Distribution of dissolved molybdenum,uranium and vanadium in baltic sea waters

This study presents dissolved molybdenum, uranium and vanadium profiles from eight stations in the main Baltic subregions. The elements were analysed by a new analytical procedure based on total-reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF). Mo and U reveal a strong, positive correlation with salinity (with r = 0.95 and 0.93, respectively). The estimated end-member concentrations (for S = 35 × 10^?3) are consistent with North Atlantic Ocean water values, indicating conservative mixing with Baltic river waters as the dominating process. In contrast, dissolved V shows relatively low levels, with mean surface and deep layer values of 2.7 and 1.7 nmol kg^?1, respectively. Compared with recently investigated Atlantic Ocean waters (normalized to S = 35 × 10^?3), Baltic waters are deplated in dissolved V by more than 60%. The removal is attributed to scavenging processes by terrigenous and/or biogenic material during the course of mixing. However, the data did not indicate that precipitation or other removal processes were significant in the anaerobic waters.     

Gravitational spreading causes en-echelon diking along a rift zone of Madeira Archipelago: an experimental approach and implications for magma transport

Many volcanic rift zones show dikes that are oriented oblique rather than parallel to the morphological ridge axis. We have evidence that gravitational spreading of volcanoes may adjust the orientation of ascending dikes within the crust and segment them into en-echelon arrays. This is exemplified by the Desertas Islands which are the surface expression of a 60 km long submarine ridge in southeastern Madeira Archipelago. The azimuth of the main dike swarm (average = 145°) deviates significantly from that of the morphological ridge (163°) defining an en-echelon type arrangement. We propose that this deviation results from the gravitational stress field of the overlapping volcanic edifices, reinforced by volcano spreading on weak substratum. We tested our thesis experimentally by mounting analogue sand piles onto a sand and viscous PDMS substratum. Gravitational spreading of this setup produced en-echelon fractures that clearly mimic the dike orientations observed, with a deviation of 10°–32° between the model’s ridge axis and that of the main fracture swarm. Using simple numerical models of segmented dike intrusion we found systematic changes of displacement vectors with depth and also with distance to the rift zone resulting in a complex displacement field. We propose that at depth beneath the Desertas Islands, magmas ascended along the ridge to produce the overall present-day morphology. Above the oceanic basement, gravitational stress and volcano spreading adjusted the principal stress axes’ orientations causing counterclockwise dike rotation of up to 40°. This effect limits the possible extent of lateral dike propagation at shallow levels and may have strong control on rift evolution and flank stability. The results highlight the importance of gravitational stress as a major, if not dominant factor in the evolution of volcanic rift zones.Editorial responsibility: M Carroll     

A methodology for the evaluation of the human-bioclimatic performance of open spaces

The purpose of this paper is to present a simple methodology to improve the evaluation of the human-biometeorological benefits of open spaces. It is based on two groups of new indices using as basis the well-known PET index. This simple methodology along with the accompanying indices allows a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the climatic behavior of the selected sites. The proposed methodology was applied in a human-biometeorology research in the city of Athens, Greece. The results of this study are in line with the results of other related studies indicating the considerable influence of the sky view factor (SVF), the existence of the vegetation and the building material on human-biometeorological conditions. The proposed methodology may provide new insights in the decision-making process related to urban open spaces’ best configuration.

     

Calculation of electromagnetic sensitivities in the time domain

The speed of calculating sensitivities for 3-D conductivity structures for time- domain electromagnetic methods is significantly improved by applying the reciprocity theorem directly in the time domain. The sensitivities are obtained by convolving the electric field in the subsurface due to a transmitter at the surface with the electric field impulse response due to another transmitter, which replaces the original receiver. The acceleration compared to the classical perturbation method is approximately P/R , where P is the number of model parameters and R is the number of receiver positions. If the sensitivity has to be calculated very close to the receiver, approximate sensitivities can be obtained using an integral condition. Comparisons with the classical perturbation approach show that the method gives accurate results. Examples using transmitter–receiver configurations from a long-offset transient electromagnetics survey demonstrate the usefulness of sensitivities for the evaluation of resolution properties.     

A new telluric KCl probe using Filloux's AgAgCl electrode

The measurement of the telluric field's long-time variations requires stable instruments in the period range above 1 day. Obviously, most problems arise from drifting voltages between the telluric probes. Good results have been achieved using a three chamber Hempfling KCl probe together with Filloux's AgAgCl electrode. However, a one chamber probe of 0.6 m length and 0.06 m diameter filled with saturated KCl solution may be sufficient for some applications and additionally allows permanent control of the electrolyte's salt concentration. In a field test the telluric field at a single site was simultaneously observed using one and three chamber probes separated by 25 and 55 m resp. For periods shorter than 1 hour the noise level of the electrodes was found to be less than 1 (mV)²/Hz whereas in the period range between 1 hour and 1 day it increases to 100 (mV)²/Hz. Consequently, surveys investigating long periods of the telluric field can be carried out using small electrode separations of a few tens of meters. Furthermore, the stability of this probe negates the need to interrupt the time series for servicing of the probe. However, the one chamber probe is somewhat inferior to the three chamber probe with regard to temperature dependence at long periods.