Surface Sample Data Research Articles

A CNN–LSTM Machine-Learning Method for Estimating Particulate Organic Carbon from Remote Sensing in Lakes

As particulate organic carbon (POC) from lakes plays an important role in lake ecosystem sustainability and carbon cycle, the estimation of its concentration using satellite remote sensing is of great interest. However, the high complexity and variability of lake water composition pose major challenges to the estimation algorithm of POC concentration in Class II water. This study aimed to formulate a machine-learning algorithm to predict POC concentration and compare their modeling performance. A Convolutional Neural Network–Long Short-Term Memory (CNN–LSTM) algorithm based on spectral and time sequences was proposed to construct an estimation model using the Sentinel 2 satellite images and water surface sample data of Chaohu Lake in China. As a comparison, the performances of the Backpropagation Neural Network (BP), Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models were evaluated for remote sensing inversion of POC concentration. The results show that the CNN–LSTM model obtained higher prediction precision than the BP, GRNN, and CNN models, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.88, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 3.66, and residual prediction deviation (RPD) of 3.03, which are 6.02%, 22.13%, and 28.4% better than the CNN model, respectively. This indicates that CNN–LSTM effectively combines spatial and temporal information, quickly captures time-series features, strengthens the learning ability of multi-scale features, is conducive to improving estimation precision of remote sensing models, and offers good support for carbon source monitoring and assessment in lakes.

Surface morphology inspection for directed energy deposition using small dataset with transfer learning

Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is a branch of Additive Manufacturing (AM) that offers extraordinary controllability and the ability to rapidly shape materials directly into large parts with complex structures. Innovative applications of machine learning and neural network algorithms in additive manufacturing processes have recently been developed, but there are still several barriers to the development and practical application of this technology. The large amount of sample data required for visual inspection using a neural network framework leads to the problem of difficult and costly preparation of surface morphology data. In this study, a transfer learning approach based on a small dataset is proposed to detect surface morphology in the DED procedure. The approach proposed effectively and innovatively addresses the sample scarcity issue that arises during neural network training and eliminates the issue of having to recreate a sizable quantity of the matching surface sample data. It also effectively accelerates the model convergence process through the transfer learning method, which indirectly improves detection accuracy. This work selected a parametric transfer learning approach to train YOLOv7, a self-supervised object detection model, for transfer learning. The experiments utilized an open-source defective dataset (NEU-DEF) for transfer learning pretraining. The training was carried out in combination with a home-made object dataset of 240 small samples after transfer of the model parameters. The input to the model is image data and the output of the training is the classification of surface morphology. The results show that the transfer training model 2 pretrained with the Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) algorithm has high accuracy and precision, achieving a Mean Average Precision (MAP) value of 0.62. Transfer learning speeds up the feature extraction process by transferring the parameters of a pretrained model for a similar task directly into the current task model, resulting in improved detection performance.

A Novel Impervious Surface Extraction Method Integrating POI, Vehicle Trajectories, and Satellite Imagery

Impervious surfaces are essential elements for the urban ecological environment. Machine-learning-based approaches have achieved successful breakthroughs in impervious surface extraction. These methods require large sets of labeled impervious surface data to train a model. However, it is a challenge to acquire massive impervious surface sample data because of complexity, time consumption, and high cost. To address this issue, we explore a method to generate massive impervious surface training samples using point of interest (POI) data and vehicle trajectory global positioning system data. Furthermore, a neural-network-based method is proposed for impervious surface extraction based on the generated training samples. One Landsat-8 image of Shenzhen City, China, was selected to test our approach. The extraction accuracy of the impervious surface was 90.88%, and the overall accuracy based on this method was improved by 8.57% and 8.45% compared with the support vector data description and weighted one-class support vector machine methods, respectively. The results show that the method integrating POI, trajectory data, and satellite imagery can be a viable candidate for impervious surface extraction.

Analysis of mineral types of clay contained in residual soil Kulinjang Area, Enrekang, South Sulawesi Province

Kulinjang area is the main access road that connects Enrekang District with Tanah Toraja District. The road cuts through the hills on a steep slope at the west side, where there are several large landslides alongside the road that have been occurred for a while. Meanwhile, on the road surface, irregular cracks occur. This is due to the local deformation of the soil material or bedrock, where one of the influencing factors is the clay mineral content of the soil. However, not all clay minerals have negative impacts. The formation genesis of clay minerals as rock-forming minerals that can determine the engineering properties is very complex so that the type and amount of clay minerals that formed from weathered origin rock and the weathering factors will have a huge impact on the engineering properties. This study entitled Analysis of Mineral Types of Clay Contained in Residual Soil at Kulinjang Area aims to identify the characteristics of mineral types of clay in the residual soil layer, identify the morphology and thickness of the soil and analyze the stratigraphic distribution of the clay minerals. The methods used in this study are consist of taking surface sample data and subsurface sample data by manual drilling (hand auger), analyzing samples using petrography and analyzing the chemical content in the soil by XRD method (X-Ray Diffraction).

Comparison of surface sampling methods for an extended duration outdoor biological contamination study.

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent for anthrax, is a dangerous pathogen to humans and has a history as a bioterrorism agent. While sampling methods have been developed and evaluated for characterizing and clearing contaminated indoor sites, the performance of these sampling methods is unknown for use in outdoor environments. This paper presents surface sampling data for Bacillus atrophaeus spores, a surrogate for B. anthracis, from a 210-day outdoor study that evaluated the detection and recovery of spores using five different sampling methods as follows: sponge sticks, 37-mm vacuum filter cassettes, residential wet vacuums, robotic floor cleaners, and grab samples of soil, leaves, and grass. The spores were applied by spraying a liquid suspension onto the surfaces. Both asphalt and concrete surfaces were sampled by all the surface sampling methods, excluding grab sampling. Stainless steel coupons placed outdoors were additionally sampled using sponge sticks. Sampling methods differed in their ability to collect detectable spores over the duration of the study. The 37-mm vacuums and sponge sticks consistently detected spores on asphalt through day 37 and robots through day 99. The wet vacuums detected spores on asphalt for days 1 and 4, but not again until day 210. On concrete, all samplers detected spores until day 210 except for sponge stick samplers that detected spores only up until the day 99 time point. For all sampling methods, spore recoveries were higher from concrete than from asphalt surfaces. There was no statistically significant difference in recoveries of sponge sticks and 37-mm vacuums from either asphalt or concrete surfaces. Processing of grab samples was challenging due to non-target background microorganisms resulting in high detection limits for the samples.

Assessment of personal airborne exposures and surface contamination from x-ray vaporization of beryllium targets at the National Ignition Facility

ABSTRACTThis article presents air and surface sampling data collected over the first two years since beryllium was introduced as a target material at the National Ignition Facility. Over this time, 101 experiments with beryllium-containing targets were executed. The data provides an assessment of current conditions in the facility and a baseline for future impacts as new, reduced regulatory limits for beryllium are being proposed by both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Department of Energy. This study also investigates how beryllium deposits onto exposed surfaces as a result of x-ray vaporization and the effectiveness of simple decontamination measures in reducing the amount of removable beryllium from a surface. Based on 1,961 surface wipe samples collected from entrant components (equipment directly exposed to target debris) and their surrounding work areas during routine reconfiguration activities, only one result was above the beryllium release limit of 0.2 µg/100 cm2 and 27 results were above the analytical reporting limit of 0.01 µg/100 cm2, for a beryllium detection rate of 1.4%. Surface wipe samples collected from the internal walls of the NIF target chamber, however, showed higher levels of beryllium, with beryllium detected on 73% and 87% of the samples during the first and second target chamber entries (performed annually), respectively, with 23% of the samples above the beryllium release limit during the second target chamber entry. The analysis of a target chamber wall panel exposed during the first 30 beryllium-containing experiments (cumulatively) indicated that 87% of the beryllium contamination remains fixed onto the surface after wet wiping the surface and 92% of the non-fixed contamination was removed by decontaminating the surface using a dry wipe followed by a wet wipe. Personal airborne exposures assessed during access to entrant components and during target chamber entry indicated that airborne beryllium was not present in workers' breathing zones. All the data thus far have shown that beryllium has been effectively managed to prevent exposures to workers during routine and non-routine work.

Modern deep-water agglutinated foraminifera from IODP Expedition 323, Bering Sea: ecological and taxonomic implications

Abstract. Despite the importance of the Bering Sea for subarctic oceanography and climate, relatively little is known of the foraminifera from the extensive Aleutian Basin. We report the occurrence of modern deep-water agglutinated foraminifera collected at seven sites cored during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) Expedition 323 in the Bering Sea. Assemblages collected from core-top samples contained 32 genera and 50 species and are described and illustrated here for the first time. Commonly occurring species include typical deep-water Rhizammina, Reophax, Rhabdammina, Recurvoides and Nodulina. Assemblages from the northern sites also consist of accessory Cyclammina, Eggerelloides and Glaphyrammina, whilst those of the Bowers Ridge sites consist of other tubular genera and Martinottiella. Of the studied stations with the lowest dissolved oxygen concentrations, the potentially Bering Sea endemic Eggerelloides sp. 1 inhabits the northern slope, which has the highest primary productivity, and the potentially endemic Martinottiella sp. 3 inhabits Bowers Ridge, which has the lowest oxygen concentrations but relatively low annual productivity. Martinottiella sp. 3, with open pores on its test surface, has previously been reported in Pliocene to Recent material from Bowers Ridge. Despite relatively small sample sizes, ecological constraints may imply that the Bering Sea experienced high productivity and reduced oxygen at times since at least the Pliocene. We note the partially endemic nature of the agglutinated foraminiferal assemblages, which may at least in part be due to basin restriction, the geologically long time period of reduced oxygen, and high organic carbon flux. Our results indicate the importance of gathering further surface sample data from the Aleutian Basin.

COASTAL EVOLUTION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS INTERPRETED FROM BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA, OSTRACODES, AND POLLEN

Research Article| July 01, 2011 COASTAL EVOLUTION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS INTERPRETED FROM BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA, OSTRACODES, AND POLLEN David B. Scott; David B. Scott 4 1Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 3J5 Canada 4Correspondence author. E-mail: dbscott@dal.ca Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Peta J. Mudie; Peta J. Mudie 1Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 3J5 Canada2Geological Survey Canada Atlantic, Box 1006, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2 Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar John S. Bradshaw John S. Bradshaw 3Deceased; 5062 Alicante Way, Oceanside, California 92056 USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information David B. Scott 4 1Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 3J5 Canada Peta J. Mudie 1Department of Earth Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 3J5 Canada2Geological Survey Canada Atlantic, Box 1006, Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2 Canada John S. Bradshaw 3Deceased; 5062 Alicante Way, Oceanside, California 92056 USA 4Correspondence author. E-mail: dbscott@dal.ca Publisher: Cushman Foundation for Foraminiferal Research Received: 16 Feb 2010 Accepted: 06 Dec 2010 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-264X Print ISSN: 0096-1191 © 2011 Journal of Foraminiferal Research Journal of Foraminiferal Research (2011) 41 (3): 285–307. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.41.3.285 Article history Received: 16 Feb 2010 Accepted: 06 Dec 2010 First Online: 03 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation David B. Scott, Peta J. Mudie, John S. Bradshaw; COASTAL EVOLUTION OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS INTERPRETED FROM BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA, OSTRACODES, AND POLLEN. Journal of Foraminiferal Research 2011;; 41 (3): 285–307. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gsjfr.41.3.285 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyJournal of Foraminiferal Research Search Advanced Search Abstract Three paleoecological studies were conducted on five lagoons and marshes in San Diego County in 1973–1975 and initial results were published in 1976. This paper integrates the earlier results with new palynological evidence, microfossil, and sedimentological data to provide a regional perspective of lagoon, salt-marsh, and climate changes in southern California over the past 8000 years. Foraminiferal species are illustrated and a revised taxonomy is presented. Ostracodes in the surface samples and boreholes of this region are illustrated for the first time.Surface sample data show the relation between microfossil faunal assemblages, modern salinity, tidal exchange, water depth, and salt-marsh elevation in open lagoons at Tijuana estuary, San Diego and Mission bays, and Agua Hedionda, and for hypersaline-to-brackish marshes in the Los Peñasquitos wetlands. Drillhole lithofacies in Los Peñasquitos, Tijuana, and Mission Bay marshes were dated with seven radiocarbon ages in addition to those published in 1976. The microfossil surface sample data were used to interpret the drillhole records, showing the paleoecological evolution of the wetlands and the variation within and between lagoons located less than 40 km apart. Abundances of planktonic and other nearshore foraminifera show that Los Peñasquitos lagoon was much more open in the mid-Holocene compared to today. Palynological data provide the first documentation of mangrove migration as far north as San Diego in the mid-Holocene, which implies warmer winters and wetter summers at that time. Palynostratigraphic data also permit refined timing of recent changes (past 300 years) in lagoonal environments based on use of historical dates for introduced plant species. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.

Early to mid-Pliocene environmentally constrained diatom assemblages from the AND-1B drillcore, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica

In extended lower to mid-Pliocene stratigraphic record of near-shore environmental variation in the southwestern Ross Sea, Antarctica is preserved in ANDRILL’s McMurdo Ice Shelf Project AND-1B drillcore.A94meter-thick sequence of three diatomite and diatomaceous mudstone intervals represents the highest latitude record (78° S) of persistent open-marine conditions on the Antarctic continental shelf, in response to a protracted period of Pliocene warmth. This core provides new chronostratigraphic control for Antarctic paleoclimatic events, and describes a sequence of distinct diatom assemblages comprised of both extant and extinct species that are unknown on the Antarctic shelf today. Common taxa include those with modern distributions close to the Polar Frontal Zone (e.g. Shionodiscus tetraoestrupii, Stellarima stellaris, Thalassionema nitzschioides), suggesting marine temperatures in the southwestern Ross Sea warmer than at present. Representatives of the modern sea-ice assemblage (e.g. Fragilariopsis curta, Stellarima microtrias) and cold open-marine species associated with the retreating sea-ice front (e.g. Eucampia antarctica var. recta) are also present, but in much lower abundance than in the Ross Sea today as suggested by core top and surface sample data. The co-occurrence of species from these three distinct modern environments in Pliocene sediments, in close proximity to the continent, suggests that modern ecological zonal concepts cannot be applied directly in Pliocene paleoenvironmental analyses. Species present in the 4 m-thick lowest diatomite unit (~4.5 Ma) indicate a cold openmarine environment,with the period of deposition likely comprising the length of one interglacial period. The middle diatomite unit (~4.1-4.3 Ma; 14m) records warmer and perhaps seasonally mixed conditions with often abundant Thalassionema nitzschioides and Shionodiscus tetraoestrupii and little evidence of sea-ice associated species. Documentation of changes in diatom assemblages through the upper 75m-thick diatomite interval (~3.3-3.6Ma) offers the opportunity to resolve environmental limits of Pliocene diatom species thatwill serve as a guide to diatom-based paleoenvironmental interpretations for other Pliocene deposits. This upper unit records deposition during several glacial/interglacial cycles indicating an extended interval with open marine productivity during the mid-Pliocene. In addition, environmental associations for extinct species are inferred by their co-occurrence with extant taxa. Persistent intervals of pure diatomite suggest high productivity in an open-marine setting and minimal to no influence of sea ice. Commonly occurring species can be placed in five ecological cateories; Neritic/Stratified, Warm, Cold/Sea Ice, Heavy/Wind Mixed and Mixed. Comparison of this long diatom-bearing interval with coeval Antarctic deposits presents a regional and continental picture of Pliocene warmth, suggesting East Antarctic Ice Sheet was smaller with sub-polar marginal conditions.

Holocene Vegetation History and Palaeoenvironmental Conditions on the Temperate Atlantic Coast of Argentina, as Inferred from Multi-Proxy Lacustrine Records

Holocene vegetation history and palaeoenvironmental conditions are investigated at the south coast of Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. La Olla 1 and Laguna del Sauce Grande sediment sequences are analysed for pollen, calcareous microfossil (ostracods and foraminifers) and plant macrofossil remains (mainly seeds and charophyte oospores). Supplementary information is provided by sedimentological analysis. Modern surface sample data are used to assist in the interpretation of the fossil records. La Olla 1 sequence covers the period 7890 to 7630 cal. BP. The microfauna recovered is characteristic of a shallow marginal-marine environment such as a coastal lagoon. The microfossils indicate a marine connection between 7850 and 7800 cal. BP. Plant macrofossil remains and pollen analyses indicate an extension of the water body after 7780 cal. BP. The pollen record reveals the development of a halophytic plant community in a coastal environment. The sediment record from Laguna del Sauce Grande comprises the last 3000 years. Microfossils and macrofossil remains indicate that the lake history begins with a temporary brackish-water phase. More stable conditions and higher salinity values occur between 1940 and 900 cal. BP. Periods of water level fluctuations occur after 900 cal. BP, with high water levels between 660 and 270 cal. BP. The uppermost samples of the sequence show similar conditions to present day. Pollen spectra indicate a relatively stable vegetation composition throughout the last 3000 years. Pollen assemblages reflect the present regional grassland vegetation with taxa characteristic of the surrounding dune communities.

Late quaternary benthic foraminifera and deep-water paleoceanography in the South China Sea

Recent and late Quaternary deep-sea benthic foraminifera in the South China Sea (SCS) have been quantitatively studied, in order to approach some disputable questions about the glacial deep circulation of the Pacific from the paleoceanographic records of a marginal sea, for example, whether or not there existed the North Pacific Deep Water (NPDW) during glacials. Based on the quantitative data of deep-sea benthic foraminiferal faunas from sixty-six surface sediment samples of the SCS, a Q-mode factor analysis indicates that the Globocassidulina subglobosa assemblage, the Astrononion novozealandicum and Bulimina aculeata assemblages and the Eggerella bradyi assemblage are associated with the Intermediate Water Mass (IWM), Deep Water Mass (DWM) and the deep water below CCD in the SCS, respectively. The factor assemblages resulted from surface sample data were then applied to the quantitative analysis of late Quaternary deep-sea benthic foraminifera in eight cores from the SCS and western Pacific. The results show a generally increased contribution of the DWM assemblage relative to that of the IWM assemblage during glacials, which implies that the influence of the DWM increased and that of the IWM decreased in the SCS and western Pacific. However, there were two major deep-water paleoceanographic changes during the late Quaternary: (1) The deep-sea carbonate dissolution of the SCS and western Pacific was intensified during δ 180 stages 4–5, evidenced by the higher arenaceous/calcareous ratios of benthic foraminifera and relative abundance of Eggerella bradyi. (2) The influence of the Pacific DWM above 2500 m greatly increased during the last glacial maximum (LGM), inferred from the increased abundances of the Pacific DWM benthic foraminiferal assemblage as compared to those of the Pacific IWM and Pacific Bottom Water Mass assemblages in the western Pacific. Particularly, the water in which Favocassidulina favus was distributed could not enter the SCS since the LGM. Meanwhile, the great changes had taken place in the DWM of the SCS during the LGM, reflected in the occurrence of a clearly cooled and ventilated DWM and the replacement of A. novozealandicum and B. aculeata assemblages by B. aculeata-Melonis barleeanum assemblage at water depths of 1000–2500 m. These significant changes during the LGM may be related to the formation of the NPDW

An expanded surface-water palaeotemperature inference model for use with fossil midges from eastern Canada

Using an expanded surface sample data set, representing lakes distributed across a transect from southernmost Canada to the Canadian High Arctic, a revised midge-palaeotemperature inference model was developed for eastern Canada. Modelling trials with weighted averaging (with classical and inverse deshrinking; with and without tolerance downweighting) and weighted averaging partial least squares (WA-PLS) regression, with and without square-root transformation of the species data, were used to identify the best model. Comparison of measured and predicted temperatures revealed that a 2 component WA-PLS model for square-root transformed percentage species data provided the model with the highest explained variance (r $$_{jack}^2 $$ = 0.88) and the lowest error estimate (RMSEP jack = 2.26 °C). Comparison of temperature inferences based on the new and old models indicates that the original model may have seriously under-estimated the magnitude of late-glacial temperature oscillations in Atlantic Canada. The new inferences suggest that summer surface water temperatures in Splan Pond, New Brunswick were approximately 10 to 12 °C immediately following deglaciation and during the Younger Dryas. During the Allerod and early Holocene, surface water temperatures of 20 to 24 °C were attained. The new model thus provides the basis for more accurate palaeotemperature reconstructions throughout easternmost Canada.

Remote Sensing of Water Quality in Waste-Water Reservoirs: Pilot Plant Studies

A German-Israeli program is currently being carried out at the Hebrew University, applying infrared imaging for the monitoring of waste-water reservoirs. The images were processed together with surface sampling data, in order to develop regression equations. Limnological parameters selected for the study were related to hypertrophic conditions existing in waste-water reservoirs, such as chlorophyll concentration and water turbidity. Regression equations were established and proved reliable for pilot plant performance. Additional field work is needed in order to validate pilot plant models. The long-term goal of this project is developing on-line reservoir surveillance for the monitoring of water quality.

Vegetation and pollen relationships in eastern Canada

The relationship between the vegetation and modern pollen assemblages in eastern Canada is summarized and analyzed using isopoll maps, ordination, and cluster analysis. The major vegetation zones are shrub tundra, forest tundra (divided into shrub and forest subzones), lichen woodland, closed black spruce forest, mixed boreal forest, and coastal barrens. The pollen assemblages of these zones are distinguished by differences in the relative abundance of a few important pollen types rather than by floristic differences. Northern zones have relatively high Cyperaceae and low Picea pollen percentages, and southern zones have high Picea and Abies pollen percentages. Surface samples from each vegetation zone generally form distinctive groups in the ordination analysis. However, samples from the shrub subzone of the forest tundra cluster with shrub tundra samples, and lichen woodland samples cluster with samples from the closed black spruce forest and the forest subzone of the forest tundra. Cluster analysis separates the samples into geographically distinct groups. However, these groups generally contain samples from several vegetation zones. The surface sample data set analyzed here will prove useful in reconstructing the vegetation history of the region. Key words: pollen surface samples, modern vegetation, eastern Canada.

Water Quality Monitoring in Spanish Reservoirs By Satellite Remote Sensing

ABSTRACT A United States–Spanish Cooperative Program is currently being performed between the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Spanish Centro de Estudios y Experimentacion de Obras Publicas applying Landsat satellite digital imagery to eutrophication-related water quality monitoring in Spanish reservoirs. Landsat digital images provided by the thematic mapper sensors were processed with concurrent surface sampling data, to develop regression equations and water surface maps. Limnological parameters selected for the study were related to trophic conditions such as chlorophyll concentrations and Secchi transparency. While thematic mapping based on single-date regression equations has already proved feasible and reliable, more sophisticated processing is needed to develop equations for multiple-date assessment, that is, to enable assessment on any date remote sensing data are available whether concurrent water surface measurements are available or not. The long-term goal of this project is developing updat...

Volumetric Determination of Marine Oil Spills Using Coordinated Airborne and Surface Sampling Data

ABSTRACT The detection, measurement, and monitoring of oil pollution in the marine environment are receiving increased attention owing to: I) the growing incidence of oil spills; 2) the associated need for improved cleanup procedures; and, 3) the need for more effective surveillance systems, capable of gathering legal evidence for the prosecution of violators. The Geography Remote Sensing Unit and the Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara for 2 1/2 years has been conducting experiments related to the application of remotely sensed data to these problem areas. As part of a United States Coast Guard test of a high seas oil containment device, a system for estimating the volume of oil loss resulting from oil pollution incidents was developed. This system involved the coordination of remote sensing data acquisition with simultaneous collection of surface sampling data. Results indicate that remotely sensed data, when effectively correlated with surface sampling data, can provide a base for volumetric estimations of a given oil slick. Refinements of these techniques can lead to more efficient, real-time day/night, operational monitoring of marine oil pollution incidents.

Pollen Analysis of Mor Humus Layers from a Native Scots Pine Ecosystem, Interpreted with Surface Samples

The pollen content of the organic layers of nine soil profiles in the Forest of Abernethy, Inverness-shire was examined. From a discussion of the process of raw humus formation, it would appear that Mor is a broadly stratified deposit in which favourable conditions exist for the preservation of pollen, although a number of factors which may lead to the deterioration of pollen, or disturbance of stratification are also considered. Pollen diagrams from Mor profiles were interpreted with the aid of surface sample data from Abernethy presented in an earlier paper, 14C-dating of soil material, and documentary evidence. It is concluded that substantial areas of Calluna-dominated heathland have existed in Abernethy since at least AD 400, and that prior to heathland formation, some parts of Abernethy may have contained vegetation consistent with the presence of Mull rather than Mor.