Land surface coupling in regional climate simulations of the West African monsoon

Coupling of the Community Land Model (CLM3) to the ICTP Regional Climate Model (RegCM3) substantially improves the simulation of mean climate over West Africa relative to an older version of RegCM3 coupled to the Biosphere Atmosphere Transfer Scheme (BATS). Two 10-year simulations (1992–2001) show that the seasonal timing and magnitude of mean monsoon precipitation more closely match observations when the new land surface scheme is implemented. Specifically, RegCM3–CLM3 improves the timing of the monsoon advance and retreat across the Guinean Coast, and reduces a positive precipitation bias in the Sahel and Northern Africa. As a result, simulated temperatures are higher, thereby reducing the negative temperature bias found in the Guinean Coast and Sahel in RegCM3–BATS. In the RegCM3–BATS simulation, warmer temperatures in northern latitudes and wetter soils near the coast create excessively strong temperature and moist static energy gradients, which shifts the African Easterly Jet further north than observed. In the RegCM3–CLM3 simulation, the migration and position of the African Easterly Jet more closely match reanalysis winds. This improvement is triggered by drier soil conditions in the RegCM3–CLM3 simulation and an increase in evapotranspiration per unit precipitation. These results indicate that atmosphere–land surface coupling has the ability to impact regional-scale circulation and precipitation in regions exhibiting strong hydroclimatic gradients.     

TGR-2050型自动验潮仪的使用

剖析了TGR-2050自动验潮仪的工作原理,分析了影响测量精度的各种误差因素,指出该仪器设计上的缺陷,并给出实例,介绍了进行大气压改正的方法,得出了有益结论。     

Relationship between the daytime critical frequencies of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> layer and thermospheric characteristics

The relationship between the critical frequency of the F ₂ layer and the atmospheric characteristics has been obtained in a general form. It has been shown that this relation makes it possible to sufficiently accurately describe the daytime values of foF2 while comparing them with the observed monthly median values. Such comparisons were performed, first, for the data of measurements in Irkutsk using the DPS-4 digital ionosonde in 2003–2006 and, second, based on the annual variations in the noon foF2 values at 24 stations of the Northern Hemisphere in 1984. The calculations were performed using the MSIS-86 thermospheric model [Hedin, 1987].     

Dissolution of secondary copper sulphides using complex-forming agents (EDTA,EDA). Part II: Chalcocite dissolution in EDTA and EDA

This work is immediate continuation of Part I, using an identical method and evaluation for kinetic studies. The systems chalcocite-ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid and chalcocite-ethylene diamine were studied. It was necessary to refine the geometrical model method for chalcocite in order to establish dissolution kinetics of polydispersions. This work confirms that chalcocite leaching proceeds through covellite even in the medium of complex-forming agents and kinetic equations for both leaching stages were evaluated with an attempt at physical interpretation.     

Physical properties of selected block Argonne Premium bituminous coal related to CO2, CH4, and N2 adsorption

CO₂, CH₄, and N₂ adsorption and gas-induced swelling were quantified for block Blind Canyon, Pittsburgh #8 and Pocahontas Argonne Premium coals that were dried and structurally relaxed at 75 °C in vacuum. Strain measurements were made perpendicular and parallel to the bedding plane on ~ 7 × 7 × 7 mm³ coal blocks and gravimetric sorption measurements were obtained simultaneously on companion coal blocks exposed to the same gaseous environment. The adsorption amount and strain were determined after equilibration at P  ≤ 1.8 MPa. There is a strong non-linear correlation between strain and the quantity of gas adsorbed and the results for all gases and coals studied follow a common pattern. The dependence of the coal matrix shrinkage/swelling coefficient (C_gc) on the type and quantity of gas adsorbed is seen by plotting the ratio between the strain and the adsorbate concentration against the adsorbate concentration. In general, C_gc increases with increasing adsorbate concentration over the range of ~ 0.1 to 1.4 mmol/g. Results from the dried block coals are compared to CO₂ experiments using native coals with an inherent level of moisture as received. The amount of CO₂ adsorbed using native coals (assuming no displacement of H₂O by CO₂) is significantly less than the dried coals. The gas-induced strain (S) and adsorption amount (M) were measured as a function of time following step changes in CO₂, CH₄, and N₂ pressure from vacuum to 1.8 MPa. An empirical diffusion equation was applied to the kinetic data to obtain the exponent (n) for time dependence for each experiment. The data for all coals were pooled and the exponent (n) evaluated using an ANOVA statistical analysis method. Values for (n) near 0.5 were found to be independent on the coal, the gas or type of measurement (e.g., parallel strain, perpendicular strain, and gas uptake). These data support the use of a Fickian diffusion model framework for kinetic analysis. The kinetic constant k was determined using a unipore diffusion model for each experiment and the data were pooled for ANOVA analysis. For dry coal, statistically significant differences for k were found for the gases (CO₂ > N₂ > CH₄) and coals (Pocahontas >Blind Canyon > Pittsburgh #8) but not for the method of the kinetic measurement (e.g., strain or gas uptake). For Blind Canyon and Pittsburgh #8 coal, the rate of CO₂ adsorption and gas-induced strain for dry coal was significantly greater than that of the corresponding native coal. For Pocahontas coal the rates of CO₂ adsorption and gas-induced strain for dry and native coal were indistinguishable and may be related to its low native moisture and minimal amount of created porosity upon drying.     

Lowermost mantle shear velocity anisotropy beneath Siberia

Introduction D’’ layer plays an important role in geodynamic process. And seismological research indicates that D’’ layer has large scale seismic anisotropy, however, most research concentrated on areas such as Northern Pacific, Central Pacific, Caribbean, Central America, Alaska etc. (Wookey et al, 2005; Garnero and Lay, 2003; Matzel et al, 1996;     

Friedrichbeckeite, K (□0.5Na0.5)2 (Mg0.8Mn0.1Fe0.1)2 (Be0.6 Mg0.4)3 [Si12O30], a new milarite-type mineral from the Bellerberg volcano, Eifel area, Germany

Friedrichbeckeite is a new milarite-type mineral. It was found in a single silicate-rich xenolith from a quarry at the Bellerberg volcano near Ettringen, eastern Eifel volcanic area, Germany. It forms thin tabular crystals flattened on {0001}, with a maximum diameter of 0.6 mm and a maximum thickness of 0.1 mm. It is associated with quartz, tridymite, augite, sanidine, magnesiohornblende, enstatite, pyrope, fluorapatite, hematite, braunite and roedderite. Friedrichbeckeite is light yellow, with white to light cream streak and vitreous lustre. It is brittle with irregular fracture and no cleavage, Mohs hardness of 6, calculated density is 2.686 gcm^?3. Optically, it is uniaxial positive with n_ω = 1.552(2) and n_ε = 1.561(2) at 589.3 nm and a distinct pleochroism from yellow (//ω) to light blue (//ε). Electron microprobe analyses yielded (wt.%): Na₂O 2.73, K₂O 4.16, BeO 4.67, MgO 11.24, MnO 2.05, FeO 1.76, Al₂O₃ 0.15, SiO₂ 73.51, (Σ CaO, TiO₂ = 0.06) sum 100.33 (BeO determined by LA-ICP-MS). The empirical formula based on Si = 12 is K_0.87 Na_0.86 (Mg_1.57Mn_0.28Fe_0.24)_Σ2.09 (Be_1.83?Mg_1.17)_Σ3.00 [Si₁₂O₃₀], and the simplified formula can be given as K (□_0.5Na_0.5)₂ (Mg_0.8Mn_0.1Fe_0.1)₂ (Be_0.6?Mg_0.4)₃ [Si₁₂O₃₀]. Friedrichbeckeite is hexagonal, space-group P6/mcc, with a = 9.970(1), c = 14.130(3) Å, V = 1216.4(3) ų, and Z = 2. The strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are (d in Å / I _obs / hkl): 3.180 / 100 / 121, 2.885 / 70 / 114, 4.993 / 30 / 110, 4.081 / 30 / 112, 3.690 / 30 / 022. A single-crystal structure refinement (R1 = 3.62 %) confirmed that the structure is isotypic with milarite and related ^[12] C ^[9] B ₂ ^[6] A ₂ ^[4] T2₃ [^[4] T1₁₂O₃₀] compounds. The C-site is dominated by potassium, the B-site is almost half occupied by sodium, and the A-site is dominated by Mg. The site-scattering at the T2-site can be refined to a Be/(Be?+?Mg) value close to 0.61; the T1-site is occupied by Si. Micro-Raman spectroscopy reveals an increasing splitting of scattering bands around 550 cm^?1 for friedrichbeckeite. The mineral can be classified as an unbranched ring silicate or as a beryllo-magnesiosilicate. With respect to the end-member formula K (□0.5Na0.5)₂ Mg₂ Be₃ [Si₁₂O₃₀] friedrichbeckeite represents the Mg-dominant analogue of almarudite, milarite or oftedalite. The mineral and its paragenesis were formed during pyrometamorphic modifications of the silicate-rich xenoliths enclosed in Quaternary leucite-tephritic lava of the Bellerberg volcano. Holotype material of friedrichbeckeite has been deposited at the mineral collection of the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, Austria. The mineral is named friedrichbeckeite in honour of the Austrian mineralogist and petrographer Friedrich Johann Karl Becke (1855–1931).     

Trace element and molecular markers of organic carbon dynamics along a shelf–basin continuum in sediments of the western Arctic Ocean

Molecular organic biomarkers together with trace element composition were investigated in sediments east of Barrow Canyon in the western Arctic Ocean to determine sources and recycling of organic carbon in a continuum from the shelf to the basin. Algal biomarkers (polyunsaturated and short-chain saturated fatty acids, 24-methylcholesta-5,24(28)-dien-3β-ol, dinosterol) highlight the substantial contribution of organic matter from water column and sea-ice primary productivity in shelf environments, while redox markers such as acid volatile sulfide (AVS), Mn, and Re indicate intense metabolism of this material leading to sediment anoxia. Shelf sediments also receive considerable inputs from terrestrial organic carbon, with biomarker composition suggesting the presence of multiple pools of terrestrial organic matter segregated by age/lability or hydrodynamic sorting. Sedimentary metabolism was not as intense in slope sediments as on the shelf; however, sufficient labile organic matter is present to create suboxic and anoxic conditions, at least intermittently, as organic matter is focused towards the slope. Basin sediments also showed evidence for episodic delivery of labile organic carbon inputs despite the strong physical controls of water depth and sea-ice cover. Principal components analysis of the lipid biomarker data was used to estimate fractions of preserved recalcitrant (of terrestrial origin) and labile (of marine origin) organic matter in the sediments, with ranges of 12–79%, 14–45%, and 37–66% found for the shelf, slope, and basin cores, respectively. On average, the relative preserved terrestrial organic matter in basin sediments was 56%, suggesting exchange of organic carbon between nearshore and basin environments in the western Arctic.     

Enhancing the relevance of Shared Socioeconomic Pathways for climate change impacts,adaptation and vulnerability research

This paper discusses the role and relevance of the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) and the new scenarios that combine SSPs with representative concentration pathways (RCPs) for climate change impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability (IAV) research. It first provides an overview of uses of social–environmental scenarios in IAV studies and identifies the main shortcomings of earlier such scenarios. Second, the paper elaborates on two aspects of the SSPs and new scenarios that would improve their usefulness for IAV studies compared to earlier scenario sets: (i) enhancing their applicability while retaining coherence across spatial scales, and (ii) adding indicators of importance for projecting vulnerability. The paper therefore presents an agenda for future research, recommending that SSPs incorporate not only the standard variables of population and gross domestic product, but also indicators such as income distribution, spatial population, human health and governance.     

金塔绿洲主要特征量的数值模拟

 采用RAMS模式模拟了金塔绿洲非均匀地表的空气温度、湿度、风速、地表能量。结果表明,绿洲地表温度明显比周围戈壁和沙漠低,空气湿度明显比周围戈壁和沙漠大,近地层感热通量最大值约为戈壁和沙漠的1/3,近底层潜热通量比戈壁和沙漠大20倍左右。模拟结果与观测值的对比表明,RAMS对绿洲、戈壁和沙漠不同下垫面近地面温度、湿度、感热通量和潜热通量的模拟与实测基本一致。由于湍流的随机性,风速的模拟偏差比较大,这种偏差有一多半是由于非线性偏差造成的。