A STREAM-GRADIENT INDEX APPLIED TO SUBHUMID MONTANE STREAMS

Hack (1973) introduced the stream-gradient index as a measure to analyze longitudinal stream profiles. It is derived from the channel slope at a point and channel length as measured along the longest stream above that point. In the eastern United States, empirical evidence shows the stream-gradient index to be a rough approximation of stream power or competence. Validity of this relationship in other geomorphic and climatic regions was unproven. Eight canyon drainages in the Bear River Range, north-central Utah, provide a basis for testing the validity of stream-gradient index analysis in a subhumid montane area. These drainages are found to have a drainage area to discharge function, rate of increase in channel width downstream, and coverging stream network with an average length proportional to a power of the drainage similar to Hack's original study area. These similarities indicate that use of stream-gradient indices as approximations of stream power are valid in subhumid montane areas. Stream-gradient index analysis of canyon streams in the Bear River Range illustrates drainage adjustment to tectonic activity, bedrock lithology, and structural attitude.     

The influence of preform on the modes of vibrating beams

A theoretical analysis is presented of a vibratory system in which it is possible to eliminate an unwanted mode of vibration by using that mode as an initial deformation of the system. The analysis shows that this is possible in straight beams with end restraints in axial deformation. The mathematical problem leads to an eigenvalue problem of a type not normally encountered. In the paper examples are given for the changes in eigenfrequency and mode shape produced by the initial preformed shape of the beam for cases where the preform is proportional to a mode of the straight beam and when the preform is unrelated to any mode. The analysis shows that, while elimination of a mode in the strict sense is not achieved, the results can be interpreted for practical purposes in this way.     

THE NEEDLES (CALIFORNIA) IRON METEORITE

The Needles fine octahedrite, which weighs 45.3 kg, was found in 1962 in the Turtle Mountains, about 50 km SSW of Needles, California. It contains 10.3% Ni, 77 ppm Ga, 93 ppm Ge and 4.8 ppm Ir, and is a member of chemical group II D. It is rather similar to the Wallapai, Arizona, meteorite, and may possibly be a transported mass from this multiple fall. The compositional evidence slightly favors the interpretation that Needles is a distinct fall.     

Strewn field,mineralogy, and petrology of Al Haggounia 001: A unique enstatite chondrite

In this work, we investigate macroscopic characteristics, magnetic susceptibility, mineralogy, and mineral composition of Al Haggounia 001. The samples were collected during eight field missions in the period between 2015 and 2019. In the strewn field of about 65 km in length, the specimens are found either on the surface or shallowly buried in loose sediments, which rules out the previous suggestions that this meteorite is a fossil meteorite. Macroscopically, the samples exhibit three major lithologies with various colors, porosities, and distributions of oxidized veins. The data obtained using transmitted and reflected light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe analysis confirm the macroscopic observations and show a heterogenous distribution of silicates and metal sulfides. Al Haggounia 001 is composed of enstatite, plagioclase, kamacite, taenite, schreibersite, daubreelite, troilite, graphite, sinoite, and silica polymorphs. We identified a new type of chondrules that are flattened and composed of rods of albite and enstatite, as well as elongated nodules of metal and sulfides, in addition to compression fractures in the form of subparallel veinlets. These features presumably reflect the deformation caused by shock. The magnetic susceptibility of Al Haggounia 001 (4.39 ± 0.20) is much lower than that of usual EH (5.48 ± 0.16) and EL (5.46 ± 0.04) chondrites but is in the range of E finds (5.05 ± 0.43). The thermomagnetic and hysteresis measurements are controlled by type, size, distribution of metal-sulfide nodules, arrangement of oxyhydroxide veins, and weathering. Al Haggounia 001 is an anomalous meteorite with a polymict nature. It records multiple events revealing its unique origin which expends the groups of enstatite chondrites and provides insights into the complex formation and evolution history of their parent body.     

Particulate contribution to extinction of visible radiation: Pollution, haze, and fog

A data set acquired by eight particle-dedicated instruments set up on the SIRTA (Site Instrumental de Recherche par Télédétection Atmosphérique, which is French for Instrumented Site for Atmospheric Remote Sensing Research) during the ParisFog field campaign are exploited to document microphysical properties of particles contributing to extinction of visible radiation in variable situations. The study focuses on a 48-hour period when atmospheric conditions are highly variable: relative humidity changes between 50 and 100%, visibility ranges between 65 and 35 000 m, the site is either downwind the Paris area either under maritime influence. A dense and homogeneous fog formed during the night by radiative cooling. In 6 h, visibility decreased down from 30 000 m in the clear-sky regime to 65 m within the fog, because of advected urban pollution (factor 3 to 4 in visibility reduction), aerosol hydration (factor 20) and aerosol activation (factor 6). Computations of aerosol optical properties, based on Mie theory, show that extinction in clear-sky regime is due equally to the ultrafine modes and to the accumulation mode. Extinction by haze is due to hydrated aerosol particles distributed in the accumulation mode, defined by a geometric mean diameter of 0.6 μm and a geometric standard deviation of 1.4. These hydrated aerosol particles still contribute by 20 ± 10% to extinction in the fog. The complementary extinction is due to fog droplets distributed around the geometric mean diameter of 3.2 μm with a geometric standard deviation of 1.5 during the first fog development stage. The study also shows that the experimental set-up could not count all fog droplets during the second and third fog development stages.     

Review: Carbonate aquifers and future perspectives of karst hydrogeology in India

About 3 % of India’s total land surface is occupied by carbonate rocks which are mostly karstified and constitute a significant source of groundwater. The groundwater drawn from these aquifers matches the water demand of ~35 million people living in 106 districts of the country and also the water needs of livestock, irrigation and industry. The studies on karst in India carried out so far have mostly addressed geology, hydrology and groundwater contamination. A literature survey suggests that there is a need for detailed research, applying new approaches and techniques for proper carbonate aquifer identification, characterization and management. Such specific approaches will improve modeling, exploitation and protection of karst groundwater. An overview of the research carried out on groundwater resources of karst formations in India is presented, which also throws light on the protection of karst aquifers from existing anthropogenic activities such as mining and groundwater over-exploitation.     

Experiments with scale models of oil collectors for subsea well blowouts

Laboratory experiments on conically shaped oil collectors beneath a marine riser are described. The collection concept involves oil, water and gas entering the collector and being driven into a separating sytem by gas-lift. A parametric study involving various collector shapes, heights above the wellhead, and gas, oil and water flow rates was carried out. The important dimensionless variables were identified and quantified with the conclusion that effective collection is possible if the collector height is sufficiently small and the ratio of water pumped to gas flow is sufficiently large. Increased collector heights can be accommodated at the expense of requiring increased water flows by use of larger diameter risers. The amount of gas required for most efficient oil collection is found to be much less than is expected to come from most blowouts when a single collector and riser system is used. This difficulty can be greatly diminished by the use of a specially designed gas-separating collector which passes most of the gas to the surface through a riser separate from the one which carries the liquids.