陨石的矿物-岩石学特征及其分类

根据陨石的矿物岩石学特征、化学组成及结构可划分为球粒陨石及非球粒陨石质陨石两大类。球粒陨石进一步划分为碳质球粒陨石族(CI,CM,CO,CR,CB,CH,CV及CK球粒陨石)、普通球粒陨石族(H,L,LL球粒陨石)、顽辉石球粒陨石族(EH及EL球粒陨石)、R及K球粒陨石群,而非球粒陨石质陨石进一步划分为原始的无球粒陨石族(Acpulcoites,Lodranites,Wi nonaites,IAB硅酸盐包体及IIICD硅酸盐包体)和分异的陨石族。分异的陨石族包括:无球粒陨石(Angrites,Aubrites,Branchinites,橄辉无球粒陨石,HED灶神星陨石,SNCO火星陨石及月球陨石);石铁陨石(中铁陨石及橄榄陨铁);铁陨石(IAB,IC,IIAB,IIC,IID,IIE,IIIAB,IIICD,IIIE,II IF,IVA及IVB铁陨石化学群)。每一陨石族或陨石群,具有类似的成因或形成历史,并来自同一小行星体或行星体,藉此可建立不同陨石族或陨石群之间的成因联系,并可提供早期太阳星云的物理化学条件及其演化的信息。     

Petrology of an unusual monomict ureilite,NWA1241

NWA1241 is an unusual monomict ureilite, consisting mainly of pigeonite, olivine, suessite, and carbonaceous materials. The modal ratio of pyroxene/(olivine + pyroxene) is higher than those of common monomict ureilites. Metallic phases in NWA1241 are mainly suessite, although metals in common ureilites are mainly kamacite. The high ratio of pyroxene to olivine and the abundant occurrence of suessite make the meteorite unusual. The suessite coexists with magnesian olivine and pyroxene in NWA1241, and this mineral assemblage indicates that the suessite was produced from FeO-bearing olivine and Ni-bearing kamacite at temperatures around 1500–1400K and oxygen fugacity of 10⁻¹⁸–10⁻²⁰ bars.Most ureilites experienced two-stage reduction. Stage-I reduction was a smelting process in ureilite parent bodies (UPB's) to form the framework of monomict ureilites. Stage-II reduction took place after catastrophic destruction of the UPB's to eject many fragmental blocks into space, where suessite (NWA1241) or Si-bearing kamacite (common ureilites) were produced together with the formation of reversely zoned olivines.     

Allometric relationships and peak-season community biomass stocks of native shrubs in Senegal's Peanut Basin

Allometric equations and community biomass stocks are presented for Guiera senegalensis J.F. Gmel (Gs) and Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst (Pr) – two native shrub species in the Sahel. These shrubs are of interest because they dominate semi-arid sub-Sahalien Africa but have been largely overlooked as a key biomass component and regulator of ecosystem composition and function in this landscape. In Year 1, best predictors of aboveground biomass were height and number of stems (Gs) and crown diameter (Pr); and for belowground biomass were height and basal diameter (Gs) and basal diameter (Pr). In Year 2, height and crown diameter were the best predictors of aboveground biomass (R² = 0.90 for Gs and 0.87 for Pr), whereas basal diameter and number of stems (Gs) and basal diameter (Pr) were best predictors of belowground biomass. Peak-season biomass estimates ranged from 0.44 to 4.58 ton ha^?1 (mean = 2.38 ton ha^?1) in the Gs sites and from 0.33 to 7.38 ton ha^?1 (mean = 3.71 ton ha^?1) in the Pr communities. Both species exhibited unusually large root:shoot ratios (4.5:1 for Gs and 10.2:1 for Pr). Although models differ between years, allometric relationships provide reasonable biomass estimates for Gs and Pr.     

Highways as flyways: Time and energy optimization in migratory Levant Sparrowhawk

A successful migratory strategy is the result of optimizing three important factors – time, energy and safety. Raptors mainly use soaring-and-gliding flight that results in time and energy minimization. I observed migratory flocks of Levant Sparrowhawk as they took off from nocturnal roost, to understand the environmental and anthropogenic factors affecting their early-morning flight behavior. The earliest flocks converged in a straight line from the roosts to the highway and flew above it for 40–70 min after sunrise. The flocks stayed ca. 40–100 m in above the highway which suggested that the Levant Sparrowhawk utilized the heat released by the highway surface to improve flight conditions. Twenty-five Levant Sparrowhawk that took off from the roost and headed across open areas had to flap an average of 16.8 ± 1.9 wing beats per minute, which was significantly greater (paired t = ?16.8, P = 0.0001) than the 8.8 ± 1.8 wing beats per minute for the same individuals when flying over the highway. The data indicate that Levant Sparrowhawk, that have behaviorally modified and adapted to flying along highways, are able to migrate an hour earlier in the day and to conserve almost 50% of the energy they would otherwise have had to invest in covering the same distance in flapping flight. The result of this strategy maximizes timing of migration while minimizing energy expenditure.     

部分格罗夫山陨石的类型划分及其矿物岩石学特征

对99块南极格罗夫山陨石的研究表明这些陨石分别属于普通球粒陨石H群、L群、LL群,橄辉无球粒陨石和碳质球粒陨石。其中普通球粒陨石H3为1块,H4为23块,H5为9块,H6为8块,L4为2块,L5为21块,L6为31块,LL4和LL6分别为一块。GRV 022888为橄榄石-易变辉石无球粒陨石,GRV 023159是一块CV3碳质球粒陨石。这些陨石的冲击程度普遍较高,冲击程度为S4的普通球粒陨石有15块,GRV 023138中出现了冲击熔融现象,该陨石的冲击程度为S5,这些样品为研究小行星早期的冲击作用提供了很好的素材。此外,这些陨石的风化程度普遍较低,风化程度为W1的陨石为75块,未见风化程度高于W4的陨石。     

Rb–Sr,Sm–Nd,and Ar–Ar isotopic systematics of lherzolitic shergottite Yamato 000097

Isotopic analysis of the Martian lherzolitic shergottite Yamato 000097 yields a Rb–Sr age of 147 ± 28 Ma with an initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.710490 ± 0.000072, a Sm–Nd age of 152 ± 13 Ma with an initial ɛ¹⁴³Nd-value of +11.7 ± 0.2, and a ³⁹Ar–⁴⁰Ar age of ∼260 Ma. The near concordance of these ages, in combination with the Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd initial isotopic signatures, suggests that Yamato 000097 crystallized from low Rb/Sr, light rare earth element depleted source materials ∼150 Ma ago. Although the obtained ³⁹Ar–⁴⁰Ar age is significantly higher than the Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd ages, Yamato 000097 shows little or no evidence of trapped Martian atmospheric ⁴⁰Ar. The trapped ⁴⁰Ar concentration of Yamato 000097 is similar to that of Zagami, suggesting that both basaltic and lherzolitic shergottites may have similarly inherited excess ⁴⁰Ar from their magmas.The Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd ages, and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and ɛ¹⁴³Nd-values of Yamato 000097 and Yamato 793605 lie on the same isotopic ingrowth curves, suggesting that they came from very similar mantle sources. Allan Hills 77005 was also probably derived from the same source, but Lewis Cliff 88516 appears to be from a distinct but similar source. Yamato 000097 represents the most recent known magmatism from its source, and is the youngest Martian meteorite for which concordant Rb–Sr and Sm–Nd ages have been determined.     

我国回收的南极陨石分类研究综述

到目前为止,我国南极科学考察队共回收到32块陨石样品,其中二辉橄榄岩质火星陨石及钙长辉长无球粒陨石各1块,未分群的铁陨石1块,其余29块均为普通球粒陨石,在普通球粒陨石中有6块是稀少的低铁群非平衡的陨石,表明在回收的陨石中特殊的和稀少的陨石类型占有较高的比例。在综述国外不同南极陨石类型的划分及其频率的基础上,对我国南极和非南极球粒陨石类型进行了初步对比研究,讨论了一些人们所关注的问题,包括陨石富集区、可能发现新的陨石类型、不同球粒陨石群性质与距日心距离的关系及早期太阳星云的连续化学分馏作用等。     

Noble gases of the Yamato 000027 and Yamato 000097 lherzolitic shergottites from Mars

We used total melting and stepwise heating methods to measure noble gases within bulk samples from Yamato 000027 and Yamato 000097 lherzolites as well as a melt-vein sample from Yamato 000027. He and Ne are dominated by cosmogenic noble gases. The obtained cosmic-ray exposure age of 4.6 ± 1.5 Ma, an average age based on cosmogenic ³He, ²¹Ne, and ³⁸Ar for these samples, is consistent with the ages of other lherzolitic shergottites, indicating a common impact event for the ejection of lherzolites from Mars. Heavy noble gases released from the bulk samples at low temperatures were elementally fractionated terrestrial atmosphere. Martian noble-gas isotopic signatures, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar = 1900 and ¹²⁹Xe/¹³²Xe = 1.3, were observed at high temperatures (>1000 °C). The melt-vein sample released greater amounts of atmospheric Ar, Kr, and Xe at low temperatures than the bulk samples. Large amounts of Ar and Kr, as well as excess ⁴⁰Ar and ¹²⁹Xe, were evolved from the melt-vein sample at 1400 °C, and the gas shows very high ³⁶Ar/¹³²Xe (=3100) and ⁸⁴Kr/¹³²Xe (=76) values. Maximum ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar and ¹²⁹Xe/¹³²Xe values of the melt sample were 1100 and 1.6, respectively, at 1600 °C. Cosmogenic Kr shows an absence of ⁸⁰Kr and ⁸²Kr produced by neutron capture on Br, which suggests a small pre-atmospheric body. Overall noble gas compositions for Y000027 and Y000097 support pairing for the Yamato 00 shergottites.     

Synergic effect of salinity and light-chilling on photosystem II photochemistry of the halophyte,Sarcocornia fruticosa

Laboratory experiments were conduced to assess the synergic effect of chilling and light on photosystem II photochemistry of the halophyte, Sarcocornia fruticosa, grown at different salinity concentrations (0, 170, 340, 510 and 1030 mM). Chlorophyll fluorescence was measured after chilling (at 5 °C in darkness) and light-chilling (at 5 °C and 700 μmol m^?2 s^?1) treatments, and after 24 h of recovery (at 20 °C and 75 μmol m^?2 s^?1). At 5 °C and 700 μmol m^?2 s^?1, plants grown with 0 and 170 mM NaCl showed the lowest F_v/F_m values, whereas quantum efficiency of PSII (Φ_PSII) was higher for plants grown at 170 and 340 mM NaCl, these results being consistent after two exposures to chilling treatments. Susceptibility to photoinhibition decreases when low temperature and high light are combined with high salinity. Therefore, populations of S. fruticosa that occur in arid environments with salinities c. 340 mM could show a higher tolerance to light-chilling.     

南极格罗夫山陨石的研究与展望

本文综述了我国第 1 5次 ( 1 998/ 1 999)、1 6次 ( 1 999/ 2 0 0 0 )南极科学考察队在东南极格罗夫山冰区回收的 32块陨石的岩石矿物学特征及其分类。这些陨石包括 :2 3块平衡型普通球粒陨石、6块非平衡型普通球粒陨石、1块二辉橄榄岩质火星陨石、1块钙长辉长无球粒陨石、1块未分群的铁陨石。文中还对南极格罗山冰区的陨石富集机制、GRV 980 0 4 (H5 )球粒陨石异常低的宇宙射线暴露年龄、火星陨石的溅射年龄等进行了初步的讨论 ,并对今后格罗夫山陨石的研究提出一些初步想法。     

南极陨石研究的启示Ⅶ:南极新的和独特的陨石类型

近年来在南极及澳大利亚、非洲和北美的沙漠地区发现和回收了大量的陨石，改变了以前的球粒陨石分类。球粒陨石群由９个增加到１３个（ＥＨ、ＥＬ、Ｈ、Ｌ、ＬＬ、Ｒ、ＣＩ、ＣＲ、ＣＨ、ＣＭ、ＣＯ、ＣＶ及ＣＫ），并提出了３个碳质球粒陨石小群。ＣＫ、ＣＲ、ＣＨ和Ｒ为１３个球粒陨石群中新的化学群。不同的球粒陨石群，其岩石学、矿物学、化学及氧同位素组成均有明显的差异。根据其结构、矿物、化学及氧同位素组成特征，将１３个球粒陨石群划分为碳质球粒陨石系（由ＣＩ－ＣＲ－ＣＨ、ＣＭ－ＣＯ及ＣＶ－ＣＫ族组成）和顽辉石－普通球粒陨石系（由ＥＨ－ＥＬ、Ｈ－Ｌ－ＬＬ及Ｒ族组成）。碳质球粒陨石系是在相对远离太阳的区域形成，它以高的氧化态为特征。顽辉石－普通球粒陨石系是在靠近太阳的内太阳系区域形成的     

Visible and near-infrared spectral survey of Martian meteorites stored at the National Institute of Polar Research

Martian meteorite chip samples stored at the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) have been studied by a visible and near-infrared (VNIR) spectrometer. Measured spots are about 3 × 2 mm in size, which are clearly marked on photographs of the meteorite chips. Rock types and approximate mineral compositions of studied meteorites have been identified or obtained through this spectral survey with no sample preparation required. This study demonstrates that this kind of spectral survey is effective in classifying and describing Marian meteorites, and that such a VNIR spectrometer on a Mars rover would be useful for identifying these kinds of unaltered Mars rocks. Further studies which utilize a smaller spot size are desired for improving the accuracy of identifying the clasts and mineral phases in the rocks.     

Considerations on the chronological and causal relationships between talus flatirons and palaeoclimatic changes in central and northeastern Spain

Talus flatirons are relatively common landforms in arid and semiarid areas. They are frequent in the Duero, Tajo and Ebro Tertiary Basins in Spain. The generation of a flatiron requires the alternation of periods with a prevalence of accumulation processes followed by periods with a preponderance of erosion processes. In the three Tertiary basins considered here talus flatirons have been found in numerous places and up to five stages of slope evolution have been recognised in some locations. The second youngest stage (S₂) has been dated in several places in the Ebro and Duero Basins through ¹⁴C. The age of this stage ranges from 2529 ± 52 to 3590 ± 40 ¹⁴C yBP. The third youngest stage (S₃) has yielded dates of 27,862 ± 444 radiocarbon years BP in the Ebro Basin, and 28,550 ± 130 ¹⁴C yBP in the Duero Basin. S₄ has been dated in the Ebro Basin to 35,570 ± 490 ¹⁴C yBP. The S₂ slope facets correspond to the Iron and Bronze Age Cold Stages. The S₃ and S₄ flatirons may be correlated with the Heinrich events H₃ and H₄. These dates may indicate that the accumulation periods on the slopes correspond to cold global events. The dates obtained for the stages S₃ and S₄ in the central and northeastern sectors of Spain and their good correlation with Heinrich events suggest that flatirons could be related to climatic sequences in the Upper Pleistocene and Holocene.     

不同类型陨石的宇宙射线暴露年龄及其宇宙化学意义

本文主要依据现有的资料综述陨石分类 ,以及来自小行星带、月球和火星等不同类型陨石的宇宙射线暴露 (CRE)年龄及其宇宙化学意义。目前已确定有 1 3个球粒陨石群 ,至少 7个经受了高温和广泛熔融的无球粒陨石母体 ,以及 1 2个不同化学群的铁陨石母体。此外 ,还发现1 0个独特的球粒陨石、许多未分群的球粒陨石小群、铁陨石和铁陨石小群 ,它们也来自各自不同的母体。到目前为止 ,根据宇宙射线产生的核素 ,已测定了 1 60 0多个陨石的宇宙射线暴露年龄。由许多陨石类型的CRE年龄分布 ,我们可以识别出群集的宇宙射线暴露年龄 ,藉此可解释为母体上的碰撞 ,并释放大量的陨石碎块。小行星陨石、行星陨石及阿波罗月球样品的稀有气体同位素丰度和宇宙射线暴露年龄 ,已广泛应用于探索和了解不同类型陨石母体的宇宙射线暴露历史、冲击碰撞事件、暴露年龄与日心距离的关系、吸积形成母体前硅酸盐球粒的辐照历史、南极和沙漠陨石中成对陨石的判别、行星陨石 (火星及月球陨石 )的溅射历史及月坑的相对年龄等     

Effects of neighboring vascular plants on the abundance of bryophytes in different vegetation types

Due to the climate change, vegetation of tundra ecosystems is predicted to shift toward shrub and tree dominance, and this change may influence bryophytes. To estimate how changes in growing environment and the dominance of vascular plants influence bryophyte abundance, we compared the relationship of occurrence of bryophytes among other plant types in a five-year experiment of warming (T), fertilization (F) and T + F in two vegetation types, heath and meadow, in a subarctic–alpine ecosystem. We compared individual leaf area among shrub species to confirm that deciduous shrubs might cause severe shading effect. Effects of neighboring functional types on the performance of Hylocomium splendens was also analyzed.Results show that F and T + F treatments significantly influenced bryophyte abundance negatively. Under natural conditions, bryophytes in the heath site were negatively related to the abundance of shrubs and lichens and the relationship between lichens and bryophytes strengthened after the experimental period. After five years of experimental treatments in the meadow, a positive abundance relationship emerged between bryophytes and deciduous shrubs, evergreen shrubs and forbs. This relationship was not found in the heath site. Our study therefore shows that the abundance relationships between bryophytes and plants in two vegetation types within the same area can be different. Deciduous shrubs had larger leaf area than evergreen shrubs but did not show any shading effect on H. splendens.     

Comparative study of nitrogenase activity in different types of biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert,Northwestern China

Biological soil crusts cover large areas of the Gurbantunggut Desert in northwestern China where they make a significant contribution to soil stability and fertility. The aim of this study was to quantify the potential nitrogen-fixing activity (NA) of different types of biological soil crusts in the Gurbantunggut Desert. The results suggest that NA (nmol C₂H₄ m^?2 h^?1) for each type of crusts was highly variable. Seasonal variation was also important, with all three types of crusts responding in a similar way to changes in environmental conditions. From March to May, NA was relatively low for all crust types. During this season, NA was 2.26 × 10³ for cyanobacterial crust followed by lichen crust (6.54 × 10²) and moss crust (6.38 × 10²). From June to October, all crust types reached their highest level of NA, especially lichen crust and moss crust (p < 0.01). The NA of cyanobacterial crust (9.81 × 10³) was higher than that of lichen crust (9.06 × 10³) and moss crust (2.03 × 10³). From November to February, when temperatures were consistently low (<0 °C), NA was at its lowest level, especially in cyanobacterial crust (4.18 × 10²) and moss crust (5.43 × 10²) (p < 0.01). Our results indicate that species composition is critical when estimating N inputs in desert ecosystems. In addition, all three types of crusts generally responded in a similar way to environmental conditions. The presence of N fixation activity in all crusts may contribute to the maintenance of fertility in sparsely vegetated areas and provide surrounding vascular plant with fixed nitrogen.     

Environmental control of seed dormancy and germination in the short-lived Olimarabidopsis pumila (Brassicaceae)

The purpose of our study was to better understand seed germination ecology of the spring annual short-lived Olimarabidopsis pumila, which grows in the Gurbantonggut Desert, China. Seeds underwent after-ripening at 4, 20 ± 2 (room temperature) and 30 °C. After dormancy was broken, germination capacity was a function of temperature and presence of light. For the temperature range studied (4–30 °C), germination capacity was significantly higher between 15 and 25 °C than at temperatures above or below them. Alternating temperatures of 20/10, 25/10 and 25/15 °C were favorable for germination. Although GA₃ did promote dark germination of seeds, GA₃ did not replace light for germination. Seeds germinated to >75% if light exposure time was over 8 h and temperature and moisture conditions were favorable. Seeds were able to germinate at relatively low water potentials (83% at ?0.41 MPa), but decreasing water potentials produced detrimental effects on germination percentage and rate. Thus, dormancy characteristics and germination behavior of O. pumila seeds ensure that germination occurs in the desert only when soil moisture conditions are favorable for seedling establishment and survival.     

Environmental changes,remote sensing,and infrastructure development: The case of Egypt's East Port Said harbour

Using Landsat TM data, this article examines the environmental impact of the East Port Said harbour project on the surrounding landscape. The optimum three-band combination and the most appropriate multispectral bands were selected to enhance the images and monitor land cover changes for the periods of 1984–1991 and 1991–2003. The results indicate that wetland areas declined from 103 km² in 1984 to 30 km² in 2003. In addition, the surface area of El-Malha Lake has shrunk from 27 km² to 18 km² over the same period. In contrast, the area covered by salt crust has increased from 11 km² in 1984 to 19 km² in 2003. Urban land use and designed cultivated lands were also significant in 2003, covering 49 km² and 71 km², respectively. The rate of shoreline change between 1984 and 2003, the period when the East Port Said harbour was constructed, was calculated. Vector data indicate that the rate of shoreline loss was ?13 m/year from 1984 to 1991 and ?15 m/year from 1991 to 2003. Despite the fact that construction of the East Port Said harbour caused significant changes in the study area, there are several factors controlling coastline and land cover changes including industrial development and fish cultivation farms.     

Longevity and growth strategies of the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in two American deserts

The desert tortoise occurs in two strikingly different desert regimes in the southwestern United States. In the Mojave Desert, rainfall is more irregular and resources are more limited than in the Sonoran Desert. We examined the age structure of tortoise populations from these two deserts to determine whether the difference in resource availability has driven an evolutionary divergence in life history strategies. Age and growth rates strongly reflect the ecological adaptation of the two populations. The oldest Sonoran males reached 54 years, compared to only 43 years in females. The oldest West Mojave (WM) males reached 56 years, compared to only 27 years in females. WM tortoises grew faster than Sonoran ones, and females reached sexual maturity at earlier ages (～17–19 years) than Sonoran females (～22–26 years). These traits and the higher rate of clutch production in the WM population are likely the evolutionary adaptation for low juvenile survivorship and a significantly shorter life span. Frequent droughts in the WM Desert and the lowest annual rainfall area within the range of the desert tortoise cause chronic physiological stress, likely annually, and are proposed as a major selection force producing contrasting life-history strategies.     

Characteristics of the Gobi desert and their significance for dust emissions in the Ala Shan Plateau (Central Asia): An experimental study

Using intact samples of Gobi surfaces, we conducted wind tunnel experiments and related analyses to describe the surface characteristics of Gobi deserts and their significance for dust emissions in the Ala Shan Plateau, an area of Central Asia with high dust emissions. Under relatively high wind velocities (22 m s⁻¹), the total sediment transport approached 700 g m⁻², with the fine fractions (<50 μm in diameter) accounting for up to 26 g m⁻². In consecutive experiments, the emission rates decreased greatly due to depletion of erodible particles. In the Ala Shan Plateau, coverage by gravels varied, and aeolian sediment transport increased with increasing gravel cover (to about 30%); above that level, transport decreased. Because gravel cover was less than 30% in most areas, the gravel may not play important role in dust emissions in this region. Although the Gobi surfaces are covered by gravel, high clay contents that may restrain sediment transport. In the Ala Shan Plateau, dust emissions therefore appear to be controlled mainly by the availability of fine particles, which is in turn controlled by their deposition by ephemeral streams, by their creation via physical, salt, and chemical weathering, and by other processes such as aeolian abrasion.