Preliminary results about the stability of an intermediate water current

Experiments were run on a 14 m diameter rotating platform to study the stability conditions for a constant volume flow rate current of intermediate water. The flow was introduced in a two-layer system initially at rest in solid body rotation, along the sidewall of the tank, and allowed freely to evolve. A sink collected the intermediate water and thus ensured that the free surface height was constant. Thus the upstream conditions were the rotation rate, the volume flow rate, the density and the initial width of the intermediate current, which was in geostrophic equilibrium when it left the source; i.e. its thickness along the wall at the source was fixed by this condition. The relevant parameters appear to be the Ekman and the Burger numbers. The data collected from the experiments are very consistent, and it appears that there were five typical flow regimes: (1) a stable current along the whole basin; (2) a series of cyclonic vortices attached to the outer edge of the current, with an upstream stable current; (3) a large cyclonic vortex attached to an anticyclonic instability; (4) dipoles shed from the current into the interior fluid; and (5) generation of lenses of intermediate water, similar to meddies. This last result shows that no topographical effect is required to generate such long-lived lenses, which then drift slowly upstream as the dipoles do.     

Better models are more effectively connected models

Water‐ and sediment‐transfer models are commonly used to explain or predict patterns in the landscape at scales different from those at which observations are available. These patterns are often the result of emergent properties that occur because processes of water and sediment transfer are connected in different ways. Recent advances in geomorphology suggest that it is important to consider, at a specific spatio‐temporal scale, the structural connectivity of system properties that control processes, and the functional connectivity resulting from the way those processes operate and evolve through time. We argue that a more careful consideration of how structural and functional connectivity are represented in models should lead to more robust models that are appropriate for the scale of application and provide results that can be upscaled. This approach is necessary because, notwithstanding the significant advances in computer power in recent years, many geomorphic models are still unable to represent the landscape in sufficient detail to allow all connectivity to emerge. It is important to go beyond the simple representation of structural connectivity elements and allow the dynamics of processes to be represented, for example by using a connectivity function. This commentary aims to show how a better representation of connectivity in models can be achieved, by considering the sorts of landscape features present, and whether these features can be represented explicitly in the model spatial structure, or must be represented implicitly at the subgrid scale. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stoichiometry of the net ecosystem metabolism in a coastal inlet affected by upwelling. The Ría de Arousa (NW Spain)

The net uptake of inorganic carbon and nitrogen, phosphate and silicate and the net production of dissolved oxygen and organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus have been examined in the Ría de Arousa, a large coastal embayment in the NW Iberian upwelling system. Fluxes and net budgets were estimated with a non-stationary 2-D box model [Rosón, G., Álvarez-Salgado, X.A., Pérez, F.F., 1997. A non-stationary box-model to determine residual flows in a partially mixed estuary, based on both thermoline properties. Application to the Ría de Arousa (NW Spain). Estuarine, Coastal Shelf Sci., 44, 249–262] and the distributions of the different species acquired twice a week between May and October 1989 [Rosón, G., Pérez, F.F., Álvarez-Salgado, X.A., Figueiras, F.G., 1995. Variation of both thermohaline and chemical properties in an estuarine upwelling ecosystem: Ría de Arousa: 1. Time Evolution. Estuarine, Coastal Shelf Sci., 41, 195–213]. High N/P and N/Si net uptake ratios of 21 and 3.2 were observed during the upwelling season. The rapid recycling of phosphorus compared to nitrogen and the recurrent succession from pioneer diatoms (Si/N1) to red-tide forming species (Si/N=0) following the periodic upwelling pulses are the reasons behind the observed ratios. The molar ratios of dissolved oxygen production to inorganic carbon (−1.48) and nitrogen uptake (−10.2) during the upwelling season agree with the Redfield stoichiometry. On the contrary, net nutrient regeneration occurred with N/P, N/Si and O₂/C ratios of 7.4, 1.0 and −1.02 during an intense autumn downwelling event. These low ratios are due to the release of an excess of phosphate, silicate and CO₂ from the sediments. Conversely, the production of inorganic nitrogen is associated to the consumption of dissolved oxygen following a Redfield ratio of −10.0. Whereas the C/N ratio of the suspended organic matter produced during the upwelling season and consumed during the autumn downwelling event is 6.3–6.7, the N/P ratio changes from 11 during the upwelling season to 15 during the autumn downwelling. About 1/5 of the dissolved oxygen produced during the upwelling season and consumed during the autumn downwelling is delivered to and came from the atmosphere, respectively. Despite the C/N/P/O₂ ratios differ from the Redfield values, the high correlation between nutrient salts consumption and dissolved oxygen production (r²=0.74–0.86) allow to estimate an average net ecosystem production (NEP) from the individual elements. The 3–4 d time-scale variability of the average NEP depends on the 2-week periodicity of upwelling pulses, the heat exchange across the sea surface and the stability of the water column. As much as 70% of the total variability can be explained with a linear combination of these parameters.     

Dual-frequency ADCPs measuring turbidity

A pair of self-contained acoustic Doppler current profilers (SC-ADCPs) operating with different frequencies were moored on a muddy sea bottom at about 20 m depth in the Bay of Vilaine off the French Atlantic coast. With their acoustic beams oriented upwards, the SC-ADCPs ensonified most of the water column. The results of several months of in situ recorded echo intensity data spanning 2 years (2003 to 2004) from the dual-frequency ADCPs are presented in this paper. The aim was to estimate suspended particle mass concentration and mean size. A concentration index CI is proposed for the estimation of particle concentration. Based on theory the CI—unlike the volume backscatter strength—does not depend on particle size. Compared with in situ optical data, the CI shows reasonable precision but not increased with respect to that of the highest-frequency backscatter strength. Concerning the mean particle size, despite a lack of quantitative validation with optical particle-size measurements, the method yielded a qualitative discrimination of mineral (small) and organic (large) particles. This supports the potential of dual-frequency ADCPs to quantitatively determine particle size. A cross-calibration of the transducers of each ADCP shows that a specific component of the precision of the backscatter strength measured by ADCP depends on the acoustic frequency, the cell thickness and the ensemble integration time. Based on these results, the use of two ADCPs operating with distinctly different frequencies (two octaves apart) or a single dual-frequency ADCP is recommended.     

Absolute photometry of small main-belt asteroids in 2007–2009

We present the results of absolute photometry – the absolute brightness H_V, the effective diameter, (B)VR color indices, composite light curves, period of rotation and amplitude of variations – of several small asteroids in the inner main-belt: 1344 Caubeta, 1401 Lavonne, 2947 Kippenhahn, 3913 Chemin, 3956 Caspar, 4375 Kiyomori, 4555 1987 QL, 5484 Inoda, 5985 1942 RJ, 6949 Zissell and main-belt asteroid 6867 Kuwano. The photometric observations of these objects were made in the period 2007–2009 as part of a project of photometric studies of small main-belt asteroids that involves a collaboration of a number of asteroid photometrists around the world.     

Une carte gravimétrique haute résolution du massif du Mont-Blanc : implications structuralesA high-resolution gravity map of the Mont-Blanc massif: structural consequences

We performed a gravity survey in the Mont-Blanc and Aiguilles Rouges ranges in order to improve the gravity data coverage of the Alpine crystalline external ranges, and to constrain the deep geometry of a crustal scale thrust. Preliminary results allow us to propose a geometry for the deep structure of the ranges, taking into account a major reverse fault that bounds the Mont-Blanc range: the Mont-Blanc shear zone. To cite this article: F. Masson et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 1011–1019.     

Some insight into the influence of urban ground surface properties on the air-surface exchange of total gaseous mercury

Experiments utilizing meteorologically normalized sampling conditions were used to illustrate the role and function of urban pavement, bare soil and turf grass surface properties with respect to the air-surface exchange of total gaseous Hg (TGM). After ensuring uniform meteorological effects to each surface, resultant TGM fluxes from turf grass, bare soil and pavement were specifically representative of their diverse physical and biogeochemical properties. Results spanning the entire sampling year show distinct TGM flux signatures for each surface (5.69 ± 5.79 (ng/m² h) for bare soil, 0.53 ± 1.25 for turf grass, 0.26 ± 0.41 for pavement). Based on medians, the surface limitations of pavement decreased TGM flux by a factor of 22 compared to bare soil and by a factor of 2 compared to turf grass. Turf surface limitations decreased TGM flux by a factor of 11 compared to bare soil. By comparing these results to a parallel study, meteorological effects were found to develop 24% of the TGM flux signature for pavement, 53% for turf and 60% for bare soil. The remaining percentage contributions to each TGM flux signature were from the cumulative surface property effects of each surface. These results suggest that the greater the TGM flux magnitude for a particular surface, the more measurements are needed under a wide variety of meteorological conditions to develop a broad understanding of its TGM flux characteristics. Seasonal observation allowed closer investigation of a large shift to TGM deposition for the turf surface during the fall season. The large shift toward deposition was suspected to be linked to the formation of a thatch layer on the unexposed soil surface just beneath the turf layer.     

An opportunity to connect the morphodynamics of alternate bars with their sedimentary products

Field investigations that help clarify local sedimentary processes involved in the migration of alternate bars as a consequence of flood events are lacking. A simple approach combining scour chains, stratigraphy and frequent bathymetric surveys is proposed to connect the dynamics of free migrating alternate bars present in disconnected channels of large sandy‐gravelly rivers with their sedimentary products and vice versa. The results show that the spatial distribution of bars before a flood partly governs the scour and fill processes and that the sediment transport rates vary significantly on a single cross‐section. This can be due to preferential axes of the migration of the bars determined by their location on the cross‐section, the bank direction and the discharge. The approach allows the reconstruction of local sedimentary processes involved in alternate bar migration by combining maximum scour depths reached during a flood with frequent channel bed topography surveys and post‐flood stratigraphy. It is also possible to distinguish deposited and preserved sediments compared with sediments by‐passed during the flood. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Breaking the Grenville–Sveconorwegian link in Rodinia reconstructions

The Grenville, Sveconorwegian, and Sunsas orogens are typically inferred to reflect collision between Laurentia, Baltica, and Amazonia at ca. 1.0 Ga, forming a central portion of the Rodinia supercontinent. This triple‐junction configuration is often nearly identical in otherwise diverse Rodinia reconstructions. However, available geological data suggest that although the Grenville and Sveconorwegian provinces shared a similar tectonic evolution from pre‐1.8 to ca. 1.5 Ga, they record distinctly different tectonic histories leading up to, during, and possibly following Grenville–Sveconorwegian orogenesis. Moreover, palaeomagnetic data suggest the two continents were separated at peak orogenesis, further invalidating any direct correlation. A number of possible interpretations are permissible with available geological and palaeomagnetic data, of which a “classic” triple‐junction configuration appears least likely. In contrast to the commonly inferred intertwined Proterozoic evolution of Baltica and Laurentia, the possibility remains that they were unrelated for a billion years between 1.5 and 0.45 Ga.     

Rainfall–runoff,flood inundation and sensitivity analysis of the 2014 Pakistan flood in the Jhelum and Chenab river basin

ABSTRACT

The major flood of 2014 in the two eastern, transboundary rivers, the Jhelum and Chenab in Punjab, Pakistan, was simulated using the two-dimensional rainfall–runoff model. The simulated hydrograph showed good agreement with the observed discharge at the model outlet and intervening barrages, with a Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.86 at the basin outlet. Further, simulated flood inundation extent showed good agreement with the MODIS imagery with a fit (%) of 0.87. For some affected areas that experienced short-duration flooding, local housing damage data confirmed the simulated results. Besides the rainfall–runoff and flood inundation modelling, parameter sensitivity analysis was undertaken to identify the influence of various river and floodplain parameters. The analysis showed that the river channel geometric parameters and the roughness coefficients exerted the primary influence over flood extent and peak flow.