A Comparison of Strategies for Seismic Interferometry

The extraction of the response from field fluctuations excited by random sources has received considerable attention in a variety of different fields. We present three methods for the extraction of the systems response that are based on cross-correlation, deconvolution, and the solution of an integral equation, respectively. For systems that are invariant for time-reversal the correlation method requires random sources on a bounding surface only, but when time-reversal invariance is broken, for example by attenuation, a volume distribution of sources is needed. For this reason the correlation method is not useful for diffusive or strongly attenuating systems. We provide examples of the three methods and compare their merits and drawbacks. We show that the extracted field may satisfy different boundary conditions than does the physical field. This can be used, for example, to suppress surface-related multiples in exploration seismology, to study the coupling of buildings to the subsurface, and to remove the airwave in controlled source electromagnetics (CSEM).     

Review paper: Virtual sources and their responses,Part II: data‐driven single‐sided focusing

In Part I of this paper, we defined a focusing wave field as the time reversal of an observed point‐source response. We showed that emitting a time‐reversed field from a closed boundary yields a focal spot that acts as an isotropic virtual source. However, when emitting the field from an open boundary, the virtual source is highly directional and significant artefacts occur related to multiple scattering. The aim of this paper is to discuss a focusing wave field, which, when emitted into the medium from an open boundary, yields an isotropic virtual source and does not give rise to artefacts. We start the discussion from a horizontally layered medium and introduce the single‐sided focusing wave field in an intuitive way as an inverse filter. Next, we discuss single‐sided focusing in two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional inhomogeneous media and support the discussion with mathematical derivations. The focusing functions needed for single‐sided focusing can be retrieved from the single‐sided reflection response and an estimate of the direct arrivals between the focal point and the accessible boundary. The focal spot, obtained with this single‐sided data‐driven focusing method, acts as an isotropic virtual source, similar to that obtained by emitting a time‐reversed point‐source response from a closed boundary.     

Metal contamination and filtering in soil from an iron (magnetite) mine–smelter complex in the critical Hudson Highlands watershed,New York

Organic material in metal contaminated soils around an abandoned magnetite mine–smelter complex in the critical Highlands watershed protects the groundwater and surface water from contamination. Metals in these waters were consistently below local and national water standards. Two groups of soil types cover the area: (1) Group A disturbed metal-rich soils, and (2) Group B undisturbed organic soils. Chromium and nickel were more elevated than other metals with Cr more widespread than Ni. In Group A, Cr correlated strongly with sesquioxides in the lower horizons (Fe₂O₃: r = 0.74, p < 0.025; Al₂O₃: r = 0.92, p < 0.005). In Group B, Cr correlated strongly (r = 0.96, p < 0.005) with soil organic matter (SOM) in the O-horizons. Ni–Cr (Group A: 52 and 70% in O- and lower horizons, respectively; Group B: ~100% in both horizons) and V–Cr correlations (78% only in Group A lower horizons) suggest similar retention mechanisms for these elements. Average soil \textpH_\textCaCl2 {\text{pH}}_{{{\text{CaCl}}_{2} }} for both groups ranged between 3.65 and 5.91, suggesting that soil acidity is determined by organic acids and solubility of Al³⁺ releasing H⁺ ions. SOM and sesquioxides contribute significantly to creating naturally occurring filtration systems, removing metals, and protecting water quality. High Ca, Fe, and Ti in Group A soils suggest slag and ash were mixed into the soils. Some low-Cr sources include magnetite, slag, and ash (100, 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively). Constant ZrO ₂ :TiO ₂ ratios in the lower soils indicate soil formation from breakdown of underlying tailing rocks, contributing Cr to these layers.     

The Third GABLS Intercomparison Case for Evaluation Studies of Boundary-Layer Models. Part B: Results and Process Understanding

We describe and analyze the results of the third global energy and water cycle experiment atmospheric boundary layer Study intercomparison and evaluation study for single-column models. Each of the nineteen participating models was operated with its own physics package, including land-surface, radiation and turbulent mixing schemes, for a full diurnal cycle selected from the Cabauw observatory archive. By carefully prescribing the temporal evolution of the forcings on the vertical column, the models could be evaluated against observations. We focus on the gross features of the stable boundary layer (SBL), such as the onset of evening momentum decoupling, the 2-m minimum temperature, the evolution of the inertial oscillation and the morning transition. New process diagrams are introduced to interpret the variety of model results and the relative importance of processes in the SBL; the diagrams include the results of a number of sensitivity runs performed with one of the models. The models are characterized in terms of thermal coupling to the soil, longwave radiation and turbulent mixing. It is shown that differences in longwave radiation schemes among the models have only a small effect on the simulations; however, there are significant variations in downward radiation due to different boundary-layer profiles of temperature and humidity. The differences in modelled thermal coupling to the land surface are large and explain most of the variations in 2-m air temperature and longwave incoming radiation among models. Models with strong turbulent mixing overestimate the boundary-layer height, underestimate the wind speed at 200 m, and give a relatively large downward sensible heat flux. The result is that 2-m air temperature is relatively insensitive to turbulent mixing intensity. Evening transition times spread 1.5 h around the observed time of transition, with later transitions for models with coarse resolution. Time of onset in the morning transition spreads 2 h around the observed transition time. With this case, the morning transition appeared to be difficult to study, no relation could be found between the studied processes, and the variation in the time of the morning transition among the models.     

Software provides Window to the Stars

Robert Izzard and Evert Glebbeek demonstrate the working of their user-friendly stellar modelling tool, Window to the Stars.     

Site-specific incorporation of uranyl carbonate species at the calcite surface

Spatially resolved luminescence spectra from U(VI) co-precipitated at the (101?4) growth surface of synthetic calcite single crystals confirm heterogeneous incorporation corresponding to the distribution of structurally non-equivalent steps composing the vicinal surfaces of spiral growth hillocks. Spectral structure from U(VI) luminescence at the “-” vicinal regions and featureless, weak luminescence at the “+” vicinal regions are consistent with previously reported observations of enrichment at the former sites during calcite growth. Luminescence spectra differ between the non-equivalent regions of the crystal, with the spectral features from the “-” vicinal region corresponding to those observed in bulk calcite samples. Subtle spectral shifts are observed from U(VI) co-precipitated with microcrystalline calcite synthesized by a different method, and all of the U(VI)-calcite sample spectra differ significantly from that of U(VI) co-precipitated with aragonite.The step-selective incorporation of U(VI) can be explained by a proposed model in which the allowed orientation for adsorption of the dominant calcium uranyl triscarbonate species is controlled by the atomic arrangement at step edges. Differences in the tilt angles of carbonate groups between non-equivalent growth steps favor adsorption of the calcium uranyl triscarbonate species at “-” steps, as observed in experiments.     

On the Gas Phase Reactions Between Volatile Biogenic Mercury Species and the Nitrate Radical

Tropospheric mercury is dominated by gas phase species. In this paper, the gas phase reactions between the nitrate radical and volatile biogenic mercury species have been investigated. An upper limit for the gas phase rate coefficient for reaction between elemental mercury and NO₃-radicals was determined to 4 × 10^–15 cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1 by using the fast flow-discharge technique. The reaction between dimethyl mercury and NO₃, previously shown to be rapid, has also been studied in the laboratory with respect to product distribution using FT-IR. The result from the product study is consistent with a transformation of dimethyl mercury into inorganic, divalent mercury. All carbon delivered as dimethyl mercury was transformed into formaldehyde, methanol and methyl peroxynitrate. Hg was observed as a minor (2%) product. By exclusion, HgO is proposed as the mercury-containing product. Thus, the reaction between dimethyl mercury and the nitrate radical is excluded as a source of monomethyl mercury species in the atmosphere.     

A feasibility study of borehole radar as a permanent downhole sensor

Permanent downhole sensors provide the eyes and ears to the reservoir and enable monitoring the reservoir conditions on a real‐time basis. In particular, the use of sensors and remotely controlled valves in wells and on the surface, in combination with reservoir flow models provide enormous benefits to reservoir management and oil production. We suggest borehole radar measurements as a promising technique capable to monitor the arrival of undesired fluids in the proximity of production wells. We use 1D modelling to investigate the expected signal magnitude and depth of investigation of a borehole radar sensor operating in an oilfield environment. We restrict the radar applicability to environments where the radar investigation depth can fit the reservoir size necessary to be monitored. Potential applications are steam chamber monitoring in steam assisted gravity drainage processes and water front monitoring in thin oil rim environments. A more sophisticated analysis of the limits of a radar system is carried out through 2D finite‐difference time‐domain simulations. The metal components of the wellbore casing can cause destructive interference with the emitted signal. A high dielectric medium surrounding the production well increases the amplitude of the signal and so the radar performance. Other reservoir constraints are given by the complexity of the reservoir and the dynamic of the fluids. Time‐lapse changes in the heterogeneity of the background formation strongly affect the retrieval of the target reflections and gradual fluid saturation changes reduce the amplitudes of the reflections.     

Application of the Christensen Failure Criterion to Intact Rock

The Christensen criterion, originally introduced in materials science, has a simple mathematical form and uniaxial tensile and compressive strength as the only parameters, making it an attractive candidate for rock engineering purposes. In this study, the applicability of the criterion to rock materials is examined. Explicit equations for application of the criterion under biaxial, triaxial compression, triaxial extension, and polyaxial states of stresses are derived. A comprehensive strength data set including the results of tests on synthetic rock, chert dyke, Carrara marble and Westerly granite is utilized to examine the accuracy of the Christensen criterion to the failure of rock material. The two surprising findings about the Christensen criterion are the zero values of tensile strength and the very low slopes of the failure envelope obtained from fitting analyses for chert dyke and Westerly granite. It is shown that the two problems are interrelated and the values of tensile strength tend to zero to produce higher slopes. It is then mathematically proven that the maximum initial slope of the Christensen failure envelope is limited to 4 in triaxial compression and 2.5 in triaxial extension which is considerably lower than the slope of experimental data. The accuracy of the Christensen criterion was found to be significantly lower than the well-established Hoek–Brown criterion. The circular π-plane representations and brittle-to-ductile transition limits from the Christensen criterion are also inconsistent with the observed behavior of rocks.