On the northward shift of the West African monsoon

The regional climate model (MAR) is used to perform a simulation of the year 1992 over West Africa. It is shown that MAR is able to simulate the main features of the rainy regime over West Africa and especially the discontinuous seasonal progression of the West African Monsoon along the year. One particular feature that is reasonably well reproduced is the abrupt shift of the rain band from 5° to 10°N at the end of June (also called “monsoon jump”). This study suggests that such a phenomenon is associated with the shift of the Saharan heat low between two favourite positions: one being over the Sahelian area (10–15°N) and the other over the Saharan area (20–25°N). These two favourite locations of the heat low are linked to the spatial distribution of surface albedo over West Africa that drives the spatio-temporal location of the surface temperature maxima. A detailed analysis of this “monsoon jump” is performed and the causes of the strong decrease in precipitation that precedes the northward shift of the rain band are also investigated.     

Influence of observed and RCM-simulated precipitation on the water discharge over the Sirba basin, Burkina Faso/Niger

The forcing of a hydrologic model (ABC) by both observed and simulated precipitation from a regional climate model (MAR) has been performed over the Sirba watershed (39,000 km²) located in the Sahelian region. Two aspects have been more specifically examined: the spatial and temporal representations of precipitation. The comparison between simulated and observed discharges—using observed rainfall datasets as forcing of the hydrologic model—has shown that the representation of daily precipitation (which is mainly convective in the Sahelian region) was not sufficiently accurate to correctly simulate the hydrologic response of the watershed. Since this response drives the soil water budget and consequently the amount of evaporation in forthcoming coupling experiments, it is thus necessary to develop more realistic infra-daily precipitation associated with convective events. A new temporal disaggregation scheme has been then developed. Considering observed as well as simulated precipitation fields, this method has significantly improved the simulated discharge at the catchment outlet. The major role played by the temporal component compared to spatial component of the precipitation has been then underlined. In addition, the present study shows the unsuitability of the simulated precipitation from the RCM to directly force a hydrologic model at infra daily timescale even if the cumulative amount and the main features of the precipitation seasonal cycle are well simulated.     

Numerical modelling of Alpine deep flow systems: a management and prediction tool for an exploited geothermal reservoir (Lavey-les-Bains, Switzerland)

The geothermal site of Lavey-les-Bains, Switzerland is an Alpine deep flow system in fractured crystalline rocks. Groundwater analyses since 1973 reveal a mixing process between a deep warm component (68°C and TDS 1.4 g/L) and cold shallow water. The production rate of the new deep well P600, installed in 1997, has amplified this mixing process in well P201, for which a decline in temperature and TDS has been observed. Numerical hydrogeological two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of heat, flow and mass transport have been developed to reproduce the geothermal system and to forecast the long-term exploitation potential of the geothermal resource. The computed temperature of the deep inferred reservoir (100–130°C) is in agreement with the geothermometers, whereas the simulated thermal water flux (5,400–9,000 m³/day) is probably underestimated. Different fluid production scenarios can reproduce the decline and stabilization phases of temperatures in the geothermal field since 1997. For P201, the mixing ratio calculated before and during the exploitation of P600 is comparable with observed data; the modelled temperature tends towards stabilization in P201 at 56°C after 10–15 years of production at P600. Another proposed new well is likely to reduce the thermal output of the existing wells.     

Direct and indirect inversions

A bridge is highlighted between the direct inversion and the indirect inversion. They are based on fundamental different approaches: one is looking after a projection from the data space to the model space while the other one is reducing a misfit between observed data and synthetic data obtained from a given model. However, it is possible to obtain similar structures for model perturbation, and we shall focus on P-wave velocity reconstruction. This bridge is built up through the Born approximation linearizing the forward problem with respect to model perturbation and through asymptotic approximations of the Green functions of the wave propagation equation. We first describe the direct inversion and its ingredients and then we focus on a specific misfit function design leading to a indirect inversion. Finally, we shall compare this indirect inversion with more standard least-squares inversion as the FWI, enabling the focus on small weak velocity perturbations on one side and the speed-up of the velocity perturbation reconstruction on the other side. This bridge has been proposed by the group led by Raul Madariaga in the early nineties, emphasizing his leading role in efficient imaging workflows for seismic velocity reconstruction, a drastic requirement at that time.     

Detecting a Defective Casing Seal at the Top of a Bedrock Aquifer

An improperly sealed casing can produce a direct hydraulic connection between two or more originally isolated aquifers with important consequences regarding groundwater quantity and quality. A recent study by Richard et al. (2014) investigated a monitoring well installed in a fractured rock aquifer with a defective casing seal at the soil–bedrock interface. A hydraulic short circuit was detected that produced some leakage between the rock and the overlying deposits. A falling‐head permeability test performed in this well showed that the usual method of data interpretation is not valid in this particular case due to the presence of a piezometric error. This error is the direct result of the preferential flow originating from the hydraulic short circuit and the subsequent re‐equilibration of the piezometric levels of both aquifers in the vicinity of the inlet and the outlet of the defective seal. Numerical simulations of groundwater circulation around the well support the observed impact of the hydraulic short circuit on the results of the falling‐head permeability test. These observations demonstrate that a properly designed falling‐head permeability test may be useful in the detection of defective casing seals.     

A Global Solution for the Gravity Field, Rotation, Landmarks, and Ephemeris of Eros

As part of the NEAR Radio Science investigation, a global solution that includes both spherical and ellipsoidal harmonic gravity fields of Eros, Eros pole and rotation rate, Eros ephemeris, and landmark positions from the optical data was generated. This solution uses the entire one-year in orbit collection of X-band radiometric tracking (Doppler and range) from the Deep Space Network and landmark tracking observations generated from the NEAR spacecraft images of Eros. When compared to a constant density shape model, the gravity field shows a nearly homogeneous Eros. The Eros landmark solutions are in good agreement with the Eros shape model, and they reduce the center-of-mass and center-of-figure offset in the z direction to 13 m. Most of the NEAR spacecraft orbits are determined in all directions to an accuracy of several meters. The solution for the ephemeris of Eros constrains the mass of Vesta to 18.2±0.4 km³/s² and reduces the uncertainty in the Earth-Moon mass ratio.     

Variogram models must be positive-definite

The aim of this short article is to stress the importance of using only positive-definite functions as models for covariance functions and variograms.The two examples presented show that a negative variance can easily be obtained when a nonadmissible function is chosen for the variogram model.     

Assessing SARAL/AltiKa Data in the Coastal Zone: Comparisons with HF Radar Observations

We present an initial assessment of SARAL/AltiKa data in the coastal band. The study focuses on the Ibiza Channel where the north-south water exchanges play a key role in controlling the circulation variability in the western Mediterranean. In this area, the track 16 of SARAL/AltiKa intercepts the domain covered by a coastal high-frequency (HF) radar system, which provides surface currents with a range up to 60 km. We evaluate the performance of the SARAL/AltiKa Ssalto/Duacs delayed-time along-track products compared to the HF radar surface velocity fields. SARAL/AltiKa data are retrieved at a distance of only 7 km from the coast, putting in evidence the emerging capabilities of the new altimeter. The derived velocities resolved the general features of the seasonal mesoscale variability with reasonable agreement with HF radar fields (significant correlations of 0.54). However, some discrepancies appear, which might be caused by instrumental hardware radar errors, ageostrophic velocities as well as inaccurate corrections and editing in the altimeter data. Root mean square (rms) differences between the estimated SARAL/AltiKa and the HF radar velocities are about 13 cm/s. These results are consistent with recent studies in other parts of the ocean applying similar approaches to Topex/Poseidon and Jason-1 missions and using coastal altimeter corrections.     

Field evidence of hydraulic connections between bedrock aquifers and overlying granular aquifers: examples from the Grenville Province of the Canadian Shield

Field evidence of hydraulic connections between a bedrock aquifer and an overlying granular aquifer in the Canadian Shield (Grenville Province) is presented. This issue is rarely considered and investigated despite its important hydraulic and chemical consequences and its widespread occurrence worldwide. The methodology employed is based on complementary field tests conducted at specific experimental sites instrumented both in the rock and in the overlying deposits. One of the bedrock sites revealed a natural hydraulic connection with the overlying granular aquifer caused by the weathered surface of the uppermost bedrock. Another site revealed an artificial hydraulic connection between the bedrock and the granular aquifer created by an improperly sealed casing. A regional study showed that hydraulic connections yield an erroneous interpretation of the true hydraulic properties of the tested aquifer. The detection of hydraulic connections is therefore essential to properly define well-capture areas and contamination conditions. It is recommended to practitioners that pumping tests be performed as well as hydrochemical comparisons of each existing aquifer unit. Falling-head permeability tests are also helpful in verifying the quality of the seal at the bedrock–casing contact. More effective procedural controls and better well-construction practices are necessary to reduce the risks of cross-contamination induced by defective seals.