Calibration of hydrological models in ungauged basins based on satellite radar altimetry observations of river water level

This paper proposes a new orientation to address the problem of hydrological model calibration in ungauged basin. Satellite radar altimetric observations of river water level at basin outlet are used to calibrate the model, as a surrogate of streamflow data. To shift the calibration objective, the hydrological model is coupled with a hydraulic model describing the relation between streamflow and water stage. The methodology is illustrated by a case study in the Upper Mississippi Basin using TOPEX/Poseidon (T/P) satellite data. The generalized likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) is employed for model calibration and uncertainty analysis. We found that even without any streamflow information for regulating model behavior, the calibrated hydrological model can make fairly reasonable streamflow estimation. In order to illustrate the degree of additional uncertainty associated with shifting calibration objective and identifying its sources, the posterior distributions of hydrological parameters derived from calibration based on T/P data, streamflow data and T/P data with fixed hydraulic parameters are compared. The results show that the main source is the model parameter uncertainty. And the contribution of remote sensing data uncertainty is minor. Furthermore, the influence of removing high error satellite observations on streamflow estimation is also examined. Under the precondition of sufficient temporal coverage of calibration data, such data screening can eliminate some unrealistic parameter sets from the behavioral group. The study contributes to improve streamflow estimation in ungauged basin and evaluate the value of remote sensing in hydrological modeling. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of dynamically downscaled reanalysis precipitation data for hydrological application

Skilful and reliable precipitation data are essential for seasonal hydrologic forecasting and generation of hydrological data. Although output from dynamic downscaling methods is used for hydrological application, the existence of systematic errors in dynamically downscaled data adversely affects the skill of hydrologic forecasting. This study evaluates the precipitation data derived by dynamically downscaling the global atmospheric reanalysis data by propagating them through three hydrological models. Hydrological models are calibrated for 28 watersheds located across the southeastern United States that is minimally affected by human intervention. Calibrated hydrological models are forced with five different types of datasets: global atmospheric reanalysis (National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Department of Energy Global Reanalysis and European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts 40‐year Reanalysis) at their native resolution; dynamically downscaled global atmospheric reanalysis at 10‐km grid resolution; stochastically generated data from weather generator; bias‐corrected dynamically downscaled; and bias‐corrected global reanalysis. The reanalysis products are considered as surrogates for large‐scale observations. Our study indicates that over the 28 watersheds in the southeastern United States, the simulated hydrological response to the bias‐corrected dynamically downscaled data is superior to the other four meteorological datasets. In comparison with synthetically generated meteorological forcing (from weather generator), the dynamically downscaled data from global atmospheric reanalysis result in more realistic hydrological simulations. Therefore, we conclude that dynamical downscaling of global reanalysis, which offers data for sufficient number of years (in this case 22 years), although resource intensive, is relatively more useful than other sources of meteorological data with comparable period in simulating realistic hydrological response at watershed scales. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bathymetric significance of the ichnofossil assemblages of the Kulakkalnattam sandstone, Ariyalur area, Cauvery Basin

Well preserved ichnofossils were found in Kulakkalnattam sandstone exposed at Kulakkalnattam stream in Ariyalur area, Cauvery Basin. It consists of infaunal structures of both suspension and deposit feeders. Five ichnofossils are present in a fine to coarse grain sandstone which includes Ophiomorpha, Palaeophycus, Planolites Skolithos, and Thalassinoides. The study infers that ichnofossils Skolithos and Ophiomorpha are infaunal colonization of the suspension feeders in high energy condition in shifting substrate, whereas Thalassinoides and Planolites-Palaeophycus ichnofossils indicate infaunal deposit feeders living at the sediment-sediment interface in low to moderate energy conditions. Furthermore, the abundance and diversity of the trace fossils indicates there was alternatively fluctuations in energy conditions which lead to development of Skolithos and Cruziana ichnofacies type condition during the deposition of Kulkkallanattam sandstone in foreshore-shoreface environments.     

Site selection and cost-benefit analysis for artificial recharge in the Baghmalek plain, Khuzestan Province, southwest Iran

Available hydrogeological data for the Baghmalek aquifer, southwest Iran, suggest that in order to counter progressive depletion of groundwater, but at the same time meet the growing demand on groundwater resources, artificial recharge should be considered. The success of artificial recharge schemes requires the integration of many types of data and information. The prime prerequisite in establishing an artificial recharge scheme using the surface spreading technique is identification of a suitable site. Therefore, an integrated investigation, including a detailed assessment of surface and sub-surface geology, and hydrogeological surveys were undertaken. The potential of harvesting storm waters, considering their quality and suspended loads, has been evaluated. Using this background, three sites (including basins and check dam) for artificial recharge are suggested in the north and northeast of the area, where the thickness of coarse alluvium is greatest. On the basis of the collected data, (1) the rate of recharge that can be achieved at the three sites is approximately 2.2 million m³ per year, (2) the cost–benefit ratio is 1:1.32, and (3) the analysis suggests that the project could recover the investment within 3 years.     

Long‐wave radiation and heat flux estimates within a small tributary in Catamaran Brook (New Brunswick,Canada)

River water temperature is an important water quality parameter that also influences most aquatic life. Physical processes influencing water temperature in rivers are highly complex. This is especially true for the estimation of river heat exchange processes that are highly dependent on good estimates of radiation fluxes. Furthermore, very few studies were found within the stream temperature dynamic literature where the different radiation components have been measured and compared at the stream level (at microclimate conditions). Therefore, this study presents results on hydrometeorological conditions for a small tributary within Catamaran Brook (part of the Miramichi River system, New Brunswick, Canada) with the following specific objectives: (1) to compare between stream microclimate and remote meteorological conditions, (2) to compare measured long‐wave radiation data with those calculated from an analytical model, and (3), to calculate the corresponding river heat fluxes. The most salient findings of this study are (1) solar radiation and wind speed are parameters that are highly site specific within the river environment and play an important role in the estimation of river heat fluxes; (2) the incoming, outgoing, and net long‐wave radiation within the stream environment (under the forest canopy) can be effectively calculated using empirical formula; (3) at the study site more than 80% of the incoming long‐wave radiation was coming from the forest; (4) total energy gains were dominated by solar radiation flux (for all the study periods) followed by the net long‐wave radiation (during some periods) whereas energy losses were coming from both the net long‐wave radiation and evaporation. Conductive heat fluxes have a minor contribution from the overall heat budget (<3·5%); (5) the reflected short‐wave radiation at the water surface was calculated on average as 3·2%, which is consistent with literature values. Results of this study contribute towards a better understanding of river heat fluxes and water temperature models as well as for more effective aquatic resources and fisheries management. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reduced order observer based identification of base isolated buildings

The objective of this study is to identify system parameters from the recorded response of base isolated buildings, such as USC hospital building, during the 1994 Northridge earthquake. Full state measurements are not available for identification. Additionally, the response is nonlinear due to the yielding of the lead-rubber bearings. Two new approaches are presented in this paper to solve the aforementioned problems. First, a reduced order observer is used to estimate the unmeasured states. Second, a least squares technique with time segments is developed to identify the piece-wise linear system properties. The observer is used to estimate the initial conditions needed for the time segmented identification. A series of equivalent linear system parameters are identified in different time segments. It is shown that the change in system parameters, such as frequencies and damping ratios, due to nonlinear behavior of the lead-rubber bearings, are reliably estimated using the presented technique. It is shown that the response was reduced due to yielding of the lead-rubber bearings and period lengthening.     

Enrichment of heavy metals in paddy crops irrigated by paper mill effluents near Nanjangud, Mysore District, Karnatake, India

 Extensive irrigation by the effluents released from a paper mill near Nanjangud have led to the accumulation of heavy metals in the soil and different parts of the paddy crops. In this paper, the physicochemical characteristics of paper mill effluents and the accumulation of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Co, Cd, Cr, and Ni) in the soil and different parts (root, leaf, and seed) of the paddy crops growing in the irrigated area are described and compared with the soil and paddy crops irrigated by natural waters (unpolluted). Chemical and biological oxygen demands of wastewater were found to be 437 and 1070 ppm respectively, which are beyond the tolerance limits set by Indian standards. The total dissolved and suspended solids are 1754 and 900 ppm respectively. The concentration of heavy metals (except Zn) in the seeds is remarkably less than that in the roots and leaves of the paddy crops. The heavy metal uptake by plants shows the greatest accumulation of Cu, Cr, Co, and Pb in the roots; Cd and Ni in the leaves; and Zn in the seeds of rice. The heavy metal content of the soil and their total uptake by paddy roots has the relation: Pb>Zn>Cu>Cd and Pb>Cu>Zn>Cd. Survival of paddy crops irrigated by polluted waters indicates tolerance to toxic heavy metals. In conclusion, since in many tropical countries the common diet of people is rice, the accumulation of toxic heavy metals in rice may lead to health disorders. Received: 18 July 1995 / Accepted: 24 February 1997     

Seasonal variability of the temperature field off the south-west coast of India

The temperature field in the coastal region off south-west India exhibits a wellmarked annual cycle. Around March the isotherms develop an upward tilt near the coast. The magnitude of the tilt increases continuously till August, then decreases and vanishes in November. To check the hypothesis that this feature is in response to the local wind, we have used the resultant wind data to determine the annual march of the wind stress. It is found that though weak during November–March, the monthly-mean longshore component of the wind stress is always conducive to coastal upwelling and follows a pattern similar to that of the isotherm tilt. We interpret this result to indicate that coastal processes in the area during April–October are controlled by the longshore component of the local wind stress in accordance with the classical model for a coastal upwelling system. During November–March, when the wind stress is weak, it appears that the influence of the longshore density gradient, which persists at the surface during this period, dominates over the effect of the wind.     

Time segmented least squares identification of base isolated buildings

In this article two new approaches are presented for time domain identification of base isolated buildings from recorded response during earthquakes: (1) a least squares technique with time segments is developed to identify the piece-wise linear system properties; and (2) an observer is used to estimate the unmeasured states and initial conditions of different time segments. In base isolated buildings changes in dynamic properties occur during earthquake response due to nonlinear behavior. Hence, a multi-input and multi-output technique using time segments is developed for piece-wise linear system identification. The primary advantage of the developed time segmented technique is that it can be applied to windows of time history instead of the entire duration of earthquake response. The developed technique (1) starts with identification using the entire duration of the earthquake response; (2) evaluation of time segments during which the identified response differs significantly from the recorded response to establish windows of time history during which refined identification is necessary; and (3) identification of the change in dynamic properties in the established windows using the observer based time segmented least squares approach. Only partial state measurements are usually available for identification. Hence, an observer is used to estimate the unmeasured states and initial conditions needed for different time segments. By comparing identified response with recorded response, of an actual base isolated building which experienced Northridge earthquake, it is shown that the change in dynamic system parameters, such as periods and damping ratios, due to nonlinear response, are reliably estimated using the presented technique.     

Shock temperature in calcite (CaCO3) at 95-160 GPa

The temperatures induced in crystalline calcite (CaCO₃) upon planar shock compression (95-160 GPa) are reported from two-stage light gas gun experiments. Temperatures of 3300-5400 K are obtained by fitting six-channel optical pyrometer radiances in the 450-900 nm range to the Planck gray-body radiation law. Thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that these temperatures are some 400-1350 K lower than expected for vibronic excitations of the lattice with a 3R/mole-atom specific heat (R is gas constant). The temperature deficit along the Hugoniot is larger than that expected from only melting. In addition to melting, it appears likely that shock-induced decomposition of calcite occurs behind the shock front. We modeled disproportionation of calcite into CaO (solid) plus CO₂ (gas). For temperature calculations, specific heat at constant volume for 1 mole of CO₂ is taken to be 6.7R as compared to 9R in the solid state; whereas a mole of calcite and a mole of CaO have their solid state values 15R and 6R, respectively. Calculations suggest that the calcite decomposes to CaO and CO₂ at ∼110±10 GPa along the Hugoniot. Recent reanalysis of earlier VISAR measurements of particle velocity profiles [1] indicates that calcite shocked to 18 GPa undergoes disproportionation at much lower pressures upon isentropic expansion.