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The aerospace industry progressively develops alternatives for chromic acid anodizing, because Cr(VI) is known to be toxic and carcinogenic. In this work, potentiodynamic anodizing of AA1050 and AA2024-T3 clad was performed in phosphoric-sulfuric acid (PSA) and sulfuric acid (SAA). All anodizing cycles started with a linear voltage sweep, followed by a constant voltage, or a dynamic voltage. Current density responses were recorded during each anodizing cycle and comprised different stages, which could be related to growth phases of the anodic oxide film. Interesting differences were found between cycles with an intermediate increase in anodizing voltage versus cycles with an intermediate decrease in voltage. Cycles including an increase in voltage resulted in higher anodic oxide formation efficiencies because of a temporary exceedance of the steady state current (recovery period) directly after the voltage step. Also, a sudden decrease in voltage led to distinct border between a fine and coarse region in the film morphology, while a sudden increase in voltage did not. For prolonged anodizing in PSA, coarsening of the upper film part was observed because of the high solubility of Al2O3 in phosphoric acid. Pore walls close to the outer surface did not only get thinner, but completely dissolved in the electrolyte. Consequently, anodic oxide formation efficiencies were higher for SAA than for PSA. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

De Stichting Vissenbescherming heeft de hulp van de wetenschapswinkel van Wageningen UR ingeroepen. Zij vraagt haar te ondersteunen met onderzoek dat een stap voorwaarts kan betekenen op weg naar een vissenwelzijnskeurmerk voor in het wild gevangen (zee)vis. In totaal 19 studenten (3 studententeams en 2 masterstudenten) deden voor de wetenschapswinkel (literatuur)onderzoek naar a) welzijn van vissen (met name platvis) in relatie tot de visserij en b) maatschappelijke agendering op het gebied van vissenwelzijn. Op grond van een literatuurstudie wordt geconcludeerd dat steeds meer wetenschappelijke argumenten erop wijzen dat ook vissen pijn lijden en emoties kunnen ervaren. Voor diegenen die deze argumenten in twijfel trekken wordt door Elder bepleit het “voorzorgsprincipe” te hanteren, waarbij ernaar gestreefd wordt het risico op pijn en leed bij vissen zoveel mogelijk te voorkomen.

Membrane disorders comprise an important group of inherited haemolytic anaemias. Diagnostic work-up starts with examination of the blood smear, followed by osmotic gradient ektacytometry. In special cases DNA analysis is performed to confirm the diagnosis. For this purpose a next-generation sequencing-based method has been developed. The combination of these techniques established the correct diagnosis in a case of haemolytic anaemia of unknown cause.

The aim of the Socio-economic analysis is to estimate the socio-economic impacts from eutrophication and related algae blooms on tourism and recreation on the coasts. To this purpose, models were used to estimate risks of foam on Belgian beaches, which was combined with data from economic valuation studies on willingness to pay to avoid foam on beaches. Overall, the data confirm that impacts on recreation and tourism may be important and larger compared but to earlier studies. It also showed that damages for beach visitors vary a lot depending on a complex combination of factors including quantity of foam and length of algae bloom periods.In addition, two valuation studies were organised. A choice experiment in Solent in the UK was organised to explore to which extent people in the UK are willing to pay to prevent eutrophication. This study has a wider scope in terms of use and non-use benefits and type of effects covered. Second, in the ISECA questionnaire, people in different countries in the 2seas areas were asked for their Willingness to pay to prevent eutrophication and algae blooms. All these elements confirm that people in different countries have a preference for and are willing to pay to prevent eutrophication.

This report summarizes the stages of coastal and offshore eutrophication, followed by a description of the European indicators and institutional framework for marine eutrophication assessment. A summary is given of a number of biogeochemical models available to describe the process of eutrophication in the North Sea, and the model for atmospheric inputs which was developed in the ISECA project (see the Action 3 Report – Atmospheric Modelling for more details on this work). Furthermore, the report compares different solutions aimed at reducing the nitrogen inputs from the Scheldt basin, using the nitrogen apportionment model which was developed in the EU-FP6 project SPICOSA (www.spicosa.eu). The report is concluded with a discussion on the principles of component-based modelling and model libraries, using examples for the Scheldt model, and a general discussion on some challenges of modelling marine eutrophication.

The report describes the purpose, architecture and functionalities of the ISECA Web-based Application Server (WAS). This web-based information system combines earth observation and in-situ data with examples of model simulations related to eutrophication for the 2Seas Territorial Waters of the Southern North Sea. Step-by-step instructions on how to use the WAS are included in this report. More background information on the problem of eutrophication and eutrophication modelling is found in ISECA report D3.2 - Eutrophication problems, causes and potential solutions, and exchange of reusable model building components for the integrated simulation of coastal eutrophication.

The cross-border cooperation ISECA (Information System on the Eutrophication of our CoAstal Seas) is a demonstration project to improve the exchange of data and scientific insights related to the eutrophication of coastal waters in the English Channel and the Southern North Sea. The Web-based Application Server (WAS) demonstrates the added value of combining earth observation and in-situ data on marine eutrophication with the outcomes of model simulations. The WAS allows visualization of Earth Observation data hosted by partner institutes and provides access to map layers showing different model scenarios, as well as functionalities for up- and downloading of in-situ data, including trend analysis. The envisaged en-users include the scientific community, marine managers, and general public.

In 2006, a work plan was conceived for the development of a mud transport model for the Scheldt estuary in the framework of LTV (Long Term Vision) (Winterwerp and De Kok, 2006). The purpose of this model is to support managers of the Scheldt estuary with the solution of a number of managerial issues. Also in 2006, the first two phases were initiated. The present report discusses the activities that have been carried out during the first half of 2007, i.e. Further improvement of the hydrodynamic and mud transport model.At a technical level, all model improvements scheduled for 2007 have been implemented. The most important developments are: longer hydrodynamic simulation period (up to one year), more accurate concentration boundary conditions, variable wave effects and biological effects.The hydrodynamic simulation yields realistic values for water levels and salinities, although it is expected that the modelled velocities will be too high. Three actions are identified that can enhance the simulated hydrodynamics:The high fresh water inflow event in the beginning of March can be modelled more accurately by adding more data points in the time series of fresh water inflow to increase the volume of fresh water contained in the peak.The time series of fresh water inflow of the Bathse Spuikanaal has to be added in the modelA different set of boundary conditions could yield better results for water levels.Regarding the mud transport simulations, the following is concluded:A minor shift of two dumping locations near Antwerp much improves the proper modelling of the ETMNew concentration boundary conditions at sea result in more realistic SPM concentrations at seaThe difference between simulations with 5 and 10 horizontal layers is only minorVariable waves temporarily enhance the concentration in the western part of the Western Scheldt during stormsThe biological impact on large-scale SPM concentrations in the Scheldt estuary appears to be minorThe SPM levels appear to be rather sensitive to the volume of harbour situation and dumping

In 2006, a work plan was conceived tor the development of a mud transport model tor the Scheldt estuary in the framework of LTV (Long Term Vision) (Winterwerp and De Kok. 2006). The purpose of this model is to support managers of the Scheldt estuary with the solution of a number of managerial issues. Also in 2006, the first two phascs were initiated. Thc present report discusses the actlvities that have been carried out during 2007, i.e. further improvement of the hydrodynarnic and mud transport model and lirst applicarion of the mud model to the release of fine sediment dredged from Sloe harbour, Vlissingen. At a technical level, all model improvements scheduled tor 2007 have been implemenred. The most important developments are: longer hydrodynarnic simulation period (3 month), more accurate concenration boundary condition, variable wave effects and biological effects. The hydrodynarnic sirnulation demonstrates realistic values for water levels, salinities and residual currents. Upstream of Antwerpen. the propagation of the tidal wave is modelled less accurately. Regarding the mud transport simulations, the following is concluded: 1. A minor shift of two dumping locations near Antwerp rnuch improves the proper modelling of the ETM. 2. New concentration BC at sea result in more realistic SPM concentrations and longshore SPM fluxes at sea. 3. The difference between simulations with 5 and 10 horizontal layers is only minor. 4 . Variable waves temporarily enhance the concenrations in the western part of the Western Scheldt during storrns. 5. The biological impact on large-scale SPM concentrations in the Scheldt estuary appears to be minor. 6. The SPM levels appear to be rather sensitive to the volume of harbour siltation and dumping. 7. The model cornputes an unrealistically high residual sediment flux towards the North Sea (about 2 MT/y). If sediment dumping is in equilibrium with harbour siltation, this net export results in too low equilibrium SPM levels. Application of the model to the dumping of sediment dredged from Sloe harbour shows that a shift of the release location in western direction may be favourable because of a small reduction in local SPM levels and siltation rates.