Lake ice simulation using a 3D unstructured grid model

Ocean Dynamics - We develop a single-class ice and snow model embedded inside a 3D hydrodynamic model on unstructured grids and apply it to lake studies using highly variable mesh resolution. The...     

The influence of conceptual model of sedimentary formation hydraulic heterogeneity on contaminant transport simulation

Development of heterogeneity model of layered sandy-clay formation and impact of this model on transport is considered. The lithological data of more than 250 wells that captured 300 meters formation at the investigated area of 40 km² are used for model of heterogeneity construction. Two models of heterogeneity were developed with using these well data: TP/MC model based on 3D Markov chain simulation for four hydrofacies and 2D kriging interpolation of thicknesses of elementary lithological layers. Simulation of conservative transport by particle tracking algorithm shows that horizontal transport along layers is similar for both models. The main difference is in vertical transport cross formation bedding. The kriging interpolation model gives more conservative results than TP/MC model due to larger characteristic horizontal length of layers in the kriging model. As the result vertical effective hydraulic conductivity of formation is in two times larger and the first particle arriving time is in four times faster in TP/MC model.     

Spatial and time variations in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">foF</Emphasis>2 (night)/<Emphasis Type="Italic">foF</Emphasis>2 (day) ratio: Specification of some effects

A series of important aspects of the time and spatial variations in the critical frequency ratio fo(night)/fo(day) considered by one of the authors [Danilov, 2007, 2008] is specified. The list of the Eastern-Hemisphere stations, for which an analysis of the above indicated ratio was performed, is completed. The available stations of the Western Hemisphere are considered. It is shown that the character of the variations in the fo(night)/fo(day) ratio is independent of limitations imposed on the Ap index of magnetic activity for the analyzed days. The consideration of the long-term variations in geomagnetic activity using the annual mean value of the Ap index does not influence the principal conclusions of the study, although in some cases changes statistical characteristics of the obtained behavior of the fo(night)/fo(day) ratio after 1980. A comparison of the results, based on the interpretation of the trends of the fo(night)/fo(day) value with the changes in the stratosphere-ionosphere coupling from the 1980s to the 1990s obtained by the authors earlier, confirms the assumption that there occurs a systematic change in the zonal wind in the upper atmosphere.     

Solar activity effects in the ionospheric D region

Variations in the D-region electron concentration within the solar activity cycle are considered. It is demonstrated that conclusions of various authors, who have analyzed various sets of experimental data on [e], differ significantly. The most reliable seem to be the conclusions based on analysis of the [e] measurements carried out by the Faraday rotation method and on the theoretical concepts on the D-region photochemistry. Possible QBO effects in the relation of [e] to solar activity are considered and an assumption is made that such effects may be the reason for the aforementioned disagreement in conclusions on the [e] relation to solar indices.Paper Presented at the Second IAGA/ICMA (IAMAS) Workshop on Solar Activity Forcing of the Middle Atmosphere, Prague, August 1997     

The role of the deep mixing in the Storfjorden shelf water plume

Hydrographic observations in deep Fram Strait evidence a plume of Storfjorden Brine-enriched Shelf Water in 1986, 1988 and 2002. The plume spreads along the continental slope over 600 km away from its formation area and reaches 2000 m depth. The plume is 30 to 80 m thick in the deep layer of Fram Strait; it is almost 0.4 °C warmer and 0.06 more saline than the ambient water. The velocity of the plume, observed by a moored current meter in Fram Strait, is 12.60±4.70 cm s⁻¹ .The hydrographic properties of the plume are used to study entrainment. A streamtube model with four entrainment parameterizations is applied. Two Froude-number dependent parameterizations lead to mixing mostly happening over the shelf break, where the Froude number is large. This is in agreement with the traditional view, but is inconsistent with the observed temperature and salinity of the Storfjorden plume. Therefore further entrainment assumptions (a constant and a volume-dependent entrainment) are tested. The volume-dependent entrainment scheme yields the best representation of entrainment in the Storfjorden plume. Our results emphasize the necessity of strong mixing in the deep layers in Fram Strait to achieve an agreement with observed properties of the plume.     

Polar meteorology: Results of Russian research in 2011–2014

A review of the results of Russian polar research performed in 2011–2014 is provided. It is based on material prepared by the Commission on Polar Meteorology of the National Geophysical Committee, Russian Academy of Sciences, for the National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences submitted to General Assembly XXVI of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics¹ [1].     

Dependence of magnetic activity on the plasma sheet location relative to the geomagnetic equator

Geomagnetic activity variations depending on the angle between the planes of geomagnetic equator and plasma sheet of the magnetosphere are considered on the basis of data of midlatitude stations. The dependences of diurnal variations proceeding in the universal time with opposite phases in winter and summer months, as well as the well-known semiannual variations in magnetic activity, on this angle are established. The amplitude of the diurnal wave displays substantial semiannual variations with maximums in the periods of solstices.     

Ionospheric Precursors of Geomagnetic Storms. 1. A Review of the Problem

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The problem of the occurrence of disturbances of the ionospheric F2-layer parameters prior to the beginning of a geomagnetic storm is discussed. It is shown that...     

Diurnal and Seasonal Variations in Trends in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>-Layer Critical Frequency

Long-term changes in the E-layer critical frequency foE at three stations in the European region (Juliusruh, Slough, and Rome) are analyzed by the method described in detail in the previous paper by the authors. It is found that two former stations demonstrate a well-pronounced change in foE (a trend) during the two previous decades. At the same time, the same features of the behavior of the aforementioned trend k(foE) are obtained for both stations. The trend is positive and negative in the morning and evening hours, respectively. It is minimal near the local noon. That explains the small value of k(foE) obtained in the previous paper for 1200 LT. A well-pronounced seasonal behavior of k(foE) is detected: the trend is minimal and maximal in the summer period and at the end of fall—beginning of winter, respectively. The trend maximal amplitude in the morning hours reaches +0.04 MHz per year, whereas the minimal amplitude in evening hours is–0.06 MHz per year. No systematic changes in foE exceeding 0.01 MHz in magnitude per year are found for Rome station.