Influence of the saffman force,lift force,and electric force on sand grain transport in a wind–sand flow

Quasi-horizontal trajectories of salting sand grains were found using high-speed video-recording in the desertified territory of the Astrakhan region. The sizes and displacement velocities of the saltating sand grains were determined. A piecewise logarithmic approximation of the wind profile in a quasi-stationary wind–sand flow is suggested, which is consistent with the data of observations and modeling. It was established that, in the regime of stationary saltation, the wind profile in the lower saltation layer of the wind–sand flow depends only slightly on the wind profile variations in the upper saltation layer. The vertical profiles of the horizontal wind component gradient in a quasi-stationary wind–sand flow were calculated and plotted. It was shown using high-speed video recording of the trajectory of a sand grain with an approximate diameter of 95 μm that the weightlessness condition in the desertified territory of the Astrakhan region in a stationary wind–sand flow is satisfied at a height of approximately 0.15 mm. The electric parameters of a wind–sand flow, which can provide for compensation of the force of gravity by the electric force, were estimated. In particular, if the specific charge of a sand grain is 100 μC/kg, the force of gravity applied to the sand grain can be compensated by the electric force if the vertical component of the electric field in a wind–sand flow reaches approximately 100 kV/m. It was shown that the quasi-horizontal transport of sand grains in the lower millimeter saltation layer observed in the desertified territory can be explained by the joint action of the aerodynamic drag, the force of gravity, the Saffman force, the lift force, and the electric force.     

A set of optical methods for studying marine phytoplankton

The results of integrated optical measurements of Black Sea water samples using a spectrophotometer, laser spectrometer, and fluorometer with pulse-modulated excitation light are discussed. A linear correlation between the intensities of chlorophyll absorption at 673 nm and chlorophyll fluorescence (680–750 nm) is observed. Phycoerythrin-containing organisms are recorded in phytoplankton in layers below 20 m. The data of 1-week monitoring of phytoplankton abundance and functional activity in Golubaya Bay with a Mega-25 flow fluorometer are described.     

Analysis of the spectral features of a recent supernova 1987n

We present an attempt to analyse the spectra of SN 1987n in NGC 7606, covering a period of 10 days from the time of maximum brightness. The velocities in the rest frame of NGC 7606 and the depths of the spectral lines at maximum light are very close to those of SN 1981b in NGC 4536, slight differences being nevertheless present. A distance to NGC 7606 of 46±11 Mpc for anH ₀ value of 50 km s^–1 Mpc^–1 is inferred from Pskovskii's relation.The analysis carried out within a standard simple model of spectral synthesis involves a high uncertainty in the abundance determinations for the intermediate-mass elements quoted. This uncertainty arises on the one hand from the free choice of the excitation temperature and from the sensitivity to changes in the excitation temperature of the depths of the strongest lines of those elements and, on the other hand, from the impossibility of obtaining within this model an estimate of other abundances — He, O, Na, S — which have NLTE populations.The analysis developed in a new model based (as is the standard one) on Sobolev's approximation but allowing for a more realistic continuum treatment points to an important attenuation effect on the radiation in the lines, due to the continuum scattering, which can also affect abundance determinations.     

First data on the noble metal geochemistry of the rocks from the gabbro-anorthosite massifs of the Kalar group

This paper addresses the geochemical features of the noble metal disseminated sulfide and Timagnetite mineralization in the rocks of the Kalar group of autonomous gabbro-anorthosite massifs. The investigations suggest that this mineralization was formed in two stages. The first stage is related to the gabbroanorthosites proper and may be promising for low-sulfide PGE mineralization as well as PGE-bearing Ti-magnetite mineralization, while the second stage is linked to the ultrabasic intrusions associated with copper-nickel or chromite mineralization accompanying by PGE. The horizons of low-sulfide mineralization in the gabbro-anorthosites and copper-nickel mineralization in the dunite-pyroxenites are characterized by the Pd predominance over Pt, while the Cr-bearing and Ti-magnetite ores show the Pt predominance over Pd.     

An Upper Limit on Sunspot Activity During the Maunder Minimum

We have estimated the upper and lower limits of sunspot activity, in terms of active day fraction during the Maunder minimum (1645–1710), using raw information on individual daily observations (Hoyt and Schatten, 1998). Establishing the relation between the sunspot activity and active day fraction after 1850, we evaluate the upper limit of annual group sunspot number during the deep Maunder minimum (1645–1700) which does not exceed 4. The earlier finding of a dominant 22-year periodicity during the Maunder minimum is verified and shown to be robust. Also we confirm that the start of the Maunder minimum was very abrupt.     

Hydrogeophysical investigation and estimation of groundwater potentials of the Lower Palaeozoic to Precambrian crystalline basement rocks in Keffi area, north-central Nigeria, using resistivity methods

The use of resistivity sounding and two-dimensional (2-D) resistivity imaging was investigated with the aim of delineating and estimating the groundwater potential in Keffi area. Rock types identified are mainly gneisses and granites. Twenty-five resistivity soundings employing the Schlumberger electrode array were conducted across the area. Resistivity sounding data obtained were interpreted using partial curve matching approach and 1-D inversion algorithm, RESIST version 1.0. The 2-D resistivity imaging was also carried out along two traverses using dipole–dipole array, and the data obtained were subjected to finite element method modeling using DIPRO inversion algorithm to produce a two-dimensional subsurface geological model. Interpretation of results showed three to four geoelectrical layers. Layer thickness values were generally less than 2 m for collapsed zone, and ranged from 5 to 30 m for weathered bedrock (saprolite). Two major aquifer units, namely weathered bedrock (saprolite) aquifer and fractured bedrock (saprock) aquifer, have been delineated with the latter usually occurring beneath the former in most areas. Aquifer potentials in the area were estimated using simple schemes that involved the use of three geoelectrical parameters, namely: depth to fresh bedrock, weathered bedrock (saprolite) resistivity and fractured bedrock (saprock) resistivity. The assessment delineated the area into prospective high, medium and low groundwater potential zones.