bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Woody Biomass for the Developing Bioeconomy, a Billion-ton Report Update
Authors: Davis Maggie , Langholtz Matthew
Published: March 2024

In the pursuit of net-zero targets, the United States Department of Energy releases the fourth in a series of national biomass resource assessments. Building on the studies conducted in 2005, 2011, and 2016, the Billion-ton 2023 (BT23) report, provides an advancement in the understanding of biomass resources in terms of quantity, spatial distribution, and economic accessibility. The goals of this report are to update to latest available input data (e.g., costs, yields, and economic inputs) and ensure equitable access to the latest biomass resource data and that results are findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) through a data new portal. The assessment unveils nuanced regional variations in biomass availability, ranging from the immediate potential of forest wastes to the maturation of the market for woody energy crops cultivated on agricultural land. This presentation provides an assessment of renewable carbon resources potentially available from the forested and agricultural land bases in the CONUS. The analysis of biomass resources extends to forested landscapes, assessed using the Forestry Sustainability and Economic Analysis Model (ForSEAM). Additional biomass resources on agricultural land are modeled using the Policy Analysis System Model (POLYSYS), a partial-equilibrium linear programming model with a focus on the agricultural producer response. In collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service (USDA-FS), waste-based woody resources are assessed using Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data and the Bioregional Inventory Originated Simulation Under Management (BioSUM) model. BioSUM models two case studies to determine the potential for trees and other waste resources to be harvested from forests, fostering resilience against the growing threat of wildfires. Throughout these analyses, sustainability constraints are incorporated including the net regeneration of forested stands, limitations on harvesting on steep slopes, and other good practices that would need to be applied based on local conditions. By providing detailed insights into woody biomass suitability for energy production, this research lays the groundwork for near-term woody biomass resource potential and a mature-market potential contributing to a developing bioeconomy. This comprehensive analysis underscores the pivotal role of biomass resources in steering the U.S. toward net-zero targets.
Multi-decadal surface wind forcing products for the Copernicus Marine Service
Authors: Giesen Rianne , Stoffelen Ad
Published: March 2024

The ocean surface wind plays a key role in the exchange of heat, gases and momentum at the atmosphere-ocean interface. It is therefore crucial to accurately represent the wind forcing in physical ocean model simulations. A comparison of scatterometer observations and global numerical weather prediction (NWP) model wind fields revealed substantial local systematic errors in wind vector components and spatial derivatives. The widespread use of NWP model winds in the computation of ocean surface processes implies that these biases propagate into modelled air-sea fluxes, surface waves and currents.Temporally-averaged gridded differences between geolocated scatterometer wind data and NWP wind fields can be used to correct for persistent local NWP wind vector biases. By combining these scatterometer-based bias corrections with global, hourly NWP wind fields, high-resolution wind forcing products can be created for the ocean modelling community and other users.In 2022, new hourly and monthly Level-4 (L4) surface wind products were introduced in the Copernicus Marine Service catalogue. These products include global bias-corrected 10-m stress-equivalent wind, surface wind stress fields and spatial derivatives. The bias corrections are calculated from Copernicus Marine Service Level-3 wind products for a combination of scatterometers and their collocated European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model winds. The hourly real-time product covers the past two years and uses ECMWF operational model forecasts. The hourly and monthly multi-year products currently span the period from August 1999 to 3 months before present-day and are based on the ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis. In 2024, the multi-year products will be extended backward to 1991, covering a period of more than 30 years. The spatial bias correction fields are found to be highly consistent between different scatterometers and over time. Compared to the uncorrected ECMWF winds, the L4 winds correspond better to moored buoy observations and independent scatterometer observations. Like any Copernicus Marine Service product, the wind products are freely and openly available for all operational, commercial and research applications.
Improved Weather Predictions Through Data Assimilation for GFDL SHiELD
Authors: Tong Mingjing , Harris Lucas , Zhou Linjiong , Gao Kun , Kaltenbaugh Alex , Xiang Baoqiang
Published: March 2024

The Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL)’s System for High‐resolution prediction on Earth‐to‐Local Domains (SHiELD) model typically uses the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Global Forecast System (GFS) analyses to initialize its medium-range global forecasts. Both initial condition (IC) and forecast model have an impact on model prediction skills. The quality of the IC is partially determined by the model short-range forecast used as first guess in data assimilation. A data assimilation (DA) system has been developed for the global SHiELD to demonstrate the prediction skills of the model initialized from its own analysis. The DA system largely leverages the advanced DA techniques used in GFS and assimilates all the observations assimilated in GFS. Compared to the SHiELD forecasts initialized from GFS analysis, SHiELD forecast skill is significantly improved by using its own analysis. Tremendous improvement was found in the Southern Hemisphere with positive impact lasting up to 10 days. The DA system is also useful in identifying and understanding model errors. The most noticeable model error detected by the DA system originates from the TKE-EDMF boundary layer scheme. The model error leads to insufficient ensemble spread, which could not be fully addressed by the multiplicative inflation and stochastic physics schemes used in the system. Including two versions of the TKE EDMF scheme in the ensemble can alleviate the systematic model error, which further improves forecast skills. The use of the interchannel correlated observation errors for Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer (IASI) and Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) was also investigated, which improves the forecast skill up to day 5 and further reduces the impact of the model error in the marine stratocumulus region. Further understanding of the model error associated with the TKE-EDMF scheme will be presented. 
Modelling the Water-Energy-Food NEXUS in the Val di Cornia UNESCO Ecohydrological Observatory. A FREEWAT-Q3 implementation.
Authors: Rossetto Rudy , Joodavi Ata , Ercoli Laura , Sebastiani Luca , Masi Marco , Fabbrizzi Alessandro , Benvenuto Roberto , Borsi Iacopo , Nardi Fernando
Published: March 2024

Effectively addressing the water-energy-food-environment (WEFE) Nexus at watershed scale requires the need of software tools to support planning towards sustainable development, even in the medium-long term. Because spatial data are largely available and hydrologic models starts to be common tools to manage the water resources, expanding modelling capabilities to the WEFE Nexus may provide valuable support.Within the NEXUS NESS PRIMA project (www.prima-nexus-ness.org/) the free & open source FREEWAT-Q3 software for water resources management is developed. FREEWAT is a free and open source, QGIS integrated interface for planning and management of water resources, with specific reference to groundwater. The FREEWAT platform couples the power of GIS geo-processing and post-processing tools in spatial data analysis with that of process-based simulation models. The FREEWAT environment allows storage of large spatial datasets, data management and visualization, and running of several distributed modelling codes (mainly belonging to the USGS MODFLOW family). The ongoing FREEWAT-Q3 version works from QGIS 3.30 version. It includes the following codes: MODFLOW-2005, MODPATH, MT3D-USGS, SEAWAT, along with codes for conjunctive use of surface and groundwater (MF-OWHM v.2.0) and for the simulation of crop yield at harvest. A WEFE NEXUS toolbox provides capabilities to include NEXUS related indicators in the analyses. The code is freely distributed along with a set of tutorials, dataset, and learning material.The software is applied to the Val di Cornia Ecohydrological Observatory (Italy), a watershed scale laboratory for investigating the long-term impact of climate change and the intertwined direct impacts caused by human activities on the water resources, and to assess nature-based solutions effectiveness. The implementation of a model whose construction and maintenance is shared with the main stakeholders in the area (united under the umbrella of a NEXUS Ecosystem Lab) greatly supports the path towards sustainable development at the watershed scale. AcknowledgementThis contribution is presented within the framework of the NEXUS-NESS project. The NEXUS-NESS received funding from the PRIMA Programme, an Art.185 initiative supported and funded under Horizon 2020, the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. 
Modeling forest microclimates in the Earth system: a test case using the Canopy Horizontal Array Turbulence Study (CHATS) walnut orchard
Authors: Bonan Gordon , Burns Sean , Patton Edward
Published: March 2024

The influences of forests on the large-scale macroclimate are now established. Through albedo, evapotranspiration, surface roughness, and aerosols, forests influence the climate at large spatial scales. Forest influences on the local microclimate are also being recognized, and forests provide microclimatic refugia to buffer organisms against planetary warming. However, the scientific tools used to study forest influences on climate fail to account for forest microclimates. Earth system models are an important tool to inform land-use policy to mitigate planetary warming. With their big-leaf parameterization of plant canopies, however, the models are not vertically-resolved and do not simulate forest understories. Remotely sensed land surface temperature, another primary research tool to distinguish forest influences from other land cover, differs from the air temperature above and within forests. Multilayer canopy models have received renewed interest over the past several years and are a means to both improve the surface flux parameterizations and simulate vertical profiles within and above plant canopies. We present results of a comparison between the Community Land Model (CLM) multilayer canopy model and observations of air temperature, specific humidity, wind speed, and fluxes (net radiation, sensible heat, latent heat, momentum) taken at multiple heights in a walnut orchard during the Canopy Horizontal Array Turbulence Study (CHATS) from mid-March to mid-June 2007. The dataset provides a benchmark standard with which to test multilayer canopy models. Our model-data comparison highlights the potential of multilayer models to simulate the complex micrometeorology of forest canopies and also points to further research needs.
The new ICATMAR high-frequency radar network: data analysis and preliminary results on the Catalan Coast turbulence characterization.
Authors: Quirós-Collazos Lucía , Martínez Justino , Segura-Lladó Lluc , Llorach-Tó Gerard , Ballabrera-Poy Joaquim , Bueno Concepción , García-Ladona Emilio , Isern-Fontanet Jordi
Published: March 2024

Over the last year 2023, a new high-frequency (HF) radar network has been implemented along the Catalan Coast by the ICATMAR, a cooperative body between the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC) and the Catalan Government that aims to provide scientific advice for the maritime governance in this region. The network consists of 7 CODAR antennas, 5 of which are already operating and the rest will be commissioned before the end of 2024. These antennas provide surface radial velocities and waves measurements along the Catalan Coast, between the coastline and about 40 miles offshore. The radial velocity measurements obtained by two or more antennas are currently being combined using the (unweighted) least-squares fitting method to derive the total current velocity fields. Current data provided by the ICATMAR HF radar network has a spatial resolution of about 9 km2 and is delivered every hour.The results presented here focus on the characterisation Probability Density Functions (PDFs), statistical moments and structure functions of radial velocities. Quality control standards of JERICO network (defined in JERICO-Next D5.13) have been applied on radial velocity data measured by two antennas (stations CREU and BEGU) over an almost 1-year time series since their installation in 2023. The analysis of the main four moments were performed on validated data in order to characterize the main statistical properties. The derived PDFs differ from a Gaussian distribution by showing heavy tails, characteristic of turbulent flows and ocean observations. Structure functions up to the 15th order were calculated along each radial direction and their scaling were derived, unveiling a spatial variation of the anomalous scaling of the structure functions.These preliminary results highlight the HF radars value as a tool for sampling surface sub-mesoscale turbulence structures which, in turn, will help improve our understanding of the dynamical properties of ocean flows, specially, in near coastal marine regions where high resolution currents data is scarce.
Atmospheric Rivers vis-à-vis the Summer Seasonal Cycle and Regional Greenland Surface Melt
Authors: Neff William , Cox Christopher , Shupe Mathew , Gallagher Michael
Published: March 2024

Recent analysis [Mattingly et al., 2023] suggests that Atmospheric Rivers (ARs) in combination with planetary scale dynamics and coupled orographic processes (e.g., foehn effect), could lead to enhanced melting in northeast Greenland and could, in turn, be linked to increasing mass loss from outflow glaciers there [Khan et al., 2022]. The importance of large-scale dynamics, which is supported by other studies too (e.g., Neff et al., 2014), led us to examine more generally the patterns of summer melt over the whole of Greenland as influenced by factors such as the seasonal cycle, the frequency of ARs, and general synoptic influences.Our AR detection method used ERA-5 reanalysis daily data at 65oN, 55oE and 850 hPa from 2000 through 2022, JJA, and for wind directions between 112.5o and 225.0o.  We carried out linear analysis correlation between integrated water vapor, IWV; tropospheric temperature, T850 hPa; tropospheric wind speed, WS 850 hPa; and melt fraction (MF) in an area over the southwest coast near where the typical AR track first encounters the ice sheet between 62-67oN and 50-47o E.  We found high correlation between high IWV and temperature; good correlation between IWV, coastal MF and T850 hPa; and  weak dependence of MF on southerly wind speed.A consideration in quantifying the effects of ARs on total surface melt is the fact that their influence can extend over multi-day periods. The effect continues along the west coast after the warm front has passed over the ice sheet at the end of the AR life cycle when residual moist, warm air remains trapped in the downstream low along the 3-km high ice sheet, affecting surface energy budgets and where smaller less-ordered mesoscale circulations remain. In addition, because the initial northward transport occurs in concert with a strong ridge centered just east of the center of the ice sheet.  In our analysis we will show results associated with four melt areas: 1) near coastal to the west, 2) over the lower accumulation region such as in the area of the old Dye-2 radar site, 3) at the Summit of Greenland where melt is historically low but of increasing frequency of late, and 4) in the far northeast which was of interest in Mattingly et al. (2023). ARs directly affect the southwest ice sheet and their frequency can modulate MF near the shoulder seasons. Secondary effects along the east coast as the ridge passes, which may include subsidence (Mattingly et al. 2023), are weak but detectable. The frequency of ARs is less influential in the southwest in mid-summer when mean temperatures are warmer throughout the region. Melting in the northeast is only weakly related to ARs and generally follows to the seasonal cycle of warming. Neff, W., et al. (2014, JGR, doi:10.1002/2014JD021470).Khan, S. A., et al. (2022), E, Nature, doi:10.1038/s41586-022-05301-z.Mattingly, K. S.,  et al.(2023), , Nature Communications, 14(1), 1743, doi:10.1038/s41467-023-37434-8.
Global pastures and grasslands productivity time series mapped at 30-m spatial resolution using Light Use Efficiency Model
Authors: Parente Leandro , Hackländer Julia , Consoli Davide , Hengl Tomislav , Mesquita Vinícius , Ferreira Laerte , Sloat Lindsey , Teles Nathalia , Ho Yu-Feng , Wheeler Ichsani , Stolle Fred
Published: March 2024

Pastures and grasslands are the largest land cover of Earth's surface, comprising fundamental landscapes for water and nutrient cycling, food production, biodiversity conservation and land management in the planet. Monitoring the conditions and productivity aspects of these lands can lead to major contributions for land degradation mitigating in line with sustainable development goals defined by the United Nations (UN) 2030 agenda. Nevertheless, an operational approach able to monitor productivity of pastures and grasslands at global scale and high spatial resolution (e.g. 30-m) is a challenging research problem. Aiming to contribute with this topic, the current work present a methodology to derive 30-m bi-monthly time-series of Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) for pastures and grasslands of the world based on GLAD Landsat ARD (collection-2) and a customized Light Use Efficiency Model (LUE). The Landsat imagery were aggregated by every two months and gapfilled by an temporal interpolation based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The complete, consistent and gapfilled Landsat time-series was used to estimate the Fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FPAR) and Land Surface Water Index (LSWI), which combined with 1-km MODIS temperature (MOD11A2) and 1° CERES Photosynthetically Active Radiation (SYN1deg v4.1 - PAR) images resulted in 30-m global GPP time-series product from 2000 onwards. Our preliminary validation approach, based on FLUXNET2015 data, indicated a R2 of 0.67 and RMSE of 2.06 for in-situ stations located Europe. We are working to release the first version of the product as open data (CC-BY license) in the context of the Global Pasture Watch project and the World Resources Institute's Land & Carbon Lab, establishing partnerships with local organization and research institute to collect feedback and additional validation data to improve further versions of the product.
The transcrustal plumbing system of Large Igneous Provinces: Insights from glomerocrysts and melt inclusions
Authors: Capriolo Manfredo , Callegaro Sara , Deegan Frances , Merle Renaud , Jeon Heejin , Whitehouse Martin , Aradi László , Storm Malte , Renne Paul , Baker Don , Dal Corso Jacopo , Newton Robert , Szabó Csaba , Carvalho Bruna , Youbi Nasrrddine , Marzoli Andrea
Published: March 2024

The magma plumbing system throughout the entire transcrustal section of Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs) is still poorly understood. Among the most voluminous LIPs, the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP [1], ca. 201 Ma) and the Deccan Traps (DT [2], ca. 66 Ma) coincided in time with end-Triassic and end-Cretaceous mass extinctions, respectively. Glomerocrysts containing abundant primary melt inclusions from both CAMP and DT basaltic lava flows were investigated via a multi-analytical approach (confocal Raman microspectroscopy for volatile species within bubbles, electron microprobe for major element compositions, secondary ion mass spectrometry for oxygen isotope compositions, Synchrotron X-ray microtomography and optical microscopy for microstructural analysis). The analysed glomerocrysts are dominated by augitic clinopyroxenes, and represent portions of crystal mushes. The analysed melt inclusions consist of an intermediate to felsic composition glass and CO2-bearing bubbles, and represent relics of interstitial melts and fluids entrapped during the evolution of these crystal mushes. The different volume proportions in terms of bubbles within melt inclusions indicate a heterogeneous entrapment, implying that melts were entrapped along with already exsolved fluids. The MgO-rich composition of glomerocrysts and whole rocks is in contrast with the SiO2-rich composition of melt inclusions, unveiling disequilibrium conditions of entrapment, as supported by thermodynamic modelling too. The oxygen isotope compositions of clinopyroxene in glomerocrysts indicate that they crystallized from mafic melts with normal (i.e., mantle-like) to mildly low δ18O values. However, the oxygen isotope compositions of glass in melt inclusions indicate that they entrapped distinct, intermediate to felsic melts with normal to extremely high δ18O values, which may be explained by variable degrees of crustal assimilation and partial mixing in an open system. Hence, the oxygen isotope compositions of glass in melt inclusions also suggest that the CO2 within their coexisting bubbles may be derived partly from the mantle and partly from assimilated crustal melts as well. Overall, geochemical data and microstructural observations reveal the presence of multiphase (i.e., solid + liquid + gaseous phases) crystal mushes within the magma plumbing system of both CAMP and DT, and shed light on the origin of carbon and its transfer from the mantle to Earth’s surface. [1] Marzoli et al. (1999), Science 284, 616–618.[2] Sprain et al. (2019), Science 363, 866–870.
Microbial resistance in rhizosphere hotspots under biodegradable and non-degradable microplastic amendment: Community and functional sensitivity
Authors: Razavi Bahar S. , Song Bin , Shang Siyi , Cai Feng M. , Liu Zihao , Fang Jie , Li Na , Adams Jonathan M.
Published: March 2024

The annual global production of plastics is currently nearly 400 million tons, leading to widespread concern regarding the quantity of degradation-resistant plastics entering terrestrial environments. Farmland soils are a major sink for microplastics (MPs, size
Flood risk assessment in the most heavily urbanized area of Greece, the case study of Kifissos river basin in Athens.
Authors: Sigourou Stavroula , Tsouni Alexia , Pagana Vasiliki , Dimitriadis Panayiotis , Sargentis G-Fivos , Ioannidis Romanos , Chardavellas Efthymios , Dimitrakopoulou Dimitra , Mamasis Nikos , Koutsoyiannis Demetris , Kontoes Charalampos (Haris)
Published: March 2024

Urban areas characterized by high density of population and infrastructure can be extremely prone to floods. The flood modeling and management of these areas present high complexity due to their distinctive features. Therefore, advanced methodologies for an accurate assessment of urban flood processes need to be developed. This study presents the methodology and the results for flood risk assessment at high spatial resolution of the Kifissos river basin in Greece. This is the largest one of the five flood-stricken river basins in the region of Attica that are studied in the framework of the Programming Agreement between the Prefecture of Attica and the Operational Unit BEYOND Centre of EO Research and Satellite Remote Sensing of the Institute of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Space Applications & Remote Sensing (IAASARS) of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), in cooperation with the Research Group ITIA of the Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering of the School of Civil Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). Kifissos basin is highly urbanized (80% of the river basin), has been affected by forest fires over the last years, and contains a complex hydraulic network (60% of the total river network is artificial). Thus, the modelling of a river basin with many hydraulic works is a significant challenge, which needs to be addressed to simulate the current situation of the river flow and support the expanding constructions. HEC-RAS 6.4.1 hydraulic model is used for the flood hazard assessment for 50, 100 and 1000 years return period using earth observation, as well as spatial and field data. The vulnerability is estimated by combining different disaster resilience parameters, such as population density, population age and building type, applying different weights. Flood risk is assessed on the impact of hazard, total vulnerability, and economic exposure. Alongside the model’s results including the inundated areas, the flow depths and consequently the flood risk, critical points identified from the field visits are also presented and classified in risk priority. Thus, the presented results are cross-checked with the high-risk areas pointed out from the authorities as well as the civilians’ calls to the Fire Brigade for water pumping over the last 15 years.
Fostering Sustainable Habits: A Classroom Initiative on Reducing Carbon Footprint by Decreasing Plastic and Increasing Seeds
Authors: Gökce Aysel
Published: March 2024

This study aims to instill environmental awareness and sustainable consumption habits among 5th-grade gifted students over a three-month period. The primary objective is to investigate the impact of classroom activities on reducing carbon footprints and promoting respectful consumption. The research question guiding the study is whether altering eating habits toward sustainable choices can contribute to minimizing plastic waste and fostering healthier, environmentally friendly lifestyles.The research begins with students conducting a comprehensive analysis of their classroom and school waste disposal habits, focusing particularly on plastic-packaged food and fruit waste. Using statistical data collected before and after the activities, students question the sustainability of their current consumption patterns and explore alternatives to decrease their carbon footprint. Utilizing tables and graphs, students compare the prevalence of packaged food versus natural fruits before and after the study.The investigation takes a deeper dive into the sustainability of natural fruits by examining the life cycle of plants, including seed germination, plant growth, and the relationship between flowers and fruits.The study extends beyond the classroom as students organize a school-wide campaign to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of plastic-packaged food on nature and personal health. Through the design of posters, slogans, and brochures, students advocate for a reduction in plastic consumption and an increase in the consumption of natural fruits and vegetables. The campaign also encourages all students to collect and deposit seeds from consumed fruits and vegetables into seed banks in their respective classrooms.To further contribute to sustainable practices, students design and implement a microcontroller system using Arduino Uno to germinate the collected seeds. The system, equipped with humidity and heat sensors, ensures optimal conditions for seed germination. This innovative approach not only fosters a hands-on understanding of technology but also emphasizes the practical application of electronics in environmental sustainability.The research concludes with the students planting the germinated seeds near the school premises, actively engaging in a campaign that promotes the importance of ecological responsibility and sustainable living to decrease the carbon footprint. The findings of this study suggest that integrating practical, student-driven activities into the curriculum can be an effective way to nurture environmentally conscious attitudes and behaviors in young learners.
Subsurface 3D modeling of Pantelleria island (Italy) using gravity data.
Authors: Samperi Luca , Berrino Giovanna , Greco Filippo
Published: March 2024

Pantelleria is a 84 km2 extended volcanic island located in the Mediterranenan Sea between Sicily (Italy) and Tunisia. Previous studies described that in Pantelleria island both tectonic structures and the volcano-tectonic features had a common tectonic origin controlled by a NW-SE directed extension in accordance with the regional trend of the Sicily Channel arising interest for multiapproach investigations.Indeed, in the last decades this area has been field of widespread analysis useful for the investigation of the volcano-tectonic and tectonic activity, as well as for geodetic study and resources exploration.Our approach focused on the gravimetric analysis of Pantelleria island and in particular we provided a 3D inverted model of the area, starting from in-situ gravity measurements. The 250 m model resolution has been endorsed by the presence of a total of  290 measurement stations, distributed both onshore and offshore and acquired during some field surveys up to 2006; 236 of them were already published and inverted in past using 2.5D modelling. Input data consisted of a database containing Bouguer anomaly data reduced using a  density of 2500 kg/m3 and referred to the Geodetic Reference System 1980 (GRS80) Ellipsoid.As a result, the 3D modelling allowed exploring density differences through the about 4 km depth, emphasizing interesting geological structures.Such results would help any drilling program in the island (e.g. for geothermal purposes), lead to more successful drilling programs, and serve as well-constrained geologic input to improve the accuracy of future numerical (e.g. reservoir) models.
Occurrence and ecological risk assessment of contrast agents in a highly polluted riverine-reservoir system in Central Mexico
Authors: Dueñas-Moreno Jaime , Mora Abrahan , Mahlknecht Jürgen
Published: March 2024

The Atoyac River Basin is the largest riverine-reservoir system in Central Mexico. Along its course, the Atoyac River is joined with the Zahuapan River (major tributary) and receives several inputs of untreated or poorly treated urban and industrial wastewaters before flowing to the Valsequillo reservoir in the lower basin. In addition, its contamination is a cause of concern, given the presence of several hospitals and health centers along the main watercourse in Puebla and Tlaxcala States. Water from the Atoyac River Basin serves as a source for irrigation in surrounding areas. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and ecological risk of five contrast agents—amidotrizoate, iomeprol, iopamidol, iopromide, and gadolinium—through the Atoyac River Basin. For this purpose, a total of 29 surface water samples from this system were collected and analyzed by HPLC coupled to tandem mass spectrometry and ICP-MS (in the case of Gd) in April 2022.Among the contrast agents, amidotrizoate was not detected in any of the water samples, and iomeprol was only found in the Zahuapan River, with concentrations ranging from 0.023 to 0.091 µg L-1. In addition, iopamidol and iopramide were detected in the Zahuapan River (up to 0.2 and 0.86 µg L-1), Atoyac River before the Zahuapan-Atoyac confluence (up to 0.15 and 0.21 µg L-1), Atoyac River after Zahuapan-Atoyac confluence (up to 1.3 and 3.7 µg L-1), and Valsequillo Reservoir (0.39 and 0.49 µg L-1). Although the Valsequillo Reservoir acts as an oxidation lagoon, both compounds were found in the dam curtain with concentrations between 0.2 and 0.35 µg L-1, respectively. These values were not far from their average concentration in nine water samples analyzed in this reservoir (0.26 and 0.41 µg L-1). Therefore, this demonstrates their recalcitrant nature, as well as their high persistence in the environment. On the other hand, anthropogenic gadolinium was only detected along the Atoyac River, with concentrations ranging between 9.97 × 10-3 and 0.35 µg L-1. The highest concentrations of most contrast agents were found in the urban area of Puebla, corresponding with the Atoyac River after the Zahuapan-Atoyac confluence.The ecological risk assessment revealed that the analyzed aquatic organisms —fish, daphnids, and green algae— exposed to these contrast agents resulted below the safety limit. Although these contaminants are considered safe, it is important to highlight that this study does not consider temporal concentration changes; therefore, significant anomalous events related to wastewater discharges may occur. In addition, the presence of contrast agents in this basin is highly concerning because its waters are used for crop irrigation. Therefore, the accumulation of these contaminants in soils and plants may have negative impacts on the health of consumers, particularly causing nephropathies and heart diseases.
Ramses-4-CE: Towards Enhanced Generalization of RGB/Hyperspectral Imaging Data Processing
Authors: Arbash Elias , Fuchs Margret , Rasti Behnood , Lorenz Sandra , Ghamisi Pedram , Gloaguen Richard
Published: March 2024

In the quest for achieving the principles of a circular economy, our Helios Lab seeks to optimize the e-waste recycling industry with its innovative Ramses-4-CE project (KIC RM 19262). Ramses focuses on the development of a smart network comprising multimodal optical non-invasive sensors mimicking industrial scenarios with a conveyor belt that can attain speeds of several meters per second. The primary objective is to facilitate the comprehensive identification and characterization of e-waste materials, particularly printed circuit boards (PCBs), plastics, and rare earth elements (REE).The sensor ensemble encompasses a laser profiler generating height maps, an RGB camera capturing surface spatial features, hyperspectral cameras capturing the spectral features, and chemical characteristics obtained with a Raman spectroscopy sensor affixed to a robotic arm. Each sensor type offers unique advantages and inherent challenges. RGB cameras with their data facilitate fast, highly accurate, and smart data processing e.g., using machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) object detection and segmentation techniques in shredded plastics, while hyperspectral imaging (HSI) aids in polymer identification based on spectral fingerprint libraries. Nonetheless, HSI poses challenges such as large data size due to its abundant information, noise interference, and overlong processing times.To optimize the data processing pipeline, meticulous preprocessing and processing methods have been devised. Upon data acquisition of different objects and materials, data co-registration is executed on the resulting RGB images and hyperspectral cubes, followed by object detection and segmentation of valuable objects on both data types. For objects eluding identification via RGB and hyperspectral imagery, a Raman spectroscopy-based validation is involved for detailed chemical analysis.Yet, exerting high accuracy in HSI pixel-wise classification on multi-unseen data cubes necessitates HSI classification models with robust generalization capabilities. Towards this aim, smart automated masking of undesired objects in the hyperspectral scene is developed. HS cube contains abundant data causing their large volume size. This abundance highlights the useful information, while concurrently amplifying noises and artifacts, detrimentally affecting both data processing speed and model generalization. Masking undesired objects in the HSI reduces the number of pixel vectors skewing calculations in preprocessing steps and DL models training routines, leading to enhanced segmentation models, i.e., masking unwanted data vectors from HSI allows exclusive processing for desired targets elevating processing speed without compromising accuracy. 
Deciphering the origin of methane in fracture fluids at Virginia gas field using clumped isotope tracers.
Authors: Gazetas Orestis , Houston Andrew , Clog Matthieu , Kohl Issaku , Stuart Fin
Published: March 2024

The Witwatersrand Basin is a well-known area due to the immense gold mineralisation and mining activities, which have been ongoing since the late 19th century. The Virginia Gas Field, located in the southernmost extent of the basin, has recently gained further attention due to the discovery of gases with remarkable helium content of up to 12% and methane content between 75-99%. While the helium generation is likely straightforward and linked to the U-rich Dominion (2.9-3.0 Ga) and Central Rand (2.7-2.8 Ga) groups (Lippmann-Pipke et al., 2003), the origin of methane seems more complex but ultimately significant, with economic potential and implications for the evolution of life .Stable isotopic compositions of carbon and hydrogen (δ13C and δD) along with molecular compositions (C1/C2+) are traditionally considered useful for understanding the origin of methane in natural gas reservoirs but can often be ambiguous or misleading. The recent development of HR-IRMS allows us to delve deeper into the distribution of isotopes beyond bulk ratios by introducing two additional tracers, the clumped isotopic compositions Δ13CH3D and Δ12CH2D2. These novel tracers offer two additional dimensions which can potentially provide insights into the formation pathways and formation or re-equilibration temperature of methane.For this study, we measured bulk and clumped isotopic compositions along with molecular compositions for samples collected from shallow boreholes (300-700m depth) within the Virginia gas field production area. Here, we present evidence that the bulk and clumped isotopic compositions are governed by the microbial cycling of CH4 due to the presence of ancient microbial communities of methanogens and methanotrophs at depths below 1km (Omar et al., 2003). We also consider the possibility of mixing microbial methane with abiotic gas resulting from water-rock interactions occurring in the deep subsurface.References1. Lippmann-Pipke, J., Stute, M., Torgersen, T., Moser, D.P., Hall, J., Lin, L., Borcsik, M., Bellamy, R.E.S. and Onstott, T.C., 2003. Dating ultra-deep mine waters with noble gases and 36Cl, Witwatersrand, South Africa. Geochimica Cosmoshimica Acta, 67, pp.4597-4619.2. Omar, G.I., Onstott, T.C. and Hoek, J., 2003. The origin of deep subsurface microbial communities in the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa as deduced from apatite fission track analyses. Geofluids, 3(1), pp.69-80. 
NASA’s Satellite Needs Working Group Management Office: Developing Solutions in an Agile, Open Science Environment
Authors: Virts Katrina , Olofsson Pontus , Gregory Sean , le Roux Jeanne' , Ramachandran Rahul
Published: March 2024

Every two years, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) leads an assessment of U.S. Federal civilian agency Earth observation needs submitted through the Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG) survey.  In four survey cycles beginning in 2016, nearly 400 high-priority satellite needs have been identified, spanning Earth Science and representing a wide variety of potential applications for Earth observation data.During each assessment cycle, new data products and services (i.e., solutions) that meet the needs of multiple agencies are identified and proposed for funding.  The majority of solutions being developed or currently operational are global in scope, including harmonized land surface reflectance data from Landsat and Sentinel-2; composites of cloud properties derived from MODIS, VIIRS, and five geostationary satellites; dynamic surface water extent and land surface disturbance products derived from multiple optical and radar missions; a suite of low-latency products from the ICESat-2 mission; and a soil moisture product derived from the upcoming NISAR mission.The SNWG Management Office, within the Earth Action element of NASA’s Earth Science Division, manages both the biennial SNWG survey assessment and the development of solutions starting at full capacity with the 2020 cycle.  Each solution project is required to align with NASA’s open science policy, including developing source code in an open code repository, having an open-source software license, and making all data freely available via NASA’s Earthdata website.  The presentation will include an overview of the SNWG process, its emphasis on open science, and highlight several operational solutions freely available to the global research and applications communities.
Relationships between bioaccessibility and speciation of ETPs in mining-affected soils.
Authors: Pérez-Sirvent Carmen , Martínez Sanchez Maria Jose , Martínez Lopez Salvadora , Martinez Martinez Lucia Belen , Garcia Lorenzo MLuz , Hernandez Perez Carmen , Bech Jaime , Hernandez Cordoba Manuel
Published: March 2024

The consequences of mining activities on the earth's surface inevitably lead to situations in which measures are needed to mitigate the impact on soil, water and air. The measures that counteract these negative effects are defined in what is known as remediation or remediation, recovery, rehabilitation and restoration. It constitutes the so-called R4 strategy (Lima et al., 2016), being sometimes difficult to be able to differentiate the nuances contained in these four terms when they are referred to the elimination of the effects produced by mining. In the case of large areas, such as a large natural area that is affected to varying degrees by mining, the strategies to be considered can be very varied and include more than one R, trying to minimize the impacts and reduce the risks by making them acceptable.In the new European landscape, healthy soils are essential to achieve climate neutrality, a clean and circular economy and to stop desertification and land degradation. They are also essential to reverse biodiversity loss, provide healthy food and safeguard human health. The proposed tool to achieve this is the new Soil Monitoring Law provides a legal framework to help achieve healthy soils by 2050. In the case of soils with mining influence, the policies to be followed must be associated to the risk, since these soils naturally present a high level of PTEs.In this work, 60 samples obtained from different abandoned mining sites in the Region of Murcia are evaluated to determine the risks they present in terms of the health of people, ecosystems and structures. For this purpose, different extracting media (water, acid and Olsen extraction (natural mobility), Mehra - Jackson extraction and oxidizing medium (potential mobility)) and the Solubility Bioaccessibility Research Consortium (SBRC) method are used, distinguishing two phases, stomach and intestinal. The PTEs evaluated were: As, Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn.The results were contrasted with the differential mineralogy calculated for each sample, estimating the relationship between the mineralogical phase present and the mobility and bioaccessibility of the PTE. The bioaccessibility of the PTEs contained in the soils and their natural or potential mobility are determining factors in the risk assessment that will later affect the R measures, allowing to manage abandoned mining areas safely and efficiently.Reference:Lima, A.T., Mitchell, K., O’Connell, D.W., Verhoeven, J., Van Cappellen, P., 2016. The legacy of surface mining: Remediation, restoration, reclamation and rehabilitation. Environmental Science & Policy 66, 227-233.
Understanding the role of rain evaporation during tropical cyclogenesis
Authors: Ciardullo Giuseppe , Hwong Yi-Ling , Primavera Leonardo , Muller Caroline
Published: March 2024

Current studies about the role of rain evaporation in the development of deep clouds and storms, show that reduced rain evaporation leads to a significant aggregation of clouds in space. This aggregation process has been called “moisture-memory aggregation”. Rain evaporation removal in the boundary layer seems to be the major contributor to triggering the spatial clustering of clouds. The absence of cold pools, which are cold regions below clouds created by rain evaporation and known to hinder aggregation, has been suggested as the leading cause, but the precise physical mechanisms underlying this type of aggregation remains unclear. Our study aims to fill this gap. Cloud-resolving simulations in idealized, doubly-periodic geometry, are conducted, comparing results with and without rain evaporation in the boundary layer. We focus on the clustering of clouds into a large-scale tropical cyclone. The goal is to assess the sensitivity of clouds to rain evaporation during the processes preceding the formation of the tropical cyclone. The role of cold pools in the upscale growth of cloud clusters, hypothesized in earlier studies, is also exploited by Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) technique. Energy associated spectra of both the spatial and temporal components are studied separately on three different ranges of scales.The impact on atmospheric circulations is also investigated by a thermodynamical characterization, through the distributions of temperature, water vapor content and relative humidity. 
Device and angle dependent waveform and a new representation of ocean sound speed structure in GNSS-A
Authors: Nagae Koya , Ishikawa Tadashi , Watanabe Shun-ichi , Nakamura Yuto , Yokota Yusuke
Published: March 2024

For more than 20 years, Japan Coast Guard has been developing various technologies to improve the observation accuracy of GNSS-Acoustic ranging. In this presentation, I will introduce two topics that we have been paying attention to in recent years in GNSS-A observations. The first is about instrument errors and angular characteristics that depend on the shape of the transducer (sea surface station) or transponder (seafloor station). In the long-term observations conducted by JCG, multiple types of oscillators are used on both transducers and transponders. It has become clear that this instrumental error has a non-negligible effect on the positioning accuracy of GNSS-A, so we develop a new method to read a received signal considering the instrumental and angle dependence. The second is about a representation method of ocean structure. When we estimate positioning of seafloor station, it is very important to consider sound speed structure (SSS). We use the open-source software GARPOS which can estimate transponder position with SSS. Yokota et al., (in prep) introduce a new representation method of SSS with G-ellipse in GNSS-A analysis. I will talk about the meaning of G-ellipse and some applications of this method.