An Analysis of the Light Curves of the Early-Type Binary BF Aurigae

The UBV observations of the massive binary BF Aur were made at the Ankara University Observatory during 1988, 1989 and 1996. Asymmetry of the light curves, arising from unequal height of successive maxima, indicates that the system is active. By analysing these observations in the framework of the Roche model (including the presence of bright regions on the components) one obtains a semidetached configuration of the system, with the cooler secondary component filling its Roche lobe. The analysis of the light curves yields consistent solutions for mass ratio q = m₂/m₁ somewhat less than one. The influence of the mass transfer on the change of the system-orbital-period is relatively small. The upward parabolic character of the O–C diagram (Zhang et al., 1993) indicates a mass transfer from the less massive secondary to the more massive primary. This inturn requires the less massive secondary to fill its Roche lobe. This is consistent with our solution. Based on these facts we introduced the following working hypothesis. At the place where the gas stream from the secondary falls on the primary, relatively small in size but a high temperature contrast active hot-spot (hs) region is formed. As a result of the heating effect caused by the irradiation of the hot-spot region, on the secondary's side facing the hot spot a bright-spot (bs) region is formed. The bright-spot region is larger in size but with significantly lower temperature than the hot spot. This region can be treated as a ‘reflection cap’. By analysing the light curves in the framework of this working hypothesis the basic parameters of the system and the active regions are estimated. The problem is solved in two stages: by obtaining a synthetic light curve in the case when the parameters of the corresponding Close Binary (CB) Roche model (Djurašević, 1992a) are given a priori (the direct problem) and by determining the parameters of the given model for which the best fit between the synthetic light curve and the observations is achieved (the inverse problem) (Djurašević, 1992b). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Observations of rotational motion in prominences

The writer reports some recent observations carried out with the McMath Solar Telescope, which can be interpreted as due to rotational motions in prominences. Kitt Peak National Observatory Contribution No. 454. Visiting Astronomer to the Solar Division, Kitt Peak National Observatory, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under contract with the National Science Foundation.     

Nondestructive spectroscopic and petrochemical investigations of Paleoarchean spherule layers from the ICDP drill core BARB5, Barberton Mountain Land,South Africa

A Paleoarchean impact spherule‐bearing interval of the 763 m long International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP) drill core BARB5 from the lower Mapepe Formation of the Fig Tree Group, Barberton Mountain Land (South Africa) was investigated using nondestructive analytical techniques. The results of visual observation, infrared (IR) spectroscopic imaging, and micro‐X‐ray fluorescence (μXRF) of drill cores are presented. Petrographic and sedimentary features, as well as major and trace element compositions of lithologies from the micrometer to kilometer‐scale, assisted in the localization and characterization of eight spherule‐bearing intervals between 512.6 and 510.5 m depth. The spherule layers occur in a strongly deformed section between 517 and 503 m, and the rocks in the core above and below are clearly less disturbed. The μXRF element maps show that spherule layers have similar petrographic and geochemical characteristics but differences in (1) sorting of two types of spherules and (2) occurrence of primary minerals (Ni‐Cr spinel and zircon). We favor a single impact scenario followed by postimpact reworking, and subsequent alteration. The spherule layers are Al₂O₃‐rich and can be distinguished from the Al₂O₃‐poor marine sediments by distinct Al‐OH absorption features in the short wave infrared (SWIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared images can cover tens to hundreds of square meters of lithologies and, thus, may be used to search for Al‐OH‐rich spherule layers in Al₂O₃‐poor sediments, such as Eoarchean metasediments, where the textural characteristics of the spherule layers are obscured by metamorphism.     

Searching ancient territorium of Hygassos in Anatolia: settlement patterns and spatio-temporal investigations through aerial and GIS applications

This paper attempts to present and discuss the geomorphological and spatial analyses of Hygassos in the middle Mediterranean (a demos in ancient Bozburun Peninsula) through the application of GIS and photogrammetry, where necessary. The contextual data is composed of the settlement features and humanly constructed terrace relics. In search of the spatial and social territoria, the research questions greatly lean on the present geographical attributes and, the results of a recent survey concerning the ruins situated along a narrow valley in modern Selimiye-K?z?lköy and the Acropolis rising beside. The physical scope encompasses the khora of the Acropolis whose spatial coverage applies to ca. 27.26 km². As the results show, the socio-economic transformation of Hygassos, under the observance of a major stronghold (Kaletepe), must have been quite dependent on the interplay of the topographical and natural factors, as well as the likely shifts from or to the Acropolis over time. However, ambiguities remain for the resilient western half territory (near immediate Losta Bay) which perhaps encroaches on the frontiers of neighbouring Tymnos. Unfavourable but cultivable areas were preferably used for household construction and terracing whereas the land exposed to maximum erosion was refrained for settling purposes.     

Novel applications of fluid inclusions and isotope geochemistry in unravelling the genesis of fossil travertine systems

The Denizli Basin is a fault‐bounded Neogene–Quaternary depression located in the Western Anatolian Extensional Province, Western Turkey. The basin is a unique geological site with abundant active and fossil (Quaternary) travertine and tufa deposits. Fluid inclusion microthermometry and isotopic analysis were applied to study the genesis of the Ball?k fossil travertine deposits, located in the south‐eastern part of the basin. Microthermometry on fluid inclusions indicates that the main travertine precipitating and cementing fluids are characterized by low salinity (<0·7 wt% NaCl equivalent) and variable temperatures that cluster at <50°C and ca 100°C. Fluids of meteoric origin have been heated by migration to the deeper subsurface, possibly in a local high geothermal gradient setting. A later uncommon cementation phase is related to a fluid with a significantly higher salinity (25·5 to 26·0 wt% bulk). The fluid obtained its salinity by interaction with Late Triassic evaporite layers. Strontium isotopes indicate that the parent carbonate source rock of the different travertine precipitates is very likely to be the Triassic limestone of the Lycian Nappes. Carbon isotopes suggest that the parent CO₂ gas originated from thermal decarbonation of the Lycian limestones with minor contributions of magmatic degassing and organic soil CO₂. Oxygen isotopes confirm the meteoric origin of the fluids and indicate disequilibrium precipitation because of evaporation and degassing. Results were integrated within the available geological data of the Denizli Basin in a generalized travertine precipitation model, which enhanced the understanding of fossil travertine systems. The study highlights the novel application of fluid inclusion research in unravelling the genesis of continental carbonates and provides several recommendations for hydrocarbon exploration in travertine‐bearing sedimentary basins. The findings suggest that travertine bodies and their parent carbonate source rocks have the potential to constitute interesting subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs.     

Kinematics of a twisted surge

Using the H-alpha solar filtergrams taken at Kandilli Observatory, we have studied the motion of a twisted surge, from the kinematic point of view. We applied the Palu (1972) method to two knots of the twisted surge occurred at 10 November, 1967. The results are discussed.     

Geochemistry, mineralogy and genesis of pyrophyllite deposits in the Pötürge Region (Malatya, Eastern Turkey)

In the Pötürge (Malatya, Turkey) area pyrophyllite occurrences are common in the shear zones, mostly in the form of lenses along faults. Mineralogical investigations (XRD, FTIR and SEM) revealed that pyrophyllite, kaolinite (dickite) and quartz are present in the form of major phases and muscovite (sericite), kyanite, chlorite, and alunite are only present in the form of minor phases. This study revealed that the existence of the kyanite phase points out to high pressure and temperature conditions which the rocks were underwent. On the other hand, the minerals such as pyrophyllite, kaolinite, and alunite are products of a low degree metamorphism (retrograde). The mineral paragenesis in the pyrophyllite deposits suggests that the formation of minerals took place in two ways: (1) the transformation of kyanite into pyrophyllite and quartz through retrograde metamorphism by a high degree temperature, (2) then pyrophyllite and probably muscovite were transformed into kaolinite and alunite through reactions with relatively low temperature hydrothermal fluids. The geochemical data indicate that during the retrograde metamorphism the elements K, Rb, Sr, Ba, S, and Fe were mobile, the elements Si, Al, P moderately mobile to immobile and the HPS elements (Zr, Ti, and Nb) were immobile. It was shown that the formation of pyrophyllite, kaolinite and alunite was associated with depletion in alkalis, Mg, Fe and enrichment of elements including Sr, Ba, and S. Mineralogical and geochemical data suggest that parent rocks (pre-metamorphism) of the Pötürge pyrophyllite were probably kaolinite, Al-rich clays or bauxites.     

Quantification of methane emission from bacterial mat sites at Quepos Slide offshore Costa Rica

Seafloor methane emission from the Quepos Slide on the submarine segment of the Costa Rica fore-arc margin was estimated by extrapolating flux measurements from individual seeps to the total area covered by bacterial mats. This approach is based on the combination of detailed mapping to determine the abundance of seeps and the application of a numerical model to estimate the amount of benthic methane fluxes. Model results suggest that the majority of the studied seeps transport rather limited amount of methane (on average: ~177 μmol cm^?2 a^?1) into the water column due to moderate upward advection, allowing for intense anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM; on average: 53 % of the methane flux is consumed). Depth-integrated AOM rates (56–1,538 μmol CH₄ cm^?2 a^?1) are comparable with values reported from other active seep sites. The overall amount of dissolved methane released into the water column from the entire area covered by bacterial mats on the Quepos Slide is estimated to be about 0.28 × 10⁶ mol a^?1. This conservative estimate which relies on rather accurate determinations of seafloor methane fluxes emphasizes the potential importance of submarine slides as sites of natural methane seepage; however, at present the global extent of methane seepage from submarine slides is largely unknown.     

Degradation of digested sewage sludge residue under anaerobic conditions for mine tailings remediation

Previous studies showed that 85 % of total organic matter (TOM) in digested sewage sludge (biosolids) used as a sealing layer material over sulfide tailings at the Kristineberg Mine, northern Sweden, had been degraded 8 years after application, resulting in a TOM reduction from 78 to 14 %. To achieve a better understanding of the field observations, laboratory studies were performed to evaluate biodegradation rates of the TOM under anaerobic conditions. Results reveal that the original biosolid consisted of ca. 60 % TOM (48.0 % lignin and 11.8 % carbohydrates) that had not been fully degraded. The incubation experiments proved that 27.8 % TOM in the biosolid was further degraded anaerobically at 20–22 °C during the 230 days’ incubation period, and that a plateau to the biodegradation rate was approached. Based on model results, the degradation constant was found to be 0.0125 (day^?1). The calculated theoretical gas formation potential was ca. 50 % higher than the modeled results based on the average degradation rate. Cumulated H₂S equated to 0.65 μmoL g^?1 of biosolid at 230 days. However, the large sulfurous compounds reservoir (1.76 g SO₄ ^2? kg^?1 biosolid) together with anaerobic conditions can generate high concentrations of this gas over a long-term perspective. Due to the rate of biodegradability identified via anaerobic processes, the function of the biosolid to serve as an effective barrier to inhibit oxygen migration to underlying tailings, may decrease over time. However, a lack of readily degradable organic fractions in the biosolid and a large fraction of organic matter that was recalcitrant to degradation suggest a longer degradation duration, which would prolong the biosolid material’s function and integrity.