Strukturuntersuchung an einer basaltischen Hornblende von Černošin, ČSR

Inhalt Die basaltische Hornblende von ernoin, SR, wird optisch, chemisch und röntgenographisch untersucht.Die Besetzung einzelner Positionen mehrerer Hornblenden wird durch Auszählen der Elektronen aus den Fourierprojektionen kontrolliert.Mit einer Textabbildung     

Spatial and time variations of the interplanetary microparticle flux analysed from deep space probes pioneers 8 and 9

The first results of a comprehensive computer analysis of over 300 front film and grid coincidence events is presented using statistical tests on the observed data. The short term time dependence of the observed flux is entirely commensurate with a random Poisson distribution and any possible contributions from discrete “cometary showers” must certainly be of relatively minor significance compared to the sporadic background for mass > 10^?13 g. Periodic seasonal variations of ～ 20 per cent of the average rate are observed common to Pioneers 8 and 9. These variations could reflect on the cometary nature of the source or alternatively indicate the presence of an interstellar component. The mass spectrum of the flux in the range 10^?11?10^?13 g indicates an increasing flux of particles to the lowest limits of mass detected, with a derived flux of Φ = 1·4 × 10^?12m^?0·68 (g) m^?2 sec^?1(2π ster.)^?1.     

Impact cratering and spall failure of gabbro

Both hypervelocity impact and dynamic spall experiments were carried out on a series of well-indurated samples of gabbro to examine the relation between spall strength and maximum spall ejecta thickness. The impact experiments carried out with 0.04- to 0.2-g, 5- to 6-km/sec projectiles produced decimeter- to centimeter-sized craters and demonstrated crater efficiencies of 6 × 10^?9 g/erg, an order of magnitude greater than in metal and some two to three times that of previous experiments on less strong igneous rocks. Most of the crater volume (some 60 to 80%) is due to spall failure. Distribution of cumulative fragment number, as a function of mass of fragments with masses greater than 0.1 g yield values of b = d(log N_f)/d log(m) ?0.5 ?0.6, where N is the cumulative number of fragments and m is the mass of fragments. These values are in agreement or slightly higher than those obtained for less strong rocks and indicate that a large fraction of the ejecta resides in a few large fragments. The large fragments are plate-like with mean values of B/A and C/A 0.8 0.2, respectively (A = long, B = _termediate, and C = short fragment axes). The small equant-dimensioned fragments (with mass < 0.1 g and B ～ 0.1 mm) represent material which has been subjected to shear failure. The dynamic tensile strenght of San Marcos gabbro was determined at strain rates of 10⁴ to 10⁵ sec^?1 to be 147 ± 9 MPa. This is 3 to 10 times greater than inferred from quasi-static (strain rate 10⁰ sec^?1) loading experiments. Utilizing these parameters in a continuum fracture model predicts a tensile strenght of $\text{σ}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>m</mtext>}}\text{∝}\text{ε}\text{?}{}^{\mathrm{[0.25–0.3]}}$, where ε is strain rate. It is suggested that the high spall strenght of basic igneous rocks gives rise to enhanced cratering efficiencies due to spall in the <10²-m crater diamter strength-dominated regime. Although the impact spall mechanism can enhance cratering efficiencies it is unclear that resulting spall fragments achieve sufficient velocities such that fragments of basic rocks can escape from the surfaces of planets such as the Moon or Mars.     

New evidence of extensive active mud volcanism in the Anaximander mountains (Eastern Mediterranean): The “ATHINA” mud volcano

A 3000 km² multibeam survey was carried out on the eastern Anaximander Mountains (Mts), (Eastern Mediterranean). The objective was to obtain detailed bathymetry of known mud volcanoes and identify new sites of active mud volcanism in the area. N-NW of the Amsterdam Mud-Volcano (MV) several mounds and cone-like morphological irregularities with a height of few tens of meters to about one hundred meters were detected and considered as potential MVs on the basis of their distinctive backscattered character. A group of two mounds was selected, the northern mound was sampled, documented as active, and named accordingly Athina MV. These new findings strongly support the presence of extensive active mud volcanism in the Anaximander Mountains especially in the area north of the Amsterdam MV.GEM     

Impacts of recent climate change on wheat production systems in Western Australia

The wheatbelt of Western Australia shows a distinct Mediterranean climate with most of the rainfall occurring in the winter months. The main factor limiting plant production in this region is rainfall. Due to clearing of native vegetation, dryland salinity is a major problem in south-west Australia. Since the mid 1970s the region has experienced a significant decrease in winter rainfall. Across nine sites, growing season rainfall (May to October) decreased by an average of 11% and the sum of rainfall in June and July (June + July) decreased by 20%. We used the ASPIM-Nwheat model in combination with historic climate data to study the impact of recent climate change on the hydrology and production of wheat based farming systems by comparing results for before and after 1975. Despite the large decline in rainfall, simulated yields based on the actual weather data did not fall. At the same time, simulated drainage decreased by up to 95% which will significantly reduce the spread of dryland salinity. These results were due to the rainfall changes mainly occurring in June and July, a period when rainfall often exceeds crop demand and large amounts of water are usually lost by deep drainage. The findings will have significant implications for estimates of future climate change impacts in this region with changes in rainfall causing non-proportional impacts on production and hydrological aspects, such as deep drainage and waterlogging, where proportionality is often presumed.     

The Jiddat al Harasis 073 strewn field,Sultanate of Oman

Abstract— The recently discovered Jiddat al Harasis (JaH) 073 strewn field is the largest found so far in the Sultanate of Oman, covering an area of 19 × 6 km. The 3463 single stones collected range in weight from 52.2 kg down to <1 g (total weight 600.8 kg) and show a pronounced mass sorting. The strewn field shape can be approximated by a NW‐SE‐oriented ellipsoid, indicating an atmospheric entry from SE at a low angle relative to the surface. The meteorite belongs to the L6 ordinary chondrite group and shows S4 average shock grade. Smaller stones generally show a higher weathering grade resulting in a spread from W2 and W4. Enhanced weathering of the stones causing fragmentation after the fall is observed in sandy depressions. Five ¹⁴C measurements on stones of variable size and weathering grade yielded ¹⁴C from 3.8 to 49.9 dpm/kg. Three samples give a ¹⁴C/ ¹⁰Be age consistent with about 14.4 ka. For two samples the cosmogenic, trapped, and radiogenic noble gases were measured. The ratio of the ⁴He and ⁴⁰Ar gas retention ages of 0.29 ± 0.10 and that of the ³He and ²¹Ne cosmic ray exposure ages of 0.36 ± 0.08 Ma indicate that JaH 073 experienced a complex exposure history and lost ⁴He and ⁴⁰Ar due to a major collision. Fragmentation statistics indicate a single major atmospheric disruption and an originally relatively spherical shape of the object. Assuming the material collected represents the majority of fallen mass, and 90–99% of the original weight was lost by ablation, the pre‐atmospheric minimum radius of the meteoroid with density 3.4 g cm^?3would have been at least 75 cm.     

Differential aerobic and anaerobic oxidation of hydrocarbon gases discharged at mud volcanoes in the Nile deep-sea fan

The present study investigates hydrocarbon oxidation processes at Isis and Amon mud volcanoes (MV’s), in the eastern Nile deep-sea fan. In the water column, molecular and carbon isotopic signatures of light hydrocarbons indicate that gases rapidly dissolve in seawater and are partially oxidized.In the upper sediments, anaerobic oxidation of the light hydrocarbons takes place, as clearly shown by their molecular and isotopic composition. These processes lead to the presence of a distinct Sulfate-Hydrocarbon Interface at 120-145 cm and 20-50 cm below the seafloor, for Isis and Amon MV’s, respectively. In contrast to processes occurring in the water column, a clear preferential oxidation of methane, propane and n-butane over ethane and i-butane is observed in the anoxic sediments. Furthermore, for the first time, fractionation factors have been determined for the anaerobic oxidation of propane and butane, being respectively −4.80‰ and −0.7‰ for δ¹³C, and −43.3‰ for δ²H of propane.     

Rapid and cyclic aeolian deposition during the Last Glacial in European loess: a high-resolution record from Nussloch, Germany

This paper reports the results of an investigation of the Weichselian Upper Pleniglacial loess sequences of Nussloch (Rhine Valley, Germany) based on stratigraphy, palaeopedology, sedimentology, palynology, malacology and geochemistry (δ¹³C), supported by radiocarbon, TL and OSL dating. Grain-size and magnetic susceptibility records are taken at 5 cm intervals from the Upper Pleniglacial (UPG) loess. The data indicate cyclic variations in loess deposition between ca 34 and 17 ka, when the sedimentation rate is especially high (1.0–1.2 m per ka for more than 10 m). The grain-size index (GSI: ratio of coarse silt versus fine silt and clay) shows variations, which are assumed to be an indirect measurement of wind intensity. The sedimentation rate, interpreted from the profiles, indicates high values in loess (Loess events LE-1 to LE-7) and low or negligible values in tundra gley horizons G1 to G8. OSL ages from the loess and ¹⁴C dates from organic matter in the loess show that loess deposition was rapid but was interrupted by shorter periods of reduced aeolian sedimentation. Comparison between the data from Nussloch and other European sequences demonstrates a progressive coarsening of the loess deposits between ca 30 and 22 ka. This coarsening trend ends with a short but major grain-size decrease and is followed by an increase to a new maximum at 20 ± 2 ka (“W” shape). Correlation between the loess GSI and the Greenland ice-core dust records, suggests a global connection between North Atlantic and Western European global atmospheric circulation and wind regimes. In addition, the typical Upper Pleniglacial loess deposition begins at ca 30–31 ka, close to Heinrich event (HE) 3, and the main period of loess sedimentation at about 25 ± 2 ka is coeval to HE 2. Correlation of magnetic susceptibility and grain-size records shows that the periods, characterised by high GSI, coincide with an increase in the amount of ferromagnetic minerals reworked from the Rhine alluvial plain. They suggest enhancement in the frequency of the storms from N–NW. These results are integrated within a palaeogeographical model of dust transport and deposition in Western Europe for the Weichselian Upper Pleniglacial (or Late Pleniglacial).     

Studie über Höhenschwankungen der F2-Schicht: III

Zusammenfassung Es muss unterschieden werden zwischen den (scheinbaren) Minimalhöhen der F2-Schicht und jenen Höhen, in denen sich das Miximum der Elektronenkonzentration befindt. Es wird gezeist, dass sich für Statinen in Aequatornähe diese beiden Gebiete der F2-Schicht ganz verschieden verhalten; aus der Tatsache, dass die untere Begrenzung mit zunehmender Sonnentätigkeit abwts sinkt, während gleichzeitig die Höhe für die maximale Elektronenkonzentration anwächst, wird auf eine Veränderung der Schichtdicke geschlossen, die von der wechselnden Sonnenaktivität étroite avec l'activité solaire.

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Résumé La distinction entre la hauteur virtuelle minimum de la couche F2 et la hauteur vituelle où se trouve le maximum de la concentration 'eléctronique est nécessaire. On Montre que ces deux régions sont tré différentes pour les stations situées près de l'équateur. Etant donné que la base de la couche F2 s'abaisse pendant la période de croissance du cycle solaire, tandis que la hauteur de la concentraion éléctronique du maximmum augmente, on en conclu que l'épaisseur est soumis à des variations en relation étroite avec l'activité solaire.