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At least 253 records · Page 14

Material Control and Accounting for Liquid-Fueled Molten Salt Reactors: Material Control and Holdup Considerations

The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will likely require license applicants for liquid-fueled molten salt reactors (MSRs) with circulating fuel to submit a nuclear material control and accounting (MC&A) plan or detailed MC&A program description for the facility. In liquid-fueled MSRs with special nuclear material (SNM) in bulk (i.e., not in discrete items) form and rapidly changing quantities due to fuel transmutation and depletion, using traditional nuclear material accounting methods with material balance evaluations is challenging. In reactors with changing inventories, these expected quantities of SNM must be calculated based on operational parameters. Reducing uncertainties on these expected quantities is challenging in the case of MSRs without decades of operational experience to verify and validate predictive computational codes. Moreover, many areas in MSRs are inaccessible because of high-temperature and high-radiation environments, making measurements challenging.

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

Global tropospheric methane: An indication of atmosphere-biosphere-climate interactions?

Methane is an important atmospheric gas with potentially critical roles in both photochemical and radiation transfer processes. A major natural source of atmospheric methane involves anaerobic fermentation of organic materials in wetland soils and sediments. A data base of field measurements of atmospheric methane was used in the development of a global methane emissions inventory. Calculations support the following hypotheses: (1) Human activities currently produce methane at a rate approximately equal to natural resources (these rapidly increasing anthropogenic sources can explain most of the recent increase observed in tropospheric methane); and (2) Prior to 200 B.P. (before the present), the influence of climate on wetland extent and distribution was probably a dominant factor controlling global biogenic methane emissions to the atmosphere.

Harriss, Robert C.↗

Carbonaceous Meteorites Contain a Wide Range of Extraterrestrial Nucleobases

All terrestrial organisms depend on nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), which use pyrimidine and purine nucleobases to encode genetic information. Carbon-rich meteorites may have been important sources of organic compounds required for the emergence of life on the early Earth; however, the origin and formation of nuc1eobases in meteorites has been debated for over 50 y. So far, the few nuc1eobases reported in meteorites are biologically common and lacked the structural diversity typical of other indigenous meteoritic organics. Here, we investigated the abundance and distribution of nucleobases and nucleobase analogs in formic acid extracts of 12 different meteorites by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The Murchison and Lonewolf Nunataks 94102 meteorites contained a diverse suite of nucleobases, which included three unusual and terrestrially rare nucleobase analogs; purine, 2,6-diminopurine, and 6,8-diaminopurine. In a parallel experiment, we found an identical suite of nucleobases and nucleobase analogs generated in reactions of ammonium cyanide. Additionally, these nucleobase analoge were not detected above our parts-per-billion detection limits in any of the procedural blanks, control samples, a terrestrial soil sample, and an Antarctic ice sample. Our results demonstrate that the purines detected in meteorites are consistent with products of ammonium cyanide chemistry, which provides a plausible mechanism for their synthesis in the asteroid parent bodies, and strongly supports an extraterrestrial origin. The discovery of new nucleobase analogs in meteorites also expands the prebiotic molecular inventory available for constructing the first genetic molecules.

Callahan, Michael P.↗

Start-up and Emergency Shutdown Modeling for a Coal-fired 10MWe sCO₂ Power Plant

As part of a Phase II Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study for the DOE Fossil Fuel Large Scale Pilots program, investigations of novel start-up and emergency shutdown methods for a stoker-fed, coal-fired, 10MWe sCO₂ power plant proposal were performed. These investigations were performed using 1D transient system models of the plant created within the GT-SUITE system modeling platform. The system model components were created using vendor quotation data (heat exchangers), performance maps (turbomachines), or FMU models (fired heater). Previously, Echogen Power Systems (Echogen) has used a sCO₂ power cycle start-up method that fills the system with liquid CO₂ to facilitate easy use of an electrically-driven start pump to transition the system from initial CO₂ fill to turbo-compressor initialization. The novel start-up method presented attempts this transition with a minimal filling of the system with liquid CO₂, to reduce the total CO₂ inventory required. This method leaves the start pump vulnerable to a two phase inlet condition as system pressure is below the CO₂ saturation pressure for the condenser cooling water temperature (Tcw). System model cases at Tcw of 18°C, 26°C, and 32°C, corresponding to cold, design, and hot ambient days, were analyzed to determine if the SP inlet condition could be kept as a subcooled liquid and estimate the CO₂ inventory reduction amount./p> Stoker-fed, coal-fired heaters continue to emit heat for some time even after emergency shutdown from events such as a power failure. This heat emission would lead to a failure of the fired heater, as the metal overheats, if the CO₂ flow is shut off. The emergency shutdown method presented utilizes CO₂ vented by a controllable vent valve (CRV) to provide CO₂ cooling flow to the fired heater. To determine the effectiveness of this method at keeping the fired heater peak tubing metal temperature below the ASME material temperature limit, for pressures below 5 MPa, of 816 °C, system model cases with CRV diameters ranging from 4” to 10”, and an alternative CO₂ vent routing with CRV size of 6”, were investigated./p>

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT↗

QA/QC-ed Groundwater Level Time Series in PLM-1 and PLM-6 Monitoring Wells, East River, Colorado (2016-2022)

This data set contains QA/QC-ed (Quality Assurance and Quality Control) water level data for the PLM1 and PLM6 wells. PLM1 and PLM6 are location identifiers used by the Watershed Function SFA project for two groundwater monitoring wells along an elevation gradient located along the lower montane life zone of a hillslope near the Pumphouse location at the East River Watershed, Colorado, USA. These wells are used to monitor subsurface water and carbon inventories and fluxes, and to determine the seasonally dependent flow of groundwater under the PLM hillslope. The downslope flow of groundwater in combination with data on groundwater chemistry (see related references) can be used to estimate rates of solute export from the hillslope to the floodplain and river. QA/QC analysis of measured groundwater levels in monitoring wells PLM-1 and PLM-6 included identification and flagging of duplicated values of timestamps, gap filling of missing timestamps and water levels, removal of abnormal/bad and outliers of measured water levels. The QA/QC analysis also tested the application of different QA/QC methods and the development of regular (5-minute, 1-hour, and 1-day) time series datasets, which can serve as a benchmark for testing other QA/QC techniques, and will be applicable for ecohydrological modeling. The package includes a Readme file, one R code file used to perform QA/QC, a series of 8 data csv files (six QA/QC-ed regular time series datasets of varying intervals (5-min, 1-hr, 1-day) and two files with QA/QC flagging of original data), and three files for the reporting format adoption of this dataset (InstallationMethods, file level metadata (flmd), and data dictionary (dd) files).QA/QC-ed data herein were derived from the original/raw data publication available at Williams et al., 2020 (DOI: 10.15485/1818367). For more information about running R code file (10.15485_1866836_QAQC_PLM1_PLM6.R) to reproduce QA/QC output files, see README (QAQC_PLM_readme.docx). This dataset replaces the previously published raw data time series, and is the final groundwater data product for the PLM wells in the East River. Complete metadata information on the PLM1 and PLM6 wells are available in a related dataset on ESS-DIVE: Varadharajan C, et al (2022). https://doi.org/10.15485/1660962. These data products are part of the Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area collection effort to further scientific understanding of biogeochemical dynamics from genome to watershed scales. 2022/09/09 Update: Converted data files using ESS-DIVE’s Hydrological Monitoring Reporting Format. With the adoption of this reporting format, the addition of three new files (v1_20220909_flmd.csv, V1_20220909_dd.csv, and InstallationMethods.csv) were added. The file-level metadata file (v1_20220909_flmd.csv) contains information specific to the files contained within the dataset. The data dictionary file (v1_20220909_dd.csv) contains definitions of column headers and other terms across the dataset. The installation methods file (InstallationMethods.csv) contains a description of methods associated with installation and deployment at PLM1 and PLM6 wells. Additionally, eight data files were re-formatted to follow the reporting format guidance (er_plm1_waterlevel_2016-2020.csv, er_plm1_waterlevel_1-hour_2016-2020.csv, er_plm1_waterlevel_daily_2016-2020.csv, QA_PLM1_Flagging.csv, er_plm6_waterlevel_2016-2020.csv, er_plm6_waterlevel_1-hour_2016-2020.csv, er_plm6_waterlevel_daily_2016-2020.csv, QA_PLM6_Flagging.csv). The major changes to the data files include the addition of header_rows above the data containing metadata about the particular well, units, and sensor description. 2023/01/18 Update: Dataset updated to include additional QA/QC-ed water level data up until 2022-10-12 for ER-PLM1 and 2022-10-13 for ER-PLM6. Reporting format specific files (v2_20230118_flmd.csv, v2_20230118_dd.csv, v2_20230118_InstallationMethods.csv) were updated to reflect the additional data. R code file (QAQC_PLM1_PLM6.R) was added to replace the previously uploaded HTML files to enable execution of the associated code. R code file (QAQC_PLM1_PLM6.R) and ReadMe file (QAQC_PLM_readme.docx) were revised to clarify where original data was retrieved from and to remove local file paths.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Gallium isotopic constraints for the origin of the Earth-Moon system

Comparatively heavy isotopic compositions of moderately volatile elements (MVE) in lunar rocks have been advocated to reflect the loss of light isotopes during devolatilization processes from the Moon. In this study we present new gallium (Ga) isotope data for lunar highland rocks, with a focus on the Ferroan Anorthosite Suite (FAS). These are commonly thought to be direct crystallization products from the late lunar magma ocean (LMO) and should contain the majority of the Ga inventory of the Moon. As such, FAS rocks are crucial for identifying the processes that drove Ga isotope fractionation as well as for inferring the Ga isotopic composition of the bulk Moon. Our data reveal that FAS samples have a range in δ 71 Ga from -0.27 to 0.22‰ and are generally isotopically light in Ga compared to other lunar lithologies, but straddle values typical of terrestrial rocks. Although Ga is defined as an MVE, these Ga isotope variations do not correspond with concentrations of more volatile elements, indicating that Ga isotope variations in the FAS are not primarily controlled by devolatilization processes. Instead, the Ga isotopic compositions of bulk FAS rocks broadly correlate with the composition of plagioclase, with the calcium content of plagioclase decreasing as Ga becomes isotopically heavier. This suggests that fractionation of Ga isotopes in FAS rocks was caused by the preferential incorporation of isotopically light Ga into plagioclase during the later solidification stages of the LMO. The progressive crystallization and extraction of plagioclase forces the residual melt towards increasingly heavier Ga isotope ratios, corroborating similar conclusions derived from correlations between δ 71 and Eu* in the mare basalt suite. Using Ga isotope partitioning calculations, we demonstrate that an isotope fractionation coefficient between plagioclase and coexisting melt of -0.3 to -0.4‰ could explain the observed range of δ 71 values in FAS, mare basalt suite rocks, and KREEP. These calculations allow for a first order estimate of the Ga isotopic composition of the bulk silicate Moon prior to plagioclase fractionation and suggest it was close to the composition of the bulk silicate Earth. This would imply that the Moon did not lose a substantial fraction of its Ga inventory during accretion, consistent with new constraints from Rb-Sr isotope systematics that indicate the Moon's volatile deficit was primarily inherited from Theia. In conjunction with the overlap in non-mass-dependent isotope ratios, these collective observations could be reconciled if Theia and the proto-Earth formed in similar regions of the inner Solar System that were already volatile-depleted.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

SECARB-USA: Needs Assessment Framework for Storage Complexes (Task 2.1.b)

A team of SECARB storage experts examined 63 formations at 39 sites that were selected to represent the range of diversity of newly assessed, as well as well-advanced, storage prospects in the SECARB region. We inventoried the data needs triggered by the requirements to obtain a Class VI UIC storage permit, the data needs that results from the requirement to create geocellular fluid flow models to support that permit, and by pragmatic and best practice inputs such as public acceptance, regulatory readiness, and pore space leasing. We anchored both the needs inventory and the processes for and cost of meeting the needs with data from 9 sites in in the SECARB area that have advanced far in characterization. Results show that the total cost of characterization prior to obtaining a permit is convergent, because the permit and modeling requirements drive projects to obtain the same types of data for all cases. The high cost data that control cost are 1) drilling, coring, core-testing, logging, sampling and testing a characterization well and 2) collection of a 3-D seismic survey to map reservoir and confining system properties over the area of the plume or the area of elevated pressure. In 5 of our case study sites we determined that one or both of these costs could be avoided because the needs are met by available data.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Quantifying Variability and Controls of Riverine Dissolved Organic Carbon Exported to Arctic Coastal Margins of North America (Final Report)

This project involved implementation and application of a coupled permafrost hydrology and dissolved organic carbon process models to investigate how spatial and seasonal variations in terrestrial hydrology and soil freeze/thaw dynamics influence the mobilization, loading, and export of organic carbon to the stream network for selected arctic basins across northern Alaska and northwest Canada. The model simulations were constrained by detailed observations of in- stream chemistry, soil active layer profile moisture and temperature dynamics, streamflow, soil carbon inventories and satellite microwave remote sensing based assessments of surface soil freeze-thaw dynamics. We developed and applied the numerical modeling and data analysis, incorporating observed data for calibration and validation, in order to investigate the terrestrial hydrology, permafrost dynamics, and associated DOC production and loading to rivers across a region encompassing watersheds draining to the coast. The project produced six publications and three datasets archived in public repositories.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Application of LANDSAT to the surveillance and control of lake eutrophication in the Great Lakes Basin

The author has identified the following significant results. Preliminary results in Saginaw Bay show that processed LANDSAT data provides a synoptic view of turbidity and circulation patterns that no degree of ground monitoring can provide. Processed imagery was produced to show nine discrete categories of turbidity, as indicated by nine Secchi depths between 0.3 and 3.3 meters. Analysis of lakes near Madison, Wisconsin show that inland lake water can be categorized by LANDSAT as clear, tannin, algal, and red clay. LANDSAT's capability to inventory watershed land use was throughly demonstrated in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana regional planning area. Computer tabulations providing area covered by each of 16 land use categories were rapidly and economically produced for each of the 225 watersheds and nine counties.

Rogers, R. H.↗

Historic Significance and Current Condition Assessment of Building 06-CP-170, the Yucca Flat Weather Station, Area 6, Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada

This report was produced in partial fulfillment of the mitigation of adverse effects to Building 06-CP-170, the Yucca Flat Weather Station on the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), and is intended to comply with the 2021 Memorandum of Agreement DE-GM58-21NA25543 Between the U.S. Department of Energy and the Nevada State Historic Preservation Officer Regarding Demolition of Fourteen Buildings and Structures in Area 6 of the Nevada National Security Site, Nye County, Nevada (hereafter referred to as the MOA). This MOA was executed to resolve adverse effects from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plan to demolish 14 architectural resources at the Control Point and in the vicinity in Area 6 of the NNSS. The management and operations contractor for the NNSS identified these 14 architectural resources as environmental hazards unsafe for human occupation due to deterioration and rodent infestation. Building 06-CP-170 is scheduled for demolition as part of this undertaking. Building 06-CP-170 was originally recorded in 2018 during a Section 106 cultural resources inventory for a proposed installation of a 138-kilovolt transmission line on the NNSS. The building was determined individually eligible by the DOE, in consultation with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under the Secretary of the Interior’s Significance Criterion A because of its association with nuclear testing. Pursuant to Stipulation III.D.3 of the MOA, this report provides a summary of the historic significance of Building 06-CP-170 and a description of its current condition and accessory resources. In addition, an updated Architectural Resource Assessment (ARA) form with new information and photographs is included in the appendix in fulfillment of Stipulation III.D.2.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Recent materials problems relating to catastrophic balloon failures

Balloons fabricated of thin polyethylene materials have provided relatively inexpensive and reliable scientific research platforms for approximately three decades. Reliability of the modern day balloon, as launched by the U.S.A. National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF), has been approximately 85 percent. Recent balloon failures, coupled with an increased ocurrence of catastrophic failures, created grave concern over the integrity of the present balloon inventory of the U.S.A. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). An investigative team was established by NASA to review the circumstances surrounding the catastrophic balloon failures, determine the cause and to make recommendations to correct the problem and to prevent its reoccurrence. The most probable cause of failure as determined by the investigation was the polyethylene balloon film, although the film had passsed the established standard quality control measures of the film manufacturer. The approach, findings, and conclusions of the investigation are presented along with planned procedures to assure future quality balloon film for NASA balloons.

Smith, I. S.↗

Second International Airborne Remote Sensing Conference and Exhibition

The conference provided four days of displays and scientific presentations on applications, technology, a science of sub-orbital data gathering and analysis. The twelve displayed aircraft equipped with sophisticated instrumentation represented a wide range of environmental and reconnaissance missions,including marine pollution control, fire detection, Open Skies Treaty verification, thermal mapping, hydrographical measurements, military research, ecological and agricultural observations, geophysical research, atmospheric and meterological observations, and aerial photography. The U.S. Air Force and the On-Site Inspection Agency displayed the new Open Skies Treaty verification Boeing OC 135B that promotes international monitoring of military forces and activities. SRl's Jetstream uses foliage and ground penetrating SAR for forest inventories, toxic waste delineation, and concealed target and buried unexploded ordnance detection. Earth Search Sciences's Gulfstream 1 with prototype miniaturized airborne hyperspectral imaging equipment specializes in accurate mineral differentiation, low-cost hydrocarbon exploration, and nonproliferation applications. John E. Chance and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers displayed the Bell 2 helicopter with SHOALS that performs hydrographic surveying of navigation projects, coastal environment assessment, and nautical charting surveys. Bechtel Nevada and U.S. DOE displayed both the Beech King AIR B-200 platform equipped to provide first response to nuclear accidents and routine environmental surveillance, and the MBB BO-105 helicopter used in spectral analysis for environmental assessment and military appraisal. NASA Ames Research Center's high-altitude Lockheed ER-2 assists in earth resources monitoring research in atmospheric chemistry, oceanography, and electronic sensors; ozone and greenhouse studies and satellite calibration and data validation. Ames also showcased the Learjet 24 Airborne Observatory that completed missions in Venus cloud cover analysis, Quadantid meteor shower studies, extra-solar far infrared ionic structure lines measurement, Cape Kennedy launch support, and studies in air pollution, The Products and Services Exhibit showcased new sensor and image processing technologies, aircraft data collection services, unmanned vehicle technology, platform equipment, turn-key services, software a workstations, GPS services, publications, and processing and integration systems by 58 exhibitors. The participation of aircraft users and crews provided unique dialogue between those who plan data collection a operate the remote sensing technology, and those who supply the data processing and integration equipment. Research results using hyperspectral imagery, radar and optical sensors, lidar, digital aerial photography, a integrated systems were presented. Major research and development programs and campaigns we reviewed, including CNR's LARA Project and European Space Agency's 1991-1995 Airborne Campaign. The pre-conference short courses addressed airborne video, photogrammetry, hyperspectral data analysis, digital orthophotography, imagery and GIS integration, IFSAR, GPS, and spectrometer calibration.

Source record↗

Comparative evaluation of solar, fission, fusion, and fossil energy resources, part 3

The role of nuclear fission reactors in becoming an important power source in the world is discussed. The supply of fissile nuclear fuel will be severely depleted by the year 2000. With breeder reactors the world supply of uranium could last thousands of years. However, breeder reactors have problems of a large radioactive inventory and an accident potential which could present an unacceptable hazard. Although breeder reactors afford a possible solution to the energy shortage, their ultimate role will depend on demonstrated safety and acceptable risks and environmental effects. Fusion power would also be a long range, essentially permanent, solution to the world's energy problem. Fusion appears to compare favorably with breeders in safety and environmental effects. Research comparing a controlled fusion reactor with the breeder reactor in solving our long range energy needs is discussed.

Clement, J. D.↗

Achieving the End State for the Pahute Mesa Corrective Action Units at the Nevada National Security Site - 20355

Underground nuclear testing at the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS) ended in 1992. To address the impact of radionuclide contamination from underground nuclear testing on the groundwater resources of Nevada, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Environmental Management (EM) Nevada Program created the Underground Test Area (UGTA) activity to characterize the radionuclides in groundwater, understand the nature and extent of radionuclide migration, and forecast the distribution of radionuclides in groundwater for 1,000 years. The UGTA activity is regulated by the Federal Facility Agreement and Consent Order (FFACO), an agreement negotiated between the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), DOE, and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). DOE is close to achieving the end state (closure in place with monitoring and institutional control) for three of the five UGTA corrective action units (CAUs) on the NNSS. A number of challenges remain to achieve the end state of the other two CAUs, both located on Pahute Mesa. Pahute Mesa was the location of 82 underground nuclear tests, less than 10% of the total number of tests on the NNSS. Yet, Pahute Mesa contains slightly more than 60% of the total radionuclides (in curies). Based on groundwater sampling in monitoring wells, two radionuclide plumes have migrated several kilometers (km) in groundwater from selected test cavities and have crossed the boundary of the NNSS (yet remain within the boundaries of Federally controlled land). The path to achieve the end state continues to evolve as more data are collected and a better understanding of radionuclide migration in groundwater is developed. DOE has invested in drilling and sampling more than 50 characterization and monitoring groundwater wells over the past 25 years. The data indicate that the primary radionuclide of concern is tritium as it is about 89% of the total radionuclide inventory (in curies). As well, only tritium has been measured in groundwater outside of cavities at concentrations exceeding the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) standard. For one of the tritium plumes that has migrated across the NNSS boundary, the average rate of migration has been measured as about 45 meters (m) per year with the rate of migration at the leading edge of the plume of about 85 meters per year. At that rate of migration, the tritium plume will decay to safe levels and not reach the publicly accessible environment at concentrations above the SDWA standard. Other radionuclides, at concentrations below the SDWA standards, will be monitored to ensure they remain at safe levels. Consequently, the end state path forward for Pahute Mesa has evolved to take full advantage of the data from the monitoring network to constrain uncertainty in model forecasts and to reduce reliance on probabilistic simulations. The focus of the end state approach relies on developing a monitoring well network that is protective of human health by increasing confidence that no radionuclide plume in the groundwater will migrate undetected to the accessible environment, located about 22 km from the nearest up-gradient underground nuclear test. Using the measured data to remove uncertainty, the evaluation of radionuclide migration from Pahute Mesa is directed toward meeting the goals of the end state. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Analysis of Solutions for the Geologic Disposal of Dual-Purpose Canisters

Commercial spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is accumulating at 72 sites across the U.S., at the rate of about 2,000 metric tons of uranium (MTU) per year. There are currently more than 2,700 dualpurpose canisters (DPCs) loaded with SNF, which are designed for storage and transportation but not disposal. If current storage practices continue, about half the eventual total U.S. SNF inventory will be in about 5,500 dry storage systems by 2035, with the entire inventory stored in 10,000 or more by 2060. The quantity of SNF in DPCs is now much greater than that anticipated in the past, leading the DOE to investigate the technical feasibility of direct disposal of SNF in DPCs. Studies in 2013-2015 concluded that the main technical challenges for disposal of SNF in DPCs are thermal management, handling and emplacement of large, heavy waste packages, and postclosure criticality control (Hardin et al. 2015). Of these, postclosure criticality control is the most challenging, and the R&D needed for this aspect of DPC direct disposal is the primary focus of this report.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC Site 300 Facility ID N-472 Toxics Emissions Inventory Plan for AB 2588 California Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Information and Assessment Act of 1987

The Air Toxics "Hot Spots" Information and Assessment Act (AB 2588 or the “Act”) was enacted in September 1987. Under the Act, stationary sources are required to report the types and quantities of certain toxic substances their facilities routinely release into the air. AB 2588 is designed to provide information to state and local agencies and to the general public on the extent of airborne emissions from stationary sources and the potential public health impacts of those emissions. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (the District) is mandated by the State to implement AB 2588.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Regenerative (Regen) ECLSS Operations Water Balance

In November 2008, the Water Regenerative System racks were launched aboard Space Shuttle flight, STS-126 (ULF2) and installed and activated on the International Space Station (ISS). These racks, consisting of the Water Processor Assembly (WPA) and Urine Processor Assembly (UPA), completed the installation of the Regenerative (Regen) ECLSS systems which includes the Oxygen Generator Assembly (OGA) that was launched 2 years prior. With the onset of active water management on the US segment of the ISS, a new operational concept was required, that of "water balance." Even more recently, in 2010 the Sabatier system came online which converts H2 and CO2 into water and methane. The Regen ECLSS systems accept condensation from the atmosphere, urine from crew, and processes that fluid via various means into potable water which is used for crew drinking, building up skip-cycle water inventory, and water for electrolysis to produce oxygen. Specification rates of crew urine output, condensate output, O2 requirements, toilet flush water and drinking needs are well documented and used as a general plan when Regen ECLSS came online. Spec rates are useful in long term planning, however, daily or weekly rates are dependent on a number of variables. The constantly changing rates created a new challenge for the ECLSS flight controllers, who are responsible for operating the ECLSS systems onboard ISS. This paper will review the various inputs to rate changes and inputs to planning events, including but not limited to; crew personnel makeup, Regen ECLSS system operability, vehicle traffic, water containment availability, and Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) capability. Along with the inputs that change the various rates, the paper will review the different systems, their constraints and finally the operational means by which flight controllers manage this new challenge of "water balance."

Tobias, Barry↗

Application of LANDSAT to the Surveillance and Control of Lake Eutrophication in the Great Lakes Basin

The author has identified the following significant results. Computer techniques developed for mapping water quality parameters from LANDSAT data were demonstrated, using ground truth collected in an ongoing survey of water quality in Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron), Michigan. Regression correlation coefficients varied from 0.99 for total phosphorus to 0.72 for chlorophyll-a corrected. Five water quality parameters are best correlated with LANDSAT band 6 alone. Temperature relates to band 5 alone and only two bands are justified for mapping the remaining six parameters. LANDSAT CCTs were used as a basis for inventorying land use within each of the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana regional commissions, 225 drainage areas, and nine counties. Sixteen categories were merged into ten categories and mapped at a scale of 1 in. = 5,000 ft, with detail to 0.44 hectares for the 2,700 sq mi region. These products were produced in less than 90 days at a cost of one cent an acre. LANDSAT CCTS were also used as a basis for inventorying land cover within the Triangle J council of governments 1,750 sq mi study area. The complete inventory was accomplished within a period of 60 days at a cost of about one half cent per acre.

Rogers, R. H.↗