Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Quantification of different flow components in a high-altitude glacierized catchment (Dudh Koshi, Himalaya): some cryospheric-related issues

Abstract. In a context of climate change and water demand growth, understanding the origin of water flows in the Himalayas is a key issue for assessing the current and future water resource availability and planning the future uses of water in downstream regions. Two of the main issues in the hydrology of high-altitude glacierized catchments are (i) the limited representation of cryospheric processes controlling the evolution of ice and snow in distributed hydrological models and (ii) the difficulty in defining and quantifying the hydrological contributions to the river outflow. This study estimates the relative contribution of rainfall, glaciers, and snowmelt to the Khumbu River streamflow (Upper Dudh Koshi, Nepal, 146 km2, 43 % glacierized, elevation range from 4260 to 8848 m a.s.l.) as well as the seasonal, daily, and sub-daily variability during the period 2012–2015 by using the DHSVM-GDM (Distributed Hydrological Soil Vegetation Model – Glaciers Dynamics Model) physically based glacio-hydrological model. The impact of different snow and glacier parameterizations was tested by modifying the snow albedo parameterization, adding an avalanche module, adding a reduction factor for the melt of debris-covered glaciers, and adding a conceptual englacial storage. The representation of snow, glacier, and hydrological processes was evaluated using three types of data (MODIS satellite images, glacier mass balances, and in situ discharge measurements). The relative flow components were estimated using two different definitions based on the water inputs and contributing areas. The simulated hydrological contributions differ not only depending on the used models and implemented processes, but also on different definitions of the estimated flow components. In the presented case study, ice melt and snowmelt contribute each more than 40 % to the annual water inputs and 69 % of the annual stream flow originates from glacierized areas. The analysis of the seasonal contributions highlights that ice melt and snowmelt as well as rain contribute to monsoon flows in similar proportions and that winter outflow is mainly controlled by the release from the englacial water storage. The choice of a given parametrization for snow and glacier processes, as well as their relative parameter values, has a significant impact on the simulated water balance: for instance, the different tested parameterizations led to ice melt contributions ranging from 42 % to 54 %. The sensitivity of the model to the glacier inventory was also tested, demonstrating that the uncertainty related to the glacierized surface leads to an uncertainty of 20 % for the simulated ice melt component.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Compact Polarimetry for Soil Moisture Retrieval

Soil moisture is a factor for risk analysis in the agricultural sector, yet access to temporally and spatially detailed data is challenging for much of the world’s agricultural extend. Significant effort has been focused on developing methodologies to estimate soil moisture from microwave satellite sensors. Canada’s RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) is capable of acquiring imagery in a number of modes with a Compact Polarimetry (CP) configuration at different spatial resolutions (1 to 100 m). RCM offers greater polarization diversity, wide swaths and improved temporal frequency (4-day exact revisit time); all important considerations for large area monitoring of agricultural resources. The major goal of this study was to examine whether CP could accurately estimate surface soil moisture over bare fields. A methodology was developed using the calibrated Integral Equation Model (IEM) multi-polarization inversion approach. RADARSAT-2 data was acquired between 2012 and 2017 over a test site in eastern Canada. CP backscatter for two RCM modes (medium resolution 30 m and 50 m (MR30 and MR50)) was simulated using 63 RADARSAT-2 fully polarimetric images. A simple transfer function was developed between RH (right circular-horizontal) and HH (horizontal-horizontal) intensity, as well as RV (right circular-vertical) and VV (vertical-vertical). These HH- and VV-like intensities were then used in the multi-polarization inversion scheme to retrieve soil moisture. CP soil moisture retrievals were validated against soil moisture measurements from a long term in-situ network instrumented with five soil moisture stations. Retrieved and measured soil moisture were well correlated (R > 0.70) with an unbiased root mean square error (ubRMSE) less than 0.06 m3/m3. Overall, the developed method clearly captured the dry down and wetting trends observed through the five years study period. However, results demonstrated that the inversion method introduced a consistent bias (~0.10 m3/m3). Comparison of CP soil moisture estimates to those from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) passive microwave satellite confirmed this bias. This study demonstrates the potential of C-band CP data to deliver accurate soil moisture products over wide swaths for regional and national soil moisture monitoring.
Post-processing of seasonal predictions – Case studies using the EUROSIP hindcast data base

Abstract. Seasonal predictions from climate models are increasingly invoked in various sectors like water management, energy and transport to cite a few. This study investigates the post-processing of the seasonal predictions of the EUROSIP multi-model system. The hindcasts comprise samples of 23 to 36 years and ensembles of 10 to 28 members depending on the 5 models included. Skill scores both deterministic and probabilistic are calculated in order to compare the impact of the post-processing and help selecting – if any – the multi- or single-model and the post-processing method best suited for a specific location, target season and lead-time. The presence of trends and the cross-validation setting add some complexity to the already heterogeneous database. This study focuses on six cases in Western Europe and the Mediterranean Region. The forecasts of three monthly averages of surface temperature and of sea mean sea level pressure are compared with the corresponding ERA Interim reanalysis data whereas the forecasts of precipitation are evaluated with the rain-gauge data from the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre. The skills of seasonal predictions in the extra-tropics are limited and our results are no exception. There is a significant skill for the spring temperature forecast with model initiation in March for all but one case studies and the skill is extending to the initiation begin of February for Belgium. There is is also a significant skill for the summer temperature for the case studies in the Mediterranean region. For these area, the skill comes in large part from the global warming so that after having de-trended the data, a null improvement cannot be excluded. Autumn temperature in UK and in the Turkey is forecast with some skill as well as winter temperature in UK and Greece. Precipitation is even more difficult to forecast: the two spots where skill scores are significantly positive are Sweden and Greece during winter with initialisation on the first December. It has been shown that multi-model ensemble improve the skills in many cases and that taking into account the longest common period of hindcasts results in better and less uncertain skill scores. For all these cases, the post-processing method and the model or model combination resulting in the best skill score have been selected.
The 2007 caldera collapse of Piton de la Fournaise volcano: Source process from very-long-period seismic signals

Abstract In April 2007, Piton de la Fournaise volcano experienced its largest caldera collapse in at least 300 yr. This event consisted of a series of 48 subsidence increments characterized by very-long-period (VLP) seismic signals equivalent to M w 4.4 to 5.4. Source analysis of VLP events suggests a piston-like mechanism with a collapsing crack source corresponding to the contraction of the magma reservoir and a single force representing the collapse of the above rock column. We show that the collapse dynamics is primarily controlled by magma withdrawal from the reservoir, which was likely in a bubbly state at the time of the event. Similar to the 2018 Kilauea collapse, we observe a reduction of the time-interval between successive subsidence increments, which results from the acceleration of magma withdrawal and a progressive weakening of the edifice at the beginning of the sequence.
On-Orbit Radiance Calibration of Nighttime Sensor of LuoJia1-01 Satellite Based on Lunar Observations

The high-resolution nighttime light (NTL) data of the LuoJia1-01 NTL remote sensing satellite has enriched the available data of NTL remote sensing applications. The radiance calibration used as a reference to convert the digital number (DN) recorded by the nighttime sensor into the radiance of the corresponding ground object is the basic premise to the effective application of the NTL data. Owing to the lack of on-board calibration equipment and the absence of an absolute radiometric calibration light source at night, it is difficult for LuoJia1-01 to carry out on-orbit radiance calibration. The moon, as an exoatmospheric stable radiation source, is widely used for the radiometric calibration of remote sensing satellite sensors and to monitor the stability of the visible and near-infrared sensors. This study, based on lunar observation of the LuoJia1-01 NTL sensor, focused on on-orbit radiometric calibration and included monitoring changes in the nighttime sensor radiometric response for nearly a year by using the Robotic Lunar Observatory (ROLO) lunar irradiance model (Version 311 g). The results showed that: (1) the consistency of the radiometric calibration results based on the ROLO model and the laboratory calibration results of LuoJia1-01 exceeded 90%; (2) the nighttime sensor of LuoJia1-01 radiometric response underwent approximately 6% degradation during the observation period of nearly one year (353 days).
Using sedimentology to address the marine or continental origin of the Permian Hutchinson Salt Member of Kansas

The Permian Hutchinson Salt Member of the Wellington Formation of the Sumner Group of Kansas (USA) has multiple scientific and industrial uses. Although this member is highly utilized, there has not been a sedimentological study on these rocks in over 50 years, and no study has investigated the full thickness of this member. Past publications have inferred a marine origin as the depositional environment. Here, this marine interpretation is challenged. The goals of this study are to fully document sedimentological and stratigraphic characteristics of the Permian Hutchinson Salt Member in the Atomic Energy Commission Test Hole 2 core from Rice County, Kansas. This study documents colour, mineralogy, sedimentary textures, sedimentary structures, diagenetic features and stratigraphic contacts in core slab and thin sections. The Hutchinson Salt Member is composed of five lithologies: bedded halite, siliciclastic mudstone, displacive halite, bedded gypsum/anhydrite and displacive gypsum/anhydrite. These lithologies formed in shallow surface brines and mudflats that underwent periods of flooding, evapoconcentration and desiccation. Of note are the paucity of carbonates, lack of marine‐diagnostic fossils, absence of characteristic marine minerals and lithofacies, and the stratigraphic context of the Hutchinson with associated continental deposits. The Hutchinson Salt Member was most likely deposited in an arid continental setting. This new interpretation offers a refined view of Pangaea during the middle Permian time.
Geochemical and Geochronological Discrimination of Biotite Types at the Detour Lake Gold Deposit, Canada

The Detour Lake deposit is at a faulted contact between mafic volcanic and siliciclastic to volcaniclastic rocks, differing from other orogenic Au deposits in the dominantly greenschist facies Abitibi region, by possessing amphibolite facies assemblages. Consequently, typical indicator minerals for mineralization, like secondary biotite, may not be useful for locating ore zone, due to the challenge of distinguishing hydrothermal versus metamorphic and magmatic phases. Herein, geochemical and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data are presented for biotite from mineralized and barren (distal) magmatic rocks to characterize potential geochemical and geochronological variations between biotite types. Petrological observations reveal four biotite types: (1) Biotite hosted in mineralized, sulphidized quartz-calcite veins, (2) halo biotite at the margins of the aforementioned veins; (3) host rock biotite defining the foliation within the mafic volcanic rocks of the deposit; and (4) biotite defining the foliation within the barren meta-plutonic host rocks. Chemical analysis reveals a lower Ti- and higher Mg-content of mineralized biotite types, indicative of secondary hydrothermal processes. 40Ar/39Ar ages for all biotite types (2600–2390 Ma) post-date the main syn-deformation mineralization event at Detour Lake (≤2700 Ma). These results suggest chemical variations within biotite are due to a post-mineralization hydrothermal event, thus biotite should be used cautiously as a vector for gold mineralization in amphibolite facies terranes.
Measuring kelp forest productivity under current and future environmental conditions

Habitat-forming kelps are important primary producers on temperate reefs worldwide, yet obtaining accurate measurements of in situ rates of photosynthesis and respiration for kelp is challenging. There is limited information about the drivers of spatial and temporal variation in net primary production (NPP), and little is known about how they will respond to climate change impacts such as warming temperatures in combination with additional stressors. Some of these information gaps are addressed in this thesis for the important habitat-forming kelp Ecklonia radiata. The primary objectives were to: (1) develop an inexpensive photorespirometry system that can be used to measure photosynthesis and respiration rates and generate photosynthetic-irradiance (P-E) curves for entire adult kelp in situ, (2) investigate season and depth-related variation in P-E curves, (3) estimate primary production (NPP) of E. radiata kelp forest using a physiologically-based model of benthic macroalgal production that incorporates in situ estimates of P-E parameters, biomass and light, and (4) investigate the interactive effects of elevated temperature and reduced light (simulating reduced water clarity) on the P-E response, productivity and resilience of adult E. radiata. The photorespirometry system that was developed consists of a polyethylene plastic bag and frame that encloses the lamina of the kelp and seals around the stipe. Water is circulated through the chamber by a closed pump system and oxygen evolution or consumption is recorded by an enclosed logger. By varying the irradiance in the chamber with shade cloth, and utilizing the variation in light associated with depth, the photosynthetic rates of an individual can be measured over a range of irradiances in situ. Using this method laboratory-derived P-E curves were compared to those obtained in situ. P-E curves from individuals measured in situ differed from those measured in the laboratory, with maximum photosynthetic rates in the laboratory being 42% and 55% lower under natural and artificial light respectively. In situ measurements of photosynthesis-irradiance relationships at two depths (6 and 14 m) over the annual cycle found that E. radiata at 14 m had higher maximum photosynthetic rates (Pmax) and photosynthetic efficiency (alpha) than kelp at 6 m. Kelp at both depths had greater photosynthetic efficiency (alpha) and reduced compensating irradiance (Ec) in winter compared to summer. Seasonal and depth-related variation in NPP of E. radiata was examined using a physiological model that
Trianon and its aftermath: British geography and the ‘dismemberment’ of Hungary, c.1915-c.1922

ABSTRACT In the wake of World War I, geographers helped advise national delegations at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference whose purpose was to delimit Europe’s new boundaries. The paper examines the role played by British geographers, specifically Alan Ogilvie and the British geographical delegation, in the Treaty of Trianon (1920) which greatly reduced Hungary’s territorial extent. Attention is paid to contemporary published work on the new Europe, particularly Marion Newbigin’s Aftermath: A Geographical Study of the Peace Terms and Ogilvie’s Boundary Settlement (1922). Assessment of manuscript diaries and correspondence reveals the complex circumstances faced by geographers engaged in peace work. The work of different practitioners – in the Royal Geographical Society (RGS), over how national boundaries should be arrived at (on either ethnic or physiographic grounds) – was hindered by inadequate map provision from British geographical institutions. This led Ogilvie to propose a new geographical body for Britain at a time when the RGS was facing criticism and when the meetings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, not the RGS, provided the forum for discussion of the new post-war Europe.
Pre-disaster mapping with drones: an urban case study in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract. We report a case study using drone-based imagery to develop a pre-disaster 3-D map of downtown Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. This represents the first drone mapping mission over an urban area approved by Canada's aviation authority. The goal was to assess the quality of the pre-disaster 3-D data in the context of geospatial accuracy and building representation. The images were acquired with a senseFly eBee Plus fixed-wing drone with real-time kinematic/post-processed kinematic functionality. Results indicate that the spatial accuracies achieved with this drone would allow for sub-meter building collapse detection, but the non-gimbaled camera was insufficient for capturing building facades.
The Distribution of Safety within a State: Seismic Evaluation of School Buildings

This study examines the factors that influence human vulnerability to natural disasters by focusing on the seismic evaluation of school buildings in Korea. Since natural disasters such as an earthquake often do not take people’s lives directly, but rather indirectly through the destruction of physical structures, seismic reinforcement of school buildings may reduce the vulnerability of their occupants by strengthening structures to withstand such disasters. Disaster mitigation measures are implemented within a state; however, little is known about how they are distributed when the physical properties of structures are taken into account. This paper analyzes a panel data based on the structural properties of school buildings in eight different provinces between 2011 and 2015 using a logistic regression model. The results show that factors identified in cross-country studies, such as economic capacity and political factors, still have influence on earthquake preparedness at the state level, even when the physical properties of structures or technical factors are considered.
Polynomial Time Decodable Codes for the Binary Deletion Channel

In the random deletion channel, each bit is deleted independently with probability <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. For the random deletion channel, the <italic>existence</italic> of codes of rate <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$(1-p)/9$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and thus bounded away from 0 for any <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$p < 1$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, has been known. We give an explicit construction with polynomial time encoding and deletion correction algorithms with rate <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$c_{0} (1-p)$ </tex-math></inline-formula> for an absolute constant <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$c_{0} > 0$ </tex-math></inline-formula>.
Trends of Ocean Acidification and pCO2 in the Northern North Sea, 2003–2015

For continental shelf regions, the long‐term trend in sea surface carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressure (pCO2) and rates of ocean acidification are not accurately known. Here, we investigate the decadal trend of observed wintertime pCO2 as well as computed wintertime pH and aragonite saturation state (Ωar) in the northern North Sea, using the first decade long monthly underway data from a voluntary observing ship covering the period 2004–2015. We also evaluate how seawater CO2 chemistry, in response to physical and biological processes, drives variations in the above parameters on seasonal and interannual timescales.
Estimation of surface roughness over bare agricultural soil from Sentinel-1 data. (Estimation de la rugosité du sol en milieux agricoles à partir de données Sentinel-1)

Spatial remote sensing is of paramount importance for mapping and monitoring environmental problems. Its interest lies in the ability of space satellite sensors in providing permanent information of the planet, at local, regional and global scales. Also, it provides spatial and repetitive territories visions and ecosystem views. Radar remote sensing has shown great potential in recent years for the characterization of soil surface conditions. The state of the soil surface, in particular moisture and roughness, has a fundamental influence on the distribution of rainfall between infiltration, surface retention and runoff. In addition, it plays an essential role in surface hydrological processes and those associated with erosion and evapotranspiration processes. Characterization and consideration of these surface conditions have been recently considered as an important issue for physically based modeling of hydrological processes or for surface-atmosphere coupling. In this context and for several years, several scientific studies have shown the potential of active microwave data for estimation of the soil moisture and the surface roughness.New SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) systems have opened new perspectives for earth observation through improved spatial resolution (metric on TerraSAR-X and COSMO-SkyMed) and temporal resolution (TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed, Sentinel-1) . The recent availability of new Sentinel-1 C-band radar sensors (free and open access) makes it essential to evaluate the potential of Sentinel-1 data for the characterization of soil surface conditions and in particular surface roughness.The work revolves around three parts. The first part consist of evaluation of the most used radar backscattering models (IEM, Oh, Dubois, and AIEM) using a wide dataset of SAR data and experimental soil measurements. This evaluation gives the ability to find the most robust backscattering model that simulates the radar signal with good agreement in order to use later in the inversion procedure of the radar signal for estimating the soil roughness. The second research axe of this thesis consists of proposing an empirical radar backscattering model for HH, HV and VV polarizations. This new model will be developed using a large real dataset. This new model also will be used in the inversion procedure of the radar signal for estimating the soil roughness. The last axe of this thesis consists of producing a method to invert the radar signal using neural networks. The objective is to evaluate the potential of Sentinel-1 data for estimating surface roughness. These neural networks will be trained using wide synthetic dataset produced from the radar backscattering models chosen (IEM calibrated by Baghdadi and the new proposed model) and validated using two datasets: one synthetic dataset and one real (Sentinel 1 images and in-situ measurements). The real datasets are collected from Tunisia (Kairouan) and France (Versailles).