Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
UvA-DARE ( Digital Academic Repository ) Beyond Compliance . Environmental Management and Toxics Reduction in Practice

Toxics reduction aims at reduced releases of toxics substances. Toxics use reduction (TUR) has been advocated as a simple and effective method of reducing toxic pollution. Substitution and product reformulation are placed first in the TUR hierarchy based on effectiveness of reduction, product and process changes are placed second and, recycling, plant operations and maintenance are placed third. Here we analyze five examples of process modifications given by the company as an example of toxics reduction. The companies involved have a well developed environmental management system. All companies mentioned environmental legislation as a reason for toxics reduction and three mentioned also legislation aimed at the working environment as a reason. One of the companies involved used a ranking list for solvent substitution, evaluating environmental risks and risks of the working environment. Three other companies used less sophisticated lists for solvent optimalization and product development. The methods used for process modification are rather different. Three stressed input substitution and one product reformulation. These four lead to toxics use reduction. In two of the three cases that input substitution was performed the risks shifted from toxic to inflammable. In the two of the three cases that workplace legislation was mentioned as a reason for process modification, the working environment improved after process modification. Unexpectedly three of the four cases of toxics use reduction studied were said by the company to lead to increased costs. Factors to evaluate so that processes for toxics reduction be properly modified are besides risks of processes, risks of products, substitution decisions (all risks), performance and quality of products and costs. Maybe the studied companies, as they were forced by legal requirements, focused on complying with legal requirements and not on improving mentioned factors.
Fertilizantes nitrogenados de eficiência aumentada e ureia na cultura do milho

A ureia e o principal fertilizante nitrogenado utilizado na adubacao de cobertura no milho; no entanto, apresenta elevada suscetibilidade as perdas de N por volatilizacao de amonia. Uma alternativa e o tratamento da ureia com inibidor de urease ou revestimento com camadas de polimeros, classificados como fertilizantes nitrogenados de eficiencia aumentada. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho objetivou avaliar o efeito da aplicacao de doses de nitrogenio na forma de fertilizantes nitrogenados de eficiencia aumentada e ureia em cobertura na cultura do milho. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 3 x 4 + 1. As fontes utilizadas foram: ureia comum; ureia tratada com inibidor de urease e ureia revestida com polimeros testados nas doses de 32,5, 65, 130 e 260 kg ha-1 de N. A massa de cem graos e a massa seca de parte aerea de plantas aumentaram de forma linear com as doses de N. O teor de nitrogenio na folha e a produtividade de milho foram superiores quando se utilizou ureia tratada com inibidor de urease ou revestida com polimeros, principalmente nas doses de 130 e 260 kg ha-1 de N. Neste sentido, a utilizacao de fertilizantes nitrogenados de eficiencia aumentada nao apenas aumentou mas tambem melhorou o suprimento de N para o milho aumentando ainda a produtividade de graos.
A new data reduction approach for the Clementine NIR data set: Application to Aristillus, Aristarchus and Kepler

The Clementine spacecraft, launched in January 1994, has performed a nearly global surface mapping of the moon in eleven broad spectral bands at a resolution of ∼200 m. The UV-visible (UV/VIS) camera performed observations in five bands ranging from 0.415 to 1.0 μm, while the near infrared camera (NIR) acquired data in six spectral bands ranging from 1.1 to 2.78 μm. UV/VIS images are calibrated to ∼4%. The calibrated NIR data set is yet to be finalized due to instrumental problems. Independently of the calibration effort for the full data set which is under the responsibility of the PI team, we present here the first results of a heuristic approach to extract mineralogical information from raw images in regions of particular interest. We processed images of craters Aristillus, Aristarchus, and Kepler. We computed band ratios using 0.75, 0.9, 0.95, 1.0, 1.1, 1.25, 1.5, and 2.0 μm images to map the compositional heterogeneity and to discriminate between pyroxene, olivine, or feldspar rich areas. Absolute reflectance spectra have been derived using telescopic spectra as ground truth. High orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene contents have been detected and spatially mapped on Aristillus. Our results are in good agreement with previous studies in the case of Aristarchus and show additional details due to the improved registration. Two regions exhibit spectra consistent with a high proportion of olivine with <25% pyroxene. The rim of Kepler exhibits a strong feature at 2 μm correlated with the 1 μm feature, suggesting either a high orthopyroxene content or a very immature soil. Our method could be of interest for further investigations of the lunar surface using Clementine NIR data.
Groundwater Nitrate Spatial and Temporal Patterns and Correlations: Influence of Natural Controls and Nitrogen Management

To use shallow groundwater NO3–N concentration as an indicator of groundwater quality requires understanding its patterns, correlations, and controls across space and time. Within a study comparing variable‐rate and uniform N management, our objectives were to determine groundwater NO3–N patterns and correlations at various spatial and temporal scales and their association with natural controls and N management. Experiments in a random, complete block design were conducted in a 2‐yr crop rotation in North Carolina that included one variable‐rate and two uniform N management treatments to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and corn (Zea mays L.). We measured groundwater NO3–N and depth every 2 wk at 60 well nests, sampling the 0.9‐ to 3.7‐m depth. Field‐mean NO3–N varied with time from 5.5 to 15.3 mg NO3–N L−1 These variations were correlated primarily with concurrent changes in water table elevation and depth. Mean NO3–N exhibited two preferred states: high when the water table was shallow and low when the water table was deep. Temporal NO3–N fluctuations greatly exceeded treatment effects. Treatments appeared to affect NO3–N temporal covariance structure. Groundwater NO3–N spatial patterns and correlations were associated mostly with saturated hydraulic conductivity and water table fluctuations and appeared influenced by subsurface lateral flow. When treatment effects became consistently significant later in the study, they overrode natural controls, and NO3–N was spatially uncorrelated or exhibited shorter spatial correlation ranges and patterns associated predominantly with treatments.
Laboratory investigations of the response of Brewer-Mast ozonesondes to tropospheric ozone

[1] The Brewer-Mast ozonesonde was used at Canadian stations from 1966 until 1980, when the Canadian network switched to the electrochemical concentration cell sonde. While the sondes appear to agree relatively well in the stratosphere, there is an evident discrepancy of 10–20% in tropospheric measurements [e.g., Tarasick et al., 1995, Figure 4]. Comparison of Brewer-Mast sondes with a calibrated ozone source yields some interesting insight into this discrepancy. Sonde response is strongly dependent on the preflight preparation procedures employed. Although sondes prepared via procedures introduced in the 1980s [Claude et al., 1987] perform quite well, when prepared according to the procedures used in Canada in the 1970s, Brewer-Mast sondes indicate 10–30% lower ozone than the calibrator. The following points are noted in particular: (1) a new Brewer-Mast sonde shows a large (∼15%) increase in sensitivity between successive experiments; (2) especially at low (<100 ppb) O3 levels, the response even of previously flown sondes increases slowly with time; and (3) sondes show an additional slow increase of response with time that is apparently caused by ozone reactions with the phosphate buffer. The overall response curve indicated by 1, 2, and 3 implies that after correction to the observed total ozone, the earlier part of a flight would yield values that are too low, while the latter part would be too high. By applying a varying ozone input, simulating the typical variation in absolute ozone concentration experienced by a sonde in flight, we show that this can explain both the average correction factor (1.255) for the Canadian Brewer-Mast record and the 10–20% discrepancy in tropospheric measurements.
Semi-empirical model for the prediction of modulus of elasticity for unsaturated soils

A semi-empirical model is proposed in this paper to predict the variation of modulus of elasticity with respect to matric suction for unsaturated sandy soils using the soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC) and the modulus of elasticity under saturated conditions. Using this model, comparisons are provided between the predicted and measured moduli of elasticity and elastic settlements from model footing test results on three different sandy soils. The results of this study are encouraging as there is good agreement between the predicted and measured moduli of elasticity and settlements.
The flux of gold and related metals through a volcanic arc, Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand

We determined the concentrations of gold, silver, arsenic, antimony, and mercury in deep hydrothermal solutions (∼1 km depth, 200 to >300 °C) from six geothermal systems and calculated their fluxes for a 250-km-long segment of volcanic arc in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, New Zealand. The three orders of variation in the concentrations (
A new chronology for the age of Appalachian erosional surfaces determined by cosmogenic nuclides in cave sediments

The relative chronology of landscape evolution across the unglaciated Appalachian plateaus of Kentucky and Tennessee is well documented. For more than a century, geomorphologists have carefully mapped and correlated upland erosional surfaces inset by wide‐valley straths and smaller terraces. Constraining the timing of river incision into the Appalachian uplands was difficult in the past due to unsuitable dating methods and poorly preserved surface materials. Today, burial dating using the differential decay of cosmogenic 26Al and 10Be in clastic cave sediments reveals more than five million years of landscape evolution preserved underground. Multilevel caves linked hydrologically to the incision history of the Cumberland River contain in situ sediments equivalent to fluvial deposits found scattered across the Eastern Highland Rim erosional surface. Cave sediments correlate with: (1) thick Lafayette‐type gravels on the Eastern Highland Rim deposited between c. 5·7 and c. 3·5 Ma; (2) initial incision of the Cumberland River into the Eastern Highland Rim after c. 3·5 Ma; (3) formation of the Parker strath between c. 3·5 Ma and c. 2·0 Ma; (4) incision into the Parker strath at c. 2 Ma; (5) formation of a major terrace between c. 2·0 Ma and c. 1·5 Ma; (6) shorter cycles of accelerated incision and base level stability beginning at c. 1·5 Ma; and (7) regional aggradation at c. 0·85 Ma. Initial incision into the Appalachian uplands is interpreted as a response to eustasy at 3·2–3·1 Ma. Incision of the Parker strath is interpreted as a response to eustasy at 2·5–2·4 Ma. A third incision event at c. 1·5 Ma corresponds with glacial reorganization of the Ohio River basin. Widespread aggradation of cave passages at c. 0·85 Ma is interpreted as the beginning of intense glacial–interglacial cycling associated with global climate change. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The development of policy pertaining to potable water supply catchment areas in Victoria, Australia

This paper explores the development of policy pertaining to potable water supply catchment areas in the state of Victoria, Australia. A focus is placed on urban planning policy and development control. Historical research and policy analysis was undertaken to establish key influences on the development of this policy. The significant influences were found to include the establishment of water boards and authorities as referral authorities in planning schemes, the ‘Sydney Water Crisis’ of 1998, and the Gibson review of ‘New Format Planning Schemes’. Existing policy is critiqued, and policy needs are highlighted. This paper will provide important lessons for other jurisdictions around the world regarding the protection of potable water catchments. Importantly, it will highlight the importance of development control to protect the quality and quantity of a city’s water supply.
New injection experiments in non-Newtonian fluids

In order to identify the dominant non-Newtonian effects which occur during the injection of a new Newtonian magma through a partially crystallized magma chamber, we have performed some preliminary analogue experiments which enable us to point out several features induced by the non-Newtonian properties of the host fluid during injection processes. These experiments were performed in a three-dimensional device and involve complex non-Newtonian fluids—clay suspensions in which rheological properties such as bulk strength, yield strength and rheofluidification exponent may vary. Forced injection takes place through a slot which in the case of a Newtonian host fluid is the geometry that provides planar structures. Depending both on the density contrast and on the rheological contrast between the injected dyed water and the host fluid three kind of structures were observed: (1) permanent plumes when the injected water is lighter than the suspension exhibiting rheological properties close to Newtonian fluids; (2) pseudo-fountains and spreading at the bottom of the tank with a destabilizing density contrast and in high yield strength/more viscous suspensions; (3) fountains with a slightly stablizing density contrast. The implications for magma chamber evolution are briefly discussed. In particular it seems that homogeneous non-Newtonian media inhibit the formation of planar structures and partially crystallized magma may induce the spreading of the new magma at the bottom or at the top of the chamber regardless of the density contrast between the magmas.
Age constraints on the igneous and metamorphic evolution of the Hellenic-Dinaric ophiolites

Summary The available age data from Greek and Yugoslavian ophiolites and related rocks are reviewed and, where necessary, have been corrected using the decay constants of Steiger & Jäger (1977). In addition, new K-Ar ages are presented from igneous mineral phases from the Guevgueli ophiolite and Fanos granitoid. Rb-Sr ages are also presented for the Furka and Stip granitoids of the Vardar Zone. Igneous ages of the dated ophiolites are approximately 160–180 Ma, although data from the Guevgueli Complex indicate that associated basic igneous activity also occurred during the Upper Jurassic. Granitoids yield ages ranging between 150 to 174 Ma. When compared with dates obtained from metamorphic soles beneath the Greek and Yugoslavian ophiolties (160–180 Ma), it is apparent that both sub-ophiolite metamorphism and granitoid intrusion closely followed ophiolite formation at a spreading centre. This indicates that the initial obduction movements occurred when the ophiolites were both young and hot and capable of forming basal dynamothermal soles mainly by the effects of their residual heat. When these ages are integrated with the field evidence for the period of final ophiolite emplacement in the Hellenides and Dinarides (Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous), it is possible to reconstruct a simplified igneous, metamorphic and emplacement history for these displaced fragments of oceanic crust and upper mantle.
The role of the Mediterranean region in the development of sedimentary geology: a historical overview

The Mediterranean region, source of so much knowledge in the world, is the site of major advances in sedimentary geology. In addition to its economic and cultural richness, the geological and geographic diversity of the region, plus its active geological processes, have long stimulated indigenous scholars, along with attracting talented outsiders such as Steno, Lyell, Walther, Kuenen and Bagnold. Since classical Hellenic times, debates about the origin of fossils and the changing positions of sea‐level served as catalysts for studies of sediments, sedimentary rocks and ancient life. The presence of geologically young and easily interpreted marine shell beds in many Mediterranean coastal areas adjacent to their modern analogues was a particular stimulus for progress in sedimentary geology, for example, the very advanced stratigraphic ideas of Leonardo da Vinci, expressed solely in his unpublished notebooks. Impeding progress was the geological complexity of facies, faunas and structure in the circum‐Mediterranean Alpine belts. Once the secrets of these were unlocked, however, the Mediterranean region became the source of major discoveries about syn‐sedimentary tectonics, carbonate platforms, pelagic and anoxic sediments, turbidites, evaporites, aeolian processes, cyclostratigraphy, magnetic stratigraphy and impact events. In many of these Mediterranean discoveries, the critical element is the occurrence of extensive Mesozoic‐Cenozoic pelagic successions whose precise age dating was made possible by pioneering biostratgraphic studies using microfossils.
Stratigraphy, sedimentology, and isotopic geochemistry of Australian Neoproterozoic postglacial cap dolostones; deglaciation, delta 13 C excursions, and carbonate precipitation

ABSTRACT Thin (d13C excursions in the geologic record, they are interpreted to record a brief postglacial anomaly in ocean chemistry. In Australia, the Marinoan (Varanger equivalent 600 Ma) cap dolostone units exhibit many of the characteristics displayed by such deposits elsewhere around the globe, including fine-grained dolomitic mineralogy, lateral persistenc at basinal scales, thin laminae, graded beds, intervals with abundant marine cements, crystal fans, and a distinctive negative d13C isotopic signature of up to -5 PDB. On the basis of these features, the Australian examples are interpreted here to be deeper-water deposits (below storm wave base) resulting from an anomalous flux of inorganic carbonate to the sea floor during postglacial transgression. Detailed isotopic analysis of Australian cap dolostones indicates d13C values ranging from -1 to -5 and gen rally becoming more depleted in 13C upsection. Trace-element data indicate some diagenetic stabilization, but textural evidence and the presence of similar profiles in different basins argue against a pervasive recrystallization event. The range in d13C values between sections as well as more negative 13C values appear to correlate with greater paleobathymetry within basins. This implies either (1) only partial preservation of the complete oceanic variation of d13C or (2) precipitation of this peculiar facies owes its genesis to basinal-specific oceanographic processes such as proximi y of a given section to a postglacial upwelling zone. In the later case, d13C values would not represent whole ocean values. Stratigraphic constraints and paleoenvironmental interpretations suggest that much of this excursion lies within the geologically brief period of postglacial transgression. This implies that the cause(s) of d13C variation likely operated on time scales significantly less than the residence time of carbon in the oceans (105 yr). The continent-wide and perhaps global nature of cap dolostones indicates that large volumes of carbonate were precipitated during the postglacial transgressive period. Such large-scale carbonate precipitation over the hypothesized short time interval of postglacial transgression must have caused (or have been the product of) profound changes in the carbon cycle and global climate at tha time. Similar evidence for transgression and increased carbonate deposition in the Holocene are attributed to the changing basin shape and pH of the oceans (the Coral Reef Hypothesis of Berger 1982). Cap dolostones may record a Proterozoic equivalent of this process with the substitution of abiotic carbonate precipitation for skeletal precipitation by reef organisms.
Morpho‐sedimentary records at the Brahmaputra River exit, NE Himalaya: climate–tectonic interplay during the Late Pleistocene–Holocene

Morphological and sedimentary records at the exit of Brahmaputra River at Pasighat in the NE Himalaya inform about the climate–tectonic interplay during the past ca. 15 ka. The geomorphology of the area comprises (1) fan terrace T3, (2) a high‐angle fan (3) terrace T2, (4) terrace T1 and (5) a low‐angle fan. Geomorphic consideration suggests that the fan terrace T3 and high‐angle fans are the oldest units and were coeval. The low‐angle fan is the youngest geomorphic unit. Sedimentological studies and optically stimulated luminescence chronology suggest that (i) fan terrace T3 formed between 13 and 10.5 ka and comprised multiple events of debris flows separated by the aggradation as channel bars in a braided river environment; (ii) the high‐angle fan formed during 15–10 ka and comprises channel bar aggradation in braided river conditions; (iii) terrace T2 formed during 10–8 ka due to aggradation in a braided channel environment with lesser events of debris flows; (iv) terrace T1 formed during <7 and 3 ka took place as bars of the braided river. Sudden coarsening of the sediment indicated a tectonic rejuvenation in the provenance region between 7 and 3 ka; and (v) the low‐angle fans dated to <3 ka formed due to aggradation in a small tributary joining the Brahmaputra River. This implies a phase when the main channel of the Brahmaputra did not flood regularly and the tributaries were actively aggrading. The sedimentation style and incision of these geomorphic units responded to contemporary climatic changes and uplift in the Siwalik range along the Himalayan Frontal Fault. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal patterns of runoff and erosion responses to simulated rainfall in a badland area in Mediterranean mountain conditions (Vallcebre, southeastern Pyrenees)

Regolith surface characteristics and response were examined over a three‐year period in a badland area in a Mediterranean middle‐mountain zone near Vallcebre (Eastern Pyrenees). Preliminary work carried out in this area indicated clear seasonal patterns of regolith properties driven by frost heaving in winter and crusting and erosion in the rest of the year. Rainfall simulations were performed with a small portable nozzle simulator in order to study seasonal changes in runoff generation, erosion rates and raindrop effect on bulk density changes. The results showed large seasonal variations in runoff and erosion responses. Inﬁltration rates after runoff start were correlated with precipitation depth before runoff start; runoff generation was therefore related to regolith saturation only to a very limited extent. Erosion rates were more controlled by runoff rates than by the weakness of regolith against raindrop splash, and sediment grain size increased with concentration. The combined role of antecedent regolith moisture and bulk density explained most of the seasonal variability in inﬁltration, bulk density changes during rainfall and erosion rates, but some seasonal differences in sediment detachability were not explained by these variables and may be attributed to changes in roughness. Overall, runoff and erosion responses were relatively stable during spring and autumn, whereas wide variations in inﬁltration rates and sediment detachment occurred in winter and summer respectively. Experiments conducted in a single season would have produced poorly representative, if not erroneous, results. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.