Tensile strength of peat: laboratory measurement and role in Irish blanket bog failures

The morphological characteristics of bogflows, bog bursts and other types of peat failures suggest that the tensile strength of peat may have had a significant influence on their occurrence and development. This paper describes a method for the determination of peat tensile strength utilising small block samples (100 mm × 100 mm, up to 60 mm thick) in a newly developed laboratory apparatus. The results, demonstrating good reproducibility and being consistent with published data, were applied to a case example. The stability of a recent 35,000-m³ bogflow on Maghera Mountain, Co. Clare, Ireland, was analysed using a standard limit equilibrium technique. The breaking stress (i.e. maximum tensile strength) of the acrotelm peat at the Maghera bogflow was 5.35 kPa (range 2.9–7.6 kPa). Using this value to represent the overall strength of the acrotelm in the model, analyses showed that even above the crest of an escarpment, the acrotelm was strong enough to contain a large volume of low or zero-strength lower catotelm peat within the blanket bog upslope from the escarpment. Furthermore, simple analysis of single blocks of peat at the upslope edge of a retrogressively developing failure established the size of blocks that should develop, i.e. 3–4 m. The floating acrotelm rafts observed in the Maghera bogflow, typically up to around 3 m, were broadly consistent with this analysis. This paper therefore presents for the first time quantitative evidence of the importance of the acrotelm tensile strength in bogflows and a new method for routinely obtaining tensile strength data.     

Can shells of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) be used to estimate low summer discharge of rivers and associated droughts?

This paper examines if shell oxygen isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O_ar) of Unio sp. can be used as a proxy of past discharge of the river Meuse. The proxy was developed from a modern dataset for the reference time interval 1997–2007, which showed a logarithmic relationship between discharge and measured water oxygen isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O_w). To test this relationship for past time intervals, δ¹⁸O_ar values were measured in the aragonite of the growth increments of four Unio sp. shells; two from a relatively wet period and two from a very dry time interval (1910–1918 and 1969–1977, respectively). Shell δ¹⁸O_ar records were converted into δ¹⁸O_w values using existing water temperature records. Summer δ¹⁸O_w values, reconstructed from δ¹⁸O_ar of 1910–1918, showed a similar range as the summer δ¹⁸O_w values for the reference time interval 1997–2007, whilst summer reconstructed δ¹⁸O_w values for the time interval 1969–1977 were anomalously high. These high δ¹⁸O_w values suggest that the river Meuse experienced severe summer droughts during the latter time interval. δ¹⁸O_w values were then applied to calculate discharge values. It was attempted to estimate discharge from the reconstructed δ¹⁸O_w values using the logarithmic relationship between δ¹⁸O_w and discharge. A comparison of the calculated summer discharge results with observed discharge data showed that Meuse low-discharge events below a threshold value of 6 m³/s can be detected in the reconstructed δ¹⁸O_w records, but true quantification remains problematic.     

Anomalous concentrations of zinc and copper in highmoor peat bog, southeast coast of Lake Baikal

When examining the peat deposit discovered in Vydrinaya bog, South Baikal region, the authors encountered anomalous Zn and Cu concentrations for highmoors being up to 600–500 ppm on a dry matter basis in the Early Holocene beds (360–440 cm) formed 11 000–8500 years ago. It has been demonstrated that Zn and Cu are present inside the plant cells of peat moss in the form of authigenic sulfide minerals of micron size. Apart from Zn and Cu, native Ag particles (5–7 um) have been encountered in the peat of the Vydrinaya bog at a depth of 390–410 cm; these particles formed inside the organic matter of the plasma membrane of peat moss containing Ca, Al, S, and Cu. This study suggests probable patterns of the formation of zinc sulfides, copper sulfides, and native silver in peat moss. The results obtained indicate that biogenic mineral formation plays a significant role in this system, which is a very important argument in the discussion on the ore genesis, in which physicochemical processes are normally favored, while the role of living matter is quite frequently disregarded.     

From peat bog to lignite seam: a new method to calculate the consolidation coefficient of lignite seams,Wielkopolska region in central Poland

Only one quantitative method is described in the literature to estimate the consolidation coefficient of lignite seams. More studies concentrate on the compaction of plant tissues, which explains why the obtained results are overestimated. Moreover, most studies do commonly not determine the consolidation of the whole peat bog but usually those of some of its elements only. We propose a new approach, which conceptually is fairly close to the Hager et al. (Fortschr Geol Rheinld Westf 29:319–352, 1981) method. Our method has been tested on an example of the first Middle-Polish Lignite Seam and the second Lusatian Lignite Seam from some Wielkopolska lignite deposits in central Poland. The consolidation coefficients, C _c, range between 2.34 and 2.56 for the second Lusatian Lignite Seam and between 1.80 and 2.14 for the first Middle-Polish Lignite Seam.     

The influence of volcanism on paleoclimate in the northeast of China： Insights from Jinchuan peat, Jilin Province, China

Just like contemporary sediments, peat itself is a good repository of information about climate change, the effects of volcanic activity on climate change have been truly recorded in peat, since it is a major archive of volcanic eruption incidents. A section of sand was identified as tephra from the Jinchuan peat, Jilin Province, China, for the grains look like slag with surface bubbles and pits, characterized by high porosity, and loose structure with irregular edges and corners. According to the peat characteristics of uniform deposition, the tephra was dated at 2002–1976 a B.P. by way of linear interpolation, so the time of volcanic eruption was 15 B.C.–26 A.D. (the calibrated age). While the geochemical characteristics of tephra in this study are quite the same as those of tephra from the Jinlongdingzi volcano at Longgang and from alkaline basaltic magma, with the contents of SiO₂<55%, and the similar contents to Al₂O₃ and Fe, but the contents of Na₂O>K₂O. We speculated that the tephra in this study came from the Longgang volcano group. Compared with 11 recorded volcanic eruption events as shown on the carbon and oxygen isotope curves of the Jinchuan peat cellulose, it is obviously seen that adjacent or large-scale volcanic eruptions are precisely corresponding to the minimum temperature and humidity. It seems that these volcanic eruptions indeed affected the local climate, leading to the drop of regional temperature and humidity. As a result, there was prevailing a cold and dry climate there, and all these changes can be well recorded in peat. So the comparison of volcanic eruption events with information about climate change developed from peat, can provide strong evidence for the impact of volcanism on climate change.     

Soil paludification and Sphagnum bog initiation: the influence of indurated podzolic soil and fire

The initiation and growth of boreal peatlands developed on well‐drained, sandy landforms are closely associated with podzolic soil paludification processes. The origin of Sphagnum bogs extending on large deltaic plains was examined to test the hypothesis of the dual impact of indurated (ortstein) podzols and fire on forest soil paludification and concurrent peatland initiation and expansion. Mineral soil, basal organic matter and peat monoliths were sampled for soil and macrofossil analyses along an 800‐m toposequence starting from a mixed‐wood boreal forest to a Sphagnum bog (Lebel bog, eastern Quebec, Canada), and ending at a peat dome in the thickest section of the peatland. Mineral soils along the toposequence are ortstein humo‐ferric podzols distributed in the forest environment and beneath Sphagnum peat in the bog, except at the peat dome. Initial peatland growth occurred c. 6000 cal. a BP. Soil paludification coincided with the cessation of fire occurrence as recorded in the organic and mineral layers preceding Sphagnum expansion. Unlike most temperate and boreal raised bogs, the Sphagnum bog developed directly from a forest environment without passing through a transitional fen stage. Conifer forests regenerated successively after several fires between 4200 and 1600 cal. a BP before bog expansion. Pre‐bog forests were composed of fire‐prone black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) trees, and ericaceous species. Given the distribution and thickness of ortstein horizons progressively decreasing and disappearing towards the peatland dome, growth and expansion of the Sphagnum bog was not caused by soil induration processes, which could have potentially impeded vertical and horizontal drainage. The development of indurated podzols outside and several hundred metres inside the peatland preceded the initiation and expansion of the Sphagnum bog. Cessation of fire activity appears to be a key factor facilitating the lateral expansion of the Sphagnum bog under wet soil conditions.     

Characteristics,genesis and classification of a basin peat soil under negative human impact in Turkey

The objective of this research was to investigate the morphology, genesis and classification of organic soils formed on depression and flat land around Lake Yenicaga, west-central Turkey. Formation of the area has been influenced by tectonic and karst processes. This peatland is important in this area due to its extensive use as a horticultural plant growth medium resulting from positive physical and chemical properties. Organic soils in the study area were formed in nutrient-rich conditions and it is classified as typical basin peat. Four representative pedons were excavated in the study area based on extensive observations performed with random grid method using an auger. Samples were taken from horizons in each profile for laboratory analyses. Organic matter contents ranged from 12.5 to 91.5% across all four pedons. Fiber contents were between 4.3 and 91.5%, and N ranged from 0.56 to 2.19%. Cation exchange capacity ranged from 37 to 222 cmol kg⁻¹, bulk density from 0.09 to 0.78 g cm⁻³, lime from 0.15 to 2.62%. The pH and EC_e values ranged from 5.38 to 7.92 and 0.50 to 3.80 dS m⁻¹, respectively. Sand, silt and clay contents of the organic soils ranged between 0.75–3.92, 40.70–74.77 and 24.15–57.30%, respectively. Differences in organic soils were found to depend on the environment, botanical origins, decomposition degrees, and groundwater composition. The organic soils of the research area were classified in the typic, hemic and hydric subgroups of Medifibrists (Soil Taxonomy 1999).     

Microelectrode Study of Oxygen Uptake and Organic Matter Decomposition in The Sediments of Xiamen Western Bay

Sediment cores were sampled from Xiamen Western Bay at five sites during the summer and winter of 2006 and Hg–Au microelectrodes were used to make on board measurements of the concentration gradients of dissolved oxygen, Mn²⁺, and Fe²⁺ within the sediments. The O₂ concentrations decreased sharply from about 200 μmol L⁻¹ in the bottom seawater to zero within a depth of a few millimeters into the sediment. Dissolved Mn²⁺ was detected below the oxic zones with peak concentrations up to 600 μmol L⁻¹, whereas dissolved Fe²⁺ had peak concentrations up to 1,000 μmol L⁻¹ in deeper layers. The elemental contents of organic carbon and nitrogen within the sediments were analyzed and their C/N ratios were in the range of 9.0 to 10.1, indicative of heavy terrestrial origin. Sediments from two sites near municipal wastewater discharge outlets had higher organic contents than those from the other sites. These high organic contents corresponded to shallow O₂ penetration depths, high dissolved Mn²⁺ and Fe²⁺ concentrations, and negative redox potentials within the sediments. This indicated that the high organic matter content had promoted microbial respiration within the sediments. Overall, the organic content did not show any appreciable decrease with increasing sediment depths, so a quadratic polynomial function was used to fit the curve of O₂ profiles within the sediments. Based on the O₂ profiles, O₂ fluxes across the seawater and sediment interface were estimated to be in the range 6.07 to 14.9 mmol m⁻² day⁻¹, and organic carbon consumption rates within the surface sediments were estimated to be in the range 3.3 to 20.8 mgC cm⁻³ a⁻¹. The case demonstrated that biogeochemistry within the sediments of the bay was very sensitive to human activities such as sewage discharge.     

Electrical conductivity of hydrous basaltic melts: implications for partial melting in the upper mantle

The Earth’s uppermost asthenosphere is generally associated with low seismic wave velocity and high electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivity anomalies observed from magnetotelluric studies have been attributed to the hydration of mantle minerals, traces of carbonatite melt, or silicate melts. We report the electrical conductivity of both H₂O-bearing (0–6 wt% H₂O) and CO₂-bearing (0.5 wt% CO₂) basaltic melts at 2 GPa and 1,473–1,923 K measured using impedance spectroscopy in a piston-cylinder apparatus. CO₂ hardly affects conductivity at such a concentration level. The effect of water on the conductivity of basaltic melt is markedly larger than inferred from previous measurements on silicate melts of different composition. The conductivity of basaltic melts with more than 6 wt% of water approaches the values for carbonatites. Our data are reproduced within a factor of 1.1 by the equation log σ = 2.172 − (860.82 − 204.46 w ^0.5)/(T − 1146.8), where σ is the electrical conductivity in S/m, T is the temperature in K, and w is the H₂O content in wt%. We show that in a mantle with 125 ppm water and for a bulk water partition coefficient of 0.006 between minerals and melt, 2 vol% of melt will account for the observed electrical conductivity in the seismic low-velocity zone. However, for plausible higher water contents, stronger water partitioning into the melt or melt segregation in tube-like structures, even less than 1 vol% of hydrous melt, may be sufficient to produce the observed conductivity. We also show that ~1 vol% of hydrous melts are likely to be stable in the low-velocity zone, if the uncertainties in mantle water contents, in water partition coefficients, and in the effect of water on the melting point of peridotite are properly considered.     

The Malanjkhand copper ( + molybdenum) deposit, India: mineralization from a low-temperature ore-fluid of granitoid affiliation

  Copper and subordinate molybdenum mineralization at Malanjkhand occurs within a fracture-controlled quartz-reef enclosed in a pink granitoid body surrounded by grey-granitoids constituting the regional matrix. Sulfide-bearing stringers, pegmatites with only quartz + microcline and sulfide disseminations, all within the pink-granitoid, represent other minor modes of occurrences. Despite this diversity in mode of occurrence, the mineralogy of ores is quite consistent and conform to a common paragenetic sequence comprising an early `ferrous' stage of precipitation of magnetite (I) and pyrite (I) and, the main-stage chalcopyrite mineralization with minor sphalerite, pyrite (II), magnetite (II), molybdenite and hematite. Both stages witnessed continuous precipitation of quartz ± microcline ± (chlorite, biotite and epidote). The enclosing pink-granitoid and the regional grey-granitoids display alteration features such as saussuritization of plagioclase, breakdown of hornblende and chloritization of biotite on a regional scale, indicating interaction with a pervasive fluid. Quartz and microcline precipitation mostly restricted within the pink granitoid, postdates this alteration. Four types of primary inclusions were encountered in quartz from ore samples: (1) type-I – aqueous-biphase(L + V) inclusions, the commonest variety in all ore types; (2) type-II – aqueous-carbonic(L_aq + L_carb ± V_carb); (3) type-III – pure-carbonic(L_carb ± V_carb) – type-II and III being restricted to stringer and pegmatitic ores, and (4) rare polyphase (L_aq + V_aq + calcite/gypsum) inclusions. Quartz in granitoids contain primary type-I inclusions only. Type-I inclusions from ore samples furnish a temperature range (after a rough pressure correction to the T _H  -maxima of 140–180 °C) of 150–275 °C and a moderately low salinity of 4–12 wt.% NaCl equivalent. This is inferred to represent the signature of the major component (F2) of the ore fluid. A few type-I inclusions of higher T _M (up to 380 °C) and low salinity and density represent the other (F1) identifiable component of the ore fluid present in low proportion. The T _H  -maxima and the total range in salinity of type-I inclusions in quartz from granitoids are strikingly similar to those from the ore samples. Composition of syn-ore chlorites furnished a temperature range of 185–327 °C, which conforms to the fluid inclusion microthermometric data. Pressure estimates using standard fluid inclusion geobarometric methods, vary from 550 to 1790 bar in the stringer ores. Observed temperature-salinity/density relationships are best explained by a two-stage evolution model of the ore fluid: the first stage witnessed mixing of the two components, F1 and F2 in unequal proportion, bringing about mineralization. The second stage of evolution was marked by the separation of a carbonic component on continued sulfide precipitation and attendant increase in salinity of the fluid. The F1 component emerged as a distinct, heated and (CO₂ + S)-charged entity due to steam-heating and contamination of the early-ingressed F2 fluid at the fracture zone. The pervasive fluid phase in the surrounding granitoids contributed the F2 component. Received: (10 August 1994), 15 August 1995 / Accepted: 12 January 1996     

Estimation of stream water quality parameter using regime channel theory

For predicting and forecasting fate of non-conservative pollutants downstream from source using advection–dispersion–decay equation (ADDE), estimation of three parameters; mean flow velocity (U), longitudinal dispersion co-efficient (D _L) and decay rate co-efficient (λ), is required a priori. In this three parameters model, estimation of D _L holds difficulties and draws interest towards it. The empirical formulae use the field and experimental data of channel and flow characteristics to estimate D _L. In this paper, an innovative approach has been proposed towards the estimation of D _L using regime channel concept. Having known discharge of flow and silt factor of the riverbed material, hydraulic parameters of the channel can be determined theoretically, which in turn can be used to estimate D _L appropriately making use of a suitable empirical formula.     

Probabilities for the occurrences of medium to large earthquakes in northeast India and adjoining region

The return periods and occurrence probabilities related to medium and large earthquakes (M _w 4.0–7.0) in four seismic zones in northeast India and adjoining region (20°–32°N and 87°–100°E) have been estimated with the help of well-known extreme value theory using three methods given by Gumbel (1958), Knopoff and Kagan (1977) and Bury (1999). In the present analysis, the return periods, the most probable maximum magnitude in a specified time period and probabilities of occurrences of earthquakes of magnitude M ≥ 4.0 have been computed using a homogeneous and complete earthquake catalogue prepared for the period between 1897 and 2007. The analysis indicates that the most probable largest annual earthquakes are close to 4.6, 5.1, 5.2, 5.5 and 5.8 in the four seismic zones, namely, the Shillong Plateau Zone, the Eastern Syntaxis Zone, the Himalayan Thrusts Zone, the Arakan-Yoma subduction zone and the whole region, respectively. The most probable largest earthquakes that may occur within different time periods have been also estimated and reported. The study reveals that the estimated mean return periods for the earthquake of magnitude M _w 6.5 are about 6–7 years, 9–10 years, 59–78 years, 72–115 years and 88–127 years in the whole region, the Arakan-Yoma subduction zone, the Himalayan Thrusts Zone, the Shillong Plateau Zone and the Eastern Syntaxis Zone, respectively. The study indicates that Arakan-Yoma subduction zone has the lowest mean return periods and high occurrence probability for the same earthquake magnitude in comparison to the other zones. The differences in the hazard parameters from zone to zone reveal the high crustal heterogeneity and seismotectonics complexity in northeast India and adjoining regions.     

The Geochemistry of Supraglacial Streams of Canada Glacier,Taylor Valley (Antarctica), and their Evolution into Proglacial Waters

We have investigated the geochemistry of supraglacial streams on the Canada Glacier, Taylor Valley, Antarctica during the 2001–2002 austral summer. Canada Glacier supraglacial streams represent the link between primary precipitation (i.e. glacier snow) and proglacial Lake Hoare. Canada Glacier supraglacial stream geochemistry is intermediate between glacier snow and proglacial stream geochemistry with average concentrations of 49.1 μeq L⁻¹ Ca2+, 19.9 μeq L⁻¹ SO₄²⁻, and 34.3 μeq L⁻¹ HCO₃⁻. Predominant west to east winds lead to a redistribution of readily soluble salts onto the glacier surface, which is reflected in the geochemistry of the supraglacial streams. Western Canada Glacier supraglacial streams have average SO₄²⁻:HCO₃⁻ equivalent ratios of 1.0, while eastern supraglacial streams average 0.5, suggesting more sulfate salts reach and dissolve in the western supraglacial streams. A graph of HCO₃⁻ versus Ca2+ for western and eastern supraglacial streams had slopes of 0.87 and 0.72, respectively with R2 values of 0.84 and 0.83. Low concentrations of reactive silicate (> 10 μmol L⁻¹) in the supraglacial streams suggested that little to no silicate weathering occurred on the glacier surface with the exception of cryoconite holes (1000 μmol L⁻¹). Therefore, the major geochemical weathering process occurring in the supraglacial streams is believed to be calcite dissolution. Proglacial stream, Anderson Creek, contains higher concentrations of major ions than supraglacial streams containing 5 times the Ca²⁺ and 10 times the SO₄²⁻. Canada Glacier proglacial streams also contain higher concentrations (16.6–30.6 μeq L⁻¹) of reactive silicate than supraglacial streams. This suggests that the controls on glacier meltwater geochemistry switch from calcite and gypsum dissolution to both salt dissolution and silicate mineral weathering as the glacier meltwater evolves. Our chemical mass balance calculations indicate that of the total discharge into Lake Hoare, the final recipient of Canada Glacier meltwater, 81.9% is from direct glacier runoff and 19.1% is from proglacial Andersen Creek. Although during a typical, low melt ablation season Andersen Creek contributes over 40% of the water added to Lake Hoare, its overall chemical importance is diluted by the direct inputs from Canada Glacier during high flow years. Decadal warming events, such as the 2001–2002 austral summer produce supraglacial streams that are a major source of water to Lake Hoare.     

A Ti L-edge X-ray absorption study of Ti-silicate glasses

 A series of titanium silicate glasses along the composition joins SiO₂–TiO₂, Na₂SiO₃–TiO₂, K₂SiO₃–TiO₂, and CaSiO₃–TiO₂ have been examined using titanium (Ti) L-edge X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES). XANES spectra were collected at the Canadian Synchrotron Radiation Facility (CSRF), University of Wisconsin, Madison, using the Spherical Grating Monochromator (SGM) beamline. Glass spectra were compared with spectra obtained from crystalline analogues with differing Ti coordination environments: β_rBa₂TiO₄ (^[4]Ti); fresnoite (^[5]Ti); and rutile and anatase (^[6]Ti). The Ti L-edge data indicate that for homogeneous TiO₂–SiO₂ glasses Ti coordination is ^[5]Ti at TiO₂ contents below 3.6 wt% but predominantly ^[4]Ti with some ^[5]Ti present above this content. There is no evidence for ^[6]Ti. For the Na₂ O-containing glasses the L-edge data indicate that Ti is ^[4]Ti with some ^[5]Ti at low TiO₂ contents, becomes a mix of ^[4]Ti and ^[5]Ti with increasing TiO₂ content, but is exclusively ^[5]Ti by 14.3 wt% TiO₂. The K₂O composition glasses exhibit similar behavior but contain a greater proportion of ^[4]Ti and less ^[5]Ti than the equivalent Na₂O-bearing glasses. These findings are consistent with previous Raman and XANES pre-edge studies. Alkaline-earth-containing glasses behave somewhat differently, with ^[5]Ti occurring in low TiO₂ content glasses, becoming a mix of ^[4]Ti and ^[5]Ti, and then gradually changing to predominantly ^[4]Ti at higher TiO₂ compositions. Finally, we have obtained data for a fresnoite composition (Ba₂TiSi₂O₈) glass. Previous pre-edge and Raman data had suggested that this composition glass contained ^[5]Ti; however, our Ti L-edge data indicate that Ti is almost exclusively ^[4]Ti, although some ^[5]Ti may also be present. Received: 20 December 2000 / Accepted: 10 July 2001     

Trace-element partitioning between garnet,clinopyroxene and Fe-rich picritic melts at 3 to 7 GPa

We have determined mineral-melt partition coefficients (D values) for 20 trace elements in garnet-pyroxenite run products, generated in 3 to 7 GPa, 1,425–1,750°C experiments on a high-Fe mantle melt (97SB68) from the Paraná-Etendeka continental-flood-basalt (CFB) province. D values for both garnet (∼Py₆₃Al₂₅Gr₁₂) and clinopyroxene (∼Ca_0.2Mg_0.6Fe_0.2Si₂O₆) show a large variation with temperature but are less dependent on pressure. At 3 GPa, D ^cpx/liq values for pyroxenes in garnet-pyroxenite run products are generally lower than those reported from Ca-rich pyroxenes generated in melting experiments on eclogites and basalts (∼Ca_0.3–0.5Mg_0.3–0.6Fe_0.07–0.2Si₂O₆) but higher than those for Ca-poor pyroxenes from peridotites (∼Ca_0.2Mg_0.7Fe_0.1Si₂O₆). D ^grt/liq values for light and heavy rare-earth elements are ≤0.07 and >0.8, respectively, and are similar to those for peridotitic garnets that have comparable grossular but higher pyrope contents (Py_70–88Al_l7–20Gr_8–14). 97SB68 D _LREE^grt/liq values are higher and D _HREE^grt/liq values lower than those for eclogitic garnets which generally have higher grossular contents but lower pyrope contents (Py_20–70Al_10–50Gr_10–55). D values agree with those predicted by lattice strain modelling and suggest that equilibrium was closely approached for all of our experimental runs. Correlations of D values with lattice-strain parameters and major-element contents suggest that the wollastonite component and pyrope:grossular ratio exert major controls on 97SB68 clinopyroxene and garnet partitioning, respectively. These are controlled by the prevailing pressure and temperature conditions for a given bulk-composition. The composition of co-existing melt was found to have a relatively minor effect on 97SB68 D values. The variations in D values displayed by different mantle lithologies are subtle and our study confirms previous investigations which have suggested that the modal proportions of garnet and clinopyroxene are by far the most influential factor in determining incompatible trace-element concentrations in mantle melts. The trace-element partition coefficients we have determined may be used to place high-pressure constraints on garnet-pyroxenite melting models.     

Traces of structural H2O molecules in baryte

The infrared (IR) spectra of gem-quality baryte crystals from different occurrences are characterized by relatively weak but strongly pleochroic absorption bands at 3,280, 3,220, 3,155, and 3,115 cm⁻¹. These bands are assigned to anti-symmetric and symmetric OH stretching vibrations of two types of H₂O molecules localized on vacant Ba sites. The H–H axis of the H₂O I molecule is slightly tilted from the a-axis direction, its twofold axis being nearly parallel to the b-axis, thus defining the plane of the H₂O molecule practically parallel to (001). The H₂O II molecule has its H–H axis parallel to the b-axis direction, with its plane lying approximately parallel to (101). The values of the total water contents of the baryte crystals, calculated on the basis of IR spectroscopic data, are ranging from about 1.7–3.8 wt.ppm. The possible presence of H₃O⁺ ions is also discussed.     

Characteristics of ring seismicity in different depth ranges before large and great earthquakes in the Sumatra region

Characteristics of the seismicity in depth ranges 0–33 and 34–70 km before ten large and great (M _w = 7.0−9.0) earthquakes of 2000–2008 in the Sumatra region are studied, as are those in the seismic gap zones where no large earthquakes have occurred since at least 1935. Ring seismicity structures are revealed in both depth ranges. It is shown that the epicenters of the main seismic events lie, as a rule, close to regions of overlap or in close proximity to “shallow” and “deep” rings. Correlation dependences of ring sizes and threshold earthquakes magnitudes on energy of the main seismic event in the ring seismicity regions are obtained. Identification of ring structures in the seismic gap zones (in the regions of Central and South Sumatra) suggests active processes of large earthquake preparation proceed in the region. The probable magnitudes of imminent seismic events are estimated from the data on the seismicity ring sizes.     

The effect of fluid salinity on infiltration-driven contact metamorphism of carbonate rocks

Calculated phase equilibria involving minerals and H₂O–CO₂–NaCl fluid lead to predictions of how infiltration of rock by H₂O–NaCl fluids with X _NaCl in the range 0–0.3 (0–58 wt% NaCl) drives the reactions calcite + quartz = wollastonite + CO₂ and dolomite = periclase + calcite + CO₂. Calculations focus on metamorphism in four aureoles that together are representative of the normal P–T conditions and processes of infiltration-driven contact metamorphic reactions. The effect of salinity on the spatial extent of oxygen isotope alteration was also computed. The time-integrated input fluid flux (q°) that displaces the mineral reaction front an increment of distance along the flow path always increases with increasing X _NaCl. For input fluids with salinity up to approximately five times that of seawater (X _NaCl ≤ 0.05), values of q° required to explain the spatial extent of decarbonation reaction are no more than 1.1–1.5 times that computed assuming the input fluid was pure H₂O. For more saline fluids, values of q° may be up to 1.4–7.9 times that for pure H₂O. Except for reaction in the presence of halite and vapor (V), infiltration of H₂O–NaCl fluids expands the region of oxygen isotope alteration relative to the size of the region of mineral reaction. The expansion is significant only for saline fluids with X _NaCl ≥ ~0.1. Immiscible fluid phase separation and differential loss of the liquid (L) or V phase from the mineral reaction site increases the amount of reactive fluid required to advance the mineral reaction front compared to conditions under which equilibration of minerals and fluid is attained with no loss of L or V. Decarbonation reactions driven by infiltration of fluids with even modest seawater-like salinity can explain the occurrence of salt-saturated fluid and solid halide inclusions in contact metamorphosed carbonate rocks.     

Impact of internal waves on the acoustic field at a coastal station off Paradeep,east coast of India

Internal Wave (IW) characteristics and the impact of IW on acoustic field have been studied utilizing the hourly time series of temperature and salinity data collected at a coastal site off Paradeep (north Bay of Bengal) during 24–25 October 2008. The IW characteristics, viz. period (t _per ), velocity (C _vel ), wavelength (L), and wave numbers (k), are found to be 2.133–34.72 h, 0.135 km h⁻¹, 0.37–6.2 km and 2.70–0.16 cycles km⁻¹, respectively. The semi-diurnal tidal forces are predominant than diurnal as well as at other frequencies and its contribution is about 64% towards the total potential energy (E ₀ = 3.34 J m⁻²). Sound velocity perturbations with space and time in the presence of IW field are examined from Garrettt-Munk (GM) model. Transmission loss anomaly for optimized source-receiver configuration at the depth of 53 m and range of 9 km has been computed from acoustic modelling. The loss in the acoustic transmission is found to be 38.4 dB in the presence of low-frequency IW field.