Displays

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) has a very important role in fostering the establishment of scientific excellence in many fields such as: Geoscience, Planetary and Environment. Over the years, COST Actions have contributed to European competitiveness through their many contributions to standardisation bodies, the small to medium enterprises originating from COST networks and the transfer of results to the European industry.

A series of COST Actions in the field of Meteorology developed global data transfer standards on the basis of infra-networks in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization advantaging the competitiveness of the industrial participation. Such achievements include harmonisation of UV-index, developing operational programmes, services, networks and phenological responses to climate on a Pan-European Scale and were recognised by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.  European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is another good example as a result of an Action through its evolution to become an independent intergovernmental organisation with its own structure and headquarters supported by 34 states.

The key findings of COST networks not only contribute to the atmospheric drivers on the impacts of the global change but also increase the understanding of the function of marine ecosystems and its response to climate change. A number of Actions in the field of marine science have developed observing system to integrate the dynamic response of sea-level variations to combine effects of various natural drivers into multi-criteria tools by bringing together oceanographers and meteorologists. These developments urged for an integrated implementation of technology in sea-level monitoring, and for further international agreements on data storage and exchange.

A wide range of disciplines, evaluating the complex interactions between the oceans and the global change, geosciences, natural resources management, environmental monitoring, biogeochemical cycles,  ecology, hydrology, natural disasters, water cycle have well undertaken through COST Action networks. The results were published in high impact journals, guidelines were represented in position papers leading to new research projects on a global scale.  Participation in COST leads to significant results and follow-up in terms of number of proposals submitted for collaborative research in Horizon 2020, with a striking success rate of 33% (the Horizon 2020 average is at 12.2%). By enabling researchers and innovators from all career levels to network, COST connects complementary funding schemes, facilitating the entry of promising young talents into these schemes.

COST is committed to reinforcing its role as the leading networking instrument in the European Research Area (ERA), while creating even higher tangible impact on society.

How to cite: Karaca, D.: Creating Impact through COST Action networks, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-22484, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-22484, 2020.

About 6 million years ago, the Mediterranean basin was the focus of one of the most extraordinary events in the recent geological history of the Earth: the so-called Messinian Salinity Crisis (MSC). MEDSALT aims to create a new flexible scientific network addressing the causes, timing, emplacement mechanisms, and consequences – at local and planetary scale – of the largest and most recent ‘salt giant’ on Earth: the Mediterranean Salt Giant (MSG). The MSG is a 1.5 km thick salt layer that was deposited on the bottom of deep Mediterranean basins about 5.5 million years ago, in late Miocene (Messinian), and is preserved beneath the deep ocean floor today. The origin of the Mediterranean salt giant is linked the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Research on the MSC has initiated one of the longest-living scientific controversies in Earth Science. Pioneering scientific drilling in 1970 induced some researchers to publish the theory of the ‘desiccation’ of the Mediterranean during the Messinian. In their view the Mediterranean Sea level dropped by 1–2 km and the basin was transformed into a huge hot, dry salt lake as a consequence of the tectonically-driven closure of the Atlantic gateway at the present-day Gibraltar strait.

This interpretation was successful not only among the scientific community, but also in public opinion. On one hand, the progress of scientific research provided additional evidence for the desiccation theory. On the other hand, researchers questioned the theory, providing alternative interpretations of the geological data, and theoretical arguments supporting a model of salt deposition from a deep brine, assuming a very limited sea level change. Controversial views also exist on the mechanisms that ended the MSC: was it a catastrophic flood of Atlantic waters from the re-opening of the Atlantic gateway, or a slow mixing with brackish water from the Black Sea area first before the re-establishment of the normal marine connection with the Atlantic Ocean? In order to trigger progress on the understanding of the MSC, a widespread international scientific community has promoted the largest coordinated research on the MSC since its discovery, clustered around scientific drilling. COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) was identified as the most appropriate tool, as COST Actions provide tools for networking, training, mobility and dissemination. The network has further promoted one Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Training Network (SALTGIANT) offering 15 PhD fellowships across Europe. New contacts have been activated with a variety of stakeholders, including governmental administrations, non-governmental organizations, the industry and, indirectly, society at large, demonstrating the importance that science and society renew a relationship of trust and confidence. In all, 200 scientists are working together – across disciplines such as geophysics, geology, biology, microbiology, and also social sciences – towards a common scientific goal: uncovering the Mediterranean salt giant.

How to cite: Camerlenghi, A. and Aloisi, V.: Uncovering the Mediterranean Salt Giant (MEDSALT) – Scientific Networking as Incubator of Cross- disciplinary Research in Earth Sciences, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-3657, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-3657, 2020.

The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) promoted and funded the Action ES1404 called “A European network for a harmonized monitoring of snow for the benefit of climate change scenarios, hydrology, and numerical weather prediction,” or “HarmoSnow” (2014-2018). With 29 European COST countries and the international partners Andorra and Taiwan (https://www.cost.eu/actions/ES1404/) HarmoSnow coordinated efforts towards harmonized snow data processing and handling practices by promoting new observing strategies. The vision was to connect different communities, facilitating data transfer, upgrading and enlarging knowledge through networking and linking them to activities in international agencies and global networks (www.harmosnow.eu).

The main aim of HarmoSnow was to enhance the capability of the research community and operational services to provide and exploit quality-assured and comparable observation data on the variability of the state and extent of snow. The overall objectives were (1) Establish a European-wide science network on snow measurements for their optimum use with interactions across disciplines and expertise, (2) Assess and harmonise practices, standards and retrieval algorithms applied to snow measurements, (3) Develop a rationale and long term strategy for snow measurements and their dissemination, (4) Advance snow data assimilation in NWP and hydrological models, (5) Establish a validation strategy for climate, NWP and hydrological models against snow observations and foster its implementation, (6) Training of a new generation of scientists on snow science and measuring techniques with a broader and more holistic perspective.

We will present outcomes from the HarmoSnow activities and discuss how to move forward.

How to cite: Arslan, A. N.: EU COST Action ES1404-HarmoSnow, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-12910, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-12910, 2020.

The present abstract is aimed at describing the activities and results about Cyberparks COST Action TU 1306. The purpose of the action was to increase the knowledge about the existing relationship between Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Public Spaces, supported by strategies to improve their use and attractiveness. In such scenario, the project developed several case studies to develop best practices and digital tools able to collect information directly from the users, in real time. Indeed, sensors where installed in Public Spaces, as well as mobile applications that allowed to provide user’s with contextual information and Location Based Services and, at the same time, to collect the so called User Generated Data. In such way, people experiencing a certain place could enhance their knowledge and administration (or public authorities) could understand how user’s exploit it. Moreover, the project stimulated the use of new technologies like Augmented Reality as an additional service, useful to discover the surrounding and enhance the sense of presence of the users. CyberParks allowed to uncover opportunity and risks related to the use of ICTs via the appreciation, design and usage of public spaces. It exploited the benefits of interweaving a green experience with digital engagement via sharing knowledge, experiences and ideas, and analyzing public spaces.

The methodology developed can be of great interest especially for urban planning purposes; in fact, the pen-and-pencil approach for redesigning and rethinking a place can be partially replaced by a data driven approach, that can be more objective and reliable.

More than 50 scientific papers were published and very fruitful Short Term scientific missions. A great number of data was collected from real scenario, demonstrating the effectiveness of the methods adopted to conduct researches and experiment. Another noteworthy output of the project is the exploitation of a multidisciplinary group. In fact, the amalgamation of researchers coming from different scientific disciplines allowed to enhance the knowledge and strength cooperation between humanistic disciplines and digital sciences.

How to cite: Malinverni, E. S., Pierdicca, R., Smaniotto Costa, C., Bahillo Martinez, A., and Marcheggiani, E.: Results of the cyberparks cost action tu 1306, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-22084, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-22084, 2020.

Underground4value (COST Action CA18110) is a four years’ project (2019-2023) establishing an expert network from twenty-nine countries, with the objective of promoting balanced and sustainable approaches for the conservation and promotion of underground built heritage (UBH). Every year, four underground sites and their local communities become places for experimenting studies, new policies, and participatory approaches. During the first year (April 2019 - March 2020), the sites of Naples (Italy), La Union (Murcia, Spain), Postojna (Slovenia) and Göreme (Cappadocia, Turkey) have been selected. The originality of the approach is that it is geared towards assisting local communities’ decision-making with cultural, scientific and technical knowledge of the underground built heritage, from many different perspectives: archaeology, geo-technics, history, urban planning, cultural anthropology, economics, architecture, cultural tourism, ecology.

The Living Lab approach is used to organise fieldwork, spending time on each site with a mix of participants (international scientists and local practitioners). The idea is to identify and explore social innovations models for empowering local communities and making them part of the UBH promotion process. Collected information is then the basis for developing new research and training, which remain open and accessible. Knowledge transfer is secured by several dedicated tasks, including a Training School, held in last February in Naples, where the trainees have morning learning sessions and afternoon research activities on specific topics occurred in the living labs’ activities.

How to cite: Pace, G.: COST Action Underground4value: Living Labs for the Underground Built Heritage valorisation , EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-10408, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-10408, 2020.

Resource depletion, climate change and degradation of ecosystems are challenges faced by cities worldwide and will increase if cities do not adapt. In order to tackle those challenges, it is necessary to transform our cities into sustainable systems using a holistic approach. One element in achieving this transition is the implementation of nature-based solutions (NBS). They can provide a range of ecosystem services beneficial for the urban biosphere such as regulation of micro-climates, flood prevention, water treatment, food provision and more. However, most NBS are implemented serving only one single purpose. Adopting the concept of circular economy by combining different types of services and returning resources to the city, would increase the benefits gained for urban areas.

The COST Action CA17133 "Implementing nature-based solutions for creating a resourceful circular city" aims to establish a network testing the hypothesis that a circular flow system that implements NBS for managing nutrients and resources within the urban biosphere will lead to a resilient, sustainable and healthy urban environment.

To tackle this challenge the Action comprises five working groups (WGs):

• WG1: Built environment
• WG2: Sustainable urban water utilisation
• WG3: Resource recovery
• WG4: Urban Farming
• WG5: Transformation tools

The network of researches, companies and stakeholders from more than 40 countries spread over whole Europe brings together a large diversity of disciplines and is therefore well equipped taking holistic approach on embedding NBS within circular economy. In the presentation we will present the first results already achieved and the future plans of the Action.

How to cite: Atanasova, N. and Langergraber, G.: The COST action CA17133 "Circular city", EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-21733, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-21733, 2020.

The analysis of low-frequency gravitational waves (GW) data is a crucial mission of GW science and the performance of Earth-based GW detectors is largely influenced by ability of combating the low-frequency ambient seismic noise and other seismic influences. This tasks require multidisciplinary research in the fields of seismic sensing, signal processing, robotics, machine learning and mathematical modeling.

In practice, this kind of research is conducted by large teams of researchers with different expertise, so that project management emerges as an important real life challenge in the projects for acquisition, processing and interpretation of seismic data from GW detector site. A prominent example that successfully deals with this aspect could be observed in the COST Action G2Net (CA17137 - A network for Gravitational Waves, Geophysics and Machine Learning) and its seismic research group, which counts more than 30 members. 

How to cite: Ilić, V., Bertolini, A., Bonsignorio, F., Jozinović, D., Bulik, T., Štajduhar, I., Secrieru, I., and Koley, S.: Ambient seismic noise suppression in COST action G2Net, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-22165, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-22165, 2020.

Quantification of the spatial and temporal behavior of soil moisture is vital for understanding water availability in agriculture, ecosystems research, river basin hydrology and water resources management. Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) offer a great potential in monitoring this parameter at sub-meter level and at relatively low cost. The standardization of operational procedures for soil moisture monitoring with UAS can be beneficial to understanding and quantify the quality of retrieved soil moisture (e.g., from different platforms and sensors).

In this study, soil moisture retrieved from UAS using different retrieval algorithms was compared to collocated ground measurements. The thermal inertia model builds upon the dependence of the thermal diffusion on soil moisture. The soil thermal inertia is quantified by processing visible and near-infrared (VIS-NIR) and thermal infrared (TIR) images, acquired at two different times of a day. The temperature–vegetation trapezoidal model is also used to map soil moisture over vegetated pixels. This trapezoidal model depicts the soil moisture dependence of the surface energy balance. The comparison of the two algorithms helps define a preliminary standard procedure for retrieving soil moisture with UAS.

As a case study, a typical cropland area with olive orchard, cherry and walnut trees in the region of Monteforte Cilento (Italy, Salerno) is used, where optical and thermal images and in situ data were simultaneously acquired. In the Alento observatory, long-term studies on vadose zone hydrology have been conducting across a range of spatial scales. Our findings provide an important contribution towards improving our knowledge on evaluating the ability of UAS to map soil moisture, in support of sustainable natural resources management and climate change studies.

This research is a part of EU COST-Action “HARMONIOUS: Harmonization of UAS techniques for agricultural and natural ecosystems monitoring”.

Keywords: soil moisture, Unmanned Aerial Systems, thermal inertia, HARMONIOUS

How to cite: zhuang, R., Manfreda, S., Zeng, Y., Su, Z., Romano, N., Ben Dor, E., Maltese, A., Capodici, F., Paruta, A., Nasta, P., Francos, N., Ciraolo, G., Szabó, B., Mészáros, J., and Petropoulos, G. P.: Soil Moisture Retrievals from Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-19560, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-19560, 2020.

Recent tsunami disasters revealed severe gaps between the anticipated level of hazard and the true extent of the event, with resulting loss of life and property. The severe consequences were underestimated in part due to the lack of rigorous and accepted hazard analysis methods and large uncertainty in forecasting the tsunami source mechanism and strength. Uncertainty and underestimation of the hazard and risk resulted in insufficient preparedness measures. While there is no absolute protection against disasters of the scale of mega tsunamis, a more accurate analysis of the potential risk can help to minimize losses from tsunami.
After the major events in 2004 and 2011 many new initiatives originated novel methods for tsunami hazard and risk analysis. However, rigorous performance assessment and evaluation – with respect to guiding principles in tsunami hazard and risk analysis – has not been conducted. In particular, comprehensive uncertainty assessments and related standards are required in order to implement more robust and reliable hazard analysis strategies and, ultimately, better mitigate tsunami impact. This is the core challenge of the proposed COST Action Accelerating Global science In Tsunami HAzard and Risk analysis (AGITHAR).
In our presentation we will demonstrate first results of the Action, assessing research gaps, open questions, and a very coarse roadmap for future research.

How to cite: Behrens, J., Aniel-Quiroga, I., D'Amico, S., Dias, F., Didenkulova, I., Guillas, S., Lorito, S., Lovholt, F., Macias, J., Murphy, S., Necmioglu, O., Omira, R., Roedder, S., and Sorensen, M.: Accelerating Global Science on Tsunami Hazard and Risk Analysis (AGITHAR), EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-5122, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-5122, 2020.

Forests provide essential economic, social, cultural and environmental services. To be able to maintain the provision of these services, sustainable forest management (SFM) is a vital obligation. The maintenance of biodiversity, ranging from gene to ecosystem levels, is essential for functions and associated services, and it is one of the most important criterion for assessing sustainability in the Pan-European region. 
Currently, the majority of SFM Criteria and Indicators focuses on attributes relative to tree species or to the whole forest. With reference to biodiversity conservation, this means that the collected information cannot fully assess whether forests are being managed sustainably. To understand the drivers of forest biodiversity and drive sustainable management, several taxonomic groups should be investigated, since they may respond differently to the same environmental pressures. However, up to now, broad multi-taxonomic analyses were mainly performed through reviews and meta-analyses which limit our holistic understanding on the effects of forest management on different facets of biodiversity. Recently, several research institutions took up the challenge of multi-taxonomic field sampling. These local efforts, however, have limited extrapolation power to infer trends at the European scale. It is high time to share, standardize and use existing multi-taxon data through a common platform to inform sound management and political decisions. Biodiversity indicators have also some potential to be used in evaluation of impact of forest management on soils and surface waters in terms of naturalness, degradation and reclamation.
We present the COST Action CA18207 “Biodiversity of Temperate forest Taxa Orienting Management Sustainability by Unifying Perspectives” (Bottoms-Up). It will gather the most comprehensive knowledge of European multitaxonomic forest biodiversity through the synergy of research groups that collected data locally in more than 2200 sampling units across approximately 300 sites covering nine different European forest types. For each sampling unit, information will be available on at least three taxonomic groups (vascular plants, fungi, lichens, birds and saproxylic beetles being the most represented) and on live stand structure and deadwood. Multi-taxon biodiversity will be associated with: (i) information on forest management based on observational studies at the coarse scale, and (ii) structural data deriving from forest manipulation experiments at the fine scale. 

Specific objectives are:
• Developing a standardized platform of multi-taxon data;
• Establishing a network of forest sites with baseline information for future monitoring;
• Designing shared protocols for multi-taxon sampling;
• Assessing the relationships between multi-taxon biodiversity, structure and management;
• Creating a coordinated network of forest manipulation experiments;
• Evaluating indicators and thresholds of sustainability directly tested on biodiversity;
• Developing management guidelines defining sustainable management to be applied in forest certification and within protected areas.

The Action involves about 80 researchers and stakeholders from 29 countries and represents an outstanding opportunity to develop a strong network of collaboration for standardized broad-scale multitaxon studies in Europe.

Keywords:  Multi-taxon, Pan-European region, Sustainable Forest Management. 

How to cite: Sarginci, M., Ódor, P., Doerfler, I., Nagel, T., Paillet, Y., Sitzia, T., Tinya, F., Avdagić, A., and Ballweg, J. and the COST Action CA18207: BOTTOMS-UP: Biodiversity of Temperate Forest Taxa to Orient Management Sustainability by Unifying Perspectives, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-10625, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-10625, 2020.

Sand and Dust Storms (SDS) are extreme meteorological phenomena that generate significant amounts of airborne mineral dust particles. SDS plays a significant role in different aspects of weather, climate and atmospheric chemistry. Also, SDS represents a severe hazard for life, health, property, environment and economy, which is aligned with several Sustainable Developed Goal (SDG) targets established by the United Nations (UN). Understanding, managing, and mitigating SDS risks and effects requires fundamental and cross-disciplinary knowledge.

Over the last few years, there is an increasing need for SDS accurate information and predictions to support early warning systems, and preparedness and mitigation plans in addition to growing interest from diverse stakeholders, such as solar energy plant managers, health professionals, aviation and policymakers from environmental and health public sectors. Current attempts to transfer tailored products to end-users are not coordinated, and the same technological and social obstacles are tackled individually by all different groups, a process that makes the use of data slow and expensive.

The EU-funded COST Action inDust (www.cost-indust.eu, CA16202) has an overall objective to establish a network involving research institutions, service providers and potential end-users of information on airborne dust that can assist the diverse socio-economic sectors affected by the presence of high concentrations of atmospheric dust. In line with this main objective, the network is being worked on the identification and engagement of representatives of dust affected socio-economic sectors (targeting on air quality and health, aviation and solar energy) from different countries in Europe but also in North Africa and the Middle East. Moreover, the participation of South African, American and importantly Asian partners brings the possibility of extending the application of the developed products, protocols and tools well beyond the European borders, including areas like Asian regions where dust particles play a significant role in the air quality and meteorological processes.

The primary outcomes of the network are the identification of the needs of the various and new dust-related products and services able to satisfy these needs. As a result, the network has been working on a dust catalogue which includes an overview of (ground-based and satellite) observations and model products.

How to cite: Basart, S. and Nickovic, S. and the inDust Core Group: inDust: International Network to encourage the use of monitoring and forecasting DUST products, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-14370, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-14370, 2020.

A three-dimensional spatial analysis of atmosphere, including its boundary layer, has become possible after upper air vertical atmospheric observation started. Mountain observatories, as e.g. at the Sonnblick Observatory in Austrian Alpine, which operates since 1866, belong to a group of such observation. During 18-th and 19-th century upper air observations have been made by balloons equipped with meteorological instruments. The first such observation was done at Glasgow in 1749. The first radiosounding vertical profile observation was done in 1927. At the end of 1940-s an operative network of radiosounding stations has been started to use for construction of upper air synoptic maps and three-dimensional spatial atmospheric analyses. The first meteorological satellite was launched in 1960. Weather radar, airplane observation and wind and air temperature profilers take place since then. A description of these developments in Europe are the main subject of this study. Criteria for vertical profile observation, data processing and analysis have  been continuously done by the World Meteorological Organization and their development by states and European Union research projects including COST actions. Details are also represented.

KEY WORDS: vertical profiling of atmosphere, Europe, COST actions

How to cite: Pandzic, K. and Likso, T.: Profiling the Atmospheric Boundary Layer at European Scale - COST Action, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-20728, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-20728, 2020.

The X-MINE project (Real-Time Mineral X-Ray Analysis for Efficient and Sustainable Mining), under the Horizon 2020 program (grant agreement no. 730270), combines high-energy XRF sensors, multi-energy XRT sensors and optical sensors to be able to support both drill core analysis and mineral sorting applications, including high speed processing of low-grade ores.

The aims of the project are: (1) smart exploration, (2) selective (more efficient) drilling and (3) optimal extraction in existing mine operations. The expected effects of project outputs include: reduced quantity of mining waste by a better selection of the ore; reduced consumption of energy, explosives and other chemicals thus less CO₂ and NO₂ emissions; further critical raw materials acquisition for the EU; better planning of mining operations; increased resource efficiency.

On the purpose of smart exploration, multi-parameter 3D near-mine ore deposit models were built, under SGU coordination, for 4 mining areas: Lovisagruvan(Sweden), Assarel(Bulgaria), Skouriotissa-Apliki(Cyprus) and Mavres Petres-Piavitsa(Greece).

The project improves and combines various online sensing technologies, integrates the multi-sensor solution in an online analysis platform and demonstrates the solution in real mining operations. Two prototypes are being developed and demonstrated in the X-MINE project.

(1) A sensitive transportable X-ray Analyser based on undertaken drill core scanning (GeoCore X10, delivered by Orexplore and further developed within X-Mine project). This performs penetrative combined and integrated XRF-XRT scanning, providing assaying of exploration drill cores and 3D tomographic imaging, that also allows linear and structural annotations and measures bulk density.

(2) A complex analyser, developed by X-Mine consortium, integrated in a sorting line by Comex. The multisensory analyser unit uses XRT-XRF based scanners and 3D cameras, platforms, algorithms and software developed by Orexplore, VTT, Advacam, and Antmicro.

The X-Mine project has reached the phase of pilot demonstration. The prototypes are being tested on various types of mineralisations and rocks from the four operating mines mentioned above. The tests done so far showed that the drill core scanner allows the tomographic observation and structural study of the cores, which could be ore-genetically evaluated and interpreted. Elemental composition is analysed and bulk density is measured for 1 m of core and calculated for segments as short as 8 mm based on estimated mineralogy. The scanning can be done at a speed of 3-4 meters of NQ-size drill core per hour with results available immediately and therefore useful while the drill rig is still on site.

The development of the new X-MINE sorting application started with laboratory and full-scale tests, and base line studies of previously available dual-energy X-ray technology. A first full-scale initial test at Lovisagruvan indicated that 75% of available size fractions are amenable for sorting, although alternative crushing/size screening may increase sortable fractions. Laboratory and base line studies performed so far, at a speed of 17-20 tons / hour, indicate that waste rock may be reduced by as much as 22 % for some materials.

The testing of the prototypes continues, with special focus on the calibration for different matrix/grade combinations and optimization of hardware, software, algorithms and productivity.

How to cite: Munteanu, M., Sädbom, S., Paaso, J., Bergqvist, M., Arvanitidis, N., Arvidsson, R., Kolacz, J., Bakalis, E., Ivanov, D., Grammi, K., Kalliopuska, J., Polansky, S., Gielda, M., Björklund, J.-E., Sartz, L., Högdahl, K., Attiwell, P., Lynch, E., Luth, S., and Bakker, E.: X-MINE project (H2020): testing the capabilities of X-ray techniques in drill core scanning and ore sorting, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-11216, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-11216, 2020.

The Baltic Sea region hosts numerous underground facilities or underground laboratories (Uls). The Baltic Sea Underground Innovation Network (BSUIN) there are six such facilities, all unique in their characteristics and operational settings, e.g. located in existing or historical mines, research tunnel networks or as a dedicated underground laboratory for a specific purpose. BSUIN project concentrates on the making the Uls more accessible for current and new users,  helping the Uls to understand their infrastructural challenges and possibilities, and through joint marketing to attract a broader spectrum of users into their facilities.

The underground laboratories participating in BSUIN are Callio Lab (Pyhäjärvi Finland), ÄSPÖ Hard Rock Laboratory (Oskarshamn, Sweden), Ruskela Mining Park (Ruskeala, Russia), Educational and research mine Reiche Zeche (Freiberg, Germany), Underground Low Background Laboratory of the Khlopin Radium Institute (St.Petersburg, Russia) and the Conceptual Lab development co-ordinated by KGHM Cuprum R&D centre (Poland).

We will present the overview of the project, key outcomes, findings and recommendations for underground laboratories in general. The key outcomes of the project for the individual underground laboratories consist of characterisation of the structural, geological and operational environments together with information on the governing legislation and authorities for the underground sites. Underground risks and challenges in the underground working environment have been documented to help the further development of the individual underground laboratories. Service designs were developed together with the ULs to enhance user support and to attract a broader spectrum of users.  To help users with innovation and innovation management the variety of the innovation services was documented to be used as bases for the future operational development of the ULs. To support the marketing, coordinate activities and develop the cooperation an umbrella organisation European Underground Laboratories association (EUL) will be established to carry on the work started in BSUIN.

The Baltic Sea Underground Innovation Network, BSUIN, is funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme. 

How to cite: Joutsenvaara, J. and the BSUIN collaboration: BSUIN – Baltic Sea Underground Innovation Network , EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-11212, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-11212, 2020.

TU1208 GPR Association (www.gpradar.eu/tu1208/) is a follow-up initiative of COST Action TU1208 “Civil engineering applications of ground penetrating radar” (www.gpradar.eu), which ended in October 2017. The association inherited the same primary objective of the Action, namely, to exchange and increase scientific-technical knowledge and experience of ground penetrating radar (GPR) technique, whilst promoting a wider and more effective use of this safe and non-destructive inspection method. Currently (2019) the association involves 41 Members from 30 Institutes in 14 Countries; participating institutions include universities, research centers, public agencies, GPR manufacturers and end-users. The association is open to experts from all over the world and not 'only' to Members of COST Action TU1208. The research activities supported by the association cover all areas of GPR technology, methodology, and applications.

Why? 

The motivations to maintain, expand and leverage our COST network after the end of the Action could be summarized by saying that during the Action’s lifetime we acquired awareness that “we are stronger together.” There can be different ways to keep a COST network alive after the Action’s end, the most common being continuation through funding of another Action or EU/international collaborative research projects. We realized that establishing an association would offer a great added value. An association is actually a platform to coordinate, complement, and support any new initiatives undertaken by its members; it helps to avoid fragmentation of research, achieve better harmonization of activities and approaches, and constantly attain involvement of new actors. In perspective, an association can potentiate the contact of a community of innovators with policy makers. Moreover, an association gives identity to the group and encourages the discussion of general principles alongside more strictly scientific topics.

How?

TU1208 GPR association was founded in September 2017, before the Action’s Final Conference. The financial model is a non-profit scientific association with statutes, registered with the Italian Revenue Agency. Administrative and operative offices are in Rome. The simplest financial structure was chosen for the association, which has a fiscal code but does not have a VAT number; thus, the association can receive social quotas, donations, and occasionally other types of incomes. This model is the easiest to run and can be upgraded in the future, if useful.

What?

We believe that the key principles and values that we experienced together in COST Action TU1208 continue to matter notwithstanding the Action ended, so we aim to apply them and spread them out.

The association publishes books, proceedings, and educational material. We have founded the first peer-reviewed scientific journal dedicated to GPR, “Ground Penetrating Radar” (www.gpradar.eu/journal/): this is the most challenging and ambitious initiative that the association has initiated and carried out so far. Our publications are distributed in true open access, free to both Authors and Readers.

We organize networking and educational events, such as workshops, training schools, roundtables and scientific sessions in international conferences (including the EGU session «COST Actions in Geosciences», wherein this abstract is presented, and the EGU session «Ground Penetrating Radar: Technology, Methodology, Applications, and Case Studies»). The association has also funded/co-funded a few scientific missions.

How to cite: Pajewski, L.: TU1208 GPR Association: Why? How? What?, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-19835, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-19835, 2020.

Scientists and experts participating in COST Actions can benefit from a wide range of COST networking tools. Meetings, workshops, conferences and training schools can be organized. Short-term scientific missions (STSM) can be funded: these are exchange visits where an Action Member spends five days up to six months abroad, in a host institution; the aim of STSMs is to foster collaboration between institutions and sharing of new techniques that may not be available in a participant’s home institution. COST also funds dissemination and communication of Action’s outcomes within research communities and beyond. Finally, conference grants for early-career researchers from Inclusiveness Target Countries (ITC) aim at helping participants from ITC to attend international science and technology related conferences that are not organised by COST Actions.

In this presentation, we discuss the challenges and lessons learnt in COST Action TU1208 “Civil engineering applications of ground penetrating radar” [1] while using COST networking tools to fulfill the objectives of the Action, enhance its impact, and maximize the benefits of its Members. We consider one tool at a time focusing on the obstacles that we encountered and how we overcame them, as well as giving hints on how the Action and its Members made the most from the use of the tool. We describe how the use of the tools changed during the Action’s lifetime. 

COST networking tools can of course be used in a customary way and they are all extremely frutiful. More creative solutions can be implemented too, to keep Members engaged or achieve particular goals. Therefore, this presentation continues with examples of less-common exploitations of the tools in TU1208. For instance, we used the “Meeting” tool for the organization of a series of science communication initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness about ground penetrating radar capabilities and applications and at establishing a dialogue with policymakers, stakeholders and end-users of our research (TU1208 GPR RoadShow [2]); the Roadshow included non-scientific workshops, practical demonstrations, and a series of educational activities with children and citizens. We repeatedly exploited the “Meeting” tool also for one week gatherings with a small number of Members, where we worked full-time together at bringing forward specific Action’s activities, one of the challenges of COST Actions being the lack of funds to finance research and the difficulty to “make Members work” for the Action when they are at their home institutions.

We hope that recently started Actions can build upon our experience.

[1] L. Pajewski, A. Benedetto, X. Dérobert, A. Giannopoulos, A. Loizos, G. Manacorda, M. Marciniak, C. Plati, G. Schettini, I. Trinks, "Applications of Ground Penetrating Radar in Civil Engineering – COST Action TU1208," Proc. 7th IWAGPR, 2013, Nantes, France, pp. 1-6, doi.org/10.1109/IWAGPR.2013.6601528

[2] L. Pajewski, H. Tõnisson, K. Orviku, M. Govedarica, A. Ristić, V. Borecky, S. S. Artagan, S. Fontul, and K. Dimitriadis, “TU1208 GPR Roadshow: Educational and promotional activities carried out by Members of COST Action TU1208 to increase public awareness on the potential and capabilities of the GPR technique,” Ground Penetrating Radar, Volume 2(1), March 2019, pp. 67-109, doi.org/10.26376/GPR2019004

How to cite: Ristic, A., Pajewski, L., Govedarica, M., and Vrtunski, M.: Use of COST networking tools to achieve the objectives of a COST Action, enhance its impact, and maximize the benefits of its Members – challenges and lessons learnt in COST Action TU1208, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-19699, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-19699, 2020.

Biodiversity of ecosystems is an important driver for the supply of ecosystem services to people. Soils often have a larger biodiversity per unit surface area than what can be observed aboveground. Here, we present what is to our knowledge, the most extensive literature-based key-word assessment of the existing information about the relationships between belowground biodiversity and ecosystem services in European forests. The belowground diversity of plant roots, fungi, prokaryota, soil fauna, and protists was evaluated in relation to the supply of Provisioning, Regulating, Cultural, and Supporting Services. The soil biota were divided into 14 subgroups and the ecosystem services into 37 separate services. Out of the 518 possible combinations of biotic groups and ecosystem services, no published study was found for 374 combinations (72%). Of the remaining 144 combinations (28%) where relationships were found, the large majority (87%) showed a positive relationship between biodiversity of a belowground biotic group and an associated ecosystem service. We concluded that (1) soil biodiversity is generally positively related to ecosystem services in European forests; (2) the links between soil biodiversity and Cultural or Supporting services are better documented than those relating to Provisioning and Regulating services; (3) there is a huge knowledge gap for most possible combinations of soil biota and ecosystem services regarding how a more biodiverse soil biota is associated with a given ecosystem service. Given the drastically increasing societal demand for knowledge of the role of biodiversity in the functioning of ecosystems and the supply of ecosystem services, we strongly encourage the scientific community to conduct well-designed studies incorporating the belowground diversity and the functions and services associated with this diversity.

How to cite: Godbold, D., Bakker, M., Brunner, I., and Lukac, M.: BioLink: Linking belowground biodiversity and ecosystem function in European forests, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-13066, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-13066, 2020.

Although the marginal seas represent only 7% of the total ocean area, the CO₂ fluxes are intensive and important for the carbon budget, exposing to an intense process of anthropogenic ocean acidification (OA). A decline in pH, especially in the estuarine waters, results also from the eutrophication-induced acidification. The Adriatic Sea is currently a CO₂ sink with an annual flux of approximately -1.2 to -3 mol C m^-2 yr^-1 which is twice as low compared to the net sink rates in the NW Mediterranean (-4 to -5 mol C m^-2 yr^-1). Based on the comparison of two winter cruises carried out in in the 25-year interval between 1983 and 2008, acidification rate of 0.003 pH_T units yr⁻¹ was estimated in the northern Adriatic which is similar to the Mediterranean open waters (with recent estimations of −0.0028 ± 0.0003 units pH_T yr⁻¹) and the surface coastal waters (-0.003 ± 0.001 and -0.0044 ± 0.00006 pH_T units yr⁻¹). The computed Revelle factor for the Adriatic Sea, with the value of about 10, indicates that the buffer capacity is rather high and that the waters should not be particularly exposed to acidification. Total alkalinity (TA) in the Adriatic (2.6-2.7 mM) is in the upper range of TA measured in the Mediterranean Sea because riverine inputs transport carbonates dissolved from the Alpine dolomites and karstic watersheds. The Adriatic Sea is the second sub-basin (319 Gmol yr^-1), following the Aegean Sea (which receives the TA contribution from the Black Sea), that contribute to the riverine TA discharges into the Mediterranean Sea. About 60% of the TA inflow into the Adriatic Sea is attributed to the Po river discharge with TA of ~3 mM and TA decreases with increasing salinity. Saturation state indicates that the waters of the Adriatic are supersaturated with respect to calcite (Ω_Ca) and aragonite (Ω_Ar) throughout the year. However, saturation states are considerably lower in the bottom water layers, due to the prevalence of benthic remineralization processes in the stratification period. The seasonal changes of the chemical and environmental conditions and relatively small size of the Adriatic Sea area the microbial community composition, function (growth, enzymatic activity) and carbon and nitrogen biogeochemical cycles. Significant effects on calcifying organisms and phytoplankton are expected while the effects of possible OA on microbially-driven processes are not known yet.

How to cite: Turk, V., Bednarsek, N., Faganeli, J., Gasparovic, B., Giani, M., Guerra, R., Kovac, N., Malej, A., Krajnc, B., Melaku Canu, D., and Ogrinc, N.: Carbonate System and Acidification of the Adriatic Sea, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-10977, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-10977, 2020.

Every devastating large flood usually leads to initiation of different flood risk reduction activities. There are numerous options available how to approach flood risk management. Only limited part of approaches considered land management as significant topic in the flood risk management. Therefore, efficient and effective land management for flood retention and resilience is needed. COST action LAND4FLOOD (CA 16209) deals with natural flood retention on private land. More information about the specific cost action can be found on the web-page http://www.land4flood.eu/ and LAND4FLOOD twitter account @Land4Flood.

Some of the recent activates of the COST action include:

-Organization of series of workshops on different topics such as “Strategies for achieving flood resilience”, “Delivering Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)”, “NBS for flood retention in Southern Europe”, “Compensation Mechanism for Flood Storage”, “Innovative and successfully implemented strategies for achieving resilience in Flood Risk Management with a special focus on private and public property flood resilience” and organization of stakeholders meetings.

-Publication of policy briefs entitled “How Private Land Matters in Flood Risk Management?” that is also translated in French and Spanish and “Compensation for Flood Storage” that is available in Portuguese, Spanish, Czech and French versions.

-Support of multiple Short Term Scientific Missions (STSM) and ITC and conference grants.

-Publication of book about “Nature-based Flood Risk Management on Private Land” and multiple scientific papers.

-Preparation of the LAND4FLOOD leaflet (i.e. http://www.land4flood.eu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Leaflet-LAND4FLOOD-final.pdf) that is translated into Albanian, Bulgarian, Slovakian and Slovenian languages.

Moreover, the COST action will finish in September 2021, thus there are still several ongoing projects such as open STSM calls, workshop initiations, research project application and book proposals. For example, a recent book proposal that has just been launched will review what we know about flooding land and how to implement spatial flood risk management and resilience. More specifically, as pointed out land is needed for flood risk management. Thus, to store excess water and retain it without major damage. However, this land is often in private ownership. This book proposal will explore different options regarding storage of water in the catchment during flood events: in the hinterland with decentral measures, along the rivers in polders, washlands and in resilient cities. The book will put the focus on land as a biophysical system (including hydrological aspects), as a socio-economic resource, and as a possible solution for flood risk reduction (i.e. asking for policy interventions to activate the land for flood protection measures). These three areas (i.e. hinterland, along the streams, in resilient cities) and the three analytical lenses (i.e. processes to influence stakeholders and interests in land, socio-economic context of land and environmental conditions of land for retention) will indicate how to use land to reduce the impact of flooding.

How to cite: Bezak, N., Slavíková, L., and Hartmann, T.: COST Action LAND4FLOOD - Natural Flood Retention on Private Land: Overview of recent activities and future plans, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-1282, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-1282, 2020.

The COST Action 18110 Underground4value (http://underground4value.eu) aims to advance knowledge on how to guarantee continuity of use and significance of underground historic fabric. It is collecting information, experiences and knowhow to base the development of research and training. The Action focusses on underground regeneration, revitalisation of the public realm and skills development for people concerned with underground heritage.

This contribution centres the attention of the Working Group on Planning Approaches. It also looks at the role of local authorities, as enablers and facilitators, in coordination, use  and management of underground built heritage. In this framework underground built heritage is considered as a social resource with integrated programmes of physical, economic and social measures, backed by strategic stakeholder dialogue.

On the one hand, this contribution discusses the structure and goals of the WG, as it pays attention to the necessary complementarities between functional approaches – at the level of regions and city – and social and cultural approaches involving citizens’ engagement and empowerment – at the local level. This WG aims to provide a reflection on sustainable approaches to preserve the underground built heritage and, at the same time, to unfold the case by case approach for potential use of underground space. On the other hand, to achieve its objectives the WG on Planning Approaches is setting together potentials and constraints in the efforts to make better use of underground heritage. This contribution, therefore, sheds lights on the preliminary results of the WG. It is centred on the learned lessons, challenges and barriers - from a planning science perspective - that experts met in their efforts to tackle Underground Built Heritage. Achieving this goal makes the call for an educational paradigm shift - as the Action is not only interested in compiling the results, rather on experiences that can be analysed and learned. This requires a dynamic understanding of knowledge, abilities and skills, towards creating more effective coalitions of ‘actors’ within localities, by developing structures, which encourage long term collaborative relationships. Enabled by the gained knowledge, the WG will define the best tailored ways to forward this knowledge for planners and decision-makers.

How to cite: Smaniotto Costa, C., Ruchinskaya, T., and Lalenis, K.: Perspectives for Planning Approaches in Promoting Underground Built Heritage - COST Action Underground4value, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-22143, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-22143, 2020.

Deep convective systems and explosive volcanic eruptions are destructive events causing deaths, injuries, damage to infrastructure. They account for the major economic damages in several countries, present several serious hazards to society, including impact to aviation safety and potential longer-term deleterious effects on weather and climate. The number and the intensity of severe convective events have increased in the last decades in some areas of the globe including Europe and it is going to further increase in a climate change environment. Relatively small eruptions could affect the economy of an entire continent as demonstrated in 2010 by the Eyjafjallajokull eruption. Due to the multi- and trans-disciplinary effects at local, regional and global scales, convective and volcanic clouds include impacts to several economic sectors such as telecommunications, transportation, health, insurances, agriculture, solar energy etc., raising the interest of diverse stakeholders and policymakers. However, the coordination between the different communities is still very difficult. On the one hand, measurement products lack harmonised quality indicators, data formats and measurement schedules. On the contrary, current attempts to transfer tailored products to end-users are not coordinated, and the same technological and social obstacles are tackled individually by different groups, a process that makes the use of data slow and expensive. The flow of information and knowledge between measurement, models, and society requires translation across disciplinary and cultural boundaries. The result is that current data-model-user cooperation becomes increasingly fractured and a potentially immense benefit for Europe’s end users remains unexplored. 

The overall objective of this action is to establish a network involving different communities interested on extreme atmospheric events, such as pilots, aircraft engines manufacturers, air traffic managers, modellers, aircraft companies, atmospheric physicists, meteorologists, policymakers and stakeholders. The network should coordinate the research activity for creating user-oriented operational and tailored products, understanding the needs of final users, to define a standard product format easily understandable by all the players, better coordinate the early warning activities, and establishing a new fast and efficient information transfer process within all the parties at international level. From scientific point of view, there is an urgent need to share ideas among scientists in nearby fields, to educate and train future researchers in the techniques and instruments for monitoring, detecting and modeling “extreme clouds”, to develop new techniques and to integrate data coming from different systems. Extreme atmospheric events do not have any border, thus the involvement of as many countries as possible would be beneficial for the action. The monitoring network of such kind of phenomena is not adequate in several countries due to different reasons such as unpopulated areas, political instability, and poverty. Conversely, availability of observational data from source regions is fundamental for monitoring and forecasting. Thus, the involvement and collaboration with near neighbour countries is very important. We have already established a good network with the aim of creating a future COST Action on this topic, with 23 countries and 35 different institutes involved but we are still missing collaborations from several eastern and southern European countries.

How to cite: Biondi, R. and Corradini, S.: A European Network for Extreme Atmospheric Events Detection and Monitoring, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-20601, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-20601, 2020.

The dry equatorial forests in the north-western coast of Peru suffer from acute water stress and man-driven deforestation. Recent estimates indicate that the forests have reduced to approximately 10% of their original size. There are local reforestation efforts currently underway, for example to prevent the extinction of native species such as the Peruvian Plantcutter songbird (Phytotoma raimondii). However, irrigation needed to support such efforts is severely challenged by the issues of water scarcity in the region. These adverse effects are also being experienced at a local level by the nearby rural community in Lobitos.

The groundwater resources in Lobitos could potentially offer a solution to the above issues for the local community. However, a scientifically informed and sustainable method of mapping and utilising this resource is needed. To provide supporting evidence in this effort, an extensive ground penetrating radar survey was conducted using a commercial 80 MHz impulse radar to characterise the near subsurface within a 90 hectare plot called Ecológica Tallán, which is part of a natural dry water channel in Quebrada Montes and declared as an important conservation area for the district.

Through a pilot study between Lancaster University, EcoSwell Peru and University of Glasgow, we report on initial results from our ground penetrating radar survey to provide a better understanding of the subsurface characteristics in Quebrada Montes, Lobitos.

How to cite: Lok, L. B., Almendrades, D., Alderson, M., Pizarro, A., Bustamante, A., and Shi, J.: Ground penetrating radar investigations in Quebrada Montes, Lobitos, Peru, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-13645, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-13645, 2020.

NorEMSO is a coordinated, large-scale deep-ocean observation facility to establish the Norwegian node for the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory (EMSO). The project aims to explore the under-sampled Nordic Seas to gain a better understanding of the critical role that they play in our climate system and global ocean circulation. An overarching scientific objective is to better understand the drivers for the temporal and spatial changes of water mass transformations, ocean circulation, acidification and thermo-chemical exchanges at the seafloor in the Nordic Seas, and to contribute to improvement of models and forecasting by producing and making available high quality, near real time data. NorEMSO will achieve this by combining expansion of existing and establishment of new observatory network infrastructure, as well as its coordination and integration into EMSO.

NorEMSO comprises of three main components: moored observatories, gliders, and seafloor and water column observatory at the Mohn Ridge (EMSO-Mohn).

Moored observation systems include an array of four moored observatories located at key positions in the Nordic Seas (Svinøy, Station M, South Cape, and central Fram Strait).

Gliders will be operated along five transects across both the Norwegian and the Greenland Seas to monitor circulation and water mass properties at those key locations. Transects in the Norwegian and Lofoten basins will focus on monitoring the Norwegian Atlantic Current, and a transect in Fram Strait will monitor properties and variability in the return Atlantic Water along the Polar Front in the northern Nordic Seas. In addition, transects in the Greenland and Iceland Seas will address the water mass transformation processes through wintertime open ocean convection, and the southbound transport of surface water from the Arctic Ocean and dense water that feeds the lower limb of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation in the East Greenland Current.

EMSO-Mohn will establish, at the newly discovered hydrothermal site on the Mohn Ridge, a fixed-point seabed-water-column-coupled and wireless observatory with a multidisciplinary approach – from geophysics and physical oceanography to ecology and microbiology. It is primarily directed at understanding hydrothermal fluxes and associated hydrothermal plume dynamics in the water column and how it disperses in an oceanographic front over the Mohn Ridge.

Following EMSO philosophy, NorEMSO will provide data and platforms to a large and diverse group of users, from scientists and industries to institutions and policy makers. The observations will serve climate research, ocean circulation understanding, numerical operational models, design of environmental policies, and education.

How to cite: Barreyre, T., Fer, I., and Ferré, B.: The Norwegian node for the European Multidisciplinary Seafloor and water column Observatory, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-7248, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-7248, 2020.

Long Integration Dual Inlet (LIDI) is an established technology which enabled improved accuracy and precision of Δ47 analysis from carbonate samples by utilizing sequential measurement of the full sample and reference, rather than alternating between sample and reference on shorter time periods, as it is done in the classical Dual Inlet method. As of today, there are two key challenges that were limiting further improvements to Δ47 determination: the IRMS must be in a stable temperature environment during long measurement of sample and reference gas, and the crimping of the sample and reference capillaries must be precisely matched, otherwise the produced data will be inaccurate and have reduced precision.

Here we present the improvements made on the sample gas measurement and data evaluation, which we define as LIDI 2.

By applying the LIDI 2 method, sample bracketing is possible following a four-step approach, resulting in fully corrected temperature drift (i.e. eliminated from the data), decreasing the standard deviation by factor of 2. This is a substantial improvement for acquiring clumped isotope data as reaching a very stable temperature of ±0.1°C/h is a challenge for most laboratories.

Alongside eliminating variation in the Δ47 data caused by unstable laboratory air temperature, LIDI 2 also improves the overlap of sample and reference gas signals due to non-perfect crimping of the capillaries. The crimping procedure is laborious and rarely delivers perfect results. Additionally, the pressure adjustment before reference measurement must ensure there is no significant offset between sample and reference intensities. LIDI 2 delivers perfect sample versus reference intensity matching, which results in significantly higher precision on each sample gas analyzed. Standard error of a single sample measurement is improved by up to factor of 2.

The LIDI 2 method delivers improved accuracy and precision on Δ47 measurement from small Carbonate samples, which in combination with the latest advancements in inert capillaries coating and automated contaminant trapping contributes to enhanced clumped isotopes data quality.

How to cite: Mandic, M., Tuthorn, M., Stoebener, N., Radke, J., and Schwieters, J.: LIDI 2 – New Evaluation Strategy for Accurate and Precise Clumped Isotope CO2 Analysis on Carbonate Samples, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-3052, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-3052, 2020.

Geodesists have a different mindset; major or minor involvement in mapping, navigation, positioning, surveying, gravity, coordinate frames and systems, geographical information systems, photogrammetry, 3D laser scanning, satellite orbit determination, orbital mechanics, interferometry and many other fields all help in the grand builtup of a resilient scientist who can emerge with an explorer attitude towards various facets of life; archaeology being one of them, needless to say. If this hybrid composite of mindset and attitude is combined with disciplined and smart usage of geophysical 3D imaging instrumentations deployed frequently by treasure hunters, geodesists might be in a very unique position to make a big bang in the world; finding archaeological Black Swans that might serve to rewrite certain narratives of ancient history is something geodesists must consider deeply. In this presentation, an approach and a discovery will be presented.

How to cite: Hawarey, M.: A Geodesist's Involvement Into Archaeology; A Beginning of Huge Discoveries, EGU General Assembly 2020, Online, 4–8 May 2020, EGU2020-17, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-17, 2020.