Changes in submerged aquatic macrophyte populations at the head of Chesapeake Bay, 1958–1975

Submerged aquatic plant populations in the Susquehanna Flats of the Chesapeake Bay were followed for 18 years. An exotic species, eurasian water milfoil,Myriophyllum spicatum, increased dramatically from 1958 to 1962; at the same time the dominant native species declined. After 1962, milfoil populations declined and the native rooted aquatics gradually began to return to their former levels. In the late 1960's all species declined and in 1972 almost disappeared from the Susquehanna Flats. These fluctuations may have been related to several interrelated environmental factors in the Chesapeake Bay, including tropical storms, turbidity, salinity and disease. The utilization of the Susquehanna Flats by waterfowl appears to be related to the abundance and species composition of the submerged macrophytes present.     

Short-period PKP phases and the anelastic mechanism of the inner core

Short-period seismograms are synthesized for PKP phases in anelastic Earth models. The synthetics were constructed using a synthetic technique valid at grazing incidence, a source-time function appropriate for deep-focus earthquakes, and an instrument response for either a short-period WWSSN or SRO seismograph. The agreement between predicted and observed amplitudes and spectral ratios requires neither a low-Q_α zone at 0.2–2 Hz nor a low or negative P-velocity gradient at the bottom of the outer core. Thin low-Q_α zones beneath the inner core boundary fit spectral ratio data that sample the upper 200 km of the inner core but fail to fit data that sample the lower inner core. Only a model having Q_α^?1?[0.003, 0.004] at 0.2–2 Hz, nearly constant with depth in the inner core, satisfies all of the spectral ratio and amplitude data. The assumption of a bulk viscosity of 10-10³ Pa s for the liquid phase of a partially molten inner core combined with the observation of low shear attenuation in the inner core at frequencies less than 0.005 Hz limit the physical parameters associated with two possible attenuation mechanisms: (1) fluid flow and viscous relaxation due to ellipsoidally shaped inclusions of melt, and (2) the solid-liquid phase transformation induced by the stress change during the passage of a seismic wave. Both mechanisms require an order of 0.1% partial melt to reproduce the observed Q_α^?1. In the outer core, the time constant of the mechanism of phase transformation is predicted to be 10⁴–10⁶ s. Confirmation of small shear attenuation in the inner core in the frequency band of seismic body waves would favor the mechanism of phase transformation.     

Interpretation of metamorphic assemblages containing fibrolitic sillimanite

Microstructural criteria distinguish two types of fibrolitic sillimanite-bearing aggregates, namely: (1) those with fibrolitic sillimanite in clear microstructural equilibrium with the other minerals, and (2) those with fibrolitic sillimanite that appears to have grown without evident modification of pre-existing grain boundaries of the other minerals. However, microstructural criteria rarely permit unambiguous inferences of the relative timing of metamorphic reactions producing fibrolitic sillimanite.     

Surveying Infrasonic Noise on Oceanic Islands

v--vAn essential step in the establishment of an International Monitoring System (IMS) infrasound station is the site survey. The survey seeks a location with relatively low infrasonic noise and the necessary logistical support. This paper reports results from our surveys of two of the oceanic sites in the IMS - the Azores and Cape Verde. Each survey sampled infrasonic noise, wind velocity, air temperature and humidity for ~3 weeks at 4 sites near the nominal IMS locations. The surveys were conducted on Sao Miguel (the main island in the Azores) and Maio (Cape Verde). Infrasonic noise was measured using the French MB2000 microbarometer.¶During our 3-week experiment in January the trade winds at Cape Verde varied little from an azimuth of 63°. Because of the unvarying wind azimuth, the experiment gave us an opportunity to examine the effectiveness of a forest at reducing both wind speed and infrasonic noise. We find that the thick Acacia forest on Maio reduces wind speeds at a 2 m elevation by more than 50% but does not reduce infrasonic noise at frequencies below 0.25 Hz. This forest serves as a high-frequency filter and clearly does not reduce long-period noise levels which are due to large-scale turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer above the forest. This is consistent with our observations in the Azores where the relationship between infrasonic noise and wind speed is more complex due to frequent changes in wind azimuth.¶In Cape Verde, wind speed and infrasonic noise are relatively constant. The diurnal variations are clearly seen however the microbarom is only rarely sensed. In the Azores, during our 3-week experiment in November and December of 1998, wind speed and infrasonic noise change rapidly. At this location, daily noise level swings of 40 to 50 dB at 0.1 Hz are not uncommon in the early winter and are due to changes in wind speed and atmospheric turbulence. The effectiveness of an infrasound station in the Azores will be strongly dependent on time during the winter season.¶The two surveys illustrate some of the difficulties inherent in the selection of sites for 1 to 3 km aperture arrays on oceanic islands. Due to elevated noise levels at these sites, 8 element, 2 km aperture arrays are strongly preferred.     

Critical issues for long-term climate monitoring

Climatic Change - Even after extensive re-working of past data, in many instances we are incapable of resolving important aspects concerning climate change and variability. Virtually every...     

How deceptive are microstructures in granitic rocks? Answers from integrated physical theory,phase equilibrium,and direct observations

In this contribution, we address the vexed question of the extent to which microstructures in granitic rocks reflect their igneous histories or have been masked by later events. The previous works have tended to address the problem either using theoretical or modelling considerations, or by interpretation of observed microstructures. Here, we use an approach that integrates the theory of microstructural development and the results of experimental phase-equilibrium studies with direct observation of natural examples on a variety of scales. We show that the predictions of the theoretical and experimental approaches agree perfectly with the mesoscopic and microscopic evidence from granitic rocks themselves. Our conclusion is that although, in many cases, granitic rock microstructures have been modified by near-solidus reactions and crystallisation, in the absence of tectonic deformation the fundamental elements of their igneous heritage remain intact. This means that it is perfectly in order to infer aspects of crystallisation sequences, magmatic reactions, and magma flow through careful microstructural observations. Thus, our answer to the question of how deceptive granitic textures are is, in most instances, ‘not very’. However, some undeformed plutons have undergone fluid-driven alteration, and others have been affected by contact metamorphism. Thus, each case should be examined on its own merits.     

Single-station narrowband ranging of active storm cells without lightning-type discrimination

We present a statistical technique for ranging the edges of active storms cell using a very simple narrowband receiver tuned to 1 MHz (the MW band in radio, just below HF frequencies). We show that a principle based on the “30–30 rule” can be used to define practical warning levels. From the measurements carried out in Finland, we show that the narrowband source intensities of cloud-to-ground lightning vary log-normally; this results in a ranging uncertainty of about 20%, which can be reduced if a suitable floating average is used. Based on one storm, we suggest that the differences between intra-cloud and ground-to-cloud signals at 1 MHz are small enough to make an IC–CG discrimination. Eliminating such a discrimination allows all lightning impulses to be used in the range and improves the accuracy, since more flashes are then available as inputs into the distance-estimation algorithm. Although the system is only validated against a single storm, we provide definitions by which this and other narrowband detectors could be independently verified; existing narrowband devices have not been verified in this manner, due in part to a lack of such standardized definitions.     

On the NOx production by laboratory electrical discharges and lightning

Different approaches are used in estimating the global production of NO_x by lightning flashes, including field measurements carried out during thunderstorm conditions, theoretical studies combining the physics and chemistry of the electrical discharges, and measurements of NO_x yield in laboratory sparks with subsequent extrapolation to lightning. In the latter procedure, laboratory data are extrapolated to lightning using the energy as the scaling quantity. Further, in these studies only the return strokes are considered assuming that contributions from other processes such as leaders, continuing currents, M components, and K processes are negligible. In this paper, we argue that the use of energy as the scaling quantity and omission of all lightning processes other than return strokes are not justified. First, a theory which can be used to evaluate the NO_x production by electrical discharges, if the current flowing in the discharge is known, is presented. The results obtained from theory are compared with the available experimental data and a reasonable agreement is found. Numerical experiments suggest that the NO_x production efficiency of electrical discharges depends not only on the energy dissipated in the discharge, but also on the shape of current waveform. Thus, the current signature, can influence extrapolation of laboratory data to lightning flashes. Second, an estimation of the NO_x yield per lightning flash is made by treating the lightning flash as a composite event consisting of several discharge processes. We show that the NO_x production takes place mainly in slow discharge processes such as leaders, M components, and continuing currents, with return strokes contributing only a small fraction of the total NO_x. The results also show that cloud flashes are as efficient as ground flashes in NO_x generation. In estimating the global NO_x production by lightning flashes the most influencing parameter is the length of the lightning discharge channel inside the cloud. For the total length of channels inside the cloud of a typical ground flash of about 45 km, we estimate that the global annual production of NO_x is about 4 Tg(N).     

Geology of the High Grade Proterozoic Terrains of Sri Lanka, and the Assembly of Gondwana: an Update on Recent Developments

Nd model ages determined for the high-grade rocks of Sri Lanka delineate three crustal units, viz., the Highland Complex (HC), the Wanni Complex WC), and the Vijayan Complex (VC). The distribution of these three units differs considerably from the three geological divisions demarcated previously on the basis of geological mapping. The centrally located HC comprises mainly granulite grade charnockitic rocks, and metasediments characterized by older Nd model ages (2.0–3.4 Ga). The Highland sedimentary pile was thickened by intermittent granitoid intrusions, most of which are now charnockitic gneiss, and granulites, and basaltic sills, and dikes. All these metaigneous rocks now occur as conformable bands or layers due to intense polyphase deformation. The HC is bounded on the east by the amphibolite grade VC, composed mainly of granitic gneisses, basic gneisses, and migmatites, and they have ‘younger’ Nd model ages (1.1–1.8 Ga). The isotopic, and geochemical characteristics identify the precursors to the Vijayan rocks as I-type calc-alkaline granitoids originated at an ‘arc’-related tectonic environment. Thus, the earlier interpretation that the Vijayan rocks represent reworked HC was rejected. The granulite inliers within the VC, earlier considered as “resisters” to re-working, are now shown as overthrust klippen or rotated rafts of the HC. The WC, demarcated on the basis of Nd model ages (1.1–1.8 Ga) similar to those of the VC, lies west of the HC. It consists mainly of granitic gneisses, charnockitic gneisses, and migmatites, and the metamorphic grade ranges from amphibolite to granulite.Comprehensive geothermobarometric surveys constrain the P-T evolution of the three crustal units, and indicate that both the HC, and WC underwent near isobaric cooling, followed by a decompression with decreasing temperature. Extensive isotopic studies (U-Pb, Pb-Pb, Sm-Nd, Rb-Sr) have established a new geochronological framework for these high-grade rocks of Sri Lanka. The new framework has bracketed the age of high grade metamorphism in the three crustal units at 550–600 Ma.The recent advances in knowledge of the geology of Sri Lanka favour a strong geological correlation of the HC, and the VC of Sri Lanka, respectively, with the Lutzöw-Holm Complex, and the Yatmato-Belgica Complex in the East Antarctica. The geology of the WC suggests a possible correlation with Madagascar, and East Africa. The amalgamation of the three crustal units of Sri Lanka, is apparently related to the two distinct orogenic events that resulted in the assembly of the Gondwana supercontinent.