On the Use of Computational Fluid Dynamics to Investigate Aerosol Dispersion in an Industrial Environment: A Case Study

Aerosol dispersion in the area surrounding an existing biological treatment facility is investigated using large-eddy simulation, with the objective to investigate the applicability of computational fluid dynamics to complex real-life problems. The aerosol sources consist of two large aeration ponds that slowly diffuse aerosols into the atmosphere. These sources are modelled as dilute concentrations of a non-buoyant non-reacting pollutant diffusing from two horizontal surfaces. The time frame of the aerosol release is restricted to the order of minutes, justifying a statistically steady inlet boundary condition. The numerical results are compared to wind-tunnel experiments for validation. The wind-tunnel flow characteristics resemble neutral atmospheric conditions with a Reynolds number, based on the boundary-layer thickness, of Re _δ ≈ 2 × 10⁵. The numerical inflow conditions are based upon the wind-tunnel flow field. The predicted decay of both the mean and root-mean-square concentrations are in good agreement with experimental data; at 3 m from the ground, the plume mean concentration 200 m downwind of the source is approximately 2% of the source strength. The numerical data in the near-surface layer (0–50 m from the ground) correspond particularly well with the wind-tunnel data. Tentative deposition simulations suggest that there seems to be little difference in the deposition rates of large (1.8 × 10⁻⁵ m) and small (3 × 10⁻⁶ m) particles in the near-field under the flow conditions considered.     

An analysis of the components of the luminescence signals of selected polymineral and quartz samples from loess in western China and southern Tajikistan,and their suitability for optical dating

Previous luminescence dating studies on loess from China and Tajikistan have focused on the establishment of the regional chronology of the loess sequences. In order to improve the precision and accuracy of optical ages derived from the loess of the last glacial period in these regions, we have examined the components of luminescence signals in three loess samples from western China and southern Tajikistan. Our results show that the polymineral IRSL and post-IR OSL, and quartz OSL signals from loess of the two regions are represented by three components, which display different bleaching and growth characteristics. While the composition of the polymineral IRSL signals is similar between samples with the same age from the two regions, in the case of quartz there is significant discrepancy in the proportion of the fast and medium components of the OSL signals. Greater difference is observed in the composition of the polymineral post-IR OSL signals for the loess from the two regions. The three components of polymineral IRSL signals yield almost identical equivalent dose values as that derived from the total IRSL signal. An apparent agreement in equivalent dose is observed between the fast component of the polymineral post-IR OSL and the quartz OSL for the loess of western China but not in the loess of the same age from southern Tajikistan. The fast component of the quartz OSL yields an equivalent dose 25% higher than that based on the total signal for the sample from the base of the Late Pleistocene loess in southern Tajikistan. This demonstrates the importance of signal selection for an accurate luminescence dating of Central Asian loess.     

Deep dynamical processes in the central-southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau—Receiver functions and travel-time residuals analysis of north Hi-Climb

Teleseismic receiver functions and travel-time residuals along the north Hi-Climb broadband seismic array in the central-southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau show that the lithosphere structures in the central and western Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are different. In the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Indian Plate is northward subducted beneath the Qiangtang block and arrives at the greatest depth beneath the central-southern Qiangtang block. The delaminated Indian lithospheric slab remains beneath the central Lhasa block to a depth possibly greater than that of the upper interface of the mantle transform zone. In the western Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Indian lithospheric plate is gently northward subducted and may have arrived to the south of Tarim plate. Due to the resistance from the gently northward subduction of the Indian mantle lithosphere in the western Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the upwelling mantle material be-neath the Qiangtang block moves mostly toward the east to bring about the lateral eastward flow of the deep mantle hot material in the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.     

Details of magnetic polarity transitions recorded in a high deposition rate deep-sea core

Concentrations of the (n, γ)-produced radionuclide⁶⁰Co were measured in lunar samples at various depths from the surface down to 360 g/cm². By comparing the data obtained to calculated production rates (based on the work of Lingenfelter et al. [8]) we determined the present day lunar neutron production rate, which was found to be (12 ± 3)neutrons/cm²sec (E < 10MeV).     

“Basin scale” versus “localized” pore pressure/stress coupling - Implications for trap integrity evaluation

In petroleum industry, the difference between pore pressure (P_p) and minimum horizontal stress S_h (termed the seal or retention capacity) is of major consideration because it is often assumed to represent how close a system is to hydraulic failure and thus the maximum hydrocarbon column height that can be maintained. While S_h and P_p are often considered to be independent parameters, several studies in the last decade have demonstrated that S_h and P_p are in fact coupled. However, the nature of this coupling relationship remains poorly understood. In this paper, we explore the influences of the spatial pore pressure distribution on S_h/P_p coupling and then on failure pressure predictions and trap integrity evaluation. With analytical models, we predict the fluid pressure sustainable within a reservoir before failure of its overpressured shale cover. We verify our analytical predictions with experiments involving analogue materials and fluids. We show that hydraulic fracturing and seal breach occur for fluid pressure greater than it would be expected from conventional retention capacity. This can be explained by the impact of the fluid overpressure field in the overburden and the pressure diffusion around the reservoir on the principal stresses. We calculate that supralithostatic pressure could locally be reached in overpressured covers. We also define the retention capacity of a cover (RC) surrounding a fluid source or reservoir as the difference between the failure pressure and the fluid overpressure prevailing in shale at the same depth. In response to a localized fluid pressure rise, we show that the retention capacity does not only depend on the pore fluid overpressure of the overburden but also on the tensile strength of the cover, its Poisson’s ratio, and the depth and width of the fluid source.     

The Concept of a Multi-Functional Astronomy Complex and Dynamically Integrated Database Applied to Multi-Channel Observations with the MASTER Global Network

Astronomy Reports - The concept of a multi-functional astronomical complex as applied to robotic astronomy networks and systems is formulated. The practical realization of this concept in the...     

Reconstruction and analysis of sub-plinian tephra dispersal during the 1530 A.D. Soufrière (Guadeloupe) eruption: Implications for scenario definition and hazards assessment

The last magmatic eruption of Soufrière of Guadeloupe dated at 1530 A.D. (Soufrière eruption) is characterized by an onset with a partial flank-collapse and emplacement of a debris-avalanche that was followed by a sub-plinian VEI 2–3 explosive short-lived eruption (Phase-1) with a column that reached a height between 9 and 12 km producing about 3.9 × 10⁶ m³ DRE (16.3 × 10⁶ m³ bulk) of juvenile products. The column recurrently collapsed generating scoriaceous pyroclastic flows in radiating valleys up to a distance of 5–6 km with a maximum interpolated bulk deposit volume of 11.7 × 10⁶ m³ (5 × 10⁶ m³ DRE). We have used HAZMAP, a numerical simple first-order model of tephra dispersal [Macedonio, G., Costa, A., Longo, A., 2005. A computer model for volcanic ash fallout and assessment of subsequent hazard. Comput. Geosci. 31, 837–845] to reconstruct to a first approximation the potential dispersal of tephra and associated tephra mass loadings generated by the sub-plinian Phase 1 of the 1530 A.D. eruption. We have tested our model on a deterministic average dry season wind profile that best-fits the available data as well as on a set of randomly selected wind profiles over a 5 year interval that allows the elaboration of probabilistic maps for the exceedance of specific tephra mass load thresholds. Results show that in the hypothesis of a future 1530 A.D. scenario, populated areas to a distance of 3–4 km west–southwest of the vent could be subjected to a static load pressure between 2 and 10 kPa in case of wet tephra, susceptible to cause variable degrees of roof damage. Our results provide volcanological input parameters for scenario and event-tree definition, for assessing volcanic risks and evaluating their impact in case of a future sub-plinian eruption which could affect up to 70 000 people in southern Basse-Terre island and the region. They also provide a framework to aid decision-making concerning land management and development. A sub-plinian eruption is the most likely magmatic scenario in case of a future eruption of this volcano which has shown, since 1992, increasing signs of low-energy seismic, thermal, and acid degassing unrest without significant deformation.     

Soluble and insoluble impurities along the 950 m deep Vostok ice core (Antarctica) — Climatic implications

Simultaneous measurements of soluble and insoluble impurities were made on the 950 m deep Vostok (78°30′S, 106°54′E, 3420 m a.s.l.) ice core, spanning roughly 50000 yr, using various analytical techniques. We observed higher continental (×37) and marine (×5.1) inputs during the last glacial age than during the Holocene stage. A study of microparticle compositions and of volcanic indicators (Zn, H₂SO₄), shows that the high observed crustal input is not due to enhanced volcanism, but is rather of continental eolian origin. For the first time, the ionic balance along a deep ice core is established, mainly used in discussing the evolution of the Cl to Na ratio over central East Antarctica with changing climatic conditions: the presence of relatively high amounts of Na₂SO₄ in the marine aerosol at the Vostok site during the Holocene is demonstrated. Comparison with the Dome C (74°39′S, 124°10′E, 3040 m a.s.l.) results confirms the chronology of the major events: (i) maximum terrestrial input around the last glacial maximum (～18 ka BP); (ii) end of the high continental flux over Antarctica near 13 ka BP; (iii) marine input varying in an opposing manner to isotopic fluctuations with rather high concentrations beginning to decrease when isotopic values increase and reaching Holocene values at the end of the transition between cold and warmer climate conditions. Detailed comparison with results provided by deep ice cores from other sites which are probably more influenced by oceanic air masses seems to indicate that most of the aerosol reaching central East Antarctica travel over large distance probably at rather high altitude through the troposphere. We can consider that central East Antarctica is well representative of the upper part of the troposphere (higher than i.e., 3000 m) and should, therefore, provide valuable data for global and Antarctic paleoclimatological models.     

Non-linear model for the generation of baroclinic tides over extensive inhomogeneities of the seabed relief

A numerical model is developed for the generation of internal waves induced by a barotropic tidal wave travelling over large bottom features. Motion equations consider the non-linear terms, as well as the terms responsible for horizontal turbulent exchange. The fluid is assumed to be continuously stratified. In the framework of the developed model, a packet of short non-linear internal waves is shown to occur together with a long baroclinic tide. In the absence of non-linear terms in the equations of motion, the model data are qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with the data provided by known linear models.Translated by V. Puchkin.     

One-dimensional checkerboards and blending heights

We analyze the checkerboard problem of many alternating surfaces with different properties, on scales up to (say) 3,000 m. Power-law representations of the vertical profiles of mean wind speed and eddy diffusivity lead to solutions in terms of Kelvin and trigonometric functions.These solutions are used to determine blending heights (_*), where deviations from the mean of concentration, or of vertical flux density, fall to some small fraction, , of their value at the surface. Values of _*are important for regional and larger-scale meteorological models. In smaller scale micrometeorological studies, they may serve also as the top levels of surface boundary layers.An important result for both theoretical and experimental contexts is that deviations of flux persist with elevation much more strongly than those of concentration, so that, in general, _* should be based on flux rather than concentration. Representative values of _*, for = 0.05, are of order 5 and 30 m for surface pattern wavelengths of 10² and 10³ m, respectively. Values of _* are robust to changes in adopted power-law indices, and are independent of wind speed. Surface roughness has a mild but calculable effect.