Interstitial flow through preferential flow paths in the hyporheic zone of the Oberer Seebach,Austria

We investigated interstitial flow velocities in the Oberer Seebach, Austria, with NaCl tracer injections at a sediment depth of 30 cm to estimate the hydraulic conditions experienced by invertebrates inhabiting the hyporheic zone. Flow velocity measured with tracers is taken as travel time of the water along a straight line between injection and sampling points, although the water flows around sediment particles, and thus travels a somewhat longer distance. From sections of stream sediment in which the interstitial spaces were replaced by concrete, we estimated that this difference amounts, on average, to 27% and used this factor to correct the results of our velocity measurements. Corrected interstitial water velocities ranged from 0.01 to 1.32 cm s^-1 and were independent of surface discharge. We also studied spatial flow patterns in the bed sediments with long-term tracer injections. The three-dimensional distribution of tracer concentrations 24 hours after the start of the injection indicated that interstitial water preferentially flows in a complex network of areas of high hydraulic connectivity. Reynolds numbers for flow in the hyporheic pore space ranged from 0.1 to 489, implying that the flow environment varies from laminar up to the zone of transition to turbulent flow. Therefore, invertebrates may have a size-related active choice of areas where either friction drag or pressure drag predominates. The consequence of flow patterns, such as those observed in our study, is that small-scale variability of hydraulic conditions may be an important determinant of the patchy invertebrate distribution in bed sediments.     

Insights into bedload transport processes of a large regulated gravel‐bed river

A comprehensive monitoring programme focusing on bedload transport behaviour was conducted at a large gravel‐bed river. Innovative monitoring strategies were developed during five years of preconstruction observations accompanying a restoration project. A bedload basket sampler was used to perform 55 cross‐sectional measurements, which cover the entire water discharge spectrum from a 200‐year flood event in 2013 to a rare low flow event. The monitoring activities provide essential knowledge regarding bedload transport processes in large rivers. We have identified the initiation of motion under low flow conditions and a decrease in the rate of bedload discharge with increasing water discharge around bankfull conditions. Bedload flux strongly increases again during high flood events when the entire inundation area is flooded. No bedload hysteresis was observed. The effective discharge for bedload transport was determined to be near mean flow conditions, which is therefore at a lower flow discharge than expected. A numerical sediment transport model was able to reproduce the measured sediment transport patterns. The unique dataset enables the characterisation of bedload transport patterns in a large and regulated gravel‐bed river, evaluation of modern river engineering measures on the Danube, and, as a pilot project has recently been under construction, is able to address ongoing river bed incision, unsatisfactory ecological conditions for the adjacent national park and insufficient water depths for inland navigation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Strengthening of moment‐resisting frame structures against near‐fault ground motion effects

Near‐fault ground motions with forward directivity are characterized by a large pulse. This pulse‐like motion may cause a highly non‐uniform distribution of story ductility demands for code‐compliant frame structures, with maximum demands that may considerably exceed the level of code expectations. Strengthening techniques for multi‐story frame structures are explored with the objective of reducing maximum drift demands. One option is to modify the code‐based SRSS distribution of story shear strength over the height by strengthening of the lower stories of the frame. The modified distribution reduces the maximum story ductility demand, particularly for weak and flexible structures. However, this strengthening technique is less effective for stiff structures, and is almost ineffective in cases in which the maximum demand occurs in the upper stories, i.e. strong and flexible structures. As an alternative, the benefits of strengthening frames with elastic and inelastic walls are evaluated. The effects of adding walls that are either fixed or hinged at the base are investigated. It is demonstrated that strengthening with hinged walls is very effective in reducing drift demands for structures with a wide range of periods and at various performance levels. Wall inelastic behavior only slightly reduces the benefits of strengthening with hinged walls.Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Developmental,Reproductive, and Demographic Alterations in Aquatic Wildlife: Establishing Causality between Exposure to Endocrine‐active Compounds (EACs) and Effects

This brief overview discusses the difficulty of demonstrating causal associations between exposure to endocrine active compounds (EACs) and the occurrence of developmental, reproductive, or demographic disturbances in aquatic wildlife. While for biological responses at the suborganism level correlational or causal evidence of an EAC etiology has been established in a number of cases, well proven examples of ecological consequences of endocrine disruption are rather few in number. The attribution of causality is complicated due to (i) lack of data on EAC exposure and bioaccumulation, (ii) lack of specific biomarkers and endpoints, together with insufficient knowledge on the mechanisms and conditions by which EAC‐induced disruption of endocrine functions translates into impaired organism development and reproduction, and (iii) insufficient understanding of the importance of species diversity in endocrine physiology and life histories for the consequences of endocrine disruption. Future research should address these gaps in our understanding of EAC exposure and effects, but additionally needs to pay more attention (i) to ecological determinants influencing the population‐level consequences of the endocrine disruption of developÍmental and reproductive functions, and (ii) to the use of epidemiological principles and approaches.     

GRAVEL SLUICING IN ALPINE RUN-OF-RIVER HYDROPOWER PLANTS

1 INTRODUCTIONNdsral rivers entering reservoirs carry also sediment, partly as bedload and patly in suspension. At theentrance of the reservoir flow velocity is considerably reduced and the capability of sediment transport isdrashcally fading. Bedload maerial is deposited totally at the reservoir entrance fondng a delta, material...in suspension is cAned further intO the reservoir ulh.. it is partly deposited and partly dischargedthrough the dam towards downstreaxn (depending on the trapp…     

Über den transport von Wolfram und den Absatz von Wolfram-Doppel-Oxiden in fluiden wässrigen LösungenThe transport of tungsten and the deposition of tungsten double oxides in fluid,aqueous solutions

The transportation of W in aqueous gas-phases at and above 500°C is examined using thermodynamic data. The transport of W is possible as fluoride and oxifluoride. The deposition of wolframite continues with decreasing temperature and pressure. The stabilities of wolframates in hydrothermal solutions are examined for temperatures up to 300°C with Eh-pH-diagrams, exchange reactions of wolframite with oxides, sulfides and dissolved ions. Fe₂WO₆ becomes stable against Fe₂O₃ + WO₃ above 126°C. At 300°C its range of stability begins at high pO₂ which is not realised in hydrothennal endogenous solutions. In consequence of the very low Gibbs energies of MgWO₄, CaWO₄ and BaWO₄, the minerals MgWO₄ and BaWO₄ should be more important than wolframite, if Mg and Ba coexist in solution together with W. Co and Ni also should be found as trace elements in wolframite, if Co and Ni were in solution in sufficiently high concentrations together with W.