Estimation of global lightning activity and observations of atmospheric electric field

Variations in the global atmospheric electric circuit are investigated using a wide range of globally spaced instruments observing VLF (∼10 kHz) waves, ELF (∼300 Hz) waves, Schumann resonances (4–60 Hz), and the atmospheric fair weather electric field. For the ELF/VLF observations, propagation effects are accounted for in a novel approach using established monthly averages of lightning location provided by the Lightning Image Sensor (LIS) and applying known frequency specific attenuation parameters for daytime/nighttime ELF/VLF propagation. Schumann resonances are analyzed using decomposition into propagating and standing waves in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. Derived lightning activity is compared to existing global lightning detection networks and fair weather field observations. The results suggest that characteristics of lightning discharges vary by region and may have diverse effects upon the ionospheric potential.     

Geochemical and statistical approach to evaluate background concentrations of Cd,Cu, Pb and Zn (case study: Eastern Poland)

An attempt was made to evaluate background concentrations of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn by means of geochemical and statistical approach. As many as 753 samples taken from 51 profiles located in Eastern Poland were analysed. For the estimation of geochemical background values, direct geochemical methods and a statistical analysis for the whole population of samples were applied. Average values of heavy metal concentration in loess sediments (bedrock) as well as in profiles not affected by human activity were measured. The iterative 2σ technique and calculated distribution function were chosen as statistical methods. The resulting values (background concentrations range) were as follows: Cd 0.5–0.9 mg kg⁻¹, Cu 5–16 mg kg⁻¹, Pb 12–26 mg kg⁻¹ and Zn 31–47 mg kg⁻¹. All the methods applied gave similar results. The highest deviation of the background was noted for Cu and the lowest for Zn. The lowest values of background were obtained for loess sediments and the highest in the case of the multiple 2σ method.     

On some methodological problems in the use of environmental tracers to estimate hydrogeologic parameters and to calibrate flow and transport models

Environmental tracers are used qualitatively for a better formulation of conceptual models and quantitatively for assessing groundwater ages with the aid of box models or for calibrating numerical transport models. Unfortunately, tracers often yield different ages that do not represent uniquely the water ages. Difficulties result also from different definitions of age, e.g. water age, advective age, tracer age, or radiometric tracer age, that are measured differently and depend on aquifer parameters and characteristics of particular tracers. Even the movement of an ideal tracer can be delayed with respect to the advective movement of water due to diffusion exchange between mobile and immobile water zones, which for fissured rocks or thin aquifers, may lead to significant differences between advective and tracer ages, i.e. also between advective and tracer velocities. The advective velocity is of importance in water resources considerations as being related to Darcy velocity, whereas the tracer velocity is a more useful term for the prediction of pollutant transport. When a groundwater system changes from one hydrodynamic steady state to another, environmental tracers need much more time to reach a new steady state. Several tracer studies are recalled as examples of tracer-specific effects on the estimations of groundwater age.     

Non-Integrability of the Problem of a Rigid Satellite in Gravitational and Magnetic Fields

In this paper we analyse the integrability of a dynamical system describing the rotational motion of a rigid satellite under the influence of gravitational and magnetic fields. In our investigations we apply an extension of the Ziglin theory developed by Morales-Ruiz and Ramis. We prove that for a symmetric satellite the system does not admit an additional real meromorphic first integral except for one case when the value of the induced magnetic moment along the symmetry axis is related to the principal moments of inertia in a special way.     

Tithonian–Early Valanginian evolution of deposition along the proto-Caribbean margin of North America recorded in Guaniguanico successions (western Cuba)

In the Guaniguanico Mountains of western Cuba, the Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous limestones occur in three stratigraphic successions, which have accumulated along the proto-Caribbean margin of North America. The Late Jurassic subsidence and shallow-water carbonate deposition of the Guaniguanico successions have no counterpart on the northeastern Maya block, but some distant similarities with the southeastern Gulf of Mexico may exist. Four facies types have been distinguished in the Tithonian–Lower Valanginian deposits of the Guaniguanico tectonic units. Drowning of the Late Jurassic carbonate bank of the Sierra de los Organos occurred at the Kimmeridgian/Tithonian boundary. During this boundary interval, sedimentation in the west Cuban area and southwestern margin of the Maya block (Mexico) has evolved in a similar way in response to a major second-order transgression.The Lower Tithonian ammonite assemblages of the Guaniguanico successions indicate, in general, the neritic zone. Presence of juvenile gastropods and lack of adult specimens suggest unfavorable environment for these molluscs, probably related to low oxygenation levels. The Early Tithonian transgressive phase terminated about the lower boundary of the Chitinoidella Zone. The Late Tithonian “regressive” phase is weakly marked, whereas the latest Tithonian–earliest Berriasian strata were deposited during a deepening phase. The latter transgressive phase has ended in the Late Berriasian Oblonga Subzone. We correlate the bioturbated pelagic biomicrites of the Tumbitas Member of the Guasasa Formation with a significant fall of the sea level during the latest Berriasian–Early Valanginian. The average sedimentation rate for the Tumbitas Member biomicrites was about three times faster than for the Berriasian Tumbadero Member limestones. Sedimentation rates for the Tumbitas Member and the Valanginian limestones at the DSDP Site 535 in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico were similar. In the Los Organos succession, the Late Valanginian transgressive interval is associated with radiolarian limestones and black chert interbeds in the lower part of the Pons Formation. In the Southern Rosario succession, the pelagic limestones pass into the radiolarian cherts of the Santa Teresa Formation indicating a proximity of CCD during Late Valanginian–Hauterivian times.     

A combined neural network/gradient‐based approach for the identification of constitutive model parameters using self‐boring pressuremeter tests

This paper presents a numerical procedure of material parameter identification for the coupled hydro‐mechanical boundary value problem (BVP) of the self‐boring pressuremeter test (SBPT) in clay. First, the neural network (NN) technique is applied to obtain an initial estimate of model parameters, taking into account the possible drainage conditions during the expansion test. This technique is used to avoid potential pitfalls related to the conventional gradient‐based optimization techniques, considered here as a corrector that improves predicted parameters. Parameter identification based on measurements obtained through the pressuremeter expansion test and two types of holding tests is illustrated on the Modified Cam clay model. NNs are trained using a set of test samples, which are generated by means of finite element simulations of SBPT. The measurements obtained through expansion and consolidation tests are normalized so that NN predictors operate independently of the testing depth. Examples of parameter determination are demonstrated on both numerical and field data. The efficiency of the combined parameter identification in terms of accuracy, effectiveness and computational effort is also discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The significance of Chara vegetation in the precipitation of lacustrine calcium carbonate

A significant portion of calcium carbonate is deposited in lake sediments as a result of biological processes related to the photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton in the pelagic realm and, in addition, macrophytes in the littoral zone. Lake Wigry, one of the largest lakes in Poland (north‐east Poland), is characterized by: (i) carbonate sediments with a CaCO₃ content exceeding 80% within the littoral zone; and (ii) large areas of submerged vegetation dominated by charophytes (macroscopic green algae, Characeae family). It is claimed that charophytes are highly effective in utilizing HCO₃^? and forming thick CaCO₃ encrustations. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the CaCO₃ production by dense Chara stands overgrowing the lake bottom reaching a depth of 4 m. In late July 2009, the fresh and dry mass of plants, the percentage contribution of calcium carbonate and the production of CaCO₃ per 1 m² were investigated along three transects at three depths (1 m, 2 m and 3 m, with each sample area equal to 0·0625 m²) per transect. The composition and structure of phytoplankton and the physico‐chemical properties of the water analysed in both the littoral and pelagic zones served as the environmental background and demonstrated moderately low fertility in the lake. The greatest dry plant mass exceeded 1000 g m^?2 and CaCO₃ encrustations constituted from 59% to over 76% of the charophyte dry weight. Thus, the maximum and average values of carbonates precipitated by charophytes were 685·5 and 438 g m^?2, respectively, which exceeded previously reported results. A correlation of carbonate production with the depth of Chara stands was detected, and intermediate depths offered the most favourable conditions for carbonate precipitation (589 g m^?2 on average). As precipitated carbonates are ultimately stored in bottom deposits, the results highlight the significance of charophytes in lacustrine CaCO₃ sedimentation.     

Mortality of game mammals caused by an extreme flooding event in south-western Poland

We examine mortality in five terrestrial species of game animals resulting from an extreme flood event in Central Europe in July 1997. We present species-specific mortality rates and collate them with local abundances to show the susceptibilities of the different species to flood mortality. We also compare mortality rates in areas inundated by the main river and by its tributaries. Data were collected in the catchment area of the Odra River, south-western Poland. Mortality was estimated by surveying for drowned animals in flooded areas of 50 hunting districts (2,876 km²). Total mortality amounted to 3,613 individuals, mostly of roe deer Capreolus capreolus and brown hare Lepus europaeus. Relative to estimates of abundance, mortality was disproportionately high in hares. Drownings of roe deer and wild boar, Sus scrofa were proportional to local abundance. Young individuals were particularly affected. Mortality was low in foxes, Vulpes vulpes, and red deer, Cervus elaphus. The mortality rate increased with the proportion of area flooded and the duration of flooding and was four times higher along the Odra River than along its tributaries. Our data specify, for the first time, direct losses in wild, large animals in response to an extreme flood event. Despite high overall losses, negative long-term effects on populations seemed unlikely. Nevertheless, to lessen the impact, river management focused primarily on human safety should also integrate the needs of wildlife.