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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 685 records · Page 38
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

2016 Floodplain Geochemistry from the East River Watershed, Colorado

This dataset includes groundwater geochemistry data from floodplain piezometers collected as a part of the Watershed Function Scientific Focus Area (SFA) located in the Upper Colorado River Basin. The data were collected in order to investigate the role of hyporheic exchange and other river corridor processes on riverine export of solutes. Floodplain piezometers installed in several meanders (Meander C, Meander D, and Meander O) in the vicinity of the Pumphouse were sampled at several dates in 2016. Data includes in-field measurements (pH, electrical conductivity, oxidation reduction potential, dissolved oxygen, dissolved Fe(II), dissolved sulfide, and groundwater level) along with laboratory measurements (dissolved inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, metals and major cations). Five files are included in this dataset, including: sample locations and depths in a csv file (metadata.csv), aqueous geochemistry data in a csv file, analytical detection limits in a csv file, a file-level metadata (flmd.csv) file, and a data dictionary (dd.csv) file. Data that was below the detection limit is reported as one half of the detection limit and missing data is listed as "-9999".

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2014

Measurement of rabbit eardrum vibration through stroboscopic digital holography

In this work, we present a setup for high-power single shot stroboscopic digital holography and demonstrate it in an application on rabbit eardrum vibration measurement. The setup is able to make full-field time-resolved measurements of vibrating surfaces with a precision in the nanometer range in a broad frequency range. The height displacement of the measured object is visualized over the entire surface as a function of time. Vibration magnitude and phase maps can be extracted from these data, the latter proving to be very useful to reveal phase delays across the surface. Such deviations from modal motion indicate energy losses due to internal damping, in contrast to purely elastic mechanics. This is of great interest in middle ear mechanics and finite element modelling. In our setup, short laser pulses are fired at selected instants within the surface vibration period and are recorded by a CCD camera. The timing of the pulses and the exposure of the camera are synchronized to the vibration phase by a microprocessor. The high-power frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser produces pulses containing up to 5 mJ of energy, which is amply sufficient to record single-shot holograms. As the laser pulse length is 8 ns and the smallest time step of the trigger electronics is 1 μs, vibration measurements of frequencies up to 250 kHz are achievable through this method, provided that the maximum vibration amplitude exceeds a few nanometers. In our application, middle ear mechanics, measuring frequencies extend from 5 Hz to 20 kHz. The experimental setup will be presented, as well as results of measurements on a stretched circular rubber membrane and a rabbit's eardrum. Two of the challenges when measuring biological tissues, such as the eardrum, are low reflectivity and fast dehydration. To increase reflectivity, a coating is applied and to counteract the undesirable effects of tissue dehydration, the measurement setup and software have been optimized for speed without compromising on the quality. Results of a repeatability test will be presented as well. Since the method measures the membrane motion as a function of time in small time steps, we do not only measure vibration amplitude like in time-average holography, but we can also measure non-linear elastic and transient behaviour. In conclusion, the combination of good spatial, depth and time resolution with the fast data acquisition and very wide frequency range make our technique applicable in a number of fields, including biological tissue vibrations.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2012

CONSTRAINTS ON LEMAITRE-TOLMAN-BONDI MODELS FROM OBSERVATIONAL HUBBLE PARAMETER DATA

We use the observational Hubble parameter data (OHD), both the latest observational data set (Stern et al.; referred to as SJVKS) and the simulated data sets, to constrain Lemaitre-Tolman-Bondi (LTB) void models. The necessity of the consistency check on OHD itself in the LTB cosmology is stressed. Three voids are chosen as test models and are constrained using the Union2 data set of SN Ia as well as OHD. Despite their different parameterization, the results from our test models show some similarities; e.g., the best-fit voids obtained from OHD are all considerably broader than those from SN Ia. Due to the small size of the SJVKS data set, the constraints are not conclusive. The constraining power of the future OHD observations are therefore investigated through a figure of merit (FoM) analysis based on the Monte Carlo simulated data. We found that, in the case that the future OHD become more consistent with SN Ia, the results from the test models are almost unanimous: (1) as many as 32 OHD data points at the SJVKS-like uncertainty level are needed to give a higher FoM than the Union2 data set of SN Ia, (2) precise observation helps reduce this required number, (3) increasing the survey depth does not always increase the FoM. On the other hand, if the future OHD and the Union2 data set keep favoring different voids, in a similar manner as they do at present, the 1{sigma} confidence regions obtained from the two probes should finally separate. We test this conjecture and find that the minimum observational requirement (the size of the data set, the uncertainty level, and the survey depth) for this inconsistency to emerge depends strongly on the void model.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2018

Multi-depth suspended sediment estimation using high-resolution remote-sensing UAV in Maumee River, Ohio

Satellite remote-sensing has been widely used to map suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in waterbodies. Current development of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology allows mapping of SSC at finer spatial resolution providing high flexibility in terms of cost and acquisition time. However, the technology is immature and transfer of empirical algorithms from existing remote-sensing technologies to UAV still has to be explored. Here, this study uses the MicaSense Sequoia sensor with four bands (green, red, red edge, and near-infrared [NIR]) mounted on-board a fixed-wing UAV to map SSC within the Maumee River in Ohio, USA, at multiple depth intervals (15, 61, 91, and 182 cm). The simple linear and stepwise regression models show the advantage of multiple bands and band ratios over single bands in mapping SSC. The findings show a limited performance of the Sequoia sensor when compared to field spectroradiometer measurements. In all cases but one, the adjusted coefficient of determination (R$2\atop{adj}$) values is lower for the UAV data. The regression equations become similar at and below a depth of 0–61 cm, and R$2\atop{adj}$ become constant at and below a depth of 0–91 cm. While the spectroradiometer-related equations are sensitive to a wider spectral range (from green at the surface to NIR wavelength at 182 cm depth), the UAV-related equations are insensitive to green spectrum and they include a narrower spectral range (from red to NIR) over all depth increments. Field spectroradiometer measurements exhibit a strong relationship with cumulative SSC at 182 cm depth (0–182 cm) (R$2\atop{adj}$ = 0.71) whereas UAV reflectance data show the best relationship with SSC at 91 cm (0–91 cm) (R$2\atop{adj}$ = 0.56) suggesting that ~91 cm may be an optimal depth for UAV under given conditions. In conclusion, the results show that UAVs can be a practical but somewhat limited tool to monitor SSC in small- to medium-sized rivers.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2011

Acoustic Environment of Admiralty Inlet: Broadband Noise Measurements

Admiralty Inlet has been selected as a potential tidal energy site. It is located near shipping lanes, is a highly variable acoustic environment, and is frequented by the highly endangered southern resident killer whale (SRKW). Resolving environmental impacts is the first step to receiving approval to deploy tidal turbines at Admiralty Inlet. Of particular concern is the potential for blade strike or other negative interactions between the SRKW and the tidal turbine. A variety of technologies including passive and active monitoring systems are being considered as potential tools to determine the presence of SRKW in the vicinity of the turbines. Broadband noise level measurements are critical for the determination of design and operation specifications of all marine and hydrokinetic energy capture technologies. Acoustic environment data at the proposed site was acquired at different depths using a cabled vertical line array (VLA) with four calibrated hydrophones. The sound pressure level (SPL) power spectrum density was estimated based on the fast Fourier transform. This study describes the first broadband SPL measurements for this site at different depths with frequency ranging from 10 kHz to 480 kHz in combination with other information. To understand the SPL caused by this bedload transport, three different pressure sensors with temperature and conductivity were also assembled on the VLA to measure the conditions at the hydrophone deployment depth. The broadband SPL levels at frequency ranges of 3 kHz to 7 kHz as a function of depth were estimated. Only the hydrophone at an average depth of 40 m showed the strong dependence of SPL with distance from the bottom, which was possibly caused by the cobbles shifting on the seabed. Automatic Identification System data were also studied to understand the SPL measurements.

16 TIDAL AND WAVE POWER↗
DOE OSTI2025

Groundwater table elevation and temperature from 2015 to 2024 at the Lower Montane site in the East River Watershed, Colorado.

This groundwater level elevation and temperature data package is aimed at improving the predictive understanding of hydro-biogeochemical processes at the lower montane site in the East River Watershed, Colorado. The dataset is obtained using pressure transducers placed in shallow wells in the floodplain. This dataset contains data from wells with Location ID's ER-DOW (alias DO1West), ER-DOE (alias DO2East), ER-MBA1 (alias M1Bend1), ER-MBA2 (alias M1Bend2), ER-UPW (alias UP1West), ER-UPM (alias UP2), ER-UPE (alias UP3East). Another dataset contains the data from wells with Location ID's ER-CPA1 to ER-CPA6. Each file contains the water level elevation and the water temperature. Water level elevation has been obtained using the barometric pressure from the pressure transducer (Hobos sensor) in the well, barometric pressure from a sensor in air located at the same site (lower montane), depth from top-of-casing (TOC) to sensor measurement point, and TOC elevation. Data have been checked with a few measurements of water table depths. A real-time kinematic (RTK) global positioning system (GPS) has been used to survey the TOC (data in file Well_Location.csv). The water level elevation is given in UTM13N Geoid2012AB. While depth to water level is not present in the data files, it can be easily calculated with the TOC and distance to ground provided in the GPS coordinate file. The dataset quality is discussed in Collection/Analysis section of the methods. Time-series of measurements were initially added to the archive for the period 2015 to 2019, and later updated with time-series until 2024 (end of data collection). The dataset contains 8 *.csv data files, and 3 *.csv metadata files. Feel free to contact the author with any questions or collaboration interests. The publication year was updated from "2020" to "2025" to reflect the revised version of this dataset.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2012

Validating plastic scintillation detectors for photon dosimetry in the radiologic energy range

Purpose: Photon dosimetry in the kilovolt (kV) energy range represents a major challenge for diagnostic and interventional radiology and superficial therapy. Plastic scintillation detectors (PSDs) are potentially good candidates for this task. This study proposes a simple way to obtain accurate correction factors to compensate for the response of PSDs to photon energies between 80 and 150 kVp. The performance of PSDs is also investigated to determine their potential usefulness in the diagnostic energy range. Methods: A 1-mm-diameter, 10-mm-long PSD was irradiated by a Therapax SXT 150 unit using five different beam qualities made of tube potentials ranging from 80 to 150 kVp and filtration thickness ranging from 0.8 to 0.2 mmAl + 1.0 mmCu. The light emitted by the detector was collected using an 8-m-long optical fiber and a polychromatic photodiode, which converted the scintillation photons to an electrical current. The PSD response was compared with the reference free air dose rate measured with a calibrated Farmer NE2571 ionization chamber. PSD measurements were corrected using spectra-weighted corrections, accounting for mass energy-absorption coefficient differences between the sensitive volumes of the ionization chamber and the PSD, as suggested by large cavity theory (LCT). Beam spectra were obtained from x-ray simulation software and validated experimentally using a CdTe spectrometer. Correction factors were also obtained using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Percent depth dose (PDD) measurements were compensated for beam hardening using the LCT correction method. These PDD measurements were compared with uncorrected PSD data, PDD measurements obtained using Gafchromic films, Monte Carlo simulations, and previous data. Results: For each beam quality used, the authors observed an increase of the energy response with effective energy when no correction was applied to the PSD response. Using the LCT correction, the PSD response was almost energy independent, with a residual 2.1% coefficient of variation (COV) over the 80-150-kVp energy range. Monte Carlo corrections reduced the COV to 1.4% over this energy range. All PDD measurements were in good agreement with one another except for the uncorrected PSD data, in which an over-response was observed with depth (13% at 10 cm with a 100 kVp beam), showing that beam hardening had a non-negligible effect on the PSD response. A correction based on LCT compensated very well for this effect, reducing the over-response to 3%.Conclusion: In the diagnostic energy range, PSDs show high-energy dependence, which can be corrected using spectra-weighted mass energy-absorption coefficients, showing no considerable sign of quenching between these energies. Correction factors obtained by Monte Carlo simulations confirm that the approximations made by LCT corrections are valid. Thus, PSDs could be useful for real-time dosimetry in radiology applications.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2020

Charged Wellbore Casing Controlled Source Electromagnetics (CWC-CSEM) for Reservoir Imaging and Monitoring (Final report)

This project addresses the needs of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop advanced monitoring technologies and protocols to track the fate of subsurface carbon dioxide (CO2) plumes for carbon storage. Specifically, the project seeks to develop and test a unique and novel system of technologies consisting of electromagnetic data acquisition, coupled multiphysics imaging, and reservoir model enhancement to understand the migration and long-term distribution of CO2 in the subsurface. The overarching objective is to develop an integrated approach for long term monitoring of carbon storage. The two main components of the project include the methodology development and the test of the method at a field site. The methodology component consists of 1) developing the field procedure and protocol for collecting time-lapse controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) data with source electric current injected into the subsurface through wellbore casings; 2) building of background 3D electrical conductivity utilizing multiple sources of data such as supplemental surface transient EM (TEM) surveys, well-logs, and seismic structural information, for enhancing CSEM signal from reservoir depths; and 3) coupled multiphysics simulations and inversion of CSEM data constrained by production data and by structural information from seismic imaging of the reservoir and overlying formations. The testing component used the field site of Bell Creek Oil Field, which served both as a field laboratory for the method development as well as a test site to evaluate the CSEM signal strengths and the methodology developed in this research project. We have accomplished all the proposed tasks and developed the methodology as planned. These include the procedure for time-lapse CSEM data acquisition, data processing techniques, integration with 3D conductivity model building, fast reservoir simulation for history matching using machine learning, and interpreting CSEM data with coupling to the reservoir modeling. Collectively, the outcome of these tasks form a coherent workflow that can be applied to monitor dedicated carbon storage in saline reservoirs. The testing component evaluated the applicability and limitations of the method, and concluded that the method would be ideal for monitoring dedicated carbon storage sites utilizing saline reservoirs.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Study of ablation and shock generation across three orders of magnitude of laser intensity with 100 ps laser pulses

The laser ablation and subsequent shock generation in solid targets plays an important role in a variety of research topics from equation of state models for materials to inertial confinement fusion. One of the long-standing issues is the knowledge of ablation depth in the picosecond time regime. Here, we report on a direct technique for determining the ablation depth in aluminum using x-ray diffraction data from Linac Coherent Light Source at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. This technique gives a direct measurement of the shock wave propagation in the bulk target, enabling an ability to discern early timescale physics from late timescale effects not available in postmortem analysis. We find that the ablation depths only vary by 0.2 μm across three orders of magnitude of laser intensity, while the pressure increased by a factor of 10 following a square root dependence on laser pulse energy. We further observe that the ablation depth in this intensity range (10 11 –10 13 W/cm 2 in intensity, corresponding to 0.8–80 J/cm 2 in fluence) cannot be modeled by a universal scaling law, given the complexity of the mechanisms governing laser ablation in this intensity regime.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗
DOE OSTI2013

AASG Wells Data for the EGS Test Site Planning and Analysis Task

Temperature measurement data obtained from boreholes for the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) geothermal data project. Typically bottomhole temperatures are recorded from log headers, and this information is provided through a borehole temperature observation service for each state. Service includes header records, well logs, temperature measurements, and other information for each borehole. Information presented in Geothermal Prospector was derived from data aggregated from the borehole temperature observations for all states. For each observation, the given well location was recorded and the best available well identifier (name), temperature and depth were chosen. The "Well Name Source," "Temp. Type" and "Depth Type" attributes indicate the field used from the original service. This data was then cleaned and converted to consistent units. The accuracy of the observation's location, name, temperature or depth was note assessed beyond that originally provided by the service. Bottom hole temperature datasets from the AASG were downloaded from repository.usgin.org between May 16 and May 24, 2013. The data were cleaned to remove null and non-real entries, and units were standardized across all datasets. When selecting key attributes, specific criteria were used to determine the best available values. For temperature, corrected temperature was preferred, followed by measured temperature. For depth, depth of measurement was prioritized, with true vertical depth and driller total depth used as alternatives. Well identification was assigned based on the API number when available, followed by the well name, with the observation URI used as a last option.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Effect of Pressure and Thermal Cycling on Long-Term Oxidation in CO 2 and Supercritical CO 2

Concentrating solar power plant designers are interested in supercritical CO 2 (sCO 2 ) for the power block to achieve > 50% electrical efficiency at > 700 °C. The goal of this project was to develop a long-term (> 100 kh) lifetime model for sCO 2 compatibility using 10–15 kh laboratory exposures. Three Ni-based alloys (625, 282 and 740H) and an advanced austenitic stainless steel were evaluated here in long-term exposures at 700–800 °C using 500-h cycles in laboratory air, 0.1 MPa industrial grade (IG) CO 2 and 30 MPa supercritical IG CO 2 and using 10-h cycles in 0.1 MPa IG CO 2 and O 2 . Mass change data and quantification of the oxide scale thickness and depth of internal attack after 1000–10,000 h exposures at 750 °C indicate that these materials are compatible with the sCO 2 environments with modeling used to predict long-term behavior. Comparison of the 0.1 and 30 MPa 500-h cycle results did not show a significant effect of pressure on the reaction, and no significant internal carburization was observed under these conditions, even for the stainless steel, suggesting that chromia scales may be better C diffusion barriers than expected. For the Ni-based alloys, thermal cycling to simulate the solar duty cycle did not result in scale spallation after 15 kh in 10-h cycles or 4 kh in 1-h cycles at 750 °C. However, the stainless steel specimens formed an Fe-rich oxide after ~ 1500-h cumulative exposure time in both 1- and 10-h cycles.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

The Third Data Release of the Beijing–Arizona Sky Survey

The Beijing–Arizona Sky Survey (BASS) is a wide and deep imaging survey that covers a 5400 deg 2 area in the northern Galactic cap with the 2.3 m Bok telescope using two filters ( g and r bands). The Mosaic z -band Legacy Survey (MzLS) covers the same area in the z band with the 4 m Mayall telescope. These two surveys will be used for spectroscopic targeting by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) in the northernmost portion of the DESI footprint. This paper describes the third data release (DR3) of BASS, which contains the photometric data from all BASS and MzLS observations from 2015 January until the completion of BASS in 2019 March. The median astrometric precision relative to Gaia positions is about 17 mas and the median photometric offset relative to the Pan-STARRS1 photometry is within 5 mmag. The median 5 σ AB magnitude depths for point sources are 24.2, 23.6, and 23.0 mag for the g , r , and z bands, respectively. The photometric depth within the survey area is highly homogeneous, and the difference between the 20% and 80% depth is less than 0.3 mag. The DR3 data, including raw data, calibrated single-epoch images, single-epoch photometric catalogs, stacked images, and co-added photometric catalogs, are publicly accessible at http://batc.bao.ac.cn/BASS/doku.php?id=datarelease:home

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

Quantitative wood–adhesive penetration with X-ray computed tomography

Micro X-ray computed tomography (XCT) was used to analyze the 3D adhesive penetration behavior of different wood–adhesive bondlines. Three adhesives, a phenol formaldehyde (PF), a polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate (pMDI), and a hybrid polyvinyl acetate (PVA), all tagged with iodine for enhanced X-ray attenuation, were used to prepare single-bondline laminates in two softwoods, Douglas-fir and loblolly pine, and one hardwood, a hybrid polar. Adhesive penetration depth was measured with two separate calculations, and results were compared with 2D fluorescent micrographs. A total of 54 XCT scans were collected, representing six replicates of each treatment type; each replicate, however, consisted of approximately 1500 individual, cross-section slices stacked along the specimen length. As these adhesives were highly modified, the presented results do not indicate typical behavior for their broader adhesive classes. Still, clear penetration differences were observed between each adhesive type, and between wood species bonded with both the PF and pMDI adhesives. Furthermore, penetration results depended on the calculation method used. Two adhesive types with noticeably different resin distributions in the cured bondline, showed relatively similar penetration depths when calculated with a traditional effective penetration equation. However, when the same data was calculated with a weighted penetration calculation, which accounts for both adhesive area and depth, the results appeared to better represent the different distributions depicted in the photomicrographs and tomograms. Additionally, individual replicate comparisons showed variation due to specimen anatomy, not easily observed or interpreted from 2D images. Finally, 3D views of segmented 3D adhesive phases offered unique, in-situ views of the cured adhesive structures. In particular, voids formed by CO 2 bubbles generated during pMDI cure were clearly visible in penetrated columns of the solidified adhesive.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2016

Brady's Geothermal Field Distributed Temperature Sensing Data

This submission is an 8 day time history of vertical temperature measurements in Brady observation well 56-1 collected during the PoroTomo field experiment. The data was collected with a fiber-optic DTS system installed to a depth of 372 m below wellhead. DTS installation uses a double-loop set up. Data includes forward length and backward length temperature measurements.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2016

In situ surface/interface x-ray diffractometer for oxide molecular beam epitaxy

In situ studies of oxide molecular beam epitaxy by synchrotron x-ray scattering has been made possible by upgrading an existing UHV/molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) six-circle diffractometer system. For oxide MBE growth, pure ozone delivery to the chamber has been made available, and several new deposition sources have been made available on a new 12 in. CF (ConFlat, a registered trademark of Varian, Inc.) flange. X-ray diffraction has been used as a major probe for film growth and structures for the system. In the original design, electron diffraction was intended for the secondary diagnostics available without the necessity of the x-ray and located at separate positions. Deposition of films was made possible at the two diagnostic positions. And, the aiming of the evaporation sources is fixed to the point between two locations. Ozone can be supplied through two separate nozzles for each location. Also two separate thickness monitors are installed. Additional features of the equipment are also presented together with the data taken during typical oxide film growth to illustrate the depth of information available via in situ x-ray techniques.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗
DOE OSTI2018

Quantifying the Effects of Snowpack on Soil Thermal and Carbon Dynamics of the Arctic Terrestrial Ecosystems

Snow insulation effects modify soil and carbon dynamics in northern middle to high latitudes (45°–90°N). This study incorporates these effects by introducing a snow model into an existing soil thermal model in a biogeochemistry modeling framework, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model. The coupled model is used to quantify snow insulation effects on carbon and soil thermal dynamics in 45°–90°N region for the historical period (2003–2010) and the future period (2017–2099) under two climate scenarios. The revised model captures the snow insulation effects and improves the estimates of soil thermal dynamics and the land freeze-thaw as well as terrestrial ecosystem carbon dynamics. Historical mean cold-season soil temperature at 5 cm depth driven with satellite-based snow data is 6.4°C warmer in comparison with the original model simulation. Frozen area in late spring is estimated to shrink mainly over eastern Siberia, in central to eastern Europe, and along southern Canada in November. During each nongrowing season in the historical period, 0.41 Pg more soil C is released due to warmer soil temperature estimated using the new model. During 2003–2010, the revised model estimates that the region accumulated 0.86 Pg less C due to weaker gross primary production, leading to a regional C loss at 0.19 PgC/year. The revised model projects that the region will lose 38–51% permafrost area by 2100 and continue to be a C source under the low-emission scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway 2.6) but to be gradually transitioning into a weak sink in the latter half of the 21st century under the high-emission scenario (Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5).

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2025

Influence of Tibetan Plateau sensible heat on pre-monsoon dust burdens over South Asia: Observational and modeling evidence

Tibetan Plateau sensible heating (TPSH) effect is recognized as a key driver of the South Asian climate; however its role in regulating the regional dust burdens over South Asia during the pre-monsoon season remains unclear. Using long-term reanalysis and/or observational dust and TPSH data, we show that the dust optical depth at 550 nm (DOD 550 ) over South Asia is significantly positively correlated with TPSH at the interannual scale. DOD 550 over South Asia increases (decreases) by 20 % (12 %) in the strongest (weakest) TPSH years. The phenomenon of TPSH-dust relationships is reinforced by sensitivity experiments by altering TPSH from global climate models. Further mechanism analysis reveals that TPSH perturbation induces regional circulation anomalies over South Asia, which features a low-tropospheric cyclonic response around the Tibetan Plateau. This cyclonic anomaly strengthens the prevailing northwesterly winds, increasing regional dust emissions and transportation over South Asia. This novel mechanism helps understand the South Asian dust change.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Oil in Alaska North Slope Gas Hydrate Reservoir: Micro-CT and Flow Simulation Insights into Permeability

Gas hydrate-bearing sands on the Alaska North Slope (ANS) host minor volumes of crude oil whose impact on formation permeability has never been quantified relative to a gas hydrate reservoir system. Here, we combine in situ pressure-core microcomputed-tomography (μ-CT), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gas-chromatography–mass-spectrometry (GC–MS), scanning-electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and Stokes-flow simulation to (i) quantify oil saturation, (ii) infer its source, and (iii) evaluate its influence on permeability after gas-hydrate dissociation. μ-CT and SEM-EDS imaging identify the host sediment as silty, with some grain-coating clay present. Eight representative 3003-voxel subvolumes extracted from a preserved pressure core (Core 15P-3c, from the B1 sand (unit B), HYDRATE 02 Geo Data Well (GDW), 886.96–887.29 m measured depth, MD) exhibit porosities of 0.34–0.37 and an average oil saturation of 0.09 ± 0.03, in comparison to an independent TGA-based estimate of 0.16. GC-MS fingerprints obtained from an adjacent depressurized core (Core 17P-1, 891.37–891.44 m MD), together with oil pore habit revealed by μ-CT, suggest that the oil is partly native but also includes contributions from mineral oil-based drilling fluid contamination. Further analysis of oil–porewater interactions and flushing tests confirms that native oil saturation in the analyzed samples ranges from 0.04 to 0.08 with an average of approximately 0.06, and the oil is highly immobile. Flow simulations demonstrate that the native oil saturation of ≈0.06 reduces permeability by approximately 50% due to both pore blockage and increased flow-path tortuosity. These findings reveal the potential presence of native oil within the ANS gas hydrate reservoir and suggest that future simulation models may need to account for its impact on permeability to improve long-term performance predictions of gas and water production.

02 PETROLEUM↗