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If you enjoy engaging in role-playing games via a game console system through an online platform, you most likely think about ways to enhance your performance in positive ways. There are several reasons why hiring a professional player to join in your campaign can be a great way to learn additional material necessary to succeed in your endeavors. Here are some of the benefits you would obtain from having a professional game player join in on the action of your role-playing fantasy game.
Mimic The Movements To Learn New Accomplishments
When you have a professional gamer join your clan in a role-playing game, you, as well as any other players you have on-board, will be able to see first-hand how to do specific battle moves or use abilities or tools. The pro-gamer will be able to lead the rest of the players through different scenarios in the game, allowing each one to try using their own control pad or mouse to copy the movements in the same sequences so they can use these skills in their regular game play.
Reduce The Need To Look Up Information
Many role-playing games require the use of a guidebook or walk-through manual to help get through the maps of different lands being visited. This documentation also explains different abilities, hit points, tool and magic usage, and characters within the game. When a pro-player joins a campaign, the need to look up information will be reduced. The pro-gamer will guide others through different parts of the game, leaving notations to be read, which will reduce the need for constant paperwork researching. Since the game will not need to be paused to find out pertinent information, engaging game play can be achieved without distraction.
Increase The Strength Of Your Player
When a professional player is included in game play, the ability to strengthen your player to a higher level is definitely obtainable. This can be done with the mimicking of their actions, or under their specific direction. If you wish to increase the power of your character or get further into the game quickly, you have the ability to let the pro-gamer log in under your account to take over the actions of your character. You can watch the game play unfold in real time and see your player increase their levels on all aspects. This is a great way to learn while watching someone else's actions.
For more information about professional players, contact companies like Destiny Professionals.Share


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Promoter Ownership in Publicly Listed Firms in India: Does Group Affiliation Matter?
Richter, Ansgar and Chakraborty, Indrani (2015) Promoter Ownership in Publicly Listed Firms in India: Does Group Affiliation Matter? [Working Paper]Full text not available from this repository.
Many of the largest Indian firms are characterized by promoter ownership, a hybrid form of ownership and governance in which the companies' founders or their heirs hold controlling stakes, while inviting external minority shareholders to contribute capital, and outside managers to participate in the day-to-day administration of the companies concerned. We analyze a sample of 360 publicly quoted firms with promoter ownership in India during the 2006-2013 period. We find that in group-affiliated firms, the level of promoter ownership is positively associated with capital market performance, whereas in stand-alone firms there is a U-shaped relationship between promoter ownership and capital market performance. There are only minor performance differences between group-affiliated and stand-alone firms, once other performance determinants are controlled for. Our findings cast doubt on the idea that group affiliation in promoter-owned firms allows promoters to extract value for themselves at the expense of outside shareholders.
|Item Type:
|Working Paper
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|Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences > Surrey Business School
|Authors :
|Date :
|February 2015
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|Depositing User :
|Clive Harris
|Date Deposited :
|15 Dec 2017 10:21
|Last Modified :
|16 Jan 2019 19:06
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Success Stories
Read about how successful these members have been!
HopeBuilders Breakfast
Attend one of our informational HopeBuilders breakfasts to learn more about the Champlain Housing Trust and the affordable housing work we do in northwestern Vermont.
Burlington Community Land trust (BCLT) and Lake Champlain Housing Development Corporation (LCHDC) were each founded in 1984 with the financial support of the city of Burlington in partnership with neighboring communities and citizen groups.
BCLT focused on neighborhood improvement and expanding homeownership and LCHDC focused on rental housing production. Both groups were charged with producing and maintaining permanently affordable housing - be it rental or homeownership - for low income individuals and families. By merging in 2006, they combined their strengths to form Champlain Housing Trust to comprehensively serve the affordable housing and community development needs of Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle Counties. Permanent affordability and community ownership through our membership structure are hallmarks of the community land trust model that BCLT developed and modeled nationally and that we proudly carry forward in CHT.
Hear What Our Members Have to Say
Winnie Looby
Co-op Housing Member
It's really important to us that our kids can experience art as part of daily life," Winnie notes, "and the ethnic and economic mix in the Old North End makes them feel more at home than they might in other towns."


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Mercury (Hg) is a toxic element. Transfer of Hg from Earth's lithosphere to the atmosphere and other surface environments is continuous by natural processes, and has been accelerated by human activities dating back to antiquity (Goldwater, 1972; Nriagu, 1979). Natural atmospheric Hg emissions from volcanoes, crustal weathering and hydrothermal activity are thought to be 1–2 orders of magnitude smaller than modern anthropogenic Hg emissions (Amos et al., 2015; Bagnato et al., 2014; UNEP, 2013). Prior to the 1850s, anthropogenic Hg releases mainly came from primary Hg mining and use of Hg as amalgamation agent for silver extraction in the Spanish colonial Americas (Camargo, 2002; Hagan et al., 2011; Robins and Hagan, 2012). Following the industrial revolution, anthropogenic Hg releases further increased due to large-scale gold mining, non-ferrous metal production and combustion of fossil fuels (Streets et al., 2011). Streets et al. (2011) estimated that 215 Gg of cumulative anthropogenic Hg has been directly emitted into the atmosphere since the 1850s. This inventory was recently updated in Horowitz et al., (2014) by incorporating Hg releases from previously unquantified commercial Hg uses. The authors showed that an additional 540 Gg of Hg has been released to the atmosphere (20%), water (30%) and terrestrial (50%) reservoirs (Horowitz et al., 2014).
Released Hg will undergo complex redox reactions within and among atmospheric, terrestrial and aqueous reservoirs and is ultimately sequestered in the Earth's lithosphere when it is incorporated in marine sediments (Amos et al., 2014; Andren and Nriagu, 1979; Mason et al., 1994). Substantial legacy Hg has accumulated in Earth's surface reservoirs, significantly amplifying Hg loading to biogeochemically active pools (Amos et al., 2013). Natural Hg archives such as sediments, ice cores and peat cores (Faïn et al., 2009; Fitzgerald et al., 2004; Lamborg et al., 2002; Martínez-Cortizas et al., 1999; Schuster et al., 2002), and box models of global Hg cycling (Amos et al., 2013, 2015) suggest that present-day atmospheric Hg deposition has increased by a factor of 3–5 since the industrial period and by a factor of 17–27 since 3000 BC. Substantial debate exists on the historical Hg emission sources, e.g., Spanish-American mining in the 16th–18th century, North-American mining in the late 19th century, and other global change factors that have led to the increase in atmospheric Hg deposition (Amos et al., 2015; Engstrom et al., 2014; Krabbenhoft and Sunderland, 2013).
Hg stable isotope signatures have the potential to differentiate natural and anthropogenic Hg sources, and identify and quantify Hg transformations (Blum et al., 2014; Sonke, 2011; Sonke and Blum, 2013; Yin et al., 2014b). More than 10‰ variations in mass dependent Hg isotope fractionation (MDF, indicated by δ202Hg) and mass independent fractionation (MIF, indicated by Δ199Hg, Δ201Hg) of odd Hg isotopes have been documented in natural samples such as crustal rocks (Smith et al., 2008), cinnabar (Gehrke et al., 2011; Gray et al., 2013; Hintelmann and Lu, 2003; Smith et al., 2008; Stetson et al., 2009; Wiederhold et al., 2013), coal (Biswas et al., 2008; Sun et al., 2016; Yin et al., 2014a), and non-ferrous metals (Smith, 2010; Sonke et al., 2010; Yin et al., 2016). Different physical, chemical and biological Hg transformation processes induce characteristic MDF and MIF signs and magnitudes (Bergquist and Blum, 2007; Chandan et al., 2015; Ghosh et al., 2013; Jiskra et al., 2012; Kritee et al., 2013; Perrot et al., 2015; Rodríguez-González et al., 2009; Rose et al., 2015; Smith et al., 2015; Wiederhold et al., 2010; Zheng and Hintelmann, 2010a, 2010b). Historical Hg isotope composition of anthropogenic emissions can aid our understanding of the Hg source-receptor relationships and the redox cycling of Hg after it is emitted from sources. Such an inventory is the first step in incorporating Hg isotopes into state-of-the-science global Hg cycling models. This would in turn help constrain current poorly-known Hg fluxes and transformations such as volcanic Hg emissions, Hg wet/dry deposition, atmospheric Hg0 oxidation and HgII reduction, marine and terrestrial Hg re-emissions (Engstrom et al., 2014; Holmes et al., 2010; Huang and Gustin, 2015; Lindberg et al., 2007; Obrist et al., 2014; Pongprueksa et al., 2008; Pyle and Mather, 2003; Streets et al., 2011).
In addition to Hg emissions from different sources, accurate estimates of Hg isotope composition of anthropogenic emissions rely on two key factors: Hg isotope variation ranges of source Hg materials, and Hg isotope shifts between source Hg and emitted Hg. Over one decade of research has generated a large set of Hg isotope data in primary source materials (e.g., coal, cinnabar), and has advanced our understanding of several important Hg isotope fractionation processes during processing/combustion of source materials (e.g., coal combustion, cinnabar roasting) (Blum et al., 2014; Gray et al., 2013; Hintelmann and Lu, 2003; Sun et al., 2014a). Nevertheless, not all Hg emissions sources are covered and Hg isotope MDF during industrial processing is complex.
The goal of this work is to include Hg isotopes into the historically anthropogenic Hg emission inventory. We first compile the Hg isotope composition of source materials used by main human activities. Where possible, we estimate Hg isotope MDF during processing/combustion of source materials, following the framework of Sun et al. (2014a). A Monte Carlo approach is used to quantify the uncertainties of Hg isotope composition of anthropogenic emissions, following Streets et al. (2011). Finally, we provide new Hg isotope observations on bulk volcanic emissions that help better discriminate the natural and anthropogenic Hg emission end-members.
The vast majority of published Hg isotope data use delta notation with 198Hg as the denominator relative to Hg standard solution NIST 3133:(1)
MIF signatures are defined using capital delta notation as:(2)
where XXX is Hg isotope mass number, (202Hg/198Hg) sample is the measured isotope ratio of the sample, and (202Hg/198Hg) NIST 3133 is the average isotope ratio of the bracketing NIST 3133 Hg standard solution during measurement. The mass dependent scaling factor βxxx is 0.2520 for 199Hg, 0.5024 for 200Hg, 0.7520 for 201Hg and 1.4930 for 204Hg (Blum and Bergquist, 2007). In this study, we use δ202Hg, Δ199Hg, and Δ200Hg as the tracers of Hg isotope MDF, odd Hg isotope MIF, and even Hg isotope MIF, respectively.
Based on historical (1850s–2010s, with decadal resolution) Hg inventories (Horowitz et al., 2014; Streets et al., 2011), emission sectors are broadly divided into two categories: 'by-product' and 'intentional Hg use', which respectively contribute 112 Gt and 213 Gt cumulative anthropogenic emissions to the atmosphere since 1850s. For all the individual emission sectors in each category, their atmospheric total Hg (THg) emissions are partitioned as gaseous elemental Hg (GEM), gaseous oxidized Hg (GOM), and particulate bound Hg (PBM). δ202Hgit and Δ199Hgit values of atmospheric speciated Hg emissions at a decadal year (t) are estimated as:(3) (4)
in which, the superscript i, s and r represents Hg species (i.e., GEM, GOM and PBM), sectors and regions, respectively. The Hg emissions in 'by-product' sectors (copper, zinc and lead smelting; iron and steel manufacturing; liquid Hg0 production; cement manufacturing; combustion of coal and oil; large-scale gold mining without Hg amalgamation) (Figure S1A) are divided into 17 world regions aggregated into 5 technological groupings based on levels of regional development. Emissions from the 'intentional Hg use' sectors (artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM); silver mining; large-scale gold mining with Hg amalgamation; chlor-alkali production; and other 12 sectors that use liquid Hg0 in processes and products) (Figure S1B) only discriminate between developed and developing world regions. For all the 'by-product' sectors and selected 'intentional Hg use' sectors (large-scale gold mining, silver mining, ASGM and chlor-alkali production), their Hg species emission profiles are taken from Streets et al. (2011). For the remaining 'intentional Hg use' sectors of Horowitz et al. (2014), their Hg species emission profiles are calculated by weight-averaging emitted Hg species ratios at each emission stage of a complete life cycle. Mercury isotope composition in various source materials (δ202Hgs,rt and Δ199Hgs,rt) are summarized from published literature (Figure 1), and the shifts of MDF and MIF in emitted Hg species (ε202Hgi,s,rt and E199Hgi,s,rt) are estimated using the best-available information on Hg isotope fractionation during processing/combustion of source materials.
Figure 1 summarizes the reported δ202Hg and Δ199Hg in source materials (e.g., fossil fuels, non-ferrous metal ores and crustal rocks). Δ200Hg in all source materials is insignificant (<±0.1‰). There is approximately 5.5‰ (−3.9‰ to 1.6‰) variation in δ202Hg in all source materials, with 80% of the values distributed between −1.84‰ and −0.06‰ (Figure 1). This large variation in δ202Hg of source materials reflects the wide variability of Hg sources and/or large MDF during biogeochemical processes including hydrothermalism, volcanism, diagenesis and metamorphosis. Δ199Hg in all source materials varies by 1.0‰ (−0.6 to 0.4‰) with 80% of the values distributed between −0.25‰ and 0.11‰. Most of the Hg in ores and rocks is derived from Earth's crust and mantle, and has insignificant Δ199Hg (<±0.1‰) (Figure 1).
Most anthropogenic Hg emissions to the atmosphere are associated with high-temperature processing of source materials, e.g., combustion of fossil fuels, roasting/heating of gold/silver-Hg amalgam and cinnabar, roasting and smelting of ferrous and non-ferrous ores and concentrates. During the thermal processing of source materials, Hg in source materials is transformed into GEM, GOM and PBM in generated flue gases by a series of physicochemical reactions (oxidation, reduction, adsorption, diffusion etc.). These phase and redox transformations of Hg in high-temperature facilities are expected to induce significant Hg isotope MDF, but no photochemical MIF (Sherman et al., 2012; Sonke et al., 2010; Sun et al., 2013; Wiederhold et al., 2013). Therefore, we only address the Hg isotope MDF shifts of emitted Hg species relative to source materials. MDF and MIF of Hg isotopes during post-emission of volcanic and industrial plumes are also not further discussed here. Below we provide a detailed overview of Hg isotope composition in various source materials and associated Hg isotope MDF of emitted Hg species.
Combustion of fossil fuels. More than 200 coal samples from historical and modern world coal-producing/consuming regions covering nearly all coal-forming periods and coal ranks have been analyzed for their Hg isotope composition (Biswas et al., 2008; Lefticariu et al., 2011; Sherman et al., 2012; Sun et al., 2013, 2014a, 2014b; Yin et al., 2014a). In contrast, only a limited number of oil sand samples from Athabasca, Canada have been reported (Blum et al., 2012). World coal deposits show large variations in both δ202Hg (−3.90‰ to 0.77‰) and Δ199Hg (−0.63‰ to 0.34‰), with an average value of −1.16±0.79‰ (1SD, n=216) and −0.11±0.18‰ (1SD, n=216), respectively. These coal samples are mainly from coal basins in China, former USSR, South Africa, Europe, India, Indonesia and Mongolia. Most of them are statistically distinguishable based on the means of δ202Hg, Δ199Hg or both (Sun et al., 2014a). The very limited Athabasca oil samples show moderate variation of δ202Hg (−1.68‰ to −1.22‰, n=5) and large variation of Δ199Hg (−0.39‰ to −0.02‰, n=5) (Blum et al., 2012) (Figure 1). We consider that more isotope data on oil are needed before this sector can be included in the isotope emission inventory.
Sun et al. (2014a) developed a speciated Hg isotope fractionation model for pulverized coal-fired boilers (the worldwide typical boiler type) by treating Hg isotope fractionation associated with Hg transformations in flue gases as two independent and consecutive Rayleigh fractionation systems: homogeneous gaseous oxidation of GEM to GOM, and heterogeneous gas-particle conversion of GOM to PBM. This model assumes Hg in coal is completely thermally reduced into GEM in the combustion zone of a boiler and Hg isotopes are only fractionated between the furnace outlet and inlet of air pollution control devices (APCD). Using a generalized GEM:GOM:PBM ratio of 0.15:0.52:0.33 in the flue gases before APCD, this model predicts a shift of 1.0±0.2‰ (1SD) for GEM, 0.05±0.2‰ (1SD) for GOM and −0.5±0.3‰ (1SD) for PBM, relative to δ202Hg of feed coal. However, the generalized pre-APCD GEM:GOM:PBM ratio of Sun et al. (2014a) does not differentiate the various sector/fuel/technology Hg emission scenarios that are characterized by different Hg species emission profiles. According to Streets et al. (2011), 69 out of 144 sector/fuel/technology combinations for combustion sources are designated to coal combustion, and all these combinations have their corresponding Hg species emission characteristics. Here, we improve the previous estimates on isotope composition of speciated Hg from coal combustion as follows: 1) APCDs are divided into five types: cyclone, scrubber, fiber filter (FF), electrostatic precipitator (ESP), flue gas desulfurization (FGD). It is assumed the former four types can only remove PBM, while the last type only removes GOM (Sun et al., 2014a). Each type of APCD is assumed to have a constant Hg removal efficiency (cyclone=1%, scrubber=6.5%, FF/ESP=30.6%, FGD=40%, Streets et al., 2011). 2) For the coal combustion sectors installed with APCDs, Hg species ratios in flue gases before APCDs are calculated based on emitted Hg species ratios and Hg removal efficiencies of APCDs. For the coal combustion sectors without APCDs, the emitted Hg species ratios are used directly to represent Hg species ratios before emission.
Ferrous (iron/steel) and non-ferrous metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Au) production. In the present study, Hg emissions from large-scale Au production are quantified separately as 'by-product' (without Hg amalgamation) and 'intentional Hg use' (with Hg amalgamation) sectors, with the former from the trace Hg impurity in gold ores and the latter from the liquid Hg0 used for amalgamation. Up until now, only Hg isotope composition in zinc ores (sphalerite, from North America, China, South Africa, Spain, Australia and Congo, n=124) (Smith, 2010; Sonke et al., 2010; Yin et al., 2016) and gold ores (Carlin type, from USA, n=9) (Smith, 2010) have been reported. Due to lack of data, we assume Cu and Pb ores have the same Hg isotope composition as Zn ores based on their close geological association, commonly occurring together as hydrothermal sulfide ores. They possibly have common Hg sources. We further justify this by the similar median δ202Hg (and Δ199Hg) of well documented cinnabar (−0.61‰) and Zn ores (−0.47‰) (Table S1). No data are available for iron ore processing by the iron/steel sector, and we therefore omit this relatively small (<1% historically) sector in the Hg isotope inventory.
During high temperature smelting, roasting or sintering of ferrous and non-ferrous metal ores, most Hg will be volatilized into flue gases (Wu et al., 2012; Zhang et al., 2012). Sonke et al. (2010) suggested >99% of Hg in raw sphalerite ore is volatilized during smelting processes, and the refinery slags (δ202Hg=−0.24 ± 0.71‰, 1SD, n=4) are only slightly enriched in heavier Hg isotopes as compared to raw sphalerite ores (δ202Hg=−0.76 ± 1.25‰, 1SD, n=7). Based on mass balance, the volatilized bulk GEM fraction should therefore have nearly the same isotope composition as raw sphalerite ores. Subsequent partitioning of bulk GEM to GOM and PBM during cooling of flue gases and by-product removal by APCDs are expected to fractionate Hg isotopes, but no studies have been performed to determine the signs and magnitudes. At current stage, we assume all emitted Hg species conserve the Hg isotope composition of sphalerite ores.
Cement production. Following UNEP/AMAP (2013), we assume Hg emissions from cement production are exclusively from limestone, although other raw materials (e.g., clay, sandstone) contribute small amounts of Hg. We note that cement Hg emissions from combustion of fueled coals have been separately accounted for in industrial sectors of coal combustion. Here we measured Hg isotope composition in bioclastic limestone used in some Chinese areas for cement production. δ202Hg in these limestone samples varies from −2.47‰ to −0.37‰, with an average value of −1.64±0.61‰ (1SD, n=11) that is very similar to the one limestone sample (δ202Hg=−1.43±0.10‰, 2SD) reported by Wang et al. (2015). Limestone is significantly depleted in heavier Hg isotopes compare to other crustal rocks (Figure 1).
Cement production involves clinker formation at very high temperatures (up to 2000 °C in the cement kiln) by roasting a mixture of limestone and silicate rocks (Wang et al., 2014), which should theoretically induce minimal Hg isotope fractionation between flue gases and raw materials. In addition, for some cement plants with particulate matter recycling and raw material preheating, more than 90% of the input Hg is emitted into atmosphere (Wang et al., 2014). We therefore assume Hg emissions have the same Hg isotope composition as limestone in Figure 1. This assumption was also validated in a typical cement plant, Sichuan Province, China where the emitted THg was calculated to have nearly the same Hg isotope composition as raw materials (Wang et al., 2015).
Liquid Hg0 production. Hg-bearing ores (predominantly cinnabar, hexagonal α-HgS) have been extensively mined for liquid Hg0 production. It is estimated that nearly one million tons of liquid Hg0 has been produced over the last 500 years (Hylander and Meili, 2003; Streets et al., 2011). Hg isotope composition in cinnabar ores from primary Hg mining areas producing >90% world historical liquid Hg0 have been reported, including the world's largest Spanish Almaden mine, the world's second largest Slovenian Idrija mine, the largest three Hg production districts of the USA (California Coast Ranges, Nevada, and Texas), the Central-South America Hg mining districts, and the Hg production center in China (Foucher et al., 2009; Gehrke et al., 2011; Gray et al., 2013; Hintelmann and Lu, 2003; Smith et al., 2005, 2008; Stetson et al., 2009; Wiederhold et al., 2013; Yin et al., 2013).
During liquid Hg0 production, crushed cinnabar ores are sealed in retort or rotary furnaces and roasted at high temperatures (600–850 °C) to convert the solid ore HgS phases into Hg0 vapor, which is subsequently condensed as liquid Hg0. This conversion is not complete. Historically, <1% to 40% of Hg is estimated to have escaped into the ambient atmosphere as GEM, and <10% of Hg is retained in the residual calcine (Hylander and Meili, 2003, 2005; Streets et al., 2011). Significant MDF of Hg isotopes has been observed between cinnabar and its roasting products (calcine, escaped GEM, liquid Hg0) in the field and in controlled laboratory experiments (Stetson et al., 2009; Wiederhold et al., 2013; Yin et al., 2013). Following Gray et al, (2013), we use an isotope mass balance equation to constrain the δ202Hg values of emitted GEM during HgS roasting and Hg vapor condensation:(5)
In this equation, f's represent the Hg mass fractions (%) of roasting products of cinnabar, summing to unity. The <10% residual Hg pool in calcine is commonly enriched in heavier Hg isotopes relative to cinnabar (Figure S2) (Stetson et al., 2009; Wiederhold et al., 2013; Yin et al., 2013). A comparison of mean δ202Hg between cinnabar ores and roasted calcine wastes at five individual Hg mines from US, Spain, and China shows a 0.1-1.9‰ (mean=0.8‰) positive shift of δ202Hg from cinnabar to calcine (Figure S2). This amounts to a <0.05‰ negative shift, on average, of δ202Hg in the generated bulk GEM that is subsequently cooled and condensed into liquid Hg0 at the condenser column/coils. Hg isotope fractionation at high temperatures is theoretically predicted to be minimal (Schauble, 2007). We therefore assume, as have others (Wiederhold et al., 2013; Yin et al., 2013), that the bulk GEM produced by cinnabar reduction approximately conserves the Hg isotope composition of cinnabar. Therefore, equation 5 can be approximated as:(6)
During condensation of bulk GEM into liquid Hg0, the fraction of GEM unintentionally lost to the atmosphere may carry a different isotope signature relative to cinnabar and condensed liquid Hg0. Through a laboratory cinnabar retorting experiment, Gray et al, (2013) showed that on average, the condensed liquid Hg0 is shifted by +0.52±0.13‰ (1SD, n=3) and the GEM fraction lost is shifted by −0.79±0.44‰ (1SD, n=3) in δ202Hg relative to cinnabar ore (−0.36±0.10‰, 1SD, n=3). A direct comparison of δ202Hg in world cinnabar (−0.66±0.73‰, 1SD, n=210) (Cooke et al., 2013; Foucher et al., 2009; Gehrke et al., 2011; Hintelmann and Lu, 2003; Smith et al., 2005, 2008; Stetson et al., 2009; Wiederhold et al., 2013; Yin et al., 2013) and commercial liquid Hg0 (−0.38±0.34‰, 1SD, n=13) (Blum and Bergquist, 2007; Estrade et al., 2009; Foucher et al., 2009; Laffont et al., 2011; Mead et al., 2013; Sonke et al., 2008) also shows a slight enrichment of heavier Hg isotopes in liquid Hg0. It appears that the emitted GEM and condensed liquid Hg0 are complementary Hg pools, and their difference in δ202Hg is controlled by the extent to which Hg isotopes fractionate between GEM and condensed liquid Hg0. Hg0 condensation takes place from a saturated Hg0 vapor on a cooled surface. We therefore assume that these conditions are more similar to Hg0 liquid/vapor equilibrium Hg isotope fractionation than to kinetic isotope fractionation into a vacuum (Estrade et al., 2009). Equilibrium Hg0 liquid/vapor isotope fractionation enriches the vapor in the lighter Hg isotopes relative to the liquid (Estrade et al., 2009; Ghosh et al., 2013), which can be expressed as:(7)
The per mil fractionation factor ε202Hgliq-vap has an uncertainty range of 0.9–1.4‰ (mean=1.1‰), as experimentally determined by Estrade et al. (2009) and Ghosh et al. (2013). The observed δ202Hg difference (i.e., 1.31±0.31‰, 1SD) between GEM (reactant) and liquid Hg0 (product) during cinnabar retorting of Gray et al. (2013) is within the range of experimentally observed ε202Hgliq-vap. As discussed above, the δ202Hg difference between global cinnabar and commercial liquid Hg0 is ∼0.28‰. To achieve this shift, the Equations 6 and 7 would give a fGEM value of 20% when using ε202Hgliq-vap of 1.4‰. This is in the range of previously estimated fGEM (<1–40%) for the 20th century (Hylander and Meili, 2003; Streets et al., 2011). The fraction of emitted GEM (fGEM), can be calculated as a function of historical Hg emission factor, EFHg, of Hg production in each region:(8)
Figure S3A shows EFHg in five world regions between 1900s and 2010s (Streets et al., 2011) and the calculated fractions of GEM emitted to the atmosphere (fGEM). Before 1900, EFHg and fGEM are identical to values in 1900 (Streets et al., 2011). Using a constant ε202Hgliq-vap of 1.4‰ and the calculated fGEM, we simulate the evolution of δ202Hg in emitted GEM and condensed liquid Hg0 in Figure S3B. It shows that the variations of δ202Hg in both produced liquid Hg0 and emitted GEM vary over a very limited range (<0.3‰), depending on the fGEM for each region. The predicted δ202Hg of liquid Hg0 is within the range measured for commercial liquid Hg0 (Blum and Bergquist, 2007; Estrade et al., 2009; Foucher et al., 2009; Laffont et al., 2011; Mead et al., 2013; Sonke et al., 2008).
Small Hg MIF (Δ199Hg up to 0.14‰, and Δ201Hg up to 0.09‰) due to the nuclear volume effect was observed during laboratory experiments of liquid Hg0 in equilibrium with its vapor (Estrade et al., 2009; Ghosh et al., 2013). This could potentially lead to small and opposite Hg MIF, < ±0.1‰, in emitted GEM and condensed liquid Hg0 during cinnabar retorting. Such small effects are close to measurement uncertainty, and were consequently not detected during the cinnabar retorting experiment of Gray et al. (2013). We therefore omit cinnabar retorting Hg MIF in the Hg isotope emission inventory, but suggest that further work in this direction is worthwhile.
Historically produced liquid Hg0 (cumulative 720 Gg in 1850–2010) was primarily used in Au/Ag mining in the late 19th to early 20th century, and then in commercial products and industrial processes (Horowitz et al., 2014; Streets et al., 2011). The Au/Ag mining uses liquid Hg0 to amalgamate Au/Ag ores. Mercury is evaporated by roasting the Au/Ag–Hg amalgam at temperatures >1000 °C to obtain Au/Ag (Robins and Hagan, 2012; Velásquez-López et al., 2010). This process involves a high-temperature, near-complete physical transformation of liquid Hg0 to GEM, and should induce insignificant Hg MDF (Laffont et al., 2011). We assume that the bulk Hg evaporated from Au/Ag-Hg amalgam conserves the Hg isotope composition of liquid Hg0 used for amalgamation. Liquid Hg0 and its derivatives are also widely used in commercial products (e.g., lamps, battery, medical devices, measuring devices), industrial processes (e.g., chlor-alkali production, vinyl chloride monomer, and pulp and paper) and agricultural fungicides and pesticides. Emissions of Hg to the atmosphere can occur during initial production, storage stages and final disposal processes (e.g., dumping, incineration) of Hg-containing products (Horowitz et al., 2014). Within one decade, most of the used liquid Hg0 in products and processes is thought to be volatilized to the atmosphere (Horowitz et al., 2014). Analogous to liquid Hg0 used in Au/Ag mining, the bulk Hg evaporated from these sectors also presumably conserve the Hg isotope composition of liquid Hg0. We use the measured isotope composition of commercial liquid Hg0 to represent those of intentional uses of liquid Hg0.
Following the previous uncertainty estimates of Hg emission inventories (Streets et al., 2011; Wu et al., 2010), we use the Monte Carlo stochastic simulator embedded in the Crystal BallTM software to quantify the uncertainties of Hg isotope inventory from anthropogenic emissions. Each set of the key input variables (isotope composition, emission-source isotope shifts) in individual decadal years and regions is best-fitted using probability distribution functions incorporated into the Crystal BallTM framework. When the number of data points of a variable is equal to or larger than 15, the distribution function that best describes the data characteristics of the variable is automatically fitted by Crystal BallTM. For the variables with limited data points, we use simple distribution functions (commonly triangle or normal) to describe these variables (Subramanyan et al., 2008; Wu et al., 2010). For example, both δ202Hg and Δ199Hg values for world coals (n=216) are automatically fitted by Weibull distributions. Due to limited coal samples in India (n=12) and OECD Europe (n=3), normal and triangle distribution functions are used, respectively, to represent their data scatter. A list of assumed distribution functions of Hg isotope composition of source materials with their main descriptive parameters are shown in Table S1. These distributions are truncated at both sides using minimum and maximum values of corresponding variables, and then are combined with previously estimated distributions of Hg emission inventories (Horowitz et al., 2014; Streets et al., 2011) to simulate the isotope inventories of anthropogenic THg and speciated Hg emissions. The number of stochastic simulation trials is set at 10 000 to obtain the reliable forecasted results that are expressed in the forms of statistical probability distributions (e.g., median value, P50) bounded by 10% (P10)–90% (P90) confidence interval).
Some parameters are not quantified for uncertainties at present. Examples include Hg isotope shifts of emitted GEM relative to raw Hg ores during liquid Hg0 production, the historical variations of specific APCDs removal efficiencies during coal combustion, and the ratios of GEM:GOM:PBM in emission sources. Currently, Hg isotope data are lacking for the oil combustion and iron/steel metallurgy sectors, as well as for the roasting and smelting of Cu and Pb ores. These aspects were therefore omitted from the Hg isotope emission estimates. The uncertainty associated with these omissions is limited as the cumulative Hg emissions from oil combustion, Fe/steel and Cu/Pb/Zn production only represent <8% of total anthropogenic Hg emissions since 1850, compared to >92% from the coal combustion, liquid Hg0 production and the uses of liquid Hg0 in Au/Ag mining and industrial processes/products.
Figure 2 shows the estimated median values (P50) of δ202Hg and Δ199Hg for THg emissions from 'by-product' sectors and all sectors ('by-product' + 'intentional Hg use') between 1850s and 2010s, which are bounded by 80% confidence intervals (P10–P90). The corresponding speciated Hg (GEM, GOM and PBM) emissions are shown in Figures 3A–C. Table 1 lists the estimated δ202Hg and Δ199Hg for THg and speciated Hg emissions from 'by-product' sectors and all sectors in the 2010s. A full dataset of δ202Hg and Δ199Hg for THg, GEM, GOM, PBM and oxidized HgII (weighted mean of GOM and PBM) is tabulated in Table S2. Δ200Hg of all historical THg and speciated Hg emissions are <±0.1‰.
|By-product sectors
|All sectors
|By-product sectors
|All sectors
The isotope inventory of THg emissions from by-product sectors show an increasing trend in δ202Hg from −2.1‰ in 1850s to −0.9‰ in 2010s (Figure 2). This curve can be broadly divided into three phases: 1) 1850s-1930s with δ202Hg slightly increasing from −2.1‰ to −1.3‰, representing a transition of dominant Hg emission sectors from liquid Hg0 production and use to coal combustion and non-ferrous metals smelting; 2) 1930s-1960s with δ202Hg stabilized between −1.3‰ and −1.5‰, representing an insignificant variation in Hg emission amounts from different sectors; 3) 1960s–2010s with δ202Hg increasing from −1.5‰ and −0.9‰, representing a rapid increase of Hg emissions from coal combustion (Figure S1A and Table S1). δ202Hg values of GEM (−2.1‰ to −0.8%) (Figure 3A), GOM (−2.1‰ to −0.8‰) (Figure 3B) and PBM (−2.0‰ to −1.4‰) (Figure 3C) of by-product sectors from 1850s to 2010s generally follow the same increasing trends as THg. However, as compared to THg, PBM in recent decades is as large as 0.5‰ lower in δ202Hg. This is because δ202Hg of PBM predicted by the coal combustion MDF model is significantly lower than THg (Sun et al., 2014a). In contrast to δ202Hg, Δ199Hg of THg (Figure 2) decreases from −0.03‰ to −0.10‰ in the first 100 years of the industrial period (1850s-1950s) due to dominant Hg emissions from the combustion of European/North American coals that have significantly negative Δ199Hg (−0.4‰ to −0.1‰, Table S1). Δ199Hg of THg then gradually rebounds to −0.06‰ in 2010s due to increasing Hg emissions from the combustion of Asian coals (e.g., China, India) and the smelting of non-ferrous metal ores which both are characterized by near-zero Δ199Hg (Figure S1A and Table S1). The temporal (1850s to 2010s) variation of Δ199Hg in GEM (−0.02‰ to −0.04% for 1850s-1950s, then stabilizes between −0.04% and −0.03% until 2010s) (Figure 3A), GOM (−0.01‰ to −0.13‰ for 1850s–1950s, then increases to −0.07% in 2010s) (Figure 3B) and PBM of by-product sectors (−0.08‰ to −0.16‰ for 1850s–1950s, then increases to −0.05% in 2010s) (Figure 3C) are basically similar to that of THg.
Adding Hg emissions from intentional uses of commercial liquid Hg0 (δ202Hg=−0.4‰; Δ199Hg=−0.02‰, Table S1) positively shifts the δ202Hg and Δ199Hg of by-product THg emissions by 0.2–1.2‰ and 0.00-0.05‰, respectively. From the 1850s to 2010s, this results in a variation of −1.1‰ to −0.7‰ in δ202Hg, and −0.02‰ to −0.04‰ in Δ199Hg for THg emissions from all sectors (Figure 2). The distinctly increasing δ202Hg and decreasing Δ199Hg trends for by-product sectors are not clearly seen for all sectors (Figure 2), due to large proportions (80%–50% for 1850s–2010s) of THg emissions from intentional uses of commercial liquid Hg0 (Figure S1). The δ202Hg (−1.1 to −0.6‰) and Δ199Hg (−0.02 to −0.01‰) curves of GEM (Figure 3A) from all sectors closely follow those of THg as most (∼90%) of Hg in the 'intentional Hg use' sectors is emitted as GEM. δ202Hg of GOM varies within a rather limited range of −1.1‰ to −0.8‰ without clear trend (Figure 3B), while δ202Hg of PBM shows a decreasing trend from −1.2‰ in the 1850s to −1.5‰ in the 1980s before rising to −1.1‰ in the 2010s (Figure 3C). Δ199Hg trends for both GOM (−0.02‰ to −0.10‰ for 1850s-1950s, then increases to −0.06% in 2010s) and PBM (−0.05‰ to −0.13‰ for 1850s-1950s, then increases to −0.04% in 2010s) from all sectors are similar to by-product sectors, as only ∼10% fraction of THg in 'intentional Hg use' sectors is emitted as GOM and PBM.
In addition to the uncertainties of previous Hg emission inventories (Horowitz et al., 2014; Streets et al., 2011), the expanded uncertainties of the Hg isotope inventories include variability in Hg isotope composition of source materials, and uncertainty in Hg isotope MDF between speciated Hg emissions and source materials. Sensitivity analysis of Hg isotope inventory shows that the largest contributors to the variance of δ202Hg of THg emissions from all sectors are the historical Hg emission inventory from 1850s to 1920s, δ202Hg of liquid Hg0 used in industrial processes/products between 1930s and 1970s, and δ202Hg of coal after 1980s (Figure S4A). In addition, Hg isotope MDF during coal combustion (ε202Hg_Coal) accounts for as much as 10-25% of the variance of δ202Hg since the 1980s. For the variance of Δ199Hg of THg emissions from all sectors, the largest contributors are Δ199Hg of liquid Hg0 uses before the 1940s, and Δ199Hg of coal after the 1950s (Figure S4B). Hg emissions from Cu/Zn/Pb smelting; cement production, and large-scale gold mining without Hg amalgamation only contribute ∼10% of variances in δ202Hg and Δ199Hg.
Primary natural Hg emissions to the atmosphere result from soil degassing and volcanic activity. The Hg flux from passively degassing volcanic activity is relatively well constrained at 76 ± 31 Mg y-1 (Bagnato et al., 2014). No Hg flux measurements exist for explosive volcanism. The Hg flux from explosive volcanic activity has been suggested to be larger, 600 Mg y-1 (Pyle and Mather, 2003) based on a crude extrapolation of registered Hg deposition in a single ice core archive (Schuster et al., 2002). Global box model constraints on primary natural Hg emissions, including both volcanic emissions and soil degassing, suggest that the sum of these is unlikely to be >300 Mg y-1 (Amos et al., 2015). We therefore suggest that the passive degassing volcanic flux of 76 ± 31 Mg y-1 is a realistic estimate of annual total volcanic Hg emissions.
A single study examined the Hg isotope composition of fumaroles at the passively degassing Vulcano, Italy (Zambardi et al., 2009). A mean δ202Hg for bulk fumarole THg emissions of −0.74 ± 0.18‰ (2SD, n=4), together with insignificant MIF was observed. Here we include additional observations from five fumaroles at the passively degassing Merapi and Papandayan volcanoes, Indonesia. Bulk fumarole sample collection, processing and Hg isotope analysis were done in 2007–2008 following Zambardi et al. (2009) and results are summarized in Table 2. We find overall similar Hg isotope composition, based on nine fumaroles at the three studied volcanoes, with a mean δ202Hg and Δ199Hg of −0.76 ± 0.22 ‰ (2SD, n=9) and 0.05 ± 0.06‰ (2SD, n=9), respectively. These values are very similar to those of geological cinnabar and silicate rocks (Figure 1). Compared to volcanic processes, hydrothermal processes can cause as large as 6‰ variation of δ202Hg in fossil and active hydrothermal systems due to vitalization of Hg0 vapor and active Hg redox reactions (Smith et al., 2005, 2008). The limited observations of δ202Hg and Δ199Hg of bulk volcanic THg emissions overlap our estimated present-day anthropogenic THg emissions (Table 1). This may limit discerning natural from anthropogenic Hg emissions on a global scale, depending on whether bulk volcanic Hg emissions are further fractionated within volcanic plumes. A single observation on Hg speciation in an aged fumarole plume at Vulcano (Italy) suggests that GEM (δ202Hg, −1.7‰) and PBM (δ202Hg, −0.1‰) can indeed be fractionated mass dependently relative to bulk THg emitted (δ202Hg, −0.7‰) (Zambardi et al., 2009). Hg isotope fractionation in volcanic plumes is however not sufficiently understood to predict the δ202Hg of volcanic GEM emissions at this point.
|Fumarole ID
|Volcano name
|This study
|This study
|This study
|This study
|This study
|(Zambardi et al., 2009)
|(Zambardi et al., 2009)
|(Zambardi et al., 2009)
|(Zambardi et al., 2009)
In this study, we have constructed isotope inventories of total Hg and speciated Hg (GEM, GOM and PBM) emissions for both 'by-product' and 'intentional Hg use' sectors with a decadal-resolution from the 1850s to 2010s. More work is needed to constrain Hg isotope composition of primary source materials and Hg isotope shifts in MDF and MIF between emitted Hg species and source materials. In particular, data on Fe, Cu and Pb ore concentrates are lacking. Further experimental and observational work on Hg isotope MDF during coal combustion, metal refining and liquid Hg0 use is needed to confirm the presented conceptual models.
High-precision Hg isotope measurement of total gaseous Hg (TGM, GEM+GOM) and precipitation Hg has been reported for several N-American and European regions (Chen et al., 2012; Demers et al., 2013, 2015; Donovan et al., 2013; Fu et al., 2014; Gratz et al., 2010; Sherman et al., 2010, 2012, 2015; Wang et al., 2015). Global TGM is enriched in the heavy isotopes (δ202Hg=0.51 ± 0.41 ‰, 1SD) (Demers et al., 2013, 2015; Fu et al., 2014; Gratz et al., 2010; Sherman et al., 2010) compared to our model estimated GEM emissions (Table 1). It has been shown that foliar uptake of GEM enriches foliage in the light Hg isotopes by −2.9‰ in δ202Hg, driving residual GEM to higher δ202Hg values (Demers et al., 2013). This process is possibly responsible for the δ202Hg shift between GEM emissions and global TGM observations. As we start to understand Hg isotope fractionation during atmospheric Hg transport and deposition, our high-resolution Hg isotope MDF and MIF inventories may help explain the observed isotope composition of atmospheric Hg and natural receptors and archives that directly receive atmospheric Hg. This would bridge the gap of our understanding on Hg isotope differences between sources and receptors. Furthermore, our inventories are expected to be embedded into state-of-the-science biogeochemical cycle models of Hg to understand the complex interplay between primary natural and anthropogenic Hg emissions and between primary and re-emitted natural and anthropogenic Hg.
The Hg emission inventories of 'by-product' and 'intentional Hg use' sectors are publicly available from research group of Biogeochemistry of Global Contaminants in Harvard University: http://bgc.seas.harvard.edu/models.html. The stable Hg isotope (δ202Hg and Δ199Hg) emission inventories of 'by-product' and 'intentional Hg use' sectors for THg, GEM, GOM, PBM and oxidized HgII (weighted mean of GOM and PBM) are available in Table S2 of the supplemental material.
© 2016 Sun et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Contributed to conception and design: RS, JES, EMS, HMA
Contributed to acquisition of data: RS, DGS, HMH, VP, JPT
Contributed to analysis and interpretation of data: All authors
Drafted and/or revised the article: RS, JES, EMS, HMA
Approved the submitted version for publication: All authors
The authors do not have any competing interests.
The study is supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2014CB238903) and the China Postdoctoral Science (Special) Foundation (2014M551821; 2015T80668) and the Anhui Provincial Natural Science Foundation (1608085QD73). Additional supports are from the French Agence Nationale de Recherche (ANR-09-JCJC-0035-01) and European Research Council (ERC-2010-StG_20091028) to JES, and from the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada Discovery Grant to HH.
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Rodríguez-González P , Epov VN , Bridou R , Tessier E , Guyoneaud R , et al.. 2009. Species-Specific Stable Isotope Fractionation of Mercury during Hg(II) Methylation by an Anaerobic Bacteria (Desulfobulbus propionicus) under Dark Conditions. Environ Sci Technol 43(24): 9183–9188. doi: 10.1021/es902206j.
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Schauble EA. 2007. Role of nuclear volume in driving equilibrium stable isotope fractionation of mercury, thallium, and other very heavy elements. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 71(9): 2170–2189. doi: 10.1016/j.gca.2007.02.004.
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Sherman LS, Blum JD, Dvonch JT, Gratz LE, Landis MS. 2015. The use of Pb, Sr, and Hg isotopes in Great Lakes precipitation as a tool for pollution source attribution. Sci Total Environ 502: 362–374. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.09.034.
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Smith CN. 2010. Isotopic geochemistry of mercury in active and fossil hydrothermal systems. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan, Geological Sciences.
Smith CN, Kesler SE, Blum JD, Rytuba JJ. 2008. Isotope geochemistry of mercury in source rocks, mineral deposits and spring deposits of the California Coast Ranges, USA. Earth Planet Sci Lett 269(3–4): 399–407. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2008.02.029.
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Smith RS, Wiederhold JG, Kretzschmar R. 2015. Mercury Isotope Fractionation during Precipitation of Metacinnabar (β-HgS) and Montroydite (HgO). Environ Sci Technol 49(7): 4325–4334. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b00409.
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Sonke JE, Blum JD. 2013. Advances in mercury stable isotope biogeochemistry. Chem Geol 336: 1–4. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.10.035.
Sonke JE , Schäfer J , Chmeleff J , Audry S , Blanc G , et al. 2010. Sedimentary mercury stable isotope records of atmospheric and riverine pollution from two major European heavy metal refineries. Chem Geol 279(3–4): 90–100. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2010.09.017.
Sonke JE, Zambardi T, Toutain J-P. 2008. Indirect gold trap-MC-ICP-MS coupling for Hg stable isotope analysis using a syringe injection interface. J Anal At Spectrom 23(4): 569–573. doi: 10.1039/B718181G.
Stetson SJ, Gray JE, Wanty RB, Macalady DL. 2009. Isotopic Variability of Mercury in Ore, Mine-Waste Calcine, and Leachates of Mine-Waste Calcine from Areas Mined for Mercury. Environ Sci Technol 43(19): 7331–7336. doi: 10.1021/es9006993.
Streets DG , Devane MK , Lu Z , Bond TC , Sunderland EM , et al.. 2011. All-Time Releases of Mercury to the Atmosphere from Human Activities. Environ Sci Technol 45(24): 10485–10491. doi: 10.1021/es202765m.
Subramanyan K, Wu Y, Diwekar U, Wang M. 2008. New stochastic simulation capability applied to the GREET model. Int J Life Cycle Assess 13(3): 278–285. doi: 10.1065/lca2007.07.354.
Sun R , Heimbürger L-E , Sonke JE , Liu G , Amouroux D , et al.. 2013. Mercury stable isotope fractionation in six utility boilers of two large coal-fired power plants. Chem Geol 336: 103–111. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.10.055.
Sun R , Sonke JE , Heimbürger L-E , Belkin HE , Liu G , et al.. 2014a. Mercury Stable Isotope Signatures of World Coal Deposits and Historical Coal Combustion Emissions. Environ Sci Technol 48(13): 7660–7668. doi: 10.1021/es501208a.
Sun R, Sonke JE, Liu G. 2016. Biogeochemical controls on mercury stable isotope compositions of world coal deposits: A review. Earth-Science Rev 152: 1–13. doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2015.11.005.
Sun R, Sonke JE, Liu G, Zheng L, Wu D. 2014b. Variations in the stable isotope composition of mercury in coal-bearing sequences: Indications for its provenance and geochemical processes. Int J Coal Geol 133: 13–23. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2014.09.001.
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Velásquez-López PC, Veiga MM, Hall K. 2010. Mercury balance in amalgamation in artisanal and small-scale gold mining: Identifying strategies for reducing environmental pollution in Portovelo-Zaruma, Ecuador. J Clean Prod 18(3): 226–232. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2009.10.010.
Wang F , Wang S , Zhang L , Yang H , Wu Q , et al.. 2014. Mercury enrichment and its effects on atmospheric emissions in cement plants of China. Atmos Environ 92: 421–428. doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2014.04.029.
Wang Z , Chen J , Feng X , Hintelmann H , Yuan S , et al.. 2015. Mass-dependent and mass-independent fractionation of mercury isotopes in precipitation from Guiyang, SW China. C R Geosci . doi: 10.1016/j.crte.2015.02.006.
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Yin R , Feng X , Hurley JP , Krabbenhoft DP , Lepak RF , et al.. 2016. Mercury Isotopes as Proxies to Identify Sources and Environmental Impacts of Mercury in Sphalerites. Sci Rep 6: 18686. doi: 10.1038/srep18686.
Yin R, Feng X, Li X, Yu B, Du B. 2014b. Trends and advances in mercury stable isotopes as a geochemical tracer. Trends Environ Anal Chem 2: 1–10. doi: 10.1016/j.teac.2014.03.001.
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His family's "curse" had businessman Reynard del Castillo engaged to a woman he'd never really marry. Flighty Sara Woodville was beautiful, but there was no attraction between them at all. Until the day he kissed her, felt passion ignite—and knew the woman in his arms was not Sara.
Rina agreed to pose as her twin temporarily, never expecting to fall for her devilishly handsome "fiancE." Now she's lost her heartand could lose Reynard if—when—he discovers her deception.
Product recommendations
by Yvonne Lindsay


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Alopecia Areata
Male Hair Loss
Female Hair Loss
Hair Facts Supplements
Hair Caps & Laser Combs
FUE Hair Transplant
Viviscal Professional
At least 50% of all adult men will suffer with some form of male pattern hair loss. This increases to 73% of all men and 57% of all women over the age of 80. At Rejuvence Clinic we specialise in the treatment of hair loss. We are experts in the various types of treatments available for hair loss and best placed to advise our clients on what works and what doesn't. Most importantly we adopt an evidence based approach. This means we examine all the available published scientific and medical evidence that exists for a specific treatment and only offer treatments that have been proven to work. No magic potions and wild claims.
LLLT is a photo-biostimulator and can result in improved hair growth in various forms of hair loss, specifically androgenetic alopecia – male and female pattern hair loss. In the context of androgenetic alopecia, low level laser therapy aids in the transformation of miniaturised hairs into longer terminal hairs. LLLT improves hair growth in the following ways:
LLLT stimulates hair follicles to re-enter the anagen (growth) phase from telogen (resting) phase within the hair cycle
LLLT prolongs the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle.
LLLT increases the rate of growth during the anagen phase of the hair cycle.
LLLT also results in increased blood flow to exposed areas of the scalp through vasodilatation (swelling of arteries) which also helps to stave off the ischaemic effects of dihydrotestosterone (main hormone responsible for male pattern hair loss).
There are a wide array of different laser combs and laser hair caps available online and on ebay and Amazon. All claim to give excellent results. However, there is no guarantee the laser diodes in use are actual lasers and may in fact be simple LEDs. The most well known company amongst these is HairMax who sell a laser comb and a laser hair band. Their laser hair band retails at £739.85 and consists of 82 lasers. For entire scalp coverage it is necessary to use the hair band three times for upto 90 minutes.
©Individual results may vary.
At Rejuvence we are able to supply a Laser Helmet known as the iHelmet. This device consists of 200 laser diodes of the appropriate frequency. In addition it is operated through an app on your smartphone that can be downloaded from the App Store and Google Play. This app ensures that the helmet is used for an appropriate length of time and at appropriate intervals throughout the week so as to avoid excessive use that would result in worsening hair loss as opposed to hair gain. We advise our clients to use the iHelmet in tandem with Hair Facts Vitamin Supplements as well as a 3 month session of Magellan TruPRP. The results are excellent. The iHelmet can be ordered from us for £695.00.
At Rejuvence Clinic we are keen to stamp out all myths about hair loss and its treatment. We know how psychologically debilitating hair loss can be for men and women. We also recognise that the treatment of hair loss is hard and requires patience and belief. We believe in providing our clients with treatments that really do work and always strive to instill our clients with confidence as well as realistic expectations.
Low Level Laser Therapy really does work. Please book a consultation with us to discuss your hair loss treatment options.
Low Level Laser Therapy, otherwise known as LLLT, is one of three recognised FDA approved treatments for androgenetic alopecia in males and females. The FDA is known as the United States Food and Drug Administration and is a federal agency responsible for protecting the public's health. The FDA approved the LLLT laser comb for use in males for androgenetic alopecia in 2007 and subsequently approved its use in women in 2011.
As with other FDA approved hair loss treatments – minoxidil and finasteride – the positive effects of LLLT for hair loss were stumbled upon by chance. In the late 1960s a Hungarian physician by the name of Endre Mester, conducted a series of experiments to evaluate the potential cancer causing effects of red ruby laser on mice. As a result he shaved mice and shone this laser (694nm) on them. To his surprise he found that rather than have any negative cancer causing effects the red laser actually resulted in accelerated regrowth of the mice's fur. Animal studies using a 'Laser Hair Comb' employing red LED and laser of 650nm frequency, demonstrated increased hair growth. Dr Shukla and his team, in 2010, developed an animal model using Swiss albino mice and demonstrated positive effects of low energy LLLT (1J/cm2 ). However, he also demonstrated negative inhibitory effects of LLLT on hair growth if a high energy alternative (5J/cm2 ) was used. Hency too high an energy beam or if exposed to LLLT for too long or too often, can cause increased hair loss as opposed to increased hair growth.
Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) definitely works in the treatments of androgenetic alopecia in males and females. It has been shown to be as effective as minoxidil (RegainTM) and finasteride. It is also effective in other forms of hair loss with particular interest in chemotherapy induced alopecia and alopecia areata. LLLT has been shown to be even more effective when combined with other treatments such as minoxidil.


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Which General Motors Subcompact SUV Is Best for You?
The Chevy Trax and Buick Encore are subcompact SUVs with a lot of similarities. They are both made by General Motors and share a base engine and similar measurements. Buick is known for higher-end interiors and features, which carries over into the Encore, but you'll pay slightly more for those upgrades. With so many things to consider, which SUV is the better buy?
These cars may be siblings, but they aren't twins. In the following slides we break down which subcompact SUV is better in the categories that matter most to buyers, using U.S. News scoring data. Keep in mind that our scoring is frequently updated, so the scores in this slideshow may not reflect what is currently on our site.
Read on to determine which GM subcompact SUV is right for you.
Winner: 2018 Chevrolet Trax
The Trax and Encore are just a few thousand dollars apart, although the Trax is cheaper. It starts at $21,000 for the base LS trim. This trim comes standard with front-wheel drive but all-wheel drive can be added for $1,500. The mid-range Trax LT starts at $22,900, and the top-of-the-line Premier trim starts at $27,300.
The Buick Encore base 1SV trim starts at $22,990. This trim comes standard with front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive is not available. To get that, you'll have to upgrade to the next trim level. The Encore Preferred starts at $24,400, and you can add all-wheel drive for an additional $1,500. The Encore offers twice as many trims as the Trax, with the top Premium trim starting at $30,500.
Winner: 2018 Buick Encore
Neither 2018 has been rated for reliability by J.D. Power. However, because these vehicles are carryovers, we can compare their 2017 scores.
The 2017 Buick Encore bests the 2017 Trax in terms of reliability. The 2017 Encore earned four out of five, which is above average. The 2017 Trax earned three out of five, which is average.
The Encore also comes with a slightly longer warranty: a four-year/50,000-mile standard warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Trax comes with a more typical warranty for the class: a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Seat Comfort
Winner: 2018 Chevrolet Trax
Both subcompact SUVs come standard with seating for five on cloth upholstery. However, the cloth upholstery in the Encore is a bit more premium than the upholstery in the Trax. Aside from that, the Trax is actually more comfortable. The Encore is comfortable when compared to other subcompact SUVs, but the Trax proves particularly comfortable – even on long car rides. The Encore is also a bit cramped, even for a subcompact.
Cargo Space
Winner: Tie
The Trax and Encore offer average cargo space for the subcompact SUV class. The Encore offers 18.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in use and 48.4 when they are folded. The Trax offers 18.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 48.4 total. Technically speaking, the Encore offers one-tenth of an inch more – but that's not enough to declare it the winner.
Both SUVs' cargo holds are similarly functional. You can fold the front and rear passenger seats flat, allowing the space to carry longer items.
Interior Quality
Winner: 2018 Buick Encore
The Buick Encore's interior is one of the most refined among affordable subcompact SUVs, whereas the Chevy Trax's is pretty Spartan. The Trax features a few soft-touch materials, but most are hard plastics. The Encore's materials are mainly soft-touch, and the hard plastics that are used are higher quality. Additionally, Buick's Active Noise Cancellation technology ensures that cabin is quiet.
Interior Features
Winner: 2018 Buick Encore
Among the Encore's standard features are Buick's IntelliLink infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen, a 4.2-inch driver information display, a Wi-Fi hot spot, satellite radio, a six-speaker audio system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and two USB ports.
The Chevy Trax doesn't come standard with nearly as many features. It comes with a smaller, 7-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, two USB ports, six-speakers, and a Wi-Fi hot spot.
On top of offering more standard features, the Encore's infotainment system is also more responsive than the Trax's. The Encore's is intuitive, easy-to-use, and quick to react to commands. The Trax's is also modern and easy-to-use, but it's a bit slow to react.
Winner: 2018 Buick Encore
The Encore and Trax share a base powertrain. They both come standard with a 138-horsepower turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. In both the Encore and Trax, this engine disappoints. It's slow to accelerate – particularly when the vehicles are packed full of passengers.
The Encore is saved by its upgraded 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, which makes 153 horsepower. It's only a slight improvement, but it's enough to give the Encore the win.
Fuel Economy
Winner: 2018 Buick Encore
The Encore not only bests the Trax in terms of fuel economy, but it is also more efficient than many other subcompact SUVs. Its base engine earns 27 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. Upgrade the engine, and you'll lose 2 mpg in the city.
The Chevy Trax earns 25 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway, which is about average for the class.
Ride Quality and Handling
Winner: 2018 Buick Encore
Because these SUVs are so compact, they handle very well. They both have tight turning radii and are very maneuverable. The Encore comes out on top in terms of ride quality. It offers a very smooth ride, whereas the Trax's can feel slightly rough.
Winner: Tie
The 2018 Trax and 2018 Encore earned identical U.S. News Safety scores (9.7 out of 10). They also earned identical crash test scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They earned all Good scores in the tests conducted by the IIHS and five out of five stars in the NHTSA's frontal and side crash tests and four out of five in their Rollover test.
The Winner Is …
2018 Buick Encore
Although these subcompact SUVs are similar in a lot of ways, the Encore is just a better SUV overall. It performs better, has a higher-tech and more refined interior, and is more reliable. The Chevy Trax is a few thousand dollars cheaper and offers very comfortable seating. If you're looking to save a few bucks, you won't go wrong with the Trax. However, we've determined that the Buick Encore is not only a better value than the Trax, but one of the top subcompact SUVs in the class.
More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report
If you would like to compare these SUVs further, check out the 2018 Buick Encore and 2018 Chevy Trax reviews. You can also see how they stack up to the competition by checking out our subcompact SUV rankings.
When you're ready to buy, be sure to use our Best Price Program to find a dealer with the best price near you. Shoppers who use our Best Price Program have saved an average of $3,279 off MSRP.
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Britain's own Venom One is a unique duo not only for being progressive trance artists, but in their unique execution in combining big room styles with passionate sound. Made up of Jorg Gradwohl and Neal McCluskie,they have a history of remixing and producing for some of the greatest names in the dance music game. This week, though, they've broken through with their most massive single to date entitled "Earthquake." Featuring one of dance's hottest, most in-demand vocalists Jonathan Mendelsohn helping to deliver his classically uplifting and emotional collaboration on the track, it's out on Coldharbour Recordings this week and has a huge roster of intercontinental remixers featured including Tomas Heredia, Mr. Pit and Purple Stories. All unique in their own brand of trance, the power brought through each of their remixes is earth shaking, with the most surprising new sound coming from Purple Stories's remix that will surely be a end of summer favorite.
Venom One, Jonathan Mendelsohn
- Coldharbour Recordings


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Mel Fabrikant
The Paramus Post
November 6, 2012
Voter guides from obviously fake front groups posing as cops, literacy groups, green groups and Democrats are making a last-ditch attempt to try to sway voters against Proposition 37.
Pamela Prindle from Albany was alarmed when she received a slate mailer over the weekend from a group she thought was the Democratic Party, advising her to vote against the GMO labeling initiative. "I was so upset, I called the Democratic Party and they said their official position is endorsing Proposition 37," Prindle said.
Then she realized the mailer — which features photos of Presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy — was from a group called the Democratic Voter's Choice which has a notorious reputation for deception. "People are going to get this in the mail three days before the election and they're not going to take the time to check into it like I did," Prindle said.
"This is just one of many examples of slate mailers from obviously fake front groups trying to trick voters about Proposition 37," said Dave Murphy, co-chair of the California Right to Know Yes on 37 campaign and executive director of Food Democracy Now!
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


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Man accused of murdering woman at Norwich flat will not give evidence, court hears
PUBLISHED: 12:57 18 September 2018 | UPDATED: 13:00 18 September 2018
A court has heard how a man accused of murdering a woman at a flat in Norwich will not be giving evidence during his trial.
Danny Williams, 27, of Godric Place, Norwich, is on trial at Norwich Crown Court accused of murdering his neighbour Farnaz Ali, 49, in July last year.
The court has heard the body of Ms Ali, who had 59 injuries after being attacked with a hammer, was found in the bathroom of a flat belonging to Williams on July 29 2017.
The jury of five men and seven women today (Tuesday, September 18) heard that Williams will not be taking the stand to give evidence during the trial.
Following the end of the prosecution case defence barrister Jonathan Goodman was asked by Judge Stephen Holt if his client had been advised that the time had come when "he could give evidence to the jury if he chooses".
Mr Goodman indicated that he had been but stated his client would not be taking to the stand to give evidence in the case.
Judge Holt asked Mr Goodman if Williams had been advised that if he chose not to give evidence the jury might draw inferences from his decision not to give evidence.
Again Mr Goodman said his client was aware.
Earlier this morning the court heard the end of the prosecution case against Williams.
Andrew Thompson, prosecuting, read out a statement made by acting sergeant Daniel Coles which describes how at shortly before 3pm on Saturday, July 29 last year he was called to Windsor Road, Lowestoft.
He had information that Williams was wanted by police on suspicion of murder.
Acting sergeant Coles described how Williams was standing on the road, holding a phone in his hand.
Officers got out and Williams was told to put his hands on his head and get on his knees.
After being arrested on suspicion of murder Williams made no reply.
The court heard the defendant was searched at just after 3.05pm and among the items found on him was a blue key fob with an address on it with "red spots" on it.
Mr Thompson said the spots were blood and led to the item being put in an evidence bag.
Williams has denied murder.
The trial continues.
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Eastern Daily Press. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


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What do I need to enroll in AutoFile for Kansas?
To enroll in AutoFile for Kansas, you'll need the details listed below:Kansas AutoFile Enrollment FAQ
What's my State Assigned Payment Schedule?
- This is the filing frequency assigned to you by the Kansas DOR.
- If you're not sure of this detail for your account, you can contact the state's DOR and get them to confirm this detail for you. (We list contact details for the states here.)
What's my First Filing Period?
- Pending successful verification, the period listed here is the estimated first filing period TaxJar will file.
- The First Filing Period is based on the date the enrollment form is saved and the payment schedule.
What's my State Registered Business Name?
- This is the business name you provided to the state when you registered for your sales tax license.
- It should be listed on your sales tax registration paperwork.
What's my Identification Number and Access Code?
- We explain both in full detail here


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Amber Glass Spray Bottle
The amber glass spray bottle is your go-to for storing and preserving your DIY eco-friendly cleaning products. Made from amber glass with a solvent-resistant trigger spray, the 500ml capacity bottle suits your homemade vinegar/ acid based solutions.
- Overall Height (bottle with spray nozzle) is 26cm x Diameter approx. 6.5cm
Eco-Living Features
- Glass bottle, which is recyclable at end of life
- Making your own household cleaning products for a low tox healthy body and home.
- Refillable and reusable for your DIY solutions
- Solvent resistant trigger spray
Select either one bottle or a two pack set of bottles for over 10% worth of saving!
Complete your eco-friendly household cleaning set with the natural loofah sponge for gentle scrubbing and the eco-coconut round scourer for tougher scrubbing.
Clicking on some links in this listing will take you to my affiliate partner website, Biome. I may receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase.
|.370 kg
|Number of Bottles
Single, Set of Two
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Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury to receive honorary SVS doctorate
Click the title for the full article.
(orthodoxbeacon.com) On Saturday afternoon, January 30, 2010, The Most Rev. and Rt. Honorable Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury and head of the Church of England, will deliver the annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary. The archbishop will speak on the topic "Theology and the Contemplative Calling: The Image of Humanity in the Philokalia."
St Vladimir's Seminary will also confer upon the archbishop a Doctorate of Divinity honoris causa, in recognition of his contribution to the academic study of Eastern Orthodox theology and spirituality. The Very Rev. Dr. John Behr, dean of St. Vladimir's, was examined for his own doctoral degree at Oxford University by the archbishop, then a professor of theology there.
"Many Orthodox Christians may be unaware of Rowan Williams's research and contribution to the field of Orthodox theology," said Father John. "But he was a pioneer in this field, with outstanding breadth and depth. The subject of his own doctoral thesis, for instance, was the work of the great Orthodox theologian Vladimir Lossky, the first academic study of the émigré theologians. He has also written beautifully on the icons of the Theotokos and the Transfiguration, and, most recently, has published a highly regarded volume titled Dostoevsky: Language, Faith and Fiction. In recognition of his outstanding work and contribution to the study of Eastern Christianity, we are very pleased that he has accepted to deliver the 2010 annual Schmemann lecture."
The Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, chancellor and CEO of the seminary, likewise noted the import of the upcoming visit. "The archbishop is a patron of The Fellowship of Ss. Alban and Sergius, a society of Eastern and Western Christians that held a major conference on our campus in 2008," said Father Chad. "And we welcome his presence as a person who supports the continued dialogue of the society's members."


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Tipping the Scales: How to Achieve the Right Work-Life Balance
When people picture the most successful people in their field, they often envision someone who has shed their personal life like needless equipment to scale the mountainous heights of success. However, viewing success in that way leads to less success and more burn out. Fortunately, there is a way to achieve work-life balance and use them in conjunction to define your personal measure of success.
The Multiple Paths to Success
Some people dream of being the hard-hitting CEO, the one who starts his or her day before the sun does and who expertly makes commanding decision after commanding decision. Others dream of the relaxed life, whose alarm clock is the warming, wakening sun and whose days are spent motivated by personal interests and passions, including spending time with family and friends.
While these two paths may be considered polar opposites, there is a distinct commonality between the two – regardless of your goal in life, it should be your goal. Defining success for yourself is the first step to achieving work-life balance. After all, what good is there in reaching the highest peak of your profession when all you want to do is cheer on your son or daughter at their soccer game? The same is true of the reverse. If you're spending day after day luxuriously reading the newspaper while you're itching to knock out tasks and get stuff done, then you'll be just as miserable.
The Important of Being Firm and Flexible
One of the best ways to achieve work-life balance is to include your work and your family in the discussion. Your boss will not know that the last minute assignment he or she handed to you prevents you from making your son's or daughter's recital if you don't tell your boss that it does. Your family may not connect how spending 50 to 60 hours in the office this week means taking a week of vacation later in the summer if you don't draw that connection yourself.
Having these discussions lets the people important to you, both professionally and personally, know that your vision of balance includes them. It also makes it easier to forgive you if a sudden and essential conference call or a child's illness pulls you away from your task at hand, as well as more understandable to say "No," when you're at work or family function that just cannot be missed.
Achieving work-life balance will not always be easy. However, deciding on your vision of success, and including the necessary parties in that decision-making process, will lead to more personal satisfaction, less burnout, and a high level of personally-defined success.


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Highlights include the Skeleton Coast, Sossusvlei sand dunes, gameviewing on the Etosha pans, desert rhino and the desert elephant populations.
Private guided safaris
Range of camps and lodges
Riding Safaris
For 35 years now, the Schoeman Family have been guiding and piloting their safaris around the Skeleton Coast providing a rare insight into this remote, unique and exciting area of the world. On all of their itineraries, the desolate and beautiful areas of the Skeleton Coast are explored by low-level flying and land-rover. Their most popular safari is a 4 day dynamic fly and drive safari using Cessna 210 aircraft and custom built land-rovers, starting and ending in Windhoek with a night in each of their 3 comfortable desert camps which are exclusive to the flying party.View profile
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The unintentional effect of popular wildlife documentaries has been to raise people's expectations on safari to unrealistic levels. It's not all drama and crisis in the bush. Sometimes the real joy is experiencing Africa at peace.
If climbing Kilimanjaro is on your personal bucket list, you will know of its outstanding beauty. You will also be aware of its challenges. So what are the secrets of a successful - and enjoyable - climb?
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OXFORD City Stars chief Scott Gough is appealing to fans to get behind the club again as they gear up for the campaign.
After scooping the double last season, it has been a busy summer behind the scenes at Oxpens since the new-look leadership team took over the Stars in June.
Assistant coach Gough became owner and was joined on the board by head coach Kenny Redmond, Jo Mundy – whose three sons play for the club – while Greig Box Turnbull remained in post.
"It's been a whirlwind summer," said Gough.
"The support we've received has been phenomenal.
"We've made some very exciting signings, secured great new sponsors and have been working on various projects to boost the matchday experience.
"We are introducing new interval entertainment, new skate-out music and a new kit.
"I'd appeal to supporters to come to games again as it's going to be another exciting season at Oxpens."
He added: "Last season was so memorable for everyone and we believe we have strengthened the
squad and we're all focused on competing again this year.
"The fans made a massive difference last season and when Oxpens is full it really spurs the boys on.
"Everyone can make a difference."
Tickets prices, which have been frozen for the new season, are £8 for adults, £5 for concessions, or £20 for a family of four.


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From the summer of 2018 to the earliest days of 2019, the exciting and elegant Chanel Haute Dentelle Exhibition is taking over Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode in Calais, France. This showing is dedicated to the use of high-end lace in fashion, throughout history and in modern collections, and lace just so happened to be one of Gabrielle Chanel's favorite materials.
For this showcase, "Chanel loaned 11 ensembles illustrating the exceptional craftsmanship of the Maison and its Métiers d'art," the designer label shared on its website. "One of them, an ensemble from the Spring‑Summer 2015 Haute Couture collection photographed by Karl Lagerfeld, was selected for the exhibition poster."
Stop by the museum to see the Chanel lace display and other fine fashion presentations. The museum is open daily, except for Tuesdays.


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Corn silage harvest ( Catherine Merlo )
We've reached that time of year when farmers start to roll out their silage choppers and determine what quality of feed will be going into the feedbunk for their animals. Will the quality be there? What about the quantity? Here's what our readers are finding out in the fields: