On periodic vortices over a concave semicircular wall fixed in a rotating tank

Abstract

New periodic vortices were observed during a rotating tank experiment, to be described. The peculiarities and the formation mechanism of the present vortices are based on observations. The vortices reach the complete form in stages, viz. laminar boundary layer growth, sinuous motion and rolling oscillation. After being formed, the vortices are shed periodically and the diameter of the vortices grows as they advance.

The vortices appear when the flow over the concave semicircular wall, fixed in the rotating tank, is maintained by the shear stresses at the inner surface of the rotating tank. The vortices and the flow were visualized with thymol blue dye.     

Field measurement and modeling of near-bed sediment transport processes with fluid mud layer in Tokyo Bay

Tokyo Bay is one of the estuaries in Japan with a high population of almost 26 million people in the basin area. One of the major concerns for the environment in this water area is the decreasing ecosystem functions including the deterioration of water and sediment qualities caused by various anthropogenic activities. Since the bottom sediments around almost the entire area of the inner bay consist of fine materials with a high organic content, which cause the deterioration of water quality through processes such as hypoxia, an understanding of the fine sediment dynamics in the Bay is crucial for an environmental assessment of the water area. This paper proposes a model for the key processes of fine sediment dynamics, which reflects field data about muddy bed structures and their dynamics obtained during the monitoring campaign in 2007. One of the specific features of the sediment in the Bay at present is the persistent existence of fluid mud layers (water content over 300 %) with a thickness of around a few decimeters, which might be caused by deposition of abundant organic particles due to eutrophication. The present study shows that diffusion flux model delivers quite reliable results for estimating erosion flux from the top of fluid mud layers after calibrating the model parameter against the time series data of vertical flux measured by an acoustic Doppler velocimeter system. This study also derives analytical solutions, based on the Bingham fluid concept, of advection flux in the fluid mud layer on which external shear stress force is applied.

     

Kaolin deposits at Melthonnakkal and Pallipuram within Trivandrum block, southern India

The kaolin deposits at Melthonnakkal and Pallipuram mines form part of the Warkalli Formation belonging to the Tertiary sequence in southern Kerala and occur at the boundary between the Tertiary sequence and Precambrian granulite facies metapelites (khondalites). The sedimentary clays are composed mainly of kaolinite, quartz and gibbsite. XRD and SEM studies have revealed that kaolinite is well-crystallized variety and the platy crystals are scarcely broken in the sedimentary clays. These sedimentary kaolins are considered to have been formed by intense tropical weathering of the khondalites, and subsequently transported and deposited with high organic input into lakes near the weathering crust over the basement rock. Besides, the surficial parts of the sedimentary deposits are extensively lateritized with the formation of goethite and hematite by Quaternary tropical weathering processes.     

The solar differential rotation and ‘Rossby-type’ waves

It has been suggested that the solar differential rotation might be maintained by nearly horizontal non-spherical convective circulation called the Rossby-type waves (the wave motions characterized by the close balance of the Coriolis force and pressure gradient in horizontal motions). In this paper, such Rossby-type waves which could be excited in the upper solar convection zone are considered, and the possibility of maintenance of the solar differential rotation by such waves is examined. A numerical estimate, in terms of the rate of conversion of the kinetic energy of such wave motions into the mean rotational motion, indicates this possibility. The implications and limitations of the results are also discussed.Visiting Scientist to the High Altitude Observatory on leave of absence from the Department of Astronomy, University of Tokyo, Japan.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The topology of force-free magnetic field near bipolar sunspots

The topological character of a new type of solution representing a force-free magnetic field near bipolar sunspots is examined. It is shown that some of the observed topological features of chromospheric fibrils and filaments in H can be interpreted in terms of the configuration of the magnetic lines of force of the present solution. In particular, by the examples considered the observed twisted S-shape topology of lower lying fibrils and the orientation of prominences (higher filaments) associated with sunspots are successfully reproduced.Visiting scientist at the High Altitude Observatory.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

The hydrogeology of granitic rocks in deep boreholes used for compressed air storage

The compressed air energy storage(CAES) is a much-awaited new system for load leveling power supply. An economical system must be developed, preventing leakage of stored air (with pressures of more than 20 atm) using groundwater pressure surrounding an unlined cavern in hard rock. The air tightness of the rock around the cavern must be confirmed. In this study, the hydrogeology of the test site was examined prior to field air tightness tests in the borehole. The results indicate that, when evaluating the hydrogeology of the test site related to the air tightness of rocks, it is necessary to understand the geological structure and fracture characteristics of the site. This is done by means of a field survey, investigations and tests in and between the boreholes, and the examination of the distribution of permeability and pore water pressures.     

The Global Stratotype Section and Point （GSSP） for the base of the Holocene Series/Epoch （Quaternary System/Period） in the NGRIP ice core

The Greenland ice core from NorthGRIP （NGRIP） contains a proxy climate record across the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary of unprecedented clarity and resolution. Analysis of an array of physical and chemical parameters within the ice enables the base of the Holocene, as reflected in the first signs of climatic warming at the end of the Younger Dryas/Greenland Stadial 1 cold phase, to be located with a high degree of precision.     

Environmental Conditions Determining the Timing of the Lifetime Maximum Intensity of Tropical Cyclones over the Western North Pacific and Their Frequency of Occurrence

Environmental conditions determining the timing of the lifetime maximum intensities of tropical cyclones (TCs) are investigated for the TCs over the western North Pacific during the period 2008-2017. The results show that the land controls the timings of the lifetime maximum intensities in 42% of the TCs over this basin, indicating that accurate track forecasts are beneficial for TC intensity forecasts. With respect to other TCs that are not affected by the land (i.e., Ocean-TCs), the timings of their lifetime maximum intensities are determined by multiple oceanic factors. In particular, interactions between TCs and cold-core eddies occur in a large proportion (nearly 60%) of Ocean-TCs at or shortly after the times of their lifetime maximum intensities, especially in strong TCs (categories 4 and 5), suggesting that a consideration of the above interactions is necessary for improving TC intensity forecasting skills. In addition, unfavorable oceanic heat content conditions become common as the latitude increases over 25°N, influencing half of the Ocean-TCs. Strong vertical wind shear contributes detrimentally to the atmospheric environment in 17% of the TCs over this basin, especially in moderate and weak TCs. In contrast, neither the maximum potential intensity nor the humidity in the middle level of the atmosphere plays dominant roles when TCs turn from their peak intensities to weakening.