Holocene hydroclimatic changes in Northern Peloponnese (Greece) inferred from the multiproxy record of Lake Lousoi

This research presents the paleoenvironmental evolution of a drained lake at the Lousoi plateau (northern Peloponnese), for the last 10,000 years, through the study of a 7 m depth core. Analyses conducted on the core include grain size, TOC, TN, pH, EC, total carbonates (), magnetic susceptibility measurements, XRF analysis, and radiocarbon dating. Our paleoenvironmental reconstruction was based on geochemical proxiesrsquo; distribution in the core, combined with sediment physical and textural characteristics and later comparison between additional lacustrine archives from northern Peloponnese. From 10,900 to 7700 cal BP lacustrine, organic-rich deposits were recognized, reflecting increased lake water levels. Wet climatic conditions seem to have prevailed during this phase, interrupted by a dry pulse at 9400 cal BP. Transition to more shallow waters was marked at 8200 cal BP due to increased sediment deposition in the lake, with the environmental status shifting to a more oxygenated phase. Overall, wet conditions prevailed in this period and are in good agreement with regional records. In the Late Holocene period, the lake seems to have been highly affected by pedogenic processes, and thus, it was difficult to distinguish paleoclimatic/paleoenvironmental signals.1. Introduction 2. Study Area 2.1. Regional Setting 2.2. Geological Setting 3. Materials and Methods 3.1. Coring Fieldwork 3.2. Sedimentology 4. Results 4.1. Core Description and Stratigraphy 4.2. Radiocarbon Dating and Age–Depth Model 4.3. Distribution of Geochemical Proxies 5. Discussion 5.1. Early Holocene (11,800–8200 cal BP) 5.2. Middle Holocene (8200–4200 cal BP) 5.3. Late Holocene (4200 cal BP–Present) 6. Conclusion

SEDIMENTOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS IN THE DELTA PLAIN OF SELINOUS RIVER, ANCIENT HELIKE, NORTHERN PELOPONNESUS GREECE

Fine and coarse grained lithofacies and depositional environments were distinguished in Selinous River delta plain, from sediment cores using an Eijkelkamp percussion corer with barrel windows. The sedimentary sequence of deltaic plain deposits of Selinous River mostly consists of fine lithofacies interbedded occasionally with conglomerate facies. Fine grained lithofacies based on sediment types, structure, color, as well as contact depths and bed characteristics were interpreted as floodplain, crevasse splay, back swamp / fresh water swamp, permanent shallow fresh water lake and ephemeral fresh water lake facies. The coarse grained lithofacies consists of pebble - conglomerates and were interpreted as paleochannels. The Time-Domain Electromagnetic technique, (TEM) was applied in order to define the spatial distribution of lenses of conglomerates, palaeochannels and fine grained sedimentary material to be recognised, at a depth up to 35m. Both the sedimentological and geophysical approaches, in combination with the available geological and geomorphological data of the area, can provide information about the evolution, existence and the geometry of paleochannels of the Selinous River flood plain, and the paleoenvironment of the area of the ancient Helike

New methodology to optimize sorting in wood drying

One important problem in lumber drying is to maintain the lumber moisture content distribution within certain minimum and maximum values. Over-drying and under-drying are common causes for lower grade recovery and dimensional stability problems. It is known that both over-drying and underdrying can be reduced by sorting green lumber into different moisture content groups and sorting also offers the opportunity to redesign drying schedules. In this study, a new methodology was designed and tested to optimize kiln drying of lumber by implementing green sorting coupled with modified drying schedules. The methodology was applied to optimize the drying of 114 by 114mm2 hem-fir lumber sorted with an NMI capacitance type meter at a local sawmill. It was found that in comparison to unsorted lumber, sorting into three groups can reduce the drying time by 7% approximately and recover around 3/4 of the under-dried lumber. The experimental data on lumber degrade and moisture gradients measured after drying were also reported in this paper

Cooling concepts for the CVD diamond Brewster-angle window

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond Brewster-angle window is a very promising broadband radio-frequency (RF) output window solution for frequency step-tunable high power gyrotrons foreseen in nuclear fusion devices like DEMO. Since gyrotrons operate in the megawatt-class power range, active cooling of the output window during operation is mandatory for long pulse operation. In this paper, different indirect cooling layouts were investigated and compared by finite element method (FEM) thermal and structural analyses. Scenarios with different power and frequency beam were taken into account in the analyses

Cooling concepts for the CVD diamond Brewster-angle window

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond Brewster-angle window is a very promising broadband radio-frequency (RF) output window solution for frequency step-tunable high power gyrotrons foreseen in nuclear fusion devices like DEMO. Since gyrotrons operate in the megawatt-class power range, active cooling of the output window during operation is mandatory for long pulse operation. In this paper, different indirect cooling layouts were investigated and compared by finite element method (FEM) thermal and structural analyses. Scenarios with different power and frequency beam were taken into account in the analyses

Environmental life cycle assessment of Mediterranean sea bass and sea bream

The aquaculture sector is the fastest growing food production industry, with sea bass and sea bream consisting important exporting goods in the Mediterranean region. This work presents results of a life cycle assessment of Mediterranean sea bass and sea bream, based on primary data collected from a Greek producer. The system boundary included fish feed production and the rearing operation, as well as the packaging and delivery processes, which were neglected in preceding literature studies. The life cycle inventory developed addressed previous data gaps in the production of Mediterranean aquaculture species. Comparison to preceding studies revealed differences on the production inventories and identified methodological choices leading to variability. Packaging and delivery processes were found to contribute approximately 40% towards the global warming score. The production of both sea bass and sea bream was shown to come with high eutrophication impacts occurring from the rearing stage. The feed production was identified as the most environmental impact intensive process throughout the life cycle. Sea bass came with lower environmental impacts per unit live mass, which was reversed when the species were compared on a protein basis. The replicable and transparent model presented here, contributes towards the more accurate quantification of the environmental impacts associated with Mediterranean aquaculture species and supports efforts aiming to promote environmental protection through dietary change

Palaeocurrent directions as an indicator of Pindos foreland evolution (central and southern part), Western Greece

In order to estimate the palaeoflow direction of the submarine fans, deposited in the Internal Ionian subbasin of the Pindos Foreland, fifty-one positions along the sub-basin were selected and measurements of palaeocurrents indicators such as flute and groove marks were taken. In the studied area the main palaeoflow direction of turbidites was axial, from south to north in the southern part, and from north to south in the northern part. A minor westward palaeoflow direction is also present. These palaeoflow directions were influenced mainly by the regional tectonic activity, such as internal thrusting (Gavrovo Thrust) and differential activity of the Pindos Thrust which subdivided Pindos foreland into narrow linear sub-basins