Warm Temperature Climate Research Articles

Past climate and vegetation in Southeast Bulgaria \u2014 a study based on the late Miocene pollen record from the Tundzha Basin

The results of palynological studies on the late Miocene freshwater deposits of the Tundzha Basin (Southeast Bulgaria, SE Europe) are presented. The basin is relatively well known in terms of geology and palaeogeography. The age of sediments in the Tundzha Basin ranges between the late Miocene to the Pliocene, based on mammal and diatom fossils. We carried out a palynological analysis of clayey sediments interlayered with coal beds from four cores and from one outcrop, aiming to obtain information about the composition and the structure of fossil vegetation. The ratios between the main floristic elements and the composition of the fossil flora are analysed and discussed from a palaeoecological point of view. Several main vegetation palaeocommunities were recorded: swamp forests, mixed mesophytic, communities of aquatic plants, and herbaceous palaeocoenoses. The changes in vegetation and in plant diversity are identified. The palaeoclimate analysis indicates a warm temperature climate with high rainfall and mild winter temperatures, without seasonal drier conditions. The early Pontian climate was about 3–4 °C warmer than today, with rainfalls per year at least 300 mm higher than today. The results of palaeoecological analysis of the flora and of the quantitative palaeoclimate data show that the climate in the Southeast Bulgaria indicates a climate change towards slight cooling and some drying. This event is consistent with the period of accumulation of the upper, undivided part of the Elhovo Formation.

First record of Eretmophyllum (Ginkgoales) with well-preserved cuticle from the Middle Jurassic of the Ordos Basin, Inner Mongolia, China

The genus Eretmophyllum, a characteristic and widespread taxon of the order Ginkgoales, is restricted in the Mesozoic floras of Eurasia. In China, although some specimens were assigned to Eretmophyllum based on gross leaf morphology, none have epidermal structure, which is essential for species delimitation within this genus. In this paper, we describe a new species, Eretmophyllum neimengguensis n. sp., from the Middle Jurassic Yan’an Formation of the Ordos Basin, China. This is the first record of the genus Eretmophyllum (Ginkgoales) from the Ordos Basin as well as from China based upon the gross leaf morphology and the epidermal structure. The new record significantly extends the stratigraphic and geographic distribution of Eretmophyllum in China and Eurasia. It also improves our understanding of its leaf morphology, epidermal structure, and past diversity. The taxonomic position and the stratigraphic and geographical range of the genus Eretmophyllum are discussed. Briefly, leaf morphological and epidermal characters of the new species, associated plant assemblages, and sedimentology indicate that the regional climate of the Ordos Basin was warm and humid with seasonal temperature and precipitation fluctuations in warm-temperate zone during the Middle Jurassic. Furthermore, given the relationship between the distribution/diversity of the genus and the climate, the genus Eretmophyllum may be confined to the warm-temperature climate, is intolerant of heat and frost, and can be considered as an indicator of humid and warm climatic conditions.

Steel SIPs for Residential Building Construction: Lessons from Air Leakage and Thermography Analysis of Australian Houses

Freely access on publisher website Stick-frame residential construction is renowned for being leaky. Structural insulated panels (SIPs) theoretically resolve the issues with air and thermal leakage, but such construction systems are new to the Australian housing market. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a steel-skinned SIP construction product could resolve air leakage and thermal performance challenges in five climate zones across Australia in 2015. All houses used the same steel SIPs as the main construction element (walls and roof). Airtightness and thermography tests were conducted in each house in winter to identify air and thermal leakage paths. The results show that even first-time users of this product can produce well-sealed homes, but there is a need to address thermal bridging (because of the steel componentry) and to consider the house as a whole system (not just walls and roof). The results of the study raise questions about thermography test procedures and airtightness regulations for naturally ventilated homes in warm-temperature climates. Addressing these issues will assist in the diffusion of innovative construction products and methods to enhance the energy efficiency of housing.

Studying the potential of energy saving through vertical greenery systems: Using EnergyPlus simulation program

Vertical Greenery Systems (VGS) are upcoming facade cladding fixtures which restore the connection between the city and nature. They are capable of providing thermal benefits to the building. The objective of this study is to explore the impact of VGS on building energy performance. This study simulates thermal effect of VGS using a mathematical model based on heat balance principle of the foliage layer and soil later, which is then integrated into one of the widely accepted building simulation program, EnergyPlus. The integrated VGS model is validated against two reported experimental studies, and show good agreement. Validation results show that integrated VGS model satisfactorily predict the effect of VGS on indoor air temperature and exterior and interior surface temperature of facades with VGS. The integrated VGS model is then used to assess the impact of VGS on building energy performance in warm temperature climates. Simulations have shown that in hot summer days, VGS leads to reduce exterior surface temperature of building facades, maximum of 26°C. The annual cooling energy consumption is reduced by 3% for warm temperature climates. However, during the winter season insulation effect of VGS cause increase in heating demand of the building. Simulations suggest that, passive energy benefits of VGS are promising during summer periods, whereas it may disadvantageous during winter periods. However, in warm temperature climates, VGS still able to provide net passive energy benefits to the building.

광주광역시에 위치한 금당산의 지질학습장으로서 활용성

The purpose of this study is to investigate a feasibility of a small mountain as a field work site on geological features in Earth sciences classes at all levels. Mt. Geumdang with the height of 305 meters from the sea level is located in the metropolitan city of Gwangju, southern part of Korea. The study reviews the human and natural geography, geological features, geomorphic resources, landscapes, and conveniences of the mountain for a possibility of meaningful field work. The population within the distance of 5 km from the mountain stands at about 620,000 and 170,000 of them are students and teachers. Mt. Geumdang has a warm temperature climate with low rainfall throughout the year, so it seems suitable for a field survey. Road network and public transportation system around the area are well-developed and easily accessible. Mt. Geumdang shows various rock type and geological structures. The basement rock is Gwangju granite, which is plutonic body of the Jurassic period. Also, granophyre (micrographic granite) and various volcanic rocks distributed as bedded tuff, lapilli tuff, and rhyolite of the Cretaceous period. Many andesitic and felsic dykes were intruded into the rock by joint system. In Mt. Geumdang, many geomorphic resources are found such as U shaped mountain, joint, fault, lamination, gnamma, tor, cliff, groove, block stream and block field, regolith, and saprolite. It has a beautiful mountain scenery including the view of whole shape of Mt. Mudeung, panoramic view of the town, Pungam lake, World Cup stadium and sunrise and sunset. Furthermore, the area has ecologic study facilities related to geology, emergency medical and convenience facilities for field works. In conclusion, Mt. Geumdang is highly feasible for geological field studies at all levels.

Floating geomembrane covers for odour control and biogas collection and utilization in municipal lagoons

The use of anaerobic lagoons as the first pond in waste stabilization pond systems in tropical and warm-temperature climates is considered a highly cost-effective and practical way to treat municipal wastewater. These anaerobic ponds, designed with hydraulic residence times of up to six days, can effect BOD5 removals of 60 to 80%. The subsequent aerobic stabilization pond surface area is greatly reduced over systems designed without anaerobic treatment up front due to the organic load reduction occurring anaerobically. In lagoon systems with mechanical aeration, operation costs can be greatly reduced. While odour is a concern with anaerobic treatment, anaerobic ponds treating municipal wastewater can be designed to be relatively odour-free given sufficiently low wastewater sulfate concentrations. However, when sulfate concentrations are high, or when odour control or greenhouse gas emissions are significant issues, or when the wastewater is relatively high in organic strength resulting in commercial production of methane gas, anaerobic lagoons can be covered, and the biogas collected and burned both to produce energy and reduce emissions and odour. The City of Melbourne treats approximately 50% of its municipal wastewater at the Western Treatment Plant in waste stabilization ponds designed with anaerobic ponds as the first pond in the system. Each of three pond systems at the Western Treatment Plant receives an average dry weather flow of 120,000 m3/d with an average strength of 400 mg/L BOD5. This paper describes the design, installation and commissioning of two 3.9 hectare floating, self draining, geomembrane covers on the anaerobic section of two of these lagoon systems. Biogas collection and utilization were an important part of the installation. A description of how the biogas is collected, the quantities generated and an overview of the control system used to operate the biogas handling facility is also included. Particular emphasis was placed on maximizing biogas utilization in design of the biogas control system.

Food consumption of the lizard Agama stellio stellio

Food consumption in the lizard Agama stellio stellio was measured by calibrated production of faeces and urates. There was no difference between daily food consumption in spring and in summer. This non-seasonal pattern in A. stellio from a temperate arid habitat thus falls between the spring/summer pattern found in other lizards from warm temperature climates, and the wet/dry season pattern found in arid environments. Estimated consumption was close to that predicted for a 66 g lizard, and slightly higher than that of the tropical Agama agama. Occupation of a temperate climate has not reduced energy intake in A. stellio, but may have consequences for its time budget.

The Cornubian batholith, SW England: D/H and 18 O/ 16 O studies of kaolinite and other alteration minerals

D/H and 18 O/ 16 O ratios were determined on minerals and whole-rock samples of fresh granites, granites altered during greisenization and kaolinization of the Hercynian Cornubian batholith, detrital kaolinitic sediments of the Bovey Formation, and modern meteoric waters. The granites are high −18 O rocks with δ 18 O = 10.8 to 13.2‰ due to melting, assimilation and/or exchange with argillaceous-rich metasediments at depth. Vein-controlled greisening was dominated by meteoric-hydrothermal fluids, Kaolinites from the major china clay deposits are of weathering origin. They are isotopically consistent with having formed in a tropical to warm temperature climate during the Cretaceous-Tertiary. Although intense supergene kaolinization was probably localized by earlier post-magmatic processes, there is no evidence that china clay kaolinites originally formed during hydrothermal activity and subsequently underwent post-formational isotopic exchange.

Hybrid pennisetum in a warm temperature climate: regrowth and stand-over forage production

Dry matter, tillering and herbage quality changes were examined in hybrid pennisetum (Pennisetum americanum x P. purpureum) over 15 weeks of uninterrupted regrowth in summer and autumn, and in regrowth of differing ages throughout autumn until frosting. During uninterrupted regrowth above-ground dry matter accumulation was slow until internode elongation, at which time the apparent utilization of visible radiation was 10 per cent. Nitrogen and organic matter digestibility percentages declined with age except during internode elongation. The dry matter yield was high (12 t ha-1) but the quality of the forage poor after 12-13 weeks. When defoliated in summer and autumn the rate of regrowth decreased as defoliation was delayed. Nitrogen concentration decreased during autumn and fell rapidly after frosting; digestibility also decreased with time but increased with lateness of defoliation when forage was compared at the same age. Defoliation in mid-February was recommended to provide a reasonable yield of stand-over forage containing adequate concentrations of crude protein and digestible organic matter.

Contrasting Responses of Morphologically Similar Wheat Cultivars to Temperatures Appropriate to Warm Temperature Climates With Hot Summers: a Study in Controlled Environment

This study attempted to determine if and why there are differences among three cultivars of wheat in their responses to temperature. The three semidwarf cultivars examined, Kalyansona, Condor and Janak, are currently used commercially. Temperature regimes chosen matched the range to which plants in warm temperate climates with hot summers would be exposed at different stages of development. Plants were grown in a phytotron in sunlit cabinets. Responses to temperature were different among the cultivars. Kalyansona was relatively un- responsive to temperatures during the floret phase, being little affected in the sizes of upper leaves, in floret production and grain set, in overall plant growth or in grain yield. The sole character to respond to temperature in this cultivar was kernel weight, which declined with increasing grain phase temperature. In contrast, Condor demonstrated marked plasticity during the floret phase in all plant characters measured. Its plasticity was such that, at the lower temperatures, it outyielded Kalyansona by a substantial margin while at the higher temperatures its yield was relatively poor. On a plant basis, Janak performed similarly to Condor. Rates of photosynthesis were relatively unaffected by temperature in any cultivar. This wide range of response among three superficially similar cultivars has promising implications for the tailoring of cultivars for different temperature zones. The importance of different plant characters to temperature stability is considered in the discussion.