An open web-based module developed to advance data-driven hydrologic process learning

The era of ‘big data’ promises to provide new hydrologic insights, and open web-based platforms are being developed and adopted by the hydrologic science community to harness these datasets and data services. This shift accompanies advances in hydrology education and the growth of web-based hydrology learning modules, but their capacity to utilize emerging open platforms and data services to enhance student learning through data-driven activities remains largely untapped. Given that generic equations may not easily translate into local or regional solutions, teaching students to explore how well models or equations work in particular settings or to answer specific problems using real data is essential. This article introduces an open web-based module developed to advance data-driven hydrologic process learning, targeting upper level undergraduate and early graduate students in hydrology and engineering. The module was developed and deployed on the HydroLearn open educational platform, which provides a formal pedagogical structure for developing effective problem-based learning activities. We found that data-driven learning activities utilizing collaborative open web platforms like CUAHSI HydroShare and JupyterHub to store and run computational notebooks allowed students to access and work with datasets for systems of personal interest and promoted critical evaluation of results and assumptions. Initial student feedback was generally positive, but also highlighted challenges including trouble-shooting and future-proofing difficulties and some resistance to programming and new software. Opportunities to further enhance hydrology learning include better articulating the benefits of coding and open web platforms upfront, incorporating additional user-support tools, and focusing methods and questions on implementing and adapting notebooks to explore fundamental processes rather than tools and syntax. The profound shift in the field of hydrology toward big data, open data services and reproducible research practices requires hydrology instructors to rethink traditional content delivery and focus instruction on harnessing these datasets and practices in the preparation of future hydrologists and engineers.     

Paleogeographic and geodynamic Miocene evolution of the Tunisian Tell (Numidian and Post-Numidian Successions): bearing with the Maghrebian Chain

The Numidian and Post-Numidian stratigraphy of the Tunisian Tell has been updated based on 16 stratigraphic sections belonging to the Massylian sub-domain of the Maghrebian Flysch Basin and to the External Domain. The new data concern detailed litho- and biostratigraphy, gaps, synchronous marker levels, lateral correlations, tectonic contacts, etc. The successions studied show many diachronous and unconformity boundaries delimiting sedimentary depositional sequences related to some tectonic/sedimentary processes. Two main Miocene sedimentary successions (Numidian and Post-Numidian) are recognized overlying the Sub-Numidian Succession (pre-Early Aquitanian) by new integrated (planktonic foraminifera and calcareous nannoplankton) chronostratigraphic analyses, allowing an update of the formations studied. The Miocene tectonic/sedimentary relationships and the timing of the deformation are summarized as follows: (1) the activation of a foredeep stage and a tectogenesis phase gives rise to an accretionary orogenic wedge during mainly the Early Miocene; (2) a late-orogenic phase is checked in the Late Burdigalian-Early Langhian characterized by a marine glauconitic terrigenous sedimentation; (3) a post-orogenic generalized phase is confirmed from the Middle Miocene on in shallow marine or continental sedimentation. These results show good correlation along the Maghrebian Chain and Betic Cordillera. Finally, a paleogeographic and geodynamic evolutionary model concerning the Miocene African Tunisian Margin is postulated.     

Estimation of coda and shear wave attenuation in the volcanic area in SE Sabalan Mountain,NW Iran

The quality factors of coda and shear waves have been estimated for the SE Sabalan Mountain, geothermal region in northwestern Iran. We have analyzed 65 local earthquakes with magnitude of 2.8 to 6.1 and 2.8 to 5 for shear and coda wave quality factor estimation, respectively. These events were recorded on five stations installed by Building and Housing Research Center Network. Coda normalization and Spectral decay methods have been used to estimate the frequency dependence attenuation relation for shear wave, and single back-scattering method for coda waves. We have observed that the coda normalization method has supplied significantly higher Q _S values as compared to the spectral method. The results show that, in general, Q values are significantly smaller for the entire frequency range as compared to tectonically active areas and are close to the values for volcanic areas.     

Effect of texture of carbonate soils in South Iran coasts on aggregate crushing

Aggregate crushing is a phenomenon occurring in carbonate soils under shear and compressive loads resulting in settlement of the offshore structures such as piers, bridges, waterfronts, wharfs, and oil and gas extraction platform foundations. Therefore, it is of significant importance to address the above-mentioned issue through a comprehensive study. In the present research, the texture of carbonate soil in south Iran coasts and its effect at high hydrostatic pressure (2?MPa) on aggregate crushing was studied. The physical properties of coastal soils, such as the effective grain size, shape index, and angularity were then characterized to investigate their effect on grain crushing grade. The results showed that the effective grain size, shape index, angularity, and calcium carbonate content are the main parameters affecting the crushing of grains and consequently settlement of marine soils. Based on the above parameters, a relationship is proposed to estimate grain crushing in carbonate soils.     

Experimental study on the phase transformation point of crushable and noncrushable soils

Two marine calcareous deposits as crushable soils and a siliceous sand as a noncrushable soil were used in this study to compare their monotonic response. Undrained monotonic triaxial tests were conducted on samples, which were prepared in different relative densities and consolidated under various confining pressures. The location of phase transformation point in undrained response of the sands in different initial conditions was evaluated. The effect of important parameters including relative density, confining pressure, particle shape, and particle breakage on phase transformation point was assessed. The input energy applied per unit volume of the soils was used to interpret the shearing response of crushable and noncrushable soils. The results showed that calcareous sands have more tendencies in contraction. Particle shape and breakage play a key role in engineering behavior of crushable soils.     

First record of Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Pisces: Gempylidae) from New Zealand

Lepidocybium flavobrunneum (Smith, 1849) is widespread in warmer oceanic waters and has recently been recorded in the catches of tuna longline vessels in the New Zealand region. Twenty‐five specimens were caught at 31°46′‐32°03′S, 170°49′‐171°11′ E on 23–27 June 1979, thus extending the known range of the species to northern New Zealand.     

Viscous, cohesive, non-Newtonian, depositing, radial slurry flow

Mining induced subsidence can significantly affect mining costs where major surface facilities and natural environment need to be protected. Overburden grout injection is a technology used to control coal mine subsidence by injecting the mine waste material extracted from the coal back into the inter-burden rock during longwall mining. The flowing slurry is here categorised as a nonlinear viscous cohesive (Bingham plastic) fluid. During longwall mining the grout slurry is pumped into the separated beds of the rock mass through a central vertical borehole, which is drilled deep into the inter-burden rock strata above the coal seam. However, a blockage can occur in the injection system when the slurry velocity falls below a certain critical threshold velocity, indicating a material phase change from cohesive-viscous to cohesive-frictional. In situ field injection tests through boreholes have been simulated at a smaller scale at the CSIRO laboratory in Brisbane by pumping the slurry through a radial disk (gap = 4 mm) from its centre. Laboratory experiments indicate a general, nonlinear, cohesive, viscous, frictional model for shear behaviour of the slurry, in which the material shear parameters are functions of the disk radial distance. Complete dimensional and dimensionless analytical solutions have been developed based on an approach related to Bingham–Herschel–Bulkley fluid mechanics. The derived formulae include relations for minimum pump pressure, local pressure and pressure gradient, wall shear stress, volume rate, velocity and velocity gradient. The theoretical results match the experimental measurements. The experiments covered slurries with maximum particle sizes of 0.5 to 2 mm with about 50% being larger than 100 µm. The viscosities at the various solids concentrations were measured with a standard torsion viscometer. This study differs from the previous research in several distinct aspects, namely, consideration of the variable shear parameters rather than fixed values, inclusion of total nonlinear behaviour, and implementation of a friction function to mimic behaviour of the deposited and consolidating stiff slurry, which can cause a significant pressure rise as a result of the increased shear resistance.     

Evaluating the impact of management scenarios and land use changes on annual surface runoff and sediment yield using the GeoWEPP: a case study from the Lighvanchai watershed,Iran

This study was undertaken to evaluate land use change impact and management scenarios on annual average surface runoff (SR) and sediment yield (SY) using the GeoWEPP tool in the Lighvanchai watershed (located in northwestern Iran). Following a sensitivity analysis, the WEPP model was calibrated (2005–2007) and validated (2008–2010) against monthly observed SY and SR. The coefficient of determination (R ²), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), mean bias error (MBE), and root-mean-square error (RMSE) were applied to quantitatively evaluate the WEPP model. The results indicate a satisfactory model performance with R ² > 0.80 and NSE > 0.60. Therefore, the model for current land use (scenario 1) was run for a 30-year time period (1982–2011). The annual average of SR and sediment load were predicted as 93,584 m³/year and 4340 ton/year, respectively. To reduce the annual average surface runoff and sediment yield at the watershed scale, the second scenario (alfalfa cultivation with suitable tillage) and the third scenario (grassland development) as two management scenarios of land use changes were defined by identifying the critical hillslopes. The rate of SR and sediment load in the second scenario were 42,096 m³/year and 429 ton/year, respectively. For the third scenario, the model predictions were 30,239 m³/year and 226 ton/year, respectively. Compared to the first scenario, the reduction rates in annual average of sediment load were about 90 and 94%, respectively. Moreover, for the second and third management scenarios, the reduction rates in annual average of SR were about 55 and 67%, respectively.