Effects of Coal Gangue Content on Water Movement and Solute Transport in a China Loess Plateau Soil

The mining industry has grown strongly in China in recent decades, resulting in large amounts of coal gangues, which cause water and soil pollution, soil erosion, and various other environmental problems. They are often used in reclamation projects in attempts to restore land damaged by mining, hence they are frequently present (in widely varying proportions) in the topsoil in areas around mines. Their presence can strongly affect key soil variables, including its bulk density, structure, water retention, water movement, and solute transport rates. In the study presented here, the effects of gangue contents on infiltration, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and solute transport parameters of a Chinese Loess plateau soil were examined. The results show that infiltration rates and saturated hydraulic conductivity decreased with increasing gangue content. The Peck–Watson equation modeled these relationships well, but Bouwer–Rice equations provided poorer matches with the acquired data. Cumulative infiltration over time was described well by both the Philip equation and Kostiakov equation. Both the simplified convection–dispersion equation and a two‐region model described the solute transport processes well. In addition, the dispersion increased, while both the Peclet number and mobile water fraction decreased, with increases in gangue contents.     

A stream tracer technique employing ionic tracers and specific conductance data applied to the Maimai catchment,New Zealand

The stream tracer technique and transient storage models (TSMs) have become common tools in stream solute and hyporheic exchange studies. The expense and logistics associated with water sample collection and analysis often results in limited temporal resolution of stream tracer breakthrough curves (BTCs). Samples are often collected without a priori or real‐time knowledge of BTC information, which can result in poor sample coverage of the critical shoulder (initial rise) and tail (post‐steady state fall) of the BTC. We illustrate the use of specific conductance (SC) measurements as a surrogate for conservative dissolved tracer (Br⁻) samples. The advantages of collecting SC data for use in the TSM are (1) cost, (2) ease of data collection, and (3) well‐defined breakthrough curves, which strengthen TSM parameter optimization. This method is based on developing an ion concentration (IC)–SC relationship from limited discrete tracer solute samples. SC data can be collected on a more frequent basis at no additional analysis cost. TSM simulations can then be run for the conservative tracer data derived from SC breakthrough curves and the IC–SC relationship. This technique was tested in a 120 m reach of stream (2–60 m subreaches) in the Maimai M15 catchment, New Zealand during baseflow recession. Dissolved LiBr was injected for 12·92 h, with Br⁻ as the conservative ion of interest. Four TSM simulations using the OTIS model are optimized using UCODE to fit (1) Br⁻ data derived from the Br⁻–SC relationship (n = 1307 observations at each of two stream sampling sites), (2) all stream Br⁻ data collected (n = 58 in upper reach, n = 60 in lower reach), (3) half of the stream Br⁻ data collected, and (4) 20 stream Br⁻ samples from each site. No two simulations resulted in the same optimal parameter values. Results suggest that the greater the frequency of observations, the greater the confidence in estimated parameter values. Br⁻–SC simulations resulted in the best overall model fits to the data, with the lowest calculated error variance of 6·37, narrowest 95% parameter estimate confidence intervals, and the highest correlation coefficient of 0·99 942, among the four simulations. This is largely due to the improved representation of the shoulder and tail of the BTC with this method. The IC–SC correlation method is robust in situations in which (1) changes in background SC data can be accounted for, and (2) the data used to define the IC–SC relationship are representative of the range of data collected. This method provides more efficient sample analysis, improved data resolution, and improved model results compared to the alternative stream tracer data gathering methods presented. Additionally, we describe a new parameterization of the cross‐sectional area of the stream during flow recession, as a function of discharge, based on a stream hydraulic geometry relationship. This variant of the OTIS model provides a more realistic representation of stream dynamics during unsteady discharge. Copyright © 2005 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.     

The importance of wave-tide-surge interaction to coastal material transport and diffusion

This study is to combine a coastal high-resolution (2′×2′) two-way coupled wave-tide-surge numerical model (including 3 main physical mechanisms) with a material transport/diffusion model for understanding the law of material transport/diffusion. Results show that the law of material trans- port/diffusion driven by background current field simulated by the coupled wave-tide-surge model is dif- ferent from that simulated by pure tide-surge, and more different from traditional ones driven by tidal current. The coupled background current should be taken into account for the simulation.     

2D-Cell Experiment on Methyl Tert-Butyl Ether Transport in Saturated Zone of Groundwater

As an additive of gasoline,methyl tert-butyl ether(MTBE)has a higher solubility in water,which is about 20 times as high as that of benzene.This characteristic results in MTBE dissolving out of the gasoline into the soil and groundwater.Due to relative unique physicochemical behavior of MTBE it would be an ideal candidate for use in environmental forensic investigations.In order to study the transport and distribution of MTBE in saturated zone of ground water,a two-dimensional experimental cell was setup to simulate the real environment of the groundwater flow.The effects of soil and groundwater flow velocity on the MTBE transport were investigated.The results show that the mobile distance of MTBE in vertical direction was smaller than that in horizontal direction paralleling with the groundwater flow.Because the main dynamics of groundwater flow direction was convection and dispersion,the movement of MTBE is also diffusion in the vertical direction.In addition,the transport of MTBE was more quick in high permeability porous media,and the increase of groundwater flow velocity can accelerate the MTBE plume de-velopment,but the irregularity and randomness of the plume are enhanced synchronously.These research results can give some helps for the investigation of MTBE movement in the groundwater,also can make some references for other petroleum contamination behavior.     

IMPACTS OF ANTARCTIC OSCILLATION ON SUMMER MOISTURE TRANSPORT AND PRECIPITATION IN EASTERN CHINA

1INTRODUCTIONSummer precipitation in China is a phenomenon hap-pening in the south-north oscillation process of the EastAsian summermonsoon, andthe monsoon is in essenceresulted from the joint effects of the planetary scale cir-culation ofthermal convecti…     

Transport and retention of Escherichia coli in a mixture of quartz,Al‐coated and Fe‐coated sands

Transport and retention of Escherichia coli through the mixture of quartz, Al‐coated and Fe‐coated sands was examined using column experiments to investigate the effect of geochemical heterogeneity on bacteria transport. The first set of the experiments was performed in quartz, Al‐coated and Fe‐coated sand mixtures (coated sand: 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100%) to examine the influence of positively‐charged sand grains on bacteria transport. The second experiments were carried out to observe the impact of pH (range 6·74–8·21) on bacteria transport in the mixture of quartz 50% and Fe‐coated sand 50%. The third experiments were conducted to analyse the effect of ionic strength (0, 50, 100, 200 mM) on bacteria transport in the mixture of quartz 50% and Al‐coated sand 50%. The first experiments show that bacterial mass recoveries were in the range of 3·6–43·4%, decreasing nonlinearly as the content of Al‐ and Fe‐coated sands increased. In the second experiments, the bacterial mass recoveries were in the range of 35·5–79·2%, increasing linearly as the solution pH increased. In the third experiments, the mass recovery was 3·4% at 0 mM. As the ionic strength increased to 50mM, the mass recovery decreased to 0%. When the ionic strength increased further to 100 and 200 mM, no bacterial mass was recovered as in the case of 50 mM. It indicates that in the mixed medium of quartz 50% and Al‐coated sand 50% both positive (increment of bacterial adhesion) and negative (decrement) effects of ionic strength may be counterbalanced, minimizing the impact of ionic strength on the bacterial adhesion. This study helps to understand the role of metal oxides and solution chemistry in the transport of bacteria in geochemically heterogeneous media Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluating fine sediment mobilization and storage in a gravel‐bed river using controlled reservoir releases

Two controlled flow events were generated by releasing water from a reservoir into the Olewiger Bach, located near Trier, Germany. This controlled release of near bank‐full flows allowed an investigation of the fine sediment (<63 µm) mobilized from channel storage. Both a winter (November) and a summer (June) release event were generated, each having very different antecedent flow conditions. The characteristics of the release hydrographs and the associated sediment transport indicated a reverse hysteresis with more mass, but smaller grain sizes, moving on the falling limb. Fine sediment stored to a depth of 10 cm in the gravels decreased following the release events, indicating the dynamic nature and importance of channel‐stored sediments as source materials during high flow events. Sediment traps, filled with clean natural gravel, were buried in riffles before the release of the reservoir water and the total mass of fine sediment collected by the traps was measured following the events. Twice the mass of fine sediment was retained by the gravel traps compared with the natural gravels, which may be due to their altered porosity. Although the amount of fine sediment collected by the traps was not significantly related to measures of gravel structure, it was found to be significantly correlated to measures of local flow velocity and Froude number. A portion of the traps were fitted with lids to restrict surface exchange of water and sediment. These collected the highest amounts of event‐mobilized sediments, indicating that inter‐gravel lateral flows, not just surface infiltration of sediments, are important in replenishing and redistributing the channel‐stored fines. These findings regarding the magnitude and direction of fine sediment movement in gravel beds are significant in both a geomorphic and a biological context. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Role of unusual moisture transport across Equatorial Indian Ocean on the extreme rainfall event during Kerala flood 2018

Southwestern Indian state, Kerala experienced extreme devastating statewide flood event of the century during 2018 monsoon season. In this study, an attempt has been made to bring out the salient dynamical factors contributed to the Kerala flood. There were 3 active spells over Kerala during 2018 Monsoon season. All the three spells were accustomed with the intrinsic factors of low frequency components of the active spells such as strength of monsoon Low Level Jet (LLJ), Monsoon depressions in the Bay of Bengal, favorable Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) phases and Western Pacific systems. Though all the common ingredients remain same, the third spell is distinct with the less evaporation flux over Western and Central Arabian Sea and unusual moisture transport from maritime continent through South Equatorial Indian ocean (SEIO) towards the Kerala coast across Equator. Strong meridional pressure gradient force created by the combined effect of high pressure anomaly oriented Northwest-Southeast direction across tropical Indian ocean and anomalous low pressure along monsoon trough might have contributed to this unusual moisture transport across SEIO originating from west of Australia. The anomalous high pressure in South Indian ocean was greatly influenced by the position of the Mascarene high. Subtropical Indian ocean dipole (SIOD) also exhibits an influential role by altering tropical Southern Indian ocean dynamics in favor of the unusual moisture transport. The position of the monsoon depression and presence of typhoons in Western Pacific might have aided to this moisture transport. However, the normal moisture transport from Central Arabian sea towards Kerala coast by virtue of the strong LLJ along with additional moisture transport directly from South of maritime continent through SEIO across the Equator towards Kerala coast might have played a dominant role in the historical flood event over entire Kerala state.