Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remote sensing of precipitation over Indian land and oceanic regions by synergistic use of multisatellite sensors

[1] In the present study, an attempt was made to estimate rainfall by synergistically analyzing collocated thermal infrared (TIR) brightness temperatures from Meteosat along with rainfall estimates from active microwave precipitation radar (PR) on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) over Indian land and oceanic regions. In this study, we used broad and frequent TIR measurements from a geostationary satellite for rainfall estimation, calibrating them with sparse but more accurate PR rain rates. To make the algorithm robust, we used a two-step procedure. First, a cloud classification scheme was applied to TIR measurements using the 6.7 μm water vapor channel and TIR radiances to delineate the rain-bearing clouds. Next, the concurrent TIR and PR observations were used to establish a regression relation between them. The relationship thus established was used to estimate rainfall from TIR measurements by applying it to rain-producing systems during southwest and northeast monsoons and tropical cyclones. Comparisons were made with TRMM-merged (3B42 V6) data, Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) monthly rain rate data, ground-based rain gauge observations from automatic weather stations, and Doppler weather radar over India. The results from combined infrared and microwave sensors were in very good agreement with the ground-based measurements, TRMM-3B42 V6, as well as GPCP.
Tubular structures of northern Wairarapa (New Zealand) as possible examples of ancient fluid expulsion in an accretionary prism: evidence from field and petrographical observations

Abstract The Cape Turnagain area is located on the inboard portion of the Hikurangi subduction margin, on the northern Wairarapa coast of the North Island of New Zealand. A 4.5 km long coastal section of sea cliffs of Mio-Pliocene sediments contains numerous tubular carbonate-rich concretions. Their morphology and petrographical observations suggest they were possibly formed by fluid flows of carbonate-rich water through a silty sediment. These tubular concretions could be fossil fluid expulsion structures similar to dewatering chimneys described offshore in New Zealand. The external diameter of the concretions observed in situ reaches 60 cm and internal canal up to 4 cm. Up to four canals are encountered in a single concretion. A positive relationship is observed between the chimney size and the number of canals or cumulative diameter of canals, suggesting that the size of the concretion is a function of the fluid which flowed through the plumbing network. The increased number of tubular concretions in upper Miocene siltstones compared to overlying Pliocene strata could be linked to a compressive event that caused overpressuring and the expulsion of fluids through the sediment pile.
Rupes Recta and the geological history of the Mare Nubium region of the Moon: insights from forward mechanical modelling of the ‘Straight Wall’

Abstract Rupes Recta, also known as the ‘Straight Wall’, is an individual normal fault located in eastern Mare Nubium on the nearside of the Moon. Age and cross-cutting relationships suggest that the maximum age of Rupes Recta is 3.2 Ga, which may make it the youngest large-scale normal fault on the Moon. Based on detailed structural mapping and throw distribution analysis, fault nucleation is interpreted to have occurred near the fault centre, and the fault has propagated bi-directionally, growing northwards and southwards by segment linkage. Forward mechanical modelling of fault topography gives a best-fitting fault dip of approximately 85°, and suggests that Rupes Recta accommodated approximately 400 m of maximum displacement and extends to a depth of around 42 km. The cumulative driving stresses required to form Rupes Recta are similar in magnitude to those that formed normal faults in Tempe Terra, Mars. The spatial and temporal association with Rima Birt, a sinuous rille to the west of Rupes Recta, suggests a genetic relationship between both structures and implies regional extension at the time of formation.
MELONPIT: A finite element code for simulating tectonic mass movement and heat flow within subduction zones

A two-dimensional heat flow model designed to predict the transient thermal consequences of mass movement in tectonically active regions is presented. Although the techniques developed have applicability to numerous tectonic and magmatic scenarios, the MELONPIT model presented here is set up to explore the thermal evolution of destructive plate margins. The solution to the time-dependent heat flow equation that allows for heat conduction, advection, and source/sinks is approximated using the finite element method (FEM). The FEM code uses an adaptive gridding approach that allows for deformation and differential movements of subgrids to simulate tectonic mass flow. This technique requires modification of the standard FEM to allow for special hybrid, triangular, four-node "slip elements" to be used along the lines of movement and standard three-node elements to be used elsewhere. The geometry and velocities of plate convergence, large-scale strain partitioning (subduction channel, slab break-off, tectonic exhumation), and erosion are described explicitly as functions of time. At present, the kinematic model involves a down-going slab, tectonic fragments that are first subducted then obducted, and a convecting (subcontinental) mantle. The thermal anomaly developing in the subduction-collision cycle, its spatial-temporal evolution during and following the tectonic exhumation, and its decay during a backthrusting stage (which involves rapid uplift and erosion) can be modeled. The accuracy of the technique has been validated by comparison of MELONPIT model results with published analytical and numerical solutions for steady-state pressure-temperature conditions along the subduction shear zone. A brief application of the model is presented that explores the thermochronologic effects of several subduction-related processes, using the Central Alps as a guide in the model setup. Results of these simulations indicate that the shape of paths linking the highest pressure stage with the thermal maximum stage is typically not as linear as interpretations of thermobarometric datasets commonly suggest. In fact, such "interpolated" paths may lead to false kinematic implications. In our models, the precise path followed in any location depends critically on the balance between opposing effects such as conductive cooling upon ascent and shear heating along major contacts, as well as the accretion of upper crustal material within the subduction channel.
Atmospheric correction of ocean color imagery in the Earth Observing System era

Sensors that can be used for the observation of ocean color in NASA's Earth Observing System era (SeaWiFS, MODIS, and MISR) have been designed with 2–4 times the radiometric sensitivity of the proof-of-concept ocean color instrument CZCS (coastal zone color scanner). To realize an improvement in the retrieval of biologically important ocean parameters, e.g., the concentration of the photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll a, from this increased sensitivity, significantly better atmospheric correction than was applied to CZCS is required. Atmospheric correction improvement necessitates the inclusion of the effects of multiple scattering, which are strongly dependent on the aerosol size distribution, concentration, and absorption properties. We review the basic concepts of atmospheric correction over the oceans and provide the details of the algorithms currently being developed for SeaWiFS, MODIS, and MISR. An alternate correction algorithm that could be of significant value in the coastal zone is described for MISR. Related issues such as the influence of aerosol vertical structure in the troposphere, polarization of the light field, sea surface roughness, and oceanic whitecaps on the sea surface are evaluated and plans for their inclusion in the algorithm are described. Unresolved issues, such as the presence of stratospheric aerosol, the appropriateness of the aerosol models used in the assessment of multiple scattering, and the identification of, and difficulties associated with the correction for, the presence of absorbing aerosols, e.g., urban pollution or mineral dust, are identified, and suggestions are provided for their resolution.
Analysis of Horizontal Strong-Motion Attenuation in the Great 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake

A large number of strong-motion records were obtained by the National Strong-Motion Observation Network System (NSMONS) of China for the Wenchuan earthquake. There are 1350 components of strong-motion records from the mainshock at 455 stations. In these stations, 164 stations are located in the range of rupture dis- tance within 400 km and 37 stations are within 100 km. The largest peak ground acceleration is 957.8 Gal from the Wolong station in the hanging wall area with rup- ture distance of 23 km. The records from 164 stations in the range of rupture distance within 400 km are used in this study to investigate the hanging wall/footwall effects, directivity effects, and attenuation characteristics of ground motions from the Wenchuan earthquake. The characteristics of ground motion attenuations are com- pared in four subareas: hanging wall area, footwall area, forward directivity area, and backward directivity area. The study results show a clear hanging wall/footwall effect in near-fault ground motions within a rupture distance of 40 km, but it appears only in the peak ground acceleration and components at short periods below 1.0 s, and a strong forward directivity effect appears in ground motions over the whole range of rupture distance and period. Furthermore, the fitting attenuation curves of the peak ground acceleration and spectral accelerations of ground motions from the Wenchuan earthquake are compared with the predicted curves by an empirical attenuation model in the hanging wall and footwall areas.
The Powers of Evaluation: The Understanding and Practice of Evaluation in youth Ministry Communities of Practice in Illinois

Evaluation is a powerful tool for improvement yet is often perceived as simply a rearview mirror into the past. A two-tier qualitative method was used to uncover the practice and understanding of evaluation among youth pastors in Illinois. Reliance on indicators, such as stories and observation, tended to reinforce assumptions in practice. Evaluation was pervasive, powerfully guided perception, and primarily implicit.
A dynamic global vegetation model for studies of the coupled atmosphere‐biosphere system

This work presents a new dynamic global vegetation model designed as an extension of an existing surface‐vegetation‐atmosphere transfer scheme which is included in a coupled ocean‐atmosphere general circulation model. The new dynamic global vegetation model simulates the principal processes of the continental biosphere influencing the global carbon cycle (photosynthesis, autotrophic and heterotrophic respiration of plants and in soils, fire, etc.) as well as latent, sensible, and kinetic energy exchanges at the surface of soils and plants. As a dynamic vegetation model, it explicitly represents competitive processes such as light competition, sapling establishment, etc. It can thus be used in simulations for the study of feedbacks between transient climate and vegetation cover changes, but it can also be used with a prescribed vegetation distribution. The whole seasonal phenological cycle is prognostically calculated without any prescribed dates or use of satellite data. The model is coupled to the IPSL‐CM4 coupled atmosphere‐ocean‐vegetation model. Carbon and surface energy fluxes from the coupled hydrology‐vegetation model compare well with observations at FluxNet sites. Simulated vegetation distribution and leaf density in a global simulation are evaluated against observations, and carbon stocks and fluxes are compared to available estimates, with satisfying results.
Biomass yields, soil cover, content and accumulation of nutrients of some green manure legumes grown under conditions of north of Minas Gerais, Brazil

The potential of green manure crops as conservation practice play an important role in soil quality and sustainability of agricultural systems. This field experiment was conducted in 2009 season to evaluate the performance of different green manures cultivated under Minas Gerais conditions, southeast Brazil. The treatments, in randomized blocks with three replications, were: Spontaneous vegetation (control), Sunhemp (Crotalaria juncea), Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), Velvetbeans (Mucuna aterrima, Mucuna pruriens, Mucuna deeringiana), Lablab (Lablab purpureus), Jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis), Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and mixture (all treatments). From the green manures screened, M. pruriens and the spontaneous vegetation presented the highest soil covering potential. The largest productions of fresh shoot biomass were recorded from the spontaneous vegetation, C. juncea and C. ensiformis. C. juncea and spontaneous vegetation also had the largest production of dry shoot biomass. The green manures presenting more nutrients in the shoot were the C. juncea, with higher contents of N, P, Ca, Mg and B, and spontaneous vegetation with the highest contents of K and Mg. In conclusion, the use of these green manures is promising and an appropriate technology for the reduction of chemical fertilizer use. Key words: Agroecology, Canavalia ensiformis, crop rotation, family farming, green manures.
Soil organic carbon pools in a periglacial landscape: a case study from the central Canadian Arctic

We investigated total storage and landscape partitioning of soil organic carbon (SOC) in continuous permafrost terrain, central Canadian Arctic. The study is based on soil chemical analyses of pedons sampled to 1‐m depth at 35 individual sites along three transects. Radiocarbon dating of cryoturbated soil pockets, basal peat and fossil wood shows that cryoturbation processes have been occurring since the Middle Holocene and that peat deposits started to accumulate in a forest‐tundra environment where spruce was present (∼6000 cal yrs BP). Detailed partitioning of SOC into surface organic horizons, cryoturbated soil pockets and non‐cryoturbated mineral soil horizons is calculated (with storage in active layer and permafrost calculated separately) and explored using principal component analysis. The detailed partitioning and mean storage of SOC in the landscape are estimated from transect vegetation inventories and a land cover classification based on a Landsat satellite image. Mean SOC storage in the 0–100‐cm depth interval is 33.8 kg C m−2, of which 11.8 kg C m−2 is in permafrost. Fifty‐six per cent of the total SOC mass is stored in peatlands (mainly bogs), but cryoturbated soil pockets in Turbic Cryosols also contribute significantly (17%). Elemental C/N ratios indicate that this cryoturbated soil organic matter (SOM) decomposes more slowly than SOM in surface O‐horizons. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Budget of organic carbon in a polluted atmosphere: Results from the New England Air Quality Study in 2002

[1] An extensive set of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate organic matter (POM) was measured in polluted air during the New England Air Quality Study in 2002. Using VOC ratios, the photochemical age of the sampled air masses was estimated. This approach was validated (1) by comparing the observed rates at which VOCs were removed from the atmosphere with the rates expected from OH oxidation, (2) by comparing the VOC emission ratios inferred from the data with the average composition of urban air, and (3) by the ability to describe the increase of an alkyl nitrate with time in terms of the chemical kinetics. A large part of the variability observed for oxygenated VOCs (OVOCs) and POM could be explained by a description that includes the removal of the primary anthropogenic emissions, the formation and removal of secondary anthropogenic species, and a biogenic contribution parameterized by the emissions of isoprene. The OVOC sources determined from the data are compared with the available literature, and a satisfactory agreement is obtained. The observed sub-μm POM was highly correlated with secondary anthropogenic gas-phase species, strongly suggesting that the POM was from secondary anthropogenic sources. The results are used to describe the speciation and total mass of gas- and particle-phase organic carbon as a function of the photochemical age of an urban air mass. Shortly after emission the organic carbon mass is dominated by primary VOCs, while after two days the dominant contribution is from OVOCs and sub-μm POM. The total measured organic carbon mass decreased by about 40% over the course of two days. The increase in sub-μm POM could not be explained by the removal of aromatic precursors alone, suggesting that other species must have contributed and/or that the mechanism for POM formation is more efficient than previously assumed.
Methods to compute fault images, extract fault surfaces, and estimate fault throws from 3D seismic images

ABSTRACTFault interpretation enhances our understanding of complex geologic structures and stratigraphy apparent in 3D seismic images. Common steps in this interpretation include image processing to highlight faults, the construction of fault surfaces, and estimation of fault throws. Although all three of these steps have been automated to some extent by others, fault interpretation today typically requires significant manual effort, suggesting that further improvements in automatic methods are feasible and worthwhile. I first used an efficient algorithm to compute images of fault likelihoods, strikes, and dips from a 3D seismic image. From these three fault images, I then automatically extracted fault surfaces as meshes of quadrilaterals that coincide with ridges of fault likelihood. A quadrilateral mesh is a simple data structure alongside which one can easily gather samples of the 3D seismic image. I automatically estimated fault throws by minimizing differences in values of samples gathered from oppos.
Temperature inversion in China seas

Temperature inversion was reported as a common phenomenon in the areas near the southeastern Chinese coast (region A), west and south of the Korean Peninsula (region B), and north and east of the Shandong Peninsula (region C) during October-May in the present study, based on hydrographic data archived from 1930 through 2001 (319,029 profiles). The inversion was found to be remarkable with obvious temporal and spatial variabilities in both magnitude and coverage, with higher probabilities in region A (up to about 60%) and region C (40%-50%) than in region B (15%-20%). The analysis shows that seasonal variation of the net air-sea heat flux is closely related to the occurrence time of the inversion in the three areas, while the Yangtze and Yellow river freshwater plumes in the surface layer and ocean origin saline water in the subsurface layer maintain stable stratification. It seems that the evaporation/excessive precipitation flux makes little contribution to maintaining the stable inversion. Advection of surface fresh water by the wind-driven coastal currents results in the expansion of inversion in regions A and C. The inversion lasts for the longest period in region A (October-May) sustained by the Taiwan Warm Current carrying the subsurface saline water, while evolution of the inversion in region B is mainly controlled by the Yellow Sea Warm Current.
The geochemical record in rock glaciers

AbstractA 9.5 m ice core was extracted from beneath the surficial debris cover of a rock glacier at Galena Creek, northwestern Wyoming. The core contains clean, bubble‐rich ice with silty debris layers spaced at roughly 20 cm intervals. The debris layers are similar in appearance to those in typical alpine glaciers, reflecting concentration of debris by melting at the surface during the summer ablation season. Profiles of stable isotope concentrations and electrical conductivity measurements provide independent evidence for melting in association with debris layers. These observations are consistent with a glacial origin for the ice, substantiating the glacigenic model for rock glacier formation. The deuterium excess profile in the ice indicates that the total depth of meltwater infiltration is less than the thickness of one annual layer, suggesting that isotope values and other geochemical signatures are preserved at annual resolution. This finding demonstrates the potential for obtaining useful paleocli.
Atmospheric transport and deposition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF) are toxic compounds which are dispersed through the environment by atmospheric transport and deposition. It has been previously shown that there is a varying mixture of these compounds produced by combustion (the source of these compounds). Therefore, the goal of the project was to study PCDD/F in ambient air and rain samples (the transport media linking source to sink) in an effort to enhance the understanding of the physical/chemical parameters controlling the transformation which take place during atmospheric transport and deposition. Analytical methods included high-volume air sampling, wet-only rain sampling, column chromatographic cleanup, and an electron capture, negative ionization form of gas chromatographic mass spectrometry. Air and rain samples were divided into vaporphase and particle-bound or dissolved and particle-bound fractions, respectively. The results showed that total PCDD/F concentrations in Bloomington, Indiana, has a geometric standard deviation range from 1.4 to 4.4 pg/cu m in air and from 63 to 220 pg/L in rainwater. The vapor-to-particle ratio for individual congeners ranged from 0.01 to 30. The ratio is controlled by the individual congener's vapor pressure and the ambient air temperature. Estimates of washout and the Henry's law constants were obtained using average ambient airmore » and rain data. « less
Late Pliocene-Pleistocene changes in mass accumulation rates of eolian deposits on the central Chine

[1] Late Pliocene-Pleistocene changes in the mass accumulation rates (MARs) of eolian deposits on the central Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP) are reconstructed from measured bulk sediment densities combined with sedimentation rates calculated for two loess/red clay sequences. The reconstructed MARs demonstrate that over the past 3600 kyr, distinct aridity-humidity fluctuations occurred over glacial-interglacial timescales, and these were superimposed on a gradual long-term drying trend. Comparisons of the CLP MAR record with the MAR and δ18O records for marine sediments suggest that the development of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets since the late Pliocene has played a part in increasing the aridity of central Asia. In addition, the phased uplift of the Himalaya-Tibetan Plateau evidently had a profound influence on the aridity of central Asia; this was mediated by variations in the East Asian monsoonal circulation. Correlations among dust records from ice cores, marine sediments, and terrestrial loess over the last several glacial cycles provide compelling evidence that glacial periods are characterized by higher and more variable dust fluxes than interglacial intervals. Synchronous changes in the MAR, grain size, and δ18O records reveal dynamic linkages between Asian interior aridity, paleowind intensity, and ice volume after the onset of major Northern Hemisphere glaciations.