Estimating average shock pressures recorded by impactite samples based on universal stage investigations of planar deformation features in quartz—Sources of error and recommendations

Planar deformation features (PDFs) in quartz are the most widely used indicator of shock metamorphism in terrestrial rocks. They can also be used for estimating average shock pressures that quartz-bearing rocks have been subjected to. Here we report on a number of observations and problems that we have encountered when performing universal stage measurements and crystallographically indexing of PDF orientations in quartz. These include a comparison between manual and automated methods of indexing PDFs, an evaluation of the new stereographic projection template, and observations regarding the PDF statistics related to the c-axis position and rhombohedral plane symmetry. We further discuss the implications that our findings have for shock barometry studies. Our study shows that the currently used stereographic projection template for indexing PDFs in quartz might induce an overestimation of rhombohedral planes with low Miller–Bravais indices. We suggest, based on a comparison of different shock barometry methods, that a unified method of assigning shock pressures to samples based on PDFs in quartz is necessary to allow comparison of data sets. This method needs to take into account not only the average number of PDF sets/grain but also the number of high Miller–Bravais index planes, both of which are important factors according to our study. Finally, we present a suggestion for such a method (which is valid for nonporous quartz-bearing rock types), which consists of assigning quartz grains into types (A–E) based on the PDF orientation pattern, and then calculation of a mean shock pressure for each sample.     

Studies on the Application of Steady State Assumption in 1DV Model for the Estimation of Settling Velocity of Suspended Sediments in a Shallow Estuary

Settling velocity is one of the important parameters in sediment transport modeling of estuaries. The methods adopted for its determination vary from theoretical equations to experimental methods. The theoretical equation generally adopted in the 1DV model include assumptions in order to simplify the solution. It is generally assumed that either the condition is steady or the vertical diffusion is negligible. This study evaluated the relative importance of the two assumptions made for the estimation of settling velocity. Two approaches were adopted: unsteady and negligible vertical diffusion (NS-NVD) and steady with vertical diffusion (S-VD) to estimate the settling velocity. The Muthupet Estuary in the Coromandal coast of India was selected for the study. The S-VD approach estimated settling velocity fairly well at the two locations with appreciable vertical diffusion. The NS-NVD approach was observed to be superior for estimating settling velocity at shallow reaches of the estuary having low flow velocity. The calculated settling velocity was further applied in 1DV model to predict the suspended sediment concentration. The S-VD approach predicted suspended sediment concentration at those locations with appreciable vertical diffusion with an R² value of 0.82 against 0.67 for the NS-NVD approach. At the other shallow reach of the estuary with low flow velocity, the NS-NVD approach gave an R² value of 0.822 against 0.71 for the S-VD approach. The vertical diffusion was observed to play a secondary role at those locations which are shallow with a water depth of 0.6 m and with a low flow velocity of the order of 0.01 m/s. The study demonstrated that localized hydrodynamic conditions influence the method adopted for the estimation of settling velocity.     

Changes in hillslope hydrology in a perched,shallow soil system due to clearcutting and residual biomass removal

Sustainable fuels legislation and volatility in energy prices have put additional pressures on the forestry sector to intensify the harvesting of biomass for “advanced biofuel” production. To better understand how residual biomass removal after harvest affects forest hydrology in relatively low slope terrain, a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) study was conducted in the USDA Forest Service's Marcell Experimental Forest, Minnesota, USA. Hydrological measurements were made from 2010–2013 on a forested hillslope that was divided into three treatment blocks, where one block was harvested and residual biomass removed (Biomass Removed), the second was harvested and residual biomass left (Biomass Left), and the last block was left as an Unharvested Control. The pre-harvest period (2 years) was 2010–11 and post-harvest (2 years) was 2012–13. Water table elevation at the upslope and downslope position, subsurface runoff, and soil moisture were measured between May–November. Mixed effect statistical models were used to compare both the before-after and “control” treatment ratios (ratios between harvested hillslopes and the Unharvested Control hillslope). Subsurface runoff significantly increased (p < .05) at both harvested hillslopes but to a greater degree on the Biomass Left hillslope. Greater subsurface runoff volumes at both harvested hillslopes were driven by substantial increases during fall, with additional significant increases during summer on the Biomass Left hillslope. The hydrological connectivity, inferred from event runoff ratios, increased due to harvesting at both hillslopes but only significantly on the Biomass Left hillslope. The winter harvest minimized soil disturbance, resulting in no change to the effective hydraulic conductivity distribution with depth. Thus, the observed hydrological changes were driven by increased effective precipitation and decreased evapotranspiration, increasing the duration that both harvested hillslopes were hydrologically active. The harvesting of residual biomass appears to lessen hydrological connectivity relative to leaving residual biomass on the hillslope, potentially decreasing downstream hydrological impacts of similar forestry operations.     

不同类型的高位虾池排污对秋茄幼苗生长的影响

中国多数红树林陆地边缘存在着大量的养虾池塘。这些养虾池塘可通过：（1）换塘外排废水，（2）清塘直排污泥影响周围的红树林。本研究共包含两个实验，来探讨这两种类型的排污对秋茄幼苗生长的影响。实验一模拟虾池常规换塘情况，研究换塘废水对秋茄幼苗生长的影响。实验二设置四种虾池清塘污泥沉积厚度（0 cm，2 cm，4 cm，8 cm），研究虾池清塘污泥的累积效应对秋茄幼苗生长的影响。结果如下：在5，15和25三种盐度下，虾池换塘废水未对秋茄生长指标造成显著影响；而清塘污泥对秋茄生长的影响与其沉积厚度有关，大多数生长参数在污泥沉积厚度为4 cm时呈现最大值。秋茄幼苗在适量的沉积厚度下加速了生长，且本实验秋茄幼苗对虾池清塘污泥的耐受性为沉积厚度8 cm。     

贵州夜郎湖表层水体地球化学昼夜变化及其影响因素

为探究岩溶水库水文地球化学行为过程,对贵州普定夜郎湖表层水体进行了为期3 d的高分辨率昼夜监测。结果表明：1）多变的天气和水文条件叠加导致水体离子指标昼夜变化不显著,规律性较差。而水温、DO、pH值、SpC、SIc、pCO₂等常规理化指标受水温变化和生物作用表现出明显的昼夜波动。2）利用亨利常数和主成分分析,得到温度变化、生物作用、人类活动、水库的蓄水与放水对夜郎湖水库水文地球化学特征变化的贡献率分别为21.66%、17.28%、14.08%和10.22%,说明作用于水库水文地球化学行为的因子具有多元性。3）δ ¹⁸O表现出与DO一致的波动趋势,即白天上升,晚上下降,反映在短时间尺度上,氢氧稳定同位素变化受控于生物过程（主要是呼吸作用过程）;而对比水库水体和大气降水的d-excess（d值）发现,水库水体的d值（8.21‰）显著偏低于当地大气降水的d值（9.64‰）,说明在长时间尺度上,主要受蒸发效应引起的不平衡分馏影响。     

A spectroscopic study of the peculiar galaxy UGC 5600

We present our observations of the galaxy UGS 5600 with a long-slit spectrograph (UAGS) and a multipupil field spectrograph (MPFS) attached to the 6-m Special Astrophysical Observatory telescope. Radial-velocity fields of the stellar and gaseous components were constructed for the central region and inner ring of the galaxy. We proved the existence of two nearly orthogonal kinematic subsystems and conclude that UGC 5600 is a galaxy with an inner polar ring. In the circumnuclear region, we detected noncircular stellar motions and suspected the existence of a minibar. The emission lines are shown to originate in H II regions. We estimated the metallicity from the intensity ratio of the [N II]λ6583 and Hα lines to be nearly solar, which rules out the possibility that the polar ring was produced by the accretion of gas from a dwarf companion.     

Identification of mercurian volcanism: Resolution effects and implications for MESSENGER

Abstract— The possibility of volcanism on Mercury has been a topic of discussion since Mariner 10 returned images of half the planet's surface showing widespread plains material. These plains could be volcanic or lobate crater ejecta. An assessment of the mechanics of the ascent and eruption of magma shows that it is possible to have widespread volcanism, no volcanism on the surface whatsoever, or some range in between. It is difficult to distinguish between a lava flow and lobate crater ejecta based on morphology and morphometry. No definite volcanic features have been identified on Mercury. However, known lunar volcanic features cannot be identified in images with similar resolutions and viewing geometries as the Mariner 10 dataset. Examination of high‐resolution, low Sun angle Mariner 10 images reveals several features which are interpreted to be flow fronts; it is unclear if these are volcanic flows or ejecta flows. This analysis implies that a clear assessment of volcanism on Mercury must wait for better data. MESSENGER (MErcury: Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, Ranging) will take images with viewing geometries and resolutions appropriate for the identification of such features.     

The mass ratio of Charon to Pluto from Hubble Space Telescope astrometry with the fine guidance sensors

The mass ratio of Charon to Pluto is a basic parameter describing the binary system and is necessary for determining the individual masses and densities of these two bodies. Previous measurements of the mass ratio have been made, but the solutions differ significantly (Null et al., 1993; Young et al., 1994; Null and Owen, 1996; Foust et al., 1997; Tholen and Buie, 1997). We present the first observations of Pluto and Charon with a well-calibrated astrometric instrument—the fine guidance sensors on the Hubble Space Telescope. We observed the motion of Pluto and Charon about the system barycenter over 4.4 days (69% of an orbital period) and determined the mass ratio to be 0.122±0.008 which implies a density of 1.8 to 2.1 g cm⁻³ for Pluto and 1.6 to 1.8 g cm⁻³ for Charon. The resulting rock-mass fractions for Pluto and Charon are higher than expected for bodies formed in the outer solar nebula, possibly indicating significant postaccretion loss of volatiles.