Characterisation of recharge processes and groundwater flow mechanisms in weathered-fractured granites of Hyderabad (India) using isotopes

In order to address the problem of realistic assessment of groundwater potential and its sustainability, it is vital to study the recharge processes and mechanism of groundwater flow in fractured hard rocks, where inhomogeneties and discontinuities have a dominant role to play. Wide variations in chloride, δ¹⁸O and ¹⁴C concentrations of the studied groundwaters observed in space and time could only reflect the heterogeneous hydrogeological setting in the fractured granites of Hyderabad (India). This paper, based on the observed isotopic and environmental chloride variations of the groundwater system, puts forth two broad types of groundwaters involving various recharge processes and flow mechanisms in the studied granitic hard rock aquifers. Relatively high ¹⁴C ages (1300 to ～6000 yr B.P.), δ¹⁸O content (?3.2 to ?1.5‰) and chloride concentration (<100 mg/l) are the signatures that identified one broad set of groundwaters resulting from recharge through weathered zone and subsequent movement through extensive sheet joints. The second set of groundwaters possessed an age range Modern to ～1000 yr B.P., chloride in the range 100 to ～350 mg/l and δ¹⁸O from ?3.2 to +1.7‰. The δ¹⁸O enrichment and chloride concentration, further helped in the segregation of the second set of groundwaters into three sub-sets characterized by different recharge processes and sources. Based on these processes and mechanisms, a conceptual hydrogeologic model has evolved suggesting that the fracture network is connected either to a distant recharge source or to a surface reservoir (evaporating water bodies) apart from overlying weathered zone, explaining various resultant groundwaters having varying ¹⁴C ages, chloride and δ¹⁸O concentrations. The surface reservoir contribution to groundwater is evaluated to be significant (40 to 70%) in one subset of groundwaters. The conceptual hydrogeologic model, thus evolved, can aid in understanding the mechanism of groundwater flow as well as migration of contaminants to deep groundwater in other fractured granitic areas.     

Formation of nano-crystalline todorokite from biogenic Mn oxides

Todorokite, as one of three main Mn oxide phases present in oceanic Mn nodules and an active MnO₆ octahedral molecular sieve (OMS), has garnered much interest; however, its formation pathway in natural systems is not fully understood. Todorokite is widely considered to form from layer structured Mn oxides with hexagonal symmetry, such as vernadite (δ-MnO₂), which are generally of biogenic origin. However, this geochemical process has not been documented in the environment or demonstrated in the laboratory, except for precursor phases with triclinic symmetry. Here we report on the formation of a nanoscale, todorokite-like phase from biogenic Mn oxides produced by the freshwater bacterium Pseudomonas putida strain GB-1. At long- and short-range structural scales biogenic Mn oxides were transformed to a todorokite-like phase at atmospheric pressure through refluxing. Topotactic transformation was observed during the transformation. Furthermore, the todorokite-like phases formed via refluxing had thin layers along the c^∗ axis and a lack of c^∗ periodicity, making the basal plane undetectable with X-ray diffraction reflection. The proposed pathway of the todorokite-like phase formation is proposed as: hexagonal biogenic Mn oxide → 10-Å triclinic phyllomanganate → todorokite. These observations provide evidence supporting the possible bio-related origin of natural todorokites and provide important clues for understanding the transformation of biogenic Mn oxides to other Mn oxides in the environment. Additionally this method may be a viable biosynthesis route for porous, nano-crystalline OMS materials for use in practical applications.     

A 3 km atmospheric boundary layer on Titan indicated by dune spacing and Huygens data

Some 20% of Titan’s surface is covered in large linear dunes that resemble in morphology, size and spacing (1-3 km) those seen on Earth. Although gravity, atmospheric density and sand composition are very different on these two worlds, this coincident size scale suggests that the controlling parameter limiting the growth of giant dunes, namely the boundary layer thickness (Andreotti et al., 2009). Nature, 457, 1120-1123], is similar. We show that a ∼3 km boundary layer thickness is supported by Huygens descent data and is consistent with results from Global Circulation Models taking the distinctive thermal inertia and albedo of the dune sands into account. While the boundary layer thickness on Earth controlling dunes can vary by an order of magnitude depending on the proximity of oceans, which have very different thermal properties from dry land, the relative invariance of dune spacing on Titan is consistent with relatively uniform thermal properties near the dunes and no prominent variation with latitude is seen.     

Deep Hubble space telescope ultraviolet imaging of the M87 jet

Near-ultraviolet imaging with HST offers the best possible spatial resolution currently available for optical/UV astronomical imaging. The giant elliptical galaxy M87 hosts one of the most spectacular, best studied and nearest (d=16 Mpc) galactic-scale relativistic (synchrotron emitting plasma) jets. We have extracted from the HST archive all 220 nm images of the jet of M87, taken with the STIS MAMA camera and co-added them to provide the deepest image ever at this wavelength. The combination of highest spatial resolution and long integration time, 42500 seconds, reveals a wealth of complex structure, knots, filaments and shocks. We compare this image with deep X-ray observations obtained with the Chandra X-ray telescope.     

The fluid dynamics of a basaltic magma chamber replenished by influx of hot,dense ultrabasic magma

This paper describes a fluid dynamical investigation of the influx of hot, dense ultrabasic magma into a reservoir containing lighter, fractionated basaltic magma. This situation is compared with that which develops when hot salty water is introduced under cold fresh water. Theoretical and empirical models for salt/water systems are adapted to develop a model for magmatic systems. A feature of the model is that the ultrabasic melt does not immediately mix with the basalt, but spreads out over the floor of the chamber, forming an independent layer. A non-turbulent interface forms between this layer and the overlying magma layer across which heat and mass are transferred by the process of molecular diffusion. Both layers convect vigorously as heat is transferred to the upper layer at a rate which greatly exceeds the heat lost to the surrounding country rock. The convection continues until the two layers have almost the same temperature. The compositions of the layers remain distinct due to the low diffusivity of mass compared to heat. The temperatures of the layers as functions of time and their cooling rate depend on their viscosities, their thermal properties, the density difference between the layers and their thicknesses. For a layer of ultrabasic melt (18% MgO) a few tens of metres thick at the base of a basaltic (10% MgO) magma chamber a few kilometres thick, the temperature of the layers will become nearly identical over a period of between a few months and a few years. During this time the turbulent convective velocities in the ultrabasic layer are far larger than the settling velocity of olivines which crystallise within the layer during cooling. Olivines only settle after the two layers have nearly reached thermal equilibrium. At this stage residual basaltic melt segregates as the olivines sediment in the lower layer. Depending on its density, the released basalt can either mix convectively with the overlying basalt layer, or can continue as a separate layer. The model provides an explanation for large-scale cyclic layering in basic and ultrabasic intrusions. The model also suggests reasons for the restriction of erupted basaltic liquids to compositions with MgO<10% and the formation of some quench textures in layered igneous rocks.     

The Los Chocoyos Ash, guatemala: A major stratigraphic marker in middle America and in three ocean basins

The Los Chocoyos Ash, having erupted from vents near the Lake Atitlán caldera, Guatemala, is perhaps the largest Quaternary silicic pyroclastic unit in Central America. It consists of an underlying H-tephra member and an overlying ash-flow member. One-hundred-and-five samples of ash from the Guatemalan Highlands and deep-sea cores in the equatorial Pacific and Gulf of Mexico were analyzed by neutron activation and/or electron microprobe. Glass shard chemistry, determined by microprobe, is useful for distinguishing several very widespread, distinct, deep-sea ash layers, but needs support from trace-element data when applied on land to distinguish between many individual eruptions from the same province. Data from this study support the correlation of the Worzel ‘D’ layer and the Los Chocoyos Ash proposed by Hahn et al. (1979) and Bowles et al. (1973). Chemical data from this study are used to correlate the Y-8 ash layer of the Gulf of Mexico with the Los Chocoyos Ash. The recognition of the Los Chocoyos Ash in the Gulf of Mexico and equatorial Pacific increases the known areal extent of the unit to more than 6 × 10⁶ km² and allows an age of 84,000 yr B.P. to be assigned to the formation on the basis of oxygen-isotope stratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and Pa-Th-isotope data. Trace-element data obtained from seven other ash layers in the Gulf of Mexico and the equatorial Pacific, when combined with new land-based data, should allow further correlation and dating of ash units in Central America.     

The dimensions and dynamics of volcanic eruption columns

Eruption columns can be divided into three regimes of physical behaviour. The basal gas thrust region is characterized by large velocities and decelerations and is dominated by momentum. This region is typically a few hundred metres in height and passes upwards into a much higher convective region where buoyancy is dominant. The top of the convective region is defined by the level of neutral density (heightH _B ) where the column has a bulk density equal to the surrounding atmosphere. Above this level the column continues to ascend to a heightH _T due to its momentum. The column spreads horizontally and radially outwards between heightH _T andH _B to form an umbrella cloud. Numerical calculations are presented on the shape of eruption columns and on the relationships between the heightH _B and the mass discharge rate of magma, magma temperature and atmospheric temperature gradients. Spreading rate of the column margins increases with height principally due to the decrease in the atmospheric pressure. The relationship between column height and mass discharge rate shows good agreement with observations. The temperature inversion above the tropopause is found to only have a small influence on column height and, eruptions with large discharge rates can inject material to substantially greater heights than the inversion level. Approximate calculations on the variation of convective velocities with height are consistent with field data and indicate that columns typically ascend at velocities from a few tens to over 200 m/s. In very large columns (greater than 30 km) the calculated convective velocities approach the speed of sound in air, suggesting that compressibility effects may become important in giant columns. Radial velocities in the umbrella region where the column is forced laterally into the atmosphere can be substantial and exceed 55 m/s in the case of the May 18th Mount St. Helens eruption. Calculations on motions in this region imply that it plays a major role in the transport of coarse pyroclastic fragments.     

The occurrence and distribution of Mo and molybdenite in unaltered peralkaline rhyolites from Pantelleria,Italy

Small hexagonal and triangular platelets of molybdenite (MoS₂), 5 to 25 m in diameter, were identified in phenocrysts and matrix glass of unaltered felsic volcanic rocks from Pantelleria, Italy. The MoS₂ occurs commonly in pantellerites (peralkaline rhyolites), rarely in pantelleritic trachytes, and never in trachytes. The occurrence of euhedral MoS₂ platelets in all phenocryst phases, in matrix glass, and even in some melt inclusions indicates that MoS₂ precipitated directly from the peralkaline melt. Despite MoS₂ saturation, the melt (glass) contains greater than 95% of the Mo in Pantellerian rocks: X-ray fluorescence analyses of 20 whole rocks and separated glasses show that whole rocks consistently contain less Mo than corresponding matrix glasses, the differences being in proportion to phenocryst abundances. The Mo contents increase with differentiation from trachytes (2–12 ppm) to pantellerites (15–25 ppm) and correlate positively with incompatible elements such as Th, Y, and Nb. The Mo concentrations, as determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry, are essentially the same in matrix glasses and melt inclusions, showing that Mo did not partition strongly into a volatile fluid phase during outgassing. The high Mo contents of the pantellerites (relative to metaluminous magmas with 1–5 ppm) may be due to several factors: (1) the enhanced stability of highly charged cations (such as Mo⁶⁺, U⁴⁺, and Zr⁴⁺) in peralkaline melts; (2) the rarity of Fe-Ti oxides and litanite into which Mo might normally partition; (3) reduced volatility of Mo in low fO₂, H₂O-poor (1–2 wt%) peralkaline magmas. Geochemical modeling indicates that the precipitation of MoS₂ can be explained simply by the drop in temperature during magmatic differentiation. The occurrence of MoS₂ in pantellerites may result from their high Mo concentrations and low redox state (Ni/NiO=-2.5) relative to metaluminous magmas, causing them to reach MoS₂ saturation at magmatic temperatures. The apparent absence of MoS₂ microphenocrysts in more oxidized, metaluminous rhyolites may indicate that Mo is dissolved primarily as a hexavalent ion in those magmas.