New observations on the geomorphology and origins of Mountain Lake,Virginia

Mountain Lake is the only natural lake of significance in the unglaciated southern Appalachian Highlands. It is located near the summit of Salt Pond Mountain, Giles County Virginia, at an elevation of 1177 m. It is underlain by Ordovician and Silurian non‐calcareous shale and sandstone of the Martinsburg, Juniata and Clinch formations. Historical (250 years) and sediment (6000 years) records suggest that the size of the lake has varied periodically. In the 1930s lake origin was proposed as due to valley damming by a lateral landslide (Hutchinson and Pickford, 1932) or damming by scree (Sharp, 1933). A later theory modified the landslide hypothesis to the primarily vertical collapse of a canyon feature in the Clinch (Parker et al., 1975). Fracture trace analysis now reveals a regional lineation feature associated with the lake. This feature is present surficially both downgradient from the lake to the northwest, and upgradient to the southeast. Sonar bathymetry and diver reconnaissance show it expressed as a (relatively sediment‐free) narrow open crevice in the deepest (33 m) portion of the lake, probably a fault. Hydrologic observation and resistivity suggest preferential water movement along this fracture, as well as leakage directly from the lake. The present study suggests conduit erosion within this feature and periodic vertical downsettling of overlying Clinch material as the primary mechanism of lake origin and water‐level fluctuations through time. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the Relation Between Saturated Conductivity and Capillary Retention Characteristics

Abstract. A simple closed-form expression relating saturated hydraulic conductivity to the van Genuchten capillary retention model parameters is derived. Application of this equation to an experimental data set shows reasonable agreement between measured and predicted saturated conductivity values. The proposed equation provides a consistent theoretical basis for estimating both saturated and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity from statistical pore structure models.     

Evolution and variability of the ITCZ in the SW Indian Ocean: 1988–90

Summary The structure and variability of the inter-tropical convergence zone (ITCZ) in the SW Indian Ocean in the austral summer is investigated. The ITCZ is identified by satellite microwave (SSMI) precipitable water (PW) values > 5 g cm^–2, minimum outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) values < 220 W m^–2 and the pattern of convergence in the low level (850 hPa) winds. According to OLR climatology, the ITCZ lies over 15°S latitude to the west of Madagascar (40–50°E), but near 10°S to the east of 60°E. Inter-annual and intra-seasonal variability is induced by the interaction of the convective NW monsoon and subsident easterly trades. Symptoms of the structure and variability are presented using tropical cyclone (TC) tracks, axes of PW exceedences and OLR, 850hPa wind and PW fields in the period 1988–1990. The shape and intensity of the ITCZ is modulated by the strength of the NW monsoon off east Africa and by standing vortices in the SW Indian Ocean. The topography of Madagascar imparts a distinctive break in convective characteristics, and distinguishes the SE African ITCZ from its maritime counterpart.With 6 Figures     

Statistical treatment of outlier data in epithermal gold deposit reserve estimation

A common characteristic of gold deposits is highly skewed frequency distributions. Lognormal and three-parameter lognormal distributions have worked well for Witwatersrand-type deposits. Epithermal gold deposits show evidence of multiple pulses of mineralization, which make fitting simple distribution models difficult. A new approach is proposed which consists of the following steps: (1) ordering the data in descending order. (2) Finding the cumulative coefficient of variation for each datum. Look for the quantile where there is a sudden acceleration of the cumulative C.V. Typically, the quantile will be above 0.85. (3) Fitting a lognormal model to the data above that quantile. Establish the mean above the quantile, Z _H ^* . This is done by fitting a single or double truncated lognormal model. (4) Use variograms to establish the spatial continuity of below-quantile data (Z_L) and indicator variable (1 if below quantile, 0 if above). (5) Estimate grade of blocks by (1*) (Z _L ^* )+(1 – 1*) (Z _H ^* ), where 1* is the kriged estimate of the indicator, and Z _L ^* is the kriged estimate of the below quantile portion of the distribution. The method is illustrated for caldera, Carlin-type, and hot springs-type deposits. For the latter two types, slight variants of the above steps are developed.     

Oxygen depletion in Long Island Sound: A historical perspective

A retrospective analysis of available data was conducted to characterize the spatial distribution and temporal trends in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in Long Island Sound (LIS) over the past four decades. A general east-to-west gradient of decreasing bottom DO was evident in all historical data examined. In our review of data from the 1950s, collected by Gordon Riley and colleagues, and from contemporary surveys, we found no evidence of hypoxia (DO≤0.3, mg 1^?1) in the Eastern Basin; however, in the deeper waters of the Central Basin, there is some evidence for a recent (1986) emergence of moderate hypoxia. The Western Basin experienced episodes of hypoxia during the 1970s which became more recurrent and possibly more severe in the late 1980s. The most severe, persistent and chronically recurrent hypoxia occurred throughout the water column of the East River and in bottom waters of the Western Narrows. An unprecedented episode of anoxia was observed in both the Western and Eastern Narrows regions of LIS in 1987. Previously, anoxia occurred rarely, was short-lived, and was confined to the East River. Statistical trend analyses revealed a significant increase in the summer minimum bottom DO in the lower and middle reaches of the East River over the past 20 years. Beginning in 1981, however, DO declined markedly in the adjacent Narrows bordering the Nassau County nearshore. The improvements in East River water quality over the previous 15–20 years appear to have been gained at the, expense of poorer water quality in the western sound. Mechanisms potentially responsible for the recent decline in bottom DO in western LIS are suggested.     

Effect of increased nitrogen fixation on stratospheric ozone

Nitrogen compounds are produced by biological reactions and by industrial processes from the abundant nitrogen gas (N₂) in the atmosphere. The formation of compounds from atmospheric nitrogen is called fixation. In nature, nitrogen compounds undergo many conversions, but under aerobic conditions, characterized by the presence of oxygen, they tend to be converted to the nitrate (NO ₃ ^- ) form. Under anaerobic conditions, characterized by the absence of oxygen, the nitrate is denitrified, and the nitrogen contained therein is converted into nitrogen gas (N₂) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), which escape into the atmosphere. The nitrous oxide diffuses into the stratosphere, where it decomposes to yield nitrogen gas and small amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), which react with ozone (O₃) to convert it to oxygen (O₂). The ozone in the stratosphere is produced by the reaction of light with oxygen and is destroyed primarily by reactions with the nitrogen oxides.As long as the production and destruction are equal, the ozone in the stratosphere is maintained at a constant concentration. Increased nitrogen fixation will lead to increased denitrification, increased amount of nitrous oxide moving into the stratosphere, and a reduction in ozone concentration.Ozone in the stratosphere attenuates the ultraviolet light received from the sun. As the ozone concentration decreases, more ultraviolet light will reach the surface of the earth. The fear is that this additional radiation will have detrimental effects on living organisms and possibly on the climate.Because the global use of fixed nitrogen in fertilizers has increased greatly in recent years and in 1974 amounted to almost 40 million metric tons, the eventual generation of nitrous oxide from the fertilizer nitrogen after application to the soil has been cited as a potential environmental hazard. In response to this concern, this document estimates nitrogen fixation, nitrous oxide production, and ozone reduction based on two methods of calculation and on various increases in nitrogen fixation. Uncertainties and information gaps in the nitrogen cycle are pointed out.This document does not review either the projected biological effects of ozone depletion or the stratospheric chemistry of ozone. These topics are dealt with at length in other studies.World fixation of nitrogen in 1974, expressed in millions of metric tons per year (MT/yr), was estimated to be as follows.Most of the estimates given are based on inadequate data; consequently, actual amounts may be significantly different from those shown. The study of nitrogen fixed in the oceans has not progressed far enough to permit reliable estimates. However, estimates of the amount of nitrogen fixed for fertilizer and other industrial uses in 1974 are considered reliable. The trend of industrial fixation of nitrogen offers some indication of the trend in total amount of nitrogen fixed. It is estimated that 174 MT of nitrogen were fixed by all processes in 1950. Total fixation in 1850 could have been 150 MT of nitrogen.Nitrous oxide-nitrogen production on land is estimated as 5 to 10 MT/yr; published estimates of production in the ocean, however, range from less than 1 to 100 MT/yr. The higher value was based on reported supersaturation of ocean waters with nitrous oxide.Two methods of estimating the decrease in ozone concentration in the stratosphere were used. Method I is based on nitrogen fixation. It involves the assumptions that the relative increase in production of nitrous oxide is proportional to the relative increase in total nitrogen fixation and that sufficient time has elapsed for the rate of denitrification to come to equilibrium with fixation; i.e., the lag time between increased fixation and increased denitrification has passed. This method, using fixation estimated for 1950 as a base, suggests that the reduction in ozone would be 5.8 and 11.5% as a consequence of increased fixation of 50 and 100 MT of nitrogen per year, respectively.Method II is based on nitrous oxide evolution. It involves the assumption that the global rate of production of nitrous oxide is 100 MT/yr (based on supersaturation of this gas in the ocean and on changes in measured concentrations of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere). Method II leads to estimates of ozone reduction much lower than those from Method I. For example, on the assumption that global production of nitrous oxide-nitrogen is 100 MT/yr and that 5% of the nitrogen denitrified is released as nitrous oxide, the estimated ozone reduction is 1% with an increase of 100 MT/yr in nitrogen fixation. This method is forced to assume an unknown source of nitrous oxide in the ocean and an unknown sink for nitrous oxide in the troposphere.There are great uncertainties in many of the estimates that have been made for nitrogen fixation and for nitrous oxide production, and there are many information gaps that need to be filled before the question of the effects of increased nitrogen fixation on the ozone layer can be answered. Perhaps the biggest information needs are in the areas of nitrogen transformations and the quantities of nitrous oxide produced in the ocean. Other needs deal with the complexities of the nitrogen cycle on land. The lag time between fixation by various processes and denitrification must be known as a basis for estimating how soon predicted effects based on equilibrium conditions can be expected. Concentrations of nitrous oxide and their fluctuations in the troposphere (lower atmosphere) need to be monitored to provide an index to variations and increases in production. Improved models are needed to relate the ozone concentration in the stratosphere to nitrogen fixation and nitrous oxide production on earth.In spite of the uncertainties in the predictions of the effects of increased fixation of nitrogen on stratospheric ozone, the potential hazard is sufficiently serious that, in addition to research on the various phases of the global nitrogen cycle that impinge upon the nitrous oxide-ozone question, research on the efficiency of use of all fixed forms of nitrogen should be worthwhile. Editor's Note: Although the data for sources, sinks, reservoirs, and rate processes in this article are undergoing rapid revision presently, it, nonetheless, is one of the clearest statements of the physics, chemistry, and biology of the fertilizer/ozone problem available to date.This report was developed by eleven scientists (see Appendix 1 for names and affiliations) representing the subject matter areas of atmospheric chemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science and chemistry, microbiology, oceanography, plant genetics, soil biochemistry, soil physics, and soil chemistry. This task force of scientists chaired by Parker F. Pratt, met under the auspices of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), whose headquarters office is at the Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, U.S.A. The task force met in Denver, Colorado from October 23 to 25, 1975, to prepare a first draft of the report. The chairman then prepared a revised version and returned it to members of the task force for review and comment. A second revision was then prepared and returned for further comment. Finally, the report was edited and reproduced for transmittal through the U.S. Congressional Committees concerned with the matter of ozone depletion. It was originally issued as a CAST Report Number 53, January, 1976, but had not been formally published heretofore.