Hydrological implications of land use and land cover change: Spatial analytical approach at regional scale in the closed basin of the Cuitzeo Lake,Michoacan, Mexico

A spatially distributed water balance model was used to assess the influence of regional land use and land cover change in a poorly gauged basin for the years 1975 and 2000. To carry out this study in the Cuitzeo Lake basin in Michoacan, Mexico, remote sensing and geographic information system tools were integrated in the water balance model. In addition, a transition matrix analysis was used to determine the dynamic change of categories of related hydrologic processes. The analysis of the water balance components, based on landforms and transition matrix, indicated a tendency of improvement in the regional hydrologic conditions in the basin. As a consequence of urban land use growth, however, plains and footslopes of the basin showed an increase of runoff values. In addition, in both years, the topographic lower sections of the basin exhibited a high demand for water from the increased urban land use, along with degradation of Cuitzeo Lake, particularly by pollution and reduction of water supply. The approach used here is suitable for understanding the change in quantity and spatial distribution of water available in poorly gauged basins.     

Snow accumulation, melt, mass loss, and the near-surface ice temperature structure of Irenebreen, Svalbard

This study examines the mass balance, accumulation, melt, and near-surface ice thermal structure of Irenebreen, a 4.1 km² glacier located in northwest Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Traditional glaciological mass balance measurements by stake readings and snow surveying have been conducted annually at the glacier since 2002, yielding a mean annual net mass balance of −65 cm w.e. for the period 2002–2009. In 2009, the annual mass balance of Irenebreen was −63 cm w.e. despite above-average snow accumulation in winter. The near-surface ice temperature in the accumulation area was investigated with automatic borehole thermistors. The mean annual surface ice temperatures (September–August) of the accumulation area were −3.7 °C at 1 m depth and −3.3 °C at 10 m depth. Irenebreen is potentially polythermal, with cold ice and a temperate surface layer during summer. This temperate surface layer is influenced by seasonal changes in temperature. In winter, the temperature of all the ice is below the melting point and temperate layers are probably present in basal sections of the glacier. This supposition is supported by the presence of icings in the forefield of Irenebreen.     

基于系统论的世界能源空间格局分析

基于系统论原理, 从能源系统角度出发, 全面剖析当今世界的能源储量分布、生产、运输和消费空间分布状 况以及它们之间的联系, 同时分析贯穿能源系统问题的3 个量(总量、增量、均量)和2 个结构(能源种类结构, 能源 地区结构)。探讨了世界能源地缘政治格局及其对中国的影响。最后提出世界能源空间格局对中国能源战略的启示: 要建立能源系统观; 改进能源消费结构、发展新兴替代能源, 实施资源节约战略、结构多元化战略; 发展多方位能源 供应渠道, 实施运输保障战略、能源外交战略, 重新建立适应新形势的稳定、经济、清洁、可持续的能源保障体系。     

紫色土集水区氮素收支状况与平衡分析

通过 1999- 2 0 0 0年间定位观测和模拟实验 ,研究了紫色土丘陵集水区生态系统氮素养分的收入与支出参数及系统氮素平衡。结果表明 ,本区农田氮素略有盈余 ,平均为 4 2kg hm2 ,其中氮肥施用量较大 ,平均达到 35 8kg hm2 ;而林地在系统氮素循环和平衡中发挥了重要作用 ,是系统氮素从亏缺转变为盈余驱动因素之一 ;系统中有机厩肥和化肥是主要的氮素来源 ,但损失严重 ,利用率不高 ,应注意由此引起的对大气和水体的农业非点源污染问题。     

Time constraints for the evolution of a large slope collapse in karstified mountainous terrain of the southwestern Crimean Mountains, Ukraine

Prominent longitudinal features are often reported on the surfaces of mass movement deposits. However, the genesis and implications of these have not hitherto been considered, and herein we present preliminary observations of their occurrence both in the field and in the laboratory. Elongated ridges are often oriented (sub-) parallel to the flow direction and aligned radially from the source due to debris spreading. They are particularly prominent in large (> 10⁶m³) rock avalanches emplaced onto deformable substrates and are also found in the proximal reaches of volcanic debris avalanches. Flowbands, which are longer and thinner expressions of longitudinal ridges, are continuous along the entire flow length and are observed in rock avalanches emplaced onto glaciers, in snow and some ice avalanches, in pyroclastic flows and some block-and-ash flows, in ejecta sheets, in extraterrestrial landslides, and in some volcanic debris avalanches. Other volcanic debris avalanches and the distal areas of rock avalanches often display hummocks that are aligned radially from the source; we propose that these aligned hummocks are remnants of longitudinal ridges. The formation of elongate ridges (and their expressions as flowbands, aligned hummocks, or distal lobes and digits) in qualitatively-similar fashion in both laboratory and field environments suggests they represent an intrinsic tendency of granular flows in a wide range of situations.     

Increase in medium-size rainfall events will enhance the C-sequestration capacity of biological soil crusts

Biological soil crusts(BSCs) play important roles in the carbon(C) balance in arid regions. Net C balance of BSCs is strongly dependent on rainfall and consequent activation of microbes in the BSCs. The compensation-rainfall size for BSCs(the minimum rainfall amount for a positive net C balance) is assumed to be different with BSCs of different developmental stages. A field experiment with simulated rainfall amount(SRA) of 0, 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mm was conducted to examine the C fluxes and compensation-rainfall size of BSCs in different parts of fixed dunes in the ecotone between the Badain Jaran Desert and the Minqin Oasis. We found algae-lichen crust on the interdunes and crest, algae crust on the leeward side, and lichen-moss crust on the windward. Even a small rainfall(1 mm) can activate both photosynthesis and respiration of all types of BSCs. The gross ecosystem production, ecosystem respiration, and net ecosystem exchange were significantly affected by SRA, hours after the simulated rainfall, position on a dune, and their interactions. The rapid activation of photosynthesis provides a C source and therefore could be responsible for the increase of C efflux after each rewetting. C-uptake and-emission capacity of all the BSCs positively correlated with rainfall size, with the lowest C fluxes on the leeward side. The compensation rainfall for a net C uptake was 3.80, 15.54, 8.62, and 1.88 mm for BSCs on the interdunes, the leeward side, the crest, and the windward side, respectively. The whole dune started to show a net C uptake with an SRA of 5 mm and maximized with an SRA of about 30 mm. The compensation-rainfall size is negatively correlated with chlorophyll content. Our results suggest that BSCs will be favored in terms of C balance, and sand dune stabilization could be sustained with an increasing frequency of 5-10 mm rainfall events in the desert-oasis transitional zone.-     

北极Svalbard地区Austre Lovénbreen和Pedersenbreen冰川表面物质平衡和运动特征分析

对位于北极Svalbard群岛新奥尔松(Ny-lesund)的Austre Lovénbreen和Pedersenbreen冰川首个物质平衡年(2005/06年度)的冰川表面物质平衡及其运动特征进行研究,并阐述了Austre Lovénbreen冰川末端位置的变化状况。结果表明:(1)Austre Lovénbreen和Pedersenbreen冰川净物质平衡分别为-0.44和-0.20m w.e.,年消融量分别为0.99和0.94m w.e.,对应冰川零平衡线高度分别为478.10和494.87m。(2)两条冰川符合Svalbard地区跃动冰川运动的特征模式。运动速度矢量的水平分量表现为:向主流线辐合或平行于主流线。下游运动速度较慢,而在中上游运动相对较快。Austre Lovénbreen冰川表面各观测点的运动速度平均值为2.28m·a-1,运动速度最大值和最小值分别为3.91和0.81m·a-1;Pedersenbreen冰川表面观测点运动速度平均值为6.74m·a-1,运动速度最大值和最小值分别为8.13和5.49m·a-1。运动速度矢量的垂直分量表现为:消融区冰川消融量随海拔升高而减弱,Austr...     

Detection of detached dust envelopes around oxygen-rich AGB stars

Extended emission components are clearly found in the IRAS scan data of optically visible oxygen-rich AGB stars which show no 10µm silicate band feature in the IRAS LRS spectra but a strong infrared excess in the IRAS photometric data. It is most likely that these stars really have their circumstellar dust envelopes, which are detached from the central stars, indicating a halting of mass loss for a significant period.     

Effect of Pinus radiata plantations on water balance in Chile

The effect of Pinus radiata (D. Don) plantations on water resources at different Chilean sites located between 33 and 40 south was determined. Incoming precipitation, canopy interception loss, evapotranspiration, net evapotranspiration (transpiration and evaporation from the soil), percolation and soil water content were measured in each site, where Pinus radiata plantations were 12 to 17 years old and between 700 and 830 trees ha^?1 dense. The results were compared with those obtained from areas covered with perennial grasses and shrubs at the same sites. The pine canopies intercepted on average 36–40% of the annual rainfall at all sites where rainfall was less then 1200 mm, while only 15% of the mean rainfall was intercepted in the southernmost and rainy (2081 mm year^?1) site. Annual net evapotranspiration increased from south to north from 32% of the incoming precipitation for the southernmost site to 55% for the one located at the lower latitude. In this northernmost site almost the entire incoming precipitation was evapotranspired. Annual percolation registered its minimum value in the northern site (5% of incoming precipitation) and its maxima in the southern one (53%). The values of net evapotranspiration and percolation were regulated by the pluviometric regime and the soil moisture retention capacity in each site. Compared with the shrub or grass covers, sites under Pinus radiata plantations registered higher water consumption by evapotranspiration and reduced percolation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mira light curves and mass loss

Long Period Variables represent a late stage in the evolution of intermediate mass stars. Mass loss wich leads them to planetary nebulae within a few 10⁵ years, is a complex process and the object of many investigations. Recents studies suggest that mass loss could occur in brief superwind phases separated by long quiescent periods. Here we produce a total of about one hundred light curves of Mira stars. Furthermore some relationships between mass loss and the shape of the light curve are analysed in this article.