Numerical simulation of internal boundary-layer development and comparison with atmospheric data

A finite-volume numerical model is employed to investigate the adaptation of the atmospheric boundary layer to a change in the underlying surface roughness, such as that existing in the transition from land to the free surface of a water body. Numerical results are validated by comparison with neutral stratification atmospheric data and compared with the internal boundary-layer (IBL) heights computed using a number of existing empirical formulae. The numerical analysis allows an extension of the fetch range in which the existing formulae, calibrated only by comparison with short fetch data, may be applied. An argument is offered that the spatial variability of the water surface roughness should be also taken into account for the IBL development over the surface of a water body.     

UV-Vis spectrophotometric and XAFS studies of ferric chloride complexes in hyper-saline LiCl solutions at 25-90 °C

The speciation and thermodynamic properties of ferric chloride complexes in hydrothermal solutions and hypersaline brines are still poorly understood, despite the importance of this element as a micronutrient and ore-component. Available experimental data are limited to room temperature and relatively low chloride concentrations. This paper reports results of UV-Vis spectrophotometric and synchrotron XAFS experiments of ferric chloride complexes in chloride concentrations up to 15 m and at temperatures of 25-90 °C. Qualitative interpretation of the UV-Vis spectra shows that FeCl²⁺, FeCl₂⁺, FeCl_3(aq) and FeCl₄⁻ were present in the experimental solutions. As chloride concentrations increase, higher ligand number complexes become important with FeCl₄⁻ predominating in solutions containing more than 10 m at 25 °C. The predominance fields of FeCl_3(aq) and FeCl₄⁻ expand to lower Cl concentrations with increasing T. Both XANES and UV-Vis spectra reveal a major change in the geometry of the complex between FeCl₂⁺ and FeCl_3(aq). EXAFS data confirm that the number of chloride ligands increases with increasing chloride concentration and show that Fe³⁺, FeCl²⁺ and FeCl₂⁺ share an octahedral geometry. FeCl_3(aq) could be either tetrahedral or trigonal dipyramidal, while FeCl₄⁻ is expected to be tetrahedral. EXAFS data support a tetrahedral geometry for FeCl₄⁻, especially at 90 °C, but do not allow to distinguish between a tetrahedral or trigonal dipyramidal geometry for FeCl_3(aq) because of similar Fe-Cl distances. At room temperature, EXAFS data suggest that FeCl_3(aq) may be a mixture of octahedral and tetrahedral or trigonal dipyramidal forms.The room temperature formation constants for three ferric chloride complexes (FeCl₂⁺, FeCl_3(aq) and FeCl₄⁻) determined from the UV data are generally in good agreement with previous studies. Calculations based on the properties extrapolated to 300 °C show that hematite solubility is much higher than previously estimated, and that the high orders complexes FeCl_3(aq) and FeCl₄⁻ are important at high temperatures even in solutions with low chloride concentrations. The accuracy of these properties is limited by a poor understanding of activity-composition relationships in concentrated electrolytes, and by limitations in the available experimental techniques and extrapolation algorithms; however, the inclusion of higher order complexes in numerical models of ore transport and deposition allows for a more accurate qualitative prediction of Fe behaviour in hydrothermal and hypersaline systems.     

Structural evolution in elliptical galaxies: the age–shape relation

We test the hypothesis that the apparent axial ratio of an elliptical galaxy is correlated with the age of its stellar population. We find that old ellipticals (with estimated ages t >7.5 Gyr) are rounder on average than younger ellipticals. The statistical significance of this shape difference is greatest at small radii; a Kolmogorov–Smirnov test comparing the axial ratios of the two populations at R = R _e/16 yields a statistical significance greater than 99.96 per cent. The relation between age and apparent shape is linked to the core/power-law surface brightness profile dichotomy. Core ellipticals have older stellar populations, on average, than power-law ellipticals and are rounder in their inner regions. Our findings are consistent with a scenario in which power-law ellipticals are formed in gas-rich mergers, while core ellipticals form in dissipationless mergers, with cores formed and maintained by the influence of a binary black hole.     

Double-layer structure in the boundary layer over the baltic sea

Double-layered structures found over the Baltic Sea are investigated using radiosoundings and lidar measurements. Situations with double-layer structures are also simulated with the regional model REMO in a realistic manner. The double layer consists of two adjacent well-mixed layers, with a sharp inversion in between.Results from radiosoundings show that the double-layer structure over the Baltic Sea mainly occurs during the autumn with thermally unstable stratification near the surface. The structure is present in about 50 % of the radiosoundings performed during autumn. The presence of the double-layer structure cannot be related to any specific wind direction, wind speed or sea surface temperature.The lidar measurements give a more continuous picture of the time evolution of the double-layer structure, and show that the top of the lower layer is not a rigid lid for vertical transport. Two possible explanations of the double-layer structure are given, (i) the structure is caused by `advection' of land boundary-layer air over the convective marine boundary layer or, (ii) by development of Sc clouds in weak frontal zones connected to low pressure systems. Also the forming of Cu clouds is found to be important for the development of a double-layer structure.     

Stable isotopic evidence for Middle Pleistocene environmental change from a loess‐paleosol sequence: Kärlich,Germany

Loess‐paleosol sequences are important terrestrial archives of palaeoenvironmental change. Such sequences are rich in pedogenic carbonate, the oxygen and carbon isotopic values of which can provide important palaeoenvironmental information. Although some studies have pioneered the use of O and C isotopes in loess‐paleosol sequences, they are not routinely used as palaeoclimate proxies. In this study we analysed the sedimentology, micromorphology, geochronology and isotopic geochemistry of a Middle Pleistocene loess‐paleosol section, located at Kärlich, Germany. The section studied correlates with the Elsterian glacial (MIS 12) and Holsteinian interglacial (MIS 11). Embedded tephra layers yielded ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages of 466±3 ka, 447±1 ka and 361±3 ka. The sedimentology and micromorphology of the sequence record a shift from accretionary loess accumulation (MIS 12) to prolonged pedogenesis at a stable land surface (MIS 11). Soil carbonate δ¹⁸O values record an enrichment of ～3‰ during the accumulation of the loess, reaching peak values comparable with those found in the MIS 11 soil. The δ¹⁸O signal is interpreted as reflecting temperature, highlighting the potential of δ¹⁸O analysis of European loess soil carbonates as a means of reconstructing palaeotemperature history.     

Stability of the sponge assemblage of Mediterranean coralligenous concretions along a millennial time span

The Mediterranean coralligenous substratum is a hard bottom of biogenic origin, mainly composed of calcareous algae, growing in dim light conditions. Sponges are among of the most representative taxa of the coralligenous assemblages, with more than 300 recorded species of different habits: massive, erect, boring and insinuating. When sponges die, their siliceous spicules remain trapped in the biogenic concretion, offering the opportunity to describe the coralligenous spongofauna over a very long span of time, virtually dating back to a large part of the Holocene period. The data reported here were obtained from core samples collected from four coralligenous concretions. Each block was collected in a different locality of the Ligurian Sea: Santo Stefano Shoals, Bogliasco, Punta del Faro (Portofino Promontory) and Punta Manara. Radiocarbon age determinations indicate for these conglomerates a maximal age between 1600 and 3100 years. The spicules trapped in the cores show deep dissolution marks in the form of circular holes on their surface or present an enlargement of the axial canal. However, their original shape, generally intact, suggests the absence of mechanical injuries and allows a tentative identification at the species level. The analysis of these old spicules reveals an ancient sponge assemblage composed of 30 recognisable species. This indicates that almost one half of the sponge community today settled on coralligenous substrata has been present in the conglomerates for their entire existence.