Representativeness of total ozone trends as derived from satellite BUV and ground-based measurements

The information content of the 7-year BUV data set has been reexamined by a comparison with a fairly large set of ground Dobson and M-83 instruments. The satellite-ground intercomparison of total ozone was done under different types of ground observation techniques (observation code) and different instrument exposure (exposure code) and for various distances of the subsatellite point from the station. Because of the existing latitudinal gradient in total ozone, at a given station the bias ground-BUV tends to be smaller when the subsatellite point is at a latitude higher than the station's latitude. Knowing the total ozone gradient at a given station, the BUV total ozone has been corrected to account for the ozone gradient and the correlation was calculated with the corresponding ground observations. These correlations seem to offer no improvement when compared with the correlations between the ground ozone and the actual BUV ozone at distances of the subsatellite point from the station within 200 km from the station used in previous studies. The seasonal variation of the BUV-ground correlation reveals information on the noise level of the measurements and the geographical distribution of the percentage mean bias: (Ground-BUV)×100/(Ground) is discussed. Both on short and on longer time scales it appears that the BUV derived recommended total ozone data set is reasonably good and possible instrumental drifts are not large. The analysis includes an extension through April 1977 of the BUV and contour-derived total ozone trends byLondon andLing (1980). Over the northern hemisphere both data sets (contour and BUV) show comparable trends over middle and high latitudes which range from –3 D.U./year to –5 D.U./year during the 7-year period April 1970–April 1977. In the southern hemisphere, however, long-term variation in total ozone cannot be determined from ground observations alone. It is concluded that for unknown reasons during the 7-year period of study, total ozone has been decreasing over most of the globe. The negative growth rates at high latitudes of the northern hemisphere are highly significant.     

Trend in chemical composition of precipitation during 2005–2009 at a rural station of Bhubaneswar, eastern India

Precipitation samples collected during 2005–2009 from a rural forest station of Bhubaneswar were analyzed for their chemical composition. The samples were collected through a wet-only (WO) collector and two bulk (B1 and B2) collectors. The ions were evenly balanced indicating good data quality. The overall pH of rainwater was slightly acidic and ~47% of all rain events during the period were acidic (pH?<?5.6). Multilinear regression analysis showed relation between the free acidity (H⁺) and other components in rainwater. Enrichment factors (EF) of the major components with respect to their sources such as marine and crustal were calculated. Maximum EF was observed for NO ₃ ^? for both marine and crustal sources for all the three collectors. Source apportionments were also carried for the ions. Trend analysis showed continuous increase in most of the ions over years during the study period driven by anthropogenic emissions. Statistical/factorial analysis established correlation among different ions.     

Patterns of carbon sequestration in forests of western ghats and study of applicability of remote sensing in generating carbon credits through afforestation/reforestation

Satellite remote sensing is a proven tool for mapping landuse patterns and estimating vegetation biomass/carbon. Present study aims at estimating the potential of forests of Radhanagari WLS (Western Ghats, India) to sequester the atmospheric carbon-di-oxide, using ground based observations coupled with satellite remote sensing. The study area was stratified for dominant forest types based on the structure and composition of vegetation and elevation variations. Permanent sample plots were laid down in these homogeneous vegetation strata (HVS) to make different observations during time 1 and time 2. Carbon sequestration by plantations was also studied and compared with natural forests. Species and area-specific biomass equations were used for estimating carbon pool and sequestration. Among natural forests ‘mixed moist deciduous’ forests exhibited highest sequestration rate (8%), whereas, plantation as obvious had a comparatively higher sequestration rate than natural forests (20.27%). Total carbon sequestration by forests of the Radhanagari WLS between 2004 and 2006 is 78742.09 tons. Eligible land for reforestation activity under clean development mechanism (CDM) of Kyoto Protocol was identified using satellite remote sensing using 1989 and 2005 datasets and it was observed that the potential land that can be used for reforestation activity is 10080 ha.     

Forecasting of cyclone Viyaru and Phailin by NWP-based cyclone prediction system (CPS) of IMD – an evaluation

An objective NWP-based cyclone prediction system (CPS) was implemented for the operational cyclone forecasting work over the Indian seas. The method comprises of five forecast components, namely (a) Cyclone Genesis Potential Parameter (GPP), (b) Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) technique for cyclone track prediction, (c) cyclone intensity prediction, (d) rapid intensification, and (e) predicting decaying intensity after the landfall. GPP is derived based on dynamical and thermodynamical parameters from the model output of IMD operational Global Forecast System. The MME technique for the cyclone track prediction is based on multiple linear regression technique. The predictor selected for the MME are forecast latitude and longitude positions of cyclone at 12-hr intervals up to 120 hours forecasts from five NWP models namely, IMD-GFS, IMD-WRF, NCEP-GFS, UKMO, and JMA. A statistical cyclone intensity prediction (SCIP) model for predicting 12 hourly cyclone intensity (up to 72 hours) is developed applying multiple linear regression technique. Various dynamical and thermodynamical parameters as predictors are derived from the model outputs of IMD operational Global Forecast System and these parameters are also used for the prediction of rapid intensification. For forecast of inland wind after the landfall of a cyclone, an empirical technique is developed. This paper briefly describes the forecast system CPS and evaluates the performance skill for two recent cyclones Viyaru (non-intensifying) and Phailin (rapid intensifying), converse in nature in terms of track and intensity formed over Bay of Bengal in 2013. The evaluation of performance shows that the GPP analysis at early stages of development of a low pressure system indicated the potential of the system for further intensification. The 12-hourly track forecast by MME, intensity forecast by SCIP model and rapid intensification forecasts are found to be consistent and very useful to the operational forecasters. The error statistics of the decay model shows that the model was able to predict the decaying intensity after landfall with reasonable accuracy. The performance statistics demonstrates the potential of the system for improving operational cyclone forecast service over the Indian seas.     

Application of relaxation method to upward continuation of gravity and magnetic data

Summary The method of relaxation has been applied to the upward continuation of gravity and magnetic data. The method yields results that are more accurate than those given byPeters' scheme, and has certain added advantages. In an alternative approach, the finite Fourier sine transform has been used to reduce an area relaxation to a series of line relaxations. The results, again, are very satisfactory. Only the two-dimensional problem is considered, but, with the help of a digital computor, the method is directly extensible to three-dimensional problems.Presented at the symposium on Geophysical Prospecting held by the Central Board of Geophysics at Baroda (India) between Aug. 15–17, 1959. Published by kind permission of Secretary, Central Board of Geophysics.     

The use of the saros in lunar dynamical studies

It is shown that the near-periodicity in the Earth-Moon-Sun system demonstrated by the possibility of using the Saros to predict eclipses, suggests that the Saros can also be used in a fast and accurate method of special perturbations which can be applied for long term study of the evolution of the Moon's orbit.Paper dedicated to Professor Harold C. Urey on the occasion of his 80th birthday on 29 April 1973.     

Some special restricted four-body problems—II. From Caledonia to Copenhagen

Special analytical solutions are determined for restricted, coplanar, four-body equal mass problems, including the Caledonian problem, where the masses M_i = M for i = 1,2,3,4. Most of these solutions are shown to reduce to the Lagrange solutions of the Copenhagen problem of three bodies by reducing two of the masses (m_i = m for i = 1,2) in the four-body equal mass problem to zero while maintaining their equality of mass. In so doing, families of special solutions to the four-body problem are shown to exist for any value of the mass ratio μ = m/M.     

Organo-sulfur compounds in sediments of the Puget Sound basin

Sediment samples from a variety of different environments were analyzed for organo-sulfur compounds (OSC) to provide the first characterization of the amounts and types of these compounds in sediments of the greater Puget Sound basin. A gas Chromatograph equipped with a sulfur specific flame photometric detector was used to quantify individual OSC. Compositions of OSC mixtures were essentially constant throughout the study area. Dibenzothiophene (DBT), its alkylated homologs, and an unknown compound were the predominant OSC in most samples. Concentrations of total OSC and DBT ranged from 4 to 60 and 0.4 to 2 μg/g organic carbon, respectively. The flux of OSC to the sediments at a station in central Puget Sound west of Seattle was approximately 140 ng/cm²/yr. The profile of total OSC concentration with depth showed three organic sulfur compounds that are apparently created in situ in the vicinity of where hydrogen sulfide production begins. The concentrations of the aromatic OSC were relatively constant with depth. Although several anthropogenic sources of OSC were identified, there was no evidence that OSC from these sources were accumulating in the sediments. The major source of the aromatic OSC in the sediments is apparently atmospheric input from natural sources such as forest fires.