Detection and assessment of cloud cover and precipitation parameters using data of scanning radiometers of polar–orbiting and geostationary meteorological satellites

Two multispectral threshold techniques have been developed and tested for the automatic classification of AVHRR/NOAA and SEVIRI/Meteosat-10 data. They provide day-and-night detection and the assessment of cloud-cover parameters, as well as the discrimination of precipitation zones and severe weather phenomena. The validation of output information products, which has been performed with ground-based conventional meteorological observations and radar data, as well as with independent satellite-based estimates of cloud cover and precipitation parameters, confirms the feasibility of developed techniques and reasonable accuracy of output products. Therefore, the technique is concurrent to those implemented in current foreign satellite centers.     

Morphology and Structural Features of the Subduction Zone in the Vicinity of Kuril–Kamchatka–Aleutian Junction

Oceanology - The specific morphology of the inner and outer slopes of the eastern Kuril–Kamchatka Trench were revealed based on joint study of bathymetry and seismic profiles obtained in two...     

Reflection of the State of Magmatic Matter and Seismotectonic Features of the Structure of the Avachinsky–Koryaksky and Dzenzur–Zhupanovsky Volcanic Groups of Kamchatka in Terms of Kinematic Parameter VP/VS

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - For regional earthquakes, the kinematic parameter VP/VS, an analog of the TAU parameter, was analyzed in order to study the state of magmatic matter,...     

Grains of Nonferrous and Noble Metals in Iron–Manganese Formations and Igneous Rocks of Submarine Elevations of the Sea of Japan

Iron–manganese formations and igneous rocks of submarine elevations in the Sea of Japan contain overlapping mineral phases (grains) with quite identical morphology, localization, and chemical composition. Most of the grains conform to oxides, intermetallic compounds, native elements, sulfides, and sulfates in terms of the set of nonferrous, noble, and certain other metals (Cu, Zn, Sn, Pb, Ni, Mo, Ag, Pd, and Pt). The main conclusion that postvolcanic hydrothermal fluids are the key sources of metals is based upon a comparison of the data of electron microprobe analysis of iron–manganese formations and igneous rocks dredged at the same submarine elevations in the Sea of Japan.     

Reanalysis of seasonal and interannual variability of Black Sea fields for 1993–2012

A retrospective analysis has been done for the hydrophysical fields of the Black Sea for 1993–2012 with the assimilation of undisturbed monthly average profiles of temperature and salinity that were obtained by using an original procedure of joint processing of satellite altimetry and rare hydrological observations. The accuracy of the reconstructed fields of temperature and salinity of the Black Sea is evaluated by comparison with the data of sounding from the hydrological stations and the Argo floats. A comparative analysis is performed for the integral characteristics of the fields of temperature, salinity, and kinetic energy with the same characteristics of the reanalysis for 1992–2012 that assimilated the average annual profiles of temperature and salinity, surface temperature and altimetry level of the sea after being adjusted with respect to climate seasonal variability. The proposed procedure of the reanalysis execution allows a more precise reconstruction of the interannual variability of temperature and salinity stratification in the main pycnocline. The correlation between the annual and seasonal variability of the eddy of the wind friction tangential stress and the average kinetic energy at the levels is revealed.     

Calculation of electric conductivity of water of the Aral Sea and correction of the sound salinity of 2002–2009

The Aral Sea is an important water area both for monitoring and oceanological studies, because its salinity and salt composition strongly differ from the oceanic. We offer a semiempiric calculation method of electric conductivity and the coefficient of its temperature dependence k judging from the ionic composition of water. The properties of the solution are considered as the sum of properties of seven binary salts taken based on the ionic composition of the solution. The MgSO₄ concentration is thought to be the highest possible, which makes the salt concentration nearly unambiguous. In a salinity range of 46–120‰ and temperature range of 5–25°C (2002–2009), the standard deviation of the calculated and measured electric conductivity was 2.9%. To refine the calculation of salinity from electric conductivity measurements using the “oceanic” formula, we suggest its preliminary reduction to a constant temperature (20°C) using the measured or calculated coefficient k.     

Impact of dredging and dumping on the stability of ebb–flood channel systems

The impact of dredging and dumping on the morphologic stability of the tidal channels is investigated using morphologic field observations for the Westerschelde estuary dating back to 1955. The results are used to verify the theoretical concept presented by Wang and Winterwerp (2001). This concept states that a critical threshold for the amount of sediment dumping exists above which a channel system in equilibrium may become unstable and degenerate. The value of this threshold amounts to 5–10% of the total sediment transport capacity. Verification of this concept using field observations is not straightforward as the morphology of tidal channel often changes as a result of both natural processes and human interferences, i.e. the channels are not in equilibrium. In addition, the morphological timescales associated with channel degeneration are large (decades to centuries). Verification of the theory thus requires a careful analysis of abundant morphological data and numerical modeling of sediment transports. The results of such analyses presented in this study confirm the existence and the approximate magnitude of the critical level for dumping that follows from theory. Refined guidelines are derived to use the theoretical concept as an engineering tool for the evaluation and design of strategies for dumping in estuarine multi-channel systems. In the absence of the required morphological data the indicative theoretical level of 5–10% can be used to obtain a first estimate of the dump capacity in two-channel systems.     

The Crust–Mantle Carbon Cycle and Origin of Abiogenic Hydrocarbons

Oceanology - Abstract—The paper studies carbon transformation and transfer processes in the crust and mantle. Sediments dragged into subduction zones are dewatered, broken down, and altered...     

The influence of organic sources and environments on source rock deposition during the periods of Cretaceous–Eocene and Oligocene–Miocene,northern Kalimantan

The sedimentary system of Kalimantan has undergone significant development since the Oligocene. Previous research have largely ignored the capacity of the Cretaceous–Eocene sediments to produce hydrocarbons,focusing instead primarily on the Oligocene–Miocene coal as the principal source rocks. Shales and coals from the outcrops in the northern margin of Kalimantan were analyzed with palynological and geochemical methods to characterize the palaeoenvironmental and palaeoecological differences bet...     

Wave Activity and Its Changes in the Troposphere and Stratosphere of the Northern Hemisphere in Winters of 1979–2016

An analysis of spectra of wave disturbances with zonal wave numbers 1 ≤ k ≤ 10 is carried out using winter (November to March) ERA-Interim reanalysis geopotential data in the troposphere and stratosphere for 1979–2016. Contributions of eastward-traveling (E), westward-traveling (W), and stationary (S) waves are estimated. The intensification of wave activity is observed in the tropical troposphere and stratosphere and in the upper stratosphere of the entire Northern Hemisphere. The intensification of wave activity in the tropics and subtropics is noted for waves of all types (E, W, and S), while in the middle and higher latitudes it is related mainly to stationary and eastward waves. Near the subtropical tropopause, the energy of stationary waves has increased in recent decades. In addition, in the tropical and subtropical troposphere and in the subtropical lower stratosphere, the energy of the eastward-traveling waves in El Niño years may be one and a half times or twice the energy in La Niña years. The spectrally weighted zonal wave numbers for waves of all types (E, W, and S) are the largest in the upper subtropical troposphere. The spectrally weighted zonal wave number for W and S waves is correlated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation index and varies by 15% in 1979–2016 (on an interdecadal time scale). The spectrally weighted wave period is larger in the stratosphere than in the troposphere. It is maximal in the middle extratropical stratosphere. The spectrally weighted wave periods correlate with the activity of sudden stratospheric warmings. The sign of this correlation depends on the latitude, atmospheric layer, and zonal wave number.     

Late Mesozoic–Cenozoic sedimentary basins of active continental margin of Southeast Russia: paleogeography,tectonics, and coal–oil–gas presence

Various settings took place during the Late Mesozoic: divergent, convergent, collisional, and transform. After mid-Jurassic collision of the Siberian and Chinese cratons, a latitudinal system of post-collision troughs developed along the Mongol-Okhotsk suture (the Uda, Torom basins and others), filled with terrigenous coal-bearing molasse.The dispersion of Pangea, creation of oceans during the Late Jurassic are correlated to the emergence of the East Asian submeridional rift system with volcano-terrigenous coal-bearing deposits (the Amur-Zeya basin). At that time, to the east there existed an Andean-type continental margin. Foreland (Upper Bureya, Partizansk, and Razdolny) and flexural (Sangjiang-Middle Amur) basins were formed along the margin of the rigid massifs during the Late Jurassic to Berriasian.During the Valanginian-mid-Albian an oblique subduction of the Izanagi plate beneath the Asian continent occurred, producing a transform margin type, considerable sinistral strike slip displacements, and formation of pull-apart basins filled with turbidites (the Sangjiang-Middle Amur basin).The Aptian is characterized by plate reorganization and formation of epioceanic island arcs, fore-arc and back-arc basins in Sakhalin and the Sikhote-Alin (the Alchan and Sangjiang-Middle Amur basins), filled with volcanoclastics.During the mid-Albian a series of terranes accreted to the Asian continental margin. By the end of the Albian, the East Asian marginal volcanic belt began to form due to the subduction of the Kula plate beneath the Asian continent. During the Cenomanian–Coniacian shallow marine coarse clastics accumulated in the fore-arc basins, which were followed by continental deposits in the Santonian–Campanian. From the Coniacian to the Maastrichtian, a thermal subsidence started in rift basins, and continental oil-bearing clastics accumulated (the Amur-Zeya basin).Widespread elevation and denudation were dominant during the Maastrichtian. This is evidenced by thick sediments accumulated in the Western Sakhalin fore-arc basin.During the Cenozoic, an extensive rift belt rmade up of a system of grabens, which were filled with lacustrine–alluvial coal–and oil-bearing deposits, developed along the East Asian margin.     

Clarification of Tectonic and Geodynamic Models of the Alpine–Himalayan–Indonesian Mobile Belt Extremities Based on Matching Views about the Wide and Narrow Tethys Paleocean

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - Based on the available geological and geodetic data, it has been established that the structures of the Alpine–Himalayan–Indonesian mobile...     

Problems and prospects of creating a global land–ocean seismic network

The paper discussed the advantages and limitations of seismic signal detection on the ocean bottom. The need to create long-term seismic monitoring systems in areas of industrial development on the shelf and continental slope, as well as in areas with high seismic and tsunami hazards, is justified. The results of employing broadband bottom seismographs during expeditions of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IO RAS) are described. Autonomous broadband bottom seismographs with operational communication via satellite or radio channels are proposed for creating a global marine seismic network.     

Modeling of hydrodynamics and transport processes in the Dnieper–Bug Estuary

A numerical model of baroclinic circulation based on the use of a double sigma coordinate system is presented and its application to the simulation of flows and temperature and salinity fields in the Dnieper-Bug Estuary is described. The model reproduces the salinity and temperature fields surveyed in 1998. The results of simulations reveal the existence of a global influence of the relatively narrow and deep ship channel (through which Black-Sea waters can penetrate deep into the estuary) on the transport processes. Translated from Morskoi Gidrofizicheskii Zhurnal, No. 6, pp. 66–77, November–December, 2008.     

Russian Studies of Atmospheric Ozone and Its Precursors in 2015–2018

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - This review contains the most important results obtained by Russian scientists in studying atmospheric ozone in 2015–2018 and is a part of the...     

Evaluation of hydraulic conductivity through particle shape and packing density characteristics of sand–silt mixtures

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between saturated hydraulic conductivity with particle shape and packing density characteristics of silty sand soils. The article presents a series of hydraulics tests performed on three kinds of sand with different particles shapes (Chlef rounded sand, Fontainebleau sub-rounded sand and Hostun sub-angular sand) mixed with low plastic rounded Chlef silt in the range of 0–30% fines content. The sand–silt mixture samples were tested in the constant-head permeability device at a loose relative density (D_r = 18%) and a constant room temperature (T?=?20?°C). The obtained results indicate that the measured saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) correlates very well with the fines content (F_c), packing density in terms of [maximum void ratio “e_max,” minimum void ratio “e_min,” predicted maximum void ratio “e_max”_pr and predicted minimum void ratio “e_min”_pr] and particle shape characteristics ratios in terms of roundness ratio (R_r = R_hs/R_mixture) and sphericity ratio (S_r = S_hs/S_mixture) of the silty sand materials under consideration. Moreover, the analysis of the available data show a noticeable success in exploring the prediction of the saturated hydraulic conductivity (K_s) based on the particle shape and packing density characteristics (R_r, S_r, e_max, and e_min) of the studied sand–silt mixture samples.     

Characteristics of water masses and bio-optical properties of the Bering Sea shelf during 2007–2009

The hydrographic and bio-optical properties of the Bering Sea shelf were analyzed based on in-situ measurements obtained during four cruises from 2007 to 2009. According to the temperature and salinity of the seawater, the spring water masses on the Bering Sea shelf were classified as the Alaskan Coast Water, Bering Sea Shelf Water, Anadyr Water, Spring Mixed Layer Water, Remnant Winter Water, and Winter Water, each of which had varying chlorophyll a concentrations. Among them, the highest chlorophyll a concentration occurred in the nutrient-rich Anadyr Water ((7.57±6.16) mg/m3 in spring). The spectrum-dependent diffuse attenuation coefficient (K_d(λ)) of the water column for downwelling irradiance was also calculated, exhibiting a decrease at 412–555 nm and then an increase within the range of 0.17–0.48 m–1 in spring. Furthermore, a strong correlation between the chlorophyll a concentration and the attenuation coefficient was found at visible wavelengths on the Bering Sea shelf. Spatially, the chlorophyll a concentration was higher on the northern shelf ((5.18±3.78) mg/m3) than on the southern shelf ((3.64±2.51) mg/m3), which was consistent with the distribution of the attenuation coefficient. Seasonally, the consumption of nutrients by blooms resulted in minimum chlorophyll a concentration ((0.78±0.51) mg/m3) and attenuation coefficient values in summer. In terms of the vertical structure, both the attenuation coefficient and the chlorophyll a concentration tended to reach maximum values at the same depth, and the depth of the maximum values increased as the surface temperature increased in summer. Moreover, an empirical model was fitted with a power function based on the correlation between the chlorophyll a concentration and the attenuation coefficient at 412–555 nm. In addition, a spectral model was constructed according to the relationship between the attenuation coefficients at 490 nm and at other wavelengths, which provides a method for estimating the bio-optical properties of the Bering Sea shelf.