Operating Effects of the Three Gorges Reservoir on the Riverbed Stability in the Wuhan Reach of the Yangtze River

Reservoir construction may modify the downstream flow and sediment transport, and correspondingly result in adjustments in morphodynamics of a river, especially riverbed instability. Based on hydrological datasets from 2003 to 2019 during the post-dam period using the topographic data of 57 fixed cross-sections in the Wuhan reach of the Yangtze River, we calculated the indexes representing the channel stability. Moreover, considering the effects of flow, sediment concentration, grain size of sediment, and water depth, we propose a method for calculating the equilibrium values of cumulative erosion and the lateral migrate intensity of thalweg in this paper, and the method combines with the delayed response model (DRM) to comprehensively analyze the variations in the longitudinal and lateral stabilities of the riverbed. The results revealed that the channel has been obviously eroded in the downstream reach, resulting in a 76% decrease in sediment discharge after the impoundment of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Specifically, in the past 17 years, the cumulative erosion in the Wuhan reach of the Yangtze River reached 1.72 m, while the bankfull depth increased by 1.87 m. The lateral migrate intensity of thalweg increased in response to Coriolis force, with an increase of 22.3%. Taken together, the results show that the proposed formula can effectively simulate the variation process of channel stability, and it also quantifies the extent of the influence weight of interannual flow and sediment regimes. The morphodynamics adjustments in the channel stability of our studied reach were closely related to the previous five-year flow and sediment regimes, implying that channel evolution may lag behind the changes in flow and sediment discharges.

Baseline data for monitoring geomorphological effects of glacier lake outburst flood: a very-high-resolution image and GIS datasets of the distal part of the Zackenberg River, northeast Greenland

The polar regions experience widespread transformations, such that efficient methods are needed to monitor and understand Arctic landscape changes in response to climate warming and low-frequency, high-magnitude hydrological and geomorphological events. One example of such events, capable of causing serious landscape changes, is glacier lake outburst floods. On 6 August 2017, a flood event related to glacial lake outburst affected the Zackenberg River (NE Greenland). Here, we provided a very-high-resolution dataset representing unique time series of data captured immediately before (5 August 2017), during (6 August 2017), and after (8 August 2017) the flood. Our dataset covers a 2.1 km long distal section of the Zackenberg River. The available files comprise (1) unprocessed images captured using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV; https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4495282, Tomczyk and Ewertowski, 2021a) and (2) results of structure-from-motion (SfM) processing (orthomosaics, digital elevation models, and hillshade models in a raster format), uncertainty assessments (precision maps), and effects of geomorphological mapping in vector formats (https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4498296, Tomczyk and Ewertowski, 2021b). Potential applications of the presented dataset include (1) assessment and quantification of landscape changes as an immediate result of a glacier lake outburst flood; (2) long-term monitoring of high-Arctic river valley development (in conjunction with other datasets); (3) establishing a baseline for quantification of geomorphological impacts of future glacier lake outburst floods; (4) assessment of geohazards related to bank erosion and debris flow development (hazards for research station infrastructure – station buildings and bridge); (5) monitoring of permafrost degradation; and (6) modelling flood impacts on river ecosystem, transport capacity, and channel stability.

Evaluation of the compatibility of the power traction supply system with a use of a “virtual coupling” technology

This article will propose the practical use of the interval control technology that will reduce the interval of passing trains and will increase the capacity of railway lines. Controlled approbation of the technology was carried out on railway sections for freight traffic: Shkotovo - Nakhodka, Novonezhino - Krasnoarmeysky of the Far Eastern railway and Koshurnikovo-Shchetinkino of the Krasnoyarsk railway in terms of “push locomotives” transferring to the opposite direction using the “virtual coupling” system; Mogocha - Urusha of the Trans-Baikal railway in terms of traffic organizing using the “virtual coupling” system for empty trains during long “Windows” on infrastructure; Slyudyanka - Bolshoy Lug of the East Siberian railway in terms of testing interval control technology to ensure the return of odd freight trains “push locomotives” using the “virtual coupling” system. The practical experience of the system use considered in the article allowed us to identify the main directions for its further development: protected radio channel stability improvement in obstacles of the rough terrain and the presence of tunnels; auto-driving algorithms operation.

Benchmark Force Fields for the Molecular Dynamic Simulation of G-Quadruplexes

G-quadruplexes have drawn widespread attention for serving as a potential anti-cancer target and their application in material science. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation is the key theoretical tool in the study of GQ’s structure-function relationship. In this article, we systematically benchmarked the five force fields of parmbsc0, parmbsc1, OL15, AMOEBA, and Drude2017 on the MD simulation of G-quadruplex from four aspects: structural stability, central ion channel stability, description of Hoogsteen hydrogen bond network, and description of the main chain dihedral angle. The results show that the overall performance of the Drude force field is the best. Although there may be a certain over-polarization effect, it is still the best choice for the MD simulation of G-quadruplexes.

Abundance- and biomass-based metrics of functional composition of macroinvertebrate as surrogates of ecosystem attributes in Afrotropical streams

The composition of macroinvertebrate functional feeding groups (FFGs) has been used as surrogates of ecosystem attributes in aquatic ecosystems but studies that utilize such knowledge are still limited in the tropics. This study investigated the suitability of abundance- vs. biomass-based metrics of macroinvertebrate FFGs as surrogates of ecosystems attributes of the Sosiani-Kipkaren River in western Kenya. Macroinvertebrates were sampled in wet and dry seasons, classified into five FFGs and used to derive five metrics that are surrogates of ecosystem attributes; 1) a balance between autotrophy and heterotrophy, 2) linkage between riparian inputs of coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) and fine particulate organic matter (FPOM), 3) top-down predator control, 4) geomorphic channel stability, and 5) relative dominance of fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) in transport compared to FPOM deposited in the sediments. Taxon richness, abundance and biomass of shredders were higher in forested sites, scrapers were numerically dominant in mid-order streams, whereas collectors dominated agricultural and urban sites. Abundance-based metrics were better predictors of ecosystem attributes and displayed a greater response to changes in stream size than biomass-based metrics. Moreover, there was incongruence between abundance- and biomass-based indicators for P/R and CPOM/ FPOM. Catchment land use did not influence metric performance, suggesting that reach scale influences played a predominant role in structuring communities and determining ecosystem functioning. Although the use of FFGs as indicators of ecosystem integrity and functioning in this river show promise, the lack of agreement between abundance- and biomass-based measures suggests that more studies are needed to refine the metrics used.

Towards design of compound channels with minimum overall cost through grey wolf optimization algorithm

The significant role of open channels in agriculture include supplying drinking water, industry, irrigation and flood control, making these hydraulic structures an integral part of the water conveyance system. Determination of optimum dimensions with minimum construction costs is considered as the primary concern when designing artificial open channels. To achieve this, the compound channels were evaluated with the following constraints, viz. composite roughness, velocity, Froude number and channel stability. Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) was used to determine the optimal geometry of the channel. Optimization results clearly showed that the variation of roughness coefficient and the increase of factor of safety increased costs of 60 and 20% respectively. The optimum suitable cross-section for the compound channels was obtained by conducting various model scenarios.

Channel assessment tools for rapid watershed assessment

Existing Delta Headwaters Project (DHP) watershed stabilization studies are focused on restoration and stabilization of degraded stream systems. The original watershed studies formerly under the Demonstration Erosion Control (DEC) Project started in the mid 1980s. The watershed stabilization activities are continuing, and because of the vast number of degraded watersheds and limited amount of yearly funding, there is a need for developing a rapid watershed assessment approach to determine which watersheds to prioritize for further work. The goal of this project is to test the FluvialGeomorph (FG) toolkit to determine if the Rapid Geomorphic Assessment approach can identify channel stability trends in Campbell Creek and its main tributary. The FG toolkit (Haring et al. 2019; Haring et al. 2020) is a new rapid watershed assessment approach using high-resolution terrain data (Light Detection and Ranging [LiDAR]) to support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) watershed planning. One of the principal goals of the USACE SMART (Specific Measureable Attainable Risk-Informed Timely) Planning is to leverage existing data and resources to complete studies. The FG approach uses existing LiDAR to rapidly assess either reach-specific analysis for smaller more focused studies or larger watersheds or ecosystems. The rapid assessment capability can reduce the time and cost of planning by using existing information to complete a preliminary watershed assessment and provide rapid results regarding where to focus more detailed study efforts.

Baseline data for monitoring geomorphological effects of glacier lake outburst flood: A very high-resolution image and GIS datasets of the distal part of the Zackenberg River, northeast Greenland

The Arctic regions experience intense transformations, such that efficient methods are needed to monitor and understand Arcticlandscape changes in response to climate warming and low-frequency high-magnitude events. One example of such events,capable of causing serious landscape changes, is glacier lake outburst floods. On 6 August 2017, a flood event related to glacial lake outburst affected the Zackenberg River (NE Greenland). Here, we provided a very high-resolution dataset representingunique time-series of data captured immediately before (5 August 2017), during (6 August 2017), and after (8 August 2017)the flood. Our dataset covers a 2.1-km-long distal section of the Zackenberg River. The available files comprise: (1)unprocessed images captured using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV): https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4495282 (Tomczykand Ewertowski, 2021a); and (2) results of structure-from-motion (SfM) processing (orthomosaics, digital elevation models, and hillshade models in a raster format), uncertainty assessments (precision maps) and effects of geomorphological mappingin vector formats: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4498296 (Tomczyk and Ewertowski, 2021b). Potential applications of thepresented dataset include: (1) assessment and quantification of landscape changes as an immediate result of glacier lakeoutburst flood; (2) long-term monitoring of high-Arctic river valley development (in conjunction with other datasets); (3)establishing a baseline for quantification of geomorphological impacts of future glacier lake outburst floods; (4) assessment of geohazards related to bank erosion and debris flow development (hazards for research station infrastructure – station buildingsand bridge); (5) monitoring of permafrost degradation; and (6) modelling flood impacts on river ecosystem, transport capacity,and channel stability.