Hydraulic Conductivity from Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Logs in Sediments with Elevated Magnetic Susceptibilities

This study examined the application of slim-hole nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tools to estimate hydraulic conductivity (K_NMR) in an unconsolidated aquifer that contains a range of grain sizes (silt to gravel) and high and variable magnetic susceptibilities (MS) (10⁻⁴ to 10⁻² SI). A K calibration dataset was acquired at 1-m intervals in three fully screened wells, and compared to K_NMR estimates using the Schlumberger-Doll research (SDR) equation with published empirical constants developed from previous studies in unconsolidated sediments. While K_NMR using published constants was within an order of magnitude of K, the agreement, overprediction, or underprediction of K_NMR varied with the MS distribution in each well. An examination of the effects of MS on NMR data and site-specific empirical constants indicated that the exponent on T_2ML (n-value in the SDR equation, representing the diffusion regime) was found to have the greatest influence on K_NMR estimation accuracy, while NMR porosity did not improve the prediction of K. K_NMR was further improved by integrating an MS log into the NMR analyses. A first approach detrended T_2ML for the effects of MS prior to calculating K_NMR, and a second approach introduced an MS term into the SDR equation. Both were found to produce similar refinements of K_NMR in intervals of elevated MS. This study found that low frequency NMR logging with short echo times shows promise for sites with moderate to elevated MS levels, and recommends a workflow that examines parameter relationships and integrates MS logs into the estimation of K_NMR.     

Regional adjustment of emission strengths via four dimensional data assimilation

The Four-Dimensional Data Assimilation was performed to evaluate source emission strengths over the United States. The USEPA Models-3 system (CMAQ/MM5/SMOKE) and ridge regression are used as the forward and inverse models, respectively. The continental US is divided into six regions, and data assimilation is performed for each region in July 2001 and January 2002. In addition, two separate scaling factors are calculated for weekdays and weekends. Results show that base emissions for CO and SO₂ sources are relatively accurate. Base emissions for PEC source are overestimated 100%, but those for POA source are underestimated up to 70% when compared with the adjusted emissions. Emissions for NH₃, NO _x , and PMFINE sources are relatively accurate in July 2001, but those in January 2002 are around 100% higher than the adjusted emissions. Base VOC emissions in July 2001 are similar to the adjusted emissions but those in January 2002 are underestimated up to 70% when compared with the adjusted emissions. Though the emission adjustment itself improves the overall air quality model performance, a better improvement is expected with the modification of speciation profiles and temporal allocations in the Models-3 system, as well.     

The effect of sideband ratio on line intensity for Herschel/HIFI

The Heterodyne Instrument for the Far Infrared (HIFI) on board the Herschel Space Observatory is composed of a set of fourteen double sideband mixers. We discuss the general problem of the sideband ratio (SBR) determination and the impact of an imbalanced sideband ratio on the line calibration in double sideband heterodyne receivers. The HIFI SBR is determined from a combination of data taken during pre-launch gas cell tests and in-flight. The results and some of the calibration artefacts discovered in the gas cell test data are presented here along with some examples of how these effects appear in science data taken in orbit.     

Fabric analysis of Allende matrix using EBSD

Abstract— Fabric analysis of the interstitial matrix material in primitive meteorites offers a novel window on asteroid formation and evolution. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) has allowed fabrics in these fine‐grained materials to be visualized in detail for the first time. Our data reveal that Allende, a CV3 chondrite, possesses a uniform, planar, short‐axis alignment fabric that is pervasive on a broad scale and is probably the result of deformational shortening related to impact or gravitational compaction. Interference between this matrix fabric and the larger, more rigid components, such as dark inclusions (DIs) and calcium‐aluminium‐rich inclusions (CAIs), has lead to the development of locally oriented and intensified matrix fabrics. In addition, DIs possess fabrics that are conformable with the broader matrix fabric. These results suggest that DIs were in situ prior to the deformational shortening event responsible for these fabrics, thus providing an argument against dark inclusions being fragments from another lithified part of the asteroid (Kojima and Tomeoka 1996; Fruland et al. 1978). Moreover, both DIs and Allende matrix are highly porous (?25%) (Corrigan et al. 1997). Mobilizing a highly porous DI during impact‐induced brecciation without imposing a fabric and incorporating it into a highly porous matrix without significantly compacting these materials is improbable. We favor a model that involves Allende DIs, CAIs, and matrix accreting together and experiencing the same deformation events.