Moho structure of Central America based on three-dimensional lithospheric density modelling of satellite-derived gravity data

The Central American isthmus hosts a highly variable Moho structure due to the diverse origin and composition of the crustal basement and the influence of large-scale neotectonic processes. Gravity data from the combined geopotential model EGM2008 were interpreted via forward modelling to outline the three-dimensional lithospheric density structure along the Middle American Trench, as well as the segmentation of the oceanic Cocos and Nazca plates and the overriding Caribbean plate. In this work, results for the depth of the Moho obtained from the density model are presented. The Quaternary volcanic arc correlates with a maximum Moho depth of 44 km in western Guatemala. To the south-east of the continental shelf, the Caribbean plate shows Moho depths between 20 and 12 km whereas to the north, values as shallow as 8 km are observed at the Cayman trough. For the oceanic Cocos plate, depths between 16 and 21 km are obtained for the Moho along the Cocos ridge, contrasting with values between 15 and 12 km for the seamount segment and 8 and 11 km for the segments of the crust that are not affected by the Galapagos hot-spot track.     

The assessment of submarine slope instability in Baiyun Sag using gray clustering method

It is a significant task to evaluate the seafloor stability for the exploitation of marine resources and the construction of marine structures. This paper analyzes the impact factors of submarine slope instability using geological and geophysical data of the Baiyun Sag in the Pearl River Mouth Basin and builds the evaluation index system of submarine slope instability. The weight of each index is calculated by analytic hierarchy process method to weaken subjective effect. Gray clustering method is applied to estimate the risk of submarine slope instability in Baiyun Sag qualitatively and quantitatively. The assessment standard is divided into five grades, and the whitening function of each gray cluster is determined by the assessment scheme. The gray evaluation weight vector of each indicator is calculated by the table-dispatching method. The gray assessment value is estimated by making the gray assessment weight vector single value, and the gray grade is determined according to the maximum principle. The evaluation results show quantitatively that the risk grade of submarine slope instability in the Baiyun Sag is medium, and the gray clustering method is reasonable and feasible.     

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.     

Electrical conductivity measurements on olivines and pyroxenes under defined thermodynamic activities as a function of temperature and pressure

Electrical conductivities of Ni₂SiO₄, Fe₂SiO₄, and MgSiO₃ were measured on synthetic powders in the temperature range 340° to 1,100° C and at pressures up to 20 kbars. For ternary compounds such as olivines and pyroxenes the control of two further variables, like the chemical activities of two components are needed, besides temperature and pressure. The activities of the corresponding binary oxides were controlled by equilibrating the samples with their neighbour-phases. Control of the oxygen partial pressure was achieved by buffer techniques. From the slopes of the lg σ vs. 1/T lines the activation energies were calculated for 10 kbar: 0.56 eV and 2.7 eV for Ni₂SiO₄ in equilibrium with SiO₂ and Ni/NiO-buffer for the temperature range 500°–800°C and 800°–1,000°C resp. 0.52 eV for Fe₂SiO₄ in equilibrium with SiO₂ and metallic iron, and 0.38 eV in equilibrium with SiO₂ and magnetite; 1.11 eV for MgSiO₃ in equilibrium with SiO₂, and 1.25 eV in equilibrium with Mg₂SiO₄.     

Study of pocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at a pressure of 6–9 GPa with X-ray diffraction and synchrotron radiation

This work is one of the stages of study of the deep C-O-H fluid and investigates the behavior of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under conditions of the Earth’s mantle. The composition of the C-O-H fluid in the upper mantle is estimated as a mixture of H₂O and CH₄ with a minor amount of H₂ and heavier hydrocarbons. Some theoretical calculations show that the stability of heavy hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, and PAHs) increases with an increase in temperature. This paper presents the results of an XRD study of PAHs stability in multianvil presses on a Spring-8 accelerator (Japan). The primary compositions were chosen according to the abundance of PAHs in nature. In situ diffraction spectrums were recorded to determine the PAHs stability field. It was established that the PAHs become unstable at a pressure of 6–9 GPa and a temperature of 873–1073 K.     

Grenville tectonic events and evolution of the Yenisei Ridge at the western margin of the Siberian Craton

Geological, petrologic, geochemical, and isotopic geochronological evidence for Grenville events at the western margin of the Siberian Craton are considered. These events were related to assembly of the Rodinia supercontinent. Multiple manifestations of riftogenic and within-plate magmatism at the final stage of orogenic evolution gave rise to breakdown of Rodinia and the formation of the Paleoasian ocean. The results allowed us to develop a new concept on the Precambrian geological evolution of the Yenisei Ridge and the processes that created its tectonic structure. The chronological sequence of events in the history of the Transangarian Yenisei Ridge is based on geological evidence and isotopic dating of Precambrian complexes variable in geodynamic nature. Four tectonic stages dated at 1.4?1.1, 1.1?0.9, 0.90?0.85, and 0.8?0.6 Ga were controlled by collision and extension recognized from large regional linear crustal structural elements. The evolution of the Transangarian Yenisei Ridge, which lasted for ～650 Ma, corresponds in duration to supercontinental cycles that begin from rifting and breakdown of the predated supercontinent and was completed by orogeny and the formation of a new supercontinent. The regional geodynamic history correlates with the synchronous sequence and similar style of tectonothermal events at the periphery of the large Precambrian Laurentia and Baltica cratons. This is evidenced by paleocontinental reconstructions, which confirm close spatiotemporal links of Siberia with cratons in the northern Atlantic 1400?600 Ma ago and indicate incorporation of the Siberian Craton into the ancient Nuna and Rodinia supercontinents.     

Temporal and spatial patterns in abundance and diversity of fish assemblages in Elkhorn Slough,California

Assemblages of ichthyofauna of shallow inshore habitats along Californía’s central coast are described in terms of species composition, abundance, and life-style categories. A total of 22,334 fishes from 65 species and 27 families was collected with otter trawls at six sites in the main channel and tidal creeks of Elkhorn Slough, a tidal embayment and seasonal estuary, and two nearshore ocean stations in Monterey Bay during 44 months between August 1974 and June 1980. Greater than 90% of the catch comprised 10 species. The four dominant species,Cymatogaster aggregata, Leptocottus armatus, Phanerodon furcatus, andEmbiotoca jacksoni, occurred during most or all seasons and were classified as residents or partial residents. Several abundant species were marine immigrants that seasonally use the slough as spawning and nursery grounds; this resulted in higher abundance and species richness during summer. Species collected during winter largely were slough residents. Species compsosition and richness varied with distance from the slough entrance. The ocean assemblage was most different, and its similarity to other stations decreased progressively with distance inland and into the tidal creeks. During our study, 5,074 fishes were collected by beach seine in Bennett Slough, a remote shallow marsh basin adjacent to the entrance of Elkhorn Slough. Species richness was relatively low and three euryhaline species accounted for >80% of the total catch. The species assemblage was most similar to those at the tidal creek and most shallow stations of Elkhorn Slough. Resident species numerically dominated assemblages in Bennett Slough and the most inland areas of Elkhorn Slough. The high relative abundance of marine-related fishes (classified as marine, marine immigrant, and partial resident), entering Elkhorn Slough early in life or as spawning adults indicates the importance of this habitat to nearshore fish assemblages.     

Geochemistry of Ordovician Keli Group basalts associated with Besshi-type Cu-Zn deposits from the southern Trondheim and Sulitjelma mining districts of Norway

Besshi-type volcanogenic Cu-Zn deposits in the Scandinavian Caledonides are hosted by Ordovician metabasalts and clastic sediments of the Storen, Fundsjo and Sulitjelma groups. The basalts are transitional between T-MORB and marginal basin tholeiites in composition and are characterised by Nd and Pb isotopic compositions which overlap the more radiogenic values of Lower Palaeozoic MORB. These features, along with the intercalation of the basalts with tuffs and continentally derived sediments, indicate an epicontinental rift or marginal basin origin, possibly analogous to the present Red Sea and Gulf of Aden rifts. This implies the development of a restricted ocean basin in the north of Iapetus between the Laurentian and Baltoscandian microcontinents during the Cambrian and Early Ordovician.     

Simultaneous electrokinetic removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and metals from a sediment using mixed enhancing agents

The maintenance of harbor waterways generates large amounts of dredged sediments which are often rich in coexisting organic and inorganic contaminants. Electrokinetic remediation treatments have recently been developed for the simultaneous removal of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), using various enhancing agents generally tested sequentially. In this study, different processing fluids were tested, alone or mixed, to improve the decontamination of aged model sediment contaminated with cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, zinc, and five PAHs. Nitric acid (NA) and citric acid (CA) were tested to avoid the formation of an alkaline front into the sediment and favor the metals removal, while an anionic surfactant [sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)] and a nonionic surfactant (Tween 20) were tested to solubilize and mobilize PAHs. Processing fluids were circulated under a constant voltage gradient of 1 V cm^?1 for 10–14 days. NA showed an excellent potential to remove metals (76.8–99.9 % removal) and PAHs (70.3–89.7 % removal) in a single run. Besides, the mixture of Tween 20 and CA, more environmental friendly, could be considered as a relatively good processing fluid for the simultaneous removal of metals (10.3–90.8 % removal) and PAHs (53.6–61.6 % removal) from the fine-grained sediment, while SDS mixed to CA was not a good candidate for this purpose (0.1–65 % removal for metals and 34.1–41.0 % removal for PAHs).     

Clicking graphene oxide and Fe3O4 nanoparticles together: an efficient adsorbent to remove dyes from aqueous solutions

Nanohybrid of graphene oxide (GO) and azide-modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated using click reaction. First, Fe₃O₄ NPs were modified by 3-azidopropionic acid. Then, click-coupling of azide-modified Fe₃O₄ NPs with alkyne-functionalized GO was carried out in the presence of CuSO₄·5H₂O and sodium l-ascorbate at room temperature. The attachment of Fe₃O₄ NPs onto the graphene nanosheets was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry and X-ray diffraction spectrometry. As the FTIR spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry analysis showed, the final magnetic graphene nanosheets were also reduced by sodium ascorbate which is a merit for click-coupling reactions. The specific saturation magnetization of the Fe₃O₄-clicked GO was 44.3 emu g^?1. The synthesized hybrid was used in the adsorption of methylene blue and congo red (CR). The adsorption capacities in the studied concentration range were 109.5 and 98.8 mg g^?1 for methylene blue and CR, respectively.     

The application of a hierarchical Bayesian spatiotemporal model for forecasting the SAA trapped particle flux distribution

We implement a hierarchical Bayesian spatiotemporal (HBST) model to forecast the daily trapped particle flux distribution over the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) region. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)-15 data from 1–30 March 2008 with particle energies as >30 keV (mep0e1) and >300 keV (mep0e3) for electrons and 80–240 keV (mep0p2) and > 6900 keV (mep0p6) for protons were used as the model input to forecast the flux values on 31 March 2008. Data were transformed into logarithmic values and gridded in a 5^°×5^° longitude and latitude size to fulfill the modelling precondition. A Monte Carlo Markov chain (MCMC) was then performed to solve the HBST Gaussian Process (GP) model by using the Gibbs sampling method. The result for this model was interpolated by a Kriging technique to achieve the whole distribution figure over the SAA region. Statistical results of the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), and bias (BIAS) showed a good indicator of the HBST method. The statistical validation also indicated the high variability of particle flux values in the SAA core area. The visual validation showed a powerful combination of HBST-GP model with Kriging interpolation technique. The Kriging also produced a good quality of the distribution map of particle flux over the SAA region as indicated by its small variance value. This suggests that the model can be applied in the development of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO)-Equatorial satellite for monitoring trapped particle radiation hazard.     

Competition for the general cargo transports of Sweden's foreign trade

The object of the paper is to analyze changes in modal and port allocation of general cargo flows in Sweden's foreign trade between 1960 and 1976. It summarizes some results of a forthcoming report on the project ‘Tendencies in Liner Shipping’ financed by the ‘Transport Research Delegation’, Stockholm.     

Levels and distributions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in middle reach of Huaihe River,China: anthropogenic influences and ecological risks

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of aromatic hydrocarbons with high toxicity to human health. PAH emissions from industrial activities have become the primary sources of PAH contamination in Chinese watersheds. Here, we analyzed 10 individual priority PAHs in 120 water samples taken from middle reach of Huaihe River, China. The results show that the PAH levels in studied watershed are significantly lower as compared to other Chinese watersheds, approaching or slightly exceeding the PAH levels in watersheds from selected European and North American countries. We observe rather large variation in spatial and vertical PAH distributions, pointing to PAH inputs from local industrial emissions, and PAH cycle among atmosphere, water and sediment. Individual PAH ratios (i.e., phenanthrene/anthracene and fluorene/pyrene) and principal components analysis suggest a primarily pyrolytic PAH sources (combustion of coal and coke) in water column. Other accompanying PAH sources include emissions from steel industry and gasoline. Total toxic benzo[a]pyrene equivalent of PAHs in studied water column indicates that PAHs in watershed of middle reach of Huaihe River pose limited toxicity to the environment.     

Stability conditions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at high pressures and temperatures

The first results of study of stability of diverse polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at around 7 GPa and 773–1073 K are reported. Experiments were carried out in hydraulic multi-anvil presses. The run products after quenching were analyzed using a method of matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI). The formation of polymers of starting matters was determined at 7 GPa and 773–883 K. The polymers are characterized by atomic masses up to 5000 Da, that are multiple by masses of starting matters. At higher temperatures (873–1073 K), the selected PAHs and their polymers become unstable. The decomposition temperature of PAHs and their polymers exclude their stability under Earth’s mantle conditions. The studies could be of great significance for the low-temperature near-surface geodynamics of small and large planetary bodies, which supposedly contain hydrocarbon compounds.     

Manganese deposits in northeastern European Russia and the Urals: Isotope geochemistry,genesis, and evolution of ore formation

Based on new data on the lithology, mineralogy, chemistry, and isotopic composition of manganese carbonate ores and rocks at the deposits and occurrences in the Novaya Zemlya Archipelago, the Pai-Khoi, and the Urals, as well as using data from the literature, the main Phanerozoic basins of manganese deposition have been established in the geological history of Laurasia, Pangea, and Siberian paleocontinents. The formation conditions of manganese ore gradually changed from hydrothermal-sedimentary in the Middle Paleozoic to sedimentary-diagenetic in Mesozoic and Cenozoic. The ore was also formed under catagenetic conditions. Carbon of oxidized organic matter plays a substantial role in the formation of manganese carbonates.     

Decomposition of fayalite (Fe2SiO4) in an oxygen potential gradient at 1,418 K

The decomposition of fayalite (Fe₂SiO₄) in oxygen potential gradients is studied at T=1,418 K. The compound will be decomposed into its component oxides wüstite, Fe_1?δO, and silica, SiO₂, by the simultaneous action of two different oxygen partial pressures, exceeding a critical ratio, despite the fact that fayalite is stable at both the lower and the higher oxygen potential. A quantitative analysis of the decomposition process caused by defect fluxes within the bulk Fe₂SiO₄ is given.     

Sources and history of PAHs in lake sediments from oil-producing and industrial areas,northeast China

Abundance, sources, and historical records of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediment cores of three lakes located in northeast China were evaluated. One lake was located in a rural oil field area, one in an industrial urban oil field area, and the third in an urban industrialized area without oil field influence. Cores from each lake were divided into 1-cm sections, dated using ¹³⁷Cs techniques, and 16 priority PAH compounds were measured. Total PAH concentrations were greater in industrial areas than in rural area, regardless of associated oil production. Only petroleum sources of PAHs were identified in lakes near oil fields between 1950s and 1980s, while sources of liquid fossil fuel combustion were persistently identified in the industrial urban lake. From 1990s to 2000s, PAH concentrations, especially high molecular weight PAHs, significantly increased in all lakes, which were consistent with the economic development in China, suggesting a change in energy use from wood burning and petroleum (oil) to liquid fossil fuel combustion. Environmental risk was low to moderate in sediments of the three lakes studied, and increases in high molecular weight PAHs during 1900s–2000s is a concern.     

Biodegradation of polyvinyl alcohol-low linear density polyethylene-blended plastic film by consortium of marine benthic vibrios

Marine bacteria, Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio parahemolyticus isolated from sediments were evaluated for their ability as a consortia, to degrade polyvinyl alcohol-low linear density polyethylene (PVA-LLDPE)-blended plastic films in shake flask conditions at 120 rpm at 37 °C over 15 weeks. Results indicated that relatively 20 % decrease in tensile strength of the film could be achieved with 25 and 30 % blend of PVA in the PVA-LLDPE plastic film compared to other ratios. Micrographs obtained with scanning electron microscope showed visible cracks and grooves on the surface of the PVA-LLDPE blend film after 15 weeks of incubation with bacterial consortium. The decrease in tensile strength of the PVA-blended plastic films after treatment and the results of the scanning electron microscopic analysis evidence that the consortium could cause degradation of PVA-LLDPE plastic blends compared to suitable controls. This is the first report on polyvinyl alcohol degrading Vibrio sp. from marine sediments and its application in microbial degradation of polyvinyl alcohol-low linear density polyethylene plastic blends. The study indicated potential of marine benthic vibrios that have novel enzymes and unique characteristics for application in bioremediation and solid waste management particularly in handling synthetic polymers such as PVA-blended plastic films.     

Shoreline erosion rates along barrier islands of the north central gulf of Mexico

Rates of shoreline change and overwash penetration distances were calculated for barrier islands along the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama coasts with the orthogonal grid mapping system (OGMS). Average rates of shoreline change are exceptionally high in Louisiana, being of the order ?4.7 to ?7.4 m yr^?1. Mississippi and Alabama recession rates are lower and range from ?2.0 to ?3.1 m yr^?1 over the period of record. Erosion rates along the shorelines of these islands have remained relatively constant over the period of study with five exceptions in coastal Louisiana and the Chandeleur-Breton Islands Arc, and two exceptions along the Mississippi-Alabama barrier islands where they have accelerated. Mean overwash penetration is greatest along Dauphin Island, Alabama, and Cat Island, Mississippi: 207.6 and 197.9 m, respectively. The Chandeleur-Brenton Islands Arc range from 88.1 m at the central barrier to 180.4 along the flanks. The Mississippi islands range from 105.2 m on Ship Island to 200.5 m along central Horn Island. Mean overwash penetration along the Louisiana barriers is highly variable: 46.3 to 211.4 m.     

Breaking mode of cohesive homogeneous earth-rock-fill dam by overtopping flow

Breaking tests on homogeneous earth-rock-fill dams destroyed by overtopping flow are presented. Two types of shear erosion are found: wetting shear erosion and quick shear erosion; the water level-discharge process is divided into “sharp rise and drop of flow” and “slow change of flow” types. Furthermore, overtopping break modes are divided into head-cut erosion and scour breaching mode (Mode 1), shear erosion and collapse breaching mode (Mode 2), and wetting shear erosion mode (Mode 3) based on the main failure types and their coupled mode during dam break. In Mode 1, the downstream slope encounters head-cut erosion at the onset of the breach and expands and undercuts gradually at the development stage; in Mode 2, the dam slope encounters rapid shear erosion and the downstream edge of the crest erodes quickly towards the upstream face at the onset of breach: the breach expands suddenly due to instability and collapse at both sides of the breach in its development stage; in Mode 3, the strength of the dam’s materials continuously decreases by wetting and erosion happens is localised at positions where wetting caused the most strength loss, no obvious breach was developed. Dam breaking time, dam-break flow process, and the maximum discharge flow varied for each breaking mode. Overtopping flow size, materials, height, and initial breach size of dam are important factors influencing breaking mode, by virtue of their changing the relative strength of the relationship between the critical shear stress of dam materials at the edge of the dam crest and the lower parts of its slope, and the given flow’s destruction capacity. Overtopping will cause different manifestations of damage to be exhibited, so modal classification is favourable for safety assessment and preparation of relevant protective measures for protection of earth-rock-fill dam against overtopping.