Observations of the gamma-ray flux from the galaxy Mk 501

We present two-year-long observations of the flux of very-high-energy (～10¹² eV) gamma rays from the active galactic nucleus Mk 501 performed with a Cherenkov detector at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. A gamma-ray flux from the object was shown to exist at confidence levels of 11 and 7 standard deviations for 1997 and 1998, respectively. The flux varied over a wide range. The mean flux at energies >10¹² eV, as inferred from the 1997 and 1998 data, is (5.0±0.6)×10^?11 and (3.7±0.6)×10^?11 cm^?2 s^?1, respectively. The errors are the sum of statistical observational and modeling errors. The mean power released in the form of gamma rays is ～2×10⁴³ erg s^?1 sr^?1.     

Determination of the isotopic composition of molybdenum in the bottom sediments of freshwater basins

This paper presents the results of measurements of the Mo isotopic composition in the bottom sediments (BS) of freshwater basins. Mo isotopic ratios were measured using a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC ICP MS). Efficient methods were used in this study for Mo separation from the elements of the sample matrix and correction for instrumental mass discrimination. This allowed us to achieve a high accuracy of 0.06, 0.08, and 0.14‰ (2 σ) for the measurement of ⁹⁷Mo/⁹⁵Mo, ⁹⁸Mo/⁹⁵Mo, and ¹⁰⁰Mo/⁹⁵Mo, respectively. The range of variations in Mo isotope ratios observed in the collected BS columns was ～2.2‰ in terms of δ⁹⁷Mo/⁹⁵Mo. The results obtained here suggest that geochemical processes occurring during Mo migration with land water can change the isotopic composition of Mo. It is pointed out that the potential use of Mo isotopic systematics for reconstructions of redox conditions in seawater over the geologic past requires the quantification of isotopic effects of Mo accompanying its migration on land and the extent of possible variations in the isotopic composition of Mo entering the ocean.     

Where Are the Women? Accounting for Discrepancies in Female Doctorates in U.S. Geography

Although there have been noticeable improvements in recent years, geography continues to be a predominantly male discipline. The percentage of women receiving PhDs in geography has tracked lower than the U.S. average of female PhDs. Previous studies of women's contribution to geography have focused on personal accounts or on the study of some of the most prominent practitioners, with a few studies using basic data on PhDs awarded and Association of American Geographers membership to determine trends. This article provides a comprehensive overview of doctoral degrees in geography by gender, over time, and across all universities in the United States by examining an alternative database, that of doctoral dissertations. The analysis yields three separate types of results. First, historical and contemporary variations among U.S. universities are examined. Second, data indicate that male and female doctoral students differ in the sex of their advisor. Third, a simple regression model explains some of the discrepancies in the proportion of female doctoral students by department. In sum, this article provides a comprehensive empirical study of the factors that might contribute to the continued disparities in female doctoral students in geography.     

Improving Scatterometry Retrievals of Wind in Hurricanes Using Non-Simultaneous Passive Microwave Estimates of Precipitation and a Split-Step Advection/Convection Model

One of the current problems in the accurate estimation of over-ocean wind from scatterometry observations is the proper accounting for precipitation. Specific cases such as hurricanes are particularly difficult, because precipitation in the eye wall and rain bands can be quite heavy, and therefore, affect the scatterometer signatures so drastically that a category-4 hurricane can appear, to the scatterometer, to have category-1 winds. We have developed an approach to infer and account for the signature of the precipitation from non-simultaneous passive-microwave measurements of rain, with the help of geostationary IR measurements. In this note, we describe the basic approach, and the results of applying it to the data taken by the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission Microwave Imager measurements several hours before and after the QuikSCAT observation of Hurricane Rita in September 2005. We also describe how we are enhancing the approach with more realism in the assimilation of the IR information.     

A study of conditions at the inner core boundary of the earth

A study is made of the thermal and compositional conditions which the liquid outer core must satisfy at the inner core boundary, assuming the inner core to be growing by continual solidification of the heavy component of the liquid alloy in the outer core. It is found that the outer core is strongly destabilized by the compositional gradients driven by the separation process associated with the freezing. Further, it is argued that all the freezing necessary for the growth of the solid inner core cannot occur on a flat interface; most of it must occur above the solid boundary in a region labeled the slurry layer.     

Dynamic river–groundwater exchange in the presence of a saline,semi‐confined aquifer

Understanding groundwater–surface water exchange in river banks is crucial for effective water management and a range of scientific disciplines. While there has been much research on bank storage, many studies assume idealized aquifer systems. This paper presents a field‐based study of the Tambo Catchment (southeast Australia) where the Tambo River interacts with both an unconfined aquifer containing relatively young and fresh groundwater (<500 μS/cm and <100 years old) and a semi‐confined artesian aquifer containing old and saline groundwater (electrical conductivity > 2500 μS/cm and >10 000 years old). Continuous groundwater elevation and electrical conductivity monitoring within the different aquifers and the river suggest that the degree of mixing between the two aquifers and the river varies significantly in response to changing hydrological conditions. Numerical modelling using MODFLOW and the solute transport package MT3DMS indicates that saline water in the river bank moves away from the river during flooding as hydraulic gradients reverse. This water then returns during flood recession as baseflow hydraulic gradients are re‐established. Modelling also indicates that the concentration of a simulated conservative groundwater solute can increase for up to ~34 days at distances of 20 and 40 m from the river in response to flood events approximately 10 m in height. For the same flood event, simulated solute concentrations within 10 m of the river increase for only ~15 days as the infiltrating low‐salinity river water drives groundwater dilution. Average groundwater fluxes to the river stretch estimated using Darcy's law were 7 m³/m/day compared with 26 and 3 m³/m/day for the same periods via mass balance using Radon (²²²Rn) and chloride (Cl), respectively. The study shows that by coupling numerical modelling with continuous groundwater–surface water monitoring, the transient nature of bank storage can be evaluated, leading to a better understanding of the hydrological system and better interpretation of hydrochemical data. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Soil moisture variation and plant water stress at the Hartheim Scots pine plantation

Summary During two measurement campaigns in 1992 (the Hartheim Experiment HartX- and an additional experiment in autumn), measurements of soil moisture were carried out in aPinus sylvestris stand at Hartheim on the Oberrhein. Several methods were used to determine soil water status. They were compared in terms of suitability for estimating stand evapotranspiration (ET) via soil water depletion. Measurements of tree water potential suggested that conductance of the trees was affected by soil water depletion during the period of the HartX campaign in spring 1992. We interpret the observations to indicate a lesser influence of soil water availability on tree transpiration during the autumn experiment.Eddy correlation and xylem sapflow measurements provided reference ET values with which to compare the stand ET calculations based on soil moisture measurements. Profile measurements of soil moisture showed that particularly in springtime when the lower soil layers are saturated with water, the water transport from depths below the major rooting zone is a very important factor affecting evaluation of stand ET. Decreases in soil water storage may be determined best with permanently installed soil moisture sensors such as used in tensiometric or TDR measurements that provide high resolution of changes over time.With 8 Figures     

Characteristic features of the occurrence of gas-fluid emanations on the northeastern slope of Sakhalin Island, Sea of Okhotsk

This paper summarizes the results of combined studies in the areas of the occurrence of gas-fluid emanations in the water column, on the seafloor, and in the upper part of the sedimentary section on the northeastern slope of Sakhalin Island (Sea of Okhotsk). The phenomena typical of methane seeps were characterized in detail: the presence of acoustic anomalies, high concentrations of methane in the water and sediments, and the specific features of the sedimentary section (the textural and structural features, the character of the mineral inclusions and gas hydrates, and the chemical composition). The component composition of the gases (including the accompanying gas hydrates), which is almost free of heavy hydrocarbon homologues of methane; the light carbon isotopic compositions of the methane and carbonate concretions; and the low temperatures of the near-bottom water and sediments suggest that the occurrence of numerous methane emanations is related to gas generation in the upper part of the sedimentary sequence. No evidence was found for the existence of a deep center of gas formation within the seafloor area considered. Typical submarine mud volcanic edifices were also not found.