Identifying and reducing model structure uncertainty based on analysis of parameter interaction

International audienceMulti-objective optimization algorithms are widely used for the calibration of conceptual hydrological models. Such algorithms yield a set of Pareto-optimal solutions, reflecting the model structure uncertainty. In this study, a multi-objective optimization strategy is suggested, which aims at reducing the model structure uncertainty by considering parameter interaction within Pareto-optimal solutions. The approach has been used to develop a nested setup of a rainfall-runoff model, which is integrated in a probabilistic meso-/macroscale flood forecasting system. The optimization strategy aided in determining the best combination of a lumped (computationally efficient in operational real time forecasting) and a semi-distributed parameterization of the hydrological model. First results are shown for two subbasins of the Mulde catchment in Germany. The different phenomena of parameter interaction were analysed in this case study to reduce the model structure uncertainties

An \u3cem\u3ein vitro\u3c/em\u3e Study on the Influence of Residual Sugars on Aerobic Changes in Grass Silages

How do residual sugars in high dry matter grass silages influence microbial metabolism? To answer this question a simple laboratory method was developed using pH as main indicator for aerobic changes

Nutrient Controls on Export Production in the Southern Ocean

We use observations from novel biogeochemical profiling floats deployed by the Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling program to estimate annual net community production (ANCP; associated with carbon export) from the seasonal drawdown of mesopelagic oxygen and surface nitrate in the Southern Ocean. Our estimates agree with previous observations in showing an increase in ANCP in the vicinity of the polar front (∼3 mol C m−2 y−1), compared to lower rates in the subtropical zone (≤ 1 mol C m−2 y−1) and the seasonal ice zone (<2 mol C m−2 y−1). Paradoxically, the increase in ANCP south of the subtropical front is associated with elevated surface nitrate and silicate concentrations, but decreasing surface iron. We hypothesize that iron limitation promotes silicification in diatoms, which is evidenced by the low silicate to nitrate ratio of surface waters around the Antarctic polar front. High diatom silicification increases the ballasting effect of particulate organic carbon and overall ANCP in this region. A model-based assessment of our methods shows a good agreement between ANCP estimates based on oxygen and nitrate drawdown and the modeled downward organic carbon flux at 100 m. This agreement supports the presumption that net biological consumption is the dominant process affecting the drawdown of these chemical tracers and that, given sufficient data, ANCP can be inferred from observations of oxygen and/or nitrate drawdown in the Southern Ocean

Sustainability, Efficiency and Equitability of Water Consumption and Pollution in Latin America and the Caribbean

This paper assesses the sustainability, efficiency and equity of water use in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) by means of a geographic Water Footprint Assessment (WFA). It aims to provide understanding of water use from both a production and consumption point of view. The study identifies priority basins and areas from the perspectives of blue water scarcity, water pollution and deforestation. Wheat, fodder crops and sugarcane are identified as priority products related to blue water scarcity. The domestic sector is the priority sector regarding water pollution from nitrogen. Soybean and pasture are priority products related to deforestation. We estimate that consumptive water use in crop production could be reduced by 37% and nitrogen-related water pollution by 44% if water footprints were reduced to certain specified benchmark levels. The average WF per consumer in the region is 28% larger than the global average and varies greatly, from 912 m3/year per capita in Nicaragua to 3468 m3/year in Bolivia. Ironically, the LAC region shows significant levels of undernourishment, although there is abundant water and food production in the region and substantial use of land and water for producing export crops like soybean

Effect of Residual Sugar in High Sugar Grass Silages on Aerobic Stability

New varieties of Lolium perenne, bred for high sugar content, can contain up to 30% of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC). Only a fraction of such high contents are metabolised during a normal fermentation and the high residual sugar content (RSC) of these silages can improve the efficiency of use of nitrogen by ruminants. However, these RSC at opening for feed-out could be preferentially metabolised relative to fermentation products by all aerobically growing fungi and bacteria present on the forage. A high RSC thus can increase the risk of aerobic deterioration over that of extensively fermented silages, containing predominantly organic acids, which are initially utilised by certain yeasts. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between RSC and aerobic stability of silages prepared with either optimal ensiling conditions or with a defined air challenge treatment to make them prone to aerobic deterioration. The latter is a useful method to test the efficacy of aerobic stability improving silage additives, requiring unstable controls (Pahlow et al., 1999)

On Monin-Obukhov similarity in the stable atmospheric boudary layer

Atmospheric measurements from several field experiments have been combined to develop a better understanding of the turbulence structure of the stable atmospheric boundary layer. Fast response wind velocity and temperature data have been recorded using 3-dimensional sonic anemometers, placed at several heights (≈ 1 m to 4.3 m) above the ground. The measurements were used to calculate the standard deviations of the three components of the wind velocity, temperature, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) dissipation and temperature variance dissipation. These data were normalized and plotted according to Monin–Obukhov similarity theory. The non-dimensional turbulence statistics have been computed, in part, to investigate the general applicability of the concept of z-less stratification for stable conditions. From the analysis of a data set covering almost five orders of magnitude in the stability parameter ζ = z/L (from near-neutral to very stable atmospheric stability), it was found that this concept does not hold in general. It was only for the non-dimensional standard deviation of temperature and the average dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy that zless behaviour has been found. The other variables studied here (non-dimensional standard deviations of u, v, and w velocity components and dissipation of temperature variance) did not follow the concept of z-less stratification for the very stable atmospheric boundary layer. An imbalance between production and dissipation of TKE was found for the near-neutral limit approached from the stable regime, which matches with previous results for near-neutral stability approached from the unstable regime