Modelling the Gibraltar Strait/Western Alboran Sea ecohydrodynamics

The ecohydrodynamics of the Gibraltar Strait and the Western Alboran Sea is investigated using a 3-D, two-way nested, coupled hydrodynamic/plankton ecosystem model, exploiting the MEDATLAS climatological database. A high-resolution model (~1 km) of the Gibraltar/Western Alboran region embedded within a coarse-resolution model of the West Mediterranean (~5 km) is implemented. The model seasonal climatology of the 3-D circulation and the flow characteristics at the Gibraltar Strait and the Alboran Sea are discussed, and their impact on the plankton ecosystem evolution is explored. An important ecohydrodynamic feature produced by the model is a permanent upwelling zone in the northwestern part of the Alboran Sea in agreement with observations. Model results show that both horizontal and vertical current intensity of the Atlantic Jet increases progressively at the strait to obtain maximum values in the northeastern Mediterranean entrance, inducing an upward displacement of the nitracline. The nutrient-rich water transport through the strait along with the generation of cyclonic vorticity in the northwestern Alboran Sea result in the accumulation of nutrients there and thus induce a permanent fertilisation of this area.     

Impact of atmospheric parameters on the atmospheric Cherenkov technique

Atmospheric density profiles as well as several light absorption and scattering processes depend on geographic position and are generally time-variable. Their impact on the atmospheric Cherenkov technique in general (imaging or non-imaging) is investigated. Different density profiles lead to differences in Cherenkov light density of up to 60%. Seasonal variations at mid-latitude sites are of the order of 15–20%. The quest for improved energy calibration of Cherenkov experiments also shows the need for improved transmission calculations, taking all relevant processes into account and using realistic profiles of absorbers. Simulations including the scattering mechanisms also reveal the relevance of Rayleigh and Mie scattering for atmospheric Cherenkov experiments. Refraction and the differences between treating the atmosphere in plane-parallel or spherical geometry are also investigated.     

Preliminary study on the dissolved and colloidal organic carbon in the Zhujiang River estuary

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The MAR-Vema Fracture Zone intersection surveyed by deep submersible Nautile

One of the two objectives of the Vemanaute cruise of the French deep submersible Nautile, was the geological study of the eastern intersection area between the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) and the Vema Fracture Zone in the equatorial Atlantic. Fourteen dives were conducted that allowed detailed geological survey and sampling of the main morphostructural units of this area: the northern and southern walls of the fracture zone, the median ridge, the northern and southern troughs and the nodal basin. In situ observations of recent tectonic features such as furrows, ridges and circular depressions, concentrated within the southern trough, allowed us to establish the location and the size of the present-day displacement zone. Geological investigations have shown that the nodal basin is entirely floored by basalts thus contrasting with other equivalent areas such as the Kane and Oceanographer fracture zone-MAR eastern intersections. Finally, this study stresses the great opposition between the relatively old and tectonically inactive northern part of the fracture, and the southern part which shows active tectonics and recent volcanic activity.     

Coupled Reactive Transport Modeling of Redox Processes in a Nitrate-Polluted Sandy Aquifer

The reactive transport modeling of a complicated suite of reactions apparent in the aquifer during the application of N-containing fertilizers is reported. The unconfined sandy aquifer can be subdivided into an oxic zone which contains groundwater with oxygen and nitrate and an anoxic zone characterized by elevated iron and sulfate concentrations in groundwater. Oxygen and nitrate are being reduced by pyrite and organic matter that commonly apparent in the aquifer. The oxidation of pyrite is modeled using the local equilibrium approach, whereas decomposition of organic matter, with the adoption of kinetic approach. The system is buffered by dissolution of aluminum and iron oxides. The modeling process is a two-step procedure. First, the processes are modeled in the one-dimensional (1D) column using PHREEQC code. Subsequently, the calibrated and verified data were copied and used in two-dimensional (2D) PHAST model. Prior to the performance of reactive transport modeling operations with PHAST, a reliable flow model was executed. Finally, predictions are made for the distribution of water chemistry for the year 2008. Model predicts that sulfate derived from the ongoing pyrite oxidation is reduced by the dissolved organic carbon at the higher depth and forms pyrite by the reaction with iron. The results of this study highlight the importance of understanding the interplay between the transport and chemical reactions that occur during the input of nitrate to the aquifer. Reactive transport modeling incorporating the use of a newly developed code PHAST have proved to be a powerful tool for analyzing and quantifying such interactions.     

Al-O--Al paramagnetic defects in kaolinite

Trapped holes located on Al-O-Al bonds in kaolinite were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) at 9.3 and 35 GHz applied to well-crystallized, X-ray irradiated and oriented samples. The Q-band EPR spectrum is characterized by three clearly separated groups of 11 quasi-equidistant superhyperfine lines centered at g_xx=2.040±0.0005, g_yy=2.020±0.0005 and g_zz=2.002±0.001. In each of these groups, the 11 superhyperfine lines exhibit intensities according to the ratios 12345654321. An angular dependence of the Q-band EPR spectrum with respect to the magnetic field is demonstrated by measurements on oriented films of kaolinite. An appropriate numerical treatment of the EPR spectra is described, which allowed extraction of the SuperHyperfine Structures (SHFS). X-and Q-band spectra have also been simulated. It is concluded from these experiments that only one type of center is present. This center, labelled the B-center in the literature, is very probably a hole trapped on oxygen (O^- center) atoms coupled to two octahedral aluminium.     

Sub-regional snow cover distribution across the southern Appalachian Mountains

Abstract

Snowfall in the Southern Appalachian Mountain region of the eastern US is characterized by much spatiotemporal variability. Annual snowfall totals vary by up to 75 cm, and variations in snowfall intensity can lead to large differences in the local snowfall distribution. Research has shown that the synoptic pattern associated with the snowfall strongly influences the regional-scale distribution of snow cover. However, topographic variability results in locally complex snow cover patterns that are not well understood or documented. In this study, we characterize the snow covered area (SCA) and fractional snow cover associated with different synoptic patterns in 14 individual sub-regions. We analyze 63 snow events using Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer standard snow cover products to ascertain both qualitative and quantitative differences in snow cover across sub-regions. Among sub-regions, there is significant variation in the snow cover pattern from individual synoptic classes. Furthermore, the percent SCA follows the regional snowfall climatology, and sub-regions with the highest elevations and northerly latitudes exhibit the greatest variability. Results of the sub-regional analysis provide valuable guidance to forecasters by contributing a deeper understanding of local snow cover patterns and their relationship to synoptic-scale circulation features.     

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