Soil-precipitation feedbacks during the South American Monsoon as simulated by a regional climate model

We summarize the recent progress in regional climate modeling in South America with the Rossby Centre regional atmospheric climate model (RCA3-E), with emphasis on soil moisture processes. A series of climatological integrations using a continental scale domain nested in reanalysis data were carried out for the initial and mature stages of the South American Monsoon System (SAMS) of 1993–92 and were analyzed on seasonal and monthly timescales. The role of including a spatially varying soil depth, which extends to 8 m in tropical forest, was evaluated against the standard constant soil depth of the model of about 2 m, through two five member ensemble simulations. The influence of the soil depth was relatively weak, with both beneficial and detrimental effects on the simulation of the seasonal mean rainfall. Secondly, two ensembles that differ in their initial state of soil moisture were prepared to study the influence of anomalously dry and wet soil moisture initial conditions on the intraseasonal development of the SAMS. In these simulations the austral winter soil moisture initial condition has a strong influence on wet season rainfall over feed back upon the monsoon, not only over the Amazon region but in subtropical South America as well. Finally, we calculated the soil moisture–precipitation coupling strength through comparing a ten member ensemble forced by the same space–time series of soil moisture fields with an ensemble with interactive soil moisture. Coupling strength is defined as the degree to which the prescribed boundary conditions affect some atmospheric quantity in a climate model, in this context a quantification of the fraction of atmospheric variability that can be ascribed to soil moisture anomalies. La Plata Basin appears as a region where the precipitation is partly controlled by soil moisture, especially in November and January. The continental convective monsoon regions and subtropical South America appears as a region with relatively high coupling strength during the mature phase of monsoon development.     

Nahrungsfauna und Kanadische Seeforelle in Berner Gebirgsseen

Ohne Zusammenfassung English Summary: Lake trout and its prey fauna in Swiss mountain lakes) Die Nahrungsfauna wurde vonGrim⇘s, Nahrungs?kologie und Wachstum der Fische vonNilsson bearbeitet.     

Optical Absorption Spectra of (Mg,Fe)SiO3 Silicate Perovskites

Electronic absorption spectra have been measured at room temperature and pressure for polycrystalline samples of (Mg, Fe)SiO₃ silicate perovskites synthesized by multi-anvil device. One strong near-infrared band at about 7000 cm^-1 and several weak bands in the visible region were found. The near-infrared band at 7000 cm^-1 is assigned to a spin-allowed transition of Fe²⁺ at the 8–12 coordinated site in perovskite. However, definite assignments of the weak bands in the visible region are difficult because of their low intensities and the scattering effect at the gain boundaries. Crystal field calculations for Fe²⁺ at different sites in perovskite have been carried out based on the crystal structure data. The results agree with the assignment of Fe²⁺ to the 8–12 coordinated site in perovskite. Crystal field stabilization energy of Fe²⁺ with coordination number of 8 in perovskite is 3332 cm^-1 which is small compared to the octahedral site of magnesiowüstite (4320 cm^-1), another important lower-mantle mineral.     

Zur Anwendung der Kathodolumineszenz in der Karbonatpetrographie

Mn-activated cathodoluminescence can be used in several fields of carbonate petrography. It may, for instance, be possible to recognize

1. cement sequences and their correlation (Tab. 1, Figs. 1, 2, 4; Tab. 2, Fig. 1)
2. growth fabrics of skeletons (Tab. 2, Figs. 2, 3, 4; Tab. 3, Figs. 1, 2)
3. dolomitisation processes and problems (Tab. 1, Figs. 1, 2; Tab. 4, Fig. 2)
4. transformation paths from Mg-calcite to calcite and from aragonite to calcite (Tab. 2, Fig. 1; Tab. 3, Figs. 3, 4; Tab. 4, Fig. 1)
5. growth structures in certain types of ooids (Tab. 1, Fig. 4; Tab. 3, Fig. 3; Tab. 4, Fig. 1)
6. reworked skeletal particles (Tab. 3, Fig. 4)
7. phantom grains and fossil-outlines in a micro- or macrocrystalline groundmass (Tab. 4, Figs. 2, 3)
8. healed fissures crossing micro- or macrocrystalline carbonate rocks (Tab. 4, Fig. 4).

These are, however, no general luminescence criteria indicating the depositional environment. Luminescence of calcite and dolomite requires 20–40 ppm Mn, with the equipments used in this study. Aragonite is not yet investigated systematically. Zonal luminescence in carbonate cements may indicate changes of the chemical composition of the aquifer and may be used for “cement stratigraphy”. In skeletons it rather indicates physiological changes. While aragonitic skeletons lose their luminescence Zonation during replacement by calcite, Mg-calcite skeletons may keep parts of it, because their replacement preserves the original crystal fabric. Blotchy luminescence developes in Mg-calcitic particles during their adjustment to lower Mg-calcites by dissolution-precipitation processes in solutions with changing Mn/Fe-ratios.     

The Uppsala urban meteorology project

An extensive urban meteorology project in Uppsala, Sweden, is described. The city itself is considered suitable as a kind of model city, being almost circular, having sharp urban/rural boundaries and being situated in a relatively flat area. The project incorporates numerous measurements. A main station with a 100-m mast is situated at the NE urban/rural border. Its instrumentation consists of a slow-response (profile) system and a turbulence system. The profile instrumentation is described in detail. In addition to the main station, the project comprises: measurements from two 14-m masts, one on the top of a centrally located building, the other mobile; pilot balloon ascents; tethered balloon soundings, car-borne temperature traverses etc. Some preliminary results are presented: analyses of wind profiles from the mast and three-dimensional heat island studies.     

Gene Expression Analysis for Exposure to Estrogenic Substances

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed with 17β‐estradiol (E2) and nonylphenol (NP) in different concentrations. Gene expression analysis was carried out by two different approaches. First, RT‐PCR experiments were performed for the examination of expression levels of the two marker genes vitellogenin and aromatase. This approach showed a significant increase in the expression of the vitellogenin gene in exposed male fish (500 ng/L 17β‐estradiol and 250 μg/L nonylphenol). This egg yolk protein is usually not synthesized in male vertebrates. A slight decrease of expression of the aromatase gene was observed in exposed female zebrafish. Aromatase is known to catalyze the conversion of androgens to estrogens. Second, DNA microarray experiments were carried out, which allow the simultaneous examination of the expression levels of a great number of marker genes. The microarray experiments resulted in an up‐regulation of vitellogenin up to 850‐fold. In addition, several other genes were identified to be up‐regulated by estrogens, for example the high mobility group box protein ssrp1 (78‐fold) or the chaperonin containing t‐complex polypeptide 1, beta subunit cctb (22‐fold).     

The Glueckstadt Graben, a sedimentary record between the North and Baltic Sea in north Central Europe

The Glueckstadt Graben is one of the deepest post-Permian structures within the Central European Basin system and is located right at its “heart” at the transition from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea and from the Lower Saxony Basin to the Rynkoebing–Fyn High.The Mesozoic to recent evolution is investigated by use of selected seismic lines, seismic flattening and a 3D structural model. A major tectonic event in the latest Middle–Late Triassic (Keuper) was accompanied by strong salt tectonics within the Glueckstadt Graben. At that time, a rapid subsidence took place within the central part, which provides the “core” of the Glueckstadt Graben. The post-Triassic tectonic evolution of the area does not follow the typical scheme of thermal subsidence. In contrast, it seems that there is a slow progressive activation of salt movements triggered by the initial Triassic event. Starting with the Jurassic, the subsidence centre partitioned into two parts located adjacent to the Triassic “core.” In comparison with other areas of the Central European Basin system, the Glueckstadt Graben was not strongly affected by additional Jurassic and Cretaceous events. During the late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous, the area around the Glueckstadt Graben was affected by relative uplift with regional erosion of the elevated relief. However, subsidence was reactivated and accelerated during the Cenozoic when a strong subsidence centre developed in the North Sea. During Paleogene and Quaternary–Neogene, the two centres of sedimentation moved gradually towards the flanks of the basin.The data indeed point toward a control of post-Permian evolution by gradual withdrawal of salt triggered by the initial exhaustion along the Triassic subsidence centre. In this sense, the Glueckstadt Graben was formed at least partially as “basin scale rim syncline” during post-Permian times. The present day Hamburger, East and Westholstein Troughs are the actual final state of this long-term process which still may continue and may play a role in terms of young processes and, e.g., for coastal protection.     

Structure and evolution of the Glueckstadt Graben due to salt movements

The salt tectonics of the Glueckstadt Graben has been investigated in relation to major tectonic events within the basin. The lithologic features of salt sections from Rotliegend, Zechstein and Keuper show that almost pure salt is prominent in the Zechstein, dominating diapiric movements that have influenced the regional evolution of the Glueckstadt Graben. Three main phases of growth of the salt structures have been identified from the analysis of the seismic pattern. The strongest salt movements occurred at the beginning of the Keuper when the area was affected by extension. This activation of salt tectonics was followed by a Jurassic extensional event in the Pompeckj Block and Lower Saxony Basin and possibly in the Glueckstadt Graben. The Paleogene–Neogene tectonic event caused significant growth and amplification of the salt structures mainly at the margins of the basin. This event was extensional with a possible horizontal component of the tectonic movements. 3D modelling shows that the distribution of the initial thickness of the Permian salt controls the structural style of the basin, regionally. Where salt was thick, salt diapirs and walls formed and where salt was relatively thin, simple salt pillows and shallow anticlines developed.     

Theory And Measurements For Turbulence Spectra And Variances In The Atmospheric Neutral Surface Layer

Predictions from a new theory for high Reynolds number turbulent boundary layers during near-neutral conditions are shown to agree well with measurements of atmospheric surface-layer variances and spectra. The theory suggests surface-layer turbulence is determined by detached eddies that largely originate in the shearing motion immediately above the surface layer; as they descend into this layer, they are strongly distorted by the local shear and impinge onto the surface. Because the origin of these eddies is non-local, they are similar to those described in previous studies as `inactive' turbulence. However, they are, in fact, dynamically highly active, supplying the major mechanism for the momentum transport, including upward bursting on the time scale of the larger eddies. The vertical velocity results show that the variance and the low frequency parts of spectra increase with height in the surface layer, while in the self similar (k₁ ^-1) range the streamwise low frequency components are approximately constant with height. These large-scale longitudinal eddies extend to a length _s, which is equal to the boundary-layer height near the surface andincreases linearly to a maximum of about three times the boundary-layer height at roughly 15 m and decreases in the upper parts of the surface layer. This lower part of the surface layer, the eddy surface layer, is the region in which the eddies impinging from layers above are strongly distorted. This new result for the atmospheric boundary layer has practical application for calculating fluctuating wind loads on structures and lateral dispersion of pollution from local sources.     

Chronometric calibration of a comparative time scale for the mesozoic and paleozoic

The relationship between radiometric and biostratigraphic ages is analyzed by local empirical methods and illustrated in chronograms for the mesozoic and paleozoic stages. The chronograms allow estimates for stage boundaries and their errors. Consequently, the ages for epoch boundaries and their errors are discussed which, for several reasons, may not be identical with the age and error of the oldest stage of an epoch.The analysis results in a comparative time scale which could be a compromise between the time scales currently under discussion. A specific feature of the derived time scale is its rather strong cyclicity with periods around 74 (73±1) ma.

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Zusammenfassung Alter und Fehlergrenzen für mesozoische und paläozoische Stufengrenzen werden mittels einer lokalen empirischen Schätzmethode neu berechnet. Daraus ergeben sich Schätzungen für die Alter und Fehler der Epochengrenzen, die aus verschiedenen Gründen nicht mit denen derältesten Stufe einer Epoche zusammenfallen.Die Auswertung der Chronogramme führt zu einer vergleichenden Zeitskala, die im wesentlichen einen Kompromi\ zwischen den gegenwärtig gängigen Zeitskalen darstellt. Bemerkenswert ist, da\ die Zeitskala ein hohes Ma\ an Zyklizität aufweist, wobei sich Perioden von 74 (73±1) ma ergeben.

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Résumé Les relations entre les âges radiométriques et les âges biostratigraphiques sont analysées par des méthodes locales et empiriques. Elles sont présentées dans des chronogrammes se référant aux étages du MésozoÏque et du PaléozoÏque. Ces chronogrammes permettent d'estimer les limites d'étages et les erreurs de cette estimation. Les âges des limites de systèmes et leurs erreurs sont discutés en conséquence. Pour diverses raisons ils ne sont pas identiques à ceux de l'étage le plus ancien d'un système.L'analyse des chronogrammes aboutit à une échelle de temps comparative qui représente un compromis entre les échelles de temps couramment discutées. Une propriété remarquable de cette échelle est de faire apparaÎtre une cyclicité dont la période est de 74 (73±1) Ma.

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- . , . , . , 74 (73 ± 1) .