Estimating Deep Seafloor Interface and Volume Roughness Parameters Using the Multibeam-Hydrosweep System

Utilizing a hull-mounted, multinarrow beam echosounder onboard RV Polarstern, we measured variation of acoustic backscatter with incidence angles at two different sites in the Southern Oceans (Agulhas Plateau and the Riiser Larsen Sea). We modeled the data, using a composite roughness model, including water-sediment interface roughness and sediment volume roughness parameters. The model effectively uses the near normal incidence angle backscatter to determine the seafloor interface roughness parameters employing Helmholtz-Kirchhoff theory. Beyond 20° incidence angles, an application of Rayleigh-Rice theory is made by using a necessary splicing technique (combining both of the theories at 20° incidence angle). The estimated interface and volume roughness parameters are found to be in accordance with the known area geology.     

The effect of tidal inlets on open coast storm surge hydrographs

Bridge scour modeling requires storm surge hydrographs as open ocean boundary conditions for coastal waters surrounding tidal inlets. These open coast storm surge hydrographs are used to accurately determine both horizontal and vertical circulation patterns, and thus scour, within the inlet and bay for an extreme event. At present, very little information is available on the effect that tidal inlets have on these open coast storm surge hydrographs. Furthermore, current modeling practice enforces a single design hydrograph along the open coast boundary for bridge scour models. This study expands on these concepts and provides a more fundamental understanding on both of these modeling areas.     

Energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei: 4≤Z≤26 and 0.3≤E≤2 GeV amu−1

Energy spectra of cosmic ray nuclei in the charge range 5Z26 have been derived from the response of an acrylic plastic erenkov detector. Data were obtained using a balloon-borne detector and cover the energy range 320E2200 MeV amu^–1. Spectra are derived from a formal deconvolution using the method of Lezniak (1975). Relative spectra of different elements are compared by observing the charge ratios. Secondary-primary ratios are observed to decrease with increasing energy, consistent with the effect previously observed at higher energy. Primary-to-primary ratios are constant for 6Z10 and 14Z26 but vary for 10Z14. This data is found to be consistent with existing data, where comparable, and lends strong support to the idea of two separate source populations contributing to the cosmic ray composition.Work supported by University of Maryland Grant NGR 21-002-316.     

Rapid orbit determination of LEO satellites using IGS clock and ephemeris products

Different types of GPS clock and orbit data provided by the International GPS Service (IGS) have been used to assess the accuracy of rapid orbit determination for satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) using spaceborne GPS measurements. To avoid the need for reference measurements from ground-based reference receivers, the analysis is based on an undifferenced processing of GPS code and carrier-phase measurements. Special attention is therefore given to the quality of GPS clock data that directly affects the resulting orbit determination accuracy. Interpolation of clock data from the available 15 min grid points is identified as a limiting factor in the use of IGS ultra-rapid ephemerides. Despite this restriction, a 10-cm orbit determination accuracy can be obtained with these products data as demonstrated for the GRACE-B spacecraft during selected data arcs between 2002 and 2004. This performance may be compared with a 5-cm orbit determination accuracy achievable with IGS rapid and final products using 5 min clock samples. For improved accuracy, high-rate (30 s) clock solutions are recommended that are presently only available from individual IGS centers. Likewise, a reduced latency and more frequent updates of IGS ultra-rapid ephemerides are desirable to meet the requirements of upcoming satellite missions for near real-time and precise orbit determination.     

Metamorphic evolution and geochemistry of kyanite eclogites in central Rhodope,northern Greece

In central Rhodope of northern Greece, kyanite eclogites were discovered in the area of Thermes. They are strongly overprinted and exhibit a multi-stage development of minerals and mineral assemblages formed during successive stages of the exhumation. The initial high-pressure assemblage was garnet+omphacite+kyanite+zoisite+phengite+rutile+quartz. Corundum, Fe-Mg-spinel, sapphirine and högbomite occur as products of a first, high-temperature overprint, still at high pressures, whereas various symplectites [corundum-plagioclase (pl), spinel-pl, sapphirine-pl, clinopyroxene-pl, biotite-pl, amphibole-pl] grew during subsequent stages of the exhumation. Diablastic amphibole+plagioclase formed as end-products of the amphibolitization. According to geochemical data, the protoliths of the kyanite eclogites were basalts to basaltic andesites with “volcanic arc” affinities. For the high-pressure stage of metamorphism, minimum PT conditions were around 19 kbar, 700°C, while for the initial stages of the overprint, high-pressure granulite-facies conditions prevailed (T>800°C, at P>15 kbar). The PT conditions of the amphibolite facies were 8–11 kbar, 580–690°C. The kyanite eclogites of Thermes record the highest temperatures of metamorphism within the whole of Rhodope.     

Platinum-group minerals in quaternary gold placers in the upper Chindwin area of northern Burma

In the Chindwin Basin in northern Burma, there is a system of five Pleistocene terraces in which gold placers with low concentrations of platinum-group minerals (PGM) occur. Samples were taken from four sites in the Chindwin Basin and one from near an ophiolite occurrence on the northeast side of the Chindwin Basin; they were studied under the microscope, with a scanning electron microscope, and an electron microprobe. The main minerals were Pt-Fe and Os-Ir-Ru alloys, usually in a ratio between 2 and 5. In most cases, the shape of the grains allowed a quick distinction between the two types. Sperrylite, laurite, irarsite, cooperite, tulameenite, and isomertieite occur infrequently as individual mineral grains and sometimes as inclusions in the alloy grains. Braggite, platarsite, hollingworthite, bowieite, keithconnite, cuproiridsite, malanite, stibiopalladinite, geversite, kashinite, several unnamed PGM, and Fe, Ni, and Cu sulfides were observed as inclusions, mainly in the Pt-Fe alloys and also to a lesser extent in the Os-Ir-Ru alloys. Lamellar and myrmekite-like intergrowths, oriented exsolution lamellae, and idiomorphic inclusions of sulfides in the alloys indicate a magmatic origin of the PGM. The origin of the PGM is assumed to be ophiolites in northern Burma. A continual decrease in mean grain size occurred during transport.

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Platingruppenminerale in quartären Goldseifen im oberen Chindwingebiet in Nord-Burma

Zusammenfassung Im Gebiet des Chindwin Basin in Nordburma ist ein System von fünf pleistozänen Terrassen ausgebildet, in denen Goldseifen mit geringen Anteilen an PGM auftreten.PGM-Konzentrate von vier Vorkommen des Chindwin Basin und eine weitere Probe aus der Nähe eines Ophiolithvorkommens im Nordosten des Chindwin Basin wurden mit optischer Mikroskopie, Rasterelektronenmikroskopie und Mikrosonde untersucht.Hauptmineralien sind Pt-Fe-Legierungen und Os-Ir-Ru-Legierungen in einem Verhältnis von 2: 1 bis 5: 1. Ihre Morphologie kugeliger oder plattiger, teilweise idiomorpher Körner erlaubt in den meisten Fällen eine rasche Identifizierung der beiden Typen. Sehr selten treten als Einzelminerale, aber auch als Einschlüsse in Legierungen, Sperrylith, Laurit, Irarsit, Cooperit, Tulameenit und Isomertieit auf. Braggit, Platarsit, Hollingworthit, Bowieit, Keithconnit, Cuproiridsit, Malanit, Stibiopalladinit, Geversit, Kaschinit, einige unbekannte PGM und Fe-, Ni- und Cu-Sulfide wurden nr als Einschlüsse, hauptsächlich in Pt-Fe-Legierungen, weniger in Os-Ir-Ru-Legierungen, beobachtet.Lamellare und myrmekitische Verwachsungen, orientierte Entmischungen und idiomorphe Einschlüsse von Sulfiden in Legierungen weisen auf eine magmatische Entstehung der PGM hin. Die Herkunft der PGM wird in Ophiolithen Nordburmas vermutet. Beim Transport hat eine kontinuierliche Abnahme der mittleren Korngrösse stattgefunden.

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With 8 Figures     

On the determination of the closure parameters in higher-order closure models

In higher-order closure models at least the pressure redistribution and the dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy and the temperature variance have to be parameterized. Due to this, the introduction of proportionality coefficients — the so-called closure parameters — is forced, which have to be determined before the model is used. We compare a group of models which use the return-to-isotropy hypothesis (Rotta, 1951) to describe the pressure redistribution and assume local isotropy for the smallest eddies in order to parameterize the dissipation. Special concern is given to the method of Mellor and Yamada (1982). Some of the closure parameters are re-derived on the basis of sensitivity studies requiring that both shear production and buoyancy behave in a realistic way if pressure redistribution or dissipation is changed by varying the closure parameters. This set of parameters is compared with those obtained by fitting to experimental data, by use of the Monin-Obukhov similarity theory and by considering ratios of variances, covariances and mean flow gradients, respectively. It is shown that the various sets of closure parameters are at least of the same order. The differences give some insight into the advantages and disadvantages of the various determination procedures. However, the general accordance of the different parameter sets supports the assumption of universal constants.