Reconciling theoretical versus empirical target strengths of krill: effects of phase variability on the distorted-wave Born approximation

In the caption for Figure 5, it was erroneously stated thatthe TS curves were normalized to L = 31.6 mm. They were normalizedto L = 38.35     

Analysis of the evolution of road tunnels equilibrium conditions with a convergence–confinement approach

Since both lining structure and rock mass exhibit delayed behaviour, tunnel equilibrium conditions evolve with time. After discussing existing work done on different aspects of long-term tunnel behaviour, the aim of this paper is to “understand” the influence of rock mass and lining degradations on the long-term stability conditions of the tunnel by means of the convergence–confinement method. In order to represent the effects of degradation on tunnel long-term conditions, specific degradation models are selected according to the disorders identified during principal inspections of road tunnels in Switzerland. By simulating the reduction of the mechanical properties of both the rock mass and the lining or by using creep models, it is possible to assess the influence of the main degradation processes on tunnel stability. The results are interpreted in terms of tunnel safety factor. The presented approach for the determination of the long-term behaviour of tunnels, although valid for simple tunnel geometry and field stress conditions, allows to roughly estimate the influence of significant degradation processes that affect the rock mass and the supporting structure. Though this approach results in some simplification, it may be generalised and adopted with more refined numerical analyses for improving the assessment of tunnel long-term conditions.     

The Decline and Restoration of a Coastal Lagoon (Lake Veere) in the Dutch Delta

The former tidal inlet Lake Veere was turned into a stagnant brackish lake in 1961. Ever since, the system has shown a continuous degradation. The current study shows the monitoring results for the macrozoobenthic communities and the abiotic conditions for the period 1990–2008. This includes the first step to remediation, the restoration of the exchange between the tidal marine Eastern Scheldt and Lake Veere in 2004. A continuous decline in water clearance co-occurring with decreasing macrofauna densities and richness was observed till 2004. Water quality (e.g., secchi depth, nutrient levels, and oxygen conditions) improved significantly after the measure at a higher salinity level with less variation. But the macrofauna densities, biomass, and diversity did not improve yet. First indications of changes in the benthic communities by arrival of new and returning species are however observed and show that restoration at macrofauna level follows the improved abiotic conditions with a delay of several years.     

A roadmap for a dedicated Earth Science Grid platform

Due to its intensive data processing and highly distributed organization, the multidisciplinary Earth Science applications community is uniquely positioned for the uptake and exploitation of Grid technologies. Currently Enabling Grids for E-sciencE, and other large Grid infrastructures are already deployed and capable of operational services. So far however, the adoption and exploitation of Grid technology throughout the Earth Science community has been slower than expected. The Dissemination and Exploitation of GRids in Earth sciencE project, proposed by the European Commission to assist and accelerate this process in a number of different ways, had between its main goals the creation of a roadmap towards Earth Science Grid platform. This paper presents the resulting roadmap.     

Sedimentary pigments as indicators of cyanobacterial dynamics in a hypereutrophic lake

Lac Saint-Augustin is an urban lake located on the outskirts of Quebec City, one of North America’s oldest cities. Anthropogenic inputs from land clearing, agriculture, highway development and urbanization in the surrounding catchment have resulted in strong impacts on the limnology of the lake throughout the past three centuries. In recent years, this lake has experienced severe eutrophication, including persistent cyanobacterial blooms. In winter 2011, a sediment core was extracted from the deepest area of the lake. A detailed paleopigment analysis was used to assess eutrophication processes in the lake and to determine the timing and appearance of cyanobacterial blooms and their subsequent variability. Extracted chlorophyll a, its degradation products and 11 carotenoid pigments were identified and quantified via reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography to examine relative changes in the phytoplankton. The results revealed large variations in the phytoplankton community structure of Lac Saint-Augustin over the past 356 years. Chlorophyll a concentrations per unit organic matter (OM) increased significantly from the base of the core to present day, rising more than 15-fold from 18.4 µg (g OM)^?1 at the base of the core to 287 µg (g OM)^?1 in the most recent strata. Biostratigraphical analysis revealed three major periods of enrichment, with episodes of cyanobacterial abundance from the 1890s onwards. The greatest changes occurred in the most recent period (from the 1960s to the present) relative to earlier periods, with pigment increases for all phytoplankton groups. The cyanobacterial pigments canthaxanthin, echinenone and zeaxanthin (also a marker for green algae) showed concentrations in the surface sediments that were significantly above values at the bottom of the core, and these differences were large, even giving consideration to the lesser pigment degradation near the surface. Overall, the results indicate that cyanobacterial blooms are not a recent feature of Lac Saint-Augustin but began to occur soon after catchment modification 150 years ago. The pigment records also imply that cyanobacterial and associated algal populations have risen to unprecedented levels over the last few decades of ongoing development of the Lac Saint-Augustin catchment. This study highlights the utility of multiple pigment analysis of lake sediments for identifying the timing and magnitude of anthropogenic impacts.     

New Cadanav methodology for quantitative rock fall hazard assessment and zoning at the local scale

Rock fall hazard zoning is a challenging yet necessary task to be accomplished for planning an appropriate land use in mountainous areas. Methodologies currently adopted for elaborating zoning maps do not provide satisfactory results though, due to uncertainties and related assumptions characterising hazard assessment. The new Cadanav methodology, presented in this paper, aims at improving quantitative hazard assessment and zoning at the local scale, by reducing uncertainties mainly related to the technique for combining rock fall intensity and frequency of occurrence. Starting from available information on rock fall failure frequency and trajectory simulation results, the procedure merges in a strict way temporal frequency, probability of reach and energy data and evaluates the hazard degree by means of “hazard curves”. These curves are described at each point of the slope by a series of energy–return period couples representing the hazardous conditions which may possibly affect that location. The new Cadanav methodology is here detailed and compared to its original version. Hazard zoning results are illustrated along two different 2D slope profiles, for linear homogeneous cliff configurations, and according to the Swiss intensity–frequency diagram for rock fall hazard zoning. However, the procedure can be easily used with any other intensity–frequency diagram prescribed in national guidelines and, additionally, extended to problems involving 3D topographies.     

Heavy metals in nearshore sediments of Kalpakkam,southeast coast of India

Kalpakkam, a tiny fishing hamlet dotting the east coast, halfway between Chennai and Pondicherry has become prominent due to the Madras Atomic Power Station. The present study aims at assessing the spatial and temporal distribution pattern of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Fe) from 12 stations along the inner shelf of Bay of Bengal, India, during pre-monsoon (PRM), monsoon, and post-monsoon (POM) seasons. The order of occurrence of the metals in sediments of Kalpakkam is Cr > Zn > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd (excluding Fe since unit is in %) and exhibits a unique seasonal pattern with the highest values (average) during POM except for Cd which shows highest (average) concentration during PRM. In order to determine the sample association according to their geochemical composition and their granulometric characteristics, a correlation matrix was generated and sediment pollution indices viz., sediment enrichment factor and geoaccumulation index were computed. The results confirm anthropogenic input of Cd to nearshore sediments of Kalpakkam. Sources of Cd can be attributed to dredging activities at Edaiyur, direct dumping and sewage sludge from anthropogenic activities, which reach the study area through the Buckingham Canal opening at the backwaters—Sadras and Edaiyur, and extreme use of antifouling paints by fishing trawlers.     

Continual long-term monitoring of methane in wells above the Utica Shale using total dissolved gas pressure probes

Hydrogeology Journal - Monitoring of dissolved methane concentrations in groundwater is required to identify impacts from oil and gas development and to understand temporal variability under...