Advanced solid-state array spectroradiometer data collection during HAPEX-2 Sahel

Data collection using the Advanced Solid-state Array Spectroradiometer (ASAS) during the Hydrologic Atmospheric Pilot Experiment in the Sahel (HAPEX-II Sahel) field campaign in the Republic of Niger, West Central Africa from 22 Aug. to 19 Sep. 1992 is documented. Details on the ASAS system such as the hardware, data collection methods, information on system calibration, and data processing procedures are included. The ASAS configuration deployed for HAPEX-II Sahel contains several new components, including a new sensor array and pointing system. Because of this, new calibration procedures are being developed at the same time that the first ASAS images from HAPEX-II Sahel are being processed. These new calibration procedures will be documented in a future publication

The Space Physics Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS)

With the advent of the Heliophysics/Geospace System Observatory (H/GSO), a complement of multi-spacecraft missions and ground-based observatories to study the space environment, data retrieval, analysis, and visualization of space physics data can be daunting. The Space Physics Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS), a grass-roots software development platform (www.spedas.org), is now officially supported by NASA Heliophysics as part of its data environment infrastructure. It serves more than a dozen space missions and ground observatories and can integrate the full complement of past and upcoming space physics missions with minimal resources, following clear, simple, and well-proven guidelines. Free, modular and configurable to the needs of individual missions, it works in both command-line (ideal for experienced users) and Graphical User Interface (GUI) mode (reducing the learning curve for first-time users). Both options have “crib-sheets,” user-command sequences in ASCII format that can facilitate record-and-repeat actions, especially for complex operations and plotting. Crib-sheets enhance scientific interactions, as users can move rapidly and accurately from exchanges of technical information on data processing to efficient discussions regarding data interpretation and science. SPEDAS can readily query and ingest all International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP)-compatible products from the Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF), enabling access to a vast collection of historic and current mission data. The planned incorporation of Heliophysics Application Programmer’s Interface (HAPI) standards will facilitate data ingestion from distributed datasets that adhere to these standards. Although SPEDAS is currently Interactive Data Language (IDL)-based (and interfaces to Java-based tools such as Autoplot), efforts are under-way to expand it further to work with python (first as an interface tool and potentially even receiving an under-the-hood replacement). We review the SPEDAS development history, goals, and current implementation. We explain its “modes of use” with examples geared for users and outline its technical implementation and requirements with software developers in mind. We also describe SPEDAS personnel and software management, interfaces with other organizations, resources and support structure available to the community, and future development plans

Electrokinetic generation of reactive iron-rich barriers in wet sediments: implications for contaminated land management

Electrokinetic remediation is an emerging technology that has generated considerable interest as a technique for the in situ remediation of clay-rich soils and sediments. Despite promising experimental results, however, at present there is no standardised universal electrokinetic soil/sediment remediation approach. Many of the current technologies are technically complex and energy intensive, and geared towards the removal of 90% or more of specific contaminants, under very specific field or laboratory-based conditions. However, in the real environment a low-tech, low-energy contaminant reduction/containment technique may be more appropriate and realistic. Such a technique, FIRS (Ferric Iron Remediation and Stabilisation), is discussed here. The FIRS technique involves the application of a low magnitude (typically less than 0.2 V/cm) direct electric potential between two or more sacrificial, Fe-rich, electrodes emplaced in, or either side of, a contaminated soil or sediment. The electric potential is used to generate a strong pH (and Eh) gradient within the soil column (pH 2 - 13), and force the precipitation of an Fe-rich barrier or pan in the soil between the electrodes. Geochemical and geotechnical data for FIRS-treated sediments from the Ravenglass estuary, Cumbria, UK indicate that the technique can significantly reduce contaminant concentration in treated soil, by remobilisation of contaminants and concentration on, or around, the Fe-rich barrier. Arsenic, in particular, seems highly amenable to the FIRS treatment, due to its solubility under the high pH conditions generated near to the cathode, and its marked geochemical affinity with the freshly precipitated Fe oxides and oxyhydroxides in the Fe barrier. Geotechnical tests indicate that the Fe barrier produced by the technique is practically impervious (permeability = 10^9 m/s or less), and has moderate mechanical strength (UCS ca. 11 N/mm2). Notably, a large increase in shear strength in the treated soil near to the anode electrode (due to Fe cementation and/or dewatering) is also observed, without significant loss of porosity. The data indicate that the FIRS technique shows considerable promise as an in situ method for contaminated land remediation and soil water containment, and for improving the mechanical properties of soils (contaminated or otherwise) for civil engineering purposes

Things That Work: Roles and Services of SPDF

The current Heliophysics Science Data Management Policy (HpSDMP) defines the roles of the Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF) project as a heliophysics active Final Archive (aFA), a focus for critical data infrastructure services and a center of excellence for data and ancillary information services. This presentation will highlight (1) select current SPDF activities, (2) the lessons we are continuing to learn in how to usefully serve the the heliophysics science community and (3)SPDF's programmatic emphasis in the coming year. In cooperation with the Heliophysics Virtual discipline Observatories (VxOs), we are working closely with current, and with upcoming missions such as RBSP and MMS, to define effective approaches to ensure the long-term availability and archiving of mission data, as well as how SPDF services can complement active mission capabilities. We are working to make the Virtual Space Physics Observatory (VSPO) service comprehensive in all significant and NASA relevant heliophysics data. We will highlight a new CDAWeb interface, a faster SSCWeb, availability of our data through VxO services such as Autoplot, a new capability to easily access our data from within IDL and continuing improvements to CDF including better handling of leap seconds

The Space Physics Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS)

With the advent of the Heliophysics/Geospace System Observatory (H/GSO), a complement of multi-spacecraft missions and ground-based observatories to study the space environment, data retrieval, analysis, and visualization of space physics data can be daunting. The Space Physics Environment Data Analysis System (SPEDAS), a grass-roots software development platform (www.spedas.org), is now officially supported by NASA Heliophysics as part of its data environment infrastructure. It serves more than a dozen space missions and ground observatories and can integrate the full complement of past and upcoming space physics missions with minimal resources, following clear, simple, and well-proven guidelines. Free, modular and configurable to the needs of individual missions, it works in both command-line (ideal for experienced users) and Graphical User Interface (GUI) mode (reducing the learning curve for first-time users). Both options have “crib-sheets, ” user-command sequences in ASCII format that can facilitate record-and-repeat actions, especially for complex operations and plotting. Crib-sheets enhance scientific interactions, as users can move rapidly and accurately from exchanges of technical information on data processing to efficient discussions regarding data interpretation and science. SPEDAS can readily query and ingest all International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP)-compatible products from the Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF), enabling access to a vast collection of historic and current mission data. The planned incorporation of Heliophysics Application Programmer’s Interface (HAPI) standards will facilitate data ingestion from distributed datasets that adhere to these standards. Although SPEDAS is currently Interactive Data Language (IDL)-based (and interfaces to Java-based tools such as Autoplot), efforts are under-way to expand it further to work with python (first as an interface tool and potentially even receiving an under-the-hood replacement). We review the SPEDAS development history, goals, and current implementation. We explain its “modes of use” with examples geared for users and outline its technical implementation and requirements with software developers in mind. We also describe SPEDAS personnel and software management, interfaces with other organizations, resources and support structure available to the community, and future development plans