Reprint of: Diagenetic controls on evolution of porosity and permeability in lower Tertiary Wilcox sandstones from shallow to ultradeep (200–6700 m) burial,Gulf of Mexico Basin,U.S.A.

Reservoir quality is a critical risk factor in deep to ultradeep reservoirs at depths >4.5 km. Analysis of Paleogene Wilcox sandstones on the upper Texas Gulf Coast provides insight into the evolution of reservoir quality during shallow to ultradeep burial diagenesis. Reduction of porosity and permeability with burial in Wilcox sandstones was evaluated using subsurface samples from 200 to 6700 m, at temperatures of 25–230 °C. Diagenesis and petrophysical properties were interpreted from petrographic data and core analyses. Wilcox sandstones are mostly lithic arkoses and feldspathic litharenites having an average composition of Q₅₉F₂₂R₁₉. Provenance did not change significantly during Wilcox deposition in this area, nor does average sandstone composition vary among lower, middle, and upper Wilcox sandstones. However, composition does vary with sequence-stratigraphic position; lowstand slope-fan deposits contain more rock fragments than do deposits from highstand or transgressive systems tracts. Given observations from this onshore dataset, Wilcox sandstones deposited in deepwater environments in the Gulf of Mexico are likely to contain more rock fragments than their linked highstand equivalents.     

Discussion of “Experimental investigation of impact generated tsunami; related to a potential rock slide,Western Norway” by G. Sælevik,A. Jensen,G. Pedersen [Coastal Eng. 56 (2009) 897–906]

This paper is a discussion of Sælevik et al. (2009). Their comparison between block and granular model results is described in more detail, along with a discussion of five parameters which may be in general responsible for deviations between block and granular models. New small scale physical model tests have been performed to support some of the statements made. Finally, it is argued that the use of physical model testing based on simplified geometries are justified in practice and normally produce results that are considerably better than an order of magnitude.     

Diagenetic controls on evolution of porosity and permeability in lower Tertiary Wilcox sandstones from shallow to ultradeep (200–6700 m) burial,Gulf of Mexico Basin,U.S.A.

Reservoir quality is a critical risk factor in deep to ultradeep reservoirs at depths >4.5 km. Analysis of Paleogene Wilcox sandstones on the upper Texas Gulf Coast provides insight into the evolution of reservoir quality during shallow to ultradeep burial diagenesis. Reduction of porosity and permeability with burial in Wilcox sandstones was evaluated using subsurface samples from 200 to 6700 m, at temperatures of 25–230 °C. Diagenesis and petrophysical properties were interpreted from petrographic data and core analyses. Wilcox sandstones are mostly lithic arkoses and feldspathic litharenites having an average composition of Q₅₉F₂₂R₁₉. Provenance did not change significantly during Wilcox deposition in this area, nor does average sandstone composition vary among lower, middle, and upper Wilcox sandstones. However, composition does vary with sequence-stratigraphic position; lowstand slope-fan deposits contain more rock fragments than do deposits from highstand or transgressive systems tracts. Given observations from this onshore dataset, Wilcox sandstones deposited in deepwater environments in the Gulf of Mexico are likely to contain more rock fragments than their linked highstand equivalents.     

Long-term evolution (1988–2008) of Zostera spp. meadows in Arcachon Bay (Bay of Biscay)

The spatial variability of seagrass meadows in Arcachon Bay, was studied between 1988 and 2008 using a combination of mapping techniques based on aerial photographs for intertidal dwarf-grass (Zostera noltii) beds and acoustic sonar for permanently submerged eelgrass (Zostera marina) populations. The results show a severe decline over the period for both species, as well as an acceleration of the decline since 2005 for Z. noltii. The total surface regression over the studied period is estimated to be 22.8 km² for Z. noltii and 2.7 km² for Z. marina, which represent declines of 33 and 74% respectively.     

Concentration of surface ozone, Obninsk, 2004–2010

The results of measurements of surface ozone in central European Russia in 2004–2010 are presented. The variation coefficient for hourly, monthly, and annual mean ozone concentrations is 78, 26, and 12%, respectively. The measurements established a link between increased (>60 μg/m³) and minimum (<12 μg/m³) hourly mean ozone concentrations with the existence of a temperature inversion in the lower 300-m atmospheric layer. Sixty-seven percent of the total number of increased hourly mean ozone concentrations over the 2004–2010 period took place in 2010. A maximum hourly mean ozone concentration of 218.5 μg/m³ was recorded at 17:00 on August 1, 2010. The annual mean ozone concentration in a climatically significant range of hourly mean concentrations from 12 to 60 μg/m³ increased by 45% in a linear approximation over the period of record. The spectral analysis of monthly mean concentrations of surface ozone identified composite oscillations with periods from 3 to 60 months. To approximate the temporal dynamics of ozone, a statistical model was used. This model satisfactorily describes the experimental monthly and annual mean concentrations.     

Surveys of mussels (Mollusca: Lamellibranchia) in the firth of Thames, 1961–67

Surveys are described which were made to determine distribution and relative density of stocks of mussels, Perna canaliculus Gmelin (Lamellibranchia: Anisomyaria; Mytilidae), in the Firth of Thames, North Island, New Zealand, during the late autumn‐early winter of each year 1961–63 and 1965–67.

Two dredges available for sampling were tested against one another over similar ground. Both gave comparable results, but although the one chosen was never actually calibrated, it gave consistent results which allowed relative changes of abundance to be studied.

In 1961, 206 stations were sampled on a grid of 1 square mile which covered most of the Firth. Early results showed that the densest beds were along the western shore line; there were only small patches of mussels off Coromandel and along the eastern shore. A well‐stocked and readily identifiable area of 2 square miles off Matingarahi Point was selected for more intensive sampling on a 1/16 square‐mile grid. Samples collected there annually showed a rapid decline of the population after commercial dredging in 1961–62; there was no substantial regeneration on the bottom after this, though satisfactory settlement occurred above the bottom on experimental moorings. Declining yields are shown for other areas (Ponui Island and New Brighton) which were also sampled on a 1/16 square‐mile grid.

Commercial landings of mussels decreased rapidly after 1961, and have not recovered. There have been no regular landings since 1966 but a promising private experiment in small‐scale cultivation is described.     

Ground-Based Measurements of the Total Column of Freons in the Atmosphere near St. Petersburg (2009–2017)

The results of the first long-term (2009–2017) ground-based spectroscopic measurements of the total content (TC) of a number of freons in Russia are presented. According to measurements in Peterhof, TCs of CFC-11 and CFC-12 decrease at a rate of ~0.6% per year and TC of HCFC-22 grows at a rate of ~2.7% per year, which is in good agreement with independent measurements. The seasonal course of freon TC in the area of St. Petersburg is registered: highs of CFC-11 and CFC-12 are observed in summer and lows are in late winter and spring. For the HCFC-22 TC, the opposite seasonal course is observed, with a maximum in winter and a minimum in summer.     

Late Mesozoic–Cenozoic sedimentary basins of active continental margin of Southeast Russia: paleogeography,tectonics, and coal–oil–gas presence

Various settings took place during the Late Mesozoic: divergent, convergent, collisional, and transform. After mid-Jurassic collision of the Siberian and Chinese cratons, a latitudinal system of post-collision troughs developed along the Mongol-Okhotsk suture (the Uda, Torom basins and others), filled with terrigenous coal-bearing molasse.The dispersion of Pangea, creation of oceans during the Late Jurassic are correlated to the emergence of the East Asian submeridional rift system with volcano-terrigenous coal-bearing deposits (the Amur-Zeya basin). At that time, to the east there existed an Andean-type continental margin. Foreland (Upper Bureya, Partizansk, and Razdolny) and flexural (Sangjiang-Middle Amur) basins were formed along the margin of the rigid massifs during the Late Jurassic to Berriasian.During the Valanginian-mid-Albian an oblique subduction of the Izanagi plate beneath the Asian continent occurred, producing a transform margin type, considerable sinistral strike slip displacements, and formation of pull-apart basins filled with turbidites (the Sangjiang-Middle Amur basin).The Aptian is characterized by plate reorganization and formation of epioceanic island arcs, fore-arc and back-arc basins in Sakhalin and the Sikhote-Alin (the Alchan and Sangjiang-Middle Amur basins), filled with volcanoclastics.During the mid-Albian a series of terranes accreted to the Asian continental margin. By the end of the Albian, the East Asian marginal volcanic belt began to form due to the subduction of the Kula plate beneath the Asian continent. During the Cenomanian–Coniacian shallow marine coarse clastics accumulated in the fore-arc basins, which were followed by continental deposits in the Santonian–Campanian. From the Coniacian to the Maastrichtian, a thermal subsidence started in rift basins, and continental oil-bearing clastics accumulated (the Amur-Zeya basin).Widespread elevation and denudation were dominant during the Maastrichtian. This is evidenced by thick sediments accumulated in the Western Sakhalin fore-arc basin.During the Cenozoic, an extensive rift belt rmade up of a system of grabens, which were filled with lacustrine–alluvial coal–and oil-bearing deposits, developed along the East Asian margin.     

Results of Russian studies of the middle atmosphere, 2007–2010

This paper presents a review of the results from Russian studies of the middle atmosphere in 2007–2010 drawn up by the Commission on the Middle Atmosphere of the Section of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences of the National Geophysical Committee, Russian Academy of Sciences, for the National Report on Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences submitted to the XXIV General Assembly of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (Melbourne, Australia, June 28–July 7, 2011).     

Service vessel activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico in support of the oil and gas industry using AIS data, 2009–2010

Offshore exploration and production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico is supported by a large number of service vessels characterized by complex logistical patterns and demand points distributed across an expansive geographic area. No quantitative data on the spatial and temporal distributions of service vessel activity in the region is available due to the size, complexity and dynamics of the network. The purpose of this paper is to apply Automatic Identification System position data to quantify service vessel activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico from 2009 to 2010. A total of 1.1 million vessel arrivals and departures were recorded in 2009–2010, and in 2010, the number of vessel events increased by 40% due in part to the Macondo oil spill and cleanup response. Port-to-port movements comprise the majority of events and about 30% of activity relates to movements offshore. Port Fourchon, Venice, New Orleans, Sabine-Neches, and Lake Charles were the most active ports during the period. A detailed breakdown of vessel counts and the limitations of the analysis are outlined.     

Russian-British conference on hydrologic consequences of climate change (Novosibirsk,June 13–15, 2007)

An international conference and a seminar on hydrologic consequences of climate changes were held at Akademogorodok in Novosibirsk in 2007 (June 13–15). At the initiative of the British Council, the conference was organized by the Institute for Water and Environmental Problems of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences within arrangements devoted to the 50th anniversary of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The conference was financially supported by the British Council, the Federal Water Resources Agency of the RF Ministry of Natural Resources, the Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Rosgidromet), and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research. All in all, 65 leading specialists from institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, its Siberian Branch and Karelian Scientific Centre, the institutions of Rosgidromet and the Federal Water Resources Agency of the RF Ministry of Natural Resources, and from Great Britain (Southampton University, National Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and consulting firm of HR Wallingford).     

Atkinsiella hamanaensis sp . nov. isolated from cultivated ova of the mangrove crab, scylla serrata ( Forsskal )

Atkinsiella hamanaensis sp. nov.a marine mastigomycete isolated from ova o?the mangrove crab, scylla serrata (Forsskal). is described and illustrare" The fungus grew over a temperature range of 15-32 ℃. with an optimum of 29-32℃ Its growth was observed in peptone-yeast extract glucose broth containing 1-5%NaCl. with optimum growth at 2-3%NaCl concentration. At 6% or more NaCl concentration, growth was inhibited. Its pH tolerance ranged from 4 to 9.