Interaction of organic compounds with calcium carbonate—III. Amino acid composition of sorbed layers

Nitrogenous organic compounds in sorbed surface layers and in calcified organic matter associated with calcium carbonate sediment particles consist of 40–50% amino acids, 2% amino sugars and 25% ammonia. In grain size classes > 20 μm these compounds are mainly contained in the calcified protein of carbonate secreting organisms but with smaller grain sizes—and consequently increased specific surface area—they are contained in sorbed layers at the mineral surface. The composition of the sorbed layer is characterized by a predominance of neutral amino acids, a relative enrichment of basic and weakly polar amino acids, and a deficiency of acidic amino acids in comparison with the proteinaceous matter of calcifying organisms. The respective abundances for sorbed and calcified matter are: 505 and 380 Res./ of neutral amino acids, 262 and 450 Res./1000 of acidic amino acids, 92 and 51 Res./l000 of basic amino acids, and 141 and 129 Res./1000 of weakly polar amino acids.The composition of the sorbed layer appears to be the result of sorption of proteinaceous matter from solution since it reflects the free and peptide-bound amino acid composition of seawater. The characteristic amino acid assemblage could also be the result of preferential decomposition of protein and subsequent enrichment of neutral and basic amino acids; however, sorption from solution appears more likely since the total amount of amino acids sorbed to calcium carbonate (0.58 mg m ^?2) corresponds closely to the amount of protein known to cover one m² of aqueous substrate in monolayer arrangement. Sorption from solution is further supported by the low arginine/ornithine ratios in both the sorbed layer and the natural dissolved organic matter. This process might lead to a characteristic amino acid spectrum in fine grained calcareous sediments that reflects the composition of the dissolved organic matter in seawater rather than that of the carbonate secreting proteinaceous matter.     

Thrust tectonics along the north-western continental margin of Sabah/Borneo

Widely accepted plate tectonic models suggest that an inactive subduction zone lies along the north-west continental margin of Sabah. In contrast, interpretation of reflection seismic data acquired by BGR shows an autochthonous continental terrane comprising an Oligocene to Early Miocene carbonate platform being progressively overthrust by an allochthonous rock complex. Progressive compression resulted in the development of four structural zones: Imbricated thrust sheets (Zone III); two thrust sheet systems one on top of the other (Zone IV); a complex zone with multiphase deformation (Zone V); and piercement ridges (Zone VI).

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Zusammenfassung Nach herkömmlichen plattentektonischen Vorstellungen soll eine inaktive Subduktionszone am nordwestlichen Kontinentalrand von Sabah liegen. Reflexionsseismische Meßdaten der BGR zeigen jedoch, daß hier autochthone kontinentale Kruste mit einer oligozänen-frühmiozänen Karbonatplattform progressiv von einem allochthonen Gesteinsverband überschoben wird. Fortschreitender Zusammenschub seit dem frühen Miozän führte zur Anlage von vier Deformationszonen: Tekonische Schuppen (Zone III); zwei übereinander geschobene Verschuppungssysteme (Zone IV); Gürtel mit mehrphasiger Deformation (Zone V) und Durchspießungsstrukturen (Zone VI).

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Résumé Les modèles géodynamiques que l'on admet habituellement comportent une zone de subduction inactive le long de la marge continentale nord-occidentale de Sabah. Toutefois, des mesures de sismique-réflexion exécutées par le BGR font apparaître qu'à cet endroit, une croûte continentale autochtone, comportant une plateforme carbonatée oligocène à éomiocène, est chevauchée progressivement par un complexe allochtone. La compression, qui s'est manifestée progressivement depuis le Miocène inférieur, a engendré quatre zones structurales: un ensemble d'écailles tectoniques (zone III); deux systèmes de lames tectoniques charriés l'un sur l'autre (zone IV); une zone complexe à déformation multiphasée (zone V); des structures d'extrusion tectonique (zone VI).

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, - Sabah'a. , - . 4-? : ( 3), ( 4) ( 5) ( 6).

     

Mathematische Simulation ptygmatischer Strukturen

Zusammenfassung Die Entstehung der Schlingen in den südlichen Ötztaler Alpen (Ostalpen) wurde bisher überwiegend auf äußere Spannungsfelder zurückgeführt. Damit waren die Faltenstrukturen in diesem Gebiet durch Biege- und Biege-Scher-Faltung hinreichend erklärbar. Bei Berücksichtigung der hohen Teilbeweglichkeit des Gesteins während der Schlingenbildung muß ein anderer Faltungsmechanismus angenommen werden. Es wird versucht, die Faltenstrukturen als Ergebnis eines Fließvorgangs in Abhängigkeit von einer Geschwindigkeitsverteilung zu erklären. Unter Benutzung eines vonHarburgh &Bonham-Carter entwickelten Programms und bei Vorgabe verschiedener Randbedingungen werden Strombilder simuliert und vom Plotter in Geschwindigkeits-Vektor-Darstellung ausgegeben. Die Ergebnisse werden im Gelände beobachteten Strukturen und im Experiment erzeugten Bildern gegenübergestellt. Die gute Übereinstimmung kann als Hinweis auf die Entstehung ptygmatischer Strukturen durch interne Geschwindigkeitsverteilung angesehen werden.

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Until now the formation of vortex structures in the southern Oetztal Alps (Eastern Alps) has been regarded as the result of external stresses, allowing adequately to explain the structures as flexural and passive folds. Taking into consideration the high ductility of rocks during vortex formation another mechanism of folding has to be assumed. The attempt is made to explain the structures as the result of flowage due to a velocity distribution. Using a programm written byHarburgh &Bonham-Carter arrays of stream lines are calculated for varying boundary conditions and plotted as velocity vectors. The output will be compared with structures observed in the field as well as with results of folding experiments. From the good agreement follows that ptygmatic folding may be due to an internal velocity distribution.

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Résumé La genèse des »Schlingen« dans la partie méridionale des Alpes de l'Oetztal (Alpes orientales) a été jusqu'à présent rapportée principalement à des contraintes extérieures. Les structures plissées ont été dès lors expliquées dans cette région comme plis de ploiement et plis semblables. Si on considère la grande plasticité des roches lors du plissement, on doit admettre un autre mécanisme de plissement. Les auteurs essaient d'expliquer les structures plissées comme le résultat d'un processus d'écoulement qui dépendrait de la répartition des vitesses. Utilisant un programme établi parHarburgh &Bonham-Carter et présentant diverses conditions marginales, ils obtiennent par simulation des figures d'écoulement figurées comme vitesses vectorielles. Ces résultats sont des structures observées sur le terrain; ils sont confrontés aux figures produites lors des essais expérimentaux. La bonne concordance indique qu'on peut envisager les structures ptygmatiques comme résultant de la répartition interne des vitesses.

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Ötz ( ) , , . , - . . . Harbburch' Bonham-Carter'o , , . . , , .

     

In situ bioremediation of 1,2-dichloroethane under anaerobic conditions

Historic spillages of chlorinated hydrocarbons at a vinyl chloride plant in the Rotterdam–Botlek area in The Netherlands has lead to deep-seated pollution of the underlying aquifer. The principal pollutant is 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA). As a temporary measure, the contamination is being contained using a pump and treat system. In the long term, in-situ bioremediation has been proposed using a biologically active zone where pollutants would be dechlorinated by microorganisms that simultaneously degrade other carbon sources. In order to investigate the suitability of this new technology, a programme of laboratory tests was carried out. The laboratory programme involved a series of anaerobic soil column tests, where the selection and delivery of different carbon substrates that stimulated 1,2-DCA dechlorination were investigated. The soil columns were prepared using soil and groundwater samples from boreholes. Groundwater was flushed through the columns under anaerobic conditions. A comparison was made between the transformation of 1,2-DCA without a carbon substrate and in the presence of sugars (molasses) and alcohol (methanol) respectively. In addition, different modes of delivery were investigated. In the case of molasses, the material was injected into the column as a plug to simulate grout injection in the field, whereas methanol was delivered as a constant flow dissolved in the influent. Both carbon substrates resulted in the biotransformation of 1,2-DCA. However, fermentation of molasses produced secondary effects that led to a drop in pH and an excessive production of carbon dioxide, which temporarily blocked the flow of groundwater.     

Introduction à la climatologie dynamique de l'Amerique du Nord,de l'Atlantique Nord et de l'Europe

Résumé Nous appliquons dans ce mémoire la théorie des perturbations, développée antérieuremet par l'un de nous, à la déduction des principales caractéristiques normales des perturbations compatibles avec un champ moyen donné de pression et de température. Cette deduction comprend la détermination: 1) de la configuration moyenne des perturbations dans les différentes régions étudiées; 2) des zones de creusement et de comblement et en particulier des foyers de formation et de disparition des perturbations; 3) des trajectoires, vitesses, fréquences et amplitudes moyennes des perturbations. C'est à l'ensemble de ces propriétés moyennes que nous donnons le nom de «climatologie dynamique» d'une période donnée.Après une première partie théorique, nous donnons des exemples d'application des résultats généraux à la climatologie dynamique des mois de Janvier et de Juillet pour l'Amérique du Nord, l'Atlantique Nord et l'Europe.

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Summary In this paper we apply the theory of perturbations, previously developed by one of us, to the deduction of the main normal characteristics of the perturbations that are compatible with a given mean field of pressure and temperature. This deduction comprises the determination: 1) of the mean configuration of the perturbations for the different regions under examination; 2) of the normal deepening and filling regions of the perturbations, and particularly their formation and vanishing focuses; 3) of the mean paths, speeds, frequencies and amplitudes of the perturbations. The «dynamical climatology» we are contemplating here is concerned with all these mean properties of the perturbations for a given period.After a first theoretical part, we give some examples of the application of the general results to the dynamical climatology of January and July for North America, North Atlantic and Europe.

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à ce mémoire a été assigné le Prix 1956 de la « Società Italiana di Geofisica e Meteorologia ».     

Effect of hydrocarbon-contaminated fluctuating groundwater on magnetic properties of shallow sediments

We investigate magnetic phase (trans)formation in the presence of petroleum hydrocarbons and its relation to bacterial activity, in particular in the zone of remediation driven fluctuating water levels at a former military air base in the Czech Republic. In a previous study an increase of magnetite concentration from the groundwater table towards the top of the groundwater fluctuation zone (GWFZ) was reported, however with limited reliability as there was no control on small-scale effects. To recognize statistically significant magnetic signatures versus depth, we obtained multiple sediment cores from three locations in January 2011 and April 2012, penetrating the unsaturated zone, the GWFZ and the uppermost one meter below the groundwater level (～2.3 m depth at the time of sampling). Magnetic concentration variation versus depth was determined by measuring magnetic susceptibility (MS) and remanence parameters. Small-scale features were identified and eliminated by statistical processing of multiple cores. A trend of increasing MS values from the lowermost position of the groundwater table upward was verified and highest magnetic concentration was found at the top of the GWFZ. Magnetic mineralogy indicates that newly formed fine-grained magnetite in the single domain to small pseudo-single domain range is responsible for the MS enhancement confirming previous results. There is no correlation with the depth variation of hydrocarbon (HC) concentrations; however, total organic carbon is linked to MS and may represent a degradation product of HC that is bioavailable for microorganisms. Bacterial activity is likely responsible for magnetite formation as indicated by most probable number (MPN) results of iron-metabolizing bacteria. The comparison of our results with an earlier study conducted at the same site revealed that magnetic concentration clearly decreased since remediation was terminated in 2008, possibly due to dissolution of magnetite.     

Differential developmental toxicity of naphthoic acid isomers in medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread persistent pollutants that readily undergo biotic and abiotic conversion to numerous transformation products in rivers, lakes and estuarine sediments. Here we characterize the developmental toxicity of four PAH transformation products each structural isomers of hydroxynaphthoic acid: 1H2NA, 2H1NA, 2H3NA, and 6H2NA. Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) embryos and eleutheroembryos were used to determine toxicity. A 96-well micro-plate format was used to establish a robust, statistically significant platform for assessment of early life stages. Individual naphthoic acid isomers demonstrated a rank order of toxicity with 1H2NA > 2H1NA > 2H3NA > 6H2NA being more toxic. Abnormalities of circulatory system were most pronounced including pericardial edema and tube heart. To determine if HNA isomers were AhR ligands, spatial-temporal expression and activity of CYP1A was measured via in vivo EROD assessments. qPCR measurement of CYP1A induction proved different between isomers dosed at respective concentrations affecting 50% of exposed individuals (EC50s). In vitro, all ANH isomers transactivated mouse AhR using a medaka CYP1A promoter specific reporter assay. Circulatory abnormalities followed P450 induction and response was consistent with PAH toxicity. A 96-well micro-plates proved suitable as exposure chambers and provided statistically sound evaluations as well as efficient toxicity screens. Our results demonstrate the use of medaka embryos for toxicity analysis thereby achieving REACH objectives for the reduction of adult animal testing in toxicity evaluations.     

Über die Bestimmung von Differenzen der Lotrichtung mit Hilfe des GradientenU zzs

Zusammenfassung R. v. Eötvös hat für die Bestimmung von Lotrichtungsdifferenzen mit seiner Drehwaage zwei Verfahren angegeben, die aber nur unter Hinzuziehung astronomisch-geodätischer Messungen zum Ziel führen. Beide Verfahren sind sehr umständlich, und in der einschlägigen Literatur finden sich keine Hinweise, daß eines der genannten Verfahren seitEötvös nochmals angewandt wurde. — In Freiburg i. Br. wird zur Zeit eine Drehwaage erprobt, mit der voraussichtlich die direkte Messung des GradientenU _zzs möglich sein wird. Es soll nun gezeigt werden, daß die Bestimmung der Lotrichtungsdifferenz zweier Feldpunkte mit Hilfe dieser Größe, ohne Zuhilfenahme von astronomisch-geodätischen Messungen, möglich ist.

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Summary R. v. Eötvös has showed two methods for the measurement of differences between vertical lines with his torsion-balance. Both methods are only applicable, if they are connected with astronomic and geodetic measurements, and they are very troublesome. In the special publications are no remarks, that one of these methods everytime has been applied since the measurement ofEötvös. —At Freiburg i. Br. (Western Germany) now a new torsion-balance is built, with which foreseeable the direct measurement of the gradientU _zzs will be possible. In the following publication will be demonstrated, that the fixation of differences between the vertical lines of two points of the gravity field of the earth is possible with this gradientU _zzs without astronomic and geodetic measurements.