茶叶中铅同位素比值的测定方法

为了给铅同位素示踪技术在研究茶叶中重金属铅来源的应用奠定基础,通过大量的茶叶炭化、灰化条件试验和铅的分离、纯化、富集与质谱测定试验,拟定了一套茶叶中铅同位素比值的测定方法:将称好的茶叶置于瓷坩埚中,在电热板上小火炭化完全后,移入马弗炉中灰化,用盐酸溶解灰分,转化为混合酸介质,然后上柱分离解吸,蒸干并上质谱测定.该法打破传统,改用盐酸溶解灰分,克服了用硝酸溶样总是有棕色沉淀物的难点.利用这一流程测得的茶叶样品的 207Pb/206Pb的精度( 2σ)优于± 0.05%. 208Pb强度一般均在 1 V以上.监控分析流程的国际标准物质 NBS 981的 207Pb/206Pb为 0.914 49± 0.000 04(其证书值为 0.914 64± 0.000 33),全流程本底铅为 1.6× 10-8量级.     

LONGITUDINAL DISPERSION IN SEDIMENT-LADEN OPEN CHANNEL FLOWS

Laboratory experiments on longitudinal dispersion in clear-water and sediment-laden open channel flows are reported. Data from these experiments and those available from previous studies indicate that the suspended sediment present in the flow affects the longitudinal dispersion process. The observed velocity distributions over the depth of sediment-laden flows indicate that the velocity deviates from the mean velocity more in sediment-laden flows than in clear-water flows. The velocity distributions over the cross section and secondary flow in the channel are also expected to be altereddue to the presence of suspended sediments in the flow. For these reasons, more dispersion is found in sediment-laden flows than in corresponding clear-water flows. A predictor for the dispersion coefficient in sediment-laden flows is proposed.     

Improved prediction of clay soil expansion using machine learning algorithms and meta-heuristic dichotomous ensemble classifiers

Soil swelling-related disaster is considered as one of the most devastating geo-hazards in modern history.Hence,proper determination of a soil’s ability to expand is very vital for achieving a secure and safe ground for infrastructures.Accordingly,this study has provided a novel and intelligent approach that enables an improved estimation of swelling by using kernelised machines(Bayesian linear regression(BLR)&bayes point machine(BPM)support vector machine(SVM)and deep-support vector machine(D-SVM));(multiple linear regressor(REG),logistic regressor(LR)and artificial neural network(ANN)),tree-based algorithms such as decision forest(RDF)&boosted trees(BDT).Also,and for the first time,meta-heuristic classifiers incorporating the techniques of voting(VE)and stacking(SE)were utilised.Different independent scenarios of explanatory features’combination that influence soil behaviour in swelling were investigated.Preliminary results indicated BLR as possessing the highest amount of deviation from the predictor variable(the actual swell-strain).REG and BLR performed slightly better than ANN while the meta-heuristic learners(VE and SE)produced the best overall performance(greatest R2 value of 0.94 and RMSE of 0.06%exhibited by VE).CEC,plasticity index and moisture content were the features considered to have the highest level of importance.Kernelized binary classifiers(SVM,D-SVM and BPM)gave better accuracy(average accuracy and recall rate of 0.93 and 0.60)compared to ANN,LR and RDF.Sensitivity-driven diagnostic test indicated that the meta-heuristic models’best performance occurred when ML training was conducted using k-fold validation technique.Finally,it is recommended that the concepts developed herein be deployed during the preliminary phases of a geotechnical or geological site characterisation by using the best performing meta-heuristic models via their background coding resource.     

Dipolarization fronts in the magnetotail plasma sheet

We present a THEMIS study of a dipolarization front associated with a bursty bulk flow (BBF) that was observed in the central plasma sheet sequentially at X=−20.1, −16.7, and −11.0R_E. Simultaneously, the THEMIS ground network observed the formation of a north-south auroral form and intensification of westward auroral zone currents. Timing of the signatures in space suggests earthward propagation of the front at a velocity of 300 km/s. Spatial profiles of current and electron density on the front reveal a spatial scale of 500 km, comparable to an ion inertial length and an ion thermal gyroradius. This kinetic-scale structure traveled a macroscale distance of 10R_E in about 4 min without loss of coherence. The dipolarization front, therefore, is an example of space plasma cross-scale coupling. THEMIS observations at different geocentric distances are similar to recent particle-in-cell simulations demonstrating the appearance of dipolarization fronts on the leading edge of plasma fast flows in the vicinity of a reconnection site. Dipolarization fronts, therefore, may be interpreted as remote signatures of transient reconnection.     

High Speed Stream Properties and Related Geomagnetic Activity During the Whole Heliosphere Interval (WHI): 20 March to 16 April 2008

We study the interplanetary features and concomitant geomagnetic activity of the two high-speed streams (HSSs) selected by the Whole Heliosphere Interval (WHI) campaign participants: 20 March to 16 April 2008 in Carrington rotation (CR) 2068. This interval was chosen to perform a comprehensive study of HSSs and their geoeffectiveness during this ??deep?? solar minimum. The two HSSs within the interval were characterized by fast solar-wind speeds (peak values >?600 km?s^?1) containing large-amplitude Alfvénic fluctuations, as is typical of HSSs during normal solar minima. However, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) magnitude [B _o] was exceptionally low (??3??C?5 nT) during these HSSs, leading to lower than usual IMF B _z values. The first HSS (HSS1) had favorable IMF polarity for geomagnetic activity (negative during northern Spring). The average AE and Dst for the HSS1 proper (HSS1P) were +?258 nT and ??21 nT, respectively. The second HSS (HSS2) had a positive sector IMF polarity, one that is less favorable for geomagnetic activity. The AE and Dst index averages were +?188 nT and ??7 nT, both lower than corresponding numbers for the first event, as expected. The HSS1P geomagnetic activity is comparable to, and the HSS2P geomagnetic activity lower than, corresponding observations for the previous minimum (1996). Both events?? geomagnetic activities are lower than HSS events previously studied in the declining phase (in 2003). In general, V _sw was faster for the HSSs in 2008 compared to 1996. The southward IMF B _z was lower in the former. The product of these two parameters [V _sw and IMF B _z ] comprises the solar-wind electric field, which is most directly associated with the energy input into the magnetosphere during the HSS intervals. Thus the combined effects led to the solar wind energy input in 2008 being slightly less than that in 1996. A detailed analysis of magnetic-field variances and Alfvénicity is performed to explore the characteristics of Alfvén waves (a central element in the geoeffectiveness of HSSs) during the WHI. The B _z variances in the proto-CIR (PCIR) were ???30 nT² and <?10 nT² in the high speed streams proper.     

Mass density of the upper atmosphere derived from Starlette’s Precise Orbit Determination with Satellite Laser Ranging

The atmospheric mass density of the upper atmosphere from the spherical Starlette satellite’s Precise Orbit Determination is first derived with Satellite Laser Ranging measurements at 815 to 1115 km during strong solar and geomagnetic activities. Starlette’s orbit is determined using the improved orbit determination techniques combining optimum parameters with a precise empirical drag application to a gravity field. MSIS-86 and NRLMSISE-00 atmospheric density models are compared with the Starlette drag-derived atmospheric density of the upper atmosphere. It is found that the variation in the Starlette’s drag coefficient above 800 km corresponds well with the level of geomagnetic activity. This represents that the satellite orbit is mainly perturbed by the Joule heating from geomagnetic activity at the upper atmosphere. This result concludes that MSIS empirical models strongly underestimate the mass density of the upper atmosphere as compared to the Starlette drag-derived atmospheric density during the geomagnetic storms. We suggest that the atmospheric density models should be analyzed with higher altitude acceleration data for a better understanding of long-term solar and geomagnetic effects.     

Supersonic jet formation and propagation in x-pinches

Observations of supersonic jet propagation in low-current x-pinches are reported. X-pinches comprising of four 7.5 ??m diameter tungsten wires were driven by an 80 kA, 50 ns current pulse from a compact pulser. Coronal plasma surrounding the wire cores was accelerated perpendicular to their surface due to the global J×B force, and traveled toward the axis of the x-pinch to form an axially propagating jet. These jets moved towards the electrodes and, late in time (??150 ns), were observed to propagate well above the anode with a velocity of 3.3±0.6×10⁴ m/s. Tungsten jets remained collimated at distances of up to 16 mm from the cross point, and an estimate of the local sound speed gives a Mach number of ??6. This is the first demonstration that supersonic plasma jets can be produced using x-pinches with such a small, low current pulser. Experimental data compares well to three-dimensional simulations using the GORGON resistive MHD code, and possible scaling to astrophysical jets is discussed.     

Hydrologic and sedimentologic aspects of mining aggregate from the shipsk bank (Baltic sea)

Abstract

Investigations aimed at obtaining knowledge about the environmental effects of mining aggregate from the sea bottom were carried out on the Stupsk Bank. Special attention was given to the magnitude and reach of changes of hydrologic conditions, in that to changes in concentration of matter suspended in sea water, and to dynamics of the sea bottom—change of bottom relief, resulting from both natural causes and from mining of the aggregate.     

Influence of salinity on permeability characteristics of marine sediments

Abstract

Laboratory tests were conducted on compacted marine sediments to study the effect of salt concentration of permeating fluid on its permeability characteristics. Deep sea sediment samples were collected from water depths varying from 3700 to 4500 m off Mauritius coast. Liquid limit and plasticity index varied widely from 45 to 75 and 10 to 35, respectively. Permeability was found at different void ratios with distilled water and 0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 N NaCl solutions as permeating fluid. It was found that permeability increases with an increase in salt concentration for a given void ratio. This is explained by diffused double layer theory. Also, the rate of increase in permeability decreases with increase in salt concentration. The effect of salt concentration seemed to be less at higher void ratios.