaneous measurements of sorption kinetics, volumetric strain and acoustic emission (AE) on three tetragonal coal samples subjected to sorption of carbon dioxide and methane mixtures. The coal was a high volatile bituminous C coal taken from the Budryk mine in the Upper Silesia Basin, Poland. Three different gas mixtures were used in the sorption tests, with dominant CO₂, with dominant CH₄ and a 50/50 mixture.The experimental set-up was designed specially for this study. It consisted of three individual units working together: (i) a unit for gas sorption experiments using a volumetric method, (ii) an AE apparatus for detecting, recording and analysing AE, and (iii) a strain meter for measuring strains induced in the coal sample by gas sorption/desorption. All measurements were computer aided.The experiments indicated that the coal tested showed preferential sorption of CH₄ at 2.6 MPa pressure and exhibited comparable affinities for CH₄ and CO₂ at higher pressures (4.0 MPa). The results of chromatographic analysis of the gas released on desorption suggested that the desorption of methane from the coal was favoured. The relationship between the volumetric strain and the amount of sorbed gas was found to be non-linear. These results were contrary to common opinions on the coal behaviour. Furthermore, it appeared that the swelling/shrinkage of coal was clearly influenced by the network of fractures. Besides, the AE and strain characteristics suggested common sources of sorption induced AE and strain.The present results may have implications for the sequestration of carbon dioxide in coal seams and enhanced coalbed methane recovery (ECBM).     

Redistribution of archaeological assemblages in plowzones

Archaeological surface surveys have located open‐air sites on cropland in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain). To what degree agricultural disturbances have impacted archaeological site integrity is poorly defined and may greatly affect interpretations of prehistoric land use. This paper presents the results of three experiments concerned with the effects of tillage on artifact distribution, focusing specifically on lateral and vertical artifact displacement. We demonstrate highly variable horizontal displacement of artifacts by plowing and overall downward movement of lithic materials within the soil. This results in an expansion of site boundaries and reduction of surface artifact density, yielding a biased and unrepresentative picture of past human activity. More experimental studies are needed to better define agricultural disturbances to surface archaeological assemblages. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Climatic vs. tectonic signals in a continental extensional basin (Teruel,NE Spain) from stable isotope (δ18O) and sequence stratigraphical evolution

Alluvial fans and shallow carbonate lakes interfered in the Teruel half‐graben during the Late Miocene–Pliocene. Tectonic influence is recorded in alluvial and lacustrine–palustrine successions, with long‐term climate changes being recorded in detail in the isotopic signatures of carbonates. Episodes of tectonic activity induced alluvial fan progradation and lake retraction in the whole basin. Three lacustrine stages have been identified, which support the idea that climate also exerted an important control on sedimentation. The transition between stages 1 and 2 occurred during a tectonically calm episode due to an increase in aridity in the Early Turolian; small fans with source areas next to the lake margin prograded, inducing lake‐shore retraction. The transition from stage 2 to 3 was caused by the superimposition of increasing tectonic activity and aridity effects. Our study demonstrates that discrimination of allogenic factors controlling sedimentation in continental closed basins is possible using sequence stratigraphy in combination with other techniques such as geochemistry of carbonates.     

Das Neokom in Polen und seine paläogeographische Bedeutung

Zusammenfassung Die geologische Geschichte Nordwest-Polens zur Zeit der unteren Kreide kann in allgemeinen Zügen folgenderma\en dargestellt werden:Gegen Ende des Jura, ungefähr zur Zeit des Münder Mergels, sind hier Bewegungen eingetreten, die das Land teilweise trockengelegt und der Denudation preisgegeben haben. In den durch die Bewegungen gebildeten Senken blieben Lagunen erhalten, deren einige brackisches Wasser führten, während in anderen durch Eindampfung Gipslager abgesetzt wurden. Der Serpulit brachte eine positive Meeresbewegung mit, die sich im Infravalanginian derart verstärkte, da\ sich seine Ablagerungen nicht nur in den alten Senken kontinuierlich auf dem Serpulit abgesetzt, sondern auch auf denudierte, früher gehobene Schollen transgressiv ausgebreitet haben. Die Infravalanginian-See war brackisch und hat in NW-Polen typische Wealdenablagerungen abgesetzt, bei Tomaszów aber, etwas südlicher, ist das Infravalangian zwar litoral, aber rein marin ausgebildet, wobei es viele ähnlichkeit mit dem Infravalangian der Teschener Karpathen aufweist. Die Wealdensee und das karpathische Meer waren durch einen Sund verbunden, der sich über Tomaszów längs dem Polnischen Mittelgebirge gegen die Karpathen hinzog. Im Valanginian erreicht die neokome Transgression ihren Höhepunkt, es werden dunkle Tone mit reicher Hilsfauna abgesetzt; wahrscheinlich hat sich diese Transgression von Ru\land über die Polesje-Schwelle und über das westliche Polen nach Deutschland und weiter bis nach Ost-England erstreckt. Das polnische Becken stand in direkter Verbindung mit dem nordwestdeutschen; es war ebenfalls, obwohl dürftiger, mit dem karpathischen Meere verbunden; gerade hier ist der Weg zu suchen, den die Migrationen der nördlichen Elemente ins alpine Becken eingeschlagen haben. Im oberen Valanginian fängt eine Regression an, die in Zentral-Ru\land einsetzt und zu dessen Trockenlegung und zum Abschlu\ der Verbindung des polnischen Beckens mit dem Osten führt. Mit dem Anfang des Hauterivians macht sich die Regression auch in Polen fühlbar und verursacht die Verflachung des Meeres in Polen sowie den Abbruch der Verbindung mit dem karpathischen Meere, in welchem von nun ab keine nordischen eingewanderten Faunenelemente mehr erscheinen. Im oberen Hauterivian zieht sich das Meer von Polen und NO-Deutschland zurück. Auf dem neuen Lande herrscht mächtige Denudation, deren gröbere Produkte sich als sehr mächtige Flu\- und Seesande anhäufen. Das Landstadium dauert während des ganzen BarrÊme, Apt und eines Teiles des Albians an, bis zum Anfang der gro\en Gault-Transgression, die wieder in die Senken vordringt.