Analysis of a microwave backscattering mechanism from a small urban area imaged with SIR-C

We analyzed the Spaceborne Imaging Radar C (SIR-C) imagery of a small urban area to characterize backscattering mechanisms. The results were compared with the building density so that we could relate the polarimetric backscattering characteristics with urban structures. Relative contributions of odd-bounce, double-bounce, and cross-polarized scatterings were evaluated as a function of the building density for small and large incidence angles. Their behaviors were characterized with respect to urban structures at small and large incidence angles.     

One-dimensional electric field structure of an outer gap accelerator – III. Location of the gap and the gamma-ray spectrum

We investigate a stationary particle acceleration zone in the outer magnetosphere of an obliquely rotating neutron star. The charge depletion as a result of global current causes a large electric field along the magnetic field lines. Migratory electrons and/or positrons are accelerated by this field to radiate curvature gamma-rays, some of which collide with the X-rays to materialize as pairs in the gap. As a result of this pair-production cascade, the replenished charges partially screen the electric field, which is self-consistently solved together with the distribution of particles and gamma-rays. If no current is injected at either of the boundaries of the accelerator, the gap is located around the so-called null surface, where the local Goldreich–Julian charge density vanishes. However, we find that the gap position shifts outwards (or inwards) when particles are injected at the inner (or outer) boundary. We apply the theory to the seven pulsars whose X-ray fields are known from observations. We show that the gap should be located near to or outside of the null surface for the Vela pulsar and PSR B1951+32, so that their expected GeV spectrum may be consistent with observations. We then demonstrate that the intrinsically large TeV flux from the outer gap of PSR B0540–69 is absorbed by the magnetospheric infrared photons, causing it to be undetectable. We also point out that the electrodynamic structure and the resultant GeV emission properties of millisecond pulsars are similar to young pulsars.     

Strontium incorporation into calcite generated by bacterial ureolysis

Strontium incorporation into calcite generated by bacterial ureolysis was investigated as part of an assessment of a proposed remediation approach for ⁹⁰Sr contamination in groundwater. Urea hydrolysis produces ammonium and carbonate and elevates pH, resulting in the promotion of calcium carbonate precipitation. Urea hydrolysis by the bacterium Bacillus pasteurii in a medium designed to mimic the chemistry of the Snake River Plain Aquifer in Idaho resulted in a pH rise from 7.5 to 9.1. Measured average distribution coefficients (D_EX) for Sr in the calcite produced by ureolysis (0.5) were up to an order of magnitude higher than values reported in the literature for natural and synthetic calcites (0.02-0.4). They were also higher than values for calcite produced abiotically by ammonium carbonate addition (0.3). The precipitation of calcite in these experiments was verified by X-ray diffraction. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF SIMS) depth profiling (up to 350 nm) suggested that the Sr was not merely sorbed on the surface, but was present at depth within the particles. X-ray absorption near edge spectra showed that Sr was present in the calcite samples as a solid solution. The extent of Sr incorporation appeared to be driven primarily by the overall rate of calcite precipitation, where faster precipitation was associated with greater Sr uptake into the solid. The presence of bacterial surfaces as potential nucleation sites in the ammonium carbonate precipitation treatment did not enhance overall precipitation or the Sr distribution coefficient. Because bacterial ureolysis can generate high rates of calcite precipitation, the application of this approach is promising for remediation of ⁹⁰Sr contamination in environments where calcite is stable over the long term.     

Modelling of depth phases and source processes of some central Aleutian earthquakes

Short-period synthetic seismograms are computed to determine the relative amplitudes and arrival times of P, pP, pwP (water surface reflection), and sP phases. Except along nodal planes of upgoing p, pwP is of greater amplitude than sP. For central Aleutian earthquakes, pwP dominates over sP and pP at North American stations for thrust mechanisms and modelled crustal structures. The pwP phase is clearly identified in three Aleutian events and can be used to constrain focal depths. Complex fracturing processes are identified in two of the events. In simple events, smaller phases which are consistent from station to station can be identified as sub-surface reflections and used for modelling the structure of the forearc.     

Flow behavior of large-scale pyroclastic flows — Evidence obtained from petrofabric analysis

The grain orientations within the matrix of two large-scale welded, two small-scale nonwelded and two nonwelded low-aspect ratio pyroclastic flow deposits are measured to analyze flow behavior. Preferred grain alignments are especially apparent in the middle part of layer 2 of each deposit. Preferred grain alignments do not vary laterally within a 10 m interval. The grain alignments obtained are radial from the source caldera, especially in proximal to medial and plateau-forming facies of pyroclastic flow deposits. Grain alignments are controlled by valley-channel directions for the valley-ponded facies of pyroclastic flow deposits, especially at medial to distal locations. Such local topographic factors strongly affect the data for high-aspect ratio and smallscale deposits, and weakly affect the data for widespread low-aspect ratio pyroclastic flow deposits. This work suggests that grain alignment analysis should be used with care when attempting to determine the location of an unknown source.     

内蒙古苏尼特地下水氟污染形成机理研究

为了研究内蒙古苏尼特地区地下水氟污染机理,本文运用水文地球化学分类方法,从水文地质、水化学特征两方面研究其地下水的水质特征、氟的起源、分布规律及污染形成机理。研究结果发现:高氟地下水的主要水质类型为HCO3—Na型,pH值在7.08～9.38之间,氟浓度与井深有关,即井越浅,氟浓度越高;地下水中氟浓度最高达14.78mg/L,5～9月地下水氟浓度相对增长率在7.8～23.1之间;F-浓度与Li+、Br-相关系数达0.89和0.82,受断层影响的深层地下水中F-浓度几乎与Li+、Br-没有相关关系,这暗示着氟来源于浅部,并受到强烈的蒸发作用影响而使水中的氟浓缩;地质调查发现该地区还有数个萤石矿存在,显微镜分析结果证实表层土壤中普遍存在CaF2,地下水中的氟来自CaF2。高氟地下水存在于潜水层,深部含水层的地下水可供开采。从断层带涌出的水对潜水层有稀释作用。     

Distributions of low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids in the North Pacific aerosol samples

Marine aerosol samples collected from the North Pacific atmosphere were studied for molecular distributions of dicarboxylic acids by using a capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometery. A homologous series of dicarboxylic acids (C₂–C₁₀) was detected in the marine aerosol samples as dibutyl esters. All the samples showed that the smallest diacid (oxalic acid: C₂) was the most abundant and comprised 41–67% of the total diacids. The second most abundant species was malonic acid (C₃) or succinic acid (C₄). The diacids with more carbon numbers were generally less abundant. Total diacid concentration range was 17–1040 ng m^–3, which accounted for up to 1.6% of total aerosol mass. This indicates that low molecular weight dicarboxylic acids are important class of organic compounds in the marine atmosphere. The concentrations were generally higher in the western North Pacific and lower in the central North Pacific. The major portion of diacids is probably derived from the Asian Continent and East Asian countries by long-range atmospheric transport and partly fromin situ photochemical production in the marine atmosphere.     

Distribution and seasonal variation of vitamin B12, thiamine and biotin in the sea

The distributions and seasonal variations of vitamin B₁₂, thiamine and biotin were investigated in waters of the North Pacific Ocean, the East China Sea, and the bays and inlets along the Pacific coast of Japan, by use of microbiological assay methods. A marine diatom Cyclotella nana clone 3H for vitamin B₁₂, and marine yeast Cryptococcus albidus for thiamine, and a marine bacterium Achromobacter sp. strain yH-51 for biotin were used as assay organisms. In the surface water of Sagami Bay, monthly changes in the amounts of the three dissolved vitamins followed closely that of chlorophyll a, being highest in July and lowest during late autumn and winter. The geographical and vertical distributions of thiamine and biotin in the sea generally showed similar patterns to that of chlorophyll a, whereas vitamin B₁₂ did not always follow the trend. Amounts of particulate thiamine and biotin corresponded to about 1 % of that of the dissolved form in the surface water of the North Pacific Ocean. In the coastal waters, however, they were at times found to be 144.0 % and 53.9 % respectively.