Characterization and cycling of atmospheric mercury along the central US Gulf Coast

Concentrations of atmospheric Hg species, elemental Hg (Hg^°), reactive gaseous Hg (RGM), and fine particulate Hg (Hg-PM_2.5) were measured at a coastal site near Weeks Bay, Alabama from April to August, 2005 and January to May, 2006. Mean concentrations of the species were 1.6 ± 0.3 ng m⁻³, 4.0 ± 7.5 pg m⁻³ and 2.7 ± 3.4 pg m⁻³, respectively. A strong diel pattern was observed for RGM (midday maximum concentrations were up to 92.7 pg m⁻³), but not for Hg^° or Hg-PM_2.5. Elevated RGM concentrations (>25 pg m⁻³) in April and May of 2005 correlated with elevated average daytime O₃ concentrations (>55 ppbv) and high light intensity (>500 W m⁻²). These conditions generally corresponded with mixed continental-Gulf and exclusively continental air mass trajectories. Generally lower, but still elevated, RGM peaks observed in August, 2005 and January–March, 2006 correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with peaks in SO₂ concentration and corresponded to periods of high light intensity and lower average daytime O₃ concentrations. During these times air masses were dominated by trajectories that originated over the continent. Elevated RGM concentrations likely resulted from photochemical oxidation of Hg^° by atmospheric oxidants. This process may have been enhanced in and by the near-shore environment relative to inland sites. The marine boundary layer itself was not found to be a significant source of RGM.     

REPRESENTATION OF SPECTRA BY CONTINUOUS FUNCTIONS

A general framework for manipulating spectra as functions in traditional multivariate methods such asPCA and PLS is described.The functional representation is very convenient for compression,ensuringsmoothness and continuity.There are two fundamentally different types of representations:(a)byfunctions and(b)by function coefficients.The use of coefficients is the most practical way of analysis.     

Fouling community of the Loxahatchee River estuary,Florida, 1980–81

Monthly growth of the fouling community at eight test panel sites in the Loxahatchee River Estuary was related to salinity and temperature. Growth was lowest in January 1981 (averaging 23 g per m², dry weight), and increased during spring and early summer with increasing water temperature. Maximum growth occurred during early or midsummer at upstream locations, before river or canal discharge substantially reduced salinity, and in late summer at downstream locations. Growth was greatest at salinities slightly less than that of seawater and decreased at salinities less than about 10‰. Growth was suppressed throughout the estuary in August 1981, probably because of the sudden decrease in temperature and salinity, and perhaps the increase in physical scouring, caused by runoff from Tropical Storm Dennis. Large loads of nutrients transported to the estuary from storm runoff, however, may have subsequently stimulated growth, which increased in September 1981 to the maximum for the year (averaging 683 g per m², dry weight).     

豫西嵩县前范岭石英脉型钼矿床地质特征及辉钼矿Re-Os同位素年龄

位于熊耳山-外方山地区的前范岭钼矿是东秦岭地区新近发现的石英脉型钼矿床之一。赋矿围岩为古元古界熊耳群安山质火山岩类。矿体主要以含辉钼矿石英脉产出,矿石类型以石英脉型为主。金属矿物以辉钼矿和黄铁矿为主,脉石矿物以石英为主,其次为方解石、萤石等。围岩蚀变类型有硅化、钾长石化、青磐岩化等。对6件辉钼矿样品进行Re-Os同位素测年所获得的模式年龄为233.3±3.3～248.2±3.5Ma,等时线年龄为239±13Ma,表明矿床形成于中三叠世。矿床的成矿作用发生于华北与扬子两个板块碰撞对接的晚期阶段。区域上整体的挤压造成了局部的剪切和伸展环境,这种环境为控矿断裂的形成和成矿流体的运移提供了有利条件。嵩县境内现已发现的多处脉型钼矿床很可能形成于同一时期(三叠纪),它们构成了熊耳山与外方山之间的嵩县脉型钼矿田。     

Hydrologic processes at the urban residential scale

In the face of increasing urbanization, there is growing interest in application of microscale hydrologic solutions to minimize storm runoff and conserve water at the source. In this study, a physically based numerical model was developed to understand hydrologic processes better at the urban residential scale and the interaction of these processes among different best management practices (BMPs). This model simulates hydrologic processes using an hourly interval for over a full year or for specific storm events. The model was applied to treatment and control single‐family residential parcels in Los Angeles, California. Data collected from the control and treatment sites over 2 years were used to calibrate and validate the model. Annual storm runoff to the street was eliminated by 97% with installation of rain gutters, a driveway interceptor, and lawn retention basin. Evaluated individually, the driveway interceptor was the most effective BMP for storm runoff reduction (65%), followed by the rain gutter installation (28%), and lawn converted to retention basin (12%). An 11 m³ cistern did not substantially reduce runoff, but provided 9% of annual landscape irrigation demand. Simulated landscape irrigation water use was reduced 53% by increasing irrigation system efficiency, and adjusting application rates monthly based on plant water demand. The model showed that infiltration and surface runoff processes were particularly sensitive to the soil's physical properties and its effective depth. Replacing the existing loam soil with clay soil increased annual runoff discharge to the street by 63% when climate and landscape features remained unchanged. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Estimating photosynthetically available radiation at the ocean surface from GOCI data

A technique is presented to estimate photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) at the ocean surface from Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) data. The sensor is adapted to the problem, since it measures at visible wavelengths and does not saturate over clouds, and the hourly data provides adequate temporal sampling to describe diurnal variability of clouds. Instantaneous surface PAR is computed as the difference between the solar irradiance incident at the top of the atmosphere (known) and the solar irradiance reflected back to space (derived from GOCI radiance), taking into account absorption and scattering by the clear atmosphere (modeled). Knowledge of pixel composition is not required. Apart from planetary albedo and sun zenith angle, the model parameters are fixed at their climatological values. The instantaneous PAR estimates at hourly intervals are integrated over time to provide daily values. The technique is applied to GOCI imagery acquired on 5 April 2011, and the GOCI daily PAR estimates are compared with those obtained from MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) data. Agreement is good between the two types of estimates, with a coefficient of determination (r ²) of 0.778, a bias of 0.23 Em^?2d^?1 (0.5% with higher GOCI values), and a root-mean-squared difference of 5.00 Em^?2d^?1 (11.2%). Differences in cloudy conditions are attributed to daily cloudiness changes not captured by the MODIS observations. The comparison statistics indicate that GOCI PAR estimates have acceptable accuracy for regional studies of aquatic photosynthesis.     

The role of climate and local regolith–landscape processes in determining the pedological characteristics of æolian dust deposits across south-eastern Australia

Fine-grained æolian sediments are an important component of many loessic soil–landscape systems across south-eastern Australia. These loessic soils are commonly related to the deposition of ‘parna’, a red, clayey, calcareous material proposed to have been transported predominantly as silt-sized pellets and companion silt grains. However, it is apparent that loessic soils of south-eastern Australia do not necessarily exhibit or retain the morphological features regarded as typical of parna. This may be due to variations in post-depositional pedogenic processes operating over long periods of time. It is important to understand this inconsistency in loessic soil expression because the physico-chemical and structural attributes of these profiles may significantly affect catchment-wide processes such as salinisation and erosion. In this paper, the pedological features of a range of previously identified loessic profiles occurring across south-eastern Australia are examined to assess the relative importance of climate and local landscape processes on profile characteristics. Most of the sampling sites occur in mid- to upper-slope positions, while the annual average rainfall of the sites ranges from 440 mm to 650 mm. The deepest profiles in the driest locations tend to yield whole-coloured, slightly alkaline, slightly saline and sodic subsoils with moderate cation exchange capacities. Profiles in the wettest locations are generally characterised by smaller cation exchange capacities, are acidic, non-saline and non-sodic, and feature prominent mottling and sesquioxide nodules. Measurements and predictions of the structural attributes of the profiles indicate that all topsoils are quite stable to wetting, whereas subsoils exhibit variable stabilities, depending on physico-chemical properties. These results appear to demonstrate a broad climosequence effect on loessic soil attributes. The climosequence effect was compared to the changes in loessic profile characteristics down a case study toposequence in southern New South Wales. The toposequence indicates that local landscape features such as slope and drainage have also been important in determining the properties of these materials, as has re-working by colluvial processes. We conclude that to explain adequately the current characteristics of profiles containing fine-grained æolian sediments, particularly their salinisation potential and stability to erosion, it is critical to consider both the past and present climate and the local soil-forming processes.     

Sedimentological and ichnological signatures of changes in wave,river and tidal influence along a Neogene tropical deltaic shoreline

Analysis of Neogene cores from the Eastern Venezuela Basin along 65 km of a west–east trending shoreline allows characterization of the sedimentological and ichnological signatures of wave, river and tidal processes. The area displays deltas prograding northward from the Guyana Shield. Twenty‐three facies are defined and grouped into four categories (wave‐influenced, river‐influenced, tide‐influenced and basinal). Wave‐dominated deltaic deposits occur mostly in the Tácata Field. The delta plain was characterized by tide‐influenced distributary channels separated by interdistributary bays. Fluvial discharge in the delta front and prodelta was repeatedly interrupted by storm‐wave reworking and suspended sediment fallout. Delta‐front and prodelta deposits contain some ichnotaxa that typically do not occur in brackish water (for example, Chondrites and Phycosiphon). Amalgamated storm deposits are unburrowed or contain vertical Ophiomorpha. Lateral (especially on the updrift side) to the river mouths, waves caused nearly continuous accretion of the associated strandplains. These deposits are the most intensely bioturbated, and are dominated by the estenohaline echinoid‐generated ichnogenus Scolicia. River‐dominated deltaic deposits are present in the Santa Bárbara, Mulata, Carito and El Furrial Fields. Low‐sinuosity rivers characterized the alluvial plain, whereas the subaerial delta plain was occupied by higher‐sinuosity rivers. The subaqueous delta plain includes distributary channels and tide‐influenced interdistributary bays. Further seaward, successions are characterized by terminal distributary‐channel and distributary mouth‐bar deposits, as well as by delta‐front and prodelta deposits showing evidence of sediment gravity‐flow and fluid‐mud emplacement. Delta‐front and prodelta deposits are unbioturbated to sparsely bioturbated, suggesting extreme stress, mostly as a result of high fluvial discharge and generation of sediment gravity flows. Tidal influence is restricted to interdistributary bays, lagoons and some distributary channels. From an ichnological perspective, and in order of decreasing stress levels, four main depositional settings are identified: river‐dominated deltas, tide‐influenced delta plains, wave‐dominated deltas and wave‐dominated strandplain–offshore complexes.     

Applied geophysics for cover thickness mapping in the southern Thomson Orogen

Abstract

Potentially mineralised Paleozoic basement rocks in the southern Thomson Orogen region of southern Queensland and northern New South Wales are covered by varying thicknesses of Mesozoic to Cenozoic sediments. To assess cover thickness and methods for estimating depth to basement, we collected new airborne electromagnetic (AEM), seismic refraction, seismic reflection and audio-frequency magnetotelluric data and combined these with new depth to magnetic basement models from airborne magnetic line data and ground gravity data along selected transects. The results of these investigations over two borehole sites, GSQ Eulo 1 and GSQ Eulo 2, show that cover thickness can be reliably assessed to within the confidence limits of the various techniques, but that caveats exist regarding the application of each of the disciplines. These techniques are part of a rapid-deployment explorers’ toolbox of geophysical techniques that have been tested at two sites in Australia, the Stavely region of western Victoria, and now the southern Thomson Orogen in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. The results shown here demonstrate that AEM and ground geophysics, and to a lesser extent depth to magnetic source modelling, can produce reliable results when applied to the common exploration problem of determining cover thickness. The results demonstrate that portable seismic systems, designed for geotechnical site investigations, are capable of imaging basement below 300 m of unlithified Eromanga Basin cover as refraction and reflection data. The results of all methods provide much information about the nature of the basement–cover interface and basement at borehole sites in the southern Thomson Orogen, in that the basement is usually weathered, the interface has paleotopography, and it can be recognised by its density, natural gamma, magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity contrasts.