Search for finite dimensional attractors in atmospheric turbulence

The question is investigated whether the dynamics of turbulent wind fields in the atmospheric boundary layer can be satisfactorily described by a low-dimensional deterministic system. Special emphasis is laid on the detection of a possibly existing, underlying strange attractor. Fast response wind measurements of an ultrasonic anemometer with a sampling rate of 21 Hz were carried out over periods of several days in the near surface boundary layer. The correlation dimension of the resulting time series, several million data points long, is estimated by means of the Grassberger-Procaccia algorithm. No sign of a low dimensional attractor can be detected. By comparison with different types of random noise, the existence of an attractor with dimension lower than six can be excluded in the present data sets.     

Book reviews

Pure and Applied Geophysics -     

Significance of a combined approach for replacement stones in the heritage buildings’ conservation frame

Stone substitution is a conventional operation during heritage buildings’ restoration, but becomes problematic for architects and restorers when the quarry is mined out. The compatibility of the substitution stones with the original ones has been for long mainly based on the aesthetical aspect, this resulting too often in a patchwork of original and substitution stones with different patina after several years because of differences of properties. In this study, the objective is to show how substitution stones can be selected by combining aesthetic criteria and stones properties that are relevant for analyzing their compatibility. A couple of French limestones with their potential substitution stones were selected for the study. Our results showed that potential substitution stones selected on their aesthetic criteria require to be rejected because of their differences of physical properties. On the other hand, our results showed also the possibility to select substitution stones with satisfactory aesthetic aspect and properties that enable to expect a satisfactory compatibility with the original stone.     

A gamma‐ray spectroscopy survey of Omani meteorites

The gamma‐ray activities of 33 meteorite samples (30 ordinary chondrites, 1 Mars meteorite, 1 iron, 1 howardite) collected during Omani‐Swiss meteorite search campaigns 2001–2008 were nondestructively measured using an ultralow background gamma‐ray detector. The results provide several types of information: Potassium and thorium concentrations were found to range within typical values for the meteorite types. Similar mean ²⁶Al activities in groups of ordinary chondrites with (1) weathering degrees W0‐1 and low ¹⁴C terrestrial age and (2) weathering degree W3‐4 and high ¹⁴C terrestrial age are mostly consistent with activities observed in recent falls. The older group shows no significant depletion in ²⁶Al. Among the least weathered samples, one meteorite (SaU 424) was found to contain detectable ²²Na identifying it as a recent fall close to the year 2000. Based on an estimate of the surface area searched, the corresponding fall rate is ~120 events/10⁶ km²*a, consistent with other estimations. Twelve samples from the large JaH 091 strewn field (total mass ~4.5 t) show significant variations of ²⁶Al activities, including the highest values measured, consistent with a meteoroid radius of ~115 cm. Activities of ²³⁸U daughter elements demonstrate terrestrial contamination with ²²⁶Ra and possible loss of ²²²Rn. Recent contamination with small amounts of ¹³⁷Cs is ubiquitous. We conclude that gamma‐ray spectroscopy of a selection of meteorites with low degrees of weathering is particularly useful to detect recent falls among meteorites collected in hot deserts.     

Parameter identification in fresh-saltwater flow based on borehole resistivities and freshwater head data

By means of a series of borehole resistivity measurements and a resistivity–salinity relation, a particular salt-freshwater inversion was found under the shore with semi-diurnal tides at the French–Belgian border. These resistivity data provide valuable information about the vertical variation of the saltwater percentage in different boreholes. At different places and depths fluctuations of freshwater heads are observed. A regression modelling procedure is proposed in which the hydraulic parameters for density dependent flow and solute transport can be simultaneously considered with the parameters of the resistivity–salinity relation. The object function comprises resistivity residuals and freshwater head residuals along with saltwater percentage residuals and parameter residuals. First, a synthetic problem is elaborated with this regression modelling procedure. It is followed by the application of the procedure on the observed fresh-saltwater flow problem under the shore. In the synthetic problem the identification of the hydraulic parameters was demonstrated without the inclusion of prior information about these parameters. The resistivity–salinity relation was slightly adjusted in this regression. During the regression modelling of the observations made in one of the shore-normal cross sections, the horizontal and vertical conductivity are identified along with the effective porosity and the longitudinal and transverse dispersivity. The optimal values of the dispersivities are very small. Finally, it is shown that the high waters on the back shore forms the main threat of saltwater enchroachment from the sea side of the dunes and that the isolated fresh-brackish lens under the lower part of the shore before the build up area of De Panne can be explained by overexploitation.     

Trophic interactions in the coastal ecosystem of Sri Lanka: An ECOPATH preliminary approach

This study attempts to assemble and summarize existing information in order to build a general representation of the trophic interactions within the shallow coastal ecosystem of Sri Lanka. A multispecific ecosystem-based approach on trophic relationships and their possible variations was performed using ECOPATH. Thirty-nine functional groups were considered representing all trophic levels in the food web.     

Geochemical diversity in S processes mediated by culture-adapted and environmental-enrichments of Acidithiobacillus spp.

Coupled S speciation and acid generation resulting from S processing associated with five different microbial treatments, all primarily Acidithiobacillus spp. (i.e. autotrophic S-oxidizers) were evaluated in batch laboratory experiments. Microbial treatments included two culture-adapted strains, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans, their consortia and two environmental enrichments from a mine tailings lake that were determined to be >95% Acidithiobacillus spp., by whole-cell fluorescent hybridization. Using batch experiments simulating acidic mine waters with no carbon amendments, acid generation, and S speciation associated with the oxidation of three S substrates (thiosulfate, tetrathionate, and elemental S) were evaluated. Aseptic controls showed no observable pH decrease over the experimental time course (1 month) for all three S compounds examined. In contrast, pH decreased in all microbial treatments from starting pH values of 4 to 2 or less for all three S substrates. Results show a non-linear relationship between the pH dynamics of the batch cultures and their corresponding sulfate concentrations, and indicate how known microbial S processing pathways have opposite impacts, ultimately on pH dynamics. Associated geochemical modeling indicated negligible abiogenic processes contributing to the observed results, indicating strong microbial control of acid generation extending over pH ranges from 4 to less than 2. However, the observed acid generation rates and associated S speciation were both microbial treatment and substrate-specific. Results reveal a number of novel insights regarding microbial catalysis of S oxidation: (1) metabolic diversity in S processing, as evidenced by the observed geochemical signatures in S chemical speciation and rates of acid generation amongst phylogenetically similar organisms (to the genus level); (2) consortial impacts differ from those of individual strain members; (3) environmental enrichments of Acidithiobacillus spp. catalyze different S reaction arrays than pure strain Acidithiobacillus spp.; and (4) microbial catalysis of S reactions involves significant disproportionation tied to substantial H⁺ consumption, with the formation of as yet, poorly characterized intermediate S species, most likely polythionates and polysulfane monosulfonic acids that are thought to be involved in microbial S storage mechanisms.