A parallel mesh-free contaminant transport model based on the Analytic Element and Streamline Methods

This paper introduces a new method for simulating large-scale subsurface contaminant transport that combines an Analytic Element Method (AEM) groundwater flow solution with a split-operator Streamline Method for modeling reactive transport. The key feature of the method is the manner in which the vertically integrated AEM flow solution is used to construct three-dimensional particle tracks that define the geometry of the Streamline Method. The inherently parallel nature of the algorithm supports the development of reactive transport models for spatial domains much larger than current grid-based methods. The applicability of the new approach is verified for cases with negligible transverse dispersion through comparisons to analytic solutions and existing numerical solutions, and parallel performance is demonstrated through a realistic test problem based on the regional-scale transport of agricultural contaminants from spatially distributed sources.     

Meteorologische Faktoren bei der Ausbreitung ultrakurzer Funkwellen

Zusammenfassung Aus der formalen Aehnlichkeit des Brechungsquotienten (refraction index) für Licht und Ultrakurzwellen (short radio waves) lassen sich gemeinsame Gesichtspunkte für die Ausbreitung des Lichtes und der UK-Wellen (short waves propagation) entwickeln. Anomale Refraktion der Radiowellen insbesondere aussergewöhnliche Reichweite (superrefraction) lassen sich auf diese Weise leicht deuten. Es bestehen hierbei enge Beziehungen zum Aufbau der jeweiligen Grundschicht, wobei erdgebundene Führungen (ground based ducts) auf interne Grenzschichten dicht über der Erdoberfläche, abgehobene Führungen (elevated ducts) auf anomale Refraktion in der Peplopause einer Grundschicht vom Typ A, B oder C zurückzuführen sind. Grundschichten mit einer höher gelegenen Peplopause (Typ D oder E) kommen für eine Führung (duct) nicht mehr in Frage.

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Summary Formal similarity of refraction indices for light and for ultrashort radio waves permits developing common viewpoints of light and of short wave propagation. Thus, anomalous refraction of radio waves, especially superrefraction, is easily explained. With the existing close relations to the structure of the appropriate ground layer, ground based ducts will be traced back to internal limiting layers immediately above the earth's surface, and elevated ducts to anomalous refraction within the peplopause of a Type A, B and/or C ground layer. Ground layers with more elevated peplopause (Types D and/or E) are out of the question for ducts.

     

Die Corioliskraft im Anfängerunterricht

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine quantitative Ableitung der Coriolisbeschleunigung auf einer rotierenden Kugel gegeben. Die Rechnungen setzen etwa die Kenntnisse eines Abiturienten voraus und sind so geführt, daß die Coriolisbeschleunigung rein in Erscheinung tritt. Erdabplattung und horizontale Führungskräfte, die mit dem Wesen der Corioliskraft nichts zu tun haben, kommen in der Ableitung nicht vor.

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An introductory mathematical treatment of the Coriolis force

Summary A quantitative derivation of the Coriolis acceleration on a rotating sphere is given which is considered adequate for students who have passed the final examination of a German High School. Computations are presented in a way that demonstrates the Coriolis acceleration without distracting side issues. The earth's oblateness and the horizontal guiding forces not essentially relating to the Coriolis force are not taken into account in this derivation.

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Une introduction dans l'étude de la force de Coriolis

Résumé On donne une dérivation quantitative de l'accélération de Coriolis sur un globe rotatoire. Les calculations nécessaires sont adaptées au savoir d'un bachelier et sont présentées d'une manière que l'accélération de Coriolis est démontrée sans digressions. L'aplatissement de la terre aux pôles et les forces guidantes horizontales qui n'ont pas de rapport essentiel à la nature de l'accélération de Coriolis sont laissés de côté dans cette déduction.

     

Eastern Altantic fracture zones as potential disposal sites for radioactive waste

Disposal of radioactive waste in the sea floor of fracture zones associated with the flanks of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge may be a satisfactory alternative to land disposal. Effective physiographic, sedimentary, chemical, and oceanographic barriers exist in these aseismic deep canyons, especially in the eastern Atlantic. In addition, the major producers of radioactive wastes are likely to be near the Atlantic Ocean. If such a disposal strategy is adopted, intensive study of the sedimentologic and oceanographic properties of oceanic fracture zones will be necessary.     

A Bayesian approach to inverse modelling of stratigraphy, part 1: method

The inference of ancient environmental conditions from their preserved response in the sedimentary record still remains an outstanding issue in stratigraphy. Since the 1970s, conceptual stratigraphic models (e.g. sequence stratigraphy) based on the underlying assumption that accommodation space is the critical control on stratigraphic architecture have been widely used. Although these methods considered more recently other possible parameters such as sediment supply and transport efficiency, they still lack in taking into account the full range of possible parameters, processes, and their complex interactions that control stratigraphic architecture. In this contribution, we present a new quantitative method for the inference of key environmental parameters (specifically sediment supply and relative sea level) that control stratigraphy. The approach combines a fully non‐linear inversion scheme with a ‘process–response’ forward model of stratigraphy. We formulate the inverse problem using a Bayesian framework in order to sample the full range of possible solutions and explicitly build in prior geological knowledge. Our methodology combines Reversible Jump Markov chain Monte Carlo and Simulated Tempering algorithms which are able to deal with variable‐dimensional inverse problems and multi‐modal posterior probability distributions, respectively. The inverse scheme has been linked to a forward stratigraphic model, BARSIM (developed by Joep Storms, University of Delft), which simulates shallow‐marine wave/storm‐dominated systems over geological timescales. This link requires the construction of a likelihood function to quantify the agreement between simulated and observed data of different types (e.g. sediment age and thickness, grain size distributions). The technique has been tested and validated with synthetic data, in which all the parameters are specified to produce a ‘perfect’ simulation, although we add noise to these synthetic data for subsequent testing of the inverse modelling approach. These tests addressed convergence and computational‐overhead issues, and highlight the robustness of the inverse scheme, which is able to assess the full range of uncertainties on the inferred environmental parameters and facies distributions.     

A Bayesian approach to inverse modelling of stratigraphy, part 2: Validation tests

A novel inverse modelling method is applied to the problem of constraining the environmental parameters (e.g. relative sea level, sediment supply) that control stratigraphic architecture. This technique links forward modelling of shallow-marine wave/storm-dominated stratigraphy to a combination of inverse methods formulated in a Bayesian framework. We present a number of examples in which relative sea-level and sediment-supply curves were inferred from synthetic vertical successions of grain size (e.g. wells) and synthetic thickness curves (e.g. seismically derived isopachs) extracted from a forward model simulation. These examples represent different scenarios that are designed to test the impact of data distribution, quantity and quality on the uncertainty of the inferred parameters. The inverse modelling approach successfully reproduces the gross stratigraphic architectures and relative sea level and sediment-supply histories of the synthetic forward model simulation, within the constraints of the modelled data quality. The relative importance of the forcing parameters can be evaluated by their sensitivity and impact on the inverted data. Of equal importance, the inverse results allow complete characterisation of the uncertainties inherent to the stratigraphic modelling tool and to the data quality, quantity and distribution. The numerical scheme also successfully deals with the problem of non-uniqueness of the solution of the inverse problem. These preliminary results suggest that the inverse method is a powerful tool in constraining stratigraphic architecture for hydrocarbon reservoir characterisation and modelling, and it may ultimately provide a process-based geological complement to standard geostatistical tools.     

Reproductive cycles of Mytilus edulis L. on the west and east coasts of Iceland

Studies evaluating the reproductive pattern of Mytilus edulis L. were conducted in western and eastern Iceland at two sites at about the same latitude but with different temperature regimes. Mussels were sampled once or sometimes twice a month during two years in Breidifjördur, western Iceland and one year at Mjoifjördur, eastern Iceland. Gonad development was monitored by microscopic observation of thin sections of the gonads. The initiation of gonad development was observed in January in Breidifjördur while in Mjoifjördur some of the animals started developing gonads in October, a month before spawning was over in the population. Spawning started in late June or July, peaked in August and continued until November at both sites. Nutrient reserve stores seemed to be limited and used for initiation of gonad development in winter but were not sufficient for maturation of the gonads. The main growth of the gonads occured in spring in conjunction with phytoplankton blooming and renewal of food resources.     

Cyclic and Seasonal Beach Response: A Comparison of Oceanside and Bayside Beaches

This study compares the cyclic and seasonal geomorphic responses of oceanside and bayside beaches on Sandy Hook Spit, New Jersey. It was hypothesized that the different nature of onshore wind regimes at bayside and oceanside beaches would cause different types of beach change. On the east-facing ocean shoreline, rates of beach change are related to weather patterns associated with the passage of mid-latitude cyclonic storms. Bayside beach change is related to the influence of the prevailing westerlies. Storm erosion and post-storm deposition is more rapid on oceanside beaches. Swell waves occurring between storms rapidly reinstate pre-storm equilibrium conditions. Lower bay-side wave energies occurring between storms have little effect on profile development, and foreshore slopes inherited from previous storms undergo little change. Bayside beaches therefore appear to be more in equilibrium with storm conditions than oceanside beaches.

Changes in foreshore slope, beach volume, and beach position associated with individual storm events are compared to seasonal trends to test the applicability of the Hayes cyclic model of beach development to both oceanside and bayside beaches. There is evidence of a cyclic trend of develop-ment on the more exposed ocean sites and seasonal development on the more sheltered bayside sites, which suggests that cyclic development may be causally related to the difference among the energy levels of the storm and nonstorm wave regimes.