The structure of the stably stratified internal boundary layer in offshore flow over the sea

Observations obtained mainly from a research aircraft are presented of the mean and turbulent structure of the stably stratified internal boundary layer (IBL) over the sea formed by warm air advection from land to sea. The potential temperature and humidity fields reveal the vertical extent of the IBL, for fetches out to several hundred of kilometres, geostrophic winds of 20–25 m s^–1, and potential temperature differences between undisturbed continental air and the sea surface of 7 to 17 K. The dependence of IBL depth on these external parameters is discussed in the context of the numerical results of Garratt (1987), and some discrepancies are noted.Wind observations show the development of a low-level wind maximum (wind component normal to the coast) and rotation of the wind to smaller cross-isobar flow angles. Potential temperature () profiles within the IBL reveal quite a different structure to that found in the nocturnal boundary layer (NBL) over land. Over the sea, profiles have large positive curvature with vertical gradients increasing monotonically with height; this reflects the dominance of turbulent cooling within the layer. The behaviour is consistent with known behaviour in the NBL over land where curvature becomes negative (vertical gradients of decreasing with height) as radiative cooling becomes dominant.Turbulent properties are discussed in terms of non-dimensional quantities, normalised by the surface friction velocity, as functions of normalised height using the IBL depth. Vertical profiles of these and the normalised wavelength of the spectral maximum agree well with known results for the stable boundary layer over land (Caughey et al., 1979).     

Biogeochemical prospecting for uranium in Nova Scotia

Ashed twigs of Picea rubens (red spruce) collected over an area of uranium mineralization in central Nova Scotia were analyzed for uranium in the course of biogeochemical prospecting for this element. Uranium levels in background samples were significantly lower than in those collected from areas with mineralization either at depth or on the surface. Scintillometric data were useful only to differentiate background and surface mineralization. Uranium levels in soils showed no correlation whatsoever with mineralization or with radiometry. There was a very high degree of correlation between the scintillometric data and uranium concentrations in ashed twigs and it is considered that twigs of Picea rubens might be successfully used for biogeochemical prospecting for uranium in this area.     

'Driving people crazy': A geography of boy racers in Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract:   So-called 'boy racers' form a subculture, which is subject to ongoing public scrutiny and media attention, usually negative. This study aimed to deconstruct the term 'boy racer' and to explore the subculture in detail, within the context of Christchurch, New Zealand, using a phenomenological ethnographic approach. This included conducting semistructured interviews and observing the activities of participants. Results show the subculture has a relatively diverse membership and a range of associated behaviours, activities and attitudes. Moreover, performances within the subculture are linked to place, and are seen by other members of the community as threats to normative boundaries.     

Gravity anomalies and crustal shortening in the eastern Mediterranean

Crustal shortening of the ocean floor in the eastern Mediterranean is recognized by a marked thickening of the sedimentary layer seaward of the Hellenic and Calabrian island arcs. Steep gradients and large negative free-air anomalies in the gravity field along with a highly uniform, low regional heat flow are manifestations of the thickened crust. Bodies of recently deformed sediment in and seaward of the Hellenic Trough reveal the style, polarity, and dynamics of the thickening mechanism.

A linear buried anticlinal structure, inferred from analysis of surface ship gravity profiles, may mark the site of contemporary intrabasinal underthrusting. The distribution of earthquakes beneath the Mediterranean Ridge supports the interpretation that the Anaximander, Ptolomy, and Strabo Mountains are features comparable to large basement nappes. Cyprus is one such structure, offset to the south, where the oceanic crust and part of the upper mantle have been involved in the décollement.     

Die Ausgleichung und Genauigkeit Eines Polygonzuges mit Lagengemäss Ungenauen Anschlusspunkten

Summary In adjusting a bilaterally connected polygonal traverse, whether to positionally accurate or inaccurate points of departure, the mean errors are the problem of primary importance. Hitherto, the mean errors of lengths and angles were chosen; the procedure was such that the weights of both quantities were determined from the mean errors chosen, and this fixed the ratio of the mean errors. This ratio did not change as a result of the adjustment, but the absolute values of the mean errors did. Provided the adjustment was carried out on a polygonal traverse with fixed points of departure, this change did not matter. In the case of ellipses of errors in the points of departure, this change is not permissible, because it would include the change of the semi-axes of the ellipses of errors and, therefore, also of the positional rigidity of the points of departure. The contribution of this paper is in the exact method by which it is possible to compute a coefficientc, pertaining to the mean angular error selected (in the case of positionally inaccurate pointsd), which determines the mean errorm=±e √s (orm=±d √s) of the lengthss. The solution is based on the definition of the mean error of a unit weight founded on the work of deformation. In the calculus of observations, the work of deformation has so far been determined as the deformation work of internal forces from the corrections of the individual quantities after the adjustment is concluded. However, it is possible, as was demonstrated in this paper, to express it as the deformation work of external forces, which act during the adjustment in pointO (Fig. 1) on the auxiliary static system in the shape of a console, and which provide it with the necessary deformation. If the external forces are expressed by means of the tensor of the auxiliary system, the equation for the mean error of the unit weight will provide a relation between this error and the coefficientc, ord. If the mean angular error is selected and if its weight is put equal to one, an equation of the fourth degree is obtained in terms ofc (ord), from which it is possible to compute this coefficient. From the external forces, necessary to produce the deformation of the auxiliary system during its adjustment, the corrections of the individual elements of this system may be determined. If we want to determine the ellipse of errors in one of the polygonal points, it is necessary to investigated the shifts of this point, which occur if the point is acted upon by a unit force first in one and then in another direction, perpendicular to the first. Both shifts represent conjugate radii of the deformation ellipse. From this ellipse we proceed to the ellipse of errors. The general solution is supplemented by a numerical example of adjusting a polygonal traverse with positionally inaccurate points and, for sake of comparison, also by the adjustment of this traverse with positionally accurate points.

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Anschrift: Husova 5, Praha 1-Staré Město     

Comments on “The crustal structure of the Balearic Sea” — in light of deep-sea drilling in the Mediterranean

Supplementary to the paper by K. Hinz on The crustal structure of the Balearic Sea, some results are reported from the deep-sea drilling cruise of the “Glomar Challenger”.     

A critical review of three methods used for the measurement of mercury (Hg)-dissolved organic matter stability constants

Three experimental techniques – ion exchange, liquid–liquid extraction with competitive ligand exchange, and solid-phase extraction with competitive ligand exchange (CLE–SPE) – were evaluated as methods for determining conditional stability constants (K) for the binding of mercury (Hg²⁺) to dissolved organic matter (DOM). To determine the utility of a given method to measure stability constants at environmentally relevant experimental conditions, experimental results should meet three criteria: (1) the data must be experimentally valid, in that they were acquired under conditions that meet all the requirements of the experimental method, (2) the Hg:DOM ratio should be determined and it should fall within levels that are consistent with environmental conditions, and (3) the stability constants must fall within the detection window of the method. The ion exchange method was found to be limited by its detection window, which constrains the method to stability constants with log K values less than about 14. The liquid–liquid extraction method was found to be complicated by the ability of Hg–DOM complexes to partition into the organic phase. The CLE–SPE method was found to be the most suitable of these methods for the measurement of Hg–DOM stability constants. Stability constants for DOM isolates measured using the CLE–SPE method at environmentally relevant Hg:DOM ratios were log K = 25–30 (M⁻¹). These values are consistent with the strong Hg²⁺ binding expected for reduced S-containing binding sites.     

Chemical reactions of sea water with rocks and freshwater: Experimental and field observations on brackish waters in Israel

Four major processes are observed to take place in the coastal aquifer of Israel, detectable even in the short times of water contact with the carbonate-containing host rocks. Three are chemical reactions, Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺ exchange, Na⁺-Ca²⁺ or Na⁺-Mg²⁺ base exchange, SO^2?₄ reduction and the fourth is dilution by freshwater. These reactions and their effects on the chemical composition of the waters were demonstrated experimentally. The range of chemical changes observed in the laboratory experiments overlap the range of the studied natural waters. This indicates that simulation of geologically long-term rock-water interaction could be achieved in laboratory experiments even at low temperatures.