Horizontal Distribution Research Articles

Incorporating meander to account for the impact of low winds in area source modeling; AERMOD as a case study

ABSTRACT A variety of sources of pollutant emissions can be represented as area sources. These include manure lagoons, landfills, wastewater treatment ponds, and highways. A group of point sources can also be treated as an area source. The impact of an area source is usually computed by representing the area source as a set of line sources perpendicular to the wind direction. As for point sources, the Gaussian horizontal concentration distribution used to compute the contributions of the line sources is likely to overestimate ground-level concentrations when the wind speed is comparable to the standard deviation of the horizontal velocity fluctuations. A variety of methods are used to mitigate this overestimation under these conditions, referred to as meander. As an example of one these approaches, we examine that of AERMOD, EPA’s regulatory model. AERMOD includes meander in modeling the impact of point and volume sources, but has not yet incorporated it into AERMOD’s area source algorithm. This paper describes an approach to include meander in AERMOD’s area source algorithm and demonstrates its impact on concentrations associated with area sources. Implications: Inclusion of wind direction meander in modeling dispersion when the wind speed is low is important in ensuring that AERMOD does not overestimate concentrations under these conditions. In view of the importance of area sources of pollution, the results presented in this paper represent a potential enhancement of AERMOD’s ability to estimate the upper end of the concentration distribution, which forms the basis of the regulatory acceptance of the model.

Light attenuation parameterization in a highly turbid mega estuary and its impact on the coastal planktonic ecosystem

Light is essential for phytoplankton photosynthesis and many other biogeochemical processes in the aquatic system. However, light regimes vary greatly in the estuaries and coasts due to the optical complexity of the Case-2 waters. In this study, observed vertical profiles of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR; 400-700 nm) in a highly turbid mega estuary, the Changjiang (Yangtze River) Estuary, are used to quantify the effects of sedimentary and biogeochemical components on PAR attenuation in the water column and associated ecological impacts. The in-situ data suggest suspended sediment plays the most crucial role in light diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) distribution, followed by salinity (i.e., an index for colored dissolved organic matter) and phytoplankton chlorophyll-a. A new parameterization of Kd, based on suspended sediment, chlorophyll-a concentration, and salinity, is fitted using multiple linear regression. The previous and new Kd parameterizations are further applied to a coupled hydrodynamics-sediment-ecosystem model to simulate spring phytoplankton blooms. Comparative model runs reveal that the new Kd parameterization resulted in a better representation of the spring bloom patterns in magnitude, horizontal distribution, and vertical thickness of the high chlorophyll-a band offshore the turbidity maximum zone during the spring bloom. In summary, accurate representations of underwater light fields in the optically complex Case-2 water are critical in understanding biophysical processes that control planktonic ecosystem dynamics in the estuaries and coastal seas.

Trihalomethanes (THMs) formation in chlorine-treated and -untreated wastewater and its horizontal and vertical distribution through the irrigation of agricultural fields

ABSTRACT This study examines the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs) in wastewater intended for crop irrigation. The presence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the water and its release from the soil make it crucial to understand the relationship between THM formation, DOC aromaticity, and residual chlorine. The research takes a dual approach: assessing spatial distribution through field samples from canals now distributing treated, chlorinated wastewater and analysing vertical percolation of irrigation wastewater through soil previously irrigated with untreated, non-chlorinated water for over 100 years. Spatial analysis reveals that THMs are present in wastewater before treatment, with concentrations increasing post-treatment. Although DOC levels decrease after treatment, their aromaticity remains unchanged, suggesting the persistence of labile DOC. The presence of THMs in treated wastewater from irrigation canals may result from shorter travel distances or increased chlorine use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vertical soil column experiments indicate a correlation between THM generation, water source, and soil type. Results show that THMs are retained in the soil, where labile DOC is trapped, reducing its concentration while potentially releasing DOC from humic substances. Despite this, THM concentrations do not pose a risk to aquifers, though ongoing monitoring is important should soil and/or treatment methods be altered.

The temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of induced seismicity in the Changning shale gas field based on dense array

In this paper, we performed microseismicity detection and location using the deep learning method and obtained a high-precision earthquake catalog in the Changning gas field, which is one of the largest shale gas production demonstration areas in China. We found that the spatial and temporal characteristics of seismicity in the region are indicative of its correlation with industrial operations. The distribution of earthquakes at depth reflected variations in reservoir depth and provided valuable constraints on it. The horizontal layered distribution of earthquakes at depth is due to the formation of fracture surfaces from interconnected fractures near the reservoir during hydraulic fracturing (HF) operations, which clearly demonstrates how HF operations impact seismicity. We suggested that the horizontally layered distribution was driven by two fundamental mechanisms: reactivation of pre-existing faults during HF and injection of high-pressure fluids into the reservoir, leading to fracture creation. Several ML ≥4 earthquakes, which did not occur on well-defined seismogenic faults, may have been triggered by pore elastic coupling resulting from regional stress accumulation and fluid injection. Significantly, the ML 4.9 seismic sequence occurring at the basement indicates that fracking has reactivated and promoted pre-existing faults, highlighting the need for further investigation into potential seismic hazards in the region.

Elucidation of spatiotemporal structures from high-resolution blowing-snow observations

Abstract. Systematic observations were conducted to investigate the spatiotemporal structures of blowing snow. Along a line perpendicular to the dominant wind direction on the lee side of a flat field, 15 snow particle counters (SPCs) and ultrasonic anemometers (USAs) were placed 1.5 m apart. Data were recorded at high frequencies of 100 kHz for SPCs and 1 kHz for USAs. The horizontal mass flux distributions, representing the spatiotemporal variability of blowing snow, exhibited non-uniformity in both time and space and manifested periodic changes akin to snow waves. Additionally, the presence of “snow snakes”, meandering near the snow surface, was observed. Quadrant analysis revealed predominant snow fluxes in quadrants Q1 (u′>0, w′>0) and Q4 (u′>0, w′<0). However, a more detailed parametric curve analysis indicated the existence of ejection events in Q2 (u′<0, w′>0) before snow waves and in front of snow snakes, shifting to Q1 and Q4 afterward, implying the consideration of both top-down and bottom-up mechanisms for burst sweep events.

A Circulation Study Based on the 2022 Sino–Vietnamese Joint Survey Data from the Beibu Gulf

This study analyzed the horizontal and vertical distribution characteristics of temperature and salinity in the central and eastern regions of the Beibu Gulf, based on conductivity measurements in summer 2022, temperature, and depth (CTD) measurement data from the Sino–Vietnamese cooperative project “Demonstration Study on Ecological Protection and Management in Typical Bays: Seasonal Survey of the Beibu Gulf”. Furthermore, the study utilized the computational results from the numerical Finite-Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM) to elucidate the intrinsic patterns that formed the temperature and salinity distribution characteristics in August 2022 from both thermodynamic and dynamic perspectives. The circulation in the Beibu Gulf drives external seawater to move northward from the bay mouth. During this movement, numerous upwelling areas are created by lateral Ekman transport. The formation of different scales of cyclonic and anticyclonic vortices and current convergence zones is influenced by topography, runoff, and the water flux from the Qiongzhou Strait, which are key factors in the formation of upwelling and downwelling. The surface circulation in August 2022 significantly differed from the 20-year average surface circulation, with an influx of 1.15 × 104 m3/s more water entering the Beibu Gulf compared to the multi-year average. The water flux from the Qiongzhou Strait is a critical factor affecting the circulation patterns in the Beibu Gulf. The northeastern waters of the Beibu Gulf are characterized by current convergence zones, where extensive upwelling occurs. The rich nutrient salts in these areas promote the reproduction and growth of phytoplankton and zooplankton, making this the most favorable ecological environment in the Beibu Gulf and serving as a natural reserve for fisheries, coral reefs, dugongs, and Bryde’s whales.

Vegetation monitoring in mining area using canopy reflectance and landsat8 oli image

The aim of this study is to find out the vegetation monitoring in mining areas which is of great significance in grasping the ecological environment status of mining areas. As the first target of spectral reflection, the vegetation canopy directly affects the results of spectral reception. Leaf Angle Distribution (LAD) is a key canopy structural parameter, which directly determines the amount of solar radiation intercepted by the canopy. Taking the relationship between the effect of leaf inclination angle on vegetation canopy reflectance and NDVI as an entry point, the study monitored and analyzed the vegetation in Dexing mining area, China, from 2013 to 2018 by NDVI, based on which the Copper Stress Vegetation Index (CSVI), which is applicable to the narrow wavelength band of remote sensing imagery, was evaluated whether it could be applied to the wide wavelength band. The results show that the NDVI value of the horizontal distribution is significantly higher than that of other leaf inclination distributions, and the NDVI in the direction of the horizontal distribution is 0.82, while the NDVI in the direction of the hi-straight distribution is 0.75; the NDVI of the mining area decreases gradually with the increase of the area of the mining area, and the correlation coefficients of the two groups of CSVI based on the wide and narrow bands are not large, which is not suitable for the vegetation monitoring by using the Landsat8 OLI imagery. Wide band is less applicable for vegetation monitoring. Bangladesh J. Bot. 53(3): 835-847, 2024 (September) Special

Avian diversity across guilds in North America versus vegetation structure as measured by the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI)

Avian diversity, a key indicator of ecosystem health, is closely related to canopy structure. Most avian diversity models are based on either optical remote sensing or airborne lidar data, but the latter is limited to small study areas. The launch of the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) instrument in 2018 has opened new avenues for exploring the influence of vegetation structure on avian diversity. To examine how direct measurements of canopy structural characteristics explain bird diversity across North America, we analyzed 18 GEDI metrics from 2019 to 2022, along with corresponding Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) counts and AVONET morphological data, analyzing effects across broad regions and at varying spatial extents. We grouped 440 bird species into 20 ecological guilds under six guild categories and employed random forest algorithms to model avian diversity across eight spatial extents (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, and 39.2 km). The models predicted six diversity indices, including species richness (sRich), functional richness (fRich), evenness (fEve), dispersion (fDis), divergence (fDiv), and redundancy (fRed) across eight spatial extents. The best-predicted guilds varied for each diversity index. The most accurate models were sRich (pseudo-R2 = 0.71, RMSE = 4.28) and fRed (pseudo-R2 = 0.60, RMSE = 0.13) for forest specialists guilds; fRich (pseudo-R2 = 0.55, RMSE = 0.18) for urban guilds; fEve (pseudo-R2 = 0.28, RMSE = 0.08) for insectivore guilds; and fDiv (pseudo-R2 = 0.38, RMSE = 0.12) and fDis (pseudo-R2 = 0.53, RMSE = 0.87) for short distance migrants guilds. Our results highlight the critical role of canopy structure, including its horizontal and vertical distribution and variation, in predicting avian diversity, as measured by the mean number of detected modes (num_detectedmodes), the standard deviation of foliage height diversity (FHD), num_detectedmodes, canopy cover, and plant area index (PAI) across the spatial extents centered on BBS routes. Therefore, we recommend incorporating the GEDI metrics into avian diversity modeling and mapping across North America, thereby potentially enhancing bird habitat management and conservation efforts.

Spatial Differentiation Characteristics of Soil Organic Carbon and Its Influencing Factors in Cultivated Land in Major Grain-producing Areas： A Case Study of Hebei Province

Assessing the spatial differentiation characteristics of soil organic carbon （SOC） in cultivated land in major grain-producing areas is important for regional cultivated land quality management and national food security. We investigated 519 soil profiles of cultivated land in Hebei Province （0-120 cm equally divided into six layers）, and obtained 2961 samples. We used geostatistical methods and spatial exploratory analysis to reveal the spatial distribution pattern of SOC in cultivated land in Hebei Province and the impacts of climate, topography, geomorphology, soil properties, and anthropogenic use on the spatial distribution of SOC in cultivated land soils. The results showed that： ① The SOC content of cultivated land in Hebei Province showed a decreasing trend with the increase in soil depth, with the highest mean value of ω（SOC） of 9.57 g·kg-1 in A1 （0-20 cm） and the lowest mean value of 4.17 g·kg-1 in A6 （100-120 cm）, and the coefficient of variation showed an increasing trend with the increase in soil depth. ② The SOC at different depths of cultivated land in Hebei Province had similar horizontal spatial distribution characteristics, and in general, showed a trend of being high in the northwest and low in the southeast. ③ Soil texture and topography were the main influencing factors for the spatial variation of SOC in cultivated land in Hebei Province, showing that the more clay-rich the soil texture, the greater the SOC content, and the higher the elevation, the greater the SOC content. Soil pH also influenced the SOC content of the profile. The SOC content of the surface layer is mainly affected by anthropogenic use, whereas the bottom layer is affected by the cumulative temperature.

Horizontal Distribution of Liquid in an Over-Row Sprayer with a Secondary Air Blower

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of boom height above a crop stand and the spacing between nozzles and diffusers in an over-row sprayer on the uniformity of the horizontal spray distribution and the uniformity of the air velocity distribution. The experimental setup involved a prototype over-row sprayer equipped with a boom with a working width of 8 m and ten air diffusers with spray nozzles. Air diffusers were connected to one or two nozzles each, and they were installed on the boom at intervals of 60, 80, and 90 cm. Terminal airflow velocity at a canopy is determined by the height of a sprayer boom and the diffuser spacing, ranging from around 2 m s–1 to around 27 m s–1. The sprayer boom should be positioned at a height of 50 cm above a crop stand due to the difference between the minimum and maximum airflow velocities. The horizontal spray distribution was more uniform when the sprayer was equipped with hollow-cone nozzles instead of flat-fan nozzles; hollow-cone nozzles should be applied if the distance between nozzles needs to be adjusted to the row width and row spacing. The analyzed coefficients did not exceed 10% when the boom was positioned 50 cm above the crop stand and when the nozzles were spaced 80 cm apart, which suggests that, in this configuration, sprayers equipped with hollow-cone nozzles can also be applied to close-grown crops.

Global-scale gravity wave analysis methodology for the ESA Earth Explorer 11 candidate CAIRT

Abstract. In the past, satellite climatologies of gravity waves (GWs) have initiated progress in their representation in global models. However, these could not provide the phase speed and direction distributions needed for a better understanding of the interaction between GWs and the large-scale winds directly. The ESA Earth Explorer 11 candidate CAIRT could provide such observations. CAIRT would use a limb-imaging Michelson interferometer resolving a wide spectral range, allowing temperature and trace gas mixing ratio measurements. With the proposed instrument design, a vertical resolution of 1 km, along-track sampling of 50 km, and across-track sampling of 25 km in a 400 km wide swath will be achieved. In particular, this allows for the observation of three-dimensional (3D), GW-resolving temperature fields throughout the middle atmosphere. In this work, we present the methodology for the GW analysis of CAIRT observations using a limited-volume 3D sinusoidal fit (S3D) wave analysis technique. We assess the capability of CAIRT to provide high-quality GW fields by the generation of synthetic satellite observations from high-resolution model data and comparison of the synthetic observations to the original model fields. For the assessment, wavelength spectra, phase speed spectra, horizontal distributions, and zonal means of GW momentum flux (GWMF) are considered. The atmospheric events we use to exemplify the capabilities of CAIRT are the 2006 sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event, the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the tropics, and the mesospheric preconditioning phase of the 2019 SSW event. Our findings indicate that CAIRT would provide highly reliable observations not only of global-scale GW distributions and drag patterns but also of specific wave events and their associated wave parameters. Even under worse-than-expected noise levels of the instrument, the resulting GW measurements are highly consistent with the original model data. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the estimated GW parameters can be used for ray tracing, which physically extends the horizontal coverage of the observations beyond the orbit tracks.

Lateral performance of circular wooden columns reinforced with high-performance bamboo-based composite

This study researches the lateral performance of wooden columns strengthened with the non-damage reinforcement method, which used high-performance bamboo-based composite (HPBBC) materials and steel strips to form a hollow reinforcement system and then jacketed and reinforced the wooden columns. Six wooden columns strengthened by non-damage reinforcing methods were subjected to low cyclic loading tests under horizontal loads with a constant axial pressure ratio. The horizontal loads, displacements, and strain distributions of different locations at the column root were measured. The experimental results showed that the reinforcement method improved the lateral performance of wooden columns by about 4.96–58.54 %. Owing to the protective effect of the reinforcement system, the development of tensile damage to the wooden columns was delayed, but the breaking location was still the column root. In addition, the energy dissipation capacity and equivalent viscous damping coefficient of the reinforced wooden columns were significantly improved. The deformation of the strengthened column root conforms to the plane section assumption, while the deformation of the reinforcement system was lagged due to the absence of colloid and shear connectors between the wooden column and the reinforcement system. A bending capacity equation for the reinforced wood column was deduced based on the strain distribution in the damaged section. The error between the calculated and experimental results was within 13 %.

Latitudinal variation in zooplankton over the Emperor Seamounts (34°–44° N, 170°–171° E) during the summer of 2019

During a research expedition to the Northwest Pacific between July 13 and August 11, 2019, we collected oceanic zooplankton samples over the Emperor Seamounts (Koko, Jingu, Nintoku, and Suiko guyots). We analyzed the horizontal and vertical distributions of abundance and biomass and also the structure of the zooplankton in the highly productive but poorly studied ocean waters between 34° and 44° N. The zooplankton was represented by four genera of amphipods, seven genera of pteropods, 39 genera of copepods, and larvae of benthic invertebrates and fish. The abundance and biomass of zooplankton increased towards higher latitudes along the series Koko < Jingu < Nintoku < Suiko guyots. The highest index of diversity was recorded over the Koko and Jingu guyots; the highest species richness occurred over the Jingu and Nintoku guyots. Small-sized copepods, appendicularians, chaetognaths, euphausiids, and fish eggs and larvae concentrated in the epipelagic; large copepods and ostracods concentrated in the mesopelagic. We identified three types of zooplankton assemblages: a Subtropical assemblage between 34°–35° N characterized by tropical/subtropical forms; a Transition assemblage characterized by subtropical, subarctic, and widespread species between 38°–41° N; and a Subarctic assemblage characterized by subarctic and widespread species between 43°–44° N. The spatial distribution of zooplankton was a function of environmental variables such as surface salinity, temperature at 200-m, and, to a certain extent, by surface Chl-a concentrations.

Exploring convective entropy optimization and activation energy impact on magneto-nanofluid flow over a vertical stretched plate with Hall current and nonlinear thermal radiation using SQLM

This paper investigates the profound impact of entropy generation and activation energy on the dynamics of hydromagnetic nanofluids, focusing on nonlinear thermal radiation, viscous and Ohmic dissipation, and Hall current effects over a linear stretching sheet. Various nanoparticles are incorporated into the nanofluid formulation using the thermophoresis and Brownian motion model. Through similarity transformation, the system of nonlinear equations is solved with high precision using the Spectral Quasilinearization Method (SQLM). Comprehensive analyses of velocity, cross-flow velocity, temperature, concentration, and entropy generation profiles are conducted for numerous physical parameters. Results indicate that velocity and cross-flow velocity increase with the Hall parameter while temperature and concentration profiles decrease. Both the velocity and cross-flow velocity profiles enhance for mixed convection parameters closer to the sheet, whereas the temperature and concentration profiles exhibit the contrary tendency. Prandtl number diminishes the profiles of horizontal velocity, cross-flow velocity and concentration distributions. Temperature distribution profile hikes for both the Brownian motion parameter and thermophoresis parameter. The activation energy parameter enhances the cross-flow velocity, with a corresponding decline in temperature distribution and a similar trend is observed in the concentration profile. Further, entropy generation profiles increase with higher Brinkman and Reynolds numbers while exhibiting mixed tendencies with the Schmidt number. These findings reveal that Hall current introduces complex interactions within the nanofluid flow, significantly influencing thermal, concentration, and entropy generation characteristics, particularly in magnetic fields and activation energy.

Interaction and bacterial effects of microplastics pollution on heavy metals in hyporheic sediments of different land-use types in the Beiluo River Basin

Microplastics (MPs) pollution is ubiquitous, causing serious ecological damage by threatening the growth and health of living organisms. This study investigated the vertical and horizontal distribution of MPs, MPs-heavy metals (MPs-HMs) accumulation, contamination assessment and microbial biodiversity in hyporheic sediments of different land-use types. MPs abundance in shallow sediments (0-30 cm) was significantly higher than that in deep sediments (30-60 cm), with fewer large MPs in the deep sediments. Blue, fiber, and <500 μm were the dominant MPs types, and polystyrene, polylactic acid, and polyvinyl chloride were the dominant polymers in the Beiluo River Basin. The average concentrations of HMs detected in MPs were all much higher than the same metals in the sediments. The pollution loading index of MPs was higher in areas with a greater proportion of anthropogenic land use, and MP-HM were present to varying degrees in the vertical distribution (PN>1). Critically, bacterial diversity of anthropogenic land use was smaller than that of natural land use. High MP-HM concentrations reduced the abundance of cyanobacteria, nitrospirota, acidobacteriota, and planctomycetota, whereas desulfobacterota, chloroflexi, myxococcota, actinobacteriota, and proteobacteria have developed tolerance to MP-HM. Overall, our findings contribute to the understanding of the relationship between different land-use types and the spatial distribution of MPs and MP-HM, which is critical to manage and mitigate the hyporheic zone pollution.

Horizontal and vertical dispersion in a wind-driven oceanic gyre model

This study addresses the horizontal and vertical dispersion of passive tracers in idealized wind-driven subtropical gyres. Synthetic particles within a closed basin are numerically advected to analyze their dispersion under different theoretical velocity fields. Horizontal dispersion simulations incorporate the classic wind-driven Stommel circulation along with (i) surface Ekman drift associated with the Stommel wind field and (ii) inertial effects due to particle size and buoyancy. Results reveal that the Ekman drift inhibits particle dispersion across the entire domain leading to tracer concentration in a quasi-stable distribution skewed toward the western side of the basin. Similar behavior is observed with inertial particles. The equilibrium state is quantified for different diffusivity values, particle sizes, and buoyancies. For vertical dispersion, simulations incorporate the three-dimensional Ekman velocity, which includes a negative vertical component, while ignoring inertial effects. Initially, surface particles accumulate around the gyre center while slowly sinking, but they disperse across the basin once they surpass the Ekman layer and are free from surface effects. Tracers sink more on the western side of the basin, regardless of horizontal diffusivity. On average, ignoring inertial effects, particles sink less with higher diffusivity and more with lower diffusivity, suggesting a potential for high horizontal distribution of sunken tracers in the ocean.

Impact of ENVI-met-Based Road Greening Design on Thermal Comfort and PM2.5 Concentration in Hot–Humid Areas

Road greening markedly impacts road thermal comfort and air quality. However, previous studies have primarily focused on thermal comfort or PM2.5 individually, with relatively few addressing both aspects comprehensively, particularly in humid regions. This study combined field measurements and simulations. It employed physiological equivalent temperature (PET) and quantified the horizontal distribution of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5). The research examines the effects of planting spacing, tree species, and tree–shrub combinations on pedestrian walkways in humid climates during both summer and winter. Using measured tree data and road PM2.5, a plant model was established and pollution emission parameters were set to validate the effectiveness of the ENVI-met through fitting simulations under various scenarios. The results indicated that (1) plant spacing for trees influenced both the road thermal environment and PM2.5 levels. Smaller spacing improved thermal conditions but increased PM2.5. (2) trees with large canopies and high leaf area indices (LAIs) notably enhanced thermal comfort, while those with smaller canopies and dense understories facilitated PM2.5 dispersion. The 3 m spacing resulted in a maximum absolute PM2.5 concentration difference (C) of 5.05 μg/m3 in summer and a maximum mean absolute PM2.5 concentration difference (M) in the downwind region of 2.13 μg/m3 in winter. (3) Combining trees with shrubs moderately improved pedestrian thermal comfort. However, taller shrubs elevated PM2.5 concentrations on walkways; heights ranging from 1.5 m to 2 m in summer showed higher C values of 5.38 μg/m3 and 5.37 μg/m3. This study provides references and new perspectives for the optimization of roadway greening design in humid areas in China.

How morphodynamic gradients shape the distribution of meiofauna and nematodes on sandy beaches of the Amazon region?

The present study analyzed how a small-scale morphodynamic gradient, based on the level of exposure to oceanic waves, shapes the spatial distribution patterns of the local meiofauna, with a special focus on the nematodes, of tropical macrotidal beaches on the Amazon coast (northern Brazil). The study focused on three sandy beaches, first compiling their physical characteristics (waves, currents and morphodynamic state), and then sampling biological and sediment samples at five different levels across the intertidal zone. Meiofauna was composed of 11 different groups, but was dominated by Nematoda. The nematode assemblage had a total of 89 genera, of which Daptonema and Theristus (both from family Xyalidae) were the most abundant on all studied beaches, at most intertidal levels. The diversity of nematode genera increased toward the low tide mark, while nematode density peaked in either the upper (on the protected and tide-dominated beaches) or intermediate levels (on the exposed, tide-modified beach). Distinct faunal zonation patterns were identified on the three beaches, which were influenced by their level of exposure to oceanic conditions, their granulometry, and the moisture of the sediment. While the variation in the characteristics of the meiofauna can be attributed to the level of exposure of beaches, horizontal distribution patterns were also closely related to habitat heterogeneity, including morphological features and freshwater inputs.

Investigation of the Temperature and Horizontal Freezing Force of Loess in Three-Dimensional Freezing.

Seasonal frozen soil has significant impacts on changes in soil mechanical properties, settlement, and damage to foundations. In order to study variations in the temperature and horizontal freezing force of loess during three-dimensional freezing, a three-dimensional freezing model test of loess was carried out. This experiment analyzed and studied the soil temperature change distribution characteristics, horizontal freezing force distribution rules, and water migration phenomena caused by temperature. The research results show that the temperature change in soil samples exhibits a "ring-like" decrease from the outside to the inside. When the soil temperature reaches the supercooling point, the cooling curve jumps and rises, and this is accompanied by a stable section with constant temperature. In the late freezing period, the temperature rate drops slowly. Under the action of freezing, the horizontal freezing forces at different positions have similar change characteristics and can be divided into four change stages: stable stage, rapid freezing stage, "secondary" freezing stage, and freezing-shrinkage-rebound stable stage. At lower moisture contents, loess samples undergo freeze-thaw shrinkage during the freezing process. During the rapid freezing stage of soil samples, the water in the soil sample migrates and causes secondary freezing. After the rapid freezing stage, the soil temperature continues to decrease, and the horizontal freezing force no longer decreases.

Network analyses show horizontal and vertical distribution of vascular epiphytes on their hosts in a fragment of cloud forest in Central Mexico.

Cloud forests figure as one of the most diverse ecosystems, accounting not only for a high number of plant species but also with a great variety of interactions among them. A common interaction in these forests is the one between vascular epiphytes and their hosts. However, few studies have used the network approach to analyze them. Here, we analyze the horizontal and vertical structure of the vascular epiphyte - host network in a cloud forest in central Mexico. We quantified the number of epiphyte stands on each host both total and per-stratum. Complete network, group, and species metrics were estimated at both levels of analysis. The host - epiphyte networks had relatively low network size but were highly connected; moderately nested, with low specialization, and modularity; but higher vulnerability than generality, and high niche overlap. The community was composed by a high number of generalist species. To our knowledge this is the first study in which network analyses are conducted with standardized data and including all host and epiphyte species in the community. The analyses suggest that the networks are robust, and that functional redundancy might be probable, two advantageous characteristics in a very fragmented and threatened cloud forest.