Understanding oceanic migrations with intrinsic biogeochemical markers

Migratory marine vertebrates move annually across remote oceanic water masses crossing international borders. Many anthropogenic threats such as overfishing, bycatch, pollution or global warming put millions of marine migrants at risk especially during their long-distance movements. Therefore, precise knowledge about these migratory movements to understand where and when these animals are more exposed to human impacts is vital for addressing marine conservation issues. Because electronic tracking devices suffer from several constraints, mainly logistical and financial, there is emerging interest in finding appropriate intrinsic markers, such as the chemical composition of inert tissues, to study long-distance migrations and identify wintering sites. Here, using tracked pelagic seabirds and some of their own feathers which were known to be grown at different places and times within the annual cycle, we proved the value of biogeochemical analyses of inert tissue as tracers of marine movements and habitat use. Analyses of feathers grown in summer showed that both stable isotope signatures and element concentrations can signal the origin of breeding birds feeding in distinct water masses. However, only stable isotopes signalled water masses used during winter because elements mainly accumulated during the long breeding period are incorporated into feathers grown in both summer and winter. Our findings shed new light on the simple and effective assignment of marine organisms to distinct oceanic areas, providing new opportunities to study unknown migration patterns of secretive species, including in relation to human-induced mortality on specific populations in the marine environment.

Analyzing Carbon Trade Permits in Optimization Framework

The threats caused by global warming motivate different stake holders to deal with and control them. This Master's thesis focuses on analyzing carbon trade permits in optimization framework. The studied model determines optimal emission and uncertainty levels which minimize the total cost. Research questions are formulated and answered by using different optimization tools. The model is developed and calibrated by using available consistent data in the area of carbon emission technology and control. Data and some basic modeling assumptions were extracted from reports and existing literatures. The data collected from the countries in the Kyoto treaty are used to estimate the cost functions. Theory and methods of constrained optimization are briefly presented. A two-level optimization problem (individual and between the parties) is analyzed by using several optimization methods. The combined cost optimization between the parties leads into multivariate model and calls for advanced techniques. Lagrangian, Sequential Quadratic Programming and Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm are referred to. The role of inherent measurement uncertainty in the monitoring of emissions is discussed. We briefly investigate an approach where emission uncertainty would be described in stochastic framework. MATLAB software has been used to provide visualizations including the relationship between decision variables and objective function values. Interpretations in the context of carbon trading were briefly presented. Suggestions for future work are given in stochastic modeling, emission trading and coupled analysis of energy prices and carbon permits.

Factors influencing zooplankton size structure at contrasting temperatures in coastal shallow lakes: Implications for effects of climate change

We assessed the importance of temperature, salinity, and predation for the size structure of zooplankton and provided insight into the future ecological structure and function of shallow lakes in a warmer climate. Artificial plants were introduced in eight comparable coastal shallow brackish lakes located at two contrasting temperatures: cold-temperate and Mediterranean climate region. Zooplankton, fish, and macroinvertebrates were sampled within the plants and at open-water habitats. The fish communities of these brackish lakes were characterized by small-sized individuals, highly associated with submerged plants. Overall, higher densities of small planktivorous fish were recorded in the Mediterranean compared to the cold-temperate region, likely reflecting temperature-related differences as have been observed in freshwater lakes. Our results suggest that fish predation is the major control of zooplankton size structure in brackish lakes, since fish density was related to a decrease in mean body size and density of zooplankton and this was reflected in a unimodal shaped biomass-sizespectrum with dominance of small sizes and low size diversity. Salinity might play a more indirect role by shaping zooplankton communities toward more salt-tolerant species. In a global-warming perspective, these results suggest that changes in the trophic structure of shallow lakes in temperate regions might be expected as a result of the warmer temperatures and the potentially associated increases in salinity. The decrease in the density of largebodied zooplankton might reduce the grazing on phytoplankton and thus the chances of maintaining the clear water state in these ecosystems

Lämpöpumppujen vaikutukset sähköverkkoliiketoiminnan kannalta

Energiatehokkuus sekä ilmastonmuutos ovat aiheuttaneet pyrkimyksen vähentää kokonaisenergiankulutuksia erilaisissa rakennuksissa. Lämmitysjärjestelmissä tämä on näkynyt voimakkaana lämpöpumppumäärien kasvuna. Lämpöpumput vaikuttavat erilaisissa rakennus- ja lämmitystyypeissä myös sähköenergiankulutukseen. Lämpöpumppujen käytöstä saadaan eniten hyötyä lämmityskustannuksiin sähkölämmitteisissä rakennuksissa. Seurauksena on, että tällaisen rakennuksen sähkönkulutus ja siten myös sähkölasku pienenevät. Toisaalta muihin kuin sähkölämmitteisiin rakennuksiin asennettu lämpöpumppu kasvattaa sähköenergiankulutusta. Lämpöpumppuihin integroitu jäähdytysominaisuus myös tavallisesti lisää sähkönkulutusta. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena on selvittää, kuinka lämpöpumput vaikuttavat sähköenergiankulutukseen. Vaikutuksia tutkitaan sähköverkkoyhtiöiden kannalta sähköenergian ja liikevaihdon osalta. Tarkastelussa käytetään neljää yleisintä lämpöpumpputyyppiä, ja niiden toimintaa verrataan eri rakennustyyppien lämmitysjärjestelmiin. Työssä käsitellään lämpöpumppujen toimintaa ja käytettävyyttä muiden lämmitysmenetelmien korvaajina tai lisänä. Tämän kirjallisen työn lisäksi on tehty laskentaohjelma, joka on perusteena työssä esitetyille tuloksille. Sen tarkoituksena on selvittää lämpöpumppujen vaikutukset sähköverkkoliiketoimintaan energiayhtiöissä. Vaikutukset yksittäiseen energiayhtiöön ovat eniten riippuvaisia lämpöpumppujen asennuskohteista, lämpöpumppujen toiminnasta ja lämpöpumpputyypistä. Kuluttajat tulevat määräämään vaikutusten suuruuden, koska lämpöpumppujen lukumäärällä ja käytöllä on sähköenergiankulutukseen huomattava merkitys. Vaikutus sähköenergiaan energiayhtiöiden kannalta voi yleisesti ottaen olla 2020-luvulle mentäessä merkittävä. Tutkittavassa verkkoyhtiössä vaikutuksen sähköenergiaan arvioidaan olevan 10 % luokkaa yhdeltä vuodelta verrattuna tämän päivän kokonaissähköenergiankulutukseen. Vaikutus verkkoliikevaihtoon on arviolta puolet pienempi. Tällaiset tulokset edellyttävät lämpöpumppumäärän moninkertaistumista nykyisestä, mikä on myös odotettavissa.

Calculation of the carbon footprint of Finnish barley products - methodology and possible applications

The purpose of this thesis was to define how product carbon footprint analysis and its results can be used in company's internal development as well as in customer and interest group guidance, and how these factors are related to corporate social responsibility. From-cradle-to-gate carbon footprint was calculated for three products; Torino Whole grain barley, Torino Pearl barley, and Elovena Barley grit & oat bran, all of them made of Finnish barley. The carbon footprint of the Elovena product was used to determine carbon footprints for industrial kitchen cooked porridge portions. The basic calculation data was collected from several sources. Most of the data originated from Raisio Group's contractual farmers and Raisio Group's cultivation, processing and packaging specialists. Data from national and European literature and database sources was also used. The electricity consumption for porridge portions' carbon footprint calculations was determined with practical measurements. The carbon footprint calculations were conducted according to the ISO 14044 standard, and the PAS 2050 guide was also applied. A consequential functional unit was applied in porridge portions' carbon footprint calculations. Most of the emissions from barley products' life cycle originate from primary production. The nitrous oxide emissions from cultivated soil and the use and production of nitrogenous fertilisers contribute over 50% of products' carbon footprint. Torino Pearl barley has the highest carbon footprint due to the lowest processing output. The reductions in products' carbon footprint can be achieved with developments in cultivation and grain processing. The carbon footprint of porridge portion can be reduced by using domestically produced plant-based ingredients and by making the best possible use of the kettle. Carbon footprint calculation can be used to determine possible improvement points related to corporate environmental responsibility. Several improvement actions are related to economical and social responsibility through better raw material utilization and expense reductions.

Fluxos de óxido nitroso na interface ar-mar na Baía de Guanabara

In Surface water concentrations of N2O were measured at 37 stations in Guanabara Bay and fluxes estimated across the air-sea interface. Concentrations averaged 8.2 ± 2.2 nmol L-1 and 90% of the stations showed supersaturation averaging 33%. N2O fluxes were estimated using a two-film model which is given by the product of the concentration difference across the film and the gas transfer coefficient (k w). Two parametrizations of k w were used which provided average fluxes of 0.3 and 3.0 µg N m-2 h-1. Flux measurements using floating chambers (not reported here) seem to agree with the upper limit of these estimates.

Emissão de óxido nitroso de estação de tratamento de esgoto de lodos ativados por aeração prolongada - estudo preliminar

Nitrous oxide emissions from an activated sludge plant which serves a research institute in Rio de Janeiro city were estimated from six unit processes (grit tank, sand trap, aeration tank, secondary settling tank, sludge recirculation line and aerobic digester sludge tank) and also from the plant effluent. Total estimated annual flux was 3.2 x 10(4) g N2O yr-1 of which about 90% was from the aeration tank. Emission factors estimated from population served, wastewater flow and nitrogen load (conversion ratio) were 13 g N2O person-1 yr-1, 9.0 x 10-5 g N2O Lwastewater-1 and 0.14%.

Emissões de óxido nitroso do tanque de aeração de uma estação de tratamento de esgotos com sistema de lodos ativados convencional

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions were measured monthly from January to June 2010 in the aeration tank of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Southeast Brazil. Emissions were lower in summer than winter and were positively related with influent ammonium (NH4+) concentration. The average N2O emission was 1.11 kg N day-1 corresponding to 0.02% of the influent total nitrogen load. The average emission factor calculated for the population served was 2.5 lower than that proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for inventories of N2O emissions from WWTPs with controlled nitrification and denitrification processes.

Luonto ja ihmiset ilmastonmuuttajina

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

EMISSÕES DE ÓXIDO NITROSO E METANO DO SOLO EM ÁREAS DE RECUPERAÇÃO DE PASTAGENS NA AMAZÔNIA MATOGROSSENSE

AbstractThis study evaluates the chemical processes responsible for the nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) fluxes in the managed pasture (PM) and unmanaged pasture (PNM). In addition, the impact of nitrogen fertilization on the N2O and CH4 fluxes was assessed. The experiments were conducted on three farms in Alta Floresta city in the state of Mato Grosso. Both regular and intensive samples were collected from PM, PNM, and forest areas for each of the properties. The gases were sampled using static chambers in the morning. Higher N2O fluxes were recorded in the PMs, whereas the CH4 fluxes showed no influence of nitrogen fertilization in both regular and intensive samples. Low fertilizer levels resulted in low N2O emissions.

Past, present and future - assessing changes in aquatic environments using subfossil diatoms

The deterioration of surface waters is one of the most important issues in the environmental management of the European Union. Thus, the EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD) requires “good ecological and chemical status” of surface waters by 2015 allowing only a slight departure from ecological reference conditions characterized by the biological communities typical for the conditions of minimal anthropogenic impact. The WFD requires the determination of ecological reference conditions and the present ecological status of surface waters. To meet this legislative demand, sedimentary diatom assemblages were used in these studies with various methods 1) to assess natural and human activity induced environmental changes, 2) to characterize background conditions 3) to evaluate the present ecological status and 4) to predict the future of the water bodies in the light of palaeolimnological data. As the WFD refers to all surface waters, both coastal and inland sites were included. Two long and two short sediment cores from the Archipelago Sea in the northern Baltic Sea were examined for their siliceous microfossils in order to assess (1) the Holocene palaeoenvironmental history and (2) the recent eutrophication of the area. The diatom record was divided into local diatom assemblage zones (LDAZ, long cores) and diatom assemblage zones (DAZ, short cores). Locally weighted weighted averaging regression and calibration (LWWA) was applied for the quantitative reconstruction of past TN concentrations (short cores). An age model for the long cores was constructed by using independent palaeomagnetic and AMS-14C methods. The short cores were dated using radiometric (210Pb, 226Ra and 137Cs) methods. The long cores date back to the early history of the Archipelago Sea, which was freshwater – no salinity increase referable to the brackish phase of the Yoldia Sea is recognized. The nutrient status of the lacustrine phase was slightly higher in the Archipelago Sea than in the Baltic Proper. Initial brackish-water influence is observed at 8 150 ±80 cal. BP (LDAZ4), but fully brackish conditions were established at 7 700 ±80 cal. BP (LDAZ5). The diatom assemblages indicate increasing salinity, warming climate and possible eutrophic conditions during the lacustrine to brackish-water transition. The decreasing abundance of Pseudosolenia calcar-avis (Schultze) Sundström and the increasing abundance of the ice-cover indicator species Pauliella taeniata (Grunow) Round and Basson indicate decreasing salinity and climatic cooling after ca. 5 000 cal. BP. Signs of eutrophication are visible in the most recent diatom assemblage zones of both short cores. Diatom-inferred total nitrogen (DI-TN) reconstructions partially fail to trace the actual measured total nitrogen concentrations especially from the late 1980s to the mid 1990s. This is most likely due to the dominating diatom species Pauliella taeniata, Thalassiosira levanderi Van Goor and Fragilariopsis cylindrus (Grunow) W. Krieger being more influenced by factors such as the length of the ice-season rather than nutrient concentrations. It is concluded that the diatom assemblages of the study sites are principally governed by climate fluctuations, with a slight influence of eutrophication visible in the most recent sediments. There are indications that global warming, with reduced ice cover, could impact the spring blooming diatom species composition in the Archipelago Sea. In addition, increased sediment accumulation in the early 90s coincides with the short ice-seasons suggesting that warming climate with decreasing ice-cover may increase sedimentation in the study area. The diverse diatom assemblages dominated by benthic species (54 %) in DAZ1 in the Käldö Fjärd core can be taken as background diatom assemblages for the Archipelago Sea. Since then turbidity has increased and the diatom assemblages have been dominated by planktonic diatoms from around the mid 1800s onwards. The reconstructed reference conditions for the total nitrogen concentrations fluctuate around 400 μg l-1. Altogether two short sediment cores and eight short cores for top-bottom analysis were retrieved from Lake Orijärvi and Lake Määrjärvi to assess the impact of the acid mine drainage (AMD) derived metals from the Orijärvi mine tailings on the diatom communities of the lakes. The Cu (Pb, Zn) mine of Orijärvi (1757 – 1956) was the first one in Finland where flotation techniques (1911 – 1955) were used to enrich ore and large quantities of tailings were produced. The AMD derived metal impact to the lakes was found to be among the heaviest thus far recorded in Finland. Concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn in Lake Orijärvi sediments are two to three orders of magnitude higher than background values. The metal inputs have affected Lake Orijärvi and Lake Määrjärvi diatom communities at the community levels through shifts in dominant taxa (both lakes) and at the individual level through alteration in frustule morphology (Lake Orijärvi). At present, lake water still has elevated heavy metal levels, indicating that the impact from the tailings area continues to affect both lakes. Lake Orijärvi diatom assemblages are completely dominated by benthic species and are lacking planktonic diatoms. In Lake Määrjärvi the proportion of benthic and tychoplanktonic diatoms has increased and the planktonic taxa have decreased in abundance. Achnanthidium minutissimum Kützing and Brachysira vitrea (Grun.) R. Ross in Hartley were the most tolerant species to increased metal concentrations. Planktonic diatoms are more sensitive to metal contamination than benthic taxa, especially species in the genus Cyclotella (Kützing) Brébisson. The ecological reference conditions assessed in this study for Lake Orijärvi and Lake Määrjärvi comprise diverse planktonic and benthic communitites typical of circumneutral oligotrophic lakes, where the planktonic diatoms belonging to genera Cyclotella , Aulacoseira Thwaites, Tabellaria Ehrenberg and Asterionella Hassall dominate in relative abundances up to ca. 70%. The benthic communities are more diverse than the planktonic consisting of diatoms belonging to the genera Achnanthes Bory, Fragilaria Lyngbye and Navicula St. Vincent. This study clearly demonstrates that palaeolimnological methods, especially diatom analysis, provide a powerful tool for the EU Water Frame Work Directive for defining reference conditions, natural variability and current status of surface waters. The top/bottom approach is a very useful tool in larger-scale studies needed for management purposes. This “before and after” type of sediment sampling method can provide a very time and cost effective assessment of ecological reference conditions of surface waters.

Incubation period of Hemileia vastatrix in coffee plants in Brazil simulated under climate change

Risk analysis of climate change on plant diseases has great importance for agriculture since it allows the evaluation of management strategies to minimize future damages. This work aimed to simulate future scenarios of coffee rust (Hemileia vastatrix) epidemics by elaborating geographic distribution maps using a model that estimates the pathogen incubation period and the output from three General Circulation Models (CSIRO-Mk3.0, INM-CM3.0, and MIROC3.2.medres). The climatological normal from 1961-1990 was compared with that of the decades 2020s, 2050s and 2080s using scenarios A2 and B1 from the IPCC. Maps were prepared with a spatial resolution of 0.5 × 0.5 degrees of latitude and longitude for ten producing states in Brazil. The climate variables used were maximum and minimum monthly temperatures. The maps obtained in scenario A2 showed a tendency towards a reduction in the incubation period when future scenarios are compared with the climatological normal from 1961-1990. A reduction in the period was also observed in scenario B1, although smaller than that in scenario A2.

Studies on Neuromuscular Blocking Agents and Their Antagonists During Anaesthesia

Neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) are widely used in clinical anaesthesia and emergency medicine. Main objectives are to facilitate endotracheal intubation and to allow surgery by reducing muscle tone and eliminating sudden movements, which may otherwise lead to trauma and complications. The most commonly used NMBAs are non-depolarizing agents with a medium duration of action, such as rocuronium and cisatracurium. They bind to the acetylcholine receptors in the neuromuscular junction, thus inhibiting the depolarization of the postsynaptic (muscular) membrane, which is a prerequisite for muscle contraction to take place. Previously, it has been assumed that nitrous oxide (N2O), which is commonly used in combination with volatile or intravenous anaesthetics during general anaesthesia, has no effect on NMBAs. Several studies have since claimed that N2O in fact does increase the effect of NMBAs when using bolus administration of the relaxant. The effect of N2O on the infusion requirements of two NMBAs (rocuronium and cisatracurium) with completely different molecular structure and pharmacological properties was assessed. A closed-loop feedback controlled infusion of NMBA with duration of at least 90 minutes at a 90% level of neuromuscular block was used. All patients received total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and remifentanil. In both studies the study group (n=35) received N2O/Oxygen and the control group (n=35) Air/Oxygen. There were no significant differences in the mean steady state infusion requirements of NMBA (rocuronium in Study I; cisatracurium in Study II) between the groups in either study. In Study III the duration of the unsafe period of recovery after reversal of rocuronium-induced neuromuscular block by using neostigmine or sugammadex as a reversal agent was analyzed. The unsafe period of recovery was defined as the time elapsed from the moment of no clinical (visual) fade in the train-of-four (TOF) sequence until an objectively measured TOF-ratio of 0.90 was achieved. The duration of these periods were 10.3 ± 5.5 and 0.3 ± 0.3 min after neostigmine and sugammadex, respectively (P < 0.001). Study IV investigated the possible effect of reversal of a rocuronium NMB by sugammadex on depth of anaesthesia as indicated by the bispectral index and entropy levels in thirty patients. Sugammadex did not affect the level of anaesthesia as determined by EEG-derived indices of anaesthetic depth such as the bispectral index and entropy.

Aurinkopaneeleihin liitettävien vaihtosuuntaajien testaussuunnitelman laadinta ja toteutus

Aurinkoenergia on yksi monista uusiutuvan energian muodoista, joiden suosio on viimeisten vuosien aikana kasvanut fossiilisten polttoaineiden kallistumisen sekä ilmaston lämpenemisen vuoksi. Auringon säteilyn energiaa voidaan muuttaa sähköenergiaksi mm. aurinkopaneeleiden avulla. Aurinkopaneeleihin liitetään usein vaihtosuuntaaja, jolla tuotettu teho voidaan muokata sähköverkkoon tai kotitalouden sähköjärjestelmään sopivaksi. Tässä työssä on esitelty aurinkopaneelilla tuotettavan sähköenergian perusperiaatteet sekä tehoa tuottavan järjestelmän reunaehdot. Tutkimuksessa on perehdytty keskeisiin, aurinkopaneeleihin liitettäville vaihtosuuntaajille laadittuihin standardeihin, hyötysuhteen mittaamisen sekä sähkön laadun näkökulmista. Selvityksen avulla järjestelmän hyötysuhteen sekä lähtötehon laadun määrittämiseksi voidaan laatia standardien mukainen mittaussuunnitelma vaihtosuuntaajan nimellistehosta riippumatta. Standardien avulla on laadittu mittaussuunnitelma Global Inversonne, 100 kW - verkkovaihtosuuntaajayksikölle. Suunnitelman mukaisissa mittauksissa on tutkittu yksikön muunnoshyötysuhdetta sekä lähtöjännitteen- ja virran laatua. Lisäksi työssä on analysoitu mittaustulosten mittausepävarmuuksia ja niitä aiheuttavia tekijöitä.

Jätteenpolton typenoksidipäästöjen vähentäminen

Työn tavoitteena oli selvittää jätteenpolton typenoksidipäästöjen puhdistusmahdollisuuksia. Työssä käydään läpi typen oksidien muodostuminen poltossa ja typen oksidien poistomenetelmät. Poistomenetelmiä käsiteltäessä painotus on arinapoltossa ja erityisesti selektiivisessä ei-katalyyttimenetelmässä (SNCR). Työn kokeellinen osa tehtiin Ekokem Oy Ab:n jätevoimalassa Riihimäellä. Kokeellisessa osassa selvitettiin ensin ammoniakkiveden massavirran, SNCR-laitteiston veden massavirran ja räjähdysnuohouksen vaikutusta typenoksidipitoisuuteen. Samalla selvitettiin muita typenoksidipitoisuuteen vaikuttavia tekijöitä sekä SNCR-laitteiston puhdistustehokkuus. Sen jälkeen selvitettiin parhaita toiminta-arvoja öljyisen veden massavirralle, SNCR-laitteiston massavirralle ja primääri- ja sekundääri-ilman suhteelle typenoksidipitoisuuden, ammoniakki-slip:n, ilokaasupitoisuuden, ammoniakkiveden kulutuksen ja höyryn tuotannon kannalta. Tulokseksi saatiin, että ammoniakkiveden massavirran lisääminen pienentää typenoksidipitoisuutta, mutta voi aiheuttaa ammoniakkipäästön. Paras SNCR-laitteiston veden massavirta on suurin tutkittu, 800 kg/h, jolloin typenoksidipitoisuus sekä typenoksidipitoisuuden hetkittäinen vaihtelu, ammoniakkiveden kulutus ja ammoniakkipäästö ovat pienimmät. Samalla tosin höyryn virtaama pienenee. SNCR-laitteiston puhdistustehokkuudeksi saatiin 60 %. Räjähdysnuohouksella ei ole havaittavaa, eikä öljyisen veden massavirralla merkittävää vaikutusta typenoksidipitoisuuteen. Ammoniakkiveden kulutuksen kannalta paras öljyisen veden määrä on 600 kg/h, kun taas ammoniakki-slip:n kannalta paras öljyisen veden määrä on 950 kg/h. Primääri-ilman osuuden pienentäminen pienentää ammoniakki-slip:iä ja ammoniakkiveden kulutusta.