Metal accumulation in mussels of the Kuril Islands, north-west Pacific Ocean

Concentrations of cadmium, copper, iron, lead, manganese, nickel and zinc were investigated in two species of mussel from the Kuril Islands in the north-western Pacific Ocean: the short-lived mussel Mytilus trossulus and the much larger and longer-lived Crenomytilus grayanus. The concentrations of most elements were low, and these reported levels are believed to reflect background values for pristine locations. However, both iron and zinc concentrations were elevated in some samples taken from areas of hydrothermal vent activity, and these are believed to reflect the enrichment of the two metals in solution at such sites. Furthermore, the concentrations of cadmium were unusually elevated in both species of mussel, especially in the longer-lived C. grayanus. The high accumulation of cadmium in mussels from the Kuril Islands is believed to reflect regional upwelling, but it is also postulated that filtration rates of the mussels are high due to low levels of suspended matter, and this leads to a high assimilation efficiency for cadmium. The distribution of cadmium amongst the tissues of C. grayanus is also reported, and the need for further ecotoxicological studies in the area is proposed.     

Variability of the Blazar 4C 38.41 in 2006–2017

The results of multicolor photometric and polarization observations of the blazar 4C 38.41 (Q 1633+382) performed at St. Petersburg State University, the Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Boston University, and Steward Observatory in 2006–2017 are analyzed. Separate variable sources responsible for the observed activity are distinguished, whose power-lawspectra and high degree of polarization confirm their synchrotron nature. The observed color variability of the object (redder when brighter) can be explained by an increase in the contribution to the total emission of a red component with variable flux and a constant relative spectral energy distribution. A close correlation between the optical and gamma-ray light curves is identified, suggesting the same location of the variable sources responsible for the radiation in these bands.

     

Biomorphic microstructures of ferromanganese stromatolites

It was found as a result of detailed study of ferromanganese stromatolites that columnar formations, i.e., fossilized stratified bacterial tufts with rhythmically alternating layers of glycocalyx, accumulations of filamentous bacteria, and lens-shaped two-layered (alternation of homogeneous microlayers with porous ones containing filamentous bacteria trichomes) packages, serve as the basis for stromatolite buildup.     

On the estimation of volume of strain in earthquakes

Summary A relation between the volume of strain and the area of faulting in earthquakes has been derived. An empirical linear relationship between the magnitudeM of an earthquake and the logarithm of the volume of strainV has been obtained using data from 20 earthquakes.     

UTCHEM model application for prediction of crude oil removal from contaminated sand columns

Soil pollution by crude oil is a challenging environmental issue for oil producing countries. Several methods have been developed for remediation of the contaminated soil including washing with different detergents. In this work, we applied UTCHEM simulator model to the sand columns polluted by 10000 and 30000 ppm of crude oil which was treated with 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 wt% of a biological detergent, saponin. The results showed a good agreement between simulated and pilot study. The maximum remediation was 61% with a pH of 9 when we utilized 0.2 wt% saponin for the column contaminated with 30000 ppm of crude oil. 47% remediation was achieved with a pH of 9 when 0.1wt% of detergent was applied to the same column. Sensitivity analysis indicated an increase in remediation by increasing the pH with the optimum pH of 11. The best possible concentrations of surfactant solutions were 0.1 and 0.2 wt% for 10000 and 30000 ppm pollution, respectively, resulting in crude oil removal efficiencies of 69% and 72%, respectively. Simulation results also indicated that an increase in the permeability of the sand columns would also result in an increased remediation.     

Design Screening Tools for Passive Funnel and Gate Systems

The funnel and gate remediation concept (Star and Cherry 1993) represents a promising, yet relatively under-developed, technology for the passive control and in situ remediation of contaminated ground water. Effective design and implementation of such a system may, however, prove difficult under conditions of large or unpredictable variations in contaminant migration or ground water flow.
Numerical modeling of two-dimensional ground water flow has been used to predict the hydraulic performance of passive, straight, or winged funnel and gate configurations over a range of hydrogeologic and ambient ground water flow conditions. The results of these analyses were used to construct generic correlation diagrams relating upstream capture zone or gale through put to the barrier, gale, and aquifer characteristics. These diagrams serve as useful screening tools to (1) quantitatively estimate the capture zone of pre-determined funnel and gale configurations, or (2) develop preliminary funnel and gale designs that will yield a desired capture zone, independent of aquifer characteristics.     

WHAT ABOUT GROUND WATER?

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article by Ralph C. Heath which appeared in the January 1973 issue of the North Carolina Engineer is another excellent example of how ground-water geologists and hydrologists should and must speak out in their communities in support of ground-water development.