Report of Sampling and Analytical Activities: Groundwater from the Vicinity of the Industrial Excess Landfill, Uniontown, Ohio

Groundwater samples were collected in two sampling trips, on July 15, 2005 and October 20, 2005. All samples were collected personally by the investigators (Michael E. Ketterer and Mark M. Baskaran), working in the capacity of paid environmental consultants on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of lake Township (CCLT). Water samples were obtained from existing domestic/residential wells, irrigation wells, and one pre-established monitoring well, all of which were located on private property accessed with explicit permission given to CCLT. Samples from irrigation and monitoring wells (DK, GZ, NB, and MW-25s) were collected using a submersible 12V battery powered pump, equipped with fluorinated ethylene- propylene tubing. This research was completed money allocated during Round 4 of the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund). Clark University was named conservator of these works. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]://commons.clarku.edu/cclt/1001/thumbnail.jp

Review of Evidence for Anthropogenic Radioactivity at the Industrial Excess Landfill, Uniontown, Ohio

This report considers the following two questions concerning the Industrial Excess Landfill (IEL): 1) What evidence exists for the presence of “anthropogenic radioactivity” in the IEL, its surface soils, and the groundwater in the vicinity of the site? and 2) Have the previous environmental sampling and analysis efforts, conducted by USEPA and Ohio EPA, been appropriately designed and conducted so that best available methodology, maximally protective of the environment and human health, has been used to detect any potential anthropogenic radioactivity? This research was completed money allocated during Round 4 of the Citizens’ Monitoring and Technical Assessment Fund (MTA Fund). Clark University was named conservator of these works. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at [email protected]://commons.clarku.edu/cclt/1000/thumbnail.jp

Decision support for the selection of reference sites using 137Cs as a soil erosion tracer

The classical approach of using 137Cs as a soil erosion tracer is based on the comparison between stable reference sites and sites affected by soil redistribution processes; it enables the derivation of soil erosion and deposition rates. The method is associated with potentially large sources of uncertainty with major parts of this uncertainty being associated with the selection of the reference sites. We propose a decision support tool to Check the Suitability of reference Sites (CheSS). Commonly, the variation among 137Cs inventories of spatial replicate reference samples is taken as the sole criterion to decide on the suitability of a reference inventory. Here we propose an extension of this procedure using a repeated sampling approach, in which the reference sites are resampled after a certain time period. Suitable reference sites are expected to present no significant temporal variation in their decay-corrected 137Cs depth profiles. Possible causes of variation are assessed by a decision tree. More specifically, the decision tree tests for (i) uncertainty connected to small-scale variability in 137Cs due to its heterogeneous initial fallout (such as in areas affected by the Chernobyl fallout), (ii) signs of erosion or deposition processes and (iii) artefacts due to the collection, preparation and measurement of the samples; (iv) finally, if none of the above can be assigned, this variation might be attributed to "turbation" processes (e.g. bioturbation, cryoturbation and mechanical turbation, such as avalanches or rockfalls). CheSS was exemplarily applied in one Swiss alpine valley where the apparent temporal variability called into question the suitability of the selected reference sites. In general we suggest the application of CheSS as a first step towards a comprehensible approach to test for the suitability of reference sites

On-sky single-mode fiber coupling measurements at the Large Binocular Telescope

The demonstration of efficient single-mode fiber (SMF) coupling is a key requirement for the development of a compact, ultra-precise radial velocity (RV) spectrograph. iLocater is a next generation instrument for the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) that uses adaptive optics (AO) to inject starlight into a SMF. In preparation for commissioning iLocater, a prototype SMF injection system was installed and tested at the LBT in the Y-band (0.970-1.065 $\mu$m). This system was designed to verify the capability of the LBT AO system as well as characterize on-sky SMF coupling efficiencies. SMF coupling was measured on stars with variable airmasses, apparent magnitudes, and seeing conditions for six half-nights using the Large Binocular Telescope Interferometer. We present the overall optical and mechanical performance of the SMF injection system, including details of the installation and alignment procedure. A particular emphasis is placed on analyzing the instrument's performance as a function of telescope elevation to inform the final design of the fiber injection system for iLocater.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Soil weathering dynamics and erosion in a dry oceanic area of the southern hemisphere (Otago, New Zealand)

Landscape evolution is driven by tectonics, climate and surface denudation. In New Zealand, tectonics and steep climatic gradients cause a dynamic landscape with intense chemical weathering, rapid soil formation, and high soil losses. In this study, soil, and elemental redistribution along two adjacent hillslopes in East Otago, New Zealand, having different landscape settings (ridge versus valley) are compared to identify soil weathering and erosion dynamics. Fallout radionuclides ($^{239+240}$Pu) show that over the last ~ 60 years, average soil erosion rates in the valley (~ 260 [t km$^{−2}$ year$^{−1}$]) are low compared to the ridge (~ 990 [t km$^{−2}$ year$^{−1}$]). The ridge yields up to 26% lower soil weathering intensity than the topographical-protected valley. The lowest soil weathering intensity is found at both hilltop positions, where tors (residual rocks) are present and partially disintegrate. The soil weathering intensity increases with distance from tors, suggesting that tors rejuvenate the chemical weathering signature at the hilltop positions with fresh material. The inversed and decreasing weathering degree with all soil depth indicates that the fresh mineral contribution must be higher at the soil surface than at the bedrock weathering front. Higher erosion rates at the exposed ridge may be partially attributed to wind, consistent with rock abrasion of tors, and low local river sediment yields (56 [t km$^{−2}$ year$^{−1}$]). Thus, the East Otago spatial patterns of soil chemistry and erosion are governed by tor degradation and topographic exposure

Contrasting soil dynamics in a formerly glaciated and non-glaciated Mediterranean mountain plateau (Serra da Estrela, Portugal)

Few data are available on how soil erosion rates compare between surfaces of different ages because short-term processes often overprint the longer-term erosion signal. This study investigated the soil dynamics among two end-member sites, a formerly glaciated ('young', maximum glacial extent at 22-30 ka BP) and a non-glaciated ('old') area at the Serra da Estrela (Portugal). To disentangle soil distribution rates over different timeframes, isotopes for long-term (10Be), mid-term (delta C-13) and short-term (239+240Pu) periods were applied together with principles of the percolation theory.& nbsp;The formerly glaciated area has soils with a lower degree of weathering and lower carbon content compared to soils of the 'old', non-glaciated area. The selected isotopes and their distribution along the soil profiles revealed temporal differences in soil mixing process. It is hypothesised that the slightly higher elevation and formerly glaciated sites experienced cryoturbation effects over a longer period, while being less active or absent for the last few decades at the older, non-glaciated soils.& nbsp;The average long-term (millennia) soil erosion rates correspond to the expected higher rates at the younger surface and lower rates at the older surface. Once the formerly glaciated area became ice-free, soil erosion rates were high and decreased giving rise to average long-term rates of 101-140 [t km(-2) yr(-1)] for the older surfaces and 176-248 [t km(-2) yr(-1)] for the younger surfaces. In addition, seasonal freeze-thaw of the soils has persisted over a long period and affected the younger soils more intensively than the older soils. The current (last decades) soil redistribution rates, however, are up to one order of magnitude higher than the millennia rates and are controlled by surface angle and vegetation cover and less by soil texture. The more undulated, non-glaciated older surface had the highest short-term (decades) soil erosion rates in the range of 900-1700 [t km(-2 & nbsp;)yr(-1)], exhibits degrading conditions and relatively shallow soils. The younger soils, however, showed short-term (last few decades) average soil deposition rates of ~ 230 [t km(-2) yr(-1)]. Human impact (bush fires, grazing) is the cause for the currently strong soil degradation at the non-glaciated area.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Element pool changes within a scrub-oak ecosystem after 11 years of exposure to elevated CO2

The effects of elevated CO2 on ecosystem element stocks are equivocal, in part because cumulative effects of CO2 on element pools are difficult to detect. We conducted a complete above and belowground inventory of non-nitrogen macro- and micronutrient stocks in a subtropical woodland exposed to twice-ambient CO2 concentrations for 11 years. We analyzed a suite of nutrient elements and metals important for nutrient cycling in soils to a depth of ∼2 m, in leaves and stems of the dominant oaks, in fine and coarse roots, and in litter. In conjunction with large biomass stimulation, elevated CO2 increased oak stem stocks of Na, Mg, P, K, V, Zn and Mo, and the aboveground pool of K and S. Elevated CO2 increased root pools of most elements, except Zn. CO2-stimulation of plant Ca was larger than the decline in the extractable Ca pool in soils, whereas for other elements, increased plant uptake matched the decline in the extractable pool in soil. We conclude that elevated CO2 caused a net transfer of a subset of nutrients from soil to plants, suggesting that ecosystems with a positive plant growth response under high CO2 will likely cause mobilization of elements from soil pools to plant biomass

Denudation variability of the Sila Massif upland (Italy) from decades to millennia using 10Be and 239+240Pu

Landscapes and soils evolve in non‐linear ways over millennia. Current knowledge is incomplete as only average denudation (or erosion) rates are normally estimated, neglecting the temporal discontinuities of these processes. The determination of regressive and progressive phases of soil evolution is important to our understanding of how soils and landscapes respond to environmental changes. The Sila Massif (Italy) provides a well‐defined geomorphological and geological setting to unravel temporal variations in soil redistribution rates. We used a combination of in situ cosmogenic radionuclide measurements (10Be) along tor (residual rock) height profiles, coupled with fallout radionuclides (239+240Pu) in soils, to model soil denudation rates over the last 100 ka. We measured rates prior to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) of ≤30 t km−2 yr−1 (~0.036 mm yr−1). Following the LGM, during the transition from the Pleistocene to the Holocene, these rates increased to ~150–200 t km−2 yr−1 and appeared to be above soil production rates, causing regressive soil evolution. For the last ~50 years, we even describe erosion rates of ≥1,000 t km−2 yr−1 (~1.23 mm yr−1) and consider human impact as the decisive factor for this development. Consequently, the natural soil production rates cannot cope with the current erosion rates. Thus, a distinct regressive phase of soil formation exists, which will give rise to shallowing of soils over time. Overall, our multimethod approach traced denudation and erosion histories over geologic and human timescales and made a new archive to soil science and geomorphology accessible

A genome-wide association study identifies protein quantitative trait loci (pQTLs)

There is considerable evidence that human genetic variation influences gene expression. Genome-wide studies have revealed that mRNA levels are associated with genetic variation in or close to the gene coding for those mRNA transcripts - cis effects, and elsewhere in the genome - trans effects. The role of genetic variation in determining protein levels has not been systematically assessed. Using a genome-wide association approach we show that common genetic variation influences levels of clinically relevant proteins in human serum and plasma. We evaluated the role of 496,032 polymorphisms on levels of 42 proteins measured in 1200 fasting individuals from the population based InCHIANTI study. Proteins included insulin, several interleukins, adipokines, chemokines, and liver function markers that are implicated in many common diseases including metabolic, inflammatory, and infectious conditions. We identified eight Cis effects, including variants in or near the IL6R (p = 1.8×10 -57), CCL4L1 (p = 3.9×10-21), IL18 (p = 6.8×10-13), LPA (p = 4.4×10-10), GGT1 (p = 1.5×10-7), SHBG (p = 3.1×10-7), CRP (p = 6.4×10-6) and IL1RN (p = 7.3×10-6) genes, all associated with their respective protein products with effect sizes ranging from 0.19 to 0.69 standard deviations per allele. Mechanisms implicated include altered rates of cleavage of bound to unbound soluble receptor (IL6R), altered secretion rates of different sized proteins (LPA), variation in gene copy number (CCL4L1) and altered transcription (GGT1). We identified one novel trans effect that was an association between ABO blood group and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels (p = 6.8×10-40), but this finding was not present when TNF-alpha was measured using a different assay , or in a second study, suggesting an assay-specific association. Our results show that protein levels share some of the features of the genetics of gene expression. These include the presence of strong genetic effects in cis locations. The identification of protein quantitative trait loci (pQTLs) may be a powerful complementary method of improving our understanding of disease pathways. © 2008 Melzer et al