Complex Site Effects in Thessaloniki (Greece): I. Soil Structure and Comparison of Observations with 1D Analysis

This paper presents a 2D model of the geological structure of Thessaloniki city and results of empirical and theoretical approaches for the evaluation of site response due to complex site effects. The construction of the 2D model is based on the available geophysical and geotechnical data in terms of the most important parameters needed to model site response. The well-known subsoil structure, despite the existence of some local uncertainties, gave the possibility to correlate the geometry and the dynamic properties of the 2D model with the results of site response determined from the analysis of one event in frequency and time domains and 1D numerical modelling. The study of site response shows the effect of the lateral variations on ground motion and suggests that the contribution of locally generated surface waves to the resonant peak may be important. In this case history, the limitations of the 1D approximation to simulate ground motion under complex soil conditions in both frequency and time domains are also shown. This paper lays the ground for a companion article dealing with 2D site effects.     

Light-toned layered deposits in Juventae Chasma, Mars

We examine hypotheses for the formation of light-toned layered deposits in Juventae Chasma using a combination of data from Mars Global Surveyor's Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC), Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA), and Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES), as well as Mars Odyssey's Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS). We divide Juventae Chasma into geomorphic units of (i) chasm wall rock, (ii) heavily cratered hummocky terrain, (iii) a mobile and largely crater-free sand sheet on the chasm floor, (iv) light-toned layered outcrop (LLO) material, and (v) chaotic terrain. Using surface temperatures derived from THEMIS infrared data and slopes from MOLA, we derive maps of thermal inertia, which are consistent with the geomorphic units that we identify. LLO thermal inertias range from ∼400 to 850 J m⁻² K⁻¹ s^−1/2. Light-toned layered outcrops are distributed over a remarkably wide elevation range () from the chasm floor to the adjacent plateau surface. Geomorphic features, the absence of small craters, and high thermal inertia show that the LLOs are composed of sedimentary rock that is eroding relatively rapidly in the present epoch. We also present evidence for exhumation of LLO material from the west wall of the chasm, within chaotic and hummocky terrains, and within a small depression in the adjacent plateau. The data imply that at least some of the LLO material was deposited long before the adjacent Hesperian plateau basalts, and that Juventae Chasma underwent, and may still be undergoing, enlargement along its west wall due to wall rock collapse, chaotic terrain evolution, and exposure and removal of LLO material. The new data allow us to reassess possible origins of the LLOs. Gypsum, one of the minerals reported elsewhere as found in Juventae Chasma LLO material, forms only at low temperatures () and thus excludes a volcanic origin. Instead, the data are consistent with either multiple occurrences of lacustrine or airfall deposition over an extended period of time prior to emplacement of Hesperian lava flows on the plateau above the chasm.     

Evolution of the dusty rings of Uranus

We present high quality images of the uranian ring system, obtained in August 2002, October 2003, and July 2004 at 2.2 μm with the adaptive optics camera NIRC2 on the Keck II telescope. Using these data, we report the first detection in backscattered light of a ring (which we refer to as the ζ ring) interior to Uranus' known rings. This ring consists of a generally uniform sheet of dust between 37,850 and 41,350 km with an equivalent width (in 2004; or ), and extends inward to 32,600 km at a gradually decreasing brightness. This ring might be related to the Voyager ring R/1986 U 2, although both its location and extent differ. This could be attributed to a difference in observing wavelength and/or solar phase angle, or perhaps to temporal variations in the ring. Through careful modeling of the I/F of the individual rings at each ansa, we reveal the presence of narrow (few 100 km wide) sheets of dust between the δ and ε rings, and between rings 4 and α. We derived a typical anisotropy factor g≈0.7 in the scattering behavior of these particles. The spatial distribution and relative intensity of these dust sheets is different than that seen in Voyager images taken in forward scattered light, due either to a difference in observing wavelength, and/or solar phase angle or to changes over time. We may have detected the λ ring in one scan at , but other scans provided upper limits below this value. A single detection, however, would be consistent with azimuthal asymmetries known to exist in this ring. We further demonstrate the presence of azimuthal asymmetries in all rings. We confirm the eccentricity of ∼0.001 in rings 4, 5, 6, which in 2004 are ∼70 km closer to Uranus in the north (near periapse; lower I/F) than in the south. We find a global optical depth of τ∼0.3 in the main rings, and of τ=0.25±0.05 in the ε ring.     

Thermal emission spectroscopy (5.2-38 μm) of three Trojan asteroids with the Spitzer Space Telescope: Detection of fine-grained silicates

We present thermal emission spectra (5.2-38 μm) of the Trojan asteroids 624 Hektor, 911 Agamemnon, and 1172 Aneas. The observations used the Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) on board the Spitzer Space Telescope. Emissivity spectra are created by dividing the measured Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) by a model of the thermal continuum. We employ the Standard Thermal Model (STM), allowing physical parameters (e.g., radius and albedo) to vary in order to find the best thermal continuum fit to the SED. The best-fit effective radius (R) and visible geometric albedo (pv) for Hektor (R=110.0±7.3, ) and Aneas (R=69.1±5.1, ) agree very well with previous estimates, and for Agamemnon (R=71.5±5.2, ) we find slightly a smaller size and higher albedo than previously derived. Other thermal models (e.g., thermophysical) result in estimates of R and pv that vary a few percent from the STM, but the resulting emissivity spectra are identical. The emissivity spectra of all three asteroids display an emissivity plateau near 10-μm and another broader rise from ∼18 to 28 μm. We interpret these as indications of fine-grained silicates on the surfaces of these asteroids. The emissivity spectra more closely resemble emission spectra from cometary comae than those from solid surfaces and measured in the laboratory for powdered meteorites and regolith analogs. We hypothesize that the coma-like emission from the solid surfaces of trojans may be due to small silicate grains being imbedded in a relatively transparent matrix, or to a very under-dense (fairy-castle) surface structure. These hypotheses need to be tested by further laboratory and theoretical scattering work as well as continued thermal emission observations of asteroids.     

利用粒子滤波进行动态精密单点定位观测异常影响控制

采用粒子滤波控制观测异常影响,提高动态精密单点定位精度。粒子滤波是一种非高斯噪声分布的动态滤波,通过重点概率密度进行随机采样以获取高精度状态参数;根据观测噪声概率密度、状态噪声概率密度以及重点概率密度等因素确定粒子权值,降低受污染粒子对定位结果的影响;采用Kalman滤波进行重点采样,减缓粒子退化;采用单差无电离层固定模糊度,减少状态参数维数,进而减少粒子的选取个数。实测数据结果表明,粒子滤波有效控制了观测异常影响,提高了动态精密单点定位的精度。     

全站仪内存记录导线观测数据的数据处理系统开发

在导线测量外业观测过程中,采用全站仪内存进行电子记簿,针对其数据记录功能进行导线观测值提取、计算功能的二次开发,并做了相应的数据处理;充分利用其编码测量的功能,开发相应的数据处理程序模块,自动提取数据并转换成平差软件能识别的标准的统一的平差文件,减轻了劳动强度和减少了内、外业的工作量。     

辨析“气候变暖”

近年来人们对＂气候变暖＂及其机制的争论达到了前所未有的程度,这可能是因为气候变化不再是单纯研究大气变化规律的科学,而变成一门与＂减排方案＂和＂征收碳税＂有关的政治与经济问题相联系,与国家经济利益有关的崭新课题.＂气候变暖＂既与利益有关,就会难免偏离公正,偏离纯理论科学.本研究对国内外＂气候变暖＂最新动态进行回顾分析,得出以下认识和结论.1）过去百年城市发展,极大地影响了器测温度数据,如果没有对＂热岛效应＂进行矫正,无疑高估了过去百年全球升温的幅度;2）过去百年全球有所变暖是事实,但不同学者增温估算不一致.不仅升温幅度不确定,而且人类和自然因素对升温贡献各占多少也不确定;如果考虑到城市发展对增温估算的影响,过去百年增温应当比0.4℃更低,远没有达到历史上次级波动的变化范围.3）尽管过去百年地球有所变暖,但在万年轨道尺度上,现在地球处于变冷的大趋势过程中.对现在气候变暖更合理解释,是属于变冷大趋势中的次级变暖波动;4）不论过去还是现在,大气CO2浓度变化总是落后于温度变化,即总是温度驱动着CO2变化,而不是CO2浓度驱动地球增温.     

1991-2010年中国大陆化石能源消费的CO2排放研究（英文）

本文采用IPCC推荐的表观消费量法计算了中国大陆30省区1991到2010年化石能源消费产生的CO2排放,发现:(1)排放总量由 2293.01Mt 增长到 7467.77Mt;(2)煤炭消费的排放比重最高达到79.98%;(3)人均排放量由 1.98t 增长至 5.57t;(4)CO2排放强度显著降低,由6.66 kg USD-1降至1.07kg USD-1,近年来趋于稳定;(5)区域发展不平衡始终存在,根据省际数据,在一些落后地区经济增长过度依赖于化石能源消费。关于CO2高排放,中国已经做出承诺并采取了行动。基于对可持续发展和全球气候变化不确定性的综合考虑,健康的产业结构、化石能源集约利用,以及区域发展平衡应更加受到重视。     

Circulation Around Luzon Strait in September as Inferred from CTD,Argos and Argo Measurements and a Generalized Topography-Following Ocean Model

The hydrography, wind, Argos and Argo measurements in the areas surrounding Luzon Strait were collected. Based on the hydrographic data obtained during September 1994, the improved Princeton Ocean Model using a generalized topography-following coordinate system together with a modified inverse method was applied to study the circulation in September. Observations and the diagnostic simulation produce a consistent circulation pattern, and the main dynamical features can be summarized as follows. (1) The Kuroshio has two branches with the main Kuroshio existing above 800 m depth and the western part existing above 400 m depth. The western branch of the Kuroshio leaves the main current near 20.5°N, then flows northwestward through Luzon Strait and finally flows out of the northern boundary southwest of Taiwan, consistent with the trajectory of Argos drifters. (2) The non-linear term is important and cannot be neglected in the momentum equations in the northern part of Luzon Strait under the baroclinicity field. Using non-linear dynamics, the westward intrusion of the Kuroshio into the northern part of Luzon Strait is more curved than when using linear dynamics. However, the non-linear term is smaller and so negligible around Luzon Strait under the homogeneous density field. (3) In the area from 117°E to 119°E and from 20.2°N to 21.7°N, an anticyclonic eddy appears east of Dongsha Islands. (4) At depths above 400 m, the circulation is mainly dominated by the basin-scale cyclonic gyre. (5) In the computational domain west of 121°E, the circulation below 800 m is mainly dominated by the basin-scale anticyclonic gyre. (6) The South China Sea water flows eastward across Luzon Strait in the middle layers, then turns cyclonically, finally flowing northward into the region east of Taiwan Island, which is qualitatively in agreement with the trajectories of Argo floats at about 1000 m depth in the area east of 121°E.

RÉSUMÉ?[Traduit par la rédaction] Nous avons rassemblé l'hydrographie, le vent, les Argo et les mesures Argo dans les régions avoisinant le détroit de Luçon. Sur la base des données hydrographiques relevées durant le mois de septembre 1994, nous avons appliqué le modèle océanique amélioré de Princeton utilisant un système de coordonnées « suivant le terrain » généralisé de pair avec une méthode inverse modifiée pour étudier la circulation en septembre. Les observations et la simulation diagnostique produisent une configuration de circulation cohérente dont on peut résumer comme suit les principales caractéristiques dynamiques. (1) Le Kuroshio possède deux branches : le Kuroshio principal existant au-dessus d'une profondeur de 800 m et la partie ouest existant au-dessus d'une profondeur de 400 m. La branche ouest du Kuroshio quitte le courant principal aux environs de 20,5°N et se dirige vers le nord-ouest à travers le détroit de Luçon pour finalement franchir la limite nord du détroit au sud-ouest de Taïwan, ce qui correspond à la trajectoire des bouées dérivantes Argos. (2) Le terme non linéaire dans les équations est important et ne peut pas être considéré négligeable de quantité de mouvement dans la partie nord du détroit de Luçon dans le champ de baroclinité. Lorsqu'on utilise la dynamique non linéaire, l'intrusion vers l'ouest du Kuroshio dans la partie nord du détroit de Luçon est plus incurvée que lorsqu'on utilise la dynamique linéaire. Cependant, le terme non linéaire est plus petit et donc négligeable autour du détroit de Luçon dans le champ de densité homogène. (3) Dans la région allant de 117°E à 119°E et de 20,2°N à 21,7°N, un remous anticyclonique apparaît à l'est des îles Dongsha. (4) Aux profondeurs inférieures à 400 m, la circulation est principalement dominée par le gyre cyclonique à l’échelle du bassin. (5) Dans le domaine de calcul à l'ouest de 121°E, la circulation sous 800 m est principalement dominée par le gyre anticyclonique à l’échelle du bassin. (6) Les eaux de la mer de Chine méridionale s’écoulent vers l'est à travers le détroit de Luçon dans les couches intermédiaires, puis tournent de façon cyclonique pour finalement s’écouler vers le nord dans la région à l'est de l’île Taïwan, ce qui, qualitativement, s'accorde avec la trajectoire des flotteurs Argo à environ 1000 m de profondeur dans la région à l'est de 121°E.     

Modeling Methane Emissions from Paddy Rice Fields under Elevated Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Conditions

Methane(CH4 ) emissions from paddy rice fields substantially contribute to the dramatic increase of this greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.Due to great concern about climate change,it is necessary to predict the effects of the dramatic increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide(CO2 ) on CH4 emissions from paddy rice fields.CH4MOD 1.0 is the most widely validated model for simulating CH4 emissions from paddy rice fields exposed to ambient CO2(hereinafter referred to as aCO2 ).We upgraded the model to CH4MOD 2.0 b...