Heuristic considerations pertaining to hailstone size distributions in the plain of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

In this work, the hailstone size distributions at the ground in the plain of Friuli-Venezia Giulia are presented, as revealed through a network of polystyrene pads (hailpads), managed by volunteers, which has been active since 1988. The aim of this work is to highlight possible differences in the diurnal and seasonal behavior of hail at the ground, both from Friuli-Venezia Giulia and other countries, in order to improve the knowledge of this meteorological phenomenon.In the comparison between different countries, differences are found between the yearly size distributions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and those of North-East Colorado, measured during the National Hail Research Experiment (NHRE). The size distributions obtained in South West France and in Friuli-Venezia Giulia are quite similar and they are slightly different from those of the Grossversuch experiment.In the comparison between different periods of the year, relevant differences are found between April and May and the other months. In particular, thunderstorms are less efficient in producing big hailstones during the former months. The most prolific month in producing hailstones is June, followed by September. This feature is interpreted as due to a form of synergy between the frequency of the synoptic forcing of storms and the amount of available energy at the ground.Analyzing the size distributions at different times of the day, the greatest differences are found in the intervals [00–06] and [06–12] in local time (respectively, [22–04] and [04–10] in UTC). These differences cannot be ascribed to the melting of the hailstones during their fall.     

A multiscale observational case study of an isolated tornadic supercell

This work deals with the analysis of an isolated tornadic supercell thunderstorm that took place on the plain of Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy) causing several damage. The analysis is performed using different kind of data, looking in the available information for possible signatures that could be helpful in the forecasting and nowcasting procedures. The analysis reveals that rather than a single cause for the tornadic storm development, there is an “interaction” of several effects. In particular, a favorable environment seems to be produced by the interplay between synoptic and mesoscale environments with a fundamental role played by orography. Radar data, in particular Doppler measurements, are fundamental to the recognition and interpretation of the events but in this particular case they could give little useful information for the forecasting and nowcasting procedures. The most robust signals of an environment prone to the onset of severe deep moist convection come from the thermal gradients at the ground and by the vertical profile analysis. The reason why the event took place in that specific place and not in others is still unknown.     

A multidisciplinary procedure to evaluate and optimize the efficacy of hydraulic barriers in contaminated sites: a case study in Northern Italy

In the last decades, hydraulic barriers have been activated in a large number of polluted sites with the aim of preventing groundwater pollution outside the contaminated area. From a regulatory point of view, there is the need of evaluating the efficacy of these barriers. For this reason, the goal of the present study is to apply a coupled experimental modelling approach aimed at evaluating the efficacy of the barrier and providing management strategies. In particular, a case study in Italy is investigated. The study case is of main interest because of its complexity due to a heterogeneous aquifer and the presence of surface water that interacts with the below aquifer. The study has been carried out through the experimental characterization of the aquifer system (coupling the classic stratigraphic techniques with the results of radiocarbon dating, as well as through pumping and injection tests) and its hydrogeological behaviour (by means of hydraulic- and the stream-head measurements, as well as some isotopic investigations), and the implementation of a numerical model (through MODFLOW 2005). The results show the effectiveness of the coupled experimental modelling approach to analyse and simulate the hydrodynamics within the test aquifer system, as well as to evaluate the efficacy of the hydraulic barrier. Based on the results of the numerical model, easy solutions were designed to manage the barrier.     

Hydrogeological and multi-isotopic approach to define nitrate pollution and denitrification processes in a coastal aquifer (Sardinia,Italy)

Agricultural coastal areas are frequently affected by the superimposition of various processes, with a combination of anthropogenic and natural sources, which degrade groundwater quality. In the coastal multi-aquifer system of Arborea (Italy)—a reclaimed morass area identified as a nitrate vulnerable zone, according to Nitrate Directive 91/676/EEC—intensive agricultural and livestock activities contribute to substantial nitrate contamination. For this reason, the area can be considered a bench test for tuning an appropriate methodology aiming to trace the nitrate contamination in different conditions. An approach combining environmental isotopes, water quality and hydrogeological indicators was therefore used to understand the origins and attenuation mechanisms of nitrate pollution and to define the relationship between contaminant and groundwater flow dynamics through the multi-aquifer characterized by sandy (SHU), alluvial (AHU), and volcanic hydrogeological (VHU) units. Various groundwater chemical pathways were consistent with both different nitrogen sources and groundwater dynamics. Isotope composition suggests a mixed source for nitrate (organic and synthetic fertilizer), especially for the AHU and SHU groundwater. Moreover, marked heterotrophic denitrification and sulfate reduction processes were detected; although, for the contamination related to synthetic fertilizer, the attenuation was inefficient at removing NO₃^? to less than the human consumption threshold of 50 mg/L. Various factors contributed to control the distribution of the redox processes, such as the availability of carbon sources (organic fertilizer and the presence of lagoon-deposited aquitards), well depth, and groundwater flow paths. The characterization of these processes supports water-resource management plans, future actions, and regulations, particularly in nitrate vulnerable zones.     

Bounds on the eigenvalues of the planetary-scale baroclinic instability problem

In the framework of the linear baroclinic instability problem for planetary geostrophic flows, bounds on the related complex eigenvalues are deduced. The main feature of this result is the independence of these bounds from the latitude and the density stratification, so that it generalizes the results of previous work on the subject.     

Towards incorporating a turbulent magnetic field in an accreting black hole model

A model proposed by Melia & Ruffert to evaluate the spectrum and radiation flux for accretion on to a black hole makes use of the 'equipartition assumption' in which the magnetic, turbulent and gravitational energy densities are assumed to be in approximate equilibrium for distances below the accretion radius, where Bondi–Hoyle infall begins. As a consequence, the mechanism for the dissipation of the magnetic field and the resulting effect on the flow of the accreting gas have not been treated quantitatively. Here we examine alternative approaches for modelling the dissipation of magnetic fields and turbulent flow to see how these may be incorporated into the model. The results of our study should be immediately applicable to the ever-improving measurements of the spectrum and size of the massive black hole at our Galactic Centre, in particular producing a more accurate estimate of its mass. Combined with greatly refined kinematic studies of this region, our work may constrain the dark matter concentration in the nucleus of our Galaxy.     

Seismic tomography: Application for archaeological purposes

Work on the excavations at the ancient Etruscan settlement of Marzabotto (Bologna) restarted in 1988. These excavations, as they were worked, brought to light a complete urban layout represented primarily by foundations, courtyards, roads and wells. The site has been the focus of intensive experimentation to assess the feasibility of geophysical remote sensing in exploration archaeology. Different geophysical techniques have been tested at this site: geoelectric, electromagnetic, magnetic, and seismic methods. One of the methods tested was geophysical seismic tomography. This method utilizes straightray algorithms to map subsurface properties by analyzing the first signal arrival time. Seismic tomography treats the problem of identifying a buried structure as a wave propagation process by inverting the linearized wave equation to compute the spatial distribution of the slowness of the velocity. The purpose of our tomographic study is to further test the method and to guide archaeologists in their future excavations by locating and identifying buried structures. In particular, analyses are performed on the geometries, signal characteristics, discretization of the area, and constraints of the inversion algorithm in order to enhance the effectiveness of the tomographic reconstruction process and to reduce costs. A controlled experiment is presented for a typical Marzabotto buried structure with which it is possible to verify the effectiveness of the applied technique. It is demonstrated how proper field measures and an inversion test can provide reliable information that can be used to guide excavation work. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Bedrock controls on the mineralogy and chemistry of PM<Subscript>10</Subscript> extracted from Australian desert sediments

Given the relevance of desert aerosols to environmental issues such as dust storms, climate change and human health effects, we provide a demonstration of how the bedrock geology of an arid area influences the mineralogy and geochemistry of even the finest particulate matter (i.e., the inhalable fraction <10 μm in size: PM₁₀). PM₁₀ samples extracted from desert sediments at geologically contrasting off-road sites in central and southeastern Australia (granitic, high grade metamorphic, quartzitic sandstone) were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The “granitic” PM₁₀ are highly alkali feldspathic and illitic, with a wide range of accessory minerals including rutile (TiO₂), monazite [(Ce, La, Nd, Th, Y) PO₄], xenotime (YPO₄), apatite [Ca₅(PO₄)₃ (F, OH, Cl)], hematite (Fe₃O₄), zircon (ZrSiO₄) and thorite (ThSiO₄). This mineralogy is reflected in the geochemistry which shows notable enrichments in rare earth elements (REE) and most high field strength elements (both held in the accessory minerals), and higher than normal levels of low (<2.0) ionic potential elements (Na, K, Li, Cs, Rb: held in alkali feldspar and illite). The “metamorphic” resuspended PM₁₀ define a mineralogy clearly influenced by local exposures of pelitic and calc-silicate schists (sillimanite, muscovite, calcite, Ca-amphibole), a dominance of monazite over other REE-bearing phases, and a geochemistry distinguished by enrichments in alkaline earth metals (Ca, Mg, Ba, Sr) and depletion in heavy REE. The “quartzite” PM₁₀, derived from rocks already recycled by Precambrian erosion and sedimentary transport, show a sedimentologically mature mineralogy of mostly quartz and kaolinite, detrital accessory ilmenite, rutile, monazite and hematite, and the strongest geochemical depletion (especially K, Rb, Cs, Na, Ca, Mg, Ba).     

Diffuse TeV emission at the Galactic Centre

The High-Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS) has detected intense diffuse TeV emission correlated with the distribution of molecular gas along the Galactic ridge at the centre of our Galaxy. Earlier HESS observations of this region had already revealed the presence of several point sources at these energies, one of them (HESS J1745−290) coincident with the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*. It is still not entirely clear what the origin of the TeV emission is, nor even whether it is due to hadronic or leptonic interactions. It is reasonable to suppose, however, that at least for the diffuse emission, the tight correlation of the intensity distribution with the molecular gas indicates a pionic-decay process involving relativistic protons. In this paper, we explore the possible source(s) of energetic hadrons at the Galactic Centre, and their propagation through a turbulent medium. We conclude that though Sagittarius A* itself may be the source of cosmic rays producing the emission in HESS J1745−290, it cannot be responsible for the diffuse emission farther out. A distribution of point sources, such as pulsar wind nebulae dispersed along the Galactic plane, similarly do not produce a TeV emission profile consistent with the HESS map. We conclude that only a relativistic proton distribution accelerated throughout the intercloud medium can account for the TeV emission profile measured with HESS.