Fluctuations of the South Patagonian Ice-field during the last glaciation and the Holocene

Mapping along a transect from the southeastern margin of the South Patagonian Ice-field in Torres del Paine National Park (Chile) to the limits of fresh moraines of the last glacial cycle indentified eight glacier advances. The four younger ones have been dated by dendrochronology, tephrochronology and radiocarbon dating. Although the bases of 10 m deep bogs were sampled, close limiting radiocarbon dates were not obtained because bog formation in this rain-shadow area appears not to have commenced until ca.12000 yr ago. The outermost Little Ice Age moraine formed during the seventeenth century and three inner ones were deposited around ad 1805, 1845 and after 1890. Densely vegetated older moraines contiguous with Little Ice Age deposits are possibly of late Holocene age. Tephra from the eruption of Reclus volcano at ca. 11 880 yr BP was incorporated by a readvance that deposited large multiple moraines 10–16 km from the modern ice-front; the oldest basal peat found inside the moraine has been dated to ca. 9200 yr BP. These bracketing dates indicate that some eastern outlet glaciers of the ice-field advanced at a time when some western tidewater outlet glaciers terminated inside their modern limits. This questions the view of J. H. Mercer and other that Patagonian glaciers did not readvance during the late-glacial interval. A stadial event also occurred when the glaciers were some 18–20 km from their modern positions and is closely dated to ca. 11880 yr BP because Reclus pumice flushed down-glacier forms thick upper beds in outwash deltas deposited in proglacial lakes. The four older moraines pre-date the late-glacial eruption of Reclus but are not dated closely. Comparison of their spatial extent with well-dated moraines in the Chilean Lakes Region suggests that they may mark advances culminating at ca. 14000 yr BP, ca. 20000 yr BP and earlier.     

Investigation of the Small-Scale Temperature and Density Fluctuations in Planetary Nebulae through the Use of the ISO Data

The problem of the ne and Te fluctuations in the planetary nebulae (PN) in a view of the ISO data was investigated. The fluxes in the OIII fine structure (FS) lines for a large sample of PNe were estimated. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

New constraints on space–time Planck scale fluctuations from established high energy astronomy observations

The space–time metric is widely believed to be subject to stochastic fluctuations induced by quantum gravity at the Planck scale. This work is based on two different phenomenological approaches being currently made to this topic, and theoretical models which describe this phenomenon are not dealt with here. By using the idea developed in one of these two approaches in the framework of the other one, it is shown that the constraints on the nature of Planck scale space–time fluctuations already set by the observation of electrons and gamma-rays with energies above 15 TeV are much stronger than have been shown so far. It is concluded that for the kind of Planck scale fluctuations implied by several models, including the most naive one, to be consistent with the observations, the transformation laws between different reference frames must be modified in order to let the Planck scale be observer independent.     

基于地下水位与土壤含水量的地下水蒸散发估算北大核心CSCD

地下水蒸散发(Groundwater evapotranspiration,ET_(g))是地下水浅埋环境中垂向水文循环的重要组分,是干旱区地下水主要的自然排泄方式(>70%)。准确估算ET_(g)对科学管理干旱区农业与水资源、合理保护和修复地下水依赖型植被意义重大。本文基于地下水位和土壤水分波动方法估算了甘肃临泽县锁龙潭湿地附近的沙枣(Elaeagnus angustifolia)林2017—2018年生长季(4月15日至10月15日)的ET_(g)。结果表明:(1)2017、2018年生长季ET_(g)分别为275、511 mm,在实际蒸散发(ETa)中分别占73%、87%;其中7—8月约占整个生长季ET_(g)的48.2%、48.4%,大致与地下水位变化及植被生长过程同期。(2)ET_(g)及其占总蒸散发的比例与潜在蒸散发、土壤储水量、地下水位正相关(P<0.05),这3个要素对ET_(g)的方差解释率均较高(2017年48%、21%、31%,2018年24%、24%、52%)。(3)数据驱动方法在荒漠绿洲过渡带地下水浅埋环境ET_(g)量化评估中虽然可行,但时间分辨率较低,融合机制模型的数据驱动方法是未来提高ET_(g)估算精度的重要思路。     

Magnetic Helicity in fast dynamos

The behaviour of magnetic helicity in kinematic dynamos at large magnetic Reynolds number is considered. Hughes, et al . [ Phys. Lett. A 223 , 167-172 (1996)] observe that the relative helicity tends to zero in the limit of large magnetic Reynolds number. This paper gives upper bounds on the helicity, by relating the helicity spectrum to the energy spectrum. These bounds are confirmed by numerical simulation and the distribution of helicity over scales is considered. Although it is found that the total helicity becomes small in the limit of high conductivity, there can remain significant, but cancelling, helicity at large and small scales of the field. This is illustrated by considering the evolution of helicity in the stretch-twist-fold dynamo picture.     

A model of a homogeneous isotropic turbulent flow and its application for the simulation of cloud drop tracks

Abstract

A model of a homogeneous isotropic turbulent flow is presented. The model provides different realizations of the random velocity field component with given correlation latitudinal and lateral functions and a spatial structure which obeys the Kolmogorov theory of homogeneous and isotropic turbulence. For the generation of the turbulent flow the structural function of the flow in the form suggested by Batchelor (Monin and Yaglom, 1975) was used. This function describes the spectrum of turbulence both in the viscous and inertial ranges. The isotropy and homogeneity of the velocity field of the model are demonstrated.

The model is aimed at simulating the ‘‘fine'’ features of drop's (aerosol particles') motion, such as the deviations of drops’ velocity from the velocity of the flow, detailed structures of drops’ tracks, related to drops’ (particles') inertia. The model is intended also for the purpose of studying cloud drops’ and aerosol particles’ motion and their diffusional spreading utilizing the Monte Carlo methods.

Some examples of drop tracks for drops of different size are presented. Drops’ tracks are very sophisticated, so that the relative position of drops falling initially from the same point can vary drastically. In some cases drops’ tracks diverge very quickly, in other cases all drops move within a turbulent eddy along nearly the same closed tracks, but with different speed. The concentration of drop tracks along isolated paths is found in spite of the existence of a large number of velocity harmonics. It is shown that drops (aerosol particles) tend to leave some areas of the turbulent flow apparently due to their inertia. These effects can possibly contribute to inhomogeneity of drops’ concentration in clouds at different spatial scales.     

Recalibration of the yellow Rhizocarpon growth curve in the Cordillera Blanca (Peru) and implications for LIA chronology

A new lichen dating method and new moraine observations enabled us to improve the chronology of glacier advances in the Cordillera Blanca (Peru) during the Little Ice Age (LIA). Our results reveal that an early LIA glacial advance occurred around AD 1330 ± 29. However, a second major glacial advance at the beginning of the 17th century overlapped the earlier stage for most glaciers. Hence, this second glacial stage, dated from AD 1630 ± 27, is considered as the LIA maximum glacial advance in the Cordillera Blanca. During the 17th–18th centuries, at least three glacial advances were recorded synchronously for the different glaciers (AD 1670 ± 24, 1730 ± 21, and 1760 ± 19). The moraines corresponding to the two first stages are close to the one in 1630 suggesting a slow recession of about 18% in the total length of the glacier. From the LIA maximum extent to the beginning of the 20th century, the 24 glaciers have retreated a distance of about 1000 m, corresponding to a reduction of 30% in their length. This rate is comparable to that observed during the 20th century. Estimates of palaeo-Equilibrium Line Altitudes show an increase in altitude of about 100 m from the LIA maximum glacial extension at the beginning of the 17th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Because long time series are not available for precipitation and temperature, this glacial retreat is difficult to explain by past climate changes. However, there is a fair correspondence between changes in glacier length and the δ¹⁸O recorded in the Quelccaya ice core at a century timescale. Our current knowledge of tropical glaciers and isotope variations leads us to suggest that this common tropical signal reflects a change from a wet LIA to the drier conditions of today. Finally, a remarkable synchronicity is observed with glacial variations in Bolivia, suggesting a common regional climatic pattern during the LIA.     

Modelling the Global Solar Corona II: Coronal Evolution and Filament Chirality Comparison

This paper considers the hemispheric pattern of solar filaments using newly developed simulations of the real photospheric and 3D coronal magnetic fields over a six-month period, on a global scale. The magnetic field direction in the simulation is compared directly with the chirality of observed filaments, at their observed locations. In our model the coronal field evolves through a continuous sequence of nonlinear force-free equilibria, in response to the changing photospheric boundary conditions and the emergence of new magnetic flux. In total 119 magnetic bipoles with properties matching observed active regions are inserted. These bipoles emerge twisted and inject magnetic helicity into the solar atmosphere. When we choose the sign of this active-region helicity to match that observed in each hemisphere, the model produces the correct chirality for up to 96% of filaments, including exceptions to the hemispheric pattern. If the emerging bipoles have zero helicity, or helicity of the opposite sign, then this percentage is much reduced. In addition, the simulation produces a higher proportion of filaments with the correct chirality after longer times. This indicates that a key element in the evolution of the coronal field is its long-term memory, and the build-up and transport of helicity from low to high latitudes over many months. It highlights the importance of continuous evolution of the coronal field, rather than independent extrapolations at different times. This has significant consequences for future modelling such as that related to the origin and development of coronal mass ejections.     

Effects of fluctuations in water level and growth of Lagarosiphon major on the aquatic vascular plants in Lake Rotoma, 1973–80

Fluctuations in water level and the growth of the introduced exotic Lagarosiphon major (Ridley) Moss have significantly influenced the submerged vegetation of Lake Rotoma over the period 1973–80. Low lake levels temporarily reduced the proportion of native vascular plants by removing available shallow‐water habitats through erosion, siltation, or desiccation. High lake levels have allowed native vascular plants to re‐establish from seed and rhizomes. Fluctuations in water level appear to have reduced the long‐term replacement of native species by L. major, which has none the less spread progressively around the lake. Water‐level fluctuations enhanced its rate of fragmentation, and thus its dispersal and establishment. The annual increase in the proportion of L. major has been primarily at the expense of the shallow‐water characean algae, but also partly by competitive displacement of native vascular plants. The southwest inlet of Lake Rotoma had an exceptionally high plant density, with up to 3518 g/m² dry weight of L. major (believed to be a world record for submerged plant biomass); this is attributed to local enrichment and protection from wave exposure.     

定量评估极端天气影响农业总产值的方法

选取对极端天气敏感性和脆弱性较高的农业领域为研究对象,将极端天气因子和农业生产因子引入Cobb-Douglas生产函数,构建气候经济模型,定量分析了极端天气事件对浙江省农业总产值的影响。结果表明：极端天气因子与浙江省农业总产值存在长期均衡关系,对农业总产值有显著的负面影响。高温日数、低温日数、强降水日数每增加1%,浙江农业总产值分别减少0.072%、0.046%、0.076%;高温日数和强降水日数的短期波动对农业总产值也有显著的负面影响;不同区域的农业总产值受极端天气影响程度存在差异,浙江西北地区和西南地区相对东部沿海地区受极端天气影响更为严重。