bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards a more sustainable global soil health monitoring through soil spectroscopy
Authors: Pittaki Zampela , Vagen Tor-Gunnar , Karari Valentine , Weullow Elvis , Ateku Dickens Alubaka , Winowiecki Leigh Ann
Published: February 2023

Healthy soil can be defined as a dynamic ecosystem that performs a variety of essential functions such as controlling plant disease, nutrient cycling, improving soil function with positive effects for filtering and storing water, and nutrient capacity, and contributing to improving crop production. Healthy soil also contributes to mitigating climate change by maintaining or increasing its carbon content. Therefore, information on spatial variability of key soil properties is essential for prioritizing and tracking land management interventions, from the small-scale farm level to the global landscape level. In addition, healthy soil is critical for achieving several SDGs such as #2, 3, 6, 13, 15 and 17. However, the determination of soil properties through wet chemistry measurements is often expensive and time-consuming process, and consequently, soil analyses are restricted to a limited number of soil samples. A method that predicts the soil properties fast, inexpensively, and accurately is soil spectroscopy, which can provide immense opportunities for monitoring important soil health indexes. In this study, the evaluation of three algorithms for predicting three key soil properties, soil organic carbon (SOC), pH and Magnesium (Mg) using mid-infrared spectral data were studied using a dataset of more than 3400 samples. The soil samples were collected across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region using the well-established Land Degradation Surveillance Framework (LDSF) method developed from World Agroforestry (ICRAF). The developed trained calibration models were based on the widely used in the soil spectroscopy research Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Random Forest (RF), and the not applied so far Bayesian Regularization for Feed-Forward Neural Networks (BRNN). The dataset was split into calibration (70%) and validation (30%) sets. Furthermore, the threshold of 5% was applied and thus, only the data with value that lie between 5% and 95% of each soil property were included. In this way, the extreme values that will bias the model and the predictions were excluded. Results has shown that the calibration model developed based on the BRNN algorithm yielded the more robust predictions among the three studied soil properties (R2 of val 0.90, 0.92, 0.87 for pH, Mg, SOC, respectively). The predictions utilizing soil spectroscopy for determining soil properties in this study are showing its extremely potential to be beneficial in the support of soil health.
The host star as a crucial factor for the prevalence of Earth-like Habitats
Authors: Scherf Manuel , Lammer Helmut , Sproß Laurenz
Published: February 2023

The existence of an Earth-like Habitat (defined as a rocky exoplanet within the Habitable Zone of Complex Life that hosts an N2-O2-dominated atmosphere with minor amounts of CO2) is depending on a certain set of known (and, potentially, unknown) astrophysical and geophysical requirements that have to be met to allow for its evolution and environmental stability. A few of these requirements are already quantifiable to a certain extent by our current scientific knowledge while others are still under debate. One crucial factor that has to be taken into account when estimating the prevalence of Earth-like Habitats within the galaxy is a planet’s host star. Its radiation and plasma environment may affect the stability of an Earth-like atmosphere to such an extent that it can even render its stable existence unlikely around highly active stars. A star’s metallicity and location within the galactic disk may pose further restrictions on the prevalence of Earth-like Habitats within the Milky Way. Taking these factors into account, we will, based on current quantifiable scientific knowledge, derive that only a certain fraction of stars within the galaxy will in principle be able to host planets with Earth-like atmospheres. Interestingly, K dwarfs with a stellar mass around 0.8 MSun may constitute a particularly interesting environment for the existence of Earth-like Habitats. M stars, on the other hand, exhibit several different problems; planets suitable for life as we know it may therefore be a rare occasion around the smallest, but most abundant, stars within the galaxy.
Integrated Reservoir Operations using coupled Hydro-Met Multi-Model system for flood forecasting and mitigations for Pune, India
Authors: Gavali Pallavi , Gavhale Srujan , Niyaz Mohamed , Islam Sahidul , kedia Sumita , Pokale Sagar , Dwivedi Arun , Kadam Gouri , Kaginalkar Akshara , Khare Manoj , Wadhwa Abhinav
Published: February 2023

Meteorology and Hydrological extreme events, such as heavy rainfall and associated Flooding is one of the increasing disasters in India for last two decades. Due to heavy reservoir discharge, Impact of rapid Urbanization, unauthorized encroachments across riverbanks extreme flood events are likely to be more common and severe in the future, potentially impacting millions of people.Pune one the fastest growing megacities in India facing frequent riverine flooding and associated disaster causing huge property losses in millions and causalities. The city is located at the leeward side of Sahyadri mountain range, with 7 reservoirs on the upstream side of the catchment, which control the flows in the rivers impacting the downstream Urban catchment. The reservoirs spillway discharges causes riverine flooding along with contribution from free catchment runoff, which usually occur concurrently. Estimation of reservoir inflows and subsequent spillway discharges is needed for integrated reservoir operations to execute effective flood control measures. To understand these severe flood disasters associated with reservoir operation ensemble multi model simulations were carried for Pune catchment for flood mitigation.In current study, coupled meteorology model WRF with integrated high resolution (10m) hydrology model HEC-HMS and Hydraulic Model HEC-RAS was developed. High resolution CartoSAT, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and generated 1m DTM was used to develop both hydraulic and hydrology models. The geometric data for dam structures and gates/spillways have been incorporated in developed models. Gates were operated based on reservoir rule curves for spillway discharge and riverine flood simulations. Spatially distributed high-resolution WRF (1.5 Km) forecasted (72 Hrs.) gridded rainfall data with temporal resolution of 15 mins has been used for forecasting the flood condition in the city. 3D buildings have been incorporated in the terrain to recognize water depth and flooding in the city, which can be visualized through 2-dimensional Rasmapper and 3-dimensional viewer.  The performance of the models has been validated on the basis of statistical error functions (NSE, RSR, PBIAS and R2). Pune flood disaster events for the year 2019 and 2022 were simulated by developed flood forecasting system with reservoir operations. The model output (water level, spread and discharge) were validated using observed flood data from Pune Municipal corporation and dam discharges from water Resource department.The developed multi-model flood forecasting framework will help the reservoir authorities to perform reservoir operations effectively in future to minimize the downstream flood conditions. Also the disaster management authorities will plan flood mitigation plans with sufficient lead time.
Measurements of cosmic rays by a mini neutron monitor aboard the German research vessel Polarstern
Authors: Heber Bernd , Burmeister Sönke , Giese Hanna , Herbst Konstantin , Romaneehsen Lisa , Schwerdt Carolin , Strauss Du Toit , Walter Michael
Published: February 2023

Neutron monitors are ground-based devices that measure the secondary particle population, i.e., neutrons produced by, e.g., galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). Due to their functionality, they are integral counters whose flux is proportional to the variation of the input spectrum. However, the measured flux also depends on the geomagnetic position and the static pressure at the monitor's location. To better understand the instrument response, the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, DESY Zeuthen, and the North-West University in Potchefstroom, South Africa, agreed on regular monitoring of the GCR intensity as a function of latitude, by installing a portable device aboard the German research vessel Polarstern in 2012. The vessel is ideally suited for this research campaign because it covers extensive geomagnetic latitudes (i.e., goes from the Arctic to the Antarctic) at least once per year. Since the installation aboard the vessel, 12 latitude scans were performed, allowing us to compute the so-called yield function by experimental means presented in this contribution.The Kiel team received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 870405. The team would like to thank the crew of the Polarstern and the AWI for supporting our research campaign.
Empowering youngsters: Climate high school assemblies to increase risk perception and awareness
Authors: Boqué Ciurana Anna , Olano Pozo Jon Xavier , Cebrián-Bernat Gisela , Prieto Juan
Published: February 2023

EMPOCLIM is a project that aims to raise awareness and involve young people in sustainable development through school climate assemblies at five educational centers in Camp de Tarragona, Spain. Thanks to innovative democratic processes designed to learn, deliberate, and decide in an assembly way, the students look for solutions to climate change, proposing actions to promote sustainability at the local and regional levels.EMPOCLIM emphasizes strengthening environmental awareness and empowering young people through education, recognizing their potential to become ambassadors and agents of change for climate action and sustainable development in their environment, and sharing knowledge and experiences with their families, local communities, and policymakers.As a result of the climate assemblies, a generation of an action plan and political recommendations by the participating educational communities to achieve the 2 SDGs Climate action and affordable and clean energy at the local and regional levels is obtained.Parallelly EMPOCLIM project has developed two didactic guides for teachers to work with the knowledge involved with two specific SDGs (the two mentioned before).Once the EMPOCLIM project was finished, the methodology established continued to be implemented in the high schools on demand, as University Rovira i Virgili offered this Workshop as one that transfers university information to high schools. In the future, EMPOCLIM will probably evolve up-scaled in different national and European proposals and to other educational levels.We acknowledge  Diputació Provincial de Tarragona for funding the EMPOCLIM project.
Recent Updates on Alpine-Himalayan Belt High Resolution Surface Velocities with Sentinel-1 InSAR and GNSS Observations
Authors: Maghsoudi Yasser , Wright Tim , Lazecký Milan , Ou Qi , Elliott John , Watson Andrew , Rollins Chris , Hooper Andrew , Fang Jin , Shen Lin , Watson Scott , Parsons Barry
Published: February 2023

 

The Alpine-Himalayan Belt (AHB) includes 75 percent of all earthquakes that have killed more than 10,000 people in the past century. Geodetic measurements of crustal deformation provide important information for studying earthquake hazards, indicating how the strain is accumulating and illuminating the mechanics of large-scale continental deformation.  

The COMET-LiCSAR InSAR processor was designed to automatically produce InSAR products on a global scale [1]. Processed data are made freely available to the community (https://comet.nerc.ac.uk/comet-lics-portal/). With the recent expansion of the system, we aim at generating high-resolution velocity field for the entire AHB. The area is covered by 644 ascending and descending frames. We have processed 130,000 Sentinel-1 epochs in this region and generated more than half a million interferograms. The average length of the connected small baseline network is 6 years. In some sub-regions such as the Anatolia, Caucuses, Iran, Tibet and Tianshan, more than 80 percent of all Sentinel-1 acquisitions are processed.  

In this study, we first used the LiCBSAS approach [2] to invert for the LOS displacement time-series and velocities. Next, following the VELMAP approach [3], we used the LOS velocities and the GNSS data to solve for the velocities in nodes of a spherical triangle mesh as well as the InSAR reference frame adjustment parameters. This results in the InSAR LOS velocities in a Eurasian reference frame. We finally decomposed these referenced LOS velocities into the east-west and vertical velocities. While the vertical velocities are mainly dominated by the anthropogenic displacements such as water pumping, or any other environmental parameters such as permafrost, the east-west velocity field exhibits the features of the long-wavelength deformation along the major faults in central, east and west of the AHB. 

  

References: 

[1] Lacecky et al., 2020 https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12152430  

[2] Morishita et al., 2020 https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12030424  

[3] Wang and Wright, 2012 https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL051222 

  

 

 
The northern boundary of the Asian summer monsoon and division of westerlies and monsoon regimes over the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Huang Lingxin , Chen Jie , Chen Fahu
Published: February 2023

Precipitation patterns and variations over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) are mainly dominated by the Asian summer monsoon, the westerlies and their interactions. The precise scope of the Asian summer monsoon's influence, however, remains unclear. Referring to the climatological northern boundary index of the East Asian summer monsoon, this paper demonstrates that the 300 mm precipitation from May to September can be used as an index of the northern boundary of the Asian summer monsoon over the TP, and explores the spatial characteristics of the climatological and interannual northern boundary. The results show that the climatological northern boundary of Asian summer monsoon over the TP is located along the eastern Qilian Mountains-Tanggula Mountains-Qiangtang Plateau-Gangdise Mountains-Western Himalayas. It describes the boundary of the dryland during the rainy season and depicts the location of the convergence of westerly wind (westerlies) and southerly wind (monsoon) at lower troposphere over the TP. Precipitation variations in the north (south) area to the climatological northern boundary are considerably positively associated with changes in the latitudinal (longitudinal) water vapour budget. The interannual fluctuation range of northern boundary and the distribution of the TP's vegetation are related. The climatological northern boundary can more accurately reflect the region that is continuously under the influence of the monsoon and has a clearer understanding of the boundaries in the westerlies-monsoon circulation, ecology, and climate than the meteorological northern boundary (the pentad precipitation more than 4 mm/day). The westerlies influence zone, monsoon influence zone, and westerlies-monsoon transition zone are identified based on the interannual fluctuation range of northern boundary. This study can serve as a foundation for further investigation into the linkages between the westerlies-monsoon and the TP's hydrological and ecological systems. 
Changes to the IFS atmospheric composition model in support to the CAMS update for CY49R1.
Authors: Remy Samuel , Huijnen Vincent , Simon Chabrillat , Metzger Swen , Williams Jason , Minganti Daniele , Bingen Christine , Alexe Mihai , Flemming Johannes
Published: February 2023

The Integrated Forecasting System (IFS) of ECMWF is core of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) to provide global analyses and forecasts of atmospheric composition, including reactive gases, as well as aerosol and greenhouse gases. The CAMS global model consists of the aerosol model of the IFS, IFS-AER, which is a sectional-bulk scheme, while the chemistry scheme is based on a CB05-based carbon-bond mechanism, with the option to couple this to BASCOE-based stratospheric chemistry. The composition model is updated regularly, aligned with updates of ECMWF’s operational meteorological model. Here we report on updates planned for the operational version after next, referred to as CY49R1. This concerns revisions on a large range of topics, as developed over the recent years, and therefore impacting many aspects of chemistry and aerosol composition in troposphere and stratosphere. Main aspects concern:A review of the representation of polar stratospheric clouds and of their impact on stratospheric ozone,
An extension of IFS-AER to represent stratospheric sulfate aerosols, coupled with CB05 and BASCOE precursor gases,
An upgrade of gas-particle partitioning through the implementation of EQSAM4Clim in the IFS,
Computation of aerosol, cloud and rain pH, and use of the update pH values in aqueous chemistry,
A combined representation of aerosols and chemistry deposition processes (wet and dry),
Update of aerosol optics, including a simple representation of dust asphericity and hygroscopic growth,
Update of PM diagnostic output
In this contribution we provide an overview of expected changes with emphasis on changes in composition modeling aspects. We will present their expected impact on key atmospheric composition aspects, including air quality performance across major pollution regions across the world, aerosol optical depth, dust, and stratospheric composition products.
The Role of Anthropogenic Aerosols in Recent North Atlantic Climate Change: A Synthesis of Findings from the UK ACSIS Programme
Authors: Wilcox Laura , Sutton Rowan , Robson Jon , Dong Buwen , Griffiths Paul , Grosvenor Daniel , Hodson Daniel , Keeble James , Rumbold Steven , Archibald Alex , Carslaw Ken , Dittus Andrea , Harvey Ben , Sinha Bablu
Published: February 2023

Evidence from model simulations has suggested that anthropogenic aerosols may have forced multidecadal variability in a range of North Atlantic variables including sea surface temperatures, ocean circulation, and sea ice. However, many questions remain concerning the importance of anthropogenic aerosols in driving past changes in the North Atlantic climate system. The pathways via which changes in aerosol and aerosol precursor emissions, and oxidant levels, influence climate are complex. They involve both chemical and physical processes, and likely include changes in clouds, radiation, surface temperatures, atmospheric and oceanic circulation, and Arctic sea ice. This complexity is an important factor in the large uncertainty surrounding the role of anthropogenic aerosol in North Atlantic climate change, and was one of the major motivations for the UK’s North Atlantic Climate System Integrated Study (ACSIS). ACSIS was a multidisciplinary research programme conducted over the period 2016-2022, delivered by a consortium of seven UK institutions. This presentation draws together findings from the programme to provide an overall synthesis of what was learned in ACSIS about the role of anthropogenic aerosol in North Atlantic climate change. Remaining uncertainties, the potential for observational constraints, and opportunities for future work will also be discussed. ACSIS made extensive use of simulations conducted for CMIP6, particularly historical simulations, and attribution experiments included in AerChemMIP and DAMIP. Additional sensitivity experiments with HadGEM3-GC3.1 and UKESM1 were used to quantify the effects of uncertainty in aerosol forcing in the absence of the additional uncertainty associated with model differences, to decompose the aerosol forcing, and to better illustrate the role of aerosol in recent changes. As aerosol emissions increased (1850-1985), North Atlantic CDNC increased. Emissions of ozone precursors, and resulting changes in OH, contributed to this trend. This led to downwelling surface shortwave decreases across the North Atlantic, which drove colder surface temperatures, increased sea ice extent, and increased mean sea level pressure. In contrast, the eastern subpolar gyre warmed, likely due to increased ocean heat convergence due to the increase in the AMOC. As local aerosol emissions fell (1986-2014) much of the reverse occurred. Downwelling surface shortwave increased across the North Atlantic, predominantly over land, driving warmer surface temperatures and reduced sea ice extent. The eastern subpolar gyre cooled. However, the role of aerosol in this later period is less clear due to a dominance of temperature-mediated cloud feedbacks over aerosol forcing, AMOC related feedbacks, and a changing aerosol forcing pattern.
Sea ice extent and subsurface temperatures in the Labrador Sea across Heinrich events during MIS 3
Authors: Detlef Henrieka , Mørk Jensen Mads , Andreasen Rasmus , Glasius Marianne , Seidenkrantz Marit-Solveig , Pearce Christof
Published: February 2023

Heinrich events associated with millennial-scale climate oscillations during the last glacial period are prominent events of ice-sheet collapse, characterized by the dispersal of ice(berg) rafted debris and freshwater across the North Atlantic. Hudson Strait has been suggested as one of the predominant iceberg source regions. One potential mechanism triggering iceberg release invokes cryosphere-ocean interactions, where subsurface warming destabilizes the Laurentide ice sheet. Subsurface warming is facilitated by the expansion of sea ice in the Labrador Sea in combination with a slow down of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, which prevents the release and downward mixing of heat in the water column.Here we present high-resolution reconstructions of sea ice dynamics in the outer Labrador Sea at IODP Site U1302/03 between 30 ka and 60 ka. Sea ice reconstructions are based on a suite of sympagic and pelagic biomarkers, including highly branched isoprenoids and sterols. The results suggest a transition from reduced/seasonal to extended/perennial sea ice conditions preceding the onset of iceberg rafting associated with Heinrich event 3, 4, 5, and 5a by ~0.9 ± 0.5 ka. Ongoing work on the same core and sample material will have to confirm the timing and extent of subsurface warming compared to sea ice advances. 
Environmental stabilisation and biological diversification in the aftermath of the Sturtian Snowball glaciation
Authors: Bowyer Fred , Krause Alexander , Song Yafang , Huang Kang-Jun , Fu Yong , Shen Bing , Li Jin , Zhu Xiang-Kun , Kipp Michael , van Maldegem Lennart , Brocks Jochen , Shields Graham , Le Hir Guillaume , Mills Benjamin , Poulton Simon
Published: February 2023

     The Cryogenian Period (720–635 Million years ago, Ma) hosts sedimentary and geochronological evidence for two long-lived global-scale glaciations during the Sturtian (ca. 717–660 Ma) and Marinoan (ca. 650–635 Ma) cryochrons. Radiometric and chemostratigraphic data, in addition to climate modelling, support an approximately synchronous global deglaciation from the Sturtian cryochron, followed by a non-glacial interval (ca. 660–650 Ma) with abundant globally-distributed marine sedimentary successions. The palaeontological record of Cryogenian non-glacial successions is dominated by microfossils and problematic macrofossils, some of which have been interpreted as possible sponge-grade organisms. Biomarker analyses also hint at the rise to dominance of green algae and the possible first appearance of demospongiae during this interval. Oxygen and nutrient availability can fuel biotic complexity, however Cryogenian non-glacial palaeoredox and palaeonutrient (e.g. phosphorus, P) dynamics are poorly understood. Furthermore, while regional lithostratigraphic and chemostratigraphic correlations of carbonate-dominated Cryogenian non-glacial sedimentary successions are well documented, the temporal calibration of globally distributed carbonate and siliciclastic successions has not been attempted. Without a global chronostratigraphic age framework, the regional versus global nature of geochemical responses to Earth System perturbations and the sequence of biotic events throughout this interval remain obscured.     Here we present new high resolution palaeoredox and P phase association data from five globally distributed Cryogenian non-glacial drill core successions. The combination of Fe speciation and trace element palaeoredox reconstructions with P speciation data clearly show dynamic changes to bioavailable P recycling in response to local and global scale nutrient-driven palaeomarine redox conditions. We also present a new global Cryogenian non-glacial chronostratigraphic framework for the calibration, in relative time, of geochemical and palaeontological data from carbonate and siliciclastic-dominated successions. This enables our new data to be interpreted in the context of the highly dynamic global C and S cycles and biotic record throughout this interval. This approach, in combination with new insights from climate models that constrain changes to atmospheric CO2 and temperature, sheds new light on the mechanisms for global changes to ocean redox and nutrients, and possible drivers for a possible increase in biotic diversity throughout this interval.
Monitoring water storage of on-farm reservoirs using remote sensing and ground observation
Authors: wang yixuan
Published: February 2023

The development of artificial reservoirs plays a considerable role in regulating the spatial and temporal distribution of irrigated rainfall and guaranteeing sustainable agricultural development. Many studies have used the area-storage relationship to obtain the storage capacity of on-farm reservoirs (OFRs), but it does not work for OFRs with persistent water surface area. In this study, we proposed an effective method to estimate the water storage of irrigated OFRs by combining multi-source remote sensing data and ground observation. We quickly derived the location of irrigated OFRs by using seasonal characteristics of irrigated OFRs and obtained high-precision water surface area using an object-oriented segmentation. We estimated water storage of irrigated OFRs by combining three different ways (i.e., Lidar-based, ground observation-based (photos), and surface area-based). The method performs well in three aspects, i.e., identifying on-farm reservoirs, extracting water surface area, and calculating water storage. The accuracy of identification reaches 94.1%, and the derived water area agrees well with the surveyed results, i.e., an overall accuracy of 97.8%, the root mean square error (RMSE) and the mean absolute errors (MAE) are 962 m2 and 766 m2, respectively. The obtained water storage is reliable using three different ways (i.e., the area-storage, Lidar-based, and photo observations-based methods), with accuracy of 98.8%, 95.2%, and 94.1%, respectively. The proposed method enables monitoring of the storage of multiple types of irrigated OFRs, particularly the photo observation-based method can deal with the storage of OFRs with persistent water areas, showing huge potential to promote irrigated water resource utilization efficiency.
Impacts of prescribed fossil fuel CO2 emissions on subnational level inverse flux estimates
Authors: Oda Tomohiro , Feng Liang , Palmer Paul , Ott Lesley
Published: February 2023

Atmospheric-based approaches have been recognized as promising tools for QA/QC and verification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories reported by countries. Atmospheric-based approaches also help provide GHG estimates for countries and regions with less robust inventory building capacities, and direct estimates for key subnational levels, which are not often covered by national inventories. Conventional CO2 flux inversion approaches, unlike urban inversion applications, often prescribe fossil fuel CO2 emissions (FFCO2) and mostly optimized natural fluxes. Thus, errors in prescribed FFCO2 impact the final flux estimates.We implemented two sets of inversions with two different emission inventories in order to examine the impact of the prescribed FFCO2 on the inverse flux estimates. The emission inventory difference was used to approximate potential errors in the prescribed FFCO2. Our inversion result demonstrated how the FFCO2 errors, particularly due to sub-annual seasonal emission pattern differences, can have an impact on posterior emission estimates via flux optimization. Our result also demonstrated that FFCO2 errors from large emitting countries could significantly bias sub-national flux estimates by mis-attributing their flux corrections to natural fluxes to compensate for the FFCO2 errors. The magnitude of the potential errors might be small compared to that of large-scale fluxes. However, the errors could be significant in relation to small sub-national scale fluxes or emissions from lesser emitting countries. We also examined the impact of two observation systems, such as global in-situ network and a satellite, to FFCO2 errors.We discuss the existing challenges that need to be addressed to further enhance the use of atmospheric inversions with country level inventories. In addition to improvements in inversions, improving inventories (prescribed FFCO2) should have a direct benefit to improved accuracy of inverse flux estimates. For example, extended data collection at sub-national scales should greatly mitigate potential errors in the prescribed FFCO2. This study highlights the importance of developing GHG emission information in a hybrid fashion to support science and the emission reporting and monitoring.
Spatiotemporal variability of temperature in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (north-eastern Italy)
Authors: Caloiero Tommaso , Cianni Ilaria , Gaudio Roberto , Ricca Nicola , Guagliardi Ilaria
Published: February 2023

Alpine mountainous regions of northern Italy, constituting one of the major mountain areas in Europe, have been identified among the main vulnerable areas to climate change of the continent. In fact, over the last century, global warming has caused all Alpine glaciers in Europe to recede as well as triggered changes in rain and snowfall patterns shortening snow seasons and causing glaciers to recede. Within this context, in this study, the spatiotemporal variability of temperatures in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (north-eastern Italy) has been evaluated by means of 34 monthly series for the period 1940-2011, for which data are freely available online. Indeed this region is characterized by a mountainous northern part, belonging to the Southern Alps, and a southern side touched by the Adriatic Sea. In particular, a trend analysis, at annual, seasonal and monthly scales, was performed on the minimum and maximum values through the Mann-Kendall test. Moreover, the application of the Theil-Sen estimator allowed us to quantify the magnitude of the increase/decrease in the temperature values. The results evidenced an overall increase of the temperatures in both the minimum and the maximum values, mainly detected in the summer months, even though in some stations located in the alpine and pre-alpine areas an opposite trend has been identified.
Salt Tectonics Outcrops and 3D Drone Images from the Sivas Basin (Turkey) compared to High-Resolution Seismic Lines
Authors: Ringenbach Jean-Claude , Kergaravat Charlie , Ribes Charlotte , Pichat Alexandre , Legeay Etienne , Callot Jean-Paul
Published: February 2023

The outstanding outcrops of salt tectonic structures of the Sivas basin in Anatolia are now well known. A drone acquisition in November 2018 provides 3D images to visualize and interpret the structures in order to better analyze subsurface data from salt domains and since, many puctures have been acquired by the first author with a Mavic drone. Drone images, now widely used in structural geology, allow building 3D qualitative models of the outcrops. Seven structures among the most demonstrative of salt tectonics have thus been imaged in the secondary minibasins.
The Sivas basin, an elongated Oligo-Miocene north-verging multi-phased foreland basin, developed above the Neotethys suture zone. Evaporites deposited at the end of the early compression phase (Bartonian), filled the foreland basin and covered eroded thrust sheets and folds to the south. Primary minibasins formed during a period of quiescence from Late Eocene to Early Oligocene, associated to the building of an evaporite canopy. The system further evolved during convergence of the Arabian and Eurasian plates in the Late Oligocene-Early Miocene with a renewed compression on the north verging fold-and-thrust belt (FTB). This resulted in the formation of secondary minibasins, ultimately tilted and welded.
In the last decades, huge improvements in seismic imaging under thick allochthonous salt have been made in the Gulf of Mexico and Angola. Wide-azimuth towed-streamer (WATS) 2D as well as 3D seismic acquisitions allow far better imaging along steep subsalt diapiric flanks and welds. However, major drilling disappointments still do occur, due to unseen megaflaps and small-scale structures such as halokinetic sequences at various scales or small faults cannot be seen. Field analogs then become the only guide for a better assessment of the traps. Striking geometric analogies between the Sivas outcrops and seismic images from the classic petroleum provinces controlled by salt tectonics will illustrate the extraordinary quality of the Sivas basin as a geometrical field analog for the Angola and the Gulf of Mexico salt basins. Analog modelling imaged with X-ray tomography under a medical scanner will also be used for comparison.
Three-dimensional Seismic Velocity Model for Upper-Most Mantel of Zagros Collision Zone Using Full Wave Form Inversion
Authors: Masouminia Neda , van Herwaarden Dirk-Philip , Thrastarson Sölvi , Rahimi Habib , Afanasiev Michael , Krischer Lion , Christian Böhm , Igel Heiner , Fichtner Andreas
Published: February 2023

We report on the full three-dimensional (3D) waveform model for seismic velocity structurebeneath the Zagros collision zone by analyzing phase measurements. We use entire seismograms from59 earthquakes and follow a multiscale approach for periods between 20 and 80 seconds. We startedwith the first generation of the Collaborative Seismic Earth Model and applied the adjoint method andthe Broyden–Fletcher–Goldfarb–Shanno (L-BFGS) optimization algorithm to reconstruct theuppermost mantel seismic velocity structure. The Zagros collision zone consists of the margin of theArabian platform - the Zagros Fold and Trust Belt - and the margin of the Eurasian Plate - the Iranianmicroplates. The retrieved model reveals strong shear wave velocity contrast around 180 km depthalong the Zagros mountain belt at the surface is a piece of evidence that the deformation of thetransition zone along the Zagros is stopped. We interpreted that interaction between two continentallithospheres is terminated at this depth. We observed a relatively low-velocity sub-crustal lithospherewith relatively high velocities structures beneath the Central Iran and Lut bock at 80-150 km depthsand a strong one throughout the Arabian lithosphere at 70-200 km depths. It explains continentalcollision caused earlier thickening during the convergence of the Arabian platform toward thenortheast. This observation indicates the lithosphere of Iranian microplates has a relatively warmstructure and non-uniform distribution of a sharp velocity contrast between this structure and thestrong low-velocity structure underlying it, showing the boundary between the lithosphere andasthenosphere (LAB). Our results indicate this boundary is located at 119 km depth on average. Incomparison, we observe a thickened and cold lithosphere for the margin of the Arabian lithosphere.
Debris-covered glaciers encourage subglacial sediment accumulation and limit erosion
Authors: Delaney Ian , Anderson Leif
Published: February 2023

Glaciers are well known for their erosive power and the large quantities of sediment that they expel. Glacier sliding sculpts the landscape and creates sediment, while englacial debris advection and subglacial sediment transport can expel this material from the glacier terminus. In alpine regions, rockfall from mountain slopes adds debris to the glacier surface, which can be buried and advected down-valley as the glacier moves. When the debris melts out to the surface, it limits surface melt and changes the glacier’s surface slope. The reduced melt and change to the glacier surface slope impact the sediment transport capacity below the glacier.We couple numerical models of debris-covered glacier dynamics and subglacial sediment transport to show that debris-covered glaciers are expected to erode at a slower rate than clean glaciers. The model outputs also demonstrate that sediment eroded below glaciers can accumulate below debris-covered portions due to limited sediment transport capacity. Reduced melt and surface slope limit the sediment transport capacity, resulting in sediment deposition. This sediment deposition creates till layers that may alter glacier dynamics. Additionally, the results demonstrate that debris cover can change the connectivity of sediment below glaciers and store glacially eroded sediment subglacially. These findings demonstrate the complicated interactions amongst glacier dynamics, hydrology, erosion, and sediment transport. The processes identified here have substantial implications for the transport of sediment in rapidly changing mountain landscapes experiencing glacier retreat and changing hydrology.
The Riverplume Workflow - Impact of riverine extreme events on coastal biogeochemistry
Authors: Wichert Viktoria , Brix Holger , Dransch Doris
Published: February 2023

Fluvial extreme events, such as floods and droughts, have an impact beyond the river bed. The change in river discharge and concentration of nutrients and pollutants in freshwater also affects coastal waters, esp. their biogeochemistry. Examining these impacts has been traditionally difficult, as one needs to first detect the river plume in the seawater and then infer its spatio-temporal extent. The River Plume Workflow was developed to support researchers with these tasks and enable them to identify regions of interest, as well as provide tools to conduct a preliminary analysis of the riverine extreme events’ impacts on the coastal waters.The Riverplume Workflow is an open source software tool to detect and examine freshwater signals as anomalies in marine observational data. Data from a FerryBox, an autonomous measuring device installed on a commercial ferry, provide regular coverage of the German Bight, the region for which we developed this toolbox. Combined with drift model computations, it is possible to detect anomalies in the observational data and to comprehend their propagation and origin.The Riverplume Workflow uses the Data Analytics Software Framework (DASF) that was developed as part of the Digital Earth project. Through its modular structure, DASF supports collaborative and distributed data analysis. The Riverplume Workflow’s main feature is an interactive map with various data visualization options that allows users to examine the data closely and either manually select a presumed anomaly for analysis or use an automatic anomaly detection algorithm based on Gaussian regression. The Workflow offers a statistical analysis feature to compare the composition of the selected data to the surrounding measurements. Simulated trajectories of particles starting on the FerryBox transect at the time of the original observation and modelled backwards and forwards in time help verify the origin of the river plume and allow users to follow the anomaly across their area of interest. In addition, the workflow offers the functionality to assemble satellite-based chlorophyll observations along model trajectories as a time series. They allow scientists to understand processes inside the river plume and to determine the timescales on which these developments happen.The FerryBox data used in the Riverplume Workflow are pre-processed automatically and updated daily. Synoptic drift model data is provided for all Elbe extreme events since 2013. We plan to automatize the provision of model data as well.We currently use the Riverplume Workflow to monitor the impacts of Elbe extreme events in the German Bight, though we plan to adapt it to other regions or types of anomalies. The Workflows’ code and all components are available under open source licenses and registered under the DOI https://doi.org/10.5880/GFZ.1.4.2022.006.
Soil CO2 flux monitoring of the ongoing Vulcano crisis
Authors: Tarchini Luca , Carapezza Maria Luisa , Granieri Domenico , Pagliuca Nicola Mauro , Patera Antonio , Pruiti Lucia , Ranaldi Massimo , Rubino Cosimo , Sortino Francesco
Published: February 2023

La Fossa volcano on Vulcano island is the type-location for Volcanian eruptions. Last eruption dates back to 1888-’90. Since then, the quiescent state of La Fossa has been affected both by persistent fumarolic activity and by diffuse CO2 degassing either at the crater and in areas on the flanks (Forgia vecchia) at the base (Palizzi) of the cone, but also in inhabited areas of Vulcano porto (Levante beach, Faraglione). Normal quiescence has been punctuated by potential unrest crises mainly characterized by increase in magmatic degassing, in fumarole temperatures and in diffuse CO2 degassing. We have been monitoring the diffuse degassing area of La Fossa crater since 1995 and Palizzi, Levante beach and Vulcano porto zones since 2004.The ongoing crisis started in 2021 and showed a huge unprecedented increase in fumarolic degassing associated to ground deformation and episodic anomalous seismicity. For monitoring purposes, we performed since October 2021 two general surveys at the crater of La Fossa (soil CO2 flux and temperature), monthly surveys of diffuse soil CO2 flux in the areas of Palizzi, Levante Beach, Forgia vecchia and an extensive CO2 flux survey (~1000 measurements over 1 km2) in the inhabitated area of Volcano Porto in October 2021. From this wide survey we identified a new diffuse-degassing structure which was apparently inactive during the most recent unrest crises. Since November 2021, this area has been monthly surveyed too. This degassing structure is associated to shallow aquifer thermalism and the area is spotted by some mofetes. During the 1988-’93 crisis, it has been the site of some lethal accidents to animals caused by exposure to high CO2 concentration in air. There have been accidents during this crisis too, with the death of some cats and many birds caused by lethal concentrations of CO2 inside the yard of a house. Fortunately, there were no human casualties due to the prompt evacuation of the zone.Monthly repetition of soil CO2 flux from the target areas, showed that, at the early stage of the crisis, diffuse CO2 degassing equalled or even exceeded the high-flux rates measured during the previous crisis of 2004-’05 both at the crater area and at the crater base. In 2022-‘23 soil CO2 fluxes have slowly decreased, but the pre-crisis conditions have not yet been reached.
Uncertainty analysis of groundwater flow impacts on the performance of a borehole heat exchanger array
Authors: Liu Quan , Ptak Thomas
Published: February 2023

Shallow geothermal energy has been popularly used for house heating and cooling by combining borehole heat exchangers (BHEs) with a heat pump. The efficiency and sustainability of BHE systems are receiving increasing attention in recent years.  Groundwater flow, among the hydrogeothermal properties of the subsurface, is considered to be a critical positive factor in maintaining BHE efficiency, especially when the groundwater flux is greater than 10-7 m/s. However, in practice, exact information on local groundwater flow is typically not available.  Rough estimates may introduce significant uncertainty in the design an performance of BHE systems. In this study, we implemented an uncertainty analysis of groundwater flow impacts on the seasonal coefficient of performance for a heat pump (SCOP). We first built a numerical model based on an existing geothermal site using FEFLOW. Groundwater flow parameters including groundwater level, flow direction, and groundwater flux within the layered subsurface were assumed to follow a Gaussian distribution in which the mean value is determined from regional hydrogeological conditions. Afterward, we selected the input data sets about groundwater flow by using Sobol sequence sampling, and then employed the selected data sets and the corresponding simulated SCOP in a random forest regression for training and predicting. Preliminary results show that groundwater flux and flow direction have a significant impact on SCOP. The impact of groundwater flow direction is strongly correlated with the arrangement of the BHEs.
Long term trends and characteristics of surface ozone at high altitude site in the central Himalayas
Authors: Tomar Vikrant , Naja Manish
Published: February 2023

Tropospheric ozone is a greenhouse gas and a secondary pollutant that has negative impact on human health, crop yield and the environment. Therefore information on the long-term trends in surface ozone, particularly in the regional representative site is crucial for assessing the impact on climate and environment. While there are extensive observations of surface ozone in Europe, North America and East Asia, there are very limited observations in South Asia, particularly in the Himalayan regions. In this reference, surface ozone observations were initiated at a mountain site in Nainital (29.40° N, 79.50° E, 1948 m amsl) situated in central Himalaya in October 2006. Here, we present the observed long-term trends in surface ozone over the central Himalayas and underlying factors influencing its diurnal and seasonal variabilities. In general, ozone diurnal variations indicates least daytime photochemical ozone buildup at this remote site, except during episodes of biomass burning in the plain regions of northern India during spring. Instead, ozone levels at this site are primarily influenced by transported air masses, mountain-valley breezes and stratospheric intrusions. The long-term trend found not to be very prominent, but it showed a very slight negative (about 1 ppbv/yr) for 2007-2014 period, while a positive trend (about 0.7 ppbv/yr) for 2014-2022 period. The negative trend during 2007-14 was more prominent in spring while positive trend was prominent in winter. Trend analysis in AIRS ozone data at different pressure levels is being studied and residence time analysis of air-masses, obtained from the back air-trajectories simulations is in progress, which will be presented during the conference. These observations will be very useful for the ongoing efforts by TOAR