Transport Vectors Research Articles

Theory of high-resolution tunneling spin transport on a magnetic skyrmion

Tunneling spin transport characteristics of a magnetic skyrmion are described theoretically in magnetic scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The spin-polarized charge current in STM (SP-STM) and tunneling spin transport vector quantities, the longitudinal spin current and the spin transfer torque, are calculated in high spatial resolution within the same theoretical framework. A connection between the conventional charge current SP-STM image contrasts and the magnitudes of the spin transport vectors is demonstrated that enables the estimation of tunneling spin transport properties based on experimentally measured SP-STM images. A considerable tunability of the spin transport vectors by the involved spin polarizations is also highlighted. These possibilities and the combined theory of tunneling charge and vector spin transport pave the way for gaining deep insight into electric-current-induced tunneling spin transport properties in SP-STM and to the related dynamics of complex magnetic textures at surfaces.

Two new nonindigenous isopods in the Southwestern Atlantic: Simultaneous assessment of population status and shipping transport vector

The Southwestern Atlantic is often perceived as remote region, yet it is not immune to biological invasions. Patchy information on historical community composition hinders our ability to identify introductions to coastal ecosystems in this region. Hull fouling is an under-managed shipping vector that likely continues to transport large numbers of marine species worldwide. The port of Mar del Plata is a comparatively well-studied shipping and commercial hub that may serve as an observatory to monitor new introductions to the Argentine coast. Following detection of nonindigenous isopods during preliminary port sampling in 2007–2008, we organized regular port surveys aimed at assessing the level of population establishment and evaluated hull fouling as a potential introduction vector in the Port of Mar del Plata. In 2011–2012, we conducted 12 monthly dive surveys of port isopod communities in combination with three opportunistic surveys (two in-water, one in dry-dock) of hull fouling communities attached to a domestic research vessel during consecutive port calls at its base in this port. Replicate biofouling samples from underwater dock structures and the vessel's hull were collected by scraping invertebrates in 20 × 20 cm quadrats (even surfaces) and 1000 cm3 of biofouling organisms (uneven surfaces). Both in port- and hull-fouling communities, we discovered the presence of the nonindigenous isopods Dynamene edwardsi and Paracerceis sculpta. This report constitutes the first detection of these two global marine invaders in American and Argentine waters, respectively. They likely represent relatively recent introductions to this corner of the world's oceans, yet our data indicate that both species are currently well established in Mar del Plata. These results demonstrate (for the first time in the case of D. edwardsi) the potential for hull fouling to disperse both species, and raise a warning on their potential expansion to other Southwestern Atlantic ports and Antarctica in a near future. Research on the marine communities of the Southwestern Atlantic is pressingly needed to establish pre-invasion communities and detect new introductions. Simultaneous surveillance of ports (invasion hubs) and vessels (vectors) can effectively detect invaders and inform prevention efforts in this region.

Functionalization and Characterization of an MRI-Capable, Targeted Nanoparticle Platform for Delivery to the Brain

ABSTRACTNovel methods are needed to traverse the blood-brain barrier and deliver drugs to specific targets in the brain. To this end, MS2 bacteriophage was explored as a multifunctional transport and targeting vector. The MS2 capsid exterior was modified with two different targeting moieties for delivery across the BBB and targeting specific regions of interest in the brain. Successful modification of MS2 capsids with a brain targeting peptide and NMADAR2D-targeting antibody was confirmed by immunoblotting and fluorescence detection. To measure transport efficiency of MS2 particles across an in vitro BBB model, a highly sensitive RT-qPCR protocol was developed and implemented. Finally, in order to demonstrate the potential of MS2 as a drug delivery vehicle, nucleotide-mediated loading of capsids was investigated with the MRI contrast agent Gd-DOTA modified with psoralen.

Microplastic does not magnify the acute effect of PAH pyrene on predatory performance of a tropical fish (Lates calcarifer)

Microplastic (MP) leads to widespread pollution in the marine ecosystem. In addition to the physical hazard posed by ingestion of microplastic particles, concern is also on their potential as vector for transport of hydrophobic contaminants. We experimentally studied the single and interactive effects of microplastic and pyrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, on the swimming behaviour and predatory performance of juvenile barramundi (Lates calcarifer). Juveniles (18+ days post hatch) were exposed to MPs, or pyrene (100 nM), or combination of both, and feeding rate and foraging activity (swimming) were analysed. Exposure to MPs alone did not significantly influence feeding performance of the juveniles, while a dose-effect series of pyrene showed strong effect on fish behaviour when concentrations were above 100 nM. In the test of combined MP and pyrene exposure, we observed no effect on feeding while swimming speed decreased significantly. Thus, our results confirm that short-time exposure to pyrene impacts the performance of fish juveniles, while additional exposure to microplastic at the given conditions influenced their activity only and not their feeding rate. Further studies of the combined effects of microplastics and pollutants on tropical fish behaviour are encouraged.

Arginine-Rich Cell-Penetrating Peptides Require Nucleolin and Cholesterol-Poor Subdomains for Translocation across Membranes.

Proficient transport vectors called cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) internalize into eukaryotic cells mostly via endocytic pathways and facilitate the uptake of various cargo molecules attached to them. However, some CPPs are able to induce disturbances in the plasma membrane and translocate through it seemingly in an energy-independent manner. For understanding this phenomenon, giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) derived from the cells are a beneficial model system, since GPMVs have a complex membrane composition comparable to the cells yet lack cellular energy-dependent mechanisms. We investigated the translocation of arginine-rich CPPs into GPMVs with different membrane compositions. Our results demonstrate that lower cholesterol content favors accumulation of nona-arginine and, additionally, sequestration of cholesterol increases the uptake of the CPPs in vesicles with higher cholesterol packing density. Furthermore, the proteins on the surface of vesicles are essential for the uptake of arginine-rich CPPs: downregulation of nucleolin decreases the accumulation and digestion of proteins on the membrane suppresses translocation even more efficiently.

Clothing as a transport vector for airborne particles: Chamber study.

Strong evidence suggests that clothing serves as a reservoir of chemical pollutants and particles, including bioaerosols, which may have health significance. However, little is known about the role that clothing may play as a transport vector for inhaled airborne particles. Here, we contribute toward bridging the knowledge gap by conducting experiments to investigate clothing release fraction (CRF), determined as the size-dependent ratio of released to deposited particulate matter in the diameter range 0.5-10μm. In a fully controlled chamber with low background particle levels, we deployed a programmable robot to reproducibly quantify the size-dependent CRF as a function of motion type and intensity, dust loadings, and activity duration. On average, 0.3%-3% of deposited particles were subsequently released with fabric motion, confirming that clothing can act as a vehicle for transporting airborne particles. The CRF increased with the vigor of movement and with dust loading. Rubbing and shaking the fabric were more effective than fabric stretching in resuspending particles. We also found that most of the release happened quickly after the onset of the resuspension activity. Particle size substantially influenced the CRF, with larger particles exhibiting higher values.

Visualizing ion transport mechanisms through oxide scales grown on mixed nickel- and cobalt-base model alloys at 900 °C using FIB-SIMS techniques

A set of five model superalloys with a γ′-precipitate strengthened structure and a nominal composition of Ni-xCo-9Al-8 W-8Cr were oxidized at 900 °C by the two-step oxidation method in normal oxygen and tracer oxygen-18 enriched gas atmospheres. Analysis at a nanoscale resolution by gallium focused ion beam sputtering and quadrupole-based secondary ion mass spectrometry of the surface oxide cross-sections provided evidence of both anion and cation motion during the second oxygen-18 oxidation where parabolic oxidation rate conditions can be assumed. These experiments provide new insights into the mass transport vectors for modeling the important oxidation mechanisms at extreme service conditions in mixed cobalt- and nickel-base alloys.

Trace element dynamics of biosolids-derived microbeads

This study focused on quantifying and characterising microbeads in biosolids (i.e., treated sewage sludge), and in examining interactions of microbeads with trace elements when biosolids are added to soil. Under laboratory conditions, batch experiments were conducted to investigate the adsorption of Cu onto pure and surface modified microbeads suspended in soil. The ecotoxicity of microbead-metal complexes to soil microbial activities was also investigated by monitoring basal respiration and dehydrogenase activity. Concentrations of the microbeads were 352, 146, 324, and 174 particles kg−1 biosolids for ≤50, 50–100, 100–250, 250–1000 μm size fractions, respectively. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) images illustrated wrinkled and fractured surfaces due to degradation. The adsorption of dissolved organic matter onto microbeads was confirmed through FT-IR microscopy, while using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) the presence of trace metals including Cd (2.34 ng g−1), Cu (180.64 ng g−1), Ni (12.69 ng g−1), Pb (1.17 ng g−1), Sb (14.43 ng g−1), and Zn (178.03 ng g−1) was revealed. Surface modified microbeads were capable of adsorbing Cu compared to the pure microbeads, which may be attributed to the complexation of Cu with dissolved organic matter associated with the microbeads in the matrix. It was further revealed that the biosolids derived microbead-metal complexes decreased soil respiration (up to ∼ 26%) and dehydrogenase activity (up to ∼ 39%). Hence, microbeads reaching biosolids during wastewater treatment are likely to serve as a vector for trace element contamination, transportation, and toxicity when biosolids are applied to soil.

The invasion risk of species associated with Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris in Pacific North America and Hawaii

Marine debris from the Great Tsunami of 2011 represents a unique transport vector for Japanese species to reach Pacific North America and Hawaii. Here we characterize the invasion risk of invertebrate species associated with tsunami debris using a screening-level risk assessment tool – the Canadian Marine Invasive Screening Tool (CMIST). Higher-risk invertebrate invaders were identified for each of five different ecoregions. Some of these are well-known global invaders, such as the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis and the ascidian Didemnum vexillum which already have invasion histories in some of the assessed ecoregions, while others like the sea star Asterias amurensis and the shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus have yet to invade large portions of the assessed ecoregions but also are recognized global invaders. In general, the probability of invasion was lower for the Gulf of Alaska and Hawaii, in part due to lower climate matches and the availability of other invasion vectors.

Tempo-spatial controls of total coliform and E. coli contamination in a subtropical hilly agricultural catchment

Waterborne microbial pollution remains poorly understood in developing countries, especially in rural areas. The transport of point (e.g. untreated domestic wastewater) and non-point sources of fecal bacteria such as Total coliform (TC) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) and their spatial and temporal patterns were identified in a typical small agricultural catchment in a hilly area of subtropical China. Over the sampling area, 460 water samples from 24 sites were collected during a period of 12 months, and a remediation option using an existing ecological ditch was evaluated. The results showed that 70% surface water samples exceeded the guideline of 1000 TC MPN 100 ml−1 in the catchment. Also, 90% of groundwater samples exceeded the guideline of 10 MPN E. coli 100 ml−1 for safe drinking water. Higher concentrations of TC and E. coli occurred both in the warm and rainy season in surface water and groundwater. TC and E. coli concentrations in surface water tributaries and groundwater near residential areas were greater than those in downstream water bodies. A 300 m long vegetated ecological ditch greatly reduced average concentrations TC of 97.7% and E.coli of 99.5%. TC and E. coli concentrations were significantly correlated with electrical conductivity and turbidity, both in surface water and groundwater, indicating that mixtures of organic colloids and sediment were the most important transport vector for pathogens. However, temperature only showed a controlling effect on bacteria concentration in groundwater in this particular catchment. The current research could help predict microbial risks and establish integrated management strategy to improve water quality in the hilly agricultural catchments in the subtropical region.

SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC PRECONDITIONS AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE SERVICES MARKET DEVELOPMENT OF TERNOPIL CITY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Introduction. The results of the research of the social and economic preconditions and perspectives for the services market development of Ternopil city public transport are presented in this article. The population dynamics, migration level, wage level, household composition, household expenditure structure etc. are investigated here. The perspective of transport services monetization in view of the amount spent on the provision of urban public transport in Ternopil is analysed. Purpose. The article aims to identify social and economic preconditions and directions of development of the market of urban public transport services on the example of Ternopil region. Method (methodology). The results of evaluation of quality of urban public transport services which are carried out on the basis of personal interview and statistical review are presented in the article. Results. The survey has investigated the slow dynamics of social and economic indicators of development of Ternopil region through the prism of transport services consumption. The innovative state of urban transport in Ternopil city has been determined as satisfactory one. It has been proved that the monetization of transport services in Ternopil region does not have sufficient financial resources. It has been substantiated that strategic vectors of urban public transport should be based on the creative implementation of European experience and a harmonious combination of economic, environmental and social aspects. The results of the study can be used by scientists and graduate students in the field of public administration, marketing and management, managers of public transport enterprises.

Fogs and Air Quality on the Southern California Coast

Fog acts as a reservoir and transport vector for chemicals in the atmosphere, altering the distribution of species between the gas and particle phases, and allowing deposition of nutrients and pollutants onto ecosystems and crops. Fog water and trace gas samples were collected from Casitas Pass along the Santa Barbara Channel in June 2015 to identify emissions sources and aqueous processes impacting Southern California air. Fog water composition was dominated by NH4+ (volume weighted mean, VWM = 232 µM, range = 85–640 µM), with lesser contributions from NO3– (126 µM, 30.4–778 µM) and SO42– (28.3 µM, 12.1–90.0 µM), pushing the VWM pH to 5.92 (5.34–6.67). Organic carbon contributed substantially to fog composition (8.27 mg C L–1, 4.70–16.8 mg C L–1). Carboxylic acids, products of aqueous oxidation, were abundant (20.1% of carbon mass on average), with > 1% contributions by acetate, formate, oxalate, malonate, succinate, and lactate. Sulfur- and nitrogen-containing organic species were detected, often after 3–5 hours of fog, suggesting aqueous formation. Sampled air was advected over the coastline near oil extraction operations, urban and agricultural areas; regional oil and natural gas processing and mobile sources were the most influential organic emissions at Casitas Pass. Fog composition in 2015 was contrasted with that from a study in July-September 1985/6. Concentrations of major fog constituents appear to have decreased in response to successful air quality regulations. While natural species concentrations in fog were similar (e.g., 2015 VWM [Na+] = 101 µM, range = < 30–320 µM; 1985/6 [Na+] = 129 µM, 12–1000 µM), anthropogenic species concentrations were lower in 2015 (e.g., 1985/6: [NO3–] = 236 µM, 141–2800 µM vs. 2015: 126 µM, 30.4–778 µM). These results overall highlight changes in Southern California air quality issues, including improvement of some anthropogenic emissions and the current influence of organic emissions from industrial and mobile sources.

A genetic reconstruction of the invasion of the calanoid copepod Pseudodiaptomus inopinus across the North American Pacific Coast

The rate of aquatic invasions by planktonic organisms has increased considerably in recent decades. In order to effectively direct funding and resources to control the spread of such invasions, a methodological framework for identifying high-risk transport vectors, as well as ruling out vectors of lesser concern will be necessary. A number of estuarine ecosystems on the North American Pacific Northwest coast have experienced a series of high impact planktonic invasions that have slowly unfolded across the region in recent decades, most notably, that of the planktonic copepod crustacean Pseudodiaptomus inopinus. Although introduction of P. inopinus to the United States almost certainly occurred through the discharge of ballast water from commercial vessels originating in Asia (the species’ native range), the mechanisms and patterns of subsequent spread remain unknown. In order to elucidate the migration events shaping this invasion, we sampled the genomes of copepods from seven invasive and two native populations using restriction-site associated DNA sequencing. This genetic data was evaluated against spatially-explicit genetic simulation models to evaluate competing scenarios of invasion spread. Our results indicate that invasive populations of P. inopinus exhibit a geographically unstructured genetic composition, likely arising from infrequent and large migration events. This pattern of genetic patchiness was unexpected given the linear geographic structure of the sampled populations, and strongly contrasts with the clear invasion corridors observed in many aquatic systems.

Oceanic and atmospheric conditions associated with the pentad rainfall over the southeastern peninsular India during the North-East Indian Monsoon season

The association of North-East Indian Monsoon rainfall (NEIMR) over the southeastern peninsular India with the oceanic and atmospheric conditions over the adjacent ocean regions at pentad time step (five days period) was investigated during the months of October to December for the period 1985–2014. The non-parametric correlation and composite analyses were carried out for the simultaneous and lagged time steps (up to four lags) of oceanic and atmospheric variables with pentad NEIMR. The results indicated that NEIMR was significantly correlated: 1) positively with both sea surface temperature (SST) led by 1–4 pentads (lag 1–4 time steps) and latent heat flux (LHF) during the simultaneous, lag 1 and 2 time steps over the equatorial western Indian Ocean, 2) positively with SST but negatively with LHF (less heat flux from ocean to atmosphere) during the same and all the lagged time steps over the Bay of Bengal. Consistently, during the wet NEIMR pentads over the southeastern peninsular India, SST significantly increased over the Bay of Bengal during all the time steps and the equatorial western Indian Ocean during the lag 2–4 time steps, while the LHF decreased over the Bay of Bengal (all time steps) and increased over the Indian Ocean (same, lag 1 and 2). The investigation on ocean-atmospheric interaction revealed that the enhanced LHF over the equatorial western Indian Ocean was related to increased atmospheric moisture demand and increased wind speed, whereas the reduced LHF over the Bay of Bengal was associated with decreased atmospheric moisture demand and decreased wind speed. The vertically integrated moisture flux and moisture transport vectors from 1000 to 850hPa exhibited that the moisture was carried away from the equatorial western Indian Ocean to the strong moisture convergence regions of the Bay of Bengal during the same and lag 1 time steps of wet NEIMR pentads. Further, the moisture over the Bay of Bengal was transported to the southeastern peninsular India through stronger cyclonic circulations, which were confirmed by the moisture transport vectors and positive vorticity. The identified ocean and atmosphere processes, associated with the wet NEIMR conditions, could be a valuable scientific input for enhancing the rainfall predictability, which has a huge socioeconomic value to agriculture and water resource management sectors in the southeastern peninsular India.

Redistribution of Iron and Titanium in High‐Pressure Ultramafic Rocks

AbstractThe redox state of iron in high‐pressure serpentinites, which host a significant proportion of Fe3+ in subduction zones, can be used to provide an insight into iron cycling and constrain the composition of subduction zone fluids. In this study, we use oxide and silicate mineral textures, interpretation of mineral parageneses, mineral composition data, and whole rock geochemistry of high‐pressure retrogressed ultramafic rocks from the Zermatt‐Saas Zone to constrain the distribution of iron and titanium, and iron oxidation state. These data provide an insight on the oxidation state and composition of fluids at depth in subduction zones. Oxide minerals host the bulk of iron, particularly Fe3+. The increase in mode of magnetite and observation of magnetite within antigorite veins in the investigated ultramafic samples during initial retrogression is most consistent with oxidation of existing iron within the samples during the infiltration of an oxidizing fluid since it is difficult to reconcile addition of Fe3+ with the known limited solubility of this species. However, high Ti contents are not typical of serpentinites and also cannot be accounted for by simple mixing of a depleted mantle protolith with the nearby Allalin gabbro. Titanium‐rich phases coincide with prograde metamorphism and initial exhumation, implying the early seafloor and/or prograde addition and late mobilization of Ti. If Ti addition has occurred, then the introduction of Fe3+, also generally considered to be immobile, cannot be disregarded. We explore possible transport vectors for Ti and Fe through mineral texture analysis.

Transoceanic dispersal of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis on Japanese tsunami marine debris: An approach for evaluating rafting of a coastal species at sea

Biofouled debris from the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami has landed in the Northeast Pacific and along the Hawaiian Islands since 2012. As of 2017, >630 biofouled debris items with >320 living species of algae, invertebrates, and fish have been examined. The invasive mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was present on >50% of those items. Size, reproduction, and growth of this filter-feeding species were examined to better understand long-distance rafting of a coastal species. The majority of mussels (79%) had developing or mature gametes, and growth rates averaged 0.075±0.018 SE mm/day. Structural and elemental (barium/calcium) analysis of mussel shells generated estimates of growth in coastal waters (mean=1.3 to 25mm total length), which provides an indication of residence times in waters along North America and the Hawaiian Islands prior to landing. Detailed studies of individual species contribute to our understanding of debris as a transport vector and aid efforts to evaluate potential risks associated with marine debris.

Polyamines and Cancer.

This chapter provides an overview of how the polyamine pathway has been exploited as a target for the treatment and prevention of multiple forms of cancer, since this pathway is disrupted in all cancers. It is divided into three main sections. The first explores how the polyamine pathway has been targeted for chemotherapy, starting from the first drug to target it, difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) to the large variety of polyamine analogues that have been synthesised and tested throughout the years with all their potentials and pitfalls. The second section focuses on the use of polyamines as vectors for drug delivery. Knowing that the polyamine transport system is upregulated in cancers and that polyamines naturally bind to DNA, a range of polyamine analogues and polyamine-like structures have been synthesised to target epigenetic regulators, with encouraging results. Furthermore, the use of polyamines as transport vectors to introduce toxic/bioactive/fluorescent agents more selectively to the intended target in cancer cells is discussed. The last section concentrates on chemoprevention, where the different strategies that have been undertaken to interfere with polyamine metabolism and function for antiproliferative intervention are outlined and discussed.

Discovery and characterization of submarine groundwater discharge in the Siberian Arctic seas: a case study in the Buor-Khaya Gulf, Laptev Sea

Abstract. It has been suggested that increasing terrestrial water discharge to the Arctic Ocean may partly occur as submarine groundwater discharge (SGD), yet there are no direct observations of this phenomenon in the Arctic shelf seas. This study tests the hypothesis that SGD does exist in the Siberian Arctic Shelf seas, but its dynamics may be largely controlled by complicated geocryological conditions such as permafrost. The field-observational approach in the southeastern Laptev Sea used a combination of hydrological (temperature, salinity), geological (bottom sediment drilling, geoelectric surveys), and geochemical (224Ra, 223Ra, 228Ra, and 226Ra) techniques. Active SGD was documented in the vicinity of the Lena River delta with two different operational modes. In the first system, groundwater discharges through tectonogenic permafrost talik zones was registered in both winter and summer. The second SGD mechanism was cryogenic squeezing out of brine and water-soluble salts detected on the periphery of ice hummocks in the winter. The proposed mechanisms of groundwater transport and discharge in the Arctic land-shelf system is elaborated. Through salinity vs. 224Ra and 224Ra / 223Ra diagrams, the three main SGD-influenced water masses were identified and their end-member composition was constrained. Based on simple mass-balance box models, discharge rates at sites in the submarine permafrost talik zone were 1. 7 × 106 m3 d−1 or 19.9 m3 s−1, which is much higher than the April discharge of the Yana River. Further studies should apply these techniques on a broader scale with the objective of elucidating the relative importance of the SGD transport vector relative to surface freshwater discharge for both water balance and aquatic components such as dissolved organic carbon, carbon dioxide, methane, and nutrients.

PLGA-Chitosan nanoparticle-mediated gene delivery for oral cancer treatment: A brief review

Cancer becomes a serious issue on society with increasing of their growth and proliferation, either in well economic developed countries or not. Recent years, oral cancer is one of the most threatening diseases impairing the quality of life of the patient. Scientists have emphasised on application of gene therapy for oral cancer by using nanoparticle as transportation vectors as a new alternative platform in order to overcome the limitations of conventional approaches. In modern medicine, nanotechnologies’ application, such as nanoparticles-mediated gene delivery, is one of promising tool for therapeutic devices. The objective of this article is to present a brief review summarizes on the current progress of nanotechnology-based gene delivery treatment system targeted for oral cancer.

The Impact of Biofilms upon Surfaces Relevant to an Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste Geological Disposal Facility under Simulated Near-Field Conditions

The ability of biofilms to form on a range of materials (cementious backfill (Nirex Reference Vault Backfill (NRVB)), graphite, and stainless steel) relevant to potential UK intermediate level radioactive waste (ILW) disposal concepts was investigated by exposing these surfaces to alkaliphilic flocs generated by mature biofilm communities. Flocs are aggregates of biofilm material that are able to act as a transport vector for the propagation of biofilms. In systems where biofilm formation was observed there was also a decrease in the sorption of isosaccharinic acids to the NRVB. The biofilms were composed of cells, extracellular DNA (eDNA), proteins, and lipids with a smaller polysaccharide fraction, which was biased towards mannopyranosyl linked carbohydrates. The same trend was seen with the graphite and stainless steel surfaces at these pH values, but in this case the biofilms associated with the stainless steel surfaces had a distinct eDNA basal layer that anchored the biofilm to the surface. At pH 13, no structured biofilm was observed, rather all the surfaces accumulated an indistinct organic layer composed of biofilm materials. This was particularly the case for the stainless steel coupons which accumulated relatively large quantities of eDNA. The results demonstrate that there is the potential for biofilm formation in an ILW-GDF provided an initiation source for the microbial biofilm is present. They also suggest that even when conditions are too harsh for biofilm formation, exposed surfaces may accumulate organic material such as eDNA.