bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical insights into the ice nucleating ability of macromolecules in immersion freezing
Authors: Borduas-Dedekind Nadine , Miller Anna , Bogler Sophie , Went Jon
Published: March 2020

Cloud glaciation is an atmospheric process with important implications for climate and weather. Indeed, clouds made of liquid water and of ice crystals impact the global radiative balance of the atmosphere by reflecting incoming solar radiation and by absorbing outgoing terrestrial radiation. The relevance of ice nucleating particles (INPs) to the atmosphere depends on three main factors, namely on (1) their atmospheric concentration, (2) their freezing temperature and relative humidity, and (3) their freezing mechanism (Cziczo et al., 2013). Research on characterizing ice nucleating organic matter often takes a “top-down” approach where a whole sample of a complex mixture of organic, often biological, macromolecules is subjected to separation techniques and heat treatments to identify IN active sub-components. Studies have used this approach for characterizing bulk soil organic matter, volcanic ash and biological macromolecules from pollen, fungi, and bacteria.

 

We and others have recently found that dissolved organic matter collected from rivers and swamps surprisingly contain active INP (Borduas-Dedekind et al., 2019; Knackstedt et al., 2018; Moffett et al., 2018). Yet, all three studies state that it is unclear which sub-component of the dissolved organic matter is responsible for the ice nucleating ability. There are clear challenges in attributing the ice nucleating ability when starting with a complex mixture of organic and/or biological material, including matrix effects, impurities accumulated through the separation and/or heating process and lack of molecule identity.

 

We present here a “bottom-up” approach to compliment the top-down approach for atmospheric ice nucleation research of macromolecules. Using our home-built drop Freezing Ice Nuclei Counter (FINC) with automated imaging, a range of macromolecules were investigated. Indeed, we have analysed a wide range of dissolved organic matter subcomponents including proteins and fulvic acids. We find a range of ice nucleating ability. We find that lignin, the second most abundant biopolymer in plants, is ice active with 50% frozen fraction temperatures (T50) at –18 °C at a concentration of 100 mg C/L. Furthermore, we have investigated the ice nucleation ability of common diatom exudates and found that at atmospherically relevant concentration they are likely not ice active in immersion freezing within the detection of our FINC instrument. We are currently investigating the effect of atmospheric processing on these macromolecules with the goal of understanding how macromolecules’ ice activity evolves over their one-week lifetime in the atmosphere.
Geodynamic evolution of the East Carpathian Foreland Basin since the Middle Miocene: Implications for sediment supply to the Black Sea and Dacian Basin
Authors: de Leeuw Arjan , Vincent Stephen , Matoshko Anton , Matoshko Andrei , Stoica Marius , Nicoara Igor
Published: March 2020

The Carpathian orogen is part of the Alpine-Himalayan collision zone and formed as the result of the collision of the Tisza-Dacia and ALCAPA mega-units with the European southern margin, following a protracted phase of subduction, slab roll-back and accretionary wedge formation. The foreland basin of the East Carpathians is 800 km long and stretches out across Poland, Ukraine, Moldova and Romania. We use the results of our intensive field research to unravel the sedimentary architecture of this basin and reveal how it responded to the final phases of foreland vergent thrusting, continental collision and subsequent slab detachment. We discuss the asymmetry in the basins evolution and eventual inversion and relate this to the diachronous evolution of the Carpathian orogen. We also address the impact of changing subsidence patterns and base-level changes on connectivity with the Central and Eastern Paratethys, important for faunal exchange and patterns of endemism. We finally show that continental collision led to the establishment of a Late Miocene NW-SE prograding axial drainage system in the foreland supplying abundant sediment to the NW Black Sea, thus triggering large-scale shelf edge progradation.
Canopy N across European forests: comparing spatial patterns of canopy N retrieved from remote sensing, environmental variables and global vegetation models
Authors: Loozen Yasmina , Karssenberg Derek , de Jong Steven , Lu Meng , Olin Stefan , Wassen Martin , Wårlind David , Zaehle Sönke , Rebel Karin
Published: March 2020

Humans have dramatically increased atmospheric CO2 concentration as well as biologically available nitrogen (N). Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for vegetation growth and N availability represents a limiting factor on carbon (C) sequestration by the terrestrial ecosystems.  While there is a large infrastructure for measurements to constrain the C cycle, data to constrain the N cycle are less readily available. Using a combination of remote sensing products (MODIS), canopy N concentration data (ICP forest), plant functional type and environmental variables including soil, climate (WorldClim) and elevation (EU-DEM), we generated a canopy N map across European forests using a random forest statistical method (hereafter RF canopy N map).

Most current Global Vegetation Models (GVMs) have integrated C and N cycles, to account for the link between C and N for plant growth and respiration. Leaf N concentration is also important for other biomass compartments as N allocations are prescribed relative to leaf N.  The objective of this study is to compare canopy N of two GVMs, O-CN and LPJ-GUESS, and the RF canopy N map in European forests.

The obtained canopy N maps show contrasting spatial patterns. The RF canopy N map shows higher canopy N values, i.e. between 1.8 and 2.2 %N, in mid-western and eastern Europe, while showing lower values, i.e. 1.2 and 1.6 %N, around the Mediterranean region and in the south of Sweden. The canopy N map obtained from the O-CN simulation shows relatively lower canopy N values, ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 %N, in central and northern Europe, while in the Mediterranean region the values are higher, between 1.8 and 2.4 %N. Similar to the RF map, the LPJ-GUESS canopy N map shows relatively higher canopy N values in mid-western Europe compared to southern and northern Europe, however, the LPJ-GUESS canopy N values show little spatial variation in the Mediterranean region.  Also, the LPJ-GUESS values are higher, with canopy N values ranging between 2.0 and 2.8 %N in mid-western Europe, and canopy N values ranging between 1.6 and 1.8 %N in the Mediterranean region.

The analysis yields insight into spatial differences in RF canopy N and canopy N predicted by GVMs, with especially a mismatch in arid and warm regions.
A 150-year phosphorus budget for the Thames catchment, UK
Authors: Howden Nicholas , Worrall Fred , Burt Tim , Jarvie Helen , Pianosi Francesca
Published: March 2020

Phosphorus (P) is critical for food production but rising P inputs to agricultural land have contributed to eutrophication of fresh and marine waters. Concurrently, wastewater effluent from increasing populations has also become a major P input to natural waters, particularly in urbanised catchments. This study considers the long-term phosphorus budget of the River Thames catchment from 1867 to the present. We combine databases of agricultural land use, human population and river monitoring to develop a phosphorus budget model for the gauged catchment area (9,948 km2) and identify key inputs, outputs and transfers over the period. We quantify P imports and exports of fertilizer, food, feedstuffs, and industrial products (1867-2017), along with direct discharge of fluvial P at the tidal limit (1936-2017).

Net P input to land from animal production was essentially stable at ~1,700 tonnes P until 1940, after which there was a steady rise, peaking at approximately 3,800 tonnes P in the early 1970s. Since then, P inputs to land have fallen to a current stable level of ~2,200 tonnes P. This represents a cumulative net input to land of 350 kT P since 1867. Whilst this input is somewhat counterbalanced by losses to the fluvial system and crop harvest, there is nevertheless a large P legacy in catchment soils.

Net inputs from wastewater (urine and faeces) rose steadily from 0.8 kT in 1936 to 2 kT in 2010, whilst the marked change occurred in relation to P in detergents rising from zero in 1950 to a peak of ~2kT in 1987, since when there has been a gradual decline to <1 kT at present. The total wastewater effluent contribution rose from 0.8 kT in 1936 to a peak of 3.4 kT at the end of the 1980s. The Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (91/271/EEC) enforced enhanced removal of P in wastewater from the early 1990s, which led to an immediate, sharp decrease in wastewater contribution of 1 kT P since when there has been a steady decline to 0.4 kT at present. This has shifted the environmental pathway of wastewater P from discharge to rivers to accumulation in sludge which is now largely disposed of by application to agricultural land thus adding to the P legacy in catchment soils.

 

Our analysis of the Thames P budget will end with a discussion of uncertainties in the P model, and the sensitivity of our overall conclusions to assumptions about model structure and parameters applied to our historical records.

 

 

 
C stocks and subsoil management in agroecosystems: application of hyperspectral imaging to study organic matter dynamics in the top one metre of soil
Authors: Guigue Julien , Just Christopher , Luo Siwei , Hobley Eleanor , Kögel-Knabner Ingrid
Published: March 2020

While the demographic pressure for food demand is continuously rising, global environmental changes are threatening the productivity of agroecosystems. Climatic events like floods or droughts, and long-term decrease in soil organic matter stocks due to intensive agriculture are examples pointing to the necessity to find solutions for sustainable performance of agroecosystems.

Significant amounts of water and nutrients are stored in deep soil horizons, and thus subsoil management is being considered as an alternative to sustain high demand in crop productivity.

We used samples from an ongoing field experiment in Germany where the agricultural management was adapted to investigate the potential benefits of deep ploughing with OM incorporation. We recorded hyperspectral images of soil cores (depth = 1 m) using Vis-NIR reflectance spectroscopy and the C distribution within the soil was modeled at a very high spatial resolution (53×53 μm). The SOC mapping revealed an increase in SOC stocks resulting from deep ploughing, and the high resolution images generated allows the observation of OM distribution in the subsoil and the response in SOM stocks to different types of organic matter incorporation (compost vs green manure). The same imaging technique was also combined with solid-state 13C NMR measurements to track the molecular composition of the organic amendment during decomposition.

Hyperspectral imaging of soil cores allows the quantification of OM stocks and changes at the pedon scale, and fine scale resolution of heterogeneity in the spatial distribution of soil organic matter is helping to understand and quantify the processes related to changes in soil C stocks in subsoils.
Changes in water balance of the Qaidam Basin from Pliocene to present day
Authors: Schmidt Benjamin , Wang Xun , Mutz Seabstian , Botsyun Svetlana , Ehlers Todd , Scherer Dieter
Published: March 2020

In the Pliocene, the Qaidam Basin in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau contained a freshwater mega-lake system. The lake system disappeared and the lower parts of the basin now feature hyperarid conditions. What led to the collapse of the lake system and could it appear again in the future? Understanding the sensitivity of the basin’s water balance to changes in atmospheric conditions is crucial for answering this question. We employed the Weather Research and Forecasting model for the dynamical downscaling of two time slices. These were simulated by ECHAM5-wiso atmospheric general circulation model under different boundary conditions, representing present day and Pliocene climate. We present a comparison study analyzing how the basin‘s water balance changes, when we put the Qaidam basin catchment area with its modern geographical features into the Pliocene climate environment. Furthermore, we investigate large scale controls of the basin’s water balance. We find that (1) the Basin’s water balance is more positive or less negative under Pliocene climate; (2) the atmospheric water transport from the west into the basin to be stronger under Pliocene than under present day conditions except for the summer months, while at the same time the influence of the Indian Summer Monsoon is weaker. The analysis suggests that minor changes in atmospheric boundary conditions can have substantial effects on the basin’s water balance.
The 2018-2019 Mayotte volcano-tectonic crisis: insights from electromagnetic experiments
Authors: Wawrzyniak Pierre , Darnet Mathieu , Hautot Sophie , Tarits Pascal
Published: March 2020

Since May 2018, the Mayotte Island (Comoros archipelago) is ongoing the largest basaltic eruption of the three last centuries, with up to several km3 deduced from modeling and direct seafloor observations. During this volcano tectonic crisis, we performed a land and shallow marine Magnetotelluric (MT) survey on the island the closest to the new volcano. Initially designed for shallow geothermal exploration (<2km depth), we extended the duration of the measurements to perform deep MT soundings (>10km depth) and get some insight into the geo-electric structure of the Mayotte island.

The analysis of the MT data shows a deep geo-electrical anisotropy in the W-NW E-SE direction that is coherent with the expected orientation of the oceanic ridge between the Somalian and the Lwandle plate. Additionally, the 3D inversion of the data shows that a massive conductive body is present at great depth (>15km), possibly related to the presence of partial melt. Interestingly, this conductor seems to become shallower in the direction of the new volcano.

After the survey, we installed two permanent MT stations in Petite Terre and Grande Terre islands to monitor possible time-lapse conductive anomaly related to fluid migration. We will show the results and discuss the Time Lapse MT strategy, challenges and observations.
European Catalogue of Volcanoes and volcanic areas: a EUROVOLC contribution to strengthen the volcanological community
Authors: Di Vito Mauro A. , Óladóttir Bergrun A. , Barsotti Sara , collaborators Wp
Published: March 2020

Sharing data, sharing information, sharing results is becoming a priority within open scientific communities. The European volcanological community has been fostering the integration of information on active volcanoes through the EUROVOLC project. Institutions currently responsible for monitoring active volcanoes in Europe and over-seas territories, participate in Work-package 11 aiming to make the information consistently available to the general public and stakeholders through a friendly and interactive web-site. A European Catalogue of Volcanoes (ECV) has been created containing information on geological background, historical eruptive activity, eruptive scenarios and potential hazards for ten volcanoes (Etna and Vesuvio in Italy; Santorini in Greece; Chain de Puys, La Piton de la Fournaise and La Soufriere de la Guadaloupe in France and French territories; Teide and La Garrtoxa Fields in Spain and Canary Islands; Fogo and Sete Cidades in Azores Islands).All 32 active Icelandic volcanoes are accessible through the same interface (by sharing the backend with the Catalogue of Icelandic Volcanoes), enlarging the number of volcanoes accessible through ECV to 42. Additionally, the ECV includes a database of quantitative parameters characterizing selected eruptions, facilitating the adoption of such eruptive source parameters for numerical modelling validation, comparison and volcanic hazard assessment.   

In this presentation the functionalities and features currently implemented in the ECV will be shown. The future steps to achieve the envisioned final result, by the end of the project in 2021, will also be introduced.
Modelling the impact of changing riverine permafrost input on an Arctic coastal ecosystem
Authors: Bedington Michael , Torres Ricardo , Polimene Luca , Mann Paul , Strauss Jens
Published: March 2020

The Arctic ocean receives 11% of the global river discharge and the Arctic rivers drain large permafrost rich catchments. Where these rivers outflow into the marginal shelf seas of the Arctic ocean the terrestrial dissolved organic matter (tDOM) which they transport has an important role to play in the coastal ecosystem. This tDom is derived from inland permafrost and as it thaws under future climate scenarios there are expected to be changes to both the composition and quantity of riverine tDOM. At the same time there will be changes to the seasonality and magnitude of river discharge, due to increased precipitation and earlier snow melt, and to the light availability, due to reduced seasonal sea ice. To understand the possible impact of these changes on the coastal ecosystem it is important to understand the present role of permafrost derived tDOM and the possible changes to the nearshore circulation.

We model the hydrodynamics of the extensive shallow shelf of the Laptev sea, into which drains the Lena river – the 13th largest in the world by discharge. The output from the hydrodynamic model is used to drive the ecosystem model ERSEM which has been adapted to explicitly include a permafrost tDOM input. This coupled model system allows us to investigate both the role of present day tDOM in an Arctic coastal ecosystem and to hypothesise on the impact of increases in future. In particular we attempt to quantify the efficacy of the microbial carbon pump under different tDOM inputs.
Exploring the climate signal in tree-ring density of Clanwilliam cedar, South Africa
Authors: Trouet Valerie , De Mil Tom , Meko Matthew , Van den Bulcke Jan
Published: March 2020

High-resolution annual precipitation and temperature proxies are largely lacking in Southern Africa, partly due to the scarcely available tree species that are suitable for dendrochronology. Clanwilliam cedar (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis) from Cape Province, South Africa, is a long-lived conifer with distinct tree rings and thus a strong dendroclimatic potential. However, the climatic signal in its tree-ring width (TRW) is weak and other tree-ring parameters such as density need to be explored to extract climatic information from this proxy. Here we investigate the climatic signal of density parameters in 17 Clanwilliam cedar samples (9 trees) collected in 1978 (Dunwiddie & LaMarche, 1980). We use a non-destructive X-ray Computed Tomography facility to develop minimum density (MIND) and maximum density (MXD) chronologies from 1900 until 1977. EPS for both density series exceeded 0.85. For the period 1930-1977 (reliable instrumental records), MIND correlates negatively with early-growing season precipitation (Oct-Nov), whereas MXD correlates negatively with end-of-season (March) temperature. The spatial correlation between MIND and spring precipitation spans the winter rainfall zone of South Africa. Clanwilliam cedar can live to be 356 years old and the current TRW chronology extends to 1564 CE. Full-length density chronologies for this long-lived species could provide a precipitation reconstruction for southern Africa, a region where historical climate observations are limited and where societal vulnerability to future climate change is high.

References:

Dunwiddie, P. W., & LaMarche, V. C. (1980). A climatically responsive tree-ring record from Widdringtonia cedarbergensis, Cape Province, South Africa. Nature, 286(5775), 796–797.
A multi-methodical approach based on GBInSAR, Satellite InSAR, and terrestrial Laserscanning for the investigation and monitoring of an unstable rock slope
Authors: Amabile Anna Sara , Kuschel Erik , Ostermann Marc , Vecchiotti Filippo , Straka Wolfgang , Koçiu Arben , Valentin Gerald , Zangerl Christian
Published: March 2020

In the year 2019, at Kartais (Hüttschlag, Austria) parts of an approximately 100 m high and fractured rock wall mainly composed of calcareous-mica-schists became unstable and collapsed two times. The first failure event was a wedge failure and occurred on the 25th of March 2019 and released about 3.000 m3 of rock material. Blocks with a maximum volume of about 100 m3 were falling, bouncing and sliding to the valley bottom, but did not reach the Großarl River and the local infrastructure (road, bicycle track and houses). The second failure event happened on the 15th of July 2019 involving a volume of about 5.000 m3 with a maximum block size of 200 m³. This event had a longer runout but also did not reach the infrastructure. A Helicopter-based observation by the Geological Survey of Salzburg has shown that new cracks at the top of the failure area have already opened to apertures in the scale of decimetres to metres. It is assumed that the newly formed potential failure mass could reach 10.000 m³ and thus is even larger than the two previous events. In order to study the deformation behaviour of the rock face a multi-methodical observation and monitoring campaign has been initiated recently. A UAV-photogrammetry survey has shown that the foliation of the calcareous-mica-schist is dipping moderately into the slope and the rock wall is dissected by at least 4 different joint sets, whereas two of them intersect to form wedge failures. Since November 2019 a GBInSAR system (LisaLab) is continuously monitoring the slope. Additionally, multi-temporal terrestrial laserscanning (TLS) surveys and satellite based InSAR analysis were performed.

In this contribution, the set-up of the investigation and monitoring campaign as well as some preliminary results will be presented.
Pre-restoration carbon dioxide exchange and energy balance dynamics in an eroded upland blanket bog peatland, Scotland, UK
Authors: Coyle Mhairi , Morrison Ross , Artz Rebekka , Yeluripati Jagadeesh , Donaldson-Selby Gillian
Published: March 2020

Greenhouse gas emissions from damaged peatlands in the UK contribute around 5% to the annual national UK emissions. This has prompted a large national effort to restore these ecosystems as part of the package of action that aims to deliver net zero by 2050 in the UK and 2045 in Scotland. Eroded peatlands cover an estimated 275kha in Scotland, yet continuous monitoring data on the carbon losses from such sites are very sparse, in part due to the challenge in instrumenting such remote and complex terrain with eddy covariance equipment. We present a full, pre-restoration, 18-month data series of carbon dioxide and energy budget from a typical Scottish eroded peatland and show initial data that suggests sensitivity of the sign of the net annual CO2 budget to interannual climate variability.
Multi-model subseasonal forecasts of spring cold spells: potential value for the hazelnut agribusiness
Authors: Ruggieri Paolo , Materia Stefano , Muñoz Angel G. , Alvarez Castro M.Carmen , Mason Simon J. , Vitart Frederic , Gualdi Silvio
Published: March 2020

Producing probabilistic subseasonal forecasts of extreme events up to six weeks in advance is crucial for many economic sectors. In agribusiness, this time-scale is particularly critical because it allows for mitigation strategies to be adopted for counteracting weather hazards and taking advantage of opportunities.
For example, spring frosts are detrimental for many nut trees, resulting in dramatic losses at harvest time. To explore subseasonal forecast quality in boreal spring, identified as one of the most sensitive times of the year by agribusiness end-users, we build a multi-system ensemble using four models involved in the Subseasonal-to-Seasonal (S2S) Prediction Project. Two-meter temperature forecasts are used to analyze cold spell predictions in the coastal Black Sea region, an area that is a global leader in the production of hazelnuts. When analyzed at global scale, the multi-system ensemble probabilistic forecasts for near-surface temperature is better than climatological values for several regions, especially the Tropics, even many weeks in advance; however, in coastal Black Sea skill is low after the second forecast week. When cold spells are predicted instead of near-surface temperatures, skill improves for the region, and the forecasts prove to contain potentially useful information to stakeholders willing to put mitigation plans into effect. Using a cost-loss model approach for the first time in this context, we show that there is added value of having such a forecast system instead of a business-as-usual strategy, not only for predictions released one to two weeks ahead of the extreme event, but also at longer lead-times.
Profiling the Atmospheric Boundary Layer at European Scale - COST Action
Authors: Pandzic Kreso , Likso Tanja
Published: March 2020

A three-dimensional spatial analysis of atmosphere, including its boundary layer, has become possible after upper air vertical atmospheric observation started. Mountain observatories, as e.g. at the Sonnblick Observatory in Austrian Alpine, which operates since 1866, belong to a group of such observation. During 18-th and 19-th century upper air observations have been made by balloons equipped with meteorological instruments. The first such observation was done at Glasgow in 1749. The first radiosounding vertical profile observation was done in 1927. At the end of 1940-s an operative network of radiosounding stations has been started to use for construction of upper air synoptic maps and three-dimensional spatial atmospheric analyses. The first meteorological satellite was launched in 1960. Weather radar, airplane observation and wind and air temperature profilers take place since then. A description of these developments in Europe are the main subject of this study. Criteria for vertical profile observation, data processing and analysis have  been continuously done by the World Meteorological Organization and their development by states and European Union research projects including COST actions. Details are also represented.

KEY WORDS: vertical profiling of atmosphere, Europe, COST actions
The Biochar challenge in Mediterranean viticulture: results from 10 years of field experiment
Authors: Baronti Silvia , Maienza Anita , Ungaro Fabrizio , Montagnoli Antonio,Antonello , Genesio Lorenzo , Rombolà Alessandro, Girolamo , Giagnoni Laura , Vaccari Francesco, Primo
Published: March 2020

There are extensive reports and scientific articles in literature on the applicability of biochar as soil amendment in agriculture and on the benefits that this practice can bring in terms of soil improvement and optimization of water resources. The use of biochar as a soil amendment in agriculture is a suitable option that helps to mitigate the effects of climate change. Biochar has an approximate mean residence time in the soil over 1,000 years and this long-term stability is a fundamental prerequisite for considering biochar as a suitable method for carbon sequestration. Unfortunately, most literature provides results based on one-year trials. Not enough for a soil amendment to be able to claim effectiveness for many decades and not enough for a soil treatment to be considered irreversible. An effective option to fill this knowledge gap is represented by long-term field experiments. In this study, we investigated the effect of biochar application on plant water relations and soil properties during 10 years in a field experiment in Central Italy on Vitis vinifera. Biochar was applied at a rate of 22 t ha-1 in two consecutive growing seasons: 2009 and 2010. The results obtained during these years on biochar treatment compared to the control treatment are exciting: we demonstrated an increase in grape production, up to 66%, without a decrease of the grape quality, an increase in plant-soil water relations, no effects on the concentrations of soil PAHs, no eco-toxicity soil effect and a positive effect on soil chemical and biological parameters. Surprisingly, after 10 years the biochar effect continued to demonstrate significant differences among treatments, in particular: a significant increase of soil biological quality, decrease in soil bulk density coupled with a corresponding increase in saturated hydraulic conductivity, an enhance in soil available water content and a significant improvement of plant water status. The modification of plant water availability induced by biochar application increase the resilience of vineyards to droughts, as demonstrated by the lower leaf potential and higher stomatal conductance. This effect has a significant impact on quantity and quality of grape production after 10 years. Moreover, in the long-term perspective the biochar demonstrates to have an effect on soil biological communities that resulted sensitive to biochar with positive increase of abundance of species related to soil moisture content and enhance of biodiversity index. According to these results, the viticulture is now in the position to provide an effective contribution to mitigate climate change and we expect that this will be an example for other Mediterranean countries.
A Web Tool for Interactive Generation and Visualization of Synthetic ShakeMaps
Authors: Kriegerowski Marius , Schorlemmer Danijel , Goubier Thierry , Cotton Fabrice
Published: March 2020

Synthetic shaking-intensity maps provide the necessary information about the detailed shaking distribution for scenario-based seismic risk assessment as well as post-disaster rapid loss estimates. These ShakeMaps allow to identify areas heavily affected by an earthquakes and are becoming, combined with an exposure/vulnerability model, the underlying data for a risk or loss model. Such computations deliver decision makers the data for informed policy decisions for precautionary measures for increasing resilience, or, in case of post-disaster analyses, rapid estimates for disaster mitigation.

We present a new web engine for synthetic ShakeMaps harnessing the OpenQuake engine of the Global Earthquake Model (GEM) foundation. The back-end asynchronously digests requests parameterizing earthquake sources in terms of source depth, epicentral location, moment magnitude and focal mechanism. The back-end returns shaking in user definable ground-motion measures (e.g. PGA or IMS) and can be retrieved in various formats such as ASCII, GeoJSON, among others. This tool implements an open and documented API that users and other services can query systematically and automatically. It integrates into the LEXIS framework, a Horizon 2020 funded project aiming at improving rapid loss assessments and emergency decision support systems.
An interactive interface allows to explore the expected shaking in the spatial domain by selecting locations of interest on a map and defining the earthquake source interactively within a web browser. Besides the interactive mode, this service now provides, through HTTP requests, a simple interface for any type of ShakeMap to be used in automated systems that require rapid ShakeMap computations without the need to run local instances of OpenQuake.
Spatially-distributed Deep Learning for rainfall-runoff modelling and system understanding
Authors: Schmidt Lennart , Gusho Elona , de Back Walter , Vinogradova Kira , Kumar Rohini , Rakovec Oldrich , Attinger Sabine , Bumberger Jan
Published: March 2020

The prediction of streamflow from precipitation data is one of the traditional disciplines of hydrological modelling and has major societal implications such as flood forecasting, efficient use of hydro-power and urban and regional planning. Recently, data-driven approaches have been applied successfully for rainfall-runoff modelling, often outperforming equivalent physical modeling approaches. However, these studies have almost exclusively focused on temporal data and have neglected data on the spatial distribution of the inputs.

To close this gap, we trained convolutional long-short-term-memory (ConvLSTM) models on daily temperature and precipitation maps of the catchment area to predict the streamflow of the Elbe river. This supervised deep learning method combines convolutional and recurrent neural networks to extract useful features in the spatio-temporal input maps to predict the river’s streamflow. We embedded the model into a Bayesian framework to deliver estimates of prediction uncertainty along with the predictions. Moreover, we derived saliency maps that highlight the most relevant patterns in precipitation and temperature for the Elbe‘s major flood events.

Comparison with physical simulations show that our Bayesian ConvLSTM approach (1) performs on par with results from physical modeling while requiring only input data on temperature and precipitation, (2) provides useful uncertainty estimates, and (3) is able to generate interpretable saliency maps of flooding events.

In conclusion, this study showcases the applicability of deep learning methods for rainfall-runoff modelling as well as the methods' potential to gain spatial insight into the hydrological system.
Geomorphology of the cumulative deformation since Oligocene age on the Mw 4.9 Le Teil earthquake fault (South of France,11/11/19)
Authors: Hannouz Estelle , Sue Christian , Baize Stéphane , Ritz Jean-François , Ferry Matthieu , Audin Laurence , Combey Andy , Larroque Christophe , Walpersdorf Andrea , Lemoine Anne
Published: March 2020

The Mw 4.9 earthquake that occurred near Montelimar on November 11, 2019 showed peculiar characteristics: a very shallow hypocenter (1km depth) with unexpected surface ruptures for such a moderate magnitude, and only few aftershocks showing low magnitudes (ML < 2.7). This event occurred in the industrialized Rhone Valley (including nuclear power plants and chemical industry) where several historical earthquakes with similar intensities and magnitudes took place (e.g. 1773, 1873, 1934).

The earthquake broke a ~5-km-long segment of the northern tip of the Cevennes fault system (La Rouvière Fault Segment). This ~100 km-long fault network has a NE-SW orientation trend and is inherited from the Variscan orogeny (~300 Ma). It first registered an extensive and transtensive tectonic phase ending at the Oligocene age (~30 Ma) before being inverted, as revealed by the reverse focal mechanism of the Le Teil event.

To date, this fault network has been poorly investigated in terms of seismic hazard, likely due to the low Mw expected on such short structures. Therefore, we started a new study to document its paleo-earthquake record in the framework of the new French RGF program (Alps and surrounding basins, BRGM).

Our first target was to map the cumulative trace of the fault. A first airborne LiDAR survey was acquired by helicopter and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) just after the earthquake. They allowed the identification of a continuous inherited scarp of 1 – 2 m in height over ~4 km along the preexisting Oligocene fault. In order characterize the post-Oligocene deformation along this fault, we performed a detailed analysis of geomorphological field observations, as well as a geophysical study by acquisition of seismic, electrical and ground-penetrating radar profiles. These profiles aimed to better understand how the 11/11/19 earthquake surface rupture is connected at depth to the Oligocene structure (La Rouvière Fault).

Each step of the analysis aims at eventually locating sites for further paleoseismological trenches, accounting for fault location, sediment preservation with favorable age determination potential and accessibility. This kind of investigation will provide information on the evolution over time of the seismic activity of this fault network, as well as relevant data on the current hazard they present in the specific context of the French Rhone Valley.
17O18O and 18O18O in ice core O2 from Greenland: implications to reconstruct past atmospheric photochemistry
Authors: Laskar Amzad , Peethambaran Rahul , Gromov Sergey , Blunier Thomas , Roeckmann Thomas
Published: March 2020

Abundances of 17O18O and 18O18O (also called clumped isotopes and denoted by Δ35 and Δ36) of O2  in firn and ice core air are novel tracers that can be useful to study past changes in atmospheric photochemistry and temperature. We present Δ35 and Δ36 values measured in firn and ice core air O2 from North Greenland (NEEM; 77.45°N 51.06°W). The aim is to reconstruct the preindustrial-industrial, Holocene and glacial-interglacial variation in the tropospheric ozone photochemistry and temperature. Measurements of Δ35 and Δ36 are carried out using a high-resolution stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer Thermo Fisher 253 ULTRA[1]. Our measurements of Δ35 and Δ36  across past air, from archive samples, to the modern-day show significant changes in the atmospheric photochemistry via ozone burdening and stratospheric- tropospheric transport processes. We will present the measurement results along with a detailed discussion on the dominant process using explicit dynamic simulations of ∆36 in the AC-GCM EMAC model [2,3,4].

 
Pressure effects on SEIS-INSIGHT instrument, improvement of seismic records and characterization of gravity waves from ground displacements
Authors: Garcia Raphael François , Kenda Balthasar , Drilleau Melanie , Spiga Aymeric , Kawamura Taichi , Lognonné Philippe Henri , Murdoch Naomi , Compaire Nicolas , Banfield Donald , Widmer-Schnidrig Rudolf , Orhand-Mainsant Guenole , Banerdt Williams Bruce
Published: March 2020

Mars atmospheric pressure variations induce ground displacements through elastic deformations. The various sensors of INSIGHT mission were designed in order to be able to understand and correct these ground deformations induced by atmospheric effects. Particular efforts were done on one side to avoid direct pressure and wind effects on the seismometer, and on the other side to have a high performance pressure sensor operating in the same frequency range than the seismometer.
As a consequence of the high performances of both instruments, their very efficient protection systems against direct atmospheric disturbances, and the low Mars background seismic noise, INSIGHT mission is opening a new science domain for which the ground displacements can be used to perform atmospheric science.
This study presents an analysis of pressure and seismic signals and their relations. After a short description of the pressure and seismic sensors deployed by INSIGHT, we present an analysis of these signals as a function of local time at INSIGHT location.
Then, the background and event like coherent signals between Pressure and seismometer sensors are interpreted in terms of various atmospheric excitations and induced  ground deformation processes. Different methods to remove the pressure effects recorded by SEIS sensors are presented, and their efficiency is estimated. Finally, we demonstrate that the pressure and ground deformations measurements can be used to decipher between various atmospheric excitation types (meteorological pressure variations, acoustic and gravity waves)  and characterize these. Effects of the local sub-surface structure are also suggested by the data analysis.
MHD Predictions of Plasma Conditions Above Insight Landing Site based on MAVEN observations
Authors: Ma Yingjuan , Russell Chris , Yu Yanan , Nagy Andrew , Toth Gabor , Jakosky2 Bruce
Published: March 2020

The Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport (InSight) mission was launched on 5 May 2018 and successfully landed at Elysium Planitia (4.5oN, 135.9oE)on Mars on 26 November 2018. The InSight Lander carries a magnetometer to measure disturbances from the Martian ionosphere. In order to understand the daily variations in the magnet field measurements on Martian surface, in this study, we use the time-dependent MHD model to study how plasma conditions vary with local time above insight landing site using solar wind condition from MAVEN observation. Significant diurnal variations can be seen in all plasma quantities due to solar wind interactions and planetary rotation. The induced magnetic field is mainly in the same direction as the upstream IMF. However, it seems that the variations seen by the Insight magnetometer cannot be only due to the interaction of the solar wind. We also add a neutral wind effect in our simulations to further investigate possible causes of surface field changes.
Aeolus follow-on configurations
Authors: Marseille Gert-Jan , Stoffelen Ad
Published: March 2020

The ESA Earth Explorer mission Aeolus partly fulfills the well-expressed need for wind profile observations to initialize Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. Aeolus has proven beneficial in particular over regions void of wind profile observations in the troposphere and lower stratosphere, particularly over the oceans, tropics and southern hemisphere. Although successful, Aeolus only partly fills the data gap following the requirements on data coverage, data quality and timeliness. These requirements are generally well captured by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Observing Systems Capability Analysis and Review (OSCAR) and Rolling Requirements Review (RRR).

 

With the success of Aeolus the moment has come to look forward to future vertical wind profiling capability to fulfil the rolling requirements in operational meteorology. Already in 2005 ESA initiated a study on potential Aeolus follow-on missions. Options studied included an Aeolus type instrument, but measuring profiles of the complete wind vector, rather than a single wind component like Aeolus. In addition, the benefits of a constellation of a number of Aeolus instruments was studied. It was shown that given a fixed number of observations doubling the coverage of single wind components, through the positioning of two Aeolus satellites in the same orbit, is more beneficial for NWP than a single satellite measuring the complete wind vector. A third Aeolus-type satellite in the same orbit further adds to NWP, although first indications of impact saturation emerged when distributing more satellites in the same sun-synchronous orbit.

 

This paper provides an overview of the methodology used to assess the potential impact of Aeolus follow-on missions and first conclusions on optimal wind profile sampling for NWP in the context of the WMO RRR.
Differential responses of soil Carbon,Nitrogen and Phosphorus stocks and available pools to conversion from native forest to exotic plant plantation in soils of contrasting origin.
Authors: Crovo Oscar , Aburto Felipe , Albornoz Maria , Southard Randal
Published: March 2020

Land use change is a global issue with tremendous social, economic and environmental implications. Currently, many countries display high rates of deforestation and forest conversion from native forest to industrial tree plantations which have a direct impact on soil C and N stocks. Even though, there is a significant number of studies that highlighted the effects of forest substitution on C sequestration, the impact on ecological stoichiometry and biogeochemical cycling has not been well assessed. The soils considered in this study encompass the main forest soil types found in south central Chile representing a range of soil properties and mineralogy (crystalline to amorphous ash derived soils). To reduce confounding factors due to site history, we exclusively selected pair sampling sites (native versus plantation) that shared a similar land-use history and had close to identical soil and geomorphic conditions in which two independent 625m2 plots were established at adjacent Native Forests (NF) and Pine Plantations (PL).To determine C:N:P inventories alongside N and P available pools, the plot was divided into four sub-quadrants where bulk soil samples were collected at 6 depth intervals in the central soil pit and in four augers at each quadrant up to a depth of 240 cm. The C and N total pools were significantly different between soil types but not between forest types (p=0.02). The highest average C stock across all soils was found in NF (202.22 ± 82.77 Mg ha-1) compared to PL (172.55 ± 87.73 Mg ha-1). When comparing each soil type individually, disregarding forest type, the Young Ash soil displayed significantly higher C and N than all the other studied soils. On the contrary, the Recent Ash soil displays changes in the C:N:P stoichiometry. Available Phosphorus was significantly different among sites, but not for forest types across sites. Overall, native forest exhibits higher stocks of available NO3- and we did not find a significant effect of forest type in NH4+ stocks. Our result indicates the differential capacity that contrasting soils have to resist this major soil biogeochemical pools alteration.
Measure soil resilience after reclamation of open pit dump in semi-arid area
Authors: Hou Huping , Wang Chen
Published: March 2020

The main work of soil reclamation in coal mine area is to recover the structure and function of soil, which is the key factor for the restoration of mine damaged ecosystem. The calculation of soil resilience is an index to measure the stability of ecosystem, which provides guidance for the sustainability of soil management. As the case of Heidaigou open pit mine in Mongolia, the soil restoration of waste dump in 1995, 2000, 2008 and 2015 is taken as the research objects. The field investigation and soil quality experiment data are used to compare and analyze between the reclamation soil and original soil. The soil resilience of waste dump of open pit mine is measured by principal component analysis and structural equation model. The results showed:  (1) The volume density of reclaimed soil was larger, and the soil particle size did not show obvious vertical layered distribution. The degradation of soil nutrients, the low level of soil fertility, the accumulation of soil alkaline hydrolysis nitrogen content and organic matter, and the utilization of plant roots to nutrients were low. The biodiversity and activity of soil decreased. (2) Quantitative evaluation of soil resilience was divided into four dimensions: soil structure stability, soil water retention capacity, soil fertilizer retention capacity, and soil biological activity. Soil clay particles, silt particles, median diameter, and sand particles contributed 81.609% to main component for soil structure stability. Surface water content, deep water content, bulk density, calcium carbonate contributed 82.379% to main component for soil water retention capacity. Soil organic, alkaline nitrogen, total nitrogen, pH, total potassium, total phosphorus, available phosphorus contributed 85.39% to main component for soil fertilizer retention capacity. Soil urease, alkaline phosphatase, invertase activity, microbial diversity Simpson index, richness Chao index, litter quality, pH contributed 87.373% to main component for soil biological activity. (3) Soil resilience was measured by four aspects: soil structure stability, soil water holding capacity, soil fertilizer holding capacity and soil biological activity. The average soil resilience value was 0.37, 0.33, 0.26, 0.18 in 1995, 2000, 2008, 2015, respectively. The average soil resilience was 0.75 in original soil. Soil biological activity had the positive impact on soil resilience, with an influence coefficient of 0.66. The water retention capacity and fertilizer retention capacity had coefficient of 0.44 and 0.37 on soil resilience.