A novel methodology for radiative transfer in a planetary atmosphere

A novel methodology for evaluating the field of anisotropically scattered radiation within a homogeneous slab atmosphere of arbitrary optical thickness is provided. It departs from the traditional radiative transfer approach in first considering that the atmosphere is illuminated by an isotropic light source. From the solution of this problem, it subsequently proceeds to that for the more conventional case of monodirectional illumination. The azimuthal dependence of the field is separated in the usual manner by an harmonic expansion, leaving a problem in four dimensions (=optical depth, ₀=thickness, , =directions of incidence and scattering) which, as is well known, is numerically extremely inconvenient. Two auxiliary radiative transfer formulations of increasing dimensionality are considered: (i) a transfer equation for the newly introduced functionb ^m(,,₀) with Sobolev's function ^m(,₀) playing the role of a source-function. Because the incident direction does not intervene, ^m is simply expressed as a single integral term involvingb ^m. For bottom illumination, an analogous equation holds for the other new functionh ^m(,,₀). However, simple reciprocity relations link the two functions so that it is only necessary to considerb ^m; (ii) a transfer equation for the other new functiona ^m(,,,₀) with a source-function provided by Sobolev's functionD ^m(,,₀). For bottom illumination, another functionf ^m(,,,₀) is introduced; by a similar argument using reciprocity relations,f ^m is reduced toa ^m rendering necessary only the consideration ofa ^m. However, a fundamental decomposition formula is obtained which shows thata ^m is expressible algebraically in terms of functions of a single angular variable. The functions ^m andD ^m are shown to be the values in the horizontal plane ofb ^m anda ^m, respectively. The other auxiliary functionsX ^m andY ^m are also expressed algebraically in terms ofb ^m. These results enable one to proceed to the final step of evaluating the radiation field for monodirectional illumination. The above reductions toalgebraic relations involving only the functionb ^m appear to be more advantageous than Sobolev's (1972) recent approach; they also circumvent some basic numerical difficulties in it. We believe the present approach may likewise prove to be superior to most (if not all) other methods of solution known heretofore.This paper presents the results of one phase of research carried out at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory under Contract No. NAS-7-100 sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.     

Intraseasonal atmospheric variability and its interannual modulation in Central Africa

The spatial and temporal structures of the intraseasonal atmospheric variability over central Africa is investigated using 2.5°?×?2.5° daily outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Reanalysis zonal winds for the period 1980–2010. The study begins with an overview of the Central African rainfall regime, noting in particular the contrast amongst Western and Eastern parts, with different topography and surface conditions features. The annual mean rainfall and OLR over the region revealed a zone of intense convective activity centered on the equator near 30°E, which extends southward and covers almost all the Congo forest. The annual cycle of rainfall reflects the classical bi-annual shift of Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone across the equatorial belt, between 10°S and 10°N. The result of the empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) analysis has shown that the three leading EOF modes explain about 45?% of total intraseasonal variability. The power spectra of all the three corresponding principal components (PCs) peak around 45–50?days, indicating a Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) signal. The first mode exhibits high positive loadings over Northern Congo, the second over Southern Ethiopia and the third over Southwestern Tanzania. The PCs time series revealed less interannual modulation of intraseasonal oscillations for the Congo mode, while Ethiopian and Tanzanian modes exhibit strong interannual variations. H?vmoller plots of OLR, 200 and 850?hPa NCEP zonal winds found the eastward propagating features to be the dominant pattern in all the three times series, but this propagation is less pronounced in the OLR than in the 850 and 200?hpa zonal wind anomalies. An index of MJO strength was built by averaging the 30–50?day power for each day. A plot of MJO indices and El Ni?o Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle confirm a strong interannual modulation of MJO over Eastern central Africa partially linked with the ENSO events (El Ni?o and La Ni?a). Strong MJO activity is observed during La Ni?a years or during ENSO-neutral years, while weak or absent MJO activity is typically associated with strong El Ni?o episodes.     

Phospholipid ester-linked fatty acids composition of size-fractionated particles at the top ocean surface

Surface microlayer and subsurface water samples were collected at an oligotrophic Mediterranean site during a diel cycle. The composition of phospholipid ester-linked fatty acids (PLFA) was determined in size-fractionated particles (0.2–0.7 μm; 0.7–200 μm) in order to characterize the major contributors of organic matter to different size fractions. GF/F-retained particles (0.7–200 μm) from the surface microlayer were consistently enriched in PLFA relative to the underlying water. Molecular markers revealed a substantial difference in biological assemblages in both particle sizes. The larger particles were dominated by dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria, microzooplankton and attached bacteria, whereas particles filtered through GF/F and collected on 0.2 μm porosity Durapore filters (0.2–0.7 μm) were mostly bacteria and heterotrophic flagellates. Bacterial PLFA associated with 0.7–200 μm particles were more abundant than those in the 0.2–0.7 μm particles. Specific markers in the branched series appeared more representative of bacteria of smaller particle size.     

A Pliocene–Quaternary compressional basin in the Interandean Depression, Central Ecuador

The segment of the Interandean Depression of Ecuador between Ambato and Quito is characterized by an uppermost Pliocene–Quaternary basin, which is located between two N-S trending reverse basement faults: the Victoria Fault to the west, and the Pisayambo Fault to the east. The clear evidence of E-W shortening for the early Pleistocene (between 1.85 and 1.21 Ma) favours a compressional basin interpretation. The morphology (river deviations, landslides, folded and flexure structures) demonstrates continuous shortening during the late Quaternary. The late Pliocene-Quaternary shortening reached 3400 ± 600 m with a rate of 1.4 ± 0.3 mm yr⁻¹. The E-W shortening is kinematically consistent with the current right-lateral reverse motion along the NE-SW trending Pallatanga Fault. The Quito-Ambato zone appears to act as a N-S restraining bend in a system of large right-lateral strike-slip faults. The compressive deformation which affects the Interandean Depression during the Pliocene is apparently coeval to the beginning subduction of very young oceanic lithosphere north of the Gulf of Guayaquil. The relatively buoyant new crust may have significantly increased the mechanical coupling in the subduction zone from Pliocene to Present.     

Topological changes of the photospheric magnetic field inside active regions: A prelude to flares?

The detection of magnetic field variations as a signature of flaring activity is one of the main goals in solar physics. Past efforts gave apparently no unambiguous observations of systematic changes. In the present study, we discuss recent results from observations that scaling laws of turbulent current helicity inside a given flaring active region change in response to large flares in that active region. Such changes can be related to the evolution of current structures by a simple geometrical argument, which has been tested using high Reynolds number direct numerical simulations of the MHD equations. Interpretation of the observed data within this picture indicates that the change in scaling behavior of the current helicity seems to be associated with a topological reorganization of the footpoint of the magnetic field loops, namely with the dissipation of small scales structures in turbulent media.     

Dynamics of greenhouse gases in the river–groundwater interface in a gaining river stretch (Triffoy catchment,Belgium)

This study investigates the occurrence of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and the role of groundwater as an indirect pathway of GHG emissions into surface waters in a gaining stretch of the Triffoy River agricultural catchment (Belgium). To this end, nitrous oxide (N₂O), methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations, the stable isotopes of nitrate, and major ions were monitored in river and groundwater over 8 months. Results indicated that groundwater was strongly oversaturated in N₂O and CO₂ with respect to atmospheric equilibrium (50.1 vs. 0.55 μg L^?1 for N₂O and 14,569 vs. 400 ppm for CO₂), but only marginally for CH₄ (0.45 vs. 0.056 μg L^?1), suggesting that groundwater can be a source of these GHGs to the atmosphere. Nitrification seemed to be the main process for the accumulation of N₂O in groundwater. Oxic conditions prevailing in the aquifer were not prone for the accumulation of CH₄. In fact, the emissions of CH₄ from the river were one to two orders of magnitude higher than the inputs from groundwater, meaning that CH₄ emissions from the river were due to CH₄ in-situ production in riverbed or riparian zone sediments. For CO₂ and N₂O, average emissions from groundwater were 1.5?×?10⁵ kg CO₂ ha^?1 year^?1 and 207 kg N₂O ha^?1 year^?1, respectively. Groundwater is probably an important source of N₂O and CO₂ in gaining streams but when the measures are scaled at catchment scale, these fluxes are probably relatively modest. Nevertheless, their quantification would better constrain nitrogen and carbon budgets in natural systems.     

Quaternary clay mineralogy in the northern South China Sea (ODP Site 1146) —— Implications for oceanic current transport and East Asian monsoon evolution

The East Asian monsoon system is a thermodynamic atmospheric circulation induced by the different potential heating between the 揥estern Pacific Warm Pool?(WPWP) and the Asian continent. The circulation patterns dominate seasonal patterns of winds, preci…     

Chemical and isotopic characterization of hydrocarbon gas traces in porewater of very low permeability rocks: The example of the Callovo-Oxfordian argillites of the eastern part of the Paris Basin

A methodology has been developed to determine chemical and carbon isotopic compositions of trace amounts of hydrocarbon gas compounds (methane, ethane, propane, iso- and normal-butane) present as dissolved compounds in the porewater of the low permeability Callovo-Oxfordian argillites in eastern Paris Basin, France. Results indicate that the studied hydrocarbons contain significant amounts of ethane, butane and propane, in addition to methane. Carbon isotopic compositions reflect primarily thermogenic origin (thermal cracking of organic matter), and lack of any significant biodegradation. Because temperature did not exceed 50 °C in the studied argillites, investigated hydrocarbons must have originated in hotter/deeper organic-bearing formations, possibly Stephanian coals. Data supports the predominance of high maturity thermogenic gas in the upper part of the Callovo-Oxfordian, and low maturity thermogenic gas mixed with minor bacterially produced methane in the lower part of the formation. A mixing between three end-member gases models quite well the data: one thermogenic gas with a low maturity (42% methane, with a δ¹³C of − 53‰), a gas with higher maturity (55% methane, with a δ¹³C of − 47‰) and a bacterial gas (99.45% methane, with a δ¹³C of − 80‰). This study illustrates that migration of hydrocarbon gases can take place in rocks with very low permeability and porosity, such as compacted mudrocks, given enough time. It further suggests that the studied fluid migration and transfer in aquitards would help characterization and understanding of fluid movements in sedimentary basins, as a complement to studies focused on water aquifers and hydrocarbon reservoirs. Chemical and isotopic composition of dissolved hydrocarbons in porewater can be used as natural tracers of fluid circulation in sedimentary basins, in addition to more conventional tracers.     

Speciation and solubility of heavy metals in contaminated soil using X-ray microfluorescence, EXAFS spectroscopy, chemical extraction, and thermodynamic modeling

Synchrotron-based X-ray radiation microfluorescence (μ-SXRF) and micro-focused and powder extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy measurements, combined with desorption experiments and thermodynamic calculations, were used to evaluate the solubility of metal contaminants (Zn, Cu, Pb) and determine the nature and fractional amount of Zn species in a near-neutral pH (6.5-7.0) truck-farming soil contaminated by sewage irrigation for one hundred years. Zn is the most abundant metal contaminant in the soil (1103 mg/kg), followed by Pb (535 mg/kg) and Cu (290 mg/kg). The extractability of Zn, Pb, and Cu with citrate, S,S-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was measured as a function of time (24 h, 72 h, 144 h), and also as a function of the number of applications of the chelant (5 applications each with 24 h of contact time). Fifty-three percent of the Zn was extracted after 144 h with citrate, 51% with EDDS and 46% with EDTA, compared to 69, 87, and 61% for Cu, and 24, 40, and 34% for Pb. Renewing the extracting solution removed more of the metals. Seventy-nine, 65, and 57% of the Zn was removed after five cycles with citrate, EDDS and EDTA, respectively, compared to 88, 100, and 72% for Cu, and 91, 65, and 47% for Pb. Application to the untreated soil of μ-SXRF, laterally resolved μ-EXAFS combined with principal component analysis, and bulk averaging powder EXAFS with linear least-squares combination fit of the data, identified five Zn species: Zn-sorbed ferrihydrite, Zn phosphate, Zn-containing trioctahedral phyllosilicate (modeled by the Zn kerolite, Si₄(Mg_1.65Zn_1.35)O₁₀(OH)₂ · nH₂O), willemite (Zn₂SiO₄), and gahnite (ZnAl₂O₄), in proportions of ∼30, 28, 24, 11, and less than 10%, respectively (precision: 10% of total Zn). In contrast to Cu and Pb, the same fractional amount of Zn was extracted after 24 h contact time with the three chelants (40-43% of the initial content), suggesting that one of the three predominant Zn species was highly soluble under the extraction conditions. Comparison of EXAFS data before and after chemical treatment revealed that the Zn phosphate component was entirely and selectively dissolved in the first 24 h of contact time. Preferential dissolution of the Zn phosphate component is supported by thermodynamic calculations. Despite the long-term contamination of this soil, about 79% of Zn, 91% of Pb, and 100% of Cu can be solubilized in the laboratory on a time scale of a few days by chemical complexants. According to metal speciation results and thermodynamic calculations, the lower extraction level measured for Zn is due to the Zn phyllosilicate component, which is less soluble than Zn phosphate and Zn ferrihydrite.