Variations of U and Sr isotope ratios in Alsace and Luxembourg rain waters: origin and hydrogeochemical implications

Major and trace element concentrations, as well as Sr and U isotope ratios, were measured in rainwater samples collected in three different locations in Alsace (East of France) and Luxembourg: a mid-altitude mountain site (Aubure Environment HydroGeochemical Observatory), an urban site (Strasbourg) and a peri-urban site located in an area of well developed industrial activity (Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg). Results highlight the quite high spatial and temporal variability of the chemical and isotopic characteristics of rainwater at the regional scale. They also suggest a quite systematic contribution of a local component in the chemical composition of rainwater. In urban and peri-urban sites, the local component is certainly linked to human activities, as it is well illustrated in this study with the Esch-sur-Alzette samples. On the other hand, for the Aubure site, i.e. a small forested watershed of mid-altitude mountain, data presented in this study demonstrate the influence of the vegetation on the chemical composition of rainwater for alkali and calc-alkali elements, as well as for the Sr isotope ratios. Such a result questions the reliability of the method classically used to estimate the rainwater contribution on the river chemical budget. In addition, data of the present study confirm the very low content of uranium in rainwater and demonstrate, especially through the U isotope analysis of Aubure rainwater, the negligible effect of rainwater on U budget of river waters. This work thus outlines the property of U to be a geochemical tracer specific of weathering fluxes carried by rivers. To cite this article: F. Chabaux et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Use of regionalized stormflow coefficients with a view to hydroclimatological hazard mapping

Abstract

An attempt was made to compensate for the lack of long hydrological time series and the lack of information on maximum streamflow in the Alzette River basin (Luxembourg) via the regionalization of stormflow coefficients. Streamflow data recorded since 1995 with a very dense streamgauge network allowed the determination of maximum stormflow coefficients in 18 sub-basins of the Alzette. The stormflow coefficients were then regionalized via stepwise multiple regression analysis for 83 different sub-basins of the Alzette. Combined with 10-year daily rainfall heights (statistical estimation), this regionalization allowed the spatial variability of storm runoff in the Alzette basin to be mapped, thus providing a view of hazard and risk-producing areas, as well as of risk-exposed areas. In a basin with little historical hydrological information this technique can help identify areas where storm runoff reducing measures should be applied from the outset.     

Exploring spatial data uncertainties in land‐use change scenarios

This paper evaluates errors and uncertainties in representing landscapes that arise from different data rasterization methods, spatial resolutions, and downscaled land‐use change (LUC) scenarios. A vector LU dataset for Luxembourg (minimum mapping unit: 0.15 ha; year 2000) was used as the baseline reference map. This map was rasterized at three spatial resolutions using three cell class assignment methods. The landscape composition and configuration of these maps were compared. Four alternative scenarios of future LUC were also generated for the three resolutions using existing LUC scenarios and a statistical downscaling method creating 37 maps of LUC for the year 2050. These maps were compared in terms of composition and spatial configuration using simple metrics of landscape fragmentation and an analysis of variance (ANOVA). Differences in landscape composition and configuration between the three cell class assignment methods and the three spatial resolutions were found to be at least as large as the differences between the LUC scenarios. This occurred in spite of the large LUC projected by the scenarios. This demonstrates the importance of the rasterization method and the level of aggregation as a contribution to uncertainty when developing future LUC scenarios and in analysing landscape structure in ecological studies.     

Ground deformation associated with post-mining activity at the French–German border revealed by novel InSAR time series method

We present a novel methodology for integration of multiple InSAR data sets for computation of two dimensional time series of ground deformation. The proposed approach allows combination of SAR data acquired with different acquisition parameters, temporal and spatial sampling and resolution, wavelength and polarization. Produced time series have combined coverage, improved temporal resolution and lower noise level. We apply this methodology for mapping coal mining related ground subsidence and uplift in the Greater Region of Luxembourg along the French–German border. For this we processed 167 Synthetic Aperture Radar ERS-1/2 and ENVISAT images acquired between 1995 and 2009 from one ascending (track 29) and one descending (track 337) tracks and created over five hundred interferograms that were used for time series analysis. Derived vertical and east–west linear deformation rates show with remarkable precision a region of localized ground deformation located above and caused by mining and post-mining activities. Time series of ground deformation display temporal variability: reversal from subsidence to uplift and acceleration of subsidence in the vertical component, and horizontal motion toward the center of the subsidence on the east–west component. InSAR results are validated by leveling measurements collected by the French Geological Survey (BRGM) during 2006–2008. We determined that deformation rate changes are mainly caused by water level variations in the mines. Due to higher temporal and spatial resolution the proposed space-borne method detected a larger number of subsidence and uplift areas in comparison to leveling measurements restricted to annual monitoring of benchmark points along roads. We also identified one deformation region that is not precisely located above the mining sites. Comparison of InSAR measurements with the water levels measured in the mining pits suggest that part of the water that filled the galleries after termination of the dewatering systems may come from this region. Providing that enough SAR data is available, this method opens new opportunities for detecting and locating man-made and natural ground deformation signals with high temporal resolution and precision.     

Regional runoff prediction through aggregation of first-order hydrological process knowledge: a case study

Abstract

The dominant processes concept was used to develop a regionally applicable rainfall—runoff model. The first-order runoff processes are identified through a combination of field investigations, physico-geographical analysis of the research area, the Alzette River basin in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, and discharge data series analysis. Lithology appeared to be the major source of discrepancy in hydrological behaviour over the total area. As a result, the hydrological behaviour of each lithological substratum was characterized and conceptualized into a parsimonious model structure. The runoff signals were calibrated against the hourly-recorded discharge series of eight sub-basins, with parameter sensitivity and correlation analysis outlining the need for minor corrections to the model structure. Validation against another set of 10 sub-basins showed good results for the regional parameter set, with an average loss in efficiency (R_eff) of 0.04, compared to the reference model, with a mean R_eff of 0.79. Due to an up-scaling effect, inducing variations in the dominance of particular runoff processes, some anomalies were found in the performance of individual runoff characteristics. In this respect, limiting the application of the model to a certain spatial scale gives a high reliability of the prediction of the dynamics of hourly runoff in ungauged basins within the study area.     

Concentrations and loads of dissolved xenobiotics and hormones in two small river catchments of different land use in Luxembourg

The investigation focuses on the analysis of dissolved sulfonamides, tetracyclines, analgesics, anticonvulsants and hormones in surface water. Runoff event and baseflow samples were analysed in two small river catchments of different land use in Luxembourg. For most of the flood events, similar pollutant loads to those transported during 1 day with average baseflow discharge were observed. The maximum contents during flood events and the event mean concentrations are controlled by pre‐event hydro‐climatological conditions. For all substances under investigation, maximum concentrations and event mean concentrations show a decrease with raising antecedent rainfall. In addition, the interstorm and intrastorm variability of the pollutant transport was determined. Runoff generation and corresponding transport of xenobiotic compounds show a complex pattern with many interrelated processes, taking place within bedrock, soil, anthropogenic facilities and channel and in different parts of the basins under investigation. Different sources of pollutants can be identified and related to particular locations in the basin. The influence of the sewer systems is obvious. In the agricultural Mess basin, higher rainfall amounts lead to greater quantities of laterally inflowing soil water with higher concentrations of dissolved oxytetracycline. This originates from veterinary medicines administered to livestock and enters the environment through the application of organic fertilisers, especially by slurry that is applied to the fields. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Weierbach experimental catchment in Luxembourg: A decade of critical zone monitoring in a temperate forest - from hydrological investigations to ecohydrological perspectives

The Weierbach experimental catchment (0.45 km²) is the most instrumented and studied sub-catchment in the Alzette River basin in Luxembourg. Within the last decade, it has matured towards an interdisciplinary critical zone observatory focusing on a better understanding of hydrological and hydro-geochemical processes. The Weierbach catchment is embedded in an elevated sub-horizontal plateau, characterized by slate bedrock and representative of the Ardennes Massif. Its climate is semi-marine, with precipitation being rather evenly distributed throughout the year. Base flow is lowest from July to September, essentially due to higher losses through evapotranspiration in summer. The regolith is composed of Devonian slates, overlaid by Pleistocene slope deposits and entirely covered by forest with 70% deciduous and 30% coniferous trees. Since 2009, the Weierbach has been extensively equipped for continuously monitoring water fluxes and physico-chemical parameters within different compartments of the critical zone. Additionally, these compartments are sampled fortnightly at several locations to analyze δ¹⁸O and δ²H isotopic composition of water including rainfall, throughfall, soil water, groundwater and streamwater. This ongoing monitoring and sampling programme is used for answering pressing questions related to fundamental catchment functions of water infiltration, storage, mixing and release in forest ecosystems. A recently started research line aims at investigating interactions between forest eco-hydrosystems with the atmosphere and understanding how catchments will respond to a non-stationary climate.     

Choosing a site for the capital of Europe

The European Union has achieved internal cohesion and international economic recognition, but economics alone has not yet led to a united Europe. Although this cohesiveness strongly influence regions and cities, and cities have started to refer to their European background, the member nations continue to hold regional and urban planning power. Forced to take unanimous decisions, the European Council of Ministers maintained the doctrine of a unique capital for 40 years, provoking numerous urban and architectural visions while simultaneously accepting the existence of three provisional headquarters, Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg. The host nations, Belgium, France and Luxembourg meanwhile oriented these cities to both European economic considerations and local needs.This article analyzes the logic that led to decentralization of the capital city functions, the reasons why cities were interested in hosting the European Communities, what individual cities and nations suggested and why the most obvious solutions were not adopted. The Maastricht Treaty, the ongoing strengthening of European and regional institutions, and the choice of the provisional headquarters as definite capitals in 1992 gives cause for hope that concepts based on European and regional necessities beyond the nation-state will now be elaborated. A European network of cities and regions including the three political capitals of Europe, as revealed by their infrastructures and buildings, seems to be the best expression of the meaning of European unity.