Net Water Flux Research Articles

Entrainment and flushing time in the Fraser River estuary and plume from a steady salt balance analysis

[1] A passenger ferry equipped with oceanographic instrumentation made eight transects across the Fraser River plume in the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia, each day for 4 years. Estimates of average plume salinity and volume were made from the observations and used in a quasi-steady budget to estimate the net upward flux of ambient salt water into the plume. This entrainment flux increases from a minimum of 17,000 m3s−1 at low river flow to a maximum of about 27,000 m3s−1 at intermediate flow. The entrainment flux then becomes essentially independent of river flow, although we argue on physical grounds it must eventually decrease. Entrainment velocities of a few mm s−1 were estimated from the entrainment flux when assuming that mixing primarily occurs along the salt wedge estuary or in the near-field plume. These values are consistent with previous estimates. This, in turn, suggests that entrainment is not important over most of the plume's full extent and that bulk plume properties are set in the near field. Finally, the observations are used to estimate a plume freshwater flushing time of 2.2 days, with essentially no dependence on river discharge, even though discharge varies seasonally by almost an order of magnitude. This value lies in between the expected time scales for near-field and far-field plumes and is long enough for rotation to play an important role. There is no evidence, however, of a coherent bulge as observed in other systems.

Effect of Interfacial Water Transport Resistance on Coupled Proton and Water Transport Across Nafion

Dynamic and steady-state water flux, current density, and resistance across a Nafion 115 membrane-electrode-assembly (MEA) were measured as functions of temperature, water activity, and applied potential. After step changes in applied potential, the current, MEA resistance, and water flux evolved to new values over 3000-5000 s, indicating a slow redistribution of water in the membrane. Steady-state current density initially increased linearly with increasing potential and then saturated at higher applied potentials. Water flux increases in the direction of current flow resulting from electro-osmotic drag. The coupled transport of water and protons was modeled with an explicit accounting for electro-osmotic drag, water diffusion, and interfacial water transport resistance across the vapor/membrane interface. The model shows that water is dragged inside the membrane by the proton current, but the net water flux into and out of the membrane is controlled by interfacial water transport at the membrane/vapor interface. The coupling of electro-osmotic drag and interfacial water transport redistributes the water in the membrane. Because water entering the membrane is limited by interfacial transport, an increase in current depletes water from the anode side of the membrane, increasing the membrane resistance there, which in turn limits the current. This feedback loop between current density and membrane resistance determines the stable steady-state operation at a fixed applied potential that results in current saturation. We show that interfacial water transport resistance substantially reduces the impact of electro-osmotic drag on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell operation.

The effect of relative humidity of the cathode on the performance and the uniformity of PEM fuel cells

The effect of relative humidity of the cathode (RHC) on proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells has been studied focusing on automotive operation. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed on a 300-cm 2 serpentine flow-field configuration at various RHC levels. The dependency of current density, membrane water contents, net water flux on the performance and the uniformity was investigated. The uniformity of current density and temperature was evaluated by employing standard deviation. The water balance inside a fuel cell was examined by describing electro-osmotic drag and back diffusion. It was concluded that the RHC has strong effect on the cell performance and uniformity. The dry RHC showed low cell voltage and non-uniform distributions of current density and temperature, whereas high RHC presented increased cell performance and uniform distributions of current density and temperature with well-hydrated membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Also the local current density distribution was strongly dependent on the local membrane water contents distribution that has complex phenomena of water transport. The elimination of external humidifier is desirable for the automotive operation, but it could degrade cell performance and durability due to dehydration of the MEA. Therefore a proper humidification of the reactant is necessary.

A strain-induced freshwater pump in the Liverpool Bay ROFI

Liverpool Bay is a region of freshwater influence which receives significant freshwater loading from a number of major English and Welsh rivers. Strong tidal current flow interacts with a persistent freshwater-induced horizontal density gradient to produce strain-induced periodic stratification (SIPS). Recent work (Palmer in Ocean Dyn 60:219–226, 2010; Verspecht et al. in Geophys Res Lett 37:L18602, 2010) has identified significant modification to tidal ellipses in Liverpool Bay during stratification due to an associated reduction in pycnocline eddy viscosity. Palmer (Ocean Dyn 60:219–226, 2010) identified that this modification results in asymmetry in flow in the upper and lower layers capable of permanently transporting freshwater away from the Welsh coastline via a SIPS pumping mechanism. Observational data from a new set of observations from the Irish Sea Observatory site B confirm these results; the measured residual flow is 4.0 cm s−1 to the north in the surface mixed layer and 2.4 cm s−1 to the south in the bottom mixed layer. A realistically forced 3D hydrodynamic ocean model POLCOMS succeeds in reproducing many of the characteristics of flow and vertical density structure at site B and is used to estimate the transport of water through a transect WT that runs parallel with the Welsh coast. Model results show that SIPS is the dominant steady state, occurring for 78.2% of the time whilst enduring stratification exists only 21.0% of the year and enduring mixed periods, <1%. SIPS produces a persistent offshore flow of freshened surface water throughout the year. The estimated net flux of water in the surface mixed layer is 327 km3 year −1, of which 281 km3 year−1 is attributable to SIPS periods. Whilst the freshwater component of this flux is small, the net flux of freshwater through WT during SIPS is significant, the model estimates 1.69 km3 year−1 of freshwater to be transported away from the coast attributable to SIPS periods equivalent to 23% of annual average river flow from the four catchment areas feeding Liverpool Bay. The results show SIPS pumping to be an important process in determining the fate of freshwater and associated loads entering Liverpool Bay.

The effect of fuel cell operational conditions on the water content distribution in the polymer electrolyte membrane

Models play an important role in fuel cell design and development. One of the critical problems to overcome in the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is the water management. In this work a steady state, two-dimensional, isothermal model in a single PEM fuel cell using individual computational fluid dynamics code was presented. Special attention was devoted to the water transport through the membrane which is assumed to be combined effect of diffusion, electro-osmotic drag and convection. The effect of current density variation distribution on the water content ( λ) in membrane/electrode assembly (MEA) was determined. In this work the membrane heat conductivity is considered as a function of water content and the effect of temperature distribution in membrane is also analyzed. After that detail distributions of oxygen concentration, water content in membrane, net water flux and different overpotentials were calculated. Our simulation results show the reduction of reactant concentration in flow channels has a significant effect on electrochemical reaction in the gas diffusion and catalyst layer. Different fluxes are compared to investigate the effect of operating condition on the water fluxes in membrane. The amounts of different fluxes are strong function of current density, which is related to external load. The model also can use for simulating different kind of membranes. The model prediction of water content curves are compared with one-dimensional model predictions data reported in the validated open literature and a good compatibility were observed.

Summertime tidal flushing of Barataria Bay: Transports of water and suspended sediments

the edges of the inlet. The net flux of total suspended sediment out of the bay was determined to be 8800 t of which 20% was organic matter, demonstrating a significant source of organic matter to the base of the coastal ocean detrital food chain. The time evolution and net fluxes of water, and suspended sediments showed that the net flow resembles conventional estuarine circulation patterns with net outward flow on the surface and shallow ends of the inlet and with net inward flow in the center and at the bottom of the center of the inlet. The west side has a much larger outward flow than the east side while the east side is fresher. These differences suggest that the Louisiana Coastal Current from around the Bird’s Foot Delta derived from the mixing of shelf water with the Mississippi River freshwater may have entered the bay. This must have been mostly from the east side during the survey, which resulted in a smaller outward flow on the eastern side. A numerical experiment further confirmed this assumption and the model was verified by field observations on 5 May 2010.

Effect of ricinoleic acid and other laxatives on net water flux and prostaglandin E release by the rat colon

Ricinoleic acid, oleic acid, dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate, deoxycholic acid, sennoside A + B and mannitol reduced or reversed water flux from lumen to blood in rat colon in situ. Stearinic acid was without any effect. Ricinoleic acid, oleic acid, dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate, deoxycholic acid and sennoside A + B stimulated release of PGE-like material into the colonic lumen whereas the osmotic laxative mannitol and stearinic acid did not. Inhibition of PGE biosynthesis by pretreatment of the rats with indomethacin significantly reduced (but did not abolish) the effect of ricinoleic, oleic and deoxycholic acids on net water flux and PGE release. Indomethacin reduced the effect of dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate and of sennoside A + B on PGE release but not their effect on the net water flux. The effect of mannitol was not influenced by indomethacin. The amount of PGE release in experiments with ricinoleic acid, oleic acid, stearinic acid and dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate (with and without indomethacin) showed a good correlation (r = 0.99) with the change in net water flux. Deoxycholic acid, sennoside A + B and mannitol did not show this correlation. It is assumed that the action of non-osmotic laxatives is partially mediated by PGE, although other mechanisms also seem to be involved in their mode of action.

Comparison of intestinal and peritoneal dialysis of theophylline and phenobarbitone in rats

Intestinal dialysis of drugs by oral administration of activated charcoal has been compared with peritoneal dialysis in rats. The average amounts of theophylline transported over 120 min into the intestinal lumen and the peritoneal cavity were 15.7 and 16.5% of the intravenous dose (10 mg kg-1), respectively, showing no significant difference, whereas the amount of the same intravenous dose of phenobarbitone transported from the blood into the intestinal lumen (7.8%) was significantly smaller than that entering the peritoneal cavity (12.5%). The net water flux showed that secretion predominated in the peritoneal transport whilst absorption predominated in the intestinal transport for both drugs. However, the net water flux in the intestinal lumen after intravenous theophylline (as aminophylline) was significantly smaller than that following phenobarbitone. The differences in transport across the two membranes could be due to differences in the intrinsic properties of the could be due to differences in the intrinsic properties of the membranes, such as the surface area, the thickness of the membrane and the distribution of blood vessels. Differences could also be due to differences in the pharmacological effects of the drugs.

Influence of chronic bisacodyl treatment on the effect of acute bisacodyl on water and electrolyte transport in the rat colon.

Excessive or unnecessary taking of laxatives leads to a vicious circle with perpetuation of laxative abuse and increase of laxative dosage, accompanied by severe clinically evident disturbances. It was investigated in rats whether chronic administration of bisacodyl reduces the effects of acute bisacodyl administration on net water and electrolyte flux in the rat colon transport in-vivo. After chronic pretreatment with bisacodyl had been given for 21 days (3 mg and 10 mg kg-1 day-1), net water and sodium absorption was found to be decreased whereas potassium secretion was increased. After 21 days of pretreatment, the effect of acute bisacodyl (10 micrograms ml-1 intraluminal) on net water and sodium transport was reduced whereas the effect on potassium secretion remained unchanged. Serum and erythrocyte levels of sodium and potassium remained unchanged in chronically pretreated rats. Serum aldosterone levels were enhanced two fold. It is concluded that under the experimental conditions described, chronically administered bisacodyl leads to elevated serum aldosterone which counteracts the effect of bisacodyl on net water and sodium transport but acts synergistically with bisacodyl on the effect on potassium loss.

The effect of dinoprost on transport of water and imipramine through rat small intestinal membranes.

The relation between transmucosal fluid movement and its effect on absorption and exsorption of imipramine was studied with the in-situ single-pass perfusion technique in rats. Dinoprost (prostaglandin F2 alpha, PGF2 alpha) caused a dose-related inhibition of both absorption and secretion of water across the intestinal membrane. When PGF2 alpha was infused at a rate of 5 mumols kg-1 h-1, the absorption rate of water decreased from 51.7 to 21.5 mL h-1 and the secretion rate decreased from 48.9 to 26.8 mL h-1. Net water flux changed from net water absorption (0.9 mL h-1) to net water secretion (5.33 mL h-1) by infusion of PGF2 alpha. However, absorption and exsorption of imipramine were little affected by infusion of PGF2 alpha. The absorption rates of imipramine were 3.03 and 2.36 mg h-1 in the absence and presence of PGF2 alpha, respectively. Furthermore, the average amounts of imipramine exsorbed into the intestinal lumen in 2 h were 7.82 and 8.10% in the absence and presence of PGF2 alpha, respectively. Infusion of PGF2 alpha also enhanced motility of the small intestine compared with the control. From these results, it appears that PGF2 alpha has no effect on the absorption and exsorption of imipramine across the intestinal membrane although it is reasonable to use PGF2 alpha in the case of patients with overdoses of drugs which decrease gastrointestinal motility.

Vasopressin-dependent coupling between sodium transport and water flow in a mouse cortical collecting duct cell line

Water balance is achieved through the ability of the kidney to control water reabsorption in the connecting tubule and the collecting duct. In a mouse cortical collecting duct cell line (mCCD(c11)), physiological concentrations of arginine vasopressin increased both electrogenic, amiloride-sensitive, epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)-mediated sodium transport measured by the short-circuit current (Isc) method and water flow (Jv apical to basal) measured by gravimetry with similar activation coefficient K(1/2) (6 and 12 pM, respectively). Jv increased linearly according to the osmotic gradient across the monolayer. A small but highly significant Jv was also measured under isoosmotic conditions. To test the coupling between sodium reabsorption and water flow, mCCD(c11) cells were treated for 24 h under isoosmotic condition with either diluent, amiloride, vasopressin or vasopressin and amiloride. Isc, Jv, and net chemical sodium fluxes were measured across the same monolayers. Around 30% of baseline and 50% of vasopressin-induced water flow is coupled to an amiloride-sensitive, ENaC-mediated, electrogenic sodium transport, whereas the remaining flow is coupled to an amiloride-insensitive, nonelectrogenic sodium transport mediated by an unknown electroneutral transporter. The mCCD(c11) cell line is a first example of a mammalian tight epithelium allowing quantitative study of the coupling between sodium and water transport. Our data are consistent with the 'near isoosmotic' fluid transport model.

In situ separation of root hydraulic redistribution of soil water from liquid and vapor transport

Nocturnal increases in water potential (ψ) and water content (θ) in the upper soil profile are often attributed to root water efflux, a process termed hydraulic redistribution (HR). However, unsaturated liquid or vapor flux of water between soil layers independent of roots also contributes to the daily recovery in θ (Δθ), confounding efforts to determine the actual magnitude of HR. We estimated liquid (J(l)) and vapor (J(v)) soil water fluxes and their impacts on quantifying HR in a seasonally dry ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest by applying existing datasets of ψ, θ and temperature (T) to soil water transport equations. As soil drying progressed, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity declined rapidly such that J (l) was irrelevant (<2E-05 mm h(-1) at 0-60 cm depths) to total water flux by early August. Vapor flux was estimated to be the highest in upper soil (0-15 cm), driven by large T fluctuations, and confounded the role of HR, if any, in nocturnal θ dynamics. Within the 15-35 cm layer, J(v) contributed up to 40% of hourly increases in nocturnal soil moisture. While both HR and net soil water flux between adjacent layers contribute to θ in the 15-65 cm soil layer, HR was the dominant process and accounted for at least 80% of the daily recovery in θ. The absolute magnitude of HR is not easily quantified, yet total diurnal fluctuations in upper soil water content can be quantified and modeled, and remain highly applicable for establishing the magnitude and temporal dynamics of total ecosystem water flux.

The Effect of Polycarbophil on Water Transport in Rat Intestine

The effect of polycarbophil, polyacrylic acid cross-linked with divinylglycol, on rat intestinal water transport was evaluated by the in-situ loop and in-situ perfusion methods. When polycarbophil was applied in the loop, the net water flux was reduced not only in the jejunum but also in the colon. With the in-situ perfusion technique it was shown that the effect of polycarbophil was to reduce water influx; water efflux was not altered. The action of polycarbophil was not affected by the osmolarity of the perfusate or the site of perfusion. The effect of polycarbophil on net water flux was greater than that of carmellose sodium. The results suggest that polycarbophil could be used to alleviate constipation.

NKCC1 cotransporters: keeping an ‘ion’ them

NKCC1 cotransporters: keeping an ‘ion’ them

Observation of material fluxes through the Luzon Strait

Based on field observations carried out in August, 2008, we obtained a set of data on velocity, hydrography, and hydrochemistry in the Luzon Strait, with which the velocity structure of the area, especially in deep channels, was analyzed, and the material fluxes, including water, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients were calculated. The results indicate that a net eastward water flux of 7.0 Sv occurred through the Luzon Strait. The deep layer flux in the southern part, through the deep channel, was westward with a value of 1.9 Sv, which confirms that deep Pacific water flows into the South China Sea via the deep passage in the Luzon Strait. Accordingly, the net flux of dissolved oxygen was 13.2×105 mol/s, and the values for dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphate and silicate were 4.6×104 mol/s, 2.4×103 mol/s, and 8.9×104 mol/s, respectively. Detailed descriptions of these material fluxes in the upper layer, the upper-intermediate layer, the lower-intermediate layer, and the deep layer through the Luzon Strait are discussed. These results and interpretations highlight the importance of material exchanges between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

Steric and mass‐induced sea level variations in the Mediterranean Sea revisited

The total sea level variation (SLV) is the combination of steric and mass‐induced SLV, whose exact shares are key to understanding the oceanic response to climate system changes. Total SLV can be observed by radar altimetry satellites such as TOPEX/POSEIDON and Jason 1/2. The steric SLV can be computed through temperature and salinity profiles from in situ measurements or from ocean general circulation models (OGCM), which can assimilate the said observations. The mass‐induced SLV can be estimated from its time‐variable gravity (TVG) signals. We revisit this problem in the Mediterranean Sea estimating the observed, steric, and mass‐induced SLV, for the latter we analyze the latest TVG data set from the GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite mission launched in 2002, which is 3.5 times longer than in previous studies, with the application of a two‐stage anisotropic filter to reduce the noise in high‐degree and ‐order spherical harmonic coefficients. We confirm that the intra‐annual total SLV are only produced by water mass changes, a fact explained in the literature as a result of the wind field around the Gibraltar Strait. The steric SLV estimated from the residual of “altimetry minus GRACE” agrees in phase with that estimated from OGCMs and in situ measurements, although showing a higher amplitude. The net water fluxes through both the straits of Gibraltar and Sicily have also been estimated accordingly.

Wetland‐estuarine‐shelf interactions in the Plum Island Sound and Merrimack River in the Massachusetts coast

Wetland‐estuarine‐shelf interaction processes in the Plum Island Sound and Merrimack River system in the Massachusetts coast are examined using the high‐resolution unstructured grid, finite volume, primitive equations, coastal ocean model. The computational domain covers the estuarine and entire intertidal area with a horizontal resolution of 10–200 m. Driven by five tidal constituents forcing at the open boundary on the inner shelf of the eastern coast of the Gulf of Maine, the model has successfully simulated the 3‐D flooding/drying process, temporal variability, and spatial distribution of salinity as well as the water exchange flux through the water passage between the Plum Island Sound and Merrimack River. The model predicts a complex recirculation loop around the Merrimack River, shelf, and Plum Island Sound. During the ebb tide, salt water in the Plum Island Sound is injected into the Merrimack River, while during flood tide, a significant amount of the freshwater in the Merrimack River is forced into Plum Island Sound. This water exchange varies with the magnitude of freshwater discharge and wind conditions, with a maximum contribution of ∼30%–40% variability in salinity over tidal cycles in the mouth of the Merrimack River. Nonlinear tidal rectification results in a complex clockwise residual recirculation loop around the Merrimack River, shelf, and Plum Island Sound. The net water flux from Plum Island Sound to the Merrimack River varies with the interaction between tide, river discharge, and wind forcing. This interaction, in turn, affects the salt transport from this system to the shelf. Since the resulting water transport into the shelf significantly varies with the variability of the wind, models that fail to resolve this complex estuarine and shelf system could either overestimate or underestimate the salt content over the shelf.

Thickness dependence of water permeation through proton exchange membranes

Water permeabilities at 70 °C through Nafion membranes, ranging in thickness from 6 to 201 μm, are reported. Three types of water permeation are described: hydraulic permeation (liquid–liquid permeation), pervaporation-like permeation (liquid–vapour permeation) and vapour permeation (vapour–vapour permeation). Permeabilities for liquid–liquid permeation increase with decreasing membrane thickness. Permeabilities for liquid–vapour permeation and vapour–vapour permeation, increase with decreasing membrane thickness but are independent of thickness for <56 μm thick membranes. Internal and interfacial water transport resistances for Nafion are estimated. The contribution of the interfacial transport resistance is greater than half the total transport resistance for 201 μm thick membranes and increases further with decreasing membrane thickness – explaining why vapour–vapour permeation and liquid–vapour permeation fluxes do not increase with further decreases in membrane thickness below 56 μm. In situ net water fluxes through operating MEAs are measured at 70 °C. Operating conditions that require significant back permeation of water were chosen: “dry-anode/wet-cathode” and “dry” conditions. In both conditions, liquid–vapour permeation is largely responsible for the back permeation at high current density regime (>0.6 A cm −2). Small pressure difference across the assembled ultra-thin membranes (6 μm) was found to enhance the rate of back permeation at high current density operation (>0.6 A cm −2).

A study of water transport as a function of the micro-porous layer arrangement in PEMFCs

Electrochemical losses as a function of the micro-porous layer (MPL) arrangement in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Net water flux across the polymer membrane in PEMFCs is investigated for various arrangements of the MPL, namely with MPL on the cathode side alone, with MPL on both the cathode and the anode sides and without MPL. EIS and water transport are recorded for various operating conditions, such as the relative humidity of the hydrogen inlet and current density, in a PEMFC fed by fully-saturated air. The cell with an MPL on the cathode side alone has better performance than two other types of cells. Furthermore, the cell with an MPL on only the cathode increases the water flux from cathode to anode as compared to the cells with MPLs on both electrodes and cells without MPL. Oxygen-mass-transport resistances of cells in the presence of an MPL on the cathode are lower than the values for the other two cells, which indicates that the molar concentration of oxygen at the reaction surface of the catalyst layer is higher. This suggests that the MPL forces the liquid water from the cathode side to the anode side and decreases the liquid saturation in GDL at high current densities. Consequently, the MPL helps in maintaining the water content in the polymer membrane and decreases the cathode charge transfer and oxygen-mass transport resistances in PEMFCs, even when the hydrogen inlet has a low relative humidity.

Numerical Analysis of Water Transport Through the Membrane Electrolyte Assembly of a Polymer Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

The effects of water transport through membrane electrolyte assembly of a polymer exchange membrane fuel cell on cell performance has been studied by a one-dimensional, nonisothermal, steady-state model. Three forms of water are considered in the model: dissolved water in the electrolyte or membrane, and liquid water and water vapor in the void space. Phase changes among these three forms of water are included based on the corresponding local equilibriums between the two involved forms. Water transport and its effect on cell performance have been discussed under different operating conditions by using the value and the sign of the net water transport coefficient, which is defined by the net flux of water transported from the anode side to the cathode side per proton flux. Optimal cell performance can be obtained by adjusting the liquid water saturation at the interface of the cathode gas diffusion layer and flow channels.