Generators in atmospheric electricity

Summary The definition of a generator in atmospheric electricity is considered, and various phenomena are discussed as to whether they can be described as generators.     

Moon—An albite depleted giant Skaergaard?

The chemical composition of 2188 terrestrial igneous rocks ranging from ultrabasic to granitic composition was analyzed statistically using the method of factor analysis (principal components). The resultant first and second factors were: $$\begin{gathered} {\text{ }}F_1 = 0.933{\text{ Na}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O + 0}}{\text{.143 SiO}}_{\text{2}} + 0.206{\text{ K}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}} - 0.346{\text{ CaO}} - 0.263{\text{ MgO}} - \hfill \\ .203{\text{ FeO}} \pm \cdot \cdot \cdot \hfill \\ {\text{ }}F_2 = 0.979{\text{ Al}}_{\text{2}} {\text{O}}_{\text{3}} - 0.269{\text{ MgO}} - 0.151{\text{ SiO}}_{\text{2}} - 0.112{\text{ FeO}} \pm \cdot \cdot \cdot \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ where oxides are in weight percent. A plot of the first factor against the second results in a useful igneous variation diagram. When the compositions of the 2188 terrestrial rocks and 604 lunar rocks are plotted on this diagram, the two groups of rocks are clearly separated within an albite-anorthite-forsterite-fayalite-quartz polygon. None of the terrestrial differentiation trends are significant for lunar rocks. The major difference in the chemistry of lunar and terrestrial rocks lies in the former being albite poor. Removal of most of the albite from the compositions of terrestrial layered intrusives such as the Skaergaard results in an excellent match between the compositions of the two groups of rocks. Albite subtracted compositions of Skaergaard rocks in particular cover the entire range of chemical variation in the lunar rocks. The statistical results prompt us to speculate further on the similarity of the moon and Skaergaard. We note that the average composition of the moon (Wanke et al., 1974) is similar to the albite subtracted composition of the Skaergaard magma. The lunar crust and a significant part of the lunar interior may match the albite subtracted and somewhat Mg enriched Skaergaard magma.     

The activities of potassium chloride and of water in Dead Sea brine

The activities of KCl and of H₂O in Dead Sea water were estimated according to several approaches dealing with multicomponent electrolyte solutions. The activity of H₂O, both measured directly via its vapor pressure and calculated theoretically, is 0.754 ± 0.004 for brine of density 1.207 ± 0.003gcm^?3 at 25°C. The mean ionic activity of KCl in this brine ranges from 0.876 to 1.199 according to various treatments. These correspond to binary aqueous solutions 8.6–12.1 times richer than the brine. The brine cannot be simultaneously in equilibrium with respect to both H₂O and KCl with such binary solutions, so a hypothetically perfect semipermeable membrane cannot lead to a state of equilibrium between the brine and aqueous KCl of any concentration.     

Agpaitic magmatism at Norra Kärr? RbSr isotopic evidence

RbSr isotopic analyses of 10'whole-rock samples from the controversial peralkaline Norra Kärr complex of southern Sweden suggest an age (1580±62 m.y.) considerably older than had previously been anticipated, and indicate an initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.7072±0.0035 (errors at 2σ). The isotopic data are consistent with a primary magmatic origin for the Norra Kärr agpaites, but data from 8 mineral separates show that they have experienced at least one period of metamorphic disturbance since the original intrusion; the last episode of isotopic readjustment must have occurred after 1250 m.y. before present, and is attributed to the Sveconorwegian (Grenville) metamorphism.     

Three varieties of alpine-type ultramafic rocks in the Norwegian Caledonides and basal gnesis complex

Three varieties of alpine-type ultramafic rocks are distinguish in the Norwegian Caledonides associated Basal Gneiss Complex. Type one rocks have primary (magmatic) olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and chromite, and are partly or completely serpentinised. They are found exclusively in rocks of Cambro-Silurian age. Type two are polymetamorphic metaperidotites or sagvandites consisting of olivine, enstatite and carbonate minerals, with talc and amphibole commonly being present. They are found in medium- to high-grade metamorphic rocks. Type three also show a metamorphic mineral association of olivine, orthopyroxene and minor chromite, while clinopyroxene, amphibole and chrome-bearing chlorite may also be present in some samples. Garnet may or may not occur and, where present, is often surrounded by reaction rims of spinel and amphibole. The type three ultramafic bodies are serpentinised to varying degrees and occur in high-grade metamorphic gneisses which may also contain eclogites and anorthosites. Distinction of these three varieties of ultramafic body may be useful for correlation purposes and for more detailed studies on the nature of their metamorphism.     

Role of hypsometry and planform in basin hydrologic response

The effects of variations of drainage basin morphometry and relief characteristics on flood peak magnitude and time-to-peak are investigated using simulated stream networks. The networks are produced by three models: headward growth, systematic capture, and minimum power relaxation. Translational and kinematic wave flood routing were used to generate synthetic hydrographs. Peak discharge and time-to-peak are predictable to a high degree by five different sets of morphometric-relief parameters. In order of decreasing order of importance in predictive ability the parameters characterize basin size, relative relief, basin concavity, and basin shape. Both simulated and natural stream networks exhibit strong dependence of planimetric morphometry upon basin concavity. The effect of this dependency is to increase the effect of basin concavity upon flood hydrographs.     

Methods for medium-term prediction of the net sediment transport by waves and currents in complex coastal regions

Medium-term prediction of sediment transport and morphological behaviour in the coastal zone is becoming increasingly important as a result of human interference and changing environmental conditions. The interaction of waves and tides is shown to play a pivotal role in the net (annual) sediment transport and morphodynamics of the coastal zone. The Telemac Modelling System has been applied to the Dyfi Estuary and neighbouring coastline, mid Wales, to recreate the annual wave–current conditions and the resulting sediment fluxes. ‘Input reduction’ methods have been required to produce realistic schematisations of events in practical computation times. A field campaign carried out in 2006 provided data for validation of the flow module (Telemac-2D) and also observations to verify the patterns predicted by the wave module (Tomawac). To improve model accuracy refinements were implemented with regard to the sand transport formulation used in the sand transport module (Sisyphe). Here, a parameterisation of the results from the UWB 1DV sand transport ‘research’ model, for the conditions in the Dyfi Estuary, has been introduced, allowing Sisyphe to provide greater realism in the morphological predictions. The model predictions are presented along with a discussion of the success/failure and limitations of the modelling methods applied.