Post‐mining landform evolution modelling: 2. Effects of vegetation and surface ripping

Computer simulations of the topographic evolution of the proposed post‐mining rehabilitated landform for the ERA Ranger Mine, showed that for the unvegetated and unripped case, the landform at 1000 years would be dissected by localized erosion valleys (maximum depth = 7·6 m) with fans (maximum depth = 14·8 m) at the outlet of the valleys. Valley form simulated by SIBERIA has been recognized in nature. This indicates that SIBERIA models natural processes efficiently. For the vegetated and ripped case, reduced valley development (maximum 1000 year depth = 2·4m) and deposition (maximum 1000 year depth = 4·8m) occurred in similar locations as for the unvegetated and unripped case (i.e. on steep batter slopes and in the central depression areas of the landform). For the vegetated and ripped condition, simulated maximum valley depth in the capping over the tailings containment structure was c. 2·2 m. By modelling valley incision, decisions can be made on the depth of tailings cover required to prevent tailings from being exposed to the environment within a certain time frame. A reduction in thickness of 1 m of capping material over tailings equates to c. 1 000 000 Mm³ over a 1 km² tailings dam area. This represents a saving of c. $1 500 000 in earthworks alone. Incorporation of SIBERIA simulations in the design process may result in cost reduction while improving confidence in environmental protection mechanisms. Copyright 2000 © Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist, Commonwealth of Australia.     

太湖人工生态系统中氮循环细菌分布

对太湖五里湖的以水生高等植物为主的湖泊人工生态系统,用最大可能数法,测定了该系统内各种生态类型水生高等植物群落内的４类氮循环细菌的分布。结果表明反硝化细菌的最大可能数,在水生高等植物群落内水体中较敞水区湖水高２－５个数量级差异极显著;漂服植物各落内水体的反硝化细菌ＭＰＮ值较沉水和浮叶植物群落内水体高２－３个数量级,差异极显著;     

Cyclone-induced net sediment transport pathway on the continental shelf of tropical Australia inferred from reef talus deposits

Tropical cyclones affect storm-dominated sediment transport processes that characterise Holocene shelf deposits in many shelf environments. A summary of cyclone-associated deposits in the Great Barrier Reef published by Larcombe and Carter [2004. Cyclone pumping, sediment partitioning and the development of the Great Barrier Reef shelf system: a review. Quaternary Science Reviews 23, pp. 107–135 indicates a pervasive northwards orientation of deposits on the lee side of reefs and other obstacles. In this paper, we describe the geomorphology of reef talus deposits found in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Arafura Sea, Australia, that we attribute to tropical cyclones. The orientation of these deposits is also indicative of a consistent, along-coast transport pathway. The deposits are located on the leeward side of submerged coral reefs; they are up to 10 m in thickness, comprised of re-worked carbonate sand and gravel and radiocarbon dating indicates that they are of Holocene age. An explanation for the consistent along-coast cyclone transport pathway is presented based on previously published hydrodynamic modelling results. These models illustrate how currents generated by the passage of a cyclone are asymmetric in plan view, such that stronger flows are generated between the eye of the cyclone and the coast. The result of the passage of many cyclones over geologic timescales is a net along-coast sediment transport pathway located on the inner- to mid-shelf, possibly extending over the entire length of northern Australia's coastline. This process provides an explanation for the observed sediment transport patterns on modern tropical continental shelves, as well as a basis for the interpretation of ancient tropical shelf deposits.     

Alkalinity and dissolved inorganic carbon exports from tropical and subtropical river catchments discharging to the Great Barrier Reef,Australia

Dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) transport by rivers is an important control on the pH and carbonate chemistry of the coastal ocean. Here, we combine DIC and total alkalinity (TAlk) concentrations from four tropical rivers of the Great Barrier Reef region in Australia with daily river discharge to quantify annual river loads and export rates. DIC in the four rivers ranged from 284 to 2,639 μmol kg⁻¹ and TAlk ranged from 220 to 2,612 μmol kg⁻¹. DIC:TAlk ratios were mostly greater than one suggesting elevated exports of free [CO₂*]. This was pronounced in the Johnstone and Herbert rivers of the tropical wet north. The largest annual loads were transported in the two large river catchments of the southern Great Barrier Reef region, the Fitzroy and Burdekin rivers. The carbon stable isotopic composition of DIC suggests that carbonate weathering was the dominant source of DIC in the southern rivers, and silicate weathering was likely a source of DIC in the northern Wet Tropics rivers. Annual loads and export rates were strongly driven by precipitation and discharge patterns, the occurrence of tropical cyclones, and associated flooding events, as well as distinct seasonal dry and wet periods. As such, short-lived hydrological events and long-term (seasonal and inter-annual) variation of DIC and TAlk that are pronounced in rivers of the tropical and subtropical wet and dry climate zone should be accounted for when assessing inorganic carbon loads to the coastal ocean and the potential to buffer against or accelerate ocean acidification.     

Reef to island sediment connections on a Maldivian carbonate platform: using benthic ecology and biosedimentary depositional facies to examine island‐building potential

Reef islands are low‐lying accumulations of unconsolidated sediment formed from the skeletal remains of carbonate‐producing reef organisms and are therefore perceived as highly vulnerable to environmental change. However, basic elements of island composition are not well described and given their high inter‐ and intra‐basinal variability a better understanding of reef and island sedimentary environments (and the connections between them) are needed to predict future morphological response. Here, we use detailed ecological and sedimentological datasets to delineate key sediment production zones and biosedimentary depositional facies across the surface of Vabbinfaru platform, Maldives. Field measurements of platform hydrodynamics are applied to sedimentary deposits to determine the potential mobility of grains and identify transport pathways. Carbonate production was dominated by coral framework (mean: 52%) within a narrow zone on the outer reef rim (22% of platform area) resulting in coral‐rich detrital sediments (reef: 51%, island: 64%) that closely resemble living assemblages. The net transfer of sediment occurred lagoonward by wave‐driven processes leading to a decrease in grain size towards the island (R² = 0.502) which acts as a major control on depositional facies development within the lagoon. Island sediments were distinct from reefal deposits, comprising a restricted suite of durable sands (mean: 1.34?) throughout long‐term development. Our findings suggest that the production, breakdown and redistribution of coral‐derived sediment by platform currents is fundamental to future island stability at Vabbinfaru, and although alterations away from current ecological states may reduce sediment supply, the timescales over which island morphological response will occur depends upon phase lags between initial coral mortality and the conversion of this material into island‐grade sand. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Organochlorine, Heavy Metal and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Pollutant Concentrations in the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) Environment: a Review

Past monitoring of heavy metals, organochlorine compounds and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has found that pollutant concentrations are generally low within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and World Heritage Area and are indicative of a relatively unpolluted environment. The exceptions are sites that are adjacent to human activity such as ports and harbours, urban centres and areas adjacent to intensive agricultural activity. These sites have elevated concentrations of a range of pollutants. Concentrations of dioxins have also been found to be elevated in marine park sediments. Elevated pollutant concentrations are generally the consequence of effluent discharge, urban stormwater, and agricultural and industrial runoff. However, a majority of Great Barrier Reef pollutant data are now dated, and contemporary information is required concerning the distribution and impact of pollutants in the Queensland marine environment. The utility of specialized monitoring tools such as biomarkers for tropical marine environments urgently needs to be examined. With this information, appropriate risk assessment and monitoring can be implemented and effective management strategies developed to protect tropical marine ecosystems including the Great Barrier Reef.     

Nitrogen Removal in Vegetated and Unvegetated Drainage Ditches Impacted by Diffuse and Point Sources of Pollution

Secondary drainage canals have the potential to effectively mitigate excess nitrogen loads from diffuse and point sources. In vegetated (Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia) and in unvegetated canals subjected to diffuse and point pollution, nitrogen removal was evaluated by means of simple in–out mass balance and potential uptake by macrophytes was estimated from biomass data. Results suggest an elevated control of nitrogen in vegetated ditches receiving point source of pollution (average abatement of 50% of the total N load per linear km), whereas removal processes are much less effective in unvegetated ditches. The comparison between net abatement and plant uptake, highlights the presence of other unaccounted for processes responsible for a relevant percentage of total N removal. Overall, results from this study suggest the importance of actions aiming at the appropriate management of emergent vegetation, in order to improve its direct and indirect metabolic functions and maximize nitrogen removal in impacted watersheds.     

Planimetric and volumetric changes of reef islands in response to wave conditions

Reef islands are morphologically dynamic features located on atolls and platform reefs that are very sensitive to wave‐induced processes on different timescales. The planform morphological evolution of reef islands is widely described; however, the mechanisms of the volumetric variations in response to wave energy are still poorly documented. To assess their multitemporal vertical and horizontal mobility, we performed a series of synchronous measurements of the volumetric changes and incident wave energies at two reef islands and a shingle bank at the Rocas Atoll in the South Atlantic Ocean. The results show the differences in the magnitudes and locations of the sediment mobility between the reef islands. Whereas one island remained stable on all timescales, with only small volumetric changes concentrated at its extremities, the other island (Farol Island) showed high mobility, especially during the energetic northern swell season. The gross volumetric change reached 10.03 × 10³ m³ (5% of the total island volume) on a daily timescale; however, on a seasonal scale, the gross erosion was compensated by the gross accretion, indicating a cyclical seasonal pattern. Moreover, the observed volumetric changes induced by the waves on both daily and seasonal timescales did not result in large shoreline displacements. However, long‐term oceanward erosion and substantial lagoonward accretion were observed at Farol Island on a decadal scale, resulting in a pronounced change in its planform morphology. This appears to be promoted by at least three sediment transport pathways induced by waves at the atoll, including sediment adjustment between the reef islands. Our results show that reef islands on the same atoll can have very distinct morphological behaviors on daily, seasonal and decadal scales in response to the same boundary conditions. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Understanding processes of island development on an island braided river over timescales from days to decades

Bar colonization by vegetation and subsequent island formation is a key bio-geomorphological process in fluvial landscape evolution. Here we investigate morphological and ecological evolution of river islands over timescales from single floods to decades, focusing on islands initiated by deposited trees that sprout to form vegetated patches. On a braided reach of the high-energy Tagliamento River, Italy, we monitored 30 pioneer islands of 1 to 17 years age in comparison with unvegetated bar surfaces, open areas between islands, and established island surfaces. We integrated morphological, surface sediment and vegetation properties of islands initiated by different flood events, combining evidence from remotely-sensed and ground observations, flow and climate time series. At a decadal timescale, pioneer islands aggrade rapidly to the elevation of the mean annual flood, showing a steady increase in vegetation canopy height, fining of surface sediments from predominantly gravel to silty-sand with a notable clay and organic fraction. The standing vegetation included over 130 species, with the largest number on island surfaces of intermediate elevation and flood disturbance. As islands age, standing vegetation becomes comprised mainly of competitor species with transient seed banks and typical of woodland, scrub, pasture and wetland habitats, whereas the winter seedbank is dominated on all surfaces by ruderal species with persistent seedbanks, mainly associated with aquatic, wetland, pasture, arable and wasteland habitats. At shorter timescales, the biogeomorphological trajectory of pioneer islands is initiated by large flood events that control the elevation of deposited trees, and subsequent flows that control tree survival and establishment. Island morphological evolution depends on the frequency-magnitude of sediment and seed delivery and redistribution by flood and possibly wind events, whereas island ability to retain sediments reflects the degree of vegetation establishment, which in the short-term may vary with seasonal to annual moisture supply, substrate characteristics and climatic growth conditions. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complex geophysical wake flows

Idealized studies of island wakes often use a cylinder-like island to generate the wake, whereas most realistic studies use a close representation of the oceanic bathymetry immersed in a complex representation of the “ambient” geophysical flows. Here, a system of multiple islands was placed into numerical and experimental channels, in order to focus on the complexity of the archipelago wake, including (a) the influence of small neighboring islands and (b) the role of the island-shelf. The numerical geostrophic and stratified channel was built using a three-dimensional primitive equation model, considering a realistic representation of the Madeira archipelago bathymetry, with prescribed initial and boundary conditions. Results from the simulations show that the neighboring islands alter the near-field wake. Small eddies generated by the neighboring islands lead to destabilization of the shear layers of the larger island. Laboratory experiments carried out in the Coriolis rotating tank corroborated this near-field disruptive mechanism. The neighboring island perturbation effect was present whatever the direction of the incoming flow, but under different regimes. North–south wakes produced geostrophic eddies (≥ R _d), whereas west–east wakes produced (exclusively) ageostrophic submesoscale eddies (< < R _d) which traveled offshore with wave-like motion. The archipelago shelf contributed to the asymmetric vertical migration of oceanic vorticity. Cyclonic vorticity dominated the surface dynamics, whereas anticyclonic circulation prevailed at the bottom part of the linearly stratified upper layer. This study identifies several likely wake scenarios induced by the Madeira archipelago, and may serve as guide for future multiscale numerical studies and in situ campaigns.     

Prediction of base flows from basin characteristics: a case study from Zimbabwe / Prévision de débits de base à partir de caractéristiques du bassin: une étude de cas au Zimbabwe

Abstract

Abstract Base flows make up the flows of most rivers in Zimbabwe during the dry season. Prediction of base flows from basin characteristics is necessary for water resources planning of ungauged basins. Linear regression and artificial neural networks were used to predict the base flow index (BFI) from basin characteristics for 52 basins in Zimbabwe. Base flow index was positively related to mean annual precipitation (r = 0.71), basin slope (r = 0.76), and drainage density (r = 0.29), and negatively related to mean annual evapotranspiration (r = –0.74), and proportion of a basin with grasslands and wooded grasslands (r = –0.53). Differences in lithology did not significantly affect BFI. Linear regression and artificial neural networks were both suitable for predicting BFI values. The predicted BFI was used in turn to derive flow duration curves of the 52 basins and with R ² being 0.89–0.99.     

Trace metals in corals from the Great Barrier Reef

Various octocorallian and scleractinian corals from within the Great Barrier Reef Province were analysed for zinc, copper, cadmium, nickel and lead by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Of the two coral groups, the octocorals accumulated significantly greater amounts of all detectable metals. The soft coral, Sarcophyton sp., revealed distinct inter-locational differences for zinc, copper and cadmium. The potential of this genus for monitoring trace metal pollution in tropical reef waters is briefly discussed.     

太湖人工生态系统中氮循环细菌分布

对太湖五里湖的以水生高等植物为主的湖泊人工生态系统,用最大可能数（ＭＰＮ）法,测定了该系统内各种生态类型水生高等植物群落内的４类氮循环细菌的分布．结果表明,反硝化细菌的最大可能数（ＭＰＮ）,在水生高等植物群落内水体中较敞水区湖水高２－５个数量级,差异极显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）,漂浮植物群落内水体的反硝化细菌ＭＰＮ值较沉水和浮叶植物群落内水体高２－３个数量级,差异极显著（Ｐ＜０．０１）;硝化细菌ＭＰＮ值,敞水区湖水高于凤眼莲、水花生群落内水体,差异显著（ Ｐ＜ ０． ０５）,菱群落与其他群落比较,亦有极显著性差异（ Ｐ＜ ０． ０１）;亚硝化细菌ＭＰＮ值,在水生高等植物群落内的水体中较敞水区高 ３－ ４个数量级,差异极显著（ Ｐ＜ ０． ０１） ;氨化细菌ＭＰＮ值,在水生高等植物群落内的水体中高于敞水区水体．除硝化细菌外,反硝化、亚硝化及氨化细菌均在根际处最为密集,且由根际向外呈现递减趋势．     

Ecosystem carbon stocks across a tropical intertidal habitat mosaic of mangrove forest,seagrass meadow,mudflat and sandbar

Intertidal habitats provide numerous ecosystem services, including the sequestration and storage of carbon, a topic of great recent interest owing to land‐cover transitions and climate change. Mangrove forests and seagrass meadows form a continuum of intertidal habitats, alongside unvegetated mudflats and sandbars, however, studies that consider carbon stocks across these spatially‐linked, threatened ecosystems are limited world‐wide. This paper presents the results of a field‐based carbon stock assessment of aboveground, belowground and sediment organic carbon stock to a depth of 1 m at Chek Jawa, Singapore. It is the first study of ecosystem carbon stocks of both vegetated and unvegetated intertidal habitats in the tropics. Ecosystem carbon stocks were 497 Mg C ha^‐1 in the mangrove forest and 138 Mg C ha^‐1 in the seagrass meadow. Sediment organic carbon stock dominated the total storage in both habitats, constituting 62% and >99% in the mangrove forest and seagrass meadow, respectively. In the adjacent mudflat and sandbars, which had no vegetative components, sediment organic carbon stock ranged from 124–143 Mg C ha^‐1, suggesting that unvegetated habitats have a carbon storage role on the same order of importance as seagrass meadows. This study reinforces the importance of sediment in carbon storage within the intertidal ecosystem, and demonstrates the need to consider unvegetated habitats in intertidal ‘blue carbon’ stock assessments. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bio-geological processes of nitrogen transport and transformation in the aeration zone and aquifer

Abstract

Nitrate contamination in groundwater originates mainly from excessive use of fertilizers and uncontrolled discharge to land of incompletely-treated wastewater associated with agricultural activities. A systematic field investigation was carried out in a sub-catchment of Dianchi Lake, Kunming, Yunnan, China, into the hydrological, biological and geological processes of nitrogen transport and transformation in the aeration zone and aquifer system. In situ experiments showed that the quantity of NO₃-N recharged into groundwater was related to fertilization. Nitrification and denitrification behaved quite differently but were affected by moisture content and Eh value. The vertical infiltration rate was controlled by the groundwater table and hydraulic conductivity of the soil. The existence of a zero-flux plane reflected the dynamics of water fluxes in the soil profile and Eh was measured in the aeration zone. In response to these factors, the nitrification rate was greatest in the top soil and reduced with the depth of soil; it was 6.53 mg/(kg·h) in the vegetated plot and 0.2–0.3 mg/(kg·h) in the unvegetated one. The denitrification rate in the unvegetated plot was 6.36 mg/(kg·h), and it was 2.79 mg/(kg·h) in the vegetated one.     

Tropical cyclones and floods in Fiji

Abstract

Daily flow records, rainfall data and tropical cyclone maps during 1970–1998 are used to document the impact of tropical cyclones (TCs) on floods in the Rewa River system, Viti Levu, Fiji. Floods are large, brief, isolated events caused by TCs and non-TC tropical rainstorms. More floods are caused by tropical rainstorms than by TCs, but TC floods are larger. The log Pearson Type III distribution consistently provided the best fit to partial duration flood series and the widely-recommended generalized Pareto distribution performed very poorly, underscoring the need to test a variety of distributions for a particular geographic location. Tropical cyclones occur more often in Fiji during negative values of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and all TCs that occurred during El Niño conditions caused floods. Peak flood discharges caused by TCs are inversely correlated with the SOI, reflecting possible links with tropical cyclone frequency and precipitation intensity.     

Explosive felsic volcanism on El Hierro (Canary Islands)

The Canary Islands consist of seven basaltic shield volcanoes whose submerged portion is much more voluminous than the subaerial part of each island. Like so many other volcanic oceanic islands, the indicative deposits of explosive felsic volcanism are not a common feature on the Canary archipelago. Hitherto, they have only been documented from the central islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife, which are the largest volcanic complexes of the islands. On the other Canary Islands, the presence of felsic rocks is mostly restricted to intrusions and a few lava flows, generally within the succession in the oldest parts of individual islands. In this paper, we present a detailed stratigraphic, lithological and sedimentological study of a significant felsic pumice deposit on the island of El Hierro, referred here as the Malpaso Member, which represents the only explosive episode of felsic volcanism found on the Canary Islands (outside of Gran Canaria and Tenerife). The products of the eruption indicate a single eruptive event and cover an area of about 15 km². This work provides a detailed stratigraphic and chronological framework for El Hierro, and four subunits are identified within the member on the basis of lithological and granulometric characteristics. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of an explosive eruption in a setting where the activity is typified by effusive basaltic events. Given the style and the spatial distribution of the Malpaso eruption and its products, a future event with similar characteristics could have a serious impact on the population, infrastructure and economy of the island of El Hierro.     

Variation in noble gas isotopic composition of gas samples from the Aegean arc, Greece

In contrast to most other arcs with oceanic plate subduction, the Aegean arc is characterized by continent–continent subduction. Noble gas abundances and isotopic compositions of 45 gas samples have been determined from 6 volcanoes along the arc, 2 islands in the back-arc region and 7 sites in the surrounding areas. The ³He/⁴He ratios of the samples ranged from 0.027R_A to 6.2R_A (R_A denotes the atmospheric ³He/⁴He ratio of 1.4×10⁻⁶), demonstrating that even the maximum ³He/⁴He ratio in the region is significantly lower than the maximum ratios of most oceanic subduction systems, which are equal to the MORB value of 8±1 R_A. Regional variations in the ³He/⁴He ratio were observed both along and across the arc. The maximum ³He/⁴He ratio was obtained from Nisyros volcano located in the eastern end of the arc, and the ratio decreased westward possibly reflecting the difference in potential degree of crustal assimilation or the present magmatic activity in each volcano. Across the volcanic arc, the ³He/⁴He ratio decreased with an increasing distance from the arc front, reaching a low ratio of 0.063R_A in Macedonia, which suggested a major contribution of radiogenic helium derived from the continental crust. At Nisyros, a temporal increase in ³He/⁴He ratio due to ascending subsurface magma was observed after the seismic crisis of 1995–1998 and mantle neon was possibly detected. The maximum ³He/⁴He ratio (6.2R_A) in the Aegean region, which is significantly lower than the MORB value, is not probably due to crustal assimilation at shallow depth or addition of slab-derived helium to MORB-like mantle wedge, but inherent characteristics of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) beneath the Aegean arc.     

Quantifying threats to groundwater resources in the Republic of Maldives Part II: Recovery from tsunami marine overwash events

Marine overwash events are among the most serious short‐term threats to groundwater supply of small coral islands. During such events, seawater can inundate small islands partially or completely, causing salinization of the aquifer. A comprehensive knowledge of freshwater lens recovery is essential for water planners on these islands. In this study, a numerical modelling approach is used to quantify recovery of the freshwater lens on 4 islands of the Maldives after a tsunami‐induced overwash event similar to that experienced from the Indian Ocean earthquake in December 2004. The islands vary in size (0.2 to 10.1 km²) and span the climatic regions of the Maldives. A tested 3‐dimensional SEAWAT groundwater model for each island is used to simulate the recovery process. Recharge rates from historical rainfall data and from global climate models are imposed on each island during the post‐overwash recovery period. The effect of groundwater pumping on lens recovery also is examined. Results show abrupt decrease in fresh groundwater volumes for each island, followed by recovery that is significantly influenced by island size and recharge patterns. Overall, salinization is more widespread on small islands (<1 km²), but recovery is more rapid than for large islands. Between 50% and 90% of lens recovery occurs after 2 years for small islands (<1 km²) whereas only 35% and 55% for large islands. Imposing pumping rates required to sustain the local population lengthened the recovery time between 5% and 15%, with smaller islands having the higher percentage. However, the governing factor on recovery time is the spatial extent of land surface inundation by the overwash event, with wave height and duration of the event having a negligible impact. A strong relationship exists between required recovery time and island surface area, thereby providing a method to determine recovery time for other atoll islands not investigated in this study with similar geologic structure. Our results can be used to aid in managing water resources during the post‐overwash period.