CO2 storage potential of basaltic rocks in Iceland and the oceanic ridges

AbstractIceland is the largest landmass found above sea level at the mid-ocean ridges, about 103,000 km2 mostly made of basaltic rocks (∼90%). Theoretically much of Iceland could be used for injection of CO2, fully dissolved in water. Most of the pore space in the older rocks is filled with secondary minerals, thus the young and porous basaltic formations, found within the active rift zone and covering about one third of Iceland, are the most feasible for carbon storage onshore.Studies on mineral storage of CO2 in basaltic rocks are still at an early stage. Therefore, natural analogues are important for gaining a better understanding of CO2 fixation in basaltic rocks. Volcanic geothermal systems serve as an applicable analogue since the systems receive considerable amounts of CO2 from magma in the roots of the systems. Wiese et al. [1] quantified the amount and spatial distribution of CO2 stored as calcite within the bedrock of three active geothermal systems in Iceland. The results from this study reveal a large storage potential of basaltic rocks and can be used as a guideline for the theoretical potential of CO2 storage in basaltic formations. The largest storage potential lies offshore, with long-term advantages for safe and secure CO2 storage in the mid-ocean ridges. The theoretical mineral CO2 storage capacity of the ocean ridges, using the Icelandic analogue, is orders of magnitude larger than the anticipated release of CO2 caused by burning of all fossil fuel on Earth

Benthic oxygen flux in the highly productive subarctic Lake Myvatn, Iceland: In situ benthic flux chamber study.

Abstract In situ paired light and dark-stirred benthic flux chambers were used to estimate dissolved oxygen flux across the sediment-water interface in Lake Mývatn, Iceland. Three sampling stations were selected, each station reflecting a specific sedimentary environment, benthic communities, and water depth. During this study the phytoplankton density was low. Spatial and seasonal variations of bottom DO concentration and DO flux have been observed during this study. The oxygen consumption rate at all study sites had a mean of −89 (± 44) mmol m −2 d −1 while the oxygen production rate due to benthic algae had a mean of 131 (± 103) mmol m −2 d −1 . There was a strong correlation (r = 0.91) between oxygen consumption rate and temperature. This was presumably because of the temperature influence on rates of microbial and macrobenthic processes. The mean benthic primary production rate at all study sites was 1216 (± 957) mg C m −2 d −1 between June 2000 and February 2001. Annual gross benthic primary production was estimated from the gross mean daily benthic DO production (P) and Redfield's C:O 2 ratio of 106:138 to be 420 g C m −2 y −1 at station HO, 250 g C m −2 y −1 at B2 and 340 g C m −2 y −1 at station 95. Thus, the mean gross benthic primary production was estimated as 1151 mg C m −2 d −1 at station HO, 685 mg C m −2 d −1 at station B2, and 932 mg C m −2 d −1 at station 95

Gradual caldera collapse at Bárdarbunga volcano, Iceland, regulated by lateral magma outflow

Large volcanic eruptions on Earth commonly occur with a collapse of the roof of a crustal magma reservoir, forming a caldera. Only a few such collapses occur per century, and the lack of detailed observations has obscured insight into the mechanical interplay between collapse and eruption.We usemultiparameter geophysical and geochemical data to show that the 110-squarekilometer and 65-meter-deep collapse of Bárdarbunga caldera in 2014-2015 was initiated through withdrawal of magma, and lateral migration through a 48-kilometers-long dike, from a 12-kilometers deep reservoir. Interaction between the pressure exerted by the subsiding reservoir roof and the physical properties of the subsurface flow path explain the gradual, nearexponential decline of both collapse rate and the intensity of the 180-day-long eruption.</p

Prior cancer and risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: a population-based study in Iceland and Sweden

There is some evidence that a prior cancer is a risk factor for the development of multiple myeloma (MM). If this is true, prior cancer should be associated with higher prevalence or increased progression rate of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), the precursor of MM and related disorders. Those with a history of cancer might therefore present a target population for MGUS screening. This two-part study is the first study to evaluate the relationship of MGUS and prior cancers. First, we evaluated whether prior cancers were associated with having MGUS at the time of screening in the Iceland Screens Treats or Prevents Multiple Myeloma (iStopMM) study that includes 75,422 individuals screened for MGUS. Next, we evaluated the association of prior cancer and the progression of MGUS to MM and related disorders in a population-based cohort of 13,790 Swedish individuals with MGUS. A history of prior cancer was associated with a modest increase in the risk of MGUS (odds ratio (OR)= 1.10; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.20). This excess risk was limited to prior cancers in the year preceding MGUS screening. A history of prior cancer associated with the progression of MGUS, except for myeloid malignancies which were associated with lower risk of progression (hazard ratio (HR)=0.37; 95%CI: 0.16-0.89; p=0.028). Our findings indicate that a prior cancer are not a significant aetiological factor in plasma cell disorders. The findings do not warrant MGUS screening or different management of MGUS in those with a prior cancer

Analysis of a Flexible Small-Series Flow Line for Prototype Production of Cutting Inserts : A study carried out at Sandvik Coromant in Gimo in order to evaluate how a new flexibleflow line can be planned in order to meet requirements of short lead times andhigh service level

In the modern manufacturing industry the need for faster and more robust product development processes is seen as one of the main strategic areas to focus on in order to support sustainable growth and even long term survival of companies due to continuously increasing global competition. For the metal-cutting tool manufacturer Sandvik Coromant product development is seen as a key strategic area and due to that improvements in the overall product development chain are being worked on. In order to have more reliable production of prototypes and at the same time have them delivered within short and predictable lead time a new small-series flexible manufacturing line needs to be set up. This project takes on analysis of three levels of analysis for this new manufacturing line, that is production planning, flow analysis and scenario analysis. Through the analysis information has been collected to set up the boundaries for which the system needs to work within, such as demand forecast, processing requirements and planning as well as estimation of cycle times for different steps in the flow. The project provider had already made a framework of manufacturing techniques and concepts which are known but the idea for this project was to put those pieces together in a system model which could be analysed with regards to flow characteristics and system performance. The results would then be a basis for a decision on capacity and layout design for the new system. It is shown that the decision on capacity is mostly related to resource planning at the system bottleneck, which is a precision material removal station applying either high-speed milling or laser technology for material removal. Scenarios for variables such as order batch sizes are analysed and it is shown how the target for service level can be reached by for example increasing lead time definition for large order batches. For a higher capacity option at the bottleneck operation the robustness of the system is tested by adjusting demand and cycle time needs for the bottleneck step, and this gives results within service level target for those scenarios. The idea is that all machining operations and key measurements for the products should be possible to do within the flow line. This results in relatively low utilization for some of the equipment, but this is a trade-off which makes the system flexible and independent. The effect of having a transportation robot for the flow line is checked as an alternative to having operator at the line 16 hours per day. In the base case with the operators, automatic pallet exchange functionality is set up at the two most utilized machines with local pallet magazine for parts to be manufactured. It is shown that a solution with a transportation robot would only result in about 1% higher serve level compared to the base case solution. It was a conclusion to recommend a solution with only one machine for the bottleneck operation and either add restriction on order batch sizes or define longer lead time for larger order batches. It was recommended to implement pallet exchanger with a local pallet magazine for pallets which hold the parts at two work stations which have the highest utilization. This solution would according to the given background information and input variables give a desired service level by operating with one operator 16 hours per day, 7 days a week, and unmanned night shifts for which the high utilization machines could be unloaded and loaded by an automated pallet exchanger and thus could operate automatically during night time

Analysis of a Flexible Small-Series Flow Line for Prototype Production of Cutting Inserts : A study carried out at Sandvik Coromant in Gimo in order to evaluate how a new flexibleflow line can be planned in order to meet requirements of short lead times andhigh service level

In the modern manufacturing industry the need for faster and more robust product development processes is seen as one of the main strategic areas to focus on in order to support sustainable growth and even long term survival of companies due to continuously increasing global competition. For the metal-cutting tool manufacturer Sandvik Coromant product development is seen as a key strategic area and due to that improvements in the overall product development chain are being worked on. In order to have more reliable production of prototypes and at the same time have them delivered within short and predictable lead time a new small-series flexible manufacturing line needs to be set up. This project takes on analysis of three levels of analysis for this new manufacturing line, that is production planning, flow analysis and scenario analysis. Through the analysis information has been collected to set up the boundaries for which the system needs to work within, such as demand forecast, processing requirements and planning as well as estimation of cycle times for different steps in the flow. The project provider had already made a framework of manufacturing techniques and concepts which are known but the idea for this project was to put those pieces together in a system model which could be analysed with regards to flow characteristics and system performance. The results would then be a basis for a decision on capacity and layout design for the new system. It is shown that the decision on capacity is mostly related to resource planning at the system bottleneck, which is a precision material removal station applying either high-speed milling or laser technology for material removal. Scenarios for variables such as order batch sizes are analysed and it is shown how the target for service level can be reached by for example increasing lead time definition for large order batches. For a higher capacity option at the bottleneck operation the robustness of the system is tested by adjusting demand and cycle time needs for the bottleneck step, and this gives results within service level target for those scenarios. The idea is that all machining operations and key measurements for the products should be possible to do within the flow line. This results in relatively low utilization for some of the equipment, but this is a trade-off which makes the system flexible and independent. The effect of having a transportation robot for the flow line is checked as an alternative to having operator at the line 16 hours per day. In the base case with the operators, automatic pallet exchange functionality is set up at the two most utilized machines with local pallet magazine for parts to be manufactured. It is shown that a solution with a transportation robot would only result in about 1% higher serve level compared to the base case solution. It was a conclusion to recommend a solution with only one machine for the bottleneck operation and either add restriction on order batch sizes or define longer lead time for larger order batches. It was recommended to implement pallet exchanger with a local pallet magazine for pallets which hold the parts at two work stations which have the highest utilization. This solution would according to the given background information and input variables give a desired service level by operating with one operator 16 hours per day, 7 days a week, and unmanned night shifts for which the high utilization machines could be unloaded and loaded by an automated pallet exchanger and thus could operate automatically during night time

The effect of dietary fish oil on survival after infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae or Streptococcus pneumoniae.

To access publisher full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links fieldDietary fish oil is believed to have a beneficial effect in various infections and in autoimmune disorders. This effect may correspond to an altered immune response. In order to discover whether the effect of dietary fish oil is different in various infections, we studied the survival of mice fed fish oil or corn oil supplemented diets and infected in the lungs with either Klebsiella pneumoniae or Streptococcus pneumoniae. 120 NMRI mice were divided into 4 groups, of which 2 groups were fed a fish oil supplemented diet and 2 a corn oil supplemented diet. After 6 weeks the mice were infected in the lungs with Klebsiella pneumoniae (fish oil groups and corn oil groups) or with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 (both groups). The survival rate was monitored. The experiment was performed twice. The survival of the mice fed fish oil enriched diet and infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae was significantly better compared with the mice fed corn oil enriched diet (p = 0.0001 and p = 0.0013). No difference was found between the mice fed corn oil enriched diet or fish oil enriched diet and infected with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3 (p = 0.74 and p = 0.15). Our results indicate that dietary fish oil has a beneficial effect on survival of mice after experimental pneumoniae when infected with Klebsiella pneumoniae, but not after infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3