Improvement of the transformation between ITRF and Doppler-Realized WGS84

The WGS84 (World Geodetic System 1984) reference system is, originally, mathematically defined from the NSWC-9Z2 (Naval Surface Weapons Center — 9Z2) reference system. The WGS84 associated realization, called in this paper WGS84-D, is a 1 meter consistency NNSS (US Navy Navigation Satellite System) Doppler realized reference frame. In contrast, the ITRF (IERS Terrestrial Reference Frame) is a 1 centimeter consistency reference frame realized through the most accurate techniques of Space Geodesy. This work intends to improve the transformation parameters between the WGS84-D and the ITRF through the use of both a NSWC-9Z2/Doppler realization and an extension of the ITRF network. A strong linear correlation was also modeled between the Doppler determined scale factor and the mean smoothed sunspot number, due to uncompensated ionospheric effects. This correction improved NSWC-9Z2 (i.e. WGS84) Doppler realization consistency. The uncertainty of adjusted transformation parameters between the ITRF and the WGS84-D is improved by a factor 2 over previous determinations.     

Biogeochemical control on the temporal variability of trace element concentrations in the Oubangui river (Central African Republic)

Dissolved Ba, Cd, Co, Mn, Mo, Ni, Rb, Sb, Sr, U and V were measured in the Oubangui river (Central African Republic) during a complete flood period. The dissolved concentrations vary by factors ranging from 1.4 to 8.2 as a function of river discharge: Sr, Ba, Rb and Mo concentrations decrease with rising stage; Ni, U, Sb, Cd, V and Mn concentrations increase with rising stage. These distributions are explained by a mixing of quick flow, mostly surface runoff with delayed flow, mostly groundwater. The dual origin of stream waters is demonstrated by the major element ratios, which are close to a silicate end-member during the high-flow period and trend towards a carbonate end-member during the low-flow period. Moreover, geological heterogeneities in the Oubangui basin may play a role in the variation of concentrations observed at the basin outlet. The previously indicated presence of a subsurface carbonate sequence in the lower part of the basin is confirmed. Cd, V, Mn and Co show peak concentrations during decreasing stage. We suggest that biological processes such as release from phytoplanktonic material and dissolution of oxides or carbonate phases may explain this maximum.     

Interaction of secondary circulations with the summer monsoon and diurnal rainfall over Hong Kong

A complete yearly record (1988) of surface measurements is used to examine the atmospheric diurnal secondary circulations over the entire area of Hong Kong in conjunction with spatial and temporal variations of surface temperature, wind speed and rainfall. Evidence of atmospheric diurnal secondary circulations is found at 10 sites. The occurrence of a summer morning rainfall maximum over the coast results from the interaction of the large-scale summer monsoon and local mesoscale secondary circulations. The afternoon onshore secondary circulation accelerates the advection of warm, humid unstable air and, coupled with the upward orographic lifting, produces enhanced rainfall along windward mountain ridges.Dynamical and scaling considerations suggest that the blocking effect is negligible and the primary forcing mechanism is land-sea temperature difference, but terrain effects are also important. Although the secondary circulation system's strength and timing vary, the circulation behaves like a classic sea-land breeze circulation, complicated by superimposed mountain-valley breezes.     

3D Modelling of the electromagnetic response of geophysical targets using the FDTD method1

A publicly available and maintained electromagnetic finite-difference time domain (FDTD) code has been applied to the forward modelling of the response of 1D, 2D and 3D geophysical targets to a vertical magnetic dipole excitation. The FDTD method is used to analyse target responses in the 1 MHz to 100MHz range, where either conduction or displacement currents may have the controlling role. The response of the geophysical target to the excitation is presented as changes in the magnetic field ellipticity. The results of the FDTD code compare favourably with previously published integral equation solutions of the response of 1D targets, and FDTD models calculated with different finite-difference cell sizes are compared to find the effect of model discretization on the solution. The discretization errors, calculated as absolute error in ellipticity, are presented for the different ground geometry models considered, and are, for the most part, below 10% of the integral equation solutions. Finally, the FDTD code is used to calculate the magnetic ellipticity response of a 2D survey and a 3D sounding of complicated geophysical targets. The response of these 2D and 3D targets are too complicated to be verified with integral equation solutions, but show the proper low- and high-frequency responses.     

Calcification, photosynthesis and growth of the bloom-forming coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi

Measurements were made of photosynthesis and calcification in a bloom of coccolithophores in the Gulf of Maine as well as in laboratory batch cultures of the Emiliania huxleyi strain 88E. The¹⁴C technique for measuring calcification was evaluated with calcifying and noncalcifying coccolithophore strains. Shipboard bloom observations showed physiological evidence of stratification between surface and deep populations within the surface mixed layer. Photosynthesis and calcification rates were enhanced within hours of addition of KNO₃ or nitrate-rich deep water (to the same final concentration). Such rates were strongly temperature dependent in laboratory cultures, decreasing over a factor of two from 15 to 20°C. Calcification was considerably less light-dependent than photosynthesis and consistently had a measurable dark rate. In culture, maximum calcification rates and degree of cell plating were limited to logarithmic growth phase. This was followed by rapid increase in the coccolith shedding rate 1 day prior to the onset of stationary phase which continued several days after cell division stopped. The regional significance of these features to total organic and inorganic carbon production as well as calcite burial is discussed.     

Compositional characteristics of olivines from Apollo 12 samples

The olivine phenocrysts of four basalts (12004, 12008, 12009 and 12022) are concentrically zoned and have core compositions about as magnesian as experimentally produced liquidas olivines, features which suggest fractional crystallization and absence of Fe-Mg reequilibration. In the magnesium- and olivine-rich granular basalt 12035, the olivines are either unzoned or are zoned toward adjacent grains and have compositions more iron-rich than either cumulus olivines or liquidus olivines (should the rock represent the composition of a melt), features which suggest extensive Fe-Mg re-equilibration.     

Organic carbon isotope ratios in Quaternary cores from the Gulf of Mexico

All of the major deep-water sedimentary provinces of the Gulf of Mexico were sampled with 48 piston cores, representative of the late Quaternary. The amount (per cent) and δ5C¹³ of the organic carbon in the sediment was measured at intervals within each core.Graphs of δC¹³ versus depth for each core give an indication of the sedimentological history of the Gulf. They show the extent of terrestrial influence on the Gulf during the late Pleistocene.Changes in δC¹³ of up to 6.0%.(from ~ ?19%.to ?25%. vs NBS-20) were measured across the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary in cores from the abyssal plain. These changes are consistent with a model wherein varying amounts of land-derived organic carbon were transported to the Gulf basin during glacial periods.By comparing graphs for cores from different areas, it was concluded that the major parameter affecting the δC¹³ values of organic carbon from marine sediments is the relative amount of terrestrial material present in the sediment. The maximum possible effect of the Pleistocene-Holocene temperature change in the Gulf was determined to be ~1.0%, if such an effect occurs at all.     

HOUSING INTEGRATION AND RENT SUPPLEMENTS TO EXISTING HOUSING*

This work examines the use of an annually updated metropolitan data system as a tool for evaluating benign racial location policies during the first year of the Section 8 Existing Rent Supplement program. Case-study evidence shows that the rent supplement program (with benign locational policies) is ineffective in reducing the isolation faced by minority groups, and that the information used to monitor compliance of the program with benign locational policies lags badly behind the true state of affairs. As a result, new areas of racial concentration have been encouraged and augmented.