Observation of Hα line impact polarization in solar flares

We present the results of studying the impact linear polarization of 32 solar flares of X-ray classes C, M, and X (two flares) observed with the Large Solar Vacuum Telescope. It has turned out that there is evidence for impact polarization only in 13 of them. The newly obtained data have confirmed that the linear Stokes parameters are predominantly 2–7%, while the spatial sizes of flaring points with nonzero Stokes parameters are small (1″-2″). Two features of the manifestation of impact polarization in flares revealed by these studies are of greatest interest: (1) at the two foot points of a single flare loop or an arcade of loops, both the Hα intensity profiles and the Stokes profiles differ in behavior; (2) based on the Hα line, we have found for the first time that the sign of the Stokes parameters changes not only across the flare ribbon but also with depth of the chromosphere.     

Equilibrium iron isotope fractionation factors of minerals: Reevaluation from the data of nuclear inelastic resonant X-ray scattering and Mössbauer spectroscopy

We have critically reevaluated equilibrium iron isotope fractionation factors for oxide and sulfide minerals using recently acquired data obtained by Mössbauer spectroscopy and inelastic nuclear resonant X-ray scattering (INRXS) synchrotron radiation. Good agreement was observed in the iron β-factors of metallic iron (α-Fe) and hematite calculated using both Mössbauer- and INRXS-derived data, which supports the validity and reliability of the calculations. Based on this excellent agreement, we suggest the use of the present data on the iron β-factors of hematite as a reference.The previous Mössbauer-derived iron β-factor for magnetite has been modified significantly based on the Fe-sublattice density of states obtained from the INRXS experiments. This resolves the disagreement between naturally observed iron isotope fractionation factors for mineral pairs involving magnetite and those obtained from the calculated β-factors. The correctness of iron β-factor for pyrite has been corroborated by the good agreement with experimental data of sulfur isotope geothermometers of pyrite-galena and pyrite-sphalerite. A good correlation between the potential energy of the cation site, the oxidation state of iron and the iron β-factor value has been established. Specifically, ferric compounds, which have a higher potential energy of iron than ferrous compounds, have higher β-factors. A similar dependence of β-factors on the oxidation state and potential energy could be extended to other transition metals. Extremely low values of INRXS-derived iron β-factors for troilite and Fe₃S significantly widen the range of iron β-factors for covalently bonded compounds.     

Joint inversion of the differential satellite interferometry and GPS data: A case study of Altai (Chuia) Earthquake of September 27, 2003

Based on the data of differential satellite interferometry, the field of displacements of the Earth’s surface in the line-of-sight direction is determined for the region of the Altai Earthquake that struck on September 27, 2003. The displacements are estimated for unforested areas of Chuia and the Kurai depressions, and for a part of their mountainous surroundings. In that part of the region where unwrapping of the data was possible, the amplitude of displacements amounts up to 150 cm for Chuia and 100 cm for the Kurai depressions. In order to locate the surface of the seismic rupture and to find the field of displacements on this surface, the method for the combined inversion of the displacements data, provided by satellite interferometry (the present work) and geodesy [Gol’din et al., 2005], is suggested and applied. The admissible range of the parameters of the rupture was specified from the seismology and seismotectonics data. The combined use of geodetic and satellite interferometry data makes the solution of the inverse problem more stable and yields a seismic momentum estimate, which is consistent with the seismological determinations. We discuss the possible contributions of various postseismic processes; in particular, based on analyzing the energy of the aftershocks, we assess the contribution of the postseismic creep to the displacements, determined from the interferometry and geodesy data, for different coseismic and postseismic time intervals.     

Accumulation of alkaline and alkaline-earth elements in subcolloidal fraction of bottom sediment at the river-sea geochemical barrier

Data on the concentrations of alkaline (K, Li, Cs, Rb, Tl), alkaline-earth (Mg, Be), and other elements and humic acids in subcolloidal fraction of bottom sediment at river-sea geochemical barrier are given. Higher concentrations of Al and Mg is detected in river BS corresponding to the initial stage of water mixing. The increase in the concentrations of Li, Cs, and Rb is shown to best correspond to the accumulation of humic acids in marine deposits.     

Geochemical features of REE and Y accumulation in the subcolloid fraction of sediments from the northern part of Amur Bay (Sea of Japan)

The average contents of REE, Y, Fe, Mn, and clay minerals were determined in the subcolloid fraction of bottom sediments from the northern part of Amur Bay. The positive correlation of REE and Y contents with Fe and Mn is related to their flocculation and sorption on Fe, Mn oxyhydroxides and clay minerals (hydromica, smectites). The sediments are subdivided into three groups (sediments from the influence zone of the Razdol’naya River, sediments located along the eastern and western shores of the bay, and sediments weakly subjected to the river influence) with different average contents of REE, Y, Fe, and Mn. It is shown that REE and Y are mainly incorporated (98–100%) in clay minerals.     

Estimates of Trends of Climatically Important Atmospheric Gases Near St. Petersburg

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - Total column amounts (TCAs) of various climatically important atmospheric gases have been determined in Peterhof for the period between 2009 and 2018....     

First Satellite Measurements of Carbon Dioxide in the Earth’s Atmosphere (From the SI-1 Spectrometer Aboard the Meteor Satellite in 1979)

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - Spectral measurements of the outgoing thermal IR radiation carried out in 1977 and 1979 (SI-1 instrument, Meteor satellite) are used for estimating the...