Regularities of C<Subscript>org</Subscript> distribution in bottom sediments of the Russian part of the Sea of Azov

The principal regularities were ascertained for the spatiotemporal distribution of organic carbon in the water and bottom sediments of the Russian part of the Sea of Azov. The relationships between allo- and autochthonous organic matter in water and bottom sediments from different parts of the sea aquatic area were found. The behavior of organic carbon in the water-bottom sediments system was characterized as the effect of the variability of hydrochemical, biological, and hydrological factors ad processes.     

Origin of magnetic minerals and natural remanent magnetization of basaltic rocks from Lower Silesia,Poland

Summary Two groups of basaltic rocks with normal and reversed NRM were examined. It was found that in both groups the primary NRM, synchronous with the period of rock formation, is preserved. Relations of the primary NRM to the origin and the degree of oxidation of magnetic minerals were considered in detail.     

Estimation of runoff distribution within river systems: Application to the Lena Basin (Siberia)

A channel account approach is proposed to estimate longitudinal changes in runoff along large river systems. This new method provides a quantitative basis for describing the fluvial transport of suspended particulate material and dissolved substances. This method includes an evaluation of basic elements of water balance in separate sections of the river network and subsequent correction of channel accounting equations for the entire system using a maximum likelihood principle. To calculate water discharges of tributaries that have no hydrological information, structural analysis of river network is performed. This approach provides less error in comparison with traditional methods of estimating lateral inflow. The method is used to trace water discharge with increasing distance along the Lena river basin and to evaluate the contribution of geologically and lithologically uneven sub-basins in water discharge formation during a summer low water period.     

Modeling the biodegradation of multicomponent organic matter in an aquatic environment: 3. Analysis of lignin degradation mechanisms

Mechanisms of enzymatic degradation of a persistent organic substance are discussed in the case of lignin. The major groups of lignin-decomposing microorganisms and their enzymatic systems are described. The biochemical mechanisms of the action of main lignin-decomposing enzymes are analyzed. Typical sizes of enzyme molecules are estimated. The results of analysis are used to formulate the major regularities of lignin destruction, which are required for the construction of a kinetic model of this process.     

Properties of fine technogenic sediments and their effect on channel process and self-purification of river water

The role of fine sediments of technogenic origin in channel process is analyzed. The specific features of sedimentation of particles with different density and shape and the issues of flocculation and consolidation of sediments in the bottom part of flow are discussed. Experimental data on the adhesion of particles are given and a relationship for its assessment is proposed. The class of sediments for which the adhesion determines the critical erosion velocity is determined. The processes of river water self-purification and precipitation of fine sediments were compared to show that sedimentation processes play an important role in river water self-purification.     

High magnitude global seismicity and lateral velocity gradients

Summary A new significant correlation has been sought between high magnitude global seismicity and lateral surface wave velocity gradients. Rayleigh wave velocity divisioning of Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean into regions of similar group velocity dispersion character of 30 sec period bySanto andSato [1]³) has been mainly used for calculating the gradients. It is quite striking to note that all earthquakes of magnitude 8.6 and above during 1897–1956 have occurred in regions having gradients of the order of 1.5·10^–3 sec^–1.Finally, some potential areas for high magnitude earthquake occurrences are predicted and the possible velocity gradients in regions, where division pattern is not yet investigated like South America and Australia, are also estimated.N.G.R.I. Contribution No. 70-170.     

Thermal stability of a layer with permeable boundaries and variable gravitational field

The aim of this paper is to investigate the thermal stability of a fluid layer with permeable boundaries and a variable gravitational field. It is observed that the principle of exchange of stabilities is valid when the layer is heated form below and the complex growth rate of an arbitrary oscillatory mode exists outside of a circle whose radius depends upon the permeability parameter, Prandtl number and wavelength of the mode. In the case of a layer heated from below, gravity increasing upward has a destabilizing effect whereas the permeability parameter has a stabilizing effect.     

Modeling the Seasonal Dynamics of the Diurnal Variation of the Global Electric Circuit

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - On the basis of a parametrization of the ionospheric potential (IP), the seasonal dynamics of the diurnal IP variation for 2016–2017 is simulated...