The role of precipitation in aerosol-induced changes in northern hemisphere wintertime stationary waves

The coupled climate model EC-Earth2 is used to investigate the impact of direct radiative effects of aerosols on stationary waves in the northern hemisphere wintertime circulation. The direct effect of aerosols is simulated by introducing prescribed mixing ratios of different aerosol compounds representing pre-industrial and present-day conditions, no indirect effects are included. In the EC-Earth2 results, the surface temperature response is uncorrelated with the highly asymmetric aerosol radiative forcing pattern. Instead, the anomalous extratropical temperature field bears a strong resemblance to the aerosol-induced changes in the stationary-wave pattern. It is demonstrated that the main features of the wave pattern of EC-Earth2 can be replicated by a linear, baroclinic model forced with latent heat changes corresponding to the anomalous convective precipitation generated by EC-Earth2. The tropical latent heat release is an effective means of generating stationary wave trains that propagate into the extratropics. Hence, the results of the present study indicate that aerosol-induced convective precipitation anomalies govern the extratropical wave-field changes, and that the far-field temperature response dominates over local effects of aerosol radiative forcing.     

Magnesium sulphate salts on monuments in Saxony (Germany): regional geological and environmental causes

A record of mortar and salt analyses from the last 20 years on various monuments in Saxony demonstrates the close relation between the occurrence of magnesium sulphate salts and the use of dolomitic lime mortars in a regional frame. The regional distribution scheme of dolomitic lime in historic mortars depends on the geological setting of the territory, i.e. the natural occurrence of dolomite deposits. Sulphation of these mortars with the formation of magnesium sulphate and gypsum is mainly due to environmental pollution, as can be shown by sulphur stable isotope analyses. Exposure of the sulphated mortar surfaces to rain leads to the preferential dissolution and advective transport of the novel formed magnesium sulphate salts, which effloresce or subfloresce on the mortar surface or can be accumulated in the structure of adjoining porous building materials like natural stones. These processes may cause severe damages in mortars by the weakening of the binder and in porous stones by salt crystallisation of phases like epsomite and hexahydrite.     

Measurements of translation, rotation and strain: new approaches to seismic processing and inversion

We propose a novel approach to seismic tomography based on the joint processing of translation, strain and rotation measurements. Our concept is based on the apparent S and P velocities, defined as the ratios of displacement velocity and rotation amplitude, and displacement velocity and divergence amplitude, respectively. To assess the capability of these new observables to constrain various aspects of 3D Earth structure, we study their corresponding finite-frequency kernels, computed with a combination of spectral-element simulations and adjoint techniques. The principal conclusion is that both the apparent S and P velocities are generally sensitive only to small-scale near-receiver structure, irrespective of the type of seismic wave considered. It follows that knowledge of deeper Earth structure would not be required in tomographic inversions for local structure based on the new observables. In a synthetic finite-perturbation test, we confirm the ability of the apparent S and P velocities to directly detect both the location and the sign of shallow lateral velocity variations.     

Festkontaktierte potentiometrische Elektroden für Sulfatbestimmungen in wässrigen Lösungen

Solid‐contacted Potentiometric Electrodes for Measurements of Sulfate Ions in Aqueous Solutions A solid‐contact electrode for potentiometric measurement of sulfate ions in aqueous solutions was developed and examined. The electrode is based on a PVC membrane which contains the ionophore 3‐decyl‐1,5,8‐triazacyclodecan‐2,4‐dione (DTADD). Instead of the usual inner fluid junction, a polypyrrole layer applied on the inner side of the PVC membrane was employed as inner solid contact. The performance of this electrode was compared to solid‐state sulfate‐selective electrodes with the ionophore α,α′‐bis(N′‐phenylthioureylene)‐m‐xylene (BTH) and to electrodes in the coated‐wire configuration. For the parameters sensitivity, selectivity, and long‐term stability, electrodes with the DTADD ionophore show improved properties. In the sulfate concentration range of 5·10^–5...10^–2 mol L^–1 the slope of the response is –(26.8 ± 0.5) mV/decade. The new solid contact sulfate electrodes showed a very low drift of the electrode potential within a period of 150 days when the electrode was stored in 10^–2 M Na₂SO₄. In Na2SO4 solutions of the pH range of 4...9 the electrode potentials were constant. The 95% response time was about 10 s when the sulfate concentration was changed from 10^–4 mol L^–1 to 10^–3 mol L^–1. The selectivity with DTADD ionophore relating to the nitrate ions is higher than the selectivity with BTH. Improvements are also made in comparison with sulfate‐selective electrodes described in the literature which contain other ionophores with fluid inner reference electrolytes.     

The vertical structure of the atmospheric planetary boundary layer in undisturbed trade winds over the Atlantic Ocean

During the Atlantic Expedition 1965 and the Atlantic Tradewind Experiment (ATEX) 1969, shipborne aerological measurements were obtained in order to investigate the thermodynamical and kinematic structure of the planetary boundary layer in low latitudes. Under suppressed convection, the subdivision of this layer into five sub-regions was found to be a rather permanent feature. Enhanced cumulus convection effects a smoothing of the thermodynamical discontinuities and leads sometimes to a destruction of the trade inversion. Due to the surface pressure distribution and the thermal wind distribution in the lower atmosphere, the actual wind speed and direction are nearly constant with height below cloud base. In the cloud layer up to the inversion, the wind speed generally decreases and the air flow tends to become more zonal.     

Iron ore of the Lahn-Dill type formed by diagenetic seeping of pyroclastic sequences — a case study on the Schalstein section at Gänsberg (Weilburg)

Investigations on the reconstruction of processes and facies relationships from submarine volcanics of Devonian age in the Lahn syncline (Rhenish Mountains, Western Germany) reveal a complex development of secondary alteration. This is well illustrated by a mafic pyroclastic sequence (»Schalstein«) at the Gänsberg near Weilburg where alteration processes are visible by petrographic and geochemical means and can be further classified by cathodoluminescence. Iron ore formation of Lahn-Dill type is recognized as part of this alteration process, resulting from diagenetic seeping. Until recently a direct magmatic source for the Lahn-Dill type iron ore has been the generally accepted model. These bodies have therefore been viewed as a rather unique stratiform deposit, whose occurrence was virtually confined to this type area. However, it is here considered that the formation of the iron ore corresponds well with existing models of alteration processes within recent oceanic environments which are of a more universal occurrence.

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Zusammenfassung Untersuchungen zur Rekonstruktion der Abläufe an und in den submarinen Vulkangebäuden des Devons (Givet/Adorf-Phase) der Lahnmulde (südliches Rheinisches Schiefergebirge) schließen die sekundäre Alteration mit ein und werden an dem ausschließlich aus basischen Pyroklastiten (Schalstein) aufgebauten Profil am Gänsberg bei Weilburg exemplarisch vorgestellt. Diese anhand petrographischer und geochemischer Kriterien erkennbaren sekundären Prozesse zeigen eine mehrphasige Entwicklung auf, die durch Kathodenlumineszenz-Untersuchungen der Karbonatzemente bestätigt und zeitlich geordnet werden kann. Die an die pyroklastische Abfolge gebundene Roteisensteinvererzung vom Lahn-Dill-Typ läßt sich mit der bei diesen Vorgängen erfolgten Wanderung verschiedener Elemente korrelieren. Damit wird die Vererzung zu einem Produkt der diagenetischen Alteration und nicht der magmatischen Differentiation, wodurch sie mit rezent im ozeanischen Raum beobachteten Prozessen vergleichbar ist. Diese Vorstellungen fügen die Lahn-Dill-Erze in aktualistisch begründete Modelle zur Genese von Erzen ein. Damit erscheint die Besonderheit und fast nur auf den rhenoherzynischen Raum beschränkte Verbreitung dieses Typus hinfällig.

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Résumé L'étude de la succession des phénomènes et des relations facielles dans les volcanites sous-marines d'âge dévonien du synclinal de la Lahn (Massif schisteux rhénan) fait apparaître des processus complexes d'altération secondaire. Ceci est particulièrement bien illustré par la séquence pyroclastique («Schalstein») du Gänsberg près de Weilburg: les processus secondaires, identifiables par des critères pétrographiques et géochimiques y présentent un développement polyphasé dont l'histoire peut être reconstituée par application de la cathodo-luminescence au ciment carbonaté. Les minéralisations en fer associées à la série pyroclastique peuvent être corrélées avec les migrations de divers éléments impliqués dans ces processus. Ces minéralisations apparaissent ainsi comme le produit d'une altération diagénétique et ne correspondent donc pas au modèle généralement admis d'une différenciation magmatique. Cette genèse par altération est d'ailleurs conforme à ce qu'on observe dans les domaines océaniques récents de sorte que les gisements de la région Lahn-Dill doiventêtre considérés non pas comme une singularité du massif schisteux rhénan, mais comme l'expression d'un phénomène plus général à caractère actualiste.

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Polyhedral serpentine grains in CM chondrites

Abstract— We used high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron tomography, electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (EELS), and energy‐dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to investigate the structure and composition of polyhedral serpentine grains that occur in the matrices and fine‐grained rims of the Murchison, Mighei, and Cold Bokkeveld CM chondrites. The structure of these grains is similar to terrestrial polygonal serpentine, but the data show that some have spherical or subspherical, rather than cylindrical morphologies. We therefore propose that the term polyhedral rather than polygonal be used to describe this material. EDS shows that the polyhedral grains are rich in Mg with up to 8 atom% Fe. EELS indicates that 70% of the Fe occurs as Fe³⁺. Alteration of cronstedtite on the meteorite parent body under relatively oxidizing conditions is one probable pathway by which the polyhedral material formed. The polyhedral grains are the end‐member serpentine in a mineralogic alteration sequence for the CM chondrites.     

Kasatkinite, Ba2Ca8B5Si8O32(OH)3 · 6H2O6, a new mineral from the Bazhenovskoe deposit, the Central Urals, Russia

A new mineral, kasatkinite, Ba₂Ca₈B₅Si₈O₃₂(OH)₃ · 6H₂O, has been found at the Bazhenovskoe chrysotile asbestos deposit, the Central Urals, Russia in the cavities in rhodingite as a member of two assemblages: (l) on prehnite, with pectolite, calcite, and clinochlore; and (2) on grossular, with diopside and pectolite. Kasatkinite occurs as spherulites or bunches up to 3 mm in size, occasionally combined into crusts. Its individuals are acicular to hair-like, typically split, with a polygonal cross section, up to 0.5 mm (rarely, to 6 mm) in length and to 20 μm in thickness. They consist of numerous misoriented needle-shaped subindividuals up to several dozen μm long and no more than 1 μm thick. Kasatkinite individuals are transparent and colorless; its aggregates are snow white. The luster is vitreous or silky. No cleavage was observed; the fracture is uneven or splintery for aggregates. Individuals are flexible and elastic. The Mohs’ hardness is 4–4.5. D _meas = 2.95(5), D _calc = 2.89 g/cm³. Kasatkinite is optically biaxial (+), α = 1.600(5), β = 1.603(2), γ = 1.626(2), 2V _meas = 30(20)°, 2V _calc = 40°. The IR spectrum is given. The ¹¹B MAS NMR spectrum shows the presence of BO₄ in the absence of BO₃ groups. The chemical composition of kasatkinite (wt %; electron microprobe, H₂O by gas chromatography) is as follows: 0.23 Na₂O, 0.57 K₂O, 28.94 CaO, 16.79 BaO, 11.57 B₂O₃, 0.28 Al₂O₃, 31.63 SiO₂, 0.05 F, 9.05 H₂O, ?0.02 ?O=F₂; the total is 99.09. The empirical formula (calculated on the basis of O + F = 41 apfu, taking into account the TGA data) is: Na_0.11K_0.18Ba_1.66Ca_7.84B_5.05Al_0.08Si_8.00O_31.80(OH)_3.06F_0.04 · 6.10H₂O. Kasatkinite is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, P2/c, or Pc; the unit-cell dimensions are a = 5.745(3), b = 7.238(2), c = 20.79 (1) Å, β = 90.82(5)°, V = 864(1) ų, Z = 1. The strongest reflections (d Å–I[hkl]) in the X-ray powder diffractions pattern are: 5.89–24[012], 3.48–2.1[006], 3.36–24[114]; 3.009–100[ $12\bar 1$ , 121, $10\bar 6$ ], 2.925–65[106, $12\bar 2$ , 122], 2.633–33[211, 124], 2.116–29[ $13\bar 3$ , 133, 028]. Kasatkinite is named in honor of A.V. Kasatkin (b. 1970), a Russian amateur mineralogist and mineral collector who has found this mineral. Type specimen is deposited in the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.