9,307 research outputs found
Impact of droughts on the carbon cycle in European vegetation : a probabilistic risk analysis using six vegetation models
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Integration of iron in natural and synthetic Al-pyrophyllites: an infrared spectroscopic study
Numerous studies focus on the relationships between chemical composition and
OHband positions in the infrared (IR) spectra of micaceous minerals. These
studies are based on the coexistence, in dioctahedral micas or smectites, of
several cationic pairs around the hydroxyl group which each produce a
characteristic band in the IR spectrum. The aim of this work is to obtain the
wavenumber values of the IR OH vibration bands of the (Al-Fe3+)-OH and
(Fe3+-Fe3+)-OH local cationic environments of 'pyrophyllite type' in order to
prove, disprove or modify a model of dioctahedral phyllosilicate OH-stretching
band decomposition. Natural samples are characterized by powder X-ray
diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies
and electron microprobe; the hydrothermal synthesis products are also analysed
by powder XRD and FTIR after inductively coupled plasma measurements to obtain
the chemical compositions of nascent gel phases. Natural samples contain some
impurities which were eliminated after acid treatment; nevertheless, a small Fe
content is found in the pyrophyllite structure. The amount of Fe which is
incorporated within the pyrophyllite structure is much more important for the
synthetic samples than for the natural ones. The IR OH bands were clearly
observed in both natural and synthetic pyrophyllites and assigned to hydroxides
bonded to (Al-Al), (Al-Fe) and (Fe-Fe) cationic pairs. During this study, three
samples were analysed by DTG to check the cis- or trans-vacant character of the
layers and to determine the influence of this structural character on the
OH-stretching band position in IR spectroscopy
Verifiable soil organic carbon modelling to facilitate regional reporting of cropland carbon change: A test case in the Czech Republic
Regional monitoring, reporting and verification of soil organic carbon change occurring in managed cropland are indispensable to support carbon-related policies. Rapidly evolving gridded agronomic models can facilitate these efforts throughout Europe. However, their performance in modelling soil carbon dynamics at regional scale is yet unexplored. Importantly, as such models are often driven by large-scale inputs, they need to be benchmarked against field experiments. We elucidate the level of detail that needs to be incorporated in gridded models to robustly estimate regional soil carbon dynamics in managed cropland, testing the approach for regions in the Czech Republic. We first calibrated the biogeochemical Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model against long-term experiments. Subsequently, we examined the EPIC model within a top-down gridded modelling framework constructed for European agricultural soils from Europe-wide datasets and regional land-use statistics. We explored the top-down, as opposed to a bottom-up, modelling approach for reporting agronomically relevant and verifiable soil carbon dynamics. In comparison with a no-input baseline, the regional EPIC model suggested soil carbon changes (~0.1â0.5 Mg C haâ1 yâ1) consistent with empirical-based studies for all studied agricultural practices. However, inaccurate soil information, crop management inputs, or inappropriate model calibration may undermine regional modelling of cropland management effect on carbon since each of the three components carry uncertainty (~0.5â1.5 Mg C haâ1 yâ1) that is substantially larger than the actual effect of agricultural practices relative to the no-input baseline. Besides, inaccurate soil data obtained from the background datasets biased the simulated carbon trends compared to observations, thus hampering the model's verifiability at the locations of field experiments. Encouragingly, the top-down agricultural management derived from regional land-use statistics proved suitable for the estimation of soil carbon dynamics consistently with actual field practices. Despite sensitivity to biophysical parameters, we found a robust scalability of the soil organic carbon routine for various climatic regions and soil types represented in the Czech experiments. The model performed better than the tier 1 methodology of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which indicates a great potential for improved carbon change modelling over larger political regions
Constraints on Gamma-ray Emission from the Galactic Plane at 300 TeV
We describe a new search for diffuse ultrahigh energy gamma-ray emission
associated with molecular clouds in the galactic disk. The Chicago Air Shower
Array (CASA), operating in coincidence with the Michigan muon array (MIA), has
recorded over 2.2 x 10^{9} air showers from April 4, 1990 to October 7, 1995.
We search for gamma rays based upon the muon content of air showers arriving
from the direction of the galactic plane. We find no significant evidence for
diffuse gamma-ray emission, and we set an upper limit on the ratio of gamma
rays to normal hadronic cosmic rays at less than 2.4 x 10^{-5} at 310 TeV (90%
confidence limit) from the galactic plane region: (50 degrees < l < 200
degrees); -5 degrees < b < 5 degrees). This limit places a strong constraint on
models for emission from molecular clouds in the galaxy. We rule out
significant spectral hardening in the outer galaxy, and conclude that emission
from the plane at these energies is likely to be dominated by the decay of
neutral pions resulting from cosmic rays interactions with passive target gas
molecules.Comment: Astrophysical Journal, submitted, 11 pages, AASTeX Latex, 3
Postscript figure
Synchronisation of egg hatching of brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae) and budburst of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) in a warmer future
Synchronisation of the phenology of insect herbivores and their larval food plant is essential for the herbivoresâ fitness. The monophagous brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae) lays its eggs during summer, hibernates as an egg, and hatches in April or May in the Netherlands. Its main larval food plant blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) flowers in early spring, just before the leaves appear. As soon as the Blackthorn opens its buds, and this varies with spring temperatures, food becomes available for the brown hairstreak. However, the suitability of the leaves as food for the young caterpillars is expected to decrease rapidly. Therefore, the timing of egg hatch is an important factor for larval growth. This study evaluates food availability for brown hairstreak at different temperatures. Egg hatch and budburst were monitored from 2004 to 2008 at different sites in the Netherlands. Results showed ample food availability at all monitored temperatures and sites but the degree of synchrony varied strongly with spring temperatures. To further study the effect of temperature on synchronisation, an experiment using normal temperatures of a reference year (T) and temperatures of T + 5°C was carried out in climate chambers. At T + 5°C, both budburst and egg hatch took place about 20 days earlier and thus, on average, elevated temperature did not affect synchrony. However, the total period of budburst was 11 days longer, whereas the period of egg hatching was 3 days shorter. The implications for larval growth by the brown hairstreak under a warmer climate are considered.
Toward catchment hydro-biogeochemical theories
Headwater catchments are the fundamental units that connect the land to the ocean. Hydrological flow and biogeochemical processes are intricately coupled, yet their respective sciences have progressed without much integration. Reaction kinetic theories that prescribe rate dependence on environmental variables (e.g., temperature and water content) have advanced substantially, mostly in well-mixed reactors, columns, and warming experiments without considering the characteristics of hydrological flow at the catchment scale. These theories have shown significant divergence from observations in natural systems. On the other hand, hydrological theories, including transit time theory, have progressed substantially yet have not been incorporated into understanding reactions at the catchment scale. Here we advocate for the development of integrated hydro-biogeochemical theories across gradients of climate, vegetation, and geology conditions. The lack of such theories presents barriers for understanding mechanisms and forecasting the future of the Critical Zone under human- and climate-induced perturbations. Although integration has started and co-located measurements are well under way, tremendous challenges remain. In particular, even in this era of "big data," we are still limited by data and will need to (1) intensify measurements beyond river channels and characterize the vertical connectivity and broadly the shallow and deep subsurface; (2) expand to older water dating beyond the time scales reflected in stable water isotopes; (3) combine the use of reactive solutes, nonreactive tracers, and isotopes; and (4) augment measurements in environments that are undergoing rapid changes. To develop integrated theories, it is essential to (1) engage models at all stages to develop model-informed data collection strategies and to maximize data usage; (2) adopt a "simple but not simplistic," or fit-for-purpose approach to include essential processes in process-based models; (3) blend the use of process-based and data-driven models in the framework of "theory-guided data science." Within the framework of hypothesis testing, model-data fusion can advance integrated theories that mechanistically link catchments' internal structures and external drivers to their functioning. It can not only advance the field of hydro-biogeochemistry, but also enable hind- and fore-casting and serve the society at large. Broadly, future education will need to cultivate thinkers at the intersections of traditional disciplines with hollistic approaches for understanding interacting processes in complex earth systems.This article is categorized under:Science of Water > Method
The reaction on p-shell nuclei
This letter is concerned with the study of the reaction in p-shell nuclei, i.e., , ,
and . The emission rates are
reported as a function of . These rates are discussed in comparison with
previous findings. The ratio in p-shell nuclei is
found to depart largely from that on hydrogen, which provides support for large
in-medium effects possibly generated by the sub-threshold . The
continuum momentum spectra of prompt pions and free sigmas are also discussed
as well as the missing mass behavior and the link with the
reaction mechanism. The apparatus used for the investigation is the FINUDA
spectrometer operating at the DANE -factory (LNF-INFN, Italy).Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.
Measurement of the Cosmic Ray Energy Spectrum and Composition from 10^{17} to 10^{18.3} eV Using a Hybrid Fluorescence Technique
We study the spectrum and average mass composition of cosmic rays with
primary energies between 10^{17} eV and 10^{18} eV using a hybrid detector
consisting of the High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) prototype and the MIA muon
array. Measurements have been made of the change in the depth of shower maximum
as a function of energy. A complete Monte Carlo simulation of the detector
response and comparisons with shower simulations leads to the conclusion that
the cosmic ray intensity is changing f rom a heavier to a lighter composition
in this energy range. The spectrum is consistent with earlier Fly's Eye
measurements and supports the previously found steepening near 4 \times 10^{17}
eV .Comment: 39 pages, 15 figures, in revtex4 epsf style, submited to AP
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