Biotite and muscovite <Superscript>40</Superscript>Ar–<Superscript>39</Superscript>Ar geochronological constraints on the post-Svecofennian tectonothermal evolution,Forsmark site,central Sweden

In order to characterize the post-Svecofennian tectonothermal evolution of the Fennoscandian Shield, ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar biotite and some ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar muscovite geochronological data are reported from a total of 30 surface outcrop and 1,000 m long borehole samples at Forsmark, central Sweden. The 13 surface samples were collected across 3 branches of a major WNW to NW trending system of deformation zones, whereas the boreholes were drilled within a tectonic lens, in between two of these zones. The ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar biotite ages indicate that the present erosion surface, in central Sweden, cooled below c. 300°C at 1.73–1.66 Ga, and that the rocks could have accommodated strain in a brittle manner between 1.8 and 1.7 Ga. The variation in surface ages is suggested to be due to fault along the large WNW to NW trending deformation zones, following the establishment of a sub-Cambrian peneplain. The minor variation of ages within a single crustal block may be due to disturbance along ENE to NNE trending fracture zones. Possible cooling paths, derived from ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar hornblende, muscovite and biotite ages, were calculated for the time interval from 1.80 to 1.67 Ga, when the area cooled from c. 500 to 300°C. Cooling rates of 1.9–4°C/m.y. have been attained. Between 1.68 and 1.64 Ga, uplift rates of c. 22 m/m.y. were calculated from borehole ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar biotite data. Tectonothermal histories, inferred from the combined cooling and uplift rates, are related to simple cooling after the Svecofennian orogeny, to crustal movement in response to far-field effects of c. 1.7 Ga orogenic activities further to the west or to a combination of these possibilities.     

Differential damage in the semi-confined Munazio Ireneo cubicle in Cagliari (Sardinia): a correlation between damage and microclimate

The Early Christian Munazio Ireneo cubicle in Cagliari (Sardinia) is carved into the rock and is one of the rare monuments of Sardinia belonging to Early Christian Age. It is 166 cm under the planking level and is a semi-confined chamber in which a gate allows exchange with the outside. In 1888, when it was discovered, it was completely painted, but over the years, it suffered a serious damage and all the paintings are nearly disappeared. Now the site shows a high moisture and a differential damage characterised by delamination, powdering, salt crystallisation and biological colonisation. The research offers a multidisciplinary approach to study the salt crystallisation damage, which is a phenomenon still not completely understood today. Studies and analyses highlight that different kinds of damage can be recognised. The cement mortar and the air pollution cause crystallisation of the sulphates. Constant capillary rising and the presence of water infiltration due to the rains, which travelled into the site from the vault, were detected during qualitative inspection. Although the microclimate did not change much in the site and the humidity was almost constant during the monitoring period, the variations in temperature allowed the phase transitions of sodium sulphate, especially in summer. The greatest damage of the porous stone is associated with the phase transitions and crystallisation inside the stone of sodium sulphate, one of the most harmful salts for porous materials because of its high crystallisation pressure.     

Model selection in cosmology

Andrew Liddle, Pia Mukherjee and David Parkinson discuss the new precision available to cosmological modellers.     

Sustainable livelihoods approaches to inform government‐local partnerships and decision‐making in vulnerable environments

Sustainable livelihoods approaches used in international development are applied to a vulnerable New Zealand catchment. The Waiapu Catchment has a high proportion of indigenous residents, and is one of the most remote and deprived areas in the country. Linear and centralised approaches to indigenous development have failed to bring about desired changes. We identify “capitals” (social, human/political, physical, natural, financial and cultural) present in the catchment. From this assessment, we propose capital‐based holistic approaches to bring about community‐led change. The assessment and resulting approaches can be used in other vulnerable environments around the world.     

Food web manipulation by extreme enhancement of piscivory: an invertebrate predator compensates for the effects of planktivorous fish on a plankton community

By enhancing the stock of piscivorous fish in a whole-lake experiment in Gräfenhain (Germany) since 1981 to such an extent that almost all planktivorous fish were exterminated, we examined the concept of “over-biomanipulation”. This hypothesis predicts that (a) extremely strong piscivory will allow uncontrolled development of large invertebrate predators and (b) these invertebrates can exert the same strong predation pressure on large herbivorous zooplankton as planktivorous fish. The hypothesis is tested the first time by a cross-comparison of the long-term response of the plankton community structure in the experimental lake (Piscivore L.) with (1) the intermediate response in the same lake and with (2) that of the long-term state in a nearby reference lake (Planktivore L.) densely inhabited by planktivorous fish (Leucaspius delineatus, a small cyprinid). The intermediate (1989–1992) response in Piscivore L. revealed a strong increase of the abundance of the invertebrate predator Chaoborus flavicans. Large daphnids were able to coexist with C. flavicans so that edible phytoplankton were suppressed and water transparency increased.As part (a) of the hypothesis predicts, the long-term response in Piscivore L. was characterized by the immigration of the larger predator Chaoborus obscuripes which displaced the smaller C. flavicans completely. The results support also part (b) of the hypothesis of “over-biomanipulation”: C. obscuripes-dominated Piscivore L. showed not much difference in biomasses of daphnids and total and edible phytoplankton as well as Secchi depth compared with fish-dominated Planktivore Lake. On the other hand, C. obscuripes-dominated Piscivore L. was characterized by distinctly lower biomass of daphnids, mean body volume of all crustaceans and Secchi depth as well as by higher biomass of edible phytoplankton compared with C. flavicans-dominated Piscivore Lake. We conclude that long-lasting success of biomanipulation cannot be achieved by extremely high piscivory leading to the almost complete extermination of planktivorous fish.     

Lava stones from Neapolitan volcanic districts in the architecture of Campania region,Italy

Results of a research carried out on the lavas from Campi Flegrei and Somma-Vesuvius volcanic districts are reported here. The lavas have been widely employed, since Roman age, in several important monumental buildings of the Campania region, mainly in the town of Naples and in its province. They are classified as trachytes (Campi Flegrei products), tephri-phonolites and phono-tephrites (Somma-Vesuvius complex) from a petrographical point of view. Sampling was carried out from well-known exploitation districts. A substantial chemical difference between the products of the two sectors was confirmed, while petrophysical characterization evidenced similarity among the two different materials, although some differences were recorded even in samples coming from the same exploitation site.     

Impact of coupled perturbations of atmospheric trace gases on Earth's climate and ozone

We have studied the effects on the ozone concentration and surface temperature, of perturbations in the atmospheric content of nitrous oxide, methane, carbon dioxide and chlorofluorocarbons (CFC). The sensitivity study has been carried out with a radiative-convective-photochemical model. The doubling of carbon dioxide concentration has the effect of warming the troposphere and cooling the stratosphere. As a result of this cooling, the change of ozone columnar density produced by 10 ppb of chlorine amount to 9.3% as compared to –10.9% obtained without temperature feedback. Perturbation in nitrous oxide correspond to an increase in NO _x of the stratosphere with consequent ozone reduction while doubling the methane concentration correspond to a slight increase in columnar density. The effect of the increased methane concentration in the stratosphere contributes to reduce the effect of CFC due to the enhanced formation of HCl. The perturbation of these two minor constituents appreciably increase the greenhouse effect to 2.30 from 1.67°, obtained when carbon dioxide alone is considered.     

Seasonal variations in the trophic structure of phyto-and zooplankton communities in lakes in different trophic states

A number of environmental factors are important in regulating the trophic structure of plankton. Increased nutrient supply results in an explosive development of small algae and herbivorous zooplankton. In the eutrophic lakes (Greifensee, Hallwilersee) several algal community collapses occur each year as a consequence of the grazing habit of the zooplankton, although only the grazing phase in May/June results in a ‘clear water period’. Vertical mixing influences the zooplankton community by reactivating the resting stages of predatory copepods. Predation phases can only be observed in lake Lucerne, where the hypolimnion ist deep and aerobic. Well balanced relationships between the different trophic levels are restricted to the phases with growth limiting conditions.     

Valorization of Agricultural By-Products Within the “Energyscapes”: Renewable Energy as Driving Force in Modeling Rural Landscape

Due to several growing environmental constraints, renewable energy sources currently play an increasingly crucial role that, owing to their high temporal and spatial variability, needs a careful planning approach. It is important therefore to develop a framework that examines the distribution of different energy sources in a spatio-temporal context. From an energy point of view, a regional territory, such as an internal southern Italian region (the Basilicata Region), can be considered as a paradigmatic case study, because it is characterized by significant sources of renewable energy (e.g., biomass, wind, solar, hydro) connected to its morphological and environmental structure, as well as to its agricultural and food productions. The present paper in based on an analysis of the spatial supply and relationships between renewable energy potentials and rural land, through the use of a Geographic Information System that has been implemented with the aim to analyze the energy system, as well as to optimize the valorization of biomass resources that may be still unutilized within the bioenergy production chain. This study has been carried out even to bridge the gap between energy systems modeling and landscape planning. Within this context, an “Energyscape” may be considered as the effect resulting on the rural landscape from a combination of the supply, demand and infrastructure for energy. This framework could be therefore a starting point for an interdisciplinary analysis able to figure out optimal solutions in decision-making processes, which duly respect the protection and restoring of endangered ecosystems, supporting the decision about an optimal spatial localization of energy plants as well.