Purely coronal flare-like variations

A detailed study of the quasi-periodical post-flare variations on November 6, 1980 in X-rays, UV lines, microwaves, and metric waves confirms that these variations were predominantly thermal phenomena and occurred solely in the corona. Only the short-lived impulsive components that preceded all or most of the individual variations were of non-thermal character and penetrated down to the transition layer. The chromosphere (in Hα) did not participate in any part of these events, in contrast to a flare that appeared at the same place a few hours later. However, the X-ray emission of these variations was so strong that the transition layer and the chromosphere definitely should have been enhanced through heat conduction along the magnetic field lines. The expected heat flux at the top of the chromosphere coming from some of these coronal brightenings was 60–80% of the flux expected in the flare at 17:26 which gave rise to a 2B flare in Hα (Figure 8). Therefore, we suggest that the variations were produced in a coronal plasmoid with closed field lines completely detached from the lower atmospheric layers (Figure 9b). We also give reasons why such a detached plasmoid can be expected to be formded in the very late phase (some 4–5 hr after the onset) of a major two-ribbon flare.     

Balloon observations of solar ultraviolet irradiance at solar minimum

Balloon observations of solar irradiance between 200 and 240 nm have been performed in 1976 and 1977 corresponding to minimum conditions of solar activity. Ultraviolet spectra have been recorded for different zenith angles at an altitude of 41 km by means of a spectrometer with a spectral bandpass of 0.4 nm. Solar irradiances at 1 a.u. confirm previous values obtained by balloon. They are compared with other measurements and discussed in term of possible long-term variability.     

SHIFTS IN THE WHOLESALE TRADE STATUS OF U.S. METROPOLITAN AREAS*

Considerable instability exists among large U.S. metropolitan areas in their status as wholesale trade centers. Differences in wholesale trade growth rates, changes in national shares, and shifts in rank position reflect not only population growth patterns, but also structural changes in the national economy. In the latter instance, the wholesale product mix of SMSAs is an important factor in explaining their differential fortunes within the wholesaling hierarchy.     

Turbulence in an almond orchard: Vertical variations in turbulent statistics

Three-dimensional wind velocity components were measured above and within a uniform almond orchard. Turbulent statistics associated with the turbulent flow inside the canopy are examined in detail. Turbulence in an almond orchard is characterized by relatively high turbulent intensities and large skewness and kurtosis values. These results indicate that the frequency distribution of wind velocity components is non-Gaussian. Conditional sampling of the turbulent measurements show that large, infrequent sweeps provide the predominant mechanism for tangential momentum stress in the canopy crown. Deep inside the canopy, a secondary wind maximum and small, but positive, tangential momentum stresses are observed.     

Silica diffusion at Ascutney Mountain,Vermont

A suite of pelitic schists from the contact metamorphic aureole around the syenite stock at Ascutney Mountain, Vermont, shows a decrease in the amounts of cordierite, quartz, and andalusite and an increase in pleonaste and corundum as the contact is approached. Whole rock chemical analyses show a distinct SiO₂ concentration gradient from the wall rocks toward the intrusion; however, the syenite has a higher weight percent SiO₂ than the adjacent schists. It is suggested that silica diffused down an SiO₂ activity gradient into the intrusive; other major oxide components were apparently immobile. The diffusion of silica was probably through intergranular fluids, and the amount of silica available for diffusion was governed by the solubilities of cordierite, andalusite, and quartz in the interstitial fluid.     

Comparison of oil shales and kerogen concentrates by C nuclear magnetic resonance

Six oil shales and their kerogen concentrates have been studied using ¹³C CP/MAS NMR techniques to study the distribution of organic carbon species. It is found that if the aromatic and aliphatic regions are divided at about 80 or 100 ppm, the apparent aromaticities of a raw shale and its kerogen concentrate are in good agreement. The presence of oxygen-substituted carbons in the raw shales and their depletion in the kerogen concentrates are observed and discussed.     

Fractionation of carbon and hydrogen isotopes by methane-oxidizing bacteria

Carbon isotopic analysis of methane has become a popular technique in the exploration for oil and gas because it can be used to differentiate between thermogenic and microbial gas and can sometimes be used for gas-source rock correlations. Methane-oxidizing bacteria, however, can significantly change the carbon isotopic composition of methane; the origin of gas that has been partially oxidized by these bacteria could therefore be misinterpreted.We cultured methane-oxidizing bacteria at two different temperatures and monitored the carbon and hydrogen isotopic compositions of the residual methane. The residual methane was enriched in both ¹³C and D. For both isotopic species, the enrichment at equivalent levels of conversion was greater at 26°C than at 11.5°C. The change in δD relative to the change in δ¹³C was independent of temperature within the range studied. One culture exhibited a change in the fractionation pattern for carbon (but not for hydrogen) midway through the experiment, suggesting that bacterial oxidation of methane may occur via more than one pathway.The change in the δD value for the residual methane was from 8 to 14 times greater than the change in the δ¹³C value, indicating that combined carbon and hydrogen isotopic analysis may be an effective way of identifying methane which has been subjected to partial oxidation by bacteria.