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Selected AbstractsArtificial Recharge Through a Thick, Heterogeneous Unsaturated ZoneGROUND WATER, Issue 3 2008John A. Izbicki Thick, heterogeneous unsaturated zones away from large streams in desert areas have not previously been considered suitable for artificial recharge from ponds. To test the potential for recharge in these settings, 1.3 × 106 m3 of water was infiltrated through a 0.36-ha pond along Oro Grande Wash near Victorville, California, between October 2002 and January 2006. The pond overlies a regional pumping depression 117 m below land surface and is located where thickness and permeability of unsaturated deposits allowed infiltration and saturated alluvial deposits were sufficiently permeable to allow recovery of water. Because large changes in water levels caused by nearby pumping would obscure arrival of water at the water table, downward movement of water was measured using sensors in the unsaturated zone. The downward rate of water movement was initially as high as 6 m/d and decreased with depth to 0.07 m/d; the initial time to reach the water table was 3 years. After the unsaturated zone was wetted, water reached the water table in 1 year. Soluble salts and nitrate moved readily with the infiltrated water, whereas arsenic and chromium were less mobile. Numerical simulations done using the computer program TOUGH2 duplicated the downward rate of water movement, accumulation of water on perched zones, and its arrival at the water table. Assuming 10 × 106 m3 of recharge annually for 20 years, a regional ground water flow model predicted water level rises of 30 m beneath the ponds, and rises exceeding 3 m in most wells serving the nearby urban area. [source] Influences of grass and moss on runoff and sediment yield on sloped loess surfaces under simulated rainfallHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 18 2006Chengzhong Pan Abstract It is important to evaluate the impacts of grasses on soil erosion process so as to use them effectively to control soil and water losses on the Loess Plateau. Laboratory-simulated rainfall experiments were conducted to investigate the runoff and sediment processes on sloped loess surfaces with and without the aboveground parts of grasses and moss (GAM: grass and moss; NGAM: no grass and moss) under slope gradients of 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25° and 30°. The results show that runoff from GAM and NGAM plots increased up to a slope gradient of 10° and decreased thereafter, whereas the runoff coefficients increased with gradient. The average runoff rates and runoff coefficients of NGAM plots were less than those of GAM plots except for the 5° slope. This behaviour may be due to the reduction in water infiltration under moss. The difference between GAM and NGAM plots in average runoff rates varied from 1·4 to 8%. At the same gradients, NGAM plots yielded significantly (, = 0·05) more sediment than GAM plots. Average sediment deliveries for different slopes varied from 0·119 to 3·794 g m,2 min,1 from GAM plots, and from 0·765 to 16·128 g m,2 min,1 from NGAM plots. Sediment yields from GAM plots were reduced by 45 to 85%, compared with those from the NGAM plots. Plots at 30° yielded significantly higher sediments than at the other gradients. Total sediments S increased with slope gradients G in a linear form, i.e. S = 9·25G , 39·6 with R2 = 0·77*, for the GAM plots, and in an exponential model, i.e. S = 40·4 exp(0·1042G) with R2 = 0·93**, for the NGAM plots. In all cases, sediment deliveries decreased with time, and reached a relative steady state at a rainfall duration of 14 min. Compared with NGAM plots, the final percentage reductions in sediment delivery from GAM plots were higher than those at the initial time of rainfall at all slopes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Advanced oxidation of cork-processing wastewater using Fenton's reagent: kinetics and stoichiometryJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 4 2004Jesús Beltrán de Heredia Abstract This work evaluates Fenton oxidation for the removal of organic matter (COD) from cork-processing wastewater. The experimental variables studied were the dosages of iron salts and hydrogen peroxide. The COD removal ranged from 17% to 79%, depending on the reagent dose, and the stoichiometric reaction coefficient varied from 0.08 to 0.43 g COD (g H2O2),1 (which implies an efficiency in the use of hydrogen peroxide varying from 17% to 92%). In a study of the process kinetics, based on the initial rates method, the COD elimination rate was maximum when the molar ratio [H2O2]o:[Fe2+]o was equal to 10. Under these experimental conditions, the initial oxidation rate was 50.5 mg COD dm,3 s,1 with a rate of consumption of hydrogen peroxide of 140 mg H2O2 dm,3 s,1, implying an efficiency in the use of the hydrogen peroxide at the initial time of 77%. The total amount of organic matter removed by Fenton oxidation was increased by spreading the H2O2 and ferrous salt reagent over several fractions by 15% for two-fractions and by 21% for three-fractions. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry [source] A natural redundancy-resolution for 3-D multi-joint reaching under the gravity effectJOURNAL OF FIELD ROBOTICS (FORMERLY JOURNAL OF ROBOTIC SYSTEMS), Issue 11 2005Masahiro Sekimoto A simple control method for 3-dimensional multi-joint reaching movements under redundancy of degrees of freedom (DOF) is proposed, which need neither introduce any performance index to solve inverse kinematics uniquely nor calculate pseudo-inverse of the Jacobian matrix of task coordinates with respect to joint coordinates. The proposed control signal is composed of linear superposition of three terms: (1) angular-velocity feedback for damping shaping, (2) task-space position error feedback with a single stiffness parameter, and (3) compensation for gravity force on the basis of estimates for uncertain parameters of the potential energy without calculation any inverse joint position to the target in task space. Through a theoretical analysis of the closed-loop dynamics and a variety of computer simulations by using a whole arm model with five DOFs, the importance of synergistic adjustments of damping factors as well as its relation to selection of the stiffness parameter is pointed out. It is shown that if damping factors are chosen synergistically corresponding to the inertia matrix at the initial time and the stiffness parameter then the endpoint converges asymptotically to the target position and reaches it smoothly without incurring any self-motion. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] Continuous dependence on the geometry and on the initial time for a class of parabolic problems IMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 15 2007L. E. Payne Abstract In this paper, we investigate the continuous dependence on the geometry and the initial time for solutions u(x, t) of a class of nonlinear parabolic initial-boundary value problems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Continuous dependence on the geometry and on the initial time for a class of parabolic problems IIMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 15 2007G. A. Philippin Abstract Extending the investigations initiated in an earlier paper, the authors deal in this paper with the solutions of another class of initial-boundary value problems for which continuous dependence inequalities on the geometry and the initial time are established. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A critical look at the kinematic-wave theory for sedimentation,consolidation processes in closed vesselsMATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE APPLIED SCIENCES, Issue 16 2001R. Bürger Abstract The two-phase flow of a flocculated suspension in a closed settling vessel with inclined walls is investigated within a consistent extension of the kinematic wave theory to sedimentation processes with compression. Wall boundary conditions are used to spatially derive one-dimensional field equations for planar flows and flows which are symmetric with respect to the vertical axis. We analyse the special cases of a conical vessel and a roof-shaped vessel. The case of a small initial time and a large time for the final consolidation state leads to explicit expressions for the flow fields, which constitute an important test of the theory. The resulting initial-boundary value problems are well posed and can be solved numerically by a simple adaptation of one of the newly developed numerical schemes for strongly degenerate convection-diffusion problems. However, from a physical point of view, both the analytical and numerical results reveal a deficiency of the general field equations. In particular, the strongly reduced form of the linear momentum balance turns out to be an oversimplification. Included in our discussion as a special case are the Kynch theory and the well-known analyses of sedimentation in vessels with inclined walls within the framework of kinematic waves, which exhibit the same shortcomings. In order to formulate consistent boundary conditions for both phases in a closed vessel and in order to predict boundary layers in the presence of inclined walls, viscosity terms should be taken into account. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Tropical-cyclone intensification and predictability in a minimal three-dimensional modelTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 636 2008Seoleun Shin Abstract We investigate the amplification and predictability of tropical cyclones in the context of a minimal, three-dimensional numerical model. In the prototype problem for intensification, starting with a tropical storm strength vortex in a quiescent environment on an f -plane, the emergent flow in the inner region of the vortex becomes highly asymmetric and dominated by deep convective vortex structures, even though the problem as posed is essentially axisymmetric. The details of the intensification process, including the asymmetric structures that develop, are highly sensitive to small perturbations in the low-level moisture field at the initial time. This sensitivity is manifest in a significant spread in the intensity of vortices from an ensemble of calculations in which random moisture perturbations are added in the lowest model level. Similar experiments are carried out on a ,-plane and in the case where there is an anticyclonic shear flow at upper levels. The former set shows no significant difference from the f -plane calculations in the evolution of intensity, but the latter set shows a significantly weaker vortex, contrary to a broadly held hypothesis that upper-level outflow channels are favourable to intensification. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Tropical-cyclone intensification and predictability in three dimensionsTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 632 2008Nguyen Van Sang Abstract We present numerical-model experiments to investigate the dynamics of tropical-cyclone amplification and its predictability in three dimensions. For the prototype amplification problem beginning with a weak-tropical-storm-strength vortex, the emergent flow becomes highly asymmetric and dominated by deep convective vortex structures, even though the problem as posed is essentially axisymmetric. The asymmetries that develop are highly sensitive to the boundary-layer moisture distribution. When a small random moisture perturbation is added in the boundary layer at the initial time, the pattern of evolution of the flow asymmetries is changed dramatically, and a non-negligible spread in the local and azimuthally-averaged intensity results. We conclude, first, that the flow on the convective scales exhibits a degree of randomness, and only those asymmetric features that survive in an ensemble average of many realizations can be regarded as robust; and secondly, that there is an intrinsic uncertainty in the prediction of maximum intensity using either maximum-wind or minimum-surface-pressure metrics. There are clear implications for the possibility of deterministic forecasts of the mesoscale structure of tropical cyclones, which may have a major impact on the intensity and on rapid intensity changes. Some other aspects of vortex structure are addressed also, including vortex-size parameters, and sensitivity to the inclusion of different physical processes or higher spatial resolution. We investigate also the analogous problem on a ,-plane, a prototype problem for tropical-cyclone motion. A new perspective on the putative role of the wind--evaporation feedback process for tropical-cyclone intensification is offered also. The results provide new insight into the fluid dynamics of the intensification process in three dimensions, and at the same time suggest limitations of deterministic prediction for the mesoscale structure. Larger-scale characteristics, such as the radius of gale-force winds and ,-gyres, are found to be less variable than their mesoscale counterparts. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Three-dimensional variational assimilation of Special Sensor Microwave/Imager data into a mesoscale weather-prediction model: A case studyTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 626 2007C. Faccani Abstract Assimilation of data from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) is performed in order to improve the forecast of a heavy-precipitation case (IOP2b, 20,21 September 1999) of the Mesoscale Alpine Programme 1999. The three-dimensional variational data assimilation technique of the MM5 model is used. Either brightness temperatures or precipitable water and surface wind speed are assimilated. The sensitivity of the model to SSM/I data is also tested by selectively excluding SSM/I frequencies and changing the size of the thinning box. All the experiments are performed using the European Center for Medium range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) analysis on pressure level. The new initial conditions show considerable underestimation of the surface wind component V, and, even more, of the surface water vapour mixing ratio. This last error is partially corrected by assimilation of precipitable water alone, although these data produce a large increase in the mean error of the other surface variables (U, V and T). However, the forecast with this new set of initial conditions shows a good agreement (high correlation coefficient) with the rain gauge observations for the 1 h accumulated precipitation 3 h after the initial time. With a doubled box size, there is low sensitivity to the density of the observations used. In this case, the effect of the SSM/I data is slight, and the rainfall pattern produced is comparable to that obtained without any data assimilation. The model performance is also degraded if the 22 GHz brightness temperatures are removed from the assimilated measurements: the correlation coefficient for the precipitation is lower than in the case where all the frequencies are assimilated, and it decreases over time. In general, the use of precipitable water and surface wind speed affects the early stages (3 h) of the rainfall forecast, reducing the model spin-up. Brightness temperatures affect the forecast at a longer range (10 h). Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Singular vectors and excess growths in semi-implicit non-hydrostatic modelsTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 619 2006T. J. PAYNE Abstract In this note we show how the use of a semi-implicit time discretization in a linearized non-hydrostatic model can permit very large non-modal perturbation energy growth. This occurs in a single normal-length time step when a hydrostatically unbalanced increment at initial time is mapped to an approximately balanced increment. The energy growth is typically far larger than that of the leading meteorological singular vector (SV) over the course of a 12-hour optimization time interval so, unless action is taken, the leading SVs obtained with this discretization are meteorologically spurious. We show that the excess growths can be prevented by imposing a condition on the relation between the predictor (explicit) step and corrector (implicit) step of the semi-implicit method. We apply this condition to the Met Office's ,perturbation forecast' model to obtain SVs with admissible growth rates. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Data assimilation of high-density observations.THE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 605 2005I: Impact on initial conditions for the MAP/SOP IOP2b Abstract An attempt is made to evaluate the impact of the data assimilation of high-frequency data on the initial conditions. The data assimilation of all the data available on the Mesoscale Alpine Program archive for a test case is performed using the objective analysis and the Variational Data Assimilation (Var) techniques. The objective analysis is performed using two different schemes: Cressman and multiquadric; 3D-Var is used for the variational analysis. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts analyses are used as first guess, and they are blended together with the observations to generate an improved set of mesoscale initial and boundary conditions for the Intensive Observing Period 2b (17,21 September 1999). A few experiments are performed using the initialization procedure of MM5, the mesoscale model from Penn State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research. The comparison between improved initial conditions and observations shows: (i) the assimilation of the surface and upper-air data has a large positive impact on the initial conditions depending on the technique used for the objective analysis; (ii) a large decrease of the error for the meridional component of the wind V at the initial time is found, if assimilation of three-hourly data is performed by objective analysis; (iii) a comparable improvement of the initial conditions with respect to the objective analysis is found if 3D-Var is used, but a large error is obtained for the V component of the wind. Copyright © 2005 Royal Meteorological Society [source] Interpretations of the total energy and rotational energy norms applied to determination of singular vectorsTHE QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Issue 566 2000Ronald M. Errico Abstract The interpretation of the commonly-used energy norm is examined in the context of a simple vertically-discrete model. The norm is shown to include expressions for kinetic and available potential energy in addition to an expression for a portion of unavailable potential energy. Another norm is then introduced that only includes the rotational-mode contribution to these. The characterization of the two norms in terms of corresponding covariance functions is shown to be quite different, with that for the latter norm looking more like prior error statistics used in synoptic-scale data assimilation. The leading singular vectors are determined for both norms. Those computed for the new norm have slower associated growth. Their corresponding structures are similar at the initial time, however, with some notable differences, but after 24 hours their shapes are almost identical. The new norm has advantages over the old norm for some applications; e.g. for effectively filtering ageostrophic, convectively-driven singular vectors and for being more consistent with a spatially and dynamically correlated error norm. [source] Liouville and Fokker,Planck dynamics for classical plasmas and radiationANNALEN DER PHYSIK, Issue 6 2006R.F. Alvarez-Estrada Abstract We consider a nonequilibrium statistical system formed by many classical non-relativistic particles of opposite electric charges (plasma) and by the classical dynamical electromagnetic (EM) field. The charges interact with one another directly through instantaneous Coulomb potentials and with the dynamical degrees of freedom of the transverse EM field. The system may also be subject to external influences of: i) either static, but spatially inhomogeneous, electric and magnetic fields (case 1)), or ii) weak distributions of electric charges and currents (case 2)). The particles and the dynamical EM field are described, for any time t > 0, by the classical phase-space probability distribution functional (CPSPDF) f and, at the initial time (t = 0), by the initial CPSPDF fin. The CPSPDF f and fin, multiplied by suitable Hermite polynomials (for particles and field) and integrated over all canonical momenta, yield new moments. The Liouville equation and fin imply a new nonequilibrium linear infinite hierarchy for the moments. In case 1), fin describes local equilibrium but global nonequilibrium, and we propose a long-time approximation in the hierarchy, which introduces irreversibility and relaxation towards global thermal equilibrium. In case 2), the statistical system, having been at global thermal equilibrium, without external influences, for t , 0, is subject to weak external charge-current distributions: then, new hierarchies for moments and their long-time behaviours are discussed in outline. As examples, approximate mean-field (Vlasov) approximations are treated for both cases 1) and 2). [source] Highly localized energy transfer induced by the interaction between a large vortex and four small vorticesATMOSPHERIC SCIENCE LETTERS, Issue 3 2010Zhexian Luo Abstract The scale interaction is simulated using a two-dimensional barotropic model with an initial condition of a large-scale vortex accompanied with four small-scale vortices. We show that both direct and inverse energy cascades occur simultaneously and that the spatial distribution of energy transfer flux across a moderate length scale is characterized by a highly localized configuration, which contains several closed systems with a spatial scale of 50,100 km embedded in two wave trains. This would imply that the temporal change of enstrophy at closed centers is more complex than that at noncenters. The increase of complexity is further correlated with amplification of the enstrophy difference, which is the value of enstrophy at t = 24 h minus that at the initial time. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society [source] On the finite-time singularities of the 3D incompressible Euler equationsCOMMUNICATIONS ON PURE & APPLIED MATHEMATICS, Issue 4 2007Dongho Chae We prove the finite-time vorticity blowup, in the pointwise sense, for solutions of the 3D incompressible Euler equations assuming some conditions on the initial data and its corresponding solutions near initial time. These conditions are represented by the relation between the deformation tensor and the Hessian of pressure, both coupled with the vorticity directions associated with the initial data and solutions near initial time. We also study the possibility of the enstrophy blowup for the 3D Euler and the 3D Navier-Stokes equations, and prove the finite-time enstrophy blowup for initial data satisfying suitable conditions. Finally, we obtain a new blowup criterion that controls the blowup by a quantity containing the Hessian of the pressure. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 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