The 2dF-SDSS LRG and QSO Survey: the spectroscopic QSO catalogue

We present the final spectroscopic QSO catalogue from the 2dF-SDSS LRG (luminous red galaxy) and QSO (2SLAQ) survey. This is a deep,  18 < g < 21.85  (extinction corrected), sample aimed at probing in detail the faint end of the broad line active galactic nuclei luminosity distribution at   z ≲ 2.6  . The candidate QSOs were selected from SDSS photometry and observed spectroscopically with the 2dF spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. This sample covers an area of 191.9 deg² and contains new spectra of 16 326 objects, of which 8764 are QSOs and 7623 are newly discovered [the remainder were previously identified by the 2dF QSO Redshift Survey (2QZ) and SDSS]. The full QSO sample (including objects previously observed in the SDSS and 2QZ surveys) contains 12 702 QSOs. The new 2SLAQ spectroscopic data set also contains 2343 Galactic stars, including 362 white dwarfs, and 2924 narrow emission-line galaxies with a median redshift of   z = 0.22  .
We present detailed completeness estimates for the survey, based on modelling of QSO colours, including host-galaxy contributions. This calculation shows that at   g ≃ 21.85  QSO colours are significantly affected by the presence of a host galaxy up to redshift   z ∼ 1  in the SDSS ugriz bands. In particular, we see a significant reddening of the objects in   g − i   towards the fainter g -band magnitudes. This reddening is consistent with the QSO host galaxies being dominated by a stellar population of age at least 2–3 Gyr.
The full catalogue, including completeness estimates, is available on-line at http://www.2slaq.info/ .     

Early experiences in monitoring the effects of Hong Kong's new generation of sewage outfalls on the marine environment

The rapid post war development of Hong Kong as a centre of population, industry and commerce far outstripped the provision of sewers, wastewater treatment and disposal facilities. A legacy of marine pollution remains; the Government is now addressing this problem through the implementation of an ambitious sewage strategy. At the core of the strategy lies a major sewerage programme and the construction of new sewage treatment plants and marine disposal outfalls. The authors outline the background to recent sewerage and related infrastructure development in Hong Kong and discuss the scope and role of an outfall performance verification monitoring programme. This monitoring programme also is intended to identify the need for future improvements to the system in order to ensure that statutory Water Quality Objectives can be achieved and maintained. This work is seen as an essential element in the strategy for providing a cost effective treatment and disposal system. The early stages of a programme to measure the effects of major sewage outfalls on coastal waters is described. Initial work in the north-west New Territories of Hong Kong has focused on understanding the dilution and dispersion of sewage plumes. Ongoing and recently completed plume tracking work, which has made use of innovative tools such as radio-isotope tracers, dye fluorescence, ADCP and other water quality sensors multiplexed to three dimensional positional recording systems is reviewed. The subsequent interpretation of these results and their value in assessing outfall performance is considered. The success of this work is discussed and the lessons for future monitoring programmes are identified.     

Scale Effect on Principal Component Analysis for Vector Random Functions

Principal component analysis (PCA) is commonly applied without looking at the spatial support (size and shape, of the samples and the field), and the cross-covariance structure of the explored attributes. This paper shows that PCA can depend on such spatial features. If the spatial random functions for attributes correspond to largely dissimilar variograms and cross-variograms, the scale effect will increase as well. On the other hand, under conditions of proportional shape of the variograms and cross-variograms (i.e., intrinsic coregionalization), no scale effect may occur. The theoretical analysis leads to eigenvalue and eigenvector functions of the size of the domain and sample supports. We termed this analysis growing scale PCA, where spatial (or time) scale refers to the size and shape of the domain and samples. An example of silt, sand, and clay attributes for a second-order stationary vector random function shows the correlation matrix asymptotically approaches constants at two or three times the largest range of the spherical variogram used in the nested model. This is contrary to the common belief that the correlation structure between attributes become constant at the range value. Results of growing scale PCA illustrate the rotation of the orthogonal space of the eigenvectors as the size of the domain grows. PCA results are strongly controlled by the multivariate matrix variogram model. This approach is useful for exploratory data analysis of spatially autocorrelated vector random functions.     

The Implications of Climate Change on Floods of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in Bangladesh

Climate change in the future would have implications for river discharges in Bangladesh. In this article, possible changes in the magnitude, extent and depth of floods of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna (GBM) rivers in Bangladesh were assessed using a sequence of empirical models and the MIKE11-GIS hydrodynamic model. Climate change scenarios were constructed from the results of four General Circulation Models (GCMs) –CSIRO9, UKTR, GFDL and LLNL, which demonstrate a range of uncertainties. Changes in magnitude, depth and extent of flood discharge vary considerably between the GCMs. Future changes in the peak discharge of the Ganges River are expected to be higher than those for the Brahmaputra River. Peak discharge of the Meghna River may also increase considerably. As a result, significant changes in the spatial extent and depths of inundation in Bangladesh may occur. Faster changes in inundation are expected at low temperature increases than of higher temperature changes. Changes in land inundation categories may introduce substantial changes in rice agriculture and cropping patterns in Bangladesh. Reduction of increased flood hazard due to climate change requires strengthening of flood management policies and adaptation measures in Bangladesh.     

Field estimates of alfalfa evapotranspiration by energy balance-resistance modelling

Summary Estimates of mean daily evapotranspiration using the aerodynamic resistance-surface energy balance (ARSEB) model of Monteith were obtained for three periods during 3 September (day of year 246) to 15 November (day 319) 1983 in an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) field in central Arizona near Coolidge. These estimates were compared with Penman method estimates, within situ soil water balance (SWB) method estimates, and with long-term soil water depletion-based estimates of evapotranspiration for central Arizona. The SWB method estimates were obtained from soil moisture data collected to 1.5 m depth at 60 field sites, and to 1.8 m depth at 16 of the 60 sites. During relatively wet field conditions in September, daily estimates from the ARSEB method were on average about 19% to 23% lower than estimates from the Penman and SWB methods, respectively. However, for these wetter conditions, soil moisture data were only collected to 1.5 m depth. Thus, the SWB method may have overestimated evapotranspiration because drainage below the crop root zone was not measured. During drier conditions later in the season, ARSEB estimates of daily evapotranspiration were on average about 5% greater than Penman estimates. Also, ARSEB estimates were on the average about 24% to 35% greater than SWB method estimates. Agreement was good between ARSEB method estimates and long-term alfalfa evapotranspiration estimates by Erie et al. (1981) for central Arizona.

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Zusammenfassung Es werden mit Hilfe des ARSEB (Aerodynamisches Widerstands-Energiebilanz-Modell) von Monteith Schätzwerte der mittleren täglichen Evapotranspiration eines Luzernenfeldes für die Periode zwischen 3. September und 15. November 1983 gewonnen. Die Ergebnisse wurden mit denen der Penman-Methode, der Methode der Bodenwasserbilanz (SWB) und der Abschätzung über die langfristige Reduktion des Bodenwassers in Zentralarizona verglichen. Die SWB-Werte wurden aus Bodenfeuchtedaten in 1,5 m Tiefe von 60 Punkten und 1,8 m Tiefe von 16 Punkten berechnet. Während relativ feuchter Bedingungen im September waren die ARSEB-Schätzwerte durchschnittlich etwa 19 bis 23% niedriger als die der Penman- und SWB-Methode. Für feuchte Verhältnisse wurden allerdings nur Daten aus 1,5 m Tiefe gesammelt. Daher mag die SWB-Methode die Evapotranspiration überschätzt haben, weil der Abfluß unter dem Wurzelbereich nicht gemessen wurde. Unter trockeneren Bedingungen waren die ARSEB-Werte etwa 5% höher als die nach Penman. Gegenüber den SWB-Werten lagen die der ARSEB-Methode um etwa 24 bis 35% höher. Die Übereinstimmung zwischen ARSEB-Werten und den Abschätzungen der Luzernenevapotranspiration nach Erie et al. (1981) für Zentralarizona war gut.

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A geomagnetic variation study of Scotland

Summary. Data from eighteen Gough—Reitzel magnetometers and four flux-gate magnetometers, which were operated in North Scotland, are presented and discussed. The coverage given by this set of instruments was not dense enough to resolve satisfactorily the complex induction anomalies in this area but some of the major features seen are described. The features observed cannot be accounted for either by oceanic induction effects or by source field effects. The Great Glen shows up as a major conductivity feature. Other effects are also observed, some apparently associated with the highly resistive granites found in this area.     

Projected risks to groundwater‐dependent terrestrial vegetation caused by changing climate and groundwater abstraction in the Central Perth Basin,Western Australia

The effect of potential climate change on groundwater‐dependent vegetation largely depends on the nature of the climate change (drying or wetting) and the level of current ecosystem dependence on groundwater resources. In south‐western Australia, climate projections suggest a high likelihood of a warmer and drier climate. The paper examines the potential environmental impacts by 2030 at the regional scale on groundwater‐dependent terrestrial vegetation (GDTV) adapted to various watertable depths, on the basis of the combined consideration of groundwater modelling results and the framework for GDTV risk assessment. The methodology was tested for the historical period from 1984 to 2007, allowing validation of the groundwater model results' applicability to such an assessment. Climate change effects on GDTV were evaluated using nine global climate models under three greenhouse gas emission scenarios by applying the climate projections to groundwater models. It was estimated that under dry climate scenarios, GDTV is likely to be under high and severe risk over more than 20% of its current habitat area. The risk is also likely to be higher under an increase in groundwater abstraction above current volumes. The significance of climate change risk varied across the region, depending on both the intensity of the change in water regime and the sensitivity of the GDTV to such change. Greater effects were projected for terrestrial vegetation dependent on deeper groundwater (6–10 m). Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.