Effects of spatial data resolution on runoff predictions by the BASINS model

The BASINS model, developed by the United States EPA, is a popular simulation tool for predicting watershed responses, such as runoff, pollution exports, and water quality. It requires large amounts of data to set parameters. Many studies state that model input is a major source of model uncertainty. Thus, improvements to the quality and completeness of the data will improve the certainty of the model. The objective of this study is to discuss the effects of spatial data, including digital elevation models (DEMs) and spatial rainfall records, on predictions of runoff from the BASINS model. The result shows that both DEMs and rainfall data can significantly influence peak flow and runoff volume. Rainfall input has more influence on the curve shape of hydrograph than DEM resolution. DEM resolution can have more impact on peak flow predictions than rainfall input. Because the model uncertainties from DEMs and rainfall records influence each other, the prediction error does not always decrease when DEM resolution increases. The present results show that the BASINS model produces reliable answers in the case area when the grid size is less than 100 m × 100 m and the precipitation records from the Bihu Rainfall Station are correct and complete.     

Structure and genesis of the Cubango Megafan in northern Namibia: implications for its hydrogeology

An exploration strategy for groundwater was established and followed in the northern Namibian Cuvelai-Etosha Basin (CEB). The data derived from transient electromagnetics, rotary-drilling, coring and sample investigation were used to refine stratigraphy and hydrostratigraphy, and to develop a 3D map of aquifers within the Cubango Megafan. The results have delineated three major aquifers. The newly found, deep-seated Ohangwena II Aquifer (KOH-2) has the potential of providing significant additional water to the water supply of northern Namibia and Angola. While near-surface aquifers carry predominantly brackish water, freshwater in the deep-seated aquifer is further extended and features good hydraulic properties. To date, only a small part of the hydrogeological potential of arid CEB has been explored and an extension of exploration is needed, including southern Angola. The combination of structural, sedimentological and hydrogeological approaches greatly advanced both the geological and hydrogeological understanding. With regard to the deep-seated aquifer, strict measures need to be applied to ensure that the water in the KOH-2 reservoir is exploited sustainably. Water control areas need to be established to ensure long-term preservation of this newly explored aquifer.     

Modified biomass of Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilized on luffa sponge for biosorption of hexavalent chromium

Phanerochaete chrysosporium, a white rot basidiomycete, was immobilized over Luffa cylindrica sponge discs, treated with 0.1 N HCl and its potentiality for the removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] from water was investigated in both batch and in up-flow fixed-bed bioreactor. The acid treatment of biomass increased the uptake capacity and percentage removal of Cr(VI) from 33.5 to 46.5 mg g^?1 and 67 to 92 %, respectively. Maximum uptake of Cr(VI) was achieved at pH 2, temperature 40 °C after 100 min of contact time. The Cr(VI) sorption on the biomass was better explained by Langmuir isotherm. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the process was spontaneous and endothermic. Sorption kinetic study showed that pseudo-second-order model best correlates the Cr(VI) sorption on the biomass as compare to pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The performance of fixed-bed bioreactor was evaluated at different bed heights (5, 15 and 25 cm) and flow rates (1.66, 4.98 and 8.33 mL min^?1) by using bed depth service time model. Response surface methodology statistical method was applied for optimizing the process parameters. FTIR analysis showed that amino groups were mainly involved in adsorption of Cr(VI).     

Towards hydrological and geochemical understanding of an ephemeral palustrine perched water table “wetland” (Lanseria Gneiss,Midrand, South Africa)

Wetland delineation is commonly based on terrain unit, soil form, soil wetness and vegetation indicators which along with the shallow groundwater or proximate surface water are often absent in many ephemeral inland South African areas due to, for instance, prolonged dry periods (seasons to years) which mask these indicators, as well as disruption of surface materials due to construction, agricultural activities and field fires. Furthermore, many “wetlands” in South Africa comply with the four indicators, but the notable absent requirement for wetlands is missing, namely the shallow groundwater table, as many of these systems form in hillslope seeps, catenas or from perched water tables. A 200-m-long excavation through one such a system is being studied in Midrand (Gauteng, South Africa). The site is underlain by Lanseria Gneiss and is waterlogged after long and intense periods of intense rainfall. Frequent downslope soil profiling, horizon-specific laboratory analyses for grading and Atterberg Limits, X-Ray Diffraction and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy data are interpreted together with soil percolation tests to generate a conceptual model of the system. The results are discussed in terms of the need to consider these temporary systems that do not have a shallow groundwater table and that are not in direct contact with surface drainage features as a possible special type of wetlands, notably in arid regions where they play a very important role in biodiversity and should, therefore, be protected.     

Simultaneous electrokinetic removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals from a sediment using mixed enhancing agents

The maintenance of harbor waterways generates large amounts of dredged sediments which are often rich in coexisting organic and inorganic contaminants. Electrokinetic remediation treatments have recently been developed for the simultaneous removal of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), using various enhancing agents generally tested sequentially. In this study, different processing fluids were tested, alone or mixed, to improve the decontamination of aged model sediment contaminated with cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, zinc, and five PAHs. Nitric acid (NA) and citric acid (CA) were tested to avoid the formation of an alkaline front into the sediment and favor the metals removal, while an anionic surfactant [sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)] and a nonionic surfactant (Tween 20) were tested to solubilize and mobilize PAHs. Processing fluids were circulated under a constant voltage gradient of 1 V cm^?1 for 10–14 days. NA showed an excellent potential to remove metals (76.8–99.9 % removal) and PAHs (70.3–89.7 % removal) in a single run. Besides, the mixture of Tween 20 and CA, more environmental friendly, could be considered as a relatively good processing fluid for the simultaneous removal of metals (10.3–90.8 % removal) and PAHs (53.6–61.6 % removal) from the fine-grained sediment, while SDS mixed to CA was not a good candidate for this purpose (0.1–65 % removal for metals and 34.1–41.0 % removal for PAHs).     

Assessing livelihood status of migrants from northern Ghana resident in the Obuasi Municipality

In Ghana, studies on migration and livelihoods are mostly limited to migrants’ places of origin. This paper therefore assesses livelihood status of permanent migrants resident in the Obuasi Municipality who hail from the northern parts of Ghana. The instrument used was a survey questionnaire and the respondents were both migrants and indigenes aged 18 years and above. The findings showed no significant differences between migrants and indigenes in ownership of assets and consumer durable goods and housing quality. However, the indigenes earned relatively higher than the migrants due to access to various forms of capital and the influence of institutional structures and processes. But to the migrants, their livelihood status has improved since they have built houses, educated their children, remitted relations at home and have acquired some consumer durable goods. Improvement in the livelihood status of migrants could induce further north–south migration. There is therefore the need for government and other stakeholders to bridge the gap of unequal socio-economic development between the northern and southern parts of the country.     

Clicking graphene oxide and Fe3O4 nanoparticles together: an efficient adsorbent to remove dyes from aqueous solutions

Nanohybrid of graphene oxide (GO) and azide-modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated using click reaction. First, Fe₃O₄ NPs were modified by 3-azidopropionic acid. Then, click-coupling of azide-modified Fe₃O₄ NPs with alkyne-functionalized GO was carried out in the presence of CuSO₄·5H₂O and sodium l-ascorbate at room temperature. The attachment of Fe₃O₄ NPs onto the graphene nanosheets was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction spectrometry. As the FTIR spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry analysis showed, the final magnetic graphene nanosheets were also reduced by sodium ascorbate which is a merit for click-coupling reactions. The specific saturation magnetization of the Fe₃O₄-clicked GO was 44.3 emu g^?1. The synthesized hybrid was used in the adsorption of methylene blue and congo red (CR). The adsorption capacities in the studied concentration range were 109.5 and 98.8 mg g^?1 for methylene blue and CR, respectively.     

Biodegradation of polyvinyl alcohol-low linear density polyethylene-blended plastic film by consortium of marine benthic vibrios

Marine bacteria, Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahemolyticus isolated from sediments were evaluated for their ability as a consortia, to degrade polyvinyl alcohol-low linear density polyethylene (PVA-LLDPE)-blended plastic films in shake flask conditions at 120 rpm at 37 °C over 15 weeks. Results indicated that relatively 20 % decrease in tensile strength of the film could be achieved with 25 and 30 % blend of PVA in the PVA-LLDPE plastic film compared to other ratios. Micrographs obtained with scanning electron microscope showed visible cracks and grooves on the surface of the PVA-LLDPE blend film after 15 weeks of incubation with bacterial consortium. The decrease in tensile strength of the PVA-blended plastic films after treatment and the results of the scanning electron microscopic analysis evidence that the consortium could cause degradation of PVA-LLDPE plastic blends compared to suitable controls. This is the first report on polyvinyl alcohol degrading Vibrio sp. from marine sediments and its application in microbial degradation of polyvinyl alcohol-low linear density polyethylene plastic blends. The study indicated potential of marine benthic vibrios that have novel enzymes and unique characteristics for application in bioremediation and solid waste management particularly in handling synthetic polymers such as PVA-blended plastic films.     

Isotopic composition of rain- and groundwater at Mt. Vesuvius: environmental and volcanological implications

The present work reports on the isotopic characterization of rainfall and groundwater at Mt. Vesuvius. Values of δ ¹⁸O, monthly measured on rain samples collected during the period 2002–2004 in a rain-gauge network composed of 10 stations, were compared with meteorological and DEM data. Air temperature, controlled by the local orographic structure, was identified as the main factor influencing rain isotopic composition. Another important role is played by orographic clouds, whose condensation over the top of Mt. Vesuvius is responsible for anomalously high δ ¹⁸O values recorded in rain samples from the summit area of the volcanic edifice. A spatial model of rain isotopic composition, based on a 3D distribution of temperature derived by a 1 × 1 km DEM, was implemented and used for calculating the theoretical isotopic signature of seepage, further compared with data measured in the groundwater monitoring network. The analysis evidenced the role of local meteoric recharge as the main source feeding Mt. Vesuvius aquifers. The unique exception is the Olivella drainage gallery, located on the north-eastern flank of the volcanic edifice, whose isotopic composition is slightly more positive than the one expected for its altitude, likely caused by both evaporation processes and mixing with condensed hydrothermal vapor.     

Temporal and spatial patterns in abundance and diversity of fish assemblages in Elkhorn Slough,California

Assemblages of ichthyofauna of shallow inshore habitats along Californía’s central coast are described in terms of species composition, abundance, and life-style categories. A total of 22,334 fishes from 65 species and 27 families was collected with otter trawls at six sites in the main channel and tidal creeks of Elkhorn Slough, a tidal embayment and seasonal estuary, and two nearshore ocean stations in Monterey Bay during 44 months between August 1974 and June 1980. Greater than 90% of the catch comprised 10 species. The four dominant species,Cymatogaster aggregata, Leptocottus armatus, Phanerodon furcatus, andEmbiotoca jacksoni, occurred during most or all seasons and were classified as residents or partial residents. Several abundant species were marine immigrants that seasonally use the slough as spawning and nursery grounds; this resulted in higher abundance and species richness during summer. Species collected during winter largely were slough residents. Species compsosition and richness varied with distance from the slough entrance. The ocean assemblage was most different, and its similarity to other stations decreased progressively with distance inland and into the tidal creeks. During our study, 5,074 fishes were collected by beach seine in Bennett Slough, a remote shallow marsh basin adjacent to the entrance of Elkhorn Slough. Species richness was relatively low and three euryhaline species accounted for >80% of the total catch. The species assemblage was most similar to those at the tidal creek and most shallow stations of Elkhorn Slough. Resident species numerically dominated assemblages in Bennett Slough and the most inland areas of Elkhorn Slough. The high relative abundance of marine-related fishes (classified as marine, marine immigrant, and partial resident), entering Elkhorn Slough early in life or as spawning adults indicates the importance of this habitat to nearshore fish assemblages.     

Sources and history of PAHs in lake sediments from oil-producing and industrial areas,northeast China

Abundance, sources, and historical records of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment cores of three lakes located in northeast China were evaluated. One lake was located in a rural oil field area, one in an industrial urban oil field area, and the third in an urban industrialized area without oil field influence. Cores from each lake were divided into 1-cm sections, dated using ¹³⁷Cs techniques, and 16 priority PAH compounds were measured. Total PAH concentrations were greater in industrial areas than in rural area, regardless of associated oil production. Only petroleum sources of PAHs were identified in lakes near oil fields between 1950s and 1980s, while sources of liquid fossil fuel combustion were persistently identified in the industrial urban lake. From 1990s to 2000s, PAH concentrations, especially high molecular weight PAHs, significantly increased in all lakes, which were consistent with the economic development in China, suggesting a change in energy use from wood burning and petroleum (oil) to liquid fossil fuel combustion. Environmental risk was low to moderate in sediments of the three lakes studied, and increases in high molecular weight PAHs during 1900s–2000s is a concern.     

Geochemistry of Ordovician Keli Group basalts associated with Besshi-type Cu-Zn deposits from the southern Trondheim and Sulitjelma mining districts of Norway

Besshi-type volcanogenic Cu-Zn deposits in the Scandinavian Caledonides are hosted by Ordovician metabasalts and clastic sediments of the Storen, Fundsjo and Sulitjelma groups. The basalts are transitional between T-MORB and marginal basin tholeiites in composition and are characterised by Nd and Pb isotopic compositions which overlap the more radiogenic values of Lower Palaeozoic MORB. These features, along with the intercalation of the basalts with tuffs and continentally derived sediments, indicate an epicontinental rift or marginal basin origin, possibly analogous to the present Red Sea and Gulf of Aden rifts. This implies the development of a restricted ocean basin in the north of Iapetus between the Laurentian and Baltoscandian microcontinents during the Cambrian and Early Ordovician.     

The application of a hierarchical Bayesian spatiotemporal model for forecasting the SAA trapped particle flux distribution

We implement a hierarchical Bayesian spatiotemporal (HBST) model to forecast the daily trapped particle flux distribution over the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) region. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-15 data from 1–30 March 2008 with particle energies as >30 keV (mep0e1) and >300 keV (mep0e3) for electrons and 80–240 keV (mep0p2) and > 6900 keV (mep0p6) for protons were used as the model input to forecast the flux values on 31 March 2008. Data were transformed into logarithmic values and gridded in a 5^°×5^° longitude and latitude size to fulfill the modelling precondition. A Monte Carlo Markov chain (MCMC) was then performed to solve the HBST Gaussian Process (GP) model by using the Gibbs sampling method. The result for this model was interpolated by a Kriging technique to achieve the whole distribution figure over the SAA region. Statistical results of the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and bias (BIAS) showed a good indicator of the HBST method. The statistical validation also indicated the high variability of particle flux values in the SAA core area. The visual validation showed a powerful combination of HBST-GP model with Kriging interpolation technique. The Kriging also produced a good quality of the distribution map of particle flux over the SAA region as indicated by its small variance value. This suggests that the model can be applied in the development of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO)-Equatorial satellite for monitoring trapped particle radiation hazard.     

Biodegradation of benzo(a)pyrene mediated by catabolic enzymes of bacteria

An investigation was carried out to compare the ability of two bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa PSA5 and Rhodococcus sp. NJ2 isolated from petroleum sludge for degradation of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P], a HMW PAH compound in MSM. During 25 days of incubation, 50 ppm B(a)P was degraded by 88 and 47 % by P. aeruginosa PSA5 and Rhodococcus sp. NJ2, respectively. Besides, involvement of different catabolic enzymes, that is, salicylate hydroxylase, 2-carboxybenzaldehyde dehydrogenase, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase, was also examined to identify their differential role in B(a)P degradation. Among these enzymes, the highest induction of 2-carboxybenzaldehyde dehydrogenase (773.5 nmol mg^?1 protein) was recorded in P. aeruginosa PSA5, while salicylate hydroxylase was highly expressed (839.6 nmol mg^?1 protein) in Rhodococcus sp. NJ2. Both the bacteria were found biosurfactant (glycolipid) producing, and role of biosurfactant in PAH degradation was also ascertained by reduced surface tension, higher emulsification index and increased cell surface hydrophobicity.     

Stability conditions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at high pressures and temperatures

The first results of study of stability of diverse polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at around 7 GPa and 773–1073 K are reported. Experiments were carried out in hydraulic multi-anvil presses. The run products after quenching were analyzed using a method of matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI). The formation of polymers of starting matters was determined at 7 GPa and 773–883 K. The polymers are characterized by atomic masses up to 5000 Da, that are multiple by masses of starting matters. At higher temperatures (873–1073 K), the selected PAHs and their polymers become unstable. The decomposition temperature of PAHs and their polymers exclude their stability under Earth’s mantle conditions. The studies could be of great significance for the low-temperature near-surface geodynamics of small and large planetary bodies, which supposedly contain hydrocarbon compounds.     

The long-term trends (1982–2006) in vegetation greenness of the alpine ecosystem in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

The increased rate of annual temperature in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau exceeded all other areas of the same latitude in recent decades. The influence of the warming climate on the alpine ecosystem of the plateau was distinct. An analysis of alpine vegetation under changes in climatic conditions was conducted in this study. This was done through an examination of vegetation greenness and its relationship with climate variability using the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer satellite imagery and climate datasets. Vegetation in the plateau experienced a positive trend in greenness, with 18.0 % of the vegetated areas exhibiting significantly positive trends, which were primarily located in the eastern and southwestern parts of the plateau. In grasslands, 25.8 % of meadows and 14.1 % of steppes exhibited significant upward trends. In contrast, the broadleaf forests experienced a trend of degradation. Temperature, particularly summer temperature, was the primary factor promoting the vegetation growth in the plateau. The wetter and warmer climate in the east contributed to the favorable conditions for vegetation. The alpine meadow was mostly sensitive to temperature, while the steppes were sensitive to both temperature and precipitation. Although a warming climate was expected to be beneficial to vegetation growth in the alpine region, the rising temperature coupled with reduced precipitation in the south did not favor vegetation growth due to low humidity and poor soil moisture conditions.     

Monitoring shoreline change on Djerba Island using GIS and multi-temporal satellite data

In the absence of a generic approach to study shoreline changes, this research focus on the development of a generic methodology to detect, measure, analyze, and predict shoreline changes to manage coastal environment. The unique strength of this approach is that it incorporates image processing techniques, remotely sensed derived data into a GIS to analyze measure, and predict and visualize shoreline changes. It is independent from the study region or the remote sensing data. This methodology uses Speeded Up Robust Feature to detect the study regions from satellite images automatically. Also, it proposes a model of shoreline using the Canny edge detector on Normalized Difference Water Index image. To measure the changes, Digital Shoreline Analysis System extension of ArcGIS was used and the End Point Rate (EPR) and Linear Regression Rate (LRR) approaches were used on the modeled shoreline. The EPR is calculated by dividing the distance of shoreline movement by the time elapsed between the oldest and the most recent shoreline. A LRR statistic can be determined by fitting a least-squares regression line to all shoreline points for a particular transect. Three regions of the island of Djerba in Tunisia were selected for this study; Rass Errmall, El Kastil, and Aghir. Accretions as well as erosion processes were observed in the study areas between 1984 and 2009. The average of the erosion was around ?6.95 m/year in Aghir. The average of erosion is around ?4.09 m/year and accretion trend is around +11.7 m/year in Rass Errmall. El Kastil was under a remarkable accretion with 21.14 m/year during the same period.     

Clinopyroxene on the join CaMgSi2O6-CaFe3+AlSiO6-CaTiAl2O6 at low oxygen fugacity

Subsolidus phase relations on the join CaMgSi₂O₆-CaFe³⁺ AlSiO₆-CaTiAl₂O₆ were studied by the ordinary quenching method at \(f_{O_2 } = 10^{ - 11} \) atm and 1,100°C. Crystalline phases encountered are clinopyroxene_ss (ss:solid solution) (Cpx_ss), melilite (Mel), perovskite (Pv), spinel_ss (Sp_ss), magnetite_ss (Mt_ss) and anorthite (An). There is no Cpx_ss single phase field, and the following assemblages were found; Cpx_ss+Mel, Cpx_ss+Mel+Sp_ss, Cpx_ss+Mel+Pv, Cpx_ss+Mel+Sp_ss+Pv, Cpx_ss+Pv+Sp_ss+An, Sp_ss+Pv+Mel+An+Cpx_ss, Mel+Mt_ss+An+Sp_ss+Cpx_ss+liquid and Mel+Mt_ss+An+Sp_ss+Cpx_ss+Pv. Mössbauer spectral study revealed that Cpx_ss contains both Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the octahedral site, and it was confirmed that the CaFe³⁺ AlSiO₆ content in the Cpx_ss at low \(f_{O_2 } \) is considerably less than that in the Cpx_ss crystallized in air, whereas the CaFe²⁺Si₂O₆ component increases. The maximum solubility of CaTlAl₂O₆ component in the Cpx_ss at low \(f_{O_2 } \) is higher than that in air. The decrease of CaFe³⁺ AlSiO₆ in the Cpx_ss at low \(f_{O_2 } \) may cause increase of CaTial₂O₆ in the Cpx_ss.     

Evaluation of permethrin-impregnated military uniforms for contact toxicity against mosquitoes and persistence in repeated washings

The loss of permethrin from impregnated uniforms due to repeated washings was studied by chromatographic estimation of the residues. The mean (± SE_mean) percentage losses of permethrin after one to five washings were 16.7 ± 2.3, 22.5 ± 3, 29.6 ± 2.9, 40.2 ± 2 and 52.2 ± 2.4, respectively. The reduction in contact toxicity against mosquitoes after each washing was studied by World Health Organization tube and cone bioassays against Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The median knockdown time for 5-min exposure to the treated uniforms increased from 5.9 to 71.8 min after five washings. Mosquito mortality 24 h post-exposure in cone bioassays was <80 % after the fifth washing, indicating the loss of efficacy. The uniforms need to be retreated after five washings so as to ensure adequate protection against disease vectors. The washing water should be properly disposed off to prevent environmental contamination and toxicity to aquatic organisms. Methods for treatment of military uniforms, which ensure high resistance to washing, need to be adopted so as to avoid frequent re-impregnations with permethrin.     

Moho structure of Central America based on three-dimensional lithospheric density modelling of satellite-derived gravity data

The Central American isthmus hosts a highly variable Moho structure due to the diverse origin and composition of the crustal basement and the influence of large-scale neotectonic processes. Gravity data from the combined geopotential model EGM2008 were interpreted via forward modelling to outline the three-dimensional lithospheric density structure along the Middle American Trench, as well as the segmentation of the oceanic Cocos and Nazca plates and the overriding Caribbean plate. In this work, results for the depth of the Moho obtained from the density model are presented. The Quaternary volcanic arc correlates with a maximum Moho depth of 44 km in western Guatemala. To the south-east of the continental shelf, the Caribbean plate shows Moho depths between 20 and 12 km whereas to the north, values as shallow as 8 km are observed at the Cayman trough. For the oceanic Cocos plate, depths between 16 and 21 km are obtained for the Moho along the Cocos ridge, contrasting with values between 15 and 12 km for the seamount segment and 8 and 11 km for the segments of the crust that are not affected by the Galapagos hot-spot track.