Field observations of fronts and high-frequency temperature fluctuations in a thermal plume

High-frequency temperature variations were measured at seven depths, at a point 130 m from the cooling-water outfall of a power plant. The data are studied using spectra, correlation functions and probability distributions. The sharp thermal fronts observed in the data are related to the surface thermal fronts seen using airborne infra-red scanning, and to laboratory studies of instabilities in mixing layers between uniformly flowing and quiescent fluids.     

Spectrophotometry of Jupiter

Spectrophotometric maps of Jupiter were made between 24 and 27(UT) November 1974 on the McMath Solar Telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory. We report a comparison between observed scaled reflectivities of the Jovian North Tropical Zone and the North Equatorial Belt at System II longitudes between 195 and 205 degrees. The belt/zone reflectivity ratios between 430 and 740nm are related to the optical transmission curves of the organic and/or sulfur polymers synthesized by Khare and Sagan in a simulated Jovian atmosphere.     

On synchronism between axial rotation and orbital motion in close binary systems

In this paper we examine the possible outcome of the tidal evolution of a close binary system using a method from which the outline has already been given by Counselman (1973). If the value of the total angular momentum of the system is sufficiently large, two equilibrium states corresponding to synchronism between stellar rotation and orbital motion are possible. In one of these states the total energy attains no extreme value. The considered evolution can be visualized geometrically by the motion of a point along a hyperbolic cylinder in three-dimensional space. A comparison with some observational data reveals that most of the synchronously rotating detached systems have attained a stable equilibrium state of minimum total energy for the given value of total angular momentum.     

CHANGING SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF WILLAMETTE VALLEY FARMS

In the post-World War II era the need to achieve satisfactory economies of scale has led to fever but larger farms in the Willamette Valley. Vigorous demand for farm land by the nonfarm sector has served to inflate land values. As a result, farmers have turned to leasing and renting as alternatives to land purchase. Difficulty in finding suitable land with which to enlarge farm operations has led to the use of noncontiguous fields.     

New C13N14 search regions in the solar spectrum

Ten new rotational line positions, due to the (0,0) red C¹³N¹⁴ band, are calculated to fall squarely within continuum regions 1–2 Å wide in the near infrared solar spectrum, , 10 990–11 630. Precision observations of the isotopic line strengths in this spectral region, albeit difficult, should resolve the present ambiguity in the blue-violet observations of whether or not the solar C¹²/C¹³ ratio is equal to or larger than the terrestrial ratio.     

Far-ultraviolet extinction in σ Scorpii

It was found earlier from OAO-2 data (Bless and Savage, 1972) that considerable variability with direction in space is present in both the shape and level (relative toB-V color excess) of the interstellar extinction curve in the far ultraviolet. The star σ Sco was shown to be a case of extremely low UV extinction, but there was some question of whether this could be due to scattered nebular light entering the large entrance slit of the Wisconsin spectrometer aboard OAO-2. We have obtained UV data on σ Sco usingCopernicus (OAO-3), which has an entrance slit on the order of 10³ times smaller in projected area than that of OAO-2, so that the contribution to the signal from scattered nebular light would be correspondingly smaller. We find very good agreement with the extinction curve of Bless and Savage, confirming the low UV extinction in the line of sight to σ Sco. The curve is extended down to 100 Å, showing a continued rise towards short wavelengths.     

Length Scales of Scalar Diffusion in the Convective Boundary Layer: Laboratory Observations

A laboratory study of scalar diffusion in the convective boundary layer has found results that are consistent with a 1999 large-eddy simulation (LES) study by Jonker, Duynkerke and Cuijpers. For bottom-up and top-down scalars (introduced as ‘infinite’ area sources of passive tracer at the surface and inversion, respectively) the dominant length scale was found to be much larger than the length scale for density fluctuations, the latter being equal to the boundary-layer depth h. The variance of the normalized passive scalar grew continuously with time and its magnitude was about 3–5 times larger for the top-down case than for the bottom-up case. The vertical profiles of the normalized passive scalar variance were found to be approximately constant through the convective boundary layer (CBL) with a value of about 3–8c_*² for bottom-up and 10–50c_*² for top-down diffusion. Finally, there was some evidence of a minimum in the variance and dominant length scale for scalar flux ratios (top-down to bottom-up flux) close to −0.5. All these convection tank results confirm the LES results and support the hypothesis that there is a distinct difference in behaviour between the dynamic and passive variables in the CBL.     

An obliquity-controlled Early Pleistocene river terrace record from Western Turkey?

Investigation of the Pleistocene sequence of the Gediz River, Western Turkey, has revealed a record of Early Pleistocene river terraces. Eleven terraces spanning the interval from 1.67 to 1.245 million years ago (MIS 59–37) are preserved beneath basaltic lava flows. The high number of terraces over this short time period reflects high-frequency sedimentation/incision cycles preserved due to the fortuitous combination of relatively high uplift rates (0.16 mm yr⁻¹) and progressive southwards valley migration. Comparison of this record with ODP967 from the Eastern Mediterranean Basin suggests a link between the production of terraces and obliquity-driven 41,000 year climate cycles in the Early Pleistocene.     

Geochemistry of the acid Kawah Putih lake, Patuha Volcano, West Java, Indonesia

Kawah Putih is a summit crater of Patuha volcano, West Java, Indonesia, which contains a shallow, 300 m-wide lake with strongly mineralized acid–sulfate–chloride water. The lake water has a temperature of 26–34°C, pH=<0.5–1.3, S^tot=2500–4600 ppm and Cl=5300–12 600 ppm, and floating sulfur globules with sulfide inclusions are common. Sulfur oxyanion concentrations are unusually high, with S₄O₆²⁻+S₅O₆²⁻+S₆O₆²⁻=2400 – 4200 ppm. Subaerial fumaroles (<93°C) on the lake shore have low molar SO₂/H₂S ratios (<2), which is a favorable condition to produce the observed distribution of sulfur oxyanion species. Sulfur isotope data of dissolved sulfate and native sulfur show a significant ³⁴S fractionation (ΔSO₄–S_e of 20‰), probably the result of SO₂ disproportionation in or below the lake. The lake waters show strong enrichments in ¹⁸O and D relative to local meteoric waters, a result of the combined effects of mixing between isotopically heavy fluids of deep origin and meteoric water, and evaporation-induced fractionation at the lake surface. The stable-isotope systematics combined with energy-balance considerations support very rapid fluid cycling through the lake system. Lake levels and element concentrations show strong seasonal fluctuations, indicative of a short water residence time in the lake as well.Thermodynamic modeling of the lake fluids indicates that the lake water is saturated with silica phases, barite, pyrite and various Pb, Sb, Cu, As, Bi-bearing sulfides when sulfur saturation is assumed. Precipitating phases predicted by the model calculations are consistent with the bulk chemistry of the sulfur-rich bottom sediments and their identified mineral phases. Much of the lake water chemistry can be explained by congruent rock dissolution in combination with preferential enrichments from entering fumarolic gases or brines and element removal by precipitating mineral phases, as indicated by a comparison of the fluids, volcanic rocks and lake bed sediment.Flank springs on the mountain at different elevations vary in composition, and are consistent with local rock dissolution as a dominant factor and pH-dependent element mobility. Discharges of warm sulfate- and chloride-rich water at the highest elevation and a near-neutral spring at lower level may contain a small contribution of crater-lake water. The acid fluid-induced processes at Patuha have led to the accumulation of elements that are commonly associated with volcano-hosted epithermal ore deposits. The dispersal of heavy metals and other potentially toxic elements from the volcano via the local drainage system is a matter of serious environmental concern.