Oxidation of Mn(II): Initial mineralogy,oxidation state and ageing

The initial solid phase oxidation products formed during the oxidation of aqueous Mn(II) at 25°C were studied as a function of time. The analyses included morphology (TEM), mineralogy (x-ray diffraction), $\text{O}\text{Mn}$ ratio (iodometric method), oxidation state of manganese (XPS), and dissolved manganese. The initial solid formed under our conditions was Mn₃O₄ (hausmannite) which converted completely to γMnOOH (manganite) after eight months. βMnOOH (feitknechtite) appeared to be an intermediate in this transformation. The $\text{O}\text{Mn}$ ratio was initially 1.37 and increased to 1.49 over the same time span. Throughout the course of this study the XPS analyses showed that the surface of the solids (<50 Å) was dominated by Mn(III). The solution pH and dissolved manganese concentrations were consistent with disproportionation and oxidation reactions that favor the transformation of Mn₃O₄ to γMnOOH but not to γMnO₂.     

Alimentation et facteurs de mortalité des larves de corégones (Coregonus sp.). Exemple de deux lacs de niveaux trophiques différents: Les lacs de Sarnen et de Hallwil (Suisse Centrale)

Whitefish larvae (Coregonus sp.) were caught at regular intervals in 1986 and 1987 in oligotrophic Lake Sarnen, and in 1987 in eutrophic Lake Hallwil.The food spectra of the larvae in each lake were directly related to the available prey organisms.The causes for the important decrease of the larval catches in Lake Sarnen observed in 1987 are examined.There was no significant difference in the abundance and size distribution of the principal zooplankton taxa between the 1986 and 1987 samples. The effects of a sudden cooling of the surface water layer on the survival of cold-bred whitefish larvae are discussed.     

From Micro to Meso: an exercise in determining hydraulic conductivity of fractured sandstone cores from detailed characterization of the fractures

Hydraulic conductivities of fractured sandstone bore cores of 0.1 m in diameter are calculated using detailed characterization of the fracture geometry parameters determined using a resin casting technique. The accuracy of the measurements was about  0.25–1.25 μm  with the image size used. The values of the effective fracture apertures vary between 10 μm and 50 μm. For modelling purposes the samples are sectioned serially, perpendicular to the flow direction along the cylinder axis. The hydraulic conductivity of individual slices is estimated by summing the contribution of the matrix (assumed uniform) and each fracture (depending on its length and aperture). Finally, the hydraulic conductivity of the bulk sample is estimated by a harmonic average in series along the flow path. Results of this geometrical upscaling compare favourably with actual conductivity measured in hydraulic and pneumatic experiments carried out prior to sectioning. This study shows that the determination of larger-scale conductivity can be achieved, based on the evaluation of fracture geometry parameters (e.g. fracture aperture, fracture width and fracture length), measured using an optical method, at least at the laboratory scale.     

Numerical simulation of three-dimensional saltwater–freshwater fingering instabilities observed in a porous medium

We consider saltwater–freshwater fingering instabilities in a saturated porous medium. In the first part, we present three-dimensional results obtained from a laboratory experiment using non-invasive imaging. In the second part, we define a set of model problems in which the performed laboratory experiments can be ranged in. Due to its highly non-linear behavior and inevitable modeling errors, a detailed numerical reproduction of the physical concentration measurements cannot be expected. Nevertheless, four criteria have been identified, two quantitative and two qualitative, which facilitate a substantiated comparison of the physical experiment and the numerical simulation. With respect to these criteria a high degree of similarity could be observed. The use of these features allows a deeper understanding of the physical processes and the influence of the initial conditions.     

Contamination Assessment and Site-Management Tool (CAST): A Browser-Based Tool for Site Assessment

Groundwater dependency is increasing globally, while millions of potentially contaminated sites are yet to be characterized for contamination levels. In particular, groundwater contamination due to light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) continues to be a global challenge. Mathematical approaches (i.e., analytical, semi-analytical, empirical, numerical) are preferred for an initial site assessment to circumvent the high characterization costs and limited site data availability. However, the site-specific nature of contamination restricts the generalization of any single approach. Hence, the requirement is for an easy-to-use computing interface that provides site-specific data management, the selection and use of multiple-model interfaces for computing, and site characterization, with extension for the latest models as they become available. This work provides one such interface called CAST or Contamination Assessment and Site-management Tool. CAST is an open-source browser-based (online/offline) tool that provides an interface for six different analytical models (e.g., BIOSCREEN-AT), a MODFLOW based numerical model, and two empirical models (including a hybrid numerical-analytical model). Additionally, CAST includes interfaces for site data management, their evaluation, and scenario-based modeling. CAST's development is in a modular format, which simplifies the addition of new computing or data interfaces. Furthermore, the entire code-base of CAST is based on open-source (dominantly Python programming) libraries and standards. This further simplifies the modification or extension of this tool. This paper introduces CAST, its different computing, and data management interfaces and provides examples of the tool's functionality primarily for the initial evaluation of contaminated sites.     

Place cookies and setting spiders in dream cartography

This article contributes to understanding the difference between objective space and subjective place. New data models and visual methods, which make possible the comparison between dream settings, are necessary to an exploratory analysis of dreams. The subjective perception of settings is decomposed by studying dream reports, by applying a survey, and by considering related scientific literature. This leads to the construction of two data models, which are applied in dream cartography. The place cookie model features the dreamer's familiarity with the setting, being visualized in the form of concentric circles. The setting spider model is based on 26 variables, extensively characterizing the setting. These are grouped into eight factors, and visualized in a compact radar chart with eight “legs.” As a superordinate system of the setting spider, the event spider is developed, describing the whole dream scene. The proposed models and visualization methods can be transferred for real‐life events (settings).