The surface energy balance and the mixing height in urban areas—activities and recommendations of COST-Action 715

The specific problems of determining and simulating the surface energy balance (SEB) and the mixing height (MH) over urban areas are examined. The SEB and MH are critical components of algorithms and numerical models for the urban boundary layer, though the constituent parts of the SEB and the MH are not routinely measured by national weather services. Parameterisations are thus needed in applications. In this investigation, several recently developed algorithms and models for estimating the SEB and MH were applied to new datasets and assessed. Results are discussed in terms of the need for spatial resolution and the parameters needed to describe the urban atmosphere. Limitations of models are identified and recommendations for further development and observations are given. Having identified gaps in knowledge, key findings from new urban experiments and numerical modelling for the SEB and MH are given. The diurnal cycle for the SEB is significantly different from rural conditions—urban heat storage is needed in urban parameterisations. The urban MH is increased over the rural MH, as shown by several numerical schemes and careful sodar analyses. This work has been carried out within the COST-715 Action “Meteorology applied to urban air pollution problems (1998–2004). COST 715 reached a consensus proposing representatively sited measurements of meteorological parameters and turbulent fluxes above roof-tops, and recognised that such data are needed to improve numerical models of the urban surface processes.     

DC-induced acoustic emission in saturated sand models of sedimentary rock

The results of laboratory experimental studies of the DC-induced acoustic emission (AE) in saturated sand models of sedimentary rock are presented. It is shown that direct current acting on a geological medium generates acoustic vibrations in it. The experimental methodology is based on recording acoustic pulses generated by the rock model (sample) when the electric field is applied. The amplitude-frequency parameters of the AE signals depend on petrophysical properties of the solid phase, on the salinity of porous medium, and the electric field (current intensity and voltage). The above research is the first step towards the full identification of the characteristics of the AE signals generated by rocks in a DC electric field.     

Reliability with respect to settlement limit-states of shallow foundations on linearly-deformable subsoil

A step by step procedure for applying the response surface and SORM methods in estimating the reliability index associated with exceeding a certain allowable settlement level by a shallow foundation is presented in this paper. Two random variables, the Young modulus and Poisson's ratio, of lognormal and beta distribution respectively, in a single soil layer are taken into account. A linearly-deformable model of soil is assumed which is most frequently used in engineering practice when the serviceability limit state is considered. The main problem encountered in using the response surface methodology was the existence of false design points that prevented coordinate calculations of the real ones. Two procedures were employed. The first one consisted of widening the area covered by the response surface (polynomial of the second degree) with an additional “oedometric” term. Inserting the oedometric term improves the quality of the fitting and enables one to extend the range of approximation. The latter added a barrier to prevent the procedure from moving into the false design point region. Moreover, the paper presents the effect of random variation of the Young modulus E and Poisson's ratio ν as well as their mutual correlation, on the reliability index associated with exceeding the assumed level of a shallow foundation settlement.     

Cosmic rays and cosmic strings

It has been suggested that the highest-energy cosmic rays might be protons resulting from collapsing cosmic strings in the Universe. We point out that this mechanism, although attractive, has important shortcomings, notably the fact that gamma rays produced along with the protons and those produced by the protons in their interactions with the cosmic background radiation generate cascades in the Universe and result in unacceptably high fluxes of cosmic gamma rays in the region of hundreds of MeV.     

Differential calibration of seismometers for measurement of rotation and strain

A method of correcting the seismometers’ responses discrepancy for differential measurements of strains and rotations in the seismic far field is proposed. The method concerns differential calibration of the whole seismometers’ array by electric current. A model of corrective filtering of the obtained differential signals in the Z domain is given. Two methods of the filter parameters’ estimation are introduced; they are based on the seismometers response to the calibration. A practical test of the methods — an analysis of a recorded seismic event — is added. Significant reduction of differences between simultaneous seismic recordings was obtained, which is interpreted as cleaning of differential signal from spurious elements.     

On Sen equations in arbitrary gauge

The Sen equations with a source term given by the energy-momentum tensor of a one component perfect fluid valid in arbitrary gauge are presented. Obtained equations are constructed from Lyra tensors. The consequences of the gauge covariance are briefly analysed.     

A new magnetic index based on the external part of vertical geomagnetic variations

Variations of geomagnetic components X, Y, and Z recorded in 19 Intermagnet European observatories in 2004 were analysed. The original data from all observatories were preliminarily processed. In the first step, periods longer than three hours were filtered out. In the second step, variations of vertical geomagnetic component Z were separated into external and internal parts. We introduced a non-dimensional index η defined as the square root of a ratio of the energy of the external part of the vertical component to that of the horizontal components. Maps of the surface distribution of a new magnetic index η for the area of Europe at selected time periods were created, and their time changes are presented. The time changes of η for selected observatories are also shown. Moreover, we discuss a very interesting phenomenon we discovered, that has never been described in geophysical literature. Namely, in the recordings of all the observatories we noticed the presence of very regular variations, observed almost exclusively in the vertical component Z, which is quite unusual. These regular variations occur in the form of sinusoidal “wave packets”. The amplitudes of these variations do not depend on the geomagnetic latitude and appear in the records of all the observatories we analyzed. They occur in quiet days, which suggests that their source is in the ionosphere.     

Assessment of soils pollution extent in surroundings of ironworks based on magnetic analysis

This paper reports on magnetic and magnetomineralogical studies of soils influenced by ironworks activity. Researches were conducted in five areas, of which Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski ironworks area is described in detail. A map of magnetic susceptibility was created based on field measurements and samples taken from soil profile were analyzed in laboratory. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility in two frequency ranges, anhysteretic remanent magnetization, isothermal remanent magnetization thermomagnetic and geochemical analysis were carried out. SEM was used to identify ferromagnetic fractions. As a result the horizontal and vertical extent of heavy metals pollution was established.     

The lidar ratio derived from sun-photometer measurements at Belsk Geophysical Observatory

The lidar ratios at 500 and 1020 nm were derived from POM 01L sun-sky scanning photometer measurements taken at Belsk Geophysical Observatory (long. 20°47′, lat. 51°50′) in the period from 2002 to 2006. The most frequently occurring lidar ratio values for the study period are 50 sr and 30 sr at 500 nm and 1020 nm, respectively. Calculations of lidar ratios for summer and winter seasons have been made as well. Back trajectory analysis was also performed to final aerosol source of origin.     

Fluctuations of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet recorded in the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility of periglacial loess from Ukraine

The azimuth of imbrication of minimum magnetic susceptibility axes in the youngest loess from Ukraine defines prevailing wind directions during aeolian sedimentation. It changes along the studied sections. These changes can be directly correlated with the fluctuations of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet. The northern and northeastern winds noted in the loess succession separated by a period when southwestern to southeastern winds were predominant may be correlated with two main phases of ice‐sheet advance during the Last Glacial Maximum. The ice‐sheet advances towards the areas of loess deposition generated katabatic winds that influenced aeolian sedimentation in the periglacial zone. A period of relatively stable wind directions during a younger phase of the Last Glacial Maximum was interrupted by periods with more chaotic wind regime most probably caused by fluctuations of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet during its retreat from the peri‐Baltic part of Europe. These intervals occur where initial soils developed. The distribution of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility axes defined along the periglacial loess sections from central and eastern Europe can serve to constrain fluctuations of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet.