bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatio-temporal reconstruction of the post-glacial sea-level evolution in the Ross Sea, Antarctica
Authors: Cerrone Ciro , Salvatore Maria Cristina , Baroni Carlo , Hall Brenda , Vacchi Matteo
Published: June 2022

The complex interactions between the redistribution of water mass in the ocean basins due to continental ice sheet growth and decay, and the attendant Glacio-Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) process play a major role in controlling Relative Sea-Level (RSL) variability since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). In near-field regions (e.g., areas covered by the major ice-sheet at the LGM), the rate of GIA uplift during deglaciation often exceeded the rate of RSL rise from an increase in ocean volume due to the melting of land-based ice.

Here, we assembled a database of new and previously published RSL collected along the coasts of the Ross Sea (Antarctica). The set of 14C radiocarbon dates was obtained from samples of Adelie penguin guano remains and shells found on raised beaches and collected during several Antarctic expeditions conducted in the framework of the Italian Programme of Antarctic Researches (PNRA). We further revisited about 300 radiocarbon dates available in literature following the standards of the latest International Geoscience Programme (IGCP) protocols on sea-level studies. All these dates were also recalibrated according to the latest calibration curve

We thus produce a new set of 65 RSL data points which have been classified in i) Sea Level Index Points (SLIP), when the relationship between the sample and the tidal level is clearly known (e.g., raised beaches), ii) marine and iii) terrestrial limiting points which indicate the upper and the lower threshold for the former sea-level position, respectively.

In order to reconstruct the RSL trend in the last thousands of years, a critical interpretation of the dated materials has been carried out. For example, data show that the penguin guano and remains from ornithogenic soil on top of beaches and on abrasion platforms significantly rejuvenated the age actual age of the beach ridges.

We finally applied on the new dataset a spatio-temporal empirical model to reconstruct magnitudes and rates of RSL change (with associated uncertainty) from SLIPs along the Ross Sea area. The model output shows a continuous RSL drop of about 25 m last ~7 ka BP. This drop was generally characterized by average rates comprised between ~2 to ~4 mm/y. An episodic increase of the RSL falling rates, up to ~6 mm/y was found at ~4 ka BP, likely related to a local increase of the GIA contribution

This study, based on a robust number of radiocarbon dated coastal deposits, will allow to better define the recent Antarctic ice-sheet fluctuation and to contribute in the tuning of the GIA models in this key sector of the World’s coastlines.
Overview on Index of Connectivity applications: towards a quantitative approach.
Authors: Cavalli Marco , Crema Stefano , Steger Stefan , Scorpio Vittoria , Comiti Francesco , Macchi Giorgia , Marchi Lorenzo
Published: June 2022

The growing interest of the Earth sciences community in sediment connectivity has led this property to become a key concept for modern geomorphology. At the same time, a great effort has been made to develop new methods to measure it. The increasing availability of high-resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) for different spatial and temporal scales from various sources, such as LiDAR and photogrammetry, has laid the foundations for the development of approaches exploiting DEM derivatives as slope, flow accumulation, and surface roughness through geomorphometry for a (semi)quantitative assessment of sediment connectivity. Among the different methods, the index of sediment connectivity, which aims at depicting spatial connectivity patterns to support the assessment of the contribution of a given part of the catchment as a sediment source and define sediment transfer paths, was particularly successful thanks also to its intrinsic simplicity and the relative ease of computation through the dedicated open-source software application. The index saw many applications in different geographical and environmental contexts and for different study objectives, reflecting the increasing need for an objective characterization of the linkages between landscape units. Traditional applications of the index are based on qualitative and semi-quantitative analyses to investigate hillslope-channel coupling, sediment transfer dynamics, the impact of extreme natural events, and prioritization of sediment source inventories. This work aims at presenting and discussing the main applications of the sediment connectivity index. If the intrinsic limitations of the index are considered, it is demonstrated that the index can provide a spatial characterization of sediment dynamics, thus improving the understanding of geomorphic systems' behavior. A specific focus will be made on the most recent applications that are moving towards a more quantitative approach to identify areas in a catchment that are both susceptible to slope instability/mass movements and connected to a specific target. Although other fields of application can be envisaged, the applications so far implemented deal especially with debris flows, one of the most active processes in supplying sediment to the main river channels. We believe that this kind of approach paves the way for a new generation of susceptibility maps that, encompassing the sediment connectivity concept, can be adopted for a better hazard and risk assessment and, consequently, for improved countermeasures planning.
Geomorphology and geochronology of the Quaternary fluvial terraces of the Tesino River: new constraints to the landscape evolution in the piedmont area of central-northern Apennines of Italy
Authors: Troiani Francesco , Delchiaro Michele , Gribenski Natacha , Della Seta Marta , Iacobucci Giulia , Piacentini Daniela , Zocchi Marta
Published: June 2022

Along the Adriatic piedmont zone of central-northern Apennines of Italy, the combination of tectonic uplift with Quaternary climate changes caused the alternating phases of fluvial incision and deposition that eventually produced at least four levels of fluvial terraces. Although the fluvial terraces of this sector of the Apennines have been object of many studies since the first half of the twentieth century, their chronology is still object of debate. Consequently, their use as geomorphic markers of landscape evolution can be challenging. The scarcity of geochronological constraints, especially for the older terraced deposits, in addition to the extreme spatial variability of the terrace geomorphological characteristics along adjacent valleys and within different sectors of the same valley, are the main limitations to the utility of fluvial terraces as geomorphic markers of landscape evolution in this sector of the Apennines. This research presents new geomorphological data for the different terrace generations exposed along the southern Marche Apennines between the middle Pleistocene to the late Pleistocene-Holocene, using remote sensing techniques and field investigation, as well as geochronological data from Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) analysis. The fluvial terrace staircase along the Tesino River valley has been selected for the excellent exposure of the different terrace generations along the valley sides, the good accessibility for sampling, and the geomorphological characteristics of the river valley that can be representative of the ones draining the central-northern Adriatic piedmont zone. Findings from this research are useful for enhancing the knowledge on the evolution of the central-northern portion of the Apennines, providing new constraints for unravelling the contributions of tectonics and climate on the late Quaternary evolution of river valleys in the mid-latitudes zone of the Northern hemisphere.
Evolution of the Bhasan Char Island (Meghna Estuary, Bangladesh) and its Suitability for Refugee Resettlement 
Authors: Das Abhijit , Bandyopadhyay Sunando
Published: June 2022

The Bhasan Char, a 68-km2 offshore island (2021) of the Meghna Estuary, is situated in the eastern Ganga–Brahmaputra–Meghna Delta of Bangladesh. The island has gained prominence after its selection as a major relocation centre for the displaced Rohingya refugees of Myanmar.

25 images of the 2001–2021 period, pertaining to nine satellites (IRS 1D; Resourcesat 1, 2, 2A; Sentinel 1A, 2A, 2B; Landsat 5, 7) and the Google Earth repository, were used to trace the evolution and reclamation stages of the Bhasan Char. Cyclone tracks and intensities at the vicinity of island for 1970–2021 were considered to show its susceptibility to storm damage. Geological structures were also studied to assess its future stability.

The results show that the Bhasan Char was formed in 2002 with an area of 5.46 km2 and it was shifted towards the southeast at a rate of 0.63 km/yr till 2007. The island became largely stable by 2012. Subsequently, rapid sedimentation was seen in its northern areas with some erosion in the south. Since 2017, 8.2 km2 of the island was reclaimed to build shelters for the refugees. The Government of Bangladesh has implemented several protection measures to reduce erosion of the southern part of the island and policies to create land through sediment harvesting at its vicinity. The situation of the Bhasan Char on an active anticlinal axis aids to this endeavour. The recurrence interval of cyclonic storms (wind speed >= 62 km/hr) at the Bhasan Char is once every 3.5 years; a 2.5-km breakwater and the 2.74-m high paved embankment provide adequate protection from these.

Considering the above facts, it is concluded that the Bhasan Char is likely to remain stable in the foreseeable future and it is not unsuitable for locating rehabilitation shelters.
Pedoarchaeology and hillslope evolution at a Late Pleistocene/Holocene human settlement in Southeastern Brazil: Bastos site study case
Authors: Ladeira Francisco
Published: June 2022

The arrival of humans in the Americas is a controversial topic, especially in South America. Several works have successively moved back the first arrival age in the Late Pleistocene, but little knowledge remains about the paleoenvironments associated with the first human settlements. Pedoarcheology approach on such cases may support paleoenvironmental reconstructions, combined with slope dynamics, to identify the paleosurfaces associated with archaeological sites. The Bastos archeological site is currently the oldest in the state of São Paulo, located at the foot slopes of an alluvial cone, and presents lithic artifacts ranging between 12.9 and 3.9 ka. A combination of soil morphological description, archaeological survey, chemical and granulometric analysis, soil micromorphology and Carbon-14 dating, was applied. Three profiles of buried B textural (Bt) and one the surface have been described. The buried profiles are separated by paleo-surfaces that truncated the A horizons from the three bottom profiles. The time intervals between deposits allowed the formation of Bt with well-developed blocky structures with abundant clay skins, indicating that the time interval (between 4,000 and 5,000 years) was sufficient to form thick Bt with highly developed pedofeatures. A concentration of lithic artifacts closes to the contact with the paleosurface, indicate colluvial deposition at 12.9, 8.7 and 3.9 ka. In addition to the upper deposits, the bottom alluvial deposit has undated archaeological artifacts indicating that maybe the settlement is earlier than 12.9 ka. The slope dynamics indicates that periodic short-term mass movements events mobilize soils from the upper slopes forming alluvial cones downslope, not necessarily associated with changes in climatic conditions.

Financing: Fapesp 2019/18664-9

 
Dismantling a volcanic edifice by deep-seated landslides: the case of the eastern Monte Amiata (Italy).
Authors: D'Addario Enrico , Venkatadripathi Pattela Taraka , Marzini Lorenzo , Lombardi Gianni , Amaddii Michele , Disperati Leonardo
Published: June 2022

The Monte Amiata is a volcano located in central Italy composed by trachytic to olivine latitic lava flows and domes emplaced between 305 and 231 ka (Pleistocene). These volcanic products, affected by saprolite alteration processes of spatially variable intensity, unconformably overlie Pliocene marine clayey sediments, as well as the Ligurian units stacked during the Northern Apennines orogeny. The Monte Amiata area has been attracting much attention from research and industry because of its economic importance in the field of geothermal energy, ore deposits and groundwater supply, hence a quite detailed geologic framework is available for this area. Instead, less efforts were made toward the understanding of the widespread gravitational processes affecting the eastern side of the volcanic edifice, often involving the transition between the volcanic rocks and the underlying sedimentary units, where many natural springs arise. The main urban agglomerations developed in this geologic setting, so buildings and infrastructures have been suffering damages caused by landslide processes over large areas. In this context, remote sensing imagery analysis, geomorphological surveys, engineering geology sub-surface investigations and ground displacement monitoring by integrating GNSS, robotic total station and geometric levelling allow us to map the main geomorphological features and infer the geometry and displacement rates of landslides occurring in the eastern side of the Monte Amiata volcano. The results suggest the occurrence of complex gravitational processes with different kinematic characteristics, state of activity and depth of the rupture surfaces. By cross-referencing the new quantitative data collected with the geomorphological evidences and the existing literature, we propose a model for the progressive dismantling of the eastern slopes of the Monte Amiata volcano caused by the interaction among complex gravitational movements affecting, at different structural levels, both the sedimentary units and the volcanic rocks. Moreover, detailed mapping of the saprolite derived by weathering of lava flows is provided and contextualised in the post-volcanic evolution of the Monte Amiata volcano.
Glacial-periglacial transition in the northern Central Pyrenees from the Bølling–Allerød to the Younger Dryas
Authors: Fernandes Marcelo , Oliva Marc , Vieira Gonçalo , Fernández-Fernández José María , Palacios David , García-Oteyza Julia , Ventura Josep , Schimmelpfennig Irene
Published: June 2022

The Upper Garonne Basin hosted the largest glacier of the Pyrenees during Late Pleistocene glaciations. Glacial retreat started after the Last Glacial Maximum (20-19 ka) of the last glacial cycle, and by the onset of the Bølling–Allerød interstadial (B-A; 15-14 ka) ice masses were already confined within the glacial cirques and highest valleys. In the Aran Valley, headwaters of the Garonne Basin, the low glacial cirques (with maximum elevations of ~2600 m) preserve a significant variety of glacial and periglacial landforms of unknown age. This study focuses in the Locampo Cirque, where we conducted a detailed geomorphological mapping of the glacial and periglacial landforms and dated a set of 8 samples using 10Be Cosmic-Ray Exposure (CRE). This approach allowed to establish the chronology and identify the mechanisms involved in the transition from glacial to periglacial dynamics. CRE ages reveal that the external moraine closing the cirque (2210-2335 m) probably formed during the second half of the B-A at 13.7 ± 1.5 ka. Subsequently, glaciers retreated, and a rock glacier developed inside the external moraine (2210-2310 m) during the paraglacial phase. The final stabilization of this rock glacier most likely occurred during the Younger Dryas (YD)-Holocene transition, at 11.9 ± 0.7 ka. These results report the first chronology on the formation of rock glaciers in the northern slope of the Central Pyrenees and confirm the pattern observed in other mid-latitude mountains, showing that the final deglaciation occurred during the (cold but dry) YD, accompanied by the development and stabilization of rock glaciers.
Annual dynamics of a river sandbar in the Lower Danube: geomorphic adjustments under anthropogenic pressures
Authors: Rotaru Sabin , Scrieciu Albert , Popa Adrian
Published: June 2022

Danube River is one of the largest fluvial systems in Europe in terms of length, drainage area, discharge and sediment load. Multiple anthropogenic pressures in the Danube River Basin have led to evident hydromorphological alterations, amongst which the most heavily disturbed component is the sediment regime. Like many temperate zone rivers, the sediment load of the Danube River has been substantially reduced due to the combined impact of flood protection, navigation and hydropower measures applied over a long period of time.

In this study, we analyse sand bar morphology for a period of five years (2018-2022) using various data recorded from single-beam bathymetry, river discharge and sediment load measurements. The investigated sandbar is located in the Bechet reach of the Lower Danube, downstream of the Iron Gates I and II Dams; it has a 2 km length and emerges during the low discharge season. The analyses revealed an accelerated riverbed incision around the islet and moderate accumulation on top of the bar. Furthermore, the results are discussed in relation to anthropogenic interventions such as dredging for ensuring optimal navigable conditions in the area, floodplain embankment and hydropower generation in the upstream.
The evolution of the Israeli continental shelf since the middle Pleistocene: Insights from seismic geomorphology analysis
Authors: Waldmann Nicolas , Bialik Or , Arnon Mor , Niyazi Yakupjan , Makovsky Yizhaq
Published: June 2022

The continental shelf of Israel experienced major geomorphological changes during the past 250,000 years as a consequence of global sea level changes and oscillating sedimentation patterns of the Nile River. This study aims to provide insights into the geomorphological evolution of the Israeli continental shelf through time in relation to sea level oscillations. This research is based on geophysical interpretation of high resolution seismic surveys acquired along the Israeli continental shelf, complemented by statistical analysis of the interpretation picks. The main task included the identification of unconformities, erosional truncations and similar surfaces in the seismic profiles; and their chronological assemblage according to their stratigraphic order and ages obtained by previous studies. Seismic stratigraphy analysis of the geophysical dataset allowed dividing the shelf into four main seismic units (SU1 to SU4) bounded by distinctive four horizons. Two units (SU1 and SU3) represent transgression periods, probably during Marine Isotope Stages MIS1 and MIS5; and the two other units (SU2 and SU4) show morphologies suggesting marine regressive conditions, probably during MIS2 and MIS6. Overall the seismic units represent two major sedimentary cycles, which occurred presumably since MIS7 (ages according to previous studies) and correlate with the Hefer Formation stratigraphy (Tel Aviv and Ashdod members). Moreover, high resolution seismic interpretation reveals a distinctive morphology of some of the bounding surfaces in the form of depth-controlled terraces. Geomorphological and statistical analyses of these features, and their correlation with past sea level curves, suggest that their genesis is related to paleo-shoreline environments that probably occurred during MIS2 and MIS6. Particularly, the presumed MIS6 terrace serves as a prominent regional marker that was further used for estimating the average subsidence rates of the Israeli continental shelf to 0.18 mm/y since 136,000 ka. This study suggests the utilization of a novel statistical approach to unravel the mechanisms controlling the geomorphological evolution of the Israeli continental shelf, which can be applied to other shelf environments worldwide.
Effects of wildfires recurrency on soil erosion in a terraced burned Mediterranean catchment
Authors: Company Jaume , Fortesa Josep , García-Comendador Julián , Estrany Joan
Published: June 2022

European Mediterranean regions are witnessing unprecedented changes owing to the impacts of global change, understood as the set of human influences on the environment and climate change. Under this context, an exacerbation of extreme events such as wildfires is expected. Wildfires are considered one of the most important factors of soil and ecosystems degradation, as soils affected by this phenomenon are erosion-prone due to the removal of vegetation and litter cover and soil physicochemical properties alteration. Fallout-radionuclides (FRNs) can be used as tools to trace soil redistribution due to erosion or deposition. Furthermore, the implementation of a re-sampling approach allows to document changes in soil redistribution under the current context of global change. This study aims to assess soil redistribution rates at different time windows through the use of fallout-radionuclides (137Cs and 210Pbex) in a mid-mountainous Mediterranean catchment affected by recurrent wildfires. Three micro-catchments (MCs) were selected within the Sa Font de la Vila River catchment (4.8 km2); which is characterized by revegetation processes, wildfires recurrence and a huge presence of agricultural terraces: MC1 (1.73 ha; burned in 1994 and 2013), MC2 (2.28 ha; burned in 2013) and MC3 (2.24 ha; non-burned). In order to estimate soil redistribution rates in the short and medium-term after the 2013 wildfire, a resampling approach was carried out, with the first sampling campaign at the end of 2013 and the second one in 2020. In each of these campaigns, the same 80 locations were sampled within the three MCs following a stratified random sampling strategy with 21 bulk cores in MC1, 39 bulk cores in MC2 and 20 bulk cores in MC3. Preliminary results from the 2013 sampling campaign showed the following mean 137Cs inventories: 434 Bq m-2 (MC1), 305 Bq m-2 (MC2) and 214 Bq m-2 (MC3); and 210Pbex inventories: 374 Bq m-2 (MC1), 607 Bq m-2 (MC2) and 515 Bq m-2 (MC3). The diffusion and migration model developed by Walling and He (2001) will be applied to convert the measured inventories into estimates of soil erosion or deposition rates. During the session, the implementation of this experimental design will allow to explain and discuss the main results and conclusions. This study will allow to understand the effects of a wildfire at the short and medium-term in a terraced burned Mediterranean catchment. 
The watershed of the upstream course of Oued el Khil (South-East Tunisia) Geomorphological study
Authors: Mohamed Houcine Kharchoufi
Published: June 2022

The watershed of the upstream course of Oued el Khil is part of south-east Tunisia, of the Matmata-Dahar plateau also called Jbel Demmer. It covers parts of the governorates of Medenine and Tataouine between the delegations of Beni Khadeche, Ghomrassen and Bir Lahmar. This watershed is encased in a relief of a plateau of modest altitude divided into three tiered plateaus. The study area is characterized by a variety of geological rocks. Its monoclinic cuesta type structure presents a double to triple cuesta and forms of witness buttes and outliers.

The quaternary landforms and deposits are well linked to climate change which has manifested by dynamics of water and wind action. They present deposits of coarse elements (blocks, pebbles, gravel ...) and other fine (silts and sands) and sometimes mixed (blocks, silts, pebbles and sands ...). At the level of the Jurassic cornices and on the slopes, develop various deposits and quaternary landforms such as taffonis, friable colluvium and consolidated one by limestone crust and landslides. Mini-glacis with or without crust and mini-glacis-terraces extend over the foothills, and terraces at the bottom of the valleys. These landforms were established during the different periods from the Lower Pleistocene to the Holocene.

Currently, the most remarkable morphodynamic evolution is manifested by water erosion which is characterized by stripping, badlands, receding heads from ravines and the destruction of the Jessour. The manifestation of wind erosion corresponds to the development of Nebkas, regs, dunes and veneers.
Anthropogenic-enhanced erosion following the Neolithic Revolution in the Southern Levant
Authors: Waldmann Nicolas , Lu Yin , Nadel Dani , Marco Shmuel
Published: June 2022

In addition to tectonics and climatic changes, humans have exerted a significant impact on surface erosion over timescales ranging from years to centuries. However, the magnitude of such impact over millennial timescales remains unsubstantiated. The Dead Sea drainage basin, Southern Levant, offers a rare combination of abundant archaeological evidence for past landscape-related human activity coupled with a continuous high-resolution record of basin erosion. Here we present measurements of detrital accumulation rates in the Dead Sea depocenter, showing anthropogenic-intensified basin erosion since ~11.5 kyr BP. The average detrital accumulation rate during the Holocene is ~2-3 times higher than during the last two glacial cycles. This erosive rate is incompatible with tectonic and climatic regimes during the corresponding period but is closely associated with the Neolithic Revolution in the Levant, suggesting that enhanced human impact on the landscape led to intensified erosion.
High concentration of relict mining shafts and relict charcoal hearths as a geomorphological legacy of ancient-modern metallurgy in southern Poland
Authors: Malik Ireneusz , Wistuba Małgorzata , Rutkiewicz Paweł , Pawlak Zbigniew
Published: June 2022

In this study, we used DTMs from airborne LIDAR data to reveal an unexpectedly high concentration of relict mining shafts and relict charcoal hearths, small landforms that record past metallurgy and can potentially provide new data on its history and environmental impact. We determined the number and distribution of relict shafts in the mining area of Tarnowskie Góry and Bytom (Silesian Upland, southern Poland) and relict charcoal hearths in the adjacent Mała Panew River valley (Silesian Lowland, southern Poland). We also aimed to explore details of relief and structure of selected shafts and hearths located in past mining and smelting centres, date their age with the radiocarbon method and compare dating results with existing historical data. On the mining field under study, we have found 13 864 relict mining shafts spread over 10,5 km2, varying in size (2-50 m in diameter) and relief details (with common features such as central depression and surrounding collar-shaped spoil heap). Radiocarbon dates of selected relict shafts indicate mining in the following periods: Roman Period (since the beginning of the Common Era, up to 5th century AD), Early Medieval to Medieval Period (7th-13th century AD) and Modern Period (15th-17th century AD). At the same time, historical documents provide information only about medieval and modern mining (since the 12th century). In the Mała Panew valley, we have found as many as 166 356 relict charcoal hearths, resulting in an extremely high concentration of 184 relict charcoal hearths per 1 km2 on avg. A typical single relict charcoal hearth in the area under study is 14 m in diameter, c 2 m high with a volume of c 205 m3. Around the central mound of each relict charcoal hearth, 4 to 9 depressions are present (each 2–3 m in diameter and around 0.5 m deep). Most of the radiocarbon dates obtained for selected relict charcoal hearths correspond well with historical data on the nearest individual smelting centres (15th-19th century). However, in some cases, radiocarbon dates from relict charcoal hearths can indicate that the smelting plants may have been established earlier (12th-13th century) than historical sources suggest or that charcoal was used for another kind of activity. The considerable number and concentration of relict mining shafts and relict charcoal hearths record large-scale relief changes caused by silver, lead and iron mining in the study area, as well as significant changes in the environment (i.e. forest cover) caused by wood exploitation for charcoal.
Demarcation of Flood-Prone Zones in the Indian Part of the Ganga Delta Based on the Highest Floods between 1995 and 2020
Authors: Das Sayantan , Santra Pritam Kumar , Das Abhijit , Mondal Sajal , Bandyopadhyay Sunando , Rudra Kalyan
Published: June 2022

The Ganga–Brahmaputra–Meghna Delta (GBMD) at the northern apex of the Bay of Bengal, is the world’s largest in respect of area (c. 120 × 103 km2) as well as annual discharge of sediments (c. 109 t). Contributed by the Ganga River and its numerous distributaries, the southwestern part of the GBMD is known as the Ganga Delta which spans over a number of districts in Bangladesh and West Bengal (India). The Indian state of West Bengal occupies the western portion of the GBMD, where the delta plains drained by the Ganga and its distributaries measure 42,371 km2. The estimated population residing in this region in 2021 is about 76 million. The Ganga Delta is completely enveloped by the alluviums deposited by the floods and channel deposits in the last 10,000 years. Nearly every major river in the region is embanked on their both flanks to prevent overspilling during the high stages in the monsoon season (June–September). Floods occur nonetheless in years of exceptionally high rainfalls, often brought about by tropical cyclones, when these embankments are breached or overtopped by the river water.

This study aims to delineate the flood-prone zones of the Gangetic West Bengal (GWB) based on the highest floods that occurred between 1995 and 2020, and to extract data on extension, land use and resident population of the flood-susceptible area on different administrative levels.

Using five highest-magnitude flood events for five overlapping zones, it is found that 33% of the GWB is susceptible to inundation by floodwater. Overlying the inundation area over 226 administrative blocks of 14 districts of the region reveals that 51 highly populated blocks located close to the principal rivers are susceptible to flooding. The deepest flood localities of the east–central GWB noticeably coincides with the blocks with highest percentage of inundated area (>50%) and also with the blocks having fairly large population size. 77 out of 226 blocks are susceptible to inundation of 50% or more of their total area. On a higher level, if the distribution of flood inundation across the districts constituting the GWB is considered, the districts of Nadia and Murshidabad are found to have relatively more inundation area, with almost 16% of the total flood-susceptible area of the GWB lying within each of these districts, followed by Purba Medinipur (13%) and Malda (11%). The study connotes that floods and the region’s cultural landscape—consisting of farmlands, habitations, and lines of communications—are closely related. Floods occur despite all human endeavours to prevent them, affecting approximately 14,500 km2 area and 18 million people.
The role of rock mass strength in landscape development based on the rating of natural rock masses in the Bükk Mts., Hungary
Authors: McIntosh Richard William , Seyed Jamal Aldin Hosseini
Published: June 2022

Studying the relationship between geological conditions and the geomorphology of a landscape has always been in the focus of geomorphology research. The relationship between structural and morphological elements can be analysed on the basis of a morphotectonic approach in which the role of rock strength is clear in slope conditions and thus in the morphology of an area. The strength of natural rock masses, however, cannot be modelled simply by the laboratory measurements of rock strength. The complex approach of rock mass strength is reflected in the development of various rock mass rating methods.

The authors evaluate the strength of natural rock masses in the Bükk Mountains in Northern Hungary based on the rock mass rating of more than a hundred outcrops scattered across the mountains. Some widespread rock mass rating methods are compared and the rock mass strength values of similar and also of different rock types are analysed. The results reveal that rock type has smaller influence on the strength of rock masses than parting conditions. Therefore, the role of parting surfaces needs to be analysed in detail, especially in areas with strong deformation features. On the edge of tectonic blocks where the deformation of rock masses is strongest, sinigficant fault planes with slickensides, folded structures and thrusts with shear zones compose the dense parting surfaces with so strong compression that massive limestone rock masses have smaller rock mass strength values than porous but much less deformed rhyolitic tuff rock masses.

Based on the results, the role of rock mass strength is assessed in the development and orientation of landforms in certain study areas in the mountains. Moreover, the relationship between rock mass strength and valley density is also studied. Finally, we take a look at the relationship between rock mass strength and the dominant deformation elements of the rocks of the mountains to see what tectonic geomorphological implications can be found.

Based on the rock mass rating methods, some recommendations can be given in relation to slope stability in terms of construction geological applications.
3D characterisation of doline-cave coupling zone by using 3D laser scanning and electrical resistivity tomography
Authors: Breg Valjavec Mateja , Ciglič Rok , Tičar Jure , Čonč Špela , Šebela Stanka
Published: June 2022

Geoscience has been devoting increased attention to understanding the complex pathways and flows of material, energy, and the multidimensional coupling between various geological systems. This understanding includes the “concept of connectivity”, which provides an overall framework better to investigate hydrological systems. So far, the concept has largely been used for fluvial geomorphic systems, whereas we intend to use it within the karst system. In relation to the concept of connectivity between the karst surface and subsurface, hydrological, sediment, and geochemical connectivities are the most relevant from the perspective of geoscience and to measuring human impacts through a long time span.

Our main interest is to study the direct flow between enclosed karst depressions (solution dolines) and near-surface caves (50 m below the surface) that are prone to human influence. The doline-cave coupling zone represents the upper part of a karst aquifer for which specific connectivity characteristics between dolines and near-surface caves can be identified. Polina peč Cave (NW Dinaric Karst) was selected as a case study cave. We used geoinformatic methods (three-dimensional (3D) laser scanning) and available data (Registry of maps, Lidar DEM 1x1m, optical remote sensing data), geomorphometric analyse, geological mapping and surveying. With precise georeferencing (using the GNSS system), we placed the 3D point cloud of the cave in a geographical coordinate system, compared 3D cave map with the surface map (using existing national aero-laser scanning data – Lidar DEM 1x1m), and selected dolines that are most directly connected to cave. The results were controlled and further improved by geophysical methods (electrical resistivity tomography/ERT).
Geomorphological evolution of the floodplain in mountain environment as a response to environmental changes (case study of the Belá River, Slovak Carpathians) 
Authors: Labaš Peter , Kidová Anna , Horáčková Šárka , Lehotský Milan , Rusnák Miloš
Published: June 2022

The multi-thread Belá River runs through the Liptov basin in the north part of Slovakia representing a braided-wandering river system. Flood events and a large volume of sediment transportation are crucial to keeping the braided processes, supported by the multiple channels re-division and formation of gravel bars. However, environmental changes in the last decades had been affecting the river system. The former braided river pattern had been gradually transformed and simplified to the braided-wandering river system. These morphological changes provide space for floodplain preservation, including benches formation and maintenance, landforms with a lack of attention in fluvial geomorphological research in the mountain gravel-bed rivers. A local incision of the river channel restricted the floodplain development limited only to ledges formation. The river landscape monitoring, based on a combination of the Earth observation data (on 11 time horizons) and field surveys allowed monitoring and evaluation of the response of the river systems to environmental changes (discharge decreasing, extreme floods reducing, land cover changes, anthropogenic interventions). Research on lateral shifting and incision of the river channel, as well as the research of the multiple floodplain levels, preserving benches as fine sediment storage, separated from the river, were carried out. Based on these results a process-oriented hypothesis of the recent lateral and vertical development of the floodplain will be formulated. This research was supported by the Science Grant Agency (VEGA) of the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic and the Slovak Academy of Sciences (02/0086/21).
Laboratory simulations of weathering of Zn-Pb-bearing rocks: leachability of metal(loid)s and dissolution of minerals – the case of the Olkusz area, South Poland
Authors: Swed Maciej , Potysz Anna , Duczmal-Czernikiewicz Agata , Siepak Marcin , Bartz Wojciech
Published: June 2022

Study area is located in the Olkusz ore district, in the south Poland where Zn and Pb were recovered from sulfide and calamine ore bodies. The primary ore is composed mainly of sphalerite, galena, and marcasite/pyrite and was excavated from the so-called ore bearing dolomite of the Middle Triassic age. Studied rocks are mainly composed of smithsonite, cerussite, goethite, hemimorphite, anglesite and are considered as supergene ore derived from alterations of sulfides mainly during Miocene. The chemically-mediated weathering of sulfides has extensively been studied, whereas microbially-mediated weathering of calamines requires experimental research to be undertaken to improve our understanding on dissolution of such rocks. This study aimed: (i) to determine the bioleaching potential of Zn, Pb, Cd, and As from Zn-bearing supergene ores exposed to A. thiooxidans, native soil microorganisms, and root exudates; (ii) to assess the impact of mineral composition (goethite-bearing vs. hemimorphite-bearing samples) of the rocks on leaching of elements; (iii) to determine mineral dissolution under bioweathering conditions. Two supergene samples were investigated: first collected from the mining heap next to the abandoned “Bolesław” calamine open-pit in the Bolesław village (B), and second from the weathering site of the abandoned “Olkusz-Pomorzany” Zn-Pb underground mine (OP). Trace elements in solutions were measured using by ICP-QQQ whereas mineral composition of the fresh and weathered samples was determined using by XRD, SEM-EDS, EPMA, and DSC-TG methods. Results of the experiments revealed the highest leaching efficiency for Zn was found for both samples treated by A. thiooxidans  (up to 125 000 and 14 000 mg·kg-1 for OP and B, respectively) and Cd (up to 817 and 46.8 mg·kg-1 for OP and B, respectively). The highest amounts of Pb (3840 mg·kg-1  and 660 mg·kg-1) were liberated from sample OP by root exudates and soil bacteria, respectively. As compared to other elements studied, arsenic revealed the lowest leaching efficiency under bioweathering conditions. In sample OP, dissolution of hemimorphite and cerussite caused the release of Zn and Pb, respectively. In sample B, goethite was found to weather intensively.
A Baseline Assessment Of Seafloor Geomorphology And Benthic Habitat Distribution Along The Neom Coast (Northern Saudi Arabia, Red Sea)
Authors: Marchese Fabio , Purkis Sam , Chimienti Giovanni , Ouhssain Mostapha , Shernisky Hannah , Terraneo Tullia , Peters Colleen , Rodrigue Matthie , Jones Burton , Eweida Ameer , Benzoni Francesca
Published: June 2022

The Red Sea is an isolated active rift in the latest stages of continental rifting. The basin is close to the transition to the following stage of oceanic seafloor spreading. These peculiar characteristics make it one of the warmest, most saline, and most oligotrophic marine ecosystems currently on Earth, supporting high rate of endemism of marine life from shallow to deep waters. In this work, we present a baseline description of the mesophotic and deep-sea environment from the Saudi Arabian continental margin of the North Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba with emphasis on shelf-slope transitions and shelf-edge reefs. A high-resolution acoustics dataset with coverage of 34,000 km2 has been collected in the NEOM gigaproject area, from 30 to 1770 m water depth. More than 60 benthic transects have been performed using submersibles and Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) coupled with high-resolution underwater positioning systems. Over 650 samples of sediment, benthos, and rocks were collected to characterize the benthic environment. Data from CTD casts were used to characterize the water column. Our results reveal a complex mosaic of benthic habitats, related to depth range, substrate type, continental slope morphology, water masses, and sediment delivery into the basin. Habitat composition varied along the depth gradient from the shelf break to the deep basin, with a high level of diversity in the lower mesophotic zone. Our findings allow us for the first time to characterize the diversity of benthic habitats in the NEOM area from shallow to deep waters. Here, we also provide a fundamental contribution to a better understanding of the key role of geomorphology with respect to the largerly uknown mesophotic and deep-sea habitats in the Red Sea. Finally, we propose a classification of benthic habitats valuable for management purposes, including the design of monitoring programs, for ecosystem-based management, and for documenting the effects of climate change on ecosystems in a region undergoing rapid economic development.
Monitoring hillslope hydrology associated with rocky outcrops in an abrupt contact with talus deposits
Authors: da Silva Roméro Jenifer , Rocha Lamas Maria Maria , Ferreira Fernandes Nelson , do Amaral Vargas Junior Eurípedes
Published: June 2022

Hillslope hydrology is a major factor controlling the spatial and temporal distribution of landslides in the mountainous landscape of southeastern Brazil. Previous studies have attested that the movement of water through preferential soil paths and bedrock fractures contributes to the development of hydrologic conditions required to trigger landslides in the region. In Rio de Janeiro, the upper portions of many hillslopes are characterized by rocky outcrops of unweathered granites and gneisses, with thick talus deposits on the lower parts. Although most hydrological studies carried out in the region consider the surficial effects of the impermeable rocky surfaces, the effects of fractures on infiltration and exfiltration have not been extensively considered, as well as lateral flows at the soil-bedrock boundary. In this study, we monitor an experimental hillslope in the city of Petrópolis (Rio de Janeiro) to understand how the rocky outcrops, the fractures present in the bedrock and the talus deposit stratigraphy interact and define the hydrological behavior of this environment. Three matric potential nests were installed in a transect along the hillslope (upper, middle and lower portions), each one with 7 sensors installed from the soil surface to the soil-bedrock boundary (between 4.0 and 5.0 m depths), with readings every one hour. The main soil physical properties were characterized on the samples retrieved from the drillings and two geophysical methods were integrated, the GPR (Ground Penetrating Radar) to investigate soil depth and the VLF (Very Low Frequency) to map bedrock fractures. Our results suggest the occurrence of preferential subsurface flows conditioned by soil stratigraphy and the presence of fractures in the bedrock. The rocky outcrop causes an increase in soil moisture in the upper soil layers in the upper and middle positions of the hillslope, favoring the entrance of water into the upper parts and the generation of lateral and ascending subsurface flows along the soil-rock interface zone during heavy rains. Geophysical data suggests that the talus deposit has a higher concentration of boulders in the middle and upper portions of the hillslope and the presence of bedrock discontinuities that were interpreted as fractures that have the same NE-SW dip direction of the main regional trend. Our results suggest that both the rocky outcrop and the bedrock fractures control the development of subsurface flows and the generation of high positive pore-pressures along the hillslope profile.
Regional Scale Mapping of Debris-Flow Susceptibility in the Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul GeoPark, Southern Brazil
Authors: de Oliveira Sugiyama Marina Tamaki , Villaça Gomes Maria Carolina , Carvalho Vieira Bianca , Dias Vivian Cristina
Published: June 2022

The UNESCO Caminhos dos Cânions do Sul Geopark, located in Southern Brazil, is an extensive territory marked by the presence of a great escarpment (Serra Geral), which is commonly affected by high magnitude mass movements. However, susceptibility studies related to such processes are scarce. As an area of geotouristic interest, it is essential to use simple  methods to support the risk and disaster management plans Thus, this work aims to compare two different methodologies The first methodology used (MI) was developed to evaluate the criticality of the basins to the development of debris flows based on five morphometric parameters (basin area, percentage of area above 30°, relief, slope of the main channel and circularity index); while the second (MII) is applied to determine basin susceptibility and the magnitude of the events triggered based on the use of nine morphometric parameters (longitudinal profile, roughness index, relief ratio, relief, melton, percentage of area above 25°, drainage density, drainage confluence and drainage hierarchy). For both methods was used an inventory based on debris flows triggered in 1995 and 2012. The application of MI resulted in the classification of 12% of the basins as Very High susceptibility, 40% as High, 20% as Medium, 20% as Low and 20% as Very Low susceptibility. MII resulted in 14% High Susceptibility basins, 36% Medium, 44% Low and 2% Very Low. Out of the basins classified as Very High and high susceptibility by MI (51%), 42% were affected by debris flows. On the other hand, out of the basins classified as Low susceptibility (20%), 50% were affected by debris flows, which is equivalent to 10% of all basins studied. Out of the basins classified as Very High and High susceptibility by MII (14.6%), 33.3% were affected by debris flow. In addition, from the medium susceptibility basins (36%), there were decries flows in 60% of them. While MI overestimates areas of greatest susceptibility, M2 classifies into the Low Susceptibility class an expressive number of basins which present recorded occurrences. These results can be related to weights and class intervals established by MI and MII, which were not developed to the Serra Geral escarpment context. Despite their limitations, these methods can be recalibrated from a morphometric evaluation of areas already affected by debris flows.