Phylogenetic Problems in Polynesian Simuliidae (Diptera: Culicomorpha): A progress report

As a basis for eventual control of the vicious anthropophilic and ornithophilic simuliid females of the Marquesas Islands, a taxonomic revision of Polynesian Simuliidae is in progress. Cytotaxonomic studies reveal two simuliid species in Rarotonga, Cook Islands; nine species in Tahiti, Society Islands, and two in the Marquesas Islands. A cytophylogeny is now available. Polynesian Simuliidae are unique in possessing heterogametic females. A reconstructed phylogeny, based mainly on morphological character states of larvae and pupae, agrees well with the cytophylogeny. One of the new species which is closely related to Simulium oviceps Edwards has larvae with highly reduced, non-functional cephalic fans. Ages of the Polynesian islands are discussed in relation to possible dispersal of Simuliidae into Polynesia.     

A Sm-Nd isotopic study of the South Harris Igneous Complex,the Outer Hebrides

Sm-Nd geochronology may be used to bracket the age of metamorphism in rocks which are difficult to date by other methods. By coupling whole rock Sm-Nd analyses of the principal members of the South Harris Igneous Complex, with Sm-Nd mineral isochrons on two anothositic gabbros, the age of granulite facios metamorphism has been defined. Whole rock analyses of three pairs of closely spaced samples of the anorthosite give consistent ages averaging 2.18±0.06 Gyr, but in general the data from the anorthosite do not define an isochron as a result of variable contamination of the evolving magma chamber. Whole rock data on the tonalite indicate that it is younger than 2.06 Gyr; its mean T_CHUR age is 1.86±0.05 Gyr. Garnet-pyroxene-amphibole-plagioclase mineral isochrons on two anorthosite samples give identical 1.87±0.04 Gyr ages which date cooling after the high pressure granulite facies metamorphism. Together with the tonalite whole rock data this defines the age of that metamorphism and confirms Dearnley's original assignment of an early Laxfordian age.     

Crystal structures of Ni2SiO4 and Fe2SiO4 as a function of temperature and heating duration

X-ray structure refinements of Ni₂SiO₄ and Fe₂SiO₄ spinels have been made as a function of temperature and heating duration by intensity measurements at high temperatures and room pressure. The lattice parameters of Ni₂SiO₄ spinel linearly increased with temperature up to 1,000° C. However, Fe₂SiO₄ spinel exhibited a nonlinear thermal expansion and was converted to a polycrystalline mixture of spinel and olivine by heating of less than one-hour at 800° C. The ratios between the octahedral and tetrahedral bond lengths D _oct/D _tetr and between the shared and unshared edge distances (O-O)_sh/(O-O)_unsh in Fe₂SiO₄ spinel were both much larger than those in Ni₂SiO₄. These ratios increase with temperature. The Fe₂SiO₄ spinel more readily approached a activation state which facilitated the transition to the olivine structure than the Ni₂SiO₄ spinel. The lattice parameter of Ni₂SiO₄ spinel decreased with heating period at constant temperatures of 700° C and 800° C. The parameter of the quenched sample after heating for 52 h at 700° C was smaller than that of the nonheated sample. The refinements of the site occupancies at each heating duration indicated an increase in the cation deficiency in both tetrahedral and octahedral sites. Electron microprobe analysis, however, proved no significant difference in the chemical compositions between the quenched and nonheated samples. Si and Ni atoms displaced from normally occupied spinel lattice sites are assumed to settle in vacant sites defined by the cubic close packed oxygen sublattice in a manner which preserves the electric neutrality of the bulk crystal.     

Some examples of the Middle-Triassic Marine transgression in South-Western Mediterranean Europe

In Southwestern Mediterranean Europe (NE Spain, Sardinia and NW Apennines e. g. Monti Pisani and Punta Bianca) the Middle-Triassic transgression on a margin of an intracratonic basin appears to be controlled by the different morphology and tectonic activity of the margin itself. The analysis of some sequences leads to recognize three different kinds of margins:

1. margin with a narrow shelf sloping toward a very shallow restricted basin (Central and Southwestern Sardinia);
2. margin with a broad shelf gently sloping toward a shallow basin (NE Spain, Monti Pisani, NW Sardinia);
3. margin with a narrow shelf and steep slope marked by tectonic and volcanic activity (Punta Bianca).

     

Seismic risk assessment of the 3rd Azerbaijan gas pipeline in Iran

A comprehensive seismic risk assessment has been performed for the existing route of the 3rd Azerbaijan natural gas buried pipeline in Iran. The major active seismic sources along the pipeline were identified and the geometrical parameters as well as the seismicity rates were determined. The seismic hazard assessment of the ground vibrations along the pipeline was performed in the framework of the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis using the CRISIS 2007 software. All of the components of the gas pipeline along the route were identified and the corresponding fragility functions are established through the methodology described in the HAZUS guideline (HAZUS MH MR4 Technical manual 2007 Department of homeland security emergency. Preparedness and Response Directorate, FEMA). A detailed cost analyses was taken into consideration based on the expert opinions in the National Iranian Gas Company, in order to provide more practical loss model for the pipeline route. Also, a simple method is suggested in order to account for the vent gas in the total loss estimation. The spatial analysis of the hazard function layer in combination with the loss model layer, in Geographical Information System  (GIS) platform, reveal the financial consequences of different earthquake scenarios.     

Ion dynamics studies of liquid and glassy silicates,and gas-in-liquid solutions

We give a brief review of ion dynamics studies of liquid and glassy states of SiO₂ and silicate colutions which have been carried out in recent years in this laboratory. We summarize studies on SiO₂, Na⁺ migration in Na₂O·SiO₂ in the “glassy state”, and ionic coordination in multicomponent framework silicates. We present new results on the coordination of Al³⁺ in albite as a function of pressure and show that it is consistent with results of laboratory studies on albite glasses formed at high pressure. We compare calculated PVT data for jadeite, albite and diopside and relate the behavior of the low pressure compressibility to the spinodal limit at negative pressures. Some preliminary studies of inert gas solution in jadeite and of CO₂ solution in a glass having a composition of approximately Na₂O·3SiO₂ are described.     

Rainfall input of toxaphene to a South Carolina estuary

Toxaphene concentrations in rainfall over a South Carolina salt marsh were monitored from 1976–1978. This insecticide is toxic to some organisms in the low μg/kg range and causes sublethal effects in the very low ng/kg range. Rainfall was sampled by both continuously exposed collectors and by collectors which were exposed only during actual precipitation. Toxaphene concentrations in individual rainstorms showed a high day-to-day variation, and in general were 10–100 times higher than PCB and DDT levels. Washout ratios for toxaphene were higher than those reported for other chlorinated hydrocarbons, but lower than those of trace metals. During and immediately following the summer use season, toxaphene levels in rain exceeded by several times those concentrations reported to produce bone damage to young fish in laboratory experiments. The estimated aerial input of toxaphene to the 26 km² estuary was 1.2 kg over a 4-month period. Most of this input appeared to be due to rainfall rather than dry deposition. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY010 00007     

Calorimetric study of the stability of spinelloids in the system NiAl2O4-Ni2SiO4

Enthalpies of solution in molten 2 PbO · B₂O₃ at 974 K were measured for four spinelloids, phases I (0.75 NiAl₂O₄ · 0.25 Ni₂SiO₄), II (0.60 NiAl₂O₄ · 0.40 Ni₂SiO₄), III and IV (0.50 NiAl₂O₄ · 0.50 Ni₂SiO₄) in the system NiAl₂O₄ · Ni₂SiO₄. The enthalpies (in cal per 4-oxygen mol) of formation from NiAl₂O₄ and Ni₂SiO₄ spinels are: phase I, 945±366; phase II, 1072±360; phase III, 2253±390; phase IV, 3565±544. Using these enthalpy data in combination with phase relations at high pressure at 1373 K, positive entropies of formation of the spinelloids from NiAl₂O₄ and Ni₂SiO₄ spinels were estimated (in cal mol^?1 K^?1): phase I, 1.2; phase II, 1.5; phase III, 2.0–2.3; phase IV, 3.0–3.1. The thermochemical data obtained above suggest that the spinelloids are “entropy-stabilized” phases with partially disordered cation distributions. The configurational entropies of the spinelloids were calculated based on the observed cation distribution in each spinelloid phase. The positive entropies of formation of the spinelloids from the spinel endmembers are due primarily to the configurational entropies although small positive vibrational entropy changes may also exist.     

Parasites of eastern oysters from subtidal reefs in a Louisiana estuary with a note on their use as indicators of water quality

A 12-month parasitological study in-volved examination of 1,242 eastern oysters,Crassostrea virginica, from two hydrologically different subtidal reefs in Calcasieu Lake, Louisiana. No evidence of morbidity attributed to infection with the protozoanPerkinsus marinus was detected among oysters at either site. Most oysters from the higher salinity site had shells infested with boring sponges,Cliona truitti. Oysters from both sites harbored infections with sporocysts and cercariae of the digenetic trematode,Bucephalus cuculus. However, average monthly incidence of infection was less than 0.5%.     

Distribution and speciation of phosphorus in sediments of Dongping Lake,North China

Dongping Lake is an important regulator for the Eastern Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China, and the water quality assurance of it is of great importance. To investigate the distribution characteristics and burial process of phosphorus (P) in Dongping Lake as well as their relationship with regional economic development and human activities, 33 spatially distributed surface sediment samples and one lake sediment core were extracted from Dongping Lake. A harmonized procedure for the P forms in freshwater sediments developed by the European Programme, Standards, Measurements, and Testing was used in this paper. The results show that NaOH–P (P bound to Al, Fe, Mn oxides or hydroxides), HCl–P (Ca-bound P), inorganic phosphorus (IP), organic phosphorus (OP), and total phosphorus (TP) in the surface sediments show a strong spatial variability. The highest NaOH–P and OP concentrations were observed in the eastern and south-eastern region of the lake and decreased gradually away from the mouth area of Dawen River. We deduced that anthropogenic input via the Dawen River is the main contributor. The higher concentration of HCl–P occurred in the north-west region of the lake and increased in a gradient away from the mouth area of Dawen River, and this pattern of distribution could be related to grain-size effects and higher transport energies close to riverine inlets. Pollution reflected by phosphorus in the core sediments of Dongping Lake is well consistent with the economic development history of Dongping County. From the beginning of the 20th century to the middle 1970s, the concentrations of each P speciation did not vary largely and runoff of the Yellow River mainly contributed to the P accumulation in the sediment, which might reflect the background values of them in the lake in pre-industrial period. The stable Mz (mean grain size), low loss-on-ignition (LOI), and high sedimentary flux also support this. The rapid increase of NaOH–P and OP at 10–0 cm (especially 5–0 cm) indicates the enhancing anthropogenic eutrophication since the middle 1970s. The LOI peak period and a coarsening of particle size also support this interpretation. However, the decreasing of TP and HCl–P was attributed to the change in sediment supply. As due to construction of dams around the lake, runoff of the Dawen River mainly contributed to the P accumulation in the sediment during this period.     

Modified biomass of Phanerochaete chrysosporium immobilized on luffa sponge for biosorption of hexavalent chromium

Phanerochaete chrysosporium, a white rot basidiomycete, was immobilized over Luffa cylindrica sponge discs, treated with 0.1 N HCl and its potentiality for the removal of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] from water was investigated in both batch and in up-flow fixed-bed bioreactor. The acid treatment of biomass increased the uptake capacity and percentage removal of Cr(VI) from 33.5 to 46.5 mg g^?1 and 67 to 92 %, respectively. Maximum uptake of Cr(VI) was achieved at pH 2, temperature 40 °C after 100 min of contact time. The Cr(VI) sorption on the biomass was better explained by Langmuir isotherm. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the process was spontaneous and endothermic. Sorption kinetic study showed that pseudo-second-order model best correlates the Cr(VI) sorption on the biomass as compare to pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The performance of fixed-bed bioreactor was evaluated at different bed heights (5, 15 and 25 cm) and flow rates (1.66, 4.98 and 8.33 mL min^?1) by using bed depth service time model. Response surface methodology statistical method was applied for optimizing the process parameters. FTIR analysis showed that amino groups were mainly involved in adsorption of Cr(VI).     

Geochemistry of cumulus peridotites and gabbros from the Marum ophiolite complex,northern Papua New Guinea

The layered cumulus rocks of the Marum ophiolite complex in northern Papua New Guinea range from highly magnesian dunite, wehrlite, and lherzolite through pyroxenite to norite-gabbro with minor anorthosite and ferronorite-gabbro near the top of the sequence. Most of the cumulates, particularly the gabbroic rocks, are characterised by recrystallised adcumulus textures and all intercumulus melt (mesostasis) has been expelled. Trends in the cumulate sequence from Mg-rich to more Fe-, Ca- and Al-rich compositions are consistent with the formation of the layered sequence by magmatic accumulation from mafic tholeiitic magmas with varying degrees of differentiation. The cumulates are characterised by extremely low levels of ‘incompatible’ elements (K, Ba, Rb, P, Zr, Nb, Hf, Y and REE) at all levels of differentiation. REE patterns are strongly depleted in LREE; HREE abundances range from ≦0.3 chondrites in peridotite to 3 x chondrites in the norite-gabbros. The Marum cumulates resemble low-Ti peridotites and gabbros found in other orthopyroxene-bearing ophiolite sequences. The parent magmas of the Marum cumulates are inferred to have been strongly depleted in ‘incompatible’ trace elements (～ 2,000 ppm Ti, ～20 ppm Zr, 6–9 x chondrites HREE with La_N/Sm_N～0.5). These abundances are lower than found in typical MORB and back-arc basin basalts or their picritic parents. The dissimilarity of trace element abundances of the inferred Marum parent magmas with MORB-type high-alumina olivine tholeiites supports the conclusion drawn previously from the petrology of the cumulates that the parent magmas to the Marum ophiolite were not of MORB composition but resembled the strongly depleted, Ni-rich magnesian olivine-poor tholeiites and quartz tholeiites of the Upper Pillow Lavas of the Troodos ophiolite. The Marum parent magmas are believed to have been formed by shallow melting of refractory peridotite, and are chemically and genetically distinct from the LREE-enriched high-Ti lavas (Tumu River basalts) which occur in faulted contact. The geochemical data do not permit unequivocal assignment of a tectonic environment for the formation of either the Tumu River basalts or the plutonic suite; their juxtaposition results from thrust emplacement.     

The Upper Miocene evaporite basins in the Mediterranean Region — a study in paleo- oceanography

The Mediterranan Sea is an evaporite basin that compensates its water deficit by inflow through the Straits of Gibraltar and the Bosporus. Excess salinities are discharged through a bottom counter current. In Plio-Pleistocene cooler periods a water surplus produced a surface outflow and a bottom inflow bringing in waters upwelling in the ancestral Canary current. Water circulation in modern evaporite basins can serve as an adequate model to explain ancient evaporites in the Mediterranean region. The last such high-salinity event comprises Upper Miocene evaporites stretching from southeastern Spain to the Caspian Sea, from the Carpathian Foreland to Yemen. They formed in a series of interconnected basins which pre-concentrated or locally diluted circulating bottom currents. Not normal oceanic saltwater but brackish Ponto-Caspian waters were the source of supply during a period when the Straits of Gibraltar were closed.     

The Exxon and BP oil spills: a comparison of psychosocial impacts

We address the research question: ‘Did the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill have similar psychosocial impacts as the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill?’ We answer this question by comparing survey results from a random sample of Cordova, Alaska, residents collected 18 months after the Exxon spill with a random sample of residents in the Alabama coastal counties of Baldwin and south Mobile 1 year after the BP disaster. Analysis revealed similarly high levels of psychological stress for survivors of both disasters. For residents of coastal Alabama, the strongest predictors of psychosocial stress were exposure to oil, ties to renewable resources, concerns about their economic future, worries about air quality, and safety issues regarding seafood harvests in oiled areas. Differences between south Mobile and Baldwin counties were related to the former community’s economic ties to renewable resources and Baldwin County’s dependence on tourism for economic sustainability.     

Carbon on surfaces of magnesium oxide and olivine single crystals. Diffusion from the bulk or surface contamination?

We have conducted detailed studies of the behavior of carbon on the surfaces of MgO and olivine single crystals using various surface analytical techniques: viz. secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), Auger electron spectrometry (AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS). In order to distinguish without ambiguity the effect of diffusion of carbon from the bulk to the surface and the effect of surface contamination by carbon-containing species, the experiments were conducted in ultrahigh vacuum, i.e. 10^?11–10^?9 torr. In addition to MgO and olivine single crystals, we have conducted the same studies on TiO₂, MnO, SiO₂ and Ta₂O₅ which serve as blank samples. The MgO and olivine samples were also intentionally implanted with known doses of carbon and the mobility of this particular carbon was investigated in detail. Our results show that the bulk carbon content in MgO is around 40 wt. ppm, considerably lower than the quantities quoted by Freund and co-workers in the past. We also show that the carbon in both MgO and olivine does not display any rapid diffusion behaviour leading to surface segreation in the temperature range 78–723 K, in contrast to the previous findings of Freund and co-workers.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in surface sediments of Binacional Itaipu Lake,Brazil: characteristics,sources and toxicity evaluation

Itaipu Lake, which includes the Itaipu hydroelectric power plant, is one of the largest dams in the world and has a strong relationship with its surroundings. The flooded area has multiple uses such as navigation, recreation, water abstraction for industrial, urban and agricultural irrigation. The lake is located at the frontier between Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. In this study, superficial sediments collected from nine sampling sites were analysed for grain size, organic matter and 16 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detector. The total concentration of PAHs in the dry sediment ranged from 35.21 to 685.37 µg kg^?1. Diagnostic ratios showed that the possible source of PAHs in the Itaipu Lake could be pyrolitic and petrogenic. The potential toxicity of sediment of PAHs varied from not detected to 127.70 µg g^?1, suggesting that some adverse ecological effects would arise due to PAHs in these sediments.     

Soil microbial community response to seawater intrusion into coastal aquifer of Donghai Island,South China

Due to the sea level rise and the excessive exploitation of freshwater, seawater intrusion is becoming a critical issue. To clarify the degree of seawater intrusion in Donghai Island and the microbial community structure and functional response to seawater intrusion, groundwater samples and sediment samples were collected at profiles A, B; the profiles were along the direction of groundwater flow, perpendicular to the coastline, a hydrogeochemical survey and soil microbial community analysis were also performed. The hydrogeochemistry analysis showed that the chemical type of groundwater was Na–Cl, brackish water was dominant in the area, and coastal groundwater was strongly affected by seawater intrusion. The effect of seawater intrusion on structural and functional diversity of soil microbes was analyzed from soil samples of the study area, by polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE). The results of DGGE patterns and phylogenetic tree show that the extent of seawater intrusion has directly influenced soil microbial community structure. The changes of microbial community structure might be related to the major elements’ concentrations in groundwater. Phylogenetic affiliation indicated that γ-proteobacteria were dominated in the profile A, while β-proteobacteria were mainly appeared in the profile B. The Flavobacteriaceae was only appeared at the shrimp ponds nearby.     

Tchabal Gangdaba massif in the Cameroon Volcanic Line: a bimodal association

Tchabal Gangdaba (TG) volcanic massif, which is a part of the continental sector of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), is dated between 34.4 and 25.1 Ma. It displays mafic lavas (picrobasalt and basanite, 41–43 wt % SiO₂) and felsic lavas (rhyolite, 68–73 wt % SiO₂). The lack of intermediate rocks evidences a pronounced Daly gap between 43 and 68 wt % SiO₂, which corresponds to an important time span of 3.4 Ma. It is interpreted as due to extensive fractional crystallization under peculiar thermodynamical conditions. Felsic lavas yield strong negative anomalies in Ba, Sr and Eu (0.1?206Pb/²⁰⁴Pb?207Pb/²⁰⁴Pb?208Pb/²⁰⁴Pb?相似文献   

Two-dimensional modeling of the accumulation of carbonate deposits in marine environments

A program is developed for modeling the accumulation of deep-water, shallow-sea, reef and fragmentary carbonate deposits in marine environments. The formation of the Maldives carbonate platform is modeled using the developed program. The comparison of the modeling results and the geological cross-section demonstrates that the algorithms allow the construction of geological cross-sections in sufficient detail.     

Genesis of some tertiary Indian coals from the chemical composition of ash – a statistical approach: Part 1

In the present investigation, 37 numbers of high sulphur tertiary coal samples from Meghalaya, India have been studied on the basis of proximate and ash analysis. Various statistical tools like Bivariant Analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Clustering Analysis (HCA), and also the geochemical indicators were applied to determine the dominant detrital or authigenic affinity of the ash forming elements in these coals. The genetic interpretation of coal as well as the coal ash has been carried out based on chemical compositions of high temperature ash (HTA) by using Detrital/Authigenic Index. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis was also carried out to study the mineralogy of the studied coal ashes. Both statistical tools and geochemical indicators have confirmed the detrital nature of these coals as well as the ash forming elements.