Tectonic map of the Vendian–Lower Paleozoic structural stage of the Lena–Tunguska petroleum province,Siberian Platform

A new version of the tectonic map for the Vendian–Lower Paleozoic structural stage of the Lena–Tunguska petroleum province is presented. The map is based on the electronic structure map at a scale of 1:1,000,000, which was the first to be compiled for the uppermost Vendian within the study area. However, no tectonic zonation was made for the deep-buried Meso-Cenozoic Yenisei–Khatanga and Vilyui depressions. The principles and methodology of mapping are given. The study presents spatial, morphological, and quantitative characteristics of the major and large structures.     

Disturbances of the topside ionosphere caused by typhoons

The measurements on board the Cosmos-1809 satellite of various parameters of the topside ionosphere plasma during more than ten typhoons in various regions are analyzed. It is shown that specific zones of increased pressure of the electron gas, electric field, and intense ion oscillations are formed during the intensification stage. In some cases the “typhoon eye” is formed over the tropical depression zone in the ionosphere, that is, the region with sharply decreased plasma density and pressure is observed a day and more prior to the moment when it happens in the atmosphere.     

Reconstructing the development of a gully in the Upper Kalaus basin,Stavropol region (southern Russia)

The Stavropol region of southern Russia is severely affected by human‐induced gully erosion. A lack of detailed information on the different stages of gully formation resulting from major agricultural expansion c. 100 years ago, is an obstacle for management and containment of these systems. In this study we combine measurements of particle‐bound radionuclides (¹³⁷Cs, ²¹⁰Pb_ex, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) and classical geomorphology to investigate and reconstruct the different phases of development of a gully during the last c. 100 years. We believe the ?rst phase (1) involved an initial incision into the bottom of a small valley (catchment area c. 1 km²) about 100 years ago. A short period of rapid growth was followed by a longer stage of gully stabilization. Subsequent phases were: (2) the period 1954–1960 – re‐incision in the lower gully reach was initiated by a high‐magnitude rainfall event, and a substantial amount of sediment was delivered to the gully fan; (3) c. 1960–1986 – the knickpoint retreated slowly, sediment was redeposited nearby, and the fan surface became stable; (4) 1986–1987 – a dam was built in the gully mouth and breached shortly after construction following 2 days of high rainfall, and substantial sediment accumulated in the gully above the dam and below the spillway channel on the fan surface; (5) 1987–1993 – the knickpoint retreat continued and the lower fan surface was stable until 1993 when the last signi?cant runoff event overlayed it with c. 10 cm of fresh sediment. These detailed reconstructions of gully development stages allow the contribution of high‐magnitude events to gully growth and regional sediment delivery to be assessed. They further guide management actions to prevent such dam failures in the future. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geochemical features of metabasite inclusions in gray gneisses of the Baidarik block (Central Mongolia)

The Baidarik block of the Dzavhan microcontinent (Central Asian Fold Belt) includes the Upper Archean Baidaragin gray-gneiss complex. Among gray plagiogneisses, there are metabasic bodies, which are probably relics of early volcanics. By composition, the metabasites are divided into three petrochemical groups, whose protoliths were tholeiitic basalts, Al-undepleted and Al-depleted basaltic komatiites. Only a few samples are similar in REE composition to these protoliths. We have found metabasites with crustal-contamination features. The unusual geochemical properties of the metabasites (LREE enrichment and Nb, Zr, and Ti depletion) are related to their metasomatism.     

Comparison of methods for argo drifters data assimilation into a hydrodynamical model of the ocean

Different data assimilation methods such as an extended Kalman filter, the optimal interpolation method, and a method based on the Fokker-Planck equation applications are considered. Data from the ARGO drifters are assimilated into the HYCOM shallow water model (University of Miami, USA). Throughout the study, the schemes and methods of parallel computations with an MPI library are used. The results of the computations with assimilations are compared between themselves and with independent observations. The method based on the Fokker-Planck equation and the extended Kalman filter are preferable because they give better results than the optimal interpolation scheme. The various model characteristics of the ocean, such as the heat content fields and others, are analyzed after the data assimilation.     

Geochemical Typing of Organic Matter in the Bottom Sediments Based on the Molecular Composition of Saturated Aliphatic Hydrocarbons

Oceanology - The paper presents approaches to typing organic matter (OM) from bottom sediments based on molecular indicators and statistical analysis. The results of analyzing the molecular...     

Spatial patterns and environmental drivers of benthic infaunal community structure and ecosystem function on the New Zealand continental margin

To investigate regional drivers of spatial patterns in macro- and meio-faunal community structure (abundance, biomass and taxonomic diversity) and ecosystem function (sediment community oxygen consumption [SCOC]), we sampled two regions in close proximity on New Zealand's continental margin—the Chatham Rise and the Challenger Plateau. Sites (n = 15) were selected in water depths ranging from 266–1212 m to generate a gradient in sedimentary properties and, in particular, surface pelagic productivity. Both macro- and meio-fauna abundance and biomass was 2–3.5 times higher on the Chatham Rise than on the Challenger Plateau, reflecting regional differences in pelagic primary production. We also found significant inter- and intra-regional differences in macro-fauna taxonomic diversity with two distinctive site groupings in each region. Univariate and multivariate measures of macro-fauna community attributes were most strongly correlated with sediment photosynthetic pigment (explaining 24%–59% of the variation). Sediment pigment content was as equally important in explaining meio-fauna community structure (36%–7%). Unlike community structure, SCOC was most strongly correlated with depth (44%), most likely reflecting temperature effects on benthic metabolism. Our results highlight the importance of a benthic labile food supply in structuring infaunal communities on continental margins and emphasise a tight coupling between pelagic and benthic habitats.     

Mathematical model for the ecosystem of the Black Sea hydrogen sulphide zone

A model for the ecosystem of the Black Sea hydrogen sulphide zone is suggested which incorporates seven components, namely, the concentrations of hydrogen sulphide, oxygen, dead organic matter, thiosulphates, molecular sulphur, and the biomass of sulphate-reducing and thiobacteria. With the minor terms neglected in the equations governing the system under consideration, the latter was divided into subsystems which allow an approximate calculation of the model components' vertical stationary profiles. The derived components' profiles agree qualitatively with available observations.Translated by V. Puchkin.     

Integrating a GIS with an expert system to identify and manage dryland salinization

To manage secondary dryland salinization successfully a coordinated regional management approach must be implemented. This paper considers the development of an interactive land classification methodology that identifies key land areas associated with the problem and then conveys information regarding the decision-making process to the end user. The developed system, Salt Manager, utilizes an expert system, a geographic information system, remotely sensed information and a relational database management system to implement the land classification method. Consideration is given in the paper to the salinization process, the problem of system integration and the provision of contextual information via graphic and textual formats.