The Experts below are selected from a list of 159 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Harold W. Avery - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) thermal ecology and reproductive success along a rainfall cline
Integrative zoology, 2015Co-Authors: Annette E. Sieg, Megan M. Gambone, Bryan P. Wallace, Susana Clusella-trullas, James R. Spotila, Harold W. AveryAbstract:Desert resource environments (e.g. microclimates, food) are tied to limited, highly localized rainfall regimes which generate microgeographic variation in the life histories of inhabitants. Typically, enhanced growth rates, reproduction and survivorship are observed in response to increased resource availability in a variety of desert plants and short-lived animals. We examined the thermal ecology and reproduction of US federally threatened Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii), long-lived and large-bodied ectotherms, at opposite ends of a 250-m elevation-related rainfall cline within Ivanpah Valley in the eastern Mojave Desert, California, USA. Biophysical operative environments in both the upper-elevation, "Cima," and the lower-elevation, "Pumphouse," plots corresponded with daily and seasonal patterns of incident solar radiation. Cima received 22% more rainfall and contained greater perennial vegetative cover, which conferred 5°C-cooler daytime shaded temperatures. In a monitored average rainfall year, Cima tortoises had longer potential activity periods by up to several hours and greater ephemeral forage. Enhanced resource availability in Cima was associated with larger-bodied females producing larger eggs, while still producing the same number of eggs as Pumphouse females. However, reproductive success was lower in Cima because 90% of eggs were depredated versus 11% in Pumphouse, indicating that predatory interactions produced counter-gradient variation in reproductive success across the rainfall cline. Land-use impacts on deserts (e.g. solar energy generation) are increasing rapidly, and conservation strategies designed to protect and recover threatened desert inhabitants, such as desert tortoises, should incorporate these strong ecosystem-level responses to regional resource variation in assessments of habitat for prospective development and mitigation efforts.
P.j. Rieck - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Seismic fragility analysis for non-seismically qualified steel structure
Reliability Engineering & System Safety, 1998Co-Authors: Kyu-ho Hwang, Sun-koo Kang, Wen.h. Tong, P.j. RieckAbstract:Abstract The cooling water (C/W) Pumphouse of CANDU nuclear power plants is non-safety related and is only designed to meet the seismic requirements of the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) for normal industrial plants and public buildings. Based on a feasibility study for CANDU seismic Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA), it was decided to include non-seismically qualified systems in the PSA models. Thus, it was necessary to evaluate the seismic fragility of the C/W Pumphouse which houses the raw service water system. The design basis seismic ground motion at CANDU site in Korea was evaluated by AECL in 1977, based on a probabilistic approach, which resulted in Design Basis Earthquake with a peak horizontal ground acceleration of 0.2 g . The peak ground acceleration considered for the design of the C/W Pumphouse is 0.1 g . The seismic fragility evaluation accounted for conservatism in the design, both in the seismic response and in the member capacity. The median-centered seismic capacity and the high confidence and low probability of failure (HCLPF) capacity of the Pumphouse steel superstructure are 0.89 g and 0.33 g , respectively. The ratio of the HCLPF capacity to the design peak ground acceleration is 3.3.
L. M. Dittmer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Remaining Sites Verification Package for the 100-B-14:1 Process Sewer, Waste Site Reclassification Form 2004-005
2007Co-Authors: L. M. DittmerAbstract:The 100-B-14:1 subsite encompasses the former process sewer main associated with the 105-B Reactor Building, 108-B Chemical Pumphouse and Tritium Separation Facility, 184-B Boiler House and the 100-B water treatment facilities, as well as the feeder lines associated with the 108-B facility, formerly discharging to the 116-B-7 Outfall Structure. The subsite has been remediated to achieve the remedial action objectives specified in the Remaining Sites ROD. The results of verification sampling demonstrated that residual contaminant concentrations do not preclude any future uses and allow for unrestricted use of shallow zone soils. The results also showed that residual contaminant concentrations are protective of groundwater and the Columbia River.
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Remaining Sites Verification Package for the 100-B-22:1 Pipelines and Associated Soils, Waste Site Reclassification Form 2005-042
2006Co-Authors: L. M. DittmerAbstract:The 100-B-22:1 pipelines and associated soils were part of the 100-B Area water treatment facilities. The 100-B-22:1 waste site is limited to those pipelines that interconnected the 185-B Filter House, the 126-B-2 Clearwells, the 185-B Deaeration Plant, and the 190-B Process Pumphouse. None of the 100-B-22:1 pipelines carried environmentally significant contamination. In accordance with the historical information and field observations of this evaluation, the results support a reclassification of this site to No Action required to meet future rural-residential uses and be protective of groundwater and the Columbia River.
Annette E. Sieg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) thermal ecology and reproductive success along a rainfall cline
Integrative zoology, 2015Co-Authors: Annette E. Sieg, Megan M. Gambone, Bryan P. Wallace, Susana Clusella-trullas, James R. Spotila, Harold W. AveryAbstract:Desert resource environments (e.g. microclimates, food) are tied to limited, highly localized rainfall regimes which generate microgeographic variation in the life histories of inhabitants. Typically, enhanced growth rates, reproduction and survivorship are observed in response to increased resource availability in a variety of desert plants and short-lived animals. We examined the thermal ecology and reproduction of US federally threatened Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii), long-lived and large-bodied ectotherms, at opposite ends of a 250-m elevation-related rainfall cline within Ivanpah Valley in the eastern Mojave Desert, California, USA. Biophysical operative environments in both the upper-elevation, "Cima," and the lower-elevation, "Pumphouse," plots corresponded with daily and seasonal patterns of incident solar radiation. Cima received 22% more rainfall and contained greater perennial vegetative cover, which conferred 5°C-cooler daytime shaded temperatures. In a monitored average rainfall year, Cima tortoises had longer potential activity periods by up to several hours and greater ephemeral forage. Enhanced resource availability in Cima was associated with larger-bodied females producing larger eggs, while still producing the same number of eggs as Pumphouse females. However, reproductive success was lower in Cima because 90% of eggs were depredated versus 11% in Pumphouse, indicating that predatory interactions produced counter-gradient variation in reproductive success across the rainfall cline. Land-use impacts on deserts (e.g. solar energy generation) are increasing rapidly, and conservation strategies designed to protect and recover threatened desert inhabitants, such as desert tortoises, should incorporate these strong ecosystem-level responses to regional resource variation in assessments of habitat for prospective development and mitigation efforts.
R.l. Dirkes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Columbia River monitoring: Summary of chemical monitoring along cross sections at Vernita Bridge and Richland
1993Co-Authors: R.l. Dirkes, G.w. Patton, B.l. TillerAbstract:This report presents the results of the chemical monitoring performed by the Surface Environmental Surveillance Project (SESP) along cross sections of the Columbia River established at Vernita Bridge and the Richland Pumphouse. Potential Hanford-origin chemical constituents of interest were selected based on their presence in ground water near the river, past surveillance efforts that have documented their entry into the river, and reviews of special study reports, CERCIA remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) documentation, RCRA facility investigation/corrective measure (FI/CW) study plans, and preliminary risk assessments. Results presented in this report include volatile organic compounds, metals, and anions. The data were generated as part of the routine Columbia River monitoring program currently conducted as part of the SESP.
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Columbia River monitoring: Distribution of tritium in Columbia River water at the Richland Pumphouse
1993Co-Authors: R.l. DirkesAbstract:The Surface Environmental Surveillance Project (SESP) is conducted by the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) for the US Department of Energy (DOE). This report presents the results of a special study conducted as part of the SESP to supplement the routine Columbia River monitoring program and provide information relative to the dispersion and distribution of Hanford origin contaminants entering the river through the seepage of ground water along the Hanford Site. Sampling was conducted along cross sections to determine the distribution of tritium within the Columbia River at Richland, Washington. The investigation was also designed to evaluate the relationship between the average tritium concentrations in the river water at this location and in water collected from the routine SESP river monitoring system located at the city of Richland drinking water intake (Richland Pumphouse). This study was conducted during the summers of 1987 and 1988. Water samples were collected along cross sections located at or near the Richland Pumphouse monitoring station.
