Extreme floods and their relationship with tropical cyclones in Puerto Rico

An extreme value analysis (EVA) point process approach has been implemented to examine the flood characteristics of Puerto Rico when tropical cyclones (TCs) are present in the discharge series and when they are removed from it. Mean daily discharge values that exceeded the 99th percentile thresholds were used in both the TC and non-TC data series. In nine of the 12 stations the maximum discharge was associated with a TC, with hurricanes Hortense (1996), Georges (1998) and Eloise (1975) responsible for most of the maximum peaks at each site. Percentage changes in the generalized extreme value parameters, which include location (central tendency), scale (variance) and shape (skewness), between the TC and non-TC data exhibited a decrease in the majority of stations. Stations in the eastern interior and central region of the island showed the largest decrease in all parameters, in flood occurrences and in return periods when TCs were removed from the series.     

The effect of thermal pollution on benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the Mediterranean shoreface adjacent to Hadera power plant (Israel)

The thermal pollution patch of Hadera power plant was used as a natural laboratory to evaluate the potential long-term effects of rise in Eastern Mediterranean SST on living benthic foraminifera. Their sensitivity to environmental changes makes foraminifera ideal for this study. Ten monthly sampling campaigns were performed in four stations located along a temperature gradient up to 10 °C from the discharge site of heated seawater to a control station. The SST along this transect varied between 25/18 °C in winter and 36/31 °C in summer. A significant negative correlation was found between SST in all stations and benthic foraminiferal abundance, species richness and diversity. The total foraminiferal abundance and species richness was particularly low at the thermally polluted stations especially during summer when SST exceeded 30 °C, but also throughout the entire year. This indicates that thermal pollution has a detrimental effect on benthic foraminifera, irrelevant to the natural seasonal changes in SST.     

Impacts of hydroelectric power stations on Trichoptera assemblages in four rivers in NW Spain

In this work, we studied Trichoptera assemblages in different rivers in NW Spain affected by hydroelectric power stations, and assessed the influence of environmental variables on the distribution of species. Twenty sites in four rivers were sampled during eight sampling campaigns (2001–2002). The fauna was collected with a quantitative Surber sampler. In addition, several physical, chemical and habitat variables were measured at each site. A distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) was done to investigate the relationship between the assemblages and the environmental variables. Assemblage composition was analyzed by non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) and differences between groups were tested using the analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) considering two grouping variables, the river basin and the position of the site (location). The SIMPER routine was used to verify species contribution to dissimilarity. A total of 53 taxa of Trichoptera belonging to 16 families were found, 52% of which were Iberian endemics. The dbRDA revealed that altitude, conductivity, total suspended solids, temperature and location were the variables that most influenced the studied fauna. According to the NMDS analysis, significant differences in faunal composition were recorded between up and downstream sites and between river basins. The fauna seems to respond to a longitudinal gradient, but also to the impact of hydropower stations. The main effects we observed were variations in water temperature and changes in fauna composition, which may be due to the presence of hydropower stations.     

Human health risk of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from consumption of blood cockle and exposure to contaminated sediments and water along the Klang Strait,Malaysia

The concentration of carcinogenic poly aromatic hydrocarbons (c-PAHs) present in water and sediment of Klang Strait as well as in the edible tissue of blood cockle (Anadara granosa) was investigated.The human health risk of c-PAHs was assessed in accordance with the standards of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). The cancer risks of c-PAHs to human are expected to occur through the consumption of blood cockles or via gastrointestinal exposure to polluted sediments and water in Kalng Strait. The non-carcinogenic risks that are associated with multiple pathways based on ingestion rate and contact rates with water were higher than the US EPA safe level at almost all stations, but the non-carcinogenic risks for eating blood cockle was below the level of US EPA concern. A high correlation between concentrations of c-PAHs in different matrices showed that the bioaccumulation of c-PAHs by blood cockles could be regarded as a potential health hazard for the consumers.     

Flood hydrology and geomorphic effectiveness in the central Appalachians

This paper compares hydrologic records and geomorphic effects of several historic floods in the central Appalachian region of the eastern United States. The most recent of these, occurring in November 1985, was the largest ever recorded in West Virginia, with peak discharges exceeding the estimated 500-year discharge at eight of eleven stations in the South Branch Potomac River and Cheat River basins. Geomorphic effects on valley floors included some of the most severe and widespread floodplain erosion ever documented and exceeded anything seen in previous floods, even though comparable or greater rainfall and unit discharge have been observed several times in the region over the past 50 years. Comparison of discharge-drainage area plots suggests that the intensity and spatial scale of the November 1985 flood were optimal for erosion of valley floors along the three forks of the South Branch Potomac River. However, when a larger geographic area is considered, rainfall totals and discharge-drainage area relationships are insufficient predictors of geomorphic effectiveness for valley floors at drainage areas of 250 to 2500 km². Unit stream power was calculated for the largest recorded flood discharge at 46 stations in the central Appalachians. Maximum values of unit stream power are developed in bedrock canyons, where the boundaries are resistant to erosion and the flow cross-section cannot adjust its width to accommodate extreme discharges. The largest value was 2570 W m^?2; record discharge at most stations was associated with unit stream power values less than 300 W m^?2, but more stations exceeded this value in the November 1985 flood than in the other floods that were analysed. Unit stream power at indirect discharge measurement sites near areas experiencing severe erosion in this and other central Appalachian floods generally exceeded 300 W m^?2; reach-average values of 200-500 W m^?2 were calculated for valleys where erosion damage was most widespread. Despite these general trends, unit stream power is not a reliable predictor of geomorphic change for individual sites. Improved understanding of flood impacts will require more detailed investigation of interactions between local site characteristics and patterns of flood flow over the valley floor.     

云南孟连西7.3级、武定6.5级、丽江7.0级三次强震前地震波振幅比的时空演化特征

１９９５年７月１２日至１９９６年２月３日短短７个月,云南地区连续发生了孟连西中缅边境７．３级、武定５．５级、丽江７．０级３次强震,本文研究了近期这几次强震前５个地震台地震图垂直分量Ｓ、Ｐ波最大振幅比的时空演化特征,动态追踪了振幅比明显偏离平稳态的突变过程。发现主震前５—８年,７级大震震中１００ｋｍ范围出现振幅比高（低）值突变,６级强震震中１３０ｋｍ范围出现振幅比高值突变,当振幅比的突变在缓升（降）的背景上骤升（降）,或突变异常的地震次数明显增加,则中长期异常进入中短期阶段。在强震震中１３０ｋｍ范围内的地震台（近台）振幅比值高达１５．２以上,而远离强震震中２５０ｋｍ以外的地震台（远台）振幅比最大值仅为９．８,近台的突变幅度至少比远台大３０％。而强震成组发生前一年半时间内,位于强震震中１１０ｋｍ范围内的近台振幅比的突变幅度比远在２５０ｋｍ外远台大５５—７５％。对振幅比的突变和时空演化特征从非线性动力学模型和模拟实验结果进行了初步成因探讨。     

Dynamics of mesozooplankton assemblages in subtropical coastal waters of Hong Kong: A comparative study between a eutrophic estuarine and a mesotrophic coastal site

A monthly comparative study of mesozooplankton biomass and composition between a eutrophic Pearl River estuarine site (WE) and a mesotrophic coastal-oceanic site (EO) in Hong Kong waters was conducted to examine the response of mesozooplankton to nutrient-rich riverine discharge. Although the annual average mesozooplankton biomass was higher at WE than at EO, they were not statistically significant. Variations of mesozooplankton biomass at both stations followed similar trends of Chl a concentrations, with the exception of July at WE where mesozooplankton biomass was low but total Chl a was high. This mismatch may be due to the high flushing effect of the Pearl River discharge in summer and a time lag in mesozooplankton population growth. On the other hand, the composition of mesozooplankton was significantly modified by riverine discharge and eutrophication conditions. While small copepods dominated at both sites, the eutrophic estuarine water had a high abundance of barnacle and polychaete larvae, while cladocerans, bivalve larvae, gastropod larvae and chaetognaths mainly occurred at EO. Eutrophication increased the top-down role of copepods in the grazing community, revealed by an increase in the percentage of copepods in the total metazoan mesozooplankton, especially during the period of high river discharge. Moreover, mesozooplankton diversity at the two stations was similar, and they both showed relatively higher diversity during autumn and winter and lower diversity during summer, especially at WE. These results suggest that, despite high nutrient and Chl a concentrations in estuarine waters, mesozooplankton biomass were not enhanced compared to coastal waters with no river impact, possibly due to poor food quality and increased predation in the eutrophic estuarine waters.     

祁连山主动源观测台站场地响应分析

场地响应是精确测定震源参数和稳健估计出高精度地壳介质衰减变化的关键影响因素之一,采用H/V尾波谱比法,对祁连山主动源观测台网中40个短周期观测台站的场地响应进行了分析。结果表明,祁连山主动源观测台网中40个短周期观测台站均存在不同程度的放大（衰减）作用,根据40个台站观测波形的尾波场地响应曲线特征,可将其分为平坦类、放大类、高频衰减类,在1~20 Hz频段内部分台站场地响应曲线呈现平坦,场地响应值为1~2倍;而大部分台站在不同频段有明显放大（衰减）作用,场地响应值为0.3~9倍。台站台基岩性可能是决定场地响应曲线特征和大小的主要因素,且与台基介质密度具有反相关性。     

The bacterial community composition of an active oil field in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico

The bacterial composition of the water column around two oil production platforms and a control site was examined. Samples were collected during three seasons of a 12-month sampling period three water depths were sampled at all stations occupied.No major differences were discovered in taxonomic or physiological makeup of bacterial populations of the oil field and control site. The genus Pseudomonas predominated at the oil field stations and the control. Bacterial numbers were lower for oil field stations than the control and generally decreased with depth. Microbial biomass estimates were consistently higher at the control site. Oil degrading and sulphur oxidizing bacteria were more numerous within the oil field, and their numbers decreased with distance from the platforms. Buccaneer crude oil did not adversely affect growth or attachment ability of oil field isolates.     

Evaluation of ground vibration effect of blasting operations in a magnesite mine

Ground vibrations induced by blasting are one of the fundamental problems in the mining industry and may cause severe damage to structures and plants nearby. Therefore, a vibration control study plays an important role in the minimization of environmental effects of blasting in mines. This paper presents the results of ground vibration measurement induced by bench blasting at Magnesite Incorporated Company (MAS) open pit mine in Turkey. The scope of this study is to predict peak particle velocity and to determine the slope of the attenuation curve for this site. For this purpose, the blasting parameters of 43 shots were carefully recorded and the ground vibration components were measured for each event. After carrying out statistical analysis, the site specific parameters were determined to predict the peak particle velocity. In the light of this analysis, the prediction graphics of maximum charge weight per delay versus distance for different damage criteria was proposed to be able to perform controlled blasting in order not to damage to the nearby structures, especially to the plant where rotary and shaft kilns have been established.     

唐山地区震源模型及局部场地效应

本文利用唐山地区强震观测台网在过去几年中记录到的强震数据,采用震源,传播路径和局部场地效应分离方法和非线性曲线拟合技术,模拟了唐山地区的震源参数,计算了唐山地区的绝对局部场地效应。     

A Comparison of Growth Biomarkers for Assessing Sublethal Effects of Cadmium on a Marine Gastropod, Nassarius festivus

The effect of cadmium on the growth of an intertidal marine gastropod, Nassarius festivus, was investigated using a number of biomarkers namely conventional measurements in terms of increase in shell length or body weight, scope for growth (SfG) and RNA/DNA ratio. After eight days of cadmium exposure, the no observable effect concentration (NOEC) and lowest observable effect concentration (LOEC) for the rate of increase in wet weight were 1.00 and 1.38 mg/l, respectively, while those for shell length did not show any significant difference from the control until day 16. After 16 days of cadmium exposure, the LOEC for both shell length and wet weight measurements was 0.22 mg/l. The 8-day SfG test was sensitive to cadmium stress, showing a significant decrease at 0.16 mg/l cadmium when compared to the control. The NOEC and LOEC of RNA/DNA ratio determination were 0.52 and 0.93 mg/l, respectively. An assessment based on sensitivity and technical complexity suggests that Scope for Growth is the most sensitive growth biomarker, followed by the RNA/DNA ratio, and then the conventional growth measurement based on shell size and body weight.     

内蒙古中西部地区震源参数和场地响应反演

采用Atkinson方法，基于遗传算法，利用呼和浩特数字地震台网7个子台记录的9次质量较高的地震事件资料，计算了内蒙古中西部地区的品质因子Q值和非弹性衰减系数c（f）。在所研究的频率范围内，前者和频率．厂有很好的线形关系：Q（f）=116．8f^1.000后者与频率．厂的变化关系不明显。在此基础上采用Moya方法反演了7个地震台的场地响应和地震的震源参数，并对它们之间的相互关系进行了讨论。结果显示在所研究的频率域内7个基岩台站的场地均不同程度的存在放大作用，其次震源参数间具有较好的线性关系。本文还详细介绍了Atkinson方法和Moya方法的原理和计算步骤。     

Données isotopiques (8786/Sr) et changements hydrologiques depuis 15 000 ans sur l'Altiplano andin

Abstract

In catchments characterized by spatially varying hydrological processes and responses, the optimal parameter values or regions of attraction in parameter space may differ with location-specific characteristics and dominating processes. This paper evaluates the value of semi-distributed calibration parameters for large-scale streamflow simulation using the spatially distributed LISFLOOD model. We employ the Shuffled Complex Evolution Metropolis (SCEM-UA) global optimization algorithm to infer the calibration parameters using daily discharge observations. The resulting posterior parameter distribution reflects the uncertainty about the model parameters and forms the basis for making probabilistic flow predictions. We assess the value of semi-distributing the calibration parameters by comparing three different calibration strategies. In the first calibration strategy uniform values over the entire area of interest are adopted for the unknown parameters, which are calibrated against discharge observations at the downstream outlet of the catchment. In the second calibration strategy the parameters are also uniformly distributed, but they are calibrated against observed discharges at the catchment outlet and at internal stations. In the third strategy a semi-distributed approach is adopted. Starting from upstream, parameters in each subcatchment are calibrated against the observed discharges at the outlet of the subcatchment. In order not to propagate upstream errors in the calibration process, observed discharges at upstream catchment outlets are used as inflow when calibrating downstream subcatchments. As an illustrative example, we demonstrate the methodology for a part of the Morava catchment, covering an area of approximately 10 000 km². The calibration results reveal that the additional value of the internal discharge stations is limited when applying a lumped parameter approach. Moving from a lumped to a semi-distributed parameter approach: (i) improves the accuracy of the flow predictions, especially in the upstream subcatchments; and (ii) results in a more correct representation of flow prediction uncertainty. The results show the clear need to distribute the calibration parameters, especially in large catchments characterized by spatially varying hydrological processes and responses.     

Attenuation of S wave in the crust of Ordos massif

Introduction Located between Qingzang (Qinghai-Xizang) Plateau that highly uplifts due to compression and North China plain that badly subsides due to crustal extension, the Ordos massif has both the basic attributes of stretching tectonic region of North China marginal basin and the features of marginal shear-compression zone of Qingzang Plateau. It has a length of about 600 km in the N-S direction and a width of about 400 km in the W-E direction. Its geological structure is very simple…     

Transboundary aspect of assessing the impact of NPPs under construction on aquatic ecosystems: Case study of the Baltiiskaya NPP

The environmental feasibility assessment of the construction and operation of nuclear power stations in near-border areas must take into account the requirements of the international and European environmental legislation. For the study on environment feasibility assessment of the Baltic NPP to meet the international standards, the following steps were taken: the content and the application practice of UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo) to NPP substantiation were analyzed and compared with the Russian procedure of environmental impact assessment (EIA); water quality standards for water bodies used for fishery and the approaches to assessing the damage to aquatic bioresources in Russia, Lithuania (EU), and Belarus were compared. A transboundary network for monitoring aquatic ecosystems was developed in the zone of potential influence of the Baltic NPP, and a permanent mathematical model was developed and used to forecast the effect of the anticipated water discharge from the station on the hydrodynamic, chemical, and temperature regime of the Neman R., whose results were used to forecast the impact of water intake and discharge facilities of the Baltic NPP on the food base and migration character of ichthyofauna.     

Inelastic Attenuation of Seismic Wave and Site Response near the Xiaowan Reservoir

Based on digital seismograms recorded by 11 stations of the Xiaowan Reservoir-induced Earthquake Monitoring Network from May 21, 2005 to September 2006, we calculated the inelastic attenuation near Xiaowan reservoir using Atkinson method. We got the relation of Q value to frequency as Q（f） = 225.8 f^0332. Using the Moya method we got the site response of the 11 stations of Xiaowan Network and source parameters of 43 earthquakes. The source parameters were discussed briefly.     

鄂尔多斯地块地壳内S波衰减特征的研究

采用分布于鄂尔多斯地块及其周缘的32个地震台站记录到的19次地震事件共487条数字化波形记录, 利用遗传算法反演得到了整个鄂尔多斯地块地壳内S波的三段几何扩散参数、S波非弹性衰减Q值随频率变化的关系式、32个台站的场地响应以及19次地震的震源参数. 计算结果表明, 鄂尔多斯地块地壳内S波非弹性衰减在1 Hz处的Q值比地质构造活跃地区的结果要大得多. 32个地震台站的场地响应在高频部分除个别台站外基本没有表现出明显的放大效应,但在低频区间部分台站之间有一定的差异. 19次地震事件的地震矩对数值与震级ML有很好的线性关系.      

Hydrologic characteristics of Appalachian loose‐dumped spoil in the Cumberland Plateau of eastern Kentucky

Heavily compacted lands, typical of traditional surface mine reclamation techniques, have been shown to hinder tree growth, increase levels of flooding, and produce suboptimal water quality. Utilizing loose‐dumped spoil, in accordance with the Forestry Reclamation Approach (FRA), has demonstrated success with regards to promoting tree growth and survival; however, additional information is needed to assess the potential of FRA to ameliorate other environmental concerns related to water quantity. To better understand the hydrologic characteristics of loose‐dumped spoil, key hydrograph parameters (discharge volume, peak discharge, discharge duration, lag time, and response time) were monitored for three common spoil types: (1) predominately brown weathered sandstone, (2) predominately gray weathered sandstone, and (3) a mixture of both sandstones and shale. Although spoil types were found to differ hydrologically, these differences were relatively minor. Measured discharge volumes were low (averaging 12% of rainfall for all events and treatments), peak discharge rates were small (between 2·5 × 10^?5 and 3 × 10^?3 m³/s), and the duration of discharge was long (6 days on average). From a hydrologic perspective, the results of this study indicate that mine spoils need not be segregated for reclamation as long as the spoil is placed in accordance with the loose‐dumped techniques as outlined in the FRA. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.