Seeding agent dispersion within convective cloud as simulated by a 3-D numerical model

Summary The three-dimensional mesoscale cloud-resolving model ARPS (Advanced Regional Prediction System) was used to investigate the dispersal of an inert seeding agent within a cumulonimbus (Cb) cloud developing from two different initial states. In this paper, we stress the influence vortices in the cloud have on seeding agent dispersion. If a strong directional ambient wind shear is present in the lowest layer, a vortex pair formed at the flanks of the simulated cloud. Following the velocity field, a considerable amount of the injected seeding agent would be thrown out to the rear of the cloud, where both updrafts associated with vortices and downdrafts occurred. After a short time the agent was present only in the cloud periphery. If the Cb cloud developed under conditions where directional ambient wind shear did not exist, seeding agent dispersion would be quite different. In this case, almost all the seeding agent was transported into the main updraft, while the residence time of the agent within the cloud was longer due to the weaker cloud dynamics. Therefore, we must pay attention to whether or not the cloud contains vortices when we make the decision where to seed. This is necessary in order to minimize the loss of seeding material.     

Comparison of three mathematical models for the estimation of 10-day drain discharge

Summary This paper presents an the evaluation of three mathematical models for the estimation of 10-day drain discharge using weather, pedological and phenological parameters. One model uses modified Palmer’s procedure for the calculation of water balance components and the second two use empirical multiple linear regression. The models have been applied to data of an amelioration experimental field in central Croatia (south-western part of the Pannonian Lowland), where a set of average 10-day air temperature and relative humidity data, average wind speed, cumulative precipitation and drain discharge amounts, insolation and soil moisture data and vegetation indices have been collected. The experiment has been performed during the period 1990–1992. The models have been tested by comparing estimated and observed 10-day drain discharge amounts. All models mainly give acceptable cumulative results although their accuracy depends on the season.     

Spectral analysis of the “Koshava” wind

Summary “Koshava” is a gusty wind of changeable intensity, blowing from a south-easterly direction, over Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria. It is caused by the interaction between the synoptic circulation and the orography of the Carpathian and the Balkan mountains. This paper analyzes wind data measured at the Belgrade-Observatory during the longest period of consecutive days of “Koshava” which occurred from 14 January to 13 February 1972. Mean hourly wind speed data has been examined using spectral analysis. The power spectra are calculated using autocorrelation spectral analysis, the multi-taper method and wavelet transform. The maximum of which is about 122 h (5 days) corresponds to the time span of synoptic processes.     

Large debris avalanches and associated eruptions in the Holocene eruptive history of Shiveluch Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia

 Shiveluch Volcano, located in the Central Kamchatka Depression, has experienced multiple flank failures during its lifetime, most recently in 1964. The overlapping deposits of at least 13 large Holocene debris avalanches cover an area of approximately 200 km² of the southern sector of the volcano. Deposits of two debris avalanches associated with flank extrusive domes are, in addition, located on its western slope. The maximum travel distance of individual Holocene avalanches exceeds 20 km, and their volumes reach ∼3 km³. The deposits of most avalanches typically have a hummocky surface, are poorly sorted and graded, and contain angular heterogeneous rock fragments of various sizes surrounded by coarse to fine matrix. The deposits differ in color, indicating different sources on the edifice. Tephrochronological and radiocarbon dating of the avalanches shows that the first large Holocene avalanches were emplaced approximately 4530–4350 BC. From ∼2490 BC at least 13 avalanches occurred after intervals of 30–900 years. Six large avalanches were emplaced between 120 and 970 AD, with recurrence intervals of 30–340 years. All the debris avalanches were followed by eruptions that produced various types of pyroclastic deposits. Features of some surge deposits suggest that they might have originated as a result of directed blasts triggered by rockslides. Most avalanche deposits are composed of fresh andesitic rocks of extrusive domes, so the avalanches might have resulted from the high magma supply rate and the repetitive formation of the domes. No trace of the 1854 summit failure mentioned in historical records has been found beyond 8 km from the crater; perhaps witnesses exaggerated or misinterpreted the events. Received: 18 August 1997 / Accepted: 19 December 1997     

Fracture initiation, growth and effect on stress field: a numerical investigation

A numerical investigation was made of the relationships between fracture initiation, growth, stress field and boundary conditions. Two-dimensional plane strain continuum models were used in which fractures appeared as zones of strain localization developed through application of a strain softening Mohr–Coulomb constitutive model. R and R′ fractures developed first, followed by Y fractures at larger strains. The models showed that equal development of conjugate R and R′ fractures is easily changed to favor one or the other set by minor variations in model initial conditions. Strength loss in fractures caused stress field rotations in regions bounded by fractures, altering the orientation of subsequent fractures. The amount and sense of stress field rotation is dependent on the strength loss during displacement on the fractures, the orientation of fractures, and on the boundary conditions. Y oriented fractures could be explained on the basis of a Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion provided that stress field rotation is accounted for. Monitoring of fracture slip activity showed that, under conditions of constant boundary velocity, slip was discontinuous in time, alternating on fractures throughout the model.     

Relative importance of grazing and nutrient controls of macroalgal biomass in three temperate shallow estuaries

Macroalgal biomass and competitive interactions among primary producers in coastal ecosystems may be controlled by bottom-up processes such as nutrient supply and top-down processes such as grazing, as well as other environmental factors. To determine the relative importance of bottom-up and top-down processes under different nutrient loading conditions, we estimated potential amphipod and isopod grazer impact on a dominant macroalgal species in three estuaries in Waquoit Bay, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, that are subject to different nitrogen loading rates. We calculated growth increases and grazing losses in each estuary based on monthly benthic survey data of macrophyte biomass and herbivore abundance, field grazing rates of amphipods (Microdeutopus gryllotalpa andCymadusa compta) and an isopod (Idotea baltica) on the preferred and most abundant macroalga (Cladophora vagabunda) and laboratory grazing rates for the remaining species, and in situ macroalgal growth rates. As nitrogen loading rates increased, macroalgal biomass increased (3×), eelgrass (Zostera marina) was lost, and herbivore abundance decreased (1/4×). Grazing rates increased with relative size of grazer (I. baltica > C. compta > M. gryllotalpa) and, for two of the three species investigated, were faster on algae from the high-nitrogen estuary in comparison to the low-nitrogen estuary, paralleting the increased macroalgal tissue percent nitrogen with nitrogen load. Macroalgal growth rates increased (2×) with increasing nitrogen loading rate. The comparison between estimated growth increases versus losses ofC. vagabunda biomass to grazing suggested first, that grazers could lower macroalgal biomass in midsummer, but only in estuaries subject to lower nitrogen loads. Second, the impact of grazing decreased as nitrogen loading rate increased as a result of the increased macroalgal growth rates and biomass, plus the diminished abundance of grazers. This study suggests the relative impact of top-down and bottom-up controls on primary producers varies depending on rate of nitrogen loading, and specifically, that the impact of herbivory on macroalgal biomass decreases with increasing nitrogen load to estuaries.     

A Photometric Investigation of the Eclipsing System OO Aql

The paper is concerning with the light curve analysis of an active binary system of OO Aql. Basic orbital and physical parameters of this system were estimated by analysing photometric observations by Lafta and Grainger (1985) and Essam et al. (1992). Both groups of observations gave quite different light curves with a conspicuous asymmetry arising from unequal height of successive maxima. A slightly changed programme by Djuraevi (1992a) was applied. The programme was based on the Roche model and it included an option of overcontact configuration and active (bright or dark) spotted regions on the system's components. An inverse-problem method by Djuraevi (1992b) was used to estimate the parameters of the system and active regions. The light-curve analysis suggested a significant change in the system. For Lafta and Grainger's light curves our analysis showed the presence of a dark spotted area near the polar region of the primary component. This dark area covered about 22% of the primary's hemisphere. Essam et al.'s light curves had very complex shape. In this case the mechanism of the mass transfer and the exchange of the thermal energy between the components could produce a bright-spot (bs) area on the secondary, near the Lagrange equilibrium point L₁ around the neck region between the stars. To explain a sharp increase of the system's brightness in the B filter immediately after the secondary minimum, we had to introduce also a hot-spot (hs) area of a high temperature contrast on the secondary. With the increase of the brightness in the V-filter being of much lower intensity, this hot spot region could be taken as a local eruption. The behaviour of the B–V colour index with the orbital phase is in favour of this hypothesis also. The obtained results show that the light-curve changes are due to development and moving of active spot regions on the components.     

Age of amphibolites associated with alpine peridotites in the Dinaride ophiolite zone,Yugoslavia

Amphibolites associated with alpine peridotites in the Central Ophiolite zone in Yugoslavia have K-Ar ages of 160–170 m.y. These amphibolites and associated peridotites underwent deep-seated metamorphism prior to tectonic emplacement into the sedimentary-volcanic assemblage of the Dinarides. The alpine peridotites and associated local rocks of the ophiolite suite are interpreted as Jurassic oceanic crust and upper mantle.     

Macroseismic observations of earthquake in Yugoslavia (April 15, 1979, 06h21m gmt), on the territory of Czechoslovakia

an¶rt;u am mu 15- an 1979. a auu a mumuu auu.