Relationship between olive flowering and latitude in two Mediterranean countries (Italy and Tunisia)

In phenological studies, the plant developments are analysed considering their relationships with seasonal meteorological conditions; moreover, the influences of geographical features on biological responses have to be also considered. Different studies analysed the influence of latitude on phenological phases to investigate the possible different magnitude of biological response. In our experience, this type of geographic evaluation was conducted considering one of the more important plant species of Mediterranean shrub, the olive (Olea europaea L.) in fifteen olive monitoring stations, four located in Tunisia and eleven in Italy, from the southern Zarzis area at 33° to the northern Perugia area at 43° of latitude. The olive flowering phenomenon was studied, utilising an aerobiological monitoring method through appropriate pollen traps located inside olive groves from 1999 to 2008. The olive monitored pollen grains were recognised and evaluated to obtain daily pollen concentrations to define the flowering dates in the different study areas. The biometeorological statistical analysis showed the 7°C threshold temperature and the single triangle method for growing degree days (GDD) yearly computing as the better ones in comparison to others. Moreover, the regression analysis between the dates of full flowering and the GDD amounts at the different monitoring latitudes permitted us to evidence the biological response of olive species in geographic regions with different climate patterns. The specific biological response at different latitude was investigated, the slope results, as flowering days per heat amounts, evidenced that olive species behaviours are very constant in consequence to similar meteorological conditions independently to latitude variations. Averagely, the relationships between plant’s phenology, temperature trends and geographical features are very close, even if the yearly mesoscale meteorological variations force to consider, year by year, phenological advances or delays as local events.     

Testing the gamma-ray burst variability/peak luminosity correlation on a Swift homogeneous sample

We test the gamma-ray burst (GRB) correlation between temporal variability and peak luminosity of the γ-ray profile on a homogeneous sample of 36 Swift /Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) GRBs with firm redshift determination. This is the first time that this correlation can be tested on a homogeneous data sample. The correlation is confirmed, as long as the six GRBs with low luminosity (  <5 × 10⁵⁰   erg s⁻¹  in the rest-frame 100–1000 keV energy band) are ignored. We confirm that the considerable scatter of the correlation already known is not due to the combination of data from different instruments with different energy bands, but it is intrinsic to the correlation itself. Thanks to the unprecedented sensitivity of Swift /BAT, the variability/peak luminosity correlation is tested on low-luminosity GRBs. Our results show that these GRBs are definite outliers.     

A statistical analysis in time of the eruptive events on mount Etna (Italy) from 1323 to 1980

A statistical analysis of the eruptive events occured on Mount Etna from 1323 to 1980 has been made. The statistical methods used are: i) the goodness of fitting tests, and ii) the calculation of the probability value «p» for confidence intervals of 95%. The result was a non-equiprobable distribution of eruptive events with a greater concentration in November, March and May. This concentration could be correlated to cyclic factors of astronomical nature connected with variations in the Earth velocity rate, whereas it does not seem to be affected by variations in the amount of rainfall and snowfall.     

Cenomanian–Turonian facies succession in the Guerrero–Morelos Basin, Southern Mexico

The Cenomanian–Turonian succession of southern Mexico is characterized by an abrupt change from shallow marine to pelagic facies. The drowning of the platform coincides with the widely documented Cenomanian–Turonian Oceanic Anoxic Event (CTOAE). A proper understanding of the drowning event and the effects of the OAE requires, as an essential first step, the construction of a detailed stratigraphic framework. This has been achieved and utilizes sedimentological data as well as a combination of benthic and planktonic biostratigraphic schemes.

Deposition of the Cenomanian–Turonian sedimentary rocks of the Guerrero–Morelos basin was controlled by tectonic and oceanographic factors resulting in depositional environments ranging from a semi-restricted shelf, ramp, pelagic and prodelta deposits. Facies analysis indicates that shallow marine limestones of the Morelos Formation (lower-upper Cenomanian) were deposited in intertidal–shallow supratidal and subtidal environments in a semi-restricted shelf. Peloidal-bioclastic packstone–wackestones with minor grainstones are the predominant texture of these rocks. Abundant large benthic foraminifers, calcareous algae (dasycladacean) and mollusks (gastropods and rudists) characterize the fossil assemblage.

The Cuautla Formation (uppermost Cenomanian–Turonian) represents sedimentation on a low-energy, wave-dominated, carbonate ramp. The inner ramp accumulated bioclastic banks and shoals composed of peloidal-benthic foraminifer-grainstone, calcareous red and green algae, rudists and minor solitary corals. The middle ramp is represented by nodular packstones with a diverse assemblage of echinoderms, green and red algae, bryozoan, rudists, solitary corals, roveacrinids, calcisphaerulids, and non-keeled planktonic foraminifers. The outer ramp is dominated by argillaceous wackestone–packstone characterized by calcisphaerulids, roveacrinids, and non-keeled planktonic foraminifers. An increase in terrigenous-clastic material towards the eastern part of the area indicates progradation of a deltaic system while the Mexcala Formation (uppermost Cenomanian–Turonian) was deposited in a pelagic setting.

The drowning of the platform is at the contact between the Morelos and Cuautla or Mexcala formations and is dated as latest Cenomanian. The drowning is a hiatus in most sections and it began before the end of the Cenomanian by a minimum of 150 ky if the top of the Morelos is not eroded.     

Importance du choix des échelles de temps pertinentes pour l'étude du fonctionnement d'écosystèmes marins littoraux

Semi-continuous (1/30 min) records of physicochemical parameters (T,S, DO and pH) have been measured at 1.50 m in Mediterranean coastal waters (Marseilles) from 1998 to 2000, together with meteorological parameters. Physicochemical data were studied in order to synthesise the information at different time scales (inter-annual, season, day, hour), particularly the semi-conservative DO and pH response to hydroclimatic variables. At a daily time scale, important circadian dynamic has been measured under all circumstances with a strong reactivity to irradiance change under the influence of biological activity. This work may contribute to the definition of new tools for coastal waters observation. To cite this article: N. Bensoussan et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

SO2 emissions at Mt. Etna with particular reference to the period 1993–1995

The variations in sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emission from the Summit Craters of Mt. Etna were determined, with particular reference to the period 1993–1995. Vehicle-based weekly measurements of SO₂ flux, using a correlation spectrometer (COSPEC), suggest new input of magma into the main feeder system of the volcano between 1993 and 1995. Minimal flux values (<1000 t/day) preceded the two eruptive events in the period 1987–1995. Only approximately 9.5% of the magma that contributed the SO₂ emission was erupted during the same period. Received: 3 November 1997 / Accepted: 21 September 1998     

The origins of Antarctic rock glaciers: periglacial or glacial features?

In extensively glaciarized permafrost areas such as Northern Victoria Land, rock glaciers are quite common and are considered postglacial cryotic landforms. This paper reveals that two rock glaciers in Northern Victoria Land (at Adélie Cove and Strandline) that are located close to the Italian Antarctic Station (Mario Zucchelli Station) should have the same origin, although they were previously mapped as Holocene periglacial landforms and subsequently considered ice‐cored and ice‐cemented rock glaciers, respectively. In fact, by integrating different geophysical investigations and borehole stratigraphy, we show that both landforms have similar internal structures and cores of buried glacier ice. Therefore, this kind of rock glacier is possibly related to the long‐term creep of buried ice rather than to permafrost creep alone. This interpretation can be extended to the larger part of the features mapped as rock glaciers in Antarctica. In addition, a high‐reflective horizon sub‐parallel to the topographic surface was detected in Ground Probing Radar (GPR) data over a large part of the study area. Combining all the available information, we conclude that it cannot be straightforwardly interpreted as the base of the active layer but rather represents the top of a cryo‐lithological unit characterized by ice lenses within sediments that could be interpreted as the transition zone between the active layer and the long‐term permafrost table. More generally, knowledge of the subsurface ice content and, in particular, the occurrence of massive ice and its depth is crucial to make realistic and affordable forecasts regarding thermokarst development and related feedbacks involving GHG emissions, especially in the case of cryosoils rich in carbon content. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.