The participation of core stakeholders in the design of,and challenges to,the US Clean Power Plan     

Ramiro Berardo  Federico Holm 《Climate Policy》2018,18(9):1152-1164

We examine the participation of stakeholders in the rule-making process leading to the design of the US Clean Power Plan (CPP), which was the cornerstone regulation developed during the Obama administration to lower GHG emissions from power plants in the US. Using publicly available information, we identify the core stakeholders that participated in the different stages of the rulemaking process, from the early draft of the rule to its publication in final form, and examine variables that could help explain their decisions to litigate, either against or in favour of the final version of the rule. We show that the ‘pro-CPP’ stakeholders were (a) more likely to participate during the early stages of the rule-making process, attending meetings with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff to discuss rule content, and (b) less likely to get involved during the litigation process. ‘Anti-CPP’ stakeholders, on the other hand, did the opposite, being in general less active during the rulemaking stages, and more active during the litigation stage. However, we also find that the ‘anti-CPP’ stakeholders were more tightly organized as a coalition when compared to the ‘pro-CPP’ stakeholders throughout the process (even in the early stages when they participated less). Our results shed new light on the way advocacy coalitions operate in the climate policy subsystem in the US, and help inform debates about the likelihood of conflict and cooperation across a variety of environmental policy topics.

Key policy insights

• The design of the Clean Power Plan was a long and contentious process in which ‘Pro’ and ‘Anti-CPP’ coalitions operated to support and undermine the rule, respectively.

• ‘Pro-CPP’ stakeholders were more active in meetings organized to discuss the CPP with EPA staff, and in submitting written comments.

• ‘Anti-CPP’ stakeholders were more active during litigation, in response to perceived EPA overreach in designing the rule and negative financial impacts on states’ economies.

• Joint participation by ‘Anti-CPP’ stakeholders in meetings conveyed by the EPA to discuss the potential content of the rule helps explain their joint litigation efforts, which hints at their considerable capacity to self-organize as a coalition throughout the process.

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High efficacy on diclofenac removal by activated carbon produced from potato peel waste     

M. Bernardo  S. Rodrigues  N. Lapa  I. Matos  F. Lemos  M. K. S. Batista  A. P. Carvalho  I. Fonseca 《International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology》2016,13(8):1989-2000

In the present study, a novel porous carbon obtained by K₂CO₃ activation of potato peel waste under optimized conditions was applied for the first time as liquid-phase adsorbent of sodium diclofenac in parallel with a commercial activated carbon. The biomass-activated carbon presented an apparent surface area of 866 m² g^?1 and well-developed microporous structure with a large amount of ultramicropores. The obtained carbon presented leaching and ecotoxicological properties compatible with its safe application to aqueous medium. Kinetic data of laboratory-made and commercial sample were best fitted by the pseudo-second-order model. The commercial carbon presented higher uptake of diclofenac, but the biomass carbon presented the higher adsorption rate which was associated with its higher hydrophilic nature which favoured external mass transfer. Both adsorbents presented adsorption isotherms that were best fitted by Langmuir model. The biomass carbon and the commercial carbon presented adsorption monolayer capacities of 69 and 146 mg g^?1, and Langmuir constants of 0.38 and 1.02 L mg^?1, respectively. The better performance of the commercial sample was related to its slightly higher micropore volume, but the most remarkable effect was the competition of water molecules in the biomass carbon.  相似文献   

Amphipod intersex, metals and latitude: A perspective     

M. Ramiro Pastorinho  Trevor C. Telfer 《Marine pollution bulletin》2009,58(6):812-817

Intersexuality has been widely reported in crustaceans with several mechanisms being directly or indirectly held responsible for its occurrence, amongst which pollution. No mechanistic relationship between metals and intersex has ever been established. Also the incidence of intersex in populations of the same invertebrate species in a latitudinal gradient has never been studied so far. Three populations (Iceland, Scotland and Portugal) of the amphipod Echinogammarus marinus were scrutinized. Intersex females from Iceland registered the highest fecundity loss. Only in Scottish samples females with two genital papillae and males with only one genital papillae were observed. Nevertheless, water, biota and sediment samples pointed to equivalent metal levels, and in consonance the prevalence of intersex was not significantly different between locations. An unequivocal relationship between metal presence and intersex induction cannot be presented, but our results advocate the potential role of metals as a direct cause of intersexuality in E. marinus.  相似文献   

Salinity Biases and the Variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in GFDL-CM3     

Matos  Fernanda D. A. O.  Pereira  Janini  Dengler  Marcus 《Ocean Science Journal》2020,55(4):505-520

Ocean Science Journal - The variability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) and the Meridional Freshwater Transport (Mov) at 24°N, 11°S, and 30°S, simulated...  相似文献   

Decadal predictability and prediction skill of sea surface temperatures in the South Pacific region     

Ramiro I. Saurral  Javier Garc&#;a-Serrano  Francisco J. Doblas-Reyes  Leandro B. D&#;az  Carolina S. Vera 《Climate Dynamics》2020,54(9):3945-3958

The South Pacific Ocean is a key driver of climate variability within the Southern Hemisphere at different time scales. Previous studies have characterized the main mode of interannual sea surface temperature (SST) variability in that region as a dipolar pattern of SST anomalies that cover subtropical and extratropical latitudes (the South Pacific Ocean Dipole, or SPOD), which is related to precipitation and temperature anomalies over several regions throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Using that relationship and the reported low predictive skill of precipitation anomalies over the Southern Hemisphere, this work explores the predictability and prediction skill of the SPOD in near-term climate hindcasts using a set of state-of-the-art forecast systems. Results show that predictability greatly benefits from initializing the hindcasts beyond the prescribed radiative forcing, and is modulated by known modes of climate variability, namely El Niño-Southern Oscillation and the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation. Furthermore, the models are capable of simulating the spatial pattern of the observed SPOD even without initialization, which suggests that the key dynamical processes are properly represented. However, the hindcast of the actual phase of the mode is only achieved when the forecast systems are initialized, pointing at SPOD variability to not be radiatively forced but probably internally generated. The comparison with the performance of an empirical prediction based on persistence suggests that initialization may provide skillful information for SST anomalies, outperforming damping processes, up to 2–3 years into the future.  相似文献   

Deep seismic reflection profiling of sedimentary basins offshore Brazil: Geological objectives and preliminary results in the Sergipe Basin     

Webster Ueipass Mohriak  JosHenrique Lira Rabelo  Renato Darros De Matos  Mozart C. De Barros 《Journal of Geodynamics》1995,20(4)

The first deep seismic reflection profiles offshore Brazil were acquired in Campos Basin and processed to 10 s TWT in 1984. Starting in 1989, Petrobrás acquired an extensive data set of deep seismic profiles using special acquisition equipment capable of effectively penetrating through the sedimentary layers and imaging the whole crustal architecture. These deep (18 s TWT) seismic reflection profiles extend across the Atlantic-type marginal basins, from the platform to the deepwater province, presently considered frontier regions for petroleum exploration. This work addresses the geological objectives of a deep seismic profile in the Sergipe Basin and discusses the results obtained by integrating regional seismic, gravity and magnetic data. When combined, these data provide evidence that deep seismic reflectors observed in the Sergipe Basin are related to intracrustal-upper mantle structures rather than sedimentary features. The deep seismic reflection profile in the Sergipe Basin also suggests that, rather than a non-volcanic passive margin, the deepwater extension of this basin is marked by several magmatic structures, including thick wedges of seaward-dipping reflectors and volcanic plugs. These magmatic features are associated with basinforming processes resulting from lithospheric extension during the breakup of Gondwana in the Early Cretaceous and subsequent emplacement of oceanic crust. These results are compared to the crustal scale structures observed in the Campos Basin, in the southeastern margin of Brazil. The interpretation of the deep structure of these basins indicates that final separation between the South American and African plates formed passive margins characterized by different patterns of crustal attenuation underlying the rift blocks.  相似文献   

Geology of the Rosário–Neves Corvo antiform, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Portugal: new insights from physical volcanology, palynostratigraphy and isotope geochronology studies     

J. T. Oliveira  C. J. P. Rosa  Z. Pereira  D. R. N. Rosa  J. X. Matos  C. M. C. Inverno  T. Andersen 《Mineralium Deposita》2013,48(6):749-766

The lithostratigraphic sequence in the Rosário–Neves Corvo antiform comprises the Phyllite–Quartzite Group, whose top is of Famennian age, the Volcanic Sedimentary Complex, of Strunian to upper Visean age, and the Mértola Formation (the lower unit of the Baixo Alentejo Flysch Group) of upper Visean age. The volcanic sedimentary complex comprises a lower sequence of Strunian (Late Famennian) age and an upper sequence of lower to upper Visean age. Detailed mapping of the antiform towards NW of the Neves Corvo mine, supported by palynological dating, identified two new lithostratigraphic units: the Barrancão member (upper Famennian) ascribed to the Phyllite–Quartzite Group and made up of laminated dark shales with siliceous lenses and nodules, and the Ribeira de Cobres Formation of the Volcanic Sedimentary Complex, containing shales, siltstones and fine volcaniclastic rocks. Based on zircon U–Pb isotope dating, five discrete felsic magmatic events were identified at approximately 354, 359, 365, 373 and 384 Ma. This suggests that the volcanic activity in the area has extended for about 30 Ma, in a context of high regional heat flow as indicated by the geochemical signatures of the felsic volcanic rocks. The characteristics of magmatism and the depositional environment indicated by the sedimentary record should therefore have been highly favourable for massive sulphide formation. However, evidence of massive sulphide mineralization in the study area is still to be found. Moreover, reconstruction of the volcanic facies architecture demonstrated that the volcanic units in the Rosário area are strongly dominated by coherent facies typical of the inner part of thick lavas/domes. In fact, most of their external part, the more favourable location for possible massive sulphide mineralization, is missing. Palynological dating indicates a significant hiatus, recognised between the lower and upper sequences of the volcanic sedimentary complex, which implies erosion of the top of the volcanic centre, where VHMS deposits could possibly have formed. However, lateral areas of this volcanic centre, eventually preserved at depth, have good potential to host massive sulphide mineralization.  相似文献   

Analysis of A Braced Excavation In Soft Soils Considering The Consolidation Effect     

Pedro Alves Costa  José Leitão Borges  Manuel Matos Fernandes 《Geotechnical and Geological Engineering》2007,25(6):617-629

The studies of excavations in soft clayey soils are normally based on undrained total stress analyses. A better approach consists of taking into account the effects of consolidation during the excavation-bracing process and after the completion of the construction by means of coupled finite element analyses in effective stresses. In this paper, the geotechnical behaviour of a braced excavation in the soft soils of San Francisco (USA) is analysed, both during and after the construction period. Numerical analyses are performed with a finite element program, which incorporates the Biot consolidation theory (coupled formulation of the water flow and equilibrium equations) and soil constitutive relations simulated by the p-q-θ critical state model. Numerical results are compared with field results.  相似文献   

A review of the tectonic evolution of the Sunsás belt,SW Amazonian Craton     

Wilson Teixeira  Mauro Cesar Geraldes  Ramiro Matos  Amarildo Salina Ruiz  Gerson Saes  Gabriela Vargas-Mattos 《Journal of South American Earth Sciences》2010,29(1):47-60

The Sunsás–Aguapeí province (1.20–0.95 Ga), SW Amazonian Craton, is a key area to study the heterogeneous effects of collisional events with Laurentia, which shows evidence of the Grenvillian and Sunsás orogens. The Sunsás orogen, characterized by an allochthonous collisional-type belt (1.11–1.00 Ga), is the youngest and southwesternmost of the events recorded along the cratonic fringe. Its evolution occurred after a period of long quiescence and erosion of the already cratonized provinces (>1.30 Ga), that led to sedimentation of the Sunsás and Vibosi groups in a passive margin setting. The passive margin stage was roughly contemporary with intraplate tectonics that produced the Nova Brasilândia proto-oceanic basin (<1.21 Ga), the reactivation of the Ji-Paraná shear zone network (1.18–1.12 Ga) and a system of aborted rifts that evolved to the Huanchaca–Aguapeí basin (1.17–1.15 Ga). The Sunsás belt is comprised by the metamorphosed Sunsás and Vibosi sequences, the Rincón del Tigre mafic–ultramafic sill and granitic intrusive suites. The latter rocks yield ε_Nd(t) signatures (?0.5 to ?4.5) and geochemistry (S, I, A-types) suggesting their origin associated with a continental arc setting. The Sunsás belt evolution is marked by “tectonic fronts” with sinistral offsets that was active from c. 1.08 to 1.05 Ga, along the southern edge of the Paraguá microcontinent where K/Ar ages (1.27–1.34 Ga) and the Huanchaca–Aguapeí flat-lying cover attest to the earliest tectonic stability at the time of the orogen. The Sunsás dynamics is coeval with inboard crustal shortening, transpression and magmatism in the Nova Brasilândia belt (1.13–1.00 Ga). Conversely, the Aguapeí aulacogen (0.96–0.91 Ga) and nearby shear zones (0.93–0.91 Ga) are the late tectonic offshoots over the cratonic margin. The post-tectonic to anorogenic stages took place after ca. 1.00 Ga, evidenced by the occurrences of intra-plate A-type granites, pegmatites, mafic dikes and sills, as well as of graben basins. Integrated interpretation of the available data related to the Sunsás orogen supports the idea that the main nucleus of Rodinia incorporated the terrains forming the SW corner of Amazonia and most of the Grenvillian margin, as a result of two independent collisional events, as indicated in the Amazon region by the Ji-Paraná shear zone event and the Sunsás belt, respectively.  相似文献   

Influence of tide and waves on water renewal in Óbidos Lagoon, Portugal     

Madalena S. Malhadas  Ramiro J. Neves  Paulo C. Leitão  Adélio Silva 《Ocean Dynamics》2010,60(1):41-55

The role of oceanic tide, wind stress, freshwater river inflows, and waves in the long-term circulation and residence time in óbidos Lagoon is investigated using a sensitivity analysis carried out by means of a two-dimensional model. MOHID modeling system coupled to Steady-State Spectral Wave model for simulate óbidos Lagoon circulation were implemented. For residence time calculus, a Lagrangian transport model was used. Tidal forcing is shown to be the dominant forcing, although storm waves must be considered to simulate accurately the long-term circulation. Tidal forcing enhances a spatial distribution in water residence time. Renewal time scales varies from values of 2 days in the near-ocean areas and 3 weeks in the inner areas. Freshwater river inflows decrease the residence time, while waves increase. In heavy rain periods, the water residence time decreases by about 40% in the upper lagoon. When wave forcing is considered, the residence time increases between 10% and 50% depending on lagoon area. The increase in residence time is explained by the sea level rise within lagoon (~1 m above average lagoon sea level) during storm wave periods. Average residence time is 16 days for tidal forcing, 9 days when the rivers are included (wet period), and 18 days when the waves are considered.  相似文献