The relative abundance of ethane to acetylene in the Jovian stratosphere

The observed ratio of C2H6 to C2H2 in the Jovian stratosphere increases from approximately 55 at 2 mbar to approximately 277 at 12 mbar. In current photochemical models this ratio typically increases between 2 and 12 mbar by a factor of < or = 3. Recent laboratory kinetics studies on the reaction between C2H3 and H2 to form C2H4 suggest an efficient chemical mechanism for hydrogenation of C2H2 to C2H6. Inclusion of this scheme as part of a comprehensive updated model for hydrocarbon photochemistry in the atmosphere of Jupiter provides an explanation of the altitude variation of the C2H6/C2H2 ratio. The sensitivity of these results to uncertainties in the key rate constants at low temperatures is illustrated, identifying needs for additional laboratory measurements. Since the key reaction rate constants decrease with decreasing temperature, the hydrogenation of C2H2 as proposed predicts a qualitatively decreasing trend in the C2H6/C2H2 value with decreasing distance from the Sun. The observed variation between Jupiter and Saturn is consistent with this prediction.     

An update of nitrile photochemistry on Titan

New chemical schemes leading to the formation of cyanogen (C2N2) and dicyanoacetylene (C4N2) in the upper atmosphere of Titan are proposed and examined in light of recent laboratory kinetics experiments and Voyager observations.     

Estimating finite difference block equivalent hydraulic conductivity for numerically solving the Richards' equation

A method is proposed for calculating the equivalent hydraulic conductivity (EHC) within a finite difference block (FDB). Application of the constant‐flux assumption of Darcy's Law, the EHC equals to the integration of effective hydraulic conductivity (K_w) as a function of pressure head (h_w) divided by the head difference at the ends of the FDB. Error analysis show that the constant‐flux (CF) EHC estimates are better than those computed by the commonly used arithmetic‐mean (AM), geometric‐mean (GM), and harmonic‐mean (HM) techniques. CF EHC results are even more superior at larger interblock head difference situations. Simulations of water infiltration experiments show that simulations using the CF EHC or AM or GM weighting technique have only slight difference while applying the Neumann type boundary condition at the ground surface. In case of the Dirichlet type boundary condition, however, the CF EHC is superior to the other two in correctly estimating the depth of infiltration while enlarging the grid size. Therefore, it is recommended to adopt the CF EHC with a larger grid size to the more stable and more efficient results. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

再论花岗岩按照Sr-Yb的分类:标志

2006年作者曾经按照Sr=400×10~(-6)和Yb=2×10~(-6)作为标志将花岗岩分为埃达克岩、喜马拉雅型花岗岩、浙闽型花岗岩和广西型花岗岩,在浙闽型中又分出南岭型(Sr100×10~(-6)和Yb2×10~(-6)),于是花岗岩被分为5类。Sr=400×10~(-6)和Yb=2×10~(-6)是根据阿留申群岛中的Adak岛的资料得出来的。本文统计了全球花岗岩6000多个数据(其中,埃达克型花岗岩为2810个,喜马拉雅型花岗岩636个,浙闽型花岗岩1183个,南岭型花岗岩1518个,广西型花岗岩142个,总共6289个),统计的结果,各类花岗岩的地球化学特征大致如下:(1)埃达克型花岗岩富Al_2O_3和Sr,贫Y和Yb,具较高和变化的铕异常,绝大多数样品的Sr300×10~(-6),Yb2.5×10~(-6)(当Sr=400×10~(-6)～600×10~(-6)时Yb值最大,Sr超过600×10~(-6),Yb降低至2×10~(-6)),Al_2O_3在14%～18%之间,Eu/Eu~*大多在0.6～1.2范围;(2)喜马拉雅型花岗岩贫Sr和Yb,具中等的Al_2O_3和变化的Eu/Eu~*,Sr300×10~(-6)和Yb2×10~(-6)(少数Sr300×10~(-6)),Al_2O_3为13%～17%,Eu/Eu~*为0.2～1.0;(3)浙闽型花岗岩贫Sr富Yb,Sr在40×10~(-6)～400×10~(-6)之间,Yb1.5×10~(-6),Al_2O_3和Eu/Eu~*的变化类似喜马拉雅型花岗岩,Al_2O_3为12%～17%,Eu/Eu~*为0.4～1.0;(4)南岭型花岗岩以很低的Sr、Al_2O_3和Eu/Eu~*以及很高的Yb而不同于上述各类花岗岩,通常Yb1.5×10~(-6),Sr100×10~(-6)(Yb变化大,绝大多数2×10~(-6);当Yb在2×10~(-6)～8×10~(-6)时,部分样品Sr可100×10~(-6),但很少200×10~(-6));Al_2O_314%,集中在11%～13%之间,Eu/Eu~*0.7,大多0.4;Yb越大,Sr越低,负铕异常越明显。文中讨论了花岗岩Sr-Yb分类的意义,指出本分类适用于产于大陆和海洋的绝大多数中酸性岩浆岩(可能不适用于一部分特别富铁和钾的花岗岩,如具有高Sr和Yb特征的广西型花岗岩)。不同类型的花岗岩主要反映了源区压力的不同,而源区成分、温度、部分熔融程度、水和挥发分的加入以及岩浆混合等的影响可能是次要的。文中指出,该分类的依据、其实质,是熔体与残留相平衡的理论。与浙闽型花岗岩平衡的残留相是斜长石,与喜马拉雅型花岗岩平衡的是斜长石+石榴石,与埃达克型花岗岩平衡的是石榴石,与南岭型花岗岩平衡的是富钙的斜长石。文中指出,加强实验岩石学研究,将年代学和地球化学研究密切结合起来是深化花岗岩研究的关键。     

北大巴山志留系滔河口组碱质斑状玄武岩的岩浆源区及形成环境——来自全岩和辉石斑晶地球化学的约束

北大巴山志留系滔河口组火山-沉积地层发育有粗粒玄武岩、细粒玄武岩、杏仁构造玄武岩和枕状玄武岩四种斑状玄武岩相。它们都属于碱性玄武岩,并具有相似的地球化学特征,富Ti、贫Si,富集大离子亲石元素(LILE,如Th、Rb、Ba)和LREE,轻重稀土分异明显。稀土和微量元素标准化配分型式具有与洋岛玄武岩(OIB)类似的特征。斑晶主要属于单斜辉石族中的次透辉石-透辉石,具有与全岩相似的微量和稀土元素配分形态,表明四种玄武岩相由同一岩浆源区形成。由单斜辉石-熔体平衡温压计计算获得的初始岩浆深度大于67.65km,表明岩浆源区来自地幔。岩浆在上升过程中在39.93～67.65km、14.52～20.46km、4.62～9.24km三个深度范围发生了储积结晶,最后喷出到地表分别形成粗粒玄武岩、细粒和枕状玄武岩、杏仁构造玄武岩。粗粒玄武岩中富含金云母表明岩浆源区遭受了富不相容元素流体的交代作用。玄武岩全岩、单斜辉石地球化学特征以及火山-沉积序列共同表明,滔河口组碱性玄武岩形成于大洋板内环境。     

Photochemistry of the stratosphere of Venus: Implications for atmospheric evolution

The photochemistry of the stratosphere of Venus was modeled using an updated and expanded chemical scheme, combined with the results of recent observations and laboratory studies. We examined three models, with H₂ mixing ratio equal to 2 × 10^?5, 5 × 10^?7, and 1 × 10^?13, respectively. All models satisfactorily account for the observations of CO, O₂, O₂(¹Δ), and SO₂ in the stratosphere, but only the last one may be able to account for the diurnal behavior of mesospheric CO and the uv albedo. Oxygen, derived from CO₂ photolysis, is primarily consumed by CO₂ recombination and oxidation of SO₂ to H₂SO₄. Photolysis of HCl in the upper stratosphere provides a major source of odd hydrogen and free chlorine radicals, essential for the catalytic oxidation of CO. Oxidation of SO₂ by O occurs in the lower stratosphere. In the high-H₂ model (model A) the OO bond is broken mainly by S + O₂ and SO + HO₂. In the low-H₂ models additional reactions for breaking the OO bond must be invoked: NO + HO₂ in model B and ClCO + O₂ in model C. It is shown that lightning in the lower atmosphere could provide as much as 30 ppb of NO_x in the stratosphere. Our modeling reveals a number of intriguing similarities, previously unsuspected, between the chemistry of the stratosphere of Venus and that of the Earth. Photochemistry may have played a major role in the evolution of the atmosphere. The current atmosphere, as described by our preferred model, is characterized by an extreme deficiency of hydrogen species, having probably lost the equivalent of 10²–10³ times the present hydrogen content.     

Photometric properties of the surface of Io and their influence on line formation in the atmosphere

We give a quantitative theory of line formation in an atmosphere above a surface with backscattering properties. Sufficiently high spatial and spectral resolution spectra of resonance lines in Io region A can yield data on the surface scattering properties as well as the number density of scattering molecules. We discuss macroscopically homogenous models of scattering from the surface of Io and conclude that multiple reflection from crystal facets is the most likely cause for the observed geometric albedo and phase variation.     

Jupiter: Aerosol Chemistry in the Polar Atmosphere

Aromatic compounds have been considered a likely candidate for enhanced aerosol formation in the polar region of Jupiter. We develop a new chemical model for aromatic compounds in the Jovian auroral thermosphere/ionosphere. The model is based on a previous model for hydrocarbon chemistry in the Jovian atmosphere and is constrained by observations from Voyager, Galileo, and the Infrared Space Observatory. Precipitation of energetic electrons provides the major energy source for the production of benzene and other heavier aromatic hydrocarbons. The maximum mixing ratio of benzene in the polar model is 2x10-9, a value that can be compared with the observed value of 2+2-1x10-9 in the north polar auroral region. Sufficient quantities of the higher ring species are produced so that their saturated vapor pressures are exceeded. Condensation of these molecules is expected to lead to aerosol formation.     

Propagation of energetic electron streams in solar flares

The microscopic stability of an electron stream flowing down to the photosphere from the corona is examined. It is found that, while a power-law distribution is stable in the low-density corona, it is unstable against the generation of magnetized electron plasma waves in the high-density photosphere. The scattering of these energetic electrons may alter their radiation signatures.