New remains of Pleistocene Ovibos moschatus from Germany and its geographic and stratigraphic occurrence in Europe

All remains of Pleistocene muskoxen from central and western Europe are attributable to a single species, Ovibos moschatus. Its occurrence was restricted mainly to the area north of the Pyrenees and Alps, covering lowlands and mountain areas up to 1600 m. In the Middle Pleistocene, Ovibos occurred in a cold phase, well before the Elsterian, and again during the Saalian and Weichselian. In the Late Pleistocene, Ovibos co-occurred with other faunal elements indicative of severe continental climatic conditions during the early and late Weichselian. During the middle Weichselian, the genus seems to have retreated. A list of European localities that have yielded Ovibos moschatus, inclusive of geographical references, is provided.     

The Mangrove Ecosystem of the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (Colombia): Observations on Regeneration and Trace Metals in Sediment

Alteration of water flows and consequent hypersalinization caused the death of nearly 70% of mangroves at the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia. Efforts to rehabilitate the ecosystem have been made through the construction of freshwater channels. Mangrove recovery was observed along a freshwater channel and at a small lagoon behind the beach ridge. Factors identified in this study influencing mangrove regeneration are: salinity of surface water, duration and height of flooding, leaching property of soils, dispersal of propagules and presence of fertile trees. Besides mangrove regeneration, a notable extension of freshwater plants was observed in the channel. Trace metal concentrations in sediments from the Magdalena River and its area of influence were investigated before the complete opening of the first channel. A relative comparison indicated that the highest concentrations of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn were above international recommended limits. However, metal concentrations found in sediments at Clarín Channel did not affect the mangrove recovery.     

Foreign direct investment with Chinese characteristics: A middle path between Ownership-Location-Internalization model and Linkage-Leverage-Learning model

The majority of multinational enterprises(MNEs) traditionally originate from developed countries.In the last ten years,however,there has been dramatic growth in foreign direct investment(FDI) from China.It is a comparatively new phenomenon that challenges the classic FDI theories.In this paper,we review the pros and cons of two important theories,known as the Ownership-Location-Internalization(OLI) model and Linkage-Leverage-Learning(LLL) model,and use the statistical data and company case studies from China to test the plausibility of these two models.We believe that neither of them suits totally: the OLI model is quite useful for understanding FDI from China to developing economies,while the LLL model is more powerful for explaining the FDI to developed economies.We argue that the companies from China attain a very advantageous position as intermediates in the global economy.They may catch up with the first movers if they integrate OLI-led and LLL-led FDI within one firm.This combination can bring together the most advanced knowledge acquired in developed economies with the knowledge about adaptation needs and the needs for cost reduction in production as expressed in developing economies.It may also accelerate the knowledge transfer globally.We thus fill a gap in research into the geographical pattern of Chinese FDI and offer a deeper understanding of the internationalization of Chinese MNEs and revolving knowledge transfer.     

The production of cosmogenic nuclides in stony meteoroids by galactic cosmic‐ray particles

Abstract— We present a purely physical model for the calculation of depth‐ and size‐dependent production rates of cosmogenic nuclides by galactic cosmic‐ray (GCR) particles. besides the spectra of primary and secondary particles and the excitation functions of the underlying nuclear reactions, the model is based on only one free parameter—the integral number of gcr particles in the meteoroid orbits. We derived this value from analysis of radionuclide data in Knyahinya. We also show that the mean GCR proton spectrum in the meteoroid orbits has been constant over about the last 10 Ma. For the major target elements in stony meteoroids, we present depth‐ and size‐dependent production rates for ¹⁰Be, ¹⁴C, ²⁶Al, ³⁶Cl, and ⁵³Mn as well as for the rare gas isotopes ³He, ²⁰Ne, ²¹Ne, ²²Ne, ³⁶Ar, and ³⁸Ar. The new data differ from semi‐empirical estimates by up to a factor of 4 but agree within ～20% with results obtained by earlier parametric or physical approaches. The depth and size dependence of the shielding parameter ²²Ne/²¹Ne and the correlations ²⁶Al vs. ¹⁰Be, ²⁶Al vs. ⁵³Mn, ¹⁰Be/²¹Ne vs. ²²Ne/²¹Ne, and ³⁶Ar vs. ³⁶Cl for deciphering preatmospheric sizes, shielding depths, terrestrial residence times, and exposure histories are also discussed.     

Crustal underplating and its implications for subsidence and state of isostasy along the Ninetyeast Ridge hotspot trail

Recent seismic field work has revealed high lower-crustal velocities under Ninetyeast Ridge, Indian Ocean, indicating the presence of crustal underplating ( Grevemeyer et al . 2000 ). We used results from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) drill cores and cross-spectral analysis of gravity and bathymetric data to study the impact of the underplating body on the subsidence history and the mode of isostatic compensation along Ninetyeast Ridge. Compared with the adjacent Indian basin, the subsidence of Ninetyeast Ridge is profoundly anomalous. Within the first few millions of years after crustal emplacement the ridge subsided rapidly. Thereafter, however, subsidence slowed down significantly. The most reliable model of isostasy suggests loading of a thin elastic plate on and beneath the seafloor. Isostatic compensation of subsurface loading occurs at a depth of about 25 km, which is in reasonably good agreement with seismic constraints. Subsurface loading is inherently associated with buoyant forces acting on the lithosphere. The low subsidence may therefore be the superposition of cooling of the lithosphere and uplift due to buoyant material added at the base of the crust. A model including prolonged crustal growth in the form of subcrustal plutonism may account for all observations.     

A preliminary assessment of nitrous oxide in Chalk groundwater in Cambridgeshire, U.K.

Groundwater samples from boreholes and springs in the unconfined Chalk aquifer of Cambridgeshire were analysed for N₂O and other N species on a monthly basis between March 1995 and February 1996. Land use in the study area is devoted to intensive arable farming supported by the application of N-based fertilisers. All groundwater samples were strongly oversaturated with N₂O, with concentrations ranging from 13 to 320 times the saturation concentration with respect to air-equilibrated water.A very good positive correlation between N₂O and NO₃ concentrations was obtained (r²=0.80), but no relationship was established between N₂O and NO₂ or NH₄ concentrations. Concentrations of N₂O and NO₃ increased continuously in the direction of groundwater flow, with molar net gain ratios of NO₃ to N₂O varying between 204 and 410. These ratios are within the range reported in previous studies of nitrification. Corresponding dissolved O₂ levels in groundwater samples were moderately undersaturated, further indicating that the main source of N₂O in Chalk groundwater in Cambridgeshire is probably nitrification. No consumption of N₂O seems to take place within the unconfined aquifer with degassing to the atmosphere apparently being the sole mechanism for N₂O removal from groundwater.An estimated N₂O flux of around 0.05 kg N₂O ha⁻¹ a⁻¹ from the sampled groundwater discharge points to the atmosphere was calculated for the study area. This figure is likely to be much higher, since it does not account for diffuse N₂O emissions from groundwater seepage areas or any degassing from the unconfined aquifer through the unsaturated zone. Both these processes will contribute substantially to the total aerial flux, thus suggesting that groundwater may be a significant contributor to the global N₂O budget.     

Possibilities of oil shale mining under the Selisoo mire of the Estonia oil shale deposit

The paper presents results of the study on oil shale mining (Estonia underground mine) possibilities under the Selisoo mire. The Selisoo area is 2,051 ha in extent, and most of the mire is in natural state. Peat layer consists of thick (4.4–6.5 m) oligotrophic peat. Mining under Selisoo will go at depths 65–70 m under the surface. The mining field of the Estonia mine was planned between Ahtme and Viivikonna fault zones. The lowest hydraulic conductivity of carbonate rocks 0.11 l/day per m² is found in the Oandu layer and for peat it is 0.35–0.0002 m/day. Therefore, together they form a good aquitard. When the annual rainfall amount is the highest, the difference between horizontal water inflow and runoff is positive with 127,000 m³. Positive water balance is guaranteed in case of precipitation being at least 540 mm/year. The positive water balance is important for preserving the ecological system of Selisoo mire. For guaranteeing long-term stability of mine pillars, a new calculation method has been elaborated, based on the conventional calculation scheme, where the factor of safety is more than 2.3. Rheological processes are out of question, collapse of the pillars is impossible. Stability of the underground constructions and overburden rocks must be “eternal”. The criteria were elaborated for oil shale mining and will guarantee preservation of mires in natural or close to natural state.