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Abstract The kinetics of methane hydrate decomposition was studied using a semibatch stirred-tank reactor. The decomposition was accomplished by reducing the pressure on a hydrate slurry in water to a value below the three-phase equilibrium pressure at the reactor temperature. The data were obtained at temperatures from 274 to 283 K and pressures from 0.17 to 6.97 MPa. The stirring rates were high enough to eliminate mass-transfer effects. Analysis of the data indicated that the decomposition rate was proportional to the particle surface area and to the difference in the fugacity of methane at the equilibrium pressure and the decomposition pressure. The proportionality constant showed an Arrhenius temperature dependence. An estimate of the hydrate particle diameters in the experiments permitted the development of an intrinsic model for the kinetics of hydrate decomposition.

The aims of this work are to provide an overview of the current stresses of estuaries in Argentina and to propose adaptation strategies from an ecohydrological approach. Several Argentinian estuaries are impacted by pollutants, derived mainly from sewage discharge and agricultural or industrial activities. Anthropogenic impacts are expected to rise with increasing human population. Climate-driven warmer temperature and hydrological changes will alter stratification, residence time, oxygen content, salinity, pollutant distribution, organism physiology and ecology, and nutrient dynamics. Good water quality is essential in enhancing estuarine ecological resilience to disturbances brought on by global change. The preservation, restoration, and creation of wetlands will help to protect the coast from erosion, increase sediment accretion rates, and improve water quality by removing excess nutrients and pollutants. The capacity of hydrologic basin ecosystems to absorb human and natural impacts can be improved through holistic management, which should consider social vulnerability in complex human-natural systems.

AbstractThis paper assesses how parameter uncertainties in the model for rise velocity of CO2 droplets in the ocean cause uncertainties in their rise and dissolution in marine waters. The parameter uncertainties in the rise velocity for both hydrate coated and hydrate free droplets are estimated from experiment data. Thereafter the rise velocity is coupled with a mass transfer model to simulate the fate of dissolution of a single droplet.The assessment shows that parameter uncertainties are highest for large droplets. However, it is also shown that in some circumstances varying the temperature gives significant change in rise distance of droplets.

The effects of climate change (CC) on contaminants and their potential consequences to marine ecosystem services and human wellbeing are of paramount importance, as they pose overlapping risks. Here, we discuss how the interaction between CC and contaminants leads to poorly constrained impacts that affects the sensitivity of organisms to contamination leading to impaired ecosystem function, services and risk assessment evaluations. Climate drivers, such as ocean warming, ocean deoxygenation, changes in circulation, ocean acidification, and extreme events interact with trace metals, organic pollutants, excess nutrients, and radionuclides in a complex manner. Overall, the holistic consideration of the pollutants-climate change nexus has significant knowledge gaps, but will be important in understanding the fate, transport, speciation, bioavailability, toxicity, and inventories of contaminants. Greater focus on these uncertainties would facilitate improved predictions of future changes in the global biogeochemical cycling of contaminants and both human health and marine ecosystems.

In its latest assessment report the IPCC stresses the need for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to counterbalance residual emissions to achieve net zero carbon dioxide or greenhouse gas emissions. There are currently a wide variety of CDR measures available. Their potential and feasibility, however, depends on context specific conditions, as among others biophysical site characteristics, or availability of infrastructure and resources. In our study, we selected 13 CDR concepts which we present in the form of exemplary CDR units described in dedicated fact sheets. They cover technical CO2 removal (two concepts of direct air carbon capture), hybrid solutions (six bioenergy with carbon capture technologies) and five options for natural sink enhancement. Our estimates for their CO2 removal potentials in 2050 range from 0.06 to 30 million tons of CO2, depending on the option. Ten of the 13 CDR concepts provide technical removal potentials higher than 1 million tons of CO2 per year. To better understand the potential contribution of analyzed CDR options to reaching net-zero CO2 emissions, we compare our results with the current CO2 emissions and potential residual CO2 emissions in 2050 in Germany. To complement the necessary information on technology-based and hybrid options, we also provide an overview on possible solutions for CO2 storage for Germany. Taking biophysical conditions and infrastructure into account, northern Germany seems a preferable area for deployment of many concepts. However, for their successful implementation further socio-economic analysis, clear regulations, and policy incentives are necessary.

Die vorliegende Diplomarbeit befasst sich mit dem Thema ein nachhaltiges, ökologisches und ökonomisches Hotel in Antalya zu entwerfen. Das Klima in Antalya tritt im Allgemeinen in das mediterrane Klima ein. Die Sommer sind heiß und trocken, die Winter regnerisch und stürmisch. Da Antalya eine Touristenstadt ist, gibt es hier Unmengen an Hotels, die vorwiegend für Großfamilien mit Kindern sind. Dieser Entwurf ist anders als die „herkömmlichen“ Hotelprojekte, die es in Antalya schon gibt. Das Ziel des Entwurfes ist ein Treibhaus- und/oder Gewächshaushotel mit all seinen nachhaltigen Nutzen entlang der Küste zu schaffen. Neben der nachhaltigen Gebäudestruktur des Öko-Hotels werden viele energiesparenden Maßnahmen eingesetzt. Im Fokus stehen hierbei die Verwendung von natürlichen Baumaterialien in monolithischer Bauweise, unterirdische monolithische Betonzisterne für Trink- oder Nutzwasser zur Bewässerung des Innengartens und ebenso eine Meerwassersolaranlage, die als zusätzliches Trinkwasser fungieren soll. Durch Gebäudeintegrierte Photovoltaik-Module (GiPV) an der Fassade und auf dem Dach des Atriums wird die Sonnenenergie genutzt und in Strom zur Erwärmung des Duschwassers umgewandelt. Ein Gebäude, dass nicht nur nimmt, sondern auch gibt! Gegen die Monotonie im Alltag soll das Öko-Hotel eine abwechslungsreiche und beruhigende Entspannung fördern. Als therapeutische Zwecke wird die Thalasso- und Kneipp-Therapie angewendet. Thalasso ist einfach eine Heilbehandlung am und mit dem Meer, aber mit allem, was dazugehört: Wasser, Algen, Schlick, Wind, Salz und frischer, daher schadstoff- und pollenfreier Meeresluft. Einzigartige, heilende Kräfte für Körper und Seele! This diploma thesis describes the idea of designing a sustainable, ecological and economical hotel in Antalya. The climate in Antalya generally enters the Mediterranean climate. Summers are hot and dry, winters are rainy and stormy. Antalya is a tourist city, there are tons of hotels here, which are mainly for large families with children. This design is different from the „conventional“ hotel projects that already exist in Antalya. The aim of the design is to create a greenhouse and/or glasshouse hotel with all its sustainable benefits along the coast. In addition to the sustainable building structure of the eco hotel, many energy-saving measures are used. The focus here is on the use of natural building materials in monolithic construction, underground monolithic concrete cisterns for drinking water or water for other purposes to irrigate the inner garden and also a seawater solar system, which is intended to serve as additional drinking water. Building-integrated photovoltaic modules (BiPV) on the facade and on the roof of the atrium use solar energy and convert it into electricity to heat the shower water. A building that not only takes, but also gives! Against the monotony of everyday life, the eco-hotel is intended to promote varied and soothing relaxation. Thalasso and Kneipp therapy are used for therapeutic purposes. Thalasso is simply a healing treatment by and with the sea, but with everything that goes with it: water, algae, mud, wind, salt and fresh sea air, which is therefore free of pollutants and pollen. Unique, healing powers for body and soul!

AbstractThis paper argues that a focus on values, trust and context is vital to build a fuller understanding of public perceptions of carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS). Empirical data from interviews conducted in the UK and Italy as part of the EU FP7-funded ECO2 project is presented to illustrate how publics and stakeholders often evaluate the geological storage of carbon dioxide in terms of its relation to their broader world views, rather than purely in terms of the perceived techno-scientific risks of the technology.