The dissociation constants of carbonic acid in seawater at salinities 5 to 45 and temperatures 0 to 45°C

The pK₁^* and pK₂^* for the dissociation of carbonic acid in seawater have been determined from 0 to 45°C and S = 5 to 45. The values of pK₁^* have been determined from emf measurements for the cell:

Pt](1 − X)H2 + XCO2|NaHCO3, CO2 in synthetic seawater|AgC1; Ag

where X is the mole fraction of CO₂ in the gas. The values of pK₂^* have been determined from emf measurements on the cell:

Pt, H2(g, 1 atm)|Na2CO3, NaHCO3 in synthethic seawater|AgC1; Ag

The results have been fitted to the equations:

lnK^*₁ = 2.83655 − 2307.1266/T − 1.5529413 lnT + (−0.20760841 − 4.0484/T)S^0.5 + 0.08468345S − 0.00654208S¹

InK^*₂ = −9.226508 − 3351.6106/T− 0.2005743 lnT + (−0.106901773 − 23.9722/T)S^0.5 + 0.1130822S − 0.00846934S^1.5

where T is the temperature in K, S is the salinity, and the standard deviations of the fits are σ = 0.0048 in lnK₁^* and σ = 0.0070 in lnK₂^*.Our new results are in good agreement at S = 35 (±0.002 in pK₁^*and ±0.005 in pK₂^*) from 0 to 45°C with the earlier results of Goyet and Poisson (1989). Since our measurements are more precise than the earlier measurements due to the use of the Pt, H₂|AgCl, Ag electrode system, we feel that our equations should be used to calculate the components of the carbonate system in seawater.     

Reflection of waves from the boundary of a random elastic semi-infinite medium

In this paper the smooth perturbation technique is employed to investigate the problem of reflection of waves incident on the plane boundary of a semi-infinite elastic medium with randomly varying inhomogeneities. Amplitude ratios have been obtained for various types of incident and reflected waves. It has been shown that an incidentSH orSV type of wave gives rise to reflectedSH, P andSV waves, the main components beingSH andP, SV in the respective cases. The reflected amplitudes have been calculated depending upon the randomness of the medium to the square of the small quantity , where measures the deviation of the medium from homogeneity. An incidentP-type wave produces mainly aP component and also a weakSH component to the order of ². The reflected amplitudes obtainable for elastic media are also altered by terms of the same order. The direction of the reflected wave is influenced by randomness in some cases.     

Similarity of palaeocurrent: A tool for stratigraphic correlation

Conventional stratigraphic correlations are based on similarity of lithology, order of superposition, marker bed, unconformity, grade of metamorphism, fossil content and geochronology of the rock units. The Gondwana strata have been correlated referring to the above mentioned criteria. In the present work, the Talchir and Karharbari formations of two adjacent Gondwana basins separated by over 200 Km were examined with respect to their palaeocurrent directions. The study suggests that the palaeocurrent populations of different formations in both the basins are statistically dissimilar, this is because, both are stratigraphically distinct in order of superposition and thus are not correlatable. On the other hand, the palaeocurrent populations of the same formation in both the basins are statistically similar and stratigraphically correlatable. It is suggested that the similarity of palaeocurrent can be regarded as a criterion for stratigraphic correlation at least in local and regional scale.     

Influence of physico-mechanical properties of Indian dimension stones on cutting rate of diamond wire saw

Cutting performance of diamond wire saw is a key factor influencing mine planning, production scheduling, and equipment selection for dimension stone quarries. It is normally measured in terms of cutting rate. Rock samples collected from various granite and marble quarries in India were tested in laboratory to determine their physico-mechanical properties. Cutting rate of diamond wire saw was measured in the field studies during the actual cutting process in quarries. Using these laboratory determined properties and the cutting rate, a multiple linear regression model has been developed to predict the cutting rate of diamond wire saw. Physico-mechanical properties of rocks determined in laboratory are used as independent variables and cutting rate as predictor variable in the regression model. The study indicates that the cutting rate increases with a decrease in most of the hardness and strength parameters of rock. The final model is tested for its goodness of fit indicating a significant linear relation between cutting rate and physico-mechanical properties, namely tensile strength, slake durability index, and Cerchar hardness index with regression coefficient of 94%. The resulting model can be used suitably for different types of hard to medium hard and soft dimension stones. The generalized model for estimating the cutting rate becomes a handy tool for mining engineers to work out operating efficiency, expenses, planning etc. of the dimension stone block cutting.     

Exact solution of a problem in a stellar atmosphere using the Laplace transform and the Wiener-Hopf technique

The general equation for radiative transfer of line scattering intensity — including the effects of scattering, absorption and thermal emission — in the Milne-Eddington model is considered here. The scattering function is assumed to be quadratically anisotropic in the cosine of the scattering angle, and Planck's intensity function is assumed for thermal emission. The exact solutions for emergent intensity from the bounding face and the intensity at any optical depth are obtained by the method of the Laplace transform in combination with the Wiener-Hopf technique.     

Exact solution of the problem of diffuse reflection and transmission by the method of Laplace transform and linear singular operators

The basic integro-differential equation is subjected to a one-sided finite Laplace transform to obtain linear integral equations of angular distribution of bounding faces. These linear integral equations have been transformed into linear singular integral equations which have been solved exactly to get the emergent distributions from the bounding faces by the theory of linear singular operators. Some solutions of linear singular integral equations have also been derived for future use in radiative transfer problems.     

Exact solution of a problem in radiative transfer by the laplace transform and the Wiener-Hopf technique when the incoming intensity at the surface is known

We consider the problem of determining the emergent intensity from the bounding face of a semi-infinite atmosphere having conservative scattering and the intensity at any optical depth by use of the Laplace transform in combination with the Wiener-Hopf technique when the incoming intensity at the bounding face of the atmosphere is known. The solution is exact.     

Exact solution of a key equation in a finite stellar atmosphere by the method of Laplace transform and linear singular operators

The key equation which commonly appears for radiative transfer in a finite stellar atmosphere having ground reflection according to Lambert's law is considered in this paper. The exact solution of this equation is obtained for surface quantities in terms of theX-Y equations of Chandrasekhar by the method of Laplace transform and linear singular operators. This exact method is widely applicable for obtaining the solution for surface quantities in a finite atmosphere.     

Heavy minerals of the Barakar Formation,Talchir Gondwana Basin,Orissa

Heavy mineral analysis has been carried out in the Barakar Formation of the Talchir Gondwana Bbasin, Orissa. The characteristic heavy minerals are garnet, zircon, tourmaline, rutile, biotite, chlorite, pyroxenes, hornblende, staurolite, sillimanite, apatite, epidote, sphene, spinel and siderite including opaques and leucoxene. These heavy minerals are divisible into four groups on the basis of principal component analysis and suggest derivation of Barakar sediments from pegmatite, acid and basic igneous as well as low- and high-rank metamorphic rocks lying to the south of the Talchir Gondwana Basin. Though the heavy mineral suites of all the sandstone samples are by and large similar, differences have been noticed in the frequencies of many heavy minerals in vertical succession. Cyclic nature and vertical fluctuation of heavy mineral frequencies can be ascribed to variation of the relief of the source area, sudden release of some of the minerals in the source region and/or existence of favourable geochemical condition to escape partial dissolution.     

Method to improve the mitigative effectiveness of a series of check dams against debris flows

The advance of technology has led to more competent countermeasures, but lives and properties still continue to suffer from water‐induced disasters, such as floods, landslides, and debris flows. To increase the effectiveness of counter systems, improved methods of planning and designing such systems are prerequisite. This paper describes briefly a methodological approach for predicting debris flow characteristics, and proposes techniques for evaluating and improving the mitigative effectiveness of check dams against debris flows in steep mountain torrents. Additionally, a non‐dimensional parameter, namely potential storage volume, is introduced to generalize the evaluation processes. As an example, the 1999 debris‐flow event in the San Julian River, Venezuela, is chosen for discussion. The paper also proposes a method of evaluating the control function of a series of check dams as well as the criteria for the selection of their sizes, numbers and locations. It is hoped that this work will help to determine which combinations of check dams will fit best together for the optimal control of debris flows and available resources in any river basin. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.