Simulating the response of a closed‐basin lake to recent climate changes in tropical West Africa (Lake Bosumtwi,Ghana)

Historical changes in the level of Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana, have been simulated using a catchment‐scale hydrological model in order to assess the importance of changes in climate and land use on lake water balance on a monthly basis for the period 1939–2004. Several commonly used models for computing evaporation in data‐sparse regions are compared, including the Penman, the energy budget, and the Priestley–Taylor methods. Based on a comparison with recorded lake level variations, the model with the energy‐budget evaporation model subcomponent is most effective at reproducing observed lake level variations using regional climate records. A sensitivity analysis using this model indicates that Lake Bosumtwi is highly sensitive to changes in precipitation, cloudiness and temperature. However, the model is also sensitive to changes in runoff related to vegetation, and this factor needs to be considered in simulating lake level variations. Both interannual and longer‐term changes in lake level over the last 65 years appear to have been caused primarily by changes in precipitation, though the model also suggests that the drop in lake level over the last few decades has been moderated by changes in cloudiness and temperature over that time. Based on its effectiveness at simulating the magnitude and rate of lake level response to changing climate over the historical record, this model offers a potential future opportunity to examine the palaeoclimatic factors causing past lake level fluctuations preserved in the geological record at Lake Bosumtwi. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The interaction between a manmade lake and groundwater: an example site in the Aurku area,Chiayi County,Taiwan

The objectives of this study are (1) to understand the subsurface hydrology in the Aurku area, Chiayi County, southern Taiwan, and (2) to determine the interaction between the manmade lake and groundwater level through the recharge produced by infiltration by on‐site investigation and laboratory sand tank simulation. The manmade lake was selected as the field site for groundwater recharge effect so as to assess the role of infiltration from the aquaculture ponds in this area. These results can be used as reference for future application of constructing a series of manmade lakes. The field experiment was performed to measure the infiltration rate of the manmade lake by using the water balance method and double‐ring infiltration test. The results demonstrated that the manmade lake had helped the recharge of the groundwater. Raising or maintaining a higher water level of the manmade lake can promote higher infiltration. When the groundwater level is equal to or higher than the bottom of the manmade lake, infiltration will slow or cease. The field experiment and laboratory sand tank simulation demonstrated that the infiltration rate increased with the higher storage depth of the manmade lake. The laboratory simulation also indicated that while the groundwater level was lower than the bottom of manmade lake (i.e. the reference level) and the initial water depth (3 cm) was equal to or greater than 50% of the full water storage depth, the infiltration depth increased with time. However, the infiltration depth would be very small or nearly zero when the groundwater level was higher than the bottom of the manmade lake. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Holocene environmental change in South Georgia: Evidence from lake sediments

The Holocene environmental history of South Georgia is important because of the island's location in the Southern Westerlies in an oceanic zone of the world devoid of high resolution terrestrial records. This is the first attempt to interpret a palaeoenvironmental record from lake sediments in South Georgia. It is based on a wide variety of analyses undertaken on cores from two lakes. Both are in the same, unglaciated, drainage basin, but one is at 80 m above sea-level and near the altitudinal limit for vegetation growth, whereas the other is at 25 m and within the zone of continuous vegetation cover. Results from both lakes indicate shifts of vegetation boundaries, which, together with evidence for changing biotic productivity within the lakes themselves, are interpreted as indicating climatic changes. Radiocarbon dates on the main changes identify a climatic optimum, beginning before 5620 ± 290 ¹⁴C yr BP, and ending at around 4815 ± 330 ¹⁴C yr BP, when conditions in the upper part of the catchment were more conducive to plant growth than they are today. The record obtained from the lower lake was shorter, but indicates two periods of harsher climate relative to the present since 4000 yr BP. This interpretation of the lake evidence agrees with other dated evidence of environmental change from peat sections, glacial stratigraphy and geomorphology in South Georgia. Together the work allows an overall reconstruction of environmental change in the Holocene.     

滇池螺蛳(Margarya melanioides)分布和底泥营养元素调查

研究了滇池螺蛳(Margarya melanioides)分布和底泥营养成分之间的关系。2013年在滇池87个采样点采集螺蛳和底泥样本,图示分析所有采样点的活的螺蛳数量,确定活螺在滇池中的分布位点及分布密度;选择8个采样点的底泥样本,进行16项营养元素(有机质、磷、氮、锌、铁、锰、镁、钙、铜、钠、钾、砷、汞、铅、镉、铬)含量测定,分析这些样本营养元素的差异。根据这8个采样点中有无螺蛳生长,将8个底泥样本分为两组,采用完全随机设计两样本比较的t检验,结果两组样本间仅铜的含量有统计学差异(P0.05),这可能是由于滇池螺蛳的生长有效富集了重金属铜元素,使有螺区域比无螺区域底泥中铜的含量明显减少。这在一定程度上说明了螺蛳生长与底泥的关系,可为滇池污染防治及螺蛳种群保护提供相关的科学依据。     

准噶尔盆地玛湖凹陷风城组页岩自生长英质矿物的成因机理及其储层改造意义

玛湖凹陷二叠系风城组是近几年准噶尔盆地页岩油接替的主攻领域,但其页岩成岩改造强烈,原始岩性归属尚不明确。X射线粉晶衍射测得风城组页岩黏土矿物含量普遍较低（<10%）,长英质矿物含量较高（60%~80%）。薄片分析发现风城组长英质页岩存在三种类型：① 粉砂级（4~63 μm）长石和石英碎屑含量丰富,为典型的粉砂岩;② 燧石条带和团块发育,为富硅页岩;③ 长英质基质发育,呈非碎屑状,且火山尘及火山玻璃少见,其矿物组成和形态与典型的黏土岩、粉砂岩及沉凝灰岩明显不同。背散射图像和高精度扫描电镜测得该长英质基质由碎屑和自生石英、钾长石和钠长石共同组成,可见黏土矿物、碎屑钾长石和钠长石向自生石英转化,碎屑钾长石向自生钠长石转化。通过调研全球中新生代碱湖沉积中自生硅酸盐矿物组合特征和成岩演化规律,探讨了二叠系风城组“贫”黏土矿物和“富”自生长英质矿物的原因,并提出风城组发育一类“改造长英质页岩”,主要由原始黏土和长石碎屑矿物和火山物质经过多期成岩改造而成。早期高碱（pH>9）沉积和成岩环境增加了SiO2溶解度和元素铝的活性,导致黏土矿物、泥级—细粉砂级长英质碎屑、火山灰等在入湖后发生“溶解、转化”,形成次稳定的硅酸盐矿物,如沸石和含镁蒙皂石,在经历漫长埋藏成岩后进一步转化为更为稳定的石英、钾长石和钠长石。碱湖页岩的成岩改造过程消耗了黏土矿物和火山灰,极大增加了页岩脆性,同时伴生了大量基质溶孔和晶间孔,是一类优质的页岩储层。     

Scientific field training for human planetary exploration

Forthcoming human planetary exploration will require increased scientific return (both in real time and post-mission), longer surface stays, greater geographical coverage, longer and more frequent EVAs, and more operational complexities than during the Apollo missions. As such, there is a need to shift the nature of astronauts’ scientific capabilities to something akin to an experienced terrestrial field scientist. To achieve this aim, the authors present a case that astronaut training should include an Apollo-style curriculum based on traditional field school experiences, as well as full immersion in field science programs. Herein we propose four Learning Design Principles (LDPs) focused on optimizing astronaut learning in field science settings. The LDPs are as follows:

(1)

LDP#1: Provide multiple experiences: varied field science activities will hone astronauts’ abilities to adapt to novel scientific opportunities

(2)

LDP#2: Focus on the learner: fostering intrinsic motivation will orient astronauts towards continuous informal learning and a quest for mastery

(3)

LDP#3: Provide a relevant experience—the field site: field sites that share features with future planetary missions will increase the likelihood that astronauts will successfully transfer learning

(4)

LDP#4: Provide a social learning experience—the field science team and their activities: ensuring the field team includes members of varying levels of experience engaged in opportunities for discourse and joint problem solving will facilitate astronauts’ abilities to think and perform like a field scientist.

The proposed training program focuses on the intellectual and technical aspects of field science, as well as the cognitive manner in which field scientists experience, observe and synthesize their environment. The goal of the latter is to help astronauts develop the thought patterns and mechanics of an effective field scientist, thereby providing a broader base of experience and expertise than could be achieved from field school alone. This will enhance their ability to execute, explore and adapt as in-field situations require.     

Estimating population parameters in an ‘open’ fish population

A model for an ‘open’ fish population is described. Basically an expansion of the classical catch equation, it includes a ‘population change’ coefficient to allow for changes in population size induced by causes other than fishing. The model relates this coefficient to catch, fishing effort, initial population size, and catchability coefficient. With observed catch and fishing effort data incorporated, the remaining parameters are estimated by minimising sums of squares. This estimation process is applied to data from both real and simulated fisheries, and is shown to be effective if the basic assumptions of the model are met. If this is not so considerable errors occur, and these are investigated with respect to the examples.     

Common bivalve larvae from New Zealand: Leptonacea

The late stage larvae of three erycinid bivalves (Mollusca: Pelecypoda: Leptonacea) taken from the brood chamber of the adult are described (Kellia cycladiformis, Lasaea rubra hinemoa, and L. maoria), and the provisionally identified late stage larva of the erycinid Arthritica bijurca taken from the plankton is described. Also, the D‐shaped larvae of the erycinid bivalves Kellia cycladiformis, Borniola reniformis, Arlhritica crassijormis, and A. bifurca taken from the parent brood chamber are described. The seasonal occurrence of each late stage larva in the plankton at the Bay of Islands (35° 15'S, 174° 10'E), Wellington Harbour (41° 16'S, 174° 51'E), and Raumati Beach (40° 56'S, 174° 58'E), New Zealand is described. Aspects of the reproductive cycles of Lasaea rubra hinemoa and Arthritica bifurca are presented.     

长江中下游江湖关系演变趋势数值模拟

以长江中下游防洪系统为对象,概述了在大型复杂防洪系统洪水行为数值模拟基础上,成功地将长江中下游洪水演进数学模型转化为面向长江防洪系统防洪规划方案评估需求的长江中下游江湖水沙演变的数学模型.为适应防洪规划方案论证涉及江湖水沙相互制衡相互关联客观情况,建立了面向江湖水沙关系及其演变的数学模型.针对长江中下游江湖水沙运动特点,在水沙数值模拟的范围内侧重对下荆江河道冲刷、荆江三口分流分沙模式、洞庭湖泥沙淤积、江湖耦合等环节进行了讨论,提出了合理可行的数值处理方法.模拟结果较好反映了江湖水沙演变规律,主要成果已应用于长江中下游防洪规划和防汛调度方案中.