Pole-to-pole validation of GOME WFDOAS total ozone with groundbased data

International audienceThis paper summarises the validation of GOME total ozone retrieved using the Weighting Function Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (WFDOAS) algorithm Version 1.0. This algorithm has been described in detail in a companion paper by Coldewey-Egbers et al. (2005). Compared to the operational GDP (GOME Data Processor) V3, several improvements to the total ozone retrieval have been introduced that account for the varying ozone dependent contribution to rotational Raman scattering, includes a new cloud scheme, and uses the GOME measured effective albedo in the retrieval. In this paper the WFDOAS results have been compared with selected ground-based measurements from the WOUDC (World Ozone and UV Radiation Data Centre) that collects total ozone measurements from a global network of stations covering all seasons. From the global validation excellent agreement between WFDOAS and ground data was observed. The agreement lies within ±1%, and very little seasonal variations in the differences are found. In the polar regions and at high solar zenith angles, however, a positive bias varying between 5 and 8% is found near the polar night period. As a function of solar zenith angle as well as of the retrieved total ozone, the WFDOAS differences to ground polar data, however, show a much weaker dependence as compared to the operational GOME Data Processor Version 3 of GOME that represents a significant improvement. Very few stations carry out simultaneous measurements by Brewer and Dobson spectrometers over an extended period (three years or more). Simultaneous Brewer and Dobson measurements from Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic (50.2N, 15.8E) and Hohenpeissenberg, Germany (47.8N, 11.0E) covering the period 1996-1999 have been compared with our GOME results. Agreement with Brewers are generally better than with the simultaneous Dobson measurements and this may be explained by the neglect of stratospheric (ozone) temperature correction in the standard ozone retrieval from the ground

Ba{1-x}KxMn2As2: An Antiferromagnetic Local-Moment Metal

The compound BaMn2As2 with the tetragonal ThCr2Si2 structure is a local-moment antiferromagnetic insulator with a Neel temperature TN = 625 K and a large ordered moment mu = 3.9 mu_B/Mn. We demonstrate that this compound can be driven metallic by partial substitution of Ba by K, while retaining the same crystal and antiferromagnetic structures together with nearly the same high TN and large mu. Ba_{1-x}K_xMn2As2 is thus the first metallic ThCr2Si2-type MAs-based system containing local 3d transition metal M magnetic moments, with consequences for the ongoing debate about the local moment versus itinerant pictures of the FeAs-based superconductors and parent compounds. The Ba_{1-x}K_xMn2As2 class of compounds also forms a bridge between the layered iron pnictides and cuprates and may be useful to test theories of high Tc superconductivity.Comment: 5 two-column typeset pages, 5 figures, 20 references; v2: minor revisions, 4 new references, published versio

Competing Magnetic Interactions in the Intermetallic Compound Ho₂Mn₃Si₅

The compound Ho2Mn3Si5 exhibits multiple magnetic transitions: (i) an ordering at ~78 K, (ii) a second magnetic transition at ~16 K, and (iii) an anomaly at ~4 K. Its paramagnetic Curie temperature is found to be small but positive. Assuming a free ion effective paramagnetic moment of 10.6µB for Ho3+ ion, the effective paramagnetic moment per Mn in this compound is calculated to be 1.73µB, which indicates the itinerant nature of Mn d electrons. The various transitions in magnetization data are perhaps due to the ordering of rare earth and Mn moments. The magnetization at 2 K in applied fields of up to 7 T has linear field dependence, indicating dominant antiferromagnetic interactions in the system. Neutron diffraction studies point to a complex amplitude modulated incommensurate magnetic structure at 9 K

Genotoxicity evaluation of the insecticide ethion in root of Allium cepa L.

In this study, the genotoxic effects of ethion were investigated in the mitotic cell division of Allium cepa. Primary roots of A. cepa were treated with various concentrations (25, 50, 75, and 100%) of ethion solutions for different duration of time. The result revealed that increase in the concentration and duration of treatment decreases the mitotic indices. 24 h treatment at 100% concentration of ethion induced lowest mitotic index (20.08%) than that of the control (36.37%). The percentage of chromosomal abnormalities in different mitotic stages was significantly generally higher than that of the control in all the treatment period and concentrations. These abnormalities appeared in various degrees depending on the treatment duration and concentrations of ethion. The abnormalities in dividing cell reached a maximum value of 11.30% after 12 h of treatment at 75% concentration. The type of abnormalitiesproduced were scattered prophase, non-synchronized condensation of chromosome, disturbed prophase, equatorial plate shifting, sticky chromosomes, C-metaphase and sticky metaphase. Overall, it can be concluded that ethion has a potential genotoxic effects on mitotic divisions in A. cepa root tip cells. So, it will be necessary to test the mutagenic potential of ethion on a more intensive and extensive basis especially on non-target systems before it is recommended for wider use in agriculturalfield

Magnetic Ordering in the Rare Earth Intermetallic Compound Tb₂Ti₃Ge₄: Magnetization and Neutron Diffraction Studies

Magnetization and neutron diffraction studies on a polycrystalline Tb2Ti3Ge4 sample (orthorhombic Sm5Ge4-type structure, space group Pnma, No. 62) have been carried out. This compound is found to order antiferromagnetically at ~18 K (TN). The magnetization (M) versus field (H) isotherms obtained at 2, 3, 5, and 10 K indicate a field-induced antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic transition in fields of the order of 0.5 T. The saturation magnetization value at 2.5 K (M extrapolated to 1/H--\u3e0) is only ~5.6µB/Tb3+, suggesting the possible presence of crystal field effects with or without a persisting antiferromagnetic component. Neutron powder diffraction data at 10 K confirm the existence of a magnetic long range order. Modeling of the magnetic scattering reveals a complex and incommensurate antiferromagnetic spin structure below TN

Improved Satellite Retrievals of NO2 and SO2 over the Canadian Oil Sands and Comparisons with Surface Measurements

Satellite remote sensing is increasingly being used to monitor air quality over localized sources such as the Canadian oil sands. Following an initial study, significantly low biases have been identified in current NO2 and SO2 retrieval products from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) satellite sensor over this location resulting from a combination of its rapid development and small spatial scale. Air mass factors (AMFs) used to convert line-of-sight "slant" columns to vertical columns were re-calculated for this region based on updated and higher resolution input information including absorber profiles from a regional-scale (15 km 15 km resolution) air quality model, higher spatial and temporal resolution surface reflectivity, and an improved treatment of snow. The overall impact of these new Environment Canada (EC) AMFs led to substantial increases in the peak NO2 and SO2 average vertical column density (VCD), occurring over an area of intensive surface mining, by factors of 2 and 1.4, respectively, relative to estimates made with previous AMFs. Comparisons are made with long-term averages of NO2 and SO2 (2005-2011) from in situ surface monitors by using the air quality model to map the OMI VCDs to surface concentrations. This new OMI-EC product is able to capture the spatial distribution of the in situ instruments (slopes of 0.65 to 1.0, correlation coefficients of greater than 0.9). The concentration absolute values from surface network observations were in reasonable agreement, with OMI-EC NO2 and SO2 biased low by roughly 30%. Several complications were addressed including correction for the interference effect in the surface NO2 instruments and smoothing and clear-sky biases in the OMI measurements. Overall these results highlight the importance of using input information that accounts for the spatial and temporal variability of the location of interest when performing retrievals

Observation of spin glass state in weakly ferromagnetic Sr2_2FeCoO6_6 double perovskite

We report the observation of spin glass state in the double perovskite oxide Sr$_{2}$FeCoO$_{6}$ prepared through sol-gel technique. Initial structural studies using x rays reveal that the compound crystallizes in tetragonal $I 4/m$ structure with lattice parameters, $a$ = 5.4609(2) \AA and $c$ = 7.7113(7) \AA. The temperature dependent powder x ray studies reveal no structural phase transition in the temperature range 10 -- 300 K. However, the unit cell volume shows an anomaly coinciding with the magnetic transition temperature thereby suggesting a close connection between lattice and magnetism. Neutron diffraction studies and subsequent bond valence sums analysis show that in Sr$_{2}$FeCoO$_{6}$, the $B$ site is randomly occupied by Fe and Co in the mixed valence states of Fe$^{3+}$/Fe$^{4+}$ and Co$^{3+}$/Co$^{4+}$. The random occupancy and mixed valence sets the stage for inhomogeneous magnetic exchange interactions and in turn, for the spin glass like state in this double perovskite which is observed as an irreversibility in temperature dependent dc magnetization at $T_f\sim$ 75 K. Thermal hysteresis observed in the magnetization profile of Sr$_{2}$FeCoO$_{6}$ is indicative of the mixed magnetic phases present. The dynamic magnetic susceptibility displays characteristic frequency dependence and confirms the spin glass nature of this material. Dynamical scaling analysis of $\chi'(T)$ yields a critical temperature $T_{ct}$ = 75.14(8) K and an exponent $z\nu$ = 6.2(2) typical for spin glasses. The signature of presence of mixed magnetic interactions is obtained from the thermal hysteresis in magnetization of Sr$_{2}$FeCoO$_{6}$. Combining the neutron and magnetization results of Sr$_2$FeCoO$_6$, we deduce the spin states of Fe to be in low spin while that of Co to be in low spin and intermediate spin.Comment: 23 pages, 6 figures, accepted in J. Appl. Phy

Effects of transition metal substitutions on the incommensurability and spin fluctuations in BaFe2As2 by elastic and inelastic neutron scattering

The spin fluctuation spectra from nonsuperconducting Cu-substituted, and superconducting Co-substituted, BaFe2As2 are compared quantitatively by inelastic neutron scattering measurements and are found to be indis- tinguishable. Whereas diffraction studies show the appearance of incommensurate spin-density wave order in Co and Ni substituted samples, the magnetic phase diagram for Cu substitution does not display incommensu- rate order, demonstrating that simple electron counting based on rigid-band concepts is invalid. These results, supported by theoretical calculations, suggest that substitutional impurity effects in the Fe plane play a signifi- cant role in controlling magnetism and the appearance of superconductivity, with Cu distinguished by enhanced impurity scattering and split-band behavior.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, Major change in the manuscrip

Effect of Enzymatic Tempering of Wheat Kernels on Milling and Baking Performance

This study examined the effect of cell-wall-degrading enzymes added to temper water on wheat milling performance and flour quality. An enzyme cocktail consisting of cellulase, xylanase, and pectinase and five independent variables (enzyme concentration, incubation time, incubation temperature, tempered wheat moisture content, and tempering water pH) were manipulated in a response surface methodology (RSM) central composite design. A single pure cultivar of hard red winter wheat was tempered under defined conditions and milled on a Ross experimental laboratory mill. Some treatment combinations affected flour yield from the break rolls more than that from the reduction rolls. However, a maximum for flour yield was not found in the range of parameters studied. Though treatments did not affect the optimum water absorption for breadmaking, enzyme-treated flours produced dough exhibiting shorter mixing times and slack and sticky textures compared with the control. Regardless of differences in mixing times, specific loaf volumes were not significantly different among treatments. Crumb firmness of bread baked with flour milled from enzyme-treated wheat was comparable to the control after 1 day but became firmer during storage up to 5 days