Water quality assessment using satellite-derived chlorophyll-a within the European directives, in the southeastern Bay of Biscay

The implementation of water quality European Directives requires an intensification of water quality monitoring, within the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone. Remote sensing technologies can provide a valuable tool for frequent, synoptic, water-quality observations, over large areas. The aim of this study is to assess the ecological status of Basque coastal water bodies using satellite imagery from MODIS sensor, together with optical and chlorophyll-ain situ measurements. Thus, sea surface satellite-derived chl-a algorithms, the OC3 M, OC5 and a Local empirical algorithm, were compared against in situ measurements using satellite in situ match-ups, 90th Percentile (P90) monthly values for the 2005-2010 period. The OC5 algorithm corresponded most accurately with in situ measurements performed in the area, hence, it was selected. A P90 chlorophyll-a map was created with this algorithm to apply the classification scheme required by the directives. The classification of water bodies, based upon satellite-derived chlorophyll-a, could improve considerably the assessment of water quality.     

The crustal structure of the western Po plain: reconstruction from integrated geological and seismic data

A reflection/refraction seismic experiment performed in 1991 in the western Po plain gave basic data to constrain the interpretation of the crustal structures across the Alps/Apennines junction zones. Two different seismic domains, north and south of the western supposed prosecution of the Villalvernia-Varzi line, are evidenced from the interpretation of the data. The boundary between the two domains is characterized by strong lateral variations from southern high to northern low velocity layers. The northward abrupt deepening of the refractor/reflector basement is followed at depth by a similar deepening of the crust/mantle boundary. The geological interpretation evidences domains with coherent and independent evolution at surface level juxtaposed along oblique discontinuities cutting across the crust. A peculiar feature is the presence of both crust and mantle north-verging wedges into the crustal structure and the overthrust at depth of the 'alpine' metamorphic crust onto the 'apenninic' nappes (Monferrato region).     

Pesticide contamination of the coastline of Martinique

In January and February 2002, the presence of certain agricultural pesticides throughout the coastline of the Caribbean island of Martinique was investigated. The tropical climate of the French West Indies is suitable for banana production, which requires intensive use of pesticides. An inventory of all pesticides used on the island (compounds and tonnage) was compiled. Surveys and analyses revealed the presence of pesticides in the plumes of seven rivers. The organochlorine chlordecone and metabolites of aldicarb were detected at nearly all of the monitored sites, even though the use of chlordecone has been prohibited since 1993. Two triazines (ametryn and simazine) were also identified. The concentrations of carbamates and triazines detected in the water and sediment samples from Martinique are comparable to those reported for mainland France. Chlordecone concentrations in the sediment and particulate matter samples were, however, particularly high in the samples from Martinique. Toxicological implications are discussed. Of particular concern are the high levels of chlordecone (which is bioaccumulating and carcinogenic) and further monitoring of this compound is recommended, especially in fish and other sea-food products.     

An expanding high velocity hi cloud probably ejected from the galactic nucleus

An object located approximately atl=8°,b=–4° with a mean radial velocity of –212.3 km s^–1 has been observed in the 21 cm neutral hydrogen line. The mean weighted velocity dispersion is 11.2 km s^–1 and the total mass is estimated to be 190R ² (kpc) solar masses. We discuss possible interpretations of the origin and nature of this object. The most likely interpretation is that we observe an expanding object which has been ejected from the galactic nucleus.     

Ore Geology, Fluid Geochemistry and Genesis of the Shanggong Gold Deposit, Eastern Qinling Orogen, China

Abstract. The Shanggong Au deposit in the Xiong'er Terrane, East Qinling, has reserves of about 30 t Au, making it one of the largest orogenic‐type Au deposits hosted in volcanic rocks in China. The deposit is hosted in the andesitic assemblage of the Xiong'er Group of 1.85?1.4 Ga. Three stages of hydrothermal ore‐forming processes are recognized, Early (E), Middle (M) and Late (L), characterised by quartz‐pyrite, polymetallic sulfides and carbonate‐quartz, respectively. Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions are between 380‐320d?C for the E‐stage, 300‐220d?C for the M‐stage and 200‐120d?C for the L‐stage. The composition of fluid inclusions changed from CO₂‐rich in the E‐stage to CO₂‐poor L‐stage. The M‐stage fluid has the highest contents of cations and anions (e.g., SO₄^2‐, Cl¹, K+), the highest (K+Na)/(Mg+Ca) and lowest CO₂/H₂O ratios, which probably resulted from CO₂ phase separation. This, together with the alkaline and reducing conditions, as indicated by highest pH and lowest Eh values, is most conducive to the deposition of polymetallic sulfides and native elements such as Au, Ag and Te. H‐O isotope systematics indicate that ore fluids evolved from deep‐sourced through to shallow‐sourced, with the M‐stage being a mixing phase of these two fluid‐systems. Nineteen δ¹⁸O_W values, from 4.2 to 13.4 %o, averaging 8.1 %o, suggest that the E‐stage fluids derived from metamorphic devolatilization of sedimentary rocks at depth. Comparison of the H‐O isotope systematics between the Shanggong deposit and the main lithologies in the Xiong'er Terrane, shows that neither these nor the underlying lower crust and mantle, or combinations thereof, could be considered as the source of ore fluids and metals for the Shanggong Au deposit. Instead, a source which meets the isotopic constraints, is a carbonaceous carbonate‐sandstone‐shale‐chert (CSC) sequence, which is present in the Guandaokou and Luanchuan Groups in the south of the Xiong'er Terrane. This conclusion is supported by thirteen high δ¹⁸O values of the Meso‐Neoproterozoic strata south of the Machaoying fault, and the high δ¹⁸O_W values calculated for their possibly metamorphic fluids. It can be also supported by previous observation that the Guandaokou and Luanchuan Groups were underthrust beneath the Xiong'er Terrane, during the Mesozoic collision between the Yangtze and Sinokorean continents. Available isotope ages, together with geological field data, constrain the timing of the Au metallogenesis between 250?110 Ma. This metallogenesis and associated granitic magmatism, can be related to the Yangtze‐Sinokorean continental collision that resulted in the formation of the Qinling Orogen. This collision event progressed from early compression (Triassic to Early Jurassic), through middle compression‐to‐extension transition (Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous), to late extension (Cretaceous). These three stages in the evolution of the Qinling Orogen form the basis of an ore genesis model that combines collisional orogeny, metallogeny and fluid flow (CMF model). These three evolutionary stages correspond to the three‐stages of ore‐forming fluids of the Shanggong Au deposit. We conclude that the formation of the Shanggong Au deposit is a result of the Mesozoic northward intracontinental A‐type subduction along the Machaoying fault during Yangtze‐Sinokorean continental collision, which led to the metamorphic devolatilization of the CSC sequence, thereby providing both fluids and metals.     

Recycling of palaeo-Pacific subducted oceanic crust related to a Fe–Cu–Au mineralization in the Xu-Huai region of North Anhui-Jiangsu,East China: Geochronological and geochemical constraints

ABSTRACT

In this study, Early Cretaceous skarn deposits and genesis of their host diorite/monzodiorite porphyry in the Xuzhou-Huaibei (Xu-Huai) region, northern Anhui-Jiangsu have been discussed by detailed geochemical work. In-situ zircon U–Pb dating of the diorites related to Fe–Cu–Au deposits shows that they were formed between 131.4 ± 1.5 Ma and 130.8 ± 1.8 Ma. Geochemical data indicate a depletion of high field strength elements (HFSE) in the diorite porphyry with similarity to that of arc-related igneous rocks. The diorite porphyry was probably derived from typical arc magmas related to continental margin subduction characterized by light rare earth elements (LREEs) enrichment and HFSE depletion. REEs compositions of apatite in the diorite porphyry indicate that the dioritic magma was produced from the metasomatized subcontinental mantle by slab-derived fluids. The magma was proven to be a high oxygen fugacity; thus, it was particularly conducive to the precipitation of Fe, Cu, Au and other ore-forming elements. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite and chalcopyrite of Fe–Cu–Au ores range from ?0.2‰ to 2.8‰, indicating that the sulphur in the ore was probably derived from deep-seated magmas. Integrated with geochronological and geochemical analyses, we suggest that the Early Cretaceous igneous suites associated with Fe–Cu–Au deposits in the Xu-Huai region are related to recycling subduction of Pacific oceanic crust.     

One name one place? Dealing with toponyms in WWI

In the framework of the commemorations for the First World War, a research project has been carried on in order to identify, archive and disseminate the places involved by the war along the Italian front. A task of this project foresaw the analysis of the terminological component of toponyms. All the occurrences of place names has been collected, evaluated and organised in order to fulfill the task of associate univocally one place name to a set of geographic coordinates, thus creating a specific geodatabase. Lexical, formal, linguistic and dialectal variants, homonyms, exonyms and even errors, once processed, lead to an unambiguous perspective on the use of toponyms during the war and their subsequent variations over the years.     

Risk analysis of fractured rock mass underground structures

Recent accidents in underground structures have raised the risk awareness of the geotechnical engineering community. Geotechnical design is subject to significant uncertainties in load and strength parameters as well as in engineering models. However, engineering models which objectively address such uncertainties in design are still scarce. This paper presents an objective framework for the quantification of the risks involved in underground structures excavated in fractured rock masses, where structural failures may occur due to block falls. The framework considers the structure as a distributed system, where falling block probabilities are integrated over the main structural dimension. Random block size and geometry, arising from random joint orientation, are taken into account, as well as uncertainties in joint strength and geometrical parameters. A cost function is used to quantify failure consequences in terms of the block size. The framework is demonstrated in an application to a case study involving a real structure: the Paulo Afonso IV power station cavern. Results of the case study show that the studied cavern presents high reliability and very low risk. The framework proposed herein is shown to be a practical tool for the risk evaluation of underground structures constructed in rock masses, such as caverns and tunnels.