Fibre-optic pH sensor for sea-water monitoring using a single dye

A sensor for the continuous monitoring of pH in sea water, having the configuration of a probe, is described. The characteristics of this probe, which uses phenol red adsorbed on Amberlite resin as a chemichromatic element on top of an optical fibre, are reported and the effects of interfering parameters (variable salinity and temperature of sea water) are assessed. The possibility of enhancing the working range is discussed, and a procedure for rendering the range suitable for marine monitoring is presented.     

Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric identification of some organic compounds and odours in poultry wastes

Air and waste samples coming from poultry breeding farms have been analysed by means of thermal desorption coupled to the gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric technique. The solid samples not only showed the presence of organic compounds such as acids, sulphides, benzopyrroles and phenols originated by anaerobic biotransfor-mation of the natural products, but also the occurrence of anti-oxidant substances: 2,6-di-tert-butylcresol, 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol and two of their oxidation derivatives. In the air, four artificial benzoquinones were detected, two of which had already been identified in the solid waste. In this work, the mechanism by which oxidized compounds are formed, is suggested.     

Semi-regular divisible designs and Frobenius groups

We study and characterize semi-regular (s, k, λ₁, λ₂)-divisible designs which admit a Frobenius group as their translation group. Moreover, we give a construction method for such designs by generalized admissible triads.     

One-pot conversion of 1,1-dibromoalkenes into internal alkynes by sequential Suzuki-Miyaura and dehydrobromination reactions

A protocol for the one-pot synthesis of internal alkynes from 1,1-dibromoalkenes is reported. The method is hinged upon the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of 2-aryl- or 2-heteroaryl-1,1-dibromoalkenes with aryl or heteroaryl boronic acids or borate esters followed by dehydrobromination of the intermediate coupled products. Yields up to 89% were obtained.     

Influence of the vertical profile of Saharan dust on the visible direct radiative forcing

The vertical profile of Saharan dust in the atmosphere is generally characterized by a large aerosol concentration in the mid troposphere, differently from the climatological distribution of other types of particles, that show a peak at the surface and a rapid decrease with height. Saharan dust is also characterized by particles of relatively large size of irregular shape, and variable values of the single scattering albedo (the ratio between radiation scattering and extinction). The dust's peculiar vertical distribution is expected to produce an effect on the calculation of the direct aerosol radiative forcing at the surface and at the top of the atmosphere. This effect is investigated by comparing estimates of aerosol direct visible radiative forcing at the surface and at the top of the atmosphere for dust vertical profiles measured in the Mediterranean, and for the climatological profile. The radiative forcing is estimated by means of an accurate radiative transfer model, and for the ocean surface. The sensitivity of the results on the solar zenith angle, aerosol optical depth, and aerosol absorption is also investigated. The aerosol radiative forcing at the surface shows a very small dependency on the aerosol vertical profile. At the top of the atmosphere, the radiative forcing is weakly dependent on the vertical profile (up to 10% variation on the daily average forcing) for low absorbing particles; conversely, it shows a strong dependency (the daily radiative forcing may vary up to 100%) for absorbing particles. The top of the atmosphere visible radiative forcing efficiency produced by dust having single scattering albedo <0.7 is higher by 4 W m⁻² when the observed vertical profile instead of the standard profile is used in the calculations (i.e. it produces a lower cooling). For values of the single scattering albedo around 0.67, the sign of the forcing depends on the vertical profile. The influence of the vertical distribution on the radiative forcing is largest at small values of the solar zenith angle, and at short wavelengths.     

Pillared layered structures versus zeolites as sorbents and catalysts. Part 8. Catalytic destruction of some chloro- and chlorofluoro-hydrocarbons in alumina-pillared clays

Summary Pillared clays have been monitored for catalytic destruction of halocarbons. In comparison with HZSM-5 zeolites, the catalysts tested give higher chlorohydrocarbons destruction with polymers formation. Fluorochlorohydro-carbons are destroyed as well.