Thank You to Our 2021 Reviewers, and a New Co-Reviewing Protocol

The Editors of the Journal of Geophysical Research—Earth Surface express their appreciation to those who served as peer reviewers for the journal in 2021, and explain the newly formalized opportunity for early-career scientists to co-review manuscripts

Strategic Plan for the Journal of Geophysical Research—Earth Surface

The Editors of the Journal of Geophysical Research—Earth Surface present a new strategic plan for the journal. The journal will contribute to the objectives of AGU to embrace advancing Earth and space science for the benefit of human societies and the environment, while continuing to value fundamental science deeply. Many scientific topics covered by JGR Earth Surface are closely connected to urgent, complex problems affecting humanity and the global environment today, including climate change and a variety of natural hazards; this strategic plan is intended to ensure that published science is robust, impactful, and ultimately used to help address those problems. The plan prioritizes (1) publishing high-impact science using the highest standards of scientific ethics and rigor; (2) advancing mechanistic understanding needed to address societal challenges; and (3) ensuring that a diverse talent pool contributes to the science through a fair, equitable review and publication process

Morphological and Chemical Properties of Plastic Residues in Composts

The relative quantity of plastic film residues and other man-made materials in composts prepared from municipal solid wastes (MSW), biosolids, yard wastes, and pine bark was evaluated utilizing light and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray analyzer. MSW composts screened through a 4 mm screen contained significant but highly variable quantities of plastic film residues and other man-made materials that escaped detection with the unaided eye. The other composts were free of such particles. We conclude that the database for evaluation of man-made materials in MSW composts is inadequate and must be developed further

Soil Management Regimes for Plant Health Care and Integrated Pest Management Programs in Ornamental Landscapes

Author Institution (Herms and Stinner): Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University; Author Institution (Hoitink): Department of Plant Pathology, The Ohio State University; Author Institution (Rose): Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, The Ohio State Universit

Application of COMPOCHIP Microarray to Investigate the Bacterial Communities of Different Composts

A microarray spotted with 369 different 16S rRNA gene probes specific to microorganisms involved in the degradation process of organic waste during composting was developed. The microarray was tested with pure cultures, and of the 30,258 individual probe-target hybridization reactions performed, there were only 188 false positive (0.62%) and 22 false negative signals (0.07%). Labeled target DNA was prepared by polymerase chain reaction amplification of 16S rRNA genes using a Cy5-labeled universal bacterial forward primer and a universal reverse primer. The COMPOCHIP microarray was applied to three different compost types (green compost, manure mix compost, and anaerobic digestate compost) of different maturity (2, 8, and 16 weeks), and differences in the microorganisms in the three compost types and maturity stages were observed. Multivariate analysis showed that the bacterial composition of the three composts was different at the beginning of the composting process and became more similar upon maturation. Certain probes (targeting Sphingobacterium, Actinomyces, Xylella/Xanthomonas/ Stenotrophomonas, Microbacterium, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, Low G + C and Alphaproteobacteria) were more influential in discriminating between different composts. Results from denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis supported those of microarray analysis. This study showed that the COMPOCHIP array is a suitable tool to study bacterial communities in composts

V-stuw voor periodieke hydrologische gebiedsisolatie

Binnen diverse kaders (Natura 2000, Kaderrichtlijn Water) wordt gestreefd naar waterberging in natuurgebieden om de inlaat van gebiedsvreemd water van een lagere kwaliteit te beperken. Als een natuurgebied is verbonden met het omliggende stedelijke of poldergebied, wordt zeker bij aanhoudende regenval door de gemalen water met een relatief goede kwaliteit aan de polder of het stedelijke gebied onttrokken, waardoor ook water uit het natuurgebied wordt afgevoerd. Anderzijds wordt in de zomer rivierwater ingelaten om tekorten door bijvoorbeeld verdamping aan te vullen. Als men peilverschillen teweeg kan brengen door het natuurgebied te isoleren, kan regenwater worden vastgehouden en opgeslagen voor tijden van droogte, zodat in die periode minder of geen gebiedsvreemd water hoeft te worden ingelaten. In dit artikel wordt een nieuw ontworpen kantelstuw beschreven die alleen stuwt indien dat nodig is. Daarbuiten is de stuw geopend en daarmee voor vis passeerbaa

Long term study of the seismic environment at LIGO

The LIGO experiment aims to detect and study gravitational waves using ground based laser interferometry. A critical factor to the performance of the interferometers, and a major consideration in the design of possible future upgrades, is isolation of the interferometer optics from seismic noise. We present the results of a detailed program of measurements of the seismic environment surrounding the LIGO interferometers. We describe the experimental configuration used to collect the data, which was acquired over a 613 day period. The measurements focused on the frequency range 0.1-10 Hz, in which the secondary microseismic peak and noise due to human activity in the vicinity of the detectors was found to be particularly critical to interferometer performance. We compare the statistical distribution of the data sets from the two interferometer sites, construct amplitude spectral densities of seismic noise amplitude fluctuations with periods of up to 3 months, and analyze the data for any long term trends in the amplitude of seismic noise in this critical frequency range.Comment: To be published in Classical and Quantum Gravity. 24 pages, 15 figure

Storm surge variability and prediction from ENSO and tropical cyclones

Storm surges are among the deadliest natural hazards, but understanding and prediction of year-to-year variability of storm surges is challenging. Here, we demonstrate that the interannual variability of observed storm surge levels can be explained and further predicted, through a process-based study in Hong Kong. We find that ENSO exerts a compound impact on storm surge levels through modulating tropical cyclones (TCs) and other forcing factors. The occurrence frequencies of local and remote TCs are responsible for the remaining variability in storm surge levels after removing the ENSO effect. Finally, we show that a statistical prediction model formed by ENSO and TC indices has good skill for prediction of extreme storm surge levels. The analysis approach can be applied to other coastal regions where tropical storms and the climate variability are main contributors to storm surges. Our study gives new insight into identifying “windows of opportunity” for successful prediction of storm surges on long-range timescales