scholarly journals The Effects of Chromospheric Radiation on the Circumstellar Chemistry of Evolved Stars

1987 ◽  
Vol 120 ◽  
pp. 379-385
Author(s):  
A. E. Glassgold

The physical and chemical properties of the circumstellar envelopes of evolved stars are strongly affected by the interstellar radiation field. Other sources of UV radiation should be similarly effective, and some examples are nearby stars (including companions), chromospheres, and the central stars of planetary nebulae. We consider the particular case of Alpha Ori, which has a chromosphere and an extended CSE with a small dust to gas ratio. Its properties are dominated by the chromospheric and interstellar radiation fields. The most common species are neutral atoms and first ions, and the electron fraction is high throughout the entire CSE, i.e. at least 10−4. The abundances of neutrals peak in the outer CSE close to where the chromospheric and interstellar radiation fields are equal. An important application is KI, whose density has been measured by scattering. The theory predicts that the slope of the KI density should change from about −1.5 to −3.5 in the outer envelope, the exact values being determined by the temperature distribution. The mass loss rate implied by the KI density is of the order of 4×10−6 M⊙ yr−1.

2018 ◽  
Vol 151 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Poniewozik ◽  
Josef Juráň

Background and aims – Phytoplankton samples were taken from a periodic, small and very shallow former clay-pit pond in eastern Poland near Lublin city. Diversity of the euglenophyte community was assessed during the period 2002–2004 and in 2014. Methods – Water samples were collected with a 20 µm plankton net and with a slime aspirator (20 ml capacity) from the surface of the bottom. One aliquot of each sample was fixed for SEM observation; the fresh part of the sample was analysed using light microscope. Physical and chemical properties of the water (pH, temperature, conductivity, phosphates and ammonium salt contents) were measured. Diversity indices were calculated (Shannon-Wiener, evenness, Margalef and Simpson) and UPGMA cluster analysis was applied to discern differences among euglenoid assemblages.Key results – In total, 63 euglenophyte taxa were found. The euglenophyte community was dominated by species belonging to the Trachelomonas genus (29 taxa). The most abundant and constant component were widespread and common species such as T. caudata, T. hispida, T. intermedia, T. volvocina and T. volvocinopsis. They usually occurred in very high densities. We also found some rarely reported euglenophytes including Euglena granulata, Trachelomonas lemmermannii, and T. sydneyensis. Conclusions – Euglenophytes were, with a few exceptions, the only group inhabiting the pond. Representatives of other groups such as diatoms or Scenedesmus species were recorded only occasionally. Nearly half of the taxa that were recorded in the first period (2002–2004) were found again after ten years. Of special concern was taxa belonging to the genus Trachelomonas. Trachelomonads, although known to represent taxa preferring waters moderately rich in nutrients, were very numerous in the investigated pond, which was enriched in phosphorus and nitrogen compounds.


2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 246-255
Author(s):  
Taofikat Abosede ADESALU ◽  
Olakunbi Anike KUNRUNMI ◽  
Muyideen Owonire LAWAL

Three different rivers in Ogun and Ondo states were investigated for both micro and macro-biota of the water bodies. Several physical and chemical properties of these rivers were determined. The pH value of the studied water bodies was essentially neutral with salinity values between 0.02 - 4.0‰. Microalgae communities were represented by three divisions: Cyanophyta, Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta at Oluwa and Ifara Rivers (Ondo state), while at Ibefun River (Ogun state), five divisions: Cyanophyta, Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta and Pyrrhophyta were identified. Diatoms dominated these water bodies, with Navicula radiosa Kutz. at Ifara River, Fragilaria sp. in Oluwa River, while out of 90 algal taxa identified in Ibefun river, 64 were diatoms species belonging to 26 genera, with Melosira sp. and Synedra sp. recording the highest numbers of cell count. Dinoflagellates recorded only Peridinium sp. while Phacus orbicularis Hubner and Trachelomonas sp. dominated the euglenoids. For the zooplankton composition at Ibefun, rotifers (75.95%) were represented by Brachionus sp., which recorded 62.03%, and Gastropus sp. with 13.92% of the total zooplankton, thus dominated the spectrum, while the copepod recorded 22.78% of the total organisms, with Copilia sp. and Euchirella sp. having 8.86% each. The macrobenthic invertebrates were represented by 3 taxa, belonging to 3 groups, with the dominant group Insecta accounted for 57% of the total individuals (7 individuals/m2), while Oligochaeta and Hirudinea accounted for 29% and 14% respectively of the total individuals at Oluwa and Ifara Rivers. At Ibefun River, the macrobenthic invertebrates were represented by 5 taxa, belonging to 3 groups, Bivalves, Oligochaeta and Insecta, with bivalves being the dominant group (51.7% of the total individuals, as 64 individuals/m2), while Oligochaeta and Insecta accounted for 26.6% and 21.9% respectively of the total individuals. The dominant taxon, Macoma cumana, accounted for 42.2%. A total of seventeen (17) finfish and shellfish species comprised of thirteen (13) finfish and four (4) shellfish species were recorded, being representative of freshwater and brackish water species; Clarias anguillaris (Clariidae), Tilapia zilli (Cichlidae), Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (Bagridae), Alestes spp. and Macrobrachium vollenhovenii (Palaemonidae) were the most common species observed.


2003 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. DRINIA ◽  
A. ANTONARAKOU ◽  
M. DERMITZAKIS

A detailed study of the planktonic environment of the eastern Mediterranean Sea has permitted the reconstruction of the climatic history of this part of the basin during the time span from 9.7 to 6.6 Ma. The eastern Mediterranean Sea is confirmed as having a strong sensitivity to the climatic changes that occurred during that timespan. One of the very few complete hemipelagic successions of the Upper Miocene in Mediterranean is found in Gavdos island (SW Crete). Quantitative and qualitative modifications of the planktonic foraminiferal communities observed in Metochia section exhibit a sequence of biological events summarized in 11 successive main time intervals. The bioevents are defined by frequency peaks and/or local (re)-occurrences or (temporary) disappearances of some of the taxa, in association with more or less important fluctuations of the more common species. The planktonic foraminifera show a strong correlation with sea surface temperature variations and with changes in the physical and chemical properties of the upper water column caused by the climatic instability. Two prominent shifts in faunal parameters divide the period recorded in Metochia section into three major time slices that are discussed in chronological order: a cooling trend from 9,7 to 7,6 Ma, a warmer period from 7,6 to 7,2 Ma and then a cooling trend which finishes at the Messinian.


1966 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 101-110
Author(s):  
W. Iwanowska

In connection with the spectrophotometric study of population-type characteristics of various kinds of stars, a statistical analysis of kinematical and distribution parameters of the same stars is performed at the Toruń Observatory. This has a twofold purpose: first, to provide a practical guide in selecting stars for observing programmes, second, to contribute to the understanding of relations existing between the physical and chemical properties of stars and their kinematics and distribution in the Galaxy.


Author(s):  
Sydney S. Breese ◽  
Howard L. Bachrach

Continuing studies on the physical and chemical properties of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) have included electron microscopy of RNA strands released when highly purified virus (1) was dialyzed against demlneralized distilled water. The RNA strands were dried on formvar-carbon coated electron microscope screens pretreated with 0.1% bovine plasma albumin in distilled water. At this low salt concentration the RNA strands were extended and were stained with 1% phosphotungstic acid. Random dispersions of strands were recorded on electron micrographs, enlarged to 30,000 or 40,000 X and the lengths measured with a map-measuring wheel. Figure 1 is a typical micrograph and Fig. 2 shows the distributions of strand lengths for the three major types of FMDV (A119 of 6/9/72; C3-Rezende of 1/5/73; and O1-Brugge of 8/24/73.


Author(s):  
Mehmet Sarikaya ◽  
Ilhan A. Aksay

Biomimetics involves investigation of structure, function, and methods of synthesis of biological composite materials. The goal is to apply this information to the design and synthesis of materials for engineering applications.Properties of engineering materials are structure sensitive through the whole spectrum of dimensions from nanometer to macro scale. The goal in designing and processing of technological materials, therefore, is to control microstructural evolution at each of these dimensions so as to achieve predictable physical and chemical properties. Control at each successive level of dimension, however, is a major challenge as is the retention of integrity between successive levels. Engineering materials are rarely fabricated to achieve more than a few of the desired properties and the synthesis techniques usually involve high temperature or low pressure conditions that are energy inefficient and environmentally damaging.In contrast to human-made materials, organisms synthesize composites whose intricate structures are more controlled at each scale and hierarchical order.


2017 ◽  
pp. 31-43
Author(s):  
Berta Ratilla ◽  
Loreme Cagande ◽  
Othello Capuno

Organic farming is one of the management strategies that improve productivity of marginal uplands. The study aimed to: (1) evaluate effects of various organic-based fertilizers on the growth and yield of corn; (2) determine the appropriate combination for optimum yield; and (3) assess changes on the soil physical and chemical properties. Experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design, with 3 replications and 7 treatments, namely; T0=(0-0-0); T1=1t ha-1 Evans + 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1; T2=t ha-1 Wellgrow + 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1; T3=15t ha-1 chicken dung; T4=10t ha-1 chicken dung + 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1; T5=15t ha-1 Vermicast; and T6=10t ha-1 Vermicast + 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1. Application of organic-based fertilizers with or without inorganic fertilizers promoted growth of corn than the control. But due to high infestation of corn silk beetle(Monolepta bifasciata Horns), its grain yield was greatly affected. In the second cropping, except for Evans, any of these fertilizers applied alone or combined with 45-30-30kg N, P2O5, K2O ha-1 appeared appropriate in increasing corn earyield. Soil physical and chemical properties changed with addition of organic fertilizers. While bulk density decreased irrespective of treatments, pH, total N, available P and exchangeable K generally increased more with chicken dung application.


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