Hazardous Processes Research Articles

FAULT MAPPING BY DATA OF AEROSPACE SURVEYS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF MAIN PIPELINES (FOR EXAMPLE OF THE SECTION CHAYVO-DE-KASTRI PIPELINE)

Link for citation: Kuptsova O.V., Melkiy V.A., Verkhoturov A.A., Dolgopolov D.V. Fault mapping by data of aerospace surveys to ensure the safety of main pipelines (by the example of the section Chayvo–De-Kastri oil pipeline). Bulletin of the Tomsk Polytechnic University. Geo Аssets Engineering, 2023, vol. 334, no. 6, рр.92-102.In Rus. The relevance of the research is caused by the need to identify the hazardous geological processes during the construction and operation of pipelines. The Russian Federation ranks second in the world in terms of the total length of main pipelines, where accidents sometimes occur as result of the negative impact of natural and man-made factors. The main hazardous geological processes affecting pipelines are displacements in zones of active faults in the earth's crust. Diagnostics of the presence of fault zones in the territory planned for the construction of linear structures makes it possible to identify potentially dangerous areas that should be paid close attention, and to organize constant monitoring in places of possible movements of soil masses. Based on economic considerations, it is advisable to conduct research using Earth remote sensing data, and use modern geoinformation products for data processing. Monitoring using remote sensing allows you to quickly assess the changing engineering and geological conditions in the areas where the pipeline is laid, as well as detect signs of the occurrence of natural processes that pose danger to infrastructure facilities. Monitoring of corridors of main pipeline routes must be carried out by all available means during construction and operation. The use of ArcGIS, QGIS and LEFA software in combination with geophysical data provided by the Unified Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences makes it possible to assess seismic activity, its intensity and the nature of the relationship with faults. The main aim of the research is to identify and show on the map the most dangerous areas with active fault zones, that pose a potential threat of negative impact on the pipeline during operation. Objects: space images of the corridor of the main pipeline route to identify ruptures of a seismogenic nature, maps of earthquake epicenters previously identified near the pipeline route. Methods: interpretation of satellite images, methods of geoinformation modeling, mapping, statistical methods, methods of automated lineament analysis, methods for changing the resolution, size and visibility of images without loss of information quality, such as interpolation and aggregation methods, spatial analysis of the interdependence of fault zones and earthquakes, compilation of geoinformation. Results. The analysis of geological, geophysical and satellite information about the territory where the pipeline was laid was carried out in order to identify fault zones. Automated lineament analysis of images in different spectral ranges and with different spatial resolution made it possible to identify the most probable fault zones. The seismic activity of the study area was estimated on the basis of geophysical data. Potentially dangerous sections of the study area, along which the main pipeline is laid, are identified and presented on the map, characterized by the presence of fault zones and increased seismic activity.

Useful properties of natural systems within specific parts of the North-Western Black Sea Region's coastal zone

The paper characterizes the term 'ecosystem services' i.e. useful resources and benefits that present-day humanity can receive from nature (both tangible and intangible benefits from the abiogenic and biogenic components of various natural ecosystems). The purpose of the work is to assess the beneficial properties of natural systems of certain parts of the coastal zone of the North-Western Black Sea. There is a quite broad approach to the very concept of ‘ecosystem services’. However, the connection of ecosystem services with natural ecosystems only and their free of charge essence may be often disregarded. The term ‘ecosystem services’ is not appropriate, since natural ecosystems cannot provide any services considering that 'a service' means an act or a purposeful action. Nature exists and does not provide any services, while natural resources and conditions exist independently of human beings.
 The term ‘services’ cannot be used in relation to natural ecosystems, since ‘services’ mean some purposeful activity of a person resulting in occurrence of a beneficial effect that can satisfy any human needs. In the sphere of nature management a natural system serves as a main object of research. When it comes to optimizing the nature management, it is more correct to speak about use of a certain part of natural resources, i.e. about a natural resources potential, rather than about use of them in their entirety. A number of scientists believe that the value of nature is infinite, and, therefore, cannot have a monetary equivalent. However, at present days, the economic valuation of ecosystem services is extremely important to ensure efficient nature management and can form a basis for making informed management decisions. This approach is dominant though, because such monetization helps people in their understanding of importance of conserving the biogenic and abiogenic components of natural systems for the sake of their lives. Instead of the term ‘ecosystem services’ the author suggests using the concept of ‘useful properties of natural systems’, i.e. their providing, regulating and cultural services, as well as supporting properties. The useful properties of natural systems are limited by both hazardous natural processes and physical, chemical and biological pollution of anthropogenic origin. The research offers an assessment of useful properties of natural systems within specific parts of the North-Western Black Sea Region's coastal zone (in Odesa Oblast). These natural ecosystems can provide tangible benefits, however, the possibility of using their beneficial properties is negatively affected by a progressing technogenic impact on the components of the natural environment of urbanization processes, development of industries, energy, transport and agricultural sectors of our economy, and, starting from February 2022, by the military activities and combat operations.

Robust synthesis of water stable ciprofloxacin functionalized hybrid metal-organic antimicrobial pigments for coating applications

Pigment production by calcination process at high temperatures (up to 1000 °C) or through diazotization process using toxic aromatic amines makes it an energy-intensive and hazardous process. To overcome these, a hybrid system of organic-inorganic coordination polymers has been synthesized by combining carboxymethylated diols and metal ions in aqueous conditions to produce metal-organic pigments (MOP's) at a low temperature of 70 °C. The poor water stability of these materials was overcome by introducing a pair of ether linkages in each ligand that can effectively repel the water molecules and preserve the structural integrity. The resultant MOP's retained their crystallinity even after incubating them for 24 h in aqueous and acidic conditions. UV-DRS studies showed the band gap of the MOP's at 2.78 and 2.38 eV leading to the formation of reddish-brown and yellow-colored pigments. The MOP's were able to cover the defects and uniformly impart color upon spray coating. Additionally, ciprofloxacin (CF) was functionalized onto the MOP's with a loading efficiency of 230 ± 15 mg/g reaching 92 ± 1.5% uptake and the XPS analysis revealed interaction between the free metal sites on MOP and carboxylic acid group present in CF through coordinate linkages. The CF functionalized MOP's were able to arrest the growth of tested microbes up to 96% resulting in fabrication of antimicrobial pigments that can be explored for the construction of antifouling surfaces.

Environmentally Sustainable and Multifunctional Chrome-like Coatings Having No Chromium Designed with Reinforcement Learning.

Decorative chrome plating (DCP) continues to be ubiquitous in creating highly appealing metal finishings and coatings, beating out other organic dye-based finishes. However, the hazardous chrome plating process is fraught with adverse health effects for the workers involved and causes significant environmental damage. In this work, we present a multilayer thin film structure to mimic the chrome appearance. To find a design efficiently, we employ a reinforcement learning (RL) algorithm to perform an automatic inverse design. This results in structures composed of environmentally friendly materials that not only have the chrome color but can also achieve additional functions beyond decoration. As an example, one structure is designed to have high transmission in the radio frequency regime, a property that general metals cannot have, which can broaden the decorative chrome applications to include microwave operating devices. The experimental structures are fabricated by physical vapor deposition to demonstrate the indistinguishable chrome color and validate the effectiveness of the RL inverse design approach.

Analysis of the chosen thermal and flammability parameters of dried sewage dust

The hazardous sludge disposal process in the form of landfills requires the determination inter alia of the flammable and explosion properties of dried sewage sludge dust, which has the ability to ignite and spontaneously combust when stored in silos. At a constant furnace surface temperature, the minimum ignition temperature of the sludge dust layer with a layer thickness of 5 mm is 270 °C, and for a layer thickness of 12.5 mm it is 250 °C. Two selected fire extinguishing powders for Class A, B, C and D fires were used in the study to determine the possibility of reducing the susceptibility of dried wastewater to ignition from heated surface, self-ignition and explosion parameters. The most effective extinguishing powder was ABC Favorit, which increased the value of the minimum ignition temperature of the layer (5 mm thick) to 360 °C and the spontaneous ignition temperature of the sludge with this powder increased by 22 °C at 169.6 cm3 in comparison to the sludge without extinguishing powder, respectively. The lowest self-ignition temperature of 136 °C was recorded for the largest tested volume (169.6 cm3) for dried sewage dust without any fire extinguishing powders. The biggest values of pmax and (dp/dt)max dried sewage dust were recorded 4.8 bar and 113 bar/s respectively. By analysing the obtained test results, it can be assumed that dried sewage dust is a combustible material with properties similar to biomass.

Three-dimensional distribution of mass movement signals in disturbed Picea abies (L.) Karst.

Dendrogeomorphologic approaches enable annual absolute dating of various potentially hazardous geomorphic processes. This study tested the dating precision of three commonly used dendrogeomorphic approaches used for the extraction of geomorphic signals from the tree ring series of disturbed trees. The first approach is based on the onset of reaction wood occurrence, and the other two approaches are based on the detection of abrupt changes in tree ring eccentricity. Nine 165 cm long stems of maximally 27 year old Norway spruces (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) growing on unstable slope affected by mass movement events of known age were analysed. Several sampling directions on stems were analysed to reveal the best sampling strategy for each tested approach. The relationships between stem curvature and the dating precision of the approaches were also analysed. The results of dating precision showed crucial differences between the tested approaches. Tree stem curvature did not influence dating precision. Overall, we concluded that the approaches based on eccentric increments are less precise than those based on reaction wood analysis when juvenile P. abies trees that grow on landslide slope are sampled. The importance of this study is in providing new insight into dating precision by analysing the whole tree stems of trees influenced by mass movements. This is unique since the approaches based on eccentricity increments have not been previously tested in such a detail.

Geoecological Hazards Under the Conditions of Climate Changes in the Subtropical Zone of the Caucasus

The subtropical zone of the Caucasus is one of the most attractive areas for life, which contributes to population growth, and, as a result, additional development of previously undeveloped natural areas. Under the conditions of climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressures, the stability of ecosystems is reduced, and the likelihood of hazardous processes is increasing. The objectives of the work are: a review of the scientific literature on the problems of the development of dangerous geoecological processes in the subtropical zone of the Caucasus under the conditions of climate change, the study of achievements in the field of research, a comparison of various concepts, the definition of the theoretical basis and methods of research, justification of the relevance of the topic, the development of hypotheses and assumptions that will be verified in future research.

A Risk-Data-Based Human Reliability Analysis for Chemical Experiments with Hazardous Processes

In recent years, chemical experiment accidents have frequently occurred, resulting in injuries and fatalities among researchers. It is crucial to address this issue to improve laboratory safety. Based on many publications, it is clear that human error makes a major contribution to many laboratory accidents which contain hazardous processes. However, there is limited research focusing on human error in laboratory safety, and there is also a lack of effective measures to assess Human Error Probability (HEP) for experimental process safety. Therefore, we propose an improved Cognitive Reliability and Error Analysis Method (CREAM) which is based on risk data to assess the HEP during hazardous processes in chemical experiments. The proposed method adjusts nine Common Performance Conditions (CPCs) in conventional CREAM to make them suitable to describe chemical experiments. Then, in contrast to the traditional approach, this study uses the definition of risk as the support to collect CPC data from the perspectives of possibility and severity, so as to improve the rationality of the data and decrease the subjectivity of expert judgment. Afterwards, the weight value of each CPC is calculated through Gray Relation Analysis (GRA) based on the collected risk data of each CPC. Meanwhile, the collected risk data are used to determine the fuzzy degrees of each CPC, the activated fuzzy If-Then rules, and the corresponding rule weights. Finally, the CPCs’ membership degrees, the CPCs’ weights, and If-Then rule weights are integrated together to acquire the HEP by defuzzification. In short, the proposed method changes the CPCs to ensure they are suitable, and then it innovatively uses risk data as the source to directly and indirectly determine the CPC’s fuzzy degree, the CPC’s importance weight, and the If-Then rule weight by fuzzy theory and GRA for collecting final HEP results. This method was tested on a selected chemical experiment, “preparation of active ferrous sulfide”, which contains hazardous processes. Through the proposed method, the HEP of each procedure in the selected risky chemical experiment could be determined, and among the procedures, the highest HEP was 1.51 × 10−3. In addition, with the HEP results, several subtasks with a high risk of human error could be identified. The results matched the real situations.

Morphometry and evolution of sinkholes on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Implications for susceptibility assessment

Sinkhole development is a hazardous geomorphic process responsible for increasing economic losses worldwide. The highly dynamic eogenetic salt karst of the Dead Sea is one of the most striking examples of a human-enhanced sinkhole hazard. Since the 1980s, the shores of the Dead Sea have been affected by thousands of sinkholes while the lake level has been declining. Sinkholes pose a major threat, but their rapid development also offers an exceptional opportunity to study their evolution. Although the evolution of the morphometry and distribution of sinkholes provides essential data for hazard assessment, this kind of studies are almost lacking because of the typical slowness of the processes. Here we present multi-temporal cartographic sinkhole inventories of a sector in the western shore of the Dead Sea. The database was constructed using aerial and satellite imagery, high-resolution three-dimensional photogrammetric models, and fieldwork. Most of the depressions mapped were single, small, relatively shallow, subcircular, collapse sinkholes nested within large sagging basins. From 2005 to 2021, the 702 new sinkholes have been concentrated along a narrow N-S-oriented strip comprising tightly packed alignments and clusters. Sinkhole expansion by mass wasting and coalescence play an essential role in the evolution of the sinkhole landscape. An average subsidence rate of 45 cm/year has been calculated for the total area affected by sinkholes, providing an indirect estimate for the rate of subsurface salt dissolution. This research illustrates how multi-temporal geomorphic mapping and morphometric analyses provide an objective basis for the development of reliable spatial predictions for sinkhole evolution.

Geodynamics of the Caucasus – Anatolian-Arabian region and Turkey-Syria Earthquakes 2023

The activation of natural disasters in the world requires the development of new approaches to the study of geological processes, in particular, at the boundaries of lithospheric plates, characterized by earthquakes, increased seismicity, volcanism, landslide processes, tsunamis and other dangerous natural processes and hazards. Earthquake of M 7.8 struck south -eastern Turkey and north - western Syria on 6 February 2023. The M 7.8 earthquake is the largest in Turkey since the 1939 Erzincan earthquake, and the second-strongest recorded in the country, after the 1668 North Anatolia earthquake. More than 52,800 deaths were confirmed: more than 46,100 in Turkey, and more than 6,700 in Syria. It is the deadliest natural disaster in Turkey's modern history. The earthquakes caused over US$100 billion in damages. The geodynamic models construction for the deep structure of natural hazards regions is an important contribution to the study of active continental margins, which is necessary for the earthquake forecast, prediction and prognosis, assessing geoecological risks and preparing population actions in the event of natural disasters and catastrophes. The Caucasus - Arabian region is a complex highly-stressed geodynamic structure, characterized by increased heat flow, high seismicity, magmatism and volcanism. The geodynamics of the Caucasus - Arabian region is determined by the collision of the Eurasian and Arabian lithosphere plates, as well as the complex history of the development of the Alpine-Himalayan belt and surrounding territories. The problem solution of geological structures formation and evolution in various complex geodynamic settings and natural hazards forecast and prognosis requires an analysis of all available geological - geophysical data, as well as the formulation and solution of problems of mechanical and mathematical modeling. Slow lithospheric deformations are simulated by models of viscous flow in multi-layered, incompressible, high-viscosity Newtonian fluid, using Navier-Stocks equation and discontinuity equation. The solution of the inverse problem of geodynamics by the direct method is developed. The first inverse problem of geodynamics was solved - the restoration of the velocity fields, pressures and stresses at the depth of the lithosphere according to the available data on the velocities on the surface. The second inverse problem of geodynamics has been posed and solved - the determination of the movement of boundaries at the depth of the lithosphere based on the given movements of the surface. The solutions obtained can be used to analyze deep geodynamic problems, and together with geothermal modeling, geological and geophysical methods and seismic tomography can serve as a reliable apparatus for studying deep geodynamics due to the formation and evolution of geological structures and the lithosphere stress-strain state researches. The solution of the problem is analyzed on the example of the Caucasus - Arabian region geodynamics. The Geodynamic concept of geoenvironment has been developed. Geodynamic models of the regions of hazardous natural processes in order to predict and prevent natural disasters and catastrophes are constructed. An algorithm for creating monitoring systems is suggested.

EVALUATION OF NATURAL RISK CHANGES WITHIN EROSIONAL THERMOKARST PLAINS UNDER THE IMPACT OF CLIMATIC TRENDS

The relevance of assessing risk to engineering structures from geohazards is determined by changing natural conditions in the permafrost zone. Risk assessment by statistical methods directly is accompanied by certain difficulties. Accumulation of statistics requires a significant amount of time, and this time is often comparable to the time of engineering structure operation. The most difficult stage of risk assessment is the assessment of the probability of damage to engineering structures caused by a hazardous geological process. The aim of the study was to substantiate the method for solving this problem on the territory of thermokarst plains with fluvial erosion for linear engineering structures using the methods of mathematical landscape morphology. Mathematical landscape morphology allows us to proceed to the quantitative risk assessment. The first step of applying methods of mathematical landscape morphology is to divide the area into homogenous by the process development sections. The method is based on the model that was proposed by the authors for the development of the morphological structure of thermokarst plains with fluvial erosion under conditions of an asynchronous start, which is realized according to empirical verification in most of cases. The model of risk assessment was applied to 4 key areas located under different physico-geographical conditions, but having morphological homogeneity. Using satellite images of different periods, the delineation of thermokarst lakes and khasyreys was carried out. The average density of the number of lesions in different areas varies from 0.00026 year–1 to 0.00104 year–1, and there is no clear trend of change with time. According to quantitative experimental data, there has been a site-differentiated change in the risk of damage to linear structures within the thermokarst plains with fluvial erosion over the past few decades (46–56 years). The probability of damage to linear engineering structures has changed significantly in plot 35 (Yano-Indigirskaya lowland), which confirms the chi-square test. The probability of defeat increased by 6–9 times according to the estimates obtained. This situation is observed when the lengths of linear structures are 3–4 km. However, in most of the key areas, there is no significant change in the probability of damage, despite ongoing climate change.

Public perception and preferences for coastal risk management: Evidence from a convergent parallel mixed-methods study

Coastal ecosystems are exposed to unprecedented levels of human pressure and to the cumulative effects of climate change. Altogether, these threats have been exposing coastal areas to augmented hazardous processes, leaving communities highly vulnerable to coastal risks and challenging the coastal management paradigm. Disregarding public perceptions of coastal risk management may be myopic and, thus, an obstacle to the success of the efforts towards coastal risks' mitigation and adaptation. Therefore, this study aims at comprehensively ascertain public perception and preferences for coastal risk management, through a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative study accounted for 3028 participants that enrolled in the population-based survey. The qualitative study accounted for 320 participants that responded to the e-interview. Data were analysed independently and triangulated for further interpretation. Evidence from this study suggests that citizens prioritize the intrinsic value of coastal systems, when favouring a risk adaptation strategy. Therefore, ecosystem-based adaptation measures were highlighted, in detriment of grey infrastructure. Additionally, and due to the reported high levels of public authorities' distrust, the public seems to urge for a transition from a technocratic to a participatory coastal management, in which public's preferences are legitimized. Consequently, and in order to decentralize coastal governance, citizens demonstrated a proactive disposition to actively engage in coastal management. Findings from this study were discussed in order to provide guidance to the development of tailored coastal management initiatives and policy tools, which are expected to be effective at enhancing coastal communities' resilience to hazardous processes and augmenting citizens' engagement in coastal management.

Hazardous Waste Management at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Ihiala, Anambra State

Hazardous waste products are drugs that are now not highly required and thus have no actual or customer value at an allocated time or location. Countless raw materials used or manufactured in metabolic pathways must have hazardous qualities. The important hazardous waste publications usually involve heavy industry, physician, and residential squanders, and actually happen in stable, solvent, or vapor. These waste products seem to be consolidated and/or just have inherent or inherent physiochemical individuality of cytotoxic activity, combustible material, standard test, and reactions. Managing hazardous wastes is always of incredible symbolic importance to people, socio, environmental, and economic health conditions. Hazardous wastewater reuse process in the maternity ward may not be in concurrence with the top global methodologies. Many harmful byproducts are tossed carelessly, which encompasses hazop to the climate and confronted public health troubles. This investigation will inform the general public, vested interests in environment protection, student academic, and governmental policy producers on the concerns of waste disposal focusing on health facilities with a view to assessing best practices to fight the scourge linked to poor hazardous waste management. But progress remains a challenging task, such there still is a lack of available effective steps to still be chosen to take towards workable practices to the issues.

Biosynthesis of Zirconium dioxide nanoparticles by Streptomyces sp. HC1: Characterization and Bioactivity

Nanoparticles can be synthesized in many different ways. However, synthesis methods that are except of biosynthesis are very expensive and environmentally hazardous processes. Nanoparticles with various morphologies and shapes are frequently used in biosynthesis studies due to the advantages of their small size. Bio-synthesized nanoparticles gain great importance for reasons such as prevention of environmental pollution and being economical. Zirconium dioxide nanoparticles(ZrO2 NPs) are prominent especially in dental coatings and photocatalytic applications. With this study, for the first time, zirconium dioxide nanoparticles biologically synthesized with Streptomyces sp. HC1 strain were produced. The bio-synthesized ZrO2 NPs were characterized different methods and instruments. Then the nanoparticles were studied their bioactivity especially antimicrobial and antibiofilm.The results confirmed the efficient antimicrobial effect of zirkonium dioxide nanoparticles as well as efficient antibiofilm effect. The synthesis of ZrO2 nanoparticles from Streptomyces sp. HC1 by biological synthesis and determination of the bioactivity of these nanoparticles were reported for the first time in this work.

Transition to sustainable development in the tanning industry: Evidence from leather value chain in Tamil Nadu, India

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), while balancing the three dimensions of sustainability, are latent about the pathways to achieve it. The transition may involve trade‐offs between the different dimensions of sustainable development, like balancing the socio‐economic dimension with environmental limits. The paper attempts to demonstrate some of these channels for the leather value chain in India, which is a conspicuous source of precarious labour and polluting industrial processes. Interacting the firm's objectives with value chain governance, we introduce four quadrants for the transition to sustainability. Combining voices from the field with a novel dataset, we provide evidence of the intersections between socio‐economic and environmental sustainability illustrative of countries in the global South. The precarity of work and inadequate upgrading of the production process co‐exist in most firms. We find that firms tend to hover around baseline economies of lower costs, work precarity and hazardous processes while exhibiting inertia for a transition. However, a few units are either transitioning or have nearly attained decent work practices and progress to cleaner technologies. The sustainability transition demands engagement in the social and economic upgrading of production processes and organisational practices. It is multi‐dimensional, ameliorating precarious labour and upgrading to cleaner technologies.

All-natural, eco-friendly composite foam for highly efficient atmospheric water harvesting

Water is vital for life, yet about 10 % of the world population lacks access to it. The atmosphere is a ubiquitous and abundant water reservoir, equivalent to 10 % of the freshwater in all lakes on earth. Existing absorbent materials for atmospheric water extraction, such as silica gels, zeolites, and metal-organic frameworks, suffer from either low water capture capacity or expensive and hazardous fabrication processes. Here we demonstrate an all-natural, eco-friendly composite foam with high performance in atmospheric water harvesting in both non-arid and arid environments, solely powered by natural sunlight without any other energy input. The composite foam is made of natural and earth-abundant cellulose and graphite via an aqueous process (no organic solvent used), followed by carbonization and LiCl doping. The foam can absorb water over 670 % of its weight from an atmosphere at 90 % relative humidity (RH) and quickly release 95 % of absorbed water under sunlight irradiation in 1 h. Remarkable daily water production of 1.24 g g−1 day−1 in an arid environment (30 % RH) and 2.83 g g−1 day−1 in a non-arid environment (30 %−60 % RH) has been achieved, outperforming existing absorbent materials. The all-natural composite foam is also eco-friendly and non-toxic, promising a feasible and efficient green solution to atmospheric water harvesting.

Wildfires as a Source of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Soil: A Case Study from Campania Region (Italy)

The worldwide increase in fire events has attracted global attention, as potentially toxic elements (PTEs) have been widely recognised within the produced ash. Ash is transported, dispersed by wind, and deposited into the soil and surficial waters even far from fires. Considering that their composition can be enriched in PTEs, they represent a potential hazard for humans and other animals exposed to airborne particles and, afterwards, to resuspended matter, even at a considerable distance from the source. This study aimed to assess the environmental impact of fire events that occurred during the 2017 summer season at two different sites in the Campania region (Southern Italy). One of the fires affected a waste disposal site west of Caserta, and one involved a forest on the slopes of Mt. Somma-Vesuvius, a few kilometres southeast of Naples, the regional capital. Changes to the PTE concentration in the topsoil in the surroundings of both sites, after the fire events, were investigated. Enrichment factors (EFs) of a selection of PTEs were determined by comparing geochemical data from two sampling campaigns, one completed before and one after the fire events. A combined application of multivariate statistics (based on robust principal component analysis; RPCA) and geospatial analysis was used to determine the materials affected by the fire on the slopes of Mt. Somma-Vesuvius, and roughly locate their place. Specifically, a statistically significant enrichment of Hg was identified in the topsoil of both study areas. In addition, in soil samples collected at Mt. Somma-Vesuvius, more PTEs showed significant changes in their concentration. For both areas, Hg enrichments were related to the deposition of ash proceeding from waste burning; furthermore, as regards the soil of the Vesuvian area, Cr and Cd enrichments were associated with the fallout of ash generated during biomass combustion, and the increase in Cu and Zn concentrations was linked to the burning of crops on cultivated lands. Apart from the specific results obtained, concerning the examined case studies, the methods applied can be seen as a reliable option to determine the compositional characteristics of materials burned during a fire event, even with the prospect of improving the eventual assessment process of the related environmental hazards.

Full participation flat closed-loop safety management method for offshore wind power construction sites

This study aims to develop a full participation flat closed-loop (FPFCL) safety management method for offshore wind power (OWP) construction sites. People participation in safety management is improved by giving rewards based on evolutionary game theory. The method avoids management deficiencies due to information loss by reducing redundant management hierarchies and establishing point-to-point communication. The closed-loop mechanism ensures that a safety hazard is timely rectified. Meanwhile, an OWP safety management system (OWPsafety) is developed based on the social media platform (WeChat). The functions of the system include safety hazard report, processing center, and personal center. The software runs on smartphones and allows all stakeholders to participate in safety management, leveraging the advantages of social media in the sharing of knowledge. The benefits of this systematic approach include the elimination of time and space isolation, the interconnection between different construction parties, and the promotion of participation. The proposed method and system were applied to four OWP construction sites. The monthly rectification rate of safety hazards is maintained at more than 91%. Successful on-site tests demonstrated that the method and system can effectively solve the safety management challenges in OWP projects.

On the quality checking of persistent scatterer interferometry data by spatial-temporal modelling

Abstract Today, rapid growth in infrastructure development and urbanisation process increases the attention for accurate deformation monitoring on a relatively large-scale. Furthermore, such deformation monitoring is of great importance in the assessment and management of natural hazard processes like landslides, earthquakes, and floods. In this study, the Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) technique is applied using open-source Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data from the satellite Sentinel-1. It allows point-wise deformation monitoring based on time series analysis of specific points. It also enables performing spatio-temporal area-based deformation monitoring. Currently, these data do not have a sophisticated quality assurance process to judge the significance of deformations. To obtain different quality classes of the Persistent Scatterer (PS) data points, the first step is to classify them into buildings and ground types using LoD2 building models. Next, time series analysis of the PS points is performed to model systematic and random errors. It allows estimation of the offset and the deformation rate for each point. Finally, spatio-temporal modelling of neighbourhood relations of the PS points is carried out using local geometric patches which are approximated with a mathematical model, such as, e.g., multilevel B-Splines. Subsequently, the quality of SAR data from temporal and spatial neighbourhood relations is checked. Having an appropriate spatio-temporal quality model of the PS data, a deformation analysis is performed for areas of interest in the city of Hamburg. In the end, the results of the deformation analysis are compared with the BodenBewegungsdienst Deutschland (Ground Motion Service Germany) provided by the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), Germany.

Utilization of liquid nitrogen as efficient inhibitor upon thermal runaway of 18650 lithium ion battery in open space

The thermal runaway (TR) of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has become a potential danger of serious fire and explosion, which threatens people's life and property safety. Therefore, the timely and effective methods are urgently needed to suppress this hazardous process. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop efficient TR inhibitors. Liquid nitrogen (LN) has been widely concerned as an efficient and environmentally friendly fire extinguishing medium. In this paper, TR device of LIBs in open space is investigated, and the effectiveness of LN in restraining the TR of LIBs is studied under different heating power, spray direction, state of charge (SOC) and spray time. The results show that LN has excellent inhibition effect on TR, and the mean cooling rate of LIBs surface temperature decreases with the increase of heating power. Vertical spraying is better than horizontal spraying for cooling and extinguishing. The average cooling rate of battery surface temperature decreases with the increase of SOC. The average cooling rate of battery surface temperature decreases with the shortening of the time.