Turbulent compressible convection with rotation–penetration below a convection zone

We examine the behaviour of penetrative turbulent compressible convection under the influence of rotation by means of three dimensional numerical simulations. We estimate the extent of penetration below a stellar-type rotating convection zone in an f-plane configuration. Several models have been computed with a stable-unstable-stable configuration by varying the rotation rate (Ω), the inclination of the rotation vector and the stability of the lower stable layer. The spatial and temporal average of kinetic energy flux (F_k) is computed for several turnover times after the fluid has thermally relaxed and is used to estimate the amount of penetration below the convectively unstable layer. Our numerical experiments show that with the increase in rotational velocity, the downward penetration decreases. A similar behaviour is observed when the stability of the lower stable layer is increased in a rotating configuration. Furthermore, the relative stability parameter S shows an S ^−1/4 dependence on the penetration distance implying the existence of a thermal adjustment region in the lower stable layer rather than a nearly adiabatic penetration region.     

Characterization of groundwater quality in Kinmen Island using multivariate analysis and geochemical modelling

Kinmen is located in the south‐west of Mainland China and mainly has two islands, Large Kinmen and Leiyu. Residents in Kinmen have drunk groundwater over several decades. This work characterized the quality of groundwater in Kinmen using factor analysis (FA), cluster analysis (CA) and geochemical simulation. The factor scores were plotted spatially to illustrate the groundwater quality and were used to discuss the grouped relationship using CA. Salinization, redox and organic matter factors are identified from 17 hydrochemical measurements in 18 wells. Acidic and oxidizing groundwater with nitrate‐N pollution is distributed mainly in the west of Large Kinmen. Saline groundwater is distributed to the north‐east of Large Kinmen and in the south of Leiyu. Groundwater with organic matter is present throughout Leiyu. Five groups of the groundwater quality divided by CA can be interpreted according to one to three factors. The grouped characteristics of the groundwater quality help the local government and industries to plan the use and protection of groundwater resources. Furthermore, a geochemical simulation was used to demonstrate the formation processes of the acidic and oxidizing groundwater properties in granitic sediments. A large amount of the precipitation of the kaolinite and magnetite releases concentrations of hydrogen ion and raises the redox potential in the aquifers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The vertical structure of concentration fluctuation statistics in plumes dispersing in the atmospheric surface layer

This paper describes a study of the vertical structure of concentration fluctuations in a neutrally buoyant plume from an elevated point source in slightly convective to moderately stable meteorological conditions at ranges of between 12.5 and 100 m for a range of source heights between 1 and 5 m. Observations were made of concentration fluctuations in a dispersing plume using a vertical array of sixteen very fast-response photoionization detectors placed at heights between 0.5 and 16 m. Vertical profiles of a number of concentration statistics were extracted, namely, mean concentration, fluctuation intensity, intermittency factor, peak-to-mean concentration ratio, mean dissipation rate of concentration variance, and various concentration time and length scales of dominant motions in the plume (e.g., integral macro-scale, in-plume mid-scale and Taylor micro-scale). The profiles revealed a similarity to corresponding crosswind profiles for a fully elevated plume, but showed greater and greater departure from the latter shapes once the plume had grown in the vertical so that its lower dege began to interact progressively more strongly with the ground. The evolution of the concentration probability density function at a fixed range, but with decreasing height from the ground, is similar to that obtained at a fixed height but with increasing distance from the source. Concentration power spectra obtained at different heights all had an extensive inertial-convective subrange spanning at least two decades in frequency, but spectra measured near the ground had a greater proportion of the total concentration variance in the lower frequencies (energetic subrange), with a correspondingly smaller proportion in the higher frequencies (inertial-convective subrange). It is believed that these effects result from the increased mean shear near the surface, and blocking by the surface. The effect of enhanced shear-induced molecular diffusion on concentration fluctuations is examined.     

Uncertainty assessment in river flow projections for Ethiopia’s Upper Awash Basin using multiple GCMs and hydrological models

ABSTRACT

Uncertainty in climate change impacts on river discharge in the Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia, is assessed using five MIKE SHE hydrological models, six CMIP5 general circulation models (GCMs) and two representative concentration pathways (RCP) scenarios for the period 2071–2100. Hydrological models vary in their spatial distribution and process representations of unsaturated and saturated zones. Very good performance is achieved for 1975–1999 (NSE: 0.65–0.8; r: 0.79–0.93). GCM-related uncertainty dominates variability in projections of high and mean discharges (mean: –34% to +55% for RCP4.5, – 2% to +195% for RCP8.5). Although GCMs dominate uncertainty in projected low flows, inter-hydrological model uncertainty is considerable (RCP4.5: –60% to +228%, RCP8.5: –86% to +337%). Analysis of variance uncertainty attribution reveals that GCM-related uncertainty occupies, on average, 68% of total uncertainty for median and high flows and hydrological models no more than 1%. For low flows, hydrological model uncertainty occupies, on average, 18% of total uncertainty; GCM-related uncertainty remains substantial (average: 28%).     

Radium and barium at GEOSECS stations in the Atlantic and Pacific

²²⁶Ra and Ba show a general linear correlation in the oceanic water column within the uncertainties of the data: the slope of the line is about 4.6 nanomoles (nmoles) Ra/mole Ba, the intercept being at about 4 nmoles Ba/kg. This demonstrates the usefulness of Ba as a “chemical analogue” of Ra. Box-model calculations indicate that the average deep-water excess of Ra over Ba should be about 10% relative to the surface. This is consistent with the observations outside the deep northeast Pacific. However, the uncertainties in the data are such that the regional variation in the primary input cannot be resolved. In the deep waters of the North Pacific there is in fact a large excess of Ra relative to Ba. The one detailed profile presently available (204) can be explained consistently by a simple vertical advection-diffusion model.     

Stability of Rayleigh-Benard convection rolls and bimodal flow at moderate Prandtl number

Experimental observations of cellular convection between two rigid, horizontal, conducting boundaries are reported for two different cases. First, the stability of two-dimensional roll convection of various wavenumbers and Rayleigh numbers is investigated in fluids of Prandtl numbers 16 and 2.7. The results qualitatively agree with earlier observations by Busse and Whitehead of fluid with Prandtl number 126 but they differ somewhat quantitatively. Second, the stability of the bimodal flow, consisting of two rolls of differing and perpendicular wavenumber, is observed to be stable for given bandwidths and ranges of Rayleigh numbers when the configuration of the bimodal flow, consisting of two sets of rolls at right angles, is flawless — without any disruptions in the periodic matrix. The stability range differs from earlier experiments and from our own experiments in which the bimodal planform is uncontrolled.     

Approach to complete limit equilibrium analysis for rock wedges — the method of “artificial supports”

SummaryApproach to Complete Limit Equilibrium Analysis for Rock Wedges — The Method of Artificial Supports Since the movement of rock wedges or blocks is the primary phenomenon in rock mass failure, it is convenient to use limit equilibrium approaches for stability analysis. In spite of their wide use, limit equilibrium analysis is often restricted due to: 1) the usual procedural simplifications (regarding geometry, force application, failure modes), and 2) basic deficiencies of the limit equilibrium approach (the fundamentally indeterminate rigid body problem requires assumptions regarding the force reactions). The method of artificial supports intends to circumvent or reduce many of these restrictions. In particular, the problem of unknown force distribution on the supporting plane is reduced by specifically considering and optimizing a variety of reactions on these planes. All sliding modes of failure — i. e., translational, free and restrained rotational sliding — can be correctly modelled. Particularly significant is the result that the usual assumption oftranslational sliding can be incorrect andunsafe, if forces other than the weight are significant. The methodologies employed in the artificial support model can be extended to all modes of failure, i. e., lifting off and toppling in addition to the previously mentioned sliding modes; this is demonstrated with a procedure for a complete stability analysis for a 2-joint wedge.

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ZusammenfassungEin Weg zur vollständigen Gleichgewichtsberechnung für Felskörper — Die Methode der Künstlichen Auflager Da die Bewegung von Einzelblöcken das primäre Phänomen bei Felsstürzen ist, eignen sich Grenzgleichgewichtsbetrachtungen besonders gut für Stabilitätsuntersuchungen. Vor allem wegen der üblichen Vereinfachungen (Geometrie, Kräfteansätze, Versagensmechanismen) und grundlegender Unzulänglichkeiten (das grundsätzlich statisch unbestimmte Starrkörperproblem erfordert Annahmen bezüglich der Auflagerkräfte) sind solche Grenzgleichgewichtsbetrachtungen oft nur beschränkt anwendbar, obwohl sie häufig angewendet werden. Es wird versucht, mit der Methode der künstlichen Auflager viele dieser Einschränkungen zu umgehen. Vor allem wird das Problem der unbekannten Spannungsverteilung in den Auflageflächen dadurch reduziert, daß mögliche Kombinationen solcher Reaktionen in die Rechnung einbezogen und optimiert werden. Alle Gleitbewegungen, seien es Translationen oder freie bzw. beschränkte Rotationen auf den Auflageflächen, können korrekt behandelt werden. Besondere Bedeutung kommt aber der Tatsache zu, daß die übliche Annahme einer translatorischen Gleitung falsch ist bzw. daß man damit auf der unsicheren Seite liegt, wenn außer dem Eigengewicht noch andere Kräfte einwirken.Die Überlegungen, die der Modellvorstellung der künstlichen Auflager zugrunde gelegt wurden, können auf alle Instabilitätsfälle ausgedehnt werden, also auch auf Abheben und Kippen zusätzlich zu den vorhin genannten Gleitbewegungen; dies wird am Beispiel einer Rechenprozedur für eine vollständige Stabilitätsuntersuchung eines Gleitkeils gezeigt.

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RésuméTentative visant à compléter l'analyse par équilibre limite — la méthode des supports artificiels Le fait que le déplacement de blocs est le principal phénomène d'instabilité en massif rocheux suggère l'utilisation de méthodes d'équilibre limite à l'étude de sa stabilité. Bien qu'elles soient fréquemment utilisées, les analyses par équilibre limite sont souvent restreintes par suite 1) de simplifications opérationnelles (concernant la géométrie, les forces et les modes d'instabilité), et 2) des insuffisances fondamentales de cette approche (le problème des corps indéformables est en essence statiquement indéterminé et réclame en conséquence l'adoption d'hypothèses sur la teneur des réactions).L'intention de la méthode des supports artificiels est de réduire ou éviter plusieures de ces restrictions. En particulier le problème de la distribution inconnue des forces sur le plan d'assise est résolu en considérant et optimisant un certain nombre de réactions entre corps rigide et le plan de base. Tous les modes d'instabilité au glissement — à savoir translation, rotation restreinte et rotation libre — peuvent être correctement représentés. Spécialement digne d'intérêt est à cet égard le résultat concernant l'habituelle hypothèse de glissement en translation, puisque celui-ci peut s'avérer incorrect et exhiber des facteurs de sécurité supérieurs, par rapport à un glissement en rotation, lorsque des forces autres que le poids sont à considérer.La méthodologie servant de base à la méthode des supports artificiels peut être étendue à tous modes d'instabilité, à savoir: le soulèvement et le renversement venant compléter ceux précités; ceci est illustré par le développement d'une procédure d'analyse complète d'un bloc monolithique découpé par deux fissures.

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With 13 Figures