Model analysis of the measured concentration of organic gases in the Norwegian Arctic

A 2-D meridional model for the chemistry and transport in the troposphere is used to study the seasonal variation of the concentration of organic gases like C₂H₂, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, C₆H₆, C₇H₈. CHCl₃ and C₂Cl₄ at high latitudes. The anthropogenic sources for these species were estimated, and the temporal and latitudinal distribution of OH and O₃ was calculated using a complex photochemical reaction system. There is fair agreement between the calculated annual variation and the measured concentrations for C₂H₂, C₂H₆, C₃H₈, C₇H₈ and C₂Cl₄ at Spitsbergen during July 1982 and March/April 1983, with a distinct late winter maximum and summer minimum. For CHCl₃, the direct anthropogenic source is minor compared to indirect anthropogenic or natural sources. For benzene, emission in car exhaust is important, but other anthropogenic sources are required for the calculations to agree with the measurements. Measured C₂H₄ and C₃H₆ concentrations are much higher than the calculated ones based on anthropogenic emissions, and show opposite seasonal trends. This indicates biogenic sources for these compounds.A buildup of PAN (300 pptv) is calculated at high latitudes during winter. This makes it the dominant source for NO_x as the temperature increases in the spring. NO_x is found to be a limiting factor for O₃ production at high latitudes during spring.     

On the foundation of collocation in physical geodesy

The boundary value problem in physical geodesy is nowadays mostly presented with the use of an advanced stochastic model by Krarup-Moritz. This model includes a primary Gauss-Markov model and an adjoining Wiener-Hopf model. Degenerations of the Wiener-Hopf section are found in thesingular auto-covariance matrix of the residuals. The non-singular inverse of the auto-covariance matrix of the signal is proved to be a generalized inverse of the singular auto-covariance matrix of the residuals. The joint model is given a non-stochastic evaluation for a case with spherical external surface (using a non-singular inverse). These findings will not prevent a successful application of the model, which has important merits, specially when using suitablea priori values for the stochastic parameters in the covariance functions. A method for quadratic unbiased estimation ofa priori variances is presented in an introductory section. It is meant to be of value when using a solution of the boundary value problem with the collocation technique based on the classical Gauss-Markov solution. (Bjerhammar (1963).)     

Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis of C27–30-steranes

Sterane analyses in petroleum geochemistry are normally based on mass spectrometric detection of major fragment ions. This method has limited specificity and is much improved by detection of parent or metastable transition ions. The latter provide a less complex picture and suggest a better analytical approach, although the technique has only limited mass resolution.Geochemical parameters calculated from mass spectrometric data are dependent on the method employed. Accepted values of these parameters will, therefore, show some variations with the techniques used.Internal standards are necessary for quantitative determination of components by mass spectrometry. A recommended approach is to use a stable isotope labelled analogue of the compound being determined with, in the case of deuterium, only three or four isotopic atoms introduced into the molecule. Too few isotopic atoms will result in interference from the natural isotopes and too many will give analytical deviations.     

Correlations between metamorphic events and Rb-Sr ages in metasediments and eclogite from Western Tasmania

The Strathgordon area of low metamorphic grade (450±50°C, 4±1 Kb) and the eclogitebearing Lyell Highway-Collingwood River area, which is of higher grade (670±20°C, 11±1 Kb), have been studied by the Rb-Sr technique.

Three deformational events, D₁ to D₃ correlate in time with two important P,T events, here termed D₂₋₂ and D₃, D₁₋₂ reflects the continuous prograde P,T environment up to the metamorphic maximum of the two areas (D₂), while D₂ is a superimposed deformational event occuring at lower P,T conditions. According to stratigraphical constraints D₃ must have occured before or about 550 m.y. ago.

It is possible from rather complex Rb-Sr data to indicate ages for the D_1–2 and D₃ events. Two-point total rock+phengite (mica) ages together with total rock isochrons using closely spaced samples show that the main metamorphic event D_1–22 occurrred at about 800 m.y. in both areas. Similar data suggest that the superimposed event D₃ occurred between 550 and 630 m.y. ago, probably near the lower age limit. This deformation (crenulation cleavage) was responsible for the local resetting of total rock and mineral systems.

Consistent with later Palaeozoic events, the Cambrian-early Ordovician Jukesian Movement and the Devonian Tabberabberan Orogeny, which affected some Rb-Sr mineral systems (phengite, amphibole and chlorite), have ages of 500±20 m.y. and 385-350 m.y. respectively.

Due to dispersion of the eclogite total rock data points along secondary isochrons it is difficult to estimate an original age. The age of the original minerals must however have been set by the 800 m.y. D_1–2 event, as the P,T history of the eclogite is the same as that of the surrounding schists.     

Secondary geologically meaningless Rb---Sr isochrons, low Sr/Sr initial ratios and crustal residence times of high-grade gneisses

Dark green quartzo-feldspathic charnockitic ortho-gneisses from Arendal, southern Norway, have locally been decoloured in the vicinities of intrusive, undeformed granite sheets and pegmatite dikes. The result is a series of pink rocks which are macroscopically indistinguishable from primary augen granite gneisses. The main mineralogical changes associated with the secondary decolcuration occurred under relatively low-grade conditions, and mainly involved chlorite, serpentine ± actinolitic amphibole ± biotite growth. The alterations were initiated along narrow, irregularly spaced cracks. The primary ( 1540 m.y.) total rock Rb---Sr isotopic systems which relate to the charnockite mineralogy were disturbed, and sometimes reset, during the secondary event which occurred at 1060 m.y. Locality by locality, the decoloured samples yield linear arrays corresponding to 1457 ± 200 m.y., 1303 ± 50 m.y. and 1125 ± 185 m.y. The combined data (n = 19) give an apparent age of 1364 ± 43 m.y. with an ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio of 0.7011 ± 0.0018. This apparent age is unrelated to any geological event and there is no overlap at the 2δ level between the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr initial ratio and that defined by the primary event (0.70345 ± 0.00014). Any estimate of crustal residence time based on these decoloured samples would be in error. The weight of evidence is against significant involvement of Rb mobility in the isotopic resetting process which accompanied decolouration. A model involving modification of the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios is preferred.     

GHG mitigation of agricultural peatlands requires coherent policies

As soon as peat soil is drained for agricultural production, the peat starts to degrade, which causes emissions to the atmosphere. In countries with large peatland areas, the GHG mitigation potential related to management of these soils is often estimated as the highest amongst the measures available in agriculture. Although the facts are well known, the policies leading to diminished emissions are often difficult to implement. We have analysed the reasons why the mitigation potential is not fully utilized and what could be done better in national implementation of climate policies. Four cases are used to illustrate the necessary steps to reach mitigation targets: determining the amount and properties of peat soils, estimating the potential, costs and feasibility of the mitigation measures, and selecting and implementing the best measures. A common feature for all of the cases was that national and international climate policies have increased the public interest in GHG emissions from peat soils and increased the pressure for mitigation. Basically the same factors restrict the implementation of mitigation measures in all countries with significant peat soil areas. The most important of these is lack of policy coherence, e.g. ignoring climate policies when planning land use or agricultural policies. We conclude that GHG mitigation is achieved only if other policies, especially national regulations and strategies, are in line with climate policies.

Policy relevance

Agricultural peat soils could be used to help reach GHG mitigation goals in many countries, but the full potential of mitigation of peat soils is not used. Although peatland cultivation inevitably leads to loss of the whole peat layer and high emissions, there are few incentives or regulation to effectively minimize these losses. This article discusses the possibilities to reduce GHG emissions from agricultural peat soils, with specific emphasis on the barriers of implementing mitigation measures nationally. The lessons learned from the selected cases emphasize the role of all policy makers and their cooperation in planning coherent policies for achieving the goals determined by climate policies.     

Effect of grain scale alignment on seismic anisotropy and reflectivity of shales

The elastic properties and anisotropy of shales are strongly influenced by the degree of alignment of the grain scale texture. In general, an orientation distribution function (ODF) can be used to describe this alignment, which, in practice, can be characterized by two Legendre coefficients. We discuss various statistical ODFs that define the alignment by spreading from a mean value; in particular, the Gaussian, Fisher and Bingham distributions. We compare the statistical models with an ODF resulting from pure vertical compaction (no shear strain) of a sediment. The compaction ODF may be used to estimate how the elastic properties and anisotropy evolve due to burial of clayey sediments. Our study shows that the three statistical ODFs produce almost identical correspondence between the two Legendre coefficients as a function of the spreading parameter, so that the spreading parameter of one ODF can be converted to the spreading parameter of another ODF. In most cases it is then sufficient to apply the spreading parameter for the ODF instead of the two Legendre coefficients. The effect of compaction on the ODF gives a slightly different correspondence between the two Legendre coefficients from that for the other models. In principle, this opens up the possibility of distinguishing anisotropy effects due to compaction from those due to other processes. We also study reflection amplitudes versus angle of incidence (AVA) for all wave modes, where shales having various ODFs overlie an isotropic medium. The AVA responses are modelled using both exact and approximation formulae, and their intercepts and gradients are compared. The modelling shows that the S‐wave velocity is sensitive to any perturbation in the spreading parameter, while the P‐wave velocity becomes increasingly sensitive to a perturbation of a less ordered system. Similar observations are found for the AVA of the P‐P and P‐SV waves. Modelling indicates that a combined use of the amplitude versus offset of P‐P and P‐SV reflected waves may reveal certain grain scale alignment properties of shale‐like rocks.     

Optimisation of the Operation of an Electrochemical Process To Treat TBT‐contaminated Sediments on a Pilot Scale

Since at least three decades tributyltin had been commonly used in paint formulations to protect ship hulls and submersed surfaces from fouling. This has resulted in negative and Technology, effects to the marine environment due to its high toxicity towards non‐target organisms and to its accumulation in sediments, especially near point sources of pollution. Even if a ban of TBT for its application in anti‐fouling paints is enforced the problem of TBT‐contaminated sediments will remain for the coming years due to the low degradation rates of organotin in sediments. In this work an electrochemical process at a pilot scale to destroy TBT in sediments was investigated. Previous experiences at a laboratory and technical scale have demonstrated the potential of this process to electrolytically degrade organotin species in sediments. This article deals with the optimisation of the pilot plant performance in terms of organotin degradation and operation costs monitoring additionally the effect of the electrochemical treatment on other pollutants such as heavy metals, PCBs, and PAHs. The aim was to investigate by means of a parametric study the range of operating conditions required to destroy TBT down to concentrations lower than 100 μg/kg; to determine the influence of those parameters on the performance of the process; and to evaluate the operation costs associated to the process. It was determined that it was possible to destroy TBT down to 100 μg/kg at current densities in the range of 4.4 to 6.6 mA/cm² and chloride concentrations of least of 0.2 mol/L with operation costs of 13 to 18 EUR/m³.     

Three-dimensional modelling of an isolated carbonate buildup (Triassic, Dolomites, Italy)

The Middle Triassic carbonate buildups of the Dolomites show facies similarities with mud mounds but display apparent architectural elements of flat‐topped carbonate platforms. In order to test whether the facies similarities to mounds are also reflected in the internal buildup architecture, a three‐dimensional modelling study of the Middle Triassic Monte Cernera buildup has been carried out. The Cernera buildup exhibits apparent geometries suggesting a mounded platform in the lower and uppermost part of the buildup, separated by an interval with apparent platform geometry and a retrogradational platform interior, which is difficult to explain with a flat top platform model. For this purpose, a number of three‐dimensional models were constructed using the three‐dimensional modelling programme petrel ^TM. Key geological horizons were constructed based on outcrop measurements, intermediate horizons were calculated in the modelling program, and the intersections of the modelled layers with a digital topography surface were displayed and compared with outcrop photographs. The models were refined stepwise until a best fit with the actual bedding architecture was achieved. The best fit model shows that the mounded geometries in the lower and uppermost part of the buildup are real architectural elements. The intermediate platform stage, about 1·5 km across, had probably retained a mounded top with a relief of up to 50 m, which is difficult to distinguish from an absolutely flat top, but necessary to explain the retrogradational platform interior. The present study shows that Monte Cernera was dominated by mounded geometries at all stages of platform development. The mounded geometry plus facies data suggest that the platform is a deep‐water accumulation, below the zone of intense wave energy, but within the photic zone. The Cernera represents a tropical buildup type, which did not have the capacity to grow into continuously wave‐swept environments because of the small size and the absence of a wave‐resistant energy barrier. Such buildup types are probably common after major crises in earth history, when reef organisms were virtually absent.     

Elektrooptische entfernungsmessung

Ohne Zusammenfassung übersetzung von: Elektrooptisk avst?ndsm?tning,Svensk Lantm?teritidskr. 2 (1955).