bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
" Assessing The Impact of Land Use Changes on Pm2.5 Concentrations: A Geographically Weighted Regression Approach " 
Authors: Jaiswal Rahul , Shekhar Himanshu , Gupta Siddhant , Payra Swagata , Kumar Pandey Manish , Verma Sunita
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTThe increase in urbanization and migration has led to the unprecedented growth in anthropogenic pollutants especially the pollution caused by PM2.5. The effects of the land surface changes on these pollutants are significant. Research in the past indicates a close link between PM2.5 pollution and land use patterns at the micro-scale. The association of land and pollutants could be utilized as a proactive measure for reducing PM2.5 pollution and that’s what the current work proposes to do by taking Land use and land cover changes (LULCC) into consideration as one of the crucial and important factors influencing air quality. This study delves into the effects of different LULC categories and changes in land use on PM2.5 concentrations over Dehradun, Uttarakhand using a geographically weighted regression model.Between 2000 and 2020, the LULCC analysis shows that the Built-up area has increased by 249.25% while in the same time interval, the highest recorded PM2.5 value increased by 17%, surging from 41.6 µg/m³ to 50.1 µg/m³, the agriculture area is increased by 371.86% over the study area. The built-up area exhibits the highest PM2.5 concentrations, while the densely vegetated area shows the lowest levels. The GWR analysis represents the significant relationship between PM2.5 and LULCC. These findings provide valuable insights for making informed decisions concerning regional environmental conservation, health, and local ecological well-being. Keywords: PM2.5, Land use, Land cover, Remote Sensing, Geographically Weighted Regression,  
The role of soil organic matter content in the composition and abundance of Collembola communities in a forest-open landscape mosaic
Authors: Winkler Dániel , Csorba Mátyás , Bidló András , Balázs Pál , Végh Péter , Horváth Adrienn
Published: March 2024

The presence of soil fauna is essential for healthy soil life. As part of the soil mesofauna, Collembola are significant contributors to humus formation and the spread of mycorrhizal fungi, which are of major importance for plants, and they also help to decompose organic matter and mineralise the soil. Among the soil parameters, organic matter content is one of the most significant determinants of the abundance and diversity of Collembola. Our study aimed to explore these relationships in a forest-open landscape mosaic in a dry, sandy area in the Danube-Tisza Mid-Region of Hungary. Soil samplings were carried out in different forest types and nearby open areas (grassland and abandoned cultivated habitats). Five non-destructive soil samples of 100 cm3 were taken at each site using a soil corer with a 3.6 cm diameter and a 10 cm depth for the soil fauna survey. In total, 2,018 specimens from 13 families, and 49 species were sampled and identified. We used a multivariate ordination method (CCA) to investigate the relationship of individual species and life forms to specific soil parameters. It was found that mainly hemiedaphic species (such as Appendisotoma franzi, A. juliannae, Lepidocyrtus nigrescens) showed the strongest connection to soil organic matter. In contrast, euedaphic species (e.g., Doutnacia xerophila, Mesaphorura krausbaueri, Protaphorura cancellata) showed a weaker binding. The epedaphic, soil surface-dwelling species (e.g., Entomobrya multifasciata, Orchesella cincta) did not show a strong preference for soil organic matter content or other soil parameters. Based on similarity analyses (cluster analysis, Bray-Curtis distance), open habitats showed a distinct separation according to the Collembola species composition and abundance.This article was made in frame of the project TKP2021-NKTA-43 which has been implemented with the support provided by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Hungary (successor: Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary) from the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund, financed under the TKP2021-NKTA funding scheme.
Quantifying the effect of freeze-thaw on daily sediment transport in an alpine catchment
Authors: Skålevåg Amalie , Korup Oliver , Bronstert Axel
Published: March 2024

In cold mountain environments, freeze-thaw processes significantly influence sediment dynamics. With the rapid warming of high mountain areas observed in recent decades, such freeze-thaw processes are likely to be affected. Thus examining the relationship between fluvial sediment transport and catchment freeze-thaw, may inform our predictions of the future sediment transport regime in mountain landscapes. Freeze-thaw has the potential to both increase and decrease suspended sediment concentrations in rivers. Freeze-thaw-driven erosion increases the sediment supply and thus can elevate the suspended sediment load. However, as the key hydrological processes driving sediment transport are thermally regulated, temperatures at the freeze-thaw boundary will generally result in lower transport capacity and less catchment area contributing sediment to the streams. Here, we aim to examine this diverging effect of freeze-thaw at the daily scale in a high alpine catchment. We use Bayesian analysis to quantify the modulating effect of catchment freeze-thaw state and cycles on sediment transport in an alpine catchment. We use daily 1-km rasters of maximum and minimum temperature to determine the catchment area affected by daily freeze-thaw cycles and the frozen catchment area to determine freeze-thaw influenced days. With daily suspended sediment and streamflow data, we then analyse the sediment-discharge relationship on days with and without freeze-thaw influence.
Anthropogenic heat input into the subsurface: Influencing factors and its importance during shallow geothermal impact assessment
Authors: Hastreiter Nele , Vienken Thomas
Published: March 2024

The presented study focuses on quantifying the impact of the anthropogenic heat input from residential buildings on the subsurface temperature regime, employing an innovative approach that combines building physics simulations with heat and groundwater flow modelling. To enhance the applicability of the approach, sensitivity analyses of various parameters that govern the heat transfer from the investigated buildings are performed. The investigated parameters took hydrogeological and meteorological conditions, building properties (including different insulation standards and building types) as well as petrophysical rock properties into account.The findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the subsurface temperature regimes within densely settled areas, which is particular significant for the impact assessment of shallow geothermal applications. Results of the study show that neglecting anthropogenic heat input may lead to an underestimation of the effects of shallow geothermal applications on the underground temperatures.
Integrating carbon fluxes and wood anatomical traits to unravel carbon pool partitioning using eddy covariance data, tree rings and modeling
Authors: Puchi Paulina , Dalmonech Daniela , Collalti Alessio
Published: March 2024

Boreal forest sinks one third of terrestrial carbon (C), playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change. However, our understanding of the relationship between carbon assimilation and its allocation into woody biomass production remains limited. To address this gap, we propose a novel approach that combines eddy covariance (EC), wood anatomy in tree rings, and the 3D-CMCC-FEM forest model. This integrated method aims to elucidate the pathways of C pools over short and long-time scales. The study was conducted in a boreal site of Pinus banksiana (Lamb.) in Canada, spanning from 1999 to 2019.Our results revealed notably high correlations between model-predicted and measured Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) ranging from 0.88, 0.95, 0.60 for daily, monthly, and annual scales, respectively. We observed comparable inter-annual variability between measured ring wall area (proxy of total woody biomass) and stem carbon accumulated and predicted by the model. Additionally, consistent values of carbon use efficiency (CUE = 0.41, net vs. gross primary productivity) were found when comparing modeled and estimated data in the nearby evergreen Picea mariana stand to our study site.This study represents a significant step toward enhancing our understanding of both inter-and intra-annual variability of carbon fluxes, providing insights into the pathways of C in forest —an essential challenge in estimating and projecting future carbon sink capacities of forests.
Bounding the contribution of open leads to sea spray aerosol emissions in the high Arctic
Authors: Lapere Rémy , Thomas Jennie L. , Marelle Louis , Rampal Pierre
Published: March 2024

In the Arctic ocean, open leads have the ability to release sea spray into the atmosphere. However, the magnitude and seasonality of this flux are relatively unknown, which is a limitation to our understanding of the polar climate. Most atmospheric models do not include sea spray from leads, because of the lack of existing parameterization. In this work we propose a parameterization for sea spray fluxes from open leads in the Arctic, which leverages aerosol flux measurements from a past campaign combined with the latest generation of sea ice modeling.Based on our parameterization, the annual total emitted mass of sea salt from open leads, [0.1–1.5] Tg/yr, is comparable to emissions from blowing snow and to the transported mass of sea salt from open ocean coming from the lower latitudes. Furthermore, the seasonality of open lead and blowing snow sea salt emissions have opposite phases, and their spatial distribution across the Arctic is also different. Therefore, we find that including both open lead and blowing snow sea salt fluxes can improve the reproduction of the annual cycle of sea salt aerosol atmospheric concentration at high latitude stations.Using sea ice concentration fields from the neXtSimv2 sea ice model and implementing our parameterization in the WRF-Chem chemistry-transport model, we evaluate the impacts of open lead emissions on sea salt concentrations and clouds in the high Arctic.
Decentralized CO2 storage in unfavorable conditions: An example from Switzerland
Authors: Gunatilake Thanushika , Pio Rinaldi Antonio , Zappone Alba , Zhang Yingqi , Zbinden Dominik , Mazzotti Marco , Wiemer Stefan
Published: March 2024

The escalating global temperature necessitates immediate action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Geological Carbon Storage (GCS) technology has emerged as a promising solution, specifically by injecting carbon dioxide (CO2) into geological formations, particularly deep saline aquifers. However, finding ideal geological reservoir conditions, including caprock stability and storage capacity, is a rare occurrence.This study comprehensively assesses the potential for CO2 storage in the Triemli saline aquifer in Zurich, Switzerland. The goal is not only to demonstrate the feasibility of CO2 storage in Switzerland but also to emphasize the viability of decentralized storage with multiple small injection point, for emitters like medium -sized cities, in regions with geologically challenging subsurface conditions. Through numerical simulations, we explore CO$_2$ injection, migration, and long-term reservoir stability to bridge the gap between theoretical estimates and practical feasibility.  Our findings underscore the potential of deep saline aquifers for CO2 storage in Switzerland, particularly in the Swiss Molasse Basin and the adjacent Folded Jura, identified as crucial regions for effective CO2 storage. Employing advanced methods and strategic injection techniques, such as multiple vertical or horizontal injection points along a single well, could optimize this storage capacity to approximately 3 million tons of CO2 over the same period.
Coastline migration and restoring recommendations in China 
Authors: Wang Xuege , Yan Fengqin , Su Fenzhen
Published: March 2024

Coastal areas are important and functional regions due to their location and abundant natural resources that support human life and certain industries, while these areas are also ecologically vulnerable and have experienced dramatic changes due to both human activities and natural factors. In this article, remote sensing and geographic information system technology are utilized to extract and analyze the spatiotemporal changes in China’s coastline from 1980 to 2018. Additionally, the study introduces the Ecosystem Service Values (ESVs) evaluation method to quantitatively assess the impact of coastline changes on coastal ESVs. Results indicate that from 1980 to 2018, the length of China's mainland coastline increased by 10.2%, characterized by a significant increase in artificial and a sharp decrease in natural coastlines. Aquaculture ponds were the type of coastline with the most increase, followed by construction land and ports. Bedrock coastline was the type of coastline with the most reduction, followed by sandy and muddy coastlines. Over the past four decades, the changes in coastline have led to a decrease of $6.83 billion in ESV in China's coastal zone. Therefore, protecting and restoring China's natural coastline should be highly prioritized. Local authorities should evaluate the ecological environment of specific coastal zones in a timely and effective manner using big data and decision-making tools, and provide feedback to guide the adjustment and implementation of relevant national/regional policies.
Nutrient and Water Availability Modulate the Destabilization of Mineral-Associated Organic Matter in the Rhizosphere
Authors: Keiluweit Marco , Garcia Arredondo Mariela , Castro Sherlynette , Tfaily Malak , Cardon Zoe
Published: March 2024

Soils are the largest and most dynamic carbon reservoir in terrestrial environments, with most carbon stored as mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM). It has recently been shown that MAOM is effectively destabilized by reactive compounds released by plant roots and associated microbes. It is well known that quantity and quality of rhizodeposits dramatically change in response to nutrient or water stress, with unclear consequences for rates of plant root-driven MAOM destabilization. Here we show that altered rhizodeposition in response to environmental stressors affects rates of root-driven MAOM destabilization. Well-controlled growth chamber experiments with Avena sativa (common oat) allowed us to test the individual and interactive effects of nitrogen, phosphorus, and water limitations on the fate of 13C-labeled MAOM over a 10-week period. At the end of the experiment, total MAOM mineralization was strongly correlated with root biomass, which generally declined with nutrient and water limitations. However, under P limitations, root-driven MAOM mineralization was greatest during the initial growth stages (vegetative), whereas N limitations resulted in greater rates of MAOM mineralization during later growth stages (flowering). Drought treatments, when compared to their corresponding optimal watering treatments, produced the least MAOM destabilization. To test whether temporal changes in MAOM destabilization rates can be explained by differences in rhizodeposition intensity and composition, we analyzed rhizodeposits collected throughout the experiment via high-resolution mass spectrometry. This study demonstrates that MAOM mineralization is regulated not just by the inherent stability of MAOM against microbial attack, but also depends on plant water and nutrient availability within the whole plant-soil system as well as plant physiological and phenological stages. Through such feedback, changes in soil nutrient and water status (e.g. via altered precipitation or fertilizer application) can be expected to cause plant-induced alterations to the size of the otherwise stable, mineral-associated soil carbon reservoir.
Effect of chamber closure time on soil CH4 and CO2 flux estimation by linear and non-linear model application
Authors: Johannesson Carl-Fredrik , Larsen Klaus Steenberg , Silvennoinen Hanna , Lange Holger , Nordén Jenni
Published: March 2024

Soils are key components of the global carbon cycle, releasing CO2 due to plant respiration and microbial decomposition processes and consuming or releasing CH4 depending on the dominance of methanotrophic or methanogenic activity. Gas flux measurements have been, and still are, widely employed to improve our understanding of greenhouse gas budgets as well as the processes and mechanisms regulating them. Thus, accurate estimation of flux rates and dynamics is important.While there’s a multitude of techniques available for greenhouse gas flux measurements, non-steady state chambers are commonly used. They are however, like other chambers and flux measurement techniques in general, prone to measurement artefacts and biases. When a non-steady state chamber is deployed on top of bare soil, the concentration gradient between the soil and the atmosphere inside the chamber is artificially altered, leading to non-linear gas concentration increases (CO2 and CH4) or decreases (CH4) inside the chamber, even when chamber closure times are short. Whether the true flux rate can still be approximated using linear regression by keeping the chamber closure time short has been discussed for decades and non-linear models rooted in diffusion theory have been developed to account for the non-linearity of the concentration change (e.g., the Hutchinson-Mosier model and the non-steady state diffusive flux estimator (NDFE)). Nonetheless, only few studies have empirically evaluated the effect of chamber closure time on soil flux estimation by linear and non-linear model application, especially using high frequency data.Using >3 000 forest soil CO2 and CH4 flux measurements collected with a high frequency and precision trace gas concentration analyzer (LI-7810 from LI-COR®), we evaluated the effect of sequentially increasing the time period used for linear and non-linear (Hutchinson-Mosier, (1981)) model fitting, up to a total of 300 seconds. Initial results show that using less time for non-linear model fitting results in higher release estimates for CO2 and higher consumption estimates for CH4 compared to when using the full 300 seconds. We also found that flux estimates from linear and non-linear models converged when decreasing the time period used for the linear fit and increasing the time period used for nonlinear fit, indicating that linear models can provide accurate flux estimates when the time period used for the linear fit is kept short. Our results have implications not only for robust estimation of flux rates, but also for field work and flux measurement logistics and planning.
Determination of the shallow S-wave velocity structure and sedimentary thickness offshore central Chile using distributed acoustic sensing.
Authors: Vernet Clara , Alister Trabattoni , Rivet Diane , Baillet Marie
Published: March 2024

Distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) provides an attractive solution for ocean-bottom seismological instrumentation by providing a dense and long-distance measurement of the deformation of the ground along offshore submarine fiber-optic cables. This study reports analyses made on records acquired with a network located along the Chilean margin. We focus onto the analysis of the structure of the shallow crust, in particular, the sedimentary layer of the overlying crust, whose lateral variations suggest strong contrasts of the sedimentary recharge of the slab.
The POST experiment was carried out from October 27 to December 3, 2021 on a fiber-optic cable connecting the city of Concón (100km northwest of Santiago) to La Serena. Using strain-rate recordings for twenty local and regional earthquakes, we estimated both the thickness and shear wave velocity of sediments. We used jointly (1) travel time delays between the direct P-wave and converted Ps at the bedrock/sediment interface that were estimated from manual picks and (2) coda wave interferometry. This later was done by identifying the phase velocities of the fundamental Rayleigh wave mode on frequency-wavenumber (FK) diagrams over 2km linear arrays along the fiber in the 0.3 to 7Hz frequency band. Each dispersive curve and travel time delays between the direct and converted wave were then jointly inverted to create a 2D S-wave velocity (Vs) structure of the sedimentary layer under the fiber.
Our results show significant differences in thickness and in Vs along the cable. Two basins are observed, including the Valparaiso Forearc Basin separated by the Punta Salinas Ridge and another basin limited by a thin sedimentary layer with Vs of a few hundred m/s. In the extreme northern part of the cable, a thin layer of unconsolidated Quaternary sediments is on top of a deeper compacted sediments with faster Vs. The developed methodology comforts the potential of DAS for subsurface imaging purposes. Moreover, accurate modeling of the subsurface could be used to correct the location of earthquakes on the \iber sensors.
The Use of Wavelet Transforms and Deep learning algorithms to identify risk caused by landslides from multitemporal satellite images
Authors: Sridharan Aadityan , Ajai A.S Remya , Gopalan Sundararaman
Published: March 2024

Landslide risk assessment is ineludible for communities in mountainous regions of the world. Life and habitat loss plague these communities due to rapid mass movements. Cloud burst conditions and strong earthquake tremors trigger thousands of landslides that can run amuck in the terrain. One way to assess the risk is by field investigations. Vast areas cannot be covered on foot and other limitations such as a lack of accessible roads. The next viable alternative is aerial photography and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). The range and accuracy of the deployed drones and aircraft also limit this method of earth observation. Overcoming these limitations, optical satellite images give us information for a vast area and can observe the surface daily, which is only limited by cloud cover. These satellites have advanced to give highly accurate images with a resolution of 3m/pixel.Remote sensing image processing techniques are used to generate automated inventory of landslides. Most of the current algorithms use segmentation algorithms to map the landslide polygons but do not include the urban settlements that are vulnerable to these mass movements. Planet lab images (3m/pixel) and Google earth images (0.2m/pixel) can be acquired at a daily temporal scale. These images can be further processed to identify the scars caused by the landslides and the outlines of urban settlements. Sridharan et al 2020 and 2022 have looked at discrete wavelet transforms (DWT) and deep learning algorithms for assessing the proximity of these landslide scars to urban settlements.In this work, we extend these algorithms with high-resolution satellite images and identify the risk caused by landslides to communities. We collected images for landslides from various parts of the world that are observed to be active and added them as one class of training dataset. From the urban settlements that are in steep terrain, we collect a second set of images as another training class. More than 3000 images are used for training and validation with a 70:30 train-test split. The models are then tested by classifying a set of images that contain both classes to assess their potential in identifying landslide risk to communities. Classic Support vector machine is used as a classifier after extracting features by DWT. Traditional deep learning algorithms such as AlexNET and ResNET are trained and tested on the satellite images. We observe both DWT and Deep learning algorithms  have good overall accuracy in extracting features and validating them while there are some accuracy differences in identifying the risk in mixed images that have both the classes. The models are rated based on the confusion matrix and AUC-ROC. While various DWT give an accuracy in range of 90 – 96%, the deep learning models have a range of 95 – 98%.
Estimating source parameters by dynamic source inversion of apparent source time functions or spectra
Authors: Valentová K. Lubica , Gallovič František
Published: March 2024

In dynamic source inversions, observed waveforms are used to infer frictional parameters on a fault, obtaining a rupture model constrained by both data and physics. Assuming a slip-weakening friction law, Bayesian dynamic rupture inversions of regional waveforms have already been performed for several large events (e.g., Gallovič et al., 2019;  Gallovič, et al., 2020; Kostka, et al., 2022). On the other hand, apparent source time functions (ASTF) or apparent source spectra are commonly used to estimate source parameters (corner frequency, stress drop, etc.) under the assumption of simplified source models (e.g., Brune source). The ASTFs can be inferred from observed waveforms by, e.g., empirical Green’s function deconvolution (Plicka et al., 2022), and characterize a station-specific source radiation free of path and site effects. Employing the ASTFs or apparent source spectra at each receiver instead of the full (low-frequency) waveforms in Bayesian dynamic source inversion is a promising way of surpassing the simplifying assumptions on the rupture process and radiation in earthquake source analyses. Here we inspect the performance of the Bayesian dynamic source inversion applied to ASTFs and apparent source spectra on a series of synthetic tests. As a target model, we assume a Mw 6.2 dynamic source model on a 30x14km fault embedded in a 1D layered medium. The model parameters of the slip-weakening friction law are heterogeneous on the fault. The inversion is performed using the fd3D_tsn_pt code (Premus et al., 2020) with the same parametrization as the target dynamic model. The posterior dynamic model samples are used to assess the reliability of various kinematic or dynamic parameters, such as rupture size, duration, corner frequency, or static stress drop, including their uncertainty, when inverting ASTFs, apparent source spectra, or full waveforms. The synthetic tests reveal which of the source parameters can be estimated reliably using each dataset and which are biased due to the settings of the McMC sampling process. Finally, a real-data application of the ASTF dynamic source inversion for the 2010 Mw 6.9 deep earthquake in East China is shown.
The influence of orientation and leaf area indices of a vertical green wall on historic building materials
Authors: De Groeve Marie , Kale Eda , Orr Scott Allan , De Kock Tim
Published: March 2024

Built heritage is a vital component of urban environments and is rich in cultural and economic values. These buildings are abundant in city centres and have been the site of development for several centuries. They have created dense urban environments, exhibiting strong urban heat island effects. Ground-based vertical greening is a widely used green initiative in dense urban environments to mitigate the current climate stressors due to its small footprint and its ability to cover a large surface area with vegetation. The impact of this green initiative on the materials and structural integrity of built heritage is currently poorly understood and thus the focus of this research.Several studies have already proven the efficacy of ground-based vertical greening in fostering a more stabilized condition on the underlying wall surface, characterized by reducing the amplitude of temperature and relative humidity fluctuations and the amount of solar irradiation. More stable conditions can imply a lower risk of common degradation processes, such as freeze-thaw weathering and salt crystallization, in historic building materials. Since the extent of the vertical greening performance and the deterioration of building façades strongly depend on the orientation of the façade, part of this research aims to establish a relationship between those two variables while considering the orientation of a building façade. Monitoring case studies in the historic city centre of Antwerp during summer develops an understanding of the shading performances of vertical greening and characterises the boundary conditions, such as orientation or leaf area index (LAI), that signify the extent of efficacy. The current case studies reveal a positive correlation between the LAI and the shading potential of vertical greening and highlight the significant role of orientation in mitigating the environmental parameters on the wall surface, as the cooling processes of vegetation mainly depend on the amount of solar irradiation. More specifically, the highest leaf area index and a south or west orientation show us the most significant cooling behaviour during the day which can reduce the risk of salt crystallization the most. The shading performance of vertical greening is only one of the several mechanisms determining the impact of vertical greening on the local environment and the subjected historic materials. 
Stygos - A Board Game Depicting the Challenging Life of Underground Organisms
Authors: Becher Julia , Galle Mareike , Haenel Moritz
Published: March 2024

Beneath the surface, concealed in the darkness beneath our feet, a complex and captivating ecosystem exists, largely unbeknown to the majority of people. In an environment devoid of light, characterized by cold temperatures, limited food supply, low oxygen concentrations, and limited space, the challenge of survival is profound. The authors seek to embark players on an enthralling journey through the life of a groundwater organism (Stygobiont), exploring this fascinating and hidden ecosystem and demonstrating its dependence on decisions made above ground.The game design follows a round-based structure where players navigate along the board, comprised of different layers representing various underground settings. Their objective is to fulfill tasks (action cards) to earn points. Aquifer organisms move within different layers, reflecting diverse aquifer structures, land use settings, and the needs of these organisms. Players assume the roles of cooperative companions, assisting stygobionts in navigating their lives. When encountering a groundwater ally, players face critical decisions addressing the stygobionts' questions: Where can they find food? How much oxygen is crucial for survival? How should they spend their day—resting, swimming, or digging? How to deal with environmental disturbances? Through the use of action cards, various environmental events impact groundwater life, including temperature shifts due to climate change, contaminant pollution from agricultural practices or urbanization, and groundwater depletion resulting from human overuse. The players' task is to make decisions that will not only benefit the organisms but also contribute to their collective mission: maintaining water purity.The overarching goal of the project is to create an easy-to-understand board game suitable for both children and adults, playable in workshops, teaching units, or at home. The game's design not only seeks to educate players about the diversity and complexity of groundwater ecosystems but also emphasizes how human decisions and events above ground profoundly impact the underground environment. Simultaneously, players gain insights into the vital functions of groundwater ecosystems, such as water purification.This game presentation marks the initial phase of development. Embedded in the project "Stygos-Grundwasserleben," funded by iDiv (Deutsches Zentrum für integrative Biodiversitätsforschung Halle-Jena-Leipzig), which incorporates outreach activities to engage people interactively with groundwater ecosystems, the authors aspire to raise awareness about groundwater ecology and fostering a greater understanding among players of their role in preserving this vital natural resource.
Changes in anisotropy with depth revealed by splitting intensity tomography beneath the Alps and surrounding regions
Authors: Confal Judith , Baccheschi Paola , Pondrelli Silvia
Published: March 2024

Complex tectonics and strong heterogeneity due to thickened crust, subducting lithosphere, and the movement of the surrounding asthenosphere can be well described by seismic anisotropy, a good indicator for active and past tectonic events. Most of methodologies adopted so far to reconstruct anisotropy have a poor depth resolution. To overcome this problem we are using splitting intensity, which is related to the energy on the transverse component of the waveform and is linearly related to the mediums elastic perturbations through 3D finite-frequency sensitivity kernels. Here, we have paid special attention to three regions: the Western Alpine orogen; the Upper Rhine Graben and the still active oceanic subduction in Southern Tyrrhenian region. We used 822 stations in the Central Mediterranean to compute 12480 splitting intensity measurements, afterwards they were inverted for depth dependent anisotropy. The 3D anisotropy models show a complex pattern in the shallower parts (60-100 km depth), becoming more aligned parallel to the slabs in the deeper parts (100-350 km depth) and influenced only by strong mantle flows. In the Upper Rhine Graben we are finally able to appoint an anisotropy pattern of NNW-SSE oriented fast polarisation directions, which are parallel to faults in the graben structure, to the lithosphere and a lower layer with orientations pointing NE-SW, to asthenospheric flow. While between 100 and 250 km depth the strength of anisotropy is very small. In the Western Alps we see complex shallow anisotropy pattern and possible mantle flow around the Alpine slab. Beneath the southern Tyrrhenian subduction system looking at the anisotropy tomography images we are able to identify circular mantle flow directions around the edge of the slab (beneath the Sicily Channel) and possible break-offs in the continuity of the slab.
Chemo- and sequence stratigraphy of Toarcian to Aalenian sedimentary successions from southern Germany
Authors: Jochen Erbacher , Thomas Mann , André Bornemann , Martin Blumenberg , Tilo Kneuker
Published: March 2024

Toarcian to Aalenian sedimentary deposits in southern Germany have been accumulated in a shallow-marine, epicontinental shelf environment. The according successions are dominated by marlstones, thick claystones and argillaceous siltstones, with increasing percentages of sandstones towards the top of the Aalenian. While the Toarcian, including the TOC-rich paper shales of the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event (T-OAE), is characterized by distinct lithologies, resulting in a number of hiatuses, Aalenian sedi­ments are likely to represent a relatively complete stratigraphic record. Although the investigated sequences are located in a region that has been known for its famous Jurassic sequences for more than 150 years, the sedimentary evolution and paleoclimatic significance of these successions, remain largely unexplored on a basin-wide scale. Here we present a suite of high-resolution x-ray fluorescence (XRF) core scanning, stable organic carbon isotope and biostratigraphy data to identify Transgressive-Regressive cycles during the Late Toarcian to Aalenian. Results are based on four scientific drill cores of 200 - 250 m length, taken on a profile over a distance of about 300 km. Resulting trends in elemental Si/Al ratios, which are indicative for subtle grain-size variations, combined with sedimentological observations on ichnofacies and bedform development were used to reconstruct shoreline trajectories and establish a sequence stratigraphic framework. Our study mainly focus the thick and largely homogenous lower Aalenian Opalinuston Formation.
Does climate change violate children’s rights? Investigating the use of scientific evidence in child and youth-led climate litigation
Authors: Pietroiusti Rosa , Adelman Sam , Savaresi Annalisa , Thiery Wim
Published: March 2024

Climate change is already increasing the frequency, intensity and duration of many extreme weather events around the world, as well as driving impacts on communities through slow-onset changes, and will continue to do so with each additional degree of warming. Young and future generations will face an ever-greater number of such events during their lifetimes, raising concerns regarding the intergenerational inequity inherent in climate change. In response to these concerns, child and youth-led climate litigation is emerging as an avenue to push for more ambitious climate policies at national and regional scales, by applying legal duties and obligations in a forward-looking way and presenting courts with  scientific evidence of observed and projected climate risks and impacts. Recent complaints led by young people, including, for example, Sacchi et al. v. Argentina et al., lodged in 2019 with the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child and Duarte Agostinho et al. v. Portugal et al., which was heard in 2023 by the European Court of Human Rights, have broken new ground by bringing the rights of children and future generations to the fore. Based on a review of recent and ongoing cases, we will investigate (i) what harms are claimed by youth plaintiffs, and (ii) whether, how and to what extent scientific evidence is used to support their claims. By comparing the cases in relation to their claims, jurisdictional frameworks, reference to human and/or children’s rights, and status, we will shed light on how youth applicants have addressed the main challenges of this specific category of climate litigation, including meeting the victimhood requirement, and what role evidence from the geosciences and other scientific fields has played.
Climate Change, Ocean Health and Quality of Life - An Inextricable Connection in Large Ocean Island States
Authors: Alvarez de la Campa Stacey
Published: March 2024

Since time immemorial, nature, and by extension the ocean, have made positive contributions to the health of mankind. Whether it be fertile soil, pollination, medicine, taking part in mindfulness activities, or food, we as a species depend on the many services provided by the natural world.  Our environment can be linked to some fundamental determinants of health, such as clean air, clean water, and balanced nutrition, and emotional wellbeing.  Therefore, any environmental degradation as a result of climate change has undeniable tangible and intangible effects on human health all over the globe, and this is especially true in relation to mental health in populations occupying Large Ocean Island States (LOIS).   As climate change has led to an increase in extreme weather events, and the accompanying devastation, there has been a corresponding decrease in health and quality of life.  This presentation will explore how the impact of climate change and its corresponding impact on the ocean has enduring impacts, both physiologically and mentally.   Therefore, all of the processes and recommendations to combat climatechange will have important co-benefits to mental and physical health, and help to build resilience in the face of the dearth of resources faced by LOIS. This lack of resources must be urgently addressed, and solutions can be explored by fostering collaboration between mental health professionals and climate scientists to collect sufficient data. The resulting findings can be used to expedite access to the funds needed to implement the necessary levels of mitigation and adaptation specifically tailored to the infrastructural realities of LOIS.
Conventional vs. organic soil management practices in German apple orchards: Correlation between bitter pit disease incidence and nutrient status
Authors: Sut-Lohmann Magdalena , Grimm Mark , Raab Thomas , Heinrich Martina
Published: March 2024

Apple orchard soils in Germany face numerous challenges, including pest and disease control and soil nutrient management, leading to the potential accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Producing high-quality fruit requires effective management of these challenges, which is additionally intensified by the impact of changing climate and associated weather patterns. One example is bitter pit (BP) disease, a significant disorder in apple orchards that results in substantial economic loss when symptoms manifest in the fruit.This study aimed to assess macronutrient ratios in German apple orchards and explore the relationship between BP disease incidence and variations in fruit composition across orchards with diverse locations and management practices. Soil and composite plant samples (apples, leaves, and branches) were collected from 16 apple orchard sites (a total of 32 sample sites) in the Eastern region of Germany, encompassing both conventional and organic farming systems (CFS and OFS). MP-AES was used for total macronutrients and trace element plant and soil analysis, and relevant physiochemical soil properties, such as pH, EC, OM, and carbonate content (%) or texture, were examined. Data were evaluated using bioaccumulation (BAF) and translocation (TF) factors, Pearson correlation coefficient, and principal component analysis (PCA).The study revealed that fruits with an elevated Mg+K/Ca ratio were more affected by BP incidence. Based on PCA, a correlation between orchard location (region), management practices (CFS and OFS), and BP occurrence was observed. We conclude that macronutrient ratios, especially the Mg+K/Ca ratio, play a crucial role in BP disease development in apple orchards, and orchard location and management practices influence these ratios. Knowledge regarding these correlations can support the development of strategies for preventing and managing BP disease, leading to enhanced apple orchard productivity and reduced economic losses. 
Detection and localisation of wadi flow events utilizing seismic sensors
Authors: Krüger Robert , Dietze Michael , Blanch Xabier , Grundmann Jens , El-Hussain Issa , Al-Rawas Ghazi , Eltner Anette
Published: March 2024

In Oman, the frequency of flash floods has significantly increased in recent years. This phenomenon is correlated with climate change, resulting in an intensification of the atmospheric water cycle. Consequently, a further escalation of flash floods can be anticipated in the future. In Oman, the issue of flash floods is exacerbated by the frequent occurrence of tropical cyclones. Furthermore, the rapid expansion of urban areas, in some cases extending directly into wadis, coupled with the advancing sealing of the ground and insufficient drainage systems, leads to an increased risk of flooding. This is accompanied by substantial property damage and recurring loss of life.Despite the growing danger posed by flash floods, there is currently no early warning system for precise prediction of these events in Oman. To establish such a system, densely distributed networks for rainfall and water level measurements would be required. However, due to the challenging topography and vastness of the country, implementing such networks is currently not feasible.Recent studies have shown that seismic sensors could be used for measuring flow conditions. Further, seismic networks could be utilized to detect and track extreme flow events. The increasing availability of low-cost seismic sensors opens up the possibility of instrumenting previously ungauged wadi systems. However, the question remains if seismic networks can pick up smaller flow events and flow events happening in multiple smaller catchments at the same time.In this study we used flow data from wadi gauge stations in the Al-Batinah Region (NW Oman) and data from broadband seismometers of the Earthquake Monitoring Center to research how flow events of various sizes can be detected by seismic networks. Initial results suggest that flow regimes in wadi systems offer favourable conditions for detection, as they mainly change between flow and no flow conditions. As the amplitude of seismic signals decreases with distance from the source, detection range is limited by background noise. To overcome this, low-cost seismic sensors have recently been installed in a wadi system together with camera based river gauges. Further work utilizing this data is currently ongoing.
Ion dynamics in quasi-perpendicular nonstationary shocks: comparison between MMS observations and hybrid modeling
Authors: Khotyaintsev Yuri , Graham Daniel , Trotta Domenico , Lalti Ahmad , Dimmock Andrew
Published: March 2024

Reflection of a fraction of incoming ions is a vital dissipation mechanism for super-critical shocks. Such reflected ions provide a significant contribution to the downstream ion temperature increase. Understanding ion dynamics is crucial for the characterization of the shocks. It is needed to provide an equation of state that connects the upstream and downstream parameters for given shock parameters. The reflection depends on the detailed structure of the electromagnetic fields in the shock transition region. The ion-scale structure is strongly affected by the shock non-stationarity. To characterize the spatiotemporal evolution of the shock structure and ion reflection, we combine observations of several in-situ shock events by MMS with hybrid simulations performed for the specific parameters of the observed shocks. We find that the ion reflection is strongly affected by the structure imposed by the ripples. The reflection is very patchy, with regions of strong and weak ion reflection. 
Report on initial inflight data of JUICE’s 3GM radio science instrument
Authors: Di Benedetto Mauro , Cappuccio Paolo , Galanti Eli , Iess Luciano , Kaspi Yohai , Smirnova Maria
Published: March 2024

The JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE) is an ESA mission launched from the Kourou spaceport in French Guyana on April 14, 2023, with an Ariane 5 rocket. After the initial LEOP (Low Earth Orbit Phase) operations, completed within three days from launch, the mission entered the NECP (Near Earth Commissioning Phase) that lasted approximately 6 months and included the first functional checkout of the entire assembly of JUICE instruments, comprising 10 different scientific payloads. The spacecraft will arrive in the Jovian system in 2031, after an almost 8-year cruise phase. During the interplanetary phase, the JUICE scientific instruments will be routinely switched on and monitored during regular payload checkouts (occurring approximately twice per year), each lasting less than 2 weeks in total.The 3GM (Gravity and Geophysics of Jupiter and the Galilean Moons) radio science instrument package comprises a Ka band Transponder (KaT), an Ultra Stable Oscillator (USO), and a High Accuracy Accelerometer (HAA). The KaT is a radio frequency equipment enabling a highly stable two-way coherent link at Ka band (34-32.5 GHz) and it is the key element of the 3GM gravity measurements. The USO will generate on board a highly stable, 57.5 MHz reference signal upconverted to both X- and Ka band to perform dual-frequency one-way downlink radio occultation experiments. The HAA will be used in support of radio science observations to calibrate the non-gravitational accelerations in the [10-4-10-1] Hz frequency band, mostly coming from propellant sloshing.We report the results obtained by the analysis of the initial 3GM data collected during the NECP and the first Payload Checkout phases.