Combining biology,chemistry, and meteorology in modeling and measuring dry deposition

The range of chemical, biological, and meteorological processes contributing to the net exchange of trace chemical species between the atmosphere and the underlying surface is examined, in the context of a multiple-resistance exchange model. For those chemical species known to be always depositing, the resistance model provides a means to formulate appropriate deposition velocities in a convenient manner; however, extension to other situations is not straightforward. Field data indicate that the multiple-resistance approach is appropriate for application to assess the dry deposition of ozone and sulfur dioxide, but is not as appropriate for nitrogen dioxide. Data obtained over agricultural crops suggest that canopy factors frequently dominate the overall exchange process. A trial program of dry deposition measurement based on application of parameterized deposition velocities was initiated late in 1984, and has demonstrated shortcomings in under-standing concerning several factors, most importantly the roles of surface emissions and wetness, and the scaling-up of laboratory results to describe vegetative canopies.     

Eddy fluxes of CO2, water vapor,and sensible heat over a deciduous forest

Fluxes of CO₂, latent heat and sensible heat were measured above a fully-leafed deciduous forest in eastern Tennessee with the eddy correlation technique. These are among the first reported observations over such a surface. The influences of solar radiation, vapor pressure deficit and the aerodynamic and canopy resistances on these mass and energy exchanges are examined. Following a concept introduced by McNaughton and Jarvis (1983), examination of our data suggest that the water vapor exchange of a deciduous forest is not as strongly coupled with net radiation as is that of agricultural crops. The degree of decoupling is smaller than in the case of a coniferous forest. This difference may be attributable in part to the greater aerodynamic resistance to water vapor transfer in a deciduous forest. It appears that the concept of decoupling may be extended to the CO₂ exchange of a deciduous forest as well.Published as Paper No. 7832, Journal Series, Nebraska Agricultural Research Division. ATDD Contribution No. 85-17.     

A micrometeorological investigation of surface exchange of O3, SO2 and NO2: A case study

Data obtained in an intensive field study of the dry deposition of sulfur dioxide, ozone, and nitrogen dioxide, conducted in 1985 in central Pennsylvania, are used to illustrate the factors that must be considered to assure that high quality results are derived. In particular, the quality of the site must be such that flux measurements made above the surface are representative of surface values. For this purpose, tests involving momentum transfer and the surface energy budget are especially useful. In addition, conditions must not be changing rapidly, and the statistical uncertainty associated with flux measurement must be low. For the set of data presented here, conservative quality-assurance guidelines are used to reject potentially erroneous flux data. For ozone, most of the measured fluxes are of use in deriving surface resistances. For SO₂, far fewer data points are available. For NO₂, fluxes appear to lack the order of the O₃ and SO₂ fluxes, and do not enable surface resistances to be computed. The highest-quality SO₂ and O₃ data yield surface resistances in fair average agreement with model predictions for SO₂, but substantially higher than predictions for O₃.     

An application of the distributed hydrologic model CASC2D to a tropical montane watershed

Increased stormflow in the Quebrada Estero watershed (2.5 km²), in the northwestern Central Valley tectonic depression of Costa Rica, reportedly has caused flooding of the city of San Ramón in recent decades. Although scientifically untested, urban expansion was deemed the cause and remedial measures were recommended by the Programa de Investigación en Desarrollo Humano Sostenible (ProDUS). CASC2D, a physically-based, spatially explicit hydrologic model, was constructed and calibrated to a June 10th 2002 storm that delivered 110.5 mm of precipitation in 4.5 h visibly exceeded the bankfull stage (0.9 m) of the Quebrada flooding portions of San Ramón. The calibrated hydrograph showed a peak discharge 16.68% (2.5 m³ s⁻¹) higher, an above flood stage duration 20% shorter, and time to peak discharge 11 min later than the same observed discharge hydrograph characteristics. Simulations of changing land cover conditions from 1979 to 1999 showed an increase also in the peak discharge, above flood stage duration, and time to peak discharge. Analysis using a modified location quotient identified increased urbanization in lower portions of the watershed over the time period studied. These results suggest that increased urbanization in the Quebrada Estero watershed have increased flooding peaks, and durations above threshold, confirming the ProDUS report. These results and the CASC2D model offer an easy-to-use, pragmatic planning tool for policymakers in San Ramón to assess future development scenarios and their potential flooding impacts to San Ramón.     

Book Reviews

Books reviewed:
Statistical Methods for Spatial Data Analysis by OLIVER SCHABENBERGER AND CAROL A GOTWAY. Chapman & Hall, Norwell, MA, 2005, 488 pp. ISBN 1-58488-322-7, $89.95.
Fuzzy Modeling with Spatial Information for Geographic Problems , edited by FEDERICK E PETRY, VINCENT B ROBINSON, AND MARIA A COBB. Springer, New York, 2005, 338 pp. ISBN 3-54023713-5, $92.00 (hardcover).
Statistical Analysis of Geographic Information with ArcView GIS® and ArcGIS® (Second Edition) by DAVID W S WONG AND JAY LEE. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 2005. 429 pp. ISBN 0-471-34874-0, $95.00 (cloth).     

Hard X-Ray Emission from the Galaxy Cluster A2256

After the positive detection by BeppoSAX of hard X-ray radiation up to approximately 80 keV in the Coma Cluster spectrum, we present evidence for nonthermal emission from A2256 in excess of thermal emission at a 4.6 sigma confidence level. In addition to this power-law component, a second nonthermal component already detected by ASCA could be present in the X-ray spectrum of the cluster, which is not surprising given the complex radio morphology of the cluster central region. The spectral index of the hard tail detected by the Phoswich Detection System on board BeppoSAX is marginally consistent with that expected for the inverse Compton model. A value of approximately 0.05 μG is derived for the intracluster magnetic field of the extended radio emission in the northern regions of the cluster, while a higher value of approximately 0.5 μG could be present in the central radio halo, which is likely related to the hard tail detected by ASCA.     

Exploring controls of the early and stepped deglaciation on the western margin of the British Irish Ice Sheet

New optically stimulated luminescence dating and Bayesian models integrating all legacy and BRITICE-CHRONO geochronology facilitated exploration of the controls on the deglaciation of two former sectors of the British–Irish Ice Sheet, the Donegal Bay (DBIS) and Malin Sea ice-streams (MSIS). Shelf-edge glaciation occurred ~27 ka, before the global Last Glacial Maximum, and shelf-wide retreat began 26–26.5 ka at a rate of ~18.7–20.7 m a^–1. MSIS grounding zone wedges and DBIS recessional moraines show episodic retreat punctuated by prolonged still-stands. By ~23–22 ka the outer shelf (~25 000 km²) was free of grounded ice. After this time, MSIS retreat was faster (~20 m a^–1 vs. ~2–6 m a^–1 of DBIS). Separation of Irish and Scottish ice sources occurred ~20–19.5 ka, leaving an autonomous Donegal ice dome. Inner Malin shelf deglaciation followed the submarine troughs reaching the Hebridean coast ~19 ka. DBIS retreat formed the extensive complex of moraines in outer Donegal Bay at 20.5–19 ka. DBIS retreated on land by ~17–16 ka. Isolated ice caps in Scotland and Ireland persisted until ~14.5 ka. Early retreat of this marine-terminating margin is best explained by local ice loading increasing water depths and promoting calving ice losses rather than by changes in global temperatures. Topographical controls governed the differences between the ice-stream retreat from mid-shelf to the coast.     

Using tree stems in multi-temporal terrestrial lidar scanning data to monitor landslides on vegetated slopes

Landslides - Terrestrial lidar scanning (TLS) has become a widely accepted expert tool for monitoring geohazards on bare or sparsely vegetated slopes through change detection. While trees can be an...