Cyclic Variations,Magnetic Morphology,and Complexity of Active Regions in Solar Cycles 23 and 24

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - In this paper, 2046 active regions of solar cycle 23 and 1507 active regions of solar cycle 24 observed during the period from May 1996 to December 2018 have been...     

Winter distribution of euphausiids (Euphausiacea) in the Barents Sea (2000–2005)

The purpose of the study is to analyze the state of the Barents Sea euphausiids populations in the warm period (2000–2005) based on the study of their structure dynamics and distribution under the influence of abiotic and biotic factors. For estimation of their aggregations in the bottom layer, the traditional method was used with the help of the modified egg net (0.2 m² opening area, 564 μm mesh size). The net is used for collecting euphausiids in the autumn–winter period when their activity is reduced, which results in high-catch efficiency. The findings confirmed the major formation patterns of the euphausiids species composition associated with climate change in the Arctic basin. As before, in the warm years, one can see a clear-cut differentiation of space distribution of the dominant euphausiids Thysanoessa genus with localization of the more thermophilic Thysanoessa inermis in the north-west Barents Sea and Thysanoessa raschii in the east. The major euphausiids aggregations are formed of these species. In 2004, the first data of euphausiids distribution in the northern Barents Sea (77–79°N) were obtained, and demonstrated extremely high concentrations of T. inermis in this area, with the biomass as high as 1.7–2.4 g m⁻² in terms of dry weight. These data have improved our knowledge of the distribution and euphausiids abundance during periods of elevated sea-water temperatures in the Barents Sea. The oceanic Atlantic species were found to increase in abundance due to elevated advection to the Barents Sea during the study period. Thus, after nearly a 30-year-long absence of the moderate subtropical Nematoscelis megalops in the Barents Sea, they were found again in 2003–2005. However in comparison with 1960, the north-east border of its distribution considerably shifted to 73°50′N 50°22′E. The portion of Meganyctiphanes norvegica also varied considerably—from 10% to 20% of the total euphausiids population in the warm 1950s–1960s almost to complete disappearing in 1970–1990s. The peak of this species’ occurrence (18–26%) took place in the beginning of warm period (1999–2000) after a succession of cold years. The subsequent reduction of the relative abundance of M. norvegica to 7% might have been mostly caused by fish predation during a period of low population densities of capelin. This high predation pressure may therefore have been mediated both by other pelagic fishes (i.e. herring, blue whiting, polar cod) but also by demersal fishes such as cod and haddock. Similar sharp fluctuations in the capelin stock (the major consumer of euphausiids) created marked perturbations in the food web in the Barents Sea in the middle 1980s and the early 1990s.     

Scaling features of ambient noise at different levels of local seismic activity: A case study for the Oni seismic station

Investigation of dynamical features of ambient seismic noise is one of the important scientific and practical research challenges. We investigated scaling features of the ambient noises at the Oni seismic station, Georgia, using detrended fluctuation analysis method. Data from this seismic station, located in the epicentral zone of Oni M6.0, 2009, earthquake, were selected to include time periods with different levels of local seismic activity.     

Discrimination between stochastic dynamics patterns of ambient noises (Case study for Oni seismic station)

Investigation of complex dynamics of ambient seismic noise remains as an important scientific research challenge. In this work we investigated dynamical features of the ambient noises at Oni seismic station, Georgia. We used stochastic model reconstruction method from measured data sets. Seismic records for different time periods around Oni seismic station have been analysed. It was shown that the dynamics of fluctuations of seismic noise vertical component undergoes essential changes for considered time period from 2005 to 2012. These changes are more noticeable for time periods of preparation and aftershock activity of strong M6.0 earthquake occurred in 2009 in the vicinity of Oni seismic station.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis>9 Tohoku Earthquake Hydro- and Seismic Response in the Caucasus and North Turkey

Presently, there are a lot of observations on the significant impact of strong remote earthquakes on underground water and local seismicity. Teleseismic wave trains of strong earthquakes give rise to several hydraulic effects in boreholes, namely permanent water level changes and water level oscillations, which closely mimic the seismograms (hydro-seismograms). Clear identical anomalies in the deep borehole water levels have been observed on a large part of the territory of Georgia during passing of the S and Love–Rayleigh teleseismic waves (including also multiple surface Rayleigh waves) of the 2011 Tohoku M9 earthquake. The analysis carried out in order to find dynamically triggered events (non-volcanic tremors) of the Tohoku earthquake by the accepted methodology has not revealed a clear tremor signature in the test area: the Caucasus and North Turkey. The possible mechanisms of some seismic signals of unknown origin observed during passage of teleseismic waves of Tohoku earthquake are discussed.     

The benthic association between a bivalve and a shell boring polychaete and their potential food sources

The trophic relationships in the association of the Yeso scallop Mizuhopecten yessoensis and its dominant endobiontic polychaete Polydora brevipalpa, which burrows into the scallop??s shell, and their potential food sources were studied using the method of fatty acid biochemical markers. It is shown that the differences in the diet of the scallop and the polychaete allow them to coexist in a close association. The trophic role of the association in the benthic community was revealed. The association selectively utilizes the food sources of the environment. It almost does not consume organic matter of bottom sediments, which allows it to coexist with other species in the community of higher order. There is minimal food competition between the association and detritivorous species; however, association can limit the development of species mostly foraging on diatom algae.     

Long-term variations of the trophic state index in the Narochanskie Lakes and its relation with the major hydroecological parameters

Variations of the trophic status of lakes Batorino, Myastro, and Naroch were analyzed over a long period of 1978–2013. The lakes form a system of interconnected water bodies with a wide range of trophic states. In the period under consideration, the trophic conditions in the lakes varied from highly eutrophic (Lake Batorino) to oligotrophic (Lake Naroch), making it possible to analyze the long-term changes in the trophic state of the lakes with the use of different variants of evaluating the Carlson index (trophic state index, TSI), to assess the relationship between the three versions of the index with one another, with phytoplankton biomass, and with hydroecological characteristics, such as the concentrations of total N, seston, and organic matter and biochemical oxygen demand. The possibility to evaluate the index by other characteristics, including phytoplankton biomass, was also considered.     

Retrospective of radioactive fallout from data on sampled bottom sediments in closed water bodies

A method for identifying past radiation events from dated layers of bottom sediments in stagnant water bodies is described. Results of an experimental study (2005–2006) of the samples of bottom sediments in the pond of the Timiryazev dendropark in Moscow are considered. The sediment layers are dated with ²¹⁰Pb. The same radionuclide is used as a tracer for calculating the rate of sedimentation in the pond, which is estimated at 0.3–0.4 cm/year. The maximum ¹³⁷Cs values are detected in the 0–24 cm column at depths of 7 and 13 cm. The ¹³⁷Cs peak at a depth of 13 cm is dated as 1963, which reflects the maximum global fallout from the atmospheric nuclear weapon tests. A small peak of this radionuclide at 7 cm is dated as 1986. It appears to be attributed to the long-range fallout after the Chernobyl NPP accident. The origin of the ¹³⁷Cs maximum at a depth of 13–14 cm is confirmed by characteristic ratios of radionuclide pairs available in the global fallout in the Moscow region. The ratios of ⁹⁰Sr/¹³⁷Cs = 0.6 and ^239,240Pu/¹³⁷Cs = 0.03 in the 13–14 cm layer are characteristic of the global radioactive fallout from nuclear explosions. In the layers above this maximum, such ratios vary sharply toward the enhanced ¹³⁷Cs content in the fallout.     

Contributions from Different-Type Active Regions Into the Total Solar Unsigned Magnetic Flux

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Data set acquired by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) during 2010–2017 allowed us to classify active regions...