Sampling Program Research Articles

Tracking domestic wastewater and road de-icing salt in a municipal drinking water reservoir: Acesulfame and chloride as co-tracers

Developing strategies to identify the origins of contaminants in watersheds is crucial for source water protection. The use of multiple tracers improves the ability to identify contamination events originating from various land use activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of acesulfame and chloride as co-tracers to represent the impact of pollution originating from wastewater and road de-icing on water quality in a municipal drinking water source. The study included a two-year sampling and water quality analysis program in numerous locations within a drinking water reservoir comprising a lake (upstream) and a river (downstream) which supply raw water to a municipal water treatment plant. Results showed that the spatial variability of acesulfame and chloride within the watershed of the lake-river systems depends on the location of contaminant sources, mainly municipal wastewater and septic tank discharges (for acesulfame) and the presence of small tributaries of the lake and river (for chloride). Temporal variability of the tracers under study differed according to the sampling location and was mainly affected by seasonal conditions. Correlation analyses between the two tracers in lake and river waters (in terms of concentrations and loads) made it possible to pinpoint the probable origins of contamination. The assessment of the spatio-temporal variability of these co-tracers within the lake-river watersheds allowed for the delineation of priority intervention zones as a decision-making tool for municipal authorities in improving drinking water source protection.

Divergence in the epidemiological estimates of traumatic brain injury in the United States: comparison of two national databases.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the US, but the true incidence of TBI is unknown. The National Trauma Data Bank National Sample Program (NTDB NSP) was queried for 2007 and 2013, and population-based weighted estimates of TBI-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths were calculated. These data were compared to the 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report on TBI, which used the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National ("Nationwide" before 2012) Inpatient Sample and National Emergency Department Sample. In the NTDB NSP the incidence of TBI-related ED visits was 59/100,000 in 2007 and 62/100,000 in 2013. However, in the CDC report there were 534/100,000 in 2007 and 787/100,000 in 2013. The CDC estimate for ED visits was 805% higher in 2007 and 1169% higher in 2013. In the NTDB NSP, the incidence of TBI-related deaths was 5/100,000 in 2007 and 4/100,000 in 2013. In the CDC report, the incidence was 18/100,000 in both years. The CDC estimate for deaths was 260% higher in 2007 and 325% higher in 2013. The databases disagreed widely in their weighted estimates of TBI incidence: CDC estimates were consistently higher than NTDB NSP estimates, by an average of 448%. Although such a discrepancy may be intuitive, this is the first study to quantify the magnitude of disagreement between these databases. Given that research, funding, and policy decisions are made based on these estimates, there is a need for a more accurate estimate of the true national incidence of TBI.

Isotopic constraints on water balance and evapotranspiration partitioning in gauged watersheds across Canada

Study regionDuring 2013–2019, we conducted a Canada-wide program of streamflow sampling for the analysis of stable isotopic composition (18O/16O and 2H/1H), providing the first comprehensive survey for gauged watersheds across Canada ranging from 10 to 10,000 km2. A watershed-based assessment of vapour and runoff partitioning is presented for 103 watersheds across a diverse range of climate and land cover types, spanning 25° latitude and 86° longitude. Study focusAn isotope-based methodology is applied to estimate evaporation/inflow (E/I) and transpiration/evapotranspiration (T/ET) utilizing offset between isotope values in streamflow and precipitation, augmented by regional climate reanalysis data. Isotopic enrichment in streamflow serves to differentiate direct, abiotic evaporation, mainly arising from open water evaporation from lakes and wetlands, from transpiration by natural vegetation and cropland, which has previously been recognized as principally non-fractionating. Sensitivity analysis suggests only a minor influence of interception losses on T/ET. New hydrological insights for the regionSystematic variations in evaporation losses, transpiration losses and gauged runoff are revealed across the major hydrometric regions of Canada. Calculations suggest that E/I ranged from 2 to 60 %, while T/ET ranged from 25 to greater than 95 % across the watersheds. A new water loss classification is introduced which reveals that 19 of 103 watersheds were runoff-dominated, 54 were transpiration-dominated, 5 were evaporation-dominated, and 27 had more than one dominant water loss mechanism.

Conservation of aquatic insects in Neotropical regions: A gap analysis using potential distributions of diving beetles in Cuba

Abstract Human activities are an increasing threat to Neotropical freshwater ecosystems, with the potential extinction of thousands of aquatic species. Despite this, knowledge about the effectiveness of protected area networks in protecting aquatic insects in this biogeographical region is very limited. Cuba supports the highest diversity of aquatic insects in the Antilles, with a large number of endemics. A gap analysis was conducted to assess the effectiveness of the National System of Protected Areas of Cuba (NSPAC) in the conservation of Cuban diving beetles (family Dytiscidae). This involved considering the areas with the highest potential species richness, estimated by using species distribution models with three different approaches (MaxEnt, Random Forest and Support Vector Machine), and the known localities of endemic species. The highest potential species richness of Dytiscidae in Cuba is predicted to occur in the low–medium altitude of the eastern mountain areas. Although most of these areas occur inside the NSPAC, several areas of potential high species richness are currently unprotected. It is recommended that sampling programmes are carried out in areas with high predicted species richness to validate the species distribution models. The distribution of three Cuban endemic species (Copelatus barbouri, Desmopachria glabella and Celina cubensis) lies completely outside of the NSPAC. Despite their conservation interest as threatened endemic species, they are currently unprotected. To improve the conservation of freshwater biodiversity in Cuba it is recommended that (i) the NSPAC network is extended to protect areas supporting endemic species and those with the highest potential species richness that are currently unprotected, and (ii) a whole‐catchment management approach, specifically to maintain natural flows, should be adopted, especially in the mountainous areas of eastern Cuba.

Water Quality Modelling of River Mahanadi using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)

Surface water quality is one of the critical environmental concerns of the globe and water quality management is top priority worldwide. In India, River water quality has considerably deteriorated over the years and there is an urgent need for improving the surface water quality. The present study aims at use of multivariate statistical approaches for interpretation of water quality data of Mahanadi River in India. Monthly water quality data pertaining to 16 parameters collected from 12 sampling locations on the river by Central Water Commission (CWC) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) is used for the study. Cluster analysis (CA), is used to group the sampling locations on the river into homogeneous clusters with similar behaviour. Principal component analysis (PCA) is quite effective in identifying the critical parameters for describing the water quality of the river in dry and monsoon seasons. PCA and Factor Analysis (FA) was effective in explaining 69 and 66% of the total cumulative variance in the water quality if dry and wet seasons respectively. Industrial and domestic wastewaters, soil erosion and weathering, soil leaching organic pollution and natural pollution were identified as critical sources contribution to pollution of river water. However, the quantitative contributions were variable based on the season. Results of multiple linear regression (MLR) are effective in explaining the factor loadings and source contributions for most water quality parameters. The study results indicate suitability of multivariate statistical approaches to design and plan sampling and sampling programs for controlling water quality management programs in river basins.

Invasive oysters as new hosts for native shell-boring polychaetes: Using historical shell collections and recent field data to investigate parasite spillback in native mussels in the Dutch Wadden Sea

Biological invasions can have manifold effects on native biota, including impacts on species interactions in invaded ecosystems. Among those are effects on parasite-host interactions, for example in cases where invaders serve as a new host for native parasites, leading to an amplification of the parasite population which may ultimately result in increased infection levels in the original native hosts (parasite spillback). In this study, we investigated the potential spillback of the native shell-boring polychaete Polydora ciliata from invasive Pacific oysters (Crassostrea (Magallana) gigas) to native mussels (Mytilus edulis) in the Dutch Wadden Sea. A field survey in the intertidal revealed that the majority of P. ciliata can nowadays be found in the shells of live but also dead Pacific oysters and much less in shells of other potential host species: mussels and periwinkles (Littorina littorea). Using a unique historical shell collection based on long-term sampling programmes in the intertidal and subtidal of the western Dutch Wadden Sea, we compared P. ciliata infections in mussels before and after the invasion of the Pacific oyster by means of x-ray scans. Both for the intertidal and subtidal, we did not detect differences in prevalence of P. ciliata in mussels between pre- and post-invasion periods. This suggests that the invasion of the Pacific oyster may not have caused a strong spillback to mussels regarding P. ciliata and thus the invasion probably had little indirect infection-mediated effects on the condition and fitness of native mussels. Instead, the acquisition of native P. ciliata by the invasive oysters suggests that they may themselves be affected by the new infections and this may warrant further research.

Leaching of Metals from Steel Slag and Their Ecological Effects on a Marine Ecosystem: Validating Field Data with Mesocosm Observations.

Steel slag is being used worldwide for a variety of applications, among which is underwater dyke reinforcement. In the present study the leaching and bioaccumulation of 18 inorganic compounds from basic oxygen furnace (BOF) steel slag were monitored in marine experimental ecosystems (mesocosms) for 12 wk. Triplicate mesocosms were installed at 2 refreshment rates, one reflecting the situation in the Oosterschelde estuary where BOF steel slag was applied and the other at a 35 times lower rate. Vanadium in both water and biota turned out to be the best tracer for the presence of BOF steel slag in the mesocosms. The mesocosm data helped to interpret the results of a 4‐yr field sampling program in the Oosterschelde estuary where no elevated levels of vanadium in water or biota were found near locations where steel slag was applied. Also, no ecological impact could be established in the field, which was in line with the observations in the mesocosms. The present study shows the added value of a tailor‐made mesocosm study for realistic risk assessment and provides support for applying this tool as a basis for designing efficient field monitoring programs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2499–2509. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

NVIDIA IndeX accelerated computing for visualizing Cholla's galactic winds

Galactic winds – outflows of gas driven out of galaxies by the combined effects of thousands of supernovae – are a crucial feature of galaxy evolution. Despite their importance, a complete theoretical picture of these winds has been elusive. Simulating the complicated interaction between the hot, high pressure gas created by supernovae and the cooler, high density gas in the galaxy disk requires massive computational resources and sophisticated software. For this purpose, Computational Hydrodynamics On Parallel Architectures (Cholla) has been demonstrated to be a scalable and efficient tool that operates in large, distributed multi-GPU environments at high levels of performance. This additional performance results in unprecedented resolution for this type of simulation and massive amounts of generated data. This raises the requirements for analysis tools that can cope with scale and complexity of the simulated physical processes. To address those challenges, we utilize NVIDIA IndeX as a scalable framework to visualize the simulation output: NVIDIA IndeX features a streaming-based architecture to interactively explore simulation results in large-scale, multi-GPU environments. We utilize customized sampling programs for multi-volume and surface rendering to address analysis questions of galactic wind simulations. This combination of massively parallel simulation and analysis allows us to utilize recent supercomputer capabilities and to speed up the exploration of galactic wind simulations.

STEP-NC Compliant Intelligent CNC Milling Machine with an Open Architecture Controller

A STEP-NC or ISO 14649 compliant machine controller is developed, using Open Architecture Control technology for a three-axis Computer Numerical Control milling machine in this research. The controller is developed on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, using C++ language. This new development is proposed as a low-cost alternative to ISO6983 standard, ensuring continuous integration in the CAD/CAM/CNC chain in machining; thus, it broadens the spectrum of problems handled by conventional CNC systems. The new machine controller is intelligent enough to extract geometrical and manufacturing parameters, cutting tool data, and material data from the STEP-NC file. Accordingly, tool paths for machining can be generated in the controller itself. The shop floor level modification of parameters and the possibility of regeneration of new toolpaths is an added advantage of this new controller. The modified or improved version of the STEP-NC file can be sent back to the CAD/CAM system to close the CAD/CAM/CNC chain. Machine condition monitoring can be achieved by connecting sensors through an available slave I/O board. In the present development, the current drawn by each servo motor is fed back to the controller for cutting condition monitoring. A laboratory scale three-axis CNC milling machine is developed to test the performance of the newly developed controller. The accuracy of positioning, perpendicularity of axes and linearity of this machine are experimentally verified through standard tests. The STEP-NC compliance of the controller is tested and verified, using a STEP-NC program derived based on a sample program given in ISO 14649 standard.

BoSL FAL pump: A small, low-cost, easily constructed, 3D-printed peristaltic pump for sampling of waters

Water sampling is an essential undertaking for water utilities and agencies to protect and enhance our natural resources. The high variability in water quality, however, often necessitates a spatially distributed sampling program which is impeded by high-cost and large sampling devices. This paper presents the BoSL FAL Pump - a low-cost, easily constructed, 3D-printed peristaltic pump which can be made from commonly available components and is sized to suit even the most space constrained installations. The pump is 38 mm in height and 28 mm in diameter, its components cost $19 AUD and the construction time is just 12 min (excluding 3D printing times). The pump is driven by a direct current motor which is commonly available, cheap and allows for flexibility in the energy supply (5–12 V). Optionally, the pump has a Hall effect sensor and magnet to detect rotation rates and pumping volumes to improve the accuracy of pumping rates/volumes. The pump can be easily controlled by commonly available microcontrollers, as demonstrated by this paper which implements the ATmega328P on the Arduino Uno R3. This paper validates the pump for long-term deployments at flow rates of up to 13 mL per minute in 0.14 mL volume increments at accuracy levels of greater than 99%. The pump itself is scalable, allowing for a wider range of pumping rates when, for example, large volume samples are required for pathogen and micropollutant detection.

A review of constraints and solutions for collecting raptor samples and contextual data for a European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility

The COST Action ‘European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility’ (ERBFacility) aims to develop pan-European raptor biomonitoring in support of better chemicals management in Europe, using raptors as sentinel species. This presents a significant challenge involving a range of constraints that must be identified and addressed. The aims of this study were to: (1) carry out a comprehensive review of the constraints that may limit the gathering in the field of raptor samples and contextual data, and assess their relative importance across Europe; and (2) identify and discuss possible solutions to the key constraints that were identified. We applied a participatory approach to identify constraints and to discuss feasible solutions. Thirty-one constraints were identified, which were divided into four categories: legal, methodological, spatial coverage, and skills constraints. To assess the importance of the constraints and their possible solutions, we collected information through scientific workshops and by distributing a questionnaire to stakeholders in all the countries involved in ERBFacility. We obtained 74 answers to the questionnaire, from 24 of the 39 COST participating countries. The most important constraints identified were related to the collection of complex contextual data about sources of contamination, and the low number of existing raptor population national/regional monitoring schemes and ecological studies that could provide raptor samples. Legal constraints, such as permits to allow the collection of invasive samples, and skills constraints, such as the lack of expertise to practice necropsies, were also highlighted. Here, we present solutions for all the constraints identified, thus suggesting the feasibility of establishing a long-term European Raptor Sampling Programme as a key element of the planned European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility.

Exploring the impact of an NSERC CREATE program on job readiness among science and engineering graduate students and postdoctoral fellows

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of an NSERC CREATE program on job readiness among highly qualified personnel (HQP) in chemistry and chemical engineering, which in this paper refers to three groups: MSc students, PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows (PDFs)22HQP could be a MSc student, PhD student, or PDF. HQP in science and engineering are faced with numerous opportunities for employment, but they are not well-trained to pursue these opportunities. The CREATE program aims to prepare HQP for a wider range of career options within the Canadian workforce by providing technical and professional training to enable HQP to develop the skills needed for the job market. This training is delivered in various formats such as workshops, courses, panel discussions, lab demonstrations, and innovation fairs which are suited to the needs of the HQP. The authors of this paper used a qualitative case study approach to explore the impact the CREATE program has on HQP’s job readiness. Thirty-five semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data from the program HQP. Three themes emerged from the analyzed data. One of the study findings indicated that the technical and professional training provided by the CREATE program helped HQP develop the basic skills required to enter the job market. However, some participants felt that the program only facilitated their skill development, not their job readiness. The participants stated that universities should facilitate job fairs to provide opportunities for them to meet with professionals from the government, academia, and industry. Additional research is required to examine the impact of the CREATE program by using a larger sample and different program components.

Metal anomalies in till in the Sarvlaxviken area, Lovisa, southern Finland

Geochemical investigations of till is a widely used method in metal exploration as the till commonly inherits the geochemical signature (including the metal contents) of the parent bedrock. In this investigation, over 2000 till samples were collected in the Sarvlaxviken area, southern Finland, where several polymetallic (Cu, Zn, Pb, As, Sn, W and In) veins recently have been discovered in Proterozoic crust along the border between Late Svecofennian granites and the Wiborg Batholith. The bedrock is commonly covered by compact and poorly sorted basal till, formed during the Late Weichselian glaciation event. Several glacial-transported boulders, with high contents of Cu, Zn, As, Sn, Mo and Bi and derived from the local bedrock, have also been discovered on top of the till and provide evidence for concealed mineralisation in the local bedrock under the till cover. The frequent distribution of till in the Sarvlaxviken area provides excellent conditions for the search of such hidden mineralisation by means of systematic till sampling, even if large farm field areas, composed of clay-rich sediments, and seawater-covered areas (Sarvlaxviken bay), had to be avoided in the sampling program. The till samples were collected during university courses and training programs led by the authors and were analysed in a cost-efficient and certified laboratory. Obtained geochemical data were statistically processed by using K-means clustering algorithms which can be used to treat large sets of geochemical data. The results provided anomalies that mainly occur in till with a thickness of <1 m and are considered to be derived from a local bedrock source. The discovered anomalies provide strong evidence for numerous undiscovered veins beneath the till cover.

Genetic Listeria monocytogenes Types in the Pork Processing Plant Environment: From Occasional Introduction to Plausible Persistence in Harborage Sites.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the L. monocytogenes occurrence and genetic diversity in three Belgian pork cutting plants. We specifically aim to identify harborage sites and niche locations where this pathogen might occur. A total of 868 samples were taken from a large diversity of food and non-food contact surfaces after cleaning and disinfection (C&D) and during processing. A total of 13% (110/868) of environmental samples tested positive for L. monocytogenes. When looking in more detail, zone 3 non-food contact surfaces were contaminated more often (26%; 72/278) at typical harborage sites, such as floors, drains, and cleaning materials. Food contact surfaces (zone 1) were less frequently contaminated (6%; 25/436), also after C&D. PFGE analysis exhibited low genetic heterogeneity, revealing 11 assigned clonal complexes (CC), four of which (CC8, CC9, CC31, and CC121) were predominant and widespread. Our data suggest (i) the occasional introduction and repeated contamination and/or (ii) the establishment of some persistent meat-adapted clones in all cutting plants. Further, we highlight the importance of well-designed extensive sampling programs combined with genetic characterization to help these facilities take corrective actions to prevent transfer of this pathogen from the environment to the meat.

Are benthic nutrient fluxes from intertidal mudflats driven by surfacesediment characteristics

A broad sampling program was carried out in the spring of 2019 on the Brittany coast to assess how the surface sediment characteristics drive the benthic effluxes of ammonium (NH + 4) and phosphate (PO 4) from intertidal mudflats. A total of 200 sediment samples were characterized by their porosity, grain-size, elemental composition and pigment contents, as well as the benthic fluxes of NH + 4 and PO 4 determined by core incubations. The results showed that (1) a high phaeopigment and iron-bound phosphorus content (Fe-P) and a low porosity were significantly related to the high PO 4 flux, and (2) a high porosity and the TN:Org-P ratio in the sediment organic matter (SOM) were related to the high NH + 4 flux. This indicated that PO 4 fluxes would be more driven by the redox status of the sediment through the desorption of Fe-P under specific anoxic conditions during the algal decomposition. NH + 4 fluxes would be more driven by high NH + 4 recycling rates from SOM mineralization and high sediment-water exchanges, enhancing the diffusion of NH + 4 to the overlying water. The present study allowed to highlight the large variability in the benthic nutrient fluxes at the regional scale, as a result of the connections between microbial (SOM mineralization), chemical (adsorption-desorption) and physical (diffusion) processes.

Hybrid Visual Programming Language Environment for Programming Training

The paper presents an approach to learning and an environment for working with a hybrid visual - text programming language with a special emphasis on the training for future programmers at an early stage. An overview of other visual programming environments and languages is made and the advantages of the hybrid visual - text approach offered in this article are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on the practical implementation of a proprietary environment for the development of sample programs in the author's hybrid visual programming language. An example of the use of the environment is presented and perspectives for its development are formulated.

Identifying Local Realities and Anticipating Challenges in Building Capacity of Ontario Municipal Wastewater Systems in Tracking for SARS-CoV-2

One of the biggest challenges that public health experts have ever faced is detecting and mitigating the community spread of COVID-19. Current clinical testing of COVID-19 patients is limited in terms of testing kits available, cost logistics, and detecting individuals that are mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic. False positives and false negatives also cloud the true picture of the pandemic. Ontario municipalities’ wastewater systems can provide new testing opportunities for a non-invasive approach in tracking and monitoring the community spread of COVID-19 through sampling raw sludge or untreated wastewater to test for SAR-CoV-2 RNA fragments. Current global and domestic research confirms the effectiveness of wastewater epidemiology surveillance of SAR-CoV-2 and can be detected even before individuals experience symptoms providing a real-time indicator for appropriate public health interventions. In collaboration with the COVID-19 Wastewater Consortium of Ontario (CWCO), an initiative of McMaster University, the objective of this research is to determine the means to optimize the current infrastructure capacity of municipal wastewater systems as an opportunity to monitor and track COVID-19 spread in the community by identifying local realities and risks. To identify local challenges, we distributed a survey amongst Ontario municipalities regarding wastewater treatment plants’ characteristics, held focus group discussions, and implemented an eight-week sampling program with CWCO’s partners. This report focuses on municipal wastewater treatment plants with in-house laboratory facilities to analyze the current capacity and limitations associated with their sampling and analysis programs. Drawing from survey responses and focus group discussions, we revealed gaps for municipalities to move forward with sample testing and data processing as well as governance challenges.

Innovation to what end? Exploring the dynamic landscape of Texas teacher preparation pathways

The teacher education and preparation marketplace is a complex mix of traditional and alternative programs. Though prior studies have identified a great deal of variation across these programs, an analysis of innovation has been limited. Drawing on theories of organizational innovation, and specifically, dimensions of innovation related to organizational structure, processes, and outcomes, we conduct an exploratory study of innovation in Texas’ teacher preparation marketplace. This descriptive study of teacher preparation programs includes an analysis of state and national data across three years (2014-2017). Data also include results from a content analysis of 30 sample program websites. Although most programs met accountability requirements, we found few programs signaled innovation related to program, teacher, and workforce characteristics. Rather, we identified organizational assimilation as programs adopted similar features to remain competitive. Our analysis suggests programs should critically unpack what it means to be innovative in a dynamic and competitive teacher preparation marketplace.

Biogeography and ecology of Ostracoda in the U.S. northern Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas.

Ostracoda (bivalved Crustacea) comprise a significant part of the benthic meiofauna in the Pacific-Arctic region, including more than 50 species, many with identifiable ecological tolerances. These species hold potential as useful indicators of past and future ecosystem changes. In this study, we examined benthic ostracodes from nearly 300 surface sediment samples, >34,000 specimens, from three regions-the northern Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas-to establish species' ecology and distribution. Samples were collected during various sampling programs from 1970 through 2018 on the continental shelves at 20 to ~100m water depth. Ordination analyses using species' relative frequencies identified six species, Normanicythere leioderma, Sarsicytheridea bradii, Paracyprideis pseudopunctillata, Semicytherura complanata, Schizocythere ikeyai, and Munseyella mananensis, as having diagnostic habitat ranges in bottom water temperatures, salinities, sediment substrates and/or food sources. Species relative abundances and distributions can be used to infer past bottom environmental conditions in sediment archives for paleo-reconstructions and to characterize potential changes in Pacific-Arctic ecosystems in future sampling studies. Statistical analyses further showed ostracode assemblages grouped by the summer water masses influencing the area. Offshore-to-nearshore transects of samples across different water masses showed that complex water mass characteristics, such as bottom temperature, productivity, as well as sediment texture, influenced the relative frequencies of ostracode species over small spatial scales. On the larger biogeographic scale, synoptic ordination analyses showed dominant species-N. leioderma (Bering Sea), P. pseudopunctillata (offshore Chukchi and Beaufort Seas), and S. bradii (all regions)-remained fairly constant over recent decades. However, during 2013-2018, northern Pacific species M. mananensis and S. ikeyai increased in abundance by small but significant proportions in the Chukchi Sea region compared to earlier years. It is yet unclear if these assemblage changes signify a meiofaunal response to changing water mass properties and if this trend will continue in the future. Our new ecological data on ostracode species and biogeography suggest these hypotheses can be tested with future benthic monitoring efforts.

The Weierbach experimental catchment in Luxembourg: A decade of critical zone monitoring in a temperate forest ‐ from hydrological investigations to ecohydrological perspectives

AbstractThe Weierbach experimental catchment (0.45 km2) is the most instrumented and studied sub‐catchment in the Alzette River basin in Luxembourg. Within the last decade, it has matured towards an interdisciplinary critical zone observatory focusing on a better understanding of hydrological and hydro‐geochemical processes. The Weierbach catchment is embedded in an elevated sub‐horizontal plateau, characterized by slate bedrock and representative of the Ardennes Massif. Its climate is semi‐marine, with precipitation being rather evenly distributed throughout the year. Base flow is lowest from July to September, essentially due to higher losses through evapotranspiration in summer. The regolith is composed of Devonian slates, overlaid by Pleistocene slope deposits and entirely covered by forest with 70% deciduous and 30% coniferous trees. Since 2009, the Weierbach has been extensively equipped for continuously monitoring water fluxes and physico‐chemical parameters within different compartments of the critical zone. Additionally, these compartments are sampled fortnightly at several locations to analyze δ18O and δ2H isotopic composition of water including rainfall, throughfall, soil water, groundwater and streamwater. This ongoing monitoring and sampling programme is used for answering pressing questions related to fundamental catchment functions of water infiltration, storage, mixing and release in forest ecosystems. A recently started research line aims at investigating interactions between forest eco‐hydrosystems with the atmosphere and understanding how catchments will respond to a non‐stationary climate.