Ionic conductivity in gem-quality single-crystal alkali feldspar from the Eifel: temperature,orientation and composition dependence

We measured the ion conductivity of single-crystal alkali feldspar originating from two different locations in the Eifel/Germany, named Volkesfeld and Rockeskyller sanidine and having potassium site fractions \(C_\mathrm{K}\) of 0.83 and 0.71, respectively. The dc conductivities resulting from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy over the temperature range of 300–900 \(^{\circ }\hbox {C}\) show a weak composition dependence but pronounced differences between the b-direction [\(\perp (010)\)] and \(c^{*}\)-direction [\(\perp (001)\)] of the monoclinic feldspar structure. Conductivity activation energies obtained from the observed linear Arrhenius plots are close to 1.2 eV in all cases, which is closely similar to the activation energies of the \(^{22}\mathrm{Na}\) tracer diffusivity in the same crystals. Taking into account literature data on K tracer diffusion and diffusion correlation effects, the present results point to a predominance of the interstitialcy mechanism over the vacancy mechanism in mass and charge transport on the alkali sublattice in potassium-rich alkali feldspar.     

A review of the thermal regime of the Eastern Alps with respect to the effects of paleoclimate and exhumation

Transient thermal signals such as Pleistocene surface temperature variations or exhumation of great rock volumes are important for the current thermal regime of the Eastern Alpine crust. In this study transient 1-D forward simulations and an analytical approach were used to estimate the order of magnitude of these effects. A comparison with numerical forward simulations and inverse analyses of steady-state heat conduction yields the following main conclusions with respect to the thermal regime of the Eastern Alps along the TRANSALP profile: (1) The change of surface temperatures in the past affects mainly the uppermost part of the Eastern Alpine crust. It results in a maximum thermal signature of more than − 6 K at a depth of 2 km. The deviations from a steady-state temperature gradient and heat flow in the region of the Tauern Window range from 0.3–4 K km^− 1 and 0–6 mW m^− 2, respectively, with maximum values at the surface. (2) Exhumation of the Eastern Alpine lithosphere may result in a thermal signature of up to 4 K at a depth of 1 km. The thermal signature increases further with depth to a maximum of approximately 80 K at a depth of 50 km. As the temperature gradient of the exhumation signal is almost zero at the base of the crust, Moho heat flow appears to be not critically perturbed. (3) The combined effect of exhumation and changing surface temperatures at the Tauern Window amounts to less than 15% of the steady-state temperatures at a depth of  8 km and to less than 10% at the base of Eastern Alpine root. The corresponding perturbation in heat flow is less than 20% at a depth of 4 km, approaching zero below 40 km.     

The thermal regime of the Northeastern-German Basin from 2-D inversion

The thermal regime and the distribution of heat flow at the base of sedimentary basins is fundamental to the understanding of the process of basin evolution and the associated mobilization and migration of hydrocarbon and other fluids. For the Northeastern-German sedimentary basin, available information on structure, temperature, and thermal properties along a seismic DEKORP reflection profile allow high resolution 2-D forward and inverse simulations. This approach is attractive in situations where much information is available, if only with considerable uncertainty. In particular, this allows to introduce “soft” information into the analysis. In our case, forward simulations yield initial a priori estimates of the parameters while inversion calculations yield a posteriori estimates of the parameters and their uncertainty. The a priori parameters as well as their assumed uncertainty are input for a Bayesian parameter estimation scheme. In respect to the Northeastern-German sedimentary basin, the inverse analysis postulates a significant and characteristic a posteriori variation of thermal conductivity of the Zechstein unit along the entire profile as well as a generally large a posteriori thermal conductivity of the (pre-Permian) basement in the northern part of the basin. For inverse calculations, we used two alternative scenarios: One assumes the thermal conductivity of the Zechstein unit to be homogeneous along the profile while the other allows a lateral variation. A posteriori heat flow across the base of the model varies from 40 to 60 and 50 to 65 mW m⁻² for models in which values for thermal conductivity and radiogenic heat generation rate were either based on literature values or direct measurements, respectively.     

Emissions of antifouling-biocides into the North Sea —an estimation

Summary Ship owners coat the wetted surface of vessels with toxic paints to prevent fouling which increases fuel consumption. The active biocides in the paints are mainly TBT (tributyl tin), copper, and organonitrogen compounds. The amounts of biocides emitted by the German fleet and the world fleet are estimated, and the theoretical concentrations of biocides in the North Sea caused by shipping are valididated by measurements of other authors.

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Schätzung der Immissionen von Antifouling-Bioziden in die Nordsee

Zusammenfassung Die vom Seewasser benetzte Außenhaut von Schiffen wird mit giftigen Farben beschichtet. Damit verhindert man die Besiedelung durch Organismen, das fouling, das den Widerstand der Schiffe und damit den Brennstoffverbrauch steigert. Die aktiven Biozide der Farben bestehen hauptsächlich aus TBT (Tributyl-Zinn), Kupfer und Organo-Stickstoff-Verbindungen (S-Triazine). Für die deutsche Flotte und die Weltflotte werden Mengen der Biozide überschläglich berechnet. Außerdem wird die theoretische Konzentration der emitierten Biozide in der Nordsee vom Schiffsverkehr abgeleitet und mit Messungen anderer Autoren verglichen.

     

Temperature dependence of the relationship of thermal diffusivity versus thermal conductivity for crystalline rocks

Thermal diffusivity governs the transient heat transport equation. Thus, a realistic characterisation of this parameter and its temperature dependence is crucial for geothermal modelling. Due to sparse information from boreholes, lack of samples, and elaborate measurement procedures, there is often insufficient data on thermal diffusivity at elevated temperatures. We make use of existing data on crystalline (metamorphic and magmatic) rock samples from the Kola Peninsula and the Eastern Alps and develop a general relationship for the temperature dependence of thermal diffusivity up to 300°C. The temperature dependence of thermal conductivity is parameterised itself, using an empirical relationship which is set up for both data sets as well. Hence, only thermal conductivity at ambient temperatures is required for determining the temperature dependence of thermal diffusivity. We obtain different coefficients for both data sets which can be explained by different geological settings, and therefore different mineral compositions and internal structures. Comparisons with other expressions for these rock physical parameters show a good agreement at ambient conditions. General relations for thermal diffusivity at elevated temperatures are rare. A comparison of our results with data from two crystalline samples from the KTB and data from the Southern Indian Granulite Province highlights the need for further data, which will help to quantify uncertainties.     

Surface-layer profile evaluation using a generalization of Robinson's method for the determination ofd andz 0

The iteration scheme of Robinson (1962) for the determination ofz ₀ andd under neutral atmospheric stability has been generalized in a relatively simple manner. It now accounts for nonneutral conditions and permits simultaneous calculation ofd,z ₀, and flux densities of latent and sensible heat. Using profile data sets given in the literature, the generalized scheme yields results which agree quite well with those obtained by Kramm (1989).