THE POLAR IONOSPHERE AND THE MAGNETOSPHERE-IONOSPHERE COUPLING

EISCAT (the Incoherent System at the northern polar region) data are used in discussion of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. Comperison between samples in geomagnetic quiet days and during magnetic storms shows a significant effect of the basic magnetospheric processes on the features of the polar ionosphere. It not only demonstrates that the polar ionosphere can be regarded as a 'panoramic screen' of these process, but also indicates an importance of the simultaneous observation of southern and northern polar regions (especially, at the magnetic conjugate points). A few topics concerned are suggested for the further study of the southern polar region.     

THE INFLUENCE OF THE COSMIC RAY FORBUSH DECREASE ON THE LOW IONOSPHERE IN THE POLAR REGION

Used the ionization theory of the cosmic ray charged particles in the polar ionosphere, the influence of the cosmic ray Forbush decrease on the low ionosphere in the polar region is studied in this paper. The relationship between the Forbush decrease and the cosmic noise absorption during the polar night is analysed based on the data recorded by a Riometer at Antarctic Zhongshan Station (69° 22′24″S, 76°22′40″E). The relation of between the cosmic ray Forbush decrease and the cosmic noise absorption is well interpreted by means of the ionizaiotn theory.     

Prospect of China' s Auroral Fine-structure Imaging System(CAFIS) at Zhongshan station in Antarctica

A new auroral imaging system is reported which is planned to be deployed at Zhongshan Station in Antarctica in the end of 2009.The system will focus on study of optical auroras in small scales and be called China' s Auroral Fine-structure Imaging System(CAFIS).The project of CAFIS is carried out by support of 'the tenth five-year plan for capacity building' of China.CAFIS will be a powerful ground-based platform for aurora observational experiments.Composing and advantages of CAFIS are introduced in this brief report.Some potential study topics involved CAFIS are also considered.     

Spatial variations of Pb,As, and Cu in surface snow along the transect from the Zhongshan Station to Dome A,East Antarctica

The spatial distributions of lead, arsenic, and copper(Pb, As, and Cu, respectively) in surface snow along the transect from the Zhongshan Station to Dome A, East Antarctica, are presented. The mean concentrations of Pb, As, and Cu are1.04±1.56 pg/g, 0.39±0.08 pg/g, and 11.2±14.4 pg/g, respectively. It is estimated that anthropogenic contributions are dominant for Pb, As, and Cu. Spatially, Pb concentrations show an exponentially decreasing trend from the coast inland, while a moderate decreasing trend is observed for Cu concentrations in the coastal area(below 2,000 m above sea level(a.s.l.)).In the intermediate area(2,000–3,000 m a.s.l.), the concentrations and enrichment factors of all these elements show high variability due to the complicated characteristics of climate and environment. On the inland plateau(above 3,000 m a.s.l.),the high concentrations of As and Pb are induced by high deposition efficiency, the existence of polar stratospheric precipitation, and the different fraction deposition to East Antarctica. The extremely high concentrations with maximum values of9.59 pg/g and 69.9 pg/g for Pb and Cu, respectively, are suggested to result mainly from local human activities at the station. Our results suggest that source, transport pathway, and deposition pattern, rather than distance from the coast or altitude, lead to the spatial distributions of Pb, As, and Cu; and it is further confirmed by spatial variations of the three metals deposited over the whole continent of Antarctica.     

EXPERIMENT OF SHORT WAVE COMMUNICATION AND THE INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPAGATION BEARINGS BETWEEN THE GREAT WALL STATION AND XINXIANG

The distance from the Great Wall Station (62.2°S, 58.9°W) to Xinxiang (35.3°N, 113.8°E) is 16981 kin. The path passes through the polar cap absorption region and the auroral absorption zone, and it is across the equator. In this paper firstly the effects of short wave communication and usable time blocks and frequency ranges between the Antarctic Great Wall Station and Xinxiang from December 1985 to March 1986 are introduced. The comparison between the usable frequency ranges with the estimated MUF is made. The upper limit of frequency ranges of communication along the short great circle path basically agrees with the MUF but there is difference between them along the long great circle path. Secondly, the result of the propagation bearings experiment in January to February 1986 is introduced in more detail, The propagation along the great circle path from the Great Wall Station to Xinxiang is the main propagation mode. But the propagation along non great circle paths occurs at times between Great Wa     

The first geodetic investigation at the summit of Dome A,Antarctica

Dome A is the highest ice feature in the Antarctica,up to now,little is known about surface topography at Dome A.The first Chinese ITASE expedition was carried out from Zhongshan station to Dome A during the 1996/1997 austral summer. During the 2004/2005 austral summer,the traverse was extended to the summit of Dome A which is 1228 km from Zhongshan Station by 21st Chinese National Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE).The real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS survey was carried out in the summit of Dome A during 2004/05 austral summer.The surface to- pography of Dome A was drawn up using the kinematic double-frequency GPS data covering an area of about 70 km~2.The accuracy of the kinematic survey is in the range of 0.20 m.Precise surface topography,bedrock morphology and internal laye- ring geometry are important for the future selection of the best site for deep drilling at Dome A.     

HF FIELD STRENGTH MEASUREMENTS OVER THE VERY LONG DISTANCE

It was ascertained that there is a great margin between the theoretical values and experimental medians of the field strength of RWM and RID signals during high solar activity period at Chinese Great Wall Station on Antarctica. The calculated values are, on average, less than the experimental, especially on the propagation path between RID and Antarctica. The field strength by the experiment may be used as the basic data for the research of HF propagation over the very long distance. Because of the large deviation it seems to be necessary to study HF propagation over the very long distance in details, especially the propagation model.     

Multi-scale variation characteristics of polar vortex at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere

By use of 1948-2007 NCEP/NCAR reanalysis monthly geopotential data, a set of circulation indices are defined to characterize the polar vortex at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere, including area-(S), intensity-(P) and centre position-(λc , φc) indices. Sea-sonal variation, interannual anomalies and their possible causes of 10 hPa polar vortex in the Southern Hemisphere are analyzed by using these indices, the relationship between 10 hPa polar vortex strength and the Antarctic Oscillation are analyzed as well. The results show that: (1) the polar region at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere is controlled by anticyclone (cyclone) from Dec. to Jan. (from Mar. to Oct.), Feb. and Nov. are circulation transition seasons. (2) Intensity index (P) and area index (S) of anticy-clone (cyclone) in Jan. (Jul.) show a significant spike in the late 1970s, the anticyclone (cyclone) enhances (weakens) from ex-tremely weak (strong) oscillation to near the climatic mean before a spike, anticyclone tends to the mean state from very strong oscillation and cyclone oscillates in the weaker state after the spike. (3) There is significant interdecadal change for the anticyclone center in Jan., while markedly interannual variation for cyclone center in July. (4) The ozone anomalies can cause the interannual anomaly of the polar anticyclone at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere in Jan. (positive correlation between them), but it is not related to the polar cyclone anomalies. (5) There is notable negative correlation between the polar vortex intensity index P and the Antarctic Oscillation index (AAOI), thus AAOI can be represented by P.     

Seasonal variations of the near surfacelayer parameters over the Antarctic ice sheet in Princess Elizabeth Land,East Antarctica

Analysis of sensible heat flux(Qh),latent heat flux(Qe),Richardson number(Ri),bulk transport coefficient(Cd) and katabatic winds are presented by using the meteorological data in the near surface layer from an automatic weather station(AWS) in Princess Elizabeth Land,East Antarctica ice sheet and the data of corresponding period at Zhongshan station in 2002.It shows that annual mean air temperature at LGB69 is-25.6°C,which is 16.4°C lower than that at Zhongshan,where the elevation is lower and located on the coast.The temperature lapse rate is about 1.0°C/110 m for the initial from coast to inland.The turbulence heat flux at LGB69 displays obvious seasonal variations with the average sensible heat flux-17.9 W/m2 and latent heat flux-0.9 W/m2.The intensity(Qh+Qe) of coolling source is-18.8 W/m2 meaning the snow surface layer obtains heat from atmosphere.The near surface atmosphere is near-neutral stratified with bulk transport coefficients(Cd) around 2.8×10-3,and it is near constant when the wind speed higher than 8 m/s.The speed and the frequency of easterly Katabatic winds at LGB69 were higher than that at Zhongshan Station.     

基于区域划分方法的中国人口分布格局及变化研究——从1953年到2010年（英文）

This study uses six censuses(1953, 1964, 1982, 1990, 2000, and 2010) at the county level since the foundation of the People's Republic of China to examine the changes of population density pattern in mainland China over time. Based on the Gini coefficient, the change of disparity in population density followed a "U-shaped" trend, i.e., decreasing during 1953–1982 and increasing during 1982–2010. The shrinking disparity in the pre-reform periods was largely attributable to various ill-conceived political movements, and the enlarging gap in population growth rates in the post-reform era reflected a natural outcome of urbanization, which will continue in the foreseeable future. In addition, this research employs a GIS-automated regionalization method, REDCAP, to uncover a natural demarcation line like the classic "Hu Line" that divides China into two regions of similar area sizes but a strong contrast in population. The results show that the regionalization-derived lines were largely consistent with the Hu Line over time. Therefore, the disparity between the high-density southeast and low-density northwest regions is likely due to differing physical environments that form a natural barrier. Any public policy to overcome this barrier at a large scale is destined to be a vain attempt.     

APPLICATION OF PATTERN RECOGNITION TO SPECIATION DATA OF HEAVY METALS IN SUSPENDED PARTICULATES OF URBAN AIR

In order to get a better knowledge of the air pollution levels of the urban air of Barcelona,twelvesamples from three stations of the air-monitoring control network were analysed.Each control station isrepresentative of a different environmental situation.Thus the station at Plaa Molina responds to asimple domestic and urban traffic situation;the station at Poble Nou to the influence of medium andsmall industries,mainly metallurgical;and the station at Montcada to a zone in which there existimportant industries,a cement factory,two highways and railroads.The total content of unsedimentable particles,three inorganic anions(chlorides,sulphates andnitrates)and six heavy metals(Fe,Pb,Cu,Mn,Cr and Cd)were determined on all the samples obtainedduring the same period of time.The use of an analytical scheme of sequential extraction has alsopermitted the subdivision of the total content of each metal into the following four fractions:(1)solubleor exchangeable;(2)associated with carbonates and/or with iron and manganese oxides;(3)bound toorganic matter;and(4)residual.The use of principal component analysis applied to the data as a whole showed the associations andcorrelations between the various parameters as well as between the different above mentioned fractions.The predominant presence of Cd in the‘soluble or exchangeable’fraction is confirmed,while the othermetals are mainly associated with the‘carbonates and/or Fe and Mn oxides’and‘bound to organicmatter’fractions.Hierarchical cluster analysis applied to the twelve samples showed clearly the presence of threedifferent classes closely related to the origin(station)of the samples.Thus it becomes feasible to proposefor each station a possible profile of the content in terms of the different parameters considered.     

基于空间模型的全球粮食安全评价

This paper presents a scenario-based assessment of global future food security. To do that,the socio-economic and climate change scenarios were defined for the future and were linked to an integrated modeling framework. The crop yields simulated by the GIS-based Environmental Policy Integrated Climate (EPIC) model and crop areas simulated by the crop choice decision model were combined to calculate the total food production and per capita food availability,which was used to represent the status of food availability and stability. The per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) simulated by IFPSIM model was used to reflect the situation of food accessibility and affordability. Based on these two indicators,the future food security status was assessed at a global scale over a period of approximately 20 years,starting from the year 2000. The results show that certain regions such as South Asia and most African countries will likely remain hotspots of food insecurity in the future as both the per capita food availability and the capacity of being able to import food will decrease between 2000 and 2020. Low food production associated with poverty is the determining factor to starvation in these regions,and more efforts are needed to combat hunger in terms of future actions. Other regions such as China,most Eastern European countries and most South American countries where there is an increase in per capita food availability or an increase in the capacity to import food between 2000 and 2020 might be able to improve their food security situation.     

Variation of Stable Isotopes in Surface Snow along a Traverse from Coast to Plateau’s interior in East Antarctica and Its Climatic Significance

The variations of stable water isotopes of surface snow in east Antarctic Ice Sheet, are discussed by a total of 251 samples, which were taken along a 330 km traverse from Zhongshan Station to the outer edge of the Antarctic plateau and from four snow pits excavated along the route. Analyzing results of the samples showed the expected linear relationship between the parameters ?D and ?18O with slope S1 and intercept d1. When the data set was examined using a sliding window with a width of 5 samples, it was found that there were two areas with different ratios of S1 and d1. The boundary between these two areas occurred at an elevation of about 2,000 m, suggesting two different sources of water vapour. Nearly half (47%) of the fresh-snow samples had negative deuterium excess (d=?D? 8?18O) values, but few of the snow pit samples did, suggesting that variations of ? are quickly smoothed by isotopic diffusion in the near-surface firn. Analysis of the phase relationship between ?D and deuterium excess in the snow pit stratigraphies showed that they were mostly in phase from Jan. 1994 to Sept. 1995, but mostly out of phase from Sept. 1995 to Jan. 1997.     

Local meteorology in a northern Himalayan valley near Mount Everest and its response to seasonal transitions

An automatic weather station(AWS) has been installed at the Qomolangma Station of the China Academy of Sciences(QOMS) since 2005, in a northern Himalayan valley near Mount Everest, with an altitude of 4,270 m a.s.l.. Nine years of meteorological records(2006–2014) from the automatic weather station(AWS) were analyzed in this study, aiming to understand the response of local weather to the seasonal transition on the northern slopes of Mount Everest, with consideration of the movement of the subtropical jet(STJ) and the onset of the Indian Summer Monsoon(ISM). We found:(1) Both the synoptic circulation and the orography have a profound influence on the local weather, especially the local circulation.(2) Southwesterly(SW) and southeasterly(SE) winds prevail alternately at QOMS in the afternoon through the year. The SW wind was driven by the STJ during the non-monsoon months, while the SE was induced by the trans-Himalayan flow through the Arun Valley, a major valley to the east of Mount Everest, under a background of weak westerly winds aloft.(3) The response of air temperature(T) and specific humidity(q) to the monsoon onset is not as marked as that of the nearsurface winds. The q increases gradually and reaches a maximum in July when the rainy period begins.(4) The alternation between the SW wind at QOMS and the afternoon SE wind in the pre-monsoon season signals the northward shift of the STJ and imminent monsoon onset. The average interval between these two events is 14 days.     

The provincial pattern of the relationship between urbanization and economic develop-ment in China简

Understanding the relationship between China＇s urbanization and economic de- velopment on a provincial scale is of profound theoretical and practical significance. Based on data from 124 countries or regions throughout the world and 31 provinces or autonomous regions in China, applying improved methods using the quadrant map approach, this paper analyzed the spatial pattern of the relationship between China＇s urbanization and economic development level. The study identified the following results. （1） The 31 province-level re- gions fall into six categories： only one region is in the category of sharp over-urbanization, 3 regions are in medium over-urbanization, 11 slight over-urbanization, 8 basic coordination, one medium under-urbanization, and seven slight under-urbanization. （2） There are signifi- cant regional differences on a provincial scale in the relationships between urbanization and the level of economic development. （3） The provincial pattern of urbanization and economic development is significantly different between east and west. The eastern coastal areas are mainly over-urbanized, while the central and western regions are mainly under-urbanized. （4） The relationship between urbanization and the level of economic development is similar to the Matthew effect. Hence, two important insights are proposed. First, the phenomenon of over-urbanization in some developed regions should be viewed with some concern and vigi- lance. Second, urbanization needs to be speeded up moderately in the central and western regions.     

生态屏障约束下的综合功能区划研究——以云南省昭通市为例

Ecological shelter zones reconstruction is an ecosystem restoration and conservation project aimed to the ecological safety of nations, regions and basins. Reconstruction of ecological shelter zones of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River became one of the most important tasks of Western Development strategy. This article, taking Zhaotong as an example, studies the functional regionalization of ecological shelter zones. The study supplies a case for functional regionalization of small and medium regions whose main tasks are environment reservation. With the guidance of theories of functional regionalization, and based on the analysis of Zhaotong＇s natural, ecological and socioeconomic factors, the paper suggests five principles for factors selection. These principles include： （1） reversing order evaluation; （2） selecting main factors; （3） keeping the integrality of administrative regions of towns; and （4） making the products acceptable by local government. To analyze spatial status of selected factors, LUCC data in 2002, 1：50,000 relief maps and town-unit socioeconomic statistical data in 2004 are used. RS and GIS tools are also applied to melt traditional and modern geographical methods. This would be useful to functional regionalization research in mountainous areas. As a conclusion, the leading functional regions of ecological conservation or economic development are suggested, respectively. Zhaotong city is divided into two-level functional regions. The first-level includes three leading functional regions and they will lead developing direction of sub-regions. The second-level includes eight sub-regions, which are policy implemented regions, and will supply guidance to Zhaotong＇s ecological shelter zones reconstruction.     

生态屏障约束下的综合功能区划研究——以云南省昭通市为例(英文)

Ecological shelter zones reconstruction is an ecosystem restoration and conserva-tion project aimed to the ecological safety of nations,regions and basins. Reconstruction of ecological shelter zones of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River became one of the most important tasks of Western Development strategy. This article,taking Zhaotong as an exam-ple,studies the functional regionalization of ecological shelter zones. The study supplies a case for functional regionalization of small and medium regions whose main tasks are envi-ronment reservation. With the guidance of theories of functional regionalization,and based on the analysis of Zhaotong's natural,ecological and socioeconomic factors,the paper suggests five principles for factors selection. These principles include: (1) reversing order evaluation; (2) selecting main factors; (3) keeping the integrality of administrative regions of towns; and (4) making the products acceptable by local government. To analyze spatial status of selected factors,LUCC data in 2002,1:50,000 relief maps and town-unit socioeconomic statistical data in 2004 are used. RS and GIS tools are also applied to melt traditional and modern geo-graphical methods. This would be useful to functional regionalization research in mountain-ous areas. As a conclusion,the leading functional regions of ecological conservation or economic development are suggested,respectively. Zhaotong city is divided into two-level functional regions. The first-level includes three leading functional regions and they will lead developing direction of sub-regions. The second-level includes eight sub-regions,which are policy implemented regions,and will supply guidance to Zhaotong's ecological shelter zones reconstruction.     

Geochemical characterization of loess-paleosol sequences: Comparison between the upper reaches of the Hanjiang and Weihe river valleys,China

This paper aims to compare the geochemical characteristics of loess-paleosol sequences in the upper reaches of the Hanjiang and Weihe river valleyswhich are located in the semi-humid temperate zone and humid subtropical zonerespectively. The Mituosi(MTS) profile in the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River valley and the Yaohecun(YHC) profile in the Weihe River valley were selected for this comparative research. The stratigraphic characteristicscompositionchemical weathering intensityleaching rates of Ca and Namobility of major elementsand transport features of Na and Fe were analyzed with respect to depth and compared between the two profiles. This study reached the following conclusions.(1) The composition of the loess-paleosol sequences in two regions are quite similar to the average composition of the upper continental crust(UCC)indicating that the loess in the two regions came from multiple sources and was mixed well. Thereforethe loess in the two regions is considered aeolian loess.(2) Compared with the loess-paleosol sequence in the Weihe River valleythe loess-paleosol sequence in the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River valley features a darker color; a higher chemical index of alteration(CIA) value; higher leaching rates of Na and Ca; higher migration ratio(relative to K) of AlSiMgand Na; and lower migration ratio of Fe and Ca. This evidence indicates that the loess-paleosol sequence in the humid subtropical environment experienced stronger chemical weathering intensity than the loess-paleosol sequence in the semi-humid temperate zone.(3) Both the YHC profile and MTS profile record a period of climate deterioration at 6000–5000 a BP. The period punctuated the mid-Holocene Climatic Optimum(8500–3100 a BP) in the study area.     

Spatial quality： analysis of China＇s eco-environmental 1990-2010

Over the past two decades in China, stress on the environment has increased continuously. This paper will assess the change in environmental quality over time, and its spatial variation using data from the statistical yearbooks of 31 provincial administrative regions in 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, and 2010. These books provide a general assessment of the environment at the provincial level, and the three major economic regions from western to eastern China. By using the geographic information system （GIS） and SPSS, we analyzed the changing trend of China＇s eco-environment and calculated the changing trajectory in the gravity center of the eco-environmental quality. We conclude the following. （1） From 1990 to 2010, the rate of deterioration of the environment went down. We argue that the cause of this trend was neither the result as ＂the deterioration trend was under control＂ noticed by the government departments concerned, nor ＂the deterioration rate of the environment was increasingly intensified＂ suggested by many researchers. （2） Since 1990, the general environment has been worsening in China, but it was improved in some regions; however, the ecological deficit is still expanding and will last for a long time. （3） From western to eastern China, the deterioration rate of environmental quality was slowed down. The reasons include a good natural environment, a developed regional economy, and technology and finance in eastern China. （4） After extensive economic development in China, there are imbalances of population, economy, society, and the environment in the 31 provincial regions. The governments at all levels should play an important role in research and protecting the environment. In addition, it is imperative to implement positive measures such as controlling population, improving the environment, and promoting smart development to balance the socio-ecological system.     

Nebkha （coppice dune） formation and significance to environmental change reconstructions in arid and semiarid areas

Environments in arid and semiarid regions are extremely sensitive to climate changes.High wind activity in these regions has resulted in an extensively developed arid geomorphology,but past environmental changes are poorly understood because of the absence of relatively high-resolution proxies.The accumulation characteristics of nebkhas,which have developed extensively in these regions,can be used as a method of reconstructing environmental changes.Here we summarized recent advances in research on the formation,development,and sediment characteristics of nebkhas and their significance to environmental changes in arid and semiarid regions.Based on the studies of our colleagues,we suggested that research on nebkha formation can provide distinct clues about environmental changes in arid and semiarid regions;however,continued studies are needed.