Geomorphological Features Research Articles

Petrifying Springs of Lviv Roztocze and adjacent territories: the Retrospective and Modern Condition

Eighty-four hard-water petrifying springs of Lviv Roztocze and adjacent territories, which are forming 18 streams, were examined and their current state was assessed. The geographical position, geomorphological features, conditions of water sources and spring beds, character of tufa-forming processes, shapes of tufa formations and vegetation composition were described for each location. It was established, that travertine springs on the studied territory are related to the sources of small rivers associated with water-erosive landscape complexes. The high mineralization of groundwater, the specific structure of the river-erosion network, the location in a moisture warm climate zone, the development of colonies of calciphilic organisms (cyanobacteria, algae, bryophytes) at the watercourses led to the formation of a large travertine deposits here in the past. At the present time, the complex of natural factors is often accompanied by anthropogenic influence due to a long period of modification of the water resources of The Roztocze region. Now most of the petrifying springs are transformed by human activity, which significantly affects the intensity of tufa-forming processes. It was established, that a high level of anthropopression led to the transformation of most tufagenic watercourses and a decrease in the intensity of their activity: complete (when the processes of tufa genesis are stopped) or partial (when the processes slow downed or returned to the initial stage). Our survey of 84 sources showed that the majority of them are markedly anthropized (63.1%), about a quarter (23.8%) are lightly modified and are semi-natural in origin, and only a small part of them have a natural character now (13.1%). Among the four travertine formations known from the end of the 19th century, only two have survived (Chepin streams, Hamulets streams), while two more have been completely destroyed (Berekavitsa streams, the springhead of the Kabanivka river). It should be noted, that the active zone of tufa accumulation has noticeably decreased on 5 streams with natural or semi-natural sources (cascade on Hamulets stream, cascade on Hrybovytskyi stream, the left tributary of Chyshkivskyi stream, cascade on Chepin stream, a travertine body at the site of the bath container in Lysynytskyi stream). Tufa accumulation processes at 21 sources (25.0%) were artificially returned to the initial stage of formation due to the destruction of previously generated deposits there. Natural travertine formations of the region mainly have the form of cascades, rarely - waterfalls or crests and anthropogenic ones are mostly covered by concrete trunk. Regardless of their artificial origin, anthropogenic wells can be valuable habitats for the habitats of calciphilic bryophytes in urbanized areas. Natural and semi-natural travertine springs with saved biodiversity are can be potential objects of the Emerald network of the Roztocze region.

Dissolution feature differences of carbonate rock within hydro-fluctuation belt located in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area

The stability of geological environment in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) has experienced severe challenges due to the 30 m hydro-fluctuation belt (HFB). The vertical dissolution features vary with the mechanism of water and rock interaction. Although dissolution features have been adequately explained by physical and mechanical parameters, the characterization of chemical changes in dissolution is vital but frequently neglected information. For this purpose, the hyperspectral characteristics and mineralogical composition variation of rock HFB in different areas of the Triassic Daye Formation are tested to elucidate the dissolution behaviors. Then, the deterioration degree of dissolution is quantified by a multi-objective data integration based on Random Forest Regression (RFR) model. The spatial distribution of dissolution and the seasonal deterioration characteristics are identified depending on the spectral response of carbonate. Specifically, the dissolution degree is proportional to elevation, and inverse to the bedding angle at 0–40° in the investigated stratum. Combined with the hydrological characteristics of study area, the corresponding regional phenomena can be distinguished as reservoir water dominated, rainfall dominated, and coupled action. Affected by reservoir water and acid rainfall, the HFB may deteriorate most severely from January to April. In addition, the contribution of RFR model integrated spectral and geometric data to the deterioration evaluation of the HFB is discussed, which can effectively enhance the identification of rock mass boundary in a single spectral data model. Thus, these results are conducive to the rapid evaluation of regional geomorphological characteristics and the monitoring of geological disasters in the TGRA.

Effects of climatic fluctuations on the fragmented distribution pattern of a Tertiary relict plant, Pseudotaxus chienii (Taxaceae), in subtropical China

Abstract Habitat fragmentation can facilitate local adaptation of species to heterogeneous environments and affect population demographic history. To understand the factors influencing evolutionary dynamics, such as climatic fluctuations and complex geomorphological features, we used 18 chloroplast microsatellites, 15 nuclear microsatellites, three chloroplast fragments, and two nuclear regions to explore the genetic structure and phylogeographical history of Pseudotaxus chienii. Furthermore, its current and past distributions were constructed based on ecological niche modelling. Moderate to high levels of genetic diversity were found at the species level. Precipitation was a decisive factor influencing the genetic structure of P. chienii. In addition, local adaptation to heterogeneous environments also contributed to maintain the fragmented distribution. Finally, incomplete lineage sorting led to the cyto-nuclear discordance. Overall, we show that pre-Quaternary and Quaternary climatic fluctuations and restricted gene flow exerted significant effects on the formation and maintenance of the fragmented distribution of P. chienii. The study provides new insights into the evolutionary history of plants in subtropical China.

Geodiversity photographed: An exploratory and iconographic study of geoheritage in protected areas

This paper is part of the scope of cultural geodiversity and mobilizes photography in order to understand the role it has played in the knowledge of geodiversity and in the recognition of geoheritage. To carry out this research, four books written and directed by specialists in the photographic medium were used. They allowed us to constitute a corpus of 88 photographs, 48 of which present a geodiversity now included within the limits of a protected area. They were taken between 1853 and 1999. These photographs were specifically analyzed according to three criteria: (1) the geological and geomorphological features that were the subjects of the images; (2) the location of the protected areas represented by these photographs; (3) the place and role of the photographs in the history of this medium (techniques and/or specialties). Three main results emerged from this exploratory study: The first concerned the nature of the elements photographed (typology of forms) and the “proto-geopatrimonialization” of this geodiversity (redundancy of photographs via the constitution of photographic series); the second specifically identified the links between protected areas and geodiversity via geological surveys, West Americans in particular, artistic views of abiotic nature and archaeological explorations; the third result showed the importance of geodiversity in the history of photography, and vice versa.

A study of macroinvertebrate communities in Bolshiye Koty Bay of Lake Baikal using DNA metabarcoding.

The diversity of macroinvertebrates, the structure of their communities in Bolshiye Koty Bay (Lake Baikal) was studied by a DNA metabarcoding approach using an Illumina MiSeq system. Internal primer mlCOIintF in combination with jgHCO2198 of the Folmer fragment of the COI gene were used for macroinvertebrate metabarcoding. A total of 118009 reads of the COI gene fragment (at least 313 bp in length) were obtained. The correlation of the Spearman coefficient (S = 0.6, p<0.05) with the abundance of macroinvertebrates in the samples before DNA extraction showed that the number of reads can serve as an indirect characteristic of the abundance of a species (operational taxonomic unit, OTU). 115 OTUs belonging to the higher taxa of macroinvertebrates were identified: Porifera, 1; Platyhelminthes, 3; Annelida, 38; Arthropoda, 55; Mollusca, 18. At a high level of resolution (with homology with GenBank reference sequences ≥ 95 %, coverage ≥ 90 %), 46 taxa of macroinvertebrates comprising three communities were registered: one dominated by molluscs (Choanomphalus conf. maacki) and two dominated by chironomids (Orthocladius gregarius Linev., Sergentia baicalensis Tshern.). Communities are characterized by low species diversity according to Shannon (from 0.7 to 1.2 bits), high concentration of dominance according to Simpson (from 0.5 to 0.7) and low evenness according to Pielou (from 0.3 to 0.4). Dominants and subdominants in the communities account for 91 to 96 % of COI gene fragment reads. The spatial distribution of the dominant species identified in the communities is influenced by the geomorphological features of the bottom and the composition of sediments in the area studied. The approach proposed for studying the structure of macroinvertebrate communities based on DNA metabarcoding and next generation sequencing can be recommended for express assessment of the state of aquatic ecosystems in the monitoring.

Mercury’s Hidden Past: Revealing a Volatile-dominated Layer through Glacier-like Features and Chaotic Terrains

The discovery of global elemental volatile compositions, sublimation hollows, and chaotic terrains has significantly reshaped our understanding of Mercury’s geology. These findings suggest the existence of volatile-rich layers (VRLs) extending several kilometers in depth, challenging the traditionally held view of a predominantly volatile-devoid Mercury crust. However, the precise nature and origin of these VRLs remain to be elucidated. The Raditladi basin exhibits morphologies analogous to terrestrial and Martian glaciers. These geomorphological features are potentially derived from impact-exposed VRLs, likely constituted of halite, other semivolatile salts, or organic volatiles. The distinctive rheological traits of substances such as halite substantiate this hypothesis. The inference posits a potential ubiquity of VRLs on a planetary scale, albeit potentially ensconced at considerable depth in specific regions. North polar chaotic terrains elucidate the VRLs’ genesis and temporal evolution. The intense fragmentation of heavily cratered landscapes during their formation indicates a composition dominated by volatiles. This finding postulates a phase of volatile-enriched crustal accretion predating the Late Heavy Bombardment (∼3.9 Ga). Regardless of lost mass, the unaltered basal elevation post-collapse signals a transition to a volatile-free stratum. The exposure of an exhumed lithological substrate within Mercury’s stratigraphy, identifiable in gravimetry as an impacted paleosurface, contests the magma ocean differentiation concept for VRL formation. It infers a grand-scale construct originating from depositional processes, possibly due to the collapse of a transient, hot primordial atmosphere.

Content of Pigments in the Bottom Sediments in a Small Valley–Channel Reservoir

This paper presents the first data on the content of plant pigments in the bottom sediments of the Uvod Re-servoir (Volga basin, Russia), unique in its hydrological regime, which support the hypothesis of more intensive carbon accumulation in small water bodies. It is established that the average concentration of chlorophyll a and its transformation products at the stations is 62.6 ± 10.0 μg/g dry sediment, 35.2 ± 4.5 mg/(m2 mm) of wet sediment, and 0.73 ± 0.09 mg/g organic matter of sediments. The ratio of organic carbon to the pigment concentration varies within 400–6000 depending on the type of bottom sediments, which significantly exceeds the values known for macrophytes and phytoplankton. Despite the features of hydrodynamics and geomorphology of the reservoir, the spatial distribution of sedimentary pigments is consistent with the structure of the bottom sediment complex, which is typical for water bodies of different types. A decrease in differences between the pigment concentrations in the sandy and silty biotopes of the Uvod Reservoir compared to the Upper Volga was noted. Average concentration of chlorophyll a with pheopigments (58.5 ± 6.7 μg/g of dry sediment), calculated considering the areas of bottom sediments of different types, in the Uvod Reservoir is 2.3 times higher than in the Gorky Reservoir (25.3 ± 1.5 μg/g), from which water inflows through the Volga–Uvod Canal. According to the content of sedimentary pigments, the trophic state of the reservoir is mesotrophic. Features of eutrophication in the Uvod Reservoir are more distinctly expressed than in the Gorky Re-servoir.

The significance of morphometric analysis of Shimsha River, Karnataka, India to understand the hydrological and morphological characteristics

AbstractMorphometric analysis is crucial for advancing in various fields, including geomorphology, hydrology, environmental sciences, and geological studies. The objective of the present study is to understand the hydrological and morphological characteristics of the Shimsha River, which flows through the fluvial deltaic plain in the semiarid environment of Karnataka. Remote sensing and geographic information system have been used as mapping and efficient tools for drainage basin morphometry. The emphasis is laid on geological, geomorphological, hydrological, and fluvial features under linear, aerial, shape, relief, geometric, morphotectonic, and social morphometric parameters. The basin area is about 8741 km2, with a dendritic to subdendritic pattern. The sinuosity index is 1.6, which indicates meandering in nature. Areal parameters suggest that the drainage basin has a moderate surface permeability, homogenous lithology, run‐off, erodibility, low relief conditions, infiltration rate, and a well‐developed drainage network. Shape parameter indicates that the basin is subelongated with flatted peak flow and longer duration. Relief factor indicated low relief and intermediate stage of the incision rate. The river has an asymmetry factor is 38.65 and it shows that the channel has shifted southwest. The river shows a perfectly graded profile, with a considerable amount of incision and deposition along its profile showing tectonically unstable, based on the spatial distribution of the potential groundwater zone of about (5260 km2), other waterbody masks covered (285 km2). Standard visual interpretation techniques were applied to recognize and interpret the land use and land cover patterns. A basin rich in clay‐rich soil may lead to a massive flood. Essentially, physiographical and structural conditions controlled the stream order of the basin. The increase in the stream length ratio from lower to a higher order. That indicates a mature geomorphic stage of the study area. Rainfall and local lithology impact the development of segments of the stream.

Landslide Hazard Assessment Model for Slope Stability Analysis

Soil moisture dynamics is a complex phenomenon that depends on the atmospheric conditions, the geomorphological characteristics of the region under study, and the corresponding land use. It can be formally described by a diffusion model based on Darcy’s law and the law of mass continuity. In this work, the obtained numerical solution of the hydrological model has been exploited to evaluate the soil moisture in a given region and build a risk map for the slope stability of this region. More in detail, the infinite slope model from slope stability analysis has been used for evaluating the safety factor and constructing the corresponding quantitative hazard maps. Some results of the proposed method applied to a real case study are shown and discussed.

Assessment of Geoheritage of Geosites in Trang An –Ninh Binh area

Trang An - Ninh Binh is a captivating tourist destination, both for domestic and international travelers, renowned for its abundant geological, geomorphological, and ecological features, as well as its rich cultural and historical significance. It was designated as a UNESCO World Cultural and Natural Heritage site in 2014. With the objective of fostering tourism development by harnessing the geological heritage and formulating conservation strategies for geological heritage sites, the present endeavor focuses on assessing the geoheritage values and potential of seven distinct geosites within the Trang An area. These geosites include Sang Cave, Dark Cave, Nau Ruou Cave, Dia Linh Cave, Tran Cave, Dot Cave, and Ba Giot Cave. In accordance with the global framework for geological world heritage, the findings reveal that these seven geosites can be classified into three categories of geological sites: Type B - Geomorphology, Type D - Stone, and Type I - Tectonic. Employing a set of criteria to evaluate the value of geological heritage, encompassing scientific, educational, and touristic significance, it becomes evident that Trang An - Ninh Binh possesses considerable scientific and educational value, and its potential for geotourism development is highly promising. Additionally, the tourism potential of these heritage sites is vividly expressed through their symbolic and highly representative features, which characterize the landscape of Trang An - Ninh Binh. The research results provide an invaluable scientific foundation for local management in the pursuit of sustainable conservation and economic development of tourism in the region.

Sedimentological and Geomorphological Characteristics of Jabal Kudumbul Island, Southeast Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Sedimentological and Geomorphological Characteristics of Jabal Kudumbul Island, Southeast Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Morphometric Analysis of Trail Network and Tourist Vulnerability in a Highly Frequented Protected Area

Increasing interest in the natural environment and greater hiking activity have resulted in higher anthropogenic pressure in areas characterized by a geographic/physical setting that could present hazardous conditions. The development of these activities is influenced by the peculiar geomorphological and climatic conditions of the area. Visitors and hikers do not always have adequate cultural background and full awareness of natural dynamics, including the possibility of incurring hazardous conditions. For its cultural and landscape value and extraordinary trail network, the Portofino Promontory is frequented by more than a hundred thousand of hikers a year. However, due to the geomorphological characteristics of the area, the morphological features of the trail network (i.e., exposed paths, steep ups and downs, rocky sections with cables, etc.) and the peculiar meteo-climatic conditions, the number of accidents involving hikers has increased in the most recent years. This research uses a detailed LiDAR survey, a morphometric analysis, and a significant dataset of information on the frequentation of the hiking trail network and on the number of rescue operations carried out by the National Mountain Rescue and Speleological Service (CNSAS). These data have been related to the physical-geographical characteristics of the area. The results can be a useful tool for land management by the Park Authority.

Regional tectonic uplift indicated by geomorphological parameters in the Bahe River Basin, central China

Abstract Multiple uplifts of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau since the late Cenozoic have generated large effects on the geomorphology and environment over Asia. However, how the basin responded to the uplifted Tibetan Plateau remains unknown. Here, we examined the digital geomorphology of the Bahe River basin, the greatest first-order tributary in the southern Weihe River basin. The geomorphogenesis of the watershed, the far-field effects, and the long-range consequences of the elevation from the Tibetan Plateau were thoroughly discussed. We found that there were five layers of terraces, which were mainly controlled by tectonic activity. The geomorphological characteristics suggested that Bahe basin was influenced by a severe tectonic activity prime, with intense river erosion. The Lishan-North Qinling Mountains uplift, facilitated by the horizontal expansion of the northern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, was also responsible for the development of the Bahe River basin.

Seafloor Observation Scenario Exploration Tool: enabling representative exploration of the global deep seafloor

Visual observation of the seafloor is invaluable in understanding deep-sea biogeography, uncovering and expanding key global geological, oceanographic, and climate processes. And yet, due to the expense, inefficiency, and inequitable distribution of deep-sea tools, we have barely explored a small, biased fraction of it. Systematic and efficient exploration of the entire deep sea will require a concerted global effort. The current study uses global-coverage geospatial data to develop an interactive online tool for deep seafloor observation planning (i.e., depths below 200 m). The Seafloor Observation Scenario Exploration Tool integrates stakeholder goals and constraints into a dynamic modeling process that combines information about seafloor depth, seafloor geomorphology features, sites of past seafloor observation, Exclusive Economic Zones, and vessel traffic density. With the tool, users can identify maximally suitable areas for seafloor observation, which we envision supporting seafloor expedition planning and marine conservation action.

Hydrostratigraphic decomposition of fluvio-deltaic sediments inferred from seismic geomorphology and geophysical well logs in the Pannonian Basin, Hungary

Heterogeneity and anisotropy of lithological units influences hydraulic conductivity on several scales. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel method supporting hydrostratigraphic classification by considering horizontal and vertical variations of sand content in relation with the paleo-depositional environment. The workflow was applied for the uppermost ca. 1800 m thick fluvio-deltaic deposits (Great Plain Aquifer) of late Neogene to Quaternary age basin-fill succession in the eastern part of the Pannonian basin in Hungary. Five combined 3D seismic volumes, seven master horizons, and 30 well logs were analyzed. First, RMS amplitude maps were extracted to interpret the seismic geomorphological features and depositional architectures. Their associated lithology was inferred from wireline logs (GR and SP) by calculating the shale volume and the net-to-gross sand ratio for 30 m thick intervals. These were used to calibrate the seismic facies as a proxy for the horizontal distribution of sand versus shale. This method allowed the identification of sand bodies, i.e.: deltaic lobes, complex channel belts, simple fluvial channels behaving as aquifers, and the dominantly muddy delta plain to flood plain suits as aquitard. The vertical pattern of sand distribution was also evaluated. Three major stratiform and some corridor-like minor hydrostratigraphic units were defined instead of the former regional (basin) scale aquifer unit. 1) Laterally extended interval of stacked deltaic lobes of high sand ratios and high rate of connectedness, at the bottom of the studied interval. 2) General presence of extended muddy floodplains with anastomosing river systems, characterized by 100–200 m wide channels, low sand ratio, and limited connectedness: 3) widespread meandering and/or braided river systems with high sand ratios and high connectedness in the Quaternary. Within unit 2) spatially and temporally variable appearance of major 500–3600 m wide meandering channel belts produce locally high sand-ratio corridors in the NE-SW direction. A workflow adapted from the oil-and-gas industry was successfully applied to distinguish units of varying sand content and hydraulic conductivity. This approach can be used on basin to local scale to build a spatially complex facies-based model of hydrostratigraphy. Thus, a robust heterogeneous geological model serves as a base for investigating fluid flow on the required scale.

YOLO-Crater Model for Small Crater Detection

Craters are the most prominent geomorphological features on the surface of celestial bodies, which plays a crucial role in studying the formation and evolution of celestial bodies as well as in landing and planning for surface exploration. Currently, the main automatic crater detection models and datasets focus on the detection of large and medium craters. In this paper, we created 23 small lunar crater datasets for model training based on the Chang’E-2 (CE-2) DOM, DEM, Slope, and integrated data with 7 kinds of visualization stretching methods. Then, we proposed the YOLO-Crater model for Lunar and Martian small crater detection by replacing EioU and VariFocal loss to solve the crater sample imbalance problem and introducing a CBAM attention mechanism to mitigate interference from the complex extraterrestrial environment. The results show that the accuracy (P = 87.86%, R = 66.04%, and F1 = 75.41%) of the Lunar YOLO-Crater model based on the DOM-MMS (Maximum-Minimum Stretching) dataset is the highest and better than that of the YOLOX model. The Martian YOLO-Crater, trained by the Martian dataset from the 2022 GeoAI Martian Challenge, achieves good performance with P = 88.37%, R = 69.25%, and F1 = 77.65%. It indicates that the YOLO-Crater model has strong transferability and generalization capability, which can be applied to detect small craters on the Moon and other celestial bodies.

Geospatial Analysis of Kurumanpuzha Sub Watershed in the Chaliyar River Basin: A Remote Sensing and GIS Approach for Geomorphological Assessment

Aims: This study aimed to determine geomorphological characteristics of Kurumanpuzha sub-watershed for understanding its hydrological behaviour, erosion susceptibility and geological characteristics.&#x0D; Study Design: Morphometric analysis of Kurumanpuzha sub-watershed was carried out using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) which is pivotal for sustainable resource management.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, Tavanur, Malappuram, Kerala during 2020-2021.&#x0D; Methodology: The geomorphological characteristics of Kurumanpuzha sub-watershed were determined using GIS offering precise terrain insights to guide water resource planning, erosion control, infrastructure development and ecological conservation. Morphometric parameters were assessed based on linear, areal, and relief characteristics. USGS Earth Explorer platform was employed to download satellite images from multiple sources, including ISRO Resourcesat, Landsat, Sentinel, RADAR, and others. These images were then used to develop a Land Use Land Cover (LULC) map as well as other maps of the study area.&#x0D; Results: The sub-watershed had a dendritic drainage pattern with a mean bifurcation ratio of 2.05, indicating easier flood management due to longer durations of low peak flows. The analysis revealed fine drainage, indicating a prevalence of soft rocks prone to erosion. The watershed had high relief and steep slopes, characterized by hills, breaks, and low mountains. The hypsometric curve indicated an equilibrium stage of geomorphic evolution. Morphometric parameters were grouped into three clusters at the sub-watershed level, demonstrating spatial variability. Forest/dense vegetation were the dominant land use, followed by rubber plantations and scrubland.&#x0D; Conclusion: The findings of this study contribute to understanding of the hydrological behaviour, erosion susceptibility and geological characteristics of Kurumanpuzha sub-watershed. It is useful for effective watershed management, erosion control and informed decision-making in land use planning and engineering projects.

Seasonal patterns in the mesopelagic fish community and associated deep scattering layers of an enclosed deep basin

Mesopelagic fish constitute the most abundant vertebrate group in the marine environment. The current work reports on results of three seasonal acoustic cruises carried out in the Gulf of Corinth, a relatively small, deep, isolated basin located in the Central Mediterranean (Greece) that presents some unique geomorphological and ecological features. The aim of this study was to describe seasonal echo-types and the vertical distribution of the Deep Scattering Layers (DSLs) as well as to relate them with specific species or species groups. Mesopelagic fish dominated the pelagic ecosystem as confirmed by biological sampling with different gears during daytime and nighttime. In total, at least 15 species were caught, belonging to the families Myctophidae, Paralepididae, Sternoptychidae and Stomiidae, while the—elsewhere very abundant—families Gonostomatidae and Phosichthyidae were completely absent. Common echo-types included: (a) shoals and schools formed by the silvery lightfish Maurolicus muelleri, usually located along the shelf break (80–225 m), (b) a non-migrant thin DSL found at 150–280 m throughout the deep parts of the Gulf, dominated by juvenile half-naked hatchetfish Argyropelecus hemigymnus, and (c) one thick, partially migratory DSL at 250–600 m, mainly consisting of myctophids. The echo backscatter characteristics and species composition of the DSLs as well as the length distribution of the populations were found to differ seasonally. Species-specific and size related patterns in the vertical distribution of fish were detected both during daytime and nighttime. Overall, the Gulf of Corinth seems to sustain high densities of mesopelagic fish that constitute the basic food resource for the abundant dolphin populations that inhabit the area.

Extracting Land Surface Albedo from Landsat 9 Data in GEE Platform to Support Climate Change Analysis

Land surface albedo is a relevant variable in many climatic, environmental, and hydrological studies; its monitoring allows researchers to identify changes on the Earth’s surface. The open satellite data that is provided by the USGS/NASA Landsat mission is quite suitable for estimating this parameter through the remote sensing technique. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the potentialities of the new Landsat 9 data for retrieving Earth’s albedo by applying da Silva et al.’s algorithm (developed in 2016 for the Landsat 8 data) using the Google Earth Engine cloud platform and R software. Two urban areas in Southern Italy with similar geomorphologic and climatic characteristics were chosen as study sites. After obtaining thematic maps of the albedos here, a statistical analysis and comparison among the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 results was performed considering the entire study areas and each land use/land cover class that is provided by the Copernicus Urban Atlas 2018. This approach was also applied to the data after being filtered through Tukey’s test (used to detect and remove outliers). The analysis showed a very good correlation between the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 estimations (ρ &gt; 0.94 for both sites), with some exceptions that were related to some mis-corresponding values. Furthermore, the Landsat 8 and Landsat 9 outliers were generally overlapping. In conclusion, da Silva et al.’s approach appears to also be reasonably applicable to the Landsat 9 data despite some radiometric differences.

Controls of thermal response of temperate lakes to atmospheric warming

Atmospheric warming heats lakes, but the causes of variation among basins are poorly understood. Here, multi-decadal profiles of water temperatures, trophic state, and local climate from 345 temperate lakes are combined with data on lake geomorphology and watershed characteristics to identify controls of the relative rates of temperature change in water (WT) and air (AT) during summer. We show that differences in local climate (AT, wind speed, humidity, irradiance), land cover (forest, urban, agriculture), geomorphology (elevation, area/depth ratio), and water transparency explain >30% of the difference in rate of lake heating compared to that of the atmosphere. Importantly, the rate of lake heating slows as air warms (P < 0.001). Clear, cold, and deep lakes, especially at high elevation and in undisturbed catchments, are particularly responsive to changes in atmospheric temperature. We suggest that rates of surface water warming may decline relative to the atmosphere in a warmer future, particularly in sites already experiencing terrestrial development or eutrophication.