One possibility to explore the subsurface layers of icy bodies is to use a probe with a “hot tip", which is able to penetrate
ice layers by melting. Such probes have been built and used in the past for the exploration of terrestrial polar ice sheets
and may also become useful tools to explore other icy layers in the Solar System. Examples for such layers are the polar areas
of Mars or the icy crust of Jupiter’s moon Europa. However, while on Earth a heated probe launched into an ice sheet always
causes melting with subsequent refreezing, the behaviour of such a probe in a low pressure environment is quite different.
We report on the results of some experiments with a simple “melting probe" prototype with two different kinds of hot tips
in a vacuum environment. For one of the tips the probe moved into two types of ice samples: (i) compact water ice and (ii)
porous water ice with a snow (firn) like texture. It was also found that the penetration behaviour was basically different
for the two sample types even when the same kind of tip was used. While in the porous sample the ice was only subliming, the
phase changes occurring during the interaction of the tip with the compact ice are much more complex. Here alternating phases
of melting and sublimation occur. The absence of the liquid phase has severe consequences on the performance of a “melting
probe" under vacuum conditions: In this environment we find a high thermal resistance between the probe surface and the underlying
ice. Therefore, only a low percentage of the heat that is generated in the tip is used to melt or sublime the ice, the bulk
of the power is transferred towards the rear end of the probe. This is particularly a problem in the initial phases of an
ice penetration experiment, when the probe has not yet penetrated the ice over its whole length. In the compact ice sample,
phases could be observed, where a high enough gas pressure had built up locally underneath the probe, so that melting becomes
possible. Only during these melting periods the thermal contact between the probe and the ice is good and in consequence the
melting probe works effectively. 相似文献
GETEMME (Gravity, Einstein??s Theory, and Exploration of the Martian Moons?? Environment), a mission which is being proposed in ESA??s Cosmic Vision program, shall be launched for Mars on a Soyuz Fregat in 2020. The spacecraft will initially rendezvous with Phobos and Deimos in order to carry out a comprehensive mapping and characterization of the two satellites and to deploy passive Laser retro-reflectors on their surfaces. In the second stage of the mission, the spacecraft will be transferred into a lower 1500-km Mars orbit, to carry out routine Laser range measurements to the reflectors on Phobos and Deimos. Also, asynchronous two-way Laser ranging measurements between the spacecraft and stations of the ILRS (International Laser Ranging Service) on Earth are foreseen. An onboard accelerometer will ensure a high accuracy for the spacecraft orbit determination. The inversion of all range and accelerometer data will allow us to determine or improve dramatically on a host of dynamic parameters of the Martian satellite system. From the complex motion and rotation of Phobos and Deimos we will obtain clues on internal structures and the origins of the satellites. Also, crucial data on the time-varying gravity field of Mars related to climate variation and internal structure will be obtained. Ranging measurements will also be essential to improve on several parameters in fundamental physics, such as the Post-Newtonian parameter ?? as well as time-rate changes of the gravitational constant and the Lense-Thirring effect. Measurements by GETEMME will firmly embed Mars and its satellites into the Solar System reference frame. 相似文献
In-situ sensors for riverine water quality monitoring are a powerful tool to describe temporal variations when efficient and informative analyses are applied to the large quantities of data collected. Concentration-discharge hysteresis patterns observed during storm events give insights into headwater catchment processes. However, the applicability of this approach to larger catchments is less well known. Here, we evaluate the potential for high-frequency turbidity-discharge (Q) hysteresis patterns to give insights into processes operating in a meso-scale (722 km2) northern mixed land use catchment. As existing event identification methods did not work, we developed a new, objective method based on hydrograph characteristics and identified 76 events for further analysis. Qualitative event analysis identified three recurring patterns. Events with low mean Q (≤ 2 m3/s) often showed short-term, quasi-periodic turbidity variation, to a large extent disconnected from Q variation. High max Q events (≥15 m3/s) were often associated with spring flood or snowmelt, and showed a disconnection between turbidity and Q. Intermediate Q events (mean Q: 2–11 m3/s) were the most informative when applying hysteresis indexes, since changes in turbidity and Q were actually connected. Hysteresis indexes could be calculated on a subset of 60 events, which showed heterogeneous responses: 38% had a clockwise response, 12% anticlockwise, 12% figure eight (clockwise–anticlockwise), 10% reverse figure eight (anticlockwise–clockwise) and 28% showed a complex response. Clockwise hysteresis responses were associated with the wetter winter and spring seasons. Generally, changes in Q and turbidity were small during anticlockwise hysteresis events. Precipitation often influenced figure-eight patterns, while complex patterns often occurred during summer low flows. Analysis of intermediate Q events can improve process understanding of meso-scale catchments and possibly aid in choosing appropriate management actions for targeting a specific observed pattern. 相似文献
Many meteoroids burn up between about 120 km and 70 km, deposit metals and dust and form ionized trails which are detected
by radars. Model studies about the influence of neutral or positively charged background dust on the ambipolar diffusion indicate
that significant smaller decay times should be observed for weak meteor echoes compared to strong meteor echoes which can
affect the estimation of temperatures. The variation of meteor decay times in dependence on echo strength, height, and season
was studied using radar observations at 69° N, 22° S, and 67° S. Significantly reduced decay times were found for weak echoes
below about 88 km at low latitudes throughout the year, and at high latitudes with the exception of summer. In summer at high
latitudes, decreasing decay times of weak and strong meteors are observed at altitudes below about 85 km during the appearance
of noctilucent clouds. The impact of reduced decay times on the estimation of neutral temperatures from decay times is discussed. 相似文献
Although electron probe microanalysis and secondary ion mass spectrometry are widely used analytical techniques for geochemical and mineralogical applications, metrologically rigorous quantification remains a major challenge for these methods. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in particular is a matrix‐sensitive method, and the use of matrix‐matched reference materials (RMs) is essential to avoid significant analytical bias. A major problem is that the number of available RMs for SIMS is extremely small compared with the needs of analysts. One approach for the production of matrix‐specific RMs is the use of high‐energy ion implantation that introduces a known amount of a selected isotope into a material. We chose the more elaborate way of implanting a so‐called ‘box‐profile’ to generate a quasi‐homogeneous concentration of the implanted isotope in three dimensions, which allows RMs not only to be used for ion beam analysis but also makes them suitable for EPMA. For proof of concept, we used the thoroughly studied mineralogically and chemically ‘simple’ SiO2 system. We implanted either 47Ti or 48Ti into synthetic, ultra‐high‐purity silica glass. Several ‘box‐profiles’ with mass fractions between 10 and 1000 μg g?1 Ti and maximum depths of homogeneous Ti distribution between 200 nm and 3 μm were produced at the Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research of Helmholtz‐Zentrum Dresden‐Rossendorf. Multiple implantation steps using varying ion energies and ion doses were simulated with Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) software, optimising for the target concentrations, implantation depths and technical limits of the implanter. We characterised several implant test samples having different concentrations and maximum implantation depths by means of SIMS and other analytical techniques. The results show that the implant samples are suitable for use as reference materials for SIMS measurements. The multi‐energy ion implantation technique also appears to be a promising procedure for the production of EPMA‐suitable reference materials. 相似文献
Bioassesment by the use of the macroalga, Ulva lactuca L., was carried out in the Limfjord, Denmark, to assess the significance of nitrogen and phosphorus as limiting factors for primary production during 1985, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and for the detection of changes in eutrophication levels.
Minimum and critical tissue concentrations for nitrogen and phosphorus in macroalgae were identified. The concentrations of nitrogen were generally below the critical concentration level in June–October in 1985, 1993, and 1995 but in 1994 nitrogen was only limiting for primary production in short periods. Only in early spring in 1985 and 1993 were the tissue concentrations of phosphorus below the critical concentration level, whereas in 1994 up to 3–4 months showed phosphorus limited growth, indicating that significant changes in limitation patterns can occur between different years.
It was concluded that the use of biomonitoring techniques is well suited as a bioassessment method for direct detection and for providing a time-integrated measure of nutrient availability in coastal waters, and thus for assessing ecosystem health with regard to eutrophication. It is recommended that biomonitors and the concept of critical tissue concentrations should be used in environmental management and incorporated in future monitoring programmes. 相似文献
Part one of this paper reported results from experimental compaction measurements of unconsolidated natural sand samples with different mineralogical compositions and textures. The experimental setup was designed with several cycles of stress loading and unloading applied to the samples. The setup was aimed to simulate a stress condition where sediments underwent episodes of compaction, uplift and erosion. P-wave and S-wave velocities and corresponding petrophysical (porosity and density) properties were reported. In this second part of the paper, rock physics modelling utilizing existing rock physics models to evaluate the model validity for measured data from part one were presented. The results show that a friable sand model, which was established for normally compacted sediments is also capable of describing overconsolidated sediments. The velocity–porosity data plotted along the friable sand lines not only describe sorting deterioration, as has been traditionally explained by other studies, but also variations in pre-consolidation stress or degree of stress release. The deviation of the overconsolidated sands away from the normal compaction trend on the VP/VS and acoustic impedance space shows that various stress paths can be predicted on this domain when utilizing rock physics templates. Fluid saturation sensitivity is found to be lower in overconsolidated sands compared to normally consolidated sands. The sensitivity decreases with increasing pre-consolidation stress. This means detectability for four-dimensional fluid saturation changes can be affected if sediments were pre-stressed and unloaded. Well log data from the Barents Sea show similar patterns to the experimental sand data. The findings allow the development of better rock physics diagnostics of unloaded sediments, and the understanding of expected 4D seismic response during time-lapse seismic monitoring of uplifted basins. The studied outcomes also reveal an insight into the friable sand model that its diagnostic value is not only for describing sorting microtextures, but also pre-consolidation stress history. The outcome extends the model application for pre-consolidation stress estimation, for any unconsolidated sands experiencing similar unloading stress conditions to this study. 相似文献