A heat perturbation flow meter for application in soft sediments

A prototype flow meter has been developed, based upon the heat perturbation principle, to monitor groundwater specific discharge in soft sediments. The device is designed for use in spatially intensive, long-term monitoring campaigns in remote or inconvenient locations, and is cheap, robust and capable of being logged automatically. The results of the laboratory tests indicate that the heat perturbation principle is suitable for determining the magnitude of specific discharge to a degree of accuracy that would be useful in practical applications in dynamic groundwater systems with rapidly changing flows of approximately 1 md⁻¹ or more and that the groundwater flow direction can generally be determined to a high level of precision. The accuracy and reliability of the estimates of specific discharge have been shown to depend strongly upon the geometrical precision of manufacture and the quality of the temperature monitoring system. These factors become most significant in the estimation of lower flows and further investigation is required to determine the detection limit of the device. Specific discharge estimates have been shown to be insensitive to dispersivity values appropriate to the scale of the device. Unlike the majority of heat perturbation devices, calibration is unnecessary.     

Source process of very-long-period events accompanying long-period signals at Cotopaxi Volcano,Ecuador

Renewed seismic activity of Cotopaxi, Ecuador, began in January 2001 with the increased number of long-period (LP) events, followed by a swarm of volcano-tectonic (VT) earthquakes in November 2001. In late June 2002, the activity of very-long-period (VLP) (2 s) events accompanying LP (0.5–1 s) signals began beneath the volcano. The VLP waveform was characterized by an impulsive signature, which was accompanied by the LP signal showing non-harmonic oscillations. We observed temporal changes of both the VLP and LP signals from the beginning until September 2003: The VLP signal gradually disappeared and the LP signal characterized by decaying harmonic oscillations became dominant. Assuming possible source geometries, we applied a waveform inversion method to the observed waveforms of the largest VLP event. Our inversion and particle motion analyses point to volumetric changes of a sub-vertical crack as the VLP source, which is located at a depth of 2–3 km beneath the northeastern flank. The spectral analysis of the decaying harmonic oscillations of LP events shows frequencies between 2.0 and 3.5 Hz, with quality factors significantly above 100. The increased VT activity and deformation data suggest an intrusion of magma beneath the volcano. A release of gases with small magma particles may have repetitively occurred due to the pressurization, which was caused by sustained bubble growth at the magma ceiling. The released particle-laden gases opened a crack above the magma system and triggered the resonance of the crack. We interpret the VLP and LP events as the gas-release process and the resonance of the crack, respectively.     

Seasonal variation in di-nitrogen fluxes and associated processes (denitrification, anammox and nitrogen fixation) in sediment subject to shellfish farming influences

Seasonal patterns of di-nitrogen fluxes together with denitrification, anammox, and N-fixation rates were studied in sediment in an area subject to strong human pressure via waste water, tributaries and shellfish farming in the Mediterranean Sea (Carteau Cove, NW area of the Gulf of Lion). Ammonium concentration demonstrated no seasonal variation, however, a large increase in its concentration was observed over a 10 years period due to intense biodeposition of organic matter. In contrast, nitrate concentration demonstrated no seasonal or long-term (10 years) variation. The main processes affecting di-nitrogen flux magnitudes were denitrification and N-fixation. Anammox was only detected occasionally, nevertheless it represented at times up to 39% of the N₂-flux. Nitrate reducing processes were variable and denitrification showed a 20-fold increase over the past 10 years and might actually have reached its potential maximal activity. Rates of N₂ production (denitrification and anammox) were generally higher than those of N-fixation, leading to elimination of nitrogen from the ecosystem.     

ESR dating of dental enamel from Middle Palaeolithic levels at Lazaret Cave,France

ESR dating was carried out on Cervus elaphus tooth enamel samples from the depositional sequence of Lazaret Cave, Nice, France. The deposits contain Anteneandertal hominid fossils associated with abundant lithic artefacts and faunal remains. Three samples from the Mousterian occupations in complex CIII (Fouille d'entrée) yielded early uptake (EU) ages between 108 and 125 ka and linear uptake (LU) ages between 133 and 160 ka. Seven samples from the Acheulian levels in the upper part of the complex CII (Fouille d'entrée and Fouille centre) gave EU ages between 113 and 165 ka and LU ages between 147 and 210 ka, with weighted means at 131 ± 7 and 165 ± 9 ka, respectively. The results of six enamel samples from the lower Acheulian levels at Locus VIII, another place in the cave, were discarded because of their decreasing tendency with depth. The US–ESR combination method was also applied and the CSUS–ESR dates were calculated using the ESR-DATA program. Altogether, the data suggest that the Lazaret Acheulian and Mousterian occupations were rapidly formed during OIS 6.     

Mira kinematics from Hipparcos data: a Galactic bar to beyond the Solar circle

The space motions of Mira variables are derived from radial velocities, Hipparcos proper motions and a period–luminosity relation. The previously known dependence of Mira kinematics on the period of pulsation is confirmed and refined. In addition, it is found that Miras with periods in the range 145–200 d in the general Solar neighbourhood have a net radial outward motion from the Galactic Centre of 75±18 km s⁻¹. This, together with a lag behind the circular velocity of Galactic rotation of 98±19 km s⁻¹, is interpreted as evidence for an elongation of their orbits, with their major axes aligned at an angle of ∼17° with the Sun–Galactic Centre line, towards positive Galactic longitudes. This concentration seems to be a continuation to the Solar circle and beyond of the bar-like structure of the Galactic bulge, with the orbits of some local Miras probably penetrating into the bulge. These conclusions are not sensitive to the distance scale adopted. A further analysis is given of the short-period (SP) red group of Miras discussed in companion papers in this series. In Appendix A the mean radial velocities and other data for 842 oxygen-rich Mira-like variables are tabulated. These velocities were derived from published optical and radio observations.     

Aragonite and calcite preservation in sediments from Lake Iznik related to bottom lake oxygenation and water column depth

This study examines the forcing mechanisms driving long‐term carbonate accumulation and preservation in lacustrine sediments in Lake Iznik (north‐western Turkey) since the last glacial. Currently, carbonates precipitate during summer from the alkaline water column, and the sediments preserve aragonite and calcite. Based on X‐ray diffraction data, carbonate accumulation has changed significantly and striking reversals in the abundance of the two carbonate polymorphs have occurred on a decadal time scale, during the last 31 ka cal bp . Different lines of evidence, such as grain size, organic matter and redox sensitive elements, indicate that reversals in carbonate polymorph abundance arise due to physical changes in the lacustrine setting, for example, water column depth and lake mixing. The aragonite concentrations are remarkably sensitive to climate, and exhibit millennial‐scale oscillations. Extending observations from modern lakes, the Iznik record shows that the aerobic decomposition of organic matter and sulphate reduction are also substantial factors in carbonate preservation over long time periods. Lower lake levels favour aragonite precipitation from supersaturated waters. Prolonged periods of stratification and, consequently, enhanced sulphate reduction favour aragonite preservation. In contrast, prolonged or repeated exposure of the sediment–water interface to oxygen results in in situ aerobic organic matter decomposition, eventually leading to carbonate dissolution. Notably, the Iznik sediment profile raises the hypothesis that different states of lacustrine mixing lead to selective preservation of different carbonate polymorphs. Thus, a change in the entire lake water chemistry is not strictly necessary to favour the preservation of one polymorph over another. Therefore, this investigation is a novel contribution to the carbon cycle in lacustrine systems.     

Top-down and bottom-up modelling to support low-carbon scenarios: climate policy implications

Bottom-up and top-down models are used to support climate policies, to identify the options required to meet GHG abatement targets and to evaluate their economic impact. Some studies have shown that the GHG mitigation options provided by economic top-down and technological bottom-up models tend to vary. One reason for this is that these models tend to use different baseline scenarios. The bottom-up TIMES_PT and the top-down computable general equilibrium GEM-E3_PT models are examined using a common baseline scenario to calibrate them, and the extend of their different mitigation options and its relevant to domestic policy making are assessed. Three low-carbon scenarios for Portugal until 2050 are generated, each with different GHG reduction targets. Both models suggest close mitigation options and locate the largest mitigation potential to energy supply. However, the models suggest different mitigation options for the end-use sectors: GEM-E3_PT focuses more on energy efficiency, while TIMES_PT relies on decrease carbon intensity due to a shift to electricity. Although a common baseline scenario cannot be ignored, the models’ inherent characteristics are the main factor for the different outcomes, thereby highlighting different mitigation options.

Policy relevance

The relevance of modelling tools used to support the design of domestic climate policies is assessed by evaluating the mitigation options suggested by a bottom-up and a top-down model. The different outcomes of each model are significant for climate policy design since each suggest different mitigation options like end-use energy efficiency and the promotion of low-carbon technologies. Policy makers should carefully select the modelling tool used to support their policies. The specific modelling structures of each model make them more appropriate to address certain policy questions than others. Using both modelling approaches for policy support can therefore bring added value and result in more robust climate policy design. Although the results are specific for Portugal, the insights provided by the analysis of both models can be extended to, and used in the climate policy decisions of, other countries.     

Economics, ethics, and climate policy: framing the debate

This paper examines the economic and ethical dimensions of climate policy in light of existing knowledge of the impacts of global warming and the costs of greenhouse gas emissions abatement. We find that the criterion of economic efficiency, operationalized through cost-benefit analysis, is ill-equipped to cope with the pervasive uncertainties and issues of intergenerational fairness that characterize climate change. In contrast, the concept of sustainable development—that today's policies should ensure that future generations enjoy life opportunities undiminished relative to the present—is a normative criterion that explicitly addresses the uncertainties and distributional aspects of global environmental change. If one interprets the sustainability criterion to imply that it is morally wrong to impose catastrophic risks on unborn generations when reducing those risks would not noticeably diminish the quality of life of existing persons, a case can be made for significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.