On the history of chloride concentrations in the River Lippe (Germany) and the impact on the macroinvertebrates

The River Lippe is situated at the northern part of the rhenish-westphalian coal mining area, Germany and has a long history of being affected by mining water discharge. There has, however, been a massive decrease in the discharge of mining water over the past few decades. While early in the last century concentrations of up to 3500 mg l⁻¹ of chloride were observed, the mean concentration is now below 400 mg l⁻¹. At the same time the water quality has improved greatly so factors other than chloride concentration may be influencing the macroinvertebrate community.Macroinvertebrate data collected from three sites along the River Lippe was analyzed for a change in the occurrence of salt tolerant species in an area where mining water discharge ended in 2000. It was found that also during the period of discharges the macroinvertebrate community was dominated by freshwater species and therefore the impact of mining water discharges in the upper River Lippe is considered to be minor.It was also found that for some species (Nais elinguis, Bithynia tentaculata and Gammarus tigrinus) their proposed salinity preference did not correlate with their occurrence in the field. This may be an area that requires further research.     

Regional induction studies: A review of methods and results

The geomagnetic skin-effect is specified by setting three length scales in relation to each other: L₁ for the overhead source. L₂ for the lateral non-uniformity of the subsurface conductor, L₃ for the depth of penetration of a quasi-uniform transient field into this conductor. Relations for the skin-effect of a quasi-uniform source in layered conductors are generalized to include sources of any given geometry by introducing response kernels as functions of frequency and distance. They show that only those non-uniformities of the source which occur within a distance comparable to L₃ from the point of observation are significant. The skin-effect of a quasi-uniform source in a laterally non-uniform earth is expressed by linear transfer functions for the surface impedance and the surface ratio of vertical/horizontal magnetic variations. In the case of elongated structures and E-polarisation of the source, a modified apparent resistivity is defined which as a function of depth and distance gives a first orientation about the internal distribution of conductivity. The skin-effect of a non-uniform source in a non-uniform earth is considered for stationary and “running” sources. Recent observations on the sea floor and on islands indicate a deep-seated change of conductivity at the continent—ocean transition, bringing high conductivity close to the surface, a feature which may not prevail, however, over the full width of the ocean. There is increasingly reliable evidence for high conductivities (0.02 to 0.1 micro ^?1 m^?1) at subcrustal or even at crustal depth beneath certain parts of the continents, in some cases without obvious correlation to geological structure.     

Microscopic evidence of stishovite generated in low‐pressure shock experiments on porous sandstone: Constraints on its genesis

It has been almost exactly half a century since the first synthesis of stishovite in shock experiments on quartz was reported, but its formation conditions during shock is still under debate. Here, we present direct transmission electron microscopic observation of stishovite within material recovered from high‐explosive shock experiments on porous sandstone shocked at 7.5 and 12.5 GPa. Our observations allow for new conclusions on the genesis of stishovite in a close‐to‐nature environment. The formation of stishovite in short‐time shock experiments proves that its crystallization is ultrafast (<1 μs). Crystals were found only embedded in amorphous veins indicating homogeneous nucleation. Crystallization from melt rather than from glass can be concluded from the observation of roundish, defect‐free crystals up to 150 nm in diameter embedded in nondensified glass. The formation of stishovite at 7.5 GPa is in accordance with the phase diagram of silica, if rapid undercooling is present that becomes only possible by the existence of small hot spots in an otherwise cold material, which is supported by transient heat calculation. The absence of coesite at 7.5 GPa suggests kinetic hindrance of its crystallization from melt and, thus, smaller critical cooling rates compared to stishovite where critical cooling rates are estimated to be as large as 10¹¹ K s^?1. While the amorphous veins containing stishovite represent unambiguously hot spots, no associated pressure amplification could be verified within these veins. The rapid liquidus crystallization of stishovite only in hot spots generated in porous material is an alternative formation mechanism to the widely accepted theory of solid–solid transition from quartz to stishovite and might represent the more general mechanism occurring in nature for low shock pressure events.     

In situ experiments and seismic analysis of existing buildings. Part II: Seismic integrity threshold

The interest of in situ measurements (presented in Part I paper) for a seismic assessment of existing buildings is analysed in this paper. It is shown that the experimental modal characteristics obtained on regular concrete structures are described successfully by suited Timoshenko beam modelling. For a given structure, taking into account the experimental data, the corresponding beam model, and choosing the maximum tensile strain of concrete as damage criterion for key structural elements, a maximum level of the ground acceleration can be determined. This so‐called seismic integrity threshold is directly related to the onset of structural damages. This new approach is illustrated on one of the studied buildings. The advantages of using ambient vibrations survey for the vulnerability assessment of existing buildings are discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Long-Term Variations in Solar Differential Rotation and Sunspot Activity

The solar equatorial rotation rate, determined from sunspot group data during the period 1879–2004, decreased over the last century, whereas the level of activity has increased considerably. The latitude gradient term of the solar rotation shows a significant modulation of about 79 year, which is consistent with what is expected for the existence of the Gleissberg cycle. Our analysis indicates that the level of activity will remain almost the same as the present cycle during the next few solar cycles (i.e., during the current double Hale cycle), while the length of the next double Hale cycle in sunspot activity is predicted to be longer than the current one. We find evidence for the existence of a weak linear relationship between the equatorial rotation rate and the length of sunspot cycle. Finally, we find that the length of the current cycle will be as short as that of cycle 22, indicating that the present Hale cycle may be a combination of two shorter cycles. Presently working for the Mt. Wilson Solar Archive Digitization Project at UCLA.     

Heavy metals in sediments of the rhine and elbe estuaries: Mobilization or mixing effect?

On their way from the Rhine estuary into the North Sea and Dutch Wadden Sea, Rhine sediments “lose” large portions of their original heavy metal concentrations. Until now these losses were explained by a mobilization process, solubilization — the decomposition products of organic matter form soluble organometallic complexes with the metals of the sediment. Our investigations of the sediments of the Elbe clearly indicate that a mixing process, whereby highly polluted Elbe sediments mix with relatively non-polluted North Sea sediments, rather than solubilization, is the cause of the dilution of heavy metals in the sediments of the Elbe estuary. Because of the similarity of the Elbe data with those from the Rhine River, we propose that a mixing process is also effective in the Rhine estuary and adjacent North Sea areas. The mechanism by which heavy metals are “diluted” is important to the marine ecosystem. In the mixing process proposed in this paper, the heavy metals fixed to the suspected material are trapped in bottom sediments of the marine environment, whereas solubilization would increase the concentration of heavy metals in the sea water and thus they would be more available for uptake by aquatic organisms.     

Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen: Implications for nutrient over-enrichment of coastal waters

Atmospheric deposition of nitrogen (AD-N) is a significant source of nitrogen enrichment to nitrogen (N)-limited estuarine and coastal waters downwind of anthropogenic emissions. Along the eastern U.S. coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico, AD-N currently accounts for 10% to over 40% of new N loading to estuaries. Extension of the regional acid deposition model (RADM) to coastal shelf waters indicates that 11, 5.6, and 5.6 kg N ha⁻¹ may be deposited on the continental shelf areas of the northeastern U.S. coast, southeast U.S. coast, and eastern Gulf of Mexico, respectively. AD-N approximates or exceeds riverine N inputs in many coastal regions. From a spatial perspective, AD-N is a unique source of N enrichment to estuarine and coastal waters because, for a receiving water body, the airshed may exceed the watershed by 10–20 fold. AD-N may originate far outside of the currently managed watersheds. AD-N may increase in importance as a new N source by affecting waters downstream of the oligohaline and mesohaline estuarine nutrient filters where large amounts of terrestrially-supplied N are assimilated and denitrified. Regionally and globally, N deposition associated with urbanization (NO_x, peroxyacetyl nitrate, or PAN) and agricultural expansion (NH₄ ⁺ and possibly organic N) has increased in coastal airsheds. Recent growth and intensification of animal (poultry, swine, cattle) operations in the midwest and mid-Atlantic regions have led to increasing amounts of NH₄ ⁺ emission and deposition, according to a three decadal analysis of the National Acid Deposition Program network. In western Europe, where livestock operations have dominated agricultural production for the better part of this century, NH₄ ⁺ is the most abundant form of AD-N. AD-N deposition in the U.S. is still dominated by oxides of N (NO_x) emitted from fossil fuel combustion; annual NH₄ ⁺ deposition is increasing, and in some regions is approaching total NO₃ ⁻ deposition. In receiving estuarine and coastal waters, phytoplankton community structural and functional changes, associated water quality, and trophic and biogeochemical alterations (i.e, algal blooms, hypoxia, food web, and fisheries habitat disruption) are frequent consequences of N-driven eutrophication. Increases in and changing proportions of various new N sources regulate phytoplankton competitive interactions, dominance, and successional patterns. These quantitative and qualitative aspects of AD-N and other atmospheric nutrient sources (e.g., iron) may promote biotic changes now apparent in estuarine and coastal waters, including the proliferation of harmful algal blooms, with cascading impacts on water quality and fisheries.     

Beiträge zur Kenntnis des Phytoplanktons des Brienzersees

Ohne Zusammenfassung Interlaken.     

Die Grundlagen der Deckenhypothese im südlichen Hunsrück

Zusammenfassung Eine neue Kartierung der Mitteldevoninsel von Stromberg im südlichen Hunsrück ließ die Frage offen, ob sie ein Fenster in einer Decke sei oder das Ergebnis ortständiger Zusammenfaltung. Dagegen führte die Aufsuchung und Messung von Faltenachsen zu eindeutigen Ergebnissen. Die Achsen fallen allerseits gegen und unter das Gebiet jüngerer Gesteine und schließen also ein Fenster und einen Deckenbau an dieser Stelle aus. Andere Tatsachen, die eine solche Annahme notwendig machten, sind nicht bekannt. Der Bau des Gebietes läßt eine einfachere Deutung aus den örtlichen Verhältnissen zu.Beobachtungen und Folgerungen vonCloos undScholtz, Text vonCloos.     

Cenozoic alkali basaltic magmas of western Germany and their products of differentiation

Analytical data on major elements and 31 trace elements in olivine nephelinites, nepheline basanites, basanitic alkali olivine basalts and their differentiates (tephrites, hawaiites, mugearites, benmoreites, latites, phonolites and trachytes) from Hegau, Kaiserstuhl, Rhön, Hessian Depression, Vogelsberg, Westerwald, Siebengebirge, E Eifel and Hocheifel are evaluated. They were based on 400 samples with new or unpublished data on about one third of the rocks. The Sr–Nd isotopic compositions for 78 rocks are included. The alkali basaltic volcanism is caused by adiabatic decompression of asthenospheric mantle updomed to a minimum depth of 50 km in connection with the Alpine continent collision. The chemical compositions of the primary basaltic melts from the different areas are similar containing about one hundred-fold enrichment of highly incompatible elements relative to the primitive mantle from partial melting of depleted and secondarily enriched peridotite. The elements Cs, K, Pb and Ti are specifically depleted in the basalts partly because of phlogopite being residual at partial melting. The Tertiary alkali basalts range in Nd-isotopic composition from 0.51288 to 0.51273 and in Sr-isotopic ratios from 0.7032 to 0.7042. These ranges indicate mixtures of HIMU, depleted and enriched mantle components in the metasomatically altered peridotite source which resembles that of certain ocean islands. The Nd-Sr-isotopic compositions of the Quaternary E Eifel are close to bulk Earth ratios. East and W Eifel plots differ distinctly from the Tertiary Hocheifel which is geographically intermediate. This isotopic difference, beside specific K/Na ratios, is probably caused by separate metasomatic pulses that immediately preceded the respective periods of volcanism. The metasomatically altered mantle had partly primitive mantle signatures (Nb/Ta, Zr/Sm and Th/U ratios) and partly ocean island (or MORB) source properties (Rb/Cs). A MORB source can be excluded because of the low K/Rb and high Th/U ratios. A correlation of D with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in amphibole and phlogopite and a slightly larger ¹⁸O than in MORB is conformable with a seawater and crustal impact on the source of alkali basalts. Slightly higher than average water concentrations in the source of certain primary basaltic melts (indicated by amphibole phenocrysts in their basalts) are required for differentiation of these basalts in magma chambers of the upper crust. Model calculations are presented to explain compositions of differentiates which range from about 60% to about 20% residual melt. The latter are represented by phonolites and trachytes. The Nd- and Sr-isotopic signatures of the majority of differentiates indicate contamination by a granitic partial melt from the wall rocks of magma chambers. Olivine nephelinite magma was the common source of contaminated differentiates.