On the coalescence of twisted flux tubes

Abstract

We study the problem of the coalescence of twisted flux tubes by assuming that the azimuthal field lines reconnect at a current sheet during the coalescence process and everywhere else the magnetic field is frozen in the fluid. We derive relations connecting the topology of the coalesced flux tube with the topologies of the initial flux tubes, and then obtain a structure equation for calculating the field configuration of the coalesced flux tube from the given topology. Some solutions for the two extreme cases of low-β plasma and high-β plasma are discussed. The coalesced flux tube has less twist than the initial flux tube. Magnetic helicity is found to be exactly conserved during the coalescence, but the assumptions in the model put a constraint on the energy dissipation so that we do not get a relaxation to the minimum-energy Taylor state in the low-β case. It is pointed out that the structure equation connecting the topology and the equilibrium configuration is quite general and can be of use in many two-dimensional flux tube problems.     

Spectral characteristics of the meridional transport of angular momentum in the mid-troposhere of the Southern Hemisphere

Summary The wavenumber-frequency spectra of the meridional flux of angular momentum at 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60° and 70°S, at 500 mb, show a definite domain of wave interactions between the zonal and meridional components of the velocity at various latitudes. In middle latitudes, the spectral band of the meridional flux of angular momentum is oriented from a region of low wavenumbers and low frequencies to a region of high wavenumbers and negative frequencies assigned for waves moving from west to east. In low latitudes, however, the spectral domain is confined to a narrow band centered near the zero frquency.In contrast to the meridional flux of angular momentum in the Northern Hemisphere in which the intensity in winter is about twice that in Summer, in the Southern Hemisphere the meridional flux shows same intensity for all seasons.In the Southern Hemisphere, most of the meridional flux of angular momentum is directed toward the south pole and is accomplished by the eastward moving waves. In the Northern Hemisphere, however, most of the meridional flux is directed toward the north pole and is contributed by the stationary waves.The National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado 80302, (USA).     

Magnetic diffusion and the motion of field lines

Diffusion of a magnetic field through a plasma is discussed in one-, two- and three-dimensional configurations, together with the possibility of describing such diffusion in terms of a magnetic flux velocity, which, when it exists, is in general non-unique. Physically useful definitions of such a velocity include doing so in terms of the energy flow or in such a way that it vanishes in a steady state. Straight field lines (or plane flux surfaces) diffuse as if flux is disappearing at a neutral sheet, whereas circular field lines (or cylindrical flux surfaces) do so as if flux is disappearing at an 0-type neutral line. In three dimensions it is not always possible to define a flux velocity, for example when the magnetic flux through a closed field line is changing in time. However, in at least some such cases it is possible to describe the behaviour of the magnetic field in terms of a pair of quasi-flux-velocities.     

地－空界面上天然中子辐射场的数理模型

本文论述了地－空界面上天然宇宙中子流的来源;将天然中子按能量分为快中子组（En＞0.1MeV）与慢热中子组,建立了地－空界面上天然快中子流与慢热中子流粒子注量率随空间分布的数理方程.理论与实测结果相互验证表明：（1）地－空界面上天然中子流粒子注量率随距近地表高度的增加而呈指数规律减小;（2）地－空界面上天然中子流粒子注量率随海拨高程增加而呈指数规律增加;（3）地－空界面上上升中子流粒子注量率随地表介质含水率的增加而减少.     

2002年南海季风爆发前后西沙海区海-气通量交换及其变化

利用2002年4月24日至6月20日在西沙海区进行的第三次南海海-气通量观测试验资料,采用涡相关法和TOGA COARE2.5b版本通量计算方案,计算了西南季风爆发前后海洋-大气间的通量交换,讨论了辐射、动量、感热通量、潜热通量、海洋热量净收支的时间变化特征及其与气象要素变化的关系.结果表明：西南季风爆发前后,太阳短波辐射、海面净辐射、潜热通量和海洋热量净收支变化特别强烈;通量变化受不同环境要素的影响：感热通量与海-气温差呈正相关关系,与气温呈明显的负相关关系.潜热通量与风速、海-气温差及海面水温均有正相关关系,其中与风速的关系最密切.动量通量（τ）主要随风速变化,它与风速（V）的关系可以表示为τ=0.00185V2-0.00559V+0.01248.     

Seasonal variation in the flux of planktonic foraminifera: time series sediment trap results from the Panama Basin

A mooring array with three automated sediment traps capable of collecting time series samples was deployed in the Panama Basin for one year beginning in December 1979. A series of six consecutive two-month long samples was collected at each of three depths (890, 2590 and 3560 m) in order to examine seasonal variation in the flux of planktonic foraminifera, and evaluate the contribution of foraminifera to the total carbonate flux.The flux of the larger planktonic foraminifera (250–500 μm and 500–1000 μm) is greatest during February–March when upwelling is most intense in the Panama Basin. In contrast, the maximum flux of the smaller foraminifera (125–250 μm) is associated with a phytoplankton bloom during the summer months (June through September). This size-dependent flux pattern appears to be a species specific effect. The flux of the larger foraminifera is dominated by non-spinose forms (i.e. Neogloboquadrina dutertrei and Globorotalia theyeri), while the flux of the smaller foraminifera consists predominantly of spinose species (i.e. Globigerinoides ruber, G. sacculifer and G. conglobatus). Although the magnitude of the flux varied throughout the year, the average weight of individual foraminiferal tests in different size fractions showed no seasonal variability.With the exception of the June–July period when there was a major coccolith bloom, planktonic foraminifera greater than 125 μm account for between 28 and 34% of the total carbonate flux at this location. During the coccolith bloom, planktonic foraminifera accounted for less than 2% of the total carbonate flux. Planktonic foraminifera in the 250–500 μm size range are the most significant contributors to the overall particulate flux, accounting for roughly 70–80% of the total foraminiferal fluxes measured at the three trap depths.     

2001年3月2日磁通量传输事件特性的研究

2001年3月2日11:00 至11:15 UT 期间,Cluster Ⅱ在南半球极尖区晨侧附近磁鞘内探测到3个通量传输事件（简称FTEs）. 本文利用Cluster Ⅱ星簇4颗卫星观测到的磁场和等离子体资料研究了这些通量传输事件的磁场形态和粒子特征. 并利用它们探测到的空间磁场梯度资料由安培定律直接求出星簇所在区域的电流分布. 结果指出：（1）BY占优势的行星际磁场结构在磁层顶的重联可以在极尖区附近发生;（2）FTEs通量管形成初期内外总压差和磁箍缩应力不一定平衡,达到平衡有一发展过程;（3）FTEs通量管截面在L M平面内的线度约为1.89RE;（4）FTEs通量管中等离子体主要沿轴向场方向流动,整个通量管以慢于背景等离子体的速度沿磁层顶向南向尾运动;（5）FTEs通量管中不仅有轴向电流,也存在环向电流. 轴向电流基本沿轴向磁场方向流动. 轴向和环向电流在管内均呈体分布,因而轴向电流产生的环向磁场接近管心时不断减小到零,而环向电流生成的轴向场则不断增大到极值;（6）在通量管的磁鞘部分观测到磁层能量粒子流量的增强,这表明通量管通过磁层顶将磁鞘和磁层内部连通起来了.     

On the maintenance of the atmosphere's kinetic energy over the Northern Hemisphere in winter

Summary A quantitative study of the balance requirements of the atmosphere's kinetic energy during normal winter conditions is made for the whole Northern Hemisphere and separately for the tropics (0–30°N) and the extratropics (30–90°N) by using different sources of data. The most important new finding is a demonstration of the existence (on the isobaric surfaces) of meridional eddy flux of potential energy; this flux approximately counterbalances the meridional flux of kinetic energy. One of the conclusions reached is that maintenance of the large-scale eddies in the tropics is mainly due to forcing by extratropical eddies. This forcing occurs at 30°N as a southward eddy flux of potential energy.     

人为热源对城市边界层结构影响的数值模拟研究

用南京大学多尺度模式系统在不同区域进行了多种人为热源引入方案的研究,结果表明：考虑时空变化的人为热源按比例分别引入到地表能量平衡方程和大气热量守恒方程是将人为热源引入模式的最优方案.人为热通量密度变化的敏感性试验结果发现：人为热源的存在对城市热岛的生成有重要作用.计算结果表明,南京现有的人为热源排放量对该地区的城市热岛贡献率约为29.6％,若人为热通量密度在现有量值的基础上增大1倍,则其热岛贡献率可达42.9％;此外,人为热的排放对清晨城市边界层逆温结构有一定程度的破坏作用,能明显升高夜间近地层气温达0.5～1.0℃,并能使白天湍流活动的影响范围增大,混合层高度抬高,使夜间城市热岛环流的影响范围扩大.     

Spatial distribution of surface energy fluxes over the Loess Plateau in China and its relationship with climate and the environment

China's Loess Plateau is located at the edge of the Asian summer monsoon in a transition zone of climate and ecology. In the Loess Plateau, climate and environments change along with space, which has an obvious impact on the spatial distribution of surface energy fluxes. Because of scarce land-surface observation sites and short observation time in this area, previous studies have failed to fully understand the land-surface energy balance characteristics over the entire the Loess Plateau and their effect mechanisms. In this paper, we first test the simulation ability of the Community Land Model(CLM) model by comparing its simulated data with observed data. Based on the simulation data for the Loess Plateau over the past thirty years, we then analyze the spatial distribution of surface energy fluxes and compare the pattern differences between the area averages for the driest year and wettest year. Furthermore, we analyze the relationship between the spatial distribution of the components of the surface energy balance with longitude, latitude, altitude, precipitation and temperature. The main results are as follows: the spatial distribution of surface energy fluxes are significantly different, with the surface net radiation and sensible heat flux increasing from south to north and latent heat flux and soil heat flux decreasing from southeast to northwest. The sensible heat flux at the driest point is nearly twice as high as that at the wettest point, whereas the latent heat flux and soil heat flux at the driest point are half as much as that at the wettest point. The impact of variations of annual precipitation on the components of the surface energy balance is also obvious, and the maximum magnitude of the changes to the sensible heat flux and latent heat flux is nearly 30%. To a certain extent, geographical factors(including longitude, latitude, and altitude) and climate factors(including temperature and precipitation) affect the surface energy fluxes. However, the surface net radiation is more closely related to latitude and altitude, sensible heat flux is more closely related to the monsoon rainfall and latitude, and latent heat flux and soil heat flux are more closely related to the monsoon rainfall.     

Study on the processing method of nighttime CO_2 eddy covariance flux data in ChinaFLUX

At present, using Eddy Covariance (EC) method to estimate the "true value" of carbon sequestration in terrestrial ecosystem arrests more attention. However, one issue is how to solve the uncertainty of observations (especially the nighttime CO2 flux data) appearing in post-processing CO2 flux data. The ratio of effective and reliable nighttime EC CO2 flux data to all nighttime data is relatively low (commonly, less than 50%) for all the long-term and continuous observation stations in the world. Thus, the processing method of nighttime CO2 flux data and its effect analysis on estimating CO2 flux annual sums are very important. In this paper, the authors analyze and discuss the reasons for underestimating nighttime CO2 flux using EC method, and introduce the general theory and method for processing nighttime CO2 flux data. By analyzing the relationship between nighttime CO2 flux and air fraction velocity u., we present an alternate method, Average Values Test (AVT), to determine the thresholds of fraction velocity (u.c) for screening the effective nighttime CO2 flux data. Meanwhile, taking the data observed in Yucheng and Changbai Mountains stations for an example, we analyze and discuss the effects of different methods or parameters on nighttime CO2 flux estimations. Finally, based on the data of part ChinaFLUX stations and related literatures, empirical models of nighttime respiration at different sites in ChinaFLUX are summarized.     

Assessing the importance of seepage and springs to nitrate flux in a stream network in the Wisconsin sand plains

Evaluating the flow paths that contribute to solute flux in stream networks can lead to greater understanding of the linkages between biogeochemistry and hydrology. We compared the contributions of groundwater in spring brooks and in seepage through the streambed to nitrate flux in the Emmons Creek network in the Wisconsin sand plains. We predicted that spring brooks would contribute disproportionately to nitrate flux due to the presumed higher advection rates in springs and less opportunity for nitrate removal relative to seeps. Nitrate flux was measured in 15 spring brooks that entered Emmons Creek. Nitrate flux from seepage was measured at the locations of 30 piezometers, based on Darcy's Law, and by a reach‐scale injection of Rhodamine water tracing (RWT). When seepage discharge was estimated from the RWT release, groundwater inputs from seepage and springs accounted for the discharge gain in the Emmons Creek channel. Springs brooks and seepage (based on the RWT release) contributed 37% and 63%, respectively, to nitrate flux inputs in the study reach. Contrary to our prediction, seeps contributed disproportionately to nitrate flux relative to their discharge. Relatively high rates of seepage discharge and higher than anticipated nitrate concentrations in the shallow pore water at seepage locations contributed to the unanticipated result.     

On the derivation of the energy flux of linear magnetohydrodynamic waves

Abstract

New light is shed on the derivation of the energy flux of the linear MHD waves. It is shown that, according to a suggestion of Lighthill, the usual perturbation procedure, which starts from the general expression for the energy flux, need not be supplemented by an averaging procedure. As a result, it is shown that to second order in the wave amplitude, a quantity identifiable as the wave energy flux is conserved. Some of the subtleties inherent in the derivation of the pertubation energy equation are discussed.     

The structure of convection in the spherical mantle with internal heating

Thermal convection in the mantle is caused by the heat transported upwards from the core and by the heat produced by the internal radioactive sources. According to the data on the heat transfer by the mantle plumes and geochemical evidence, only 20% of the total heat of the Earth is supplied to the mantle from the core, whereas most of the heat is generated by the internal sources. Along with the models that correctly allow for the internal heat sources, there are also many publications (including monographs) on the models of mantle convection that completely ignore the internal heating or the heat flux from below. In this study, we analyze to what extent these approximations could be correct. The analytical distributions of temperature and heat flux in the case of internal heating without convection and the results of the numerical modeling for convection with different intensity are presented. It is shown that the structure of thermal convection is governed by the distribution of the heat flux in the mantle but not by the heat balance, as it is typically implicitly assumed in most works. Heat production by the internal sources causes the growth of the heat flux as a function of radius. However, in the spherical mantle of the Earth, the heat flux decreases with radius due to the geometry. It turned out that with the parameters of the present Earth, both these effects compensate each other to a considerable extent, and the resulting heat flux turns out to be nearly constant as a function of radius. Since the structure of the convective flows in the mantle is determined by the distributions of heat flux and total heat flux, in the Cartesian models of the mantle convection the effective contribution of internal heating is small, and ignoring the heat flux from the core significantly distorts the structure of the convective currents and temperature distributions in the mantle.     

口泉断裂断层气地球化学变化特征及断层活动性

2015年对口泉断裂进行了3期断层气地球化学重复观测, 分析了中段石井村剖面和北段上皇庄剖面CO₂、 Rn、 Hg浓度及通量时空变化特征, 发现这两条剖面内CO₂、 Rn浓度及通量时空变化特征基本一致。 石井村剖面CO₂通量、 Rn浓度及通量高于上皇庄剖面。 上皇庄剖面Hg浓度及通量3期随时间持续上升。 认为口泉断裂断层活动活跃, 第四纪活动性中段高于北段, 且北段断层活动呈增强趋势。     

新30号泉水流量观测资料的初步分析

在系统清理新疆温泉地震台新30号泉水流量20多年的观测资料的基础上,发现新30号泉在中强地震前泉水流量有明显的异常变化,对附近的小震以同震响应或震后效应为主。因此,深入研究泉水流量的动态类型,有效地排除各种干扰,包括人为因素等,将会显著地增强泉水流量动态监测的映震效能,有助于提高温泉地震台地震短临预测能力。     

木星磁尾重联产生的磁通量管向内运动的数值模拟

本文通过利用包含离心力的自洽、轴对称稳态木星磁层模型,以及等离子体细丝运动理论对磁尾重联产生的磁通量管向内输运进行研究.基于细丝运动理论模型,通过MHD数值模拟我们可以得到磁通量管随时间变化的许多特性.模拟结果表明,重联产生的磁通量管向内运动可到达10R_J以内,磁通量管赤道部分的速度可以达到350 km·s^-1左右,表现出很强的向行星方向的流动.初始磁通量管中的等离子体密度和压强均小于周围介质,随着它迅速向木星方向运动,它的等离子体密度由于体积压缩逐渐上升,等离子体压强则逐渐上升到与周围介质相当.磁通量管在电离层上足点向赤道方向的运动滞后于它在赤道面上向行星方向的运动.

     

An improved method for evaluating the seasonal variability of total suspended sediment flux field in the Yellow and East China Seas

The suspended sediment flux field in the Yellow and East China Seas(YECS) displays its seasonal variability.A new method is introduced in this paper to obtain the flux field via retrieval of ocean color remote sensing data,statistical analysis of historical suspended sediment concentration data,and numerical simulation of three-dimensional(3D) flow velocity.The components of the sediment flux field include(i) surface suspended sediment concentration inverted from ocean color remote sensing data;(ii) vertical distribution of suspended sediment concentration obtained by statistical analysis of historical observation data;and(iii) 3D flow field modeled by a numerical simulation.With the improved method,the 3D suspended sediment flux field in the YECS has been illustrated.By comparison with the suspended sediment flux field solely based on the numerical simulation of a suspended sediment transport model,the suspended sediment flux field obtained by the improved method is found to be more reliable.The 3D suspended sediment flux field from ocean colour remote sensing and in situ observation are more closer to the reality.Furthermore,by quantitatively analyzing the newly obtained suspended sediment flux field,the quantity of sediment erosion and deposition within the different regions can be evaluated.The sediment exchange between the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea can be evident.The mechanism of suspended sediment transport in the YECS can be better understood.In particular,it is suggested that the long-term transport of suspended sediment is controlled mainly by the circulation pattern,especially the current in winter.     

How hydroperiod and species richness affect the balance of resource flows across aquatic-terrestrial habitats

Ecosystem functioning is influenced by the flow of nutrients, detritus, and organisms. Variation in these flows, like that found in temporary ecosystems, affects temporal and spatial patterns of community diversity and secondary production. We evaluated the influence of hydroperiod and ecosystem size on the bi-directional flow of subsidies from intermittent ponds and surrounding forests by quantifying litter deposition and the abundance and biomass of emerging insects and amphibians. In addition, we assessed whether amphibian and insect diversity influenced the magnitude of cross-habitat resource flux. We found substantial spatial and temporal variation in the magnitude, composition, and timing of cross-habitat resource subsidies. Overall, deposition into ponds far exceeded biomass exported via insect and amphibian emergence. We found a negative association between resource flux and the diversity of amphibians and insects. Different species groups contributed to flux patterns unequally, with insects having higher diversity but lower flux compared to amphibians. Organismal flux varied among ponds with amphibians having the highest flux in the shortest hydroperiod pond and insect flux was highest from an intermediate hydroperiod pond. This work reveals how variation in pond size and permanence affects species diversity and ecosystem flows. Species composition played a major role in flux differences across ponds. Further, given the general lack of research and conservation prioritization of temporary ponds, uncovering how these ponds contribute to cross-habitat linkages is necessary to develop fully integrated management strategies.     

Geoneutrinos and the energy budget of the Earth

The total energy loss of the Earth is well constrained by heat flux measurements on land, the plate cooling model for the oceans, and the buoyancy flux of hotspots. It amounts to 46 ± 2 TW. The main sources that balance the total energy loss are the radioactivity of the Earth's crust and mantle, the secular cooling of the Earth's mantle, and the energy loss from the core. Only the crustal radioactivity is well constrained. The uncertainty on each of the other components is larger than the uncertainty of the total heat loss. The mantle energy budget cannot be balanced by adding the best estimates of mantle radioactivity, secular cooling of the mantle, and heat flux from the core. Neutrino observatories in deep underground mines can detect antineutrinos emitted by the radioactivity of U and Th. Provided that the crustal contribution to the geoneutrino flux can be very precisely calculated, it will be possible to put robust constraints on mantle radioactivity and its contribution to the Earth's energy budget. Equally strong constraints could be obtained from a deep ocean observatory without the need of crustal correction. In the future, it may become possible to obtain directional information on the geoneutrino flux and to resolve radial variations in concentration of heat producing elements in the mantle.