Northern Climatic Conditions Research Articles

Effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide on soil animal trophic groups and associated ecosystem functioning in a northern agricultural field

Despite an increasing concern of consequences of using vast amounts of glyphosate-based herbicides in agroecosystems, their potential effects on non-target soil organisms and soil functioning are mostly unknown. It has also been argued that fields in northern latitudes should be under special surveillance as the short active period of decomposers may restrict glyphosate degradation. We investigated the effects of a glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup, on the abundance of enchytraeids and nematodes, both essential groups in decomposer food webs, and plant litter mass loss and soil availability of mineral N in a two-year agricultural field setting in south-west Finland. Our experiment consisted of (1) non-treated weed plots, (2) plots, where weeds were killed by hoeing, and (3) plots treated with both Roundup and hoeing. We found that killing plants by hoeing had drastic effects on soil fauna and functioning, and apparently, distinguishing these effects from direct glyphosate effects is profoundly important when evaluating glyphosate risks in soils. In contrast, the effects of Roundup on soil fauna and functioning were minor and transient and no glyphosate remains were found in the soil at the end of the experiment. These results suggest that side-effects can be minor and glyphosate degradation effective also in soil under northern climatic conditions.

Energy Performance, Indoor Air Quality and Comfort in New Nearly Zero Energy Day-care Centres in Northern Climatic Conditions

The European energy policy pushes the member states to transform building stock into nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB). This paper is focused on data collected from existing nZEB day-care centres,in order to be able to assess possible differences between predicted and actual energy and indoorenvironmental performance. Building structures, service systems and the indoor climate and energyperformance of five day-care centres were investigated in Estonia, Finland and Norway.Indoor climate condition measurements showed that in general, the thermal environment and indoor airquality corresponded to the highest indoor climate categories I and II (EN 15251). Building heating andventilation systems in studied buildings are working without major problems. Good indoor climate conditions were also reflected in the occupant satisfaction questionnaires. For most of the studied buildings, over 80%of the people marked all indoor environment condition parameters (thermal comfort, indoor air quality,acoustics, odour and illuminance) acceptable. The thermal environment in the cooling season was reportedproblematic because it was lower than the minimum temperature for indoor climate category II.Energy consumption analysis showed that measured real energy use was higher, or even significantlyhigher, than the energy use calculated during the design phase. Potential causes of the higher actualenergy consumption are caused by differences of measured and designed solutions, methodology of theenergy calculations, and the differences in user behaviour.Lessons learnt from previously constructed day-care centres can be utilised in the planning and designof new nZEBs.

Energy Performance, Indoor Air Quality and Comfort in New Nearly Zero Energy Day-care Centres in Northern Climatic Conditions

The European energy policy pushes the member states to transform building stock into nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (nZEB). This paper is focused on data collected from existing nZEB day-care centres,in order to be able to assess possible differences between predicted and actual energy and indoorenvironmental performance. Building structures, service systems and the indoor climate and energyperformance of five day-care centres were investigated in Estonia, Finland and Norway.Indoor climate condition measurements showed that in general, the thermal environment and indoor airquality corresponded to the highest indoor climate categories I and II (EN 15251). Building heating andventilation systems in studied buildings are working without major problems. Good indoor climate conditions were also reflected in the occupant satisfaction questionnaires. For most of the studied buildings, over 80%of the people marked all indoor environment condition parameters (thermal comfort, indoor air quality,acoustics, odour and illuminance) acceptable. The thermal environment in the cooling season was reportedproblematic because it was lower than the minimum temperature for indoor climate category II.Energy consumption analysis showed that measured real energy use was higher, or even significantlyhigher, than the energy use calculated during the design phase. Potential causes of the higher actualenergy consumption are caused by differences of measured and designed solutions, methodology of theenergy calculations, and the differences in user behaviour.Lessons learnt from previously constructed day-care centres can be utilised in the planning and designof new nZEBs.

Invasion potential of herbaceous ornamental perennials in northern climate conditions

We studied invasion potential of perennial herbaceous ornamental plants in Finland by using their reproduction success as an indicator. Altogether, 220 clones from 166 species were included in the studies. In common gardens, 50% of the species were found to produce seedlings and 75% rhizomes, respectively. Twelve of the clones produced neither seedlings nor rhizomes. Rankings of the invasion potential based on the two reproduction modes did not correlate. The species known for their invasion potential in temperate or cool climates were among the highest ranking seedling producers in the common gardens. In the field experiment, the highest seedling production (73%) was found in the semi-dry moisture regime, followed by the dry (40%) and the moist (27%) regimes. In the greenhouse experiment, 83% of the studied clones and 84% of the species emerged. Temperature sum required for the production of viable seeds for one third of the studied species is reached at least every second year in latitudes 62–63°N. Several perennial herbaceous ornamentals have potential for northward range expansion.

Constructive features of the bank protection structure of water recreation facility in Arkhangelsk

The objective of the study is projecting and calculation of shore protection structure of the water recreation facility in northern climatic conditions of Arkhangelsk city. In the course of study, three constructive solutions including anchored or non-anchored Larsen dowel wall were projected based on geotechnical conditions of Arkhangelsk. Geotechnical conditions include physico-mechanical and strength characteristics of soils, determined in accordance with the geological regulations. The calculation of bank protection structures was performed in PLAXIS 3D Foundation package by the finite element method. The study represents diagrams and graphics showing the deformations of bank protection structure. The result of the study is a solution chosen according to the reliability criterion. Recommendations and directions for the future research were proposed.

Moisture performance of mineral wool insulation products in highly insulated structures

The effect of thermal insulation materials on the drying of structures has been studied in this paper. The drying times are especially important for structures having fresh concrete layers that have to be dried out before they can be coated and finished. The presented work includes numerical simulation studies carried out for general material properties of common thermal insulation materials.The simulation studies were carried out for typical concrete wall structures: Concrete sandwich elements, rendered exterior insulation and ventilated façades. The drying efficiency of the structures was simulated under northern climate conditions and typical indoor conditions for apartment houses. The main moisture source was the building moisture in concrete layers. The drying times were compared and the moisture flow rates between the material layers were studied.The results show that open fibre insulations materials, like stone wool, can improve significantly the drying of the inner concrete layer of the structure. However, the overall drying of the structure does not have a clear correlation with the insulation material.

Hygrothermal Simulation of Wood Exposed To the Effect of External Climate

The article is focused on simulation of moisture transfer in wood of norway spruce (Picea abies L.). Experimental specimen was exposed to the northern climatic conditions in Lund University, Sweden. The moisture content of wood was measured 10 mm from the surface for nearly three years. The ABAQUS program was used for numerical modelling of moisture transfer simulation in 3D. The surface sorption of wood was simulated using user defined subroutine DFLUX developed by VTT Research Centre of Finland Ltd. for the needs of European Project Durable Timber Bridges. Climate data for the analysis was used from insitu measurement nearby realized by weather station. The temperature, relative humidity of the air and precipitation data was record each hour. Numerical analysis took into account influence of rain effect on different parts of specimen surface.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in Arctic environments: indicator contaminants for assessing local and remote anthropogenic sources in a pristine ecosystem in change

A first review on occurrence and distribution of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) is presented. The literature survey conducted here was initiated by the current Assessment of the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). This first review on the occurrence and environmental profile of PPCPs in the Arctic identified the presence of 110 related substances in the Arctic environment based on the reports from scientific publications, national and regional assessments and surveys, as well as academic research studies (i.e., PhD theses). PPCP residues were reported in virtually all environmental compartments from coastal seawater to high trophic level biota. For Arctic environments, domestic and municipal wastes as well as sewage are identified as primary release sources. However, the absence of modern waste water treatment plants (WWTPs), even in larger settlements in the Arctic, is resulting in relatively high release rates for selected PPCPs into the receiving Arctic (mainly) aquatic environment. Pharmaceuticals are designed with specific biochemical functions as a part of an integrated therapeutically procedure. This biochemical effect may cause unwanted environmental toxicological effects on non-target organisms when the compound is released into the environment. In the Arctic environments, pharmaceutical residues are released into low to very low ambient temperatures mainly into aqueous environments. Low biodegradability and, thus, prolonged residence time must be expected for the majority of the pharmaceuticals entering the aquatic system. The environmental toxicological consequence of the continuous PPCP release is, thus, expected to be different in the Arctic compared to the temperate regions of the globe. Exposure risks for Arctic human populations due to consumption of contaminated local fish and invertebrates or through exposure to resistant microbial communities cannot be excluded. However, the scientific results reported and summarized here, published in 23 relevant papers and reports (see Table S1 and following references), must still be considered as indication only. Comprehensive environmental studies on the fate, environmental toxicology, and distribution profiles of pharmaceuticals applied in high volumes and released into the Nordic environment under cold Northern climate conditions should be given high priority by national and international authorities.

Performance of Different Apple Cultivars in a Young High Density Orchard

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the suitability of rootstock and cultivar combinations for high density orchards in northern climate conditions like in Latvia. In 2009, a trial was established with rootstocks M.9 and B.396 in combination with seven cultivars. The density of trees reached 2500 trees per 1 ha. The yields and the observed yield efficiency of all cultivars during the first four production years were larger on rootstock B.396. Also, average trunk diameter was slightly larger on this rootstock. On both rootstocks cultivars, ‘Gita’ and ‘Ligol’ had larger part of total yield formed on previous year shoots. These cultivars had more vigorous trunks as well. In the orchard at the given density, on both rootstocks thinner trunks and smaller yields were observed for cultivars with poor branching, like ‘White Transparent’ and ‘Konfetnoye’. ‘Rubin’ (Kazakh cv.) had low yield, this cultivar produces very large fruits on the ends of shoots. Lower average yields were also obtained for cultivars that produce fruits on spurs of older branch sections, like ‘Antei’ and ‘Kovalenkovskoye’. Summer cultivar ‘Konfetnoye’ had relatively smaller fruits. Rootstock B.396 and scab resistant cultivar ‘Gita’ showed best performance in the high density orchard.

Influence of iron precipitated condition and light intensity on microalgae activated sludge based wastewater remediation

The indigenous microalgae-activated sludge (MAAS) process during remediation of municipal wastewater was investigated by studying the influence of iron flocculation step and light intensity. In addition, availability of total phosphorous (P) and photosynthetic activity was examined in fed-batch and batch mode under northern climatic conditions and limited lighting. This was followed by a semi-continuous operation with 4 d of hydraulic retention time and mean cell residence time of 6.75 d in a photo-bioreactor (PBR) with varying P availability. The fed-batch condition showed that P concentrations of 3–4 mg L−1 were effective for photosynthetic chl. a development in iron flocculated conditions. In the PBR, the oxygen evolution rate increased with increase in the concentration of MAAS (from 258 to 573 mg TSS L−1) at higher surface photosynthetic active radiation (250 and 500 μmol m−2 s−1). Additionally, the rate approached a saturation phase at low MAAS (110 mg L−1) with higher light intensities. Semi-continuous operation with luxury P uptake and effective P condition showed stable average total nitrogen removal of 88 and 92% respectively, with residual concentrations of 3.77 and 2.21 mg L−1. The corresponding average P removal was 68 and 59% with residual concentrations of 2.32 and 1.75 mg L−1. The semi-continuous operation produced a rapidly settleable MAAS under iron flocculated condition with a settling velocity of 92–106 m h−1 and sludge volume index of 31–43 ml g−1 in the studied cases.

Reliability of the entomovector technology using Prestop-Mix and Bombus terrestris L. as a fungal disease biocontrol method in open field.

Botrytis cinerea Pers.:Fr. is a major plant pathogen, and a new approach is needed for its control in strawberry to minimise the increasing use of synthetic fungicides. The biofungicide Prestop-Mix, which contains Gliocladium catenulatum, is effective against Botrytis infections; however, the need for frequent applications increases the costs for farmers. Here, we demonstrate that bumble bees, Bombus terrestris L., effectively disseminate the preparation onto flowers in open field conditions. Over the course of three years, we found a highly significant decrease in the rate of Botrytis infection. Pathogen control was achieved with relatively low numbers of G. catenulatum spores per flower, even using flowers that are not highly attractive to bumble bees. An even distribution of spores was detected up to 100 m from the hives, either due to primary inoculation by bumble bees or secondary distribution by other flower visitors such as honey bees and solitary bees. We showed that the application of a biocontrol agent by bumble bees is reliable for the use of environmentally friendly pest control strategies in northern climatic conditions. This low cost technology is especially relevant for organic farming. This study provides valuable information for introducing this method into practice in open strawberry fields.

Strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) cultivar ‘Rumba’ assessment under the northern climatic conditions

Strawberry (<i>Fragaria ananassa</i>) cultivar ‘Rumba’ assessment under the northern climatic conditions

Exploring the Potential of Alternative Pozzolona Cement for the Northern Savannah Ecological Zone in Ghana

This project evaluates the performance of pozzolana cement elements produced from alternative raw materials with a view using them in low-cost housing. It also seeks the reduction of waste from agricultural sources and the cost of sandcrete blocks by using locally available materials. The need to find alternative materials to replace existing conventional ones has necessitated research into substitutes to cement with a view to investigating their usefulness to wholly or partly substitute ordinary Portland cement in the production of sandcrete blocks. This project investigates the possible use of Corn Cob Ash (CCA) as a partial replacement of cement in sandcrete block production. 140 no. 450mmx150mm×225mm solid sandcrete blocks of mix ratio 1:8 were cast, cured and crushed at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days. The corn cob ash was replaced at 0 to 40 percent levels at 5% intervals. The maximum compressive strength of 2.10 N/mm2 was recorded at 30% replacement on the 28th day. After 12 months of exposure under northern savannah climatic conditions, the compressive strength remained stable or even increased with the weathering exposure. The maximum value of 2.10N/mm2 for the 30% replacement level is found suitable and recommended for building construction having attained a 28-day compressive strength of more than 2.0N/mm2 as required by the National Building Code for non load bearing walls.

Thermal Insulation Products and Applications - Future Road Maps

The European energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction policy sets challenging targets both for new buildings and retrofitting actions. Nearly zero energy buildings cannot be realized without highly insulated building envelopes. New thermal insulation solutions are needed to fulfil the performance and buildability requirements. There is on-going strong development of new insulation materials and applications and also the performance properties of conventional insulations are continuously improved.A project was created to form road-maps for thermal insulation materials, products and solutions applicable in northern conditions. These road maps answer the needs of the building industry, applied research and authorities for the mid- to long-term periods. The main objective was to identify the R&D topics, product development priorities and the emerging and promising technologies and materials that can support technology leaps towards energy and resource efficient targets.The study included state-of-the-art report, analysis of key performance indicators of thermal insulation products, a sophisticated patent search and several interviews of professionals in the building sector. The interviews followed by workshops revealed the visions, expectations, barriers, trends and hypes that are related to the energy efficient building envelope applications.This study that was focused on Finnish perspective, but the formed road-maps cover the Northern climate conditions, European regulations and the international material and product development aspects. The challenges discovered in cold climate conditions give perspective also for the development needs and potentials in other climates.

Energy saving potential of glazed space: Sensitivity analysis

This study focuses on the impact of different types of glazed balconies on the energy consumption of buildings in northern climatic conditions. The starting point was a glazed balcony in a typical Finnish block of flats of the 1970s, whose impact on the energy consumption of the building was analysed with the IDA-ICE 4.6.1 software based on 156 different calculation cases. In light of the results of the sensitivity analysis, the five key factors affecting the energy engineering design of a glazed space are the integration of the space to the building's ventilation system, heat losses from the building to the balcony and from the balcony to outdoor air, the air tightness of the balcony and the absorption coefficients of its surfaces. Research has shown that higher energy savings in kilowatt hours can be achieved in a northern than a southern climate although percentage-wise savings are higher, for example, in Central Europe than in Finland. Thus, the determination of energy savings by kilowatt hour gives a better idea of the true significance of balcony glazing in a building than a percentage-wise analysis.

Ages of major Little Ice Age glacier fluctuations on the southeast Tibetan Plateau derived from tree-ring-based moraine dating

Advances and retreats of glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are widely regarded as indicators for climate changes sensitive to macroclimatic forcing mechanisms like the Asian summer monsoon. However, it often remains unclear why some glaciers retreat or advance earlier than others, particularly regarding the timing of the so-called ‘Little Ice Age (LIA) maximum’. Within this study, we present newly acquired tree-ring data from four glacier forefields in the Nyainqêntanglha Range on the southeastern TP and link them to previous studies. Two of the glaciers formed a double-tongue moraine set during the LIA, with trees providing minimum ages for two different major glacier extents. In combination with evidence from a third glacier, three warm phases within the generally cold LIA can be deduced during the first half of the 16th century, and the mid-17th and 18th centuries. This implies the occurrence of three preceding major cold spells. A minor cool phase between 1790 and 1850 marks the end of the LIA on the southeast TP. Minimum ages for beginning retreat from the last major LIA glacial advance differ by only 40years for all sampled monsoonal temperate valley glaciers in the Nyainqêntanglha Range. This implies a common forcing, whose impact on glacier dynamics is only slightly altered by topographical factors or local climatic conditions. Regression analysis suggests that the delay of the glacier retreat from the maximum extent is mainly related to glacier size, with minor influence of ablation area aspect. All moraine ages highlight intermediate LIA warm phases on the southeast TP corresponding to warm phases on the northern Hemisphere and thus prove monsoonal temperate glaciers to be highly sensitive archives for northern hemispheric climatic conditions.

The Effect of Temperature and Humidity on the Permanence of External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the impact of temperature and humidity on external thermal insulation composite systems (ETICS), resulting in internal stresses and frost damages as a serious sustainability problem. In order to predict the behavior of ETICS in different weather conditions, a variety of climatic conditions and cycles were composed on the basis of the Estonian statistical data. All coating components of ETICS were tested separately and as a system for dimensional changes using thin layer measurement principles. This study focuses on three types of plasters most commonly used in ETICS – mineral plasters, acrylic plasters with higher flexibility and silicone plasters. As a result of the research, a potential micro-cracking mechanism of ETICS in Northern climate conditions is presented in this paper.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF DEMARCATED BED-GROWN ORGANIC GREENHOUSE TOMATOES USING RENEWABLE ENERGY

The environmental impacts associated with fossil energy use, in addition to water and fertilization management continue to be major concerns for Northern greenhouse production systems. To reduce the environmental impacts of greenhouse farming under Northern climate conditions and to maintain its competitiveness, the use of renewable energy sources and suitable nutrient management are becoming essential. From this perspective, a closed-loop demarcated bed-grown organic production system that increases the efficiency of water and nutrient use and utilizes waste biomass as a source of energy was developed and tested in the province of Quebec, Canada. The goal of this study was to assess the environmental impacts of this so-called sustainable organic system compared with an open conventional growing system using fossil energy. The environmental analysis was conducted with life cycle assessment methodology as defined by the ILCD handbook (2010) and the SimaPro v.7.3.2 software. The functional unit was 1,000 kg of tomatoes and 1 ha of cultivated area. The system boundary was from raw materials extraction to the farm gate. The life cycle stages considered were infrastructure, auxiliary equipment, climate control system, farm operation, fertilizers, pesticides, waste management and packaging. For both growing systems, results from the environmental assessment indicate that high energy demand was the main contributor to all impact categories. When organic farming using wood biomass as renewable energy was applied, the CO2 footprint of 1 kg of tomatoes was 0.812 kg CO2 eq kg-1, while the impact of an open conventional growing system using fossil energy was 5.788 kg CO2 eq kg-1. The fertiliser assessment of the closed-loop organic crop had a lower environmental burden on abiotic depletion (by 12 times), acidification (by 6 times), eutrophication (by 136 times) and global warming (by 10 times) compared with the fertiliser assessment of the open conventional growing system.

PECULIARITIES OF ADAPTATION IN YOUNG MALE RESIDENTS OF MAGADAN REGION: ANALYSIS OF INTERSYSTEM FUNCTIONAL RELATIONS (Report 2)

Based on the methods of correlation and factor analysis of the 21st morphofunctional parameter, there has been performed a comparative study of a sample of 1656 male subjects aged 17-21 y. o. consisting of aborigines, migrants and the 1st and 2nd generations’ Caucasians born in the Magadan region in (enrooted persons). For all the examined subjects, a complex of somatometric indices was the most significant factor specifying the strategy of body long-term adaptation to northern natural and climatic conditions. However, each population has its special morphofunctional ecological portrait which structure is determined by a number of statistically meaningful indices united in a certain number of factors.

Basis of energy crop selection for biofuel production: Cellulose vs. lignin

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the suitability of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.), fiber hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), energy sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), Amur silver-grass (Miscanthus sacchariflorus), and energy grass cultivar (cv) Szarvasi-1 for biofuel production in Northern climatic conditions. Above ground biomass, bioethanol production yield, and methane production yield are used as indicators to assess the bio-energy potential of the culture. Results presented show that energy crops of Southern origin produce 30–70% less biomass than in the origin region. Nonetheless, both perennial and annual energy crops produce high above ground biomass yields (660–1280 g m–2) for Northern climatic conditions. Experimental results show that bioethanol yield is dependent on cellulose content of the biomass. The higher the cellulose content, the higher the bioethanol yield. The biogas production on the other hand, depends on lignin content. The lower the lignin content the higher the biogas yield. Therefore, the selection of the energy crop for bioethanol production should be based on high cellulose content, while for biogas production it should rather be based on the low lignin content.