Measurement of partition coefficients of phenol and cresols in gas-charged crude oil/water systems

An instrument has been constructed for monitoring the partition coefficients of phenol and cresols between crude oil and water under sub-surface conditions. The device has the capacity for introducing methane gas into crude oil, thereby allowing measurements under live oil (solution gas-containing) conditions. The partition coefficients of phenol and cresols have been measured in crude oil: water substrates under “live” oil and “dead” oil (without solution gas) conditions over a temperature range 25–150 °C. Over the range investigated it is seen that the introduction of gas (crude oil saturated at 100 bar with methane) into the system resulted in an approximate doubling of partition coefficients compared to the equivalent dead oil: brine systems. The partition coefficient data obtained using the device may be employed in a number of petroleum exploration and production activities such as the determination of residual oil saturation of a water-flooded petroleum reservoir. Partition coefficient measurements may help in predicting toxic organic solute loadings in oilfield discharge waters.     

Mission to the universe

This paper represents a commentary on the importance of communicating science to the general public, and offers specific suggestions on how best to gain public support for space astronomy. The presentation of space astronomy makes use of the contextual framework called Mission to the Universe, as developed by an international working group of astrophysicists and by the author.Presented at the 2nd UN/ESA Workshop, held in Bogotá, Colombia, 9–13 November, 1992.Humanity has embarked on a great voyage of discovery, with a mission to understand the origin, nature, and fate of our universe. Our ships are an international fleet of space observatories. Our captains are scientists from nearly every country of the world. All of us can be the explorers. Come share in our adventure...     

Generalized inversion of a global numerical weather prediction model

Summary We construct the generalized inverse of a global numerical weather prediction (NWP) model, in order to prepare initial conditions for the model at time t=0 hrs. The inverse finds a weighted, least-squares best-fit to the dynamics for –24<t<0, to the previous initial condition att=–24, and to data att=–24,t=–18,t=–12 andt=0. That is, the inverse is a weak-constraint, four-dimensional variational assimilation scheme. The best-fit is found by solving the nonlinear Euler-Lagrange (EL) equations which determine the local extrema of a penalty functional. The latter is quadratic in the dynamical, initial and data residuals. The EL equations are solved using iterated representer expansions. The technique yields optimal conditioning of the very large minimization problem, which has 10⁹ hydrodynamical and thermodynamical variables defined on a 4-dimensional, space-time grid.In addition to introducing the inverse NWP model, we demonstrate it on a medium-sized problem, namely, a study of the impact of reprocessed cloud track wind observations (RCTWO) from the 1990 Tropical Cyclone Motion Experiment (TCM-90). The impact is assessed in terms of the improvement of forecasts in the South China Sea att=+48 hours. The calculation shows that the computations are manageable, the iteration scheme converges, and that the RCTWO have a beneficial impact.     

Bulk sediment properties interpreted in light of qualitative and quantitative microfabric analysis

Sediments from Eckernförde Bay, Germany, are characterized by an aggregate and channel microstructure, with channel dimensions about two orders of magnitude larger than interparticle distances within aggregates. Porosity within aggregates as determined by image analysis of transmission electron micrographs was about 12% less than bulk porosity. Illite and smectite formed the bulk of most aggregates, while numerous biogenic particles generally occurred outside or on the periphery of aggregates. Microfabric analysis provides insights into permeability and consolidometer behavior of this sediment, reveals characteristics not apparent from bulk analyses, and may have implications for geochemistry and physical behavior of the sediment.     

Size Selective Predation by the Asteroid Pisaster ochraceus on the Bivalve Mytilus calif ornianus: A Cost-Benefit Analysis

Abstract. When simultaneously presented with equal numbers of four sizes of clumped Mytilus californianus (20, 35, 55 and 85 mm shell length), Pisaster ochraceus (arm length of 70-110mm R) showed a preference for the medium sizes (35 and 55mm length). Prey-size preference was positively correlated with predator size. Mean prey-digestion times (insertion of the stomach, opening of the valves and digestive period) decreased significantly following fiiing of an artificial gape between the valves of mussels. When presented with different sizes of clumped filed mussels, starfish still chose medium mussels, indicating that stomach insertion, valve opening, and digestion rate may not be important constraints determining size selective predation. Measurements of the force required to dislodge mussels from the substratum and conspecifics showed an increasing exponential relationship with mussel size. Size selective feeding may be an energy maximizing and time minimizing strategy, where energy gained from choosing larger mussels is balanced against disproportionately increased costs in energy and time of removing large mussels from the substratum.     

Stability studies of surficial sediments in the Wilmington-Lindenkohl Canyons area,eastern U.S. margin

Stability analysis, based on infinite slope analysis and geotechnical data from a suite of 34 cores collected from the continental slope between Wilmington and Lindenkohl Canyons, indicates that the Quaternary surficial silty clay sediments on gentle slopes are stable; that sediment stability on steeper slopes (14°–19°) is marginal; and that on precipitous slopes (>50°) only a thin veneer of unconsolidated sediments can exist. Small earthquake-induced accelerations or the effects of internal waves can result in slope sediment instabilities.     

Bottom processes, morphology, and geotechnical properties of the continental slope south of Baltimore Canyon

The continental slope south of Baltimore Canyon seaward of the coasts of Delaware and Maryland has a different morphology and sedimentary structure than adjacent portions of the continental margin. Ridges of sediment 600 m thick and transverse to the slope contain many unconformities that can be traced from ridge to ridge. The age of the sediment is inferred to be late tertiary to recent with the morphology related to a major drainage system. Physical properties of a suite of sediment cores display a pattern that varies in relationship to the morphology and depositional environment. Sedimentary structures and low shear strengths indicate instability of surficial sediments present on the upper slope and can be correlated with regions where the seismic reflection profiles show slumping has occurred. A veneer of sand overlying the general silty clay of the area is present on the upper slope and on the ridges indicating sand spillover from the shelf with a recent change in deposition pattern.