bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhancing 1-Month Forecasts in South Korea with the Combination of Time-Lagged Ensemble and Dynamical Downscaling
Authors: Ha Subin , Im Eun-Soon , Hur Jina , Jo Sera , Shim Kyo-Moon
Published: March 2024

In South Korea, daily weather forecasts are currently limited to a 10-day range, which is insufficient for adequately preparing weather-dependent sectors like agriculture for the impact of meteorological conditions over longer periods. To meet the growing demand for subseasonal-to-seasonal predictions, organizations worldwide provide GCM-driven forecasts that extend several weeks or even months ahead. One example is the Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2) operational forecast by NCEP, which is initialized every 6 hours and extends up to 9 months. Its large pool of available forecast members with different initialization times enables the construction of a time-lagged ensemble, which can improve forecasting accuracy by offering a range of potential future meteorological conditions and accounting for the inherent uncertainty in a single deterministic forecast. In this regard, this study aims to build an optimal time-lagged ensemble for 1-month forecasts in South Korea by employing a systematic method to select suitable members from a pool of hundreds of CFSv2 forecast members. Furthermore, the selected ensemble members will be dynamically downscaled to address limitations arising from their coarse resolution. The integration of the time-lagged ensemble and dynamical downscaling methods will be evaluated from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives to assess their added value in enhancing forecasts. By evaluating the performance of the optimized time-lagged ensemble combined with dynamical downscaling, this study will provide valuable insights into the improvement and practical application of subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasts in South Korea, benefiting various sectors that can leverage the enhanced long-term weather predictions. AcknowledgmentsThis study was carried out with the support of “Research Program for Agricultural Science & Technology Development (Project No. PJ014882)”, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.
Parameterization and verification of the STICS model for grapevines in the region of Croatia
Authors: Meštrić Josip , Telišman Prtenjak Maja , Omazić Branimir , Kvakić Marko
Published: March 2024

Many studies have shown how changes in air temperature affect the dates of occurrence of phenological phases. Grapevine plays a significant socio-economic role, both in Croatia and throughout the entire Mediterranean region. 'Graševina' and 'Plavac mali' are the most represented varieties in Croatia, so the emphasis in this research is on them at four different locations: Daruvar, Križevci, Hvar, and Lastovo. In addition to 'Graševina' and 'Plavac mali,' international varieties such as 'Chardonnay' and 'Merlot' were also observed.
STICS is a plant development model that simulates the soil-plant-atmosphere relationships based on the water, carbon, and nitrogen balance required for the growth of different crops, whether annual and/or perennial, herbaceous and/or woody.
The optimization of parameters was carried out using the implemented Nelder-Mead simplex method. Although it is desirable to optimize as many parameters as possible, in reality, increasing the number of parameters complicates the model. Therefore, it is necessary to find a compromise and determine the minimum number of parameters sufficient for quality optimization. In this work, 10 parameters were selected. These are parameters that are common to all predefined varieties and had different values.
During measurements, the STICS model showed satisfactory results at three out of four observed stations. The model verification demonstrated success with correlations primarily between r=0.6 and r=0.8. The performance of the model can be visually represented in various ways. In this work, two methods were employed: QQ plot and Taylor diagram.
Phenological and meteorological data from the Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service were used.
A Mechanism from Pathway Perspective for the Generation of a Warm SST Anomaly in the Western Equatorial Pacific
Authors: Gao Chuan , Zhang Rong‐Hua
Published: March 2024

Processes leading to the onset and development of an El Niño event in the tropical Pacific remain elusive. Observed data and Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) simulations are used to reveal a well-defined pattern of sea surface temperature (SST) perturbations along the mean North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) pathways in association with the onset and evolution of some El Niño events. The OGCM-based sensitivity experiments are conducted to illustrate how a warm SST anomaly (SSTA) on the equator can result from a thermal forcing that is prescribed north of 10°N, similar to observed SST anomalies in December 1988. Within approximately one year, the imposed SST anomaly north of 10°N tends to be transported to the dateline region on the equator by the mean ocean circulation in the western Pacific (the low-latitude western boundary current (LLWBC) and the NECC). In due course, an upper-layer ocean warming is generated off the equator at 6-10°N and then on the equator, which acts to induce a westerly wind anomaly response; a simple statistical atmospheric wind stress model is then used to depict an expected westerly wind response. These resultant SST and surface wind perturbations can couple together over the western tropical Pacific, forming air-sea interactions and setting up a stage for El Niño onset. As such, this pathway mechanism can reasonably well explain the appearance of a warm SST anomaly on the equator in the dateline region and the corresponding development of westerly wind anomalies over the western Pacific in association with El Niño onset. 
Revisit the coseismic slip model of the 2015 Mw 8.3 Illapel, Chile earthquake with curvilinear fault rupture, finite element model, and InSAR observations
Authors: Tung Sui , Masterlark Timothy
Published: March 2024

We derive a co-seismic slip model of the 2015 Mw 8.3 Illapel, Chile earthquake constrained by line-of-sight displacements from Sentinel-1 interferograms. Greens functions are calculated with 3D finite element models (FEMs). The FEMs simulate a non-uniform distribution of elastic material properties and a precise geometric configuration of the irregular topographical surface. The rupturing fault follows the curvilinear Peru-Chile Trench and Slab1.0. The optimal model that inherits heterogeneous material properties, provides a significantly better solution than that in a homogenous domain at the 95% confidence interval. The best-fit solution for the domain having a non-uniform distribution of material properties reveals a triangular slip zone. Slip is concentrated near the trench with a dip-slip up to 7.75 m, giving rise to a moment magnitude of Mw8.22 in general agreement with the seismological estimate. This methodology allows us to integrate multiple datasets of geodetic observations with seismic tomography, to achieve a better understanding of seismic ruptures within crustal heterogeneity and fault curvature.
A 1.4 Myr record of export production at the Pacific entrance of the Drake Passage considering syndepositional redistribution of sediments
Authors: Toyos Simon Maria H. , Lamy Frank , Lange Carina B. , Abell Jordan T. , Lembke-Jene Lester , Arz Helge W. , Winckler Gisela
Published: March 2024

Increased export production in the Subantarctic Zone of the Southern Ocean has been proposed as a key mechanism for explaining carbon drawdown during glacial times. Therefore, reconstructions of oceanic particle fluxes from the sedimentary record in this sector are vital. Traditionally, fluxes of various materials to the seafloor have been estimated from stratigraphy-based mass accumulation rates (MARs), which are calculated using a combination of sediment dry bulk density and linear sedimentation rates between dated sediment horizons. We refer to these MARs here as age model-derived bulk MAR (BMARs). However, BMARs and any resulting paleoceanographic interpretations may suffer from substantial errors if lateral redistribution of sediments is not considered. In fact, this is expected to be a common phenomenon in the Southern Ocean due to the strong bottom water circulation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Here, using material from a marine sediment core recovered at the Pacific entrance of the Drake Passage, we evaluate export production and its drivers over the past 1.4 million years by applying several paleoproductivity indicators (biogenic barium, organic carbon, biogenic opal, calcium carbonate, and iron). Crucially, we determine MARs of these various sediment components that are corrected for the lateral movement of sediments that occurred simultaneously to or soon after initial deposition. The results show that the export production indicators varied according to some of the characteristic features of the main climatic events of Earth over the past 1.4 Ma. (The Mid-Pleistocene Transition and Mid-Brunhes Event). Additionally, the productivity response in the area was enhanced (weakened) during globally strong (faint) glacials or interglacials (e.g., MIS 16, MIS 11, MIS 5, and the Holocene for strong and MIS 15-12 for weak responses, respectively).
Save the Climate but Don’t Blame Us: Corporate Responses to Climate Litigation
Authors: Walker-Crawford Noah
Published: March 2024

Fossil fuel companies are no longer denying anthropogenic climate change in recent climate litigation but question the validity of climate science for establishing legal responsibility. Past research on social movement legal mobilization has primarily focused on plaintiffs’ perspectives, showing how they use the judicial process as a site of knowledge production. Drawing attention to the other side, I conduct an analysis of scientific disputes in major climate change lawsuits and develop a typology for studying defendants’ evidentiary arguments. Defendants build evidentiary counter-narratives, challenge the substantive quality of plaintiffs’ claims, and attack the scientific integrity of compromising evidence. Litigants’ legal narratives and factual claims are linked to broader normative concerns about how the underlying issues should be resolved. Fossil fuel companies’ legal arguments reflect broader strategies to evade responsibility for climate change.
A new insight of the MIS 3 Dansgaard-Oeschger climate oscillations in western Europe from the study of a Belgium isotopically equilibrated speleothem
Authors: Peral marion , Marchegiano marta , Verheyden sophie , Goderis steven , Van Helden tom , Vanhaecke frank , Van Acker thibaut , Jia xue , Cheng hai , Fiebig jens , Fourcade tiffanie , Snoeck christophe , Claeys philippe
Published: March 2024

The Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 records abrupt transitions from cold stadial to temperate interstadial climate conditions, termed Dansgaard-Oeschger (DO) events. Reconstructing these rapid climate changes is crucial for documenting the prevailing climatic conditions in Europe. However, only few continental records are available to define the continental climatic responses to DO changes. Here, the elemental and stable isotope compositions of a flowstone speleothem in Belgium covering the MIS 3 are documented. This speleothem precipitated under equilibrium conditions based on Δ48 thermometry, allowing the use of Δ47 thermometry with confidence. The acquired unique thermometry paleoclimatic dataset enables the reconstruction of temperature based on the hydrological information (oxygen-18 of drip water; δ18Ow) and sheds new light on the DO climate variations. A temperature differential of ~7°C is associated with alternating temperate warm and wet Interstadials to cold and dry stadials. The DO-12 is the most pronounced MIS 3 interstadial in the record and appears to be marked by a delay of 1000 years between climate enhancement (warmer temperature) and water availability (moisture increase). By combining our speleothem record with other continental and marine archive, the spatial variability of DO changes in western Europe during the MIS 3 is defined. A gradual climate deterioration with colder and drier conditions, associated with the Heinrich 4 event, progressed southwards through Europe. Interestngly, this spatial climatic degradation occured during the last phase of Neanderthal populations occupation in Europe. Our data provides better understanding on proxy interpretation thanks to our clumped isotope measurement but also on environmental constraints for human mobility models.
Machine Learning for Multivariate Downscaling: A Generative Model Inspired by Forecast Evaluation
Authors: Schillinger Maybritt , Shen Xinwei , Samarin Maxim , Meinshausen Nicolai
Published: March 2024

To complement computationally expensive regional climate model (RCM) simulations, machine learning methods can predict the high-resolution RCM data from low-resolution global climate model (GCM) input. Instead of merely targeting the conditional mean of the RCM field given the GCM data, more recent works are based on generative adversarial networks or diffusion models and aim to learn the full conditional distribution. In this spirit, we present a novel generative model that relies on statistical tools from forecast evaluation. The model can sample several plausible RCM realisations and enables assessing their variability. To achieve this goal, we use a simple neural network architecture that predicts Fourier coefficients of the high-resolution fields for multiple variables jointly (temperature, precipitation, solar radiation and wind). The loss function of our model is a proper scoring rule that measures the discrepancy between the model’s predictive distribution and the RCM’s true distribution. The score is minimised if both distributions agree. Our generative model is trained on multiple GCM-RCM combinations from the Euro-Cordex project. Furthermore, we show how the framework can be augmented to perform a bias-correction task: With a modified loss function, it is possible to generate data from the observational distribution, for example resembling gridded E-OBS data. To summarise, our work presents a machine learning method that allows us to generate multivariate high-resolution climate data, and can be extended flexibly to include further variables or downscale and bias-correct future projections.
Breaking Boundaries: Deep-Learning-Enhanced Electron Microscopy for Accelerated Super-Resolution Imaging in Solid Earth Research
Authors: van Melick Hans , Plümper Oliver
Published: March 2024

In the realm of modern solid Earth research, a profound understanding of rocks' intricate microstructures is essential for unraveling geological history and addressing critical challenges in the energy transition. These microstructures—grain boundaries, preferred orientation, twinning, and porosity—play a pivotal role, influencing the physical strength, chemical reactivity, and fluid flow properties of rocks. Their direct impact on subsurface reservoirs used in geothermal energy, nuclear waste disposal, and hydrogen/carbon dioxide storage underscores the importance of comprehending their distribution for the stability and efficacy of subsurface activities.However, addressing the need for statistical representativeness requires imaging numerous samples at high magnification. In response, our research introduces an innovative image enhancement process for scanning electron microscopy datasets, showcasing a substantial potential for resolution improvement through Deep-Learning-Enhanced Electron Microscopy (DLE-EM).Our proposed workflow involves capturing one or more high-resolution (HR) regions within a low-resolution (LR) area. Precise image registration is achieved in two steps: first, determining the HR region's location within the LR region using a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm (Lewis, 2005), and second, refining image registration through iterative calculation of a deformation matrix. This matrix, utilizing Newton's optimization method, aims to minimize differences between both images (Tudisco et al., 2017). Subsequently, paired HR and LR images undergo processing in a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN), comprising a generator and a discriminator. This GAN learns to generate HR images from LR counterparts through joint training in an adversarial process.We benchmark our workflow using four distinct rock types and demonstrate that this approach accelerates imaging processes up to a factor of 16 with minimal impact on quality, offering possibilities for real-time super-resolution imaging of unknown microstructures. Additionally, we show that a model trained on a specific geological material is able to generalize its learned features to new domains, reducing the need for extensive training data.[1] Lewis, J. P. "Fast normalized cross-correlation, Industrial Light and Magic." unpublished (2005).[2] Tudisco, Erika, et al. "An extension of digital volume correlation for multimodality image registration." Measurement Science and Technology 28.9 (2017): 0954
A new algorithm for complex lava flow modeling driven by satellite-derived data
Authors: Zuccarello Francesco , Bilotta Giuseppe , Cannavò Flavio , Cappello Annalisa , Guardo Roberto , Ganci Gaetana
Published: March 2024

Lava flows represent the main hazardous phenomena that may threaten human buildings in basaltic volcanoes. Physical and chemical characteristics of lava, as well as the rate at which lava is emitted at the vents, strongly control the motion and the extensions of lava flows. Estimation of the likely paths that lava flows may follow during an ongoing eruption can be evaluated through numerical modeling driven by satellite-derived time averaged discharge rate (TADR). However, complex eruptive dynamics, such as the sequential opening of new vents, formation of lava tubes and fluctuations in effusion rates, may lead to the development of composite lava fields, which are challenging to reproduce with a simple 2D modeling. In this study, we present a new optimization algorithm based on the Metropolis-Hastings approach to model complex emplacements of lava flow fields using satellite imagery. In particular, the algorithm performs sequential time-step refinements by assimilating TADR estimations, derived from low spatial resolution satellite imagery (e.g. MODIS, SLSTR, SEVIRI), and the locations of both main and ephemeral vents, obtained from higher spatial resolution imagery (e.g. MSI Sentinel 2, OLI & TIRS Landsat 8/9 or Planetscope). The algorithm automatically chooses the optimal input parameters and the associated uncertainty, minimizing the mismatch between the simulated and the observed lava flow features extracted from multi-source satellite imagery. The testing and validation have been performed using two recent effusive events that occurred at Mt. Etna (Italy): the 27 February - 1 March 2017 and the 27 November 2022 - 6 February 2023 eruptions.
Carbon dioxide fluxes and soil carbon storage in relation to long-term grazing and grazing exclusion in Icelandic semi-natural grasslands
Authors: Thorhallsdottir Anna Gudrun , Gudmundsson Jon
Published: March 2024

We studied the effect of grazing on carbon sequestration in semi-natural grasslands.  The study was conducted on three farms with known history of land use in W Iceland. On each farm, we located an intensively (IG) and an extensively (EG) grazed site, which both had been constantly grazed for centuries, and a parallel site were grazing had been excluded (NG) for over 50 years. We measured net ecosystem exchange (NEE), ecosystem respiration and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) on a regular basis over the growing season. Samples were taken from 60 cm deep soil profiles for analysis of soil organic carbon (SOC). The grazed sites showed significantly more negative NEE than the NG sites, indicating more carbon dioxide uptake on the grazed sites compared to the NG sites. NDVI was also significantly higher on the grazed sites. On all farms, the total SOC content was higher in the grazed sites than in the parallel NG sites. The study indicates that cessation of grazing decreases productivity and carbon dioxide uptake in a semi-natural grassland in Iceland, as well as SOC content in the soil. Historically, all the NG sites in the study had the same grazing history as the continuously grazed sites until grazing exclusion. The measured lower SOC on the NG sites seems to indicate that, without grazing, SOC is lost with time and/or grazing is needed to maintain SOC in these grasslands.
Assessing North Sea carbon and nutrient cycle responses to regional and global climate change
Authors: Koek A.C. (Cuun) , Bintanja R. (Richard) , Van de Poll W.H. (Willem)
Published: March 2024

The North Sea is a very productive and heavily exploited continental shelf sea that absorbs considerable quantities of atmospheric CO2. The fraction of absorbed CO2 1) flowing out towards the North Atlantic and 2) buried in sediments, is highly uncertain, rendering future changes of the system difficult to predict. As part of the NoSE (North Sea-Atlantic Exchange) project, this study focuses on the present-day and future roles of the North Sea within the wider carbon and biogeochemical systems of the Atlantic Ocean. Specifically, in this study we will assess the response of carbon and nutrient cycling in the North Sea and the adjacent North Atlantic Ocean to regional and global climate change.            The carbon cycle configuration of state-of-the-art Earth System Model EC-Earth3, EC-Earth3-CC (atmosphere: IFS36r4; land surface: HTESSEL; Ocean: NEMO3.6; Sea ice: LIM3; Dynamic vegetation: LPJ-GUESS; Atmospheric composition: TM5; Ocean biogeochemistry: PISCES) was used to simulate both present-day (1981 – 2020) and future (2071 – 2100) climate, marine biogeochemistry, ocean primary production and nutrient distributions. Here, we present a validation of the EC-Earth3-CC present-day climatologies in the North Sea and adjacent parts of the North Atlantic Ocean, using existing observational datasets. We also compare the EC-Earth3-CC results to other global (CMIP6) and regional climate models to infer how EC-Earth3-CC biases compare to deficiencies in other models. Furthermore, we will address the response of the North Sea carbon and nutrient fluxes and budgets to regional and global climate change by comparing the present-day and future climatologies.            This study will reveal new insights into the cycling of carbon and nutrients in the North Sea, their exchange with the Atlantic Ocean, and how these processes may evolve in the future.
Subsurface in territorial soil desealing strategies
Authors: Le Guern Cecile , Prézeau Fabien , Chrétien Pierre , Clozel Blandine
Published: March 2024

Desealing appears as an option to disartificialise soils. It embraces several territorial issues like water management, adaptation to climate change, the well-being of inhabitants and biodiversity. In practice, many desealing operations are carried out. The areas to be desealed are most often linked to opportunities such as development projects or target actions (like school playgrounds). There are in fact few potential maps to support desealing strategies. Existing methods systematically take certain criteria into account (e.g. water infiltration). Environmental criteria are however more or less considered.The DésiVille project (2021-2024) aims to provide decision-making tools to support desealing strategies. In particular, it is preparing a methodological guide to map the potential for desealing, in order to propose a harmonized and concerted framework. The methodology considers 4 thematics: i) the characteristics of the sealed surfaces, ii) the potential of infiltration of soils, iii) the environmental risks and the protection of resources, and iv) the benefits of desealing.The thematics linked to the potential of infiltration of soils and to the environmental risks consider information on the subsurface. In particular the presence of clay and the groundwater depth feed the potential of infiltration. The environmental risks and protection of resources integrate the presence of soluble rocks, the risk of soil pollution, the risk of flooding due to groundwater rise, the geotechnical risk, area of protection of the water resource. A multicriteria spatial analysis crosses the information per thematic on one side, and among thematics on the other side. The study case of Nantes Métropole (France) illustrates the influence of the potential of infiltration and of the environmental risks and protection of resource on the global potential of desealing maps.The subsurface needs to be considered to build desealing strategies. More generally, it is essential to consider it in urban planning and development. Although out of sight, it must not be out of mind.
Spectroscopy on Mars with NASA Perseverance rover
Authors: Beyssac Olivier
Published: March 2024

The NASA Perseverance rover is exploring Jezero crater on Mars since february 2021 [1]. Perseverance’s main goal is to investigate the past geologic and environmental conditions of Jezero crater and seek evidence of past life. For this, the rover has characterized the local geology of the crater floor and is presently working in an ancient river delta. Then, Perseverance will explore the crater rim, and possibly some regions outside of the crater. In addition, the rover selects and collects the most compelling samples that will be retrieved and brought back to Earth by a future mission (NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return project) for more detailed study.Perseverance uses a panel of spectroscopic tools based on the analysis of sunlight reflectance in the visible and near-infrared domains (MastcamZ, SuperCam), deep-UV (SHERLOC) and time-resolved (SuperCam) Raman, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy - LIBS (SuperCam) and X-ray fluorescence (PIXL). Some instruments can analyze the chemistry and mineralogy of rocks remotely up to several meters [2-3] while others work close to the rock for higher spatial resolution (~100 mm) and better textural control [4-5]. The rover is operated nearly every day and sends data almost immediately to Earth.On the crater floor, Perseverance found igneous rocks: basaltic lava or pyroclastic flows [6] covering an olivine-rich cumulate [4,7]. The magmatic mineral assemblage, including the textural relationships, was carefully described: mostly Fe-rich pyroxenes in the basaltic flows, and a cumulate composed of dominant olivine with augite and pigeonite, as well as some phosphates and (Cr-)Ti-Fe-oxides in both units. The bulk of these rocks is weakly altered but Fe-Mg carbonates [8], sulfates [5] and various phyllosilicates [9] were detected showing that fluid-rock interactions locally occurred. After the crater floor, Perseverance began exploring the sedimentary rocks in the Jezero western fan, which is still in progress. On the fan, some float rocks show intense alteration to kaolinite followed by metamorphism [10].Perseverance instruments which have an original design optimized for lightness, resistance to extreme conditions and performance will be introduced. Doing spectroscopy on Mars is challenging but these instruments have worked perfectly so far. A large amount of data, including some first-time achievements on Mars, have been collected and will be summarized with special emphasis on spectroscopic data.[1] Farley et al., Science, 2022 ; [2] Bell et al., Science Advances, 2022 ; [3] Wiens et al., Sciences Advances, 2022 ; [4] Liu et al., Science, 2022 ; [5] Scheller et al., Science, 2022 ; [6] Udry et al., JGR Planets, 2023 ; [7] Beyssac et al., JGR Planets, 2023 ; [8] Clavé et al., JGR Planets, 2023 ; [9] Mandon et al., JGR Planets, 2023 ; [10] Royer et al., LPSC 2024.
Use of urban climate recommendation maps for heat action plans
Authors: Hahne Janalisa , Katzschner Lutz , Kupski Sebastian
Published: March 2024

Cities worldwide are in the phase of either acknowleding the need for heat action plans or are already in the phase of improving their existing plans. Due to bad ventilation conditions heat plays a major role in city dwellers‘ life. Heat actions plans are therefore a strongly advised intrument by many experts. Main tools are urban climatic maps (UCM) and their recommendation plans.This article is about the methods during the development phase of heat action plans with a focus on urban climatology. We suggest to use urban climate maps and recommendation maps under the framework of VDI Guidelines „urban climate and planning“ to locate areas, institutions and livinghoods facing heat and to develop recommendations to decrease vulnerability.With the example of a small city in Western Germany the methodology is shown. Based on urban climate map and recommendation map those loactions were identified which are moderately hot or show inconvenient ventilation conditions. Together with demographic statistics (age), vunerable groups were identified: Children under 6 years and people over 65 years. Further, we analysed the location of institutions which become frequently visited by vulnerable people: i.e. kindergartens, schools, care institituions for older people. We added urban green infrastructure (UGI) as places for recreation during heat phases.WIth the help of geoinformation services (GIS) we were able to combine the different information from UCM, recommendation map, UGI, demographic statistics and the location of the „sensitive institutions“ to find spots most attractive for recreation as well as spots less attractive or even dangerous in terms of health during heat. This technique gives valuable and localised information for developing heat action plans.
Applying zinc isotopes to investigate the trophic positions of extinct marine vertebrates, including the megatooth shark Otodus megalodon, in ancient marine ecosystems
Authors: McCormack Jeremy , Griffiths Michael L. , Maisch IV Harry , Becker Martin A. , Bourgon Nicolas , Jaouen Klervia , Fuller Benjamin T. , Pollerspöck Jürgen , Hampe Oliver , Feichtinger Iris , Müller Wolfgang , Shimada Kenshu
Published: March 2024

Reconstructing ancient food web structures and trophic interactions of extinct taxa is challenging and typically relies on rare fossil evidence such as preserved bite marks, stomach content or faeces. In addition, trophic and diet inferences may be drawn from an anatomical approach, i.e., functional morphology. Yet none of these methods alone can decisively identify the overall diet nor can they quantify a species’ trophic position. To address these uncertainties we utilize new geochemical methods to identify an animal’s trophic position on timescales of millions of years from the analyses of dental enamel(oid). Here we focus on zinc isotope ratios (66Zn/64Zn), reported as δ66Zn value, a trophic-level proxy that is increasingly being applied in archaeological and palaeobiological research. Specifically, we use enamel(oid) δ66Zn values to investigate ancient marine food web structures and the roles of their inhabitants in them, including gigantic extinct predators. Extinct gigantic Mesozoic and Cenozoic marine predators reaching sizes beyond any macropredatory animal existing today have no apparent modern counterparts. Indeed their size alone may imply a very different resource use for these animals or ecosystem structures vastly different from present ones.The diet and trophic position of the megatooth shark Otodus megalodon is still subject of debate and is often linked to its evolution towards gigantism and its extinction. Here we present novel Early Miocene megatoothed shark δ66Zn values from the enameloid of O. megalodon and Otodus chubutensis teeth from two time-equivalent localities in the Paratethys in comparison to the isotopic composition of 20 other sympatric marine vertebrate species with variable trophic ecology and dietary preferences. The inclusion of a larger number of taxa permits a more robust reconstruction of food web dynamics amongst its inhabitants, along with greater insight into the ecological roles of dietary-ambiguous extinct taxa and related length of extinct food chains. We thus contextualise the trophic position of O. megalodon/chubutensis within its food web in greater detail than previously possible. In general, our results support the notion that O. megalodon/chubutensis occupied a high trophic position, though possibly not as high as previously estimated. Perhaps more importantly in terms of its evolution, our findings suggest that Otodus possessed a higher dietary flexibility on a population level than previously understood.
SO2 emissions in India derived from TROPOMI observations using the flux-divergence method and local SO2 lifetimes.
Authors: Chen Yutao , van der A Ronald , Ding Jieying , Eskes Henk , Williams Jason , Tsikerdekis Thanos , Levelt Pieternel
Published: March 2024

This study aims to constrain SO2 emissions during 2018-2023 from satellite measurements by utilizing an improved flux-divergence method and estimated local monthly averaged SO2 lifetimes. The local SO2 lifetime incorporating SO2 chemical loss and dry deposition is calculated to derive the sink term of SO2. The derived SO2 lifetime in India shows seasonality, with longer lifetime (19 hours on average) in winter and shorter lifetime (12 hours on average) in summer. The inclusion of this non-constant lifetime improves the precision of estimating Indian SO2 emissions when compared to calculations using a constant SO2 lifetime. Our implementation of the divergence method improves its spatial resolution. With this improvement on the resolution, the smoothing of the source locations is mitigated.  Finally, the annual total SO2 emissions of India is estimated to be 6.5 Tg year-1, which is in the middle of the range of emissions of previous inventories.  Opposite to the continue increasing trend anticipated in previous studies, the SO2 emissions first decreased in 2020, while increasing in 2021 to 2023. The lower emissions in 2020 might be a result of the COVID-19 quarantine measures.
Global environment impacts of enhanced chlorine emissions for methane removal through chemistry-climate interactions
Authors: Meidan Daphne , Li Qinyi , Hess Peter , Añel Juan A. , Cuevas Carlos A. , Doney Scott , Fernandez Rafael P. , van Herpen Maarten , Höglund-Isaksson Lena , Johnson Matthew S. , Kinnison Douglas E. , Lamarque Jean-François , Röckmann Thomas , Mahowald Natalie M. , Saiz-Lopez Alfonso
Published: March 2024

Atmospheric methane is a potent greenhouse gas that is photochemically active. The addition of chlorine to the atmosphere has been proposed to mitigate global warming through methane reduction by increasing its chemical loss. However, the potential environmental impacts of such climate mitigation remain unexplored. We explore the possible effects of increasing reactive chlorine emissions on the methane budget, atmospheric composition and radiative forcing. Due to non-linear chemistry we found that achieving effective methane reduction require a minimum 3-fold increase in chlorine atoms compared to present-day levels. Our highest scenario, 50-fold present-day chlorine levels, led to a reduction of the surface temperature by 0.6°C in the year 2050. Beyond the direct effects on methane and temperature, our results show significant alterations in other climate forcers, particularly a large decrease in tropospheric ozone. This translates into a reduction in radiative forcing of a similar magnitude as of the methane removed. Additionally, the Antarctic stratosphere ozone burden during September and October was reduced by up to 40% with the highest chlorine addition. Consequently, the implementation of such strategies requires careful consideration of various factors, including the quantity and method of chlorine addition, as well as potential environmental impacts on air quality and ocean acidity. 
Characterization of channel-fill deposits in coastal wetlands
Authors: Tognin Davide , Puppin Alice , Ghinassi Massimiliano , D'Alpaos Andrea , Finotello Alvise
Published: March 2024

Tidal channels are key players in ecogeomorphological dynamics of coastal wetlands, controlling the exchange of water, sediment and nutrient fluxes between low-lying coastal areas and the open sea. Traditionally seen as stable features, the importance of migrating and abandoned channels has been often overlooked. Yet, the constant evolution of tidal channels significantly influences sediment reworking in coastal wetlands and reduced flow velocities within abandoned channels promote particle settling thus rapidly storing large volumes of sediment. Moreover, reach abandonment may lead to the reorganization of the channel network, thus leading to sudden changes in flux dynamics at the basin scale. Hence, the characterization of channel-fill deposits is a critical step for a better understanding of the mechanisms that lead to channel abandonment and consequent network reorganization.To this aim, we conducted a detailed analysis of the sedimentary features and the related depositional processes in abandoned tidal channels in the microtidal Venice Lagoon, Italy. We collected undisturbed sedimentary cores within abandoned channels identified from aerial images taken in the last 70 years. Cores were longitudinally cut and photographed for classical sedimentary facies analysis and identification of the main depositional environments. Cores were then subsampled at 5 cm intervals and prepared for different laboratory analyses, including organic matter estimation through Loss-On-Ignition and particle size distribution using laser diffractometry.By combining facies and laboratory analyses, different depositional environments can be readily identified and characterized. The deposits accumulated during the channel abandonment phase are usually floored by a layer rich in shell and shell fragments related to the channel lag, which in most cases overlies sandy-laminated tidal flat deposits. Instead, channel-fill deposits consist of dark grey, organic-rich mud without any visible sedimentary structures. Massive mud can be locally mixed with very fine sand, and close to the lag they tend to become richer in coarser fractions. Moreover, channel-fill deposits are characterized by abundant submillimetric vegetation debris and by an almost constant organic matter content all along the deposit thickness. Our analysis provides a distinctive characterization of the features of channel-fill deposits and is foundational to the comprehension of the processes that lead to channel abandonment and infill.
The subsoil of the city of Naples: accomplishment of a digital platform for its representation, management and protection
Authors: Guarino Paolo Maria , Barba Antonino , Marra Fausto , Pascarella Fabio , Roma Mauro
Published: March 2024

Naples is the third largest Italian city by size and population. Over 75% of its area is urbanized and the development of the city, often disorderly over the centuries, have occurred despite that the city is exposed to numerous geological hazards, namely: the volcanic and seismic hazard associated with a possible reactivation of Vesuvius and Phlegraean Fields volcanic centres; the seismic hazard connected with the  Apennine seismic activity; the landslide hazard due to the geologically immature landscape and the sinkhole hazard associated with the anthropic use of the subsoil. The studies undertaken and commissioned in the past by the Municipal Administration of Naples, starting from those aimed at facing the so-called Naples’ Subsoil Emergency in the early 2000s, have allowed the acquisition of a large amount of geological information relating to the subsoil, which requires a new and more modern data management structure. For this purpose, the Ufficio Servizio Difesa Idrogeologica del Territorio of the Municipality of Naples has started a project aimed at valorising and updating the enormous amount of data in its possession, through the creation of an digital platform aimed at representing the subsoil of the municipal territory. In this work the preliminary results of the project are presented. The objective of the project is to build a dataset of the geological subsoil information, structured by means of a system of coherent and organic relationships, which will concern not only the geological features (stratigraphic logs, geotechnical parameters etc.) but also the anthropic features (man-made cavities, underground services, tunnels etc.) and that will be included, in the future, within a broader digital  platform concerning the housing and underground public facilities. ISPRA, via the Department for the Geological Survey of Italy, has carried out numerous studies in the Neapolitan area in recent years, also in collaboration with the Municipality of Naples. In this context, ISPRA will provide scientific support and data in its possession for the construction of an updated geological model of the subsoil and the revision of the city’s geological map. With the accomplishment of the project, the digital platform of the subsoil of the city of Naples will become the reference geo-informatics tool of the municipal GIS; it will also have a strong participatory value open to all stakeholders, with the possibility of activating exchanges between citizens and institutions aimed at a continuously updating the acquired knowledge.
Gravimetric and magnetic 3D joint modelling of La Palma, Canary Islands, for geothermal resources exploration.
Authors: Romero-Toribio María C. , Martín Hernández Fátima , Ledo Juanjo , Queralt Capdevila Pilar , Piña-Varas Perla , Martínez van Dorth David , Ruíz Martínez Vicente Carlos , Pavón-Carrasco Javier , D'Auria Luca , Pérez Nemesio , Fullea Javier , Negredo Ana , Osete María Luisa
Published: March 2024

The energy supply of the Canary Islands currently depends on more than 95% of fossil fuel sources, with geothermal research constituting a strategic action. Geophysical monitoring is essential to understand subsurface processes and properties to significantly enhance the potential of geothermal energy development in La Palma. In the 90s and early 2000s, several geophysical surveys were conducted in the island, but data for each physical property were modelled separately. However, regional anomalies such as gravimetric and magnetic offer complementary information about target structures and therefore, can be advantageously modelled together to obtain more constrained and thus more reliable models. An intuitive and easily comprehensive 3D model is conceived to study La Palma thermal lithosphere.Magnetic anomaly data are retrieved from the aeromagnetic flight carried out by the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) in 1993 (Socías & Mezcua, 1996). Bouguer anomaly data for this study are composed of those observed in 2005 and 2021, published in Montesino et al. (2023), and those acquired by the IGN levelling network in early 2000s. We processed the data using ZondGM3D modelling software.As a part of our results, we aim to compare the 3D density and magnetization distribution models of La Palma after individual and joint data inversions. In addition, we will discuss and compare our results with Di Paolo et al. (2020) geothermal system revealed using magnetotellurics and the electrical resistivity model from Piña-Varas et al. (2023) volcanic monitoring, including other previous gravity and magnetic anomaly models from literature.This study is part of the GEOTHERPAL project in which several Spanish institutions aim to perform a multidisciplinary and multiscale geophysical and geochemical imaging of La Palma Island geothermal system, essential to estimate its energy potential. More details are found at the web site of the project: http://pc213fis.fis.ucm.es/GEOTHERPAL/index.html
Climate change projections coupled with microclimatic modelling for supporting decision making in viticulture
Authors: Fonseca André , Cruz José , Valente Joana , Alves Fernando , Neto Ana , Flores Rui , Santos João
Published: March 2024

Understanding the microclimate dynamics within vineyard living labs is paramount for sustainable and optimised grape production. This study delves into a comprehensive approach, using a microclimate NicheMapR model, local station hourly data, ERA5 land data, and a high-resolution Digital Elevation Model to refine microclimate analyses. The key innovation lies in achieving an unprecedented 10-meter spatial resolution of climate variables, providing a perspective on the intricate interplay of climatic variables within each living lab. The initial phase of the study involves the incorporation of local station data to perform bias correction on ERA5 land data, achieved through quantile mapping techniques. This bias-corrected dataset serves as a robust foundation for subsequent analyses, ensuring that the microclimate model accurately reflects the unique characteristics of the vine living labs under study. Integrating a high-resolution DEM further enhances spatial precision, capturing subtle variations in terrain that can profoundly impact local microclimates, such as shade and horizon angles. Additionally, the 10-meter spatial resolution output from the microclimate model is used to bias correct EURO-CORDEX ensemble models, providing the development of future climatic scenarios. This approach ensures that the future projections are not only regionally specific but also representative of each living lab. An important output of the research is the determination of future climate extreme indices and bioclimatic indices specifically designed for viticulture. By analysing the ensemble models at the 10-meter scale, the study aims to provide invaluable insights into potential shifts in temperature extremes, precipitation patterns, and other climatic variables critical to grape cultivation within a specific living lab. In conclusion, this study presents a holistic and forward-looking approach to microclimate analysis in vine living labs. By integrating advanced geospatial technologies, bias-corrected ERA5 land data, high-resolution DEMs, and the microclimate NicheMapR model, this research expands the knowledge of present microclimates and provides viticulturists with insights into future climate scenarios.