Beaver dam analogues drive heterogeneous groundwater–surface water interactions

Beaver dam analogues (BDAs) are a cost-effective stream restoration approach that leverages the recognized environmental benefits of natural beaver dams on channel stability and local hydrology. Although natural beaver dams are known to exert considerable influence on the hydrologic conditions of a stream system by mediating geomorphic processes, nutrient cycling, and groundwater–surface water interactions, the impacts of beaver-derived restoration methods on groundwater–surface water exchange are poorly characterized. To address this deficit, we monitored hyporheic exchange fluxes and streambed porewater biogeochemistry across a sequence of BDAs installed along a central Wyoming stream during the summer of 2019. Streambed fluxes were quantified by heat tracing methods and vertical hydraulic gradients. Biogeochemical activity was evaluated using major ion porewater chemistry and principal component analysis. Vertical fluxes of approximately 1.0 m/day were observed around the BDAs, as was the development of spatially heterogeneous zones of nitrate production, groundwater upwelling, and anaerobic reduction. Strong contrasts in hyporheic zone processes were observed across BDAs of differing sizes. This suggests that structures may function with size-dependent behaviour, only altering groundwater–surface water interactions after a threshold hydraulic step height is exceeded. Patterns of hyporheic exchange and biogeochemical cycling around the studied BDAs resemble those around natural beaver dams, suggesting that BDAs may provide comparable benefits to channel complexity and near-stream function over a 1-year period.     

Vulnerability and fate of a coastal sand dune complex,Rosetta-Idku,northwestern Nile Delta,Egypt

Types, distribution, and origin of recent sand dunes between Rosetta and Idku, in the western sector of the Nile Delta, Egypt were investigated. Sand samples from the dunes, beach, and seafloor were studied for grain size distribution and mineralogical composition. It has been found that most of the dunes in the study area have been subjected to deterioration and removal due to the construction of buildings and the International Coastal Highway. The remnant constitutes a damaged belt of foredunes that extends from El Bouseily village to the west of Idku town. The dune’s origin is interpreted to be the result of coastal drifting and the subsequent transport of sediments of the former Canopic Nile branch eastward by the predominant longshore current and by aeolian processes. The blown sand grains accumulated to form a belt of coastal sand dunes of original longitudinal and crescentic forms. Urbanization of the coast has severely altered the landscape. The study area is considered vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and the expected rise in sea level. The outcome of potential sea level rise is serious; erosion problems are expected to be exacerbated and vast areas from land and property would be lost. Thus, protection and preservation the remaining dunes in the study area are vital requirements for shore protection.     

The effects of gas flaring on crops in the Niger Delta,Nigeria

Flaring of associated gas from oil exploitation has several consequences on the environment. This study explores the spatial variability effects of gas flaring on the growth and development of cassava (Manihot esculenta), waterleaf (Talinum triangulare), and pepper (Piper spp.) crops commonly cultivated in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Data was collected on soil and atmospheric temperature and moisture at a 20-m interval, starting at 40 m from the flare point to a distance of 140 m. Lengths and widths of crop leaves, height of crop plants and cassava yields were measured at the specified distances. The amino acid, ascorbic acid, starch, and sugar constituents of the cassava yields were determined. The results suggest that a spatial gradient exists in the effects of gas flares on crop development. Retardation in crop development manifests in decreased dimensions of leaf lengths and widths of cassava and pepper crops closer to the gas flare point. Statistical analysis also confirms that cassava yields are higher at locations further away from the flare point. In addition, the amount of starch and ascorbic acid in cassava decreased when the plant is grown closer to the gas flare. High temperatures around the gas flare appear to be the most likely cause of this retardation. The waterleaf crop, on the other hand, appears to thrive better around the gas flare point.     

Peace Parks and jaguar trails: transboundary conservation in a globalizing world

An increasingly utilized strategy for expanding conservation in the developing world has been the promotion of protected areas that supersede national borders. Alternatively known as transfrontier biosphere reserves, transfrontier or transboundary conservation areas, or Peace Parks, these protected areas are aggressively advanced by conservation agencies for their purported ecological and economic benefits. This article provides a comparative assessment of two case studies to understand the various impacts of transboundary conservation. The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which unites protected areas in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, is contrasted with efforts to protect jaguars along the United States–Mexico border. We argue that while these cases are promising for the purposes of biodiversity protection, they demonstrate that transboundary conservation can minimize political context, contributes to the hegemony of international conservation agendas, and remains closely linked to economic neoliberalism and decentralization in the developing world.

粤东南澳-澄海海域晚第四纪沉积特征和沉积环境演变

通过对粤东南澳—澄海海域上第四系地层的沉积特征和年代学研究,结合陆区前人的资料,分析该区晚更新世以来的沉积环境演变特征。通过对钻孔资料的分析,将该区上第四系划分为3个沉积旋回,每个沉积旋回均具有由粗变细的沉积韵律,一般由砾砂或中粗砂开始,以淤泥或黏土结束。通过对该区不同层位14C年代测定和分析,认为该区第四系沉积开始于晚更新世中期,与韩江三角洲平原区开始接受沉积的时代一致,这表明二者是作为一个整体同时开始接受沉积的。该区前两个沉积旋回形成于晚更新世,第三旋回形成于全新世。全新世后海平面波动对该区的影响并未像对内侧平原那么明显,说明该区进入全新世后沉积环境趋于稳定,相对变化较小。     

珠江三角洲晚第四纪沉积物的有机地球化学特征

本文根据有机地球化学资料,首次研究和探讨了珠江三角洲晚第四纪沉积物中有机质丰度和可溶有机质的组成特征。现代沉积物有机质丰度,有机碳为0.58％,氯仿沥青“A”为210ppm,烃含量为33.8ppm;钻孔中有机碳为0.77％,氯仿沥青“A”为253ppm,烃含量为16.4ppm。从有机质组成、红外吸收光谱特征、δ~(13)C、干酪根H/C原子比,均表现为陆生植物为主,水生生物为铺,为腐殖型或腐泥—腐殖型的母质类型。     

长江三角洲晚更新世末期古土壤与古环境

长江三角洲地区第一暗绿色硬粘土层是上海地区主要建筑持力层之一，也是划分全新统与更新统的标志层，前人已做过大量研究，但尚缺乏古土壤方面的系统研究工作。本文首次从古土壤学的角度系统研究了该层的古土壤特征，通过粒度分析发现有粘粒的生成，微形态研究发现有粘粒及铁锰、碳酸盐等化学组分的迁移与淀积，化学全量分析得出该层的硅铝率为２．８０～３．３７，说明该层已发生较强的成土作用，可以确认该层为古土壤层，并进一步把该层划分为４个Ｂ层、３个Ａ层，亦即该层为复合古土壤层。根据该层的成土特征，将其命名为古潮土     

黄河三角洲沿岸及邻近海区细粒沉积物中的碳酸盐

本文用X-射线衍射法直接计算了来自黄河三角洲沿岸及邻近海区80个沉积样的细粒组分(<2μm)中的碳酸盐含量。计算结果与全样的容量法分析结果基本一致。研究结果表明,本区细粒沉积物中碳酸盐含量变化受沉积物来源、海区水动力作用、海底地貌特征和碳酸盐的地球化学行为等因素所影响。     

Formation of Equilibrium Beach Profile of the Abandoned Yellow River Delta Coast in North Jiangsu

The abandoned Yellow River Delta coast is a typical erodible silty and muddy coast in China. The paper analyses the marine dynamic characteristics and the mechanism of beach erosion of this area. Analysis and calculation show that in this sea area wave and tidal current action should be considered. Based on the above analysis, an equilibrium beach profile calculation model is developed, in which the wave-current interaction is considered while sediment supply and sediment re-deposition are neglected. The model consists of four parts: (1) calculation of wave parameters, (2) calculation of velocity due to wave-current interaction at different water depth, (3) calculation of friction velocity and shear stress at different water depths, and (4) calculation of the amount of sediment erosion, erosion intensity and variation of beach profile. Calculated results are in good agreement with observed data. Finally, the evolution tendency is discussed and the equilibrium beach profile of this coast is calculated. B     

黄河三角洲地貌环境体系

黄河三角洲是由三角洲上部冲积平原一下部冲积海积平原（超潮滩）─周边潮滩三个区带的地貌系列构成．它们之间形成三条地貌环境岸线，是一个复杂而统一的陆上─潮滩堆积地貌体系．该体系研究对三角洲发育．环境及其开发利用有一定理论和实践意义．