bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Direct dating of lithic surface artefacts using luminescence and application potential in geomorphology
Authors: Meyer Michael , Gliganic Luke , May Jan-Hendrik
Published: March 2020

Lithic surface artefacts are anthropogenically formed stone materials (stone tools and spall generated during knapping) resting atop or being semi-embedded into the uppermost sediment layer of a stratigraphic sequence on a given landform. Such surface artefacts lack a secure stratigraphic context are encountered worldwide and often comprise a significant proportion of the archaeological record. Yet, direct absolute dating techniques for constraining the age of lithic surface scatters are currently not available.

 

Promising recent work has shown the potential of using the optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) signal from rocks to date the emplacement of gravel pavements and blocks in both, archaeological and geological contexts (e.g. Sohbati et al., 2015; Jenkins et al., 2018). We build on this work and introduce a novel way of directly dating lithic surface artefacts using OSL-rock surface burial dating. We use this approach to date a surface lithic artefact scatter site, in southern Tibet. By calculating spatially resolved OSL burial ages for slices at 1 mm increments into each artefact’s buried surface we (i) infer the timing of artefact discard by humans at the site, (ii) demonstrate that most artefacts are not in-situ but were transported downslope and/or flipped and (iii) for some samples constrain the timing and number of cycles of artefact burial and re-exhumation.

 

This is the first time that the OSL signal is used to date sunlight exposure of artefacts. The method is not limited to archaeological contexts but can be applied to other surface clasts that yield a reasonable OSL signal too. OSL rock surface burial dating of surface clasts and artefacts thus holds great potential to (i) constrain manufacture and artefact discard by humans and (ii) detect and reconstruct post-depositional disturbances and transport pathways. We discuss the application potential of this approach in archaeology and geomorphology. 

 

References:

Jenkins, G.T.H., Duller, G.A.T., Roberts, H.M., Chiverrell, R.C., Glasser, N.F., 2018. A new approach for luminescence dating glaciofluvial deposits – High precision optical dating of cobbles. Quaternary Science Reviews 192, 263-273.

Sohbati, R., Murray, A.S., Porat, N., Jain, M., Avner, U., 2015. Age of a prehistoric Rodedian cult site constrained by sediment and rock surface luminescence dating techniques. Quaternary Geochronology 30, 90–99.
Confronting and combining high-resolution simulations (ICON-LEM) with remote sensing observations
Authors: Schemann Vera , Mech Mario
Published: March 2020

The current generation of large-eddy models (e.g. the ICON-LEM) allows us to go beyond idealized simulations and to capture synoptic variability by including heterogeneous land surfaces as well as lateral boundary conditions. This would offer the possibility to compare simulations and observations of clouds on a detailed day-to-day basis. But while LEMs are able to reach resolutions that start to be comparable to state-of-the-art observations (e.g. Radar data), they are still facing the issue of different parameter spaces: either the model output has to be transfered to observable quantities, or the other way around. We will present examples from recent field campaigns (e.g. ACLOUD, EUREC4A), where we combined ICON-LEM simulations with remote sensing observations by applying the Passive and Active Microwave TRAnsfer simulator (PAMTRA). By the selection of examples, we will show the potential of this combination of high-resolution modeling, remote sensing observations and forward simulations at different places under different conditions (Arctic, European and Caribbean). While the general structure of clouds (e.g. timing, type, height) is often already captured quite well, the comparison to the remote sensing observations allows us to also get insights into the composition of clouds and to constrain microphysical parameterizations as well as the influence of the large-scale forcing on a more detailed level.
A full forecast system of air quality for the South East of the Iberian Peninsula.
Authors: Montavez Juan Pedro , Juarez-Martinez Antonio , García-López Alejandro , Halifa-Marin Amar , Pravia-Sarabia Enrique , Jimenez-Guerrero Pedro
Published: March 2020

Air pollution forecasting can be used to alert about dangerous health effects caused by airborne pollutants and, in consequence, to take  actions to reduce pollutant concentrations (i.e reducing traffic, control industrial activities, etc..). Therefore, the development of reliable  air quality forecast systems is a of great interest.

The system consist of two main branchs. A statistical method based on  Neural Networks is used to forecast (10 days) several dayily air quality
index at the sites were historical data is available (i.e. pollution  measurement stations). A dynamical method based on WRF-CHEM to forecast hourly (48h) values of a large variety of species in a high resolution  domain (2km). Both subsystems use GFS and ECMWF forecasts as driving  conditions. The  dynamical subsystem incorporates 4DVAR data assimilation  of meteorological data (first 12 hours of forecast), and dynamical  emissions. The dynamical  emissions consist in changing the emissions of  large factories and trafficc. The emissions data are obtained by machine  learning methods based on historical series and meteorological conditions (mainly big energy factories). The WRF-CHEM configuration consist of several domains one way nested. The mother domain covers the entire Saharian desert in order to incorporante the dust transport contribution to particulate matter concentration. In addition, the base emission data is continuously updated.    The system also incorporates a module for automatic verification by comparing forecast with observed data, and analysis runs (in order to minimize meteorological forecast uncertainty). This verification process permit us to construct a MOS (Model Output statistics) in order to correct
possible model bias.
Middle Miocene rise of the High Himalaya and the disruption of transverse drainage due to basal accretion
Authors: Scherler Dirk , Thiede Rasmus , Glotzbach Christoph
Published: March 2020

The Himalaya is the highest and steepest mountain range on Earth and an efficient north-south barrier for moisture-bearing winds. The close coupling of changes in topography, erosion rates, and uplift has previously been interpreted as an expression of a climatic control on tectonic deformation. Here, we present 17 new zircon U/Th-He (ZHe) bedrock-cooling ages from the Sutlej Valley that – together with >100 previously published mica 40Ar/39Ar, zircon and apatite fission track ages – allow us to constrain the crustal cooling and exhumation history over the last ~20 Myr. Using 1D-thermal modeling, we observe a rapid decrease in exhumation rates from >1 km/Myr to <0.4 km/Myr that initiated at 15-13 Ma across the entire Greater Himalaya and the north-Himalayan Leo Pargil gneiss dome, both in the hanging and footwall of major Miocene shear zones, suggesting that cooling is associated to surface erosion and not due to tectonic unroofing. We explain the middle Miocene deceleration of exhumation by the onset of the growth of the Lesser Himalayan duplex, which resulted in accelerated uplift of the Greater Himalaya above a mid-crustal ramp and the establishment of an efficient orographic barrier. The period of slow exhumation in the upper Sutlej Valley coincides with a period of internal drainage in the south-Tibetan Zada Basin farther upstream, which we interpret to be a consequence of tectonic damming of the upper Sutlej River. External drainage of the Zada Basin was re-established at ~1 Ma, when we observe exhumation rates in the upper Sutlej Valley to accelerate again.
Climate change vulnerability and impacts assessment in a Mediterranean region for adaptation purposes
Authors: Marras Serena , Bacciu Valentina , Mereu Valentina , Trabucco Antonio , Masia Sara , Mereu Simone , Costa Saura Josè Maria , Mercogliano Paola , Barbato Giuliana , Villani Veronica , Cocco Gianluca , Satta Giovanni , Spano Donatella
Published: March 2020

Mediterranean region is recognized as an hot spot for negative effects due to climate change. The region is already experiencing an increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events (i.e. drought conditions, fire, floods, and heat waves) and climate projections indicate a general exacerbation of such phenomena.

This work, performed in the framework of the Sardinia Region Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change and in collaboration with the LIFE Project Master-ADAPT, analyzed the impacts and the vulnerability to climate change in the Sardinia region (Italy) for three sectors: agricultural-forestry sector, the inland water systems, and the hydrogeological component.

The analysis used the innovative approach of developing "Impact Chains” per each sector and analyzed risk. A selection of indicators has been used (at municipality level) as proxy to assess climate hazard (for past and future conditions) and the exposure, sensitivity and adaptation capacity of the Region. This analysis represents the knowledge base required by local administrations for developing adaptation policies to climate change.

Results allowed to better understand climate vulnerability for the territory, and to guide the process of identifying adaptation objectives and options to face climate risk for each sector. Adaptation to climate change is a priority and local administrations need to work towards climate adaptation objectives and policies in order to strengthen climate resilience, reduce negative impacts due to climate change, and enable more effective management opportunities.
Using large ensembles to investigate the impacts of climate extremes
Authors: Schaller Nathalie
Published: March 2020

Large ensembles are key to investigate climate and weather extremes and their impacts, as they, by definition, rarely occur. One field that relies heavily on them is probabilistic event attribution, i.e. where one tries to quantify how human influence affects the probability of occurrence of the extreme event in question. An ensemble of over 130’000 members allowed us to quantify that human influence increased the probability of heavy precipitation by around 40% in the January 2014 floods in southern England. By using a hydrological model, we could then quantify that the probability of 30-day peak river flows of the Thames river was increased by around 20%. However, it was unclear whether the number of properties at risk in the catchment was affected. This study also showed how uncertainty increases at each step of the modelling chain and how some factors, like the characteristics of the Thames catchment in this case, might play a bigger role in assessing impacts than potentially the size of the ensemble.

Large ensembles are also useful to understand the physical mechanisms behind extreme events. In another study about the relationship between atmospheric blocking and heatwaves, we used three large ensembles from different climate models. While we found that the 2003 European heatwave and blocking conditions were well contained within the 3 ensembles’ envelope, and that the models simulated even more extreme events, the 2010 Russian event was outside the ensembles’ envelope, except for one single ensemble member.

Finally, I will present two projects, one on floods in Norway and one about the health impacts of having a heatwave combined with high air pollution, where large ensembles would be useful, but are competing with the need for high spatial resolution for computational resources.
Participation of women scientists in ESA Solar System missions: an historical trend
Authors: Piccialli Arianna , Rathbun Julie A. , Levasseur-Regourd Anny-Chantal , Määttänen Anni , Milillo Anna , Rengel Miriam , Rotundi Alessandra , Taylor Matt , Witasse Olivier , Altieri Francesca , Drossart Pierre , Vandaele Ann Carine
Published: March 2020

We analyzed the participation of women scientists in 10 ESA (European Space Agency) Solar System missions over a period of 38 years [1]. Being part of a spacecraft mission science team can be considered a proxy to measure the "success" in the field. Although the number of female scientists in the field has been constantly increasing in Europe, we did not observe a similar increase in their participation in ESA Solar System missions. Participation of women in PI (Principal Investigators) teams varied between 4 and 25%, with several missions with no women as PI. The percentage of female scientists as Co-I (Co-Investigators) is always less than 16%. This number is lower than the percentage of women in the International Astronomical Union from all ESA Member States (24%).

We compared our results with NASA statistics. Participation of women in NASA spacecraft science teams varies from none to just over 30% [2]. The percentage has been increasing. However, this increase is more similar to a step function than a linear increase, with the pre-2000 average at 5.7% and post-2000 at 15.8%. This is well below the percentage of women in the field in the US, which has grown from 20% to 30% over the same time range. The ESA data are consistent with the NASA data, including the jump around the year 2000.

One of the main difficulties we encountered was to find the list of team members. An additional difficulty was to determine the percentage of female scientists in planetary science in Europe. We would like to encourage the planetary community as a whole, as well as international organizations, universities and societies to continuously gather statistics over many years. Detailed statistics are only the first step to closely monitor the development of achievement gaps and initiate measures to tackle potential causes of inequity, leading to gender inequalities in STEM careers.

[1] Piccialli et al., submitted to ADGEO

[2] Rathbun, Julie A.: Participation of women in spacecraft science teams, Nature Astronomy, Volume 1, id. 0148 (2017).
Analogies in stochastic behaviour from the microscale of turbulence to the large-scale hydrometeorological processes under the Hurst-Kolmogorov dynamics
Authors: Dimitriadis Panayiotis , Koutsoyiannis Demetris
Published: March 2020

The turbulent shear stress and momentum regimes dominate and drive the energy exchange mechanisms among the hydrometeorological processes in the atmospheric boundary layer. To seek for stochastic analogies among the latter, Dimitriadis (2017) studied the observed variability of key hydrometeorological processes in local and global scale under the stochastic framework of the Hurst-Kolmogorov dynamics. It is found that several stochastic similarities exist in both the marginal and dependence structures of the examined processes. This conclusion permits the development of an integrated stochastic view of the atmospheric dynamics in the boundary layer as compared to traditional deterministic approaches. Finally, a robust algorithm for the explicit stochastic synthesis of the above processes from fine to large scales is presented and the merits and limitations compared to other existing methods are discussed.

Dimitriadis, P., Hurst-Kolmogorov dynamics in hydrometeorological processes and in the microscale of turbulence, Ph.D. thesis, Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, School of Civil Engineer, National Technical University of Athens, 2017.
Coastal climatology of the North-Western Mediterranean area for long-term and short-term risk assessment.
Authors: Brandini Carlo , Taddei Stefano , Vannucchi Valentina , Bendoni Michele , Doronzo Bartolomeo , Iannuccilli Maurizio , Messeri Gianni , Pasi Francesco , Capecchi Valerio
Published: March 2020

In this work we present the results obtained through a dynamic downscaling of the ERA5 reanalysis dataset (hindcast) of ECMWF, using high-resolution meteorological and wave models defined on unstructured computation grids along the Mediterranean coasts, with a particular focus on the North-Western Mediterranean area. Downscaling of the ERA5 meteorological data is obtained through the BOLAM and MOLOCH models (up to a resolution of 2.5 km) which force an unstructured WW3 model with a resolution of up to 500 m along the coast. Models were validated through available meteorological stations, wave buoy data and X-band wave radars, the latter for the purposes of wave spectra validation.

On the one hand, this allowed, by extracting the time series of some attack parameters of the waves along the coast, and according to the type of coast (rocky coasts, sandy coasts, coastal structures etc.), to compute the return periods and to characterize the impact of any individual storm. On the other hand, it is possible to highlight some trends observed in the last 30 years, during which recent research is showing an increasing evidence  of some changes in global circulation at regional to local scales. These changes also include effects of wind rotation, wave regimes, storm surges, wave-induced coastal currents and coastal morphodynamics. For example, in the North-Western Mediterranean extreme events belonging to cyclonic weather-types circulation with stronger S-SE components (like the storm of October 28-30th 2018 and many others), rather than events associated with perturbations of Atlantic origin and zonal circulation, are becoming more frequent. These long-term wind/wave climate trends can have consequences not only in the assessment of long-term risk due to main morphodynamic variations (ie. coastal erosion), but also in the short-term risk assessment.

This work was funded by the EU MAREGOT project (2017-2020) and ECMWF Special Project spitbran  “Evaluation of coastal climate trends in the Mediterranean area by means of high-resolution and multi-model downscaling of ERA5 reanalysis” (2018-2020).
Impact of biogeochemistry feedbacks on the projected climate change signal over the Indian Continent
Authors: Sein Dmitry , Cabos William , Kumar Pankaj , Ryabchenko Vladimir , Martyanov Stanislav , Dvornikov Anton
Published: March 2020

There are few studies dedicated to assessing the impact of biogeochemistry feedbacks on the climate change signal. In this study, we evaluate this impact in a future climate change scenario over the Indian subcontinent with the coupled regional model ROM in the Indian CORDEX area.In ROM a global ocean model (MPIOM) with regionally high horizontal resolution (up to 15 km resolution in the Bay of Bengal) is coupled to an atmospheric regional model (REMO, with 25 km resolution) and global terrestrial hydrology model. The ocean and the atmosphere are interacting within the region covered by the atmospheric domain. Outside this domain, the ocean model is not coupled to the atmosphere, being driven by prescribed atmospheric forcing, thus running in so-called stand-alone mode.

To assess the impact of biogeochemical feedbacks on the climate change signal, we compare two simulations with ROM. In both simulations, the model is driven by data from a climate change simulation under the RCP 8.5 scenario with the MPI-ESM global model and differ only in the activation of the biochemistry module of MPIOM. In the first simulation, we use a light attenuation parameterization based on the Jerlov water types, when the attenuation coefficient varies spatially depending on the water type specified but does not vary in time. In the second simulation, we introduce the biochemical feedbacks as implemented in the global ocean biogeochemistry model HAMOCC.  

Both simulations capture the main features of the present time atmospheric and oceanic variability in the region and the model with HAMOCC reproduces well the intra-annual dynamics of the marine ecosystem in the northern Indian Ocean.

A comparison of the simulated changes in atmospheric variables shows that the feedbacks have a substantial impact on the climate change signal for precipitation and air temperature, especially over the central Indian region.

Acknowledgement: The work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation (Project 19-47-02015) and Indian project no. DST/INT/RUS/RSF/P-33/G.
Design and implementation of a mobile device APP for network-based EEW systems: application to PRESTo EEWS in Southern Italy
Authors: Colombelli Simona , Carotenuto Francesco , Elia Luca , Zollo Aldo
Published: March 2020

A fundamental feature of any Earthquake Early Warning System is the ability of rapidly broadcast earthquake information to a wide audience of potential end users and stakeholders, in an intuitive, customizable way. Smartphones and other mobile devices are nowadays continuously connected to the internet and represent the ideal tools for earthquake alerts dissemination, to inform a large number of users about the potential damaging shaking of an impending earthquake.

Here we present a mobile App (named ISNet EWApp) for Android devices which can receive the alerts generated by a network-based Early Warning system. Specifically, the app receives the earthquake alerts generated by the PRESTo EWS, which is currently running on the accelerometric stations of the Irpinia Seismic Network (ISNet) in Southern Italy. In the absence of alerts, the EWApp displays the standard bulletin of seismic events occurred within the network. In the event of a relevant earthquake, instead, the app has a dedicated module to predict the expected ground shaking intensity and the available lead-time at the user position and to provide customized messages to inform the user about the proper reaction during the alert.

We first present the architecture of both network-based system and EWApp, and then and describe its essential operational modes. The app is designed in a way that is easily exportable to any other network-based early warning system.
The Sentinel-1 CNR-IREA SBAS service of the European Space Agency’s Geohazard Exploitation Platform (GEP) as a powerful tool for landslide activity detection and monitoring
Authors: Reyes-Carmona Cristina , Galve Jorge Pedro , Barra Anna , Monserrat Oriol , Mateos Rosa María , Azañón José Miguel , Pérez-Peña José Vicente , Ruano Patricia
Published: March 2020

The European Space Agency’s Geohazard Exploitation Platform (GEP) (https://geohazards-tep.eu/#!) is a web-based platform through users can perform independent analysis by exploiting satellite data. This platform hosts several thematic apps that allow to identify, monitor and asses hazard related to geological processes such as volcanism, land subsidence or landslides. The Sentinel-1 CNR-IREA SBAS service is one of these thematic apps that consists on a Differential SAR Interferometry (DInSAR) processing chain for the generation of Earth deformation time series and mean velocity maps of surface ground displacement. In the last decades, DInSAR techniques have proved to be powerful tools to detect and monitor active processes related to geological ground instability issues. In this context, the Sentinel-1 GEP service seems to be a promising way to perform independent and high temporal resolution DInSAR analysis from any part of the world in just 24 hours.

At present time, GEP continues being fine-tuned and users are working to validate the obtained results by comparing them with other data. In this way, it is possible not only to evaluate the advantages and limitations of the platform and but also to acquire new information about geological active processes around the world. In this work, we present an overview of different locations in the Mediterranean Basin and northwestern South America where we are accounted for previous knowledge of active landslide activity. Where there was previous InSAR analysis, we compared recent InSAR velocity maps with displacement rates that we obtained by the Sentinel-1 CNR-IREA SBAS tool to check their reliability. Moreover, we explored areas with no previous monitoring information but field evidence of ground instability. Beyond this, we considered this service as a successful tool to perform preliminary analyses of Sentinel-1 images in non-investigated areas to spot hazards and to delimit zones for performing detailed investigations. Additionally, some other unsatisfactory results allowed us to draw conclusions about technical constrains of the GEP tool and further asses its usefulness.

 

This work has been developed in the framework of the RISKCOAST project, founded by the Interreg SUDOE program.
MJO-Induced Variability of the Diurnal Cycle of Precipitation over the Maritime Continent
Authors: Savarin Ajda , Chen Shuyi
Published: March 2020

Large-scale convection associated with the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) initiates over the Indian Ocean and propagates eastward across the Maritime Continent (MC) into the western Pacific. As an MJO enters the MC, it often weakens or completely dissipates due to complex interactions between the large-scale MJO and the MC landmass and its topography. This is referred to as the MC barrier effect, and it is responsible for the dissipation of 40-50% of observed MJO events. One of the main reasons for the MJO’s weakening and dissipation over the MC is the diurnal cycle (DC), one of the strongest modes of variability in the region. Due to the complex nature of the MJO and the MC’s complicated topography, the interaction between the DC and the MJO is not well understood.

In this study, we examine the MJO-induced variability of the DC of precipitation over the MC. We use gridded satellite precipitation products (TRMM 3B42 and GPM IMERG) to: (1) track the MJO convective envelope using the Large-scale Precipitation Tracking algorithm (LPT), (2) analyze the changes in the DC of precipitation over the MC relative to the passage of the MJO. We find that the presence of an MJO not only increases the amount of precipitation over the MC, but that the increase is more pronounced over water than over land. The results from observations are compared to those from two reanalysis datasets (ERA5, MERRA-2). The reanalysis datasets are then used to examine the dynamic and thermodynamic changes that drive the variability in the DC of precipitation relative to the MJO. In addition, we separate MJO events into two groups based on whether they cross the MC, and independently examine their influences on the evolution of the DC of precipitation.
Analysis of the severe weather outbreak of 5 June 2019 in The Netherlands
Authors: Assink Jelle
Published: March 2020

In the evening of 5 June 2019, a severe thunderstorm passed through the Netherlands. The storm was so extreme in the westernmost part of the country, that entire tree lines were blown over and tree trunks were severed. In residential communities, this extreme weather event lead to damage to real estate and cars. From preliminary analysis, it follows that the wind gusts that were responsible for the mentioned damage were caused by gravity waves that had been forced by the interaction of the surface weather with a strong inversion layer aloft.

 

In this work, we show a complimentary set of observations that include Doppler Radar and the Dutch microbarometer array network that are operated by the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI). The radar measurements show wind gusts with speeds of over 125 km/h while the microbarometers measure associated pressure variations up to 8 hPa. The observations are compared with the non-hydrostatic HARMONIE weather forecast model.

 

The use of high-resolution observations and forecast modelling is important for Early Warning Centers that report on such severe weather outbreaks that can be disruptive for society.
Applying InfraRed Thermography (IRT) for the protection and conservation of rupestrian CH sites affected by slope instabilities
Authors: Frodella William , Spizzichino Daniele , Gigli Giovanni , Elashvili Mikheil , Margottini Claudio , Casagli Nicola
Published: March 2020

Rupestrian Cultural Heritage (CH) sites were among the first man-made works in the history of humanity, therefore playing a key role in building the memory and roots of human society. These sites were often carved in slopes formed by soft rocks, which due to their peculiar lithological, geotechnical and morpho-structural features are often prone to weathering, deterioration and slope instability issues. The use of advanced remote sensing (RS) techniques combined with traditional methods (e.g. field surveys, laboratory analysis), can provide fundamental data to implement a specific site-specific and inter-disciplinary approach for the sustainable protection and conservation of rupestrian CH sites. In this context Infrared Thermography (IRT), thanks to the technological development of portable high-resolution and cost-effective thermal imaging cameras, can be profitably used for the detection of CH conservation issues (namely fractures, water seepage, moisture and surface weathering). In this paper several applications of IRT in integrated methodologies for rupestrian sites conservation in mountainous regions of Georgia will be presented. The aim of this work is to evaluate the potential of IRT in the field of CH protection and conservation strategies, in order to provide a useful versatile and low-cost tool, to be profitably used in management plans of rupestrian CH characterized by similar contexts. Advantages and constraints of the adopted method will be discussed, as well as general operative recommendations and future perspectives.
Experimental assessment of interaction between boric acid enriched in boron-10 and cementitious matrix
Authors: Rostamiparsa Mojtaba , Szabó-Krausz Zsuzsanna , Fábián Margit , Falus György , Szabó Csaba , Völgyesi Péter
Published: March 2020

After some decades in applying boric acid with natural isotopic abundance (natural boric acid, NBA) solution as a neutron absorber, some nuclear facilities have started to use boric acid enriched in B-10 (enriched boric acid, EBA) to increase the control ability and parallelly, decrease the amount of liquid waste. Meanwhile, the stabilization condition of EBA in the cementitious matrix and durability of the waste form in disposal facilities have not been assessed or at least have not been reported yet. However, high relative mass difference between the two stable isotopes of boron (B-10 and B-11) implies a different leachability index for cementitious matrix prepared with NBA and EBA wastes.

In this study, the leachability (ASTM C1308-08 standard, 2017) of boron isotopes from cementitious matrix and its geochemical background will be assessed using ICP-OES, XRD, SEM-EDX and Raman-spectroscopy. The effects of parameters such as temperature, water to cement ratio (w/c), boric acid concentration and shape of the waste form will be studied. Geochemical modeling of the experiments will be done via PHREEQC software, which should support our understanding of the different geochemical behavior of NBA and EBA.

Based on the theoretical knowledge, a significant increase in leachability of boron from the cementitious matrix is expected when EBA is used instead of NBA because of the geochemical behavior of the two stable isotopes. Increase in leachability is expected when temperature and w/c increased, whereas the leachability will decrease when the normal cylindrical shape of samples are changed to spherical shape.

References:

M. Saleh and H. A. Shatta; 2013; Immobilization of Simulated Borate Radioactive Waste Solution in Cement-Poly(methylmethacrylate) Composite:Mechanical and Chemical Characterizations; Journal of Nuclear Chemistry; Article ID 749505.

Lucile Dezerald, Jorge J. Kohanoff, Alfredo A. Correa, Alfredo Caro, Roland J.-M. Pellenq, Franz J. Ulm and Andrés Saúl; 2015; Cement as a Waste Form for Nuclear Fission Products: The Case of 90Sr and Its Daughters; Journal of Environmental science and technology; 49; 13676−13683.

ASTM C1308 - 08(2017); Standard Test Method for Accelerated Leach Test for Diffusive Releases from Solidified Waste and a Computer Program to Model Diffusive, Fractional Leaching from Cylindrical Waste Forms; west conshohocken, PA 19428, United state

IAEA; 1996; Processing of nuclear power plant waste streams containing boric acid; IAEA-TECDOC-911, ISSN 1011-4289; Vienna, Austria.
Pilot study on the potential impact of climate variability on sedimentation in Andean reservoirs, based on data from the Cañete catchment, Peruvian Coastal Range.
Authors: Rosas Miluska A. , Vanacker Veerle , Viveen Willem , Gutierrez Ronald R. , Huggel Christian
Published: March 2020

The global water storage capacity of hydroelectric reservoirs is decreasing annually while the economic activity, the hydropower industry and the world population continue to grow strongly. The boom in hydropower development in Andean river basins was identified as one of the top 15 global conservation issues. For this region, the electricity generation might increase by 550% from 2005 to the year 2050, thereby needing an increase in water volume from 70.5 billion m3 to 150.7 billion m³. Of the Andean countries, Peru has the highest numbers of existing and proposed hydropower projects, because of its rapidly evolving energy demands (estimated at 8% growth per year) and regulatory framework that aims at promoting renewable energy. Despite initial efforts, studies that describe the impact of changing sediment transfer due to climate change to the hydroelectric infrastructural system are still limited.

This paper evaluates the potential impact of climate variability on the water storage capacity of hydroelectric reservoirs in Andean countries, via a case study of the Cañete River in the Peruvian Coastal Range. It houses the 220 MW El Platanal hydroelectric plant and the Capillucas reservoir that provide the surrounding areas with water and energy. We used a hydrological model (HEC-HMS) coupled with a sediment transport model (HEC-RAS) to simulate future changes in river discharge and sediment load. Ten scenarios were developed, a combination of two different precipitation patterns and five different precipitation rates.

The average sediment load of the Cañete River was estimated at 981 kTon/yr upstream of the Capillucas reservoir, which is in agreement with published erosion rates for the area. Our results show that the lifespan of the Capillucas reservoir ranges from 7 years for the most pessimistic scenario to 31 years for the most optimistic scenario. This is much shorter than the projected lifespan of 50 years. This pilot study illustrates the vulnerability of Andean hydroelectric reservoirs against future climate change.
Deciphering the Signal of Arctic Climate Change
Authors: Morley Audrey , Raitzsch Markus , Bijma Jelle , Karancz Szabina , Kucera Michal
Published: March 2020

Whether or not Arctic regions remain(ed) a carbon sink or source to the atmosphere during rapidly warming climates (in the past) is a fundamental question with regards to future global warming and ocean acidification. The boron isotopic composition of planktonic foraminiferal shell calcite (δ11BCc) can potentially provide valuable information of past seawater pH if information on a second carbonate system parameter, temperature, and salinity is available. However, most applications of palaeoceanographic proxies to the cold polar oceans are limited due to a paucity of calibration data, limited information on the calcification habitat, and secondary effects of the carbonate system on the temperature recorded by Mg/Ca values measured in the dominant Arctic species Neogloboquadrina pachyderma sinistral (NPS). Here we present a new Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (MC-ICPMS) δ11B dataset measured on live NPS collected via plankton tows from the Labrador Sea and Baffin Bay. We compare our results with δ11Bborate derived from pH measurements, δ13C DIC seawater values, temperature and salinity collected at the time and depth the foraminifera calcified. To quantify the control of low carbonate ion concentration on Mg/Ca derived temperatures we measured B/Ca alongside Mg/Ca in the calibration dataset. We are thus able to present a new geochemical correction scheme that can isolate non-thermal controls on the Mg/Ca-temperature relationship for NPS, allowing us for the first time the reconstruction of carbonate system parameters in the Arctic Ocean.
Endogenous and Exogenous Uncertainty in Adaptive Water Resource Planning
Authors: Erfani Tohid , Pachos Kevis , Harou Julien J.
Published: March 2020

Water security can be susceptible to demand increases and climate change impacts. In this case interventions (new infrastructure and/or policies) must be made to meet future demands despite the timing and extent of supply-demand changes are unknown in advance. Given the potential large economic costs of water infrastructure, and the uncertainties in both future supplies and demands, formal planning under uncertainty techniques aiming for robustness and/or adaptability are warranted.

Staged water infrastructure capacity expansion optimization models help create flexible plans under uncertainty. In these models two types of uncertainties are realized. The first category is the exogenous uncertainty that can be incorporated into the optimization using an a priori scenario ensemble. The second category is the endogenous uncertainty for which the optimized timing and selection of interventions determines when and which uncertainties must be considered. Endogenous uncertainty is therefore ‘decision-dependent’ and cannot be considered as a priori set of scenarios.

This work describes an extension to an adaptive multistage real options water infrastructure planning optimization problem formulation to incorporate endogenous uncertainty and describe its effect on cost and option selection. We show how endogenous uncertainty propagates when making planning decisions over time on a synthetic case study. The results are contrasted with the deterministic formulation in terms of option activations and the expected present value of the cost.
Effect of persistent water cover on soil structure, investigated on representative Hungarian soil samples
Authors: Labancz Viktória , Sebők András , Czinkota Imre , Szegi Tamás , Makó András
Published: March 2020

Today, due to climate change, soil degradation processes related to extreme water supply situations (flood, inland water or drought) are occurring more and more frequently. Soil structure is one of the most important soil characteristics influencing many transport of materials (transport, storage of heat, gas, water and nutrients).Furthermore, it defines and ultimately determines the significant physical, chemical and biological processes involved and also the most important factor in agricultural crop production. Permanent water cover has a significant effect on soil structure, but the dynamics of disaggregation and the role of the soil factors influencing it is not yet fully understood. Our basic research aim is to investigate the effect of permanent water cover on soil structure on representative Hungarian soil samples. In our experiment, we sought to find the answer to the question of how long-term water coverage causes changes and damage to the soil structure under laboratory conditions by artificial water cover. We measured aggregate stability with Mastersizer 3000 Hydro LV laser diffractometry device and some soil chemistry parameters with Agilent 4210 MP-AES at different water cover times (selected in the literature). Based on experiences the effect of persistent water cover from the soil structure side can be most noticeable in the changes of macro- and microaggregate stability, as well as in the change of certain chemical parameters (e.g. calcium and iron content), thus, the aim of our research was to investigate these characteristics also. After compiling our results in a database, we evaluated and deduced statistical data on the long-term degradation effects of water cover. We also made an attempt to describe its disaggregation dynamics for different Hungarian soil types. Based on the results, we have selected the most sensitive soils for permanent water cover, which are also expected to be sensitive to extreme water management related to climate change.
The effect of lignin application on plant growth and soil biological quality
Authors: Gebremikael Mesfin , Vandendaele Ramon , Alarcon Marta , Torregrosa Ruben , De Neve Stefaan
Published: March 2020

There is a wide variety of agricultural waste co- and by-products that could potentially be valorised in high-value applications. One of such products is lignin, the second most abundant organic biopolymer after cellulose. Because of the large amounts of pruning wastes in the Mediterranean regions, lignin extraction can be one of the possibilities for valorisation and sustainable management of agricultural wastes. Research on the application of lignin, particularly lignosulfonates, is limited to its use as a biostimulant for root growth under controlled laboratory conditions and as a complexing agent in micronutrient foliar fertilizer formulations. Little is known about the impacts of lignin extracted from various feedstock on plant growth and soil quality.

 

We investigated the potential of lignin as plant biostimulator and soil conditioner in a pot experiment with fresh soil and lignin extracts obtained from three types of pruning wastes (urban trees, fruit and forest trees) using ryegrass as a test plant, under laboratory conditions. Two doses of lignin extracts (equivalent to 5 and 20 kg lignin-C ha-1) were applied to assess whether the effect on plant growth and soil quality depends on the rate of application. Soil and plant parameters were determined seven weeks after the grass was planted at 17 °C and 16 h photoperiod. 

 

Root biomass significantly increased (62-152%) in treatments with lignin addition, particularly lignin from urban and forest pruning wastes compared to the control. However, the increase in root biomass did not result in a simultaneous increase in shoot biomass or N uptake showing the need to apply additional plant nutrient. The microbial biomass C did not significantly respond to the application of lignin. A significantly higher dehydrogenase enzyme activity was recorded in samples with the high dose of lignin extracted from the urban wastes compared to the lower dose. Urban waste lignin extract contains 15-18 times more total N compared to the lignin extracts from forest and fruit trees, which could explain its significant effect on enzymatic activities and root biomass.

 

The findings show that differences in feedstock properties may influence the plant growth stimulating activity of the lignin. Further research is needed to improve the plant growth-stimulating effect of lignin, to investigate the simultaneous application of the major plant nutrients and the response of the microbial community to lignin application.   

 
Offshore Landslides could be favored by Seismic Amplification due to Site Effects
Authors: Courboulex Francoise , Mercerat E. Diego , Larroque Christophe , Migeon Sébastien , Deschamps Anne , Hello Yann , Baques Marion , Rivet Diane , Ambrois David
Published: March 2020

In many seismically active areas of the world, earthquake‐induced landslides commonly account for a significant portion of the total impact of earthquakes. When landslides occur offshore, in coastal areas, they can generate proximal tsunami waves that reach the coastlines in only a few minutes, and can be very dangerous.

The triggering power of earthquakes on landslides is often estimated on seismic wave amplitude (Peak ground acceleration, Arias intensity …), which is usually computed simply from the magnitude and distance of the earthquake using ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs). In this study we show that the local amplification due to site effect can be very strong offshore, and then should not be neglected.

In order to test and quantify the potential amplification of seismic waves offshore, we installed a broadband seismometer (PRIMA station) near the transition between the continental shelf and the upper continental slope, at a water depth of 18 m, offshore Nice city airport (southeastern France).  Situated at the mouth of the Var River, this zone is unstable and prone to landslides. A catastrophic landslide and tsunami already occurred in 1979, causing 10 casualties and large damages.

We analyze the recordings of earthquakes and seismic noise at the PRIMA station by comparing them to nearby inland stations. We find that the seismic waves are strongly amplified at PRIMA at some specific frequencies (with an amplification factor greater than 10 at 0.9 Hz). Using geological and geophysical data, we show that the main amplification frequency peak (at 0.9Hz) is due to the velocity contrast between the Pliocene sedimentary layer and fine-grained sediments dated from the Holocene. This offshore site effect could have a crucial impact on the triggering of a submarine landslide by an earthquake in this region. 

It is therefore crucial to detect and quantify the seismic amplification effects caused by superficial offshore sediment, in order to take them into account in predictive model.
Variability of the Azores High and regional hydroclimate over the past millennium
Authors: Ummenhofer Caroline , Cresswell-Clay Nathaniel , Thatcher Diana , Wanamaker Alan , Denniston Rhawn
Published: March 2020

The subtropical dry zones, including the broader Mediterranean region, are likely to experience considerable changes in hydroclimate in a warming climate. An expansion of the atmosphere’s meridional overturning circulation, the Hadley circulation, over recent decades has been reported, with implications for regional hydroclimate. Yet, there exists considerable disagreement in magnitude and even sign of these trends among different metrics that measure various aspects of the Hadley circulation, as well as discrepancies in trends between different analysis periods and reanalysis products during the 20th century. In light of these uncertainties, it is therefore of interest to explore variability and trends in subtropical hydroclimate and its dominant driver, the Hadley Circulation. We focus on the North Atlantic sector and explore variability in the Azores High, the manifestation of the Hadley Circulation’s downward branch, and hydroclimate across the Iberian Peninsula using a combination of observational/reanalysis products, state-of-the-art climate model simulations, and hydroclimatically-sensitive stalagmite records over the past 1200 yr. The Last Millennium Ensemble (LME) with the Community Earth System Model provides thirteen transient simulations covering the period 850 to 2005 A.D. with prescribed external forcing (e.g. greenhouse gas, solar, volcanic, land use, orbital, and aerosol) and smaller subsets with individual forcing only. The LME is shown to accurately simulate the variability and trends in the Azores High when compared to observational records from the 20th century. We evaluate variability in the Azores High (e.g., size, intensity, position) in relation to other key metrics that measure different aspects of the Hadley circulation throughout the course of the last millennium, as well as during key periods, such as the Little Ice Age or Medieval Climate Anomaly. The smaller subsets of LME simulations with individual forcing factors (e.g., solar, volcanic) allow for an attribution of past changes in regional hydroclimate to external drivers. Results from the climate model simulations are compared with hydroclimate reconstructed from stalagmites from Portuguese caves.