Variability of humidity conditions in the Arctic during the first International Polar Year, 1882-83

Of all the early instrumental data for the Arctic, the meteorological data gathered during the first International Polar Year, in 1882–83 (IPY-1), are the best in terms of coverage, quality and resolution. Research carried out during IPY-1 scientific expeditions brought a significant contribution to the development of hygrometry in polar regions at the end of the 19th century. The present paper gives a detailed analysis of a unique series of humidity measurements that were carried out during IPY-1 at hourly resolutions at nine meteorological stations, relatively evenly distributed in the High Arctic. It gives an overall view of the humidity conditions prevalent in the Arctic at that time. The results show that the spatial distribution of atmospheric water vapour pressure (e) and relative humidity (RH) in the Arctic during IPY-1 was similar to the present. In the annual course the highest values of e were noted in July and August, while the lowest occurred in the cold half of the year. In comparison to present-day conditions (1961–1990), the mean values of RH in the IPY-1 period (September 1882 to July 1883) were higher by 2.4–5.6%. Most of the changes observed between historical and modern RH values are not significant. The majority of historical daily RH values lie between a distance of less than two standard deviations from current long-term monthly means

Research and Analysis of Fisheries in Illinois: FINAL PERFORMANCE REPORT 1 July 2020 – 30 June 2021

Fisheries managers are charged with understanding the interaction between sport fish populations and anglers to inform resource management decision making that supports and promotes healthy fisheries. Fundamental to this mission is easy access to long-term fisheries data, analytical tools and metrics that offer insight into the quality of a fishery, and an understanding of the factors that influence fish population dynamics. Equally important is the need to communicate this scientific knowledge and promote angling opportunities to the public. Project F-69-R has four overall goals: (1) conduct a variety of surveys and investigations that elucidate patterns of variation in sport fish populations and the mechanisms that drive those patterns, (2) evaluation methodologies used to collect fisheries data and inform sampling strategies; (3) communicate research findings and basic assessments of sport fish populations to the angling public, and (4) organize, manage, analyze and deliver sport fisheries data to researchers, sport fish managers, and the angling public. Basic and applied research studies, public outreach efforts, and data management activities all work in concert to create a better understanding of the restoration and conservation needs of sport fish populations in Illinois.Division of Fisheries Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Federal Aid Project F-69-R Segment 34unpublishednot peer reviewedOpe

Probing Surface Functionality on Amorphous Carbons Using X‑ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Bound Metal Ions

The surface functionality of amorphous carbons is difficult to directly measure because of a lack of crystallinity and overwhelming signals derived from the bulk material. Biochar, a form of amorphous carbon containing considerable oxygen surface functionality, was probed using metal ions and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to simultaneously measure the presence and proximity of functional groups and determine the preferred binding modes of a variety of metal ions. These binding motifs were correlated to the efficiency of metal adsorption as determined using the Langmuir isotherm and stability with respect to leaching. Three binding motifs were apparent: physisorption (Cd²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Zn²⁺), chelation (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺), and hydrolysis/precipitation (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺)