263 research outputs found
A Model of Habitability Within the Milky Way Galaxy
We present a model of the Galactic Habitable Zone (GHZ), described in terms
of the spatial and temporal dimensions of the Galaxy that may favour the
development of complex life. The Milky Way galaxy is modelled using a
computational approach by populating stars and their planetary systems on an
individual basis using Monte-Carlo methods. We begin with well-established
properties of the disk of the Milky Way, such as the stellar number density
distribution, the initial mass function, the star formation history, and the
metallicity gradient as a function of radial position and time. We vary some of
these properties, creating four models to test the sensitivity of our
assumptions. To assess habitability on the Galactic scale, we model supernova
rates, planet formation, and the time required for complex life to evolve. Our
study improves on other literature on the GHZ by populating stars on an
individual basis and by modelling SNII and SNIa sterilizations by selecting
their progenitors from within this preexisting stellar population. Furthermore,
we consider habitability on tidally locked and non-tidally locked planets
separately, and study habitability as a function of height above and below the
Galactic midplane. In the model that most accurately reproduces the properties
of the Galaxy, the results indicate that an individual SNIa is ~5.6 \times more
lethal than an individual SNII on average. In addition, we predict that ~1.2%
of all stars host a planet that may have been capable of supporting complex
life at some point in the history of the Galaxy. Of those stars with a
habitable planet, ~75% of planets are predicted to be in a tidally locked
configuration with their host star. The majority of these planets that may
support complex life are found towards the inner Galaxy, distributed within,
and significantly above and below, the Galactic midplane.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astrobiology. 40 pages, 12 figures, 3
table
Characterisation of seasonal temperature variation in a shallow, urban aquifer: implications for the sustainable development of ground source heating systems
Groundwater thermally enhanced by the Urban Heat Island effect can be utilised by ground source heating
systems (GSHSs). However, the near subsurface is subject to seasonal temperature variation reflected in shallow
groundwater that can differ by several degrees throughout the year. To sustainably manage the near surface
thermal resource an understanding of factors which control variation in groundwater temperature and how these
are transmitted through the aquifer is needed.
We show that even in relatively small urban areas (Cardiff, U.K., situated on a shallow gravel aquifer) the
Zone of Seasonal Fluctuation (ZSF) can vary in depth by 8m. GSHSs are more efficient if they are sited below the
ZSF, where temperatures are more stable.
In Spring 2014, 48 groundwater monitoring boreholes were profiled at a 1m resolution to measure groundwater
temperature across Cardiff. These were reprofiled that Autumn and compared to the Spring temperatures,
defining the ZSF. The average depth to the base of the ZSF was 9.5mbgl but ranged from 7.1-15.5mbgl.
The amplitude of the differences between Spring and Autumn temperatures also varied. To better understand
the high spatial variability 60 boreholes were instrumented with in situ temperature loggers, recording at
half-hourly intervals. The first yearâs data revealed the amplitudes of temperature variation within boreholes with
loggers at similar depths were not always consistent. It was also noted that lag times between air temperature and
groundwater temperature were not uniform across the sites. The data also showed that where gravels occurred at
shallower depths the ZSF tended to be shallower and lag times shorter.
The wide spatial variability of the ZSF may be partially explained by differing landuse. Those boreholes in
open, grassed areas showed a deeper ZSF than those in built-up areas but built-up areas generally showed
the greatest variation between Spring and Autumn temperature profiles, suggesting heat loss from buildings
and underground infrastructure plays a part. Natural and anthropogenic factors affecting spatial and temporal
groundwater temperatures, either separately or in combination, that have been considered in this study include
landuse, depth, lithology/lithostratigraphy, material properties, hydrogeological setting, thermal conductivity,
buried infrastructure, land surface temperature, weather effects and solar radiation.
This study shows that urban groundwater temperatures can vary greatly across a small area, which has implications
for the successful development, and long-term performance of open- and closed-loop GSHSs, and the
environmental regulation of these systems. Key to the effective wide-scale use of GSHSs is an understanding
of the hydrogeological setting, chiefly how heat is transferred across the aquifer. This study attempts to provide
insight into an array of factors which determine heat transfer in the ZSF
Mapping shallow urban groundwater temperatures, a case study from Cardiff, UK
Low-enthalpy ground source heating systems can help to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, in turn reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security. To de-risk and support the sustainable development, regulation and management of ground source heating systems in urban areas, detailed baseline mapping of groundwater temperatures is required. Groundwater temperatures were measured in 168 monitoring boreholes primarily within a Quaternary sand and gravel aquifer in the city of Cardiff, UK. The data have been used to create the first city-wide map of shallow groundwater temperatures in the UK. This map can be used both to support development of ground source heating and to act as a detailed baseline from which to measure change. Shallow groundwater temperatures under the city were found to be 2°C warmer than the UK average groundwater temperature and this additional heat is attributed to the urban heat island. The zone of seasonal fluctuation varies from 7.1 and 15.5â
m below ground level (mbgl) within the shallow Quaternary aquifer, averaging 9.5â
mbgl. Deeper groundwater temperature profiles incorporating both the Quaternary and bedrock aquifers suggest that a âzone of anthropogenic influenceâ exists down to about 70â
mbgl.
Around a third of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions are produced by space heating, and the UK Government recognizes the need to change the way heat is produced and consumed so as to reduce the impacts of climate change and improve energy security (DECC 2013). In response to this driver the UK Government has established targets in the legally binding Climate Change Act 2008 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from the 1990 baseline by 2050. In Wales the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 requires public bodies to take action to undertake sustainable development to drive social, economic and environmental benefits, both now and into the future. Low-enthalpy ground source heating systems, when deployed in a sustainable manner, can provide a low-cost, low-carbon and secure form of heating (e.g. Allen et al. 2003). Ground source heat pumps can broadly be classified as either âopen-loopâ or âclosed-loopâ systems. Open-loop systems require the abstraction of groundwater, which is passed through a heat exchanger before being returned to the aquifer. Open-loop systems can have a higher coefficient of performance (COP) and require fewer boreholes where shallow groundwater is available. Open-loop systems may not be suitable if water cannot be successfully recharged to the same aquifer and there are also requirements for abstraction licences and discharge permits or exemptions. The closed-loop system uses a sealed pipe that can be either laid flat or installed vertically into a borehole. These systems often require a greater number of boreholes, increasing cost; however, in the UK they do not require licensing and this can reduce costs. Sustainable development of ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems for both heating and cooling requires characterization of baseline groundwater temperatures. Knowledge of baseline conditions is important to support the design and regulation of GSHP. Baseline temperature data are required to assess the potential impacts of multiple ground source heating and cooling systems so as to avoid interactions between neighbouring systems (Fry 2009; Headon et al. 2009). It is anticipated that if negative interactions between ground source heating and cooling systems continue, some aquifers, mainly in densely populated cities, will need to be managed in terms of heat as well as groundwater resources (Banks et al. 2009). Regulators need legal, policy and scientific tools to support risk-based management of the subsurface, and one such tool is baseline temperature data and mapping of groundwater heat resources.
The shallow gravel aquifer in Cardiff is a favourable geological setting in which to develop open-loop ground source heating systems. To support the sustainable development of this technology we have produced the first city-wide baseline map of groundwater temperatures and better defined the depth of the zone of seasonal fluctuation. The data and supporting map outputs will provide an independent source of information for system designers and installers, housing developers, space planners and regulators that is intended to help inform planning decisions and optimize design of GSHP schemes. Additionally, we describe observed seasonal groundwater temperature variation and define the base of the âzone of seasonal fluctuationâ, which will allow developers to locate abstraction boreholes at depths unaffected by seasonal temperature changes. An initial estimate of available thermal energy that could be transferred from existing dewatering abstractions is made as an illustration of the city-wide potential
Shallow groundwater temperatures and the urban heat island effect: the first U.K. city-wide geothermal map to support development of ground source heating systems strategy
U.K. Government aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 (Climate Change
Act, 2008). Ground source heating systems could contribute to the U.K.âs energy future but
uptake has been slow due to a lack of case studies. The aim of this work was to produce the 1st
U.K. city-wide heat map to support the development of ground source heating. We also sought to
describe groundwater temperature variation with lithology & estimate the available thermal
energy beneath the city
Superconducting fluctuations and the Nernst effect: A diagrammatic approach
We calculate the contribution of superconducting fluctuations above the
critical temperature to the transverse thermoelectric response
, the quantity central to the analysis of the Nernst effect. The
calculation is carried out within the microscopic picture of BCS, and to linear
order in magnetic field. We find that as , the dominant contribution
to arises from the Aslamazov-Larkin diagrams, and is equal to the
result previously obtained from a stochastic time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau
equation [Ussishkin, Sondhi, and Huse, arXiv:cond-mat/0204484]. We present an
argument which establishes this correspondence for the heat current. Other
microscopic contributions, which generalize the Maki-Thompson and density of
states terms for the conductivity, are less divergent as .Comment: 11 pages, 5 figure
Establishing an urban geo-observatory to support sustainable development of shallow subsurface heat recovery and storage
Low-enthalpy ground source heating and cooling is recognised as one strategy that can contribute towards reducing reliance on traditional, increasingly insecure, CO2-intense thermal power generation, as well as helping to address fuel poverty. Development of this technology is applicable in urban areas where high housing density often coincides with the presence of shallow aquifers. In urban areas groundwater temperatures can be elevated due to the subsurface Urban Heat Island effect. Uptake and development of this technology is often limited by initial investment costs, however, baseline temperature monitoring and characterisation of urban aquifers, conducted in partnership with local authorities, can provide a greater degree of certainty around resource and sustainability that can facilitate better planning, regulation and management of subsurface heat. We present a novel high-density, city-scale groundwater temperature observatory and introduce a 3D geological model aimed at addressing the needs of developers, planners, regulators and policy makers. The Cardiff Geo-Observatory measures temperature in a Quaternary aged sand and gravel aquifer in 61 boreholes and at a pilot shallow open-loop ground source heating system. We show that repurposing existing infrastructure can provide a cost effective method of developing monitoring networks, and make recommendations on establishing similar geo-observatories
Phylogeny of Geomydoecus and Thomomydoecus pocket gopher lice (phthiraptera, trichodectidae) inferred from cladistic analysis of adult and first instar morphology
The phylogeny for all 122 species and subspecies of chewing lice of the genera Geomydoecus and Thomomydoecus (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae) hosted by pocket gophers (Rodentia: Geomyidae) is estimated by a cladistic analysis of fifty-eight morphological characters obtained from adults and first instars. The data set has considerable homoplasy, but still contains phylogenetic information. The phylogeny obtained is moderately resolved and, with some notable exceptions, supports the species complexes proposed by Hellenthal and Price over the the last two decades. The subgenera G. (Thaelerius) and T. (Thomomydoecus) are both shown to be monophyletic, but the monophly of subgenus T. (Jamespattonius) could not be confirmed, perhaps due to the lack of first-instar data for one of its component species. The nominate subgenus of Geomydoecus may be monophyletic, but our cladogram was insufficiently resolved to corroborate this. Mapping the pocket gopher hosts onto the phylogeny reveals a consistent pattern of louse clades being restricted to particular genera or subgenera of gophers, but the history of the host-parasite association appears complex and will require considerable effort to resolve
Understanding Galaxy Formation and Evolution
The old dream of integrating into one the study of micro and macrocosmos is
now a reality. Cosmology, astrophysics, and particle physics intersect in a
scenario (but still not a theory) of cosmic structure formation and evolution
called Lambda Cold Dark Matter (LCDM) model. This scenario emerged mainly to
explain the origin of galaxies. In these lecture notes, I first present a
review of the main galaxy properties, highlighting the questions that any
theory of galaxy formation should explain. Then, the cosmological framework and
the main aspects of primordial perturbation generation and evolution are
pedagogically detached. Next, I focus on the ``dark side'' of galaxy formation,
presenting a review on LCDM halo assembling and properties, and on the main
candidates for non-baryonic dark matter. It is shown how the nature of
elemental particles can influence on the features of galaxies and their
systems. Finally, the complex processes of baryon dissipation inside the
non-linearly evolving CDM halos, formation of disks and spheroids, and
transformation of gas into stars are briefly described, remarking on the
possibility of a few driving factors and parameters able to explain the main
body of galaxy properties. A summary and a discussion of some of the issues and
open problems of the LCDM paradigm are given in the final part of these notes.Comment: 50 pages, 10 low-resolution figures (for normal-resolution, DOWNLOAD
THE PAPER (PDF, 1.9 Mb) FROM http://www.astroscu.unam.mx/~avila/avila.pdf).
Lectures given at the IV Mexican School of Astrophysics, July 18-25, 2005
(submitted to the Editors on March 15, 2006
Sensitivity of the IceCube Detector to Astrophysical Sources of High Energy Muon Neutrinos
We present the results of a Monte-Carlo study of the sensitivity of the
planned IceCube detector to predicted fluxes of muon neutrinos at TeV to PeV
energies. A complete simulation of the detector and data analysis is used to
study the detector's capability to search for muon neutrinos from sources such
as active galaxies and gamma-ray bursts. We study the effective area and the
angular resolution of the detector as a function of muon energy and angle of
incidence. We present detailed calculations of the sensitivity of the detector
to both diffuse and pointlike neutrino emissions, including an assessment of
the sensitivity to neutrinos detected in coincidence with gamma-ray burst
observations. After three years of datataking, IceCube will have been able to
detect a point source flux of E^2*dN/dE = 7*10^-9 cm^-2s^-1GeV at a 5-sigma
significance, or, in the absence of a signal, place a 90% c.l. limit at a level
E^2*dN/dE = 2*10^-9 cm^-2s^-1GeV. A diffuse E-2 flux would be detectable at a
minimum strength of E^2*dN/dE = 1*10^-8 cm^-2s^-1sr^-1GeV. A gamma-ray burst
model following the formulation of Waxman and Bahcall would result in a 5-sigma
effect after the observation of 200 bursts in coincidence with satellite
observations of the gamma-rays.Comment: 33 pages, 13 figures, 6 table
On the selection of AGN neutrino source candidates for a source stacking analysis with neutrino telescopes
The sensitivity of a search for sources of TeV neutrinos can be improved by
grouping potential sources together into generic classes in a procedure that is
known as source stacking. In this paper, we define catalogs of Active Galactic
Nuclei (AGN) and use them to perform a source stacking analysis. The grouping
of AGN into classes is done in two steps: first, AGN classes are defined, then,
sources to be stacked are selected assuming that a potential neutrino flux is
linearly correlated with the photon luminosity in a certain energy band (radio,
IR, optical, keV, GeV, TeV). Lacking any secure detailed knowledge on neutrino
production in AGN, this correlation is motivated by hadronic AGN models, as
briefly reviewed in this paper.
The source stacking search for neutrinos from generic AGN classes is
illustrated using the data collected by the AMANDA-II high energy neutrino
detector during the year 2000. No significant excess for any of the suggested
groups was found.Comment: 43 pages, 12 figures, accepted by Astroparticle Physic
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