bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The abundance and activity of microorganisms in the soil under at increasing radioactive contamination
Authors: Volkohon Ivan , Illienko Volodymyr
Published: February 2023

The research was conducted at two landfills with different levels of contamination by radioactive substances. Landfill 1 is located on the border with the Exclusion Zone of the Chornobyl nuclear power plant. Within landfill 1, three soil sampling points were selected, differing in the degree of radioactive soil contamination. Landfill 2 (four sampling points) is located in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone directly near the area of the so-called "Red Forest". At this landfill, the sites identified for soil sampling are characterized by a significantly higher level of radionuclide contamination compared to those at landfill 1.It was found that low levels of radioactive contamination contributed to the activation of the development of microorganisms. Within landfill 1, the accumulation of microbial mass was the smallest with low contamination and the biggest with higher contamination. At the same time, the soil of landfill 2 showed significantly lower (within one order) indicators, especially at the point with the highest contamination.Determination of the dynamics of the number of fungi in the studied soils shows similar changes in indicators depending on the level of radioactive contamination. Thus, the number of fungi in the soil of landfill 1, as a rule, increases with increasing levels of pollution. However, in the soil of landfill 2, the lowest number of micromycetes among the studied variants was noted during the entire period of research. At the same time, the number of fungi is 10-100 times lower than the corresponding indicator for the soils of landfill 1, depending on the sampling points.The feature noted for fungi is also characteristic of cellulolytic bacteria, however, due to their very low quantity, they may have an insignificant role in the processes of destruction of plant residues under the studied conditions.When determining the number of ammonifying microorganisms, it was found that this group of representatives of the soil microbiota becomes more active withthe increasing levels of radionuclide contamination at landfill 1. At the same time, the development of ammonifying microorganisms is suppressed in the soils of landfill 2, especially at the point with the highest level of pollution. Therefore, the peptolytic pathway of the destruction of organic residues (ammonification) is generally consistent with the course of development of pathogens of the saccharolytic pathway (primarily fungi).The conducted studies indicate the dependence of the development and functioning of microorganisms – destructors of plant mortmass on the level of ionizing radiation. Relatively low absorbed dose rates in the soil of landfill 1 (up to 1.6 μGy/hour) stimulated the development of microorganisms and contributed to the accumulation of their biomass. High absorbed dose rates in the soil of landfill 2 (from 3.7 to 84.0 μGy/hour) negatively affect the studied indicators.
Blue carbon stock in marsh soil and impacts of flood regulation in the Venice Lagoon (Italy)
Authors: Puppin Alice , Tognin Davide , Paccagnella Michela , Zancato Mirella , Ghinassi Massimiliano , Marani Marco , D'Alpaos Andrea
Published: February 2023

Salt marshes are intertidal coastal ecosystems characterized by mostly herbaceous halophytic vegetation and shaped by complex feedbacks between hydrodynamic, morphological, and biological processes. These crucial yet endangered environments provide a diverse range of ecosystem services but are severely exposed to climate change and human pressure. The importance of salt marshes as ‘blue carbon’ (C) sinks, deriving from their primary production coupled with rapid surface accretion, has been increasingly recognized within the framework of climate mitigation strategies. However, uncertainties remain in the estimation of salt-marsh C stock and sequestration at the basin scale and large knowledge gaps still linger in the response of marsh C pools under increasing anthropogenic interventions, such as storm-surge regulation. In order to provide further knowledge in salt-marsh C assessment and investigate marsh C pool response to management actions under different scenarios, we analysed organic matter content in salt-marsh soils in 720 samples from 60 sediment cores to the depth of 1 m, and we estimated C stocks and accumulation rates in different areas of the Venice Lagoon (Italy), which has recently become regulated by a storm-surge barrier system. OC stocks in the surface 1 m were highly variable in different marshes averaging 17,108 ± 5,757 ton OC km-2 (range 9,800 − 24,700 ton OC km-2). The estimated OC accumulation rate was 85 ± 25 ton OC km-2 yr-1, confirming the CO2 sequestration potential of tidal environments, which, however, resulted to be crucially affected by marsh accretion rates and their human-induced variations. By hindering sediment supply provided by storm surges which are largely responsible for marsh accretion, flood regulation can dramatically reduce the CO2 sequestration potential of salt marshes. We estimate that storm-surge barrier operations in the Venice Lagoon may reduce the annual marsh CO2 sequestration potential by about 33%, with high costs in terms of ecosystem service loss. Our results highlight the need for integrated coastal management policies to enhance the resilience of anthropic and natural environments and to preserve the ecosystem services delivered by coastal wetlands.
Convective Processes Experiment – Aerosol and Winds (CPEX-AW): Virtual and Field Campaigns
Authors: Chen Shuyi , Mazza Edoardo , Savarin Ajda , Kerns Brandon , Zipser Ed , Hristova-Veleva Svetla , Sy Ousmane , Tanelli Simone , Su Hu , Kavaya Michael , Nehrir Amin , Pu Zhaoxia , Skofronick-Jackson Gail
Published: February 2023

Tropical convection is a key player in the global weather and climate. Observing and predicting convective initiation, growth, dissipation, and interactions with the environment over the tropical ocean remain a grand challenge. The science objectives of CPEX-AW are: 1) better understanding interactions of convective cloud systems and tropospheric winds as part of the joint NASA-ESA Aeolus Cal/Val - Joint Aeolus Tropical Atlantic Campaign (JATAC), 2) observing the vertical structure and variability of the marine boundary layer in relation to initiation and lifecycle of the convective cloud systems, convective processes (e.g., cold pools), and environmental conditions within and across the ITCZ, 3) investigating how the African easterly waves and dry air and dust associated with Sahara Air Layer control the convectively suppressed and active periods of the ITCZ, and 4) investigating interactions of wind, aerosol, clouds, and precipitation and effects on long range dust transport and air quality over the western Atlantic. The CPEX-AW science team and the NASA DC-8 aircraft were deployed to St. Croix, the US Virgin Islands, from 18 August–10 September 2021, to address the science objectives. DC-8 is equipped with the Doppler Aerosol Wind Lidar (DAWN), Airborne Precipitation and Cloud Radar 3rd Generation (APR-3), High Altitude Lidar Observatory (HALO) Water Vapor DIAL and HSRL, High Altitude Microwave Sounding Radiometer (HAMSR), and GPS dropsondes. This article provides a summary of CPEX-AW scientific discoveries with highlights from some key aspects: a unique virtual campaign during the COVID pandemic and outstanding airborne observations from the field campaign.More than 120 researchers including graduate students and postdocs participated in CPEX-AW in St. Croix, Puerto Rico, and remotely.
We have flown seven research missions that collected unprecedented data from DAWN, HALO, APR-3, HAMSR, and dropsondes, in a wide arrange of conditions from strong dust outbreak events to tropical storms.
Underflown six Aeolus overpasses for a total of 5,836 km, which provide valuable data sets for Aeolus Cal/Val and studies of impact on weather forecasting.
Complex wind and convection in pre-Tropical Storm (TS) Ida and Ida over the Gulf of Mexico before the major Hurricane Ida made landfall, long lasting TS Kate and its interaction with dust and dry air over the central Atlantic, and dry air intrusion in Hurricane Larry.
Co-located boundary layer observations over saildrones that measure air-sea fluxes and ocean current data in collaboration with the NOAA field campaign.
The NASA Atmosphere Observing System (AOS): Future Space-Based and Suborbital Observations for the Study of Coupled Aerosol-Cloud-Precipitation Interactions
Authors: Braun Scott , Yorks John , Thorsen Tyler , Cecil Daniel
Published: February 2023

NASA’s future Earth System Observatory (ESO) will provide key information related to understanding climate change processes, mitigating natural hazards, fighting forest fires, and improving real-time agricultural processes. The Atmosphere Observing System (AOS) constellation is a key component of the ESO, providing the atmospheric part of the ESO and focusing on two of the five designated observables from the 2017 NASA Earth Science Decadal Survey: aerosols and clouds, convection, and precipitation (CCP). AOS is made up of two projects, one in an inclined orbit (referred to as AOS-I) and the other in a polar, sun synchronous orbit (AOS-P), with both projects addressing synergistic aerosol and CCP science. The constellation is expected to deliver a comprehensive suite of observations to address coupled aerosol-cloud-precipitation interactions, with science objectives focused on low and high cloud feedbacks; the dynamics and structure of convective systems and properties of the aerosol environment; phase partitioning and precipitation formation in frozen and mixed-phase clouds; aerosol microphysical and optical properties, aerosol sources, and relationships to air quality; aerosol vertical redistribution and processing by clouds and precipitation; and aerosol direct and indirect effects. AOS-I and AOS-P are expected to launch no earlier than July 2028 and December 2030, respectively. This talk will describe the science objectives of AOS and the mission architecture and measurement capabilities.
Soil structure dynamics matters: Modelling the impact of land management on soil functions using BODIUM
Authors: König Sara , Weller Ulrich , Betancur-Corredor Bibiana , Zaytsev Andrey , Wollschläger Ute , Vogel Hans-Jörg
Published: February 2023

BODIUM is a systemic soil model that integrates the most important processes and components in soil and at the soil-plant interface in order to predict land management impact on soil functions.A central role plays soil structure dynamics. Different land use and tillage regimes alter the pore space in a characteristic way. Biological processes such as root growth and earthworm activity contribute to the changes in soil pore structure.We show model scenarios where different structure dynamics are evaluated in their effect on plant growth, water percolation including fast breakthrough due to macropore flow, and nutrient efficiency.Parts of the soil structure modeling are supported by the open access soil structure library (https://structurelib.ufz.de/; Weller et al., 2022), where characteristic macro- and mesopore architectures obtained from Xray-CT imaging are available for different soil types and soil managements.The model also allows exploration of climate change scenarios and evaluation of mitigation strategies.Reference:Weller, U., Albrecht, L., Schlüter, S., and Vogel, H.-J.: An open Soil Structure Library based on X-ray CT data, SOIL, 8, 507–515, https://doi.org/10.5194/soil-8-507-2022, 2022.
Modeling the Impact of Changing Land Use and Vegetative Cover on Hydrology, Nutrient, and Sediment Loads from an Agricultural Catchment of Lake Michigan (USA)
Authors: Aboelnour Mohamed , Tank Jennifer , Hamlet Alan , Bertassello Leonardo , Ren Dongyang , Bolster Diogo
Published: February 2023

High nutrient loads are an indicator of pollution sources in a watershed that need to be identified and quantified. These loads in surface and groundwater have been a major concern that impacts water quality in the Midwestern US, including the Great Lakes Basin. To investigate the influence of land use change, especially at urban/rural interfaces, we used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to model water, sediment, and nutrient export for the St. Joseph River Basin (SJRB), which drains an area of 12,200 km2 in Southwest Michigan/Northwest Indiana and enters Lake Michigan. The SWAT models were built, calibrated and validated for monthly streamflow, groundwater, total suspended solids (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorous (TP), nitrate (NO3-N) and dissolved reactive phosphate (DRP; as orthophosphate), using two stream gages (Niles, USGS ID 04101500; Paw Paw, USGS ID 04102500) in Berrien County, MI. We found that monthly hydrology, sediments, and inorganic nutrients were well captured by the model with very good to excellent performance at the Niles gage, and, good to satisfactory performance at Paw Paw. The simulated average annual groundwater was 137 mm and 129 mm for Niles and Paw Paw, respectively, suggesting that on average 57% and 60% of long-term streamflow in the basin comes from groundwater and shallow subsurface flow. For water quality variables, TSS loads were strongly correlated with streamflow with R2 reaching 0.90. Using this model, we investigated how land use change (e.g., agriculture), and the planting of winter cover crops in the fallow season would impact water and nutrient yields from the SJRB. We found that the impact of changing land use and applying cover crops on water quality components was significant and dependent on the selected spatial scale. The simulated outputs indicated that cover crops have no impact on hydrology but significantly reduced DRP and NO3-N export to Lake Michigan by up to 30% and 50%, respectively. Application of this model will assist regional land and water managers in planning for future impacts of land use and climate change and their impacts on water quality and quantity, enabling stakeholders to implement conservation practices to sustain the SJRB and other similar basins in the Great Lakes region.
Improving estimation of space-time dynamics of floods in Europe by combining modelled and observed flood impact data
Authors: Paprotny Dominik , Tilloy Alois , Vousdoukas Michalis I. , Treu Simon , Feyen Luc , Kreibich Heidi , Rhein Belinda , Mengel Matthias
Published: February 2023

Long-term trends in flood losses are regulated by multiple factors including climate variation, demographic dynamics, economic growth, land-use transitions, reservoir construction and flood adaptation measures. Attributing losses to any of those factors for historical flood events would require the ability to recalculate reported impacts (such as area inundated, fatalities, persons affected or economic loss) under counterfactual scenarios. Here, we present how observed flood impacts that have occurred in 42 European countries since 1950 can be compared with model simulations as a step towards climate change attribution of flood losses. Firstly, we reconstructed the potential footprints and inundation depths of individual riverine and coastal flood events. This was made possible by combining continuous simulations of river discharges (based on the LISFLOOD model) and storm surge heights (based on the Delft3D model) with flood hazard maps derived through hydrodynamic modelling. Then, the flood footprints were intersected with a set of time-varying, high-resolution exposure maps of land use, population and asset values in Europe since 1950 (based on the HANZE-Exposure v2.0 model). Modelled potential flood damage can then be evaluated against historical records of flood occurrences and their impacts. To this end, we are collecting dates, locations and, where available, impact statistics of floods in an updated HANZE-Events database. By comparing which potential floods did cause impacts, in which locations and to what magnitude, and which floods were prevented by flood protection, it will be possible to infer flood vulnerability and preparedness across time and space. Available preliminary results enable presenting the space-time dynamics of European flood damages under different exposure scenarios.
Drought intensity controls carbon allocation dynamics within experimental Scots pine-soil systems
Authors: Solly Emily , Jaeger Astrid , Barthel Matti , Werner Roland , Zürcher Alois , Hagedorn Frank , Six Johan , Hartmann Martin
Published: February 2023

Climate change is causing negative effects on forests and their functioning through more frequent and intense periods of drought. Repeated conditions of water limitation not only affect the growth and vitality of trees but also feed back on the cycling of carbon (C) at the plant-soil interface. However, the impact of the intensity of drought on the transfer of assimilated C belowground remains quantitatively unresolved. We assessed how increasing levels of soil water limitation affect the growth of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) saplings and performed a 13C-CO2 pulse labelling experiment to trace the pathway of newly-assimilated C into needles, fine roots, soil pore CO2, and phospholipid fatty acids of soil microbial groups. We hypothesized that increased water stress would reduce tree C uptake, and the magnitude and velocity at which newly-assimilated C is allocated belowground and further metabolized. Moreover, we expected that severe levels of soil water deficit would lead to a build-up of newly-assimilated C in fine roots. Our data indicated that with more intense water limitation, trees reduced their growth despite initially partitioning more biomass to belowground tissues under severe water stress. Moderate levels of water limitation barely affected the uptake of 13C label and the magnitude and transit times of C being allocated from needles to the rhizosphere. In contrast, severe water limitation increased the fraction of 13C label allocated to roots and soil fungi while a lower fraction of 13CO2 was respired from the soil. We conclude that when soil water becomes largely unavailable, C cycling within trees becomes slower, and a major fraction of C allocated belowground is accumulated in roots or transferred to the soil and associated microorganisms without being metabolically used. Our experiment overall demonstrates the relevance of quantifying the level of water limitation at which C allocation dynamics within trees and soils are altered to inform about the trajectory of forests to the environmental pressures they face.
Impact of hydrochar on the soil organic matter, nutrients status and microbial activity in sunflower-planted soils
Authors: Moreno Racero Francisco Jesús , Velasco Molina Marta , López Núñez Rafael , Martínez Force Enrique , Rosales Villegas Miguel Ángel , Knicker Heike
Published: February 2023

The hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of organic feedstocks results in hydrochar, a product free of pathogens with the potential to be used as soil amendment as an efficient tool to recycle nutrients from organic waste and improve soil quality. However, presently the knowledge about the mechanisms of controlling hydrochar biogeochemical effects in planted soils is still scarce. Likewise, there is not much understanding about the effects under deficit irrigation conditions. In the present work, a hydrochar (250 ºC, 0.5 h) from chicken manure was used to evaluate the impact of this amendment on nutrient status and dynamics, the microbial activity and the quantity and quality of the organic matter of sunflower-planted soils during a 77 days greenhouse experiment. The main objective of this study was to obtain a better understanding of the interrelationship between soil organic matter (SOM), soil nutrients, microbial activity and irrigation management of soils.The hydrochar was applied to a Cambisol with doses of 3.25 and 6.5 t ha-1. For comparison, mineral fertilizer treatments with the same contribution of total nitrogen (N) as the amendment were included in the study. Sunflower plants (Helianthuus annus L.) were grown in pot cultures under two irrigations conditions (60 and 30% of the soil water retention capacity).Total macro- and micronutrients, along with soluble nutrients among the soils were monitored after 30 and 77 days. The SOM composition of these soils was characterized by solid-state NMR spectroscopy. For the microbiological studies, the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and N (MBN) were analysed by the fumigation-extraction technique. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and N (DON) were also analysed. Determination of β-glucosidase, acid phosphomonoesterase and dehydrogenase activities were assayed to study the microbial metabolism of soil. We test the hypothesis that hydrochar has an impact on composition and dynamics of nutrients, SOM quality and soil microbial activities, resulting in a beneficial effect on the soil-plant system in both irrigation conditions.
Identification of faulted geomorphic markers and slip-rate estimation along the source of the 2020 Mw6.4 Petrinja earthquake (Croatia), the Petrinja-Pokupsko Fault.
Authors: Benedetti Lucilla , Henriquet Maxime , Baize Stéphane , Kordic Branko , Moulin Adrien , Maslač Josipa , Belić Nikola , Cinti Francesca , Pantosti Daniela , Pucci Stefano , Civico Riccardo , Testa Alessio , Boncio Paolo , Pace Bruno , Jamšek Rupnik Petra , Lasserre Cecile , Metois Marianne
Published: February 2023

Europe has experienced over the last years earthquakes of moderate magnitude (Mw 5-6), yet destructive, reminding us of the seismogenic potential of slowly deforming regions. Among them, the 2020 Mw 6.4 Petrinja earthquake ruptured the Petrinja-Pokupsko Fault (PPKF) in Central Croatia, about 50-km southeast of Zagreb, a region in which the caracterisation of seismogenic faults had been insufficiently studied before that event. Understanding the strain accommodation through time and space is critical for accurate assessment of the regional seismic hazard.Using field observations and high-resolution topographical data derived from airborne LiDAR (~10 cm resolution) and tri-stereo satellite images (Pléiades, resolution 50 cm), we accurately mapped the fault trace, underlined at several sites by geomorphic markers such as valleys, terrace risers, and alluvial fans that have recorded cumulative displacements ranging from 5 to > 50 m and potentially up to ~180 m. Along the studied section, our fault mapping is composed of a clear NW-SE-trending 10-km-long strand between Donja and Cepelis, and of 1-4-km-long right-stepping segments marked by a non-negligible vertical component. The southern strand is composed of 2-3 sub-parallel segments that accommodate the deformation within a < 500 m wide fault zone.We have identified several sites on the main southern strand where offsets have been accurately measured and where displaced markers have been sampled for cosmogenic nuclide exposure dating and radiocarbon datings. This will allow to estimate the slip-rate for this fault at different sites and over several time spans.The mapped fault appears very discontinuous with the deformation absorbed by a series of small fault sections rather than on a single fault strand. This likely reflects a recent transpressive deformation, with immature faults,  in agreement with the source parameter of the 2020 Petrinja earthquake derived from seismology.Finaly, the 2020 coseismic surface ruptures affected the northern section of the PPKF, while the mapped cumulative displacements appears more prominent along the southern section. A better knowledge of the seismic history of this entire fault system is thus crucial for seismic hazard assessment of this area.
Reconstructing Devonian-Carboniferous subduction in the Northern Bohemian Massif
Authors: Collett Stephen
Published: February 2023

The Devonian to early Carboniferous geodynamic evolution of the Bohemian Massif is largely controlled by a “diffuse cryptic suture zone” (Schulmann et al., 2014), which crops out between the Saxothuringian Zone (forming the lower plate) in the north and the Teplá-Barrandian and Moldanubian Zones (collectively the upper plate) in the south. Oceanic passing to continental subduction within this suture zone has been linked to at least three discrete episodes of high-pressure to ultra-high-pressure metamorphism; the formation and obduction of Devonian age ophiolites; the up to 50 myr building of a continental magmatic arc; and potentially, the large-scale relamination of continental crust beneath the upper plate and its exhumation into the upper plate in the form of trans-lithsopheric diapirs.Taken together, this would appear to require long-lasting subduction of a vast oceanic domain likely including old and dense oceanic lithosphere. Yet, significant separation between the lower and upper plates during the Early Paleozoic is not consistent with litho-stratigraphic, paleontological, or paleomagnetic data, which indicate a shared peri-Gondwanan shelf derivation of these units. Nonetheless, within the high-grade rocks of the suture zone itself, an exotic assemblage of Cambrian age volcanic-arc related rocks are identified. These rocks have been variably metamorphosed up to eclogite- and granulite-facies conditions during an early phase of the Variscan Orogen, but, also include lower-grade segments that experienced only lower amphibolite- or greenschist-facies conditions. A compilation of whole-rock geochemical, isotopic and zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf data from this Cambrian arc assemblage is presented to argue for the exotic nature of this terrane including its possible derivation from the Baltica paleo-continent and for an association with old oceanic lithosphere (Stenian-Tonian age) likely captured from the circum-Rodinia Mirovoi Ocean.Thus, it is proposed that the geodynamic evolution of the Bohemian Massif cannot be reconciled with a single-phase of oceanic passing to continental subduction. Instead, a three stage evolution is proposed involving: (1) initial subduction of an old oceanic crust and extinct Cambrian age arc terrane derived from the Baltica paleo-continent beneath the peri-Gondwanan margin; (2) transcurrent displacement of a strip of peri-Gondwanan crust behind the initial subduction zone; (3) a second phase of oceanic passing to continental subduction of this displaced peri-Gondwanan crust beneath the initial subduction zone.Schulmann, K., Lexa, O., Janoušek, V., Lardeaux, J.M. and Edel, J.B., 2014. Anatomy of a diffuse cryptic suture zone: an example from the Bohemian Massif, European Variscides. Geology 42, 275–278.
MSWI fly ash steam washing, aimed to reach a condition of non-hazardous waste and to their possible reuse.
Authors: Caviglia Caterina , Bernasconi Davide , Destefanis Enrico , Bonadiman Costanza , Pavese Alessandro
Published: February 2023

Due to the high content of heavy metals and soluble salts, municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MSWI FA) is classified as hazardous waste and its reuse is limited for their environmental risks. This work analyzes the steam washing application, to remove chlorides and heavy metals from MSWI FA, in order to reach a condition of non-hazardous waste, making them more suitable for stabilization as geopolymers or cement. The target of the steam application is both a sustainable and optimized utilization of water, to reduce the waste-water, and to take the advantage of the heat generation to dissolve most of the soluble salts; moreover, the steam is a resource that can be generated directly at the incineration plant. Steam washing experiments were performed under different conditions of flux and humidity, continuously monitored by sensors, keeping a low enthalpy steam (T< 100°C) for some cycles of washing; a vacuum pressure was applied to remove rapidly the superficial water in the washing chamber. Pre-treated (washed by water) samples of fly ash were also tested with steam washing for comparison. The steam washing was seen to be efficient in removing water-soluble chlorides including sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sulfates as well as heavy metals. The best efficiency of chlorides and sulfates removal was seen to be by 85%, using a steam flux of 2L/min and humidity of 40% v/v; while for heavy metals, like Cd, Zn, Pb the removal was up to 80% at the same conditions.
The Beaumont number of mountain belts – quantifying the interaction between surface processes and tectonics during orogenesis
Authors: Wolf Sebastian G. , Huismans Ritske S. , Braun Jean , Yuan Xiaoping
Published: February 2023

To first order mountain belts grow by crustal thickening and gain their elevated topography through isostatic compensation. High and rising topography in turn modifies the global wind circulation system and is the main locus of (orographic) precipitation. The ensuing flow of water (or ice) redistributes mass through erosion and deposition, counteracts orogenic growth, shapes the appearance of the landscape, and most importantly provides a feedback-loop between surface processes and tectonics. However, it remains debated whether surface processes or lithospheric strength control mountain belt height, width, and longevity, reconciling high erosion rates observed for instance in Taiwan and New Zealand, low erosion rates in the Tibetan and Andean plateaus, and long-term survival of mountain belts for several 100s of million years. Here we use a tight coupling between a landscape evolution model (FastScape) and a thermo-mechanically coupled mantle-scale tectonic model (Fantom) to investigate mountain belt growth. Based on several end-member models and the new non-dimensional Beaumont number, Bm, we provide a quantitative measure of the interaction between surface processes and tectonics, and define three end-member orogen types: Type 1, non-steady state, strength controlled (Bm > 0.5); Type 2, flux steady state, strength controlled (Bm ≈ 0.4−0.5); and Type 3, flux steady state, erosion controlled (Bm < 0.4). Bm can be assessed without complex measurements or assumptions, but simply by knowing a mountain belt’s convergence rate, height, width, first order shortening distribution, and widening rate. In turn, assessing Bm of an orogen provides information about its crustal strength and average fluvial erodibility and gives insight into the factors controlling orogen type: In Himalaya-Tibet , high convergence rates dominate over efficient surface processes (Type 1), in the Central Andes low convergence rates dominate over low fluvial erosional efficiency (Type 1), efficient surface processes balance high convergence rates in Taiwan (likely Type 2), and surface processes dominate in the Southern Alps of New Zealand (Type 3). Our results provide a simple unifying framework quantifying how surface processes and tectonics control the evolution of topography of mountain belts on Earth.
BODIUM - a systemic approach to model the dynamics of soil functions: validation and scenario simulations
Authors: Weller Ulrich , König Sara , Lang Birgit , Betancur-Corredor Bibiana , Reitz Thomas , Wiesmeier Martin , Wollschläger Ute , Vogel Hans-Jörg
Published: February 2023

The increasing demand for biomass for food, animal feed, fiber and bioenergy requires optimization of soil productivity, while, at the same time, protecting other soil functions such as nutrient cycling and buffering, carbon storage, habitat for biological activity, and water filter and storage. Therefore, one of the main challenges for sustainable agriculture is to produce high yields while maintaining all the other soil functions. Mechanistic simulation models are an essential tool for predicting soil functions as well as the complex interactions between these functions.Here, we present our process-based systemic soil model BODIUM which integrates biological, physical and chemical processes to predict the effect of management activities on soil functions at the field scale. We first present simulations of a long-term field experiment to validate our model along the different soil functions. Then we apply different management scenarios to show the potential of our model for explorative scenario simulations, including tillage, different organic fertilizer treatments, and cover crops.Finally, we discuss ongoing model developments to further extend BODIUM such as bioturbation, phosphorous dynamics, and fungal-bacterial interactions.
New insights into submicron particles impact on visibility
Authors: Anioł Ewa , Majewski Grzegorz , Rogula-Kozłowska Wioletta , Szeląg Bartosz , Rogula-Kopiec Patrycja , Brandyk Andrzej , Walczak Agata , Radziemska Maja
Published: February 2023

The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of very fine atmospheric particles (submicron particulate matter; PM1) on visibility deterioration. Taking into consideration not only their entirely different physio-chemical properties in comparison to a well-recognized PM10 but also the origin and a growing environmental awareness of PM1, the main research problem has been solved in few steps. At first, the chemical composition of PM1 was determined in two selected urban areas in Poland. Measurements of meteorological parameters, i.e., air temperature and humidity, precipitation, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and visibility, were also conducted. The next step of the work was the analysis of (1) seasonal changes of the concentration of PM1 and its main components, (2) the influence of chemical components of PM1 on light extinction, and (3) the influence of PM1 and humidity on visibility. Hierarchical cluster analysis, correlation matrixes and a heat map, and classification and regression tree analysis were used. The light extinction coefficient is influenced mainly by coarse mass of PM, and PM1-bound ammonium nitrate, organic matter, and by Rayleigh scattering. The less important in the light extinction coefficient shaping has PM1-bound ammonium sulfate, elemental carbon, and soil. In this way, the secondary origin PM1 components were proved to most significantly influence the visibility. The obtained results confirmed the possibility of the use of statistical agglomeration techniques to identify ranges of variation of visibility, including independent variables adopted to analyses (meteorological conditions, chemical composition of PM1, etc.).
Water-food-energy nexus: Progress, challenges and prospect
Authors: Lin Zhihui
Published: February 2023

The water- food- energy nexus (WFE) plays a key role in achieving sustainable development. In this study, we systematically analyzed the concept of the WFE nexus and review its recent progress. We found that the academic communities have not reached a unanimous understanding of the concept of the WFE nexus and research framework. The evaluation methodology of the WFE nexus presents a transition from the traditional sectoral research paradigm to the human-environment system paradigm that considers the intersection of natural science and social science. These methods can also be grouped into three categories:an evaluation based on a critical process, an evaluation based on the whole system, and a comprehensive evaluation that involves coupling the internal and external elements of the WFE nexus. A bibliometric analysis shows that the number of research papers concerning the WFE nexus increased exponentially during 2000 to 2019, and the increase was particularly significant after 2015. Environmental science, food science, and nutrition science are the three main disciplines in WFE nexus research. More important, we need to strengthen the application of geography thinking, that is, comprehensive and systematic thinking, to study the WFE nexus in the future. Based on the literature review, we found that existing research lacked a quantitative understanding of the mutual feedback among the WFE nexus and its evolution.Therefore, we suggest the following five priority areas for future research: establishing a multi-source database of the WFE nexus, revealing the mutual feedback mechanism of the WFE nexus, developing a coupling model of the WFE nexus, establishing a decision- making platform for the WFE nexus, and promoting the collaboration of multiple sectors related to the WFE nexus. This will help to achieve a synergetic sustainable development of the WFE nexus through system governance and scientific management.
Tectonic-Sedimentary evolution of the Tuscan shelf (Italy): seismic-stratigraphic analysis of the Neogenic succession in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea between Elba Island and Monte Argentario promontory
Authors: Buttinelli Mauro , Mazzarini Francesco , Musumeci Giovanni , Maffucci Roberta , Cavirani Ilario
Published: February 2023

The northern Tyrrhenian Sea separates the northern Apennines of the Tuscany coast (Italy) from the Corsica island (France). A comprehensive revision of a vast dataset of vintage public seismic reflection profiles was conducted, re-elaborating via dedicated vectorization codes to improve their resolution and interpretability. The bathymetry of this sector shows a very regular and almost flat geometry of the seafloor. Despite this, a close look at seismic profiles reveals an articulated topography of the pre-Neogenic deformed acoustic basement. This is organized in thrust-related structural highs and narrow, N-S and NNW-SSE trending basins, filled by sedimentary successions separated by unconformities.Nowadays, the sedimentary sequences associated with the most recent evolution of the Tyrrhenian Sea completely sutured the previous morphology.To date, we found strong evidence regarding the role of structural inheritance in shaping the current architecture of the shallow crust. We identified an intimate relationship between the thrust-related structural highs and the basins' position at the antiforms' forelimb and backlimb. Indeed, the Tuscan Shelf neogenic basins started to develop as intermontane fault-controlled basins along the flanks of the inherited antiforms.We performed a structural analysis of the faults bounding the basins and a detailed seismic-stratigraphic analysis of the Neogenic succession deposited into such basins to reconstruct the Tyrrhenian Sea extension's initial phases and embed it into the broader evolution of the Mediterranean region.The evolution of the sedimentary basins from the middle Miocene to the Pleistocene provides a more comprehensive and robust picture of the Tyrrhenian Sea. We were able to track the progressive activation and deactivation of high-angle normal faults controlling the basins deposition and the eastward migration of the extensional front. Such a setting influenced the asymmetrical or symmetrical evolution of the basins. Intriguingly, and partially in contrast with previous works, no evidence of low-angle normal fault was observed.We also present the first reconstruction of a 3D geological model of the southern Tuscany offshore between Elba Island and Monte Argentario promontory (Italy). Such a model poses new questions on the crustal-scale mechanisms responsible for the extensional process, also establishing a unique starting point for fully unraveling the Tuscan Shelf and the Tyrrhenian Sea early stages of evolution.
Subsurface mechanical modeling of Krishna Godavari basin using petrophysical properties of the rocks by utilizing 3D seismic and well log data sets
Authors: Singh Gagandeep , Rani Anjeeta , Mohanty William K. , Routray Aurobinda
Published: February 2023

Three-dimensional seismic data and well-log data analysis deliver complete information on the petrophysical characteristics of reservoir rock and its fluid content. The current study shows the combined interpretation of 3D seismic data and well log responses such as gamma ray, delay time (DT)- P wave and S wave, resistivity, neutron, density, and lithology logs from eight wells under the research area of Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin. The main target of the paper is focused on the prominent positive topographic features in the bathymetry data and on the porous and fractured/faulted hydrocarbon rocks. Fluid/gas migration characteristics like acoustic voids, chimneys, and turbid layers may be seen in the present mounds. Coherence, dip, curvature, and saliency attributes are used to enhance the discontinuities within the seismic volume. After then, well logs were used to identify the hydrocarbon-bearing zones. Finally, the seismic to well tie step was initiated, and the complete earth model of the given data was generated.The goal of this paper is to describe the offshore KG basin reservoir areas, in a qualitative way using 3D seismic and well log data and its possible correlation with facies. The possible data and wells information are conjugated with other attributes, which are relatively recent methods in this field study, yet it is crucial to reducing geological uncertainty and predicting facies. The characterization of reservoirs using only the seismic volume (impedance dependent data) characteristics is difficult due to the shally environment of the area, which might obscure reservoir identification. As a result, combining a variety of techniques and data is important for better understanding geological settings and identifying meaningful geological features in the shally environment of the KG basin.
Precise science orbits and thermospheric densities for the Swarm mission
Authors: van den IJssel Jose , Siemes Christian , Visser Pieter
Published: February 2023

The European Space Agency (ESA) Swarm mission was launched in November 2013 and consists of three identical satellites flying in near-polar low Earth orbits to study the dynamics of the Earth’s magnetic field. In the Swarm Data, Innovation, and Science Cluster framework, precise science orbits (PSO) are computed for the Swarm satellites from onboard GPS observations. These PSO consist of a reduced-dynamic orbit to precisely geotag the magnetic and electric field observations, and a kinematic solution with covariance information, which can be used for determining large-scale time variable changes of Earth’s gravity field. In addition, high-resolution thermospheric densities are computed from onboard accelerometer data. Due to accelerometer instrument issues, these data are currently only available for Swarm-C and the early mission phase of Swarm-A. Therefore, also GPS-derived thermospheric densities are computed, which have a lower temporal resolution but are available for all Swarm satellites during the entire mission. The Swarm density data can be used to study the influence of solar and geomagnetic activity on the thermosphere.We will present the current status of the processing strategy used to derive the Swarm PSO and thermospheric densities and show recent results. For the PSO, our processing strategy includes a realistic satellite panel model for solar and Earth radiation pressure modelling, integer ambiguity fixing, and a screening procedure to reduce the impact of ionospheric scintillation-induced errors. Validation by independent Satellite Laser Ranging data shows the Swarm PSO have high accuracy, with an RMS of the laser residuals of about 1 cm for the reduced-dynamic orbits, and slightly higher values for the kinematic orbits. For the thermospheric densities, our processing strategy includes a high-fidelity satellite geometry model and the SPARTA gas-dynamics simulator for gas-surface interaction modelling. Comparisons between Swarm densities and NRLMSIS model densities show noticeable scaling differences, indicating the Swarm densities' potential to contribute to thermosphere model improvement. The accuracy of the Swarm densities is dependent on the aerodynamic signal size. For low solar activity, the error in the radiation pressure modelling becomes significant, especially for the higher-flying Swarm-B satellite.The Swarm precise orbit and thermospheric density products are available for users at the dedicated ESA Swarm website (ftp://swarm-diss.eo.esa.int). The Swarm densities are also available at our thermospheric density database (http://thermosphere.tudelft.nl). This database also includes thermospheric densities for the CHAMP, GRACE, GOCE, and GRACE-FO satellites. For future work, it is planned to further improve the Swarm densities, especially for low solar activity conditions, by including a more sophisticated radiation pressure modelling of the Swarm satellites.
Active-source seismic experiments with DAS for monitoring reservoir rock in underground laboratories
Authors: Tuinstra Katinka , Rinaldi Antonio Pio , Lanza Federica , Zappone Alba , Fichtner Andreas , Wiemer Stefan
Published: February 2023

Underground laboratories have become indispensable in the understanding of physical processes during e.g., hydraulic stimulation and seismic monitoring of deep geothermal reservoirs or CO2 storage target reservoirs. They provide a test bench and constitute the bridge between small-scale laboratory studies and full-scale pilot sites. Here, we present results from multiple active source seismic campaigns in one of the Swiss underground laboratories: the Mont Terri Rock Laboratory. Here, DAS fibres are cemented behind the casing of multiple monitoring boreholes and active shots are taken with a P-wave sparker. This dense array of active seismic measurements enables us to obtain a baseline characterisation of the P-wave velocity of the rock before any activity (e.g., injection) takes place. During stimulations, dynamic measurements with an active sparker source are recorded, followed by a time-lapse monitoring approach where seismic measurements are collected through active seismic campaigns in set time intervals in the months after stimulations. In this way we can create high-resolution, four-dimensional monitoring and characterisations of the rock body and potential earthquakes during the full monitoring period. We show different configurations and measurements settings with their effect on the DAS recordings of active signals.
Automated Low-Cost Soil Moisture Sensors: Trade-Off Between Cost and Accuracy
Authors: Schwamback Dimaghi , Persson Magnus , Berndtsson Ronny , Bertotto Luis , Kobayashi Alex , Wendland Edson
Published: February 2023

Automated soil moisture systems are commonly used in precision agriculture and environmental monitoring. Using low-cost sensors, the spatial extension can be maximized, but the accuracy might be reduced. In this paper, we address the trade-off between cost and accuracy comparing low-cost and commercial soil moisture sensors. The analysis is based on the capacitive sensor SKU:SEN0193 under lab and field conditions. The laboratory tests aimed at evaluating the response speed, best supply voltage, temperature dependency, calibration, and applicability for controlled infiltration column tests (one meter high). Laboratory tests indicated that the sensor is temperature and voltage-sensitive. The use of 5.5 V as supply voltage for the sensors drastically reduced the correlation between output and degree of soil saturation, thus we suggest the use of 3.3V. Soil temperature had a negligible impact on the sensor output: 0.27% of soil saturation degree per degree Celsius. For field implementation, a low-cost monitoring station was built using Arduino as a microcontroller and tested during three months. The sensors could represent daily and seasonal oscillation in soil moisture resulting from solar heating and precipitation. In addition to individual calibration, two simplified calibration techniques are proposed: universal calibration, based on all 63 sensors, and a single-point calibration using the sensor's response in dry soil. The monitored wetting front was compared to the one estimated by Hydrus model and had a high correlation. The low-cost sensor performance was later compared to commercial sensors based on five variables: (1) cost, (2) accuracy, (3) qualified labor demand, (4) sample volume, and (5) life expectancy. Commercial sensors promote soil moisture measurements with high accuracy at a high acquisition cost. On the other hand, low-cost sensors, such as the SKU:SEN0193, provide data with medium accuracy at a very low acquisition cost, enabling spatial monitoring through multiple-point measurements. Thus, the use of the SKU:SEN0193 sensor is suggested in projects with budget limitations with short duration where there is a medium requirement accuracy or when the spatial variability of soil water content is considerable. Despite the physical fragility of the hardware used (sensors and monitoring station) and the lower accuracy when compared to other commercial sensors, this work demonstrates through the case study of the SKU:SEN0193 sensor the possibility of using low-cost technologies for monitoring environmental variables.