On the influence of noise on measurements with three-dimensional hot-film or hot-wire probes

This paper describes the influence of noise on the u, v, and w wind components, which are measured by commonly used rectangular hot-film or hot-wire probes. It is shown that the distortion of the u, v, and w turbulence spectra may be entirely different, even if all three measured cooling velocities are equally disturbed by the same noise signal. A practical formalism is given for estimating the influence of any cooling velocity noise on the spectra and cospectra of u, v, and w. With inverted matrices, the original spectrum of a noise signal in the cooling velocities can be calculated from the observed u, v, and w spectra, assuming that the undisturbed shape of them is known.This work was supported by the Sonderforschungsbereich Meeresforschung of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

In situ iron isotope ratio determination using UV-femtosecond laser ablation with application to hydrothermal ore formation processes

The feasibility of in situ stable Fe isotope ratio measurements using UV-femtosecond laser ablation connected to a multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICP-MS) has been investigated. Different types of matrices, independently determined by solution MC-ICP-MS after chromatographic separation of Fe, have been analysed by laser ablation using the isotopically certified iron reference material IRMM-014 as the bracketing standard. The samples have been pure iron metal (JM Puratronic), Fe-meteorites (North Chile, Glenormiston and Toluca), the meteorite phases kamacite and taenite in Toluca and Fe-sulphides. Furthermore, Fe isotope ratios from hydrothermal hematite, siderite and goethite from an old mining area in the Schwarzwald, Germany, and of magnetite from the metamorphic Biwabik iron formation have been determined. The results show that a precision of better than 0.1‰ (2 sigma) can be achieved with laser ablation and that all the results obtained agree with those determined by solution ICP to better than 0.1‰. This precision and accuracy is achievable in both raster and spot ablation mode. A matrix-matched bracketing standard is not required , and all these materials can be measured accurately against a metal standard. The hydrothermal minerals show significant Fe isotope zonations. In some samples the range of δ⁵⁶Fe in a single aggregate encompasses the entire spectrum of ratios found by bulk solution analyses in multiple samples distributed over the whole mining district. For example, isotopic zonations found in secondary fibrous hematites show a continuous change in the δ⁵⁶Fe values from −0.5‰ in the core to −1.8‰ in the rim. Primary hydrothermal siderite shows the reverse pattern with lighter values in the core than in the rim. While the siderite is thought to record primary fluid histories, the hematite pattern is interpreted as a reworked isotopic signature generated by oxic dissolution of primary zoned siderite and immediate close range re-precipitation of the oxidized Fe. Abrupt changes are documented for secondary goethite showing a distinct overgrowth that is 0.4‰ lighter than the core of the grain. If indeed Fe isotopes in secondary minerals from hydrothermal ore deposits record the initial isotopic signatures of their precursor minerals, and these in turn record hydrothermal fluid histories, then the tools are in place for a detailed reconstruction of the deposit‘s genesis. We expect similar observations from other Fe-rich deposits formed at intermediate and low-temperatures (e.g. banded iron formations). Laser ablation now provides us with the spatial resolution that adds a further dimension to our interpretation of stable Fe-isotope fractionation.     

Monsoon triggered formation of Quaternary alluvial megafans in the interior of Oman

A vast bajada consisting of coalescing low-gradient (< 0.3°) alluvial fans exceeding 100 km in length formed along the southwestern margin of the Oman Mountains. It comprises an old fan sequence of inferred Miocene to Pliocene age termed Barzaman Formation, diagenetically highly altered to dolomitic clays, and a thin veneer of weakly cemented Quaternary gravels. A combination of remote sensing, lithological analyses and luminescence dating is used to interpret the complex aggradation history of the Quaternary alluvial fans from the interior of Oman in the context of independent regional climate records. From satellite imagery and clast analysis four fans can be discerned in the study area. While two early periods of fan formation are tentatively correlated to the Miocene–Pliocene and the Early Pleistocene, luminescence dating allows the distinction of five phases of fan aggradation during the Middle–Late Pleistocene. These phases are correlated with pluvial periods from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 11 through 3, when southern Arabia was affected by monsoonal precipitation. It is concluded that the aggradation of the alluvial fans was triggered by the interplay of increased sediment production during arid periods and high rainfall with enhanced erosion of hillslopes and transport rates during strong monsoon phases. However, the lack of fine-grained sediments, bioturbation and organic material implies that although the Quaternary fans are sourced by monsoonal rains they formed in a semi-arid environment. Thus, it appears that, in contrast to the Oman Mountains, the interior was not directly affected by monsoonal precipitation.     

Temporal Gravity Variations near Shrinking Vatnajökull Ice Cap, Iceland

Repeated gravity measurements were carried out from 1991 until 1999 at sites SE of Vatnajökull, Iceland, to estimate the mass flow and deformation accompanying the shrinking of the ice cap. Published GPS data show an uplift of about 13 ± 5 mm/a near the ice margin. A gravity decrease of –2 ± 1 μGal/a relative to the Höfn base station, was observed for the same sites. Control measurements at the Höfn station showed a gravity decrease of –2 ± 0.5 µGal/a relative to the station RVIK 5473 at Reykjavík (about 250 km from Höfn). This is compatible, as a Bouguer effect, with a 10 ± 3 mm/a uplift rate of the IGS point at Höfn and an uplift rate of ~20 mm/a near the ice margin. Although the derived gravity change rates at individual sites have large uncertainties, the ensemble of the rates varies systematically and significantly with distance from the ice. The relationship between gravity and elevation changes and the shrinking ice mass is modelled as response to the loading history. The GPS data can be explained by 1-D modelling (i.e., an earth model with a 15-km thick elastic lithosphere and a 7·10¹⁷ Pa·s asthenosphere viscosity), but not the gravity data. Based on 2-D modelling, the gravity data favour a low-viscosity plume in the form of a cylinder of 80 km radius and 10¹⁷ to 10¹⁸ Pa·s viscosity below a 6 km-thick elastic lid, embedded in a layered PREM-type earth, although the elevation data are less well explained by this model. Strain-porosity-hydrology effects are likely to enhance the magnitude of the gravity changes, but need verification by drilling. More accurate data may resolve the discrepancies or suggest improved models.