Problems in determining spatial inhomogeneity of <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs fallout for estimating rates of erosion-accumulative processes

The issues of assessing variability of ¹³⁷Cs fallout of global and Chernobyl origin at reference sites are discussed with a purpose to use this isotope as a tracer for estimating the rates of erosion-accumulative processes. It is shown that local variability of soil contamination by ¹³⁷Cs at reference sites is within 7–20%, which makes it possible to use the isotope as a tracer. When studies are conducted within drainage basins, the available trend of the atmospheric ¹³⁷Cs fallout should be taken into account in assessing the soil and sedimentation redistribution.     

The Molecular Composition of Lignin as an Indicator of Subaqueous Permafrost Thawing

The concentration and molecular composition of phenols, lignin derivatives, were analyzed. The material for the study was sampled from bottom sediments and subaqueous perennial frozen rocks from a well drilled in the Buor-Khaya Gulf of the Laptev Sea. The analysis was undertaken on the basis of calculation of the molecular factor. The principal difference in the molecular composition of organic matter is shown. This difference is manifested in the decrease in the total concentration of the vanillic lignin derivatives in the thawed formations in comparison with the perennial frozen rocks. This phenomenon is explained by activation of the bacterial transformation of organic matter caused by thawing of the subaqueous permafrost. It was established that the weight percentage of lignin in the organic matter of the analyzed sediments is 17% C_org.

     

The formation of ultradeep sedimentary basins through metamorphism with rock contraction in continental crust

Sedimentary covers are up to 15–20 km thick in ultradeep sedimentary basins. Joint interpretation of seismic reflection sounding and gravimetric data indicates that eclogites are located in the basins under the Moho. In these rocks the velocities of P-waves are close to those in mantle peridotites. The basins show only moderate crustal stretching and their formation was caused primarily by the transformation of gabbroids into dense eclogites in the lower part of the continental crust. The transformation took place episodically as mantle fluids infiltrated the lower crust and it was ensured by pressure rise in the lower crust occurring with the accumulation of sediments. Moderate metamorphism developed in silicic upper crust as temperature and pressure increased under thick sedimentary covers. In iron-rich metasedimentary rocks, deep metamorphism resulted in the density increase, and P-wave velocities there increased to those characteristic of the oceanic crust.     

Self-potential anomalies in Cerro de Pasco and Hualgayoc areas (Peru) revisited

Self-potential anomalies with unexplained high values have been observed in various places. Such anomalies were reported in Peru more than 30 years ago. An explanation is proposed based on the electrokinetic effect obtained when a topographic high occurs above a rock layer through which water filtrates and which itself lies over a highly resistive layer. In such a case a fairly high self-potential may occur. Conversely, when one of these conditions is not met, the self-potential anomaly at the earth's surface resulting from the electrokinetic effect is strongly attenuated.     

Lignin as an indicator of the sedimentation conditions on the Arctic shelf

It is shown for the first time that the proportion of lignin in shelf deposits may range from 1/3 to the total concentration of organic carbon. The distribution of wood residues and lignin in the studied sedimentary formation is very uneven, which reflects the dynamic flux environment of sedimentation and OM supply. The calculated molecular indexes showed that most of the OM in deposits underwent insignificant diagenetic alterations.     

Some experience in unraveling geochemical earthquake precursors

The discrimination of significant earthquake precursors from background noise is treated as a multistep problem of pattern recognition. Statistical characteristics of helium-content recorded in short time intervals are used as informative parameters. The set of calculated characteristics includes estimations of the mean, the variance, and the results of spectral analysis of the investigated time series. The selection of significant parameters and the rigorous estimations of time shifts between geochemical and seismic series are carried out by analyzing their cross-covariance function. It is established that the most informative characteristics of a hydrothermal system are related to the dynamic fluctuations of the geochemical parameters. The final phase of prediction is based on the application of a method of statistical discovery of images. A method of earthquake-time prediction is suggested. By using this method, we may determine the 10-day interval during which an earthquake may occur two months in advance. The prediction may be improved by increasing the frequency of sampling and by improving the precision of analytical measurements, both of which can be achieved by automation of monitoring devices. Deployment of uniform monitoring networks is needed in regions designated for special prediction tasks.     

Contemporary condition of macrozoobenthos in ultrashallow zone of Taman Bay,Sea of Azov

The distribution of macrozoobenthic communities was studied in a vast ultrashallow (0–1.2 m deep) zone of northwestern Taman Bay (separated from the Kerch Strait by Chushka spit) in 2008–2009. Fifty-two species of benthic invertebrates were recorded. The species number, as well as Shannon and Pielou diversity indices, increased along Chushka spit from base to tip. The usual inhabitants of lagoons and estuaries of the Mediterranean Basin and the open Sea of Azov dominated in benthic communities: mollusks Abra segmentum and Hydrobia acuta and polychaetes Heteromastus filiformis and Hediste diversicolor (the latter only in summer). Changes in the community structure were largely determined by the seasonal dynamics of dominant species populations, which was similar to their dynamics in certainother transitional water bodies of the Mediterranean Basin. These changes indicate normal running of seasonal processes in the macrobenthic communities of Taman Bay in 2008 rather than the consequences of a catastrophic black oil spill in the Kerch Strait in November 2007.     

Impact on oceanic dynamics from assimilation of satellite surface height anomaly data into the Hybrid Coordinate Ocean Model Ocean Model (HYCOM) over the Atlantic Ocean

Observed along-track data of sea surface height anomalies (SSHAs) over the Atlantic Ocean from the Jason-1 and Jason-2 satellites were assimilated into the Hybrid-Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) with the Ensemble Optimal Interpolation scheme (EnOI). The impact of assimilation of SSHA with focus on oceanic dynamics was investigated. Time series of analyzed and forecasted values were compared with a model free run with the same forcing but without assimilation. In addition, the results were compared with an independent run, the so-called HYCOM + NCODA analysis from the US Navy. The study shows that the assimilation technique with some modifications allowed substantial improvement in the 24 h ocean prediction by reducing the forecast errors in comparison with the free run. It is also shown that the analyzed sea surface fields contain mesoscale and synoptic variability, which are poorly seen in the free run.