Molecular oxygen concentration at altitudes of 90–120 km according to the CORONAS-F solar UV measurements

The molecular oxygen concentration at altitudes of 90–120 km has been estimated, using the CORONAS-F/VUSS-L data on the extreme UV absorption in the Earth’s atmosphere. It has been indicated that the concentration at these altitudes is a factor of 1.3 as high as the concentration according to the Jacchia-77 model. It has been revealed that the level of solar activity slightly affects the molecular oxygen concentration at these altitudes.     

Seasonal and Long-Term Changes in the Intensity of O2(b1Σ) and OH(X2Π) Airglow in the Mesopause Region

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Spectral observations of the mesopause airglow at the Zvenigorod Scientific Station have been used to obtain the midnight emission intensities of molecular oxygen...     

Detection of ionospheric layers in the dayside ionosphere of Venus at altitudes of 80–120 km from Venera-15 and -16 two-frequency radio-occultation results

We propose a technique for analyzing radio-occultation data that allows the effects of the noise, ionosphere, and atmosphere on the radio-occultation results to be reliably separated. This enables a more accurate investigation into the ionosphere formation mechanisms. Ionized layers are shown to exist in the dayside ionosphere of Venus at altitudes from 80 to 120 km. The position of the lower boundary of this ionized region can vary over the range of 80–100 km and the electron density gradients can change several times several.     

RETRACTED: A theoretical study of the ligand-exchange reactions of Na+·X complexes (X=O,O2,N2,CO2 and H2O): implications for the upper atmosphere

This article has been retracted at the request of the editor.Reason: The publisher regrets that several errors appeared in this paper and that it therefore has been retracted. A correct version of the complete paper has been published in Volume 64, Issue 7, pages 863–870 of the Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics.     

Temporal variations of δ~(18)O of atmospheric water vapor at Delingha

Oxygen stable isotope of atmospheric water vapor is widely used to study the modern process of cli- mate. Atmospheric water vapor samples were collected at Dlingha, northeast of Tibetan Plateau during the period from July 2005 to February 2006. The variation of δ18O and the relationships between δ18O and both the temperature and specific humidity are analyzed in this paper. Results show that the sea- sonal variation of δ18O of atmospheric water vapor at Delingha is remarkable with higher δ18O in summer and lower δ18O in winter. The temporal variation of vapor δ18O shows obvious fluctuations, with magnitude of over 37‰. The daily variation of the δ18O is highly correlated with air temperature. The relationship between δ18O and atmospheric water vapor content is complex. Study shows that δ18O of atmospheric water vapor is positively correlated with specific humidity in winter in seasonal scale and inversely correlated with specific humidity in summer rainy period. The δ18O values of at- mospheric water vapor are lower than those of precipitation at Delingha, and the average difference is 10.7‰. Variations of δ18O of atmospheric water vapor is also found to be affected by precipitation events, The model results show that the precipitation effect could have caused the vapor δ18O in the raining season to lower by 7% in average in July and August.     

Daytime VLF emissions at the Sodankyla Observatory (L ∼ 5.3) at the front of high-speed solar wind streams

We discuss the results of an analysis of digital high-sensitivity ground-based observations of very low frequency (VLF) emissions, carried out in Northern Finland (L = 5.3) in May–June 2012. During this period of time, we found that three high-speed solar wind streams approached the Earth’s magnetosphere and at the front of these fluxes long-lasting intense daytime bursts of VLF emissions were generated in two frequency bands: above and below ～2.5 kHz. At frequencies above ～2.5–3.0 kHz, there were VLF hiss waves, the temporal structure of which consisted of a quasi-periodic sequence of separate stronger spots of noise signals. The low-frequency band was represented by chorus waves, superimposed on intense hiss emissions at frequencies below ～1.5 kHz. The high-frequency (f > 2.5 kHz) waves were elliptic and, predominately, left-hand polarized and the low-frequency waves were right-hand polarized. It was supposed that high-frequency VLF hiss waves were generated at L < 5 and VLF chorus waves were generated at L > 5. We discuss a possible scenario of the generation and propagation of the VLF emissions observed.     

Spectral energy contributions of quasi-periodic oscillations (2–35 days) to the variability of the f oF2

The relative contributions of quasi-periodic oscillations from 2 to 35 days to the variability of f_oF2 at middle northern latitudes between 42°N and 60°N are investigated. The f_oF2 hourly data for the whole solar cycle 21 (1976–1986) for four European ionospheric stations Rome (41.9°N, 12.5°E), Poitiers (46.5°N, 0.3°E), Kaliningrad (54.7°N, 20.6°E) and Uppsala (59.8°N, 17.6°E) are used for analysis. The relative contributions of different periodic bands due to planetary wave activity and solar flux variations are evaluated by integrated percent contributions of spectral energy for these bands. The observations suggest that a clearly expressed seasonal variation of percent contributions exists with maximum at summer solstice and minimum at winter solstice for all periodic bands. The contributions for summer increase when the latitude increases. The contributions are modulated by the solar cycle and simultaneously influenced by the long-term geomagnetic activity variations. The greater percentage of spectral energy between 2 to 35 days is contributed by the periodic bands related to the middle atmosphere planetary wave activity.     

Spatial and temporal variations in infrared emissions of the upper atmosphere. 1. Atomic oxygen (λ 63 μm) emission

Rocket and balloon measurement data on atomic-oxygen (λ 63 µm) emission in the upper atmosphere are presented. The data from the longest (1989–2003) period of measurements of the atomic-oxygen (λ 63 µm) emission intensity obtained by spectral instruments on sounding balloons at an altitude of 38 km at midlatitudes have been systematized and analyzed. Regularities in diurnal and seasonal variations in the intensity of this emission, as well as in its relation with solar activity, have been revealed.     

Can the spread of non-native oysters (Crassostrea gigas) at the early stages of population expansion be managed?

The Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) was introduced into Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland in the 1970s. It was assumed that local environmental conditions would not facilitate successful reproduction. However, in the 1990s there were reports of C. gigas outside licensed aquaculture sites and this investigation set out to ascertain the current distribution, years of likely recruitment and population structure of the species. C. gigas were found distributed widely throughout the northern basin during surveys; the frequency distribution suggesting C. gigas is not recruiting every year. Establishment of feral populations of C. gigas elsewhere have linked to habitat change. A pilot cull was initiated to assess the success rate of early intervention. This paper demonstrates the potential benefits of responding rapidly to initial reports of non-native species in a way that may curtail establishment and expansion. The method advocated in simple and can be recommended to the appropriate regulatory authorities.     

Long-term variation of solar UVB (290–330 nm) observed at the earth's surface

During solar cycle 21 (1976–86), the primary solar irradiance at 300 nm was steady during 1980–82 and thereafter decreased until 1986 by only 2–3%. The stratospheric ozone in middle latitudes had a QBO of 3–4% in this interval but the long-term ozone trend was less than 3% per decade, which could result in a UVB increase of only 5–6% per decade. Thus, the combined effect of changes in primary solar irradiance and ozone changes could be an increase of 5–6% in UVB, observed at ground during 1977–81 and a steady level during 1981–86. During 1976–86, the average cloudiness changed by less than 5% indicating UVB changes of 5% or less on this count. The aerosol level was almost constant during 1976–82 and increased abruptly in 1982 due to the E1 Chichon eruption and decayed slowly unitl 1986. Thus, due to aerosols only, the UVB was expected to be constant during 1976–82, to decrease sharply in 1982 and to recoup slowly thereafter.Measurements of clear-sky solar UVB at ground made at Jungfraujoch (Swiss Alps, 47°N, 8°E) during 1981–89 and at Rockville, USA (39°N, 77°W) were not comparable between themselves and did not follow the above expected patterns. Neither did the all-day R-B meter UVB measurements at Philadelphia, USA (40°N, 75°W) and Minneapolis, USA (45°N, 93°W). We suspect that some of these measurements are erroneous. This needs further detailed scrutiny.     

Temporal and spatial variations of δ~(15)N and δ~(18)O for atmospheric N_2O above the oceanic surface from Shanghai to Antarctica

During the 22nd Chinese Antarctic Research Expedition (CHINARE-22), the atmospheric gas samples above the oceanic surface and near the surface were collected on the track for the scientific ship "Xuelong" and on Millor Peninsula of eastern Antarctica, respectively, using the Tedlar gas bags. Every day the sampling times were 10:00 and 22:00 (local time), respectively. In the laboratory, high-precision measurement of the isotopic compositions for N2O in these gas samples was conducted using Thermo Finnigan MAT-253 Isotopic Mass Spectrometer with a fully automated interface for the pre-GC concen-tration (PreCon) of trace gases. The temporal and spatial variations of δ 15N and δ 18O in atmospheric N2O were analyzed. The mean δ 15N and δ 18O-N2O values above the oceanic surface were (7.21±0.50)‰ and (44.52±0.52)‰, respectively. From 30°N to Antarctica, the δ 15N (6.05‰―7.88‰) linearly increased with the rate of about 0.01‰ with the latitude while the δ 18O (43.05‰―48.78‰) showed a large fluctua-tion. The δ 15N negatively correlated with air temperature and N2O concentration, and slightly positively correlated with δ 18O. The summertime variations of δ 15N and δ 18O-N2O appeared the same trend on Millor Peninsula of eastern Antarctica. They significantly positively correlated with each other and negatively with N2O concentration. The δ 15N and δ 18O-N2O at different sites averaged (7.42±0.35)‰ and (44.69±0.49)‰, respectively, slightly higher than those above the oceanic surface, significantly higher than those of atmospheric N2O in the low-latitude regions of Northern Hemisphere. The predominant factors affecting the spatial variations of δ 15N and δ 18O values were also discussed. The isotopic data given in this study can help to investigate the global and regional N2O budgets.     

Process of source dynamics of the Jingtai earthquake (M=6. 2 )

ＰｒｏｃｅｓｓｏｆｓｏｕｒｃｅｄｙｎａｍｉｃｓｏｆｔｈｅＪｉｎｇｔａｉｅａｒｔｈｑｕａｋｅ（Ｍ＝６．２）Ｘｕｅ－ＢｉｎＤＵ（杜学彬）；Ｚｈｉ－ＤｅＹＡＮ（闫志德）ａｎｄＭｉｎｇ－ＷｕＺＯＵ（邹明武）（ＥａｒｔｈｑｕａｋｅＲｅｓｅａｒｃｈＩｎｓｔｉｔｕ...     

An EXAFS investigation of the mechanism of competitive sorption between Co(Ⅱ) and Ni(Ⅱ) at γ-alumina/solution interface

Co(Ⅱ)and Ni(Ⅱ)are two common toxic heavy metals,and may simultaneously exist in contaminated water,soil,and sediment systems in Earth’s surface environment.Under this circumstance,competitive adsorption between the two metals may influence their migration,toxicity,and bioavailability.In this research,the competitive sorption of Co(Ⅱ)and Ni(Ⅱ)on γ-Al_2O_3was studied using both macroscopic sorption experiments and extended X-ray absorption fine structure(EXAFS)spectroscopy.Results suggest that Ni(Ⅱ)reduced the amount of Co(Ⅱ)sorption in a binary-solute system at pH 6.0.This is because both Co(Ⅱ)and Ni(Ⅱ)form inner-sphere surface complexes during sorption on γ-Al_2O_3and compete for the surface reactive sites.However,Co(Ⅱ)exhibited a negligible influence on sorption amount of Ni(Ⅱ)under the same conditions,which suggests Ni(Ⅱ)has a stronger affinity to alumina surface.At pH 7.5,Co(Ⅱ)and Ni(Ⅱ)sorption density were much higher than that at pH 6.0,but there no mutual competitive effect was observed.EXAFS analysis further revealed that formation of layered double-hydrated precipitates was the dominant sorption mechanism for both Co(Ⅱ)and Ni(Ⅱ)at pH 7.5.Because this type of sorption does not rely on surface reactive sites,there was no competition between Co(Ⅱ)and Ni(Ⅱ).This finding sheds light on risk assessment and remediation of Ni/Co pollution.     

Analysis of the Microseismicity Induced by Fluid Injections at the EGS Site of Soultz-sous-Forêts (Alsace, France): Implications for the Characterization of the Geothermal Reservoir Properties

In June/July 2000, a hydraulic stimulation experiment took place at the geothermal EGS site of Soultz-sous-Forêts (Alsace, France) in order to enhance the permeability of the fractured granitic massif at 5 km depth. As it is well known that fluid injections tend to induce microseismic events, a downhole and a surface seismological network have been installed to monitor the seismic activity during the stimulation test. 23400 m³ of fluid have been injected in the rock volume through the open-hole section (4400 m–5000 m) of the well GPK2 at increasing rates of 30 l.s⁻¹, 40 l.s⁻¹ and then 50 l.s⁻¹. More than 7200 microseismic events in the magnitude range –0.9 to 2.6 have been precisely located through a simultaneous inversion of the seismic velocity structure and location parameters. The analysis of the behavior of the seismicity relative to the hydraulic parameters gives important information about the geothermal reservoir. It appears that the evolution of the seismicity strongly depends on the variations of the injection rate: An increase or a decrease leads to changes of the velocity structure, the number and magnitude of microseismic events. This involves different hydro-mechanical processes between the fluid flow and the fracture planes, which will control the final shape of the microseismic cloud. Moreover, the study of the variations of the b-value with time suggests that the stimulation experiment produces a large proportion of small earthquakes, but records of events of magnitude higher than 2 indicate that fluid injection could reactivate structures whose dimensions allow the generation of such earthquakes.     

Heavy metals contamination levels at the Coast of Aliağa (Turkey) ship recycling zone

Alia?a Bay is one of the most important maritime zones of Turkey where shipping activity, shipbreaking industry, steel works and petrochemical complexes exist together. Concentrations of heavy metals and organic carbon in sediment of the Alia?a Bay were investigated to evaluate an environmental risk assessment from metals contamination in 2009-2010. Comparison of the metal concentrations with average shale and Mediterranean background levels revealed that most of the samples from the Alia?a were polluted with Hg, Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn, Mn and Ni. It was found that Hg, Pb, Cu, Zn and Ni levels in Alia?a Bay exceeded the PEL values. Sediments, contaminated with Pb, Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni were considered as heavily polluted per the SQG.