Marine sediment acoustic measurement system

This paper describes a system that has been developed to measure compressional wave speed in cored marine sediments onboard ship. The structure enables one to secure an extruded core sample to its base and to move acoustic probes to a desired location, implant them to a specified depth into the sample and perform the measurement. The acoustic measurement system is a pulse-time delay system measuring time difference over a fixed path length and the temperature of the sediment. The time difference and temperature measurement systems are comprised of task oriented components and are housed in a single portable box. The system is adaptable to the various sample sizes obtained with the coring apparatus presently in use. Initial field tests indicate that ship motion has no effect on the system. Data collected from cores has been classified according to sediment type and displays good agreement with data presented by Hamilton (1970). The difference in compressional wave velocity, based on sediment type, for the two studies is 5 m per sec.     

DEVELOPMENT OF A LOW-COST MOBILE MAPPING SYSTEM: A SOUTH AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

This paper presents the prototype of a low-cost terrestrial mobile mapping system (MMS) composed of a van, two digital video cameras, two GPS receivers, a notebook computer, and a sound frame synchronisation system. The imaging sensors are mounted as a stereo video camera on top of the vehicle together with the GPS antennae. The GPS receivers and the notebook computer are configured to record data referred to the vehicle position at a planned time interval. This position is subsequently transferred to the road images. This set of equipment and methods provide the opportunity to merge distinct techniques to make topographic maps and also to build georeferenced road image databases. Both vector maps and raster image databases, when integrated appropriately, can give spatial researchers and engineers a new technique whose application may realise better planning and analysis related to the road environment. The experimental results proved that the MMS developed at the São Paulo State University is an effective approach to inspecting road pavements, to map road marks and traffic signs, electric power poles, telephone booths, drain pipes, and many other applications important to people's safety and welfare. A small number of road images have already been captured by the prototype as a consequence of its application in distinct projects. An efficient organisation of those images and the prompt access to them justify the need for building a georeferenced image database. By expanding it, both at the hardware and software levels, it is possible for engineers to analyse the entire road environment on their office computers.     

The CWSI variations of a cotton crop in a semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil

A field experiment was conducted with a cotton crop during the growing season of August 1993 to January 1994, in a semi-arid region of Northeast Brazil. The objective of this research is to evaluate the diurnal and seasonal variations of Crop Water Stress Index—CWSI, based on the canopy energy balance. Canopy temperature, air temperature, net radiation, wind speed and psychrometric measurements were made regularly at 10 and 14 h, and several diurnal cycles were also obtained. It was concluded that the irrigation should be initiated when the CWSI approaches 0.3. After a second stress event the crop took 3 days to resume transpiring at normal rate. The CWSI of NSP at 14 h presented more negative values than those obtained at 10 h. The response of CWSI with respect to T_c, r_c/r_a and R_n is evident and probably the most important source of error in CWSI determination.     

The application of FAMM (Fluorescence Alteration of Multiple Macerals) analyses for evaluating rank of Paraná Basin coals, Brazil

Combining vitrinite reflectance (VR) and fluorescence alteration of multiple macerals (FAMM) analyses provide insights into the chemical nature of vitrinites (i.e., perhydrous vs. orthohydrous vs. subhydrous compositions) in Permian Gondwana coals of the Paraná Basin, Brazil. The FAMM-derived equivalent VR (EqVR) values and relationships with VR can be determined according to calibration curves based largely on Permian Gondwana coals of eastern Australia.The analytical results indicate that vitrinites in the Paraná Basin coals studied generally range from orthohydrous to perhydrous, with interpreted VR suppression ranging up to 0.2% absolute for the most perhydrous case. The EqVR values of the Santa Catarina coals, which range from about 0.85% to 0.95% differ from VR values by about 0.10–0.15% absolute, potentially having significant implications on coal utilization.The causes of vitrinite reflectance suppression in the Paraná Basin coals are as yet poorly understood, but are likely to be related to a combination of factors.     

Tectonics and sedimentation in the Curitiba Basin, south of Brazil

The Curitiba Basin, Paraná, lies parallel to the west side of the Serra do Mar range and is part of a continental rift near the Atlantic coast of southeastern Brazil. It bears unconsolidated and poorly consolidated sediments divided in two formations: the lower Guabirotuba Formation and the overlying Tinguis Formation, both developed over Precambrian basement. Field observations, water well drill cores, and interpretations of satellite images lead to the inference that regional tectonic processes were responsible for the origin of the Basin in the continental rift context and for morphotecatonic evolution through block tilting, dissection, and erosion. The structural framework of the sediments and the basement is characterized by NE–SW-trending normal faults (extensional tectonic D₁ event) reactivated by NE–SW-trending strike–slip and reverse oblique faults (younger transtensional tectonic D_2′ to transpressional tectonic D_2″ event). This tectonic event, which started in the Paleogene and controlled the basin geometry, began as a halfgraben and was later reactivated as a pull-apart basin. D₂ is a neotectonic event that controls the current morphostructures. The Basin is connected to the structural rearrangement of the South American platform, which underwent a generalized extensional or trantensional process and, in late Oligocene, changed to a compressional to transpressional regime.     

Inorganic Water Quality Monitoring Using Specific Conductance in Mexico

Five inorganic geochemical data sets with ion balances less than or equal to 5% (for different hydrogeologic basins in Mexico) were used to construct specific conductance (SC) vs. total dissolved solids (TDS) curves for each aquifer. These curves allow one to proxy the specific conductance for inorganic water quality. The data from these five curves were integrated to form a "global" curve for Mexico. The equation that defines the line is SC = 1.40 TDS + 18. We propose that, in addition to allowing ground water monitoring, establishing a SC vs. TDS curve may be implemented to monitor drinking water supplies such as wells and reservoirs. If anomalously high values are observed, this would warrant detailed geochemical sampling.     

Plant water relations of thornscrub shrub species, north-eastern Mexico

As an approach to understand how diurnal and seasonal plant water potentials (Ψ) are related to soil water-content and evaporative demand components, the responses of six thornscrub shrubs species (Havardia pallens, Acacia rigidula, Eysenhardtia texana, Diospyros texana, Randia rhagocarpa, and Bernardia myricaefolia) of the north-eastern region of Mexico to drought stress were investigated during the course of 1 year. All study species showed the typical diurnal pattern of variation in Ψ. That is, Ψ decreased gradually from predawn (Ψ_pd) maximal values to reach minima at midday (Ψ_md) and began to recover in the late afternoon. On a diurnal basis and with adequate soil water-content (>0.20 kg kg⁻¹), diurnal Ψ values differed among shrub species and were negatively and significantly (p<0.001) correlated with air temperature (r=−0.741 to −0.883) and vapor pressure deficit (r=−0.750 to −0.817); in contrast, a positive and significant (p<0.001) relationship was found to exist with relative humidity (r=0.758–0.842). On a seasonal basis, during the wettest period (soil water-content>0.20 kg kg⁻¹), higher Ψ_pd (−0.10 MPa) and Ψ_md (−1.16 MPa) values were observed in R. rhagocarpa, whereas lower figures (−0.26 and −2.73 MPa, respectively) were detected in A. rigidula. On the other hand, during the driest period (soil water-content<0.15 kg kg⁻¹), Ψ_pd and Ψ_md values were below −7.3 MPa; i.e. when shrubs species faced severe water deficit. Soil water-content at different soil layers, monthly mean relative humidity and monthly precipitation were significantly correlated with both Ψ_pd (r=0.538–0.953; p<0.01) and Ψ_md (r=0.431–0.906; p<0.05). Average soil water-content in the 0–50 cm soil depth profile explained between 70% and 87% of the variation in Ψ_pd. Results have shown that when gravimetric soil water-content values were above 0.15 kg kg⁻¹, Ψ_pd values were high and constant; below this threshold value, Ψ declined gradually. Among all shrub species, A. rigidula appeared to be the most drought tolerant of the six species since during dry periods it tends to sustain significantly higher Ψ_pd in relation to B. myricaefolia. The remaining species showed an intermediate pattern. It is concluded that the ability of shrub species to cope with drought stress depends on the pattern of water uptake and the extent to control water loss through the transpirational flux.     

On the Role of Wind Direction in ERS SAR Signatures of Internal Waves on the Iberian Shelf

The relationship between internal wave (IW) signatures in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images and wind velocity is investigated. The effect of the wind velocity relative to the IW propagation direction on the IW signature is studied by means of a defined signature mode parameter ( S m ). S m is the parameter that quantifies the signature of the IW intensity profile in relation to the mean backscatter of the image background.

A wind contrast model based on a simple first-order Bragg scattering theory is combined with hydrodynamic modulation theory to explain the modulation of IW signatures. It takes into account the modulation of short-scale surface waves by the effect of the relative variations of wind velocity and the surface currents generated by the IWs.

It is shown that the signature mode parameter increases with the angle between the wind velocity and the IW propagation direction so that IWs propagating against the wind direction are imaged mostly as positive sign signatures, while those propagating in the wind direction are mostly negative sign signatures.     

Experimental studies on the accumulation of copper and zinc in the green mussel

Toxicity of copper and zinc to the green mussel, Mytilus viridis was evaluated by short-term bioassays. Probit analysis was used for calculating 48 h median tolerance limits, 95% fiducial limits and slope functions (S). The rates of copper and zinc accumulation were determined by analysing the metal content in the soft parts of the mussels at fixed intervals of time by atomic absorption spectrometry. Bioaccumulation was determined as a function of metal concentration in the experimental medium. The correlations for the regression lines (P < 0.1%) indicate that the uptake of metal is linear at least for the first five weeks. During a more extended experimental period, adjustment to a steady state probably occurs.     

Hostels for African migrants in greater Johannesburg

Greater Johannesburg's hostels accomodate some 50 000 African migrants in buildings which are prominent features of the residential landscape. Hostelling was conceived and implemented by the infant town council in 1912 partly to end slum dwelling. Subsequently two main phases of construction followed promulgation of parliamentary acts and involved placing more hostels in African townships than in white areas. The bleak and regimented world of the hostel speaks to a practice of providing migrants with the bare minimum shelter and amenities which will avoid disruption of migrancy. The socially unnatural and sometimes violent life in hostels tells of the conditions which migrants will endure so as to secure a precious toehold in the metropolitan economy.