Topical Collection: Groundwater-based agriculture in the Mediterranean

This essay introduces a collection of articles that explore the future of groundwater-based agriculture in the Mediterranean from an interdisciplinary perspective, in a context of declining water tables due to intensive groundwater use. The imminent crisis that many groundwater economies face due to very rapid and intense global change may have severe irreversible social, economic and environmental consequences, but could also be the opportunity to make a clear break with current agricultural development models and move towards more sustainable agricultural practices. The Mediterranean region is, therefore, an interesting case for the future of intensive groundwater use, as innovative ideas and practices may emerge and inspire similar groundwater-based agricultural systems around the world.     

Topical Collection: Progress in fractured-rock hydrogeology

Hydrogeology Journal - The development of hydrogeology with respect to hard-rock and fractured-rock aquifers is described. The differences between porous aquifers and karst are explained, as well...     

Topical Collection: Climate-change research by early-career hydrogeologists

Scientific outreach, international networking, collaboration and adequate courses are needed in both developed and developing countries to enable early-career hydrogeologists to promote long-term multidisciplinary approaches to cope with climate-change issues and emphasize the importance of groundwater in a global strategy for adaptation. One such collaboration has involved the Early Career Hydrogeologists’ Network of the International Association of Hydrogeologists (ECHN-IAH) and the UNESCO International Hydrological Programme’s (IHP) Groundwater Resources Assessment under the Pressures of Humanity and Climate Changes (GRAPHIC) project. This collaboration seeks to foster the education and involvement of the future generation of water leaders in the debate over groundwater and climate change.     

Topical Collection: Coastal aquifers in the Middle East and North Africa region

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region suffers from low precipitation and high evaporation. Coastal areas of the MENA region are usually densely populated; hence, the coastal aquifers are easily over-exploited beyond their safe yield, and seawater intrusion and aquifer salinization have been caused by the groundwater-level declines. Four studies in MENA coastal aquifers, on seawater intrusion modeling and aquifer recharge and salinization using isotopes, have been brought together in a topical collection and are discussed in this essay. A brief overview is given of managed aquifer recharge as an effective method to combat groundwater-level decline, seawater intrusion and aquifer salinization in MENA counties.     

沙尘天气过程临界起沙因子的研究进展

临界起沙摩阻风速u*t或临界起沙风速ut是土壤可蚀性的度量指标之一,是表征沙尘颗粒进入大气的重要因子,也是沙尘暴预报模块中最重要的参数之一.野外实验、模式参数化和统计理论是近年来确定临界起沙摩阻风速u*t或临界起沙风速ut的3种主要方法.利用不同方法获取u*t或ut的结果可以相互校验.野外实验的实测结果可为获取适用的起...     

本期絮语

战略性矿产是指对国家的经济安全、国防安全和战略性新兴产业发展至关重要的矿产资源,是人类社会生产发展的重要物质基础,在全球经济发展中具有不可替代的作用.随着科学技术进步和产业结构调整,未来与战略性新兴产业发展相关的矿产资源保障问题愈加凸显,并将成为世界各国关注和竞争的焦点.     

序

贺邢裕盛先生八十华诞和从事地质工作五十七周年 邢裕盛教授是我国著名前寒武纪地层古生物学家,是我国前寒武纪微古植物和古藻类学研究的奠基人之一.他治学严谨、才思敏捷、辛勤耕耘,成果卓著.多年来,他注重野外调查和科学实践,踏遍祖国的大江南北,走过世界的四海五洲.不仅为我国地层古生物学的发展做出了重大贡献,而且为我国培养了大批前寒武纪微古植物研究和各断代古生物学研究的专门人才.     

深部探测技术与实验研究(SinoProbe)

"深部探测技术与实验研究"作为国家地壳探测工程的培育性启动计划(2008-2012年),专项围绕深部探测实验和示范,在全国部署"两网、两区、四带、多点"的深部探测技术与实验研究工作."两网":全国电磁参数标准网和全国地球化学基准网;"两区":大华北综合探测实验区、华南综合探测实验区;"四带":西秦岭中央造山带、青藏高原...     

进军海相盆地、助力找钾突破——代序

中国是一个农业大国,人口众多,粮食生产是立国之本.钾肥是粮食生产的关键要素之一,而目前我国耕地大范围缺钾,钾肥产量不能满足国内长期的持续增长需求,且已探明储量的预测服务年限不超过30年.长期以来,钾盐被列为我国七大最紧缺大宗矿产之一,钾肥在农业生产中的重要性,在建国之初就被国家领导人和科学工作者所重视,2008年温家宝总理批示:"建议有计划有重点地对成盐成钾条件好的油气区加强钾盐的勘查或复查工作".由于我国大量钾肥需求依靠进口,国外钾肥垄断者看准了我们的软肋,任意操纵钾肥价格,极大加重了农民的负担,直接影响了我国农业和国民经济可持续发展.目前,我国已探明的钾盐储量主要分布在青海柴达木盆地和新疆罗布泊罗北凹地盐湖,初步统计的全国KCl地质储量相对13亿人口大国需求,实在太少.因此,钾盐矿产资源供给要立足于国内,才不至受制于人.