Setting new thermal standards for transitional and coastal (TraC) waters

The construction of a new generation of coastal power stations in the UK and other western European countries has highlighted the absence of robust standards for thermal discharges to transitional and coastal waters. The proposed discharge volumes are greater than hitherto, yet there has been little independent critical examination of their potential impact, whilst much of the existing guidance has been adapted from freshwater practice. This review considers the available knowledge on the tolerance and behaviour of fish and other marine biota to heated effluents. Appropriate ways are suggested of grouping fish species to reflect their sensitivity to thermal effects. The plethora of existing standards are considered and their validity assessed in a framework of predicted seawater temperature rise. Those species or groups of organisms most likely to be affected are identified and finally specific recommendations for thermal standards consistent with long term sustainability are proposed.     

In situ bioremediation of 1,2-dichloroethane under anaerobic conditions

Historic spillages of chlorinated hydrocarbons at a vinyl chloride plant in the Rotterdam–Botlek area in The Netherlands has lead to deep-seated pollution of the underlying aquifer. The principal pollutant is 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA). As a temporary measure, the contamination is being contained using a pump and treat system. In the long term, in-situ bioremediation has been proposed using a biologically active zone where pollutants would be dechlorinated by microorganisms that simultaneously degrade other carbon sources. In order to investigate the suitability of this new technology, a programme of laboratory tests was carried out. The laboratory programme involved a series of anaerobic soil column tests, where the selection and delivery of different carbon substrates that stimulated 1,2-DCA dechlorination were investigated. The soil columns were prepared using soil and groundwater samples from boreholes. Groundwater was flushed through the columns under anaerobic conditions. A comparison was made between the transformation of 1,2-DCA without a carbon substrate and in the presence of sugars (molasses) and alcohol (methanol) respectively. In addition, different modes of delivery were investigated. In the case of molasses, the material was injected into the column as a plug to simulate grout injection in the field, whereas methanol was delivered as a constant flow dissolved in the influent. Both carbon substrates resulted in the biotransformation of 1,2-DCA. However, fermentation of molasses produced secondary effects that led to a drop in pH and an excessive production of carbon dioxide, which temporarily blocked the flow of groundwater.     

Cape cormorants decrease,move east and adapt foraging strategies following eastward displacement of their main prey

Numbers of Cape cormorants Phalacrocorax capensis breeding in South Africa decreased by nearly 50% from approximately 107 000 pairs in 1977–1981 to 57 000 pairs in 2010–2014. Although four colonies had >10 000 pairs in 1977–1981, there was just one such colony in 2010–2014. Almost all the decrease occurred after the early 1990s off north-west South Africa, between the Orange River estuary and Dassen Island. South of this, the number breeding in the two periods was stable, with some colonies being formed or growing rapidly in the 2000s. The proportion of South Africa’s Cape cormorants that bred south of Dassen Island increased from 35% in 1977–1981 to 66% in 2010–2014, with the opposite situation observed in the north-west. This matched a shift to the south and east in the distributions of two of the Cape cormorant’s main prey species, anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus and sardine Sardinops sagax. In 2014, an apparent scarcity of prey in the north-west resulted in Cape cormorants attempting to take bait from hooks of fishing lines over an extended period, a behaviour not previously recorded. The number of Cape cormorants breeding in the south may be constrained by the absence of large islands between Dyer Island in the west and Algoa Bay in the east. If so, it may be possible to bolster the southern population through the provision of appropriate breeding habitat, such as platforms, or restricting human disturbance at suitable mainland cliff breeding sites.     

Bed shear stresses and the sedimentation of sandy gravels

It is suggested that variations in bed shear stress between the crests and troughs of gravel waves may be the cause of simultaneous deposition of sand and gravel and, coupled with spatial variations in gravel wave steepness, can produce variations in the proportions of sand and gravel in the seabed sediment.     

Threshold conditions for sand movement on a rippled bed

Flume experiments have been carried out to determine the threshold of grain movement on a rippled bed. The results indicate a form drag component of between 5 and 12 times the skin friction. The threshold of motion on the rippled sand bed can be represented by = 70D ^0.3 in whichD > 0.09 cm.     

Measurement of the influence of salinity on floc density and strength

The effective density and the strength of flocs formed in the laboratory from mud from the Tamar Estuary reached a maximum value at a salinity of 10–15‰ within the concentration range studied (0.1–1.0 g liter⁻¹). For a constant salinity and concentration, the density decreases with increasing floc size. The strength of the flocs increases with the floc diameter. However, the strength of the individual particle bonds within the floc decreases with size. Large flocs were relatively more brittle than smaller ones. The results suggest that larger flocs may be disrupted by the formation of unequal fragments.     

Adaptation of water resources systems to changing society and environment: a statement by the International Association of Hydrological Sciences

ABSTRACT

We explore how to address the challenges of adaptation of water resources systems under changing conditions by supporting flexible, resilient and low-regret solutions, coupled with on-going monitoring and evaluation. This will require improved understanding of the linkages between biophysical and social aspects in order to better anticipate the possible future co-evolution of water systems and society. We also present a call to enhance the dialogue and foster the actions of governments, the international scientific community, research funding agencies and additional stakeholders in order to develop effective solutions to support water resources systems adaptation. Finally, we call the scientific community to a renewed and unified effort to deliver an innovative message to stakeholders. Water science is essential to resolve the water crisis, but the effectiveness of solutions depends, inter alia, on the capability of scientists to deliver a new, coherent and technical vision for the future development of water systems.

EDITOR D. Koutsoyiannis; ASSOCIATE EDITOR not assigned     

A comparison of turbulence measurements by different instruments; Tsimlyansk field experiment 1970

In the summer of 1970 an international intercomparison of turbulence measurement sensors was carried out at the Tsimlyansk field station of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IFA) Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R. Improved sonic anemometer sensors of the IFA were compared with the Kaijo sonic used by the Canadian group and with the fluxatron from CSIRO, Australia.Results from the experiment indicate that spectral and cospectral shapes are basically similar between the sonic anemometers. The spectra and cospectra of the fluxatron in the high-frequency region showed an attenuation which can be explained in terms of the response characteristics of the fluxatron. The maintenance of absolute calibration of the sensors in the field was found to be difficult, but when properly corrected for this variation, the measurements were found to agree within 13%, with a standard error of 0.2. A single point observation of turbulent fluxes at a few meters above the surface and averaged over a period of the order of one hour was shown to be representative of turbulent fluxes at the site.