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At least 577 records · Page 32Linked to original sources

PaCTS 1.0: A crowdsourced reporting standard for paleoclimate data

The progress of science is tied to the standardization of measurements, instruments, and data. This is especially true in the Big Data age, where analyzing large data volumes critically hinges on that data being standardized. Accordingly, the lack of community-sanctioned data standards in paleoclimatology has largely precluded the benefits of Big Data advances in the field. Building upon recent efforts to standardize the format and terminology of paleoclimate data, this article describes the Paleoclimate Community reporTing Standard (PaCTS), a crowdsourced reporting standard for such data. PaCTS captures which information should be included when reporting paleoclimate data, with the goal of maximizing the re-use value of paleoclimate datasets, particularly for synthesis work and comparison to climate model simulations. Initiated by the LinkedEarth project, this standard elicitation process involved an international workshop in 2016, various forms of digital community engagement over the next few years, and grassroots working groups. Participants in this process identified important properties across paleoclimate archives, in addition to the reporting of uncertainties and chronologies; they also identified archive-specific properties and distinguished reporting standards for new vs. legacy datasets. This work shows that at least 135 respondents overwhelmingly support a drastic increase in the amount of metadata accompanying paleoclimate datasets. Since such goals are at odds with present practices, we discuss a transparent path towards implementing or revising these recommendations in the near future, using both bottom-up and top-down approaches.

Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology↗

Improving regression-model-based streamwater constituent load estimates derived from serially correlated data

A regression-model based approach is a commonly used, efficient method for estimating streamwater constituent load when there is a relationship between streamwater constituent concentration and continuous variables such as streamwater discharge, season and time. A subsetting experiment using a 30-year dataset of daily suspended sediment observations from the Mississippi River at Thebes, Illinois, was performed to determine optimal sampling frequency, model calibration period length, and regression model methodology, as well as to determine the effect of serial correlation of model residuals on load estimate precision. Two regression-based methods were used to estimate streamwater loads, the Adjusted Maximum Likelihood Estimator (AMLE), and the composite method, a hybrid load estimation approach. While both methods accurately and precisely estimated loads at the model’s calibration period time scale, precisions were progressively worse at shorter reporting periods, from annually to monthly. Serial correlation in model residuals resulted in observed AMLE precision to be significantly worse than the model calculated standard errors of prediction. The composite method effectively improved upon AMLE loads for shorter reporting periods, but required a sampling interval of at least 15-days or shorter, when the serial correlations in the observed load residuals were greater than 0.15. AMLE precision was better at shorter sampling intervals and when using the shortest model calibration periods, such that the regression models better fit the temporal changes in the concentration–discharge relationship. The models with the largest errors typically had poor high flow sampling coverage resulting in unrepresentative models. Increasing sampling frequency and/or targeted high flow sampling are more efficient approaches to ensure sufficient sampling and to avoid poorly performing models, than increasing calibration period length.

Illinois↗

Continental crustal evolution observations

How has the continental crust evolved? What are the primary processes responsible for its composition, structure, and mode of deformation? What role do fluids play in deep crustal processes? In the last dozen years, geophysicists have obtained images of the deep continental crust that can be used to examine these questions and refine geologic models of crustal evolution. In this report we summarize recent progress in geophysical studies of the deep continental crust and highlight some of the more important implications of deep crustal processes.

Eos, Earth and Space Science News↗

Status of study of the frequency and magnitude of floods by the Mississippi Valley Committee of the Public Works Administration in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey

Active work under the recently authorized project relating to floods and their frequencies began in March, and such progress as may be reported at this time is largely that of organization and preliminary planning. One of the outstanding and impressive features of the organization is the provision for cooperative effort, whereby the mature judgment and possibly diverse viewpoints of various committees and consultants may be utilized to the fullest advantage. This arrangement should provide the necessary safeguard against adoption of immature individual views or favorite methods of analysis, to the exclusion of others of equal or greater merit. On the other hand, it is conceivable that too much of the limited time might be consumed in preliminary discussions of basic principles, methods of analysis, and formulas dealing with either magnitude or frequency of floods, if unanimity of opinion among several professional groups must precede the main work under the project authorized. In effect, such a procedure would require a practical and workable solution before the basic data had become available. To avoid such delays, a definite line of procedure has beer, proposed for consideration.

Eos, Transactions, American Geophysical Union↗

First record of black band disease in the Hawaiian archipelago: response, outbreak, status, virulence, and a method of treatment

A high number of coral colonies, Montipora spp., with progressive tissue loss were reported from the north shore of Kaua‘i by a member of the Eyes of the Reef volunteer reporting network. The disease has a distinct lesion (semi-circular pattern of tissue loss with an adjacent dark band) that was first observed in Hanalei Bay, Kaua‘i in 2004. The disease, initially termed Montipora banded tissue loss, appeared grossly similar to black band disease (BBD), which affects corals worldwide. Following the initial report, a rapid response was initiated as outlined in Hawai‘i’s rapid response contingency plan to determine outbreak status and investigate the disease. Our study identified the three dominant bacterial constituents indicative of BBD (filamentous cyanobacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria) in coral disease lesions from Kaua‘i, which provided the first evidence of BBD in the Hawaiian archipelago. A rapid survey at the alleged outbreak site found disease to affect 6-7% of the montiporids, which is higher than a prior prevalence of less than 1% measured on Kaua‘i in 2004, indicative of an epizootic. Tagged colonies with BBD had an average rate of tissue loss of 5.7 cm 2 /day over a two-month period. Treatment of diseased colonies with a double band of marine epoxy, mixed with chlorine powder, effectively reduced colony mortality. Within two months, treated colonies lost an average of 30% less tissue compared to untreated controls.

Hawaii↗

Documentation and environment of the Apollo 16 samples a preliminary report

This catalog is a working document that shows the locations from which samples were collected during the Apollo 16 mission, and that provides a descriptive geologic context for each sample. It is a compilation of notes from work in progress, and supersedes an earlier report prepared by the Apollo Lunar Geology Investigation Team. The information in this report was obtained from the Air-to-Ground transcript from the astronaut crew, from lunar surface television, from 60 mm Hasselblad camera photographs, and from available LRL "mugshot" photographs of the samples. The sample descriptions are based on these sources of data, and do not reflect the more detailed examination that is presently underway in the LRL. The report is still a preliminary study due to the short time available to review the rather copious data. The rocks have yet to be examined under collimated light and checked against the lunar surface photographs to make identification certain in all cases. The original orientation of the samples will, in time, as ascertained and photographically documented, and will be the subject of a final report on sample documentation. The reader will find inconsistencies in the format throughout the report (and probably some errors). But we believe that it is more important to disseminate these data early rather than to delay with detailed editing sufficient to completely standardize the format.

Open-File Report↗

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Lower Missouri River: Annual report 2010

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to provide information to support pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management decisions. The project strategy integrates field and laboratory studies of sturgeon reproductive ecology, early life history, habitat requirements, and physiology. The project scope of work is developed annually with cooperating research partners and in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Recovery—Integrated Science Program. The research consists of several interdependent and complementary tasks that engage multiple disciplines. The research tasks in the 2010 scope of work primarily address spawning as a probable factor limiting pallid sturgeon survival and recovery, although limited pilot studies also have been initiated to examine the requirements of early life stages. The research is designed to inform management decisions affecting channel re-engineering, flow modification, and pallid sturgeon population augmentation on the Missouri River, and throughout the range of the species. Research and progress made through this project are reported to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annually. This annual report details the research effort and progress made by the Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project during 2010.

South Dakota;Nebraska;Iowa;Missouri↗

Water-resources activities in Utah by the U.S. Geological Survey, October 1, 1989, to September 30, 1990

This report contains summaries of the progress of water-resources studies in Utah by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Utah District, from October 1, 1989, to September 30, 1990. The program in Utah during this period consisted of 25 projects; a discussion of each project is given in the body of the report. The following sections outline the basic mission and program of the Water Resources Division, the organizational structure of the Utah District, the distribution of District funding in terms of source of funds and type of activity funded, and the agencies with which the District cooperates. The last part of the introduction is a list of reports produced by the District from October 1989 to September 1990.

Utah↗

Water-resources activities in Utah by the U.S. Geological Survey, July 1, 1987 to September 30, 1988

This report contains summaries of the progress of water-resources studies in Utah by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Utah District, from July 1, 1987, to September 30, 1988. The program in Utah during this period consisted of 29 projects; a discussion of each project is given in the main body of the report. Short descriptions are given at the end of the report for three projects proposed to be started on or after October 1, 1988. The following sections outline the basic mission and program of the Water Resources Division, the organizational structure of the Utah District, the distribution of District funding in terms of source of funds and type of activity funded, and the agencies with which the District cooperates. The last part of the introduction is a list of reports produced by the District from July 1987 to September 1988.

Utah↗

Water-resources activities in Utah by the U.S. Geological Survey, October 1, 1991, to September 30, 1992

This report contains summaries of the progress of water-resources studies in Utah by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Utah District, from October 1, 1991, to September 30, 1992. The program in Utah during this period consisted of 20 projects; a discussion of each project is presented in the main body of this report. The following sections outline the origin of the U.S. Geological Survey, the basic mission of the Water Resources Division, the organizational structure of the Utah District, the distribution of District funding in terms of source of funds and type of activity funded, and the agencies with which the District cooperates. The last part of the introduction is a list of reports produced by the District from October 1991 to September 1992.

Utah↗

Water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Utah, October 1, 1995, to September 30, 1996

This report contains summaries of the progress of water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water Resources Division, Utah District, from October 1, 1995, to September 30, 1996. The waterresources program in Utah during this period consisted of 22 projects; a discussion of each project is presented in the main body of this report. The following sections outline the origin of the USGS, the mission of the Water Resources Division, the organizational structure of the Utah District, office addresses of the Utah District, the distribution of program funding as source of funds and type of activity funded in Federal Fiscal Year 1996 (FY96) (October 1, 1995, to September 30, 1996), and the agencies with which the District cooperates. The last part of the introduction is a list of reports produced by the District from October 1995 to September 1996.

Utah↗

Water-resources activities in Utah by the U.S. Geological Survey, October 1, 1992, to September 30, 1993

This report contains summaries of the progress of water-resources studies in Utah by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Water Resources Division, Utah District, from October 1, 1992, to September 30, 1993. The program in Utah during this period consisted of 21 projects; a discussion of each project is presented in the main body of the report. The USGS was established by an act of Congress on March 3, 1879, to provide a permanent Federal agency to conduct the systematic and scientific classifi- cation of the public lands, and examination of the geologic structure, mineral resources, and products of national domain. An integral part of that original mission includes publishing and dissemi- nating the earth-science information needed to understand, to plan the use of, and to manage the Nation's energy, land, mineral, and water resources.

Utah↗

Water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Utah, October 1, 1994, to September 30, 1995

This report contains summaries of the progress of water-resources studies in Utah done by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Utah District, from October 1,1994, to September 30, 1995. The waterresources program in Utah during this period consisted of 23 projects; a discussion of each project is presented in the main body of this report. The following sections outline the origin of the U.S. Geological Survey, the basic mission of the Water Resources Division, the organizational structure of the Utah District, office addresses of the Utah District, the distribution of program funding as source of funds and type of activity funded in Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 1995 (October 1, 1994, to September 30,1995), and the agencies with which the District cooperates. The last part of the introduction is a list of reports produced by the District from October 1994 to September 1995.

Utah↗

Water-resources activities of the U.S. Geological Survey in Utah, October 1, 1993, to September 30, 1994

This report contains summaries of the progress of water-resources studies in Utah by the U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, Utah District, from October 1, 1993, to September 30, 1994. The water-resources program in Utah during this period consisted of 21 projects; a discussion of each project is presented in the main body of this report. The following sections outline the origin of the U.S. Geological Survey, the basic mission of the Water Resources Division, the organizational structure of the Utah District, office addresses of the Utah District, the distribution of District funding in terms of source of funds and type of activity funded, and the agencies with which the District cooperates. The last part of the introduction is a list of reports produced by the District from October 1993 to September 1994.

Open-File Report↗

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River: annual report 2011

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to provide information to support pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management decisions. The project strategy integrates field and laboratory studies of sturgeon reproductive ecology, early life history, habitat requirements, and physiology. The project scope of work is developed annually with cooperating research partners and in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Recovery—Integrated Science Program. The research consists of several interdependent and complementary tasks that engage multiple disciplines. The research tasks in the 2011 scope of work emphasized understanding of reproductive migrations and spawning of adult sturgeon, and hatch and drift of larvae. These tasks were addressed in three hydrologically and geomorphologically distinct parts of the Missouri River Basin: the Lower Missouri River downstream from Gavins Point Dam, the Upper Missouri River downstream from Fort Peck Dam and including downstream reaches of the Milk River, and the Lower Yellowstone River. The research is designed to inform management decisions related to channel re-engineering, flow modification, and pallid sturgeon population augmentation on the Missouri River, and throughout the range of the species. Research and progress made through this project are reported to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annually. This annual report details the research effort and progress made by the Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project during 2011.

Missouri River↗

Ecological requirements for pallid sturgeon reproduction and recruitment in the Missouri River—Annual report 2014

The Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project is a multiyear, multiagency collaborative research framework developed to provide information to support pallid sturgeon recovery and Missouri River management decisions. The project strategy integrates field and laboratory studies of sturgeon reproductive ecology, early life history, habitat requirements, and physiology. The project scope of work is developed annually with collaborating research partners and in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Recovery Program–Integrated Science Program. The project research consists of several interdependent and complementary tasks that involve multiple disciplines. The project research tasks in the 2014 scope of work emphasized understanding of reproductive migrations and spawning of adult pallid sturgeon and hatch and drift of larvae. These tasks were addressed in three hydrologically and geomorphologically distinct parts of the Missouri River Basin: the Lower Missouri River downstream from Gavins Point Dam, the Upper Missouri River downstream from Fort Peck Dam and downstream reaches of the Milk River, and the Lower Yellowstone River. The project research is designed to inform management decisions related to channel re-engineering, flow modification, and pallid sturgeon population augmentation on the Missouri River and throughout the range of the species. Research and progress made through this project are reported to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers annually. This annual report details the research effort and progress made by the Comprehensive Sturgeon Research Project during 2014.

Missouri, Montana, Nebraska↗