Increasing the accuracy of Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) pollution mapping using geographically weighted regression (GWR) and geostatistics.

Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is known to act as an environmental trigger for many respiratory illnesses. As a pollutant it is difficult to map accurately, as concentrations can vary greatly over small distances. In this study three geostatistical techniques were compared, producing maps of NO2 concentrations in the United Kingdom (UK). The primary data source for each technique was NO2 point data, generated from background automatic monitoring and background diffusion tubes, which are analysed by different laboratories on behalf of local councils and authorities in the UK. The techniques used were simple kriging (SK), ordinary kriging (OK) and simple kriging with a locally varying mean (SKlm). SK and OK make use of the primary variable only. SKlm differs in that it utilises additional data to inform prediction, and hence potentially reduces uncertainty. The secondary data source was Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) derived from dispersion modelling outputs, at 1km x 1km resolution for the UK. These data were used to define the locally varying mean in SKlm, using two regression approaches: (i) global regression (GR) and (ii) geographically weighted regression (GWR). Based upon summary statistics and cross-validation prediction errors, SKlm using GWR derived local means produced the most accurate predictions. Therefore, using GWR to inform SKlm was beneficial in this study.

Bio-port Free Energy City

In an age of depleting oil reserves and increasing energy demand, humanity faces a stalemate between environmentalism and politics, where crude oil is traded at record highs yet the spotlight on being ‘green’ and sustainable is stronger than ever. A key theme on today’s political agenda is energy independence from foreign nations, and the United Kingdom is bracing itself for nuclear renaissance which is hoped will feed the rapacious centralised system that the UK is structured upon. But what if this centralised system was dissembled, and in its place stood dozens of cities which grow and monopolise from their own energy? Rather than one dominant network, would a series of autonomous city-based energy systems not offer a mutually profitable alternative? Bio-Port is a utopian vision of a ‘Free Energy City’ set in Liverpool, where the old dockyards, redundant space, and the Mersey Estuary have been transformed into bio-productive algae farms. Bio-Port Free Energy City is a utopian ideal, where energy is superfluous; in fact so abundant that meters are obsolete. The city functions as an energy generator and thrives from its own product with minimal impact upon the planet it inhabits. Algaculture is the fundamental energy source, where a matrix of algae reactors swamp the abandoned dockyards; which themselves have been further expanded and reclaimed from the River Mersey. Each year, the algae farm is capable of producing over 200 million gallons of bio-fuel, which in-turn can produce enough electricity to power almost 2 million homes. The metabolism of Free-Energy City is circular and holistic, where the waste products of one process are simply the inputs of a new one. Livestock farming – once traditionally a high-carbon countryside exercise has become urbanised. Cattle are located alongside the algae matrix, and waste gases emitted by farmyards and livestock are largely sequestered by algal blooms or anaerobically converted to natural gas. Bio-Port Free Energy City mitigates the imbalances between ecology and urbanity, and exemplifies an environment where nature and the human machine can function productively and in harmony with one another. According to James Lovelock, our population has grown in number to the point where our presence is perceptibly disabling the planet, but in order to reverse the effects of our humanist flaws, it is vital that new eco-urban utopias are realised.

The effect of polyphosphate kinase gene deletion on polyhydroxyalkanoate accumulation and carbon metabolism in Pseudomonas putida KT2440.

The primary enzyme involved in polyphosphate (polyP) synthesis, polyP kinase (ppk), has been deleted in Pseudomonas putida KT2440. This has resulted in a threefold to sixfold reduction in polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation compared with the wild type under conditions of nitrogen limitation, with either temperature or oxidative (H2O2) stress, when grown on glucose. The accumulation of PHA by Δppk mutant was the same as the wild type under nitrogen-limiting growth conditions. There was no difference in polyP levels between wild-type and Δppk strains under all growth conditions tested. In the Δppk mutant proteome, polyP kinase (PPK) was undetectable, but up-regulation of the polyp-associated proteins polyP adenosine triphosphate (ATP)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) kinase (PpnK), a putative polyP adenosine monophosphate (AMP) phosphotransferase (PP_1752), and exopolyphosphatase was observed. Δppk strain exhibited significantly retarded growth with glycerol as carbon and energy source (42 h of lag period compared with 24 h in wild-type strain) but similar growth to the wild-type strain with glucose. Analysis of gene transcription revealed downregulation of glycerol kinase and the glycerol facilitator respectively. Glycerol kinase protein expression was also downregulated in the Δppk mutant. The deletion of ppk did not affect motility but reduced biofilm formation. Thus, the knockout of the ppk gene has resulted in a number of phenotypic changes to the mutant without affecting polyP accumulation.

The Islay wave power project: an engineering prospective

The design, construction and subsequent operation of the 75 kW oscillating water column wave power plant on the Isle of Islay has provided a significant insight into the practicality of wave power conversion. The development of wave power plant poses a significant design and construction challenge for not only civil but also mechanical and electrical engineers. The plant must withstand the immense forces imposed during storms, yet efficiently convert the slow cyclic motion of waves into a useful energy source such as electricity and do so at a price competitive with other forms of generation. In addition, the hostile marine environment hampers the construction process and the variability of the wave resource poses problems for electrical control and grid integration. Many sceptics consider wave power conversion to be too difficult, too expensive and too variable to justify the effort and expense necessary to develop this technology. However, the authors contend that with modular wave power systems developed from the practical experience gained with the Islay plant, wave power is a viable technology with a considerable world market potential. However, this technology is still at the early stages of development and will require the construction of a number of different prototypes before there is extensive commercial exploitation.

Expression of the phosphonoalanine-degradative gene cluster from Variovorax sp Pal2 is induced by growth on phosphonoalanine and phosphonopyruvate

The phosphonopyruvate hydrolase (PalA) found in Variovorax sp., Pal2, is a novel carbon-phosphorus bond cleavage enzyme, which is expressed even in the presence of high levels of phosphate, thus permitting phosphonopyruvate to be used as the sole carbon and energy source. Analysis of the regions adjacent to the palA gene revealed the presence of the five structural genes that constitute the 2-amino-3-phosphonopropionic acid (phosphonoalanine)-degradative operon. Reverse transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) experiments demonstrated that all five genes in the operon are transcribed as a single mRNA and that their transcription is induced by phosphonoalanine or phosphonopyruvate. Transcriptional fusions of the regulatory region of the phosphonoalanine degradative operon with the gfp gene were constructed. Expression analysis indicated that the presence of a LysR-type regulator (encoded by the palR gene) is essential for the transcription of the structural genes of the operon. Similar gene clusters were found in the sequenced genomes of six bacterial species from the Alpha-, Beta- and Gammaproteobacteria, and analysis of metagenomic libraries revealed that sequences related to palA are widely spread in the marine environment.

Cloning and characterization of a novel cis-naphthalene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase gene (narB) from Rhodococcus sp NCIMB12038

Rhodococcus sp. NCIMB112038 can utilize naphthalene as its sole carbon and energy source. The gene encoding cis-naphthalene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (narB) of this strain has been cloned and sequenced. Expression of NCIMB12038 cis-naphthalene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase was demonstrated in Escherichia coli cells. narB encodes a putative protein of 271 amino acids and shares 39% amino acid identity with the cis-naphthalene dihydrodiol dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas putida G7. Comparison of NarB with some putative cis-dihydrodiol dehydrogenases from Rhodococcus species revealed significant differences between these proteins. NarB together with two other proteins forms a new group of cis-dihydrodiol dehydrogenases. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Isolation of Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB13064 derivatives with new biodegradative abilities

Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB13064 can dehalogenate and utilise a number of halogenated aliphatic compounds as sole carbon and energy source. Mutants of NCIMB13064 can be easily isolated with an enlarged range of 1-chloroalkane utilising ability. Dehalogenation of 1-chlorononane, 1-chlorodecane and short-chain 1-chloroalkanes (C-3-C-8) is encoded by the same plasmid pRTL1. However, a different genetic element(s) is required for the dehalogenation of 3-chloropropionic acid. Two derivatives (P200 and P400) of R. rhodochrous NCIMB13064 were isolated which had acquired the ability to utilise naphthalene as sole carbon and energy source. Both strains lost the ability to utilise short-chain 1-chloroalkanes and underwent some rearrangements associated with pRTL1 plasmid.

Plasmid pRTL1 controlling 1-chloroalkane degradation by Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB 13064

Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB13064 can dehalogenate and use a wide range of 1-haloalkanes as sole carbon and energy source. The 1-chloroalkane degradation phenotype may be lost by cells spontaneously or after treatment with Mitomycin C. Two laboratory derivatives of the original strain exhibited differing degrees of stability of the chloroalkane degradation marker. Plasmids of approximately 100 kbp (pRTL1) and 80 kbp (pRTL2) have been found in R. rhodochrous NCIMB13064. pRTL1 was shown to be carrying at least some genes for the dehalogenation of 1-chloroalkanes with short chain lengths (C-3 to C-9). However, no connection was found between the utilization of 1-chloroalkanes with longer chain lengths (C-12 to C-18) and the presence of pRTL1. Three separate events were observed to lead to the inability of NCIMB13064 to dehalogenate the short-chain 1-chloroalkanes; the complete loss of pRTL1, the integration of pRTL1 into the chromosome, or the deletion of a 20-kbp fragment in pRTL1. High-frequency transfer of the 1-chloroalkane degradation marker associated with pRTL1 has been demonstrated in bacterial crosses between different derivatives of R. rhodochrous NCIMB13064, (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.

Degradation of 1,3-dichloropropene by Pseudomonas cichorii 170

The gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas cichorii 170, isolated from soil that was repeatedly treated with the nematocide 1,3-dichloropropene, could utilize low concentrations of 1,3-dichloropropene as a sole carbon and energy source, Strain 170 was also able to grow on 3-chloroallyl alcohol, 3-chloroacrylic acid, and several 1-halo-n-alkanes. This organism produced at least three different dehalogenases: a hydrolytic haloalkane dehalogenase specific for haloalkanes and two 3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenases, one specific for cis-3-chloroacrylic acid and the other specific for trans-3-chloroacrylic acid. The haloalkane dehalogenase and the trans-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase were expressed constitutively, whereas the cis-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase was inducible, The presence of these enzymes indicates that 1,3-dichloropropene is hydrolyzed to 3-chloroallyl alcohol, which is oxidized in two steps to 3-chloroacrylic acid. The latter compound is then dehalogenated, probably forming malonic acid semialdehyde. The haloalkane dehalogenase gene, which is involved in the conversion of 1,3-dichloropropene to 3-chloroallyl alcohol, was cloned and sequenced, and this gene turned out to be identical to the previously studied dhaA gene of the gram-positive bacterium Rhodococcus rhodochrous NCIMB13063, Mutants resistant to the suicide substrate 1,2-dibromoethane lacked haloalkane dehalogenase activity and therefore could not utilize haloalkanes for growth. PCR analysis showed that these mutants had lost at least part of the dhaA gene.

Utilization of organophosphonates by environmental microorganisms

A survey of the utilization by environmental micro-organisms of a range of compounds containing the carbon-phosphorus (C-P) bond was carried out. Elective culture studies indicated that 15 of 19 alkylphosphonates tested served only as a sole source of phosphorus for microbial growth. Their metabolism did not lead to the extracellular release of inorganic phosphate. However, four organophosphonates - phosphonoacetate, phosphonoalanine, 2-aminoethylphosphonate and phosphonomycin - supported microbial growth when supplied as either a phosphorus source or as a carbon and energy source, with near-quantitative inorganic phosphate release. Four of five amino alkylphosphonates tested were also utilized as a nitrogen source in the presence of 1 mmol l(-1) inorganic phosphate. In a subsequent screening programme, 99% of bacterial isolates tested were able to utilize 2-aminoethylphosphonate as a sole phosphorus source, 61% as a nitrogen source, 10% as a source of nitrogen and phosphorus, and 2% as a source of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus; 2% of isolates used phosphonoalanine as a nitrogen source. These results suggest that the uptake and metabolism of organophosphonates by bacteria is less 'tightly' regulated by phosphorus starvation than has previously been supposed.

Nanoporous metal organic framework materials for hydrogen storage

Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in future transportation as a promising alternative clean energy source to carbon-based fuels. One of the key challenges to commercialize hydrogen energy is to develop appropriate onboard hydrogen storage systems, capable of charging and discharging large quantities of hydrogen with fast enough kinetics to meet commercial requirements. Metal organic framework (MOF) is a new type of inorganic and organic hybrid nanoporous particulate materials. Its diverse networks can enhance hydrogen storage through tuning the structure and property of MOFs. The MOF materials so far developed adsorb hydrogen through weak dispersion interactions, which allow significant quantity of hydrogen to be stored at cryogenic temperatures with fast kinetics. Novel MOFs are being developed to strengthen the interactions between hydrogen and MOFs in order to store hydrogen under ambient conditions. This review surveys the development of such candidate materials, their performance and future research needs. (C) 2009 Chinese Society of Particuology and Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of PMUs to Coordinate Hydroelectric and Wind Power Plant Operation

It is acknowledged that wind power is a stochastic energy source compared to hydroelectric generation which is easily scheduled. In this paper a scheme for coordinating wind power plant and hydroelectric power plant is presented by using PMUs to measure and control the state of wind and hydro power plants. Hydroelectric generation is proposed as a method of energy reserve and compensation in the context of wind power fluctuation in order to avoid full or partial curtailment of wind generation to benefit wind providers. The feasibility of this proposed scheme is investigated by power flow calculation and stability analysis using the IEEE 30-bus power system model.

Heating Mechanisms for Intermittent Loops in Active Region Cores from AIA/SDO EUV Observations

We investigate intensity variations and energy deposition in five coronal loops in active region cores. These were selected for their strong variability in the AIA/SDO 94 Å intensity channel. We isolate the hot Fe XVIII and Fe XXI components of the 94 Å and 131 Å by modeling and subtracting the "warm" contributions to the emission. HMI/SDO data allow us to focus on "inter-moss" regions in the loops. The detailed evolution of the inter-moss intensity time series reveals loops that are impulsively heated in a mode compatible with a nanoflare storm, with a spike in the hot 131 Å signals leading and the other five EUV emission channels following in progressive cooling order. A sharp increase in electron temperature tends to follow closely after the hot 131 Å signal confirming the impulsive nature of the process. A cooler process of growing emission measure follows more slowly. The Fourier power spectra of the hot 131 Å signals, when averaged over the five loops, present three scaling regimes with break frequencies near 0.1 min–1 and 0.7 min–1. The low frequency regime corresponds to 1/f noise; the intermediate indicates a persistent scaling process and the high frequencies show white noise. Very similar results are found for the energy dissipation in a 2D "hybrid" shell model of loop magneto-turbulence, based on reduced magnetohydrodynamics, that is compatible with nanoflare statistics. We suggest that such turbulent dissipation is the energy source for our loops

Regional integration of biogas – developing an intersectoral research action plan for Northern Ireland

Bioenergy is a key component of the European Union long term energy strategy across all sectors, with a target contribution of up to 14% of the energy mix by 2020. It is estimated that there is the potential for 1TWh of primary energy from biogas per million persons in Europe, derived from agricultural by-products and waste. With an agricultural sector that accounts for 75% of land area and a large number of advanced engineering firms, Northern Ireland is a region with considerable potential for an integrated biogas industry. Northern Ireland is also heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels. Despite this, the industry is underdeveloped and there is a need for a collaborative approach from research, business and policy-makers across all sectors to optimise Northern Ireland’s abundant natural resources. ‘Developing Opportunities in Bio-Energy’ (i.e. Do Bioenergy) is a recently completed project that involved both academic and specialist industrial partners. The aim was to develop a biogas research action plan for 2020 to define priorities for intersectoral regional development, co-operation and knowledge transfer in the field of production and use of biogas. Consultations were held with regional stakeholders and working groups were established to compile supporting data, decide key objectives and implementation activities. Within the context of this study it was found that biogas from feedstocks including grass, agricultural slurry, household and industrial waste have the potential to contribute from 2.5% to 11% of Northern Ireland’s total energy consumption. The economics of on-farm production were assessed, along with potential markets and alternative uses for biogas in sectors such as transport, heat and electricity. Arising from this baseline data, a Do Bioenergy was developed. The plan sets out a strategic research agenda, and details priorities and targets for 2020. The challenge for Northern Ireland is how best to utilise the biogas – as electricity, heat or vehicle fuel and in what proportions. The research areas identified were: development of small scale solutions for biogas production and use; solutions for improved nutrient management; knowledge supporting and developing the integration of biogas into the rural economy; and future crops and bio-based products. The human resources and costs for the implementation were estimated as 80 person-years and £25 million respectively. It is also clear that the development of a robust bio-gas sector requires some reform of the regulatory regime, including a planning policy framework and a need to address social acceptance issues. The Action Plan was developed from a regional perspective but the results may be applicable to other regions in Europe and elsewhere. This paper presents the methodology, results and analysis, and discussion and key findings of the Do Bioenergy report for Northern Ireland.