A portable instrument for the measurement of point-discharge currents in the atmosphere using junction FET's

A contiuous recording instrument with field effect transistors has been developed to study the point discharge currents in the atmosphere. The chief advantages of the present instrument are that it is portable and has a range of measurement from 10^–9 A to 10^–7 A for positive currents and 10^–9 A to 10^–5 A for negative currents on a linear scale.     

Global geodynamic long-term variations and expanding earth hypothesis

Summary The expanding Earth hypothesis has been discussed on the basis of recent LLR data and the long-term decrease observed in the angular velocity of the Earth's rotation. It has been proved that the observed data do not support the hypothesis. Realistic limits for hypothetical long-term variations in the Earth's dimension consistent with observations have been derived as ±3 × 10^–3 m cy^–1.     

Drifter observations of the Hebrides slope current and nearby circulation patterns

The mean flow at and around the Hebrides and Shetland Shelf slope is measured with ARGOS tracked drifters. Forty-two drifters drogued at 50 m were deployed in three circles over the Hebrides slope at 56.15°N in two releases, one on 5th December, 1995 and the second on 5–9th May, 1996. The circles span a distance of some 20 km from water depths of 200 m to 1200 m. Drifters are initially advected poleward along-slope by the Hebrides slope current at between 0.05 and 0.70 m s^–1 in a laterally constrained (25–50 km wide) jet-like flow. Drifters released in winter remained in the slope current for over 2000 km whilst summer drifters were lost from the slope current beyond the Wyville-Thomson Ridge, a major topographic feature at 60°N. Dispersion from the slope region into deeper waters occurs at bathymetric irregularities, particularly at the Anton Dohrn Seamount close to which the slope current is found to bifurcate, both in summer and winter, and at the Wyville-Thomson Ridge where drifters move into the Faeroe Shetland Channel. Dispersion onto the continental shelf occurs sporadically along the Hebrides slope. The initial dispersion around the Hebrides slope is remarkably sensitive to initial position, most of the drifters released in shallower water moving onto the shelf, whilst those in 1000 m or more are mostly carried away from the slope into deeper water near the Anton Dohrn Seamount. The dispersion coefficients estimated in directions parallel and normal to the local direction of the 500 m contour, approximately the position of the slope current core, are approximately 8.8 × 10³ m² s^–1 and 0.36 × 10³ m² s^–1, respectively, during winter, and 11.4 × 10³ m² s^–1 and 0.36 x 10³ m² s^–1, respectively, during summer. At the slope there is a minimum in across-slope mean velocity, Reynolds stress, and across-slope eddy correlations. The mean across-slope velocity associated with mass flux is about 4 × 10^–3 m s^–1 shelfward across the shelf break during winter and 2 × 10^–3 m s^–1 during summer. The drifters also sampled local patterns of circulation, and indicate that the source of water for the seasonal Fair Isle and East Shetland currents are the same, and drawn from Atlantic overflows at the Hebrides shelf.     

The characteristics of rain electricity in Nigeria. I — Magnitudes and variations

The characteristics of rain and point charges based on routine measurements extending over four rainy seasons are presented. An average rain current density of (1.0±0.1)×10^–10 A m^–2 and charge per unit volume of rain water of (0.43±0.02)×10^–4 C m^–3 for the locality are obtained, which are compared with data obtained elsewhere by other workers. The point-discharge current measurements lead to a revised estimate of (0.86±0.08)×10^–9 A m^–2 for the average point discharge current below storm clouds.     

Seismic activity in the region of northwest bohemia

Summary The seismic activity of the region is analysed on the basis of the recent microseismic and former macroseismic observations. Only microearthquakes in the narrow magnitude range of 0–1.2 were monitored during 1982–1988. The mean annual frequencies are of the same order as the figures extrapolated from the magnitude-frequency relationship obtained for earthquakes in the magnitude range 2.4–4.5 which occurred in the region before 1910. The recent stress release is very low but its annual average of 7 × 10 ³ J ^1/2 is close to the annual average of 23×10 ³ J ^1/2 of long-term macroseismic observations.     

The effect of water on stress relaxation of faulted and unfaulted sandstone

A series of stress relaxation experiments have been carried out on faulted and intact Tennessee sandstone to explore the influence of pore water on strength at different strain rates. Temperatures employed were 20, 300 and 400°C, effective confining pressure was 1.5 kb and strain rates as low as 10^–10 sec^–1 were achieved. Most samples were prefaulted at 2.5 kb confining pressure and room temperature. This is thought to have secured a reproducible initial microstructure.The strength of the dry rock was almost totally insensitive to strain rate in the range 10^–4 to 10^–10 sec^–1. In contrast, the strength of the wet rock decreased rapidly with strain rate at rates less than 10^–6 sec^–1. Brittle fracture of the quartz grains which constitute this rock is the most characteristic mode of failure under the test conditions used.The experimental data are discussed in terms of the possible deformation rate controlling processes, and it is suggested that in the wet experiments at intermediate to high strain rates (10^–7 to 10^–4 sec^–1) the observed deformation rate is controlled by the kinetics of water assisted stress corrosion, whilst deformation at low strain rates (ca. 10^–9 sec^–1) is controlled by a pressure solution process.The results have implications for the rheology of fault rocks at depths of perhaps 10 to 15 km in sialic crust.     

The estuarine chemistry and isotope systematics of U in the Amazon and Fly Rivers

Natural concentrations of ²³⁸U and δ²³⁴U values were determined in estuarine surface waters and pore waters of the Amazon and Fly (Papua New Guinea) Rivers to investigate U transport phenomena across river-dominated land–sea margins. Discharge from large, tropical rivers is a major source of dissolved and solid materials transported to the oceans, and are important in defining not only oceanic mass budgets, but also terrestrial weathering rates.On the Amazon shelf, salinity-property plots of dissolved organic carbon, pH and total suspended matter revealed two vastly contrasting water masses that were energetically mixed. In this mixing zone, the distribution of uranium was highly non-conservative and exhibited extensive removal from the water column. Uranium removal was most pronounced within a salinity range of 0–16.6, and likely the result of scavenging and flocculation reactions with inorganic (i.e., Fe/Mn oxides) and organic colloids/particles. Removal of uranium may also be closely coupled to exchange and resuspension processes at the sediment/water interface. An inner-shelf pore water profile indicated the following diagenetic processes: extensive (1 m) zones of Fe(III)—and, to a lesser degree, Mn(IV)—reduction in the absence of significant S(II) concentrations appeared to facilitate the formation of various authigenic minerals (e.g., siderite, rhodocrosite and uraninite). The pore water dissolved ²³⁸U profile co-varied closely with Mn(II). Isotopic variations as evidenced in δ²³⁴U pore waters values from this site revealed information on the origin and history of particulate uranium. Only after a depth of about 1 m did the δ²³⁴U value approach unity (secular equilibrium), denoting a residual lattice bound uranium complex that is likely an upper-drainage basin weathering product. This suggests that the enriched δ²³⁴U values represent a riverine surface complexation product that is actively involved in Mn–Fe diagenetic cycles and surface complexation reactions.In the Fly River estuary, ²³⁸U appears to exhibit a reasonably conservative distribution as a function of salinity. The absence of observed U removal does not necessarily imply non-reactivity, but instead may record an integration of concurrent U removal and release processes. There is not a linear correlation between δ²³⁴U vs. 1/²³⁸U that would imply simple two component mixing. It is likely that resuspension of bottom sediments, prolonged residence times in the lower reaches of the Fly River, and energetic particle–colloid interactions contribute to the observed estuarine U distribution. The supply of uranium discharged from humid, tropical river systems to the sea appears to be foremost influenced by particle/water interactions that are ultimately governed by the particular physiographic and hydrologic characteristics of an estuary.     

Zero-frequency tidal distrotion due to the orbital elements of tide-forming bodies

Summary It has been proved that orbital elements of perturbing bodies should be taken into account when 10^–10 accuracy is required for zero-frequency tidal distortion in the second zonal Stokes parameter of the geopotential. A solution at the 10^–15 level of magnitude has been presented. The zero-frequency tidal distortion in the fourth zonal Stokes parameter has been derived as 1·3×10^–10 if the secular Love number is unity. It should be reflected in the geopotential models respecting the 10^–10 level of magnitude.     

A portable magnetic susceptibility meter for measurements on rocks in situ and in laboratory

Summary An instrument for the measurement of the magnetic susceptibility of rocks in situ or in the laboratory has been described. The instrument is a completely portable and transistorised unit having a range from 5 to 50000×10^–6 CGS units of volume susceptibility. The accuracy of measurements is ±5%. It is rapid and simple in operation.This paper is published by the kind permission of the Director General, Geological Survey of India.     

The large volume multi-anvil press as a highP-T deformation apparatus

The rheological properties of mantle materials are being investigated up to pressures of 16 GPa and temperatures of 1600°C for times up to 24 h, using a new sample assembly for the 6–8 multi-anvil apparatus. Al₂O₃ pistons, together with a liquid confining medium, are used to generate deviatoric stress in the specimen. Strain rates are estimated by monitoring the relative displacement of the guide blocks of the multi-anvil apparatus, scaled to the total axial strain of the sample. The applied stress on the sample is estimated using grain size piezometry. Strain rates and flow stresses of approximately 10^–4 to 10^–6 s^–1 and 50 to 250 MPa respectively, are presently attainable.Preliminary results on San Carlos olivine single crystals, partially dynamically recrystallized to a grain size of 10 to 300 m, indicate that the effective viscosity of polycrystalline olivine is consistent with values obtained from olivine single crystal creep laws. Assuming a dislocation creep mechanism (n3.5) with (010)[001] as the dominant slip system, the data are best fit using a creep activation volume of 5 to 10×10^–6 m³ mol^–1.     

Time dependence of negative buoyancy and the subduction of continental lithosphere

The time evolution of negative buoyancy of a subducting slab is modelled from the beginning of subduction under various kinematic conditions (dip angle and subduction velocity). The calculations take into account the thermal and density effects of the variations of the thermophysical parameters with temperature and pressure, and of phase transitions. The magnitude of the negative buoyancy increases during subduction of oceanic lithosphere, up to values in the (2–4) × 10¹³ N m⁻¹ range when the tip of the slab reaches a depth of 600–700 km. If continental material arrives at the trench and is subducted, the downward buoyancy decreases by an amount proportional to the volume of the subducted continental crust. Assuming that subduction stops when the buoyancy becomes zero, and that delamination of the continental crust or slab breakoff do not occur, the maximum downdip length of the subductable continental crust is estimated as a function of the dip angle, subduction velocity and geometry of the margin. In most cases, subduction of continental material down to depths of 100–250 km is possible, and continental subduction can continue for times up to 10–15 Ma if the velocity is low. These estimates are not significantly affected by the hypothetical occurrence of a metastable olivine wedge within the slab, and could be lower bounds if the lower continental crust is mafic and transforms to eclogite.     

Microbial distribution and abundance in response to physical and biological processes on the continental shelf of southeastern U.S.A.

The distribution and abundance of bacteria and phytoplankton on the continental shelf of the southeastern United States were observed in relation to physical processes. Phytoplankton production was influenced by inputs of water of reduced salinity from the estuaries and by inputs of high salinity, low-temperature water from the west front of the Gulf Stream. The distribution of chlorophyll suggests that in each case production is influenced both by inputs of nutrients and by the enhanced vertical stability associated with the stratification of waters of different densities. The standing stock of bacteria on the inner shelf, 10⁶ ml^?1, is little changed by the influx of water of reduced salinity. On the outer shelf, where the usual standing stock of bacteria is 10⁵ ml^?1, the numbers increase to 10⁶ ml^?1 in and above intrusions of Gulf Stream water in which phytoplankton blooms have developed, suggesting that the bacteria respond to products of both phytoplankton and zooplankton production. Adenylate energy charge values in the waters of the southeastern shelf are variable and volatile. At times values of 0.7 to 0.8 are widespread over most of the shelf, while at other times values <0.6 are common, with localized patches of high values. Both autotroph-dominated and heterotroph-dominated microbial communities show these variations.     

Scattering and anelastic attenuation of seismic energy in northern Greece

The relative contribution of scattering (Q _s ^–1 ) and intrinsic (Q _i ^–1 ) attenuation to the totalS-wave attenuation for the frequencies of 1.5, 3.0, 6.0 and 12.0 Hz has been studied by applying the radiative energy transfer theory, Data of local earthquakes which occurred in northern Greece and were recorded by the permanent telementered network of the Geophysical Laboratory of the University of Thessaloniki have been used. The results show that in this area the scattering attenuation is dominant over all frequencies while intrinsic attenuation is significantly lower. The estimatedQ _s ^–1 andQ _i ^–1 values have frequency dependences off ^–0.72 andf ^–0.45, respectively. The frequency dependence ofQ _s ^–1 is the same as that of the codaQ _c ^–1 , obtained by applying the single scattering model, which probably implies that the frequency dependence of the coda wave attenuation is attributed to the frequency dependence of the scattering attenuation.Q _c ^–1 values are very close to scattering attenuation for short lapse times, (10–20 sec), and intermediate between scattering and intrinsic attenuation for the longer lapse times, (50–100 sec). This difference is explained as the result of the depth-dependent attenuation properties and the multiple scattering effects.     

The 1999 and 2000 eruptions of Mount Cameroon: eruption behaviour and petrochemistry of lava

Mount Cameroon (4,095 m high and with a volume of ~1,200 km³) is one of the most active volcanoes in Africa, having erupted seven times in the last 100 years. This stratovolcano of basanite and hawaiite lavas has an elliptical shape, with over a hundred cones around its flanks and summit region aligned parallel to its NE--SW-trending long axis. The 1999 (28 March–22 April) eruption was restricted to two sites: ~2,650 m (site 1) and ~1,500 m (site 2). Similarly, in the eruption in 2000 (28 May–19 June), activity occurred at two sites: ~4,095 m (site 1) and ~3,300 m (site 2). During both eruptions, the higher vents were more explosive, with strombolian activity, while the lower vents were more effusive. Accordingly, most of the lava (~8×10⁷ m³ in 1999 and ~6×10⁶ m³ in 2000) was emitted from the lower sites. The 1999–2000 lavas are predominantly basanites with low Ni (5–79 ppm), Cr (40–161 ppm) and mg numbers (34–40). Olivine (Fo_77–85, phenocrysts and Fo_68–72, microlites), clinopyroxene (Wo₄₇En₄₁Fs₁₀ to Wo₅₁En₃₄Fs₁₅), plagioclase (An_49–67) and titanomagnetite are the principal phenocryst and groundmass phases. The lavas contain xenocrysts of olivine and clinopyroxene, which are interpreted as fragments of intrusive rocks disrupted by magma ascent. Major and trace element characteristics point to early fractionation of olivine. The clinopyroxenes (Al₂O₃ 1.36–7.83 wt%) have high Al^iv/Al^vi ratios (1.3–1.8) and are rich in TiO₂, characteristics typical of low pressure clinopyroxenes. Geochemical differences between the 1999–2000 lavas and those from previous eruptions, such as higher Nb/Zr of the former, suggest that different eruptions discharged magmas that evolved differently in space and time. Geophysical and petrological data indicate that these fractionated magmas originated just below the geophysical Moho (at 20–22 km) in the lithospheric mantle. During ascent, the magmas disrupted intrusions and earlier magma pockets. The main ascent path is below the summit, where newly arrived magma degasses. Degassed magma simultaneously intrudes the flank rift zones where most lava is extruded.An erratum to this article can be found at     

Effect of displacement rate on the real area of contact and temperatures generated during frictional sliding of Tennessee sandstone

Summary The real area of contact has been determined, and measurements of the maximum and average surface temperatures generated during frictional sliding along precut surfaces in Tennessee sand-stone have been made, through the use of thermodyes. Triaxial tests have been made at 50 MPa confining pressure and constant displacement rates of 10^–2 to 10^–6 cm/sec, and displacements up to 0.4 om. At 0.2 cm of stable sliding, the maximum temperature decreases with decreasing nominal displacement rate from between 1150° to 1175°C at 10^–2 cm/sec to between 75° to 115°C at 10^–3 cm/sec. The average temperature of the surface is between 75 and 115°C at 10^–2 cm/sec, but shows no rise from room temperature at 10^–3 cm/sec. At 0.4 cm displacement, and in the stick-slip mode, as the nominal displacement rate decreases from 10^–3 to 10^–6 cm/sec, the maximum temperature decreases from between 1120° to 1150°C to between 1040° to 1065°C. The average surface temperature is 115° to 135°C at displacement rates from 2.6×10^–3 to 10^–4 cm/sec.With a decrease in the displacement rate from 10^–2 to 10^–6 cm/sec, the real area of contact increases from about 5 to 14 percent of the apparent area; the avergge area of asperity contact increases from 2.5 to 7.5×10^–4 cm². Although fracture is the dominate mechanism during stick-up thermal softening and creep may also contribute to the unstable sliding process.     

A determination of the wind-driven ocean circulation from the vorticity budget of the atmosphere

Summary The annual mean distribution of the surface stress curl over the Northern Hemisphere has been estimated from the horizontal vorticity advection in the atmosphere by using the upper-wind statistics as published byCrutcher [2]³). The results are used to compute the wind-driven mass transport (Sverdrup transport) in North Atlantic and North Pacific. The calculated intensity of the Gulf Stream is largest at the latitude 35°N, where a mass transport of 45×10⁶ tons sec^–1 is obtained; for the maximum intensity of the Kuroshio current a value of 60×10⁶ tons sec^–1 is obtained.Research supported in part by the Section of Atmospheric Sciences, National Science Foundation, Grant GP-2561.The research for this study was started by the author at the Department of Meteorology and Oceanography, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich.     

Importance of ciliated protozoa in relation to the bacterial and phytoplanktonic biomass in an oligo-mesotrophic lake,during the spring diatom bloom

The abundance and the biomass of bacterial, phytoplanktonic, and ciliate communities were estimated at different depths during the spring planktonic development in an oligo-mesotrophic lake (the Pavin lake).The bacterial population, which consists mainly of free bacteria (94% of the total bacterial abundance), displays only low cell densities (0.6 to 7 × 10⁵ cells · ml^–1) and represents low biomass values (0.9 to 11.5 µgC·l^–1) The bacteria represent from 0.9 to 23.8% (M = 9.7%) of the microplanktonic biomass (with the exclusion of heterotrophic nanoflagellates, i.e. bacteria + phytoplankton + ciliates, size range 0.2–160 µm). The abundance of the phytoplankton varies between 0.5 and 1.8 × 10⁶ cells·l^–1, and the biomass values between 12 and 118 µC·l^–1. The phytoplankton population constitutes the largest part of the microplanktonic biomass (51.9 to 96.6%, M = 80.6%), and the diatomMelosira italica subsp.subarctica is the largely dominant species of this community. The population of ciliates, essentiallyOligotrichida andScuticociliatida, displays densities between 1.3 and 38.3 × 10³ cells·l^–1 (M = 6.7 × 10³ cells·l^–1), and biomass values vary from 0.10 to 16.30 µgC·l^–1 (M = 6.01 µgC·l^–1). The ciliates constitute thus from 0.1 to 26.4% (M = 9.8%) of the microplanktonic biomass. Whereas the oligotrichs are best represented in the euphotic zone, the small-sized scuticociliates dominate in the hypolimnion. Besides, species having symbionts and considered to be mixotrophic (Strobilidium gyrans, Strombidium viride, Stokesia vernalis) develop preferentially in the epilimnion and constitute more than 50% of the total ciliate biomass.     

Factors affecting longitudinal dispersion in estuaries of different scale

Traditionally, the overall diluting capacity of an estuary is characterized using a coefficient of longitudinal dispersion, K_xe, which is given by the ratio of the dispersive flux of a dissolved substance to its tidally averaged longitudinal gradient. A steady-state model, which assumes a balance between the dispersive and non-dispersive fluxes and an exponential increase in estuary cross-sectional area towards the sea, has been used to derive expressions for the axial salinity distribution and the dispersive flux of salt. The model was set up assuming either a constant dispersion coefficient along the estuary or one that increased with distance towards the sea. By comparing salinity predictions with data from five UK estuaries, estimates were made of the maximum dispersive salt flux and the corresponding maximum salinity gradient for each system. The results indicated that there was an approximately linear relation between the fluxes and gradients, and the slope of a line plotted through the origin provided an estimate of a common K_xe for all five estuaries. The magnitude of K_xe was found to be about 90 m² s^–1 with a standard deviation of approximately ±32 m² s^–1. It is concluded that a representative value of 100 m² s^–1 for K_xe is a reasonable first choice when setting up a cross-sectionally averaged estuary model. The results also showed that larger systems, such as the Thames, had lower salinity gradients and lower dispersive salt fluxes, whilst smaller estuaries displayed the opposite characteristics. The model was used to predict the variation in the non-advective flux of salt along an estuary. The distribution was found to be similar to the corresponding flux distribution estimated from observations at the seaward end of the Tees estuary, despite appreciable spatial variations in the individual flux components. Allowing for a small decrease in freshwater flow, the model indicated that there was a decrease in the maximum dispersive flux between neap and spring tides. It is argued that such a reduction in flux can result in a seaward shift in the salinity distribution to a region of greater cross-section, where the freshwater transport per unit area again balances the reduced upstream dispersive flux, as found in the neap to spring response in the Tees estuary.Responsible Editor: Hans Burchard     

Measurement of lower-stratospheric aerosol by a balloon-borne photometer

Height distribution of the stratospheric aerosol extinction coefficient was measured in the altitude range 10 to 20 km by a balloon-borne multi-color sunphotometer in May 1978. It is demonstrated that detailed structures of the distribution of stratospheric aerosol can be remotely measured by the solar occultation method as well as by lidar andin situ particle counter observations. In the aerosol layer appearing at 18 km altitude the extinction coefficient at 800–1000 nm wavelength reached to 3×10^–7 m^–1, which was reasonable compared with lidar observations. Wavelength dependence of the aerosol optical depth was crudely estimated to be proportional to ^–1.5.