Radiocarbon constraints on carbon cycling in plants and soils

<p>Tracing ‘bomb’ radiocarbon produced by atmospheric testing of atomic weapons through vegetation and soils provides information of the dynamics of terrestrial carbon cycling on timescales of years to centuries. Processes operating on these timescales are of interest because they regulate key functions in long-lived plants and regulate the potential for increasing soil carbon storage.  However, the multiple pathways taken by carbon transiting ecosystems from photosynthesis to respiration and decomposition complicate the quantitative interpretation of radiocarbon observations.  In the 14Constraint project, we are exploring how to optimize measurements of radiocarbon as well as to improve their interpretation by providing constraints for comparison with models.   This talk will focus on efforts to synthesize global radiocarbon measurements of mean age and transit time, and suggest ways forward to improve process-level understanding.</p>

The Continuing Korean War in the Murderous History of Bombing

The Korean War, which broke out on June 25, 1950, can be considered the epicenter of bombing as an instrument of war. For one, it was the first—and, so far, the last—time since 1945 that the United States seriously considered using atomic weapons during the course of an imperial war. It was the first war that the United States did not win. It ended in a stalemate—an armistice—that continues until today. Kinetic fighting was suspended, but the war continues (though only by one side) by what is conveniently but simplistically called sanctions.

K.A. Semendyaev. Life and scientific achievements

The preprint is devoted to the life and scientific work of the outstanding Soviet scientist in the field of applied mathematics Konstantin Semendyaev (1908–1988). As a recognized authority on carrying out massive computational work on the basis of manual counting, he was involved in the numerical calculations of the tasks of creating atomic weapons. Based on documentary materials, the significant contribution of K.A. Semendyaev to the creation of methods for numerical solution and the necessary calculations in the Atomic Project is shown.

The Awe: From the Extraordinary to the Everyday

The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) was founded in 1952 to make the UK's warheads for the nation's strategic nuclear deterrent. Talking to Tony Mather, Chief Information Officer and Executive Director for Security at AWE, Johanna Hamilton AMBCS discovers more about their work, recruitment and ethics.