Hydrochemical characterisation of ground and surface water at Dörtyol/Hatay/Turkey

The degradation of ground water quality due to human activities is a widespread environmental problem. Furthermore, coastal aquifers are threatened by sea water intrusion as a result of increasing water exploitation. The investigation area near Dörtyol is located at the Mediterranean coast, southern Turkey, and dominated by agricultural land use. Drinking, domestic and agricultural purposes require different amounts of uncontaminated water. In this study the hydrogeological characteristics of the coastal plain were investigated. Discharge and ground water level measurements as well as geological investigations were undertaken in field in addition to anion and cation analyses of ground and surface water. The results show geological and anthropogenic influence on ground and surface water composition. In spite of a large number of wells in the coastal area sea water intrusion was not detected. With the goal of devising sustainable water use regulations, more emphasis and research needs to be directed to the long-term observation of ground and surface water quality as well as the detailed investigation of hydraulic characteristics of the local aquifer.     

Selenite retention by nanocrystalline magnetite: Role of adsorption, reduction and dissolution/co-precipitation processes

We studied selenite () retention by magnetite () using both surface complexation modeling and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to characterize the processes of adsorption, reduction, and dissolution/co-precipitation. The experimental sorption results for magnetite were compared to those of goethite (Fe^IIIOOH) under similar conditions. Selenite sorption was investigated under both oxic and anoxic conditions and as a function of pH, ionic strength, solid-to-liquid ratio and Se concentration. Sorption onto both oxides was independent of ionic strength and decreased as pH increased, as expected for anion sorption; however, the shape of the sorption edges was different. The goethite sorption data could be modeled assuming the formation of an inner-sphere complex with iron oxide surface sites (SOH). In contrast, the magnetite sorption data at low pH could be modeled only when the dissolution of magnetite, the formation of aqueous iron-selenite species, and the subsequent surface complexation of these species were implemented. The precipitation of ferric selenite was the predominant retention process at higher selenite concentrations (>1 × 10⁻⁴ M) and pH < 5, which was in agreement with the XAS results. Sorption behavior onto magnetite was similar under oxic and anoxic conditions. Under anoxic conditions, we did not observe the reduction of selenite. Possible reasons for the absence of reduction are discussed. In conclusion, we show that under acidic reaction conditions, selenite retention by magnetite is largely influenced by dissolution and co-precipitation processes.     

An infrared spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray study of malayaite, CaSnSiO5

Powder infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques on single crystals were used to study the thermal behaviour of malayaite, CaSnSiO₅. Infrared spectra show a discontinuity in the temperature evolution of phonon frequencies and absorbance near 500 K. However, crystal structure data collected at 300, 450, 550, 670, and 750 K show no evidence of a symmetry-breaking phase transition and no split positions. The most obvious change with heating is a tumbling motion of the SnO₆ octahedra and an increase of the anisotropic displacement factors of Ca. The thermal evolution of the mean-square vibrational amplitude of the Ca atom shows a pronounced change in slope near 500 K. The evidence suggests that the 500 K anomaly in malayaite is more similar in character to the 825 K (β-γ) transition as opposed to the 496 K (α-β) transition in synthetic titanite. Received: 26 March 1998 / Revised, accepted: 23 December 1998     

Radiative forcing and climate impact resulting from SO2 injections based on a 200,000-year record of Plinian eruptions along the Central American Volcanic Arc

We present for the first time a self-consistent methodology connecting volcanological field data to global climate model estimates for a regional time series of explosive volcanic events. Using the petrologic method, we estimated SO₂ emissions from 36 detected Plinian volcanic eruptions occurring at the Central American Volcanic Arc (CAVA) during the past 200,000 years. Together with simple parametrized relationships collected from past studies, we derive estimates of global maximum volcanic aerosol optical depth (AOD) and radiative forcing (RF) describing the effect of each eruption on radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. In parallel, AOD and RF time series for selected CAVA eruptions are simulated with the global aerosol model MAECHAM5-HAM, which shows a relationship between stratospheric SO₂ injection and maximum global mean AOD that is linear for smaller volcanic eruptions (<5 Mt SO₂) and nonlinear for larger ones (≥5 Mt SO₂) and is qualitatively and quantitatively consistent with the relationship used in the simple parametrized approximation. Potential climate impacts of the selected CAVA eruptions are estimated using an earth system model of intermediate complexity by RF time series derived by (1) directly from the global aerosol model and (2) from the simple parametrized approximation assuming a 12-month exponential decay of global AOD. We find that while the maximum AOD and RF values are consistent between the two methods, their temporal evolutions are significantly different. As a result, simulated global maximum temperature anomalies and the duration of the temperature response depend on which RF time series is used, varying between 2 and 3 K and 60 and 90 years for the largest eruption of the CAVA dataset. Comparing the recurrence time of eruptions, based on the CAVA dataset, with the duration of climate impacts, based on the model results, we conclude that cumulative impacts due to successive eruptions are unlikely. The methodology and results presented here can be used to calculate approximate volcanic forcings and potential climate impacts from sulfur emissions, sulfate aerosol or AOD data for any eruption that injects sulfur into the tropical stratosphere.     

济阳坳陷中生代地层剥蚀厚度、原始厚度恢复及原型盆地研究

在采用各种地层剥蚀量的计算方法对济阳坳陷中生代各主要不整合面地层剥蚀厚度恢复的基础上,结合钻井及地震资料,对中生代各主要构造层的原始地层厚度进行了恢复。以此为切入点,对济阳坳陷区中生代盆地原型进行了初步探讨,将其划分为5期盆地原型：早-中三叠世为一大型内陆坳陷盆地;晚三叠世整体挤压抬升剥蚀;早-中侏罗世为弱挤压背景下的山间盆地;晚侏罗世-早白垩世为受正断层控制的断陷盆地;晚白垩世为断陷后的坳陷盆地。     

我国油气成藏机理与油气资源评价研究迈上新台阶——第四届油气成藏机理与油气资源评价国际学术研讨会在北京召开

由中国石油学会石油地质专业委员会、中国地质学会石油地质专业委员会、北京石油学会、国家自然科学基金委地学部、国土资源部油气资源战略研究中心和中国石油大学共同主办的“第四届油气成藏机理与油气资源评价国际学术研讨会”,于2006年10月14日-16日在中国北京顺利召开。共有260余位代表参加了这次大会,他们分别来自俄罗斯、加拿大、澳大利亚、英国、挪威、德国、韩国以及国内的18个科研院所和34个油田公司。这次大会提交的会议论文和摘要116篇,其中大会主题报告28篇,分会交流34篇。[第一段]     

Portlandia-dominated Communities in the Arctic: Taxonomic Composition and Structure along the Geographical Gradient

Doklady Earth Sciences - The species composition and structure of bottom communities with a predominance of bivalve mollusks of the Portlandia genus, which are widespread on the shelf of the...     

Zircon in amphibolites from Naxos,Aegean Sea,Greece: origin,significance and tectonic setting

We report U–Pb zircon ages of c. 700–550 Ma, 262–220 Ma, 47–38 Ma and 15–14 Ma from amphibolites on Naxos Island in the Aegean extensional province of Greece. The zircon has complex internal structures. Based on cathodoluminescence response, zoning and crosscutting relationships a minimum of four zircon growth stages are identified: inherited core, magmatic core, inner metamorphic (?) rim and an outer metamorphic rim. Trace element compositions of the amphibolites suggest igneous differentiation and crustal assimilation. Zircon solubility as a function of saturation temperatures, Zr content and melt composition indicates that the zircon did not originally crystallize in the mafic bodies but was inherited from felsic precursor rocks, and subsequently assimilated into the mafic intrusives during emplacement. Zircon inheritance is corroborated by the complex, xenocrystic nature of the zircon in one sample. Ages of c. 700–550 Ma and 262–220 Ma are assigned to inherited zircon. Available geochemical data suggest that the 15–14 Ma metamorphic rims grew in situ in the amphibolites, corresponding to a high‐grade metamorphic event at this time. However, the geochemical data cannot conclusively establish if the c. 40 Ma zircon rims also grew in situ, or whether they were inherited along with the xenocrystic cores. Two scenarios for emplacement of the mafic intrusives are discussed: (i) Intrusion during late‐Triassic to Jurassic ocean basin development of the Aegean realm, in which case the 40 Ma zircon rims would have grown in situ, and (ii) emplacement in the Miocene as a result mafic underplating during large‐scale extension. In this case, only the 15–14 Ma metamorphic outer rims would have formed in situ in the amphibolitic host rocks.     

Development of extended WRF variational data assimilation system (WRFDA) for WRF non-hydrostatic mesoscale model

The paper intends to present the development of the extended weather research forecasting data assimilation (WRFDA) system in the framework of the non-hydrostatic mesoscale model core of weather research forecasting system (WRF-NMM), as an imperative aspect of numerical modeling studies. Though originally the WRFDA provides improved initial conditions for advanced research WRF, we have successfully developed a unified WRFDA utility that can be used by the WRF-NMM core, as well. After critical evaluation, it has been strategized to develop a code to merge WRFDA framework and WRF-NMM output. In this paper, we have provided a few selected implementations and initial results through single observation test, and background error statistics like eigenvalues, eigenvector and length scale among others, which showcase the successful development of extended WRFDA code for WRF-NMM model. Furthermore, the extended WRFDA system is applied for the forecast of three severe cyclonic storms: Nargis (27 April–3 May 2008), Aila (23–26 May 2009) and Jal (4–8 November 2010) formed over the Bay of Bengal. Model results are compared and contrasted within the analysis fields and later on with high-resolution model forecasts. The mean initial position error is reduced by 33% with WRFDA as compared to GFS analysis. The vector displacement errors in track forecast are reduced by 33, 31, 30 and 20% to 24, 48, 72 and 96 hr forecasts respectively, in data assimilation experiments as compared to control run. The model diagnostics indicates successful implementation of WRFDA within the WRF-NMM system.     

Migration of the Ganga river and its implication on hydro-geological potential of Varanasi area, U.P., India

Borehole data reveals that during Late Quaternary, the Ganga river was non-existent in its present location near Varanasi. Instead, it was flowing further south towards peripheral craton. Himalayan derived grey micaceous sands were being carried by southward flowing rivers beyond the present day water divide of Ganga and mixed with pink arkosic sand brought by northward flowing peninsular rivers. Subsequently, the Ganga shifted to its present position and got incised. Near Varanasi, the Ganga river is flowing along a NW-SE tectonic lineament. The migration of Ganga river is believed to have been in response to basin expansion caused due to Himalayan tectonics during Middle Pleistocene times. Multi-storied sand bodies generated as a result of channel migration provide excellent aquifers confined by a thick zone of muddy sediments near the surface. Good quality potable water is available at various levels below about 70 m depth in sandy aquifers. Craton derived gravelly coarse-to-medium grained sand forms the main aquifer zones of tens of meter thickness with enormous yield. In contrast, the shallow aquifers made up of recycled interfluve silt and sandy silt occur under unconfined conditions and show water-level fluctuation of a few meters during pre-and post-monsoon periods.