The Ecology of Benthos in the Gulf of ThermaTkos, Greece

Abstract. Benthic samples were taken at 26 stations during a two year period (1975–1977) in the Gulf of Thermaïkos, Greece. The topography and relevant physicochemical characteristics of the area are presented and discussed. Both density and biomass increase towards the northern limits in the Bay of Thessaloniki and in the Gulf of Thermaïkos, the difference between them being the degree of change in a north-south direction. Analyses of the degree of concurrence of the dominant species show the existence of a number of groups of concurrent dominant species with characteristic distributional patterns and differing areal coverage in the study area. The observed quantitative and qualitative differences in the benthos are causally related to the differing environmental conditions prevailing in the two subareas.     

Instabilities and bifurcations of the families of collision periodic orbits in the restricted three-body problem

By using Birkhoff's regularizing transformation, we study the evolution of some of the infinite j-k type families of collision periodic orbits with respect to the mass ratio μ as well as their stability and dynamical structure, in the planar restricted three-body problem. The μ-C characteristic curves of these families extend to the left of the μ-C diagram, to smaller values of μ and most of them go downwards, although some of them end by spiralling around the constant point S* (μ=0.47549, C=3) of the Bozis diagram (1970). Thus we know now the continuation of the families which go through collision periodic orbits of the Sun-Jupiter and Earth-Moon systems. We found new μ-C and x-C characteristic curves. Along each μ-C characteristic curve changes of stability to instability and vice versa and successive very small stable and very large unstable segments appear. Thus we found different types of bifurcations of families of collision periodic orbits. We found cases of infinite period doubling Feigenbaum bifurcations as well as bifurcations of new families of symmetric and non-symmetric collision periodic orbits of the same period. In general, all the families of collision periodic orbits are strongly unstable. Also, we found new x-C characteristic curves of j-type classes of symmetric periodic orbits generated from collision periodic orbits, for some given values of μ. As C varies along the μ-C or the x-C spiral characteristics, which approach their focal-terminating-point, infinite loops, one inside the other, surrounding the triangular points L₄ and L₅ are formed in their orbits. So, each terminating point corresponds to a collision asymptotic symmetric periodic orbit for the case of the μ-C curve or a non-collision asymptotic symmetric periodic orbit for the case of the x-C curve, that spiral into the points L₄ and L₅, with infinite period. All these are changes in the topology of the phase space and so in the dynamical properties of the restricted three-body problem.     

The globular cluster system of the young elliptical NGC 6702

We study the globular cluster (GC) system of the dust-lane elliptical galaxy NGC 6702, using B -, V - and I -band imaging observations carried out at the Keck telescope. This galaxy has a spectroscopic age of ≈2 Gyr suggesting recent star formation. We find strong evidence for a bimodal GC colour distribution, with the blue peak having a colour similar to that of the Galactic halo GCs. Assuming that the blue GCs are indeed old and metal-poor, we estimate an age of 2–5 Gyr and supersolar metallicity for the red GC subpopulation. Despite the large uncertainties, this is in reasonable agreement with the spectroscopic galaxy age. Additionally, we estimate a specific frequency of S _N =2.3±1.1 for NGC 6702. We predict that passive evolution of NGC 6702 will further increase its specific frequency to S _N ≈2.7 within 10 Gyr, in closer agreement to that of typical present-day ellipticals. We also discuss evidence that the merger/accretion event that took place a few Gyr ago involved a high gas fraction.     

Timing the time of concentration: shedding light on a paradox

From the origins of hydrology, the time of concentration, t_c, has conventionally been tackled as a constant quantity. However, theoretical proof and empirical evidence imply that t_c exhibits significant variability against rainfall, making its definition and estimation a hydrological paradox. Adopting the assumptions of the Rational method and the kinematic approach, an effective procedure in a GIS environment for estimating the travel time across a catchment’s longest flow path is provided. By application in 30 Mediterranean basins, it is illustrated that t_c is a negative power function of excess rainfall intensity. Regional formulas are established to infer its multiplier (unit time of concentration) and exponent from abstract geomorphological information, which are validated against observed data and theoretical literature outcomes. Besides offering a fast and easy solution to the paradox, we highlight the necessity of implementing the varying t_c concept within hydrological modelling, signalling a major shift from current engineering practices.     

On the mathematics of storage routing

Some mathematical aspects of storage routing are investigated analytically and through numerical simulation. The minimum size of the time interval required to eliminate computed values at the beginning of the outflow hydrograph falling below the initial steady flow rate is given for two routing schemes. The stability behavior of a refined Muskingum scheme is explored; it is found that values of the weighting coefficient up to 1.0 may be used with appropriately specified time intervals. The concept of “relative” storage is analyzed and it is shown that it is unnecessary when the correct initial condition of the storage is considered. The classical best straight-line fit procedure between storage and weighted discharge is investigated. In an example case, it is demonstrated that this method of system identification is not reliable. The possibility of using discharge-dependent parameters is discussed.     

Creation of DTM with ASTER Data and Statistical Verification of the Accuracy of the Model (Western Peloponnese,Greece)

Abstract

In this paper we present the use of ASTER data for the creation of a Digital Terrain Model (DMT) of high accuracy. Using a stereo pair of ASTER satellite images with 15m resolution we created two DMTs: one with a 30m pixel size and another one with a 15m pixel size. Then we made a statistical verification of the two DTMs accuracy. We created another DTM with 30m pixel size from digitized contours of 1:50000 scale topographic maps. We first made an optical comparison of the two DTMs with 30m pixel size. Then we subtracted the two DTMs and we presented their difference. Finally, we verified the DTMs accuracy using 68 points of a well‐known elevation. All the results demonstrated that DTMs derived from ASTER data have very good accuracy.     

Evaluation of Greek low-rank coals as potential raw material for the production of soil amendments and organic fertilizers

This study evaluates Greek peat and coal samples for applications in the agricultural/horticultural sector and assesses the suitability of a certain peat/coal either as soil conditioner or as raw material for manufacturing organic fertilizers.Twenty-six samples of different rank ranging from peat to subbituminous coal obtained from several Greek peat/coal deposits, were studied. The laboratory tests included: a) pH and electrical conductivity (EC) determinations, as well as proximate, ultimate and maceral analyses, in order to characterize the samples, b) major and trace element analyses of both the total and the easily exchangeable fractions (EEF), in order to assess the phytotoxicity effect, c) cation exchange capacity (CEC) determination in mixtures of the samples (5 wt.%) with a certain soil (95 wt.%), in order to evaluate the peat/coal impact, and d) the determination of the contents of humic substances (HS), as well as of carboxylic and phenolic groups.The majority of the samples reveal moderate to high ash yields (16–80 wt.%), a slightly acidic to neutral character and electrical conductivity ranging from 100–2500 μS/cm. Concerning the environmental impact of the sensitive trace elements, which might be leached, As, Mn, Ni and Sr show relatively strong mobilization in some samples, although severe impacts are not expected. The soil's CEC is generally improved, although it remains at moderate levels. The most interesting aspect is the humic acids content, which ranges between 9.6 and 52.2 wt.% on a dry basis, exceeding 25 wt.% for most of the samples. The obtained results enable an initial correlation among the different parameters and a rating of the samples according to their suitability for soil-amelioration agents.     

Numerical modelling of railway ballast at the particle scale

The paper describes the development of a technique to simulate triaxial tests on specimens of railway ballast numerically at the particle scale and its validation with reference to physical test data. The ballast particles were modelled using potential particles and the well‐known discrete element method. The shapes of these elemental particles, the particle size distribution and the number of particles (N = 2800) in each numerical triaxial specimen all matched closely to the real ballast material being modelled. Confining pressures were applied to the specimen via a dynamic triangulation of the outer particle centroids. A parametric study was carried out to investigate the effects on the simulation of timestep, strain rate, damping, contact stiffness and inter‐particle friction. Finally, a set of parameters was selected that provided the best fit to experimental triaxial data, with very close agreement of mobilized friction and volumetric strain behaviour. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Petrogenesis of the Upper Jurassic Monopigadon pluton related to the Vardar/Axios ophiolites (Macedonia,northern Greece) and its geotectonic significance

The origin, evolution and geotectonic setting of the Upper Jurassic Monopigadon granitoid pluton (Chalkidiki, Central Macedonia) are studied. The pluton is composed of slightly peraluminous to peraluminous high-K calc-alkaline biotite granodiorite (BGrd), biotite granite (BGr), leucogranite (LGr) and aplites (Apl). Enclosed rocks (Enc) are mostly xenoliths, surmicaceous enclaves and biotite clots occurring frequently in BGrd and BGr. Serpentinite bodies as well as amphibolite and calc-silicate hornfelses are exposed as inliers in the pluton. The granitoids are characterized by relatively low Sr contents (<180 ppm) and low Sr/Y ratio (0.4–6.4). REE are enriched in the granitic rocks (La_CN=89–148, Lu_CN=6–25) and the enclaves (La_CN=19–55, Lu_CN=15–18). The (La/Lu)_CN ratio ranges from 10.5 to 4.9 in BGrd, from 11.1 to 3.8 in BGr and from 11.3 to 25.7 in LGr. The BGrd and BGr show similar LILE-enriched, spiked patterns with negative anomalies at Ba, Ta, Nb, Sr and Ti and a positive anomaly at Pb, while the patterns of LGr show higher Ta, Nb, Sr, Ti negative and Pb positive anomalies. Sr initial isotopic ratios vary from 0.7147 to 0.7174 in BGrd, are relatively constant at 0.7105–0.7113 in BGr, and range from 0.7213 to 0.7340 in LGr, while they are lower in the enclaves (0.7087–0.7094). BGrd shows the lowest ε_Nd values (?8.31 to ?6.43), while it ranges from ?6.11 to ?4.26 in BGr and from ?3.37 to ?0.89 in LGr. Late Triassic to Late Jurassic intrusion zircon ages are reported for the Monopigadon pluton, which is unconformably overlain by Kimmeridgian–Tithonian limestones, whereas fragments of the plutonic rocks occur in the limestones. The geochemical variability of the BGrd is reproduced by two different AFC models having the same parental magma and assimilation/fractionation ratio but different assimilated end members. Geochemical modelling suggests that the BGr variability could be reproduced by two different FC models having the same parental magma but with different fractionating assemblages. The BGrd and BGr have similar sources and they likely originated by partial melting of middle-lower crustal rocks with intermediate-basaltic compositions, such as amphibolites, andesites and basalts. Felsic garnet granulites and metapelites are candidate source rocks for LGr. It is suggested that the Monopigadon plutonic rocks originated by melting of an inhomogeneous crust in a volcanic arc environment due to the heating of mantle-derived magmas, which, however, had not mixed or mingled with the crustal melts.