Geological and Mineralogical Sequestration of CO2

The rapid increasing of concentrations of anthropologically generated greenhouse gases (primarily CO2) in the atmosphere is responsible for global warming and ocean acidification. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) indicates that carbon capture and storage (CCS) techniques are a necessary measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the short-to-medium term. One of the technological solutions is the long-term storage of CO2 in appropriate geological formations, such as deep saline formations and depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Promising alternative options that guarantee the permanent capture of CO2, although on a smaller scale, are the in-situ and ex-situ fixation of CO2 in the form of inorganic carbonates via the carbonation of mafic and ultramafic rocks and of Mg/Ca-rich fly ash, iron and steel slags, cement waste, and mine tailings. According to this general framework, this Special Issue collects articles covering various aspects of recent scientific advances in the geological and mineralogical sequestration of CO2. In particular, it includes the assessment of the storage potential of candidate injection sites in Croatia, Greece, and Norway; numerical modelling of geochemical–mineralogical reactions and CO2 flow; studies of natural analogues providing information on the processes and the physical–chemical conditions characterizing serpentinite carbonation; and experimental investigations to better understand the effectiveness and mechanisms of geological and mineralogical CO2 sequestration

Monitoring and mitigation of the sound effects of hydrocarbon exploration activities on marine mammal populations

Offshore Exploration and Production (E&P) activities, such as seismic surveys and drilling, generate sound that can affect marine mammals in different ways. These effects range from permanent or temporary auditory impacts to disturbance or behavioral changes, and communication masking. Depending on the intensity and duration of these effects, and without implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, this can result in population-level consequences. The overarching objective of this study was to advance the protection of marine mammals during the implementation of E&P activities through the following themes: (1) enhancement of the state of knowledge of risk management, (2) efficacy of mitigation, (3) advanced monitoring technology, (4) implementation of advanced industry monitoring and mitigation measures and (5) measurement of heretofore unassessed E&P activities. In this study several marine mammal monitoring and mitigation programs associated with E&P projects are presented to further advance these themes. Topics being addressed include the use of autonomous camera systems for aerial monitoring of a narwhal population, long-term photo-identification studies of western gray whales to better understand site fidelity to their summer feeding grounds, mitigation of gray whales’ behavioral responses to a seismic survey near these feeding grounds and use of Passive Acoustic Monitoring to characterize seismic pulses and drilling activity as well as marine mammal presence in remote arctic areas. A synthesis of the main findings is provided that includes identification of future research needs. Conclusions and specific recommendations are made that will contribute to our ability to assess and mitigate risks of E&P sound to marine mammals

Electrophysiologic assessment of (central) auditory processing disorder in children with non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate

Session 5aPP - Psychological and Physiological Acoustics: Auditory Function, Mechanisms, and Models (Poster Session)Cleft of the lip and/or palate is a common congenital craniofacial malformation worldwide, particularly non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCL/P). Though middle ear deficits in this population have been universally noted in numerous studies, other auditory problems including inner ear deficits or cortical dysfunction are rarely reported. A higher prevalence of educational problems has been noted in children with NSCL/P compared to craniofacially normal children. These high level cognitive difficulties cannot be entirely attributed to peripheral hearing loss. Recently it has been suggested that children with NSCLP may be more prone to abnormalities in the auditory cortex. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether school age children with (NSCL/P) have a higher prevalence of indications of (central) auditory processing disorder [(C)APD] compared to normal age matched controls when assessed using auditory event-related potential (ERP) techniques. School children (6 to 15 years) with NSCL/P and normal controls with matched age and gender were recruited. Auditory ERP recordings included auditory brainstem response and late event-related potentials, including the P1-N1-P2 complex and P300 waveforms. Initial findings from the present study are presented and their implications for further research in this area —and clinical intervention—are outlined. © 2012 Acoustical Society of Americapublished_or_final_versio

Ocean Noise

Scientific and societal concern about the effects of underwater sound on marine ecosystems is growing. While iconic megafauna was of initial concern, more and more taxa are being included. Some countries have joined in multi-national initiatives to measure, monitor and mitigate environmental impacts of ocean noise at large, trans-boundary spatial scales. Approaches to regulating ocean noise change as new scientific evidence becomes available, but may also differ by country. The OCEANOISE conference series has provided a platform for the exchange of scientific results, management approaches, research needs, stakeholder concerns, etc. Attendees have represented various sectors, including academia, offshore industry, defence, NGOs, consultants and government regulators. The published articles in the Special Issue cover a range of topics and applications central to ocean noise

AN ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT METHODOLOGIES FOR MITIGATING THE POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF ANTHROPOGENIC UNDERWATER SOUND ON MARINE LIFE, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BEST PRACTICE

Underwater sound from anthropogenic sources such as seismic surveys, marine renewable device installations and naval exercises has the potential to disturb and cause injury to a variety of marine species. There is particular concern for the potential effects upon marine mammals, which utilise sound to communicate, hunt and navigate. Observed effects include behavioural changes and reduced sighting rates, with unknown consequences for individuals or populations over time. Potential effects on marine mammals include sound induced damage to auditory systems, altered diving behaviour potentially resulting in decompression sickness, stranding and death. The aim of the thesis was to develop a framework of best practice measures relating to mitigating the potential effects of underwater sound on marine mammals during offshore exploration and development operations. In order to mitigate the potential effects of underwater sound, regulatory guidelines have been developed and implemented around the world, principally for seismic surveys. These guidelines limit the activation of seismic sources when in proximity to marine species, and involve the use of specially trained personnel on survey vessels known as Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs). A critical review of the guidelines identified variation in the level of precaution applied to measures, such as the distance at which species can be sighted before reducing sound output from the operation. MMOs collect sighting information for all encounters with marine species, resulting in large volumes of data detailing species occurrence and behaviour. A sample dataset was found to be subject to variation in quality due to the different academic backgrounds and training levels of personnel. The data highlighted significant differences in relation to sighting distance while the sound source is active or inactive, though lacked detail with regard to behaviours, likely due to the lack of ethological expertise among the observers. A questionnaire was conducted to determine any differences of opinion regarding current mitigation practice and the underlying issue between stakeholder groups. There was no difference of opinion between stakeholders regarding the importance of underwater sound compared to other environmental issues facing marine species such as fisheries by-catch and overfishing. Areas of consensus were evident, with most stakeholders finding current mitigation practice to be only ‘somewhat’ effective, and that sightings data collected by MMOs should be better utilised, with it being more useful for adding to our knowledge of marine mammal distributions than for determining the effects from operations. A framework for enhancing the collection, use and dissemination of MMO data is described with recommendations for the development of a Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled smartphone/ tablet based field data collection system, linked to an internet based geographical information system to enhance species distribution analysis. By coupling this with a simplified mitigation methodology, the outcome would enhance the risk management of operations in relation to where species are known to occur, with mitigation aimed at reducing exposure at critical times or in critical habitats. Simplifying mitigation and enhancing data collection and use will benefit stakeholders in managing essential operations responsibly.RPS Energy Lt

Strategic Energy Technology Plan Study on Energy Education and Training in Europe

This document contains the collection of Assessment Reports from the Expert Working Groups of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan European Energy Education and Training Task Force. It provides background information supporting the findings and recommendations put forward in the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan Roadmap on Education and Training, which addresses the human resource challenge for the energy research and innovation sector and constitutes an integral part of the SET Plan agenda. The findings put forward in the assessment reports are those of the experts involved in each working group, following a process of consultation on the current situation, ongoing activities in the education and training domain, needs and gaps and recommendations for specific actions regarding their respective technology field.JRC.F.6-Energy Technology Policy Outloo

Advancing myxobacterial natural product discovery by combining genome and metabolome mining with organic synthesis

Myxobacteria represent a viable source for natural products with a broad variety of chemical scaffolds and intriguing biological activities. This thesis covers different contemporary ways to approach myxobacterial secondary metabolism. The ribosomal peptide myxarylin was discovered through a genome-guided approach. This study describes the discovery, semi-synthesis-assisted isolation, structure elucidation and heterologous production. Furthermore, statistics-based metabolome mining revealed a family of light-sensitive compounds with yet elusive structures. A biosynthetic gene cluster putatively encoding the biosynthetic machinery, could be identified by cluster inactivation experiments. Metabolome mining additionally revealed new myxochelin congeners featuring a rare nicotinic acid moiety. Total synthesis was applied to confirm structures, elucidate the absolute stereochemistry and to generate additional non-natural derivatives. Finally, total synthesis was used to create a small library of sandacrabins, a family of terpenoid-alkaloids that feature promising antiviral activities, with the aim to develop improved congeners with increased target activity and reduced cytotoxicity. The combination of up-to-date approaches in natural products discovery, especially focusing on UHPLC-hrMS workflows, and small-scale organic synthesis was successfully applied to facilitate compound isolation, confirm structures and to create novel congeners of myxobacterial natural products.Myxobakterien sind eine reichhaltige Quelle für neue Naturstoffe mit vielfältigen chemischen Grundgerüsten und faszinierenden biologischen Aktivitäten. Diese Arbeit behandelt verschiedene aktuelle Methoden, den Sekundärstoffwechsel von Myxobakterien zu erschließen. Das ribosomale Peptid Myxarylin wurde mithilfe eines genomgeleiteten Ansatzes entdeckt. Beschrieben wird außerdem die semisynthesegestützte Isolierung, Strukturaufklärung und heterologe Produktion. Mit statistischer Metabolomanalyse wurde eine Familie lichtinstabiler Verbindungen mit bislang unbekannten Strukturen entdeckt. Über Inaktivierungsexperimente konnte ein Gencluster identifiziert werden, das vermutlich die Biosynthesemaschinerie dieser Naturstoffe kodiert. Weiterhin wurden neue Myxochelin-Derivate entdeckt, die sich durch den Einbau von Nikotinsäure auszeichnen. Mittels Totalsynthese konnten die Strukturen inklusive Stereochemie aufgeklärt und weitere Derivate hergestellt werden. Zuletzt wurden neue Derivate der Sandacrabine synthetisiert, eine Familie von Terpenoid-Alkaloiden mit vielversprechender antiviraler Aktivität. Das Ziel dabei ist es, die gewünschte Aktivität zu erhöhen und die Zytotoxizität zu verringern. Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurden erfolgreich moderne Ansätze in der Naturstoffforschung, insbesondere UHPLC-hrMS-basierte Methoden, mit organischer Synthese kombiniert, um die Isolierung zu erleichtern, Strukturen zu bestätigen und neue Derivate myxobakterieller Naturstoffe herzustellen

Proceedings of the Scientific-Practical Conference "Research and Development - 2016"

talent management; sensor arrays; automatic speech recognition; dry separation technology; oil production; oil waste; laser technolog