bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Terrestrial carbon cycle response to solar radiation modification and carbon dioxide removal under potential temperature overshoots 
Authors: Chen Yangxin , Ji Duoying
Published: March 2024

Global warming could surpass the 1.5 oC temperature target within a decade and even inevitably exceed 2 oC in this century, if fossil fuel emissions are not abated sufficiently and artificial interventions are not implemented. Even a temporary overshoot beyond 2 oC potentially disrupts the global carbon cycle, with the risk of irreversible and devastating changes to current terrestrial carbon sinks, such as the tropical forests and the northern high-latitude permafrost. Large-scale geoengineering is proposed as an adjunct to the conventional mitigation to partially counteract anthropogenic warming, and avoid dramatic alterations in the Earth system and the hazardous consequences. However, carbon dioxide removal and solar radiation modification differ in their role in interacting with the terrestrial carbon cycle, through directly interfering with the carbon cycle and indirect perturbation by changing the energy balance. The varied regional responses also affect the capacity of global carbon uptake, which further impacts on the efficacy of geoengineering. It's prudent to investigate the responses of the global terrestrial carbon balance in such context, i.e., the delayed consideration of solar radiation modification or carbon dioxide removal on top of various possible overshoot scenarios, to bring the global temperature back to and maintain the long-term targets.
Sustainable restoration mortars in a circular economy perspective
Authors: Mancini Susanna , Gambino Francesca , Tazzini Antonio , Dino Giovanna Antonella
Published: March 2024

The present research focuses on one of the most complex and challenging applications of 'sustainable' mortar use in restoration. The study stems from the context of the PNRR NODES project – Spoke 2, coordinated by the University of Turin and promotes sustainable development and technologies for a “greener” future.In modern construction, the use of mortars demands a finished product that is suitable for its use, with good aesthetic properties and durability over time. These characteristics are even more crucial in a restoration project, where compatibility with the old material comes into play. The sustainability of 'raw' materials, in this case secondary raw materials, is an issue that characterises the current historical moment. In this context, the characterisation of ancient mortars plays a fundamental role in establishing correlations with their sources and for the creation of new formulations.The sustainability of 'alternative' mortars refers to the valorisation of local products, the use of waste materials and fully recyclable compounds, and reduced impact on human health and the environment. One of the potential compounds to use for mortar production can be collected from extractive waste associated to marble and limestone exploitation. Indeed, lime is alkaline and non-toxic, well-known as antiseptic and disinfectant. In addition, due to the low burning temperature and partial reabsorption of carbon dioxide during setting, lime, especially quicklime, is characterised by lower permanent CO2 emissions.In this study different protocols are carried out, compared, and analysed in detail, with the aim of systematising 'alternative' restoration mortar formulations. These are based on the use of 'geomaterials', like waste from mining industry and construction and demolition. In particular, the lime-based binder is obtained from the calcination of white marble waste (quarry sludge, sawdust, etc.) from two different quarries located in Tuscany and Val d'Aosta. The aggregate used for the skeleton of the mortars can be obtained from quarry waste in Piedmont and Val d'Aosta (e.g. gneisses, granites, marbles, limestone, etc.) and/or concrete selected from treatment plants that recycle construction and demolition waste.Finally, each formulation is evaluated regarding performance, compatibility with historic mortars and potential contribution to the circular economy.The results of this research activity are an example of a multidisciplinary approach to the conservation and sustainable management of cultural heritage sites, where issues of scientific research, art, green building and circular economy are intertwined.
Influence of Meteorological Variables on Carbon Uptake in Oak and Pine-dominated Ecosystems of Himalaya
Authors: Khadke Leena , Mukherjee Sandipan , Ghosh Subimal
Published: March 2024

Micrometeorological variability significantly influences the structures, functions, and dynamics of ecosystems. Despite this, there is a limited understanding of the feedback and causal relationships among micrometeorological drivers in various Himalayan ecosystems. The present study aims to investigate the meteorological controls that govern the variability in net ecosystem exchange (NEE) in Oak (Quercus leucotrichophora) and Pine (Pinus roxburghii)-dominated ecosystems of the Himalayas. We use half-hourly eddy covariance fluxes from Pine and Oak-dominated ecosystems located in Uttarakhand, India. We employ an information theory-based Temporal Information Partitioning Network (TIPNet) approach to generate weekly process networks with a 6-hour lag. The analysis conducted for the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of 2016 and 2017 reveals that sub-daily scale variations in micrometeorological variables are responsible for fluctuations in NEE in both ecosystems. The Pine ecosystem exhibits greater sensitivity to air temperature, leading to increased carbon uptake compared to the Oak ecosystem throughout the study period. Causal connections indicate that the NEE of the Oak ecosystem is moisture-driven (influenced by precipitation and relative humidity), while that of the Pine ecosystem is heat-dominated (influenced by air temperature and net solar radiation). Precipitation effects on the Pine ecosystem are not immediate due to slower infiltration and lesser fine root production compared to Oak. However, the impact of moisture stress is evident in the network structure of both ecosystems, with more causal links occurring during dry periods compared to normal periods, indicating adaptive responses to resist moisture stress. This research enhances our understanding of micrometeorological influences on carbon dynamics in Himalayan ecosystems, providing valuable insights for ecosystem management and climate change mitigation strategies.
Keywords: Micrometeorology, Process networks, Oak, Pine, Himalayas
Inversion of monthly ammonia emissions in China by assimilating satellite surface observations
Authors: Chen Jianan
Published: March 2024

Ammonia (NH3) plays a crucial role in the formation of PM2.5 as a primary alkaline gas in the atmosphere. An NH3 emission inventory is an essential component of numerical chemical transport models for scenario simulations and developing mitigation strategies. The significantly NH3 hotspots located in China can be seen both in compiled inventories and in satellite observations. However, almost all emission inventories report that NH3 emissions from China have a large uncertainty. In our research, we conducted a top-down optimization of monthly NH3 emission over China using IASI-derived surface NH3 concentration and the CAMx model. First, IASI-derived surface NH3 concentrations are assessed by comparing against a surface monitoring network (NNDMN) in China during 2020. Second, an optimal estimation method is used to assimilate observations to optimize the NH3 priori emissions. The posteriori NH3 emissions are approximately double the priori estimates from the prior MEIC inventory and indicate potential underestimation over hotspot areas, especially during the warm months. Monthly variations in posteriori emissions exhibited significant differences across 6 regions of China, with peak emissions occurring in May and July, and relatively stable levels observed in the southern regions of China. In conclusion, this analysis enhanced the understanding of the spatial-temporal patterns of regional NH3 emissions in China, which is important for the development of mitigation strategies to address consistently high NH3 emissions in China.
Detailed Slip Distribution Model of the Türkiye-Syria 2023 Seismic Event exploiting SAOCOM-1, Sentinel-1 and ALOS-2 Satellite Imagery.
Authors: Svigkas Nikos , Striano Pasquale , Atzori Simone , Bonano Manuela , Tolomei Cristiano , Vavlas Nikolaos , Kiratzi Anastasia , Casu Francesco , Bignami Christian , De Luca Claudio , Polcari Marco , Franzese Marianna , Antonioli Andrea , Manunta Michele , Monterroso Fernando , Roa Yenni Lorena Belen , Lanari Riccardo
Published: March 2024

In 2023, seismic activity of considerable magnitude occurred along the Türkiye-Syria border, characterised by an Mw 7.8 earthquake on the 6th of February and was followed by an Mw 7.5 event, nine hours later. These earthquakes, which are the strongest recorded in recent years, resulted in over 50,000 casualties and are related with the activity of the East Anatolian Fault Zone —a 600 km-long plate boundary where the Arabian and Anatolian plates meet. To analyse these seismic events, we leveraged data from diverse satellites, including SAOCOM-1, Sentinel-1, and ALOS-2. Employing InSAR techniques, such as conventional interferometry and Pixel Offset tracking, we assessed surface deformations caused by the events. The high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar displacement results underwent non-linear and linear inversions, enabling the creation of detailed variable slip fault models. A meticulous multiscale sampling approach was applied, that facilitated a comprehensive examination of the tectonic structures triggering these events. The fault zone exhibited a pronounced left-lateral strike-slip character, with components of dip-slip movements observed in specific segments. Additionally, we capitalised the detailed slip models, to estimate the distribution of the intensity of ground motions in the affected region.
Designing an indoor radon survey - results of a recent IAEA workshop on survey planning in Brazil
Authors: Bossew Peter , Da Silva Nivaldo
Published: March 2024

Brazil is envisaging a large scale plan for indoor radon assessment. Radon levels shall be mapped and priority areas identified. Given the size of the country and its diversity in natural and socio-economical respects, this is a challenging project. Pilot studies and local surveys have been performed in the past but no country-wide assessment exists.In November 2023, the IAEA organized a workshop on radon survey planning in Poços de Caldas, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to support the project. The objective was to identify items which have to be resolved before starting the actual experimental, i.e., field and laboratory work; so to speak, asking the right questions beforehand to render work as efficiently as possible. Experts from several scientific disciplines related to radon participated (physics, statistics, geology, geography, radiology, national demographic database management, etc.). Among the questions which result from experiences with past surveys, are:Which is the objective of the survey? (Assessment of radon hazard, of collective risk, of detriment attributable to radon, decision base for mitigation action, etc.)
Which is the target quantity? (Mean concentration in living rooms over an area, probability to exceed a reference level within an area, status of an area as priority area, etc.)
Which is the mapping support, i.e., the geographical area to which a value of the target quantity shall be assigned? (Municipality, administrative region, geological unit, grid cell, etc.)
Which spatial estimation strategy is chosen: design based (inference only from radon measurements) or model based (inference from predictor quantities such as geology or ambient dose rate)?
How to generate a representative sampling scheme, and how to verify it?
In case of a design based strategy: which sample size is required to achieve a given accuracy of the result? More generally: which information is necessary to establish an uncertainty budget of the target quantity?
How should an operational database be structured, which metadata should be included?
How should a "cooking recipe" look like, which generation of new data should follow? ("Bottom-up harmonization") How can existing data be integrated into the database ("Top-down harmonisation")?
How can experiences gained during pilot and local projects be transferred and "upscaled" to different environments and larger regions?
How should a QA/QC scheme look like, appropriate to the project?
These questions, some of which are by no means trivial, should be thoroughly discussed and answered before actually starting a survey. Some of them will be addressed in the presentation. 
Storm impacts on the marine environment in the English channel
Authors: Chavan Harshal , Schmitt Francois G , Christaki Urania
Published: March 2024

We are considering how storms in the English Channel influence the sea water's environment, including salinity, turbidity, oxygen, and temperature. Sudden variations in these environmental variables can disrupt the coastal ecosystems. The impact can lead to eutrophication, hypoxic conditions, harmful algal bloom formation and changes in phytoplankton community structure. The objective is to address these changes using observation data.For this, we collected observation data from different sites of the English channel from 2010 to 2023. We are using databases from different French National Observing Systems (SNOs): SNO SOMLIT and SNO PHYTOBS providing at low frequency (every 15 days) biogeochemical parameters as well as phytoplankton communities, and SNO COAST HF, providing several biogeochemical parameters at high frequency (10 to 30 minutes). Météo France data hourly meteorological data are used as storm indicators. The changes in environmental structure are considered using various statistical analyses (statistical moments, probability density function, Fourier spectral analysis, biodiversity indicators).Examples from the storms Ciara (10 Feb 2020), Dirk (December 2013) and Eleanor (3 Jan 2018) will be provided.  Keywords: English Channel, Storm, Observation databases, Turbulence
Transformation and backfilling of peatland soils and effect on CO2 emissions
Authors: McMackin Ciriaco , Minich Luisa , Guido Wiesenberg , Stéphane Burgos , Markus Egli
Published: March 2024

Peatlands are the Earth's largest natural terrestrial carbon reservoir, storing more than 40% of all soil organic carbon. Despite their significance, damaged peatlands emerge as a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to nearly 5% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions.Peatlands have been drained in the Three Lakes region (Switzerland). These drainage efforts were initiated to develop agricultural land use and enhance the overall quality of life in the region. While the drainage improved living conditions, it also accelerated peat decomposition. This accelerated decomposition gave rise to a loss of soil, reaching up to 4 meters at specific locations, and drastically increased CO2 emissions.Various strategies have been developed to reduce CO2 emissions from degraded peatland. Backfilling—the deposition of a mineral layer on the soil— is one promising method to mitigate CO2 emissions. Backfilling disconnects the peat from the surface soil by a mineral layer. CO2 emissions from the peat are diminished, while the surface soil can still be used for agricultural purposes.Peatlands contain very old carbon preserved by water-logged conditions that limited carbon decomposition. We measured rates and radiocarbon (C14) signals of the CO2 emissions at three locations in the Three Lakes Region to compare the amount and age of carbon emitted from drained and drained-backfilled peatland soils. First results show that the backfilled peatland soils emit less and younger CO2 than peatland soils having no backfilling. The covered peatland still continues to degrade, however at a slower pace. The overed peat contributes to about 50% of the measured CO2 emissions from the transformed sites. Further investigation will be needed to identify the spatio-temporal variability and the influence of other factors such as the groundwater table level.
Semi-automatic analysis of InSAR large datasets for landslide mapping and monitoring: the Great Britain case study
Authors: Medici Camilla , Novellino Alessandro , Dashwood Claire , Bianchini Silvia
Published: March 2024

In recent years, satellite-SAR interferometry has established itself as a widely used global monitoring technique, enabling timely detection, monitoring and mitigation of both natural disasters and human-induced ground movements. When dealing with large multi-temporal InSAR data, the ground deformation detection becomes a fundamental and complex task with the consequent pressing need to establish new approaches and tools for effectively analysing large interferometric datasets. The advanced capabilities of the satellite systems and the continuously updated processing techniques provide unprecedented amounts of data to analyse the ground deformation processes for large territories in reduced time frames. Within this context, the fast detection and characterization of the ground deformation processes constitute a milestone for what concerns the correct management and mitigation of their impact on vulnerable populations and infrastructures. As a result, the starting point for all ground deformation detection and monitoring techniques is to work with updated inventories, a fundamental yet often overlooked issue in most countries such as Great Britain. Despite the availability of a national landslide database, less than half of the landslides reported are mapped as polygons, and their state of activity is unknown. In this regard, in this work we updated the national landslide inventory by mapping new events or simply identifying their current condition of motions through the use of the data freely provided by the European Ground Motion Service (EGMS), which represents an unprecedented baseline for ground deformation applications at continental, national and local level with millimetre accuracy. The approach relies on a semi-automatic tool, recently developed at the Centre Tecnològic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya to identify the Active Deformation Areas (ADAs). Following an initial analysis of the InSAR data, the tool allows the identification of unstable areas characterized by a minimum number of persistent scatterers with velocity values over a specific threshold. The results consist of two ADA maps corresponding to the two Sentinel-1 velocity components and, subsequently, the output can be combined with landcover and topographic maps. The study has been carried out by exploiting the horizontal and vertical velocity maps provided by the EGMS which has enabled a national-scale analysis. Subsequent steps involve the classification and temporal analysis of the identified ADAs, followed by the analysis of more relevant local case studies. 
Structural, petrophysical, and geophysical characterization of a fault zone in southern Finland – application for subsurface fluid flow in granitic settings
Authors: Engström Jon , Bischoff Alan , Kortunov Evgenii , Markovaara-Koivisto Mira , Ovaskainen Nikolas , Nordbäck Nicklas , Paananen Markku
Published: March 2024

Southern Finland crystalline basement was formed and modified during the 1.9–1.8 Ga Svecofennian orogeny, which constitutes a portion of the Fennoscandian Shield. The bedrock comprises supracrustal and early to late-orogenic igneous rocks of mafic to felsic compositions and is characterized by an overall high metamorphic grade associated with high-T and low-P conditions. The bedrock was subjected to multiple tectonic events of distributed deformation, first during a compressional stage, then followed by an extensional stage and finally  a transpressional stage.Hence, the Kopparnäs study site in southern Finland has been subjected to several stages of ductile and brittle deformation. The site has been studied by the Geological Survey of Finland for several years, with special research emphasize on a subvertical E–W orientated multi-core fault zone that intersects granites, amphibolites, and migmatites. A drillhole cuts through this fault zone at 100 m depth. This drillhole has beed studied using downhole instrumentation, such as optical and acoustic imaging and diverse geophysical surveys (fullwave sonic, magnetic susceptibility, gamma density, natural gamma radiation, drillhole caliper and various electrical loggings). In addition, a comprehensive study of the drill core enables detailed geological and petrophysical characterization of the fault architecture, including recognition of fractures, alteration zones, and mineralization across the fault and its host rocks. These studies together with fluid flow measurements with a packer system, enable us to define subsurface properties for this fault zone.The initial results suggest that faulting strongly impacts the petrophysical characteristics of the rock, typically increasing porosity and reducing bulk density. This change is most likely related to the fracturing at the site being often associated with mineral alteration and dissolution. These events altered and deformed the multiple fault cores in distinctively manner, affecting the subsurface fluid flow which can be observed in fluid chemical composition differences.These studies are part of the FLOP project (FLOw Pathways within faults and associated fracture systems in crystalline bedrock) and the Deep-HEAT geothermal energy project. 
Physical, biological, and chemical inter-processes in fjords.
Authors: Pérez-Santos Iván , A. Díaz Patricio , Ross Lauren , Riquelme-Bugueño Ramiro , Lara Carlos , Barrera Facundo , Díaz-Astudillo Macarena , Muñoz Richard , Ladaeta Mauricio , Linford Pamela , Schwerter Camila , Arenas-Uribe Sara , Navarro Pilar , Guido Mancilla-Gutiérrez Guido Mancilla-Gutiérrez , Jorquera Erika , Saldías Gonzalo S.
Published: March 2024

Physical, chemical, and biological processes in fjord ecosystems are inherently intertwined and their interactions cultivate environments ideal for primary production and ecological diversity. Yet, due to the vast range of space and time scales important in fjords, defining specific inter-process outcomes, such as conditions that trigger harmful algal blooms (HABs), has proven to be a challenging task. To identify repeatable inter-process patterns this study will focus on time scales over which plankton are known to depend on and vary, such as the change from day to night, or the diurnal cycle. Therefore, in December 2021, a field experiment was conducted in a fjord of northern Chilean Patagonia (41.6º S) to capture the interaction of physical, chemical, and biological processes for a complete diurnal cycle (24 h). The measurements collected included hydrographic, atmospheric, tidal, and nutrient data as well as phytoplankton and zooplankton samples to elucidate how specifically these processes interact. Results detected thin, near-surface phytoplankton and zooplankton layers during the daytime, located just below a layer of fresh water, acting as a barrier. During the night the thin layers were dissipated and dispersed. Predator-prey interactions were one of the factors contributing to phytoplankton dissipation at nighttime, due to the diel vertical migration of macrozooplankton species. The physical measurements showed reduced stratification and enhanced vertical mixing homogenizing the upper layers of the water column at night, which is thought to be enhanced by the presence of swimming macrozooplankton. Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton composition, but HABs species were observed, showing changes in abundance and species composition from day to nighttime. This study reinforces the need to carry out interdisciplinary experiments to understand how physical, biological, and chemical processes in fjords interact, to forecast and mitigate the effects of water quality issues such as harmful algal blooms.
The impact of brittle and ductile weakening mechanisms on strain localization and the stabilization of transform fault zones
Authors: Ritter Sandrine , Balázs Attila , Gerya Taras
Published: March 2024

Rheological weakening mechanisms play a crucial role in plate tectonics by locally dropping lithospheric strength and leading to the formation of new plate boundaries, including new subduction zones or transform boundaries. Despite the abundance and persistence of large-offset oceanic transform faults, understanding their formation, the role of their preceding continental rifting history and their preservation is less understood. Furthermore, the role of different rheological weakening mechanisms is still debated.In this study, we aim to better understand the contribution of different rheological weakening mechanisms, including both brittle and ductile processes, to the development of rifts and transform fault zones. To achieve this, we are running a comprehensive series of high-resolution 3D petrological-thermomechanical models (i3ELVIS). These models include elasto-visco-plastic rheology with strain-rate induced weakening, partial mantle melting, oceanic crustal growth, thermal contraction and mantle grain size evolution. To investigate the influence of weakening processes, we compare model evolutions that include strain-induced and strain-rate induced plastic weakening parameters. A particular focus is made on the evolution of locally high plastic strain rate values during the evolution and stabilization of transform faults following rifting and during oceanic spreading. New insight from this study can then be applied on a natural example such as the Romanche Transform Fault Zone located in the equatorial Atlantic.
The prebiotic geochemistry of Mn and cyanide on early Earth
Authors: Jiang Clancy Zhijian , Tosca Nicholas J.
Published: March 2024

Prebiotic chemists have examined and passionately debated the geochemical environments that could have promoted primitive metabolic pathways, or permitted the accumulation of building block molecules. Recent advances in molecular biochemistry have identified a UV-driven reaction network involving hydrogen cyanide (HCN) homologation that can produce essential building block molecules with minimum by-products. However, we have a poor understanding of geochemical processes that could have facilitated or hindered the accumulation and processing of major feedstock molecules (i.e., HCN) on the early Earth. Such a gap in our knowledge leaves us unable to constrain the likely processes and/or environments that were critical to the origins of life.Under the CO2-rich, anoxic surface conditions on the early Earth, HCN from transient sources (e.g., lightning and impact) would dissolve in Fe2+-rich surface water and produce stable ferrocyanide anion (Fe(CN)64-). The transience of HCN has motivated suggestions to concentrate it within sediments, specifically through the crystallisation of ferrocyanide salts with common cations. These sedimentary ferrocyanide salts are thought to release simple cyanide back into the water column upon decomposition and rehydration, serving as a feedstock for prebiotic chemistry. Which, then are the most suitable ferrocyanide salt(s) for processing HCN in the surface water on the early Earth?The present work experimentally investigate the precipitation kinetics of sparingly soluble Mn-ferrocyanide (Mn2Fe(CN)6). Considering the plausible abundance of Mn2+ in the anoxic surface water, the formation of Mn2Fe(CN)6 could have been an effective pathway of concentrating HCN near the transient sources. Whether the products of Mn2Fe(CN)6 decomposition/alteration are suitable for prebiotic synthesis holds the key to our understanding of the environmental factors that could have restricted prebiotic HCN chemistry.
A multiscale analysis using young water fractions and transit time distributions in the Yellow River Source Area
Authors: Fang Jinzhu , Stockinger Michael , Yang Yibo , Yi Peng , Stumpp Christine , Shen Jijie , Xiong Ling , Shi Jiayong
Published: March 2024

Estimating water yield is a crucial aspect of evaluating water conservation strategies and ensuring sustainable development in watersheds. The widespread application of isotopes to quantify the temporal dynamics of precipitation transforming into runoff has helped to identify the influence of watershed runoff and mixing processes on nutrient transport and biogeochemistry. Nevertheless, in permafrost regions characterized by strong landscape heterogeneity, sparse and discontinuous data collection poses challenges in obtaining isotope data of permafrost thaw meltwater for studying its influence on catchment hydrology. The primary objective of this study is to assess the accuracy and reliability of the convolution integral model in simulating the transit time distribution in permafrost regions, considering the introduced parameters. Additionally, the study aims to evaluate the water retention capacity of the permafrost watershed and explore the key physical control factors influencing the impact of permafrost thaw on mean transit time (MTT). The northeastern part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, situated in the source region of the Yellow River (SAYR), is at the boundary between discontinuous permafrost and seasonal frozen ground. Permafrost degradation is evident, leading to a complex runoff generation mechanism. Within five nested sub-catchments of the SAYR region (20,000~120,000 km2), we collected high-resolution water stable isotope data for both rainfall and runoff, and we quantified the contribution of permafrost thaw meltwater during the melting period. The influence of permafrost meltwater from the active layer on water transit times was accounted for in the convolution integral method by introducing an additional source contributing to runoff (Q0, x% contribution with isotope ratio δ0). The study finds that additional sources of soil melt water runoff contribution are crucial to solving the problem of non-convergence of the convolution integral model in permafrost areas, and the MTTs of the watersheds are mainly influenced by river channel topography, the water retention capacity of the watersheds depended on the topographical and morphological characteristics of the watershed, and is secondarily affected by land use type, soil type, and frozen soil thermal stability.
Warming climate will alter the characteristics and generation processes of European floods
Authors: Tarasova Larisa , Ahrens Bodo , Blöschl Günter , Kumar Rohini , Hamouda Mostafa , Rakovec Oldrich , Merz Ralf
Published: March 2024

Under ongoing climate change, the projected increase in the magnitude of extreme precipitation is expected to intensify the magnitudes of future river floods. However, the disparate past changes in the latter, suggest that changing flood generation processes modulate the sensitivity of streamflow response to changing precipitation.Here we examine how flood generation processes will change in Europe until the end of the 21st century under high emission scenario (SSP585) using the climatic forcing (i.e., precipitation, temperature) from CMIP6 EC-EARTH3-Veg simulation (Döscher et al., 2022) dynamically downscaled using the atmosphere-ocean coupled regional climate system model COSMO-NEMO-TRIP (Primo et al., 2019) within the extended EURO-CORDEX domain at the spatial resolution of 0.11° and corresponding hydrological simulations (i.e., streamflow, soil moisture, snow water equivalent) using mesoscale Hydrological Model (mHM). Using this information, we classify the annual maximum floods into rainfall events that occurred on dry or wet soils, a mixture of rainfall and snowmelt, and pure snowmelt events. We evaluate the reliability of our modeling system by comparing the frequency of these flood generation processes and characteristics of annual floods for the historical period 1960-2010 using classified flood observations in 1353 European catchments (Tarasova et al., 2023).We find that under exacerbating climate change the frequency of occurrence of flood generation processes in Europe will change considerably by the end of the century. Interestingly, the pace of change in the magnitude, runoff coefficients and time scales of floods differs considerably for floods generated by different processes, emphasizing an important role that these processes play in modulating climate change signal and shedding a light on the variable hazard that flood events generated by different processes pose in a warming climate. Döscher et al. The EC-Earth3 Earth system model for the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6. Geoscientific Model Development 15, 7 (2022). https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-2973-2022Primo et al. A regional atmosphere–ocean climate system model (CCLMv5.0clm7-NEMOv3.3-NEMOv3.6) over Europe including three marginal seas: on its stability and performance. Geoscientific Model Development 12, 12 (2019). https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-5077-2019Tarasova et al. Shifts in flood generation processes exacerbate regional flood anomalies in Europe. Commun Earth Environ 4, 49 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-00714-8
Detection of Supraglacial Lakes using Gaofen-3 data and Advanced Attention U-Net
Authors: Jiang Di , Li Shiyi , Hajnsek Irena
Published: March 2024

Detecting supraglacial lakes is becoming increasingly crucial in the rising of global warming. Serving as vital indicators of glacier surface runoff storage and loss, these lakes provide significant insights to the understanding of glacier mass balance and global sea-level changes. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images have been used in numerous automatic detection algorithms due to their unique advantages of being independent from weather and illumination conditions. However, most SAR-based algorithms primarily use SAR backscattering intensities, which limits detection accuracy due to the high sensitivity of backscattering intensities to varying surface dielectric and geometric properties. To address this problem, it becomes essential to incorporate the polarization information to better distinguish different surface properties.In this work, we introduced an innovative automated lake detection method that integrated a dual-polarization decomposition approach in a deep learning scheme. We enhanced the traditional decomposition method for HH and HV polarizations by segmenting the Stokes vector into fully and partially polarized sections to isolate volume and surface scattering components. The alpha angle, derived through eigenvalue decomposition of the covariance matrix, was further determined to quantify the degree of polarization. Subsequently, the decomposed SAR images were used to train an Attention U-Net deep learning model for lake segmentation. The Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) technique was introduced to the Attention U-Net to facilitate end-to-end training with limited datasets. The proposed method was applied to the Gaofen-3 dual-polarization SAR imagery over expansive study regions in Greenland. Results indicated that the proposed decomposition approach was effective in detecting lakes in areas of complex surface conditions and discriminating frozen lakes in winter months. The method significantly reduced misidentification and inaccuracy in distinguishing various surface features such as dark ice, blue ice, wet snow, and actual lakes. Compared to existing methods, the proposed method provided improved attention to the finer details, exhibiting higher accuracy in identifying small lakes. More importantly, comprehensive physical interpretations of the data were also provided based on the polarization decomposition, offered valuable insights into the future development of lake detection algorithms.In summary, this work introduces an effective and innovative methodology combining SAR dual-polarization decomposition and deep learning for accurate supraglacial lake detection. The proposed method shows promising potential for an operational supraglacial lake mapping on a large scale and is expected to provide valuable insights into the understanding of ice sheet and glacier runoff dynamics.
A new UK scale ocean-wave-river modelling system for predicting extreme sea levels at the coast 
Authors: De Dominicis Michela , Bricheno Lucy , Patmore Ryan , Marthews Toby , Berthou Segolene , Amoudry Laurent
Published: March 2024

Extreme coastal sea level events are driven by various mechanisms, spanning a wide range of time scales. The long-term decadal and seasonal variability of mean sea level is combined at the coast with the seasonal variability of freshwater discharges, the daily scale of weather-related wave and surge events, and the semidiurnal to diurnal scale of astronomical tidal oscillations. Currently, future extreme sea levels are calculated as a combination of individually modelled sea surface height associated with storm surges and waves, tide and sea level rise, with number of limitations, e.g. the interaction between sea level rise and extreme sea surface height associated with storm surges, waves and tides is not taken into account. Progress in the modelling of the coupled coastal processes is urgently needed to predict how sea level rise will influence extreme sea level change at the coast and to ensure that design criteria for coastal protection are correctly specified, and hazard warning systems picks up potential disasters.To reproduce the non-linear interactions between mean sea level, storm surge, tides and waves, we are developing an innovative high-resolution (500m) UK scale coastal ocean model based on the NEMO and WaveWatchIII systems (NEMO-WWIII UK500). This new configuration will include intertidal areas and processes (wetting and drying scheme); tides-surge-waves and sea level rise interactions; fully vertically resolved physics to include wave-current interactions and river plume dynamics; near-shore wave processes (wave set-up and run-up); sea level rise impact on tidal range/phase. NEMO-WWIII UK500 will provide predictions of water levels and waves conditions for present (fully validated by contemporary observations) and future scenarios.The NEMO-WWIII UK500 will also provide a downstream boundary condition to the hydrological model JULES. This will enable the quantification of the effects of ocean water levels on rivers (backwater effect), which is important to lead to correct water levels in the transitional waters (e.g. estuaries and tidal rivers) which host a large proportion of infrastructure (e.g. ports, airports, power stations) and habitats of national and international significance.
An evolving network approach to assess compounding heat and dry extremes in Europe.
Authors: Giaquinto Domenico , Di Capua Giorgia , Marzocchi Warner , Kurths Jürgen
Published: March 2024

The probability of incidence of compound events is increasing due to human-induced climate change: in particular, there is high confidence that concurrent heatwaves and droughts will become more frequent with increased global warming1. Hereby, understanding the aggregated impact of multiple and synchronized compound hot and dry events at different spatial regions is a pressing issue, especially when it comes to predicting these extremes. In order to assess the evolution of these climate hazards, it is crucial to identify the synchronization structures of compound hot and dry events. To achieve this goal,  we highlight the hotspot regions where extremes are increasing and analyse the atmospheric precursors driving these anomalous conditions. Complex networks represent a promising tool in this perspective. In this work, we present an evolving network approach to assess the time evolution of synchronized compound hot and dry extremes due to global warming in continental Europe. Under this framework, we identify those regions where the frequency of these events has increased in the past 80 years and we describe their atmospheric drivers. Using ERA5 reanalysis data2 and focusing on the extended summer seasons (from April to September) of the period 1941-2020, we construct an evolving network constituted by 51 consecutive layers. Each layer models the synchronization structure in space of compound hot and dry events for a certain time window. Once the evolving network is established, the 51 layers are analysed to highlight the main changes in the graph structure. In particular, by looking at different centrality and clustering metrics and their evolution, we identify hotspot regions, and consequently we describe the atmospheric conditions which drive the compound events at these key locations. Climate complex networks prove to be a powerful tool to reveal hidden features of climate processes; this approach indeed brings out key aspects concerning the spatial dynamics of hot and dry events, laying the foundations to build a forecasting method for these extremes.References1) S.I. Seneviratne, X. Zhang, M. Adnan, W. Badi, C. Dereczynski, A. Di Luca, S. Ghosh, I. Iskandar, J. Kossin, S. Lewis, et al. Weather and climate extreme events in a changing climate; climate change 2021: The physical science basis. contribution of working group i to the sixth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change, 2021.2) H. Hersbach, B. Bell, P. Berrisford, G. Biavati, A. Horányi, J. Muñoz Sabater, J. Nicolas, C. Peubey, R. Radu, I. Rozum, D. Schepers, A. Simmons, C. Soci, D. Dee, and J-N. Thépaut. Era5 hourly data on single levels from 1940 to present. Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Climate Data Store (CDS), 2023.
Revolutionizing water risk management in industry: A comprehensive framework for strategic basin prioritization
Authors: Mohan Chinchu , Begue Agustin , Misa Jeronimo , Servia Hemant , Comercio Matias
Published: March 2024

Globally, industries act as one of the key consumers of water, driving a critical need for responsible and sustainable water usage practices to address the escalating water demands. Despite the industry’s significant impact on water availability, a notable void exists in the accessibility of precise, reliable, and readily available hydrological data essential for understanding water-related risks and formulating effective mitigation strategies. In addressing the challenge of water risk identification and management within the industrial sector, Waterplan, a Y-Combinator startup and science-driven B2B SaaS company, has developed a user-friendly and value-driven water risk framework. This comprehensive water risk framework assesses three distinct water risks: scarcity, flooding, and water quality. Each category of risk is evaluated using a set of hydrologically relevant basin-level indicators. The framework incorporates a total of 17 indicators (including 5 dynamic ones), derived from ground-based and remotely sensed observations or advanced state-of-the-art hydrological models. Using this framework, Waterplan ranked over 53,000 basins across the globe for various water risks, aiding basin assessment and strategic decision-making for industrial clients. The ranking of basins involves an evaluation of historical average hydrologic characteristics from 1988 to 2017 (called baseline), coupled with an analysis of the historical (1988 to 2023) and recent (2018 to 2023) trends (called direction) in these attributes. Both components are established through the application of globally comparable thresholds. Moreover, the scores for each risk type (scarcity, flood, and water quality) were computed using a default equal-weight ensemble method, with the added flexibility to customize the weights of indicators according to the specific client requirements. The framework finds applications in strategic basin/facility prioritization, resource allocation, raw material sourcing decisions, and evidence-based budgeting. Notably, the framework demonstrated strong agreement with locally collected data, showcasing its reliability. While designed for industrial clients, the framework's versatility suggests potential value for water managers and policymakers seeking insights into basin hydrological conditions. This holistic risk framework, integrating advanced technology, scientific rigor, and user-friendly design, can revolutionize how we understand, assess, and manage industrial water risks on a global scale.
Dynamic environment but no temperature change since the late Paleogene at Lühe Basin (Yunnan, China)
Authors: Witkowski Caitlyn R , Lauretano Vittoria , Farnsworth Alex , Li Shufeng , Li Shihu , Mayser Jan Peters , Naafs David , Spicer Robert A , Su Tao , Tang He , Zhou Zhekun , Valdes Paul J , Pancost Rich D
Published: March 2024

The Eocene-Oligocene transition (EOT; ~34 million years ago) marks the critical transition from a greenhouse to an icehouse climate. Temperatures derived from marine records show a consensus ~4°C cooling worldwide; however, there is an emerging picture that the terrestrial realm had a heterogenous response to rapid climate change. Here, we reconstruct an 8-million-year terrestrial temperature record across the EOT at a tectonically unresolved location at the margins of the Tibetan Plateau, Lühe Basin (Yunnan, China). Our multi-proxy organic geochemistry approach, complemented by sedimentological interpretations, shows that Lühe Basin was a dynamic fluvial environment that maintained relatively stable average temperatures from 35 to 27 million years ago. These temperatures are further confirmed by our model-based estimates, as well as palaeobotany-based estimates at a nearby site; together, these stable palaeotemperatures indeed support a heterogenous response of terrestrial locations to climate change. Furthermore, our palaeotemperature estimates match present-day temperature at this location, suggesting that this area has not undergone significant temperature change – and possibly indicating no significant uplift – since the late Paleogene.
Dynamical evolution of ENSO in a warming background: A review of recent trends & future projections
Authors: Golla Sreevathsa , Hirschi Joël , Mecking Jennifer , Blaker Adam , Kelly Stephen , Marsh Robert
Published: March 2024

The wide-spread implications of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on global and regional climate necessitates a better understanding of how the underlying interannual dynamics have changed over recent years. Year-to-year changes in ENSO impact terrestrial and marine habitats, water availability, food security and social stability (Santoso et al., 2017). With abundant evidence of a warming climate, it is imperative to understand how a large-scale climatic oscillation such as ENSO is evolving and influencing changes in large-scale atmospheric circulation patterns (Alizadeh et al., 2022; Cai et al., 2021). Furthermore, quantifying the influence of the ocean on changes in this climatic pattern is an interesting and important question to answer. Evaluating the ability of models to appropriately represent the underlying physics and dynamical changes impacting the spatiotemporal extent and the intensity of ENSO is crucial to understanding ocean-climate teleconnections and changes in climatic extremes. In this study, we review and evaluate the representation of ENSO in several high-resolution CMIP6 and HighResMIP models and forced ocean-only simulations focusing on the ability of current state-of-the-art models to represent central equatorial pacific warming and cooling. This evaluation involves looking at the development and propagation of warm temperature anomalies on surface and sub-surface levels in the equatorial Pacific and understanding the differences in simulating surface heat budget and exchange with the overlying atmosphere and the deeper ocean. Surface and sub-surface (up to 200m depth) temperature anomalies in the Niño 3.4 region were calculated from modelled data and were then compared with anomalies from observational and reanalysis temperature datasets (like EN4, ORAS5). We find good agreement in the timing and vertical structure of surface/sub-surface temperature anomalies in the forced model simulations, particularly during strong ENSO years. Moreover, the genesis of sub-surface anomalies and their further propagation to the surface was well simulated in the forced simulations. The vertical coherence of temperature anomalies was relatively more pronounced in forced ocean-only simulations than in coupled high-resolution model runs. Furthermore, we comment on the shortcomings and suggest potential improvements that can be made in the models that could improve the model’s ability to capture ENSO strength and variability.