Groundwater geochemistry of the Chihuahua City region in the Rio Conchos Basin (northern Mexico) and implications for water resources management

The Chihuahua City region, located in the semiarid-arid northern highlands of Mexico, has experienced intensive groundwater abstraction during the last 40 years to meet water demands in the region. A geochemical survey was carried out to investigate the evolution from baseline to modern conditions of a 130-km flow path including the El Sauz–Chihuahua–Aldama–San Diego de Alcalá regions. The research approach included the use of major chemical elements, chlorofluorocarbons and environmental isotope (¹⁸O, ²H, ¹³C and ¹⁴C) tracers. Stable isotopes indicate that groundwater evolves from the evaporation of local rainfall and surface water. Groundwater located at the lower end of the flow section is up to 6000 years old and older groundwater in the order of 9000 years BP was found in a deep well located in the upper part of the flow system, implying contribution from a neighbour basin. The background groundwater chemistry upstream of Chihuahua City results from feldspar weathering. Beyond Chihuahua City the chemical conditions are strongly modified owing to disposal of sewage from public and industrial water supplies into the Rio Chuviscar, subsequent allocation of this water to agricultural irrigation areas and direct infiltration under the river bed. As a consequence, anions like chloride and sulphate are mainly related to surface sources. Nitrate is controlled in part by sewage from public supply and industry and in part by agricultural practices. Arsenic and fluoride are related to weathering of rock formations of local mineralized ranges and subsequent enrichment of the basin-fill by magmatic processes. The results of this study have implications for groundwater management in an arid region that depends entirely on groundwater for domestic, industrial and agricultural water consumption. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Numerical prognosis for salinity profiles of future lakes in the opencast mine Merseburg-Ost

Salt-laden groundwater inflows have formed monimolimnia in developing lakes of the abandoned opencast lignite mine Merseburg-Ost, Central Germany. Water-levels are still rising. To predict the future status of the lakes, two numerical models were developed. One was designed to predict groundwater flows, the second included limnophysical processes. The models were run in parallel and data exchange between them was performed every 1 to 10 years of model time. A trial of a 100-years prognosis was done. The results of surface salinity, mixing depth, and salinity profile are given. A sensitivity analysis yielded indications for the accuracy of the prediction.     

Die Rotsedimentation im Saar-Pfälzischen Rotliegenden

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Die Unterschiede in den Sedimentationsvorgängen zwischen dem Autunien und Saxonien von Mittel- und Westeuropa

After a comment on the stratigraphical classification and the subdivision of Permian strata, a review on their occurrences in Central and Western Europe including the Alps is given. Within this area, the strata can be summarized to a northern, a central, and a “Verrucano” province. The Autunian (Lower Rotliegend) has been typically developed in the central province where it is best preserved. It is characterized by many different sedimentation processes the most important of which are described. They lead to the conclusion that the sediment deposition mainly took place in fresh water lakes and through fluviatile transport. On the other hand, the deposition of the Saxonian (Upper Rotliegend) took place in a much drier climate. Finally, the differences between the two types of climate are described.     

Preface: Workshop on matter,astrophysics, gravitation,ions and cosmology—MAGIC23

We outline our experience in organizing the first edition of the Workshop on Matter, Astrophysics, Gravitation, Ions and Cosmology, held in virtual and in-person format, denominated MAGIC23, held from 6 to 10 March, 2023, in Praia do Rosa, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The event aimed to bring together leading academic scientists, professors, students, and research scholars for exchanging experiences and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, practical challenges, and experimental and theoretical solutions adopted in the investigation fields within the scope of the meeting. The workshop offered to the participants a platform for scientific and academic projects, partnerships, and presentation of high-quality research contributions describing original and unpublished results on topics related to matter, astrophysics, gravitation, ions, and cosmology.     

区域农业用地营养盐剩余量的长期变化研究

根据太湖南部长兴县农业统计资料,对该地区1949~2002年农业用地上N、P的剩余量作出评估。评估结果认为,1949~2002年期间,单位农业用地面积的N、P剩余量具有显著地增加趋势。20世纪50及60年代期间,N的剩余量增加缓慢,自70年代中期以后增加迅速。1996年达到历史最大值。1996年后,N剩余量呈现减少趋势。60年代初期以前,P处于亏损状态。1975~1980年期间,P剩余量呈现缓慢增长趋势,其后出现回落,自80年代中期以后出现迅速增加趋势。1992~1998年期间,P剩余量维持在35~45 kg/(hm²·a)之间的高水平变化,自1999年以后出现显著回落。     

Are the missing X-ray breaks in gamma-ray burst afterglow light curves merely hidden?

Gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow observations in the Swift era have a perceived lack of achromatic jet breaks compared to the BeppoSAX or pre- Swift era. Specifically, relatively few breaks, consistent with jet breaks, are observed in the X-ray light curves of these bursts. If these breaks are truly missing, it has serious consequences on the interpretation of GRB jet collimation and energy requirements, and the use of GRBs as cosmological tools. Here, we address the issue of X-ray breaks that are possibly 'hidden' and hence the light curves are misinterpreted as being single power laws. We do so by synthesizing X-ray telescope (XRT) light curves and fitting both single and broken power laws, and comparing the relative goodness of each fit via Monte Carlo analysis. Even with the well-sampled light curves of the Swift era, these breaks may be left misidentified, hence caution is required when making definite statements on the absence of achromatic breaks.     

Coronal Holes and Icosahedral Symmetry

The study of the expansion of the solar wind out of a system of coronal holes is continued. To this end, we consider the numerical integration of partial differential equations for problems with icosahedral symmetry, in general. First, employing Weyl theory, orbifold coordinates are introduced. Second, the icosahedral coordinates are discussed in detail. Third, following an analysis of the properties of these coordinates and the derivation of a few expressions useful for grid construction, various alternatives for the distribution of lattice points required for numerical integration are considered. A comparison of these numerical grids motivates the choice of a specific grid optimized for the numerical integration carried out in the accompanying paper by Kalish et al.(2002). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.