Capabilities and limitations of numerical ice sheet models: a discussion for Earth-scientists and modelers

The simulation of dynamically coupled ice sheet, ice stream, and ice shelf-systems poses a challenge to most numerical ice sheet models. Here we review present ice sheet model limitations targeting a broader audience within Earth Sciences, also those with no specific background in numerical modeling, in order to facilitate cross-disciplinary communication between especially paleoglaciologists, marine and terrestrial geologists, and numerical modelers. The ‘zero order’ (Shallow Ice Approximation, SIA)-, ‘higher order’-, and ‘full Stokes’ ice sheet models are described conceptually and complemented by an outline of their derivations. We demonstrate that higher order models are required to simulate coupled ice sheet-ice shelf and ice sheet-ice stream systems, in particular if the results are aimed to complement spatial ice flow reconstructions based on higher resolution geological and geophysical data. The zero order SIA model limitations in capturing ice stream behavior are here illustrated by conceptual simulations of a glaciation on Svalbard. The limitations are obvious from the equations comprising a zero order model. However, under certain circumstances, simulation results may falsely give the impression that ice streams indeed are simulated with a zero order SIA model.     

Some particularities in motion of retrograde satellites of Jupiter

Some peculiarities in the motion of retrograde satellites of Jupiter have been investigated. The intermediate orbits were obtained by approximated solution of differential equations before transformation by the Zeipel's method. These orbits are non-keplerian ellipses. For their construction the secular motion of nodes, perijoves, and essential periodic perturbations were taken into account.The eccentricities and inclinations of all the retrograte satellites change in a large range. The motion may happen in a region, which is located very near to the limit cases of our theory. For some satellites the sign of the constant, which characterizes the type of orbit, librating or circular, may change. In some cases the value of this constant may be close to zero. Then the motion of the longitude of perijove will reduce the speed and in some moment the circular orbit may change its direction.     

High-temperature neutron diffraction study of deuterated brucite

To study the structural behavior of brucite at high temperature, we conducted in situ neutron diffraction experiments of a deuterated brucite powder sample, Mg(OD)₂, in the temperature range 313–583 K. The sample was stable up to 553 K, above which it started to decompose into periclase (MgO) and D₂O vapor. Rietveld analyses of the obtained data were performed using both single-site and three-site split-atom hydrogen models. Our results show that with increasing temperature, unit-cell parameter c increases at a rate ~7.7 times more rapidly than a. This large anisotropy of thermal expansion is primarily due to rapid increase in the interlayer thickness along the c-axis on heating. The amplitudes of thermal vibration for Mg, O, and D increase linearly with increasing temperature; however, the rate of the increase for the lighter D is much larger. In addition, D vibrates anisotropically with a higher magnitude within the (001) plane, as confirmed by our first-principles phonon calculations. On heating, the interatomic distances between a given D and its associated O and D from the adjacent [MgO₆] layer increase, whereas the O–D bond length decreases. This behavior suggests weakened D···O and D···D interlayer interactions but strengthened O–D bonding with increasing temperature.     

顾及排序差异的对象群邻近关系相似性计算

针对空间邻近关系相似性的定量化计算问题,在确定邻近特征量的基础上,将相似性度量的要素模型和对准模型结合起来,建立了顾及排序差异的对象群邻近关系相似性计算方法,并验证了该方法的可用性。     

Turn calculations for the indoor application of the fewest turns path algorithm

ABSTRACT

Present-day indoor navigation systems are often not well adapted to the specific needs and requirements of its users. This research aims at improving those indoor navigation systems by providing navigation support that cognitively closer to user preferences and behaviour. More specifically, the focus is on the implementation of an accurate turn calculation method in a turn minimization algorithm, aiming to lower the complexity of routes and route instructions. This new-introduced perception-based turn calculation procedure is based on a direct door-to-door walking pattern, and, in contrast to previous algorithms, independent of the underlying indoor network type. It takes into account the effects of geometry of indoor space on human movement. To evaluate its functioning, both the traditional algorithm and the proposed perception-based algorithm are applied in the fewest turns path algorithm. It is demonstrated that the proposed algorithm accurately calculates turns in alignment with people’s perception. The implementation of the calculation algorithm in the fewest turns path algorithm also allows future applications in indoor simplest path algorithms, and overall contributes to cognitively richer indoor navigation systems.     

Oxygen depletion and phosphorus release following flooding of a cultivated wetland area in Denmark

Geografisk Tidsskrift, Danish Journal of Geography 108(2):17–25, 2008

The rewetting of altered wetlands is becoming increasingly widespread. When flooding cultivated soils, the oxygen (O₂) availability is reduced, subsequently, ferric hydroxides can dissolve and associated inorganic phosphorus (P) will be mobilized. This study shows the temporal and spatial dynamics of O₂ depletion following flooding using planar optodes and the subsequent release of Fe and P in two depth intervals in an experimental column set-up. The column was kept flooded for 48 days and thereafter partly drained and flooded again. Results document that large amounts of P (0.2 t P ha-¹) have accumulated in the present plough-layer (Ap) during the last 22 years, which represent roughly 15% of the present inorganic P stock in the Ap. As a result of flooding, fully anoxic conditions were observed within 3 days (within 10 h in Ap) and concentrations of dissolved Fe and P in the soil solution increased simultaneously after 7 days of flooding. Thus, P reaction kinetics was markedly delayed as compared to O₂ availability. P concentrations in soil water afterflooding (up to 0.15 mg L^?1) accounted for only 0.034% of the inorganic P stock in the Ap which is a significantly smaller fraction of the potential P-release as compared to previous investigations.

This is considered a result of only a minor fraction of the total inorganic P being directly associated with ferric hydroxides and thereby sensitive to short-term anoxic conditions as well as differences in the methodology used in this study (soil/water ratio). Finally, reactions releasing Fe and P were noted to be partly reversible upon draining.     

The origin of garnet and clinopyroxene in “depleted” Kaapvaal peridotites

A detailed petrographic, major and trace element and isotope (Re–Os) study is presented on 18 xenoliths from Northern Lesotho kimberlites. The samples represent typical coarse, low-temperature garnet and spinel peridotites and span a P–T range from 60 to 150 km depth. With the exception of one sample (that belongs to the ilmenite–rutile–phlogopite–sulphide suite (IRPS) suite first described by [B. Harte, P.A. Winterburn, J.J. Gurney, Metasomatic and enrichment phenomena in garnet peridotite facies mantle xenoliths from the Matsoku kimberlite pipe, Lesotho. In: Menzies, M. (Ed.), Mantle metsasomatism. Academic Press, London 1987, 145–220.]), all samples considered here have high Mg# and show strong depletion in CaO and Al₂O₃. They have bulk rock Re depletion ages (T_RD) >2.5 Ga and are therefore interpreted as residua from large volume melting in the Archaean. A characteristic of Kaapvaal xenoliths, however, is their high SiO₂ concentrations, and hence, modal orthopyroxene contents that are inconsistent with a simple residual origin of these samples. Moreover, trace element signatures show strong overall incompatible element enrichment and REE disequilibrium between garnet and clinopyroxene. Textural and subtle major element disequilibria were also observed. We therefore conclude that garnet and clinopyroxene are not co-genetic and suggest that (most) clinopyroxene in the Archaean Kaapvaal peridotite xenoliths is of metasomatic origin and crystallized relatively recently, possibly from a melt precursory to the kimberlite.

Possible explanations for the origin of garnet are exsolution from a high-temperature, Al- and Ca-rich orthopyroxene (indicating primary melt extraction at shallow levels) or a majorite phase (primary melting at >6 GPa). Mass balance calculations, however, show that not all garnet observed in the samples today is of a simple exsolution origin. The extreme LREE enrichment (sigmoidal REE pattern in all garnet cores) is also inconsistent with exsolution from a residual orthopyroxene. Therefore, extensive metasomatism and probably re-crystallization of the lithosphere after melt-depletion and garnet exsolution is required to obtain the present textural and compositional features of the xenoliths. The metasomatic agent that modified or perhaps even precipitated garnet was a highly fractionated melt or fluid that might have been derived from the asthenosphere or from recycled oceanic crust. Since, to date, partitioning of trace elements between orthopyroxene and garnet/clinopyroxene is poorly constrained, it was impossible to assess if orthopyroxene is in chemical equilibrium with garnet or clinopyroxene. Therefore, further trace element and isotopic studies are required to constrain the timing of garnet introduction/modification and its possible link with the SiO₂ enrichment of the Kaapvaal lithosphere.     

An Evaluation of Four Different Wavelet Decomposition Procedures for Spatial Feature Discrimination in Urban Areas

Texture or spatial arrangement of neighborhood objects and features plays an important role in the human visual system for pattern recognition and image classification. The traditional spectral–based image processing techniques have proven inadequate for urban land use and land cover mapping from images acquired by the current generation of fine–resolution satellites. This is because of the high frequency spatial arrangements or complex nature of urban features. There is a need for an effective algorithm to digitally classify urban land use and land cover categories using high–resolution image data. Recent studies using wavelet transforms for texture analysis have generally reported better accuracy. Based on a high–resolution ATLAS image, this study illustrates four different wavelet decomposition procedures – the standard, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal decompositions – for urban land use and land cover feature extraction with the use of 33×33 pixel samples. The standard decomposition approach was found to be the most efficient approach in urban texture analysis and classification. For comparison purposes and to better evaluate the accuracy of wavelet approaches in image classification, spatial autocorrelation techniques (Moran's I and Geary's C ) and the spatial co–occurrence matrix method were also examined. The results suggest that the wavelet transform approach is superior to all other approaches.     

Determination of Rare Earth Elements, Y, Th, Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta in Geological Reference Materials G-2, G-3, SCo-1 and WGB-1 by Sodium Peroxide Sintering and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Data are reported for rare earth elements (REE), Y, Th, Zr, Hf, Nb and Ta in four geological reference materials using sodium peroxide (Na₂O₂) sintering and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The described procedure was used by students during their thesis work. A compilation of their reference material data acquired over one year of laboratory work demonstrates the ease and reliability of the method and the high reproducibility of the analytical results. Relative standard deviations of up to thirty six measurements of one reference material were lower than 5% for Y and the REE. Reproduciblities of Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta and Th were higher at between 5% and 10%, and can be attributed to the inhomogeneous distribution of zircon and other trace mineral phases and uncorrected drift effects. The concentration data are compared to reference and literature values and demonstrate that the procedure is also accurate. New data on G-3 show some systematic deviations from G-2, which are statistically significant.