Temperature structure parameter measurements using differential temperature sensors

The comparison of C _infT ^sup2 estimates in the atmospheric boundary layer, from spectral and differential temperature (T) measurements, is discussed. Measurements of C _infT ^sup2 using these two methods are compared and the differences between the two are shown to be due to low-frequency enhancement of the T spectrum. Possible explanations for this effect are considered and attention is drawn to the significance of the resulting errors in boundary-layer turbulence measurements.Now at Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Portsmouth Polytechnic, Anglesea Road, Portsmouth, U.K.Now at Department of Meteorology, University of Athens, Greece.     

Turkey Lakes Watershed,Ontario, Canada: 40 years of interdisciplinary whole-ecosystem research

The Turkey Lakes Watershed (TLW) study is a federal, interdepartmental study established in 1979 to investigate the effects of acid rain on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The 10.5 km² watershed, located in the Eastern Temperate Mixed Forest on the Canadian Shield, has been the site of multidisciplinary studies on biogeochemical and ecological processes conducted across plot to catchment scales. The whole-ecosystem investigative approach was adopted from the outset and has allowed research to evolve from its original (and continuing) acidification focus to include investigations on the effects of climate change, forest harvesting and other forest ecosystem perturbations. The extensive scientific and support infrastructure allows for collection of a comprehensive data record essential for understanding long-term environmental trends. Data include atmospheric deposition, meteorology, stream hydrology and chemistry, soil, pore and ground water properties, understory and overstory vegetation, lake and outflow physical and chemical properties, and aquatic macroinvertebrate and fish community composition and abundance. These data have contributed to over 400 published research papers and graduate theses. The watershed has also figured prominently in many continent-wide comparisons advancing fundamental watershed theory. The knowledge gained at TLW has influenced pollutant emission and natural resource management policies provincially, nationally and internationally.     

Estimating snow water equivalent using cosmic-ray neutron sensors from the COSMOS-UK network

The intensity of cosmic ray neutrons is inversely correlated with the amount of water present in the surrounding environment. This effect is already employed by around 50 neutron sensors in the COSMOS-UK network to provide daily estimates of soil moisture across the UK. Here, these same sensors are used to automatically provide estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE). Lying snow is typically ephemeral and of shallow depth for most parts of the UK. Moreover, soil moisture is usually high and variable, which acts to increase uncertainties in the SWE estimate. Nevertheless, even under such challenging conditions, both above ground and buried cosmic ray neutron sensors are still able to produce potentially useful SWE estimates. Triple collocation analysis suggests typical uncertainties of less than around 4 mm under UK snow conditions.     

The Relation Between Ageostrophy and Boundary-Layer Structure in the Western-Pacific Trades (Wake Island)

Eight years (1980–1987) of Wake Island rawinsonde data are used to derive atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) depth, integrated boundary-layer moisture, and a measure of boundary-layer ageostrophy. The variability in these processes controls the accumulation of moisture and heat in the tradewind regions and their transport to regions of intense convection. Preliminary analyses using different methods reveal quasi-periodic signals in these data in the 30–60 days range. Cross correlation calculations in this intraseasonal range show that these ABL variables are coherent with each other and with the low-level flow. The integrated ABL variables and the ABL height exhibit local in-phase relationships. At higher frequencies, the analyses show intense diurnal variation of boundary-layer height but only a weak diurnal signal in integrated ABL properties. At the lower frequency range, the analyses show a significant reduction in the amplitude of the seasonal and intraseasonal variation in ageostrophy during the strong El-Niño event of 1982/1983. The results clearly establish a relationship between integrated water vapour and divergent ABL processes (Ekman pumping/suction) in which shallower (deeper) ABLs are associated with mass and moisture divergence (convergence) and higher (lower) sea-level pressure. A possible interpretation in terms of a remote dynamic response of the trade inversion and ABL processes to equatorial deep convection is suggested.     

Preparation of large Stardust aluminum foil craters for analysis

Over the last decade, silica aerogel tracks and aluminum foil craters on the Stardust collector have been studied extensively to determine the nature of captured cometary dust grains. Analysis of particles captured in aerogel has been developed to a fine art, aided by sophisticated preparation techniques, and yielding revolutionary knowledge of comet dust mineralogy. The Stardust foil craters can be interpreted in terms of impacting particle size and structure, but almost all studies of composition for their contents have relied on in situ analysis techniques or relatively destructive extraction of materials. This has limited their examination and interpretation. However, numerous experimental hypervelocity impact studies under Stardust-Wild 2 encounter conditions have shown that abundant dust components are preserved in foil craters of all sizes. Using some of these analogue materials, we have previously shown that modern, nondestructive scanning electron microscope imaging and X-ray microanalysis techniques can document distribution of dust remnants both quickly and thoroughly within foil craters prior to any preparation. Here we present findings from our efforts to quantify the amount of residue and demonstrate a simple method of crater shape modification which can bring material into positions where it is much more accessible for in situ analysis, or safe removal of small subsamples. We report that approximately 50% of silicate-dominated impactors were retained as impact crater residue; however, <3% of organic impactors remained in the craters after impact.     

Characterizing organic particle impacts on inert metal surfaces: Foundations for capturing organic molecules during hypervelocity transits of Enceladus plumes

The presence and accessibility of a sub‐ice‐surface saline ocean at Enceladus, together with geothermal activity and a rocky core, make it a compelling location to conduct further, in‐depth, astrobiological investigations to probe for organic molecules indicative of extraterrestrial life. Cryovolcanic plumes in the south polar region of Enceladus enable the use of remote in situ sampling and analysis techniques. However, efficient plume sampling and the transportation of captured organic materials to an organic analyzer present unique challenges for an Enceladus mission. A systematic study, accelerating organic ice‐particle simulants into soft inert metal targets at velocities ranging 0.5–3.0 km s⁻¹, was carried out using a light gas gun to explore the efficacy of a plume capture instrument. Capture efficiency varied for different metal targets as a function of impact velocity and particle size. Importantly, organic chemical compounds remained chemically intact in particles captured at speeds up to ~2 km s⁻¹. Calibration plots relating the velocity, crater, and particle diameter were established to facilitate future ice‐particle impact experiments where the size of individual ice particles is unknown.     

The 512 AD eruption of Vesuvius: complex dynamics of a small scale subplinian event

We describe the products of the hitherto poorly known 512 AD eruption at Vesuvius, Italy. The deposit records a complex sequence of eruptive events, and it has been subdivided into eight main units, composed of stratified scoria lapilli or thin subordinate ash-rich layers. All the units formed by deposition from tephra fallout, pyroclastic density currents of limited extent being restricted to the initial stages of the eruption (U2). The main part of the deposit (U3 and U5) is characterized by a striking grain size alternation of fine to coarse lapilli, similar to that often described for mid-intensity, explosive eruptions. The erupted products have a phonotephritic composition, with progressively less evolved composition from the base to the top of the stratigraphic sequence. Based on different dispersal, sedimentological and textural features of the products, we identify five phases related to different eruptive styles: opening phase (U1, U2), subplinian phase (U3 to U5), pulsatory phreatomagmatic phase (U6), violent strombolian phase (U7) and final ash-dominated phase (U8). A DRE volume of 0.025 km³ has been calculated for the total fallout deposit. Most of the magma was erupted during the subplinian phase; lithic dispersal data indicate peak column heights of between 10 and 15 km, which correspond to a mass discharge rate (MDR) of 5 × 10⁶ kg s⁻¹. The lower intensity, violent strombolian phase coincided with the eruption of the least evolved magma; a peak column height of 6–9 km, corresponding to an MDR of 1 ×10 ⁶ kg s ⁻¹, is estimated from field data. Phreatomagmatic activity played a minor role in the eruption, only contributing to the ash-rich deposits of U1, U4, U6 and U8.     

An investigation of the effects of mass distribution on pounding structures

The effects of diaphragm mass distribution are investigated for building pounding. Elastic diaphragm‐to‐diaphragm collisions are explained by considering the total momentum over the length of each diaphragm at three critical instants during collision. Expressions for collision force and collision duration are produced, providing additional information about the collision process. Equations for the post collision velocity of each diaphragm are produced and are found to appreciably differ from conventional impact—momentum equations under certain conditions. The change in post collision velocity is found to be dependent on the ratio of the axial periods of free vibration of the two diaphragms and the ratio of their masses. An equivalent lumped mass model is proposed and assessed against simplified distributed mass models with numerical modelling of two two‐storey buildings. Finally, a new parameter is introduced to represent the plasticity of an inelastic collision between the two distributed masses. This paper highlights the significant influence that diaphragm mass distribution may have on the analysis of pounding structures. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.