bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estimation of seismic velocity changes in a HT-ATES system using THM modelling
Authors: Fraile Clara , Kohl Thomas , Gaucher Emmanuel
Published: March 2024

In Central Europe, a substantial emitter of CO2 in the energy sector corresponds to the thermal energy required for heating and cooling. Seasonal underground heat storage presents a viable option for storing excess heat generated during the summer months for usage in winter, reducing the need for conventional sources of energy. Today, high-temperature aquifer thermal energy storage (HT-ATES) systems are attracting large interest as they represent a sustainable means of meeting heat demand.In HT-ATES systems, hot water is injected into a reservoir during summer, while exchanged cold water is injected over the winter season. These fluctuations in temperature and pressure have an impact on the geomechanical and thermo-hydraulic properties of both the reservoir and the surrounding layers. Monitoring the changes in the reservoir properties is a critical aspect of running a heat storage system safely and efficiently. We try to determine whether active seismic imaging could be a suitable method to characterize the temporal and spatial evolution of the reservoir.With view on designing future geophysical assessment and monitoring systems, we first perform thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) modelling to estimate the variations in the poroelastic properties due to the geothermal processes. Our modeling is based on the characteristics of the DeepStor demonstrator, currently under development in the north of Karlsruhe (Germany), at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The three layers model includes different mechanical properties with one borehole. The simulation of cyclic hot water injection and production over time allows to quantify its effect on the underground material properties. In addition to assessing the expected operational parameters of the DeepStor demonstrator, we test additional injection schemes with varying underground properties to simulate the different ranges of porosity changes and look at their effects on the elastic properties.Linking the THM model parameters to seismic sensitive variables such as velocities and impedances, through empirical equations, allow us to determine the conditions under which active seismic surveys could effectively detect these changes. This approach provides a valuable tool for evaluating the potential of active seismic imaging for monitoring HT-ATES systems.
The impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the soil-surface water interactions
Authors: Strokal Vita , Berezhniak Yevhenii , Naumovska Olena , Palamarchuk Svitlana
Published: March 2024

This research aims to discuss and reflect on the main consequences of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the soil, and water resources of Ukraine. For the soil resources, the main outcomes are as follows: 1) approximately 35% of the Ukrainian territories have been experiencing soil destruction processes due to the war implications – 130 thousand km2 of the land is mined or damaged; part of the agricultural land for growing crops is not suitable, especially in regions (oblasts) such as Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, and Chernihiv (according to the state report on May 2023); 2) as a result of the damaged Kakhovka Hydropower Dam, losses of crop yields on the part of the Kherson region consist of 100 thousand tons, 31 irrigation systems are left without access to water supply in the southern part of Ukraine. Degradation of soil has impacts on water pollution via polluted runoff and erosion.For the water resources, the main outcomes are as follows: 1) 724 hydrotechnical systems (hydraulic structures), 160 of treatment and sewage systems (water treatment and sewage facilities), and 22 dams are destroyed leading to water pollution; 2) up to 90% of the irrigation system in the south of Ukraine is lost, and 67% less fishing due to damaged or destroyed hydraulic systems; 3) the disruption of the Kakhovka Hydropower Dam has resulted in the flooded areas: water from the dammed reservoir was flushed and flooded the surrounded areas with polluted soils and households, a lot of pollutants was released into the water from untreated human waste, products of animals, around 31 water supply and drainage facilities were affected, 13 villages left without centralized water supply, and 4 landfills of solid household waste became flooded.In our research, we analyzed the implications of the Russian-Ukrainian war on the state of soil and water resources and explored their interactions. We identified the main consequences of the Russian aggression such as the loss of soil productivity, the reduction of food production potentials, and the reduction of water safety and availability. The cause-and-effect relationships of risks are discussed. These relationships can become a threat and lead to the deterioration of the population's supply of food and safe water, and the spread of infectious diseases.Keywords: soil resources; water resources; the Russian-Ukrainian war; soil destruction, the deterioration of food and safe water. 
Paleogeographic impacts on the ocean biogeochemistry during the mid-Miocene
Authors: Li Yousheng , Farnsworth Alexander , Valdes Paul
Published: March 2024

Projections for the future under high scenarios using state-of-the-art Earth System Models suggest a warmer climate for both the land and the ocean, and this leads to ocean acidification globally and ocean deoxygenation. Strengthened denitrification and anammox from Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs) or hypoxic coastal areas would possibly enhance nitrous oxide emissions which is one of the main greenhouse gases (GHGs). However, the global dynamics of nitrous oxide are largely uncertain. Considering current emission rates, revisiting past warm periods (e.g., the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum and the Mid-Miocene Climatic Optimum) would improve our understanding of the biogeochemical-climate feedback. One of the uncertainties in such studies is the paleogeographic boundary condition which is shown to have significant impacts on the global climate and the ocean circulations. However, to date, few studies have been able to explore how paleogeographic features could impact the ocean biogeochemical processes during past warm periods. We applied a suite of sensitivity simulations with modifications only to the topographic features based on three sets of paleogeographies for the mid-Miocene, namely the Getech, the Scotese, and the Robertsons. We found there are huge differences in the ocean circulation patterns, with the strength of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) ranging from 0Sv to over 12Sv. We will likely see apparent biogeochemical responses accordingly, especially in tropical upwelling regions and the North Atlantic. Results TBC.
Shedding light on the volcano-plutonic link: evidence of magma mixing dynamics in the shallow crustal plutonic rocks from the Dolomites (Southern Alps; Italy)
Authors: Nardini Nicolò , Casetta Federico , Coltorti Massimo , Ntaflos Theodoros
Published: March 2024

The preservation of volcanic and plutonic records holds the potential to improve our comprehension of plumbing systems. It is widely accepted that numerous magmatic complexes are fed by crystal-rich magma ponding at mid to shallow crustal depth, which is periodically remobilized by the intrusion of hotter melts over extended periods. However, these mechanisms are rarely recorded in plutons. The Dolomites (Southern Alps; Italy) host large volumes of Middle Triassic volcanic and plutonic outcrops, characterized by an excellent state of preservation. This condition enables us to deeply investigate the plumbing system dynamics and connect the effusive and intrusive components of the Middle-Triassic magmatism in the Southalpine domain. In this study, a detailed textural and compositional investigation of clinopyroxene crystals in shallow crustal pyroxenites and gabbros has been done to link plutonic features to the already investigated volcanic counterparts (Nardini et al. 2022). Augitic clinopyroxene is the dominant mineral phase, with euhedral to subhedral crystals up to cm-sized dimensions. Its compositions show Mg# [MgO/(MgO+FeOtot) mol%] from 62 to 75 coupled with low Cr2O3 concentration (< 0.1 wt.%) and 0.5-1 wt.% of TiO2. The crystals occasionally show step zoning patterns towards diopsidic domains having high-Mg# (80-90), higher Cr2O3 and lower TiO2 (both from 0.1 to 0.5 wt.%) organised as outer rims, intermediate bands or as resorbed cores. These preliminary data confirm what recorded by the volcanic counterparts, suggesting a periodical mixing between trachyandesitic and trachybasaltic melts (see Nardini et al. 2022). The remarkable preservation of zoning patterns in the plutonic rocks, coupled with the consistency of clinopyroxene composition and zoning in alignment with the lavas and dykes, provides a powerful volcano-plutonic link. The analyses of exposed plutonic rocks, chemically associated with the erupted materials, provide concrete evidence of the magmatic processes that are inferred through petrogenetic modelling in volcanic rocks, with the potential to deepen our understanding of the plumbing system dynamics.ReferencesNardini, N., Casetta, F., Ickert, R. B., Mark, D. F., Ntaflos, T., Zanetti, A., & Coltorti, M. (2022). From the Middle Triassic Cima Pape complex (Dolomites; Southern Alps) to the feeding systems beneath active volcanoes: Clues from clinopyroxene textural and compositional zoning. Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 422, 107459.
Geomorphic Hazards and the Imperative of Multi-Hazard Assessment for Road Infrastructure in Mountain Areas
Authors: Wenzel Till , Marr Philipp , Glade Thomas
Published: March 2024

Road infrastructure in mountain areas is essential for connecting local communities and for cross-regional mobility, such as fright transit and vacation traffic. The lack of redundancy and the high frequency of traffic indicate the critical importance of these roads. However, compounding and cascading geomorphic processes can have effects leading to the blockage or destruction of infrastructure. These geomorphic processes are amplified by anthropogenic activities such as slope undercutting, deforestation, and indirectly by ongoing climate change. It is therefore important to model the processes associated with these hazards that can cascade to cross-regional impacts. Here, we explore the possibility of using publicly available data, including topographic information and historical hazard data, as well as practitioner input, to produce appropriate assessments that delineate areas prone to geomorphic hazards along the Brenner Corridor connecting southern and northern Europe which is the most important infrastructure connection between northern and southern Europe.To analyse the impact of geomorphic cascades, a comprehensive literature review of past hazardous events in the study area, and susceptibility maps will be prepared. Multi-hazard risk approaches to critical road infrastructure will be reviewed and, where applicable, evaluated for dynamic geomorphic hazard modelling. A conceptual framework combining both practitioner’s knowledge and data analysis with susceptibility assessments will be developed into impact chain models to combine qualitative expert input and quantitative data.Preliminary results show that certain hazards that were not anticipated a few years ago may be changing in their processes, e.g. from avalanche hazard to landslide hazard, due to changing temporal precipitation patterns. One such example is a debris flow that blocked parts of the Brenner highway near the border between Italy and Austria, at the bottleneck of the corridor with highway, country road, and railroad, in a valley section only 70 m wide. The question remains whether such events are more likely to occur in the future in areas that have not yet been studied for these hazards. Further work will include whether, for example, land-use or climate-related changes can be incorporated into scenario impact modelling.
Subduction of Seamounts and Ridges along the Java Margin, Indonesia: Impacts on Structural Geology and Seismic Activity
Authors: Xia Yueyang , Kopp Heidrun , Klaeschen Dirk , Geersen Jacob , Ma Bo , Schnabel Michael
Published: March 2024

The Java-Lesser Sunda margin exhibits different topography of subducting oceanic basement relief and diverse upper plate tectonic processes, ranging from neutral characteristics offshore Lombok and Sumbawa to erosional features offshore Central Java to Bali, distinct from its accretionary counterpart off Sumatra. Despite this classification, a comprehensive understanding of how the subduction of oceanic basement relief influences the plate boundary and upper plate structure across the transition from neutral to erosional remains elusive. In our investigation, we illuminate the tectonic parameters governing the margin's classification by integrating multi-channel reflection seismic images obtained through a grid-based P-wave velocity inversion and high-resolution multibeam bathymetric maps. Our dataset reveals the nuanced modifications to seafloor morphology, upper plate structure, and décollement position brought about by various scales of subducting topography. Large-scale subducting features prompt a landward shift of the deformation front, leading to a shortened accretionary wedge and heightened seafloor incline at the relief's trailing edge. Conversely, small-scale subducting ridges predominantly impact the frontal prism, causing over-steepening at the trench and localized slope failures. Deformation of the accretionary wedge ahead of subducting relief is characterized by intensified compression and reduced seafloor slope, seemingly independent of the relief's size. Ridge and seamount subduction induce frontal erosion and basal erosion offshore Lombok and Bali, respectively. Our P-wave velocity models reveal a notably lower rigidity of the upper plate's base along the eastern Sunda margin compared to the global trend. This lower rigidity is a crucial factor favoring the occurrence of tsunami earthquakes on the Java margin. In conclusion, our study provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interplay between subducting oceanic relief and tectonic processes, shedding light on the factors that dictate the margin's transition from neutral to erosional characteristics and the associated seismic implications.
Linking progressive SOC depletion to degradation of soil structure: Where does it fail first?
Authors: Bucka Franziska B. , Guigue Julien , Just Christopher , Gupta Saniv , Felde Vincent J.M.N.L. , Peth Stephan , Kögel-Knabner Ingrid
Published: March 2024

Soil organic carbon (SOC) depletion is often a result of human land use, which is intensified by climate change. As SOC is closely linked to the stabilization of soil structure, the loss of SOC in a soil may induce soil structure breakdown and turnover processes that are not yet well understood.In order to study soil structure turnover with respect to OC loss, we designed an incubation experiment with soil microcosms that allowed OC loss by leaching and microbial respiration, while avoiding any mechanical disturbance.We incubated intact soil cores of an arable Luvisol from Loess deposits in southeastern Germany for 300 days at constant water tension and 25 °C to promote microbial activity. During incubation, CO2 release from the microcosms was monitored. A subset of the microcosms was sampled monthly to assess the effect of progressive OC depletion on the stability and architectural features of the soil structure.The incubation resulted in a reduction of the initial OC (11.2 mg g-1) by approx. 20% and a narrower C:N ratio, corresponding to a reduced OC coverage of the mineral surfaces (1.7 m² g-1 to 0.9 m² g-1, as determined by N2-BET). Despite the OC reduction, the aggregate size distribution (as determined by both wet and dry sieving) did not change significantly, although there was a trend toward a reduction in the mean weight diameter of the aggregates. The mechanical stability of isolated soil aggregates (as determined by dry crushing) even increased slightly with lower OC content in the bulk soil. Microscopic analysis of resin-embedded soil aggregates revealed a lower bulk density in the center, suggesting a progressive carbon depletion from the outside to the inside of the soil aggregates.These observations highlight that early stage OC depletion along with reduction of OC-covered mineral surface area, without additional mechanical influence, does not immediately lead to the degradation of soil structure. This suggests the existence of OC storage sites that are not susceptible to OC loss by leaching or microbial degradation. In contrast, the sites of initial OC loss may not contribute to the structural stability of a soil.
Assessment of a quantum gravity mission by the space-wise approach in the framework of the QSG4EMT project
Authors: Rossi Lorenzo , Reguzzoni Mirko , Koç Öykü , Migliaccio Federica
Published: March 2024

Quantum technology is becoming more and more popular in science and applications. For some years now the possibility of equipping a future satellite mission with quantum instrumentation has been investigated to improve the current knowledge of the Earth’s gravity field. In this framework the QSG4EMT project, which is funded by ESA, aims at investigating different mission principles (low-low satellite-to-satellite tracking with one or more pairs, gradiometry, etc.) especially with the aim of retrieving the time variations of the gravity field. One of the processing strategies that are used for this assessment is the so-called space-wise approach, which is mainly based on a least-squares collocation scheme passing through the estimation of gridded values to adapt the noise filtering level to the local characteristics of the static and time-variable gravity field. This approach is naturally used for local/regional solutions, but it can be also applied for global modelling by patching overlapped regional solutions all over the world and then performing a spherical harmonic analysis. In this work, the space-wise approach is used to assess the performances of different mission scenarios of future missions having on board purely quantum or quantum-electrostatic hybrid accelerometers. The focus is both on the estimation of the total water storage and on the comparison of the information retrieved from global and local solutions.
Coincident Airborne and Satellite Acquisitions of Methane Plumes
Authors: Ayasse Alana , Cusworth Daniel , Duren Riley
Published: March 2024

Methane super emitters are gaining importance for methane emission mitigation due to initiatives like the EPA’s Super Emitter Response Program. In addition, a variety of new methane plume-mapping sensors are coming online (e.g., Carbon Mapper/Planet Tanager, EnMAP, PRISMA, EMIT, GHGSat, MethaneSat). These sensors all have the capability to map and measure super emitters, therefore it is critical that we have robust methods to characterize the performance of individual sensors and to combine observations from multiple sensors. In this study we use coincident data from the EMIT instruments and an airborne imaging spectrometer to demonstrate the performance of EMIT and to test methods for multi-sensor observations. We use these data to constrain a Probability of Detection (POD) model for EMIT. We demonstrate that under favorable conditions the 90% probability of detection for EMIT is 700 kg/hr and the 10% probability of detection is 275 kg/hr. We also offer a new framework for how sensors with dramatically different detection limits, such as an airborne imaging spectrometer and EMIT, can be combined to accurately measure persistence and emission rates for individual sources that are observed by multiple instruments. 
Optimizing Energy Quay Walls: Insights from Comprehensive Thermal Analysis and Turbulent Flow Enhancement
Authors: Gerola Marco , Cecinato Francesco , Haasnoot Jacco K. , Vardon Philip J.
Published: March 2024

In recent decades, there has been a notable rise in the utilization of the subsurface as a source for heating and cooling through shallow geothermal installations. This trend is exemplified by the emergence of Energy Geostructures (EGs), an innovative technology that not only provides structural support to the ground or buildings but also facilitates the exchange of heat with the subsurface. EGs offer versatile applications for various energy needs, including their integration with ground source heat pumps for space heating, cooling, and domestic hot water provision.Energy Quay Walls (EQWs) represent a promising type of energy Geostructures that demonstrate a unique ability to exchange heat with both the surrounding soil and open water. Despite the considerable potential for energy efficiency that EQWs hold, their limited implementation underscores the need for extensive research to comprehend their thermal behavior.This study conducts an in-depth examination of EQWs, employing two Finite Element numerical models to reconstruct the undisturbed temperature profile within the soil and conduct a detailed 3D analysis of heat exchange processes in an EQW application. These models are validated using real data obtained from a full-scale test in Delft, The Netherlands. The results emphasize the significance of transitioning from laminar to turbulent flow regimes within the heat exchanger pipes, showcasing improved energy extraction efficiency, particularly from the open water layer.Moreover, the study underscores the critical role of open water movement in the energy extraction process. This finding emphasizes the dynamic nature of open water in contributing to the overall effectiveness of EQWs as an EG. The study's outcomes provide important considerations for optimizing the design and implementation of EQWs, pointing towards the benefits of promoting turbulent flow regimes within the heat exchanger pipes and emphasizing the advantages of harnessing energy from actively moving open water layers. As the implementation of EQWs continues to expand, these insights contribute to advancing our understanding and enhancing the energy efficiency of this innovative technology. 
Impact of horizontal resolution and model time step on European precipitation extremes in the OpenIFS atmosphere model
Authors: Liu Yingxue , Kjellsson Joakim , Savita Abhishek , Lübbecke Joke , Park Wonsun
Published: March 2024

Events of extreme precipitation pose a hazard to many parts of Europe but are typically not well represented in climate models. Here, we evaluate daily extreme precipitation over Europe during 1982-2019 in observations (GPCC), reanalysis (ERA-5) and a set of atmosphere-only simulations at low- (100km), medium- (50km) and high- (25km) resolution with OpenIFS (Version43R3). We find that both model simulations and reanalysis underestimate the rates of extreme precipitation compared to observations. The biases are largest for the lowest resolution (100 km) and decrease with increasing horizontal resolution (50 and 25 km) in all seasons. The sensitivity to horizontal resolution is particularly high in mountain regions, likely linked to the sensitivity of vertical velocity to the representation of topography. The sensitivity of precipitation extremes to model resolution increases dramatically with increasing percentiles, which modest biases at the 70th percentile and large biases at 99th percentile.  We also find that extreme precipitation mostly consists of large-scale precipitation (~80%) in winter, while in summer it is mostly large-scale precipitation in Northern Europe (~70%) and convective precipitation in Southern Europe (~70%). Compared to ERA5, the model simulations produce higher large-scale precipitation extremes in winter, but weaker in summer. The discrepancy between OpenIFS simulations and ERA-5 decreases with increasing horizontal resolutions. We also examine the model time step’s effect on extreme precipitation. The results show that the convective contribution to extreme precipitation is more sensitive to the model time step than horizontal resolution. This is likely due to the sensitivity of convective activity to model time step. On the other hand, the large-scale contribution to extreme precipitation is more sensitive to horizontal resolution than model time step, which may be due to sharper fronts and steeper topography at higher resolution. In general, the lowest-resolution and longest time step has overall higher biases than the highest-resolution and shortest time step.
New Constraints on Late Cenozoic Convergence between the Pamir and South Tianshan from Apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He Thermochronology
Authors: Wang Fujun , R. Sobel Edward , van der Beek Peter , Zhu Wenbin , Colleps Cody , Gong Lingxiao , Rembe Johannes , Li Guangwei , Glodny Johannes
Published: March 2024

Cenozoic collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates instigated significant intracontinental deformation in Central Asia, giving rise to the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayan orogen. Simultaneously, it compelled the Pamir to undergo extensive northward movement, accompanied by tens to hundreds of kilometers of crustal shortening. Ultimately, this geological activity culminated in the collision of the Pamir with the South Tianshan. This collision may be a key factor influencing topography and climate change in Central Asia, yet comparatively little is known about the details of the tectonic evolution of the collision zone. In particular, precise determination of the timing of activation of different thrusts in the Main Pamir thrust (MPT), Pamir fold-and-thrust (PFT), and South Tianshan thrust (STT) system remains lacking. Here, we report new apatite (U-Th-Sm)/He (AHe) dates from fourteen samples collected from the hanging walls of these thrusts, situated at the westernmost tip of the Tarim Basin, NW China. Samples collected from the MPT record rapid cooling at ~ 11 ± 1 Ma, samples from the PFT show rapid cooling at ~ 7 ± 2 Ma and ~4-3 Ma, while samples from the STT reveal accelerated cooling at ~11 ± 1 Ma, ~7-6 Ma and ~3-2 Ma. We propose that the observed rapid cooling was caused by thrust-induced exhumation in this region, thus the rapid cooling represents the activity time of thrusts. Combined with previous studies on the onset deformation in the MPT and STT, we develop a model of the convergence between the North Pamir and South Tianshan in our study region since the late Oligocene. Late Oligocene to early Miocene (~20 ± 5 Ma) cooling ages from the MPT and STT hanging walls date the onset of thrusting, indicating the initiation of this convergence. Afterward, the MPT and STT experienced northward and southward propagation during the late Miocene (~11 ± 1 Ma), respectively. Subsequently, during the latest Miocene (~7 ± 2 Ma), the PFT started to form, while simultaneously, the STT propagated southward, resulting in the contact of these two thrusts at the Wuheshalu section. We suggest that the timing of contact of PFT with the STT represents the surface expression of the onset of collision between the Pamir and South Tianshan in the western Tarim basin. Following the initial collision, the PFT gradually propagated northward while the STT propagated southward during the Pliocene to Pleistocene (~3 ± 1 Ma), establishing the present-day superimposed and imbricated thrust system in the Pamir-South Tianshan convergence zone.
ML-derived reservoir operations for 24,000 dams implemented in a global hydrological model
Authors: Steyaert Jen , Wanders Niko , Bierkens Marc
Published: March 2024

Globally there are over 24,000 dams that greatly alter river connectivity and streamflow regimes of the world’s large rivers. To capture the impact of dams, global hydrological models implement simplified reservoir operations that use modelled inflow, static storage capacity values, and downstream demand to calculate reservoir releases and better understand large-scale streamflow dynamics. According to Steyaert et al., 2023, these approaches typically overestimate the amount of water stored in reservoirs, smooth out the seasonality in storage, and may miss long term trends. All of which can underestimate the impact on streamflow regimes as the operations are not necessarily derived from historic time series. To assess the importance of reservoir operations on global streamflow regimes, we update the number of reservoirs in the PCRGLOBWB 2.0 hydrologic model from 6,000 to 24,000 using the georeferenced global dams and reservoirs dataset (GeoDAR (Wang et al., 2022)) and derive dynamic storage thresholds using freely accessible remotely sensed storage data and a new reservoir algorithm developed by Turner et al., 2021. We obtained the reservoir specific parameters required for the Turner algorithm using a ML based approach to enable global simulations of all 24,000 dams. We also employ a sensitivity analysis across multiple command areas (250, 650 and 1100 km) to assess the impact reservoirs have on the global streamflow and downstream water demand. Preliminary results in the Rhine basin show that increasing the number of dams and using data derived methods provides more realistic streamflow regimes. We observe an improvement in the KGE of discharge simulations from 0.43 to 0.67, also reducing the bias from -2012.23 to -316.94 compared to the old reservoir implementation currently used in PCR-GLOBWB 2.0. This significant improvement in model performance highlights the importance of observation derived rule curves for reservoir management in global hydrological models.
Effects of the realistic vegetation cover representation on the large-scale circulation and predictions at decadal time scale.
Authors: Di Carlo Emanuele , Alessandri Andrea , van Oorschot Fransje , Cherchi Annalisa , Corti Susanna , Balsamo Giampaolo , Boussetta Souhail , Stockdale Timothy
Published: March 2024

Vegetation is a highly dynamic component of the Earth System. Vegetation plays a significant role in influencing the general circulation of the atmosphere through various processes. It controls land surface roughness, albedo, evapotranspiration and sensible heat exchanges among other effects. Understanding the interactions between vegetation and the atmosphere is crucial for predicting climate and weather patterns. This study explores how better representation of vegetation dynamics affects climate predictions at decadal timescale and how surface characteristics linked to vegetation affect the general circulation at local, regional and global scales. We used the latest satellite datasets of vegetation characteristics and developed a new and improved parameterization for effective vegetation cover. We implemented the new parameterization in the land surface scheme Hydrology Tiled ECMWF Scheme for Surface Exchanges over Land (HTESSEL), which is embedded in the EC-Earth model. The enhancement of the model's vegetation variability significantly improves the prediction skill of the model for several parameters, encompassing both surface and upper-level elements such as 2-metre temperature, zonal wind at 850 hPa and mean sea level pressure. The improvement is particularly evident over Euro-Asian Boreal forests. In particular, a large-scale effect on circulation emerges from the region with the most 2-metre temperature improvement, over Eastern Europe. The incorporation of an effective vegetation cover also introduces heightened realism in surface roughness and albedo variability. This, in turn, leads to a more accurate representation of the land-atmosphere interactions. The regression analysis of surface roughness and albedo with 2-metre temperature, mean sea level pressure and wind (both at surface and 850 hPa) reveals a robust relationship across the entire northern hemisphere. This relation between the surface and the atmosphere is notably absent in the standard configuration model, where the vegetation is prescribed by a dynamical vegetation module.These findings underscore the substantial impact of vegetation cover on the general circulation, particularly in the northern hemisphere, and emphasise its crucial role in improving prediction skills. Furthermore, they highlight the challenges faced by modern earth system models in accurately representing several processes connecting the land surface and the atmosphere.
Influence of Injection rate and slip-induced dilatancy on the propagation of fluid-driven slip front
Authors: Passelegue Francois , Dublanchet Pierre , Brantut Nicolas , Chauris Hervé
Published: March 2024

A growing amount of evidence indicate that aseismic transients driven by overpressure play an important role in the triggering of induced seismicity. Understanding the physical control on aseismic slip development is thus important for seismic hazard assessment. We conducted an investigation into the propagation dynamics of a fluid-driven slip front along a laboratory frictional interface composed of granite. The experiments were carried out under a confining pressure of 90 MPa, with an initial uniform fluid pressure of 10 MPa. Fault reactivation was initiated by injecting fluids through a borehole directly connected to the fault.Our findings reveal that the peak fluid pressure at the borehole leading to reactivation exhibits an increase proportionate to the injection rate. Employing three fluid pressure sensors and eight strain gauges strategically positioned around the experimental faults, we performed an inversion analysis to image the spatial and temporal evolution of (i) hydraulic diffusivity and (ii) kinematic fault slip during each injection experiment. Our inversion methods integrated both deterministic and Bayesian procedures, facilitating the tracking of the fluid pressure front along the fault interface and the subsequent propagation of the slip front over time.The migration pattern shares many similarities with natural slow slip events suspected to play a role in the development of natural and induced earthquake swarms or aftershock sequences.  We demonstrate that increasing the fluid injection rate induces a transition from a quasistatic propagation of the slip front correlated with the increase in fluid pressure to a dynamic scenario where the slip front outgrows the fluid pressure front, accelerating during its propagation. Furthermore, we establish that temporarily shutting off fluid pressure during injection induces the propagation of a pore-pressure back-front, which halts the propagation of the slip front, aligning with theoretical expectations.
Reusing asphalt millings with excavated materials and compost to construct Technosols: effects on plant and soil properties
Authors: Mikajlo Irina , Pando Anne , Robain Henri , Lerch Thomas Z.
Published: March 2024

Desealing and soil renaturation is a major concern in European cities to rehabilitate degraded ecosystem services in urban areas. In order to minimize both the economic and environmental costs of urban greening, wastes generated by desealing operations could be reused for soil construction. To our knowledge, the effect of asphalt milling incorporation into constructed Technosols on soil physical, chemical and biological properties and plant growth has never been evaluated yet. In this study, we tested different compositions of Technosols including excavated deep horizons of soils (EDH) mixed with milled asphalt and with different ratios (0-10-20-30%) of compost. The same combinations were made with coarse sand instead of milled asphalt as a reference. The experiment was undertaken for 3 months in a phytotron, with planted ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Thereafter, plant root and shoot biomass were collected and elemental composition analysis was performed using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The soil physicochemical properties (pH, water retention, CEC…) were measured as well as the microbial characterization (Biolog® Ecoplates, DNA extraction and qPCR). Results obtained showed that the milled asphalt addition had a small negative or no influence on soil properties depending on the dose of compost added. Plant biomass tends to decrease for the Technosol with the highest asphalt content but, again, these effects were mitigated by compost addition. The optimal substrate was with 10% of milled asphalt for low organic matter content. The highest compost content (30%) evened the shoot biomass differences among the treatments. The root biomass followed the shoot biomass, although the highest root/shoot ratio was observed for the modalities with low compost content (0-10%). A significant effect of asphalt millings was also detected in plant elemental composition with relative enrichment of more macro-elements (P, K, Cl, S), certain oligo-elements (Mn, Zn, Cu) and trace metals (Cr). Overall, these results suggest that asphalt millings could be used as parent material for constructed Technosols.
Assessment of Nitrogen Dynamics in an Acidic Sandy-Loam Soil: Impact of Varied Nitrogen Sources and Incorporation of Chabazite Zeolite Tuff
Authors: Alberghini Matteo , Ferretti Giacomo , Galamini Giulio , Faccini Barbara , Balzan Silvia , Coltorti Massimo
Published: March 2024

Volcanic tuffs containing high percentage of zeolites have been extensively studied, both in their natural state  or enriched with nitrogen, as a means of enhancing soil properties and fertilizer efficiency. Limited data however exist on their application in acidic sandy soils and in conjunction with organic fertilizers.This work consists of a 50-day laboratory incubation study wherein the nitrogen dynamics in an acidic sandy-loam agricultural soil fertilized with various nitrogen sources were investigated. These sources included urea, nitrogen-enriched chabazite zeolite tuff, and pelleted composted manure. Additionally, the nitrogen sources were tested in combination with the addition of chabazite zeolite tuff in its natural state to act as a soil improver.The results revealed distinct behaviors among the various nitrogen sources, particularly affecting soil pH and nitrogen dynamics. Mineralization was very slow in manure-fertilized soil, whereas nitrogen-enriched zeolite exhibited a more balanced behavior in terms of net nitrate production and ammonium consumption. Nitrogen-enriched zeolite and urea demonstrated a temporary "liming" effect, while pelleted manure promoted a prolonged shift of soil pH toward neutral values.In conclusion, nitrogen-charged chabazite zeolite tuff proved to be a valuable nitrogen source in acidic sandy-loam soil, serving as a viable alternative to synthetic fertilizers and an effective means of nitrogen recycling. 
Flood inundation Mapping for the Sept. 2023 Derna, Libya flood event using Sentinel-1 SAR data: An Integration of SAR intensity and interferometric coherence
Authors: Hotaki M. Sulaiman Fayez , Motagh Mahdi , Haghshenas Haghighi Mahmud
Published: March 2024

Flood mapping, particularly in data-scarce regions, poses challenges including inadequate observational data to understand the hydrological characteristics of the floods. This study addresses this research gap by utilizing remotely sensed data, specifically Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images, to delineate flood extent related to the September 11, 2023 Derna flood event in Libya. The objective is to extract flood extent from both SAR intensity and coherence and integrate these characteristics to generate a confidence flood map.Our approach involves radiometric terrain correction of SAR data, flood pixel identification using anomaly detection techniques based on SAR intensity, and coherence analysis of pre-and post-flood SAR images. Flooded areas are categorized into 3 main classes. These include (1) High Confidence Flood (HCF), which is the intersection of SAR intensity and coherence in VV and VH bands in both Ascending and Descending directions; (2) Medium Confidence Flood (MCF), extracted from intensity and coherence in either the Ascending or Descending direction in both VV and VH bands; and (3) Low Confidence Flood (LCF), extracted from a single direction in either VV or VH band. LCF includes all pixels not confidently identified as part of either HCF or MCF.  The effectiveness of flood segmentation utilizing the integration of anomaly detection of SAR intensity and coherence analysis method is evaluated through a comparison between Sentinel-1 SAR data and optical Planet imagery.Our findings indicate HCF covering approximately 8 hectares, MCF covering around 24 hectares, and LCF covering more than 227 hectares. These findings offer valuable insights into the observed flood extent at varying confidence levels. However, the moderate temporal resolution of Sentinel-1 data, with a revisit time of 12 days, introduces challenges in promptly detecting the entire extent of the flood. Overall, this study underscores the significance of remote sensing technology in near-real-time flood monitoring, emphasizing its role in identifying vulnerable areas, prioritizing resources, planning for potential risks, and supporting decision-making in relief efforts.
Varying weathering degree indicators within three paleosol layers
Authors: Király Csilla , Mondal Juliet Keya , Jakab Gergely , Karlik Máté , Falus György , Cseresznyés Dóra , Kónya Péter , Viczián István , Szeberényi József , Szalai Zoltán
Published: March 2024

Loess-paleosol layers are prevalent globally. One result of the urbanization, these layers often collapse on the buildings or if the buildings are the top of the bluff, houses can damage as a result of mass movements. Therefore, it is crucial to identify key parameters to predict the changes in the loess-paleosol layers stability. This study focused on three unaltered loess-paleosol profiles in Hungary (Bátaapáti, Nagymaros, Zebegény) where several vertical samples were taken. To assess the extent of weathering, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analyses were utilized. XRD provides detailed information about the crystallographic structure and chemical composition of minerals. Further details on the elemental composition of the three loess-paleosol systems were acquired through XRF analysis. Data from the Mastersizer 3000 analyzer were collected to examine particle size distribution, as the clay fraction (
Water management is a success story, how water quality changed based on historical development and mid-term hydroclimate.
Authors: Marx Christian , Tetzlaff Dörthe , Hinkelmann Reinhard , Soulsby Chris
Published: March 2024

Urban water quality has traditionally been perceived as primarily influenced by point sources such as wastewater treatment plants and (combined) stormwater overflows. However, limited attention has been given to understanding how the urban stream syndrome evolves post the operation of water management facilities, the broader impacts on water quality beyond these measures, and the influence of hydroclimate on urban water quality.In this study, we present spatially distributed data spanning 66 years of water quality and fertilizer application, 30 years of water quantity, and 20 years of groundwater quality in the urban Panke catchment, Berlin, Germany, aiming to address these questions. Hydroclimatic indicators, specifically the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), were employed, and the data was analyzed for trend delineation, breakpoint analysis, and concentration-discharge relationships.Predictably, major water quality changes were attributed to shifts in water management practices, such as the transformation of the former sewage irrigation farm, subsequent replacement with a wastewater treatment plant, and alterations in wastewater redirection. Interestingly, unaffected upstream sites were parallel improving in water quality. While concentration-discharge remained unaffected by hydroclimate, we observed trends towards lower NO3-N and higher NH4-N, oPO3-P, and CL concentrations during droughts. Despite these variations, the upstream sites demonstrated significant overall improvement, reaching the highest water quality classification, demonstrating how effective water management can enhance resilience.The hydrochemical dynamics in upstream sites suggested altering connectivity during drought, which remains unclear and requires further investigation. Beyond our research findings, we highlight the importance of establishing a structured, long-term monitoring program and promoting knowledge transfer across various institutions. This collaborative approach is deemed crucial for comprehending and contextualizing the gathered data. 
Vegetation recovery and adaptation shapes the post-Large Igneous Province carbon-climate regulation system
Authors: Rogger Julian , Judd Emily J. , Mills Benjamin J.W. , Goddéris Yves , Gerya Taras V. , Pellissier Loïc
Published: March 2024

Earth’s long-term climate evolution is regulated by feedback mechanisms that keep carbon inputs from geologic reservoirs by magmatic or metamorphic degassing in balance with carbon sink fluxes, such as silicate mineral weathering and organic carbon burial. Abrupt imbalances in the carbon cycle, for example due to the release of carbon during the emplacement of Large Igneous Provinces (LIP), potentially result in catastrophic climatic disruptions, biotic crises, and mass extinctions in the oceans and on land. However, it remains enigmatic what climatic, geologic, and biologic variables determine the resilience of Earth’s compartments to such carbon injections. Here, we evaluate how the evolutionary adaptation and dispersal capacity of terrestrial vegetation affect the temperature anomaly following a massive release of CO2 to Earth’s atmosphere and oceans. To do so, we develop an eco-evolutionary vegetation model that is coupled to a geologic carbon cycle model and a look up structure of intermediate complexity climate simulations, which we apply to different LIP degassing events during the Phanerozoic. In the model, the vegetation’s impact on global carbon fluxes (i.e., organic carbon production and plant-mediated enhancement of silicate rock weathering) depends on the vegetation’s capacity and speed of responding to LIP-induced climatic changes. We observe a strong sensitivity of both, the intensity and duration of climatic changes following a LIP emplacement to the vegetation’s climate adaptation capacity by evolutionary adaptation or by migration in geographic space. The interaction between the continental configuration (e.g., supercontinent vs. distributed continents) and the distribution of dispersal barriers for the terrestrial vegetation further result in the emergence of new, long-term climatic steady states by inducing a new balance between global organic and inorganic carbon fluxes. Modelled trajectories of bio-climatic disruption and recovery agree well with paleotemperature reconstructions from geochemical proxies for selected LIPs. A better understanding of biologically driven climate regulation mechanisms may help to explain unresolved changes in temperature over Earth’s history.