Seismometer self-noise estimation using a single reference instrument

A new method is presented for the self-noise estimation of a seismometer using a single, side-by-side, reference instrument and taking into consideration the misalignment in the orientation of both seismometers. The self-noise of seismometers is extracted directly from the measurements without using any information relating to the transfer functions. This procedure can be applied if the self-noise of the reference seismometer is well known and defined, or if the self-noise of the reference seismometer is sufficiently below the self-noise of the tested instrument and can be neglected. The latter case applies to this study. An algorithm is also developed where we apply self-noise data in order to determine the orientation misalignment between two seismometers, which is then resolved in three-dimensional space. This new method provides an estimate of the self-noise and can also be used to extract some parameters of the installed seismic system in comparison with the reference seismic system, such as generator constants and seismometer orientation or to eliminate unwanted noise sources, which have their origin in the seismic station’s design. The new technique was applied to the CMG-3ESPC and CMG-40T seismometers, where an STS-2 instrument served as the reference seismometer.     

Determination of a seismometer’s generator constant, azimuth, and orthogonality in three-dimensional space using a reference seismometer

To accurately predict the performance of a seismometer, knowledge of its key parameters is required. We present a new method that requires a single reference instrument to estimate some of the important parameters of the seismometer, such as the ratio of the generator constants, the orthogonality deviation, and the rotation in space and in the horizontal plane with regards to the reference instrument. The procedure is performed in the three-dimensional spaces where the Euler rotation theorem is applied in order to define a transformation, which is then used to transform the detection of the reference seismometer as well as the detection of the instrument under test. The estimated transformation matrix is defined as an upper triangular matrix, where its elements contain the information regarding the parameters of the tested seismometer, which are then evaluated using the Euler angles. The new method has been verified on a pair consisting of two STS-2 seismometers and on a pair consisting of one CMG-3T and one STS-2 seismometer.     

Correlation of main physicochemical parameters of some groundwater in northern Serbia

The geothermal waters of the first and the shallowest groundwater system of the Province of Vojvodina in northern Serbia, south part of the Pannonian Basin, are characterized by elevated temperatures (between 25 and 85 °C) and elevated gas content (above 1 Nm³/m³) with a high methane content (average about 94% of total gases). These methane-containing waters are particularly abundant in the Central part of the province between Danube and Tisa rivers. Dominant ions in these waters are sodium and bicarbonate, but the waters also contain significant amounts of calcium, magnesium, potassium, chloride, and ammonium. Components that are of balneological significance include iodine, bromine, fluorine, strontium, lithium, barium, and metasilicic and metaboric acids. Based on statistical analysis, a strong positive correlation is generally observed in about 9.2% cases. A slightly lower correlation appears in about 42.2%, and negative correlation coefficient appears in about 48.6% cases. The dendrogram of the cluster analysis built on the wells shows three main groups. There is the cluster of (Na⁺)_aq, (Cl⁻)_aq and (HCO₃⁻)_aq. The second aggregation is (NH₄⁺)_aq/(NH₃)_aq. The third group includes (Mg²⁺)_aq, (Ca²⁺)_aq, (Fe³⁺)_aq, (Sr²⁺)_aq, (Pb²⁺)_aq, and (Zn²⁺)_aq.     

Analysis of the Saharan dust regional transport

Summary The Balkan Peninsula is situated in the impact zone of Saharan dust storms. The case of Saharan dust transport to Belgrade in the period of 14–17 April 1994 is analyzed using the Eta model for synoptic and meso scale processes. Air back trajectories are calculated at six model levels from 434 up to 5129m with horizontal grid resolutions of 1°×1° and 10×10. Following cyclonic circulation the dust was picked up from North Africa, and transported over Mediterranean. Simultaneously, according to the analysis of the three lowest trajectories, transport of trace metals from Macedonia and southern Serbia by the Koshava wind might be dominant in the observed episode. Turbulent flow enhanced the coagulation process of initially clean dust particles with particles containing Pb and Cd. The coagulation and scavenging processes below and in clouds increased deposition rates of Pb and Cd in Belgrade in the course of wet removal, and consequently trough resuspension processes. Dry deposition samples contained characteristic particles up to 30µm in diameter with Fe content of 11 to 15 atomic% and significant ratio Si/Fe of 3 to 5, determined for selected single particles by the SEM/EDX method. Following dry and wet deposition of Cd and Pb, a residual effect of dustfall is noticed throughout the vegetational period.     

Multistage alkaline permanganate degradation of a type II kerogen

The products of a 27-step alkaline permanganate degradation of a type II kerogen from a sample of Toarcian shale, Paris Basin, have been studied. The high yield of oxidation products consisted of 1.86% neutrals and bases, 24.48% ether-soluble acids, and 45.95% precipitated, ether-insoluble acids, based on weight of original kerogen. The ether-soluble acids and the soluble products of further permanganate degradation of precipitated acids were found to consist mostly of saturated unbranched C₆–C₂₂ α,ω-dicarboxylic and C₉–C₂₅ monocarboxylic acids. Significant amounts of aromatic monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic and tricarboxylic acids were also found. Alkane tri- and tetracarboxylic acids were obtained in small concentration.     

Changes in Hydra vulgaris PALLAS (Cnidaria) Caused by the Effect of Torak EC 24 Insecticide

Within 24 h time, Torak EC 24 in 10 mg/l and 30 mg/l concentrations causes the worst damage immediately after treatment. In the treated hydras, a considerable state of contraction, a damage of tentacles and the hypostome as well as a damage of intracellular membranes and cellular organelles was observed. Besides, during the experiment, the treated hydras in both concentrations used were budding more intensely than the control.     

The development and analysis of 3D transformation matrices for two seismometers

The records of ground motion, measured by broadband seismometers, serve for a wide range of scientific research activities. Accordingly, the knowledge of key parameters of seismometers is important for providing reliable results. In most common quality control procedures, the tested seismometer is installed side by side with the reference seismometer. Then, a three-dimensional matrix transforming recordings from one unit to another is needed. The quality of a design of this transformation matrix depends on the mathematical background of a chosen procedure, on the quality of a recorded seismic signal, and on the used bandwidth. In this paper, we present five different mathematical techniques to calculate transformation matrices. One of these techniques is applied in the time domain while the four others use the frequency domain. The methods were verified by two different cases, where different pairs of seismometers were installed on different locations. In all cases, the procedure, reducing the “average” self-noise gives the best result, regards to the decision criteria.