Abiotic Aggregation of Organic Matter in Coastal and Estuarine Waters: Cases in the Eastern Long Island Sound, USA

Organic aggregates, which formed from small particles and dissolved material, were chemically characterized in the Long Island Sound coastal waters. In this study, six aggregation experiments were conducted on low-salinity samples (the Thames River, CT, USA; salinity of 6.3–6.8) and high-salinity samples (the coast of Avery Point, CT, USA; salinity of 21.4–26.7). Water samples were incubated on a roller table for two days under dark conditions to generate laboratory-made aggregates. Particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations increased 5–39% after two days of rolling. A higher POC increase occurred in low-salinity samples. The concentrations of neutral aldoses and amino acids, as well as their C- and N-yields, decreased during the experiments (except for particulate hydrolysable amino acid in low-salinity samples), while bacterial abundance increased 50–476%, indicating microbial degradation of biologically labile organic matter. Particulate hydrolysable amino acid was preferentially preserved in P-limited systems. An enrichment factor analysis showed the preferential microbial degradation of particulate hydrolysable neutral aldose and glucose appeared as the most labile aldose. The increase in bulk POC and the decrease in the fraction of labile organic carbon (neutral aldose and amino acid) in the particulate phase resulted in an accumulation of uncharacterized (presumably more refractory) particulate organic matter.

Implementation of Zero Emission Fast Shortsea Shipping

The paper describes the implementation of state-of-the-art “Industry 4.0” methods and tools, a holistic ship design optimization and modular production methods, as well as advanced battery technologies to enable a fully electrical, fast zero-emission waterborne urban transport. The design of a fast catamaran passenger ferry demonstrator planned for operation as a waterborne shuttle in the Stavanger/Norway area and of a replicator for operation at Thames River/London are elaborated, including infrastructural issues for their operation. The presented research is in the frame of the H2020 funded project “TrAM – Transport: Advanced and Modular” (www.tramproject.eu)

Modelling the last of the “Movies”: discussion and digital survey of the Eothen formerly ML286

<p class="VARAbstract">The research presented here puts together different direct and/or physical operations all aimed to enhance the knowledge and produce advanced dissemination of the very last ship from the “Mosquitos’ Fleet” which operated during the World War I and in some operations even during the World War II. The exploration of the valuable remains along the Thames River in London, the intervention with archaeology strategy, the use of digital survey procedures, the investigation of the references about the fleet, the digital modelling and drawing and the final online sharing of the 3D model, brought together to a specific digital heritage creation of an element with a high risk of getting lost. An international team worked together on the poor shipwreck of the Eothen (the last name assigned to this ship by its last owner). The intervention was operated in very odd operative conditions, with the hull invaded by the mud, the very wet environment and the daily flood of the area, such a mix of difficult conditions were a special challenge for the survey operations, which were optimized and accurately planned to allow the best and efficient result in terms of coverage and level of details. The following post-processing aimed to the production of a classic set of 2D drawings and an interactive 3D model, accessible in a real-time visualization from the sketchfab.com platform creates an excellent base for a possible following restoration/musealisation intervention, or, at least, allow digital preservation of a rich dataset of the remains of this interesting piece from the naval history of the first half of the 20th century.</p><p>Highlights:</p><ul><li><p>The “mosquito fleet” has a specific page in the WWI naval wars. Based on a specific ship, it is missing detailed documentation, the survey of the last one can highlight that episode.</p></li><li><p>The digital survey of the Eothen has a strategy aimed to allow the full documentation of the shipwreck in a very difficult environment, managing floods, mud, vegetation and reflections.</p></li><li><p>The drawings and the 3D model, accessible from a free platform allow complete access to this ruined ship, a contribution to knowledge and a base for possible intervention hypothesis.</p></li></ul>

Occupancy and detection of Wavyrayed Lampmussel Lampsilis fasciola in Ontario, Canada

Freshwater mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) are the most imperilled taxon in Canada. To facilitate species recovery efforts, an understanding of species distribution and habitat that supports species persistence is needed. Detecting mussels presents unique challenges, however, requiring considerable effort due to their complex life-histories and widespread declines. Here, observations of the imperilled Wavyrayed Lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola Rafinesque 1820) from the Grand and Thames rivers, Ontario, Canada were used to quantify species detection and occupancy probabilities, and the relationship between occupancy probability and substrate size. The best model for the data included a river-specific covariate for detection and an intercept model for occupancy. Detection probability of Wavyrayed Lampmussel was higher in the Grand River than the Thames River. Limited variation in substrate size measurements restricted occupancy modeling, but field measurements qualitatively aligned with previous habitat descriptions. Overall, knowledge of species detection and occupancy probabilities for Wavyrayed Lampmussel will not only enhance the understanding of species distribution and habitat associations, but also ensure that the response of the species to threats and recovery actions are captured.

Patrick Colquhoun`s Thames River Police as the Precursor of the Modern Police System

The article examines the features of the formation of the police system of our time. In the 18th century, the British law enforcement system was on the verge of grandiose reforms. Rapid economic growth and social shifts have revealed the need to ensure public order and security, suppress riots, protect goods and goods in a new format, which required the creation of specialized law enforcement units. The modern form of police law enforcement was implemented in 1829 by Robert Peel, who created the Police Service, the territorial police force responsible for ensuring law and order in Greater London (Metropolitan Police Service).

Salt-Laden Winter Runoff and Freshwater Mussels; Assessing the Effect on Early Life Stages in the Laboratory and Wild Mussel Populations in Receiving Waters

The widespread use of road salt for winter road maintenance has led to an increase in the salinity of surface water in many seasonally cold areas. Freshwater mussels have a heightened sensitivity to salt, which is a concern, because many Canadian mussel species at risk have ranges limited to southern Ontario, Canada’s most road-dense region. This study examined the effect of winter road runoff on freshwater mussels. The impact of two bridges that span mussel habitat in the Thames River watershed (Ontario, Canada), the second most species-rich watershed for mussels in Canada, were studied. During a winter melt event, bridge runoff, as well as creek surface water surrounding the bridges were collected. Chloride concentrations in samples from bridge deck and tile drains varied (99–8250 mg/L). In general, survival of Lampsilis fasciola glochidia exposed to those samples reflected chloride levels (e.g. 84% at 99 mg/L; 0% at 8250 mg/L), although potassium (60 mg/L) may have at least contributed to toxicity in one sample. Serial dilution exposures with the two most toxic runoff samples revealed 48-h glochidia EC50s of 44% (McGregor Creek Tile Drain) and 26% (Baptiste Creek Deck Drain). During the melt event, the chloride concentrations in creek surface waters downstream of the bridges ranged from 69 to 179 mg Cl−/L; effects on glochidia (viability 77–91%) exposed to those waters was minimal. There were no live mussels surrounding one bridge (Baptiste Creek), likely due to poor habitat. At the other targeted bridge (McGregor Creek), fewer mussels were found close (< 100 m up- or downstream) to the bridge than further (> 200 m) away. However, other contributing factors, including agriculture, were present at both study areas.