Potential of EPR imaging to detect traces of primitive life in sedimentary rocks

In the prospect of the search for traces of primitive life on Earth and Mars, we investigated the possibility to detect and visualize the spatial distribution of minute amounts of organic matter in ancient rocks, in a non-destructive way, by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Imaging (EPRI). We studied a series of non- or moderately metamorphosed siliceous rocks (cherts) of different ages ranging from 45 Ma to 3490 Ma and embedding fossile organic matter. In the case of the oldest cherts containing only mature insoluble organic matter (IOM), with IOM^• radicals characterized by a single Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) line, we could obtain three-dimensional images with sub-millimetric resolution of the organic matter distribution inside samples containing as low as 10¹⁴–10¹⁵ radicals per gram. In the case of younger cherts, containing less mature organic matter, and thus several types of organic radicals, we showed that selective imaging of each type of radical was possible provided that the EPR spectra did not overlap. Selective imaging of either the organic radicals or of the oxygen vacancy (E' centres) of the mineral matrix, which are ubiquitous in siliceous rocks, was possible, selecting either one or the other paramagnetic species with high power in-phase, 1st harmonic detection or with 90°-out-of-phase, 2nd harmonic detection of the EPR. The influence of ferromagnetic inclusions in the mineral matrix on the EPRI of the organic matter was also addressed. Image artifacts due to the ferromagnetic resonance signal of these inclusions could be easily removed by background substraction from the EPR spectra before image reconstruction. We thus showed that selective imaging by EPR of minute amounts of fossile organic matter in ancient rocks could be possible despite the magnetic complexity of such materials.     

Non‐linear seismic analysis and vulnerability evaluation of a masonry building by means of the SAP2000 V.10 code

The aim of the paper is to explore the possibilities offered by SAP2000^® v.10, a software package with user‐friendly interface widely used by practising engineers, for seismic analyses of masonry buildings. The reliability of the code was first investigated by carrying out static push‐over (SPO) analyses of two walls, already analysed by other researchers using advanced programs. The equivalent frame modelling was employed in all analyses carried out. The code was then used to investigate the seismic performance of an existing two‐storey building typical of the north‐east of Italy, with the walls being made of roughly squared stones. An SPO analysis was performed first on the most significant wall, followed by a number of time‐history analyses aimed to evaluate the dynamic push‐over curves. Finally, the seismic fragility curves were derived, considering the seismic input as a random variable. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Easterly wave regimes and associated convection over West Africa and tropical Atlantic: results from the NCEP/NCAR and ECMWF reanalyses

 NCEP/NCAR and ECMWF daily reanalyses are used to investigate the synoptic variability of easterly waves over West Africa and tropical Atlantic at 700 hPa in northern summer between 1979–1995 (1979–1993 for ECMWF). Spectral analysis of the meridional wind component at 700 hPa highlighted two main periodicity bands, between 3 and 5 days, and 6 and 9 days. The 3–5-day easterly wave regime has already been widely investigated, but only on shorter datasets. These waves grow both north and south of the African Easterly Jet (AEJ). The two main tracks, noted over West Africa at 5 °N and 15 °N, converge over the Atlantic on latitude 17.5 °N. These waves are more active in August–September than in June–July. Their average wavelength/phase speed varies from about 3000 km/8 m s^-1 north of the jet to 5000 km/12 m s^-1 south of the jet. Rainfall, convection and monsoon flux are significantly modulated by these waves, convection in the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) being enhanced in the trough and ahead of it, with a wide meridional extension. Compared to the 3–5-day waves, the 6–9-day regime is intermittent and the corresponding wind field pattern has both similar and contrasting characteristics. The only main track is located north of the AEJ along 17.5 °N both over West Africa and the Atlantic. The mean wavelength is higher, about 5000 km long, and the average phase speed is about 7 m s^-1. Then the wind field perturbation is mostly evident at the AEJ latitude and north of it. The perturbation structure is similar to that of 3–5-days in the north except that the more developed circulation centers, moving more to the north, lead to a large modulation of the jet zonal wind component. South of the AEJ, the wind field perturbation is weaker and quite different. The zonal wind core of the jet appears to be an almost symmetric axis in the 6–9-day wind field pattern, a clockwise circulation north of the AEJ being associated with a counter-clockwise circulation south of the jet, and vice versa. These 6–9-day easterly waves also affect significantly rainfall, convection and monsoon flux but in a different way, inducing large zonal convective bands in the ITCZ, mostly in the trough and behind it. As opposed to the 3–5-day wave regime, these rainfall anomalies are associated with anomalies of opposite sign over the Guinea coast and the Sahelian regions. Over the continent, these waves are more active in June–July, and in August–September over the ocean. GATE phase I gave an example of such an active 6–9-day wave pattern. Considered as a sequence of weak easterly wave activity, this phase was also a sequence of high 6–9-day easterly wave activity. We suggest that the 6–9-day regime results from an interaction between the 3–5-day easterly wave regime (maintained by the barotropic/baroclinic instability of the AEJ), and the development of strong anticyclonic circulations, north of the jet over West Africa, and both north and south of the jet over the Atlantic, significantly affecting the jet zonal wind component. The permanent subtropical anticyclones (Azores, Libya, St Helena) could help initiation and maintenance of such regime over West Africa and tropical Atlantic. Based on an a priori period-band criterion, our synoptic classification has enabled us to point out two statistical and meteorological easterly wave regimes over West Africa and tropical Atlantic. NCEP/NCAR and ECMWF reanalyses are in good agreement, the main difference being a more developed easterly wave activity in the NCEP/NCAR reanalyses, especially for the 3–5-day regime over the Atlantic. Received: 28 May 1998 / Accepted: 2 May 1999     

Nearshore intertidal topography and topographic-forcing mechanisms of an Amazon-derived mud bank in French Guiana

The intertidal topography in the vicinity of the contact zone between a longshore-migrating Amazon-derived mud bank and the muddy terrestrial shoreline in French Guiana was defined from a combination of satellite-based SPOT images, airborne lidar data and high-resolution total station ground surveying of a 75,000 m² plot. The three approaches, at different scales, were carried out at different periods. Digital elevation models generated from these three techniques, however, converge in highlighting the topographic micro-scale (centimetre-scale) variability of the mud bank surface while showing meso- to macro-scale features that reflect the dominance of wave activity in mud bank mobilization and attachment to the terrestrial shoreline. These features are bar-like longshore forms that develop in the intertidal zone from the shoreward drift of gel-like mud that accompanies wave damping. The features progressively become consolidated through mud drying out associated with the formation of cracks that are important in mangrove colonization and ecological changes. Fluid-mud accumulations formed from high concentrations of mud trapped in the troughs behind these linear bar forms generate flat featureless surfaces that tend to mask topographic heterogeneity of the mud bank surface. Dewatering of these lower zones by progressive mud consolidation complements tidal water discharge in providing a mechanism for the formation of the numerous channels that dissect the linear bar features, especially in the upper intertidal contact zone with the terrestrial shoreline. This dissection in the upper intertidal zone generates an intricate topography that replaces the original linear bar forms. The innermost bar forms a ‘suture’ zone with the terrestrial shoreline. Reworking of this bar by high-energy waves may lead to mud dispersal over old terrestrial mangrove substrates, resulting in stifling of mangrove pneumatophores. Mud reworking at the narrow trailing edge of the mud bank in the subtidal and lower intertidal zones leaves behind a flat bed that will eventually be completely eroded by waves in the course of mud bank migration.     

Two-way embedding algorithms: a review

Local mesh refinement features have now been added to a number of numerical ocean models. In its crudest form, a high-resolution grid is embedded (or nested) in a coarse-resolution grid, which covers the entire domain, and the two grids interact. The aim of this paper is to review existing two-way grid embedding algorithms. The basic algorithms and specificities related to ocean modelling are first described. Then, we address several important issues: conservation properties, design of interpolation/restriction operators, and noise control techniques.     

Initial ensemble generation and validation for ocean data assimilation using HYCOM in the Pacific

A method to initialize an ensemble, introduced by Evensen (Physica, D 77:108–129, 1994a; J Geophys Res 99(C5):10143–10162, 1994b; Ocean Dynamics 53:343–367, 2003), was applied to the Ocean General Circulation Model (OGCM) HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) for the Pacific Ocean. Taking advantage of the hybrid coordinates, an initial ensemble is created by first perturbing the layer interfaces and then running the model for a spin-up period of 1 month forced by randomly perturbed atmospheric forcing fields. In addition to the perturbations of layer interfaces, we implemented perturbations of the mixed layer temperatures. In this paper, we investigate the quality of the initial ensemble generated by this scheme and the influence of the horizontal decorrelation scale and vertical correlation on the statistics of the resulting ensemble. We performed six ensemble generation experiments with different combinations of horizontal decorrelation scales and with/without perturbations in the mixed layer. The resulting six sets of initial ensembles are then analyzed in terms of sustainability of the ensemble spread and realism of the correlation patterns. The ensemble spreads are validated against the difference between model and observations after 20 years of free run. The correlation patterns of six sets of ensemble are compared to each other. This study shows that the ensemble generation scheme can effectively generate an initial ensemble whose spread is consistent with the observed errors. The correlation pattern of the ensemble also exhibits realistic features. The addition of mixed layer perturbations improves both the spread and correlation. Some limitations of the ensemble generation scheme are also discussed. We found that the vertical shift of isopycnal coordinates provokes unrealistically large deviations in shallow layers near the islands of the West Pacific. A simple correction circumvents the problem.

Unraveling the roles of asymmetric uplift,normal faulting and groundwater flow to drainage rearrangement in an emerging karstic landscape

Landscape adjustment to tectonic, lithologic and climatic forcing leads to drainage reorganization and migration of divides. The respective contribution of these forcings, especially on carbonate landscapes is not well defined. Here, we have addressed this issue by combining field observations, satellite image interpretation and digital elevation model (DEM) quantitative analysis to assess drainage response to spatially heterogeneous rainfall, asymmetric uplift, and normal faulting on an emerging carbonated platform (Sumba Island, Indonesia). We map geomorphic markers of fluvial dynamics and drainage rearrangement and compute a χ parameter that incorporates the contributions of unevenly distributed precipitation and asymmetric uplift to estimate erosional disequilibrium across drainage divides. We find that asymmetric emergence of Sumba Island created an initial parallel drainage, asymmetric across a divide that propagates landwards. Soon after establishing itself on the emerging slopes this drainage was disturbed by normal faulting, which has become the main force driving drainage rearrangement. Vertical offsets across normal fault scarps first triggered aggradation within valleys over the hanging walls, and then disconnected upstream reaches from downstream reaches, leading to the formation of wind gaps atop the fault scarps and upstream perched sedimentary basins. The defeat of rivers by growing fault scarps was catalysed by the possibility for surface water to be rerouted near the fault scarps into underground water networks inside the underlying carbonates. At the end of the process, the opposite drainage across the main water divide captured the struggling drainage. Capture mechanisms include initial groundwater capture of the perched alluvial aquifers, followed by ground sapping at the head of the opposite drainage and surface stream diversion by avulsion. Finally, normal faulting is the main driving force of drainage rearrangement allowing avulsion and karstic rerouting whereas asymmetric uplift and climate forcings have shown a low efficiency. The role of karstification is more ambiguous, catalysing or inhibiting drainage rearrangement. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of Travel-Time and Amplitude Measurements for Deep-Focusing Time–Distance Helioseismology

The purpose of deep-focusing time–distance helioseismology is to construct seismic measurements that have a high sensitivity to the physical conditions at a desired target point in the solar interior. With this technique, pairs of points on the solar surface are chosen such that acoustic ray paths intersect at this target (focus) point. Considering acoustic waves in a homogeneous medium, we compare travel-time and amplitude measurements extracted from the deep-focusing cross-covariance functions. Using a single-scattering approximation, we find that the spatial sensitivity of deep-focusing travel times to sound-speed perturbations is zero at the target location and maximum in a surrounding shell. This is unlike the deep-focusing amplitude measurements, which have maximum sensitivity at the target point. We compare the signal-to-noise ratio for travel-time and amplitude measurements for different types of sound-speed perturbations, under the assumption that noise is solely due to the random excitation of the waves. We find that, for highly localized perturbations in sound speed, the signal-to-noise ratio is higher for amplitude measurements than for travel-time measurements. We conclude that amplitude measurements are a useful complement to travel-time measurements in time–distance helioseismology.