Historical and paleolimnological evidence for expansion of Lake Athabasca (Canada) during the Little Ice Age

A multi-proxy paleolimnological record obtained from a small, lowland closed-drainage basin located in the Peace-Athabasca Delta (Alberta, Canada), 10 km northwest of the present-day shore of Lake Athabasca, captures evidence of pronounced hydroecological changes over the past ~400 years. Consistent with historical maps produced by early European explorers of western Canada, paleolimnological data support the existence of a Lake Athabasca highstand during the Little Ice Age (LIA), c. 1600–1900 Common Era (CE). This contrasts with interpretations from previous analyses on sediment cores from an upland closed-drainage basin located centrally within the Peace sector of the delta that indicate low water levels during this interval. The different paleohydrological records at these two basins reflect the relative influence of different controls on the lake water balances. During the LIA, the lowland site was influenced by high levels in Lake Athabasca, whereas the elevated basin was outside the range of water-level rise in the lake and its distributaries, and was instead controlled by dry atmospheric conditions that led to evaporative drawdown. Integration of paleolimnological records and historical sources demonstrates that the ecosystem has undergone marked climate-driven hydroecological change over the past century, which is important information for effective management.     

Recent water quality trends and a comparison to sediment-core records for two riverine lakes of the Upper Mississippi River basin: Lake St. Croix and Lake Pepin

Long-term water quality monitoring data from two riverine lakes in the Upper Mississippi River basin, Lakes St. Croix and Pepin, were analyzed to compare the long-term average water quality conditions and land use distributions, water quality trends and loads at lake inlets and outlets, trends from long-term versus short-term monitoring records, and the ability of paleolimnological cores to accurately infer lake water quality conditions. During the 1976–2004 period, the long-term average concentrations of nutrients, suspended solids, and chlorophyll-a were consistently lower at the Lake St. Croix inlet versus the Lake Pepin inlet, which drains a greater proportion of urban and agricultural runoff. Despite these differences, nutrient trends were similar at the inlets to both lakes; reductions in total phosphorus and ammonium concentrations were attributed to improvements in point source technologies, whereas increasing nitrate concentrations were attributed to both point source changes and nonpoint source increases. Despite improvements in several water quality variables, nitrate concentrations are increasing in both lakes, sediment trends indicate persistent nonpoint source inputs to Lake Pepin, and current total phosphorus concentrations remain well above pre-1950s levels in both lakes. Since urban development and agriculture are increasing in the Lake St. Croix and Lake Pepin Watersheds, continued point source regulation and additional nonpoint source control efforts will be needed to further improve water quality in these lakes. The 1976–2004 trends for most water quality variables were similar at inlet versus outlet sites on Lake St. Croix. Trends at Lake Pepin inlet versus outlet sites were less similar, but data availability limited the comparison to the 1993–2003 period. While the truncated data record highlighted short-term trends in both lakes, the full data record was most useful for exploring general patterns in water quality. Length of monitoring record affected our ability to detect trends at the inlets to both lakes, and altered the magnitude of detected trends. During the two decades of the 1980s and 1990s, paleolimnological estimates of retained phosphorus loads were similar to those estimated from recent water quality monitoring. These similarities support the use of paleolimnological approaches to infer past water quality conditions in Lakes St. Croix and Pepin. This is one of eight papers dedicated to the “Recent Environmental History of the Upper Mississippi River” published in this special issue of the Journal of Paleolimnology. D. R. Engstrom served as guest editor of the special issue.     

黑龙江流域水文地理研究综述

本文主要从地理环境、地表水、地下水和水环境4个方面集中对黑龙江流域水文地理研究进行综述。地理环境的研究从气候变化、湖泊湿地、流域区划和流域开发进行说明,近年来该流域气候呈现变暖的趋势,湖泊湿地资源丰富,中俄两侧有众多的保护区和保护对象,水库对其水资源开发利用起到了关键作用。地表水的研究从径流特征和洪水特征进行说明,该流域可以划分为7条支流和1条干流,大气环流异常是2013年其干流出现连续暴雨的直接原因。地下水的研究从水文地质、地下水位和跨国界含水层进行说明,该流域可以划分为9个水文地质分区,地下水位动态变化特征有其特殊性,跨国界含水层问题有待于研究。水环境的研究从地表水环境和地下水环境进行说明,加强流域污水防治工作,提出流域地下水防治措施及应急处理方案。最后对寒区特色水问题等热点问题进行简要探讨。     

Ecological influences of Thule Inuit whalers on high Arctic pond ecosystems: a comparative paleolimnological study from Bathurst Island (Nunavut,Canada)

Until recently, major anthropogenic impacts on freshwater ecosystems were believed to be rare in North America prior to the period of European colonization. However, recent paleolimnological and archaeological data collected from the Canadian Arctic suggest that the whaling activities of Thule Inuit, who lived in small, nomadic communities, altered freshwater ecosystems centuries earlier. Using a comparative paleolimnological approach from two ponds situated adjacent to a former Thule winter settlement on south-eastern Bathurst Island (Nunavut, Arctic Canada), we record marked ecological changes in pond ecology due to eutrophication from the Thule’s activities. The geography of our study site provided an interesting and rare opportunity for a comparative paleolimnological study of long-term Thule impacts on polar limnology, because our two study ponds (only ~50 m apart) were nearly identical in size and in geological and climatic settings, but differed markedly in the magnitude of Thule influence. Here, we recorded striking changes in diatom species assemblages, spectrally-inferred primary production, and nutrient geochemistry, indicating eutrophication in a small pond draining 18 Thule whale houses. Input of marine-derived nutrients from sea mammal carcasses used by the Thule for both sustenance and the construction of winter settlements, as well as other anthropogenic activities, coincided with a notable increase in the eutrophic diatom taxon Stephanodiscus minutulus, whereas no comparable changes were recorded in the nearby control pond for the duration of the sedimentary record. Although the diatom changes recorded in the affected site persisted after the period of Thule occupation, the most recent sediments and water chemistry suggest that the pond has largely recovered to near pre-impact conditions.     

The basin concept: From hydrology to nature management

The main development stages of the basin concept: from landscape hydrology to nature management are considered. It is shown that the river, lake and sea drainage basins are the most widespread natural complexes on and surface, with a high degree of integrity and with clear-cut watershed divides having a powerful integrating factor, the water flow. The substantiation is provided for the concepts of the basis as a geosystem, the runoff-producing complexes and the hydrological functions of landscape as well as for the principles of hydrological, water-resources and water-protection regionalization and zoning. On this basis, a classification of hazardous hydrological processes is developed. The structural patterns of the river network within the framework of structural geography are used for indication of the mean long-term discharge and its mapping, and for a classification of river systems according to their size. It is demonstrated that the integrating properties of the water flow permit the basin to be regarded as an integral system entity not only from the perspective of hydrology but also in terms of geomorphology, biogeocenology, landscape geochemistry as well as in complex physical geography as functionally integral natural complexes thereby creating the natural basis for nature management. On the other hand, many basins are socioeconomic and ethnodemographic entities. Ten principles are formulated for the theoretical justification of the basin concept of nature management where the basin is treated as an integral natural and economic system. It is suggested that such an approach should be used in governance of nature management, especially in international basins, as well as in reforming the system of administrative-territorial division of Russia.     

Paleolimnological records reveal biotic homogenization driven by eutrophication in tropical reservoirs

Biodiversity changes in response to eutrophication, climate variability and species invasions. These pressures have been shown to reduce community heterogeneity at various scales; however, how productivity drives homogenization patterns in a community of primary producers, such as diatoms, has not been studied. Using a dataset with good temporal resolution, obtained from cores collected from seven tropical reservoirs, we evaluated patterns of spatial and temporal homogenization, i.e. the trends in temporal α-diversity and spatial β-diversity (change in community composition), of diatom assemblages over the past 60–100 years. The paleolimnological records allowed us to study biodiversity trends since the initial community (reservoir construction) in those systems with low anthropogenic impact and also those undergoing eutrophication. No clear trend of spatial β-diversity change over time was found when all reservoirs were analyzed together. However, when only eutrophic reservoirs were considered, a marked decrease in the spatial β-diversity occurred, suggesting that eutrophication leads to homogenization of the diatom assemblage. These findings were reinforced by the lack of change in β-diversity when the age of the reservoirs was standardized, indicating that the reservoirs’ ontogeny did not influence the spatial β-diversity trend and β-diversity did not increase even in the reservoirs with low anthropogenic impact. In addition, the results showed a decrease of α-diversity over time for almost all the eutrophic reservoirs, as well as a decrease in the total species pool for the reservoirs, although periphytic diatoms may be favored by the appearance and sometimes mass development of floating macrophytes in warm, shallow eutrophic reservoirs. This study supports the role of eutrophication as one of the main drivers of diatom assemblage homogenization in tropical reservoirs, with a significant loss of species over time.     

A HYDROLOGICAL BUDGET FOR THE OKEFENOKEE SWAMP WATERSHED, 1981-82

Previous hydrological models of the Okefenokee Swamp watershed were developed without the benefit of accurate empirical data on surface runoff into and out of the swamp, and without data on direct ground water flow into the swamp. Data from a network of ground water observation wells during 1981-82 have revealed that ground water amounted to only 1.3% of total swamp inputs. This figure is much lower than had been expected and confirms that the swamp portion of the Okefenokee watershed is predominantly a surface-water system. A simple conceptual model of the watershed hydrology with upland and swamp compartments, and upland wetland, upland terrestrial, swamp prairie-marsh, and swamp forest-shrub subcompartments, indicates that in 1981-82 actual evapotranspiration from uplands and swamp was 78% and 84% of precipitation, respectively, and that upland surface runoff contributed only 13% of swamp inputs. Significant differences between the long-term and 1981-82 hydrological budgets emphasize that the Okefenokee Swamp is a dynamic hydrological system.     

流域生物地球化学循环与水文耦合过程及其调控机制

流域生态系统的水文和生物地球化学循环通过水文通量的物理作用紧密耦合,其时空尺度的物质和能量耦合为流域生物地球化学过程的物质平衡和能量流动提供重要基础。通过研究流域尺度生物地球化学循环—水文耦合过程,将更加深刻揭示水循环驱动下陆地—水生生态系统碳氮循环与人类活动及气候系统的生物学、物理学和化学过程的耦合机制。本文综合阐述了流域生态系统的时间、空间以及时间—空间尺度的生物地球化学循环与水文耦合特征,揭示营养元素循环在时间—空间尺度上的耦合特征,通过大气、陆地、河流、河口和海洋系统形成了一个连续体并由水、气体和气溶胶通量进行物理连接;分析流域营养物质的生物地球化学循环与水文耦合过程随着时空尺度在大气—陆地界面、陆地—河流界面以及河口—海洋界面的耦合变异性;最后通过流域生态化学计量特征及水陆交错带对营养物质输出的调控分析耦合过程的生物学调控机制,以提高对流域景观水平的生态水文、生物地球化学和生态动力学的理解。     

流域水文模型研究的若干进展

计算机技术和一些交叉学科的发展 ,给水文模拟的研究方法带来了根本性的变化。文章阐述了分布式物理水文模型、地理信息系统 (GIS)和遥感 (RS)技术在流域模拟中的应用等方面的进展。指出分布式模型具有良好的发展前景 ,应用 GIS的水文模型尽管有诸多优点 ,但并不能代表模型本身的高质量 ,遥感资料还没有完全融入水文模型的结构中 ,给直接应用带来较大的困难。     

流域水环境过程综合模拟研究进展

以流域为单元开展水环境多要素、多尺度过程的综合模拟已成为了自然地理学重要研究方向。水环境过程综合模拟模型可定量解析流域系统水环境变化,是流域水环境研究与管理的重要工具。论文围绕流域水环境过程模拟的发展历程和最新进展,梳理总结了流域非点源污染过程和河湖等受纳水体水环境过程模拟的理论方法和模型软件;面向模拟不确定性问题讨论了模型选择、开发与集成、率定验证等流域水环境过程综合模拟建模的关键环节;结合最新的研究进展及相关学科新方法新技术的发展,建议后续研究关注流域自然和人文多过程综合集成模拟(包括流域系统人与水环境耦合模拟、多过程综合集成模拟)以及新方法新技术应用(包括数据同化理论方法创新与应用、高性能计算技术和人工智能技术)。     

The potential for paleolimnology to determine historic sediment delivery to rivers

Establishment of water quality criteria to guide catchment sediment management is required by the European Union (EU) Water Framework Directive. The topic, however, is hotly contested among scientists and policy makers. Existing legislation with regard to fine sediment was set by the EU Freshwater Fish Directive. Its guideline, i.e. mean annual suspended sediment concentration, is 25 mg l⁻¹. Such a static target fails to capture the episodic nature of sediment transport. Furthermore, application of such global standards is inappropriate for a pollutant that is strongly controlled by spatial variation in key catchment drivers. Paleolimnology offers an approach for assessing background sediment pressures on watercourses, enabling determination of values for times pre-dating agricultural intensification. We propose that Modern Background Sediment Delivery to Rivers (MBSDR) across England and Wales can be determined using paleolimnology to quantify maximum feasible sediment reduction. No management programme should aim to reduce sediment loss to values below those resulting from background, natural physiographic and/or hydrological controls. Lacking generic tools to quantify process linkages between sediment pressures and biological impact, we propose that MBSDR could be taken to represent ecological demand for sediment inputs into watercourses required to support healthy aquatic habitats. In situations where generic tools exist for coupling sediment pressures and ecological impacts, assessment of MBSDR could be used to correct the gap between current or future projected sediment loss and biological condition. Existing paleolimnological data on sediment yields across England and Wales are presented to illustrate the approach and provide preliminary national estimates of MBSDR. We briefly consider the basis for reconstructing sediment yields using a paleolimnological approach and analyse temporal trends in published sediment yield, inferred for a range of landscape types. We also attempt to correlate sediment accumulation rates (SARs) with sediment yields to extend the MBSDR data base. Preliminary maps were generated to identify regions where further sediment yield data are needed to produce a more robust estimate of the spatial distribution of MBSDR across England and Wales.     

Seasonal Diatom Variability and Paleolimnological Inferences – A Case Study

The seasonality of physical, chemical, and biological water variables is a major characteristic of temperate, dimictic lakes. Yet, few investigations have considered the potential information that is encoded in seasonal dynamics with respect to the paleolimnological record. We used a one-year sequence of diatoms obtained from sediment traps and water samples, as well as the sedimentary diatom record covering the past ca. 1000 years in Bates Pond, Connecticut (USA), to investigate which variables influence the seasonal distribution of diatoms and how this can be used for the interpretation of the fossil record. The seasonal patterns in diatom assemblages were related to stratification and, to a lesser extent, to nitrate, silica, and phosphorus. During mixing periods in spring and autumn, both planktonic and benthic species were collected in the traps, while few lightly silicified, spindle-shaped planktonic diatoms dominated during thermal stratification in summer. Changes in fossil diatom assemblages reflected human activity in the watershed after European settlement and subsequent recovery in the 20th century. A long-term trend in diatom assemblage change initiated before European settlement was probably related to increased length of mixing periods during the Little Ice Age, indicated by the increase of taxa that presently grow during mixing periods and by application of a preliminary seasonal temperature model. We argue that the analysis of seasonal diatom dynamics in temperate lakes may provide important information for the refinement of paleolimnological interpretations. However, investigations of several lakes and years would be desirable in order to establish a more robust seasonal data set for the enhancement of paleolimnological interpretations.     

Water resource conflicts in the Middle East

This article discusses the causes and sources of water resource conflict in the 3 major international river basins of the Middle East: the Tigris-Euphrates, the Nile, and the Jordan-Yarmuk. The physical geography of the Middle East is arid due to descending air, northeast trade winds, the southerly location, and high evaporation rates. Only Turkey, Iran, and Lebanon have adequate rainfall for population needs. Their mountainous geography and more northerly locations intercept rain and snow bearing westerly winds in winter. Parts of every other country are vulnerable to water shortages. Rainfall is irregular. Water resource conflicts are due to growing populations, economic development, rising standards of living, technological developments, political fragmentation, and poor water management. Immigration to the Jordan-Yarmuk watershed has added to population growth in this location. Over 50% of the population in the Middle East lives in urban areas where populations consume 10-12 times more water than those in rural areas. Water is wasted in irrigation schemes and huge dams with reservoirs where increased evaporation occurs. Technology results in greater water extraction of shallow groundwater and pollution of rivers and aquifers. British colonial government control led to reduced friction in most of the Nile basin. Now all ethnic groups have become more competitive and nationalistic. The Cold War restrained some of the conflict. Israel obtains 40% of its water from aquifers beneath the West Bank and Gaza. Geopolitical factors determine the mutual goodwill in managing international water. The 3 major water basins in the Middle East pose the greatest risk of water disputes. Possible solutions include conservation, better management, prioritizing uses, technological solutions, increased cooperation among co-riparians, developing better and enforceable international water laws, and reducing population growth rates.     

珠江口东岸地区海水入侵三维溶质数值模拟研究

在建立水文地质概念模型的基础上,运用FEFLOW软件建立珠江口东岸地区海水入侵三维溶质模型,并利用研究区水位和水质的动态观测资料对模型进行识别和校正。运用模型进行情景模拟,预测现状开采条件下地下水的水质演化趋势。预测2010年,第四系含水层海水入侵面积为115.98km2,基岩裂隙含水层海水入侵面积为89.36km2,2020年,第四系含水层海水入侵面积为106.83km2,基岩裂隙含水层海水入侵面积为82.76km2。预测结果表明:在现状开采条件下,第四系和基岩裂隙含水层海水入侵程度有所缓解,海水入侵面积逐渐减少,Cl-高浓度区域逐渐变小。     

流域交通运输地理研究进展与展望

流域交通运输地理在区域交通运输地理的理论框架下,以流域或流域的部分区域为研究区开展交通运输组织及其发展规律研究。论文从交通网络、运输联系及区域效应3个方面梳理了流域交通运输地理的研究进展。 ① 交通网络相关研究围绕综合交通发展水平与格局、网络连接特征与可达性、港口体系的空间结构与供应链等展开,多式联运正成为流域交通运输地理研究的新热点;② 运输联系主要研究客货运输联系规律和交通流,流域物流地理的研究重点正从物流产业布局与企业选址向物流网络与空间组织、物流供应链转移;③ 区域效应偏重于经济增长效应,资源环境生态效应研究较为薄弱。基于流域交通运输地理研究的侧重点,结合当前研究进展与流域发展需求,流域交通运输地理学未来应重视流域港口体系与水运发展,关注综合交通网络构建与运输组织以及多式联运,探究不同层级流域交通运输间的关联性,同时应加强流域交通运输的资源环境与生态效应研究。     

Paleolimnological reconstructions of Rouyn-Noranda lakes within the zone of influence of the Horne Smelter,Québec,Canada

Diatoms were identified and enumerated from a surface sediment calibration set of 50 lakes in northwestern Québec. The relationship between species composition and environmental variables was examined using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Forward selection and Monte Carlo permutation tests in CCA indicated that diatom species distributions in the data set are most strongly correlated to lakewater pH. A strong (r ² _boot = 0.83) weighted averaging calibration model, that includes bootstrapped error estimates, was developed for inferring past lakewater pH. Using this model, temporal changes in pH were reconstructed for two kettle lakes, Lac de la Pépinière and Lac Perron. Based on limnological data, both the study lakes were expected to have recently acidified due to increased acidic precipitation and increases in anthropogenic metal loading. However, our long-term pH inference data indicate that these lakes were naturally acidic during pre-industrial times. Nonetheless, the rate of acidification, particularly in Lac de la Pépinière, has accelerated in the last ∼75 years. These long-term pH records developed for the dilute lakes in northwestern Québec suggest that the region has received increased atmospheric pollutants from the nearby Horne smelter in Rouyn-Noranda. The pH inference profiles are markedly different from many other paleolimnological studies in acid-sensitive regions of Canada that have become acidic primarily as a result of industrial activities. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

流域LUCC水文效应研究中的若干问题探讨

随着全球变化研究的深入,土地利用/覆被变化(LUCC)的水文效应研究日益成为热点问题。综合国内外研究进展,论文就流域土地利用/覆被变化水文效应研究中的几个问题进行了总结和探讨：子流域和水文响应单元是分布式水文模型对流域基本空间单元的理想划分;对国内外现有的土地利用分类系统进行了适当的调整和归并,建立了基于水文响应研究的土地利用分类系统,将土地利用分为9个Ⅰ级类和21个II级类;土地利用/覆被变化情景分析的常用方法有参照对比法、历史反演法、模型预测法、极端土地利用法、土地利用空间配置法等。     

印度喀拉拉邦雨影区流域系统形态分析及其水文意义(英文)

The rain shadow regions requisite a comprehensive watershed development and management plan for sustainable water resources management. The Pambar River Basin (PRB) lies on the rain shadow region of the southern Western Ghats, India, where climate showed marked intra-basin variation. A morphometric analysis was done to evaluate the drainage characteristics of PRB using topographical maps and digital elevation data. PRB was divided into eighteen 4th order basins (SB1-SB18), distributed along various climatic gradients. Lower order streams mostly dominate PRB and drainage pattern is a function of relief and structure. The terrain is highly dissected and prone to soil erosion during heavy storms and the elongated shape of PRB enables easier flood management. The influence of climate on drainage characteristics was evidently emphasized in basin morphometry. Four distinctively different classes were identified based on the morphometric similarities. The significance of morphometric analysis on the hydrological characterization is discussed and the relevance of the present study in water harvesting has been explicated.     

鄱阳湖典型湿地植物现状与保护策略

鄱阳湖是我国最大的吞吐型、季节性浅水通江湖,呈现丰水期和枯水期周期性交替的独特水文节律。近年来鄱阳湖水位波动加剧,在各种因素及2020年特大洪水的影响下,鄱阳湖沉水植物呈退化趋势。综述了鄱阳湖湿地植物种类、典型湿地植物及其适应策略等,探讨鄱阳湖水文水质变化、10年禁渔、采砂等对沉水植物群落等分布的影响,为鄱阳湖湿地植物的保护及恢复提供参考。     

近50 a来乌鲁木齐河源区径流变化及其机理研究

 乌鲁木齐河源区径流是供给中下游地区和乌鲁木齐市的重要水源。通过对河源区3个水文断面（1号冰川、空冰斗和总控）有观测记录以来的径流变化研究,一方面提供径流观测的最新资料,使人们对乌鲁木齐河源区径流近期变化有新的认识;另一方面通过对气候、冰川变化的综合分析,揭示乌鲁木齐河源区径流近50 a变化事实和可能的原因。结果表明：河源区3个水文断面径流自有观测记录以来整体上呈增加趋势,其中总控水文断面径流虽有增加,但不显著。影响3个水文断面径流变化的因素不同,1号冰川水文断面径流变化受控于冰川区热量条件,当消融期气温大于2 ℃时,径流呈加速增长。1号冰川径流不仅包含了冰川对气候变化的瞬时响应,也包含了冰川对气候变化的滞后响应,由冰川物质平衡和面积计算的冰川体积损失量变化较好地验证了径流变化。对于空冰斗融雪径流,降水量多寡是导致径流变化的主导因素,但冰斗区固态降水多,气温亦起着不可忽视的作用。总控水文断面径流大小与气温和降水关系比较复杂,表现为近年来气温和降水增加,径流却有下降趋势,这可能与河源区实际蒸散增强、冰川快速退缩导致径流峰值已经出现、大范围冻土消融导致的地下渗漏量增多等原因有关。