SEAWAT 2000: modelling unstable flow and sensitivity to discretization levels and numerical schemes

A systematic analysis shows how results from the finite difference code SEAWAT are sensitive to choice of grid dimension, time step, and numerical scheme for unstable flow problems. Guidelines to assist in selecting appropriate combinations of these factors are suggested. While the SEAWAT code has been tested for a wide range of problems, the sensitivity of results to spatial and temporal discretization levels and numerical schemes has not been studied in detail for unstable flow problems. Here, the Elder-Voss-Souza benchmark problem has been used to systematically explore the sensitivity of SEAWAT output to spatio-temporal resolution and numerical solver choice. A grid size of 0.38 and 0.60% of the total domain length and depth respectively is found to be fine enough to deliver results with acceptable accuracy for most of the numerical schemes when Courant number (Cr) is 0.1. All numerical solvers produced similar results for extremely fine meshes; however, some schemes converged faster than others. For instance, the 3rd-order total variation-diminishing method (TVD3) scheme converged at a much coarser mesh than the standard finite difference methods (SFDM) upstream weighting (UW) scheme. The sensitivity of the results to Cr number depends on the numerical scheme as expected.     

An iterative method for boundary element solution of large offshore structures using the GMRES solver

The GMRES approach is used to solve complex matrix solution arising from boundary element analysis of large offshore structures. This makes it possible to solve problems with large numbers of panels on a workstation with a much smaller memory than typical high performance computers. The speed of the solver is compatible with direct solvers when the enough RAM is available. Otherwise, an iteration procedure can be used. By using an out-of-core treatment, typical RAM requirement is reduced to a size approximately linearly proportional to the panel number n instead of being proportional to n². The code is first verified with direct solver for cases with small number of panels. The applicability to large offshore structure of the model is demonstrated for a TLP case.     

Plasma instability at the inner edge of the accretion disk—I

In this paper, the analytical and numerical results of the stability analysis of the accretion disk at the inner boundary is presented. Including the effect of finite conductivity in the disk dynamics, a simple calculation considering only the radial perturbation has been carried out. Within local approximation, it is concluded that the disk is stable to Kelvin-Helmholtz and resistive electromagnetic modes whereas the magnetosonic mode can destabilise the disk structure.     

North African climate variability. Part 2: Tropical circulation systems

Summary Tropical North African climate variability is investigated using a Sahel rainfall index and streamflow of the Nile River in the 20^th century. The mechanisms that govern tropical North Africa climate are diagnosed from NCEP reanalysis data in the period 1958–1998: spatially – using composite and correlation analysis, and temporally – using wavelet co-spectral analysis. The Sahelian climate is characterised by a decadal rhythm, whilst the mountainous eastern and equatorial regions exhibit interannual cycles. ENSO-modulated zonal circulations over the Atlantic/Pacific sector are important for decadal variations, and create a climatic polarity between South America and tropical North Africa as revealed through upper-level velocity potential and convection patterns. A more localised N–S shift in convection between the Sahel and Guinea coast is associated with the African Easterly Jet.     

Mode trapping in sdO models

Mode trapping of high-radial order gravity modes was found for a particular sdO model. The trapping is caused by the change in composition from the helium radiative shell to the hydrogen burning shell. A non-adiabatic effect of this trapping is the higher tendency to instability of the trapped modes. Low- to intermediate-radial order pressure modes (in sdO models they correspond to mixed modes with most nodes in the P-mode region) are found to be trapped by the chemical transition from the carbon-oxygen core to the He burning shell. As the trapping is produced in the deep interior of the star, where energy interchange is negligible at the p-mode frequencies, it has no particular effect on the driving.     

PGE fractionation in seafloor hydrothermal systems: examples from mafic- and ultramafic-hosted hydrothermal fields at the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge

The distribution of platinum group elements (PGEs) in massive sulfides and hematite–magnetite±pyrite assemblages from the recently discovered basalt-hosted Turtle Pits hydrothermal field and in massive sulfides from the ultramafic-hosted Logatchev vent field both on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge was studied and compared to that from selected ancient volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits. Cu-rich samples from black smoker chimneys of both vent fields are enriched in Pd and Rh (Pd up to 227 ppb and Rh up to 149 ppb) when compared to hematite–magnetite-rich samples from Turtle Pits (Pd up to 10 ppb, Rh up to 1.9 ppb). A significant positive correlation was established between Cu and Rh in sulfide samples from Turtle Pits. PGE chondrite-normalized patterns (with a positive Rh anomaly and Pd and Au enrichment), Pd/Pt and Pd/Au ratios close to global MORB, and high values of Pd/Ir and Pt/Ir ratios indicate mafic source rock and seawater involvement in the hydrothermal system at Turtle Pits. Similarly shaped PGE chondrite-normalized patterns and high values of Pd/Pt and Pd/Ir ratios in Cu-rich sulfides at Logatchev likely reflect a similar mechanism of PGE enrichment but with involvement of ultramafic source rocks.     

The Influence of Storms on Water Quality and Phytoplankton Dynamics in the Tidal James River

Due to the unpredictable nature of intense storms and logistical constraints of sampling during storms, little is known about their immediate and long-term impacts on water quality in adjacent aquatic ecosystems. By combining targeted experiments with routine monitoring, we evaluated immediate impacts of two successive storm events on water quality and phytoplankton community response in the tidal James River and compared these findings to a non-storm year. The James River is a subestuary of the Chesapeake Bay and sampling was conducted before, during, and after Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm (TS) Lee in 2011 and during the same time period (late summer/early fall) in 2012 when there were no storms. We collected and compiled data on nutrient and chlorophyll a concentrations, phytoplankton abundance, nitrogen uptake, primary productivity rates, and surface salinity, temperature, and turbidity in the meso- and polyhaline segments of the James River. Hurricane Irene introduced significant amounts of freshwater over the entire James River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds, while rainfall from TS Lee fell primarily on the tidal fresh region of the James River and headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. Dinoflagellates dominated the algal community in the meso- and polyhaline segments prior to the storms in 2011, and a mixed diatom community emerged after the storms. In the mesohaline river segment, cyanobacteria abundance increased after TS Lee when salinities were depressed, likely due to washout from the oligohaline and tidal fresh regions of the river. In 2012, dinoflagellates dominated the community in both segments of the river during late summer but diatoms were also abundant and their biomass fluctuated throughout the summer and fall. Cyanobacteria were not present in either segment. Overall, we observed that the high-intensity rainfall from Hurricane Irene combined with high flushing in the headwaters as a result of TS Lee likely reduced primary productivity and altered community composition in the mesohaline segment but not the more estuarine-influenced polyhaline segment. Understanding the influence of high freshwater flow with a short residence time associated with storms is key to the planning and management of estuarine restoration as such disturbances are projected to increase as a result of climate change.     

Small Format Digital Cameras for Aerial Survey: Where Are We Now?

This paper introduces the subject of digital sensors for aerial survey by reviewing the use made of small format digital cameras in such an application. The major advantages and disadvantages of employing such consumer technology for aerial survey are highlighted. Finally, a specification is proposed for a minimum requirement for a digital solution based on a single area array sensor.     

Subsurface structure derived from detailed gravity and magnetic investigations along the Pala-Maneri traverse of the Main Central Thrust,NW Himalaya

A detailed, integrated gravity and magnetic study across the Main Central Thrust (MCT) along the Pala-Maneri traverse in Uttaranchal, NW Himalaya was carried out. The gravity data was acquired using a CG-3 gravity meter with an accuracy of 0.005 mGal, while magnetic data was acquired using a proton precession magnetometer with a station interval of 20 m. Data was collected along a 11.7 km, NE-SW traverse from Pala to Maneri along the proposed route of a hydroelectric headrace tunnel. The measured variation in the gravity field was approximately 70 mGal, with two prominent highs recorded at distances of 0.5 km, 7.5 km and lows at 3.0 km, 10.5 km from Maneri. The gravity highs can be attributed to presence of high-density rocks along the thrust planes. The sharp gravity low recorded at 10.5 km distance possibly indicates a sympathetic fault of the MCT that is highly saturated with fluids (water). The broad gravity low between 2.5 km and 4.0 km distance is likely to represent the gravity signature of the MCT itself. The measured variation in the magnetic field was approximately 285 nT. The associated gravity and magnetic signatures located several faults along the traverse including presence of the MCT at Kumaltigad.     

Conditioning of coefficient matrices of Ordinary Kriging

The solution of a set of linear equations is central to Ordinary Kriging. Computers are commonly applied because of the amount of data and work involved. There has, until recently, been little attention devoted toward the conditioning of kriging matrices. This article considers implications of conditioning upon numerical stability, instead of on robustness which has been the main focus of past work. The effect of properties of the stationary covariance matrix on the conditioning of the kriging matrix is discussed. The relationship between the covariance and autocorrelation functions allows some conclusions about the conditioning of covariance matrices, based on past work in deconvolution. The conditioning of some coefficient matrices of stationary kriging, defined in terms of either the semivariogram or the covariance, is examined.