Changes in beach gravel lithology caused by anthropogenic activities along the southern coast of Lake Michigan, USA

The southern coast of Lake Michigan is the most urbanized and most densely populated area in the Great Lakes region. Development of steel mills, harbors, and municipalities in NW Indiana and in NE Illinois in the last century and a half altered the nearshore environment so much that native beach gravel (>8 mm) now exist only in the exhumed paleo-beach remnants from the Nipissing Phase (~4,500 years ago) of Lake Michigan. Native gravel, collected from paleo-beach remnants at Mount Baldy Dune and Beach House Blowout, contain predominantly beach shingle, very platy siltstones (71–78 %), with secondary crystalline pebbles (18 %) in the east, and carbonate pebbles (12 %) in the west. A large amount of anthropogenic fill (steel industry waste, waste from power generating plants, construction debris, railroad, and road fill) has been added since the late 1800s to fill Lake Michigan and expand industrial land. Four areas of major coastal structures—Michigan City Pier and Breakwater, Burns Harbor Pier and Breakwater, Gary Works Pier, and Indiana Harbor Peninsula—altered the natural littoral drift and created four independent sectors on Indiana’s coast—Northeastern, Eastern, Central, and Western—between which no natural transfers of coarse sediments occur. Downdrift from the coastal structures, severe beach erosion has prompted extensive beach nourishment with non-native sandy gravel. Four distinct populations of modern beach gravel now exist along Indiana’s coast of Lake Michigan: (1) native gravel with diluted beach nourishment influence, (2) native gravel with a minor industrial influence, (3) compact gravel of nourished origin, and (4) anthropogenic gravel of industrial origin. Native gravel with diluted nourishment influence is found in the western, downdrift areas of the Northeastern (from Long Beach to Washington Park Beach) and Eastern Sectors (from eastern Indiana Dunes State Park to western Dune Acres) and contains up to 40 % compact carbonate and crystalline pebbles in addition to native beach shingle. Native gravel with minor industrial influence is found in the Central Sector of Indiana’s coast (from central Ogden Dunes to Marquette Beach) and contains predominantly beach shingle, platy clastic lithology, but also up to 30 % of chert and other pebbles released by industry. Compact gravel of nourished origin contains 60–90 % of carbonate and crystalline pebbles, and is found in the eastern, updrift areas of the Northeastern (Michiana Beach and Duneland Beach) and Eastern Sectors (from Crescent Beach to the western Beverly Shores). Anthropogenic gravel of industrial origin contains 70–90 % compact chert and slag and is found in every beach of the Western Sector and in the westernmost beach of the Central Sector. Streams draining into southern Lake Michigan generally contain little coarse sediment except in their channels near the roads and railroads, where angular to subangular anthropogenic pebbles predominate (70–90 %). However, streams have very little influence on gravel lithology along the coast because they seldom discharge anthropogenic gravel into Lake Michigan. Recent changes in gravel lithology along the southern Lake Michigan coast may affect changes in nearshore benthic flora and fauna as well as algal and bacterial blooms during warm summer months.     

Physical modeling of near-Earth Asteroid (29075) 1950 DA

Near-Earth Asteroid (29075) 1950 DA may closely encounter Earth in 2880. The probability of Earth impact may be as high as 1/300, but the outcome of the encounter depends critically on the physical properties of the asteroid [Giorgini et al., 2002. Science 196, 132-136]. We have used Arecibo and Goldstone radar data and optical lightcurves to estimate the shape, spin state, and surface structure of 1950 DA. The data allow two distinct models. One rotates prograde and is roughly spheroidal with mean diameter 1.16±0.12 km. The other rotates retrograde and is oblate and about 30% larger. Both models suggest a nickel-iron or enstatite chondritic composition. Ground-based observations should be able to determine which model is correct within the next several decades.     

Near-Earth Asteroid 2005 CR37: Radar images and photometry of a candidate contact binary

Arecibo (2380 MHz, 13 cm) radar observations of 2005 CR37 provide detailed images of a candidate contact binary: a 1.8-km-long, extremely bifurcated object. Although the asteroid's two lobes are round, there are regions of modest topographic relief, such as an elevated, 200-m-wide facet, that suggest that the lobes are geologically more complex than either coherent fragments or homogeneous rubble piles. Since January 1999, about 9% of NEAs larger than ∼200 m imaged by radar can be described as candidate contact binaries.     

The condensation nuclei produced by point discharge

Summary The properties of condensation nuclei generated at a metal point corona discharge have been examined. The threshold voltages for nucleus production and for small ion production are the same. The fraction of the nuclei which is charged is initially small and becomes virtually zero after a few seconds. It is demonstrated that in the non-uniform field near the point there is a force on the nuclei driving them to the point. From determinations of the diffusion coefficient it is tentatively concluded that a portion at least of the nuclei are originally of molecular size. No satisfactory explanation has been found for certain anomalous features of the variations in size and in concentration of the nuclei with time after production.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden die Eigenschaften von Kondensationskernen untersucht, die durch Koronaentladung von einer Metallspitze erzeugt wurden. Die Spannungsschwelle für die Erzeugung von Kondensationskernen und kleinen Ionen ist die gleiche. Der Bruchteil der Kerne, welche geladen sind, ist anfangs klein und wird nach einigen Sekunden praktisch null. Es wird gezeigt, dass in dem inhomogenen Felde nahe der Spitze eine Kraft auf die Kerne wirkt, welche sie zur Spitze treibt. Aus Bestimmungen des Diffusionskoeffizienten wird versuchsweise geschlossen, dass wenigstens ein Teil der Kerne ursprünglich molekulare Grösse hat. Keine befriedigende Erklärung für gewisse anomale Eigenschaften der zeitlichen Änderungen der Grösse und Konzentration der Kerne nach ihrer Erzeugung wurde gefunden.

     

Metal point discharge nuclei and the production of multiply charged ions from condensation nuclei

Summary Very small uncharged nuclei are produced by electric discharge at a metal point. By measuring the size and the super-saturation required for condensation it is shown that there is a vapour pressure deficit of 15%. The nuclei increase in size and in heterogeneity during storage. The range of radius is from 1.0×10^–7 cm to 6.6×10^–7 cm.When atmospheric nuclei are drawn past a discharging point they become multiply charged. The relation between the mobility, the diffusion coefficient and the charge per ion of these multiply charged ions does not agree with well-established theory.

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Zusammenfassung Elektrische Entladung von einer Metallspitze erzeugt sehr kleine, ungeladene Kerne. Durch Messung ihrer Grösse und der Übersättigung, welche für die Kondensation benötigt wird, kann gezeigt werden, dass ein Dampfdruckdefizit von 15% besteht. Während der Speicherung wachsen die Kerne und ihre Heterogenität nimmt zu. Ihre Radien liegen zwischen 1.0×10^–7 cm und 6.6×10^–7 cm.Kondensationskerne der Atmosphäre, welche an einer sich entladenden Spitze vorbeigesaugt werden, nehmen mehrfache Ladungen an. Die Beziehung zwischen der Beweglichkeit, dem Diffusionskoeffizienten und der Ladung per Ion dieser mehrfach geladenen Ionen stimmt nicht mit der bisher als gültig angenommenen Theorie überein.

     

Nucleus content of air in occupied rooms

Summary 1)Indoor concentration is less than outdoor concentration when precautions are taken to prevent indoor contamination of the air; 2) Nuclei are not produced by breathing. The nucleus content of exhaled air is less than that of the inhaled air; the loss appears to be mainly a diffusion loss; 3) Occupancy does not produce any detectable change in nucleus content; 4) A hypothesis is advanced to explain how occupancy might cause a slight decrease in small ion content without causing any increase in nucleus content.

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Zusammenfassung 1)Die Konzentration der Kondensatjionskerne innerhalb eines Hauses ist geriuger als jene im Freien, wenn Vorsichtsmassnahmen gegen Verunreinigung der Luft innerhalb des Hauses getroffen werden; (2) Kerne werden nicht durch Atmen erzeugt. Der Kerngehalt der ausgeatmeten Luft ist geringer als jener der eingeatmeten Luft; der Verlust scheint hauptsächlich durch Diffusion zu erfolgen;3) Bewohnen der Räume scheint keine nachweisbare Aeuderung im Kerngehalte zu erzeugen; 4) Es wird eine Hypothese aufgestellt, wie das Bewohnen der Räume eine kleine Abnahme des Gehaltes an kleinen Ionen erzeugen kann, ohne eine Vermehrung des Kerngehaltes zu verursachen.

     

The photo-electric nucleus counter as hygrometer

Summary Hygrometric measurements on room air were made with aNolan-Pollak nucleus counter from which the lining of blotting paper had been removed. The dew point can be determined from the critical overpressure for condensation on nuclei. Satisfactory agreement with the values given by a ventilated wet and dry bulb hygrometer was obtained. The correction required is small since condensation occurs on ordinary atmospheric nuclei when the temperature is brought to about 0.3°C below the dew point.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden Feuchtigkeitsmessungen der Zimmerluft mit einemNolan-Pollak Kernzähler gemacht, in welchem das Futter aus Fliesspapier entfernt worden war. Der Taupunkt kann aus dem kritischen Ueberdruck, der für die Kondensation an den Kernen notwendig ist, bestimmt werden. Es wurde zufriedenstellende Uebereinstimmung mit den Angaben eines ventiliertenAssmann-Psychrometers gefunden. Die erforderliche Korrektur ist klein, da die Kondensation an gewöhnlichen Kernen der Luft stattfindet, wenn die Temperatur auf einen um 0.3°C verminderten Taupunkt gebracht wurde.

     

Mineral magnetic and geochemical records of late Glacial climatic change from two northwest European carbonate lakes

We present the results of mineral magnetic measurements and geochemical analyses of late Glacial sediments from two marl-precipitating lakes in the Northwest of England. Mineral magnetic assemblages dominated by detrital and/or authigenic ferrimagnetic minerals, and enhanced delivery of metal elements, characterise a lower (Oldest Dryas) and an upper (Younger Dryas) phase of catchment instability, with detrital clay and silt sedimentation. Magnetic mineral assemblages with lower concentrations of finer ferrimagnetic grains characterise the authigenic carbonate sediments (marls). The marls indicate both enhanced lake productivity and catchment stability in response to prevailing warm conditions during the Bølling - Allerød Interstadial. The Bølling - Allerød marl phase contains two short-term, low amplitude shifts characterised by changes in the concentration and the size of ferrimagnetic grains. These shifts may represent the Older Dryas and the Amphi-Atlantic Oscillation, short-lived Northern hemisphere climatic deteriorations. Overall, the results suggest that marl lakes are sensitive indicators of Lateglacial climatic change, and that these changes are readily identifiable through the use of mineral magnetic measurements.     

中国低丰度大型岩性油气田形成条件和分布规律

我国低丰度岩性油气田具有很大的资源潜力和储量规模,在中、古生代地层均有广泛的分布,具备良好的油气地质背景和成藏条件,是未来油气勘探的重点领域,其形成条件及富集规律不明.本文在大量统计分析和地质研究的基础上,探讨了低丰度大油气田的形成条件、分布特征、富集规律和未来的勘探领域.研究指出了低丰度大型岩性油气田形成的几个地质背景:大面积高丰度烃源岩;平缓的构造格局;稳定的沉积背景;大规模的沉积体系;建设性成岩环境.系统分析了油气田形成控制因素和分布规律:1陆相(或海陆交互相)大型三角洲平原—前缘主河道砂体、海相高能相带(台缘礁滩、滨岸砂体)是大型岩性油气藏的有利分布区;2次生溶蚀相、白云岩化相、风化淋滤相、绿泥石薄膜胶结相和TSR相等建设性成岩作用是优质储层及大油气田分布的有利区;3古地形(古隆起、斜坡、起伏带、鼻隆等)、断裂(层/褶/坡/陷/块)带、构造反转带、裂缝发育带和地层剥蚀尖灭带是大型油气田形成的有利构造条件和富集地区;4低丰度大型岩性油气田的分布和富集普遍受控于构造、沉积和成岩三因素控制的“甜点”.研究成果可为寻找油气勘探的后备领域和储量接替提供理论基础和科学依据.