Multiple flows and the fine structure of the transition region around sunspots

The fine structure in the flow field in the transition region above and surrounding a sunspot is determined fromCIV 1548 line profiles, observed with the High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph (HRTS) during the Spacelab 2 mission. The observed line profiles show one, two, or three distinct velocity components within the resolution element of 1 × 1. Supersonic flows occur in small regions where the line profile has two or three components. The line component that shows supersonic speed often is weaker than the subsonic line component, which may explain why some observers have been unable to detect the supersonic flow component. The broadening of individual line components shows non-thermal velocities close to 20 km s^–1. This suggests that turbulence is less important than usually considered.The presence of multiple flows, which also occurs in quiet solar regions, suggests that the transition region above sunspots has a sub-arc-second fine structure, perhaps consisting of thin fibrils. The Evershed flow in the transition region appears to have a correspondingly complex character, possibly consisting of sub- and supersonic siphon flows along the individual fibrils. Time changes in the flow field over 5 min may correspond to characteristic times of individual fine structures. Possible explanations of the net downward directed mass flux are presented.     

A cosmological model without singularity

Based on the assumption, that potential energy of matter in a mass filled space contributes a negative term to the energy tensor, solutions of the Einstein field equations are possible that exhibit no singularities, since the action of gravity changes sign when the density of potential energy exceeds the density of mass-energy. The solution, in which potential energy and mass-energy are in balance, is identical with Einstein's static universe. It is shown that all the observational facts, that are usually considered as confirming the big bang model, as the cosmological red shift, the abundances of light elements and the existence of the microwave background radiation, can be understood also in a static world model, when it is taken into account that due to the finite velocity of gravitational interaction all moving quanta lose momentum to the gravitational tensor potential. As in the static cosmological model the overwhelming fraction of the total mass exists in form of a hot intergalactic plasma. The model gives a simple explanation for the diffuse x-ray background and a solution to the missing mass problem without invoking any kind of new physics or of yet undiscovered particles. Also the causality problem and the curvature problem posed by the energy density of the quantum mechanical vacuum fields find a natural solution.     

The importance of radiative transfer in stellar pulsation models

With the advent of new astrophysical opacities it seems appropriate to discuss the need for a full radiative transfer (RT) theory instead of the usual equilibrium diffusion theory used in most nonlinear pulsation codes. Early studies on the importance of RT in the calculation of light curves for Cepheid models showed little effect over diffusion theory. The new opacities though may help to explain the bump mass discrepancy problem. For RR Lyrae models the use of RT theory causes some effects both in the color differences (U-B) as well as in the light curves. New opacities help to explain the period ratios for double mode RR Lyrae and beat Cepheids. A new area of research is in the modeling of stars with high luminosity to mass ratios that show tendencies for doubling and transitions to chaos, such as W Virginis and RV Tauri stars. For these stars it has been shown that RT is necessary in calculating their light curves and that the understanding of the shock dynamics depends on the transfer of lines in the pulsating RT dependent atmospheres (Fokin 1991).     

A photometric study of the eclipsing binary V 1073 Cygni

Photoelectric observations of the eclipsing binary V 1073 Cyg have been carried out inB andV colours at the Ege University Observatory. The light curves were analyzed with the Wilson-Devinney approach. A period study reveals that the orbital period of the system is decreasing at the rate of (3.21 ± 0.17) second per century.     

Sulfide oxidation—an environmental problem within colliery spoil dumps

Because of the high degree of automation in the coal mining industry in the Ruhr area, Germany, about 1 metric ton of crushed rock/colliery spoil is brought to the surface for every metric ton of coal. Most of the colliery spoil disposed of must be dumped. These colliery spoil dumps are anthropogenic geological sediment bodies, which have a characteristic facies resulting from geological, technical, and economical factors connected with the formation of the dumps. The relation between the facies of the dumps and these factors, for example, is examplified with the pyrite content within the colliery spoil. Pyrite content within the dumps is dependent both on the conditions during sedimentation and (early) diagenesis and the techniques used for mining and processing. Thus, this geologic-technical facies of the dumps controls the weathering processes on and in dumps. These humaninduced processes are mainly responsible for the environmental impact on soil and groundwater. Oxidation of pyrite as well as alteration of pyrite under anoxic conditions yields dissolution of carbonates, accompanied by gypsum formation, by acid attack and strong acidification takes place.     

Fluid inclusions in upper mantle xenoliths from Northern Patagonia,Argentina: Evidence for an upper mantle diapir

Summary Three generations of fluid inclusions can be recognized in upper mantle xenoliths from alkali basalts of the Somoncura Massif, Northern Patagonia, Argentina. The first (early, primary) one consists of dense CO₂ inclusions which were trapped in the mantle-crust boundary zone (22–36 km minimum trapping depth). Their co-genetic relationship with silicate melt inclusions enables us to constrain their minimum trapping temperature at 1200°C, indicating a high temperature event in a cooler environment. The late (pseudosecondary and secondary) generations of fluid inclusions were classified in accordance with their homogenization temperature to liquid CO₂ (L1) and vapor CO₂ (L2) phase. The minimum trapping depth for the first of the late inclusions (L1) is about 16 km. In spite of the uncertainties related to this value, L1 inclusions indicate that the upper mantle rocks, of which samples were delivered by the basalts, had some residence time in the middle crust where they experienced a metasomatic event. The fact that this event did not destroy the earlier inclusions, places severe constraints on its duration. The second late inclusions (L2) are low-pressure CO₂ inclusions with a minimum trapping depth of only 2 km, presumably a shallow magma chamber of the host basalts. The succession of fluid inclusions strongly points toward a fairly fast uprising upper mantle underneath Northern Patagonia. The petrology and mineral chemistry of the peridotitic xenoliths support this view. Extensive partial melting and loss of these melts is indicated by the preponderance of harzburgites in the upper mantle underneath Northern Patagonia, a fairly unusual feature for a continental upper mantle. That depletion event as well as several metasomatic events — including those which left traces of fluid inclusions — are possibly related to a high-speed diapiric uprise of the upper mantle in this area. The path can be traced from the garnet peridotite stability field into the middle crust, a journey which must have been unusually fast. Differences in rock, mineral, and fluid inclusion properties between geographic locations suggest a diffuse and differential type of diapirism. Future studies will hopefully help to map the full extent and the highs and lows of this diapir and elucidate questions related to its origin and future.

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Fluid-Einschlüsse in Erdmantel-Xenolithen von Nord-Patagonien: Evidenz für einen Diapir im oberen Erdmantel

Zusammenfassung Erdmantel - Xenolithe in Alkali-Basalten des Somoncure Massivs, Nord-Patagonien, Argentinien, führen drei Generationen von Fluid-Einschlüssen. Die erste (frühe, primäre) Generation besteht aus dichten CO₂-Einschlüssen, welche offenbar in der Mantel-Kruste Grenzzone (22–36 km Minimum-Tiefe) eingeschlossen wurden. CO₂-Einschlüsse sind kogenetisch mit Silikat-Schmelzeinschlüssen. Dies erlaubt die Abschätzung der Einschließ-Temperatur mit minimal 1200°C, was auf ein Hochtemperatur-Ereignis in einer deutlich kühleren Umgebung hinweist. Die späten (pseudosekundäre und sekundäre) CO₂- Fluid-Einschlüsse bilden zwei Generationen von denen die eine in die flüssige (L1), die andere in die Dampfphase (L2) homogenisieren. Die minimale Einschließ-Tiefe für die L1 Generation ist etwa 16 km. Dies bedeutet - auch bei Berücksichtigung der mit diesem Wert verbundenen Ungenauigkeit - daß diese Erdmantel-Gesteine einige Zeit in der mittleren Erdkruste verbrachten und ein metasomatisches Ereignis erlebten, bevor sie von den Basalten zur Erdoberfläche gebracht wurden. Die Tatsache, daß dieses Ereignis die frühen Einschlüsse nicht zerstörte, kann nur bedeuten, daß es von kurzer Dauer war. Die L2-Generation besteht aus Niedrigdruck CO₂-Einschlüssen mit einer Minimum-Einschließtiefe von nur 2 km. Dies könnte in einer seichten Magmakammer des Wirt Basaltes geschehen sein.Die Abfolge von Fluid-Einschlüssen deutet auf einen relativ schnell aufsteigenden oberen Erdmantel unterhalb von Patagonien hin. Die Petrologie und Mineralchemie der peridotitischen Xenolithe unterstützen das. Die Vorherrschaft von Harzburgiten im Erdmantel unterhalb von Nord-Patagonien deutet auf umfangreiche Bildung partieller Schmelzen und deren Abfuhr hin — eine für einen kontinentalen Mantel ungewöhnliche Situation. Sowohl die Verarmungsereignisse, als auch die metasomatischen Veränderungen (einschließlich jene, welche Spuren in Form von Fluid Einschlüssen hinterließen) machen das Vorhandensein eines schnell aufsteigenden Daipirs im oberen Erdmantel dieser Gegend wahrscheinlich. Der Aufstieg kann vom Stabilitätsbereich der Granat-Peridotite bis in die mittlere Kruste verfolgt werden und muß daher relativ schnell erfolgt sein. Unterschiede in Gesteins-, Mineral und Fluid-Eigenschaften zwischen verschiedenen Lokalitäten legen einen diffusen und differenziellen Diapirismus nahe. Zukünftige Studien sollten es ermöglichen, das Gesamtausmaß und die unterschiedlichen Aufstiegshöhen des Diapirs zu kartieren und Hinweise auf seine Entstehung und zukünftige Entwicklung zu erhalten.

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With 5 Figures     

Crystal chemistry of a highly disordered Mg-Al natural spinel

Summary A Mg-Al spinel from a xenolith found in the Sacrofano volcanic area (Latium, Italy) was investigated by X-ray single crystal diffraction and electron microprobe. Its main structural parameters were: a₀ = 8.0922(3) Å and the oxygen coordinate u = 0.26213(4), which gave to tetrahedral and octahedral bond distances of 1.9220(6) Å and 1.9299(3) Å respectively. Cation distribution, obtained from structural and chemical data, showed a very high Mg-Al disorder, with an Al(T) content of 0.205 and an inversion parameter, i, of about 0.23. Comparison with the cation distribution of a spinel with similar chemical composition but occurring in chlorite schists (Shishimsk Mountains, Urals, Russia) with a₀ = 8.1003(3) Å and u=0.26330(3), and with data from the literature concerning spinels from metamorphosed limestones (Kalkbro, Sweden) and websteritic dikes (Balmuccia, Italy), all characterized by much lower Mg-Al disorder (i about 0.13–0.12), suggests a completely different thermal history, with rapid cooling rates and consequent high closure temperature of intracrystalline exchange, consistent with the Sacrofano geological environment.

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Kristallchemie eines stark ungeordneten, natürlichen Mg-Al-Spinells

Zusammenfassung Ein Mg-Al-Spinell aus einem Xenolith des Vulkangebiets von Sacrifano (Latium, Italien) wurde mit Röngten-Einkristallmethoden und der Elektronenmikrosonde untersucht. Die wichtigsten Strukturparameter sind a_o = 8,0922(3) Å und die Sauerstoffkoordinate u = 0,26213(4), was zu den tetraedrischen und oktaedrischen Bindungsabständen von 1,9220(6) Å bzw. 1,9299(3) Å führt. Die aus den strukturellen und chemischen Daten erhaltene Kationenverteilung zeigt eine sehr starke Unordnung Mg-Al mit einem Al (T)-Gehalt von 0,205 und einem Inversionsparameteri von ca. 0,23. Der Vergleich mit der Kationenverteilung eines Spinells ähnlicher chemischer Zusammensetzung, aber aus Chloritschiefern (Schischimsk-Berge, Ural, Rußland) mit a₀ = 8,1003(3) Å und u=0,26330(3), sowie mit Literaturdaten über Spinelle aus metamorphen Kalken (Kalkbro, Schweden) und websteritischen Gängen (Balmuccia, Italien), die alle durch eine viel geringere Mg-Al-Unordnung charakterisiert sind (i etwa 0,13–0,12), weist auf eine völlig andere thermische Geschichte hin, und zwar mit rascher Abkühlungsgeschwindigkeit und hoher Schließungstemperatur des intrakristallinen Austausches, was mit den geologischen Verhältnissen von Sacrofino in Übereinstimmung steht.

     

A fast response,open path,infrared hygrometer,using a semiconductor source

Investigations were carried out as to the feasibility of using a semiconductor source in the design of a new rapid response, open-path hygrometer. A single-beam instrument was constructed employing an infrared light emitting diode (LED) as a source instead of the usual high energy, wideband filament. The spectral emission envelope encompassed the 1.87 m water absorption band. Electronic modulation and thermoelectrical cooling of the diode eliminated the conventional chopper wheel and stabilized the peak wavelength emission. Path length was 200 mm. Over a water vapour concentration range of 0–16 g m^–3, absorption varied by 2% in a linear fashion. At 10 Hz, the noise level was 0.1 g m^–3 rms. Hygrometer resolution and stability are constrained by the detector noise level, the small source emission in the absorption band and low frequency drift in the optical filter. Despite these problems, the new instrument showed comparable performance characteristics to a commercial Lyman- hygrometer. Latent heat fluxes measured with both instruments and a Kaijo-Denki, 3-D sonic anemometer agreed to within 4% over a range 0–350 W m^–2. Further improvements in performance can be anticipated with advances in detector and LED technology.     

Characterizing heterogeneous permeable media with spatial statistics and tracer data using sequential simulated annealing

Characterizing heterogeneous permeable media using flow and transport data typically requires solution of an inverse problem. Such inverse problems are intensive computationally and may involve iterative procedures requiring many forward simulations of the flow and transport problem. Previous attempts have been limited mostly to flow data such as pressure transient (interference) tests using multiple observation wells. This paper discusses an approach to generating stochastic permeability fields conditioned to geologic data in the form of a vertical variogram derived from cores and logs as well as fluid flow and transport data, such as tracer concentration history, by sequential application of simulated annealing (SA). Thus, the method incorporates elements of geostatistics within the framework of inverse modeling. For tracer-transport calculations, we have used a semianalytic transit-time algorithm which is fast, accurate, and free of numerical dispersion. For steady velocity fields, we introduce a transit-time function which demonstrates the relative importance of data from different sources. The approach is illustrated by application to a set of spatial permeability measurements and tracer data from an experiment in the Antolini Sandstone, an eolian outcrop from northern Arizona. The results clearly reveal the importance of tracer data in reproducing the correlated features (channels) of the permeability field and the scale effects of heterogeneity.