Search

Aroclor 1242 contains a high percentage of lightly chlorinated congeners, which makes it susceptible to congener profile alterations as a result of physical-chemical environmental weathering by water washing, evaporation, and volatilization. The analysis of the variability of congener profiles in paper sludge samples using PCA, mixing models, and correlation (R(2)) analysis, provided an integrated description of the behavior of Aroclor 1242 after its release in the environment. The results showed that the total PCB concentration decreased as the sample experienced weathering, with the congener profile of Aroclor 1242 shifting towards resembling heavier Aroclors as lighter congeners were lost. Mixing model analysis confirmed that a sample containing weathered Aroclor 1242 could easily be misidentified by laboratories as containing a mix of heavier Aroclors. The R(2) analysis showed that the profile of the congeners within a homologue group remained the same after weathering. This analysis showed that congeners that belong to the same level of chlorination behave similarly in such a manner that retains their overall profile when exposed to physical weathering., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: In this paper a simplified network model for mechano-sorptive creep is presented, which is a further development of an earlier paper [Strömbro, J., Gudmundson, P., 2008. Mechano-sorptive creep under compressive loading – a micromechanical model. International Journal of Solids and Structures 45 (9), 2420–2450.]. It is assumed that the anisotropic hygroexpansion of the fibres leads to large stresses at the fibre bonds when the moisture content changes. The resulting stress state will accelerate creep if the fibre material obeys a constitutive law that is non-linear. Fibre kinks are included in order to capture experimental observations of larger mechano-sorptive effects in compression than in tension. Moisture dependent material parameters and anisotropy in the fibre distribution have been introduced. Theoretical predictions based on the model are compared to experimental results for an anisotropic paper both under tensile and compressive loading at varying moisture content and it is found that the important features in the experiments are captured by the model. Different kinds of drying conditions have also been examined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Scientific interest in Mount Everest has been largely focused on the physiology of hypoxia caused by the summit's low barometric pressure. Although weather is recognized as a significant risk for climbers on the mountain, it has not been extensively studied. In this paper, we reconstruct the meteorological conditions associated with the deadly outbreak of high-impact weather on Mount Everest that occurred in May 1996 and was the subject of the best-selling book Into Thin Air. The authors show that during this event, two jet streaks—an upper-level short-wave trough and an intrusion of stratospheric air into the upper troposphere—were present in the vicinity of Mount Everest. Meanwhile, in the lower troposphere, there was convergence of water vapor transport from both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal into the region to the south of Mount Everest. The authors propose that the ageostrophic circulation associated with the upper-level features resulted in a region of large-scale ascent near Mount Everest that, in combination with the anomalous availability of moisture in the region, triggered convective activity. The resulting high-impact weather trapped over 20 climbers on Mount Everest's exposed upper slopes leading to the deaths of 8. These synoptic-scale characteristics provide some expectation of predicting life-threatening high-altitude storms in the Himalayas. In addition, the authors argue that the falling barometric pressure and the presence of ozone-rich stratospheric air that occurred near the summit of Mount Everest during this event could have shifted a coping climber from a state of brittle tolerance to physiological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]