Study of the vertical structure of Saturn's atmosphere using HST/WFPC2 images

We have studied the vertical structure of hazes at six different latitudes (−60°, −50°, −30°, −10°, +30°, and +50°) on Saturn's atmosphere. For that purpose we have compared the results of our forward radiative transfer model to limb-to-limb reflectivity scans at four different wavelengths (230, 275, 673.2, and 893 nm). The images were obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 in September 1997, during fall on Saturn's northern hemisphere. The spatial distribution of particles appears to be very variable with latitude both in the stratosphere and troposphere. For the latitude range +50° to −50°, an atmospheric structure consisting of a stratospheric haze and a tropospheric haze interspersed by clear gas regions has been found adequate to explain the center to limb reflectivities at the different wavelengths. This atmospheric structure has been previously used by Ortiz et al. (1996, Icarus 119, 53-66) and Stam et al. (2001, Icarus 152, 407-422). In this work the top of the tropospheric haze is found to be higher at the southern latitudes than at northern latitudes. This hemispherical asymmetry seems to be related to seasonal effects. Different latitudes experience different amount of solar insolation that can affect the atmospheric structure as the season varies with time. The haze optical thickness is largest (about 30 at 673.2 nm) at latitudes ±50 and −10 degrees, and smallest (about 18) at ±30 degrees. The stratospheric haze is found to be optically thin at all studied latitudes from −50 to +50 degrees being maximum at −10° (τ=0.033). At −60° latitude, where the UV images show a strong darkening compared to other regions on the planet, the cloud structure is remarkably different when compared to the other latitudes. Here, aerosol and gas are found to be uniformly mixed down to the 400 mbar level.     

Fluctuations of the Última Esperanza ice lobe (52°S), Chilean Patagonia,during the last glacial maximum and termination 1

We present a new record from the Última Esperanza region (51°25’-52°25'S), southwestern Patagonia, to unravel the timing and structure of glacial fluctuations during the Last Glacial Termination (T1). This sector of southern South America represents the only windward-facing continental landmass in the Southern Hemisphere that intersects the core of the Southern Westerly Wind belt.Geomorphic, stratigraphic and geochronological evidence indicate the following stages during and since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM): (i) deposition of prominent moraine complexes during at least two advances dated between ~ 39 and > 17.5 ka; (ii) development of an ice-dammed proglacial lake (glacial lake Puerto Consuelo) accompanying ice recession; (iii) active deposition of moraine complexes at intermediate positions followed by recession at ≥ 15.2 ka; (iv) lake level drop and subsequent stabilization between 15.2-12.8 ka; (v) a glacial readvance in glacial lake Puerto Consuelo between 14.8-12.8 ka; (vi) ice recession, stabilization, and lake level lowering between 12.8-10.3 ka; and (vii) glacial withdrawal and disappearance of glacial lake Puerto Consuelo prior to 10.3 ka. By comparing our results with the chronologies from neighboring regions we explore whether there was a consistent temporal/geographic pattern of glacial fluctuations during the LGM and T1, and examine their implications at regional, hemispheric, and global scales. The correspondence of these variations with key paleoclimate events recorded in the Southern and the Northern Hemispheres suggest a common forcing that, most likely, propagated through the atmosphere. Regional heterogeneities at millennial timescales probably reflect the influence of processes related to deep ocean circulation, and changes in the position/intensity of the Antarctic Polar Front and Southern Westerly Winds.     

A Molecular Survey of Comet C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp) at the IRAM Telescopes

Spectroscopic observations of comet Hale-Boppwere undertaken near perihelion at millimetre wavelengths with the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (IRAM) telescopes at Plateau de Bure (France)and Pico Veleta (Spain). They resulted in the first detections of HCOOH,SO₂, NH₂CHO and HCOOCH₃ in a comet. HDO was detected through its3₁₂–2₂₁ line at 225.897 GHz,complementing the observation of the 1₀₁–0₀₀ line at 464.925 GHz at the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (Meier et al., 1998,Science 279, 842).Several unidentified lines are present in the spectra. Observations of HC₃N, HNCO, OCS, SO, CN, CO₊, HCO₊, in addition to more ‘classical’species CO, HCN, HNC, CH₃CN, CH₃OH, H₂CO, CS and H₂S (Biveret al., this issue) permit us to make out an extensive inventory of the composition of the coma of comet Hale-Bopp at its perihelion. It presents strong analogies with gas-phase abundances measured in interstellar hot cores and bipolar flows, which are believed to reflect the composition of interstellar grains. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Astrometric positions of comets Halley and Giacobini-Zinner obtained at Fabra Observatory

We present 190 astrometric positions of comet Halley and 46 positions of comet Giacobini-Zinner obtained at Fabra Observatory during the 1985/1986 campaign by the astrometric network of the International Halley Watch.     

The role of burrowing beds and burrows of the SW Atlantic intertidal crab Chasmagnathus granulata in trapping organochlorine pesticides

The effect of crab beds and bioturbation activity of the SW Atlantic intertidal crab Chasmagnathus granulata on the organochlorine pesticide (OCP) concentrations in Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina were studied. Total OCP concentration was significantly lower inside than outside the crab burrows. Nevertheless, the concentrations from outside the crab beds were lower than from outside crab burrows, which indicated that crab beds act as sinks of sediment-bound OCP due to the bioturbation activities of the crabs. The same distribution patterns were found in all sediments as well as in crabs, being cyclodienes>HCHs>DDTs, although large amounts of metabolites rather than the respective parental were found in the organism showing the capacity of C. granulata for metabolising parental compounds. These more water-soluble compounds are excreted by the faeces and finally removed by tidal flushing to the sea. Our results suggest that crabs when present play a role in the distribution of sediment-bound OCP and the crab beds are modifiers of the dynamic of organic pollutants in estuarine areas.     

Black shales and massive sulfide deposits: causal or casual relationships? Insights from Rammelsberg, Tharsis, and Draa Sfar

Black shales and massive sulfides represent reduced lithofacies that require isolation from oxic environments to be preserved. This, together with the sedimentary affinity of both lithofacies, can explain their common concurrence in the geologic record. The present study is based on the comparison of Rammelsberg in Germany, Tharsis in Spain, and Draa Sfar in Morocco, three massive sulfide deposits closely associated with black shales that are distributed along the European and North African Variscan orogen. The study entails geochemical, biostratigraphic, and stratigraphic analyses of the black shale sequences hosting the three deposits and mineralogical and textural analyses of the sulfides. All three deposits were formed in immature, tectonically unstable basins within an active continental margin or continental magmatic arc. Their stratigraphic records consist of a sequence of black shales enclosing massive sulfides and variable proportions of bimodal volcanic and subvolcanic rocks. The major differences among the three deposits concern the size, composition, and mineralogy. Regarding age, they are diachronous and younger southward: Rammelsberg is middle Eifelian, Tharsis latest Famennian, and Draa Sfar late Viséan. The study of redox conditions of the paleoenvironment using organic and inorganic proxies highlights similarities and significant differences among the three ore-hosting basins during massive sulfide and black shale deposition. The black shales generally display low C_org and high S_tot contents. At Rammelsberg, the S_tot/C_tot ratios provide values typical for normal Middle Devonian marine environments, which suggests that the original reactive organic C is now fixed in carbonates. At Tharsis, most of the samples have C_org >1 and S_tot/C_org values equivalent to those of Devonian?CCarboniferous normal marine sediments. However, some pyritic hanging-wall samples have C_org <1 and S_tot up to 5?wt.%, suggesting the epigenetic addition of HS^?. The S_tot/C_org ratio for the Draa Sfar samples resembles that of Middle Carboniferous normal marine environments. Geochemical inorganic proxies used to define the environmental conditions include the enrichment factors of U (U_EF) and Mo (Mo_EF) together with V/Cr and V/(V?+?Ni) ratios. Footwall shales at Filón Norte (Tharsis) show positive and eventually elevated U_EF and Mo_EF values, which suggests anoxic conditions, whereas at Rammelsberg and Draa Sfar oxic bottom water is indicated. The relations V/Cr and V/(V + Ni) in all three cases point to a redox boundary near the sediment?Cwater interface, although at Tharsis some samples indicate anoxic/euxinic conditions (i.e., V/(V + Ni) >0.9). Regarding the environmental conditions of the source areas, feldspar illitization and selective depletion in Na and Ca occurred at the three studies sites. Available sulfur isotopic data from the Rammelsberg and Tharsis sulfide ore indicate that biogenic reduction of marine sulfate was a major sulfur source during massive sulfide generation. Nevertheless, a hydrothermal sulfur source has also been detected. At Rammelsberg, this is indicated from the polymetallic sulfides that replace sedimentary and diagenetic pyrite. At Tharsis, the bacteriogenic sulfur signature is also restricted to sulfide with less evolved textures, whereas a hydrothermal source is more evident in sulfides showing evidence of recrystallization. Both geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the bacteriogenic reduction process was inhibited by rapid burial. The sedimentation rates calculated for Rammelsberg, Tharsis, and Draa Sfar were in the range 7?C13, 8?C14, and 19?C27?cm/ka, respectively. Continuous sedimentation of black shale favored the isolation of the massive sulfides and organic material from bottom waters and hence favored their preservation. Accordingly, the relationships between black shales and massive sulfides are considered to be casual. Nevertheless, the tectono-sedimentary evolution of each basin controlled the deposition of both black shales and massive sulfides and the parameters that favored their coeval deposition.     

Spatial modeling of environmental vulnerability of marine finfish aquaculture using GIS-based neuro-fuzzy techniques

Combining GIS with neuro-fuzzy modeling has the advantage that expert scientific knowledge in coastal aquaculture activities can be incorporated into a geospatial model to classify areas particularly vulnerable to pollutants. Data on the physical environment and its suitability for aquaculture in an Irish fjard, which is host to a number of different aquaculture activities, were derived from a three-dimensional hydrodynamic and GIS models. Subsequent incorporation into environmental vulnerability models, based on neuro-fuzzy techniques, highlighted localities particularly vulnerable to aquaculture development.The models produced an overall classification accuracy of 85.71%, with a Kappa coefficient of agreement of 81%, and were sensitive to different input parameters. A statistical comparison between vulnerability scores and nitrogen concentrations in sediment associated with salmon cages showed good correlation.Neuro-fuzzy techniques within GIS modeling classify vulnerability of coastal regions appropriately and have a role in policy decisions for aquaculture site selection.     

Application of 3D hydrodynamic and particle tracking models for better environmental management of finfish culture

Hydrographic conditions, and particularly current speeds, have a strong influence on the management of fish cage culture. These hydrodynamic conditions can be used to predict particle movement within the water column and the results used to optimise environmental conditions for effective site selection, setting of environmental quality standards, waste dispersion, and potential disease transfer. To this end, a 3D hydrodynamic model, MOHID, has been coupled to a particle tracking model to study the effects of mean current speed, quiescent water periods and bulk water circulation in Mulroy Bay, Co. Donegal Ireland, an Irish fjard (shallow fjordic system) important to the aquaculture industry. A Lagangrian method simulated the instantaneous release of “particles” emulating discharge from finfish cages to show the behaviour of waste in terms of water circulation and water exchange. The 3D spatial models were used to identify areas of mixed and stratified water using a version of the Simpson-Hunter criteria, and to use this in conjunction with models of current flow for appropriate site selection for salmon aquaculture.The modelled outcomes for stratification were in good agreement with the direct measurements of water column stratification based on observed density profiles. Calculations of the Simpson-Hunter tidal parameter indicated that most of Mulroy Bay was potentially stratified with a well mixed region over the shallow channels where the water is faster flowing. The fjard was characterised by areas of both very low and high mean current speeds, with some areas having long periods of quiescent water. The residual current and the particle tracking animations created through the models revealed an anticlockwise eddy that may influence waste dispersion and potential for disease transfer, among salmon cages and which ensures that the retention time of waste substances from cages is extended.The hydrodynamic model results were incorporated into the ArcView^TM GIS system for visualisation and interrogation of results and to allow effective holistic environmental management and site selection for fish cage aquaculture.     

Identification of hydrogeochemical process linked to marine intrusion induced by pumping of a semiconfined mediterranean coastal aquifer

This article analyses the hydrogeochemical processes, linked to the freshwater–seawater mixing zone, which can be caused by continuous pumping from a detrital coastal aquifer. It was necessary to construct an experimental plot, drilling three boreholes along a line perpendicular to the coast. A complete physico-chemical analysis was done of all water samples taken. The percentage of seawater, calculated from Chloride and ¹⁸Oxygen concentrations, varied between 55 and 90 %. The ionic deltas (Δ) calculated, and the saturation indices (SI) of mineral phases susceptible to precipitation or dissolution, allowed a series of hydrogeochemical processes to be identified that occur as a consequence of the advance of marine intrusion into the coastal band, and of aquifer flushing. Based on the major elements, the fraction of exchange (βI) was calculated for samples ranging from seawater to freshwater, and this revealed that differences in βI could explain the hydrochemistry of the mixing zone. The main processes recognised include precipitation of dolomite, dissolution of gypsum, fixation of sulphur salts and cation exchange. Most of the ion exchange took place between Na and Calcium + Magnesium ions. The process of fixation or liberation of these ions is probably determined by the advance or recession of the saline wedge, and/or by recharge during rainy periods. The behaviour of Magnesium is more sensitive to small variations in salinity, whilst Calcium behaves more homogeneously. The high percentage of seawater in the samples studied favours the speed and magnitude of processes such as ion exchange, and the intervention of magnesium is also a key.