Transport Patterns Research Articles

Influence of cascade reservoirs on the distribution, transport, and retention patterns of biogenic elements in the Jinsha River

Cascade reservoirs construction can greatly alter flow regime and sediment transport of rivers, further affecting migration and transformation processes of biogenic elements. The Jinsha River (JSR) is the China's largest hydropower base and the main runoff, sediment suspension, and nutrient source areas of the Yangtze River. However, the distribution, transport, and retention patterns of biogenic elements in the JSR are still unclear under the influence of cascade reservoirs. Therefore, monthly concentration monitoring work was conducted from November 2021 to October 2023 for various forms of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and silicon (Si). Results showed that the concentrations and fluxes of total phosphorus (TP) and particulate phosphorus (PP) exhibited continuous decreasing trends along the reservoirs cascade, whereas N exhibited contrasting trends. The concentrations of dissolved total carbon (DTC), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and total silicon also showed decreasing trends from upstream to downstream, whereas their fluxes were primarily influenced by runoff and exhibited upward fluctuations. Compared with other biogenic elements, there was a more pronounced retention effect on TP and PP by reservoirs, with average retention rates of 8.29 % and 16.01 %, respectively. Longer hydraulic retention time (HRT) can retain more TP and PP. Meanwhile, the retention rates of DTC, DIC, and particulate silicon were positively correlated with HRT, while the retention rate of dissolved silicon (DSi) showed a positive correlation with reservoir age. Moreover, the higher ratios of dissolved inorganic nitrogen to dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and DSi to DIP have occurred, resulting in apparent P limitation, particularly during the non-flood season due to lower DIP concentration. Overall, cascade reservoirs construction exists great influences on the spatial allocation, fluxes transport, and biogeochemical cycles of biogenic elements, potentially affecting the stability of rivers ecosystem along the food chain network.

The integration of diel vertical migration and hydrodynamic process influences the transport of swimming crab zoea (Portunus trituberculatus)

AbstractVertical migration and dispersal processes during the marine crab larval stage markedly affect transport, habitat selection, population connectivity, and resource replenishment success rates. However, not much is known of the reproductive ecology of swimming crabs in the nearshore waters of the northwest Pacific shelf. Here, we investigated the diel vertical migration (DVM) characteristics and transport patterns of the swimming crab zoea (Portunus trituberculatus) in this area. A Lagrangian particle‐tracking algorithm coupled with a hydrodynamic model, incorporating a DVM pattern of zoeae based on observations from a field survey of the diurnal distribution of swimming crab zoea, was used to simulate the transport of zoeae, and the impact of zoeal transport on population connectivity was explored. The results revealed that particles were predominantly transported in a nearshore direction from the particle release point, with short dispersal distances during the zoeal stages. In nearshore waters on the continental shelf, the swimming crab zoeae are exposed to shoreward‐moving currents with the aid of prolonged daytime locations in the lower water column, whereas larvae migrate upward to the middle and upper layers of the water column at night rather than the most superficial layer, potentially avoiding surface offshore‐moving currents that may be responsible for the retention and shoreward transport of larvae. Most zoeae are transported to shallow waters, and the contribution of transport to population connectivity during the zoeal stages is relatively limited. The findings here have considerable implications for understanding the mechanisms governing the early recruitment dynamics of this species, as well as for fisheries management and conservation of marine biodiversity.

EMS Bypass to Endovascular Stroke Centers is Associated with Shorter Time to Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy for LVO Stroke

Objectives Large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes may be eligible for treatment with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and endovascular therapy (EVT). Patients selected for treatment have better neurologic outcomes with EVT, and delays in this therapy lead to worse outcomes. However, EVT is offered at a limited number of hospitals, referred to as endovascular stroke centers (ESC). This poses a difficult decision for EMS: to take potential stroke patients to the closest primary stroke center (PSC) or longer transport time to a more distant ESC. We hypothesized that patients with LVO stroke undergoing EVT transported directly to an ESC would have more favorable outcomes as measured by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days, compared to transport to a PSC followed by transfer to an ESC. Methods The OPUS-REACH consortium examined transportation patterns and outcomes in patients with LVO stroke who received endovascular treatment. This cohort includes 2400 patients with LVO stroke throughout eight endovascular centers in the Northeast U.S. from 2015 to 2020. All patients enrolled in the OPUS-REACH database were eligible for inclusion. Patients were excluded if they were missing the pickup address, had an in-hospital stroke, or arrived via mobile stroke unit. The remaining patients were separated into two groups: the bypass group, with transportation by EMS to an ESC by bypassing PSC, and the non-bypass group, with initial transport to PSC and interfacility transport to an ESC. The primary outcome was the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days, where 0–2 was defined as “good”. Results The primary outcome did not reach significance with 40% of the bypass group as compared with the 33.1% of the non-bypass group having a “good” outcome. However, the bypass group underwent shorter times from last-known-well to both thrombolysis (120.9 vs 153.3 min, p < 0.001) and thrombectomy (356.1 vs 454.8 min, p = 0.001). Conclusions In patients with LVO stroke who undergo thrombectomy, EMS transport directly to an ESC results in shorter time thrombectomy, although we did not observe a difference in 90-day functional outcomes. Additionally, bypass to reach a more capable endovascular stroke center does not delay administration of IVT from time of LKW.

Scaling traffic variables from sensors sample to the entire city at high spatiotemporal resolution with machine learning: applications to the Paris megacity

Abstract Road transportation accounts for up to 35% of carbon dioxide and 49% of nitrogen oxides emissions in the Paris region. However, estimates of city traffic patterns are often incomplete and of coarse spatio-temporal resolution, even where extensive networks of sensors exist. This study uses a machine learning approach to analyze data from 2086 magnetic road sensors across Paris, generating a detailed dataset of hourly traffic flow and road occupancy covering 6846 road segments from 2018 to 2022. Our model captures flow and occupancy with a Symmetric Mean Absolute Percentage Error of 37% and 54% respectively, providing high-resolution insights into traffic patterns. These insights allow for the creation of a comprehensive map of hourly transportation patterns in Paris, offering a robust framework for assessing traffic variables for each significant road link in the city. The model's ability to incorporate an emission factor based on the mean speed of the vehicle fleet, derived from flow and occupancy data, holds promise for developing a detailed CO2 and pollutant inventory. This methodology is not limited to Paris; it can be applied to other urban centers with similar data availability, highlighting its potential as a versatile tool for sustainable urban monitoring.

Death at the water hole: Opportunistic hunting and scavenging events in the upper sequence of Middle Paleolithic Nesher Ramla, Israel

Distinguishing between selective and opportunistic hunting is a major challenge in Paleolithic archaeology, requiring the comparison of the human hunting record to the usually unknown natural prey abundance. Open-air hunting camps are ubiquitous in the Eurasian Middle Paleolithic (MP) record, alongside cave sites, and are often dominated by large-bodied species. In the Levant, MP faunal records differ between caves and open-air sites: Caves are dominated by mountain gazelle and fallow deer, while open-air sites are more aurochs-dominated. This discrepancy can be explained by transport patterns, but whether the abundance of aurochs in open-air sites is due to deliberate targeting or natural abundance in the landscape is unclear. The Nesher Ramla open-air site is a natural sinkhole in central Israel with an 8-m-deep MP sequence. Detailed zooarchaeological, dental wear, and isotope analyses of the upper sequence fauna found a highly diverse assemblage dominated by medium-sized ungulates in the uppermost phases (Units I and IIa). Results concerning ungulate dietary niches and isotopic signatures demonstrate that animals from different biomes and topographies congregated at the site. Evidence of human butchery is infrequent and fewer than carnivore modifications. Several articulated vertebral columns attest to in situ preservation. Our results demonstrate that the Nesher Ramla's uppermost sequence formed primarily under natural conditions, suggesting that it was a site of opportunistic hunting by humans and carnivores, probably targeting ungulates that came to the sinkhole to drink. Therefore, we consider this assemblage representative of the site's “natural” environment and use it as a benchmark for comparing assemblages and hunting strategies. Thus, we observe a clear difference between our case study and those recovered from the site's lower layers (Unit IIB and below) and other open-air sites. For the first time, we can show that the abundance of large bovines in MP open-air sites is not necessarily due to their abundance in the environment but to deliberate human planning and selective hunting.

Morpho-hydrodynamic processes impacted by the 2022-extreme La Niña event and high river discharge conditions in the southern coastal area of West Java, Indonesia

ABSTRACT The significance of sediment-laden river discharges is strongly related to climate change and rainfall intensity, resulting in severe erosion of the catchment areas and riverbanks. The combination of tides and waves considerably influence the sediment transport and distribution patterns of an estuary, inducing the sedimentary processes of the coastal area. This study aims to analyze the impacts of the La Niña event in 2022 and high river discharges in the Bojong Salawe Beach, Pangandaran. This area has a large estuary with several tributaries, with a high potential for erosion and sedimentation. Furthermore, its location directly faces the Indian Ocean, posing the risk of wind-induced high waves. The methods used in this research are descriptive analysis (using dataset ERA-5 taken from the Copernicus Climate Change Service) and numerical models (using Mike21) with an identification of erosion and accretion processes. The results show that the boreal autumn 2022 significantly impacted the study area, compared to the boreal winter 2022. Higher precipitation levels during boreal autumn substantially increased the river discharges, transferring the total load of sediment of about 1.48 × 10−3 m3/s/m. Moreover, shoreline change analysis using digital shoreline analysis system confirmed that Bojong Salawe Beach was indicated to experience high erosion, particularly around the mouth of the estuary.

Evolution and deposition patterns of turbidity currents under complex vegetation canopies

Understanding the flow-vegetation-sediment feedback mechanism is critical for ecological restoration of gently sloped landscapes. Numerous simulation or laboratory experiments on turbidity currents over vegetation have revealed the important roles of vegetation canopy morphology and structure in this feedback mechanism. However, there is still a lack of analysis on the related physical processes. This study investigated the evolutionary characteristics and sediment transport and deposition patterns of turbidity currents with different sediment size distribution in vegetation patches of different canopy morphologies through lock-exchange experiments. The roles of vegetation leaf morphology and canopy structure were explored by varying the leaf morphology and vegetation density with turbidity currents prepared using sediment samples configured with different particle sizes, which are more compatible with natural conditions. The kinetic characteristics and sediment distribution of the turbidity currents over vegetation were simultaneously analyzed, providing a new perspective for updating the methodology in laboratory experiments. The major findings of this study can be summarized as follows: 1) the general spatiotemporal evolution law of turbidity currents is applicable to complex vegetation canopy morphology; 2) canopy structure dominated by leaf morphology is an important influencing factor that needs to be taken into account in the research on vegetation resistance; and 3) the correlation between turbidity current momentum and suspended sediment transport decreases under complex conditions, and coarse-grained suspended sediment tend to limit the movement of turbidity currents and major deposition distance of the sediment. These findings can provide theoretical support for conservation of floodplain soil and water and restoration of watershed ecology.

Seasonal dynamics of airborne biomolecules influence the size distribution of Arctic aerosols

Organic matter is crucial in aerosol–climate interactions, yet the physicochemical properties and origins of organic aerosols remain poorly understood. Here we show the seasonal characteristics of submicron organic aerosols in Arctic Svalbard during spring and summer, emphasizing their connection to transport patterns and particle size distribution. Microbial-derived organic matter (MOM) and terrestrial-derived organic matter (TOM) accounted for over 90% of the total organic mass in Arctic aerosols during these seasons, comprising carbohydrate/protein-like and lignin/tannin-like compounds, respectively. In spring, aerosols showed high TOM and low MOM intensities due to biomass-burning influx in the central Arctic. In contrast, summer exhibited elevated MOM intensity, attributed to the shift in predominant atmospheric transport from the central Arctic to the biologically active Greenland Sea. MOM and TOM were associated with Aitken mode particles (<100 nm diameter) and accumulation mode particles (>100 nm diameter), respectively. This association is linked to the molecular size of biomolecules, impacting the number concentrations of corresponding aerosol classes. These findings highlight the importance of considering seasonal atmospheric transport patterns and organic source-dependent particle size distributions in assessing aerosol properties in the changing Arctic.

Assessment of Multiple Trace Metal Fluxes in a Semi-Arid Watershed Containing Mine Tailing, Using a Multiple Tool Approach (Zaida Mine, Upper Moulouya Watershed, Morocco)

Few studies have quantified the complex flux of trace metals from mine tailings to rivers through water erosion, especially in the semi-arid region of North Morocco (Zaida mine) where soil erosion is a severe issue. This study applies (i) methods to understand and estimate the complex flux of trace metals from mine tailings to rivers, using the RUSLE model combined with the concentration of trace metals in the soil and additionally (ii) pollution indices and statistical analyses to assess the sediment contamination by Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn. Our study revealed that the basin has a low erosion rate, with an average of 9.1 t/ha/yr. Moreover, the soil contamination is particularly high at the north of the mine tailings, as prevailing winds disperse particles across the basin. The assessment of the sediments indicated that Pb is the main contaminant, with concentrations exceeding 200 mg/kg specifically downstream of the tailings. This study also identified high a concentration of trace elements 14 km away from the tailings alongside the Moulouya river, due to the specific hydrological transport patterns in the area. This research contributes to a better understanding of the transport and fate of the trace metals in mining areas. It proposes a replicable method that can be applied in other regions to assess the contamination flows and thereby assist water resource management.

Sediment distribution and transport pattern in the nearshore region, southeast coast of India

The present paper aimed to assess the sediment distribution pattern, mode of transport, and its interaction with hydrodynamic and topographic conditions at different depths and regions along the east coast of India. About 900 surficial sediment samples were collected and analysed on a monthly basis for the Chennai coastal region at 32 stations from 2013 to 2015. The study region is classified into four types, such as beach, inlet, 5 m, and 10 m depth. Sediment textural and grain size trend analyses were conducted to achieve the objectives. Sediment characteristics for the region were recorded as sandy, equally dominated by unimodal and bimodal at the beach, while unimodal at shallow depths (5 and 15 m). The sediments were medium sand to coarse sand at the beach, mostly fine followed by medium at 5 and 15 m depths. The sediment sorting is dominated by moderately well-sorted sediments; the skewness of beach sediments was negative, while nearshore sediments were found positive; average kurtosis values of sediments were noticed to be mesokurtic. The CM plot depicts that the sediments were mostly derived by tractive current, and the modes of transport are “bottom suspension and rolling” and “graded suspension no rolling” at beach locations and shallow water depths, respectively. The GSTA analysis reveals the annual average sediment transport pattern is northerly. The numerical hydrodynamic study confirms the GSTA and CM plot analysis. The study reveals a stable sedimentary environment south of the Chennai port and instability in the northern part. The study includes large spatiotemporal nearshore sediment data with hydrodynamic conditions, immensely helpful to coastal stakeholders and researchers.

Dynamic Flow Algorithm with Intermediate Storage for Emergency Evacuation Allowing Lane Reversal based on Incomplete Intuitionistic Fuzzy Preference Relation

Background Evacuation in case of disasters is of the greatest importance because of significant occurrences of natural and artificial disasters worldwide, which is why a reliable evacuation plan is always needed. However, evacuation models are difficult to develop due to various uncertain aspects that need to be considered, multiple and often conflicting criteria for evaluation and as lack of expertise regarding a specific preference of alternatives. Objective This study aims to transport the maximum number of evacuees in a dynamic network with lane reversal by a safe pattern of transportation, i.e., allowing storage at intermediate nodes. The optimal order of shelters and intermediate nodes for a reliable evacuation plan will be defined by incomplete intuitionistic fuzzy preference relation. Methods The illustrated method incorporates multiple and often conflicting criteria into a process of emergency decision-making. When evaluating evacuation alternatives, a decision-maker may hesitate and be unsure which alternative is better or not have sufficient expertise to evaluate a pair of alternatives. To model uncertainty and hesitation, intuitionistic fuzzy values are used to describe alternatives in more detail. This study relies on flow models and graph theory to simulate the movement of evacuees to safe destinations. Furthermore, fuzzy methods and their recent modifications are applied to determine the effective priority order of shelters. A case study which simulates the evacuation of aggrieved to safe destinations is presented. Results A method of evaluating the shelters and intermediate nodes for evacuation based on incomplete intuitionistic fuzzy preference relation is proposed. The method allows the missed values of experts’ assessments to be filled in regarding the evacuation alternatives and deals with intuitionistic fuzzy values, which describe experts’ hesitation. The dynamic character of flow distribution enables transit arc capacities and time factors to be processed. The contraflow technique, which is a powerful tool to decrease traffic jams and congestion on roads by reversing the movement along the unused segments, is applied to maximize the number of survivors. Conclusion The results of the method were compared to those of existing methods, and their consistency was proved. In the future, we intend to apply interval-valued intuitionistic preference relations and iterative algorithms to improve the consistency of intuitionistic preference relations to the tasks of transporting the maximum possible number of aggrieved to safe locations.

Research on prepositioned air distribution and dust control devices for continuous mining faces

This study, based on the construction of a wind flow-dust two-phase coupled diffusion model, develops a novel method using a prepositioned air distributor to create an air curtain for dust control. This research involved the analysis of wind flow transportation patterns and dust diffusion mechanisms with varying structural parameters, and the verification of simulation results through field tests. The findings indicate that with the increase of the axial horizontal opening angle of the prepositioned air distributor, the wind speed of the air curtain decreases, while the size of the vortex field in the heading face area expands. Increasing the axial vertical opening angle enhances the strength of the vortex, leading to improved dust control abilities. The dust concentration at the rear of the tunnel initially decreases and then rises. Additionally, as the turning angle increases, the speed at which the wind flow diffuses towards the rear of the tunnel also rises. Compared with traditional ventilation methods, the dust reduction efficiency at the respiratory zone height is improved to over 94.0 %. The concentration of dust within the tunnel is significantly reduced, with approximately 98.9 % of the dust confined within a 10.0 m range from the heading face.

Study on the variation characteristics and influencing factors of stem water content of Acer truncatum during the overwintering period.

Stem water content serves as a pivotal parameter that reflects the plant vitality and maintains their internal water balance. Given the insufficient comprehension regarding the stem water content characteristics and its influencing factors during different stages of the overwintering period, the study focused on Acer truncatum Bunge and developed an Internet of Things (IoT)-based ecological information monitoring system. The system incorporated a proprietary stem water content sensor, allowing non-invasive, in-situ and real time acquisition of stem water content while monitoring diverse environmental parameters. We conducted a detailed elucidation of stem water content variation characteristics and their responses to diverse environmental factors. The results showed: (1) During the overwintering period, stem water content exhibited diurnal variations characterized by " daytime ascent and nighttime descent" across the three stages, exhibiting differences in the moment when the stem water content reaches extremal values and daily fluctuations ranges. Stem water content exhibited minimal fluctuations during deciduous and bud-breaking stages but experienced significant freezing-thawing alternations during the dormant stage, leading to an increased daily fluctuation range. (2) The Pearson correlation coefficients between environmental parameters and stem water content varied dynamically across stages. Path analysis revealed that during the deciduous stage, stem temperature and saturation vapor pressure deficit were dominant factors influencing stem water content; during dormant stage, air temperature and saturation vapor pressure deficit directly impacted stem water content; during the bud-breaking stage, the primary parameters affecting stem water content were saturation vapor pressure deficit and stem temperature. The study provides valuable insights into unveiling the water transport patterns within tree stems tissue and their environmental adaptation mechanisms during the overwintering period, aiding in the scientific development of winter management strategies to protect trees from severe cold and freezing damage, while fostering healthy growth in the subsequent year.

Arsenic distribution characteristics and release mechanisms in aquaculture lake sediments

It is well known that aquaculture can alter the microenvironments of lakes at sediment-water interface (SWI). However, the main mechanisms underlying the effects of aquaculture activities on arsenic (As) transformations are still unclear. In this context, the present study aims to investigate the variations in the sediment As contents in Yangcheng Lake, as well as to assess its chemical transformations, release fluxes, and release mechanisms. The results showed substantial spatial differences in the dissolved As concentrations in the sediment pore water. The As release fluxes at the SWI ranged from 1.32 to 112.09 μg/L, with an average value of 33.68 μg/L. In addition, the highest As fluxes were observed in the aquaculture areas. The transformation of crystalline hydrous Fe oxide-bound As to adsorbed-As in the aquaculture lake sediments increased the ability of As release. The Partial least squares path modeling results demonstrated the great contributions of organic matter (OM) to the As transformations by influencing the sediment microbial communities and Fe/Mn minerals. The changes in the As fractionation and competing adsorption increased the dissolved As concentrations in the 0–10 mm surface sediment. Non-specifically and specifically adsorbed As were the major sources of dissolved As in the sediments. Specifically, microbial reduction of As[V] and dissolution of Fe oxides increased the dissolved As concentrations at the SWI (20 to −20 mm). The results of the current study highlight the positive enhancement effects of aquaculture on As release from sediments.

Contrasting nitrogen transport patterns in subtropical basins revealed by combined multiple isotopic analyzes and hydrological simulations

Although enhancing the knowledge of nitrogen (N) dynamics in aquatic systems is crucial for basin N management, there is still a lack of theories on the patterns of basin N sources and transport because of the intricate influence of human activities, climatic conditions, landscape patterns, and topography on the trajectory of basin N. To shed new light on the patterns of basin N sources and transport in the Chinese subtropical monsoon region, this study provides a comprehensive approach combining multiple isotopes and hydrological model based on monthly records of hydro-chemistry and isotopes (18O-NO3− /15N-NO-3 and 18O-H2O /2H-H2O) for river water, groundwater and rainfall in three basins over multiple years. Our observations of hydro-chemistry showed that fluvial N levels in highly urbanized basins (3.05 ± 1.42 mg·L−1) were the highest and were characterized by higher levels in the dry season. In the agricultural basin, fluvial N levels in February and March were approximately 1.9 times higher than those in the other months. The fluvial N load was higher in agricultural basins (0.624–0.728 T N km -2 y -1) than in urban basins (0.558 T N km -2 y -1), primarily because of variations in sewage treatment rates and fertilizer application. In highly urbanized basin, manure and sewage (46.9 %) were the dominant sources of fluvial N, which were discharged into rivers after treatment. In the plain agricultural basin, a substantial portion of diffused residential sewage leaches into aquifers and is stored. In the hilly agro-forest mixed basin, the high baseflow coefficient (75.8 %) and the key role of groundwater N, mainly from soil N (27.3 %), chemical fertilizers (20.2 %), manure and sewage (46.6 %), to fluvial N (26.5 %) indicated that a high proportion of the N sources leached into the aquifer and were then transported to rivers. For the first time, this study integrated multiple methods to substantiate the proposed typical patterns of N sources and transport within the basins. These findings have significant implications for tailored basin-specific N management strategies.

Even a journey can be a destination: Exploring the spatial patterns of motorcycle traffic in the Czech Republic based on official and crowdsourced data

Not only in geography is motorcycle transport still a very under-researched phenomenon. Although there has been a recent growth in academic interest in motorcycle transport, there are still some key questions that remain unanswered. Empirical studies analysing motorcycle transport are surprisingly also based mainly on observations in the Global South, with very little research in the economically developed countries of the Global North. This paper aims to examine the spatial patterns of motorcycle transport in the Czech Republic. For the analysis, we use official data on average motorcycle intensities on the road network (i), and unofficial data crowdsourced from individual GPS navigations and social networks (ii). We found major inconsistencies between the two data sources. The paper’s main contribution is to demonstrate the great potential of crowdsourced data to identify important aspects of the spatial organisation of motorcycle traffic. Based on these data, we found substantial differences in the intensity of motorcycle traffic on the road network (different use of individual categories of communications according to both types of data), the popularity of individual motorcycle routes (higher popularity of scenic roads in GPS data), and the different lengths of individual trips during weekdays and weekends.

Characterization and Expression Analysis of Sugar Transporters through Partial Least Square Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) Revealed Their Role in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important economic crops in the world. By controlling the transport and distribution of photosynthetic products between cells and organs, sugar transporters are widely involved in growth and development, environmental adaptation, and microbial interactions. The present study was carried out at the genome-wide level to systematically characterize sugar transporters. As a result, 50 MST, 3 SUT, and 29 SWEET genes were identified and classified. The expression pattern of sugar transporters in pepper was analyzed by transcriptomic data. The expression properties of sugar transporters were further explored in pepper varieties with significant differences in weight, shape, and pungency. It was shown that the pepper sugar transporter genes had obvious spatiotemporal specific expression characteristics and exhibited variety-specific expression preferences. We focus on analyzing candidate genes that may be involved in fruit development and expansion. We further explore the response of pepper sugar transporters to adversity stress using a structural equation model. Finally, we found that the MST, SUT, and SWEET families are collectively involved in balancing pepper resistance to abiotic stress by coordinating the expression strengths of different family members. Our study may contribute to the functional study of pepper sugar transporter genes and create the prospect of utilizing sugar transporter gene resources to improve pepper variety.

Unraveling the decadal–scale coastal evolution and hazards of the Salamanca Barrier (Colombia)

This study aims to characterize the primary coastal hazards operating at both medium-term and episodic scales along the Salamanca barrier in the Caribbean coast of Colombia. On a medium-term (decadal) scale, we analyzed satellite images spanning the past 40 years to characterize shoreline evolution, the associated coastal sediment budget and the responsible sediment transport pattern. At this scale, the barrier has experienced intense shoreline retreat, with erosion rates gradually decreasing over time. For the last analyzed period, 2009–2019, maximum erosion rates have exceeded −20 m/yr. This erosion is primarily driven by a net longshore sediment transport pattern directed towards the west, induced by a wave climate concentrated in a narrow direction arc from the NE. Peak transport rates, reaching an order of magnitude of 106 m3/yr, have been estimated for the westernmost (more exposed) part of the barrier. At an episodic scale, we estimated hazards by evaluating storm-induced erosion and flooding potential. The eastern zone of the barrier showed greater susceptibility to overwash, while potential erosion was only relevant in the western and central sectors. Notably, the most impactful events were associated with waves from directions of 30 and 40°. The cumulative contribution of hazards operating at both scales contribute to various challenges affecting infrastructures, ecosystems, and communities along the Salamanca barrier.

Evaluation of sediment generation and transport: a case study of Thwake Dam in Kenya

ABSTRACT The study aimed to evaluate sediment generation, transport, and deposition into the Thwake reservoir. This research sought to assess sediment transport patterns and their potential impact on the reservoir using regional and numerical techniques. The Thwake River basin constitutes 30% of the dam's catchment area and experiences high soil-loss due to its semi-arid climate, steep slopes, and lack of vegetation. The river system in the sub-basin is ephemeral, with the riverbed remaining dry throughout most of the year and experiencing tidal flow only during storm events. Bed-material samples were collected from selected reaches, and sediment properties were evaluated. The study involved analyzing datasets on the reservoir, catchment, and sand-bed channel. Numerical models assessed hydrological and sediment transport information by considering interacting variables and predicting deposition patterns and sediment-yield estimates. The findings indicated that sufficient bed material from sub-basin 3E would be deposited into the reservoir, resulting in delta formation approximately 5 km downstream of the tail waters at minimum dam operating level. The mass cumulative sediment inflow from 3E into the reservoir was estimated as between 14 and 26.3 metric tons per annum, representing reservoir loss and useful life under 50 years.

Effect of Genotype on Cadmium and Trace Element Accumulation in Wheat from Weakly Alkaline Cadmium-contaminated Soil.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination of farmland soils leads to Cd accumulation in crops and reduced micronutrient uptake, posing grave risks to food safety. Herein, we investigated the enrichment and transportation patterns of Cd and trace elements in different parts of six wheat genotypes grown in weakly alkaline Cd-contaminated soils via pot experiments. The results revealed that the wheat grain variety with high Cd accumulation (Ningmai13) demonstrated a 1.94-fold increase compared to the variety with low accumulation (Yanong0428). The transfer factor of Cd from wheat straw to grain ranged from 0.319 to 0.761, while the transfer factor of Cd from root to straw ranged from 0.167 to 0.461. Furthermore, the concentrations of other metals in wheat grains followed the order of Zn > Mn > Fe > Cu. There was a significant positive correlation between Cd and Mn in grains, indicating a potential synergistic effect. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the regulation of micronutrient intake to modulate Cd uptake in wheat.