Methods for biological assessment of salt-loaded running waters - fundamentals, current positions and perspectives

Salinisation of running waters is a severe problem in many parts of the world. Monitoring and management of such waters require ecological methods which consider the hydrochemical effects of salinisation on the aquatic communities in order to set targets to protect habitats and biodiversity. Several bioassays have been developed for this purpose and are surveyed here. They are based on the salt sensitivity of the following groups of organisms: diatoms, ciliates and macroinvertebrates. In this paper experiences gained so far are also considered as well as practical applications originating from this research.     

Evaluation of the recharge processes and impacts of irrigation on groundwater using CFCs and radiogenic isotopes in the Silao-Romita basin, Mexico

The recharge processes in the overexploited aquifer of the Silao Romita basin, central Mexico, were investigated by means of gaseous tracers (chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs) and radioactive isotopes (C-14, tritium). CFC concentrations varied between 0.06 and 12 pmol/l (CFC-11), 0.03 and 1.7 pmol/l (CFC-12), and <0.01 and 0.23 pmol/l (CFC-113). CFC concentrations are controlled by irrigation return flow which became apparent by the comparison with tritium. Tritium activities ranged from 0 to 3.5 TU. The calculated mean residence times of 70 to more than 300 years are considerably lower than the ages estimated based on the CFCs data. These data showed that CFCs were not appropriate for groundwater dating in this particular area but the CFCs were suitable as a qualitative measure of the magnitude of irrigation return flow which proved to be a significant source of recharge in the irrigated areas. Radiocarbon activities were in the range of 6–109 pmC. Carbon-13 values varied between –11.9 and –7.2‰ VPDB. Modelling of carbon isotopes with NETPATH along a plausible flow path reveals considerable influences of exchange with soil CO₂ and carbonate dissolution. Radiocarbon data indicate, at least in one case, the existence of groundwaters with residence times of more than 10,000 years.     

Stratigraphische Untersuchungen im Paläozoikum des Montseny (Katalonien/Spanien)

The Catalonian Coast Bange and Inner Bange are the connecting link between the East-Pyrenees in the North and the Celtiberic Chains in the Southeast. During the Paleozoic the Catalonian Ranges differ from both areas by extreme eugeosynclinal conditions with very low rates of sedimentation. Similar conditions in the Hercynian of Spain are to be found in the “pelagic” areas of the southwestern part of the Sierra Morena from upper Ordovician to Lower Carboniferous times. Based on the mapping of the Avencó-Valley (a part of the Montseny-Mountains/Catalonia) the Paleozoic layers are described and a stratigraphic subdivision is worked out. The conformable sequence begins in the upper Ordovician (Caradoc) and continues to the Visean. Buntsandstein is unconformably overlying the Paleozoic. The Ordovician/Silurian boundary is determined by Graptolithes; the Silurian/Devonian boundary is located within a sequence of Orthoceras-limestone as elsewhere in the Catalonian Range. For lack of fossils the Devonian/Carboniferous boundary is not clearly defined; instead a lithologic boundary was used. Special stress has been laid upon sedimentary structures.     

Long-term observation of volcanic tremor on Stromboli volcano (Italy): A synopsis

The features of seismic activity on Stromboli are discussed and compared in terms of their relationship with the main changes of volcanic activity from 1990 to 1993.We considered a statistical approach for our data analysis. Cluster analysis was used to seek out classes of spectra which might characterize the condition of the volcanic system. The classes we have found provide insights into a scenario which evolves through different phases of volcanic activity, from paroxysms to low activity. We show that episodes of lava effusion and lava fountaining are heralded by variations in the spectral features of tremor after a preparation time. This result highlights the importance of tremor, and reveals that long-term observations are key to examine slow modifications in a volcanic system such as Stromboli, characterized by open conduits, and persistent explosive activity.     

The Catalogue of the Vogtland/Western Bohemia Earthquakes and Vocatus as an Auxiliary Code

The catalogue of earthquakes from the Vogtland/Western Bohemia region joins data which have been observed with local seismic stations since 1962. Up to now, data on more than 17.000 earthquakes were compiled to the catalogue. A special code VOCATUS supports its use and explains the collected data. Both, catalogue and code VOCATUS are described. From the catalogue, there follows a recurrence of the earthquake occurrence which is discussed in detail.     

Über den Schwermineralgehalt von anstehendem und verwittertem Brockengranit nördlich St. Andreasberg

Zusammenfassung Es wird der Gehalt an durchsichtigen Schwermineralen im anstehenden Granit und seinen Verwitterungsprodukten am Südrand des Brockengranitmassivs nördlich St. Andreasberg quantitativ untersucht.Die Korngrößenverteilung einzelner Schwerminerale im anstehenden und verwitterten Gestein wird angeführt. Dabei werden Rückschlüsse auf ihre mechanische und chemische Stabilität gezogen. und Zirkon hier fast nurmechanisch beeinflußbar sind.Die Verwitterung begünstigt die Bildung von Anatas, Epidot und vielleicht Brookit.Die Ausbildung der beschriebenen Schwermineralfamilie scheint das Ergebnis pneumatolytischer Bildungsbedingungen und hydrothermal-autometamorpher Umwandlung des Granits zu sein und erfährt letztlich eine Wandlung in situ durch die Verwitterung.     

The Footprint for Estimation of Atmosphere-Surface Exchange Fluxes by Profile Techniques

The flux footprint, that is the contribution per unit emission from each element of the upwind surface area to measurement of the vertical flux of a passive scalar, is calculated for fluxes estimated by micrometeorological profile techniques. It is found that the upwind extent of the footprint for concentration-profile flux estimates is similar to that of the footprint for eddy-covariance flux measurements, when the eddy-covariance measurement is made at a height equal to the arithmetic mean of the highest and lowest profile measurement heights for stable stratification or the geometric mean for unstable stratification. The concentration-profile flux footprint depends on the ratio of the highest to the lowest measurement height, but is insensitive to the number of measurement levels. The concentration-profile flux footprint extends closer to the measurement location than does the 'equivalent eddy-covariance flux footprint, and the difference becomes more pronounced as the ratio of the profile measurement heights increases. The flux footprint for the Bowen-ratio technique is identical to that for a two-level profile measurement only for very limited circumstances. In the more general case, a flux footprint cannot be defined for the Bowen-ratio technique and the uniform upwind fetch required for representative flux measurements depends on the specific spatial distribution of surface fluxes.