Satellite clock bias estimation for iGPS

The High Integrity GPS program seeks to provide enhanced navigation performance by combining conventional GPS with a communications and ranging broadcast from the Iridium^® Communications System. Through clock and message aiding, it would enable existing GPS receivers to acquire and track in more challenging environments. As is the case for standard GPS, accurate and precise timing is key to performance. An approach is presented for estimating the bias of each Iridium satellite clock using satellite-to-ground and satellite-to-satellite measurements. The satellite clock bias estimates are based on a Kalman filter that incorporates code-type observations from the measurements at 10 s intervals. Filter parameters are set based on the expected behavior of the clocks, allowing for discontinuous bias and frequency adjustments due to ground commands. Typical results show the current filter to be accurate to within 200 ns while always meeting the initial system specification of half a microsecond.     

Snow measurement by GPS interferometric reflectometry: an evaluation at Niwot Ridge,Colorado

Snow is a critical storage component in the hydrologic cycle, but current measurement networks are sparse. In addition, the heterogeneity of snow requires surveying larger areas to measure the areal average. We presented snow measurements using GPS interferometric reflectometry (GPS‐IR). GPS‐IR measures a large area (~100 m²), and existing GPS installations around the world have the potential to expand existing snow measurement networks. GPS‐IR uses a standard, geodetic GPS installation to measure the snow surface via the reflected component of the signal. We reported GPS‐IR snow depth measurements made at Niwot Ridge, Colorado, from October 2009 through June 2010. This site is in a topographic saddle at 3500 m elevation with a peak snow depth of 1.7 m near the GPS antenna. GPS‐IR measurements are compared with biweekly snow surveys, a continuously operating scanning laser system and an airborne light detection and ranging (LIDAR) measurement. The GPS‐IR measurement of peak snowpack (1.36–1.76 m) matches manual measurements (0.95–1.7 m) and the scanning laser (1.16 m). GPS‐IR has RMS error of 13 cm (bias = 10 cm) compared with the laser, although differences between the measurement locations make comparison imprecise. Over the melt season, when the snowpack is more homogenous, the difference between the GPS‐IR and the laser is reduced (RMS = 9 cm, bias = 6 cm). In other locations, the GPS and the LIDAR agree on which areas have more or less snow, but the GPS estimates more snow on the ground on tracks to the west (1.58 m) than the LIDAR (1.14 m). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evidence of multidecadal climate variability and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation from a Gulf of Mexico sea-surface temperature-proxy record

A comparison of a Mg/Ca-based sea-surface temperature (SST)-anomaly record from the northern Gulf of Mexico, a calculated index of variability in observed North Atlantic SST known as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), and a tree-ring reconstruction of the AMO contain similar patterns of variation over the last 110 years. Thus, the multidecadal variability observed in the instrumental record is present in the tree-ring and Mg/Ca proxy data. Frequency analysis of the Gulf of Mexico SST record and the tree-ring AMO reconstruction from 1550 to 1990 found similar multidecadal-scale periodicities (~30–60 years). This multidecadal periodicity is about half the observed (60–80 years) variability identified in the AMO for the 20th century. The historical records of hurricane landfalls reveal increased landfalls in the Gulf Coast region during time intervals when the AMO index is positive (warmer SST), and decreased landfalls when the AMO index is negative (cooler SST). Thus, we conclude that alternating intervals of high and low hurricane landfall occurrences may continue on multidecadal timescales along the northern Gulf Coast. However, given the short length of the instrumental record, the actual frequency and stability of the AMO are uncertain, and additional AMO proxy records are needed to establish the character of multidecadal-scale SST variability in the North Atlantic.     

GPS seismology

GPS seismology uses convential geodetic models to analyze GPS data at high sampling rates, such as 1 Hz. GPS seismology results are shown for the Denali, San Simeon, Tokachi-oki, and Chuetsu earthquakes. Records for these earthquakes indicate that GPS is an excellent instrument for measuring large displacements near earthquake ruptures. GPS systems can be improved for seismic applications if their sampling rates are increased from 1 to 10 Hz.     

Trace Element Behavior in Methane‐Rich and Methane‐Free Groundwater in North and East Texas

There is concern about adverse impacts of natural gas (primarily methane) production on groundwater quality; however, data on trace element concentrations are limited. The objective of this study was to compare the distribution of trace elements in groundwater samples with and without dissolved methane in aquifers overlying the Barnett Shale (Hood and Parker counties, 207 samples) and the Haynesville Shale (Panola County, 42 samples). Both shales have been subjected to intensive hydraulic fracturing for gas production. Well clusters with high dissolved methane were previously found in these counties and are thought to be of natural origin. Overall, groundwater in these counties is of excellent quality with typically low elemental concentrations. Several statistical analyses strongly suggest that most trace element concentrations, generally at low background levels, are no higher and even reduced when dissolved methane is present. In addition, trace element concentrations are not correlated with distance to gas wells. The reduction in trace element concentrations is attributed to anaerobic microbial degradation of methane, is associated with a higher pH (>8.5), and, likely, with precipitation of carbonates and pyrite and formation of clays. Trace and other elements are likely incorporated within the precipitating mineral crystalline network or sorbed. High pH values are found throughout these high‐methane clusters (e.g., Parker‐Hood cluster), even in subregions where methane is not present, which is consistent with a pervasive natural origin of dissolved methane rather than a limited gas well source.     

Coupled Os–Os enrichments in the Earth’s mantle – core–mantle interaction or recycling of ferromanganese crusts and nodules?

¹⁸⁶Os enrichments in volcanic rocks and peridotite-derived iridosmine grains have been attributed to contributions from Earth’s outer core to the mantle, and apparently constrain the scale of mantle convection and an early timing for inner–outer core segregation more than 3.5 Gyr ago. Here, we highlight that marine ferromanganese crusts and nodules are characterised by high Pt/Os ratios and Pt–Os contents that develop much larger ¹⁸⁶Os excesses over geological time (≥0.2%/Gyr) than those hypothesised for Earth’s outer core (<0.005–0.01%/Gyr). ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios in ferromanganese crusts are radiogenic due to sequestering of continental Os from seawater. Similarly, ancient ferromanganese materials may have had ¹⁸⁶Os excesses (>0.1%) as a result of high Pt/Os ratios in continental crust, even prior to in-growth of ¹⁸⁶Os after formation due to their high Pt/Os ratios. Past recycling of small amounts of these materials into the Earth’s mantle will produce coupled ¹⁸⁷Os–¹⁸⁶Os excesses and little change in Re and platinum-group-element concentrations, as observed in Hawaiian picrites, and in contrast to the predicted result of outer core addition to the mantle. ¹⁸⁷Os and ¹⁸⁶Os enrichments in the Hawaiian mantle source are potentially consistent with it comprising recycled oceanic lithosphere, pelagic sediments and ferromanganese materials, and questions the notion that Os isotopes can be used to uniquely identify core–mantle interactions and the depth at which mantle sources for volcanism originate.     

The effect of sudden critical and supercritical hydraulic loads on backward erosion piping: small-scale experiments

Acta Geotechnica - Backward erosion piping is an important failure mechanism for cohesive water-retaining structures which are founded on a sandy aquifer. This paper studies the effect of the...     

Degradation of groundwater quality in coastal aquifer of Sabratah area,NW Libya

Overextraction of groundwater is widely occurring along the coast where good quality groundwater is at risk, due to urbanization, tourist development and intensive agriculture. The Sabratah area at the northern central part of Jifarah Plain, Northwest Libya, is a typical area where the contamination of the aquifer in the form of saltwater intrusion, gypsum/anhydrite dissolution and high nitrate concentrations is very developed. Fifty groundwater samples were collected from the study area and analysed for certain parameters that indicate salinization and pollution of the aquifer. The results demonstrate high values of the parameters electrical conductivity, sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and sulphate which can be attributed to seawater intrusion. The intensive extraction of groundwater from the aquifer reduces freshwater outflow to the sea, creates drawdown cones and lowering of the water table to as much as 30 m below mean sea level. Irrigation with nitrogen fertilizers and domestic sewage and movement of contaminants in areas of high hydraulic gradients within the drawdown cones probably are responsible for the high nitrate concentration towards the south of the region. Seawater intrusion and deep salt water upconing result in general high SO₄ ^2? concentrations in groundwater near the shoreline, where localized SO₄ ^2? anomalies are also due to the dissolution of sebkha deposits for few wells in the nearby sebkhas. Upstream, the increase in SO₄ ^2? concentrations in the south is ascribed to the dissolution of gypsum at depth in the upper aquifer.     

The COVID-19 pandemic and global environmental change: Emerging research needs

The outbreak of COVID-19 raised numerous questions on the interactions between the occurrence of new infections, the environment, climate and health. The European Union requested the H2020 HERA project which aims at setting priorities in research on environment, climate and health, to identify relevant research needs regarding Covid-19. The emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 appears to be related to urbanization, habitat destruction, live animal trade, intensive livestock farming and global travel. The contribution of climate and air pollution requires additional studies. Importantly, the severity of COVID-19 depends on the interactions between the viral infection, ageing and chronic diseases such as metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and obesity which are themselves influenced by environmental stressors. The mechanisms of these interactions deserve additional scrutiny. Both the pandemic and the social response to the disease have elicited an array of behavioural and societal changes that may remain long after the pandemic and that may have long term health effects including on mental health. Recovery plans are currently being discussed or implemented and the environmental and health impacts of those plans are not clearly foreseen. Clearly, COVID-19 will have a long-lasting impact on the environmental health field and will open new research perspectives and policy needs.