Intercomparison of Secondary Inorganic Aerosol Concentrations in the UK with Predictions of the Unified Danish Eulerian Model

Nitrate and sulphate concentrations were measured over the period January 2002–December 2003 on daily basis at two stations in the UK: a rural site (Harwell) and an urban site (Belfast). The measurements were compared with model results obtained by using the Unified Danish Eulerian Model (UNI-DEM), which was run using both a coarse resolution grid (50 km × 50 km surface cells) and a fine resolution grid (10 km × 10 km surface cells). The results from the comparison show reasonably good agreement between concentrations measured at the two stations and calculated by the model. This is achieved despite the absence of aqueous phase sulphur oxidation chemistry in the model. The model results were also used to predict the spatial distributions of nitrate and sulphate concentrations in the UK which agree well with observations. The contribution of mainland European emission sources and that of UK sources to pollution levels in the UK was estimated. The relative proportions differ substantially across the UK with the imported contribution to UK sulphate and nitrate typically in the range 20–45% and 35–65% respectively.     

Hydrological alteration along the Missouri River Basin: A time series approach

Human alteration of large rivers is commonplace, often resulting in significant changes in flow characteristics. We used a time series approach to examine daily mean flow data from locations throughout the mainstem Missouri River. Data from a pre-alteration period (1925-1948) were compared with a post-alteration period (1967-1996), with separate analyses conducted using either data from the entire year or restricted to the spring fish spawning period (1 April-30 June). Daily mean flows were significantly higher during the post-alteration period at all locations. Flow variability was markedly reduced during the post-alteration period as a probable result of flow regulation and climatological shifts. Daily mean flow during the spring fish spawning period was significantly lower during the post-alteration period at the most highly altered locations in the middle portion of the river, but unchanged at the least altered locations in the upper and lower port ions of the river. Our data also corroborate other analyses, using alternate statistical approaches, that suggest similar changes to the Missouri River system. Our results suggest human alterations on the Missouri River, particularly in the middle portion most strongly affected by impoundments and channelization, have resulted in changes to the natural flow regime.     

Remote Sensing Observations of Effects of Mountain Blocking on Travelling Gravity-Shear Waves and Associated Clouds

Trapped Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) waves and vortices were monitored as they were generated immediately upwind of a mountain and driven into the barrier by a low-level jet. A stratus cloud visually revealed the embedded, propagating, gravity-shear waves. Interactions of the waves with the mountain were deciphered using remote sensing measurements of the structure, motions, and microphysics within the cloud and conceptual models based on existing theories. The observations show that the mountain acted as a dam to the flow that was primed for, but did not spontaneously induce, the waves. In response to the blocking, the waves spatially developed a pattern of formation, amplification, and breakdown between the upstream flow and the barrier, and altered the associated clouds in the process. Notably, radar signatures of velocity variance depicted organized, intertwined ribbons of relatively large vorticity within the wave layer. These provided measured evidence of the vortex sheet and streamwise vortex tubes predicted by advanced K–Hinstability theory, the three-dimensional version of Scorer's `stripe', the layer of rotational fluid between opposed flows that led to the wave generation. A theory of resonant interaction of wave trains, but with blocking imposed, appears to explain the internal structure of the pile-up of the flow and wave amplification approaching the barrier. Evolution of the supporting atmospheric thermal structure and introduction of a boundary-layer flow reversal follow a current model of blocking, although some features may have developed more directly from wave-driven mixing. The remote sensors also measured the influence of the waves on the cloud liquid water, including a cumulative enlargement of droplets as they were carried through a series of waves.     

Prediction of monsoon rainfall with a nested grid mesoscale limited area model

At the India Meteorological Department (IMD), New Delhi, a 12-level limited area model with 100 km horizontal resolution has been in use for weather forecasting. The present study uses this model together with a higher horizontal resolution (50 km) and vertical resolution (16-levels) model to examine the impact of increased resolution to simulate mesoscale features of rainfall during monsoon disturbances. The model was run for 22 days in the month of August 1997 and one week in September 1997 during three monsoon depressions and one cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal. The model results are compared with observations. The study shows that the model can capture mesoscale convective organization associated with monsoon depression.     

Seyfert galaxies and the radio–far-infrared correlation

We have observed a sample of 149 Seyfert galaxies and radio-quiet quasars at 13 cm with both a 275-km radio interferometer and the 6-km compact array of the Australia Telescope. The high-resolution observations searched for the presence of compact, high-brightness-temperature radio emission from the active nucleus. The low-resolution observations measured the total radio emission from the galaxy disc and Seyfert core and lobes. From these we draw the following conclusions. (i) Seyfert galaxies that lack compact radio cores display a correlation between radio and far-infrared (FIR) emission similar to the correlation displayed by normal spirals, albeit with greater scatter. The correlation is found to be intrinsic and is not an artefact of the richness effect. (ii) A very different radio–FIR correlation is displayed by those Seyferts that harbour compact radio cores. These tend to be more radio-loud than either normal spirals or the Seyferts that lack compact cores. The compact core emission thus seems to be responsible for the generally poor radio–FIR correlation displayed by Seyfert galaxies. (iii) The radio–FIR correlation is not significantly improved by subtracting off the 0.1-arcsec (20- to 200-pc) compact radio emission from the total radio emission. This suggests that the emission from the active galactic nucleus has significant structure on scales larger than 0.1 arcsec. Perhaps these structures are the 'linear' radio features that have been seen previously in Seyfert nuclei.     

Technical Note Characteristics of ground vibrations and structural response to surface and underground blasting

The author considers the structural response of various types of surface structures along with their resonance characteristics as well as magnification and attenuation problems. Experimental data from 20 different mines in India, are compiled and analysed to develop simple general equations for use in field conditions. Interpretation of low frequency waves and their active role in enhancing damage probability of structures is also discussed. Particular situations are examined where low and high dominant band frequencies could obtain. It is suggested that a response analysis be undertaken before establishing damage threshold values of any type of structure. © Rapid Science Ltd. 1998     

Young Students' Conceptions of the Marine Environment and Their Role in the Development of Aquaria Exhibits

Informal learning settings such as aquaria are well-placed to help young students understand the nature and importance of marine environments. In order to achieve this, it is important to incorporate pedagogical principles into exhibit design. Using a constructivist perspective, this paper explores young students' conceptions of the marine environment. The findings indicate that although students are interested in marine life and are familiar with terms such as currents, tides and waves, their understanding of these concepts is limited and confused. It is suggested that by addressing children's limited conceptions in their exhibits and educational programmes, aquaria can foster an understanding of the environmental processes that support marine life, thus contributing to habitat conservation and species survival. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A graphical approach to polar paths: Paleomagnetic cycles and global tectonics

Some problems of the conventional “minimum polar distance” approach to Precambrian pole path construction are discussed. An alternative technique, based on a less restricted approach, is proposed and assessed by using all presently-available Precambrian and Paleozoic data from the world. In the construction of any pole path, assumptions are always made on the shape of the path through regions of apparently missing data. Many different assumptions are possible. Assuming that the Precambrian tectono-stratigraphic record conforms to repeated sequences of geological events suggests we should observe cycles in the paleomagnetic data. Empirically, it is found that the pole paths for the periods Cambrian-Devonian, and 750–1000 Ma, define cycles of pole motion from equator, up to and over the pole, and back down to the equator. Similar cycles of 250-Ma periodicity can be identified in paleomagnetic data back to 2500-Ma. Global wide changes in the phase of the cycles appears to be coincident with the major subdivisions of geological time i.e., Phanerozoic + Hadrynian, Helikian, Aphebian, and Archean. Finally, the geological implications of these cyclic changes in Precambrian pole paths are briefly discussed.