Highlight articles

Simulated anthropogenic CO₂ storage and acidification of the Mediterranean Sea

Biogeosciences
DOI 10.5194/bg-12-781-2015
10 February 2015

Different observational-based estimates of CO₂ uptake and resulting acidification of the Mediterranean Sea vary widely. A new study finds that even the smallest of those is an upper limit because the approach used assumes air-sea CO₂ equilibrium. Then along with a lower limit from new fine-scale numerical model simulations, the authors bracket Mediterranean Sea CO₂ uptake and acidification rates. They conclude that its rate of surface acidifcation is much like that for typical ocean waters.

A high-resolution global-scale groundwater model

In this paper we present a high resolution global-scale groundwater model of an upper aquifer. An equilibrium water table at its natural state is contructed. Aquifer parameterization is based on available global-datasets on lithology and conductivity combined with estimated aquifer thickness. The results showed groundwater levels are well simulated for many regions of the world. Simulated flow paths showed the relevance of including lateral groundwater flows in global scale hydrological models.

Technical Note: Maximising accuracy and minimising cost of a potentiometrically regulated ocean acidification simulation system

This article describes a low-cost, easy set-up, ocean acidification simulation system that reliably mimics the effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide on seawater chemistry. The accessible design of this system, along with our suggestions for the validation of pH control and characterisation of seawater chemistry, will enable researchers on a limited budget to generate high quality, repeatable data documenting the response of marine organisms to ocean acidification.

Permafrost soils and carbon cycling

SOIL
DOI 10.5194/soil-1-147-2015
5 February 2015

The huge carbon stocks found in soils of the permafrost region are important to the global climate system because of their potential to decompose and release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere upon thawing. This review highlights permafrost characteristics, the influence of cryogenic processes on soil formation, organic carbon accumulation and distribution in permafrost soils, the vulnerability of this carbon upon permafrost thaw, and the role of permafrost soils in a changing climate.

A reduced-complexity model for river delta formation – Part 1: Modeling deltas with channel dynamics

In this work we present DeltaRCM, a reduced-complexity model for river delta formation. It is a rule-based cellular morphodynamic model, in contrast to reductionist models based on detailed computational fluid dynamics. DeltaRCM is able to resolve channel dynamics, and to produce stratigraphy. We also explain the meaning of complexity reduction, especially what are the essential processes to be included in modeling deltas.

The fate of seeds in the soil: a review of the influence of overland flow on seed removal and its consequences for the vegetation of arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems

SOIL
DOI 10.5194/soil-1-131-2015
26 January 2015

Since seeds are the principle means by which plants move across the landscape, the final fate of seeds plays a fundamental role in the origin, maintenance, functioning and dynamics of plant communities. In arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems, where seeds are scattered into a heterogeneous environment and intense rainfalls occur, the transport of seeds by runoff to new sites represents an opportunity for seeds to reach more favourable sites for seed germination and seedling survival.

ERA-Interim/Land: a global land surface reanalysis data set

ERA-Interim/Land is a global land-surface reanalysis covering the period 1979–2010. It describes the evolution of soil moisture, soil temperature and snowpack. ERA-Interim/Land includes a number of parameterization improvements in the land surface scheme with respect to the original ERA-Interim and a precipitation bias correction based on GPCP. A selection of verification results show the added value in representing the terrestrial water cycle and its main land surface storages and fluxes.

The interdisciplinary nature of SOIL

SOIL
DOI 10.5194/soil-1-117-2015
16 January 2015

This paper provides a brief accounting of some of the many ways that the study of soils can be interdisciplinary, therefore giving examples of the types of papers we hope to see submitted to SOIL.

Development of a large-sample watershed-scale hydrometeorological data set for the contiguous USA: data set characteristics and assessment of regional variability in hydrologic model performance

The focus of this paper is to (1) present a community dataset of daily forcing and hydrologic response data for 671 unimpaired basins across the contiguous United States that spans a very wide range of hydroclimatic conditions; and (2) provide a calibrated model performance benchmark using a common conceptual snow and hydrologic modeling system. This benchmark provides a reference level of model performance across a very large basin sample and highlights regional variations in performance.

Soil properties and pre-Columbian settlement patterns in the Monumental Mounds Region of the Llanos de Moxos, Bolivian Amazon

SOIL
DOI 10.5194/soil-1-65-2015
6 January 2015

In the present paper we explore to what degree soil properties might have influenced pre-Columbian settlement patterns in the Monumental Mounds Region (MMR) of the Llanos de Moxos (LM), Bolivian Amazon. This study provides new data on the soil properties of the south-eastern Bolivian Amazon and reinforces the hypothesis that environmental constraints and opportunities exerted an important role on pre-Columbian occupation patterns and the population density reached in the Bolivian Amazon.

BG Biogeosciences Highlight articles

Highlight articles

Information for

External links