Geochemical and hydrogeological contrasts between shallow and deeper aquifers in two villages of Araihazar, Bangladesh: Implications for deeper aquifers as drinking water sources

Sediment and groundwater profiles were compared in two villages of Bangladesh to understand the geochemical and hydrogeological factors that regulate dissolved As concentrations in groundwater. In both villages, fine-grained sediment layers separate shallow aquifers (< 28 m) high in As from deeper aquifers (40-90 m) containing < 10 μg/L As. In one village (Dari), radiocarbon dating indicates deposition of the deeper aquifer sediments > 50 ka ago and a groundwater age of thousands of years. In the other village (Bay), the sediment is < 20 ka old down to 90 m and the deeper aquifer groundwater is younger, on the order of hundreds of years. The shallow aquifers in both villages that are high in As contain bomb-³H and bomb-¹⁴C, indicating recent recharge. The major and minor ion compositions of the shallow and deeper aquifers also differ significantly. Deeper aquifer water is of the Na⁺-HCO₃^- type, with relatively little dissolved NH₄⁺ (76 ± 192 μmol/L), Fe (27 ± 43 μmol/L) and Mn (3 ± 2 μmol/L). In contrast, shallow aquifer water is of the Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-HCO₃^- type, with elevated concentrations of dissolved NH₄⁺ (306 ± 355 μmol/L), Fe (191 ± 73 μmol/L), and Mn (27 ± 43 μmol/L). In both villages, the quantity of As extractable from deeper aquifer sands with a 1 mol/L phosphate solution (0.2 ± 0.3 mg/kg, n = 12; 0.1 ± 0.1 mg/kg, n = 5) is 1 order of magnitude lower than P-extractable As from shallow deposits (1.7 ± 1.2 mg/kg, n = 9; 1.4 ± 2.0 mg/kg, n = 11). The differences suggest that the concentration of P-extractable As in the sediment is a factor controlling the concentration of As in groundwater. Low P-extractable As levels are observed in both deeper aquifers that are low in As, even though there is a large difference in the time of deposition of these aquifers in the two villages. The geochemical data and hydrographs presented in this study suggest that both Holocene and Pleistocene deeper aquifers that are low in As should be a viable source of drinking water as long as withdrawals do not exceed recharge rates of ∼1 cm/yr.     

Growing mountain ranges and quenched river networks

River networks in mountain ranges owe their existence to the competing effects of tectonic uplift and climate-controlled erosion. However, paradoxically, the universal geometric properties of river networks are independent of both tectonics and climate. Currently, this paradox has still not been resolved. Here we propose a solution that consists in considering that the geometry of river networks is established on the lowland margins of incipient uplifts, and is quenched into the erosion zone as the mountain belts widen with time. In our model, the geometry of river networks simply reflects the downward coalescence of alluvial rivers on un-dissected surfaces outside of mountain belts, and is therefore independent of erosion processes. To cite this article: S. Castelltort, G. Simpson, C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

Norse–Inuit interaction and landscape change in southern Greenland? A geochronological,Pedological, and Palynological investigation

Ruins representing both medieval Norse and Inuit (Thule culture) settlements can be found together on the coast at Sandhavn (59°59′ N, 44°46′ W), Greenland. The site presents a rare opportunity to investigate the character of past contact and interaction between these two peoples. Soils‐based, radiocarbon, and palynological analyses demonstrate the creation of hortic anthrosols within Norse home‐fields used between the mid‐11th and late 14th centuries A.D. Irrigation channels have been identified within the home‐fields, while rising grass pollen influx reveals intensification in hay production over the period ca. A.D. 1260–1350 despite climatic deterioration setting in around this time. Floor deposits and wall packing from an Inuit winter house returned dates of cal. A.D. 1220–1290 (2σ), yet no direct landscape‐based evidence for Inuit activity could be determined. Although the exact nature of the relationship between Norse and Thule at Sandhavn remains unclear, the role of this site as a harbor and possible trading area may have attracted Inuit settlers keen to participate in European trade networks. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

On the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM)

Summary The importance of quantitative knowledge of tropical rainfall, its associated latent heating and variability is summarized in the context of climate change. Since the tropics are mainly covered with oceans, with some deserts and jungles, the monthly precipitation is not known within a factor of two. Hence the only way to measure it adequately for climate and general circulation models is from space. The paper describes the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). This joint Japan-U.S. cooperative Earth Probe satellite will be launched from Japan in 1997 for a three-year mission. The scientific basis of the instrument and orbit selection is explained. The precipitation instrument complement comprises the first rain radar to be flown in space (PR), and a multi-channel passive microwave sensor (TMI) improved relative to the SSM/I¹ by an additional channel at 10 GHz. The third rain instrument is a five-channel VIS/IR (VIRS) sensor. Progress in construction of instruments, observatory, data system, and the ground validation program is summarized. A report is also given concerning development of the algorithms by which rainfall and its associated latent heat release will be calculated from the several instruments, separately and in combination, and how the scientists will interact with the data system to obtain the 32 rain data products necessary to fulfill the science requirements.With 9 FiguresSSM/I stands for Special Sensor Microwave Imager.     

Banded structure of drifting macroalgae

A massive bloom of macroalgae occurred in the western Yellow Sea at the end of May, 2008, and lasted for nearly 2 months. The surface-drifting macroalgae was observed to accumulate in a pattern dominated by linear bands. The maximum length of individual algal bands exceeded 10 km and the distance between neighboring bands ranged from hundreds of meters to 6 km. Seven satellite images were analyzed to determine the distances between neighboring bands. Proportions of about 24%, 38%, and 22% are responsible for the separation distances smaller than 1 km, between 1 and 2 km, and between 2 and 3 km, respectively. The separation of about five percent of the bands exceeds 4 km. The probability distribution of the separation distance is quite close to log-normal which is that found in Langmuir circulation. However, the observed algal band separation greatly exceeds the distances between convergence lines reported in Langmuir circulation.     

Cultural sediment analyses and transitions in early fishing activity at Langenesværet,Vesterålen,Northern Norway

The development of specialized and commercial fishing activity in the island archipelago of Lofoten and Vesterålen in northern Norway is a critical foundation from which to understand the subsequent spread of commercial fishing across the north Atlantic region during the medieval and early modern period. One little understood aspect of this development is the relationship between medieval commercial fishing stations (fiskevaer) and earlier fishing activity. In this article, cultural sediment deposits at Langenesværet, Vesterålen, Northern Norway provide an opportunity to examine this relationship and its implications for current historical models of fishing development in northern Norway and the north Atlantic region. Conventional and AMS radiocarbon dating techniques are used to establish a chronology for the deposits, while activities associated with the sediments are characterized using thin‐section micromorphology supported by proton induced X‐ray emission spectrometry (PIXE). The results suggest that the site commenced formation as early as ca. 3000 B.C. and that the site was first used for specialized fishing activity from the early centuries A.D. The medieval commercial fiskevaer settlement at Langenesværet was introduced to an area that had a longstanding tradition of specialised fishing activity. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Local‐scale adaptations: A modeled assessment of soil,landscape, microclimatic,and management factors in Norse home‐field productivities

Adaptation of farming practices to inherent site conditions was essential to the success of Norse colonization in pristine landscapes. A key factor in the initial success of colonization, or landnám, of Iceland was management of the area adjacent to the domestic dwelling, the home‐field, to provide fodder for over‐wintering livestock. In this paper we examine three settlement home‐fields in the Mývatn and Laxá valley area of northeast Iceland. Contemporary evidence reveals a distinct climatic toposequence together with differences in the nature of the inherent soils between sites. By considering the influence of these differences, microscale adaptations in early land management practices in the production of hay are sought within a tightly defined chronological context. Using an integrated agroecosystem modeling approach, the factors affecting long‐term sustainability of hay production in the Norse home‐field are examined. Results indicate that regional‐level climate differences will have an impact on production, especially pronounced cold periods. It is also clear that small‐scale climate factors, as well as inherent soil differences between sites influenced productivity for the Norse farmer. However, productivities overall are at subsistence level, emphasizing the need for optimized land management to sustain home‐field production. After examining different management scenarios, it is apparent that the effect of an increased rate of manuring will be most apparent during the first century of settlement; thereafter the effect is relatively diminished. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.