Thin-Shell Magnetohydrodynamic Equations for the Solar Tachocline

We present a new system of equations designed to study global-scale dynamics in the stably-stratified portion of the solar tachocline. This system is derived from the 3D equations of magnetohydrodynamics in a rotating spherical shell under the assumption that the shell is thin and stably-stratified (subadiabatic). The resulting thin-shell model can be regarded as a magnetic generalization of the hydrostatic primitive equations often used in meteorology. It is simpler in form than the more general anelastic or Boussinesq equations, making it more amenable to analysis and interpretation and more computationally efficient. However, the thin-shell system is still three-dimensional and as such represents an important extension to previous 2D and shallow-water approaches. In this paper we derive the governing equations for our thin-shell model and discuss its underlying assumptions, its context relative to other models, and its application to the solar tachocline. We also demonstrate that the dissipationless thin-shell system conserves energy, angular momentum and magnetic helicity.     

The oscillatory velocity field observed in a unipolar sunspot region

The velocity field has been mapped for 42 min in an area 80 by 85 containing a unipolar sunspot. Apparent shifts of Fe i 5233 were measured photoelectrically using a rectangular scanning aperture 1.6 × 4.0. The sunspot did not exert a marked influence on the generally random pattern of oscillations at a period of 300 s. Discrete periods of oscillation both longer and shorter than 300 s were excited within the enhanced magnetic field boundaries of this spot. Umbral oscillations at periods near 180 s were detected in agreement with independent observations of the same spot during the previous solar rotation.NRC Postdoctoral Fellow, 1969–71.     

Ca II resonance lines in non-homogeneous chromospheres

Profiles of the K line of Caii are computed for a two component solar chromosphere, chosen to simulate with a simple geometry the chromospheric supergranular network. Each component rises above the BCA photosphere, the boundary component representing the bright network with a sharp temperature rise and the cell component representing the darker region with an extended temperature minimum. Theoretical intensity profiles of the Can K core, calculated as weighted averages over the projected areas of the components, are produced for = 0.6 and 0.3. The line source function and the optical depth are obtained from a self-consistent treatment of the steady state and radiative transfer equations, with complete redistribution assumed for scattering in the line. The atomic model consists of two bound levels and a continuum. It is found that a 4600 K minimum can lead to the successful theoretical prediction of the observed limb darkening and 4300 K radiation temperature of the K1 feature only when very large values of turbulent velocity are assumed to exist in the cell region.Publications of the Goethe Link Observatory, Indiana University, No. 95.     

The substructure of the local group

The subclustering within the Local Group is studied by means of the recently developed treediagram technique, enabling one to establish substructures of different boundness. Thirty-two galaxies from 39 listed are shown to form an interacting system which includes Milky Way and M31 giant spirals; we define the Local Group as that interacting system only. Second-level boundness indicates two clear subsystems, influenced by Milky Way and that of M31. The search of systems bound stronger, specifies several pair galaxies of similar morphology.     

The characteristics of impulsive solar EUV bursts

We examine a number of high time resolution intensity-time profiles of EUV impulsive bursts as observed by the Harvard College Observatory EUV Spectroheliometer carried aboard the Skylab Apollo Telescope Mount. These bursts are found to be synchronous (to within the instrumental time resolution of 5.5 s) in all wavelengths observed, corresponding to emissions from temperatures ranging from upper chromospheric to coronal. The distribution with temperature of a suitably defined emission measure parameter is also examined as a function of time throughout the bursts and a marked similarity in the shape of this distribution, both between different events and throughout the time history of any particular event, is noted. The significance of these observations for physical processes associated with EUV bursts is briefly discussed.On leave from Dept. of Astronomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, Scotland, U.K.     

Evolution of central stars of planetary nebulae towards the crystallizing white dwarf stage

The evolution of the central stars of planetary nebulae, interpreted as hot white dwarfs with liquefying cores, towards the cold white dwarf stage is discussed and theoretical (non-computational) evolutionary tracks are built for such central stars as they cool towards the crystallizing region. The conclusions seem to hint a picture in which crystalline white dwarfs can be looked at as final stages of the central stars of planetary nebulae.     

Geochemistry of paleozoic terrigenous sediments from the Oldoi terrane, eastern Central Asian orogenic belt, as an indicator of geodynamic conditions during deposition

The analysis of the major and trace element geochemistry of Paleozoic terrigenous sediments from the Oldoi terrane, eastern Central Asian orogenic belt, supports a predominantly felsic source consisting of granites and recycled sediments. The geological data suggest that detrital material could be derived from Early Paleozoic granitoids, which were identified within tectonic blocks in the Silurian and Devonian terrigenous successions. The analysis of conventional discrimination diagrams indicates that the initial stage was marked by deposition along a passive continental margin, which continued in island-arc or active continental margin environments. This interpretation is consistent with geological evidence, such as the presence of volcanic interlayers and lenses in the Middle-Late Devonian successions and granitoids with ages of 386 +/- 10 and 371+/- 5.5 Ma. The timing of changes in geodynamic settings constrained by tectonic reconstructions corresponds to the age of the inception of the Norovlya continental-margin magmatic arc.     

Estimation of hydraulic permeability considering the micro morphology of rocks of the borehole YAXCOPOIL-1 (Impact crater Chicxulub,Mexico)

Internal surface, formation factor, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)-T2 relaxation times and pore radius distributions were measured on representative core samples for the estimation of hydraulic permeability. Permeability is estimated using various versions of the classic Kozeny–Carman-equation (K–C) and a further development of K–C, the fractal PaRiS-model, taking into account the internal surface. In addition to grain and pore size distribution, directly connected to permeability, internal surface reflects the internal structure (“micro morphology”). Lithologies could be grouped with respect to differences in internal surface. Most melt rich impact breccia lithologies exhibit large internal surfaces, while Tertiary post-impact sediments and Cretaceous lithologies in displaced megablocks display smaller internal surfaces. Investigations with scanning electron microscopy confirm the correlation between internal surface and micro morphology. In addition to different versions of K–C, estimations by means of NMR, pore radius distributions and some gas permeability measurements serve for cross-checking and calibration. In general, the different estimations from the independent methods and the measurements are in satisfactory accordance. For Tertiary limestones and Suevites bulk with very high porosities (up to 35%) permeabilites between 10⁻¹⁴ and 10⁻¹⁶ m² are found, whereas in lower Suevite, Cretaceous anhydrites and dolomites, bulk permeabilites are between 10⁻¹⁵ and 10⁻²³ m².     

Hydrolytic enzymes of the paua Haliotis iris,a marine gastropod (note).

Extracts of the viscera of Haliotis iris (Martyn, 1784) were shown to hydrolyse 2‐hydroxy‐5‐nitrophenyl sulphate at pH 5.5, and the p‐nitrophenyl derivatives of α‐ and β‐D‐galactose, α‐ and β‐D‐mannose, α‐L‐lucose, β‐D‐glucuronic acid, β‐N‐acetyl glucosamine and phosphate at pH 4.0 and 5.5: p‐nitrophenyl‐β‐L‐fucose was not hydrolysed.     

Assessment of environmental flows under limited data availability: case study of the Acheloos River,Greece

Abstract

The lower course of the Acheloos River is an important hydrosystem in Greece, heavily modified by a cascade of four hydropower dams upstream, which is now being extended by two more dams in the upper course. The design of the dams and hydropower facilities that are in operation has not considered any environmental criteria. However, in the last 50 years, numerous methodologies have been proposed to assess the negative impacts of such projects to both the abiotic and biotic environment, and to provide decision support towards establishing appropriate constraints on their operation, typically in terms of minimum flow requirements. In this study, seeking a more environmentally-friendly operation of the hydrosystem, we investigate the outflow policy from the most downstream dam, examining alternative environmental flow approaches. Accounting for data limitations, we recommend the basic flow method, which is parsimonious and suitable for Mediterranean rivers, whose flows exhibit strong variability across seasons. We also show that the wetted perimeter–discharge method, which is an elementary hydraulic approach, provides consistent results, even without using any flow data. Finally, we examine the adaptation of the proposed flow policy (including artificial flooding) to the real-time hydropower generation schedule, and the management of the resulting conflicts.

Editor Z.W. Kundzewicz; Guest editor M. Acreman

Citation Efstratiadis, A., Tegos, A., Varveris, A., and Koutsoyiannis, D., 2014. Assessment of environmental flows under limited data availability: case study of the Acheloos River, Greece. Hydrological Sciences Journal, 59 (3–4), 731–750.