Hierarchical decomposition of variance with applications in environmental mapping based on satellite images

A quadtree-based image segmentation procedure (HQ) is presented to map complex environmental conditions. It applies a hierarchical nested analysis of variance within the framework of multiresolution wavelet approximation. The procedure leads to an optimal solution for determining mapping units based on spatial variability with constraints on the arrangement and shape of the units. Linkages to geostatisiics are pointed out, but the HQ decomposition algorithm does not require any homogeneity criteria. The computer implementation can be parameterized by either the number of required mapping units or the maximum within-unit variance, or it can provide a spectrum of significances of nested ANOVA. The detailed mathematical background and methodology is illustrated by a salt-affected grassland mapping study (Hortobágy, Hungary), where heterogeneous environmental characteristics have been sampled and predicted based on remotely sensed images using these principles.     

皖南变质岩中的疑源类、孢粉化石组合及其地质意义

皖南变质岩区地层原被认为属江南古陆的一部分,时代定为中、晚元古代。本文根据其中所含的Asperatopsophosphaera?sp.,Trachysphaeridium sp.,Nucellosphaeridium sp.,Lophosphaeridium sp.,Leiosphaeridia sp.,Baltisphaeridium spp.,Micrhystridium spp.和scolecodonts等疑源类和其它微体化石及笔者等以前发现的Lingulacea总面貌反映的时代,判断其中部分变质地层的时代应为晚元古代—早古生代和早古生代。同时还根据Crassispora sp.,Kraeuselisporites sp.和Lueckisporites ef.virkkiae Potonie ＆ Klaus,Triquitritessp.等孢粉化石组合面貌反映的时代,推断其中尚有一部分为晚古生代地层。因此认为本区是一个从晚元古代—早古生代开始到中生代结束的碰撞型造山带,而不是一个古陆。     

锦州湾泥沙来源、洄淤状况与建港条件分析

锦州湾泥沙主要来源于沿岸入海河流的输送,外海水体的携带与沿岸、岛屿蚀余物质的补给。每年进入湾内的泥沙总量约为３３—３５万吨,假如这些泥沙不再向湾外流出,在湾内作均匀分配沉积,则相当于在湾底铺上５ｍｍ厚的土。水准和水深重复测量表明,潮滩以稳定的弱堆积为主,水下浅滩基本处于稳定状态。该湾在非正常情况下产生骤淤的可能性不大。综合建港条件良好。     

SOME NEW UNDERSTANDINGS OF LAND-SURFACE PROCESSES IN ARID AREA FROM THE HEIFE*

The survey for the HEIFE(Atmosphere-Land Surface Processes Experiment at Heihe River Basin,Western China) is given in the paper.The following basic subjects for land-surface processes in arid areas are studied:(1) the general characteristics of the energy budget on ground surface in arid areas;(2) the parameterization of the land surface processes;(3) the interaction between oasis and its desert circumstances,a special phenomenon in arid areas.The analysis shows that the sensible heat flux in the surface energy budget is in the majority,and the latent heat flux may be neglected.The influence of atmospheric stratification stability on the turbulent transfer of energy and substance must be considered in parameterization of land surface processes in arid areas.The "cold island effect" phenomenon in oasis and the "humidity inversion" phenomenon in desert near oasis are the result of the interaction between them.The results would improve the understanding of land surface processes in arid areas.     

暖切变型江淮梅雨锋结构及其形成和维持机制

对在1991年7月上旬特别稳定的梅雨形势下持续10天的特大暴雨期作了合成和典型过程研究,并进一步探讨了暖切变型江淮梅雨锋天气系统模型。它在自由大气层表现为结构竖立的相当正压切变线和一种不同于经典地转动量近似的带状准二维运动场。边界层的浅层锋生倾斜环流以及偏于切变线轴以南的Ekman抽吸与自由大气层中基本上由积云对流加热驱动的竖直环流相互依存和耦合,造成持续的大暴雨。这种系统的初生和中断后复苏的机制可能是由斜压性极弱的副热带高空东移的短波扰动在低层“湿度锋”带紧南侧触发导致的一种带状CISK。     

About the specification of erosion flux for soft stratified cohesive sediments

The present paper deals with the specification of bed erosion flux that accounts for the effects of sediment-induced stratification in the water column. Owing to difficulties in measuring the bed shear stress _b and the erosive shear strength _s, we suggest a series of methods that combine laboratory and numerical experiments. A simplified turbulent transport model that includes these effects helps to quantify _b and _s. Focusing on soft stratified beds, the present study considers erosion rate formulas of the form =_f exp {[T_b-T_s]} where is a model constant (=1 for Gularte's (1978) formula and =1/2 for Parchure's (1984) formula). First, the bed erosive strength profile _s(Z) is adjusted by forcing the turbulent transport model with measured erosion rates. Second, three procedures are suggested to determine the erosion rate formula coefficients _f and : a global procedure and two different layer-by-layer procedures. Each procedure is applied to an erosion experiment conducted in a rotating annular flume by Villaret and Paulic (1986). The use of the layer-by-layer procedure based on a least squares fitting technique provides a closer fit than the global procedure. The present study points out the complementarity of experimental and numerical approaches and also suggests possible improvements in laboratory test procedures.     

OZONE VALLEY OVER TIBETAN PLATEAU*

We analysed the atmospheric total column ozone temporal and spatial distributions,by using the USA Nimbus Satellite TOMS data provided by the Goddard Space Flight Center of NASA,USA.We ploted the monthly mean total column ozone distributions over China by the averaged data from 1979 to 1991,and found that the atmospheric total column ozone contours were parallel to latitudes in winter and spring. However, from June, the lower center of atmospheric column ozone, called "ozone valley",was formed gradually over the Tibetan Plateau, as shown in Fig.     

ANALYSIS OF A CASE OF EAST ASIA COASTAL CYCLOGENESIS*

The evolution of an explosive cyclone off the East Asia coast in March 1979 is described.A shortwave trough in the southern branch of upper-level westerlies initiated the incipient cyclone.Later,a polar trough in the north amplified and became in phase with the southern shortwave to form a major trough.This major trough was responsible for the rapid intensification of the surface cyclone.In the early development stage,warm and moist air was transported northward to the developing area by a strong low-level jet.The ageostrophic wind associated with the low-level jet contributed to the frontogenesis,creating a favorable low-level environment for the rapid deepening.A low-level positive potential vorticity anomaly was created prior to the onset of rapid deepening.It was a result of frontal cloud condensation.The cyclone intensified rapidly when stratospheric air with high potential vorticity penetrated to the mid-troposphere.The rapid deepening took place at a location under the left-exit region of an amplifying jet streak behind the major trough and the right-entrance region of another anticyclonically-curved subtropical jet streak in a quasi-stationary ridge overJapan.Due to the blocking effect of the Tibetan Plateau,two shortwave disturbances were observed in the upper-level westerlies on the north and south sides of the Plateau.The southern disturbance initiated the incipient surface cyclone,while the amplifying northern disturbance was responsible for the rapid deepening.Thus,the evolution of the explosive cyclone in this case can be regarded as consecutive Petterssen's "type-B" cyclogenesis in two separate stages.     

Sediment budget-based estimates of trace metal inputs to a Chesapeake estuary

This article evaluates whether a sediment budget for the South River, Maryland, can be coupled with metals data from sediment cores to identify and quantify sources of historic metal inputs to marsh and subtidal sediments along the estuary. Metal inputs to estuarine marsh sediments come from fluvial runoff and atmospheric deposition. Metal inputs to subtidal sediments come from atmospheric deposition, fluvial runoff, coastal erosion, and estuarine waters. The metals budget for the estuary indicates that metal inputs from coastal erosion have remained relatively constant since 1840. Historical variations in metal contents of marsh sediments have probably resulted primarily from increasing atmospheric deposition in this century, but prior to 1900 may reflect changing fluvial sources, atmospheric inputs, or factors not quantified by the budget. Residual Pb, Cu, and Zn in the marsh sediments not accounted for by fluvial inputs was low to moderate in 1840, decreased to near zero circa 1910, and by 1987 had increased to levels that were one to ten times greater than those of 1840. Sources of variability in subtidal cores could not be clearly discerned because of geochemical fluxes, turbulent mixing, and bioturbation within the cores. The sediment-metal budgeting approach appears to be a viable method for delineating metal sources in small, relatively simple estuarine systems like the South River and in systems where recent deposition (for example, prograding marshes) prevents use of deep core analysis to identify background levels of metal. In larger systems or systems with more variable sources of sediment and metal input, however, assumptions and measurement errors in the metal budgeting approach suggest that deep core analysis and normalization techniques are probably preferable for identifying anthropogenic impacts.Field and laboratory research conducted at the Department of Geography, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USAField and laboratory research conducted at the Marine and Estuarine Environmental Science Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA