Climate protection or privilege? A whole systems justice milieu of twenty negative emissions and solar geoengineering technologies

In this study, we utilize a large and diverse expert interview exercise (N = 125) to critically examine the whole systems justice issues associated with ten negative emissions and ten solar geoengineering technologies. We ask: What equity and justice concerns arise with these 20 options? What particular vulnerable groups could be affected? What risks do these options entail for communities or the climate? Utilizing a “claims making” approach, we examine existing and prospective injustices across a pluralistic whole systems framework analyzing (i) resource extraction issues including minerals, chemicals, and fertilizers (ii) manufacturing, labor and ownership concerns, (iii) transportation-network and land-grabbing dynamics, (iv) unfair and exclusionary policymaking and planning, (v) operational injustices resulting from deployment and use, and (vi) waste flows, liabilities and disposal requirements. We then explore how these potential concerns culminate in a milieu of injustice cutting across the dimensions of distribution (who gets what), recognition (who counts), participation (who gets heard), capabilities (what matters), and responsibility (who does what). We conclude with insights for both policy and future research.     

Gas breakthrough experiments on pelitic rocks: comparative study with N2, CO2 and CH4

The capillary‐sealing efficiency of intermediate‐ to low‐permeable sedimentary rocks has been investigated by N₂, CO₂ and CH₄ breakthrough experiments on initially fully water‐saturated rocks of different lithological compositions. Differential gas pressures up to 20 MPa were imposed across samples of 10–20 mm thickness, and the decline of the differential pressures was monitored over time. Absolute (single‐phase) permeability coefficients (k_abs), determined by steady‐state fluid flow tests, ranged between 10^?22 and 10^?15 m². Maximum effective permeabilities to the gas phase k_eff(max), measured after gas breakthrough at maximum gas saturation, extended from 10^?26 to 10^?18 m². Because of re‐imbibition of water into the interconnected gas‐conducting pore system, the effective permeability to the gas phase decreases with decreasing differential (capillary) pressure. At the end of the breakthrough experiments, a residual pressure difference persists, indicating the shut‐off of the gas‐conducting pore system. These pressures, referred to as the ‘minimum capillary displacement pressures’ (P_d), ranged from 0.1 up to 6.7 MPa. Correlations were established between (i) absolute and effective permeability coefficients and (ii) effective or absolute permeability and capillary displacement pressure. Results indicate systematic differences in gas breakthrough behaviour of N₂, CO₂ and CH₄, reflecting differences in wettability and interfacial tension. Additionally, a simple dynamic model for gas leakage through a capillary seal is presented, taking into account the variation of effective permeability as a function of buoyancy pressure exerted by a gas column underneath the seal.     

Measurements of gas permeability and diffusivity of tight reservoir rocks: different approaches and their applications

Permeability and diffusivity are critical parameters of tight reservoir rocks that determine their viability for commercial development. Current methods for measuring permeability and/or diffusivity may lead to erroneous results when applied to very tight rocks including gas shales, coal, and tight gas sands, as well as rocks considered as seals for nuclear waste repositories and strata for geological sequestration of CO₂. The use of He as routinely applied to measure porosity, permeability, and diffusivity may result in non-systematic errors because of the molecular sieving effect of the fine pore structure to larger molecules such as reservoir gases. Utilizing gases with larger adsorption potentials than He, such as N₂, and including all reservoir gases to measure porosity or permeability of rocks with high surface area is a viable alternative, but requires correcting for adsorption in the analyses. This study expands several approaches to measure permeability and diffusivity with considerations for gas adsorption, which has not been explicitly considered in previous studies. We present new models that explicitly correct for adsorption during pulse-decay measurements of core under reservoir conditions, as well as on crushed samples used to approximate permeability or diffusivity. We also present a method to determine permeability or diffusivity from on-site drill-core desorption test data as carried out to determine gas in place in coals or gas shales. Our new approach utilizes late-time data from experimental pressure-decay tests, which we show to be more reliable and theoretically (and practically) accurate than the early-time approach commonly used to estimate gas-transport properties.     

Toward an understanding of the exchange in ancient scented oils through organic residue analysis of Bronze Age Near Eastern ceramic bottles by GC-MS

This paper presents a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) organic residue analysis (ORA) of samples extracted from five Early Bronze Age ceramic bottles excavated at the archaeological site of Küllüoba in Anatolia (modern Turkey), and the first attempt at directly analysing the content of this category of products. Our results show that various types of liquid have been contained in different bottles and identify the presence of dicarboxylic and oleic acids with a large amount of palmitic acid in most samples, suggesting that they may have mostly contained a plant-based oil. The presence of diterpenoids further shows the addition of ingredients such as conifer resin and other plant-derived products. Overall, the analytical results presented here indicate the exchange of scented oils in Anatolia already during the late third millennium BCE. The different organic residue profiles contained in different samples also suggest a range of different recipes for these products.     

Applying Policy Termination Theory to the Abandonment of Climate Protection Initiatives by U.S. Local Governments

A considerable amount is known about the factors that influence policy adoption and implementation across different issue areas. Less is known, however, about the factors that influence governments to abandon programs or policies prior to reaching their stated objectives or originally specified end‐points. This article applies termination theory to local climate protection initiatives and examines cities’ withdrawal from the dominant sustainability organization facilitating these efforts. In the face of national government inaction, large numbers of U.S. municipalities voluntarily committed to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and joined the ICLEI's Climate Protection program. After steady membership increases for nearly a decade, ICLEI attained its largest size in 2010 with 565 city members. Over the next 2 years, this number plummeted by 20 percent. Positioned in the literature on policy change, we empirically test three hypotheses for why a substantial portion of cities ended their affiliation with this organization and terminated the explicit climate protection objectives associated with it: (1) political ideology and interest group pressure, (2) fiscal constraints, and (3) perceived program ineffectiveness. Analytical results support the first and third hypotheses. We identify factors that influence the termination of local GHG reduction initiatives and discuss theoretical implications of these findings.     

Physico‐Chemical Characterization of Pigments and Binders of Murals in a Church in Ethiopia

Here, we report the physico‐chemical characterization of wall paintings from the Petros and Paulos church in Ethiopia. This work represents the first technical study of paintings located in Ethiopia, rather than paintings in museum collections outside the country, using diverse analytical techniques. In situ examination with a portable X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer (pXRF) was followed by analysis of samples using optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), micro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS), attenuated total reflection – Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FT–IR), X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and pyrolysis gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (Py‐GC/MS). The paint stratigraphy, the compositions of the support material, the preparatory and painting layers were studied, as well as the morphology of the pigment particles. The results revealed the use of earth pigments and carbon black. The preparatory layer was uncommon; composed of dolomite, clay rich in clinochlore and sand, in contrast to the more common gypsum and calcite. The binder and the stratigraphic analyses suggested a distempera technique.     

油气地缘经济与中国油气安全

本文从地缘政治观念向地缘经济观念发展的观点出发,通过对全球油气中心随时空转移和变化的分析,着重阐述了冷战以后全球形成的"石油心脏地带"和"内需求月形地带"及"外需求月形地块"的油气地缘经济格局以及有关国家围绕争夺中亚油气资源和跨国运输通道构成的内外两个三角之间的油气地缘战略竞赛,在此基础上讨论了中国油气安全所面临的处境与应采取的对策。     

新型干燥剂WG-1的研制及应用

研制的WG-1干燥剂,以生石灰——氧化钙为主体,经活化剂活化处理,使其性能有了极大改善。其吸湿能力强于生石灰和硅胶,并具有良好的吸附酸性气体的能力。在高湿情况下,吸湿效果更加显。WG-1经试验测定,属无毒级,模拟试验表明,使用时对物的强度、色彩等方面不会产生任何不良影响。     

Coal seam gas: a space‐based perspective

Coal seam gas and other unconventional gas industries have often struggled to develop a social licence to operate in surrounding communities, frequently resulting in the emergence of broad opposition coalitions and legal challenges. In this article, the authors explore the relational aspects of coal seam gas's space‐based setting with reference to Keith Halfacree's three‐fold model of rural space. Applying this model to coal seam gas development in New South Wales' Hunter Valley, we argue that it is only by understanding the so‐called total space that efforts can be undertaken to promote the more inclusive stakeholder collaboration, which is a prerequisite for achieving shared value for industry and society.     

Technology of Medieval Mortars: An Investigation into the Use of Organic Additives

This work proposes a multi‐analytical approach to determine the additives in historical mortars, the use of which is widely described in bibliographical sources, but has rarely been reported in the literature. A protocol to thoroughly analyse mortars was created (optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analyses and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry). These techniques, which had already been carried out on samples from various sites from the Roman to the modern era, determined that additives had only been used in the mortars from the internal masonry at our sampling site: the medieval military shipyard of Amalfi (Italy). The investigations yielded information on the production technology, and FT–IR and GC–MS revealed a saccharide material‐based additive in the mortars, of plant origin. The FT–IR spectra suggested the presence of a natural gum, which has been used since ancient times to strengthen the cohesion properties of mortars and their resistance to tensile stress.