Testing bedload transport formulae using morphologic transport estimates and field data: lower Fraser River,British Columbia

Morphologic transport estimates available for a 65‐km stretch of Fraser River over the period 1952–1999 provide a unique opportunity to evaluate the performance of bedload transport formulae for a large river over decadal time scales. Formulae tested in this paper include the original and rational versions of the Bagnold formula, the Meyer‐Peter and Muller formula and a stream power correlation. The generalized approach adopted herein does not account for spatial variability in flow, bed structure and channel morphology. However, river managers and engineers, as well as those studying rivers within the context of long‐term landscape change, may find this approach satisfactory as it has minimal data requirements and provides a level of process specification that may be commensurable with longer time scales. Hydraulic geometry equations for width and depth are defined using morphologic maps based on aerial photography and bathymetric survey data. Comparison of transport predictions with bedload transport measurements completed at Mission indicates that the original Bagnold formula most closely approximates the main trends in the field data. Sensitivity analyses are conducted to evaluate the impact of inaccuracies in input variables width, depth, slope and grain size on transport predictions. The formulae differ in their sensitivity to input variables and between reaches. Average annual bedload transport predictions for the four formulae show that they vary between each other as well as from the morphologic transport estimates. The original Bagnold and Meyer‐Peter and Muller formulae provide the best transport predictions, although the former underestimates while the latter overestimates transport rates. Based on our findings, an error margin of up to an order of magnitude can be expected when adopting generalized approaches for the prediction of bedload transport. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Factors affecting the flow of aflaj in Oman: A modelling study

Shallow sloping drainage tunnels dug into the hillsides to intercept water tables are an important source of water supply in many semi-arid countries. This paper deals with the modelling of such drainage tunnels, with particular reference to the aflaj (singular falaj) of Oman; factors affecting their flow, their response to recharge and their imposition on the surrounding aquifer are investigated. The equations governing groundwater flow in unconfined aquifers are modified to realistically reproduce the observed flow response. In this way the effect of falaj flow can be incorporated into the strategy for the management of scarce water resources. The modelling results show that the falaj flow follows an exponential recession and its rate is related to aquifer geometry and parameters. The results have been used to estimate the contributing length of aflaj under various hydrological conditions and to indicate the most likely recharge mechanism for a falaj situated in wadi gravels. Furthermore, the close resemblance between the predicted falaj flow and field flow measurements, from Oman, is a measure of the model's applicability.     

Climate and irrigation scenario analyses using three-dimensional numerical modelling: a case study of the Nasia sub-basin in the White Volta Basin,Ghana

A groundwater resource characterisation and assessment model was developed for Nasia river sub-basin in the White Volta Basin, Ghana. The model is useful to policymakers for planning and sustainable management of groundwater resources in the basin for domestic and irrigation purposes. A conceptual model was constructed that characterized boundary conditions and hydrostratigraphy, and estimated recharge rates and hydraulic and storage parameters. From current understanding of the hydrogeological dynamics, three hydrostratigraphic layers were delineated. The conceptual model was converted to a three-dimensional steady-state groundwater flow model using MODFLOW. Recharge rates estimated from the base model indicate a minimum of 1.1% and maximum of 6.2% of the total rainfall. The hydraulic conductivity ranged between 0.20 and 15 m/day. Four possible scenarios were simulated: (1) increased population, (2) climate variations (reduced recharge), (3) increased abstraction for irrigation, and (4) worst-case scenario which is a combination of the first three scenarios. Results from scenarios 1 and 2 indicated that, under such conditions, the groundwater resources could be sustained and no significant effect on any of the water budget indicators was observed. For scenario 3, there was significant drop in hydraulic head in the central portions of the study area. The scenario 4 simulation indicated that there was significant reduction in groundwater levels and groundwater discharge into streams under these stressors. Such reduction can affect stream levels in the basin and, subsequently, the ecosystem. These findings are valid within the limits of uncertainty in the hydrogeological data that were used in this study.

     

Climate change impacts on runoff in the Ferghana Valley (Central Asia)

The main freshwater source of arid/semi-arid Central Asia is stored in its high mountain glaciers. Water for the downstream countries is mainly supplied through the Syrdarya River that originates at the confluence of the Naryn and Karadarya rivers in the Ferghana Valley. Runoff generation from glaciers plays a crucial role, although a considerable number of small tributaries supply the river with additional runoff from snowmelt and rain in the mountains surrounding the Ferghana Valley. Observations of rising air temperature and accelerated glacier shrinkage make it most likely that the relative contributions of the smaller tributaries will increase. Hitherto, assessments of climate change effects on the water resource availability have largely neglected the growing importance of the runoff from smaller tributaries. We used a dynamically downscaled A1B SRES scenario for climate change effects for the period 2071–2100 in relation to the reference period of 1971–2000 and a version of the conceptual hydrological Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenavdelning model (HBV-light) to estimate runoff contributions with particular respect to the small tributaries. The simulations showed a 12–42% decrease in summer runoff; and a 44–107% increase in winter-spring runoff. This indicates the hydrological regime is shifting towards a runoff from snowmelt earlier in the year. The study suggests that actions for climate change adaptation should be complemented by land management configured to secure optimal runoff supplement from the smaller catchments.     

Bringing stakeholders,scientists, and managers together through an integrated ecosystem assessment process

For decades, the scientific community has conducted essential background research and developed appropriate modeling tools in support of an ecosystem-based approach to natural resource management. Resource managers and the public, however, lack a clear roadmap for working with scientists to move beyond the traditional single-species approach. With current management processes so strongly focused on working in a species-by-species framework, there are entrenched cultural and institutional challenges to shifting those processes toward ecosystem-based management. We propose using the integrated ecosystem assessment process to both develop new management ideas for a particular ecosystem, and to help shift public policy processes and perceptions to embrace ecosystem approaches to management.     

Microbial fossilization in carbonate sediments: a result of the bacterial surface involvement in dolomite precipitation

ABSTRACT Recent dolomitic sediment samples from Lagoa Vermelha, Brazil, were examined microscopically to study the process of bacterial fossilization in carbonate sediments. Bacteria‐like bodies were intimately associated with carbonate mineral surfaces, and coatings on the former demonstrate the calcification of single bacterial cells. The bacterial fossilization process in Lagoa Vermelha sediments was simulated in the laboratory by cultivation of mixed and pure cultures of sulphate‐reducing bacteria, which were isolated from the Lagoa Vermelha sediments. These cultures produced carbonate minerals that were studied to provide insight into the initiation of the fossilization process. In mixed culture experiments, bacterial colonies became calcified, whereas in pure culture experiments, single bacterial cells were associated with dolomite surfaces. Dolomite nucleated exclusively in bacterial colonies, intimately associated with extracellular organic matter and bacterial cells. Electrophoretic mobility measurements of the bacterial cells in electrolyte solutions demonstrated the specific adsorption of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ onto the cell surfaces, indicating the role of the bacterial surface in carbonate nucleation and bacterial fossilization. The affinity of the cells for Mg²⁺ was related to the capability of the strains to mediate dolomite formation. Combined with sulphate uptake, which dissociates the [MgSO₄]⁰ ion pair and increases the Mg²⁺ availability, the concentration of Mg²⁺ ions in the microenvironment around the cells, where the conditions are favourable for dolomite precipitation, may be the key to overcome the kinetic barrier to dolomite formation. These results demonstrate that bacterial fossilization is a consequence of the cell surface involvement in carbonate precipitation, implying that fossilized bacterial bodies can be used as a tool to recognize microbially mediated carbonates.     

Water quality analysis of groundwater in crystalline basement rocks,Northern Ghana

Hydrochemical data are presented for groundwater samples, collected from fractured aquifers in parts of northern Ghana. The data was collected to assess the groundwater suitability for domestic and agricultural use. Results of the study reveal that the pH of the groundwater in the area is slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. The electrical conductivity values, total dissolved solids (TDS) values and calcium, magnesium and sodium concentrations in the groundwater are generally below the limit set by the WHO for potable water supply. On the basis of activity diagrams, groundwater from the fractured aquifers appears to be stable within the montmorillonite field, suggesting weathering of silicate minerals. An inverse distance weighting interpolator with a power of 2 was applied to the data points to produce prediction maps for nitrate and fluoride. The distribution maps show the presence of high nitrate concentrations (50–194 mg/l) in some of the boreholes in the western part of the study area indicating anthropogenic impact on the groundwater. Elevated fluoride level (1.5–4 mg/l), higher than the WHO allowable fluoride concentration of 1.5, is recorded in the groundwater underlying the northeastern part of the study area, more specifically Bongo and its surrounding communities of the Upper East region. Results of this study suggest that groundwater from the fractured aquifers in the area exhibit low sodicity–low salinity (S1–C1), low sodicity–medium salinity (S1–C2) characteristics [United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL) classification scheme]. All data points from this study plot within the ‘Excellent to good’ category on a Wilcox diagram. Groundwater in this area thus appears to provide irrigation water of excellent quality. The hydrochemical results indicate that, although nitrate and fluoride concentrations in some boreholes are high, the groundwater in the study area, based on the parameters analyzed, is chemically potable and suitable for domestic and agricultural purposes.     

Pollutants,human health and the environment – A risk-based approach

Over the last 50 a there has been mounting unease about the risk of synthetic chemicals to human health. Publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring in 1962 catalyzed public concern about chemicals. There is now a vast range of synthetic substances in the environment and their potential cocktail as well as the effects of chronic exposure is of concern. Concerns about pollution are not restricted to toxic chemicals, with radioactivity being an issue that continues to be emotive, and exposure to substances such as particulates has been seen to cause health problems. Improved understanding of chemical risks to the environment and human health suggest that a precautionary approach is adopted, with new approaches demonstrating how nature uses thousands of sustainable, non-toxic processes, which can be copied by industry. Policy has evolved from the prevention of local pollution to the holistic management of environmental quality. Regulation is now increasingly underpinned by risk assessment and responsibility for understanding and managing chemical risk is being transferred progressively to manufacturers and users. There is now an increased emphasis on individual responsibilities which requires a debate about the risks and benefits of chemicals in which all members of society can participate.     

Seismic swarms,fluid flow and hydraulic conductivity in the forearc offshore North Costa Rica and Nicaragua

At the continental margin of north Costa Rica and Nicaragua, the strongly hydrated Cocos Plate subducts beneath the Caribbean Plate. From the downgoing Cocos plate fluids are released through extensional fractures in the overriding plate. At the seafloor, they form fluid seeps, mounds and other types of fluid expulsion. Using an offshore temporary seismic network, we investigated seismicity possibly related to these processes and observed several swarms of earthquakes located on the continental slope trenchward of the seismogenic zone of S Nicaragua. The seismicity occurred within the downgoing plate, near the plate interface and in the overriding plate. We interpret these swarm events as an expression of pore pressure propagation under critical stress conditions driven by fluid release from the downgoing plate. In order to estimate hydraulic diffusivity and permeability values, we applied a theory developed for injection test interpretation to the spatio-temporal development of the swarms. The resulting diffusivity and permeability values are in the ranges of 28–305 m²/s and 3.2 × 10^?14 m²–35.1 × 10^?14 m², respectively, applying to the continental and oceanic crust near the plate interface. These values are somewhat larger than observed in drill logs on the margin wedge off north Costa Rica, but of comparable magnitude to values estimated for the Antofagasta 1995 earthquake aftershock sequence.