Reaction mechanism of uranyl in the presence of zero-valent iron nanoparticles     

Olga Riba  Thomas B. Scott  Geoffrey C. Allen 《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2008,72(16):4047-4057

The current study provides an investigation of abiotic reduction of an oversaturated uranyl solution driven by iron nanoparticle oxidation. The reactivity of nano-scale zero-valent iron (ZVI) under mildly oxic conditions (1.2% O₂ and 0.0017% CO₂) was studied in 1000 ppm uranyl solution in the pH range 3-7, at reaction times from 10 min to 4 h. Reductive precipitation of UO₂ was observed as the main process responsible for the removal of uranium from solution with the kinetics of reaction becoming increasingly favourable at higher pH. Despite working with an oversaturated uranium solution, the precipitation of UO₂ occurred in preference to precipitation of UO₃·2H₂O (metaschoepite) at reaction times between 1 and 4 h and for uranyl solutions initially set up at pH ?5. Characterisation of both solid and solution phases was performed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), focused ion beam (FIB) imaging, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).  相似文献   

Measurement of stress effects (scope for growth) and contaminant levels in mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected from the Irish Sea     

Widdows J  Donkin P  Staff FJ  Matthiessen P  Law RJ  Allen YT  Thain JE  Allchin CR  Jones BR 《Marine environmental research》2002,53(4):327-356

The objective of this research was to quantify the impact of pollution along the coastlines of the Irish Sea. Pollution assessment was based on the combined measurement of scope for growth (SFG), and chemical contaminants in the tissues of mussels (Mytilus edulis) collected from 38 coastal sites around the Irish Sea during June-July in 1996 and 1997. On the UK mainland coast, the SFG showed a general trend with a significant decline in water quality in the Liverpool and Morecambe Bay region. High water quality was recorded along the west coast of Wales, as well as southwest England and northwest Scotland (clean reference sites outside the Irish Sea). Along the coast of Ireland there was a similar trend with reduced SFG within the Irish Sea region. SFG was generally low north of Duncannon and then improved north of Belfast. The poor water quality on both sides of the Irish Sea is consistent with the prevailing hydrodynamics and the spatial distribution of contaminants associated with urban/ industrial development. The decline in SFG of mussels on both sides of the Irish Sea was associated with a general increase in contaminant levels in the mussels. Certain contaminants, including PAHs, TBT, sigmaDDT, Dieldrin, gamma-HCH, PCBs, and a few of the metals (Cd, Se, Ag, Pb), showed elevated concentrations. Many of these contaminants were particularly elevated in the coastal margins of Liverpool Bay, Morecambe Bay and Dublin Bay. A quantitative toxicological interpretation (QTI) of the combined tissue residue chemistry and SFG measurements indicated that at the majority of coastal sites, c. 50 to > 80% of the observed decline in SFG was due to PAHs as a result of fossil fuel combustion and oil spills. TBT levels were highest at major ports and harbours, but these concentrations only made a minor contribution to the overall reduction in SFG. At no sites were individual metals accumulated to concentrations that could cause a significant effect on SFG. The study identified many sites where the observed reduction in SFG was far greater than predicted from the limited number of chemical contaminants analysed, thus indicating the presence of additional 'unknown toxicants'. Sewage (containing domestic, agricultural and industrial components) appears to be an important contributor to reduced SFG and linear alkylbenzenes (LABs) and As may provide suitable 'sewage markers'. There was a highly significant positive correlation between SFG and As (P < 0.001). This relationship may be due to reduced As uptake by algal food material and mussels at sites with elevated P04 concentrations (e.g. at sites with sewage inputs). Phosphate is a known competitive inhibitor of As accumulation, at least in algae. The results highlight that further research is required on 'sewage markers' in mussels. The SFG approach therefore provides a rapid, cost-effective and quantitative measure of pollution impact, as well as a means of identifying the causes through a QTI of tissue contaminants levels. It also serves to identify the presence of unidentified toxicants and areas that require further study.  相似文献   

A modelling study of ecosystem dynamics and nutrient cycling in the Humber plume, UK     

J. I. Allen   《Journal of Sea Research》1997,38(3-4)

The European Regional Seas Ecosystem Model (ERSEM) has been coupled with a two-dimensional depth-averaged transport model of the Humber plume region and run to simulate 1988–1989. Simulations of the spatial and temporal variations in chlorophyll-a, nitrate, phosphate and suspended particulate matter distributions in winter, spring and summer show how the development of the spring bloom and subsequent maintenance of primary production is controlled by the physicochemical environment of the plume zone. Results are also shown for two stations, one characterised by the high nutrient and suspended matter concentrations of the plume and the other by the relatively low nutrient and sediment concentrations of the offshore waters. The modelled net primary production at the plume site was 105 g C m⁻² a⁻¹ and 127 g C m⁻² a⁻¹ offshore. Primary production was controlled by light limitation between October and March and by the availability of nutrients during the rest of the year. The phytoplankton nutrient demand is met by in-situ recycling processes during the summer. The likely effect of increasing and decreasing anthropogenic riverine inputs of nitrate and phosphate upon ecosystem function was also investigated. Modelling experiments indicate that increasing the nitrogen to silicate ratio in freshwater inputs increased the production of non-siliceous phytoplankton in the plume. The results of this model have been used to calculate the annual and quarterly mass balances describing the usage of inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and silicate within the plume zone for the period of the NERC North Sea survey (September 1988 to October 1989). The modelled Humber plume retains 3.9% of the freshwater dissolved inorganic nitrogen, 2.2% of the freshwater phosphate and 1.3% of the freshwater silicate input over the simulated seasonal cycle. The remainder is transported into the southern North Sea in either dissolved or particulate form. The reliability of these results is discussed.  相似文献   

Reconstruction of ancient sea conditions with an example from the Swiss Molasse     

Philip A Allen 《Marine Geology》1984,60(1-4):455-473

Ancient sea conditions can be estimated from the grain size, spacing and steepness of preserved ripple-marks. The element of greatest uncertainty in such reconstructions is the relationship between near-bed orbital diameter of water particles and the ripple spacing. This relationship is simple for vortex ripples of high steepness but is problematical for the low-steepness forms known as post-vortex, rolling-grain or anorbital ripples.

The existence field for wave ripples is between the threshold velocity for sediment movement and the onset of sheet flow, most low-steepness forms occurring close to the bed planation threshold. A range of maximum period of formative waves can be obtained using combinations of orbital diameter and orbital velocity, assuming linear wave theory to be a reasonable approximation.

Probable wave heights, wave lengths and water depths can be investigated using the transformation of wave parameters in shallowing waters and the constraints on wave dimensions provided by the wave-breaking condition. Given reasonable estimates of wave height, crude estimates of wave power allow a comparison of ancient wave-influenced sequences with modern counterparts.

Wave ripple-marks preserved in the Upper Marine Molasse of western Switzerland have been investigated. Results, which are in agreement with regional geology, suggest deposition in a seaway of approximately 100 km width, where moderate period waves (T = 3–6 s) were generated. The depositional facies belts were adjusted to the prevailing waves, tides and fluvial outflows.  相似文献   

Sublethal effects of oiled sediment on the sand worm, Nereis (neanthes) virens: Induced changes in burrowing and emergence     

Bori L. Olla  Allen J. Bejda  Anne L. Studholme  Walter H. Pearson 《Marine environmental research》1984,13(2):121-139

The burrowing and emergence behavior of sand worms, Nereis (Neanthes) virens Sars, in sediment contaminated with sublethal concentrations of Prudhoe Bay crude oil ranging from 74 to 5222 ppm, was studied in the laboratory. Initial burrowing in oiled sediment did not differ from that observed in unoiled sediment. Emergence of exposed worms was related to the oil concentration and the extent of weathering of oiled sediment. Sand worms buried in unoiled sediment did not emerge. Worms dug from oiled sediment after 12 hours' exposure and placed on unoiled sediment were impaired, resulting in a significant increase in time to burrow. However, after 12h, they recovered and burrowed at normal rates. Worms held in oiled sediment for 96 h also recovered. Possible causes for recovery are discussed. Results suggest that oil-induced aberrations may increase vulnerability to predation.  相似文献   

Anglerfish catchability for swept-area abundance estimates in a new survey trawl     

Reid  D. G.; Allen  V. J.; Bova  D. J.; Jones  E. G.; Kynoch  R. J.; Peach  K. J.; Fernandes  P. G.; Turrell  W. R. 《ICES Journal of Marine Science》2007,64(8):1503-1511

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Target-strength measurements of Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) in Canadian waters using quasi-ideal and conventional beam transducers     

Hamano  Akira; Sasakura  Toyoki; Kieser  Robert; Cooke  Ken; Kubota  Katsuhiko; Clay  Allen 《ICES Journal of Marine Science》1996,53(2):273-279

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Experimental investigation on a two-part underwater towed system     

Jiaming Wu  Allen T. Chwang 《Ocean Engineering》2001,28(6)

An experimental set-up is developed and proved to be effective for laboratory study of an underwater towed system. The experimental technique gives a practical method for monitoring the kinematic and dynamic performance of an underwater towed system in a ship towing tank. Both the theoretical and experimental results in the investigation indicate that the hydrodynamic response of a towed vehicle to the wave induced motion of a towing ship can be significantly reduced by applying a two-part tow method. A comparison of the numerical and experimental results in the investigation demonstrates that the numerical simulation results are close to the experimental data, overall agreement between experimental and theoretical results is satisfactory. The results qualitatively verify the mathematical model of a two-part underwater towed system proposed by Wu and Chwang [Wu, J., Chwang, A.T., 2000. A hydrodynamic model of a two-part underwater towed system. Ocean Engineering 27 (5), 455–472].  相似文献   

Environmental issues with Australian ports     

Sam Bateman 《Ocean & Coastal Management》1996,33(1-3)

Ports and shipping operations are under increased environmental scrutiny in Australia, particularly as so many of Australia's ports and shipping routes are located in or near major environmentally sensitive areas. The environmental risks involved have been highlighted by the publicity given to shipping accidents. Environmental regulations over aspects of port operations, including ballast water management, dredge spoil and waste reception, are also becoming stricter. While port authorities have adopted stringent environmental guidelines, they remain concerned that the full impact of proposed new environmental regulations on maritime industry may not be fully understood. This paper discusses some of the issues involved with achieving a balance between environmental protection and the need to recognise the importance of seaborne trade to Australia and to maintain Australia's competitiveness in international trade.  相似文献   

Variability in maturity and growth in a heavily exploited stock: cod (Gadus morhua L.) in the Irish Sea     

Armstrong  M.J; Gerritsen  H.D; Allen  M; McCurdy  W.J; Peel  J.A.D 《ICES Journal of Marine Science》2004,61(1):98-112

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