Mediterranean warming is especially due to summer season

We created a new homogenized daily minimum and maximum temperature data set (1955–2007) for the central Mediterranean area of Tuscany (Italy). Yearly and seasonal long-term trends of some climatic and extreme climatic indices were investigated. The results highlighted a positive trend for mean temperature of about 0.9°C per 50 years with a slightly more pronounced increase in maximum temperature. Seasonal analysis revealed a by far much greater increase in summer (June, July, August) and spring (March, April, May) temperature in respect of autumn and winter, this finding consistent with most recent Mediterranean evidences. Warm extremes showed an overall tendency to increase, while a slight not significant decrease trend was found in regard to frost days and cold extremes. Comparisons with different patterns of Mediterranean warming confirmed the magnitude of recent very fast rise in temperature, especially during summer. This change could be due to last decades modifications of general circulation patterns and land–temperature, land–precipitation positive feedback processes dependent from soil moisture. All these results confirm that the Mediterranean is a region especially responsive and thus very vulnerable to climate change.     

On the Vp/Vs–Mg# correlation in mantle peridotites: Implications for the identification of thermal and compositional anomalies in the upper mantle

We use thermodynamically self-consistent and hybrid methods to analyze the correlation of important physical parameters (e.g. bulk density, elastic moduli) with bulk Mg# and modal composition in mantle peridotites at upper mantle conditions. Temperature (anharmonic and anelastic), pressure and compositional derivatives for all these parameters are evaluated. The results show that the widely used correlations between Vp/Vs and Mg# in peridotites are strictly valid only for garnet-bearing assemblages at temperatures < 900 °C. The correlation breaks down when: i) spinel is the stable Al-rich phase in the assemblage and ii) when anelastic attenuation of seismic velocities becomes important (T ? 900 °C). This implies that the range of applicability of published Vp/Vs–Mg# correlations for the upper mantle is limited to a depth interval between the spinel–garnet phase transition and the 900 °C isotherm. We use numerical simulations to show that this depth interval is virtually nonexistent in lithospheres thinner than ～ 140 km and can comprise up to ～ 50% of the lithospheric mantle in thick (> 220 km) lithospheric domains. In addition, we show that for most of the upper mantle the expected Δ(Vp/Vs) values associated with compositional variations are smaller than the resolution limit of current seismological methods. All these considerations suggest that the Vp/Vs ratio is not a reliable measure of compositional variations and that for large parts of the upper mantle compositional anomalies cannot be separated from thermal anomalies on the basis of seismological studies only. We further confirm that the only reliable indicator of compositional anomalies in a peridotitic mantle is the ratio of density to shear wave velocities (ρ/Vs). Our results demonstrate that geophysical–petrological models (forward or inverse) that model these two fields (i.e. density and Vs) self-consistently within a robust thermodynamic framework are necessary for characterizing the small-scale thermal and compositional structure of the lithosphere and sublithospheric upper mantle.     

The Finero phlogopite-peridotite massif: an example of subduction-related metasomatism

The Finero peridotite massif is a harzburgite that suffered a dramatic metasomatic enrichment resulting in the pervasive presence of amphibole and phlogopite and in the sporadic occurrence of apatite and carbonate (dolomite)-bearing domains. Pyroxenite (websterite) dykes also contain phlogopite and amphibole, but are rare. Peridotite bulk-rock composition retained highly depleted major element characteristics, but was enriched in K, Rb, Ba, Sr, LREE (light rare earth elements) (La_N/Yb_N = 8–17) and depleted in Nb. It has high radiogenic Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr₍₂₇₀₎ = 0.7055–0.7093), low radiogenic Nd (ɛNd₍₂₇₀₎= −1 to −3) and EMII-like Pb isotopes. Two pyroxenite – peridotite sections examined in detail show the virtual absence of major and trace element gradients in the mineral phases. In both rock types, pyroxenes and olivines have the most unfertile major element composition observed in Ivrea peridotites, spinels are the richest in Cr, and amphibole is pargasite. Clinopyroxenes exhibit LREE-enriched patterns (La_N/Yb_N ∼16), negative Ti and Zr and generally positive Sr anomaly. Amphibole has similar characteristics, except a weak negative Sr anomaly, but incompatible element concentration ∼1.9 (Sr) to ∼7.9 (Ti) times higher than that of coexisting clinopyroxene. Marked geochemical gradients occur toward apatite and carbonate-bearing domains which are randomly distributed in both the sections examined. In these regions, pyroxenes and amphibole (edenite) are lower in mg## and higher in Na₂O, and spinels and phlogopite are richer in Cr₂O₃. Both the mineral assemblage and the incompatible trace element characteristics of the mineral phases recall the typical signatures of “carbonatite” metasomatism (HFSE depletion, Sr, LILE and LREE enrichment). Clinopyroxene has higher REE and Sr concentrations than amphibole (^amph/cpxD_REE,Sr = 0.7–0.9) and lower Ti and Zr concentrations. It is proposed that the petrographic and geochemical features observed at Finero are consistent with a subduction environment. The lack of chemical gradients between pyroxenite and peridotite is explained by a model where melts derived from an eclogite-facies slab infiltrate the overhanging harzburgitic mantle wedge and, because of the special thermal structure of subduction zones, become heated to the temperature of the peridotite. If the resulting temperature is above that of the incipient melting of the hydrous peridotite system, the slab-derived melt equilibrates with the harzburgite and a crystal mush consisting of harzburgite and a silica saturated, hydrous melt is formed. During cooling, the crystal mush crystallizes producing the observed sequence of mineral phases and their observed chemical characteristics. In this context pyroxenites are regions of higher concentration of the melt in equilibrium with the harzburgite and not passage-ways through which exotic melts percolated. Only negligible chemical gradients can appear as an effect of the crystallization process, which also accounts for the high amphibole/clinopyroxene incompatible trace element ratios. The major element refractory composition is explained by an initially high peridotite/melt ratio. The apatite, carbonate-bearing domains are the result of the presence of some CO₂ in the slab-derived melt. The CO₂/H₂O ratio in the peridotite mush increased by crystallization of hydrous phases (amphibole and phlogopite) locally resulting in the unmixing of a late carbonate fluid. The proposed scenario is consistent with subduction of probably Variscan age and with the occurrence of modal metasomatism before peridotite incorporation in the crust. Received: 20 July 1998 / Accepted: 28 October 1998     

Über einen Zusammenhang zwischen atmosphärischen und kosmischen Phänomenen und physikalisch-chemischen Prozessen

Zusammenfassung Sei langer Zeit wird ein Zusammenhang zwischen atmosphärischen und kosmischen Vorgängen und physikalisch-chemischen biochemischen und biologischen Prozessen angenommen. Für Forschungen auf diesem Gebiete hat der Verfasser eine ganz einfache, differentialle Methode ausgearbeitet. Es werden Serien-Fällungen von BiOCl gleichzeitig mit normalem und mit physikalisch aktiviertem Wasser bei identischen Bedingungen gemacht; dabei wird die Anzahl der schnelleren und die Anzahl der langsameren Fällungen im aktivierten Wasser gezählt. Die zeitlichen Änderungen des Prozentsatzes der schnelleren Fällungen werden verfolgt. Die Experimente wurden unter zwei verschiedenen Bedingungen ausgeführt: 1. in einem ganz metallfreien Raum und 2. in einem mit Metall abgeschirmten Raum. Die Unterschiede der Ergebnisse beweisen, daß die registrierten Variationen tatsächlich auf Einwirkungen äußerer Faktoren zurückzuführen sind.Es wurde festgestellt: eine säkuläre Variation, die möglicherweise in Zusammenhang mit der Sonnenaktivität steht; eine jährliche Variation, die man vielleicht mit der Erdbewegung in Verbindung bringen kann; und mehrere kleinere Variationen, die mit verschiedenen Elementen in Zusammenhang stehen können. Es werden Korrelationen mit dem Luftdruck, mit dem luftelektrischen Potentialgefälle und mit der kosmischen Strahlungsintensität festgestellt. Ferner zeigt sich, daß die Beschaffenheit des Metallschirmes von Bedeutung ist. Aus in Florenz, Brüssel und Wien durchgeführten Beobachtungen ließ sich ein Breiteneffekt feststellen. Die Untersuchung der Wirkung der Metallabschirmungan sich mit einem vereinfachten Test ohne Aktivierung ergab, daß im Allgemeinen die BiOCl-Fällung unter Abschirmung schneller erfolgt und daß ein Zusammenhang zwischen der spezifischen elektrischen Leitfähigkeit der verwendeten Metalle und dem Abschirmungseffekt besteht.

---

Summary It is commonly believed for a long time that there exists a relation between atmospheric and cosmic phenomena and physico-chemical, biochemical and biological processes. The author has developed a simple and differential method for researches in this field. Series of precipitations with BiOCl are simultaneously made with normal and with activated water at identical conditions, whereby is counted the number of the faster and of the slower precipitations in the activated water; the temporal variations of the percentage of the faster precipitations are studied. The experiments have been carried out with the following two conditions: (1) in a room free of any metal, (2) in a room isolated with metal. The differences in the results prove that the variations obtained are due in fact to the influence of exterior factors.Has been ascertained: a secular variation which might be in connexion with the sunspot activity, an annual variation which might be in connexion with the earth's rotation, and several smaller variations which may be in relation with different elements. There are found correlations with the atmospheric pressure, with the potential gradient of atmospheric electricity and with the intensity of cosmic radiation. Is found, in addition, that the nature of the metal screen is of importance. It was determined also an effect of latitude from observations carried out at Florence, Brussels and Vienna. The investigation of the effect of the metal screen, by a simplified test without activation, has shown that in general the BiOCl precipitation is going on more rapidly when using the screen, and that there is a relation between the specific electrical conductivity of the metals used and the effect of screening.

---

Résumé Depuis longtemps on a envisagé une relation entre les phénomènes atmosphériques, solaires et cosmiques et les phénomènes physicochimiques, biochimique set biologiques L'auteur a développé un test inorganique pour l'étude de cette relation. Il fait simplement précipiter par séries dans des conditions identiques, du BiOCl avec de l'eau normale et avec de l'eau activée. Le pourcentage des cas dans lesquels la précipitation marche plus vite dans l'eau activée (T%) est la réponse du test inorganique. L'auteur a conduit ses essais contemporairement au-dehors et au-dedans d'une chambre de cuivre. Les différences dans les résultats obtenus prouvent que les variations observées sont vraiment dûes aux influences exercées par des facteurs extérieurs.On a constaté qu'il existe a) une variation séculaire qui est probablement en rapport avec l'activité solaire, b) une variation annuelle qui peut être due au mouvement de la terre, c) plusieurs autres variations plus petites qui peuvent dépendre de différents éléments. On remarque des corrélations avec la pression atmosphérique, le gradient du potentiel électrique de l'air et l'intensité du rayonnement cosmique. D'autre part, on constate qu'il est important de tenir compte de la nature de l'écran métallique. On a aussi constaté qu'il existait un effet de latitude en comparant les observations faites à Florence, Bruxelles et Vienne. En utilisant un test simplifié sans activation (Test P) l'auteur a montré qu'en général la précipitation se produit plus rapidement au-dessous de l'écran et qu'il existe une relation entre la conductibilité électrique spécifique des métaux employés et l'effet observé.

---

---

Mit 10 Textabbildungen.     

Spatial variability of phytoplankton, nutrients and new production estimates in the waters around Svalbard

Phytoplankton dynamics and carbon input into Arctic and sub-Arctic ecosystems were investigated around Svalbard, in summer 1991. Phytoplankton biomass, species composition and dissolved nutrient concentrations were analysed from water samples collected along seven transects. Phytoplankton biomass was low especially to the north (Chlorophyll-a mean 0.3 pg 1- '), where flagellates dominated the communities and only ice-diatoms were present. To the west, the phytoplankton composition was representative of a summer Atlantic community, in a post-bloom state. Zooplankton grazing, mainly by copepods, appeared to be the main control on biomass to the west and north of Svalbard.
In the Barents Sea (east of Svalbard), an ice edge bloom was observed (Chlorophyll-a max. 6.8 pgl-') and the ice edge receded at a rate of approximately 1 1 km day-'. The phytoplankton community was represented by marginal ice species, especially Phaeocystis poucherii and Chaeroceros socialis. South of the ice edge, Deep Chlorophyll Maxima (DCM) were observed, as surface waters became progressively nutrient-depleted. In these surface waters, the phytoplankton were predominantly auto- and heterotrophic flagellates.
Carbon production measurements revealed high net production (new and regenerated) to the north of the Barents Sea Polar Front (BSPF); it was especially high at the receding ice edge (reaching 1.44gC m-'day-'). To the south, a low level of production was maintained, mainly through regenerative processes.     

Multi-methodological investigation of kunzite, hiddenite, alexandrite, elbaite and topaz, based on laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and conventional analytical techniques for supporting mineralogical characterization

Gem-quality alexandrite, hiddenite and kunzite, elbaite and topaz minerals were characterized through a multi-methodological investigation based on EMPA-WDS, LA-ICP-MS, and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). With respect to the others, the latter technique enables a simultaneous multi-elemental composition without any sample preparation and the detection of light elements, such as Li, Be and B. The criteria for the choice of minerals were: (a) the presence of chromophore elements in minor contents and/or as traces; (b) the presence of light lithophile elements (Li, Be and B); (c) different crystal chemistry complexity. The results show that LIBS can be employed in mineralogical studies for the identification and characterization of minerals, and as a fast screening method to determine the chemical composition, including the chromophore and light lithophile elements.     

The mafic-ultramafic complex near Finero (Ivrea-Verbano Zone), II. Geochronology and isotope geochemistry

Whole-rock Nd and Sr isotopic compositions of the mafic-ultramafic complex near Finero demonstrate that the magma was derived from a depleted, perhaps MORB-type mantle reservoir. The Sm-Nd data for the Amphibole Peridotite unit can be interpreted as an isochron with an apparent age of 533 ± 20 Ma, which is consistent with a ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb evaporation age of 549 ± 12 Ma of a single zircon grain from the Internal Gabbro unit. However, the interpretation of these apparent ages remains open to question. We therefore retain the alternative hypotheses that the intrusion occurred either about 533 or 270 Ma ago, the latter being the most likely age of emplacement of the much larger magma body near Balmuccia (Val Sesia). The implication of the older emplacement age (if correct) would be that the igneous complex may be related to the numerous amphibolite units, which are intercalated with the metapelites of the overlying Kinzigite Formation, and together with them may constitute an accretionary complex. In this case, the mafic-ultramafic complex itself might also be part of such an accretionary complex (as has been proposed for the Balmuccia peridotite).

Internal Sm-Nd isochrons involving grt, cpx, plag and amph from the Internal Gabbro unit yield concordant ages of 231 ± 23, 226 ± 7, 223 ± 10, 214 ± 17, and 203 ± 13 Ma. These results confirm published evidence for a separate, regional heating event about 215 ± 15 Ma ago.

Initial _Nd(533) values average +6.3 ± 0.4 for six samples of the Amphibole Peridotite unit and +6.0 ± 1.2 for ten samples of the External Gabbro unit. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios require little or no age correction and range from 0.7026 to 0.7047 (with two outliers at 0.7053 and 0.7071). Strong correlations between ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and K₂O and weaker correlations between initial _Nd and K₂O imply a comparatively minor (≤ 10%) contamination of the External Gabbro magma by crustal material and a later alteration by a crustal or seawater-derived fluid. These results contrast sharply with the isotopic composition (negative _Nd and high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values) of the associated mantle rocks, the Phlogopite Peridotite unit, which has been pervasively metasomatized by crustal fluids. This type of metasomatism and its isotopic signature are never seen in the magmatic complex. This evidence rules out any direct genetic relationship between the igneous complex and the mantle peridotite. The crust-mantle interaction is the opposite of that seen at Balmuccia, where the mantle peridotite is essentially ‘pristine’ and the magmatic body has been extensively contaminated by assimilation of crustal rocks.     

The Jolomba,Angola LL6 chondrite

Abstract— Accompanied by loud thunder at about 1.30 pm (local time) on 3 February 1974, a single stone weighing approx. 480 g was seen to fall and was recovered near the Jolomba village, Huambo District, Angola. The stone is strongly brecciated, has dark-greyish angular fragments within a lighter matrix and does not exhibit any chondritic textures. Jolomba consists of olivine (Fa 31), orthopyroxene (Fs 25), sodic plagioclase (An 11), sulphides (troilite), very scarce nickel-iron (Ni up to 56%), oxides (chromite and ilmenite) and apatite. Pervasive fracturing of silicates suggests that Jolomba suffered strong brecciation and partial recrystallization. Mineralogy and bulk chemical analysis indicate that Jolomba belongs to the LL group of chondrites (amphoterites). Uniform olivine and pyroxene composition, well-crystallized plagioclase and textural features in general indicate that Jolomba belongs to the petrologic type 6.