bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can we observe North Andean Sliver motion using long InSAR time-series analysis?
Authors: Marconato Léo , Doin Marie-Pierre , Audin Laurence , Harrichhausen Nicolas , Nocquet Jean-Mathieu , Jarrin Paul , Rolandone Frédérique
Published: February 2023

In Northern Andes, oblique subduction of the Nazca plate below the South America Plate induces a northward motion of the North Andean Sliver, at a rate of ~10 mm/yr with respect to Stable South America. In Ecuador in particular, the associated strain is mainly accomodated along the large Chingual-Cosanga-Puna-Pallatanga (CCPP) fault system, which hosted several 7+ magnitude earthquakes in the historical period. Recent studies using block-modeling of GNSS data raise important questions about the partitioning and the localization of the deformation both inside and at the limits of the North-Andean sliver. Therefore, time-series analysis of InSAR data, allowing a large spatial resolution, would complement the existing geodetic dataset of observation of low-rate crustal motions in this region. Taking advantage of 7 to 8 years of Sentinel-1 archive, we compute long time-series of InSAR data for the whole Interandean region of Ecuador (~100 by 400 km), using the NSBAS processing chain. Because processing of InSAR data in this ecuatorial region raises several challenges, such as low-coherence due to vegetation, ionospheric and troposheric noise, and fading signals,we develop strategies to mitigate the noise terms. By using an optimized interferogram network, improvedweighting during multilooking, and a temporal decomposition of the time-series, we produce the first InSAR velocity maps of the Ecuadorian Cordilleras. We then compare these results to the existing block-model derived from GNSS horizontal data in order to evaluate the possibility of characterizing the motion of North Andean Sliver with an increased spatial resolution.
Human health as an indicator of climate change.
Authors: Usmani Moiz , Brumfield Kyle , Jamal Yusuf , Gangwar Mayank , Colwell Rita , Jutla Antarpreet
Published: February 2023

The association of climatic conditions with human health outcomes has been known for ages; however, the impact of climate on infectious agents in disease transmission is still evolving. Climate change alters the regional weather impacting the emergence, distribution, and prevalence of infectious (vector-, water- or air-borne) diseases. Since the last few decades, the world has experienced an apparent increase in the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV); Ebola virus; Zika virus; and recently SARS-CoV-2. With many health agencies recommending handwashing, clean water access, and household cleaning as prevention measures, the threat to water security looms over the world population resulting in a significant public health burden under the lens of the emergence of infectious diseases. Under-resourced regions that lack adequate water supplies are on the verge of an enormous additional burden from such outbreaks. Thus, studying anthropogenic and naturogenic factors involved in the emergence of infectious diseases is crucial to managing and mitigating inequalities. This study aims to determine the impacts of climate variability on infectious diseases, namely water-, air-, and vector-borne diseases, and their association with the distribution and transmission of infectious agents. We also discuss the advancement of built infrastructure globally and its role as a mitigation or adaptation tool when coupled with an early warning system. Our study, therefore, will provide a climate-based platform to adapt and mitigate the impact of climatic variability on the transmission of infectious diseases and water insecurity.
Estimation of soil CO2 flux emissions at Fogo Volcano (São Miguel Island, Azores)
Authors: Viveiros Fátima , Bettencourt Guilherme , Cordeiro António , Andrade César , Silva Catarina
Published: February 2023

Secondary manifestations of volcanism found out at Fogo Volcano (São Miguel Island, Azores) comprise essentially hydrothermal fumaroles, thermal and cold-CO2 rich springs, as well as diffuse degassing areas. Visible emissions are essentially located on the north flank of the volcano and are associated to the general NW-SE faults of the Ribeira Grande graben. Diffuse degassing surveys aiming at measuring the soil CO2 concentration at about 50 cm depth were carried out in the north flank of the volcano in the last 20 years and anomalous CO2 was associated to NW-SE trends, coincident with the graben faults. Soil CO2 flux surveys, through the accumulation chamber method, were carried out during summer-autumn 2022 in the areas surrounding the three main fumarolic fields: Caldeira Velha, Caldeiras da Ribeira Grande, and Pico Vermelho. A total of 1207 sites were sampled in an area with about 1 km2. Interpolated data (sequential Gaussian simulation) together with the Graphical Statistical Approach estimated a value around 95.5 t/d for the CO2 emitted to the atmosphere. Main anomalous CO2 fluxes are correlated with temperature anomalies and DDS (Diffuse Degassing Structures) show general NW-SE orientations, suggesting the correlation between degassing and tectonic structures in the study site, similarly to the observed in previous studies. This work contributes not only to the estimation on the total carbon-budget, but may also be a valuable tool to identify potential anomalies related with unrest of the volcanic system.This work was partially funded by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, under project MAGAT - From MAGma to the ATmosphere - uma contribuição para desenvolver a próxima geração de sensores geoquímicos para a monitorização em tempo real do movimento do magma em profundidade (CIRCNA/OCT/0016/2019).
Impact of soil moisture changes on nitrogen cycle microbiome during the experiment of thaw-freeze cycle in a drained peatland forest
Authors: Kazmi Fahad Ali , Espenberg Mikk , Masta Mohit , Gadegaonkar Sharvari Sunil , Thayamkottu Sandeep , Ranniku Reti , Parn Jaan , Mander Ülo
Published: February 2023

Freezing and thawing are common phenomena and potential sources of N2O emissions in ecosystems at high latitudes. Earlier it was hypothesized that the frozen soil layer might trap the underlying production of N2O and release this as the top layer is thawed. However, newer research has found other factors playing role in the de novo emissions such as fluctuating availability of organic matter, nitrates, and ammonia, microbial activity, and changing oxic conditions of the soil. But, the variation in the abundance of genes involved in the nitrogen cycle during these events is rarely explained thus, a generally accepted theory of the impact of freeze-thaw on N2O fluxes is still missing.To further investigate the relationships between physical, chemical, and microbial parameters with N2O emissions, we conducted a two-week experiment of three thaw-freeze events in March 2022 using artificial heating with electrical cables installed in collars of greenhouse gas sampling chambers conducted in a drained Downy birch peatland forest. Gas and soil samples were obtained on three non-consecutive days from these collars. Soil temperature, soil water content (SWC), NH4-N, and NO3-N were measured in the soil. Also, the abundances of functional genes involved in the nitrification (bacterial, archaeal, and comammox (complete ammonia oxidation) amoA) and denitrification (nirS, nirK, nosZI, and nosZII) were known using qPCR.Our results show that artificial heating induced the thawing of the frozen top layer of soil during our experiment. The increase in soil surface temperature positively correlated with the soil water content in the top layer (R=0.58, p<0.01). N2O emissions also increased with heating and correlated with SWC (R=0.38, p<0.01). Ammonia in soil decreased and was negatively associated with N2O emissions (R=−0.28, p<0.05), suggesting active nitrification as the amount of nitrates also increased during heating. The abundance of all functional genes significantly increased during the heating except for those responsible for the consumption of N2O (nosZ genes) duringdenitrification. Although we found evidence of both active nitrification and denitrification, the multiple regressions between N2O emissions and the proportion of different functional genes suggest that the nirK-type denitrifiers dominated in the denitrification as well as in the overall production of the N2O (p<0.001). Meanwhile, the inactivation of N2O consumers (nosZ) at thawing temperatures resulted in the emission of N2O during the thawing events in the drained peatland’s nitrogen-rich soil.
Harnessing enhanced rock weathering in a forestry context
Authors: Jones Gregory , Paschalis Athanasios , Waring Bonnie
Published: February 2023

Currently, few scalable, cost-effective CO2 removal (CDR) strategies exist to mitigate anthropogenic climate change. Enhanced rock weathering (ERW) is a strategy in which finely ground silicate rock reacts with atmospheric CO2 and produces weathering products that are transported to the ocean for long-term storage. Despite detailed knowledge of chemical weathering and its role in the carbon cycles at geologic timescales, few data display the efficacy of ERW for CDR at timescales appropriate for climate mitigation. To address this, we use the first large-scale field trial of ERW combined with tree planting at an afforestation experiment in mid-Wales. A factorial experimental design will enable us to determine the influence of basalt application and tree functional type on rock weathering and nutrient cycling parameters, such as soil pore water pH, alkalinity, cation concentrations and soil carbon. Here, we focus on the description and installation of the experiment, its monitoring protocol, and data analysis from the first two years of the site observations. We also outline how the data can be introduced into a mechanistic eco-hydrological model. Ultimately, we aim to synthesize these findings to inform predictions of global regions where ERW could be most effective for CDR.
Post-fire water contamination risk assessment in Portugal
Authors: Nitzsche Niels , Schuurman Joost , Dias Luís , Nunes João Pedro , Parente Joana
Published: February 2023

Wildfires in the Mediterranean basin, especially in Portugal, have increased in extent and frequency over the last few years. One of the many impacts of wildfires on humans and ecosystems is on the water quality of surface waters. Ashes and increased erosion rates might elevate the influx of nutrients, sediments, or other water quality-related components, possibly affecting the water supply. This study has three main objectives. (1) Identifying post-fire water contamination events in over 60 Portuguese reservoirs, through changepoint analysis of historical time series for (2) Testing the relationship between post-fire water contamination events with fire-, watershed-, reservoir-, and climatic drivers through logistic regression using generalized additive models. (3) The modelling and evaluation of post-fire water supply contamination risks in Portugal, using a deterministic approach. Results showed increases in TSS in 13.6% of all wildfires. Most changes fell into the unusually large fire seasons of 2003-2005 and 2017, while the most significant impacts could be seen in southern reservoirs after 2005. Fire size was identified as the main driver of post-fire water contamination, while reservoir and climate-related characteristics like water levels also played a significant role in TSS. Increased levels of suspended sediments were identified as a potential threat to the water supply, especially when large wildfires coincide with drought-induced low reservoir water levels. The modelling of past water contamination episodes shows a similar spatial distribution as the structural fire risk in Portugal, identifying the centre (and southern) regions as the most affected areas. This study may support numerous case and modelling studies and inform water managers about possible future threats.
Ground surface temperature linked to remote sensing land surface temperature in mountain environments
Authors: Șerban Raul-David , Bartkowiak Paulina , Castelli Mariapina , Bertoldi Giacomo
Published: February 2023

Ground surface temperature (GST), measured at approximately 5 cm into the ground is a key parameter controlling all the subsurface biophysical processes at the land-atmosphere boundary. Despite the GST significant importance, the current observational network for GST is sparse, particularly in mountain regions. This work exploits the relationship between the GST and satellite-based land surface temperature (LST) derived from MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). The GST and LST were compared at 14 weather stations in Mazia Valley, North-eastern Italian Alps. The 1-km MODIS LST was downscaled to a spatial resolution of 250-m using the random forest algorithm. The LST dataset covers the years 2014-2017 during the phenological cycle, between April and October. The in-situ GST measurements were recorded using Campbell Scientific CS655 data loggers. LSTs were usually larger than GSTs with temperature differences ranging from 0.1 to 22 °C and an average of 7.9 °C. The lowest and largest average difference was 4.49 °C (1823 m, pasture, south slope) and 10.27 °C (1778 m, forest, north slope), respectively. GST was positively correlated with LST with an R2 ranging from 0.24 to 0.52 and was above 0.45 for 57 % of the stations. The RMSE ranged between 6.05 and 11.05 °C, while for 71 % of the stations was below 9.3 °C. The statistics were influenced by the number of available pairwise for comparison that were ranging from 110 to 377 due to cloud contamination or logger malfunction. Although the RMSE was relatively high, the LST closely followed the pattern of the GST variability suggesting the possibility of linking GST to LST products.
Fine microplastics and nanoplastics in particulate matter samples from a high alpine environment
Authors: Kau Daniela , Materić Dušan , Holzinger Rupert , Kasper-Giebl Anne
Published: February 2023

The steady high demand for plastics and the degradation of discarded materials have led to microplastics and nanoplastics becoming important pollutants in various environmental compartments. While the situation, e.g. in the marine environment, is frequently described in the literature, a focused research on ambient air and especially different size classes of airborne particulate matter is scarce. Still, airborne particles are of special importance, as they have high mobility and can be transported and distributed rapidly.We analysed particulate matter samples of two size classes, PM1 and PM10 (particles with aerodynamic diameters up to 1 or 10 µm, respectively), using thermal desorption-proton transfer reaction-mass spectrometry (TD-PTR-MS) and determined and quantified different polymer types from the spectra using a previously described method [1]. Particulate matter was collected at the remote high alpine Global Atmosphere Watch station Sonnblick Observatory, Austria, at more than 3100 m above sea level on quartz-fibre filters. Sampling time was one week. The samples covered a summer period (June 2021 to September 2021) and a winter period (December 2021 to April 2022). The periods were selected to include samples with and without mineral dust occurrence to allow a comparison. For the 23 samples of PM1 and PM10, analysis was done in triplicates. Field blanks were also available. Several lab and field tests were performed to check possible influences during the storage of samples (use of different containers including plastics and aluminium foil) and sample preparation (addition of hydrogen peroxide).Our evaluations include the determination of six common types of plastics (PET, PE, PP/PPC, PS, PVC, tire wear) in both fractions and seasonal differences in their relative contributions. The most abundant plastic types were PET, PE and PP/PPC. Overall polymer concentrations reached up to 125 ng/m³. Field blanks showed comparably low presence of PET. We further compare the relative contributions of the summer and winter periods depending on the occurrence of mineral dust. [1] Materić, D. et al., Micro- and Nanoplastics in Alpine Snow: A New Method for Chemical Identification and (Semi)Quantification in the Nanogram Range. Environmental science & technology 2020, 54(4), 2353-2359.
Latent flow measurement by Wind Lidar and Raman Lidar during WaLiNeas campaign
Authors: Summa Donato , Di Girolamo Paolo , Franco Noemi , Gandolfi Ilaria , Di Paolantonio Marco , Rosoldi Marco , Madonna Fabio , Giunta Aldo , Dionisi Davide
Published: February 2023

A network of water vapor Raman lidars  WaLiNeas (Lidar Network Assimilation) for improving heavy precipitation forecasting in the Mediterranean Sea has been designed among with the aim of providing water vapor measurements with high spatial-temporal resolution and accuracy, in order to be assimilated into AROME mesoscale models using a four-dimensional ensemble-variational approach with 15-min updates. The CONCERNIG Lidar from University of Basilicata and a Wind Lidar form CNR–IMAA are co-located in the University of Toulone between October 2022 and January 2023 in order to reach the campaign objective. For this scope a of vertical profiles of latent heat flux were obtained  as a  Covariance matrices from vertical wind component (w') and mixing ratio (q') are estimated as a retrieval of a Wind Lidar and Raman Lidar UV respectively.In this way, a time series of vertical wind profiles from the selected case (31 Oct to 03 Nov) are computed. with temporal resolution Δt = 15 min and vertical resolution Δz = 90 m.  The specific humidity flux < w’ · q’>  [g/kg · m/s] is converted into the flux of latent heat (W/m2) by multiplication with the air density ρ obtained from the radiosonde and the latent heat of vaporization of water Lv. A flux comparison with ground-based water vapour Raman and wind lidar shows agreement within the instruments and the results will be presented during the conference
Analyzing ozone formation conditions for aged ship plumes in a local scale chemistry transport modeling study
Authors: Badeke Ronny , Schneider Karl , Matthias Volker
Published: February 2023

Freshly emitted ship exhaust gas contributes to the local reduction of boundary layer ozone levels through the reaction of the emitted nitric oxide with ozone and the formation of NO2. However, after a certain time of plume aging and depending on meteorological conditions as well as the availability of other oxidizing species, new ozone will be formed from NO2. This implies that ship emissions will act as an ozone source in some distance from the ship. Considering the new and stricter recommendations for ozone limit values from the World Health Organization, it becomes important to analyze and quantify conditions for ozone formation through ship emissions in coastal areas. This study investigates impacts of various parameters like the season, diurnal cycle, cloud coverage and emitted substances on the rate of ozone destruction and formation in ship exhaust gas plumes with the local scale chemistry transport model EPISODE-CityChem. First results show the highest potential of ozone formation under clear-sky daytime conditions during the summer season. A total solar radiation >300 Wm-2 is necessary for ozone formation in Central European latitudes. A maximum ozone formation rate was found for a plume aging time of ~4 hours. A lower NO/NO2 emission ratio as well as lower CO emissions show tendencies of stronger O3 formation in the aged plume. The highest ozone formation goes together with a maximum loss rate of carbon monoxide (CO) and the hydroperoxyl radical (HO2) as well as the maximum formation of the hydroxyl radical (OH). This indicates that the effects of ship emissions on coastal air quality is highly variable and depends, beneath meteorological influences, on the distance of the ship to the coast and the mixture of pollutants in the plume. 
Dynamic paleogeomorphic reconstruction revealing the incision process of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River
Authors: Tian zihan , Suo Yanhui , Li Sanzhong , Ding Xuesong , Han Xv , Song Shuangshuang , Fu Xinjian
Published: February 2023

The Yangtze River is the largest river in Asia. It is an important geomorphological event in a united tectonics-climate-geomorphology system in Cenozoic era in China. The incision of the Three Gorges, which is located between the Sichuan and Jianghan basins, marked the formation of the modern Yangtze River. However, it is still controversial on the key scientific issue of "when the Three Gorges formed or was incised", due to the abundant geological data. The previous study usually focused on one factor affecting the river development, e.g., tectonic movements, sedimentology, paleoclimate and sea level changes, to conclude this key issue. Those key factors could be quantitatively combined into Badlands, a software that simulates the paleo-geomorphology. Take the area to the east of the "first bend" (Shek Kwu Town in Yunnan Province) of the Yangtze River as the study area, we used Badlands to reconstruct the geomorphology and river system evolution process since the Late Cretaceous (80Ma). Then the seismic data of Sichuan Basin and Jianghan Basin were used to test the reliability of our model results. The results revealed that the river flow direction in the Sichuan Basin was reversed to drain northwards due to the Late Eocene-Oligocene uplift in the eastern Tibet and the southwestern Upper Yangtze River. The Jianghan Basin had been in a low base level during the early Paleogene, controlled by the continental rifting environment in eastern China. The reversal of the drainage direction in the Sichuan Basin and the long-lasting low basal level in the Jianghan Basin eventually made the Three Gorges to be incised at the latest Oligocene. We proposed that the flow direction of the Upper Yangtze River was reversed and captured by the Middle Yangtze River is the incision mechanism of the Three Gorges.
Unravelling kinematic source parameters of induced earthquakes at St Gallen geothermal field, Switzerland
Authors: Convertito Vincenzo , De Matteis Raffaella
Published: February 2023

On 14 July 2013, a deep geothermal drilling project close to the city of St Gallen, in Switzerland was initiated with the aim of producing electricity and heating. The target of the project was a fractured carbonate aquifer at a depth of 4 km b.s.l.. The project started with a stimulation phase on 14 July 2013 that produced only microseismicity. From 14 July 2013 through 19 July 2013 acid stimulations involving about 290 m3 of fluids broke the seal to a gas reservoir and caused a gas kick. Afterwards, well control operations were done by injecting ~700 m3 of water and heavier liquids, which probably induced the largest event in the sequence with ML 3.5. Well-control operations ended on 24 July 2013. In September 2013 fishing operations (that is removing lost or stuck objects from the wellbore) were done together with a cleaning of the well. A total of 346 earthquakes were recorded from July 2013 to October 2013 at the seismic network managed by the Swiss Seismological Service (SED). The events occurred at depths up to 4.2 km with ML between -1.2 and 3.5.We infer seismic source parameters by using both a single-event approach and an empirical Green’s function (EGF) approach. This latter method helps to limit the spectral source parameters trade-off and to infer source parameters for the smaller earthquakes (ML ≤ 2.0). In fact, performing the ratio between the spectra of co-located events recorded at the same stations allows to remove propagation and site effects. For the larger events (ML>2.0), we use an iterative single-event approach where Q is fixed to avoid the trade-off with fc. Specifically, the QP and QS values are obtained from the slope of the displacement spectra - at frequencies lower than the expected corner frequency - of the smaller events. In order to apply the EGF approach, for each of the smaller earthquakes, we select among the larger events those for which the cross-correlation in the time domain is higher than a given threshold. Next, for the selected couples we compute the spectral ratio and infer the seismic moments' ratio and the corner frequency ratios by using a grid-searching technique. We find self-similar parameters scaling down to Mo=1010 Nm and an average static stress drop of 0.1 MPa. The mean value of seismic efficiency, estimated from the average apparent stress to static stress drop ratios is 0.05 suggesting an overshoot dynamic weakening mechanism.This work has been supported by PRIN-2017 MATISSE project (No. 20177EPPN2), funded by Italian Ministry of Education and Research.
Pore-scale investigation of salt weathering in building heritage materials: combining AFM nano-indentation measurements and multiscale modeling.
Authors: Mathieu Clément , Wassermann Jérôme , Adler Pierre M. , Péralta Sébastien , Gallias Jean-Louis , Hébert Ronan L. , Bromblet Philippe
Published: February 2023

Salt weathering is a main cause of damage in building heritage materials. Despite the large amount of research on this topic, the mechanism of damaging processes remains not fully understood in particular at the pore scale where the salt crystallization and dissolution occur. For this reason, we propose an innovative approach combining damage proxy measurements at pore-scale using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Raman spectrometry and multi-scale numerical modelling, performed during weathering cycles. Imbibition-evaporation cycles are performed on carbonate stones (Savonnières and Saint Maximin limestones) with a 0.1 mol/L sodium sulfate solution at controlled room temperature and relative humidity. The stone samples are especially designed for the measurements at the pore-scale. Cylinder of 1.6 cm diameter and 1.5 cm thickness have been coated with very viscous epoxy resin. Then the two sides of the cylinder have been polished to obtained two free surfaces that allow the fluid circulation in the sample and the measurements. After each weathering cycle, nanoindentation experiments are performed on representative areas of several hundreds of square micrometers in order to monitor the mechanical properties evolution. A force of the µN order is applied in order to stay in the elastic deformation regime. Young modulus values can be then deduced from the slope of the force curves that occurs during the cantilever deflection. With this method, the effect of salt weathering on the mechanical properties of stone minerals is investigated at the pore scale and with no impact of the measurement on the phases structure (reversible indentations). The AFM results are then coupled with chemical Raman mapping to identify the present phases and assign them their mechanical properties. The obtained experimental data are then used in numerical modeling, to generate a numerical Young modulus field with the same properties than the experimental field. Finally, a new medium with higher dimensions will be generated to compare the results with the macro-scale observations on building heritage stones. AFM characterization shows that changes occurred on the topography of the samples between the first and the third alteration cycles. They are of the order of several tens of nanometers and correspond either to salt crystals deposits or in some cases to the loss of material that took place between the second and the third cycle. A decrease of the Young modulus is observed after each cycle that is of the order of 2 GPa between the first and the second cycles. More significant changes are observed after the third cycle especially in some areas where a decrease up to 3 to 4 GPa is estimated.
Phosphates removal from water by raw and modified biochar from food processing wastes
Authors: Biliani Styliani , Vakros John , Manariotis Ioannis
Published: February 2023

Wastewater and drainage waters that discharge in the water bodies contain phosphates that increase eutrophication. In order to remove phosphates ions different type of sorbent materials have been examined such as biochar (BC). The aim of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of biochar produced from easily available food processing waste materials, the effect of pyrolysis temperature, and the modification of biochar for the removal of phosphates from water. Eggshells (EGS), rice husk (RH) and Coffee materials were pyrolyzed at 400 and 800oC. The sorption efficiency of each raw material (eggshells, spent coffee grounds and rice husks) was also examined after modification with MgCl2⋅6H2O.Generally, biochars pyrolyzed at 800oC had higher sorption capacity compared to biochars pyrolyzed at 400oC. Kinetic experiments demonstrated that magnesium modified EGS pyrolyzed at 800oC were superior for the removal of phosphates (27.5 mg P/g). The EGS and RH biochars and the corresponding magnesium modified biochars pyrolyzed in 800oC were further examined in isotherm studies. The highest sorption capacity (qmax) was observed with EGS pyrolyzed at 800oC and was 11.4 mg PO43--P/g. Modified EGS biochars pyrolyzed at 800oC had almost the half sorption capacity compared to unmodified materials. Modification of RH biochar pyrolyzed at 800oC resulted in higher sorption capacity by 34% for phosphates, compared to the RH biochar. The specific surface area values of the biochars examined is not a decisive factor for nutrient sorption. Reaction between magnesium and calcium (for the eggshell samples) ions with phosphates is responsible for the higher sorption efficiency.
Impact of including CMIP6 ‘hot’ models in hydrological impact studies.
Authors: Rahimpour Asenjan Mehrad , Brissette Francois , Martel Jean-luc , Arsenault Richard
Published: February 2023

Climate change is already impacting different aspects of our lives, creating new risks and exacerbating existing ones. Developing effective adaptation and mitigation strategies requires a robust understanding of the magnitude and uncertainty of climate change impacts. A top-down approach is generally used to study climate change impacts on hydrology, forcing the hydrological models with the projections of multiple climate models and studying the impacts. To this end, typically, the impact researchers have given equal weight to climate models considering them independent and equally plausible, giving rise to the notion of “model democracy”. However, model democracy has been criticized fundamentally, and in model ensembles in which the justifiability of some models is challenged, such as CMIP6, model democracy is not a viable option anymore. Some of the CMIP6 models project a warmer future than those predicted by CMIP5 previously.  The climate sensitivity, a measure of the temperature rise in case of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration, of these “hot models” is higher than the range that is expected to be plausible based on observations and our knowledge of planetary physics. The use of hot models in Climate change impact studies biases and overestimates the severity of the impacts. In this study, the impact of the inclusion (or exclusion) of hot models in a multi-model ensemble on the findings of large-sample hydrological climate change impact studies is evaluated. For 3107 North American catchments, we quantify this impact in terms of the magnitude and uncertainty of multiple streamflow metrics, such as mean annual streamflow and the hydrological extremes. The results exhibit a distinct spatial pattern in which the hot models' removal results in reduced streamflow metrics variability in northern regions (Canada and Alaska), southeast US, and along the US pacific coast. The reduced variability means that the hot models contribute to the extremes of the distributions in these regions. The variability reduction is highly dependent on the location of the catchments. Our findings emphasize the importance of the appropriate selection of climate models and display some of the dangers of including ill-advised models in climate change impact studies.Keywords: Climate change, GCMs, CMIP6, Impact study,  Hydrology, hot models, climate model selection, Uncertainty 
The EuroHPC Center of Excellence for Exascale in Solid Earth
Authors: Folch Arnau , DelaPuente Josep , Costa Antonio , Halldórson Benedikt , Gracia Jose , Lanucara Piero , Bader Michael , Gabriel Alice-Agnes , Macías Jorge , Lovholt Finn , Montellier Vadim , Fournier Alexandre , Raffin Erwan , Zwinger Thomas , Denamiel Clea , Kaus Boris , le Pourhiet Laetitia
Published: February 2023

The second phase (2023-2026) of the Center of Excellence for Exascale in Solid Earth (ChEESE-2P), funded by HORIZON-EUROHPC-JU-2021-COE-01 under the Grant Agreement No 101093038, will prepare 11 European flagship codes from different geoscience domains (computational seismology, magnetohydrodynamics, physical volcanology, tsunamis, geodynamics, and glacier hazards). Codes will be optimised in terms of performance on different types of accelerators, scalability, containerisation, and continuous deployment and portability across tier-0/tier-1 European systems as well as on novel hardware architectures emerging from the EuroHPC Pilots (EuPEX/OpenSequana and EuPilot/RISC-V) by co-designing with mini-apps. Flagship codes and workflows will be combined to farm a new generation of 9 Pilot Demonstrators (PDs) and 15 related Simulation Cases (SCs) representing capability and capacity computational challenges selected based on their scientific importance, social relevance, or urgency. The SCs will produce relevant EOSC-enabled datasets and enable services on aspects of geohazards like urgent computing, early warning forecast, hazard assessment, or fostering an emergency access mode in EuroHPC systems for geohazardous events including access policy recommendations. Finally, ChEESE-2P will liaise, align, and synergise with other domain-specific European projects on digital twins and longer-term mission-like initiatives like Destination Earth.
Tracing sediment source within a glaciated landscape: new observations from detrital thermochronology and Raman spectroscopy in the Southern Alps of New Zealand
Authors: Harris Dru-Ann , Lang Karl , Roda Boluda Duna , Kurth Marcus
Published: February 2023

The erosion of mountain landscapes is the greatest source of terrestrial sediment to global ocean basins and a critical part of the global carbon cycle regulating Earth’s climate over geologically relevant timescales. In particular, the expansion of mountain glaciers may accelerate bedrock erosion and rapidly increase the flux of terrestrial sediment from source areas. However, the mechanisms by which glaciation augments sediment flux are complex, and understanding them requires further research. Our research adopts a novel approach to determine the source of sediment in rivers exiting a glaciated landscape, combining detrital zircon fission-track “tracer” thermochronology and Raman spectroscopy of carbonaceous material (RSCM). Our research focuses on the Southern Alps of New Zealand as a model landscape with well-constrained lithology and a predictable exhumation gradient. In 5 west-draining transverse river catchments, we test the hypothesis that modern sediment is preferentially derived from glaciated, high-elevation areas of the catchment. Our 5 rivers span a range of glacial coverage, allowing us to further test the hypothesis that glacially-sourced sediment increases with the degree of glaciation in the catchment. Our preliminary results suggest that sediment is not exclusively derived from glaciated areas of the catchment, but may instead reflect additional deglaciated source areas affected by landsliding, possibly induced by seismicity along the Alpine Fault. Our research demonstrates a powerful and novel approach to tracing sediment sources within an individual catchment area and highlights complex interrelationships between mountain glaciation and changes in the magnitude and sources of sediment fluxes.
Long-term action of biochar in paddy soils: effect on organic carbon and functioning of microbial communities
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Ge Tida , Dippold Michaela , Gunina Anna
Published: February 2023

Increasing soil carbon (C) sequestration in paddy fields is significant for ensuring food security and achieving C neutrality in China. Biochar has been widely used as a soil amendment; still, long-term effects on the mechanisms of biochar's effect on soil C accumulation and the mediating role of microorganisms are poorly understood. To address this issue, three field experiments on paddies were chosen (Changsha, Nanjing, and Jiaxing), where biochar was applied for 7 to 8 years. The treatments included control (no addition), N (N fertilizer, 120 kg ha-1), N+B1 (N and low amount of biochar, 15-24 t ha-1), and NB2 (N and high amount of biochar, 22.5-48 t ha-1), effects on soil organic C (SOC) mineralization, dissolved organic C (DOC), activities of enzymes, microbial biomass C (MBC) and community composition (based on phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), and C utilization efficiency (CUE) were studied. Biochar reduced cumulative CO2 emissions in Changsha (by 32-34 %), Jiaxing (3.0-27 %) (p<0.05), and in Nanjing with under NB2 treatment (by 36 %) compared to N treatment. Biochar increased soil pH (0.03-0.38 units) in Changsha and Nanjing but did not affect Jiaxing plots. Biochar increased SOC, total N, chitinase activity, MBC (by 18-28 %,) and CUE (by 24-65 %, except in Jiaxing) but decreased DOC content (by 3-14 %) and peroxidase activity. Biochar addition increased the total and bacterial PLFA contents and decreased the bacteria:fungi ratio at the three sites (except for total PLFA in Nanjing) compared to the N treatment. The correlation analysis revealed that cumulative CO2 emission was reduced under the increase of pH, MBC, SOC, and CUE, bacterial PLFA, and stimulated by DOC content and the rise of bacterial:fungi ratio. These indicated that long-term biochar amendments mainly increased the amount of C that bacteria can assimilate; the increase of MBC content and CUE could point to the stimulation of microbial C sequestration.
Reliable radon flux observations for supporting Radiation Protection and GreenHouse Gase reduction strategies
Authors: Grossi Claudia , Chambers Scott , Rabago Daniel , Quindos Luis , Curcoll Roger , Morosh Viacheslav , Röttger Stefan , Rizzo Alessandro , Fuente Marta , Vargas Arturo
Published: February 2023

The noble and radioactive gas radon is well known to be the most important source of public exposure to natural environmental radioactivity in indoor environments (workplaces, homes, etc.). Consequently, it is important to identify radon-prone areas, where radon fluxes are high, and also to develop and apply mitigation measures when radon activity concentrations of indoor areas exceed guideline values.However, radon is also known by the climate and atmospheric research communities to be a useful environmental tracer and it is nowadays being used in several studies such as the improvement of atmospheric transport models or the indirect estimation of GHG fluxes by the Radon Tracer Method. These previous applications will benefit from the availability of radon flux maps.Stakeholders and scientists involved in radiation protection and climate analysis may benefit from reliable continuous radon flux measurements to validate and improve existing and future radon flux maps. In the framework of the project traceRadon (EMPIR reference 19ENV01) a full metrology chain has been designed and built for radon flux measurements.The work and the challenges related to this type of measurement will be presented here together with possible guidelines for carrying out continuous radon flux measurements in the field.
A metaanalysis of the regularity of environmental spatialpatterns and a theory relating them to stochastic processes
Authors: Kästner Karl , Hinz Christoph , Caviedes-Voullième Daniel , Frechen Nanu , van de Vijsel Roeland C
Published: February 2023

Fascinating spatial patterns are found in many ecosystems. For example, patterns in Dryland ecosystems often consist of vegetation patches which alternate with bare soil. The patterns appear strikingly regular, when their formation is driven by scale-dependent feedbacks. Because of their regularity, such patterns are conceptually understood to be periodic. The formation of periodic patterns has been reproduced with idealized numerical models and the vulnerability of pattern forming ecosystems to environmental pressure has been preferentially studied with such models. However, natural patterns appear far from periodic. So does the distance between and the size of the patches vary systematically and the fringes of the patches are ragged. Previously, we revisited tests for periodicity and demonstrated that the large majority of regular patterns found in nature are not periodic. We also introduced a method to quantify the regularity of patterns, and found that natural patterns are of intermediate regularity, in-between uncorrelated noise and periodic functions, which can best be described by stochastic processes, where the irregularity is intrinsic to the pattern and not due to added noise. Here, we corroborate our previous results with a comprehensive metastudy, where we analyze natural and computer-generated patterns found in the leading literature. Furthermore, we extend our theory for the formation of stochastic patterns with arbitrary regularity to two dimensions. We find that our theory captures well the spectral properties of both isotropic, i.e. spotted, labyrinthic and gapped, as well as of anisotropic, i.e. banded patterns.

Figure 1: a) Normalized spectral density averaged over the natural and model generated patterns found in the literature. The density of the natural patterns consists of a wide and low lobe, while the density of the model generated patterns consists of a narrow and high peak. b) Median regularity and interquartile range for the natural and model generated patterns. The modelled patterns are 3-5 times as regular as the natural patterns. Number of samples indicated next to the median.
Effects of biodegradable and plastic mulches on soil biogeochemical cycles in an agricultural system
Authors: Esposito Alessia , Picariello Enrica , Morra Luigi , De Nicola Flavia
Published: February 2023

Agricultural soils perform important ecological functions and agricultural practices affect the maintenance of these functions. Mulching is an agronomic technique, consisting of covering the soil with a protective layer of natural or artificial materials. Mulching influences soil temperature and moisture, promotes the development of microorganisms, allows the release of nutrients and reduces the development of weed species, improving crop growth. The aim of the research was to evaluate the effect of Low-density polyethylene based mulching film (LDPE) and biodegradable Mater-bi® (thermoplastic starch) based mulching films on soil organic matter and microbial enzyme activities linked to biogeochemical cycles of C, N and P.The experimental field was established at an organic farm (Capua, Caserta, Southern Italy), under a greenhouse environment. According to organic farming management, soil was amended with green manure and on farm compost. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with five treatments replicated four times: soil covered with LDPE film, soil covered with Mater-Bi® films of 3 different thicknesses (18, 21, 25 μm), bare soil in area not mulched under the same tunnel as control. The films were placed on soil surface in October 2021, then strawberry was planted and cultivated until June 2022. After 7 months, in correspondence with the maximum strawberry production, soil was sampled (at 20 cm depth), sieved (2 mm) and samples analysed for organic matter content (by calcination in muffle) and enzyme activities (hydrolase, β-glucosidase, phosphatase and β-glucosaminidase by spectrophotometric method).The soil organic matter content showed higher value in control soil (4.22%) respect to soil covered with LDPE and Mater-Bi® films 25 µm (on average 3.56%). The β-glucosidase activity showed the highest value in the soils covered with Mater-bi® 18 µm, whereas the hydrolase, phosphatase and β-glucosaminidase showed no significant differences among treatments. Therefore, the application of biodegradable plastic films did not show clear effect on soil organic carbon stock after 7 months, likely due to the high organic matter content characterizing this soil. However, as the enzyme β-glucosidase is involved in the C-cycle, the results indicated a possible effect on this activity due to a faster degradation of the thinnest biodegradable plastic film (Mater-bi® 18 µm). Enzyme activities are sensitive indicators and provide rapid responses compared to soil chemistry analyses, in particular β-glucosidase is significantly correlated with agronomic practices, and it is able to quickly detect changes in soil management. The study of enzyme activities as indicators of soil quality can provide useful data to implement agricultural sustainable management strategies.
Systems Innovation Approach: stakeholders’ involvement for a climate resilient region, a Living Lab at the Main River basin
Authors: Pérez Ciria Teresa , Wood Raul , Zilker Marion , Braun Gunnar , Ludwig Ralf
Published: February 2023

Climate change poses major challenges globally and is likely to exacerbate competition for water, land, and energy resources. In the Main River Basin (Germany), this will have considerable consequences for agriculture, forestry, water, and energy management. At present, most adaptation measures are sector-focused, but the challenges are interconnected. The region is at risk for being pushed beyond its resilience threshold and therefore, a holistic and multi-sectoral strategy is urgently needed to achieve a new level of responsiveness to cope with climate change impacts.The co-design and co-production of science-driven technical, social, and cross-sectoral innovations and governance is required to build new and climate resilient transformation pathways. A systemic transformation of the region requires time and broad societal support, which must be considered when formulating development paths. To address these challenges, Systems Innovation Approach (SIA) is implemented. This method aims at going beyond the immediate problems to better understand the underlying patterns, and how we can learn and adapt as the system continues to change. The Main River basin is one of the nine pilot areas of the EU funded ARSINOE project (Climate-resilient regions through systemic solutions and innovation) that are implementing innovative technological approaches. Stakeholders’ engagement is ensured through the so-called Living Labs. In the ARSINOE project, Living Labs are a participatory research tool often used in planning, product design and innovation which brings together a collective of key stakeholders to explore a focal issue. Living Labs act as open innovation spaces which foster co-creation with users and the focus is to better solve stakeholder needs.Through a series of workshops supported by SIA tools (mental mapping of interconnected challenges, future common vision using Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as guiding principles, backcasting) we have created an open atmosphere with committed participants that are willing to collaborate to tackle future climate challenges in the Main River region. This contribution presents our successful experience turning research into practice, lessons learnt and challenges we faced to ensure the participants’ engagement.The presented study is supported by the project ARSINOE (GA: 101037424), funded under EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.