Green Sun Research Articles

The blue suns of 1831: was the eruption of Ferdinandea, near Sicily, one of the largest volcanic climate forcing events of the nineteenth century?

Abstract. One of the largest climate forcing eruptions of the nineteenth century was, until recently, believed to have taken place at the Babuyan Claro volcano, in the Philippines, in 1831. However, a recent investigation found no reliable evidence of such an eruption, suggesting that the 1831 eruption must have taken place elsewhere. We here present our newly compiled dataset of reported observations of a blue, purple and green sun in August 1831, which we use to reconstruct the transport of a stratospheric aerosol plume from that eruption. The source of the aerosol plume is identified as the eruption of Ferdinandea, which took place about 50 km off the south-west coast of Sicily (37.1∘ N, 12.7∘ E), in July and August 1831. The modest magnitude of this eruption, assigned a volcanic explosivity index (VEI) of 3, has commonly caused it to be discounted or overlooked when identifying the likely source of the stratospheric sulfate aerosol in 1831. It is proposed, however, that convective instability in the troposphere contributed to aerosol reaching the stratosphere and that the aerosol load was enhanced by addition of a sedimentary sulfur component to the volcanic plume. Thus, one of the largest climate forcing volcanic eruptions of the nineteenth century would effectively have been hiding in plain sight, arguably “lowering the bar” for the types of eruptions capable of having a substantial climate forcing impact. Prior estimates of the mass of stratospheric sulfate aerosol responsible for the 1831 Greenland ice core sulfate deposition peaks which have assumed a source eruption at a low-latitude site will, therefore, have been overstated. The example presented in this paper serves as a useful reminder that VEI values were not intended to be reliably correlated with eruption sulfur yields unless supplemented with compositional analyses. It also underlines that eye-witness accounts of historical geophysical events should not be neglected as a source of valuable scientific data.

Comparative Physico-Chemical, Phytochemical, GC - MS and Antibacterial Studies between Ethanolic Extract of Fresh Green Leaves and Sun Dried Leaves of Tilkor (Momoradica monadelpha)

Comparative Physico-Chemical, Phytochemical, GC - MS and Antibacterial Studies between Ethanolic Extract of Fresh Green Leaves and Sun Dried Leaves of Tilkor (Momoradica monadelpha)

Философия для детей: эффективный инструмент развития самостоятельности мышления

The content of the article is in the thematic field of practical philosophy, designated as “philosophy for children”. Within the framework of the article, the author considers specificity of the philosophical language. The main linguistic means are explicated and described, making it possible to expand the usual descriptions of the world, to achieve expression of non-trivial philosophical intuitions, to outline new directions of philosophical search. Particular attention is paid to such techniques as using metaphors, tautologies and a vicious circle in the definition in philosophical texts, as well as a step-by-step, gradual refinement of thought by introducing “operational concepts”. In conclusion, the author gives examples of tasks aimed at acquiring the language of philosophy by school-aged children (10–13 years old) as part of the program of additional education for children and adolescents “Green Sun” (team of authors: N. Ilyushenko, N. Kutuzova, D. Kutuzov, O. Davydik).

Racy Nature-A Sun Technology towards Quantum Agriculture

An alive, smart and enthusiastic (racy) agriculture technology developed based on innovative application of scientific facts and assembled convergence package capsule of best practices derived from the past researches is named as racy nature agriculture. It uses concept of quantum mechanics and produces technologies of generation I (1G), even without conducting experiment and completes research needs by optimisation for bringing world agriculture to generation II (2G). This unique green Sun technology is universally applicable to enlighten all ecosystems, soils, crops, both rainfed and irrigated agriculture, together with eliminate the global worries of sustainable food production and protection of environment.

Depuration of Macondo (MC-252) Oil Found in Heterotrophic Scleractinian Corals (Tubastrea coccinea and Tubastrea micranthus) on Offshore Oil/Gas Platforms in the Gulf

The impetus for this study began on 8 May 2011, when we noted sporadic mortality of colonies of orange—cup corals, Tubastrea coccinea (Lesson, 1829), and green sun corals, Tubastrea micranthus (Ehrenberg, 1834; Cnidaria, Anthozoa, Scleractinia) among colonies of coral that appeared to be in good health at the GI 90 block platforms. Colonies of T. coccinea which appeared to be healthy displayed markedly less tissue regression and were bright orange in color. The morbid polyps were dark brown or black. The corals were collected, transported to the laboratory, and segregated; healthy—appearing corals were placed in quarantine tanks. After 12 h in quarantine tanks, the coral exudate turned the tank water black and the colonies died within 48 h. After observing this unusual behavior, we decided to document subsequent collection events and analyze the discharged oil to determine its source.

Field reactions of plum cultivars to the shot-hole disease in southern Italy

The reactions to shot-hole disease ( Stigmina carpophila) of nine plum cultivars and seed-propagated myrobalan trees were evaluated during three years in three commercial orchards located at Nova Siri, Matera, Italy. In July 2006, May 2007, June 2007 and June 2008, shot-hole severity and twig defoliation were assessed. Pathogen pressure was higher in 2007 and 2008 than in 2006. In the three years of study, cultivar Golden Plumza was the most susceptible to the shot-hole measured by leaf severity, however it showed variable defoliation percentages in different years. The seed-propagated myrobalan trees were the most resistant, although they showed a slight degree of defoliation in 2007 and 2008. Intermediate reactions to the disease occurred in cultivars Angeleno, Autumn Giant, Fortune, Green Sun, October Sun, Santa Rosa, Sorriso di Primavera and T.C. Sun. A significant correlation between shot-hole leaf severity and twig defoliation was detected. To our knowledge, this is the first report on screening for resistance of plum cultivars to shot-hole disease.

JAPANESE AND EUROPEAN PLUM CULTIVAR EVALUATION IN THE PO VALLEY OF ITALY: YIELD AND CLIMATE INFLUENCE

Successful plum production requires cultivars well adapted to the specific growing conditions in the area of production. Due to the interaction between environment and genotype, it is very important to evaluate preliminarily the agronomical and pomological performance of all newly released cultivars in the areas in which they will be cultivated. During the period 1997-2007, the suitability of 15 European and 27 Japanese plum cultivars to cultivation in the Po Valley was observed, as was the influence of year on the main agronomical and pomological traits in plum. Bloom date, yield efficiency, size and soluble sugars content showed great variability across years in both plum species. Winter temperatures, particularly those of the last week of February, had the greatest effect on bloom date. This study confirmed the greater suitability of European plum in northern Italy relative to Japanese plum, even for the most recently introduced cultivars, which had more variable results across years. Within the Japanese group, only 'Obilnaja' had constant high productivity even in years with unfavourable climatic conditions. Of the 42 cultivars in the trial, the Japanese 'DOFI Sandra ® , 'Shiro', 'Anne Gold *', 'Blackamber', 'Fortune', 'Friar', 'Golden Plumza*', 'Green Sun*', 'T.C. Sun * ', 'Angeleno ® *', 'Autumn Giant ® ' and the European 'Firenze 90 * ', 'Liablu', 'Empress', 'Grossa di Solarolo', 'Stanley' and 'President' were most suitable for cultivation in Emilia Romagna.

Did noctilucent clouds exist before 1885?

Following the eruption of the Volcano Krakatoa in the Sunda Street in 1883, with resulted in devastation and in atmospheric pollution anomalous unusual dusk phenomena were observed all around the world. The green Sun, bishops rings the discoloured Moon, as well as bright sunrises and sunsets fascinated people. As a total surprise delicate silvery clouds were observed in June 1885 on the Northern horizon. Backhouse from England and Jesse from Germany describes them as a wave like lightly bluish cloud formations, that appeared only during summer months. Otto Jesse, who worked at the time at the Berlin astronomical observatory became devoted to this play of clouds. In the following years, these clouds were photographically observed and they were called “noctilucent cloud”. The measurements brought a most surprising result, namely that they appear always in a nearly constant height of 82 km, they had characteristic waveand surge-like forms. Their lightness and form changed rapidly. They appeared only between Mai and August newer during winter. A connection with the Krakatoa eruption has been early supposed. Later other hypotheses were added. At present, it is known that there presents is possible between the transformation of the mesosphere in spring and in autumn on the Northern hemisphere. Dust particles, behave themselves as at low temperatures as nuclei, and result in the formation of such clouds. Further they hint at the lack of stronger turbulence. In contrast they appear in the southern

Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging of photosynthetic activity in sun and shade leaves of trees

The differences in pigment levels, photosynthetic activity and the chlorophyll fluorescence decrease ratio R (Fd) (as indicator of photosynthetic rates) of green sun and shade leaves of three broadleaf trees (Platanus acerifolia Willd., Populus alba L., Tilia cordata Mill.) were compared. Sun leaves were characterized by higher levels of total chlorophylls a + b and total carotenoids x + c as well as higher values for the weight ratio chlorophyll (Chl) a/b (sun leaves 3.23-3.45; shade leaves: 2.74-2.81), and lower values for the ratio chlorophylls to carotenoids (a + b)/(x + c) (with 4.44-4.70 in sun leaves and 5.04-5.72 in shade leaves). Sun leaves exhibited higher photosynthetic rates P (N )on a leaf area basis (mean of 9.1-10.1 micromol CO(2) m(-2 )s(-1)) and Chl basis, which correlated well with the higher values of stomatal conductance G (s) (range 105-180 mmol m(-2 )s(-1)), as compared to shade leaves (G (s) range 25-77 mmol m(-2 )s(-1); P (N): 3.2-3.7 micromol CO(2) m(-2 )s(-1)). The higher photosynthetic rates could also be detected via imaging the Chl fluorescence decrease ratio R (Fd), which possessed higher values in sun leaves (2.8-3.0) as compared to shade leaves (1.4-1.8). In addition, via R (Fd) images it was shown that the photosynthetic activity of the leaves of all trees exhibits a large heterogeneity across the leaf area, and in general to a higher extent in sun leaves than in shade leaves.

DNA-based S-genotyping of Japanese Plum and Pluot Cultivars to Clarify Incompatibility Relationships

Diploid japanese plum (Prunus salicina Lindl.) cultivars are commonly self-incompatible. To date, 14 incompatibility alleles (S-alleles) have been identified and labeled with alphabetical (S a-S n) and 5 with numeric codes (S 1, S 3-S 6). We applied polymerase chain reaction amplification of the S-RNase alleles with degenerate and allele-specific primers in 10 japanese plum cultivars and two pluots of unknown incompatibility alleles. Besides DNA sequencing, an additional method for the exact length determination of the first intron region was used for the first time for S-genotype japanese plums. The S 3-allele was shown to correspond to S k in the alphabetic nomenclature, S 4 to S c, S 5 to S e, and S 6 to S f. The S 5-allele-specific primer can be used as a reliable marker for self-compatibility in japanese plum. ‘Black Amber’, ‘October Sun’, ‘TC Sun’, and ‘Super Giant’ share the S b S c genotype, which was confirmed by test crosses. These cultivars belong to the widest incompatibility group currently known in japanese plum. An additional incompatibility group (S c S h) was established, including ‘Green Sun’ and ‘Queen Rosa’, a cultivar formerly known as a universal donor. By incorporating all previous and recent results, a table was assembled including 49 cultivars assigned to I–VII incompatibility groups, to the self-compatible group and to the group O of unique genotypes. These data may considerably contribute to further growing and breeding activities.

Differences in photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll and carotenoid levels, and in chlorophyll fluorescence parameters in green sun and shade leaves of Ginkgo and Fagus

The differences in pigment levels and photosynthetic activity of green sun and shade leaves of ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) are described. Sun leaves of both tree species possessed higher levels in chlorophylls (Chl) and carotenoids on a leaf area basis, higher values for the ratio Chl a/b and lower values for the ratio Chl/carotenoids (a+b)/(x+c) in comparison to shade leaves. The higher photosynthetic rates P(N) of sun leaves (ginkgo 5.4+/-0.9 and beech 8.5+/-2.1 micromol m(-2)s(-1)) were also reflected by higher values for the Chl fluorescence decrease ratios R(F)(d) 690 and R(F)(d) 735. In contrast, the shade leaves had lower P(N) rates (ginkgo 2.4+/-0.3 and beech 1.8+/-1.2 micromol m(-2)s(-1)). In both tree species the stomatal conductance G(s) was significantly higher in sun (range: 70-19 1 mmol m(-2)s(-1)) as compared to shade leaves (range: 5-55 mmol m(-2)s(-1)). In fact, at saturating light conditions there existed a close correlation between G(s) values and P(N) rates. Differences between sun and shade leaves also existed in several other Chl fluorescence ratios (F(v)/F(m), F(v)/F(o), and the stress adaptation index Ap). The results clearly demonstrate that the fan-shaped gymnosperm ginkgo leaves show the same high and low irradiance adaptation response as the angiosperm beech leaves.

Fishes of First-Order Streams in North-Central Mississippi

We sampled fishes and measured physical habitat in 14 first-order streams in north-central Mississippi to document fish community characteristics and examine the relationships between the fish communities and physical habitat charac- teristics. We documented 36 species and 11 families from 6943 captures. The five most abundant species were creek chub (Semotilus atromaculatus Mitchell), least brook lamprey (Lampetra aepyptera Abbot), blackspotted topminnow (Fundulus olivaceus Storer), creek chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus Mitchell), and green sun- fish (Lepomis cyanellus Rafinesque). We also observed that most streams (> 50%) were numerically dominated by: 1) Cyprinidae, 2) fishes having a maximum body size between 300-399 mm TL, 3) insectivores, and 4) guarder-nest spawners. Fish species composition of our study streams was similar to the species composition documented in other medium- and low-gradient headwater streams in the Gulf Coastal Plain. Additionally, fish community structure in first-order streams was significantly correlated with channel cross-section area, woody debris, canopy cover, water depth, velocity, wet width, and substrate types. The observed relationships between fish communities and physical habitat characteristics in first-order stream were similar to fish-habitat relationships observed by previous investigators working in northern Mississippi streams ranging in size from first to fifth-order.

Primary production and nitrogen allocation of field grown sugar maples in relation to nitrogen availability

Above ground net primary production (NPP), nitrogen (N) allocation, and retranslocation from senescing leaves were measured in 7 sugar-maple dominated sites having annual net N mineralization rates ranging from 26 to 94 kg · ha−1 · yr−1. The following responses were observed: (1) Green sun leaves on richer sites had higher N mass per unit leaf area than sun leaves on poorer sites; (2) Total canopy N varied much less than annual net mineralization, ranging from 81 to 111 kg · ha−1; (3) This was due to the existence of a large and relatively constant pool of N which was retranslocated from senescing leaves for use the following year (54 to 80 kg · ha−1); (4) The percentage of canopy N retranslocated by sugar maple was also relatively constant, but was slightly higher on the richer sites. Percent N in leaf litter did not change across the gradient; (5) Above ground NPP increased linearly in relation to N allocated above ground. Therefore, N use efficiency, expressed as above ground NPP divided by N allocated above ground was constant; (6) N use efficiency expressed as (NPP above ground/total N availability) was a curvilinear function of N availability; and (7) This pattern reflected a decreasing apparent allocation of N below ground with decreasing N availability.

READERS' FORUM: “Green Sun” observed in Cornwall

READERS' FORUM: “Green Sun” observed in Cornwall

The green flash and other low sun phenomena (Second edition), by D. J. K. O'Connell. Pp. 192. North-Holland Publishing Co., Amsterdam; Interscience Publishers Inc., New York. 1958. 45s. net

The green flash and other low sun phenomena (Second edition), by D. J. K. O'Connell. Pp. 192. North-Holland Publishing Co., Amsterdam; Interscience Publishers Inc., New York. 1958. 45s. net

ON THE CAUSE OF THE GREEN RAY SUN AT SUNSET

ON THE CAUSE OF THE GREEN RAY SUN AT SUNSET

The Green Flash

So much has been written about the green-ray at sunset that I am somewhat diffident about adding anything. But as I find myself unable to accept the orthodox explanation of the phenomenon usually seen I write this note. This phenomenon, as seen by me on several occasions during the last summer on my way to Australia, always consisted in the last segment of the red sun before disappearance becoming a bright green (without any transition through intermediate tints); this green was as nearly as could be judged the complementary to the red of the sun itself. On one occasion I shut my eyes immediately after the green tint appeared, and it remained visible. There could be no doubt that what I saw was the purely subjective after-image of the disappearing segment of the sun. Of course, if this is so, it should be easy to set up a laboratory experiment to imitate the natural phenomenon; and on returning I asked Mr. E. Talbot Paris, research student in this department, to arrange an experiment in illustration. An eccentric hole was made in a disc mounted on an axle. Red glass or gelatine film was fixed over the hole, and a bright light placed behind illuminated the film and produced thereby a miniature sun, which by slow rotation, could be made to “set” behind an interposed card. At the instant of setting, the artificial sun exhibited an exact reproduction of the phenomenon of the green-ray. It was easily possible in this way to obtain a red-ray using a green sun, or a blue-ray with a yellow sun, and so on.

V. On some phenomena connected with cloudy condensation

In the first part of this communication I intend giving the results of an investigation into the phenomena connected with the cloudy condensation produced when a jet of steam mixes with ordinary air, with special reference to the marked change which takes place in the appearance of the jet by electrification and other causes. In the second part will be given the results of an investigation into certain colour phenomena which can be produced when the condensation is made to take place under certain conditions, and it is thought that these experimental colour phenomena, if they do not give the explanation of a “green sun,” at least enable us to reproduce it artificially with the materials existing in our atmosphere.

A Green Sun

I WAS looking, a few days ago, at three o'clock in the afternoon, towards the sun, which was shining in a clear sky. Exhaust-steam from an engine employed in the new Thames Tunnel works, and situated just below my window, was passing intermittently over his face. Many puffs had already crossed it, some partially, others completely obscuring the luminous disk, when presently, three puffs, following each other quickly, successively covered the sun, which then shone brightly through the steam with a vivid light-green colour. The effect was strikingly noticeable, and the green colour intense. I watched for twenty minutes, but in vain, for another “green sun,” and at 3.30 clouds came up.

XXII.—Observations on a Green Sun and Associated Phenomena

The appearance of a green or blue sun, though not unknown, is of sufficiently rare occurrence to make a full investigation of all the phenomena connected with it highly desirable. I have therefore tried to obtain as accurate and complete information as possible concerning the appearance of a green sun in India during several days in September 1883.