Second Tesseral Harmonic Torque Due to the DynamicS of the Oceanic Surface Layer as Detected by TOPEX/POSEIDON Altimetry 1993-2000

Estimates of the second tesseral torque due to the variations in the radial space position of the mean ocean surface as monitored by TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter system are derived. The magnitude of the studied torque may be compared to the tidal torque and to the tesseral torque caused by deformations due to the Earths rotation. However, such torque estimates strongly depend on the thickness of the ocean surface layer adopted in the spherical model of which the dynamics is believed to be responsible for the derived torque. The dependence on the thickness is discussed.     

多层界面快速反演在高精度石油重力勘探中的应用

重力勘探作为一种快速普查方法，在深部地质构造研究、区域地质构造划分及找矿勘探中均已取得显著的地质效果。自８０年代后期，由于在重力测地工作中使用红外测距仪及高精度ＧＰＳ定位技术，确保了重力测点位置及高程有较高的精度；在重力观测中普遍采用目前世界上精度最高的Ｌａｃｏｓｔｅ型重力仪进行基点联测，采用对恒温系统改进后的Ｗｏｒｄｅｎ重力仪进行重力测点观测，使得重力测量的质量及精度都有了很大提高，为扩大重力法的应用提供了条件。本文给出的一例是；在我国某含油沉积盆地上，根据对实测１：２５０００高精度重力资料（布格重力异常总观测均方误差：６０×１０￣－８ｍ／ｓ￣２）的处理及约束信息下多层界面反演结果，确定有利油气聚集的圈闭范围，推断含油层的大致规模。     

A Re-Evaluation of Long-Term Flux Measurement Techniques Part II: Coordinate Systems

To convert measurements of windspeed, eddy flux and scalar concentration into estimates of surface scalar exchange, we implicitly or explicitly assimilate the measurements into mathematical statements of the mass balance in a control volume on a representative patch of the surface. The form of this statement depends on the coordinate system in which it is written and the coordinate system should be chosen so that measurements can be used optimally. This requirement imposes a set of conditions on the coordinates. Here we perform a comparative analysis of some candidate coordinate systems, concentrating on the Cartesian and physical streamline systems. We show that over gentle topography there are definite advantages in working in streamline coordinates. Transforming measurements of vector and tensor quantities measured in the reference frame, s _i, of the anemometer into the reference frame, e _i, of the chosen coordinate system involves using the measured statistics of the wind field to define three Euler rotation angles. We compare the method in most common use, which employs the components of the mean wind vector and the Reynolds stress tensor to define these angles, with the more recent planar-fit method that uses instead an ensemble of mean wind vectors to define the rotations. We find that, in real flows, the standard method has a previously unrecognized closure problem that ensures that the third rotation angle defined using the stress tensor or scalar flux vector will always be in error and often give unphysical results. An alternative procedure is recommended. Finally, the relationships between measurements and model outputs are discussed.     

The Neutral, Barotropic Planetary Boundary Layer, Capped by a Low-Level Inversion

The presence of a low-level, capping inversion layer will affect the height and structure of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Results from models of varying levels of sophistication, including analytical, turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), second-order closure (SOC), large-eddy simulation (LES) and direct numerical simulation (DNS) models, are used to investigate this influence for the neutral, barotropic PBL. Predicted and observed profiles of stress and geostrophic departure components, and integral measures, such as the parameters of Rossby-number similarity theory, are compared for the KONTUR, Marine Stratocumulus, JASIN, Leipzig, Pre-Wangara and Upavon field experiments.Analytical models of the equilibrium value of inversion height z_i, which depend on the surface friction velocity u_*, and both the Coriolis parameter f and the free-flow Brunt-Väisälä frequency N, are found to give reasonable estimates of the PBL height. They also indicate that only the KONTUR and Marine Stratocumulus experiments were strongly influenced by N. More quantitative comparisons would require larger, more comprehensive datasets. The effects of the presence of a capping inversion on the profile structure were found to be insignificant for h_* = |f|z_i/u_* > 0.15.The simple analytical model performed quite well over all values of h_*; it predicted the profiles of the longitudinal stress component (in the direction of the surface stress) better than the lateral component. The more advanced models performed well for small values of h_* (for flow over the sea), but systematically underestimated the cross-isobaric angle for flow over land. These models predicted the profiles of the lateral stress component better than the longitudinal component. The profiles of the analytical model agreed with those of the advanced models when the constant eddy viscosity of the outer layer was increased.Agreement with DNS was achieved by increasing the eddyviscosity of the analytical model by a factor of 5.Zilitinkevich and Esau(2002, Boundary-Layer Meteorology, 104, 371–379)suggest that the neutral, barotropic values of A and B of Rossby-numbersimilarity theory are not universal constants, but depend on the ratio N/|f|. The dependence for A and B is calculated using the analytical model and TKE models. Over the sea (h_* 0.1; N/|f| 100, where we have used the Zilitinkevich-Esau relation to convert between h_* and N/|f|) there is agreement between the model predictions and observations; however over land where the equilibrium boundary-layer height is greater (h_* 0.35; N/|f| 10) the inconsistency between the advanced model predictions (TKE, SOC, LES, and DNS) and observations, as noted previously by Hess and Garratt, still exists. We attribute this disagreement to violations of the strict assumptions of steady, horizontally homogeneous, neutral, barotropic conditions implicit in the observations. At small values of z_i and a strongly stable background stratification (h_* 0.04; N/|f| 1000) both the TKE and analytical models predict that A and B depend significantly on h_*, however observations are unavailable to confirm these predictions. Zilitinkevich and Esau call this case the `long-lived near-neutral PBL', and state that it is found in cold weather at high latitudes.     

One-Equation Turbulence Modelling for Atmospheric and Engineering Applications

A new algebraic turbulent length scale model is developed, based on previous one-equation turbulence modelling experience in atmospheric flow and dispersion calculations. The model is applied to the neutral Ekman layer, as well as to fully-developed pipe and channel flows. For the pipe and channel flows examined the present model results can be considered as nearly equivalent to the results obtained using the standard k– model. For the neutral Ekman layer, the model predicts satisfactorily the near-neutral Cabauw friction velocities and a dependence of the drag coefficient versus Rossby number very close to that derived from published (G. N. Coleman) direct numerical simulations. The model underestimates the Cabauw cross-isobaric angles, but to a less degree than the cross-isobar angle versus Rossby dependence derived from the Coleman simulation. Finally, for the Cabauw data, with a geostrophic wind magnitude of 10 ms^–1, the model predicts an eddy diffusivity distribution in good agreement with semi-empirical distributions used in current operational practice.     

Position and velocity reliability testing in degraded GPS signal environments

Reliability testing, namely receiver autonomous integrity monitoring (RAIM), consists of statistical testing of least-squares residuals of observations, e.g., on an epoch-by-epoch basis aiming towards reliable navigation fault detection and exclusion (FDE). In this paper, classic RAIM and FDE methods are extended with testing of range-rate residuals to find inconsistent velocity solutions in order to contribute to the reliability of the system with special focus on degraded signal environments. Reliability enhancement efforts discussed include a Backward-FDE scheme based on statistical outlier detection and an iteratively reweighted robust estimation technique, a modified Danish method. In addition, measurement weighting assigned to code and Doppler observations is assessed in the paper in order to allow fitting a priori variance models to the estimation processes. The schemes discussed are also suitable in terms of computational convenience for a combined GPS/Galileo system. The objective of this paper is to assess position and velocity reliability testing and enhancement in urban and indoor conditions and to analyze the navigation accuracy conditions with high sensitivity GPS (HSGPS) tests. The results show the necessity of weighted estimation and FDE for reliability enhancement in degraded signal-environment navigation.     

Doppler radar sounding of volcanic eruption dynamics at Mount Etna

Besides their common use in atmospheric studies, Doppler radars are promising tools for the active remote sensing of volcanic eruptions but were little applied to this field. We present the observations made with a mid-power UHF Doppler radar (Voldorad) during a 7-h Strombolian eruption at the SE crater of Mount Etna on 11–12 October 1998. Main characteristics of radar echoes are retrieved from analysis of Doppler spectra recorded in the two range gates on either side of the jet axis. From the geometry of the sounding, the contribution of uprising and falling ejecta to each Doppler spectrum can be discriminated. The temporal evolution of total power backscattered by uprising targets is quite similar to the temporal evolution of the volcanic tremor and closely reproduces the overall evolution of the eruption before, during and after its paroxysm. Moreover, during the sharp decrease of eruptive activity following the paroxysm, detailed analysis of video (from camera recording), radar and seismic measurements reveals that radar and video signals start to decrease simultaneously, approximately 2.5 min after the tremor decline. This delay is interpreted as the ascent time through a magma conduit of large gas slugs from a shallow source roughly estimated at about 500 m beneath the SE crater. Detailed analysis of eruptive processes has been also made with Voldorad operating in a high sampling rate mode. Signature of individual outburst is clearly identified on the half part of Doppler spectra corresponding to rising ejecta: temporal variations of the backscattered power exhibit quasi periodic undulations, whereas the maximum velocity measured on each spectrum displays a sharp peak at the onset of each outburst followed by a slow decay with time. Periodicity of power variations (between 3.8 and 5.5 s) is in agreement with the occurrence of explosions visually observed at the SE vent. Maximum vertical velocities of over 160 m s^–1 were measured during the paraoxysmal stage and the renewed activity. Finally, by using a simplified model simulating the radar echoes characteristics, we show that when Voldorad is operating in high sampling rate mode, the power and maximum velocity variations are directly related to the difference in size and velocity of particles crossing the antenna beam.Editorial responsibility: A. Woods     

The extent of desertification on Saudi Arabia

Desertification is the process that turns productive deserts into non-productive deserts as a result of poor land-management. Desertification reduces the ability of land to support life, affecting wild species, domestic animals, agricultural crops and humans. The reduction in plant cover that accompanies desertification leads to accelerated soil erosion by wind and water. South Africa is losing approximately 300–400 million tons of topsoil every year. As vegetation cover and soil layer are reduced, rain fall impact and run-off increases. This paper discusses the extent of desertification, its potential threat to sustained irrigated agriculture and possible measures adopted to control ongoing desertification processes to minimize the loss of agricultural productivity in an arid country such as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.     

Composition and assemblage characteristics of magnetic minerals in layer S<Subscript>5-1</Subscript> of Xifeng and Duanjiapo sections

Relatively strongly magnetic fine components (< 30μm, XS-4J and DS-4J) which are most environmentally sensitive were separated from layer S_5-1 in the Xifeng and Duanjiapo loess sections and analyzed by MPV-3 for their morphometric characteristics and reflectance, SEM-ESD for their element contents and XRD for their mineral phases, respectively. The results showed that minerals in both samples are dominated by detrial Fe-Ti oxides of aeolian origin. In sample XS-4J the reflectance and iron contents of magnetic minerals are usually high. In addition to magnetite (Fe₃O₄), maghemite (γFe₂O₃) and hematite (Fe₂O₃), some Fe-high oxide (72.25 wt%–86.67 wt%), ilmenite (FeTiO₃), and magnetite-ulvöspinel [Fe(FeCr)O₄, Fe (FeNi)O₄] were also detected. In sample DS-4J obvious negative linear correlations were found between Ti and Fe, and the contents of Mn, Si, Al and Ca are usually high and the minerals are dominated by magnetite (maghemite), goethite (FeOOH) and limonite (containing Si and OH). In addition, the signs of corrosion of magnetic minerals and newly crystallized magnetite (maghemite) were recognized. Differences in the composition and assemblage characteristics of magnetite minerals between XS and DS reflect significant differences in source rocks and preserving conditions.