GPS-derived orbits for the GOCE satellite

The first ESA (European Space Agency) Earth explorer core mission GOCE (Gravity field and steady-state Ocean Circulation Explorer) was launched on 17 March 2009 into a sun-synchronous dusk–dawn orbit with an exceptionally low initial altitude of about 280 km. The onboard 12-channel dual-frequency GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver delivers 1 Hz data, which provides the basis for precise orbit determination (POD) for such a very low orbiting satellite. As part of the European GOCE Gravity Consortium the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern and the Department of Earth Observation and Space Systems are responsible for the orbit determination of the GOCE satellite within the GOCE High-level Processing Facility. Both quick-look (rapid) and very precise orbit solutions are produced with typical latencies of 1 day and 2 weeks, respectively. This article summarizes the special characteristics of the GOCE GPS data, presents POD results for about 2 months of data, and shows that both latency and accuracy requirements are met. Satellite Laser Ranging validation shows that an accuracy of 4 and 7 cm is achieved for the reduced-dynamic and kinematic Rapid Science Orbit solutions, respectively. The validation of the reduced-dynamic and kinematic Precise Science Orbit solutions is at a level of about 2 cm.     

Estimates of Reynolds stress in a highly energetic shelf sea

In recent years the use of Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) to estimate Reynolds stresses, using the so-called variance method, has become popular; and although there was great effort in studying the uncertainties on this technique, there were no reports in the main literature of its validity using independent measurements. This work reports on the comparison of ADCP and Acoustic Current Velocimeter (ADV) estimates of Reynolds stresses. The comparison of the ADCP and ADV is encouraging during periods when no strong waves were present with both the explained variance of 0.8 and the slope of the regression being 0.97. Nevertheless, when strong waves are present the method breaks down and the comparison between ADCP and ADV is very poor with R² =0.04.     

Microdeformation of lacustrine laminite sequences from Late Miocene formations of SE Spain: an interpretation of loop bedding

Lacustrine laminated sediments (laminites) present in Late Miocene formations of the Híjar Basin, SE Spain, display well developed loop bedding, a structure consisting of bundles of laminae that are sharply constricted at intervals, giving a morphology of loops or links of a chain. The laminite sequences, which are interbedded with turbidite marlstones, were accumulated on the bottom of a permanently stratified lake developed in a rapidly subsiding basin limited by 010° and 105° normal faults. As deduced from both macro- and microdeformational analyses, the basin evolved under an extensional stress field throughout the Late Miocene. Four main types of loops, simple and complex loops with subcategories, have been recognized within the laminite sequence. Simple loops of type 1 show the best definite pattern, quite similar to ' pinch and swell structures ', a type of boudinage typical of stretching of alternating beds where the competence contrast is not strongly marked. The remaining loop types display contortion and occasional breakage of laminae (microfaulted edges) indicative of microdeformation near the boundary between the ductile-brittle deformational fields. The distribution of the various loop types across the laminite sequence reflects an interplay between progressive lithification of the laminites as sedimentation progressed and tectonic stresses which affected the sediment sequence. Accordingly, a mechanism of deformation under an extensional stress field, ultimately related to the creep movement of the main basin faults which resulted in successive seismic shocks of low magnitude, is proposed to explain the formation of loop bedding in the laminites.     

Development and erosion in the Brazilian Amazon: A geochronological case study

A ²¹⁰Pb chronology of sedimentation in a small floodplain lake in the Jamari river basin (Rondonia, Brazil) provided insight into the relationship between development and erosion in the Brazilian Amazon. Positive correlations between increased sedimentation in the lake and levels of deforestation and mining in the Jamari basin suggested a major increase in erosion associated with these activities. This increase in erosion could diminish agricultural yields in the basin and significantly reduce the useful life of a hydro-electric plant recently built on the river.     

Impact of a Saturation-Dependent Dissipation Source Function on Operational Hindcasts of Wind-Waves in the Australian Region

The impact of a modified parametric form of the dissipation source function S ds on the skill of an operational spectral wind-wave model is investigated. Numerical experiments are made with a version of the WAM model presently used operationally by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology to produce sea-state forecasts within the Australian region. Performances of wave hindcasts obtained using several alternative forms of this newly proposed dissipation source function are compared to those produced with forms of S ds commonly used operationally. A new ad hoc technique to compare modelled and observed wave spectra is introduced to assess the quality of calculated one-dimensional frequency spectra.

Our results indicate that wave model performance in terms of integral spectral parameters, such as the significant wave height H s , may benefit from improved parameterisations of the dissipation source term S ds . On the other hand, we also found that model performance was relatively poor in terms of predictions of the one-dimensional frequency spectrum, regardless of the chosen form of S ds . These results suggest that further refinements of the dissipation source term are strongly dependent on improved parametrisations of the nonlinear interactions source term S nl .     

A test of the Tate equation to predict bubble size at an orifice in the presence of frother

Air bubbles of uniform size (ca. 1 mm diameter) were generated at a submerged orifice (glass capillary) under controlled frequency (down to ca. 0.06 s^− 1) in aqueous solutions of frother (Dowfroth 250). The bubbles were sized with an imaging technique. One objective was to establish whether the Tate equation (static balance between buoyancy and capillary forces) could be used as a standard sizing calibration method. Another aim was to verify whether with decreasing surface tension (due to increasing frother concentration) the anticipated decrease in bubble size agreed with the equation prediction. An effect of frother was detected compatible with the role of surface tension but divided into two concentration regions, seemingly the result of a gradual change in bubble shape and wetting: > 6 ppm the bubble holds a spherical shape and the capillary appeared to be completely wetted while at ≤ 6 ppm a degree of non-wetting and bubble distortion (neck formation just prior to detachment) were apparent, supported by qualitative observations. In addition, at > 6 ppm the Tate value was only approached by decreasing the bubble frequency but not attained. Plausible causes for the failure to reach the predicted size are discussed.     

ESTIMATION OF ERRORS IN ABSORBANCE RATIO MEASUREMENTS

Ratio measurements are commonly used to address a variety of analytical problems in environmental,forensic and pharmaceutical laboratories.In absorbance ratioing techniques,analytical chemists rely onthe spectral features of the analyte(s)of interest.The absorbances at two wavelengths are monitored andthe ratio of these two absorbances is computed.This ratio is then used to confirm the identity of theanalyte(s)of interest,the purity of a product or the overlap of chromatographic peaks.These decisionsoften have far-reaching consequences(e.g.the identification of the source,biogenic or petrogenic,ofhydrocarbons in biological tissues or water).Given the cost and the liabilities associated with suchdecisions,it is unfortunate that these ratios are seldom reported with any statistical confidence.Thepurpose of this study is to delineate the parameters that affect absorbance ratio measurements.Themodels that can be used to estimate the statistical confidence in these measurements are derived andevaluated experimentally.The results show that these models can estimate the relative standard deviationsin absorbance ratios accurately.They can also estimate the effect of signal-to-noise ratio and the choiceof wavelengths on the precision of absorbance ratios.     

Variability in habitat use by young-of-the-year winter flounder,<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudopleuronectes americanus</Emphasis>, in three northeastern U.S. estuaries

We compared distribution and abundance by habitat for age-0, young-of-the-year (YOY) winter flounder,Pseudopleuronectes americanus, in three estuaries (Hammonasset River, Navesink River, and Great Bay-Little Egg Harbor) in the northeastern United States to better define essential fish habitat (EFH). Two replicates of five representative habitats were sampled in most estuaries: eelgrass (Zostera marina), unvegetated areas adjacent to eelgrass, macroalgae, (primarilyUlva lactuca), unvegetated areas adjacent to macroalgae, and tidal marsh creeks. Fish were sampled every two weeks, May through October 1995 and 1996, with a beam-trawl (1-m width, 3-mm mesh net). Abundance of YOY winter flounder was highest in the Navesink River estuary and similar between years, but was significantly lower and differed between years in the Great Bay-Little Egg Harbor and Hammonasset River estuaries. Annual temperature differences appear to influence estuary use by YOY. In the years and estuaries studied, where habitat-related differences in abundance were significant, YOY were found in higher densities in unvegetated areas adjacent to eelgrass. The exception was in the Hammonasset River in 1995 when densities were higher in eelgrass. We conclude that the type of habitat most important to YOY winter flounder varies among estuaries and as a result, care should be taken in defining EFH, based only on limited spatial and temporal sampling.