An EC 14026 pulsator in a reflection binary

During our campaign of acquiring follow-up photometric data to resolve short period pulsating sdB (EC14026 or V361 Hya) stars, we obtained data on the known pulsator KUV 04421+1416 and discovered that it is also in a reflection-effect binary. Here we present preliminary results of the pulsation analysis and provide some constraints on the companion, which is most likely an MV star. This makes KUV 04421+1416 only the second known system with an EC14026-type pulsator in a reflection-effect binary.     

A chromospheric dark‐cored fibril in Ca II IR spectra

We investigate the thermodynamical and magnetic properties of a “dark‐cored” fibril seen in the chromospheric Ca II IR line at 854.2 nm to determine the physical process behind its appearance. We analyse a time series of spectropolarimetric observations obtained in the Ca II IR line at 854.2 nm and the photospheric Fe I line at 630.25 nm. We simultaneously invert the spectra in both wavelength ranges with the SIR code to obtain the temperature and velocity stratification with height in the solar atmosphere and the magnetic field properties in the photosphere. The structure can be clearly traced in the line‐of‐sight (LOS) velocity and the temperature maps. It connects from a small pore with kG fields to a region with lower field strength. The flow velocity and the temperature indicate that the height of the structure increases with increasing distance from the inner footpoint. The Stokes V signal of 854.2 nm shows a Doppler‐shifted polarization signal with the same displacement as in the intensity profile, indicating that the supersonic flow seen in the LOS velocity is located within magnetized plasma. We conclude that the chromospheric dark‐cored fibril traces a siphon flow along magnetic field lines, driven by the gas pressure difference caused by the higher magnetic field strength at the inner footpoint. We suggest that fast flows guided by the magnetic field lead to the appearance of “dark‐cored” fibrils in intensity images. Although the observations included the determination of the polarization signal in the chromospheric Ca II IR line, the signal could not be analysed quantitatively due to the low S/N. Chromospheric polarimetry will thus require telescopes of larger aperture able to collect a sufficient number of photons for a reliable determination of polarization in deep and only weakly polarized spectral lines (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The ability of general circulation models to simulate tropical cyclones and their precursors over the North Atlantic main development region

The ability of General Circulation Models (GCMs) to generate Tropical Cyclones (TCs) over the North Atlantic Main Development Region (MDR; 10–20°N, 20–80°W; Goldenberg and Shapiro in J Clim 9:1169–1187, 1996) is examined through a subset of ocean–atmosphere coupled simulations from the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3) multimodel data set and a high-resolution (0.5°) Sea Surface Temperature (SST)-forced simulation from the Australian Conformal-Cubic Atmospheric Model GCM. The results are compared with National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP-2) and European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis (ERA-40) reanalyses over a common period from 1980 to 1998. Important biases in the representation of the TC activity are encountered over the MDR. This study emphasizes the strong link in the GCMs between African Easterly Waves (AEWs) and TC activity in this region. However, the generation of AEWs is not a sufficient condition alone for the models to produce TCs. Precipitation over the Sahel, especially rainfall over the Fouta Djallon highlands (cf. Fig.?1), is playing a role in the generation of TCs over the MDR. The influence of large-scale fields such as SST, vertical wind shear and tropospheric humidity on TC genesis is also examined. The ability of TC genesis indices, such as the Genesis Potential Index and the Convective Yearly Genesis Potential, to represent TC activity over the MDR in simulations at low to high spatial resolutions is analysed. These indices are found to be a reasonable method for comparing cyclogenesis in different models, even though other factors such as AEW activity should also be considered.     

Petrogenetic character and provenance of metabasalts in the aspiring and Torlesse Terranes, South Island, New Zealand: Implications for the gold endowment of the Otago Schist?

We report quantitative X-ray diffraction, whole-rock geochemical and Sm–Nd isotope data for metabasalts from the Aspiring and Torlesse Terranes in the South Island of New Zealand. These rocks underlie the Mesozoic metasedimentary Otago Schist which is anomalously enriched in gold and host to at least one world-class orogenic gold deposit at Macraes (> 125 t Au). Geochemical and Nd isotopic similarities between the samples point to a common history of the two terranes rather than the amalgamation of one or two allochthonous plate fragments. Furthermore, geochemical and Nd data suggest the metabasalts within both terranes formed in an oceanic but essentially non-subduction-related setting. The origin of the Aspiring and Torlesse basalts can be linked to the formation of an oceanic plateau that had resulted from a (?Permian) mantle plume initiation event proximal to a mid-oceanic rise or triple junction. Given the intrinsically gold-enriched nature of certain oceanic-character mafic rocks, the anomalous gold endowment of the Otago Schist may have been enhanced via the accretion and subduction of a gold-enriched oceanic plateau fragment. The metabasalts are generally enriched in gold (up to 13 ppb) compared to their enclosing metasedimentary rocks (typically ca. 1 ppb), with sulphide-rich metabasaltic rocks having up to 550 ppb Au. However, the relatively small volume of metabasalts in the Otago Schist precludes these rocks as the principal source for Otago Schist orogenic gold, with a primarily metasedimentary source of the gold potentially having a limiting effect on the overall endowment of the Otago Schist. This approach, that employs petrogenetic fingerprinting of potentially fertile source rocks for the assessment of gold endowment, might prove useful in the conceptual exploration targeting of relatively immature and poorly exposed terrains.     

Auger Nanoprobe analysis of presolar ferromagnesian silicate grains from primitive CR chondrites QUE 99177 and MET 00426

We have investigated the presolar grain inventories of two CR chondrites, QUE 99177 and MET 00426, which are less altered than most members of this meteorite group. Both meteorites contain high abundances of O-anomalous presolar grains, with concentrations of 220 ± 40 and 160 ± 30 ppm for QUE 99177 and MET 00426, respectively. The presolar grain inventories are dominated by ferromagnesian silicates with group 1 oxygen isotopic compositions, indicative of origins in low mass red giant or asymptotic giant branch stars. Grains with pyroxene-like compositions are somewhat more common than those with olivine-like compositions, but most grains are non-stoichiometric with compositions intermediate between these two phases, consistent with recent work suggesting that amorphous interstellar silicates have stoichiometries between olivine and pyroxene type silicates. Although structural data are not available, one grain contains only Si and O, and has a stoichiometry consistent with SiO₂.Our presolar grains are much more Fe-rich than predicted by astronomical observations. Although secondary alteration may play a role in enhancing the Fe contents of presolar grains, it seems unlikely that the large and ubiquitous Fe enrichments observed in the grains from this study can be due only to secondary processing, particularly given the highly primitive nature of these two meteorites. Grain condensation in the stellar outflows where these grains formed likely proceeded under rapidly changing kinetic conditions that may have enhanced the incorporation of Fe into the grains over that expected based on equilibrium condensation theory.Both QUE 99177 and MET 00426 appear to contain unusually low abundances of oxide grains and have higher silicate/oxide ratios than other primitive meteorites analyzed to date. We explore various possibilities for this discrepancy, but note that most scenarios are not likely to result in the preferential destruction of oxides relative to silicates. Thus, the highest silicate/oxide ratios, such as those observed in the CR chondrites, should reflect the true initial proportions of presolar silicate and oxide grains in the parent molecular cloud from which the solar nebula evolved.     

The distribution of neodymium isotopes in Arctic Ocean basins

Nd concentration and isotope data have been obtained for the Canada, Amundsen, and Makarov Basins of the Arctic Ocean. A pattern of high Nd concentrations (up to 58 pM) at shallow depths is seen throughout the Arctic, and is distinct from that generally seen in other oceans where surface waters are relatively depleted. A range of isotopic variations across the Arctic and within individual depth profiles reflects the different sources of waters. The dominant source of water, and so Nd, is the Atlantic Ocean, with lesser contributions from the Pacific and Arctic Rivers. Radiogenic isotope Nd signatures (up to ε_Nd = −6.5) can be traced in Pacific water flowing into the Canada Basin. Waters from rivers draining older terrains provide very unradiogenic Nd (down to ε_Nd = −14.2) that can be traced in surface waters across much of the Eurasian Basin. A distinct feature of the Arctic is the general influence of the shelves on the Nd concentrations of waters flowing into the basins, either from the Pacific across the Chukchi Sea, or from across the extensive Siberian shelves. Water-shelf interaction results in an increase in Nd concentration without significant changes in salinity in essentially all waters in the Arctic, through processes that are not yet well understood. In estuarine regions other processes modify the Nd signal of freshwater components supplied into the Arctic Basin, and possibly also contribute to sedimentary Nd that may be subsequently involved in sediment-water interactions. Mixing relationships indicate that in estuaries, Nd is removed from major river waters to different degrees. Deep waters in the Arctic are higher in Nd than the inflowing Atlantic waters, apparently through enrichments of waters on the shelves that are involved in ventilating the deep basins. These enrichments generally have not resulted in major shifts in the isotopic compositions of the deep waters in the Makarov Basin (ε_Nd ∼ −10.5), but have created distinctive Nd isotope signatures that were found near the margin of the Canada Basin (with ε_Nd ∼ −9.0). The deep waters of the Amundsen Basin are also distinct from the Atlantic waters (with ε_Nd = −12.3), indicating that there has been limited inflow from the adjacent Makarov Basin through the Lomonosov Ridge.     

Spectroscopic measurements of the pH in NaCl brines

Spectrophotometric measurements of the pH in natural waters such as seawater have been shown to yield precise results. In this paper, the sulfonephthalein indicator m-cresol purple (mCP, H₂I) has been used to determine the pH of NaCl brines. The indicator has been calibrated in NaCl solutions from 5 to 45 °C and ionic strengths from 0.03 to 5.5 m. The calibrations were made using TRIS buffers (0.03 m, TRIS/TRIS-HCl) with known dissociation constants pK_TRIS in NaCl solutions [Foti C., Rigano C. and Sammartano S. (1999) Analysis of thermodynamic data for complex formation: protonation of THAM and fluoride ion at different temperatures and ionic strength. Ann. Chim. 89, 1-12]. The values of pH were determined from

pH=pK_mCP+log{(R-e₁)/(e₂-Re₃)}     

North Atlantic control on precipitation pattern in the eastern Mediterranean/Black Sea region during the last glacial

Based on proxy records from western Black Sea cores, we provide a comprehensive study of climate change during the last glacial maximum and late-glacial period in the Black Sea region. For the first time we present a record of relative changes in precipitation for NW Anatolia based on variations in the terrigenous supply expressed as detrital carbonate concentration. The good correspondence between reconstructed rainfall intensity in NW Anatolia and past western Mediterranean sea surface temperatures (SSTs) implies that during the glacial period the precipitation variability was controlled, like today, by Mediterranean cyclonic disturbances. Periods of reduced precipitation correlate well with low SSTs in the Mediterranean related to Heinrich events H1 and H2. Stable oxygen isotopes and lithological and mineralogical data point to a significant modification in the dominant freshwater/sediment source concomitant to the meltwater inflow after 16.4 cal ka BP. This change implies intensification of the northern sediment source and, with other records from the Mediterranean region, consistently suggests a reorganization of the atmospheric circulation pattern affecting the hydrology of the European continent. The early deglacial northward retreat of both atmospheric and oceanic polar fronts was responsible for the warming in the Mediterranean region, leading simultaneously to more humid conditions in central and northern Europe.     

Production of gas from coal seams in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin in Poland in the post-injection period of an ECBM pilot site

A pilot site for CO₂ storage in coal seams was set-up in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin in Poland in the scope of the RECOPOL project, funded by the European Commission. About 760 tons CO₂ were injected into the reservoir from August 2004 to June 2005. Breakthrough of the injected CO₂ was established, which resulted in the production of about 10% of the injected CO₂ in this period. This paper reports on activities performed under the European Commission project MOVECBM that aimed at the assessment of the storage performance of the reservoir in the follow-up period, i.e. whether the injected CO₂ was adsorbed onto the coal or whether it was still present as free gas in the pore space. The injection well was used for this purpose, as the production well had to be abandoned for permitting reasons. Several operational periods can be defined between the last injection in June 2005 and the abandonment of the well in October 2007. In the first period the well was shut-in to observe the pressure fall-off, from about 15.0 MPa at the wellhead after the last injection until about 4.5 MPa at the end of 2005. This pressure fall-off curve showed that the reservoir permeability was very low. This seemed to confirm the observed swelling of the coal during the injection period. In the first months of 2006 the pressure at the wellhead was decreased by releasing gas in a controlled way. The amount and composition of the gas were measured. As a result of the pressure reduction, the well flooded with water. A production pump was placed on the former injection well, enabling active production from the coal from March to September 2007. Results of these operations showed that whereas the gas production rates were as expected based on the experience with the production well, the water production was remarkably low. This could be related to permeability issues or, alternatively, indicate a drying effect of the CO₂ in the reservoir. Further, the gas composition showed a predominance of CO₂ over CH₄ during the gas release that changed gradually into a predominance of CH₄ over CO₂ during the production phase. Although stabilization was not reached within the given production period, the composition approached a 60% methane, 40% CO₂ ratio. This indicates that the exchange of these gases is more complex than often envisaged. After removal of the pump the well was filled with water, which ceased the gas release. This indicates that the pressure in the reservoir was back to its original, hydrostatic, state. As the total volume of CO₂ produced was only a fraction of the amount that was injected, it can be concluded that the CO₂ was taken up by the coal and is currently adsorbed. This gives confidence in the long-term stability of the injected CO₂.     

Strain development in unconfined coals exposed to CO2, CH4 and Ar: Effect of moisture

Field experiments and laboratory studies have shown that swelling of coal takes place upon contact with carbon dioxide at underground pressure and temperature conditions. Understanding this swelling behavior is crucial for predicting the performance of future carbon dioxide sequestration operations in unminable coal seams conducted in association with methane production. Swelling is believed to be related to adsorption on the internal coal surface. Whereas it is well established that moisture influences the sorption capacity of coal, the influence of water on coal swelling is less well-defined. This paper presents the results of laboratory experiments to investigate the effect of moisture on coal swelling in the presence of carbon dioxide, methane and argon. Strain development of an unconfined sample of about 1.0–1.5 mm³ at 40 °C and 8 MPa (and at other pressures) was observed in an optical cell under a microscope as a function of time. Both air dried and moisturized samples were used. Results confirmed different swelling behaviors of coal with different substances: carbon dioxide leads to higher strain than methane, while exposure to argon leads to very little swelling. The experiments on moisturized samples seem to confirm the role of moisture as a competitor to gas molecules for adsorption sites. Adsorption of water could also explain the observed swelling due to water uptake at atmospheric pressure. A re-introduction of carbon dioxide, after intermediate gas release, results in higher strains which indicate a drying effect of the carbon dioxide on the coal. The results of this study show that the role of water cannot be ignored if one wants to understand the fundamental processes that are taking place in enhanced coalbed methane operations.