Improved network-based single-epoch ambiguity resolution using centralized GNSS network processing

Network real-time kinematic (NRTK) positioning is today’s industry standard for high-precision applications. Once network ambiguities are fixed, the network engine processes simultaneous observations from a number of continuously operating reference stations to compute corrections for users operating within the network area. Users are treated as passive nodes of the network. However, if two-way communication is available, then users could transmit their observations to the central processing facility where the network can treat them as active nodes, densifying the existing network infrastructure. This multiple rover network (MRN) concept exploits the additional information provided by users in a GNSS network. One application is to use the shorter inter-receiver distances to improve the success rate of single-epoch ambiguity resolution. This is also the goal of the subset ambiguity resolution algorithm, which improves the single-epoch success rate by allowing a subset of ambiguities to be resolved. We present an enhanced processing strategy to complement centimeter-level single-epoch NRTK positioning. This approach combines a single-baseline and an MRN solution with the partial ambiguity resolution algorithm and is only possible for a centralized GNSS network architecture. The algorithm is tested against the standard network ambiguity resolution strategy of full-set ambiguity fixing with respect to the nearest reference station. A 24-h dataset from the Southern California Integrated GNSS network is used with a configuration of three reference stations and four users. The enhanced solution achieves a mean ambiguity resolution success rate of 83% over all four users and all epochs, compared to 32% for the conventional technique.     

Suspended Sediment Yield from the Ansager Å river basin,Denmark

Geografisk Tidsskrift, Danish Journal of Geography 98: 38–45.

Water samples have been collected since 1969, at the Lavborg Bridge gauging station, on the river Ansager Å in South-West Jutland. Different regression equations of concentration versus discharge have been tested. The regression equations are used together with daily discharges to compute the daily suspended loads. Comparisons between measured and computedloads for different periods when water samples were taken twice a day suggest that the 25 computed annual load values have an uncertainty of less than ± 10%. The variation in annual loads shown is therefore significant and probably caused by increased rainfall in the eigthies. The average total suspended sediment yield for the 25 year period was 7 t/km²/year, of which the organic load contributed 3.2 t/km²/year.     

Could the optical transient SCP 06F6 be due to microlensing?

In this paper, we consider the mysterious optical transient SCP 06F6 displaying a symmetric light curve with a (half-time) duration of about 100 days. The projected location of the event falls close to the center of the galaxy cluster CL 1432.5 + 332.8 lying at the redshift z = 1.112. Guided by suggestive symmetry of the light curve and its similarity in two photometric bands, which is a typical signature of microlensing events, we discuss this possibility in several scenarios. As a consistency check we use the lens mass inferred from the event duration and the size of the source. The second check comes from a plausible assumption that since the event was highly magnified there was a perfect alignment at the maximum magnification.     

Geology,stratigraphy and palaeoenvironmental evolution of the Stephanorhinus kirchbergensis-bearing Quaternary palaeolake(s) of Gorzów Wielkopolski (NW Poland,Central Europe)

The sedimentary succession exposed in the Gorzów Wielkopolski area includes Eemian Interglacial (MIS 5e) or Early Weichselian (MIS 5d–e) deposits. The sedimentary sequence has been the object of intense interdisciplinary study, which has resulted in the identification of at least two palaeolake horizons. Both yielded fossil remains of large mammals, alongside pollen and plant macrofossils. All these proxies have been used to reconstruct the environmental conditions prevailing at the time of deposition, as well as to define the geological context and the biochronological position of the fauna. Optically stimulated luminescence dating of the glaciofluvial layers of the GS3 succession to 123.6 ± 10.1 (below the lower palaeolake) and 72.0 ± 5.2 ka (above the upper palaeolake) indicate that the site formed during the Middle–Late Pleistocene (MIS 6 – MIS 5). Radiocarbon-dating of the lacustrine organic matter revealed a tight cluster of Middle Pleniglacial Period (MIS 3) ages in the range of ~41–32 ka cal bp (Hengelo – Denekamp Interstadials). Holocene organic layers have also been found, with ¹⁴C ages within a range of 4330–4280 cal bp (Neolithic). Pollen and plant macrofossil records, together with sedimentological and geochemical data, confirm the dating to the Eemian Interglacial.     

Effect of water excess on soil carbon dioxide,seepage water chemistry,and calcite speleothem growth: An experimental and modelling approach

The effect of the water excess in soil on soil gaseous carbon dioxide concentrations (c_CO2) was studied based on field experiments. The gradual water addition of 15 and 30 L m⁻² to leptosols and anthrosols, simulating 15 and 30 mm precipitation, respectively, caused the overall c_CO2 increase of 1.53 × 10⁻¹ mol m⁻³ (increase by 60%) and 1.61 × 10⁻¹ mol m⁻³ (increase by 112%) in the soil airs. The effect of the c_CO2 increment on seepage water, cave dripwater chemistry, and calcite speleothem overgrowths was deduced from geochemical modelling. It showed that the c_CO2 increments may lead to the increments in total dissolved carbon, aqueous calcium, and dissolved solids of 1.10 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ (increase by 35%), 4.45 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ (increase by 30%), and 1.55 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ (increase by 34%), respectively. After the total degassing of CO₂ in the cave, the increment in the saturation index of dripwater, SI, could reach up to ΔSI = 0.31, which means an increase by hundreds of percent. The water excess of 5 L m⁻² following a dry period would cause the increment in saturation index ΔSI = 0.17. The modelling further showed that the c_CO2 increase associated with the 30 L m⁻² water excess could induce the calcite overgrowth up to 1 μm thick per 1 m² surface area. The effect of water excess with additional water supplies gradually weakens, probably due to reduced CO₂ diffusivity and soil microorganism activity. It can be assumed that the most contrasting peaks in dripwater chemistry are associated with the individual precipitation events after short dry periods. The increased supersaturation of dripwater is expected to lead to faster growth of speleothem and changes in calcite textures.     

Fen ecosystem responses to water‐level fluctuations during the early and middle Holocene in central Europe: a case study from Wilczków,Poland

This paper presents a palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the Wilczków fen (central Poland). The fen developed in an inactive valley at the onset of the Holocene (~11 ka BP) and peat accumulation lasted until 5.7 ka BP. Multi‐proxy reconstructions were made on the basis of palaeobotanical, cladoceran, chironomid, beetle and geochemical analyses. A Kohonen self‐organizing map (SOM, unsupervised artificial neural network) of the biotic sequence distinguished four stages of fen history. Stage X₁ (11.0–10.7 ka BP) was relatively wet and cool. Organic matter started to accumulate but the habitat conditions remained unstable. Moss, sedge and fern communities then developed. Sedimentary changes reveal an intensive groundwater supply at that time. Numerous and diverse chironomid and cladoceran subfossils indicate nearly permanent aquatic conditions. During stage Y₁ (10.6–9.2 ka BP) conditions were dry and the upper peat layer desiccated. Cladocera nearly disappeared whereas chironomids were represented by semi‐terrestrial and predatory (Tanypodinae) species. Conditions started to be more reducing. All the remaining samples belonged to the interweaving stages X₂ and Y₂. Stage Y₂ (mostly 9.1–7.3 and 6.0–5.7 ka BP) was also dry but humidity increased towards the top. Oxidizing conditions occurred and the pH became more alkaline, favouring Cladium mariscus. The basin received mostly allochthonous matter input at that time. Stage X₂ (mostly 6.8–6.1 ka BP) was humid and warm. The groundwater supply remained low but there was an increase in precipitation, changing local conditions to ombrotrophic. Species‐rich chironomid and cladoceran communities were associated with temporary pools. Finally, conditions returned to those characteristic of stage Y₂. The presented reconstruction documents long‐term abiotic and biotic changes determined by water supply, including groundwater outflow, which have rarely been detected at a multi‐proxy scale. We show that inactivated valley fens are sensitive to climate‐driven hydrological fluctuations. Kohonen neural networks appear to be a promising method for analysing variability in multi‐proxy data.     

Estimation of global lightning activity and observations of atmospheric electric field

Variations in the global atmospheric electric circuit are investigated using a wide range of globally spaced instruments observing VLF (∼10 kHz) waves, ELF (∼300 Hz) waves, Schumann resonances (4–60 Hz), and the atmospheric fair weather electric field. For the ELF/VLF observations, propagation effects are accounted for in a novel approach using established monthly averages of lightning location provided by the Lightning Image Sensor (LIS) and applying known frequency specific attenuation parameters for daytime/nighttime ELF/VLF propagation. Schumann resonances are analyzed using decomposition into propagating and standing waves in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. Derived lightning activity is compared to existing global lightning detection networks and fair weather field observations. The results suggest that characteristics of lightning discharges vary by region and may have diverse effects upon the ionospheric potential.     

A New Approach to the Modeling of the Pressure Dependency of the Strength of Rocks

Based on the hypothesis that shearing stresses and normal tensile stresses both play a decisive role in fracturing and brittle failure of rock material, a novel strength criterion was developed in one of the earlier works of the author. In the criterion, a certain parameter ν′ occurs which depends on the structure of the material. Originally, the parameter was treated as a constant, which resulted in a linear form of the strength function ^F σ ₁ = f(σ ₃), where σ ₃ = σ ₂. Although the linear strength criterion is sometimes found to be applicable to various particular rock materials, it is not, in general, of a universal character. Analysis of the triaxial test results for 75 different sandstones revealed that parameter ν′ usually increases in an exponential or linear manner as confining pressure increases, and only in isolated cases does it seem to be independent of the confining pressure. For these three types of function ν′ = f(p) appropriate strength criteria ^F σ ₁ = f(σ ₃) are given in the present paper. These criteria were used to fit all of the collected empirical data sets. In general, a very good fit to the data was obtained.