ID: 56677
Title: Changes in the near-surface soil freeze-thaw cycle on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau
Author: Xin Li, Rui Jin, Xiaoduo Pan, Tingjun Zhang, Jianwen Guo
Editor: Freek van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, vol 17, July 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Freeze-thaw cycle, permafrost, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Mountain cryosphere, climate warming, microwave remote sensing, trend analysis
Abstract: Changes in the near-surface soil freeze-thaw cycle on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) were detected using daily soil freeze/thaw states derived from Special Sensor Microwave/Imager data from 1988 to 2007. Linear trends in freeze and thaw dates, the number of total frozen days of each pixel, and the numbers of monthly and yearly frozen days averaged over the whole QTP were analyzed. Principal component analysis was used to investigate the spatial variation in the freeze-thaw cycle. The results show that on the QTP there was a trend toward earlier onset date of soil thaw by approximately 14 days, and later onset date of soil freeze by approximately 10 days over the period 1988-2007. The number of frozen days has decreased over the QTP by 16.8 days per decade. This decrease in the number of frozen days has occurred mainly from April to Septembe, with a more pronounced trend in warmer months. The most significant changes were in the northeastern and southeastern QTP, where discontinuous permafrost, island permafrost, and seasonally frozen ground are presented. The northwestern QTP had almost no change, where permafrost is cold and stable The trend in the near-surface soil freeze-thaw cycle is positively related with climate warming on the QTP. Much warmer winters may account for significantly earlier thawing, later freezing, and a substantial reduction in the number of frozen days on the QTP. These changes in the near-surface soil freeze-thaw cycle can be used both as an effective indicator of the permafrost change and for mapping of permafrost stability. Changes in near-surface soil freeze-thaw cycle and consequently permafrost conditions would have dramatic influence on hydrologial processes, ecosystem, and engineering operations over the QTP.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56676
Title: Estimation of snow depth and snow water equivalent distribution using airborne microwave radiometry in the Binggou Watershed, the upper reaches of the Heihe River basin
Author: Tao Che, Liyun Dai, Jian Wang, Kai Zhao, Qiang Liu
Editor: Freek van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, vol 17, July 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Passive microwave, Airborne remote sensing, snow depth, Snow water equivalent, cold region
Abstract: We estimated the spatial distribution of snow depth/ snow water equivalent (SD/SWE) in a mountainous watershed (Binggou, which is in the upper reaches of the Heihe River basin) by an airborne microwave radiometry observational experiment. Two microwave radiometers measuring at K band (18.7 GHz) and Ka band (36 GHz) were used to estimate the volumd scatter from snowpacks and infer SD and SWE. Simultaneously, the snow physical properties (such as snow depth, density, grain size and temperature) over four sites were measured, and a simple multi-layer sample scheme was adopted to obtain the stratigraphic information. The microwave emission model of layered snowpacks (MEMLS) was used to simulate the brightness temperatures of snow cover for each measurement point. By comparing TB data that were simulated by MEMLS and observed by radiometers on the aircraft over the four sites, we obtained the retrieval algorithms of SD and SWE based on brightness temperature differences (TBD) at the K- and Ka-bands that are suitable to the local snow properties. The validation shows that the mean absolute and relative errors of SD estimates are apporximately 3.5 cm and 14.8%, respectively. SWE from airborne microwave radiometers show that blowing snow and sun radiation are two main factors that determine the spatial distribution of SWE in Binggou Watershed.
The local angle of incidence of the microwave radiometer observation can be influenced by mountainous topograph, and a sensitivity anlaysis suggests that changes in the local angle of incidence (e.g., the nomial angle of incidence) will not significantly influence the estimation of SD/SWE. The snow ' s stratigraphic condition is not an important factor for estimating SD/SWE in this study because the snow was not very deep in the Binggou Watershwed. However, the field sampling scheme should be given more attention to obtain the spatial variations of snow properties and to support pixel-by-pixel validation in next field campaign.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56675
Title: ICESat derived elevation changes of Tibetan lakes between 2003 and 2009
Author: Vu Hien Phan, Roderik Lindenbergh, Massimo Menenti
Editor: Freek van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, vol 17, July 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Tibetan plateau, Lake level, ICESat, MODIS water mask, RANSAC
Abstract: The Tibetan plateau contains thousands of small and big lakes. Changes in the water level of these lakes can be an important indicator for the water balance of the Tibetan plateau, but were until now extremely difficult to monitor: performing continuous in situ measurements at a large number of lakes is not feasible because of their remoteness, while radar altimetry is only capable of monitoring large lakes. Between 2003 and 2009 the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) on board of the Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite (ICESat) obtained world-wide elevation profile during 18 one-month campaigns. Using the GLAS data it is possible to obtain lake levels at decimeter accuracy. Available GLAS data over the Tibetan lakes is selected by means of the MODIS lake mask. As a result, lake level variations between 2003 and 2009 of 154 lakes of over a square kilometer size could be observed. For these lakes, an analysis of annual water level trends is made, and then their yearly gained or lost water volumes are estimated. In total, an area averaged increase in lake level of 0.20 m/year over the Tibetan plateau is observed between 2003 and 2009. Most of the individual lakes considered in this paper have little or no levels apparently documented, and so the ICESat data provide the first baseline measurements of these lakes in the vertical.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56674
Title: Analysis of lake level changes in Nam Co in central Tibet utilizing synergistic satellite altimetry and optical imagery
Author: Jan Kropacek, Andreas Braun, Shichang Kang, Chen Feng, Qinghua Ye, Volker Hochschild
Editor: Freek van der Meer
Year: 2012
Publisher: Elsevier, vol 17, July 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation
Keywords: Tibetan plateau, Satellite altimetry, water balance, Lake level, ENVISAT, GFO
Abstract: The fluctuations of closed basin lakes on the Tibetan Plateau are a valuable record of climate change induced water balance alterating within the catchments. Since these basins are remote and hard to access, multisensoral remote sensing is a valuable method to gather the necessary water budget components with appropriate spatial coverage and with high temporal resolutions. Thus the lake level elevation changes of the central Tibetan lake Nam Co were examined in example by a comparison of satellite altimetry (RA-2/ENVISAT, GFO radar altimeters and GLAS/ICESat laser altimeter for the period 2000-2009) and the evaluation of a time series of optical satellite data dating back to 1976 (Landsat) and 1995 (Corona) in order to validate hydrological water budget modelling results. The combination of all three altimeters revealed a rising trend of lake level on average by 0.31 m/year in the period 2000-2009 which corresponds to a total volume change of 6.2 km3. This is in a good agreement with simulated average lake level rise of 0.35 m/year obtained from distributed hydrological modelling (Krause et al. 2010). The movements of lakeshore measured on the satellite imagery confirm the trend revealed by the altimetry data and they also indicate the rising trend since 1965. While GFO provides a dense time series of data the more accurate ENVISAT/RA-2 data unfortunately feature large data gaps over Tibet. The measurements from time limited campaigns of ICESat validate the results of radar altimetry and they provide unlike radar altimeters a valid height over lake ice during winter and spring period. The results show that the presented approach is a valuable contribution to understand the impact of changing climate on the hydrology of Tibetan lakes.
Location: 231
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56673
Title: Green energy for the Golden state
Author: Christian Tasser
Editor: Dr Volker Buddensiek
Year: 2010
Publisher: BVA Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co.KG, January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The magazine for Renewable Energies - Sun & Wind Energy
Keywords: Waste, waste water, biogas
Abstract: The US and the Californian government encourage companies to use waste and waste water for biogas production. Electricity and ethanol from waste are getting popular in the Golden State.
Location: 232
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56672
Title: Sustainability of pellet production
Author: Claudia Hilgers
Editor: Dr Volker Buddensiek
Year: 2010
Publisher: BVA Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co.KG, January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The magazine for Renewable Energies - Sun & Wind Energy
Keywords: pellets, sustainability
Abstract: The pellets industry promotes its wood fuel as being affordable and climate neutral. Conservationists fear a future over-exploitation of forests. The globalization of the pellets market could be to the detriment of sustainability.
Location: 232
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56671
Title: Overview of lamination and films: what the market wants
Author: Wilhelm Wilming
Editor: Dr Volker Buddensiek
Year: 2010
Publisher: BVA Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co.KG, January 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The magazine for Renewable Energies - Sun & Wind Energy
Keywords: Photovoltaics
Abstract: Laminator manufacturers and foil producers are adapting to the requirements of a growing photovoltaics market. The overall size of lamination areas in production systems is increasing and new embedding and rear-side film materials are becoming important.
Location: 232
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56670
Title: Jatropha: Raw material possibilities
Author: Thomas Isenburg
Editor: Dr Volker Buddensiek
Year: 2010
Publisher: BVA Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co.KG, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The magazine for Renewable Energies - Sun & Wind Energy
Keywords: Jatropha
Abstract: Hopes are pinned on a new source of energy in emerging and developing countries. To this end, a German businessman has developed a refinery concept for the Philippines to assist small farmers produce Jatropha oil.
Location: 232
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56669
Title: Pellets around the world
Author: Claudia Hilgers
Editor: Dr Volker Buddensiek
Year: 2010
Publisher: BVA Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co.KG, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The magazine for Renewable Energies - Sun & Wind Energy
Keywords: Pellets
Abstract: Industry representatives have announced that more pellets than ever before were produced in 2009. This can largely be put down to co-firing in power plants. In the USA things are also happening domestically when it comes to supplying heat with pellets.
Location: 232
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56668
Title: Receivers for parabolic trough plants: Right in focus
Author: Eva Augsten
Editor: Dr Volker Buddensiek
Year: 2010
Publisher: BVA Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co.KG, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The magazine for Renewable Energies - Sun & Wind Energy
Keywords: CSP plant
Abstract: The receiver is the heart of a CSP plant. There have been few changes in receiver concepts since the 1980s - but now there is a big leap ahead that might change the design of the whole plant.
Location: 232
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56667
Title: Latin America: Ideal conditions - many open questions
Author: Rouben Bathke
Editor: Dr Volker Buddensiek
Year: 2010
Publisher: BVA Bielefelder Verlag GmbH & Co.KG, April 2010
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: The magazine for Renewable Energies - Sun & Wind Energy
Keywords: Renewable energy
Abstract: Latin America offers an enormous potential for the utilization of renewable energy. However, the political will to drive the green expansion has been low in the past. In many countries, the situation is now slowly improving and the first spearheading initiatives have been sent underway.
Location: 232
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56666
Title: Variation in wood anatomical properties and specific gravity in relation to sexual dimorphism in Populus deltoides Bartr. ex Marsh
Author: P K Pande, Massarat Aziz, Sangeeta Uniyal and R C Dhiman
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 11, 10 June 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Fibre dimensions, Populus deltoides, ramet, specific gravity, wood elements
Abstract: This study deals with intra- and inter-ramet, and inter-clonal variation in dimensions of wood elements and specific gravity of 6-year-oil Populus deltoides based on sexual dimorphism of a female clone (G48) and male clone (G3). The origin of both the clones is USA. The trial used uniform spacing (5 m x 5 m). Variance ratio (F) test revealed that both clones differ significantly in fibre length and diameter, wall thickness, vessel element length and diameter, and specific gravity. The G48 clone showed higher fibre and vessel element dimensions but lower specific gravity than G3 clone, suggesting better fibre dimensions for G48 and specific gravity for G3. It showed female dominance on wood anatomical properties. Fibre length and specific gravity increased with height. Dimensions of wood element and specific gravity also increased from pith to periphery. Non-significant intra-ramet variations for both the clones indicated that homogeneous wood properties could be achieved from the single bole. Intra-clonal variations in G48 revealed non-significant differences, suggesting stable wood properties in the clone.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56665
Title: Electrical and density signatures across Narmada-Son linearment zone (Central India) along the Malkapur-Mandhata profile
Author: D Malleswari, K K Abdul Azeez, D N Murthy and T Harinarayana
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 11, 10 June 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Gravity, magnetotelluric profile, resistivity, underplanting
Abstract: Two-dimensional geoelectric section derived along the Malkapur-Mandhata magnetotelluric (MT) profile, cutting across the Narmada-Son lineament (NSL) zone, brought out a conductive (<50 Ohm m) middle and lower crust under the NSL region. This region underlying the resistive (300-3000 Ohm m) Archaean basement shows shallow depth underneath the weak tectonic zones identified in the area. The constrained density modelling of the Bouguer gravity values suggests high density (2.8 g/cm3) material corresponding to the conductive middle-lower crust zone. As the region has experienced widespread volcanism during the Cretaceous-Tertiary period, the crystallized mafic magmas that were poured into the crust during the volcanism and the fluids entrapped (expelled during magma cooling process) could be the possible explanation for the conductive and high-density characteristics beneath the NSL zone
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56664
Title: The effect of antibiotics on diatom communities
Author: Priya M D ' Costa and Arga Chandrashekar Anil
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 11, 10 June 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Antibiotics, antibiosis, bacteria, diatoms
Abstract: Effect of antibiotics (penicillin (P), streptomycin (S) and chloramphenicol (C) on benthic diatom communities was evaluated using a modified extinction -dilution method. The high antibiotic combinations (2PSC and PSC) reduced diatoms by 99-100% and favoured emergenic of yeast, probably due to high concentrations and synergistic effects. Changes in diatom communites in the individual antibiotic treatments were either direct (chloramphenicol and potentially streptomycin) or bacteria-mediated (penicillium). This study suggests that investigations on the fate of antibiotics in antibiotic olluted and natural environments must consider effects across trophic levels and particularly, diatoms, the base of aquatic food web.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None
ID: 56663
Title: Successful monitoring of the 11 April 2012 tsunami off the coast of Sumatra by Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre
Author: T Srinivasa Kumar, Shilesh Nayak, Ch. Patanjali Kumar, R B S Yadav, B Ajay Kumar, M V Sunanda, E Uma Devi, N Kiran Kumar, S A Kishor and S S C Shenoi
Editor: P Balaram
Year: 2012
Publisher: Current Science Association, Vol 102, No 11, 10 June 2012
Source: Centre for Ecological Sciences
Reference: None
Subject: Current Science
Keywords: Buoys, earthquake, subducting slab, tide gauges, tsunami monitoring
Abstract: The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) in Hyderabad monitored the 11 April 2012 tsunami off the coast of Sumatra, which was generated by a shallow strike-slip earthquake and it largest aftershock of magnitude Mw (mB) 8.5 and 8.2 respectively, that occurred inside the subducting slab of the Indian plate. The earthquake generated a small ocean-wide tsunami that has been recorded by various tide guages and tsunami buoys located in the Indian Ocean region. ITEWC detected the earthquake within 3 min 52 s and issued six advisories (bullentins) according to its Standard Operating Procedure The ITEWC performed well during the event, and avoided false alarms and unnecessary public evacuations, especially in the mainland part of India region.
Location: 241
Literature cited 1: None
Literature cited 2: None