Study of the Ammonia ice cloud layer in the equatorial region of Jupiter from the infrared interferometric experiment on voyager

Spectra from the Voyager 1 infrared interferometer spectrometer (IRIS) obtained near the time of closest approach to Jupiter were analyzed for the purpose of inferring ammonia cloud properties associated with the Equatorial Region. Comparisons of observed spectra with synthetic spectra computed from a radiative transfer formulation, that includes multiple scattering, yielded the following conclusions: (1) very few NH₃ ice particles with radii less than 3 μm contribute to the cloud opacity; (2) the major source of cloud opacity arises from particles with radii in excess of 30 μm; (3) column particle densities are between 1 and 2 orders of magnitude smaller than those derived from thermochemical considerations alone, implying the presence of important atmospheric motion; and (4) another cloud system is confirmed to exist deeper in the Jovian troposphere.     

On the Role of Large-Scale Solar Photospheric Motions in the Cosmic-Ray 1.68-YR Intensity Variation

Analysis of cosmic-ray intensity time evolution has led to the identification of intensity variations with several periodicities, most of them correlated with one or another phenomenon of the Sun. Recently Valdés-Galicia, Pérez-Enriquez, and Otaola (1996) reported on a newly-found 1.68-yr variation, which seems to be correlated with periodicities in X-ray long-duration events and low-latitude coronal hole area variations. As those phenomena are related with magnetic flux emergence and transport, in this paper we investigate the possible relationship of the referred cosmic-ray variation with characteristic times of different tracers of meridional circulation. Our results indicate that several of the calculated times might be related to the 1.68-yr cosmic-ray variation. A physical mechanism through which this connection may operate is discussed.     

HD 172189, a Cluster Member Binary System with a δ Scuti Component in the Field of View of COROT

Photometric and spectroscopic results for the star HD 172189, member of the open cluster IC 4756 in the summer field of the space mission COROT, are presented. From photometric observations in the Strömgren system carried out at various epochs, its binary nature as well as the presence of a δ Scuti-type pulsating component have been discovered. The frequency analysis of the whole dataset confirms a dominant frequency of 19.5974 c d^?1 with a maximum amplitude near 0.02 mag plus other frequencies in the range 18–20 c d^?1. A preliminary orbital solution from the light curve and from four FEROS spectra reveals two similar components of around 1.5 M _⊙ orbiting with a period of 5.702 d.     

Effects of transport and insertion of radio frequency identification (RFID) transponders on resistance and shape of natural and synthetic pebbles: applications for riverine and coastal bedload tracking

RFID transponders, especially low‐frequency Passive Integrated Transponders (PIT tags), are now commonly used for assessing bedload mobility in gravel‐bed rivers. Early studies reported high PIT tag recovery rates in small streams, but recovery rates in larger systems remain low. Explanatory factors for low recovery rates have been identified, but only antenna detection ranges and clustering effects have been precisely characterized. Burial below detection limit and dispersion beyond the study site have been indirectly estimated, and PIT tag destruction is assumed to be negligible. In this study, we quantified the resistance of natural limestone pebbles equipped with PIT tags as related to tag insertion methods and distance travelled in an annular flume. We then compared the performance of these natural pebbles with synthetic pebbles made of polyurethane resin and corundum. Creation of synthetic pebbles makes it possible to test bigger transponders with a greater detection range and no clustering effects, bypassing the existing constraints of RFID tracking. We found that breakage of limestone particles leading to PIT tag destruction is far too rare to explain low recovery rates in situ. Further, breakage is more affected by initial pebble characteristics than by PIT tag insertion method. Synthetic pebbles are more sensitive to attrition, but less likely to break. Natural and synthetic pebbles show slight differences in mobility patterns, transport distances, and abrasion resistances. One of the two synthetic pebbles travelled faster than the other three indicating that mobility is not only related to density but also potentially to shape. To address clustering and detection range issues, we equipped synthetic pebbles with AIT‐tags (Active Integrated Transponders). These were tested for integrity and transponder endurance and show great promise for future applications. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Marine debris ingestion by Magellanic penguins, Spheniscus magellanicus (Aves: Sphenisciformes), from the Brazilian coastal zone

Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) are non-breeding winter visitors to the Brazilian coast. In 2008 and 2010, plastic items and other marine debris were found in the stomachs and intestines of 15% of 175 dead penguins collected in the Lagos Region of the state of Rio de Janeiro. One bird had its stomach perforated by a plastic straw, which may have caused its death. There are few records of penguins ingesting plastic litter, but previous studies have found similar levels of debris ingestion among Magellanic penguins stranded on the Brazilian coast (35.8% of 397 birds). The high incidence of marine debris in this species in Brazil may result at least in part from the predominance of juveniles reaching these waters, as juvenile penguins may have a broader diet than adults. It is unclear to what extent plastic ingestion affects the mortality rate in this species and whether the incidence in stranded birds reflects that in the entire population. The present study addresses the increasing impact of plastic debris on marine life.     

Effects of chlorpyrifos on cholinesterase activity and stress markers in the tropical reef fish Acanthochromis polyacanthus

Tropical coastal ecosystems, including the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) of Australia are increasingly threatened by pollution; yet few studies have investigated the sensitivity of GBR species to these pollutants. Here we exposed juveniles of the tropical reef fish Acanthochromis polyacanthus (spiny damselfish) to three concentrations of the insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) and measured (i) muscle cholinesterase (ChE) activity; (ii) hepatic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity; and (iii) coenzyme Q (CoQ) redox balance, after 6h and 96h of exposure. After 96h, muscle ChE activity was significantly inhibited by 26%, 49% and 53% when fish were exposed to 1, 10 or 100μg/L CPF, respectively. Muscle ChE characterization revealed three types of ChEs, including two atypical forms. Hepatic CoQ antioxidant form significantly increased at 10μg/L after 6h of exposure, potentially demonstrating an early response to CPF-induced oxidative stress in liver. Hepatic GST was not affected by CPF exposure.     

Mercury levels in feathers of Magellanic penguins

Feathers are useful to determine mercury (Hg) contamination. We evaluated the mercury concentration in feathers of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) age 1.5 years to 25 years at Punta Tombo, Argentina before and during their molt. Mercury ranged between <1.4 and 367 ng/g dry weight, with three extreme high values (8996 ng/g, 3011 ng/g and 1340 ng/g) all in young adults. The median concentration was lowest for juveniles and significantly higher for adults but with high variation among older adults. Males and females had similar mercury loads. Compared with other penguin species, concentrations in Magellanic penguins were low. Mercury levels for Magellanic penguins in the Southwest Atlantic for older adults averaged 206±98 ng/g, and serve as a baseline for biomonitoring and/or ecotoxicological studies.     

Paleocurrents and the problem of continental drift

The hypothesis of continental drift is examined on the light of paleocurrent analysis. A peripherical radial transportation pattern was obtained in South America and Africa from marine sandstones deposited during Ordovician to Devonian times. This pattern is suggestive of a former adjacent position between both continents, being the source area located somewhere in eastern Brazil and western Africa (Figs. 8 and 9). The paleocurrents in both continents flowed away from this common area. Evidences of Ordovician and/or Silurian glaciation indicated a radial movement for the ice-sheets, away from the same source area. The Caradocian ice movement in Sahara was to the north, while the ice-flow in the Gape Province was to the south, and in Northeastern Brazil it was possibly to the west.The Carboniferous paleocurrent and ice-movement trends are suggestive of a territorial contiguity between Africa and South America. However, several data must be revised for stratigraphic control.The Permian formations in the Paraná and Karroo basins had independent development without any direct connection as suggested by cross-bedding analysis. The occurrence ofMesosaurus in both basins is a strong argument of their close position at the time of sedimentation.Mesozoic wind laid deposits occur in both continents from Upper Triassic to Lower Cretaceous time. The Triassic eolian sandstones were deposited by westerly paleowinds in middle latitude region at the time of continental contiguity. The Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous eolian sandstones were deposited after the separation between the continents had started. The paleowind pattern includes westerlies, trade-,and return tradewinds. This pattern is suggestive for the presence of the Southern Atlantic Ocean in Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous time.

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Zusammenfassung Die Hypothese der Kontinentaldrift der Südkontinente Afrika und Südamerika wird mit Hilfe der Analyse von PalÄoströmungen untersucht.Marine Sandsteinablagerungen vom Ordoviz bis zum Devon zeigen in Südamerika und auch in Afrika peripher-radiales Transportnetz.Dies weist auf eine früher zusammenhÄngende Position zwischen beiden Kontinenten hin, deren Ursprung in Ost-Brasilien und West-Afrika gelegen haben mu\, da die Strömungsrichtungen in beiden Kontinenten von diesem Gebiet ausgehen (Fig. 8 und 9).Die Vereisung im Ordoviz und/oder Silur zeigt eine sternförmige Bewegungsrichtung des Eises vom gleichen Ursprungsgebiet aus. Die Strömungsrichtung zur Caradoc-Zeit war in der Sahara nach N gerichtet, wÄhrend sich das Eis in der Kap-Provinz nach S und in NE-Brasilien möglicherweise nach W bewegte.Die Strömungsrichtungen und Eisbewegungen im Karbon deuten auf einen territorialen Zusammenhang zwischen Afrika und Südamerika hin, jedoch bedürfen einige Daten einer stratigraphischen überprüfung.Das Perm im Paraná- und Karroo-Becken zeigt eine unabhÄngige Entwicklung ohne direkten Zusammenhang, wie er aus SchrÄgschichtungsmessungen angedeutet wurde. Das Vorkommen vonMesosaurus in beiden Becken ist ein gewichtiges Argument für ihre benachbarte Lage wÄhrend der Sedimentation.Im Mesozoikum finden wir von Obertrias bis Unterkreide in beiden Kontinenten Äolische Ablagerungen. Die der Trias wurden durch westliche Winde in mittleren geographischen Breiten sedimentiert, zu einer Zeit, als die beiden Kontinente noch zusammenhingen. Die Sandsteine des Oberen Juras und der Unteren Kreide wurden abgelagert, nachdem die Trennung der Kontinente begonnen hatte.Das PalÄowindsystem zeigt westliche und Passatwinde. Dieses System spricht bereits für das Vorhandensein des Südatlantiks wÄhrend dem Oberen Jura und der Unteren Kreide.

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Sumário No presente trabalho o problema da deriva continental é examinada do ponto de vista da análise das paleocorrentes. MediÇÕes de estratos cruzados em arenitos marinhos do Ordoviciano ao Devoniano, realizadas na áfrica e na América do Sul indicaram urn padrÃo de transporte periférico-radial. Êste padrÃo é sugestivo de uma justaposiÇÃo pretérita entre ambos continentes. A área fonte estaria localizada na regiÃo oriental da América do Sul e Ocidental da áfrica (figs. 8 e 9). Em ambos continentes as paleocorrentes fluiram a partir desta área comum. EvidÊncias de glaciaÇÃo Ordoviciana e/ou Siluriana indicam um movimento radial das massas de gÊlo a partir da mesma área fonte. No Sahara, o movimento do gÊlo no Caradociano fazia-se para o norte, enquanto que, na Provincia do Cabo era para o Sul, e no Nordeste do Brasil Êle provàvelmente dirigia-se para o oeste.No Carbonifero, as paleocorrentes e tendÊncia do movimento das geleiras sÃo sugestivas de uma contiguidade territorial entre a América do Sul e áfrica. Contudo, várlos dados devem ser revisados para controle estratigráfico.As formaÇÕes Permianas nas bacias do Paraná e do Karroo apresentam desenvolvimento independente. O estudo das paleocorrentes nÃo sugere qualquer ligaÇÃo direta. Entretanto, a ocorrÊncia deMesosaurus em ambas bacias, constitui forte argumenta a favor de maior proximidade entre elas na época de sedimentaÇÃo.Os depósitos eólicos mesozóicos ocorrem em ambos continentes desde o Triássico Superior até o Cretáceo Inferior. Os arenitos eólicos Triássicos foram depositados em regiÃo de latitude média pelos paleoventos de oeste. Nésta época, ambos os continentes encontravam-se unidos. Os arenitos eólicos do Jurássico Superior-Cretáceo Inferior foram depositados após o início da separaÇÃo. O sistema de paleoventos inclui ventos de oeste, aliseos e aliseos de retÔrno. Êste padrÃo de circulaÇÃo aérea é sugestivo da presenÇa do Atlântico sul durante o Jurássico Superior — Cretáceo Inferior.

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Under the auspices of the Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas (Brasil), Geological Survey of South Africa, and Institute Algerien du Pétrole.     

Recherche des variations isotopiques naturelles du potassium: Résultats,perspectives et interprétation

Résumé Après mise au point d'une technique permettant la comparaison des rapports isotopiques de potassium extrait de roches variées, à mieux que 0,2% près, on a recherché les variations possibles de l'abondance des isotopes 39 et 41. Certains résultats obtenus sur des roches volcaniques semblent indiquer des variations réelles. Une hypothèse est proposée pour l'interprétation de ces résultats, basée sur des phénomènes de différenciation crustale.

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The relative abundance of 41 and 39 isotopes of potassium has been determined in various rocks. A brief account of experimental technique is given; the reproducibility of measurement is about 0.2%. Most samples do not show significant variations, except some volcanic rocks. A tentative interpretation of these results, based upon crustal differentiation, is given.

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Zusammenfassung Dieser Bericht gibt die Ergebnisse der Isotopenanalysen des Kaliums, die an etwa vierzig verschiedenen Felsen-Probenstücken ausgeführt wurden. Die experimentelle Technik wird hier kurz beschrieben. Die meisten Felsarten, bis auf einige vulkanische Felsen, zeigen keine bedeutenden Veränderungen. Es wird eine Interpretation der Ergebnisse vorgeschlagen, die auf der Theorie der chemischen Differenzierung der Erdkruste beruht.

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