STAGES: the Space Telescope A901/2 Galaxy Evolution Survey

We present an overview of the Space Telescope A901/2 Galaxy Evolution Survey (STAGES). STAGES is a multiwavelength project designed to probe physical drivers of galaxy evolution across a wide range of environments and luminosity. A complex multicluster system at   z ∼ 0.165  has been the subject of an 80-orbit F606W Hubble Space Telescope (HST) /Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) mosaic covering the full     span of the supercluster. Extensive multiwavelength observations with XMM–Newton , GALEX, Spitzer , 2dF, Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and the 17-band COMBO-17 photometric redshift survey complement the HST imaging. Our survey goals include simultaneously linking galaxy morphology with other observables such as age, star formation rate, nuclear activity and stellar mass. In addition, with the multiwavelength data set and new high-resolution mass maps from gravitational lensing, we are able to disentangle the large-scale structure of the system. By examining all aspects of an environment we will be able to evaluate the relative importance of the dark matter haloes, the local galaxy density and the hot X-ray gas in driving galaxy transformation. This paper describes the HST imaging, data reduction and creation of a master catalogue. We perform the Sérsic fitting on the HST images and conduct associated simulations to quantify completeness. In addition, we present the COMBO-17 photometric redshift catalogue and estimates of stellar masses and star formation rates for this field. We define galaxy and cluster sample selection criteria, which will be the basis for forthcoming science analyses, and present a compilation of notable objects in the field. Finally, we describe the further multiwavelength observations and announce public access to the data and catalogues.     

Reply to “Reply to comments on defining biominerals and organominerals: Direct and indirect indicators of life [Perry et al., Sedimentary Geology, 201, 157–179]” by R.S. Perry and M.A. Sephton: [Sedimentary Geology 213 (2009) 156]

This is a reply to R.S. Perry and M.A. Sephton's “Reply to comments on defining biominerals and organominerals: direct and indirect indicators of life [Perry et al., Sedimentary Geology, 201, 157–179]” [Sedimentary Geology 213 (2009) 156].     

Identifying Controls on Water Chemistry of Tropical Cloud Forest Catchments: Combining Descriptive Approaches and Multivariate Analysis

We investigated controls on the water chemistry of a South Ecuadorian cloud forest catchment which is partly pristine, and partly converted to extensive pasture. From April 2007 to May 2008 water samples were taken weekly to biweekly at nine different subcatchments, and were screened for differences in electric conductivity, pH, anion, as well as element composition. A principal component analysis was conducted to reduce dimensionality of the data set and define major factors explaining variation in the data. Three main factors were isolated by a subset of 10 elements (Ca²⁺, Ce, Gd, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Nd, Rb, Sr, Y), explaining around 90% of the data variation. Land-use was the major factor controlling and changing water chemistry of the subcatchments. A second factor was associated with the concentration of rare earth elements in water, presumably highlighting other anthropogenic influences such as gravel excavation or road construction. Around 12% of the variation was explained by the third component, which was defined by the occurrence of Rb and K and represents the influence of vegetation dynamics on element accumulation and wash-out. Comparison of base- and fast flow concentrations led to the assumption that a significant portion of soil water from around 30 cm depth contributes to storm flow, as revealed by increased rare earth element concentrations in fast flow samples. Our findings demonstrate the utility of multi-tracer principal component analysis to study tropical headwater streams, and emphasize the need for effective land management in cloud forest catchments.     

ISO Spectroscopy of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies

Spectroscopy from the Infrared Space Observatory ISO has for the first timeprovided the sensitivity to exploit the diagnostic power ofmid-infrared fine structure lines and PAH features for the study ofultraluminous infrared galaxies (L_IR >10¹² L ). We report on observations obtainedwith SWS, ISOPHOT-S, and the CVF option of ISOCAM. From both fine structure lines and PAH features, we find that the majority of ULIRGs is predominantlypowered by star formation. Our total sample of about 75 ULIRGs allows tosearch for trends within the class of ULIRGs: The fraction of AGNs increaseswith luminosity above 3 × 10¹²L but there is no obvioustrend for ULIRGs to be more AGN-like with more advanced merger phase.     

Der Brechungsindexgradient für elektromagnetische Wellen (Cm-bis M-Band) in der maritimen Grenzschicht der Atmosphäre

Zusammenfassung Für ein in der Abhandlung von K. Brocks [1955] abgeleitetes Verfahren der Berechnung von Brechungsindex-Profilen unmittelbar über dem Meer werden weitere Hilfsmittel angegeben, insbesondere eine graphische Psychrometertafel (Tafel 8), aus der der Dampfdruck der Luft [in mb] als Funktion der Temperatur des feuchten und trockenen Thermometers entnommen werden kann, und ein Diagramm des Wasserdampfdrucks und des Sättigungsdampfdruckes der Luft sowie der relativen Luftfeuchtigkeit als Funktion der Lufttemperatur (Tafel 9).Es wird ferner ein Kurzverfahren mitgeteilt, das eine schnelle Berechnung des Brechungsindexprofils über dem Meer ermöglicht aus Messungen der Lufttemperatur, Luftfeuchtigkeit, Windgeschwindigkeit und Wassertemperatur. Hierfür wird ein Diagramm gegeben (Tafel 10), das den BrechungswertN=(n–1) 10^–6 als Funktion der Temperatur des trockenen und des feuchten Thermometers bzw. der Wassertemperatur enthält.

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On the gradient of the refractive index of electro-magnetic waves (centimetre-to metre-waves) in the maritime boundary layer of the atmosphere. 2^nd article

Summary The present paper adds further aids to the method developed by K. Brocks [1955] for the computation of the curves of the refractive index occurring immediately above the sea surface. These aids, before all, consist in a graphical psychrometer plate (plate 8) and a diagramme (plate 9). Plate 8 permits to derive from it the vapour pressure of the air [in mb] as a function of temperature to be read from dry bulb and a wet bulb thermometres. Plate 9 represents the water vapour pressure and the saturation pressure of the air as well as relative humidity of the air as a function of air temperature.Besides, an abbreviated method is discussed permitting a time-saving computation of the curves of the refractive index above sea surface from measurements of air temperature, atmospheric moisture, wind velocity, and water temperature. This computation is carried out with the aid of a diagram (plate 10), giving the refractive valueN=(n–1) 10^–6 as a function of the temperature, measured with a dry bulb and a wet bulb thermometre, or as a function of the water temperature, respectively.

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Sur le gradient de l'indice de réfraction des ondes électromagnétiques (de 0,1 m à 1m), présentes dans la couche limite maritime de l'atmosphère. 2^e article

Résumé Le travail actuel ajoute à la méthode développée par K. Brocks [1955] d'autres moyens pour le calcul des courbures du gradient de l'indice de réfraction se présentant immédiatement au-dessus de la surface de la mer. Ces moyens se composent surtout d'une représentation graphique des valeurs psychométriques (planche 8) et d'un diagramme (planche 9). La planche 8 permet d'en tirer la pression de vapeur de l'air [en mb] en fonction de températures indiquées sur de thermomètres mouillés ou sur de thermomètres secs. La planche 9 montre la pression de vapeur d'eau et la tension de vapeur saturante de l'air ainsi que l'humidité relative de l'air en fonction de la température de l'air.De plus, une méthode abbréviée est présentée qui permet de calculer, sans perdre beaucoup de temps, au moyen des mesures de la température de l'air et de l'eau, de l'humidité de l'air et de la vitesse du vent, la courbure de l'indice de réfraction au-dessus de la mer. Ce calcul se fait à l'aide d'un diagramme (planche 10) qui donne la valeur de réfractionN=(n}-1) 10^–6 en fonction de la température du thermomètre sec et du thermomètre mouillé ou la représente respectivement en fonction de la température de l'eau.

     

Hydrogen bonding in basic copper salts: a spectroscopic study of malachite,Cu2(OH)2CO3, and brochantite,Cu4(OH)6SO4

Infrared and Raman spectra of the basic copper salts malachite, Cu₂(OH)₂CO₃, and brochantite, Cu₄(OH)₆SO₄, as well as of deuterated and ¹³C substituted samples are presented and discussed in terms of group theory and the hydrogen bonds present. The main results are that (i) the hydrogen donor strengths of the OH^? ions are strongly increased due to the very great synergetic effect of the copper ions, (ii) the acceptor strengths of the H-bond acceptor groups (SO₄ ^2-, CO₃ ^2-, and OH^? ions) are significantly modified by the linkage and coordination of the acceptor atoms — this complicates true assignment of the OH bands observed to the two and six different OH^? ions present in malachite and brochantite, respectively -, and (iii) the Cu — O stretching modes at 430–590 cm^?1 and 420–520 cm^?1 for malachite and brochantite, respectively, exhibit strong, partially covalent Cu — O bonding.     

Characterization of sediments in an abandoned mining area; a case study of Mansfeld region,Germany

The distribution of selected heavy metals, including some radionuclides, metalloids and non-metals was determined in stream sediments in a region influenced by abandoned copper mining and ore processing activities. A considerable amount of the ore processing waste with a very complex composition and highly elevated concentrations of zinc, sulfur, lead, copper, arsenic, and a lot of other elements in the range between 100 and 1,000 mg/kg (Sb, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cd, Hg, and Ag) was piled up on mine dumps. The dispersion of the pollutants originating from this source and their environmental impact were investigated. Both, sediments and original waste material were studied to indicate the pathways and the mobilization behavior of different pollutants. For this purpose, the process of the elution of pollutants by application of different fractionation schemes was studied. The capabilities of different analytical techniques are shown for the analysis of solid samples (X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, Gamma-spectrometry) and liquid ones (ICP-atomic emission spectrometry, ICP-mass spectrometry and different techniques of atomic absorption). Additionally, the coupling of ion chromatography and ICP-MS detection was used to study the distribution of arsenic species in the sediment cores of a lake which acts as a natural sink for the region.     

Tectonic and climatic control of the changes in the sedimentary record of the Karnali River section (Siwaliks of western Nepal)

Abstract A multidisciplinary study was conducted on the section of the Siwalik Group sediments, approximately 5000 m thick, exposed along the Karnali River. Analysis of facies, clay mineralogy and neodymium isotope compositions revealed significant changes in the sedimentary record, allowing discussion of their tectonic or climatic origin. Two major changes within the sedimentary fill were detected: the change from a meandering to a braided river system at ca 9.5 Ma and the change from a deep sandy braided to a shallow sandy braided river system at ca 6.5 Ma. The 9.5‐Ma change in fluvial style is contemporaneous with an abrupt increase of ?_Nd(0) values following a ?_Nd(0) minimum. This evolution indicates a change in source material and erosion of Lesser Himalayan rocks within the Karnali catchment basin between 13 and 10 Ma. The tectonic activity along the Ramgarh thrust caused this local exhumation. By changing the proximity and morphology of relief, the forward propagation of the basal detachment to the main boundary thrust was responsible for the high gradient and sediment load required for the development of the braided river system. The change from a deep sandy braided to a shallow sandy braided river system at approximately 6.5 Ma was contemporaneous with a change in clay mineralogy towards smectite‐/kaolinite‐dominant assemblages. As no source rock change and no burial effect are detected at that time, the change in clay mineralogy is interpreted as resulting from differences in environmental conditions. The facies analysis shows abruptly and frequently increasing discharges by 6.5 Ma, and could be linked to an increase in seasonality, induced by intensification of the monsoon climate. The major fluvial changes deciphered along the Karnali section have been recognized from central to western Nepal, although they are diachronous. The change in clay mineralogy towards smectite‐/kaolinite‐rich assemblages and the slight decrease of ?_Nd(0) have also been detected in the Bengal Fan sedimentary record, showing the extent and importance of the two major events recorded along the Karnali section.