Timing of erosion and satellite data: A multi-resolution approach to soil erosion risk mapping

Erosion reduces soil productivity and causes negative downstream impacts. Erosion processes occur on areas with erodible soils and sloping terrain when high-intensity rainfall coincides with limited vegetation cover. Timing of erosion events has implications on the selection of satellite imagery, used to describe spatial patterns of protective vegetation cover. This study proposes a method for erosion risk mapping with multi-temporal and multi-resolution satellite data. The specific objectives of the study are: (1) to determine when during the year erosion risk is highest using coarse-resolution data, and (2) to assess the optimal timing of available medium-resolution images to spatially represent vegetation cover during the high erosion risk period. Analyses were performed for a 100-km² pasture area in the Brazilian Cerrados. The first objective was studied by qualitatively comparing three-hourly TRMM rainfall estimates with MODIS NDVI time series for one full year (August 2002–August 2003). November and December were identified as the months with highest erosion risk. The second objective was examined with a time series of six available ASTER images acquired in the same year. Persistent cloud cover limited image acquisition during high erosion risk periods. For each ASTER image the NDVI was calculated and classified into five equally sized classes. Low NDVI was related to high erosion risk and vice versa. A DEM was used to set approximately flat zones to very low erosion risk. The six resulting risk maps were compared with erosion features, visually interpreted from a fine-resolution QuickBird image. Results from the October ASTER image gave highest accuracy (84%), showing that erosion risk mapping in the Brazilian Cerrados can best be performed with images acquired shortly before the first erosion events. The presented approach that uses coarse-resolution temporal data for determining erosion periods and medium-resolution data for effective erosion risk mapping is fast and straightforward. It shows good potential for successful application in other areas with high spatial and temporal variability of vegetation cover.     

Leaf breakdown in two tropical streams: Differences between single and mixed species packs

We assessed leaf breakdown of five native riparian species from Brazilian Cerrado (Myrcia guyanensis, Ocotea sp., Miconia chartacea, Protium brasiliense, and Protium heptaphyllum), incubated in single and mixed species packs in two headwater streams with different physico-chemical properties in the Espinhaço Mountain range (Southeastern Brazil). Leaves were placed in plastic litter bags (15 cm×20 cm, 10 mm mesh size) and the experiments were carried out during the dry seasons of 2003 and 2004. Leaf nitrogen and phosphorus contents were similar in all species, but polyphenolic contents were different (P<0.001). M. guyanensis showed higher polyphenolics content (8.48% g⁻¹ dry mass) and leaf toughness. Individually, higher breakdown rates were found in M. guyanensis at Indaiá stream (k=0.0063±0.0005 d⁻¹) and in Ocotea sp. at Garcia stream (k=0.0088±0.0006 d⁻¹). However, P. brasiliense and P. heptaphyllum showed lower breakdown rates at Indaiá and Garcia streams (Indaiá: k=0.0020±0.0002 and 0.0019±0.0001 d⁻¹; Garcia: k=0.0042±0.0001 and 0.0040±0.0002 d⁻¹). Single and mixed breakdown processes of each species were not statistically different on both streams. However, all species showed higher breakdown rates at Garcia stream (P<0.01). These results suggest that leaf breakdown is not altered when litter benthic patches are composed by a mixture of species in the same proportions that they occur on riparian leaf falls.     

A Method for Testing Dynamic Tensile Strength and Elastic Modulus of Rock Materials Using SHPB

An experimental procedure for testing dynamic tensile strength and elastic modulus of rock materials at high strain rate loading is presented in this paper. In our test the split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) was used to diametrally impact the Brazilian disc (BD) and flattened Brazilian disc (FBD) specimens of marble. A tensile strain rate of about 45 1/s was achieved at the center of the specimen. In order to improve the accuracy of the analysis, the initiation time difference between the strain waves acting on the two flat ends of the FBD specimen was treated properly. Typical failure modes corresponding to different loading conditions were observed. It was verified with a finite-element simulation that the equilibrium condition was established in the specimen before its failure. This numerical simulation validates the experimental procedure and also proves the suitability of formulation for the basic equations.     

Plastic debris collars on juvenile carcharhinid sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) in southwest Atlantic

Three juvenile Brazilian sharpnose sharks (Rhizoprionodon lalandii) caught in gillnets in southeast Brazil, southwest Atlantic, were found with plastic debris rings around their gill or mouth region. The rings caused severe abrasion on the sharks' tissues as the animal grew, the collars probably hampering normal feeding and/or ventilation since two of the collared individuals were emaciated. The rings were identified as detachable lid parts from plastic bottles, likely thrown overboard by fishery and/or recreation boats. As several carcharhinid shark species dwells and reproduce in shallow waters, the impact of discarded plastic debris likely is greater on this shark type.     

复合型加载条件下锈岩断裂韧度试验研究

岩石断裂韧度表征其抵抗裂纹起裂和扩展的能力,作为其力学性能的一个重要指标,在岩石力学理论研究与岩体工程应用中有着不可替代的作用。由于岩石结构的复杂性,其破坏形式大多呈现为复合型断裂破坏,研究复合型加载条件下岩石断裂韧度具有重要的意义。为了研究锈岩的断裂力学性能,以便其在建筑工业中得到更为广泛的应用,通过18个中心裂纹圆盘（CSTBD）试件径向受压试验,进行了复合型加载条件下锈岩断裂韧度的试验研究。测得了锈岩在纯I型,纯II型以及复合型加载时的断裂韧度,并将试验结果与基于广义最大周向应力（GMTS）准则的理论值进行了对比分析,结果表明：锈岩的纯I型断裂韧度为1.01 MPa?m0.5,而纯II型断裂韧度为1.51 MPa?m0.5,是纯I型断裂韧度的1.49倍,这与基于GMTS准则的理论值1.34非常接近,而比基于最大周向应力（MTS）准则的理论值0.87大很多。裂纹尖端附近的T应力及断裂过程区裂纹尖端的临界距离rc对岩石类材料的开裂路径以及复合型断裂韧度都有较大的影响。考虑了T应力的广义最大周向应力（GMTS）准则能很好的预测试验结果。     

Aragonite preservation in late Quaternary sediment cores on the Brazilian Continental Slope: implications for intermediate water circulation

We present late Quaternary records of aragonite preservation determined for sediment cores recovered on the Brazilian Continental Slope (1790–2585 m water depth) where North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) dominates at present. We have used various indirect dissolution proxies (carbonate content, aragonite/calcite contents, and sand percentages) as well as gastropodal abundances and fragmentation of Limacina inflata to determine the state of aragonite preservation. In addition, microscopic investigations of the dissolution susceptibility of three Limacina species yielded the Limacina Dissolution Index which correlates well with most of the other proxies. Excellent preservation of aragonite was found in the Holocene section, whereas aragonite dissolution gradually increases downcore. This general pattern is attributed to an overall increase in aragonite corrosiveness of pore waters. Overprinted on this early diagenetic trend are high-frequency fluctuations of aragonite preservation, which may be related to climatically induced variations of intermediate water masses. Received: 9 November 1998 / Accepted: 25 August 1999     

Work division in family farm production units: Feminine responsibilities typology in a semi-arid region of Brazil

There has been evidence indicating that women in underdeveloped (or developing) countries carry a disproportionate burden of the costs of this economic dynamics while men enjoy its benefits. These criticisms on analysis moved gender from the periphery to the center of the development debate. Brazil and particularly the state of Ceará have not yet seen any of the repercussions of the analytical advances. This study on the role of women in the agriculture of the semi-arid aims to analyze the complexity of the factors that interact in order to recognize the nature of women's participation in semi-arid world areas comparatively to other disadvantaged environments. In the semi-arid area, rural women are able to cover a broader spectrum of tasks and fuller management activities when compared to other disadvantaged areas of the world. They cover all rural management activities. Besides, rural women's work is predominantly more complex when compared to mens work in semi-arid regions worldwide. Their greater ability to perform these activities is because these women combine different strategies in an efficient and dynamic way, adapting themselves to the demands of labor and the natural semi-arid environment.     

Radiocarbon reservoir corrections on the Brazilian coast from pre-bomb marine shells

Despite the great extent of the Brazilian coast, there are very few studies on the marine radiocarbon reservoir correction local offset (ΔR) for this region.In the present study, we used marine shells from the malacological collection of the National Museum of Brazil to obtain values of ΔR for different locations on the Brazilian coast. According to the museum records, the mollusks were collected alive from the coasts of Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, São Paulo and Bahia, prior to the ¹⁴C bomb-peak. The exact year of collection for each shell is known.The samples were chemically prepared and measured at the Radiocarbon Laboratory of the Universidade Federal Fluminense (LAC-UFF) in Brazil. The conventional ages were calibrated using the Marine13 curve and the ΔR values were calculated using the OxCal software. The values range from 17 ± 56 ¹⁴C yr in São José do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul to 96 ± 48 ¹⁴C yr in Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro.     

Total mercury in sediments and in Brazilian Ariidae catfish from two estuaries under different anthropogenic influence

Santos-São Vicente estuary, located in São Paulo State, Brazil, has a history of contamination by inorganic chemicals such as mercury (Hg). In the 1980s the Cubatão was considered one of the most polluted sites in the world as a consequence of the intense industrial activities located in the city close to the estuary. To provide data and evaluate the local biota, total mercury (THg) contents were determined in sediments and in fish, Cathorops spixii, from different areas of the Santos-São Vicente estuary. For comparison, samples were also collected in a non-polluted system with similar hydrochemistry characteristics, the Cananeia estuary. The water characteristics and THg levels in sediment and fish samples confirmed a high human influence in the Santos-São Vicente estuary. The lowest THg values, observed in Cananeia, were evidence of low anthropogenic influence. High values observed in Santos-São Vicente show the necessity for a monitoring program.     

炭质页岩巴西劈裂载荷下破坏过程的时空特征研究

页岩在加载过程中的破裂时机及其空间位置研究对于页岩气探测及储层评价具有重要意义,为此开展了不同层理倾角条件下页岩的巴西圆盘劈裂载荷下的破坏过程试验,采用数字图像相关技术（DIC）,全程跟踪页岩裂纹萌生、扩展和贯通全过程的变形场实时演化特征,同时记录力-位移曲线,利用扫描电镜获得炭质页岩的破裂面特征及微观结构,采用宏、细观相结合的手段,研究不同层理方向炭质页岩微裂缝起裂时间、空间位置和扩展规律及其破裂机制。结果表明：页岩的巴西劈裂强度随层理方向与加载方向角度的增大而逐渐增大;随加载方向与层理面夹角的增加,裂缝萌生的时间逐渐增加,而裂缝从萌生、扩展到贯通所用时间逐渐减少。所有角度试件基本从试件端部萌生裂缝并沿层理面扩展,除90°试件外,不同层理倾角试样主裂缝破裂的位置逐渐偏离中心位置而向试件外侧发展。各角度试件主破坏类型存在一定差异性,除90°试件竖向主裂缝为张拉破坏外,随加载方向与层理面夹角的增加,各加载角度试件的主破裂模式从张拉剪切破坏逐渐过渡为剪切滑移破坏。