Radioactive heat generation and heat flow in the Indian shield

Using a laboratory gamma-ray spectrometer, 160 rock samples from different heat flow sites in India have been analysed for their U, Th and K contents. Heat generation has been estimated for the significant rock types. Of the six regions covered by this study, correction due to heat generation contrast and geologic structure was found necessary and has been applied in two regions. Heat flow/heat generation plots for two regions in the southernmost part of the shield follow the line characteristic of a normal continental heat flow province. The plots for the other four regions indicate a heat flow province with an intercept of 0.92 HFU and a slope of 14.8 km. From data available at present, these parameters are higher compared to those from the other shields. The higher parameters imply a higher temperature and heat flow at the Moho, indicating a region of “hotter” upper mantle in the Indian shield.     

Secular variation in numerical geodynamo models with lateral variations of boundary heat flow

We study magnetic field variations in numerical models of the geodynamo, with convection driven by nonuniform heat flow imposed at the outer boundary. We concentrate on cases with a boundary heat flow pattern derived from seismic anomalies in the lower mantle. At a Rayleigh number of about 100 times critical with respect to the onset of convection, the magnetic field is dominated by the axial dipole component and has a similar spectral distribution as Earth’s historical magnetic field on the core-mantle boundary (CMB). The time scales of variation of the low-order Gauss coefficients in the model agree within a factor of two with observed values. We have determined the averaging time interval needed to delineate deviations from the axial dipole field caused by the boundary heterogeneity. An average over 2000 years (the archeomagnetic time scale) is barely sufficient to reveal the long-term nondipole field. The model shows reduced scatter in virtual geomagnetic pole positions (VGPs) in the central Pacific, consistent with the weak secular variation observed in the historical field. Longitudinal drift of magnetic field structures is episodic and differs between regions. Westward magnetic drift is most pronounced beneath the Atlantic in our model. Although frozen flux advection by the large-scale flow is generally insufficient to explain the magnetic drift rates, there are some exceptions. In particular, equatorial flux spot pairs produced by expulsion of toroidal magnetic field are rapidly advected westward in localized equatorial jets which we interpret as thermal winds.     

Seismicity of the Koyna region and regional tectonomagmatism of the Western Margin (India)

Recent findings on the Meso-Cenozoic tectonomagmatism and deep-seated anomalous geophysical structures suggest a close linkage between the seismicity of the Koyna region, the Westernghat uplift (WG-U) and associated thermomechanical and fluid activities. The WG-U seems to be the result of late Cretaceous thermal mobilization, erosion of the Deccan trap cover and superposition of compressional stress. The association of seismicity with uplift seems to result from movement of deep-seated heat and fluids/volatiles along the edges (or boundary faults) of the uplift; because the force required for crustal deformation depends on the relief. Observed gradients in relief may be attributed to the differential erosion-rates and heat inputs, due to the time gap of 50 Ma in the break-ups and plume activities on the eastern and western sides and consequence magmatism. Further, the geology and tectonics strongly indicate that the western margin (WM) is a relic of a mobile arm (MA), that included Madagascar, and which formed a part of the Proterozoic mobile belt of greater India (fort>85 Ma). The mobile nature of the WM facilitates mantle upwellings and transient elevation of isotherms at depth, raising the possibility of intermittent metamorphism and greater deformation.Superposition of the ongoing compression and uplift-induced forces make local permeability and pore-fluid pressure vital in triggering the seismic slip over the Peninsular shield. Certain representative model calculations have been carried out to estimate change in the e.m. induction characteristics caused by an intermittent hydraulic connectivity. The results show a drop in the resistivity which could be a useful monitoring index. The close connection of uplift and fluid activity as discussed here seems applicable for other active parts of the South Indian Shield (SIS) also.     

Using gravestones to assess changing rates of weathering in the United Kingdom

Weathering rates were calculated using the height difference between lead lettering and marble on gravestones at three sites in the UK. Comparison of their regression lines and residuals suggested that two of the sites, Portsmouth and Wolverhampton, had similar amounts and rates of weathering over the last 100-150 years. Gravestones in Swansea appear to have weathered much more and much faster than gravestones at the other two sites. These differences may be the result of the differing pollution and rainfall histories of the three sites.     

Cooxidation of Carcinogenic Benzo(a) Pyrene and Phenols by Horseradish Peroxidase (Armoracia lapathifolia)

The catalytic activity of horseradish (Armoracia lapathifolia) peroxidase in the oxidation reactions of benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and phenols, separately and in admixture, has been studied. Experiments were carried out with model phenols from industrial sewage (phenol, m-, p-cresols, catechol, hydroquinone, resorcinol, orcinol), keeping to the real concentration ratio of reagents, 0.5 mM for phenols, 0.1 nM for benzo(a)pyrene. The total oxidation process for all reagents tested is described by the second-order formal kinetic equation up to 60 … 90% of their conversion. Addition of peroxidase increases the rate of oxidation of benzo(a)pyrene and phenols 2 … 6 times as compared with the control test (with hydrogen peroxide), whereas a linear dependence of the rate of benzo(a)pyrene oxidation on the enzyme concentration is observed. By cooxidation a mutual inhibition of benzo(a)pyrene and phenols is established whose degree depends on the phenol-chemical structure and varies in the range of 23 … 58% for BP under the influence of phenols and 35 … 80% for phenols under the influence of benzo(a)pyrene. The results obtained permit a supposition that peroxidase containing plants are capable of simultaneously transforming carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene and toxic phenols in water reservoirs and in the soil, thus promoting the detoxication of environment.     

Zum Zusammenhang von Parametern der Wassermengen und Wasserbeschaffenheit

By means of the quality criteria COD-Mn, NO₃^?, substances which can be filtered off and components of phosphate at two measuring stations at the river Elbe in the section of Dresden as well as an inflow gauge at a drinking water reservoir in the Eastern Ore Mountains there were investigated correlative connections with hydrological and meteorological quantities. Statistically secured connections between matter-balance and water-balance components were recorded on the basis of regression statements. The large number of the factors to be observed in the development of process-describing matter discharge models is determined by the large number of “causing or influencing quantities”. With respect to continuing investigations, it is recommended to take into account the dynamic character of precipitation and the influence of vegetation more exactly, especially in the case of substance components carried away from areas, as substances which can be filtered off, nitrate, o-phosphate.     

ON THE INFLUENCE OF TURBULENCE ON THE INITIATION OF SEDIMENT MOTION

1 PROBLEM DEFINITION Owing to the practical importance of the initiation of motion many researchers began to tackle this problem even at the beginning of the last century (e.g. Kramer (1932, 1935), Casey (1935)). Shields (1936, Fig. 1) developed a non-dimensional representation based on the measured data of Casey, Kramer, USWES and Gilbert, together with his own data based on investigations with succinite sand, lignite, granite chips and heavy spar. Despite the different material p…     

Special Contribution: BOHEMA 2001-2003: Passive Seismic Experiment to Study Lithosphere-Asthenosphere System in the Western Part of the Bohemian Massif

Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica -     

Quantifying the impact of climate variables on reference evapotranspiration in Pearl River Basin,China

ABSTRACT

The impact of climate variables on monthly reference evapotranspiration (ET_o) is a critical issue in water resources management and irrigation planning. The spatio-temporal contribution of climate variables to ET_o in the Pearl River Basin (PRB), China, from 1960 to 2016 were calculated based on sensitivity and relative change of each climatic variable. The results show that annual ET_o total decreased by 1.64% and diminished in magnitude from the southeast to the northwest. Sunshine duration, wind speed and relative humidity decreased by 15.5%, 7.4%, and 4.0%, respectively, while average temperature increased by 4.25%. The ET_o showed a positive sensitivity to all variables except relative humidity, which showed a negative sensitivity. Sunshine duration had the highest contribution of ?4.26%, and the overall decrease in ET_o was mainly caused by the declines in sunshine duration and wind speed, which offset the positive impact of rises in average temperature and reduction in relative humidity.     

Numerical Study of the Intertropical Convergence Zone Over the Indian Ocean During the 1997 and 1998 Northeast Monsoon Episodes

—?The hydrostatic Naval Research Laboratory/North Carolina State University (NRL/NCSU) model was used to study the mesoscale dynamics and diurnal variability of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) over the Indian Ocean in the short-range period. To achieve this objective the initial conditions from two northeast monsoon episodes (29 January, 1997 and 29 January, 1998) were run for 48-hour simulations using a triple-nested grid version of the model with 1.5°?×?1.5°, 0.5°?×?0.5° and 0.17°?×?0.17° resolutions. The 1997 case represents a typical northeast monsoon episode, while the 1998 case depicts an abnormal monsoon episode during an El Niño event.¶Comparisons between the model-produced and analyzed mean circulation, wind speed, and associated rainfall for different spatial scales are presented. During the active northeast monsoon season in 1997, the major low-level westerly winds and associated high rainfall rates between 0° and 15°S were simulated reasonably well up to 24 hours. During the 1998 El Niño event, the model was capable of simulating weak anomalous easterly winds (between 0° and 15°S) with much lower rainfall rates up to 48 hours. In both simulations, the finest grid size resulted in largest rainfall rates consistent with Outgoing Longwave Radiation data.¶The model performance was further evaluated using the vertical profiles of the vertical velocity, the specific humidity and temperature differences between the model outputs and the analyses. It is found that during a typical northeast monsoon year, 1997, the water vapor content in the middle troposphere was largely controlled by the low-level convergence determined by strong oceanic heat flux gradient. In contrast, during the 1998 El Niño year moisture was present only in the lower troposphere. Due to strong subsidence associated with Walker circulation over the central and eastern Indian Ocean, deep convection was not present. Finally, the diurnal variations of the maximum rainfall, vertical velocity and total heat flux were noticeable only during the 1997 northeast monsoon year.