Technical Note: Maximising accuracy and minimising cost of a potentiometrically regulated ocean acidification simulation system Biogeosciences DOI 10.5194/bg-12-713-2015 5 February 2015 This article describes a low-cost, easy set-up, ocean acidification simulation system that reliably mimics the effects of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide on seawater chemistry. The accessible design of this system, along with our suggestions for the validation of pH control and characterisation of seawater chemistry, will enable researchers on a limited budget to generate high quality, repeatable data documenting the response of marine organisms to ocean acidification. Read more
Simulating the Greenland ice sheet under present-day and palaeo constraints including a new discharge parameterization The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-179-2015 5 February 2015 Ice discharge into the ocean from outlet glaciers is an important component of mass loss of the Greenland ice sheet. Here, we present a simple parameterization of ice discharge for coarse resolution ice sheet models, suitable for large ensembles or long-term palaeo simulations. This parameterization reproduces in a good approximation the present-day ice discharge compared with estimates, and the simulation of the present-day ice sheet elevation is considerably improved. Read more
Permafrost soils and carbon cycling SOIL DOI 10.5194/soil-1-147-2015 5 February 2015 The huge carbon stocks found in soils of the permafrost region are important to the global climate system because of their potential to decompose and release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere upon thawing. This review highlights permafrost characteristics, the influence of cryogenic processes on soil formation, organic carbon accumulation and distribution in permafrost soils, the vulnerability of this carbon upon permafrost thaw, and the role of permafrost soils in a changing climate. Read more
Glacier-surge mechanisms promoted by a hydro-thermodynamic feedback to summer melt The Cryosphere DOI 10.5194/tc-9-197-2015 5 February 2015 Here we present continuous GPS measurements and satellite synthetic-aperture-radar-based velocity maps from Basin-3, the largest drainage basin of the Austfonna ice cap, Svalbard. Our observations demonstrate strong links between surface-melt and multiannual ice-flow acceleration. Read more
Three-dimensional morphology of equatorial plasma bubbles deduced from measurements onboard CHAMP Annales Geophysicae DOI 10.5194/angeo-33-129-2015 28 January 2015 Total electron content (TEC) between Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO) satellites and the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites can be used to constrain three-dimensional morphology of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs). TEC gradient observed along the LEO track is strongest when the corresponding GNSS satellite is located equatorward and westward of the LEO satellite. This anisotropy supports the idea that EPBs have three-dimensional shell structures. Read more
A reduced-complexity model for river delta formation – Part 1: Modeling deltas with channel dynamics Earth Surface Dynamics DOI 10.5194/esurf-3-67-2015 28 January 2015 In this work we present DeltaRCM, a reduced-complexity model for river delta formation. It is a rule-based cellular morphodynamic model, in contrast to reductionist models based on detailed computational fluid dynamics. DeltaRCM is able to resolve channel dynamics, and to produce stratigraphy. We also explain the meaning of complexity reduction, especially what are the essential processes to be included in modeling deltas. Read more
The fate of seeds in the soil: a review of the influence of overland flow on seed removal and its consequences for the vegetation of arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems SOIL DOI 10.5194/soil-1-131-2015 26 January 2015 Since seeds are the principle means by which plants move across the landscape, the final fate of seeds plays a fundamental role in the origin, maintenance, functioning and dynamics of plant communities. In arid and semiarid patchy ecosystems, where seeds are scattered into a heterogeneous environment and intense rainfalls occur, the transport of seeds by runoff to new sites represents an opportunity for seeds to reach more favourable sites for seed germination and seedling survival. Read more
ERA-Interim/Land: a global land surface reanalysis data set Hydrology and Earth System Sciences DOI 10.5194/hess-19-389-2015 21 January 2015 ERA-Interim/Land is a global land-surface reanalysis covering the period 1979–2010. It describes the evolution of soil moisture, soil temperature and snowpack. ERA-Interim/Land includes a number of parameterization improvements in the land surface scheme with respect to the original ERA-Interim and a precipitation bias correction based on GPCP. A selection of verification results show the added value in representing the terrestrial water cycle and its main land surface storages and fluxes. Read more
The interdisciplinary nature of SOIL SOIL DOI 10.5194/soil-1-117-2015 16 January 2015 This paper provides a brief accounting of some of the many ways that the study of soils can be interdisciplinary, therefore giving examples of the types of papers we hope to see submitted to SOIL. Read more
Experimental test of the ρ(1-α) evolution for rotational discontinuities: cluster magnetopause observations Annales Geophysicae DOI 10.5194/angeo-33-79-2015 15 January 2015 Rotational discontinuities (RDs) in plasma allow a magnetic connection between different plasma regimes. One of their defining relations describes a balance between changes in plasma mass density and pressure anisotropy. The paper uses the high time resolution data from the Cluster satellites to directly test that relation at the terrestrial magnetopause, when standard analysis predicts that this boundary behaves like an RD. The experimental evidence shows that the said relation is not fulfilled. Read more
