Mercury (Hg) is a potent human toxin and a persistent global pollutant with unique properties and environmental behaviours which make it difficult to model and understand. While anthropogenic mercury sources are well understood along with the impacts on ecosystems and human populations, the processes and transformations which govern environmental cycling lack the same level of understanding. Concentrations in Arctic environments are a specific concern, along with cycling behaviours in regions spanning from temperate to Arctic climates. The objective of this experiment was the investigation and characterization of the mechanisms which promote elemental mercury (Hg^0) flux from soils in these environments during simulated seasonal cycling. A laboratory scale experiment was conducted which used a Dynamic Flux Chamber (DFC) to monitor Hg^0 flux from a naturally Hg enriched soil during temperature cycling relevant to cold environments. The results, which were split into freeze-thaw (FT) and sub-zero (SZ) cycles, showed that Hg^0 flux from frozen soils remains active during temperature cycling. During FT cycles, Hg^0 flux is controlled by soil temperature and energy entering the system, with a linear increase in flux for increases in energy. This response is produced from the entire soil column. During SZ cycles, Hg^0 flux is produced only in the thin soil surface layer and is controlled by the air temperature at the soil-air interface. A decrease in the DFC air temperature was observed to produce an increase in flux, with an inverse relationship controlled by a separate mechanism than the FT cycle response. Recommendations for modifications to the experimental set-up and methodology have been made to improve the accuracy of the results and confirm the behaviours characterized during this study. / Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC)

No description available.

<p>The aim of the project was to study the manufacturing of synthetic soda ash (sodium carbonate, Na2CO3) on an industrial scale. Currently all Soda ash that is used in South Africa for manufacturing glass is imported at a high cost, and the company Nampak Wiegand Glass (South Africa) is investigating the possibility to locally manufacture synthetic soda ash. About 75% of soda ash is synthetically produced from either the Leblanc process, Solvay process, Modified Solvay (Dual) process or dry lime process. This study concentrated on the Solvay process on a laboratory scale for eventual input into a larger pilot plant. The produced material was analyzed using analytical techniques such as FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy), Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). There are certain standard requirements for impurities in the soda ash, and this needed to be measured and determined what changes to the process will bring the impurities to the required minimum standard. Environmental issues around the manufacturing process were also studied. After completing of the laboratory experiments and the extraction of required data from the results, Nampak will use the information to decide on a followup to the building of a small pilot plant to further test and develop the engineering and economical aspects of a full plant. If successful a full scale manufacturing plant can be developed in South Africa for producing soda ash.&nbsp / This study thus will not only help Nampak Wiegand Glass in finalizing the decision to go ahead, but its result will also benefit other companies that use the soda ash in oil refining, water treatment, pulp and paper, chemical industry etc. Some parts of the work done will be proprietary to Nampak and subject to confidentiality agreement.</p>

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Coal, as energy resource, possesses numerous characteristics and properties which all have an influence on its gasification behaviour. The two properties considered critically important when evaluating a coal source for gasification are its mineral content and slagging behaviour. Research has indicated that slag formation can be inhibited or even prevented by the addition of a fluxing agent. It is thus of great importance to understand the mineral interaction during gasification, in order to select a suitable fluxing agent for the prevention of slagging and clinker formation in the gasifier. The aim of this dissertation is to evaluate the slagging properties of a coal source with the addition of iron as a fluxing agent and to study the transformation of the mineral and added iron during gasification. A pre-determined amount of elemental iron (between 2 and 20 percentage by mass) was added to three different coal samples obtained from Sasol's operations in South Africa. The transformation of the iron in conjunction with the possible iron-containing minerals present in the coal was studied by means of Mossbauer spectroscopy. Typical characterisation analyses were also carried out on the original coal samples. The ash fusion temperature analyses (AFT) were used to study the slagging behaviour of the iron-spiked coal samples. Even though AFT analyses only provide an average flow property, it gives a good indication of the changes that the iron addition induces in coal properties. FactSage modelling was carried out in conjunction with the Mossbauer and AFT analyses. The AFT analysis on all of the samples indicated that the iron addition led to a 20% decrease in the AFT of all three the coal samples. The decrease observed, can be attributed to three main reasons: Formation of lower melting iron-containing phases, bridging of oxygen bonds by FeO and Fe203and the lowering of the viscosity by the iron-oxides, mainly hematite. Mossbauer spectra of the three original coal samples indicated that pyrite was the only iron-bearing mineral present / Thesis (M.Ing. (Chemical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Coal, as energy resource, possesses numerous characteristics and properties which all have an influence on its gasification behaviour. The two properties considered critically important when evaluating a coal source for gasification are its mineral content and slagging behaviour. Research has indicated that slag formation can be inhibited or even prevented by the addition of a fluxing agent. It is thus of great importance to understand the mineral interaction during gasification, in order to select a suitable fluxing agent for the prevention of slagging and clinker formation in the gasifier. The aim of this dissertation is to evaluate the slagging properties of a coal source with the addition of iron as a fluxing agent and to study the transformation of the mineral and added iron during gasification. A pre-determined amount of elemental iron (between 2 and 20 percentage by mass) was added to three different coal samples obtained from Sasol's operations in South Africa. The transformation of the iron in conjunction with the possible iron-containing minerals present in the coal was studied by means of Mossbauer spectroscopy. Typical characterisation analyses were also carried out on the original coal samples. The ash fusion temperature analyses (AFT) were used to study the slagging behaviour of the iron-spiked coal samples. Even though AFT analyses only provide an average flow property, it gives a good indication of the changes that the iron addition induces in coal properties. FactSage modelling was carried out in conjunction with the Mossbauer and AFT analyses. The AFT analysis on all of the samples indicated that the iron addition led to a 20% decrease in the AFT of all three the coal samples. The decrease observed, can be attributed to three main reasons: Formation of lower melting iron-containing phases, bridging of oxygen bonds by FeO and Fe203and the lowering of the viscosity by the iron-oxides, mainly hematite. Mossbauer spectra of the three original coal samples indicated that pyrite was the only iron-bearing mineral present / Thesis (M.Ing. (Chemical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

El dominio de la lectura y la escritura es una herramienta imprescindible para acceder al conocimiento y facilitar el intercambio comunicativo en el entorno social y escolar del alumnado. Aprender la lectoescritura supone desarrollar una destreza fundamental pues, como comprobamos a diario, el conocimiento se transmite de forma escrita, por ello, los problemas en su acceso dificultan de manera muy determinante la comprensión de la información y la adquisición de conocimientos de otras áreas. Dada su importancia, la intervención educativa debe ir dirigida a minimizar dichos problemas, evitando el desarrollo de un desfase curricular cada vez más acusado. Este trabajo surge por la necesidad de disminuir en el alumnado participante los efectos que la falta de adquisición de la lectoescritura determina para el logro de los objetivos de la etapa educativa de Educación Primaria, utilizando una metodología distinta de la que se había empleado hasta el momento. Para ello, el propósito de la investigación fue: diseñar, implementar y evaluar de forma continua un programa de acceso a la lectoescritura dirigido a un número reducido de discentes con graves problemas de aprendizaje. En la investigación se combinó el estudio de casos y la investigación evaluativa dentro del marco de la investigación-acción, ubicándose, dentro de un enfoque metodológico holístico con una amalgama de métodos y técnicas para la toma de decisiones y orientada a la mejora. En el estudio se analizaron tres situaciones particulares para conocerlas en profundidad y poder comprender e interpretar la singularidad concreta de cada niño y niña. Cada caso fue definido con sus acotaciones, los cuales no se seleccionaron por su representatividad, sino por el interés que se tenía en ellos para poder mejorar el acceso a la lectoescritura. La investigación comienza con una revisión de los modelos de acceso a la lectoescritura desde el enfoque neuro-perceptivo-motor hasta las tendencias actuales en pro de modelos psicolingüísticos, contemplando las condiciones previas para su acceso, donde la conciencia fonológica juega una función predictiva de primer orden, por ello, se prioriza la importancia de la preparación a la lectura o alfabetización emergente teniendo en cuenta las posturas actuales sobre su desarrollo con una finalidad compensadora. El diseño del programa fue valorado por los tutores con una puntuación promedio situada entre alta y muy alta y, por dimensiones, la mejor evaluada fue la estructura del programa, seguida de la utilidad de dicho programa y de la viabilidad. Todo ello conllevó confirmar la idoneidad del programa para dar respuesta a un grupo de discentes con problemas de acceso lectoescritor. Igualmente, el programa permitió el aprendizaje inicial de la lectoescritura así como la participación de los tutores y los padres y madres de los participantes, logrando la creación de un clima de colaboración y compromiso que facilitó su desarrollo, así como la consecución de los objetivos propuestos. Esta investigación concluye afirmando que la intervención en conciencia fonológica y el lenguaje, previa preparación del alumnado en aquellas habilidades que favorecen su acceso, obtiene resultados positivos en el inicio de la lectoescritura. Resultados que vienen a corroborar las distintas investigaciones explicativas sobre los factores que la desarrollan. / The command of reading and writing is an essential tool to access to knowledge and facilitates the communicative exchange in the students’ social and school environment. Reading-writing learning means the development of a fundamental skill, since, as we can check every day, knowledge is transmitted in a written way; therefore, any problems in its access complicates in a very decisive way the comprehension of information and the acquisition of knowledge in other areas. Given its importance, educative intervention must be leaded to minimize those problems, avoiding the development of a stronger and stronger curricular mismatch. This work comes up by the necessity of reducing, among the participants, the effects that the lack of reading-writing acquisition involves for the achievement of the objectives included in Primary Education, using a different methodology than the one that had been used until now. Thus, the aim of the work was to design, implement and evaluate, in a continuous manner, a general programme of access to reading-writing skills. It is addressed to a limited number of students that present serious learning problems. For this purpose the study of individual cases was combined with the evaluative investigation in the research, within the framework of research-action methodologies, using a holistic approach with a combination of different methods and techniques for the decision making and aimed at learning improvement. This study covered three particular situations in order to understand them in depth and be able to understand and interpret the singularity of each student. Each case was defined by its annotations and was not chosen by their representation, but by the interest roused by their improvement of reading-writing skills. The research starts with a revision of the methods of access to reading-writing from the neuro-perceptive- motor point of view to the current trends in favour of psycholinguistic models, considering the previous conditions for their access, where the phonological consciousness plays a main predictive role. That is why the importance of the preparation for reading or emerging literacy is prioritized, taking into account the current trends about its development with a compensating purpose. The programme was valued by the tutors with an average scoring placed between high and very high, and the best evaluated was the structure of the programme, followed by the utility of it and its viability. Thus, we could then confirm the suitability of the programme to respond to the reading-writing access problems of certain students. Besides, the programme permitted the access to reading-writing, as well as the participation of both tutors and parents, creating a collaboration and compromise environment which facilitates their development and the achievement of the proposed objectives. This research concludes supporting the fact that the intervention in phonological consciousness and language, previously preparing those students in the skills that favour their access, gets positive results in the beginning of the reading-writing process. These results confirm the different explicative investigations about the factors that develop it.

Marine sulfide – bearing sediments that oxidize when in contact with oxygen and leach outelements in high concentrations to small watercourses have been a problem for many years allover the world especially around the Bothnian Bay. The purpose of this study was to furtherinvestigate the sulfur mineralogy present in acid sulfate soils in the area of Luleå, Sweden. Asecondary aim was to see if elements leach out and accumulate in an acid sulfate soil closer tothe recipient. Samples were taken in two profiles (one oxidized and one waterlogged) fromfour sites (sites A-D) and were analyzed for whole rock geochemistry. Two sites were furtherinvestigated for mineralogy in polished samples with an optical microscope, Ramanspectroscopy and SEM-EDS. Each profile consisted of three layers: oxidation zone, transitionzone and reduced zone. The oxidation zone above the groundwater table was light grey withbrown iron hydroxide staining. Parts that lied under the water table were dark grey-black within general strong odor (“rotten eggs”) due to its sulfur content. It was usually straightforwardto distinguish and separate the layers from each other directly in the field, however in somecases pH was needed for confirmation.A general feature of investigated polished samples is the presence of abundant framboidalpyrites that are common in reduced marine sediments. The transition zone was formed in suboxicconditions and this feature is reflected by the mineralogy. Many morphologies of theframboidal pyrite were observed in this layer and signs of both dissolution and formationoccur. In the sample from site C one could observe elemental sulfur in form of large (up to 50μm) euhedral crystals. In the samples with pH&lt;4, no sulfides occur as they have been replacedby jarosite (site B). Site C lacks these sulfur-bearing hydroxides which is thought to be due toa sulfur concentration of &lt;0.2 %. Sulfur shows extensive leaching at most sites but at site B andD1, it accumulates in the transition zone. Elements like cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn)are leached out or are accumulated further down in the profile. Elements that could have beentransported and have accumulated in the waterlogged profiles are Co, Ni, Zn and chromium(Cr) and in some profiles also copper (Cu) and vanadium (V). / Coastal watercourses in Bottenviken: Method development and ecological restoration- A cross-border Swedish-Finnish cooperation project

O processo de cultivo da uva e elaboração do vinho tinto varietal Marselan foi parcialmente acompanhado junto a uma vinícola do Vale dos Vinhedos (RS, Brasil), com o objetivo de verificar, com técnicas analíticas baseadas em feixes iônicos, como PIXE, alterações elementares no vinho devido ao seu processamento. Amostras de solo, folhas e galhos das videiras, uvas, mosto e vinhos foram coletadas nas etapas mais importantes do ciclo de cultivo da uva e de produção do vinho. Os alvos foram preparados de acordo com as características de cada material e exigências da técnica e, então, irradiados no sistema de PIXE do Laboratório de Implantação Iônica (IFUFRGS). Os resultados, de acordo com as análises estatísticas realizadas com teste t, ANOVA FATOR ÚNICO e Tukey, mostraram que a composição elementar do solo é constituída por Mg, Al, P, K, Ti, Mn, Fe, As, Rb e Zr. Além disso, foi verificada contaminação superficial devido, principalmente, ao Ca e Cu. Quanto ao cultivo, folhas e galhos revelaram a influência das aplicações de produtos químicos pelo acúmulo de alguns elementos no período de latência. A concentração elementar das uvas variou em função do crescimento e amadurecimento dos bagos. Em geral, durante o processo de vinificação e, em especial durante a fermentação, a concentração de vários elementos aumentou. Este foi o caso de elementos como o Mg, K, Rb e Sr. Por outro lado, alguns elementos tiveram um decréscimo na concentração devido a precipitação, como o Ca e o Cu. / The study of the Marselan grape cultivation and winemaking process was partially carried out in a winery located in Vale dos Vinhedos (RS, Brazil). The main goal was to employ ion-based techniques like PIXE in order to obtain elemental variations throughout the production chain of wine. Soil, vine leaves and branches, grapes, must and wine samples were collected at every important step of the production chain. Samples were prepared according to the peculiarities of each material and technique requirements. All PIXE measurements were carried at the Ionic Implantation Laboratory (IF-UFRGS). The data were analyzed with t test, ANOVA ONE WAY and Tukey. The elemental composition of soil comprises Mg, Al, P, K, Ti, Mn, Fe, As, Rb and Zr. Other elements like Cu and Ca were present over superficial layers and might be related to contaminants. With respect to the cultivation process, leaves and branches suffered from the influence of chemicals accumulated during the latency period. The elemental concentration of grapes changed during the berry growth and ripening. In general, later steps including fermentation tended to increase the concentrations of several elements like Mg, K, Rb and Sr. On the other hand, other elemental concentrations decreased due to precipitation, like Ca and Cu.

O metal mercúrio é conhecido pela sua grande toxidade apesar de seu emprego difundido. Desde a Antigüidade, se reconhece sua ação tóxica na exposição ocupacional. Em alguns ambientes laborais, os riscos são maiores, como é o caso de hospitais, que utilizam o mercúrio elementar em vários equipamentos, especialmente em termômetros de verificação da temperatura corporal, largamente empregados. Como na instituição objeto deste estudo foram quebrados 148 termômetros em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva no período de um ano, esta pesquisa objetivou a realização de uma avaliação de alguns indicadores ambientais neste espaço de trabalho e de alguns indicadores biológicos e psicológicos em uma amostra de trabalhadores desta unidade, que se dispuseram a participar da pesquisa. A avaliação de tais indicadores são recomendados como pertinentes pela literatura (ATSDR, 1989). Não se detectou em nenhuma das avaliações realizadas, índices acima das normas estabelecidas. Interpreta-se que a temperatura da unidade (20ºC) reduz a possibilidade do mercúrio se volatizar e intoxicar os trabalhadores. As regras de higiene, típicas do contexto hospitalar, e a rotina de rápido recolhimento dos resíduos dos termômetros quebrados e seu acondicionamento em recipientes com tampa são os principais fatores explicativos para os índices encontrados. / Mercury is known by its great toxity in spite of its wide use. Its toxic action in the occupational exposition has been known since ancient time. In some working places risks are great such as hospitals. Once mercury is used in a greater variety of equipments, especially in thermometers to check bodily temperature. In the institution where this study was carried out 148 thermometers were broken in the intensive care unit in a one-year period. This paper aims at assessing environmental e as well as some biologic and psycho logic rates in this area considering a group of employees of this unit, who were willing to take part in the study the rate assessment is recommended by literature (ATSDR 1989). In rates above normality have not been found in these assessments therefore, it is concluded that the unit temperature (20ºC) reduces in mercury the possibility to volatize and intoxicate employees. Hygiene rules, usual in the hospital routine, as well as quich collection of residues from the broken thermometers and their placement in containers with lids are the main reason for the found rates.