Voronoi tessellation on the ellipsoidal earth for vector data

Voronoi tessellation, and its dual the Delaunay triangulation, provide a cohesive framework for the study and interpretation of phenomena of geographical space in two and three dimensions. The planar and spherical solutions introduce errors in the positional accuracy of both Voronoi vertices and Voronoi edges due to errors in distance computations and the path connecting two locations with planar lines or great circle arcs instead of geodesics. For most geospatial applications the introduction of the above errors is insignificant or tolerable. However, for applications where the accuracy is of utmost importance, the ellipsoidal model of the Earth must be used. Characteristically, the introduction of any positional error in the delimitation of maritime zones and boundaries results in increased maritime space for one state at the expense of another. This is a situation that may, among others, have a serious impact on the financial activities and the relations of the states concerned. In the context of previous work on maritime delimitation we show that the Voronoi diagram constitutes the ideal solution for the development of an automated methodology addressing the problem in its entirety. Due to lack of a vector methodology for the generation of Voronoi diagram on the ellipsoid, the aforementioned solution was constrained by the accuracy of existing approaches. In order to fill this gap, in this paper we deal with the inherent attributes of the ellipsoidal model of the Earth, e.g. the fact that geodesics are open lines, and we elaborate on a methodology for the generation of the Voronoi diagram on the ellipsoid for a set of points in vector format. The resulting Voronoi diagram consists of vertices with positional accuracy that is only bounded by the user needs and edges that are comprised of geodesics densified with vertices equidistant to their generators. Finally, we present the implementation of the proposed algorithm in the Python programming language and the results of two case studies, one on the formation of closest service areas and one on maritime boundaries delimitation, with the positional accuracy set to 1 cm.     

Tunable diode laser measurements of trace gases during the 1988 Polarstern cruise and intercomparisons with other methods

Measurements of NO₂, HCHO, and H₂O₂ were made by the highly specific method of mid infra-red absorption spectroscopy using tunable diode lasers (TDLAS) during the 1988 Polarstern expedition. The TDLAS data are compared to those obtained during the cruise using less direct methods. Southern Hemisphere NO₂ levels suggest nett photochemical destruction of O₃ in the boundary layer. Northern Hemisphere HCHO averaged 0.47±0.2 ppbv; the HCHO measurements are used in a simple calculation to estimate OH noontime maxima of 3–6×10⁶ cm^-3.     

Surface Heat Balance and Spatially Distributed Ablation Modelling at Koryto Glacier, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

To investigate the characteristics of ablation at Koryto Glacier, a mountain glacier under maritime climate in Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, we made field observations from August to early September 2000. At a site near the equilibrium line, the 31‐day average net radiation, sensible heat flux, and latent heat flux were 43, 59 and 31 W^?2, respectively. We developed a new distributed ablation model, which only needs measurements of air temperature and global radiation at one site. Hourly ablation rates at this site obtained by the energy balance method are related to measured air temperature and global radiation by linear multiple regression. A different set of multiple regression coefficients is fitted for snow and ice surfaces. Better estimates of ablation rate can be obtained by this approach than by other temperature index models. These equations are then applied to each grid cell of a digital elevation model to estimate spatially distributed hourly melt. Air temperature is extrapolated using a constant temperature lapse rate and global radiation is distributed considering topographic effects. The model enables us to calculate the hourly spatial distribution of ablation rates within the glacier area and could well provide a realistic simulation of ablation over the whole glacier.     

Marine testing board for certification of ballast water treatment technologies

The proposed MTB is a process to expedite the implementation of international standards and regulations, and the subsequent testing, certification, and regulatory approval of new ballast water treatment ("control") technologies. This would expedite their acceptance in the global marketplace and reduce risks of shipowners following international regulation. The cost to test and evaluate and certify new ballast water treatment technologies for the global marketplace has been estimated to be less than US $1 per day per ship. It is time for the shipping industry, national regulatory bodies, and IMO to endorse the concept of the MTB and for the shipping industry to support a proactive cost-saving solution for sustainable shipping and protecting the environment from unwanted invasions of aquatic species with their potential negative impacts.     

华中华东地区上空水汽平衡状况

华中华东地区,为我国纬度较低,涨岸线最长的地区。该区雨水资源,地表水资源量均居全国之首。其维系因子－空中水汽,业经本文计算,其年总蓄留量＋１９７７４．５４亿ｍ＾３,相当水深１３９７ｍｍ,为水资源总量的１．７６倍,全国第一。     

National sovereignty & transboundary protected areas in Southern Africa

The notion that Transboundary Protected Areas (TBPAs) will act as `Peace Parks' has become an important argument in their promotion in post-Apartheid Southern Africa. This `Peace Parks Concept' is implicitly based upon the assumption that national sovereignty will not become a constraining factor in the creation and management of TBPAs. However, this assumption is problematic. TBPAs introduce various changes in the landscape with consequences for the ways in which a state can exercise its sovereignty over its borderland and citizens. This situation might evoke state action that could endanger the various environmental, socio-economic and political objectives of TBPAs. A state's behaviour with regard to TBPAs is not just informed by its interests in TBPAs, but also by its strategic and other interests in the wider borderland area. These are not necessarily compatible with the environmental and economic objectives of TBPAs. The ways in which these interests are mediated are highly complex and non-linear. Because of the inter-dependency that TBPAs create, the extent to which a state can pursue certain interests by means of TBPAs will be (partially) constrained by the wishes of the other states involved. In addition, power has to be shared with a wide range of non-state actors. The operation of sovereignty in TBPAs is therefore highly unpredictable and cannot be captured in static zero-sum terms. Actor Network Theory is identified as a possible starting-point to unravel and evaluate these complex political processes in TBPAs and their subsequent outcomes for state sovereignty.     

基于模糊影响图的海洋结构风险分析方法研究

基于模糊影响图(FPID)和失效模式与效果分析(FMEA)建立了一种海洋结构风险分析方法。鉴于风险分析中某些事件发生概率和关系概率两个重要参数确定时需借助专家主观判断,本文将模糊概率的概念引入海洋结构影响图评估方法中。该方法成功地应用到海洋平台人员伤害分析中。虽然这里仅给出了该方法在海洋平台风险评估中的应用,但其具有更广泛应用价值。     

水下铁磁体磁场特征

简单介绍了铁磁体磁场的基本计算公式及其特征,并通过海上铁磁体搜寻实例加以解释和说明,为利用磁力仪搜寻铁磁体工作提供了一种比较简单实用的解释和判读方法。     

毒品贸易与国家主权破碎：基于缅甸北部的政治地理学分析

与中国云南省接壤的缅甸北部少数民族自治邦,包括掸邦和克钦邦,构成全球第二大非法毒品生产地的金三角核心区。通过借助历史档案和学术文献,聚焦缅甸北部,基于政治地理的视角,理清缅甸北部毒品贸易的历史起源,探讨了自缅甸1948年独立后毒品贸易给该国带来的政治与经济危机,以及相应的地缘政治冲突和外部干预。文章试图回答的问题有：为什么毒品贸易能够在缅北扎根?毒品贸易如何影响缅甸政府在其北部山区的主权完整和领土控制?文章的核心观点是毒品成为缅甸国内破碎主权和外部势力干预的原因和结果,毒品贸易以及与毒品相关的犯罪活动已经渗入缅北,严重危害了缅甸的主权完整。毒品贸易也为外部势力介入缅甸国内事务提供了契机。由于主体民族缅族控制的中央政府同缅北的少数民族地方武装间缺乏足够的信任,民族和解缺乏基础,也无法为全面禁毒创造有利的政治条件。因而,缅北的毒品贸易和缅甸的国家建设相互影响,导致国家主权破碎化和外部干预,导致缅北成为亚洲最贫穷落后的地区。文章分析以毒品为核心的开源权力机制与非正式或者非法全球化,丰富了Agnew有关主权的理论,在实践方面有助于认识中缅边境安全的复杂性,促进云南同东南亚的跨国区域化。     

重要经济发展区域间海运网络时空演变特性分析

“海上丝绸之路”沿线国家（MSR）、金砖国家（BRICS）、美日韩（AJK）是重要经济发展区域。研究其海运网络的时空演变规律有助于国家层面的贸易竞争均衡分析,对海运战略科学部署和智慧应对具有十分重要的意义。AIS（Automatic Identification System）数据具有实时性,且已基本覆盖全球港口的近海区域,能为海运网络提供及时分析的数据支撑。本文利用AIS数据挖掘MSR、BRICS、AJK的运输网络时空演变规律,结果表明,MSR散货、集装箱、油轮的内部网络结构的变化明显大于AJK和BRICS,说明“一带一路”倡议促进了MSR的内部海运贸易;MSR、AJK和BRICS的外部网络结构变化2013-2016年都较大,说明“一带一路”倡议的实施期间,MSR、AJK和BRICS 3个区域之间的海运贸易变化较大;3个区域的集装箱、油轮吞吐量加权的内外部海运网络结构2015-2016年较2013-2014年更为稳定,随着“一带一路”倡议的实施,这3个区域内部和区域之间的吞吐量加权海运网络结构变化幅度逐步减小。“一带一路”倡议对不同的经济发展区域的影响不同,对MSR的内外部海运网络结构都产生了一定影响,对BRICS散货、集装箱、油轮型海运网络的影响呈现差异化特征,对AJK内部海运网络没有影响,对AJK的外部网络产生了部分影响。提高MSR的海运贸易吞吐量,提升MSR在海运网络中的贸易地位,仍是当前的发展重点。