Méthodologie d'analyse détaillée de la contamination par tronçon du fleuve Saint-Laurent par modélisation numérique : le cas du lac Saint-Pierre

Dans le cadre du Plan d'Action Saint-Laurent, une méthodologie détaillée d'analyse de la contamination par tronçon faisant appel à la modélisation numérique a été développée. Une méthode de simulation utilisant le mouvement aléatoire de particules a servi à élaborer le logiciel PANACHE. Les concentrations sont obtenues en post-traitement en attribuant une masse de contaminant aux particules du modèle. Les champs de vitesses servant à calculer leurs mouvements sont produits à l'aide d'un modèle bidimensionnel aux éléments finis. Une nouvelle approche pour l'analyse de la contamination est proposée. Celle-ci s'inspire de la méthodologie de modélisation des micro-habitats populaire dans le domaine de l'hydrobiologie. Le résultat apparaît sous la forme d'Aires Pondérées Inutilisables (API), c'est-à-dire, des surfaces où certains critères de qualité de l'eau ne sont pas respectés dans les zones de mélange. Ce système Informatisé a été élaboré sur une plate-forme INTEL/386-486 - OS2/PM.ContextThe St-Lawrence Center, part of Environment Canada, undertook a few years ago the very ambitious project of studying the toxic contamination of the St-Lawrence River. In collaboration with the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique - Eau, a sub-project based on numerical modeling was defined in order to analyze contaminant propagation from industrial and municipal effluents into the river system.GoalsThe specific goals of the project were the following :1) to provide a precise quantification of contaminant concentrations in the effluent plume al a convenient scale;2) to analyze areas influenced by main tributaries and different water masses entering the river reach;3) to map and quantify areas as compared to water quality criteria ;4) to provide a method to select relevant hydrological events as a significant part of the analysis frameworkMethodologySome basic choices were made at the beginning of the project :1) the analysis framework emphasis the instream water quality instead of the effluent water quality;2) numerical modelling was the main tool used to evaluate the water quality;3) as far as possible references to public regulations were incorporated;4) a strong complementarity of different computer tools was favoured : Geographical Information Systems, Database management systems, simulation models;5) the numerical solution method for the transport diffusion model is typically Lagrangian : the Random Walk Method;6) the contamination analysis uses the so-called « Weighted Unusable Area » method to quantify areas that do not respect some water quality criteria.A typical contamination analysis project based on numerical modelling includes the following steps (fig 2) :1) a preliminary study to determine the main characteristics of the problem and to choose the best strategy to analyze it;2) field measurements essential to the calibration and validation of the computer model;3) hydrodynamic modelling provides the basic data on the flow field; this step includes the calibration and the validation of the model, as well as the prediction of the flow fields corresponding to well-defined and contamination relevant hydrological events;4) hydrological analysis identifies the relevant flow events chat will further be used in the mode) prediction ; this approach allows standardization of this very important input data set and avoids arbitrary choices of flow field;5) transport-diffusion modelling constitutes the main step; it provides the chemical species concentrations downstream from the effluent discharge and affords an estimate of the overall water quality of the reach, as influenced by the main tributaries. This step includes the calibration and the validation of the model which precedes the prediction exercise;6) contamination analysis necessitates the choice of appropriate and relevant water quality criteria ; we propose a new approach, inspired by the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology often used to define the quality and availability of fish habitat in river reaches, to implement this step.Numerical methodsAs previously mentioned, the project included the development of a Lagrangian model to simulate the transport of solutes in a two-dimensional steady-state river flow. We will emphasize this point. The main objective of the software development was to provide an efficient and user-friendly management tool for the public agencies. Many analytical test cases helped in the choice of the best numerical algorithms, non-physical related parameters, and in the validation of the computer code. Furthermore, the results of two dye tracing experiments performed in conjunction with airborne remote sensing techniques provided data to validate the model on the St-Lawrence River (fig. 5, 6, land 8 illustrate different simulation results corresponding to the different tasks mentioned previously). In the next paragraphs, we will summerize the basic mathematical and numerical concepts implemented in the simulations.To simulate solute transport in water media (porous or free surface), one usually uses eulerian methods which lead directly to concentration values. The solution algorithm presented here is rather based on a Lagrangian method which offers an explicit control over the additional numerical diffusion associated with every discretization method. This approach, also called the Random Walk Method (illustrated in fig. 3), or Particle Tracking Method, is more and more often used to solve hyperbolic equations. So far, the literature does not provide many applications of this method to solute transport in free surface flow. Oil spin modeling is a domain where many applications have been reported.The propagation of solute matter in free surface flow is mathematically described with momentum, mass and solute conservation equations. Since the Random Walk solution method of the transport-diffusion equation (equ. 1) requires hydrodynamic data to calculate the mean transport on streamlines along with dispersion, independent simulations providing the necessary flow field data (velocities, diffusivities, depths) have to be performed before undertaking the transport-diffusion tasks. For this purpose, the Navier-Stokes shallow water equations have become a well known tool to represent flow field in shallow waters. However, one should be aware of some often neglected but important aspects of such models, such as moving boundaries and turbulence closure. Solution techniquesTwo main goals were kept in mind during the implementation of the various algorithms : precision of results and fast computation. The following choices were made to achieve these objectives :1) A finite element discretization and solution method provides and carries hydrodynamic Information, but particles are tracked on a finite-difference grid (mixed discretization principle).2) The convective component of the movement is realized by moving the grid instead of the particles (shifted grid principle).3) Computation of concentrations optimizes smoothing while minimizing artificial diffusion (controlled effusive smoothing principle).4) When a section of the plume is described in a steady state « regime », it is mot necessary to continue the simulation on that section to proceed downstream ; the simulation is divided in almost independent sections (convolution principle).5) The particles have an a priori nondimensional weight and a unit concentration is calculated from these (unit plume principle).6) The real concentration is linearly dependent on the pollutant loads introduced into the milieu (linearity principle).The Weighted Unusable Area MethodThe Weighted Unusable Area method provides a convenient means to compare effluent plume water quality to water quality criteria as well as to quantify areas that do not comply to them. A comparable method is widely used to define the quality and availability of fish habitat downstream from regulation reservoirs, with the purpose of establishing minimum guaranteed flow discharge to protect target species (the Instream Flow Incremental Methodology : IFIM). The method consists essentially of computing areas within the analysis domain weighted by a certain factor that represents the exceedence of certain water quality, criteria. Among different options to define the weighting factor, all incorporating the effective contaminant concentration, we defined the following :1) the ratio of the concentration to the water quality criterion without consideration of exceedence or compliance;2) weighting factor equal to 1 only if the concentration exceeds the criterion (non-compliance);3) option #1, but using the concentration results corresponding only to the effluent plumes excluding the ambient water quality of the reach ; this emphasizes individual corporate responsibility (proposed for implementation);4) option 11, but with the ratio increased by a power « n », a procedure that emphasizes the non-linear increase of toxicity related to the exceedence of the criterion (could be useful for academic purposes).We also propose a Global Weighted Unusable Area concept to combine all the different chemical species present in an effluent plume. The combination is made possible using the specific criterion corresponding to each species. This procedure leads to a new state variable that represents Contamination Standard Units

Pétrographie et géochimie des laves et des filons-couches mafiques et ultramafiques du canton de Richardson, Chibougamau, Québec

La Formation de Gilman du Canton de Richardson est composée d'un empilement de métabasaltes et de filons-couches de métagabbros. Ces roches sont généralement métamorphisées au faciès des schistes-verts. Toutefois, ces mêmes roches situées près de l'intrusif igné du Complexe de la Rivière Barlow, se retrouvent au faciès des amphibolites. Les filons-couches mafiques et ultramafiques de Ventures et de Bourbeau du Canton de Richardson, sont différenciés et métamorphisés. Le filon-couche de Ventures est formé à la base, d'une métapéridotite et d'une métapyroxénite noire, suivies d'une zone de métapyroxénite verte et d'une grande épaisseur de métagabbro ophitique avec apparition de quartz au sommet. Le filon-couche de Bourbeau se compose d'une mince bande de métapyroxénite à sa base, suivie d'une grande épaisseur de métagabbro leucocrate massif, ophitique et quartzifère près du sommet. Les roches métavolcaniques et les filons-couches de métagabbros d'affinité tholéiitique sont probablement comagmatiques.Ces roches reflètent la composition de la Formation de Gilman de la région de Chibougamau et la composition moyenne est similaire aux métabasaltes archéens canadiens et mondiaux. Les filons-couches de Ventures et de Bourbeau, différenciés l'un par rapport à l'autre, ont pu cristallisera partir d'un magma de composition tholéiitique par sédimentation gravitationnelle des premiers minéraux formés. Le modèle par injections multiples n'est toutefois pas exclu. Les caractéristiques pétrographiques, chimiques et stratigraphiques des laves et des filons-couches de métagabbros du Canton de Richardson montrent bien qu'ils sont les équivalents de la Formation de Gilman. Pour les mêmes raisons, les deux filons-couches mafiques et ultramafiques sont bien les équivalents du Ventures et du Bourbeau présents ailleurs dans la région de Chibougamau

A Mini-PET beamline for optimized proton delivery to the ISOTRACE™ target system

Introduction The ISOTRACE™ Super-Conducting Cyclotron is PMB-Alcen’s redeveloped and modernized version of Oxford Instrument’s OSCAR superconducting cyclotron [1]. Its extracted 80+ mi-croamperes of 12 MeV protons are used for the production of PET radioisotopes. Following the philosophy of Dickie, Stevenson, Szlavik [2] for minimizing dose to personnel, and as developed by Dehnel et al [3,4], and Stokely et al [5], the ISOTRACE™ shall utilize an innovative, light-weight, integrated and self-supporting Mini-Beamline. This permits the relatively high residual radiation fields around PET targets to be moved ~1 metre away from the cyclotron, and facilitates the use of local shielding (around the targets) that limits prompt gammas and neutrons, but more importantly attenuates the residual target radiation, so that maintenance/research staff can work on the cyclotron in a relatively low activity environment. In addition, the mini-beamline for PET utilizes a compound quadrupole/steerer doublet that permits active and dynamic focusing/steering of the extracted proton beam for optimized production and minimized losses [3], so it improves on the successful work of Theroux et al [6]. The integrated beamline unit is extremely small, so that it is very unlike bulky traditional PET and SPECT beamlines that require substantial support structures, such as described by Dehnel in [7,8]. Material and Methods The ISOTRACE™ cyclotron is pictured in FIG. 1. The exit port flange and gate valve to which the integrated mini-beamline for PET shall be mounted is shown. Immediately upstream of the exit port, hidden from view, is a 4 jaw collimator (called BPI for Beam Position Indicator) with spilled beam current readbacks to the control system. TABLE 1 shows the nominal beam emittance and Twiss parameter values at the exit port flange location. This ion-optical information is necessary to simulate ion beam transport, develop the mini-beamline, and determine a nominal tune (i.e. magnet settings). Results and Conclusion TABLE 2 shows the ion-optical system parameters. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the horizontal and vertical beam profiles. The Horizontally focusing Quadrupole magnet (HQ), and Vertically focusing Quadrupole magnet (VQ) aperture diameter, 33 mm, was chosen to give sufficient beam acceptance. The focusing strength is a function of BL, so the effective length, L = 150 mm, was chosen to ensure Bmax less than 0.3 Tesla, while keeping overall magnet mass down. The quad-rupole magnets are fitted with water-cooled compound coils in which the copper/mylar strip wound portion of each coil is a winding for the quadrupole focusing function, and the wire wound portion is for the steering function. To increase beam acceptance and provide additional section strength for the pipe support function, the internal aperture of the low-activation aluminium beam pipe and the external shape are in the shape of a cross. FIG. 4 shows the beam crosssection at the mid-point of the downstream quadrupole magnet, and illustrates the additional acceptance as compared to a round beampipe. In order to machine the interior profile, the pipe is comprised of two premachined pieces that are friction stirwelded together. FIG. 5 is an isometric of the mini-beamline for PET. The four upstream HQ compound coils are excited with a 75A power supply for the horizontally focusing quadrupole magnet function, and a ± 10A power supply for a vertical steering function. The same power supplies are used for the four downstream VQ compound coils for the purpose of a vertically focusing quadrupole magnet function and horizontal steering function

Ligand design and preparation, photophysical properties, and device performance of an encapsulated-type pseudo-tris(heteroleptic) iridium(iii) emitter

The organic molecule 2-(1-phenyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)-6-(3-(1-phenyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)phenyl)pyridine (H3L) has been designed, prepared, and employed to synthesize the encapsulated-type pseudo-tris(heteroleptic) iridium(III) derivative Ir(κ6-fac-C,C′,C″-fac-N,N′,N″-L). Its formation takes place as a result of the coordination of the heterocycles to the iridium center and the ortho-CH bond activation of the phenyl groups. Dimer [Ir(μ-Cl)(η4-COD)]2 is suitable for the preparation of this compound of class [Ir(9h)] (9h = 9-electron donor hexadentate ligand), but Ir(acac)3 is a more appropriate starting material. Reactions were carried out in 1-phenylethanol. In contrast to the latter, 2-ethoxyethanol promotes the metal carbonylation, inhibiting the full coordination of H3L. Complex Ir(κ6-fac-C,C′,C″-fac-N,N′,N″-L) is a phosphorescent emitter upon photoexcitation, which has been employed to fabricate four yellow emitting devices with 1931 CIE (x:y) ∼ (0.52:0.48) and a maximum wavelength at 576 nm. These devices display luminous efficacies, external quantum efficiencies, and power efficacies at 600 cd m–2, which lie in the ranges 21.4–31.3 cd A–1, 7.8–11.3%, and 10.2–14.1 lm W1–, respectively, depending on the device configuration

New Insights into the Problem of the Surface Gravity Distribution of Cool DA White Dwarfs

We review at length the longstanding problem in the spectroscopic analysis of cool hydrogen-line (DA) white dwarfs (Teff < 13,000 K) where gravities are significantly higher than those found in hotter DA stars. The first solution that has been proposed for this problem is a mild and systematic helium contamination from convective mixing that would mimic the high gravities. We constrain this scenario by determining the helium abundances in six cool DA white dwarfs using high-resolution spectra from the Keck I 10-m telescope. We obtain no detections, with upper limits as low as He/H = 0.04 in some cases. This allows us to put this scenario to rest for good. We also extend our model grid to lower temperatures using improved Stark profiles with non-ideal gas effects from Tremblay & Bergeron and find that the gravity distribution of cool objects remains suspiciously high. Finally, we find that photometric masses are, on average, in agreement with expected values, and that the high-log g problem is so far unique to the spectroscopic approach.Comment: 44 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

On the Purity of the ZZ Ceti Instability Strip: Discovery of More Pulsating DA White Dwarfs on the Basis of Optical Spectroscopy

We report the discovery of two new ZZ Ceti pulsators, LP 133-144 and HE 1258+0123, selected on the basis of model atmosphere fits to optical spectroscopic data. The atmospheric parameters for LP 133-144, Teff = 11,800 +/- 200 K and log g = 7.87 +/- 0.05, and for HE 1258+0123, Teff = 11,410 +/- 200 K and log g = 8.04 +/- 0.05, place them within the empirical boundaries of the ZZ Ceti instability strip. This brings the number of known ZZ Ceti stars to a total of 36, a quarter of which have now been discovered using the spectroscopic approach for estimating their atmospheric parameters. This method has had a 100% success rate so far in predicting the variability of candidate ZZ Ceti stars. We have also analyzed additional spectra of known nonvariable white dwarfs in the vicinity of the ZZ Ceti instability strip. Our study further strengthens the idea that ZZ Ceti stars occupy a pure region in the log g-Teff plane, a region where no nonvariable stars are found. This result supports the thesis that ZZ Ceti pulsators represent a phase through which all DA stars must evolve.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Two close binaries across the hydrogen-burning limit in the Praesepe open cluster

We present Keck I/OSIRIS and Keck II/NIRC2 adaptive optics imaging of two member candidates of the Praesepe stellar cluster (d=186.18$\pm$0.11 pc; 590-790 Myr), UGC J08451066+2148171 (L1.5$\pm$0.5) and UGCS J08301935$+$2003293 (no spectroscopic classification). We resolved UGCS J08451066$+$2148171 into a binary system in the near-infrared, with a $K$-band wavelength flux ratio of 0.89$\pm$0.04, a projected separation of 60.3$\pm$1.3 mas (11.2$\pm$0.7 au; 1$\sigma$). We also resolved UGCS J08301935$+$2003293 into a binary system with a flux ratio of 0.46$\pm$0.03 and a separation of 62.5$\pm$0.9 mas. Assuming zero eccentricity, we estimate minimum orbital periods of $\sim$100 years for both systems. According to theoretical evolutionary models, we derive masses in the range of 0.074-0.078 M$_{\odot}$ and 0.072-0.076 M$_{\odot}$ for the primary and secondary of UGCS J08451066$+$2148171 for an age of 700$\pm$100 Myr. In the case of UGCS J08301935$+$2003293, the primary is a low-mass star at the stellar/substellar boundary (0.070-0.078 M$_{\odot}$) while the companion candidate might be a brown dwarf (0.051-0.065 M$_{\odot}$). These are the first two binaries composed of L dwarfs in Praesepe. They are benchmark systems to derive the location of the substellar limit at the age and metallicity of Praesepe, determine the age of the cluster based on the lithium depletion boundary test, derive dynamical masses, and improve low-mass stellar and substellar evolutionary models at a well-known age and metallicity.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, 3 tables, accepted for publication in MNRA

A new L-dwarf member of the moderately metal-poor triple system HD 221356

We report on the discovery of a fourth component in the HD 221356 star system, previously known to be formed by an F8V, slightly metal-poor primary ([Fe/H]=-0.26), and a distant M8V+L3V pair. In our ongoing common proper motion search based on VISTA Hemisphere Survey (VHS) and 2MASS catalogues, we have detected a faint (J=13.76+/-0.04 mag) co-moving companion of the F8 star located at angular separation of 12.13+/-0.18 arcsec (position angle of 221.8+/-1.7), corresponding to a projected distance of ~312 AU at 26 pc. Near-infrared spectroscopy of the new companion, covering the 1.5-2.4 micron wavelength range with a resolving power of R~600, indicates an L1+/-1 spectral type. Using evolutionary models the mass of the new companion is estimated at ~0.08 solar masses, which places the object close to the stellar-substellar borderline. This multiple system provides an interesting example of objects with masses slightly above and below the hydrogen burning mass limit. The low mass companions of HD 221356 have slightly bluer colours than field dwarfs with similar spectral type, which is likely a consequence of the sub-solar metallicity of the system.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA