Spatial controls on the distribution and dynamics of a marginal snowpack in the Australian Alps

Seasonal snowpacks in marginal snow environments are typically warm and nearly isothermal, exhibiting high inter‐ and intra‐annual variability. Measurements of snow depth and snow water equivalent were made across a small subalpine catchment in the Australian Alps over two snow seasons in order to investigate the extent and implications of snowpack spatial variability in this marginal setting. The distribution and dynamics of the snowpack were found to be influenced by upwind terrain, vegetation, solar radiation, and slope. The role of upwind vegetation was quantified using a novel parameter based on gridded vegetation height. The elevation range of the catchment was relatively modest (185 m), and elevation impacted distribution but not dynamics. Two characteristic features of marginal snowpack behaviour are presented. Firstly, the evolution of the snowpack is described in terms of a relatively unstable accumulation state and a highly stable ablation state, as revealed by temporal variations in the mean and standard deviation of snow water equivalent. Secondly, the validity of partitioning the snow season into distinct accumulation and ablation phases is shown to be compromised in such a setting. Snow at the most marginal locations may undergo complete melt several times during a season and, even where snow cover is more persistent, ablation processes begin to have an effect on the distribution of the snowpack early in the season. Our results are consistent with previous research showing that individual point measurements are unable to fully represent the variability in the snowpack across a catchment, and we show that recognising and addressing this variability are particularly important for studies in marginal snow environments.     

Simulation of erosion-deposition processes at basin scale by a physically-based mathematical model

The development and application of the physically-based and spatially-distributed mathematical model CTSS8-SED is presented. The model simulates hydrologic-hydraulic processes produced by storm events and related soil erosion and sediment transport processes at basin scale in lowland areas. The model simulates (i) storm runoff,(ii) soil detachment by raindrop impact and overland flow (gross sediment yield),(iii) sediment transport by overland flow and associated erosion-deposition processes and (iv) sediment transport by stream flow and riverbed erosion-deposition processes. A quasi two-dimensional representation of water flow and sediment transport routing is made by means of interconnected cells approach. The model is applied to simulate two flooding events in the Luduea Creek basin (Santa Fe, Argentina) occurred in April 1994 and March 2007 due to extraordinary rainfalls.     

Water quality data for Fall Creek,New York,USA: 1972–1995

The 33 086 ha mixed land use Fall Creek watershed in upstate New York is part of the Great Lakes drainage system. Results from more than 3500 water samples are available in a data set that compiles flow data and measurements of various water quality analytes collected between 1972 and 1995 in all seasons and under all flow regimes in Fall Creek and its tributaries. Data is freely accessible at https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/8148 and includes measurements of suspended solids, pH, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chloride, nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N), sulphate sulphur (SO4-S), phosphorus (P) fractions molybdate reactive P (MRP) and total dissolved P (TDP), percent P in sediment, and ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N). Methods, sub-watershed areas, and coordinates for sampling sites are also included. The work represented in this data set has made important scientific contributions to understanding of hydrological and biogeochemical processes that influence loading in mixed use watersheds and that have an impact on algal productivity in receiving water bodies. In addition, the work has been foundational for important regulatory and management decisions in the region.     

A 200-year precipitation index for the central English Lake District / Un indice de précipitation de 200 ans pour la Région des Lacs en Angleterre

Abstract

Abstract The geographical context and hydroclimatology of the English Lake District means that the region is an important monitor of changes to nationally significant environmental assets. Using monthly rainfall series for sites in and around the central Lake District, a continuous ~200-year precipitation index was constructed for a representative station close to Grasmere. The bridged series shows a significant decline in summer rainfall since the 1960s, offset by increases in winter and spring that are strongly linked to North Atlantic forcing. Over longer time periods, the index exhibits several notable dry (1850s, 1880s, 1890s, 1930s, 1970s) and wet (1820s, 1870s, 1920s, 1940s, 1990s) decades. These patterns are strongly reflected by reservoir inflow series and by indicators of the biological status of the region’s freshwater lakes. It is argued that long-term climate indices will become increasingly important as managers seek to evaluate recent and project environmental changes within the context of long-term natural variability.     

A large landslide event in a post‐glacial landscape: rethinking glacial legacy

Threlkeld Knotts (c. 500 m above sea level) in the English Lake District has hitherto been considered to be a glacially‐modified intrusion of microgranite. However, its surface features are incompatible with glacial modification; neither can these nor the subsurface structures revealed by ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) be explained by post‐glacial subaerial processes acting on a glacially‐modified microgranite intrusion. Here we re‐interpret Threlkeld Knotts as a very large post‐glacial landslide involving the microgranite, with an estimated volume of about 4 × 10⁷ m³. This interpretation is tested against published and recent information on the geology of the site, the glacial geomorphic history of the area and newly‐acquired GPR data. More than 60 large post‐Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) rock–slope failures have significantly modified the glaciated landscape of the Lake District; this is one of the largest. Recognition of this major landslide deposit in such a well‐studied environment highlights the need to continuously re‐examine landscapes in the light of increasing knowledge of geomorphic processes and with available technology in currently active or de‐glaciating environments. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A natural tracer investigation of the hydrological regime of Spring Creek Springs, the largest submarine spring system in Florida

This work presents results from a nearly two-year monitoring of the hydrologic dynamics of the largest submarine spring system in Florida, Spring Creek Springs. During the summer of 2007 this spring system was observed to have significantly reduced flow due to persistent drought conditions. Our examination of the springs revealed that the salinity of the springs' waters had increased significantly, from 4 in 2004 to 33 in July 2007 with anomalous high radon (²²²Rn, t_1/2=3.8 days) in surface water concentrations indicating substantial saltwater intrusion into the local aquifer. During our investigation from August 2007 to May 2009 we deployed on an almost monthly basis a continuous radon-in-water measurement system and monitored the salinity fluctuations in the discharge area. To evaluate the springs' freshwater flux we developed three different models: two of them are based on water velocity measurements and either salinity or ²²²Rn in the associated surface waters as groundwater tracers. The third approach used only salinity changes within the spring area. The three models showed good agreement and the results confirmed that the hydrologic regime of the system is strongly correlated to local precipitation and water table fluctuations with higher discharges after major rain events and very low, even reverse flow during prolong droughts. High flow spring conditions were observed twice during our study, in the early spring and mid-late summer of 2008. However the freshwater spring flux during our observation period never reached that reported from a 1970s value of 4.9×10⁶ m³/day. The maximum spring flow was estimated at about 3.0×10⁶ m³/day after heavy precipitation in February-March 2008. As a result of this storm (total of 173 mm) the salinity in the spring area dropped from about 27 to 2 in only two days. The radon-in-water concentrations dramatically increased in parallel, from about 330 Bq/m³ to about 6600 Bq/m³. Such a rapid response suggests a direct connection between the deep and the surficial aquifers.     

陕西铜川新区典型滑坡在不同强度地震作用下的稳定性——以铜川玉皇阁水库滑坡为例

采用极限平衡法和有限元强度折减法,对地震作用下的陕西铜川新区玉皇阁水库滑坡的稳定性进行计算分析,对比分析2种方法在天然、中震、大震3个工况下的安全系数,结果基本吻合,且随着地震动峰值加速度的增大边坡稳定性逐渐降低,安全系数最大降低幅度可达18%;根据计算结果进行稳定性评价,玉皇阁水库滑坡在大震作用下处于不稳定状态,中震作用下其稳定性也较低。该结果为该滑坡风险评价和防控提供参考,为铜川新区地震地质灾害评价提供基础性参考。     

昆明市东川区泥石流信息系统的建立及其应用

根据东川区泥石流的成因、泥石流灾害信息源、各类数据的表达方式及泥石流信息系统的应用等，对东川区泥石流信息系统进行了系统分析，在此基础上利用3S技术，在ARCVIEW的AVENUE开发语言支持下，集成各类数据，建立东川区泥石流信息系统，最后讨论了该系统在泥石流危险度区划及灾害趋势分析中的应用。     

都市水源区村域社会−生态系统脆弱性空间分异的地理影响模式——以上海市青浦区为例

以上海市青浦区为例,采用数据包络模型、空间自相关模型、多元Logistic回归模型、地理探测器和层次聚类模型分析该区184个行政村社会?生态系统脆弱性的空间差异及地理影响机制。研究表明：① 基于熵权集结交叉的“投入?产出”效率模型对村域社会?生态系统脆弱性评价结果更具可信度和精确性,2018年行政村社会?生态系统脆弱性空间上呈由东向西逐渐降低的变化趋势,脆弱性均值为0.583;② 地理因素对经济发达村域社会?生态系统脆弱性空间分异仍旧具有重要影响。距上海市中心距离、距淀山湖距离、距青浦区中心距离和水域面积成为影响该区社会?生态系统脆弱性的4种主导地理因素,其地理影响力呈现系统结构空间差异和种类属性替代及程度转化;③ 依据地理因素影响力聚类分析将该区社会?生态系统脆弱性地理因素空间耦合模式分为10种,多地理因素耦合模式是主要决定类型,呈现中部多因素主导和两侧单因素主导并存的多元环状地域决定格局;针对不同类型提出调控区域社会?生态系统脆弱性的可行方式。     

北京房山应急水源地地下水数值模拟及河流渗漏量预测

以北京房山岩溶水应急水源地为例,采用等效连续介质体概化地下水流系统,建立地下水流数值模型,评价地下水源汇项,分析地下水系统特征。运用MODFLOW中的河流（渠）子程序包,刻画地表河流和泉水与地下水的交换关系。经参数识别和验证,计算结果与实测数据拟合较好,能够比较准确的模拟水源地岩溶水系统。模拟和预测结果表明,水源地地区地下水与地表水联系密切,应急开采后,地下水系统由向河流排泄转变为河流渗漏补给地下水,可为应急水源地合理开发利用提供科学依据。