Hydrodynamics and sedimentary processes in the main drainage channel of a large open coast managed realignment site

Managed Realignment (MR) is becoming increasingly popular with many coastal managers and engineers. Monitoring of MR sites has provided growing evidence that many of the saltmarshes created in these environments have lower biodiversity than naturally formed intertidal marshes, and may not fully deliver the anticipated ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and coastal flood defence. Despite the importance of the sedimentary environment in developing an intertidal morphology suitable for plant establishment and succession, the evolution of the sediment erosion, transportation, deposition and consolidation cycle in newly breached sites is rarely examined. This study evaluates the hydrodynamics and concentration of suspended sediment exported and imported along the main drainage channel within the Medmerry Managed Realignment Site, West Sussex, UK, the largest open coast realignment in Europe (at the time of breaching). Measurements were taken over a one year period (November 2015–October 2016) at the breach, at the landwards extremity where freshwater drains into the site, and in an excavated channel in the centre of the site. At the latter site, 1.7 cm of sediment accreted over the study period. Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) measurements indicate that, under ambient conditions, sediment is imported into and exported from the Medmerry site, although similar concentrations of sediment were recorded being internally redistributed around the site (typically 0.11 g/l measured in the breach area compared to 0.12 g/l measured in the centre of the site). Sediment is removed from the site following large (1–2 mm/hour) rainfall events, which take several tidal cycles to drain through the site. Peaks in SSC corresponding with lower intensity rainfall events, especially during periods when the intertidal mudflats have been exposed, have also been observed. Analysis of the hydrodynamics and patterns of sedimentation during and following storm occurrences (the 2015-16 Storms Eva, Imogen and Katie) however demonstrate the relative resilience (i.e. rapid recovery and minimal disturbance) of the site to extreme storm events.</p

Listening and learning: giving voice to trans experiences of disasters

This article gives voice to trans experiences of disasters, investigating their specific vulnerabilities and resilient capacities. We draw on findings from a project on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) experiences of recent Australian and New Zealand disasters. We present and analyse trans voices from a survey conducted across multiple case study sites and insights from interview data with a trans person who experienced the 2011 Brisbane floods. Conceptually, to provide a robust understanding of trans experiences of disasters, we bring socially sensitive disaster studies into conversation with trans geographies. Disaster studies have begun to examine LGBT experiences, with some suggestion that trans people are most vulnerable. We advance this work by focusing on trans lives. Trans geographies, in turn, underline the importance of space, place and the body in understanding trans lives, and the need to examine the lived reality of trans people’s everyday geographies rather than embodiment as an abstract concept. Applying these insights to the trans voices in our project, we examine four themes that highlight impediments to and possibilities for trans-inclusive disaster planning: apprehension with emergency services and support; concerns about home and displacement; anxiety about compromising the trans body; and the potential of trans and queer interpersonal networks for capacity building. We offer suggestions for trans-inclusive disaster planning and preparedness, and indicate how the insights from trans experience can enrich disaster planning and preparedness for wider social groups.Australian Research Council-DP13010265

The evolution of embryonic creek systems in a recently inundated large open coast managed realignment site

Managed realignment (MR) schemes are being implemented to compensate for the degradation of coastal habitats. However, evidence suggests that MR sites have lower biodiversity than anticipated, which has been linked to poor drainage. Despite creek networks playing an important role in enhancing site drainage in natural intertidal environments, there remains a shortage of data on the formation and evolution of creeks within MR sites. This study evaluates creek development at the Medmerry Managed Realignment Site, UK. Creek development is investigated using differential global positioning system(dGPS) data, supported by sedimentological analyses and a high-resolution digital surface model (DSM) derived from images taken using a small unmanned aerial vehicle. Measurements indicated that creeks will develop relatively quickly, but are influenced by differences in the sub-surface sedimentological conditions. A suitable level of agreement was found between the DSM and dGPS measurements, demonstrating the appropriateness of this method to study creek development within intertidal environments at a higher resolution than traditional surveying techniques. These results are used to propose the collapseof sub-surface piping as the primary creek formation mechanism. Findings are discussed in terms of increasing the success of MR schemes and enhancing site design to maximise the ecosystem services provided

Sediment structure and physicochemical changes following tidal inundation at a large open coast managed realignment site

Managed realignment (MR) schemes are being implemented to compensate for the loss of intertidal saltmarsh habitats by breaching flood defences and inundating the formerly defended coastal hinterland. However, studies have shown that MR sites have lower biodiversity than anticipated, which has been linked with anoxia and poor drainage resulting from compaction and the collapse of sediment pore space caused by the site's former terrestrial land use. Despite this proposed link between biodiversity and soil structure, the evolution of the sediment sub-surface following site inundation has rarely been examined, particularly over the early stages of the terrestrial to marine or estuarine transition. This paper presents a novel combination of broad- and intensive-scale analysis of the sub-surface evolution of the Medmerry Managed Realignment Site (West Sussex, UK) in the three years following site inundation. Repeated broad-scale sediment physiochemical datasets are analysed to assess the early changes in the sediment subsurface and the preservation of the former terrestrial surface, comparing four locations of different former land uses. Additionally, for two of these locations, high-intensity 3D-computed X-ray microtomography and Itrax micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry analyses are presented. Results provide new data on differences in sediment properties and structure related to the former land use, indicating that increased agricultural activity leads to increased compaction and reduced porosity. The presence of anoxic conditions, indicative of poor hydrological connectivity between the terrestrial and post-inundation intertidal sediment facies, was only detected at one site. This site has experienced the highest rate of accretion over the terrestrial surface (ca. 7 cm over 36 months), suggesting that poor drainage is caused by the interaction (or lack of) between sediment facies rather than the former land use. This has significant implications for the design of future MR sites in terms of preparing sites, their anticipated evolution, and the delivery of ecosystem services

Bringing Space to the Classroom Through STEM Education Providing Extreme Low Earth Orbit Missions Using ThinSats

The future of Space Science depends on our ability to attract and engage students into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Authentic, hands-on experience with space applications enhances engagement and learning in the STEM disciplines and can help to attract disinterested students to STEM careers. The Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (Virginia Space), Twiggs Space Lab, LLC (TSL), Orbital ATK, NearSpace Launch, Inc. (NSL), and NASA Wallops Flight Facility, have collaboratively developed the ThinSat Program, providing student teams the opportunity to design, develop, test, and monitor their own experimental payload which will be integrated into a pico-satellite and launched from the second stage of Orbital ATK’s Antares Rocket. The goal of the program is to provide students the opportunity to lead and participate in the development of a spacecraft payload through its life cycle over the course of an academic year. The student experience will be enhanced with classroom visits and videos created by the team to educate the students on satellite manufacturing, environmental testing, satellite integration, spaceport, launch vehicle, range and spacecraft operations. The ThinSat Program will provide a unique and important STEM opportunity for students to develop critical skills in systems engineering and space science that will complement existing programs

The Virginia Space ThinSat Program: Maiden Voyage and Future Progressions

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focus is rapidly being integrated into the modern-day classroom. This focus is essential for developing both the technical minds and creativity of the next generation. The education industry cannot push STEM activities to the next level without the help of outside partners who have industry insight and experience. This is why Virginia Commercial Space Flight Authority (Virginia Space), Twiggs Space Laboratory, LLC (TSL), Northrop Grumman (NG), NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), and Near Space Launch Corp (NSL) have all partnered together to develop the Virginia Space ThinSat Program. With our primary focus being on STEM outreach, the program has developed a new way to bridge the gap between satellite development and the education industry. By utilizing this platform, we have already seen development of beneficial research potential from numerous institutions that shows the promise of a bright future for the Virginia Space ThinSat Program and Extreme Low Earth Orbit (ELEO) research

Performing Place: A Rhythmanalysis of the City of London

Through its focus on the City of London as a particular work sector and setting, this paper emphasizes the symbolic and material significance of place to understanding the lived experiences of power relations within organizational life. The socio-cultural and material aspects of the City are explored through an analysis of the rhythms of place, as well through interview data. Using a methodological approach based on Lefebvre’s Rhythmanalysis in order to develop an embodied, immersive sense of how the City is experienced as a workplace, the paper makes a methodological, empirical and theoretical contribution to an understanding of the way in which rhythms shape how place is performed. Using rhythmanalysis as a method, the paper shows the relationship between rhythms and the performances of place, foregrounding a subjective, embodied and experiential way of researching the places and spaces of organizing

Barriers and enablers of type 2 diabetes self-management in people with severe mental illness

Background People with diabetes and severe mental illness (SMI) experience poorer outcomes than those with diabetes alone. To improve outcomes, it is necessary to understand the difficulties that people with SMI experience in managing their diabetes. Aims To identify barriers and enablers to effective diabetes self-management experienced by people with SMI and type 2 diabetes. Method Qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews was employed. Development of the interview topic guide and analysis of the transcripts was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) for behaviour change, which consists of fourteen theoretical domains that have been found to influence behaviour. Results Fourteen people with SMI and type 2 diabetes took part in the study. Participants considered diabetes self-management to be important, were aware of the risks of poor diabetes control but struggled to follow recommended advice, particularly if their mental health was poor. Support from family and health professionals was considered an important enabler of diabetes self-management. Conclusions New approaches are required to support diabetes self-management in people with SMI. This study identified some of the important domains that may be targeted in new interventions

The state of the Martian climate

60°N was +2.0°C, relative to the 1981–2010 average value (Fig. 5.1). This marks a new high for the record. The average annual surface air temperature (SAT) anomaly for 2016 for land stations north of starting in 1900, and is a significant increase over the previous highest value of +1.2°C, which was observed in 2007, 2011, and 2015. Average global annual temperatures also showed record values in 2015 and 2016. Currently, the Arctic is warming at more than twice the rate of lower latitudes