Intercomparison and analyses of the climatology of the West African Monsoon in the West African Monsoon Modeling and Evaluation project (WAMME) first model intercomparison experiment

This paper briefly presents the West African Monsoon (WAM) Modeling and Evaluation Project (WAMME) and evaluates WAMME general circulation models’ (GCM) performances in simulating variability of WAM precipitation, surface temperature, and major circulation features at seasonal and intraseasonal scales in the first WAMME experiment. The analyses indicate that models with specified sea surface temperature generally have reasonable simulations of the pattern of spatial distribution of WAM seasonal mean precipitation and surface temperature as well as the averaged zonal wind in latitude-height cross-section and low level circulation. But there are large differences among models in simulating spatial correlation, intensity, and variance of precipitation compared with observations. Furthermore, the majority of models fail to produce proper intensities of the African Easterly Jet (AEJ) and the tropical easterly jet. AMMA Land Surface Model Intercomparison Project (ALMIP) data are used to analyze the association between simulated surface processes and the WAM and to investigate the WAM mechanism. It has been identified that the spatial distributions of surface sensible heat flux, surface temperature, and moisture convergence are closely associated with the simulated spatial distribution of precipitation; while surface latent heat flux is closely associated with the AEJ and contributes to divergence in AEJ simulation. Common empirical orthogonal functions (CEOF) analysis is applied to characterize the WAM precipitation evolution and has identified a major WAM precipitation mode and two temperature modes (Sahara mode and Sahel mode). Results indicate that the WAMME models produce reasonable temporal evolutions of major CEOF modes but have deficiencies/uncertainties in producing variances explained by major modes. Furthermore, the CEOF analysis shows that WAM precipitation evolution is closely related to the enhanced Sahara mode and the weakened Sahel mode, supporting the evidence revealed in the analysis using ALMIP data. An analysis of variability of CEOF modes suggests that the Sahara mode leads the WAM evolution, and divergence in simulating this mode contributes to discrepancies in the precipitation simulation.     

Comparison of catchment and network delineation approaches in complex suburban environments: application to the Chaudanne catchment,France

Suburban areas are subject to strong anthropogenic modifications, which can influence hydrological processes. Sewer systems, ditches, sewer overflow devices and retention basins are introduced and large surface areas are sealed off. The knowledge of accurate flow paths and watershed boundaries in these suburban areas is important for storm water management, hydrological modelling and hydrological data analysis. This study proposes a new method for the determination of the drainage network based on time efficient field investigations and integration of sewer system maps into the drainage network for small catchments of up to 10 km². A new method is also proposed for the delineation of subcatchments and thus the catchment area. The subcatchments are delineated using a combination of an object‐oriented approach in the urban zone and geographical information system–based terrain analysis with flow direction forcing in the rural zone. The method is applied to the Chaudanne catchment, which belongs to the Yzeron river network and is located in the suburban area of Lyon, France. The resulting subcatchment map gives information about subcatchment response and contribution. The method is compared with six other automatic catchment delineation methods based on stream burning, flow direction forcing and calculation of subcatchments for inlet points. None of the automatic methods could correctly represent the catchment area and flow paths observed in the field. The watershed area calculated with these methods differs by as much as 25% from the area computed with the new method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Field Measurement of Dissolved Oxygen: A Comparison of Methods

The ability to confidently measure the concentration of dissolved oxygen (D.O.) in ground water is a key aspect of remedy selection and assessment. Presented here is a comparison of the commonly practiced methods for determining D.O. concentrations in ground water, including colorimetric, membrane-covered electrode, and modified Winkler techniques. The Winkler titration (azide and permanganate modifications) is the most accurate and precise technique for determining D.O. and is appropriate for applications with stringent data quality objectives. In addition, excellent correlation over a wide range of D.O. concentrations was found between Winkler titrations and colorimetric tests using the rhodazine D (below 1 part per million [ppm]) and indigo carmine reagents (above 1 ppm). Electrode measurements represent the simplest method for determining D.O. concentrations on a continuous basis and electrode determinations positively correlate with Winkler results above 1 ppm. Below 1 ppm, electrodes provide only a qualitative measure of low D.O. level, apparently due to slow electrode response.     

A close-interval sampler for collection of sediment pore waters for nutrient analyses

An in situ sediment pore water sampler is described. It can simultaneously and continuously sample at four discrete 1 cm levels at one location without disturbing the sediment or the sample. The sampler can maintain an anaerobic environment, and can be used over extended periods of time. Laboratory tests indicate 98 to 100 percent recoveries for ammonium, silicate, reactive phosphate, nitrate and nitrite. Vertical profiles for ammonium, reactive phosphate and silicate are shown from field studies.     

Metal ion complex formation constants of some sedimentary humic acids with Zn(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II)

Metal ion complex formation constants were determined for several sedimentary humic acids (SHA) derived from a fresh water lake and several coastal marine environments, using a method based on size exclusion chromatography. Only one type of binding site was observed in all cases, and conditional log K_f values of between 5 and 7 (at pH 8, I = 0.01 M) were found. Elemental composition of the SHA was similar to soil HA, except that nitrogen content was significantly higher in the SHA. Other chemical properties of the SHA were consistent with those reported by other workers. While spectroscopic measurements indicated that the SHA may have contained significant amounts of polysaccharide compounds which were not removed by conventional separation and purification procedures, analysis indicated only very low levels of polysaccharides were present in the SHA.     

Geomagnetic field variations in southeastern Europe between 6500 and 100 years B.C.

Results from joint work between the Geophysical Institute (Sofia, Bulgaria), and the Geomagnetic Institute (Grocka, Yugoslavia) on the geomagnetic field variation in the prehistoric past are presented. Preliminary curves of variation of the three geomagnetic elements: declination, inclination and intensity are presented. The movement of the virtual pole position for the 6500 years time period B.C. is derived. The curves and the virtual pole positions provide a dating tool for archaeological purposes and determination of the periodicities in the geomagnetic secular variations in southeastern Europe.     

Apparent propagation velocity of body waves

The apparent horizontal propagation velocity, that is the propagation velocity of seismic waves with respect to the ground surface, is discussed in this paper. This parameter is needed to determine the effects of earthquakes on long structures such as bridges and buried pipelines as well as the torsional rotation of foundations of multi-storey buildings. A time window intensity tensor introduced by Penzien and Kubo is used herein to determine the predominant directions of ground motion during an earthquake. Considering the reflection of waves at a free surface, an approximate relationship between the predominant direction and the angle of incidence of body waves with respect to the ground surface is presented. Knowing the material properties of the top layer and the angle of incidence, the desired propagation velocity with respect to the ground surface is readily calculated. The median value of the apparent propagation velocity of shear waves for near field sites which recorded the 1971 San Fernando earthquake was determined to be about 2-1 km/s using the above method. A similar value for the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake is 3·7 km/s. These values are consistent with the range of values for the apparent propagation velocity determined by other researchers.