Hydrogeologic Characterization of a Fault-Related Dome Using Outcrop,Borehole and Electrical Resistivity Data

Geological structures introduce heterogeneity along deformed strata, which in turn exert a strong control on regional groundwater occurrences and water flow. We developed and applied procedures of structural, borehole and direct current resistivity (DCR) data to (1) figure out a reliable structural model of a fault-related dome, (2) visualize the relationship between structural complexity and aquifers geometry and (3) characterize the fault damage zones and its related sealing potentialities. The present approach was applied at the northern Eastern Desert, Egypt, considering its complex deformation history. To alleviate the uncertainties and artifacts in solving the DCR inverse problem, advanced and non-conventional inversion schemes were applied. Moreover, fault seal potentialities were assessed by applying the shale gouge ratio (SGR) estimation to predict the groundwater pathway flow. The main findings include: (a) The DCR measurements can be considered as a complementary tool to visualize the relationship between subsurface structures and aquifers geometry at highly deformed areas; (b) detailed surface structural data analysis combined with sophisticated inversion algorithms application can increase the reliability of the constructed geo-electrical cross sections for deep and large-scale geological surveys; and (c) the structural modeling of geological units and faults distribution contributes to clarify hydrogeological settings and aquifers connectivity. The approach can be readily applied elsewhere, as long as detailed structural analysis, geometric parameters and high-resolution DCR resistivity data are available.

     

Stock structure and demographic history of the Indo-West Pacific mud crab Scylla serrata

The increasing exploitation of mangrove forests, without any sustainable planning, has been seriously compromising the survival of this ecosystem and of its exclusive resources. Scylla serrata is one of the most commercially exploited crabs inhabiting mangroves and estuaries of the Indo-Pacific region. This species is extensively harvested, mainly for selling to the tourist market, and, as a consequence, its populations are in constant decline. The aim of the present study was to assess the level of genetic exchange of S. serrata within the Western Indian Ocean (WIO), using a population genetic structure approach. To achieve this goal, we reconstructed the intra-specific geographic pattern of genetic variation by partial sequencing the mitochondrial DNA cytochrome oxidase subunit I, in samples from seven mangrove sites of the WIO. Our data set then encompassed all the sequences for the same genetic marker deposited in Genbank and corresponding to samples from South East Asia, Australia and some Pacific Islands: this allowed us to estimate the level of connectivity among S. serrata populations within its distribution area.     

From platform to basin to swell: orbital control on sedimentary sequences in the Oxfordian, Spain

Climatic, oceanographic and ecological changes that control the formation and deposition of sediment in shallow and deep depositional environments commonly occur with periodicities of a few 10 000 years. Consequently, in order to interpret sedimentary sequences in the geological past, high time resolution is required. This is best obtained by cyclostratigraphy. Three sections have been studied in the Oxfordian of north-eastern Spain: one represents a shallow, siliciclastic-carbonate platform with repetitive subaerial exposures, one an intraplatform basin with sponge bioherms, and one a swell where iron ooids and glauconite formed. The platform section displays a well-defined stacking pattern of depositional sequences; the deeper-water sections are well dated by ammonites. The correlation between the three sections is a best-fit solution integrating biostratigraphy, sequence stratigraphy and cyclostratigraphy. It is concluded that the small-scale depositional sequences formed in tune with the 100-ka orbital eccentricity cycle. An additional factor was differential subsidence that ruled basin morphology.     

Imposex levels and concentrations of organotin compounds (TBT and its metabolites) in Nassarius nitidus from the Lagoon of Venice

Specimens of Nassarius nitidus were collected in seven stations of the Venice Lagoon to assess the levels of tributyltin (TBT) and its metabolites monobutyltin and dibutyltin in the tissues and monitor their effect on organisms, in particular the phenomenon of imposex (superimposition of male sexual characteristics on females). The following values of population indices were found: vas deferens sequence: 1.2 ± 0.7–4.0 ± 0.5; relative penis length: 6–47%. The least impacted station was situated in the northern part of the Lagoon, where females without imposex were found and Butyltin (BuTs) concentrations in the organisms (average sum of BuTs = 43 ± 14 ng Sn g⁻¹ w.) were significantly lower than in the other stations (range of average sum of BuTs: 101 ± 22–217 ± 27 ng Sn g⁻¹ d.w.). Population indices were found to be related to the TBT content in the tissues. In particular VDSI had a significant logarithmic correlation: r = 0.95, n = 8, p < 0.05.     

Development of a coral cDNA array to examine gene expression profiles in Montastraea faveolata exposed to environmental stress

The development of a cDNA array of coral genes and its application to investigate changes in coral gene expression associated with stressful conditions is described. The array includes both well-characterized and previously unidentified coral genes from Acropora cervicornis and Montastraea faveolata. Corals were exposed to either natural or anthropogenic stressors to elicit the expression of stress genes for isolation and incorporation onto the array. A total of 32 genes involved in protein synthesis, apoptosis, cell signaling, metabolism, cellular defense and inflammation were included on the array. Labeled cDNA from coral (Montastraea faveolata) exposed to elevated seawater temperature, salinity and ultraviolet light was tested against the microarray to determine patterns of gene expression associated with each stressor. Carbonic anhydrase, thioredoxin, a urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and three ribosomal genes demonstrated differential expression across all replicates on the array and between replicate colonies. Specific gene expression patterns produced in response to different stressors demonstrate the potential for gene expression profiling in characterizing the coral stress response.     

An outline of shear-sense analysis in high-grade rocks

Ductile shear zones are important in tectonic reconstructions as a source of information on the relative motion of large crustal blocks or plates in the geological past. Methods to interpret fabric in ductile shear zones were mostly developed for low grade rocks where overprinting relations are usually well preserved. However, high grade shear zones are common and dominate in many Precambrian terrains. High grade shear zones should be analysed in a different way from low grade zones. The plane on which shear sense markers should be observed, the vorticity profile plane, is more difficult to find than in low grade shear zones. The most reliable shear sense markers in high grade shear zones are shear bands, mineral fish, mantled porphyroclasts, sigmoids and asymmetric boudins.     

The evolution of prominences and their relationship to active centers

The radiation field, emergent from an inhomogeneous atmosphere, may differ significantly from that calculated using a mean model for such an atmosphere. In the solar case, horizontal anisotropy of the granulation pattern leads to azimuthal dependence of the emergent intensity, and this appears as a latitude-dependent limb flux which may mimic oblateness. We examine this latitude-dependence for several two and three-dimensional models of the inhomogeneous solar atmosphere, with varying degrees of anisotropy in the granulation pattern. Elongation along an east-west axis of about 7% would yield a signal somewhat imperfectly mimicking an excess oblateness of 4 × 10^–5. Using the Babcock-Leighton model of the general solar magnetic field we show that some stretching of granules, of this order of magnitude, should be expected. However, it may vary with the solar activity cycle, and in any case the result is very sensitive to the parameters adopted. Even if study of granulation observations should exclude elongations as high as 7%, smaller essentially undetectable elongations may exist. We find that 1 % elongation can account for 25–50 % of a signal corresponding to excess oblateness 4 × 10^–5. We conclude that anisotropy of the granulation pattern may influence oblateness determinations; when this is considered together with other effects, much of the claimed oblateness may be eliminated.     

Local music policies within a global music industry: cultural quarters in Manchester and Sheffield

This paper will explore the relationship between the local and the global in the music industry through the lens of place-based cultural policies.The first part of the paper will outline current debates around the complex interaction of the local and the global in culture in general and the popular music industry in particular. Alongside the continuous expansion of globalisation has been a reassertion of ‘place', of ‘locality'. Whilst this has been investigated to some extent at the level of local music scenes it has never been fully addressed in terms of music industry policy as part of an economic development strategy. Yet it is here that the particular values of ‘place' are asserted in the face of some ‘global' music industry with a view to developing (or at least retaining some of the benefits of) a local music industry.Whilst situating itself within these debates about the relationship of local and global musical production and consumption, the paper explores the different strategies of two northern English cities and their attempts to promote culture, and music, within each cities ‘cultural quarter': Sheffield's Cultural Industries Quarter and Manchester's Northern Quarter. The paper analyses the role and appropriateness of local authority policy intervention, the importance of ‘soft' networks within local music scenes and the different ways in which authorities in each example have tried to overcome dichotomies of art and industry, cultural and economy.