Torsional oscillations of the Sun

A series of digitized synoptic observations of solar magnetic and velocity fields has been carried out at the Mount Wilson Observatory since 1967. In recent studies (Howard and LaBonte, 1980; LaBonte and Howard, 1981), the existence of slow, large-scale torsional (toroidal) oscillations of the Sun has been demonstrated. Two modes have been identified. The first is a travelling wave, symmetric about the equator, with wave number 2 per hemisphere. The pattern-alternately slower and faster than the average rotation-starts at the poles and drifts to the equator in an interval of 22 years. At any one latitude on the Sun, the period of the oscillation is 11 years, and the amplitude is 3 m s^-1. The magnetic flux emergence that is seen as the solar cycle occurs on average at the latitude of one shear zone of this oscillation. The amplitude of the shear is quite constant from the polar latitudes to the equator. The other mode of torsional oscillation, superposed on the first mode, is a wave number 1 per hemisphere pattern consisting of faster than average rotation at high latitudes around solar maximum and faster than average rotation at low latitudes near solar minimum. The amplitude of the effect is about 5 m s^-1. For the first mode, the close relationship in latitude between the activity-related magnetic flux eruption and the torsional shear zone suggests strongly that there is a close connection between these motions and the cycle mechanism. It has been suggested (Yoshimura, 1981; Schüssler, 1981) that the effect is caused by a subsurface Lorentz force wave resulting from the dynamo action of magnetic flux ropes. But, this seems unlikely because of the high latitudes at which the shear wave is seen to originate and the constancy of the magnitude of the shear throughout the life time of the wave.     

Assessing the impacts of solar ultraviolet radiation on the early life stages of crustacean zooplankton and ichthyoplankton in Marine coastal systems

Over the past 10–15 years, solar ultraviolet B (UV-B, 290–320 nm) levels have increased significantly at mid-latitude areas of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. These increases in UV-B are linked to reductions of stratospheric ozone. Although the variables that affect UV-B penetration into water columns are still under active investigation, there are typically strong correlations between dissolved organic carbon (DOC), chlorophylla (chla), and UV attenuation. This is particularly significant in the context of possible UV-B impacts on marine coastal systems, since DOC and chla are usually much more highly concentrated in these waters than in the open ocean. Observations indicate that the early life stages of crustacean zooplankton and ichthyoplankton present in the first meter of coastal water columns (like only a small percentage of the total population) are susceptible to UV-B radiation. Variability in cloud cover, water transparency (and the variables that affect it), and vertical distribution and displacement of organisms within the mixed layer have a greater effect on the flux of UV-B radiation to which plankton are exposed than will ozone layer depletion. Although exposure to UV-B can negatively affect planktonic organisms, such directs effects are likely minimal in coastal zones, and within the context of all the other environmental factors that produce the very high levels of mortality typically observed in their early life stages. Indirect effects (e.g., UV-B-induced reduction in the nutritional quality of the food base) have not as yet been adequately evaluated.     

Time scale effect and uncertainty in reconstruction of paleo‐hydrology

Tree‐ring‐based reconstructions of paleo‐hydrology have proved useful for better understanding the irregularities and extent of past climate changes, and therefore, for more effective water resources management. Despite considerable advances in the field, there still exist challenges that introduce significant uncertainties into paleo‐reconstructions. This study outlines these challenges and address them by developing two themes: (1) the effect of temporal scaling on the strength of the relationship between the hydrologic variables, streamflow in this study, and tree growth rates and (2) the reconstruction uncertainty of streamflow due to the dissimilarity or inconsistency in the pool of tree‐ring chronologies (predictors in reconstruction) in a basin. Based on the insight gained, a methodology is developed to move beyond only relying on the annual hydrology‐growth correlations, and to utilize additional information embedded in the annual time series at longer time scales (e.g. multi‐year to decadal time scales). This methodology also generates an ensemble of streamflow reconstructions to formally account for uncertainty in the pool of chronology sites. The major headwater tributaries of the Saskatchewan River Basin, the main source of surface water in the Canadian Prairie Provinces, are used as the case study. It is shown that the developed methodology explains the variance of streamflows to a larger extent than the conventional approach and better preserves the persistence and variability of streamflows across time scales (Hurst‐type behaviour). The resulting ensemble of paleo‐hydrologic time series is able to more credibly pinpoint the timing and extent of past dry and wet periods and provides a dynamic range of uncertainty in reconstruction. This range varies with time over the course of the reconstruction period, indicating that the utility of tree‐ring chronologies for paleo‐reconstruction differs for different time periods over the past several centuries in the history of the region. The proposed ensemble approach provides a credible range of multiple‐century‐long water availability scenarios that can be used for vulnerability assessment of the existing water infrastructure and improving water resources management. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ecosystem dynamics of the Pacific-influenced Northern Bering and Chukchi Seas in the Amerasian Arctic

The shallow continental shelves and slope of the Amerasian Arctic are strongly influenced by nutrient-rich Pacific waters advected over the shelves from the northern Bering Sea into the Arctic Ocean. These high-latitude shelf systems are highly productive both as the ice melts and during the open-water period. The duration and extent of seasonal sea ice, seawater temperature and water mass structure are critical controls on water column production, organic carbon cycling and pelagic–benthic coupling. Short food chains and shallow depths are characteristic of high productivity areas in this region, so changes in lower trophic levels can impact higher trophic organisms rapidly, including pelagic- and benthic-feeding marine mammals and seabirds. Subsistence harvesting of many of these animals is locally important for human consumption. The vulnerability of the ecosystem to environmental change is thought to be high, particularly as sea ice extent declines and seawater warms. In this review, we focus on ecosystem dynamics in the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas, with a more limited discussion of the adjoining Pacific-influenced eastern section of the East Siberian Sea and the western section of the Beaufort Sea. Both primary and secondary production are enhanced in specific regions that we discuss here, with the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas sustaining some of the highest water column production and benthic faunal soft-bottom biomass in the world ocean. In addition, these organic carbon-rich Pacific waters are periodically advected into low productivity regions of the nearshore northern Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas off Alaska and sometimes into the East Siberian Sea, all of which have lower productivity on an annual basis. Thus, these near shore areas are intimately tied to nutrients and advected particulate organic carbon from the Pacific influenced Bering Shelf-Anadyr water. Given the short food chains and dependence of many apex predators on sea ice, recent reductions in sea ice in the Pacific-influenced sector of the Arctic have the potential to cause an ecosystem reorganization that may alter this benthic-oriented system to one more dominated by pelagic processes.     

MEASUREMENT OF KODAIKANAL WHITE-LIGHT IMAGES – V. Tilt-Angle and Size Variations of Sunspot Groups

We examine here the variations of tilt angle and polarity separation (as defined in this paper) of multi-spot sunspot groups from the Kodaikanal and Mount Wilson data sets covering many decades. We confirm the tilt-angle change vs tilt-angle result found earlier from the Mount Wilson data alone. Sunspot groups tend on average to rotate their axes toward the average tilt angle. We point out that if we separate groups into those with tilt angles greater than and less than the average value, they show tilt-angle variations that vary systematically with the growth or decay rates of the groups. This result emphasizes again the finding that growing (presumably younger) sunspot groups rotate their magnetic axes more rapidly than do decaying (presumably older) groups. The tilt-angle variation as a function of tilt angle differs for those groups whose leading spots have greater area than their following spots and vice versa. Tilt-angle changes and polarity separation changes show a clear relationship, which has the correct direction and magnitude predicted by the Coriolis force, and this strongly suggests that the Coriolis force is largely responsible for the axial tilts observed in sunspot groups. The distribution of polarity separations shows a double peak. These peaks are perhaps related to super- and meso-granulation dimensions. Groups with polarity separations less than 43 Mm expand on average, while those groups with separations more than this value contract on average. We present evidence that the rotation of the magnetic axes of sunspot groups is about a location closer to the following than to the leading sunspots.     

Facies model of a fine‐grained,tide‐dominated delta: Lower Dir Abu Lifa Member (Eocene), Western Desert,Egypt

Existing facies models of tide‐dominated deltas largely omit fine‐grained, mud‐rich successions. Sedimentary facies and sequence stratigraphic analysis of the exceptionally well‐preserved Late Eocene Dir Abu Lifa Member (Western Desert, Egypt) aims to bridge this gap. The succession was deposited in a structurally controlled, shallow, macrotidal embayment and deposition was supplemented by fluvial processes but lacked wave influence. The succession contains two stacked, progradational parasequence sets bounded by regionally extensive flooding surfaces. Within this succession two main genetic elements are identified: non‐channelized tidal bars and tidal channels. Non‐channelized tidal bars comprise coarsening‐upward sandbodies, including large, downcurrent‐dipping accretion surfaces, sometimes capped by palaeosols indicating emergence. Tidal channels are preserved as single‐storey and multilateral bodies filled by: (i) laterally migrating, elongate tidal bars (inclined heterolithic strata, 5 to 25 m thick); (ii) forward‐facing lobate bars (sigmoidal heterolithic strata, up to 10 m thick); (iii) side bars displaying oblique to vertical accretion (4 to 7 m thick); or (iv) vertically‐accreting mud (1 to 4 m thick). Palaeocurrent data show that channels were swept by bidirectional tidal currents and typically were mutually evasive. Along‐strike variability defines a similar large‐scale architecture in both parasequence sets: a deeply scoured channel belt characterized by widespread inclined heterolithic strata is eroded from the parasequence‐set top, and flanked by stacked, non‐channelized tidal bars and smaller channelized bodies. The tide‐dominated delta is characterized by: (i) the regressive stratigraphic context; (ii) net‐progradational stratigraphic architecture within the succession; (iii) the absence of upward deepening trends and tidal ravinement surfaces; and (iv) architectural relations that demonstrate contemporaneous tidal distributary channel infill and tidal bar accretion at the delta front. The detailed facies analysis of this fine‐grained, tide‐dominated deltaic succession expands the range of depositional models available for the evaluation of ancient tidal successions, which are currently biased towards transgressive, valley‐confined estuarine and coarser grained deltaic depositional systems.     

Adjustment of benthic fauna following sediment disposal at a site with multiple stressors in Port Valdez, Alaska

The shallow subtidal macrobenthos at Port Valdez, Alaska, was examined to assess faunal adjustment following disposal of dredged sediments over a three-year period. Prior to sediment disposal, the infauna consisted of a relatively species-rich assemblage dominated by sessile polychaetes and bivalves. Six months after disposal, virtually all taxa present prior to dredging and disposal were rare or absent with opportunistic taxa dominant. Surveys performed 1.5 years after sediment disposal indicated faunal adjustment was in progress; large, sessile polychaetes and bivalves were still present in low numbers after 2.5 years. At one station, increasing organic enrichment by fish-wastes from adjacent processing plants resulted in a shift to a highly disturbed benthic assemblage. The trends in the faunal assemblage suggest that environmental conditions were still in a state of flux 2.5 years after the dredging event.     

Carbonate abundances and isotopic compositions in chondrites

We report the bulk C abundances, and C and O isotopic compositions of carbonates in 64 CM chondrites, 14 CR chondrites, 2 CI chondrites, LEW 85332 (C2), Kaba (CV3), and Semarkona (LL3.0). For the unheated CMs, the total ranges of carbonate isotopic compositions are δ¹³C ≈ 25–75‰ and δ¹⁸O ≈ 15–35‰, and bulk carbonate C contents range from 0.03 to 0.60 wt%. There is no simple correlation between carbonate abundance and isotopic composition, or between either of these parameters and the extent of alteration. Unless accretion was very heterogeneous, the uncorrelated variations in extent of alteration and carbonate abundance suggests that there was a period of open system behavior in the CM parent body, probably prior to or at the start of aqueous alteration. Most of the ranges in CM carbonate isotopic compositions can be explained by their formation at different temperatures (0–130 °C) from a single fluid in which the carbonate O isotopes were controlled by equilibrium with water (δ¹⁸O ≈ 5‰) and the C isotopes were controlled by equilibrium with CO and/or CH₄ (δ¹³C ≈ ?33‰ or ?20‰ for CO‐ or CH₄‐dominated systems, respectively). However, carbonate formation would have to have been inefficient, otherwise carbonate compositions would have resembled those of the starting fluid. A quite similar fluid composition (δ¹⁸O ≈ ?5.5‰, and δ¹³C ≈ ?31‰ or ?17‰ for CO‐ or CH₄‐dominated systems, respectively) can explain the carbonate compositions of the CIs, although the formation temperatures would have been lower (~10–40 °C) and the relative abundances of calcite and dolomite may play a more important role in determining bulk carbonate compositions than in the CMs. The CR carbonates exhibit a similar range of O isotopes, but an almost bimodal distribution of C isotopes between more (δ¹³C ≈ 65–80‰) and less altered samples (δ¹³C ≈ 30–40‰). This bimodality can still be explained by precipitation from fluids with the same isotopic composition (δ¹⁸O ≈ ?9.25‰, and δ¹³C ≈ ?21‰ or ?8‰ for CO‐ or CH₄‐dominated systems, respectively) if the less altered CRs had higher mole fractions of CO₂ in their fluids. Semarkona and Kaba carbonates have some of the lightest C isotopic compositions of the meteorites studied here, probably because they formed at higher temperatures and/or from more CO₂‐rich fluids. The fluids responsible for the alteration of chondrites and from which the carbonates formed were almost certainly accreted as ices. By analogy with cometary ices, CO₂ and/or CO would have dominated the trapped volatile species in the ices. The chondrites studied are too oxidized for CO‐dominated fluids to have formed in their parent bodies. If CH₄ was the dominant C species in the fluids during carbonate formation, it would have to have been generated in the parent bodies from CO and/or CO₂ when oxidation of metal by water created high partial pressures of H₂. The fact that the chondrite carbonate C/H₂O mole ratios are of the order predicted for CO/CO₂‐H₂O ices that experienced temperatures of >50–100 K suggests that the chondrites formed at radial distances of <4–15 AU.     

Correction: Geostatistical Rock Physics Inversion for Predicting the Spatial Distribution of Porosity and Saturation in the Critical Zone

Mathematical Geosciences -