Dynamic features in the western Baltic Sea investigated using NOAA-AVHRR data

Summary The western part of the Baltic Sea is a shallow transition area which is characterized by the water exchange between the Baltic and the North Sea. The dynamic processes in this area are forced by sea-level differences between the North Sea and Baltic Sea as well as by local wind and freshwater input. The response patterns are modified by Earth's rotation, bathymetric structures and the alignment of the coast. Series of satellite images permit synoptical views of these pattern and their temporal and spatial development.Sea surface temperature maps derived from infrared data supplied by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite-borne Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) are used to show various features like upwelling filaments and eddies.The River Oder discharges into the Pomeranian Bight is the main source of freshwater input into the western Baltic. The variability of this inflow and of the affected coastal seas is being presented in relation to the prevailing meteorological conditions.

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Dynamische Besonderheiten in der westlichen Ostsee untersucht anhand von NOAA-AVHRR-Daten

Zusammenfassung Die westliche Ostsee ist ein flaches Übergangsgebiet, das durch den Wasseraustausch zwischen Nord- und Ostsee charakterisiert ist. Die dynamischen Prozesse werden in diesem Gebiet durch Wasserstandsdifferenzen zwischen Nord- und Ostsee, durch den lokalen Wind und die Süßwasserzufuhr getrieben. Die Reaktionsmuster werden modifiziert durch die Erdrotation, die Bathymetrie und den Küstenverlauf.Serien von Satellitendaten gestatten die synoptische Betrachtung dieser Muster und ihrer zeitlichen und räumlichen Entwicklung.Karten der Wasseroberflächentemperatur (SST), abgeleitet aus Infrarotdaten des Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), werden genutzt, um verschiedene Strukturen wie Auftrieb, Filamente und Wirbel zu präsentieren. Das Radiometer wird durch die National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) auf Wettersatelliten betrieben.Der Flußeintrag der Oder in die Pommersche Bucht ist die bedeutendste Süßwasserzufuhr in die westliche Ostsee. Die Veränderlichkeit des Einstroms und die beeinflußten Gebiete sind in Abhängigkeit von den meteorologischen Bedingungen dargestellt.

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Recherche du caractéristiques dynamiques en mer Baltique ouest á l'aide de données NOAA-AVHRR

Résumé La partie ouest de la mer Baltique est une zone de transition de profondeur réduite, caractérisée par un échange des eaux entre la mer du Nord et la mer Baltique.Dans cette zone, les processus dynamiques proviennent des différences de niveau de la mer du Nord et de la mer Baltique, des vents locaux et de l'apport en eau douce. Les modèles créés sont modifiés à partir de la rotation terrestre, de la bathymétrie et de la morphologie côtière.Les données satellite permettent d'établir une étude synoptique de ces processus dans l'ensemble de la zone ainsi que leur développement spatio-temporel au moyen de séries.Des cartes de température superficielle (SST) obtenues à partir des données radiométriques infrarouges AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) sont utilisées pour présenter des exemples SST caractéristiques de résultats de processus dynamiques de l'ouest de la mer Baltique. Les données radiométriques proviennent du National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) à partir de satellites météorologiques.La dépendance des développements spatio-temporels de modèles en fonction des conditions météorologiques est discutée à partir de scènes et de séries particulières.Des exemples d'upwelling devant les côtes allemandes, suédoises et polonaises ainsi que des fronts, des filaments et des tourbillons sont présentés.La plus grande partie de l'apport en eau douce à l'ouest de la mer Baltique provient du fleuve Oder, en baie de Poméranie. L'influence des facteurs météorologiques sur la variation de ce déversement et sur les zones influencées est présentée.

     

Calibration of regional pollen data to construct maps of former forest types in southern Sweden

A method was developed to construct maps of former forest types based on regional pollen data in southern Sweden. The considered species were Alnus, Betula, Carpinus, Corylus, Fagus, Fraxinus, Juniperus, Picea, Pinus, Populus, Quercus, Salix, Tilia and Ulmus. A network of 37 regional pollen sites with high data quality from lakes and peat deposits were selected from Sweden south of 60 ° N. Pollen percentage values were calculated and converted into estimates of tree composition. For controlling the reliability of the reconstruction, the estimates from the core-tops were compared with present day forest inventory data, and local pollen diagrams were compared with the regional pollen diagrams. An inverse distance weighted interpolation algorithm was used to generate maps for each tree species distribution at 2000 BP, 1500 BP, 1000 BP, 500 BP and 0 BP. A supervised classification routine was implemented to generate nine different forest types common to the five studied time intervals. The maps show that the amounts and patterns of distribution of the species and the forest types have varied in a significant but systematic manner through time. The changes are due to human activities, migrational patterns and changes in climate. These maps will be of value as a basis for future landscape planning, forestry and conservation of biodiversity.This is the 20th in a series of papers published in this special AMQUA issue. These papers were presented at the 1994 meeting of the American Quaternary Association held 19–22 June, 1994, at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Dr Linda C. K. Shane served as guest editor for these papers.     

Glacier fluctuations in the southern Peruvian Andes during the late‐glacial period,constrained with cosmogenic 3He

The occurrence of pronounced climate reversals during the last glacial termination has long been recognised in palaeoclimate records from both hemispheres and from high to low latitudes. Accurate constraint of both the timing and magnitude of events, such as the Younger Dryas and Antarctic Cold Reversal, is vital in order to test different hypotheses for the causes and propagation of abrupt climate change. However, in contrast to higher‐latitude regions, well‐dated records from the Tropics are rare and the structure of late‐glacial tropical climate remains uncertain. As a step toward addressing this problem, we present an in situ cosmogenic ³He surface exposure chronology from Nevado Coropuna, southern Peru, documenting a significant fluctuation of the ice margin during the late‐glacial period. Ten tightly clustered ages from a pair of moraines located halfway between the modern glacier and the Last Glacial Maximum terminus range from 11.9 to 13.9 ka and give an arithmetic mean age of 12.8 ± 0.7 ka (1σ). These data constitute direct evidence for a readvance, or prolonged stillstand, of glaciers in the arid Andes of southwestern Peru. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous determinations of U–Pb age,Hf isotopes and trace element compositions of zircon by excimer laser-ablation quadrupole and multiple-collector ICP-MS

We describe an in situ method for simultaneous measurement of U–Pb–Hf isotopes and trace element compositions of zircons using a quadrupole and multiple-collector inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometer (Q-ICP-MS and MC-ICP-MS, respectively) connected to a single excimer laser-ablation system. A laser-generated zircon aerosol was split behind the ablation cell into two transport tubes via a Y-shaped connector and simultaneously introduced into the two mass spectrometers. Hafnium isotopes were measured on the MC-ICP-MS instrument, while U–Pb ages and trace element compositions were determined using the Q-ICP-MS. The precision and accuracy of this method was evaluated using six well-known and widely used zircon standards (91500, Temora-2, GJ-1, Mud Tank, BR266 and Monastery). Analyses were carried out using spot sizes of 32, 44 and 60 μm. For the 44 and 60 μm spot, the resulting U–Pb ages, Hf isotopic and rare earth element (REE) compositions of these six zircons agree with recommended/reported values within 2σ error. The difference in relative standard deviations (RSD) of ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages between split-flow measurements and those obtained separately on the Q-ICP-MS is within ～ 20% for 91500, Temora-2 and GJ-1, and ～ 60% for Mud Tank (due to its lower U and Pb concentrations). Our method provides a precise approach for determining the U–Pb age and the Hf isotopic and trace element compositions of zircon within a single ablation event. This is in particular important for analysis of zircons that are small or contain complicated zoning patterns. Finally, the REE composition of zircon BR266 is more homogeneous than other zircons and could be a suitable standard by which to benchmark new standards for microprobe analyses of zircons.     

The resilience paradox: flooding experience,coping and climate change mitigation intentions

Climate change is projected to increase the frequency, intensity and unpredictability of extreme weather events across the globe and these events are likely to have significant mental health implications. The mental health literature broadly characterises negative emotional reactions to extreme weather experiences as undesirable impacts on wellbeing. Yet, other research in psychology suggests that negative emotional responses to extreme weather are an important motivation for personal action on climate change. This article addresses the intersection of mental health and functional perspectives on negative emotions, with a specific focus on the potential that reduced negative emotional responses to extreme weather may also translate to diminished motivation to undertake climate change mitigation actions – which we term the ‘resilience paradox’. Using survey data gathered in the aftermath of severe flooding across the UK in winter 2013/2014, we present new evidence indicating that self-appraised coping ability moderates the link between flooding experience and negative emotions and thereby attenuates the indirect link between flooding experience and climate change mitigation intentions. We conclude that support for flood victims should extend beyond addressing emotional, physical and financial stresses to include acknowledgement of the involvement of climate change and communication of the need for action to combat future climate risks.

Key policy insights

• Psychological resilience to flooding and other extreme weather events can translate to diminished motivation to mitigate climate change

• Negative emotional reactions need to occur at an optimal level to enable people to respond appropriately to climate risks.

• Flood victims’ subjective appraisal of their ability to cope does not necessarily encompass consideration of the role played by climate change. Therefore, support for victims of extreme weather should include explicit acknowledgement of the involvement of climate change and the need for action to mitigate future climate risks.

     

Neoproterozoic to Early-Palaeozoic magmatic evolution in the Gondwana-derived Austroalpine basement to the south of the Tauern Window (Eastern Alps)

In the Austroalpine Basement to the south of the Tauern Window, distinct suites of metabasites occur with orthogneisses in pre-Early-Ordovician units. Tholeiitic and alkaline within-plate basalt-type metabasites are associated with acid meta-porphyroids in the post-Early-Ordovician Thurntaler Phyllite Group. According to their correlated trace element abundances, metabasite zircons crystallized with their host rocks. Protolith Pb–Pb zircon ages, whole-rock Ta/Yb–Th/Yb and oxygen, Sr, Nd isotope data define two principal evolution lines. An older evolution at elevated Th/Yb typical of subduction-related magmatism, started by 590-Ma N-MORB-type and 550–530 Ma volcanic arc basalt type basic suites, which mainly involved depleted mantle sources. It finished with mainly crustal-source 470–450-Ma acid magmatites. An other evolution line by tholeiitic and 430-Ma alkaline within-plate basalt-type suites in both pre- and post-Early-Ordovician units is characterized by an intraplate mantle metasomatism and enrichment trend along multicomponent sources. These magmatic evolution lines can be related to a plate tectonic scenario that involved terranes in a progressively mature Neoproterozoic to Ordovician active margin, and a subsequent Palaeo-Tethys passive margin along the north Gondwanan periphery.     

Ultra-High Resolution Nitrate in Polar Ice as Indicator of Past Solar Activity

Ionization in the polar atmosphere causes the formation of nitrate compounds, which are frozen out and incorporated into the layers of the polar ice sheets. From a 122-m ice core collected in 1992 on the central Greenland ice sheet, it has been possible to examine a solar signal in a ultra-high resolution record of nitrate concentrations. The sequence extends over a period of 415 years at a temporal resolution of no less than one analysis per month (total number of samples 7776 resulting from 1.5 cm sampling along the entire core). This type of measurement reveals major nitrate anomalies which are thought to result from the injection of individual solar proton events into the winter polar stratosphere. For this reason, the large nitrate anomalies provide the possibility to delineate a signal of solar activity well beyond the known geophysical records.     

Hydrothermal gases offshore Milos Island, Greece

Hydrothermal fluids emerge from the seafloor of Paleohori Bay on Milos. The gases in these fluids contain mostly CO₂ but CH₄ concentrations up to 2% are present. The stable carbon isotopic composition of the CO₂ (near 0%) indicates an inorganic carbon source (dissociation of underlying marine carbonates). The carbon and hydrogen isotopes of most CH₄ samples are enriched in the heavy species (δ¹³C = −9.4 to −17.8‰; δD = −102 to −189‰) which is believed to be characteristic for an abiogenic production of CH₄ by CO₂-reduction (Fischer-Tropsch reactions). Depletions in the deuterium content of three CH₄ samples (to −377%) are probably caused by unknown subsurface rock alteration processes. Secondary hydrogen isotope exchange processes between methane, hydrogen and water are most likely responsible for calculated unrealistic methane formation temperatures.

We show that excess helium, slightly enriched in ³He, is present in the hydrothermal fluids emerging the seafloor of Paleohori Bay. When the isotopic ratio of the excess component is calculated a ³He/⁴He_excess of 3.6 · 10⁻⁶ is obtained: This indicates that the excess component consists of about one third of mantle helium and two thirds of radiogenic helium. We infer that the mantle-derived component has been strongly diluted by radiogenic helium during the ascent of the fluids to the surface.     

Re-testing the JET-X Flight Module No. 2 at the PANTER facility

The Joint European X-ray Telescope (JET-X) was the core instrument of the Russian Spectrum-X- γ space observatory. It consisted of two identical soft X-ray (0.3–10 keV) telescopes with focusing optical modules having a measured angular resolution of nearly 15 arcsec. Soon after the payload completion, the mission was cancelled and the two optical flight modules (FM) were brought to the Brera Astronomical Observatory where they had been manufactured. After 16 years of storage, we have utilized the JET-X FM2 to test at the PANTER X-ray facility a prototype of a novel X-ray polarimetric telescope, using a Gas Pixel Detector (GPD) with polarimetric capabilities in the focal plane of the FM2. The GPD was developed by a collaboration between INFN-Pisa and INAF-IAPS. In the first phase of the test campaign, we have re-tested the FM2 at PANTER to have an up-to-date characterization in terms of angular resolution and effective area, while in the second part of the test the GPD has been placed in the focal plane of the FM2. In this paper we report the results of the tests of the sole FM2, using an unpolarized X-ray source, comparing the results with the calibration done in 1996.