Chromium oxidation by manganese (hydr)oxides in a California aquifer

There are increasing concerns with elevated levels of Cr(VI) in the environment because it is a strong oxidant, corrosive, and carcinogenic. The concerns extend to the presence of Cr(VI) in many aquifers in California and elsewhere, where relatively high levels have been attributed to both industrial pollution and natural processes. The authors have, therefore, determined if natural redox processes contribute to the presence of high Cr(VI) concentrations (6–36 μg L⁻¹) in an aquifer in central California relative to non-detectable concentrations (<0.1 μg L⁻¹) in an adjacent aquifer. Specifically, the distribution and the redox speciation of dissolved (<0.45 μm) Cr have been compared with those of particulate Mn and Fe oxy-hydroxides in sediments, using X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Mn and Fe L-edges. The analyses show a correlation between the presence of dissolved Cr(VI) and Mn (hydr)oxide minerals, which are the only common, naturally occurring minerals known to oxidize Cr(III) in laboratory experiments. This covariance substantiates the results of those experiments and previous field studies that indicate natural oxidation mechanisms might account for the relatively high levels of Cr(VI) in the study site, as well as for elevated concentrations in other aquifers with similar biogeochemical conditions.     

The Holocene volcanic history of Gran Canaria island: implications for volcanic hazards

Previous published data, combined with our results of 13 new radiocarbon ages and extensive geological fieldwork, indicate that during the past 11 ka 24 monogenetic basaltic eruptions occurred in the north sector of Gran Canaria. These eruptions can be grouped into three periods of eruptive activity: 1900–3200 ¹⁴C a BP; 5700–6000 ¹⁴C a BP; and an older period represented by only one eruption, El Draguillo, dated at 10 610 ± 190 ¹⁴C a BP. Archaeological studies have shown that the more recent eruptions affected prehistoric human settlements on the island. Field studies demonstrate that the eruptions typically built strombolian cones (30–250 m in height) and associated relatively long lava flows (100–10 350 m in length); a few eruptions also produced tephra fall deposits. The total erupted volume of these eruptions is about 0.388 km³ (46.1% as tephra fall, 41.8% as cinder cone deposits and 12.1% as lava flows). The relatively low eruption rate (～0.04 km³ ka^?1) during the past 11 ka is consistent with Gran Canaria's stage of evolution in the regional volcano‐tectonic setting of the Canary Archipelago. The results of our study were used to construct a volcanic hazards map that clearly delimits two sectors in the NE sector of Gran Canaria, where potential future eruptions would pose a substantial risk for densely populated areas. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural Properties of Brightest Cluster Galaxies

We present the first modern systematic study of local brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) profiles that extends to radii beyond 200h ^-1kpc. Measuring the surface brightness profiles of BCGs out to large radii is critical for understanding the processes driving their formation. The form of the profiles yields information about the current dynamical state, constrains the accretion history of these galaxies, and places limits on any radially symmetric component of intracluster light. The observational challenges associated with CCD photometry at low surface brightness levels have until now precluded such an analysis for a statistical sample of BCGs. Utilizing drift-scan data and new techniques that we have developed, we extend upon previous work by modelling the profiles for a sample of 31 clusters at z≃ that span a wide range in mass and dynamical state. We find that the BCGs in our sample generally are best fit using two-component models consisting of inner and outer Sersic profiles. In this proceeding we present the preliminary results of our analysis and discuss implications for current models of BCG formation. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Lower Paleozoic extensional tectonics in the limit between the West Asturian-Leonese and Central Iberian Zones of the Variscan Fold-Belt in NW Spain

The limit between the West Asturian-Leonese and Central-Iberian Zones in the NW of the Iberian Peninsula is described in the area of Caurel-Truchas (Provinces of Orense and León). From the distribution of the sedimentary formations and the Variscan structures it is inferred that the transition between the two zones was a fault system, which was active during, at least, the Ordovician and Lower Silurian. The faults were supposedly normal, though they had probably some strike-slip component, and gave rise to a half-graben in which a syn-rift sequence was deposited. The latter underwent inversion at the onset of the Variscan tectonism, producing a ramp anticline-syncline pair that forms the more important folds in the area. The varying geometry of these folds is interpreted partly as being due to the existence of previous en échelon folds related to the strike-slip component of the faults and, partly, as a result of the variable intensity of the shear strain undergone during the first variscan phase.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Grenze zwischen der West-Asturischen-Leonesischen und Zentral-Iberischen Zone im NW der Iberischen Halbinsel wird aus dem Gebiet von Caurel-Truchas (Provinz Orense und León) beschrieben. Aufgrund der Verteilung der sedimentären Formationen, sowie der variszischen Strukturen wird abgeleitet, daß der Übergang zwischen den beiden Zonen durch ein Störungssystem bedingt wurde, das zumindest zwischen Ordovizium und Untersilur aktiv war. Dabei handelte es sich vermutlich um Abschiebungen mit einer Horizontalverschiebungskomponente. Diese Ausbildung führte zu einem Halbgraben mit darin abgelagerter sedimentärer Syn-Riftsequenz. Letztere wurde während der Anfangsphase der variszischen Tektonik invertiert, so daß es zu einem Rampen-Antiklinal-Synklinal Paar kam, welches die wichtigsten Falten der Gegend bildet. Die variable Geometrie der Falten wird zum einen der Existenz von frühen En-échelon Falten zugeschrieben, die durch die Horizontalverschiebungskomponente der Störungen hervorgerufen wurden; zum anderen sind sie das Resultat der veränderlichen Intensität der Scherspannung während der ersten variszischen Phase.

---

Resumen Se describe el límite entre las Zonas Asturoccidental-Leonesa y Centroibérica en el NO de la Península Ibérica en el área del Caurel-Truchas (Provincias de Orense y León). Partiendo de la distribución de las formaciones sedimentarias y de la geometría de las estructuras varíscicas, se deduce que la transición entre las dos zonas fue un sistema de fallas, que fue activo al menos durante el Ordovício y el Silúrico Inferior. Se supone que la principal componente de las fallas fue normal, aunque debió de existir también una componente de desgarre, y su juego originó un semi-graben en el que se acumuló una secuencia sin-rift. Esta última experimentó una inversión al principio de la tectogénesis Varíscica, formándose un par de pliegues de rampa que son los pliegues más importantes del área. La geometría variable de esos pliegues se interpreta como debida, en parte, a la existencia previa de pliegues en escalón relacionados con la componente de desgarre de las fallas y, en parte, como consecuencia de la variable intensidad de la deformación por cizallamiento sufrida durante la primera fase de deformación varíscica.

---

- - - Caurel-Truchas, Orense León. , , . , , . . , - . , - , , , , -, .

     

Storm-intensity criteria for several classes of the driving interplanetary structures

In this paper we discuss the main-phase evolution of intense magnetic storms, associated with the passage of different interplanetary magnetic structures. It is shown that their evolution, driven by intense magnetic fields in the sheath region just behind interplanetary shocks, evolves faster (implying physically different magnetospheric configurations) than that associated with intense magnetic fields in the ejecta itself and in corotating streams. The estimated ring-current injection rate for the main phase of intense magnetic storms caused by sheath fields is ∼10 times greater than the estimated injection rate for N–S magnetic clouds. Based on these results, we propose storm-intensity criteria for several classes of the driving interplanetary structures. The time necessary to reach a Dst/SYM index threshold level is an important parameter for a space weather forecast.     

Treatment of vinasse by electrochemical oxidation: evaluating the performance of boron-doped diamond (BDD)-based and dimensionally stable anodes (DSAs)

The removal of colour and organic compounds from vinasses derived from the wine distillery industry was studied using boron-doped diamond-based electrodes and dimensionally stable anodes. The maximum reduction of organic compounds and colour was attained with the use of boron-doped diamond-based electrode after 10 h of operation at a current density of 6.6 mA cm^?2. The current efficiency obtained was about 90% with a specific energy consumption (measured in terms of removal of chemical oxygen demand) of 17 kWh kg^?1 COD removed. The dimensionally stable anodes were capable of removing 6–47% of the organic material and reached 60% decolourisation but with a lower current efficiency (between 85 and 10%) and much higher specific energy consumption values. The anaerobic digestion of vinasse after 1 h of treatment using boron-doped diamond-based electrode showed an effective mineralisation of the organic matter contained in the sample leading to an increase in methane production during anaerobic digestion.     

Modeling of cadmium speciation and dynamics in the Seine estuary (France)

A complexation model (MOCO) was used to describe cadmium (Cd) speciation during estuarine transit in the Seine estuary. This model was developed from field data. Laboratory experiments based on the use of¹⁰⁹Cd enabled checking of certain model simplifications and hypotheses and evaluation of parameters which could not be measured directly. MOCO was coupled with a 3D multivariable hydrosedimentary model (SAM3D) to simulate Cd dynamics in the estuary. These results were compared with measurements (dissolved and particulate Cd) obtained during cruises representative of various hydrodynamic conditions. The purpose of this article is to present the modeling approach used, and its expected applications and limits.     

Value of perfect ENSO phase predictions for agriculture: evaluating the impact of land tenure and decision objectives

In many places, predictions of regional climate variability associated with the El Niño–Southern Oscillation phenomenon offer the potential to improve farmers’ decision outcomes, by mitigating the negative impacts of adverse conditions or by taking advantage of favorable conditions. While the notion that climate forecasts are potentially valuable has been established, questions of when they may be more or less valuable have proven harder to resolve. Using simulations, we estimate the expected value of seasonal climate information under alternative assumptions about (a) land tenure (ownership vs. short-term leases) and (b) the decision maker’s objective function (expected utility vs. prospect theory value function maximization), employing a full range of plausible parameter values for each objective function. This allows us to show the extent to which the value of information depends on risk preferences, loss aversion, wealth levels and expectations, as well as situational constraints. Our results demonstrate in a non-laboratory decision context that, in some cases, psychologically plausible deviations from expected utility maximization can lead to substantial differences in estimates of the expected value of climate forecasts. Efforts to foster effective use of climate information and forecasts in agriculture must be grounded in a firm understanding of the goals, objectives and constraints of decision makers.     

Palaeointensity studies of a late Permian lava succession from Guizhou Province, South China: implications for post-Kiaman dipole field behaviour

Palaeomagnetic results are presented from a volcanic sequence in Zhijin County, Guizhou Province, Southern China. The lavas and associated volcanic breccias comprising the sequence represent a southern extension of the Emeishan volcanic province. Biostratigraphic dating of interbedded limestone units and stratigraphic constraints indicate that the section formed during the late Permian (∼263–255  Ma), and is thus somewhat older than the Emei stratotype section in Sichuan Province, and close in age to reported estimates of the termination of the Permo-Carboniferous (Kiaman) reverse superchron. Rock magnetic analyses and reflected light microscopy indicate that the magnetic mineralogy of the lava units is dominated by fresh, primary magnetites containing a significant fraction of single-domain grains. Thermal demagnetization behaviour of the breccia units is poor, but most lava samples have one or two components of remanence above 250 °C. The normal polarity characteristic remanence held by the lavas implies a post-Kiaman age for this succession and suggests that the termination of the Kiaman occurred prior to 263  Ma, supporting recently published estimates. According to standard criteria, Thellier palaeointensity results from the lavas are of good quality and reveal that the dipole field strength was comparatively low shortly after the termination of the superchron. 80 per cent of samples record relative VDM values in the range 42–52 per cent of the present-day value, supporting recent studies of mid-Kiaman field intensity. This suggests that a low-energy dipole existed at least between 300 and 255  Ma and does not appear to have been confined to the stable reverse polarity interval.