Investigation of runoff generation in a pristine,poorly gauged catchment in the Chilean Andes I: A multi‐method experimental study

Catchment scale hydrological process studies in southern Chile are of special interest as little research at this scale has been carried out in this region. In particular, the young volcanic ash soils, which are typical for this area, are not well understood in their hydrological behaviour. In addition, extensive land use changes require detailed knowledge of hydrological processes in disturbed as well as undisturbed catchments in order to estimate resulting risks of erosion, eutrophication, floods and droughts. This study focuses on data collection and experimental determination of relevant processes in an undisturbed forested catchment in the Andes of southern Chile. The here gained understanding of runoff generation can serve as a reference for comparison with sites subject to human intervention, improving estimation of the effects of land use change. Owing to the lack of long‐term data for this catchment it was necessary to replace long time series by a multitude of experimental methods covering as many aspects of the runoff generation process as possible. The methods used in this investigation include: measurements of streamflow, rainfall, throughfall, water chemistry, soil water dynamics, groundwater dynamics, soil physics, soil mineralogy, geo‐electrical sounding, and tracer techniques. Methods and equipment used during field campaigns are described and evaluated for usefulness versus expenditure (labour and financial costs). Selected results and the hypotheses developed from these findings are presented. The results suggest the importance of fast processes for rainfall runoff response on the one hand as well as considerable dampening effects of a large subsurface storage on the other hand. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Rock-weathering by lichens in Antarctic: patterns and mechanisms

Saxicolous species of lichens are able to induce and accelerate weathering of their rock substrate, and effects of lichens on substrate can be attributed to both physical and chemical causes. This paper is focused on biotic weathering actions of epilithic and endolithic species on the different rock types (sandstones and volcanogenic rocks) in Antarctica. The patterns, mechanisms, processes and neoformations of rock-weathering resulting from lichen colonization are expounded in detail. Furthermore, it is pointed out that, for a better understanding of the impacts of lichens on environments, the studies on the rate of biotic weathering and the comprehensive involvement of the lichen effects on weathering of natural rocks remain to be carried out in Antarctica.     

Measurement of ocean temperature and salinity via microwave radiometry

Sea-surface temperature with an accuracy of 1 °C and salinity with an accuracy of 1 were measured with a 1.43 and 2.65 GHz radiometer system after correcting for the influence of cosmic radiation, intervening atmosphere, sea-surface roughness, and antenna beamwidth. The radiometers are a third-generation system using null-balancing and feed-back noise injection. Flight measurements from aircraft over bay regions and coastal areas of the Atlantic resulted in contour maps with spatial resolution of 0.5 km.     

Permeability changes in layered sediments: impact of particle release

One of the mechanisms of sudden particle release from grain surfaces in natural porous media is a decrease in salt concentration of the permeating fluid to below the critical salt concentration. Particle release can cause a change in hydraulic conductivity of the matrix, either by washing out the fines and thus increasing the pore sizes or by the plugging of pore constrictions. The phenomenon of permeability changes as a result of particle detachment was investigated in a series of column experiments. Coarse and fine sediments from the Hanford Formation in southeast Washington were tested. Columns were subject to a pulse of highly saline solution (NaNO3) followed by a fresh water shock causing particle release. Outflow rates and changes in hydraulic head as well as electric conductivity and pH were monitored over time. No permeability decrease occurred within the coarse matrix alone. However, when a thin layer of fine sediment was embedded within the coarse material (mimicking field conditions at the Hanford site), permeability irreversibly decreased to 10% to 20% of the initial value. Evidence suggests that most of this permeability decrease was a result of particles detached within the fine layer and its subsequent clogging. An additional observation was a sudden increase in pH in the outflow solution, generated in situ during the fresh water shock. Because layered systems are common in natural settings, our results suggest that alteration between sodium solution and fresh water can lead to particle release and subsequently reduce the overall permeability of the matrix.     

Pre-seismic, co-seismic and post-seismic displacements associated with the Bhuj 2001 earthquake derived from recent and historic geodetic data

The 26th January 2001 Bhuj earthquake occurred in the Kachchh Rift Basin which has a long history of major earthquakes. Great Triangulation Survey points (GTS) were first installed in the area in 1856–60 and some of these were measured using Global Positioning System (GPS) in the months of February and July 2001. Despite uncertainties associated with repairs and possible reconstruction of points in the past century, the re-measurements reveal pre-seismic, co-seismic and post-seismic deformation related to Bhuj earthquake. More than 25 Μ-strain contraction north of the epicenter appears to have occurred in the past 140 years corresponding to a linear convergence rate of approximately 10 mm/yr across the Rann of Kachchh. Motion of a single point at Jamnagar 150 km south of the epicenter in the 4 years prior to the earthquake, and GTS-GPS displacements in Kathiawar suggests that pre-seismic strain south of the epicenter was small and differs insignificantly from that measured elsewhere in India. Of the 20 points measured within 150 km of the epicenter, 12 were made at existing GTS points which revealed epicentral displacements of up to 1 m, and strain changes exceeding 30 Μ-strain. Observed displacements are consistent with reverse co-seismic slip. Re-measurements in July 2001 of one GTS point (Hathria) and eight new points established in February reveal post-seismic deformation consistent with continued slip on the Bhuj rupture zone.     

南极石生地衣主要生物风化作用研究进展与展望

地衣以物理、化学方式参与矿质基质的风化作用 ,诱导和加速岩石的风化过程。本文对南极地区表生和内生型地衣的生物风化作用进行了综合论述 ,详细阐述了不同地衣种类诱导和参与几种主要岩石类型 (砂岩类和火成岩类 )风化作用的模式、机制、过程以及产物。同时指出 ,地衣等其他生物因素间接参与的风化过程 ,地衣导致的岩石抗风化效应以及生物风化速率等方面的研究工作是目前南极生物风化作用研究方面的新领域。     

The role of experimental work in hydrological sciences – insights from a community survey

This opinion paper summarizes the results of an online survey on the role of experimental work in the hydrological sciences. The 20 survey questions covered various topics, such as advancements, needs, potentials and challenges in the hydrological sciences, and also touched on the issue of data sharing and data publication. A total of 336 hydrologists with both modelling and experimental backgrounds participated.