bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cenozoic bryozoan biota and their response to climatic changes in Antarctica
Authors: Hara Urszula
Published: March 2020

Antarctic bryozoans are important colonial marine invertebrates in terms of their origin, palaeoenvironment and climatic approaches. The changes of the bryozoan fossil records during the last 55 Ma years  are well-defined by their biodiversity, taxonomic composition and colony growth-forms. The late Early Eocene biota from the shallow-marine–estuarine clastic succession of the lower part (Telm1-2) of the La Meseta Formation of Seymour Island are represented by the prolific, spectacular in size, massive multilamellar colonies dominated by the cerioporids as well as diverse ascophorans  cheilostomes (Hara, 2001). The free-living lunilitiform, disc-shaped colonies, which occur in the middle part of the La Meseta Formation (Telm4-Telm5), are characteristic for the warm, shallow-self environment and bottom temperature, which ranges from 10 to 29°C. The presence of the bimineralic skeletons of this fauna (such as Lunulites, Otionellina, and Uharella) with the traces of aragonite is indicative for the temperate shelf environment, sandy and often shifting substrate. Lunulitids are inhabited by the circumpolar to warm-temperate waters, at the present day. Contrary to that, the bryozoans  from the upper part of the LM (Telm6-7) are  represented by the scarce lepraliomorphs accompanied by the crustaceans, brachiopods and gadiform fish remains. The individuality of the Eocene bryozoan assemblages are well-correlated with the EECO, MECO and EOT climatic events, based on the other marine macrofaunal marine fossil records (see also Ivany et al. 2008). The lower Pliocene bryofauna recently described  from the Cockburn Island Formation  is composed of the rich encrusting shallow-water, membraniporiform zoaria (Hara and Crame, in review, 2020). The biota of thePectenConglomerate are indicative of the interglacial conditions during the deposition of the Cockburn Island Formation. At the present day bryozoans with the preponderance of cheilostomes are the most significant marine benthic community, thriving successfully in cool-water Antarctic  conditions.

References,

Hara, U., 2001. Bryozoans from the Eocene of Seymour Island, Antarctic Peninsula, Palaeontogia Polonica , 60:33-155.

Hara, U., Mors, T., Hagstrom, and Reguero M. A., 2018. Eocene bryozoans  assemblages from the La Meseta Formation of Seymour Island. Geological Quarterly, 62: 705-728. 

Hara., U., and Crame, J.A. 2019. Paleobiodiversity of the Lower Pliocene bryozoan  benthic community and its response to interglacial conditions.  Geological Review (in review).

Ivany L.C., Lohmann, K. C. Hasiuk, F., Blake D.B., Glass A., Aronson R.B., and Moody R.M. 2008. Eocene climate record of the high southern latitude continental shelf: Seymour Island, Antarctica. Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 120, no. 5-6: 659-678.

 
Landfast ice zoning from SAR imagery
Authors: Selyuzhenok Valeria , Demchev Denis , Krumpen Thomas
Published: March 2020

Landfast sea ice is a dominant sea ice feature of the Arctic coastal region. As a part of Arctic sea ice cover, landfast ice is an important part of coastal ecosystem, it provides functions as a climate regulator and platform for human activity. Recent changes in sea ice conditions in the Arctic have also affected landfast ice regime. At the same time, industrial interest in the Arctic shelf seas continue to increase. Knowledge on local landfast ice conditions are required to ensure safety of on ice operations and accurate forecasting.  In order to obtain a comprehensive information on landfast ice state we use a time series of wide swath SAR imagery.  An automatic sea ice tracking algorithm was applied to the sequential SAR images during the development stage of landfast ice cover. The analysis of resultant time series of sea ice drift allows to classify homogeneous sea ice drift fields and timing of their attachment to the landfast ice. In addition, the drift data allows to locate areas of formation of grounded sea ice accumulation called stamukha. This information сan be useful for local landfast ice stability assessment. The study is supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) grant 19-35-60033.
Structural and geological mapping of the Gran Sometta-Tournalin ridge (Aosta Valley, Italy)
Authors: Pozzi Matteo , Arienti Gloria , Losa Anna , Bistacchi Andrea
Published: March 2020

We present a new geological and structural map of the Gran Sometta -Tournalin ridge (Valle d’Aosta). In this area we have Pennidic ophiolitic units of the Combin (Co) and Zermatt-Saas (ZS) zones. In addition, in this area the continental cover sequence of the Pancherot-Cime Bianche-Bettaforca (PCB) unit crops out, close to the base of the Combin zone. The PCB and Co are characterized by Alpine greenschist facies assemblages, while the ZS is characterized by eclogitic assemblages. The greenschist and HP complexes are juxtaposed along the extensional Combin Fault Zone.

Our detailed 1:5000 map allowed reconstructing in 3D, and with a high level of detail, the spatial and crosscutting relationships between metamorphic layering (e.g. calcschists and metabasites in the Co), ductile foliations and shear zones, semi-brittle features (e.g. extensional crenulation cleavage – ECC - along the Combin Fault Zone), and post-metamorphic brittle faults.

The metamorphic layering and foliations are sub-horizontal in this area, and the ECC associated to the Combin Fault results in large components of horizontal stretching. These features are crosscut by two sets of high-angle normal faults, of Oligocene and Miocene age (according to literature), and, thanks to the favourable exposure and numerous structural data, we have been able to reconstruct these structures and their relationships in 3D.
The Impact of Wind Gusts on the Ocean Thermal Skin Layer by Capillary-Gravity Waves
Authors: Zappa Christopher J , Laxague Nathan , Brumer Sophia , Anderson Steven
Published: March 2020

The thermodynamic and emissive properties of the ocean thermal skin layer are crucial contributors to air-sea heat flux. In order to properly observe ocean surface temperature without disturbing any delicate fluid mechanical processes, thermal infrared imaging is often used. However, wind impacting the ocean surface complicates the extraction of meaningful information from thermal imagery; this is especially true for transient forcing phenomena such as wind gusts. Here, we describe wind gust-water surface interaction through its impact on skin layer thermal and emissive properties. Two key physical processes are identified: (1) the growth of centimeter-scale wind waves, which increases interfacial emissivity and (2) microscale wave breaking and shear, which mix the cool skin layer with warmer millimeter-depth water and increase the skin temperature. As more observations are made of air-sea interaction under transient forcing, the full consideration of these processes becomes increasingly important.
Development of a Swiss National Soil Spectral Model Library using data-driven modeling
Authors: Baumann Philipp , Helfenstein Anatol , Gubler Andreas , Meuli Reto , Keller Armin , Lee Juhwan , A. Viscarra Rossel Raphael , Six Johan
Published: March 2020

Soil data at different scales are needed for assessments and monitoring of soil functions. Soil diffuse reflectance spectroscopy using visible–Near Infrared and mid-Infrared energies can be used to estimate a range of soil properties, rapidly and inexpensively. However the spectroscopic modeling is challenging because of the large soil diversity and its complex composition. We developed a National Soil Spectral library (SSL) (n = 4339) using samples from (i) the Swiss Soil Monitoring Network (NABO; 7 sampling campaigns at 71 agricultural locations since 1985, n = 592) and (ii) the National Biodiversity Monitoring (BDM) Program (n = 4295, 1094 locations across a 5x5 km grid). The SSL will provide spectroscopic models for estimation of functional soil properties at different scales (e.g. total carbon (C) and nitrogen, organic C, texture, pH and cation exchange capacity). We used a rule-based algorithm, Cubist, for the modelling. The models were tuned across full combinations of {5, 10, 20, 50, 100} committees and {2, 5, 7, 9} neighbors, using 5 times repeated 10-fold cross-validation grouped by location. Further, transfer learning with RS-LOCAL tuning was performed for each of the 71 monitoring sites separately by a hold out approach in order to select optimal instances from the remaining SSL. Total soil C in the reference data ranged from 0.1% to 58.3% C and the best Cubist model had a cross-validated RMSE of 0.82% C. The RS-LOCAL approach (RMSEmean = 0.14 %) was on average 2.5 times more accurate for the estimation of C over time at each of the 71 NABO sites compared to the general Cubist approach. Our results suggest that data-driven selection of SSL instances targeted to closely related soils produces less biased estimation of soil properties over time at smaller geographic extents. The general Cubist calibration models are useful when reference analyses in a new study area are scarce. In conclusion, the Swiss SSL models can be used to cost-efficiently estimate a range of soil properties for a diverse applications and purposes in Switzerland.
Peat-core analysis for tracing the paleoclimate-related changes in aeolian dust deposition in Japan
Authors: Nakao Atsushi , Tanaka Yuki , Takahara Hikaru , Tanaka Ryoji , Yanai Junta
Published: March 2020

Aeolian dust coming from arid regions of inland China supplies mineral resources to Japanese Islands. While annual deposition rate is as small as 5~10 g m-2 yr-1, total amount of deposition since the last glacial period can form soil layers with several meters depths. We focused on the mineral fertilization effect of aeolian dust on terrestrial ecosystems in Japan. The deposition and incorporation of dust-derived micaceous mineral into soil through time is our special interest because this mineral has an exceptionally higher ability to retain radiocesium than the others, thereby contributing to reduce soil-to-plant transfer of radiocesium after the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power Plant accident. However, little study has focused on aeolian dust as a controlling factor of radiocesium dynamics in soils. In this study, peat-core samples collected from the Kamiyoshi (KMY) basin in Kyoto, Japan was used to obtain the aeolian dust that had been deposited on land during the last glacial period. The KMY core with depth from 9.40 to 8.20 m (corresponding to 75 ka to 68 ka) was horizontally divided into 21 portions. The subdivided samples were treated with H2O2 to decompose organic matters and then size-fractionated to obtain <20 μm particles, i.e., typical size range of the aeolian dust. The <20 μm particles was used to determine mineral composition by X-ray diffraction and selective dissolution analysis. Furthermore, fine-quartz obtained after the selective dissolution analysis was used for oxygen isotopic analysis to determine δ18O value. We found that the <20 μm particles occupy more than 90% of total mineral fraction, composed mainly of quartz and micaceous mineral. The fine-quartz in this fraction showed δ18O values of 16.8±0.3‰, quite similar to those of loess or aeolian dust previously reported. All these properties strongly indicate the origin of the <20 μm particles is the aeolian dust. Interestingly, the aeolian dust flux between 68 ka and 75 ka ranged widely from 1.9 g m-2 yr-1 to 15.7 g m-2 yr-1 and highly associated with paleoclimate estimated by the pollen record. Namely, the higher aeolian dust flux was observed at colder and drier paleoclimate as indicated by the higher proportion of pinaceous conifer pollen. We conclude that associative analysis of mineral and pollen record in the peat-core can be a promising method to trace the long term deposition pattern of aeolian dust in terrestrial ecosystems in Japan.             
Seismic arrays and frequency-wavenumber spectrum analysis to detect and monitor natural/induced microseismicity
Authors: Adinolfi Guido Maria , Picozzi Matteo , Priolo Enrico , Romanelli Marco , Riccio Rosario , Parolai Stefano , Zollo Aldo
Published: March 2020

Seismic arrays are instruments capable to lower the magnitude threshold of earthquake detection by improving the signal-to-noise ratio of recordings. Seismic arrays have been used since 1960s, to investigate global earthquakes or small-scale structure of the Earth’s interior. We designed a cost-effective seismic monitoring array-system made by autonomous stations specifically designed for studying local micro-seismicity. The data collected by this system allow to develop and apply a new method for earthquake detection and location of micro-seismicity based on a frequency-wavenumber (f-k) domain analysis of continuous data recorded by small seismic arrays, in order to separate the coherent signal of low magnitude events from the surrounding noise.
Field surveys have been carried out in two Italian regions, which are seismically active and already monitored by high quality, standard seismic networks, so to allow us to test the performance of the proposed array configuration and processing algorithm.
The first survey was carried out in the Irpinia region (Southern Italy), near the main fault segment activated during the Ms 6.9 Irpinia earthquake occurred in 1980. The natural seismicity of the area features occasional small seismic sequences, with magnitude (ML) less than 3, that are recorded by the local seismic network that monitors the Irpinia fault-system (ISNet - Irpinia Seismic Network). Three small aperture seismic arrays (few hundred meters wide) were deployed at distance of few tens of kilometers each other for three months. Each array was made up of seven 3-component stations, arranged in irregular geometry.
The second experiment was carried out in the Montello-Collalto area (Veneto region, North-East Italy), where an underground gas storage concession, known as “Collalto Stoccaggio”, exists. The gas storage activity is monitored by a local seismic network named “Collalto Seismic Network” (Rete Sismica di Collalto, or RSC). This dense network was designed and is managed by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) on behalf of Edison Stoccaggio S.p.A., the storage concession holder. A seismic array composed of eight 3-component stations with 2 km of maximum aperture was deployed for a couple of months to monitor the micro-seismicity occurring nearby.
Our preliminary results suggest that the f-k earthquake detection algorithm of micro-seismicity using seismic arrays can become a valid tool to complement standard seismic networks in monitoring and studying natural and induced seismicity. In the Irpinia region, for instance, we have detected and located about six times the earthquakes recorded by the local network lowering the magnitude down to 0.1, smaller than the catalogue minimum magnitude that is equal to 1.2.
Taking advantage of Multisensor Synergy: New discovery and analysis tools
Authors: Gaultier Lucile , Collard Fabrice , El Khoury Hanna Ziad , Guitton Gilles , Herlédan Sylvain , Le Séach Guillaume
Published: March 2020

Numerous new satellites and sensors have arised during the past decade. This satellite constellation has never been so dense and diverse. It provides a wide range of view angles to the ocean surface from the coast to the open ocean, at various scales and from physical to biological processes. Sentinel 1-2-3 program covers various sensors such as SAR, Optical, radiometer or altimeter with a repeat subcycle of only a few days, yet the repeat frequency for each sensor alone is not enough to monitor meso to submeso scales.

In the other hand, in-situ data are sparse in space but offers a high sample frequency and therefore complementary to remote sensing
observations. Handling consistently these huge heterogeneous datasets in a simple, fast and convenient way is now possible using the free and open Ocean Virtual Laboratory online portal or its standalone version. These tools are starting to be widely used by the scientific community to better discover, understand and monitor oceanic processes. We will demonstrate the potential and functionalities of these tools using various test cases:

Collocating Sentinel 1-2-3 for wave current interaction analysis
Creating synoptic charts of fronts and eddies, highlighting strong and energetic ocean currents
Campaign at sea planning and real time analysis of in-situ / remote sensing data. 
Validation and comparison of currents (derived from satellite and models) with a Lagrangian approach using SEAScope stand alone interactive tool. 

Online tool is available at https://ovl.oceandatalab.com and standalone version at https://seascope.oceandatalab.com. A splinter-meeting will
be organised at the conference to provide hands-on demonstration. 
Comprehensive environmental observations and their integration in the Arctic-boreal environment
Authors: Petäjä Tuukka , Lappalainen Hanna , Bäck Jaana , Kulmala Markku
Published: March 2020

The environment in the Arctic and boreal is changing rapidly due to megatrends such as globalization, new transport route development, demography and use of natural resources. These megatrends have environmental effects, particularly in terrestrial, marine and cryosphere domains which are undergoing substantial changes. Local, regional, national and international decision-making bodies require fact-based services to tackle challenges of rapid environmental change.  In this presentation we will present results from “integrative and Comprehensive Understanding on Polar Environments (iCUPE) project, which combines in-situ observations and satellite remote sensing for novel data and scientific understanding on the Arctic pollution. We will also summarize the benefits arising from integrated and co-located observations that contribute to different European environmental research infrastructures with practical scientific insights from such synthesis.
Paleoceanographic variations in SE sector of Indian Ocean (Australian shelf, IODP-U1460 site): is the MIS12 the trigger for long-term oceanic circulation re-organisation? Insights from benthic meiofauna (ostracods and foraminifera)
Authors: Angue Mintoo Charlie , Courtillat Margot , Bassetti Maria-Angela
Published: March 2020

Micropaleontological and isotopic analyses were performed on 93 samples covering the first 50m of borehole U1460 in aim to reconstruct the paleo-environmental and paleo-climatic conditions of western australian shelf. Borehole U1460 was drilled at a water depth of 214 m during IODP (International Ocean Discovery Program) 356 expedition.

The distribution of benthic foraminifera and ostracod assemblages associated with planktonic foraminifera variation allow to characterized two main climatic phases : one dominated by generally cold conditions (glacial-like, from 50 to 20m) and another interglacial-like phase (from 20 to 0m), characterized by warmer climate. Those have been identified on the basis of distribution of tropical warm water Goloborotalia menardii (planktonic foraminifera) that shows high abundance only from 20 to 0 m, attributed to the interglacial-like phase, coherent with δ18O values curve.

The glacial assemblage is composed by an assemblage dominated by ostracod genera/species such as Pterigocytherei ssp., Krithe spp.,Argilloecia sp., Pseudocythere caudata, Trachyleberi ssp. and by benthic foraminifera such as Cibicides lobatulus, Elphidiumsp., Hyalineasp., Rosalina bradyi. These assemblages indicate cold bottom conditions with probably poorly oxygenated and organic-rich sediment environment.

The interglacial assemblage is characterized by ostracods species as Neonesidea sp., Bradleya sp., Cytherella sp., and by benthic foraminifera as Meloni ssp., Uvigerina spp., Quinqueloculina sp., Textularia sp., Trifarina sp., Cassidulina sp., Brizalina sp., Bulimina sp., Sigmoilopsis schlumbergeri. This assemblage suggests warm bottom conditions under well-oxygenated, high energy regimes and food input that would be important.

Those two phases include probably multiple glacial and interglacial stages but the most spectacular result indicates that after the onset of MIS12, one of the major glaciation in the Quaternary), the oceanographic conditions in the Western Australia sector changed deeply, either because of oceanic current re-organization or because of the continental climate change (dry/wet climate transition) that controls the amount of micronutrient input into the ocean.
Extreme reefs: Analyses of modern bryostromatolite ("bryolith") reefs from marginal environments in the Netherlands with comparisons to ancient analogues
Authors: Harrison George William , Claußen Lene , Schulbert Christian , Munnecke Axel
Published: March 2020

Marginal environments sometimes serve as natural time machines, replicating conditions of ancient environments and thus inducing similar adaptations and symbioses. Few environments are more marginal than the brackish, arsenic and titanium rich, and periodically euxinic ponds found in the Zeeland (Netherlands). These ponds contain layered, stationary bioherms of alternating bryozoans and microbialites (bryostromatolites); similar structures are known from the Late Miocene of the Paratethys and the isotopic excursions in the Silurian as well as recent hypersaline lagoons in Australia. Critical study of the modern bryostromatolites will help paleontologists understand the conditions under which bryostromatolites formed in the past.

This study applied modern methods to analyze the microstructures and minerology of bryostromatolites from the Netherlands. These bryostromatolites contained alternations of Einhornia crustulenta bryozoans and gypsum-cemented microbes. Bryostromatolites formed in distinct stages, alternating between a phase of bryozoan layers and a phase where microbes and cements grew in tandem over the dead bryozoans; this microbial phase likely coincides with temporary anoxia/euxinia. The microbes, tentatively identified as cyanobacteria, showed a thrombolitic texture cemented with gypsum. This gypsum was deposited while the microbes were alive, suggesting they were alive during the euxinic phases and participating in sulfide-based photosynthesis. The bryoliths were otherwise poor in fauna, containing only a few species of mollusks, arthropods, polychaetes, and diatoms. All of these factors highlight the extreme environment under which modern and possibly ancient bryoliths formed.
Predicting ocean activity from seismic data using machine learning techniques
Authors: Custódio Susana , Bolrão Francisco , Bui Tan , Hadziioannou Céline , Lima Miguel , Rodrigues Diogo , Sheriffdeen Sheroze , Silveira Graça , Carvalho Joana
Published: March 2020

The most pervasive seismic signal recorded on our planet – microseismic ambient noise -results from the coupling of energy between atmosphere, oceans and solid Earth. Because it carries information on ocean waves (source), the microseismic wavefield can be advantageously used to image ocean storms. Such imaging is of interest both to climate studies – by extending the record of oceanic activity back into the early instrumental seismic record – and to real-time monitoring – where real-time seismic data can potentially be used to complement the spatially dense but temporally sparse satellite meteorological data.

In our work, we develop empirical transfer functions between seismic observations and ocean activity observations. We start by following the classical approach of Bromirski et al (1999), who computed an empirical transfer function between ground-motion recorded at a coastal seismic station and significant wave height measured at a nearby ocean buoy. We explore further developments by considering other seismic data observations – such as the polarization of seismic ambient noise – and other indicators of ocean activity observations, including the spectra of ocean waves.

In addition to employing the classical approach of empirical transfer functions, we further present preliminary tests using machine learning techniques to: 1) infer which seismic and ocean activity observables are better predictors of each other, and 2) to predict ocean activity given observed ground motion.

The analysis is made using selected datasets around the North Atlantic, namely using seismic data from North America (west Atlantic), the Azores (central Atlantic) and Portugal (east Atlantic).

This work is supported by FCT through projects UIDB/50019/2020 – IDL and UTAP-EXPL/EAC/0056/2017 - STORM.

References:

Bromirski, P. D., Flick, R. E., & Graham, N. (1999). Ocean wave height determined from inland seismometer data: Implications for investigating wave climate changes in the NE Pacific. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 104(C9), 20753-20766.

 
The Optical Image Probe as a tool for high resolution site characterisation (HRSC) in landfills - a testcase
Authors: Vercruyssen Max , Naert Martijn , Buffel Pieter , Van Herreweghe Samuel , Brangers Herman
Published: March 2020

Older landfills are notorious for being vague black boxes. The amount, type and location of the dumped material was rarely or inaccurately recorded. This lack of information can be a problem during redevelopment projects, remining projects and risk assessments for the landfill. To decrease the analytical and spatial uncertainties in the conceptual model of the landfill during these investigations, we need accurate sampling and analysis methods but also sufficient amount of data. A High Resolution Site Characterisation (HRSC) approach is based on measurements and data density that are in the same order of heterogeneity of the site. This approach, that we apply on a daily base in soil contamination projects, was applied in collaboration with Witteveen+Bos on a former landfill site in Flanders. In this project an Optical Image Probe (OIP) combined with Electrical Conductivity (EC) measurements was used with a direct push rig. Using this probe, at a rate of 1 frame each 1.5cm, the subsoil layers were explored with a visual light camera integrated in the probe. The data were studied and compared to landfill trenches to identify the layers. It could be concluded that the probing’s were a good supplement to the trench data. This because of the speed of data acquisition, the less intrusive character and reduced Health and Safety concerns for workers and surrounding.
Controls on mud distribution and architecture along the fluvial-to-marine transition
Authors: Parsons Daniel , Van de Lageweg Wietse , Braat Lisanne , Kleinhans Maarten
Published: March 2020

The interaction of marine (tides and waves) and fluvial processes determines the sedimentary fill of coastal systems in the fluvial-to-marine (FTM) transition zone. Despite frequent recognition of tidal and wave influence in modern and ancient systems, our understanding of the relative importance of marine processes and their impact on mud deposition, coastal system stability and sedimentary architecture is limited. This study combined subsurface field observations and numerical simulations to investigate the relative importance of river flow, tides, waves, and mud input in governing the sedimentary fill in funnel-shaped basins along the FTM transition. Model simulations show a self-forming bar-built estuary with dynamic channels and sandy bars flanked by mud flats, which is in agreement with trends observed in nature. From three-dimensional virtual sedimentary successions, statistical tendencies for mud distribution and thickness were derived for the spectrum of marine and fluvial processes, and these values provide quantitative information on the net-to-gross ratio and mud architecture. The relative influence of marine and fluvial processes leads to a predictable facies organization and architecture, with muddier and more heterogeneous sediments toward the flanks. For the first time, our simulations allow the sedimentary fill in basins along the FTM transition to be related explicitly to hydrodynamic conditions, providing new insights into the morphosedimentary evolution of coastal systems, with implications for system stability in the modern and sequence stratigraphy preserved in the ancient.
The debris cover surface of Ponkar glacier: a laboratory for learning
Authors: Racoviteanu Adina E. , Glasser Neil F. , Basnett Smriti , Kayastha Rakesh , Harrison Stephan
Published: March 2020

Understanding the evolution of debris-covered glaciers, including their evolution over time, the distribution of surface features such as exposed ice walls and supraglacial lakes, and their contributions to glacier ice melt and to glacier-related hazards such as Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) events requires an interdisciplinary approach, with a combination of remote sensing methods and collaborative fieldwork.

Since 2017, the IGCP 672 /UNESCO project led has been focussing on the transfer of scientific knowledge on monitoring debris-covered glaciers to local partner institutions in high Asia through trainings, workshops and field collaborations. Our long-term goal is to disseminate methodologies developed under this project to local institutions in high Asia and to embed scientific knowledge into local communities. Here we report on recent capacity building activities held within the context of this new project involved local participants from universities in Nepal and Sikkim. The training included remote sensing/GIS modules, temperature measurements, sediment logging and drone surveys of the ablation zone, which will allow us to better quantify the surface features and their evolution.

 
Soil thinning and thickening: the fate of soil organic carbon
Authors: Tye Andrew , Evans Daniel
Published: March 2020

The redistribution of soil by humans has been demonstrated to rival that of geologic events. Moreover, the impact of some conventional, agricultural techniques has been shown to redistribute a significant proportion of soil organic carbon. On the more erosive areas of hillslopes, the resulting thinning of soil could make deep soil carbon more accessible and, ultimately, more susceptible to destabilisation. However, downslope colluviation can thicken soil profiles such that subsoil carbon pools become inaccessible to microbial decomposition. The fate of soil thinning and thickening on soil organic carbon has not been studied in the UK until now. In this work, we studied the distribution of organic and inorganic carbon down profiles surveyed at three landscape positions (midslope, backslope, and toeslope) on Mountfield Farm, in Somerset, UK. In this poster, we present the results of thermogravimetric analysis and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy, both of which we used to investigate the stability of soil organic carbon down each profile. We explore the relationships between soil depth and the stocks and stability of soil organic carbon fractions at each position, and suggest the implications of continued upslope soil thinning and downslope soil thickening.
Atlantic water north of Svalbard 1899-2018
Authors: Marnela Marika , Nilsen Frank , Skogseth Ragnheid , Kalhagen Kjersti
Published: March 2020

As part of the Nansen Legacy project, waters north of Svalbard are studied. The warm and saline Atlantic water, brought northward by the West Spitsbergen Current cools and freshens as it flows eastward along the slope north of Svalbard, bringing heat and salt into the Arctic Ocean. Hydrographic CTD data are available from various cruises and databases, the main source here being the UNIS Hydrographic Database. Changes in the Atlantic water properties and its horizontal and vertical location on the slope and shelf are mapped from decadal averages of historical data from 1899 to 2018. The mean width of the boundary current following the slope eastward is estimated for five cross-shelf/slope sections from the decadal averages. An Atlantification is present from 1996-2005 to 2006-2018 with warmer and more saline water covering a larger area across the slope and reaching further east.
Astronomical forcing and climate : insights from ice core records
Authors: Masson-Delmotte Valérie
Published: March 2020

Ice cores provide a wealth of insights into past changes in climate and atmospheric composition.

Obtaining information on past polar temperature changes is important to document climate variations beyond instrumental records, and to test our understanding of past climate variations, including the Earth system response to astronomical forcing.

Since the 1960s, major breakthrough in ice core science have delivered a matrix of quantitative Greenland and Antarctic ice core records.

Temperature reconstructions from polar ice cores document past polar amplification, and provide quantitative constraints to test climate models.

Climate information from the air and ice preserved in deep ice cores has been crucial to unveil the tight coupling between the carbon cycle and climate and the role of past changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas composition in the Earth system response to astronomical forcing.

Ice core constraints on past changes in ice sheet topography are also key to characterize the contribution of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to past sea level changes.

The construction of a common chronological framework for Greenland and Antarctic ice core records has unveiled the bipolar sequence of events during the glacial-interglacial cycle, and the interplay between abrupt change and the response of the climate system to astronomical forcing.

International efforts have started to obtain the oldest ice cores (hopefully back to 1,5 million years) from Antarctica, in order to understand the reasons for the major shifts in the response of the climate system to astronomical forcing at that time, leading to more intense and longer glacial periods. 
Transport of Excess Heat at 24.5°N
Authors: Messias Marie-José , Mercier Herlé
Published: March 2020

Repeated hydrographic surveys have allowed for the monitoring of the 24.5°N trans-Atlantic transect of volume and heat transports  since the middle of the last century. However, identifying the geographic origins and the temporal characteristics of full depth ocean heat content (OHC) anomalies is still at the frontier of  global ocean warming research albeit it is critical to the  understanding of  the current warming of the ocean and its future evolution. To address this gap,  we  combine volume transports at 24.5°N  with an historical reconstruction of  excess heat, which we define as the heat gained across the section since the year 1850 to  present. The  reconstruction is based on  a maximum entropy approach  that links the  location and time of the last entry into the ocean of a series of transient and geochemical tracers to their full depth in situ measurements in the interior. Here, we apply it to tracers measured on the hydrographic sections at  24.5°N since 1992. This methodology is a step forward in exploring the coherence of the OHC distributions at 24.5°N over time with the variability of the SST in  the source regions and the role of the AMOC, all genuinely based on observations. We find that the AMOC ranges from 16 to 19 Sv, heat transport from 0.9 to 1.5 PW and excess heat transport from 19 to 31 TW. The excess heat is transported northward across 24.5°N thus reinforcing the warming of the North Atlantic Ocean.
An improved drip infiltrometer measuring the near-saturated hydraulic conductivity: Pedotransfer development and macropore transport
Authors: Iversen Bo Vangsø , Koppelgaard Michael , Kotlar Ali M.
Published: March 2020

The near-saturated hydraulic conductivity is an important parameter in relation to the analysis of heterogeneous transport in the soil macropore system. To a high degree, leaching of phosphorus out of the root zone takes place in the macropores either in a dissolved form or as phosphorus bound to colloids. In this work, a newly constructed and improved drip infiltrometer (DIM) is presented being able to measure the unsaturated hydraulic conductivity in the near-saturated range (i.e. in the range of matric potentials between -0.1 and 3 -kPa) on undisturbed soil columns (20 cm by 20 cm). The DIM is a modified version of the classical multistep system establishing gravity flow at decreasing flow rates. The procedure is that the soil column is placed on top of a ceramic plate. Five tensiometers measure the change in the matric potential a different flow rates applied by a drip-irrigation device mounted on the top of the column. By applying a certain inflow at the top and suction at the bottom of the sample, a steady state flow is established based on tensiometer readings showing a constant gradient along the soil sample. This allows the determination of the near-saturated hydraulic conductivity by applying Darcy’s equation. Compared to an earlier version of the infiltrometer, the instrument has been improved in several ways. This involves a high level of automation of the computer program controlling the analysis making it possible to setup a number of settings and constrains in order to optimize the analysis. Examples are given for newly developed pedotransfer functions predicting the saturated and near-saturated hydraulic conductivity. Results were used to model water transport in the vadose zone spatially distributed over Denmark using variation in the hydraulic properties as well as spatially distributed metrological data. Models results ended up with a map pointing out risk areas of macropore transport in relation to the leaching of phosphorus.
Looking back to the past and thinking of the future
Authors: Sharma Surendra Kumar
Published: March 2020

Earth is the only planet in our solar system where life is known to exist.

 

 

The 18 – 20th centuries, especially the last one, is characterized by an unprecedented rapid advance in science and technology, as well as economic growth. These factors, combined together, have provided us with an affluent society and luxurious lifestyle we have never experienced before.   However, such a high standard of living  coupled with a rapid growth of the world population  has necessarily  resulted in  in a high rate of resource consumption to a degree that may be termed almost mass wasting. Such an increase rate of resource consumption has inevitably placed a heavy burden on the environment, and consequently has led to serious environmental deterioration on local and global scales from two aspects : large scale destruction of natural ecosystem due to imprudent resource exploitation, and broadcast pollution resulting from the mass consumption of materials and subsequent discharge of pollutants.

 

 

The global-scale environmental deterioration may be regarded as another characteristic of the century as the anthropogenic impact on the environment has reached beyond the tolerable limits of the biosphere.  Human activities influencing the biosphere can limit it.  It is a time both to look back to the past and to think of the future.

 

 

The 21st century is the age of the Environment. In such an age, students need to be more wise to manage the present as well as the future environment based on their current knowledge of the environment. In order to spread the message among young learners  that the environment is to be protected and improved, the present paper is written.  I am sure that the paper will stimulate interest among participants to find answers for concreate environmental problems on the local and national and global level.
Scientific freedom and integrity in the 21st century: roles and power of scientists
Authors: Jesus-Rydin Claudia
Published: March 2020

Science is rooted in basic values. Freedom is one of them. History is rich in examples of struggles by scientists for freedom. They often had to struggle to find patrons and avoid persecution. Religious authority, often associated with political power, was a permanent challenge to freedom of thought and freedom of movement, which is a major requirement for scientific cooperation and dissemination.

We live in worrying times, where some politicians are tempted to deglobalise economies and trade by closing borders and even building walls. Letting scientific collaboration be affected and reshaped by these vision is concerning. Especially when we know that the challenges we face are global. Nationalism conditions the impact research and science can have.

The power of hierarchical structures can also lead to limitations to freedom. Scientists themselves are part of a system that makes decisions about people. There is the peer review system, making decisions on who, what and when is published. Another example of power in the hands of the scientific communities is promotion, nomination and awards. However, this power is also a remarkable opportunity for scientists to stand above political flows. Remaining loyal to principles of integrity is the only way for scientists to safeguard freedom for their own sake.

Scientific freedom from funders is crucial but impactful only if supported by independent and forward-looking decisions by scientific communities. Reviewers, promotion and award committees need a wide and integral understanding of scientific development and the vital conditions that favour this.

Freedom and integrity lies at the heart of the scientific endeavour and its ability to develop new knowledge and challenge beliefs. Scientific communities have great responsibilities and roles to play.
Geomorphic Apophenia: Inferring meaning where there could be none?
Authors: Coulthard Tom
Published: March 2020

Apophenia describes the experience of seeing meaningful patterns or connections in random or meaningless data. Francis Bacon was one of the first to identify its role as a "human understanding is of its own nature prone to suppose the existence of more order and regularity in the world than it finds". Since then, experiments using streams of randomly generated binary sequences show a propensity for people to believe random data fluctuates more than it actually does. A more mainstream example of this is gamblers fallacy, where lucky or unlucky streaks are identified in the random selection of a roulette wheel. Furthermore, humans can also be influenced by a pre-existing ideas or a narrative that they then transpose into their findings leading to tending to support a hypothesis instead of disproving (confirmation bias). 

As much of geomorphological science involves the interpretation of data, we argue that the persuasiveness of a narrative and human difficulties in recognizing genuinely random data could lead to apophenia. This presentation examines where apophenia might affect geomorphology, using examples from sediment stratigraphy, signal shredding, river meandering and the numerical modelling of landscape systems. In particular, we focus on how seductive it can be to link changes in landscape to drivers when there are potentially hazardous gaps in the data we are using.

In Geomorphology correlation has for long been substituted by causation. However, with emerging data rich methods including structure from motion, seismology, remote sensing and numerical modelling, former ‘classic’ techniques of qualitative interpretation can give way to quantitative hypothesis testing.

 
From black holes to Brexit: the inside track on science journalism
Authors: Gibney Elizabeth
Published: March 2020

Communication is now a fundamental part of being a scientist. Public debate and funding decisions can be shaped by which research get picked up by the media as well as how the story is told. This talk will delve into how journalists find, report and write stories and give insights into the challenges and adventures involved. It will also reflect on how researchers can best interact with the media, both to improve science communication and the reach of their work. Finally it will touch on the multiple roles that science journalists play: as entertainers, conduits for important information and critical voices that hold science to account.
Carbon Brief
Authors: Hickman Leo
Published: March 2020

Leo Hickman will outline his experience of communicating climate change as a journalist and author. Leo has edited the award-winning Carbon Brief since 2015. The UK-based website specialises in publishing clear, data-driven articles and graphics to help improve the understanding of climate change, both in terms of the science and the policy response. Before joining Carbon Brief, Leo spent 16 years at the Guardian as a features journalist and editor covering the environment, particularly climate change. Leo has also authored several books, including "Will Jellyfish Rule the World?" (Puffin, 2009), which explained climate change to Key Stage 3 children.
Climate science and YouTube: deniers, memes, and Trojan horses
Authors: Clarke Simon
Published: March 2020

YouTube is the world's second largest search engine, and serves as a primary source of entertainment for billions of people around the world. Yet while science communication on the website is more popular than ever, discussion of climate science is dominated by - largely scientifically untrained - individuals who are skeptical of the overwhelming scientific consensus that anthropogenic climate change is real. Over the past ten years I have built up an extensive audience communicating science - and climate science in particular - on YouTube, attempting to place credible science in the forefront of the discussion. In this talk I will discuss my approach to making content for the website, dissect successful and less successful projects, review feedback from my audience, and break down my process of converting research into entertaining, educational video content.
An aerosol climatology for global models based on the tropospheric aerosol scheme in the Integrated Forecasting System of ECMWF
Authors: Bozzo Alessio , Benedetti Angela , Flemming Johannes , Kipling Zak , Rémy Samuel
Published: March 2020

Abstract. An aerosol climatology to represent aerosols in the radiation schemes of global atmospheric models was recently developed. We derived the climatology from a reanalysis of atmospheric composition produced by the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). As an example of an application in a global atmospheric model, we discuss the technical aspects of the implementation in the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts Integrated Forecasting System (ECMWF-IFS) and the impact of the new climatology on the medium-range weather forecasts and 1-year simulations.
The new aerosol climatology was derived by combining a set of model simulations with constrained meteorological conditions and an atmospheric composition reanalysis for the period 2003–2013 produced by the IFS. The aerosol fields of the reanalysis are constrained by assimilating the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) retrievals product by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instruments. In a further step, we used modelled aerosol fields to correct the aerosol speciation and the vertical profiles of the aerosol reanalysis fields. The new climatology provides the monthly-mean mass mixing ratio of five aerosol species constrained by assimilated MODIS AOT.
Using the new climatology in the ECMWF-IFS leads to changes in the direct aerosol radiative effect compared to the climatology previously implemented, which have a small but non-impact on the forecast skill of large-scale weather patterns in the medium-range. However, details of the regional distribution of aerosol radiative forcing can have a large local impact. This is the case for the area of the Arabian Peninsula and the northern Indian Ocean. Here changes in the radiative forcing of the mineral dust significantly improve the summer monsoon circulation.