Longitudinal methods in regional science: a review

Journal of Geographical Systems - This paper provides a review of regional science research employing longitudinal models. Three groups of applications are distinguished. The first group includes...     

Modular development of an inline monitoring system for waterborne pathogens in raw and drinking water

The state-of-the-art monitoring of drinking water hygiene is based on the cultivation and enumeration of indicator bacteria. Despite its proven reliability, this approach has the disadvantages of being (a) relatively slow and (b) limited to a small number of indicator bacteria. Ideally, alternative methods would be less time-consuming while providing information about a larger set of hygienically relevant microorganisms including viruses. In this paper, we present insights into the design of a modular concentration and detection system for bacteria, bacteriophages and viruses. Following further validation, this or similar techniques have the potential to extend and speed up the monitoring of raw and drinking water hygiene in the future. The system consists of different modules for the concentration of microorganisms, an amplification and detection unit that includes a module for the differentiation between live and dead microorganisms, and an automated system for decision support and self-diagnosis. The ongoing testing under controlled laboratory conditions and real-life conditions in the water supply industry yields further system improvements. Moreover, the increased sensitivity and broader range of microbiological parameters emphasize the need for a reconsideration of the currently used criteria for the assessment of (drinking) water hygiene.     

Dynamic character of the hydrothermal vent habitat and the nature of sulphide chimney fauna

A major substratum for vent organisms on Juan de Fuca and Explorer Ridges of the northeast Pacific is the polymetallic sulphide chimney. The deposition processes and subsequent growth of such chimneys provide a dynamic and extreme habitat that changes rapidly. During initial venting stages, colonization must await stabilization of the chimney structure. As the porous anhydrite shell accumulates sulphide minerals, protection from direct hot water contact increases for organisms colonizing the outer walls while sufficient vent water still diffuses for the support of chemosynthesis. Vestimentiferan worms are found on small sulphide mounds but the active growth and collapse of anhydrite spires is a major source of disruption and mortality. High temperature venting and spire growth appear to attract alvinellid polychaetes which may be implicated in the process of strengthening and sealing the anhydrite spires. Fauna on the growing chimney is subject to changes in fluid flow patterns that can make the structure uninhabitable. Large chimneys are inhabited by more species indicating that a diversification of habitat results from variations in mineralization and fluid availability. Chimney fauna has become specialized in exploiting an unpredictable and unstable habitat in an extreme example of the control of biotic development by the physical environment.     

Monsoonal impact on circulation pathways in the Indian Ocean

Monsoon driven water mass exchange between the Bay of Bengal(Bo B) and Arabian Sea(AS) is the common experience. However, it is not yet firmly confirmed that the exchange pathway is either passing through southern tip of Sri Lanka or Palk Strait. Local circulation patterns impact the pathways followed by the East Indian Coastal Currents(EICC) that drive exchange, thereby modulating mixing and water mass transformation in the Bay of Bengal around Sri Lanka. In this study, observations from surface drifters were incorporated with the satellite derived data to understand the monsoonal impact on circulation patterns in the Indian Ocean. This was the first multi-national scientific effort which was conducted in the Bo B and AS during 2013 to 2015 to understand the monsoonal impact on circulation patterns in the complex region. The results indicated that seasonally reversing monsoonal currents of southern Sri Lanka, traced by the wintertime freshwater export pathways of the EICC. The deflection of monsoon currents running along the east coast of Sri Lanka by forming cyclonic and anti-cyclonic eddies, which influence the mixing and stirring associated with these flows. Results further indicate the low salinity cold water flows from the Bo B to AS along the western boundary of the Bo B during northeast monsoon. In the same way, reverses the phenomena during southwest monsoon, transporting high salinity warm water from AS to the Bo B. This maintain the bay status which occurred due to freshwater influx from large rivers and high saline water from AS. However, no evidences were observed for the exchange through Palk Strait during the study.Also, there are some mis-matches in in-situ and remotely sensed measurements which imply the necessity of systematic observation system for the complex region as an alternative approach.     

Toxicity and compositional analysis of aromatic hydrocarbon fractions of two pairs of undegraded and biodegraded crude oils from the Santa Maria (California) and Vienna basins

The monoaromatic and total aromatic hydrocarbon fractions of two pairs of undegraded and moderately biodegraded crude oils from the Santa Maria basin (California) and the Vienna basin (Austria), all dominated by unresolved complex mixtures, were studied regarding their composition and toxicity towards the feeding rate of the marine mussel Mytilus edulis. Total aromatic and monoaromatic hydrocarbon fractions from sulphur-rich Monterey Formation crude oils were slightly more toxic than the fractions isolated from sulphur-lean Vienna basin oils. The ecotoxicity tests did not show any significant differences in toxicity of aromatic compounds from undegraded or in-reservoir biodegraded crude oils from the same oilfield although some differences in composition were observed. Organic sulphur compounds are suspected to cause the slightly higher toxicity of the aromatic hydrocarbon fractions from the Monterey oils.     

Der Einfluss von Kläranlagenabwässern auf benthische Wirbellose im Zürichsee

In 1981–83 sublittoral macroinvertebrates were collected by means of SCUBA diving from artificial substrates submerged near the outfalls from eight sewage treatment plants in Lake Zürich. Pollution around the outfall resulted on the one hand in a reduction of pollution intolerant benthic invertebrates, on the other hand in a considerable increase in the relative abundance of pollution tolerant taxa such as leeches, flatworms and crustaceans. Changes in the faunal composition were related to nutrient enrichment and changes in the nature of the substratum due to sedimentation of sewage sludge. Species diversity (Simpson index) showed low values near the outfall from some plants, high values near the outfall from others. Low species diversity did not always mark the sites where greatest pollution has been observed.