Effects of scattering and dust grain size on the temperature structure of protoplanetary discs: a three-layer approach

The temperature in the optically thick interior of protoplanetary discs is essential for the interpretation of millimetre observations of the discs, for the vertical structure of the discs, for models of the disc evolution and the planet formation, and for the chemistry in the discs. Since large icy grains have a large albedo even in the infrared, the effect of scattering of the diffuse radiation in the discs on the interior temperature should be examined. We have performed a series of numerical radiation transfer simulations, including isotropic scattering by grains with various typical sizes for the diffuse radiation as well as for the incident stellar radiation. We also have developed an analytic model including isotropic scattering to understand the physics concealed in the numerical results. With the analytic model, we have shown that the standard two-layer approach is valid only for grey opacity (i.e. grain size ≳10 μm) even without scattering. A three-layer interpretation is required for grain size ≲10 μm. When the grain size is 0.1–10 μm, the numerical simulations show that the isotropic scattering reduces the temperature of the disc interior. This reduction is nicely explained by the analytic three-layer model as a result of the energy loss by scatterings of the incident stellar radiation and of the warm diffuse radiation in the disc atmosphere. For grain size ≳10 μm (i.e. grey scattering), the numerical simulations show that the isotropic scattering does not affect the interior temperature. This is nicely explained by the analytic two-layer model; the energy loss by scattering in the disc atmosphere is exactly offset by the 'green-house effect' due to the scattering of the cold diffuse radiation in the interior.     

THEORETICAL CALCULATION MODEL OF SHORTWAVE RADIATION FOR THE EARTH-ATMOSPHERE SYSTEM AND ITS TESTING RESULTS

On the basis of radiation transfer theory,adopting improved two-stream algorithm incorporated with addingalgorithm,we build up a theoretical calculation model of shortwave radiation for the earth-atmosphere system whichcan be applied with satellite data.The model can calculate direct solar radiation,scattering solar radiation,heating rateand other physical quantities of radiation field at every layer of the atmosphere and on the earth's surface,if the under-ground reflectance or the planetary albedo obtained from satellite can be known.The model can be used in clear orcloudy atmosphere,and its calculating speed is fairly fast.We think that the model can be incorporated into large-scaleand mesoscale climatic models for the consideration of radiation calculation,and also it is useful for the utilization of so-lar energy.     

Biotic recovery from the Late Devonian F-F mass extinction event in China

The Frasnian-Famennian (F-F) mass extinction is one of the five great extinctions of marine life during the Phanerozoic. The F-F event killed most of the Devonian reefs, the characteristic Devonian corals, stromatoporoids, bryozoans, nearly all tentaculites, a few superfamilies of brachiopods, such as Atrypacea and Pentameracea and some important elements of goniatites, such as Manticoceras. The end-Frasnian was a phase of mass extinction. A large number of shelly benthos were killed by the F-F event. Early and middle Famennian was the survival interval. The marine faunas were very rare at that time. The late Famennian was the recovery interval. There appeared to have many new taxa in the Strunian stage. It lacked a radiation interval in Late Devonian Famennian because another event (the D-C mass extinction) happened at the Devonian-Carboniferous boundary. Several causes for the F-F mass extinction have been proposed by some geologists, which have been grouped into two broad types, terrestrial and extraterrestrial. The former is related to sea level changes, climate changes and anoxic water event. The latter is linked with some forms of meteorite impact. A large-scale eustatic change of sea level and black shales representing an anoxic environment has been invoked to explain one of the causes for the F-F mass extinction.     

Relationships between bacterial-algal proliferating and mass extinction in the Late Devonian Frasnian-Famennian transition: Enlightening from carbon isotopes and molecular fossils

The five major mass extinctions which occurred in the transition of the Ordovician-Silurian (440 Ma), Late Devonian Frasnian-Famennian (F-F) (370 Ma), Permian-Triassic (250 Ma), Triassic-Jurassic (205 Ma) and Cretaceous-Paleogene (65 Ma) are significant phenomena in the Phanerozoic global environment and organic evolution. Their corresponding extinction rates of marine invertebrate at the level of genus and family are 60% (genus) and 26% (family), 57% and 22%, 82% and 51%, 53% and 22%, …     

河南宜阳地区陆相二叠系—三叠系界线附近 微生物成因沉积构造特征及意义

有关微生物成因沉积构造及其生物地质过程的研究近年来发展迅速,成为深刻认识地球早期生命演化以及生物与环境相互作用过程的重要桥梁。目前报道的微生物成因沉积构造主要集中在海相沉积中,而陆相碎屑岩沉积中的微生物成因沉积构造研究较少。本文介绍了河南省宜阳地区二叠系—三叠系界线附近陆相碎屑岩中发育的以微生物席生长特征、微生物席破坏特征为主的微生物成因沉积构造,认为这些沉积构造的发育与二叠纪末地质灾变事件造成的特殊水体化学环境和严重退化的生态系统相关,属陆相环境中的"错时相"沉积。研究区微生物成因沉积构造的发现对于二叠纪末地质灾变期生物绝灭与复苏奥秘的探索、陆相地层的划分、海相—陆相地层的对比均具有重要意义。     

Aerosol concentration measurement with multiple light scattering system and laser aerosol spectrometer

The performance of two different optical concentration-measuring techniques was investigated over a concentration range starting with about 10² cm⁻³ and extending over more than four decades. Both instruments are capable of real-time counting, however due to their particular design-single particle counter and ensemble particle-measuring system—they operate in overlapping, but different concentration ranges. The upper, coincidence-free counting limit for the single particle counter used in this study was established to be in the order of 10⁴ cm⁻³. The ensemble technique was found to be functional and stable for concentrations of about 10³ cm⁻³ and limited by the onset of multiple scattering at concentrations nearby 2×10⁶ cm⁻³. Within the determined boundaries, both techniques proved to provide reliable aerosol concentration data.     

Evolution and paleobiogeography of mangroves

We reviewed the geological record of mangroves based on fossil pollen, fruits, and wood evidence of Nypa, Avicennia, Sonneratia, Rhizophoraceae, and mangrove associates to trace the origin, distribution, extinction, and range contraction of paleo‐mangroves during the Late Cretaceous–Miocene time. Our study region covers paleocoastal areas of Indo‐West Pacific (IWP) and Atlantic East Pacific (AEP) region. First, we compiled the mangrove fossil records from the Late Cretaceous till Miocene and identified the migration pattern for Nypa, Avicennia, Sonneratia, Rhizophoraceae members, and mangrove associates such as Acrostichum, Wetherellia, Pelliciera, Aegiceras, Heritiera, Excoecaria, and Barringtonia. Second, we interpreted the paleoclimate shifts which caused the dispersal/extinction of this specialized ecosystem. Lastly, we proposed the future consequences of mangrove diversity for restoration and conservation strategies. First mangroves appeared during the Late Cretaceous, 100–65 Ma, since then their evolution is closely related to sea‐level changes in geological times. The oldest geological record of Nypa palm which prefers broad ecological tolerance is a good example for pantropical distribution of mangroves. High sea‐level and humid climate offered sufficient coastal regions and climate for the development of 12 genera of mangroves in nine families and subsequent proliferation into newer areas during early to middle Eocene (~50–40 Ma). The Eocene/Oligocene boundary crisis heralds the beginning of a biogeographical split between the present‐day eastern and western provinces of mangroves with records of Sonneratia, Rhizophora, Pelliciera, Barringtonia, and Acrostichum. However, during Oligocene and Middle Miocene mangroves occupied the present geographical position with addition of Nypa, Avicennia, and Excoecaria species. Re‐evaluation of Cenozoic records suggests that the climatic conditions of Late Paleocene, end of Eocene, and middle Pliocene were the driving force that led to the evolution and expansion of mangrove flora. During the Neogene, latitudinal contraction, extinction, and migration of mangroves led to the present bipartite distribution. The Himalayan uplift and establishment of Asian summer monsoon toward Late Neogene further affected the coastal dynamics which tailored the mangrove distribution of the Indian subcontinent. Loss of ecological habitats and local extinction forming disjunct distribution of mangroves during the Quaternary have also affected its overall biogeography.     

柴达木盆地中、新生代介形类爆发与绝灭事件

柴达木盆地中、新生界富含微体化石,节肢动物介形类分布尤其广泛,其中Cetacella、Cypridea、Austrocypris、Hemicyprinotus、Cyprideis 和Ilyocypris inermis是晚侏罗世以来各相关层位的标准化石。这些水生生物的绝灭或发生均很迅速,在区域或全球范围内均可对比,具有生物事件地层学意义:Cetacella属的绝灭可能是侏罗、白垩纪之交全球性的古气候降温和气候带变化在柴达木盆地的反映;早白垩世之后Cypridea的迅速衰退是地外因素灾变的结果;中始新世晚期的Austrocypris的绝灭、渐新世Hemicyprinotus的绝灭都与当时地质条件的改变存在着内在的联系;中中新世Cyprideis的爆发推断是青藏高原隆升,导致气候干燥、湖水咸化的结果;而晚更新世晚期I. inermis等介形类动物群的急剧衰减则与全球气候骤然变冷的末次冰期事件有关。     

An elementary model for the dust cycle in galaxies

We give an elementary model for the evolution of dust in galaxies, based on abundance arguments. The model takes account of grain core production in both supernovae and giant stars, and includes mantle growth in the interstellar medium. Destruction of grain cores does not appear to be a dominant effect. We show that a self-consistent picture can be made in which the interstellar dust mass is an approximately constant fraction of the heavy element mass in the interstellar medium. This result is demonstrated to be essentially independent of outflow or inflow of interstellar material.     

On the band-to-continuum intensity ratio in the infrared spectra of interstellar carbonaceous dust

Published interpretations of the relative intensity variations of the unidentified infrared bands (UIBs) and their underlying continuum are discussed. An alternative model is proposed, in which a single carrier for both emits (a) mostly a continuum when it is electronically excited by photons (visible or UV), or (b) exclusively the UIBs, when only chemical energy is deposited by H capture on its surface, inducing only nuclear vibrations. The bands will dominate in atomic H regions but will be overcome by thermal continuum radiation when the ambient field is strong but lacks dissociating photons (900–1100 Å). The model applies to photodissociation regions as well as to limbs of molecular clouds in the interstellar medium and agrees quantitatively with recent satellite observations. It gives indications on atomic H density and UIB intensity provided the ambient radiation field is known. It invokes no chemical, electronic, structural or size change to interpret the observed intensity variations.