The dependence of stream depletion by seasonal pumping on various hydraulic characteristics and engineering factors

Compensation pumping is used to alleviate deficiencies in streamflow discharge during dry seasons. Short-term groundwater pumping can use aquifer storage instead of catchment-zone water until the drawdown reaches the edge of the stream. The capacitance is a complex, dimensionless parameter of an aquifer system that defines the delayed effect on streamflow when there is groundwater pumping. This parameter is a function of aquifer hydraulic characteristics, pumping time, and distance between the well and stream edge; the latter can involve stream leakance and vertical leakance of an associated aquitard. Three typical hydraulic cases of combined water systems (major catchment-zone wells close to the stream and compensation pumping wells) were classified depending on their capacitance structure (i.e. the relationship between surface water and groundwater): (1) perfect hydraulic connection between the stream and aquifer; (2) imperfect hydraulic connection between the stream and aquifer; and (3) essentially imperfect hydraulic connection between the stream and the underlying confined aquifer. The impact of various hydraulic characteristics and engineering factors on stream depletion was examined by conceptual and numerical modeling. To predict the suitability and efficiency of a combined water system application, regression tests were undertaken on unit stream depletion and capacitance, and power dependencies were defined.     

Paleogeography of the Early Badenian connection between the Vienna Basin and the Carpathian Foredeep

The paleogeographic reconstruction for an early Badenian connection of the Vienna Basin and the Carpathian Foredeep in the Mikulov area (Mikulov Gate) based on paleontological (otoliths) and geological (regional geology, tectonics) data has been provided. The ecologically homogenous deep water associations of otoliths in the most NW tip of the Vienna Basin (Sedlec HJ-2 Borehole) links up bathymetrically with nearly adequate otolith assemblages in the southernmost Moravian part of the foredeep. Ten meso- and bathypelagic teleost species have been identified in the Vienna Basin for the first time. Geological analyses proved inversion processes of recurrent nature along old faults of the NW-SE direction in the Dyje (Thaya) Depression. In the early Badenian the Mikulov Gate resulted from the sagging block of the Waschberg Zone. This marine channel was relatively deep (> 200m, as indicated by otoliths) and in all probability flooded an entire front of the nappes in this area.     

Mercury speciation in soil in vicinity of coal beds using sequential extraction

The sequential extraction procedure was proposed and used to study of mercury speciation in real samples of soil. Samples of soil profiles together with bedrock and coal were taken from sampling spots in the vicinity of surficial coal beds in an area with natural coal outcrops. The proposed sequential extraction procedure involves the following fractionation: organic mercury compounds, extractable mercury in an acidic medium, mercury bound to humic substances, elemental Hg and mercury bound to complexes, HgS and residual mercury. The significant distribution of mercury between the two portions—mercury bound to humic substance and HgS was determined in the majority of samples. The mercury bound to humic substances created a significant contribution, especially to the top layer of soil. On the other hand, HgS was the dominant form in the samples from lower layers of the soil profile. The mercury content in the samples did not show a distinct mobility. The influence of soil parameters on the mercury distribution in the studied samples was investigated and discussed.     

Spectral,Photometric, and Dynamic Analysis of Eight Draconid Meteors

A Draconid meteor shower outburst was observed from on board two scientific aircraft deployed above Northern Europe on 8th October 2011. The activity profile was measured using a set of photographic and video cameras. The main peak of the activity occurred around 20:15 ± 0:0.5 UT which is consistent with the model prediction as well as with the IMO network visual observations. The corrected hourly rates reached a value of almost 350. The brighter meteors peaked about 15–20 min earlier than the dimmer ones. This difference can be explained by different directions of the ejection of the meteoroids from the parent comet. One of the instruments was even able to detect meteors connected with the material ejected from the parent comet before 1900 and thus confirmed the prediction of the model, although it was based on uncertain pre-1900 cometary data. Another small peak of the activity, which was caused by material ejected during the 1926 perihelion passage of the parent comet, was detected around 21:10 UT. The mass distribution index determined using the narrow field-of-view video camera was 2.0 ± 0.1. This work shows that the observation of meteor outbursts can constrain the orbital elements, outgassing activity and existence of jets at the surface of a comet.     

Video Observations of the 2006 Leonid Outburst

We carried out double station observations of the Leonid meteor shower outburst, which occurred in the morning hours of November 19, 2006. Using image-intensified cameras we recorded approximately 100 Leonid meteors. As predicted, the outburst was rich especially in fainter meteors. The activity profile shows that the peak of the outburst occurred at 4:40 ± 0:05 UT. The maximum reached flux was 0.03 meteoroids km⁻² hod⁻¹ for meteors brighter than +6.5 magnitude.     

On the response of Black Sea level to external forcing: altimeter data and numerical modelling

In this work, we address the Black Sea setup of Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO), and in particular some model enhancements associated with the most important characteristic of ocean dynamics in this semi-enclosed basin, that is the sea-level variability and its relationship with water cycles and wind. Forcing data are presented in detail and compared with previously used coarser-resolution data. One emphasis in this paper is on the statistical analyses of forcing data and outputs from simulations with a focus on the sea level and its change. Numerical simulations are carried out as free run, and alternatively, altimeter data assimilation based on displacement of water properties in the pycnocline is used. Comparisons between the two runs identify the robustness of circulation driven by water balance and winter intensification. Problems in the model to replicate the redistribution of water properties between the two sub-basins in free-run mode are also discussed, which are observed during years with extreme climatic conditions.