Article
Environmental Sciences
Donald Scavia, Yu-Chen Wang, Daniel R. Obenour, Anna Apostel, Samantha J. Basile, Margaret M. Kalcic, Christine J. Kirchhoff, Lorrayne Miralha, Rebecca L. Muenich, Allison L. Steiner
Summary: In response to increased harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and nearshore algae growth in Lake Erie, the US and Canada agreed to phosphorus load reduction targets, guided by models. Climate impacts on watershed processes are likely to lead to reductions in future loading, assuming unchanged land use and management practices. Uncertainty associated with each model in this integrated study highlights the need for improvements to build confidence in future projections.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Aboalhasan Fathabadi, John D. Jansen
Summary: Sediment fingerprinting is a valuable technique in drainage basin analysis that allows for the identification and quantification of sediment sources and contributions. The choice of mixing model is crucial for the accuracy of this technique. In this study, frequentist and Bayesian mixing models were applied to determine the optimum composite fingerprint of sediment sources in a small catchment in northeastern Iran. The results showed that GLUE and BEMMA models performed the best in terms of uncertainty estimation. The study also revealed that agriculture is the main cause of sedimentation in the earth dam reservoir.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Na An, Lifei Yu, Lingbin Yan, Dan Yang
Summary: The quality of lake wetlands has decreased due to elevated concentrations of certain trace elements. Consuming crayfish from these trace element concentrated lake wetlands can be hazardous for waterbirds and human health. This study quantified the bioaccumulation of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sediments and abdominal muscles of Procambarus clarkii in Caohai lake wetland, China. The results showed significantly elevated levels of Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn in sediment, and some samples of crayfish had Cd, Pb, and Zn levels exceeding the maximum permissible limits. These findings suggest that lake sediment could be an important source of feed for P. clarkii and that normal consumption of crayfish posed low to no health risk for waterbirds and local inhabitants.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Review
Statistics & Probability
Jiaxin Zhang
Summary: This article provides an overview of modern Monte Carlo methods such as Multilevel Monte Carlo (MLMC), Multifidelity Monte Carlo (MFMC), and Multimodel Monte Carlo method (MMMC) that address challenges in uncertainty quantification (UQ), particularly in uncertainty propagation.
WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-COMPUTATIONAL STATISTICS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Lei Xiao, Kashem M. Muttaqi, Ashish P. Agalgaonkar
Summary: This paper proposes a Monte Carlo simulation based approach to investigate the influence of the stochastic nature of renewable and distributed resources on the reliability of distribution systems.
ELECTRIC POWER SYSTEMS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Suyog Gupta, Sunil Kumar Gupta
Summary: Heavy metal contamination has significant impacts on river ecosystems and poses potential health risks to humans. This study used an integrated approach to assess the chronic daily intake and associated health risks of heavy metals in the riverine ecosystem. The findings showed that heavy metal concentrations in sediment were higher than in water, and sediment had significantly higher carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks compared to water. The sensitivity analysis revealed that heavy metal concentration was the most influential factor in health risk assessment.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Se Jong Cho, Peter Wilcock, Karen Gran
Summary: This study presents a model that uses high-resolution topography to predict sediment delivery in watersheds. The model can forecast changes in sediment delivery based on changes in sediment sources and considers the storage and delivery of sediment over time.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lijun Wu, Weifeng Yue, Jin Wu, Changming Cao, Hong Liu, Yanguo Teng
Summary: Aquatic sediment polluted by potentially toxic elements from mining activities in China poses a significant health risk to humans and the local ecology. This study investigated the pollution status, spatial distribution, and ecological and health hazards of Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr, and As in sediment around typical metal mines in China. The sediment showed varying degrees of contamination, with Cd being the most enriched element, followed by Cu, As, Zn, Pb, and Cr. A large portion of metal-mining-affected sediment presented a very high ecological risk, mainly contributed by Cd, As, Pb, and Cu. The adverse health risk posed to children by the sediment was significantly higher than that posed to adults.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ting Fang, Kun Yang, Hui Wang, Hongyan Fang, Yangyang Liang, Xiuxia Zhao, Na Gao, Jing Li, Wenxuan Lu, Kai Cui
Summary: Bioavailability-based probabilistic risk assessment is an effective method to evaluate the risk of trace metals to aquatic species, but it is not widely used in lake management. In this study, Chaohu Lake in China was selected as a case study, and the concentrations of trace metals in the surface sediment were measured using chemical extraction and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT). Monte Carlo simulation was used for probabilistic risk assessment (PRA), and the species sensitivity distribution (SSD) was constructed using acute toxicity data. Three evaluation methods, including toxic units based on total content, modified potential ecological risk index (RI) based on chemical fractionation, and DGT-SSD coupled PRA, were implemented and compared. The results showed that Cd and other trace metals were significantly affected by human activities. The combined toxicity calculated from DGT-SSD coupled PRA indicated a probability of toxic effects on aquatic organisms in sediment.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Oriol Abril-Pla, Virgile Andreani, Colin Carroll, Larry Dong, Christopher J. Fonnesbeck, Maxim Kochurov, Ravin Kumar, Junpeng Lao, Christian C. Luhmann, Osvaldo A. Martin, Michael Osthege, Ricardo Vieira, Thomas Wiecki, Robert Zinkov
Summary: PyMC is a Python library for probabilistic programming that facilitates the construction and fitting of Bayesian models. It features an intuitive and readable syntax, similar to the natural language used by statisticians to describe models. PyMC leverages the symbolic computation library PyTensor, allowing it to be compiled into various computational backends, such as C, JAX, and Numba, providing access to different computational architectures including CPU, GPU, and TPU. With its versatility and ease of use, PyMC supports a wide range of models including hierarchical linear regression and classification, time series, ODEs, and non-parametric models like Gaussian processes (GPs). Examples demonstrating PyMC's capabilities are provided, along with a discussion on its positive impact in the open-source ecosystem for probabilistic programming.
PEERJ COMPUTER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jun Li, Kai-Ming Li, Liang Jiao, Fei Zang, Xu Li, Yun-Qin Yang, Xiao-Xuan Mao, Xi-Sheng Tai
Summary: Identifying contamination and sources of toxic elements in road-dust sediment and surrounding greenspace soil is crucial for pollution management and public health. A study was conducted in the Yellow River Custom Tourist Line of Lanzhou, China, investigating the contamination characteristics, ecological risks, and sources of eight potentially toxic elements. The results showed excessive concentrations of these elements in both road-dust sediment and greenspace soil, posing considerable risks to the environment and human health.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Erdinc Sogut, Tian-Jian Hsu, Ali Farhadzadeh
Summary: Laboratory experiments and numerical simulations were conducted to study the scour induced by a solitary wave around a non-slender vertical structure on a sandy berm. Flow separation at the sharp edges resulted in counterclockwise rotating vortices that entrain and entrapped sand particles, leading to scouring. The structure dimension was found to be the most influential factor in the scouring process.
COASTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Mariana C. A. Clare, Matthew D. Piggott, Colin J. Cotter
Summary: This study demonstrates the application of the multilevel Monte Carlo method (MLMC) in hydro-morphodynamic coastal ocean modeling. By computing statistics of key output variables given uncertain input parameters, MLMC can quantify uncertainty and significantly reduce computational cost while maintaining accuracy. Furthermore, the method can estimate the probability distribution of output variables, providing valuable decision support.
COASTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Hyejeong Kim, Hitoshi Kawakatsu, Takeshi Akuhara, Takeuchi Nozomu
Summary: This study proposes an approach using ocean bottom seismometers to characterize the seismic properties of the seafloor sediment layer. The method resolves thin sublayers within the sediment layer and allows for accurate prediction and correction of sediment layer effects.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SOLID EARTH
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Feng Qin
Summary: The study investigated modern pollen assemblages from 34 lakes in the steppe and desert zones of the Tibetan Plateau. Results show that non-arboreal pollen taxa dominate both vegetation zones and exhibit distinctive characteristics. Pollen ratios demonstrate great potential in separating different vegetation zones and indicating climate changes on the Tibetan Plateau.
SCIENCE CHINA-EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
Monika Toth, Oliver Heiri, Ildiko Vincze, Mihaly Braun, Zoltan Szabo, Eniko K. Magyari
Summary: This study provides the first chironomid record and associated summer air-temperature reconstruction from Lake Saint Anne in the Eastern Carpathians. The findings suggest that the warming after Heinrich event 1 had a similar magnitude to the late glacial warming, while the summers during the Younger Dryas period remained relatively warm in this region of Europe. However, the reliability of the paleotemperature record obtained from the lake may have been influenced by changes in water depth, analogue problems, and paludification, particularly during the Early Holocene.
QUATERNARY RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Geography, Physical
Alexander Bolland, Oliver A. Kern, Andreas Koutsodendris, Jorg Pross, Oliver Heiri
Summary: The Eemian period in central Europe showed a transition from thermophilous to boreal tree taxa, with temperature reconstructions indicating a decrease. Chironomid records revealed variations in temperature, with different taxa suggesting cold or warm conditions at different stages.
Review
Ecology
Maria Cuenca-Cambronero, Colin J. Courtney-Mustaphi, Ryan Greenway, Oliver Heiri, Cameron M. Hudson, Leighton King, Kimberley D. Lemmen, Marvin Moosmann, Moritz Muschick, Nare Ngoepe, Ole Seehausen, Blake Matthews
Summary: The field of paleolimnology has made significant progress in reconstructing past environmental conditions of aquatic ecosystems based on sediment records. Advances in molecular technologies have further enhanced the understanding of evolutionary processes and species diversification over long timescales. Integrative use of paleolimnological, paleogenetic, and molecular approaches provides important insights into ecological and evolutionary responses of species and communities to environmental change.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Fabian Rey, Sandra O. Brugger, Erika Gobet, Romain Andenmatten, Andrea Bonini, Hannah Inniger, Corina Maurer, Nina Perret-Gentil-dit-Maillard, Julian C. Riederer, Oliver Heiri, Willy Tinner, Christoph Schwoerer
Summary: This study analyzed the vegetation, land use, and fire history of Lac de Champex in the Central Swiss Alps for the last 14,500 years. The research found that climate change had a significant impact on the altitudinal range of tree species, while increasing human activities after 5,000 years ago led to major changes in certain tree species.
VEGETATION HISTORY AND ARCHAEOBOTANY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Spassimir Tonkov, Oliver Heiri, Andre Lotter
Article
Geography, Physical
Ole Bennike, William Colgan, Lars Hedenas, Oliver Heiri, Geoffrey Lemdahl, Peter Wiberg-Larsen, Sofia Ribeiro, Roberto Pronzato, Renata Manconi, Anders A. Bjork
Summary: An organic-rich deposit was discovered at an elevation of 480 m above sea level at the Pingorsuit Glacier in North-West Greenland. The sediments contained remains of vascular plants, mosses, beetles, caddisflies, midges, bryozoans, sponges and other invertebrates. The fossils were deposited in a boreal environment with a mean July air temperature that was at least 9 degrees C higher than at present.
Article
Geography, Physical
Fabian Rey, Colin J. Courtney Mustaphi, Sonke Szidat, Erika Gobet, Oliver Heiri, Willy Tinner
Summary: High-resolution chronologies are crucial for comparing palaeoenvironmental studies with high-precision historical, archaeological, or climatic data. The study presents an updated sediment chronology from Burgaschisee, a well-studied lake in Switzerland, using new radiocarbon samples and Bayesian age-depth modeling. The new chronology reveals 2 sigma uncertainties of only +/- 19 years for the entire record and allows for more accurate site-to-site comparisons. The study emphasizes the importance of a rigorous sampling strategy and the selection of suitable terrestrial plant material for radiocarbon dating.
Article
Ecology
Suzette G. A. Flantua, Ondrej Mottl, Vivian A. A. Felde, Kuber P. P. Bhatta, Hilary H. H. Birks, John-Arvid Grytnes, Alistair W. R. Seddon, H. John B. Birks
Summary: This article presents a step-by-step guide on how to process fossil pollen data for large-scale palaeoecological analyses. The authors provide a detailed protocol and workflow to ensure transparency and reproducibility of data. Furthermore, they emphasize the importance of expertise and informed decisions based on palaeoecological knowledge when working with open-access palaeoecological data.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tuija Maliniemi, Karoliina Huusko, Lauralotta Muurinen, John-Arvid Grytnes, Helena Tukiainen, Risto Virtanen, Janne Alahuhta
Summary: By resurveying vegetation in different boreal habitat types in Rokua National Park in Finland, we found that the compositional similarity of plant communities has increased over time, mainly due to an increase in forest species and the loss of habitat-specific species. Our study highlights the importance of proper management in achieving long-term biodiversity conservation goals in protected areas.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nare Ngoepe, Moritz Muschick, Mary A. Kishe, Salome Mwaiko, Yunuen Temoltzin-Loranca, Leighton King, Colin Courtney Mustaphi, Oliver Heiri, Giulia Wienhues, Hendrik Vogel, Maria Cuenca-Cambronero, Willy Tinner, Martin Grosjean, Blake Matthews, Ole Seehausen
Summary: Adaptive radiations play a crucial role in generating biodiversity, but the relative importance of species' ecological versatility and arrival order in determining which lineage radiates is still unclear. Through analyzing the fossil record of cichlid fishes in Lake Victoria, it was found that their ecological versatility was key to their persistence in new habitats, suggesting that it played a major role in adaptive radiation.
Article
Geography, Physical
Gonzalo Jimenez-Moreno, Oliver Heiri, Antonio Garcia-Alix, R. Scott Anderson, Francisco J. Jimenez-Espejo, Charo Lopez-Blanco, Laura Jimenez, Carmen Perez-Martinez, Marta Rodrigo-Gamiz, Alejandro Lopez-Aviles, Jon Camuera
Summary: Obtaining accurate temperature reconstructions from the past is crucial in understanding natural temperature changes and evaluating anthropogenic global warming. This study presents a detailed Holocene temperature reconstruction based on chironomid assemblages, revealing significant cooling during the Middle and Late Holocene. The current climate warming exceeds future projections, posing a threat to alpine environments and biodiversity.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Colin J. Courtney-Mustaphi, Enrica Steiner, Stefanie von Fumetti, Oliver Heiri
Summary: Subfossil remains of aquatic invertebrates found in lacustrine sediments provide valuable information for paleoenvironmental studies. The lack of visual keys or documentation sources has limited the use of certain ecologically important invertebrate groups in paleoenvironmental research. This article presents a collection of digital photomicrographs of pre-identified aquatic invertebrate specimens, showcasing their preserved structures and providing insights for identification.
JOURNAL OF PALEOLIMNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
Yunuen Temoltzin-Loranca, Erika Gobet, Boris Vanniere, Jacqueline F. N. van Leeuwen, Giulia Wienhues, Colin Courtney-Mustaphi, Mary Kishe, Moritz Muschick, Leighton King, Pavani Misra, Nare Ngoepe, Blake Matthews, Hendrik Vogel, Oliver Heiri, Ole Seehausen, Martin Grosjean, Willy Tinner
Summary: This paper presents a high-resolution palynological record from the Lake Victoria basin, showing the ecological successions and landscape transformations in tropical East Africa from 16,600 to 9,000 cal yr BP. The study demonstrates the dynamic response of African tropical ecosystems to long-term temperature and humidity variations during this period.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nare Ngoepe, Moritz Muschick, Mary A. Kishe, Salome Mwaiko, Yunuen Temoltzin-Loranca, Leighton King, Colin Courtney Mustaphi, Oliver Heiri, Giulia Wienhues, Hendrik Vogel, Maria Cuenca-Cambronero, Willy Tinner, Martin Grosjean, Blake Matthews, Ole Seehausen
Summary: This study presents a continuous fossil record showing how haplochromine cichlids came to dominate the fish fauna of Lake Victoria in Africa.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stefan Engels, Christine S. Lane, Aritina Haliuc, Wim Z. Hoek, Francesco Muschitiello, Ilaria Baneschi, Annerieke Bouwman, Christopher Bronk Ramsey, James Collins, Renee de Bruijn, Oliver Heiri, Katalin Hubay, Gwydion Jones, Andreas Laug, Josef Merkt, Meike Mueller, Tom Peters, Francien Peterse, Richard A. Staff, Anneke T. M. ter Schure, Falko Turner, Valerie van den Bos, Frederike Wagner-Cremer
Summary: Vegetation in northwest Europe responded instantly and synchronously to abrupt cooling during the last deglaciation, indicating the severity of environmental impact and the sensitivity of natural terrestrial ecosystems to external forcing.
COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT
(2022)