Metropolitan land-use patterns by economic function: a spatial analysis of firm headquarters and branch office locations in Australian cities

This paper develops a comparative means by which to understand metropolitan spatial structure through the dynamics of economic activities. Clustering and suburbanization have been key processes within the contemporary urban landscape, but few scholarly accounts have systematically merged the two to explain the geographies of economic activity. Using firm location as a variable to discern sector- and industry-based locational requirements, we explore land-use and economic activity in Australia’s five largest metropolitan areas. Drawing upon the respective headquarters and branch office locations of a set of publically traded firms, we seek to establish general spatial patterns across Australian cities using two proxy measures for clustering and suburbanization, being well-established drivers of firm locational choice. Despite the complexity that post-industrial and suburbanizing processes add to metropolitan land-use patterns, we contend that certain patterns exist that can be generalized from one context to another across urban space, and that certain emerging trends such as the development of CBD-fringe precincts merit greater attention.     

Expected fatigue damage and expected extreme response for Morison-type wave loading

Non-linear probability distributions for Morison-type wave loading are used to indicate the effect of drag forces on the expected fatigue damage and the expected extreme response of quasi-statically responding (members of) offshore structures. Results are compared with those from commonly used equivalent linear methods of analysis. It is found that the expected fatigue damage and the expected extreme response based on non-linear methods are approximately equal to results from linear methods when inertia is the dominant force. However, in the event of the drag forces forming a considerable part of the total wave loading, both fatigue damage and extreme response can significantly exceed those predicted by linear methods. The difference between the two methods is quantified in terms of a drag-inertia parameter, which is directly related to the sea state under consideration.     

Macroscopic representation of structural geometry for simulating water and solute movement in dual-porosity media

The structure of macroporous or aggregated soils and fractured rocks is generally so complex that it is impractical to measure the geometry at the microscale (i.e., the size and the shape of soil aggregates or rock matrix blocks, and the myriad of fissures or fractures), and use such data in geometry-dependent macroscale flow and transport models. This paper analyzes a first-order type dual-porosity model which contains a geometry-dependent coefficient, β, in the mass transfer term to macroscopically represent the size and shape of soil or rock matrix blocks. As a reference, one- and two-dimensional geometry-based diffusion models were used to simulate mass transport into and out of porous blocks of defined shapes. Estimates for β were obtained analytically for four different matrix block geometries. Values for β were also calculated by directly matching analytical solutions of the diffusion models for a number of selected matrix block geometries to results obtained with the first-order model assuming standard boundary conditions. Direct matching improved previous results for cylindrical macropore geometries, especially when relatively small ratios between the outer soil mantle and the radius of the inner cylinder were used. Results of our analysis show that β is closely related to the ratio of the effective surface area available for mass transfer, and the soil matrix volume normalized by the effective characteristic length of the matrix system. Using values of β obtained by direct matching, an empirical function is derived to estimate macroscopic geometry coefficients from medium properties which in principle are measurable. The method permits independent estimates of β, thus allowing the dual-porosity approach eventually to be applied to media with complex and mixed types of structural geometry.     

Groundwater Modeling with Nonlinear Uncertainty Analyses to Enhance Remediation Design Confidence

Soil and groundwater contamination are often managed by establishing on‐site cleanup targets within the context of risk assessment or risk management measures. Decision‐makers rely on modeling tools to provide insight; however, it is recognized that all models are subject to uncertainty. This case study compares suggested remediation requirements using a site‐specific numerical model and a standardized analytical tool to evaluate risk to a downgradient wetland receptor posed by on‐site chloride impacts. The base case model, calibrated to observed non‐pumping and pumping conditions, predicts a peak concentration well above regulatory criteria. Remediation scenarios are iteratively evaluated to determine a remediation design that adheres to practical site constraints, while minimizing the potential for risk to the downgradient receptor. A nonlinear uncertainty analysis is applied to each remediation scenario to stochastically evaluate the risk and find a solution that meets the site‐owner risk tolerance, which in this case required a risk‐averse solution. This approach, which couples nonlinear uncertainty analysis with a site‐specific numerical model provides an enhanced level of knowledge to foster informed decision‐making (i.e., risk‐of‐success) and also increases stakeholder confidence in the remediation design.     

Groundwater Recharge at Five Representative Sites in the Hebei Plain,China

Accurate estimates of groundwater recharge are essential for effective management of groundwater, especially when supplies are limited such as in many arid and semiarid areas. In the Hebei Plain, China, water shortage is increasingly restricting socioeconomic development, especially for agriculture, which heavily relies on groundwater. Human activities have greatly changed groundwater recharge there during the past several decades. To obtain better estimates of recharge in the plain, five representative sites were selected to investigate the effects of irrigation and water table depth on groundwater recharge. At each site, a one‐dimensional unsaturated flow model (Hydrus‐1D) was calibrated using field data of climate, soil moisture, and groundwater levels. A sensitivity analysis of evapotranspirative fluxes and various soil hydraulic parameters confirmed that fine‐textured surface soils generally generate less recharge. Model calculations showed that recharge on average is about 175 mm/year in the piedmont plain to the west, and 133 mm/year in both the central alluvial and lacustrine plains and the coastal plain to the east. Temporal and spatial variations in the recharge processes were significant in response to rainfall and irrigation. Peak time‐lags between infiltration (rainfall plus irrigation) and recharge were 18 to 35 days in the piedmont plain and 3 to 5 days in the central alluvial and lacustrine plains, but only 1 or 2 days in the coastal plain. This implies that different time‐lags corresponding to different water table depths must be considered when estimating or modeling groundwater recharge.     

Coastal management in Brazil – A political riddle

Brazilian legislation defines coastal zone as a national patrimony – the geographic space of interaction of air, sea and land formed by the counties directly influenced, but not necessarily by those located in the coastline; also included are those distant until 50 km from the coastline, holding activities of great impact for the coastal zone or its ecosystems. The definition includes also the territorial sea of 12 nautical miles. Coastal management is conducted by a national plan legally enforced, complemented by states and counties plans, and a coastal ecologic-economic zoning limited to small portions of the coastal zone. A resolution of the “Environmental National Council” defines as “permanent preservation areas”, of very restricted use, coastal ecosystems as mangroves, sand dunes, and reproduction sites of wild fauna. One could expect that the Brazilian coast should be more protected and properly managed than other countries where a national management plan is lacking (Argentina) or where the guidelines exist but are not yet legally enforced (South Africa). Notwithstanding, we note today in Brazil an intensification of conflicts opposing small-scale vs. industrial fishermen; shrimp farming vs. mangrove crab harvesting; resorts installation vs. native communities; oil and gas activities vs. NGOs; and conflicts on environmental permit between federal and state governmental agencies. This paper evaluates the possible reasons for the failure of the complex legal suite available in Brazil and suggests that participatory management and concerted actions with relevant stakeholders are the key elements for the successful cases.     

Palaeoecological constraints on late Glacial and Holocene ice retreat in the Southern Andes (53°S)

Late Glacial to Holocene ice retreat was investigated along a 120 km long fjord system, reaching from Gran Campo Nevado (GCN) to Seno Skyring in the southernmost Andes (53°S). The aim was to improve the knowledge on regional and global control on glacier recession with special emphasis on latitudinal shifting of the westerlies. The timing of ice retreat was derived from peat and sediment cores, using mineralogical and chemical characteristics, and pollen as proxies. Stratigraphy was based on ¹⁴C-AMS ages and tephrochronology. The ice retreat of the Seno Skyring Glacier lobe is marked by an ice rafted debris layer which was formed around 18,300 to 17,500 cal. yr B.P. Subsequently, fast glacier retreat occurred until around 15,000 to 14,000 cal. yr B.P. during which around 84% of Skyring Glacier were lost. This fast recession was probably also triggered by an increase of the Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) from 200 to 300 m. Subsequently, the ice surface was lowered below the ELA in an area that previously made up more than 50% of the accumulation area. Much slower retreat and glacier fluctuations of limited extent in the fjord channel system northeast of GCN occurred between around 14,000 to 11,000 cal. yr B.P. during both the Antarctic Cold Reversal and the Younger Dryas. This slow down of retreat indicates a decline in the general warming trend and/or increased precipitation, due to a southward migration of the westerlies. After around 11,000 cal. yr B.P. pollen distribution shows evolved Magellanic Rainforest and similar climate as at present, which lasted throughout most of the Holocene. Only Late Neoglacial moraine systems were formed in the period 1220–1460 AD, and subsequently in the 1620s AD, and between 1870 and 1910 AD. The results indicate that the Gran Campo Nevado ice cap has reacted more sensitive and partly distinct to climate change, compared to the Patagonian Ice Field.