Testing the anelastic nonhydrostatic model EULAG as a prospective dynamical core of a numerical weather prediction model Part II: Simulations of supercell

The anelastic nonhydrostatic model EULAG is a candidate for the future dynamical core of a numerical weather prediction model. Achieving such an objective requires a number of experiments focused on testing correctness of the solutions and robustness of the solver. In the spirit of this idea, a set of tests related to standard atmospheric problems was performed, of which the two regarding development and evolution of a supercell were employed as benchmarks of moist dynamics of the model. Their results are discussed in this paper. Development and evolution of a stormsystem with a set of characteristic features such as stormsplitting along with the generation of horizontal vorticity and cold pool formation is investigated. In addition, the influence of domain geometry, boundary conditions and subgrid-scale mixing is examined.     

Influence of selected fluorescent dyes on small aquatic organisms

Rhodamine B and Rhodamine WT are fluorescent dyes commonly used as tracers in hydrological investigations. Since introducing intensely red substances into rivers raises understandable doubts of ecological nature, the authors aimed at examining the influence of these dyes on small water fauna using bioindication methods. Quantitative results, calculated with the use of Bliss-Weber probit statistical method, were achieved by means of standardized ecotoxicological tests containing ready-to-hatch resting forms of fairy shrimp (Thamnocephalus platyurus). Qualitative studies included observation of water flea crustacean (Daphnia magna) and horned planorbis snail (Planorbis corneus), both typically present in rivers and representative for temperate climate, as well as guppy fish (Poecilla reticulata), paramecium protozoan (Paramaecium caudatum) and the above-mentioned fairy shrimp. The investigation revealed that both dyes in concentrations used for hydrological purposes are low enough to exert almost no toxic impact on water fauna considered.     

Unusual reaction of diatom assemblage on climate changes during the last millennium: a record from Spitsbergen lake

A sediment core from the Arctic Revvatnet (Hornsund area, SW Spitsbergen, Svalbard) provided data on environmental changes over the last 3100 years. Diatom analysis showing the domination of planktonic Cyclotella forms suggested good edaphic conditions until the middle of the nineteenth century, even during the Little Ice Age. A thermally stratified and relatively stable water column with good mixing allowed small, less heavily silicified Cyclotella sensu lato to develop during this time. The climate warming at the beginning of the twentieth century induced intensification of erosion processes in the catchment of the lake and caused an increase in the sedimentation rate. These processes have caused a lack of thermal stratification by disturbances in the water column and an increase of nutrients, consequently driving changes in the diatom species composition, which became dominated by benthic forms. In this period, almost all planktonic taxa disappeared or abruptly decreased in frequency. Higher temperatures accelerated the melting of nearby glaciers, which caused an increase in the activity of diatoms typical of running waters. Also a few Cladocera species appeared at the first time in the youngest samples.     

Effectiveness of Dynamic Point Symbols in Quantitative Mapping

The main focus of this paper is the effectiveness of dynamic point symbols in the presentation of quantitative data. Such symbols are of particular use in the design of animated maps and computer games. The authors examine three existing techniques of using dynamic point symbols to present quantitative data: blinking, pulsation, and rotation. The aim of the study is to compare their effectiveness with that of classical cartographic animation techniques. The results of the study show that in animated map design, dynamic point symbols might be used to present not only qualitative but also quantitative data with comparable effectiveness. The results may serve as the basis for designing dynamic point symbols to be as effective as the classical techniques used in animated cartography.     

The Tepla(?)/Saxothuringian suture in the Karkonosze–Izera massif, western Sudetes, central European Variscides

The southern and eastern Karkonosze-Izera massif (northern Bohemian Massif) exposes blueschist facies rocks and MORB-type magmatic complexes. During Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous times, these were overthrust within a nappe pile toward the NW onto the pre-Variscan Saxothuringian basement composed of the Izera-Kowary metagranitoids and their envelope. The lowermost nappe (or parautochthonous?) unit of the pile is the low-grade metamorphosed Jewt3d complex, comprising a Devonian to Early Carboniferous sedimentary succession of the Saxothuringian passive margin. This is tectonically overlain by the South Karkonosze complex, which represents Ordovician-Silurian volcano-sedimentary infill of the Saxothuringian basin, affected by Late Devonian HP metamorphism. The uppermost nappe is the Early Palaeozoic epidote-amphibolite grade Leszczyniec MORB-like complex, cropping out on the eastern margin of the Karkonosze-Izera massif. It probably represents a fragment of obducted Saxothuringian basin floor. The nappe pile was stacked beneath the overriding upper plate margin, now concealed below the Intra-Sudetic basin and hypothesized to represent a fragment of the Tepla-Barrandian terrane. The nappe stacking, triggered by buoyancy-controlled upward extrusion of the subducted continental slab, was the main mechanism for the exhumation of HP rocks. The final stages of the NW-ward nappe stacking were accompanied and followed by SE-directed Early Carboniferous extensional collapse. The lower plate of the suture zone was uplifted at that time and intruded by the ~330-Ma-old, nearly undeformed Karkonosze granite pluton. As a result of the collapse, the Tepla-Barrandian(?) upper plate was downthrown on shear zones and brittle faults and buried under several km-thick synorogenic Late Tournaisian(?) through Namurian and post-orogenic Late Carboniferous-Early Permian succession of the Intra-Sudetic basin. The south and east Karkonosze suture most probably is a fragment of the Tepla/Saxothuringian (Münchberg-Tepla) suture belt known from the western Bohemian Massif.     

Truncation errors of selected finite difference methods for two-dimensional advection-diffusion equation with mixed derivatives

The spread of a passive contaminant in an open-channel reach is considered with use of a two-dimensional advection-diffusion equation with the included off-diagonal dispersion coefficients. This paper presents the calculation of truncation errors, namely numerical diffusion and numerical dispersion for various finite difference schemes. The accuracy of the considered finite-difference approximations is analysed by deriving and studying the relevant modified partial differential equation.     

Mycobiota of the disused ore mine of Marcinków in?nie?nik Masiff(western Poland)

Marcinków(Lower Silesia, ?nie?nik Masiff,south-western Poland) has been a well-known mining centre since the mid-15 th century. Mineral extraction ended in 1949 with the ores of Pb, Ag, Cu and occasionally Au, U or graphite mined there. The mine is surrounded by metamorphic graphite and mica schist. It is not open to the public and no bats have been recorded living in. The aim of this study was the mycological analysis of the air, the rock surface and the water of the disused ore mine of Marcinków.Additionally, the chemical composition of rocks and water, and microclimate conditions of the adit were determined. Fungi were identified using a combination of phenotypic and molecular methods.Six taxa of fungi were cultured from the indoor air samples of the adit, whereas the outdoor air samples contained only five taxa. On the other hand, nine taxa were isolated from both the rocky walls and the water.The Aspergillus group was present only on the rocks and in the water, whereas Cladosporium herbarum,Dumontinia tuberosa, Epicoccum nigrum, Hirsutella sp., were found exclusively in the air. The mycobiota found in the ore mine were mostly similar to those recorded in other mines and natural caves. However,it should be noted that the internal microclimate and chemical compounds of the rocks.     

A strategy for GPS data processing in a precise local network during high solar activity

This paper presents the analyses connected with reduction of errors from ionospheric refraction using GPS data from local satellite networks. This is particularly essential during rising solar activity. The Bernese GPS Software v. 4.2 was used, as an analytical tool. The test data included measurements from a geodynamic network SUDETES situated in the Sudety Mountains across the border between the Czech Republic and Poland. A local ionospheric activity model developed from a regional model augmented with data from a local network has been tested at three levels. The criteria included comparison with a global model, the success rate of ambiguity determination using the quasi-ionosphere free and wide-lane/narrow-lane strategies, and in the position domain through analysis of residuals. The results show that the local model increases the success rate for ambiguity determination for the wide-lane/narrow-lane strategy and is available sooner than the global models. The output of the SUDETES network processing including the models of local ionospheric and tropospheric activity have been used to process data from a number of relatively small networks situated in the Sudety mountains.     

Physical and chemical characteristics of after-reclamation dust from used sand moulds

The paper presents the results of investigations of physical and chemical properties of after reclamation dust that is generated in the foundry industry. Universally applied mechanical reclamation processes of spent moulding sands generate large amounts of after-reclamation dusts containing mainly rubbed spent binding agents and quartz dusts. An amount of after-reclamation dusts—in dependence of the reclamation system efficiency and the reclaim dedusting system—can reach 5–10 % in relation to the total reclaimed spent moulding sand. After-reclamation dusts originated from spent moulding sands with different kinds of resins mostly belong to dangerous wastes, since they contain chemo-setting binders with dangerous substances removed in the reclamation process. None of the companies producing mechanical reclamation systems offers presently the complex technology and equipment for utilisation of after reclamation dusts, which would meet technical and economic expectations of foundry plants. The paper presents the results of research carried out at the Faculty of Foundry Engineering AGH UST in Cracow which aims on the determination of possibilities of using the post-reclamation dust generated during mechanical reclamation of used moulding sands with organic resins as a source of energy. Different dusts generated in the mechanical reclamation process of used organic sands, delivered from foundries, were tested to determine their chemical composition, granular characterisation and physicochemical properties. As a result of the investigations, possible ways to utilise the dusts are presented.