Domestic and industrial water uses of the past 60 years as a mirror of socio-economic development: A global simulation study

To enhance global water use assessment, the WaterGAP3 model was improved for back-calculating domestic, manufacturing and thermoelectric water uses until 1950 for 177 countries. Model simulations were carried-out on a national scale to estimate water withdrawals and consumption as well as cooling water required for industrial processes and electricity production. Additionally, the amount of treated and untreated wastewater as generated by the domestic and manufacturing sectors was modeled. In the view of data availability, model simulations are based on key socio-economic driving forces and thermal electricity production. Technological change rates were derived from statistical records in order to consider developments in water use efficiency, which turned out to have a crucial role in water use dynamics. Simulated domestic and industrial water uses increased from ca. 300 km³ in 1950 to 1345 km³ in 2010, 12% of which were consumed and 88% of which were discharged back into freshwater bodies. The amount of domestic and manufacturing wastewater increased considerably over the last decade, but only half of it was untreated. The downscaling of the untreated wastewater volume to river basin scale indicates a matter of concern in East and Southeast Asia, Northern Africa, and Eastern and Southern Europe. In order to reach the Millennium Development Goals, securing water supply and the reduction of untreated wastewater discharges should be amongst the priority actions to be undertaken. Population growth and increased prosperity have led to increasing water demands. However, societal and political transformation processes as well as policy regulations resulting in new water-saving technologies and improvements counteract this development by slowing down and even reducing global domestic and industrial water uses.     

Application of micro-computed X-ray tomography for improving the hole erosion test analysis on high plastic clay

Acta Geotechnica - The hole erosion test (HET) was developed to simulate piping erosion and to study the erosion parameters of cohesive soils. The erosion rate in the HET is evaluated by the...     

Geochemistry and geochronology of HP mélanges from Tinos and Andros,cycladic blueschist belt,Greece

U–Pb zircon geochronology, Sr–Nd isotope and bulk-rock geochemistry have been applied to meta-igneous and meta-sedimentary rocks from high-pressure metamorphic mélanges exposed on the Cycladic islands of Tinos, Syros and Andros. Ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb zircon dating of 7 samples representing meta-igneous blocks (Tinos), a blackwall zone (Tinos) and chlorite–talc schists from block-matrix contacts (Syros and Tinos) yielded Cretaceous ages of c. 80 Ma. Many of the criteria commonly used to distinguish between magmatic or metamorphic zircon genesis (internal structure, Th/U ratio, REE characteristics, Ti-in zircon thermometry, enclosed mineral phases) do not provide unambiguous constraints for the mode of formation. However, a magmatic origin for Cretaceous zircon of meta-gabbros and eclogites is considered likely. Supporting evidence for a previously suggested metamorphic origin for c. 80 Ma zircon in eclogite has not been found. Zircon of the same age occurring in chlorite–talc schists is presumably related to non-magmatic processes. Well-defined Cretaceous age groups clustering at c. 79 Ma also occur in the detrital zircon populations of 2 quartz mica schists representing the mélange matrix on Tinos, and suggest a much later time for sediment accumulation than previously assumed. The importance of c. 57 Ma zircon ages remains unclear, but may record either HP metamorphic processes or a post-57 Ma depositional age. The youngest age group in a third quartz mica schist from Tinos, collected outside the main mélange occurrences, clusters at c. 226–238 Ma. In all clastic metasediments from Tinos, most data points plot along the concordia between c. 300 and 900 Ma; single data points indicate concordant ages of c. 2.5 Ga, 2.3 Ga and 1 Ga, respectively. The youngest ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age group that has been recognized in a felsic paragneiss from Andros indicates an age of 163.1 ± 3.9 Ma, and mostly represents overgrowths around zircon with ages in the range from ～ 272 to ～ 289 Ma. Single data points of other inherited cores provided ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of c. 630 and c. 930 Ma. Meta-gabbros from Tinos show a large compositional variability and were found at 4 locations, each with distinct compositional characteristics, suggesting different crystallization histories, different sources and/or significant post-magmatic disturbance. The geochemistry of mélange blocks and the identical U–Pb zircon ages suggest that the block-matrix associations on Tinos and Syros can be grouped together. On a broader regional scale, there seem to be similarities between some meta-igneous rocks from Tinos and Evvia. Field relationships indicate that the mélanges occurring in southern Andros and northern Tinos can be correlated, but supporting geochemical and/or geochronological evidence for this interpretation could not be established. Previously published Jurassic ages for mafic and felsic mélange blocks from Andros suggest a genetic relationship to the ophiolite occurrences exposed in the larger Balkan region. A similar regional correlation is also considered likely for the Cretaceous meta-gabbros from Tinos and Syros, but cannot be documented with certainty.     

Beitrag zur Kenntnis der Cordillera Claudio Gay (Nordchile)

Zusammenfassung Die wenig bekannte Cordillera Claudio Gay ist ein Teil der Vorkordillere in Nordchile. Ihr Unterbau besteht aus Tiefengesteinskörpern des PalÄozoikums und einer Sedimentserie, die von sauren Ergu\gesteinen durchbrochen wird. Die petrologische Zusammensetzung der Sedimente und ihre metamorphe überprÄgung werden speziell behandelt. Da keine Fossilien vorliegen, kann das Alter der Sedimente nur auf eine Zeitspanne zwischen Devon und Perm eingeengt werden.

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The little-known Cordillera Claudio Gay is part of the Pre-Cordillera in Northern Chile. Its basement consists of plutonic rocks of the Paleozoics and of a sediment series which is penetrated by acid effusive rocks. The petrological composition of low grade metamorphosed sediments is separately dealt with. No fossils being available, the age of the sediments can only be defined as belonging to the period between Devonian and Permian time.

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Resumen La poco conocida Cordillera Claudio Gay es una parte de la Precordillera en Chile septentrional. Su base se compone de masas intrusivas paleozóicas y de una serie sedimentaria cortada por rocas efusivas ácidas. La composición petrológica de los sedimentos y su cambio metamórfico son investigados en forma especial. La edad de los sedimentos solo puede ser calculada por la falta de fósiles entre el Devónico y el Pérmico.

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Calcium isotope fractionation in calcite and aragonite

Calcium isotope fractionation was measured on skeletal aragonite and calcite from different marine biota and on inorganic calcite. Precipitation temperatures ranged from 0 to 28°C. Calcium isotope fractionation shows a temperature dependence in accordance with previous observations: 1000 · ln(α_cc) = −1.4 + 0.021 · T (°C) for calcite and 1000 · ln(α_ar) = −1.9 + 0.017 · T (°C) for aragonite. Within uncertainty the temperature slopes are identical for the two polymorphs. However, at all temperatures calcium isotopes are more fractionated in aragonite than in calcite. The offset in δ^44/40Ca is about 0.6‰. The underlying mechanism for this offset may be related to the different coordination numbers and bond strengths of the calcium ions in calcite and aragonite crystals, or to different Ca reaction behavior at the solid-liquid interface. Recently, the observed temperature dependence of the Ca isotope fractionation was explained quantitatively by the temperature control on precipitation rates of calcium carbonates in an experimental setting (Lemarchand et al., 2004). We show that this mechanism can in principle also be applied to CaCO₃ precipitation in natural environments in normal marine settings. Following this model, Ca isotope fractionation in marine Ca carbonates is primarily controlled by precipitation rates. On the other hand the larger Ca isotope fractionation of aragonite compared to calcite can not be explained by different precipitation rates. The rate control model of Ca isotope fractionation predicts a strong dependence of the Ca isotopic composition of carbonates on ambient CO₃²⁻ concentration. While this model is in general accordance with our observations in marine carbonates, cultured specimens of the planktic foraminifer Orbulina universa show no dependence of Ca-isotope fractionation on the ambient CO₃²⁻ concentration. The latter observation implies that the carbonate chemistry in the calcifying vesicles of the foraminifer is independent from the ambient carbonate ion concentration of the surrounding water.     

Wide-angle observations of ALP 2002 shots on the TRANSALP profile: Linking the two DSS projects

Dynamite shots of the crustal-scale refraction seismic project ALP 2002 were recorded by an array of 40 seismological three-component stations on the TRANSALP profile. These observations provide a direct link between the two deep seismic projects. We report preliminary results obtained from these data. In a first approach, we verified the TRANSALP refraction seismic velocity model computing travel times for several shots and comparing them to the new observations. The results generally confirm this model. Significant first-break travel time differences in and near the Tauern Window are explained by anisotropy. Large-scale features of the model, particularly the Moho structure, seem to be continuous towards the east. Travel time residuals of wide-angle reflections indicate a slight eastward dip component of the Adriatic Moho.     

Lateral variations in sediment composition and bedding in Middle Triassic interplatform basins (Buchenstein Formation, southern Alps, Italy)

ABSTRACT Hemipelagic deposits are widespread in Triassic sequences of the Alpine belt and provide important data for stratigraphy and the study of bedding rhythms. The area of the western and central Dolomites of northern Italy escaped strong alpidic deformation and preserves such deposits in their original palaeogeographic setting. The Buchenstein Formation, the object of this study, was deposited in up to 1000 m deep, Middle Triassic interplatform basins, which extend over an area of 500 km² within the Dolomites. Excellent outcrops and volcaniclastic markers allow a detailed correlation of the formation in both laminated (anoxic) and bioturbated facies down to a bed scale, and show its relationship to coeval carbonate platforms. Correlation of lithostratigraphically well‐constrained intervals in the bioturbated facies reveal that lateral thickening and thinning of the deposits depends on the amount of shallow‐water debris in the succession and is a function of the distance to coeval carbonate platform sources. In the laminated background deposit, thickness variations in limestones and marls parallel the thickness variations in ash layers, and were caused by local redeposition of sediment on the basin floor. Lateral persistence of laminae indicates that bottom currents were weak in the Buchenstein basin, but were able to redeposit mud in a significant way. In the area around Seceda and Geisler (western Dolomites), a lateral transition from dark‐grey laminated to grey bioturbated to red bioturbated facies is observed, which is probably linked to local relief with different oxygenation conditions on the sea floor. A comparison shows that decimetre‐scale bedding is preserved in all facies types and that the bedding rhythm is partly the result of different cementation of the sediment during early diagenesis. Correlation of individual layers in the bioturbated facies reveals that beds are thicker and enriched in lime mud in the western part of the basin, and decrease in thickness and contain less micrite towards the east, further away from the main shallow‐water areas. Nearslope calciturbidites change gradually from distinct layers into lateral arrays of micrite nodules and bands further out in the basin. These observations point to a platform source of lime mud in the Buchenstein basin.     

Estimation of phase center corrections for GLONASS-M satellite antennas

Driven by the comprehensive modernization of the GLONASS space segment and the increased global availability of GLONASS-capable ground stations, an updated set of satellite-specific antenna phase center corrections for the current GLONASS-M constellation is determined by processing 84 weeks of dual-frequency data collected between January 2008 and August 2009 by a worldwide network of 227 GPS-only and 115 combined GPS/GLONASS tracking stations. The analysis is performed according to a rigorous combined multi-system processing scheme providing full consistency between the GPS and the GLONASS system. The solution is aligned to a realization of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame 2005. The estimated antenna parameters are compared with the model values currently used within the International GNSS Service (IGS). It is shown that the z-offset estimates are on average 7 cm smaller than the corresponding IGS model values and that the block-specific mean value perfectly agrees with the nominal GLONASS-M z-offset provided by the satellite manufacturer. The existence of azimuth-dependent phase center variations is investigated and uncertainties in the horizontal offset estimates due to mathematical correlations and yaw-attitude modeling problems during eclipse seasons are addressed. Finally, it is demonstrated that the orbit quality benefits from the updated GLONASS-M antenna phase center model and that a consistent set of satellite antenna z-offsets for GPS and GLONASS is imperative to obtain consistent GPS- and GLONASS-derived station heights.     

Landslides and increased debris-flow activity: A systematic comparison of six catchments in Switzerland

An increase in debris-flow frequency is expected in steep Alpine catchments after the occurrence of a large landslide, such as a rock avalanche. Herein we describe changes in debris-flow activity following increases in sediment availability due to landslides, or accelerated rock-glacier movement, for five catchments in the Swiss Alps, the Spreitgraben, Schipfenbach, Bondasca, Riascio, and Dorfbach catchments. Documentation on debris-flow activity is available from both before and after the landslide that generated the new sediment deposits. Data from nearby meteorological stations were used to explore possible changes in rainfall activity, and how the intensity and duration of rainfall events may have changed. In all cases there was a considerable increase in debris-flows frequency for one to eight years following the landslide. The annual number of days with debris-flow activity following the landslide was similar to that observed for the Illgraben catchment, where many such landslides occur annually. No clear change in precipitation totals preceding debris flows was apparent for the Riascio catchment, suggesting that the increase in frequency of debris flows is related to the increase in the amount of sediment that can be readily mobilized. In the two cases where rainfall data were available on an hourly basis, no systematic changes in the intensity or duration of rainfall related to debris-flow triggering were apparent, as shown by the close-clustering of storms on the intensity-duration plots. Following the sediment-generating event, an initial and sudden increase of the sediment yield was observed, followed by a decrease over time towards pre-disturbance values. The response of the catchments appears to be related to the amount of debris-flow activity prior to the landslide: sediment yield from catchments with frequent debris flows prior to the landslide activity did not increase as dramatically as in catchments where debris-flow activity was less common prior to the landslide. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.