scholarly journals Tailings-flow runout analysis: Examining the applicability of a semi-physical area–volume relationship using a novel database

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Negar Ghahramani ◽  
Andrew Mitchell ◽  
Nahyan M. Rana ◽  
Scott McDougall ◽  
Stephen G. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Inundation Area ◽  
Tailings Dams ◽  
Volume Relationship ◽  
Significant Life ◽  
Volcanic Debris ◽  
Critical Components

Abstract. Tailings-flows result from the breach of tailings dams. Large-scale tailings-flows can travel over substantial distances with high velocities and cause significant life loss, environmental damage and economic costs. Runout modelling and inundation mapping are critical components of risk assessment for tailings dams. In an attempt to develop consistency in reporting tailings data, we established a new tailings-flow runout classification system. Our data analysis applies to the zone corresponding to the extent of the main solid tailings deposit, which is characterized by visible or field-confirmed sedimentation, above typical surface water levels if extending into downstream water bodies. We introduced a new database of 33 tailings dam breaches by independently estimating the planimetric inundation area for each event using remote sensing data. This paper examines the applicability of a semi-physical area–volume relationship using the new database. Our results indicate that the equation A = cV2/3, which has been used previously to characterize the mobility of other types of mass movements, is a statistically-justifiable choice for the relationship between total released volume and planimetric inundation area. Our analysis suggests that, for a given volume, tailings-flows are, on average, less mobile than lahars but more mobile than non-volcanic debris flows, rock avalanches and waste dump failures.

scholarly journals Tailings-flow runout analysis: examining the applicability of a semi-physical area–volume relationship using a novel database

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 3425-3438
Author(s):  
Negar Ghahramani ◽  
Andrew Mitchell ◽  
Nahyan M. Rana ◽  
Scott McDougall ◽  
Stephen G. Evans ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Environmental Damage ◽  
Inundation Area ◽  
Tailings Dams ◽  
Volume Relationship ◽  
Volcanic Debris ◽  
Critical Components

Abstract. Tailings flows result from the breach of tailings dams. Large-scale tailings flows can travel over substantial distances with high velocities and cause significant loss of life, environmental damage, and economic costs. Runout modelling and inundation mapping are critical components of risk assessment for tailings dams. In an attempt to develop consistency in reporting tailings data, we established a new tailings-flow runout classification system. Our data analysis applies to the zone corresponding to the extent of the main solid tailings deposit, which is characterized by visible or field-confirmed sedimentation, above typical surface water levels if extending into downstream water bodies. We introduced a new database of 33 tailings dam breaches by independently estimating the planimetric inundation area for each event using remote sensing data. This paper examines the applicability of a semi-physical area–volume relationship using the new database. Our results indicate that the equation A= cV2∕3, which has been used previously to characterize the mobility of other types of mass movements, is a statistically justifiable choice for the relationship between total released volume and planimetric inundation area. Our analysis suggests that, for a given volume, tailings flows are, on average, less mobile than lahars but more mobile than non-volcanic debris flows, rock avalanches, and waste dump failures.

scholarly journals Extreme Water Deficit in Brazil Detected from Space

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 591-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Augusto Getirana
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Storage ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Extended Period ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variability ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Environmental Damage

Abstract Extreme droughts have caused significant socioeconomic and environmental damage worldwide. In Brazil, ineffective energy development and water management policies have magnified the impacts of recent severe droughts, which include massive agricultural losses, water supply restrictions, and energy rationing. Spaceborne remote sensing data advance our understanding of the spatiotemporal variability of large-scale droughts and enhance the detection and monitoring of extreme water-related events. In this study, data derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission are used to detect and quantify an extended major drought over eastern Brazil and provide estimates of impacted areas and region-specific water deficits. Two structural breakpoint detection methods were applied to time series of GRACE-based terrestrial water storage anomalies (TWSA), determining when two abrupt changes occurred. One, in particular, defines the beginning of the current drought. Using TWSA, a water loss rate of −6.1 cm yr−1 over southeastern Brazil was detected from 2012 to 2015. Based on analysis of Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) outputs, the extreme drought is mostly related to lower-than-usual precipitation rates, resulting in high soil moisture depletion and lower-than-usual rates of evapotranspiration. A reduction of 20%–23% of precipitation over an extended period of 3 years is enough to raise serious water scarcity conditions in the country. Correlations between monthly time series of both grid-based TWSA and ground-based water storage measurements at 16 reservoirs located within southeastern Brazil varied from 0.42 to 0.82. Differences are mainly explained by reservoir sizes and proximity to the drought nucleus.

scholarly journals Common Pool Resource Management: Assessing Water Resources Planning for Hydrologically Connected Surface and Groundwater Systems

Hydrology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Francisco Muñoz-Arriola ◽  
Tarik Abdel-Monem ◽  
Alessandro Amaranto
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Collective Action ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Design Principles ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
High Plains ◽  
Common Pool Resource ◽  
Common Pool ◽  
Connected Surface

Common pool resource (CPR) management has the potential to overcome the collective action dilemma, defined as the tendency for individual users to exploit natural resources and contribute to a tragedy of the commons. Design principles associated with effective CPR management help to ensure that arrangements work to the mutual benefit of water users. This study contributes to current research on CPR management by examining the process of implementing integrated management planning through the lens of CPR design principles. Integrated management plans facilitate the management of a complex common pool resource, ground and surface water resources having a hydrological connection. Water governance structures were evaluated through the use of participatory methods and observed records of interannual changes in rainfall, evapotranspiration, and ground water levels across the Northern High Plains. The findings, documented in statutes, field interviews and observed hydrologic variables, point to the potential for addressing large-scale collective action dilemmas, while building on the strengths of local control and participation. The feasibility of a “bottom up” system to foster groundwater resilience was evidenced by reductions in groundwater depths of 2 m in less than a decade.

scholarly journals Flood Inundation Assessment in the Low-Lying River Basin Considering Extreme Rainfall Impacts and Topographic Vulnerability

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 896
Author(s):  
Thanh Thu Nguyen ◽  
Makoto Nakatsugawa ◽  
Tomohito J. Yamada ◽  
Tsuyoshi Hoshino
Keyword(s):  
River Basin ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Flood Inundation ◽  
Inundation Area ◽  
Inundation Depth ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Inundation Duration ◽  
Short Time

This study aims to evaluate the change in flood inundation in the Chitose River basin (CRB), a tributary of the Ishikari River, considering the extreme rainfall impacts and topographic vulnerability. The changing impacts were assessed using a large-ensemble rainfall dataset with a high resolution of 5 km (d4PDF) as input data for the rainfall–runoff–inundation (RRI) model. Additionally, the prediction of time differences between the peak discharge in the Chitose River and peak water levels at the confluence point intersecting the Ishikari River were improved compared to the previous study. Results indicate that due to climatic changes, extreme river floods are expected to increase by 21–24% in the Ishikari River basin (IRB), while flood inundation is expected to be severe and higher in the CRB, with increases of 24.5, 46.5, and 13.8% for the inundation area, inundation volume, and peak inundation depth, respectively. Flood inundation is likely to occur in the CRB downstream area with a frequency of 90–100%. Additionally, the inundation duration is expected to increase by 5–10 h here. Moreover, the short time difference (0–10 h) is predicted to increase significantly in the CRB. This study provides useful information for policymakers to mitigate flood damage in vulnerable areas.

scholarly journals Analysis of Pore Water Pressure and Piping of Hydraulic Well

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 502
Author(s):  
Jinman Kim ◽  
Heuisoo Han ◽  
Yoonhwa Jin
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Pore Water ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Pore Water Pressure ◽  
Water Pressure ◽  
Hydraulic Gradient ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Seepage Velocity ◽  
Seepage Analysis

This paper shows the results of a field appliance study of the hydraulic well method to prevent embankment piping, which is proposed by the Japanese Matsuyama River National Highway Office. The large-scale embankment experiment and seepage analysis were conducted to examine the hydraulic well. The experimental procedure is focused on the pore water pressure. The water levels of the hydraulic well were compared with pore water pressure data, which were used to look over the seepage variations. Two different types of large-scale experiments were conducted according to the installation points of hydraulic wells. The seepage velocity results by the experiment were almost similar to those of the analyses. Further, the pore water pressure oriented from the water level variations in the hydraulic well showed similar patterns between the experiment and numerical analysis; however, deeper from the surface, the larger pore water pressure of the numerical analysis was calculated compared to the experimental values. In addition, the piping effect according to the water level and location of the hydraulic well was quantitatively examined for an embankment having a piping guide part. As a result of applying the hydraulic well to the point where piping occurred, the hydraulic well with a 1.0 m water level reduced the seepage velocity by up to 86%. This is because the difference in the water level between the riverside and the protected side is reduced, and it resulted in reducing the seepage pressure. As a result of the theoretical and numerical hydraulic gradient analysis according to the change in the water level of the hydraulic well, the hydraulic gradient decreased linearly according to the water level of the hydraulic well. From the results according to the location of the hydraulic well, installation of it at the point where piping occurred was found to be the most effective. A hydraulic well is a good device for preventing the piping of an embankment if it is installed at the piping point and the proper water level of the hydraulic well is applied.

scholarly journals Use of satellite and modeled soil moisture data for predicting event soil loss at plot scale

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 3845-3856 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Todisco ◽  
L. Brocca ◽  
L. F. Termite ◽  
W. Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Loss ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Loss Estimation ◽  
Balance Model ◽  
Estimation Accuracy ◽  
Soil Losses

Abstract. The potential of coupling soil moisture and a Universal Soil Loss Equation-based (USLE-based) model for event soil loss estimation at plot scale is carefully investigated at the Masse area, in central Italy. The derived model, named Soil Moisture for Erosion (SM4E), is applied by considering the unavailability of in situ soil moisture measurements, by using the data predicted by a soil water balance model (SWBM) and derived from satellite sensors, i.e., the Advanced SCATterometer (ASCAT). The soil loss estimation accuracy is validated using in situ measurements in which event observations at plot scale are available for the period 2008–2013. The results showed that including soil moisture observations in the event rainfall–runoff erosivity factor of the USLE enhances the capability of the model to account for variations in event soil losses, the soil moisture being an effective alternative to the estimated runoff, in the prediction of the event soil loss at Masse. The agreement between observed and estimated soil losses (through SM4E) is fairly satisfactory with a determination coefficient (log-scale) equal to ~ 0.35 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of ~ 2.8 Mg ha−1. These results are particularly significant for the operational estimation of soil losses. Indeed, currently, soil moisture is a relatively simple measurement at the field scale and remote sensing data are also widely available on a global scale. Through satellite data, there is the potential of applying the SM4E model for large-scale monitoring and quantification of the soil erosion process.

scholarly journals Retrieving Forest Canopy Elements Clumping Index Using ICESat GLAS Lidar Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 948
Author(s):  
Lei Cui ◽  
Ziti Jiao ◽  
Kaiguang Zhao ◽  
Mei Sun ◽  
Yadong Dong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Forest Canopy ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Laser Altimeter ◽  
Waveform Data ◽  
Forest Park ◽  
Clumping Index ◽  
The Impact

Clumping index (CI) is a canopy structural variable important for modeling the terrestrial biosphere, but its retrieval from remote sensing data remains one of the least reliable. The majority of regional or global CI products available so far were generated from multiangle optical reflectance data. However, these reflectance-based estimates have well-known limitations, such as the mere use of a linear relationship between the normalized difference hotspot and darkspot (NDHD) and CI, uncertainties in bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) models used to calculate the NDHD, and coarse spatial resolutions (e.g., hundreds of meters to several kilometers). To remedy these limitations and develop alternative methods for large-scale CI mapping, here we explored the use of spaceborne lidar—the Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS)—and proposed a semi-physical algorithm to estimate CI at the footprint level. Our algorithm was formulated to leverage the full vertical canopy profile information of the GLAS full-waveform data; it converted raw waveforms to forest canopy gap distributions and gap fractions of random canopies, which was used to estimate CI based on the radiative transfer theory and a revised Beer–Lambert model. We tested our algorithm over two areas in China—the Saihanba National Forest Park and Heilongjiang Province—and assessed its relative accuracies against field-measured CI and MODIS CI products. We found that reliable estimation of CI was possible only for GLAS waveforms with high signal-to-noise ratios (e.g., >65) and at gentle slopes (e.g., <12°). Our GLAS-based CI estimates for high-quality waveforms compared well to field-based CI (i.e., R2 = 0.72, RMSE = 0.07, and bias = 0.02), but they showed less correlation to MODIS CI (e.g., R2 = 0.26, RMSE = 0.12, and bias = 0.04). The difference highlights the impact of the scale effect in conducting comparisons of products with huge differences resolution. Overall, our analyses represent the first attempt to use spaceborne lidar to retrieve high-resolution forest CI and our algorithm holds promise for mapping CI globally.

Form Follows Experience - Notes on the Functionality of Footbridges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Schreinemachers ◽  
Wiebe Strick
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Highway Bridge ◽  
Or Efficiency ◽  
Pedestrian Bridges ◽  
The City ◽  
Prime Location ◽  
Natural Way

<p>Should a bridge always be functional and accessible? Should it always fulfil its purpose? This seemingly self- evident question is a key question in footbridge design that is oriented towards creating experiences.</p><p>Footbridges are able to successfully enriches our experience of a certain context or landscape, it cannot be functional all the time, under all environmental conditions, weather and seasons. A good example is the Zalige bridge designed as part of the Room for the River, a large-scale national program for inland flood- protection in the Netherlands. Build upon the floodplains within a newly created river-park by the city of Nijmegen, the Zalige bridge’s curved shape stands in direct relationship to the fluctuating water levels of the river. When water levels rise, the bridge partially submerges, becoming only accessible through steppingstones. At peak heights, the bridge disappears completely, becoming a metaphor for our relationship to the water.</p><p>“Building a bridge that fails to fulfil its sole purpose of containing the water; this can only be pulled off in the Netherlands.” – jury Dutch Design Awards about the Zalige bridge.</p><p>The loss of functionality is directly related to the creation of an experience. When the water levels rose in January 2018, the bridge became the prime location to experience the changing landscape. It shows that engineering a bridge is not solely focussed on the most efficient engineering, but for the purpose it fulfils as for society. For most pedestrian bridges where the perception of the user is on a different level as for a highway bridge, functionality provides more than just cost driven or efficiency driven parameters. It is more related to the added value for the community. When design not solemnly derives from the sheer taste and predilection of the designer but is based on the user’s experience, it generates a durable relation with a feeling of ownership of its users. The key is to create this experience in an elegant and natural way and not forced or dictated. It should be people's own unique discovery and should not be imposed.</p>

scholarly journals EPODE – A Model for Reducing the Incidence of Obesity and Weight-related Comorbidities

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 116 ◽  
Author(s):  
J-M Borys ◽  
L Valdeyron ◽  
E Levy ◽  
J Vinck ◽  
D Edell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Political Commitment ◽  
Obesity Prevalence ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
Critical Components ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Lifestyle Related Diseases ◽  
Public And Private Partnerships

Obesity is a global epidemic: it is estimated that the majority of the world’s adults will be overweight or obese by 2030. It is therefore important to reverse trends towards increasing childhood obesity by interventions at the community level. Ensemble Prévenons l’Obésité Des Enfants (EPODE, Together Let’s Prevent Childhood Obesity) is a large-scale, coordinated, capacity-building approach for communities to implement effective and sustainable strategies to address this challenge. EPODE comprises four critical components: political commitment, public and private partnerships, community-based actions, and evaluation. The multi-stakeholder approach promoted through the EPODE methodology has already shown encouraging results in preventing childhood obesity in France and Belgium and has reduced the socioeconomic gap in obesity prevalence in France. The EPODE methodology has now been implemented in a number of countries worldwide, and provides a valuable model that may be applicable to other lifestyle-related diseases.

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