Comparison and Combination of Coastal and Off-Shore Tide Gauge Measurements from Eivissa Island,Western Mediterranean

Two sea-level records, spanning eight months of simultaneous data in 2002, have been derived from pressure tide gauge measurements at Sant Antoni harbor (Eivissa Island, Western Mediterranean) and off Es Vedrà island, 15 km SW from Sant Antoni. The two time series are compared and used to characterize the sea-level variability in the Balearic Sea. The main forcings for the observed variations, astronomic tides, and meteorologic forcing by the inverse barometer effect are quantified. In a further step, an amplitude transfer function is determined, reflecting the frequency dependent amplification or damping of the nontidal sea-level residuals between both locations due to their local topography. The interpretation of the obtained transfer function indicates sea-level modulating topographic specifics not only for the coastal record at Sant Antoni, but also at the Es Vedrà site. In general, the application of such a transfer function allows the prediction of off-shore sea-level variations from coastal tide gauge measurements. In the present study, ellipsoidal sea-surface heights for Es Vedrà are inferred from Sant Antoni tide gauge data with an accuracy of about 1.5 cm by applying the determined transfer function and a geoid model.     

A spatially resolved high spectral resolution study of Neptune’s stratosphere

Using TEXES, the Texas Echelon cross Echelle Spectrograph, mounted on the Gemini North 8-m telescope we have mapped the spatial variation of H₂, CH₄, C₂H₂ and C₂H₆ thermal-infrared emission of Neptune. These high-spectral-resolution, spatially resolved, thermal-infrared observations of Neptune offer a unique glimpse into the state of Neptune’s stratosphere in October 2007, L_S = 275.4° just past Neptune’s southern summer solstice (L_S = 270°). We use observations of the S(1) pure rotational line of molecular hydrogen and a portion of the ν₄ band of methane to retrieve detailed information on Neptune’s stratospheric vertical and meridional thermal structure. We find global-average temperatures of 163.8 ± 0.8, 155.0 ± 0.9, and 123.8 ± 0.8 K at the 7.0 × 10⁻³-, 0.12-, and 2.1-mbar levels with no meridional variations within the errors. We then use the inferred temperatures to model the emission of C₂H₂ and C₂H₆ in order to derive stratospheric volume mixing ratios (hence forth, VMR) as a function of pressure and latitude. There is a subtle meridional variation of the C₂H₂ VMR at the 0.5-mbar level with the peak abundance found at −28° latitude, falling off to the north and south. However, the observations are consistent within error to a meridionally constant C₂H₂ VMR of at 0.5 mbar. We find that the VMR of C₂H₆ at 1-mbar peaks at the equator and falls by a factor of 1.6 at −70° latitude. However, a meridionally constant VMR of at the 1-mbar level for C₂H₆ is also statistically consistent with the retrievals. Temperature predictions from a radiative-seasonal climate model of Neptune that assumes the hydrocarbon abundances inferred in this paper are lower than the measured temperatures by 40 K at 7 × 10⁻³ mbar, 30 K at 0.12 mbar and 25 K at 2.1 mbar. The radiative-seasonal model also predicts meridional temperature variations on the order of 10 K from equator to pole, which are not observed. Assuming higher stratospheric CH₄ abundance at the equator relative to the south pole would bring the meridional trends of the inferred temperatures and radiative-seasonal model into closer agreement.We have also retrieved observations of C₂H₄ emission from Neptune’s stratosphere using TEXES on the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) in June 2003, L_S = 266°. Using the observations from the middle of the planet and an average of the middle three latitude temperature profiles from the 2007 observations (9.5° of L_S later, the seasonal equivalent of 9.5 Earth days within Earth’s seasonal cycle), we infer a C₂H₄ VMR of at 1.5 × 10⁻³ mbar, a value that is 3.25 times that predicted by global-average photochemical models.     

Bottom-moored acoustic array to monitor density and vertical movement of deep-sea benthopelagic animals

A bottom-moored vehicle, employing a 36-kHz acoustic array, is described. Its purpose is to census benthopelagic populations at abyssal depths and detect vertical movement of these animals. It is argued that an acoustic census offers particular advantages over traditional sampling methods, and when used in conjunction with these methods, offers powerful insight into abyssal community dynamics.     

Expanding envelopes of binary stars

In this paper which is a continuation of Neutsch and Schmidt (1985a) (later on referred to as part I) we shall investigate the structure of binary envelopes under the hypothesis that at least one of the companions produces a very intense radiation field. The limiting case in which the forces due to the system's rotation (i.e., Coriolis and centrifugal forces) as well as gas pressure can be neglected is solved analytically using a classical result of Euler. Beyond this the velocity and density distributions in the envelope are determined.Under the assumptions mentioned above, the results are exact and are, therefore, of value as a reference model for later more advanced considerations (see, e.g., Neutsch and Schmidt, 1985b). Although the present approach is quite simple, it nevertheless shows some typical features of the general case. Furthermore, it serves as a helpful guide in guessing the system parameters to be initially adopted in physically sounder. calculations (for example: the Monte-Carlo approximation which will be described in Part III).     

Buchbesprechungen

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Relative sea level changes during the Holocene in the Sisimiut area,south‐western Greenland

Holocene relative sea level (RSL) changes have been investigated by analysing and dating isolation sequences from five lakes near Sisimiut in south‐western Greenland. The transitions between marine and lacustrine sediments were determined from elemental analyses and analyses of macroscopic plant and animal remains. Radiocarbon dating was used to provide minimum ages for the transitions and to construct a RSL curve. Dating of a shell of the marine bivalve Macoma balthica indicates that deglaciation of the lowlands occurred in the early Holocene, at around 10 900 cal a BP. The RSL curve shows initial rapid regression from the marine limit at around 140 m, implying strong glacio‐isostatic rebound. We suggest that the margin of the Greenland Ice Sheet was located at the shelf break during the Last Glacial Maximum. Frequent remains of the ostracode Sarcypridopsis aculeata, which is a thermophilous brackish water species that is unknown from the extant fauna of Greenland, in one of the basins around 8500 cal a BP may mark the beginning of the Holocene thermal maximum in the region. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A simultaneous X-ray and optical study of TT Arietis

Prelimary results of an extended program of coordinated X-ray and optical observations of TT Ari are presented. The object was observed on August 21/22 1985 both in X-rays (EXOSAT) and optical range, about 100 days after the return to the active state. The first detailed simultaneous study of TT Ari in active state indicates the presence of strongly absorbing structure in the system.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Area-preserving Poincaré mappings of the unit disk

The best way to investigate the long-time behaviour of dynamical systems is to introduce an appropriate Poincaré mapping P and study its iterates.Two cases of physical interest arise: Conservative and dissipative systems. While the latter has been considered by a great many authors, much less is known for the first one (according to Liouville's theorem, here the mapping leaves a certain measure in phase space invariant). In this paper, we concentrate our attention on compact phase spaces (or, rather, surfaces of section). This assumption is mathematically useful and physically reasonable.We consider the simplest possible (2-dimensional) systems whehre the phase space is the compact unit disk D in ². A family of simple area-preserving mappings from D onto itselves will be given and discussed in detail.It is shown that general characteristics of the dynamics are quite similar to those of e.g. the Hénon-Heiles system, while other features, as the structure of invariant curves, are different.     

Administrative-territorial division of Croatia

A new administrative-territorial system was introduced in Croatia in late 1992, after the country has passed through a tumultuous period and reached independence. The new internal territorial organization is a compromise between several different criterias. It reflects Croatia's position and geographic characteristics as well as the country's history and variety of traditional regions existing on those bases, but the most decisive was the functional principle. Counties, the first order units of the new division, are primarily functional regions of main centres. Beside counties, there is also a lower level of the division, namely municipalities created in predominantly rural areas and towns in more urbanized parts. The new civil division also provided a model of territorial autonomy for areas inhabited mostly by the Serbs, the second largest ethnic group in Croatia. For that purpose two districts with special status were proposed.     

Constraints on the origin and the genesis of graphite-bearing rocks from the variegated sequence of the Bohemian Massif (Austria)

Summary Transitions between graphitic gneisses, graphite-bearing calcsilicate rocks and marbles of the Variegated Sequence (Bunte Serie) in the Moldanubian zone of the Bohemian massif were examined for their primary sedimentary signatures. The bulk chemistry of the graphitic gneisses is similar to those of common black shales. Chondrite-normalized rare earth element (REE) distribution patterns of graphite-bearing rocks resemble those of average pelitic sediments. Graphite ¹³C-values around –22%o (PDB) show primary organic isotopic characteristics in the silicate rocks and confirm their organogenic origin. Traces of metasomatic mobilizations were found for a number of elements such as Ba, Rb, Cs, the REEs and Mn.Carbon isotope thermometry using the calibration ofScheele andHoefs (1992) suggests a peak-temperature of 640–780°C for the graphite-bearing calcsilicates and marbles. Small scale isotopic studies at the interface between gneisses and marbles argue against a pervasive streaming CO₂-rich fluid derived from an external source and imply that the fluid was controlled more locally by lithology. Ore petrographic investigations showed iron-rich alabandite as an abundant phase within the calcsilicate rocks and marbles. The occurrence and metamorphic origin of alabandite within these rocks indicates high S- and low CO₂-, O₂-fugacities in local layers of the Variegated Sequence.

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Herkunft und Genese von graphitführenden Gesteinen der Bunten Serie aus der Böhmischen Masse (Österreich)

Zusammenfassung Übergänge zwischen Graphitgneisen, Kalksilikatgesteinen und Marmoren der Bunten Serie im Moldanubikum der Böhmischen Masse wurden auf primäre sedimentäre Merkmale hin untersucht. Die Gesamtzusammensetzung der Graphitgneise gleicht der von durchschnittlichen Schwarzschiefern. Chondrit-normierte Verteilungsmuster der Seltenen Erdelemente (SEE) der graphitführenden Gesteine spiegeln pelitische Sedimente wider. Kohlenstoffisotopenzusammensetzungen der Graphite mit ¹³C-Werten um –22 (PDB) aus den Graphitgneisen lassen eindeutig auf einen organogenen Ursprung der Graphite schließen. Hinweise auf metasomatische Mobilisierungen finden sich bei den Elementen Ba, Rb, Cs, den SEE und Mn.Graphit-Kalzit Isotopenthermometrie nachScheele undHoefs (1992) ergibt eine Peak-Temperatur zwischen 640–780°C für das prägende Metamorphoseereignis. Isotopengeochelnische Kleinbereichsuntersuchungen erlauben es, ein während der prägenden Metamorphose lithologische Grenzen pervasiv durchströmendes CO₂-reiches Fluid, das von einer externen Quelle abgeleitet wird, auszuschließen und weisen auf eine eher lokale, von der Lithologie abhängige, Prägung des Fluids hin. Im Zuge der erzpetrographischen Untersuchung wurde Alabandin in den Kalksilikatgesteinen und Marmoren gefunden. Die Gegenwart von Alabandin, der in diesen Gesteinen als metamorphe Bildung angesehen wird, kann als Anzeiger für bereichsweise höhere S- und niedere CO₂- bzw. O₂-Fugazitäten in lokalen Bereichen der Bunten Serie gewertet werden.