We are concerned with the quantum inverse scattering problem. The corresponding Marchenko integral equation is solved by using the collocation method together with piece-wise polynomials, namely, Hermite splines. The scarcity of experimental data and the lack of phase information necessitate the generation of the input reflection coefficient by choosing a specific profile and then applying our method to reconstruct it. Various aspects of the single and coupled channels inverse problem and details about the numerical techniques employed are discussed. We proceed to apply our approach to synthetic seismic reflection data. The transformation of the classical one-dimensional wave equation for elastic displacement into a Schr¨odinger-like equation is presented. As an application of our method, we consider the synthetic reflection travel-time data for a layered substrate from which we recover the seismic impedance of the medium. We also apply our approach to experimental seismic reflection data collected from a deep water location in the North sea. The reflectivity sequence and the relevant seismic wavelet are extracted from the seismic reflection data by applying the statistical estimation procedure known as Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to the problem of blind deconvolution. In order to implement the Marchenko inversion method, the pure spike trains have been replaced by amplitudes having a narrow bell-shaped form to facilitate the numerical solution of the Marchenko integral equation from which the underlying seismic impedance profile of the medium is obtained. / Physics / D.Phil.(Physics)

In the last two decades, particular interest has been given to the cycle of dimethylsulfide (DMS), a climate active gas, and its precursors the dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and the dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). DMS is involved in the Earth’s radiation budget while the DMS(P,O) are produced by a wide variety of micro- and macroalgae, corals, bacteria, or angiosperms in response to diverse environmental stresses. Several functions have been suggested for these sulfur compounds such as antioxidants, cryoprotectants, overflow mechanisms, osmolytes, zooplankton deterrents or signalling compounds. This research aims at improving the knowledge about the antioxidant role of DMS(P,O) within three major phytoplankton groups: diatom (i.e. Skeletonema costatum), Prymnesiophyceae (i.e. Phaeocystis globosa) and dinoflagellate (i.e. Heterocapsa triquetra). The experimental results demonstrate that cellular DMS(P,O) have the ability to lower cellular reactive oxygen species concentrations produced during high-light and chemically-induced oxidative stresses; thus supporting the antioxidant function. However, the initial DMS(P,O) concentrations of each species are not informative of their ability to tolerate a further oxidative stress, and their concentrations do not increase in high-light grown cells. The DMS(P,O) may then act as antioxidants without being part of the antioxidant response of the cell. We recommend analysing more constituents of the antioxidant system (i.e. enzymes, carotenoids, redox buffer) along with DMS(P,O) by-products and DMSP-lyase activity to better understand the cellular function of DMSP. Field measurements in the North Sea, including the Belgian Coastal Zone (BCZ) and the Northern North Sea (NNS), bring additional information on the DMS(P,O) variations. While abiotic parameters (nutrients, temperature, and incident light) influence the Chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentrations in the BCZ, this impact is not reflected in the DMS(P,O) concentrations. The latter depend on the succession of low- and high-DMSP producing species (i.e. diatoms and Phaeocystis, respectively). In the NNS in August, no distinct pattern can be drawn for the DMS(P,O) evolution regarding the phytoplankton diversity or abiotic parameters. Investigated by correlations between DMS(P,O), photoprotective pigments and incident light, the antioxidant function is not observed for this short-term period of sampling in a temperate sea. Based on Chl-a linear regressions, DMS(P,O) concentrations are successfully estimated with two distinct relationships for diatoms and Prymnesiophyceae in the BCZ. However, this estimation lacks accuracy in the NNS due to the mixed phytoplankton community observed. Further work will provide a better understanding about the antioxidant function – especially on the field – and its association with the phytoplankton diversity in temperate regions such as the North Sea. / Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

This study investigates the first-order mechanics of polygonal fault networks in Utopia Planitia, Mars and whether terrestrial sedimentary basin polygonal terrains are an analog for giant Martian polygons since there is an overlap in scale between the 3 km terrestrial polygons and the 1-40 km giant polygons of Mars. Volumetric contraction accommodates the extensional faulting observed in both cases. Boundary Element Method numerical models are used to simulate the first-order-mechanics of the faulting process. Models use material properties for wet, fine sediment, and apply an extensional strain to produce volumetric contraction. Fracture seeds that simulate the buried topography beneath the basin are placed at the base of the model. MOLA tracks from the Highlands are used to create the uneven topography beneath the basin since the underlying topography of the Northern Lowlands is thought to be similar to the topography of the older, Southern Highlands. The model investigates whether 1 & 2 km layer of wet, fine sediments will produce the fracture spacing observed within the polygonal terrains in Utopia (~5 – 6.5 km). A fracture network that is similar to the scale of the polygonal terrain in the Utopia Basin is established within the model at low strain, supporting the idea that buried topography could be the primary scaling factor for the polygon grabens. The results do not constrain an upper limit for strain; the observed trough widths in Utopia suggest that further strain was expressed by the widening of the troughs. Material properties for wet, fine sediments, analogous to the terrestrial counterpart, are appropriate for the model to match what is observed in Utopia. The power-law scale of Highlands topography controls the scale of the surface fracture spacing in the models. Measurements of running average of trough spacing along radial transects with respect to the center of the basin did not yield a monotonic decrease in trough spacing as would be expected for a smooth basement with no buried topography. Study results support the case for buried topography controlling the scale of the giant polygons of Utopia Planitia.

To enable the use of renewable energy throughout the system, the Dutch government aims to rely strongly on hydrogen gas as a green energy carrier. This thesis is dedicated to assessing the feasibility of meeting the future Dutch hydrogen demand with locally produced green hydrogen through offshore wind. The aim was realized by modelling the Dutch hydrogen demand in 2050 based on government plans and comparing this with the amount of green hydrogen the Netherlands can produce through offshore wind. Methods used include extensive literature reviews, energy system modelling, scenario analysis, and calculations. The results show that between 1,28 and 2,04 EJ of wind energy is necessary to meet the regular electricity demand and the electricity demand for hydrogen production through electrolysis. This needs to be compared to an offshore wind energy potential in the Dutch North Sea that ranges between 0,67 and 1,79 EJ. An analysis of the results shows that the offshore wind demand could be met, but it is more likely that the offshore wind energy potential is insufficient to meet the demand. The government envisions five applications for hydrogen, namely to be used as feedstock for the process industry, to generate high temperature heat, as energy storage for renewables (balancing the grid), as a transport fuel, and in the built environment. The results indicate that the demand of these five applications is unlikely to be met completely with offshore wind green hydrogen. However, the large majority of the hydrogen demand is dedicated to be used as a feedstock for the process industry. If this feedstock were to be from another source, meeting the demand of the remaining hydrogen applications with offshore wind is more realistic. Consequently, a main take-away is that the creation of a wind and solar based electricity grid with green hydrogen as a balancing agent is feasible. The results of this research gave rise to several recommendations. Firstly, renewable energy generation should be maximized using the full scope of different available techniques (not only focusing on offshore wind). Second, different decarbonization pathways other than offshore wind green hydrogen should be explored to account for process industry feedstocks. Third, the government should work closely together with other North Sea-bordering countries in order to make the best use of the available space. Fourth and final, efforts should be steered towards maximizing the wind energy potential of the Dutch North Sea, which is ideally suited for wind energy generation and should therefore be used in the best way possible.

Yes / Doggerland was a landmass occupying an area currently covered by the North Sea until marine inundation took place during the mid-Holocene, ultimately separating the British landmass from the rest of Europe. The Storegga Event, which triggered a tsunami reflected in sediment deposits in the northern North Sea, northeast coastlines of the British Isles and across the North Atlantic, was a major event during this transgressive phase. The spatial extent of the Storegga tsunami however remains unconfirmed as, to date, no direct evidence for the event has been recovered from the southern North Sea. We present evidence of a tsunami deposit in the southern North Sea at the head of a palaeo-river system that has been identified using seismic survey. The evidence, based on lithostratigraphy, geochemical signatures, macro and microfossils and sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA), supported by optical stimulated luminescence (OSL) and radiocarbon dating, suggests that these deposits were a result of the tsunami. Seismic identification of this stratum and analysis of adjacent cores showed diminished traces of the tsunami which was largely removed by subsequent erosional processes. Our results confirm previous modelling of the impact of the tsunami within this area of the southern North Sea, and also indicate that these effects were temporary, localized, and mitigated by the dense woodland and topography of the area. We conclude that clear physical remnants of the wave in these areas are likely to be restricted to now buried, palaeo-inland basins and incised river valley systems.

Huge amounts of anthropogenic 129I have been and still are released to the environment through liquid and gaseous discharges from the nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities worldwide and in particular the ones in Europe. Most of this 129I signal has been accumulated in the marine environment which plays a major role in the iodine natural pool.  In this thesis, an overview of available 129I concentrations in waters of the oceans and marginal seas together with new data about 129I and 127I spatial distribution in surface seawater along a transect between the North Sea and the northeastern Atlantic Ocean are presented. After comprehensive chemical separation, the concentrations of iodine isotopes (127I and 129I) and their species (iodide and iodate) were analysed using accelerator mass spectrometry and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The results show that, generally, changes in the 127I and 127I-/127IO3- are comparable to data from other marine waters which are related to natural distribution patterns. A considerable variation of 129I along the transect is observed with the highest values occurring in the eastern English Channel and relatively low values obtained in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Inventory estimations of 129I in the North Sea and the English Channel are 147 kg and 78 kg, respectively, where more than 90% resides in the Southern Bight and the eastern English Channel. Iodate is the dominant iodine species for both 127I and 129I in most seawater samples from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. 129I species variability suggests a slow process of 129I- oxidation in the open sea. It takes at least 10 years for the 129I-/129IO3- pair to reach their natural equilibrium as the water is transported from the English Channel. The results suggest a main transport of 129I from the western English Channel via the Biscay Bay into the northeastern Atlantic Ocean. Further, high 129I/127I and distinctive 129I-/129IO3- values south of 40°N indicate possible contribution of 129I through Mediterranean Outflow Water. The environmental radioactive impact of 129I and possible applications in ecosystem studies are also discussed.

This research has been focused on the characterisation and analysis of the deposits of large-scale mass movement events that shaped the North Sea Fan since the Mid-Pleistocene. Located at the mouth of the cross-shelf trough Norwegian Channel, the North Sea Fan is one of the largest through-mouth fans in the glaciated european margin with an area of approximately 142,000 km2. Submarine mass movement processed have occurred intermittenrly throughout the Quarternary history of the North Sea Fan, related to recurrent climate-related episodes of growth and retreat of the ice sheets. These processes can transport large amounts of sediment from the upper shelf up to the abyssal basins, playing an important role on the evolution of continental margins and can also reporesnet major geological hazards. This thesis uses mainly 3D seismic data to investigate the external geometry and internal structure of large-scale mass movement deposits. The high spatial resolution provided by the 3D seismic data has allowed a detailed geomorpholocial analysis of these deposits, This study involved the interpretation of the seismic data and the detailed pickling of key reflectors followed by tge extraction of both horizon and window-based seismic attributes. Digital elevation models of the key reflectors and their seismic attribute maps were then transferred to a geographical information system (GIS) where they were interactively interpreted using spatial analysis tools and the full visualisation potential of the software. The outcomes of this study highlight the importance of detailed horizon pickling and interactice interpretation followed by spatial analysis and visualisation in GIS environment. The identification of acoustic patterns within deposits that are normally described from 2D seismic as chaotic or acoustically transparent emphasizes the potential of detailed analysis of 3D seismic data. It gives an example of how this type of data can provide new insights into the mechanisms and processes associated with mass movements. In particular, amplitude and RMS amplitude maps provide remarkable detailed information of internal deformation structures whereas slope, shaded-relief and thickness maps allowed detailed characterisation of the external geometry. Various types of kinematic indicators can be recognized within the mass movement deposits through combined seismic analysis and detaield morphological mapping.

Afin de lutter contre l'érosion du littoral, les phénomènes de submersion marine ou d'inondation, des rechargements sédimentaires issus de sable de dragage ont été réalisés au droit d'ouvrages clés le long de la façade maritime du Grand Port Maritime de Dunkerque (GPMD). L'objectif principal de cette étude est d'analyser l'évolution de différents types de rechargements sédimentaires le long d'ouvrages présentant un intérêt stratégique : un rechargement de plage de 1,5 millions de m³ (Mm³) face à la digue des Alliés dans la station balnéaire de Malo-les-Bains et un recharchement subtidal de 3 Mm³ face à la digue du Ruytingen à l'avant-port ouest du GPMD. Des levées topographiques et bathymétriques successifs ont permis d'établir des bilans sédimentaires des zones rechargées. Bien que ces bilans soient négatifs dans les deux cas, les pertes de sédiments restent modérées, notamment concernant l'opération de la digue des Alliés dont le volume a diminué de 12,3% en un peu plus de 3 ans. Une zone d'érosion marquée a été identifiée à l'ouest, tandis qu'une partie du sable est redistribué vers l'est sous l'effet des courants de marée et de la dérive littorale comme à Malo-les-Bains où la plage à l'est du rechargement bénéficie d'un apport sableux. Le rechargement subtidal a perdu une plus grande proportion de son volume de sable que le rechargement de plage. L'analyse des forçages météo-marins a montré que l'évolution morpho-sédimentaire des rechargements dépend de leur exposition aux houles, le rechargement subtidal face à la digue du Ruytingen étant plus exposé aux houles dominantes de secteur ouest que celui de Malo-les-Bains, plus influencé par les houles de nord-est. / In order to prevent coastal erosion and marine flooding, artificial replenishments using dredged sand have been carried out in front of key coastal structures along the coast of the Grand Port Maritime de Dunkerque (GPMD). The main objective of this study is to analyse the evolution of different types of artificial replenishments along structures of strategic interest of the GPMD : a beach nourishment of 1.5 million m³ (Mm³) in front of the dike called "Digue des Alliés" in the seaside resort of Malo-les-Bains and a subtidal nourishment of 3 Mm³ in front of the "Digue du Ruytingen" in the Western Port. Successive topographic and bathymetric surveys enabled to evaluate the sediment budgets of the nourished zones. Although the sediment budgets are negative in both cases, sans losses are nevertheless moderate compared to other artificial replenishments around the world, particularly for the beach fill in front of the "Digue des Alliés" where sediment volume decreased by 12.3% over three years. Significant erosion has been identified in the western part of the nourishment site, the eroded material being partly redistributed eastward along th beach of Malo-les-Bains under the influence of tidal currents and littoral drift. The subtidal replenishment lost a higher proportion of its initial sediment volume compared to the subaerial beach replenishment. Analysis of hydro-meteorological forcing showed that the morpho-sedimentary evolution of each operation strongly depends on their wave exposition, the subtidal replenishment in front of the "Digue du Ruytingen" being much more exposed to the dominant waves from W than the one in Malo-les-Bains more influenced by waves from NE.

Thesis (doctoral)--Université de Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, 1979. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 959-1004).

Thesis (doctoral)--Université de Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne, 1979. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 959-1004).