bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Occupational Injuries and use of Personal Protective Equipment among Casual Municipal Solid Waste Workers in the Informal Sector in Kampala: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Authors:   , Mirembe Byonanebye Dathan , Nankya Jackline , Arinaitwe Irene , Bukenya Brian
Published: March 2022

Introduction: The risk of occupational injuries in municipal solid waste workers in most low- and middle-income countries is increasing. This study sought to determine the use of PPE and its association with injuries among casual waste workers in a prototypical city. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of casual waste workers at a large city landfill site in Kampala, Uganda. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain data on PPE use and occupational injuries within one year before the study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between PPE use and occupational injury. Results: The study was conducted between May 2020 and December 2020 and enrolled 81 participants, 44 (54%) of whom were male. Overall, 27 (33%) reported not using PPE, while 53 (65%) reported experiencing injuries. In the multivariable logistic regression model, the use of PPE was associated with lower odds of injury (odds ratio [OR] 0.09, 95% 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.01–0.57; P=0.011). In contrast, perceived risk was associated with a greater risk of injury (OR 34.95; 95% CI, 7.00, 174.56; P<0.001). Prior training on PPE use (adjusted odds ratio, AOR 44.69; 95% CI 6.12–342.02; P=0.002), and older age (AOR 1.16; 95% CI 1.03–1.31; P=0.014), were associated with higher odds of PPE use. Additionally, waste pickers and sorters were more likely to use PPE than site traders. Conclusions: Among casual waste workers, there was suboptimal use of PPE and a high rate of occupational injuries. This study suggests that the non-use of PPE may be due to a lack of access and training. Recommendations: We recommend surveillance of injuries among workers in the waste management sector as well as regular training in routine and proper use of PPEs.
Experimental Study Determining Levels of Lead Contamination of Dioscorea Spp. (Yams) From Selected Regions of Kampala Capital City, Uganda.
Authors:   , Tumwine Joseph , Nassanga Halima Bushirah , Kateregga John , Tumwine Gabriel , Kitimbo Joshua
Published: March 2022

Background: Heavy metal toxicity is a growing concern and often an unknown root cause of a number of serious health issues. Due to bio-accumulation, heavy metals are passed up the food chain from plants to humans. The objectives of this study were to determine the quantity of lead in yams from selected swamps and upland gardens, to compare lead contamination in yams from swamps to those from upland gardens, and compare the levels of lead in yams from swamps and upland gardens to the FAO/WHO acceptable limits. Methods: Ready to eat/mature yams were harvested from swamps and upland gardens respectively and their lead content was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results: Yams collected from RS, a swamp site had the lowest amount of lead at a mean lead level of 1.110 mg/kg. Yams collected from KCU which was an upland garden had the highest amount of lead with a mean lead concentration of 2.324mg/kg. Yams obtained from upland gardens contained a higher concentration of lead at a mean lead concentration of 1.7858 mg/kg compared to a mean lead concentration of 1.6172 mg/kg which was found in yams collected from the swamp sites. However, there was no statistically significant difference in lead contamination of the yams obtained from either site. The concentration of lead in both yams collected from swamps and those obtained from upland gardens was higher than the FAO/WHO acceptable limit of lead in food. Conclusion: The level of lead contamination in yams is not dependent on the agricultural site where they are grown. Concomitantly, lead levels in yams regardless of their site of growth, were above the FAO/WHO maximum acceptable limits of lead in food and thus suggested that yams pose a significant route of human exposure to lead once they are consumed.
Impact Of Returns, Risk On Interest In Investing During The Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Darman Darman Saputra , Julia Julia
Published: March 2022

This study aims to determine the effect of return, risk on interest in investing during the covid 19 pandemic. The population in this study were all customers of the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) Pangkalpinang City with a total sample of 377 respondents. The sampling technique was carried out using a non-probability sampling method, namely the accidental sampling technique. This type of research is quantitative research with primary data types obtained directly through the distribution of online questionnaires using google form. This research uses multiple regression analysis technique.The results of this study indicate that (1) the return variable has a significant effect on interest in investing during the covid 19 pandemic. (2) the risk variable has a significant effect on interest in investing during the covid 19 pandemic. (3) the attitude variable has a significant effect on interest in investing during the pandemic. covid 19. The conclusion of this study shows that IDX customers have a good understanding of returns and risks, and have a positive attitude towards investing during the covid 19 pandemic, encouragement from those closest to them as well as the confidence from within customers to invest, greatly affects customer investment interest during the covid 19 pandemic.
The Influence of Religion and Sex Education on Juvenile Delinquency in Medan City
Authors: Pasaribu Munawir
Published: March 2022

Juvenile delinquency is something that is often discussed in the community, where juvenile delinquency has a very large impact in the midst of society. For this reason, special attention is needed to minimize juvenile delinquency that occurs in the midst of society. This study aims to see the effect of Religion and Sex Education on Juvenile Delinquency. The sample used in this study were teenagers in the city of Medan, with a sample of 170 samples. The results obtained that simultaneously, religiosity and sex education can affect juvenile delinquency by 71%. From the results of the above discussion, it can be concluded that partially, the religiosity variable (X1) has an effect on juvenile delinquency (Y) by 58.6%, while the Sex Education variable (X2) can affect the juvenile delinquency variable (Y) by 27.7%.
A Stastistical study of plasmas density oscillation induced from pc1 wave by Swarm Satellites during storm time from 2014 to 2018
Authors: He Yangfan , Sun luyuan
Published: March 2022

     

        The high-resolution Vector Field Magnetometer and Langmuir Probe onboard the Swarm satellites provide us an opportunity to observe both EMIC wave and plasma density oscillation. A total of 102 plasma density oscillation events were found during storm time from 2014 to 2018. The temporal and spatial distribution of these oscillation events is roughly consistent with the EMIC wave. The longitudinal distribution and related mechanism are studied. There are obvious magnetic local time (MLT) differences in the peak occurrence rate of plasma density oscillation during storm phases and distinct geomagnetic activity. As the geomagnetic disturbance intensifies，the plasma density oscillations show a trend of westward drift and are more likely to occur at lower latitudes. For all plasma density oscillation events, the phase of these oscillation with EMIC wave is different. Most plasma density oscillation have a relative amplitude ratio of 100 to 1000 to the compressional wave, the possible mechanism is discussed in detail.
Deciphering the tectonic complexity of the Central High Atlas Mountains using brittle deformation mesostructures and calcite mechanical twinning analysis
Authors: Skikra Hamza , Amrouch Khalid , Soulaimani Abderrahmane , Hdoufane Mustapha , Amarir Salih
Published: March 2022

Located in the western segment of the intracontinental Atlas system, the Moroccan Central High Atlas is a NE-SW to ENE-WSW-trending Fold-and-Thrust Belt that is formed during the Cenozoic Alpine orogeny by a positive inversion of Triassic-Jurassic basin. It is structurally distinguished from the other segments of the Moroccan High Atlas orogenic belt by the occurrence of S-shaped ENE-WSW oriented tight anticlinal ridges bounding wider synclines. The elongated ridges core disordered association of plutonic rocks, Liassic carbonate and Late Triassic arigilites, whilst the wider synclines are filled by thick Jurassic series with minor magmatic manifestations expressed by mafic and felsic dikes. The origin of these structures has been ascribed to pre-inversion wrench tectonics with significant compressive component whereas they have been attached to post-rift rift block tilting and or salt tectonics in an alternative view. Characterizing the paleostress history is thereby a crucial matter to unravel the structural evolution of these structures. In order to bring new insights into the actual understanding of the Central High Atlas post-rift structural history, we reconstruct the paleostress tensors preserved in the folded Jurassic series of Anemzi and Tirrhist regions based on brittle deformation structures together with calcite twins stress inversion. The preliminary results highlight the presence of pre-folding layer parallel maximum horizontal stress during three stages: E-W to ENE-WSW, NNE-SSW and NW-SE compressions. Local extensional stress features are observed essentially near diapiric structures and the exhumed magmatic intrusions. The latest structural stage is featured by a post-folding NW-SR compression likely related to the recent phases of the Alpine orogeny.
A more active role for groundwater in the land water cycle
Authors: Berghuijs Wouter , Allen Scott , Jasechko Scott , Moeck Christian , Luijendijk Elco , van der Velde Ype
Published: March 2022

How much precipitation recharges groundwaters varies enormously across Earth's surface, but recharge rates are uncertain because field observations are sparse and modeled global estimates remain largely unvalidated. Here we show that annual recharge is predictable as a simple function of climatic aridity — the ratio of long-term potential evapotranspiration to precipitation — using a global synthesis of measured recharge of 5237 sites across six continents. We use this relationship to estimate long-term recharge globally outside of permafrost regions. Our estimates double previous global hydrological model estimates and are more consistent with empirical field observations. These revised higher estimates of global groundwater recharge imply that groundwater contributes more actively to evapotranspiration and streamflow than previously represented in global water cycle depictions or global hydrological and Earth system models. In addition, we quantify the sensitivity of groundwater recharge to changes in aridity using the empirical relationship between groundwater recharge rates and climatic aridity. This analysis indicates that recharge is most sensitive to climate aridity in mesic regions, where changes in the replenishment of aquifers will be amplified relative to projected changes in precipitation. Global hydrological models seem to underestimate changes in recharge with climate aridity. Thus, the impacts of climatic changes on the replenishment of Earth's largest liquid freshwater stores may be larger than previously anticipated.
Removal of High Concentration of Chromium Hexavalent Wastewater From Groundwater by S-NZVI
Authors: Yu Jinhao , Li Yilian
Published: March 2022

Sulfide-modified nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) is attracting a lot of attention due to its ease of production and high reactivity with hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)). However, until now, the most commonly used is the use of NaS2O4 sulfide nano zero valent iron. The study on the removal of hexavalent chromium from water by nanometer zero-valent iron with calcium sulfide is not comprehensive enough. Herein, the removal of high concentration of hexavalent chromium from wastewater by nanometer zero-valent iron with calcium sulfide and its structure were carefully investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDS analysis demonstrated that sulfur was incorporated into the zero valent iron core and homogeneously distributed within the nanoparticles. S-nZVI had an optimal Cr (VI) removal capacity of 200mg/L, which was >100% higher than for pristine nZVI. Different molar ratio of polycalcium sulfide and zero-valent iron, initial zero-valent iron addition amount, initial pollutant concentration and initial pH value have different effects on the removal effect. While the S/Fe=0.2, 200mg/L initial Cr (VI) concentration, 2g/L S-nZVI additive amount, pH<5, have the optimum removal rate. Contrast to pristine nZVI, S-nZVI can efficiently sequester high concentration of hexavalent chromium from different contaminated groundwater matrices.
Pore Super Segmentation in Opalinus Clay on Artificially Enhanced SEM Images with Voting Classification
Authors: Brysch Marco , Laurich Ben , Schettler Christoph , Sester Monika
Published: March 2022

A material's porosity controls all of its physical properties. Hence, many studies have dealt with its exact determination. In researching potential host rocks for radioactive waste disposal, there is a particular interest in pore distribution and connectivity as this defines the rock's permeability and rheological behavior, e.g. in [Houben et al., 2013], [Hemes et al., 2011], [Klaver et al., 2012], and [Keller, 2021]. All these studies made use of specialized scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This analysis allows the evaluation of pores by size, location, orientation, and frequency by using a binary segmentation mask. The preparation of these masks is associated with some difficulties caused by the interpretation margins, non-uniform procedures, and, especially, by the resolution limit of the SEM. In addition, the overlap of gray values of grain and pores renders conventional methods such as pixel-thresholding unfeasible.

We present a method that deals with this problem in two stages. The first stage consists of an up-sampling technique of the SEM images. Here, the resolution of the images is artificially enhanced. In the second stage, this up-sampling is combined with an algorithm that computes a probability field using multiple learning classifiers (MLC). First, we trained and implemented an enhanced super-resolution generative adversarial network (ESRGAN) [Wang et al., 2018] for upsampling SEM images. The enhanced images show a much finer detail of pore edges, making even the smallest pores more apparent and detectable. In the second stage, nine different MLC's have been trained and examined for their segmentation results. Here, the characteristic segmentation properties of the trained MLC's are particularly noticeable. Their differences show that no single MLC alone can provide sufficient segmentation quality compared to manual interpretation. Hence, a voting classifier combines the individual MLC-masks into a probability field. This combination allows the derivation of confidence levels that reduce spurious pore segmentation and capture pore edges more organically and uniformly. 

Finally, we have combined the voting classifier and the super-resolution to the so-called Super-Segmentation (SSM). The segmentation of the pores is now performed on the artificially enhanced SEM image. Eventually, the final binary segmentation mask is down-sampled to the resolution of the input image. Compared to other segmentation methods, SSM shows a clearer detection of the pore edges with enhanced quality even for the smallest pores. In a test case on Opalinus clay, we were able to detect pores that were undetected or insufficiently segmented. We discuss the result and ongoing work to improve the reliability of MLCs with ESRGAN images with the goal to lower the truncation limit [Bonnet et al., 2001].
Automatic detection of the electron density from the WHISPER instrument onboard CLUSTER II
Authors: De Leon Emmanuel , Gilet Nicolas , Vallières Xavier , Bucciantini Luca , Henri Pierre , Rauch Jean-Louis
Published: March 2022

The Waves of HIgh frequency and Sounder for Probing Electron density by Relaxation
(WHISPER) instrument, is part of the Wave Experiment Consortium (WEC) of the CLUSTER II
mission. The instrument consists of a receiver, a transmitter, and a wave spectrum
analyzer. It delivers active (when in sounding mode) and natural electric field spectra. The
characteristic signature of waves indicates the nature of the ambient plasma regime and, combined
with the spacecraft position, reveals the different magnetosphere boundaries and regions. The
thermal electron density can be deduced from the characteristics of natural waves in natural mode
and from the resonances triggered in sounding mode, giving access to a key parameter of scientific
interest and major driver for the calibration of particles instrument.
Until recently, the electron density derivation required a manual time/frequency domain
initialization of the search algorithms, based upon visual inspection of WHISPER active and natural
spectrograms and other datasets from different instruments onboard CLUSTER.
To automate this process, knowledge of the region (plasma regime) is highly desirable. A Multi-
Layer Perceptron model has been implemented for this purpose. For each detected region, a GRU,
recurrent network model combined with an ad-hoc algorithm is then used to determine the electron
density from WHISPER active spectra. These models have been trained using the electron density
previously derived from various semi-automatic algorithms and manually validated, resulting in an
accuracy up to 98% in some plasma regions. A production pipeline based on these models has been
implemented to routinely derive electron density, reducing human intervention up to 10 times. Work
is currently ongoing to create some models to process natural measurements where the data volume
is much higher and the validation process more complex. These models of electron density
automated determination will be useful for future other space missions.
Marine Heatwaves and their Depth Structures on the Northeast US Continental Shelf
Authors: Grosselindemann Hendrik , Ryan Svenja , Ummenhofer Caroline , Martin Torge , Biastoch Arne
Published: March 2022

Marine Heatwaves (MHWs) are ocean extreme events, characterized by anomalously high temperatures, which can have drastic ecological impacts. The Northeast U.S. continental shelf is of great economical importance being home to a highly productive ecosystem. Local warming rates exceed the global average and the region experienced multiple MHWs in the last decade with severe consequences for regional fisheries. Due to the lack of subsurface observations, the depth-extent of MHWs is not well known, which however hampers assessing impacts on pelagic and benthic ecosystems. This study utilizes a global ocean circulation model with a high-resolution (1/20°) nest in the Atlantic to investigate the depth structure of MHWs and associated drivers on the Northeast U.S. continental shelf. It is shown that MHWs exhibit varying spatial extents, with some only appearing at depth. Highest intensities are found around 100m depth with temperatures exceeding the climatological mean by up to 7°C, while surface intensities are typically smaller around 3°C. Distinct vertical structures are associated with different spatial patterns and drivers. Investigation of the co-variability of temperature and salinity revealed that over 80% of MHWs at depth (>50m) coincide with extreme salinity anomalies. Two case studies provide insight into opposing MHW patterns at the surface and at depth, being forced by anomalous air-sea heat fluxes and Gulf Stream warm core ring interaction, respectively, the latter hinting at the importance of local ocean dynamics. The results highlight the relevance of subsurface/deep MHWs, underlining the need of continuous subsurface measurements. Working towards a more quantitative assessment of WCRs, their interaction with the shelf break and impact on the shelf's hydrography, an eddy-tracking algorithm will be applied on the model output. This will also allow to further investigate the model's skill in representing mesoscale features in the Gulf Stream region.
Intercomparing global foliar trait maps: upscaling approaches and spatial patterns 
Authors: Dechant Benjamin ,   sTRAITS synthesis working group
Published: March 2022

Foliar traits such as leaf nitrogen and phosphorus content (LNC, LPC) as well as specific leaf area (SLA) are key components of the leaf economic spectrum and hence important to characterize ecosystem functioning and functional diversity. However, up to now, global-scale maps of these traits have been produced using rather indirect approaches: either statistical upscaling on the basis of large plant trait databases or process-based modeling. Although there are more direct approaches to estimate such leaf traits from remote sensing, their applicability is still limited in coverage due to the sparsity of suitable ground reference data and satellite or airborne imagery.

Here, we report a comprehensive intercomparison of the currently available global maps of LNC, LPC, and SLA. In total, we examined global plant trait maps from seven different upscaling approaches. Here we categorize these different upscaling approaches and analyze the spatial patterns in the trait maps at different scales.

Overall, global foliar trait maps show considerable differences in both the distribution of values and spatial patterns. Major differences in spatial patterns among products were related to differences in the use of plant functional type (PFT) categories from land cover maps in the upscaling. While some of the upscaling approaches did not rely on PFT information at all, others used it in one or several steps of the upscaling. Similarities in spatial patterns emerged when the foliar trait maps are subset according to whether PFT information was used or not. Only the maps that used PFT information showed similarities in spatial patterns at smaller scales.

Future upscaling approaches should take into account new remote sensing data sources, such as hyperspectral reflectance from upcoming satellite missions, and provide sufficient details on the upscaling methodology as well as the intended purpose of the resulting maps.
Dating the serpentinite mud production of Fantangisña seamount using calcareous nannofossils and planktonic foraminifera biostratigraphy (IODP Expedition 366).
Authors: Del Gaudio Arianna Valentina , Piller Werner E. , Auer Gerald , Kurz Walter
Published: March 2022

The Izu-Bonin Mariana (IBM) convergent margin is located in the NW Pacific Ocean (12° N to 35° N) and represents, to the best of our knowledge, the only setting where recent episodes of serpentinite mud volcanism took place. The IBM arc-system started to form around 50-52 Ma when the Pacific Plate began to subside below the Philippine Plate and the eastern Eurasian Margin. On the Mariana forearc system, which constitutes the southward region of the IBM, a high number of large serpentinite mud volcanoes formed between the trench and the Mariana volcanic arc. Their origin is linked to episodic extrusion of serpentinite mud and fluids along with materials from the upper mantle, the Philippine plate, and the subducting Pacific plate to the sea floor, through a system of forearc faults. Among them, Fantangisña seamount was drilled during IODP Expedition 366. Cored material comprises serpentinite mud and ultramafic clasts that are underlain by nannofossil-rich forearc deposits and topped by pelagic sediments.

Integrated calcareous nannofossil and planktonic foraminifera biostratigraphy was performed on Sites U1497 and U1498, which are at the top of the serpentinite seamount and on its most stable southern flank, respectively. A total of nine bioevents were recorded in this study, permitting the establishment of a valid age-depth model for Site U1498A which allows for the definition of the latest phase of activity of Fantangisña serpentinite mud volcano. In particular, the emplacement of the mud production was detected between 6.10 (Late Miocene, Messinian) to 4.20 (Early Pliocene, Zanclean). This time interval is defined by nannofossil bioevents LO Reticulofenestra rotaria and FO of Discoaster asymmetricus. Furthermore, our analyses reveal that the latest stage of the serpentinite mud activity occurred 4 Ma later than the age proposed by a previous study (10.77 Ma) and is coeval with the initiation of the rifting in the Mariana Trough recorded at 7-6 Ma.

The age depth model also shows a rapid shift in sedimentation rates (11.80 to 94.71 m/Myr) during the Middle Pleistocene, which corresponds to a change in deposition of distinct serpentinite mud units, likely associated with the regional tectonic activity (different stages of seamount accretion and subduction and/or changes in the forearc extension related to the slab rollback).
Best practices for collecting polarimetric data with ApRES for constraining ice-fabric orientation and its spatial variability
Authors: Eisen Olaf , Ershadi Reza , Drews Reinhard , Berger Sophie , Gong Da , Li Yazhou , Martin Carlos , Zeising Ole
Published: March 2022

In recent years radar polarimetry has re-surfaced as an ideal tool to determine ice-fabric patterns and linked mechanical ice anisotropy. The leap forward was facilitated by coherent data processing often collected by phase-sensitive Radio-Echo-Sounding (pRES) systems at fixed locations. The polarimetric response can either be synthesized from a set of quad-polarimetric measurements or obtained by manually rotating the antennas. Specifics of the data collection in the field varied between the different surveys, and no set of best practices has yet emerged.  Here we present a systematic study that includes more than fifty different combinations of how polarimetric data can be acquired, including:

different distances between the transmitter and receiver (2, 4 and 8 m)

different combinations in polarization orientation (22.5 deg)

a comparison between discrete full azimuthal data collected every 22.5 degrees and synthesized data collected in a quad-pole setup

the effect of 180-degree polarization orientation on repeat measurements, e.g., basal melt rate and polarimetric analysis, e.g., coherence phase

definition of Horizontal (H) and Vertical (V) orientation is pRES antenna setup and its impact on synthesizing and analyzing data

90-degree fabric orientation ambiguity in polarimetric data

This study aims to provide best practices, considering that observation time in the field is limited. Ideally, this will lead to a unified setup and nomenclature, facilitating better compatibility from data collected by different groups on ice sheets, shelves, and glaciers.
Geothermal Exploration of the Baia Mare Region (Romania) with Magnetotellurics – Responses, Analysis and 1D Models
Authors: Neukirch Maik , Minakov Alexander , Smirnov Maxim , Gaina Carmen , Panea Ionelia , Isac Anca , Collignon Marine , Zlibut Alexandru , Coverca Cosmin , Paralescu Bogdan Sebastian , Henriuc Morosan Ana-Maria
Published: March 2022

Geothermal energy extracted from hydrothermal systems can play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change, while meeting the world’s increasing energy demand. Moreover, not only does it represent a highly economic and adaptive source of renewable energy, but it is genetically related with the formation of ore deposits which are necessary to fuel our energy transition.

The presented study is part of a larger multidisciplinary and international project that aims at investigating the geothermal potential of the Baia Mare region, in northern Romania and for which geological, geochemical, hydrogeological and geophysical data have been. In this framework, the magnetotelluric (MT) method is used to study the hydrothermal system and more specifically to locate heat sources, highlight the presence of fluids and identify the system’s structure.

The largest cluster of measurements with anomalously high heat flow values in Romania (100-160 mW/m2) is situated in the greater Baia Mare region, revealing this area as a prime interest for geothermal exploration. The study area is located within the Neogene Inner Carpathians volcanic arc. Crustal hydraulic properties and associated hydrothermal systems are possibly controlled by the regional Dragos-Voda strike-slip fault zone, which could also provide a pathway for late Miocene magmatic intrusions and lava flows. The associated magmatic plumbing system crosscuts the Neogene sedimentary deposits of the Pannonian Basin. The region is known for surface hot springs, salt and metal mining, which all suggest the presence of a hydrothermal system that could be exploited for geothermal energy.

Broadband magnetotelluric transfer functions have been obtained at 24 sites in the Baia Mare region ranging from 300 Hz up to around 1000s using two MTU instruments from Luleå University of Technology. In addition, we collected continuous telluric broadband recordings at the Surlari National Geomagnetic Observatory to be used as remote reference data together with data from other INTERMAGNET observatories. We applied non-stationary, robust remote processing, which allowed to improve poorly constrained estimates of the impedance tensor in the MT dead band (1 to 10s). Phase tensor and impedance maps provide data overview and a first glimpse of subsurface structures. The preliminary 3D inversion results are presented.
Applying the regression kriging method to explore the influence of agricultural activities on estimating spatial distributions of groundwater nitrate-N
Authors: Jang Cheng-Shin
Published: March 2022

Groundwater is one of the important water resources in western Taiwan and frequently used to meet water demands for irrigation, aquaculture, household, and public supply. In particular, groundwater nitrate-N pollution typically occurs in many agricultural regions owing to surface agricultural activities. Because numerous environmental factors can affect groundwater nitrate-N pollution, the delineation of extents of groundwater nitrate-N pollution is considerably critical according to auxiliary information of agricultural activities. The purpose of this study was to explore the influence of agricultural activities on estimating spatial distributions of groundwater nitrate-N by using regression kriging (RK) in the Choushui River alluvial fan, Taiwan. First, data on agricultural land use areas, such as crops, paddy fields, dry farmlands, orchards, livestock farming, and agricultural facility, were collected using geographical information system. Moreover, data on groundwater nitrate-N pollution surveyed by the Taiwan Water Resources Agency were determined according to medians of monitoring results between 2013 and 2020. Then, stepwise multiple linear regression (MLR) was used to explore the relationship between groundwater nitrate-N pollution and agricultural activities. Finally, RK was adopted to analyze the residuals between predicted nitrate-N obtained from MLR and observed nitrate-N. The study results indicated that groundwater nitrate-N pollution was positively related with orchard areas and negatively related with areas of agricultural attached facilities and livestock and poultry houses within a circle with a 1000-m radius centering a monitoring well. Moreover, RK estimates showed more spatial variability than ordinary kriging estimates for groundwater nitrate-N pollution because of orchards. To reduce groundwater nitrate-N pollution, feasible strategies of agricultural resources and environmental management are proposed based on the influence of surface agricultural activities on estimating spatial distributions of groundwater nitrate-N.
On the functioning of the glacial-interglacial variability: deterministic excitation vs. stochastic resonance 
Authors: Pierini Stefano
Published: March 2022

The mechanism of stochastic resonance (SR) in a bistable system was introduced [1] to explain the glacial-interglacial cycles in the Quaternary and is still regarded as a dynamical systems paradigm for those climate cycles. In the SR the stochastic forcing must satisfy a rather stringent condition; besides, glacial inceptions occur abruptly, as well as the glacial terminations. However, these conditions do not seem to be verified in the real climate system. Here it is shown that the alternative dynamical paradigm -that may be termed deterministic excitation (DE)- in which relaxation oscillations (ROs) are excited by the astronomical forcing in a purely deterministic framework, overcomes those limitations and may therefore provide a more plausible theoretical basis for the explanation of the glacial-interglacial variability.

In an excitable dynamical system a RO connects a basic state to an unstable excited state, which is then followed by a spontaneous, slow return to the original state. Such transition is self-sustained in a given parameter range of the autonomous system, otherwise it can be excited by an external deterministic time-dependent forcing (DE) or by noise (coherence resonance). Examples of DE in ocean dynamics are presented for the Kuroshio Extension in the North Pacific and for the Antarctic Circumpolar Current in the Southern Ocean.

A 4-dimensional nonlinear excitable spectral model of the wind-driven ocean circulation [2] is then used to briefly illustrate the main aspects of excitable climate dynamics, focusing on the occurrence of coherence resonance [3], on the DE of ROs under the action of an aperiodic forcing [4] and on the tipping points due to parameter drift [5]. Finally, a classical energy balance model is extended to obtain a minimal excitable model of the late Pleistocene ice ages [Pierini, in preparation]. The timing of the interglacials, determined by the DE caused by the variations of the Earth’s orbital eccentricity and axial tilt and precession, is found to be in significant agreement with proxy data. (Support from the IPSODES-P.N.R.A. project is acknowledged)

[1] Benzi R., Parisi G., Sutera A., Vulpiani A., 1982. Tellus 34, 10-16.

[2] Pierini S., 2011. J. Phys. Oceanogr. 41, 1585-1604.

[3] Pierini S., 2012. Phys. Rev. E 85, 027101.

[4] Pierini S., Ghil M., Chekroun M.D., 2016. J. Climate 29, 4185-4202.

[5] Pierini S., Ghil M., 2021. Sci. Rep. 11, 11126.
The added value of high-resolution EURO-CORDEX simulations to describe daily wind speed over Europe
Authors: Molina María Ofelia , Careto Joao , Gutiérrez Claudia , Sánchez Enrique , Soares Pedro
Published: March 2022

In the context of the CORDEX project, an ensemble of regional climate simulations of high resolution on a 0.11º grid has been generated for Europe with the objective of improving the representation of regional to local-scale atmospheric phenomena. However, such simulations are computationally expensive and do not always reveal added value.

In this study, a recently proposed metric (the distribution added value, DAV) is used to determine the added value of the available EURO-CORDEX high-resolution simulations at 0.11º for daily mean wind speed compared to their coarser-gridded 0.44º counterparts and their driving global simulations, from hindcast and historical experiments. The analysis is performed using observations data as a reference. Furthermore, the use of a normalized metric allows for a spatial comparison among different regions and time periods.

In general, results show that RCMs add value to their forcing model or reanalysis, but the nature and magnitude of the improvement on the representation of wind speed vary depending on the model, the region or the season. We found that most RCMs at 0.11º outperform models at 0.44º resolution in terms of their quality to represent measured wind speed PDF. However, the benefits of downscaling are not as clear in the upper tail of the wind speed.
At regional scale, higher DAVs are obtained at 0.11º than 0.44º resolution for all subdomains studied, particularly over the Mediterranean, the Iberian Peninsula and the Alps. With altitude, the 0.11º models represent better the locations below 50 m and above 350 m, while the 0.44º models under-perform with increasing altitude. Overall, DAVs are higher at 0.11º than at 0.44º resolution, probably due to a better performance of local-scale feedbacks at high resolution.
Contrasting ocean-atmosphere response to the north Indian Ocean cyclones during the pre-monsoon and the post-monsoon seasons
Authors: Kumar Singh Vineet , Mathew Koll Roxy , Deshpande Medha
Published: March 2022

Tropical cyclones in the north Indian Ocean evolve differently in response to the SST changes during the pre-monsoon (April-June) and post-monsoon (October-December) cyclone season. We analyzed the north Indian Ocean cyclones for the period 1982–2019 and observed that there is a contrasting ocean-atmosphere response to cyclones in the north Indian Ocean during the two cyclone seasons. During the pre-monsoon season, anomalous large SSTs along with high near-surface moisture disequilibrium and higher winds enhance the latent heat flux exchange from the ocean to the atmosphere. This increase in the latent heat flux exchange enhances the convection during the cyclone which in turn releases a large amount of latent heat of condensation in the atmosphere resulting in anomalous warming of 3-4°C at the upper levels (300-400 hPa) of the atmosphere. However, during the post-monsoon season, the upper-level anomalous warming is only about ~1°C. Suppressed cyclone-induced upper-level warming is mainly attributed to the weaker ocean-cyclone interaction in this season. As a result, the latent heat flux exchange between the ocean and atmosphere is weak resulting in weaker convection leading to less upper-level warming as compared to the pre-monsoon season. Also, in the lower levels of the atmosphere, there is anomalous large cooling in the pre-monsoon season as compared to the post-monsoon season. This difference in the low-level anomalous cooling is attributed to the difference in the evaporative cooling due to the difference in the low-level moisture profiles in the atmosphere in the two seasons. Through this study, we highlight that both the oceanic and atmospheric response to the north Indian Ocean cyclones is significantly different during the two cyclone seasons. Also, this is for the first time that the mean cyclone-induced atmospheric heating is reported for the north Indian Ocean. The cyclone-induced atmospheric heating can significantly modulate the atmospheric circulation, thus our study will help in better understanding the atmospheric response to cyclones and its other implications.
Empirical Mode Modeling: A data-driven approach to recover and forecast nonlinear dynamics from noisy data
Authors: Park Joseph , Pao Gerald , Stabenau Erik , Sugihara George , Lorimer Thomas
Published: March 2022

Data-driven, model-free analytics are natural choices for discovery and
forecasting of complex, nonlinear systems. Methods that operate in the system
state-space require either an explicit multidimensional state-space, or, one ap-
proximated from available observations. Since observational data are frequently
sampled with noise, it is possible that noise can corrupt the state-space representa-
tion degrading analytical performance. Here, we evaluate the synthesis of empirical
mode decomposition with empirical dynamic modeling, which we term empirical
mode modeling, to increase the information content of state-space representations
in the presence of noise. Evaluation of a mathematical, and, an ecologically im-
portant geophysical application across three different state-space representations
suggests that empirical mode modeling may be a useful technique for data-driven,
model-free, state-space analysis in the presence of noise.
Effect of spatial scale on tropical cyclone damage function
Authors: Tang Rumei , Wu Jidong
Published: March 2022

Tropical cyclones (TC) and their economic cost risk under climate change are significant concerns globally. Previous studies on TC damage functions and risk assessment are mostly performed based on modelling TC-level damage and thus obtaining annual average loss (AAL) for a country or region. In this study, we used officially released data on reported damage in China to examine patterns of TC damage functions ranging in form and inclusion of risk components, from the county and provincial to TC scale. We find that the robustness of simulated damage increases with spatial scale. Further, TC-induced precipitation tended to be more significant in determining exposure and therefore economic cost of TC, especially at larger scales. Our work provides an empirical assessment of the role of observation scale and damage function in TC economic consequence evaluation and demonstrates that future TC risk at a larger scale may depend on the impact of socioeconomic change.
on the deformation of porous medium by pressurized flow
Authors: Bachrach Arnold , Edery Yaniv
Published: March 2022

Fluid injections into the underground occurs in many industrial processes as hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas recovery, wastewater disposal, enhanced geothermal energy systems (EGS) and Carbon storage technologies. Often, the increase in pore pressure due to the fluid injections lead to the activation of a preexisting underground shear fractures (named faults), forming unanticipated local earthquakes.

While studying the mechanism of injection induced earthquakes, the rock deformation due to the fluid injection is unknown. Understanding the rock deformation coupling with the pressure change, requires detailed experiments linking the global and local deformation with the pressure change during flow, which ultimately influence the earthquake triggering.

In this study we present a novel experiment on transparent plastic rocks, that offers a detailed analysis of the artificial rocks’ deformation due to pressurized flow. In these experiments, we inject a fluid through the artificial rocks and analyze the internal deformation by capturing the displacement of fluorescent microspheres embedded in the artificial rock structure. Our analysis allows a straight-forward correlation between the deformation of rocks, the pressure change and the fluid flow. The study points a similarity between the material deformation due to internal pressure induced by the fluid injection and material deformation due to an external pulling.
Discovery of the pseudotachylytes in the Qiangtang Rift, Tibet, and their petrological characteristics and tectonic significance
Authors: Wang Huan , Li Haibing , Sun Zhiming , He Xiangli
Published: March 2022

Tectonic pseudotachylytes are produced by rapid sliding and melting, and then solidified fast in faults during earthquakes, which are considered as fossil earthquake. Pseudotachylytes record the physical-chemical processes related to earthquake in fault zone, which are essential materials for understanding the history of fault activity.  Here we focus on the pseudotachylytes and cataclastic rocks in the East Yibug Caka fault, SN-trending normal fault in the Qiangtang terrane, in the hinterland of the Tibetan Plateau. Combined optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) with in situ X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses, their microstructures, mineral composition and elemental distribution were analyzed in detail. Field investigation shows that the dark gray to brown in color pseudotachylytes, associated with cataclastic rocks, are occurred as fault veins and injection veins with thickness ranging from a few mm to 1 cm. Microstructural observations show that multiple lines of evidence, such as embayed quartz fragments, honeycomb-like vesciles and locally developed microcrystallines and cluster aggregates, indicate that the pseudotachylytes were the products of frictional melting during the seismic slip. In addition, pseudotachylytes present as clasts in cataclastic rocks and fault breccias, and younger cataclastic rocks contain breccia of earlier cataclastic rocks, these characteristcs indicate that large seismic events occurred repeatedly in this fault zone. Considering the initial active time of the normal faults in this area is 13.5 Ma, the formation depth of the pseudotachylytes and associated cataclastic rocks is 10 km, the exhumation rate of the these fault rocks from deep depth is at least ~0.74 mm/yr. Pseudotachylytes along normal faults are seldom reported, this is the first time that we find melt-origined pseudotachylytes in the SN-trending normal faults in the Qiangtang terrane, and where present they have important implications for learning regional seismic activity and fault evolution process.
Elemental sulfur formation in the Kemp Caldera hydrothermal system, Scotia Sea
Authors: Kürzinger Victoria , Bach Wolfgang , Diehl Alexander , Pereira Samuel I. , Strauss Harald , Bohrmann Gerhard
Published: March 2022

The Kemp Caldera is a submarine arc caldera volcano and belongs to the southernmost part of the South Sandwich island arc, located in the Scotia Sea. In 2009, the caldera was discovered by the R/V James Clark Ross research cruise JR224 during a geophysical survey. At this time, first hydrothermal activities were observed within the caldera. Around a resurgent cone in the center of the caldera, extinct chim­neys and whi­te smo­ker vent fiel­ds are found. A special feature of the Kemp Caldera hydrothermal system is the occurrence of elemental sulfur (S0) at uncommonly high pH values. Sulfur samples of the white smoker vent fields “Great Wall” and “Toxic Castle” at the eastern flank of the resurgent cone were recovered with a remotely operated vehicle during the R/V Polarstern PS119 expedition in 2019. These two sites are no more than 80 m apart, but the occurrence of S0 is different: at Great Wall, the sulfur is crystalline, while at Toxic Castle the sulfur is liquid and forms amorphous, pearl-like structures. Both sites are characterized by fluids with pH25 °C values > 5 and show a temperature range from 63 to > 200 °C. Most interesting, however, are the δ34S values of elemental sulfur, ranging from +5.2 to +5.8 ‰.

Disproportionation of magmatic SO2 commonly explains the formation of S0 in arc/back-arc systems. Elemental sulfur precipitates from highly acidic hydrothermal fluids with pH-values ≤ 1 and show negative δ34S values due to isotope fractionation. However, this formation mechanism cannot explain the moderate pH of the fluids and the lack of significantly negative δ34S values for sulfur that would indicate SO2 disproportionation. We suggest that the formation of sulfur in the Kemp Caldera is a result of SO2 and H2S synproportionation. From a thermodynamic point of view, this formation mechanism is possible, but it has not yet been demonstrated that it actually takes place in hydrothermal systems. Our study focuses on the formation of elemental sulfur in the Kemp Caldera hydrothermal system and shows that the diversity of hydrothermal arc/back-arc systems may be greater than previously assumed.