Variation in the rate of land subsidence induced by groundwater extraction and its effect on the response pattern of soil microbial communities

Excessive extraction of groundwater leads to (irreversible) changes in the physical soil properties, causing land subsidence associated with soil compaction to occur. Using a combined image processing and field approach, we examined: (1) how variation in the land subsidence rate induces different soil compaction degrees; and (2) the response patterns of microbial communities to such variations. By using Sentinel Synthetic Aperture Radar image processing, we selected three locations that exhibited different land subsidence rates, including high (HSR), moderate (MSR), and low (LSR). Then, soil sampling was undertaken within these representative locations. Indicators of soil compaction, including total porosity, air-filled porosity, water-filled porosity, and bulk density, were measured. The soil microbial community was determined using qPCR and sequencing. The highest and lowest values for bulk density were observed in the HSR–MSR and LSR zones, respectively. The greatest values of total porosity and macropore volume were displayed in the LSR zone compared to other zones. Bacterial abundance in the LSR zone was significantly greater than that in the HSR and MSR zones. The relative abundances of bacterial taxa indirectly demonstrated that the anaerobic phyla were significantly increased (by 10–13%), and the aerobic phyla decreased (by 30–40%) in the HSR zone compared to the LSR zone. This result demonstrates that the aerobes declined as larger volumes of the soil became more anaerobic. Indeed, the increased abundance of anaerobes was not able to compensate for the larger decrease in the abundance of aerobes. Our work showed that at the increased rates of land subsidence, the abundance distribution of the microbial community critically declined. These findings highlight the critical impacts of increasing the land subsidence rate on the emergence of high soil compaction degrees, which can significantly affect the resilience thresholds of the microbial communities in dryland soils.     

Velocity profiles and basal stresses in natural debris flows

The internal deformation within debris flows holds essential information on dynamics and flow resistance of such mass-wasting processes. Systematic measurements of velocity profiles in real-scale debris flows are not yet available. Additionally, data on basal stresses of the solid and the fluid phase are rare. Here, we present and analyse measurements of vertical velocity profiles in two debris flows naturally occurring in the Gadria Creek, Italy. The method is based on cross-correlation of paired conductivity signals from an array of sensors installed on a fin-shaped wall located in the middle of the channel. Additionally, we measure normal stress and pore fluid pressure by two force plates with integrated pressure transducers. We find internal deformation throughout the flows. Only at the very front was some en-bloc movement observed. Velocity profiles varied from front to tail and between flows. For one debris flow, pore fluid pressure close to normal stress was measured, whereas the other flow was less liquefied. The median shear rates were mostly less than 5 s⁻¹ and Savage numbers at the basal layer ranged from 0.01 to 1. Our results highlight the variable nature of debris flows and provide quantitative data on shear rate and basal stress distribution to help guide model development for hazard assessment and landscape evolution. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.     

An evaluation of the hysteresis in chemical concentration–discharge (C–Q) relationships from drained,intensively managed grasslands in southwest England

This study examined the hysteresis exhibited in concentration–discharge (C–Q) relationships in the runoff from four hydrologically separated fields (catchments) at an intensively managed grassland. The objectives were to examine C–Q relationships constructed from high-resolution time series of flow, temperature, pH, conductivity, nitrate and turbidity, and their implications for hydrological processes. High-resolution datasets from the quality assured records of the Rothamsted Research North Wyke Farm Platform in the UK were examined using a graphical method and cross-correlation statistics. The study found that storm events based C–Q hysteresis reflects the cross-correlation that is generally hidden in time series analysis of large datasets, and that although Q and water quality variables can be effectively influenced by catchment size, the C–Q relationship is less significantly influenced. The dominant C–Q relationships of the water variables in the study area reflect that saturated overland flow was prevalent during the study period in the catchments, while the CCF results indicate coupled transfer of sediments and solute in the area at lag ≥ 0.

EDITOR D. Koutsoyiannis

ASSOCIATE EDITOR M. D. Fidelibus     

Stuart vortices on a beta-plane

We study an inviscid mixing layer in the beta-plane model of a rotating fluid. Using a weakly nonlinear expansion, we find two-dimensional finite-amplitude waves of permanent form; these solutions are similar to those found earlier for a non-rotating mixing layer, but lose their symmetry because of the rotation. These vortices may propagate with constant phase velocity, the propagation speed being chosen to make the expansion as regular as possible. Alternative solutions are produced using a nonlinear critical layer analysis to remedy potential singularities which appear in the weakly nonlinear expansion. These alternative solutions also lose their symmetry because of the rotation and may also propagate with constant phase velocity.     

Thermodynamic Feedback between Clouds and the Ocean Surface Mixed Layer

A cloud-ocean planetary boundary layer (OPBL) feedback mechanism is presented and tested in this paper. Water vapor, evaporated from the ocean surface or transported by the large-scale air flow, often forms convective clouds under a conditionally unstable lapse rate. The variable cloud cover and rainfall may have positive and negative feedback with the ocean mixed layer temperature and salinity structure. The coupling of the simplified Kuo’s (1965) cumulus cloud model to the Kraus-Turner’s (1967) ocean mixed layer model shows the existence of this feedback mechanism. The theory also predicts the generation of low frequency oscillation in the atmosphere and oceans.     

Streamflow Modelling: A Primer on Applications,Approaches and Challenges

This article examines the current practice of streamflow modelling, a field under development for over a century. A sample of the wide range of assessment and planning applications of streamflow models is presented. The diversity in the use of these models is mirrored in the diversity of model complexity, and modelling approaches ranging from empirical to physically based and from lumped to fully distributed are described with examples. Predictions derived from hydrological models are subject to many sources of error; these are discussed along with methods for error minimization or anticipation. Model error is generally quantified using an ensemble of forecasts meant to sample the range of predictive uncertainty. This ensemble can be used to generate reliable probabilistic forecasts of hydrological quantities if all sources of error are accounted for. To date, applications of ensemble methods in streamflow forecasting have typically focused on only one or two error sources. A challenge will be to develop ensemble streamflow forecasts that sample a wider range of predictive uncertainty.

[Traduit par la rédaction] Le présent article examine la pratique actuelle en modélisation d’écoulement fluvial, un domaine qui évolue depuis plus d'un siècle. Nous présentons un échantillon de la vaste gamme d'applications d’évaluation et de planification des modèles d’écoulement fluvial. La diversité dans l'utilisation de ces modèles est le reflet de la diversité dans la complexité des modèles, et nous décrivons à l'aide d'exemples les approches de modélisation qui peuvent être empiriques ou basées sur la physique ou encore localisées ou entièrement réparties. Plusieurs sources d'erreur peuvent affecter les prévisions issues des modèles hydrologiques; nous discutons de ces sources d'erreur de même que des méthodes de réduction ou d'anticipation des erreurs. L'erreur du modèle est généralement quantifiée à l'aide d'un ensemble de prévisions servant à échantillonner la grandeur de l'incertitude prévisionnelle. Cet ensemble peut servir à produire des prévisions probabilistes fiables des grandeurs hydrologiques si toutes les sources d'erreur sont prises en compte. Jusqu’à maintenant, les applications des méthodes d'ensemble à la prévision des écoulements fluviaux n'ont généralement tenu compte que d'une ou deux sources d'erreur. Ce sera un défi de mettre au point des prévisions d'ensemble d’écoulement fluvial qui échantillonnent un plus large éventail d'incertitude prévisionnelle.     

Mass-cargo-affine industries and climate change

The impact of low water periods on inland navigation and companies is well known by ship-operators and companies that rely on this mode of transport but it is rarely a topic of climate impact research. As climate change might affect the frequency and intensity of low water periods, quantifying the impact of climate change on companies and the effects of possible adaptation measures is vital. In this study, we present a model for quantifying the impact of low water events on companies which rely on inland navigation and apply that model to three anonymous iron and steel companies along the River Rhine. The deviation of optimal storage, the storage level that evens out risk vs. fixed capital, is used in the model to measure the vulnerability of companies. The results show that, depending on the climate scenario, the companies might have to deal with either one or five additional days of empty storage in the near future (2021–2050) and up to nine more days by the 2071–2100 period. Seasonal analysis shows that, consistent with the change in the river discharge, the biggest deviations from optimal storage level occur in the late summer/early autumn. Analysis of adaptation options shows that companies would need to increase storage capacity by 2.5 % for the 2021–2050 period, and by 25 % by the 2071–2100 period. A reduction of ship sizes is not an adaptation option for the three companies in this study, because these companies already use relatively small vessels. This is however an efficient adaptation option for companies which employ larger vessels for transport. Another adaptation option would be to reduce the share of transportation via inland waters, but the feasibility of this option depends on the availability and cost of other modes of transport.     

Salt Tectonic Modeling Using Reverse Time Migration Imaging and Sensitivity Kernel Wavelength Analysis

Surveys in Geophysics - It is of particular importance for structural geology, geophysical exploration and also obvious economical purposes to retrieve structures possibly hidden below salt domes....     

Diatomeenstratigraphische Untersuchungen zur Trophieänderung und Industrieschlammakkumulation im Traunsee/Österreich

Three cores from Traunsee were investigated and compared with respect to diatom stratigraphy concerning dating of incursions into and rate of accumulation of industrial tailings in the profundal zone.