Bioaugmentation and Propane Biosparging for In Situ Biodegradation of 1,4‐Dioxane

Propane biosparging and bioaugmentation were applied to promote in situ biodegradation of 1,4‐dioxane at Site 24, Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), CA. Laboratory microcosm and enrichment culture testing demonstrated that although native propanotrophs appeared abundant in the shallow water‐bearing unit of the aquifer (8 to 23 ft below ground surface [bgs]), they were difficult to be enriched from a deeper water‐bearing unit (82 to 90 feet bgs). Bioaugmentation with the propanotroph Rhodococcus ruber ENV425, however, supported 1,4‐dioxane biodegradation in microcosms constructed with samples from the deep aquifer. For field testing, a propane‐biosparging system consisting of a single sparging well and four performance monitoring wells was constructed in the deep aquifer. 1,4‐dioxane biodegradation began immediately after bioaugmentation with R. ruber ENV425 (36 L; 4 × 10⁹ cells/mL), and apparent first‐order decay rates for 1,4‐dioxane ranged from 0.021 day^?1 to 0.036 day^?1. First‐order propane consumption rates increased from 0.01 to 0.05 min^?1 during treatment. 1,4‐dioxane concentrations in the sparging well and two of the performance monitoring wells were reduced from as high as 1090 µg/L to <2 µg/L, while 1,4‐dioxane concentration was reduced from 135 µg/L to 7.3 µg/L in a more distal third monitoring well. No 1,4‐dioxane degradation was observed in the intermediate aquifer control well even though propane and oxygen were present. The demonstration showed that propane biosparging and bioaugmentation can be used for in situ treatment of 1,4‐dioxane to regulatory levels.     

Field Test of Enhanced Remedial Amendment Delivery Using a Shear‐Thinning Fluid

Heterogeneity of hydraulic properties in aquifers may lead to contaminants residing in lower‐permeability zones where it is difficult to deliver remediation amendments using conventional injection processes. The focus of this study is to examine use of a shear‐thinning fluid (STF) to improve the uniformity of remedial amendment distribution within a heterogeneous aquifer. Previous studies have demonstrated the significant potential of STFs for improving remedial amendment delivery in heterogeneous aquifers, but quantitative evaluation of these improvements from field applications is lacking. A field‐scale test was conducted that compares data from successive injection of a tracer in water followed by injection of a tracer in an STF to evaluate the impact of the STF on tracer distribution uniformity in the presence of permeability contrasts within the targeted injection zone. Data from tracer breakthrough at multiple depth‐discrete monitoring intervals and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) showed that inclusion of STF in the injection solution improved the distribution of the injected fluid within the targeted treatment zone. One improvement was a reduction in the movement of injected fluids through high‐permeability pathways, as evidenced by slower breakthrough of tracer at monitoring locations where breakthrough in baseline tracer‐only injection data was faster. In addition, STF‐amended injection solutions arrived faster and to a greater extent in monitoring locations within low‐permeability zones. ERT data showed that the STF injection covered a higher percentage of a two‐dimensional cross section within the injection interval between the injection well and a monitoring well about 3 m away.     

Martian post-impact hydrothermal systems incorporating freezing

We simulate the evolution of post-impact hydrothermal systems within 45 km and 90 km diameter craters on Mars. We focus on the effects of freezing, which alters the permeability structure and fluid flow compared with unfrozen cases. Discharge rates, total discharge and water-rock ratios increase with permeability. Systems with permeabilities of 10⁻¹⁰ m² or higher exhibit convection in the hydrosphere, allowing them to derive heat from greater depths. Surface discharges persist for ∼10³-10⁵ years under freezing surface conditions, with higher permeabilities permitting longer lifetimes. Maximum discharge rates and total discharges range from 0.1 to 10 m³ s⁻¹ and 10⁹ to 10¹² m³, respectively, for systems with permeabilities between 10⁻¹⁴ and 10⁻¹² m². Near-surface water-rock ratios range from <1 for low permeability, frozen cases to ∼10³ for high permeabilities and/or unfrozen cases. Propagation of the freezing front radially inwards focuses flow towards the center of the crater resulting in a diagnostic increase in water-rock ratios there. This process may explain the phyllosilicate assemblages observed at some crater central peaks.     

Use of cyanobacteria for in-situ resource use in space applications

The regolith of other planetary bodies, such as the Moon and Mars, is rich in inorganic elements that could potentially be exploited for space applications. Lithotrophic microorganisms that are capable of utilising rocks as a growth substrate, and facilitate the extraction of elements, are ideal candidates for in-situ resource use. Of particular interest are the cyanobacteria, which have been suggested for applications, such as oxygen, fuel and biomass production, nutrient acquisition, and feedstock provisions. In this study, Gloeocapsa strain OU_20, isolated from a rock-dwelling community exposed to low Earth orbit; Leptolyngbya strain OU_13 and Phormidium strain OU_10, both isolated from a rock-dwelling community exposed to Mars simulated conditions; Chroococcidiopsis 029; Arthrospira platensis; Synechococcus elongatus; and Anabaena cylindrica, were examined as potential organisms for space in-situ resource use. Volcanic rocks, including basalt (low in SiO₂) analogous to martian and lunar basalt, rhyolite (high in SiO₂), and anorthosite analogous to lunar regolith were used as growth substrates. The growth rate and rock dissolution were significantly lower with rhyolite demonstrating the importance of silica content in defining the potential for in-situ resource use. Biological weathering resulted in the release of bio-essential elements from the rock matrix, highlighting the potential of cyanobacteria for applications such as bio-mining and nutrient acquisition, on other planets. A. cylindrica produced the maximum biomass with the three rock-types and the optimal value was obtained with the basalt. Exposure experiments demonstrated that A. cylindrica, Chroococcidiopsis 029, Gloeocapsa strain OU_20, Phormidium strain OU_10, and Leptolyngbya strain OU_13 were able to survive 28 days of exposure to desiccation and Mars simulated conditions, which is beneficial in case of system malfunction and for storage. The results from this study indicate that cyanobacteria can potentially be used for in-situ planetary resource acquisition.     

Stress relaxation of grouted entirely large diameter B-GFRP soil nail

One of the potential solutions to steel-corrosion-related problems is the usage of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) as a replacement of steel bars. In the past few decades, researchers have conducted a large number of experimental and theoretical studies on the behavior of small size glass fiber reinforce polymer (GFRP) bars (diameter smaller than 20 mm). However, the behavior of large size GFRP bar is still not well understood. Particularly, few studies were conducted on the stress relaxation of grouted entirely large diameter GFRP soil nail. This paper investigates the effect of stress levels on the relaxation behavior of GFRP soil nail under sustained deformation ranging from 30% to 60% of its ultimate strain. In order to study the behavior of stress relaxation, two B-GFRP soil nail element specimens were developed and instrumented with fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors which were used to measure strains along the B-GFRP bars. The test results reveal that the behavior of stress relaxation of B-GFRP soil nail element subjected to pre-stress is significantly related to the elapsed time and the initial stress of relaxation procedure. The newly proposed model for evaluating stress relaxation ratio can substantially reflect the influences of the nature of B-GFRP bar and the property of grip body. The strain on the nail body can be redistributed automatically. Modulus reduction is not the single reason for the stress degradation.     

Effects of crayfish (Paranephrops planifrons: Parastacidae) on in‐stream processes and benthic faunas: A density manipulation experiment

The effects of New Zealand freshwater crayfish or koura (Paranephrops planifrons: Parastacidae) on organic matter processing, sediment accumulation, and benthic invertebrate communities were investigated using four replicate treatments of 0 (control), 4–5 (medium), and 8–11 (high) similar‐sized koura in 0.5 m² artificial stream channels colonised by benthic invertebrates from a pasture stream, Waikato, New Zealand. Wineberry (Aristotelia serrata) leaf packs were placed in each channel and after 7 weeks the leaf matter remaining was significantly lower in both medium and high koura channels than in controls. The amount of sediment (surficial cover by fines and weight of suspendable sediment) was also significantly reduced in high koura density channels. Densities of invertebrates other than crayfish were not significantly different among treatments; however, taxa richness and invertebrate biomass were significantly lower in high koura channels than in controls. Our results suggest that freshwater koura may play a keystone role in structuring benthic invertebrate communities either directly through predation, or indirectly by sediment bioturbation and increasing organic matter processing rates.     

Stratigraphic Framework and Heavy Minerals of the Continental Shelf of Onslow and Long Bays,North Carolina

One hundred fourteen vibracores from the Atlantic continental shelf offshore of southeastern North Carolina were opened, described, and processed over several contract years (years 6-9) of the Minerals Management Service Association of American State Geologists Continental Margins program. Reports for years 9 and 10 of the program compiled the results of the work and assembled the data for release as an interactive CD-ROM report, respectively. The continental shelf of Onslow and Long Bays consists predominantly of outcropping Cretaceous through late Tertiary geologic units. Nearshore these units are covered and incised by late Tertiary and Quaternary units. From oldest to youngest, formally recognized geologic units mapped as part of this study are the Late Cretaceous Peedee Formation a muddy, fine-to medium-grained quartz sand with trace amounts of glauconite and phosphate; the Paleocene Beaufort Forma tion a muddy, fine-to medium-grained glauconitic quartz sand with locally occurring turritelid-mold biosparrudite; the middle Eocene Castle Hayne Forma tion a sandy bryozoan biomicrudite and biosparrudite; the Oligocene River Bend Formation a sandy molluscan-mold biosparrudite; and the Miocene Pungo River Formation a medium-grained, poorly sorted slightly shelly phosphatic sand. Infor mal units include a very widespread, unnamed fine-to very fine grained, well-sorted, dolomitic muddy quartz sand that is biostratigraphically equivalent to the Oligocene River Bend Formation; several large valley-fill lithosomes composed of biomicrudite, biomicrite, and biosparrudite of Plio Pleistocene age; muddy, shelly sands and silty clays of Pliocene, Pleistocene, or mixed Plio Pleistocene age; and loose, slightly shelly, medium- to coarse-grained sands assigned a Holocene age. Heavy minerals (SG>2.96) comprise an average of 0.54 wt % (on a bulk-sam ple basis) of the sediments in 306 samples derived from the 114 vibracores. Heavy-mineral content ranges from <0.01 to 3.69 wt %. The economic heavy mineral content (EHM ilmenite zircon rutile aluminosilicates leucoxene [altered ilmenite] monazite) of the bulk samples averages 0.26 wt % in a range of <0.01-1.70 wt %. As a percentage of the heavy-mineral concentrate, the average EHM value is 45.78 % in a range of 0.27-68.60 %. The distribution of heavy minerals offshore of southeastern North Carolina is controlled by the lithostratigraphic framework. The unnamed Oligocene sand unit has the highest heavy-mineral content, averaging 0.86 wt % on a bulk-sample basis. The remaining geologic units and their heavy-mineral content (in decreasing order of abundance) are Beaufort (0.64 %), Holocene sand (0.60 %), Plio-Pleistocene muddy sand and silty clay (0.59 %), Peedee (0.42 %), River Bend (0.34 %), Plio-Pleistocene carbonate (0.12 %), and Castle Hayne (0.08 %). The heavy-mineral assemblage is fairly consistent throughout the different units. Significantly smaller percentages of heavy minerals correlate with increased amounts of CaCO3 in the sediments. The sediments analyzed in this study have significantly lower overall heavymineral content, as well as lower EHM content than sediments that are known to host commercially important heavy-mineral deposits in the southeastern United States. The potential for economic deposits of heavy minerals in the area of this study, therefore, appears to be limited.     

Characterization of marine aggregates off Waikiki,O'ahu,Hawai'i

Researchers at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa have been working for the past several years to develop the necessary techniques for finding and quantitatively characterizing offshore unconsolidated carbonate deposits with potential for beach nourishment and use in construction aggregates for tropical island communities. This article examines particular results of this research, with special attention given to the area offshore from Waikiki Beach. Acoustic surveying, water‐jet probing to measure the thickness of unconsolidated material and three different sampling methods were used in this study. Two separate seismic systems were used for the subbottom profiling survey, a Datasonics Bubble‐Pulser® system and a broad‐band, frequency‐modulated ("chirp") prototype system.

The following conclusions were reached. (1) Many different types of sediment underlie tropical island carbonate sand deposits and serve as refusing horizons to jet probing. Examples include consolidated or unconsolidated reef debris, beach rock, cemented sand, and various types of conglomerates formed from rhodoliths (coralline algae) or reef detritus. (2) Massive coral growth over clastic deposits is not a common offshore feature in this area, though it does occur in some areas off the Reef Runway. (3) Matrices of the coral Porites compressa, in‐filled with sand, may have acoustic properties similar to those of the sand bodies. Such deposits may be difficult to distinguish from unconsolidated deposits from seismic records alone. (4) Significant new prospects for offshore aggregates were found in the insular shelf offshore from Southern O'ahu. A total of 5,100,000 m³ were mapped off Waikiki. The Makua Shelf deposits in this area presently appear to be the best prospects for commercial development.     

The Skaergaard liquid line of descent revisited

There is a fundamental conflict between the suggestion that the iron content of Skaergaard liquids increases during Fe–Ti oxide fractionation and the observation that at the same time oxygen fugacity () drops by two log-units below the fayalite-magnetite-quartz oxygen buffer (FMQ). A new petrographic study of average Skaergaard gabbros shows that the total modal content of Fe–Ti oxides is about 22% in the early LZc and markedly decreases to below 5% in the UZc. Forward modeling based on these modal constraints, as well as experimental results on Skaergaard-related dikes, predicts that fractionation of troctolitic LZa gabbros drives the derivative liquid towards a high-iron content. Strong iron enrichment continues, together with a small decline in silica, during LZb crystallization due to the appearance of augite as a fractionating phase. The fractionation of Fe–Ti oxides in the LZc initially suppresses iron enrichment and reverses the silica trend to one of slight enrichment. However, continued evolution into the UZ produces liquids with maximum UZc FeO* content of 23–25 wt.% and SiO₂ content of 53 wt.% (FeO* is total iron as FeO). The maximum in FeO* is dependent on several factors of which the Fe–Ti oxide mode has the strongest effect. The during crystallization of the LZc is widely thought to have been at, or slightly below, the fayalite-magnetite-quartz oxygen buffer (FMQ). Under closed system evolution, incorporation of ferric iron into augite during formation of the LZb restricts the increase in to about 0.1 log-units above FMQ (=0.1 ΔFMQ). Likewise, crystallization of the LZc through the UZa, involving Fe–Ti oxide minerals, leads to a decline in of less than 0.1 ΔFMQ. Crystallization of the UZb-c gabbros results in oxidation to a maximum of 0.5 ΔFMQ. This behavior can account for the iron-rich character of the UZ gabbros, as well as, the low modal content of Fe–Ti oxides. Thus, evolved Skaergaard liquids are high in iron and contain a modest amount of SiO₂. Our modeling result do not account for a strong drop in through the layered series. Such a drop would require an unacceptably high proportion of Fe–Ti oxides and high-magnetite content in the fractionating assemblage. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.