Archaeological objects in loesses recognized by GPR research at the site Karmanowice,Poland

The aim of the research was to examine subsurface soil layers with the use of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method. Neolithic archaeological post in Karmanowice was examined. On the basis of earlier geophysical researches and archaeological premises, eight measurement profiles had been chosen. Ground Penetrating Radar system with antenna of 500 MHz frequency was applied. The measurements were made with 30 and 60 ns time windows. The results were shown as the GPR sections. The analysis of the obtained results allowed us to outline anomalies connected with the appearance of archaeological objects in subsurface soil layers. The border between the anthropogenically changed upper layer and undisturbed loess was established, and the sections of slope wash layers were designated. Anomalies were confirmed by digging and test drillings. Additionally, 2D resistivity imaging method was used for verification of specific anthropogenic anomalies.     

Wavefield downward extrapolation for migration velocity analysis on Marmousi data-set

The authors present a method for estimation of interval velocities using the downward continuation of the wavefield to perform layer-stripping migration velocity analysis. The generalized, phase-shift migration MG(F-K) in wavenumber-frequency domain was used for fulltime downward extrapolation of the wavefield. Such downward depth extrapolation accounts for strong changes of velocity in lateral and vertical directions and helps in correct positioning of the wavefield image in complex structures. Determination of velocity is the recursive process which means that the wavefield on depth level z _n−1 (n = 0, 1, ...) is an input data-set for determination of velocity on level z _n . The velocity ν [x, z _n − z _n−1] can be thus treated as interval velocity in Δz _n = z _n − z _n−1 step. This method was tested on synthetic Marmousi data-set and showed satisfactory results for complex, inhomogeneous media.     

Lignin degradation products as palaeoenvironmental proxies in the sediments of small lakes

The quantity and quality of lignin phenols (Σ8, Λ, S/V, C/V and (Ad/Al)_v) in the sediments of three small Lobelia lakes with neither inlets nor outlets were investigated and compared with palynological data and lithology of the profiles. The method of alkaline CuO oxidation was used. Substantial differences with respect to sedimentary lignin concentration and provenance recorded along the profiles and among the sites are in good agreement with pollen data describing the dominant type of vegetation and with indices of soil erosion in the lakes’ catchments. This relation shows that the compositions of lignin degradation products in these lakes are closely related to the local environmental conditions. In all the lakes gymnosperm wood is the main source of lignin products; however, each lake is characterized by different S/V index values. Especially good correlations were obtained between pine pollen proportions in sediments and the S/V index. The correlation between the C/V and (Ad/Al)_v indices indicates a higher degradation of organic matter when non-woody tissue is more abundant. This pilot study illustrates the usefulness and potential for a wider application of lignin oxidation products in palaeoecological reconstructions. This kind of data would be of special importance when investigating local presence/absence of woody plants and the role of angiosperms/gymnosperms in local vegetation. Estimates of lignin biodegradation levels, as well as the data on diagenetic processes, may afford supplementary information on possible disturbances in sedimentation.     

Influence of vertical ground motion on seismic-induced displacements of gravity structures

A method enabling assessment of seismic-induced movements of gravity block is proposed. This method is based on dynamic analysis of the block subjected to both horizontal and vertical ground accelerations, and resultant forces acting on the block. There are two kinds of the motion. The first one is trivial, as it is a common motion of the block and subsoil. The second is a relative motion of the block with respect to subsoil, depending on combination of ground accelerations and the resultant of horizontal forces. Attention is focused on the influence of vertical ground motion on seismic-induced displacements of the structure. Experimental investigations performed in order to validate a numerical algorithm are described, and then experimental data are compared with numerical predictions. A good agreement is obtained. Then, the dynamics analysis of the block is presented for harmonic and pseudo-stochastic ground motions in order to illustrate the algorithm proposed. The results of computations show that, for some typical data and ground accelerations corresponding to strong earthquakes, large permanent displacements of the block take place, as observed in real conditions.     

Method for correction of the prestack migration amplitude of converted waves

The paper presents a method for correction of amplitude of prestack migration using the reflectivity function. The solution of wave equations for heterogeneous media expressed in the form of Neumann series for converted waves was used to find the reflectivity function. The performance of the proposed method was verified using synthetic models of wavefields. The synthetic models of wavefields were also used to compare amplitude correction levels required by the presented method and the standard amplitude correction methods, i.e., the methods using the spherical divergence and extention factor.     

The Role of Dissolved Organic Carbon in a Shallow Lowland Reservoir Ecosystem — A Long‐term Study

Long‐term studies were conducted on the polymictic Siemianówka reservoir (SR), situated in a seminatural forest‐peat catchment in NE Poland. The studies were started on the second year of the reservoir's existence. The records showed dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations gradually increasing up to 25…30 mg/L. The largest DOC pool in the reservoir comes from the spring load input, supplemented by the excessive development of phytoplankton with cyanobacteria dominance. The DOC limited the range of the photic zone, eliminated the occurrence of aquatic plants, and was a significant carrier of nutrients, which were gradually released to water, bringing about the “humoeutrophication” of the reservoir.     

Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Seismic Hazard for Sweden

The maximum magnitude, the activity rate, and the Gutenberg-Richterb parameter as earthquake hazard parameters, have been evaluated for Sweden. The maximum likelihood method permits the combination of historical and instrumental data. The catalog used consists of 1100 earthquakes in the time interval 1375–1989. The extreme part of the catalog contains only the strongest historical earthquakes, whereas the complete part is divided into several subcatalogs, each assumed complete above a specified threshold magnitude. The uncertainty in magnitude determination was taken into account. For southern Sweden, the calculations giveb-values of 1.04 (0.05) for the whole area south of 60° N and 0.98 (0.06) for a subregion of enhanced seismicity in the Lake Vänern area. For the whole area north of 60° N, theb-value is 1.35 (0.06) and for the seismicity zone along the Gulf of Bothnia 1.26 (0.06). The number of annually expected earthquakes with magnitude equal to or larger than 2.4 [M_L(UPP) or M_M(UPP)] is 1.8 for the whole southern Sweden, 1.3 for the Lake Vänern region, 3.7 for northern Sweden, and 2.4 for the region along the Gulf of Bothnia. The maximum expected regional magnitude is calculated to 4.9 (0.5) for a time span of 615 years for southern Sweden and the Lake Vänern subregion, and 4.3 (0.5) for a time span of 331 years for northern Sweden and the Gulf of Bothnia subregion. However, several historical earthquakes with magnitude above 5 in nearby areas of Norway indicate that the seismic potential may be higher.     

A model for heat and water balance estimation and its application to land use and climate variation

This paper presents a method, which has been recently developed in the Department of Agrometeorology of the Poznań Agricultural University, for estimating heat balance components based on standard meteorological data, plant development stage, and land-use conditions. Estimates of latent heat flux components made it possible to obtain values of areal evapotranspiration and surface runoff. The method was applied in four catchment areas in Central Poland under present climatic conditions as well as under new, expected climatic conditions caused by an increase of ‘greenhouse gases’ in the atmosphere. Some changes in land use were also considered. The results show significant changes in the water balance when comparing present and future conditions of precipitation and evapotranspiration.     

Assessing the potential for CO2 adsorption in a subbituminous coal,Huntly Coalfield,New Zealand,using small angle scattering techniques

Small angle scattering techniques (SAXS and SANS) have been used to investigate the microstructural properties of the subbituminous coals (R_max 0.42–0.45%) from the Huntly Coalfield, New Zealand. Samples were collected from the two thick (> 5 m) coal seams in the coalfield and have been analysed for methane and carbon dioxide sorption capacity, petrography, pore size distribution, specific surface area and porosity.Specific surface area (SSA) available for carbon dioxide adsorption, extrapolated to a probe size of 4 Å, ranged from 1.25 × 10⁶ cm^? 1 to 4.26 × 10⁶ cm^? 1 with total porosity varying from 16% to 25%. Porosity was found to be predominantly composed of microporosity, which contributed the majority of the available SSA. Although considerable variation was seen between samples, the results fit well with published rank trends.Gas holding capacity at the reservoir pressure (approximately 4 MPa) ranged from 2.63 to 4.18 m³/t for methane on a dry, ash-free basis (daf) and from 22.00 to 23.72 m³/t daf for carbon dioxide. The resulting ratio of CO₂:CH₄ ranged from 5.7 to 8.6, with an average of 6.7:1.Holding capacities for both methane and carbon dioxide on a dry ash free basis (daf) were found to be correlated with sample microporosity. However, holding capacities for the two gases on an as analysed (aa) basis (that is including mineral matter and moisture), showed no such correlation. Carbon dioxide (aa) does show a negative correlation with both specific surface area and microporosity. As the coals have low inorganic matter content, the reversal is thought to be related to moisture which is likely concentrated in the pore size range 12.5–125 Å. Methane holding capacity, both daf and aa, correlates with macroporosity, thus suggesting that the holding capacity of micropores is diminished by the presence of moisture in the pores.     

On the behaviour of liquefied soil

Engineering mechanics of liquefied soil is presented. Firstly, experimental methods and their results are described in order to show that liquefied soil can be approximated as a viscous fluid. The experiments proposed allow for determination of dynamic viscosity of liquefied soil, which is of the order of 10⁶ Ns/m². This value agrees with some theoretical estimates. Then, the model of viscous fluid is applied to practically important problems, in order to predict sinking of structures in liquefied subsoil, and to describe underwater flows of seabed. Enclosed examples show that the model and methods proposed lead to realistic results and, therefore, can be applied in engineering calculations.