A Programme to derive from terrestrial observations the rotation of the HIPPARCOS system with reference to the inertial system

The connection of the HIPPARCOS system with a quasi-inertial system can be reached by transforming the HIPPARCOS proper motions to absolute proper motions. The Tautenburg Schmidt telescope provides such proper motions with respect to extragalactic objects with an accuracy of 0″.6/100a. The telescope as well as the measuring and reduction technique are described. The accuracy of the link of the HIPPARCOS system to extragalactic objects depends on the accuracy of the transformation matrix which represents the time-depending part of the rotation matrix to be applied to the whole HIPPARCOS catalogue. To obtain a reliable estimate for the error of transformation we used the error propagation law. An accuracy of 0″.12/100a for the transformation can be achieved with six Tautenburg fields.     

Information background of 11th–15th centuries earthquakes located by the current catalogues in Vrancea (Romania)

Earthquake catalogues for Romania supply for 11th–15th century earthquakes located in the region of Vrancea records that consist of a complete set of parameters, including magnitude and depth. Scope of this paper is to verify the reliability and consistency of these parameters with the informative background as explicitly referenced by the catalogues. After retrieving the original sources they mention, the set of data appeared to be related almost exclusively to the Russian plain and too poor to be at the very origin of the parameter assessment. Data for 19th–20th century earthquakes, such as instrumental locations and CMT solutions, added to the understanding of the macroseismic response of the Russian plain to Vrancea earthquakes. On the one hand, the investigation and analysis of historical earthquake records for the fourteen events listed by the catalogues in the 11th–15th centuries has shown that for three earthquakes (1022, 1038, 1258) no primary sources could be traced, and three more earthquakes (1091, 1170 and 1328) are attested only by scarcely reliable records and had to be classified as doubtful, and one (1473) is simply a duplication of the 1471 event. On the other hand, the availability of data on recent earthquakes that may be compared to historical ones in terms of macroseismic effects allowed the authors to agree with the previous catalogue compilers’ solution with regard to both magnitude and depth of the past earthquakes for which do exist reliable primary historical records.     

Isotopic fingerprints of Milankovitch cycles in Pennsylvanian carbonate platform‐top deposits: the Valdorria record,Northern Spain

Sedimentary cyclic sequences deposited during the Late Palaeozoic Ice Age are widespread. Glacio‐eustatic control of the cyclic patterns is commonly accepted, and the durations of the cyclothems generally match the short‐ and long‐eccentricity Milankovitch orbital parameters. Nevertheless, geochemical fingerprints of orbital parameters are poorly documented in deep‐time sedimentary records. Here, we report on well‐exposed Bashkirian cyclothems of c. 123 ka and c. 400 ka durations from the Valdorria platform. The shorter‐term cyclothems can be grouped into longer‐term composite sequences that are consistent with generally accepted durations of c. 125 ka and c. 400 ka for Milankovitch eccentricity cycles. The stratigraphic pattern is mirrored by the isotope geochemical signals, which show distinct recurring trends. These trends are confirmed by statistical tests. Whereas intrinsic factors and/or subaerial exposure related to sea‐level lowstands might have truncated cycle patterns in tectonically stable basins, rapid subsidence of the Valdorria platform's foreland basin appears to have contributed to a faithful recording of cyclothems of different orders. The patterns and biostratigraphic constraint revealed in this study demonstrate the power of orbital forcing in imprinting sedimentary and geochemical signals in the rock record.     

Water level as the main driver of the alternation between a free-floating plant and a phytoplankton dominated state: a long-term study in a floodplain lake

This 10-year field data study explores the relevance of water level fluctuations in driving the shift from a free-floating plant (FFP) to a phytoplankton dominated state in a shallow floodplain lake from the Lower Paraná River. The multi-year natural flood pulse pattern in the Lower Paraná River drove the ecosystem regime from a FFP-dominant state during very high waters (1998–1999) to absolute phytoplankton prevalence with blooms of nitrogen fixing Cyanobacteria during extreme low waters (2008–2009). Satellite images support the observed changes over the decade and show the decrease of the surface lake area covered by FFP as well as the modification of the spectral firm in open waters, which documents the significant increases in phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentrations. We discuss the possibility that, despite a slow eutrophication in these highly vegetated systems, water level changes and not nutrients account for the shift from a floating macrophyte community to phytoplankton dominance. Cyclic shifts may occur in response to the seasonal floodpulse, but more strongly, as indicated by our results, in association to the extreme drought and flood events related to the El Niño Southern Oscillation, which is linked to discharge anomalies in the Paraná River.     

Jobs and the Single Parent: An Analysis of Accessibility to Employment in Toronto

Abstract

In this article, we undertake an analysis of accessibility to jobs from the perspective of single-parent household members. Individuals in this demographic segment are of interest due to the fact they often face the double burden of household and employment responsibilities. A case study of the city of Toronto in Canada, an urban area that has seen an increase in absolute and relative numbers of single-parent households in recent years, is presented. Analysis is based on the application of relative accessibility deprivation indicators (RADI), which are calculated using model-based estimates of distance traveled for various population segments, as well as employment data for the city and its surroundings. The results of the analysis indicate that there are substantial differences in the levels of accessibility to jobs between members of single-parent households, in particular females, and members of other types of households.     

Electron microprobe monazite geochronology of granitic intrusions from the Montes de Toledo batholith (central Spain)

U–Th–Pb monazite dating by electron microprobe has been applied to three peraluminous granitic intrusions of the western Montes de Toledo batholith (MTB). Back scattered electron images of monazite crystals reveal a variety of internal textures: patchy zoning, overgrowths around older cores and unzoned crystals. On the basis of their zoning pattern and chemical composition, two monazite domains can be distinguished: (1) corroded cores and crystals with patchy zoning, exhibiting relatively constant Th/U ratios and broadly older ages, and (2) unzoned grains and monazite rims, with variable Th/U ratios and younger ages. The first monazite group represents inherited domains from metamorphic sources, which accounts for pre‐magmatic monazite growth events. Two average ages from Torrico and Belvís de Monroy granites (333 ± 18 and 333 ± 5 Ma, respectively) relate these cores to a Viséan extensional deformation phase. The second group represents igneous monazites which have provided the following crystallization ages for the host granite: 298 ± 11 Ma (Villar del Pedroso), 303 ± 6 Ma (Torrico) and 314 ± 3 Ma (Belvís de Monroy). Two main magmatic pulses, the first about 314 Ma and the second at the end of the Carboniferous (303–298 Ma), might be envisaged in the western MTB. While Belvís de Monroy leucogranite is likely a syn‐ to late‐tectonic intrusion, the Villar del Pedroso and Torrico plutons represent post‐tectonic magmas with emplacement ages similar to those of equivalent intrusions from nearby Variscan magmatic sectors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vertical distribution of suspended sediment concentrations seawards of the breaking zone

On the basis of the current concepts on the wave flow structure and solid particle motion in turbulent flow, an equation was derived which enables the suspended sediment concentration profile to be computed from known wave parameters. The equation was verified by laboratory and full-scale experiments which proved that it can be implemented for practical computations of the concentration profile seawards of the breaking zone. The formula yields the best results when operating on wave characteristics corresponding to maximum spectral density.     

Water Quality Monitoring to Support the European Commission's Water Framework Directive Reporting Requirements

This article aims at providing a simple way for water quality monitoring in a set of reservoirs using an earth observation‐based approach and the assessment of the use of this technique for a monitoring network in order to meet the requirements and objectives of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) by the Member States of the European Union. The study carried out was preformed in 42 reservoirs of the Ebro River Basin, in the northeast of Spain. The proposed methodology is based on the development of an algorithm for the estimation of water quality by means of LANDSAT TM band reflectance. Some band ratios were used in the model as well. Trophic State Index (TSI), calculated by means of Secchi Disc Transparency data, was estimated using a forward stepwise multiple regression analysis and the TM2 band and TM1/TM2 ratio. The final results showed a large variability in water quality across reservoirs. Moreover, substantial spatial heterogeneity was also observed in the water bodies. These results demonstrate the likelihood of developing a monitoring network based on remote sensing techniques for the implementation of the WFD.     

Distribution and speciation of arsenic around roots in a contaminated riparian floodplain soil: Micro-XRF element mapping and EXAFS spectroscopy

Riparian soils are periodically flooded, leading to temporarily reducing conditions. Diffusion of O₂ through plants into the rhizosphere maintains oxic conditions around roots, thereby promoting trace element fractionation along a redox gradient from the reduced soil matrix towards the oxic rhizosphere. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution and speciation of arsenic around plant roots in a contaminated (170-280 mg/kg As) riparian floodplain soil (gleyic Fluvisol). The analysis of soil thin sections by synchrotron micro-X-ray fluorescence (μ-XRF) spectrometry showed that As and Fe were enriched around roots and that As was closely correlated with Fe. Arsenic contents of three manually separated rhizosphere soil samples from the subsoil were 5-9 times higher than respective bulk As contents. This corresponds to the accumulation of about half of the total As in the subsoil in Fe-enrichments around roots. The speciation of As in the soil was assessed by oxalate extractions at pH 3.0 as well as by X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. More than 77% of the total As was oxalate extractable in all samples. XANES and EXAFS spectra demonstrated that As was predominantly As(V). For the accurate analysis of the EXAFS data with respect to the bonding of As(V) to the Fe- or Al-octahedra of (hydr)oxides and clays, all 3-leg and 4-leg multiple scattering paths within the As^(V)O₄-tetrahedron were considered in a fully constrained fitting scheme. We found that As(V) was predominantly associated with Fe-(hydr)oxides, and that sorption to Al- and Mn-hydroxides was negligible. The accumulation of As in the rhizosphere may affect As uptake by plants. Regarding the mobility of As, our results suggest that by oxygenation of the rhizosphere, plants attenuate the leaching of As from riparian floodplain soils during periods of high groundwater levels or flooding.