Secretinite—reflectance and chemical data from two high volatile bituminous coals (Upper Carboniferous) of North America

Secretinite—a maceral of the inertinite group as recognized by the ICCP in 1996—is a noncellular maceral of seed fern origin. New reflectance data indicate that this maceral has primary anisotropy with bireflectances of 0.4% to 0.9% in high-volatile B bituminous (Ro=0.6%) Carboniferous coal of North America. The highest reflectance is in cross-section as opposed to longitudinal section. Characteristic feature of secretinite is the virtual absence of Si and Al, unlike that in associated vitrinite. This indicates the absence of submicron aluminosilicates in secretinite and their presence in vitrinites. Secretinite is highly aromatic as indicated by low O/C ratios and high contribution of aromatic hydrogen bands detected by FTIR analysis.     

Merged remotely sensed data for geomorphological investigations in deserts: examples from central Saudi Arabia

Image merging has gained acceptance in geological remote sensing, however it has rarely been applied in geomorphology. We report on the usefulness of principal components substitution (PCS) to merge IRS panchromatic data with multispectral Thematic Mapper (TM) imagery, to map commonly encountered desert geomorphological features, and in relative age dating of alluvial surfaces. The merged data were applied to the identification and mapping of geomorphological features along two geolo-gically different mountain fronts in central Saudi Arabia. Two types of geomorphological maps have been created. A morphogenetic map that distinguishes between aeolian landforms, fluvial landforms, desert pavements, and gypsum crusts. Second, a morphochronological map, which shows the relative age of four geomorphic surfaces developed on an alluvial fan. The construction of the two maps is supported by field observations and laboratory measurements. Using the optimum index factor (OIF), a TM band 1, 5 and 7 image (of 20 merged composites) was found to be the optimum colour composite image for the geomorphological features in this arid environment. We discuss our findings in the context of the spatial and spectral properties required for applied geomorphological remote sensing.     

The identification of radial velocity anomalies in the lower mantle using an interference method

A radial velocity anomaly in the lower mantle may cause a triplication in the travel-time curve for short-period P waves, but the first two arrivals may not be separable visually on seismograms over a distance range of about 4–10°. However, the changes of slowness and azimuth as a function of time can be used to infer the presence of interfering signals. Some of the interference effects that can be generated synthetically are often observed on seismograms of earthquakes recorded at the Yellowknife array at distances close to 50°, 80° and 90°. The data from Yellowknife provide evidence for the presence of regions of high velocity gradients at depths of about 1250, 2400 and 2730 km that also show rapid lateral variations. Numerous P arrivals from South American earthquakes that traverse the lowest 500 km of the mantle beneath the Caribbean region have been used to illustrate the main features of the interference method.     

Poker flat radar observations of the magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling electrodynamics of the earthward penetrating plasma sheet following convection enhancements

The plasma sheet moves earthward (equatorward in the ionosphere) after enhancements in convection, and the electrodynamics of this response is strongly influenced by Region 2 magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling. We have used Poker Flat Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) observations associated with two relatively abrupt southward turnings of the IMF to provide an initial evaluation of aspects of this response. The observations show that strong westward sub-auroral polarization streams (SAPS) flow regions moved equatorward as the plasma sheet electron precipitation (the diffuse aurora) penetrated equatorward following the IMF southward turnings. Consistent with our identification of these flows as SAPS, concurrent DMSP particle precipitation measurements show the equatorial boundary of ion precipitation equatorward of the electron precipitation boundary and that westward flows lie within the low-conductivity region between the two boundaries where the plasma sheet ion pressure gradient is expected to drive downward R2 currents. Evidence for these downward currents is seen in the DMSP magnetometer observations. Preliminary examination indicates that the SAPS response seen in the examples presented here may be common. However, detailed analysis will be required for many more events to reliably determine if this is the case. If so, it would imply that SAPS are frequently an important aspect of the inner magnetospheric electric field distribution, and that they are critical for understanding the response of the magnetosphere–ionosphere system to enhancements in convection, including understanding the earthward penetration of the plasma sheet. This earthward penetration is critical to geomagnetic disturbance phenomena such as the substorm growth phase and the formation of the stormtime ring current. Additionally, for one example, a prompt electric field response to the IMF southward turnings is seen within the inner plasma sheet.     

Eolian deposition of trace elements onto Taylor Valley Antarctic glaciers

The major ion and trace element chemistry in four 60-110 cm deep snow pits was examined from three Antarctic Taylor Valley glaciers (Commonwealth, Canada and Howard), all located within 20 km of the Ross Sea. Taylor Valley (TV) (77°30′S, 163°15′E) is part of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV), the largest ice-free area in Antarctica. Snow chemistry of these glaciers is strongly influenced by cross-valley (SW-NE and NE-SW) winds that deposit eolian materials, including mineral dust and soluble salts. Arsenic, Cd, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb and Sn in recent TV glacier snow are almost exclusively derived from eolian dust. The relative magnitude of element variations with depth relate to the exposure of snow sites to prevalent winds. Eolian deposition is a primary source of these elements to Canada Glacier snow and supra and proglacial streams. Eolian processes are likely very important to the delivery and availability of nutrients and, potentially toxic elements to dry valley Antarctic ecosystems.     

Coastal eutrophication, land use changes and Ceratium furca (Dinophyceae) blooms in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa 2007-2009

The bloom forming dinoflagellate, Ceratium furca, has been linked with coastal eutrophication worldwide in tropical and subtropical locations. During the summer of 2007, an unusual 6-month long bloom of C. furca was observed in Pago Pago Harbor, Tutuila Island, American Samoa. Incidents of dinoflagellate blooms in this area have not been previously reported. The bloom was first reported in May and dissipated in November 2007. In February-March 2009, a similar C. furca bloom was observed. During both blooms,...     

广州小北路黑人聚居区社会空间分析

1978 年改革开放带来中国城市的快速转型。近年来, 针对经济转型背景下中国大城市 的社会空间研究很多, 但对在全球化影响下出现的跨国移民族裔聚居区的研究尚不多见。对 广州黑人聚居区展开研究, 以越秀区小北路为例, 探讨其社会空间特征与演进机制。研究采 用微观视角, 针对典型案例进行问卷调查和半结构式访谈。研究表明, 广州黑人聚居区与西 方同类族裔社会区存在诸多差异。小北路黑人聚居区因全球化下新的“自下而上”的跨国经 济联系而生, 因广州城市的商贸文化、宗教历史、贸易网络和地理气候条件而兴, 其跨国移 民多为来自西非地区的族裔散居者/ 漂泊者(Diaspora), 其人口构成异质多元, 且流动性强。 小北路的社会空间机制既包含被动隔离也包含主动聚居, 其经济形态已经开始向“族裔聚居 区经济”(ethnic enclave economy) 发展。