Assessment of chemical dispersant effectiveness in a wave tank under regular non-breaking and breaking wave conditions

Current chemical dispersant effectiveness tests for product selection are commonly performed with bench-scale testing apparatus. However, for the assessment of oil dispersant effectiveness under real sea state conditions, test protocols are required to have hydrodynamic conditions closer to the natural environment, including transport and dilution effects. To achieve this goal, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designed and constructed a wave tank system to study chemical dispersant effectiveness under controlled mixing energy conditions (regular non-breaking, spilling breaking, and plunging breaking waves). Quantification of oil dispersant effectiveness was based on observed changes in dispersed oil concentrations and oil-droplet size distribution. The study results quantitatively demonstrated that total dispersed oil concentration and breakup kinetics of oil droplets in the water column were strongly dependent on the presence of chemical dispersants and the influence of breaking waves. These data on the effectiveness of dispersants as a function of sea state will have significant implications in the drafting of future operational guidelines for dispersant use at sea.     

Soil fertility evolution and landscape dynamics in a Mediterranean area: a case study in the Sant Llorenç Natural Park (Barcelona, NE Spain)

The cartography of land covers was used to study fertility and soil evolution in a mountainous Mediterranean area during the anthropocene period ( Crutzen P J 2002 Geology of mankind Nature 415 23). The aim was to determine changes in fertility as agricultural lands were abandoned in the 14 000 hectare area that constitutes Sant Llorenç del Munt Natural Park in a pre-coastal Catalan mountain range (north-eastern Iberian Peninsula). The analysis of land covers using vegetation maps, orthorectified images and aerial photography has allowed us to differentiate six vegetation groups: holm-oak wood, pine grove, oak wood, scrub, active agricultural fields and abandoned agricultural fields. The anthropic covers over the past 100 years were subdivided into five categories: active fields and those abandoned over four time periods. Study variables include field shape (concave, convex, flat), orientation (north, south) and slope (ranging from 12º to 24º). The parameters used for the physical-chemical soil analysis included organic material, phosphorous and potassium; fertility was classified based on groups, types and classes. The results indicate that even when the visual appearance of certain landscapes is similar, the edaphic characteristics may be very different. Changes induced by human disturbance share this phenomenon. Therefore, land management should be considered globally, taking into account vegetation, soils and water as interdependent factors, since it is their interaction that produces landscape and most affects its evolution over time.     

Calcium and magnesium isotope systematics in rivers draining the Himalaya-Tibetan-Plateau region: Lithological or fractionation control?

In rivers draining the Himalaya-Tibetan-Plateau region, the ²⁶Mg/²⁴Mg ratio has a range of 2‰ and the ⁴⁴Ca/⁴²Ca ratio has a range of 0.6‰. The average δ²⁶Mg values of tributaries from each of the main lithotectonic units (Tethyan Sedimentary Series (TSS), High Himalayan Crystalline Series (HHCS) and Lesser Himalayan Series (LHS)) are within 2 standard deviation analytical uncertainty (0.14‰). The consistency of average riverine δ²⁶Mg values is in contrast to the main rock types (limestone, dolostone and silicate) which range in their average δ²⁶Mg values by more than 2‰. Tributaries draining the dolostones of the LHS differ in their values compared to tributaries from the TSS and HHCS. The chemistry of these river waters is strongly influenced by dolostone (solute Mg/Ca close to unity) and both δ²⁶Mg (−1.31‰) and (0.64‰) values are within analytical uncertainty of the LHS dolostone. These are the most elevated values in rivers and rock reported so far demonstrating that both riverine and bedrock values may show greater variability than previously thought.Although rivers draining TSS limestone have the lowest values at −1.41 and 0.42‰, respectively, both are offset to higher values compared to bedrock TSS limestone. The average δ²⁶Mg value of rivers draining mainly silicate rock of the HHCS is −1.25‰, lower by 0.63‰ than the average silicate rock. These differences are consistent with a fractionation of δ²⁶Mg values during silicate weathering. Given that the proportion of Mg exported from the Himalaya as solute Mg is small, the difference in ²⁶Mg/²⁴Mg ratios between silicate rock and solute Mg reflects the ²⁶Mg/²⁴Mg isotopic fractionation factor () between silicate and dissolved Mg during incongruent silicate weathering. The value of of 0.99937 implies that in the TSS, solute Mg is primarily derived from silicate weathering, whereas the source of Ca is overwhelmingly derived from carbonate weathering. The average value in HHCS rivers is within uncertainty of silicate rock at 0.39‰. The widespread hot springs of the High Himalaya have an average δ²⁶Mg value of −0.46‰ and an average value of 0.5‰, distinct from riverine values for δ²⁶Mg but similar to riverine values. Although rivers draining each major rock type have and δ²⁶Mg values in part inherited from bedrock, there is no correlation with proxies for carbonate or silicate lithology such as Na/Ca ratios, suggesting that Ca and Mg are in part recycled. However, in spite of the vast contrast in vegetation density between the arid Tibetan Plateau and the tropical Lesser Himalaya, the isotopic fractionation factor for Ca and Mg between solute and rocks are not systematically different suggesting that vegetation may only recycle a small amount of Ca and Mg in these catchments.The discrepancy between solute and solid Ca and Mg isotope ratios in these rivers from diverse weathering environments highlight our lack of understanding concerning the origin and subsequent path of Ca and Mg, bound as minerals in rock, and released as cations in rivers. The fractionation of Ca and Mg isotope ratios may prove useful for tracing mechanisms of chemical alteration. Ca isotope ratios of solute riverine Ca show a greater variability than previously acknowledged. The variability of Ca isotope ratios in modern rivers will need to be better quantified and accounted for in future models of global Ca cycling, if past variations in oceanic Ca isotope ratios are to be of use in constraining the past carbon cycle.     

Markov chain Monte Carlo methods for conditioning a permeability field to pressure data

Generating one realization of a random permeability field that is consistent with observed pressure data and a known variogram model is not a difficult problem. If, however, one wants to investigate the uncertainty of reservior behavior, one must generate a large number of realizations and ensure that the distribution of realizations properly reflects the uncertainty in reservoir properties. The most widely used method for conditioning permeability fields to production data has been the method of simulated annealing, in which practitioners attempt to minimize the difference between the ’ ’true and simulated production data, and “true” and simulated variograms. Unfortunately, the meaning of the resulting realization is not clear and the method can be extremely slow. In this paper, we present an alternative approach to generating realizations that are conditional to pressure data, focusing on the distribution of realizations and on the efficiency of the method. Under certain conditions that can be verified easily, the Markov chain Monte Carlo method is known to produce states whose frequencies of appearance correspond to a given probability distribution, so we use this method to generate the realizations. To make the method more efficient, we perturb the states in such a way that the variogram is satisfied automatically and the pressure data are approximately matched at every step. These perturbations make use of sensitivity coefficients calculated from the reservoir simulator.     

Spatial Variation in Diameter Structures of Forests in Lassen Volcanic National Park,California*

Variation in seedling/sapling densities and stand diameter forms for six coniferous tree species is related to stand structural development and to elevation and topography in Lassen Volcanic National Park, California. Understory density patterns reflect differences in species tolerance; densities decrease with stand development for shade intolerant pines, but increase for shade tolerant firs and mountain hemlock. Pine species exhibit reverse-J diamter structures on recently disturbed sites, and decreaser and random forms elsewhere. More tolerant fir species show topographically mediated patterns of diameter structure, with reverse-J form common on northerly exposures and upland sites, but with decreaser and random forms on more xeric slopes. Interaction among species tolerance, environmental setting, and disturbance history yields a complex mosaic of stand diameter structures in the Lassen landscape.     

Performance of a mixed-waste landfill amid geologic uncertainty—learning from a case study: Altamont Hills,California, U.S.A.

The Jharia coalfield is the most important and active minig region; it experiences groundwater inflow and affects groundwater levels in overlying aquifers, and it provides the basis for a conceptual model of the hydrogeological impacts of coal mining. The several sandstone aquifers of the overburden are separated by aquitards that limit vertical hydraulic connection, but the inflow responds to seasonal events and seems to be linked to shallow groundwater behavior. The mine drainage behavior suggests a hydraulic connection between the mine and the shallower groundwater system. The greatest declines are directly above the panels, with an immediate response to coal mining. The inflow is localized by natural and induced fracture zones and is mostly into recent workings. The groundwater behavior is controlled by hydraulic property changes caused by mine-induced fracturing. The hydrological and chemical qualities of the shallow groundwater regime in 13 mining collieries in Mukunda Block have been investigated. Water samples collected from 30 shallow monitoring dug wells were chosen for the study. Rainfall, runoff, and infiltration rates have been calculated in the area. The water-quality plottings were used to interpret the distribution of individual chemical parameters and in predicting the water quality. The underground mine water has been classified as: (1) unconfined groundwater in the calcareous siltstone and sandstone—its composition is Na, Ca, SO₄ and Na-MgHCO₃ with moderate total dissolved solids (TDS) 200–1480 ppm; (2) the deep groundwater originating from the coal seams and associated sediments in the near-surface environments—this is a Na-HCO₃ water with higher TDS; and (3) spoil dump waters are essentially Na-HCO₃ with high TDS. This article presents some hydrologic results and conclusions relating to the hydrogeological and environmental impacts of the coal mining in the Jharia coalfield.     

Neuere Ansichten über die allgemeine Zirkulation der Atmosphäre in mittleren Breiten

Zusammenfassung Im folgenden wird ein Überblick über die Untersuchungen über die allgemeine Zirkulation der Atmosphäre in den mittleren Breiten der Erde gegeben, die vom Department of Meteorology of the University of Chicago unter der Leitung von Prof.C. G. Rossby im Akademiejahr 1946 bis 1947 ausgeführt worden sind.In der zonalen Zirkulation der mittleren Breiten der Nordhemisphäre zeigt sich vor allem im Winterhalbjahr normalerweise zwischen 5 und 15 km Höhe ein verhältnismäßig schmales Band von sehr starken Westwinden, das den Charakter eines Freistrahls besitzt. Das Intensitätsmaximum dieses Windbandes tritt im Tropopausenniveau (300 bis 200 mb) auf. Südwärts des Windmaximums nimmt die Windgeschwindigkeit sehr rasch auf niedrige Werte ab. Das zonale Windband liegt innerhalb oder knapp südlich einer ebenfalls relativ schmalen Zone, in der der Temperaturgegensatz zwischen den polaren und äquatorialen Gebieten konzentriert ist. Im Bereich des zonalen Windbandes steigt die Tropopause steil an, wobei häufig sogar eine Unstetigkeit auftritt, indem nördlich desselben ihre Höhe jener der polaren Atmosphäre entspricht, südlich davon jener der äquatorialen. Unter dem Windband liegt häufig eine gut ausgebildete Frontalzone, die in den oberen Troposphärenschichten etwas nördlich des Windbandes endigt.Das obere Westwindband zeigt rund um die ganze Erde einen wellenförmigen Verlauf mit Wellenlängen von etwa 50° bis 120° Längengraden. Diese Wellen weisen nur eine geringe Fortpflanzungsgeschwindigkeit auf und scheinen mit den gewöhnlichen kurzen, instabilen troposphärischen Frontalwellen keine nähere Beziehung zu haben. Anderseits scheinen sie sowohl das Verhalten, wie auch die Bewegung dieser kurzen unteren Wellen in maßgebender Weise zu beeinflussen.Die oberen Wellen sind insofern instabil, als die meridionale Schwingungsweite (Mäanderung) allmählich sich so verstärkt, daß es an den Rändern des Windbandes zur Bildung von Wirbeln kommt: auf der Südseite zyklonischer Natur und kalten thermischen Aufbaues, auf der Nordseite antizyklonischer Natur und warmen thermischen Aufbaues. Diese Ausstoßung von Luftmassen aus dem Windbandbereich führt zu einem Luftmassenaustausch zwischen hohen und niedrigen Breiten, der wie es scheint in den troposphärischen Schichten oberhalb 700 mb von ausschlaggebender Bedeutung ist.Theoretische Untersuchungen zeigen, daß die beobachteten meridionalen Windprofile im Tropopausenniveau recht gut mit solchen übereinstimmen, die der Forderung einer konstanten vertikalen Wirbelkomponente im Bereich des großräumigen seitlichen Austausches der mittleren Breiten genügen. Solche theoretische Windprofile zeigen in niedrigen Breiten ein so großes meridionales Windgefälle, daß es am Südrand des Windbandes zu Trägheitsinstabilitäten kommt. Sie führen zu einem mehr oder minder unvermittelten Abbruch der meridionalen Windzunahme in 40° bis 30° Br.Das gleichzeitige Auftreten von Windband und Frontalzone darunter führt zur Schlußfolgerung, daß es bei der Ausbildung des Westwindbandes zu einer dynamischen Konzentration von Solenoiden in seinem Bereich kommen muß, zu ähnlichen Vorgängen, wie sie bei ozeanischen Strömen auftreten.Im Anschluß an diese hier kurz angedeuteten wichtigen Ergebnisse dieser neueren amerikanischen Arbeiten wird auf einige Ergebnisse österreichischer Untersuchungen hingewiesen, die einige Fragen der obigen Probleme betreffen.

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Summary The paper gives a general view of the investigations dealing with the general circulation of the atmosphere in middle latitudes, carried out by the Department of Meteorology of the University of Chicago under the direction of Prof.C. G. Rossby during the academic year 1946–47.The zonal circulation in the middle latitudes of the northern hemisphere shows, particularly during the winter halfyear and normally between heights of 5 and 15 km, a fairly narrow band of very strong western winds with the character of a free jet. The maximum of intensity of this wind-band appears at the level of the tropopause (300–200 mb.). The wind velocity is rapidly decreasing to the south of the wind maximum. The zonal windband is located within or immediately to the south of an equally narrow zone in which the contrast of temperature between the polar and equatorial regions reaches its highest degree. There is a strong inclination of the tropopause within the zonal wind-band. Frequently, even a discontinuity can be found, the height of the tropopause corresponding to that of the polar atmosphere in the north and to that of the equatorial atmosphere in the south of the wind-band. Below the wind-band, often a well defined frontal zone is situated, ending in the upper layers of the troposphere a little to the north of the wind-band.The upper west-wind belt embracing the whole earth has a wavelike form with wave-lengths from about 50 to 120 degrees of longitude. These waves show but a small velocity of propagation and do not appear to be connected with the ordinary short and unstable frontal waves of the troposphere. On the other hand, they seem to influence considerably the behaviour as well as the movement of these short waves of the lower atmosphere.However, the upper waves are unstable insofar as the amplitude of the oscillation (formation of meander) is little by little increasing so much as to form whirls at the margins of the wind-band: of cyclonic nature and cold thermic structure at the southern side, of anticyclonic nature and warm thermic structure at the northern side. This cutting off of air-masses from within the wind-band causes an exchange of air-masses between high and low latitudes which appears to be of greatest importance in the tropospheric air-layers above 700 mb.Theoretical investigations show that the observed meridional windprofiles at the level of the tropopause agree rather well with those theoretically computed on the assumption of a constant vertical component of absolute vorticity within the lateral large-scale exchange of air-masses in the middle latitudes. Theoretical wind-profiles of this kind show, in low latitudes, such a strong meridional wind-gradient as to cause inertia instability at the southern edge of the wind-band. Due to them, the meridional wind-increase ceases more or less abruptly in latitudes of 40 to 30 degrees.The conclusion can be drawn from the simultaneous appearance of the wind-band and the frontal zone below it that the formation of the west-wind-band must be accompanied by a dynamic concentration of solenoids within the band, a phenomenon in a similar form to be found with oceanic currents.In addition to these important results of recent American researches, shortly indicated above, several Austrian investigations referring to some questions of the discussed problems are mentioned.

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Résumé L'auteur donne un aperçu des recherches sur la circulation générale de l'atmosphère sous les latitudes moyennes entreprises par le Department of Meteorology of the University of Chicago, sous la direction du professeurC. G. Rossby en 1946/47.Dans la circulation zonale des latitudes moyennes de l'hémisphère nord apparaît, en hiver surtout, une région assez étroite de très forts vents d'Ouest entre 5 et 15 km. d'altitude qui a l'allure d'un jet aérien délimité. Le maximum de vitesse de ce courant se produit au niveau de la tropopause (300 à 200 mb.); au Sud de ce maximum, la vitesse décroît rapidement. Le courant zonal se trouve dans une bande étroite, ou immédiatement au Sud de celle-ci, dans laquelle les différences de température entre les régions polaires et équitoriales ont leurs plus grandes valeurs. A l'intérieur du courant la tropopause monte rapidement et présente même souvent une discontinuité: au Nord, son altitude correspond à celle de l'atmosphère polaire, au Sud à celle de l'atmosphère équatoriale. Au-dessous du même courant, on rencontre souvent une zone frontale bien développée qui dans les couches supérieures de la troposphère se termine un peu au Nord du courant zonal. La partie supérieure du courant d'Ouest présente une structure ondulée, avec des longueurs d'onde comprises entre 50° et 120° de longitude. Ces ondes ne se déplacent que lentement et ne paraissent pas être de même nature que les ondes frontales instables de la troposphère. D'autre part elles semblent exercer une action décisive sur l'allure et sur le mouvement des courtes ondes frontales inférieures. Les ondes supérieures sont instables en tant que sur leurs bords il peut se produire des ondulations donnant naissance à des tourbillons: sur le bord sud du courant apparaissent des tourbillons cycloniques et froids; sur le bord nord des tourbillons anticycloniques et chauds. Le courant d'Ouest expulse de la sorte des masses d'air et entretient un échange de masses entre les hautes et les basses latitudes qui semble avoir une grande importance dans les couches troposphériques au-dessus de 700 mb. Des recherches théoriques montrent que les profils méridiens du vent observés au niveau de la tropopause concordent fort bien avec ceux qu'exige la constance d'une composante verticale tourbillonnaire dans le cadre de l'échange turbulent à grande échelle des latitudes moyennes. De tels profils théoriques du vent montrent, aux basses latitudes, un gradient méridien du vent tellement grand que des états instables d'inertie doivent se produire au Sud du courant d'Ouest. Ces zones d'instabilité introduisent une cessation plus ou moins brusque de l'accroissement méridional de vitesse du vent vers 40° à 30° de latitude. Le fait que le courant d'Ouest étroit se superpose à une zone frontale inférieure amène à conclure que la formation de ce courant est accompagnée d'une concentration dynamique de solénoïdes à son niveau, phénomène analogue à celui que l'on observe dans les courants marins. Faisant suite à cet examen des travaux américains, l'article énumère encore quelques résultats de recherches autrichiennes relatives à certaines questions du même problème.

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