ESTIMATION OF SOIL MOISTURE WITH API ALGORITHMS AND MICROWAVE EMISSION1

Large area soil moisture estimations are required to describe input to cloud prediction models, rainfall distribution models, and global crop yield models. Satellite mounted microwave sensor systems that as yet can only detect moisture at the surface have been suggested as a means of acquiring large area estimates. Relations previously discovered between microwave emission at the 1.55 cm wavelength and surface moisture as represented by an antecedent precipitation index were used to provide a pseudo infiltration estimation. Infiltration estimates based on surface wetness on a daily basis were then used to calculate the soil moisture in the surface 0–23 cm of the soil by use of a modified antecedent precipitation index. Reasonably good results were obtained (R²= 0.7162) when predicted soil moisture for the surface 23 cm was compared to measured moisture. Where the technique was modified to use only an estimate of surface moisture each three days an R² value of 0.7116 resulted for the same data set. Correlations between predicted and actual soil moisture fall off rapidly for repeat observations more than three days apart. The algorithms developed in this study may be used over relatively flat agricultural lands to provide improved estimates of soil moisture to a depth greater than the depth of penetration for the sensor.     

SPATIAL VARIATION OF PRECIPITATION ON THE TEXAS HIGH PLAINS1

ABSTRACT: Space autocorrelation techniques have been used to reveal the nature and spatial distribution of precipitation in the Texas High Plains. Correlation in precipitation amounts varies with both distance and direction, dropping off rapidly with distance, particularly during the warm season. The analyses can be used to estimate storm characteristics in conjunction with a wide variety of problems dealing with irrigation, crop yields, drainage and water supply, and evaluation of artificial weather modification efforts.     

NITROGEN CONTENT AND ACIDITY OF RAIN ON THE GEORGIA COAST1

ABSTRACT: Since nitrogen is a nutrient frequently in short supply in coastal ecosystems, an estimate of the nitrogen input via rain was made for the Georgia coast. Water samples collected in 34 separate storms during a 12 month period were analysed for concentrations of ammonia, nitrate plus nitrite, and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON). The range and average concentration in micromoles of nitrogen per liter was 0.0 to 137 (6.3) for ammonia, 1.0 to 21 (7.9) for nitrate plus nitrite, and 0.0 to 13.6 (4.0) for DON. DON, not usually measured in rain, comprised up to 62% of the total nitrogen content. The annual amount of nitrogen contributed by rain to the coast was about 0.3 g N/m². This value is a small fraction of the calculated nitrogen requirements of coastal plants. More than half the rain samples had pH values less than the CO₂ equilibrium pH of 5.6. Values as low as 4.2 were in the range of pH values reported for acid rain in Europe and the northeastern U.S. Total titratable acidity was measured for 12 summer rainwater samples. The results fox 7 individual storms showed a highly linear relation between hydrogen ion concentration and total acidity. However, the elope of the regression line indicated that increases in acidity were not a result of addition of strong acid alone.     

A HYDROMETEOROLOGICAL RESEARCH PROGRAM1

ABSTRACT: An extensive research program in hydrometeorology was recently initiated in the Chicago region. Major objectives are to 1) develop a real-time, prediction-monitoring system for storm rainfall using a combination of weather radar and telemetered raingage data, 2) determine precipitation measurement requirements for hydrologic design, operation, and modeling purposes, 3) define the time-space characteristics of heavy rainstorms in the Chicago urban area, and 4) establish methods for applying the Chicago findings in other cities. Basic components of the field measurement program are a network of over 300 recording raingages in 4000 mi² in and around Chicago, plus two sophisticated weather radar systems for obtaining real-time information on storm parameters pertinent to optimizing operation of urban water resources systems. The raingage networks are to be used to compile information relevant to both design and operational aspects of urban hydrology. Radars are to be used primarily in developing the real-time operational techniques. Testing and evaluation of the real-time operational system will be done in cooperation with the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Chicago, operator of one of the most complex urban water control systems among major metropolitan areas.     

FOG DRIP IN THE BULL RUN MUNICIPAL WATERSHED,OREGON1

ABSTRACT: Net precipitation under old growth Douglas fir forest in the Bull Run Municipal Watershed (Portland, Oregon) totaled 1739 mm during a 4Cbweek period, 387 mm more than in adjacent clearcut areas. Expressing data on a full water year basis and adjusting gross precipitation for losses due to rainfall interception suggest fog drip could have added 882 mm (35 in) of water to total precipitation during a year when precipitation measured 2160 mm in a rain gage in a nearby clearing. Standard rain gages installed in open areas where fog is common may be collecting up to 30 percent less precipitation than would be collected in the forest. Long term forest management (Le., timber harvest) in the watershed could reduce annual water yield and, more importantly, summer stream flow by reducing fog drip.     

High acidity tolerance in lichens with fumarprotocetraric, perlatolic or thamnolic acids is correlated with low pKa1 values of these lichen substances

The depsidone fumarprotocetraric acid as well as the depsides perlatolic and thamnolic acids are lichen secondary metabolites. Their first dissociation constants (pK_a1) in methanol were determined to be 2.7 for perlatolic acid and 2.8 for fumarprotocetraric and thamnolic acids by UV spectroscopy. Lower pK_a1 values are, so far, not known from lichen substances. Several lichens producing at least one of these compounds are known for their outstanding tolerance to acidic air pollution. This is demonstrated by evaluating published pH preferences for central European lichens. The low pK_a1 values suggest that strong dissociation of the studied lichen substances is a prerequisite for the occurrence of lichens with these compounds on very acidic substrata, as protonated lichen substances of different chemical groups, but not their conjugated bases, are known to shuttle protons into the cytoplasm and thereby apparently damage lichens.     

化学沉淀组合电催化氧化处理脱硫废液技术研究

真空碳酸钾脱硫工艺碱洗段废液因含有高浓度硫化物、COD等有毒成分而影响焦化废水后续生物处理。以焦化企业实际碱洗段废液为研究对象,选用化学沉淀和电催化氧化的组合方式对其进行预处理。结果表明,室温下当氧化铜的投加量为65 g/L、反应时间60 min时废液中S2-去除率可达93%,且经过高温灼烧可实现Cu O沉淀剂的再生使用。沉淀后出水经电催化氧化处理,在电流10 A、电压4.9 V、电解时间120 min的条件下,出水COD可降至2 400 mg/L,满足常规生化系统进水的要求。     

基于模糊信息概率区间数的突发地质灾害降水因子评价研究

根据2010、2012两年云南省的820个地质灾害监测记录,基于模糊信息概率区间数的大小来开展降水量因子的评价研究。结果表明:突发地质灾害发生前10 d的单日降水量与灾害的关系很小,基本不能用于预警模型的建立和风险评价分析;累积降水量与突发地质灾害关系明显,特别是5~10 d的累积降水量预测概括率已达60%以上,可以用于突发地质灾害预警模型的建立和实际的监测预警;加衰减系数的有效累积降水量因子对突发地质灾害预测效果并无提升,与普通累积降水量因子相比并无优势。     

上海市降水过程中汞的浓度变化研究

为了研究降水过程中汞浓度变化规律,采集了上海市区2009年7月6日一次连续降水过程中的分时段12个雨水样品,利用冷原子荧光测汞仪测定了总汞、溶解态汞和颗粒态汞浓度.分析结果显示,降水过程各时段雨水样品的总汞浓度变化范围为0.26～0.53 μg·L-1之间,其中溶解态汞占总汞的比例为67.9％～96.8％;总汞浓度和颗粒态汞浓度的总体变化规律较一致,降水事件的前30分钟内浓度较高,之后逐渐降低,最终趋于稳定;溶解态汞浓度从降水事件开始由高到低逐渐变化,最终也趋于稳定.通过清除比计算云下冲刷过程对雨水中总汞浓度的贡献,发现云下冲刷的贡献大于40.9％.     

基于SPEI的云南中部区域干旱时空变化特征分析

利用云南中部地区1961~2010年逐月降水和气温资料,采用降水距平百分率和历史旱情资料验证了标准化降水蒸散指数(Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index,SPEI)在该地区的适用性,并采用Mann-kendall突变检验、Morlet小波和经验正交函数(Empirical Orthogonal Function,EOF)等方法,分析了该地区干旱的时空演变特征,结果表明:(1)SPEI与降水距平百分率在时空上具有很好的相关性,验证了SPEI对降水变化的敏感性;(2)SPEI指数与历史旱情资料比较吻合,能够有效地反映云南中部区域的干旱特征;(3)年均SPEI呈波动下降趋势,干季SPEI降低趋势明显。年均SPEI存在着24a的主周期和9a的次周期,并于1977年发生了突变,此后开始降低,在整体上呈现出干旱化的趋势;(4)从SPEI的空间分布特征来看,其在整体上受大尺度气候系统的影响表现出一致的下降趋势,而在区域内部则表现出东南-西北(干热河谷)的反向结构差异。