Disturbance of beach sediment by off-road vehicles

A three-year investigation was undertaken to examine the effects of off-road vehicles (ORVs) on the beach at Fire Island, New York. Within the National Seashore over 45,000 vehicle trips per year are concentrated in the zone seaward of the dune toe. The experimental approach was adopted in order to assess the environmental effects of ORVs. Specially developed instrumentation was used to measure the direct displacement of sand by vehicles traversing the beach. Direct displacement data were reduced graphically and analyzed by stepwise linear regression. The results of 89 field experiments (788 cases) showed that slope, sand compaction, and number of vehicle passes in the same track were the principal factors controlling the measured net seaward displacement of sand. The data suggest that ORV use levels within the National Seashore could be contributing to the overall erosion rate by delivering large quantities of sand to the swash zone (max. of 119,300 m³/yr). However, with proper management downslope movement of sand could be reduced by an order of magnitude. While vehicular passage over the open beach displaces sand seaward, it is not known if such activity actually increases the amount of erosion, measured as net loss to the beach face.     

Laboratory simulation of meteoritic noble gases. I. Sorption of xenon on carbon: Trapping experiments

We have studied trapping of radioactive ¹²⁷Xe in three types of carbon: carbon black (lamp black  LB), pyrolyzed polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), and pyrolyzed acridine (C₁₃H₉N). A total of 86 samples were exposed to Xe at T between 100 and 1000°C, for times between 5 min and 240 hours, at p_xe ~ 5 × 10^?7 atm. Excess gas phase and loosely sorbed Xe were pumped away and the remaining, tightly bound Xe was measured by γ-spectrometry.At 100°C,× >90% of the Xe desorbs within a few minutes' pumping but a small amount remains even after 4000 min. Distribution coefficients for this tightly bound Xe are ~1 × 10^?2, 1 and 10 ccSTP/g atm for LB, acridine and PVDC carbons. The tightly bound Xe consists of two components. One occurs over the entire range 100–1000°C, becoming less abundant at high T; it appears to be physisorbed. The other occurs only at T > 500°C and is probably due to volume diffusion. The adsorbed component in LB has an apparent ΔH between ?2.3 and ?5.7 kcal/mole. The diffused component, which occurs in LB and possibly in acridine carbon, has an activation energy Q = 27 ± 8 kcal/mole and a diffusion coefficient D = 1.3 × 10^?17 cm²/sec at 1000°C. These values are comparable to those found for other types of amorphous carbon (Morrisonet al., 1963; Nakai et al., 1960).The low-T component displays two paradoxical features: low ΔH_ads, in the range for Xe physisorbed on carbon, but exceedingly long adsorption or desorption times (~10³ min at 100–400 or 1000°C). Although these long times seem to suggest a high energy process such as chemisorption, our results are best explained by a model that invokes physisorption within a labyrinth of micropores—of atomic dimensions—known to exist in amorphous carbons. The long adsorption/desorption times reflect either the long distances (~5 cm) Xe atoms must migrate by random walk to enter or leave the labyrinth, or the long times needed for Xe atoms to traverse tight spots or constricted pores that connect interior and exterior surfaces of the carbon (activated entry). Both variants of this model predict long equilibration times for the observed ΔH_ads of ?2 to ?6 kcal/mole. Apparently, xenon can be tightly trapped in carbon without resorting to high-energy bonding or to exotic mechanisms.These results suggest that “planetary” type noble gases in meteorites, located at or near grain surfaces of amorphous carbon, may be trapped by adsorption in micropores, whereas components such as CCFXe, which are uniformly distributed in their carrier phases, may be trapped by mechanisms such as volume diffusion or ion implantation.     

Chemical variation in a Proterozoic suite of granitoids extending across a mobile belt — craton boundary

Contrary to earlier opinions, the southwestern margin of the Baltic Shield was formed after the Svecokarelian orogenic event (2.2-1.8 Ga). During the initial stages of its formation (1.7-1.6 Ga), granitoid rocks intruded the southwestern margin and simultaneously also the already cratonized part of the shield. Among these granitoids, the most important chemical difference is between calc-alkalic differentiated granitoids to the west and alkalicalcic more evolved granites to the east of an intraorogenic “suture” (the Mylonite Zone). The chemical differences between alkali-calcic granites found on both sides of the interorogen boundary proper (the Protogine Zone) are less significant. As yet, a final choice cannot be made between wholly actualistic and non-actualistic, possibly intracratonic(?) variants of precursory plate-tectonic processes.     

Major-element composition of the Åmål granitoids and possible constraints on the growth of the Baltic Shield

The Åmål granitoids in southwest Scandinavia form a calc-alkaline group. Based on 71 major-element analyses their chemical range seems to be constrained to less evolved and somewhat less aluminous compositions than the Svecokarelian synkinematic granitoids. The Åmål granitoids occur in three occurrence types: rather homogeneous massifs, intermingled with other rocks, and as bands in banded gneiss complexes. No statistically confident difference in chemical composition can be proved as a function of occurrence type. The K/K+Na-ratio increases somewhat towards the former Baltic continent. Some of the possible interpretations of this observation are discussed. Most of the chemical variation is due to magmatic differentiation, the mentioned K-Na variation is the most important additional variable. A discussion of geological, isotopic, and paleomagnetic data to the background of ideas on Earth development suggests a nonactualistic model for the generation of the granitoids.

---

Zusammenfassung Die südwestskandinavischen Åmål Granitoide stellen eine typische kalkalkalische Reihe dar. Das Resultat von 71 Hauptelementeanalysen ergibt einen Variationsbereich, der im Vergleich mit den svekokarelischen synkinematischen Granitoiden weniger differenziert erscheint. Sie sind im Vergleich mit diesen Gesteinen auch aluminiumärmer. Die Åmål-Granitoide kommen in mehr oder weniger homogenen Massiven vor, aber auch mit anderen Gesteinen vermischt oder als Glieder von Bändergneisen. Es ist nicht möglich, eine statistische Differenz als Funktion des Vorkommens nachzuweisen. Das K/K + Na-Verhältnis erhöht sich etwas gegen den älteren Baltischen Kontinent. Die chemische Variation beruht hauptsächlich auf Differentiation, die genannten K-Na-Variationen sind die wesentlichsten Zusatzvariablen. Eine Diskussion der geologischen, isotopenchemischen und paleomagnetischen Daten im Rahmen der Entwicklung der Erdkruste führt zu einem nichtaktualistischen Modell der Granitoidgenese. Das Modell wird hier nicht weiter erörtert.

---

Résumé Les granitoïdes d'Åmål, dans le Sud-Ouest de la Scandinavie, constituent une série calco-alcaline typique. 71 analyses chimiques portant sur les éléments majeurs montrent que l'ampleur de leur variation est moins différenciée que celle des «granitoïdes syncinématiques svécokaréliens»; ils sont aussi plus pauvres en aluminium que ces derniers. Les granitoïdes d'Åmål se présentent en massifs plus ou moins homogènes, et aussi mélangés à d'autres roches ou comme composants des gneiss rubanés. Il n'est pas possible de faire apparaître statitisquement une différence en fonction de leur occurrence. Le rapport K/K+Na croît vers l'ancien continent baltique. Il est possible d'interpréter l'observation de façons différentes. La différenciation explique la majeure partie de la variation chimique; les variations K/Na mentionnées sont les autres variables principales. Les résultats sont discutés dans le cadre des données géologiques, de la chimie des isotopes, et du paléomagnétisme sur la base du développement de l'écorce terrestre, ce qui conduit, pour la genèse des granitöïdes, à un modèle de type non actualiste.

---

Åmål - . 71 , « ». . Åmål , , , . , . / + Na . . . . K-Na . , - .

     

A possible relationship between augen gneisses and postorogenic granites in S.E. Sweden

Augen gneisses occur east of the postorogenic Småland granites in south-eastern Sweden. These augen gneisses are generally folded conformably with the surrounding rocks but in several areas they seem to pass transitionally into the otherwise cross-cutting postorogenic granites. The augen gneisses in the Finspång area are suggested to be caps or down-pointing flukes of the postorogenic granites in a structure similar to one of Ramberg's (1967) centrifuged model experiments. Several factors suggest that these granites intruded as congealing magmas. The proposed evolutionary model has some features in common with the balloon tectonic model (Ramsay 1981). However, rather than the magma expanding an outer skin around a simple balloon-like structure, the concept is extended to include the magmatic inflation and distortion of the cap resulting also in down pointing, folded fluke structures.If the proposed relationship can be established, it follows that extensive metamorphism and deformation took place in southeast Sweden as a marginal effect of the intrusion of the Småland granites.     

Zircon geochronology of basement rocks from the Pelagonian Zone,Greece: constraints on the pre-Alpine evolution of the westernmost Internal Hellenides

The Pelagonian Zone of Greece is the westernmost segment of the Internal Hellenides comprising widespread crystalline basement exposures of granites and orthogneisses. We dated these basement rocks in order to identify the major crust-forming episodes and to understand the evolutionary history of the area. In our study we investigated granites, gneisses, meta-rhyolites and mylonites from the major occurrences of the Pelagonian Zone. We applied single-zircon dating techniques such as Pb–Pb evaporation, conventional U–Pb and SHRIMP. The majority of the basement rocks gave Permo-Carboniferous intrusion ages, thus emphasizing the importance of this crust-forming event for the Internal Hellenides of Greece. Triassic intrusion ages were obtained, however, for a meta-rhyolite from the western Pelagonian Zone and two mylonites from the eastern Pelagonian Zone. These ages are interpreted to reflect magmatism accompanying early rifting that led to the subsequent opening of the Pindos Ocean to the west and the Meliata Ocean to the east of the Pelagonian Zone. The geochronological results demonstrate that the magmatic episodes during which most of the Pelagonian Zone crystalline basement formed are predominantly pre-Alpine in age.     

Contribution of forest wood products to negative emissions: historical comparative analysis from 1960 to 2015 in Norway,Sweden and Finland

Background

Forests and forest products can significantly contribute to climate change mitigation by stabilizing and even potentially decreasing the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere. Harvested wood products (HWP) represent a common widespread and cost-efficient opportunity for negative emissions. After harvest, a significant fraction of the wood remains stored in HWPs for a period that can vary from some months to many decades, whereas atmospheric carbon (C) is immediately sequestered by vegetation re-growth. This temporal mismatch between oxidation of HWPs and C uptake by vegetation generates a net sink that lasts over time. The role of temporary carbon storage in forest products has been analysed and debated in the scientific literature, but detailed bottom-up studies mapping the fate of harvested materials and quantifying the associated emission profiles at national scales are rare. In this work, we quantify the net CO₂ emissions and the temporary carbon storage in forest products in Norway, Sweden and Finland for the period 1960–2015, and investigate their correlation. We use a Chi square probability distribution to model the oxidation rate of C over time in HWPs, taking into consideration specific half-lives of each category of products. We model the forest regrowth and estimate the time-distributed C removal. We also integrate the specific HWP flows with an emission inventory database to quantify the associated life-cycle emissions of fossil CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O.

Results

We find that assuming an instantaneous oxidation of HWPs would overestimate emissions of about 1.18 billion t CO₂ (cumulative values for the three countries over the period 1960–2015).We also find that about 40 years after 1960, the starting year of our analysis, are sufficient to detect signs of negative emissions. The total amount of net CO₂ emissions achieved in 2015 are about ??3.8 million t CO₂, ??27.9 t CO₂ and ??43.6 t CO₂ in Norway, Sweden, and Finland, respectively.

Conclusion

We argue for a more explicit accounting of the actual emission rates from HWPs in carbon balance studies and climate impact analysis of forestry systems and products, and a more transparent inclusion of the potential of HWP as negative emissions in perspective studies and scenarios. Simply assuming that all harvested carbon is instantaneously oxidized can lead to large biases and ultimately overlook the benefits of negative emissions of HWPs.

     

On Empirical Correlations for Normalised Shear Strengths from Fall Cone and Direct Simple Shear Tests in Soft Swedish Clays

Empirical correlations provide valuable information in early design stages, and they help to validate or discard single values from site investigations. This paper presents a multivariate database from commercial projects consisting of evaluated shear strengths obtained from direct simple shear tests and fall cone tests (which are calibrated to the field vane test), including index tests. The multivariate database is used to investigate the performance of common transformation models and to test the recommended correction for fall cone tests. It is found that the measured normalised shear strength evaluated from direct simple shear tests and fall cone tests is correlated to the liquid limit and that the results conform to Swedish and Norwegian recommendations. However, the scatter is large, more for fall cone tests than for direct simple shear tests, which is thought to depend mainly on sample disturbance. It can however be concluded that the trend of normalised shear strengths increases with increasing plasticity.