Acceleration time-scale in an ultrarelativistic shock

The acceleration mechanism in ultrarelativistic shocks is investigated using Monte Carlo simulations. We apply a method of discrete small-amplitude particle momentum scattering to reproduce highly anisotropic conditions at the shock and describe the acceleration mechanism carefully. The obtained acceleration time equals 1.0 r _g c if the spectral index reaches the value of 2.2, independent of physical conditions in the shock. Some other parameters of the acceleration process are also provided.     

Error analysis for European IGS stations

Each of the GPS time series that describes the changes of topocentric components consists of a deterministic and a stochastic part, whose character influences the errors of the deterministic parameters. As to the uncertainties of reliable velocities of permanent satellite station systems, surveys that estimate and take into account any dependencies that may affect subsequent operational efficiency are very important. For this analysis, we used 42 stations from the IGS (International GNSS Service) network from Europe, processed at the Military University of Technology EUREF Permanent Network Local Analysis Centre (MUT LAC). The deterministic part of the GPS time series was removed using the least squares method. The seasonal periods in topocentric components were determined assuming the existence of the residual Chandler oscillation (1.67 cpy), as well as the annual tropical (1 cpy) and draconitic (1.04 cpy) oscillations with their harmonics up to 4th. We assumed the character of the residue as a combination of white and powerlaw noise. The obtained results show, that in the case of the European sub-network of IGS stations we are dealing with the coloured noise between white and flicker noise with the amplitudes between 3 to 6 mm/year^-k/4 for horizontal components and between 6 to 15 mm/year^-κ/4 for the vertical ones, where κ is a spectral index. Finally, we showed that the amplitudes and spectral indices of noise are reduced after performing a spatio-temporal filtering. All the elicited results referred to the uncertainties of velocities by estimating them before and after filtration and the simulation of their values for different lengths of the time series.     

Experimental Investigation of Kinetic Energy and Momentum Coefficients in Regular Channels with Stiff and Flexible Elements Simulating Submerged Vegetation

The paper addresses the problem of determination of the energy and momentum coefficients for flows through a partly vegetated channel. These coefficients are applied to express the fluid kinetic energy and momentum equations as functions of a mean velocity. The study is based on laboratory measurements of water velocity distributions in a straight rectangular flume with stiff and flexible stems and plastic imitations of the Canadian waterweed. The coefficients were established for the vegetation layer, surface layer and the whole flow area. The results indicate that the energy and momentum coefficients increase significantly with water depth and the number of stems per unit channel area. New regression relationships for both coefficients are given.     

A model for heat and water balance estimation and its application to land use and climate variation

This paper presents a method, which has been recently developed in the Department of Agrometeorology of the Poznań Agricultural University, for estimating heat balance components based on standard meteorological data, plant development stage, and land-use conditions. Estimates of latent heat flux components made it possible to obtain values of areal evapotranspiration and surface runoff. The method was applied in four catchment areas in Central Poland under present climatic conditions as well as under new, expected climatic conditions caused by an increase of ‘greenhouse gases’ in the atmosphere. Some changes in land use were also considered. The results show significant changes in the water balance when comparing present and future conditions of precipitation and evapotranspiration.     

Analysis of particulate matter concentrations in mazovia region, central poland, based on 2007–2010 data

Measurement results of PM10 (particulate matter with diameters below 10 μm) concentrations performed at four stations in central Poland (2007–2010) were analyzed in terms of levels and distributions of concentrations, the number of exceedances of the limit values and the causes of these exceedances. PM10 levels were similar at suburban and rural stations, except of one station located in the vicinity of a busy street. The median of PM10 concentration ranged from 26 μg/m³ at suburban station to 44 μg/m³ at Warsaw Kerb station. Seasonal variability analysis of PM10 concentration revealed an additional maximum beyond the usual autumn-winter one. This maximum occurred in April at all stations, and corresponded to seasonal wildfires activity and dust activation in Eastern Europe. Cluster analysis of back-trajectories revealed that PM10 concentrations depend on the direction of advection of the incoming air; the highest values are registered for air of regional and southern origins, while the lowest are for the airmasses coming from the north and northwest direction.     

Dim prospects for radar detection of Europa's ocean

The thickness of a porous regolith on Europa is estimated to be ∼1 km. Provided that this regolith contains as little as 1% by volume of cavities with sizes comparable to the radar wavelength, its presence poses an insurmountable obstacle in the search for Europa's ocean by means of a sounding radar.     

Long-Term Ozone Changes Over the Northern Hemisphere Mid-Latitudes for the 1979–2012 Period

Abstract

The solar backscattered ultraviolet (SBUV/SBUV-2) merged ozone datasets, version 8.6, including column ozone and ozone profiles for the 1979–2012 period are examined for the 35°N–60°N zonal belt in the northern hemisphere mid-latitudes and four sub-regions: central Europe, continental Europe, North America, and East Asia. The residual long-term patterns for total ozone and ozone profiles are extracted by smoothing the time series of differences between the original and the modelled ozone time series. Modelled ozone is obtained using the standard trend model accounting for ozone variability due to changes in stratospheric halogens and various dynamical factors commonly used in previous ozone trend analyses. Since about 2005 spring and summer total ozone in the troposphere and lower stratosphere has decreased in some regions (central and continental Europe, North America, and the 35°N–60°N zonal belt) compared with modelled ozone. The negative departure from modelled ozone in 2010 is approximately 2–3% of the overall 1979–2012 monthly mean level. It seems that this decrease is a result of yet unknown dynamical processes rather than to chemical destruction because the differences have a longitudinal structure, and total ozone in the upper stratosphere still follows changes in stratospheric halogen loading.     

Lignin degradation products as palaeoenvironmental proxies in the sediments of small lakes

The quantity and quality of lignin phenols (Σ8, Λ, S/V, C/V and (Ad/Al)_v) in the sediments of three small Lobelia lakes with neither inlets nor outlets were investigated and compared with palynological data and lithology of the profiles. The method of alkaline CuO oxidation was used. Substantial differences with respect to sedimentary lignin concentration and provenance recorded along the profiles and among the sites are in good agreement with pollen data describing the dominant type of vegetation and with indices of soil erosion in the lakes’ catchments. This relation shows that the compositions of lignin degradation products in these lakes are closely related to the local environmental conditions. In all the lakes gymnosperm wood is the main source of lignin products; however, each lake is characterized by different S/V index values. Especially good correlations were obtained between pine pollen proportions in sediments and the S/V index. The correlation between the C/V and (Ad/Al)_v indices indicates a higher degradation of organic matter when non-woody tissue is more abundant. This pilot study illustrates the usefulness and potential for a wider application of lignin oxidation products in palaeoecological reconstructions. This kind of data would be of special importance when investigating local presence/absence of woody plants and the role of angiosperms/gymnosperms in local vegetation. Estimates of lignin biodegradation levels, as well as the data on diagenetic processes, may afford supplementary information on possible disturbances in sedimentation.     

On the radio-frequency emission from the Geminga pulsar

The famous neutron star Geminga was until quite lately the only pulsar undetected in the radio regime, though observed as a strong pulsating γ- and X-ray source. Three independent groups from the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory (Russia) reported recently the detection of pulsed radio emission from Geminga at 102.5 MHz, i.e., the first detection of the radio pulsar PSR J0633 + 1746 by Kuz'min &38; Losovskii, Malofeev &38; Malov and Shitov &38; Pugachev. This pulsar exhibits the weakest radio luminosity known. Its average pulse profile appears to be very wide, filling an entire 360° pulse window according to Kuz'min &38; Losovskii.   We present a model explaining the peculiarities of the Geminga radio pulsar, based on the assumption that it is an almost aligned rotator. The electromagnetic waves generated in the inner magnetosphere reach the region within the light cylinder with a weak magnetic field (at distances of a few light cylinder radii), where they are strongly damped due to the cyclotron resonance with particles of magnetospheric electron–positron plasma. The lowest frequencies that can escape are determined by the value of the magnetic field in the region where the line of sight passes through the light cylinder. The specific viewing geometry of an almost aligned rotator implies that the observer's line of sight probes the emission region near the bundle of the last open field lines. This explains the unusually weak emission from Geminga's low-frequency radio pulsar.