Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons^™

Chemical And Dynamical Processes In The Mesospheric Emissive Layer. First Results Of Stereoscopic Observations, M. Faivre, G. Moreels, Pierre-Dominique Pautet, J. Clairemidi, F. Dumont, O. Lorin, F. Colas

Publications

[1] The mesospheric emissive layer is an efficient tracer of the dynamical processes propagating in the atmosphere at that level. CCD images in the near infrared taken from the ground at slant angles often reveal the existence of wavy fields. A series of such images has been transformed, using matrix operations, producing a downward satellite-type view that covers a circular area of radius ∼1000 km at the altitude of the layer. The Fourier characteristics of the wave system are measured using a Morlet-type wavelet generator function with horizontal wavelengths of mostly ∼20–40 km and 100–150 km and temporal periods of …

Observations Of A Noctilucent Cloud Above Logan, Utah (41.7°N, 111.8°W) In 1995, Joshua P. Herron, Vincent B. Wickwar, P J. Espy, J W. Merriwether

All Physics Faculty Publications

A Rayleigh-scatter lidar has been operated at the Atmospheric Lidar Observatory (ALO) on the Utah State University (USU) campus (41.7°N, 111.8°W) since August 1993. During the morning of 22 June 1995, lidar returns from a noctilucent cloud (NLC) were observed for approximately 1 hr, well away from the twilight periods when NLCs are visible. This detection of an NLC at this latitude shows that the first reported sighting, in 1999 (Wickwar et al., 2002), was not a unique occurrence. This 1995 observation differs from the 1999 one in that temperatures could be deduced. Near the 83-km NLC altitude the temperatures …

Mercury Exchange Between The Atmosphere And Low Mercury Containing Substrates, Mae Sexauer Gustin, Mark Engle, Jody Ericksen, Seth N. Lyman, Jelena Stamenkovic, Mei Xin

USU Uintah Basin Faculty Publications

Mercury is emitted to the air from Hg-enriched and low Hg-containing (natural background) substrates. Emitted Hg can be geogenic, or can be derived from the re-emission of Hg that was previously deposited to the soil from the atmosphere. Atmospheric Hg can be derived from natural and/or anthropogenic sources and can be deposited by wet or dry processes. It is important to understand the relative magnitude of emission, deposition, and re-emission of Hg associated with terrestrial ecosystems with natural background soil Hg concentrations because these landscapes cover large terrestrial surface areas. This information is also important for developing biogeochemical mass balances, …

Spatial Analyses Of Trophic Linkages Between Basins In The Great Salt Lake, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, David Naftz, Shane Bradt

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Although the Great Salt Lake is frequently treated as if it were a single body of water, the natural bays and transportation causeways have divided it into a system of four bays. The bays, however, do not function independently because water, nutrients and other contaminants flow between them. The purpose of our study was to analyze the water quality in three of the bays (Farmington, Bear River and Gilbert), to determine fluxes of nutrients between them, and to determine how this was influencing brine shrimp populations in the lake. Discharge and nutrient concentrations were measured at constrictions separating the three …

Continuing Analysis Of Phytoplankton Nutrient Limitation In Farmington Bay And The Great Salt Lake, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Amy M. Marcarelli

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Farmington Bay is a nutrient-enriched, highly eutrophic embayment of the Great Salt Lake. The highly variable salinity of the bay influences what species of plankton can survive there. Previous analyses suggested that cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) may not be able to survive or fix atmospheric nitrogen at high salinities, thus maintaining the lake in a nitrogen-limited state. To determine the interacting influence of nutrients and salinity on the growth and nitrogen fixation of plankton we performed a 28-day bioassay with water from Farmington and Gilbert Bays in October 2004. We tested the response of the plankton to additions of nitrogen (N) …

Ecological Analysis Of Nutrient, Plankton And Benthic Communities In Farmington Bay And The Great Salt Lake, Utah (2004), Amy M. Marcarelli, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

In Fall 2004, the Aquatic Ecology Practicum class at Utah State University finished a third year of research on limnological and ecological characteristics of Farmington Bay and Gilbert Bays of the Great Salt Lake. Our previous research has produced interesting findings in Farmington Bay, including hypereutrophy (Marcarelli et a!. 2001), high phosphorus loading into the Bay, overnight water column anoxia linked to high winds (Wurtsbaugh et a!. 2002), potential predator control of brine shrimp, and high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the sediment and deep brine layer (Marcarelli et a!. 2003). These class findings have lead to increased interest in …

Landscape Patterns Of Streams & Lakes In Montane Watersheds Determine Water Temperatures & Nutrient Transport: Watershed Analyses And N Tracer Experiments, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, J. Garrett, G. Burkart, W. Fleenor, K. Nydick, R. Hall, Michelle A. Baker

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

In glaciated mountains, lakes are interspersed through watersheds and connected by streams. Although lakes or streams are frequently studied as individual water bodies, studying them as integrated functional units provides considerable insight on temperature patterns, nutrient transport and other functions. In the Sawtooth Mountains (Idaho), inter-lake distance averages 2.8 km. In summer, lakes are solar collectors, and warm outflow streams as much as 10 C, thus increasing metabolic rates. These streams seldom cool to equilibrium temperatures before encountering another lake, where the waters tend to overflow and mix into the epilimnion. With overflow, N-15 tracer experiments demonstrated that water and …

Rayleigh-Lidar Observations Of Mesospheric Mid-Latitude Density Climatology Above Utah State University, Eric M. Lundell, Vincent B. Wickwar

Posters

Data from Rayleigh lidars have been used extensively to derive temperatures in the mesospheric region of the atmosphere. However, these data have not been used extensively in a similar way to derive neutral densities. We report on one such mid-latitude, density climatology between 45 and ~90 km, based on nearly 600 good nights of observations carried out since 1993 at the Atmospheric Lidar Observatory (ALO) at Utah State University (41.7°N 111.8°W). They produce relative density profiles that are then normalized at 45 km to an empirical model, in this case the MSISe00 model. Despite this normalization, significant differences are found …

An Earlier Lidar Observation Of A Noctilucent Cloud Above Logan, Utah (41.7°N), Joshua P. Herron, Vincent B. Wickwar

Posters

The Atmospheric Lidar Observatory (ALO) Rayleigh-scatter lidar has been operated for 11 years on the Utah State University (USU) campus (41.7o N 111.8o W). During the morning of 22 June 1995 a noctilucent cloud (NLC) was observed with the lidar well away from the twilight periods when NLCs are visible. It lasted for approximately one hour. This observation and a second in 1999 [Wickwar et al., 2002] are very significant because they show the penetration of NLCs equatorward of 50°, which may have important implications for global change. Temperature profiles calculated at hourly intervals were at least 20 …

Atmospheric Lidar Observatory (Alo) Ten-Year Mesospheric Temperature Climatology, Joshua P. Herron, Vincent B. Wickwar

Posters

The Rayleigh-scatter lidar at the Atmospheric Lidar Observatory (ALO) on the Utah State University (USU) (41.7°N, 111.8°W) campus has been in operation since 1993. The temperature database now contains over ten years of Rayleigh-scatter temperatures. A multi-year temperature climatology has been calculated from these observations along with the RMS and interannual variability. These temperatures and the climatology are currently being used in a number of mesospheric studies, including mesospheric inversion layers, tides, planetary waves, cyclical variations, trends, longitudinal comparisons, and validation studies.

Examples Of Alo Results, Vincent B. Wickwar, Joshua P. Herron, Karen M. Nelson, Troy A. Wynn, Kristina Thomas, Eric M. Lundell

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Phytoplankton Nutrient Limitation In Farmington Bay And The Great Salt Lake, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Amy M. Marcarelli

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

The Great Salt Lake is bordered to the south and east by a growing metropolitan area that contributes high nutrients to Farmington Bay. This large bay is eutrophic, and there is concern that continued increases in effluents from the Salt Lake City area could extend to impact the much larger, and currently less productive, Gilbert Bay. This study focused on determining how nutrient supplies might limit, and therefore control, algal populations in Farmington Bay and Gilbert Bay at different salinities. We tested both short and long-term responses of algal growth using laboratory nutrient addition bioassays in the summer and fall …

Hydrogen Sulfide In Farmington Bay And The Great Salt Lake: A Potential Odor-Causing Agent, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Amy M. Marcarelli

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Odors from Farmington Bay and/or the Great Salt Lake frequently impact residents of Salt Lake and Davis counties, but the agent causing the problem and the origin of the odor is uncertain. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas is produced in the deeper layers of water in Farmington Bay and Gilbert Bay in the Great Salt Lake, but these deeper waters are generally part of high salinity deep-brine layers that are resistant to wind mixing. Hydrogen sulfide has a "rotten-egg" odor and is a likely component contributing to the "lake stink." The goals of this study were to determine (1) whether wind …

Nitrogen Transport Through Linked Stream-Lake Systems Measured With N Tracer, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Koren Nydick, Michelle A. Baker, Bob Hall

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Continuing Studies Of Water Quality In Farmington Bay And The Great Salt Lake, Utah, Amy M. Marcarelli, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

For the past three years, an Aquatic Ecology Practicum class at Utah State University has conducted research examining the limnology of Farmington Bay. In 2000, our class discovered that Farmington Bay could be classified as hypereutrophic, and had significantly higher levels of chlorophyll and phytoplankton than the Great Salt Lake proper (Marcarelli et al. 2001). In 2001, individual student projects identified high phosphorus loading into Farmington Bay from surrounding sewage treatment plants, brine shrimp biomass five times lower than in the Great Salt Lake, and that the water in the bay lost all oxygen on a windy night in October …

Comparative Analysis Of Pollution In Farmington Bay And The Great Salt Lake, Utah, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Amy M. Marcarelli, Cameron Christison, Joel Moore, Donovan Gross, Sophia Bates, Sara Kircher

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Farmington Bay covers 94 mi2 (260 km2) in the SW comer of the Great Salt Lake, and is essentially a separate lake because it is enclosed by Antelope Island and a causeway leading to the island from the mainland. The bay has received wastes from the adjoining Salt Lake City metropolitan area for decades. Because of water quality concerns for Farmington 8ay, the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory class at Utah State University studied the bay and a nearby control site (Bridger Bay) in the Great Salt Lake during the fall of 2001. Field sampling and laboratory experiments, as well as other …

Topo-Morphometric Analysis Of Lake-Stream Interactions In Alpine Watersheds, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Michelle A. Baker

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Retrieval And Validation Of Mesospheric Temperatures From Wind Imaging Interferometer Observations, M G. Shepherd, B Reid, S Zhang, B H. Solheim, G G. Shepherd, Vincent B. Wickwar, Joshua P. Herron

All Physics Faculty Publications

A method has been developed for the retrieval of mesospheric temperatures in the 65–90 km altitude range from satellite observations made by the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS). Retrieved temperatures are derived from Rayleigh scattered sunlight observed in a wavelength band centered at 553 nm. Integrated line-of-sight radiance observations are inverted to tangent height volume scattering profiles, which are proportional to atmospheric density. From these, absolute temperature profiles are calculated using a technique derived from established Rayleigh lidar retrieval methods assuming that the atmosphere is in hydrostatic equilibrium and that it obeys the ideal …

Mesospheric Temperature Observationsat The Usu / Cass Atmospheric Lidar Observatory (Alo), Vincent B. Wickwar, T D. Wilkerson, M Hammond, Joshua P. Herron

All Physics Faculty Publications

The Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences (CASS) at Utah State University (USU) operates the ALO for studying the middle atmosphere from the stratosphere to the lower thermosphere. ALO’s mid-latitude location (41.74°N, 111.81°W, 1466 m) is very unique in that it is in the middle of an extensive set of rugged mountains, the Rocky Mountains, which are a major orographic source of gravity waves that may give rise to a longitudinal variation in the mesospheric structure. Mesospheric observations between approximately 45 and 90 km have been carried out on many clear nights with the ALO Rayleigh- scatter lidar since late …

Summary Of The Noaa/Utah Atmospheric Modification Program: 1990-1996, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Reclamation

Meterology

This final report summarizes physical investigations into the artificial nucleation ("seeding") of winter mountain clouds in central Utah during 1990-96. Program goals were to evaluate the effectiveness of the Utah operational cloud seeding program and to recommend improvements. Field programs employed a wide variety of instrumentation systems. Sophisticated numerical modeling was used in conjunction with the observational programs. Amounts and distributions of SLW (supercooled liquid water) cloud were investigated, as was transport and dispersion of ground-released seeding agents and tracer gases. Several experiments directly monitored ice crystals and snowfall rates resulting from either silver iodide (Agl) or liquid propane seeding. …

The Role Of An Invasive Exotic Plant On The Structure Of Aquatic Invertebrate Assemblages: Tamarix In The Southwest United States, Bert Lewis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Over the past 100 years, riparian vegetation communities throughout the Southwest United States have been extensively invaded by Tamarix spp. (saltcedar). Saltcedar derives its common name from its physiological adaptation to excrete salts. The production of Tamarix detritus with associated secondary chemicals may affect the quality of aquatic invertebrate food and habitat resources. An alteration in food and habitat quality may affect the composition and structure of aquatic invertebrate assemblages.

A series of experiments was conducted contrasting aquatic invertebrate assemblage densities, colonization rates, and growth rates associated with Tamarix versus native vegetation, Populus fremontii (cottonwood) and Salix exigua (willow), to …

Wind Climatology At 87 Km Above The Rocky Mountains At Bear Lake Observatory--Fabry-Perot Observations Of Oh, V. B. Wickwar, I K. Monson, C M. Vadnais, D Rees

Reports

This paper presents the neutral -wind climatology at approximately 87-km 53 altitude from Utah State University's Bear Lake Observatory (BLO). a mid-latitude site 54 situated in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. The winds were determined using a very 55 sensitive Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) observing the OH Me inel (6-2) PI (3) line al 56 843 nm. The climatology. determined from monthly averages of the nightly evolution of 57 the geographic meridional and zonal wind components over forty· five months, has three 58 distinct seasonal patterns: winter (November- February), summer (May-Jul y), and late 59 Slimmer (August and September). The …

Potential Regional Impacts Of Global Warming On Precipitation In The Western United States, United States Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Reclamation

Meterology

Snow and melting of the snowpack provide the principal supply of water to much of the Western United States. Whether global warming threatens this water supply is the focus of this research. This study builds upon a previous Global Climate Change Response Program investigation. Charts were generated of four geopotential height parameters for a domain covering the eastern North Pacific Ocean and western North America. Out of 131 total winter months (from 1946-89), 35 were selected as analogues.

Monthly mean precipitation values for areas in western Montana, northern Utah, and east central Arizona were compared with median values for the …

Comparison Of The Aquatic Ecology Of Side-Canyons And The Main Channel Of Lake Powell 1997, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Kirsten L. Gallo

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Physical characteristics of lakes are highly interrelated with biological characteristics. We measured and analyzed the physical characteristics of two side canyons in order to better understand differences in productivity between side canyons and the main channel and to provide general information on the characteristics of the lake.

Comparison Of The Aquatic Ecology Of Side-Canyons And The Main Channel Of Lake Powell, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Kirsten L. Gallo

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

From 18-21 April 1996, students in a Utah State University class (Aquatic Ecology Laboratory; FW 560) measured limnological and fisheries characteristics in two side canyons (Halls Creek Bay and Moki Canyon) and the main channel of Lake Powell. Inclement weather precluded sampling of two other side canyons. Most of the sub-projects, directed by indiVIdual students, addressed the following two hypotheses: (1) productivity gradients existed from the inflows of the side canyons toward the main channel and; (2) productivity was higher in the side canyons than in the main channel of the lake. In most cases, parameters were measured at 3-5 …

Brine Shrimp Ecology In The Great Salt Lake, Utah, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Hypersaline lakes are noted for their simple communities which facilitate understanding ecological interactions (Williams et al. 1990; Wurtsbaugh 1992; Jellison and Melack 1988). Nevertheless, we still cannot easily predict how environmental changes will effect the population dynamics in these lakes, at least in part because even these simple ecosystems may be more complex than we .realize. Many hypersaline lakes are dominated by the brine shrimp Artemia spp. The production of brine shrimp is often very high because the terminal, saline lakes accumulate nutrients that make them rich, and because the short food chains in them (nutrients-->phytoplankton-->brine shrimp) minim …

The Trophic Gradient In Lake Powell, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, G. Steinhart

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

From April 21 st to April 25th, 1995 students from Utah State University's FW 462 class sampled the trophic gradient in Lake Powell between Bullfrog (Mile 99) and Hite Marinas (Mile 144). We sampled at 3-12 stations along the gradient, depending on the parameter measured. The purpose of the trip was three-fold. First, the primary objective of the class was to provide field and laboratory experiences in aquatic ecology for the students. Secondly, we wished to provide data on the trophic environment that the endangered razorback sucker larvae from the Colorado River would encounter when the entered the reservoir. Thirdly, …

Snake River Sockeye Salmon Habitat And Limnological Research, David Teuscher, Doug Taki, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Historically, thousands of Snake River Sockeye salmon returned to the Sawtooth Valley to spawn. Evermann (1896) reported that the Sawtooth Valley Lakes were teeming with red fish. Bjornn (1968) estimated that 4,360 sockeye returned to Redfish Lake in 1955. These numbers no longer exist. In the 1980's, less than 50 . Snake River sockeye salmon survived to spawn (Bowler 1990). Since 1990, only 14 sockeye have returned. Because of recent declines, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (SBT) petitioned the National - Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to list · Snake River sockeye as endangered. As a result, Snake River sockeye were listed and …

Acidic Deposition, Ecosystem Processes, And Nitrogen Saturation In A High Elevation Southern Appalachian Watershed, C. S. Nodvin, H. Van Miegroet, S. E. Lindberg, N. S. Nicholas, D. W. Johnson

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

High-elevation red spruce-Fraser fir forests in the Southern Appalachian mountains: 1) receive among the highest rates of atmospheric deposition measured in North America, 2) contain old-growth forests, 3) have shown declines in forest health, 4) have sustained high insect-caused fir mortality, and 5) contain poorly buffered soils and stream systems. High rates of nitrogen and sulphur deposition (sim1900 and sim2200 Eq·ha–1·yr–1, respectively) are dominated by dry and cloud deposition processes. Large leaching fluxes of nitrate-nitrogen (100–1400 Eq·ha–1·yr–1) occur within the soil profile. We have expanded the study to the watershed scale with monitoring of: precipitation, throughfall, stream hydrology, and stream …

A Trophic Gradient Analysis Of Lake Powell: The 1994 Utah State University Aquatic Ecology Laboratory Analyses, Wayne A. Wurtsbaugh, Megan Barker, Ron Brunson, David Fogle, Scott Hawxhurst, Chad Mellison, Lis Phillips, Felipe Queiroz, Daniel Zamecnik

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

From 9-11 April, 1994, the Aquatic Ecology Laboratory Class (FW462) of Utah State University sampled the upper reaches of Lake Powell to assess if a trophic gradient existed. We °ampled physical and chemical parameters (temperature, oxygen, conductivity, and total phosphorus), phytoplankton chlorophyll a, littoral and pelagic zooplankton biomass and composition, littoral and profundal benthic invertebrates, and fish abundance measured in the littoral zone (gill nets) and the pelagic zone (hydroacoustics). Data was collected along the upper 50 miles of the reservoir between Bullfrog and the Hite marina near the Colorado River inflow.

Our field trip was done just prior to …