Effect of climate change on overland flow generation: a case study in central Germany

The impact of global climate change on runoff components, especially on the type of overland flow, is of utmost significance. High‐resolution temporal rainfall plays an important role in determining the hydrological response of quick runoff components. However, hydrological climate change scenario analyses with high temporal resolution are rare. This study investigates the impact of climate change on discharge peak events generated by rainfall, snowmelt, and soil‐frost induced runoff using high‐resolution hydrological modelling. The study area is Schäfertal catchment (1.44 km²) in the lower Harz Mountains in central Germany. The WaSiM‐ETH hydrological model is used to investigate the rainfall response of runoff components under near future (2021–2050) and far‐distant future (2071–2100) climatic conditions. Disaggregated daily climate variables of WETTREG2010 SRES scenario A1B are used on a temporal resolution of 10 min. Hydrological model parameter optimization and uncertainty analysis was conducted using the Differential Evolution Adaptive Metropolis (DREAM_(ZS)) uncertainty tool. The scenario results show that total runoff and interflow will increase by 3.8% and 3.5% in the near future and decrease by 32.85% and 31% in the far‐distant future compared to the baseline scenario. In contrast, overland flow and the number and size of peak runoff will decrease moderately for the near future and drastically for the far‐distant future compared to the baseline scenario. We found the strongest decrease for soil‐frost induced discharge peaks at 79.6% in the near future and at 98.2% in the far‐distant future scenario. It can be concluded that high‐resolution hydrological modelling can provide detailed predictions of future hydrological regimes and discharge peak events of the catchment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Using stable isotopes to identify major flow pathways in a permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope during summer rainfall period

Global warming has leaded to permafrost degradation, with potential impacts on the runoff generation processes of permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope. Stable isotopes have the potential to trace the complex runoff generation processes. In this study, precipitation, hillslope surface and subsurface runoff, stream water, and mobile soil water (MSW) at different hillslope positions and depths were collected during the summer rainfall period to analyse the major flow pathway based on stable isotopic signatures. The results indicated that (a) compared with precipitation, the δ²H values of MSW showed little temporal variation but strong heterogeneity with enriched isotopic ratios at lower hillslope positions and in deeper soil layers. (b) The δ²H values of middle-slope surface runoff and shallow subsurface flow were similar to those of precipitation and MSW of the same soil layer, respectively. (c) Middle-slope shallow subsurface flow was the major flow pathway of the permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope, which turned into surface runoff at the riparian zone before contributing to the streamflow. (d) The slight variation of δ²H values in stream water was shown to be related to mixing processes of new water (precipitation, 2%) and old water (middle-slope shallow subsurface flow, 98%) in the highly transmissive shallow thawed soil layers. It was inferred that supra-permafrost water levels would be lowered to a less conductive, deeper soil layer under further warming and thawing permafrost, which would result in a declined streamflow and delayed runoff peak. This study explained the “rapid mobilization of old water” paradox in permafrost influenced alpine meadow hillslope and improved our understanding of permafrost hillslope hydrology in alpine regions.     

Investigation of landslides with natural lineaments derived from integrated manual and automatic techniques applied on geospatial data

Lineament extraction has long been performed through extensive field mapping. Recent advances in the field of remote sensing have made possible the availability of imageries from earth observation satellites with different Spatio-temporal resolutions, paving way for new automatic, semi-automatic, and manual techniques for the extraction of natural lineaments. The study focuses on the extraction of lineaments representing tectonic fault zones; the lineaments are extracted automatically and semi-automatically/manually. Results show that indirect information about the tectonic lineaments can be derived through automatic techniques whereas, the semi-automatic techniques are more effective to directly identify them. Detailed analyses of lineaments and landslides revealed that areas near lineaments, in general, experienced higher frequency of landslides. Moreover, it is also observed that lineaments are not the only factor that affects landslide density; other parameters like slope and lithology were also found to be the controlling factors in determining the spatial landslide distribution. Lastly, some recommendations have been made based on observations.

     

Climatology of dust storm frequency and its association with temperature and precipitation patterns over Pakistan

Natural Hazards - Diversified topography and uneven distribution of both temperature and precipitation contribute to formation of suitable synoptic conditions for incidents of dust storm (DS). This...     

软弱泥质砂岩地层中输水隧洞稳定性研究

泥质砂岩属于黏土岩,具有典型的遇水软化特征。在泥质砂岩富水地层中进行隧道开挖是地下工程的一个挑战性问题。研究了围岩软化与未软化条件下泥质砂岩地层中输水隧洞的稳定性和支护时间。首先,介绍了泥质砂岩遇水软化的力学试验结果;然后,采用基于Hoek-Brown强度准则的岩体参数评价方法,评估泥质砂岩在围岩软化与未软化条件下的力学参数;再后,以兰州水源地引水隧洞为依托工程,采用数值模拟方法对泥质砂岩隧洞软化与未软化工况的围岩稳定性进行了计算分析,得出泥质砂岩遇水软化对隧洞安全性存在显著影响;最后,采用位移收敛法,研究了泥质砂岩软化与未软化工况中,保障隧洞施工安全的合理支护时机。研究表明,泥质砂岩未软化工况中,可考虑隧道围岩初期支护在距掌子面4～5 m位置实施;而在泥质砂岩遇水软化工况中,初期支护建议在掌子面开挖后立刻支护。研究成果可为泥质砂岩地层隧洞的安全施工提供依据。     

Preliminary investigation and dynamic analysis of a multiphase ice-rock avalanche on July 5, 2021, in the upper Naltar valley,Gilgit, Pakistan

Landslides - On July 5, 2021, a catastrophic rock avalanche hit an area in the upper Naltar valley, located in northwestern Gilgit, Pakistan. The 14 Mm3 rock mass flowed down the hillslope and...     

Integration of Sequence Stratigraphic Analysis and 3D Geostatistical Modeling of Pliocene–Pleistocene Delta,F3 Block,Netherlands

This research is focused on the analysis of the sequence stratigraphic units of F3 Block, within a wave-dominated delta of Plio–Pleistocene age. Three wells of F3 block and a 3D seismic data, are utilized in this research. The conventional techniques of 3D seismic interpretation were utilized to mark the 11 surfaces on the seismic section. Integration of seismic sequence stratigraphic interpretation, using well logs, and subsequent 3D geostatistical modeling, using seismic data, aided to evaluat...     

Reply to Comment on “A cost-effective device and methodology to compute aquifer transmissivity and piezometry from free-flowing artesian wells”: technical note published in Hydrogeology Journal (2022) 30:1917–1931, by Alix Toulier,Patrick Lachassagne,Heru Hendrayana,Arif Fadillah and Hervé Jourde

Hydrogeology Journal -     

Rock Physics Modeling and Reservoir Characterization to Estimate Hydrocarbon Zone of Cretaceous and Paleocene Strata and Subsurface Stratigraphic Correlation of Sulaiman Fold Belt to Sulaiman Depression

Doklady Earth Sciences - The research work involves rock physics modeling and reservoir characterization of Suliman fold belt to sulamain fold depression. This area is a brighter zone for...