Residence time distribution in a large unconfined–semiconfined aquifer in the Argentine Pampas using <Superscript>3</Superscript>H/<Superscript>3</Superscript>He and CFC tracers

The Pampa region in Argentina includes vast unconfined–semiconfined aquifers that local economies depend upon, but detailed knowledge of the associated water resources is still lacking. The Pampeano aquifer in the Pampa plain of Argentina covers around 1.5 million km². In order to achieve a better understanding of the hydrogeological system through the estimation of mean residence times (MRT), water samples were taken from 12 monitoring wells, drilled at different depths in four locations, and analyzed for environmental tracers. The concentrations of ³H, tritiogenic ³He and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) can be explained by mixtures of young waters adjusted to exponential piston flow models (EPM) or dispersion models (DM), and different proportions of tracer-free waters (dead water). The sampling site located very close to the water divide shows a dominance of young waters: 85 % of water best represented by a DM model with a MRT of 3 years. For the shallow wells at other sites, best-fitting models result in a DM with MRT between 20 and 35 years, and proportions of dead water between 40 and 60 %. These results lead to important updates in the conceptual model of the Pampeano aquifer. Large proportions of dead water at a few meters depth can be the consequence of upward flows in a multilayered aquifer or diffusive retardation in the inter-bedded clay layers.     

Hybrid terrain rendering based on the external edge primitive

Hybrid terrain models combine large regular data sets and high-resolution irregular meshes [triangulated irregular network (TIN)] for topographically and morphologically complex terrain features such as man-made microstructures or cliffs. In this paper, a new method to generate and visualize this kind of 3D hybrid terrain models is presented. This method can integrate geographic data sets from multiple sources without a remeshing process to combine the heterogeneous data of the different models. At the same time, the original data sets are preserved without modification, and, thus, TIN meshes can be easily edited and replaced, among other features. Specifically, our approach is based on the utilization of the external edges of convexified TINs as the fundamental primitive to tessellate the space between both types of meshes. Our proposal is eminently parallel, requires only a minimal preprocessing phase, and minimizes the storage requirements when compared with the previous proposals.     

Towards a multi-scale approach for an Earth observation-based assessment of natural resource exploitation in conflict regions

The exploitation of resources, if not properly managed, can lead to spoiling natural habitats as well as to threatening people’s health, livelihoods and security. The paper discusses a multi-scale Earth observation-based approach to provide independent information related to exploitation activities of natural resources for countries which are experiencing armed conflict. The analyses are based on medium to very high spatial resolution optical satellite data. Object-based image analysis is used for information extraction at these different scales. On a subnational level, conflict-related land cover changes as an indication of potential hot spots for exploitation activities are classified. The regional assessment provides information about potential activity areas of resource exploitation, whereas on a local scale, a site-specific assessment of exploitation areas is performed. The study demonstrates the potential of remote sensing for supporting the monitoring and documentation of natural resource exploitation in conflict regions.     

137Cs, 60Co and 125I bioaccumulation by seaweeds from the Angra dos Reis nuclear power plant region

As part of a broad research program on the behavior of critical radionuclides to be discharged into the sea by the first Brazilian nuclear powerplant, the uptake accumulation and loss of ¹³⁷Cs, ⁶⁰Co and ¹²⁵I by locally abundant seaweed species was studiedUptake in static 12 liter aquarium experiments reached apparent steady-state in 2–7 days (⁶⁰Co and ¹²⁵I) or 2–3 weeks (¹³⁷Cs). Elimination followed a reverse pattern, being comparatively fast for ¹³⁷Cs and slow for ⁶⁰Co and ¹²⁵I. Dry weight bioaccumulation factors (BFs) were variable, falling in the 10¹ range for ¹³⁷Cs, 10³ for ¹²⁵I and 10³–10⁴ for ⁶⁰Co. Various short-term experiments performed over a 16 month period, showed marked temporal variations of ⁶⁰Co BFs for all species.The results demonstrated that the studied species may play an important role in the transfer of the critical radionuclides through local food webs and can be employed as useful monitors for routine or accidental radionuclide releases.     

Sea state characterisation of the test site of an offshore wave energy plant

The Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS) pilot plant, rated at 2 MW, was tested offshore at Póvoa de Varzim in northern Portugal in 2004, gathering a large team of engineers and scientists. The Mechanical Engineering Department of Instituto Superior Técnico was involved, following previous work done for the project. The present paper describes one of the studies conducted. It aims to characterise the sea state at the actual location of the pilot plant using the available pressure sensors. Two approaches were performed: a first one purely based in linear wave theory, neglecting the presence of the device, and a second one, based on the results from a Boundary Element Method (BEM) code named AQUADYN, originally developed at École Centrale de Nantes (France), which allowed a detailed quantification of the effects of the presence of the plant on the wave profile directly above it. Comparisons with a Datawell Waverider buoy located at a certain distance from the plant also played an important role in the current study.     

Physical forcing of onshore transport of crab megalopae in the northern Portuguese upwelling system

Wind-driven circulation is a mechanism that may be involved in the shoreward transport of invertebrate larvae. This study investigated the temporal variability of the supply of crab megalopae to an estuary located in the northwest coast of Portugal, which is affected by seasonal upwelling, and related variations in supply to several upwelling indices. Megalopae of the European common shore crab Carcinus maenas (L.). were collected daily, using artificial settlement substrates, during a 3-month period, from March 15 to June 15, 2000. Two settlement episodes were detected, which were consistent with the variation in abundance and size of juvenile crabs. Variations in subtidal sea level and sea surface temperature anomaly were correlated with the strength of along-shore wind stress and consistent with upwelling theory. Contingency analyses showed positive significant associations between increasing intensity of southerly winds and megalopal supply, for time lags of 0–6 d, indicating that shoreward transport occurred during relaxation or reversal of upwelling favourable winds. Associations between megalopal supply and tidal range or the duration of nocturnal flood were not detected. Compared to other studies of the supply of crab megalopae to coastal habitats that used a similar methodology, very low numbers of megalopae were collected during this study. The paucity of C. maenas megalopae in the Ria de Aveiro is in agreement with the low densities of this larval stage in the plankton, and indicates that maintenance of the population is achieved despite a low supply of megalopae.