Airborne Sources Research Articles

Airborne source localization in shallow water

Airborne source localization in shallow water

Dioxin Like Compounds Bulk Deposition on Corn (Zea mais) and Alfa Alfa (Medicago sativa): Modelled Levels on Derived Silage and Hay and Their Relevance for Dairy Production

AbstractDioxin‐like compounds from regular, occasional or fugitive airborne sources of emission may fall out on fodders close to be harvested for silage and hay production. In this way, a prolonged long‐term intake of contaminated forages in dairy animals may be envisaged, able to determine a rise of the background contamination in milk. We simulated different risk scenarios taking into account the inventoried bulk dry depositions in rural areas of the aforesaid contaminants, silage and hay biomass production per hectare, forages regimen in dairy animals, and the congeners carry‐over rate (COR) from forages to milk. Considering atmospheric depositions >10 pg I‐TE m−2 day−1 and accounting for a 30% COR, dairy milk could rise up to the PCDD/F level of 3 pg WHO1998‐TE g−1 fat. The modelling indicates that in rural areas bulk emissions should be selectively minimised, accounting for the calendar of the different agricultural practices, because of their potential impact on the fodders. Since environmental factors play a non‐negligible role in food production, a stronger harmonisation between I‐TE and WHO1998–2005‐TE scales with respect to dioxin‐like polychlorobiphenyl congeners inclusion is envisaged. This will allow the prevention of the human indirect exposure to such contaminants when released in the air.

Tobacco pollen: archaeological and forensic applications

The fossil pollen contents found in the charred dottle residue from 20 clay pipe bowls recovered from a cesspit at a house in Amsterdam, the Netherlands (which was owned and used by the artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn), were collected and studied. The clay pipes date from approximately the same period when Rembrandt lived in the house and used the cesspit. We believe that some of the pollen in the dottle residue may have come from the tobacco, some possibly from airborne sources at Rembrandt's house and/or from debris in the cesspit in which the pipes were discarded. The results are compared with a similar study of pipe dottle from Native American clay pipes conducted more than 25 years ago. We also briefly review the origin and spread of domestic tobacco in an effort to determine potential sources of the tobacco imported and used in the Netherlands during the lifetime of Rembrandt and the period when he occupied the house. The pollen content of modern brands of commercial pipe tobacco is studied and the potential for using pollen found in tobacco products as evidence in forensic circumstances is reviewed.

Metal contamination and solid phase partitioning of metals in the stream and bottom sediments in a reservoir receiving mine drainage

This study was conducted to assess the anthropogenic impact on metal concentrations in the bottom sediments of the Juam reservoir, Korea, and in stream sediments in its catchment, and to estimate the potential mobility of selected metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) using sequential extraction. A comparison of the metal concentrations in the stream sediments with mean background values in sediments collected from first- or second-order creeks shows that Pb, Cu and Ni are the most affected by anthropogenic inputs. The 206Pb/207Pb ratios of the bottom and core sediments (means: 1.2320±0.0502 and 1.2212±0.0040, respectively) suggest that Pb contamination is mainly due to the waste discharge of abandoned coal and metal mines rather than industrial and airborne sources. Considering the proportion of metals bound to the exchangeable, carbonate and reducible fractions, the comparative mobility of metals is suggested to decrease in the order Mn>Pb>Zn>Ni>Fe≫Cu.

음향 인텐시티법을 이용한 GDI 엔진 소음원 규명 및 소음 기여도 분석에 관한 연구

In this paper, a new method is proposed to estimate the sound pressure generated from gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine. There are many noise sources as much as components in GDI engine. Among these components, fuel pump, fuel injector, fuel rail, pressure pump and intake/exhaust manifolds are major components generated from top of the engine. In order to estimate the contribution of these components to engine noise, the total sound pressure at the front of the engine is estimated by using airborne source quantification (ASQ) method. Airborne source quantification method requires the acoustic source volume velocity of each component. The volume velocity has been calculated by using the inverse method. The inverse method requires many tests and has ill-condition problem. This paper suggested a method to obtain volume velocity directly based on the direct measurement of sound intensity and particle velocity. The method is validated by using two known monopole sources installed at the anechoic chamber. Finally the proposed method is applied to the identification and contribution of noise sources caused by the GDI components of the test engine.

Improvement of accuracy in a sound synthesis method using Evolutionary Product Unit Networks

Auralization through binaural transfer path analysis and synthesis is a useful tool to analyze how contributions from different sources affect the perception of sound. This paper presents a novel model based on the auralization of sound sources through the study of the behavior of the system with respect to frequency. The proposed approach is a combined model using the airborne source quantification (ASQ) technique for low-mid frequencies (⩽2.5kHz) and Evolutionary Product-Unit Neural Networks (EPUNNs) for high frequencies (>2.5kHz), which improve overall accuracy. The accuracy of all models has been evaluated in terms of the Mean Squared Error (MSE) and the Standard Error of Prediction (SEP), the combined model obtaining the smallest value for high frequencies. Moreover, the best prediction model was established based on sound quality metrics, the proposed method showing better accuracy than the ASQ technique at high frequencies in terms of loudness, sharpness and 1/3rd octave bands.

Characterization of fine particulate sources at Ashaiman in Greater Accra, Ghana

The sources of airborne fine particles in PM2.5 range influencing air quality at Ashaiman, a semi–urban town north of Tema in Ghana had been investigated. Nuclepore and quartz fiber filters were used for the air particulate loadings and analyzed for elemental and carbonaceous compound (EC and OC) concentrations in the 8 carbon fractions using X–Ray spectrometry system and IMPROVE/Thermal Optical Reflectance method respectively. Positive matrix factorization (PMF) was utilized to identify the following eight sources; industrial emissions (11.4%), fresh sea salt (15.5%), diesel emissions (18.4%), biomass burning (9.5%), two stroke engines (5.1%), gasoline emissions (15.8%), aged sea salt (6.2%), and soil dust (17.7%). Source locations were verified by means of Conditional Probability Function (CPF) plots that utilize wind directions. The source contributions revealed the high influence of fossil fuel and biomass combustion on the air quality in Ashaiman. The presence of the harbor and the industries located at Tema were seen to have substantial impacts on respirable air particulate matter (APM) concentrations in Ashaiman.

Air-to-water sound propagation at low frequency in shallow water

Owing to great difference of acoustic characteristic impedance between air and water, sound transmission loss from an airborne source into underwater is very high. So, it is very difficult to do experimental research on air-to-water sound propagation. High power of air source is needed to receive signals with high signal-noise-ratio at long range. A fog whistle was used as the source during an experiment conducted for air-to-water sound propagation in the South China Sea in July 2011. A HLA was laid on the sea bottom at the depth of 90m. The high-power fog whistle was hung on a research ship floating near the HLA. The maximum distance between the whistle and the HLA was 7.5km. The transmission at low frequencies were analyzed and compared with the theoretical predictions.

Particle motion is broadly represented in the vestibular medulla of the bullfrog across larval development

In their shallow-water habitats, bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles are exposed to both underwater and airborne sources of acoustic stimulation. We probed the representation of underwater particle motion throughout the tadpole's dorsal medulla to determine its spatial extent over larval life. Using neurobiotin-filled micropipettes, we recorded neural activity to z-axis particle motion (frequencies of 40-200Hz) in the medial vestibular nucleus, lateral vestibular nucleus, dorsal medullary nucleus (DMN), and along the dorsal arcuate pathway. Sensitivity was comparable in the medial and lateral vestibular nuclei, with estimated thresholds between 0.016 and 12.5μm displacement. Neither best responding frequency nor estimated threshold varied significantly over larval stage. Transport of neurobiotin from active recording sites was also stable over development. The DMN responded poorly to z-axis particle motion, but did respond to low-frequency pressure stimulation. These data suggest that particle motion is represented widely and stably in the tadpole's vestibular medulla. This is in marked contrast to the representation of pressure stimulation in the auditory midbrain, where a transient "deaf period" of non-responsiveness and decreased connectivity occurs immediately prior to metamorphic climax. We suggest that, in bullfrogs, sensitivity to particle motion and to pressure follows different developmental trajectories.

MBAS (Methylene Blue Active Substances) and LAS (Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates) in Mediterranean coastal aerosols: Sources and transport processes

Abstract Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) and Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates (LAS) concentrations, together with organic carbon and ions were measured in atmospheric coastal aerosols in the NW Mediterranean Basin. Previous studies have suggested that the presence of surfactants in coastal aerosols may result in vegetation damage without specifically detecting or quantifying these surfactants. Coastal aerosols were collected at a remote site (Porquerolles Island-Var, France) and at a more anthropised site (San Rossore National Park-Tuscany, Italy). The chemical data were interpreted according to a comprehensive local meteorological analysis aiming to decipher the airborne source and transport processes of these classes of compounds. The LAS concentration (anthropogenic surfactants) was measured in the samples using LC-MS/MS, a specific analytical method. The values were compared with the MBAS concentration, determined by a non-specific analytical method. At Porquerolles, the MBAS concentration (103 ± 93 ng m −3 ) in the summer samples was significantly higher than in the winter samples. In contrast, LAS concentrations were rarely greater than in the blank filters. At San Rossore, the mean annual MBAS concentration (887 ± 473 ng m −3 in PM10) contributed about 10% to the total atmospheric particulate organic matter. LAS mean concentration in these same aerosol samples was 11.5 ± 10.5 ng m −3 . A similar MBAS (529 ± 454 ng m −3 ) – LAS (7.1 ± 4.1 ng m −3 LAS) ratio of ∼75 was measured in the fine (PM2.5) aerosol fraction. No linear correlation was found between MBAS and LAS concentrations. At San Rossore site the variation of LAS concentrations was studied on a daily basis over a year. The LAS concentrations in the coarse fraction (PM10–2.5) were higher during strong sea storm conditions, characterized by strong air flow coming from the sea sector. These events, occurring with more intensity in winter, promoted the formation of primary marine aerosols containing LAS from the sea surface microlayer. In contrast to LAS, MBAS concentrations in the coarse fraction peaked in summer. Therefore, different sources are suggested for the two classes of compounds. In summer, increased MBAS concentration could be an indicator of phytoplanktonic blows enriching the sea surface microlayer with biogenic surfactants. In winter, some spikes in MBAS concentrations in the coarse fraction could be related to LAS concentrations and sea storm events. Moreover, in the fine fraction MBAS have a large concentration maxima in winter, corresponding to air masses coming from polluted continental areas. It is concluded that MBAS concentration in the fine or the coarse fraction is not an appropriate surrogate measurement of LAS concentration in aerosols because of the significant contribution from other sources to the MBAS concentration.

Biomonitoring of some heavy metal contaminations from a steel plant by above ground plants tissue

Soil and plants growing in the vicinity of industrial areas display increased concentrations of heavy metals and give an indication of the environmental quality. The contamination source for aluminum, iron, nickel and lead in the Botanical garden of Mobarakeh Steel Company was recognized by analyzing the leaves and topsoil of two evergreen species: Quercus brantii and Ligustrum vulgare . Availability of the studied elements for plants was investigated by measuring their total and extractable concentration inthe soils. For ensuring air borne source of these metals, plant tissues were washed with distilled water. Plant available heavy metals of the soils were few in comparison with the total values which were related to the high pH value and the CaCO 3 percentage in the soils around each plant. On the other hand, significant differences were obtained between the washed and unwashed leaves in both species indicating metal contaminations from the atmosphere. Significant differences were detected between the contaminated and background site samples in both plants for Al, Fe and Ni. In addition, the leaves of L. vulgare accumulated more elements partially than Quercus brantii . Difference in the accumulation potentials of the plants were related to the diversity of the physical and chemical properties of the leaves and the type of elements. The enrichment ratio of plants (C contaminated /C background ) was calculated

β-Cyclocitral, a Grazer Defence Signal Unique to the Cyanobacterium Microcystis

β-Cyclocitral is often present in eutrophic waters and is a well known source of airborne and drinking water malodor, but its production and functional ecology are unresolved. This volatile organic compound (VOC) is derived from the catalytic breakdown of β-carotene, and evidence indicates that it is produced by the activation of a specific carotene oxygenase by all species of the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis. Previous work has shown that β-cyclocitral affects grazer behavior, but the nature of this interaction and its influence on predator-prey dynamics was unresolved. The present study combined analytical and behavioral studies to evaluate this interaction by using Microcystis NRC-1 and Daphnia magna. Results showed that β-cyclocitral was undetectable in live Microcystis cells, or present only at extremely low concentrations (2.6 amol /cell). In contrast, cell rupture activated a rapid carotene oxygenase reaction, which produced high amounts (77 ± 5.5 amol β-cyclocitral/cell), corresponding to a calculated maximum intracellular concentration of 2.2mM. The behavioral response of Daphnia magna to β-cyclocitral was evaluated in a bbe© Daphnia toximeter, where β-cyclocitral treatments induced a marked increase in swimming velocity. Acclimation took place within a few minutes, when Daphnia returned to normal swimming velocity while still exposed to β-cyclocitral. The minimum VOC concentration (odor threshold) that elicited a significant grazer response was 750nM β-cyclocitral, some 2,900 times lower than the per capita yield of a growing Microcystis cell after activation. Under natural conditions, initial grazer-related or other mode of cell rupture would lead to the development of a robust β-cyclocitral microzone around Microcystis colonies, thus acting as both a powerful repellent and signal of poor quality food to grazers.

Matched Bearing Processing for Airborne Source Localization by an Underwater Horizontal Line Array

Location of an airborne source is estimated from signals measured by a horizontal line array (HLA), based on the fact that a signal transmitted by an airborne source will reach a underwater hydrophone in different ways: via a direct refracted path, via one or more bottom and surface reflections, via the so-called lateral wave. As a result, when an HLA near the airborne source is used for beamforming, several peaks at different bearing angles will appear. By matching the experimental beamforming outputs with the predicted outputs for all source locations, the most likely location is the one which gives minimum difference. An experiment is conducted for airborne source localization in the Yellow Sea in October 2008. An HLA was laid on the sea bottom at the depth of 30m. A high-power loudspeaker was hung on a research ship floating near the HLA and sent out LFM pulses. The estimated location of the loudspeaker is in agreement well with the GPS measurements.

Light pulse propagation along the path atmosphere–rough-surface–sea water

The influence of surface waves and multiple scattering in water on the parameters of light pulses from an airborne source is studied. The contributions of various mechanisms to variations in delay of pulse and its variance are estimated. It is shown that waves make the main contribution to these values at small depths. With strong wind, the allowance for waves is important for small receiving apertures in the whole practically important depth range. For large receiving apertures or/and large widths of light beams incident on the surface, the determining factor is multiple scattering of light in water.

Acoustoseismic Method for Buried-Object Detection by Means of Surface-Acceleration Measurements and Audio Facilities

An experimental setup for acoustoseismic detection of shallow buried objects is presented. The seismic (Rayleigh) waves were generated by exciting an acoustic airborne source by a series of sine-wave bursts, which were designed to cover a frequency range (100-1000 Hz) large enough to distinguish the vibrational characteristics of buried compliant objects. The signals were recorded by means of contact-acceleration microelectromechanical-system sensors moved above different buried objects (compliant and rigid). Signal acquisitions on only sandy soil revealed the natural variability of the outdoor test bed. This variability of soil parameters pointed out the difficulties of buried-object detection based on the amplitude thresholding of the signal spectrum. For this aim, the signals were processed in both time and frequency domains. An audio-channel output was devised to avail of the human hearing apparatus in distinguishing the buried objects according to spatial variations of the acceleration signals obtained by scanning the soil surface.

Air-borne sound source characterization by patch impedance coupling approach

An approach of independent sound source characterization is discussed. The source is defined by its blocked sound pressure and surface impedance via a suitable enveloping surface. Both the blocked pressure and the impedance are made discrete using the patch averaging concept. The approach is adapted to numerical as well as experimental implementation. The characterization of a source by patches allows for acoustical sub-structuring, which in turn enables the prediction of the sound field created by a source coupled to an arbitrary environment. Numerical simulations are presented which demonstrate the validity of the approach.

The scattering of sound by a long cylinder above an impedance boundary

The classical problem of sound scattering by an acoustically hard cylinder due to a point monopole and a line airborne source is extended in the present study. The solution to the homogeneous Helmholtz equation is expressed in a cylindrical coordinate system and represented by an expansion of Fourier integrals. Incorporating the image source method and the Bessel function addition theorem, the analytical solution is derived for the prediction of multiple scattering of sound by a hard cylinder placed above a ground surface of finite impedance. The total sound field can be expressed as a sum of four components: the incident field, the reflected wave, and the scattered fields from the cylinder and its image. The total far-field scattered potential was evaluated asymptotically by the method of stationary phase. Experimental measurements by using a point source were conducted in an anechoic chamber to validate the theoretical formulations. The numerical predictions of using a point source model give good agreements with all the experimental data but there are obvious discrepancies in the spectral magnitudes between the calculation and experimental results when a line source model is used to simulate the scattering problem due to a point source excitation.

Technical note: Vehicle interior noise source contribution and transfer path analysis

In this study, vehicle air-borne and structure-borne noise sources and noise transfer paths are identified. By applying the interior noise source contribution and transfer path analysis method, the contribution of each noise source in the vehicle is calculated by subsystem level measurements. Moreover, the actual vehicle level interior noise has been measured and compared with the calculated levels for correlation. When good correlation is achieved, a critical peak level, which may be a potential NVH problem, has been investigated with the measured and calculated data.

Space-borne polarimetric SAR sensors or the golden age of radar polarimetry

SAR Polarimetry represents an active area of research in Active Earth Remote Sensing. This interest is clearly supported by the fact that nowadays there exists, or there will exist in a very next future, a non negligible quantity of launched Polarimetric SAR Spaceborne sensors. The ENVISAT satellite, developed by ESA, was launched on March 2002, and was the first Spaceborne sensor offering an innovative dualpolarization Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) system operating at C-band. The second Polarimetric Spaceborne sensor is ALOS, a Japanese Earth-Observation satellite, developed by JAXA and was launched in January 2006. This mission includes an active L-band polarimetric radar sensor (PALSAR) whose highresolution data may be used for environmental and hazard monitoring. The third Polarimetric Spaceborne sensor is TerraSAR-X, a new German radar satellite, developed by DLR, EADS-Astrium and Infoterra GmbH, was launched on June 2007. This sensor carries a dual-polarimetric and high frequency X-Band SAR sensor that can be operated in different modes and offers features that were not available from space before. At least, the Polarimetric Spaceborne sensor, developed by CSA and MDA, and named RADARSAT-2 was launched in December 2007 The Radarsat program was born out the need for effective monitoring of Canada’s icy waters, and some Radarsat-2 capabilities that benefit sea- and river ice applications are the multi-polarization options that will improve ice-edge detection, ice-type discrimination and structure information. The many advances in these different Polarimetric Spaceborne platforms were developed to respond to specific needs for radar data in environmental monitoring applications around the world, like : sea- and river-ice monitoring, marine surveillance, disaster management, oil spill detection, snow monitoring, hydrology, mapping, geology, agriculture, soil characterisation, forestry applications (biomass, allometry, height…), urban mapping etc…. In order to promote the exploitation of Polarimetric Spaceborne data, as it is starting today to proliferate with the launch of these Polarimetric SAR sensors, the PolSARpro Software, developed under contract to ESA and that is a toolbox for the scientific exploitation of Polarimetric SAR and Polarimetric-Interferometric data and a tool for high-level education in radar polarimetry, has been expanded and refined to include all elements necessary for the demonstration of a number of key applications. The PolSARpro Software, that already was supporting an important range of airborne and spaceborne polarimetric data sources, supports now the following additional data sources: ALOS-PALSAR (Dual-Pol fine mode and Quad-Pol mode), TerraSAR-X (Dual-pol mode) and Radarsat-2 (Dual-Pol fine mode and Quad-Pol fine and standard modes), by offering a platform dedicated interface for E.O Scientific Investigator. A number of illustrations of key applications has been developed for the demonstration and the promotion of the Polarimetric Spaceborne missions, that are consistent with the activities incorporated in the GMES Services Element (GSE). The aim of this communication is to present the current state of the art in SAR Polarimetry ranging from theory to applications, with special emphasis in the analysis of data provided by the new Polarimetric Spaceborne SAR sensors, and samples of real polarimetric data will be presented for use in real-life examples of key applications.

No barrier at the boundaries: implementing regional frameworks for noise management in protected natural areas

We compare the status of regional or ecosystem frameworks for managing airborne and underwater noise sources in the US, with particular emphasis on transportation noise in national marine sanctuaries and national parks. The Organic Act demands that the US National Park Service (NPS) preserve natural and cultural resources unimpaired for future generations, and NPS policies provide explicit guidance for managing acoustical environments to meet this standard. The US Office of National Marine Sanctuaries identifies noise as a threat to sanctuary resources, but does not address how the program should manage noise levels to minimize impacts to wildlife and protect the aesthetic resources within sanctuaries. Methods and results from 2 case studies that address noise management in spatially explicit contexts are highlighted: the Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and the Grand Canyon National Park. In both case studies, noise gener- ated by transportation networks that extend far beyond protected area boundaries must be managed to conserve local resources. Effective noise control policies must be developed through partnerships among transportation and resource management agencies, surmounting differences in their mis- sions, professional cultures, and historical precedents. Four collective approaches for managing noise in protected natural areas emerge from this analysis: (1) investing in monitoring programs and data management; (2) expanding the resolution and scope of impact assessment tools; (3) enhancing coor- dination and the governance structure; and (4) engaging and educating US citizens regarding the benefits of quieting.