Properties of a Diffusive Hydrograph and the Interpretation of Its Single Parameter

The mathematical properties of the normalized diffusive hydrograph allow for easy determination of intrinsic basin characteristics. These include lag times between storm events and peak flow, recession rate, and the total, temporally integrated flow volume, all in terms of a single parameter, the basin time constant “b”. This simple function displays surprising fidelity to measured hydrographs of springs and hundreds of streams and small rivers. We explain this fidelity by showing that the curvature of the theoretical hydrograph matches that of the natural hydrographs better than several alternate models, and by demonstrating that the simple hydrograph function can be integrated over a range of time constants (0 to b _max) to represent the hierarchy of flow paths of varying lengths that exist in real watersheds. Surprisingly, the unwieldy analytical results from this integration are almost numerically indistinguishable from a simple hydrograph using a single, suitably-weighted average for the time constant. The peak flow times are shifted slightly. The accuracy with which the simple hydrograph approximates the integrated results for hierarchies of hydrographs representing individual flow paths explains why the former can realistically describe the discharge behaviors of complex natural watersheds.     

Sequential extraction of heavy metals during composting of urban waste

In urban waste （the first matter of compost）, elements such as copper, nickel and lead may be found in metallic state （wire, pile, accumulator, etc.）, which is considered as non-dependent state. The work undertaken at the laboratory of composting of the INRST in Henchir Lihoudia （Tunis） showed that the produced compost does not contain any mobile metallic element and the portion related to organic fraction （bioavailable） is tiny in size. We supposed that many reactions involving decomposition and complexation from elements related to the matrix components occurred during composting. The existence and importance of this phenomenon can be evaluated by studying the evolution of metal contents in the different fractions extracted sequentially during composting process.     

Defining optimal DEM resolutions and point densities for modelling hydrologically sensitive areas in agricultural catchments dominated by microtopography

Defining critical source areas (CSAs) of diffuse pollution in agricultural catchments depends upon the accurate delineation of hydrologically sensitive areas (HSAs) at highest risk of generating surface runoff pathways. In topographically complex landscapes, this delineation is constrained by digital elevation model (DEM) resolution and the influence of microtopographic features. To address this, optimal DEM resolutions and point densities for spatially modelling HSAs were investigated, for onward use in delineating CSAs. The surface runoff framework was modelled using the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) and maps were derived from 0.25 m LiDAR DEMs (40 bare-earth points m⁻²), resampled 1 m and 2 m LiDAR DEMs, and a radar generated 5 m DEM. Furthermore, the resampled 1 m and 2 m LiDAR DEMs were regenerated with reduced bare-earth point densities (5, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 points m⁻²) to analyse effects on elevation accuracy and important microtopographic features. Results were compared to surface runoff field observations in two 10 km² agricultural catchments for evaluation. Analysis showed that the accuracy of modelled HSAs using different thresholds (5%, 10% and 15% of the catchment area with the highest TWI values) was much higher using LiDAR data compared to the 5 m DEM (70–100% and 10–84%, respectively). This was attributed to the DEM capturing microtopographic features such as hedgerow banks, roads, tramlines and open agricultural drains, which acted as topographic barriers or channels that diverted runoff away from the hillslope scale flow direction. Furthermore, the identification of ‘breakthrough’ and ‘delivery’ points along runoff pathways where runoff and mobilised pollutants could be potentially transported between fields or delivered to the drainage channel network was much higher using LiDAR data compared to the 5 m DEM (75–100% and 0–100%, respectively). Optimal DEM resolutions of 1–2 m were identified for modelling HSAs, which balanced the need for microtopographic detail as well as surface generalisations required to model the natural hillslope scale movement of flow. Little loss of vertical accuracy was observed in 1–2 m LiDAR DEMs with reduced bare-earth point densities of 2–5 points m⁻², even at hedgerows. Further improvements in HSA models could be achieved if soil hydrological properties and the effects of flow sinks (filtered out in TWI models) on hydrological connectivity are also considered.     

中国西北地区蒸发散量计算的遥感研究

自然陆面区域蒸发散的教育处是一个复杂的问题，在利用遥感资料求取地表特征参数的基础上，首先建立了2种极端条件下（裸露地表和全植被覆盖）的裸土蒸发和全植被覆盖蒸散计算模型，然后结合植被覆盖度给出非均匀陆面条件下的区域蒸发散计算方法，实测资料验算表明该模型具有较高的计算精度，最后利用该模型对我国西北5省区的蒸发散量进行了计算，并对该研究区蒸发散的特点进行了分析。     

Mapping urban growth of the capital city of Honduras from Landsat data using the impervious surface fraction algorithm

This study developed an impervious surface fraction algorithm (ISFA) for automatic mapping of urban areas from Landsat data. We processed the data for 2001 and 2014 to trace the urbanization of Tegucigalpa, the capital city of Honduras, using a four-step procedure: (1) data pre-processing to perform image reflectance normalization, (2) quantification of impervious surface area (ISA) using ISFA, (3) accuracy assessment of mapping results and (4) change analysis of urban growth. The mapping results compared with the ground reference data confirmed the validity of ISFA for automatic delineation of ISA in the study region. The overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient achieved for 2001 were 92.8% and 0.86, while the values for 2014 were 91.8% and 0.84, respectively. The results of change detection between the classification maps indicated that ISA increased approximately 1956.7 ha from 2001 to 2014, mainly attributing to the increase of the city’s population.     

FY-2G卫星冬夏云量产品偏差分析

开展卫星反演云量的精度评估是业务应用的基础,也是充分发挥卫星观测效益的前提。利用同类卫星产品EOS Aqua/MODIS云产品,选取2015年6月和12月共80个个例,包括43个白天个例,37个夜间个例。采用交叉比对方法对FY-2G云量产品进行相对偏差分析。结果表明:FY-2G与Aqua/MODIS计算云量总体趋势相当,无论从时间分布（白天和夜间）还是季节分布（6月和12月）上看,FY-2G与Aqua云量相对偏差较为稳定,FY-2G反演云量小于Aqua/MODIS反演云量。匹配个例中FY-2G平均云量为72.81%,Aqua/MODIS平均云量是76.19%,两者相关系数为0.74。两者绝对偏差小于5%的像元比例为72.34%;云量偏差绝对值小于15%的像元比例为79.51%。FY-2G与Aqua/MODIS云量偏差主要来自各自卫星的观测能力与所采用的云检测算法。与具有36个探测通道、星下点最低空间分辨率为0.01°×0.01°的Aqua/MODIS观测数据相比,FY-2G所具有的5通道、星下点最高空间分辨率为0.05°×0.05°的观测数据会出现对云,尤其是破碎云和薄卷云的漏检。两种具有不同时空属性的数据在匹配处理时采用的不同算法也会在比对分析中引入偏差。     

An inverse design approach for minimising wake at propeller plane using CFD

Knowledge of wake characteristics in the stern region is important for ensuring good propeller design and performance. This work examines the utility of CFD in the analysis of flow in the case of full aft beam vessels having characteristic cut stern shape to facilitate propeller aperture. The underwater stern shape may be more complex due to the occurrence of stern appendages such as bossings, strut supports and local shape variations. To this extent, CFD offers an effective tool for both qualitative as well as quantitative assessment of the local geometry. Wake estimate is required for choice of the most favorable propeller geometry. In the present method, the analysis quantifies the effects of small changes in stern rake angles and offers an inverse design approach towards finalising the stern shape. The method consists of solving the standard k-ε turbulent model of RANS equations in cell centered finite volume multi zone grid in the flow domain. This approach has been used in estimating the velocity at the propeller plane. The results have been compared with experimentally obtained values of nominal wake. The approach suggests that CFD can provide a cost effective and quick assessment of flow. It is also an attractive means of pre-empting heterogeneous flow related problems such as vibration and noise due to unfavorable wake in the stern region.     

Particulate n-alkanes and fatty acids in the Changjiang river system

Particulate samples were collected from the Changjiang river system during a flood period, in May 1997, and POC, stable isotope and lipids associated with particles were examined. Results showed the decrease (0.84% ～ 1.88%) of organic carbon content from the upper reaches to the estuary.δ13C values of particulate organic carbon was in the range of -24.9×10-3 to -26.6×10-3, which were close to the isotopic signature of continental C3 vegetation. Total particulate n-alkanes concentrations varied from 1.4 to 10.1μg/dm3,or from 23.7 to 107μg/g of total suspended matter. Fatty acids were present in all the samples, from 1.4 to 5.4μg/dm3, with saturated and unsaturated straight-chain and branched compounds in the carbon number range from C12 to C30. Both δ13C and the ratio of carbon content to nitrogen content indicate the predominance of terrestrial inputs (soil organic matter) among the particles. The biomarker approach has been used to identify the relative portion of terrigenous and autochthonous fraction in the particulate samples. The distribution of fatty acids suggests a striking phytoplanktonic and microbial signal in most particle samples. The terrestrial alkanes are used to estimate the contribution of terrestrial inputs along the mainstream.     

Further evaluation of the Sim-ReSET model for ET estimation driven by only satellite inputs

Abstract

A simple remote sensing evapotranspiration (ET) model (Sim-ReSET) has been proposed but only tested using field measurements at a site with a semi-arid climate. Its performance for mapping ET using only satellite data remained unknown. In this study, the Sim-ReSET model was further evaluated for ET estimation driven by only MODIS data products. The estimated ET rates were compared with ground-based observational data from a variety of ecosystems and climates across China. The results show that MODIS-based ET estimates are consistent with both the ET measurements from eddy covariance flux towers and those from the Penman-Monteith method combined with micrometeorological data. Evaporation fraction (EF) is indicative of land surface moisture. The derivative EF maps demonstrate that the proposed ET data set obtained from the Sim-ReSET model and MODIS data is capable of capturing the spatio-temporal pattern of land surface moisture for different land covers with different climates.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz

Citation Sun, Z.G., Wang, Q.X., Matsushita, B., Fukushima, T., Ouyang, Z., Watanabe, M., and Gebremichael, M., 2013. Further evaluation of the Sim-ReSET model for ET estimation driven by only satellite inputs. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 58 (5), 994–1012.