ATUALIZAÇÕES DA EXPLORAÇÃO DE GÁS NÃO CONVENCIONAL NO BRASIL

O gás natural, devido a seu potencial de substituir outros energéticos fósseis mais poluentes e mais emissores de gases-estufa, tem sido aventado como combustível de transição energética. O Brasil, além de reservas de gás natural convencional, tem também reservas de gás de folhelho, considerado não convencional pela natureza de sua exploração. Em 2013, a Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP) leiloou 240 blocos de exploração, em sua 12ª Rodada de licitações, incluindo recursos não convencionais. A oferta de blocos não convencionais desencadeou um movimento contrário, envolvendo parte da sociedade civil e ONGs, que realizaram campanhas conta o fracking (método não convencional de exploração do recurso). Esse artigo busca analisar do ponto de vista jurídico a atualidade da questão. Também, aponta-se nossa visão sobre a natureza da mobilização, que focou os poderes legislativos municipais de diversas cidades que seriam impactadas pela atividade, e culminou com ações movidas pelo Ministério Público Federal, tendo como resultado a nulidade da rodada. Admite-se que a estratégia das ONGs tenha surtido o efeito esperado, redundando em sucessivas iniciativas de proibição da técnica de fracking em diferentes municípios. Nesse sentido, fazemos também uma breve análise da a Lei 19.878/19, que proíbe totalmente a exploração do gás natural pelo método de fraturamento hidráulico em todo território paranaense, sendo o Paraná o primeiro estado a banir a prática.   

Developing a spatially explicit modelling and evaluation framework for integrated carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation: application in southern Finland

The challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected. Successful co-managing of these tangled drivers requires innovative methods that can prioritize and target management actions against multiple criteria, while also enabling cost-effective land use planning and impact scenario assessment. This paper synthesises the development and application of an integrated multidisciplinary modelling and evaluation framework for carbon and biodiversity in forest systems. By analysing and spatio-temporally modelling carbon processes and biodiversity elements, we determine an optimal solution for their co-management in the study landscape. We also describe how advanced Earth Observation measurements can be used to enhance mapping and monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. The scenarios used for the dynamic models were based on official Finnish policy goals for forest management and climate change mitigation. The development and testing of the system were executed in a large region in southern Finland (Kokemäenjoki basin, 27 024 km2) containing highly instrumented LTER (Long-Term Ecosystem Research) stations; these LTER data sources were complemented by fieldwork, remote sensing and national data bases. In the study area, estimated total net emissions were currently 4.2 TgCO2eq a-1, but modelling of forestry measures and anthropogenic emission reductions demonstrated that it would be possible to achieve the stated policy goal of carbon neutrality by low forest harvest intensity. We show how this policy-relevant information can be further utilised for optimal allocation of set-aside forest areas for nature conservation, which would significantly contribute to preserving both biodiversity and carbon values in the region. Biodiversity gain in the area could be increased without a loss of carbon-related benefits.The challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected. Successful co-managing of these tangled drivers requires innovative methods that can prioritize and target management actions against multiple criteria, while also enabling cost-effective land use planning and impact scenario assessment. This paper synthesises the development and application of an integrated multidisciplinary modelling and evaluation framework for carbon and biodiversity in forest systems. By analysing and spatio-temporally modelling carbon processes and biodiversity elements, we determine an optimal solution for their co-management in the study landscape. We also describe how advanced Earth Observation measurements can be used to enhance mapping and monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem processes. The scenarios used for the dynamic models were based on official Finnish policy goals for forest management and climate change mitigation. The development and testing of the system were executed in a large region in southern Finland (Kokemäenjoki basin, 27,024 km2) containing highly instrumented LTER (Long-Term Ecosystem Research) stations; these LTER data sources were complemented by fieldwork, remote sensing and national data bases. In the study area, estimated total net emissions were currently 4.2 TgCO2eq a−1, but modelling of forestry measures and anthropogenic emission reductions demonstrated that it would be possible to achieve the stated policy goal of carbon neutrality by low forest harvest intensity. We show how this policy-relevant information can be further utilized for optimal allocation of set-aside forest areas for nature conservation, which would significantly contribute to preserving both biodiversity and carbon values in the region. Biodiversity gain in the area could be increased without a loss of carbon-related benefits.Peer reviewe

Determination of reference values for optical properties of liquid phantoms based on Intralipid and India ink

A multi-center study has been set up to accurately characterize the optical properties of diffusive liquid phantoms based on Intralipid and India ink at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Nine research laboratories from six countries adopting different measurement techniques, instrumental set-ups, and data analysis methods determined at their best the optical properties and relative uncertainties of diffusive dilutions prepared with common samples of the two compounds. By exploiting a suitable statistical model, comprehensive reference values at three NIR wavelengths for the intrinsic absorption coefficient of India ink and the intrinsic reduced scattering coefficient of Intralipid-20% were determined with an uncertainty of about 2% or better, depending on the wavelength considered, and 1%, respectively. Even if in this study we focused on particular batches of India ink and Intralipid, the reference values determined here represent a solid and useful starting point for preparing diffusive liquid phantoms with accurately defined optical properties. Furthermore, due to the ready availability, low cost, long-term stability and batch-to-batch reproducibility of these compounds, they provide a unique fundamental tool for the calibration and performance assessment of diffuse optical spectroscopy instrumentation intended to be used in laboratory or clinical environment. Finally, the collaborative work presented here demonstrates that the accuracy level attained in this work for optical properties of diffusive phantoms is reliable

The aperture array verification system 1 : system overview and early commissioning results

The design and development process for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope’s Low Frequency Aperture Array component was progressed during the SKA pre-construction phase by an international consortium, with the goal of meeting requirements for a critical design review. As part of the development process a full-sized prototype SKA Low ‘station’ was deployed – the Aperture Array Verification System 1 (AAVS1). We provide a system overview and describe the commissioning results of AAVS1, which is a low frequency radio telescope with 256 dual-polarisation log-periodic dipole antennas working as a phased-array. A detailed system description is provided, including an in-depth overview of relevant sub-systems, ranging from hardware, firmware/software, calibration and control sub-systems. Early commissioning results cover initial bootstrapping, array calibration, stability testing, beamforming and on-sky sensitivity validation. Lessons learned are presented, as well as future developments.peer-reviewe

The influence of some triphenylmethane compounds on the corrosion inhibition of aluminium

Potentiostatic and potentiodynamic polarization, and scanning electron microscopy were used to investigate the effect of some basic and acid triphenylmethane derivatives, on the anodizing of pure aluminium in neutral ammonium borate electrolyte containing traces of chloride ions. The absence of sulfonic groups as substituents in these compounds restricts their action. The presence and position of sulfonic groups as substituents in their molecules influence the extent to which the molecular structures of these compounds approach coplanarity and their electronic configuration. As a result, a differentiation of their influence on the field assisted adsorption of chloride ions from solution on the hydrated oxide surface, and on the subsequent localized autocatalytic dissolution of the barrier oxide film by them is observed. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

ATUALIZAÇÕES DA EXPLORAÇÃO DE GÁS NÃO CONVENCIONAL NO BRASIL

O gás natural, devido a seu potencial de substituir outros energéticos fósseis mais poluentes e mais emissores de gases-estufa, tem sido aventado como combustível de transição energética. O Brasil, além de reservas de gás natural convencional, tem também reservas de gás de folhelho, considerado não convencional pela natureza de sua exploração. Em 2013, a Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis (ANP) leiloou 240 blocos de exploração, em sua 12ª Rodada de licitações, incluindo recursos não convencionais. A oferta de blocos não convencionais desencadeou um movimento contrário, envolvendo parte da sociedade civil e ONGs, que realizaram campanhas conta o fracking (método não convencional de exploração do recurso). Esse artigo busca analisar do ponto de vista jurídico a atualidade da questão. Também, aponta-se nossa visão sobre a natureza da mobilização, que focou os poderes legislativos municipais de diversas cidades que seriam impactadas pela atividade, e culminou com ações movidas pelo Ministério Público Federal, tendo como resultado a nulidade da rodada. Admite-se que a estratégia das ONGs tenha surtido o efeito esperado, redundando em sucessivas iniciativas de proibição da técnica de fracking em diferentes municípios. Nesse sentido, fazemos também uma breve análise da a Lei 19.878/19, que proíbe totalmente a exploração do gás natural pelo método de fraturamento hidráulico em todo território paranaense, sendo o Paraná o primeiro estado a banir a prática.   

Role of data uncertainty when identifying important areas for biodiversity and carbon in boreal forests

Peer reviewe

Improving ecological connectivity in boreal forests of the Barents region : Background, issues and recommendations

All Nordic countries are committed to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. According to the CBD Aichi Targets, areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services should be protected through ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas as well as other effective area-based conservation measures. The ecosystems of the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and North-West Russia are very diverse and unique even globally. This region is characterized by extensive boreal forests and vast areas of tundra, intermingled by various freshwater bodies. Climate change and loss of natural habitats due to intensive land-use and unsustainable use of natural resources are the most serious threats to biodiversity in this region, also called the Barents Region