Improved collection of rooftop micrometeorites through optimized extraction methods: The Budel collection

The scientific value of micrometeorites collected from deep-sea sediments or glacial deposits can be limited by poorly constrained accumulation times or severe alteration, coupled with a complex infrastructure of sampling expeditions. Collecting micrometeorites from rooftops has recently become a feasible alternative, but extraction methods have not been optimized or standardized to date. Here, we show that existing methods for the recovery of melted cosmic spherules (CSs) can be strongly improved by using a sequence of mineral separation techniques, including shape separation with an asymmetric vibrator and heavy liquid density separation with overflow centrifuges. We retrieved 1006 micrometeorites from the gutter of a barn in Budel, the Netherlands. Particle diameters are 80–515 μm, with the major mode at 130 μm and a slope exponent of −4.88. Differences in size distributions among various types of CSs indicate a multi-source influx, with CS textures controlled by their parent body's mineralogy and orbital parameters. Repeated sampling of the rooftop after accumulation times of 959 and 333 days allows for a time-integrated global mass flux estimate of 472 t year⁻¹. This estimate is notably higher than previous rooftop-based estimates but is still severely affected by micrometeorite loss from the gutter through drainage. The mass flux peaks at an equivalent particle diameter of ~200 μm. The Budel collection is the first rooftop collection to contain abundant vitreous micrometeorites and include the coarse-grained S-type CS class. Unmelted and I-type micrometeorites remain difficult to extract from rooftop samples. Vitreous micrometeorites display various stages of weathering, showing that severe alteration of glass can progress at a faster rate in populated regions than previously assumed. This study demonstrates that methodological adjustments can drastically increase the scientific potential of rooftop micrometeorite collections.     

Planktonic diatom communities in temperate South-Central Chilean lakes with a focus on Asterionella formosa and the genus Aulacoseira

Journal of Paleolimnology - Paleolimnological records from temperate South-Central Chilean lakes revealed a recent and marked increase in the relative abundances of the key-planktonic diatom...     

Evaluation of a global ensemble flood prediction system in Peru

ABSTRACT

Flood early warning systems play a more substantial role in risk mitigation than ever before. Hydrological forecasts, which are an essential part of these systems, are used to trigger action against floods around the world. This research presents an evaluation framework, where the skills of the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) are assessed in Peru for the years 2009–2015. Simulated GloFAS discharges are compared against observed ones for 10 river gauges. Forecasts skills are assessed from two perspectives: (i) by calculating verification scores at every river section against simulated discharges and (ii) by comparing the flood signals against reported events. On average, river sections with higher discharges and larger upstream areas perform better. Raw forecasts provide correct flood signals for 82% of the reported floods, but exhibit low verification scores. Post-processing of raw forecasts improves most verification scores, but reduces the percentage of the correctly forecasted reported events to 65%.     

Flood disaster subcultures in The Netherlands: the parishes of Borgharen and Itteren

The Netherlands knows a persistent threat of flooding. To adapt to this dangerous reality, the Dutch have cultivated what disaster research literature has labeled ‘disaster subcultures’ or a set of cultural (tangible and intangible) tools to deal with the recurrent hazard. While there is abundant attention for the way the Dutch ‘coastal’ and ‘low-lying’ communities deal with the recurrent threat of (coastal) flooding, less is known about the way the Dutch ‘high-lands’ deal with the yearly threat of (fluvial) flooding. This article presents the findings of an explorative research endeavor (2011–2013) aimed at discerning if the disaster subculture concept has contemporary relevance in the Netherlands, particularly with respect to flooding, and if so, whether applying this lens would reveal more about the nature of existing disaster subcultures. Because less is known about the Dutch ‘high-lands,’ we chose to look into the existence and attributes of disaster subcultures in the parishes Borgharen and Itteren, which experience a systematic threat of flooding. Our findings suggest that the disaster subculture lens is valuable as it enables the empirical appreciation of disaster subcultures, even in a small country like the Netherlands, and it unveiled elements of these neighboring parishes’ flood reality that otherwise might have gone unnoticed and that seem central to understanding these two parishes’ levels of vulnerability and resilience. It is our contention that the concept ‘disaster subculture’ makes a greater understanding possible of the cultural context from which vulnerability and resilience to specific and recurrent threats emerge.     

Measuring Hg Isotopes in Bio-Geo-Environmental Reference Materials

With the emergence of new analytical techniques and the expansion of scientific fields explored by using mercury isotopes, the community needs reference materials (RM) to validate and assure the accuracy of the results. The present work investigates (1) the characterisation of secondary RM in order to validate analytical systems, (2) the effects of two complex matrices on isotopic determination using stannous chloride cold vapour generation coupled to MC-ICP-MS (CV-MC-ICP-MS), (3) the effects of multiple digestion techniques for total Hg extraction and (4) the characterisation of nine geo-bio-environmental RM. Two secondary mono-elemental RMs analysed using two different analytical setups yielded isotopic compositions on δ²⁰²Hg of −3.54 ± 0.27‰ (CRPG-F65A, 2SD, n = 38) and +2.59 ± 0.19‰ (CRPG-RL24H, 2SD, n = 30) relative to the CRM NIST SRM 3133. These two RMs cover the whole range of Hg isotopic fractionation in natural samples and are made available to the scientific community. Complex fly ash and hydroxysulfate green rust matrices were synthesised, spiked with NIST SRM 3133, then digested and finally analysed versus the mono-elemental NIST SRM 3133 to show potential effect of these complex matrices during CV-MC-ICP-MS. Three digestions techniques, including traditional acid digestion, microwave digestion and high pressure-high temperature digestion, were applied to the lichen RM BCR-482 in order to compare advantages and drawbacks of these methods. Finally, the isotopic compositions of nine RMs including soils (NIST SRM 2711; GXR-2; GSS-4), sediment (GSD-10), jasperoid (GXR-1), ore deposit (GXR-3), fly ashes (BCR-176; BCR-176R) and lichen (BCR-482) are reported. These selected materials have δ²⁰²Hg values ranging from −1.75‰ to +0.11‰. Some RMs also presented mass-independent fractionation with Δ¹⁹⁹Hg and Δ²⁰¹Hg of up to −0.6‰.     

Experimental Study on the Wake Meandering Within a Scale Model Wind Farm Subject to a Wind-Tunnel Flow Simulating an Atmospheric Boundary Layer

The phenomenon of meandering of the wind-turbine wake comprises the motion of the wake as a whole in both horizontal and vertical directions as it is advected downstream. The oscillatory motion of the wake is a crucial factor in wind farms, because it increases the fatigue loads, and, in particular, the yaw loads on downstream turbines. To address this phenomenon, experimental investigations are carried out in a wind-tunnel flow simulating an atmospheric boundary layer with the Coriolis effect neglected. A \(3 \times 3\) scaled wind farm composed of three-bladed rotating wind-turbine models is subject to a neutral boundary layer over a slightly-rough surface, i.e. corresponding to offshore conditions. Particle-image-velocimetry measurements are performed in a horizontal plane at hub height in the wakes of the three wind turbines occupying the wind-farm centreline. These measurements allow determination of the wake centrelines, with spectral analysis indicating the characteristic wavelength of the wake-meandering phenomenon. In addition, measurements with hot-wire anemometry are performed along a vertical line in the wakes of the same wind turbines, with both techniques revealing the presence of wake meandering behind all three turbines. The spectral analysis performed with the spatial and temporal signals obtained from these two measurement techniques indicates a Strouhal number of \(\approx 0.20 - 0.22\) based on the characteristic wake-meandering frequency, the rotor diameter and the flow speed at hub height.