Cold Water Research Articles

DETERMINING THE PERFORMANCE OF A HEAT EXCHANGER USED IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY

The study of heat transfer in the food industry is as important as in any other industry. Food products are constantly subjected to heat treatments. For this reason, a sunflower food oil, which undergoes heat treatment in the manufacturing process, was chosen for this study. The study was carried out on a laboratory plant and aimed to determine the heat transfer coefficients for three sets of determinations: partial heat transfer coefficient inside - where the warm sunflower oil circulates, partial heat transfer coefficient in the annular space - where cold water circulates and overall heat transfer coefficient, in a tube-in-tube heat exchanger made of copper. The obtained values of heat transfer coefficients were compared with literature data for the same type of food oil. This type of heat exchanger, tube-in-tube, is specific to the food industry. Countercurrent circulation of flows through the appliance was established from the outset, as this type of circulation is preferred from the point of view of determining the performance of heat exchange appliances. Efficiency values were also established for the three sets of experimental determinations. For the calculations, the values for the temperatures of the fluids, both at the inlet and outlet of the apparatus and the values for the volume flow rates of the fluids were required.

Modeling embryo survival: Genetic and environmental influences on eye-up rate in a north American Atlantic salmon selective breeding program

Selective breeding programs improve target traits but can also unintentionally change genetically correlated traits in the selected strain. The U.S. Department of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC) in Franklin, Maine maintains a North American Atlantic salmon selective breeding program focused on improving commercially important traits (e.g., carcass weight). However, the program has experienced a significant decline in the percent of eyed embryos over its 14 years of operation, leading to concerns that reproductive performance was being unintentionally changed by selection for the target traits. The aims of this study were to 1) model eye up success as a potentially heritable trait utilizing the recorded pedigree and 2) assess the relationship between eye-up rate and environmental conditions experienced by the broodstock. Over 14 years of data encompassing 1537 full-sib families produced by 1537 dams and 885 sires was analyzed. Counts of eyed embryos and carcass weight were analyzed with a linear multi-trait trait model that included maternal genetic effects and a spawn year effect to determine the strength of genetic and environmental influences on the eyed embryo rate. To investigate the environmental influences in more detail, we assessed the correlation between water quality parameters in the broodstock rearing system observed over the same 14-year time period and the estimated spawn year effects. There was small heritability of the direct genetic effect (0.059 ± 0.009) and the maternal genetic effect (0.039 ± 0.013). Comparatively, the proportion of phenotypic variance explained by the maternal environmental effect was moderate (0.165 ± 0.012). The genetic correlations between carcass weight and eye up rate were very small and had a large amount of uncertainty. The correlation between the direct genetic effects on eye-up and carcass weight was −0.0528 ± 0.1469 while the correlation between the maternal genetic effect on eye-up and the direct genetic effect on carcass weight was 0.2030 ± 0.1791. The correlation between maternal common environmental effects on the two traits was also low at 0.0676 ± −0.0804. The effect of spawn year was statistically significant (p < 0.01), and the values were negatively correlated with mean un-ionized ammonia (mg/L, −0.56, p = 0.04,), nitrate concentrations (mg/L r = −0.65, p = 0.01) and temperature (°C, r = −0.61, p = 0.02) experienced by the broodstock prior to spawning. Overall, the results suggest that the decrease in eyed embryos over time was not caused by inadvertent selection but instead due to increases in water temperature and/or nitrogenous waste concentrations in the broodstock rearing system. Further investigation of the mechanisms behind these apparent environmentally induced declines and potential mitigation measures to prevent decreases in eye-up rates are needed.

Right but wrong: How students' mechanistic reasoning and conceptual understandings shift when designing agent‐based models using data

AbstractWhen learning about scientific phenomena, students are expected to mechanistically explain how underlying interactions produce the observable phenomenon and conceptually connect the observed phenomenon to canonical scientific knowledge. This paper investigates how the integration of the complementary processes of designing and refining computational models using real‐world data can support students in developing mechanistic and canonically accurate explanations of diffusion. Specifically, we examine two types of shifts in how students explain diffusion as they create and refine computational models using real‐world data: a shift towards mechanistic reasoning and a shift from noncanonical to canonical explanations. We present descriptive statistics for the whole class as well as three student work examples to illustrate these two shifts as 6th grade students engage in an 8‐day unit on the diffusion of ink in hot and cold water. Our findings show that (1) students develop mechanistic explanations as they build agent‐based models, (2) students' mechanistic reasoning can co‐exist with noncanonical explanations, and (3) students shift their thinking toward canonical explanations after comparing their models against data. These findings could inform the design of modeling tools that support learners in both expressing a diverse range of mechanistic explanations of scientific phenomena and aligning those explanations with canonical science.

Comparative analysis of charging and discharging characteristics in novel cold and hot simultaneous energy storage tanks

Energy storage technology is instrumental in reducing energy costs and crucial for balancing demand and supply. This study proposes a cold and hot simultaneous energy storage tank (CAHSEST) for the first time, although its heat transfer characteristics are not yet clear. The objective is to explore the heat transfer properties of CAHSEST. Utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, three-dimensional models for five distinct tanks were developed and comparative analyses were performed focusing on temperature distribution, velocity distribution, thermocline thickness and storage efficiency. The findings indicate that tanks with separated cold and hot water (cases 3–5) exhibit significantly better stratification than those with mixed water (cases 1 and 2), showing higher energy storage efficiency. At a heating time of 3600 s, cases 3 and 5 shows higher heat charging efficiency than other cases. In addition, case 3 achieves the highest cold discharging efficiency of 90.25 %, whereas case 2 has the lowest, at only 15.94 %. Overall, case 3 emerges as the optimal configuration. This research offers technical assistance for the design and understanding heat transfer characteristics of CAHSEST, and provides new directions for achieving long-term heat storage and short-term cold storage.

Modelling Mediterranean ocean biogeochemistry of the Last Glacial Maximum

Abstract. We present results of simulations performed with a physical–biogeochemical ocean model of the Mediterranean Sea for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and analyse the differences in physical and biochemical states between the historical period and the LGM. Long-term simulations with an Earth system model based on ice sheet reconstructions provide the necessary atmospheric forcing data, oceanic boundary conditions at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, and river discharge to the entire basin. Our regional model accounts for changes in bathymetry due to ice sheet volume changes, reduction in atmospheric CO2 concentration, and an adjusted aeolian dust and iron deposition. The physical ocean state of the Mediterranean during the LGM shows a reduced baroclinic water exchange at the Strait of Gibraltar, a more sluggish zonal overturning circulation, and the relocation of intermediate and deep-water-formation areas – all in line with estimates from palaeo-sediment records or previous modelling efforts. Most striking features of the biogeochemical realm are a reduction in the net primary production, an accumulation of nutrients below the euphotic zone, and an increase in the organic matter deposition at the seafloor. This seeming contradiction of increased organic matter deposition and decreased net primary production challenges our view of possible changes in surface biological processes during the LGM. We attribute the origin of a reduced net primary production to the interplay of increased stability of the upper water column, changed zonal water transport at intermediate depths, and lower water temperatures, which slow down all biological processes during the LGM. Cold water temperatures also affect the remineralisation rates of organic material, which explains the simulated increase in the organic matter deposition, which is in good agreement with sediment proxy records. In addition, we discuss changes in an artificial tracer which captures the surface ocean temperature signal during organic matter production. A shifted seasonality of the biological production in the LGM leads to a difference in the recording of the climate signal by this artificial tracer of up to 1 K. This could be of relevance for the interpretation of proxy records like, e.g., alkenones. Our study not only provides the first consistent insights into the biogeochemistry of the glacial Mediterranean Sea but will also serve as the starting point for transient simulations of the last deglaciation.

The impact of the environment of use on the behavior of polychlorinated (vinyl chloride).

Polymers are omnipresent in our daily life thanks to their low production cost and their ease of implementation, which makes thermoplastics more usable in supplying drinking water, distributing cold and hot water, and transporting hot corrosive fluids and industrial chemicals, including inorganic acids. The material of our study is chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC); it has better thermal insulation and a wide operating temperature range. This paper deals with the impact of thermal aging over time on the behavior of CPVC by performing two types of tests according to ISO 15877 (EN ISO 15877) two types of tests; the first is thermal aging (Fig.1) at a temperature of 95°C and a pressure of 10 bars for periods of up to 2000h and the second test exposure of the pipeline to pressure until bursting. On the basis of the test results, we can predict the rupture of the pipeline and thus avoid the dangerous accidents due to the bursting under the effect of the pressure and the high temperature; by using the results of this study, the inspectors change CPVC structures at the right time, neither too early when the part is still in good condition nor too late after failure; this will be very useful to save water and money and of course save the environment.

Generation of Microplastics from Biodegradable Packaging Films Based on PLA, PBS and Their Blend in Freshwater and Seawater.

Biodegradable polymers and their blends have been advised as an eco-sustainable solution; however, the generation of microplastics (MPs) from their degradation in aquatic environments is still not fully grasped. In this study, we investigated the formation of bio-microplastics (BMPs) and the changes in the physicochemical properties of blown packaging films based on polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS) and a PBS/PLA 70/30 wt% blend after degradation in different aquatic media. The tests were carried out in two temperature/light conditions to simulate degradation in either warm water, under sunlight exposure (named Warm and Light-W&L), and cold deep water (named Cold and Dark-C&D). The pH changes in the aqueous environments were evaluated, while the formed BMPs were analyzed for their size and shape alongside with variations in polymer crystallinity, surface and mechanical properties. In W&L conditions, for all the films, the hydrolytic degradation led to the reorganization of the polymer crystalline phases, strong embrittlement and an increase in hydrophilicity. The PBS/PLA 70/30 blend exhibited increased resistance to degradation with respect to the neat PLA and PBS films. In C&D conditions, no microparticles were observed up to 12 weeks of degradation.

Insight into esterified and granular esterified-pregelatinized starch formation during esterification modification: Key role of temperature

The formation conditions and functional property differences of esterified starch (ES) and granular esterified-pregelatinized starch (EPS) synchronously prepared by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) modification remain unclear. In this study, we explored the formation conditions and physicochemical properties of ES and EPS after OSA modification. The modification temperature controlled the formation amount and time for both starch types during OSA modification. Compared to ES, EPS exhibited a higher degree of substitution, cold-water swelling power, water-absorption capacity and apparent viscosity in cold water. The structural characterization confirmed the molecular weight and short/long-range molecular order of ES and EPS decreased. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy indicated EPS retained its granular morphology. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the presence of more starch–lipid complexes formed in EPS than in ES. This study provides a novel method for preparing esterified and granularly esterified–pregelatinized starches that could be used as promising additives in low-energy formula foods.

Investigation Of Strength Development In Conventional And High Strength Concrete Under Different Curing Conditions

The composite material obtained by blending cement, aggregate, water and, when necessary, an additive, placing a mixture with carefully adjusted proportions into molds of the desired shape and size without gaps and hardening under appropriate maintenance conditions, is called concrete or traditional concrete. In the 1960s, concretes with compressive strengths of 41 MPa and 52 MPa were used on the market in the USA. In the recent past, concretes with compressive strengths varying between 80 MPa and 100 MPa have been commercially applied in structures made with in-situ concrete and prestressed concrete structural elements. Strength developments of traditional and high-strength concretes under different curing conditions will be examined. For this purpose, central pressure tests were carried out on cube samples produced. For concrete production; For each aggregate class, cement, saturation water, mixed water and high strength concretes; It was prepared by weighing silica fume and superplasticizer. The prepared samples were stored in standard or cold water for 3 days, 7 days, 28 days and 90 days. In this study, the strength development of traditional and high-strength concretes under different curing conditions was examined experimentally. In accordance with the experimental work plan determined for this investigation, concrete cube samples were produced and these samples were subjected to the central pressure test. The concretes produced are in C55, C20 and C12 classes. As a result, although similar behaviors were observed in high-strength and conventional concretes cured in different environments, it was determined that the difference in curing temperature was more effective on the strength development than the inadequacy of curing in water. It should be noted here that it would be beneficial to conduct similar studies on different types of concrete.

Tamoya haplonema (F. Müller, 1859) (Cnidaria: Cubozoa): indicator of tropicalization in the Southwestern Atlantic?

Tamoya haplonema has been highlighted as a species of Cubozoa with a wide distribution in the western South Atlantic coast. However, recent studies highlight its preference for cold waters and its absence in the summer months in southern Brazil, being considered as having a subtropical distribution. In recent summer seasons, strandings of this species on beaches and stings of bathers have been observed, suggesting that T. haplonema may be responding to a more favorable thermal environment for its development on the coast of Uruguay, with possible increase in its occurrences to the north of Argentina. This possible poleward displacement, if proven, may be related to several factors, including a response to the tropicalization process of the oceans that has been observed worldwide.

Methacrylated Wood Flour-Reinforced Gelatin-Based Gel Polymer as Green Electrolytes for Li-O2 Batteries.

With its very high theoretical energy density, the Li-O2 battery could be considered a valid candidate for future advanced energy storage solutions. However, the challenges hindering the practical application of this technology are many, as for example electrolyte degradation under the action of superoxide radicals produced upon cycling. In that frame, a gel polymer electrolyte was developed starting from waste-derived components: gelatin from cold water fish skin, waste from the fishing industry, and wood flour waste from the wood industry. Both were methacrylated and then easily cross-linked through a one-pot ultraviolet (UV)-initiated free radical polymerization, directly in the presence of the liquid electrolyte (0.5 M LiTFSI in DMSO). The wood flour works as cross-linking points, reinforcing the mechanical properties of the obtained gel polymer electrolyte, but it also increases Li-ion transport properties with an ionic conductivity of 3.3 mS cm-1 and a transference number of 0.65 at room temperature. The Li-O2 cells assembled with this green gel polymer electrolyte were able to perform 180 cycles at 0.1 mA cm-2, at a fixed capacity of 0.2 mAh cm-2, under a constant O2 flow. Cathodes post-mortem analysis confirmed that this electrolyte was able to slow down solvent degradation, but it also revealed that the higher reversibility of the cells could be explained by the formation of Li2O2 in the amorphous phase for a higher number of cycles compared to a purely gelatin-based electrolyte.

The complicated relationship between asthma and swimming

Introduction: Apart from pharmacological treatment, non-pharmacological strategies including physical activity play a significant role in the management of asthma. The aim of this paper is to examine various topics related to swimming and asthma. They include the detailed effect of swimming on asthma control,the potential role of swimming in early childhood asthma development, exercise induced asthma in swimmers as well as the relationship between asthma and cold water swimming. Review methods: This article is based on the literature found in the PubMed Database from the period of 1971-2024 with the use of keywords such as “asthma”, “swimming”, “cold water swimming”, “exercise induced asthma”, “childhood asthma” Description of the state of knowledge: Swimming is a safe form of physical activity for asthma patients.Swimming training enhances aerobic capacity, reduces exercise-induced bronchoconstriction and improves lung function in both pediatric and adult patients. However, there is a concern regarding indoor swimming pools that chlorine can potentially induce airway inflammation. There is research suggesting that early life swimming pool exposure may contribute to the asthma development in atopic children. There is some premise to the thought that cold water swimming may help alleviate asthma symptoms, but it also carries many risks.Swimming is a major cause of exercise induced asthma in professional athletes. Conclusions: Alongside appropriate pharmacological treatment, swimming is a valuable strategy in asthma management in both pediatric and adult asthma patients. The risks of chlorinating pools are still not known to outweigh the benefits of swimming for asthmatics. Further research should be carried out on safety of early swimming in atopic children. Cold water swimming should also be evaluated in terms of safety and potential benefits for asthma patients.

Study of micro texture parameters, optical loss and opt-electrical calculations in CuAlZnO films

In this paper, the CuAlZnO films were deposited by rf-magnetron sputtering in room temperature on glass substrates. In this deposition process, the equilibrium amount of room temperature during deposition of the CuAlZnO films was provided by the flow of cold water at room temperature inside the copper tubes inserted behind the substrate holder. Then they were annealed by an electric furnace in the presence of argon gas for 1 h at different temperatures of 400, 500, and 600 ° C.Micro texture studies of these the CuAlZnO films using the SPIP™ 6.7.4 software, according to ISO 25178–2:2012, in room temperature and using AFM obtained data, were measured. We found that with increasing annealing temperature from 400 to 600 ° C, the uniformity and their mean height of the distribution of scattered nanoparticles on the surface of the CuAlZnO films, on films surface were increased. It can be seen that the CAZnO films annealed at 400 ° C became more irregular surface hence the maximum value of Sq belongs to these films were in about of 0.09674 mm. The core roughness height Sk calculated as a difference between two extreme levels (maximal and minimal) of surface core, for CAZnO films annealed at 500 ° C have maximum value of 0.001537 mm. It can be seen that as deposited CAZnO films have maximum number of high peaks or valleys on their surface. Due to the high polarization of space charges in the top frequency region, the value of log (dielectric loss tan(δ)) in CAZnO films annealed at 500 ° C have maximum value. It was found that CAZO films annealed at 500 ° C have minimum value of surface kurtosis in about of 8.606 mm. In high frequencies, the AC conductivity of CAZnO films annealed at 400 °C has maximum values.

Swimming in cold water increases the browning process by diminishing the Myostatin pathway

BackgroundBrown adipose tissue (BAT) is a thermogenic tissue that uncouples oxidative phosphorylation from ATP synthesis and increases energy expenditure via non-shivering thermogenesis in mammals. Cold exposure and exercise have been shown to increase BAT and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) in mice. This study aimed to determine whether there is an additive effect of exercise during cold exposure on markers related to browning of adipose tissue. in Wistar rats.MethodsTwenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control (C, 25˚C), Swimming in Neutral (SN, 30˚C) water, and Swimming in Cold (SC, 15˚C) water. Swimming included intervals of 2–3 min, 1 min rest, until exhausted, three days a week for six weeks, with a training load of 3–6% body weight. After the experimental protocol, interscapular BAT and inguinal subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) were excised, weighed, and processed for beiging marker gene expression.ResultsSN and SC resulted in lower body weight gain, associated with reduced WAT and BAT volume and increased BAT number with greater effects observed in SC. Myostatin protein expression was lower in BAT, WAT, soleus muscle, and serum NC and SC compared to the C group. Expression of the interferon regulatory factor-4 (IRF4) gene in both BAT and WAT tissues was significantly greater in the SC than in the C. Expression of the PGC-1α in BAT was significantly increased in the SC compared to C and increased in WAT in NC and SC. Expression of the UCP1 in BAT and WAT increased in the SC group compared to other groups.ConclusionThe findings demonstrate that six weeks of swimming training in cold water promotes additive effects of the expression of genes and proteins involved in the browning process of adipose tissue in Wistar rats. Myostatin inhibition may possess a regulator effect on the PGC-1α – UCP1 pathway that mediates adipose tissue browning.

Cold Water Emission Cannot Be Used to Infer Depletion of Bulk Elemental Oxygen [O/H] in Disks

We reexamine the constraints provided by Herschel Space Observatory data regarding cold water emission from protoplanetary disks. Previous disk models that were used to interpret observed water emission concluded that oxygen (O/H) is depleted by at least 2 orders of magnitude if a standard, interstellar gas/dust mass ratio is assumed in the disk. In this work, we use model results from a recent disk parameter survey and show that most of the Herschel constraints obtained for cold water (i.e., for transitions with an upper energy level E up < 200 K, where the bulk of the disk water lies) can be explained with disk models adopting interstellar medium-like oxygen elemental abundance (i.e., O/H = 3.2 × 10−4) and the canonical gas/dust mass ratio of 100. We show that cold water vapor is mainly formed by photodesorption of water ice at the interface between the molecular layer and the midplane, and that its emission is relatively independent of the main disk properties like the disk gas mass and gas/dust mass ratio. We find that the abundance of water vapor in the outer disk is set by photoprocesses and depends on the (constant) vertical column density of water ice needed to attenuate the far-ultraviolet photon flux, resulting in roughly constant emission for the parameters (gas mass, dust mass, disk radius) varied in our survey. Importantly, water line emission is found to be optically thick and hence sensitive to temperature more than abundance, possibly driving previous inferences of large-scale oxygen depletion.

Buoyancy-Assisted Fabrication of Liquid Diode: Janus Nanofibrous Membrane for Efficient Wastewater Treatment.

The pressing need for effective methods to separate oil and water in oily wastewater has spurred the development of innovative solutions. This work presents the creation and evaluation of a Janus nanofibrous membrane, also known as the Liquid Diode, developed using electrospinning (e-spinning) and buoyancy-assisted hydrothermal techniques. The membrane features a unique structure: one side is composed of PVDF nanofibers embedded with a GO/TiO2 composite, exhibiting in-air superhydrophobic and superoleophilic properties, while the reverse side consists of PVDF nanofibers with a ZnO nanorod array, demonstrating in-air superhydrophilic and underwater (UW) superoleophobic properties. This distinct asymmetric wettability enables the membrane to effectively separate both water-in-oil (w-in-o) and oil-in-water (o-in-w) emulsions, achieving an impressive liquid flux and separation efficiency (SEff). The in-air superhydrophobic side of the Janus nanofibrous membrane achieves a maximum oil flux (Fo) of 3506 ± 250 L m-2 h-1, while the in-air superhydrophilic side achieves a maximum water flux (Fw) of 1837 ± 150 L m-2 h-1, with SEff exceeding 98% for both sides. Furthermore, the Janus nanofibrous membrane maintained reliable mechanical stability after 10 cycles of sandpaper abrasion test and demonstrated excellent chemical stability when subjected to acidic, alkaline, cold water and hot water conditions for 24 h. These properties, combined with its ability in breaking down of organic contaminants (98% ± 2% in 210 min) and pharmaceutical contaminants (97% ± 2% in 210 min) under visible light, highlight its photocatalytic potential. Additionally, the membrane's antifouling and antibacterial properties suggest long-term and sustainable use in wastewater treatment applications. The synergistic combination of these superior properties positions the Janus nanofibrous membrane as a promising solution for addressing complex challenges in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

Cyanobacteria in cold waters: A study of nearshore cyanobacteria assemblages in Lake Superior

Cyanobacterial blooms, often associated with warm, eutrophic lakes, are of widespread concern owing to their potential disruption of ecological and public health. Recently, cyanobacterial blooms have been observed in oligotrophic lakes, including Lake Superior, a large cold-water system. Despite recent developments, limited research has targeted phytoplankton assemblages in the northern Lake Superior nearshore, where isolated cyanobacteria blooms have emerged since 2019. In 2019, the cyanobacteria assemblage at 10 nearshore monitoring stations was examined to understand potential bloom-forming taxa and their association with water quality. We observed a diverse cyanobacteria assemblage, with highest densities in spring and biomass in fall. Pseudanabaena limnetica, Dolichospermum flos-aquae and Limnothrix sp. were the most prevalent species across sites and seasons. Variation partitioning analysis revealed that water quality conditions were more influential drivers of cyanobacteria density and biomass than meteorological factors, particularly in regions with elevated nutrient inputs and following stormy conditions. However, at present, cyanobacteria compose <15 % of the total phytoplankton biomass in the study areas. Our monitoring data and recent reports of cyanobacteria blooms on the north shore, suggests that current blooms are not widespread. Nonetheless, we found a diverse array of cyanobacteria taxa, with most capable of producing cyanotoxins. Considering the global uncertainty in the factors contributing to cyanobacteria blooms, in association with the large-scale climatic changes affecting Lake Superior, a proactive approach to assessing risks of blooms is suggested. This should include data-generating efforts (e.g., frequent phytoplankton monitoring and reported blooms investigations) to support future collaborative initiatives focused on managing cyanobacterial blooms.

Evolution, sedimentation and thermal state of the emerging pro‐glacial lakes at Witenwasserengletscher, Switzerland

AbstractAs glaciers retreat worldwide, local basal depressions are exposed where new pro‐glacial lakes are forming. Although the formation of such new lakes has been mapped widely, the impact of their interaction with the glacier on sediment dynamics and the thermal state is rarely studied. At the example of Witenwasserengletscher, Switzerland, we use historic aerial imagery and a bathymetric survey to investigate in detail the interaction of glacier retreat, lake formation and sedimentation. Three lakes have emerged since the mid‐1990s with mean depths between 1.25 and 6 m. The deepest lake lost contact to the ice in 2009 with a delta forming from mobilized sub‐glacial sediment. Phases of direct contact of the glacier with the lakes are found to increase terminus retreat and affect the thermal state and sedimentation. In summer, lake water temperatures in these small ice‐contact lakes stay close to 0°C, whereas the disconnected eastern lake shows temperatures consistently over 6°C. Temperature profiles from 2021 show that after losing ice contact, warm sediment‐rich glacial water forms an underflow that is breaking through the summertime stratification with warm water over cold water. In this case, density stratification is dominated by suspended sediment rather than temperature. Sedimentation shows a high multiannual variability and is dependent on a multitude of factors, ultimately on the routing of glacial streams. These tend to migrate towards the centre of the valley as the glacier retreats. Our study shows that during deglaciation lake evolution, sediment redistribution and the thermal state are highly dynamic and pro‐glacial lakes strongly affect the sediment evolution and may thereby impact on the ecosystem in pro‐glacial streams.

Targeting colon cancer and normal cells with cold plasma-activated water: Exploring cytotoxic effects and cellular responses

Plasma-activated water (PAW), generated by cold plasma, is emerging as a potential treatment for colon cancer. This study focused on its anticancer effects against HCT-116 colon cancer cells, emphasizing the role of pH and conductivity variations due to plasma–fluid reactions. These changes suggest a chemical transformation in PAW, leading to increased acidity and ion presence. The cytotoxic impact of PAW on HCT-116 cells was analyzed using methods like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and microscopic evaluation. PAW exhibited cytotoxicity against HCT-116 cells, but also affected normal colon cells, posing a challenge for selectivity. An 18 h exposure duration was identified as a balance between cancer cell eradication and normal cell preservation. Observed morphological changes indicated apoptotic characteristics in PAW-treated cells, hinting at mechanisms of cancer cell death. PAW-induced reactive oxygen species release mirrored cellular stress, with early apoptotic markers, DNA fragmentation, and increased heat shock proteins (HSPs) signifying complex cellular responses. These findings suggest that PAW can trigger apoptosis and cellular stress pathways cancer cells. However, further studies are necessary for its potential as a cancer therapy.

Hydrogeochemical and rare earth element properties of geothermal waters and the use of abandoned oil wells in Diyarbakır

Türkiye is one of the most tectonically active regions in the world. Diyarbakır, which was chosen as the study area, is located in the south-eastern Anatolian region of Türkiye and also in the south of the Bitlis-Zagros Suture Zone (BZSZ). Some of the geothermal resources in Diyarbakır are actively exploited. The temperature of Çermik geothermal waters was recorded at 40–51 °C by MTA (General Directorate of Mineral Research and Exploration) between 2010 and 2014. However, subsequent measurements conducted following the Kahramanmaraş earthquake (Mw: 7.7 on 6 February 2023) revealed that the surface temperature of geothermal fluids had increased to between 52 and 56 °C. Previous studies have indicated that there are also many abandoned oil wells in the region where the wellhead temperatures are around 107 °C. As a result of hydrogeochemical analyses, deep circulating geothermal waters such as Çermik have Na-HCO3 composition, while shallow circulating and mixed cold surface waters such as Çınar, Bismil and Sur have Na-Ca-Cl-HCO3 composition. According to the chalcedony geothermometer results, the reservoir temperatures in the study area vary between 90 °C and 173 °C. REY (Rare Earth Elements and Yttrium) results show that geothermal fluids in the study area have negative cerium (Ce), europium (Eu) and yttrium (Y) anomalies. The negative Ce anomaly indicates that the colder aquifers are close to oxygen-rich surface waters and thermal fluids interact with Karacadağ volcanic rocks. Eu anomalies in groundwater are controlled by preferential mobilisation of Eu2+ during water-rock interaction compared to Eu3+, and negative Eu anomalies indicate leakage of geothermal fluids from granites. The Y/Ho values of the thermal fluids in the study area are between 30 and 40. This value is due to the active contribution of fluorine during the mobilisation of REY as a fluoride or fluorocarbonate ligand complex, causing Y to behave as a heavy pseudolanthanide. δ18O and δ2H isotope values show that the geothermal waters in the study area are of meteoric origin. The obtained results reveal that Diyarbakir province has a geothermal potential and usage potential can be increased by using the abandoned oil wells.