In-flight Performance of the Advanced Camera for Surveys CCDs

The Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), installed in the Hubble Space telescope in March 2002, will significantly extend HST's deep, survey imaging capabilities. ACS has met, or exceeded, all of its key performance specifications. In this paper we briefly review the in-flight performance of the instrument's CCD detectors and preview early ACS science observations. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Amoco Cadiz oil spill

This report gives a preliminary account of the events surrounding the wreck of the Amoco Cadiz on the Brittany coast in March, which caused the most massive oil pollution on record.     

The role of recharge and evapotranspiration as hydraulic drivers of ion concentrations in shallow groundwater on Everglades tree islands,Florida (USA)

Recently, evapotranspiration has been hypothesized to promote the secondary formation of calcium carbonate year‐round on tree islands in the Everglades by influencing groundwater ions concentrations. However, the role of recharge and evapotranspiration as drivers of shallow groundwater ion accumulation has not been investigated. The goal of this study is to develop a hydrologic model that predicts the chloride concentrations of shallow tree island groundwater and to determine the influence of overlying biomass and underlying geologic material on these concentrations. Groundwater and surface water levels and chloride concentrations were monitored on eight constructed tree islands at the Loxahatchee Impoundment Landscape Assessment (LILA) from 2007 to 2010. The tree islands at LILA were constructed predominately of peat, or of peat and limestone, and were planted with saplings of native tree species in 2006 and 2007. The model predicted low shallow groundwater chloride concentrations when inputs of regional groundwater and evapotranspiration‐to‐recharge rates were elevated, while low evapotranspiration‐to‐recharge rates resulted in a substantial increase of the chloride concentrations of the shallow groundwater. Modeling results indicated that evapotranspiration typically exceeded recharge on the older tree islands and those with a limestone lithology, which resulted in greater inputs of regional groundwater. A sensitivity analysis indicated the shallow groundwater chloride concentrations were most sensitive to alterations in specific yield during the wet season and hydraulic conductivity in the dry season. In conclusion, the inputs of rainfall, underlying hydrologic properties of tree islands sediments and forest structure may explain the variation in ion concentration seen across Everglades tree islands. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Paleokarst system development in the San Andres Formation, Permian Basin, revealed by seismic characterization

Paleokarst systems are one of the major factors resulting in carbonate reservoir heterogeneity and compartmentalization. Nevertheless, few effective workflows have been proposed to map the 3D distribution of such systems. We describe a detailed seismic characterization approach integrating core, well log and rock physics analysis, to reveal a complex subsurface paleokarst system in the San Andres Formation, Permian basin, West Texas. In the area of high volume production, the collapsed paleokarst system is characterized by irregularly developed crackle and fracture breccias, mosaic breccias and cave fillings in the Upper San Andres Formation, which are delineated using seismic acoustic impedance. Along the transition from platform to basin, the paleokarst system is marked by a linear collapse including sags and small vertical faults that are recognizable in seismic imaging. Production data indicates that tight paleokarst zones cause reservoir compartmentalization and influence fluid communication between wells. The complex paleokarst system development is explained using a carbonate platform hydrological model, an outcrop analogue similar to modern marine hydrological environments within carbonate islands. Our method of model development for complex subsurface paleokarst systems may be applicable to other paleoenvironments.     

Equivalent viscous damping for steel concentrically braced frame structures

The direct displacement based seismic design procedure utilises equivalent viscous damping expressions to represent the effect of energy dissipation of a structural system. Various expressions for the equivalent viscous damping of different structural systems are available in the literature, but the structural systems examined in the past have not included concentrically braced frame structures. Thus, this study describes the development of an equivalent viscous damping equation for concentrically braced frame structures based on the hysteretic response of 15 different single storey models. Initially, equivalent viscous damping is calculated based on the area based approach and then corrected for the earthquake excitation. An iterative procedure is adopted to calibrate the equivalent viscous damping expression to the results of inelastic time history analyses using a number of spectrum-compatible real accelerograms. From the results of this research, a new damping expression is developed as a function of the ductility and the non dimensional slenderness ratio.     

Preparedness and Warning Systems for Populations with Special Needs: Ensuring Everyone Gets the Message (and Knows What To Do)

The recent South Asian Tsunami has brought world-wide awareness to the effects of major disasters upon all segments of society. Vulnerable populations such as the disabled, children, or the elderly are at particular risk in a disaster and it is vital to consider their special needs in the design of disaster preparedness and warning systems. Additionally, tourists, recent immigrants, and refugees face challenges when confronted with disaster in unfamiliar locations, linguistically isolated, and in need of assimilating lifesaving information and guidance quickly when under stress. Attention to the requirements for persons with disabilities may also benefit the greater general population which can find itself situationally disabled. Information and Communications Technology based upon accessible design principles is part of the solution. Understanding of psychology, ergonomics, and information design is vital, as are the unique perceptual, cognitive, physical, and linguistic challenges that can influence the efficacy of the message. These issues are among those addressed in an ongoing project in Urakawa, Japan, which is developing a disaster preparedness information system that meets the needs of persons with disabilities.