Millimetre continuum observations of southern massive star formation regions – II. SCUBA observations of cold cores and the dust grain emissivity index (β)

We report the results of a submillimetre continuum emission survey targeted towards 78 star formation regions, 72 of which are devoid of methanol maser and UC H  ii  regions, identified in the Swedish ESO Submillimetre Telescope (SEST)/SEST IMaging Bolometer Array (SIMBA) millimetre continuum survey of Hill et al. At least 45 per cent of the latter sources, dubbed 'mm-only', detected in this survey are also devoid of the mid-infrared MSX  emission. The 450- and 850-μm continuum emission was mapped using the Submillimetre Common User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) instrument on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). Emission is detected towards 97 per cent of the 78 sources targeted as well as towards 28 other SIMBA sources lying in the SCUBA fields.
In total, we have identified 212 cores in this submillimetre survey, including 106 previously known from the SIMBA survey. Of the remaining 106 sources, 53 result from resolving a SIMBA source into multiple submillimetre components, whilst the other 53 sources are submillimetre cores, not seen in the SIMBA. Additionally, we have identified two further mm-only sources in the SIMBA images. Of the total 405 sources identified in the SIMBA survey, 255 are only seen at millimetre wavelengths.
We concatenate the results from four (sub)millimetre continuum surveys of massive star formation, together with the Galactic plane map of Pierce-Price et al. in order to determine the dust grain emissivity index β for each of the sources in the SIMBA source list. We examine the value of β with respect to temperature, as well as for the source classes identified in the SIMBA survey, for variation of this index. Our results indicate that β is typically 2, which is consistent with previous determinations in the literature, but for a considerably larger sample than previous work.     

The origin and abundances of the chemical elements revisited

Summary The basic scheme of nucleosynthesis (building of heavy elements from light ones) has held up very well since it was first proposed more than 30 years ago by E.M. Burbidge, G.R. Burbidge, A.G.W. Cameron, W.A. Fowler, and F. Hoyle. Significant advances in the intervening years include (a) observations of elemental and a few isotopic ratios in many more extrasolar-system sites, including metal-poor dwarf irregular galaxies, where very little has happened, and supernovae and their remnants, where a great deal has happened, (b) recognition of the early universe as good for making all the elements up to helium, (c) resolution of heavy element burning in stars into separate carbon, neon, oxygen, and silicon burning, with fine tuning of the resulting abundances by explosive nucleosynthesis in outgoing supernova shock waves, (d) clarification of the role of Type I supernovae, (e) concordance between elements produced in short-lived and long-lived stars with those that increased quickly and slowly over the history of the galaxy, and (f) calibration of calculations of the evolution and explosion of massive stars against the detailed observations of SN 1987A. The discussion presupposes a reader (a) with some prior knowledge of astronomy at the level of recognizing what is meant by an A star and an AGB star and (b) with at least a mild interest in how we got to where we currently are.     

Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids from the PACMANUS, Northeast Pual and Vienna Woods hydrothermal fields, Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

Processes controlling the composition of seafloor hydrothermal fluids in silicic back-arc or near-arc crustal settings remain poorly constrained despite growing evidence for extensive magmatic-hydrothermal activity in such environments. We conducted a survey of vent fluid compositions from two contrasting sites in the Manus back-arc basin, Papua New Guinea, to examine the influence of variations in host rock composition and magmatic inputs (both a function of arc proximity) on hydrothermal fluid chemistry. Fluid samples were collected from felsic-hosted hydrothermal vent fields located on Pual Ridge (PACMANUS and Northeast (NE) Pual) near the active New Britain Arc and a basalt-hosted vent field (Vienna Woods) located farther from the arc on the Manus Spreading Center. Vienna Woods fluids were characterized by relatively uniform endmember temperatures (273-285 °C) and major element compositions, low dissolved CO₂ concentrations (4.4 mmol/kg) and high measured pH (4.2-4.9 at 25 °C). Temperatures and compositions were highly variable at PACMANUS/NE Pual and a large, newly discovered vent area (Fenway) was observed to be vigorously venting boiling (358 °C) fluid. All PACMANUS fluids are characterized by negative δD_H2O values, in contrast to positive values at Vienna Woods, suggesting substantial magmatic water input to circulating fluids at Pual Ridge. Low measured pH (25 °C) values (∼2.6-2.7), high endmember CO₂ (up to 274 mmol/kg) and negative δ³⁴S_H2S values (down to −2.7‰) in some vent fluids are also consistent with degassing of acid-volatile species from evolved magma. Dissolved CO₂ at PACMANUS is more enriched in ¹³C (−4.1‰ to −2.3‰) than Vienna Woods (−5.2‰ to −5.7‰), suggesting a contribution of slab-derived carbon. The mobile elements (e.g. Li, K, Rb, Cs and B) are also greatly enriched in PACMANUS fluids reflecting increased abundances in the crust there relative to the Manus Spreading Center. Variations in alkali and dissolved gas abundances with Cl at PACMANUS and NE Pual suggest that phase separation has affected fluid chemistry despite the low temperatures of many vents. In further contrast to Vienna Woods, substantial modification of PACMANUS/NE Pual fluids has taken place as a result of seawater ingress into the upflow zone. Consistently high measured Mg concentrations as well as trends of increasingly non-conservative SO₄ behavior, decreasing endmember Ca/Cl and Sr/Cl ratios with increased Mg indicate extensive subsurface anhydrite deposition is occurring as a result of subsurface seawater entrainment. Decreased pH and endmember Fe/Mn ratios in higher Mg fluids indicate that the associated mixing/cooling gives rise to sulfide deposition and secondary acidity production. Several low temperature (?80 °C) fluids at PACMANUS/NE Pual also show evidence for anhydrite dissolution and water-rock interaction (fixation of B) subsequent to seawater entrainment. Hence, the evolution of fluid compositions at Pual Ridge reflects the cumulative effects of water/rock interaction, admixing and reaction of fluids exsolved from silicic magma, phase separation/segregation and seawater ingress into upflow zones.     

Influence of Wind-Driven Inundation and Coastal Geomorphology on Sedimentation in Two Microtidal Marshes, Pamlico River Estuary, NC

Marsh sediment accumulation is predominately a combination of in situ organic accumulation and mineral sediment input during inundation. Within the Pamlico River Estuary (PRE), marsh inundation is dependent upon event (e.g., storms) and seasonal wind patterns due to minimal astronomical tides (<10 cm). A better understanding of the processes controlling sediment deposition and, ultimately, marsh accretion is needed to forecast marsh sustainability with changing land usage, climate, and sea level rise. This study examines marsh topography, inundation depth, duration of inundation, and wind velocity to identify relationships between short-term deposition (tile-based) and long-term accumulation (²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs) recorded within and adjacent to the PRE. The results of this study indicate (1) similar sedimentation patterns between the interior marsh and shore-side marsh at different sites regardless of elevation, (2) increased sedimentation (one to two orders of magnitude, 0.04–4.54 g m^?2 day^?1) within the interior marsh when the water levels exceeded the adjacent topography (e.g., storm berm), and (3) that short-term sea level changes can have direct effects on sediment delivery to interior marshes in wind-driven estuarine systems.     

Sediment trace metals and PCB input history in Lake Anna, Virginia, USA

Damming of the North Anna River in 1972 created Lake Anna, a cooling water source for the Dominion nuclear power plant as well as a popular recreation site in Spotsylvania and Orange counties, Virginia, USA. Previously dated (210-Pb) sediment cores from seven locations within the lake and three locations in the adjoining Waste Heat Treatment Facilities (WHTF) were analyzed for trace metals (Al, Ba, Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Pb) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to examine the environmental evolution of the reservoir system. The reservoir has a history of mining activities in its watershed and unusually elevated concentrations of PCBs were found in fish tissues from previous studies. Therefore, dated sediment cores provided the framework for both the temporal and spatial analysis of possible sources and flux histories for both trace metals and PCBs. The trace metals results suggest that, though the upper reaches are relatively less impacted, the old mine tailings from the now ceased mining activities in the watershed of Contrary Creek tributary continue to dominate the sediment chemistry of the lower portion of the lake basin, signified by sediment enrichment of Pb, Cd, Cu, and Zn. Lagoon-2 of the WHTF also seems to be receiving unusually high loadings of Cd (12.5 ± 1.07 μg/g) that is probably associated with waste materials from the nuclear power plant that maintains the lagoons. PCB sediment concentrations were relatively low in the lower sections of the basins with values typically being <3.5 ng/g. The upper reaches of the basin had several PCB hotspots, with the surface sediments of Terry’s Run tributary having values as high as 53.13 ng/g. The spatial distribution of PCBs seems to suggest the upper reaches of the basin as the probable source, with the unusually high concentrations near bridges suggesting a possible link between the PCBs and old bridge fill materials. The oldest lacustrine sediments also had relatively high trace metals and PCB values signifying a probable role of soil disruption and sediment reconcentration during reservoir construction.     

Multi‐temporal AVHRR digital data: An approach for landcover mapping of heterogeneous landscapes

A multi‐temporal sequence of seven NOAA‐n, Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite scenes (April 10, May 18, June 6, June 29, July 20, and August 18, 1987) were composited to derive cover‐type information in the heterogeneous landscape of University Lake Watershed, North Carolina, U.S.A. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated for each scene and merged into a seven‐dimensional dataset, representing each time period sampled. An unsupervised classification was performed on the multi‐temporal composite to derive five cover‐type classes. Similar classifications were generated on single scene information. Ground control information was derived from an unsupervised classification of one kilometer grid compositional percentages initially derived from photo‐interpreted landcover information. The multi‐temporal NDVI classification more consistently characterized phenologic responses on a spatially dissected landscape than single scene clustering. Sub‐pixel information showed how the algorithm separated compositional information between classes. Temporal vectors were plotted to illustrate differentiation on the basis of NDVI profiles.     

Three‐dimensional displays for natural hazards analysis,using classified Landsat thematic mapper digital data and large‐scale digital elevation models

Abstract

Professional aerial photography missions are generally outside the reach of most students and faculty involved with teaching and research. Oblique aerial photography using handheld cameras for image acquisition from a light high‐wing aircraft offers an excellent learning experience for students in a first course in remote sensing and offers a useful research tool for graduate students and faculty engaged in environmental investigations. This paper is essentially a guide, covering all aspects of hand‐held camera aerial imaging and the subsequent processing needed to produce low‐obliques, stereograms, anaglyphs, and flight line mosaics. Scales, ground coverage distances, and stereogram and mosaic timing intervals, are included along with a section on the calculations used to produce these numbers. A list of additional resources concludes the paper.     

Observed biases in the conterminous U.S. AVHRR satellite data set: A North Carolina case study

The USGS EROS Data Center has produced a national data set for long‐term ecological monitoring termed the “Conterminous U.S. AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) Data Set” that includes biweekly maximum‐value composite (MVC) images of NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) values, original five channels of calibrated AVHRR satellite data, image viewing and illumination geometry, date of observation, and ancillary data sets pertaining to landcover and political boundaries (Loveland et al., 1991; Eidenshink, 1992).

The basic intent of the study was to evaluate the potential of the data set for broad‐scale, multitemporal landscape mapping by assessing the quality and sensitivity of the data set to support such applications. Potential biases existing in the data set were identified and analytical procedures suggested to deal with such biases. Results from analyses within the State of North Carolina suggest that the time series of the NDVI values is influenced by sensitivities to residual cloud contamination, preceeding climatic events, temporal and spatial scales of analyses, and the composition and spatial organization of the study area. Spatial and temporal discontinuities within and between images, irregular space‐time semivariograms, and statistical summaries of the data show the existence of biases in the data set for North Carolina. Possible adjustments to reduce this level of uncertainty include the generation of NDVI composites over longer time periods, exclusion of suspected contaminated data, or the use of spatial and temporal interpolations of contaminated values to reduce their relative impact on each composite image. Regional variations in NDVI responses to viewing and illumination geometry may also be important factors for users to consider.     

GROUND SIGNATURE OF AN ANTECEDENT PRECIPITATION EVENT: DETECTION OF SURFACE COOLING BY AVHRR SATELLITE DATA

Evaluation of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) sensor on-board the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites shows that the spatial pattern of rainfall distribution can be detected on data acquired after a precipitation event. The thermal infrared spectral region of AVHRR data shows good comparison to rainfall amount and distribution recorded at NOAA cooperative weather service rain gauges. The thermal infrared information indicates a cooling of temperature associated with measured rainfall. Latent energy of evaporation, soil thermal properties, and transpiration contribute to the observed cooling. After surface drying following a rainfall event, thermal inertia and evapotranspiration remain sufficiently affected so that the increased soil moisture is detected through decreases in temperature, independent of land cover and soil type.