Distribution and Pathogenicity of the Protist <Emphasis Type="Italic">Labyrinthula</Emphasis> sp. in western Mediterranean Seagrass Meadows

The presence of the pathogenic protist Labyrinthula sp., the causative agent of seagrass wasting disease and mass mortality events, was assessed in 18 seagrass meadows in the Balearic region (western Mediterranean). This protist was found in 70% of seagrass meadows investigated and in all seagrass species present in the region (i.e., Posidonia oceanica, Cymodocea nodosa, and Zostera noltii). Labyrinthula spp. cultures isolated from seven P. oceanica and one Thalassia testudinum meadows were used as inocula to perform cross-infection experiments in order to test seagrass vulnerability to Labyrinthula spp. infection. These isolates produced lesions on P. oceanica and other seagrass species (Zostera marina, Z. noltii, and C. nodosa). P. oceanica and Z. noltii, both species autochthonous to the Mediterranean Sea, were the seagrasses most vulnerable to infection by the tested isolates. One of the P. oceanica isolates of Labyrinthula sp. also infected the Atlantic seagrass Z. marina, and all of the Mediterranean seagrasses were infected by Labyrinthula sp. isolated from the T. testudinum, native to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. This work confirms that Labyrinthula sp. is commonly found on seagrasses of the Mediterranean Sea and demonstrates that Labyrinthula sp. can infect seagrasses in different genera, in contrast to previous studies where Labyrinthula sp. was considered to be genus-specific. This finding points out the broadly pathogenic nature of some Labyrinthula sp. isolates. Finally, this work identifies Labyrinthula sp. as a possible detrimental agent for P. oceanica.     

A tectonophysical model of the Baikal seismic zone: testing and implications for medium-term earthquake prediction

The first tectonophysical model of the Baikal seismic zone represents a separate complex region of the lithosphere. It has a pinnate structure with a backbone belt of current deformation, which is a concentrator of largest earthquakes, and branching, repeatedly reactivated large and small faults. In its vertical section, the seismic zone is tree-like, the stem and the branches being faults of different size ranks which can generate earthquakes when reactivated. The real-time short-period fault motions and the respective seismicity occurring at a certain time and in certain places are triggered by strain waves, which disturb the metastable state of the faulted lithosphere subject to regional stress. The modeling work includes developing general requirements for tectonophysical models of continental rifts and special methods for identifying the faults that become active within short historic time spans, as well as techniques for locating potential events in space and time in specific active faults. The methods and model testing for medium-term earthquake prediction are described by the example of the well-documented Baikal seismic zone, which is the most active part of the Baikal rift system. The tectonophysical model for the Baikal zone is statistically supported by field data, and this allows estimating the velocities and periods of strain waves for different zone segments and faults, with implications for nearest-future earthquake prediction.     

Evidence for adiabatic decompression melting in the Southern Mariana Arc from high-Mg lavas and melt inclusions

Unusually magnesian (Mg# ∼76) basalts have been sampled from a small submarine volcano situated on the Mariana arc magmatic front. Total alkalis range from 1.7 to 1.94%, Al₂O₃ from 9.09 to 10.3% and CaO from 13.9 to 14.09%. These lavas can be classified based on mineralogy as picrite and ankaramite. Olivine-hosted melt inclusions (MIs) have median MgO contents of 17.17–17.86 wt%, 0.35–0.5% TiO₂, 42–50% SiO₂ and 1.66–3.43% total alkalis, which suggest that the parental magmas were primitive mantle melts. Trace element concentrations for both MIs and lavas are arc-like, although more depleted than most arc lavas. Chlorine (182–334 ppm) and H₂O contents (0.11–0.64 wt%) in the MIs are consistent with the estimated median oxygen fugacities (log ΔFMQ of + 1.53–1.66) which lie at the low end of the range estimates for arc basalts and picrites (ΔFMQ = + 1 to + 3). Isotopic compositions of Sr, Nd, Hf and Pb are similar to those of other Mariana arc lavas and indicate derivation from an Indian Ocean mantle domain. The averaged magmatic temperature estimate from several geothermometers was 1,367°C at 1–1.5 GPa. We propose that high-Mg magmagenesis in this region results from the adiabatic decompression melting of relatively anhydrous but metasomatized mantle wedge. This melting is attributed to enhanced upwelling related to unusual tectonics on the over-riding plate related to a tear or other discontinuity on the subducted slab.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Contributions of slab fluid and sediment melt components to magmatism in the Mariana Arc–Trough system: Evidence from geochemical compositions and Sr,Nd, and noble gas isotope systematics

This study presents new major and trace element, mineral, and Sr, Nd, and noble gas isotope geochemical analyses of basalts, gabbro, and clinopyroxenite from the Mariana Arc (Central Islands and Southern Seamount provinces) including the forearc, and the Mariana Trough (Central Graben and Spreading Ridge). Mantle source compositions beneath the Mariana Arc and the Mariana Trough indicate a mantle source that is depleted in high field strength elements relative to MORB (mid‐oceanic ridge basalt). Samples from the Mariana Arc, characterized by high ratios of Ba/Th, U/Th, ⁸⁴Kr/⁴He and ¹³²Xe/⁴He, are explained by addition of fluid from the subducted slab to the mantle wedge. Correlations of noble gas data, as well as large ion lithophile elements, indicate that heavy noble gases (Ar, Kr, and Xe) provide evidence for fluid fluxing into the mantle wedge. On the other hand, major elements and Sr, Nd, He, and Ne isotopic data of basalts from the Mariana Trough are geochemically indistinguishable from MORB. Correlations of ³He/⁴He and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar in the Mariana Trough samples are explained by mixing between MORB and atmosphere. One sample from the Central Graben indicates extreme enrichment in ²⁰Ne/²²Ne and ²¹Ne/²²Ne, suggesting incorporation of solar‐type Ne in the magma source. Excess ¹²⁹Xe is also observed in this sample suggesting primordial noble gases in the mantle source. The Mariana Trough basalts indicate that both fluid and sediment components contributed to the basalts, with slab‐derived fluids dominating beneath the Spreading Ridge, and that sediment melts, characterized by high La/Sm and relatively low U/Th and Zr/Nb, dominate in the source region of basalts from the Central Graben.     

Recalibrating aeolian sand transport models

A quality‐controlled data set comprising measurements of aeolian sand transport rates obtained at three disparate field sites is used to evaluate six commonly employed transport rate models (those of Bagnold, Kawamura, Zingg, Owen, Hsu, and Lettau and Lettau) and to recalibrate the empirical constants in those models. Shear velocity estimates were obtained using the von Kármán constant and an apparent von Kármán parameter. Models were recalibrated using non‐linear regression and non‐linear regression with least‐squares lines forced through axes origins. Recalibration using the apparent von Kármán parameter and forced regression reduced the empirical constants for all models. The disparity between the predictions from the different models is reduced from about an order of magnitude to about a quarter of an order of magnitude. The recalibrated Lettau and Lettau model provided the greatest statistical agreement between observed and predicted transport rates, with a coefficient of determination of 0·77. Evaluation of the results suggests that our estimations of threshold shear velocity may be too slow, causing errors in predicted transport rates. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geospatial cryptography: enabling researchers to access private,spatially referenced,human subjects data for cancer control and prevention

Journal of Geographical Systems - As the volume, accuracy and precision of digital geographic information have increased, concerns regarding individual privacy and confidentiality have come to the...     

Sources of Uncertainty in Shear Stress and Roughness Length Estimates Derived from Velocity Profiles*

Shear stress is a fundamental parameter in many sediment transport expressions. It is commonly estimated from information contained in the velocity profile, specifically, shear velocity, u_*, and roughness length, z₀ Under ideal conditions, the functional relationship between elevation above the bed and flow velocity is log-linear, as expressed by the “law of the wall.” Unless the field data conform exactly to this ideal relationship, there is uncertainty in estimates of u_* and z₀. derived from velocity profiles. This uncertainty depends on the degree of scatter or deviation from the assumed log-linear model. Expressions are presented to quantify the error and to correct for it. Guidelines are suggested to minimize potential uncertainty, especially with regard to instrument deployment and velocity profile analysis. Calculation of confidence intervals around estimates of u_* and z₀, as proposed by Wilkinson (1984), is necessary and recommended.     

Predicting Aeolian Sand Transport: Revisiting the White Model

The derivation and history of the frequently cited aeolian transport model of White are considered in light of the continued replication of an error in the original expression. The error may have escaped notice because the expression is still dimensionally correct and it yields predictions that appear reasonable in comparison with both the predictions of other models with field data. The incorrect expression has come to be identified as a distinct model. However, the correct formulation of the ‘White model’ is, in fact, a rearrangement of the Kawamura model with a slightly smaller (c.6%) empirical coefficient. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High-temperature heat capacity of Co3O4 spinel: thermally induced spin unpairing transition

A strong anomaly was found in the heat capacity of Co₃O₄ between 1000 K and the decomposition temperature. This anomaly is not related to the decomposition of Co₃O₄ to CoO. The measured entropy of transition, S=46±4 J mol^-1 K^-1 of Co₃O₄, supports the interpretation that this anomaly reflects a spin unpairing transition in octahedrally coordinated Co³⁺ cations. Experimental values of heat capacity, heat content and entropy of Co₃O₄ in the high temperature region are provided. The enthalpy of the spin unpairing transition is 53±4 kJ mol^-1 of Co₃O₄.