Magnetostratigraphy of the Lodève Basin, France: Implications for the Permo-Carboniferous reversed superchron and the geocentric axial dipole

New results from the La Lieude Formation now complete the magneto-stratigraphic coverage of the Permian redbeds preserved in the Lodève Basin of southern France. The majority of the samples yield reversed polarity, with a mean of declination D = 187.4°, inclination I = ?0.5° (Fisherian statistics k = 44.2, ??₉₅ = 5.6°, n = 16). Together with previously published results, these data indicate that the entire basin lies within the Permo-Carboniferous Reversed Superchron (PCRS). But the stratigraphically highest sample exhibits normal polarity, suggesting that the transition marking the end of the PCRS may be close. The unusual behaviour of the geodynamo that generates superchrons prompts one to ask if there are concomitant influences on the morphology of the field. The intersecting palaeomeridian method offers a means of pursuing this question. An updated analysis suggests that there are currently no compelling reasons for adding significant higher-order terms to the geocentric axial dipole (GAD) model for the Late Permian.     

Video Observations of the 2006 Leonid Outburst

We carried out double station observations of the Leonid meteor shower outburst, which occurred in the morning hours of November 19, 2006. Using image-intensified cameras we recorded approximately 100 Leonid meteors. As predicted, the outburst was rich especially in fainter meteors. The activity profile shows that the peak of the outburst occurred at 4:40 ± 0:05 UT. The maximum reached flux was 0.03 meteoroids km⁻² hod⁻¹ for meteors brighter than +6.5 magnitude.     

A multi‐dimensional analysis of pro‐glacial landscape change at Sólheimajökull,southern Iceland

Pro‐glacial landscapes are some of the most active on Earth. Previous studies of pro‐glacial landscape change have often been restricted to considering either sedimentological, geomorphological or topographic parameters in isolation and are often mono‐dimensional. This study utilized field surveys and digital elevation model (DEM) analyses to quantify planform, elevation and volumetric pro‐glacial landscape change at Sólheimajökull in southern Iceland for multiple time periods spanning from 1960 to 2010. As expected, the most intense geomorphological changes persistently occurred in the ice‐proximal area. During 1960 to 1996 the pro‐glacial river was relatively stable. However, after 2001 braiding intensity was higher, channel slope shallower and there was a shift from overall incision to aggradation. Attributing these pro‐glacial river channel changes to the 1999 jökulhlaup is ambiguous because it coincided with a switch from a period of glacier advance to that of glacier retreat. Furthermore, glacier retreat (of ~40 m yr^?1) coincided with ice‐marginal lake development and these two factors have both altered the pro‐glacial river channel head elevation. From 2001 to 2010 progressive increase in channel braiding and progressive downstream incision occurred; these together probably reflecting stream power due to increased glacier ablation and reduced sediment supply due to trapping of sediment by the developing ice‐marginal lake. Overall, this study highlights rapid spatiotemporal pro‐glacial landscape reactions to changes in glacial meltwater runoff regimes, glacier terminus position, sediment supply and episodic events such as jökuhlaups. Recognizing the interplay of these controlling factors on pro‐glacial landscapes will be important for understanding the geological record and for landscape stability assessments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A catchment scale evaluation of the SIBERIA and CAESAR landscape evolution models

Landscape evolution models provide a way to determine erosion rates and landscape stability over times scales from tens to thousands of years. The SIBERIA and CAESAR landscape evolution models both have the capability to simulate catchment–wide erosion and deposition over these time scales. They are both cellular, operate over a digital elevation model of the landscape, and represent fluvial and slope processes. However, they were initially developed to solve research questions at different time and space scales and subsequently the perspective, detail and process representation vary considerably between the models. Notably, CAESAR simulates individual events with a greater emphasis on fluvial processes whereas SIBERIA averages erosion rates across annual time scales. This paper describes how both models are applied to Tin Camp Creek, Northern Territory, Australia, where soil erosion rates have been closely monitored over the last 10 years. Results simulating 10 000 years of erosion are similar, yet also pick up subtle differences that indicate the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two models. The results from both the SIBERIA and CAESAR models compare well with independent field data determined for the site over different time scales. Representative hillslope cross‐sections are very similar between the models. Geomorphologically there was little difference between the modelled catchments after 1000 years but significant differences were revealed at longer simulation times. Importantly, both models show that they are sensitive to input parameters and that hydrology and erosion parameter derivation has long‐term implications for sediment transport prediction. Therefore selection of input parameters is critical. This study also provides a good example of how different models may be better suited to different applications or research questions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Commonwealth of Australia     

Re-colonisation and recovery of populations of dogwhelks Nucella lapillus (L.) on shores formerly subject to severe TBT contamination

Dogwhelks Nucella lapillus became locally extinct on some shores adjacent to areas of high shipping/boating activity during the period of high tributyltin (TBT) contamination in the 1980s and early 1990s. However, the species has now re-colonised sites at which extinction occurred on the Isle of Cumbrae, the northeast coast of England, the Shetland Isles and southwest England. There have also been substantial declines in the severity of imposex on adjacent shores where the species has persisted during this period. Re-colonisation and recovery can be attributed to two measures: regulations prohibiting the use of TBT-based paints on vessels < 25 m in length and the development of slow-releasing, self-polishing copolymer paints. Nevertheless, the International Maritime Organisation has now imposed a total ban on the use of TBT-based paints as antifoulants. This is almost certain to result in the use of paints containing alternative biocides and there is widespread concern that there is relatively little information on which to assess their likely environmental impacts. They could cause substantial environmental damage.