Liquid collection in sidewall crystallization of magma: A comment on “liquid fractionation. Part I”, by A.R. McBirney, B.H. Baker and R.H. Nilson

The term liquid fractionation is inappropriate for a process driven by crystallization; liquid collection is proposed instead. The amount of evolved residual liquid produced by sidewall crystallization is not greater than that produced by any perfect fractional crystallization process and the fractionation products must be balanced somewhere by less evolved crystal deposits. There is no free lunch in petrology. Sidewall heating limits the local duration of liquid collection and the complementary crystal products should be sought in conduits. Flux ratios rather than diffusivities control the differences between thermal and chemical boundary layers.     

Comments on “Evidence for global runoff increase related to climate warming” by Labat et al.

We have examined the evidence presented by Labat et al. and found that (1) their claims for a 4% increase in global runoff arising from a 1 °C increase in air temperature and (2) that their article provides the “first experimental data-based evidence demonstrating the link between the global warming and the intensification of the global hydrological cycle” are not supported by the data presented. Our conclusions are based on the facts that (1) their discharge records exhibit non-climatic influences and trends, (2) their work cannot refute previous studies finding no relation between air temperature and runoff, (3) their conclusions cannot explain relations before 1925, and (4) the statistical significance of their results hinges on a single data point that exerts undue influence on the slope of the regression line. We argue that Labat et al. have not provided sufficient evidence to support their claim for having detected increases in global runoff resulting from climate warming.