1. Keep it simple : improving the ex situ culture of Cystoseira s.l. to restore macroalgal forestsAna Lokovšek, Valentina Pitacco, Domen Trkov, Leon Lojze Zamuda, Annalisa Falace, Martina Orlando-Bonaca, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: Brown algae from genus Cystoseira s.l. form dense underwater forests that represent the most productive areas in the Mediterranean Sea. Due to the combined effects of global and local stressors such as climate change, urbanization, and herbivore outbreaks, there has been a severe decline in brown algal forests in the Mediterranean Sea. Natural recovery of depleted sites is unlikely due to the low dispersal capacity of these species, and efficient techniques to restore such habitats are needed. In this context, the aims of our study were (1) to improve and simplify the current ex situ laboratory protocol for the cultivation of Gongolaria barbata by testing the feasibility of some cost-effective and time-efficient techniques on two donor sites of G. barbata and (2) to evaluate the survival and growth of young thalli during the laboratory phase and during the most critical five months after out-planting. Specifically, the following ex situ cultivation methods were tested: (A) cultivation on clay tiles in mesocosms with culture water prepared by three different procedures (a) filtered seawater with a 0.22 μm filter membrane, (b) filtered seawater with a 0.7 μm filter membrane (GF), and (c) UV-sterilized water, and (B) cultivation on clay tiles in open laboratory systems. After two weeks, all thalli were fixed to plastic lantern net baskets suspended at a depth of 2 m in the coastal sea (hybrid method), and the algal success was monitored in relation to the different donor sites and cultivation protocol. The satisfactory results of this study indicate that UV-sterilized water is suitable for the cultivation of G. barbata in mesocosm, which significantly reduces the cost of the laboratory phase. This opens the possibility of numerous and frequent algal cultures during the reproductive period of the species. Additionally, if the young thalli remain in the lantern net baskets for an extended period of several months, they can grow significantly in the marine environment without being exposed to pressure from herbivorous fish.
Keywords: gojenje ex situ, obnova habitata, izboljšanje metodologije, gozdički rjavih alg, ex situ cultivation, mesocosm, open system, method improvement, brown algal forests restoration
Published in DiRROS: 29.03.2024; Views: 115; Downloads: 56
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2. Impact of Open-Loop Systems on Groundwater Temperature in NE SloveniaSimona Adrinek, Mitja Janža, Mihael Brenčič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: To achieve sustainable and efficient use of shallow geothermal resources, it is important to understand the heat transfer in the subsurface of the planned geothermal system. In the City Municipality of Murska Sobota, NE Slovenia, the use of geothermal open-loop systems has increased in recent years. Their high spatial density raises the question of possible mutual interference between the systems. By compiling geological, hydrogeological, and thermal data, obtained from the monitoring network, fieldwork, and knowledge of regional hydrogeological conditions, we have developed a transient groundwater flow and heat transfer model to evaluate the impact of the open-loop systems on the subsurface and surrounding systems. The transient simulation showed that the thermal state in the observed area is restored over the summer, when the systems are not in operation. Also, the systems do not have significant mutual interference that would affect their efficiency. However, as interest in installing new systems in the area increases, simulations of the thermal plumes of new geothermal systems are needed to ensure sustainable and efficient use of shallow geothermal energy in the future.
Keywords: geothermal energy, open-loop system, groundwater heat pump, intergranular aquifer, numerical modelling, thermal plume
Published in DiRROS: 19.09.2023; Views: 379; Downloads: 101
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3. The influence of flexible sound insulation layers on the seismic performance of cross laminated timber wallsBoris Azinović, Tomaž Pazlar, Meta Kržan, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: This paper presents the results of an experimental campaign investigating the seismic behaviour of full-size cross laminated timber (CLT) wall systems with sound-insulated shear-tension angle brackets. The main aim of the study was to investigate the influence of more and less flexible soundproofing bedding under the CLT wall. The paper shows a comparison of lateral load-bearing capacity, displacement capacity, ductility and stiffness obtained from racking tests on uninsulated specimens and specimens with various types of bedding insulation and levels of vertical load. Moreover, an analytical procedure to estimate the lateral load-displacement response of CLT walls with bedding insulation is proposed. This model is verified by direct comparison to the experimentally determined lateral load-displacement backbone curves. The results show that the elastomeric bedding does not have a significant effect on the bearing capacity of the wall system tested, but it reduces the stiffness and increases the displacement capacity. Due to the large decrease in stiffness, the insulation causes an overall reduction in ductility. The analytical estimation proposed was able to capture the reduction in lateral stiffness and adequately predict the load-bearing capacity.
Keywords: CLT wall system, insulated angle bracket, elastomer sound insulation, racking tests, lateral load-bearing capacity, stiffness, open access
Published in DiRROS: 26.06.2023; Views: 271; Downloads: 221
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