Modelling Pollutant Dispersion in a Street Network

This study constitutes a further step in the analysis of the performances of a street network model to simulate atmospheric pollutant dispersion in urban areas. The model, named SIRANE, is based on the decomposition of the urban atmosphere into two sub-domains: the urban boundary layer, whose dynamics is assumed to be well established, and the urban canopy, represented as a series of interconnected boxes. Parametric laws govern the mass exchanges between the boxes under the assumption that the pollutant dispersion within the canopy can be fully simulated by modelling three main bulk transfer phenomena: channelling along street axes, transfers at street intersections, and vertical exchange between street canyons and the overlying atmosphere. Here, we aim to evaluate the reliability of the parametrizations adopted to simulate these phenomena, by focusing on their possible dependence on the external wind direction. To this end, we test the model against concentration measurements within an idealized urban district whose geometrical layout closely matches the street network represented in SIRANE. The analysis is performed for an urban array with a fixed geometry and a varying wind incidence angle. The results show that the model provides generally good results with the reference parametrizations adopted in SIRANE and that its performances are quite robust for a wide range of the model parameters. This proves the reliability of the street network approach in simulating pollutant dispersion in densely built city districts. The results also show that the model performances may be improved by considering a dependence of the wind fluctuations at street intersections and of the vertical exchange velocity on the direction of the incident wind. This opens the way for further investigations to clarify the dependence of these parameters on wind direction and street aspect ratios.     

大别山西侧极端降水中尺度对流系统结构与传播特征

2012年7月12—13日中国鄂东北连续2 d出现特大暴雨,过程最大总雨量达600 mm。重点利用卫星、雷达和地面自动气象站观测资料等,分析了7月12日大别山西南侧极端强降水型中尺度对流系统的发生发展过程、结构和传播特征等。研究表明:(1)鄂东北特大暴雨是由一个向后传播-准静态α中尺度强对流系统(后向建立中尺度对流系统)产生的。(2)该类型中尺度对流系统频发于鄂东北地区,与鄂东北东侧大别山脉对雷暴冷池的阻挡有密切关系。主要表现在,大别山山脉对雷暴冷池的阻挡导致冷空气在山前堆积并形成回流,回流使中尺度对流系统传播由向下风方转为向上风方。(3)向后传播方式演变的中尺度对流系统因少动或因列车效应明显,常在山前一定距离内产生极端强降水。(4)雷暴冷池向上风方运动导致对流单体向后向传播,是指状对流云团形成的重要机制之一。     

The Bow City structure,southern Alberta,Canada: The deep roots of a complex impact structure?

Geological and geophysical evidence is presented for a newly discovered, probable remnant complex impact structure. The structure, located near Bow City, southern Alberta, has no obvious morphological expression at surface. The geometry of the structure in the shallow subsurface, mapped using downhole geophysical well logs, is a semicircular structural depression approximately 8 km in diameter with a semicircular uplifted central region. Detailed subsurface mapping revealed evidence of localized duplication of stratigraphic section in the central uplift area and omission of strata within the surrounding annular region. Field mapping of outcrop confirmed an inlier of older rocks present within the center of the structure. Evidence of deformation along the eastern margin of the central uplift includes thrust faulting, folding, and steeply dipping bedding. Normal faults were mapped along the northern margin of the annular region. Isopach maps reveal that structural thickening and thinning were accommodated primarily within the Belly River Group. Evidence from legacy 2‐D seismic data is consistent with the subsurface mapping and reveals additional insight into the geometry of the structure, including a series of listric normal faults in the annular region and complex faulting within the central uplift. The absence of any ejecta blanket, breccia, suevite, or melt sheet (based on available data) is consistent with the Bow City structure being the remnant of a deeply eroded, complex impact structure. Accordingly, the Bow City structure may provide rare access and insight into zones of deformation remaining beneath an excavated transient crater in stratified siliciclastic target rocks.     

A conceptual framework for the integral management of marine protected areas

A general conceptual framework for the management of marine protected areas (MPAs) was developed. The driver-pressure-state-impacts-response (DPSIR) framework was used to determine the elements affecting MPAs. The developed evaluation framework helped to select an appropriate suite of indicators to support an ecosystem approach, an assessment of the MPAs functioning and policy decisions. Gaps derived from the management and policy responses in the MPAs were also outlined. It was concluded that the DPSIR framework can help to simplify the complexity of MPA management. This document is a tool for policy makers, scientists and general public on the relevance of indicators to monitor changes and MPAs management.     

Reproductive patterns of the abyssal asteroid Styracaster elongatus from the N.E. Atlantic Ocean

We analysed the reproductive biology of the asteroid species Styracaster elongatus based on time-series samples from a 5000-m-deep site on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain (N.E. Atlantic). The ratio of males to females, the gonadosomatic index (GI), and pyloric caecum index (PCI) were determined and the results were corroborated by histological examination of the gonads. Fecundity and oocyte-size distribution were determined by histological and image analyses. Styracaster elongatus is a gonochoric asteroid and the ratio of males to females was not significantly different throughout the year. Oogenesis was asynchronous. The previtellogenic oocytes grew to a size of ～230 μm before undergoing vitellogenesis. Maximum oocyte size was ～620 μm. The ovary volume was mainly occupied by small previtellogenic oocytes (100–150 μm) at any one time. Mean GI was 6.38±3.30 for females and 9.04±4.1 for males. Mean PCI was 7.44±1.66 for females and 7.66±1.46 for males. Mean fecundity was 16,373±5988 oocites per female. There were no seasonal variations in GI and fecundity. There was evidence of a pyiloric caecum seasonal development for females and males. For S. elongatus there is no direct relationship among seasonal primary production at the surface and production of vitellogenic oocytes. Nevertheless, this species takes advantage of the pulse of phytodetritus to the seabed by increasing the storage of nutrients in the pyloric caecum in order to maintain a constant production of eggs and sperm.     

波纹唇鱼消化系统的形态解剖与肠道上皮的扫描电镜观察

对波纹唇鱼消化系统的解剖构造进行了研究,并利用扫描电镜对其肠道上皮组织进行观察,结果如下:波纹唇鱼为肉食性无胃鱼类,消化道全长极短,颌齿和咽齿都很发达,肠道极粗,比肠长为0.426;肝脏分三叶,呈枫叶状,胰脏弥散性分布在肝脏组织中,肉眼不易分辨;扫描电镜观察发现小肠前部细胞界限不明显,分泌孔较多,微绒毛密而长短不齐;小肠后部细胞界限也不明显,但分泌孔明显减少,微绒毛比小肠前部更密且很平整;直肠细胞为多角形,分泌孔比小肠少,微绒毛较稀疏,且长短不一。