Stable Sr Research Articles

88Sr/86Sr fractionation in inorganic aragonite and in corals

Conflicting results have been reported for the stable Sr isotope fractionation, specifically with respect to the influence of temperature. In an experimental study we have investigated the stable Sr isotope systematics for inorganically precipitated and biogenic (coral) aragonite (natural and laboratory-cultured). Inorganic aragonite precipitation experiments were performed from natural seawater using the CO2 diffusion technique. The experiments were performed at different temperatures and different carbonate ion concentrations. 88Sr/86Sr of the inorganic aragonite precipitated in the experiments are 0.2‰ lighter than seawater, but showed no correlation to the water temperature or to CO32− concentration. Similar observations are made in different coral species (Cladocora caespitosa, Porites sp. and Acropora sp.), with identical fractionation from the bulk solution and no correlation to temperature or CO32− concentration. The lack of 88Sr/86Sr variability in corals at different environmental parameters and the similarity to the 88Sr/86Sr fractionation in inorganic aragonite may indicate a similar Sr incorporation mechanism in corals skeleton and inorganic aragonite, and therefore the previously proposed Rayleigh-based multi element model (Gaetani et al., 2011) cannot explain the process of Sr incorporation in the coral skeletal material. It is proposed that the relatively constant 88Sr/86Sr fractionation in aragonite can be used for paleo reconstruction of seawater 88Sr/86Sr composition. The seawater 88Sr/86Sr ratio reconstruction can be further used in calcite samples to reconstruct paleo precipitation rates.

Ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients ≥75 years: long-term clinical outcome and safety.

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases with age. Catheter ablation is an established treatment option for patients with symptomatic AF. We sought to determine the safety and long-term clinical efficacy of AF ablation in patients ≥75 years. Patients ≥75 years with symptomatic, drug-refractory AF were included in the study. Circumferential pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) was performed in all patients, extended to ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms, and/or linear lesions in PVI non-responders. Retrospective follow-up (FU) was based on routine outpatient clinic visits and regular telephone interviews. A total of 94 patients (54 male, age 78 ± 2 years, and left atrium diameter 46 ± 6 mm) with drug-refractory AF [55/94 (59%) paroxysmal AF (PAF), 29/94 (31%) persistent AF, and 10/94 (11%) long-standing persistent AF] underwent ablation. Follow-up was obtained in 93/94 (99%) patients. Following a single procedure, 35/93 (38%) patients were in stable sinus rhythm (SR; 46% PAF, 31% persistent AF, and 10% long-standing persistent AF) after a mean FU of 37 ± 20 months. After a mean of 1.5 ± 0.6 procedures, 55/93 (59%) patients were ultimately in stable SR (76% PAF, 41% persistent AF, and 20% long-standing persistent AF). In a total of 137 procedures, 8 major (5.8%) and 26 minor (19%) complications occurred. Catheter ablation in patients ≥75 years is associated with a favourable clinical long-term outcome in patients with PAF, while results are less promising in persistent or long-standing persistent patients. The safety profile of AF ablation in patients ≥75 years is comparable with patients of younger age.

An in vivo study on the metabolism and osteogenic activity of bioabsorbable Mg–1Sr alloy

Previous studies indicated that local delivery of strontium effectively increased bone quality and formation around osseointegrating implants. Therefore, implant materials with long-lasting and controllable strontium release are avidly pursued. The central objective of the present study was to investigate the in vivo biocompatibility, metabolism and osteogenic activity of the bioabsorbable Mg–1Sr (wt.%, nominal composition) alloy for bone regeneration. The general corrosion rate of the alloy implant as a femoral fracture fixation device was 0.55±0.03mm·y−1 (mean value±standard deviation) in New Zealand White rabbits which meet the bone implantation requirements and can be adjusted by material processing methods. All rabbits survived and the histological evaluation showed no abnormal physiology or diseases 16weeks post-implantation. The degradation process of the alloy did not significantly alter 16 primary indexes of hematology, cardiac damage, inflammation, hepatic functions and metabolic process. Significant increases in peri-implant bone volume and direct bone-to-implant contact (48.3%±15.3% and 15.9%±5.6%, respectively) as well as the expressions of four osteogenesis related genes (runt-related transcription factor 2, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and collagen, type I, alpha 1) were observed after 16weeks implantation for the Mg–1Sr group when compared to the pure Mg group. The sound osteogenic properties of the Mg–1Sr alloy by long-lasting and controllable Sr release suggesting a very attractive clinical potential. Statement of significanceSr (strontium) has exhibited pronounced effects to reduce the bone fracture risk in osteoporotic patients. Nonetheless, long-lasting local Sr release is hardly achieved by traditional methods like surface treatment. Therefore, a more efficient Sr local delivery platform is in high clinical demand.The stable and adjustable degradation process of Mg alloy makes it an ideal Sr delivery platform. We combine the well-known osteogenic properties of strontium with magnesium to manufacture bioabsorbable Mg–1Sr alloy with stable Sr release based on our previous studies.The in vitro and in vivo results both showed the alloy’s suitable degradation rate and biocompatibility, and the sound osteogenic properties and stimulation effect on bone formation suggest its very attractive clinical potential.

Radiogenic and stable Sr isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr, δ88/86Sr) as tracers of riverine cation sources and biogeochemical cycling in the Milford Sound region of Fiordland, New Zealand

This study reports radiogenic Sr isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr), stable Sr isotope ratios (δ88/86Sr), and major ion concentrations for river, rock, sediment, soil, and plant samples collected from the Cleddau and Hollyford catchments in the Milford Sound region of Fiordland, New Zealand. The catchments primarily drain gabbro, but some tributaries access limestone and volcanogenic sediments. The goal of the study was to understand controls on riverine δ88/86Sr values in a landscape with multiple factors that may influence chemical weathering, including dense vegetation, high rainfall, and abundant, freshly-eroded Holocene fluvio-glacial and landslide debris.Rivers draining gabbro have higher δ88/86Sr values than bedrock, by as much as ∼0.14‰, and the δ88/86Sr values strongly correlate with molar Ca/Sr ratios (R2=0.69). Leaching of rocks and sediment reveals no evidence for the preferential dissolution of minerals having high δ88/86Sr values and Ca/Sr ratios. In-stream Sr isotope fractionation seems unlikely because comparison against 87Sr/86Sr and Ca/Sr ratios demonstrates that riverine δ88/86Sr values conservatively trace water-mass mixing. The riverine data are best explained by the input of soil water, which is distinct from potential bedrock end-members (i.e., silicates and carbonates) based on δ88/86Sr but indistinguishable in terms of Ca/Sr and 87Sr/86Sr. While strontium isotope fractionation during secondary mineral formation and pedogenesis is possible, clay mineral formation is minor and most soils are poorly developed. Instead, soil water δ88/86Sr values more likely reflect plant uptake. Plant samples yielded a wide range of δ88/86Sr values, but on average, they are lower than those for bedrock, consistent with the expectation that plants preferentially incorporate lighter Sr isotopes. Mass-balance constraints, together with 87Sr/86Sr ratios, indicate that soil water δ88/86Sr values are ∼0.30‰ higher than bedrock δ88/86Sr values, and mixing calculations show that the plant-fractionated soil water pool contributes ∼27% of the riverine Sr. For tributaries accessing limestone and volcanogenic sediments, Ca/Sr and 87Sr/86Sr ratios appear consistent with two-component mixing between silicate and carbonate weathering, but δ88/86Sr values reveal a third contribution from soil water inputs, similar to gabbro catchments.The results of this study suggest that Sr isotopes behave conservatively during water mass mixing and stream transport but non-conservatively in soil, where plant uptake can elevate soil water δ88/86Sr values relative to bedrock. Plant uptake, or related biogeochemical processes, such as ion-exchange on organic matter surfaces, also appear to modify soil water Ca/Sr ratios. Many studies use 87Sr/86Sr and Ca/Sr ratios to apportion riverine solutes between silicate and carbonate weathering, but Ca/Sr ratios may be non-conservative in densely vegetated areas. The stable Sr isotope tracer shows promise for resolving riverine cation sources, as well as effects from biological cycling.

Evidence for stable Sr isotope fractionation by silicate weathering in a small sedimentary watershed in southwestern Taiwan

Radiogenic Sr isotopes (87Sr/86Sr) are robust for provenance identification in hydrology, affected mainly by the age of background lithologies and the degree of chemical weathering. However, there is limited knowledge concerning the fractionation mechanism of stable Sr isotopes (88Sr/86Sr) in rivers. In this study, river water was collected on a weekly to monthly basis throughout dry and wet seasons. Furthermore, to study the variations of radiogenic and stable Sr isotopes during intense weathering, a major flooding event (2000mm precipitation in three days, Typhoon Morakot), water was captured within a small drainage catchment system (161km2) along the Hou-ku River in southwestern Taiwan. For a better constraint on the end member compositions, bedload sediments, suspended particles, and several host rocks were sampled for a systematic investigation. The carbonate and silicate phases of these solids were chemically separated. Dissolved major elements indicate that the watersheds were predominated by silicate weathering. Stable Sr isotopes show no significant variation (δ88Sr=0.24–0.31‰) temporally and spatially with an average of 0.28‰. Additionally, all solids showed lower δ88Sr values than the river water while the host rocks had higher δ88Sr values (δ88Sr=0.20–0.26‰) than the residual weathering products (δ88Sr=0.08–0.22‰), indicating preferential leaching of heavy Sr into the hydrosphere and leaving light Sr in the residual solids. Results of laboratory acid leaching experiments reveal that dissolution of high δ88Sr value minerals occurred at an early stage of weathering. The variation of weathering intensity does not alter stable Sr isotopes in silicate weathering dominated river water, which contains higher stable Sr isotopes than the associated sediments. The silicatic sedimentary rocks preferentially released higher stable Sr isotopes into the hydrosphere during chemical weathering, thus leaving lower stable Sr isotopes in the residual solids.

An industry-scale mass marking technique for tracing farmed fish escapees.

Farmed fish escape and enter the environment with subsequent effects on wild populations. Reducing escapes requires the ability to trace individuals back to the point of escape, so that escape causes can be identified and technical standards improved. Here, we tested if stable isotope otolith fingerprint marks delivered during routine vaccination could be an accurate, feasible and cost effective marking method, suitable for industrial-scale application. We tested seven stable isotopes, 134Ba, 135Ba, 136Ba, 137Ba, 86Sr, 87Sr and 26Mg, on farmed Atlantic salmon reared in freshwater, in experimental conditions designed to reflect commercial practice. Marking was 100% successful with individual Ba isotopes at concentrations as low as 0.001 µg. g-1 fish and for Sr isotopes at 1 µg. g-1 fish. Our results suggest that 63 unique fingerprint marks can be made at low cost using Ba (0.0002 – 0.02 $US per mark) and Sr (0.46 – 0.82 $US per mark) isotopes. Stable isotope fingerprinting during vaccination is feasible for commercial application if applied at a company level within the world’s largest salmon producing nations. Introducing a mass marking scheme would enable tracing of escapees back to point of origin, which could drive greater compliance, better farm design and improved management practices to reduce escapes.

Experimental study of strontium adsorption on anatase nanoparticles as a function of size with a density functional theory and CD model interpretation.

The effect of particle size on the adsorption of Sr(2+) onto monodisperse nanometer diameter (4, 20, and 40 nm) anatase samples has been evaluated quantitatively with macroscopic experimental studies. The adsorption of Sr(2+) onto the anatase particles was evaluated by potentiometric titrations in NaCl media, at two ionic strengths (0.03 and 0.3 m), and over a wide range of pH (3-11) and surface loadings, at a temperature of 25 °C. Adsorption of Sr(2+) to the surface of the 20 and 40 nm diameter samples was similar, whereas the Sr(2+) adsorption titration curves were shallower for the 4 nm diameter samples. At high pH, the smallest particles adsorbed slightly less Sr(2+) than was adsorbed by the larger particles. At the molecular scale, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to evaluate the most stable Sr(2+) surface species on the (101) anatase surface (the predominant crystal face). An inner-sphere Sr-tridentate surface species was found to be the most stable. The experimental data were described with a charge distribution (CD) and multisite complexation (MUSIC) model, with a Basic Stern layer description of the electric double layer. The resulting surface complexation model explicitly incorporated the molecular-scale information from the DFT simulation results. For 20 and 40 nm diameter anatase, the CD value for the Sr-tridentate species was calculated using a bond valence interpretation of the DFT-optimized geometry. The CD value for the 4 nm sample was smaller than that for the 20 and 40 nm samples, reflecting the shallower Sr(2+) adsorption titration curves. The adsorption differences between the smallest and larger anatase particles can be rationalized by water being more highly structured near the 4 nm anatase sample and/or the Sr-tridentate surface species may require more well-developed surface terraces than are present on the 4 nm particles.

Unravelling sources of solutes in groundwater of an ancient landscape in NW Australia using stable Sr, H and O isotopes

The Precambrian meta-sedimentary fractured rock aquifers of the Hamersley Basin in northwest Australia are some of the oldest water-bearing formations on the planet and host enormous iron ore deposits. Groundwater is the only permanent source of water in the basin, therefore understanding the hydrological processes that effect water quality and quantity is a pre-requisite for sustainable water management. We used a combination of major dissolved ion concentrations, including Sr and Ca, in combination with δ2H, δ18O and δ87Sr in flood water and groundwater as tracers to constrain the processes affecting groundwater chemistry. The δ87Sr composition of groundwater in three major aquifer types ranges from 11.8‰ to 40.6‰ and reflects the mineralogy of altered Precambrian dolomite (15.1‰ to 55.4‰) rather than the host iron ore formations (22.5‰ to 46.5‰ >95% iron oxides) or highly radiogenic shale bands and clay minerals (200‰ to 2322.5‰). Groundwater in the terminal Fortescue Marsh wetland of the basin has a rather constant δ87Sr signature of 36.6±1.4‰ irrespective of variations in TDS, δ18O and Sr concentration. This groundwater is considered to be mature in a geochemical sense, representing the final stage of water evolution on a basin scale. Mixing calculations utilising δ87Sr and Ca/Sr data demonstrate contributions of salts from three major sources: on average >92% from precipitation, ~7% from carbonate rocks and <1% from rocks with highly radiogenic signatures (shales and clays). These results demonstrate groundwater evolution from a recharge area to discharge area at the regional scale, but more importantly that water quality in the terminal wetland is primarily driven by rainfall chemistry in floodwaters rather than water–rock interactions in the catchment.

Uptake and Distribution of Stable Strontium in 26 Cultivars of Three Crop Species: Oats, Wheat, and Barley for Their Potential Use in Phytoremediation

The main objective of this study was to investigate the accumulation and distribution of strontium (Sr) in 26 cultivars of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), husk oat (Avena sativa L) and naked oat (Avena nuda), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for their potential use in phytoremediation.Sr levels had no effect on the accumulation of shoot biomass at tillering or at maturity. Mean shoot Sr concentration of naked oat and barley at tillering was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of wheat; Neimengkeyimai-1, a naked oat cultivar, had the highest Sr concentrations. At maturity, of four naked oat cultivars, Neimengkeyimai-1 had the highest Sr content at all measured Sr levels. Leaves had the highest Sr concentrations, followed by roots and straw, and then grain with the lowest. Mean enrichment coefficients from soil to shoots ranged from 0.521 to 1.343; the percentage of stable Sr removed from the soil to the shoots at harvest time was more than 1.4% after 120 days. Neimengkeyimai-1 could be used as a model for further research to find more effective cultivars; and naked oat plants could be selected for phytoremediation to clean up contaminated soil.

Variability of carbonate diagenesis in equatorial Pacific sediments deduced from radiogenic and stable Sr isotopes

The recrystallisation (dissolution–precipitation) of carbonate sediments has been successfully modelled to explain profiles of pore water Sr concentration and radiogenic Sr isotope composition at different locations of the global ocean. However, there have been few systematic studies trying to better understand the relative importance of factors influencing the variability of carbonate recrystallisation. Here we present results from a multi-component study of recrystallisation in sediments from the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 320/321 Pacific Equatorial Age Transect (PEAT), where sediments of similar initial composition have been subjected to different diagenetic histories.The PEAT sites investigated exhibit variable pore water Sr concentrations gradients with the largest gradients in the youngest sites. Radiogenic Sr isotopes suggest recrystallisation was relative rapid, consistent with modelling of other sediment columns, as the 87Sr/86Sr ratios are indistinguishable (within 2σ uncertainties) from contemporaneous seawater 87Sr/86Sr ratios. Bulk carbonate leachates and associated pore waters of Site U1336 have lower 87Sr/86Sr ratios than contemporaneous seawater in sediments older than 20.2Ma most likely resulting from the upward diffusion of Sr from older recrystallised carbonates. It seems that recrystallisation at Site U1336 may still be on-going at depths below 102.5rmcd (revised metres composite depth) suggesting a late phase of recrystallisation. Furthermore, the lower Sr/Ca ratios of bulk carbonates of Site U1336 compared to the other PEAT sites suggest more extensive diagenetic alteration as less Sr is incorporated into secondary calcite. Compared to the other PEAT sites, U1336 has an inferred greater thermal gradient and a higher carbonate content. The enhanced thermal gradient seems to have made these sediments more reactive and enhanced recrystallisation.In this study we investigate stable Sr isotopes from carbonate-rich deep sea sediments for the first time. Pore water δ88/86Sr increases with depth (from 0.428‰ to values reaching up to 0.700‰) at Site U1336 documenting an isotope fractionation process during recrystallisation. Secondary calcite preferentially incorporates the lighter Sr isotope (86Sr) leaving pore waters isotopically heavy. The δ88/86Sr values of the carbonates themselves show more uniform values with no detectable change with depth. Carbonates have a much higher Sr content and total Sr inventory than the pore waters meaning pore waters are much more sensitive to fractionation processes than the carbonates. The δ88/86Sr results indicate that pore water stable Sr isotopes have the potential to indicate the recrystallisation of carbonate sediments.

In vivo measurement of the absorption of strontium in the rumen and small intestine of sheep as an index of calcium absorption capacity.

In the present study, a method was developed for determining the alimentary tract Ca absorption capacity of ruminant animals by measuring the absorption rate of Sr after the administration of an oral dose of strontium chloride acting as a tracer analogue of Ca. A close correlation between the absorption rates of the two tracers was observed upon simultaneous administration of an oral dose of stable Sr and radioactive calcium (r 0·98). The Ca absorption capacity of the rumen and small intestine was determined separately by either directing the solution into the rumen or by diverting it into the post-ruminal tract by vasopressin-induced closure of the ruminoreticular groove. The animals were treated with 1α-hydroxyvitamin D3 administered via subcutaneously implanted mini-osmotic pumps. The effect of elevated plasma 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol concentrations on the Ca absorption capacity of the alimentary tract was then determined. An increased rate of Sr absorption was observed in both the rumen and small intestine of sheep after treatment, although it is unclear whether the rumen possesses the same vitamin D-dependent Ca absorption pathway as the small intestine.

Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis of Simulated &lt;sup&gt;90&lt;/sup&gt;SrO-Contained Radioactive Graphite in N&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Atmosphere

In order to evaluate the performance of the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) to treat 90SrO-contained radioactive graphite in N2 atmosphere, waste forms were prepared with the self-developed SHS reactor according to the waste forms formulation designed with a solid-soluted content of 010 wt% (calibrated in mass, hereinafter the same). The waste forms were made with the exothermic reaction (3C + 4Al + 3TiO2 = 2Al2O3 + 3TiC + Q), where, 88SrO (a stable Sr isotope)-containing 88SrO was used to simulate 90SrO. And the raw materials for the waste forms were the powdery materials of graphite (C), aluminum (Al) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). Then, X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to test and analyze the phase composition and morphology of the prepared waste forms. According to the results in dealing with the treatment with the given exothermic reaction of the 90SrOcontaining radioactive graphite in N2 atmosphere, the SrO solid solubility could be up to 8 wt%. Besides, with a SrO content of 0~2 wt%, the major composition of the waste forms was including: alumina (Al2O3) in diamond scheme, titanium carbide (TiC) in cubic phase, graphite (C), anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) and aluminum nitride (AlN) in cubic phase. Comparatively, with a SrO content of 3~8 wt%%, the major composition of the waste forms was including: alumina (Al2O3) in diamond scheme, titanium carbide (TiC) in cubic phase, graphite (C), anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2), aluminum nitride (AlN) in cubic phase and rhomboid aluminum titanate (Al2TiO5). Furthermore, diffractive peaks of unidentified phase occurred at 2θ = 7.7°, 15.6°, 19.8° and 24.1° position, whose intensities were increased with the increasing additional SrO content. The grain sizes of the prepared waste forms are mainly within 515μm, majorly exist in pieces.

A rapid radio-bioassay method for strontium estimation in nuclear/radiological emergencies

Strontium (Sr) is a by-product of the nuclear fission of uranium and plutonium in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapons. It is an important radionuclide in spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste and is considered as one of the most hazardous constituents of nuclear wastes. Also during a nuclear/radiological emergency, workers as well as members of the public may get internally contaminated with Sr. Hence, a truly rapid radio-bioassay method will be needed to screen a large number of people for assessment of internal contamination and facilitate decision making on subsequent medical intervention. The current precipitation method used at Bioassay Lab., BARC, Trombay is quite lengthy and laborious. Efforts are being made to optimize bioassay methods at BARC using solid extraction chromatography (SEC) technique for emergency response. The present work reports standardization of SEC using Sr-Spec (Sr-Specific, make Eichrom Technologies, Darien, Illinois, USA) resin for rapid estimation of Sr in urine samples. Adsorbed Sr is eluted from the resin using 0.05M HNO 3 , precipitated as carbonate and estimated using a low background gas flow Geiger-Muller counter (make ECIL, Hyderabad, India). The average recovery of stable Sr is ~80% and comparable to radioactive recovery observed in spiked samples. The minimum detectable activity (MDA) achieved by this technique is ~4 mBq/mL for 90 Sr that is well below the required generic emergency action level of 19 Bq for 20 mL urine sample. The advantage of this method is its simplicity, fast turnaround time and an increase in the sample throughput.

Individual-specific transgenerational marking of common carp Cyprinus carpio, L., using 86Sr/84Sr double spikes

Transgenerational isotopic marking has been recognised as an efficient tool for mass marking of high numbers of fish larvae by injecting female spawners with enriched isotope solutions. So far, mainly enriched stable barium isotopes have been applied for this purpose. Here, we present an alternative approach for individual-specific transgenerational marking using strontium 86Sr/84Sr double spikes. Four isotonic double-spike solutions with different molar fractions of 86Sr and 84Sr and different total Sr concentrations were administered to four female spawners of common carp, Cyprinus carpio, L., by intraperitoneal injection, and one additional female spawner was injected a blank isotonic solution as control. Otoliths (lapilli) were sampled from juvenile offspring and analysed for their Sr isotopic composition by laser ablation–multi collector–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. Central otolith regions of the progeny of female carps treated with concentrations of at least 0.45 mg 84Sr kg–1 bodyweight and 2.28 mg 86Sr kg–1 bodyweight showed a significant shift of the absolute 88Sr/86Sr and 88Sr/84Sr isotope ratios from the natural baseline. Isotope pattern deconvolution was successfully applied for the identification of the originally injected 86Sr/84Sr molar fraction ratios of the individual double spikes. Enriched stable Sr isotope double spikes represent an important alternative to enriched stable Ba isotopes for transgenerational marking, especially in freshwater systems.

Controls on stable strontium isotope fractionation in coccolithophores with implications for the marine Sr cycle

The controls on stable Sr isotope fractionation into the calcite produced by the coccolithophore species Emiliania huxleyi, Coccolithus pelagicus spp. braarudii and Gephyrocapsa oceanica are investigated. Each species has been cultured under controlled laboratory conditions at a range of temperatures (10–25°C) to test the potential of δ88/86Sr as a proxy for growth rate and/or sea surface temperature. Coccolithophores are one of the most abundant pelagic calcifiers; since Sr substitutes to some degree for Ca in their calcite coccoliths, coccolithophores represent a significant output of Sr from seawater, potentially influencing the δ88/86Sr mass balance in the modern oceans. The coccoliths are investigated for their δ88/86Sr, Sr/Ca, and δ18O measured as function of temperature. As temperature is increased all species show a negative stable Sr isotopic fractionation, related to a temperature controlled growth rate. We infer the shift of δ88/86Sr to lighter values as indicative of a kinetic control on the isotope fractionation, revealing the potential of δ88/86Sr as a proxy for growth rate, which in these experiments is primarily dictated by temperature. The results from these experiments indicate that coccolithophore calcite incorporates Sr with a very light δ88/86Sr isotope composition as low as ∼0‰.

Fate of stable strontium in the sewage treatment process as an analog for radiostrontium released by nuclear accidents

Radionuclides were widely released into the environment due to the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Some of these radionuclides have flowed into municipal sewage treatment plants through sewer systems. We have observed the fate of stable Sr in the sewage treatment process as a means to predict the fate of radiostrontium. Concentrations of stable Sr were determined in sewage influent, effluent, dewatered sludge, and incinerated sewage sludge ash collected from a sewage treatment plant once a month from July to December 2011. In the mass balance of Sr in the sewage treatment plant, 76% of the Sr entering the plant was discharged to the receiving water on average. Additionally, 14% of the Sr flowing through the plant was transferred to the sewage sludge and then concentrated in the sludge ash without being released to the atmosphere. We also investigated Sr sorption by activated sludge in a batch experiment. Measurements at 3 and 6h after the contact showed Sr was sorbed in the activated sludge; however, the measurements indicated Sr desorption from activated sludge occurred 48h after the contact.

Immunotherapy Safety: What Have We Learned from Surveillance Surveys?

Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is beneficial for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and in preventing stinging insect anaphylaxis, but is not without risks. Four retrospective surveillance surveys and one on-going national prospective study have attempted to characterize the incidence and risk factors for fatal and non-fatal SCIT reactions. These studies have contributed significantly to currently recommended SCIT safety guidelines. Recent surveillance studies indicate stable SR rates, and a possible decline in the incidence of fatal reactions since the implementation of evidence-based safety guidelines. This review will provide a detailed summary of the evidence from surveillance studies for risk factors associated with SCIT reactions, including: uncontrolled asthma, prior systemic reactions, dosing during peak pollen seasons, epinephrine being delayed or not given, dosing or administration errors, inadequate waiting times, reactions occurring more than 30 min after injections, injections given in medically unsupervised settings, concomitant beta-blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) use, and accelerated build-up regimens.

Seasonal changes in the radiogenic and stable strontium isotopic composition of Xijiang River water: Implications for chemical weathering

Seasonal changes in strontium (Sr) isotopic systematics in large rivers can effectively track temporal variations in regional chemical weathering, and help to better constrain the Sr isotopic budget of global oceans. However, such records are scarce. Here we present a year-long time-series of both radiogenic and stable Sr isotope measurements (87Sr/86Sr and δ88Sr) from river water at Guiping, in the middle reaches of the Xijiang River, South China. Temporal changes in chemical weathering in the drainage basin were investigated by recording seasonal changes in the composition of both Sr isotopes and major ions in the river water. River water 87Sr/86Sr values range from 0.708487 to 0.710336, with most values being <0.7092, indicating a dominant contribution from the weathering of carbonate rocks. High 87Sr/86Sr values (>0.7092) are generally accompanied by high Rb/Sr ratios, and low pH and δ13C of dissolved inorganic carbo (DIC) and occur during periods of large river flux. This indicates that the contribution to the chemistry of river water from the weathering of silicate rocks is enhanced during rainy seasons. Seasonal variation in river water δ88Sr is large, from 0.147‰ to 0.661‰, with higher δ88Sr values generally corresponding to higher 87Sr/86Sr values. Again, low δ88Sr values (<0.3‰) suggest a dominant contribution from the weathering of carbonate rocks, whereas the high δ88Sr values may represent a contribution from intensive weathering of silicate rocks. Using the time-series data, we estimated the flux-weighted averages of Sr concentration, 87Sr/86Sr, and δ88Sr for the Xijiang River to be 1.00μmol/L, 0.70960, and 0.38‰, respectively. The Sr concentration and 87Sr/86Sr results are close to previous estimates, while the δ88Sr value is amongst the highest recorded for the large rivers of the world, and is close to that of seawater. Our results indicate that large rivers draining through tropical/sub-tropical regions could play an important role in regulating the stable Sr isotopic budget of global oceans.

Resolving the stability and structure of strontium chloride amines from equilibrium pressures, XRD and DFT

Strontium chloride octamine, Sr(NH3)8Cl2, has been shown to be a highly efficient ammonia reservoir for selective catalytic reduction of NOx gases in vehicle exhaust and to hold great potential for indirect hydrogen storage. The possible applications of such metal amines depend explicitly on the conditions for ammonia release and it is thus essential to understand the exact ab- and desorption mechanisms. Here, we apply equilibrium pressure measurements from ammonia desorption, X-ray powder diffraction and density functional theory calculations to identify thermodynamically stable Sr(NH3)Cl2, Sr(NH3)2Cl2 and Sr(NH3)8Cl2 phases. The crystal structures were solved in the space groups Cmcm, Aem2 and Pnma respectively. Controversy regarding the possible existence of a diamine phase is resolved on the basis of a combined structural and thermodynamic analysis of the ammonia release mechanisms, yielding a diamine structure with nearly the same stability as the monoamine. Depending on temperature and pressure, the diamine phase is found to have marginally higher or lower stability than the monoamine phase which explains why the diamine phase is found in some experiments and is not found in others.

Presentation of the 2010 Paleontological Society Medal to Stig Bergström

Thank you Mr. President. I am honored to introduce Stig Magnus Bergstrom, my good friend and close colleague at Ohio State University for more than 25 years. Stig has simply had an amazing career, and he has significantly impacted the careers of many students, postdocs, and colleagues all over the world. Those who have worked with Stig are much richer scholars, and those lucky enough to have shared the hospitality of Stig and Birgitta are much richer individuals. Stig received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Lund University in Sweden. His first association with Ohio State was as a Fulbright Scholar during the 1960–1961 academic year. He returned to Lund as an Assistant and Lecturer until 1968, when he joined the Ohio State faculty as an Assistant Professor and Curator of the Orton Geological Museum. His first paper in 1961 was on Ordovician conodonts from the Ludibundus Limestone of Sweden—Stig has been publishing papers on paleontology and stratigraphy for 50 years. Fifty years, and there is no end in sight. His early work was centered on conodonts, graptolites, and chitinozoans from the Ordovician with an emphasis on Ordovician, biostratigraphy, paleoecology, and taxonomy. He helped establish the Ordovician biostratigraphic frameworks for many places throughout the world, and he was instrumental in establishing the multi-element taxonomy of conodonts, thus treating them as whole organisms rather than bits and pieces of phosphate sprinkled into rocks. Early on, Stig established innumerable collaborations with colleagues across the globe, but this early work was notably in collaboration with his Ohio State students and Walter C. Sweet, our Ohio State colleague. Much of our current understanding of conodonts came from this Ohio State program in conodont studies. His later work has taken these data and combined them with K-bentonites, stable carbon isotopes and Sr and Nd isotopes …