Damping of gravity-capillary waves in the presence of oil slicks according to data from laboratory and numerical experiments

Laboratory study results on the damping of gravity-capillary waves (GCWs) on water covered with oil slicks are presented. The nonmonotonic behavior (the presence of a local maximum) of the dependence of the damp coefficient on the slick thickness has been ascertained. The dispersion relation for GCWs in the presence of a viscoelastic slick of arbitrary thickness has been numerically calculated; this confirmed the presence of a damp coefficient maximum as a function of slick thickness. The parameters of oil slicks (interfacial elasticity and viscosity) have been estimated in a wide range of their thickness from a comparison of the calculation results with the data from laboratory measurements of wave parameters on water covered with an oil slick.     

A.P. Vinogradov’s concept of biogeochemical provinces and its development

This paper addresses the concept of biogeochemical provinces introduced by A.P. Vinogradov and developed by V.V. Kovalsky and other researchers. The importance of this scientific direction was emphasized in the context of the anthropogenic impact on the biosphere. The most general characteristics, genesis, and evolution of biogeochemical provinces were discussed. Special attention was given to modern natural–anthropogenic biogeochemical provinces and anomalies. It was pointed out that this modern and vitally important scientific direction should be further pursued.     

High Resolution Spectroscopy of Halo Stars in the Near UV and Blue Region I. Spectra in the Wavelength Region 3550-5000 A

An atlas of high resolution (R = 60 000) CCD-spectra in the wavelength range 3500-5000A is presented for four objects in metallicity range -3.0 < [Fe/H] < -0.6, temperature range 4750 < Teff < 5900 K, and surface gravity range 1.6 < lgg < 5.0. We describe the calibration of the stellar atmospheric parameters using Alonso's formula based on the method of infrared flux and outline the determination of the abundances of a total number of 25 chemical elements. An analysis of the abundance determination errors for different chemical elements is carried out, and a method is provided for the observations and reduction of spectral material. Properties of the method of producing an atlas of spectra and line identifications are described.     

Influence of Temperature Variability in the Near-Bottom Layer on the Results of Geothermal Measurements in the Kvitøya Trough (Barents Sea)

Oceanology - According to a study of the thermal variability of the water column in the Kvitøya trough (northern part of the Barents Sea), substantial water temperature fluctuations in the...     

Characteristics of selenium migration in soil–plant system of East Meshchera and Transbaikalia

Herein some results of comparative researches to determine the parameters of selenium migration in meadow biogeocenoses of East Meshchera and East Transbaikalia are presented. The parameters of selenium mobility in soils (i.e., the element total content, plant-accumulation coefficient (Kb) and/or mobile form ratio) in Urov biogeochemical provinces of the East Transbaikalia are quite comparable to the element migration parameters found in selenium-deficient landscapes of the same area. Selenium mobility indices and ecological status are significantly higher for meadow biogeocenoses of the East Meshchera (Moscow Region) and also for limestone soils.     

The First Results of U–Pb Dating of the Nikolka Volcano (Central Kamchatka Depression)

U–Pb dating of zircon from amphibole latite of the central stock of the Nikolka shield volcano in Kamchatka provided the first data on its age. The end of activity falls to about 0.73 Ma (10 analyses). The local U–Pb analyses were carried out at the Isotope Research Center, Schmidt Joint Institute of Physics of the Earth (St. Petersburg) (VSEGEI) using SIMS SHRIMP II. Here, brief information about the geological structure, petrography, and chemistry of the rocks of the volcano are presented. A unique feature of the volcano is the occurrence of a gabbro–anorthosite sheet intrusion with derivates of monzonite and syenite composition in its central part. The correlation of the age obtained with the paleomagnetic data, indicating the formation of the volcano during the magnetic age of Matuyama, is also discussed. The date refers to the period of the change in epochs from the Brunhes to the Matuyama. The obtained age allows dating of the Pliocene volcanic stage in Kamchatka, when large shield volcanoes and plateaus formed.     

Variation of the spectrum of wind ripple on coastal waters under the action of internal waves

The mechanism of flattening of surface wind waves in the centimetre wavelength range under the action of internal waves and in the presence of surfactants is considered. It is shown that internal waves give rise to perturbations of surfactant concentration proportional to the orbital velocities of wave particles. Accordingly, the damping coefficient of centimetre wavelength ripples is also modulated. Evolution of the wind wave spectrum is described by the energy balance equation. In the right-hand side of the equation the Phillips excitation mechanism, the Miles mechanism with a nonlinear spectrum limitation, and the dissipation caused by a surface-active film are taken into account. Assuming that the energy source and sink balance of the wind wave spectrum over the centimetre wavelength range is local, relative spectra (contrasts) for the case of gentle breeze are calculated. It is shown that the spectral components of ripples in the slicks can be order less than the uperturbed spectrum values.