Reconstruction of Horizontal Plasma Motions at the Photosphere from Intensitygrams: A Comparison Between DeepVel,LCT, FLCT,and CST

Direct measurements of plasma motions in the photosphere are limited to the line-of-sight component of the velocity. Several algorithms have therefore been developed to reconstruct the transverse components from observed continuum images or magnetograms. We compare the space and time averages of horizontal velocity fields in the photosphere inferred from pairs of consecutive intensitygrams by the LCT, FLCT, and CST methods and the DeepVel neural network in order to identify the method that is best suited for generating synthetic observations to be used for data assimilation. The Stein and Nordlund (Astrophys. J. Lett.753, L13, 2012) magnetoconvection simulation is used to generate synthetic SDO/HMI intensitygrams and reference flows to train DeepVel. Inferred velocity fields show that DeepVel performs best at subgranular and granular scales and is second only to FLCT at mesogranular and supergranular scales.     

A Mercury orientation model including non-zero obliquity and librations

Planetary orientation models describe the orientation of the spin axis and prime meridian of planets in inertial space as a function of time. The models are required for the planning and execution of Earth-based or space-based observational work, e.g. to compute viewing geometries and to tie observations to planetary coordinate systems. The current orientation model for Mercury is inadequate because it uses an obsolete spin orientation, neglects oscillations in the spin rate called longitude librations, and relies on a prime meridian that no longer reflects its intended dynamical significance. These effects result in positional errors on the surface of ~1.5 km in latitude and up to several km in longitude, about two orders of magnitude larger than the finest image resolution currently attainable. Here we present an updated orientation model which incorporates modern values of the spin orientation, includes a formulation for longitude librations, and restores the dynamical significance to the prime meridian. We also use modern values of the orbit normal, spin axis orientation, and precession rates to quantify an important relationship between the obliquity and moment of inertia differences.     

Numerical simulation of migration–accumulation of oil resources

Numerical simulation of oil migration and accumulation is to describe the history of oil migration and accumulation in basin evolution. It is of great value to the evaluation of oil resources and to the determination of the location and amount of oil deposits. This thesis discusses the characteristics of petroleum geology and permeation fluid mechanics. For the three-dimensional problems of Dongying hollow of Shengli Petroleum Oil Field, it puts forward a new model and a kind of modified method of upwind finite difference fractional steps implicit interactive scheme. For the famous hydraulic experiment of secondary migration–accumulation, the numerical simulation test has been done, and both the computational and experimental results are basically identical. For the actual problem of Dongying hollow, the numerical simulation test and the actual conditions are basically coincident. Thus, the well-known problem has been solved.     

Hafnium isotopic variations in East Atlantic intraplate volcanism

The broad belt of intraplate volcanism in the East Atlantic between 25° and 37° N is proposed to have formed by two adjacent hotspot tracks (the Madeira and Canary tracks) that possess systematically different isotopic signatures reflecting different mantle source compositions. To test this model, Hf isotope ratios from volcanic rocks from all individual islands and all major seamounts are presented in this study. In comparison with published Nd isotope variations (6 εNd units), ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratios span a much larger range (14 εHf units). Samples from the proposed Madeira hotspot track have the most radiogenic Hf isotopic compositions (¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf_m up to 0.283335), extending across the entire field for central Atlantic MORB. They form a relatively narrow, elongated trend on the Nd vs. Hf isotope diagram (stretching over > 10 εHf units) between a depleted N-MORB-like endmember and a moderately enriched composition located on, or slightly below, the Nd–Hf mantle array, which overlaps the proposed “C” mantle component of Hanan and Graham (1996). In contrast, all samples from the Canary hotspot track plot below the mantle array (¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf_m = 0.282943–0.283067) and form a much denser cluster with less compositional variation (~4 εHf units). The cluster falls between (1) a low Hf isotope HIMU-like endmember, (2) a more depleted composition, and (3) the moderately enriched end of the Madeira trend. The new Hf isotope data confirm the general geochemical distinction of the Canary and Madeira domains in the East Atlantic. Both domains, however, seem to share a common, moderately enriched endmember that has “C”-like isotope compositions and is believed to represent subducted, <1-Ga-old oceanic lithosphere (oceanic crust and possibly minor sediment addition). The lower ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio of the enriched, HIMU-like Canary domain endmember indicates the contribution of oceanic lithosphere with somewhat older recycling ages of ≥1 Ga.     

The Characteristic Patterns of Macrofaunal Fouling Assemblages in Nearshore Waters of the South China Sea

The spatio-temporal patterns of macrofaunal fouling assemblages were quantitatively investigated in the nearshore waters of the South China Sea. The work was undertaken by deploying seasonal panels at two sites (H-site, L-site) for one year, and the fouling communities on the panels were examined and analyzed. The results indicated that species composition of assemblages was obviously different between the two sites. At both sites the assemblages were characteristic with solitary dominant species throughout the year, with Amphibalanus reticulates dominating at H-site and Hydroides elegans at L-site. Shannon index and biomass of the assemblages varied with depth and season at both sites. At H-site the total biomass in summer and autumn were significantly higher than those in spring and winter, while at L-site the assemblage biomass also differed significantly among the four seasons, and the greatest biomass occurred at the depth of 2.0 m in winter. The abundance of all seasonal samples in non-metric multidimensional scaling was clustered as one group at L-site and three groups at H-site. The environmental factors were more likely to be related to the variation of fouling assemblages. Furthermore, it also suggests that in tropical seas the integrated adaptability would qualify a species for dominating a fouling assemblage despite its short life cycle, rather than the usually assumed only species with long life span. This study reveals the complexity and characteristic dynamics of macrofaunal fouling assemblages in the tropical habitats, and the results would provide valuable knowledge for biodiversity and antifouling research.     

Influence of Headland Breakwaters on Morphological Processes at Longfengtou Beach in Haitan Bay,Facing the Taiwan Strait

Breakwaters can be used as artificial headlands in beach nourishment to mitigate coastal erosion. Longfengtou Beach, located on the southwest coast of Haitan Bay facing the Taiwan Strait on the northeast, suffers severe erosion, where the monsoon causes significant season hydrodynamic variations. Headland breakwaters are intended to be employed to mitigate coastal erosion. A 2D sediment transport model is established using MIKE21 based on current-wave coupling and calibrated by measured data. Summer and winter wave conditions are chosen as characteristic weak and strong waves respectively. The numerical results of suspended sediment concentration and seasonal morphological evolution are compared under the conditions with and without the headland breakwaters. Sediment transport in summer can be regarded as mainly determined by current field, while in winter wave effect is strong enough to change current field. The northern breakwater, nearly perpendicular to the ebb current direction, obstructs the currents and decreases velocity of the ebb currents, and confines the water carrying sediments within the protection area during the flood period. The southern breakwater also breaks the waves in advance and significantly reduces the hydrodynamic effects during the flood period and maintains high suspended sediment concentration in the protection area. In general, two headland breakwaters decrease the erosion near the beach and enlarge the deposition area, which play a significant role in prevention of sediment loss in nearshore area and mitigate coastal erosion.     

Petrological considerations for the demineralization of Rajmahal coals with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas mendocina</Emphasis> B6-1

The present study entails the results of the petrological coniderations for demineralization of Rajmahal Gondwana coals with Psudomonas mendocina B6-1. Inertinite group macerals are the dominant constituents of these coals, followed by vitrinite group, while liptinite occurs in low concentration. The amount of Mineral matter is moderately high. The concentration of major, minor and trace elements is high when compared with Clarke values. After the treatment of these coals with Pseudomonas mendocina strain B6-1, a significant reduction in the elemental content of oxygen, hydrogen and sulphur was observed. A gradual reduction of pyrite phase due to bioleaching was identified and its signatures were reflected in the XRD spectra and FTIR absorption bands. Over 5 % reduction in the ash content and decrease of major, minor and trace element to variable degrees were also noticed. Fe, As, and Ca positively correlate with the ash removal percentage indicating that the samples with high concentration of these elements were prone to demineralization with Pseudomonas mendocina strain B6-1 whereas Ni, Zn, Cr and Cu, negatively correlate with the ash removal percentage and shows that their enrichment impeded the process of demineralization. With increasing concentration of vitrinite the removal of major/minor/trace elements also increased which is attributed to the possible association of these elements with the mineral matter occurring as superficial mounting and superficial blanketing over the vitrinite macerals. This could facilitate the bacterial access to the elements to act upon and remove it to the variable extent. Some minerals occur intergrown with inertinites causing restricted bacterial action owing to the nonexposure of the mineral particles and less surface area available to the bacteria for bioleaching. Sulfur removal strongly relates with increase in inertinite content and decrease in liptinite content. This appears that sulfur associated with liptinites have shown difficult removal condition. The maximum removal of the trace elements like Cd, Cu, Co, Zn and Pb was observed from the ‘banded dull coal’ samples of the Rajmahal basin while maximum removal of major/minor elements like Fe, Ca and Mg was noticed from the ‘banded bright coal’ samples. However, maximum removal of Mn and As was also observed in the samples of ‘banded coal’.     

Monitoring and prediction of land use/land cover changes using CA-Markov model: a case study of Ravansar County in Iran

Human‐induced land use/land cover (LULC) changes are among the most important processes that shape the dynamics of the earth’s surface. This phenomenon, which is occurring at an astonishing rate, and its consequential environmental impacts have become an important area of research for scientists.Therefore, a wide range of methods and models have been developed to detect and predict these alterations, among which cellular automata (CA) models such as the CA‐Markov model, due to their affinity to geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS), are appropriate for detailed resolution modelling and simulating dynamic spatial processes. In Iran, the district of Ravansar has undergone severe LULC changes recently, thus to take the necessary precautions, decision‐makers need to predict and determine the extent of these changes. In this study, using spatial analysis methods the LULC changes in Ravansar were investigated from 1992 to 2015. Subsequently, the CA‐Markov model was applied to simulate the spatial pattern changes of LULC until 2030. Our results indicated that from 1992 to 2015, this region has witnessed a noticeable increase in the areas of the built‐up and agricultural lands (both aquatic and non‐aquatic), resulting in the decrease of the gardens, range, and bare lands. The simulated LULC map showed that this trend will continue due to more urbanization and development of agricultural areas.     

Influence of instruments on the H/V spectral ratios of ambient vibrations

For an optimal analysis of the H/V curve, it appears necessary to check the instrument signal to noise ratio in the studied frequency band, to ensure that the signal from the ground noise is well above the internal noise. We assess the reliability and accuracy of various digitizers, sensors and/or digitizer-sensor couples. Although this study is of general interest for any kind of seismological study, we emphasize the influence of equipment on H/V analysis results. To display the impact of the instrumental part on the H/V behavior, some series of tests have been carried out following a step-by-step procedure: first, the digitizers have been tested in the lab (sensitivity, internal noise...), then the three components sensors, still in the lab, and finally the usual user digitizers-sensors couple in lab and outdoors. In general, the digitizer characteristics, verified during this test, correspond well to the manufacturer specifications, however, depending on the digitizer, the quality of the digitized waveform can be very good to very poor, with variation from a channel to another channel (gain, time difference etc.). It appears very clearly that digitizers need a warming up time before the recording to avoid problems in the low-frequency range. Regarding the sensors, we recommend strongly to avoid the use of “classical” accelerometers (i.e., usual force balance technology). The majority of tested seismometers (broadband and short period, even 4.5 Hz) can be used without problems from 0.4 to 25 Hz. In all cases, the instrumentation should be checked first to verify that it works well for the defined study aim, but also to define its limit of use (frequency, sensitivity...).     

Early Mesozoic mantle-crust transitional zone in eastern Inner Mongolia: Evidence from measurements of compressional velocities of xenoliths at high pressure and high temperature

Compression wave velocityV _p has been measured on 10 representative rock samples from the Early Mesozoic granulite and mafic-ultramafic cumulate xenoliths population from the Harqin area of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (for short Inner Mongolia) as an aid to interpretingin-situ seismic velocity data and investigating velocity variation with depth in a mafic lower crust. The experiments have been carried out at constant confining pressures up to 1 000 MPa and temperatures ranging from 20 to around 1 300°C, using the ultrasonic transmission technique. After corrections for estimatedin situ crustal pressures and temperatures, elastic wave velocities range from 6.5 to 7.4 km·s^?1, indicating that they are components of the Early Mesozoic crust-mantle transitional zone. Combining with previous experimental data, we have also reestablished the Early-Mesozoic continental compression velocity profile and compared it with those of the present and of the different tectonic environments in the world. The result shows that it is similar to the velocity pattern of the extensional tectonic area, providing new clues to the Mesozoic continental structure of the North China Craton.