The librations, shape, and icy shell of Europa

Europa, the smallest of the Galilean satellites, has a young icy surface and most likely contains an internal ocean. The primary objective of possible future missions to Europa is the unambiguous detection and characterization of a subsurface ocean. The thickness of the overlying icy shell provides important information on the thermal evolution of the satellite and on the interaction between the ocean and the surface, the latter being fundamental for astrobiology. However, the thickness is not well known, and estimates range from several hundred of meters to some ten of kilometers. Here, we investigate the use of libration (rotation variation) observations to study the interior structure of Europa and in particular its icy shell. A dynamical libration model is developed, which includes gravitational coupling between the icy shell and the heavy solid interior. The amplitude of the main libration signal at 3.55 days (the orbital period) is shown to depend on Europa's shape and structure. Models of the interior structure of Europa are constructed and the equatorial flattening of the internal layers, which are key parameters for the libration, are calculated by assuming that Europa is in hydrostatic equilibrium. Europa's flattened shape is assumed to be due to rotation and permanent tides, and we extend the classical Radau equation for rotationally flattened bodies to include also tidal deformation. We show that the presence of an ocean increases the amplitude of libration by about 10%, depending mainly on the thickness of the icy shell. Therefore, libration observations offer possibility of detection of a subsurface ocean in Europa and estimation of the thickness of its overlying icy shell.     

First Spitzer observations of Neptune: Detection of new hydrocarbons

We present the first spectra of Neptune taken with the Spitzer Space Telescope, highlighting the high-sensitivity, moderate-resolution 10-20 μm (500-1000 cm⁻¹) spectra. We report the discovery of methylacetylene (CH₃C₂H) and diacetylene (C₄H₂) with derived 0.1-mbar volume mixing ratios of (1.2±0.1)×¹⁰⁻¹⁰ and (3±1)×¹⁰⁻¹² respectively.     

Interplay of S and As in Mekong Delta sediments during redox oscillations

The cumulative effects of periodic redox cycling on the mobility of As,Fe,and S from alluvial sediment to groundwater were investigated in bioreactor experiments.Two particular sediments from the alluvial floodplain of the Mekong Delta River were investigated:Matrix A(14 m deep)had a higher pyrite concentration than matrix B(7 m deep)sediments.Gypsum was present in matrix B but absent in matrix A.In the reactors,the sediment suspensions were supplemented with As(Ⅲ)and SO_4~(2-),and were subjected to three full-redox cycles entailing phases of nitrogen/CO_2,compressed air sparging,and cellobiose addition.Major differences in As concentration and speciation were observed upon redox cycling.Evidences support the fact that initial sediment composition is the main factor controlling arsenic release and its speciation during the redox cycles.Indeed,a high pyrite content associated with a low SO_4~(2-)content resulted in an increase in dissolved As concentrations,mainly in the form of As(Ⅲ),after anoxic half-cycles;whereas a decrease in As concentrations mainly in the form of As(Ⅴ),was instead observed after oxic half-cycles.In addition,oxic conditions were found to be responsible for pyrite and arsenian pyrite oxidation,increasing the As pool available for mobilization.The same processes seem to occur in sediment with the presence of gypsum,but,in this case,dissolved As were sequestered by biotic or abiotic redox reactions occurring in the Fe—S system,and by specific physico-chemical condition(e.g.pH).The contrasting results obtained for two sediments sampled from the same core show that many complexes and entangled factors are at work,and further refinement is needed to explain the spatial and temporal variability of As release to groundwater of the Mekong River Delta(Vietnam).     

A multiscaling‐based intensity–duration–frequency model for extreme precipitation

Rainfall intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves are a standard tool in urban water resources engineering and management. They express how return levels of extreme rainfall intensity vary with duration. The simple scaling property of extreme rainfall intensity, with respect to duration, determines the form of IDF relationships. It is supposed that the annual maximum intensity follows the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution. As well known, for simple scaling processes, the location parameter and scale parameter of the GEV distribution obey a power law with the same exponent. Although, the simple scaling hypothesis is commonly used as a suitable working assumption, the multiscaling approach provides a more general framework. We present a new IDF relationship that has been formulated on the basis of the multiscaling property. It turns out that the GEV parameters (location and scale) have a different scaling exponent. Next, we apply a Bayesian framework to estimate the multiscaling GEV model and to choose the most appropriate model. It is shown that the model performance increases when using the multiscaling approach. The new model for IDF curves reproduces the data very well and has a reasonable degree of complexity without overfitting on the data.     

A review of the impacts of pumped hydro energy storage construction on subalpine and alpine biodiversity: lessons for the Snowy Mountains pumped hydro expansion project

ABSTRACT

The Australian government’s proposal to expand the Snowy Hydro Scheme to include a second pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) system, and support for feasibility studies for PHES in Tasmania, offer an opportunity to incorporate more intermittent renewable energy generation into the National Energy Market. However, the infrastructure construction required for PHES expansion may have negative effects for biodiversity in subalpine and alpine areas. To identify the potential effects of PHES on biodiversity in Kosciuszko National Park (KNP), this systematic literature review assesses: (i) the key environmental disturbances likely to arise from PHES construction; and (ii) the specific impacts of these construction processes on biodiversity in subalpine and alpine environments. We find that the effects of PHES construction-related disturbances are likely to be negative for subalpine and alpine biodiversity, with impacts including the proliferation of exotic flora, habitat loss resulting from vegetation clearing, altered landscape hydrology and reduced water quality. Management recommendations to limit these impacts are provided and further research is recommended to assess: (i) the effects of PHES on fish populations in alpine reservoirs; (ii) the utility of spoil as artificial habitat for endemic fauna; and (iii) the chemical and physical impacts of spoil dumping in alpine reservoirs.     

Extracting drainage networks and their connectivity using LiDAR data

Policies, measures, and models geared towards flood prevention and managing surface waters benefit from high quality data on the presence and characteristics of drainage ditches. As a cost and labour effective alternative for acquiring such data through field surveys, we propose a method (a) to extract vector data representing ditch drainage networks based on local morphologic features derived from high resolution digital elevation models (DEM) and (b) to identify possible connections in the ditch network by calculating a probability of the connectivity using a logistic regression where the predictor variables are characteristics of the ditch centre lines or derived from the DEM. Using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) derived DEMs with a 1 m resolution, the method was developed and tested for a mixed agricultural residential area in north‐eastern Belgium. The derived ditch segments had an error of omission of 8% and an error of commission of 5%. The original positional accuracy of the centre lines of the extracted ditches was 0.6 m and could be improved to 0.4 m by shifting each vertex to the position of the lowest LiDAR point located within a radius equal to the spatial resolution of the used DEM. About 69% of the false disconnections in the network were identified and corrected leading to a reduction of the unconnected parts of the ditch network by 71%. The extracted and connected network approximated the reference ditch network fairly well.     

Stratigraphic architecture of Solander Basin records Southern Ocean currents and subduction initiation beneath southwest New Zealand

Solander Basin is characterized by subduction initiation at the Pacific‐Australia plate boundary, where high biological productivity is found at the northern edge of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Sedimentary architecture results from tectonic influences on accommodation space, sediment supply and ocean currents (via physiography); and climate influence on ocean currents and biological productivity. We present the first seismic‐stratigraphic analysis of Solander Basin based on high‐fold seismic‐reflection data (voyage MGL1803, SISIE). Solander Trough physiography formed by Eocene rifting, but basinal strata are mostly younger than ca. 17 Ma, when we infer Puysegur Ridge formed and sheltered Solander Basin from bottom currents, and mountain growth onshore increased sediment supply. Initial inversion on the Tauru Fault started at ca. 15 Ma, but reverse faulting from 12 to ca. 8 Ma on both the Tauru and Parara Faults was likely associated with reorganization and formation of the subduction thrust. The new seabed topography forced sediment pathways to become channelized at low points or antecedent gorges. Since 5 Ma, southern Puysegur Ridge and Fiordland mountains spread out towards the east and Solander Anticline grew in response to ongoing subduction and growth of a slab. Solander Basin had high sedimentation rates because (1) it is sheltered from bottom currents by Puysegur Ridge; and (2) it has a mountainous land area that supplies sediment to its northern end. Sedimentary architecture is asymmetric due to the Subtropical Front, which moves pelagic and hemi‐pelagic sediment, including dilute parts of gravity flows, eastward and accretes contourites to the shelf south of Stewart Island. Levees, scours, drifts and ridges of folded sediment characterize western Solander Basin, whereas hemi‐pelagic drape and secondary gravity flows are found east of the meandering axial Solander Channel. The high‐resolution record of climate and tectonics that Solander Basin contains may yield excellent sites for future scientific ocean drilling.     

Role of Fracturing in the Organization of the Karst Features of Azrou Plateau (Middle Atlas,Morroco) Studied by Remote Sensing Imagery

Karst formation geometry can be controlled by fractures and faults, and by other lithologies. Here we show the organization of kastic collapse features related to structures and to extensive basaltic lava flows in the Middle Atlas of Morocco. A lineament map of major faults and fractures has been created for the Middle Atlas using Landsat 7 ETM⁺ satellite images. This shows a dominant NE–SW regional direction and less prominent NNW–SSE and ENE–WSE directions. All these directions coincide with the alignments of karstic depressions that have formed in the Liassic limestones. The basaltic flows covering these formations on the Middle Atlas limestone plateau, have allowed the generation of cryptokarst, geometrically organized a long these major lineament directions. Karst landforms probabaly existed before the eruption of the lavas, but there were partly invaded by intrusions and volcanism. The extensive basaltic flows allowed for increased infiltration, and subsurface water flow, increasing the rate of kast formation after eruptions. Some basins show evidence of increased subsidence after lava emplacement (Aguelmam Sidi Ali Lake) and some maar-like craters also have subsided after eruption, by karts formation. We lay out the structural and lithological controls on Karstic formation in an intraplate volcanic field based on limestones and evaporites.     

Preparing Geographers for Interdisciplinary Research: Graduate Training at the Interface of the Natural and Social Sciences

Recent debates about the state of geography raise valuable questions about how the discipline can and should change in response to shifting institutional realities. Focusing on the breadth and interdisciplinarity of geography, these discussions often overlook the role of pedagogy—particularly graduate training—in adapting the discipline to new institutional landscapes. Drawing on experiences as current and recent geography doctoral students, we identify institutional seedlings of opportunity that can be cultivated toward a spectrum of alternative doctoral training models. These alternatives offer significant opportunities to better prepare early-career geographers for success and to solidify geography's position as a leader in interdisciplinary research.