Integral transformations of gradiometric data onto a GRACE type of observable

Integral transformations of gravitational gradients onto a Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE) type of observable are derived in this article. The gravitational gradients represent components of the gravitational tensor in the local north-oriented frame. The GRACE type of observable corresponds to a difference between two gravitational vectors as projected onto the line of sight between the two GRACE satellites. In total, three integral transformations relating vertical–vertical, vertical–horizontal and horizontal–horizontal gravitational gradients with the GRACE type of observable are provided. Spectral and closed forms of corresponding isotropic kernels are derived for each transformation. Special cases show that the integral transformations are general and relate gravitational gradients to many other quantities of the gravitational field, such as the gravitational vector, and its radial and tangential components. Correctness of the mathematical derivations is validated in a closed-loop simulation using synthetic data.     

Coronal Holes and Solar Wind High-Speed Streams: II. Forecasting the Geomagnetic Effects

We present a simple method of forecasting the geomagnetic storms caused by high-speed streams (HSSs) in the solar wind. The method is based on the empirical correlation between the coronal hole area/position and the value of the Dst index, which is established in a period of low interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) activity. On average, the highest geomagnetic activity, i.e., the minimum in Dst, occurs four days after a low-latitude coronal hole (CH) crosses the central meridian. The amplitude of the Dst dip is correlated with the CH area and depends on the magnetic polarity of the CH due to the Russell – McPherron effect. The Dst variation may be predicted by employing the expression Dst(t)=(−65±25×cos λ)[A(t ^*)]^0.5, where A(t ^*) is the fractional CH area measured in the central-meridian slice [−10°,10°] of the solar disc, λ is the ecliptic longitude of the Earth, ± stands for positive/negative CH polarity, and t−t ^*=4 days. In periods of low ICME activity, the proposed expression provides forecasting of the amplitude of the HSS-associated Dst dip to an accuracy of ≈30%. However, the time of occurrence of the Dst minimum cannot be predicted to better than ±2 days, and consequently, the overall mean relative difference between the observed and calculated daily values of Dst ranges around 50%.     

Molecular gas in young planetary nebulae

We review our recent results concerning the molecular gas content of young planetary nebulae NGC 2346, M 2–9, and NGC 6720 (the Ring Nebula in Lyra).Paper presented at the 11th European Regional Astronomical Meetings of the IAU on New Windows to the Universe, held 3–8 July, 1989, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.     

Compositional variations in ferrotapiolite + tantalite pairs from the beryl-columbite pegmatite at Moravanynad Váhom, Slovakia

Summary ?Three texturally and compositionally distinct pairs of ferrotapiolite + tantalite, all spatially related to a cleavelandite unit, were distinguished in the zoned beryl-columbite pegmatite at Moravany nad Váhom, Považsky Inovec Mts., Slovakia. (1) Inclusions of ferrotapiolite I (∼200 μm) in zoned ferrotantalite I exhibit crosscutting tielines of coexisting compositions in the columbite-tantalite quadrilateral. (2) Large ferrotapiolite II grains and adjacent, compositionaly variable grains of ferro- to manganotantalite II (∼100 μm) display remarkably diverse tielines, not yet observed in a single sample or locality. (3) Sn-depleted and slightly Mn,Ta-enriched narrow rims (∼20 μm) of ferrotapiolite III with small inclusions of manganotantalite III (≤ 5 μm) are located along a late, hydrothermal, fracture-filling microlite vein cross-cutting ferrotapiolite II. Changes in fO₂ derived from calculated Fe₂O₃ as well as variations in Ti, Sn, W concentrations through the ferrotapiolite + tantalite pairs I to III are negligible. Consequently, it seems plausible to explain the broadening of the two-phase field and the enrichment of ferrotapiolite and tantalite in Mn and Ta particularly by decreasing temperature. A disequilibrium crystallization from highly evolved residual melt and/or fluids is suggested for all textural types.

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Zusammenfassung ?Zusammensetzung von Ferrotapiolit-Tantalit-Paaren im Beryll-Columbit Pegmatit von Moravany nad Váhom (Považsky Inovec Mts., Slowakei) Drei Ferrotapiolit-Tantalit-Paare k?nnen in dem zonierten Beryll-Columbit-Pagmatit von Moravany nad Váhom, Povazsky Inovec Mts., Slowakei, auf der Basis detaillierter textureller und chemischer Untersuchungen unterschieden werden. Sie wurden in verschiedenen Stadien der Pegmatit-Kristallisation gebildet und sind r?mlich in Beziehung zu der Cleavelandit-Einheit (1). Einschlüsse von Ferrotapiolit I (∼200 μm) in zoniertem Ferrotantalit I zeigen sich kreuzende Konoden im Columbit-Tantalit Quadrilateral, die koexistierende K?rner beider Minerale miteinander verbinden. Dies legt nahe, dass Ferrotapiolit ein Produkt prim?rer (magmatischer) Disequilibrium-Kristallisation ist, und gleichzeitig mit den assoziierten Mineralen der Columbit-Gruppe gebildet wurde (2). Gro?e Ferrotapiolit II K?rner und K?rner von angrenzenden Ferro- bis Manganotantalit II (∼100 μm) zeigen Konoden mit bemerkenswerter Verschiedenheit, die bisher nicht in einer einzigen Probe beobachtet wurden. Eine sehr betonte Disequilibrium-Kristallisation aus stark fraktionierter Restschmelze dürfte hierfür verantwortlich sein (3). An Zinn verarmte und etwas an Mn, Ta angereicherter Ferrotapiolit III bildet dünne R?nder (∼20 μm) mit schmalen Einschlüssen von Manganotantalit III (≤5 μm) l?ngs einer Mikrolit-Ader. Erhat sich w?hrend hydrothermaler Subsolidus Verdr?ngung von Ferrotapiolit II durch Sprünge füllenden Microlit gebildet. Schwankungen in fO₂, berechnet aus Fe₂O₃ und die Gehalten an Ti, Sn und W k?nnen in den Ferrotapiolit-Tantalit-Paaren (1) bis (3) vernachl?ssigt werden. Dementsprechend erscheint es naheliegend, die Erweiterung des Zweiphasenfeldes und die Anreicherung von Ferrotapiolit und Tantalit an Mn und Ta durch Temperaturabnahme zu erkl?ren.

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Received May 4, 1999;/revised version accepted January 5, 2000     

Groundwater geochemistry of the Chihuahua City region in the Rio Conchos Basin (northern Mexico) and implications for water resources management

The Chihuahua City region, located in the semiarid-arid northern highlands of Mexico, has experienced intensive groundwater abstraction during the last 40 years to meet water demands in the region. A geochemical survey was carried out to investigate the evolution from baseline to modern conditions of a 130-km flow path including the El Sauz–Chihuahua–Aldama–San Diego de Alcalá regions. The research approach included the use of major chemical elements, chlorofluorocarbons and environmental isotope (¹⁸O, ²H, ¹³C and ¹⁴C) tracers. Stable isotopes indicate that groundwater evolves from the evaporation of local rainfall and surface water. Groundwater located at the lower end of the flow section is up to 6000 years old and older groundwater in the order of 9000 years BP was found in a deep well located in the upper part of the flow system, implying contribution from a neighbour basin. The background groundwater chemistry upstream of Chihuahua City results from feldspar weathering. Beyond Chihuahua City the chemical conditions are strongly modified owing to disposal of sewage from public and industrial water supplies into the Rio Chuviscar, subsequent allocation of this water to agricultural irrigation areas and direct infiltration under the river bed. As a consequence, anions like chloride and sulphate are mainly related to surface sources. Nitrate is controlled in part by sewage from public supply and industry and in part by agricultural practices. Arsenic and fluoride are related to weathering of rock formations of local mineralized ranges and subsequent enrichment of the basin-fill by magmatic processes. The results of this study have implications for groundwater management in an arid region that depends entirely on groundwater for domestic, industrial and agricultural water consumption. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Floodplain hydrology of the Mekong Delta,Vietnam

The Mekong Delta is one of the largest and most intensively used estuaries in the world. Each year it witnesses widespread flooding which is both the basis of the livelihood for more than 17 million people but also the major hazard. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the hydrologic and hydraulic features is urgently required for various planning purposes. While the general causes and characteristics of the annual floods are understood, the inundation dynamics in the floodplains in Vietnam which are highly controlled by dikes and other control structures have not been investigated in depth. Especially, quantitative analyses are lacking, mainly due to scarce data about the inundation processes in the floodplains. Therefore, a comprehensive monitoring scheme for channel and floodplain inundation was established in a study area in the Plain of Reeds in the northeastern part of the Vietnamese Delta. This in situ data collection was complemented by a series of high‐resolution inundation maps derived from the TerraSAR‐X satellite for the flood seasons 2008 and 2009. Hence, the inundation dynamics in the channels and floodplains, and the interaction between channels and floodplains, could be quantified for the first time. The study identifies the strong human interference which is governed by flood protection levels, cropping patterns and communal water management. In addition, we examine the tidal influence on the inundation in various parts of the Delta, since it is expected that climate change‐induced sea level rise will increase the tidal contribution to floodplain inundation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intensive agriculture, wetlands, quarries and water management. A case study (Campo de Dalias, SE Spain)

 The intensive agricultural activities that have developed over the last 50 years in the Campo de Dalias (Almeria region) have required large quantities of gravel and clay as the basic materials for the substrate over which crops are raised. With this motive, numerous gravel pits have been opened that have extracted several million cubic metres of material in recent years. Similar quantities of clay have been extracted from the distal sectors of the alluvial fans that descend from the Sierra de Gador, and from within a large endoreic basin. In the latter quarries, some wetlands have developed, probably because of the rise in the water-table level in the aquifer over which they lie. The gravel pits are situated in the apical sectors of the alluvial fans, overlying hydrogeological units that are widely overexploited. For this reason the gravel pits could be used for artificial recharge; in addition to increasing the availability of water in the aquifer, the risk of catastrophic flooding would also be reduced. Revision received: 19 November 1999 · Accepted: 28 December 1999     

Assess hydrological responses to a warming climate at the Lysina Critical Zone Observatory in Central Europe

Climate warming is having profound effects on the hydrological cycle by increasing atmospheric demand, changing water availability, and snow seasonality. Europe suffered three distinct heat waves in 2019, and 11 of the 12 hottest years ever recorded took place in the past two decades, which will potentially change seasonal streamflow patterns and long-term trends. Central Europe exhibited six dry years in a row since 2014. This study uses data from a well-documented headwater catchment in Central Europe (Lysina) to explore hydrological responses to a warming climate. We applied a lumped parameter hydrologic model Brook90 and a distributed model Penn State Integrated Hydrologic Model (PIHM) to simulate long-term hydrological change under future climate scenarios. Both models performed well on historic streamflow and in agreement with each other according to the catchment water budget. In addition, PIHM was able to simulate lateral groundwater redistribution within the catchment validated by the groundwater table dynamics. The long-term trends in runoff and low flow were captured by PIHM only. We applied different EURO-CORDEX models with two emission scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways RCP 4.5, 8.5) and found significant impacts on runoff and evapotranspiration (ET) for the period of 2071–2100. Results from both models suggested reduced runoff and increased ET, while the monthly distribution of runoff was different. We used this catchment study to understand the importance of subsurface processes in projection of hydrologic response to a warming climate.     

Pliocene and late Pleistocene (MIS 5e) decapod crustaceans from Santa Maria Island (Azores Archipelago: Central Atlantic): systematics,palaeoecology and palaeobiogeography

The presence of decapod crustaceans in the Pliocene and Pleistocene (MIS 5e) fossil record of Santa Maria Island (Azores Archipelago) is herein reviewed. Our study raises the number of fossil decapods from this island from one species to 10 taxa (three for the Pliocene and seven for the Last Interglacial). Four of these 10 taxa are reported for the first time in the fossil record, worldwide. A new species of a mud shrimp is also described (Upogebia azorensis n. sp.). Our study suggests that the Plio–Pleistocene decapod assemblages of the Azores did not differ significantly from modern ones, being dominated by species that are today widespread across the Webbnesia ecoregion, the Mediterranean Sea, and the eastern Atlantic shores, including the Azores. As far as can be judged from the limited fossil record, apparently no tropical crab species with a Cabo Verdean/Senegalese provenance reached the Azores during windows of opportunity associated with Glacial Termination 2 or with the initial setting of the Last Interglacial period. This contribution increases the total number of marine taxa reported for the Pliocene and Pleistocene outcrops of Santa Maria Island to 218 and 155, respectively, highlighting the scientific relevance of its palaeontological heritage.