Estimation of Solar Prominence Magnetic Fields Based on the Reconstructed 3D Trajectories of Prominence Knots

We present an estimation of the lower limits of local magnetic field strengths in quiescent, activated, and active (surges) prominences, based on reconstructed three-dimensional (3D) trajectories of individual prominence knots. The 3D trajectories, velocities, tangential and centripetal accelerations of the knots were reconstructed using observational data collected with a single ground-based telescope equipped with a Multi-channel Subtractive Double Pass imaging spectrograph. Lower limits of magnetic fields channeling observed plasma flows were estimated under assumption of the equipartition principle. Assuming approximate electron densities of the plasma n _e=5×10¹¹?cm^?3 in surges and n _e=5×10¹⁰?cm^?3 in quiescent/activated prominences, we found that the magnetic fields channeling two observed surges range from 16 to 40?Gauss, while in quiescent and activated prominences they were less than 10?Gauss. Our results are consistent with previous detections of weak local magnetic fields in the solar prominences.     

3D Lagrangian modelling of saltating particles diffusion in turbulent water flow

A 3D Lagrangian model of the saltation of solid spherical particles on the bed of an open channel flow, accounting for turbulence-induced mechanisms, is proposed and employed as the key tool of the study. The differences between conventional 2D models and a proposed 3D saltation model are discussed and the advantages of the 3D model are highlighted. Particularly, the 3D model includes a special procedure allowing generation of 3D flow velocity fields. This procedure is based on the assumption that the spectra of streamwise, vertical and transverse velocity components are known at any distance from the bed. The 3D model was used to identify and quantify effects of turbulence on particle entrainment and saltation. The analysis of particle trajectories focused on their diffusive nature, clarifying: (i) the effect of particle mobility parameter; (ii) the effect of bed topography; and (iii) the effect of turbulence. Specifically, the results of numerical simulations describing the abovementioned effects on the change in time of the variance are presented. In addition, the change in time of the skewness and kurtosis, which are likely to reflect the turbulence influence on the spread of particles, are also shown. Two different diffusion regimes (local and intermediate) for each of the investigated flow conditions are confidently identified.     

Study of vertical structure of aerosol optical properties with sun photometers and ceilometer during the MACRON campaign in 2007

This paper presents the measurements of a vertical structure of aerosol optical properties performed during the MACRON (Maritime Aerosol, Clouds and Radiation Observation in Norway) campaign, which took place in July and August 2007 at ALOMAR observatory on Andøya island (69.279°N, 16.009°E, elevation 380 m a.s.l.). The mean value of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) at 500 nm during campaign was 0.12. Significant increase of the AOT above longtime mean value was observed on 7 and 8 August 2007 when the AOT exceeded 0.4 at 500 nm. Analyses of back trajectories show the aerosol transported from over Africa and Central Europe. The aerosol extinction coefficient obtained from the synergy of ceilometer and sun photometer observations reached 0.05–0.08 km^?1 (at 1064 nm) in the dust layer. The single scattering albedo at the ALOMAR observatory decreased during the dust episode to 0.93–0.94, which indicates some absorptive aerosols in the lower PBL.     

Wavelet Characteristics of Hydrological and Dissolved Oxygen Time Series in a Lowland River

In this study, we investigated the temporal variability of dissolved oxygen and water temperature in conjunction with water level fluctuations and river discharge in the Narew lowland river reach. For this purpose, high resolution hydrologic and water quality time series have been used. Spectral analyses of time series using continuous wavelet transform scheme have been applied in order to identify characteristic scales, its duration, and localisation in time. The results of wavelet analysis have shown a great number of periodicities in time series at the inter-annual time scale when compared to the classical Fourier analysis. Additionally, wavelet coherence revealed the complex nature of the relationship between dissolved oxygen and hydrological variables dependent on the scale and localisation in time. Hence, the results presented in this paper may provide an alternative representation to a frequency analysis of time series.     

New estimates of potential impacts of sea level rise and coastal floods in Poland

Natural Hazards - Polish coastal zone is thought to be one of the most exposed to sea level rise in Europe. With mean sea levels expected to increase between 28 and 98 cm by the end of the...     

Petroleum source rock evaluation of the Alum and Dictyonema Shales (Upper Cambrian–Lower Ordovician) in the Baltic Basin and Podlasie Depression (eastern Poland)

International Journal of Earth Sciences - We present geochemical characteristics of the Lower Palaeozoic shales deposited in the Baltic Basin and Podlasie Depression. In the study area, this strata...     

Magnetic mineralogy and paleomagnetism of serpentinized ultramafic rocks from the Braszowice-Brzeźnica fragment of sudetic paleozoic ophiolite

Complex paleomagnetic, rock-magnetic and mineralogical studies were performed on serpentinized utramafic rocks from Braszowice-Brze?nica massif (BB) situated at the southern extremity of the Niemcza Shear Zone, close to the Sudetic Marginal Fault. Studies of magnetic minerals revealed presence of several varieties of magnetite grains, and partly altered Cr-spinels. Paleomagnetic studies revealed stable component HS of natural remanence carried by magnetite formed probably during the initial serpentinization. The directions of HS have good grouping within each locality, but differ between localities. Studies of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) have shown that directions of anisotropy axes are steep instead of horizontal as is common within the Niemcza Shear Zone. Taking advantage of the directions of AMS we rotated the directions of HS and brought them to the reference direction for the Sudetes for 372 Ma. We suggest that after acquiring AMS and HS during the Upper Devonian, the BB became divided into multiple units due to tectonic activity in the region.     

Natural radiation and its hazard in copper ore mines in Poland

The doses of gamma radiation, concentrations of radium isotopes in water and sediments, radon concentration and concentration of alpha potential energy of radon decay products in the copper ore mine and in the mining region in the vicinity of Lubin town in Poland are presented. These data served as a basis for the assessment of radiological hazard to the mine workers and general public. The results of this assessment indicate that radiological hazard in the region does not differ substantially from typical values associated with natural radiation background. The calculated average annual effective dose for copper miners is 1.48 mSv. In general, copper ore mines can be regarded as radiologically safe workplaces.     

Assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural sources in order to plan for needs of low carbon economy at local level in Poland

Agriculture is often not included in the baseline greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories created for local low carbon economy plans in Poland and other European countries. We therefore estimate the size of the carbon footprint from agricultural sources and indicate the share of agriculture in the total GHG emissions in selected Polish communes (LAU level 2). We propose a solution whereby local government units can estimate their carbon footprint independently and monitor the impact of actions taken to reduce emissions. The value of the carbon footprint from agriculture in the selected communes varies from .5 to 46.5 thousand Mg CO₂eq/year, with a mean value of 12.6 thousand Mg CO₂eq/year and a standard deviation of 11.4 thousand Mg CO₂eq/year. Per capita, these values range from 10 kg CO₂eq/year to 8.4 Mg CO₂eq/year, with a mean of 1.1 Mg CO₂eq/year and a standard deviation of 1.5 Mg CO₂eq/year. In all communes, the contribution of agriculture to total emissions is at an average of 14% (values range from .2 to 57.4%). The obtained results confirm the appropriateness of including emissions from the agricultural sector and other related sources in low carbon economy plans.