Prestack shot-gather depth migration by a rigid flow of Gaussian wave packets

We introduce a new method for prestack depth migration of seismic common-shot gathers. The computational procedure follows standard steps of the reverse-time migration, i.e., downward continuation of the source and the receiver wavefields, followed by application of an imaging condition (e.g. zero-lag cross-correlation of these fields). In our method we first find a sparse data representation with a small number of Gaussian wave packets. We then approximate the downward wavefield propagation (for the source and the receiver fields) by a rigid flow of these wave packets along seismic rays. In this case, the wave packets are simply translated and rotated according to the ray geometry. One advantage of using Gaussian wave packets is that analytic formulas can be used for translation, rotation, and the application of the cross-correlation imaging condition. Moreover, they allow more sparse representations than competing methods. Finally we formulate a computationally and memory efficient migration procedure, as only few rays have to be traced, and since it is cheap to compute the cross-correlation for the intersecting rays.     

Identification of forbidden coronal lines of Fe x and Ni xii

The transitions 3s ²3p ⁴3d ⁴ D, ⁴ F–3s3p ⁵3d ⁴ F have been studied in the Cl i isoelectronic sequence from Ca iv to Fe x. The determination of the 3s ²3p ⁴3d quartet intervals in Fe x has led to the identification of eleven coronal lines in the region from 1463 Å to 5539 Å as forbidden transitions within this configuration. By extrapolation, an additional coronal line is identified with a similar transition in Ni xii.     

Beyond hydrogeologic evidence: challenging the current assumptions about salinity processes in the Corangamite region, Australia

In keeping with the standard scientific methods, investigations of salinity processes focus on the collection and interpretation of contemporary scientific data. However, using multiple lines of evidence from non-hydrogeologic sources such as geomorphic, archaeological and historical records can substantially add value to the scientific investigations. By using such evidence, the validity of the assumptions about salinity processes in Australian landscapes is challenged, especially the assumption that the clearing of native vegetation has resulted in rising saline groundwater in all landscapes. In the Corangamite region of south-west Victoria, salinity has been an episodic feature of the landscapes throughout the Quaternary and was present at the time of the Aboriginal inhabitants and the first pastoral settlement by Europeans. Although surface-water salinity has increased in some waterways and the area of salinised land has expanded in some landscapes, there is no recorded evidence found which supports significant rises in groundwater following widespread land-use change. In many areas, salinity is an inherent component of the region’s landscapes, and sustains world-class environmental assets that require appropriate salinity levels for their ecological health. Managing salinity requires understanding the specific salinity processes in each landscape.     

Habitat utilization by postlarval and juvenile penaeid shrimps in Mobile Bay, Alabama

Densities of juvenile and postlarval Farfantepenaeus aztecus, F. duorarum, and Litopenaeus setiferus were compared in vegetated fringing marsh and adjacent nonvegetated areas over a range of environmental conditions in Mobile Bay, Alabama. Densities of all three species were significantly greater in vegetated than nonvegetated areas, with 82% of all penaeids found in vegetated areas. Among vegetated sites, significantly lower densities were found in oligohaline areas, whereas mesohaline areas had the highest densities. Significant positive correlations were found between density and salinity for F. aztecus and F. duorarum but not for L. setiferus. Emergent vegetation is important habitat for F. aztecus and F. duorarum as reported from other locations, and our data support a similar conclusion for L. setiferus. Shoreline emergent marsh vegetation is particularly important in Mobile Bay as it represents the only extensive vegetated habitat readily available to F. aztecus, F. duorarum, and L. setiferus.     

The forbidden transitions within 3s 2 3p 5 3d of Fe ix and Ni xi and 3s 2 3p 4 3d of Fe x and Ni xii

Improved level values for 3s ² 3p ⁵ 3d and 3s ² 3p ⁴ 3d of Fe ix and Fe x are derived from the observed forbidden lines with special regard to recent accurate measurements in the vacuum-ultraviolet part of the coronal spectrum. A procedure for estimating expected relative intensities is proposed and used for an additional check on the consistency of the identifications, which now comprise 12 lines of Fe IX and 11 lines of Fe x. Finally, by use of a suitable extrapolation technique the wavelengths of corresponding lines in nickel are predicted, which leads to some new identifications and a total of 6 identified lines of Ni xi and 4 of Ni xii.