Abstract The measurement of stable water isotopes (i.e. δ 18 O and δ 2 H) in precipitation is a powerful tool for detecting changes in climate patterns, assessing groundwater movements and studying the hydrological budget. In this study, daily precipitation was collected and δ 18 O and δ 2 H were analysed in Corner Brook, western Newfoundland, and Labrador, for 2015. The study provides the first background data of any kind related to liquid water isotopes in western Newfoundland. More than 130 samples were analysed using a state-of-the-art cavity ring-down spectrometer, the Picarro Liquid Water Isotope Analyzer L2130-i, with a minimal instrumental error. The data suggest seasonal variations in which the δ 18 O varies from −33.4 to −0.03‰ (±0.023‰) and δ 2 H ranges from −253.4 to 15.1‰ (±0.148‰). Our data are compared with modern meteorological data and publicly available δ 18 O and δ 2 H data from greater Atlantic Canada, which suggests that the atmospheric circulation patterns, spatial features and other climate factors are distinct in Corner Brook. Isotopes in meteorological precipitation data referenced and collected in this study reflect the cool, wet climate and air-mass fluctuations unique to the geographical region and thus, this baseline is fundamental to understanding the modern isotope hydrological/climatic studies for this region.

Abstract Since the early 2000s, the exploitation of shale gas has radically modified the US energy scenario. In a number of European countries, the US boom has elicited questions about its repeatability in Europe. Among the staunchest supporters of the development of national shale-gas resources were Polish administrations, which grounded their activism in this domain in the language of energy security, autonomy vis-à-vis Russian gas, and in Poland’s old oil history. The history of hydrocarbon exploration in the country dates back to the mid-nineteenth century, and is connected to the oil boom that occurred in the region of Galicia. While the boom was over by World War I, promising estimations made in recent years by several agencies about Poland’s shale gas reserves have stirred hopes of a ‘second Galicia’. From 2007, the Polish government started assigning permits to both national and foreign gas companies. However, factors linked to legislation, geology and macroeconomics caused a premature end to hopes of Polish autonomy. After a reconstruction of the history of oil in Galicia and the constitution of the Polish oil and gas sector, this paper narrates the rise and fall of Poland’s ‘affair’ with shale gas.

Abstract Melting of snow and ice contributes a large amount of water to the streamflow in the Satluj River. During the winter season, there is low base flow in the river as compared to spring and summer. Temperature is one of the key factors which directly impacts snow and ice melting throughout the year. A substantial amount of snowmelt only occurs when all the snow in a pack reaches isothermal condition. It is therefore very important to know the duration of impact of temperature on snowmelt runoff. Since the Himalayas have very few stations observing hydrological as well as meteorological conditions, it is difficult to validate the snowmelt models and examine changes in small-scale features in river basins of the region. The present study examines the annual cycle and interannual variability of runoff in the Satluj Basin in the western Himalayas and documents the impact of temperature on snowmelt runoff of Satluj River using daily in situ data for the period 1982–2005. A multivariate regression model using precipitation and surface temperature has been developed to predict the discharge of Satluj River at a daily scale. It is seen that after every warm phase and cold phase of temperature, the impact persists for around one month and affects the snowmelt runoff during January, February and March at lower- and higher-elevation stations such as Bhakra and Kasol, respectively. The effect of a large fall and rise in temperature is noticed on snowmelt runoff measured at all the discharge stations, while a small temperature change does not affect the observed discharge at all the stations. The remote sensing and reanalysis data are consistent with in situ data in the basin, and there is no major change in peak month of discharge or the amplitude during two different periods at Rampur gauge station.

Abstract We describe a time series of meteorological parameters and surface energy balance components of a seasonal snow cover from an automatic weather station (4863 m a.s.l., 32.28° N, 77.58° E), for a winter season from 1 December 2012 to 30 March 2013, located on a moraine close to the equilibrium line altitude of Chhota Shigri glacier, Himachal Pradesh, India. The analysis shows that for over 80% of the time in winter, the snow surface was at a cooling phase. During late winter however, the surface had some positive residual energy which induced some melt during peak hours of the day. The net all-wave radiation was mostly negative during winter because of the high reflective property of snow and reduced incoming longwave radiation due to low cloud. The sensible heat flux heats the surface at night and enhances the cooling during day. The latent heat flux is always negative, showing that the surface is losing mass through sublimation processes (−0.83 mm w.e./day). A correlation between the energy fluxes and temperature shows a distinct relationship between fluxes. A comparison between the two studies performed on- and off-glacier reveals a significant difference in some parameters. A higher value (−1.08 mm/day) of sublimation rate at 4863 m a.s.l. shows that a large amount of energy available at the surface was used in sublimation processes. A comparatively lower albedo, relative humidity and net longwave radiation and higher latent heat flux, wind speed and net shortwave radiation yield a distinctive surface energy balance, highlighting the need for a large number of stations at different zones to achieve a coherent picture of energy balance in the region.

Abstract Year-long continuous radon monitoring was carried out (using Sarad Radon Scout devices) in a dwelling with high radon levels in the karst region of Slovenia. Two living rooms were selected: one on the ground floor with normal housework activities; and the second, on the first floor, closed and unattended. Meteorological data were also recorded. The following seasonal geometric means of radon activity concentration (kBq m −3 ) have been found: 6.28 ×/: 3.05 for spring, 1.25 ×/: 3.78 for summer, 5.17 ×/: 2.03 kBq m −3 for autumn and 9.83 ×/: 1.48 for winter on the ground floor; and 1.43 ×/: 3.71 for spring, 0.168 ×/: 2.49 for summer, 1.08 ×/: 2.39 for autumn and 2.08 ×/: 2.14 for winter on the first floor. Results are supported by additional radon measurements in other rooms; and in water the results indicate a strong radon source associated with an underground karst shaft.

Abstract Understanding the behaviour of fluids in hydrothermal systems is a key factor in volcano monitoring. Measuring gas emissions in volcanic areas is strategic for detecting and interpreting precursory signals of variations in volcanic activity. The role of radon as a potential precursor of earthquakes has been extensively debated. However, radon anomalies appear to be better suited to forecast eruptive episodes as we know the loci of volcanic eruptions and we can follow the evolution of volcanic activity. Radon mapping is an effective tool in assessing diffuse and concentrated degassing at the surface. We hereby summarize the in-soil radon emissions collected worldwide and further discuss a collection of data on our key targets. These are closed-conduit and open-conduit volcanoes: Vesuvius (Italy) and La Soufrière (Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles), Stromboli (Italy) and Villarrica (Chile), respectively. In all the above volcanoes, faults and fracture systems control radon degassing. Automatic and real-time measurements help us to detect major changes in volcanic activity. We present and discuss the radon time series associated with the last effusive eruption at Stromboli. Spectral analyses reveal diurnal and semi-diurnal cycles being probably modulated by atmospheric variations. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analyses have been performed by filtering the radon signals from the effects of local environmental parameters. The residuals do not show particular variations or precursory peaks as the gases have been released from this open-conduit volcano before the onset of the effusive phase (7 August 2014). It is finally emphasized that radon is not the sole precursor, and we should also rely on other geochemical and geophysical parameters. In this perspective, we propose a methodological procedure that can contribute to improving volcano surveillance in an attempt to mitigate volcanic risk.