Investigation of river network evolution using luminescence dating and heavy mineral analysis of Late-Quaternary fluvial sands from the Great Hungarian Plain

To reconstruct the evolution of Late-Quaternary river network in the southeastern part of the Great Hungarian Plain, we have used optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and heavy mineral analysis of 25 sand samples from the upper 2–8 m of the fluvial units, complemented by four radiocarbon ages. The estimated OSL depositional ages vary between 10 and 47 ka. The heavy mineral composition of the OSL samples was compared to the compositional data of recent river sediments using cluster analysis. The new OSL and heavy mineral data show that from 47 to 10 ka ago the sediments were transported mainly from the northeast direction into the southeastern part of the Great Hungarian Plain by the ancestor of the Tisza river and its northern tributaries, and probably by another large river which also flowed northeast–southwest, parallel to the modern Tisza. Between 23 and 14 ka sediments periodically came from the east and reached the eastern part of our study area. Between 15 and 12 ka ago, sands transported from the southeast also occur in the southeastern and central part of the study area. These data suggest that the modern rivers occupied their present courses only in the last 10 ka.     

Resetting of sediments mobilised by the LGM ice-sheet in southern Norway

Former geological field investigations in the Rondane area, east-central southern Norway, have proposed that the maximum Fennoscandian ice-sheet coverage occurred during the Late Weichselian Glacial Maximum (LGM, ca. 20 ka) and that subsequent glaciofluvial sediments were first deposited in the early Holocene (after 10 ka). However, recent field investigations with ages from three internally consistent quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) age series show an apparent deglaciation of northern Rondane in the period 20.0–13.8 ka. We examine here the possibility that these ages are too old because the sediment was not completely zeroed prior to deposition. Our investigations of incomplete bleaching use modern analogues, small aliquots, and single grains of quartz. First, the symmetric shape of small aliquot equivalent dose distributions suggests that the sediment was probably well bleached at deposition. This is supported by 5 modern analogue equivalent doses (D_e) of 0.6 Gy, 1.5% of the typical D_e from the deglaciation sediments. Finally, from single grain studies on three samples, we conclude that there is no evidence for poor bleaching in these samples; thus the weighted mean gives the best estimates of D_e, and these are completely consistent with both large and small aliquot estimates for these samples. These comparisons between large aliquots, modern analogues, small aliquots and single-grain analyses help to validate the OSL ages and confirm the complete resetting of these sediments prior to deposition.     

Geological controls on the sulphur content of coal seams in the Northumberland Coalfield, Northeast England

The sulphur content of coal is an important consideration when developing reserves for exploitation, driven by emission limits from power stations becoming more stringent. Variations in the sulphur content of Westphalian A and B coals from the predominantly freshwater Northumberland Coalfield, Northeast England, were studied according to their regional, stratigraphic and in-seam location. The observed variation in sulphur content spatially increases towards the source area away from more marine influenced areas, with increased sulphur content through time linked to changes in the general depositional environment as conditions became more marine-influenced. A model of basinal surface water and groundwater flow driven by post-depositional source area tectonism is thought to have played only a minor role in contributing secondary sulphur to the coal. However, the isotopic composition of coal pyrite shows a similar range in composition to that of pyrite and other sulphides from the North Pennine Orefield along the southern margin of the coalfield, suggesting an additional potential source of secondary sulphur, as sulphur-rich fluids were expelled northwards through the coal measures during early Permian Variscan transpression from the south. The Westphalian A and B are interpreted as third-order depositional sequences, defined by third-order maximum flooding surfaces. Each sequence is made up of several coal-bearing fourth-order parasequences, which tend to be more brackish to marine in character, on either side of the third-order maximum flooding surfaces when base level was relatively high. The lowest sulphur coals are confined to the lower to middle, relative low stand part of the Westphalian A third-order base level curve and the lowest part of the Westphalian B third-order base level curve. This difference is attributed to a more rapid rise of base level in the Westphalian B. The stratigraphic and spatial distribution of coal sulphur has been used as a guide to prediction of reserve identification for surface mining operations.     

The use of ultra-sound in the preparation of carbonate and clay sediments for chironomid analysis

Initial investigations of Holocene carbonate sediment from Hawes Water, Northwest England, yielded lower numbers of chironomid head capsules than anticipated. Standard techniques used to prepare sediment for chironomid analysis were ineffective in breaking up the coarse crystalline sediment structure sufficiently. This led to large amounts of sediment being retained and increased sample processing times. The low yield of head capsules also meant that more sediment was needed to produce adequate numbers of head capsules for analysis. The use of ultra-sound as part of the sediment processing was investigated. This technique reduced the amount of sediment left for sorting and yielded significantly more head capsules which were of equivalent structural condition and cleaner than those produced by conventional methods. The technique was extended to clay samples where similar results were obtained although shorter treatment times are recommended. The proportion of Tanytarsini and Tanypodinae heads increased significantly in carbonate and clay samples, respectively; both sediment types showed a significant decline in the proportion of Chironomini. The results indicate that ultra-sonic preparation of samples will yield a more accurate representation of chironomid assemblages in sediments leading to greater sensitivity and reliability in analysing past environmental conditions.     

Simulations of superhumps and superoutbursts

We numerically study the tidal instability of accretion discs in close binary systems using a two-dimensional SPH code. We find that the precession rate of tidally unstable, eccentric discs does not only depend upon the binary mass ratio q . Although the (prograde) disc precession rate increases with the strength of the tidal potential, we find that increasing the shear viscosity ν also has a significant prograde effect. Increasing the disc temperature has a retrograde impact upon the precession rate.   We find that motion relative to the binary potential results in superhump-like, periodic luminosity variations in the outer reaches of an eccentric disc. The nature and location of the luminosity modulation are functions of ν. Light curves most similar to observations are obtained for ν values appropriate for a dwarf nova in outburst.   We investigate the thermal–tidal instability model for superoutburst. A dwarf nova outburst is simulated by instantaneously increasing ν, which causes a rapid radial expansion of the disc. Should the disc encounter the 3: 1 eccentric inner Lindblad resonance and become tidally unstable, then tidal torques become much more efficient at removing angular momentum from the disc. The disc then shrinks and M _d increases. The resulting increase in disc luminosity is found to be consistent with the excess luminosity of a superoutburst.     

Using an approximation of the three-point Gauss–Hermite quadrature formula for model prediction and quantification of uncertainty

 Computer models are commonly used by regulators and managers to make predictions regarding groundwater flow and contaminant concentrations at various locations and times. However, the uncertainty associated with those predictions is often overlooked, despite the fact that an assessment of such uncertainty is critical in the formulation of policy decisions. One method of quantifying the uncertainty of model predictions, based on the collective uncertainties of the model parameter input values, is to use an approximation of the three-point Gauss–Hermite quadrature formula. The Gauss–Hermite approximation is a convenient substitute for simple Monte Carlo sampling, because it requires fewer model runs and provides an immediate sensitivity analysis of parameter main effects and two-way interactions. For example, a model with four parameters, each with its own associated uncertainty, needs to be run only 33 times to complete the Gauss–Hermite analysis. For an application to a contaminant-transport model, the Gauss–Hermite approximation compares well to the full method, with considerable savings in computing effort. By comparison, Latin hypercube sampling can be more flexible, but it is more complex to use in some circumstances and cannot as easily generate the detailed sensitivity analysis that the Gauss–Hermite approach offers. Received, October 1997 Revised, August 1998 Accepted, August 1998     

Multiple Sources for Sea-Rafted Loisels Pumice, New Zealand

Sea-rafted Loisels Pumice is one of the few stratigraphic markers used to correlate late Holocene coastal deposits in New Zealand. Along with underlying sea-rafted products of the local Taupo eruption of ca. 1800 yr B.P., these events have been used to bracket the first arrival of humans at New Zealand. Loisels Pumice is dacitic to rhyolitic (SiO₂63–78 wt%) in composition, but individual clasts are homogeneous (SiO₂range ± 1 wt%). Characteristics include very low K₂O (0.5–1.75 wt%) and Rb (<25 ppm) and a mineralogy dominated by calcic and mafic xenocrysts. Similar features are shared by pumices of the Tonga–Kermadec arc, suggesting a common tholeiitic oceanic source. Interclast diversity of Loisels Pumice suggests that it is the product of several eruptive events from different volcanoes. The differences in glass and mineral compositions found at various sites can be explained if the deposits are from different events. A multisource origin can also partially explain the discrepancy in reported¹⁴C ages (ca. 1500–600 yr B.P.) from different localities. Therefore, the value of Loisels Pumice as a stratigraphic marker is questionable, and it does not constrain the arrival of humans. The predominant westward drift of historic Tonga–Kermadec arc pumices and prevailing ocean currents suggest a long anticlockwise semicircular transport route into the Tasman Sea before sea-rafted pumice arrival in New Zealand. The diversity of the pumices indicates that silicic eruptions frequently occur from the predominantly basic oceanic volcanoes.     

Reconstructing the development of a gully in the Upper Kalaus basin,Stavropol region (southern Russia)

The Stavropol region of southern Russia is severely affected by human‐induced gully erosion. A lack of detailed information on the different stages of gully formation resulting from major agricultural expansion c. 100 years ago, is an obstacle for management and containment of these systems. In this study we combine measurements of particle‐bound radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Pb_ex, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) and classical geomorphology to investigate and reconstruct the different phases of development of a gully during the last c. 100 years. We believe the ?rst phase (1) involved an initial incision into the bottom of a small valley (catchment area c. 1 km²) about 100 years ago. A short period of rapid growth was followed by a longer stage of gully stabilization. Subsequent phases were: (2) the period 1954–1960 – re‐incision in the lower gully reach was initiated by a high‐magnitude rainfall event, and a substantial amount of sediment was delivered to the gully fan; (3) c. 1960–1986 – the knickpoint retreated slowly, sediment was redeposited nearby, and the fan surface became stable; (4) 1986–1987 – a dam was built in the gully mouth and breached shortly after construction following 2 days of high rainfall, and substantial sediment accumulated in the gully above the dam and below the spillway channel on the fan surface; (5) 1987–1993 – the knickpoint retreat continued and the lower fan surface was stable until 1993 when the last signi?cant runoff event overlayed it with c. 10 cm of fresh sediment. These detailed reconstructions of gully development stages allow the contribution of high‐magnitude events to gully growth and regional sediment delivery to be assessed. They further guide management actions to prevent such dam failures in the future. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tectonostratigraphic relationships and coalification trends in the Narragansett and Norfolk Basins, New England

Carboniferous basins in southeastern New England provide insight into, and constraints on, models for Alleghanian orogenesis. In particular, the Narragansett and Norfolk basins represent Devonian- to Pennsylvanian-aged, non-marine basins in southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island that were variably deformed and metamorphosed during the Alleghanian orogeny, and intruded by Permian granites generated by crustal thickening. As such these basins provide an unusually complete documentation of the Alleghanian orogeny. We summarize their sedimentologic, structural and metamorphic features, with emphasis placed on the Narragansett basin, and provide a comprehensive bibliography of recent work. The Narragansett basin also contains complexly deformed and variably metamorphosed coals that are unlike coal describe from other orogenic terrains. Thus we describe these unusual, high rank coal deposits and their response to orogenesis.