A fluoride borehole dilution apparatus for groundwater velocity measurements

1977 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 554-561 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. E. Grisak ◽  
W. F. Merritt ◽  
D. W. Williams

A borehole dilution method using fluoride in low concentrations as the tracer and an adapted, commercially available fluoride ion electrode to measure the tracer dilution has been developed and employed at two sites. The sites are shallow groundwater systems consisting of alluvial surficial gravels near Fort Macleod, Alberta, and glaciodeltaic sand deposits at the Chalk River Nuclear Laboratories, Ontario. Zones of relatively high groundwater velocities determined at Fort Macleod with the fluoride apparatus are also evident in the results of a large-scale tracer test that documented chloride profiles over the saturated gravel thickness from point samples at 0.3 m depth intervals. The performance of the fluoride electrode compared favorably with a radio tracer (131I) technique in a simultaneous dilution experiment at the Chalk River site. Other ion-selective electrodes such as the chloride electrode may provide an alternative sensor in areas where hydrochemical conditions may restrict the use of the fluoride electrode.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ardalan Tootchi ◽  
Ali Ameli

<p>The dynamics of the rainfall-runoff processes are complex and variable both spatially and temporally. There is a rich literature on physical representation of streamflow generation processes, such as saturation excess overland flow, often at small scales. Yet, continental-scale estimations of the streamflow generation processes in zones with shallow groundwater systems are still poor. This has led to inability of earth system models or large-scale hydrologic models to correctly simulate stream flows at (un)gauged basins with high potential for the presence of saturation excess overland flow. Zones with shallow groundwater have a direct impact on the hydrologic response of rainfall events. Depending on the subsurface storage, climate signals and topography, they can enhance the overland flow, or act as a buffer zone to flatten the flood hydrographs. <br>We have introduced new indices, inspired by the concept of hydrologic function, that include the interactions amongst climatic and geophysical characteristics (soil parameters, topography and lithology) to delineate zones of shallow groundwater over the United States and Canada. We have evaluated and tested the ability of these indices in locating high-resolution zones of shallow groundwater against in-situ observations of water table depth. The knowledge of the spatial pattern of shallow groundwater zones at (un)gauged basins allows an accurate inclusion of hydrologic connectivity in earth system models or large-scale hydrologic models, improving their prediction of stream peak flow. Furthermore, as a significant part of incoming precipitation is transformed to overland flow due to oversaturation, these datasets could be introduced as a useful indicator of areas with flood and erosion susceptibility.</p>


Author(s):  
F. A. Durum ◽  
R. G. Goldman ◽  
T. J. Bolling ◽  
M. F. Miller

CMP-KDO synthetase (CKS) is an enzyme which plays a key role in the synthesis of LPS, an outer membrane component unique to gram negative bacteria. CKS activates KDO to CMP-KDO for incorporation into LPS. The enzyme is normally present in low concentrations (0.02% of total cell protein) which makes it difficult to perform large scale isolation and purification. Recently, the gene for CKS from E. coli was cloned and various recombinant DNA constructs overproducing CKS several thousandfold (unpublished data) were derived. Interestingly, no cytoplasmic inclusions of overproduced CKS were observed by EM (Fig. 1) which is in contrast to other reports of large proteinaceous inclusion bodies in various overproducing recombinant strains. The present immunocytochemical study was undertaken to localize CKS in these cells.Immune labeling conditions were first optimized using a previously described cell-free test system. Briefly, this involves soaking small blocks of polymerized bovine serum albumin in purified CKS antigen and subjecting them to various fixation, embedding and immunochemical conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-58
Author(s):  
Terry R. Carter ◽  
Lee D. Fortner ◽  
Hazen A.J. Russell ◽  
Mitchell E. Skuce ◽  
Fred J. Longstaffe ◽  
...  

Groundwater systems in the intermediate to deep subsurface of southern Ontario are poorly understood, despite their value for a number of societal uses. A regional hydrostratigraphic framework is a necessary precursor for improving our understanding of groundwater systems and enabling development of a 3-D hydrostratigraphic model to visualize these groundwater systems. This study is a compilation and integration of published and unpublished geological, hydrogeological, hydrochemical and isotopic data collected over the past 10 years to develop that framework.Bedrock is covered by a thin veneer of surficial sediments that comprise an aquifer/aquitard system of considerable local variability and complexity. Aquifers in the bedrock are thin and regionally extensive, separated by thick aquitards, within a well-defined lithostratigraphic framework and a well-developed hydrochemical depth zonation comprising a shallow fresh water regime, an intermediate brackish to saline sulphur water regime, and a deep brine regime of ancient, evaporated seawater. Occurrence and movement of groundwater in shallow bedrock is principally controlled by modern (Quaternary) karstic dissolution of subcropping carbonate and evaporite rocks, and in the intermediate to deep subsurface by paleokarst horizons developed during the Paleozoic. Flow directions in the surficial sediments of the shallow groundwater regime are down-gradient from topographic highs and down the regional dip of bedrock formations in the intermediate regime. Shallow karst is the entry point for groundwater penetration into the intermediate regime, with paleo-recharge by glacial meltwater and limited recent recharge by meteoric water at subcrop edges, and down-dip hydraulic gradients in confined aquifers. Hydraulic gradient is up-dip in the deep brine regime, at least for the Guelph Aquifer and the Cambrian Aquifer, with no isotopic or hydrochemical evidence of infiltration of meteoric water and no discharge to the surface.Fourteen bedrock hydrostratigraphic units are proposed, and one unit comprising all the surficial sediments. Assignment of lithostratigraphic units as hydrostratigraphic units is based principally on hydrogeological characteristics of Paleozoic bedrock formations in the intermediate to deep groundwater regimes, below the influence of modern meteoric water. Carbonate and evaporite rocks which form aquitards in the subsurface may form aquifers at or near the surface, due to karstic dissolution by acidic meteoric water, necessitating compromises in assignment of hydrostratigraphic units.


Author(s):  
Scott Koefod

A novel test method has been developed to measure the ice-melting rate of deicers. The ice-melting rates of prewetted salt were determined by measuring the change in the concentration of chloride (Cl−) or magnesium or calcium cations (Mg2+ or Ca2+, respectively) in the ice melt as tracers. The method is substantially more precise than the SHRP H205.1 standard and has the further advantage of measuring ice-melting and salt dissolution rates simultaneously. Brines were preequilibrated with ice at −19.3°C (−2.7°F) and blended with solid salt to determine the effect of different prewetting brines on the ice-melting rate of the solid salt component only. The measured equilibrium ice-melting capacity of sodium chloride (NaCl) agreed well with the theoretical value calculated from the NaCl freezing point curve. Under a condition of no mixing, solid salt yielded 0.87% of its total available ice-melting capacity after 60 min when wetted with NaCl brine and 9.7% when wetted with calcium chloride (CaCl2) brine. Mixing raised the yield of ice melt to 27.1% and 50.5% after 60 min when wet with NaCl and CaCl2 brines, respectively. The CaCl2 brine was slightly more effective than the magnesium chloride (MgCl2) brine at enhancing the ice-melting rate of salt. The test method promises to be a useful tool for permitting a more precise optimization of prewetting brine composition, concentration, and brine-to-salt ratio at different temperatures. The method may also permit better determination of the cost-effectiveness of different prewetting strategies and provide deeper insights into the mechanism of chemical ice melting.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michiel Maertens ◽  
Veerle Vanacker ◽  
Gabriëlle De Lannoy ◽  
Frederike Vincent ◽  
Raul Giménez ◽  
...  

<p>The South-American Dry Chaco is a unique ecoregion as it is one of the largest sedimentary plains in the world hosting the planet’s largest dry forest. The 787.000 km² region covers parts of Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia and is characterized by a negative climatic water balance as a consequence of limited rainfall inputs (800 mm/year) and high temperatures (21°C). In combination with the region’s extreme flat topography (slopes < 0.1%) and shallow groundwater tables, saline soils are expected in substantial parts of the region. In addition, it is expected that large-scale deforestation processes disrupt the hydrological cycle resulting in rising groundwater tables and further increase the risk for soil salinization.</p><p>In this study, we identified the regional-scale patterns of subsurface soil salinity in the Dry Chaco.  Field data were obtained during a two-month field campaign in the dry season of 2019. A total of 492 surface- and 142 subsurface-samples were collected along East-West transects to determine soil electric conductivity, pH, bulk density and humidity. Spatial regression techniques were used to reveal the topographic and ecohydrological variables that are associated with subsurface soil salinity over the Dry Chaco. The hydrological information was obtained from a state-of-the-art land surface model with an improved set of satellite-derived vegetation and land cover parameters.</p><p>In the presentation, we will present a subsurface soil salinity map for a part of the Argentinean Dry Chaco and provide relevant insights into the driving mechanisms behind it.</p>


In connection with the large-scale development of high-rise building projects recently in Russia and abroad and their significant energy consumption, one of the main principles in designing is the use of effective energy-saving technologies. Also, important aspects are reducing energy consumption and neutralizing the environmental impact of tall buildings. The most promising areas in the field of integration of solar modules (planar and concentrating) in the construction of buildings are development of BIPV technologies (roofing, film, facade materials), the integration of solar energy concentrators that do not require biaxial tracking (medium and low concentrations) on the facades and roofs of buildings (parabolic concentrators, lenses, and Fresnel mirrors), integration of highly concentrated modules on the roofs of buildings.


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