bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term changes in gravity wave activity in the middle atmosphere from satellite and ground-based observations
Authors: Hindley Neil , Hoffmann Lars , Moffat-Griffin Tracy , Noble Phoebe , Wright Corwin
Published: March 2024

Atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) are one of the most important drivers of the circulation of the middle and upper atmosphere. Usually generated in the lower atmosphere and propagating upwards through the atmospheric layers, the aggregated forcing of these waves drives circulations in the middle atmosphere that are far from that expected under radiative equilibrium. Circulations in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) and above, especially in polar regions, have shown extreme sensitivity to GW parameterisations in recent high-top modelling simulations and can exhibit significant and limiting biases compared to observations. This uncertainty in the role of GW dynamics between models has made predictions of how these high-altitude circulations are expected to respond to a changing climate very challenging. This is confounded by a relative scarcity of global observations of GW activity in the middle and upper atmosphere with which to understand these connections over climate timescales. Since the early 2000s, satellite and ground-based instrumentation has provided an unprecedented observational view of middle atmospheric dynamics and composition, especially for the study of GWs. However, due to different instrument capabilities and limited hardware lifetimes, examining long term trends of GW properties observationally has been challenging due to the need to re-establish baselines. Here we examine results from some of the longest known single-instrument records of GW activity in the middle and upper atmosphere spanning more than two decades. We explore changes in GW amplitudes, wavelengths and directional momentum flux in the stratosphere from a 22-year climatology derived from global 3-D satellite observations from the AIRS/Aqua, the longest single-instrument climatology of this type. We also explore changes in wind, temperature and large-scale GW activity in the polar MLT from nearly 20 years of single-station meteor wind radar observations in the Arctic and Antarctic. We compare these trends to equivalent analysis of other long-term satellite GW datasets and resolved GW activity in ERA5 stratospheric reanalysis. Finally, we discuss limitations and best practise for considering observed trends in GW observations, such as how changes in circulation can affect GW propagation and their apparent sensitivity to satellite remote sensing techniques.
Mitigating muddy flooding in a changing climate.
Authors: Brannigan Neil , Mullan Donal , Vandaele Karel , Graham Conor
Published: March 2024

Soil erosion by water and muddy flooding significantly threaten agricultural productivity and broader environmental health. This issue is widespread in the European Loess Belt, especially in Flanders, Belgium. The off-site impacts of muddy flooding – notably on water quality, ecosystems, and infrastructure – are catastrophic. Encouragingly, existing mitigation strategies that combine curative measures and farming practices have effectively managed soil loss and sediment transport. However, climate change is expected to greatly exacerbate these impacts, likely rendering existing mitigation measures insufficient. Despite a well-recognised need for adaptation, there is a continued lack of research dedicated to designing effective mitigation strategies for arable catchments facing an increased frequency and magnitude of muddy flood events in future. Our study explores adapting these measures for improved resilience to climate change, with a focus on a heavily impacted catchment in Limburg, Belgium. A modelling approach was used to predict future muddy flooding scenarios from 2021 to 2100, employing a novel methodology to select and downscale appropriate climate models for site-specific, daily resolution future climate scenarios. Soil erosion projections were generated using the WEPP model for four hillslopes under each climate scenario, while Erosion3D illustrated spatial erosion patterns across the catchment. Various likely land use choices and potential mitigation strategies under future climatic conditions were evaluated, with strategies shortlisted based on efficacy and farmer practicability. Our findings indicate a considerable increase in erosion magnitude and muddy flooding duration between 2041-2100 under current land management practices, with a marked increase in high-magnitude events. Conservation tillage emerged as the most effective strategy for 2021-2040, followed by no tillage for 2061-2080. Mixing summer crops with winter wheat is highly effective until 2080, but banning summer crops in vulnerable fields is necessary for 2081-2100. These findings underscore the need for better data – especially long-term muddy flood measurements – and enhanced public education on these issues, thereby offering insights applicable to other affected regions.
Comparing radar-raingauge precipitation-merging-methods for soil erosion modelling support
Authors: Moretti Sandro , Ciampalini Rossano , Antonini Andrea , Mazza Alessandro , Melani Samantha , Ortolani Alberto , Rosi Ascanio , Segoni Samuele
Published: March 2024

Radar-based rainfalls are currently used for process monitoring from remote in a large panel of domaines including hydrology and soil erosion modelling. Nevertheless, such data may include systemic and natural perturbations that need to be corrected before using these data. To encompass this problem, adjustments based on raingauge observations are frequently adopted. Here, we analysed the performance of different radar-raingauge merging procedures using a regional raingauge-radar network (Tuscany, Italy) focusing on a selected number of rainfalls events.The computational methods adopted were: 1) Kriging with External Drift (KED) interpolation (Wackernagel 1998), 2) Probability-Matching-Method (PMM, Rosenfeld et al., 1994), and 3) an Adjusted kriging mixed method exploiting the conditional merging (ADj) process (Sinclair-Pegram, 2005). The latter made available by DPCN (Italian National Civil Protection Department), while methods 1) and 2) were applied on recorded raingauge rainfalls over the regional territory at 15’ time-step, and CAPPI (Constant Altitude Plan Position Indicator) reflectivity data from the Italian radar network at 2000/3000/5000 m at 5’ and 10’.The comparisons between the three rainfall fields were based on the analyses of variance, Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF), and explicative coefficients such as BIAS, RMSE (Root Mean Square Error), MAD (Median Absolute Deviation). In average, rainfalls showed a moderate variability between the methods. Comparing CDFs, slight differences were detected between KED and ADj with bias mostly pronounced in lower quantiles, while more marked differences are observed in higher quantiles for the ADj-PMM methods. The analyses presented different spatial patterns depending on the applied procedure, closer to the radar data when using ADj, and more reflecting the gauge’s data structure when adopting KED. The probabilistic method (PMM) had the advantage to account for gauge data while preserving the spatial radar patterns, thus confirming interesting perspectives. Globally, the KED method provided more accurate coverage in the calculation by better compensating for local topographical shadows in the data, while ADJ confirmed the more detailed product in terms of time resolution (e.g. 5minute res.).
Monte Somma magneto-stratigraphy and growth
Authors: Principe Claudia , Brocchini Debora , Arrighi Simone , Malfatti Jonas , Gogichaishvili Avto , Cerbai Ilaria , Devidze Marina , Crocetti Sergio , Paolillo Annarita , La Felice Sonia , Giordano Daniele
Published: March 2024

This work, based on cartographic, morphologic, structural, paleo-magnetic, stratigraphic, and petro-chemical data, depict a new scenario of the Monte Somma growth and the volcanic evolution of this portion of Somma-Vesuvius volcanic complex. The volcanic growth is dominated by the migration of the volcanic source along three main tectonic trends (N040-050°, N070°, and N320°) that governed the formation of the poly-phased Somma caldera. Stratigraphic evidences, stressed by the UBSU use and by age clustering, reveal the occurrence of important climatic changes during Monte Somma formation, affecting its morphology and producing huge volcaniclastic glacial deposits. Magneto-stratigraphic data confirm the presence of an old edifice (Proto Somma Super-Synthem, 25,000 – 39,000 a BP) in the Cognoli di Trocchia area, beheaded by the Pomici di Base flank collapse about 22 ka ago. After this cataclysmic event, volcanic activity produced news volcanic morphologies (Somma Super-Synthem, 5,600 – 25,000 a BP). This second portion of the reconstructed and dated stratigraphic series is subdivided on the four main units: Cognoli di Santa Anastasia, Cognoli di Ottaviano, Cognoli di Levante, and Mercato Synthems. 
GIS‑based hierarchical fuzzy MCDA framework for detecting critical urban areas in climate scenarios
Authors: Miraglia Vittorio , Cardone Barbara , Di Martino Ferdinando
Published: March 2024

In this research we propose a GIS-based multicriteria framework that implements a hierarchical MCDA fuzzy model aimed at the detection of urban areas at risk in climate hazard scenarios. The fuzzy-based multi-criteria approach adopted has the advantage of adapting to the hierarchical modeling of urban systems and of implementing the approximate reasoning adopted by decision makers. The criteria are defined in a hierarchical structure where the leaf nodes consist of fuzzy numbers; each node is assigned a weight, called coefficient of relative significance, which represents its relevance in the generation of the parent node in the upper level. The fuzzy set in the parent node is implemented through a fuzzy operator of intersection of the fuzzy sets of the child nodes. The framework was tested on a study area including densely populated neighborhoods in the municipality of Naples (Italy), with the aim of determining which subzones of the study area were most at risk in scenarios of heatwaves in the summer months. The results obtained are consistent with the results of the evaluations carried out by experts in the field.
Supervised Machine Learning Algorithm to Classify Interplanetary Directional Discontinuities
Authors: Dumitru Daniel , Munteanu Costel , Negrea Catalin , Echim Marius
Published: March 2024

Directional discontinuities (DDs) are defined as abrupt changes of the magnetic field orientation. We use observations from ESA’s Cluster mission to compile a database of 4216 events identified in January-April 2007 and 5194 events from January-April 2008. Localized time-scale images depicting angular changes are created for each event, and a preliminary classification algorithm is designed to distinguish between: simple - isolated events, and complex - multiple overlapping events. In 2007, 1806 events are pre-classified as simple, and 2410 as complex; in 2008, 1997 events are simple, and 3197 are complex.  A supervised machine learning approach is used to recognize and predict these events. Two models are trained: one for 2007, which is used to predict the results in 2008, and vice versa for 2008. To validate our results, we investigate the discontinuity occurrence rate as a function of spacecraft location. When the spacecraft is in the solar wind, we find an occurrence rate of similar to 2 DDs per hour and a 50/50% ratio of simple/complex events. When the spacecraft is in the Earth's magnetosheath, we find that the total occurrence rate remains around 2 DDs/hr, but the ratio of simple/complex events changes to similar to 25/75%. This implies that about half of the simple events observed in the solar wind are classified as complex when observed in the magnetosheath. This demonstrates that our classification scheme can provide meaningful insights, and thus be relevant for future studies on interplanetary discontinuities. Parts of this research were published in AGU Earth and Space Science: Dumitru and Munteanu (2023), https://doi.org/10.1029/2023EA002960.
Glacial-interglacial faunal shifts in rift ecosystems during the Quaternary: dynamics and drivers of change from the Corinth Gulf record (Greece).
Authors: Parisi Roberta , Mazzini Ilaria , Cronin Thomas Mark
Published: March 2024

The Corinth Gulf is a young, active rift with high rates of tectonic activity, high sediment fluxes, and a closed drainage system. The Gulf is currently connected to the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean Sea by the Rion Sill and Acheloos-Cape Pappas Sill in the west (currently at 60 m and 55 m below sea level, respectively), and the Corinth Canal (completed in 1893) in the east. During glacial lowstands, the sea level dropped below the sill height and separated the Gulf from the Mediterranean The International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 381 focused on sampling sediments in the Corinth Basin to better understand past environmental changes, especially during glacial to interglacial transitions. Ostracode assemblages have been studied from the sediment core M0078, drilled in the center of the basin to a depth of 610 mbsf. This study relies on benthic ostracodes, which are persistent in the core and inform large changes in chemical-physical parameters and water depth within the basin We find ostracode fauna are particularly sensitive to environmental conditions driven by global sea level oscillations, which cause the Gulf of Corinth to be connected or isolated from the Mediterranean and therefore global oceans. In core M0078, ecosystem shifts are documented by coeval changes in the ostracode assemblages, reflecting variations in water depth (deep-shallow marine environments) degree of confinement-salinity (marine-lacustrine environments).Two different types of assemblages have been identified from the ostracode assemblages: Mediterranean marine (Cytheropteron spp.; Henryhowella spp.; Aurila spp.; Cytherois spp.) and brackish with Black Sea influences (Amnicythere spp.; Tuberoloxoconcha spp.; Candonidae). Thirteen environmental-ecological stages followed one another crossing six tipping points that mark changes in relative sea level (RSL), climate and/or fluvial regime. Such faunal turnovers identify glacials (brackish assemblage, low sea level) and interglacials (marine assemblage, high sea level) and indicate a complex history of sea level changes that changed the drainage and depth of the Corinth Gulf during the Quaternary. 
Regional tectonics shaped plant biodiversity in Colombian Andes
Authors: Liu Yi , Ott Richard , Pellissier Loïc , Zimmermann Niklaus
Published: March 2024

Northern South America, particularly the geologically dynamic Colombian Andes, stands as a region of highest plant biodiversity. While the influence of mountain uplift in the tropical Andes on biodiversity patterns is well-recognized, the repercussions of these landscape changes on the evolutionary dynamics of the local flora have been understudied. Here, we aim to fill this gap by investigating the role of uplift history and landscape evolution in driving the assembly and maintenance of plant biodiversity in the Colombian Andes. We integrate a comprehensive reconstruction of individual geological blocks with plant phylogenies, distribution patterns, and the resulting biogeographic structuring of the endemic flora. Our comparative analysis reveals a substantial agreement between the geological blocks and biogeographic realms instead of climate, indicating the fundamental role of regional tectonics shapes the observed pattern of biodiversity. Notably, the northern segments of the Western and Central Cordillera and Eastern Cordillera, representing the two most-recent fast uplift blocks, exhibit a higher prevalence of endemic species and a significant accumulation of in situ speciation events over the last 10 million years. Our findings provide a detailed perspective on how landscape changes have driven the diversification of flora in the Colombian Andes and contribute to a broader understanding of the intricate interplay between geological processes and plant evolution, emphasizing the importance of considering regional tectonic dynamics in unraveling the heterogeneous biodiversity patterns on Earth.
The early Middle Devonian Choteč Event in northern Spain: a brief anoxic pulse driven by enhanced weathering and eutrophication
Authors: Bond David , Blanco-Ferrera Silvia , Grasby Stephen , Greene Sarah , Hilton Jason , Lopes Gilda , Lu Jing , Marshall John , Sanz-López Javier , Wellman Charles , Yin Lusheng
Published: March 2024

The (Basal) Choteč Event, first recognised in the 1980s in Czechia, is a globally widespread anoxic pulse associated with transgression and eutrophication just above the Emsian-Eifelian (Early-Middle Devonian) boundary (cycle 1c of the Johnson et al. [1985] Devonian eustatic sea-level curve). Despite being one of several anoxia-driven faunal turnovers during the Devonian, the Choteč Event remains poorly understood. The global reach, intensity, and duration of anoxia is not constrained and nor is it clear whether eutrophication had its “roots” in contemporary floral developments on land (as suggested for younger Devonian anoxic events).We present a geochemical (carbon isotopes; trace metals as proxies for redox and productivity; and major elements for the Chemical Index of Alteration [CIA] as a weathering proxy) and palynological study of the Cabonera section (León, Spain). This succession is part of an extensive Devonian sequence developed around isolated islands in the Armorican Terrane Assemblage that was located between the supercontinents Laurussia and Gondwana. Here, limestones of the Emsian-Eifelian Santa Lucia Formation are abruptly overlain by siltstones and shales belonging to the Eifelian Huergas Formation. This conodont- and brachiopod-constrained manifestation of the Choteč Event sees the onset of a gradual 4‰ negative δ13Ccarb excursion (CIE) consistent with records in other regions. The lower part of the Huergas Formation (Cabornera Bed) records a brief interval of anoxia (low Th/U, elevated V/Al and U/Al) at the same level that sees the onset of the negative CIE. This appears to have been accompanied by, or was perhaps driven by, greatly enhanced primary productivity, with enrichment factors (EFs) of Ba, and particularly Ni, Zn and P, all >>1. This brief burst of productivity and anoxia soon ended, with EFs falling
Exploring alpine seedling dynamics: microsite preferences and physiological performance in the French treeline ecotone
Authors: Ramirez Lirey A. , Loranger Hannah , Flinspach Lukas , Nikolic Nada , Toivonen Johanna , Wenzel Hanna , Zotz Gerhard , Bader Maaike Y.
Published: March 2024

Seedling establishment is a major bottleneck in plant community dynamics and is particularly critical for tree advance in the treeline ecotone. However, the characteristics and availability of safe sites for tree regeneration in alpine ecosystems remain unclear, while the criteria for safe sites may differ between tree species. Tree seedlings in the treeline ecotone are exposed to multiple environmental stressors that may differ from those affecting adult trees. Understanding the response of seedlings to different combinations of abiotic and biotic constraints is essential for predicting future treeline shifts. We therefore aimed to: 1) evaluate differences in microsite preferences of the conifers Larix decidua, Pinus uncinata, and P. cembra at treeline sites with two different types of bedrock chemistry, and 2) study the response of these species plus two further treeline-forming tree species, Picea abies and Sorbus aucuparia, to microclimatic manipulation. We evaluated microsite preferences at four sites in the upper treeline ecotone in the French Alps, two with calcareous and two with siliceous bedrock, and compared, at each site, the microsite characteristics of 50 tree species individuals with 50 random microsites, describing the substrate, ground cover, macro- and microtopography, and nearest shelter of each microsite. In a field experiment, also in the French Alps, seedlings were planted in 40 plots arranged in five blocks with the following treatments: Day warming, Day warming + watering, Night warming, Night warming + shade, Shade, Control, Watering, and Vegetation cover. We evaluated survival, growth, and biochemistry (chlorophyll fluorescence and nonstructural carbohydrates) of two seedling cohorts (planted in two consecutive years). We found that microsites were similar, and mostly sheltered, in both bedrock types, and the occupied microsites were a good representation of the available microsites in the respective areas, suggesting that safe-site availability does not limit the establishment of these species in the treeline ecotone. In the experiment, the two seedling cohorts responded differently to the treatments, but in general the vegetation treatment had the strongest effect on seedling performance in all the species studied. Our results imply that, contrary to our expectations, seed availability, rather than safe site availability, is a primary constraint for tree establishment in these alpine-treeline ecotones. Furthermore, in our experiment, the presence of vegetation affected seedling performance more than shading or warming, but given the differences between cohorts, this result must be carefully considered.
Mars sample return analogue sample library
Authors: Orgel Csilla , Thiessen Fiona , Sefton-Nash Elliot , Hutzler Aurore , Smith Alvin , Werner Stephanie , Krzesinska Agata , Griffiths Luke , Kmine Gerhard
Published: March 2024

NASA-ESA are jointly preparing the Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign and are planning to collect and transport a set of martian samples from Mars to Earth for the purpose of scientific investigation, based on the highest priority recommendations of the international science community. The samples are being collected by NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover [1,2] and consist of a variety of rocks (e.g., sedimentary and volcanic), regolith, and atmospheric gas.Analogue samples, representing various properties of the Mars 2020 samples, are needed for engineering, science, curation, and planetary protection developments in the context of Mars Sample Return (MSR).  Depending on the activity for which the analogue sample material will be used, different properties or groups of properties of the analogue sample may be important, including but not limited to geophysical, geochemical, geomechanical, or mineralogical properties.Analogues are selected for their representativity in attributes that are most relevant for e.g. (i) tests performed as part of research and development activities, (ii) validation and verification of sample processing or analysis, or (iii) for use in outreach or communications activities. Characteristics may range from basic physical or geological properties (e.g. density, grain size distribution, porosity) to mineralogical, bulk chemical or other higher order parameters that are defined to serve the needs of the above. An analogue sample may be a natural sample collected from the field or an existing collection or a synthetic sample.The collection of new natural samples from the field is carried out through dedicated field campaigns, which are supported by NASA and ESA. The characterization of analogue samples will be performed at the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) in Oslo, Norway and will be supported by ESA. All MSR analogue samples are stored at and distributed from the Natural History Museum in Oslo in collaboration with the University of Oslo (UiO). This activity is supported by the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) and ESA. The UiO will be responsible for establishing an MSR analogue sample catalogue, sub-sectioning samples, and distributing analogue samples in response to allocation decisions taken on requests received. The sample allocation process will be managed by a NASA-ESA MSR Analogue Sample Allocation Panel (ASAP). Requests for analogue samples will be made via a web-interface and processed in a timely manner. References: [1] Farley K. & Stack K. (2022) Mars 2020 Initial Reports, Vol. 1 Crater Floor Campaign, Aug. 11, 2022. [2] Farley K. & Stack K. (2023) Mars 2020 Initial Reports, Vol. 2, Delta Front Campaign, Feb. 15, 2023
Extracting Dated Isochrones on Airborne Radar Data Across EastAntarctica for Input into 3-D Regional Ice Sheet Models
Authors: Bodart Julien , Višnjević Vjeran , Hermant Antoine , Sutter Johannes
Published: March 2024

Modelling the past evolution of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) in response to climateand ocean forcing is challenged by the scarcity of observed palaeo boundary conditions. Oneof the most spatially extensive records of past ice-sheet conditions comes from radar-detectedisochrones which, if dated precisely at ice cores, can provide a highly accurate temporal andspatial history of ice-sheet evolution over time. Previous work has highlighted the benefit ofusing such isochrones for testing and benchmarking 3-D ice sheet models; however,uncertainty remains as to which model parameters fare better and how different bed and ice-flow conditions affect the ability of ice-sheet models to reproduce the observed isochrones.Here, we make use of previously acquired airborne radar data over the Wilkes SubglacialBasin (East Antarctica) to connect existing stratigraphies and extract a temporal record ofisochrones at regular time intervals spanning the Holocene to the last interglacial and beyond.The radar flight lines were carefully selected to provide a record of isochrones crossingboundaries of different bed and ice-flow conditions situated between the ice divide and theice-sheet margins to represent as diverse a set of conditions as possible. The aim of this workis to ultimately be able to test the ability of dated isochrones to tune ice-sheet modelparameters that will reproduce isochrone elevations in different parts of the catchment andunder different bed and ice-flow conditions.
Measures to mitigate torrential hazards in a typical alpine catchment area in Slovenia
Authors: Sodnik Jost , Mikoš Matjaž , Bezak Nejc
Published: March 2024

Various sediment-related disasters such as flash floods, debris flows and landslides can occur in an alpine torrential catchment area. To protect infrastructure and human life, various structural and non-structural (grey, green and hybrid infrastructure) protection measures can be used to mitigate torrential risks. An overview is given of the protective measures constructed near the Krvavec ski resort in north-western Slovenia (Central Europe). In May 2018, an extreme debris flood occurred in this area, causing considerable economic damage. After the event in May 2018, various field investigations (e.g. geological and topographical surveys) and modeling applications (e.g. hydrological modeling, debris flow) were carried out to prepare the necessary input data for the design of protective measures against such disasters in the future — due to climate change, further disasters are expected in this torrential catchment area. Compensatory measures include the engineering works of local streams, the construction of a large silt check dam for sediment retention, the construction of several smaller retention dams and the construction of 16 flexible net barriers with an estimated retention volume of ~8000 m3 to control erosion. A comprehensive monitoring system was also set up in the study area to observe and monitor potential future extreme events. This monitoring system includes measurements of corrosion of flexible nets, estimation of concrete abrasion on retention dams, regular geodetic surveys with small drones (UAV) and hydro-meteorological measurements with rain gauges and water level sensors. The recent extreme floods of August 2023 also hit this part of Slovenia, and this combination of technical countermeasures withstood the event and prevented large amounts of coarse debris from being transported to the downstream section and destroying infrastructure, as was the case in a less extreme event in May 2018. Therefore, such mitigation measures can also be used in other torrential catchment areas in the alpine environment.
Open Hydrology for the Science-Policy-Practice interface: why and how
Authors: Dogulu Nilay , Dietrich Stephan , Hall Caitlyn , Verbist Koen
Published: March 2024

Openness, transparency and reproducibility are terms which have found their way into the scientific community, including hydrology. Recently, a set of principles and guidance on Open Science for hydrology researchers was introduced by Hall et al. (2022). However, an integrative and inclusive vision, by and for all research stakeholders in hydrology, with respect to science-informed services (practice) and decision making (policy) is currently missing.Open Hydrology, in essence, refers to the conduct of hydrological research and delivery of hydrological services based on principles and approaches of Open Science. Open Hydrology can be an effective enabler of improved Science-Policy-Practice (SPP) interface by strengthening the role of hydrological sciences. Furthermore, adoption of open, transparent, and participatory approaches to hydrology can ultimately lead to wider accessibility (in support of inclusivity and equity), and more trust in science for all research stakeholders, including the society, thus facilitating reliable decision and policy making.Our contribution highlights the potential of Open Hydrology for members of (water) research communities and infrastructures, hydrological service providers, research administrators and facilitators of research, national and regional governmental institutions in charge of water resources management, publishers, policy makers and funders, citizen science groups and initiatives. We will share examples of open data, open source, open education, open infrastructure, and open publishing initiatives, resources and tools while discussing their transformative potential for the SPP nexus. Hall, C. A., Saia, S. M., Popp, A. L., Dogulu, N., Schymanski, S. J., Drost, N., van Emmerik, T., and Hut, R.: A hydrologist's guide to open science, Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 647–664, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-647-2022, 2022.
Basin evolution and Paleo reconstruction of the Mesoproterozoic South Nicholson Region, NE Australia
Authors: Nalinakumar Harikrishnan , Clark Stuart Raymond
Published: March 2024

This study explores the geological complexity of the South Nicholson Region, an area spanning the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia, from the newly drilled NDI Carrara 1 well, thus exposing the burial history of the Carrara sub-basin. Formed before the formation of the Nuna supercontinent, this region is positioned near resource-abundant basins and boasts a complex geological history. It has undergone significant tectonic shifts, orogenic activities, and the development of sedimentary basins over 1.6 billion of years while the world was developing as we see it in present. Despite its potential for mineral and petroleum resources, the South Nicholson Region was previously under-explored, lacking in-depth seismic, well, and geophysical data. Recently acquired data from the region includes five seismic lines and a new well, offering invaluable insights into the region's subsurface geology, including the identification of a new sub-basin, the Carrara Sub-basin. Characterised by a gravity low on its southeast side, the Carrara Sub-basin encompasses thick sequences of Proterozoic rocks from the Northern Lawn Hill Platform, Mount Isa Province and McArthur Basin. The primary objective of this study is to examine the burial history, tectonic subsidence and paleo-reconstruction of the South Nicholson region.Our results indicate that the South Nicholson Region has undergone multiple cycles of sedimentation, tectonic uplift and erosion. Between ~1640 Ma and 1580 Ma, the region experienced increasing deposition rates. The presence of an unconformity obscures the sedimentation and tectonic history from 1600 to 500 Ma. However, by 500 Ma, significant subsidence had occurred, indicating that subsidence was the predominant geological force during this period. After this interval, an uplift event is evident, exhuming the layers until 400 Ma. From 400 Ma until today, little to no subsidence has been briefly interrupted by minor uplift events. Our calculated tectonic subsidence curve closely aligns with the regional deposition patterns, highlighting the intricate relationship between sediment deposition and tectonic activities, thereby providing valuable insights into the interplay between sedimentary and tectonic processes in the region.
Allocation of total load reduction considering the social-economic benefits and water quality impacts of subregions
Authors: Cong Ming , Xin Zhuohang , Zhang Chi
Published: March 2024

Reducing nutrient inputs from land-based anthropogenic pollutions is a crucial task to enhance the water quality and maintain the ecological functionality. This study aims to develop a novel method for allocating the total load reduction task to different administrative zones considering the economic and social benefits and water quality effects of each zone, taking the Mainstream of Liao River Watershed (MLRW) in China as an example. The soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) was employed as a water quality model to quantify nutrient load contributions from each pollution source and predict the water quality responses to various allocation schemes. Four load allocation schemes were developed based on environmental efficiencies calculated by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and load contributions of different zones. The impacts on environmental (nutrient load), economic (GDP) and social (crop yield) benefits of the watershed were evaluated. To ensure the equality of allocation results, the environmental Gini coefficient was used to examine the equality level. The results indicated that crop planting was the largest pollution source to total nitrogen (TN), accounting for 48.7%, while animal breeding was the largest pollution source to total phosphorus (TP), accounting for 46.0%. The allocation schemes involving the environmental efficiencies were found to enhance economic and social benefits compared to those solely considered the load contributions of zones. For maximizing economic benefits, the most suitable pollution load reduction scheme involves using economic-environmental efficiency as the adjustment factor for allocation proportion. Likewise, for maximizing social benefits, the preferred scheme is to incorporate the social-environmental efficiency. The pollution load reduction scheme incorporating economic-social-environmental efficiency serves as a balanced compromise, addressing both economic and social benefits. The Gini coefficients of the four schemes were below 0.4, affirming adherence to the equality principle. The analysis framework used in this study provides decision-makers with the flexibility to select allocation schemes tailored to their specific needs when formulating water quality management strategies.
Biocrusts, ecological indicators in the Australian rangelands
Authors: Williams Wendy , Myint Swe Than , Vega Maria , Driscoll Colin , Cowley Robyn , O’Reagain Peter , Potgieter Andries , Zhao Yan , Dennis Paul , Schmidt Susanne
Published: March 2024

The Australian rangelands that cover around 70% of the country (~6 million km2) are inhabited by some of the most extensive and diverse biocrusts globally. These regions are predominately managed as natural grazing lands. Across northern Australia where the climate is influenced by the monsoon (wet season) biocrusts dominated by cyanobacteria and liverworts occupy the interspaces between grass plants as a coherent layer that binds the upper millimetres of soil and forms a living cover of photoautotrophic (cyanobacteria, algae, lichens and bryophytes), and heterotrophic (bacteria, fungi and archaea) organisms. During the dry season biocrusts are inactive, then recover at the onset of the wet season, actively participating in nitrogen and carbon fixation and accumulation. To identify the role of biocrusts as ecological indicators, we modelled their distribution, diversity and function across microhabitats. We also determined how biocrust community dynamics had been influenced by long-term fire and grazing management regimes.At Victoria River Research Station (Kidman Springs, NT), after 30 years of fire research we compared managed burning practices at 2, 4 or 6-yearly intervals on two soil types (calcarosol, vertosol). Biocrusts were resilient and recovered rapidly from fire, where diversity and genetic function altered seasonally, between soil types, and fire regimes. Post-fire, after a wet season (cattle excluded), biocrusts recovered with significantly more carbon and nitrogen in the surface soils of cooler fire treatments every four years.  At Wambiana Cattle Station (QLD), grazing trials have been established for 25 years. When paddocks were rested from cattle grazing every second year, biocrusts in duplex soils recovered to levels comparable to ungrazed natural sites. In red-yellow earths, there were biocrust hotspots that provided protection to the soil surfaces when there was a loss of grass cover during drought. Biocrust diversity and function differed between soil type and management (moderate and heavy stocking).This research demonstrates that the top centimetre of biocrust-rich soil is central to ground cover integrity and is essential to soil nutrient cycling and fertility. Biocrusts are an important indicator for overall vegetative recovery post fire, grazing and drought disturbances. The principles of land cover condition based on landscape function should include biocrust presence as a metric that describes landscape resilience, as opposed to bare unprotected ground. Importantly, land managers can apply this research to grazing practices that show that giving the land rest periods timed to coincide with the wet season allows time for biocrust organisms to recover from disturbance.
Variation of δD, and δ18O in springs and precipitation of Takoli gad watershed Uttarakhand in the lesser Himalayas
Authors: Kumar Nitish , Das Satyabrata , Maurya Abhayanand Singh
Published: March 2024

The environmental isotopes (δD and δ18O) in natural water play a crucial role as indicators for hydrological processes, serving as a significant method to track the moisture sources in mountainous watersheds. The current study presents the isotopic compositions (δD, and δ18O) of the springs, streams, and rainwater samples from the Takoli Gad catchment, Uttarakhand in the Lesser Himalayas. Our results show that the spring, and stream samples, with an average δD and δ18O values of (-60‰ ± 4.11‰) and (-8.81‰ ± 0.55‰), respectively, represent the most depleted isotopic compositions during the monsoon season. During post-monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons, isotopic compositions are enriched with an average of (δ18O = -8.44 ± 0.43‰, δD: -57.79 ± 2.43‰) and (δ18O = -8.10 ± 0.42‰, δD: -55.7 ± 3.07‰), respectively. The depleted isotopic compositions during the monsoon period suggest the impact of monsoon precipitation on spring waters. Additionally, evaporation from the spring water has led to an enrichment of isotopic compositions during the pre-monsoon season. This conclusion is reinforced by the highest d excess values observed in spring water during the monsoon (10.27‰ ± 1.47‰) and the lowest during the pre-monsoon (9.12‰ ± 1.75‰). Furthermore, The rainwater samples collected during the winter season have the highest d excess values (13.7‰ ± 5.4‰) in comparison to the same during pre-monsoon (9.9‰ ± 4‰) and monsoon period (9.2‰ ± 2‰). These highest d values of the precipitation during winter mostly correspond to the westerlies' effect. The mass balance equation, including δ18O and d-excess values, estimates that approximately 83% of the spring water budget is contributed by monsoon precipitation. Similarly, the δ18O-enabled altitude effect (0.06‰/100m) is found to be within range of other Himalayan catchments. However, the same is ~5 times lower in comparison to the altitude effect estimated using the precipitation of the region (0.3‰/100m). Also, our study suggests a significant role of evaporation in altering the δ18O-associated altitude effect in precipitation. Finally, the rainout percentage approximation (using both δ18O and δD compositions of the rainfall) estimates that ~32% ± 4% of the moisture is being removed from the cloud as the same is traversing in the region.
Satellite Gravity Gradiometry Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Purcell Anthony , Tregoning Paul
Published: March 2024

The rapid advancement of cold atom gravimetry has created the potential for high precision satellite-based observations of planetary gravity fields from a comparatively modest payload. The relatively low mass of cold-atom units makes multi-satellite observational campaigns both more practical and more cost-effective. The key determinant for the success of this style of mission is a combination of instrument sensitivity and the configuration of the deployed satellite constellation. In this study we present the results of a systematic numerical analysis of the observational precision that can be achieved across a variety of satellite constellations and a range of gradiometer instrument sensitivities. Our objective is to determine the constellation geometries that take best advantage of the high sensitivity of cold atom gravity gradiometers.
Identifying areas of multiple soil degradation processes at regional scale
Authors: Steinhoff-Knopp Bastian , Kuhwald Michael , Bäumler Katharina , Saggau Philipp , Lorenz Marco
Published: March 2024

Soil compaction and soil erosion by water are among the top 5 threats to agricultural soils in Europe. Soil compaction has a direct impact on soil erosion, for instance by reducing infiltration rates. Therefore, measures directly addressing soil compaction (e.g. optimized field traffic and reduced wheel load) have an impact on soil erosion by water. In addition, measures such as crop rotation management, including cover crop management, allow combined effects on soil erosion and soil compaction. Currently, no evidence at regional scale is available that indicates which measures can generate this co-benefit and which regions having a high risk of soil erosion and compaction can benefit from those measures. Modelling exercises provide the option for generating this information and are tested here in a regional scale case study.As a first step, we identified cropland with a combined risk of soil compaction and soil erosion by water in Lower Saxony (northern Germany). To this end, we derived typical crop rotations for 2017 to 2021 based on high-resolution crop type maps for three soil regions in the study area. Depending on the crop rotations and farm size, typical machinery equipment was defined and field work dates were derived according to phenological data. This data was combined with three weather scenarios using real observational data (dry: 2020, wet: 2017, intermediate: 2004). We employed the USLE (Universal Soil Loss Equation) and the SaSCiA-model (Spatially explicit Soil Compaction risk Assessment) to model soil erosion and soil compaction risk for the different weather scenarios and the three typical crop rotations in the soil regions. The results help to identify regions with combined risk for soil erosion and soil compaction. The next step will be the analysis of measures addressing both degradation processes.
Monitoring Dutch Peatland Subsidence Using InSAR – First Results
Authors: Conroy Philip , Lumban-Gaol Yustisi , van Diepen Simon , van Leijen Freek , Hanssen Ramon
Published: March 2024

Actively monitoring ground motion is of the highest importance in The Netherlands, a country inwhich many of its regions lie below sea level. Water tables in the country have been managedfor centuries by using a system of dams, dikes and canals through which excess water can bepumped away to allow for the prevention of flooding, and for the reclamation of submerged land.However, the effects of centuries of active water management in the region have resulted insignificant land subsidence, and its effects are being felt as it is becoming a significant threat tothe future of the country as sea levels continue to rise [1].This has created the need to monitor land surface motion at large spatial scales with frequenttemporal sampling. While InSAR is a promising candidate for such a task, the technique oftensuffers from drastic losses of signal quality in the spring and summer months when used toproduce time series observations of peatlands. This significantly limits the effectiveness ofInSAR as a tool to monitor peatland surface dynamics [2,3,4].We present the preliminary results of peatland surface motion using a novel InSAR processingmethod which is designed to overcome the issues which have prevented its application overnorthern peatlands in the past [5]. This work is the first large scale analysis of the Dutch GreenHeart region made with InSAR, providing land surface motion time series data at the parcelscale for a 2000 km2 region with sub-weekly sampling over the period Jan. 2015 to Oct. 2023.Our presentation will briefly outline the results, validation efforts and the various challengesinvolved.References[1] G. Erkens, M. J. van der Meulen, and H. Middelkoop, “Double Trouble: Subsidence and CO2 Respiration Due to1,000 Years of Dutch Coastal Peatlands Cultivation,” Hydrogeology Journal, vol. 24, no. 3, pp. 551–568, 2016.[2] Y. Morishita and R. F. Hanssen, “Temporal decorrelation in L-, C-, and X-band satellite radar interferometry forpasture on drained peat soils,” IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 1096–1104, 2015.[3] Y. Morishita and R. F. Hanssen, “Deformation parameter estimation in low coherence areas using a multisatelliteInSAR approach,” IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, vol. 53, no. 8, pp. 4275–4283, 2015.[4] L. Alshammari, D. J. Large, D. S. Boyd, A. Sowter, R. Anderson, R. Andersen, and S. Marsh, “Long-term peatlandcondition assessment via surface motion monitoring using the ISBAS DInSAR technique over the flow country,Scotland,” Remote Sensing, vol. 10, no. 7, 2018.[5] P. Conroy, S. A. N. van Diepen, F. J. van Leijen, and R. F. Hanssen, “Bridging loss-of-lock in InSAR time series ofdistributed scatterers,” IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, vol. 61, pp. 1–11, 2023
The long-term relationship between sea level and sediments in the Adriatic Sea
Authors: Stocchi Paolo
Published: March 2024

Sea-level rise (SLR) is one of the most important consequences of global warming and carries significant repercussions on coastal human settlements and natural ecosystems. Predictions for past and future coastal evolution at regional scale, require dynamically coupled models of glacio- and hydro isostatic adjustment (GIA) and hydro- and morpho-dynamics (HMD). In fact, sediment isostasy and compaction (SIC) become an important additional factor that must be implemented in the modelling, through data intake and adapted algorithms. The sedimentation in the Adriatic Sea varied greatly in rates and amounts and locations between glacial and interglacial times, partly controlled by SLR and GIA movements but also independently. By inserting sedimentation from 3D mapping knowledge (data assimilation) and HMD modelling in otherwise deterministic geophysical models, we reveal the magnitude of local SIC vs. regional GIA patterns which we reckon to be significant for our understanding of centennial-millennial coastal plain development and habitat evolution, and for evaluating anthropogenic vs natural sedimentation. Results will have repercussions on the “Building with nature” approach used in coastal management strategies.