Combining FDR and ERT for monitoring soil moisture and temperature patterns in undulating terrain in south-eastern Norway

The occurrence of freeze–thaw cycles modifies water infiltration processes and surface runoff generation. Related processes are complex and are not yet fully investigated at field scale. While local weather conditions and soil management practices are the most important factors in both runoff generation and surface erosion processes, local terrain heterogeneities may significantly influence soil erosion processes in catchments with undulating terrain. This paper presents a field-based investigation of spatial and temporal heterogeneities in subsurface soil moisture and soil temperature associated with freezing, thawing, and snowmelt infiltration. The field setup consists of a combination of traditional point measurements performed with frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). The transect was approximately 70 m long and spanned an entire depression with a north-facing slope (average slope of 11.5%) and a south-facing slope (average slope of 9.7%). The whole depression was entirely covered with stubble. Observed resistivity patterns correspond well to the measured soil moisture patterns. During the observation period, the north facing slope froze earlier and deeper compared with the south facing slope. Freeze–thaw cycles were less pronounced in the north-facing slope than in the south-facing slope. There were also differences in soil temperature and soil moisture patterns between lower and upper parts of the monitored depression. These indicate that initiation and development of runoff related processes, and consequently soil erosion, in regions with freeze–thaw cycles may differ significantly depending on local terrain characteristics. Consequently, it indicates that spatial terrain heterogeneities, especially slope aspects, may be important when studying soil erosion processes, water flow and nutrient leaching in lowlands where patchy snowpacks and dynamic freeze–thaw cycles are predominating.publishedVersio

Vurdering av bevaringstilstand og forhold i kulturlag i mettet/umettet sone ved Nedre Langgate 43, Tønsberg - Arkeologisk, jordfaglig og geofysisk analyse

I et stort datamateriale er det påvist at kulturlag i Nedre Langgate 43 i Tønsberg er bra bevart fra ca 1 meter dybde fra overflaten og ned til 4 meter. Dårlige bevaringsforhold er spesielt avdekket i den sørøstlige og nord-vestlige delen av tomten. Kulturlagene i 1,5 m dybde eller lavere ligger godt beskyttet mot nedbrytning, og sterkt reduserende miljøforhold tyder på at oksygen ikke når disse lagene. De beste bevaringsforhold ble funnet i kulturlag under den tidligere kjelleren. Undersøkelsen har vist at jordkjemisk data fra flere borehull vil kunne gi overveiende forståelse over ei tomts innhold av organisk materiale og redokssensitive parametre som påvirker beskyttelse av kulturlag. Geofysisk kartlegging viste nye fordeler ved at målinger utføres uten fysisk inngrep i grunnen og uten å påvirke kulturlagene. Metoden ga opplysninger om tette lag med høyt vanninnhold i kulturlag øst og nord-øst for den tidligere kjelleren og et større område med tørrere, porøse masser i den sør-østlige delen av tomten. Kartleggingen bekrefter resultatene fra jordkjemisk analyse og modellering.publishedVersio

Laboratory spectral induced polarisation signatures associated with iron and manganese oxide dissolution because of anaerobic degradation

Degradation of organic chemicals in natural soils depends on oxidation-reduction conditions. To protect our groundwater resources we need to understand the degradation processes under anaerobic conditions. Available iron and manganese oxides are used as electron acceptors for anaerobic degradation and are reduced to the dissolved form of metallic cations in pore water. To monitor this process is a challenge, because anaerobic conditions are difficult to sample directly without introducing oxygen. A few studies have shown an impact of iron reduction on spectral induced polarisation (SIP) signature, often associated with bacterial growth. Our objective is to study the impact of iron and manganese oxide dissolution, caused by degradation of an organic compound, with spectral induced polarisation signatures. Twenty-six vertical columns (30cm high, inner diameter 4.6cm) were filled with a sand rich in oxides (manganese and iron) with a static water table in the middle. In half of the columns, a 2cm high contaminated layer was installed just above the water table. As the contaminant degrades, the initial oxygen is consumed and anaerobic conditions form Every three days over a period of one month, spectral induced polarisation (twenty frequencies between 5mHz and 10kHz) data were collected on six columns: three contaminated replicates and three control replicates. Chemical analysis was done on twenty columns assigned for destructive water sampling, ten contaminated columns and ten control. The results show an increase of the real conductivity associated with the degradation processes, independent of frequency. Compared with the pore water electrical conductivity in the saturated zone, the real conductivity measurement revealed the formation of surface conductivity before iron was released in the pore water. In parallel, we also observed an evolution of the imaginary conductivity in both saturated and unsaturated zones at frequencies below 1Hz. Overall, the anaerobic reduction of iron and manganese oxide during the organic degradation increased both the conductive and polarisation component of the complex conductivity

Towards understanding resistivity signals measured with time-lapse electrical resistivity during contaminated snowmelt infiltration

To improve risk assessment, control, and treatment strategies of contaminated sites, we require accurate methods for monitoring solute transport and infiltration in the unsaturated zone. Highly spatio-temporal heterogeneous infiltration during snowmelt increases the risk of contaminating the groundwater in areas where de-icing chemicals are required for winter maintenance of roads and runways. The objective of this study is to quantify how the different processes occurring during snowmelt infiltration of contaminated meltwater affects bulk electrical resistivity. Field experiments conducted at Moreppen experimental lysimeter trench are combined with heterogeneous unsaturated soil modelling. The experimental site is located next to Oslo airport, Gardermoen, Norway, where large amounts of de-icing chemicals are used to remove snow and ice every winter. Bromide, an inactive tracer, and the de-icing chemical propylene glycol were applied to the snow cover prior to the onset of snowmelt and their percolation through the unsaturated zone was monitored with water sampling from 37 suction cups. At the same time, cross-borehole time-lapse electrical resistivity measurements were recorded along with measurements of soil water tension and temperature. Images of 2D bulk resistivity profiles were determined and were temperature-corrected, to compensate for the change in soil temperature throughout the melting period. By using fitted parameters of petrophysical relations for the Moreppen soil, the tensiometer data gave insight into the contribution of water saturation on the changes in bulk resistivity, while water samples provided the contribution to the bulk resistivity from salt concentrations. The experimental data were compared with a numerical simulation of the same experimental conditions in a heterogeneous unsaturated soil and used to quantify the uncertainty caused by the non-consistent resolutions of the different methods, and to increase our understanding of the resistivity signal measured with time-lapse electrical resistivity. The work clearly illustrates the importance of ground truthing in multiple locations to obtain an accurate description of the contaminant transport

The effects of combined glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate supplements on condylar cartilage remodeling during functional appliance therapy. A Micro-CT study.

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate supplementation is used to prevent the degeneration of articular surfaces and also to enhance repair and regeneration of cartilage. The ability for adaptation of condylar cartilage to mandibular forward positioning is what constitutes the fundamental rationale for orthodontic functional therapy, which partially contributes to the correction of jaw discrepancies in growing Skeletal II mandibular retrusive patients. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively and quantitatively analyse the effect of Glucosamine sulphate (GS) and Chondroitin sulphate (CS) supplementation on condylar remodeling with functional appliance therapy in rats. One hundred and forty 3-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups consisting of; baseline controls, supplementation only, functional appliances only and those receiving both supplements and functional appliances. Supplements were preloaded for a period of 2 weeks prior to the placement of functional appliances at five weeks of age. The animals were sacrificed at days 0, 7 and 21 after appliance placement. The appliances were removed in the remaining experimental animals on day 21 with sacrifice on day 28 to analyse post growth modification changes. Condylar samples were then soaked in 0.2 M Gadolinium Chloride (GdCl3) (aq) for 6 days and analyzed using micro-computed tomography (μCT) for morphological characteristics and linear and volumetric measurements of the mandibular condyle. The results demonstrated supplement therapy increased the volume of cartilage with and without functional appliance therapy. Functional appliance therapy alone resulted in increases in cartilage volume over untreated animals, with peak volume increases occurring by day 7 of appliance wear followed with decreases as endochondral ossification ensued. Supplement therapy was found to enhance the normal biological response to functional appliance therapy in the rat model

Recycled effluent irrigation in vineyards : an Australian case study. II. management for sustainability

The grape industry is reliant on water, and the future of the Australian viticulture industry could be affected by the rising salinity of irrigation water. Areas irrigated with recycled waters are especially at risk. Management can often ameliorate the adverse affects of low quality water, however this may require land-use practices that reduce commercial return from farming activities. With land application of wastewater in agriculture becoming an increasingly popular practice, the scientific challenge for viticulture will be to identify appropriate management strategies for sustainability of soil resources, so that maximum returns are achieved without the operation being compromised

Recycled effluent irrigation in vineyards : an Australian case study. I. issues and monitoring

The viticultural industry is becoming an increasingly significant part of the Australian agricultural sector, with gross earnings of over $4 billion in 2002. Expansion of the industry in the last decade has been rapid, however its heavy reliance on irrigation has resulted in further expansion in many wine growing regions being limited by the availability of water. This problem is not confined to the viticultural industry, with ever increasing pressures on water resources worldwide. As demands for water continue to rise, new strategies to meet demands must be adopted. One of the strategies being increasingly employed is the recycling of waste waters for a number of applications such as irrigation and industrial uses. The use of recycled water for vineyard irrigation provides a number of benefits. Among them are the reduced demands on potable supplies, reduced waste discharges to surface waters, and the opportunity for expansion of production. Recycled waters however, contain constituents which have the potential to cause deleterious effects to both production and the environment. Therefore, the use of recycled water for irrigation requires targetted monitoring and management to ensure the long-term sustainability of both the vineyard and the surrounding environment. Traditional monitoring techniques including water quality monitoring and soil testing can be complimented by new technologies and techniques which provide large quantities of information with relatively less labour and time. Such techniques can be used to monitor the vineyard environment to identify impacts arising from management practices, allowing vineyard managers to adjust management for sustainable production<br /

Physical inactivity in Parkinson’s disease

Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are likely to become physically inactive, because of their motor, mental, and emotional symptoms. However, specific studies on physical activity in PD are scarce, and results are conflicting. Here, we quantified daily physical activities in a large cohort of PD patients and another large cohort of matched controls. Moreover, we investigated the influence of disease-related factors on daily physical activities in PD patients. Daily physical activity data of PD patients (n = 699) were collected in the ParkinsonNet trial and of controls (n = 1,959) in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA); data were determined using the LAPAQ, a validated physical activity questionnaire. In addition, variables that may affect daily physical activities in PD were recorded, including motor symptoms, depression, disability in daily life, and comorbidity. Patients were physically less active; a reduction of 29% compared to controls (95% CI, 10–44%). Multivariate regression analyses demonstrated that greater disease severity, gait impairment, and greater disability in daily living were associated with less daily physical activity in PD (R2 = 24%). In this large study, we show that PD patients are about one-third less active compared to controls. While disease severity, gait, and disability in daily living predicted part of the inactivity, a portion of the variance remained unexplained, suggesting that additional determinants may also affect daily physical activities in PD. Because physical inactivity has many adverse consequences, work is needed to develop safe and enjoyable exercise programs for patients with PD

Six Action Steps to Address Global Disparities in Parkinson Disease: A World Health Organization Priority

Importance: The Global Burden of Disease study conducted between 1990 and 2016, based on a global study of 195 countries and territories, identified Parkinson disease (PD) as the fastest growing neurological disorder when measured using death and disability. Most people affected by PD live in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and experience large inequalities in access to neurological care and essential medicines. This Special Communication describes 6 actions steps that are urgently needed to address global disparities in PD. Observations: The adoption by the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA) of resolution 73.10 to develop an intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders in consultation with member states was the stimulus to coordinate efforts and leverage momentum to advance the agenda of neurological conditions, such as PD. In April 2021, the Brain Health Unit at the World Health Organization convened a multidisciplinary, sex-balanced, international consultation workshop, which identified 6 workable avenues for action within the domains of disease burden; advocacy and awareness; prevention and risk reduction; diagnosis, treatment, and care; caregiver support; and research. Conclusions and Relevance: The dramatic increase of PD cases in many world regions and the potential costs of PD-associated treatment will need to be addressed to prevent possible health service strain. Across the board, governments, multilateral agencies, donors, public health organizations, and health care professionals constitute potential stakeholders who are urged to make this a priority

Combining Multi-compartment Sampler and Geophysical Techniques for Monitoring Contaminant Transport in Soils, 2016

Pollution of soils is a widespread problem and is an important part of the still to be implemented Soil Directive (EU). Solute transport is strongly affected by heterogeneity. This effect needs to be understood to improve risk assessment, monitoring, and treatment strategies for natural attenuation in an optimal way both environmentally and cost effectively. “Combining Multi-compartment Sampler and Geophysical Techniques for Monitoring Contaminant Transport in Soils, 2016” aimed at developing integrated technologies and modelling tools for soil contamination assessment and site characterisation at the scale of management decisions (field scale). Multi-compartment samplers (MCS) measure downward fluxes with high spatio-temporal resolution and show the effect of subsurface heterogeneities. At the field scale, geophysical techniques have become more widespread to monitor hydrogeological processes. These techniques are promising regarding cost efficiency and spatial versatility, but require ground truth. Geophysical time-lapse measurements in combination with novel ground truth methods (like MCS) give the possibility to determine absolute contamination levels, spatial spreading. Better monitoring of contaminant behavior is a prerequisite for improved measures and reduced concentrations of contaminants. Never before has the high spatio-temporal resolution data of contaminant transport provided by the MCS at field scale been combined with different geophysical methods. In this project the MCS was modified to meet the needs for more flexible use and was combined with 2D geophysical techniques. The MCS was equipped with instrumentation for geophysical measurements, and MCS water samples provided ground truth for the geophysical methods. In the proposal of this project it was put forward that innovative integration of MCS and geophysical techniques, and modelling, would be used to improve our process understanding of contaminant transport and for optimising monitoring strategy. This integration of techniques and tools would then be used to develop instruments for better decision making by the stakeholders