Environmental controls of wood entrapment in upper Midwestern streams

Wood deposited in streams provides a wide variety of ecosystem functions, including enhancing habitat for key species in stream food webs, increasing geomorphic and hydraulic heterogeneity and retaining organic matter. Given the strong role that wood plays in streams, factors that influence wood inputs, retention and transport are critical to stream ecology. Wood entrapment, the process of wood coming to rest after being swept downstream at least 10 m, is poorly understood, yet important for predicting stream function and success of restoration efforts. Data on entrapment were collected for a wide range of natural wood pieces (n = 344), stream geomorphology and hydraulic conditions in nine streams along the north shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota. Locations of pieces were determined in summer 2007 and again following an overbank stormflow event in fall 2007. The ratio of piece length to effective stream width (length ratio) and the weight of the piece were important in a multiple logistic regression model that explained 25% of the variance in wood entrapment. Entrapment remains difficult to predict in natural streams, and often may simply occur wherever wood pieces are located when high water recedes. However, this study can inform stream modifications to discourage entrapment at road crossings or other infrastructure by applying the model formula to estimate the effective width required to pass particular wood pieces. Conversely, these results could also be used to determine conditions (e.g. pre‐existing large, stable pieces) that encourage entrapment where wood is valued for ecological functions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Richness dependence of the recent evolution of clusters of galaxies

We revisit the issue of the recent dynamical evolution of clusters of galaxies using a sample of Abell, Corwin & Olowin (ACO) clusters with   z < 0.14  , which has been selected such that it does not contain clusters with multiple velocity components nor strongly merging or interacting clusters, as revealed in X-rays. We use as proxies of the cluster dynamical state the projected cluster ellipticity, velocity dispersion and X-ray luminosity. We find indications for a recent dynamical evolution of this cluster population, which however strongly depends on the cluster richness. Poor clusters appear to be undergoing their primary phase of virialization, with their ellipticity increasing with redshift with a rate  dε/d z ≃ 2.5 ± 0.4  , while the richest clusters show an ellipticity evolution in the opposite direction (with  dε/d z ≃−1.2 ± 0.1  ), which could be due to secondary infall. When taking into account sampling effects due to the magnitude-limited nature of the ACO cluster catalogue we find no significant evolution of the cluster X-ray luminosity, while the velocity dispersion increases with decreasing redshift, independent of the cluster richness, at a rate  dσ _v /d z ≃−1700 ± 400 km s⁻¹  .     

Taxonomy and palaeoecology of brachiopods from the South-Helvetic zone of the Fäneren region (Lutetian, Eocene, NE Switzerland)

Terebratuloid and cancellothyridoid brachiopods from the South-Helvetic Lutetian (Eocene) of the Fäneren region (NE Switzerland) are described: Carneithyris subregularis (Quenstedt) and two forms of Terebratulina s.l. under open nomenclature. Several species of Alpine and non-Alpine origin, related to Carneithyris subregularis, like Terebratula kickxi Galeotti, Terebratula aequivalvis Schafhäutl and Terebratula hilarionis Davidson show characters, which compare well with Carneithyris subregularis. Two of them, T. aequivalvis and T. hilarionis, are assigned to the genus Carneithyris. The stratigraphy and lithology of the sediments in the study area are reassessed. Life habits and palaeoecology of the brachiopods are discussed. C. subregularis apparently was a free living brachiopod without attachment to the substrate, as indicated by massive accumulations of callosities in the posterior parts of the shell. The variability of the cardinal process, as seen in the studied Carneithyris group can be interpreted as a morphological element to enlarge the surface of attachment of strong diductor muscles in relation to the internal thickening of the individual.     

Ice‐borne prehistoric finds in the Swiss Alps reflect Holocene glacier fluctuations

During the hot summer of 2003, reduction of an ice field in the Swiss Alps (Schnidejoch) uncovered spectacular archaeological hunting gear, fur, leather and woollen clothing and tools from four distinct windows of time: Neolithic Age (4900 to 4450 cal. yr BP), early Bronze Age (4100–3650 cal. yr BP), Roman Age (1st–3rd century AD), and Medieval times (8–9th century AD and 14–15th century AD). Transalpine routes connecting northern Italy with the northern Alps during these slots is consistent with late Holocene maximum glacier retreat. The age cohorts of the artefacts are separated which is indicative of glacier advances when the route was difficult and not used for transit. The preservation of Neolithic leather indicates permanent ice cover at that site from ca. 4900 cal. yr BP until AD 2003, implying that the ice cover was smaller in 2003 than at any time during the last 5000 years. Current glacier retreat is unprecedented since at least that time. This is highly significant regarding the interpretation of the recent warming and the rapid loss of ice in the Alps. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The GRO 95577 CR1 chondrite and hydration of the CR parent body

Abstract— We carried out a petrologic and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) whole chondrite compositional study of Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95577. GRO 95577 has many petrological similarities to the CR chondrites. Although the INAA data show patterns indicative of terrestrial weathering, some of the elemental abundances are consistent with a relationship to CR chondrites. The oxygen isotopic composition of GRO 95577 plots close to the Renazzo CR chondrite on the three‐isotope diagram. However, GRO 95577 is remarkable in that the chondrules are completely hydrated, consisting almost entirely of phyllosilicates, magnetite, and sulfides. Although GRO 95577 is completely hydrated, the initial chondrule textures are perfectly preserved. The chondrules are in sharp contact with the matrix, their fine‐grained rims are clearly visible, and the boundaries of the dark inclusions can be easily discerned. Many chondrules in GRO 95577 have textures suggestive of type I chondrules, but the phenocrysts have undergone perfect pseudomorphic replacement by yellow to brownish serpentine‐rich phyllosilicate, with sharp original crystal outlines preserved. The chondrule mesostasis is a green aluminous chlorite‐rich material, most likely a hydration product of the feldspathic mesostasis commonly found in anhydrous type I chondrules. Some chondrules contain magnetite spheres, most likely formed by oxidation of metal. We propose that GRO 95577 be classified as a CR1 chondrite, making it the first known CR1 chondrite and expanding the range of alteration conditions on the CR parent body.     

长江口岸滩近期演变及南水北调工程的可能影响

根据近几十年长江口前沿滩的地形观测资料和大通站输沙量资料，揭示了入海泥沙量变化对河口前沿岸滩冲淤的重要影响，初步估计：在年调水总量不超过450亿吨的背景下，入海泥沙的减少将＜0．2亿t/a，河口潮滩的冲淤动态不会发生实质性变，但同时指：当南水北调和流域的其它入人类活动叠加时，其影响不容忽视。     

The atmospheric electric ring current in the higher atmosphere

Summary The atmospheric electric current flow in the ionosphere was discussed in a qualitative way at the UGGI General Assembly at Berkeley, California in 1963. The following picture emerged: The atmospheric electric fair weather current leaves the earth in a radially outward direction. As it enters the higher regions of the atmosphere and the ionospheric it is increasingly influenced by the earth's magnetic field. Because the main part of the current is crowded into the polar regions, the current density over the equatorial belt is small. A circular movement around the earth's axis results in an overall flow pattern tentatively termed, the atmospheric electric ring current. An attempt to calculate this current flow soon made it clear that the generally used simplification of the one-dimensional case with slanted magnetic field lines is not adequate—not even as a first approximation. The same is true for the assumption usually made in magnetohydrodynamics that the current follows approximately the magnetic field lines. An essential feature of the atmospheric electric ring current is that in equatorial regions the flow is forced across the magnetic field lines, the component along the lines being zero. A calculation is discussed that treats the magnetic field lines as those of a true dipole field with the corresponding tensor character of conductivity. The results of the calculation are presented as graphs of the density distribution of the ring current, the space charge distribution, the current flow, and equipotential lines.

---

Zusammenfassung Der luftelektrische Stromfluss in der Ionosphäre ist in qualitativer Weise während der UGGI Tagung in Berkeley California, 1963 diskutiert worden. Hierbei hat sich das folgende Bild ergeben: Der luftelektrische Schönwetterstrom fliesst von der Erdoberfläche nach ausswärts in radialer Richtung. Sobald er in die höheren Atmosphärenschichten und dann in die Ionosphäre kommt wird er in zunehmendem Masse vom erdmagnetischen Feld beeinflusst. Der Hauptteil des Stromes wird in die Polarzonen abgedrängt, wodurch die Stromdichte über dem Äquatorgürtel verhältnismässig klein wird. Zu gleicher Zeit wird eine kreisförmige Bewegung um die Erdachse ausgelöst, was ein Strombild ergibt, das versuchsweise der luftelektrische Ringstrom genannt wird.—Bei der Berechnung dieses Stromflusses ergab sich bald, dass die allgemein üblichen Vereinfachungen des eindimensionalen Falles mit homogenem, schräg einfallendem Magnetfeld nicht brauchbar sind, nicht einmal in erster Näherung. Dasselbe gilt für die Annahme, die gewöhnlich in der Magnetohydrodynamik gemacht wird, nämlich dass der Stromfluss angenähert dem magnetischen Felde folgt. Eine wichtige Eigenschaft des luftelektrischen Ringstromes ist es, dass der Strom über dem Äquatorgürtel gezwungen ist quer über die magnetischen Feldlinien zu fliessen, wobei die Stromkomponente in Richtung der Feldlinien gleich 0 ist. In der hier durchgeführten Rechnung wird das magnetische Feld als wahres Dipolfeld behandelt mit dem einer solchen Feldverteilung entsprechenden Tensorcharakter der Leitfähigkeit. Die Ergebnisse der Rechnung werden an Hand von graphischen darstellungen der Ringstrom- und Raumladungsdichte und der Strom- und Äquipotentiallinien diskutiert.

     

Die Eisenmanganerze der Grube Dr. Geier bei Bingen/Rhein als Verwitterungsbildungen des Mangans vom Typ Lindener Mark

Zusammenfassung Die Eisenmanganerze der Grube Dr. Geier bei Bingen am Rhein/Westdeutschland gehören zu den Verwitterungslagerstätten des Mangans. Sie sind an mitteldevonische Dolomite einer isoklinalen Mulde gebunden, die von marinen Sanden des Oligozäns überlagert werden. Ihre Bildungsräume sind Dolinen des Dolomitkarstes. Die Anlage der Dolinen ist gebunden an die Verbreitungsbereiche massiger Dolomite sowie an Zonen starker tektonischer Beanspruchung, in denen sie sich durch Mischungskorrosion gebildet haben. Ihre Füllungen bestehen bis zu 50% aus unvererzten tertiären Feinsanden und Tonen. Die Eisenmanganerze mit einem durchschnittlichen Fe/Mn-Verhältnis von 2:1 entstanden aus deszendenten Verwitterungslösungen durch eine gegenseitige Ausfällung von Hydroxidsolen des Fe und Mn. Mineralogisch bestehen sie aus Muskovit (10–50%), Goethit (30–50%), röntgenamorphen Mn-Oxiden (20–30%) sowie Hartmanganerzkonkretionen (0–22%) aus Manganit und Polianit/Pyrolusit. Die Herkunft der Mn-führenden Verwitterungslösungen wird sowohl aus den benachbarten Tonschiefern als auch aus den Dolomiten angenommen.

---

Tertiary manganese-ores of the Dr. Geier-Mine, near Bingen on the Rhine, were mined since 1840, and are genetically connected with the karst of middle Devonian dolomites. They show relations between the karst topography and their petrofacies and tectonic structures. Cavities, caverns, sinkholes and dolines depend on fractures, joint-sets (ac, okl, hol, hkl) and bedding planes of an isoclinal trough. These structures in the massive dolomites have been the waterways formed through-mixed corrosion during an uplift-period and under a warm climate in the Eocene and the Lower Oligocene. Clays, sands, brecciated slides and the ores are the fillings of dolines, which posess their greatest extension near strike-faults of the syncline. The ores are mixed iron-manganese ores with a proportion of Fe: Mn of 2:1. The clayish ore types contain variable amounts of muscovite (10–50%), goethite (30–50%), amorphous Mn-oxides (20–30%) and hard concretions of manganite and pyrolusite (0–22%). The genesis of the ores is explicable as a mixture of colloidal solutions of Fe- and Mn-hydroxides under oxidizing conditions of the karst-hydrography.

     

A diagnostic study of wangara wind profiles in quasi-steady and near-neutral cases

Under the assumption of a geostrophic wind varying exponentially with height, profiles of four turbulence characteristics (Reynolds stress, eddy diffusivity, momentum mixing length, and energy dissipation rate) are evaluated for three cases of quasi-steady wind profile observations under near-neutral boundary layer conditions. These cases occurred during the Wangara Experiment organized by CSIRO at Hay, N.S.W., Australia, in 1967. It is shown that mean vertical motion and surface friction velocity significantly influence the evaluated profiles of the turbulence characteristics.This study was done while Zhang visited the Department of Meteorology, University of Wisconsin, from the Department of Meteorology, Nanjing University, China, and was completed when Zhang was affiliated with the National Center for Atmospheric Research.The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.