Radiative transfer in spherical shell atmospheres: II. Asymmetric phase functions

In this paper we investigate the effects of sphericity on the radiation reflected from a planet with a homogeneous, conservative scattering atmosphere of optical thicknesses of 0.25 and 1.0. We considered a Henyey-Greenstein phase function with asymmetry factors of 0.5 and 0.7. Significant differences were found when these results were compared with the plane-parallel calculations. Also, large violations of the reciprocity theorem, which is only true for plane-parallel calculations, were noted. Results are presented for the radiance versus height distributions as a function of planetary phase angle. These results will be useful to researchers in the field of remote sensing and planetary spectroscopy.     

Electromagnetic heating of minor planets in the early solar system

Electromagnetic processes occurring in the primordial solar system are likely to have significantly affected planetary evolution. In particular, electrical coupling of the kinetic energy of a dense T-Tauri-like solar wind into the interior of the smaller planets could have been a major driver of thermal metamorphism. Accordingly a grid of asteroid models of various sizes and solar distances was constructed using dc transverse magnetic induction theory. Plausible parameterizations with no requirement for a high environmental temperature led to complete melting for Vesta (and others with sizes down to 50 km diameter and distance out to 2.8 AU thus approximately reproducing the observed distributions of S objects) with no melting for Pallas and Ceres. Fairly high temperatures were reached in the Pallas model, perhaps implying nonmelting thermal metamorphosis as a cause of its anomalous spectrum (somewhat similar to but distinct from C type). A reversal of this temperature sequence seems implausible, suggesting that the Ceres-Pallas-Vesta dichotomy is a natural outcome of the induction mechanism. Highly localized heating is expected to arise due to an instability in the temperature-controlled current distribution. Localized metamorphosis resulting from this effect may be relevant to the production and evolution of pallasites, the large presumed metal component of S object spectra, and the formation of the lunar magma ocean.     

Liquid content of the lower clouds of venus as determined from mariner 10 radio occultation

S-band (13.06-cm) and X-band (3.56-cm) radio occulation data obtained during the flyby of Venus by Mariner 10 on February 5, 1974 were analyzed to obtain the effects of dispersive microwave absorption by the clouds of Venus. The received power profiles were first corrected for the effects of refraction in the atmosphere of Venus, programmed changes in the pointing direction of the high-gain antenna, and limit-cycle motion of the spacecraft attitude control system. The resulting excess attenuation profiles presumbaly due to cloud absorption have been inverted discretely to obtain profiles of absorption coefficient at the two wavelenghts. The ratios of the absorptivities are consistent with a sulfuric acid-water mixture as the constituent of the absorbing clouds, having a sulfuric acid concentration of 75 ± 25%. Three absorption peaks are evident in the profiles at altitudes of 68, 60, and 48 km. With a sulfuric acid concentration of 75%, the upper cloud has a peak liquid content of 0.08 g/m³, and an integrated content of 0.024 g/cm², which corresponds roughly to terrestrial stratus or altostratus clouds. The major absorption layer has a peak of 1.1 g/m³ at an altitude of 48 km, with an integrated content of 0.5 g/cm², similar to that of terrestrial cumulus and cumulonimbus clouds. The absorption ratios for the middle cloud at 60 km are not consistent with a sulfuric acid-water mixture.     

Heat-Mitigation Effects of Irrigated Rice-Paddy Fields Under Changing Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Based on a Coupled Atmosphere and Crop Energy-Balance Model

Boundary-Layer Meteorology - Known as the heat-mitigation effect, irrigated rice-paddy fields distribute a large fraction of their received energy to the latent heat during the growing season. The...     

An updated evaluation of the global mean land surface air temperature and surface temperature trends based on CLSAT and CMST

Climate Dynamics - Past versions of global surface temperature (ST) datasets have been shown to have underestimated the recent warming trend over 1998–2012. This study uses a newly updated...     

Cellular diagnostics and coral health: declining coral health in the Florida Keys

Coral reefs within the Florida Keys are disappearing at an alarming rate. Coral cover in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary declined by 38% from 1996 to 2000. In 2000, populations of Montastraea annularis at four sites near Molasses Reef within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and one reef within Biscayne National Park were sampled on a quarterly basis. Anecdotal observations showed corals at Alina's Reef in Biscayne National Park appeared healthy in March, but experienced an acute loss of coral cover by August. Cellular Diagnostic analysis indicated that Alina's Reef corals were in distress: they had been afflicted with a severe oxidative damaging and protein-denaturing stress that affected both the corals and their symbiotic zooxanthellae. This condition was associated with a significant xenobiotic detoxification response in both species, reflecting probable chemical contaminant exposure. These results demonstrate that applying a Cellular Diagnostic approach can be effective in helping to identify stress and its underlying causes, providing diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of coral health.     

Implications of ground water chemistry and flow patterns for earthquake studies

Ground water can facilitate earthquake development and respond physically and chemically to tectonism. Thus, an understanding of ground water circulation in seismically active regions is important for earthquake prediction. To investigate the roles of ground water in the development and prediction of earthquakes, geological and hydrogeological monitoring was conducted in a seismogenic area in the Yanhuai Basin, China. This study used isotopic and hydrogeochemical methods to characterize ground water samples from six hot springs and two cold springs. The hydrochemical data and associated geological and geophysical data were used to identify possible relations between ground water circulation and seismically active structural features. The data for delta18O, deltaD, tritium, and 14C indicate ground water from hot springs is of meteoric origin with subsurface residence times of 50 to 30,320 years. The reservoir temperature and circulation depths of the hot ground water are 57 degrees C to 160 degrees C and 1600 to 5000 m, respectively, as estimated by quartz and chalcedony geothermometers and the geothermal gradient. Various possible origins of noble gases dissolved in the ground water also were evaluated, indicating mantle and deep crust sources consistent with tectonically active segments. A hard intercalated stratum, where small to moderate earthquakes frequently originate, is present between a deep (10 to 20 km), high-electrical conductivity layer and the zone of active ground water circulation. The ground water anomalies are closely related to the structural peculiarity of each monitoring point. These results could have implications for ground water and seismic studies in other seismogenic areas.