Comparison of Five Eulerian Air Pollution Forecasting Systems for the Summer of 1999 Using the German Ozone Monitoring Data

Eulerian state-of-the-art air pollution forecasting systems on the European scale are operated routinely by several countries in Europe. DWD and FUB, both Germany, NERI, Denmark, NILU, Norway, and SMHI, Sweden, operate some of these systems. To apply such modeling systems, e.g. for regulatory purposes according to new EU directives, an evaluation and comparison of the model systems is fundamental in order to assess their reliability. One step in this direction is presented in this study: The model forecasts from all five systems have been compared to measurements of ground level ozone in Germany. The outstanding point in this investigation is the availability of a huge amount of data – from forecasts by the different model systems and from observations. This allows for a thorough interpretation of the findings and assures the significance of the observed features. Data from more than 300 measurement stations for a 5-month period (May–September 1999) of the German monitoring networks have been used in this comparison. Different spatial and temporal statistical parameters were applied in the evaluation. Generally, it was found that the most comprehensive models gave the best results. However, the less comprehensive and computational cheaper models also produced good results. The extensive comparison made it possible to point out weak points in the different models and to describe the individual model behavior for a full summer period in a climatological sense. The comparison also gave valuable information for an assessment of individual measurement stations and complete monitoring networks in terms of the representativeness of the observation data.     

Li abundances in eclogite minerals: a clue to a crustal or mantle origin?

The mineral phases of 33 eclogite and garnet clinopyroxenite samples from various tectonic settings were analysed for Li by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). In all samples, Li is preferentially incorporated into clinopyroxene (0.4 to 80 µg/g), whereas co-existing garnet contains only minor amounts of Li (0.01 to 3.7 µg/g). When present, glaucophane shows Li abundances which are similar to those of clinopyroxene, but phengite contains significantly less Li than clinopyroxene. Additional phases, such as amphibole, quartz, clinozoisite and kyanite, have low Li concentrations (<1 µg/g). No correlation is apparent between the Li contents and major-element compositions of clinopyroxene or garnet. On the basis of both measured Li concentrations in clinopyroxene and estimated Li abundances in the whole rocks, the investigated samples can be subdivided into high-Li and low-Li groups. These groups coincide with the mode of origin of the rocks. Metabasaltic (metagabbroic) eclogites from high-pressure terranes belong to the high-Li group whereas, except for one eclogite, all kimberlite- and basanite-hosted xenoliths have low Li contents. Samples from eclogites and garnet clinopyroxenites associated with orogenic peridotites fall into both groups. It is suggested that the high-Li eclogites originated from basaltic oceanic crust whereby the notable Li enrichment of some samples was probably caused by low-temperature hydrothermal alteration prior to subduction. Furthermore, the low-Li eclogites and garnet clinopyroxenites may represent high-pressure cumulates from mafic melts percolating through the mantle.     

An experimental study of B-, P- and F-rich synthetic granite pegmatite at 0.1 and 0.2 GPa

Extreme enrichment in H₂O, B, P and F is characteristic of many evolved granites and pegmatites. We report experimental phase relations of a synthetic peraluminous pegmatite spiked with P₂O₅, B₂O₃ and F (5 wt% of each), Rb₂O, Cs₂O (1 wt% of each) and Li₂O (0.5 wt%). Experiments were carried out in H₂O-saturated conditions in cold-seal rapid-quench pressure vessels at 0.1-0.2 GPa. Crystallisation starts at about 820 °C with berlinite and topaz. Quartz appears at 700-750 °C. Topaz is replaced by muscovite at about 600 °C. At near-solidus temperatures (450-500 °C) amblygonite, lacroixite and a Cs-bearing aluminosilicate crystallise. In all charges aluminosilicate melt coexists with low-density hydrous fluid and hydrosaline melt. The latter is strongly enriched in Na₃AlF₆ and H₃BO₃ components. Experimental evidence of the liquid immiscibility and mineral reactions documented in our study offers new explanations of many enigmatic features of natural pegmatites.     

Composition of soluble organic matter in coals: relation to rank and liptinite fluorescence

Study of a series of twenty-six German high volatile bituminous B to low volatile bituminous coals of Upper Carboniferous age by recently refined analytical methods (‘flow-blending’ extraction, medium pressure liquid chromatography, HPLC, glass capillary gas chromatography and spectral fluorescence microscopy) reveals that yield and composition of soluble organic matter are strongly controlled by rank. In particular, the following points of inflection are noted in rank trends around 0.9% vitrinite reflectance: a maximum in yields of total soluble organic matter, aromatic hydrocarbons and n-alkanes; the most pronounced change in aromatic hydrocarbon composition; a trend reversal for pristane/ phytane ratios; a gradient change in the odd/even-predominance of long chain n-alkanes; appearance of a bimodal n-alkane distribution; and a sharp drop in concentration of individual n-, and isoprenoid alkanes. This discontinuity in rank trends around 0.9% Rm is interpreted to reflect a major change in reaction types, i.e. a shift from predominantly hydrocarbon generating to predominantly fragmentation reactions. Rank trends of maceral fluorescence exhibit the following pronounced changes over a similar but broader rank range: Different types of the maceral sporinite show a relatively abrupt shift of the fluorescence colour from yellow towards red between 0.8–0.9% Rm while up to about 1.0% Rm a sharp increase is recorded in the proportion of fluorescent vitrinite. This coincidence at a near-equal rank stage suggests a common cause for changes in yield and composition of the soluble organic matter and the maceral fluorescence of these coals.     

Potential applications of ERS-1 SAR data in near real-time

Summary Some important principles of remote sensing using synthetic aperture radar data (SAR data) from the first European Remote Sensing Satellite ERS-1 are explained. Examples illustrate the potential applications of satellite radar information. The possibility of using near-on-line processed remote information for operational purposes is discussed in particular.The satellite information used was received, processed and presented to the visitors of the exhibition which took place as part of the 1992 International Space Year (ISY) at the Bonn offices of the EEC. The BSH and DLR co-operated with DARA and TELEKOM. The intention was to familiarize a broader public with the potential of remote sensing and to stress the necessity of using space technology in combatting environmental problems.

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Zum Nutzungspotential von ERS-1-AAR-Daten in naher Echtzeit

Zusammenfassung Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden einige wichtige Grundlagen der Fernerkundung mit SAR-Daten des Ersten Europäischen Fernerkundungssatelliten ERS-1 erläutert und anhand einiger ausgewählter Beispiele Möglichkeiten der Nutzanwendung von Radar-Daten aufgezeigt. Dabei werden besonders die Möglichkeiten eines Nahe-Echtzeit-Einsatzes unter operationellen Gesichtspunkten aufgegriffen und diskutiert.Die verwendeten Daten wurden während einer Präsentation in der Vertretung der Kommission der Europäischen Gemeinschaft in Bonn anläßlich einer Veranstaltung zum Internationalen Weltraumjahr 1992 (ISY) von der BDDN-Fast-Delivery-Station des Bundesamts für Seeschiffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH) in Zusammenarbeit mit der Deutschen Forschungsanstalt für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) und der TELEKOM aufgezeichnet, digital verarbeitet und den Besuchern der Ausstellung vorgestellt. Im Vordergrund stand, das Potential der Fernerkundung einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit zugänglich zu machen und die Notwendigkeit der Raumfahrt zur Erkundung unserer Umwelt zu bekräftigen.

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Le potentiel d'application des données ERS-1 SAR en utilisation presqueimmédiate

Résumé Des propriétés importantes du radar d'ouverture synthétique du premier satellite européen ERS-1 d'observation de la Terre sont présentées. Des exemples choisis illustrent les possibilités d'utilisation appliquée de l'information radar. La possibilité d'une exploitation en temps très légèrement différé sous des aspects opérationnels est démontrée.L'information du satellite ERS-1 a été reçue, traitée et archivée lors d'une présentation à la Commission de la Communauté Européene à Bonn. À l'occasion de la manifestation de l'année internationale de l'espace 1992 (ISY), avec le concours de l'Agence Maritime et Hydrographique Fédérale (BSH), en coopération avec le Centre Allemand de Recherches Aérospatiales (DLR) et les TELEKOM. Le but était de présenter au public les possibilités de la télédétection et de montrer la nécessité de l'usage de la technologie pour aider à résoudre les problèmes de l'environment.

     

A Gibbs–Pitzer function for high-salinity seawater thermodynamics

A high-salinity Gibbs function for seawater is derived from Pitzer equations of the sea salt components, in conjunction with the 2003 Gibbs function of seawater for low salinities. Various properties, computed from both formulations by thermodynamic rules, are compared with each other, and with high-salinity measurements. The new Gibbs–Pitzer function presented in this paper is valid in the range 0–110 g kg⁻¹ in absolute salinity, −7 to +25 °C in temperature, and 0–100 MPa in applied pressure. The formulation is expressed in the International Temperature Scale 1990 (ITS-90), and is consistent with the International Standard for Fluid Water (IAPWS-95), and with the 2005/2006 equations of state of ice Ih.     

The enhanced element enrichment in the supercritical states of granite–pegmatite systems

In this paper, we show that supercritical fluids have a greater significance in the generation of pegmatites, and for ore-forming processes related to granites than is usually assumed. We show that the supercritical melt or fluid is a silicate phase in which volatiles; principally H₂O are completely miscible in all proportions at magmatic temperatures and pressures. This phase evolves from felsic melts and changes into hydrothermal fluids, and its unique properties are particularly important in sequestering and concentrating low abundance elements, such as metals. In our past research, we have focused on processes observed at upper crustal levels, however extensive work by us and other researchers have demonstrated that supercritical melt/fluids should be abundant in melting zones at deep-crustal levels too. We propose that these fluids may provide a connecting link between lower and upper crustal magmas, and a highly efficient transport mechanism for usually melt incompatible elements. In this paper, we explore the unique features of this fluid which allow the partitioning of various elements and compounds, potentially up to extreme levels, and may explain various features both of mineralization and the magmas that produced them.

     

Underutilized plant species in Far West Nepal

Underutilized plant species help to alleviate common food insufficiencies by providing alternative food supply. They also complement primary health care, furnishing raw materials where the cultivation of staple cereal crops is least feasible and health care is pursued indigenously. Research and promotion of extraction, utilization, and conservation of underutilized species lead to exploration of new staple crops and motivate people to consume in a sustainable manner. The present study describes the current status, uses, and management of underutilized plant species in Far West Nepal. The relative importance of 49 underutilized plant species was computed employing a Relative Importance (RI) technique. The use-values assigned to the species fall into six use-categories: beverage, fodder, food & edible, medicinal, vegetable and veterinary. A total of 22 species appeared in multiple use-categories, while the rest were characterized by a single use-category. Based on relative importance and frequency, Ficus semicordata, Debregesia longifolia, Girardinea diversifolia, Hydrocotyle nepalensis, Garuga pinnata, Aloe vera and Pyrus pashia offer the most potential for future. Underutilized plants proved important to folk medicine and food. These species persist because they remain useful to local people as means of subsistence, production, and primary health care. The findings are important so far as they point up the role of underutilized plants in national food security policy and health care, spelling out their potentialities and cross cutting relationships.