Effects of vegetation cover on summer climate in China during 1982–2001

In this paper, we apply lagged correlation analysis to study the effects of vegetation cover on the summer climate in different zones of China, using NOAA/AVHRR normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data during the time period from 1982 to 2001 and climate data of 365 meteorological stations across China (precipitation from 1982 to 2001 and temperature from 1982 to 1998). The results show that there are positive correlations between spring NDVI and summer climate (temperature and precipitation) in most zones of China; these suggest that, when the vegetation cover increases, the summer precipitation will increase, and the lagged correlations show a significant difference between zones. The stronger correlations between NDVI in previous season and summer climate occur in three zones (Mid-temperate zone, Warm-temperate zone and Plateau climate zone), and this implies that vegetation changes have more sensitive feedback effects on climate in the three zones in China. Supported by the National 973 Program of China (No.2006CB701300), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.40721001), the Sino-Germany Joint Project (No. 2006DFB91920), the Open Fund of Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (T0102) and the Open Fund of LIESMARS, Wuhan University.     

Smooth particle hydrodynamics modelling of liquid-sediment system and coastal wave breaker

Ocean Dynamics - In this paper, a two-phase coastal liquid-sediment system and a wave breaker were numerically simulated using a particle-based smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH). To verify the...     

Third-order Uranus-Neptune theory

In this paper of the third order Uranus-Neptune planetary theory which is the third part of this work for the third order theory, we compute the Poisson brackets in the Lie series which is used to transform canonical variables. We apply Hori-Lie technique in this work and neglect all powers higher than the second in Poincaré variables H, K, P, Q. We restrict this work to the principal part of the disturbing function.     

Accurate determination of highly eccentric orbits in earth's gravtational field with axial symmetry

In this paper, an algorithm is constructed for the determination of the perturbed motion, in both, the rectangular and the orbital elements of highly eccentric orbits in Earth's gravitational field with axial symmetry whatever the number N of the zonal harmonic coefficients may be. An application of the algorithm for the Explorer 28 satellite (e > 0.94) is given for two geopotential models corresponding to N = 2 and N = 36. In both examples extremely accurate predictions during the satellite life time are obtained.     

Elemental characterization of black shales of Khyber Pakthunkhawa (KPK) region of Pakistan using AAS

Black shale samples were collected from Chimiari Khyber Pakthunkhawa region of Pakistan and were analyzed for elemental compositions. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) was utilized for the determination of elements in the digested solutions. The analysis of black shale was performed precisely with relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 2%. Results showed that the samples contained high concentrations of Ca (11.98 %), Al (7.09%), Fe (3.03%), Mg (0.59%) and Ti (0.58%).     

Runoff Estimation and Morphometric Analysis for Hesaraghatta Watershed Using IRS–1D LISS III FCC Satellite Data

The study area, Hesaraghatta watershed is located between 77° 20′ to 77° 42′ E longitude and 13° 10′ to 13° 24′ N latitude with an area of 600.01 km². Thematic layers such as Land Use/Land Cover, drainage, soil and hydrological soil group were generated from IRS–1D LISS III satellite data (FCC). An attempt was made to estimate runoff using Soil Conservation Service (SCS) curve number model and it was estimated to be 1960, 2066, 1870 and 1810 mm for sub-watersheds 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. Quantitative morphometric analysis was carried out for the entire watershed and the four sub-watersheds independently by estimating their (a) linear aspects like stream order, stream length, stream length ratio, bifurcation ratio, length of overland flow, drainage pattern (b) aerial aspects like shape factor, circulatory ratio, elongation ratio and drainage density and (c) relief aspects like basin relief, relief ratio, relative relief and ruggedness number. Drainage density was estimated to be 1.23 km/km² designating the study area as a very coarse textured watershed.     

Analysis of China vegetation dynamics using NOAA-AVHRR data from 1982 to 2001

The authors derived the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) from the NOAA/AVHRR Land dataset, at a spatial resolution of 8km and 15-day intervals, to investigate the vegetation variations in China during the period from 1982 to 2001. Then, GIS is used to examine the relationship between precipitation and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) in China, and the value of NDVI is taken as a tool for drought monitoring. The results showed that in the study period, China’s vegetation cover had tended to increase, compared to the early 1980s; mean annual NDVI increased 3.8%. The agricultural regions (Henan, Hebei, Anhui and Shandong) and the west of China are marked by an increase, while the eastern coastal regions are marked by a decrease. The correlation between monthly NDVI and monthly precipitation/temperature in the period 1982 to 2001 is significantly positive (R2=0.80, R2=0.84); indicating the close coupling between climate conditions (precipitation and temperature) and land surface response patterns over China. Examination of NDVI time series reveals two periods: (1) 1982–1989, marked by low values below average NDVI and persistence of drought with a signature large-scale drought during the 1982 and 1989; and (2) 1990–2001, marked by a wetter trend with region-wide high values above average NDVI and a maximum level occurring in 1994 and 1998.     

Improvement in Engineering Properties of Expansive Soils using Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag

Improvement in engineering properties of expansive soils by mixing ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is the main focus of this research. For this purpose two expansive soil samples were collected from DG Khan and Sialkot areas (Pakistan). Classification tests revealed that DG Khan sample belonged to fat clay (CH) while Sialkot soil was lean clay (CL) as classified by Unified Soil Classification System. GGBFS has been added in varying proportions between 0 and 55% in these soil samples to study its role in stabilizing these expansive soils. Based on the laboratory test performed on composite soil samples, it was observed that maximum dry unit weight increased up to 10 % by adding 50% GGBFS in both samples. California bearing ratio (CBR) value showed an increase from 3.2 % to 11.5% for DG Khan soil while CBR values varied from 2.4% to 10.7% for Sialkot soil by mixing 50% GGBFS. Addition of 30 % GGBFS to DG Khan soil reduced swell potential from 8 % to 2 % while in Sialkot soil, 20 % addition of GGBFS reduced swell potential from 5 % to 2 %. Unconfined compressive strength of remoulded sample cured for 28 days increased by about 35% with the addition of 30%GGBFS. The results indicated that mixing of GGBFS in the expansive soil samples have a marked increase in their engineering properties. Also, it is an affective and environmental friendly means to dispose waste of steel industry.     

SWAT manual calibration and parameters sensitivity analysis in a semi-arid watershed in North-western Morocco

Being a laborious approach, manual calibration of hydrologic model in a semi-arid context requires in-depth knowledge of the watershed and as much as possible field input data to obtain reliable simulations. In this study, manual calibration and relative sensitivity analysis approaches of the SWAT model (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) were applied for water balance in a 1993 km² watershed (on the R’dom river) located in North-western Morocco. The watershed is located in a semi-arid area dominated by agro-forestry activities. The objectives of this study were (i) to perform a local sensitivity analysis of the SWAT model taking into consideration the watershed characteristics and (ii) to implement a detailed methodology of manual calibration and validation of the model in a semi-arid context. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out on 12 different SWAT input parameters, and has revealed that 4 input parameters only were the most influential ones on flow components of the R’dom watershed. Model manual calibration was conducted along 2006 and 2007 by comparing measured and predicted monthly and daily discharges and taking Nash-Sutcliffe coefficient (NSE), determination coefficient (R ²), and percent bias (PBIAS) as goodness-of-fit indicators. Validation has been performed by the same approach through 2008 and 2009 period. All final NSE values were above 0.5, R ² values exceeded 0.7, and PBIAS lower than 25% demonstrating satisfactory model performances over the study watershed conditions. The SWAT model set-up with measured input data, manually calibrated and validated, reflects well the real hydrologic processes occurring in the R’dom watershed and can be used to assess current and future conditions and to evaluate alternative management practices.