Atmospheric gravitation waves in northern part of the Caspian Sea
The radar images of the northern part of the Caspian Sea, received during the satellite-based monitoring carried out by ScanEx RDC per request of OOO “Lukoil – Nizhnevolzhskneft” in May-September quite often registered groups of periodically quasi parallel lines, which origin can be explained by the formation and passing of atmospheric gravitation waves (AGV). AGVs are generated in lower atmosphere and may distribute both vertically and horizontally under certain conditions.
In 2010-2012 the radar images detected both quasi linear (fig. 2) and non-linear (fig. 1, 3, 4) waves. When studying AGVs by their surface patterns the conditions, under which waves are generated, are of special interest. AGVs studies are based on the analysis of signatures, left by waves in cloud covers (wavy clouds on the visible band images) or surface phenomena on sea surface (quasi parallel lines on radar images).
When looking into the reasons of non-linear AGVs generation one should take into account a number of mechanisms. The waves in the lower atmospheric layer can be generated by powerful downward air movements, impacting the riparian stably stratified air layer. Among them are: downward air movements, created during interaction of air masses, in frontal zones, in powerful cumulonimbus, local (katabatic) winds. Those movements disturb the stable near-ground atmospheric layer. In case of capturing these disturbances they evolve with time turning into a series of non-linear waves (wavetrain), distributing horizontally.
Preliminary analysis revealed that waves over the Northern and Middle Caspian Sea appear quite often at favorable conditions every day. Wavetrains consist of 3-4 — 10-15 waves, with individual waves having several kilometers and more in length. The AGV propagation speed detected based on the distance between leading solitary waves on a series of radar images constitutes 2 to 8 m\sec. The wind speed when AGVs pass varies from 2 to 15 m\sec. Waves propagate often against the background wind (fig. 1, 3). Spatial orientation of AGV packages, the outlook of surface phenomena and wavetrain forms enable to conclude that they are generated over the water surface.
APEC conference on satellite technologies to draw more than 70 specialists from 13 world countries
Over 70 specialists from 13 world countries will partake in the conference “APEC Network Building – Applied Space Technology Centers”, which is to be held on October 16-17, 2012 in Vladivostok. The conference organizers are: APEC Secretariat, Federal Space Agency, ScanEx RDC, and supported by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Far-Eastern Federal University and Far-Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences.
Representatives of some scientific and educational institutions and governmental structures have already confirmed their participation in the conference: Taiwan National Space Organization (NSPO); World Resources Institute (WRI), USA; Chinese Academy of Forestry; Fisheries Research Institute, Malaysia, etc.
Specialists of RS Operators will also attend this conference in Vladivostok: Astrium GEO (France), DMC (Great Britain), ImageSat (Israel), Digital Globe (MDA (Canada">USA.
Russia will be represented at the conference by the specialists from Federal Space Agency, Federal Forestry Agency, ScanEx Research & Development Center, Far-Eastern Federal University, Far-Eastern Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Research Center for Earth Operative Monitoring, WWF Russia, NGO “Transparent World” and others.
The conference will focus on the issues of using satellite data for support of sustainable forest management, REDD+ project development (Reduction Emission Deforestation and Degradation), attraction of investments into respective two- and multilateral projects in APEC region.
Within the frames of thematic sessions the conference will also tackle the issues of satellite technology application in support of sustainable fisheries, emergency preparedness improvements and new projects development.
Satellite-based monitoring of environmental situation in south-western part of the Peter the Great Bay
In August-September 2012, ScanEx RDC together with its partners completed the project on satellite-based monitoring of environmental situation of the Russian sector of the Sea of Japan. Five satellites with optical and radar equipment were used for maritime area imaging. Integral maps of water area pollution by oil and navigation and shipping situation were obtained as a result, including the intensive boat traffic, fisheries, and marine park areas. The main sources of oil spills are discharges from ships along the shipping routes and within the fishing areas. Perspectives of satellite imagery technology application for control of illegal ships navigation within protected marine parks were demonstrated. Satellite imagery results proved the urgency of the transboundary transfer problem in south-western part of the Peter the Great Bay and adjacent water areas.
Over the past decade foam floats and fragments of fishing nets of North Korean fishermen has become a real disaster for the Far Eastern marine park, located in the Peter the Great Bay. In summer and in autumn fragments of fishing tackles almost fully cover the coasts of the islands and the continent. In addition to littering the richest in species and taxonomic variety maritime area in Russia, these nets are direct threat to the inhabitants of marine park. Sea birds and mammals tangle and die. Specific design of the fishing gear does not leave any doubts whom they belong to. North Korean small vessels are regularly detained together with these nets onboard in Russian territorial waters, including within the limits of the park itself. The coast of the Peter the Great Bay near the frontier post not far from the Tumannya river estuary is piled with arrested and abandoned North Korean fishing vessels.
In winter-spring period the Rimsky-Korsakov archipelago islands, which are part of the marine park, turn into the places of reproduction and shedding of the harbor seal (Phoca largha). Fragments of North Korean fishing nets became a serious threat for the population of the unique coastal spotted seal, which according to the far-eastern scientists, is currently in unsteady balance condition.
Satellite-based monitoring results were used in the work of the expedition near the coastline onboard the “Lugovoe” reasearch ship, arranged by the Pacific Oceanology Institute of RAS Far Eastern Department with participation of oceanologists, teachers and students of St-Petersburg University and the Far Eastern Federal University.
BARS Group and ScanEx RDC partnership: geodata will be introduced into the e-government systems
Geospatial component is to be introduced into the e-government systems. Activities will be carried out jointly by ScanEx Research & Development Center and BARS Group” companies, which signed the cooperation agreement in September 2012.
— We reached an agreement on cooperation in geospatial technology and data application, including Earth observation imagery data, in information management systems for the state sector. The branches, where we plan to work, are different – from housing and public utilities to agriculture, – noted ScanEx’s area manager of complex projects Ilya Farutin.
According to Vladimir Soloviev, “BARS. Medicine” business center director of “BARS Group” company, cooperation with ScanEx RDC should provide important social results:
— In modern technology of sectoral management, especially on the regional level, the need in data presentation through maps is increasingly growing. However, information in public systems usually has address, rather than latitude and longitude. Joint projects with ScanEx will give a chance to take a different look on statistic data in public health services. Just imagine the display of region sickness rates on maps with classification by disease type, number and age pattern of appeals, outlining the hot spots of infectious diseases, etc. This will be the start of a new stage of healthcare modernization, as we operate in socially important sphere, where operability in decision-making enables to save the most valuable – human lives.