Annama H chondrite—Mineralogy,physical properties,cosmic ray exposure,and parent body history

The fall of the Annama meteorite occurred early morning (local time) on April 19, 2014 on the Kola Peninsula (Russia). Based on mineralogy and physical properties, Annama is a typical H chondrite. It has a high Ar‐Ar age of 4.4 Ga. Its cosmic ray exposure history is atypical as it is not part of the large group of H chondrites with a prominent 7–8 Ma peak in the exposure age histograms. Instead, its exposure age is within uncertainty of a smaller peak at 30 ± 4 Ma. The results from short‐lived radionuclides are compatible with an atmospheric pre‐entry radius of 30–40 cm. However, based on noble gas and cosmogenic radionuclide data, Annama must have been part of a larger body (radius >65 cm) for a large part of its cosmic ray exposure history. The ¹⁰Be concentration indicates a recent (3–5 Ma) breakup which may be responsible for the Annama parent body size reduction to 30–35 cm pre‐entry radius.     

Morphology and dynamics of active bed forms in the Terek R. Channel

Active bed forms of three major classes are formed in Terek lower reaches during summer floods. They include ripples, dunes of the first order, and dunes of the second order (from smaller to larger), which commonly form an incomplete hierarchy. The morphology of the bed forms is essentially stochastic and can be adequately described by probability distribution functions of bed form characteristics for some narrow ranges of hydraulic flow characteristics. At the same time, the mean values of bed form morphometric characteristics (length, height, and asymmetry) show stable relationships with flow velocity and depth. The celerity of active dunes can be adequately described by a modified Snishchenko–Kopaliani formula. The channelforming sediments that move as bed forms in Terek lower reaches account for 7% of sediment transport rate of all channel-forming sediments, a value near the lower limit for rivers with sand alluvium.     

Nickelpicromerite,K<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ni(SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>•6H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O,a new picromerite-group mineral from Slyudorudnik,South Urals,Russia

A new picromerite-group mineral, nickelpicromerite, K₂Ni(SO₄)₂?·?6H₂O (IMA 2012–053), was found at the Vein #169 of the Ufaley quartz deposit, near the town of Slyudorudnik, Kyshtym District, Chelyabinsk area, South Urals, Russia. It is a supergene mineral that occurs, with gypsum and goethite, in the fractures of slightly weathered actinolite-talc schist containing partially vermiculitized biotite and partially altered sulfides: pyrrhotite, pentlandite, millerite, pyrite and marcasite. Nickelpicromerite forms equant to short prismatic or tabular crystals up to 0.07 mm in size and anhedral grains up to 0.5 mm across, their clusters or crusts up to 1 mm. Nickelpicromerite is light greenish blue. Lustre is vitreous. Mohs hardness is 2–2½. Cleavage is distinct, parallel to {10–2}. D _meas is 2.20(2), D _calc is 2.22 g cm^?3. Nickelpicromerite is optically biaxial (+), α?=?1.486(2), β?=?1.489(2), γ?=?1.494(2), 2V_meas =75(10)°, 2V_calc =76°. The chemical composition (wt.%, electron-microprobe data) is: K₂O 20.93, MgO 0.38, FeO 0.07, NiO 16.76, SO₃ 37.20, H₂O (calc.) 24.66, total 100.00. The empirical formula, calculated based on 14 O, is: K_1.93Mg_0.04Ni_0.98S_2.02O_8.05(H₂O)_5.95. Nickelpicromerite is monoclinic, P2₁/c, a?=?6.1310(7), b?=?12.1863(14), c?=?9.0076(10) Å, β?=?105.045(2)°, V?=?649.9(1) ų, Z?=?2. Eight strongest reflections of the powder XRD pattern are [d,Å-I(hkl)]: 5.386–34(110); 4.312–46(002); 4.240–33(120); 4.085–100(012, 10–2); 3.685–85(031), 3.041–45(040, 112), 2.808–31(013, 20–2, 122), 2.368–34(13–3, 21–3, 033). Nickelpicromerite (single-crystal X-ray data, R?=?0.028) is isostructural to other picromerite-group minerals and synthetic Tutton’s salts. Its crystal structure consists of [Ni(H₂O)₆]²⁺ octahedra linked to (SO₄)^2? tetrahedra via hydrogen bonds. K⁺ cations are coordinated by eight anions. Nickelpicromerite is the product of alteration of primary sulfide minerals and the reaction of the acid Ni-sulfate solutions with biotite.     

To the issue of stabilization of permafrost soil subgrade

This paper summarizes an analysis of consequences of railway subgrade construction and maintenance solutions in northern areas of the Russian Far East. An idea of the natural long-term stabilization of the subgrade-base geotechnical system is presented. Proposals to improve the decision-making of construction and engineering solutions are formulated.     

Absolute geomagnetic paleointensity as recorded by ∼1.09 Ga Lake Shore Traps (Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan)

Absolute geomagnetic paleointensity measurements were made on 255 samples from 38 lava flows of the ～1.09 Ga Lake Shore Traps exposed on the Keweenaw Peninsula (Michigan, USA). Samples from the lava flows yield a well-defined characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) component within a ～375°C–590°C unblocking temperature range. Detailed rock magnetic analyses indicate that the ChRM is carried by nearly stoichiometric pseudo-single-domain magnetite and/or low-Ti titanomagnetite. Scanning electron microscopy reveals that the (titano)magnetite is present in the form of fine intergrowths with ilmenite, formed by oxyexsolution during initial cooling. Paleointensity values were determined using the Thellier double-heating method supplemented by low-temperature demagnetization in order to reduce the effect of magnetic remanence carried by large pseudosingle-domain and multidomain grains. One hundred and two samples from twenty independent cooling units meet our paleointensity reliability criteria and yield consistent paleofield values with a mean value of 26.3 ± 4.7μT, which corresponds to a virtual dipole moment of 5.9 ± 1.1×10²² Am². The mean and range of paleofield values are similar to those of the recent Earth’s magnetic field and incompatible with a “Proterozoic dipole low”. These results are consistent with a stable compositionally-driven geodynamo operating by the end of Mesoproterozoic.     

Reconstructing the development of a gully in the Upper Kalaus basin,Stavropol region (southern Russia)

The Stavropol region of southern Russia is severely affected by human‐induced gully erosion. A lack of detailed information on the different stages of gully formation resulting from major agricultural expansion c. 100 years ago, is an obstacle for management and containment of these systems. In this study we combine measurements of particle‐bound radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Pb_ex, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) and classical geomorphology to investigate and reconstruct the different phases of development of a gully during the last c. 100 years. We believe the ?rst phase (1) involved an initial incision into the bottom of a small valley (catchment area c. 1 km²) about 100 years ago. A short period of rapid growth was followed by a longer stage of gully stabilization. Subsequent phases were: (2) the period 1954–1960 – re‐incision in the lower gully reach was initiated by a high‐magnitude rainfall event, and a substantial amount of sediment was delivered to the gully fan; (3) c. 1960–1986 – the knickpoint retreated slowly, sediment was redeposited nearby, and the fan surface became stable; (4) 1986–1987 – a dam was built in the gully mouth and breached shortly after construction following 2 days of high rainfall, and substantial sediment accumulated in the gully above the dam and below the spillway channel on the fan surface; (5) 1987–1993 – the knickpoint retreat continued and the lower fan surface was stable until 1993 when the last signi?cant runoff event overlayed it with c. 10 cm of fresh sediment. These detailed reconstructions of gully development stages allow the contribution of high‐magnitude events to gully growth and regional sediment delivery to be assessed. They further guide management actions to prevent such dam failures in the future. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Stochastic modelling of erosion and deposition in cohesive soils

A new stochastic method of detachment rate estimation was used in erosion modelling. This method was based on calculating the probability of driving forces exceeding resistance forces in the interaction of oscillating flow and structured soil. Knowledge of the probability density functions for flow velocity, soil cohesion, aggregate size and soil integrity makes it possible to calculate theoretically the erosion rate of cohesive soil for any combination of these stochastic variables. The proposed theory explains the variability in relationships between rate of detachment and flow velocity. With flow velocity, detachment rate increases more rapidly for more integrated soil with higher cohesion and larger aggregates. This theory also shows the great difference between soil erosion type for relatively high and relatively low flow velocities, and explains rather high errors, even with detailed models, in the calculation of low soil erosion rate. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simultaneous measurements of the two-dimensional distribution of infrared laser intensity and temperature in a single-sided laser-heated diamond anvil cell

In this report, we demonstrate that combining the laser heating system in a diamond anvil cell (LH-DAC) with a tandem acoustic-optical tunable filter (LH-DAC–TAOTF) allows for the simultaneous measurement of (a) the relative infrared (IR, 1070 nm) power distribution on a specimen surface in the DAC; (b) the temperature distribution under laser heating of a specimen under high-pressure in a DAC; it also (c) provides an opportunity to control the shape of the IR laser spot on the surface of the heated specimen. The effect of the π-shaper on the shape and the position of the focus of the IR laser beam on a specimen using a TAOTF is also presented. For a 10× long-working distance objective, the smallest diameter of the IR laser was found to be around 10 μm, when the focal plane coincides with that of the imaging optical system of LH-DAC. The highest diameter of the IR laser was shown to be 20 μm when the rim of the π-shaper was set at 3 μm. It is demonstrated also that the TAOFT not only permits to measure the two-dimensional (2-D) distribution of the IR laser power, but also allows for the alignment of the laser before each heating event at different pressures.     

Variability of shallow overland flow velocity and soil aggregate transport observed with digital videography

Field experiments at Tiramoana station 30 km north of Christchurch, New Zealand using an erosion plot 16·5 m long, 0·6 m wide, and with a slope of 14–14·5° on rendzina soil aimed to measure the variability of flow velocity and of soil aggregates transport rate in shallow overland flow. Discharge/cross‐section area ratio was used to estimate mean velocity, and high‐speed digital video camera and image analysis provided information about flow and sediment transport variability. Six flow runs with 0·5–3·0 L s^?1 discharges were supercritical with Froude numbers close to or more than 1. Mean flow velocity followed Poiseuille law, float numbers were more than 1·5 and hydraulic resistance was an inverse proportional function of the Reynolds number, which is typical for laminar flows. Hence actual velocity varied through time significantly and the power spectrum was of ‘red‐noise’, which is typical for turbulent flow. Sediment transport rates had even higher variability, and soil aggregates transport was a compound Poisson process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.