A process-based model designed for filling of large data gaps in tower-based measurements of net ecosystem productivity

In this paper we present a simple hybrid gap-filling model (GFM) designed with a minimum number of parameters necessary to capture the ecological processes important for filling medium-to-large gaps in Flux data. As the model is process-based, the model has potential to be used in filling large gaps exhibiting a broad range of micro-meteorological and site conditions. The GFM performance was evaluated using “Punch hole” and extrapolation experiments based on data collected in west-central New Brunswick. These experiments indicated that the GFM is able to provide acceptable results (r² > 0.80) when >500 data points are used in model parameterization. The GFM was shown to address daytime evolution of NEP reasonably well for a wide range of weather and site conditions. An analysis of residuals indicated that for the most part no obvious trends were evident; although a slight bias was detected in NEP with soil temperature. To explore the portability of the GFM across ecosystem types, a transcontinental validation was conducted using NEP and ancillary data from seven ecosystems along a north-south transect (i.e., temperature–moisture gradient) from northern Europe (Finland) to the Middle East (Israel). The GFM was shown to explain over 75% of the variability in NEP measured at most ecosystems, which strongly suggests that the GFM maybe successfully applied to forest ecosystems outside Canada.     

The Sensitivity of Northern Groundwater Recharge to Climate Change: A Case Study in Northwest Alaska1

Clilverd, Hannah M., Daniel M. White, Amy C. Tidwell, and Michael A. Rawlins, 2011. The Sensitivity of Northern Groundwater Recharge to Climate Change: A Case Study in Northwest Alaska. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(6):1228–1240. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2011.00569.x Abstract: The potential impacts of climate change on northern groundwater supplies were examined at a fractured‐marble mountain aquifer near Nome, Alaska. Well water surface elevations (WSE) were monitored from 2004‐2009 and analyzed with local meteorological data. Future aquifer response was simulated with the Pan‐Arctic Water Balance Model (PWBM) using forcings (air temperature and precipitation) derived from fifth‐generation European Centre Hamburg Model (ECHAM5) global circulation model climate scenarios for extreme and modest increases in greenhouse gases. We observed changes in WSE due to the onset of spring snowmelt, low intensity and high intensity rainfall events, and aquifer head recession during the winter freeze period. Observed WSE and snow depth compared well with PWBM‐simulated groundwater recharge and snow storage. Using ECHAM5‐simulated increases in mean annual temperature of 4‐8°C by 2099, the PWBM predicted that by 2099 later freeze‐up and earlier snowmelt will decrease seasonal snow cover by one to two months. Annual evapotranspiration and precipitation are predicted to increase 27‐40% (55‐81 mm) and 33‐42% (81‐102 mm), respectively, with the proportion of snowfall in annual precipitation decreasing on average 9‐25% (p < 0.05). The amount of snowmelt is not predicted to change significantly by 2099; however, a decreasing trend is evident from 2060 in the extreme ECHAM5 greenhouse gas scenario. Increases in effective precipitation were predicted to be great enough to sustain sufficient groundwater recharge.     

莱州湾滨海平原咸水入侵分析与趋势预测——以山东省广饶县为例

文章以鲁北平原山东省广饶县为例,阐述了咸、淡水形成的地质背景、咸淡水变化带形成与演化;分析了大规模开发利用地下水引起的咸水入侵的历史与现状;采用非确定性模型方法对咸水入侵趋势进行了预测,提出了缓解咸水入侵的对策与建议。取得的主要认识和结论为:(1)鲁北平原自山前冲洪积扇向莱州湾滨海平原,地下水水质具有水平和垂直分带特征;(2)20世纪70年代中期大量开采南部地下淡水后,地下淡水水位持续下降,破坏了咸淡水之间的水动力平衡,北部咸水向南入侵,引起淡水咸水、机井报废等一系列环境地质问题;(3)预测结果表明,在不采取调控措施情况下,咸淡水界面以每年平均240m速度向南部推进;(4)人工回灌、营造淡水帷幕并减少淡水区开采量是防止咸水入侵的有效途径。     

大庆湖泊湿地水体的补给和水体污染防治

大庆湖泊湿地生态环境十分脆弱性,保证湖泊湿地水体的水量和质量是维系湿地生态系统健康的必要因素,也是大庆湖泊湿地建设和利用关键问题。采用引嫩补水、城区经过处理的生活污水补给和雨水的收集,保证湿地有足够的水量。截断直接排放污水的污染源,实施湖泊湿地水体的连通工程,建成自然或人工湿地污水处理系统,净化湿地水体。在局部形成水的循环系统,从而达到水体污染防治的目的。     

Agronomic Water Mass Balance vs. Well Measurement for Assessing Ogallala Aquifer Depletion in the Texas Panhandle

The Ogallala Aquifer is depleting faster than it is being replenished. Interpretation of well data suggests that the water table in some counties is not declining, or not as much as might be expected in view of the amount of land being irrigated. As the Ogallala Aquifer in the Texas Panhandle receives almost no recharge, a possible explanation is that the current method of using well data for estimating the quantity of water remaining in the aquifer is underestimating water in storage. This study used an agronomic water mass balance approach to estimate how much water has been used for irrigation compared to amounts estimated by well data. The major finding was in counties where irrigation well capacities have declined significantly but irrigation is continuing, there is likely more water in storage than presently estimated, but the amounts of water being used for irrigation in those counties are greater than estimated changes of water in storage. The proposed hypothesis for this difference is there are mounds of water between wells that are not being accounted for and data are presented and discussed to support this conjecture.     

Predicting national sustainability: The convergence of energetic,economic and environmental realities

The “constraint space” dictated by energetic, economic and environmental realities on scenarios for future organization of humanity and nature is explored from the perspective of the energy and resources driving economies. Net energy of energy sources is presented as an index (Emergy Yield Ratio; EYR) that must be evaluated for energy sources to better understand their potential contributions to society, but more important, as an indicator of the changes needed in the future if lower net yielding sources are to be relied upon. An aggregate EYR was calculated for the USA economy and shown to have decreased by 38% since 1950, from 11/1 to 6.8/1. Several measures of efficiency at the scale of national economies are explored and the data suggest that the most efficient economies are also the most energetically intense (as measured by empower intensity). An index of environmental loading is suggested as a measure to evaluate environmental efficacy. An obvious outcome is that the smallest most energetically intense countries have the highest environmental loads, and those with large land area and/or continental shelves have the lowest ratios. An Emergy Sustainability Index (EmSI) is defined, computed for countries, and proposed as a multi-dimensional measure of long-term sustainability. The most sustainable economies are those with the highest EYR and lowest environmental loads.     

Do bumble bee queens choose nest sites to maximize foraging rate? Testing models of nest site selection

We proposed “foundress-max” hypothesis that a bumble bee foundress chooses her nest site to maximize her energy intake rate from nectar. To examine the hypothesis, we estimated the maximum energy intake rate at each site in the study area and compared the distribution of the maximum energy intake rates with those of actual nest sites. We also calculated rank correlations of the maximum energy intake rate with the number of nest-searching foundresses at 54 sites. The nest locations supported the foundress-max hypothesis, but the number of nest-searching foundresses did not. This could be attributed to the density of food sites: many food sites may attract many foundresses. Therefore, we subsequently proposed “foundress-sum” hypothesis that a foundress chooses her nest site to maximize the sum of energy intake rates. The nest locations supported the foundress-max hypothesis more than the foundress-sum hypothesis. A profitable food site would affect foundresses’ nest site selection.     

再生水回灌地下水环境安全风险评价技术方法研究

再生水回灌是水资源管理的一条有效途径,也是污水再生利用的重要发展方向。然而,当再生水以农灌、土壤含水层处理（SAT）、河湖入渗和井灌等方式进行地下水回灌时,不可避免的会在回补地下水的过程中造成对地下水环境的污染风险。针对不同回灌方式建立适用于我国的再生水回灌地下水环境安全风险评价技术体系至关重要。借鉴国内外地下水污染风险评价方法,综合分析再生水回灌对地下水产生风险的关键环节,采用层析分析法,从回灌水特征污染物特性、回灌区地下水固有脆弱性以及回灌工程布设方式3个方面,针对地表灌溉、河湖入渗和井灌3种回灌方式,建立了包含污染物浓度水平、分配系数、溶解度、半衰期、半致死剂量、地下水埋深、降雨入渗补给量、地形坡度、土壤介质、包气带介质、含水层介质、含水层厚度、回灌强度、回灌周期、回灌水停留时间以及取水点与回灌点水平距离16个指标在内的风险评价指标体系。在此基础上,结合地下水使用功能,以20个典型再生水回灌场地调研结果和160种再生水回灌地下水污染风险因子物化特性为数据基础,对各指标进行了风险水平的划分,基于聚类分析法,采用各指标风险指数相乘的风险表征方法计算总风险指数,构建了再生水回灌地下水环境安全风险评价技术方法。该方法有效的避免了指标权重计算的主观性,并且能够直观的找出导致风险的主要因素。结果表明：利用建立的风险评价技术方法可将我国再生水回灌地下水环境安全风险划分为3级,风险值〈5为一级,风险值在5-15之间为二级,风险值〉15为三级。在某再生水回灌场地的应用表明,该回灌区地下水环境安全风险为二级,同时得出回灌水特征污染物特性指标是造成该回灌区地下水环境风险的主要因素。