Advection Radiation Research Articles

Radiation Hydrodynamic Simulations of Massive Stars in Gas-rich Environments: Accretion of AGN Stars Suppressed by Thermal Feedback

Massive stars may form in or be captured into active galactic nuclei (AGN) disks. Recent 1D studies employing stellar-evolution codes have demonstrated the potential for rapid growth of such stars through accretion up to a few hundred solar masses. We perform 3D radiation hydrodynamic simulations of moderately massive stars’ envelopes in order to determine the rate and critical radius R crit of their accretion process in an isotropic gas-rich environment in the absence of luminosity-driven mass loss. We find that in the “fast-diffusion” regime where characteristic radiative diffusion speed c/τ is faster than the gas sound speed c s , the accretion rate is suppressed by feedback from gravitational and radiative advection energy flux, in addition to the stellar luminosity. Alternatively, in the “slow-diffusion” regime where c/τ < c s , due to adiabatic accretion, the stellar envelope expands quickly to become hydrostatic and further net accretion occurs on thermal timescales in the absence of self-gravity. When the radiation entropy of the medium is less than that of the star, however, this hydrostatic envelope can become more massive than the star itself. Within this subregime, the self-gravity of the envelope excites runaway growth. Applying our results to realistic environments, moderately massive stars (≲100M ⊙) embedded in AGN disks typically accrete in the fast-diffusion regime, leading to a reduction of steady-state accretion rate 1–2 orders of magnitudes lower than expected by previous 1D calculations and R crit smaller than the disk scale height, except in the opacity window at temperature T ∼ 2000 K. Accretion in slow diffusion regime occurs in regions with very high density ρ ≳ 10−9 g cm−3, and needs to be treated with caution in 1D long-term calculations.

Role of thermodynamic and turbulence processes on the fog life cycle during SOFOG3D experiment

Abstract. In this study, we use a synergy of in situ and remote sensing measurements collected during the SOuthwest FOGs 3D experiment for processes study (SOFOG3D) field campaign in autumn and winter 2019–2020 to analyse the thermodynamic and turbulent processes related to fog formation, evolution, and dissipation across southwestern France. Based on a unique measurement dataset (synergy of cloud radar, microwave radiometer, wind lidar, and weather station data) combined with a fog conceptual model, an analysis of the four deepest fog episodes (two radiation fogs and two advection–radiation fogs) is conducted. The results show that radiation and advection–radiation fogs form under deep and thin temperature inversions, respectively. For both fog categories, the transition period from stable to adiabatic fog and the fog adiabatic phase are driven by vertical mixing associated with an increase in turbulence in the fog layer due to mechanical production (turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) up to 0.4 m2 s−2 and vertical velocity variance (σw2) up to 0.04 m2 s−2) generated by increasing wind and wind shear. Our study reveals that fog liquid water path, fog top height, temperature, radar reflectivity profiles, and fog adiabaticity derived from the conceptual model evolve in a consistent manner to clearly characterise this transition. The dissipation time is observed at night for the advection–radiation fog case studies and after sunrise for the radiation fog case studies. Night-time dissipation is driven by horizontal advection generating mechanical turbulence (TKE at least 0.3 m2 s−2 and σw2 larger than 0.04 m2 s−2). Daytime dissipation is linked to the combination of thermal and mechanical turbulence related to solar heating (near-surface sensible heat flux larger than 10 W m−2) and wind shear, respectively. This study demonstrates the added value of monitoring fog liquid water content and depth (combined with wind, turbulence, and temperature profiles) and diagnostics such as fog liquid water reservoir and adiabaticity to better explain the drivers of the fog life cycle.

Dynamics of neutron star accretion columns in split-monopole magnetic fields

ABSTRACT We perform 2D axisymmetric radiative relativistic MHD simulations of radiation pressure supported neutron star accretion columns in split-monopole magnetic fields. The accretion columns exhibit quasi-periodic oscillations, which manifest in the luminosity power spectrum as 2–10 kHz peaks, together with broader extensions to somewhat higher frequencies. The peak frequency decreases for wider columns or higher mass accretion rates. In contrast to the case of shorter columns in uniform magnetic fields, pdV work contributes substantially to maintaining the radiation pressure inside the column against sideways radiative cooling. This is in part due to the compression associated with accretion along the converging magnetic field lines towards the stellar surface. Propagating entropy waves which are associated with the slow-diffusion photon bubble instability form in all our simulations. Radial advection of radiation from the oscillation itself as well as the entropy waves is also important in maintaining radiation pressure inside the column. The time-averaged profile of our fiducial simulation accretion is approximately consistent with the classical 1D stationary model provided one incorporates the correct column shape. We also quantify the porosity in all our accretion column simulations so that this may also in principle be used to improve 1D models.

Fog type classification using a modified Richardson number for Christchurch, New Zealand

AbstractSituated on a coastal plain between the Southern Alps and Banks Peninsula, Christchurch, New Zealand, experiences around 49 fog days every year. Given its complex topography, accurate fog forecasting is difficult at Christchurch International Airport (CHA). Climatological analysis of local fog events is an important first step to gain insight into the processes involved in the fog lifecycle. In this study, fog events were identified using 12 years of meteorological observations from an automatic weather station situated at CHA. A novel fog type classification method was developed using the modified Richardson number (MRi). The MRi fog type classification method assesses the local dynamic stability of a 1.25 m shallow layer of near‐surface air. Here, the MRi is used as a quantitative index to classify advection fog, advection–radiation fog, and radiation fog. Vertical gradients of air temperature and wind speed were derived for prefog and fog periods, and a number of criteria were applied to the MRi for the fog type classification. The fog type classification results were examined in correspondence with the derived fog intensity, duration, diurnal and seasonal variability of frequency of occurrences, and synoptic and local wind flows. In agreement with other fog studies across the world, fog occurs most frequently during local winter and spring. Radiation fog is the predominant type of fog identified at CHA, and its formation and development usually coincide with the local drainage northwesterlies. This study is the first to use long‐term observational data to investigate the fog climatology and typology at CHA in detail. The fog climatological characteristics presented in this study will serve as the basis of future fog studies in Christchurch. The presented MRi fog type classification method can potentially be used in fog characteristic studies worldwide.

Characteristics of turbulence and dissipation mechanism in a polluted radiation–advection fog life cycle in Tianjin

Characteristics of turbulence and dissipation mechanism during a polluted advection–radiation fog life cycle occurring on 26–27 November, 2018 are investigated, using the measurements at a 255-m meteorological tower located in Tianjin. The increase in relative humidity during fog formation phase is attributed to the radiative cooling and advection, indicating that the fog type is advection–radiation fog. The dispersion of PM2.5 at all heights can be attributed to the strong winds, while dispersion of PM2.5 at surface is inhibited and delayed by the thick fog. The four phases during fog life cycle are all linked to the turbulence intensity. Weak turbulence is crucial for fog formation, and the threshold σw2 range is between 0.01 and 0.10 m2 s−2. The fog dissipation at high elevations is due to strong cold and dry advection. Downdraughts at high elevations lead dry air to sink down into the lower fog layer and aid the erosion of the fog layer at medium elevations. However, the collapse of fog bank at surface is mainly due to the strong turbulence. The theory that there is a threshold relationship between turbulence and fog dissipation is verified through case analysis. However, there are two main application conditions: one is that only radiative cooling, turbulent mixing, and gravitational settling are involved in the dissipation phase of fog. The second is that the dissipation time should be at night or dawn (radiative cooling should be positive), and the fog layer collapses due to strong turbulent mixing induced by nocturnal LLJ or synoptic system.

Study on a Large-Scale Persistent Strong Dense Fog Event in Central and Eastern China

A large-scale persistent strong dense fog (SDF) event that occurred from December 30, 2016, to January 5, 2017, in central and eastern China is analyzed by using a variety of data, including high-resolution satellite and surface observations, meteorological tower observations, fine-resolution sounding observations, and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data. The results show the following: (1) The SDF event has the characteristics of long duration, wide influence range, large intensity, and serious air pollution. During the study period, there are 531 stations with SDF events, covering an area of over 360,000 km2. There were five stations in Hebei province where the fog lasted for more than 77 hours, and even some stations did not dissipate during the day. (2) Radiation fog and advection fog alternate in this SDF event, namely, radiation fog (20:00 BT on December 30 to 14:00 on January 1), advection radiation fog (20:00 on January 1 to 08:00 on January 2), radiation fog (night on January 2 to daytime on January 3), and advection radiation fog (night on January 3 to January 5). The characteristic of radiation fog is that the central and eastern part of China was controlled by “L” type high pressure. In the stage of advection radiation fog, the combined effect of weak cold advection and radiation cooling leads to the occurrence of SDF. (3) Regarding the duration of the fog event, the inversion structure is continuously maintained at night and in the morning near the stratum, and when the fog intensity is strong, the inversion intensity is correspondingly large, the fog top is lower than the inversion layer top, and the top of the SDF is between 80 and 400 meters.

Impacts of black carbon on the formation of advection–radiation fog during a haze pollution episode in eastern China

Abstract. Aerosols can not only participate in fog formation by acting as condensation nuclei of droplets but also modify the meteorological conditions such as air temperature and moisture, planetary boundary layer height (PBLH) and regional circulation during haze events. The impact of aerosols on fog formation, yet to be revealed, can be critical in understanding and predicting fog–haze events. In this study, we used the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem) to investigate a heavy fog event during a multiday intense haze pollution episode in early December 2013 in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region in eastern China. Using the WRF-Chem model, we conducted four parallel numerical experiments to evaluate the roles of aerosol–radiation interaction (ARI), aerosol–cloud interaction (ACI), black carbon (BC) and non-BC aerosols in the formation and maintenance of the heavy fog event. We find that only when the aerosols' feedback processes are considered can the model capture the haze pollution and the fog event well. And the effects of ARI during the fog–haze episode in early December 2013 played a dominant role, while the effects of ACI were negligible. Furthermore, our analyses show that BC was more important in inducing fog formation in the YRD region on 7 December than non-BC aerosols. The dome effect of BC leads to an increase in air moisture over the sea by reducing PBLH and weakening vertical mixing, thereby confining more water vapor to the near-surface layer. The strengthened daytime onshore flow by a cyclonic wind anomaly, induced by contrast temperature perturbation over land and sea, transported moister air to the YRD region, where the suppressed PBLH and weakened daytime vertical mixing maintained the high moisture level. Then heavy fog formed due to the surface cooling at night. This study highlights the importance of anthropogenic emissions in the formation of advection–radiation fog in the polluted coastal areas.

Impacts of urban expansion on fog types in Shanghai, China: Numerical experiments by WRF model

Fog is a hazard to transportation activities in Shanghai, China, but it is not known how this fog is influenced by urban expansion. Here we use a numerical model to run, for the first time for Shanghai, sensitivity experiments of the fog response to urban expansion, including the changes of land use and anthropogenic heat. Instead of using ‘fog days’ as a measure, we use the 29-year (1989–2017) meteorological observations of fog events at Hongqiao International Airport in central Shanghai, and classify the fog into radiation, advection, advection–radiation, and precipitation types. The results show that (1) Fog events generally decrease over these 29 years, with the decline in winter accounting for 50.2% of the total reduction. (2) Radiation fog decreases the most, but remains the most common type throughout the period. (3) Numerical sensitivity experiments show that the urban expansion in the past 29 years caused both an increase in surface air temperature and a decrease in water-vapor mixing ratio, resulting in a decrease in relative humidity and an increase in visibility for radiation fog. (4) For advection fog, the increased surface air temperature allowed an increase in water-vapor mixing ratio, but a decrease in liquid water. (5) Due to warmer near-surface air, the inversion layer weakened. Hence, urban expansion in Shanghai has reduced the amount of not only radiation fog, but also advection fog.

The Impact of Vertical Resolution on Fog Forecasting in the Kilometric-Scale Model AROME: A Case Study and Statistics

Abstract The impact of vertical resolution on numerical fog forecasting is studied in detail for a specific case and evaluated statistically over a winter season. Three vertical resolutions are tested with the kilometric-scale Applications of Research to Operations at Mesoscale (AROME) numerical weather prediction model over Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (Paris-CDG) in Paris, France. For the case studied, the vertical resolution has a strong impact on fog onset. The nocturnal jet and the turbulence created by wind shear at the top of the nocturnal boundary layer are more pronounced with a finer vertical resolution, and the turbulence close to the ground is also stronger with high vertical resolution. Local circulations created by the terrain induce different simulated processes during the fog onset. The fog is simulated as advection–radiation fog in the finer vertical resolution run and as radiation fog in the others. The vertical resolution has little impact on the mature and dissipation phases. A statistical study over a winter season confirms the results obtained in the fog case study. High vertical resolution simulates earlier onset, as well as longer-lasting and more spatially heterogeneous fogs. The high vertical resolution configuration simulates more fog events than are found at low resolution (LR); these fog events generally form north of Paris-CDG. No observations are available in this area, leading to many simulated but no observed fog events in the fine-resolution runs. The ceiling of low clouds is not well simulated by the numerical model no matter what vertical resolution is used.

Local Meteorological and Large-Scale Weather Characteristics of Fog over the Grand Casablanca Region, Morocco

AbstractUsing a fog event approach, the local meteorological and synoptic characteristics of fogs that formed over the Grand Casablanca (GCB) region during a 9-yr period (2001–09) are investigated. A climatological study of fog, with emphasis on the fog temporal variability and spatial distribution, is carried out on the basis of hourly surface meteorological observations at two synoptic stations in the region. The fog events are classified into fog types, using an objective classification algorithm, and are characterized by their duration, intensity, and times of onset and dissipation. In addition, fog events are classified into two distinct categories (isolated and widespread) on the basis of their spatial extent. K-means cluster analysis is applied to the patterns of mean sea level pressure in ERA-Interim reanalyses at 0000 UTC to determine the synoptic circulation types associated with fog occurrence in the GCB region. Results show that the fog frequency at the inland suburban station is more recurrent than at the coastal urban station. The fog events are predominantly of the advection–radiation type, with a marked tendency of nighttime occurrence during the winter. The spatial distribution analysis points out the localized character of fog and reveals the possibility of different fog types occurring when fog is present near the two stations simultaneously. Furthermore, the interaction between local- and large-scale mechanisms suggests that advective processes associated with sea-breeze circulation during daytime, followed by radiative processes early in the night, often lead to fog formation over the GCB region.

A GLOBAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL RADIATION MAGNETO-HYDRODYNAMIC SIMULATION OF SUPER-EDDINGTON ACCRETION DISKS

We study super-Eddington accretion flows onto black holes using a global three dimensional radiation magneto-hydrodynamical simulation. We solve the time dependent radiative transfer equation for the specific intensities to accurately calculate the angular distribution of the emitted radiation. Turbulence generated by the magneto-rotational instability provides self-consistent angular momentum transfer. The simulation reaches inflow equilibrium with an accretion rate ~220L_edd/c^2 and forms a radiation driven outflow along the rotation axis. The mechanical energy flux carried by the outflow is ~20% of the radiative energy flux. The total mass flux lost in the outflow is about 29% of the net accretion rate. The radiative luminosity of this flow is ~10L_edd. This yields a radiative efficiency ~4.5%, which is comparable to the value in a standard thin disk model. In our simulation, vertical advection of radiation caused by magnetic buoyancy transports energy faster than photon diffusion, allowing a significant fraction of the photons to escape from the surface of the disk before being advected into the black hole. We contrast our results with the lower radiative efficiencies inferred in most models, such as the slim disk model, which neglect vertical advection. Our inferred radiative efficiencies also exceed published results from previous global numerical simulations, which did not attribute a significant role to vertical advection. We briefly discuss the implications for the growth of supermassive black holes in the early universe and describe how these results provided a basis for explaining the spectrum and population statistics of ultraluminous X-ray sources.

The turbulent structure and transport in fog layers observed over the Tianjin area

This paper investigates the vertical structure and turbulence activities in fog events. Three fog cases that occurred in the winter of 2010 over Tianjin, China were selected, including two advection–radiation fog events and an advection fog event. Field observations collected at a 255-m tall meteorological tower in Tianjin were analyzed, including turbulence measurements using the eddy covariance systems installed at three levels, measurements of temperature, horizontal wind and humidity collected at 15 levels, surface radiation fluxes and horizontal visibility. The results suggest that the advection fog was more enduring and thicker than the advection–radiation fog. The fog events were characterized by low wind speed throughout the fog layer. A temperature inversion and low-level jet were observed above the advection–radiation fog layer. The surface net radiation reflected some differences among the fog events. The collapse of turbulence was a necessity for the formation fog, and moderate turbulence was favorable to the development and maintenance. The heat and water vapor fluxes in the advection–radiation fog were weaker than those in the advection fog, in which the stratification was slightly unstable. The relationships among the turbulent transport efficiencies of water vapor, temperature and momentum were examined. The results suggest the applicability of local similarity in the fog layer for the momentum transport efficiency.

ON THE THERMAL STABILITY OF RADIATION-DOMINATED ACCRETION DISKS

We study the long-term thermal stability of radiation dominated disks in which the vertical structure is determined self-consistently by the balance of heating due to dissipation of MHD turbulence driven by the magneto-rotational instability (MRI), and cooling due to radiation emitted at the photosphere. The calculations adopt the local shearing box approximation, and utilize the recently developed radiation transfer module in the Athena MHD code based on a variable Eddington tensor rather than an assumed local closure. After saturation of the MRI, in many cases the disk maintains a steady vertical structure for many thermal times. However, in every case in which the box size in the horizontal directions is at least one pressure scale height, fluctuations associated with MRI turbulence and dynamo action in the disk eventually trigger a thermal runaway which causes the disk to either expand or contract until the calculation must be terminated. During runaway, the dependence of the heating and cooling rates on total pressure satisfy the simplest criterion for classical thermal instability. We identify several physical reasons why the thermal runaway observed in our simulations differ from the standard alpha disk model, for example the advection of radiation contributes a non-negligible fraction to the vertical energy flux at the largest radiation pressure, most of the dissipation does not happen in the disk mid-plane, and the change of dissipation scale height with mid-plane pressure is slower than the change of density scale height. We discuss how and why our results differ from those published previously. Such thermal runaway behavior might have important implications for interpreting temporal variability in observed systems, but fully global simulations are required to study the saturated state before detailed predictions can be made.

The effect of advection at luminosities close to Eddington: The ULX in M 31

The transient, ultra-luminous X-ray source CXOM31 J004253.1+411422 in the Andromeda galaxy is most likely a 10 solar mass black hole, with super-Eddington luminosity at its peak. The XMM-Newton spectra taken during the decline then trace luminosities of 0.86-0.27 L_Edd. These spectra are all dominated by a hot disc component, which roughly follows a constant inner radius track in luminosity and temperature as the source declines. At the highest luminosity the disc structure should change due to advection of radiation through the disc. This advected flux can be partly released at lower radii thus modifying the spectral shape. To study the effect of advection at luminosities close to Eddington we employ a fully relativistic slim disc model, SLIMBH, that includes advective cooling and full radiative transfer through the photosphere based on TLUSTY. The model also incorporates relativistic photon ray-tracing from the proper location of the disc photosphere rather than the mid-plane as the slim disc is no longer geometrically thin. We find that these new models differ only slightly from the non-advective (standard) BHSPEC models even at the highest luminosities considered here. While both discs can fit the highest luminosity data, neither is a very good fit to the *lower* luminosities. This could indicate a missing physical process that acts in low luminosity discs and subsides as the disc luminosity approaches the Eddington limit.

Ion Composition of Fog Water and Its Relation to Air Pollutants during Winter Fog Events in Nanjing, China

Intensive field experiments focused on fog chemistry were carried out in the northern suburb of Nanjing during the winters of 2006 and 2007. Thirty-seven fog water samples were collected in nine fog events. Based on the chemical analysis results of those samples and the simultaneous measurements of air pollution gases and atmospheric aerosols, the chemical characteristics of fog water and their relations with air pollutants during fog evolution were investigated. The results revealed an average total inorganic ionic concentration TIC = 21.18 meq/L, and the top three ion concentrations were those of SO42−, NH4+ and Ca2+ (average concentrations 6.99, 5.95, 3.77 meq/L, respectively). However, the average pH value of fog water was 5.85, which is attributable to neutralization by basic ions (NH4+ and Ca2+). The average TIC value of fog water measured in advection–radiation fog was around 2.2 times that in radiation fog, and the most abundant cation was NH4+ in advection–radiation fog and Ca2+ in radiation fog. In dense fog episodes, the concentration variations of primary inorganic pollution gases showed a “V”-shaped pattern, while those of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) displayed a “Λ”-shaped pattern. The dense fog acted as both the source and sink of atmospheric aerosol particles; fog processes enhanced particle formation, leading to the phenomenon that the aerosol concentration after fog dissipation was higher than that before the fog, and at the same time, mass concentration of PM10 reached the lowest value in the late stage of extremely dense fog episodes because of the progressive accumulated effect of wet deposition of large fog droplets. Both air pollution gases and aerosols loading controlled the ion compositions of fog water. The Ca2+ in fog water originated from airborne particles, while SO42− and NH4+ were from both heterogeneous production and soluble particulate species.

Fog Simulations Based on Multi-Model System: A Feasibility Study

Accurate forecasts of fog and visibility are very important to air and high way traffic, and are still a big challenge. A 1D fog model (PAFOG) is coupled to MM5 by obtaining the initial and boundary conditions (IC/BC) and some other necessary input parameters from MM5. Thus, PAFOG can be run for any area of interest. On the other hand, MM5 itself can be used to simulate fog events over a large domain. This paper presents evaluations of the fog predictability of these two systems for December of 2006 and December of 2007, with nine regional fog events observed in a field experiment, as well as over a large domain in eastern China. Among the simulations of the nine fog events by the two systems, two cases were investigated in detail. Daily results of ground level meteorology were validated against the routine observations at the CMA observational network. Daily fog occurrences for the two study periods was validated in Nanjing. General performance of the two models for the nine fog cases are presented by comparing with routine and field observational data. The results of MM5 and PAFOG for two typical fog cases are verified in detail against field observations. The verifications demonstrated that all methods tended to overestimate fog occurrence, especially for near-fog cases. In terms of TS/ETS, the LWC-only threshold with MM5 showed the best performance, while PAFOG showed the worst. MM5 performed better for advection–radiation fog than for radiation fog, and PAFOG could be an alternative tool for forecasting radiation fogs. PAFOG did show advantages over MM5 on the fog dissipation time. The performance of PAFOG highly depended on the quality of MM5 output. The sensitive runs of PAFOG with different IC/BC showed the capability of using MM5 output to run the 1D model and the high sensitivity of PAFOG on cloud cover. Future works should intensify the study of how to improve the quality of input data (e.g. cloud cover, advection, large scale subsidence) for the 1D model, particularly how to eliminate near-fog case in fog forecasting.

Summary of a 4-Year Fog Field Study in Northern Nanjing, Part 1: Fog Boundary Layer

Comprehensive fog field observations were conducted during the winters of 2006–2009 at the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology to study the macro and micro-physical structures and the physical–chemical processes of dense fogs in the area. The observations included features of the fog boundary layer, characteristics of fog water, the particle spectrum, the chemical composition of atmospheric aerosols, radiation and heat components, turbulence, meteorological elements (air temperature, pressure, wind speed, wind direction), and environmental monitoring. The fogs observed were divided into four types: radiation fog, advection–radiation fog, advection fog, and precipitation fog, according to the mechanisms and primary factors of the fog processes. Fog boundary-layer structures of different types and their corresponding characteristics were then studied. Fog boundary-layer features, temperature structures, wind fields, and fog maintenance are discussed. The results show that radiation fog had remarkable diurnal variation and formed mostly at sunset or midnight, and lifted after sunrise or at noon, and that advection–radiation fog and advection fog were of very long duration. Extremely dense fogs occurred only in radiation-related cases. Inversion in radiation fog was short-lived, disappearing 1 or 2 hours after sunrise or at noon, faster than that in advection–radiation fog. When wind direction reversed from easterly to westerly or from southerly to northerly, the fog became an extremely dense fog. Low-level jet at times impeded fog development, whereas at other times it encouraged fog continuance. The deep inversion was merely an essential condition for a thick fog layer; sufficient vapor supply was advantageous to the formation and maintenance of a deep fog layer.

DISSIPATION AND VERTICAL ENERGY TRANSPORT IN RADIATION-DOMINATED ACCRETION DISKS

Standard models of radiation supported accretion disks generally assume that diffusive radiation flux is solely responsible for vertical heat transport. This requires that heat must be generated at a critical rate per unit volume if the disk is to be in hydrostatic and thermal equilibrium. This raises the question of how heat is generated and how energy is transported in MHD turbulence. By analysis of a number of radiation/MHD stratified shearing-box simulations, we show that the divergence of the diffusive radiation flux is indeed capped at the critical rate, but deep inside the disk, substantial vertical energy flux is also carried by advection of radiation. Work done by radiation pressure is a significant part of the energy budget, and much of this work is dissipated later through damping by radiative diffusion. We show how this damping can be measured in the simulations, and identify its physical origins. Radiative damping accounts for as much as tens of percent of the total dissipation, and is the only realistic physical mechanism for dissipation of turbulence that can actually be resolved in numerical simulations of accretion disks. Buoyancy associated with dynamo-driven, highly magnetized, nearly-isobaric nonlinear slow magnetosonic fluctuations is responsible for the radiation advection flux, and also explains the persistent periodic magnetic upwelling seen at all values of the radiation to gas pressure ratio. The intimate connection between radiation advection and magnetic buoyancy is the first example we know of in astrophysics in which a dynamo has direct impact on the global energetics of a system.

Chemical composition of fog water in Nanjing area of China and its related fog microphysics

Fog samples were collected at Pancheng in the Nanjing area of China during December 2006 and December 2007. Fog droplet spectra, surface meteorological elements and visibility were also measured during the same period. The data from PM 10, SO 2 and NO 2 measurements were obtained from the air quality monitoring networks of Nanjing. The total ionic concentration (TIC) and electrical conductivity (EC) in fog samples, and the local pollutant emissions were one or two orders of magnitude higher than those found in Europe or South America for instance. Pollutants were expected to be mainly from local sources, including factories, plants, freeways, soil sources, house construction, and biomass burning. Advection also contributed to pollution levels in radiation–advection fogs. The scavenging of NH 3 and coarse particles by fog droplets was the main cause for the high mean pH value of 5.9. In-phase temporal evolution of TIC, [SO 4 2−], [NO 3 −], SO 2, NO 2, PM 10 and S/LWC (S: the surface area of fog droplets per unit volume of air; LWC: liquid water content) was found to be due to the interaction of air pollutants and fog droplets, change of air mass due to advection, and so on. S/LWC seemed to be a better indicator for describing the relationship between TIC and microphysics with respect to LWC. A formula between TIC and S/LWC was derived and the related parameters were discussed. Depositions of chemical species in fog cases were estimated and the result showed that deposition was efficient.

RADIATION-DOMINATED DISKS ARE THERMALLY STABLE

When the accretion rate is more than a small fraction of Eddington, the inner regions of accretion disks around black holes are expected to be radiation-dominated. However, in the alpha-model, these regions are also expected to be thermally unstable. In this paper, we report two 3-d radiation MHD simulations of a vertically-stratified shearing box in which the ratio of radiation to gas pressure is ~ 10, and yet no thermal runaway occurs over a timespan ~ 40 cooling times. Where the time-averaged dissipation rate is greater than the critical dissipation rate that creates hydrostatic equilibrium by diffusive radiation flux, the time-averaged radiation flux is held to the critical value, with the excess dissipated energy transported by radiative advection. Although the stress and total pressure are well-correlated as predicted by the alpha-model, we show that stress fluctuations precede pressure fluctuations, contrary to the usual supposition that the pressure controls the saturation level of the magnetic energy. This fact explains the thermal stability. Using a simple toy-model, we show that independently-generated magnetic fluctuations can drive radiation pressure fluctuations, creating a correlation between the two while maintaining thermal stability.