Dunes on Titan observed by Cassini Radar

Thousands of longitudinal dunes have recently been discovered by the Titan Radar Mapper on the surface of Titan. These are found mainly within ±30° of the equator in optically-, near-infrared-, and radar-dark regions, indicating a strong proportion of organics, and cover well over 5% of Titan's surface. Their longitudinal duneform, interactions with topography, and correlation with other aeolian forms indicate a single, dominant wind direction aligned with the dune axis plus lesser, off-axis or seasonally alternating winds. Global compilations of dune orientations reveal the mean wind direction is dominantly eastwards, with regional and local variations where winds are diverted around topographically high features, such as mountain blocks or broad landforms. Global winds may carry sediments from high latitude regions to equatorial regions, where relatively drier conditions prevail, and the particles are reworked into dunes, perhaps on timescales of thousands to tens of thousands of years. On Titan, adequate sediment supply, sufficient wind, and the absence of sediment carriage and trapping by fluids are the dominant factors in the presence of dunes.     

Carbon dioxide segregation in 1:4 and 1:9 CO2:H2O ices

The mid-infrared spectra of mixed vapor deposited ices of CO₂ and H₂O were studied as a function of both deposition temperature and warming from 15 to 100 K. The spectra of ices deposited at 15 K show marked changes on warming beginning at 60 K. These changes are consistent with CO₂ segregating within the ice matrix into pure CO₂ domains. Ices deposited at 60 and 70 K show a greater degree of segregation, as high as 90% for 1:4 CO₂:H₂O ice mixtures deposited at 70 K. As the ice is warmed above 80 K, preferential sublimation of the segregated CO₂ is observed. The kinetics of the segregation process is also examined. The segregation of the CO₂ as the ice is warmed corresponds to temperatures at which the structure of the water ice matrix changes from the high density amorphous phase to the low density amorphous phase. We show how these microstructural changes in the ice have a profound effect on the photochemistry induced by ultraviolet irradiation. These experimental results provide a framework in which observations of CO₂ on the icy bodies of the outer Solar System can be considered.     

Dune-forming winds on Titan and the influence of topography

Numerous extended dunes on Saturn's moon Titan detected by the Cassini RADAR constrain the long-term pattern of surface winds. We analyse the statistics of surface wind speed and direction and their spatial and temporal variability predicted by a general circulation model (GCM) in order to constrain surface wind predictions of this GCM by dune observations. The model shows that modern winds are sufficient for saltation and dune formation at low latitudes, in agreement with the presence of dunes there. The best condition for the dune-forming wind occurs with a threshold friction speed of 0.02 m s⁻¹ or slightly less. The equatorial region is conducive to longitudinal dunes because of a combined effect of a high sand drift potential and obtuse bimodal wind pattern oblique to the equator caused by the seasonal reversal of the Hadley circulation. The cross-equatorial wind is steady, and is characterised by a high Weibull shape parameter (k∼4). The wind pattern at higher latitudes is more complex and gusty, and neither longitudinal nor transversal dunes would be able to form. Putative large-scale topography is found to have a profound influence on the near-surface wind pattern. Generally mountains cause a convergence and speeding up on the flank, while basins weaken the wind and cause a divergent flow. Longitudinal dunes can be deflected on the foot of mountains by up to 90°. If Xanadu is a hypothetical large mountain, a wind pattern converging in Xanadu that entirely disagrees with the dune observations is predicted. If instead Xanadu is a large basin, the wind arcs clockwise north of Xanadu and anti-clockwise west and southwest of Xanadu, in agreement with the dune orientations in the vicinity of Xanadu. The albedo pattern has comparatively little influence on the wind field. Isolated mountain chains cause only local-scale change in the wind pattern. However, the persistent surface easterlies in Belet, which are in conflict with the dune orientations, do not disappear by any combination of large-scale topography.     

Global survey of color variations on 433 Eros: Implications for regolith processes and asteroid environments

High-resolution imaging acquired with the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous Shoemaker (NEAR Shoemaker) spacecraft is used to elucidate the spectral properties and spatial distribution of color units on Asteroid 433 Eros. Previous workers mapped four distinct types of color units on the surface (bright streaks, dark soils, ponded materials, average regolith). These units exhibit albedo and color boundaries but there is no evidence to indicate they represent distinct rock types. Rather the units are thought to show evidence of complex regolith transport and sorting processes. Here we report the results of a comprehensive study of all viable color MultiSpectral Imager (MSI) data to identify and characterize the distribution and nature of color units across the whole asteroid. Due to a spacecraft upset that resulted in contamination of the MSI optics, color images are affected with a scattered light problem that hampers interpretation of subtle color contrasts, even after a rigorous remediation. To constrain interpretations of the MSI color data we characterize this residual scattered light and demonstrate how complete correction would affect derived color ratios. Results of our comprehensive study are consistent with previous mapping—confirming that bright streaks, average regolith and dark soils fall on a mixing line, consistent with space weathering effects. We find that the ponded deposits do not fall on this putative mixing line. The color and reflectance of the ponded deposits are consistent with some combination of compositional, grain size and maturity variations from the average regolith. Additionally we show that spectral separation of the four units on ratio plots would only increase with full removal of residual scattered light, especially for features that are small in terms of pixels. Global analysis of the Eros color units illustrates complex regolith processes and grain sorting that may hold clues to understanding space weathering processes and the link between asteroids and meteorites.     

Trapping and adsorption of CO2 in amorphous ice: A FTIR study

The interaction of carbon dioxide and amorphous water ice at 95 K is studied using transmission infrared spectroscopy. Samples are prepared in two ways: co-deposition of the gases admitted simultaneously or sequential deposition, in which amorphous water ice (ASW) is grown first and CO₂ vapor is added subsequently. In either case, a fraction of the CO₂ molecules is found to interact with water in a way that gives rise to shifts and splittings in the infrared bands with respect to those of a pure CO₂ solid. In co-deposition experiments, a larger amount of carbon dioxide is trapped within the amorphous water than in sequential deposition samples, where a substantial proportion of molecules appears to be trapped in macropores of the ASW. The specific surface area of sequential samples is evaluated and compared to previous literature results. When the sequential samples are heated to 140 K, beyond the onset temperature at which water ice undergoes a phase transition, the CO₂ molecules at the pores relocate inside the bulk in a structure similar to that found in co-deposited samples, as deduced by changes in the shape of the CO₂ infrared bands.     

A two-layer model for studying 2D dissolved pollutant runoff over impermeable surfaces

Dissolved pollutants in stormwater are a main contributor to water pollution in urban environments. However, many existing transport models are semi-empirical and only consider one-dimensional flows, which limit their predictive capacity. Combining the shallow water and the advection–diffusion equations, a two-dimensional physically based model is developed for dissolved pollutant transport by adopting the concept of a ‘control layer’. A series of laboratory experiments has been conducted to validate the proposed model, taking into account the effects of buildings and intermittent rainfalls. The predictions are found to be in good agreement with experimental observations, which supports the assumption that the depth of the control layer is constant. Based on the validated model, a parametric study is conducted, focusing on the characteristics of the pollutant distribution and transport rate over the depth. The hyetograph, including the intensity, duration and intermittency, of rainfall event has a significant influence on the pollutant transport rates. The depth of the control layer, rainfall intensity, surface roughness and area length are dominant factors that affect the dissolved pollutant transport. Finally, several perspectives of the new pollutant transport model are discussed. This study contributes to an in-depth understanding of the dissolved pollutant transport processes on impermeable surfaces and urban stormwater management.     

居住区典型地物热环境的日变化及其相互影响分析

居住区热环境状况是影响局地微气候变化的重要因素,研究居住区地物的热环境特征,对于了解和改善微气候具有重要意义。为了更好地揭示居住区热环境特征,本研究使用热红外成像仪对北京市某校园居住区进行观测,获取了夏季不同天气状况下（晴天、阴天、多云）的24 h热红外影像数据。依据各天气数据和地物属性,系统分析了各地物日变化规律,并通过垂线法判定邻近地物的温度边界范围,进而揭示出地物间温度交互特征。结果如下：① 太阳辐射是影响地物白天温度变化的主要因素,与地物温度呈正相关性;在多云天气下,地物的最高温度滞后至16:00出现,且地物温度曲线呈现连续的“锯齿状”升降趋势,云层的大量运动是导致多云天气下的地物温度波动变化的关键因素;沥青道路在夜间的温度均高于其他地物,并且夜间持续放热,提生周围环境温度;阴影能够有效减少地物吸收的太阳辐射量,降低地物表面温度;植被的冠层厚度与地物温度呈负相关性,因此增加居住区内绿植的冠层厚度,增大区域阴影面积有助于改善局地微气候;② 树木和裸土在06:00和14:00的温度交互作用强烈,表明在地物交界处,全天持续发生显著的热量交换;而夜间至凌晨,草坪与人行道持续进行热量交换,帮助降低路面温度,缓解周围高温状况。     

不同高度数据联合欧拉反褶积法研究

基于不同测量高度重力场及其梯度数据可同时对应同一场源并用于反演场源位置的分析原理,拓展不同高度场数据在欧拉反褶积法中的应用范围.首先,立足于对欧拉反褶积方法的理论研究基础,提出不同高度数据融合联合欧拉反演公式.其次,在理论模型上对多种高度数据联合反演做了测试分析计算,验证了不同高度场数据融合联合欧拉反褶积法能够改善位场解释中单一观测面数据计算带来的解的发散问题,收敛过程由此改善.最后,将本文方法应用于龙门山地区实际重力数据的解释,获得了研究区断裂分布特征.     

北京城市下垫面对雾影响的数值模拟研究

为了探究北京城市下垫面对雾天气过程的影响,为北京地区雾数值预报水平的提高提供理论基础和科学依据,选取2011年10月29日北京地区雾天个例进行了数值模拟试验,通过对WRF/Noah/UCM模式系统中城市冠层参数的调整,显著改善了模式对此次雾天气过程的模拟效果.使用参数调整后的模式系统通过敏感性试验分析研究了北京城市下垫面对雾发生、发展和消散过程的影响.结果表明:参数调整后的WRF/Noah/UCM模式系统能够与实际观测较相符地模拟此次发生在北京地区的雾天气过程,北京城市下垫面主要通过对温度的改变对雾的形成、发展和消散产生显著影响,使雾不易在城市及其附近形成和发展,延后城市地区雾的形成,但城市的存在也使得城市地区及其附近雾不易消散,相较于没有城市时消散时间延后.     

重力场向下延拓Milne法

重力场向下延拓能够突出局部和浅部的异常信息,分离叠加的异常特征.但是向下延拓通常具有过程不稳定、下延深度小、结果不准确等问题.针对向下延拓所存在的不足,本文利用重力场及其垂向一阶导数,基于辛普森(Simpson)求积公式,推导出重力场向下延拓米尔尼(Milne)公式.将本文向下延拓方法应用于模型数据,向下延拓模型结果及误差曲线表明,相对于向下延拓快速傅里叶变换(FFT)法和积分迭代法,向下延拓Milne法的深度更大,相对误差更小;相对模型值,向下延拓Milne法能够获得稳定且准确的结果.对加拿大乃查科(Nechako)盆地地区实测航空重力数据进行本文方法向下延拓验证,处理结果表明,相对于实测异常,本文方法向下延拓结果能够很好还原实测数据,并且在进一步向下延拓中反映原始异常的趋势,增强局部和细小异常信息.