Aerosol Chemistry, and Light-Scattering and Hygroscopicity Budgets during Outflow from East Asia

During the ACE-Asia field campaign, 41 aerosol filter samples were obtained by airborne sampling over the ocean to the north, south and west of Japan, generally under conditions of outflow from the Asian continent. These samples were analyzed for their water-soluble chemical components, particularly organic species. Suites of inorganic anions, carbohydrates, organic acids and metallic elements were identified and quantified (21 distinct species). Simultaneously, measurements were made of the aerosol hygroscopicity and light scattering. A factor analysis performed on the compositional data identified several sources for the aerosols sampled during the field campaign. Regression of the light-scattering data onto tracers for each of these factors suggests that the aerosol light scattering could be largely attributed to three of these factors: anthropogenic emissions, biomass burning, and soil dust. Similarly, the aerosol hygroscopicity was largely consistent with an empirical mixing model based on past measurements of the hygroscopicity of these individual aerosol types. Limited size-resolved , aerosol composition measurements were also obtained and suggested different sources for various chemical species.     

Effective Roughness Calculated from Satellite-Derived Land Cover Maps and Hedge-Information used in a Weather Forecasting Model

In numerical weather prediction, climate and hydrologicalmodelling, the grid cell size is typically larger than the horizontal length scales of variations in aerodynamicroughness, surface temperature and surface humidity. These local land cover variations give rise to sub-gridscale surface flux differences. Especially the roughness variations can give a significantly differentvalue between the equilibrium roughness in each of the patches as compared to the aggregated roughness value,the so-called effective roughness, for the grid cell. The effective roughness is a quantity that secures thephysics to be well-described in any large-scale model. A method of aggregating the roughness step changesin arbitrary real terrain has been applied in flat terrain (Denmark) where sub-grid scale vegetation-drivenroughness variations are a dominant characteristic of the landscape. The aggregation model is a physicaltwo-dimensional atmospheric flow model in the horizontal domain based on a linearized version of theNavier Stoke equation. The equations are solved by the Fast Fourier Transformation technique, hence the codeis very fast. The new effective roughness maps have been used in the HIgh Resolution Limited Area Model(HIRLAM) weather forecasting model and the weather prediction results are compared for a number of casesto synoptic and other observations with improved agreement above the predictions based on currentstandard input. Typical seasonal springtime bias on forecasted winds over land of +0.5 m s^-1 and-0.2 m s^-1 in coastal areas is reduced by use of the effective roughness maps.     

Laser microprobe sulphur isotope analysis of arsenopyrite: experimental calibration and application to the Boliden Au–Cu–As massive sulphide deposit

Metamorphic remobilization of arsenopyrite-rich ores is a globally important process which can lead to significant concentrations of gold. In order to understand this and related processes, relations of sulphur isotopes can give a number of important clues. To resolve such relations in detail, we have successfully calibrated and applied a laser combustion system for in situ analysis of sulphur isotopic compositions of arsenopyrite. Experimental calibration of the laser fractionation factor (+0.4‰) was obtained by using compositionally and isotopically homogeneous natural samples from ore deposits at Boliden (Sweden) and Freiberg (Germany); subsequent to detailed microscopic study, the S isotope ratios of these samples were measured by conventional and laser combustion techniques.The present application to different types of arsenopyrite in the Palaeoproterozoic metamorphosed VHMS ores of the Boliden Au–Cu–As deposit, Skellefte district, northern Sweden, shows that the sulphur isotope composition of arsenopyrite is essentially unmodified during medium-grade metamorphic recrystallization and remobilization. Here, massive arsenopyrite ore is crosscut by later veins that carry a complex quartz–sulphosalt–sulphide assemblage. The latter ore type is markedly Au-rich compared to the host ore, and thus of significant economic interest. We find that both ore types exhibit very similar sulphur isotope compositions, ca. +2‰ to +3‰ (V-CDT), which is similar to most massive sulphide deposits in the Skellefte district. Thus, the crosscutting Au-rich vein ore has inherited the sulphur isotope composition from sulphur liberated by metamorphic reactions affecting the massive ore, and most likely also inherited the Au through this mechanism. The latter finding clearly has important implications both for the general discussion on, and the prospecting for, similar high-grade Au ores in this world-class mining region.     

Gold potential of the Mpanda Mineral Field, SW Tanzania: evaluation based on geological, lead isotopic and aeromagnetic data

Gold and base metals of the Mpanda Mineral Field (MMF) is the focus of this paper. Gold veins and gold-bearing base metal occurrences are structurally controlled by conjugate sets of NW–SE and E–W trending faults and/or shear zones that crosscut high-grade metamorphic rocks and post-kinematic intrusions. It was anticipated that Palaeoproterozic country rocks could have been potential host rocks for the gold mineralisation in this area. This argumentation was based on Pb model ages of various deposits from the MMF. Recent fieldwork and Pb isotopic results presented herein indicate that epigenetic gold and base metal vein-type mineralisation in the MMF is post-Palaeoproterozoic.Our Pb isotope study concentrates on constraining the sources of metals in gold-bearing quartz reefs and base metal occurrences. Pb isotopes of whole rocks and minerals indicate that mineralisation was emplaced during the Neoproterozoic, contemporaneous with the intrusion of alkaline granites and carbonatite complexes (e.g., Sangu–Ikola carbonatite complex) at 720 Ma. The source of Pb in the mineral occurrences is compatible with that characteristic of the Palaeoproterozoic host rocks. Aeromagnetic data suggest that the gold-bearing, NNW–SSE trending area continues to the north beyond Mpanda town. Pb isotope results and aeromagnetic data have significant implications for future exploration programs within the region, in that the search should potentially focus on the defined geophysical borders and trendlines, and on Neoproterozoic, rather than Palaeoproterozoic vein systems.     

Statistical analysis of two 3-D registration and modeling strategies

The paper deals with the registration and modeling of multiple 3-D profile maps acquired from different viewpoints by light striping. We analyze the propagation of measurement and calibration errors to the registration parameters and further to the reconstructed model of the scene consisting of planar patches. The analysis is performed for two strategies. In the first strategy, the maps are registered simultaneously using the Levenberg–Marquardt method to update the registration parameters and the model computed afterwards while in the second one, the maps are registered sequentially against the model reconstructed up till then using the method of unit quaternions to update the registration parameters. Our statistical analysis thus combines the registration and modeling steps, and in registration, we determine the corresponding points either on the parametric domains of the maps or as closest points in 3-D using the information from the parametric domain to restrict the search for the closest points. We also point out the precise estimation of the covariance matrix of the solution given by the Levenberg–Marquardt method. We illustrate the results of our analysis with real data from a scale model of an urban area.     

The intensity of amphibole OH bands in the infrared absorption spectrum

Polarized IR spectra of single-crystals of amphiboles show that the molar absorptivity of the fundamental vibrational OH band is strongly wavenumber dependent. The intensity increases by a factor of 1.6 from 3674 cm^-1 (tremolite endmember; MgMgMg) to 3618 cm^-1 (grunerite endmember; FeFeFe). Spectra obtained from Ca and Fe-Mg amphiboles consist of sharp, well-resolved bands on a well-defined background. The high intensity of the OH bands in Ca and Fe-Mg amphiboles makes it sometimes necessary to thin the samples to under 2 μm thickness, whereas alkali amphiboles can be measured at 25–50 μm thickness.     

Order-disorder kinetics in orthopyroxenes of ophiolite origin

The kinetics of the Fe–Mg order-disorder reaction in four low-Fe orthopyroxenes (Fs_7–14) has been studied by use of Mössbauer spectroscopy, to determine cooling rates for the host rocks. The obtained Fe²⁺ distribution data were corrected for the thickness effect. The sample set was selected from rocks expected to have distinctly different cooling histories. Equilibrium data for the exchange reaction were determined for the temperature range 600–800°C, and kinetic data at 650°C. The results indicate that the degree of ordering in low-Fe orthopyroxene is substantially lower than estimated by thermodynamic models. The cooling rates obtained seem realistic for most samples, ranging from 19°C/min at 760°C for a boninite pillow lava to 2°C/million years at 267°C for a regionally metamorphosed olivinite. The errors in obtained cooling rates are estimated to be near one order of magnitude. An Fe³⁺ containing sample yields an unreasonably slow cooling rate which may be due to oxidation of Fe²⁺, occurring after the quenching point of the order-disorder reaction was reached.     

Ecosystem effects of fishing activities in the North Sea

The North Sea harbours an intensive fishery which removes between 30 and 40% of the biomass of exploited fish species each year. In addition fishing causes mortality of non-target species of benthos, fish, seabirds and mammals. Heavy towed gears disturb the uppermost layer of the seabed and cause mortality of benthos, while gillnets accidentally entangle seabirds and marine mammals. Unwanted catch is usually returned to the sea where it is eaten by scavenging species, such as seabirds. Since the North Sea ecosystem is highly complex and exhibits a high natural variability, it has proved difficult to isolate the longer term consequences of these impacts. Until more is known about the environmental impact of fisheries management, action (or no action) will have to be agreed upon in the light of considerable scientific uncertainty.