Center limb observations of inhomogeneities in the solar atmosphere

High resolution Ca II K-line spectra obtained at Kitt Peak National Observatory in September 1970 at a dispersion of 20 mm/Å and a spatial resolution approaching 1 arc sec are described.We first investigate the claim made by Zirin, Pasachoff and others that, at high spatial resolution, the K₂ emission occurs either in the red wing or the blue but not both. In fact, it is shown that although some spectra exhibit predominantly singly-peaked emission features, other spectra, at equally high spatial resolution, show mainly doubly-peaked structures. We suggest that both types of spectra may be regarded as normal.Secondly, time series studies reveal at least two cases in which features exhibiting single emission peaks in either the red or the blue wings evolve into doubly-peaked structures in a time scale of 15sec.Finally, two features on the slit are observed to separate in a manner which implies velocities of order 50 km/sec. Other alternative explanations of the phenomena are discussed but are found to be even more implausible than velocities of this magnitude. Nevertheless, we urge the need for independent confirmation of this result.The implications of these observations for inhomogeneous models for the formation of the Caii K-line are discussed.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

On Measuring Net Ecosystem Carbon Exchange Over Tall Vegetation on Complex Terrain

To assess annual budgets of CO₂ exchange betweenthe biosphere and atmosphere over representativeecosystems, long-term measurements must be made overecosystems that do not exist on ideal terrain. How tointerpret eddy covariance measurements correctlyremains a major task. At present, net ecosystemCO₂ exchange is assessed, by members of themicrometeorological community, as the sum of eddycovariance measurements and the storage of CO₂ inthe underlying air. This approach, however, seemsunsatisfactory as numerous investigators are reportingthat it may be causing nocturnal respiration fluxdensities to be underestimated.A new theory was recently published by Lee (1998, Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 91: 39–50) for assessing net ecosystem-atmosphere CO₂ exchange(N_e) over non-ideal terrain. Itincludes a vertical advection term. We apply thisequation over a temperate broadleaved forest growingin undulating terrain. Inclusion of the verticaladvection term yields hourly, daily and annual sums ofnet ecosystem CO₂ exchange that are moreecologically correct during the growing season.During the winter dormant period, on the other hand,corrected CO₂ flux density measurements of anactively respiring forest were near zero. Thisobservation is unrealistic compared to chambermeasurements and model calculations. Only duringmidday, when the atmosphere is well-mixed, domeasurements of N_e match estimatesbased on model calculations and chamber measurements. On an annual basis, sums of N_ewithout the advection correction were 40% too large,as compared with computations derived from a validatedand process-based model. With the inclusion of theadvection correction term, we observe convergencebetween measured and calculated values ofN_e on hourly, daily and yearly time scales. We cannot, however, conclude that inclusion of aone-dimensional, vertical advection term into thecontinuity equation is sufficient for evaluatingCO₂ exchange over tall forests in complexterrain. There is an indication that the neglected term,( c¯/ x), isnon-zero and that CO₂ may be leakingfrom the sides of the control volume during the winter. In this circumstance, forest floor CO₂ effluxdensities exceed effluxes measured above the canopy.     

DEFORMATIONAL AND METAMORPHIC HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL LONGMEN MOUNTAINS, SICHUAN CHINA

DEFORMATIONAL AND METAMORPHIC HISTORY OF THE CENTRAL LONGMEN MOUNTAINS, SICHUAN CHINA1　ArneDC ,WorleyBA ,WilsonCJL ,etal.Differentialexhumationinresponsetoepisodicthrustingalongtheeasternmar ginoftheTibetanPlateau[J] .Tectonophysics,1997,2 80 :2 39～ 2 56 . 2　ChenSF ,WilsonCJL ,WorleyBA .TectonictransitionfromtheSongpan GarzeFoldBelttotheSichuanBasin,south westernChina[J] .BasinResearch ,1995,7:2 35～ 2 53. 3　ChenSF ,WilsonCJL .Emplaceme…     

Particle trapping in stratified estuaries: Application to observations

Estuarine turbidity maxima (ETM) retain suspended particulate matter (SPM) through advection, settling, aggregation, and nonlinearities in bed processes, but the relative importance of these processes varies strongly between systems. Observations from two strongly advective systems (the Columbia and Fraser Rivers) are used to investigate seasonal cycles of SPM retention and the effects of very high flows. Results for the Fraser and Columbia plus literature values for 13 other estuaries illustrate the applicability of scaling parameters and the response of ETM phenomena to a range of river flow (U _r ) levels and tidal forcing. The most efficient trapping (represented by Trapping EfficiencyE, the ratio of maximum ETM concentration to the source SPM concentration) occurs for low ratios of river flow to tidal current amplitude (U_T), represented by low values of the Supply number S_r.E in the Columbia is found to be maximal in a null zone where advection or tidal asymmetry (represented by Advection numberA) is weak(A ∼ 0). The ratio of aggregation to disaggregation (the Floc number Θ) is maximal on neap tides, while the ratio of erosion to deposition (the Erosion number P) is maximal on spring tides. The ratio of settling velocity to vertical mixing (Rouse numberP) is relatively constant in the Columbia ETM(P ∼ 0.7), because particle settling velocity and turbulence levels adjust together. Assuming that this result applies broadly, scaling variables and data are combined to express ETM properties in terms of the friction velocity (U_*),U _r , andU _T , allowing a considerable simplification of the parameters used to describe ETM.     

Forward Lagrangian stochastic simulation of a transient source in the atmospheric surface layer

We show that a forward Lagrangian stochastic (LS) model simulates well the ensemble-averaged concentration transient due to a short time (5 min) point source in the uniform atmospheric surface layer. In LS models, computational particles, which may not descend below ground level, are necessarily reflected at an imposed (artificial) boundary above ground. Model results were rather insensitive to the placing of the lower reflection boundary, and no definite benefit stemmed from including a parametrization for unresolved delays/displacements beneath the lower boundary.     

Spatial coincidence and similar geochemistry of Late Triassic and Eocene–Oligocene magmatism in the Andes of northern Chile: evidence from the MMH porphyry type Cu–Mo deposit,Chuquicamata District

International Journal of Earth Sciences - The MMH porphyry type copper–molybdenum deposit in northern Chile is the newest mine in the Chuquicamata District, one of largest copper...     

A Hydraulic Model for Multiple-Bay-Inlet Systems on Barrier Islands

In this study, we apply the traditional hydraulic engineering approach to model an inter-connected multiple-bay-inlet system that can represent the Great South Bay-Moriches Bay system on Long Island, New York. We show that the hydraulic model captures the essential physics of the system, despite its apparent simplicity in mathematical expressions. The model gives good estimates of bay tidal transmissions, including the tidal ranges, phase lags, and the flood-ebb asymmetry behavior in Moriches Bay. The hydraulic modeling results compare well with the simulations from a 3D coastal ocean circulation model, in particular the changes in bay tides due to the breach of Old Inlet by Hurricane Sandy. The modeled inlet discharge rates are in good agreement with the observations.     

Hypersalinity During Regional Drought Drives Mass Mortality of the Seagrass <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syringodium filiforme</Emphasis> in a Subtropical Lagoon

Seagrasses are sensitive to local environmental conditions such as salinity, the underwater light environment, and nutrient availability. To characterize seagrass coverage and condition, as well as to relate changes in community structure to local environmental and hydrologic conditions, we monitored seagrass communities in the Upper Laguna Madre (ULM), Texas annually from 2011 to 2015. In 2011 and 2012, the lagoon was dominated primarily by Halodule wrightii, with mixed meadows of H. wrightii and Syringodium filiforme located in the northwest of our study area. By 2013, the expansive S. filiforme meadows had disappeared and the species was restricted to the northernmost reaches of the lagoon. The S. filiforme mortality occurred following an extended period of extremely high salinity (salinities 50–70) during a regional drought. Continuous measurements of underwater photosynthetically active radiation and stable carbon isotopic signatures of seagrass blade tissues did not suggest light limitation, and H. wrightii N/P molar ratios near 30:1 were not indicative of nutrient limitation. Based on the absence of strong evidence for light or nutrient limitation, along with the known tolerance of H. wrightii for higher salinities, we conclude that hypersalinity driven by regional drought was likely the major driver behind the observed S. filiforme mortality. With a substantial portion of the global seagrass distribution threatened by drought in the next 50 years, the increased frequency of hypersaline conditions is likely to exacerbate stress in seagrass systems already vulnerable to the effects of rising water temperatures, eutrophication, and sea level rise.     

Exploring controls of the early and stepped deglaciation on the western margin of the British Irish Ice Sheet

New optically stimulated luminescence dating and Bayesian models integrating all legacy and BRITICE-CHRONO geochronology facilitated exploration of the controls on the deglaciation of two former sectors of the British–Irish Ice Sheet, the Donegal Bay (DBIS) and Malin Sea ice-streams (MSIS). Shelf-edge glaciation occurred ~27 ka, before the global Last Glacial Maximum, and shelf-wide retreat began 26–26.5 ka at a rate of ~18.7–20.7 m a^–1. MSIS grounding zone wedges and DBIS recessional moraines show episodic retreat punctuated by prolonged still-stands. By ~23–22 ka the outer shelf (~25 000 km²) was free of grounded ice. After this time, MSIS retreat was faster (~20 m a^–1 vs. ~2–6 m a^–1 of DBIS). Separation of Irish and Scottish ice sources occurred ~20–19.5 ka, leaving an autonomous Donegal ice dome. Inner Malin shelf deglaciation followed the submarine troughs reaching the Hebridean coast ~19 ka. DBIS retreat formed the extensive complex of moraines in outer Donegal Bay at 20.5–19 ka. DBIS retreated on land by ~17–16 ka. Isolated ice caps in Scotland and Ireland persisted until ~14.5 ka. Early retreat of this marine-terminating margin is best explained by local ice loading increasing water depths and promoting calving ice losses rather than by changes in global temperatures. Topographical controls governed the differences between the ice-stream retreat from mid-shelf to the coast.