bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The molybdenum isotope signature of microbial nitrogen utilization
Authors: Wang Xudong , Peckmann Jörn , Bayon Germain , Jia Zice , Gong Shanggui , Li Jie , Feng Dong
Published: February 2023

Many chemosynthesis-based communities prospering in deep-sea environments rely on the metabolic activity of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. This is also the case for vestimentiferan siboglinid tubeworms, whose demand for nutrition is entirely satisfied by their endosymbiotic bacteria harbored in the trophosome. Such chemosymbiosis leads to a significantly lower nitrogen isotope composition of the trophosome than in other types of soft tissue. However, the specific process of nitrogen utilization by siboglinids remains unclear. As a key element in the relevant enzymes (nitrogenase, nitrate reductase), molybdenum (Mo) is indispensable in the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen. The Mo isotope composition (δ98Mo) of siboglinids is thus a potential proxy to decode the mode of nitrogen utilization. In this study, we found that δ98Mo along the chitinous tube of the vestimentiferan siboglinid Paraescarpia echinospica from the Haima seep of the South China Sea yields values as negative as -4.59‰ (-1.13 ± 1.75‰, n = 19) – the lowest δ98Mo signature ever reported for any kind of natural material. It is suggested that this extremely negative Mo isotope composition is caused by preferential utilization of isotopically light Mo by the tubeworm symbionts during nitrate reduction. Such Mo isotope signature could provide a means to identify siboglinid tubeworms in the rock record, a group of annelids that has previously escaped unambiguous identification due to the lack of mineralized skeleton.
Hydrometeor Identification for GPM DPR
Authors: Chandrasekar Chandra V , Le Minda
Published: February 2023

 

The GPM science implementation plan articulates the new frontiers of space-based precipitation observations, including new insights into vertical storm structure and microphysics [1]. The DPR algorithms are a key part of the process as discussed in the GPM science implementation the last updated DPR Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (GPM/DPR ATBD 2021) document. Dual-frequency precipitation radar (DPR) onboard the GPM satellite has extended scan pattern to full swath mode for both Ku- and Ka-band since May 2018.  

 

The objective of the level-2 DPR algorithms are to derive radar only meteorological quantities meaning general characteristics of the precipitation, correction for attenuation and estimation of precipitation water content, rainfall rate and, when dual-wavelength data are available, information on the particle size distributions in rain and snow. The DPR Level-2 algorithms consist of several modules including the classification (CSF) module. Currently, our team plays a key role in the international DPR algorithm development group and is responsible for the dual-frequency algorithms development in the classification module. These algorithms include rain type classification, melting region detection, surface snowfall identification, graupel and hail detection etc. [2]-[4]. 

 

It is a unique advantage for space radar to provide a hydrometeor type over the globe while ground based observations are limited to the regions of deployment. Among the algorithms of current DPR classification module, most of the products are two dimensional with either a “flag” or “type” (or etc.) on a Latitude / Longitude surface. In this research, we will add a range-bin based hydrometeor type for DPR full swath data to enhance the classification module. This three-dimensional hydrometeor identification feature is the next frontier built upon our knowledge of hydrometeor classification development for DPR. 

 

This algorithm has been applied to various precipitation types and validated successfully with either ground based weather radar or airborne weather radar observations from field experiments such as OLYMPEX. Validation for cases with extreme hydrometeor type as hail are also performed with GMI-based approach and illustrate meaningful comparisons.  

 

 

 
Four-phase modelling of metal-silicate differentiation in planetesimals
Authors: Bintang Fakhri , Keller Tobias , Daly Luke
Published: February 2023

Collisions of planetesimals with pre-differentiated cores aided in the formation of the cores in the terrestrial planets in our Solar System. The differentiation of the interior of planetesimals from a primitive chondritic composition to differentiated metallic core and silicate mantle is therefore an important step in the development of the early Solar System, setting the initial conditions for collisional planetary growth. However, meteoritic evidence of the differentiation stage of planetesimals are rare and challenging to interpret. Therefore, mathematical models are necessary to constrain the timescales and elucidate the physics behind metal-silicate segregation in planetesimals. We present progress towards a new numerical model which models the thermo-chemical and fluid-mechanical evolution of silicate-metal planetesimals. The model is comprised of four material phases: solid and liquid silicates, and solid and liquid Fe-FeS metal. Hence, the model quantifies the different segregation rates of metal alloys at various stages of planetary melting. The thermo-chemical evolution quantifies the melting and chemical fractionation of the materials using two separate phase diagrams for the silicate and iron systems respectively and calibrated based on enstatite chondrite meteorites as the starting primitive material. The fluid mechanics represents conditions where the silicate liquid phase dominates and captures the settling of solid particles and immiscible liquid metal droplets by hindered Stokes settling. Our model will simulate core formation under a range of initial planetesimal compositions, nebular compositions, and planetesimal sizes. We also intend to implement compatible element partitioning into our model, in particular Hf-W isotope partitioning, to compare our model results with the meteoritic record. Results from our model will allow more robust estimations of the timescales for planetesimal core formation.

 

 
Spatio-temporal Calibration of EO Data for Estimating Forest NPP based on the Diagnostic Prediction Model in the Mid-Latitude Region
Authors: Park Eunbeen , Jo Hyun-Woo , Lee Woo-Kyun
Published: February 2023

Forests play a key role in the global carbon cycle as the largest carbon sink, which accounts for about a quarter of the global greenhouse gases. Extreme weather and meteorological disasters are expected to considerably impact the forest and agriculture. These events will be amplified in both scale and frequency, and negative impacts on the forests are expected in the mid-to-long-term timeline. However, estimating forest NPP on a large scale still implies several limitations such as data collection and quality level. Given the importance of global NPP estimates to guide strategies for improving carbon sequestration, there remains a need to develop new frameworks that are broadly applicable to a large scale. Since forest NPP has spatiotemporal heterogeneity due to different regional status and their complex interactions, fusion modeling is needed to effectively represent the complex effects on forest NPP.Therefore, this study applied a diagnostic prediction model (DPM) process for predicting forest NPP in Mid-Latitude Region (MLR). The diagnostic prediction model (DPM) is an advanced data fusion method that reflects both the semantic and structural features of earth observation datasets which are foreseeable climate data and precise land observational satellite data. In order to predict forest NPP, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), annual temperature, topographic indices, soil indices, and MODIS NPP images were used, and multi-linear regression and random forest algorithms were applied. Then, the time-series fitting error function was applied in the diagnostic process for maximizing predictive performance. As a result, the calibration results of DPM outperformed the results, which exploit only meteorological and environmental data, in both spatiotemporal and temporal accuracy. Through the applicability assessment of DPM for estimating forest productivity and time-series function for the advanced diagnostic processes, this study quantitatively identified forest productivity by only using physical environmental factors based on meteorological and satellite data in MLR where forest resource data is insufficient. This study can provide valuable information to decision-makers for establishing future climate change and forest policy.
EMODnet Geology – towards new standards on harmonizing marine geological data of the European seas - and beyond
Authors: Vallius Henry , Kihlman Susanna , Kaskela Anu , Kotilainen Aarno , Alanen Ulla , Geology Partners EMODnet
Published: February 2023

High-quality maritime spatial planning, coastal zone management, management of marine resources, environmental assessments and forecasting require comprehensive understanding of the seabed. Already in 2008 and in response to these needs the European Commission established the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). The EMODnet concept is to assemble existing but often fragmented and partly inaccessible marine information into harmonized, interoperable, and publicly freely available data layers encompassing whole marine basins. As the data products are free of restrictions on use, the program is supporting any European maritime activities in promotion of sustainable use and management of the European seas.Now in its fourth phase, the EMODnet-Geology project is delivering integrated geological data products that include seabed substrates, sediment accumulation and seabed erosion rates, seafloor geology including lithology and stratigraphy, Quaternary geology and geomorphology, coastal behavior, geological events such as submarine landslides and earthquakes, marine mineral resources, as well as submerged landscapes of the European continental shelf at various time-frames. All new map products are presented at a scale of 1:100,000 all over or finer but also at coarser scales to ensure maximum areal coverage. Thus partner updates of single-scale products at 1:250,000 and 1:1,000,000 were encouraged and these data products have been uploaded when available. A multi-scale approach is adopted whenever possible.The EMODnet Geology project is executed by a consortium of 39 partners and subcontractors which core is made up by 23 members of European geological surveys (Eurogeosurveys) backed up by 16 other partner organizations with valuable expertise and data.The EMODnet concept is, however, not restricted to the European seas only, as also the Caspian and the Caribbean Seas are included in the geographical scope of the EMODnet Geology project, and selected methods were shared with the EMODnet PArtnership for China and Europe (EMOD-PACE) project (2019-2022).Discover Europe’s seabed geology at: https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en/geology 
Regional map of InSAR-based active layer thickness of permafrost in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Authors: Li Rongxing , Chang Tian , Han Jiangping , Yi Yonghong , Hao Tong , Lu Ping , Wen Yuliang , Li Zhenshi
Published: February 2023

Accurate assessment of the state and changes of permafrost active layer thickness (ALT) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is critical to understanding the underlying processes driven by the global climate change. The Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) technology has been proven to be a method for quantifying deformation caused by natural and degradational processes of permafrost changes. Given its high accuracy, this method has been applied to monitoring local and regional permafrost deformation in QTP. However, there is a lack of improved large-scale regional ALT mapping algorithm using the accurate InSAR deformation data. Here, we examine the complex processes where the active layer melts spatio-temporally in depth during the thawing season, and the ground subsides due to the volume difference induced by the ice - water conversion. We developed a new model that infers ALT from the surface subsidence with help of other parameters in the process. This model takes the advantage of long-term InSAR derived deformation data, including both seasonal signal and inter-annual trend. In addition, it introduces an empirical parameter to represent the contribution of the ice-water phase change with consideration of additional water contribution from other sources. We implemented the developed method in Kekexili regional of the QTP. The seasonal deformation was obtained from radar images of Sentinel-1 by using the Small Baseline Subset Interferometry (SBAS-InSAR) technology. The thawing water was estimated in combination with soil moisture, precipitation, evapotranspiration and runoff data. Based on deformation data, vegetation cover information and existing ALT products, the empirical parameter was obtained by a data-driven regression method. Finally, a new InSAR-derived permafrost ALT map in the Kekexili region from 2015 to 2020 is produced. The results show that the average ALT is of 1.94 m with a standard deviation of 0.35 m. A comparative discussion with permafrost maps produced using other methods is given. 
Effect of moisture content on carbon dioxide emissions in calcareous soils of the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico
Authors: Martinez-Santiago Santos , Benedicto-Valdés Gerardo Sergio , López-Santos Armando , Silva-Rojas Hilda Victoria , Ojeda-Trejo Enrique , Ramírez-López Elsa Marcela , Delgadillo-Martínez Julian
Published: February 2023

Calcareous soils are characterized by containing a greater amount inorganic carbon (SIC) than organic carbon (SOC), and both contribute to CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. SOC mineralization and SIC dissolution are related to soil moisture content, but their effect on CO2 emissions from calcareous soils is unclear. This investigation aimed to evaluate the effect of moisture content on CO2 emission of a calcareous soil in the Comarca Lagunera, Mexico.Calcareous soil samples were taken from a cropland and shrubland of Comarca Lagunera, Mexico and their physical and chemical properties were determined. For a 30-day period, 100g of soil were incubated in closed-jars and two moisture treatments, related to field capacity (FC) and permanent wilting point (PWP) values were applied. The CO2 emission assessment was performed every two days using an infrared gas analyzer (IRGA, PP Systems, UK).For cropland, the FC, PWP, SIC and SOC values were 27.2 %, 14.6 %, 7.3 % (140.4 Mg ha-1) and 0.23 % (4.4 Mg ha-1), while for shrubland, the values were 27 %, 11 %, 7.6 % (152.8 Mg ha-1) and 0.08 % (1.6 Mg ha-1), respectively. Average emission of CO2, every two days, from cropland soil was 2.1 g CO2 m-2 h-1 for moisture at FC, while to PWP was 1.7 g CO2 m-2 h-1, and for shrubland soil was 1.8 g CO2 m-2 h-1 for moisture at FC, while to PWP was 1.6 g CO2 m-2 h-1.In both cases, cumulative CO2 emissions were significantly higher in FC compared to PWP. For cropland, cumulative CO2 emissions were 23.4 g CO2 m-2 h-1 and 29.4 g CO2 m-2 h-1, but for shrubland were 21.7 g CO2 m-2 h-1 and 25.3 g CO2 m-2 h-1. Cumulative CO2 emissions for moisture content at FC were equivalent to a soil carbon (C) loss of 1.9 Mg ha-1 and 1.7 Mg ha-1 for cropland and shrubland, respectively. This result implies the loss of 43.2% (1.9 Mg C ha-1 / 4.4 Mg SOC ha-1) of the SOC content in the cropland, but for the shrubland it suggests the total loss of the SOC (1.6 Mg C ha-1 / 1.6 Mg SOC ha-1) and a part of the SIC content (0.1 Mg C ha-1 / 152.8 Mg SIC ha-1).Our study shows that soil moisture content has a significant effect on CO2 emissions from calcareous soils, such as Comarca Lagunera, where an increase in soil moisture corresponds to increases in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, where SIC and SOC reserves are involved.
Estimation of spatio-temporal groundwater recharge in Jeju Island, Korea
Authors: Lee Jeong Eun , Kim Chul-Gyum , Lee Jeongwoo , Chung Il-Moon , Chang Sun Woo
Published: February 2023

Accurate estimation of groundwater recharge in Jeju Island, which relies on groundwater for most of its water use, is very important for water resource management and planning. However, Jeju watershed is a volcanic island with high permeability, ephemeral streams and mountain areas, so it is difficult to estimate the hydrological components using existing hydrological models. To overcome these limitations, SWAT-K (Soil and Water Assessment Tool-Korea), which can simulate ephemeral stream and threshold runoff, was used to estimate hydrological components (such as precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and groundwater recharge) of Jeju watershed (~1,828 km2). The overall procedure of SWAT-K modeling (model setup, calibration and validation) was performed from 1991 to 2020. The simulated and observed daily streamflows were compared and showed a good agreement. In particular, a reasonable estimation of groundwater recharge was confirmed through the comparison of simulated groundwater recharge and the observed groundwater level. Finally, the spatio-temporal groudwater recharge characteristics were analyzed using the SWAT-K results.Acknowledgement : Research for this paper was carried out under the KICT Research Program (project no.20220275-001, Development of coastal groundwater management solution) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Lithology Classification Using Sentinel-1 Data in Amurang, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Authors: Tighe Lorraine , Ipranta Ir , Singh Rohit , said Tony
Published: February 2023

One of the biggest challenges temperate and tropical regions face is that dense forest covers much of the landscape, which can be problematic in lithological mapping. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data provides a window through heavily vegetated canopy and essential information about surface scattering that can be used to infer underlying lithology. This research proposes a new methodology for lithology classification based on Sentinel-1 SAR nested geospatial data and a hybrid Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technique. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the ability of AI, GIS, and Sentinel-1 data to classify lithology in the heavy jungle of Amurang, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The results indicate the proposed method can accurately map 1:50,000 scale lithology and refine the Qv unit into young volcanic rocks (Qv) and young lava (Qvl) and further define the Qvl unit into three sub-units based on age where Qvls-1 is the younger and Qvls-3 is the older. Cross-validated results indicate our method identified lithology with an overall accuracy of 91.00%, a commission error rate of 3.03%, and an omission error rate of 2.15% compared to the 2006 X-band InSAR derived geological map of the Amurang, Sulawesi. The proposed method distinguishes and refines specific rock units and has the potential to semi-automate lithological mapping in heavily vegetated areas.
A multi-approach to study and communicate on the effect of highway infrastructures on the dispersion of traffic-related air pollutants.
Authors: Camps Pierre , Poidras Thierry , Nicol Patrick , Vittori Marc-Antoine , Letaïef Sarah , Lefevre Margaux
Published: February 2023

In this work, we will present 4 different approaches to study and visualize the effects of motorway infrastructures such as precast noise barriers or vegetated flat-top earth berms on the dispersion of traffic-related pollutants. The micrometeorological characteristics that directly affect the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere were first computed with a pseudo-3-dimensional CFD model by means of the openFoam toolbox. The strengths of this model based on the Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations with K-ε first-order closure model is to consider the traffic-induced momentum and turbulence (Letaïef et al., 2020). A second approach was to directly visualize the microturbulence from a 1/100 scale model of the motorway cross-section in a wind tunnel. To this end, we refracted the beam of a laser light with a glass rod to observe eddies along a thin plane through a fog generated by a fog machine. Simple shots with a camera can reveal coherent patterns in the chaos. To complete these two models, we conducted two types of field measurements of fine particle concentrations on the studied motorway sector. Direct and indirect measurements were carried out with low-cost microsensors and with environmental magnetism tools applied on dust depositions on accumulating surfaces (Hofman et al., 2017), respectively.These four approaches indicates similar results. A large recirculation wake region formed on the leeward side of the wall that brings back to the wall the pollutant generated by the traffic is evidenced. On the contrary, flat-top earth berms favor the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere. These 4 different approaches allowed us not only to establish these conclusions but also to communicate with all the actors concerned by this study site: scientists specialized in the metrology of atmospheric pollutants, the persons in charge of the motorway company, the elected representatives and the inhabitants of the city where the study site is located. References:Hofman, J., Maher, B. A., Muxworthy, A. R., Wuyts, K., Castanheiro, A., and Samson, R.: Biomagnetic Monitoring of Atmospheric Pollution: A Review of Magnetic Signatures from Biological Sensors, Environ Sci Technol, 51, 6648–6664, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b00832, 2017.Letaïef, S., Camps, P., Poidras, T., Nicol, P., Bosch, D., and Pradeau, R.: Biomagnetic monitoring vs. CFD modeling: A real case study of near-source depositions of traffic-related particulate matter along a motorway, Atmosphere, 11, 1–23, https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11121285, 2020.
A worst case extreme sea levels along the global coastline by 2
Authors: Jevrejeva Svetlana , Williams Joanne , Vousdoukas Michalis , Jackson Luke
Published: February 2023

We calculate the magnitude of a worst case scenario for extreme sea levels along the global coastline by 2100. Our worst case scenario for extreme sea levels is a combination of sea surface height associated with storm surge and wave (100-year return period, the 95th percentile), high tide (the 95th percentile) and a low probability sea level rise scenario (the 95th percentile). We show that by 2100 extreme sea levels have a 5% change of exceeding 4.2 m (global coastal average), compared to 2.6 m during the baseline period (1980-2014). Up to 90% of increases in magnitude of extreme sea levels are driven by future sea level rise, compare to 10% associated with changes in storm surges and waves. By 2030-2040 the present-day 100-year return period for extreme sea levels would be experienced at least once a year in tropical areas. This 100-fold increase in frequency will take place on all global coastlines by 2100. Future changes in magnitude and frequency of extreme sea levels undermine the resilience of coastal communities and ecosystems, considering that sea level rise will increase the magnitude, frequency of extreme sea levels and will reduce the time for post-event recovery. 
Using geomorphology to design, build and assess a post-mining landscape: a case study of the Santa Engracia mine, Spain
Authors: Hancock Greg , Martín Duque Jose
Published: February 2023

New computing and modelling technology allows the reconstruction of post-mining landforms using geomorphic design principles. It is important that such designs be evaluated and if needed, re-designed or reshaped so that soil loss is minimized and geomorphologically and therefore ecologically integrate with the surrounding landscape. One landscape assessment method is to use a computer based Landscape Evolution Models (LEMs). LEMs allow different designs to be input and will highlight where erosion will occur and type of erosion (i.e. sheetwash, rilling, gullying) as well as erosion rate. Here, landscape designs for the Santa Engracia mine in East-Central Spain were designed and constructed using geomorphic principles using the GeoFluv method and Natural Regrade software. These design landscapes were evaluated using the SIBERIA LEM. The results demonstrate that using suitable topsoil and if vegetation can be established the landscapes will have minimal sheet and gully erosion.  Erosion forecasts (5.3 - 15.2 t ha-1 yr-1) are significantly lower than the previous landscape (~350 t ha-1 yr-1) using conventional (terraced) reconstruction methods. The design and assessment methods described here provide procedure that can be used at other sites to highlight strengths and weakness of a landscape design process. The combination of geomorphic design and assessment using a landscape evolution at this project (LIFE RIBERMINE) presents a new standard for mine rehabilitation landform design in Europe.
A WMO-coordinated Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure
Authors: Riishojgaard Lars-Peter
Published: February 2023

Beyond water vapor, the three most important greenhouse gases (GHGs) in terms of their radiative forcing are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). Increasing concentrations of these gases driven by human activities are the primary cause of the observed climate change according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (ref AR6 WG1). The Paris Agreement, adopted by 196 countries at the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties in 2015, sets specific targets for maximum rise in global mean temperature and identifies reduction in net greenhouse emissions as the primary means to achieve this target.However, even very accurate estimates of anthropogenic emissions alone will not be enough to design meaningful mitigation efforts or to monitor their effectiveness. Greenhouse gas concentrations are influenced by both natural and anthropogenic processes, and some of the natural carbon sources and sinks in particular are associated with very large uncertainties, both as they currently operate and as they may change in the future in response to climate change. Sustained, routine monitoring of greenhouse gas concentrations, using monitoring of weather and climate as a paradigm and role model, will provide a wealth of quantitative data to help constrain the modelling of all parts of the carbon cycle. This will be extremely valuable for the work of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) and IPCC, it will complement and supplement existing methodologies used to estimate anthropogenic emissions, and it will help put mitigation steps taken by Parties to the Paris Agreement on a solid scientific footing. This presentation introduces a WMO-coordinated effort to establish an operational Global Greenhouse Monitoring Infrastructure to directly observe and model greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, and thereby support/enable estimates of net greenhouse gas fluxes between atmosphere, land, and oceans. The atmospheric component of this infrastructure builds on the research infrastructure for greenhouse gas observations and modelling supported by WMO since 1975, and promotes its operationalization and further advancement by utilizing the existing infrastructure and methodologies employed for more than 50 years for operational weather forecasting. 
Sensitivity Analysis of the Effect of Rainfall on Road Traffic Speed in Bangkok, Thailand
Authors: Takano Tsuyoshi , Nakamura Shinichiro , Morita Hiroyoshi , Piamsa-nga Napaporn , Vichiensan Varameth
Published: February 2023

Rainfall affects urban traffic flow. In rapidly urbanizing megacities in Asian countries, heavy rainfall causes roads to flood and traffic congestion to worsen due to weak drainage systems. This study statistically quantified the impact of rainfall on urban traffic speed in Bangkok, using probe vehicle data and rainfall data from 2018 to 2020. Traffic speeds are calculated based on the travel distance and travel time between districts, taking into account the detouring of flooded sections.Results show that both the rainfall intensity at the time of driving as well as the amount of previous rainfall affect the traffic speed reduction. In particular, the impact of previous rainfall increases at times and areas where traffic is concentrated, such as during the weekday morning and evening peak hours and travel to/from the city center. The results of the analysis based on regional characteristics show that low-lying districts are more affected by the previous rainfall because the flood water tends to stay on the road surface, while districts with high vegetation index (NDVI) are less affected by the previous rainfall. In addition, the impact of previous rainfall increases with population density and the ratio of narrow streets. In Bangkok, urbanization has progressed while leaving behind a city block configuration with many narrow streets, called Soi, connecting to arterial roads. This result means that limited road space is prone to flooding, and once flooding occurs, combined with the concentration of traffic on adjacent roads, traffic congestion becomes more severe.The results of this study showed the impact of rainfall on urban traffic in different areas and at different times of the day in the target site. Integrated improvements to the transport and drainage systems could have a greater benefit.
The role of extreme variations in freshwater discharge on the Rhine River Plume
Authors: Pietrzak Julie D. , Keyzer Lennart , Geraeds Marlein , Wegman Tess , Gerritsma Avelon , Horner-Devine Alex , Ralston Dave , Verlaan Martin , Kranenburg Wouter
Published: February 2023

Tidal river plumes dominate many shelf seas, transporting freshwater, sediment, nutrients, pollutants and larvae downstream. The Rhine River Plume is one of the largest in Europe, under typical discharge conditions it is dominated by tidal plume fronts in the near to mid-field plume and by tidal straining in the mid- to far field plume. Moreover, in agreement with other tidal river plumes discharging onto the shelf, internal waves generated ahead of tidal plume fronts are an important source of mixing in the river plume. We compare field data collected downstream of the mouth of the Rhine River in 2013 and 2014 under typical discharge conditions, with data collected in the near field plume during 2022 during a major drought. Together with numerical models we explore how extreme variations in freshwater discharge impact both tidal straining and the formation and strength of tidal plume fronts. Furthermore we explore how in turn, this influences the structure and mixing of the near to far-field Rhine River Plume. We use a 3D hydrostatic model of the Rhine River Plume and a potential energy anomaly analysis to explore changes in the mixing.  We explore how the river plume adjusts to extremely low discharge conditions and discuss the possible impact on the transport of freshwater, tracers, larvae and fine sediment.
Quantum gravity gradiometer technology demonstration concept, and the pathway to future mass change science.
Authors: Bettadpur Srinivas , Chiow Sheng-wey , Wiese David , Lutchcke Scott , Loomis Bryant , Flechtner Frank , Schubert Christian
Published: February 2023

NASA/JPL and DLR/Airbus are conducting a joint study of a quantum gravity gradiometer (QGG) technology demonstration concept for advancing mass change measurements. The study outcomes also include near- and long-term science and technology roadmaps for this technology. Studies of gravity gradiometer concepts for mass change measurements have been reported in the literature for the past several years. These studies have considered various quantum metrological implementations, in standalone and constellation of satellite missions, as hybridization of the quantum methods with the conventional satellite-to-satellite tracking methods, and the infusion of quantum technologies in configurations other than a gradiometer to advance mass change measurements.In this paper we report the results of work by the science sub-group of this study team. We report on the technical formulation of a science validation scheme for the tech-demo concept. The scheme includes the validation of the observable measurement model, and validation of its performance characteristics at various time-resolutions and accuracies targeted by the tech-demo. We present these results against a backdrop of the developments in the atomic, molecular and optical physics community that will lead to the desired highest precision measurements.  A discussion of such results is expected to prompt a wider engagement with the scientific community on the long-term planning and deployment of this quantum technology to benefit mass change observations.
Development and application of a climate emulator
Authors: Bodai Tamas , Lembo Valerio , Aneesh Sundaresan , Lee Sun-Seon , Ishizu Miho , Franz Matthias
Published: February 2023

Linear and nonlinear response functions (RF) are extracted for the climate system and the carbon cycle represented by the MPI-ESM and cGENIE models, respectively. Appropriately designed simulations are run for this purpose. Joining these RFs, we have a climate emulator with carbon emissions as the forcing and any desired observable quantity (provided the data is saved), such as the surface air temperature or precipitation, as the predictand. Like e.g. for atmospheric CO2 concentration, we also have RFs for the solar constant as a forcing — mimicking solar radiation management (SRM) geoengineering. We consider two application cases. 1. One is based on the Paris 2015 agreement, determining the necessary least amount of SRM geoengineering needed to keep the global mean surface air temperature below a certain threshold, e.g. 1.5 or 2 [oC], given a certain amount of carbon emission abatement (ABA) and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) geoengineering. 2. The other application considers the conservation of the Greenland ice sheet (GrIS). Using a zero-dimensional simplification of a complex ice sheet model, we determine (a) if we need SRM given some ABA and CDR, and, if possible, (b) the required least amount of SRM to avoid the collapse of the GrIS. Keeping temperatures below 2 [oC] even is hardly possible without sustained SRM (1.); however, the collapse of the GrIS can be avoided applying SRM even for moderate levels of CDR and ABA, an overshoot being affordable (2.).
Microstructural investigations along a blueschist facies paleomegathrust: Implications for deformation mechanisms for deep slow slip behavior
Authors: Das Meghomita , Rowe Christie , Mookerjee Matty
Published: February 2023

The subduction interface is characterized by downdip changes in seismic and aseismic behavior that is controlled by metamorphic reactions, deformation conditions, rheological properties, and fluid sources and pathways. Recent seismological evidence shows that a mixture of brittle-ductile deformation at the downdip limit of the seismogenic zone is responsible for producing slow slip and very low-frequency earthquakes. One way to address the possible mechanics and causes behind this dual deformation behavior is by observing exhumed rocks that provide us with the opportunity to make direct geological observations for microstructure and deformation mechanism analysis. Our project aims to understand the deformation mechanism hosted in the dominant mineral phases of metacherts and blueschist from an exhumed paleomegathrust in the Franciscan Subduction Complex. The Mesozoic Franciscan Subduction Complex consists mostly of underplated clastic sediment-rich terranes that are metamorphosed from prehnite-pumpellyite to blueschist facies. Angel Island, in the San Francisco Bay, is composed of blueschist facies metasedimentary and metabasic rocks containing potential paleo-megathrust faults that correlate to the source depths of slow slip earthquakes. Subduction-related faults and shear zones crop out in sea cliffs around the perimeter of the island and enable us to observe deformation features in characteristic subduction zone lithologies. We focus on a proposed subduction-related shear zone in blueschist-facies metachert juxtaposed against mafic/ultramafic rocks. Centimetric-scale field maps show coeval brittle-ductile features such as mutually cross-cutting extension fractures, kink folds, veins, and mylonitic foliations hosted in a wide variety of rheologically distinct lithologies. These lithologies contain synkinematic sodic amphibole and stilpnomelane demonstrating that this fault was active at blueschist facies. The main deforming mineral phases are sodic amphiboles, phyllosilicates, and quartz. The structural fabric comprises of shear fabrics, kink folding, dismembered veins, flattened grains, solution seams, and compositional layering. Amphiboles and phyllosilicates define the foliation of these rocks whereas quartz exhibits evidence of dislocation creep. Using EBSD-generated phase maps, we try to determine the deformation mechanisms hosted within the metacherts and blueschists along the paleomegathrust. Paleostress during megathrust creep will be constrained using EBSD-generated grain size statistics. Our study highlights the complexity of deformation within these lithologies while presenting evidence for possible deformation mechanisms witnessed at slow slip depths.
Microbead nuisance: Estimation of microplastic release into water bodies through personal care and cosmetic products
Authors: Joseph Anuja , Goel Sudha
Published: February 2023

Microbeads in personal care and cosmetic products (PCCPs) such as facial scrubs and face washes are added to provide mechanical exfoliation while washing one’s face. Such abrasive scrub cleansers have gained global acceptance from consumers, some of these microbeads are made up of plastics. Plastic beads are used because of their round and smooth surfaces, which impart painless exfoliation. These microbeads in turn act as a primary source of microplastics (MP) in wastewater systems. Ten facewashes containing MP beads that are popularly available in the Indian market were analysed to detect the presence of microplastics. MP beads were found in 4 out of 10 facial scrubs and ranged in size from 220 to 600 µm. Based on the Fourier Transformed Infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) analysis, the MP beads were made of cellophane, polyethylene (PE), or polypropylene (PP). India generates approximately 72,368 MLD of sewage of which about 60% is untreated. In India, it was estimated that 4.7 x 1010 microbeads are released into the environment through untreated sewage every year, which amounts to 3.8 tonnes of microbeads being released into the environment annually. The study indicates that massive annual release of MPs in the form of microbeads into the water bodies through facial scrubs and other similar personal care products is inevitable. These microplastic beads are small and can easily escape wastewater treatment systems. Hence, their presence in aquatic ecosystems can lead to the adsorption of contaminants and pollutants like heavy metals, synthetic organic compounds, and other pathogens. The microbeads along with the contaminants can potentially bio-accumulate and bio-magnify within different trophic levels, thus increasing the toxicity at each level.
Using Boa for Multi-Objective Optimization of the hydrodynamic canopy transpiration model FETCH3.14
Authors: Scyphers Madeline , Missik Justine , Bohrer Gil , Paulson Joel , Mau Yair , Silva Marcela , Matheny Ashley , Restrepo Acevedo Ana Maria
Published: February 2023

Species-specific hydraulic traits play a critical role in determining the response of ecosystem carbon and water fluxes to water stress. Improving the representation of plant hydraulic behavior in vegetation and land-surface models is critical for improving our predictions of the impacts of water stress on ecosystem carbon and surface fluxes given that biodiverse representation of forest canopies remain challenging for land-surface models. Here, we use FETCH3.14, a multispecies, canopy-level, hydrodynamic transpiration model which builds upon the previous versions of the Finite-difference Ecosystem-scale Tree Crown Hydrodynamics model (FETCH). FETCH3.14 is parameterized by our newly developed package, Bayesian Optimization for Anything (BOA), which facilitates and eases hyperparameter optimization using multi-scale and multi-variate observations.
BOA incorporates multiple sources of data easily, reduces optimization setup time, and eases advanced use cases such as High-Performance Computing (HPC) parallelization and optimization restarting. BOA facilitates multi-source data assimilation for FETCH3.14 from a disparate range of sources including ET observations, soil and stem water potential observations, and carbon flux observations to provide insights about species-specific hydraulic traits. We use flux data from representative model trees that get scaled to the plot level based on the composition of species and structure of the canopy in the plot, which allows parameterization using tree level observations (sap flux, stem water storage) and plot level observations (eddy covariance evapotranspiration). We use BOA to set up a multi-objective optimization inverse problem with little overhead or extra boilerplate code. This approach allows us to utilize multi-scale observations to resolve information about species-specific hydraulic parameters, including parameters that are difficult or impossible to measure in the field.
The full climate impacts of nature-based climate solutions must be considered to achieve climate goals
Authors: Zickfeld Kirsten , MacIsaac Alexander J. , Canadell Josep G. , Jones Chris D. , Matthews H. Damon
Published: February 2023

Nature-based climate solutions (NBCSs) refer to actions that seek to protect, restore and better manage natural landscapes to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission or remove CO2 from the atmosphere. NBCSs are integral part of many countries’ roadmaps to reach net zero GHG emissions by mid century in compliance with the Paris Agreement climate goals. Implementation of NBCSs not only affects cycling of CO2 and other GHGs in the Earth system, but impacts the energy balance at the Earth’s surface through biophysical effects including changes in reflectivity (albedo), surface roughness and the water cycle, with effects on surface temperature. Furthermore, storage of the sequestered CO2 in above-ground biomass is often vulnerable to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, with the risk of re-release after a few decades. Yet, frameworks that seek to balance residual GHG emissions with nature-based CO2 removal often only consider the CO2 sequestration potential, and do not take the full climate impacts of NBCSs and the vulnerability of carbon stocks into account. By implementing large-scale reforestation as an example of a NBCS in an Earth system model we show that offsetting fossil-fuel CO2 emissions with nature-based CO2 removals to achieve net zero CO2 emissions could result in additional warming compared to the case where the CO2 emissions are avoided, if biophysical effects are not considered and nature-based CO2 storage is temporary. We provide recommendations for taking into account the full climate impacts of NBCSs in net zero accounting frameworks and lay out directions for future research.
Integrating multiple lines of evidence to identify erosion hotspots for reducing sediment connectivity and delivery to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Authors: Khan Sana , Castellazzi Pascal , Bartley Rebecca , Kinsey-Henderson Anne , Hawdon Aaron , Walker Simon , Wilkinson Scott
Published: February 2023

In the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchments of northeast Australia, high source to sink sediment connectivity, particularly from gullies and streambanks are adversely impacting the coral ecosystems and millions of dollars are being spent on landscape rehabilitation to help reduce excess sediment delivery. Understanding sediment dynamics and mapping erosion hotspots provides improved data and information to support erosion management practices. There is an urgent need to develop methodologies to help (i) prioritise active gullies for rehabilitation; and (ii) to inform which treatments are most effective at reducing fine sediment yields. Previous research in the highly erosive landscapes of northeast Australia has demonstrated that multiple lines of evidence are needed to support informed management efforts and investment decision making.  Here we discuss the applicability of multi-temporal spatial datasets- differential LiDAR DEMs (Laser Light Detection and Ranging Digital Elevation Models) and Interferometric SAR (InSAR) from Sentinel-1 imagery archives as two lines of evidence for detecting erosion hotspots and assessing gully sediment dynamics within the highly erosive Burdekin catchment. At several case study sites, multi-temporal LiDAR DEMs are used to derive DEMs of Difference (DoDs) to (i) assess the spatial pattern of erosion and deposition within contrasting gully types and (ii) measure sediment yield from control and treatment gullies to analyse rehabilitation efforts. Coherence Change Detection (CCD) from Sentinel-1 archives is used to assess the spatial pattern of geomorphic change (erosion and deposition). Here we will discuss the strengths and limitations of both approaches and how these multiple lines of evidence can be combined to identify erosion hotspots and gully sediment dynamics for better prioritisation of rehabilitation efforts in the GBR catchments.
Estimation of renewable power generation and greenhouse gas reduction potential in the building sector
Authors: Kim Youngsun , Lee Seung-Eon
Published: February 2023

The Republic of Korea submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat in December 2021. The updated NDC target is to reduce total national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40% from the 2018 level, which is 727.6 Mt CO2eq, by 2030. According to the updated NDC, local governments are also required to revise their GHG reduction plans. In addition, local governments should self-inspect the progress and major achievements of the GHG reduction plan every year in accordance with the evaluation guideline of the Ministry of Environment. Of 6 metropolitan cities, Gyeonggi Province shows the highest GHG emissions in the country, which accounts for about 17% of the total national GHG emissions in 2021. Ironically, Goyang City, a basic local government of Gyeonggi Province, was selected as one of the seven best local governments for carbon neutrality in 2021. The City has set a reduction target of 32.8% below BAU by 2030 and prepared a plan to implement reduction targets by sector. Over the last decade, building and transportation sectors have been the major sources of GHG emissions in Goyang City, accounting for approx. 70% of the city’s total GHG emissions. The city promotes zero-energy building (ZEB) for newly constructed buildings and encourages green remodeling for existing buildings in order to reduce GHG emissions in the building sector. It is essential to introduce renewable energy such as solar, geothermal, hydrothermal, etc. for ZEB and green remodeling. In this study, therefore, the potential for solar power generation, which is most easily applicable to the building sector, and GHG reduction were calculated for residential buildings in Goyang City. To calculate the available area for solar power on the roof of residential buildings, spatial data was constructed using high-resolution aerial photographs and the outline of the building roof was extracted through AI training data. AcknowledgementsThis research was carried out as a part of KICT Research Program (Data-Centric Checkup Technique of Building Energy Performance) funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT.