bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ArtEO – connecting artists with data and experts to tell Earth’s story
Authors: Kapur Ravi , Tan Fransisca
Published: March 2024

Art and artists, alongside the science and good leadership, are essential to the process of helping society find its way towards solutions to our greatest challenges. In past periods of crisis, from the Renaissance to the wars of the 20th century, art has been crucial to shifting public engagement and the views of decision makers. Yet the scale of artistic response to climate change, the greatest crisis of all, has been limited by the barriers faced by many artists to accessing data, imagery and evidence to inspire and be directly used in their artistic responses. New tools and services are needed to bring artists and environmental data closer together. A new not-for-profit initiative, ArtEO, has been established, by Imperative Space in conjunction with ESA and other partners in environmental science and the arts, to facilitate easier access to satellite Earth observation imagery and data, and to enable dialogue and expert support from climate scientists. Our presentation will outline the techniques and tools deployed by ArtEO showcase emerging artworks from the first phase of the initiative, and share research insights from the pilot-phase which can be scaled to support future art-science collaborations in the environmental sphere. 
High-Resolution 3D Imaging of Crustal and Upper Mantle Structure in the Alps from Full Waveform Inversion of Teleseismic P Waves
Authors: Mohammadi Najmieh , Beller Stephen , Monteiller Vadim , Operto Stéphane
Published: March 2024

The northward movement of the African and European plates since the Late Cretaceous has led to the slanted subduction of the Tethys oceanic lithosphere beneath the Adriatic microplate, followed by an asynchronous continental collision between the European plate and continental microplates (Iberia and Adria) during the Cenozoic. This dynamic interaction has given rise to the creation of intensely deformed mountain chains, encompassing the Alps, Apennines, Dinaric, and Carpathian ranges. Furthermore, the convergence of these colliding continental plates triggers crustal shortening, playing a substantial role in the development of orogenic systems and mountains. This process has accreted crustal regions with distinctive properties, resulting in the formation of intricate and varied tectonic units. The objective of this study is to develop high-resolution seismic models of the crust and upper mantle in the Alps, considering P-wave velocity (VP), S-wave velocity (VS), and density. This is achieved with Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) method, utilizing teleseismic earthquakes recorded by the European permanent seismological broadband stations and supplemented by data from temporary stations, including AlpArray, SWATH-D, and CIFALPS2. We employed a semi-automated data selection method, incorporating a rigorous process to ensure data quality. We built a P-wave dataset for Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) that encompasses approximately 91 teleseismic events, whose magnitude (MW) range from 6 to 7.4. These events are characterized by depths less than 20 km or exceeding 120 km. We used the AK135 velocity model as the initial model in our inversion process and applied iterative inversions on the Z, N, and E components of P-waves. The P-waves were filtered within the 6-25 second period range. The optimization algorithm utilized the limited-memory BFGS. The time windows considered during the inversion process were set to 40 seconds (20 seconds before the P-onset). We derived comprehensive models for VP , VS, and density beneath the Alps, enabling us to investigate the lithospheric and upper mantle structures beneath the Western, Central, and Eastern Alps simultaneously. Our models effectively capture key Alpine features, including the thick low-velocity sedimentary basins of Molasse Basin (MB), the Po Basin (PB), and the Southeast-France Basin (SFB), alongside the high-velocity Ivrea body (IB). Moreover, we identify small high-velocity anomalies in the Central and Eastern Alps along the Periadriatic line, corresponding with Permian magmatic rocks observed in these areas. Our model depicts the underthrusting of the low-velocity European crust beneath the Ivrea body mantle wedge in the southwestern Alps and investigates its variation along the strike of the Alps. Additionally, we prepare a Moho topography map from the VS model by considering the iso-velocity of 4.3 km/s as a prox
Two decades of seismic risk communication in Europe: where did we head to?
Authors: Musacchio Gemma , Saraò Angela , Falsaperla Susanna , Scolobig Anna
Published: March 2024

Understanding what are the main characteristics of seismic risk communicationpractice and research is essential to depict best practices and gaps that can provideinsights for future improvements. Towards this task, and focussing on the Europeanframework, a scoping review based on the analysis of scholarly literature databases,was conducted. It reveals that, over the last 20 years, seismic risk communication hasbeen a research topic of increasing interest, trying to keep up with current riskcommunication trends and yet mostly under-researched. Recommendations frominternational disaster risk reduction frameworks show up also through the increasinginterest on the communication of seismic risk in Europe. However, it appears to bepracticed in an uneven way in the different European countries and not necessarilylinked to the level of hazard.It mostly occurs in the pre-crisis phase of the disaster lifecycle when risk awarenessand capacity to cope with hazards can be effectively built.An increasingly proactive, with an emphasis on a bottom-up strategy that relies onyouths to build the resilience of future generations is another key issue of thecommunication of seismic risk in the last 2 decades.Social media have had an increasing impact to provide timely and actionableinformation in times of crisis and to engage citizens, in the pre-crisis and post-disasterphase.Our data highlights that the future agenda for the communication of seismic riskshould be set on building trust with the public, tailoring communication to its needs.Actions are even more necessary to curb the spread of fake news and its negativeimpact on disaster management and build the communication practices on atheoretical background
Utilising borehole data to characterise geological factors controlling salt cavern shapes: A multi-well case study from NW Switzerland with implications for solution mining and subsurface storage
Authors: Gregorczyk Lukasz , Pietsch Johannes
Published: March 2024

In NW Switzerland, thick rock salt deposits (Middle Triassic) are exploited by solution mining and brine production. This salt is located within a unique anticline structure, which prospectivity have been investigated by numerous deep boreholes. This allowed an extensive acquisition of borehole data such as high-resolution borehole images, wire-line petrophysical logs and drill cores. The geometry of salt bodies, their structural complexity and lithological heterogeneities impact significantly the shape of salt caverns developed for the solution mining industry as well as for subsurface storage in salt caverns. Thus, this borehole data were analysed using state-of-the-art methods providing a profound reservoir characterisation and a in-depth understanding of internal geometry of the salt body, the structural complexity, the salt purity distribution along profiles as well as the determination of main controlling geological factors such as e.g. bedding, faults, shear zones, fractures, folds, deformation patterns and lithological heterogeneities. In addition, correlation of neighbouring boreholes contributed to a better understanding on regional salt tectonics, mechanical stratigraphy and the kinematic evolution of the investigated anticline.
Carbon stock projection for four major forest plantation species in Japan
Authors: Egusa Tomohiro , Nakahata Ryo , Neumann Mathias , Kumagai Tomo'omi
Published: March 2024

Carbon sequestration via afforestation and forest growth is effective for mitigating global warming. Accurate and robust information on forest growth characteristics by tree species, region, and large-scale land-use change is vital and future prediction of forest carbon stocks based on this information is of great significance. We presented the forest age–carbon density functions of four major forest plantation species in Japan: Cryptomeria japonica, Chamaecyparis obtusa, Pinus spp., and Larix kaempferi. We then investigated the differences in the carbon sequestration potential of forests, including wood production, between five forestry practice scenarios with varying harvesting and afforestation rates, until 2061. For all four forest types, the estimates of growth rates and past forest carbon stocks were higher than those considered thus far. The predicted carbon sequestration from 2011 to 2061, assuming that 100% of harvested carbon is retained for a long time, twice the rate of harvesting compared to the current rate, and a 100% afforestation rate in harvested area, was three to four times higher than that in a scenario with no harvesting or replanting. Our results suggest that planted Japanese forests can exhibit high carbon sequestration potential under the premise of active forest management with technology development.
Lunarleaper – Unlocking a Subsurface World
Authors: Mittelholz Anna , Stähler Simon C. , Kolvenbach Hendrik , Bickel Valentin , Church Joseph , Hamran Svein-Erik , Karatekin Ozgur , Ritter Birgit , Aaron Jordan , Anhorn Barthélémy , Coloma Sofia , de Palézieux dit Falconnet Larissa , Grott Matthias , Ogier Cristophe , Robertsson Johan , Walas Krzysrof
Published: March 2024

We present LunarLeaper, a robotic explorer concept in response to the ESA 2023 Small Missions call. Pits, volcanic collapse features with near-vertical walls, have been identified across the lunar and Martian surface. These pits are high priority exploration destinations because some, referred to as skylights, might provide access to subsurface lava tube systems. Lava tubes are of particular interest for future human exploration as they offer protection from harmful radiation, micrometeorites and provide temperate and more stable thermal environments compared to the lunar surface. We propose to use a small legged robot (ETH SpaceHopper,
Influence of ENSO on extreme precipitation and peak river flow in the US
Authors: Lord Natalie , Hatchard Simbi , Moraga Jorge Sebastian , Addor Nans , Uhe Pete
Published: March 2024

Flooding in the US results in billions of dollars of losses every year. This is projected to increase further in many regions as the climate warms, due to a combination of more frequent and severe extreme rainfall events, with resulting impacts on flooding, and increased exposure as the population increases and development in flood-prone areas continues. Superimposed on this warming signal are the impacts of different internal cycles operating within the climate system on various timescales, such as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO). These cycles may act to either exacerbate or reduce the severity of extreme precipitation and flooding, and on interannual timescales, ENSO is a dominant mode of variability. A better understanding of the influence of ENSO and other modes of variability on extreme precipitation and flooding, including under climate change, is important for a number of applications. These include climate change impact assessments, policy and decision-making, early warning systems for flooding and disaster response planning, and climate-related risk planning in the (re)insurance sector.Here, we investigate the influence of ENSO on extreme precipitation and peak river flow in the US, under both historical and future climate conditions. For the historical period, we calculate annual maximum (AMAX) daily precipitation and flow, from the Multi-Source Weighted-Ensemble Precipitation (MSWEP) precipitation and USGS river gauge datasets, respectively. To assess whether positive, neutral, or negative phases of ENSO have a significant impact on extreme precipitation and flood magnitude, we calculate the correlation between AMAX and different ENSO phases. We use a number of different ENSO indices, including the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) used operationally by NOAA, in order to test the sensitivity of these relationships to the method used to characterise ENSO.We also assess the impacts of ENSO on projected future changes in AMAX precipitation, using climate model data from the Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble Project Phase 2 (CESM2-LENS). For this, we calculate the relative change in AMAX daily precipitation for positive, neutral, and negative phases of ENSO, to determine how projected extreme precipitation changes differ between the phases, and how this varies spatially across the US.
Design of a spatially differentiated water balance modelling tool
Authors: Graaf Frederik , Bock Michael , Conrad Olaf , Sur Robin
Published: March 2024

Existing water balance assessments may lack precision due to overlooking the spatial variations in factors such as soil and topography while transferring the results from point modelling to a wider area. In cooperation with Bayer AG Crop Science Division and Hamburg University, within the DREAM (Digital Run-off Exposure Assessment and Management) project, a model is being developed which is temporally dynamic as well as spatially differentiated to provide a more nuanced and location-specific understanding of quantitative water dynamics. It is based on high resolution grid data and features a multi-layered soil water model, the goal of which is to depict volumes of water in different soil layers. It is to be employed in an agricultural context and serve as a toolbox of possible runoff reduction measures for plant protection products.Since risk management is a highly localized undertaking, the model operates at a field- or sub-field-level with a spatial resolution of up to one meter. The temporal resolution of simulation steps is variable; from one hour to a day. The necessary input data – that being a digital terrain model, information about the vegetation as well as soil and weather data – create conditions specific to the site.It is embedded in the open source geoinformation system (GIS) SAGA. The modular approach allows for flexible development and changes on short notice. The model includes an algorithm that determines soil water movement, incorporating the groundwater layer as the model’s lower boundary. To achieve this, an expanded bucket model for soil water movement, based on the works of Glugla, is used. Should the infiltration capacity of the soil - calculated via the Green-Ampt-Method - be surpassed, runoff occurs. In this case, the model possesses the ability to depict runoff and its flow paths through the terrain, along with the respective volumes and flow velocity based on Gauckler-Manning-Strickler.While the current focus lies on the movement of water, the model is designed for gradual expansion and improvement, allowing for future considerations such as the tracking of solutes moving into larger depths or even into groundwater.
Advances in Recurrence Analysis for Predictive Modeling and Dynamic Classification
Authors: Marwan Norbert
Published: March 2024

The recurrence of similar states is a fundamental property of the processes that shape and influence our living and non-living world. There are numerous examples of geological and climatic processes on both short and long time and spatial scales, such as the regular activity of geysers within minutes, the more irregular but still recurrent occurrence of earthquakes (on time scales between weeks and years), the El Niño climate phenomenon occurring every three to five years, the glacial cycles (thousands of years), or the Milanković cycles, which periodically force climate changes up to hundreds of thousands of years. The recurrence of states in such dynamic processes generates typical recurrence patterns that can be used to detect regime changes, to classify the dynamics, or even to predict future changes. I will report on recent achievements in recurrence analysis in recent years, including methodological developments tailored for challenging data in the geosciences, such as irregularly sampled data or extreme event data. The overview includes further important and innovative developments, such as conceptual recurrence plots, ideas for parameter selection, multiscale recurrences, correction schemes, and new perspectives by combining recurrence analysis with machine learning.
Searching for pedotransfer functions to predict sorption of pharmaceuticals from soil properties
Authors: Benoit Pierre , Godard Charline , Deschamps Marjolaine , Bernet Nathalie , Delarue Ghislaine , Serre Valenti , Haudin Claire-Sophie
Published: March 2024

In the context of recycling organic waste products or irrigation by treated wastewaters (re-use), the fate of human and veterinary pharmaceuticals in agricultural soils and consequent ground-water contamination are influenced by many factors, including soil properties controlling sorption and dissipation processes (Verlicchi et al., 2015, Mejías et al., 2021, Rietra et al., 2022). Sorption coefficients are among the most sensitive parameters in models used for risk assessment. However, for different classes of pharmaceuticals, the variations in sorption among different soil types are poorly described and understood (Kodesova et al., 2015). Here we reviewed sorption parameters for different classes of pharmaceuticals and their variation with selected soil properties. We also evaluated the sorption isotherms for three pharmaceuticals, ofloxacin, tetracycline, diclofenac and a bactericide,  riclocarban and ten soils from temperate and tropical regions, and assessed the impact of soil properties on Freundlich equation parameters Kf and n. Batch experiments were set up adapting OECD protocol and using initial concentration ranges from 5 to 1000 μg/L. For strongly sorbed molecules, namely ofloxacin, tetracycline and triclocarban, there were strong technical constraints for the quantification of equilibrium concentrations by LC-MS-MS. We used this knowledge from both literature review and experimental data to build pedotransfer functions that allow predicting sorption parameters for a wide range of soils. Sorption of ionizable pharmaceuticals was, in many cases, highly affected by soil pH and CEC whereas soil organic matter content remained a driving factor of sorption for neutral molecular forms.
References:Kodesova, R., et al. (2015) Science of the Total Environment 511, 435–443.Mejías, C. et al. (2021) Trends in Environmental Analytical Chemistry 30, e00125.Rietra, R.P.P.J., et al. (2024) Heliyon 10 (2024) e23718.Verlicchi, P. & Zambello, E., (2015) Science of The Total Environment 538, 750–767
Analysis of wind profiles above the water surface in wind-wave interaction thanks to a scanning wind LiDAR
Authors: Conan Boris , Bruch William
Published: March 2024

With the aim of studying the momentum flux in wind-wave modulation situations, a 7 month field experiment was set-up in 2023 from the Belle-Ile-en-Mer island off the West coast of France. The site was selected for its exposure to dominant wind and swell, the proximity of a wave buoy, and the rapidly increasing water depth to allow a focus on deep to intermediate wave dispersion regimes. A scanning wind LiDAR [1,2] installed on the coast of the island was used to measure the vertical profile of the horizontal wind speed and direction from 1 to 3 kilometers from the coast. The configuration allowed for measurements of the wind speed and direction profiles starting at some meter above the water surface and going up to some 150m. This original approach enables to obtain quasi-instantaneous vertical planes of the wind speed as well as 30-min mean profiles simultaneously with a wave parameter. The wide range of wind and wave combinations observed during the deployment allows statistical analysis. Significant wave heights, wave peak periods, and U10 wind speeds were observed in the range 0-6.5 m, 2-20 s, and 0.5-18 m/s, respectively. From this rich database, the near-surface momentum flux estimated by the wind profile close to the water surface appears to match well with results from COARE 3.5 algorithm. The possibility of the scanning wind LiDAR to measure mean wind profiles allows an original point of view to analyze wind-wave interactions. It was observed that for young seas, the profile can be in equilibrium, following Monin-Obukov similarity theory from close to the water surface up to some 100m. In contrast, for fast-travelling waves, significant deviations of the wind profile are observed compared to the surface fluxes. These deviations are parametrized as function of height and analyzed as function of the wave age.[1] Paskin, L., Conan, B., Perignon, Y., & Aubrun, S. (2022). Evidence of Ocean Waves Signature in the Space–Time Turbulent Spectra of the Lower Marine Atmosphere Measured by a Scanning LiDAR. Remote Sensing, 14(13), 3007.[2] Conan, B., & Visich, A. (2023). Measurement and analysis of high altitude wind profiles over the sea in a coastal zone using a scanning wind LiDAR–application to wind energy. Wind Energy Science Discussions, 2023, 1-23. 
Channel initiation in a low-permeability landscape
Authors: Lenz Kilian Theo , Schwanghart Wolfgang , Elsenbeer Helmut
Published: March 2024

Where shallow landslides can be ruled out as the cause of channel initiation, the area-threshold concept is commonly invoked to explain the occurrence of channel heads. This concept implies that a certain depth of overland flow must be reached before incision can occur, and that this depth depends on the contributing area upslope of a point of interest.We investigate the applicability of this concept to Barro Colorado Island (BCI), a tropical rainforest landscape known for a low soil permeability by forest standards and a pronounced wet season with high-intensity rainfall events. We define “low permeability” by the frequency with which selected rainfall intensities exceed soil permeability, expressed as saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), at shallow depths. Thus, while the median of maximum 30-min rainfall intensities of 5 mm/h exceeds on (spatial) average Ksat at a depth of 0.15 m, in some places the same metric does not exceed Ksat until a depth of 0.5 m. BCI is also know for the frequent occurrence of overland flow of the “wide-spread” type, a vague concept occasionally invoked but hitherto undefined. Hence, the area-threshold approach appears applicable.We conceptualize channel heads as point processes on flow networks. The covariates slope, curvature, flow accumulation and flow convergence were chosen as candidate explanatory variables that control the occurrence of these points. Using stepwise regression as a model-selection technique, we derived a log-linear model involving the covariates flow accumulation and flow convergence and their interaction term. These results suggest that the accumulation of discharge in the direct vicinity of the channel head and on the upslope contributing area dominate channel formation in this environment and that the probability of a pixel being a channel head decreases with increasing flow accumulation or flow convergence. Thus, the discharge amount was a main driver of channel head formation. While this seems to vindicate the area-threshold concept, the difficulty of predicting channel head locations warrant a look at the subsurface, besides considering technical issues such as DEM resolution or the precision of GPS readings under a thick forest canopy. The coincidence of some channel heads with return flow suggests that surface-based metrics alone do not explain their spatial distribution.
THE WORK OF LANDSCAPE URBANISM: Using digitally enriched board games to engage communities in UK planning 
Authors: Rico Carranza Eduardo
Published: March 2024

Over the last few years, the development of games for the engagement of communities in planning and the understanding of geological processes has increased in scope and ambition. Working from the perspective of planning and landscape design, Landscape Urbanism at the Architectural Association proposes a combination of physical and virtual environments to explore how games can help engage communities learn about complex legislative processes. Through game testing and site development, the course proves how settings offer an enriched virtual and digital experience and drive audiences of several ages into the same playing space, hence serving the purposes of informing as well as binding across age groups. The presentation shows two project cases which combine highly crafted board games with projective mapping and 3D simulation of real-world environments to bring people in contact with neighbourhood planning as well as food policy. The projects are developed through extensive research on the current planning framework, mapping techniques, game testing, bespoke crafting of board game tables and techniques to enhance the digital game experience through Godot or Unreal Engine. Testing these games in two real-life environments showcased both the limitations of the approach as well as the unexpected potential of this type of approach as part of a process of participatory planning.  
Simulating Nature’s randomness with CoSMoS - A Versatile Stochastic Modeling Framework for Hydrometeorological Phenomena
Authors: Papalexiou Simon Michael
Published: March 2024

Nature depends on the inherent unpredictability of randomness, a significant force influencing hydrometeorological processes. While physics provides sophisticated models, understanding the variability within randomness is crucial for evaluating environmental risks. Despite the availability of numerous stochastic models tailored to specific statistical properties, identifying essential features for accurate simulations across time, space, and scales remains a challenge. This presentation outlines the progress in CoSMoS, a user-friendly stochastic modeling framework that advances from basic scenarios to complex multisite and space-time simulations. The underlying philosophy of this framework is to faithfully replicate the probabilities describing the occurrences of magnitudes and correlations in space and time. CoSMoS excels in generating time series for various hydroclimatic variables and simulating intricate space-time phenomena, as demonstrated by its effectiveness in replicating storms, cyclones, and air mass collisions. This showcases its versatility in capturing complex behaviors across different scales.ReferencesPapalexiou, S. M., Serinaldi, F., & Clark, M. P. (2023). Large-Domain Multisite Precipitation Generation: Operational Blueprint and Demonstration for 1,000 Sites. Water Resources Research, 59(3), e2022WR034094. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022WR034094
Papalexiou, S. M. (2022). Rainfall Generation Revisited: Introducing CoSMoS-2s and Advancing Copula-Based Intermittent Time Series Modeling. Water Resources Research, 58(6), e2021WR031641. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021WR031641
Papalexiou, S. M., Serinaldi, F., & Porcu, E. (2021). Advancing Space-Time Simulation of Random Fields: From Storms to Cyclones and Beyond. Water Resources Research, 57(8), e2020WR029466. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR029466
Papalexiou, S. M., & Serinaldi, F. (2020). Random Fields Simplified: Preserving Marginal Distributions, Correlations, and Intermittency, With Applications From Rainfall to Humidity. Water Resources Research, 56(2), e2019WR026331. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019WR026331
Papalexiou, S. M. (2018). Unified theory for stochastic modelling of hydroclimatic processes: Preserving marginal distributions, correlation structures, and intermittency. Advances in Water Resources, 115, 234–252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2018.02.013
Papalexiou, S. M., Markonis, Y., Lombardo, F., AghaKouchak, A., & Foufoula‐Georgiou, E. (2018). Precise Temporal Disaggregation Preserving Marginals and Correlations (DiPMaC) for Stationary and Nonstationary Processes. Water Resources Research, 54(10), 7435–7458. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018WR022726
Characterising space-based aboveground biomass change: from global to local
Authors: Acil Nezha , Lucas Richard , Santoro Maurizio , Balzter Heiko
Published: March 2024

Recent advances in the spatial resolution and sensitivity of satellite sensors have allowed the mapping of aboveground biomass (AGB) with enhanced levels of detail and a wall-to-wall worldwide coverage. However, determining the magnitude and direction of AGB changes over time remains challenging due to large uncertainties in AGB estimates (biases and random errors), inconsistencies across sensors/instruments and limited availability of ground-truth data (national forest inventories, multi-census plots and airborne lidar). Combining multiple environmental descriptors derived from independent (mainly optical) satellite-based data sources, we apply a framework that infers evidence of pressures and impacts to characterise temporal changes in vegetation (fast or slow, gain or loss) and check agreement with the changes detected in the global ESA CCI Biomass time series product. We deploy the approach at the global scale focusing on forests that we define with a tree cover greater than 10% and tree height greater than 5 m. We illustrate the comparison with local case studies, highlighting processes such as regrowth, degradation and disturbances, and differentiating between natural and anthropogenic causes (e.g., wildfire, flooding, harvest, plantations). Selected sites represent different biomes and continents, including tropical moist forests in the Amazon, tropical drylands in Africa, temperate forests in Europe, Mediterranean woodlands in Australia and boreal forests in Siberia and North America. The results provide enhanced understanding of the processes underlying AGB changes in different regions and allow new insights into the quality of remotely-sensed AGB for tracking changes in carbon stocks and informing decision-making.
Tracking river responses to enhanced rock weathering
Authors: Zhang Shuang , Reinhard Christopher , Liu Shaoda , Kanzaki Yoshiki , Planavsky Noah
Published: March 2024

Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) is gaining prominence as a viable option among Carbon Dioxide Removal strategies, offering a sustainable way to reduce atmospheric CO₂ levels, along with additional benefits such as improved soil pH and nutrient release. However, a detailed understanding of how ERW affects river systems—a critical factor in assessing its net efficiency in consuming CO₂—is still lacking, impeding its broader acceptance as a consistent carbon management method. This study aims to bridge this gap using a comprehensive integrated approach that combines machine learning and numerical models, specifically targeting river systems in North America. A key element of our methodology is the implementation of an innovative dynamic river network model, designed to provide a thorough analysis of river responses to ERW application. Our research indicates relatively low carbon leakage in most river segments over a two-year period. Nevertheless, we also highlight significant spatial and seasonal variations in these responses, paving the way for a strategic plan to optimize ERW deployment by selecting the most suitable watersheds and optimal times for application.
Increased frost-heaving hazard of synthetic water repellent soil
Authors: Chen Huie , Gao Xiang , Li Miao , Wang Qing , Wang Boxin , Chen Jianping , Wang Fengyan , Yu Qingbo
Published: March 2024

Synthetic water-repellent soil is often used to mitigate frost heave hazards in cold regions due to its ability to reduce water transportation. However, the frost heave deformation characteristics of water-repellent soil itself are still unclear. This study examines the effect of water repellency on the freezing performance of water-repellent soil and reveals its mechanism. Samples with different degrees of water repellency were prepared. Parameters including contact angles, unfrozen water content, pore size distribution, and freezing deformation were measured. There is a positive correlation between the degree of water repellency and unfrozen water content, the growth rate of macropores, the duration of the rapid frost heave stage and the amount of stable frost heave. An increased water repellency caused increased critical nucleation work for the water-ice phase transition and shifted the dominant heat transfer mode from solid-liquid conduction to air-liquid conduction. This led to increased unfrozen water content and an extended duration of rapid frost heave. The increased water repellency also changed the ice crystal growth pattern on soil particle surfaces from attachment to detachment, leading to an increased proportion of large pores and frozen heave deformation. The above mechanisms contributed to the increased frost heave hazards of water-repellent soil.
Water vapor transport into the Atacama desertsimulated with a high resolution atmospheric model
Authors: Schween Jan H. , Schemann Vera , Loehnert Ullrich
Published: March 2024

The Atacama at the west coast of South America is one of the driest regions on earth. Any atmospheric transport of water vapor into this desert which may form fog or dew is accordingly important for its supply with freshwater. Within the CRC 'Earth Evolution at the dry Limit' a network of climate stations has been installed in the core of the Atacama (Schween et al 2020). This network shows a very regular circulation with strong winds from the west during day time and weaker winds from the east during night. These winds are part of a circulation pattern between the coast and the slopes of the Andes known as Rutllant cell. The daytime westerly winds in the desert are moister than the night-time easterlies but this day-night difference in moisture vanishes at the slope of the Andes. Accordingly there is a net transport of water vapor into the desert. But from these surface measurements it remains unclear whether this moisture remains in the surface layer or leaves the region at higher levels, To get better insight in the circulation we performed simulations with the ICON-LEM model in a 300x300km domain centered around 20.75degS and 69.75W with a resolution of 624m. It covers the ocean as well the high Andes including the coastal mountain range and the central depression. A simulation of a typical winter day showed that the circulation is rather a complex movement of airmasses than a closed circulation. The moist air from the ocean reaches only partly up the slopes of the Andes before it switches to the night time pattern and flows back into the central depression of the desert. There the moist air collects as shallow pools in the basins and valleys where it eventually forms fog. When the following morning the breeze propagates into the desert, convergence at its head leads to injection of moist air into the free troposphere. We use the model data to identify corridors in which moist air from the ocean enters the desert. In the regions where fog forms we calculate the horizontal transport of liquid (fog) water which can be used to estimate fog water deposition to the surface. We calculate a moisture budget for different layers of the atmosphere to identify where and when water vapor enters and leaves the desert. Reference:Schween, J. H., D. Hoffmeister, and U. Löhnert, 2020: Filling the Observational Gap in the Atacama Desert with a new Network of Climate Stations, Global and Planetary Change, 184, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2019.103034
Geoheritage Assessment of Geosites in NEOM, Saudi Arabia: in the perspective of Geotourism and Geoconservation
Authors: Sen Subhajit , O. Abouelresh Mohamed , Almusabeh Ali , S. Al-Ismail Fahad , Pulido Bruno , V. Joydas Thadickal
Published: March 2024

Geosites comprise geomorphological sites and geological sites with significant scientific value. Geotourism promotes such natural landscapes and opens opportunities for regional development with economic benefits. NEOM is a new regional development, part of the Vission 2030 of Saudi Arabia, born from sustainability, conservation of nature, development and tourism. In the absence of adequate data on geosites, this study aims to assess various geological, and geomorphological sites in NEOM. Fourteen geosites were identified from fieldwork, and a description card was prepared. The scientific, educational, tourism, and degradation risk value of geosites has been analysed. Based on qualitative study, inventory developed on key landforms like yardang, canyons, gully, evaporite hills and submarine landscapes according to the geological provinces with a detailed description card. The assessment indicates tectonic, weathering, coastal, and marine landform diversity in a region with moderate to high scientific, educational, and touristic value. Enumerable archaeological imprints are associated with the potential geosites, and ecological importance related to the geosite enhances the significance of the site. However, the chances of landform degradation are low to moderate. Considering the sustainable development approach of NEOM, geotourism will be an alternative opportunity for regional development.
Denizli Travertine: A Heritage Stone Resource from Western Türkiye 
Authors: Özkul Mehmet , Gul Arzu , Koralay Tamer , Özen Hülya , Semiz Barış , Duman Bahadır
Published: March 2024

Global heritage stones are natural stones that have been widely used in historical buildings and monuments in the past (hundreds of years, even thousands of years) and are still used and today traded at the national and international level. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of being a global heritage stone of Quaternary travertines, which are common in the Denizli Basin in Western Türkiye.The Denizli Travertine, is a widely used as a building stone in the Denizli Basin, from the 2nd century BC in the ancient cities of Hierapolis, Laodicea, Tripolis and Colassae that were the leading settlements of the region. Hierapolis/Pamukkale takes place in the of UNESCO World Heritage list and the First 100 IUGS Geological Heritage Sites. The travertine-dominated buildings have given a privileged feature to the aforementioned ancient cities. In these ancient cities, public buildings such as theatre, agora, bath basilica, monumental fountain, bridge and fortification walls were predominantly built using travertine. Use of the travertine also continued in the buildings of Seljuk period (eg, caravanserai, castle walls) from the 13th century.Some exposures of the Denizli Travertine of Quaternary age observed in different parts of the Denizli Basin take place either very close to or under the ancient cities. In light and dark colors, their textural properties are extended to a wide range. The main texture types are peloid, bacterial/crystalline dendrite, coated grain, mostly wackestone to packstone, a small amount of grainstone containing plant-derived components. Another type is banded travertine, which occurs as a fissure fill or vein, has a completely crystalline texture and is mostly used for decorative purposes.Travertines of the region, which were operated for thousands of years, received a geographical indication in 2008 with the name of ‘Denizli Travertine’. Today, it is widely used in many areas such as flooring, wall covering, stair step, countertop, table, coffee table and sculpture. The Denizli Travertine is exported to many countries (e.g. USA, UK, European Union and Middle East countries) both blocks and processed products like slab, tiles, mosaic, etc.). The travertine, which has been widely used in the region in the past, is traded worldwide for the last few decades.
3D Geomodelling of Alpine structures: the Misox Shear Zone (Swiss)
Authors: Monti Riccardo , Bistacchi Andrea , Zanchetta Stefano
Published: March 2024

3D models are fundamental tools for studying the evolution of complex geological structures, such as shear zones in the metamorphic core of the Alps.The study’s case is the area of the San Bernardino Pass (Swiss), focusing on the study of the structural and metamorphic evolution of HP units outcropping here. The area of the San Bernardino Pass is part of the Penninic domain, an Alpine domain consisting of continental and oceanic crust derived from the distal margin of Europe, subducted during the Alpine orogeny.In this area, the Adula nappe is in contact with the overlying Tambò nappe (part of the eastern flank of the Lepontine Dome) along a wide shear zone of several hundreds of metres.This work is focused on the 3D modelling of the shear zone and the superposed fold system developed within the Adula nappe, in the hanging wall of the shear zoneStarting from original field data and available geological maps, structures were approximated and drawn using the open-source software QGIS to create a simplified geological-structural map.These data are fundamental constraints for drawing geological sections using the open-source software PZero (https://github.com/andrea-bistacchi/PZero).After careful reconstruction of serial geological cross-sections in PZero, advanced interpolation techniques such as implicit methods can be applied to develop accurate geological models.PZero is an open-source software currently in development, dedicated to 3D geological modeling, featuring a user-friendly interface designed for structural geologists.
Unlocking the crucial interplay between soil health, climate change and global stewardship
Authors: Chabbi Abad
Published: March 2024

Soil health is pivotal for maintaining environmental sustainability and plays a vital role in supporting diverse ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and overall human well-being. The interplay of climate change and anthropogenic (human-induced) activities can exert substantial influence on soil health, giving rise to a spectrum of challenges. In recent years, a growing body of scientific evidence indicates that climate change will adversely affect soil health. This impact manifests through the decline in soil organic matter, the degradation of soil structure, and an increased vulnerability to erosion and other forms of deterioration. Human activities, particularly pollution and widespread habitat degradation, further exacerbate these effects. Additionally, ongoing misuse of soil contributes to its continued degradation, resulting in adverse consequences such as diminished biodiversity, decreased agronomic productivity, reduced input efficiency, and heightened rural poverty.Consequently, a paradigm shift is imperative, with a focus on adopting sustainable agricultural systems. This involves a need to restore soil health instead of contributing to its decline, actively mitigating and adapting to climate change rather than exacerbating it, promoting negative emission farming instead of being a source of greenhouse gases and transforming land into a significant carbon sink rather than a source. To deal effectively with the challenge of soil health in the context of climate and human-induced change, it is essential to adopt a global approach. This means integrating sustainable land management practices, formulating effective policies and encouraging global cooperation. These measures are essential to ensure the long-term health and productivity of our soils.
Observation and geological interpretation of the longest vertical radon profile to date: variability of radon concentrations along a 323 m deep drilling
Authors: Lehne Rouwen , Daum Jessica , Mair Johannes , Heggemann Heiner , Hoselmann Christian , Henk Andreas
Published: March 2024

Radon soil air measurements and associated permeability measurements are a mandatory prerequisite for the calculation of radon potentials as an important basis for the statistical derivation of an expected radon situation in a defined area. Accordingly, in the federal state of Hesse, as almost everywhere in Germany, numerous measurements have been carried out in recent years and made available to the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) for the modelling of a radon potential map of Germany, which has since been an important (sometimes the only) basis for the definition of radon precautionary areas for all federal states in Germany. The associated benefits are undoubtedly great.From a geological perspective, however, the question arises to what extent the large lateral variability of measurable radon concentrations also exists in the vertical and, if so, whether this variability can be placed in a context with the geological development of the area under consideration. The background to this is the fact that the radon soil gas measurements usually address a depth of between 0.8 and 1 m below the ground surface, in rare cases reaching a depth of up to 2 metres.In addition to the scientific added value, such an investigation approach is also associated with an applied benefit, as building foundations are usually founded significantly deeper than 1 m below the ground surface, which means that a significant part of the building envelope in contact not only with the soil layers, but also to the geological subsurface, must be seen decoupled from the radon concentration determined near the surface, depending on the heterogeneity of the geological bedding.For this reason, we took a total of 175 samples along an 323 m deep research drilling in the northern Upper Rhine Graben and determined the radon concentration for these in the laboratory (= stationary). The results show a very high variability of the measurable radon concentrations, ranging from 16 Bq/m³ to 9086 Bq/m³ with a mean value of approx. 1527 Bq/m³. At the same time, the radon concentrations determined show a very good correlation with both the geological response of the drill core and the gamma log measurements carried out.In this presentation, we would like to show the results obtained so far and look at the possibility of regionalising the measured values as well as the next work steps.
The MOMENT Project - Permafrost Research Towards Integrated Observation and Modelling of the Methane Budget of Ecosystems
Authors: Sachs Torsten ,   the MOMENT project team
Published: March 2024

Estimates of the future methane (CH4) budget of northern permafrost landscapes remain highly uncertain with projections ranging from negligible to major CH4 releases to the atmosphere.The German collaborative MOMENT project aims to address important gaps in process understanding of the high-latitude methane cycle using multi-scale methane flux observations in western Greenland linked to microbiological and biogeochemical laboratory studies. Through an innovative model-data integration framework, these novel datasets will be used to develop and evaluate land surface schemes of German Earth System Models (ESM) across terrestrial systems and multiple scales with the overarching goal to reduce uncertainties in future greenhouse gas projections.We will introduce the overall project along with the innovations in experimental and observational techniques that facilitate observations at remote Arctic locations as well as in the lab. New remote sensing products allow for wall-to-wall mapping of structures on the finest scale across the Arctic, while novel computational infrastructure and modelling frameworks help with integration of all this information into next generation ESMs.Selected preliminary results of the first field season and lab experiments will be highlighted.