A review of the effects of particle types on oil-suspended particulate matter aggregate formation

Oil-suspended particulate matter aggregate (OSA) can form naturally when oil and particles interact. The interaction between oil and suspended particulate matter makes oil less sticky, and facilitates its dispersion in the water column. The high oil-water surface contact enhances the biodegradation of oil and thus increases the efficiency of remediation processes. There are many factors that affect OSA formation, but, particle type is one of the most important. Because different particle types have different physical, chemical, and biological properties, their interactions with oil differ greatly. Particle properties such as interlayer spaces, hydrophobicity, surface charges, polarity, organic content, and size affect the interactions between materials and oil. These different interactions determine the type, buoyancy, size, and stability of OSA that forms, thus determining its fate in the environment. This review provides a current understanding of (1) OSA formation mechanisms, (2) sources and classes of marine materials, (3) oil-particle interactions, (4) material properties and their effects on oil interaction, and (5) future research needs.     

Practical methods of extreme value estimation based on measured time series for ocean systems

Three practical methods for computing the expected maxima of Gaussian time series for ocean system analysis are developed. These methods utilize Pierce's sample scaling concept to overcome the maxima counting and correlation difficulties, but minimize the associated complexity and uncertainties. The first (Direct) method removes the dependence on the envelope for maxima estimation of the time series by directly operating on the time series itself. The second (Poisson clumping) employs the notion of sample scaling factor, but requires neither computing the envelope nor segmenting. The third (Log-fit) is a simple logarithm curve fitting, using the slowly varying, logarithmic growth property of the expected maximum. The accuracy and computational efficiency of these methods are examined. The Direct method and the Poisson clumping method are found to have comparable accuracy. Employment of the envelope does not improve the accuracy of the estimate in practice. Hence, the Direct method and the Poisson clumping method should be preferred. The Poisson clumping method is more efficient than both the Direct method and Pierce's method because of its straightforwardness in implementation. The Log-fit method is the simplest to implement, and computationally the most efficient. Its accuracy is acceptable for many engineering preliminary designs.     

Certification of ERM‐EB400, the First Matrix Reference Material for Lead Isotope Amount Ratios,and ERM‐AE142, a Lead Solution Providing a Lead Isotopic Composition at the Edge of Natural Variation

Lead isotope amount ratios are commonly used in diverse fields such as archaeometry, geochemistry and forensic science. Currently, five reference materials with certified lead isotope amount ratios are available, namely NIST SRM 981, 982 and 983, GBW‐04442 and NMIJ 3681‐a. Only NIST SRM 981 and NMIJ 3681‐a have approximately natural isotopic compositions, and NIST SRM 981 is predominantly used for correcting mass discrimination/mass fractionation in the applied mass spectrometric procedures. Consequently, there is no other certified reference material available to be used for validation and/or quality control of the analytical procedures applied to lead isotope amount ratio measurements. To fill this gap, two new reference materials have been produced and certified for their lead isotope amount ratios. For both certified reference materials, complete uncertainty budgets have been calculated and SI traceability has been established. This provides the users with independent means for validating and verifying their analytical procedures and for conducting quality control measures. ERM‐EB400 is a bronze material with a nominal lead mass fraction of 45 mg kg^?1 and certified lead isotope amount ratios of n(²⁰⁶Pb)/n(²⁰⁴Pb) = 18.072(17) mol mol^?1, n(²⁰⁷Pb)/n(²⁰⁴Pb) = 15.578(18) mol mol^?1 and n(²⁰⁸Pb)/n(²⁰⁴Pb) = 38.075(46) mol mol^?1 with the associated expanded uncertainties (k = 2) given in brackets. ERM‐AE142 is a high‐purity solution of lead in 2% nitric acid with a nominal mass fraction of 100 mg kg^?1 and certified Pb isotope amount ratios of n(²⁰⁶Pb)/n(²⁰⁴Pb) = 21.114(17) mol mol^?1, n(²⁰⁷Pb)/n(²⁰⁴Pb) = 15.944(17) mol mol^?1 and n(²⁰⁸Pb)/n(²⁰⁴Pb) = 39.850(44) mol mol^?1 with the associated expanded uncertainties (k = 2) given in brackets. Both materials are specifically designed to fall within the natural lead isotopic variation and to assist users with the validation and verification of their analytical procedures. Note that while one of these reference materials requires the chemical separation of Pb from its matrix (ERM‐EB400), the other does not (ERM‐AE142). As additional information, δ^208/206Pb_{NIST SRM981} values are provided for both materials. For ERM‐AE142, a delta value of δ^208/206Pb_{NIST SRM981} = ?28.21(30)‰ was obtained, and for ERM‐EB400, a delta value of δ^208/206Pb_NIST SRM981= ?129.47(38)‰ was obtained, with the associated expanded uncertainties (k = 2) given in brackets.     

Sedimentary evidence of Late Holocene human activity in the Pearl River delta,China

This study examines the sedimentary evidence of human activities during the last 4000 years in the Pearl River deltaic area. The analyses are focused on indentifying agricultural signatures present in the sedimentary record and establishing the timing of a change from a simple, rice‐based agriculture to a more advanced, diverse agriculture. The examination is based on modern sediment and plant samples and a sediment core collected from the deltaic area. The analyses include particle size and diatom analysis to determine the environmental conditions that were associated with the period of human activities. Organic carbon isotope ratios and major metal elements reveal an expansion in commercial crop production and metal smelting in the Pearl River delta area about 2000 years ago. The input of organic matter from introduced sugarcane, a C4 plant, elevates the bulk organic carbon isotope values in the estuarine sediments above that represented by other common agricultural crops in the study area, including rice, banana and lotus, which are all C3 plants. The increase in bulk organic isotopic value coincides with the rise in the concentration of copper, iron and lead in the sedimentary sequence, suggesting a wider use of metal tools. These results indicate that advanced agriculture started about 2000 years ago as an expansion in human population took place in the area. This record also provides sedimentary evidence that help ascertain the timing and type of human activities that are linked to subsequent land reclamation on the deltaic plain, resulting in rapid shoreline advancement in the last 2000 years. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seismic response of rotating machines–structure–RFBI systems

The seismic response of a critical rotating machine either rigidly attached to a floor or independently isolated housed within an initially aseismically designed or uncontrolled structure are investigated. A particular isolation system, the Resilient‐Friction Base Isolator (RFBI), is employed. Finite element formulations of a rotor‐disk‐bearing model on a rigid base are developed. The equations of motion for the combined rotating machine–structure–RFBI systems are presented. Parametric studies are performed to investigate the effects of variations in system physical properties including friction coefficient, mass ratio, shaft flexibility, bearing rigidity, bearing damping and speed of rotation on the response of rotating machines for the combined rotating machine–structure–isolator systems. Comparative studies in the peak response of the rotating machine supported on various isolation systems and the corresponding fixed base system are carried out. The study indicates that the Resilient‐Friction Base Isolator can significantly reduce the seismic response of rotating components to potentially damaging ground excitations. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Finite element simulations of seismic effects on retaining walls with liquefiable backfills

Finite element simulations of two centrifuge tests on the same cantilever retaining wall model holding liquefiable backfill were conducted using the Biot formulation‐based program DIANA–SWANDYNE II. To demonstrate the effects due to different pore fluids in seismic centrifuge experiments, water was used as the pore fluid in one experiment whereas a substitute pore fluid was used in the second experiment. The cantilever wall model parameters were determined by comparing simulations with measurements from free‐vibration tests performed on the model wall without backfill. The initial stress conditions for dynamic analysis for the soil backfill were obtained by simulating static loads on the retaining wall from the soil backfill. Level‐ground centrifuge model results were used to select the parameters of the Pastor–Zienkiewicz mark III constitutive model used in the dynamic simulations of the soil. The effects due to different pore fluids were captured well by the simulations. The magnitudes of excess pore pressures in the soil, lateral thrust and its line of action on the wall, and wall bending strains, deflections, and accelerations were predicted well. Predictions of settlements and accelerations in the backfill were less satisfactory. Relatively high levels of Rayleigh damping were needed to be used in the retaining wall simulations in order to obtain numerically stable results, which is one of the shortcomings of the model. The procedure may be used for engineering purpose dealing with seismic analysis of flexible retaining walls where lateral pressures, bending strains and deflections in the wall are typically of importance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Assessing regional virtual water flows and water footprints in the Yellow River Basin, China: A consumption based approach

The Yellow River, the second longest river in China, is facing increasing water scarcity due to rising water consumption of a fast growing economy and an increasingly urbanized population with water-intensive consumption patterns. The Yellow River Basin (YRB) is divided into three regions: the upper, middle and lower reaches; each with very different characteristics in terms of water resources, economic structure and household income and consumption patterns. Virtual water has been recognised as a potentially useful concept for redistributing water from water-rich to water-poor regions. In this study, we develop a Multi-Regional Input-Output model (MRIO) to assess the regional virtual water flows between the three reaches of the basin and the rest of China distinguishing green and blue water, as well as rural and urban household water footprints. Results show that all three reaches are net virtual water exporter, i.e. production and consumption activities outside the basin also put pressure on the water resources in the YRB. The results suggest a reduction of the export of virtual blue water that could instead be used for producing higher value added but lower water-intensive goods. In particular, the lower reach as the most water scarce region in the basin should increase the import of water intensive goods, such as irrigated crops and processed food products, from other more water abundant regions such as the South of China. Thus, trading virtual water can help sustain the economic growth of the regions within the basin thus easing the pressure from water shortage. In addition, there is a huge gap between urban and rural household water footprints in the basin. The average urban household’s water footprint is more than double the water footprint of a rural household in the basin. This is due to the higher urban household consumption of water-intensive goods and services, such as processed food products, wearing apparel and footwear, hotel and catering services and electricity.