Paleo-oceanography of the Norwegian Sea during the past 130,000 years: coccolithophorid and foraminferal data

Faunal, floral and sedimentological properties of Norwegian Sea core V27-86 were examined in order to reconstruct the paleo-oceanographic history of this region. Downcore variations in the relative abundance of three microfossil groups and several sediment properties exhibit three different climate response patterns (CRP). Each pattern is judged to represent the response of a different part of the climate system. The covariance patterns among coccoliths, henthic foraminifera, and other properties suggest that the Norwegian Sea has been ice-free and productive during the present interhlacial. the penultimate interglacial (isotopic-stage se) and at least partially ice-free during an intermediate climatic regime (stages sa-d). A maximum change in these measures occurs at the boundary between isotopic stage 5a (an intermediate climatic regime)and isotopic stage 4 (a glacial climatic regime). In contrast, planktic foraminiferal assemblages and oxygen isotope measurements on planktic foraminifera show a major change at the end of stage 5e (the penultimate interglacial). The contrasting behavior of these two sets of observations is explained by a model which postulates a low-salinity surface layer 115,000 to 75,000 years ago (stages 5a-d).     

Neotectonics

Neotectonics is the study of Earth movements of late Cenozoic age, especially those in harmony with contemporary horizontal and vertical crustal motions. Precise information about the character, frequency and rate of recent movements is an essential part of planning how to reduce earthquake hazard, and it also allows tectonicians to devise realistic models of crustal behaviour.     

ENHANCING THE DECONVOLUTION OF NOISY CHROMATOGRAPHIC DATA BY JANSSON''S METHOD

In previous papers Jansson's method was found to be successful at deconvolving severely overlapped gaschromatographic peaks.In the most recent paper the method was evaluated with respect to quantitativeaceuracy,peak area and retention time repeatability.The problems associated with deconvolving noisydata and some alternatives which can improve the ability of Jansson's method to deconvolve noisy dataare discussed.These alternatives include presmoothing the data with a nine-point,third-order polynomialfilter and data reblurring.This paper will test these methods on peaks with various degrees of resolutionand signal-to-noise ratios.     

MIXTURE ANALYSIS USING FACTOR ANALYSIS.Ⅱ:SELF-MODELING CURVE RESOLUTION

One of the major applications of factor analysis in the chemical literature,self-modeling curve resolution(SMCR),is covered in this review,including a historical account of the inethods derived from Lawtonand Sylvestre's original method.Papers treating the theory or applications of SMCR are included.Qualitative and quantitative applications are described where appropriate.     

Regional differences in the effects of El Niño and La Niña on low flows and floods

Abstract

The response of monthly 7-day low flow, monthly instantaneous peak flow, and monthly frequency of flood events to El Niño and La Niña episodes is investigated for 18 rivers that represent a diverse range of climatic types throughout New Zealand. A significant positive or negative deviation from the long-term average was observed in over half the possible combinations of river, streamflow index, and type of ENSO episode; significant deviations were most frequent in the case of low flow, especially during La Niña episodes. Patterns of streamflow response differ widely between rivers, and the response of a given river to individual ENSO episodes is very variable. The patterns of streamflow response to ENSO are consistent to some extent with the climatic effects of ENSO already identified by meteorologists. Two core regions can be defined in which streamflow tends to respond in the same way. These are in the northeast of the North Island, and in the axial ranges of the South Island, where there are significant effects of ENSO on the frequency and duration of rain-bearing northeasterly and westerly winds respectively. The patterns of response strongly reflect topography, and the exposure of catchments to predominant air masses.     

New lessons for technology policy and climate change: investment for innovation

The direction of UK energy policy requires a renewed impetus if the goal of climate change stabilization is to be met. Cost is not the main issue: a transformation to a low-carbon energy system may be no more expensive than meeting future energy demands with fossil fuels. Institutional barriers are preventing the large-scale adoption of the necessary technologies. New institutions to promote low-carbon technologies have not yet led to investment on the necessary scale. Further changes to the operation of the UK electricity markets to create a ‘level playing field’ for small-scale and intermittent generation are necessary. UK policy can contribute to international agreements following on from the Kyoto Accord, which also need to address the institutional barriers to energy technology development and transfer.