The orbit of the nearby low-mass binary Gliese 600

We have computed a combined spectroscopic-interferometric orbit for the nearby binary Gliese 600 discovered by us. The orbital period is 2.78 years, and the semimajor axis is 100 mas (0.1″). Its M0 V components are almost identical and have a mass of 0.5M _⊙. The mass ratio is uncertain because of the low radialvelocity semiamplitude (7 km s^?1) associated with the low orbital inclination (37°). The orbital parallax of the binary (52±11 mas) matches its dynamical and photometric parallaxes but differs significantly from the Hipparcos parallax (44.3±1.6) mas; the latter was probably distorted by the orbital motion that was not taken into account.     

The mafic-ultramafic complex near Finero (Ivrea-Verbano Zone), I. Chemistry of MORB-like magmas

Geochemical data are presented for the meta-igneous, mafic-ultramafic complex near Finero. This complex is in contact with a phlogopite-bearing mantle peridotite and is subdivided into the Internal Gabbro unit, the Amphibole Peridotite unit, and the External Gabbro unit. The Internal Gabbro and the Amphibole Peridotite units consist of coarse-grained, chemically heterogeneous cumulates, whereas the External Gabbro unit is generally massive, chemically more uniform and approximately representative of the residual melt with MgO contents between 6.6 and 9.1% and Mg numbers between 38 and 58. Both whole-rock and mineral contents of Ni and Cr are significantly higher (at similar Mg numbers) in the Amphibole Peridotite unit than in the Internal Gabbro unit. The most straightforward interpretation of this is that the Amphibole Peridotite unit accumulated after the influx of fresh mafic (or ultramafic) magma into the magma chamber. Major-element chemical trends are continuous from the Amphibole Peridotite unit to the External Gabbro unit and are consistent with closed-system fractionation with no further addition of magma or contamination by wall or roof rock assimilation. In the External Gabbro unit, total FeO and TiO₂ contents are strongly correlated with each other (and with P₂O₅ and Zr) and reach values as high as 19 and 4%, respectively, indicating an advanced degree of crystal fractionation along a tholeftic trend. The External Gabbro samples have generally smooth normalized trace element patterns, which are consistent with being representative of a liquid composition. The residual nature of the External Gabbro magma is also indicated by negative Eu and Sr anomalies, clear evidence for prior feldspar fractionation. REE patterns are otherwise indistinguishable from N-type MORB, but Th and U are significantly more depleted than in MORB. This Th and U depletion is similar to that found in olivine basalts and picrites on Iceland and Hawaii; its origin is not well understood. No evidence is seen for any assimilation of crystal material, in sharp contrast with the situation of the igneous complex in Val Sesia near Balmuccia, where the magma composition is dominated by assimilation of crust. We suggest that the heat provided by at most two injections of magma near Finero was insufficient to induce crystal anatexis, in contrast with the excess heat supplied by multiple magma injections at Balmuccia.     

Microbial remains in some earliest Earth rocks: Comparison with a potential modern analogue

Carbonaceous matter (CM) from ca. 3.5 Ga hydrothermal black cherts of the Pilbara Craton of Western Australia and the Barberton Greenstone Belt of South Africa yielded transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images that are suggestive of microbial remains and possible remnants of microbial cell walls. These are compared to a potential modern analogue, the hyperthermophilic Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, derived from an active seafloor hydrothermal environment and cultured under similar conditions. A striking resemblance to the early Archaean forms was evident in wall structure and thermal degradation mode. Cell disintegration of the cultures occurred at 100 °C marking the limits of life. Complete disintegration, deformation and shrinkage occurred at 132 °C. A multidisciplinary approach to the characterisation of the CM was undertaken using organic petrology, TEM coupled with electron dispersive spectral analysis (EDS), high resolution TEM (HRTEM) to determine molecular ordering, and elemental and carbon isotope geochemistry. Reflectance measurements of the CM to determine thermal stress yielded a range of values corresponding to several populations, and pointing to different sources and processes. The δ¹³C values of Dresser Formation CM (−36.5 to −32.1‰) are negatively correlated with TOC (0.13–0.75%) and positively correlated with C/N ratio (134–569), which is interpreted to reflect the relative abundance of high R_o/oxidised/recycled CM and preferential loss of ¹²C and N during thermal maturation. TEM observations, inferred carbon isotopic heterogeneity and isotope fractionations of −27 to −32‰ are consistent with the activity of chemosynthetic microbes in a seafloor hydrothermal system where rapid silicification at relatively low temperature preserved the CM.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of reduction spheroids in red beds

Summary The mineralogy and geochemistry of reduction spheroids from continental and marine red beds of Europe, North America and Oman were investigated. Reduction spheroids are spheroidal, isolated reduction sites in hematitic rocks. They consist of a mineralized core (0.1 to 5 cm diameter) and a hematite-dissolution halo (1 to 20 cm diameter). Irrespective of origin and age of host rocks, all reduction spheroid cores show a very similar mineralogy dominated by the vanadian mica roscoelite and a similar pattern of element enrichment relative to their host rocks dominated by V and U. Element enrichments in most reduction spheroids are very similar to those of sandstone-hosted vanadium-uranium deposits except for a lack of a molybdenum enrichment. Isotopically light sulfide of in-situ, low-temperature origin is an indication for the involvement of bacterial sulfate reduction during reduction spheroid formation.

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Mineralogie und Geochemie von Reduktionshöfen in Rotsedimenten

Zusammenfassung Reduktionshöfe aus kontinentalen und marinen Rotsedimenten von Europa, Nordamerika und aus dem Oman wurden geochemisch und mineralogisch untersucht. Reduktionshöfe sind kugelsymmetrische, isolierte Reduktionszentren in hämatithaltigen Gesteinen. Sie bestehen aus einem mineralisierten Kern von 0.1 bis 5 cm Durchmesser welcher von einem infolge Hämatitlösung gebleichten Hof von 1 bis 20 cm Durchmesser umgeben ist. Reduktionshöfe zeigen unabhängig von ihrer Herkunft und vom Alter des Nebengesteins immer eine sehr ähnliche Mineralogie der mineralisierten Kerne mit dominierendem Roscoelith sowie eine ähnliche Charakteristik der Elementanreicherung relativ zum Muttergestein. Die Elementanreicherung wird von V und U dominiert und gleicht jener von Sandstein-Typ Vanadium-Uran-Lagerstätten mit Ausnahme des Fehlens einer Molybdänanreicherung. In-situ unter Tieftemperaturbedingungen produziertes, isotopisch leichtes Sulfid ist ein Hinweis darauf, dass bakterielle Sulfatreduktion bei der Bildung der Reduktionshöfe eine Rolle spielte.

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With 7 Figures     

3D magnetic reconnection at an X-ray bright point

On May 1, 1993, a flaring X-ray bright point (XBP) was observed for about 16 hours in the old, disintegrating, bipolar active region (AR) NOAA 7493. During this period, a minor magnetic bipole (10²⁰ Mx) emerged in the region. We have found observational evidence showing that the XBP brightenings were due to magnetic reconnection between the new bipole and pre-existing plage fields. The aim of the present work is to substantiate with magnetic modelling what has been shown by the observations. For this purpose we extrapolate the observed photospheric magnetic fields in the linear force-free approximation and follow its evolution during the lifetime of the XBP. From the computed coronal field lines we determine the location of regions of drastic change in field-line linkage, called quasi-separatrix layers or QSLs. QSLs are open layers that behave physically like separatrices: the break down of ideal magnetohydrodynamics and the release of free magnetic energy may occur at these locations when their thickness is small enough. The extrapolated field lines, with photospheric footpoints on both sides of QSLs, match the observed chromospheric and coronal structures (arch filament system, XBP and faint X-ray loops (FXL)). We study also the evolution of the width of the QSL located over the new negative polarity pore: the calculated QSL is very thin (typically less than 100 m) during the lifetime of the XBP, but becomes much thicker ( 10⁴ m) after the XBP has faded. Furthermore we show that peaks in X-ray brightness propagate along the FXL with a velocity of 670 km s^-1, starting from the XBP location, implying that the energy is released where the emerging bipole impacts against pre-existing coronal loops. We discuss the possible mechanism of energy transport and conclude that the energy is conducted to the remote footpoints of the FXL by a thermal front. These results strongly support the supposition that the XBP brightness and flaring are due to the interaction of different flux systems, through 3D magnetic reconnection, at QSLs.Member of the Carrera del Investigador Cientifíco, CONICET.Also at Konkoly Observatory, Budapest, Pf. 67, H-1525 Hungary.     

Preparation and characterization of subcellular fractions suitable for studies of xenobiotic metabolism from leaf sheaths of a marine seagrass: Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile

The capacity of the mammalian liver microsomal P-450-dependent systems to metabolize a wide variety of endogenous and exogenous compounds is thought to reflect the presence of multiple forms of P-450 haemoproteins with broad and overlapping substrate specificity. In plants, the functions and specificity of cytochrome P-450 systems are less well known.This study was designed to prepare and characterize subcellular fractions from fresh sheaths (basal parts of leaves) of a mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile, the aim being the preparation of a microsomal fraction suitable for studying xenobiotic metabolism. The purity of the different fractions obtained by centrifugation, as well as the recovery of different organelles, was determined using enzyme markers (cytochrome c oxidase, alkaline phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase) and morphological examination by transmission electron microscopy. Some assays of enzymes involved in xenobiotic metabolism (cytochrome c reductase, laurate hydroxylase, ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase and glutathione-S-transferase) were also performed on different fractions of the preparation. The subcellular distribution for drug metabolism and marker enzymes showed a loss of endoplasmic reticulum in the pellet obtained after the first centrifugation, but the microsomal fraction was relatively free of mitochondria and fragments of the plasma membrane.Some assays are still being performed to avoid the small loss of endoplasmic reticulum experienced with the first pellet. However, the microsomes prepared in this study from sheaths of Posidonia oceanica appear suitable for further investigation of xenobiotic metabolism.     

Biogeochemical climatologies in the Ross Sea, Antarctica: seasonal patterns of nutrients and biomass

The seasonal patterns of nutrient (nitrate and silicic acid) and chlorophyll distributions in the Ross Sea are formulated by two independent methods. The first procedure compiles all available data from cruises from 1970 to the present and generates a three-dimensional grid for the months from November through February using an iterative difference-correction scheme. The second method uses a three-dimensional circulation model and the phytoplankton standing stock climatology to investigate the effects of currents and phytoplankton uptake on nutrient distributions. The two approaches produced similar results, although the circulation model produced distributions that were more variable in space due to its finer resolution. The nutrient distributions were characterized by elevated concentrations in early spring and gradual reductions to ca. 15 and 40 μM (nitrate and silicic acid, respectively) in summer. Nutrient depletion did not occur despite the favorable growth conditions (elevated macronutrient concentrations, strong vertical stratification) in summer, suggesting that an alternative limitation (such as by dissolved iron concentrations) occurs. Chlorophyll concentrations reached ca. 6 μg l⁻¹ in December and declined thereafter. Seasonal primary production calculated from the nitrate deficits and the circulation model suggested that production was ca. 73 g C m⁻², slightly lower but similar to other estimates using independent methods. Using the nutrient climatology, losses (vertical flux plus respiration) through Feb. 15 from the upper 100 m were ca. 50% of the seasonal production, and the rest of the organic production was removed after that date. Results also suggest that carbon export from the surface layer may vary significantly in space and time.     

A circumpolar modeling study of habitat control of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) reproductive success

A one-dimensional, temperature-dependent model is implemented to simulate the descent–ascent cycle of Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) embryos and larvae. Inputs to the model are monthly mean climatologies of ambient temperature and density fields obtained from the World Ocean Atlas Database for Southern Ocean waters. Simulations are done with a 1° resolution at a circumpolar scale, south of 60°S, and the results are interpolated to a 5′ grid to match the resolution of the bottom bathymetry data. Simulations of the descent–ascent cycle using environmental conditions corresponding to the Antarctic krill spawning season (December–March) resulted in unconstrained success in completion of the cycle in water deeper than 1000 m. Continental shelf regions favorable to successful hatching of Antarctic krill embryos are limited to areas along the west Antarctic Peninsula, large areas in the Bellingshausen and Amundsen Seas, offshore of Wilkes Land, and to the east and west of Prydz Bay. These are regions where the Southern Antarctic Circumpolar Current Front is along the shelf slope, the Antarctic Slope Front is absent, and Circumpolar Deep Water is present. The effect of seasonal variability in temperature on the descent–ascent cycle tends to enhance the probability of success in regions offshore of Wilkes Land, Queen Maud Land, and the eastern shelf of the Antarctic Peninsula later in the spawning season. The simulations show that success of the descent–ascent cycle is sensitive to initial embryo diameter and larval ascent rate. Initial embryo diameter may provide an additional constraint on success of the descent–ascent cycle, especially in continental shelf waters, where small embryos tend to encounter the bottom before hatching. The circumpolar distributions of simulated embryo hatching depth and larval success show that all regions of the Antarctic are not equal in the ability to support successful completion of the Antarctic krill descent–ascent cycle, which has implications for the overall circum-Antarctic krill distribution and for the development of nutrient and material budgets, especially for Antarctic continental shelf areas.     

Isotopic contrasts,chronology of elemental transfers and high-grade metamorphism: the Sri Lanka Highland granulites,and the Lewisian (Scotland) and Nuk (SW Greenland) gneisses

Crust formation ages inferred on the basis of Nd model age, U-Pb zircon and Pb-Pb data for granulites from central Sri Lanka, and the late Archean Lewisian (Scotland) and Nuk (south-western Greenland) high-grade gneisses are comparable, and in the range 2.2–3.0 Ga and 2.8–3.0 Ga respectively. The time interval between crust formation and high-grade metamorphism (with its attendant depletions of incompatible and heat-producing elements) is in the order of 2 Ga for the 0.6 Ga Highland granulites of Sri Lanka, but are less than 0.1–0.2 Ga for the Lewisian and Nuk gneisses. Severe depletions of U and Th produced the distinctive unradiogenic present-day Pb ratios of the Lewisian and Nuk gneisses. The Sri Lanka granulites, in contrast, preserve a record of an extended residence in a high U/Pb, high Th/Pb environment and display radiogenic »upper crustal« — like present-day isotope ratios. Relative to primitive mantle compositions, the Pb isotopes identify the Lewisian and Nuk terrains as crustal reservoirs depleted in Th and U (relative to Pb), whereas the Highland granulites are enriched. The global Pb isotope mass balance requires the existence of low U/Pb, low Th/Pb and high Th/U reservoir(s) for successful solutions, and the lower crust is a likely candidate for this reservoir. High-grade terrains like Sri Lanka show depletions of measured U and Th abundances relative to Pb, but do not show Pb isotope signatures of »model bulk lower crust«. Archean high-grade gneisses display the appropriate combination of retarded Th/Pb and U/Pb although their absolute compositions are much less radiogenic than those of »model bulk lower crust« predicted from simple mass balance calculations.

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Zusammenfassung Nd-Modellalter, U-Pb-Zirkondaten sowie Pb-Pb-Alter weisen auf vergleichbare Krustenbildungsalter von 2.2–3.0 Ga für den zentralen Granulitgürtel Sri Lankas bzw. 2.8–3.0 Ga für die spätarchaischen Granulitgebiete der Lewisian-(Schottland) und Nuk-Komplexe (südwestliches Grönland) hin. Die extrem lange Zeitspanne von ca. 2 Ga zwischen Krustenbildung und hochgradiger Metamorphose und die daraus resultierende Verarmung an hochinkompatiblen Elementen unterscheidet jedoch die ca. 0.6 Ga alten Granulite der Highland- und Südwest-Gruppe Sri Lankas von den Lewisian- und Nuk-Gneisen. Hier erfolgte die Granulitmetamorphose verhältnismäßig bald nach der Krustenbildung ( 0.1–0.2 Ga), und die frühe signifikante Verarmung an U und Th ist verantwortlich für die heutige, wenig radiogene Pb-Isotopie in diesen Gesteinen. Im Gegensatz dazu zeigen Konzentrationsmessungen an den Granuliten Sri Lankas zwar eine Verarmung von U und Th relativ zu Pb, was aber aus der hochradiogenen Pb-Isotopie nicht ersichtlich ist. Der Grund hierfür ist, daß dieser Krustenkomplex eine sehr lange Zeit zur kontinentalen Oberkruste gehörte, mit entsprechend hohen U/Pb- und Th/Pb-Verhältnissen und dem daraus entstandenen Zuwachs an radiogenem Blei. Die terrestrische Massenbilanz des Bleis erfordert, daß die zeitintegrierten erhöhten U/Pb-, Th/Pb- und erniedrigten Th/U-Werte sowohl der Oberkruste als auch fast aller Mantel-derivate durch ein Reservoir, wie z.B. die Unter-kruste, mit langfristig erniedrigtem U/Pb und Th/ Pb und erhöhtem Th/U kompensiert werden muß. Krustenkomplexe wie Sri Lanka, die erst in jüngster Zeit in die Unterkruste versenkt wurden, kommen dafür nicht in Frage. Archaische Granulitgebiete, jedoch, zeigen das entsprechende Th/Pb und U/Pb, wenn auch ihre absolute Zusammensetzung deutlich weniger radiogen ist als es die Modellunterkruste verlangt.

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Résumé Les âges modèles de formation de la croûte, estimés à partir des méthodes Nd, U-Pb (zircon) et Pb-Pb, pour les granulites du Sri Lanka central d'une part et les gneiss de degré élevé lewisiens (Archéen sup.) d'Ecosse et de Nuk (sud-ouest du Groenland) d'autre part, sont comparables et se situent respectivement dans les intervalles de 2,2–3,0 Ga et 2,8–3,0 Ga. L'intervalle de temps qui sépare la formation de la croûte et le pic du métamorphisme (accompagné de pertes d'éléments incompatibles et producteurs de chaleur) est de l'ordre de ± 2 Ga pour les granulites du Sri Lanka, âgées de ± 0,6 Ga, mais n'excède pas 0,1 à 0,2 Ga pour le Lewisien et les gneiss de Nuk. Des pertes sévères en U et en Th sont responsables des rapports Pb actuels peu radiogéniques dans le Lewisien et les gneiss de Nuk. Par contre, les granulites du Sri Lanka se sont maintenues dans des conditions de rapports U/Pb et Th/Pb élevés et fournissent des rapports isotopiques analogues à ceux de la croûte supérieure actuelle. Par rapport aux compositions mantéliques primitives, les isotopes du Pb identifient le Lewisien et les formations de Nuk comme des réservoirs crustaux appauvris en Th et en U (par rapport au Pb), tandis que les granulites du Sri Lanka ont été enrichies. Le bilan de masse des isotopes du Pb à l'échelle globale requiert l'existence d'un ou de plusieurs réservoirs à faible U/Pb, faible Th/Pb et haut Th/U; la croûte inférieure pourrait constituer ce réservoir. Des formations très métamorphiques comme celles du Sri Lanka présentent un appauvrissement des teneurs en U et en Th par rapport au Pb, mais ne montrent pas les signatures isotopiques du Pb correspondant à un modèle de croûte inférieure globale. Les gneiss archéens de degré élevé possèdent la combinaison adéquate des rapports Th/Pb et U/Pb déprimés, bien que leurs compositions absolues soient moins radiogéniques que celle de la »croûte inférieure type« prévue par les bilans de masse.

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, - Nd U-Pb , Lewisian () Nuk (- ); : 2,2-3,0 2,8-3,0 . ( , , ) — 2 0,6 -, -0,1 -0,2 . , . - U/Pb Th/Pb, . , , , . U/Pb Th/Pb Th/U; , . , -, U Th , « ». Th/Pb U/Pb, , , .

     

PEPSI: The high‐resolution échelle spectrograph and polarimeter for the Large Binocular Telescope

PEPSI is the bench‐mounted, two‐arm, fibre‐fed and stabilized Potsdam Echelle Polarimetric and Spectroscopic Instrument for the 2×8.4 m Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Three spectral resolutions of either 43 000, 120 000 or 270 000 can cover the entire optical/red wavelength range from 383 to 907 nm in three exposures. Two 10.3k×10.3k CCDs with 9‐µm pixels and peak quantum efficiencies of 94–96 % record a total of 92 échelle orders. We introduce a new variant of a wave‐guide image slicer with 3, 5, and 7 slices and peak efficiencies between 92–96 %. A total of six cross dispersers cover the six wavelength settings of the spectrograph, two of them always simultaneously. These are made of a VPH‐grating sandwiched by two prisms. The peak efficiency of the system, including the telescope, is 15 % at 650 nm, and still 11 % and 10 % at 390 nm and 900 nm, respectively. In combination with the 110 m² light‐collecting capability of the LBT, we expect a limiting magnitude of ≈20th mag in V in the low‐resolution mode. The R = 120 000 mode can also be used with two, dual‐beam Stokes IQUV polarimeters. The 270 000‐mode is made possible with the 7‐slice image slicer and a 100‐µm fibre through a projected sky aperture of 0.74″, comparable to the median seeing of the LBT site. The 43 000‐mode with 12‐pixel sampling per resolution element is our bad seeing or faint‐object mode. Any of the three resolution modes can either be used with sky fibers for simultaneous sky exposures or with light from a stabilized Fabry‐Pérot étalon for ultra‐precise radial velocities. CCD‐image processing is performed with the dedicated data‐reduction and analysis package PEPSI‐S4S. Its full error propagation through all image‐processing steps allows an adaptive selection of parameters by using statistical inferences and robust estimators. A solar feed makes use of PEPSI during day time and a 500‐m feed from the 1.8 m VATT can be used when the LBT is busy otherwise. In this paper, we present the basic instrument design, its realization, and its characteristics. Some pre‐commissioning first‐light spectra shall demonstrate the basic functionality. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)