Integrated surface–groundwater flow modeling: A free-surface overland flow boundary condition in a parallel groundwater flow model

Interactions between surface and groundwater are a key component of the hydrologic budget on the watershed scale. Models that honor these interactions are commonly based on the conductance concept that presumes a distinct interface at the land surface, separating the surface from the subsurface domain. These types of models link the subsurface and surface domains via an exchange flux that depends upon the magnitude and direction of the hydraulic gradient across the interface and a proportionality constant (a measure of the hydraulic connectivity). Because experimental evidence of such a distinct interface is often lacking in field systems, there is a need for a more general coupled modeling approach.     

A technique for atmospheric measurements of stable carbon isotope ratios of isoprene,methacrolein, and methyl vinyl ketone

A technique was developed to measure stable carbon isotope ratios (¹³C/¹²C) of light volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as isoprene, methacrolein (MACR) and methyl vinyl ketone (MVK) using gas chromatography combustion isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GCC-IRMS). An automated sampling and cryofocussing system allowed for the extraction of VOCs from air samples of up to 140 L of air collected over 3 h, and the subsequent ¹³C/¹²C analysis of the VOCs by GCC-IRMS. Chromatography using selective transfer between two columns was used to improve the separation for selected compounds, increasing peak resolution and attaining less noisy baselines. Still, some target compounds could not be completely separated from co-eluting peaks. To reduce the bias of isotope ratio determinations, which can result from incomplete peak resolution, a peak-fitting procedure has been developed. In cases of overlapping peaks or substantial baseline drift, this peak fitting allows more accurate determination of isotope ratios than conventional integration schemes. Comparisons between off-line IRMS measurements and a peak-evaluation procedure using a prepared VOC gas-phase standard show that isotope ratios derived from large (>1 ng of carbon per peak) and well-resolved peaks have a reproducibility of ±0.3‰. With smaller masses in the range of 0.1–1 ng of carbon, reproducibility decreased to ±(0.5–0.8)‰. For a 140 L sample of air, such small masses of carbon correspond to mixing ratios in the low pptV range. The developed measurement technique was applied to a small set of ambient air samples taken during hot, sunny periods from late May to early August, 2005, at Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany, a semi-rural area. The range of δ¹³C values determined for isoprene, benzene, and toluene are consistent with those reported in the literature. GCC-IRMS results of δ¹³C for ambient samples of isoprene, MACR, and MVK, measured at mixing ratios of 15–280 pptV, are presented and discussed.     

Patuxent Landscape Model. III. Model calibration

Using the LHEM/SME the Patuxent Landscape Model (PLM) was built to simulate fundamental ecological processes in the watershed scale driven by temporal (nutrient loadings, climatic conditions) and spatial (land use patterns) forcings. The model addresses the effects of both the magnitude and spatial patterns of land use change and agricultural practices on hydrology, plant productivity, and nutrient cycling in the landscape. The spatial resolution for the full Patuxent watershed is 1 km², while subwatersheds are analyzed at a 200 × 200 m resolution to allow adequate depiction of the pattern of ecosystems and human settlement on the landscape. The temporal resolution is different for various components of the model. We used a modular, multiscale approach to calibrate and test the model. Model results show good agreement with data.     

Geothermal exploration in the azores: 0/0 in calcites from volcanic rocks

The oxygen isotope composition of calcite veins and vugs in basalts from a drill site on the island of Sao Miguel show near-equilibration with fresh water at observed temperatures only at a depth of 600–700 m. This is interpreted to mean that the greatest flow of hot water may be occurring in this depth interval.     

The effect of maturation on the configuration of pristane in sediments and petroleum

The absolute stereochemistry of pristane in a sample of contemporary marine Zooplankton, Messel shale (Germany) and Djatibarang (Java) crude has been determined by gas Chromatographic methods. The relative stereochemistry in Irati shale (Brazil), Green River (U.S.) crude, Halibut (Australia) crude has also been determined, and confirmed for a sample of the Green River shale. The stereoisomer distributions indicate a loss of stereospecificity of the phytol-derived 6(R),10(S) pristane with increasing geological maturation. For example, the least mature geological sample, the Eocene Messel shale, contains solely the 6(R),10(S) isomer, whereas a mature sample, Djatibarang crude, contains 50% of the 6(R),10(S) isomer and 25% of each of the 6(R),10(R) and 6(S),10(S) isomers.     

Quantifying groundwater discharge to a small perennial stream in southern Ontario, Canada

A study of the interaction between groundwater and surface water was undertaken within a small agricultural watershed in southern Ontario, Canada. Groundwater contributions to streamflow were measured along a section of stream during baseflow conditions and during rainfall events. Four techniques were used to estimate the contribution of groundwater to the stream along a 450 m reach (three during baseflow and one during stormflow conditions). Under baseflow conditions, streamflow measurements using the velocity–area technique indicated that the net groundwater flux to the stream during the summer months was 10 ml s⁻¹ m⁻¹. Hydrometric measurements (i.e. hydraulic gradient and hydraulic conductivity) taken using mini-piezometers installed in the sediments beneath the stream resulted in net groundwater flux estimates that were four to five times lower. Seepage meters failed to provide any measurements of water flux into or out of the stream. Therefore, based on these results, the velocity–area technique gives the best estimate of groundwater discharge. Hydrograph separations were conducted using isotopic ratios and electrical conductivity on two large rainfall events with different antecedent moisture conditions in the catchment. Both events showed that pre-event water (generally considered groundwater) dominated streamflow and tile drain flow with 64%–80% of the total discharge contributed by pre-event water. High water table conditions within the catchment resulted in greater stream discharge and a greater contribution of event water in the streamflow than that observed under low water table conditions for similar intensity storm events. The results also showed that differences in riparian zone width, vegetation and surface saturation conditions between the upper and lower catchment can influence the relative magnitude of streamflow response from the two catchment areas.     

Stratigraphy and tectonics of a time-transgressive ophiolite obduction onto the eastern margin of the Pelagonian platform from Late Bathonian until Valanginian time,exemplified in northern Evvoia,Greece

The obduction of an ophiolite sheet onto the eastern Pelagonian carbonate platform complex of the Hellenides began during the Late Bathonian and ended with the final emplacement of the ophiolite during Valanginian time. The early stages of obduction caused subaerial exposure of the platform, recorded by an unconformity of Callovian age, which is marked by laterites overlying folded and faulted, karstic substrates. The laterites have distinct ophiolitic geochemical signatures, indicating that emergent ophiolite had been undergoing lateritic weathering. This unconformity coincides with widespread western Tethyan, Callovian gaps, indicating that the obduction in the Hellenides was probably related to far-reaching plate tectonic processes. Resumed gravitational pull and rollback of the subducted, oceanic leading edge of the temporarily exposed ophiolite. Platform drowning continued into Tithonian–Valanginian time, documented initially by reefal carbonates and then by below-CCD, carbonate-free radiolarian cherts and shales. Subsequently, siliciclastic turbidites, which apparently originated from uplifted Variscan basement, were deposited together with and over the radiolarite as the ophiolite nappe sheet advanced. The nappe substrate underwent tectonic deformations of varying intensity, while polymictic mélange and syntectonic sedimentary debris accreted beneath the ophiolite and at the nappe front. The provenience of the ophiolite nappe complexes of northern Evvoia most probably has to be looked for in the Vardar ocean.     

Observations of the evolution of the aerosol, cloud and boundary‐layer characteristics during the 1st ACE‐2 Lagrangian experiment

During the 1st Lagrangian experiment of the North Atlantic Regional Aerosol Characterisation Experiment (ACE‐2), a parcel of air was tagged by releasing a smart, constant level balloon into it from the Research Vessel Vodyanitskiy . The Meteorological Research Flight's C‐130 aircraft then followed this parcel over a period of 30 h characterising the marine boundary layer (MBL), the cloud and the physical and chemical aerosol evolution. The air mass had originated over the northern North Atlantic and thus was clean and had low aerosol concentrations. At the beginning of the experiment the MBL was over 1500 m deep and made up of a surface mixed layer (SML) underlying a layer containing cloud beneath a subsidence inversion. Subsidence in the free troposphere caused the depth of the MBL to almost halve during the experiment and, after 26 h, the MBL became well mixed throughout its whole depth. Salt particle mass in the MBL increased as the surface wind speed increased from 8 m s⁻¹ to 16 m s⁻¹ and the accumulation mode (0.1μm to 3.0 μm) aerosol concentrations quadrupled from 50 cm⁻³ to 200 cm⁻³. However, at the same time the total condensation nuclei (>3 nm) decreased from over 1000 cm⁻³ to 750 cm⁻³. The changes in the accumulation mode aerosol concentrations had a significant effect on the observed cloud microphysics. Observational evidence suggests that the important processes in controlling the Aitken mode concentration which, dominated the total CN concentration, included, scavenging of interstitial aerosol by cloud droplets, enhanced coagulation of Aitken mode aerosol and accumulation mode aerosol due to the increased sea salt aerosol surface area, and dilution of the MBL by free tropospheric air.     

CHROMOSPHERIC AND CORONAL STRUCTURE OF POLAR PLUMES – I. Magnetic Structure and Radiative Energy Balance

The Multi-Spectral Solar Telescope Array (MSSTA), a rocket-borne solar observatory, was successfully launched from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, on May 13, 1991 at 19:05 UT. The telescope systems onboard the MSSTA obtained several full disk solar images in narrow bandpasses centered around strong soft X-ray, EUV, and FUV emission lines. Each telescope was designed to be sensitive to the coronal plasmas at a particular temperature, for seven temperatures ranging from 20000 K to 4000000 K. We report here on the images obtained during the initial flight of the MSSTA, and on the chromospheric and coronal structure of polar plumes observed over both poles of the Sun. We have also co-aligned the MSSTA images with Kitt Peak magnetograms taken on the same day. We are able to positively identify the magnetic structures underlying the polar plumes we analyze as unipolar. We discuss the plume observations and present a radiative energy balance model derived from them.