Abundance and degree of residency of humpback dolphins Sousa plumbea in Mossel Bay,South Africa

Indian Ocean humpback dolphins Sousa plumbea inhabit nearshore waters from South Africa to eastern India. Humpback dolphins are vulnerable to conservation threats due to their naturally small population sizes and use of nearshore habitats, where human activities are highest. We investigated the abundance and residency of this species inhabiting Mossel Bay, South Africa, using photographic mark-recapture. Data were collected during 81 surveys in Mossel Bay between 2011 and 2013. Open population modelling using the POPAN parameterisation produced a ‘super-population’ estimate of 125 individuals (95% CI: 61–260) and within-year estimates of between 33 and 86 individuals (2011: 71 [95% CI: 30–168]; 2012: 33 [15–73], 32 [15–70]; 2013: 46 [20–108]). Although less appropriate, closed capture models were also run for comparison with previous studies in the region and generated similar, but slightly smaller, population estimates within each year. We compared our catalogue with opportunistic data collected from East London, Plettenberg Bay, De Hoop and Gansbaai. The only catalogue matches attained were between Plettenberg Bay (n = 44 identified) and Mossel Bay (n = 67 identified), separated by 140?km. Population exchange was moderate, with nine individuals resighted in multiple years between these two areas. This study supports previous findings of long-range movements for this species and provides a baseline from which to assess future impacts on the population.     

MULTIVARIATE RESPONSE SURFACE MODELLING BY PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS ANALYSIS

Analysis of multivariate response data by modelling the principal components of the response has beenapplied to two sets of data. In both cases principal components analysis revealed the relationships amongthe response variables and exploited them to simplify the problem of modelling and optimizing themultivariate response. The models and optima obtained from the principal components comparedfavourably with the individual models and simultaneous optima.     

Trends in 1,4-Dioxane Analyses: Implications for Identification and Characterization of Contaminated Groundwater Sites

1,4-Dioxane is a contaminant of emerging concern, and there is significant uncertainty about how its environmental occurrence in groundwater is being assessed given the various analytical methods available. This study compiled public sampling records from 2000 to 2019 that included >106,000 analyses of 1,4-dioxane from 822 different U.S. sites. The 1,4-dioxane detection frequency in the entire dataset (including all methods) was 45%, and the median detected concentration was 10 μg/L, highlighting the dilute nature of 1,4-dioxane in environmental media and the importance of selecting methods with adequate sensitivity. The annual distribution of samples analyzed by each method type confirmed a shift towards methods designed for semi-volatile compounds (Method 8270 and Method 8270 SIM) that exhibited consistently lower reporting limits (median reporting limit for each year typically ≤1 μg/L). In contrast, the method designed for volatile compounds (Method 8260) exhibited less sensitivity for 1,4-dioxane (median reporting limit per year between 40 and 100 μg/L) and its use declined significantly over time with increasing use of the moderately sensitive Method 8260 SIM in later years. This shift contributed to an increase in the 1,4-dioxane detection frequency over time, with a strong correlation between the annual detection frequency and the median reporting limit. Sites where 1,4-dioxane was analyzed but not detected overwhelmingly used less-sensitive methods that may not have been adequate for the expected concentration levels. Given the sub-μg/L groundwater criteria issued for 1,4-dioxane by some regulatory agencies, more sensitive and accurate methods will be increasingly needed to assess compliance.     

Impact of different sea surface roughness on surface gravity waves using a coupled atmosphere–wave model: a case of Hurricane Isaac (2012)

Ocean Dynamics - The complicated pattern of the chaotic ocean surface depends strongly on the interaction between wind and waves. An accurate representation of momentum and energy exchange at...     

Characterisation of recharge processes and groundwater flow mechanisms in weathered-fractured granites of Hyderabad (India) using isotopes

In order to address the problem of realistic assessment of groundwater potential and its sustainability, it is vital to study the recharge processes and mechanism of groundwater flow in fractured hard rocks, where inhomogeneties and discontinuities have a dominant role to play. Wide variations in chloride, δ¹⁸O and ¹⁴C concentrations of the studied groundwaters observed in space and time could only reflect the heterogeneous hydrogeological setting in the fractured granites of Hyderabad (India). This paper, based on the observed isotopic and environmental chloride variations of the groundwater system, puts forth two broad types of groundwaters involving various recharge processes and flow mechanisms in the studied granitic hard rock aquifers. Relatively high ¹⁴C ages (1300 to ～6000 yr B.P.), δ¹⁸O content (?3.2 to ?1.5‰) and chloride concentration (<100 mg/l) are the signatures that identified one broad set of groundwaters resulting from recharge through weathered zone and subsequent movement through extensive sheet joints. The second set of groundwaters possessed an age range Modern to ～1000 yr B.P., chloride in the range 100 to ～350 mg/l and δ¹⁸O from ?3.2 to +1.7‰. The δ¹⁸O enrichment and chloride concentration, further helped in the segregation of the second set of groundwaters into three sub-sets characterized by different recharge processes and sources. Based on these processes and mechanisms, a conceptual hydrogeologic model has evolved suggesting that the fracture network is connected either to a distant recharge source or to a surface reservoir (evaporating water bodies) apart from overlying weathered zone, explaining various resultant groundwaters having varying ¹⁴C ages, chloride and δ¹⁸O concentrations. The surface reservoir contribution to groundwater is evaluated to be significant (40 to 70%) in one subset of groundwaters. The conceptual hydrogeologic model, thus evolved, can aid in understanding the mechanism of groundwater flow as well as migration of contaminants to deep groundwater in other fractured granitic areas.     

Isotopic Fingerprints of Paleoclimates during the Last 30,000 Years in Deep Confined Groundwaters of Southern India

Isotopic and geochemical evidence of paleoclimates, especially for the last glaciation, has been obtained from deep confined groundwaters of southern India. The δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, chloride, and deuterium analyses of groundwaters show distinct excursions inferred to be related to climatic variations. The arid climatic episode associated with the last glaciation (18,000 ± 2000 yr B.P.) is conspicuously identified by signatures of relatively enriched δ¹³C (−10 to −12‰ PDB) and δ¹⁸O (−5.3 to −4.8‰ SMOW) values, and high chloride concentration (80 to 160 mg/l). The transition from an arid to humid period ca. 12,000–8000 yr B.P. is shown by a decreasing trend in the δ¹³C (−9.5 to −17‰) and δ¹⁸O (−4.5 to −6.3‰) contents of groundwaters. The late Holocene (since 4000 yr B.P.), marked by a more humid but unstable climate, is identified by further depletion of δ¹³C (−13 to −20‰) and δ¹⁸O (−5.2 to −6.3‰). Similar variation between δ¹⁸O and chloride values in confined groundwaters further demonstrates two distinct climatic excursions (arid and humid) governed by the “amount effect.” This is the first time that isotopic and geochemical signatures related to changing paleoclimates have been identified in the confined groundwaters of the southern Indian landmass.     

The Use Of Environmental Isotopes And Chloride As Natural Tracers To Investigate The Effects Of Depressurisation Of A Coastal Aquifer For Lignite Mining,India

In order to mine lignite from the Neyveli opencast mines, about 200 km south of Madras, India, the Neyveli aquifer has been undergoing depressurisation continuously for almost three decades. To gain insight into the aquifer hydrodynamics, environmental-isotope and chloride measurements on selected groundwater samples were initiated two decades ago, and detailed studies were undertaken during 1985–91. This article demonstrates the effect of large-scale groundwater withdrawals on the hydrologic regime and the effects on environmental chloride and isotopic distributions. A feature common to both the radiocarbon and chloride data of 1991 is their marked variation in a small area between the recharge zone and the mine area where pumping is concentrated. Furthermore, an excellent correlation exists between the temporal increase in the apparent radiocarbon ages of groundwater sampled in 1991 and 1985 and the corresponding lowering of potentiometric levels. Isochlors based on 1991 and 1985 data also indicate a changed hydrologic regime. In certain areas, heavy withdrawals have resulted in increased groundwater salinity.     

Pulsations of stellar models in H and He burning phases

A study of pulsational properties with evolution has been done for a 15.6M star withX _e =0.90 andY _e =0.08. Pulsational properties in the hydrogen-burning stages have been compared with those in helium-burning stages. A comparison with observed characteristics of Cepheids, classical Cepheids and supergiant variables has been made during the course of its evolution. In addition, models of 5,9 and 15M withX _e =0.708,Y _e =0.272 have also been studied for pulsational properties during the helium burning stage. It is also seen that pulsational instability is sensitive to changes in initial chemical composition and opacity parameters,n ands. A low helium abundance could be a reason for the stability of the models, even when lying in the instability strip of the H-R diagram.     

Recharge processes: piston flow vs preferential flow in semi-arid aquifers of India

Study of groundwater recharge processes is vital for quantification of total natural recharge to the aquifers. One of the recharge processes demonstrated earlier by tracer experiments in the unsaturated zone is that of piston flow movement of soil moisture. Based on this recharge process, environmental tritium, chloride and injected tritium studies have been carried out extensively in various geological environs of India. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the validity of the piston flow concept in different geological environs viz. consolidated fractured and weathered granites, semi-consolidated sandstones and unconsolidated alluvial tracts, and quantify the contribution from this process as well as that from the preferential flow mechanism using different tracers. Analysis of tracer data demonstrates that the preferential flow recharge process contributes very significantly (an average of 75% of total recharge) in the case of fractured granites and is important (an average of 33% of total recharge) for semi-consolidated sandstones, whereas the preferential flow recharge component is minimal in unconsolidated alluvial tracts (piston flow model is applicable). These findings necessitate re-evaluation of the total natural recharge potential of the above mentioned geological environs in view of the significant preferential flow recharge that is evidenced and estimated. Electronic Publication