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Now showing 1 - 10 of 43
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    Long-time resistivity monitoring of a freshwater/saltwater transition zone using the vertical electrode system SAMOS
    (Les Ulis : EDP Sciences, 2018) Grinat, Michael; Epping, Dieter; Meyer, Robert; Szymkiewicz, Adam; Sadurski, A.; Jaworska-Szulc, B.
    In September 2009 two newly developed vertical electrode systems were installed in boreholes in the water catchment areas Waterdelle and Ostland at the North Sea island Borkum to monitor possible changes of the transition zone between the freshwater lens and the underlying saltwater. The vertical electrode systems, which were both installed between 44 m and 65 m below ground level, are used for geoelectrical multi-electrode measurements carried out automatically several times per day; the measurements are still ongoing. The whole system consisting of a vertical electrode system in a borehole and the measuring unit at ground level is called SAMOS (Saltwater Monitoring System). At both locations the data show a clear resistivity decrease that indicates the transition zone between freshwater and saltwater. The depth of the transition zone as well as the kind of resistivity decrease is very stable since 2010. Temporal changes are visible if single depths are considered. In 2015 Miriam Ibenthal used a vertical 2D density-dependent groundwater flow model to explain the long-term resistivity measurements and showed that the temporal changes at CLIWAT 2 (Ostland) could be explained by variations of the groundwater level, changing groundwater recharge rates and changing pumping rates of the nearby located drinking water supply wells.
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    Saltwater intrusion under climate change in North-Western Germany - mapping, modelling and management approaches in the projects TOPSOIL and go-CAM
    (Les Ulis : EDP Sciences, 2018) Wiederhold, Helga; Scheer, Wolfgang; Kirsch, Reinhard; Azizur Rahman, M.; Ronczka, Mathias; Szymkiewicz, Adam; Sadurski, A.; Jaworska-Szulc, B.
    Climate change will result in rising sea level and, at least for the North Sea region, in rising groundwater table. This leads to a new balance at the fresh–saline groundwater boundary and a new distribution of saltwater intrusions with strong regional differentiations. These effects are investigated in several research projects funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Objectives and some results from the projects TOPSOIL and go-CAM are presented in this poster.
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    Modeling saltwater intrusion scenarios for a coastal aquifer at the German North Sea
    (Les Ulis : EDP Sciences, 2018) Schneider, A.; Zhao, H.; Wolf, J.; Logashenko, D.; Reiter, S.; Howahr, M.; Eley, M.; Gelleszun, M.; Wiederhold, H.; Szymkiewicz, Adam; Sadurski, A.; Jaworska-Szulc, B.
    A 3d regional density-driven flow model of a heterogeneous aquifer system at the German North Sea Coast is set up within the joint project NAWAK (“Development of sustainable adaption strategies for the water supply and distribution infrastructure on condition of climatic and demographic change”). The development of the freshwater-saltwater interface is simulated for three climate and demographic scenarios. Groundwater flow simulations are performed with the finite volume code d3f++ (distributed density driven flow) that has been developed with a view to the modelling of large, complex, strongly density-influenced aquifer systems over long time periods.
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    Characterization of a regional coastal zone aquifer using an interdisciplinary approach – an example from Weser-Elbe region, Lower Saxony, Germany
    (Les Ulis : EDP Sciences, 2018) Rahman, Mohammad Azizur; González, Eva; Wiederhold, Helga; Deus, Nico; Elbracht, Jörg; Siemon, Bernhard; Szymkiewicz, Adam; Sadurski, A.; Jaworska-Szulc, B.
    In this study, interdisciplinary approaches are considered to characterize the coastal zone aquifer of the Elbe-Weser region in the North of Lower Saxony, Germany. Geological, hydrogeological, geochemical and geophysical information have been considered to analyze the current status of the aquifers. All the information collectively states that the salinity distribution in the subsurface is heterogeneous both horizontally and vertically. Early age flooding also contributed to this heterogeneity. No general classification of groundwater quality (according to some piper diagrams) could be identified. Helicopter-borne electro-magnetic data clearly show the presence of freshwater reserves below the sea near the west coast. Groundwater recharge largely happens in the moraine ridges (west side of the area) where both the surface elevation and the groundwater level are high. Consequently, submarine groundwater discharge occurs from the same place. All these information will facilitate to develop the planned density driven groundwater flow and transport model for the study area.
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    Chapter scientists in the IPCC AR5-experience and lessons learned
    (Amsterdam [u.a.] : Elsevier, 2015) Schulte-Uebbing, Lena; Hansen, Gerrit; Hernández, Ariel Macaspac; Winter, Marten
    IPCC Assessment Reports provide timely and accurate information on anthropogenic climate change to policy makers and the public. The reports are written by hundreds of scientists in a voluntary, collaborative effort. Growing amounts of literature and complex procedural and administrative requirements, however, make this effort a substantial management challenge next to a scientific one. During the 5th Assessment Cycle, IPCC Working Groups II and III initiated a program that recruited volunteer scientific assistants who provided technical and logistical support to author teams. In this paper we describe and analyze strengths and weaknesses of this ‘Chapter Scientist program’, based on an extensive survey among Chapter Scientists (CS) and interviews with other stakeholders. We conclude that the program was a useful innovation that that enabled authors to focus more on their core scientific tasks and that contributed to improving the quality of the assessment. We highly recommend similar programs for future scientific assessments. Key criteria for success that we identified are (a) involvement of early-career scientists as CS, (b) close integration of CS in the assessment process, (c) recruitment of CS through an open call to achieve transparency, and (d) provision of funds for such a program to support travel costs and compensation of CS.
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    Lifetime vs. rate capability: Understanding the role of FEC and VC in high-energy Li-ion batteries with nano-silicon anodes
    (Amsterdam : Elsevier, 2016) Jaumann, Tony; Balach, Juan; Langklotz, Ulrike; Sauchuk, Viktar; Fritsch, Marco; Michaelis, Alexander; Teltevskij, Valerij; Mikhailova, Daria; Oswald, Steffen; Klose, Markus; Stephani, Guenter; Hauser, Ralf; Eckert, Jürgen; Giebeler, Lars
    Fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and vinylene carbonate (VC) are the most frequently used electrolyte components to enhance the lifetime of anode materials in Li-ion batteries, but for silicon it is still ambiguous when FEC or VC is more beneficial. Herein, a nanostructured silicon/carbon anode derived from low-cost HSiCl3 is tailored by the rational choice of the electrolyte component, to obtain an anode material outperforming current complex silicon structures. We demonstrate highly reversible areal capacities of up to 5 mA h/cm2 at 4.4 mg/cm2 mass loading, a specific capacity of 1280 mA h/gElectrode, a capacity retention of 81% after 500 deep-discharge cycles versus lithium metal and successful full-cell tests with high-voltage cathodes meeting the requirements for real application. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and post-mortem investigation provide new insights in tailoring the interfacial properties of silicon-based anodes for high performance anode materials based on an alloying mechanism with large volume changes. The role of fluorine in the FEC-derived interfacial layer is discussed in comparison with the VC-derived layer and possible degradation mechanisms are proposed. We believe that this study gives a valuable understanding and provides new strategies on the facile use of additives for highly reversible silicon anodes in Li-ion batteries.
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    A new method to measure real-world respiratory tract deposition of inhaled ambient black carbon
    (Amsterdam [u.a.] : Elsevier Science, 2019) Madueño, Leizel; Kecorius, Simonas; Löndahl, Jakob; Müller, Thomas; Pfeifer, Sascha; Haudek, Andrea; Mardoñez, Valeria; Wiedensohler, Alfred
    In this study, we present the development of a mobile system to measure real-world total respiratory tract deposition of inhaled ambient black carbon (BC). Such information can be used to supplement the existing knowledge on air pollution-related health effects, especially in the regions where the use of standard methods and intricate instrumentation is limited. The study is divided in two parts. Firstly, we present the design of portable system and methodology to evaluate the exhaled air BC content. We demonstrate that under real-world conditions, the proposed system exhibit negligible particle losses, and can additionally be used to determine the minute ventilation. Secondly, exemplary experimental data from the system is presented. A feasibility study was conducted in the city of La Paz, Bolivia. In a pilot experiment, we found that the cumulative total respiratory tract deposition dose over 1-h commuting trip would result in approximately 2.6 μg of BC. This is up to 5 times lower than the values obtained from conjectural approach (e.g. using physical parameters from previously reported worksheets). Measured total respiratory tract deposited BC fraction varied from 39% to 48% during walking and commuting inside a micro-bus, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, no studies focusing on experimental determination of real-world deposition dose of BC have been performed in developing regions. This can be especially important because the BC mass concentration is significant and determines a large fraction of particle mass concentration. In this work, we propose a potential method, recommendations, as well as the limitations in establishing an easy and relatively cheap way to estimate the respiratory tract deposition of BC. In this study we present a novel method to measure real-world respiratory tract deposition dose of Black Carbon. Results from a pilot study in La Paz, Bolivia, are presented. © 2019 The Authors
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    Predictability of properties of a fractured geothermal reservoir: the opportunities and limitations of an outcrop analogue study
    (Berlin ; Heidelberg [u.a.] : SpringerOpen, 2017) Bauer, Johanna F.; Krumbholz, Michael; Meier, Silke; Tanner, David C.
    Minimizing exploration risk in deep geothermics is of great economic importance. Especially, knowledge about temperature and permeability of the reservoir is essential. We test the potential of an outcrop analogue study to minimize uncertainties in prediction of the rock properties of a fractured reservoir in the Upper Rhine Graben. Our results show that although mineralogical composition, clay content, grain size, and fabric type are basically comparable, porosity and quartz cementation are not. Young’s modulus, as observed in the outcrop closest to the reservoir is about twice as high (~ 64 GPa) as observed in the reservoir (~ 34 GPa). Most importantly, however, the parameters that describe the fracture system, which are essential to predict reservoir permeability, differ significantly. While the outcrops are dominated by perpendicular fracture sets (striking NE–SW and NW–SE), two different conjugate fracture sets (striking NW–SE and N–S) occur in the reservoir. Fracture apertures, as reported from the FMI, are one order of magnitude wider than in the outcrop. We conclude that our outcrop analogue study fails to predict important properties of the reservoir (such as permeability and porosity). This must be in part because of the tectonically complex setting of the reservoir. We propose that analogue studies are important, but they must be treated with care when attempting to predict the controlling parameters of a fractured reservoir.
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    Representativeness of European biochar research: part I–field experiments
    (Vilnius : Technika, 2017) Verheijen, Frank G. A.; Mankasingh, Utra; Penizek, Vit; Panzacchi, Pietro; Glaser, Bruno; Jeffery, Simon; Bastos, Ana Catarina; Tammeorg, Priit; Kern, Jürgen; Zavalloni, Costanza; Zanchettin, Giulia; Sakrabani, Ruben
    A representativeness survey of existing European Biochar field experiments within the Biochar COST Action TD1107 was conducted to gather key information for setting up future experiments and collaborations, and to minimise duplication of efforts amongst European researchers. Woody feedstock biochar, applied without organic or inorganic fertiliser appears over-represented compared to other categories, especially considering the availability of crop residues, manures, and other organic waste streams and the efforts towards achieving a zero waste economy. Fertile arable soils were also over-represented while shallow unfertile soils were under-represented. Many of the latter are likely in agroforestry or forest plantation land use. The most studied theme was crop production. However, other themes that can provide evidence of mechanisms, as well as potential undesired side-effects, were relatively well represented. Biochar use for soil contamination remediation was the least represented theme; further work is needed to identify which specific contaminants, or mixtures of contaminants, have the potential for remediation by different biochars. © 2017 The Author(s) Published by VGTU Press and Informa UK Limited, [trading as Taylor & Francis Group].
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    Synergistic use of peat and charred material in growing media–an option to reduce the pressure on peatlands?
    (Vilnius : Technika, 2017) Kern, Jürgen; Tammeorg, Priit; Shanskiy, Merrit; Sakrabani, Ruben; Knicker, Heike; Kammann, Claudia; Tuhkanen, Eeva-Maria; Smidt, Geerd; Prasad, Munoo; Tiilikkala, Kari; Sohi, Saran; Gascó, Gabriel; Steiner, Christoph; Glaser, Bruno
    Peat is used as a high quality substrate for growing media in horticulture. However, unsustainable peat extraction damages peatland ecosystems, which disappeared to a large extent in Central and South Europe. Furthermore, disturbed peatlands are becoming a source of greenhouse gases due to drainage and excavation. This study is the result of a workshop within the EU COST Action TD1107 (Biochar as option for sustainable resource management), held in Tartu (Estonia) in 2015. The view of stakeholders were consulted on new biochar-based growing media and to what extent peat may be replaced in growing media by new compounds like carbonaceous materials from thermochemical conversion. First positive results from laboratory and greenhouse experiments have been reported with biochar content in growing media ranging up to 50%. Various companies have already started to use biochar as an additive in their growing media formulations. Biochar might play a more important role in replacing peat in growing media, when biochar is available, meets the quality requirements, and their use is economically feasible. © 2017 The Author(s) Published by VGTU Press and Informa UK Limited, [trading as Taylor & Francis Group].