A time-varying parameter model of a body oscillating in pitch

Among the assumptions upon which linear time-invariant models of floating bodies are based is that the body motions are so small that any change in the body’s angular position can be disregarded. However, it is often a major design requirement of a wave energy conversion device that the response amplitude is large, thereby invalidating one of the assumptions of the linear model. In particular, the immersed geometry of a body undergoes considerable variation when it is moved in pitch. With regard to this we investigate the difference in performance between a quasi-linear model in which the change of immersed surface is modelled by time-varying parameters and a basic linear model in which the immersed surface is time-invariant. The time-varying parameter model is realized by interpolation between the appropriate parameter values of a set of linear time-invariant (LTI) models derived for the different immersed surfaces that occur at discrete body displacements. It is shown that the responses predicted using the time-varying parameter model are closer to those measured experimentally than those of a standard frequency-domain model. Particular improvement occurs when the responses are large, such as at or near the resonance frequency. A problem which may limit the general use of the model is also discussed.     

X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for field analysis of metals in marine sediments

The accuracy, precision and performance of a field-portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer was evaluated for the determination of metals in marine sediments both in the laboratory and, more importantly, on board a small research vessel. The XRF performed with minimal problems on board the survey vessel and provided precise, near-real-time determination of metals at levels indicative of contamination in samples obtained by sediment grabs. Analytical results obtained on the wet, bulk samples in the field and on the dry, homogenized samples in the laboratory were comparable.     

Determination of predevelopment denudation rates of an agricultural watershed (Cayaguás River, Puerto Rico) using in-situ-produced Be in river-borne quartz

Accurate estimates of watershed denudation absent anthropogenic effects are required to develop strategies for mitigating accelerated physical erosion resulting from human activities, to model global geochemical cycles, and to examine interactions among climate, weathering, and uplift. We present a simple approach to estimate predevelopment denudation rates using in-situ-produced cosmogenic ¹⁰Be in fluvial sediments. Denudation processes in an agricultural watershed (Cayaguás River Basin, Puerto Rico) and a matched undisturbed watershed (Icacos River Basin) were compared using ¹⁰Be concentrations in quartz for various size fractions of bed material. The coarse fractions in both watersheds bear the imprint of long subsurface residence times. Fine material from old shallow soils contributes little, however, to the present-day sediment output of the Cayaguás. This confirms the recent and presumably anthropogenic origin of the modern high denudation rate in the Cayaguás Basin and suggests that pre-agricultural erosional conditions were comparable to those of the present-day Icacos.     

Ion winds in Saturn's southern auroral/polar region

We present profiles of the line-of-sight (l.o.s.) ionospheric wind velocities in the southern auroral/polar region of Saturn. Our velocities are derived from the measurement of Doppler shifting of the H₃⁺ν₂Q(1,0⁻) line at 3.953 microns. The data for this study were obtained using the facility high-resolution spectrometer CSHELL on the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Mauna Kea, Hawaii, during the night of February 6, 2003 (UT). The l.o.s. velocity profiles finally derived are consistent with an extended region of the upper atmosphere sub-corotating with the planet: the ion velocities in the inertial reference are only 1/3 of those expected for full planetary corotation. We discuss the results in the light of recent proposals for the kronian magnetosphere, and suggest that, in this region, Saturn's ion winds may be under solar wind control.     

MAJOR ELEMENT COMPOSITIONAL VARIATION WITHIN AND BETWEEN DIFFERENT LATE EOCENE MICROTEKTITE STREWNFIELDS

Major element compositional overlap exists between microspherules of different microtektite layers or strewnfields. For this reason, microspherules of similar composition cannot, a priori, be assumed to belong to the same microtektite event and those of different compositions cannot, a priori, be assumed to result from different events. Nevertheless, despite major element compositional overlap between microspherules of different strewnfields, multivariate factor analysis shows microtektites and related microspherules of three stratigraphically different late Eocene layers to follow recognizably different compositional trends. The microtektite population of the North American strewnfield (Globorotalia cerroazulensis Zone) follows compositionally well defined trends and is characterized by high concentrations of SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and TiO₂. The microspherule population of the slightly older crystal-bearing Globorotalia cerroazulensis Zone microspherule layer is more heterogeneous and characterized by microspherules which are relatively enriched in FeO and MgO and relatively impoverished in SiO₂ and TiO₂. The microspherule population of the oldest microspherule layer in the uppermost Globigerapsis semiinvoluta Zone is highly heterogeneous and characterized by microspherules which are relatively enriched in CaO and impoverished in Al₂O₃ and Na₂O. Individual microspherules of this oldest late Eocene horizon often exhibit major element compositions similar to those of the lower Gl. cerroazulensis Zone layer and occasionally exhibit major element compositions similar to North American layer microtektites. Nevertheless, late Eocene microspherule occurrences can be assigned to appropriate late Eocene microtektite horizons on the basis of major element compositional trends.     

Estimation of the responses of axisymmetric bodies in spread irregular waves

A method is presented of estimating the responses of axisymmetric bodies floating in spread irregular seas, using a Laplace transfer-function formulation of a floating body time-domain model. A general-case spread-wave model is formulated, using separate wave excitation transfer functions, and a simplification of this approach is proposed, reducing both model complexity and computation time. Responses are computed using both approaches and a comparison made to assess the circumstances in which the simplified approach may be used effectively. The results are also interpreted to highlight the implications of using an equivalent unidirectional wave as an approximation to a spread wave.     

Radium and barium at GEOSECS stations in the Atlantic and Pacific

²²⁶Ra and Ba show a general linear correlation in the oceanic water column within the uncertainties of the data: the slope of the line is about 4.6 nanomoles (nmoles) Ra/mole Ba, the intercept being at about 4 nmoles Ba/kg. This demonstrates the usefulness of Ba as a “chemical analogue” of Ra. Box-model calculations indicate that the average deep-water excess of Ra over Ba should be about 10% relative to the surface. This is consistent with the observations outside the deep northeast Pacific. However, the uncertainties in the data are such that the regional variation in the primary input cannot be resolved. In the deep waters of the North Pacific there is in fact a large excess of Ra relative to Ba. The one detailed profile presently available (204) can be explained consistently by a simple vertical advection-diffusion model.     

Marine geochemistry—2: scavenging redux

Inorganic surfaces sorb dissolved and particulate phases from seawater onto organic films from a variety of sources. Heavy metals such as Au, Pt, Mn and Cd come to the coatings primarily from particulate phases. This observation confirms a previous finding of this laboratory for the uptake of U, Pu and Po. With depth in the open ocean there are greater contributions from the dissolved phases. Microbial and photochemical processes can enrich surfaces in some metals through reduction reactions. Copper and Mn enrichments in the films are attributed to the photo-reductions of Cu(II) to Cu(I) and manganese oxides to Mn(II), respectively, while the uptake of Mo is a consequence of the reduction, mediated by organisms, of molybdate to Mo(V) or Mo(IV). Cadmium, on the other hand, appears to be bioaccumulated in the films.