Environmental management in Antarctica Instruments and institutions

Instruments and institutions for environmental management in Antarctica have evolved from beginnings in the Antarctic Treaty, with subsequent introduction of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and recommendations made at Treaty meetings. The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty will improve existing provisions for environmental management in Antarctica. When it enters into force the Protocol will apply to all activities in the Treaty area: it provides rules for environmental impact assessment, conservation of fauna and flora, disposal of wastes, prevention of marine pollution and specially protected and managed areas. The Protocol's Committee for Environmental Protection will facilitate discussion and advice on environmental management. Management of information is a vital part of ensuring measures are effective. The Protocol should be ratified quickly to improve the basis for environmental protection, but the test will be whether and how it is implemented in practice.     

基于GRACE资料研究南极冰盖消减对海平面的影响

利用5年的GRACE重力数据,计算了南极1°×1°等效水量时间序列,得到每个格网的趋势项,结果表明在西南极Amundsen区域有明显的负增长,超过-80 mm/a,南极半岛存在着负增长,东南极Enderby Land地区质量增长;计算得到2002年7月到2007年9月南极、东南极和西南极冰盖的等效体积变化分别为-78±37 km³/a,-3±46 km³/a和-75±50 km³/a,对应海平面变化的贡献为0.21±0.1 mm/a,0.008±0.127 mm/a和0.2±0.14 mm/a.该结果与国际最新研究结果一致.同时发现冰后回弹是影响利用GRACE研究南极冰盖质量变化的关键因素.     

利用ICESat数据解算南极冰盖冰雪质量变化

南极冰盖冰雪质量变化反映了全球气候变化,并且直接影响着全球海平面变化.ICESat测高卫星的主要任务之一就是要确定南北两极冰盖的质量变化情况并评估其对全球海平面变化的影响.本文利用2003年10月至2008年12月的ICESat测高数据,针对南极DEM分辨率有限的特殊性,通过求解坡度改正值,解决重复轨道地面脚点不重合的问题,计算了南极大陆(86°S以北区域,后文所述南极冰盖均不包括86°S以南区域)在这5年里的冰雪质量变化情况,得到东南极冰盖的质量变化为-18±20Gt/a,西南极-26±6Gt/a,南极冰盖的冰雪质量变化为-44±21Gt/a,对全球海平面上升的影响约为0.12mm·a~(-1).解算结果表明,南极冰盖质量亏损主要集中在西南极阿蒙森海岸附近冰川以及东南极波因塞特角区域.     

Mesozoic evolution of West Antarctica and the Weddell Sea Basin: new paleomagnetic constraints

Paleomagnetic data from the Antarctic Peninsula and our recent results from the Ellsworth-Whitmore Mountains block suggest that since the Middle Jurassic these two West Antarctic blocks have undergone little relative movement and together have rotated relative to the East Antarctic craton. New data from Lower Cretaceous rocks from the Thurston Island region of West Antarctica suggest that on the basis of paleomagnetic constraints, the Antarctic Peninsula, Ellsworth-Whitmore Mountains and Thurston Island blocks define a single entity which we call Weddellia; some motion between these blocks is possible within the limits of the paleomagnetic data.Between the Middle Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, Weddellia remained attached to West Gondwanaland while East Antarctica moved southward (dextrally) relative to Weddellia. From the Early Cretaceous to mid-Cretaceous, Weddellia rotated clockwise 30° and moved sinistrally approximately 2500 km relative to East Antarctica, to its present-day position. We suggest the Early to mid-Cretaceous to be the time of the main if not initial opening of the Weddell Sea.     

基于多源遥感数据的南极冰架与海岸线变化监测

综合使用光学与微波遥感数据,提出了南极冰架变化连续监测的系统方法,包括基于MOA的冰架基准图生成,基于相似性测度的影像匹配,及基于阈值与分水岭变换的图像分割方法.使用该方法获取了2002-2011年初全南极18个主要冰架的变化数据,并归纳了南极冰架变化的三种类别.进一步得出,近年间崩解变化为主的冰架均处于西南极,并主要集中在南极半岛;扩展变化为主的冰架集中在东南极;南极三大冰架的扩展变化明显,其中Amery冰架将在近年发生较大崩解.本研究首次获取了2002年初至2011年初每年一幅的动态的全南极海岸线数据,并得出近10年间南极海岸线扩展增加总量为5878 km².     

南极板块运动新模型的确定与分析

自1995年起,国际南极研究科学委员会（SCAR,the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research）组织实施全南极国际GPS（Global Positioning System）联测.本文运用GAMIT/GLOBK软件分析了从1997到2004年的SCAR GPS数据和在南极的一些GPS永久跟踪站数据.数据处理分为两步,第一步：运用GAMIT软件进行单天解算,估计站位置、轨道等参数,其数据源主要有以下三类：(1) SCAR GPS观测站;（2）南极的连续跟踪站;（3）南极及其周边的部分IGS站;第二步：运用GLOBK软件加入SOPAC（Scripps Orbit and Permanent Array Center）的全球GPS子网（IGS1、IGS2、IGS3）进行全球网平差解算测站位置和速度.然后,参照地质构造讨论网的形变,分析了南极板块的现今地壳运动.GPS结果显示南极板块的欧拉角速度是0.224(°)/Ma,旋转极的位置为（58.69°N,128.29°W）,这与NNR-NUVEL-1A预测的和一些前期GPS研究的成果有着较大的不同.相对于澳大利亚板块,本文结果同其他模型的旋转角速度相差约0.01(°)/Ma,旋转极的位置相差在4°以内,不同模型之间的差异相对较小.这为描述南极板块运动提供了一个更为精确的新的运动模型.     

Combined Gravimetric–Seismic Crustal Model for Antarctica

The latest seismic data and improved information about the subglacial bedrock relief are used in this study to estimate the sediment and crustal thickness under the Antarctic continent. Since large parts of Antarctica are not yet covered by seismic surveys, the gravity and crustal structure models are used to interpolate the Moho information where seismic data are missing. The gravity information is also extended offshore to detect the Moho under continental margins and neighboring oceanic crust. The processing strategy involves the solution to the Vening Meinesz-Moritz’s inverse problem of isostasy constrained on seismic data. A comparison of our new results with existing studies indicates a substantial improvement in the sediment and crustal models. The seismic data analysis shows significant sediment accumulations in Antarctica, with broad sedimentary basins. According to our result, the maximum sediment thickness in Antarctica is about 15 km under Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf. The Moho relief closely resembles major geological and tectonic features. A rather thick continental crust of East Antarctic Craton is separated from a complex geological/tectonic structure of West Antarctica by the Transantarctic Mountains. The average Moho depth of 34.1 km under the Antarctic continent slightly differs from previous estimates. A maximum Moho deepening of 58.2 km under the Gamburtsev Subglacial Mountains in East Antarctica confirmed the presence of deep and compact orogenic roots. Another large Moho depth in East Antarctica is detected under Dronning Maud Land with two orogenic roots under Wohlthat Massif (48–50 km) and the Kottas Mountains (48–50 km) that are separated by a relatively thin crust along Jutulstraumen Rift. The Moho depth under central parts of the Transantarctic Mountains reaches 46 km. The maximum Moho deepening (34–38 km) in West Antarctica is under the Antarctic Peninsula. The Moho depth minima in East Antarctica are found under the Lambert Trench (24–28 km), while in West Antarctica the Moho depth minima are along the West Antarctic Rift System under the Bentley depression (20–22 km) and Ross Sea Ice Shelf (16–24 km). The gravimetric result confirmed a maximum extension of the Antarctic continental margins under the Ross Sea Embayment and the Weddell Sea Embayment with an extremely thin continental crust (10–20 km).     

基于GRACE RL06数据监测和分析南极冰盖27个流域质量变化

本文基于CSR最新公布的GRACE RL06版本数据,采用Slepian空域反演法估算了南极冰盖27个流域的质量变化.Slepian空域反演法结合了Slepian空间谱集中法和空域反演法的技术优势,能够有效降低GRACE在小区域反演时信号出现的严重泄漏和衰减,进而精确获得南极冰盖在每个流域的质量变化.相对于GRACE RL05版本数据,RL06在条带误差的控制上要更加优化,获得的南极冰盖质量变化时间序列也更加平滑,但在趋势估算上差别并不明显(小于10Gt/a).本文的估算结果显示:在2002年4月至2016年8月期间,整个南极冰盖质量变化速率为-118.6±16.3Gt/a,其中西南极为-142.4±10.5Gt/a,南极半岛为-29.2±2.1Gt/a,东南极则为52.9±8.6Gt/a.南极冰盖损失最大的区域集中在西南极Amundsen Sea Embayment(流域20-23),该地区质量变化速率为-203.5±4.1Gt/a,其次为南极半岛(流域24-27)以及东南极Victoria-Wilkes Land (流域13-15),质量变化速率分别为-29.2±2.1Gt/a和-19.0±4.7Gt/a,其中Amundsen Sea Embayment和南极半岛南部两个地区的冰排放呈现加速状态.南极冰盖质量显著增加的区域主要有西南极的Ellsworth Land(流域1)和Siple Coast(流域18和19)以及东南极的Coats-Queen Maud-Enderby Land (流域3-8),三个地区质量变化速率分别为17.2±2.4Gt/a、43.9±1.9Gt/a和62.7±3.8Gt/a,质量增加大多来自降雪累积,比如:Coats-Queen Maud-Enderby Land在2009年和2011年发生的大规模降雪事件,但也有来自冰川的增厚,如:Siple Coast地区Kamb冰流的持续加厚.此外,对GRACE估算的南极冰盖质量变化年际信号进行初步分析发现,GRACE年际信号与气候模型估算的冰盖表面质量平衡年际信号存在显著的线性相关关系,但与主要影响南极气候年际变化的气候事件之间却不存在线性相关关系,这说明南极冰盖质量变化的年际信号主要受冰盖表面质量平衡的支配,而气候事件对冰盖表面质量平衡的影响可能是复杂的非线性耦合过程.     

PCBs and chlorinated pesticides in the atmosphere and aquatic organisms of Ross Island, Antarctica

PCBs, p,p′-DDT, p,p′-DDE and lindane (γ-hexachlorocyclohexane) were monitored in the lower atmosphere of Ross Island, in Antarctica for 2 yr. Geometrical means were 15.2 pg m⁻³ for PCBs, 2.0 pg m⁻³ for p,p′-DDT, 1.0 pg m⁻³ for p,p′-DDE and 25.8 pg m⁻³ for lindane. Atmospheric levels of lindane were positively correlated with temperature, and a significant difference was found between spring-summer and summer-winter concentrations. No season related differences were found for the other chlorinated hydrocarbons, possibly owing to their lower vapour pressure and the cold climate. Periods with increased atmospheric levels of PCBs and DDT compounds were recorded. Lindane, p,p′-DDE and PCBs were present in fish and zooplankton sampled close to Ross Island. Pollutant levels in the zooplankton (on an extractable fat basis) were highest during the Antarctic spring and autumn and were inversely correlated to their fat content.     

Palaeomagnetism and KAr age of Mesozoic and Cenozoic igneous rocks from Antarctica

A new analysis of palaeomagnetic data for igneous rocks from Deception Island, 25 de Mayo Island (King George Island) and Cape Spring, are given.K-Ar age determinations indicate that most of the igneous samples from 25 de Mayo Island included in the palaeomagnetic study are of Late Mesozoic/Early Tertiary age. The significance of these palaeomagnetic-radiometric data on the hypothesis of oroclinal bending of the Antarctic Peninsula and on the apparent polar movement of Antarctica is discussed.The positions of palaeomagnetic poles for the Andean igneous complex indicate that there has not been any apparent post-Late Cretaceous/Early Tertiary oroclinal bending in the Antarctic Peninsula from 74°S to 62°S.A comparison of the positions of palaeomagnetic poles for Antarctica and Australia suggests that the direction of apparent polar movement relative to Antarctica reversed after the Miocene.     

Crustal structure in the Mizuho Plateau, East Antarctica, by a two-dimensional ray approximation

Studies on the crustal and upper-mantle structure in Antarctica have been one of the major contributions to Antarctic research since the International Geophysical Year of 1957–1958. Many refraction surveys with small charge size have been conducted in Antarctica, but long-range experiments were also made in 5 regions on the margin of the Antarctic continent.In 1979–1981, the scientific program of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition was focused on the earth sciences, and in particular, an explosion seismic experiment along a long survey line was the major item during these years. An experiment along a 300 km-long line with three shots and 27 observation stations was successfully made in the northern Mizuho Plateau, East Antarctica.From the analysis of travel times and the amplitude study of synthetic seismograms, the crustal structure of the northern Mizuho Plateau was determined. The depths of the Conrad and the Moho discontinuties were determined as 31 km and 42 km, respectively. The P-wave velocity and depth relation was determined as 6.0 km/s on the surface of the bedrock, 6.3 km/s at a depth of 2 km, 6.8 km/s at the Conrad and 7.9 km/s at the Moho. The velocity in the crust increases gradually. The crustal structure obtained is representative of East Antarctica.     

1994-2014年南极沿岸验潮站海平面绝对变化确定与分析

鉴于卫星测高技术在南极周边海域会受到海面浮冰影响,且在利用测高序列分析海平面周期性动态变化时还会受到潮汐周期混叠效应的影响,为此,本文开展了基于GPS和验潮数据联合的南极大陆附近海域从1994-2014年间海平面的绝对变化研究.研究结果显示：在围绕南极大陆及附近海域的15个验潮站中,海平面绝对变化速度最大的是Diego Ramirez验潮站,达到11.10±0.04 mm·a^-1;在西南极南极半岛的德雷克海峡,海平面变化最为活跃,变化均值在8.31±0.05 mm·a^-1;在东南极,从Syowa站依次到Casey站,海平面的绝对变化速度相对平稳,四个潮位站海平面变化均值为3.35±0.04 mm·a^-1;在罗斯冰架右下侧的罗斯岛附近,由于冰川崩解入海导致Scott Base站处的海平面上升速度较快,达到了9.61±0.07 mm·a^-1.综合15个验潮站计算结果可得南极半岛德雷克海峡和罗斯岛附近海域,海平面绝对变化速度要高于同期南大洋海平面绝对变化速度,而东南极4个潮位站海平面绝对变化均值则与其相当.这也进一步反映了南极不同海域间海平面变化的差异性,相比较于对南大洋海平面变化的一个整体研究,分区研究海平面变化更具针对性,能更好地了解南极不同区域冰盖、冰架崩解和消融的情况.     

南极地震学研究进展

归纳总结了在南极开展地震学研究中的各种主要方法及其研究成果,较全面地介绍了南极地震学研究的现状与进展．首先对南极地震活动性作了简单的介绍,然后分别介绍了利用面波和体波研究地壳上地幔结构的主要成果,最后从地震各向异性的角度归纳介绍了南极大陆部分区域面波方位各向异性及剪切波分裂研究的主要成果．研究表明,南极大陆地震活动性较低、地震强度较小,仅在横贯南极山脉区域、维多利亚地、阿黛利地、威尔克斯地等有较明显的地震活动; 横贯南极山脉将南极大陆分为东南极和西南极两个不同的地质构造区域,东南极地壳和上地幔地震波速度偏高,西南极则偏低;上地幔各向异性较为明显并普遍存在,且西南极各向异性强度稍高于东南极克拉通．      

Evaluation of the glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) models for Antarctica based on GPS vertical velocities

Due to the scarcity of data, modeling the glacial isostatic adjustment(GIA) for Antarctica is more difficult than it is for the ancient ice sheet area in North America and Northern Europe. Large uncertainties are observed in existing GIA models for Antarctica. Modern space-based geodetic measurements provide checks and constraints for GIA models. The present-day uplift velocities of global positioning system(GPS) stations at 73 stations in Antarctica and adjacent regions from 1996 to 2014 have been estimated using GAMIT/GLOBK version 10.5 with a colored noise model. To easily analyze the effect of difference sources on the vertical velocities, and for easy comparison with both GIA model predictions and GPS results from Argus et al.(2014) and Thomas et al.(2011), seven sub-regions are divided. They are the northern Antarctic Peninsula, the Filchner-Ronne Ice Shelf, the Amundsen Sea coast, the Ross Ice Shelf, Mount Erebus, inland Southwest Antarctica and the East Antarctic coast,respectively. The results show that the fast uplift in the north Antarctic Peninsula and Pine Island Bay regions may be caused by the elastic response to snow and ice mass loss. The fast subsidence near Mount Erebus may be related to the activity of a magma body. The uplift or subsidence near the East Antarctic coast is very slow while the uplift for the rest regions is mainly caused by GIA. By analyzing the correlation and the associated weighted root mean square(WRMS) between the GIA predictions and the GPS velocities, we found that the ICE-6G_C(VM5a) model and the Geruo 13 model show the most consistency with our GPS results, while the W12a and IJ05_R2 series models show poor consistency with our GPS results. Although improved greatly in recent years, the GIA modeling in Antarctica still lags behind the modeling of the North American. Some GPS stations, for example the Bennett Nunatak station(BENN), have observed large discrepancies between GIA predictions and GPS velocities.Because of the large uncertainties in calculating elastic responses due to the significant variations of ice and snow loads, the GPS velocities still cannot be used as a precise constraint on GIA models.     

基于约束三维重力反演的南极大陆地壳密度结构研究

地壳密度是表征其物质组成以及结构特征的一个基本参数,是深入理解构造演化、地球动力学等问题的重要基础.本文利用最新发布的布格重力异常数据,以现有的三维S波速度模型、地表热流以及岩石学数据作为约束条件,采用引入深度加权函数的三维重力反演算法,获取了南极大陆三维精细密度结构模型.研究结果显示,南极大陆地壳尺度范围内密度异常在-0.25～0.20g·cm^-3之间.大致以南极横断山脉为界,受中生代与新生代多期拉张活动的影响,西南极上地壳密度异常以低值为主,与东南极克拉通的高密度异常呈现明显对比关系.通过对比发现,反演的密度结构与岩石圈强度信息存在较好的相关性.进一步分析西南极裂谷系统的密度结构与岩石圈强度,认为受新生代拉张活动和岩浆活动影响的局部地区除外,热沉降作用很可能使得地壳趋于冷却.此外,西南极的低密度特征延伸到南极横断山脉,结合现有的研究结果认为可能需要多种机制来解释南极横断山脉的隆升过程.     

Rayleigh-wave group velocity distribution in the Antarctic region

We determined 2D group velocity distribution of Rayleigh waves at periods of 20-150 s in the Antarctic region using a tomographic inversion technique. The data are recorded by both permanent networks and temporary arrays. In East Antarctica the velocities are high at periods of 90-150 s, suggesting that the root of East Antarctica is very deep. The velocities in West Antarctica are low at all periods, which may be related to the volcanic activity and the West Antarctic Rift System. Low velocity anomalies appear at periods of 40-140 s along the Southeastern Indian Ridge and the western part of the Pacific Antarctic Ridge. The velocities are only slightly low around the Atlantic Indian Ridge, Southwestern Indian Ridge, and the eastern part of the Pacific Antarctic Ridge, where the spreading rates are small. Around two hotspots, the Mount Erebus and Balleny Islands, the velocity is low at periods of 50-150 s.     

Microseism Variations in Response to Antarctic Seasonal Changes in Sea Ice Extent

The temporal and spatial distributions of Antarctic sea ice play important roles in both the generation mechanisms and the signal characteristics of microseisms. This link paves the way for seismological investigations of Antarctic sea ice. Here we present an overview of the current state of seismological research about microseisms on Antarctic sea ice. We first briefly review satellite remote-sensing observations of Antarctic sea ice over the past 50 years. We then systematically expound upon the generation mechanisms and source distribution of microseisms in relation to seismic noise investigations of sea ice, and the characteristics of Antarctic microseisms and relationship with sea ice variations are further analyzed. We also analyze the continuous data recorded at seismic station BEAR in West Antarctica from 2011 to 2018 and compare the microseism observations with the corresponding satellite remote-sensing observations of Antarctic sea ice. Our results show that:(1) the microseisms from the coastal regions of West Antarctica exhibit clear seasonal variations, SFM with maximum intensities every April-May and minimum intensities around every October-November; while DFM intensities peak every February-March, and reach the minimum around every October. Comparatively, the strong seasonal periodicity of Antarctic sea ice in better agreement with the observed DFM; and (2) microseism decay is not synchronous with sea ice expansion since the microseism intensity is also linked to the source location, source intensity (e.g., ocean storms, ocean wave field), and other factors. Finally, we discuss the effect of Southern Annular Mode on Antarctic sea ice and microseisms, as well as the current limitations and potential of employing seismological investigations to elucidate Antarctic sea ice variations and climate change.     

Evidence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure in fish from the Antarctic peninsula

PAH exposure was assessed in fish from Arthur Harbor, Antarctica and sites remote from human activities by measuring the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolites in bile and PAH in tissues and stomach contents. The highest concentrations of biliary metabolites and tissue PAH were present in fish captured near an Argentine supply ship (Bahia Paraiso) that ran aground in Arthur Harbor in 1989. The presence of biliary PAH metabolites in fish collected near Palmer Station, a small US scientific station in Arthur Harbor, suggests low level exposure to contaminants. However, PAH tissue concentrations in fish from Palmer Station were similar to those from remote sites. Both tissue PAH and metabolite concentrations were low in fish captured at sites remote from human activities. The confirmation of PAH metabolites in the bile of fish from Arthur Harbor is direct evidence that the presence of humans has resulted in Antarctic fish being exposed to petroleum-derived PAH.     

Halogen contamination in Antarctic H5 and H6 chondrites and relation to sites of recovery

The distribution of the elements F, Cl, Br and I was analysed in layers removed stepwise from Antarctic H5 and H6 chondrites. All meteorites show higher concentrations of these elements on their surfaces than in their interiors. The degree of halogen enrichment cannot be correlated with the degree of visual weathering and is proportional to the time the meteorites were residing on the surface of the Antarctic ice. During this period, aerosols, salts and gaseous components are deposited on the surfaces of the meteorites and diffuse into their interior. The observed contamination level of the meteorites is influenced by leaching properties and diffusion behaviour of the individual halogens. The major contamination source for F, Cl and probably Br is air-borne seaspray; for I it is the gaseous compound methyl iodide (CH₃I) produced by biological processes in the sea. Methyl iodide and its oxidation products formed in the Antarctic atmosphere (e.g., I₂) can be transported over longer distances to the interior of Antarctica than air-borne seaspray. Therefore, the ratio of the halogen contamination is related to the collection site of the meteorites. All meteorites that were found in the Antarctic interior are contaminated to a lesser degree by F, Cl and Br relative to I than those found near the coast. The measured enrichment ratio of I/F is a function of the distance between the collection site and the open sea, and increases from the Allan Hills to the Thiel Mountains. By revealing the degree of contamination of a meteorite it is possible to determine its maximum surface residence time on the Antarctic ice.     

AntarcticaLC2000: The new Antarctic land cover database for the year 2000

Antarctica plays a key role in global energy balance and sea level change. It has been conventionally viewed as a whole ice body with high albedo in General Circulation Models or Regional Climate Models and the differences of land cover has usually been overlooked. Land cover in Antarctica is one of the most important drivers of changes in the Earth system. Detailed land cover information over the Antarctic region is necessary as spatial resolution improves in land process models. However, there is a lack of complete Antarctic land cover dataset derived from a consistent data source. To fill this data gap, we have produced a database named Antarctic Land Cover Database for the Year 2000 (AntarcticaLC2000) using Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) data acquired around 2000 and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) images acquired in the austral summer of 2003/2004 according to the criteria for the 1:100000-scale. Three land cover types were included in this map, separately, ice-free rocks, blue ice, and snow/firn. This classification legend was determined based on a review of the land cover systems in Antarctica (LCCSA) and an analysis of different land surface types and the potential of satellite data. Image classification was conducted through a combined usage of computer-aided and manual interpretation methods. A total of 4067 validation sample units were collected through visual interpretation in a stratified random sampling manner. An overall accuracy of 92.3% and the Kappa coefficient of 0.836 were achieved. Results show that the areas and percentages of ice-free rocks, blue ice, and snow/firn are 73268.81 km² (0.537%), 225937.26 km² (1.656%), and 13345460.41 km² (97.807%), respectively. The comparisons with other different data proved a higher accuracy of our product and a more advantageous data quality. These indicate that AntarcticaLC2000, the new land cover dataset for Antarctica entirely derived from satellite data, is a reliable product for a broad spectrum of applications.