The cosmological constant—a brief history and recent results

We briefly review the history of the cosmological constant. Recently discovered accelerated expansion epoch of the universe placed the problem of the cosmological constant at a forefront of interest of astronomers and physicists. Short account of recent developments is given.     

Advances in understanding calcite varve formation: new insights from a dual lake monitoring approach in the southern Baltic lowlands

We revise the conceptual model of calcite varves and present, for the first time, a dual lake monitoring study in two alkaline lakes providing new insights into the seasonal sedimentation processes forming these varves. The study lakes, Tiefer See in NE Germany and Czechowskie in N Poland, have distinct morphology and bathymetry, and therefore, they are ideal to decipher local effects on seasonal deposition. The monitoring setup in both lakes is largely identical and includes instrumental observation of (i) meteorological parameters, (ii) chemical profiling of the lake water column including water sampling, and (iii) sediment trapping at both bi-weekly and monthly intervals. We then compare our monitoring data with varve micro-facies in the sediment record. One main finding is that calcite varves form complex laminae triplets rather than simple couplets as commonly thought. Sedimentation of varve sub-layers in both lakes is largely dependent on the lake mixing dynamics and results from the same seasonality, commencing with diatom blooms in spring turning into a pulse of calcite precipitation in summer and terminating with a re-suspension layer in autumn and winter, composed of calcite patches, plant fragments and benthic diatoms. Despite the common seasonal cycle, the share of each of these depositional phases in the total annual sediment yield is different between the lakes. In Lake Tiefer See calcite sedimentation has the highest yields, whereas in Lake Czechowskie, the so far underestimated re-suspension sub-layer dominates the sediment accumulation. Even in undisturbed varved sediments, re-suspended material becomes integrated in the sediment fabric and makes up an important share of calcite varves. Thus, while the biogeochemical lake cycle defines the varves’ autochthonous components and micro-facies, the physical setting plays an important role in determining the varve sub-layers’ proportion.     

A Study of Spatial Distribution of Induced Seismicity in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin

The Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) is a region where high seismic activity is observed. Most of these seismic events have a local magnitude not exceeding 2.3. Their location and type of focal mechanism suggest that they are connected with new discontinuities in the rock mass caused by mining activity. Shocks with higher magnitude are also observed but their frequency is much lower. The strong events have a different focal mechanism than the low energetic events. The spatial distribution of shock epicentres is not uniform in the USCB area and shows the fractal character of seismic phenomena. Despite extensive mining activity throughout the area, the epicentres of strong events are concentrated in four regions belonging to different geological units. The temporal variability of epicentre co-ordinates and the general decrease of seismic activity points to the migration of seismicity across the investigated area. Analysing the spatial and temporal distributions of the strongest shocks, one can suppose this area to be critically self-organised. These facts suggest that induced seismicity in the USCB is triggered by a nonlinear dynamic process, having regional character and connected with recent tectonic activity.     

Precise Multibeam Acoustic Bathymetry

The maximum error in ocean depth measurement as specified by the International Hydrographic Organization is 1% for depth greater than 30m. Current acoustic multibeam bathymetric systems used for depth measurement are subject to errors from various sources which may significantly exceed this limit. The lack of sound speed profiles may be one significant source of error. Because of the limited ability of sound speed profile measurement, depth values are usually estimated using an assumed profile. If actual sound speed profiles are known, depth estimate errors can be corrected using ray-tracing methods. For depth measurements, the calculation of the location at which a sound pulse impinges on the sea bottom varies with the variation of the sound speed profile. We demonstrate that this location is almost unchanged for a family of sound speed profiles with the same surface value and the same area under them. Based on this observation, we can construct a simple constant-gradient equivalent sound speed profile to correct errors. Compared with ray-tracing methods, the equivalent sound speed profile method is more efficient. If a vertical depth is known (or independently measured), then depth correction for a multibeam system can be accomplished without knowledge of the actual sound speed profile. This leads to a new type of precise acoustic multibeam bathymetric system.     

A Model to Predict Granular Activated Carbon Backwash Curves

A mathematical model that produces curves for predicting the expansion of granular activated carbon (GAC) filter beds has been developed and applied to several widely used commercial GAC products. Initially, the hydraulic load required to produce a given bed expansion was assumed to be inversely proportional to the viscosity. This assumption was then modified by assuming a power law for the dependence on viscosity. The errors were sufficiently small to allow practical application of the formulae presented in this paper. The potential for application of the method was tested and is illustrated by an example.