Simple method for measuring the relative scouring of intertidal areas

A method of measuring the relative scouring (wave action plus type and concentration of suspended solids) of intertidal areas, based on the weight loss of cement blocks anchored to the substrate but able to move in a hemisphere and undergo abrasion, was developed and tested at a number of sites on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia over a period of 8 months (September to May). The results suggest that it may be a useful and simple method which takes into account both the intensity and duration aspects of exposure, particularly in widely spaced, relatively inaccessible areas.     

Numerical simulation and optimization study of the wind flow through a porous fence

Three turbulence closure models (RNG k-ε, SST k-ω and RSM) were used to investigate the flow characteristics around a two-dimensional isolated porous fence. The comparison between the numerical results and the experimental measurements indicated that RSM model shows a better performance than the other two models. The aim of this paper is to accurately and efficiently determine the optimum porosity that attain the best shelter effect of the wind fence in the near wake region (0–4h_b) and in the far wake region (4h_b–10h_b) respectively, where h_b is the height of the fence. The gradient algorithm was adopted as the optimization algorithm and the RSM model was used to model turbulent features of the flow. The shelter effect was parameterized by the peak velocity ratio involving velocity and turbulence. The objective was to reduce the peak velocity ratio in the near or far wake region by changing the design variable porosity (?) of the fence, which ranged between 2 and 60%. The results revealed that a porosity of 10.2% was found as the optimum value giving rise to the best shelter effect in the near wake region, and ? = 22.1% was determined in the case of the far wake region. In addition, based on the proposed optimization method, it is found that the recirculating bubble behind the fence can only be detected when ? < 29.9%.     

Flow structure and turbulence characteristics downstream of a spanwise suspended linear array

Laboratory experiments are conducted to quantify the mean flow structure and turbulence properties downstream of a spanwise suspended linear array in a uniform ambient water flow using Particle Tracking Velocimetry. Eighteen experimental scenarios, with four depth ratios (array depth to water column depth) of 0.35, 0.52, 0.78, and 0.95 and bulk Reynolds number (length scale is the array depth) from 11,600 to 68,170, are investigated. Three sub-layers form downstream of the array: (1) an internal wake zone, where the time-averaged velocity decreases with increasing distance downstream, (2) a shear layer which increases in vertical extent with increasing distance downstream of the array, and the rate of the increase is independent of the bulk Reynolds number or the depth ratio, and (3) an external wake layer with enhanced velocity under the array. The location of the shear layer is dependent on the depth ratio. The spatially averaged and normalized TKE of the wake has a short production region, followed by a decay region which is comparable to grid turbulence decay and is dependent on the depth ratio. The results suggest that the shear layer increases the transfer of horizontal momentum into the internal wake zone from the fluid outside of the array and that the turbulence in the internal wake zone can be modeled similarly to that of grid turbulence.     

Numerical simulation and optimization study of surface pressure and flow field around a triangular prism behind a porous fence

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - The flow structure around upright porous fences and a triangular prism was numerically investigated by using the RNG k-ε turbulence model. The numerical method...     

Numerical study of coastal sandbar migration, by hydro-morphodynamical coupling

We present a numerical model based on the hydro-morphodynamical coupling to study coastal sandbar migration. In order to improve both nonlinear and dispersive wave processes in relatively shallow water, we developed a finite element model based on the Legendre polynomials and on the Extended Boussinesq model. This model reproduces the propagation of wave trains with a high degree of accuracy on a greater range of depths than the standard Boussinesq models. We also implemented the Total Variation Diminishing schemes to improve the quality of the computed hydrodynamic fields, especially in areas where sharp flow gradients occurred. The coupled morpho-hydrodynamical model is then used to simulate the migration of real sandbars observed at Rousty beach (Mediterranean French coast). For verification the model results are compared with field measurements obtained from a small-scale field campaign carried out over two years at Rousty beach, and the results of this comparison are thoroughly discussed and analyzed.     

Eulerian and lagrangian transport time scales of a tidal active coastal basin

In this work the flushing features of a tidal active coastal basin, the Venice lagoon, have been investigated. The water transport time scale (TTS) has been computed by means of both an eulerian and a lagrangian approach. The obtained results have been compared in order to identify the main differences between the two methods.     

Hydrodynamics of a periodically wind-forced small and narrow stratified basin: a large-eddy simulation experiment

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - We report novel results of a numerical experiment designed for examining the basin-scale hydrodynamics that control the mass, momentum, and energy distribution in a...     

Problems of Syrdarya river basin management

Prior to independence, Central Asian countries were closely interconnected through the regional management incorporating water, energy, and food sectors. This approach, supported by the central government of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), functioned effectively — meeting the needs of both upstream and downstream countries. However, after independence, Central Asian countries started prioritizing their own economic development policies without due account to regional concerns such as joint use of water resources, leading to instability. In this study, the case of Syrdarya basin was investigated to show how such strategies create tension in the region, since primary focus is given to national interests, without consideration for regional problems. To address this issue, an integrated approach to incorporating water, energy, and agriculture is needed. It is suggested that a single sector approach on water alone does not lead to stability, and a multi-sectoral approach is necessary to ensure sustainable development. Countries sharing benefits from the river have to be responsible for costs of operation and maintenance of the water facilities.     

Hydroclimatic variability drives episodic expansion of a floating peat mat in a North American kettlehole basin

The coming century is predicted to feature enhanced climatic variability, including increased frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme climatic events. Ecologists are faced with the critical challenge of anticipating potentially nonlinear ecosystem responses to these changes. High-resolution paleoecological data sets that capture past ecosystem responses to climate variability provide valuable long-term perspectives on the sensitivity of ecosystems to climate-forced state shifts. We used a suite of paleoecological analyses at Titus Bog in northwestern Pennsylvania, USA, to test the hypothesis that the development and expansion of floating peatlands in kettlehole basins represents a threshold response to hydroclimate variability. In contrast with expectations of gradual autogenic peat mat expansion, our results indicate that peat mat expansion at Titus Bog was highly episodic and occurred in three distinct pulses centered on 800, 650, and 400 cal yr BP. Each of these expansion events coincided with or immediately followed decadal-to-mutlidecadal droughts recorded in regional paleoclimate reconstructions. These patterns indicate that peatland development in kettlehole basins can follow nonlinear trajectories, with episodes of rapid advancement triggered by climatic forcing. Future climate changes may increase the likelihood of peatland expansion in kettlehole basins, potentially leading to abrupt changes in adjacent lake ecosystems.     

Tracing groundwater circulation in a valuable mineral water basin with geochemical and isotopic tools: the case of FERRARELLE,Riardo basin,Southern Italy

Environmental Geochemistry and Health - The Riardo basin hosts groundwater exploited for the production of high quality, naturally sparkling, bottled water (e.g., Ferrarelle water), and circulating...     

Self-preserving characteristics in wall-wake flow downstream of an isolated bedform

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - The results of an experimental study on the turbulence characteristics in flow over and downstream of an isolated bedform are presented. The vertical profiles of...     

近53年黄河流域降水时空分布特征

利用黄河流域76个气象台站近53 a（1960-2012）的逐日降水资料,采用国际上通用的极端降水事件指数,应用一元线性回归法、移动平均法和径向基函数空间插值法,研究了黄河流域极端降水指数时空变化特征。结果表明：（1）时间上,黄河流域年平均降水量在过去53 a下降趋势较为显著,降水倾向率为-7.2 mm/10a;极端降水量变化趋势表现较为稳定,极端降水倾向率为-0.64 mm/10a,呈不断降低趋势;极端降水强度倾向率为-0.078 mm/10a,呈不断下降趋势;极端降水比率总体表现为微弱增长趋势,倾向率为0.49 mm/10a。（2）空间上,降水量空间分布具有明显的差异性,由北至南呈阶梯式逐渐增多趋势,其中降水量最少的地区是以银川为代表的周边区域,最多的地区为黄河流域南部区域;极端降水量从北至南也具有逐渐增多态势,与降水量具有相似的空间分布特点,且极端降水量越多的地区降水总量也相对较多;极端降水强度表现出由流域西部向东部逐渐增多的趋势,西部最低值为不到20 mm/d,逐渐向东过渡到最大值为76 mm/d;极端降水比率的分布呈由北向南逐渐递减的特点,并且出现了以银川为中心的极大值和以西安为中心的极小值分布格局。     

水库流域生态补偿标准测算体系研究——以大伙房水库流域为例

生态补偿标准的测算是建立生态补偿机制的核心问题,也是难点所在。研究在对现有生态补偿标准计算方法进行总结分析的基础上,分别从供给方和需求方的角度探索建立了水库流域生态补偿标准测算体系。该体系对基于水库上游水源涵养区生态系统服务功能、生态保护建设总成本和基于下游用水城市意愿支付价格的补偿标准进行了比较分析,最终选择一个既能使水消费者承受得起,又能使生态保护者体会到有所回报的补偿金数额作为上下游协商确定补偿标准的依据。此体系较为全面地对补偿标准进行了测算,使得补偿标准更为公平、合理,进一步完善了水库流域生态补偿标准测算方法。并以大伙房水库流域为例,对其补偿标准进行测算,得出基于研究区生态系统服务功能的补偿标准为64661.3万元,基于研究区生态保护建设总成本的补偿标准为9221.4万元,基于下游用水城市意愿支付价格的补偿标准分别为8637.6万元、12956.4万元,最终认为10000万元是令补偿双方都比较容易接受的一个价格,可作为确定补偿标准的依据。     

Variability and its effect on the 24h chlorophyll budget of a small marine basin

In an intensive study (lasting 25 h) of the production, export and grazing of phytoplankton in a small marine basin, it was found that 58% of the production (11% of the total standing stock) was lost by exchange with the sea and 34% was consumed by grazing of zooplankton. The measured production of phytoplankton could be balanced, to within a few percent, against grazing, export, and a small, measured, net change in the total standing stock of the basin. Large variations were observed in concentrations of chlorophyll and zooplankton at the mouth of the basin over the 25 h period. These variations were associated with changes in the height of the tide, but were about 2^1/2 h out of phase with it. Strong negative correlations were observed between chlorophyll and transport, such that only 35% of the chlorophyll exported was exchanged via the mean flow, while 65% was exchanged via the fluctuations. The correlation was even more striking with zooplankton, for which virtually all the export was associated with the fluctuations in the transport. Time series observations in the centre of the basin revealed considerable short-term variability in both chlorophyll and zooplankton, but the variations were smaller than those observed at the mouth of the basin, and the phase lag with the tide was longer. The variability studies enable suggestions to be made about more economical design of sampling programs, but illustrate the difficulty of providing verification data for any continuous model of primary production in such a basin.Bedford Institute Contribution No. 231.Canadian Contribution to IBP No. 97.     

长江流域太湖区降雨侵蚀力及其应用的研究

本研究利用太湖区代表站３０年和４３个一般站２５年的降雨资料，改进和完善了降雨侵蚀力新算法，使之与经典法达到９０％的一致性，查清了该区降雨侵蚀力时空变化持证，并编制出全区阵雨侵蚀力（Ｒ）值分布图。同时，还时Ｒ值在水土保持、耕作制度变革和防洪减灾中的应用，尤其对１９９１年特大洪涝灾害的根本原因，作了讨论。太湖区Ｒ值较大，不可忽视水土保持，做好山区、坡耕地的水土保持，是防洪减灾最长久有效的根本措施。     

Numerical study of aerosols motion and deposition outside and inside buildings with different geometries

In this study, motion and deposition of various sizes of aerosols in turbulent flow of air inside and outside of two-dimensional buildings with closed and open windows have been investigated, numerically. This simulation was based on FVM solving of RANS equations with k–ε model. Eulerian–Lagrangian method was used to simulate fluid and particles motions, respectively, and one-way coupling between them was considered. Effect of particles size on deposition efficiency has been calculated. The results shown that, the particles deposition outside and inside of the building with domical roof is less than triangular and flat roof buildings.     

Numerical study of flow characteristics and pollutant dispersion using three RANS turbulence closure models

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - The flow characteristics and pollutant dispersion around building are investigated numerically using three RANS turbulence closure models, i.e. Standard...     

Numerical behavior of a zooplankton,phytoplankton and phosphorus system

Several numerical features of a three-dimensional dynamical system which models the three species system made up of phytoplankton, zooplankton and organic phosphorus nutrient in a lake environment are presented. Certain properties of this system, such as the existence of limit cycles, are demonstrated numerically. It is shown that in certain time domains the system may be stiff, thus requiring the use of suitable algorithms.     

流域生态补偿理论探讨

流域生态补偿是协调流域生态环境保护和经济发展之间矛盾,调整流域内区域间损益关系的有效手段。文章从流域内人类活动产生的损益人手,论述了流域生态补偿的概念、理论基础和运行机铷,并利用经济学原理,对生态补偿的必要性和补偿标准进行了理论解析,给出了流域生态补偿必要性的理论依据和需要补偿量的理论值。在此基础上,根据流域人类活动的正负外部性等原则,对流域生态补偿进行了分类。依据流域生态补偿分类,梳理出了我国流域生态补偿重点区域。通过对流域生态补偿理论探讨,以期作为进一步研究和应用实践的参考和启示。