Comparison of different methods describing the peak runoff contributing areas during floods

In the last few years, the scientific community has developed several hydrological models aimed at the simulation of hydrological processes acting at the basin scale. In this context, the portion of peak runoff contributing areas represents a critical variable for a correct estimate of surface runoff. Such areas are strongly influenced by the saturated portion of a river basin (influenced by antecedent conditions) but may also evolve during a specific rainfall event. In the recent years, we have developed 2 theoretically derived probability distributions that attempt to interpret these 2 processes adopting daily runoff and flood‐peak time series. The probability density functions (PDFs) obtained by these 2 schematisations were compared for humid river basins in southern Italy. Results highlighted that the PDFs of the peak runoff contributing areas can be interpreted by a gamma distribution and that the PDF of the relative saturated area provides a good interpretation of such process that can be used for flood prediction.     

Explanatory analysis of the relationship between atmospheric circulation and occurrence of flood‐generating events in a coastal city

The aim of this study is to enhance the understanding of the occurrence of flood‐generating events in urban areas by analysing the relationship between large‐scale atmospheric circulation and extreme precipitation events, extreme sea water level events and their simultaneous occurrence, respectively. To describe the atmospheric circulation, we used the Lamb circulation type (LCT) classification and re‐grouped it into Lamb circulation classes (LCC). The daily LCCs/LCTs were connected with rare precipitation and water‐level events in Aarhus, a Danish coastal city. Westerly and cyclonic LCCs (W, C, SW and NW) showed a significantly high occurrence of extreme precipitation. Similarly, for extreme water‐level events westerly LCCs (W and SW) showed a significantly high occurrence. Significantly low occurrence of extreme precipitation and water‐level events was obtained in easterly LCCs (NE, E and SE). For concurrent events, significantly high occurrence was obtained in LCC W. We assessed the change in LCC occurrence frequency in the future based on two regional climate models (RCMs). The projections indicate that the westerly directions in LCCs are expected to increase in the future. Consequently, simultaneous occurrence of extreme water level and precipitation events is expected to increase in the future as a result of change in LCC frequencies. The RCM projections for LCC frequencies are uncertain because the representation of current LCCs is poor; a large number of days cannot be classified and the frequencies of the days that can be classified differ from the observed time series. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Diagnostic calibration and cross‐catchment transferability of a simple process‐consistent hydrologic model

The transferability of hydrologic models is of ever increasing importance for making improved hydrologic predictions and testing hypothesized hydrologic drivers. Here, we present an investigation into the variability and transferability of the recently introduced catchment connectivity model (Smith et al., 2013 ). The catchment connectivity model was developed following extensive experimental observations identifying the key drivers of streamflow in the Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest (Jencso et al., 2009 ; Jencso et al., 2010 ), with the goal of creating a simple model consistent with internal observations of catchment hydrologic connectivity patterns. The model was applied across seven catchments located within Tenderfoot Creek Experimental Forest to investigate spatial variability and transferability of model performance and parameterization. The results demonstrated that the model resulted in historically good fits (based on previous studies at the sites) to both the hydrograph and internal water table dynamics (corroborated with experimental observations). The impact of a priori parameter limits was also examined. It was observed that enforcing field‐based limits on model parameters resulted in slight reductions to streamflow hydrograph fits, but significant improvements to model process fidelity (as hydrologic connectivity), as well as moderate improvement in the transferability of model parameterizations from one catchment to the next. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrologic‐response‐driven sediment transport at a regional scale,process‐based simulation

Assessing hydrologically driven erosion at regional scales from a process‐based perspective presents a significant challenge. Most regional‐scale erosion assessments are based upon a simple steady‐state hydrology foundation. For this study, the sediment transport version of the physics‐based Integrated Hydrology Model (InHM), excited by synthetically generated rainfall, was employed to assess long‐term hydrologically driven erosion for a regional‐scale island boundary‐value problem. The spatiotemporal dynamics of runoff generation, erosion, and deposition are illustrated through saturation, water depth, velocity, and sediment concentration results. The simulations demonstrate that process‐based assessment for concept development is both feasible and tractable at regional spatial and human time scales. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Technopoles, high-tech industries and regional development: A critical review

Technologies have played an important role in the restructuring of the productive system in the last quarter of the 20th century. The article looks at the macroeconomic context and at the transformation of the industrial organization. It then defines the concept of technopole. The author traces the principal elements of the different attempts of theorization with a critical angle, shows the logic of contemporary industry localisation, as well as the role of technopoles in regional development. Regional and industrial policy are then seen as the basis of the process of industrialization and of the technological transfer.     

Rainfall partitioning and its effects on regional water balances: Evidence from the conversion of traditional cropland to apple orchards in a semi-humid region

Rainfall partitioning by vegetation cover plays an important role in local and regional water balances. Large areas of traditional cropland have been converted to apple orchards on the Loess Plateau, China, so the effect of the conversion of traditional cropland to these orchards on rainfall partitioning cannot be ignored. In this study, we measured precipitation, throughfall (TF), and stemflow (SF) and calculated canopy interception (I) and canopy storage capacity (S) in two neighbouring apple orchards (8 and 18 years old in 2013) on the plateau during the four growing seasons of 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Besides, we also summarized the percentage of rainfall partitioning of various crops and tree species and assessed the effect of land use change on regional water balances. The results showed that the percentage of rainfall partitioning and S differed between the two orchards. Mean annual I, TF, and SF for the young and mature orchards during the 4 years accounted for 7.9, 89.8, and 2.6% and for 10.3, 87.5, and 2.3%, respectively, of the rainfall partitioning. The percentage accounted for by mean annual I and TF differed significantly between the two orchards, but the percentage of mean annual SF did not differ significantly between the two orchards. Mean annual S for 2013–2016 was significantly higher for the mature than the young orchard. Although the conversion of traditional cropland to apple orchards led to a more serious soil desiccation in this region, the I loss percentage was higher in maize (12.5%) than the apple orchards. Therefore, we inferred that the effect of the conversion of traditional cropland to apple orchards on regional water balances was likely not caused by differences in rainfall partitioning. Differences in tree morphology due to tree age accounted for the differences in rainfall partitioning and S between the two orchards. Thus, tree age should be taken into account when assessing the effect of apple orchards on rainfall partitioning in this or similar regions.     

A temperature‐precipitation‐based model of thirty‐year mean snowpack accumulation and melt in Oregon,USA

High‐resolution, spatially extensive climate grids can be useful in regional hydrologic applications. However, in regions where precipitation is dominated by snow, snowmelt models are often used to account for timing and magnitude of water delivery. We developed an empirical, nonlinear model to estimate 30‐year means of monthly snowpack and snowmelt throughout Oregon. Precipitation and temperature for the period 1971–2000, derived from 400‐m resolution PRISM data, and potential evapotranspiration (estimated from temperature and day length) drive the model. The model was calibrated using mean monthly data from 45 SNOTEL sites and accurately estimated snowpack at 25 validation sites: R² = 0·76, Nash‐Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) = 0·80. Calibrating it with data from all 70 SNOTEL sites gave somewhat better results (R² = 0·84, NSE = 0·85). We separately applied the model to SNOTEL stations located < 200 and ≥ 200 km from the Oregon coast, since they have different climatic conditions. The model performed equally well for both areas. We used the model to modify moisture surplus (precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration) to account for snowpack accumulation and snowmelt. The resulting values accurately reflect the shape and magnitude of runoff at a snow‐dominated basin, with low winter values and a June peak. Our findings suggest that the model is robust with respect to different climatic conditions, and that it can be used to estimate potential runoff in snow‐dominated basins. The model may allow high‐resolution, regional hydrologic comparisons to be made across basins that are differentially affected by snowpack, and may prove useful for investigating regional hydrologic response to climate change. Published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

青藏高原高海拔—难进入地区无人机地质调查试验研究与应用展望

青藏高原空气稀薄、气候恶劣、环境脆弱,是世界海拔最高、面积最大、地质构造最为复杂的地区,被称为世界第三极和造山的高原,属于全球典型的高海拔—难进入地区,传统的地质工作方法受到一定制约。本文首次将无人机引入海拔5000 m的藏北高原开展地质调查工作,探索研发无人机地质填图技术。通过5种不同类型无人机填图飞行试验,本文认为固定翼和旋翼无人机经螺旋桨、机身机翼以及倾斜摄影平台升级后可用于高海拔—难进入地区的大—中等比例尺（1∶50000至1∶1000）区域地质调查等地学领域野外作业。改进后的无人机理论寿命更长、飞行更加平稳、影像质量大幅提升。经实地飞行试验和野外校验,无人机获得的影像数据精度优于遥感卫星,局部精度最高可达3 cm,各地质体接触关系及纹理清晰明显,地质解译效果好,总体正确率高于95%。无人机地质填图技术具有成本低、数据获取快速、空间分辨率高、搭载设备类型多样等优势,在未来可与大数据、移动互联网、人工智能、虚拟现实技术结合创建一种安全、多维度、高精度虚拟地质作业平台,满足个性化、智能化、实时化、精确化的地质矿产工作需求。     

定远凹陷形成的区域构造背景及其演化过程

定远凹陷上古生界构造归属及其构造演化过程,对下一步该地区煤炭资源评价与非常规天然气选区具有关键性的意义。文章利用最新的地球物理与钻探成果,应用构造解析及区域对比等方法,结合区域构造规律与前人相关认识,对定远凹陷构造特征、上古生界构造归属及中生代以来的构造演化过程进行了详细的论述,其结果认为定远凹陷内发育的上古生界煤系地层属于淮南煤田中部复式向斜构造带东部的延伸。该凹陷受大别造山带隆起及郯庐断裂带中、新生代走滑活动影响,分别经历了印支期（T3）前陆变形、早中侏罗世（J1+2）相对隆起、晚侏罗世（J3）末期至早白垩世初期（K1初期）郯庐断裂带左行走滑改造、早白垩世期间（K1）至古近纪(E）伸展改造、古近纪末期挤压反转以及新近纪（Q）—第四纪（N）坳陷式均匀沉降六个主要演化阶段。     

科学找矿工作的探索——兼述战略性矿产找矿工程

科学找矿是发现矿床和矿产勘查过程的总称, 在我国已探索了四十余年。它是应用当代有效的成矿学理论, 从各类资料和数据(地、物、化、遥)中提取信息, 研究区域成矿规律, 圈定不同级别的成矿区带(I—V级), 在成矿信息浓集区带或地段, 述明潜在矿床的地质条件, 判定矿床类型, 指明寻找未发现矿床的标志, 部署矿产勘查后进而发现了矿床, 公认它是矿产勘查学科各环节有机联系的系统流程。科学找矿引领地质找矿的重大突破, 促进矿产勘查工作的现代化。我国已通过矿产区划构建了科学找矿内容的基本格架, 在“新一轮固体矿产普查”、“矿产勘查跨世纪工程”、“矿产资源调查评价”和“找矿突破战略行动纲要”(又称“三五八”行动纲要)的实践中进行探索。获取的找矿成果证明, 科学找矿要以矿床成矿系列、矿产预测理论和成矿信息为指导; 矿产远景区划、地质资料的数据处理和提取成矿信息、编制矿产预测和矿床勘探系列图件是手段; 研究典型矿床, 建立区域的和矿床的成矿模式、总结区域成矿规律、圈定矿产预测远景区和找矿靶区、部署矿产勘查工作是发现矿床的科学支撑; 矿产勘查有效机制将科学找矿各个环节的内容实现有机联接, 组成获取找矿和矿床勘探成果的基本段, 概括为“三项理论”、“二个系统”、“二项技术”, 直至今日, 探索工作已获得很好的找矿效果。在未来的“战略性矿产找矿行动(2021—2035年)”实施过程中, 用科学找矿的思路构建矿产勘查新格局。