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Temporal Study 2021-2022: Sample-Based Surface Water Chemistry and Organic Matter Characterization across Watersheds in the Yakima River Basin, Washington, USA (v3)

This dataset supports a broader study examining the drivers of temporal variability in sediment respiration rates in the Yakima River Basin. The dataset provides geochemistry and organic matter characterization data generated from samples collected at weekly or bi-weekly intervals at six sites across the Yakima River Basin in Washington, USA. Related sensor data will be published separately and can be used to link sediment respiration rates to biogeochemical processing rates. The data package was originally published in November 2022. It was updated in November 2023 (v2; modified files) and April 2025 (new and modified files). See the change history section in readme for more details. For details on how to navigate data packages generated by this project, see https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/portals/PNNLRiverCorridorSFA/About. This dataset is comprised of one main data folder containing (1) file-level metadata; (2) data dictionary; (3) field metadata; (4) dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC; reported as non-purgeable organic carbon; NPOC), total nitrogen (TN), total suspended solids (TSS), and ions; (5) averaged values from water chemistry data; (6) surface water sampling protocol; (7) sensor protocol; (8) readme; (9) methods codes; (10) international generic sample number (IGSN) mapping file; and (11) folder of high resolution characterization of organic via 12 Tesla Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) through the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL; https://www.pnnl.gov/environmental-molecular-sciences-laboratory). This folder contains two subfolders, one containing the .xml data files and the other containing instructions for using Formularity (https://omics.pnl.gov/software/formularity) and an R script to process the data based on the user's specific needs. All files are .csv, .pdf, .R, .ref, or .xml. We acknowledge the Yakama Nation as owners and caretakers of the lands where we collected our data. We thank the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council and Yakama Nation Fisheries for working with us to facilitate sample collection and optimization of data usage according to their values and worldview.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Spatial Study 2021: Sample-Based Surface Water Chemistry and Organic Matter Characterization across Watersheds in the Yakima River Basin, Washington, USA (v3)

This dataset supports a broader study examining the drivers of spatial variability in sediment respiration rates in the Yakima River Basin. The dataset provides geochemistry and organic matter characterization data generated from samples collected during the same two-week period at 47 sites within multiple rivers throughout the Yakima River Basin in Washington, USA. Related sensor data are published at https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/datasets/doi:10.15485/1892054. This data package was originally published September 2022. It was updated May 2023 (modified files) and November 2024 (new and modified files). See the change history section in the readme for more details. This dataset is comprised of one main data folder containing (1) file-level metadata; (2) data dictionary; (3) field metadata; (4) dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC; reported as non-purgeable organic carbon; NPOC), total nitrogen (TN), total suspended solids (TSS), ions, and benzene polycarboxylic acid (BPCA) concentration and stable isotope data; (5) averaged values from water chemistry data; (6) surface water sampling protocol; (7) sensor protocol (8) readme; (9) methods codes; (10) international generic-sample number (IGSN) mapping file; and (11) folder of high resolution characterization of organic matter via 12 Tesla Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) through the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL; https://www.pnnl.gov/environmental-molecular-sciences-laboratory). This folder contains two subfolders, one containing the .xml data files and the other containing instructions for using Formultitude (https://github.com/PNNL-Comp-Mass-Spec/Formultitude) and an R script to process the data based on the user's specific needs. All files are .csv, .pdf, .R, .ref, or .xml. We thank the United States Forest Service, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Parks, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and Cowiche Canyon Conservancy for access to field locations where these samples were collected. We also thank the Yakama Nation Tribal Council and Yakama Nation Fisheries for working with us to facilitate sample collection and optimization of data usage according to their values and worldview.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Advanced manufacturing provides tailor-made solutions for crystallography with x-ray free-electron lasers

Serial crystallography at large facilities, such as x-ray free-electron lasers and synchrotrons, evolved as a powerful method for the high-resolution structural investigation of proteins that are critical for human health, thus advancing drug discovery and novel therapies. However, a critical barrier to successful serial crystallography experiments lies in the efficient handling of the protein microcrystals and solutions at microscales. Microfluidics are the obvious approach for any high-throughput, nano-to-microliter sample handling, that also requires design flexibility and rapid prototyping to deal with the variable shapes, sizes, and density of crystals. Here, we discuss recent advances in polymer 3D printing for microfluidics-based serial crystallography research and present a demonstration of emerging, large-scale, nano-3D printing approaches leading into the future of 3D sample environment and delivery device fabrication from liquid jet gas-dynamic virtual nozzles devices to fixed-target sample environment technology.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Temporal Study 2022-2024: Sample-Based Surface Water Dissolved Inorganic Carbon, Dissolved Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen, Stable Isotopes, and Total Suspended Solids from across Multiple Watersheds in the Yakima River Basin, Washington, USA

This dataset supports a broader study examining the drivers of temporal variability in sediment respiration rates in the Yakima River Basin. The dataset provides geochemistry data generated from samples collected at bi-weekly or monthly intervals at six sites across the Yakima River Basin in Washington, USA. Sample and sensor data from previous years (2021-2022) can be found at https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/datasets/doi:10.15485/1898912 and https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/datasets/doi:10.15485/1892054, respectively. Related sensor data from 2022-2024 will be published separately. This dataset is comprised of one main data folder containing (1) file-level metadata; (2) data dictionary; (3) readme; (4) field metadata; (5) dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and averages; (6) dissolved organic carbon (DOC; reported as non-purgeable organic carbon; NPOC) and averages; (7) total dissolved nitrogen (TN) and averages; (8) total suspended solids (TSS); (9) stable isotopes; (10) surface water sampling protocol; (11) sensor protocol; (12) methods codes; and (13) international generic sample number (IGSN) mapping file. All files are .csv or .pdf. For details on how to navigate data packages generated by this project, see https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/portals/PNNLRiverCorridorSFA/About. For data and scripts associated with "Shifts in rain-snow partitioning drive faster water transit times in the US Pacific Northwest" (Butler et al., 2026), go to https://data.ess-dive.lbl.gov/datasets/doi:10.15485/3025481

18-O↗

Background contamination by coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in trace level high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) analytical procedures

The addition of the "dioxin-like" polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners to the assessment of risk associated with the 2,3,7,8-chlorine substituted dioxins and furans has dramatically increased the number of laboratories worldwide that are developing analytical procedures for their detection and quantitation. Most of these procedures are based on established sample preparation and analytical techniques employing high resolution gas chromatography/high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS), which are used for the analyses of dioxin/furans at low parts-per-trillion (ppt) levels. A significant and widespread problem that arises when using these sample preparation procedures for the analysis of coplanar PCBs is the presence of background levels of these congeners. Industrial processes, urban incineration, leaking electrical transformers, hazardous waste accidents, and improper waste disposal practices have released appreciable quantities of PCBs into the environment. This contamination has resulted in the global distribution of these compounds via the atmosphere and their ubiquitous presence in ambient air. The background presence of these compounds in method blanks must be addressed when determining the exact concentrations of these and other congeners in environmental samples. In this study reliable procedures were developed to accurately define these background levels and assess their variability over the course of the study. The background subtraction procedures developed and employed increase the probability that the values reported accurately represent the concentrations found in the samples and were not biased due to this background contamination.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls/analysis/metabolism↗

The Interannual Stability of Cumulative Frequency Distributions for Convective System Size and Intensity

The characteristics of convective system populations in West Africa and the western Pacific tropical cyclone basin were analyzed to investigate whether interannual variability in convective activity in tropical continental and oceanic environments is driven by variations in the number of events during the wet season or by favoring large and/or intense convective systems. Convective systems were defined from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) data as a cluster of pixels with an 85-GHz polarization-corrected brightness temperature below 255 K and with an area of at least 64 square kilometers. The study database consisted of convective systems in West Africa from May to September 1998-2007, and in the western Pacific from May to November 1998-2007. Annual cumulative frequency distributions for system minimum brightness temperature and system area were constructed for both regions. For both regions, there were no statistically significant differences between the annual curves for system minimum brightness temperature. There were two groups of system area curves, split by the TRMM altitude boost in 2001. Within each set, there was no statistically significant interannual variability. Subsetting the database revealed some sensitivity in distribution shape to the size of the sampling area, the length of the sample period, and the climate zone. From a regional perspective, the stability of the cumulative frequency distributions implied that the probability that a convective system would attain a particular size or intensity does not change interannually. Variability in the number of convective events appeared to be more important in determining whether a year is either wetter or drier than normal.

Mohr, Karen I.↗

Genomic-based biosurveillance for avian influenza: whole genome sequencing from wild mallards sampled during autumn migration in 2022–2023 reveals a high co-infection rate on migration stopover site in Georgia

The Caucasus region, including Georgia, is an important intersection for migratory waterbirds, offering potential for avian influenza virus (AIV) transmission between populations from different geographic areas. In 2022 and 2023, wild ducks were sampled during autumn migration events in Georgia to study the genetic relationships and molecular characteristics of influenza strains. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used to compare the sampled strains to reference sequences from Africa, Asia, and Europe, allowing assessment of genetic relationships and virus transmission between migratory birds. Protein language modeling identified potential co-infections. Of 225 duck samples, 128 tested positive for the influenza M gene. 55 influenza-positive samples underwent whole-genome sequencing, revealing significant diversity. Analysis of the hemagglutinin (HA) segment showed notable differences among subtypes. Most samples were H6N1 and H6N6, but co-infections with combinations like H6H3, N8N1, N6H9, N2N6, and H9H6/N1N2 were also identified. These findings demonstrate the high variability of influenza viruses in migratory waterbirds in Georgia, including a notable rate of co-infections. Some samples exhibited uncommon genetic characteristics compared to other strains from the same year, suggesting Georgia’s role as a mixing vessel for influenza viruses. This facilitates reassortment during co-infections and contributes to the genetic diversity observed across flyways.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Total Dissolved Nitrogen and Ammonia Data for the East River Watershed, Colorado (2015-2025)

This data package contains mean values for total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) and ammonia concentrations for water samples taken from the East River Watershed in Colorado. The East River is part of the Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area (WFSFA) located in the Upper Colorado River Basin, United States. TDN was analyzed using a Shimadzu Total Nitrogen Module (TNM-1) combined with the TOC-VCSH analyzer (Shimadzu Corporation, Japan). TNM-1 is a non-specific measurement of total nitrogen (TN). All nitrogen species in samples are combusted to nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, then reacted with ozone to form an excited state of nitrogen dioxide. Upon returning to ground state, light energy is emitted. Then, TDN is measured using a chemiluminescence detector. Ammonia was determined using a Lachat's QuikChem 8500 Series 2 Flow Injection Analysis System (LACHAT Instruments, QuckChem 8500 series 2, Automated Ion Analyzer, Loveland, Colorado). When ammonia in water samples is heated (60 degrees C) with salicylate and hypochlorite in an alkaline phosphate buffer, an emerald green color is produced which is proportional to the ammonia concentration. The color is intensified by the addition of nitroprusside. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is added to the buffer to prevent the interference of metal ions (Ca, Mg, and Fe etc.). Ammonia-N is then determined by LACHAT flow injection and a colorimetric assay at an absorbance wavelength 660 nm. (Reference: LACHAT Instruments: QuickChem Method 90-107-06-3-A, Determination of Ammonia by Flow Injection Analysis (High Throughput, Salicylate Method/DCIC) (Multi Matrix method). Written by Lynn Egan (Application group), February 08, 2011.) All files are labeled by location and variable, and data reported are the mean values upon replicate measurements. All samples were analyzed under a rigorous quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) process as detailed in the methods. This data package contains (1) a zip file (tdn_ammonia_data_2015-2025.zip) containing a total of 299 files: 298 data files of ammonia and TDN data from across the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area (SFA) which is reported in .csv files per location and a locations.csv (1 file) with latitude and longitude for each location; (2) a file-level metadata (v7_20260901_flmd.csv) file that lists each file contained in the dataset with associated metadata; (3) a data dictionary (v7_20260901_dd.csv) file that contains terms/column_headers used throughout the files along with a definition, units, and data type; (4) PDF and docx files for the determination of Method Detection Limits (MDLs) for TDN data, which has been updated in 2026-08; and (5) PDF and docx files for the detemination of Method Detection Limits (MDLs) for Ammonia and the Interferences by LACHAT Flow Injection Analysis. Missing values within the anion data files are noted as either "-9999" or "0.0" for not detectable (N.D.) data. There are a total of 105 locations containing TDN and Ammonia-N data. Update 2020-10-07: Updated the data files to remove times from the timestamps, so that only dates remain. The data values have not changed. Update 2021-04-11: Added Determination of Method Detection Limits (MDLs) for DIC, NPOC and TDN Analyses and Determination of Method Detection Limit for Ammonia and the Interferences by LACHAT Flow Injection Analysis documents, which can be accessed as PDFs or with Microsoft Word.Update on 6/10/2022: versioned updates to this dataset was made along with these changes: (1) updated total dissolved nitrogen and ammonia data for all locations up to 2021-12-31, (2) removal of units from column headers in datafiles, (3) added row underneath headers to contain units of variables, (4) restructure of units to comply with CSV reporting format requirements, (5) added -9999 for empty numerical cells, and (6) the addition of the file-level metadata (flmd.csv) and data dictionary (dd.csv) were added to comply with the File-Level Metadata Reporting Format. Update on 2022-09-09: Updates were made to reporting format specific files (file-level metadata and data dictionary) to correct swapped file names, add additional details on metadata descriptions on both files, add a header_row column to enable parsing, and add version number and date to file names (v2_20220909_flmd.csv and v2_20220909_dd.csv). Update on 2022-12-20: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. Units were listed incorrectly, but have been fixed to reflect correct units (ug/L). File level metadata (flmd) and data dictionary (dd) files were updated to reflect the updated versions of these files. Available data was added up until 2022-06-01. Update on 2023-08-08: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available anion data was added, up until 2023-01-05. The file level metadata and data dictionary files were updated to reflect the additional data added. Update on 2024-03-11: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available anion data was added, up until 2023-10-27. Further, revisions to the data files were made to remove incorrect data points (from 1970 and 2001). The reporting format specific files were updated to reflect the additional data added. Revised versions of the PDF and docx files for determination of MDLs for TDN were added to replace previous versions. Update on 2025-05-15: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available TDN and Ammonia-N data was added, up until the end of WY2024 (September 30, 2024). International Generic Sample Numbers (IGSNs), when registered, were added to the data files. The reporting format specific files were updated to reflect the additional data added. Update on 2026-09-01: Updates were made to both the data files and reporting format specific files. New available TDN and Ammonia-N data was added, up until the end of WY2025 (September 30, 2025). Updated versions, as of 2026-08-10, of the PDF and docx files for determination of MDLs for TDN data were added to this dataset.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Seasonal and Dayurnal Planetary Albedo Variability from Six Years of DSCOVR EPIC Data

Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) measurements of Earth’s reflected solar radiation from the Lissajous orbital position near the Lagrangian L1 point provide continuous monitoring of the Earth’s sunlit hemisphere. CERES-based angle models were used to convert the near-hourly reflected radiances of the EPIC images into a climate-style planetary albedo data-point over the sunlit hemisphere. Integration over the sunlit hemispheres averages out the meteorological weather noise, but retains the seasonal and planetary-scale variability. As the Earth rotates, this generates variations in the Earth’s planetary albedo that are precisely aligned in longitude, which constitutes the dayurnal cycle. This dayurnal variability in the planetary albedo arises from planetary-scale changes in cloud radiative properties that can be directly compared to similarly sampled climate GCM output data. Six years of EPIC data have been analyzed, showing characteristic patterns in the seasonal and dayurnal variability of the Earth’s planetary albedo. Much of the seasonal change in planetary albedo is associated with the changing DSCOVR viewing geometry and the change in solar declination. But throughout the year, the highest planetary albedos are observed over the Central Asia (Iraq) longitude, while the lowest planetary albedos occur over the Central Pacific longitude. For these longitudes, the relative seasonal changes in the planetary albedo are slowly varying and anti-correlated. Dayurnal amplitude maxima tend to occur during the July-September timeframe, with April-May and December exhibit distinct minima in the dayurnal amplitude. West Africa and the West Pacific longitudes likewise exhibit anti-correlated seasonal variability, while they also undergo anti-correlated short period oscillations. On the other hand, in nearby longitudes, there are short period spikes in planetary albedo of a few-days duration, as well as longer period oscillations that may range from a week to several months, that generally tend to be correlated.

Planetary Albedo↗

Dark Energy Survey year 1 results: Galaxy clustering for combined probes

We measure the clustering of DES year 1 galaxies that are intended to be combined with weak lensing samples in order to produce precise cosmological constraints from the joint analysis of large-scale structure and lensing correlations. Two-point correlation functions are measured for a sample of 6.6×10 5 luminous red galaxies selected using the redMaGiC algorithm over an area of 1321 square degrees, in the redshift range 0.15 z /(1+z)=0.017. We quantify and correct spurious correlations induced by spatially variable survey properties, testing their impact on the clustering measurements and covariance. We demonstrate the sample’s robustness by testing for stellar contamination, for potential biases that could arise from the systematic correction, and for the consistency between the two-point auto- and cross-correlation functions. We show that the corrections we apply have a significant impact on the resultant measurement of cosmological parameters, but that the results are robust against arbitrary choices in the correction method. We find the linear galaxy bias in each redshift bin in a fiducial cosmology to be b(σ 8 /0.81)| z=0.24 =1.40±0.07, b(σ 8 /0.81)| z=0.38 =1.60±0.05, b(σ 8 /0.81)| z=0.53 =1.60±0.04 for galaxies with luminosities L/L * >0.5, b(σ 8 /0.81)| z=0.68 =1.93±0.04 for L/L * >1 and b(σ 8 /0.81)| z=0.83 =1.98±0.07 for L/L * >1.5, broadly consistent with expectations for the redshift and luminosity dependence of the bias of red galaxies. We show these measurements to be consistent with the linear bias obtained from tangential shear measurements.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Presolar Materials in a Giant Cluster IDP of Probable Cometary Origin

Chondritic porous interplanetary dust particles (CP-IDPs) have been linked to comets by their fragile structure, primitive mineralogy, dynamics, and abundant interstellar materials. But differences have emerged between 'cometary' CP-IDPs and comet 81P/Wild 2 Stardust Mission samples. Particles resembling Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs), chondrules, and amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOAs) in Wild 2 samples are rare in CP-IDPs. Unlike IDPs, presolar materials are scarce in Wild 2 samples. These differences may be due to selection effects, such as destruction of fine grained (presolar) components during the 6 km/s aerogel impact collection of Wild 2 samples. Large refractory grains observed in Wild 2 samples are also unlikely to be found in most (less than 30 micrometers) IDPs. Presolar materials provide a measure of primitive-ness of meteorites and IDPs. Organic matter in IDPs and chondrites shows H and N isotopic anomalies attributed to low-T interstellar or protosolar disk chemistry, where the largest anomalies occur in the most primitive samples. Presolar silicates are abundant in meteorites with low levels of aqueous alteration (Acfer 094 approximately 200 ppm) and scarce in altered chondrites (e.g. Semarkona approximately 20 ppm). Presolar silicates in minimally altered CP-IDPs range from approximately 400 ppm to 15,000 ppm, possibly reflecting variable levels of destruction in the solar nebula or statistical variations due to small sample sizes. Here we present preliminary isotopic and mineralogical studies of a very large CP-IDP. The goals of this study are to more accurately determine the abundances of presolar components of CP-IDP material for comparison with comet Wild 2 samples and meteorites. The large mass of this IDP presents a unique opportunity to accurately determine the abundance of pre-solar grains in a likely cometary sample.

Messenger, S.↗

Optic Nerve Sheath Mechanics in VIIP Syndrome

Visual Impairment Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) syndrome is a major concern in current space medicine research. While the exact pathology of VIIP is not yet known, it is hypothesized that the microgravity-induced cephalad fluid shift increases intracranial pressure (ICP) and drives remodeling of the optic nerve sheath. To investigate this possibility, we are culturing optic nerve sheath dura mater samples under different pressures and investigating changes in tissue composition. To interpret results from this work, it is essential to first understand the biomechanical response of the optic nerve sheath dura mater to loading. Here, we investigated the effects of mechanical loading on the porcine optic nerve sheath.Porcine optic nerves (number: 6) were obtained immediately after death from a local abattoir. The optic nerve sheath (dura mater) was isolated from the optic nerve proper, leaving a hollow cylinder of connective tissue that was used for biomechanical characterization. We developed a custom mechanical testing system that allowed for unconfined lengthening, twisting, and circumferential distension of the dura mater during inflation and under fixed axial loading. To determine the effects of variations in ICP, the sample was inflated (0-60 millimeters Hg) and circumferential distension was simultaneously recorded. These tests were performed under variable axial loads (0.6 grams - 5.6 grams at increments of 1 gram) by attaching different weights to one end of the dura mater. Results and Conclusions: The samples demonstrated nonlinear behavior, similar to other soft connective tissue (Figure 1). Large increases in diameter were observed at lower transmural pressures (approximately 0 to 5 millimeters Hg), whereas only small diameter changes were observed at higher pressures. Particularly interesting was the existence of a cross-over point at a pressure of approximately 11 millimeters Hg. At this pressure, the same diameter is obtained for all axial loads applied to the tissue; i.e., as the axial load is varied, the diameter of the dura mater remains constant. This cross-over in the pressure-diameter curves occurred in all optic nerve sheaths that were tested, and may correspond with in vivo ICP levels for pigs. These data suggest that diameter of the dura mater of the optic nerve remains nearly constant in vivo despite being stretched axially. This may be a homeostatic mechanism aimed at maintaining target stresses/strains on the cells in the dura mater, and deviations from these stresses may play an important role in optic nerve sheath remodeling. Future studies will involve subjecting the dura mater to varying pressures and axial tensions for extended periods of time, while monitoring changes in the biomechanical properties. The data can then be used to study the effects of changes in ICP on the remodeling of the dura mater.

biomechanics↗

Role of Mineralogy in Controlling Fracture Formation

The presence of fractures in caprocks can pose increased risks in subsurface energy systems and processes like CO 2 sequestration by introducing high-permeability leakage paths. Fracture apertures and permeability can be altered through mineral dissolution and precipitation reactions, but the reactive evolution of fractures is not well understood. In fractures, minerals that are otherwise inaccessible to reactive fluids can become exposed, resulting in mineral reactions unpredicted by bulk formation data. This work seeks to understand the relationship between mineralogy and fracture formation to enhance our understanding of reactive fracture evolution and CO 2 leakage potential. Here, the mineral compositions of mechanically induced fracture surfaces in samples of the Mancos and Marcellus shales have been quantified and compared to those of the near-fracture matrices using imaging and bulk X-ray diffraction (XRD) data. In the Mancos shale, the concentrations of clay minerals are enhanced along fracture surfaces with respect to the bulk, and the fracture is most likely to form at kaolinite–kaolinite interfaces. Further, evaluation of the mineralogical spatial variability through cross-correlation analysis of the surrounding matrix in images of samples cut perpendicular to the fracture shows that clay is 16.7 times more likely to be present than carbonate minerals near the fracture surface. The high correlation persists roughly 200 μm into the surrounding matrix for the Mancos sample and implies that the fracture formed within a defined clay-rich lithofacies.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Effect of Moisture and Feedstock Variability on the Rheological Behavior of Corn Stover Particles

Continuous feeding, processing, and handling of biomass powders is pivotal to the economic viability of integrated biorefineries. However, current challenges associated with the operational reliability of bulk solids handling and transport greatly impact the process economics and ultimately the widespread commercialization of integrated biorefineries. In this work, we examine the effect of moisture and feedstock variability on the flow behavior of corn stover biomass particles. The total flow energy, compressibility, shear properties, and wall friction angles were measured for corn stover samples A and B containing 0%, 15%, 25%, 50%, and 75% (mass fraction) moisture contents using a FT4 powder rheometer. In general, the flowability of both A and B was reduced when moisture was present as indicated by the stability and variable flow rate, compressibility, and shear tests. The 15% moisture sample had the highest flow energy, revealing the interplay between the increased surface tension and looser packing both of which were caused by liquid bridging. The 75% moisture sample had the highest compressibility and the lowest flowability factor (ff c ). The trend in wall friction angle was found to be dependent upon the surface hydrophobicity of the wall material. The wall friction angle on the hydrophilic, stainless-steel surface increased with moisture and therefore poses additional handling challenges. On the other hand, the wall friction angle on the hydrophobic polymer surfaces were the lowest for samples with intermediate moisture contents. Sample B had greater bulk density, smaller compressibility, and greater flowability than the sample A , as suggested by the compressibility and shear tests. The wall friction angle of sample B was higher than or equal to that of sample A depending on both the type and the surface roughness of the wall material.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

XANES and EXAFS of dilute solutions of transition metals at XFELs

This work has demonstrated that X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), both Mn XANES and EXAFS, of solutions with millimolar concentrations of metal is possible using the femtosecond X-ray pulses from XFELs. Mn XAS data were collected using two different sample delivery methods, a Rayleigh jet and a drop-on-demand setup, with varying concentrations of Mn. Here, a new method for normalization of XAS spectra based on solvent scattering that is compatible with data collection from a highly variable pulsed source is described. The measured XANES and EXAFS spectra of such dilute solution samples are in good agreement with data collected at synchrotron sources using traditional scanning protocols. The procedures described here will enable XFEL-based XAS on dilute biological samples, especially metalloproteins, with low sample consumption. Details of the experimental setup and data analysis methods used in this XANES and EXAFS study are presented. This method will also benefit XAS performed at high-repetition-rate XFELs such as the European XFEL, LCLS-II and LCLS-II-HE.

Chatterjee, Ruchira (ORCID:000000020865061X)↗

Data from: Understanding the biogeochemical and spatial drivers of methane and carbon dioxide fluxes in a large temperate reservoir

This dataset contains spatially resolved measurements of CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes and associated environmental variables collected across 200 sites in Douglas Reservoir (Tennessee, USA) between July 29-August 2, 2024. Measurements include diffusive fluxes of CO₂ and CH₄, CH₄ ebullition, and biogeochemical and spatial variables such as dissolved oxygen, temperature, conductivity, chlorophyll-a, pH, water depth, and distance from the dam. Sampling was conducted using a spatially balanced design to capture longitudinal and depth-related gradients throughout the reservoir. The dataset is structured to support analyses of spatial variability, flux pathway comparisons, and modeling approaches (e.g., spatial statistics and machine learning) aimed at understanding controls on reservoir CO₂ and CH₄ fluxes and improving upscaling to whole-reservoir and regional estimates.

Neeper, Jamie [ORNL] (ORCID:0009000842342101)↗

Development of an AQUA Based Near-Surface Parameter Retrieval

The production of a satellite based turbulent surface flux product relies critically upon the near-surface input parameters. Development of retrieval algorithms for the necessary near-surface variables of wind speed, specific humidity, air temperature, and sea surface temperature has proceeded relatively independent of each another until recently. The use of a neural network approach using Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) data in conjunction with a first guess sea surface temperature has led to successful retrieval of all parameters simultaneously. However, SSM/I frequencies lack inherent sensitivity to the sea surface temperature (SST). Recent studies have found improved air temperature and humidity retrievals can be obtained via inclusion of microwave sounding channels weighted in the lower troposphere. The inclusion of SSM/I-like frequencies as well as SST-sensitive microwave channels on AMSR-E along with AMSU-A sounding data onboard the AQUA platform provides an unique opportunity. That is the ability to provide near-simultaneous (in space and time) measurements allowing the retrieval of all the near-surface variables, including SST. This study shows results of a new algorithm designed to take advantage of the unique sampling ability of AQUA based sensors. Results from a neural network based methodology will be shown as compared to in-situ based observations of near-surface variables. Implications for creation of an AQUA based turbulent surface product are also discussed.

Roberts, Brent↗