Electron Behavior Around the Onset of Magnetic Reconnection

We investigate the onset of magnetic reconnection, utilizing a fully kinetic Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulation. Characteristic features of the electron phase-space distributions immediately before reconnection onset are identified. These include signatures of pressure non-gyrotropy in the velocity distributions, and lemon shaped distributions in the in-plane velocity directions. Further, we explain how these features form through particle energization by the out-of-plane electric field. Identification of these features in the distributions can aid in analysis of data where clear signatures of ongoing reconnection are not yet present.publishedVersio

Current status and future development of solvent-based carbon capture

Solvent-based carbon capture is the most commercially-ready technology for economically and sustainably reaching carbon emission reduction targets in the power sector. Globally, the technology has been deployed to deal with flue gases from large scale power plants and different carbon-intensive industries. The success of the technology is due to significant R&D activities on the process development and decades of industrial experience on acid gas removal processes from gaseous mixtures. In this paper, current status of PCC based on chemical absorption—commercial deployment and demonstration projects, analysis of different solvents and process configurations—is reviewed. Although some successes have been recorded in developing this technology, its commercialization has been generally slow as evidenced in the cancellation of high profile projects across the world. This is partly due to the huge cost burden of the technology and unpredictable government policies. Different research directions, namely new process development involving process intensification, new solvent development and a combination of both, are discussed in this paper as possible pathways for reducing the huge cost of the technology

Screening potential pests of Nordic coniferous forests associated with trade in ornamental plants

Plant pests moved along with the trade in ornamental plants could pose a threat to forests. In this study plant pests potentially associated with this pathway were screened to identify pests that could pose a high risk to the coniferous forests of Finland, Sweden and Norway. Specifically, the aim was to find pests that potentially could fulfil the criteria to become regulated as quarantine pests. EPPO’s commodity study approach, which includes several screening steps, was used to identify the pests that are most likely to become significant pests of Picea abies or Pinus sylvestris. From an initial list of 1062 pests, 65 pests were identified and ranked using the FinnPRIO model, resulting in a top list of 14 pests, namely Chionaspis pinifoliae, Coleosporium asterum s.l., Cytospora kunzei, Dactylonectria macrodidyma, Gnathotrichus retusus, Heterobasidion irregulare, Lambdina fiscellaria, Orgyia leucostigma, Orthotomicus erosus, Pseudocoremia suavis, Tetropium gracilicorne, Toumeyella parvicornis, Truncatella hartigii and Xylosandrus germanus. The rankings of the pests, together with the collected information, can be used to prioritize pests and pathways for further assessment

Permafrost dynamics structure species compositions of oribatid mite (Acari: Oribatida) communities in sub-Arctic palsa mires

Palsa mires are sub-Arctic peatland complexes, vulnerable ecosystems with patches of permafrost. Permafrost thawing in palsa mires occurs throughout Fennoscandia, probably due to local climatic warming. In palsa mires, permafrost thaw alters hydrological conditions, vegetation structure and microhabitat composition with unknown consequences for invertebrate fauna. This study's objectives were to examine the role of microhabitat heterogeneity and the effects of permafrost dynamics and thaw on oribatid mite communities in palsa mires. Oribatid mites were sampled in two palsa mires in Finland and Norway. Three different types of microhabitats were examined: graminoid-dominated wet sites, herb-dominated small hummocks and evergreen shrub-dominated permafrost-underlain palsa hummocks. The results indicate that permafrost dynamics are an important factor structuring oribatid mite communities in palsa mires. The community composition of oribatid mites differed remarkably among microhabitats. Six species were significantly more abundant in permafrost-underlain microhabitats in relation to non-permafrost microhabitats. None of the species identified occurred exclusively in permafrost-underlain microhabitats. Findings suggest that permafrost thaw may not have an impact on species diversity but may alter community composition of oribatid mites in palsa mire ecosystems