Reliability with respect to settlement limit-states of shallow foundations on linearly-deformable subsoil

A step by step procedure for applying the response surface and SORM methods in estimating the reliability index associated with exceeding a certain allowable settlement level by a shallow foundation is presented in this paper. Two random variables, the Young modulus and Poisson's ratio, of lognormal and beta distribution respectively, in a single soil layer are taken into account. A linearly-deformable model of soil is assumed which is most frequently used in engineering practice when the serviceability limit state is considered. The main problem encountered in using the response surface methodology was the existence of false design points that prevented coordinate calculations of the real ones. Two procedures were employed. The first one consisted of widening the area covered by the response surface (polynomial of the second degree) with an additional “oedometric” term. Inserting the oedometric term improves the quality of the fitting and enables one to extend the range of approximation. The latter added a barrier to prevent the procedure from moving into the false design point region. Moreover, the paper presents the effect of random variation of the Young modulus E and Poisson's ratio ν as well as their mutual correlation, on the reliability index associated with exceeding the assumed level of a shallow foundation settlement.     

Simple two-dimensional kinematic framework designed to test warm rain microphysical models

This paper describes a two-dimensional kinematic framework designed to test warm rain microphysical models. The idealized flow field is based on a case study from the Hawaiian Rainband Project (1990). Analyses of radar and aircraft data collected in convective cells embedded in Hawaiian rainbands are included for model validation. A Cloud Condensation Nuclei (CCN) activation spectrum, a condensational growth equation including the CCN chemical composition, collection efficiencies, and terminal velocities of the growing drops, are all provided. A sample set of figures from the test run with bulk microphysical parameterization illustrates the desired format for comparisons between the detailed model results and for validation of the model output with observations. This simple yet realistic test formulation includes vertical and horizontal advection, and can be used to evaluate microphysical model performance without complexities resulting from dynamical–microphysical interactions in dynamic cloud models. Without such interactions, scientists can focus on key physical processes involved in the formation of warm rain. The accurate representation of these processes in detailed models is essential to successfully simulate the observed evolution of warm precipitating clouds.     

Possible remnants of a frozen mud lake in southern Elysium, Mars

In this work we estimate the minimum persistence time of subsurface ice in water rich sediment layers remaining after sublimation of a martian lake. We simulate sublimation of ice from layers of different granulations and thicknesses. Presented results assume insolation and atmospheric conditions characteristic for the present day southern Elysium, where data from Mars Express have identified surface features possibly indicating the very recent presence of a frozen body of water [Murray et al., 2005. Nature 434, 352-356]. The age of these features is estimated to be several million years. On this time scale, we find that most of the water ice must have sublimated away, however remnant ice at a few percent level cannot be excluded. This amount of water ice is sufficient for chemical cementation of the observed features and explains their relatively pristine appearance, without significant signs of erosion.     

Macroscopic impacts of cloud and precipitation processes in shallow convection

This paper presents application of the EULAG model combined with a sophisticated double-moment warm-rain microphysics scheme to the model intercomparison case based on RICO (Rain in Cumulus over Ocean) field observations. As the simulations progress, the cloud field gradually deepens and a relatively sharp temperature and moisture inversions develop in the lower troposphere. Two contrasting aerosol environments are considered, referred to as pristine and polluted, together with two contrasting subgridscale mixing scenarios, the homogeneous and the extremely inhomogeneous mixing. Pristine and polluted environments feature mean cloud droplet concentrations around 40 and 150 mg^?1, respectively, and large differences in the rain characteristics. Various measures are used to contrast evolution of macroscopic cloud field characteristics, such as the mean cloud fraction, the mean cloud width, or the height of the center of mass of the cloud field, among others. Macroscopic characteristics appear similar regardless of the aerosol characteristics or the homogeneity of the subgrid-scale mixing.     

Airborne Microorganisms Emitted from Wastewater Treatment Plant Treating Domestic Wastewater and Meat Processing Industry Wastes

Experiments were conducted to study the airborne microbial contamination generated by a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Aerosol samples were collected simultaneously, by sedimentation and impact methods, from the area and the surroundings of the WWTP. Total colony forming units (CFUs) of heterotrophic bacteria (HPC), as well as members of the Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, enterococci, actinomycetes, and microscopic fungi were determined. Bacterial (HPC) concentrations ranged between 10¹ and 10⁴ CFU/m³, fungi 0 and 10⁴ CFU/m³. Higher numbers of HPC bacteria in air samples were observed in summer, fungi in autumn. The main emission of microorganisms to atmospheric air was from the mechanical sewage treatment devices of the WWTP. The facilities of the biological sewage treatment of the plant did not generate large amounts of bioaerosols. In the air obtained from the premises of the WWTP, 25 species of the Enterobacteriaceae were isolated (Salmonella spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli). At the fence and in the surroundings only Pantoea spp. were identified. This suggests that the sewage bacteria were mainly discharged in the area of the WWTP. The presence of enteric bacteria, especially Enterobacteriaceae reflects the level of air pollution with bioaerosols from sewage and is an important factor during monitoring the quality of the air around WWTPs.     

Laminated lake sediments in northeast Poland: distribution, preconditions for formation and potential for paleoenvironmental investigation

Glacial landscapes of the Land of Great Masurian Lakes and Suwa?ki Lakelands in northeast Poland are characterized by very high abundance of lakes. These two areas were surveyed for lakes containing laminated sediments. Using bathymetry as a criterion, 60 small, deep lakes, representing preferred conditions for formation and preservation of lacustrine non-glacial varves, were selected for gravity coring. We found laminated sediments in 24 of the lakes, 15 in the Land of Great Masurian Lakes and 9 in the Suwa?ki Lakeland. Seven of these 24 sediment records were laminated in the topmost part only. Analysis of lake morphometric variables showed that the relation between surface area and maximum water depth can be used to identify lakes with laminated sediments. Most of the newly discovered lakes with laminated deposits have surface areas ≤0.3 km² and maximum depths of 15–35 m. Multivariate statistical analysis (Linear Discriminant Analysis) of the lake dataset identified the morphological features of lake basins and their catchments that largely control preservation of laminated sediments. Microscopic and geochemical analyses revealed a biogenic (carbonaceous) type of lamination typical for lakes in northeast Poland. Such lakes are characterized by a spring-summer lamina that is rich in calcium carbonate and an autumn-winter lamina composed of organic and minerogenic detritus. This pattern may be modified by multiple periods of calcite deposition during a single year or substantial contribution of clastic material. Laminations and high sedimentation rates offer the possibility of high-resolution investigation of past climate and environmental changes through application of myriad biological, isotopic and geochemical proxies.     

Elastic properties of seafloor sediments from the modelling of amplitudes of multiple water waves recorded on the seafloor off Bear Island,North Atlantic

Wide‐angle seismic data acquired by use of air‐guns and ocean bottom seismometers (OBS) contain strong direct water arrivals and multiples, generally considered as noise and thus not included in the modelling. However, a recent study showed that standard ray‐tracing modelling of the water multiples recorded off the Bear Island, North Atlantic, provided a reliable estimate of the velocity distribution in the water layer. Here, we demonstrate that including the amplitudes in the modelling provide valuable information about the V_P contrast at the seafloor, as well as the V_P/V_S ratio and attenuation (Q_P) of the uppermost sediments. The V_P contrast at the seafloor is estimated at about 250 m/s, within a precision of approximately ±30 m/s. The V_P/V_S ratio in the uppermost sedimentary layer is modelled in the range 2.25–2.50 and the Q_P factor is estimated at 1000 for the water, 30–50 for the uppermost layer and 40–50 for the second sedimentary layer. The values obtained for the sediments suggest a lithology dominated by silty clays, with porosity below average.     

Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Soil Erosion Risk in Małopolska (Poland), Supported by an Object-Based Analysis of High-Resolution Satellite Images

In 2011 the Marshal Office of Ma?opolska Voivodeship decided to evaluate the vulnerability of soils to water erosion for the entire region. The quantitative and qualitative assessment of the erosion risk for the soils of the Ma?opolska region was done based on the USLE approach. The special work-flow of geoinformation technologies was used to fulfil this goal. A high-resolution soil map, together with rainfall data, a detailed digital elevation model and statistical information about areas sown with particular crops created the input information for erosion modelling in GIS environment. The satellite remote sensing technology and the object-based image analysis (OBIA) approach gave valuable support to this study. RapidEye satellite images were used to obtain the essential up-to-date data about land use and vegetation cover for the entire region (15,000 km²). The application of OBIA also led to defining the direction of field cultivation and the mapping of contour tillage areas. As a result, the spatially differentiated values of erosion control practice factor were used. Both, the potential and the actual soil erosion risk were assessed quantificatively and qualitatively. The results of the erosion assessment in the Ma?opolska Voivodeship reveal the fact that a majority of its agricultural lands is characterized by moderate or low erosion risk levels. However, high-resolution erosion risk maps show its substantial spatial diversity. According to our study, average or higher actual erosion intensity levels occur for 10.6 % of agricultural land, i.e. 3.6 % of the entire voivodeship area. In 20 % of the municipalities there is a very urgent demand for erosion control. In the next 23 % an urgent erosion control is needed. Our study showed that even a slight improvement of P-factor estimation may have an influence on modeling results. In our case, despite a marginal change of erosion assessment figures on a regional scale, the influence on the final prioritization of areas (municipalities) according to erosion control needs is visible. The study shows that, high-resolution satellite imagery and OBIA may be efficiently used for P-factor mapping and thus contribute to a refined soil erosion risk assessment.     

Precise estimation of covariance parameters in least-squares collocation by restricted maximum likelihood

Precise estimates of the covariance parameters are essential in least-squares collocation (LSC) in the case of increased accuracy requirements. This paper implements restricted maximum likelihood (REML) method for the estimation of three covariance parameters in LSC with the Gauss-Markov second-order function (GM2), which is often used in interpolation of gravity anomalies. The estimates are then validated with the use of an independent technique, which has been often omitted in the previous works that are confined to covariance parameters errors based on the information matrix. The crossvalidation of REML estimates with the use of hold-out method (HO) helps in understanding of REML estimation errors. We analyzed in detail the global minimum of negative log-likelihood function (NLLF) in the estimation of covariance parameters, as well, as the accuracy of the estimates. We found that the correlation between covariance parameters may critically contribute to the errors of their estimation. It was also found that knowing some intrinsic properties of the covariance function may help in the scoring process.     

Conditions for deposition of annually laminated sediments in small meromictic lakes: a case study of Lake Suminko (northern Poland)

A three-year field study was conducted in Lake Suminko, Poland, to gain an understanding of the limnological variables that influence the formation and spatial extent of annually laminated sediments in the lake. The water body is divided into three depth strata, the mixolimnion, chemocline and monimolimnion, each defined by distinct values of temperature, electrical conductivity and oxygen concentration. Typical for meromictic lakes, the monimolimnion remains perennially anoxic and is rich in dissolved solids and nutrients. The annual pattern of particle flux in Lake Suminko is closely related to biochemical processes in the euphotic zone. During winter months we observed very low accumulation rates of non-carbonaceous matter, while during the rest of the year, three periods of calcite deposition were recorded (April, July–August, and October–November). The periods of high calcite deposition corresponded with algal blooms and oxygen concentration maxima. Two principal factors contribute to meromixis in Lake Suminko: (1) the basin is sheltered, preventing wind mixing, and (2) biochemical processes in the lake associated with high lacustrine productivity. Meromictic conditions must control the formation and preservation of laminated sediments in the lake because preserved laminations occur only in areas where the lake floor lies below monimolimnetic waters.