Troposphere gradients from the ECMWF in VLBI analysis

Modeling path delays in the neutral atmosphere for the analysis of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations has been improved significantly in recent years by the use of elevation-dependent mapping functions based on data from numerical weather models. In this paper, we present a fast way of extracting both, hydrostatic and wet, linear horizontal gradients for the troposphere from data of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model, as it is realized at the Vienna University of Technology on a routine basis for all stations of the International GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) Service (IGS) and International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS) stations. This approach only uses information about the refractivity gradients at the site vertical, but no information from the line-of-sight. VLBI analysis of the CONT02 and CONT05 campaigns, as well as all IVS-R1 and IVS-R4 sessions in the first half of 2006, shows that fixing these a priori gradients improves the repeatability for 74% (40 out of 54) of the VLBI baseline lengths compared to fixing zero or constant a priori gradients, and improves the repeatability for the majority of baselines compared to estimating 24-h offsets for the gradients. Only if 6-h offsets are estimated, the baseline length repeatabilities significantly improve, no matter which a priori gradients are used.     

天山乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川物质平衡对气候变化的敏感性研究

应用度日物质平衡模式对天山乌鲁木齐河源１号冰川物质平衡及平衡线高度对气候变化的敏感性进行了研究．结果表明,位于大陆性气候区且具有暖季补给特征的乌鲁木齐河源１号冰川物质平衡对气候变化的敏感性要小于海洋性冰川,升温１℃或增加２０％的降水可引起平衡线上升８１ｍ或下降３１ｍ．此外,气温与降水在物质平衡形成过程中的作用是不同的,气温引起物质平衡剖面以旋转方式变化,而降水可导致其平移方式的响应．若未来升温２℃时,即使降水增加３０％,１号冰川向负平衡变化仍然不能得到遏制．     

Geothermal energy prospects in Brazil: A preliminary analysis

Results of geothermal gradient measurements in 44 localities in Brazil are presented. The Precambrian shield areas are found to be characterized by relatively low temperature gradients in the range 6 to 20°C/km while younger sedimentary basins are characterized by gradients in the range 15 to 35°C/km. An inverse correlation between geothermal gradient and tectonic age has been observed. This as well as the favourable hydrological conditions suggest that the best sites for extraction of geothermal energy in Brazil are the younger sedimentary basins. The Parana Basin is found to offer at present the best site for extraction of geothermal energy in Brazil. Preliminary examination of the temperature distributions in the major aquifer (Botucatu sandstone) suggest that this aquifer contains substantial quantities of warm waters in the temperature range 40 to 90°C. The water layer in this confined aquifer is in convective motion and can be considered as a low enthalphy geothermal system. Many of the routine uses to which geothermal waters are put, such as space heating and soil warming, are not applicable in Brazil mainly because of the favourable climatic conditions. Conversion of this geothermal energy into electrical energy is also unlikely to be economical. Hence we do not consider the Parana Basin geothermal system as an independent ec9nomically exploitable energy resource. However, a few other applications are pointed out where geothermal waters can be used as a supplementary or supporting energy source in increasing the efficiency of economically viable systems utilizing hot waters.     

A review of aridity and groundwater

Surface hydrological studies are seen as inadequate in hyperarid and arid areas to provide reliable estimates of recharge. In most such areas surface discharges are not present so that assessments of groundwater resources are dependent upon ground interpretation and denied the flow control found in assessments elsewhere. Groundwater models show that gradients are sustained by long-term dewatering and very small amounts of modern indirect recharge. Recharge indications are well within the error of a hydrological balance. Discharges appear equally small. The development of groundwater in arid areas frequently faces problems of salination due to recycling of irrigation water and rising groundwater heads. Abstraction is often inadequately managed so that uncontrolled mining of groundwater occurs. The advantage that groundwater has, however, is that it offers staged development and staged appraisal.     

Late Quaternary glaciation and equilibrium-line altitudes of the Mayan Ice Cap, Guatemala, Central America

The Sierra los Cuchumatanes (3837 m), Guatemala, supported a plateau ice cap and valley glaciers around Montaña San Juan (3784 m) that totaled ∼ 43 km² in area during the last local glacial maximum. Former ice limits are defined by sharp-crested lateral and terminal moraines that extend to elevations of ∼ 3450 m along the ice cap margin, and to ca. 3000-3300 m for the valley glaciers. Equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) estimated using the area-altitude balance ratio method for the maximum late Quaternary glaciation reached as low as 3470 m for the valley glaciers and 3670 m for the Mayan Ice Cap. Relative to the modern altitude of the 0°C isotherm of ∼ 4840 m, we determined ELA depressions of 1110-1436 m. If interpreted in terms of a depression of the freezing level during maximal glaciation along the modern lapse rate of − 5.3°C km^− 1, this ΔELA indicates tropical highland cooling of ∼ 5.9 to 7.6 ± 1.2°C. Our data support greater glacial highland cooling than at sea level, implying a high tropical sensitivity to global climate changes. The large magnitude of ELA depression in Guatemala may have been partially forced by enhanced wetness associated with southward excursions of the boreal winter polar air mass.     

高海拔隧道涌突水预测分析——以四川小卡子隧道为例

小卡子隧道是连接九龙县城和石棉县城的一条便利通道,它是连接S215和S211的绿色保障,九龙和石棉之间是海拔高度4 000 m以上,九龙县城周边为高原宽谷丘陵地区,地势起伏较大。九龙至周边沿线不良地质和特殊褶皱构造发育,其中冰雪害几乎每年冬春都发生,且影响线路较长,其它地质灾害也时常暴发,致使交通事故频繁发生,成为制约九龙县发展,因而急需要对线路进行改造,拟建连接九龙县至石棉县小卡子隧道即为公路改建工程。     

自主技术无人机航空物探(磁/放)综合站研发进展

无人机航空物探技术是航空物探技术的一个新兴分支。文章首先阐述了无人机航空物探技术的国内外研发情况,然后介绍了基于国产彩虹3无人机的国内首套应用于地球物理勘查的无人机航空物探(磁/放)综合站的研究进展。基于国产彩虹3无人机平台,开展了专用飞机改装、超低空地形跟随飞控、远距离遥控遥测等关键技术攻关,集成研发了自主知识产权的无人机航空物探(磁/放)综合站样机,成功开展了面积性应用试验,综合站样机功能、性能等达到了世界先进水平。无人机航空物探(磁/放)综合站研发取得关键进展。     

几种低空高精度航空磁测系统及找矿应用分析

航空磁法测量在地质矿产勘查领域有着广泛深入的应用,特别是寻找在与磁性矿物有关的金属矿床勘查中发挥着重要的作用。但是大飞机的航磁和地面人工磁测资料已难以满足矿产勘查工作的需求,为此,近几年国内迅速发展一种新型的磁法测量手段—低空高分辨磁法测量系统。这种系统以动力滑翔机、无人飞艇或无人飞机为飞行平台,集成了当前先进的磁测仪器及相关的软件技术,并多个地区开展了1∶1万高分辨率的低空磁法测量工作,取得了较好的方法运用效果,经对比分析,这种低空磁测资料可以替代传统地面磁法测量,快速而有效地开展高精度大面积的磁法测量,为矿产勘查提供一种先进的技术手段。     

天体周日视运动过程中天体高度的变化率

天体周日视运动过程中天体的高度不断变化,对天体观测的质量有直接的影响,通过分析天体周日视运动过程中天体高度的变化率,给出不同观测时机进行天体高度观测的特性,并用曲线图的形式给出天体高度变化率的极值点和零值点。航海人员可以从更深的层次认识天体周日视运动的规律,指导天文定位过程中对天体高度的观测。     

玄武岩纤维堵漏体系在高海拔非开挖钻进中的应用研究

高海拔地区实施非开挖水平定向钻进时,裂隙发育地层的泥浆漏失不仅会影响泥浆的有效循环,还会形成大量的岩屑床,导致钻具过度磨损、摩阻异常增大、有效孔径减小等问题。针对西藏某地钻遇花岗岩裂隙,采用近景摄影测量技术对其进行量化表征,得到该区裂隙地层的缝宽<4 mm;提出采用玄武岩纤维作为裂隙封堵主剂,并建立随钻玄武岩纤维堵漏配方体系,实验结果表明：采用3、6和9 mm多级组合的玄武岩纤维堵漏效果最好,3 mm纤维复合惰性材料形成骨架结构,6和9 mm纤维可发挥一定强度的“加筋”作用。现场随钻实验结果表明：采用玄武岩纤维堵漏后,泥浆中固相含量下降幅度减少了13.14%,有效保障了长距离裂隙山体的有效、绿色、安全钻进。