environmental surveys
Recently Published Documents


TOTAL DOCUMENTS

89
(FIVE YEARS 22)

H-INDEX

15
(FIVE YEARS 2)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morgan Gaia ◽  
Lingjie Meng ◽  
Eric Pelletier ◽  
Patrick Forterre ◽  
Chiara Vanni ◽  
...  

Large and giant DNA viruses of the phylum Nucleocytoviricota have a profound influence on the ecology and evolution of planktonic eukaryotes. Recently, various Nucleocytoviricota genomes have been characterized from environmental metagenomes based on the occurrence of hallmark genes identified from cultures. However, lineages diverging from the culture genomics functional principles have been overlooked thus far. Here, we developed a phylogeny-guided genome-resolved metagenomic framework using a single hallmark gene as compass, a subunit of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase encoded by most Nucleocytoviricota. We applied this method to large metagenomic data sets from the surface of five oceans and two seas and characterized 697 non-redundant Nucleocytoviricota genomes up to 1.45 Mbp in length. This database expands the known diversity of the class Megaviricetes and revealed two additional putative classes we named Proculviricetes and Mirusviricetes. Critically, the diverse and prevalent Mirusviricetes population genomes seemingly lack several hallmark genes, in particular those related to viral particle morphogenesis. Instead, they share various genes of known (e.g., TATA-binding proteins, histones, proteases and viral rhodopsins) and unknown functions rarely detected if not entirely missing in all other characterized Nucleocytoviricota lineages. Phylogenomics, comparative genomics, functional trends and the signal among planktonic cellular size fractions point to Mirusviricetes being a major, functionally divergent class of large DNA viruses that actively infect eukaryotes in the sunlit ocean using an enigmatic functional life style. Finally, we built a comprehensive marine genomic database for Nucleocytoviricota by combining multiple environmental surveys that might contribute to future endeavors exploring the ecology and evolution of plankton.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rune Vikane ◽  
Jon Tømmerås Selvik ◽  
Eirik Bjorheim Abrahamsen ◽  
Hans Petter Lohne

Abstract Quality data is essential for calculations of expected leakage in wells post Permanent Plug and Abandonment (PP&A). Such data may come from surveys studying hydrocarbon leakage to the marine environment. However, recent literature suggests that current regulatory practices for environmental surveys are suboptimal, giving reason to question the assumption that wells have experienced zero leakage from the deep reservoir post PP&A on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS). We investigate whether such an assumption is credible. The credibility of the assumption of zero leakages is investigated through a review of literature addressing the integrity of wells post PP&A on the NCS, with particular emphasis on a 2021 report from the Norwegian Environmental Agency (NEA). Based on the review, the strength of knowledge supporting the assumption that no wells on the NCS have experienced leakages from their deep reservoirs is discussed. The implications of the uncertainty associated with the assumption of zero leakage on the NCS, the rationale for collecting more relevant data, and how these data may be obtained is also discussed in brief. The NEA report details the current regulatory practice for environmental surveys on the NCS. This regulatory practice, as it is described in the NEA report, give limited support to a zero leakage assumption. Norwegian regulations require two environmental surveys post Cessation of Production (CoP). These surveys may however occur in the period between CoP and PP&A, and the closest test stations are generally located 250 meters from the wells. Environmental surveys carried out that far from the well, and possibly prior to PP&A, influence data quality. We argue that the environmental survey data claiming zero leakage, lack sufficient evidence. Thus, based on the reviewed literature outlining the current environmental survey practice, although PP&A well design on the NCS should build on sound principles, we are not able to conclude on the assumption of zero leakage. The interest in risk-based PP&A approaches is increasing globally, and risk-based approaches rely on credible leakage calculations. The failure rates used in these leakage calculations should be based on quality data. The NEA report and other literature indicate that the quality of post PP&A leakage data on the NCS is questionable, and in some cases the data are non-existent. The paper includes suggestions on how to improve the regulatory practice related to environmental surveys.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-82
Author(s):  
A. S. Fleenko ◽  
A. F. Demianenko

Information modeling technology also known as BIM is becoming an important part of working with data in various fields of activity. At the same time, there are still no specific recommendations for the transition to the use of digital models at the survey stage. Although engineering survey data is the basis for further actions within the life cycle of objects. The article characterizes the methodology for the modernization of engineering surveys in the context of information modeling, operating with the methods of systems analysis, foresight research and risk management. The combination of these methods allows you to identify ways of development and characterize them. All changes in the engineering survey system are described using the example of the engineering and environmental section. This is due to the fact that environmental engineering surveys use information from other sections of the survey and show reactions to changes in the system. The authors believe that under existing conditions, the most effective direction is the presentation of the results of engineering surveys in a standard form, provided that they are supplemented with a set of digital models by type of survey. In this case, it is assumed that the role of information modeling will gradually increase.


2021 ◽  
pp. 59-74
Author(s):  
Sopon Iamsirithaworn ◽  
Panithee Thammawijaya ◽  
Kumnuan Ungchusak

Outbreak investigation is an essential function of public health professionals. It is an opportunity to gain new knowledge of diseases and to discover the weaknesses of current public health practices and systems. Unfortunately, most outbreaks are not investigated. This chapter will present the principles and important points about outbreak investigation. The reader will learn about how to detect outbreaks from routine official surveillance and unofficial sources. The reader can assume oneself as an investigator who has to organize the team, review previous knowledge, and prepare the technical and management aspects, before starting the investigation. The reader will learn about the major ten steps in the investigation, with examples, which starts by confirming the existence of the outbreak, verifying the diagnosis, gathering case information, descriptive epidemiology, formulating and testing the hypothesis when necessary, conducting environmental surveys to supplement epidemiological evidence, providing timely on-site reporting of the findings, with practical recommendations to local and national responsible authorities, and communicating risk to health professional community and public. The reader is reminded about the need to follow-up on the recommendations and continue vigorous surveillance of the health problem. The chapter ends by forecasting more joint international investigations to control emerging diseases and new problems. After reading this chapter, the reader should be clear that outbreak investigation is an interesting, challenging, and important task requiring a competent investigator who combines sound scientific knowledge and good management.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Fattorini ◽  
Sara Franceschi ◽  
Marzia Marcheselli ◽  
Caterina Pisani ◽  
Luca Pratelli

Author(s):  
Wilmer Prentius ◽  
Xin Zhao ◽  
Anton Grafström

AbstractNew ways to combine data from multiple environmental area frame surveys of a finite population are being introduced. Environmental surveys often sample finite populations through area frames. However, to combine multiple surveys without risking bias, design components (inclusion probabilities, etc.) are needed at unit level of the finite population. We show how to derive the design components and exemplify this for three commonly used area frame sampling designs. We show how to produce an unbiased estimator using data from multiple surveys, and how to reduce the risk of introducing significant bias in linear combinations of estimators from multiple surveys. If separate estimators and variance estimators are used in linear combinations, there’s a risk of introducing negative bias. By using pooled variance estimators, the bias of a linear combination estimator can be reduced. National environmental surveys often provide good estimators at national level, while being too sparse to provide sufficiently good estimators for some domains. With the proposed methods, one can plan extra sampling efforts for such domains, without discarding readily available information from the aggregate/national survey. Through simulation, we show that the proposed methods are either unbiased, or yield low variance with small bias, compared to traditionally used methods.


2021 ◽  
Vol 266 ◽  
pp. 08005
Author(s):  
Y.D. Smirnov ◽  
D.V. Suchkov ◽  
T.V. Goryunova

The article is devoted to the substantiation of the line of action for reclamationof disturbed lands. The object of reclamation is a land plot (Russia, Leningrad Region), disturbed as a result of unauthorized open-pit mining operations for the extraction of limestone. In order to obtain the information necessary to justify the reclamation project, the following works were carried out: reconnaissance and route observations, topographic, geological, and environmental surveys of the land. Based on the results of the generalized study data of the environmental and economic justification, a line of action for agricultural reclamation was chosen. In addition, an assessment of the estimated cost of the event was carried out and a list of necessary works was proposed within the framework of the technical and biological stages of reclamation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 266 ◽  
pp. 08009
Author(s):  
Y.D. Smirnov ◽  
D.V. Suchkov ◽  
T.V. Goryunova

The article is devoted to the substantiation of the line of action for reclamationof disturbed lands. The object of reclamation is a land plot (Russia, Leningrad Region), disturbed as a result of unauthorized open-pit mining operations for the extraction of limestone. In order to obtain the information necessary to justify the reclamation project, the following works were carried out: reconnaissance and route observations, topographic, geological, and environmental surveys of the land. Based on the results of the generalized study data of the environmental and economic justification, a line of action for agricultural reclamation was chosen. In addition, an assessment of the estimated cost of the event was carried out and a list of necessary works was proposed within the framework of the technical and biological stages of reclamation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document