Hauptdolomit (Norian) — stratigraphy,paleogeography and diagenesis

Geochemical and carbonate petrographical methods were coordinated in facies investigations and environmental reevaluations, related to the Hauptdolomit (Hd.) = main doimite formation (±Norian) of the Northern Calcareous Alps.It is practical to distinguish eight, environmentally controlled, facies units (1–8) and three geochemical groups (I–III). Superimposed upon the environment pattern (tidal complex, lagoonal complex, barrier bar and shoal complex) is a predictable (geochemical) dolomitization and non-carbonate distribution.The vertical and lateral facies associations, their waxing and waning in the geologic columns, allow paleogeographic reconstructions. Especially important are clayey, ±bituminous facies, commonly known as “Seefeld facies”, which are interpreted to be of mainly intertidal to very shallow near-shore, rather than of deep-water, origin. Threefold stratigraphy can be substantiated and is found to be practicable for the Hd. formation in a large part of the Northern Calcareous Alps.In an attempt to explain some of the phenomena associated with dolomitization in the Hd. formation, a model of anaerobic dolomitization has been considered, outlining steps of early diagenetic dolomitization.     

The adjustment of releveling networks with estimation of variance-covariance components

On the basis of a generalized regression model of heterogeneous releveling observations, the Gauss-Markov model of parameter adjustment is applied and is extended for variance-covariance component estimation. Some questions connected with the reduction of the heterogenous observations to the epoch of the levelings are discussed. As a practical example we use a test network of two loops of the zero-order leveling network of Hungary.     

Spurenelemente und Schwefel-Isotope in Zinkblenden der Blei-Zink-Lagerstätte von Gorno

Zusammenfassung Im Zusammenhang mit einer feinstratigraphischen Bearbeitung der schichtgebundenen Blei-Zink-Lagerstätte von Gorno wurde eine engmaschige Probenahme in allen Erzhorizonten ausgeführt. Die Zinkblenden dieser Proben wurden auf Spurenelemente und Schwefel-Isotope untersucht. Sowohl die Spurenelemente wie die Schwefel-Isotope zeigen eine weite Streuung. Sie lassen aber beide gesetzmäßige Abhängigkeiten von der sedimentären Fazies der Nebengesteine (Becken- oder Schwellenfazies) erkennen, die sich nur aus dem gleichzeitigen Absatz von Erz und Nebengestein erklären lassen.

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In connection with stratigraphic research in the stratabound lead-zinc-deposit of Gorno a closemeshed sampling in the different ore horizons was carried out. The minor elements and the sulfur isotopes in the sphalerites of these samples have been determined. The minor elements as well as the sulfur isotopes showed a very large spread of values, but an accurate dependence on the sedimentary facies of the bedrocks (swell- and basin-facies) could be observed. This dependence may only be explained by the contemporanëity of the precipitation of the ore minerals and the sedimentation of the bedrocks.

     

Evolution of hydroinformatics at a state water management agency

ABSTRACT

Maintaining a positive cost–benefit ratio for hydrologic data collection is challenging for public water management and regulatory agencies given budgetary constraints. We examine and discuss the evolution of a government agency in the last 20 years to identify the best practices for collecting, managing, and disseminating hydrologic data. The best practices include (1) developing in-house field data collection systems and integrating them with commercial, off-the-shelf software for the enterprise database, (2) standardizing hardware and data acquisition software, (3) collaborating with other agencies and tracking their data collection efforts to avoid redundancy, (4) utilizing open-source programming languages for data quality assurance, (5) rationalizing data collection network, and (6) taking a proactive approach with data collection to better prepare for hydroclimatic variability. Transforming data into easily understandable information and its near-real-time dissemination can add value to the data (e.g. providing inundation instead of water level above mean sea level) in the future.     

Metal Distribution in Different Size Fractions of Natural Organic Matter

In this paper, size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to determine the metal concentration in different size fractions of a bog lake water. Two methods were applied: (a) preparative SEC with off‐line metal concentration analysis and (b) direct coupling of an analytical SEC system on‐line with an inductively‐coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP‐MS). In the preparative SEC measurements, maximum concentrations were found for different metal ions in different size fractions of the natural organic matter (NOM). Normalization of metal concentrations to dissolved organic carbon concentration (DOC) yielded two maxima in the high and in the very low molecular‐weight fractions. Whereas good recoveries were found for Al, Fe, and Ni, only 40% were obtained for Pb. This indicates that Pb formed labile complexes with NOM, and hence could strongly interact with the column material. In the experiments with the analytical SEC‐ICP‐MS system, the same trends were observed, but with even lower recoveries than in the preparative system. Sample preconcentration and storage were also investigated with respect to decrease in metal concentration. During the ultrafiltration preconcentration step Al and Fe were removed only to a small extent, whereas about half of the initial Pb was lost. This indicates that Al and Fe were mainly bound to high molecular‐weight fractions of NOM. In contrast to that, Al and in particular Fe were removed from solution more than proportionally with respect to DOC because of aggregation of the NOM during storage, whereas Pb and Ni were concentrated relative to the DOC.     

Integration of European habitat monitoring based on plant life form composition as an indicator of environmental change and change in biodiversity

Geografisk Tidsskrift, Danish Journal of Geography 106(2): 61–74, 2006

During the last 25 years a number of European countries have developed general landscape monitoring systems. In the agricultural landscapes of Denmark the Small Biotope Monitoring Program (SBMP). which focuses on the dynamics of small biotopes and their relation to changes in agricultural technology and structural characteristics, has been developed since 1981. Erom 2007, the SBMP will continue as part of the Danish nature monitoring program, NOVANA.

In Europe, during the last 10 years, several national landscape surveys have cooperated to develop a European platform for consistent landscape related habitat monitoring. This has been through the BioHab Concerted Action Framework Programme of the EU (2002–2005), and the resulting publication of a handbook for recording and monitoring habitats (Bunce et al., 2005). The focus on environmentally conditioned habitat changes at a landscape level has led to the re-introduction of Raunkiaer's plant life form concept. This approach enables the indication of changes in biodiversity based on alterations in general habitat composition and quality.

Although the objectives of the SBMP and the BioHab projects have been somewhat different, the methodologies have much in common. In this paper the background and perspectives of the two approaches are discussed, and a test of the BioHab field methodology in an area previously monitored by the SBMP is presented. It was found not to be difficult to integrate the BioHab field recording methodology with the existing SBMP methods, thus permitting the SBMP to deliver an additional European perspective, with relatively little additional effort.     

Scum in Nutrient Removal Plants: The Role of Carbon Sources in “Microthrix parvicella” Growth

Scum formation is a widespread problem in activated sludge nutrient removal plants. It often comes along with an excessive development of the filamentous bacterium “Microthrix parvicella” stabilizing the flotation process. As “M. parvicella” was found to depend on long‐chain fatty acids (LCFA) as sole carbon source not only in vitro but also in situ, some options of in‐situ substrate supply are discussed. Wastewater concentrations of fatty acids in the range of 2 to 15 mg L^‐1 and homologue concentrations from synthetic surfactant degradation below 10 mg L^‐1 rule out these substrates as source for excessive biomass production. They might, however, well be suitable for start‐up of a “M. parvicella” population. Build‐up of excessive biomass might rely on fatty acid supply originating in cell walls of lysed stationary phase bacteria of long residence time sludge fractions such as scum layers. Moreover, biogenic surfactants such as rhamnolipids have been proved to be an excellent carbon source for excessive biomass production in vitro.     

Geologische und geochemische Untersuchungen im Zentralgneis und in der Greiner Schiefer Serie (Zillertaler Alpen,Tirol)

Geologic, petrological and geochemical investigations have been carried out in the western part of the “Zillertaler Alpen”. Important results are:

1. The premetamorphic material of the Greiner series consists of conglomerates, breccias, arcosic-sandstones or greywackes, bituminous shales, volcanic lavas and tuffs.
2. The southern part of the “Zentralgneis” shows a differentiation trend from alkaline granite to quarzdiorite with predomination of granodiorite.
3. Chemical relationships of granodiorite to its restitic inclusions allow the supposition of a palingenetic origin of the granitic rocks.
4. At least two stages of metamorphism can be differentiated.
5. Parts of the Greiner series, covered by triassic metasediments, are supposed to be of Permian age. A lower age boundary can not yet be given.
6. Some vertical, northeast striking faults with throws of more than 1 or 2 kilometers produced southward verging drag folds.
7. Geodynamic aspects, revealed from regional metamorphism and tectonics, are discussed.

     

OH point defects in olivine from Pakistan

The infrared (IR) spectra of gem-quality olivine crystals from Pakistan, formed in serpentinised dunitic rocks, are characterised by strongly pleochroic absorption bands at 3,613, 3,597, 3,580 and 3,566 cm^?1. These bands are assigned to O-H stretching vibrations of OH point defects corresponding to H₂O concentrations of about 35 wt ppm. Unlike other olivine spectra, the dominating bands are strongly polarised parallel to the b-axis. The unusual spectra type, excludes the presence of planar defects. This finding is supported by transmission electron microscopy. The 3,613 cm^?1 band is related to vacant Si sites, the slightly lower energetic bands preferentially to vacant M2 sites. The exclusive presence of these bands is not only a characteristic feature of olivines treated under high P,T conditions equivalent to mantle environment, the presence of these bands in untreated natural olivine also indicates formation conditions equivalent to crustal rocks.