Depositional sequences in a foreland basin (north-western domain of the continental Duero basin,Spain)

The Cenozoic record of the north-western domain of the Duero basin is articulated at the surface through a set of continental depositional sequences called, from base to top, the Vegaquemada sequence, the Candanedo sequence, and the Barrillos sequence. These depositional sequences were deposited in continental sedimentary environments. The deposition of the first sequence occurred through a fluvial system with floodplains cut by low-sinuosity channels. The Vegaquemada sequence was developed between the Middle Eocene and the Early Agenian. The second sequence was formed by a set of highly efficient transport alluvial fans that evolved laterally towards fluvial systems with low-sinuosity fluvial channels and an extensive floodplain, where several types of palaeosols were formed. This sequence developed between the Early Agenian and the Late Vallesian. The third unit–the Barrillos sequence (between the Late Vallesian and the Turolian/Ruscinian transition), was generated by a set of highly efficient transport alluvial fans dominated by low-sinuosity fluvial channels.In subsurface geology, seismic and well data are used to rebuild the stratigraphic architecture. The two basal depositional sequences can be identified with two seismic units: the Palaeogene Seismic Unit (PgSU) and the Neogene Seismic Unit (NgSU), respectively. In the present work, we obtained the isovelocity, isochron, and isobath maps for the top and base of the two Cenozoic units. The Palaeozoic (PzSU) and Mesozoic (MzSU) seismic units are found under these two units. Through study of the logs of the various boreholes, it was only possible to analyse the upper 700 m of the Candanedo Sequence (NgSU), without encompassing the total thickness of the unit. Several middle-order sequences were differentiated, in general showing a sequential fining-upwards evolutionary character. Additionally, for the boreholes analysed two main types of electrofacies were identified, both representing fluvial channels and floodplain deposits.The north-western domain of the Duero basin is interpreted to have been formed in response to the tectonic uplifting of the Cantabrian Mountains since Middle-Eocene times. Integration of the data concerning the surface and subsurface geology in this domain reveals that this basin edge behaved as a foreland basin during Cenozoic stages. The foredeep, with a depth of 2800 m, is oriented east–west and has a sediment thickness of up to 3500 m. The forebulge is located in the southwestern zone and represents an area of basement uplifting in which a minimum thickness of materials from the Cenozoic depositional sequences has accumulated.     

Interacting Effect of pH,Phosphate and Time on the Release of Arsenic from Polluted River Sediments (Anllóns River,Spain)

The interacting effect of pH, phosphate and time on the release of arsenic (As) from As-rich river bed sediments was studied. Arsenic release edges and kinetic release experiments (pH range 3–10), in the absence and presence of phosphate, coupled with sequential extraction procedures, SEM/EDX analyses and geochemical calculations, were carried out to evaluate As remobilisation and to elucidate the mechanisms involved. The results showed that As release underwent pronounced kinetic effects, which were strongly influenced by pH and phosphate. Remobilisation of As after 24 h was low (between ~1 and 5%) and varied slightly with pH, whereas alkaline conditions generally promoted As remobilisation after 168 h, with up to 12–21% of total As released. The results showed that depending on the pH and sediment considered, the release of As increased dramatically after ~48–72 h, suggesting that different processes are involved at different reaction periods. The addition of phosphate (1 mM) increased both the amount of As released (between 2 and 8 times) and the rate of As release from the sediments within the entire pH range (3–10) and period (168 h) studied. Moreover, in some cases, it also affected the shape of the As release edges and kinetic profiles. The similarities in the release profiles and the positive correlations between As and some sediment components, especially Fe and Al hydroxides, and organic matter—which appears to play a key role at high pH—suggest that As release from the studied sediments may be associated with solid phase dissolution processes under both acid and alkaline pH, whereas desorption plays a key role in the short term and at natural pH conditions, especially in the presence of phosphate, which acts as an As-displacing ligand. Evaluation of As mobility based on short-time leaching experiments may seriously underestimate the mobilisation of As from sediments.     

Cu- and Zn-Soil Anomalies in the NE Border of the South Portuguese Zone (Iberian Variscides,Portugal) Identified by Multifractal and Geostatistical Analyses

Extensive Cu- and Zn-soil geochemical data in the Albernoa/Entradas–S. Domingos region (NE border of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, South Portuguese Zone) were examined to separate anomalies from background using the concentration–area fractal model. Distribution patterns of Cu and Zn concentrations in soil are primarily influenced by bedrock. The regional threshold values of Cu- and Zn-soil contents over metasedimentary sequences are 20–25 and 20–60 ppm, respectively, becoming 30–50 and 20–90 ppm, respectively, when metavolcanic rocks are present. The first-order threshold values for Cu are 80–90 ppm in soils over metasediments and 70–80 ppm in soils over sequences bearing metavolcanics. For Zn, the first-order threshold values are 40–80 and 90–100 ppm in soils over metasediments and metavolcanic rocks, respectively. Metasediments and metavolcanics comprising significant sulphide disseminations are outlined by Cu- and Zn-soil values above 100 and 300 ppm in soil, respectively. On the basis of these results, Alvares and Albernoa/Entradas areas emerge as the first priority targets for exploration. The observed non-coincidence of Cu- and Zn-soil anomalies in soil in the area could reflect difference in element dispersion during weathering, they mostly indicate distinct metal sources related to the original composition of different rock types or to chemical changes developed during Variscan deformation/re-crystallization path. The established regional baseline data can be used as reference for environmental studies.     

Coping with climate variability and climate change in La Ceiba,Honduras

La Ceiba, Honduras, a city of about 200,000 people, lies along the Caribbean Sea, nestled against a mountain range and the Rio Cangrejal. The city faces three flooding risks: routine flooding of city streets due to the lack of a stormwater drainage system; occasional major flooding of the Rio Cangrejal, which flows through the city; and flooding from heavy rainfall events and storm surges associated with tropical cyclones. In this study, we applied a method developed for the U.S. Agency for International Development and then worked with stakeholders in La Ceiba to understand climate change risks and evaluate adaptation alternatives. We estimated the impacts of climate change on the current flooding risks and on efforts to mitigate the flooding problems. The climate change scenarios, which addressed sea level rise and flooding, were based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates of sea level rise (Houghton et al. 2001) and published literature linking changes in temperature to more intense precipitation (Trenberth et al., Bull Am Meteorol Soc, 84:1205–1217, 2003) and hurricanes (Knutson and Tuleya, J Clim, 17:3477–3495, 2004). Using information from Trenberth et al., Bull Am Meteorol Soc, 84:1205–1217, (2003) and Knutson and Tuleya, J Clim, 17:3477–3495, 2004, we scaled intense precipitation and hurricane wind speed based on projected temperature increases. We estimated the volume of precipitation in intense events to increase by 2 to 4% in 2025 and by 6 to 14% by 2050. A 13% increase in intense precipitation, the high scenario for 2050, could increase peak 5-year flood flows by about 60%. Building an enhanced urban drainage system that could cope with the estimated increased flooding would cost one-third more than building a system to handle current climate conditions, but would avoid costlier reconstruction in the future. The flow of the Rio Cangrejal would increase by one-third from more intense hurricanes. The costs of raising levees to protect the population from increased risks from climate change would be about $1 million. The coast west of downtown La Ceiba is the most vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surges. It is relatively undeveloped, but is projected to have rapid development. Setbacks on coastal construction in that area may limit risks. The downtown coastline is also at risk and may need to be protected with groins and sand pumping. Stakeholders in La Ceiba concluded that addressing problems of urban drainage should be a top priority. They emphasized improved management of the Rio Cangrejal watershed and improved storm warnings to cope with risks from extreme precipitation and cyclones. Adoption of risk management principles and effective land use management could also help reduce risks from current climate and climate change.     

Coupling the terrestrial hydrology model with biogeochemistry to the integrated LAND surface model: Amazon Basin applications

ABSTRACT

We coupled the hydrologic routing and flood dynamics model Terrestrial Hydrology Model with Biogeochemistry (THMB) to the Integrated LAND Surface Model (INLAND) and compared simulations of the discharge and flood extent area against gauge station and satellite-based information in the Amazon Basin. The coupled model represents well the seasonality of the flooding and discharge, but underestimates both of them. This can be related to an already discussed underestimate of the precipitation in the east of the Andes Mountains. A photosynthesis limitation on the flooded area was also included, showing changes in plant productivity and reduction in vegetation carbon stocks. Despite its limitations, the model proves to be a valuable tool for studies of the hydrological cycle and flood dynamics response to climate change projections, allowing it to be used to represent the feedbacks between continental surface water cycle and vegetation.     

Mapping zonal winds at Venus’s cloud tops from ground-based Doppler velocimetry

The most significant aspect of the general circulation of the atmosphere of Venus is its retrograde super-rotation. A complete characterization of this dynamical phenomenon is crucial for understanding its driving mechanisms. Here we report on ground-based Doppler velocimetry measurements of the zonal winds, based on high resolution spectra from the UV–Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES) instrument at ESO’s Very Large Telescope. Under the assumption of predominantly zonal flow, this method allows the simultaneous direct measurement of the zonal velocity across a range of latitudes and local times in the day side. The technique, based on long slit spectroscopy combined with the high spatial resolution provided by the VLT, has provided the first ground-based characterization of the latitudinal profile of zonal wind in the atmosphere of Venus, the first zonal wind field map in the visible, as well as new constraints on wind variations with local time. We measured mean zonal wind amplitudes between 106 ± 21 and 127 ± 14 m/s at latitudes between 18°N and 34°S, with the zonal wind being approximately uniform in 2.6°-wide latitude bands (0.3 arcsec at disk center). The zonal wind profile retrieved is consistent with previous spacecraft measurements based on cloud tracking, but with non-negligible variability in local time (longitude) and in latitude. Near 50° the presence of moderate jets is apparent in both hemispheres, with the southern jet being stronger by ～10 m/s. Small scale wind variations with local time are also present at low and mid-latitudes.     

Patterns of sea surface temperature variability on seasonal to sub-annual scales at and offshore the Río de la Plata estuary

SST variability on seasonal to sub-annual scales in the coastal region of South America between 30° and 39°S, largely influenced by the Rio de la Plata estuary’s plume, and its relation to wind variability are explored. Data are six years of daily ensembles of gridded satellite SST and sea surface winds with spatial resolutions of about 11 and 25 km, respectively. Observations from oceanographic cruises are used to validate the results. It is found that the seasonal cycle can be explained in terms of two modes. The first one, characterizing fall-early winter/spring-early summer, is related to the radiative cycle. The second one, corresponding to late summer and winter, displays warm/cold anomalies along the Uruguayan coast forced by the prevailing winds during those seasons. In the upper estuary and the northern part of the area of influence of the freshwater plume, variability in sub-annual scales is significant. A large portion of this variance is related to zonal wind anomalies that force warm/cold SSTs along that coast. Cold anomalies of up to −5 °C occur under anomalously intense easterly winds, indicating upwelling. These events are very frequent and show large persistence, occurring up to one and a half months. They also display a marked seasonal cycle – being more frequent in late spring and summer – large inter-annual variability and seem to be modulated by the continental runoff. When discharge is low, the freshwater plume retracts to the west, reducing the inner-shelf stratification and increasing the likelihood of a full upwelling to the surface. In winter, short time-scale SST variability is mostly due to variability in the atmospheric cold fronts crossing the region. Weaker or less frequent (stronger or more frequent) fronts produce a generalized warming (cooling) over the region. As the estuary heats (colds) faster than the shelf, a warm (cold) anomaly develops in the upper Río de la Plata. On inter-annual time scales, probably because ENSO activity was weak during the studied period, SST variability was not important.     

Management of non-structural measures in the prevention of flash floods: a case study in the city of Duque de Caxias,state of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil

In the last years, natural hazards related to flash floods have caused serious damage and losses to the population of the state of Rio de Janeiro. This research discusses the importance of implementing a methodology for the prevention of flash floods, by comparing the methods applied since 2013 in the city of Duque de Caxias, in the Baixada Fluminense region of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the major prevention actions suggested by the Flash Flood Early Warning System Reference Guide from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, questioning civil defense professionals about the importance of each method to vulnerable communities. Even without the occurrence of an extreme event that proves the effectiveness of the method between 2014 and 2016, the population will certainly be better prepared to face the risks of disasters in the city in the future. In addition, the study also underscores an approach of approximation between academic studies and operational activities, which is still very incipient in Brazil.     

Well site conditions associated with nitrate contamination in a multilayer semiconfined aquifer of Buenos Aires,Argentina

A stepwise logistic regression (LR) model was generated to evaluate the association between contamination of groundwater by nitrates with several risk factors such as soil types, farm facilities and practises, and well characteristics. The odds ratio was calculated to estimate the degree of impact that the associated variables had on the risk of contamination in a semiconfined multilayer aquifer underlying rural areas of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Duplicate farm groundwater samples (n = 160) were taken and nitrate was analyzed. Data, involving various farm factors, was gathered via two questionnaires concerning farm’s general and productive aspects, and well characteristics. Statistical tests were run between nitrates and each variable present in the survey. A 96.25% of the samples presented detectable nitrate levels, 40.91% of which had more than 45 ppm nitrates. The final LR model involved five of the variables under study: well age, soil permeability, depth of water table, location, and distance from well to contamination sources. Cross validation proved to be a good estimator of nitrate water contamination. Suspicions about how these characteristics influence groundwater contamination by nitrates were confirmed, and as these five factors represent a higher risk for this type of aquifer, their proper management may contribute to a better resource protection.     

An oversampling technique for the multiscale finite volume method to simulate electromagnetic responses in the frequency domain

In order to reduce the computational cost of the simulation of electromagnetic responses in geophysical settings that involve highly heterogeneous media, we develop a multiscale finite volume method with oversampling for the quasi-static Maxwell’s equations in the frequency domain. We assume a coarse mesh nested within a fine mesh that accurately discretizes the problem. For each coarse cell, we independently solve a local version of the original Maxwell’s system subject to linear boundary conditions on an extended domain, which includes the coarse cell and a neighborhood of fine cells around it. The local Maxwell’s system is solved using the fine mesh contained in the extended domain and the mimetic finite volume method. Next, these local solutions (basis functions) together with a weak-continuity condition are used to construct a coarse-mesh version of the global problem. The basis functions can be used to obtain the fine-mesh details from the solution of the coarse-mesh problem. Our approach leads to a significant reduction in the size of the final system of equations and the computational time, while accurately approximating the behavior of the fine-mesh solutions. We demonstrate the performance of our method using two 3D synthetic models: one with a mineral deposit in a geologically complex medium and one with random isotropic heterogeneous media. Both models are discretized using an adaptive mesh refinement technique.