Turbulent compressible convection with rotation–penetration below a convection zone

We examine the behaviour of penetrative turbulent compressible convection under the influence of rotation by means of three dimensional numerical simulations. We estimate the extent of penetration below a stellar-type rotating convection zone in an f-plane configuration. Several models have been computed with a stable-unstable-stable configuration by varying the rotation rate (Ω), the inclination of the rotation vector and the stability of the lower stable layer. The spatial and temporal average of kinetic energy flux (F_k) is computed for several turnover times after the fluid has thermally relaxed and is used to estimate the amount of penetration below the convectively unstable layer. Our numerical experiments show that with the increase in rotational velocity, the downward penetration decreases. A similar behaviour is observed when the stability of the lower stable layer is increased in a rotating configuration. Furthermore, the relative stability parameter S shows an S ^−1/4 dependence on the penetration distance implying the existence of a thermal adjustment region in the lower stable layer rather than a nearly adiabatic penetration region.     

Vectorized simulation of groundwater flow and contaminant transport using analytic element method and random walk particle tracking

Groundwater contaminant transport processes are usually simulated by the finite difference (FDM) or finite element methods (FEM). However, they are susceptible to numerical dispersion for advection‐dominated transport. In this study, a numerical dispersion‐free coupled flow and transport model is developed by combining the analytic element method (AEM) with random walk particle tracking (RWPT). As AEM produces continuous velocity distribution over the entire aquifer domain, it is more suitable for RWPT than FDM/finite element methods. Using the AEM solutions, RWPT tracks all the particles in a vectorized manner, thereby improving the computational efficiency. The present model performs a convolution integral of the response of an impulse contaminant injection to generate concentration distributions due to a permanent contaminant source. The RWPT model is validated with an available analytical solution and compared to an FDM solution, the RWPT model more accurately replicates the analytical solution. Further, the coupled AEM‐RWPT model has been applied to simulate the flow and transport in hypothetical and field aquifer problems. The results are compared with the FDM solutions and found to be satisfactory. The results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method.     

Fractal study of seismicity in order to characterize the various tectonic blocks of North-east Himalaya,India

North-eastern Himalaya is said to be one of the world most complex geological set-up with different kinds of seismotectonic systems. Region has experienced two of the world’s strongest earthquakes, such as Shillong earthquake of 1897 known as Assam earthquake and subsequent 1950 earthquake in Arunachal Pradesh, both of with magnitude of 8.7, and also several other strong earthquakes. Various techniques have been applied to understand the past strong earthquake mechanism as well as hazard estimation carried out for future earthquake. Fractal correlation dimension (D _c) is being used in this study with the seismicity for the period 1961 to recent for understanding the pattern of seismic hazard. The entire area has been divided into four major tectonic blocks, and each block event was divided into consecutive fifty events window for seeing spatiotemporal patterns. After comparing the patterns, we have identified that Block of Eastern Himalaya near Main Central Thrust, Main Boundary Thrust, north of Kopili lineament and Block of Shillong plateau near Dauki fault are having relatively intense clustering of events in recent times, which may be identified as the zones of most potential to have a strong event.     

Streamflow modeling in a fluctuant climate using SWAT: Yass River catchment in south eastern Australia

Hydrological models play vital roles in understanding and management of surface water resources. The physically based distributed model Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was applied to a small catchment in south eastern Australia to determine its ability to mimic low and high streamflows. The model was successfully calibrated using 1993–2002 streamflow data and validated using 2003–2011 data with a combination of manual and auto-calibration techniques for both monthly and daily time steps. Sensitivity analysis indicated that curve number for moisture condition II (CN2) is the most sensitive parameter for both time steps. In general, the model performance statistics indicated “very good” agreement between measured and simulated discharges for both calibration and validation periods. The model was able to satisfactorily simulate both low and high flows of the Yass River. Analysis of water balance components indicated that more than 90 % of the rainfall is lost as evapotranspiration and about 45 % of the streamflow is base flow. The calibrated and validated SWAT model can be used to analyze the effect of climate and land use changes on catchment wide hydrologic process.     

Periodicities of Sunspot Number and Coronal Index Time Series During Solar Cycle 23

We investigate the presence and temporal evolution of short- and intermediate-term periodicities in the daily data of sunspot numbers and coronal index for the time span from May 1996 to December 2008, which covers the entire Solar Cycle 23. The daily sunspot number data have been analyzed for the full disk, and for northern and southern hemispheres of the Sun. Using the wavelet power spectrum technique, we find a number of quasi-periodic oscillations in all the data sets. We also find a prominent period of 22 to 35 days in the high-frequency range, and detect the Rieger period of 150 to 160 days in both data sets during different phases of Cycle 23. We also detect ∼1.3 year oscillation in both sunspot and coronal index time series. In addition, we find a number of other short and mid-term periods. We discuss possible explanations of the observed periodicities in the light of previous results and existing numerical models.     

Estimation of Snowmelt Runoff in Beas Basin,India

Abstract

Estimation of snowmelt runoff is very important in the Western Himalayan rivers in India where it is required to plan for hydropower generation and the water management during the non‐monsoon season. An attempt has been made to estimate snowmelt runoff on a 10 day average basis in Beas Basin up to Pandoh Dam during May, 1998 and November, 1999 using a Snowmelt Runoff Model (SRM), which is a degree day method. The input parameters for the model are derived from existing maps, satellite data, metrological and hydrological data. The relief of the basin is divided into 12 elevation zones of 500 m each. The temperature was extrapolated to these elevation zones using temperature lapse rate calculated using the observed temperature at seven stations within the basin. Snow covered area in the basin was determined using Indian Remote Sensing Satellites IRS ‐ 1C / 1D Wide Field Sensor (WIFS). The runoff from the snow covered area and snow free area was separately calculated in each elevation zone. The model parameter degree‐day factor is taken from literature and runoff coefficients for snow and rain are derived using the observed data. The total discharge at the dam site is computed by a weighted sum of runoff components from all the elevation zones. There is a good agreement between the observed and computed runoff with a coefficient of determination of 0.854 and the difference in volume is + 4.6 %.     

Removal of Chromium from Synthetic Effluent using Nymphaea rubra

In the present work, biosorption of Cr(VI) by Nymphaea rubra was investigated in batch studies. Batch experiments were conducted to study the effect of initial sorbent dosage, solution pH and initial Cr(VI) concentration. The results showed that the equilibrium uptake capacity was increased with decrease in biomass dosage. The Cr(VI) removal was influenced by the initial chromium compound concentration. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were used to represent the equilibrium data. The Freundlich isotherm model was fitted very well with the equilibrium data when compared to Langmuir isotherm model. The sorption results were analyzed for pseudo‐first order and pseudo‐second order kinetic model. It was observed that the kinetic data fitted very well with the pseudo‐second order rate equation when compared to the pseudo‐first order rate equation. Fourier transform infrared spectrum showed the presence of different functional groups in the biomass. The surface morphology of the sorbent was exemplified by SEM analysis. Aquatic weeds seem to be a promising biosorbent for the removal of chromium ions from water environment. This paper reports the research findings of a laboratory‐based study on the removal of Cr(VI) from the synthetic solution using the dried stem of N. rubra as a biosorbent.     

Rainfall erosivity and erosivity density in Eastern Ghats Highland of east India

The rainfall erosivity (R-factor in USLE) is the long-term average of the sum of the product of rainfall kinetic energy and its maximum 30-min intensity. Therefore, at most 30-min time intervals pluviograph records are required to calculate R-factor. But, such high-resolution data are scarce in many parts of the world and require lengthy processing period. In this study, R-factor was correlated with daily, monthly and annual rainfall, and its spatial variability in Eastern Ghats Highland of east India was mapped. The result showed that power regression models predicted satisfactorily the daily, monthly and annual R-factor, of which annual R-factor model performed best (model efficiency 0.93). Mean monsoon season R-factor was 15.6 and 10.0 times higher than the pre- and post-monsoon season R-factor, and thus remained highly critical with respect to erosion. Annual R-factor values ranged from 3040 to 10,127 MJ mm ha^?1 h^?1 year^?1, with standard deviation of 1981 MJ mm ha^?1 h^?1 year^?1. Rainfall intensity was positively correlated with erosivity density, and numerical value of rainfall intensity was almost double of the erosivity density value. The combination of rainfall and erosivity density was used to identify flood, erosion and landslide-prone areas. The developed iso-erosivity, erosivity density and risk maps can be opted as a tool for policy makers to take suitable measures against natural hazards in Eastern Ghats Highland of east India and elsewhere with similar rainfall characteristics.

     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987111001289

The disastrous M_w 9.3(seismic moment 1.0×10³⁰ dyn/cm) earthquake that struck northwest Sumatra on 26 December 2004 and triggered～30 m high tsunami has rejuvenated the quest for identifying the forcing behind subduction related earthquakes around the world.Studies reveal that the strongest part（elastic core） of the oceanic lithosphere lie between 20 and 60 km depth beneath the upper （～7 km thick） crustal layer,and compressive stress of GPa order is required to fail the rock-layers within the core zone.Here we present evidences in favor of an intraplate origin of mega-earthquakes right within the strong core part（at the interface of semi-brittle and brittle zone）,and propose an alternate model exploring the flexing zone of the descending lithosphere as the nodal area for major stress accumulation. We believe that at high confining pressure and elevated temperature,unidirectional cyclic compressive stress loading in the flexing zone results in an increase of material yield strength through strain hardening, which transforms the rheology of the layer from semi-brittle to near-brittle state.The increased compressive stress field coupled with upward migration of the neutral surface（of zero stress fields） under noncoaxial deformation triggers shear crack.The growth of the shear crack is initially confined in the near-brittle domain,and propagates later through the more brittle crustal part of the descending oceanic lithosphere in the form of cataclastic failure.