Use of a parsimonious rainfall–run‐off model for predicting hydrological response in ungauged basins

A new parameter parsimonious rainfall–run‐off model, the Distance Distribution Dynamics (DDD) model, is used to simulate hydrological time series at ungauged sites in the Lygne basin in Norway. The model parameters were estimated as functions of catchment characteristics determined by geographical information system. The multiple regression equations relating catchment characteristics and model parameters were trained from 84 calibrated catchments located all over Norway, and all model parameters showed significant correlations with catchment characteristics. The significant correlation coefficients (with p‐value < 0.05) ranged from 0.22 to 0.55. The suitability of DDD for predictions in ungauged basins was tested for 17 catchments not used to estimate the multiple regression equations. For ten of the 17 catchments, deviations in Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) criteria between the calibrated and regionalised model were less than 0.1, and for two calibrated catchments within the Lygne basin, the deviations were less than 0.08. The median NSE for the regionalized DDD for the 17 catchments for two time series was 0.66 and 0.72. Deviations in NSE between calibrated and regionalised models are well explained by the deviations between calibrated and regressed parameters describing spatial snow distribution and snowmelt respectively. The quality of the simulated run‐off series for the ungauged sites in the Lygne basin was assessed by comparing flow indices describing high, medium and low flow estimated from observed run‐off at the 17 catchments and for the simulated run‐off series. The indices estimated for the simulated series were generally well within the ranges defined by the 17 observed series. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intercalibration of Mg Isotope Delta Scales and Realisation of SI Traceability for Mg Isotope Amount Ratios and Isotope Delta Values

The continuous improvement of analytical procedures using multi‐collector technologies in ICP‐mass spectrometry has led to an increased demand for isotope standards with improved homogeneity and reduced measurement uncertainty. For magnesium, this has led to a variety of available standards with different quality levels ranging from artefact standards to isotope reference materials certified for absolute isotope ratios. This required an intercalibration of all standards and reference materials, which we present in this interlaboratory comparison study. The materials Cambridge1, DSM3, ERM‐AE143, ERM‐AE144, ERM‐AE145, IRMM‐009 and NIST SRM 980 were cross‐calibrated with expanded measurement uncertainties (95% confidence level) of less than 0.030‰ for the δ^25/24Mg values and less than 0.037‰ for the δ^26/24Mg values. Thus, comparability of all magnesium isotope delta (δ) measurements based on these standards and reference materials is established. Further, ERM‐AE143 anchors all magnesium δ‐scales to absolute isotope ratios and therefore establishes SI traceability, here traceability to the SI base unit mole. This applies especially to the DSM3 scale, which is proposed to be maintained. With ERM‐AE144 and ERM‐AE145, which are product and educt of a sublimation–condensation process, for the first time a set of isotope reference materials is available with a published value for the apparent triple isotope fractionation exponent θ_app, the fractionation relationship ln α(^25/24Mg)/ln α(^26/24Mg).     

Broad-band calibration of marine seismic sources used by R/V Polarstern for academic research in polar regions

Air guns and air-gun arrays of different volumes are used for scientific seismic surveys with R/V Polarstern in polar regions. To assess the potential risk of these research activities on marine mammal populations, knowledge of the sound pressure field of the seismic sources is essential. Therefore, a broad-band (0–80 kHz) calibration study was conducted at the Heggernes Acoustic Range, Norway. A GI (2.4 l), a G (8.5 l) and a Bolt gun (32.8 l) were deployed as single sources, 3 GI (7.4 l), 3 G (25.6 l) and 8 VLF™ Prakla-Seismos air guns (24.0 l) as arrays. Each configuration was fired along a line of 3–4 km length running between two hydrophone chains with receivers in 35, 100, 198 and 263 m depth. Peak-to-peak, zero-to-peak, rms and sound exposure levels (SEL) were analysed as functions of range. They show the typical dipole-like directivity of marine seismic sources with amplitude cancellation close to the sea surface, higher amplitudes in greater depths, and sound pressure levels which continuously decrease with range. Levels recorded during the approach are lower than during the departure indicating a shadowing effect of Polarsterns's hull. Backcalculated zero-to-peak source levels range from 224–240 dB re 1 μPa @ 1 m. Spectral source levels are highest below 100 Hz and amount to 182–194 dB re 1 μPa Hz^–1. They drop off continuously with range and frequency. At 1 kHz they are ∼30 dB, at 80 kHz ∼60 dB lower than the peak level. Above 1 kHz amplitude spectra are dominated by Polarstern's self-noise. From the rms and sound exposure levels of the deepest hydrophone radii for different thresholds are derived. For a 180 dB rms-level threshold radii maximally vary between 200 and 600 m, for a 186 dB SEL threshold between 50 and 300 m.     

Hydromechanical modelling of the SEALEX experiments

Numerical modelling of coupled physical processes in bentonite–sand mixtures under the geological conditions is significant for designing and constructing sealing systems in deep underground repositories for highly radioactive nuclear waste. Within the framework of DECOVALEX 2015, Task A, this work presents the model validation of OpenGeoSys by numerical modelling of coupled hydromechanical (HM) processes in bentonite–sand mixtures. Parameters used in the HM model were determined by modelling the laboratory tests of the sealing experiment (SEALEX). Afterwards these parameters were applied for the modelling of a small-scale mock-up test considering the influence of technological gap and incidental fail of the seal in the sealing system. In order to investigate the availability of employing these HM parameters and numerical models directly to field predictions, the modelling results and measured data of an in situ SEALEX experiment were analysed comparatively. The modelling results reproduced well the main features in HM behaviour of the compacted bentonite–sand mixture, which denotes that the adopted HM models and parameters are adequate for describing the HM processes in the sealing system. It is necessary to take the elastoplastic behaviour and evolution of the permeability of bentonite–sand mixtures into account when using the adopted models to reproduce the HM processes of a sealing system.     

Multipole borehole acoustic theory: Source imbalances and the effects of an elastic logging tool

In recent years the emphasis in acoustic logging has been shifting from the wireline to the Logging While Drilling (LWD) environment, the latter being far different from the former in that both tool rigidity and tool radius are considerably greater. In this paper we present a generic mathematical formulation for the multipole borehole acoustic measurement (alternate and equal polarity case), including a detailed analysis on the effects of multipole source amplitude imbalances. It is shown that source imbalance induced mode contaminants have excitation amplitudes that are scaled by the sum of the relative source imbalances between diametrically opposed sources. Furthermore it is shown that for mode contaminants with odd modal number there can be a significant offset in the associated directivity pattern, even at low levels of source imbalance. However, it is also shown that source imbalance induced mode contaminants can be completely eliminated if the multipole source is accompanied with a ‘vertically’ (but not azimuthally) offset multipole receiver. Mathematically, it is demonstrated (for a centered tool) that a polarity weighted stack of these multipole receivers completely eliminates the source imbalance induced mode contaminants. Excitation amplitudes and phase slowness of borehole guided modes are presented for the most common excitation regimes, i.e., monopole, dipole, quadrupole and the hexapole excitation, the latter one showing to have the advantage of a higher formation shear cut-off frequency than the quadrupole mode. Special emphasis will be on the analysis of the dipole excitation and the differences that occur due to variations in tool rigidity, tool diameter and (isotropic) formation properties with the resulting conclusion that a formation flexural mode is not observable as a result of a LWD dipole excitation (this opposed to its dipole wireline counterpart). The guided mode excitation amplitudes are calculated as residues using a Laurent series expansion. This (unconventional) way of calculating the residue has the advantage that it is independent of the pole order, does not require the numerical evaluation of derivatives with respect to the vertical wavenumber and allows for an accurate and efficient FFT implementation.     

Development of a 3D groundwater model based on scarce data: the Wadi Kafrein catchment/Jordan

In this work, a 3D groundwater flow model integrating all important geological features of the hydrogeological system is developed to investigate hydrological processes in the Wadi Kafrein area of Jordan. A large amount of available geological and hydrological data is integrated to construct a 3D groundwater flow model for the Wadi Kafrein area. Using the newly developed mapping approach, the translation of the highly detailed geological formations to an unstructured finite element grids, can be accomplished with high precision. The existing data set for model calibration is scarce, which is a typical situation for many hydrogeological case studies. At first, the steady state calibration of the groundwater model is carried out based on the observation wells. Then, the time and space-dependent recharge from precipitation are applied at the top surface of the finite element model. The transient simulation is conducted during the period of 1996–2008 considering the abstraction rates of the production wells and discharge of the springs. The calculated water levels are close to the observed values. The difference is partly caused by return flows from irrigation and the groundwater inflow from the adjacent aquifers which are not taken into consideration so far. Since the Wadi Kafrein area is an important agricultural area in the semiarid region of the Lower Jordan Valley, the model developed in this study can be regarded as a useful tool for analyzing the hydrological processes and improving groundwater management practices elsewhere affected by similar geological and hydrogeological conditions.     

Stratigraphic correlation of late Palaeocene sand deposits in the Søgne Basin area of the Danish and Norwegian central North Sea

A stratigraphic analysis of late Palaeocene sands of the Søgne Basin and the western part of the Norwegian–Danish Basin shows that the sand bodies are of differenct ages. The geographic distribution of the sand deposits shows that they are related to underlying Mesozoic structures suggesting a controlling effect of Tertiary tectonics on the deposition of sand during the late Palaeocene. However, the structural setting of various sand bodies varies from reactivation of older faults and reactivation of salt structures. The local character of the structures active during the late Palaeocene introduces minor depressions with no lateral connection. The sand bodies, which are interpreted as having been deposited in these depressions, are thus in general separate bodies with no lateral connection. The Fennoscandian shield and eroded Mesozoic sediments along the Fennoscandian Border Zone are suggested as source area for the late Palaeocene sand deposits.     

The Greenland 8200 cal. yr BP event detected in loss‐on‐ignition profiles in Norwegian lacustrine sediment sequences

High‐resolution loss‐on‐ignition analyses of lacustrine sediment cores from both proglacial and non‐glacial lakes in southern Norway have revealed a specific pattern characterised by a significant, two‐peaked reduction of the loss‐on‐ignition values in the basal half of the cores. In non‐glacier‐fed lakes, the loss‐on‐ignition variations are interpreted to reflect mainly lake productivity and hence variability in surface summer air temperature. Sediments deposited in proglacial lakes, however, reflect mainly the glacier activity in the lake catchment. Bulk AMS radiocarbon dates from the core sequences and the loss‐on‐ignition curve pattern suggest that this event correlates with the ‘8200 cal. yr BP event’ recorded in the GRIP and GISP2 Greenland ice‐cores, termed the Finse event in southern Norway. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于优化随机森林回归模型的土壤盐渍化反演

当前应用于土壤盐分含量(Soil Salinity Content,SSC)反演的随机森林回归(Random Forests Regression,RFR)较少关注对模型精度影响较大的反演参数子集和模型参数的同步优化.本研究选择渭-库绿洲和奇台绿洲为实验区,基于Landsat-5 TM、SRTM、MOD 11 A2.0...