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At least 469 records · Page 26

Plant traits, productivity, biomass and soil properties from forest sites in the Pacific Northwest, 1999–2014

Plant trait measurements are needed for evaluating ecological responses to environmental conditions and for ecosystem process model development, parameterization, and testing. Here, we present a standardized dataset integrating measurements from projects conducted by the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research and Regional Analysis- Pacific Northwest (TERRA-PNW) research group between 1999 and 2014 across Oregon and Northern California, where measurements were collected for scaling and modeling regional terrestrial carbon processes with models such as Biome-BGC and the Community Land Model. The dataset contains measurements of specific leaf area, leaf longevity, leaf carbon and nitrogen for 35 tree and shrub species derived from more than 1,200 branch samples collected from over 200 forest plots, including several AmeriFlux sites. The dataset also contains plot-level measurements of forest composition, structure (e.g., tree biomass), and productivity, as well as measurements of soil structure (e.g., bulk density) and chemistry (e.g., carbon). Publically-archiving regional datasets of standardized, co-located, and geo-referenced plant trait measurements will advance the ability of earth system models to capture species-level climate sensitivity at regional to global scales.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Molecular detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry

Detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is crucial in environmental mitigation and remediation of these persistent pollutants. We demonstrate that time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is a viable technique to analyze and identify these substances at parts per trillion (ppt) level in real field samples without complicated sample preparation due to its superior surface sensitivity. Several representative PFAS compounds, such as perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA), perfluoheptanoic acid (PFHpA), and perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and real-world groundwater samples collected from monitoring wells installed around at a municipal wastewater treatment plant located in Southern California were analyzed in this work. ToF-SIMS spectral comparison depicts sensitive identification of pseudo-molecular ions, characteristic of reference PFASs. Additionally, principal component analysis (PCA) shows clear discrimination among real samples and reference compounds. Our results show that characteristic molecular ion and fragments peaks can be used to identify PFASs. Furthermore, SIMS two-dimensional (2D) images directly exhibit the distribution of perfluorocarboxylic acid (PFCA) and PFOS in simulated mixtures and real wastewater samples. Such findings indicate that ToF-SIMS is useable to determine PFAS compounds in complex environmental water samples. In conclusion, ToF-SIMS provides simple sample preparation and high sensitivity in mass spectral imaging, offering an alternative solution for environmental forensic analysis of PFASs in wastewater in the future.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Association of Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus with decline and death of Chlorella sorokiniana in outdoor reactors

The outdoor ARID raceway was established for optimizing the cultivation of microalgae for biofuel production. During the summers of 2014 and 2015, discoloration was observed in cultures of Chlorella sorokiniana , which shifted from a vibrant green color to yellow, followed by cell clumping, decline in density, and rapid death, resulting in 40–60% reduced biomass production. To investigate, total DNA was purified from the raceway samples and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using degenerate primers that amplify the 16S rRNA gene of eubacteria. BLASTn analysis of the cloned amplicon sequences revealed the presence of the Gram-negative, predatory bacterium, Vampirovibrio chlorellavorus . Scanning electron microscopic examination showed an abundance of coccoid cells, 0.3–0.6 μm in diameter, some of which were attached to C. sorokiniana cells. PCR amplification indicated the presence of V. chlorellavorus in raceway vessels, water lines, connective tubing, and in early, scaled-up DOE1412 cultures used to inoculate the raceway. Based on PCR detection, the decontamination of the equipment and water line with "Wal-Clean" more effectively eliminated V. chlorellavorus and delayed the onset of attack, compared to the chlorine disinfectant, trichloromelamine (TCM). Total DNA was isolated from soil samples collected monthly from the nearby Rillito River during 2014–2015 and subjected to PCR amplification using primers designed to amplify the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA gene of V. chlorellavorus and C. sorokiniana , respectively. Results indicated that V. chlorellavorus and Chlorella spp. were present in most of the riverbed samples nearly year round, suggesting a possible naturally occurring reservoir of the predatory bacterium.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Inclusive cross sections for pairs of identified light charged hadrons and for single protons in e + e - at s = 10.58 GeV

We report the first double differential cross sections of two charged pions and kaons (e + e - →hhX) in electron-positron annihilation as a function of the fractional energies of the two hadrons for any charge and hadron combination. The dependence of these di-hadron cross sections on the topology (same, opposite-hemisphere or anywhere) is also studied with the help of the event shape variable thrust and its axis. The ratios of these di-hadron cross sections for different charges and hadron combinations directly shed light on the contributing fragmentation functions. For example, we find that the ratio of same-sign pion pairs over opposite-sign pion pairs drops toward higher fractional energies where disfavored fragmentation is expected to be suppressed. These di-hadron results are obtained from a 655fb -1 data sample collected near the Υ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric-energy e + e - collider. Extending the previously published single-pion and single-kaon cross sections, single-proton (e + e - →pX) cross sections are extracted from a 159fb -1 data sub-sample.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Water Chemistry in Evaluating the Origin of Contamination in Many Devils Wash, Shiprock, New Mexico

This report evaluates the chemistry of seep water occurring in three desert drainages near Shiprock, New Mexico: Many Devils Wash, Salt Creek Wash, and Eagle Nest Arroyo. Through the use of geochemical plotting tools and multivariate statistical analysis techniques, analytical results of samples collected from the three drainages are compared with the groundwater chemistry at a former uranium mill in the Shiprock area (the Shiprock site), managed by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management. The objective of this study was to determine, based on the water chemistry of the samples, if statistically significant patterns or groupings are apparent between the sample populations and, if so, whether there are any reasonable explanations for those groupings.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Sampling device

The present invention relates to a device for sampling internal substance(s) in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal composed of at least one wall which is partially expandable. The invention also relates to a method of orally administering the device to an animal and recovering the device from the stool to carry out analysis on the collected sample for diagnosing the health of the gastrointestinal tract and determining nutrient absorption and digestibility.

Wrigglesworth, David↗

Environmental sampling at Amchitka and Adak Islands, Alaska - 15317

Amchitka Island is near the western end of the Aleutian Islands, approximately 2157 km (1340 miles) west-southwest of Anchorage, Alaska. The US government conducted three underground nuclear tests on Amchitka between 1965 and 1971 and has conducted biological monitoring on the island since before 1965; the most recent monitoring occurred in the summer of 2011. A working group of stakeholders collected samples of marine biota, sediment, and sea water for analysis of test-related radionuclides to determine if subsistence- and commercial-catch seafood in the ocean near Amchitka and Adak Island (a reference area) is safe to eat. Dietary intake information for the risk estimates used a range of diets based on published surveys of four Aleut villages and a composite diet. The risk estimates indicated that seafood harvested at Amchitka and Adak is considered safe for consumption at the intake levels for each of five diets evaluated. Although increased cesium concentrations (Cs-134) possibly related to the Fukushima Dai-ichi event were detected in certain samples; the increased levels have not resulted in unacceptable risk from the ingestion of these seafoods. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Uranium Enrichment Safeguards

DIV of facility layout, material flows, and other information provided in the DIQ. Material accountancy through an annual PIV and a number of interim inventory verifications, including UF6 cylinder identification and counting, NDA of cylinders, and DA on a sample collection of UF6. Application of C/S technologies utilizing seals and tamper-indicating devices (TIDs) on cylinders, containers, storage rooms, and IAEA instrumentation to provide continuity of knowledge between inspection. Verification of the absence of undeclared material and operations, especially HEU production, through SNRIs, LFUA of cascade halls, and environmental swipe sampling

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

Utilization of Ultrasonication as a Method of Reducing Organic and Inorganic Contamination in Post‐Consumer Plastic Film Waste

Post-consumer plastic film waste often carries organic and inorganic contaminants that challenge recycling processes and affect the quality of recycled products. An effective contaminant removal procedure through washing such single-used plastic films (SUPFs) can address environmental and waste management concerns. This study compares the efficiency of different washing techniques in reducing SUPF contamination. To evaluate the efficacy of each washing technique, film samples collected from material recovery facilities are individually exposed to friction, ultrasonic-assisted, and a combination of both washes. Thermal analysis indicates that the polymers' melting temperature, crystallization temperature, and crystallinity remain unaffected by the washing methods, demonstrating method aptness. Confocal laser scanning microscope images show that washing results in a cleaner sample surface. 91% ash reduction during the combined wash treatment indicates a high method efficiency compared to the individual friction and ultrasonic wash procedures. This is further validated by reducing characteristic contaminant IR bands (3600–3000, 1750–1600, and 1100–1000 cm −1 ). Elements of concern such as Cd, Cr, Hg, and Pb in SUPFs after each washing technique applied conform with regulations (<100 ppm) for packaging products. This research shows the novel ultrasonic washing reduces more contamination than friction with shorter wash times and no surfactants.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Molecular and physical characteristics of aerosol at a remote free troposphere site: implications for atmospheric aging

Aerosol properties are transformed by atmospheric processes during long-range transport and play a key role in the Earth's radiative balance. To understand the molecular and physical characteristics of free tropospheric aerosol, we studied samples collected at the Pico Mountain Observatory in the North Atlantic. The observatory is located in the marine free troposphere at 2225 m above sea level, on Pico Island in the Azores archipelago. The site is ideal for the study of long-range-transported free tropospheric aerosol with minimal local influence. Three aerosol samples with elevated organic carbon concentrations were selected for detailed analysis. FLEXPART retroplumes indicated that two of the samples were influenced by North American wildfire emissions transported in the free troposphere and one by North American outflow mainly transported within the marine boundary layer.Ultrahigh-resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry was used to determine the detailed molecular composition of the samples. Thousands of molecular formulas were assigned to each of the individual samples. On average ~60 % of the molecular formulas contained only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms (CHO), ~30 %contained nitrogen (CHNO), and ~10 % contained sulfur (CHOS). The molecular formula compositions of the two wildfire-influenced aerosol samples transported mainly in the free troposphere had relatively low averageO/C ratios (0.48±0.13 and 0.45±0.11) despite the 7–10 days of transport time according to FLEXPART. In contrast, the molecular composition of the North American outflow transported mainly in the boundary layer had a higher average O/C ratio (0.57±0.17) with 3 days of transport time. To better understand the difference between free tropospheric transport and boundary layer transport, the meteorological conditions along the FLEXPART simulated transport pathways were extracted from the Global Forecast System analysis for the model grids. We used the extracted meteorological conditions and the observed molecular chemistry to predict the relative-humidity-dependent glass transition temperatures (T g ) of the aerosol components. Comparisons of the T g to the ambient temperature indicated that a majority of the organic aerosol components transported in the free troposphere were more viscous and therefore less susceptible to oxidation than the organic aerosol components transported inthe boundary layer. Although the number of observations is limited, the results suggest that biomass burning organic aerosol injected into the free troposphere is more persistent than organic aerosol in the boundary layer having broader implications for aerosol aging.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Composition, Emissions, and Air Quality Impacts of Hazardous Air Pollutants in Unburned Natural Gas from Residential Stoves in California

The presence of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) entrained in end-use natural gas (NG) is an understudied source of human health risks. We performed trace gas analyses on 185 unburned NG samples collected from 159 unique residential NG stoves across seven geographic regions in California. Our analyses commonly detected 12 HAPs with significant variability across region and gas utility. Mean regional benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and total xylenes (BTEX) concentrations in end-use NG ranged from 1.6–25 ppmv–benzene alone was detected in 99% of samples, and mean concentrations ranged from 0.7–12 ppmv (max: 66 ppmv). By applying previously reported NG and methane emission rates throughout California’s transmission, storage, and distribution systems, we estimated statewide benzene emissions of 4,200 (95% CI: 1,800–9,700) kg yr –1 that are currently not included in any statewide inventories–equal to the annual benzene emissions from nearly 60,000 light-duty gasoline vehicles. Additionally, we found that NG leakage from stoves and ovens while not in use can result in indoor benzene concentrations that can exceed the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment 8-h Reference Exposure Level of 0.94 ppbv–benzene concentrations comparable to environmental tobacco smoke. This study supports the need to further improve our understanding of leaked downstream NG as a source of health risk.

42 ENGINEERING↗

Chemical imaging of individual stratospheric particles sampled over North America

The increasing size, severity, and frequency of wildfires have led to dramatic increases in particulate matter concentrations in the troposphere. Severe wildfires can generate intense convective systems capable of transporting large quantities of biomass burning organic aerosols (BBOA) to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS). Chemically complex organic matter and light-absorbing carbonaceous material is introduced into stratospheric regions that were historically isolated from direct surface emissions. In this study, stratospheric particles were sampled over North America during the Dynamics and Chemistry of the Summer Stratosphere (DCOTSS) campaign, an aircraft-based research project designed to characterize convective perturbation in the UTLS. Particle samples collected from six research flights during summer 2022 were analyzed using Computer-Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy to investigate particle size distributions, morphology, chemical composition, and mixing state of stratospheric particles along transects across the continental United States and adjacent Pacific Ocean airspace. Analysis revealed that all sampled particles contained detectable levels of carbon, with most exhibiting organic volume fractions of 0.37 ± 0.20. Notably, about 5% of the particles also contained soot inclusions, which indicates the presence of refractory black carbon transported to stratospheric altitudes and provides direct evidence of wildfire-derived black carbon reaching the UTLS. Typical particle morphology exhibits organic shells over soot and inorganic cores and suggests secondary processing and aging of BBOA during transport to and within the UTLS. These findings provide compelling evidence that wildfire emissions play a critical role in affecting the long-term composition and radiative properties of stratospheric particles.

Sharpe, Steven [Purdue Univ., West Lafayette, IN (↗

Biomonitoring Organochlorine Pesticides in Didelphis virginiana from Yucatan, Mexico by GC-ECD

The aim of the present work was to apply a validated methodology for the detection of organochlorine pesticides in Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum) serum samples collected in Yucatan, Mexico. Recent studies performed to investigate the presence of Organochlorines (OCLs) in water, human blood and milk, and animal tissues from Yucatan have shown that the OCLs concentrations are high and can be associated with potential human health risk. Since opossum is considered an important synanthropic species in Yucatan, 40 opossum serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography with electron capture detector. The most common OCLs found in opossum sera were lindanes, chlordanes, drines, and endosulfan. Heptachlor, heptachlor epoxide, and lindanes were found at the highest concentrations, while dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane and its metabolites were found at the lowest concentrations in the samples. The good linearity, precision, and accuracy obtained in the evaluated parameters in the extraction and chromatographic methods support its application for the monitoring of OCLs pesticides in populations of opossums and other wild species in Yucatan.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Environmental Monitoring Report, Salmon, Mississippi, Site 2019

This report presents the monitoring results for groundwater and surface water samples collected in October 2019 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management for the Salmon, Mississippi, Site. The U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), a predecessor agency to DOE, conducted a series of underground detonations in the Tatum Salt Dome beneath the Salmon site between 1964 and 1970 to study seismic signatures. Groundwater sampling at the site is conducted to monitor shallow groundwater that became contaminated during AEC use of the site, contamination within the shot cavity, and contamination in the Aquifer 5 injection well. Surface water sampling is conducted to ensure no contaminants are leaving the site.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

K West Basin Sand Filter Backwash Sample Analysis

A sand filter is used to help maintain water clarity at the K West Basin where highly radioactive sludge is stored. Eventually that sand filter will require disposal. The radionuclide content of the solids trapped in the sand filter will affect the selection of the sand filter disposal pathway. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) was contracted by the K Basin Operations & Plateau Remediation Project (operations contractor CH2M Hill) to analyze the radionuclide content of the solids collected from the backwash of the K West Basin sand filter. The radionuclide composition in the sand filter backwash solids will be used by CH2M Hill to determine if the sand filter media and retained sludge solids will be designated as transuranic waste for disposal purposes or can be processed through less expensive means. On October 19, 2015, K Basin Operations & Plateau Remediation Project staff backwashed the sand filter into the North Load-Out Pit (NLOP) and immediately collected sample slurry from a sampling tube positioned 24 in. above the NLOP floor. The 764 g sand filter backwash slurry sample, KW-105 SFBW-001, was submitted to PNNL for analysis on October 20, 2015. Solids from the slurry sample were consolidated into two samples (i.e., a primary and a duplicate sample) by centrifuging and measured for mass (0.82 g combined – wet centrifuged solids basis) and volume (0.80 mL combined). The solids were a dark brown/orange color, consistent with iron oxide/hydroxide. The solids were dried; the combined dry solids mass was 0.1113 g, corresponding to 0.0146 weight percent (wt%) solids in the original submitted sample slurry. The solids were acid-digested using nitric and hydrochloric acids. Insoluble solids developed upon dilution with 0.5 M HNO 3 , corresponding to an average 6.5 wt% of the initial dry solids content. The acid digestate and insoluble solids were analyzed separately by gamma spectrometry. Nominally, 7.7% of the 60 Co was present in the insoluble solids; less than 1% of other gamma-emitters (i.e., 137 Cs, 154/155 Eu, and 241 Am) were present in the insoluble solids. Aliquots of the acid digestate were analyzed directly using gamma energy analysis (GEA) and after separations for 238 Pu, 239+240 Pu, 237 Np, and 241 Am radioisotopes using alpha energy analysis (AEA). The 90 Sr was measured by liquid scintillation counting (LSC) on the Sr-separated fraction. The plutonium isotopic distribution of the acid digestate was analyzed following Pu separations by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). A table summarizes the results for the primary and duplicate samples. The 239+240 Pu concentration (µCi/g dry) relative to 90 Sr and to 137 Cs concentrations (µCi/g dry) was examined. The K West Basin sludge has a 239+240 Pu/ 90 Sr ranging from 0.1 to 1.2 and the 239+240 Pu/ 137 Cs ratio ranging from 0.10 to 0.47. In contrast, the sand filter backwash solids 239+240 Pu/ 90 Sr ratio was 10.6 and the 239+240 Pu/ 137 Cs ratio was 2.0. The ratio differences indicate a relative enhancement of the Pu concentration in the sand filter solids relative to the 137 Cs and 90 Sr sludge concentrations currently in the K West Basin. A dose-to-curie radioisotope evaluation of the sand filter waste form may need to consider this dissimilarity.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Airborne Bacteria in Earth's Lower Stratosphere Resemble Taxa Detected in the Troposphere: Results From a New NASA Aircraft Bioaerosol Collector (ABC)

Airborne microorganisms in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere remain elusive due to a lack of reliable sample collection systems. To address this problem, we designed, installed, and flight-validated a novel Aircraft Bioaerosol Collector (ABC) for NASA's C-20A that can make collections for microbiological research investigations up to altitudes of 13.7 km. Herein we report results from the first set of science flights—four consecutive missions flown over the United States (US) from 30 October to 2 November, 2017. To ascertain how the concentration of airborne bacteria changed across the tropopause, we collected air during aircraft Ascent/Descent (0.3 to 11 km), as well as sustained Cruise altitudes in the lower stratosphere (~12 km). Bioaerosols were captured on DNA-treated gelatinous filters inside a cascade air sampler, then analyzed with molecular and culture-based characterization. Several viable bacterial isolates were recovered from flight altitudes, including Bacillus sp., Micrococcus sp., Arthrobacter sp., and Staphylococcus sp. from Cruise samples and Brachybacterium sp. from Ascent/Descent samples. Using 16S V4 sequencing methods for a culture-independent analysis of bacteria, the average number of total OTUs was 305 for Cruise samples and 276 for Ascent/Descent samples. Some taxa were more abundant in the flight samples than the ground samples, including OTUs from families Lachnospiraceae , Ruminococcaceae and Erysipelotrichaceae as well as the following genera: Clostridium, Mogibacterium, Corynebacterium, Bacteroides, Prevotella, Pseudomonas, and Parabacteroides . Surprisingly, our results revealed a homogeneous distribution of bacteria in the atmosphere up to 12 km. The observation could be due to atmospheric conditions producing similar background aerosols across the western US, as suggested by modeled back trajectories and satellite measurements. However, the influence of aircraft-associated bacterial contaminants could not be fully eliminated and that background signal was reported throughout our dataset. Furthermore considering the tremendous engineering challenge of collecting biomass at extreme altitudes where contamination from flight hardware remains an ever-present issue, we note the utility of using the stratosphere as a proving ground for planned life detection missions across the solar system.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Protocol for single-cell isolation and genome amplification of environmental microbial eukaryotes for genomic analysis

We describe environmental microbial eukaryotes (EMEs) sample collection, single-cell isolation, lysis, and genome amplification, followed by the rDNA amplification and OTU screening for recovery of high-quality species-specific genomes for de novo assembly. These protocols are part of our pipeline that also includes bioinformatic methods. The pipeline and its application on a wide range of phyla of different sample complexity are described in our complementary paper. In addition, this protocol describes optimized lysis, genome amplification, and OTU screening steps of the pipeline. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Ciobanu et al. (2021).

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Quantitative 3-D Elemental Mapping by LA-ICP-MS of a Basaltic Clast from the Hanford 300 Area, Washington, USA

Laser ablation with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to measure elemental concentrations at the 100 {micro}m scale in a 3-dimensional manner in a basalt sample collected from the Hanford 300 Area in south-central Washington State. A modified calibration method was developed to quantify the LA-ICP-MS signal response using a constant-sum mass fraction of eight major elements; the method produced reasonable concentration measurements for both major and trace elements when compared to a standard basalt sample with known concentrations. 3-dimensional maps (stacked 2-D contour layers, each measuring 2100 {micro}m x 2100 {micro}m) show relatively uniform concentration with depth for intrinsic elements such as Si, Na, and Sr. However, U and Cu accumulation were observed near the rock surface, consistent with the site's release history of these pollutants. U and Cu show substantial heterogeneity in their concentration distributions in horizontal slices, while the intrinsic elements are essentially uniformly distributed. From measured U concentrations of this work and reported mass fractions, cobbles and gravels were estimated to contain from 0.6% to 7.5% of the contaminant U, implicating the coarse fraction as a long-term release source.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗