Arsenic distribution in the dissolved, colloidal and particulate size fraction of experimental solutions rich in dissolved organic matter and ferric iron

Due to the widespread contamination of groundwater resources with arsenic (As), controls on As mobility have to be identified. In this study we focused on the distribution of As in the dissolved, colloidal and particulate size fraction of experimental solutions rich in ferric iron, dissolved organic matter (DOM) and As(V). Size fractions between <5 kDa and >0.2 μm were separated by filtration and their elemental composition was analyzed. A steady-state particle size distribution with stable element concentration in the different size classes was attained within 24 h. The presence of DOM partly inhibited the formation of large Fe-(oxy)hydroxide aggregates, thus stabilized Fe in complexed and colloidal form, when initially adjusted molar Fe/C ratios in solution were <0.1. Dissolved As concentrations and the quantity of As bound to colloids (<0.2 μm) increased in the presence of DOM as well. At intermediate Fe/C ratios of 0.02-0.1, a strong correlation between As and Fe concentration occurred in all size fractions (R² = 0.989). At Fe/C ratios <0.02, As was mainly present in the dissolved size fraction. These observations indicate that As mobility increased in the presence of DOM due to (I) competition between As and organic molecules for sorption sites on Fe particles; and (II) due to a higher amount of As bound to more abundant Fe colloids or complexes <0.2 μm in size. The amount of As contained in the colloidal size fractions also depended strongly on the initial size of the humic substance, which was larger for purified humic acids than for natural river or soil porewater samples. Arsenic in the particle size fraction >0.2 μm additionally decreased in the order of pH 4 ? 6 > 8. The presence of DOM likely increases the mobility of As in iron rich waters undergoing oxidation, a finding that has to be considered in the investigation of organic-rich terrestrial and aquatic environments.     

Soil properties and stable carbon isotope analysis of landscape features in the Petexbatún region of Guatemala

Soil properties and stable carbon isotope ratios contained in the soil organic matter (SOM) were used to investigate the change in vegetative history of land cleared anciently for maize (Zea mays L.) agriculture in the Petexbatún region of Guatemala. Maize and other C⁴ plants associated with land clearance leave a carbon isotopic signature in the SOM different from the C³ plants of native forest vegetation. Soil profiles were collected from various landscape features around the Classic Maya site of Aguateca: control locations (areas likely not used in ancient agriculture), defensible locations (areas near defensive walls), rejolladas (natural karst depressions), upland locations (well‐drained soils atop the Aguateca escarpment), and bajos (seasonal and perennial wetlands). The chemical and physical properties of the profiles were examined and the soils were taxonomically classified to the great group level. The changes in d¹³C with soil depth were determined and compared statistically. The ¹³C enrichment of the SOM in bajo and rejollada profiles were similar and were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than the control, defensible, and upland soils. This isotopic signature of sustained C⁴ vegetation was likely associated with forest clearance and ancient Maya agriculture. Both the bajo and rejollada landscape features appear to have been valuable agricultural resources for ancient Maya. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Tree-ring reconstruction of past debris flows based on a small number of samples—possibilities and limitations

Tree-ring analyses have often been used in the past for the reconstruction of spatiotemporal patterns of previous debris-flow activity, often yielding very precise and extensive data for torrents where information on former activity was largely missing. Unless dendrogeomorphology is slated for multimillion Euro developments, the large sets of tree-ring series that are usually used in these studies render analysis time-consuming and not necessarily very cost-effective. In this study, we present results on past debris flows obtained with 35 Larix decidua Mill. trees growing on the cone of the Torrent de Pétérey (Zinal, Valais, Swiss Alps). It is concluded that studies based on a limited number of samples may yield valuable data on past events, but that the reconstructed frequency remains widely incomplete and indications on the spatial aspects of past events are only fragmentary.     

The Cimmerian Orogeny in northern Iran: tectono-stratigraphic evidence from the foreland

From the Permian onwards, the Gondwana-derived Iran Plate drifted northward to collide with Eurasia in the Late Triassic, thereby closing the Palaeotethys. This Eo-Cimmerian Orogeny formed the Cimmeride fold-and-thrust belt. The Upper Triassic–Middle Jurassic Shemshak Group of northern Iran is commonly regarded as the Cimmerian foreland molasse. However, our tectono-stratigraphic analysis of the Shemshak Group resulted in a revised and precisely dated model for the Triassic–Jurassic geodynamic evolution of the Iran Plate: initial Cimmerian collision started in the Carnian with subsequent Late Triassic synorogenic peripheral foreland deposition (flysch, lower Shemshak Group). Subduction shifted south in the Norian (onset of Neotethys subduction below Iran) and slab break-off around the Triassic–Jurassic boundary caused rapid uplift of the Cimmerides followed by Liassic post-orogenic molasse (middle Shemshak Group). During the Toarcian–Aalenian (upper Shemshak Group), Neotethys back-arc rifting formed a deep-marine basin, which developed into the oceanic South Caspian Basin during the Late Bajocian–Late Jurassic.     

Comparison of Absolute and Relative Antenna Phase Center Variations

Three major GPS antenna calibration methods are available toda: the relative field calibrations using the GPS data collected on short baselines, the absolute field calibrations, where the GPS antenna is rotated and tilted by a robot, and calibration measurements in an anechoic chamber. Mean antenna offsets and the elevation-dependent phase center variations of GPS antennas determined by all three techniques are compared to assess their accuracy. The analysis of global GPS data with these sets of calibration values reveals that the offsets and variations of the satellite antenna phase centers have to be considered, too, to obtain a consistent picture. ? 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Amplitudes of explosion-generated seismic waves

Summary Records of underwater explosions in Iceland in 1959 and 1960, mainly performed for crustal studies, have been investigated with regard to amplitudes. The amplitudes ofP2 in the 1959 explosions and of the first arrivingP waves in the 1960 explosions were found to be proportional to the first power of the charge weight, whereas amplitudes ofP1 andS1 in the 1959 explosions were proportional to the 3/4-power of the charge up to 200 kg, but increased much slower for larger charges. The influence of water depth of shot point on the charge weights, required to obtain a certain amplitude, has been determined and it was found that the logarithm of the charge weight has a linear relation to water depth down to about 8 meters. The amplitudes of first arrivingP waves decrease as the inverse 2.2-power of the distance up to about 30 km. For greater distances an exponential decrease of the form (const./) exp (–) is valid. ForP2 waves with a frequency of 10 cps we found =0.027±0.003 km^–1 for a profile across central Iceland and =0.009±0.004 km^–1 for a profile in the western part of Iceland.

---

Zusammenfassung In den Jahren 1959 und 1960 wurden auf Island Unterwasser-Explosionen ausgelöst, deren Hauptziel Untersuchung der Erdkruste waren. Die Aufzeichnungen der Explosionen werden hier in Hinsicht auf die Amplituden der Wellen untersucht. DieP2-Amplituden in den Explosionen von 1959 und die Amplituden der zuerst ankommendenP-Wellen in den Explosionen von 1960 waren proportional der ersten Potenz des Ladungsgewichtes, während diePl-undSl-Amplituden in den Explosionen von 1959 proportional der 3/4-Potenz des Ladungsgewichtes bis 200 kg waren. Für höhere Ladungsgewichte wuchsen die Amplituden langsamer an. Es wurde der Einfluss der Tiefe des Schusspunktes unterhalb des Wasserspiegels auf das für eine gewisse Amplitude benötigte Ladungsgewicht bestimmt. Es ergab sich dabei, dass der Logarithmus des Ladungsgewichtes in einer linearen Beziehung zur Tiefe, bis etwa 8 m, steht. Die Amplituden der zuerst ankommendenP-Wellen sind umgekehrt proportional der 2.2-Potenz der Entfernung, bis etwa 30 km. Für grössere Entfernungen ist die Abnahme der Amplituden exponential und kann durch (Konst./) exp (–) dargestellt werden. FürP2 mit einer Frequenz von 10 cps haben wir =0.027±0.003 km^–1 für ein Profil in Zentral-Island und =0.009 ± 0.004 km^–1 für ein Profil in West-Island gefunden.

     

Average crustal travel times in Sweden re-examined

A long-range Scandinavian seismic profile of August 1979 is subjected to a preliminary evaluation by means of the records of the permanent Swedish network of stations. The resulting travel times confirm those earlier adopted in the calculation of Swedish earthquakes for the period 1951–1976.     

The Uppsala seismograph array station

Summary The Seismological Institute at Uppsala, Sweden, has operated a triangular array station for one year, August 1969 to August 1970. The triangle is almost equilateral with around 100 km side, with one corner at Uppsala and the other two at Hedemora and Kungsör. Short-period vertical-component seismographs of type Grenet-Coulomb are used. The signals are transmitted over commercial telephone lines to the central recording unit at Uppsala. This paper describes all technical details of the system, with particular emphasis on the signal transmission. Experiences from the operation are given. In spite of only three points in the array, it serves its purposes very well, primarily because of its location on very homogeneous ground, the Baltic shield. Moreover, the installation and operation of such an array is generally possible within the limited budgets of a university Institute.     

Average crustal structure of Sweden

Summary Records obtained at the permanent stations of the Swedish seismograph network from explosions carried out in Scandinavian waters in June 1969 are evaluated. The study includes determination of velocities for all crustal phases observed, furthermore of layer thicknesses, Poisson ratios and amplitude ratios. The purpose of the study is partly to provide a first approximation to the crustal structure in Sweden, partly to provide regional data for location of earthquakes and explosions in the area in the future. Average velocities (km/sec) are forPn 7.88±0.05,Pg1 6.25±0.08,Pg2 5.70,Sn 4.58±0.04,S ^* 3.70±0.04,Sg1 (Lg1) 3.58±0.03,Sg2 (Sg) 3.40±0.03,Rg 3.02±0.07. The average thickness is 12 km for the granitic layer, and 23 km for the basaltic layer, thus making the average crustal thickness equal to 35 km. Relative amplitudes plotted versus distance complete the dynamical side of the study and they are useful for identification of waves. A regional travel-time table is presented for the distance range 0°–10° with entries for each 0.1° and including all crustal phases read.     

Power spectra and geographical distribution of short-period microseisms in Sweden

Summary Microseisms recorded by short-period vertical-component seismographs in a network of permanent and temporary stations in Sweden are investigated by means of their power spectra. The geographical distribution of the microseisms is explained in terms of models involving line sources. A good fit to the observations is obtained by locating the line sources along the surrounding oceanic coasts. The Norwegian west coast is of dominant importance for medium- and long-period microseisms, whereas for the short-period ones also coasts of smaller sea basins, as the Baltic Sea and the Skagerrak, are of significance. As a consequence, it is found that short-period microseisms are largest at stations on or near oceanic coasts, and that the smallest microseisms occur at inland stations.