Estimating relative bed-load contributions by lithology counts

In gravel-bedded streams where bed material of a tributary differs distinctly in lithology from that of the main stream, rock-type percentages can be used to estimate bed-load contributions of the two streams. The rock type that shows the greatest difference in abundance between the two streams is selected as the indicator lithology. Percentages of this lithology are estimated in both the main stream and tributary stream above their junction, and also in the main stream at a distance sufficiently downstream from the junction to allow complete mixing. The fraction of bed load contributed by the main stream, p,is estimated by ,where is an estimate of the proportion of indicator rock fragments in the bed of the main stream above the junction, is an estimate of the proportion in the bed of the tributary above the junction, and is an estimate of the proportion in the bed of the main stream below the junction. The variance of is obtained as var ( )= [p₁q₁(p_r – p₂)²/n(p₁ – p₂)⁴] + [p₂q₂(p_r – p₁)²/n(p₁ – p₂)⁴] + [p_rq_r/n(p₁ – p₂)²].Although no estimate of actual quantity of bed load is provided, the indicator rock technique supplies data that can serve as a check on data obtained by means of empirical formulas or actual transport measurements.     

Element partitioning in calcite as a function of solution flow rate: a study on vein calcites from the Harz Mountains

A semi-empirical treatment of isothermal element partitioning caused by flow rate-dependent calcite growth from hydrothermal solutions yields element/Ca ratios that are qualitatively similar to those observed in calcite bands of the Pb-Zn banded ores from the Harz Mountains, Germany. The comparison of the calculations with the analytical results suggests that flow rates varied between episodes of calcite precipitation as well as during formation of individual bands. Based on a flow rate-dependent element partition coefficient, changing element/Ca ratios in precipitates from a hydrotherm are therefore not necessarily indicative of changing compositions of the fluid. The variations in element/Ca ratios to be envisaged could be as much as a factor of three.Notation A defined by Eq. 8 - a, b individual values of any element in Eq. 1 - c concentration in moles/m³ - C ₀ initial concentration moles/m³ - i running parameter - F area of precipitation in m² - k _p rate constant of pth order reaction in s · m³/moles^p - R linear (one-dimensional) growth rate in moles/m² · s - p order of growth reaction - s distance from entry of solution in m - s ₀ vertical extension of a vein in m - t time in s - v flow rate of hydrothermal solution in m/s - v₀ standard flow rate in m/s - _r relative flow rate in multiple of v₀ - fraction of total precipitation - ₀ fraction of precipitation under reference conditions when the hydrothermal solution leaves the vein - defining the sign in Eq. 1 for elements that are en riched (= +1) or impoverished (= -1) - logarithmic partition coefficient in Eq. 10 - (R) logarithmic partition coefficient as a function of variable growth rate - [ ], { } concentration ratios of fluids and solids, respectively - EL/Ca calculated ratio of El/Ca in the calcite surface zone after Eq. 11     

The general refractivity formula applied to densified silicate glasses

Concomitant changes of refractive index (n) with density (ϱ) of isochemical series comprizing several densified silicate glasses were analyzed. The data include glasses of the systems SiO₂, TiO₂-SiO₂, Na₂O-SiO₂, and NaAlSi₃O₈-CaAl₂Si₂O₈. Extending the ideal point dipole theory, an electronic overlap parameter (b) accounting for the non-ideal behaviour of solids was refined using the general refractivity formula , where α is the molar polarizability. Statistical analyses assuming α=constant within each isochemical series showed no systematic variation of b with chemical composition. A constrained refinement of b using all data converged at b=1.3. Applying this common overlap parameter and appropriate polarizability constants, recalculated refractive index values fit excellently the experimental results within the entire n−ϱ range. Furthermore, the additivity of polarizabilities, often assumed for oxide components, is derived for TiO₂-SiO₂ glasses and for glasses of plagioclase composition.     

Phenomena and characteristics of barrier river reaches in the middle and lower Yangtze River,China

Alluvial river self-adjustment describes the mechanism whereby a river that was originally in an equilibrium state of sediment transport encounters some disturbance that destroys the balance and results in responses such as riverbed deformation. A systematic study of historical and recent aerial photographs and topographic maps in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River (MLYR) shows that river self-adjustment has the distinguishing feature of transferring from upstream to downstream, which may affect flood safety, waterway morphology, bank stability, and aquatic environmental safety over relatively long reaches downstream. As a result, it is necessary to take measures to control or block this transfer. Using the relationship of the occurrence time of channel adjustments between the upstream and downstream, 34 single-thread river reaches in the MLYR were classified into four types: corresponding, basically corresponding, basically not corresponding, not corresponding. The latter two types, because of their ability to prevent upstream channel adjustment from transferring downstream, are called barrier river reaches in this study. Statistics indicate that barrier river reaches are generally single thread and slightly curved, with a narrow and deep cross-sectional morphology, and without flow deflecting nodes in the upper and middle parts of reaches. Moreover, in the MLYR, barrier river reaches have a hydrogeometric coefficient of \({<}{4}\), a gradient \({>}\)1.2?, a silty clay content of the concave bank \({>}{9.5}\)%, and a median diameter of the bed sediment \({>}{0.158}\) mm. The barrier river reach mechanism lies in that can effectively centralise the planimetric position of the main stream from different upstream directions, meaning that no matter how the upper channel adjusts, the main stream shows little change, providing relatively stable inflow conditions for the lower reaches. Regarding river regulation, it is necessary to optimise the benefits of barrier river reaches; long river reaches without barrier properties should be systematically planned and regulated; drastic bank collapse and sandbar shrinking should be urgently controlled to prevent the loss of barrier effects.     

Stability of landslide dams and development of knickpoints

The Wenchuan earthquake triggered many landslides and numerous avalanches and created 100 odd quake lakes. The quake lakes may be removed or preserved. The removal strategy was applied to several large landslide dams, which were dangerous because massive amounts of water pooled up in the quake lakes. The dams could eventually fail under the action of dam outburst flooding, potentially endangering the lives of people in the downstream reaches. This paper studied the stability of landslide dams and the development of knickpoints by field investigations and experiments, and analyzing satellite images. The study concluded that if landslide dams were preserved, they would develop into knickpoints and act as a primary control of riverbed incision and, thus, reduce the potential of new landslide. The stability of landslide dams depends mainly on the development of the step-pool system and stream power of the flood flow. If a landslide dam consists of many boulders, a step-pool system may develop on the spillway channel of the dam, which would maximize the resistance, consume most of the flow energy and consequently protect the dam from incision. The development degree of the step-pool system is represented by a parameter S _p, which was measured with a specially designed instrument. A preservation ratio of landslide dams is defined as the ratio of preserved height after flood scouring to the original height of the dam. For streams with peak flood discharge lower than 30 m³/s, the preservation ratio is linearly proportional to S _p. For rivers with a peak flood discharge higher than 30 m³/s (30–30,000 m³/s), the minimum S _p value for stable channel increases with log p, in which p is the unit stream power. For a landslide dam with a poorly developed step-pool system, S _p is smaller than the minimum value and the outburst flood incises the spillway channel and causes failure of the dam. For preserved landslide dams, sediment deposits in the quake lakes. A landslide dam may develop into a knickpoint if it is stabilized by long-term action of the flow. Large knickpoints can totally change the fluvial processes and river morphology. Uplift of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau has caused extensive channel bed incision along almost all rivers. For many rivers, the incision has been partly controlled by knickpoints. Upstream reaches of a knickpoint have a new and unchanging base level. This brings about a transition from degradation to aggradation and from vertical bed evolution to horizontal fluvial process. Multiple and unstable channels are prominent in the reaches, upstream of the knickpoints. If hundreds of landslide dams occurred simultaneously on a reach of a mountain river, the potential energy of bank failure and the slope erosion would be greatly reduced and sediment yield from the watershed may be reduced to nearly zero. The quake lakes may be preserved long term and become beautiful landscapes. Streams with long-term unfilled quake lakes have good aquatic ecology.     

Threshold of sediment motion under unidirectional currents

Carefully selected data for the threshold of sediment movement under unidirectional flow conditions have been utilized to re-examine the various empirical curves that are commonly employed to predict this threshold. After a review of the existing data, we employed only that data obtained from open channel flumes with parallel sidewalls where flows were uniform and steady over flattened beds of unigranular, rounded sediments. Without these restrictions, an unmanageable amount of scatter is introduced. This selected data is used to develop a modified Shields-type threshold diagram that extends the limits of the original diagram by three orders of magnitude in the grain-Reynolds number. The equally general but more easily employed Yalin diagram for sediment threshold is also examined. Although the Shields and Yalin diagrams are general in that they apply to a wide range of different liquids, in both cases somewhat different curves are obtained for threshold under air than for the liquids. The often used empirical curves of the friction velocity u_*, the velocity 100 cm above the bed u₁₀₀, the bottom stress θ_t, and Shields’ relative stress θ_t, all versus the grain diameter D, are limited in their ranges of application to certain combinations of grain density, fluid density, fluid viscosity and gravity. These conditions must be selected before the curves are generated from either the more general Shields or Yalin curves. For example, on the basis of the data selected for use in this paper, empirical threshold relationships for quartz density material in water are where the velocity u₁₀₀ measured 100 cm above the sediment bed is given in cm/sec and the grain diameter D is in cm. The limitations on any of the threshold relationships are severe. These limitations should be properly understood so that the empirical curves and relationships are not improperly employed.     

Calibration of Al/Si order variations in anorthite

New single crystal diffraction data for natural and heat-treated anorthite crystals (Angel et al. 1990) allow the determination of their states of Al/Si order in terms of a macroscopic order parameter,Q _OD , for the transition. Numerical values ofQ _OD obtained from estimates of site occupancies are shown to vary with the scalar spontaneous strain, _s , as _s Q _OD ² , and with the ratio of the sums of typeb (superlattice) reflections and typea (sublattice) reflections asI _b/I _a Q _OD ² . An empirical calibration for pure anorthite is obtained giving varies between 0.92 and 0.87 in samples equilibrated at T1300° C, but then falls off relatively rapidly with increasing temperature, reaching 0.7 near the melting point ( 1557° C). The observed temperature dependence does not conform to the predictions of the simplest single order parameter models; coupling ofQ _OD withQ of the transition is suspeeted.     

Investigating spatial variability of vertical water fluxes through the streambed in distinctive stream morphologies using temperature and head data

Investigating the interaction of groundwater and surface water is key to understanding the hyporheic processes. The vertical water fluxes through a streambed were determined using Darcian flux calculations and vertical sediment temperature profiles to assess the pattern and magnitude of groundwater/surface-water interaction in Beiluo River, China. Field measurements were taken in January 2015 at three different stream morphologies including a meander bend, an anabranching channel and a straight stream channel. Despite the differences of flux direction and magnitude, flux directions based on vertical temperature profiles are in good agreement with results from Darcian flux calculations at the anabranching channel, and the Kruskal-Wallis tests show no significant differences between the estimated upward fluxes based on the two methods at each site. Also, the upward fluxes based on the two methods show similar spatial distributions on the streambed, indicating (1) that higher water fluxes at the meander bend occur from the center of the channel towards the erosional bank, (2) that water fluxes at the anabranching channel are higher near the erosional bank and in the center of the channel, and (3) that in the straight channel, higher water fluxes appear from the center of the channel towards the depositional bank. It is noted that higher fluxes generally occur at certain locations with higher streambed vertical hydraulic conductivity (K _v) or where a higher vertical hydraulic gradient is observed. Moreover, differences of grain size, induced by stream morphology and contrasting erosional and depositional conditions, have significant effects on streambed K _v and water fluxes.     

Sediment suspension dynamics and a new criterion for the maintenance of turbulent suspensions

The vertical component of the turbulent flow acceleration term, , is used to determine the net positive vertical force that may support a suspended sediment load. A dimensionless criterion, Λ, is proposed for the maintenance of suspension, defined as the ratio of the maximum vertical turbulent stress to immersed weight of the suspended load above a unit bed area. In order that a suspension be maintained: where v ′ is instantaneous vertical turbulent velocity, σ and ρ are solid and fluid densities, respectively and m is the suspended load dry mass. The Λ criterion is dynamic, being a ratio of stresses and is analogous in this respect to Shields dimensionless stress criterion, θ, for the initiation of bedload motion. The new criterion is successful in predicting the maintenance of steady-state suspended sediment transport in open channel shear flow and deposition from non-uniform particulate density flows of wall jet type.     

Distinct element modeling and analysis of mining-induced subsidence

Summary The influence of rock discontinuities on mining-induced subsidence is addressed in this paper. A two-dimensional rigid block computer model was used to simulate discontinuities within strata overlying a longwall coal mine. Input for the model was available from a previous field study and numerical experiments were performed by varying the simulated joint stiffness, joint roughness, and vertical joint density. A comparison of simulated and measured displacements both within the overburden and on the surface provides insight into the influence of rock discontinuities. For the case in which all contacts had a relatively low stiffness, the maximum simulated subsidence was 293 mm whereas the case involving variable, but higher contact stiffness produced a maximum subsidence of only 73 mm reflecting the influence of increased overall stiffness. By comparison, the maximum measured subsidence was 580 mm. Consequently, the model behaved more stiffly than the actual rock mass but still provided a reliable simulation of block caving and strata separation. A comparison of simulated and observed displacements within the overburden suggests that horizontal discontinuities not included in the rigid block mesh above the zone of caving controlled rock mass compliance.List of Symbols c joint stiffness ratio [dimensionless] - d strata thickness ratio [dimensionless] - e strata modulus ratio [dimensionless] - E _a modulus of stratum a [MPa] - E _b modulus of stratum b [MPa] - E _equiv equivalent rock mass modulus [MPa] - E _u unconfined compression modulus of intact rock [MPa] - F _n contact normal force [N] - h overburden thickness [m] - k _a normal spring stiffness of stratum a [N/m] - k _b normal spring stiffness of stratum b [N/m] - k _equiv equivalent rock mass spring stiffness [N/m] - K _n normal material stiffness of joint [MPa/m] - K _s shear material stiffness of joint [MPa/m] - m mined thickness of coal seam [m] - q _u unconfined compressive strength of intact rock [MPa] - Sh shale - Ss sandstone - Sh/Ss shale/sandstone interbeds - S _max maximum subsidence [m] - SLEX Slope Indicator inclinometer/Sondex extensometer - T _a thickness of stratum a [m] - T _b thickness of stratum b [m] - T _j joint thickness [m] - u _a compression of stratum a [m] - u _b compression of stratum b [m] - u _j compression of joint [m] - u _total total compression of strata and included joint [m] - w width of longwall panel [m] - _n normal stress [MPa]     

Measurements in a heated turbulent wall jet on a concave wall

The paper contains the results of extensive single-point hot-wire and resistance-thermometer measurements in a wall jet on a heated concave wall with an external free stream. It is found that the turbulence in the inner (wall) and outer layers is sensitive to the distortion produced by the curved wall, broadly confirming current views of these effects. The effect on the turbulence of streamline curvature is stabilising in the outer layer, destabilising in the inner. Consequently the point of zero shear stress is closer to the point of maximum mean velocity than in flat and convex wall jets with which these new results are compared. The rate of growth is about 80% of that of the equivalent flat wall flow, and about half that of the convex wall flow. Changes in the wall shear stress and heat flux, which are increased relative to the flat wall flow, are significant but less than the changes in the corresponding convex wall flow. The greatest changes occur in the triple products.List of Symbols c _f skin friction coefficient, 2 _w / U _M ² - q ² u ² +v ²+w ² - R radius of curvature of wall - r radius of curvature - St Stanton number,-q _w /c _p U _M (T –T _w ) - T mean temperature - U streamwise mean velocity - U _J initial wall-jet velocity - U ₁ initial free-stream velocity - U ₀ U _M –U _PW - u, v, w fluctuating velocity components - x, y distances measured along and normal to the wall - y _0.5,y _M wall-jet thicknesses defined in the text - y _S ,y _T wall-jet thicknesses defined in the text - T T _W –T - shear-layer thickness - ₂ momentum thickness - temperature fluctuation - M point of maximum velocity - P potential flow - s point of zero shear stress - W wall value - free stream value     

Evidence for lithospheric detachment in the central Andes from local earthquake tomography

Data from three temporary seismic networks were merged for tomographic inversion. Although the deployments did not coincide in time, spatial overlap was achieved by re-occupying existing sites. Travel times and t operators of about 1600 earthquakes were inverted for 3D models of ν_p, ν_p/ν_s and P-wave attenuation (Q_p^− 1). All three attributes provide a consistent image of the entire subduction zone on a lithospheric scale. The tomographic images reveal low velocities and high attenuation in the crust and mantle underlying the Western Cordillera and most of the Puna plateau, indicative of weak rheology and mostly asthenospheric mantle. In contrast, forearc and eastern foreland are characterized by high Q_p values, corresponding to cold temperatures in accordance with thermal models. In the backarc, between 23°S and 24°S, a high velocity, high Q_p structure beneath the Eastern Cordillera and eastern Puna is interpreted as detaching continental lithosphere that has been thickened in the orogenic process. South of this structure, the mantle is characterized by low velocities, high ν_p/ν_s ratios, and low Q_p values. Here it is believed that lithosphere originally underlying Andean crust has already been removed. This is supported by new estimates of crustal thickness and volcanic activity.     

Subseabed disposal of radioactive waste: effects of consolidational fluid flow

Subseabed disposal of radioactive waste applies a multiple-barrier concept with the sediment being the most important barrier for preventing a release of nuclides into the biosphere. While many investigations have been carried out to analyze the risk potential in this type of disposal, the effects of sediment consolidation and associated fluid flow have not fully been taken into consideration. Here, possible effects of consolidational fluid flow in the penetrator disposal option and possible consequences to the transport of nuclides in the sediment are analyzed. Results of numerical experiments demonstrate that consolidation contributes to the transport of radioactive nuclides released from containers buried in the sediment and to the release of nuclides at the sediment-water interface. Both depend on geological conditions and to a large extent on possible alterations of hydraulic conductivity i of the sediment in the vicinity of the entry path of a penetrator.Symbols c concentration ml m^–3 - c _a concentration of adsorbed solute mg kg^–1 (relative to dry weight of sorbing substance) - c _in solute concentration of source q mg m^–3 - c ₀ initial concentration mg m^–3 - ID dispersion tensorm ²s^–1 - ID ^* diffusion tensor m²s^–1 - D coefficient of dispersion m²s^–1 - d ₀ coefficient of molecular diffusion m²s^–1 - d coefficient of effective diffusion m²s^–1 - g gravity m²s^–1 - h piezometric pressure m - k hydraulic conductivity m²s^–1 - m mass kg - p pressure Pa - q source/sink m³s^–1 - S ₀ specific surface m²m^–3 - t time s - v velocity m s^–1 - x, z cartesian coordinates m - compressibiliy of sediment m²N^–1 - _L longitudinal dispersivity m - effective porosity (decimal fraction) - density kg m^–3 - _s density of sediment kg m^–3 - _w density of water kg m^–3 - decay constant per s - kinematic viscosity m²s^–1     

Long-term prediction of intermediate depth earthquakes in the southern Aegean region based on a time-predictable model

Repeat times of strong intermediate depth (60 km h 180 km) earthquakes have been determined by the use of instrumental and historical data for six seismogenic sources in the Benioff zone of the southern Aegean area. For four of these sources, at least two interevent times (three mainshocks) are available for each source. By using the repeat times for these four sources, the following relation has been determined: logT _t = 0.20M _min + 0.19M _p +a, whereT _t is the repeat time (in years),M _min the surface wave magnitude of the smallest earthquake considered,M _p the magnitude of the preceding mainshock and a parameter which varies from source to source. A multilinear correlation coefficient equal to 0.91 was determined for this relation, which indicates that the time predictable model holds to a satisfactory degree for the strong mainshocks of intermediate focal depth in the southern Aegean.By assuming that the ratioT/T _t, whereT is the observed andT _t the calculated repeat time, follows a lognormal distribution, the conditional probabilities for the occurrence of strong (M _s 6.5) and very strong (M _s 7.5) earthquakes during the period 1991–2001 in these four seismogenic sources have been calculated. These probabilities are very high (P > 0.9) for the strong and high (P > 0.5) for the very strong intermediate depth earthquakes which occur in the three sources of the shallower (h < 100 km) part of the Benioff zone where coupling occurs between the front parts of the Mediterranean lithosphere (downgoing) and the Aegean lithosphere.     

About the specification of erosion flux for soft stratified cohesive sediments

The present paper deals with the specification of bed erosion flux that accounts for the effects of sediment-induced stratification in the water column. Owing to difficulties in measuring the bed shear stress _b and the erosive shear strength _s, we suggest a series of methods that combine laboratory and numerical experiments. A simplified turbulent transport model that includes these effects helps to quantify _b and _s. Focusing on soft stratified beds, the present study considers erosion rate formulas of the form =_f exp {[T_b-T_s]} where is a model constant (=1 for Gularte's (1978) formula and =1/2 for Parchure's (1984) formula). First, the bed erosive strength profile _s(Z) is adjusted by forcing the turbulent transport model with measured erosion rates. Second, three procedures are suggested to determine the erosion rate formula coefficients _f and : a global procedure and two different layer-by-layer procedures. Each procedure is applied to an erosion experiment conducted in a rotating annular flume by Villaret and Paulic (1986). The use of the layer-by-layer procedure based on a least squares fitting technique provides a closer fit than the global procedure. The present study points out the complementarity of experimental and numerical approaches and also suggests possible improvements in laboratory test procedures.     

Compressibility characteristics of soils

Compressibility characteristics of soils forms one of the important soil parameters required in design considerations. Compression index, C_c, which is the slope of the linear portion of void ratio, e vs. logaritham of effective pressure p(log p) relationship, is extensively used for settlement determination. The e–log p is most often assumed to be linear at higher pressure range and hence C_c is taken as a constant. Both published experimental results as well as results obtained in this investigation reveal that the e vs. log p could be curved, concave upwards or concave downwards depending upon the soil plasticity characteristics and initial water content. Thus, assuming C_c to be constant may not be valid for many cases. In this paper, an alternate procedure is given to characterise the compressibility of a soil. Experimental results show that the deformation expressed as a percent of thickness of the soil, (strain) vs. effective pressure could be treated as a rectangular hyperbola and the behaviour could be characterised by two parameters, a and b. Characterising the compressibility behaviour with effective pressure by two parameters is better than a single parameter, C_c.     

Heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity and Darcian flux in the submerged streambed and adjacent exposed stream bank of the Beiluo River,northwest China

Recognizing the heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity and hyporheic flow is critical for understanding contaminant transfer and biogeochemical and hydrological processes involving streams and aquifers. In this study, the heterogeneity of hydraulic conductivity and Darcian flux in a submerged streambed and its adjacent exposed stream banks were investigated in the Beiluo River, northwest China. In the submerged streambed, Darcian flux was estimated by measurement of vertical hydraulic conductivity (K _v) and vertical head gradient (VHG) using in-situ permeameter tests. On exposed stream banks, both horizontal hydraulic conductivity (K _h) and K _v were measured by on-site permeameter tests. In the submerged streambed, K _v values gradually decreased with depth and the higher values were concentrated in the center and close to the erosional bank. Compared to the exposed stream banks, the K _v values were higher in the streambed. From stream stage to the topmost layer of tested sediment, through increasing elevation, the K _h values increased on the erosional bank, while they decreased on the depositional bank. The values of VHG along the thalweg illustrate that downwelling flux occurred in the deepest area while upwelling flux appeared in the other areas, which might result from the change of streambed elevation. The higher value of the Darcian flux in the submerged streambed existed near the erosional bank.     

Characterization of synthetic hedenbergite (CaFeSi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>)–petedunnite (CaZnSi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript>) solid solution series by X-ray powder diffraction and <Superscript>57</Superscript>Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy

Clinopyroxenes along the solid solution series hedenbergite (CaFeSi₂O₆)–petedunnite (CaZnSi₂O₆) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and different oxygen fugacities at temperatures of 700 to 1200 °C and pressures of 0.2 to 2.5 GPa. Properties were determined by means of X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analysis and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy at 298 K. Unit-cell parameters display a linear dependency with changing composition. Parameters a₀ and b₀ exhibit a linear decrease with increasing Zn content while the monoclinic angle increases linearly. Parameter c₀ is not affected by composition and remains constant at a value of 5.248 Å. The molar volume can be described according to the equation V_mol (ccm mol^–1)=33.963(16)–0.544(31)*Zn pfu. The isomer shifts of ferrous iron on the octahedral M1 site in hedenbergite are not affected by composition along the hedenbergite–petedunnite solid solution series and remain constant at an average value of 1.18 mm s^–1. Quadrupole splittings of Fe²⁺ on the M1 are, however, strongly affected by composition, and they decrease linearly with increasing petedunnite component in hedenbergite, ranging from 2.25 mm s^–1 for pure hedenbergite end member to 1.99 mm s^–1 for a solid solution containing 84 mole% petedunnite. The half-widths of intermediate solid solutions vary between 0.26 and 0.33 mm s^–1, indicating, in accordance with the microprobe analyses and X-ray diffraction, that samples are homogeneous and well-crystallized. The data from this study demonstrate that the crystallinity of hedenbergitic clinopyroxenes can be improved by using oxide mixtures as starting materials. Crystal sizes for intermediate compositions range up to 70 m, suitable for standard single-crystal X-ray analysis.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Dr. Georg Amthauer, Salzburg, on occasion of his 60th birthday     

Measured elastic moduli of single-crystal MgO up to 1800 K

Using the rectangular parallelepiped resonance method we measured the temperature dependence of the adiabatic elastic moduli of single-crystal MgO over the temperature range 300–1800 K. The high temperature limit of our measurements extends by 500 K the upper limit over which elasticity data on MgO are now available. Although our measured temperature dependence of C _ij ^s are generally in good agreement with previous measurements over a more narrow range in temperature, we found that C ₄₄ ^s decreases more rapidly with temperature, for T > 1000 K, than previous studies suggest. We also found that each of the slopes (?C ₁₁ ^s /?T)_p, (?K_s/?T)_p, and (C ₄₄ ^s /?T)_p become less negative with increasing temperature for T > 1400 K. From our measurements on elasticity we are able to confirm that the Grüneisen parameter at zero pressure is nearly constant with temperature up to 1800 K, with only a slight decrease above 1000 K. Utilizing our new data we present calculations showing the temperature dependence of thermodynamic parameters important in studies of earth's interior.     

The A and B mica layers and the crystal structure of sheet silicates

A discussion of the transition from the ideal hexagonal mica structure to the ideal ditrigonal one, leads to the conclusion that the single mica layer may have two different structures (labelled A and B). The recent literature data show that both the A and B structures have been detected in some triocahedral layer lattice silicates found in nature. An examination of the structural stability of the A and B structures suggests that the last one may not be realized by dioctahedral layer lattice silicates. The concept of two structurally different mica layers, which however have the same lattice constants, greatly improves the understanding of polymorphism and twin laws in layer lattice silicates.The structural features of the tetrahedral sheet, octahedral sheet and interlayer region are carefully examined. Thus we can reach the following conclusions: the tetrahedal sheet is not entirely free to reduce its lateral dimensions by the mechanism of tetrahedal rotation owing to the repulsion among O_bas atoms; the octahedral sheet in layer lattice silicates, may increase or reduce its lateral dimensions as compared to the lateral dimensions it has in the hydroxide minerals; the interlayer region is characterized by a regular octahedral coordination of the O_bas around the interlayer cation. On the ground of these conclusions, new structural models for some selected layer lattice silicates are proposed.Notations O_bas basal oxygen atoms of the (Al, Si)O₄ tetrahedra - O_ap apical oxygen atoms of the (Al, Si)O₄ tetrahedra - b _tetr b dimension which the tetrahedral sheet would assume if unconstrained - b _oct b dimension which the octahedral sheet has in the hydroxide minerals - b _obs observed value of b - c _oct ^* thickness of the octahedral sheet - d _o distance between an octahedral cation and an O_ap atom - d _int distance between an interlayer cation and an O_bas atom - average tetrahedral rotation from ideal hexagonal symmetry