A depth-integrated 2D coastal and estuarine model with conformal boundary-fitted mesh generation

Details are given of the development and application of a 2D depth-integrated, conformal boundary-fitted, curvilinear model for predicting the depth-mean velocity field and the spatial concentration distribution in estuarine and coastal waters. A numerical method for conformal mesh generation, based on a boundary integral equation formulation, has been developed. By this method a general polygonal region with curved edges can be mapped onto a regular polygonal region with the same number of horizontal and vertical straight edges and a multiply connected region can be mapped onto a regular region with the same connectivity. A stretching transformation on the conformally generated mesh has also been used to provide greater detail where it is needed close to the coast, with larger mesh sizes further offshore, thereby minimizing the computing effort whilst maximizing accuracy. The curvilinear hydrodynamic and solute model has been developed based on a robust rectilinear model. The hydrodynamic equations are approximated using the ADI finite difference scheme with a staggered grid and the solute transport equation is approximated using a modified QUICK scheme. Three numerical examples have been chosen to test the curvilinear model, with an emphasis placed on complex practical applications

Improved Arctic sea-ice thickness projections using bias corrected CMIP5 simulations

Projections of Arctic sea ice thickness (SIT) have the potential to inform stakeholders about accessibility to the region, but are currently rather uncertain. The latest suite of CMIP5 Global Climate Models (GCMs) produce a wide range of simulated SIT in the historical period (1979–2014) and exhibit various biases when compared with the Pan-Arctic Ice Ocean Modelling and Assimilation System (PIOMAS) sea ice reanalysis. We present a new method to constrain such GCM simulations of SIT via a statistical bias correction technique. The bias correction successfully constrains the spatial SIT distribution and temporal variability in the CMIP5 projections whilst retaining the climatic fluctuations from individual ensemble members. The bias correction acts to reduce the spread in projections of SIT and reveals the significant contributions of climate internal variability in the first half of the century and of scenario uncertainty from mid-century onwards. The projected date of ice-free conditions in the Arctic under the RCP8.5 high emission scenario occurs in the 2050s, which is a decade earlier than without the bias correction, with potentially significant implications for stakeholders in the Arctic such as the shipping industry. The bias correction methodology developed could be similarly applied to other variables to reduce spread in climate projections more generally.

Quantifying minimum monolith size and solute dilution from multi-compartment percolation sampler data

Preferential flow affects solute transport in natural soils, leading to high spatiotemporal variation of concentration. A multicompartment solute sampler (MCS), yielding multiple breakthrough curves at a given depth, can monitor tracer movement in a heterogeneous soil. We present a technique to estimate from MCS data whether a soil monolith is sufficiently large to capture preferential flow, which is a necessity for tracer breakthrough curves to be representative. For several soils, we estimate that an MCS should be larger than 0.1 to 0.2 m². We also expand dilution theory to analyze the concentration variations of a tracer passing the control plane monitored by the MCS, in addition to the conventional plume spreading analysis. We characterize the set of locally observed breakthrough curves by the entropy-based dilution index. For given first and second-central moment, the spatially uniform log-normal breakthrough curve maximizes the dilution index. The ratio between observed and maximum dilution index is denoted reactor ratio. For a 300-compartment solute sampler, covering an area of 0.75 m², we compute a reactor ratio of 0.665, compared with 0.04 for stochastic-convective and 1 for convective-dispersive transport. With a single, large collector the reactor ratio would be 0.958, severely underestimating concentration variations. Large collector areas are clearly inadequate to estimate dilution. Values of the dilution index and the reactor ratio for individual sampling compartments indicate efficient longitudinal mixing in most but not all cases, and considerable spatial variation of the leaching process.

Physical, chemical and biological characterization of membrane fouling

In this chapter, advanced characterization of membrane fouling as a diagnostic tool has been summarized to prevent membrane fouling. Physical, chemical and biological analyses as membrane autopsies are mainly utilized to better understand membrane foulant. The physical characterization gives structure, roughness, charge effect, strength and hydrophobicity of membrane fouling. The chemical methods provide qualitative and quantitative measurements of different inorganic and organic matter. The biological properties present the spatial biofilm distribution, structure of dominant microorganisms and isolation and identification of microorganisms. In addition, detailed membrane foulant types are reviewed in terms of structure, roughness, hydrophobicity, charge effect, strength, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, iron, silicate, particle, functional group, biopolymer, humic acid, polysaccharide, structural composition, biofilm structure, microorganism and foulant interaction.

Statistical modelling of extreme rainfall in Madeira Island

Extreme rainfall events have triggered a significant number of flash floods in Madeira Island along its past and recent history. Madeira is a volcanic island where the spatial rainfall distribution is strongly affected by its rugged topography. In this thesis, annual maximum of daily rainfall data from 25 rain gauge stations located in Madeira Island were modelled by the generalised extreme value distribution. Also, the hypothesis of a Gumbel distribution was tested by two methods and the existence of a linear trend in both distributions parameters was analysed. Estimates for the 50– and 100–year return levels were also obtained. Still in an univariate context, the assumption that a distribution function belongs to the domain of attraction of an extreme value distribution for monthly maximum rainfall data was tested for the rainy season. The available data was then analysed in order to find the most suitable domain of attraction for the sampled distribution. In a different approach, a search for thresholds was also performed for daily rainfall values through a graphical analysis. In a multivariate context, a study was made on the dependence between extreme rainfall values from the considered stations based on Kendall’s τ measure. This study suggests the influence of factors such as altitude, slope orientation, distance between stations and their proximity of the sea on the spatial distribution of extreme rainfall. Groups of three pairwise associated stations were also obtained and an adjustment was made to a family of extreme value copulas involving the Marshall–Olkin family, whose parameters can be written as a function of Kendall’s τ association measures of the obtained pairs.

Influência dos fatores abióticos sobre a variação espaço-temporal de paralonchurus brasiliensis (Steindachner, 1875) (pisces, sciaenidae) componente da fauna acompanhante da pesca de camarões no litoral Norte de São Paulo

Knowledge of the environmental factors influence on the spatial-temporal variation of fishes is important to fisheries management and conservation. Thus, the aim of this work was to analyze the influence of the abiotical factors on the spatial-temporal distribution of Paralonchurus brasiliensis (Pisces, Sciaenidae) caught by-catch with the shrimp fishing of Ubatuba and Caraguatatuba regions, north coast of São Paulo State. The fishes were captured every month from January to December 2002. Samples were collected by otter trawl at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35m depths. The temperatures (surface and bottom), salinities (surface and bottom), sediment features and organic matters were verified for each depth. During all period of the study 12.642 specimens of P. brasiliensis were captured at Ubatuba and 17.166 at Caraguatatuba, which totalized the biomass of 267 for the first and 339kg for the other region. The females outnumbered males in fish population. The greatest values of biomass and number of individuals were registered at the summer and autumn seasons, while the lowest values were observed at the winter and spring seasons. The greatest abundances were found from 15 to 25m depth. In this study, it was verified that P. brasiliensis is a coastal waters associate species. The spatialtemporal distribution of P. brasiliensis is affected by intrusion of SACW and depth for the coastal region and by depth and sediment in sheltered areas such as Caraguatatuba

Encalhes de Cetáceos ocorridos no período de 1984 a 2005 no litoral do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil

Strandings of live or dead aquatic mammals constitute an important instrument to provide information regarding the occurrence, biology and ecology of these species. The aim of this study was to register the stranded species of cetaceans, the frequency and the spatial-temporal distribution of theses strandings during the period of 1984 to 2005, in the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. Data was acquired through the monitoring of strandings in the north, north-west and south coast of RN, and through information obtained from institutions and newspaper archives of the State. A total of 122 strandings of cetaceans were registered along the coast of Rio Grande do Norte. Of the 14 species of cetaceans registered, four species had higher frequencies: Sotalia guianensis (n= 65), Steno bredanensis (n = 6), Globicephala macrorhynchus (n = 6) and Physeter macrocephalus (n = 7). Out of 118 strandings, 93 occurred in the south coast (78.8 %), 23 in the north coast (19.5%) and 2 (1.7%) in the north-west coast of the State. The highest frequency of strandings occurred during the months of August to March and the maximum number of strandings occurred from 2000 onwards, as a consequence of the intense monitoring of the Pequenos Cetáceos Project in Rio Grande do Norte

Análise da distribuição espaço-temporal de dengue e da infestação larvária no município de Tupã, Estado de São Paulo

INTRODUÇÃO: O vírus da dengue é transmitido pela picada do mosquito Aedes aegypti e, o atual programa de controle não atinge o objetivo de impedir sua transmissão. Este trabalho objetivou analisar a relação entre a distribuição espaço-temporal de casos de dengue e os indicadores larvários no município de Tupã, de janeiro de 2004 a dezembro de 2007. MÉTODOS: Foram construídos indicadores larvários por quarteirão e totalidade do município. Utilizou-se o método cross-lagged correlation para avaliar a correlação entre casos de dengue e indicadores larvários. Foi utilizado estimador kernel para análise espacial. RESULTADOS: A correlação cruzada defasada entre casos de dengue e indicadores larvários foi significativa. Os mapas do estimador Kernel da positividade de recipientes indicam uma distribuição heterogênea, ao longo do período estudado. Nos dois anos de transmissão, a epidemia ocorreu em diferentes regiões. CONCLUSÕES: Não ficou evidenciada relação espacial entre infestação larvária e ocorrência de dengue. A incorporação de técnicas de geoprocessamento e análise espacial no programa, desde que utilizados imediatamente após a realização das atividades, podem contribuir com as ações de controle, indicando os aglomerados espaciais de maior incidência.

Desempenho de híbridos de milho submetidos a diferentes espaçamentos e densidades populacionais

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a influência de espaçamentos entre linhas e densidades populacionais, nos componentes de produção e na produtividade de grãos, em dois híbridos de milho (Zea mays). O experimento foi conduzido na safra 2006/2007, em Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico típico, textura argilosa, em Jaboticabal, SP. O delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso foi composto por 24 tratamentos com parcelas subsubdivididas. As parcelas principais foram constituídas por três espaçamentos entre linhas (0,40, 0,60 e 0,80 m), as subparcelas, por dois híbridos e as subsubparcelas, por quatro densidades populacionais (30 mil, 50 mil, 70 mil e 90 mil plantas por hectare). Foram avaliadas as variáveis: altura de planta e altura da inserção da primeira espiga, diâmetro de colmo, número de grãos por espiga, massa de 1.000 grãos, produtividade de grãos e índice de colheita. A produtividade do milho aumentou com a redução do espaçamento entrelinhas para os híbridos avaliados. O incremento na densidade populacional de milho resultou em aumentos na altura das plantas e na altura da inserção da primeira espiga e em redução do número de grãos por espiga. O melhor arranjo de plantas para os híbridos avaliados é de 0,40 m de espaçamento entre linhas e de 75 mil e 80 mil plantas por hectare de densidade populacional.

Discrimination of geomorphic surfaces with multivariate analysis of soil attributes in sandstone - basalt lithosequence

O conceito de superfície geomórfica permite uma interligação entre os diferentes ramos da ciência do solo, tais como geologia, geomorfologia e pedologia. Esta associação favorece a compreensão da distribuição espacial dos solos na paisagem, e torna possível compreender o comportamento dos atributos do solo, que estão principalmente relacionadas com a estratigrafia e formas do relevo. Assim, este estudo visa à aplicação da estatística multivariada para categorizar superfícies geomórficas em uma litossequência arenito-basalto, de modo a fornecer uma base para a avaliação do solo em áreas afins. A área de estudo está localizada no município de Pereira Barreto, São Paulo, Brasil. A área escolhida possui 530 hectares, onde foram localizadas e mapeadas três superfícies geomórficas (I, II e III). Na área, 134 amostras foram coletadas nas profundidades de 0,0-0,2 m e 0,8-1,0 m, foram determinados os conteúdos de areia, silte e argila, pH em CaCl2, conteúdo de MO, P, Ca, Mg, K, Al e H+Al. Com base nos resultados, foram realizadas a análise univariada e multivariada de variância, clusters e principal componente, a fim de comparar as três superfícies geomórficas. A análise estatística univariada dos atributos do solo não foi eficiente na identificação das três superfícies geomórficas. Utilizando-se os atributos físicos e químicos do solo, as técnicas estatísticas multivariada permitiram à separação dos três grupos de corpos naturais do solo que foram equivalentes as três superfícies geomórficas mapeadas. Estes resultados são interessantes, pois demonstram a viabilidade da utilização de classificação numérica das superfícies geomórficas para ajudar no mapeamento de solo.

Caracterização da Estrutura Espacial do Psilídeo-de-concha Glycaspis brimblecombei (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) e de seu Parasitóide Psyllaephagus bliteus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) em Floresta de Eucalyptus camaldulensis

Os psilídeos são um grupo de pragas amplamente distribuídas, causando perdas consideráveis em sistemas agrícolas e florestais. A recente descoberta da ocorrência do psilídeo-de-concha Glycaspis brimblecombei Moore (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), no Brasil tornou-se um problema de grande importância, por ser específico de Eucalyptus. O parasitóide Psyllaephagus bliteus Riek (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) é indicado como principal agente no controle biológico desta praga. Portanto, para o monitoramento adequado de ambas espécies é necessário um método eficiente de amostragem. Devido a falta de informações referentes ao seu comportamento em plantações extensivas de eucalipto, realizou-se este trabalho, para verificar a distribuição espacial de G. brimblecombei e de seu parasitóide P. bliteus, através de armadilhas adesivas em floresta de E. camaldulensis. Para determinação da distribuição espacial foram utilizadas 53 armadilhas amarelas distribuídas uniformemente no talhão, formando uma grade amostral espaçadas de 50 x 36 m, à altura aproximada de 1,80 m do solo. Cada armadilha foi presa com auxílio de um arame plastificado em um fio estendido entre duas árvores em um talhão de 19 ha com E. camaldulensis em Luiz Antônio, SP. Foram realizadas dez avaliações, entre janeiro e junho de 2005. Após a coleta as armadilhas foram levadas ao laboratório para ser feita à triagem e contagem do número total de adultos de G. brimblecombei e de P. bliteus, nas duas faces das armadilhas. Concluiu-se que as populações de ambas espécies apresentaram distribuição espacial agregada, no período avaliado.

Diversidade e estrutura genética espacial em duas populações de Myracrodruon urundeuva Fr. All. sob diferentes condições antrópicas

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Constraining the free parameter of the high parton density effects

The high parton density effects are strongly dependent of the spatial gluon distribution within the proton, with radius R, which cannot be derived from perturbative QCD. In this paper we assume that the unitarity corrections are present in the HERA kinematical region and constrain the value of R using the data for the proton structure function and its slope. We obtain that the gluons are not distributed uniformly in the whole proton disc, but behave as concentrated in smaller regions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.

Distribuição da evaporação no interior de um ambiente protegido

This work aimed to study evaporation distribution in a protected environment. The experiment was set up in polyethylene greenhouse at the Lageado Experimental Farm in the School of Agronomic Sciences (FCA, UNESP-Botucatu) in the winter of 2005. 132 500-ml plastic micro evaporimeters (13.7 diameter) were used used to obtain evaporation values and analyze spatial energy distribution. These micro evaporimeters were distributed in 44 equidistant points, at three different heights from the soil surface: 0.40, 0.80 and 1.20cm The tunnel-type greenhouse was 7.5 m wide, 27.5 m long and 3.20 m high at the center, and was covered with black shadow screen (sombrite) on the sides. Southeast/northwest orientation, based on true north, was used foro othe greenhouse longitudinal axis. For variable comparison, a geostatistics was used through the □GS+ program. From obtained data, it was concluded that: there was spatial variability at different points and heights of the microevaporation values obtained from micro evaporimeters were not greenhouse; the Class A Pan installed outside the greenhouse can be used to evaluate the internal evaporation.

Modelos de distribuição espacial de precipitações intensas

Pós-graduação em Física - IGCE