Kinetic study of abstraction of ethyl xanthate ions by oxidized chalcocite surface

The results of potassium ethyl xanthate (EtXK) consumption measurements by synthetic chalcocite (Cu₂S grain-sized classes of 60–75 μm and 120–200 μm, respectively) are presented. These measurements were done in a modified circulation apparatus in an argon or oxygen atmosphere at pH=9.5. The experimental results were compared with theoretical results predicted by a mathematical model based on the assumption that the EtX^? ions were immobilized as a result of a chemical reaction (or reactions), e.g., of an ion-exchange type, taking place within the oxidation product layer (OPL), formed on the Cu₂S surface.The experimental and theoretical results are in good agreement especially for small values of Q₀ (Q₀ is the initial mass of the EtX^? in solution per mass unit of Cu₂S). In this case both the theoretical and experimental results show that the EtX^? concentration in solution decays exponentially with time.     

Structure of the stably-stratified boundary layer during the SESAME-1979 experiment

Airplane measurements in the stable boundary layer during the SESAME-1979 experiment (southcentral Oklahoma, U.S.A.) are examined in terms of the local similarity theory. The obtained results are compared with data from the Minnesota (1973) experiment and with data collected previously on towers in Cabauw (Netherlands) and Boulder (Colorado, U.S.A.). The comparison indicates that the SESAME data are strongly influenced by the terrain features of the experimental site.On leave from: Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw Technical University, 00653 Warsaw, Poland.     

Ito equations out of domino cellular automaton with efficiency parameters

Ito equations are derived for simple stochastic cellular automaton with parameters describing efficiencies for avalanche triggering and cell occupation. Analytical results are compared with the numerical one obtained from the histogram method. Good agreement for various parameters supports the wide applicability of the Ito equation as a macroscopic model of some cellular automata and complex natural phenomena which manifest random energy release. Also, the paper is an example of effectiveness of histogram procedure as an adequate method of nonlinear modeling of time series.     

Changes of snow cover in Poland

The present paper examines variability of characteristics of snow cover (snow cover depth, number of days with snow cover and dates of beginning and end of snow cover) in Poland. The study makes use of a set of 43 long time series of observation records from the stations in Poland, from 1952 to 2013. To describe temporal changes in snow cover characteristics, the intervals of 1952–1990 and of 1991–2013 are compared and trends in analysed data are sought (e.g., using the Mann–Kendall test). Observed behaviour of time series of snow-related variables is complex and not easy to interpret, for instance because of the location of the research area in the zone of transitional moderate climate, where strong variability of climate events is one of the main attributes. A statistical link between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index and the snow cover depth, as well as the number of snow cover days is found.     

What can we learn from the projections of changes of flow patterns? Results from Polish case studies

River flow projections for two future time horizons and RCP 8.5 scenario, generated by two projects (CHASE-PL and CHIHE) in the Polish-Norwegian Research Programme, were compared. The projects employed different hydrological models over different spatial domains. The semi-distributed, process-based, SWAT model was used in the CHASE-PL project for the entire Vistula and Odra basins area, whilst the lumped, conceptual, HBV model was used in the CHIHE project for eight Polish catchments, for which the comparison study was made. Climate projections in both studies originated from the common EURO-CORDEX dataset, but they were different, e.g. due to different bias correction approaches. Increases in mean annual and seasonal flows were projected in both studies, yet the magnitudes of changes were largely different, in particular for the lowland catchments in the far future. The HBV-based increases were significantly higher in the latter case than the SWAT-based increases in all seasons except winter. Uncertainty in projections is high and creates a problem for practitioners.     

Robustness of Msplit(q) estimation: A theoretical approach

Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica - Msplit(q) estimation is a development of M-estimation which is based on the assumption that a functional model of observations can be split into q competitive...     

How to model rockburst seismic loads for civil engineering purposes?

Usually rockbursts from underground mining induce minor quakes of MM intensity up to V. Sometimes however the surface tremors reach level of MM epicentral intensity I ₀ = VI to VIII. Since a fast industrial development often takes place in the mining areas then some seismic design rules for new buildings are needed. The main obstacle is then lack of respective design response spectrum and an unclear definition of the level of design acceleration to apply. Particularly the latter one is difficult to overcome because the rockburst ground motion records differ from natural earthquakes when it comes to their spectral properties as well as return periods. This paper presents a method how to rationally define the design acceleration so that a seismic code, e,g, Eurocode 8, can be applied in practical design procedures in the mining areas.