New instrument for measuring water discharge by the salt dilution method

The instantaneous salt dilution method for water discharge measurements in open channels has been improved by the development of a new instrument measuring conductivity. The salt method consists of two parts: the calibration and the actual measurement in the stream. The calibration aims to calculate the linear relationship between electrical conductivity and salt concentration at various degrees of dilution in a salt solution. The original undiluted solution is injected into the water of a stream and the conductivity is measured downstream from the injection site. When measuring, the new instrument integrates the conductivity over time. From the value obtained on the instrument's display, the water discharge can easily be calculated on a hand-PC in the field. The instrument has eliminated the subsequent calculation work formerly necessary. It has increased the accuracy of the method and also reduced the need for field personnel during measurements.     

Electric field variations measured continuously in free air over a conductive thin zone in the tilted Lias-epsilon black shales near Osnabrück,Northwest Germany

Common studies on the static electric field distribution over a conductivity anomaly use the self-potential method. However, this method is time consuming and requires nonpolarizable electrodes to be placed in the ground. Moreover, the information gained by this method is restricted to the horizontal variations of the electric field. To overcome the limitation in the self-potential technique, we conducted a field experiment using a non conventional technique to assess the static electric field over a conductivity anomaly. We use two metallic potential probes arranged on an insulated boom with a separation of 126 cm. When placed into the electric field of the free air, a surface charge will be induced on each probe trying to equalize with the potential of the surrounding atmosphere. The use of a plasma source at both probes facilitated continuous and quicker measurement of the electric field in the air. The present study shows first experimental measurements with a modified potential probe technique (MPP) along a 600-meter-long transect to demonstrate the general feasibility of this method for studying the static electric field distribution over shallow conductivity anomalies.Field measurements were carried out on a test site on top of the Bramsche Massif near Osnabrück (Northwest Germany) to benefit from a variety of available near surface data over an almost vertical conductivity anomaly. High resolution self-potential data served in a numerical analysis to estimate the expected individual components of the electric field vector.During the experiment we found more anomalies in the vertical and horizontal components of the electric field than self-potential anomalies. These contrasting findings are successfully cross-validated with conventional near surface geophysical methods. Among these methods, we used self-potential, radiomagnetotelluric, electric resistivity tomography and induced polarization data to derive 2D conductivity models of the subsurface in order to infer the geometrical properties and the origin of the conductivity anomaly in the survey area. The presented study demonstrates the feasibility of electric field measurements in free air to detect and study near surface conductivity anomalies. Variations in Ez correlate well with the conductivity distribution obtained from resistivity methods. Compared to the self-potential technique, continuously free air measurements of the electric field are more rapid and of better lateral resolution combined with the unique ability to analyze vertical components of the electric field which are of particular importance to detect lateral conductivity contrasts. Mapping Ez in free air is a good tool to precisely map lateral changes of the electric field distribution in areas where SP generation fails. MPP offers interesting application in other geophysical techniques e.g. in time domain electromagnetics, DC and IP.With this method we were able to reveal a ca. 150 m broad zone of enhanced electric field strength.     

Annual effect of cosmic rays on ionization in the high-latitude troposphere

The seasonal effect of the daily variations in the cosmic ray intensity on the conductivity of the Earth-high-conductivity layer column has been analyzed based on the observations of the cosmic ray intensity, atmospheric current, and electric field vertical component, performed from summer 2006 to spring 2007 at Apatity station. The method for correcting the measurements of the atmospheric current and electric field vertical component under complex tropospheric conditions by numerically simulating the spatial structure of the current and field lines in the observation region has been proposed. It has been indicated that cosmic rays are the main source of ions in the winter polar lower atmosphere and are responsible for the type of daily variations in the conductivity, whereas the daily variations in the atmospheric current more depends on the conductivity rather than on the vertical electric field.     

Calculation of atmospheric electric fields penetrating from the ionosphere

The spatial distributions of electric fields and currents in the Earth’s atmosphere are calculated. Electric potential distributions typical of substorms and quiet geomagnetic conditions are specified in the ionosphere. The Earth is treated as a perfect conductor. The atmosphere is considered as a spherical layer with a given height dependence of electrical conductivity. With the chosen conductivity model and an ionospheric potential of 300 kV with respect to the Earth, the electric field near the ground is vertical and reaches 110 Vm⁻¹. With the 60-kV potential difference in the polar cap of the ionosphere, the electric field disturbances with a vertical component of up to 13 V m⁻¹ can occur in the atmosphere. These disturbances are maximal near the ground. If the horizontal scales of field nonuniformity are over 100 km, the vertical component of the electric field near the ground can be calculated with the one-dimensional model. The field and current distributions in the upper atmosphere can be obtained only from the three-dimensional model. The numerical method for solving electrical conductivity problems makes it possible to take into account conductivity inhomogeneities and the ground relief.     

The electric field existing at stratospheric elevations as determined by tropospheric and ionospheric boundary conditions

Summary The feasibility of inferring ionospheric electric fields from measurements at balloon altitudes has been studied by analytical and numerical analysis, using a twodimensional model atmosphere with exponentially varying conductivity, and taking into account electric fields of tropospheric origin.This paper was presented byU. Fahleson.     

A revised procedure for discharge measurement by means of the salt dilution method

Discharge measurement by means of injection of a NaCl-solution and integration of the electrical conductivity as a function of time is a traditional and well-documented method for use in turbulent streams. The ease of the chemical measurements permits results to be calculated in the field. This work has shown that dry fine-grained salt may substitute the salt solution. Correction factors for water temperature and background conductivity are derived from experiments. A simple procedure for calculation of the discharge is described.     

地震电离层异常电场模拟及初步研究

强地震会造成电离层电场发生异常变化.基于大气层-电离层电动力学理论对地震电离层异常电场开展数值模拟和研究,将理论推导出来的电离层异常电场方程扩展到球面坐标系中,并且考虑到电离层层电导率的各向异性,建立新的地震电离层异常电场模式.引进一个电离层层电导率经验公式(Nopper and Carovillano,1979),对中低纬度地震电离层异常电场特性进行数值模拟.模拟结果表明:附加电流引起电离层异常电场范围远大于自身在地表上的分布.且发生在低纬地区的异常电场主要成分是纬向电场,在东西两侧显偶极子分布.在额外电流分布相同的情况下,夜晚生成的异常电场更显著,存在昼夜差异.     

Experimental errors of measurements of vertical geomagnetic gradients in the stratosphere

The errors of measurements of vertical geomagnetic gradients at altitudes of 20–40 km, using a balloon magnetic gradiometer with a 6-km-long measuring base oriented along gravity, have been studied in the work. The errors related to the deviation of the measuring base position relative to the vertical have been studied during the real balloon flight with the help of the navigation GPS receivers. The deviations of the measuring base within 5°, which can sometimes reach 15°, have been obtained. This results in a decrease in the magnetic gradient measurement accuracy due to the errors introduced in the specification of the normal magnetic field used to detect magnetic anomalies. To eliminate this error, a GPS receiver was built in each magnetometer in order to observe magnetometers during synchronous measurements and to correct the measurements for the normal magnetic field. It has been indicated that the effect of deviations of the measuring base position on the results is not more than 2% of the measured value at such organization of a gradiometer.     

Investigation of charged nuclei in the free atmosphere

Summary The results of an investigation of the time variations in the vertical distribution of charged nuclei (large ions) in the atmosphere in fair weather were presented. These experiments were carried out with instruments installed in aB-17 aircraft for measuring and recording simultaneously the concentration and mobility distribution of particles with mobility between 0.7 and 2.0×10^–2 cm²/sec-volt, electrical conductivity, temperature, pressure, humidity and air speed.Approximately 25 series of flights were carried out. Each series consisted of three to seven flights over an eight to twenty-four hour period. All flights in a given series were carried out over a fixed flight path. The average time interval between flights was four hours. On each flight constant altitude measurements were made between 700 and 15 000 feet above the surface at altitude intervals of 1000 feet.From shortly after sunrise to early afternoon all flights show a systematic increase with time in the charged nuclei concentration up to the level to which turbulent and convective mixing extends. Analysis of the meteorological data obtained simultaneously shows this is due primarily to the daily turbulent cycle.The late afternoon and night results are more complicated. It was found necessary to separate this data into two groups corresponding to periods of low and high wind velocity. During periods of low advection a systematic decrease with time was observed in the nuclei concentration from the middle of the afternoon to sunrise. Analysis indicates that these changes are the result of nuclei coagulation and subsidence in the atmosphere. Non-systematic changes with time occurred during periods of intense advection which were found to be the result of continued instability in the lowest layers of the atmosphere and to inhomogeneities in the air mass. Above the exchange layer the changes in nuclei concentration in time at a given level were found to be non-systematic.The time variations in the electrical conductivity were summarized and shown to be primarily the result of changes in the nuclei concentration. Further support for this interpretation of the results is given by the nature of the changes with time in the horizontal variations of charged nuclei, electrical conductivity and humidity.     

Three-dimensional geostatistical inversion of flowmeter and pumping test data

We jointly invert field data of flowmeter and multiple pumping tests in fully screened wells to estimate hydraulic conductivity using a geostatistical method. We use the steady-state drawdowns of pumping tests and the discharge profiles of flowmeter tests as our data in the inference. The discharge profiles need not be converted to absolute hydraulic conductivities. Consequently, we do not need measurements of depth-averaged hydraulic conductivity at well locations. The flowmeter profiles contain information about relative vertical distributions of hydraulic conductivity, while drawdown measurements of pumping tests provide information about horizontal fluctuation of the depth-averaged hydraulic conductivity. We apply the method to data obtained at the Krauthausen test site of the Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany. The resulting estimate of our joint three-dimensional (3D) geostatistical inversion shows an improved 3D structure in comparison to the inversion of pumping test data only.     

Transient ULF Electric and magnetic fields of an electrical current source in a medium with continuously varying conductivity

Recent analytical studies of ULF electromagnetic fields in the atmosphere are reviewed. These fields have their origin in the discharge of thunderclouds. The problem for a vertical electrical dipole source played in an atmosphere where the conductivity increases exponentially with altitude is described. The analytical expressions for the electric and magnetic field, which vary in time and space, are approximately obtained by a vector potential. It is seen that the amplitudes of the pulse decrease with both increases of the horizontal distance and the gradient of the conductivity. However, the shapes of the pulse are almost constant.On leave from the Department of Electronic Engineering, Gumma University Kiryu, 376, Japan     

The effect of the electrical anisotropy on the response of helicopter-borne frequency-domain electromagnetic systems

Helicopter electromagnetic (HEM) systems are commonly used for conductivity mapping and the data are often interpreted using an isotropic horizontally layered earth model. However, in regions with distinct dipping stratification, it is useful to extend the model to a layered earth with general anisotropy by assigning each layer a symmetrical 3 × 3 resistivity tensor. The electromagnetic (EM) field is represented by two scalar potentials, which describe the poloidal and toroidal parts of the magnetic field. Via a 2D Fourier transform, we obtain two coupled ordinary differential equations in the vertical coordinate. To stabilize the numerical calculation, the wavenumber domain is divided into two parts associated with small and large wavenumbers. The EM field for small wavenumbers is continued from layer to layer with the continuity conditions. For large wavenumbers, the EM field behaves like a DC field and therefore cannot be sensed by airborne EM systems. Thus, the contribution from the large wavenumbers is simply ignored. The magnetic fields are calculated for the vertical coaxial (VCX), horizontal coplanar (HCP) and vertical coplanar (VCP) coil configurations for a helicopter EM system. The apparent resistivities defined from the VCX, VCP and HCP coil responses, when plotted in polar coordinates, clearly identify the principal anisotropic axes of an anisotropic earth. The field example from the Edwards Aquifer recharge area in Texas confirms that the polar plots of the apparent resistivities identify the principal anisotropic axes that coincide well with the direction of the underground structures.     

多道直流电测仪配套设备研制与应用

介绍了多道直流电测仪的配套设备，研制了电极—电缆查线器，解决了以往检测电极—电缆线的低效和不准确的弱点；完成了野外使用的高压供电装置，并改进了电极棒。     

Wind control of the propagation of acoustic gravity waves in the polar atmosphere

The relationship between the directions of polar acoustic gravity waves and a wind at 250–350 km altitudes has been studied based on an analysis of the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite measurements. A method, which makes it possible to determine the direction of these waves relative to the satellite velocity vector based on one-point measurements of different neutral atmosphere parameters, is presented. It has been established that acoustic gravity waves observed over the polar caps systematically propagate upwind, which argues for their spatial wind filtering. In the polar regions, waves mainly propagate in two directions: toward magnetic noon and 15–16 MLT. Waves tend to move counterclockwise and clockwise over the northern and southern polar caps, respectively.     

Energy balance of acoustic gravity waves above the polar caps according to the data of satellite measurements

Wave disturbances of the Neutral Atmosphere above the polar caps are studied based on the Dynamic Explorer 2 satellite measurements. The characteristic spatial scales of these disturbances are 500— 600 km. Based on an analysis of the synchronous variations in different parameters, these disturbances were interpreted as propagating acoustic gravity waves (AGWs). The mass-spectrometer measurements of concentrations of individual atmospheric gases made it possible to determine the following AGW components: density of the acoustic compression, thermobaric, and average kinetic energies. It has been found out that the average (during the period) densities of the acoustic and thermobaric energies are approximately equal for polar AGWs. The results indicate that the contribution of these waves to the energy of the polar upper atmosphere is considerable.     

Evidence for global circuit current flow through water droplet layers

Foggy air and clear air have appreciably different electrical conductivities. The conductivity gradient at horizontal droplet boundaries causes droplet charging, as a result of vertical current flow in the global atmospheric electrical circuit. The charging is poorly known, as both the current flow through atmospheric water droplet layers and the air conductivity are poorly characterised experimentally. Surface measurements during three days of continuous fog using new instrument techniques show that a shallow (of order 100 m deep) fog layer still permits the vertical conduction current to pass. Further, the conductivity in the fog is estimated to be approximately 20% lower than in clear air. Assuming a fog transition thickness of one metre, this implies a vertical conductivity gradient of order 10 fS m^?2 at the boundary. The actual vertical conductivity gradient at a cloud boundary would probably be greater, due to the presence of larger droplets in clouds compared to fog, and cleaner, more conductive clear air aloft.     

Elongated horizontal and vertical receivers in three-dimensional electromagnetic modelling and inversion

Electromagnetic geophysical methods often rely on measurements of naturally occurring or artificially impressed electric fields. It is technically impossible, however, to measure the electric field directly. Instead, the electric field is approximated by recording the voltage difference between two electrodes and dividing the obtained voltage by the distance between the electrodes. Typically, modelling and inversion algorithms assume that the electric fields are obtained over infinitely short point-dipoles and thus measured fields are assigned to a single point between the electrodes. Such procedures imply several assumptions: (1) The electric field between the two electrodes is regarded as constant or being a potential field and (2) the receiver dimensions are negligible compared to the dimensions of the underlying modelling grid. While these conditions are often fulfilled for horizontal electric fields, borehole sensors for recordings of the vertical electric field have dimensions in the order of ≈100 m and span several modelling grid cells. Observations from such elongated borehole sensors can therefore only be interpreted properly if true receiver dimensions and variations of electrical conductivity along the receiver are considered. Here, we introduce a numerical solution to include the true receiver geometry into electromagnetic modelling schemes, which does not rely on such simplifying assumptions. The algorithm is flexible, independent of the chosen numerical method to solve Maxwell's equations and can easily be implemented in other electromagnetic modelling and inversion codes. We present conceptual modelling results for land-based controlled source electromagnetic scenarios and discuss consideration of true receiver geometries for a series of examples of horizontal and vertical electric field measurements. Comparison with Ez data measured in an observation borehole in a producing oil field shows the importance of both considering the true length of the receiver and also its orientation. We show that misalignment from the vertical axis as small as 0.1° may seriously distort the measured signal, as horizontal electric field components are mapped into the desired vertical component. Adequate inclusion of elongated receivers in modelling and inversion can also help reducing effects of static shift when interpreting (natural source) magnetotelluric data.     

The cloud imaging and particle size experiment on the Aeronomy of Ice in the mesosphere mission: Instrument concept,design, calibration,and on-orbit performance

The Cloud Imaging and Particle Size Experiment (CIPS) is one of three instruments aboard the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere spacecraft. CIPS provides panoramic ultraviolet images of the atmosphere over a wide range of scattering angles in order to determine the presence of polar mesospheric clouds, measure their spatial morphology, and constrain the parameters of cloud particle size distribution. The AIM science objectives motivate the CIPS measurement approach and drive the instrument requirements and design, leading to a configuration of four wide-angle cameras arrayed in a ‘+’ arrangement that covers a 120° (along orbit track)×80° (across orbit track) field of view. CIPS began routine operations on May 24, 4 weeks after AIM was launched. It measures scattered radiances from PMCs near 83 km altitude to derive cloud morphology and particle size information by recording multiple exposures of individual clouds to derive PMC scattering phase functions and detect nadir horizontal spatial scales to approximately 3 km. This paper describes the instrument design, its prelaunch characterization and calibration, and flight operations. Flight observations and calibration activities confirm performance inferred during ground test, verifying that CIPS exceeds its measurement requirements and goals. These results are illustrated with example flight images that demonstrate the instrument measurement performance.     

FEASIBILITY OF ELECTROMAGNETIC STREAMFLOW MEASUREMENTS USING THE EARTH'S FIELD / La practabilité des mesures électromagnétiques de l'écoulement total en utilisant le champ magnétique de la terre

Abstract

Experimental work on electromagnetic streamflow measurements on the tidal Fraser River in British Columbia shows that the method of using the earth's magnetic field has two advantages: it gives an instantaneous value of the water velocity integrated over the entire cross section of the river and it is independent of temperature. In the Canadian climate both factors are important. The instrumentation is relatively inexpensive and it consists of a digital to analog converter, strip chart recorder, cable and silver electrodes. The instrumentation is essential for noise filtering and signal amplification. However, the final interpretation of the measured signal is quite difficult; it requires measurements from an electronic analog of the river cross section, resistivity of the ground below, conductivity of the water and a numerical hydrodynamic model. The flow velocities obtained from the measurements of induced potentials, caused by the Fraser River flowing across the earth's magnetic field, compared favourably with velocities computed from a proven hydrodynamic numerical model.