Dispersive shock waves in the solar wind

Compressional waves in the solar wind propagating over large distances are likely to steepen into shock waves where the increase in the amplitude is balanced by dissipation. Dispersive effects caused by, e.g. Hall currents perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field can influence the generation and propagation of shock waves. In the present study the dispersion is considered weak but in time its importance can grow. When the effect of dispersion is strong enough, it can balance the nonlinear steepening of waves leading to the formation of solitons. The obtained results show that the weak dispersion will alter the amplitude and propagation speed of the shock wave. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The Stability of the Light Curve of DL Cassiopeiae Between 1959–1997

A variability survey on the shape of the light curve of the classical Cepheid DL Cas has been performed on the basis of Johnson V photometry data covering about 38 years. The input parameters (mean magnitude, pulsation frequency and period, light curve amplitude, harmonics amplitudes, Fourier type structural parameters) for our study were determined through the Fourier decomposition technique applied to each data set. The analysis of the outcoming time series, using different and complementary methods, seems to indicate the constancy of these parameters within the precision limits of the available data, although the hypothesis of the presence of a low level variability cannot be excluded. The only exception is the pulsation period, which displays a possible increasing trend with a rate of 0.109 ± 0.037 s yr⁻¹. This trend may be, at least partly, an effect of the unequal precision of pulsation period estimated values, corresponding to each considered data set. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Biperiodic orbital period modulation of the W UMa binary system CK Bootis

A study of the orbital period variation of the W UMa system CK Bootis is made using an extended observational time base. The biperiodicity of the orbital period modulation is emphasized. Both detected periodicities (24.14 yr and 10.62 yr) cannot be explained through the light-time effect unless the companion would be a white dwarf as suggested by other authors, too. Moreover, we also argue that, nowadays at least, it seems that there is no causal relation between the orbital period variation and the recently discovered visual companion. Consequently, we infer that at least one of the two periodicities may be related to the magnetic activity cycles in the component stars of CK Boo, while the other periodicity could be related to the presence of a fourth companion in the system.     

Assessment of vulnerability for rockfalls in Cozia Gorge (Southern Carpathians,Romania)

Natural Hazards - Rockfalls represents a sudden, extremely important geomorphological hazard and may become a threat for people’s life, as well as goods and transport. The present study aims...     

Cosmogenic 21Ne analysis of individual detrital grains: Opportunities and limitations

We use a numerical model describing cosmogenic nuclide acquisition in sediment moving through the upper Gaub River catchment to evaluate the extent to which aspects of source area geomorphology and geomorphological processes can be inferred from frequency distributions of cosmogenic ²¹Ne (²¹Ne_c) concentrations in individual detrital grains. The numerical model predicts the pathways of sediment grains from their source to the outlet of the catchment and calculates the total ²¹Ne_c concentration that each grain acquires along its pathway. The model fully accounts for variations in nuclide production due to changes in latitude, altitude and topographic shielding and allows for spatially variable erosion and sediment transport rates. Model results show that the form of the frequency distribution of ²¹Ne_c concentrations in exported sediment is sensitive to the range and spatial distribution of processes operating in the sediment's source areas and that this distribution can be used to infer the range and spatial distribution of erosion rates that characterise the catchment. The results also show that lithology can affect the form of the ²¹Ne_c concentration distribution indirectly by exerting control on the spatial pattern of denudation in a catchment. Model results further indicate that the form of the distribution of ²¹Ne_c concentrations in the exported sediment can also be affected by the acquisition of ²¹Ne_c after detachment from bedrock, in the diffusive (hillslope) and/or advective (fluvial) domains. However, for such post‐detachment nuclide acquisition to be important, this effect needs to at least equal the nuclide acquisition prior to detachment from bedrock. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.     

(137)Cs baseline levels in the Mediterranean and Black Sea: a cross-basin survey of the CIESM Mediterranean Mussel Watch programme

The common mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was selected as unique biomonitor species to implement a regional monitoring programme, the CIESM Mediterranean Mussel Watch (MMW), in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. As of today, and upon standardization of the methodological approach, the MMW Network has been able to quantify (137)Cs levels in mussels from 60 coastal stations and to produce the first distribution map of this artificial radionuclide at the scale of the entire Mediterranean and Black Seas. While measured (137)Cs levels were found to be very low (usually < 1 Bq kg(-1) wet wt) (137)Cs activity concentrations in the Black Sea and North Aegean Sea were up to two orders of magnitude higher than those in the western Mediterranean Basin. Such effects, far from representing a threat to human populations or the environment, reflect a persistent signature of the Chernobyl fallout in this area.     

A model for the propagation of nonlinear surface waves over viscous muds

The effect of a thin viscous fluid–mud layer on nearshore nonlinear wave–wave interactions is studied using a parabolic frequency-domain nonlinear wave model, modified to incorporate a bottom dissipation mechanism based on a viscous boundary layer approach. The boundary-layer formulation allows for explicit calculation of the mud-induced wave damping rate. The model performed well in tests based on laboratory data. Numerical tests show that damping of high frequency waves occurs, mediated by “difference” nonlinear interactions. Simulations of 2-dimensional wave propagation over a mud “patch” of finite extent show that the wave dissipation causes significant downwave diffraction effects.