Seasonal variability in the concentrations of Irgarol 1051 in Brighton Marina,UK; including the impact of dredging

Variations in Irgarol 1051 concentrations in the UK's largest marina at Brighton were determined regularly over a period of one year. Aqueous concentrations ranged from <1 to 960 ngl(-1) with highest mean concentrations generally associated with berths for larger vessels and with the main channels. Temporally, highest concentrations were recorded in November through to January and were probably associated with maintenance of vessels in an adjacent boatyard. Elevated levels were also encountered at the beginning of the season, coinciding with the introduction of newly antifouled vessels. Increased concentrations also followed dredging, possibly through re-mobilisation of Irgarol 1051. No correlations were found between dissolved Irgarol 1051 concentrations and pH, temperature or salinity. With the exception of sporadically high concentrations recorded for water samples (probably taken in close proximity to recently antifouled vessels), concentrations rarely exceeded the no observed effect concentration for marine periphyton of 63 ngl(-1). Concentrations of Irgarol 1051 in sediments sampled from the marina ranged from <1 to 77 ngg(-1). Apparent distribution coefficients (K(d)) calculated from sedimentary and aqueous samples (collected simultaneously) are generally within the range of K(d)'s reported from laboratory experiments.     

Morphology of the latest quaternary surface-faulting in the Gulf of Elat Region, eastern Sinai

A variety of morphotectonic features bear evidence of neotectonic activity along the Gulf of Elat. These include: stepped topography, deflected channels, fault-line grabens, sag-pond depressions, backtilted fan segments, faulted gravel bars and debris flow deposits. The age of the fault scarps is estimated on the basis of the extent of dissection, the amount of rounding of the crest of the scarps, the scarp gradient, the stage of clast weathering, the intensity of the micro-relief and the stage of soil and desert pavement development. The field data are interpreted and related to the geomorphic time curves suggested by Wallace, by Bucknam and Anderson and by Nash and the seismic hazard implications are discussed. Some criteria suggest a recent age, with 10,000 yrs B.P. as a frequently recurrent estimate. From the data it is concluded that the Gulf of Elat has definitely been tectonically highly active during the Holocene.     

Erroneous interpretation of historical documents related to the epicenter of the 1927 Jericho earthquake in the Holy Land

The 1927 earthquake was the strongestseismic event (M = 6.2) of the 20th centuryin the Holy Land and the first significantone in the region to be recorded worldwideby seismometers. By quoting theseismological station in Ksara, the ISSlocated the epicenter 40 km north of theDead Sea. This location, which wassupported by secondary and tertiarymacroseismic `evidence' and became one ofthe most accepted `facts', was neverquestioned nor reevaluated.We show how an initial mistaken earthquakelocation, supported by questionableevidence, struck roots and eventually becamean accepted fact. This typical `chain oferrors' may serve as a warning regardingtreatment of historical macroseismicsources, as well as historical microseismicdocuments. The conclusions drawn from thisstudy, while focusing on historicaldocumentation, fit well the new epicenterof the 1927 earthquake, recalculated in ourformer study.     

The propagation of gravity waves through a critical layer for conditions of moderate wind shear

Solutions of the linearised hydrodynamic equations for a viscous atmosphere using (i) a full-wave integration procedure and (ii) a simplified analytical approach are used to examine the attenuation of gravity waves passing through a critical layer, where the horizontal phase velocity is equal to that of the mean wind. Particular attenuation is paid to the variation of this attenuation with values of Richardson number, Ri, greater than unity. The two sets of results are in good agreement with the predictions of Booker and Bretherton (1967) for an inviscid fluid for values of Ri up to about 4. However, a marked discrepancy from these predicted values is found for larger values of Ri, the present results indicating substantially smaller attenuation. Further calculations suggest that the wave-amplitude attenuation factor predicted by the inviscid model is approached asymptotically in the limit of vanishingly small viscosity and thermal conductivity coefficients.The inclusion of viscosity and thermal conduction gives rise to three characteristic modes of propagation for each direction of energy flow, in place of the single mode occurring in the inviscid case. The importance of energy exchange between these modes in the propagation through the critical layer is demonstrated.     

Rapid incision of a small,coarse and steep fan‐delta in response to base‐level fall: the case of Nahal Qedem,the Dead Sea,Israel

The Dead Sea has been continuously dropping 0·4–1·0 m yr^?1 since the middle of the 20th century and thus provides a unique field laboratory for studying in real time the response of drainage systems to a non‐tectonic base‐level fall. The aim of this work is to study the short‐term ongoing erosive response to a rapid base‐level drop in a small, steep‐fronted, erodible fan‐delta setting. The work explores the controls of the steep Qedem fan‐delta, guided by its clinoform structure, on its incision. Longitudinal profiles of the fan‐delta and of its entrenched channel were measured in the field. Sedimentary facies changes – fluviatile, shallow lacustrine and beach – were followed along exposures. The existence of large boulders provided an opportunity to examine the uncertain role of armouring and boulder flux on incision. The field study was combined with digital elevation models (DEMs) that were extracted from pairs of overlapping aerial photos. Maps of erosion and deposition were prepared using a change detection algorithm. The longitudinal profile of the entrenched channel was found to be steep and linear. The outlet temporarily ‘hangs’ elevated and ungraded above the retreating lake level, indicating years without incision flow events, which cause lags in response to the rapid lake level drop. In spite of the large boulders, the small drainage basin and precipitation volume over the basin of the Qedem, the recorded vertical incision rates in the unconsolidated sediments are as high as 0·8 m yr^?1, i.e. similar to those of the largest wadis draining to the Dead Sea. The steep front of the fan‐delta is suggested to be a main factor controlling the efficient incision. A unique transport mechanism of rolling boulders, following undercutting, contributed to the entrenchment efficiency. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geodetic evidence for conjugate faulting during the 1988 Tennant Creek, Australia earthquake sequence

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Repeat levelling measurements and detailed topographic profiles from the epicentral area of the 1988 January 22 Tennant Creek, Australia earthquakes are used to constrain the geometry of faulting associated with three M 6+ earthquakes. The observed elevation changes are modelled assuming elastic deformation and uniform slip on several faults. The vertical deformation data are poorly fit by a single-fault model, and require at least three distinct faults. In the preferred model, two faults on either end of the zone of surface rupture have similar orientations, but the central fault has an orientation conjugate to the flanking faults. This interpretation is consistent with the identification of the fault planes with well-defined, dipping zones of aftershock hypocentres determined with data from portable seismograph arrays. It is also consistent with the sense of surficial deformation documented by 75 topographic profiles across the scarps. However, a fourth fault associated with possible conjugate faulting in the central fault segment at the time of the second main shock is not required by the levelling data.     

The influence of a research pier on beach morphology and the distribution of Emerita talpoida

The spatial distribution of the common Atlantic Coast mole crab, Emerita talpoida, is strongly influenced by inshore processes and the grain size and morphology of sand beaches. E. talpoida increase in density across the foreshore toward the lower part of the beach (step), with high concentrations occurring within areas of reduced wave energy. Engineering structures extending across the foreshore, such as the Coastal Engineering Research Facility (research pier) at Duck, North Carolina, significantly alter wave action and thus modify the distribution of beach sediment and beach morphology. This, in turn, results in modifications of E. talpoida distributions. The pier's impact on the natural processes and patterns of both physical and ecological elements of the beach introduces an “uncertainty principle” that must be taken into consideration when designing experiments at research facilities.     

Increasing Resolution in Exploration Biostratigraphy—Part I

Crossplots with Ranking and Scaling (RASC) and Constrained Optimization (CONOP) zonal sequences increase stratigraphic resolution and correlation potential of biozonations. The crossplots reveal which events do and which do not deviate their stratigraphic position from well to well, and how well they track their average stratigraphic level. The methodology solves the problem that conventional fossil zonations do not rank taxa according to the degree of diachroneity of range endpoints in a correlation scheme. Part 1 of this study applies the crossplots method to a North Sea biostratigraphic data, and part 2 to a proprietary dataset from the Gulf of Mexico. This study is dedicated to the memory of our friend and colleague Garry Jones, a staunch supporter of quantitative stratigraphic methods in exploration micropaleontology.     

A sedimentary facies model for glacial-age sediments in Baldwin Lake, Southern California

A combined sedimentological and high-resolution petrographic analysis was conducted on a glacial-age (20,000–65,000 cal yr BP) sediment core from Baldwin Lake, Southern California. The results of this research represent the most complete glacial-age, terrestrial climate record from Southern California to date. These results are used to characterize the different sediment types and to investigate the difference in depositional processes and environments between the core's three predominant sediment types: massive, semi-laminated, and laminated sediments. Massive sediments are commonly associated with a blocky texture and/or desiccation cracks, are organic-poor, have high magnetic susceptibility values, and are coarser-grained. Thin-sections from massive sediments reveal a homogenous sediment fabric. Sub-centimeter-scale laminated and centimeter-scale semi-laminated sediments are generally organic-rich, have low magnetic susceptibility values, and are finer grained. Thin-sections from laminated and semi-laminated sediments reveal diffuse sub-millimeter- to millimeter-scale laminae. This combination of sedimentological and high-resolution petrographic data enabled us to characterize four sediment facies, each related to specific depositional processes and environments: (1) a playa lake; (2) a perennial shallow lake; (3) an intermediate lake with variable lake level; and, (4) a perennial deep lake. At centennial-to millennial-timescales, lower lake levels are represented by deposition of massive to semi-laminated sediments in a playa to a perennial shallow lake environment. At similar timescales, higher lake levels are recorded by semi-laminated to laminated sediments deposited in an intermediate lake to a perennial deep lake environment. These results provide an additional sedimentological study for comparison to similar arid environment basins, and for comparison to existing regional paleoclimatic reconstructions.     

The influence of shallow landslides on sediment supply: A flume-based investigation using sandy soil

The impact of rainfall-induced shallow landslides on hillslope sediment discharge is not well understood. This paper reports experimental measurements of sediment discharge after water-induced shallow landslides are triggered on sandy soil in a flume under simulated rainfall. The principal aim of the research was to investigate how varying soil depth affects the location and occurrence of shallow slope failures, as well as how it affects sediment yields downslope. Four experiments were conducted using the same sandy soil and a 30° and 10° compound slope configuration under average rainfall intensity of 50 mm h^− 1 for up to 390 min. Soil depths were set to 200, 300, 400 and 500 mm. Engineering and geotechnical properties of the soil were examined. Sediment discharge and runoff were collected from the flume outlet at 15 minute intervals. Changes in the soil slope profiles after landslides and soil physical properties resulted from soil armouring, under continuous rainfall were also recorded. Results showed that sediment yields at the flume outlet, before landslides occurred, were very low and limited to the finer soil particles as would be expected for a sandy soil. However subsequent variations in sediment discharge were strongly related to failure events and their proximity to the outlet. Sediment yield was also affected by the original soil depth; the greater the depth, the higher the sediment yields. Post-failure reductions in sediment discharge were observed and attributed to post-failure slope stabilization under continuing rainfall and extensive soil armouring near the flume outlet. The results provide a clear linkage between landslides and sediment discharge due to hydrological processes occurring in the hillslope. This knowledge is being used to develop a model to predict sediment discharges from hillslopes following shallow landslide events.