Characterizing Heterogeneity in Infiltration Rates During Managed Aquifer Recharge

Infiltration rate is the key parameter that describes how water moves from the surface into a groundwater aquifer during managed aquifer recharge (MAR). Characterization of infiltration rate heterogeneity in space and time is valuable information for MAR system operation. In this study, we utilized fiber optic distributed temperature sensing (FO‐DTS) observations and the phase shift of the diurnal temperature signal between two vertically co‐located fiber optic cables to characterize infiltration rate spatially and temporally in a MAR basin. The FO‐DTS measurements revealed spatial heterogeneity of infiltration rate: approximately 78% of the recharge water infiltrated through 50% of the pond bottom on average. We also introduced a metric for quantifying how the infiltration rate in a recharge pond changes over time, which enables FO‐DTS to be used as a method for monitoring MAR and informing maintenance decisions. By monitoring this metric, we found high‐spatial variability in how rapidly infiltration rate changed during the test period. We attributed this variability to biological pore clogging and found a relationship between high initial infiltration rate and the most rapid pore clogging. We found a strong relationship (R² = 0.8) between observed maximum infiltration rates and electrical resistivity measurements from electrical resistivity tomography data taken in the same basin when dry. This result shows that the combined acquisition of DTS and ERT data can improve the design and operation of a MAR pond significantly by providing the critical information needed about spatial variability in parameters controlling infiltration rates.     

The CLIVAR C20C project: skill of simulating Indian monsoon rainfall on interannual to decadal timescales. Does GHG forcing play a role?

The ability of atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs), that are forced with observed sea surface temperatures (SSTs), to simulate the Indian monsoon rainfall (IMR) variability on interannual to decadal timescales is analyzed in a multimodel intercomparison. The multimodel ensemble has been performed within the CLIVAR International “Climate of the 20th Century” (C20C) Project. This paper is part of a C20C intercomparison of key climate time series. Whereas on the interannual timescale there is modest skill in reproducing the observed IMR variability, on decadal timescale the skill is much larger. It is shown that the decadal IMR variability is largely forced, most likely by tropical sea surface temperatures (SSTs), but as well by extratropical and especially Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) related SSTs. In particular there has been a decrease from the late 1950s to the 1990s that corresponds to a general warming of tropical SSTs. Using a selection of control integrations from the World Climate Research Programme’s (WCRP’s) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3), it is shown that the increase of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the twentieth century has not significantly contributed to the observed decadal IMR variability.     

Leaching of Salmonella enterica in clay columns comparing two manure application methods

Transfer of zoonotic bacterial pathogens through intact soil columns was monitored in an outdoor lysimeter over 36 d. Manure spiked with Salmonella enterica serovar Senftenberg was applied to either the soil surface or injected 0.08 m into the soil to compare leaching associated with the two manure application methods. The highest concentrations of S. enterica (up to 60,000 S. enterica CFU/mL) were detected on Day 1 in the first drainage samples, with measurable but declining concentrations persisting for 10 to 36 d depending on replicate columns. The total recovery of leached S. enterica in drainage samples ranged from 0.08% to 13.8%. When comparing the two application methods, there was no statistically significant difference in the leaching concentration of S. enterica at each sampling time during the study period. In addition, comparison of enumerations by selective plating and real-time polymerase chain reaction yielded similar concentrations of S. enterica, indicating that mainly viable and culturable cells were leached from the columns. When the experiment was terminated, the fluorescent dye Acid Yellow was applied to four selected columns and the distribution of dye and size of active (dye-stained) pores were measured with a digital camera and visualization software. The profiles showed that the area covered by active pores ranged from 0.1% to 3.6%. The relatively small fraction of active pores in the soil profile was consistent with the evidence of rapid transport of S. enterica and chloride in the columns.     

The emerging water crisis in Bulgaria

Climatic records for the last 15 years indicate that Bulgaria is experiencing a period of exceptionally low precipitation. During 1993, significant water supply problems emerged, approaching crisis proportions in Sofia, the nation's capital, by the end of 1994. The record-setting drought of 1993 can be explained from a synoptic climatic perspective. Whether consequences of the continuing drought could have been foreseen is arguable. That these consequences were fully realized only in 1994 may be understood through examination of Bulgarian water use since the end of the socialist era in 1989. If Bulgaria had experienced the same levels of industrial activity and irrigation as occurred in 1989, the current situation would have been national catastrophe, a situation that could quickly emerge in coming years should climatic patterns persist.     

Statehood: A politico-geographic and legal perspective

The political geographical literature of focuses on the State yet little attention has been placed on the basic criteria and attributes of statehood. This paper presents a linked politico-geographic and legal perspective on statehood. The criteria and attributes identified and discussed are: a particular defined territory; a permanent resident population; a constituted effective government; independence; sovereignty; recognition; permanence; the capacity to enter into relations with other States; a State apparatus; a circulation system; and an organized economy. Certain conceptualizations and the importance of discourse are discussed.     

Extinguishing Petroleum Vapor Intrusion and Methane Risks for Slab-on-ground Buildings: A Simple Guide

The occurrence of aerobic biodegradation in the vadose zone between a subsurface source and a building foundation can all-but eliminate the risks from methane and petroleum vapor intrusion (PVI). Understanding oxygen availability and the factors that affect it (e.g., building sizes and their distribution) are therefore critical. Uncovered ground surfaces allow oxygen access to the subsurface to actively biodegrade hydrocarbons (inclusive of methane). Buildings can reduce the net flux of oxygen into the subsurface and so reduce degradation rates. Here we determine when PVI and methane risk is negligible and/or extinguished; defined by when oxygen is present across the entire sub-slab region of existing or planned slab-on-ground buildings. We consider all building slab sizes, all depths to vapor sources and the effect of spacings between buildings on the availability of oxygen in the subsurface. The latter becomes critical where buildings are in close proximity or when increased building density is planned. Conservative assumptions enable simple, rapid and confident screening should sites and building designs comply to model assumptions. We do not model the aboveground “building” processes (e.g., air exchange), and assume the slab-on-ground seals the ground surface so that biodegradation of hydrocarbons is minimized under the built structure (i.e., the assessment remains conservative). Two graphs represent the entirety of the outcomes that allow simple screening of hydrocarbon vapors based only on the depth to the source of vapors below ground, the concentration of vapors within the source, the width of the slab-on-ground building, and the gap between buildings; all independent of soil type. Rectangular, square, and circular buildings are considered. Comparison with field sites and example applications are provided, along with a simple 8-step screening guide set in the context of existing guidance on PVI assessment.     

Assessment of NMR Logging for Estimating Hydraulic Conductivity in Glacial Aquifers

Glacial aquifers are an important source of groundwater in the United States and require accurate characterization to make informed management decisions. One parameter that is crucial for understanding the movement of groundwater is hydraulic conductivity, K. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) logging measures the NMR response associated with the water in geological materials. By utilizing an external magnetic field to manipulate the nuclear spins associated with ¹H, the time-varying decay of the nuclear magnetization is measured. This logging method could provide an effective way to estimate K at submeter vertical resolution, but the models that relate NMR measurements to K require calibration. At two field sites in a glacial aquifer in central Wisconsin, we collected a total of four NMR logs and obtained measurements of K in their immediate vicinity with a direct-push permeameter (DPP). Using a bootstrap algorithm to calibrate the Schlumberger-Doll Research (SDR) NMR-K model, we estimated K to within a factor of 5 of the DPP measurements. The lowest levels of accuracy occurred in the lower-K (K < 10⁻⁴ m/s) intervals. We also evaluated the applicability of prior SDR model calibrations. We found the NMR calibration parameters varied with K, suggesting the SDR model does not incorporate all the properties of the pore space that control K. Thus, the expected range of K in an aquifer may need to be considered during calibration of NMR-K models. This study is the first step toward establishing NMR logging as an effective method for estimating K in glacial aquifers.