Trans‐dimensional Bayesian inversion of controlled‐source electromagnetic data in the German North Sea

This paper presents the first controlled‐source electromagnetic survey carried out in the German North Sea with a recently developed seafloor‐towed electrical dipole–dipole system, i.e., HYDRA II. Controlled‐source electromagnetic data are measured, processed, and inverted in the time domain to estimate an electrical resistivity model of the sub‐seafloor. The controlled‐source electromagnetic survey targeted a shallow, phase‐reversed, seismic reflector, which potentially indicates free gas. To compare the resistivity model to reflection seismic data and draw a combined interpretation, we apply a trans‐dimensional Bayesian inversion that estimates model parameters and uncertainties, and samples probabilistically over the number of layers of the resistivity model. The controlled‐source electromagnetic data errors show time‐varying correlations, and we therefore apply a non‐Toeplitz data covariance matrix in the inversion that is estimated from residual analysis. The geological interpretation drawn from controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion results and borehole and reflection seismic data yield resistivities of ～1 Ωm at the seafloor, which are typical for fine‐grained marine deposits, whereas resistivities below ～20 mbsf increase to 2–4 Ωm and can be related to a transition from fine‐grained (Holocene age) to unsorted, coarse‐grained, and compacted glacial sediments (Pleistocene age). Interface depths from controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion generally match the seismic reflector related to the contrast between the different depositional environments. Resistivities decrease again at greater depths to ～1 Ωm with a minimum resistivity at ～300 mbsf where a seismic reflector (that marks a major flooding surface of late Miocene age) correlates with an increased gamma‐ray count, indicating an increased amount of fine‐grained sediments. We suggest that the grain size may have a major impact on the electrical resistivity of the sediment with lower resistivities for fine‐grained sediments. Concerning the phase‐reversed seismic reflector that was targeted by the survey, controlled‐source electromagnetic inversion results yield no indication for free gas below it as resistivities are generally elevated above the reflector. We suggest that the elevated resistivities are caused by an overall decrease in porosity in the glacial sediments and that the seismic reflector could be caused by an impedance contrast at a thin low‐velocity layer. Controlled‐source electromagnetic interface depths near the reflector are quite uncertain and variable. We conclude that the seismic interface cannot be resolved with the controlled‐source electromagnetic data, but the thickness of the corresponding resistive layer follows the trend of the reflector that is inclined towards the west.     

Sensitivity of tropical climate to low-level clouds in the NCEP climate forecast system

In this work, we examine the sensitivity of tropical mean climate and seasonal cycle to low clouds and cloud liquid water path (CLWP) by prescribing them in the NCEP climate forecast system (CFS). It is found that the change of low cloud cover alone has a minor influence on the amount of net shortwave radiation reaching the surface and on the warm biases in the southeastern Atlantic. In experiments where CLWP is prescribed using observations, the mean climate in the tropics is improved significantly, implying that shortwave radiation absorption by CLWP is mainly responsible for reducing the excessive surface net shortwave radiation over the southern oceans in the CFS. Corresponding to large CLWP values in the southeastern oceans, the model generates large low cloud amounts. That results in a reduction of net shortwave radiation at the ocean surface and the warm biases in the sea surface temperature in the southeastern oceans. Meanwhile, the cold tongue and associated surface wind stress in the eastern oceans become stronger and more realistic. As a consequence of the overall improvement of the tropical mean climate, the seasonal cycle in the tropical Atlantic is also improved. Based on the results from these sensitivity experiments, we propose a model bias correction approach, in which CLWP is prescribed only in the southeastern Atlantic by using observed annual mean climatology of CLWP. It is shown that the warm biases in the southeastern Atlantic are largely eliminated, and the seasonal cycle in the tropical Atlantic Ocean is significantly improved. Prescribing CLWP in the CFS is then an effective interim technique to reduce model biases and to improve the simulation of seasonal cycle in the tropics.     

Occurrence and Distribution of Organic Contaminants in the Aquatic System in Berlin. Part I: Drug Residues and other Polar Contaminants in Berlin Surface and Groundwater

Several polar contaminants were found in screening analyses of 30 representative surface water samples collected from rivers, lakes, and canals in Berlin. Residues of pharmaceuticals and N-(phenylsulfonyl)-sarcosine originating from various sewage treatment plants effluents were found at concentrations up to the μg/L-level in the surface water, whereas the concentrations of polar pesticides such as dichlorprop and mecoprop were always below 0.1 μg/L. The pharmaceuticals most frequently detected in the surface water samples include clofibric acid, diclofenac, ibuprofen, propiphenazone, and two other drug metabolites. Additional investigations of groundwater wells of a drinking water plant have shown that polar contaminants such as drug residues or N-(phenylsulfonyl)-sarcosine easily leach through the subsoil into the groundwater aquifers when contaminated surface water is used for groundwater recharge in drinking water production.     

Active layer hydrology in an arctic tundra ecosystem: quantifying water sources and cycling using water stable isotopes

Climate change and thawing permafrost in the Arctic will significantly alter landscape hydro‐geomorphology and the distribution of soil moisture, which will have cascading effects on climate feedbacks (CO₂ and CH₄) and plant and microbial communities. Fundamental processes critical to predicting active layer hydrology are not well understood. This study applied water stable isotope techniques (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) to infer sources and mixing of active layer waters in a polygonal tundra landscape in Barrow, Alaska (USA), in August and September of 2012. Results suggested that winter precipitation did not contribute substantially to surface waters or subsurface active layer pore waters measured in August and September. Summer rain was the main source of water to the active layer, with seasonal ice melt contributing to deeper pore waters later in the season. Surface water evaporation was evident in August from a characteristic isotopic fractionation slope (δ²H vs δ¹⁸O). Freeze‐out isotopic fractionation effects in frozen active layer samples and textural permafrost were indistinguishable from evaporation fractionation, emphasizing the importance of considering the most likely processes in water isotope studies, in systems where both evaporation and freeze‐out occur in close proximity. The fractionation observed in frozen active layer ice was not observed in liquid active layer pore waters. Such a discrepancy between frozen and liquid active layer samples suggests mixing of meltwater, likely due to slow melting of seasonal ice. This research provides insight into fundamental processes relating to sources and mixing of active layer waters, which should be considered in process‐based fine‐scale and intermediate‐scale hydrologic models. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Dramas of the Marine Extractive Reserve Managers in Brazil: Navigating through Multiple Institutions

Abstract

In this paper, we describe and analyze the co-management institutional framework at 21 Brazilian Marine Extractive Reserves (MERs) and present the dramas of its implementation from the local manager’s perspective. We categorized the governance instruments of MERs into (i) instruments for land/sea tenure and beneficiaries’ recognition, (ii) territorial use planning, (iii) institutional arenas for discussion and deliberation, as well as (iv) public policies. Although the legal arrangements of these protected areas address fundamental dimensions of governance, we present the challenges of its implementation based on the voice of local managers. The managers are the bridge between the central government and communities, dealing with the implementation of the institutional framework in a reality of multi-level and multi-scale drama: from local to national dilemmas, from organizational to structural ones. We explore these dramas and highlight the institutional dilemmas based on the paradoxes between legalism and social emancipation.     

AXIOM: advanced X-ray imaging of the magnetosphere

Planetary plasma and magnetic field environments can be studied in two complementary ways—by in situ measurements, or by remote sensing. While the former provide precise information about plasma behaviour, instabilities and dynamics on local scales, the latter offers the global view necessary to understand the overall interaction of the magnetospheric plasma with the solar wind. Some parts of the Earth’s magnetosphere have been remotely sensed, but the majority remains unexplored by this type of measurements. Here we propose a novel and more elegant approach employing remote X-ray imaging techniques, which are now possible thanks to the relatively recent discovery of solar wind charge exchange X-ray emissions in the vicinity of the Earth’s magnetosphere. In this article we describe how an appropriately designed and located X-ray telescope, supported by simultaneous in situ measurements of the solar wind, can be used to image the dayside magnetosphere, magnetosheath and bow shock, with a temporal and spatial resolution sufficient to address several key outstanding questions concerning how the solar wind interacts with the Earth’s magnetosphere on a global level. Global images of the dayside magnetospheric boundaries require vantage points well outside the magnetosphere. Our studies have led us to propose ‘AXIOM: Advanced X-ray Imaging of the Magnetosphere’, a concept mission using a Vega launcher with a LISA Pathfinder-type Propulsion Module to place the spacecraft in a Lissajous orbit around the Earth–Moon L1 point. The model payload consists of an X-ray Wide Field Imager, capable of both imaging and spectroscopy, and an in situ plasma and magnetic field measurement package. This package comprises a Proton-Alpha Sensor, designed to measure the bulk properties of the solar wind, an Ion Composition Analyser, to characterise the minor ion populations in the solar wind that cause charge exchange emission, and a Magnetometer, designed to measure the strength and direction of the solar wind magnetic field. We also show simulations that demonstrate how the proposed X-ray telescope design is capable of imaging the predicted emission from the dayside magnetosphere with the sensitivity and cadence required to achieve the science goals of the mission.     

A New Analytic Integration of the Rate Equation for Batch Dissolution of Salts in the Presence of Common Ion

Following a recent suggestion of a new rate equation specifically for the batch dissolution of salts in solutions containing a common ion, this paper describes an analytic solution to its integration. The equation has been tested by dissolving 250???m gypsum- rock particles in water (26.7?g?l^?1) containing various mixtures of sodium and calcium chlorides, all at an ionic strength of 0.060?M. The model fitted the experimental curves very well and showed that the dissolution slowed slightly overall when the initial calcium concentration was increased from 0 to 0.020?M. The dissolution curves were also modelled as a simple exponential, whence the fit was comparable to that with the new equation, with the exponential rate constant varying between 0.025 and 0.019 (±0.0004) for 0 and 0.020?M initial calcium concentration, respectively. Conventional Electrolyte theory from thermodynamics is used to show that the new equation is an inevitable consequence of modelling the net rate of dissolution in terms of a back reaction that is first order with respect to the dissolved substance, as per the recently described Shrinking Object model. Moreover, it is shown how the simple exponential model (which is a well-used plot in dissolution kinetics) provides the linear end-member to an infinite number of curvilinear plots of rate of dissolution versus reaction progress developed by the new model??it is the special case where common ion is absent. The results are now judged good enough to identify a generic batch dissolution rate equation for all salts dissolving without significant complication from either contaminants or their own gaseous species, as in calcium carbonate dissolution.     

Simulation of dam-break waves on movable beds using a multi-stage centered scheme

This paper presents the application of the multi-stage first-order centered scheme GMUSTA to solve a two-phase flow model with four equations for simulating dam-break floods without and with sediment transport.Computation of generalized Riemann invariants can be particularly complex and costly in simulating dam-break floods with sediment transport.GMUSTA numerical scheme,which does not require complete knowledge of the eigenstructure of the hyperbolic mathematical model,offers a suitable and attractive option.The quality of the dam-break flood simulations with GMUSTA scheme is verified by comparing the results against laboratory tests and some experimental data available in the literature,on fixed and mobile bed conditions,with different bed materials and flush or stepped bottoms.The numerical results reproduce quite well the experimental evidence,proving that the model is capable of predicting the temporal evolution of the free-surface and the bed.The GMUSTA scheme,which is not only simple to implement but also both accurate and computationally efficient,is proposed as an appropriate tool for integrating non-equilibrium sediment-transport models.     

Boundary conditions effect on linearized mud-flow shallow model

The occurrence of roll-waves in mud-flows is investigated based on the formulation of the marginal stability threshold of a linearized onedimensional viscoplastic (shear-thinning) flow model. Since for this kind of non-Newtonian rheological models this threshold may occur in a hypocritical flow, the downstream boundary condition may have a nonnegligible effect on the spatial growth/decay of the perturbation. The paper presents the solution of the 1D linearized flow of a Herschel and Bulkley fluid in a channel of finite length, in the neighbourhood of a hypocritical base uniform flow. Both linearly stable and unstable conditions are considered. The analytical solution is found applying the Laplace transform method and obtaining the first-order analytical expressions of the upstream and downstream channel response functions in the time domain. The effects of both the yield stress and the rheological law exponent are discussed, recovering as particular cases both power-law and Bingham fluids. The theoretical achievements may be used to extend semi-empirical criteria commonly employed for predicting roll waves occurrence in clear water even to mud-flows.     

Magnetic changes observed in the formation of two filaments in a complex active region: TRACE and MSDP observations

This paper is focused on the formation of two filaments in a complex center of decaying active regions (AR 8329 and AR 8326), located in the northern hemisphere. The observations were obtained in Hα by the Multi-channel Subtractive Double Pass spectrograph (MSDP mounted on the German telescope VTT in Tenerife) and EUV lines with TRACE (Transition Region And Corona Explorer). High Doppler shifts are found to be related to the ends of filament segments where canceling magnetic fields are also located (as seen on magnetograms from Big Bear Solar Observatory). At these locations, velocities along the line of sight, derived by using a cloud model method reach −20 km s⁻¹, the segments of filaments merge and frequently a time-related sub-flare is observed by TRACE. The chirality of the filament segments has been determined by different methods: the segments of dextral chirality join together and form a long dextral filament, and a single filament of sinistral chirality forms end to end with the dextral filament but does not merge with it. Assuming a model of twisted flux tube for filament material, we suggest that the dextral filament has negative helicity and a relationship between its formation and the close by sunspot with the same sign of helicity.