An Improved Motorized Corer and Sample Processing System for Frozen Peat

An improved corer and associated equipment for obtaining continuous samples of frozen peat are described. We developed the system through laboratory and field trials - on Bathurst Island, Nunavut, Canada in 2000 and Nordvestø, Carey Islands, Greenland, in 2001 - as part of efforts to collect continuous samples of Arctic peat cores for an environmental archive of heavy metal and persistent organic pollutants. A new system for precise slicing of frozen peat cores and accurate volumetric sub-sampling of slices is also described and illustrated, since pre-analytical preparation of the cores is important for accurate trace analyses, as well as for determination of net accumulation rates. The coring system is portable, weighing 26 kg with no fuel, motor, or samples. The system is designed for Arctic use. It recovers continuous cores up to 10 m below surface in sections 70 cm long and 9.7 cm in diameter, with a cutting head robust enough to penetrate slightly below the organics to probe the substrate. It takes a two-man team approximately 15 minutes per section for sampling and packing. The coring system costs about US $8000 in parts and labor, plus the cost of the motor. Its adaptability will make it useful for recovering a broad range of Quaternary materials frozen in the Arctic.On décrit un carottier perfectionné, ainsi que le matériel auxiliaire, qui permet d'obtenir des échantillons en continu de tourbe gelée. Le système a été mis au point à la suite d'essais en laboratoire et sur le terrain - dans l'île de Bathurst (Canada) en 2000 et à Nordvestø dans les îles Carey (Groenland) en 2001 - dans le cadre de travaux visant à recueillir des échantillons en continu de carottes de tourbe arctique pour obtenir des archives environnementales des métaux lourds et des polluants organiques persistants. En outre, on décrit et on illustre un nouveau système permettant de trancher les carottes de tourbe gelée de façon précise et d'en faire un sous-échantillonnage volumétrique exact, vu l'importance de la préparation des carottes pour effectuer une analyse de traces rigoureuse ainsi que pour déterminer le taux net d'accumulation. Avec un poids de 26 kg sans carburant, moteur ni échantillons, le système de carottage est portable. Il est conçu pour être utilisé dans l'Arctique. Il retire des échantillons en continu jusqu'à une profondeur de 10 m de la surface, en sections de 70 cm de long et de 9,7 cm de diamètre, grâce à une tête de coupe assez robuste pour pénétrer légèrement sous les dépôts organiques et sonder le substratum. Il faut environ 15 minutes à une équipe de deux hommes pour effectuer l'échantillonnage et l'emballage d'une section. Le prix du système de carottage est d'environ 8000$ US en pièces et main-d'œuvre, plus le coût du moteur. Son adaptabilité le rendra utile pour extraire une vaste gamme de matériaux du quaternaire congelés dans l'Arctique

An Improved Motorized Corer and Sample Processing System for Frozen Peat

An improved corer and associated equipment for obtaining continuous samples of frozen peat are described. We developed the system through laboratory and field trials - on Bathurst Island, Nunavut, Canada in 2000 and Nordvestø, Carey Islands, Greenland, in 2001 - as part of efforts to collect continuous samples of Arctic peat cores for an environmental archive of heavy metal and persistent organic pollutants. A new system for precise slicing of frozen peat cores and accurate volumetric sub-sampling of slices is also described and illustrated, since pre-analytical preparation of the cores is important for accurate trace analyses, as well as for determination of net accumulation rates. The coring system is portable, weighing 26 kg with no fuel, motor, or samples. The system is designed for Arctic use. It recovers continuous cores up to 10 m below surface in sections 70 cm long and 9.7 cm in diameter, with a cutting head robust enough to penetrate slightly below the organics to probe the substrate. It takes a two-man team approximately 15 minutes per section for sampling and packing. The coring system costs about US $8000 in parts and labor, plus the cost of the motor. Its adaptability will make it useful for recovering a broad range of Quaternary materials frozen in the Arctic.On décrit un carottier perfectionné, ainsi que le matériel auxiliaire, qui permet d'obtenir des échantillons en continu de tourbe gelée. Le système a été mis au point à la suite d'essais en laboratoire et sur le terrain - dans l'île de Bathurst (Canada) en 2000 et à Nordvestø dans les îles Carey (Groenland) en 2001 - dans le cadre de travaux visant à recueillir des échantillons en continu de carottes de tourbe arctique pour obtenir des archives environnementales des métaux lourds et des polluants organiques persistants. En outre, on décrit et on illustre un nouveau système permettant de trancher les carottes de tourbe gelée de façon précise et d'en faire un sous-échantillonnage volumétrique exact, vu l'importance de la préparation des carottes pour effectuer une analyse de traces rigoureuse ainsi que pour déterminer le taux net d'accumulation. Avec un poids de 26 kg sans carburant, moteur ni échantillons, le système de carottage est portable. Il est conçu pour être utilisé dans l'Arctique. Il retire des échantillons en continu jusqu'à une profondeur de 10 m de la surface, en sections de 70 cm de long et de 9,7 cm de diamètre, grâce à une tête de coupe assez robuste pour pénétrer légèrement sous les dépôts organiques et sonder le substratum. Il faut environ 15 minutes à une équipe de deux hommes pour effectuer l'échantillonnage et l'emballage d'une section. Le prix du système de carottage est d'environ 8000$ US en pièces et main-d'œuvre, plus le coût du moteur. Son adaptabilité le rendra utile pour extraire une vaste gamme de matériaux du quaternaire congelés dans l'Arctique

Cyber threats, harsh environment and the European High North (EHN) in a human security and multi-level regulatory global dimension: Which framework applicable to critical infrastructures under “Exceptionally critical infrastructure conditions” (ECIC)?

Business opportunities in the European High North (EHN) are accompanied by the danger of cyber-threats, especially to critical infrastructures which in these Arctic regions become “extra critical” because of the harsh environmental climatic conditions and remoteness of distances. Critical infrastructures (CI) in the EHN are crucial for numerous sectors, such as the energy sector which is completely depended on digitalization, internet and computers’ commands. Such a new condition of extra criticality should also include human security concerns to avoid human disasters. An effective legal framework under “exceptionally critically infrastructure conditions” (ECIC) for this technology is important not only in terms of national legislation, but also in view of a regional, international and global networks character. This paper links for the first time, law, internet and cybersecurity, environment and society in a global human security dimension in a multi-regulatory contextual analysis. The aim is to trace the legal framework for response to a cyber-attack to critical infrastructure in the energy sector and takes Norway as a case study because this country is highly dependent on cyber technology and on critical infrastructures. The question of research is: using a human security focus in the case of cyber-threats under ECIC in the EHN, what ways can an assessment recommend to improve international, and regional law? Five analytical tasks are undertaken: 1) the concept of critical infrastructure vulnerability to cyber-attacks under “exceptionally critically infrastructure conditions” (ECIC) in the EHN with focus on the energy sector is explained in connection to the notion of human security, 2) a backdrop of regional and international collaboration is followed, 3) a trajectory of multilevel contextual analysis of the different sources of law and policy applicable to cyber-threats to CI is outlined, and 4) an examination of cooperation under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Climate change, environmental threats and cybersecurity in the European High North

publishedVersio

Circular solid state reduction process of fine copper powder synthesis with life cycle assessment for photovoltaics application

This paper presents the process of synthesis of copper powders obtained by the pyrometallurgical method without the participation of the liquid phase. This method is based on the simultaneous decomposition and reduction of copper (II) carbonate. Hydrogen was used as a reducing agent. Due to the strongly exothermic thermal effect of the reduction reaction, a mixture of inert gas and hydrogen was used to better control the parameters. Studies have shown that the carbonate method enables the synthesis of copper powders with a narrow distribution and controlled size. The size is controlled by the grinding time of the copper (II) carbonate. An life cycle assessment and circularity study evaluate the sustainability of the new process, and focus is given to the energy efficiency

Nordic national climate adaptation and tourism strategies : (how) are they interlinked?

The tourism sector is affected by climate change. Nordic tourism destinations have also experienced changes, such as changing precipitation patterns, lack of snow in winter and shifts in seasons. The sector has to implement adaptation strategies but it is unclear whether the current public climate policy is sufficient to support considering adaptation actions. We reviewed national climate strategies of the Nordic countries from the perspectives of tourism, but excluding the transport sector. We also reviewed Nordic national tourism strategies from the perspective of climate change, particularly the extent to which they address climate adaptation. We found out that the national climate strategies do not pay enough attention to tourism adaptation needs, nor do the national tourism strategies present adaptation actions that tourism actors could consider. To connect these national-level strategies, there is a need to review adaptation actions for tourism within the national adaptation framework supported by research based evidence. Next, by means of Nordic cooperation, guidance for both public and private tourism actors within and across Nordic countries can be provided. This can enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the Nordic tourism supply and contribute to the development of economically, environmentally and socially sustainable tourism in the region.Peer reviewe

Editorial—Global Climate Change and Contaminants

This Special Issue in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health focuses on the inter-linkage between the global distribution of contaminants and climate change. [...