Estimation of the Free Core Nutation parameters from SG data: Sensitivity study and comparative analysis using linearized least-squares and Bayesian methods

The Free Core Nutation (FCN) is investigated with the help of its resonance effect on the tidal amplitudes in Superconducting Gravimeter (SG) records of the GGP network. The FCN resonance parameters are combined in a resonance equation involving the Earth's interior parameters. The sensitivity of the FCN parameters to the diurnal tidal waves demonstrates that the quality factor of the FCN is strongly dependent on the accuracy of the imaginary part estimates of the gravimetric factors close to the resonance. The weak amplitude of Ψ₁ tidal wave on the Earth, which is the closest in frequency to the FCN, in addition to errors in ocean loading correction, explains the poor determination of the quality factor Q from surface gravimetric data. The inversion of tidal gravimetric factors leads to estimates of the period, Q and resonance strength of the FCN. We show that, by inverting log(Q) instead of Q, the results using the least-squares method optimized using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm are in agreement with the Bayesian probabilistic results and agree with the results obtained from VLBI nutation data. Finally, a combined inversion of 7 GGP European SG data is performed giving T = 428 ± 3 days and 7762 < Q < 31,989 (90% C.I.). An experimental estimate of the internal pressure Love number is also proposed.     

Systematic errors between VLBI and GPS precipitable water vapor estimations from 5-year co-located measurements

Space geodetic techniques (e.g., Global Positioning System, GPS and very long baseline interference, VLBI) have been widely used to determine the precipitable water vapor (PWV) for meteorology and climatology, which was verified by comparing with co-located independent technique observations. However, most of these comparisons have been conducted using only short-time spanning observations at several stations. The goal of this study is to identify and quantify the systematic errors between VLBI and GPS PWV estimates using a 5-year (2002–2007), PWV data set constructed from co-located measurements and radiosonde data as well. It has found systematic errors between VLBI and GPS PWV estimations from comparisons with long-term co-located GPS measurements. The total mean VLBI PWVs are systematically smaller than GPS estimates with 0.8–2.2 mm for all sites, but can be as much as 15–30%. The subdiurnal PWV variation magnitudes and long-term trends between VLBI and GPS are nearly similar, but the VLBI-derived PWV trends are systematically smaller than GPS estimates with about 0.1±0.02 mm/year. These systematic errors in PWV estimates between VLBI and GPS are probably due to technique own problems, different used elevation angles and co-location separation.     

DORIS as a potential part of a Global Geodetic Observing System

We have processed all available DORIS data from all available satellites, except Jason-1 over the past 10 years (from January 1993 to April 2003). Weekly solutions have been produced for stations positions coordinates, geocenter motion and scale factor stability. We present here accuracy presently achievable for all types of potential geodetic products. Typically weekly stations positions can be derived with a repeatability of 1.0–1.5 cm using data from 5 satellites simultaneously, showing the significant improvement in precision that has been gained recently using the additional new DORIS satellites. As an example, we show how such new results can detect displacement from large magnitude earthquakes, such as the 2003 Denali fault earthquake in Alaska. Displacements of −5 cm in latitude and +2 cm in longitude were easily detected using the DORIS data and are confirmed by recent GPS determination. The terrestrial reference frame was also well be monitored with DORIS during this 10-year period. Other geodetic products, such as tropospheric corrections for atmospheric studies are also analyzed. Finally, we discuss here the possible advantages and weaknesses of the DORIS system as additional geodetic tool, in conjunction with the already existing GPS, VLBI and SLR services, to participate in an Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS).     

Solar activity imprints in tree ring width from Chile (1610–1991)

We have investigated the solar activity signal in tree ring data from two locations in Chile. The tree ring time series extended over a period of ∼400 yr. Spectral and wavelet analysis techniques were employed. We have found evidence for the presence of the solar activity Schwabe (∼11 yr), Hale (∼22 yr), fourth-harmonic of the 208-yr Suess cycle (∼52 yr) and Gleissberg (∼80 yr) cycles. The Gleissberg cycle of tree ring data is in anti-phase with solar activity. Wavelet and cross-wavelet techniques revealed that the periods found are intermittent, possibly because solar activity signals observed in tree rings are mostly due to solar influence on local climate (rainfall, temperature, and cloud cover) where trees grow up. Further, cross-wavelet analysis between sunspot and tree ring time series showed that the cross power around the 11 yr solar cycle is more significant during periods of high solar activity (grand maximum) than during periods of low solar activity (grand minimum). As Glaciar Pio XI is practically at the Pacific Ocean level, the tree-ring response may be stronger due to the heating of the Pacific Ocean water following an increase of the solar radiation incidence rather than at the higher altitudes of Osorno region.     

Mapping the spatial distribution of subsurface saline material in the Darling River valley

In the Australian landscape larg stores of soluble salt are present naturally. In many cases it is attributable to salts entrapped as marine sediment in earlier geological time. At the district level, the need for information on the presence of saline subsurface material is increasing, particularly for its application to salinity hazard assessment and environmental management. This is the case in irrigated areas, where changes in hydrology can result in secondary salinisation. To reduce the expense, environmental studies use a regression relationship to make use of more readily observed measurements (e.g. electromagnetic (EM) data) which are strongly correlated with the variable of interest. In this investigation a methodology is outlined for mapping the spatial distribution of average subsurface (6–12 m) salinity (EC_e — mS m^? 1) using an environmental correlation with EM34 survey data collected across the Bourke Irrigation District (BID) in the Darling River valley. The EM34 is used in the horizontal dipole mode at coil configurations of 10 (EM34-10), 20 (EM34-20), and 40 (EM34-40). A multiple-linear regression (MLR) relationship is established between average subsurface EC_e and the three EM34 signal data using a forward modeling stepwise linear modeling approach. The spatial distribution of average subsurface salinity generally reflects the known surface expression of point-source salinisation and provides information for future environmental monitoring and natural resource management. The generation of EM34 data on various contrived grids (i.e. 1, 1.5, 2. 2.5 and 3 km) indicates that in terms of accuracy, the data available on the 0.5 (RMSE = 188) and 1 km (RMSE = 283) grid are best, with the least biased predictions achieved using 1 (ME = ? 1) and 2 km (ME = 12) grids. Viewing the spatial distribution of subsurface saline material showed that the 0.5 km spacing is optimal, particularly in order to account for short-range spatial variation between various physiographic units. The Relative Improvement (RI) shows that increasing EM grids from 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5 to 3 km gave RI of ? 53, ? 100%, ? 107%, ? 128% and ? 140%, respectively. We conclude that at a minimum a 1 km grid is needed for reconnaissance EM34 surveying.     

One-minute rain rate distribution in Nigeria derived from TRMM satellite data

Data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite sensors, the Microwave Imager (TMI, 3A12 V6) and other satellite sources (3B43 V6) have been used to derive the thunderstorm ratio β, total rain accumulation M, and 1-min rainfall rates, R1min, for 37 stations in Nigeria, for 0.001–1% of an average year, for the period 1998–2006. Results of the rain accumulations from the TRMM satellite (1998–2006) were compared with the data collected from 14 ground stations in Nigeria for the period 1991–2000. The two data sets are reasonably positively correlated, with correlation coefficients varying from 0.64 to 0.99. Deduced 1-min rainfall rates compared fairly well with the previous ground data of Ajayi and Ezekpo (1988. Development of climatic maps of rainfall rate and attenuation for microwave applications in Nigeria. The Nigerian Engineering 23(4), 13–30) with correlation coefficients varying from 0.17 to 0.97 in all 37 stations. The agreement was much better when compared with the International Telecommunications Union Radio communication Study group 3 digital maps with correlation coefficients varying from 0.84 to 0.98 in 23 locations; however there were negative correlation coefficient (of 0.2 in 7 stations) in the Middle Belt and a weak positive coefficient (of 0.09 in 6 stations) in the South South. Regionally the inferred mean annual 1-min rainfall rates are the highest in the South-East region with values between 111 and 125 mm/h throughout the 9 years, followed by the South-South region (105–124 mm/h). The lowest rainfall rate and rainfall accumulation occur in the North-West region (60–86 mm/h) followed, in ascending order, by the North-East (66–95 mm/h) region, the Middle-Belt region (76–102 mm/h) and the South-West region (77–110 mm/h). The present results were also compared with 9 tropical stations around the world and there was positive correlation between the results. The present results will be very useful for satellite rain attenuation modeling in the tropics and subtropical stations around the world.It is useful to note that one country, particularly one as large as Nigeria, can have significant variations in its rainfall characteristics for a variety of reasons, and this is borne out by the results presented.     

Global-scale validation of model-based load deformation of the Earth's crust from continental watermass and atmospheric pressure variations using GPS

Temporal mass variations in the continental hydrosphere and in the atmosphere lead to changes in the gravitational potential field that are associated with load-induced deformation of the Earth’s crust. Therefore, models that compute continental water storage and atmospheric pressure can be validated by measured load deformation time series. In this study, water mass variations as computed by the WaterGAP Global Hydrology Model (WGHM) and surface pressure as provided by the reanalysis product of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction describe the hydrological and atmospheric pressure loading, respectively. GPS observations from 14 years at 208 stations world-wide were reprocessed to estimate admittance factors for the associated load deformation time series in order to determine how well the model-based deformation fits to real data. We found that such site-specific scaling factors can be identified separately for water mass and air pressure loading. Regarding water storage variation as computed by WGHM, weighted global mean admittances are 0.74 ± 0.09, 0.66 ± 0.10, 0.90 ± 0.06 for the north, east and vertical component, respectively. For the dominant vertical component, there is a rather good fit to the observed displacements, and, averaged over all sites, WGHM is found to slightly overestimate temporal variations of water storage. For Europe and North America, with a dense GPS network, site-specific admittances show a good spatial coherence. Regarding regional over- or underestimation of WGHM water storage variations, they agree well with GRACE gravity field data. Globally averaged admittance estimates of pre-computed atmospheric loading displacements provided by the Goddard Geodetic VLBI Group were determined to be 0.88 ± 0.04, 0.97 ± 0.08, 1.13 ± 0.01 for the north, east and vertical, respectively. Here, a relatively large discrepancy for the dominant vertical component indicates an underestimation of corresponding loading predictions.     

Uncertainty in seasonal snow reconstruction: Relative impacts of model forcing and image availability

There are many areas of uncertainty when solving the inverse problems of snow water equivalent (SWE) reconstruction. These include (i) the ability to infer the Final Date of the Seasonal Snow (FDSS) cover, particularly from remote sensing; (ii) errors in model forcing data (such as air temperature or radiation fluxes); and (iii) weaknesses in the snow model used for the reconstruction, associated with both the fidelity of the equations used to simulate snow processes (structural uncertainty) and the parameter values selected for use in the model equations. We investigate the trade-offs among these sources of uncertainty using 10,000 station-years worth of data from the western US SNOTEL network. Model structural and parameter uncertainty are eliminated by using a perfect model scenario i.e. comparing results to modelled control runs. The model was calibrated for each station-year to ensure that the model simulations reflect reality. Results indicate that for a temperature index model, a ±5 days error in FDSS gives a median −25%/+32% error in maximum SWE. A 1 °C air temperature bias produces a SWE error larger than a 5 days error in the FDSS for 50% of the 10,000 cases. Similarly, a 5 days error in FDSS could be accounted for by a net radiation error of 13 W m⁻² or less during the melt period, in 50% of cases. Mean absolute errors of 1 °C or more are typically reported in the literature for air temperature interpolations at high elevations. Observed solar radiation during the melt season can differ by 30 W m⁻² over relatively short distances, while estimates from reanalysis (NARR, ERA-Interim, MERRA, CFSRR) and GOES satellites typically span more than 40 W m⁻². Using data from both MODIS sensors (Terra & Aqua) at all snow covered points in the western US, a consecutive 5 days gap in imagery at time of FDSS is likely to occur only 5–10% of the time. This work shows that errors in model forcing data are at least as important, if not more, than image availability when reconstructing SWE.     

Volume and mass changes of the Greenland ice sheet inferred from ICESat and GRACE

This study examines the recent evolution of the Greenland ice sheet and its six major drainage basins. Based on laser altimetry data acquired by the Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat), covering the period September–November 2003 to February–March 2008, ice surface height changes and their temporal variations were inferred. Our refined repeat track analysis is solely based on ICESat data and is independent of external elevation models, since it accounts for both ice height changes and the local topography. From the high resolution ice height change pattern we infer an overall mean surface height trend of −0.12 ± 0.006 m yr⁻¹. Furthermore, the largest changes could be identified at coastal margins of the ice sheet, exhibiting rates of more than −2 m yr⁻¹. The total ice volume change of the entire ice sheet amounts to −205.4 ± 10.6 km³ yr⁻¹. In addition, we assessed mass changes from 78 monthly Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) solutions. The Release-04 gravity field solutions of GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam cover the period between August 2002 and June 2009. We applied an adjusted regional integration approach in order to minimize the leakage effects. Attention was paid to an optimized filtering which reduces error effects from different sources. The overall error assessment accounts for GRACE errors as well as for errors due to imperfect model reductions. In particular, errors caused by uncertainties in the glacial isostatic adjustment models could be identified as the largest source of errors. Finally, we determined both seasonal and long-term mass change rates. The latter amounts to an overall ice mass change of −191.2 ± 20.9 Gt yr⁻¹ corresponding to 0.53 ± 0.06 mm yr⁻¹ equivalent eustatic sea level rise. From the combination of the volume and mass change estimates we determined a mean density of the lost mass to be 930 ± 11 kg m⁻³. This value supports our applied density assumption 900 ± 30 kg m⁻³ which was used to perform the volume–mass-conversion of our ICESat results. Hence, mass change estimates from two independent observation techniques were inferred and are generally in good agreement.     

Factors controlling sediment yield in a major South American drainage basin: the Magdalena River,Colombia

The Magdalena River, a major fluvial system draining most of the Colombian Andes, has the highest sediment yield of any medium-sized or large river in South America. We examined sediment yield and its response to control variables in the Magdalena drainage basin based on a multi-year dataset of sediment loads from 32 tributary catchments. Various morphometric, hydrologic, and climatic variables were estimated in order to understand and predict the variation in sediment yield. Sediment yield varies from 128 to 2200 t km⁻² yr⁻¹ for catchments ranging from 320 to 59,600 km². The mean sediment yield for 32 sub-basins within the Magdalena basin is ∼690 t km⁻² yr⁻¹. Mean annual runoff is the dominant control and explains 51% of the observed variance in sediment yield. A multiple regression model, including two control variables, runoff and maximum water discharge, explains 58% of the variance. This model is efficient (ME=0.89) and is a valuable tool for predicting total sediment yield from tributary catchments in the Magdalena basin. Multiple correlations for those basins corresponding to the upper Magdalena, middle basin, Eastern Cordillera, and catchment areas greater than 2000 km², explain 75, 77, 89, and 78% of the variance in sediment yield, respectively. Although more variance is explained when dataset are grouped into categories, the models are less efficient (ME<0.72). Within the spatially distributed models, six catchment variables predict sediment yield, including runoff, precipitation, precipitation peakedness, mean elevation, mean water discharge, and relief. These estimators are related to the relative importance of climate and weathering, hillslope erosion, and fluvial transport processes. Time series analysis indicates that significant increases in sediment load have occurred over 68% of the catchment area, while 31% have experienced a decreasing trend in sediment load and thus yield. Land use analysis and increasing sediment load trends indicate that erosion within the catchment has increased over the last 10–20 years.     

Eutrophication and warming-driven green tides (Ulva rigida) are predicted to increase under future climate change scenarios

The incidence and severity of extraordinary macroalgae blooms (green tides) are increasing. Here, climate change (ocean warming and acidification) impacts on life history and biochemical responses of a causative green tide species, Ulva rigida, were investigated under combinations of pH (7.95, 7.55, corresponding to lower and higher pCO₂), temperature (14, 18 °C) and nitrate availability (6 and 150 μmol L^? 1). The higher temperature accelerated the onset and magnitude of gamete settlement. Any two factor combination promoted germination and accelerated growth in young plants. The higher temperature increased reproduction, which increased further in combination with elevated pCO₂ or nitrate. Reproductive success was highest (64.4 ± 5.1%) when the upper limits of all three variables were combined. Biochemically, more protein and lipid but less carbohydrate were synthesized under higher temperature and nitrate conditions. These results suggest that climate change may cause more severe green tides, particularly when eutrophication cannot be effectively controlled.     

On the interpolation of volumetric water content in research catchments

Digital Soil Mapping (DSM) is widely used in the environmental sciences because of its accuracy and efficiency in producing soil maps compared to the traditional soil mapping. Numerous studies have investigated how the sampling density and the interpolation process of data points affect the prediction quality. While, the interpolation process is straight forward for primary attributes such as soil gravimetric water content (θ_g) and soil bulk density (ρ_b), the DSM of volumetric water content (θ_v), the product of θ_g by ρ_b, may either involve direct interpolations of θ_v (approach 1) or independent interpolation of ρ_b and θ_g data points and subsequent multiplication of ρ_b and θ_g maps (approach 2). The main objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of these two mapping approaches for θ_v. A 23 ha grassland catchment in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa was selected for this study. A total of 317 data points were randomly selected and sampled during the dry season in the topsoil (0–0.05 m) for θ_g by ρ_b estimation. Data points were interpolated following approaches 1 and 2, and using inverse distance weighting with 3 or 12 neighboring points (IDW3; IDW12), regular spline with tension (RST) and ordinary kriging (OK). Based on an independent validation set of 70 data points, OK was the best interpolator for ρ_b (mean absolute error, MAE of 0.081 g cm⁻³), while θ_g was best estimated using IDW12 (MAE = 1.697%) and θ_v by IDW3 (MAE = 1.814%). It was found that approach 1 underestimated θ_v. Approach 2 tended to overestimate θ_v, but reduced the prediction bias by an average of 37% and only improved the prediction accuracy by 1.3% compared to approach 1. Such a great benefit of approach 2 (i.e., the subsequent multiplication of interpolated maps of primary variables) was unexpected considering that a higher sampling density (∼14 data point ha⁻¹ in the present study) tends to minimize the differences between interpolations techniques and approaches. In the context of much lower sampling densities, as generally encountered in environmental studies, one can thus expect approach 2 to yield significantly greater accuracy than approach 1. This approach 2 seems promising and can be further tested for DSM of other secondary variables.     

Diurnal and semidiurnal atmospheric tides observed by co-located GPS and VLBI measurements

The tropospheric zenith total delay (ZTD) derived from very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) is an important parameter of the atmosphere, reflecting various atmosphere-related processes and variations. In this paper, ZTD time series of the IVS rapid combined tropospheric product (2002–2006) with a 1-h resolution are used for the first time to investigate the diurnal and semidiurnal oscillations. Significant diurnal and semidiurnal variations of ZTD are found at all VLBI stations. The amplitude of the diurnal cycle S₁ is 0.6–1.2 mm at most of the VLBI stations, and the amplitude of the semidiurnal cycle S₂ is 0.2–1.9 mm, which nearly accord with the surface pressure tides S₁/S₂ and co-located GPS estimated S₁/S₂. The results indicate that the S₁ and S₂ behaviors are mainly dominated by the hydrostatic component, namely pressure tides. In general, the semidiurnal S₂ amplitudes are slightly larger than the diurnal S₁. While S₁ shows no clear dependency on site altitude, S₂ has a regular distribution with VLBI site altitude. The results are in accordance with predictions of the classic tidal theory [Chapman, S., Lindzen, R.S., 1970. Atmospheric Tides, Gordon and Breach, New York].     

Helicopter-borne measurements of sea ice thickness,using a small and lightweight,digital EM system

Sea ice is an important climate variable and is also an obstacle for marine operations in polar regions. We have developed a small and lightweight, digitally operated frequency-domain electromagnetic-induction (EM) system, a so-called EM bird, dedicated for measurements of sea ice thickness. It is 3.5 m long and weighs only 105 kg, and can therefore easily be shipped to remote places and operated from icebreakers and small helicopters. Here, we describe the technical design of the bird operating at two frequencies of f1 = 3.68 kHz and f2 = 112 kHz, and study its technical performance. On average, noise amounts to ± 8.5 ppm and ± 17.5 ppm for f1 and f2, respectively. Electrical drift amounts to 200 ppm/h and 2000 ppm/h for f1 and f2, during the first 0.5 h of operation. It is reduced by 75% after 2 h. Calibration of the Inphase and Quadrature ppm signals varies by 2 to 3%. A sensitivity study shows that all these signal variations do affect the accuracy of the ice thickness retrieval, but that it remains better than ± 0.1 m over level ice in most cases. This accuracy is also confirmed by means of comparisons of the helicopter EM data with other thickness measurements. The paper also presents the ice thickness retrieval from single-component Inphase data of f1.     

Rapid crustal uplift in Patagonia due to enhanced ice loss

A vertical crustal uplift rate of 39 mm yr^? 1 is measured between 2003 and 2006 using Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements at the northeastern edge of the Southern Patagonia Icefield (SPI). This is the largest present-day glacial isostatic rate ever recorded. The combination of SPI's rapid melting and the unique regional slab-window tectonics that promotes a relatively low viscosity, is central to our interpretation of the observations. The two effects lead to a strong interaction of short relaxation times with ice loads that change on a comparable time scale. The profile of GPS observations link ice loss to the soft viscoelastic isostatic flow response over the time scale of the Little Ice Age (LIA), including ice loss in the period of observation. The agreement of the results with our model predictions strongly suggests the large crustal uplift in Patagonia is due an accelerated glacier wasting since the termination of the LIA and that the effective regional mantle viscosity is near 4.0–8.0 × 10¹⁸ Pa s. A century-long diminution of the icefields, at rates that are about 1/4 – 1/2 the contemporary loss rates, is consistent with multidecadal-scale temperature trends estimated for the past 50–100 years and is, in fact, a key feature in any model capable of explaining the uplift data.     

Equatorial and low latitude spread-F irregularity characteristics over the Indian region and their prediction possibilities

To study the occurrence characteristics of equatorial spread-F irregularities and their latitudinal extent, simultaneous digital ionosonde data (January–December 2001) from Trivandrum (8.2°N), Waltair (17.7°N) and Delhi (28.6°N) and 4 GHz scintillation data from Sikandarabad (26.8°N) and Chenglepet (10.4°N), and 250 MHz scintillation data from Bhopal (23.2°N) for equinoxes period are analysed. It is noted that except summer months, occurrence of spread F is always maximum at Trivandrum, minimum at Delhi and moderate at Waltair. During equinoxes and winter months. Their occurrences at higher latitude station are always conditional to their prior occurrences at lower latitudes indicating their association with the generation of equatorial plasma bubble and associated irregularities. Scintillation occurrences also follow the similar pattern. During the summer months, the spread-F occurrences are highest at equatorial location Trivandrum, moderate at Delhi and minimum at Waltair and seem to be caused by irregularities generated locally especially over Delhi.To gain forecasting capability, night-to-night occurrences of spread-F/scintillation at these locations are examined in relation to post sunset rise of h’F and upward ExB drift velocity over the magnetic equator using Trivandrum ionosonde data. It is noted that except the summer months, the spread-F at Trivandrum, Waltair and Delhi are observed only when equatorial ExB (h’F) is more than about 15 m/s (325 km), 20 m/s (350 km) and 25 m/s (375 km), respectively. With these threshold values their corresponding success rate of predictions are more than 90%, 50% and 15% at the respective locations. Whereas in the case of GHz scintillations near equator are observed only when ExB (h’F) is more than 15 m/s (325 km), whereas for low latitude, the same should be 30 m/s (400 km) and their success rate of prediction is about 90% and 30%, respectively. The intensity of 4 GHz scintillation at low latitude is also found to be positively correlated with equatorial upward ExB drift velocity values, whereas correlation is poor with that of equatorial scintillations. In conclusions, near magnetic equator threshold values of ExB or h’F can be successfully used for the night-to-night prediction of spread-F/scintillations occurrences, whereas these are necessary but not sufficient for their prediction at higher latitudes. For that some other controlling parameters like background electron density, neutral winds, gravity waves, etc. should also be examined.     

Evaluation of DEM generation based on Interferometric SAR using TanDEM-X data in Tokyo

This study is focused on the evaluation of a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for Tokyo, Japan from data collected by the recently launched TerraSAR add-on for Digital Elevation Measurements (TanDEM-X), satellite of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The aim of the TanDEM-X mission is to use Interferometric SAR techniques to generate a consistent high resolution global DEM dataset. In order to generate an accurate global DEM using TanDEM-X data, it is important to evaluate the accuracy at different sites around the world. Here, we report our efforts to generate a high-resolution DEM of the Tokyo metropolitan region using TanDEM-X data. We also compare the TanDEM-X DEM with other existing DEMs for the Tokyo region. Statistical techniques were used to calculate the elevation differences between the TanDEM-X DEM and the reference data. Two high-resolution LiDAR DEMs are used as independent reference data. The vertical accuracy of the TanDEM-X DEM evaluated using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is considerably higher than the existing global digital elevation models. However, the local area DEM generated by Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI DEM) showed the highest accuracy among all non-LiDAR DEM’s. The vertical accuracy in terms of RMSE estimated using the 2 m LiDAR as reference is 3.20 m for TanDEM-X, 2.44 m for the GSI, 7.00 m for SRTM DEM and 10.24 m for ASTER-GDEM. We also compared the accuracy of TanDEM-X with the other DEMs for different types of land cover classes. The results show that the absolute elevation error of TanDEM-X is higher for urban and vegetated areas, likewise to those observed for other global DEM’s. This is probably because the radar signals used by TanDEM-X tend to measure the first reflective surface that is encountered, which is often the top of the buildings or canopy. Hence, the TanDEM-X based DEM is more akin to a Digital Surface Model (DSM).     

PAHs contamination and bacterial communities in mangrove surface sediments of the Jiulong River Estuary,China

Sixteen sediment samples collected from eight transects in a mangrove swamp of the Jiulong River Estuary, Fujian, China were investigated for their content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and the biodegradation potential of the indigenous microorganisms. The bacterial community structures in the mangrove sediments and in enrichment cultures were also investigated. The results showed that the total PAHs concentration of mangrove sediments ranged from 280 to 1074 ng g⁻¹ dry weight, that the PAHs composition pattern in the mangrove sediments was dominated by high molecular weight PAH components (4–6 rings), and that Benzo[ghi]perylene and Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene were the most dominant at different stations. Abundant PAH-degrading bacteria were found in all the stations, the values of phenanthrene-degrading bacteria ranged from 5.85 × 10⁴ to 7.80 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹ dry weight, fluoranthene-degrading bacteria ranged from 5.25 × 10⁴ to 5.79 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹ dry weight, pyrene-degrading bacteria ranged from 3.10 × 10⁴ to 6.97 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹ dry weight and the benzo(a)pyrene-degrading bacteria ranged from 5.25 × 10⁴ to 7.26 × 10⁵ CFU g⁻¹ dry weight. DGGE analysis of PCR-amplified 16S rDNA gene fragments confirmed that there was a remarkable shift in the composition of the bacterial community due to the addition of the different model PAH compound phenanthrene (three ring PAH), fluoranthene(four ring PAH), pyrene(four ring PAH) and benzo(a)pyrene(five ring PAH) during enrichment batch culture. Eleven strains were obtained with different morphology and different degradation ability. The presence of common bands for microbial species in the cultures and in the native mangrove sediment DNA indicated that these strains could be potential in situ PAH-degraders.     

Bioremediation of contaminated coastal sediment: Optimization of slow release biostimulant ball using response surface methodology (RSM) and stabilization of metals from contaminated sediment

The aim of the present study is to optimize the slow release biostimulant ball (BSB) for bioremediation of contaminated coastal sediment using response surface methodology (RSM). Metals contamination and stabilization of metals in coastal sediments using BSB were investigated. The effects of BSB size (1–5 cm), distance (1–10 cm), and time (1–4 months) on the stabilization of metals including Fe, Cd, Cu, and Pb were determined. The maximum stabilization percentages of Fe, Cd, Cu, and Pb, of 64.5%, 54.9%, 63.8%, and 47.6%, respectively, were observed at a 3 cm ball size, 5.5 cm distance, and a period of 4 months; these values are the optimum conditions for effective treatment of contaminated coastal sediment. The determination coefficient of the R² value suggests that > 91.55%, 89.97%, 96.10%, and 86.40% of the variance is attributable to the variables of Fe, Cd, Cu, and Pb, respectively.     

In situ cosmogenic 10Be production-rate calibration from the Southern Alps,New Zealand

We present a ¹⁰Be production-rate calibration derived from an early Holocene debris-flow deposit at about 1000 m above sea level in the central Southern Alps, New Zealand, in the mid-latitude Southern Hemisphere. Ten radiocarbon ages on macrofossils from a soil horizon buried by the deposit date the deposit to 9690 ± 50 calendar years before AD2008. Surface ¹⁰Be concentrations of seven large boulders partially embedded in the stable surface of the deposit are tightly distributed, yielding a standard deviation of ～2%. Conversion of the ¹⁰Be measurements to sea level/high-latitude values using each of five standard scaling methods indicates ¹⁰Be production rates of 3.84 ± 0.08, 3.87 ± 0.08, 3.83 ± 0.08, 4.15 ± 0.09, and 3.74 ± 0.08 atoms g^?1 a^?1, relative to the ‘07KNSTD’ ¹⁰Be AMS standard, and including only the local time-integrated production-rate uncertainties. When including a sea level high-latitude scaling uncertainty the overall error is ～2.5% (1σ) for each rate. To test the regional applicability of this production-rate calibration, we measured ¹⁰Be concentrations in a set of nearby moraines deposited before 18 060 ± 200 years before AD2008. The ¹⁰Be ages are only consistent with minimum-limiting ¹⁴C age data when calculated using the new production rates. This also suggests that terrestrial in situ cosmogenic-nuclide production did not change significantly from Last Glacial Maximum to Holocene time in New Zealand. Our production rates agree well with those of a recent calibration study from northeastern North America, but are 12–14% lower than other commonly adopted values. The production-rate values presented here can be used elsewhere in New Zealand for rock surfaces exposed during or since the last glacial period.