Satellite systems around galaxies in hydrodynamic simulations

We investigate the properties of satellite galaxies formed in N -body/SPH simulations of galaxy formation in the ΛCDM cosmology. The simulations include the main physical effects thought to be important in galaxy formation and, in several cases, produce realistic spiral discs. In total, a sample of nine galaxies of luminosity comparable to the Milky Way was obtained. At magnitudes brighter than the resolution limit,   M_V =−12  , the luminosity function of the satellite galaxies in the simulations is in excellent agreement with data for the Local Group. The radial number density profile of the model satellites, as well as their gas fractions also match observations very well. In agreement with previous N -body studies, we find that the satellites tend to be distributed in highly flattened configurations whose major axis is aligned with the major axis of the (generally triaxial) dark halo. In two out of three systems with sufficiently large satellite populations, the satellite system is nearly perpendicular to the plane of the galactic disc, a configuration analogous to that observed in the Milk Way. The discs themselves are perpendicular to the minor axis of their host haloes in the inner parts, and the correlation between the orientation of the galaxy and the shape of the halo persists even out to the virial radius. However, in one case the disc's minor axis ends up, at the virial radius, perpendicular to the minor axis of the halo. The angular momenta of the galaxies and their host halo tend to be well aligned.     

Suspended sediment dynamics at high and low storm flows in two small watersheds

A record spanning almost 20 years of suspended sediment and discharge measurements on two reaches of an agricultural watershed is used to assess the influence of in‐channel sediment supplies and bed composition on suspended sediment concentrations (SSC). We analyse discharge‐SSC relationships from two small streams of similar hydrology, climate and land use but widely different bed compositions (one dominated by sand, the other by gravel). Given that sand‐dominated systems have more fine sediment available for transport, we use bed composition and the relative proportion of surface sand and gravel to be representative of in‐channel sediment supply. Both high flow events and lower flows associated with onset and late recessional storm flow (‘low flows’) are analysed in order to distinguish external from in‐channel sources of sediment and to assess the relationship between low flows and sediment supply. We find that SSC during low flows is affected by changes to sediment supply, not just discharge capacity, indicated by the variation in the discharge‐SSC relationship both within and between low flows. Results also demonstrate that suspended sediment and discharge dynamics differ between reaches; high bed sand fractions provide a steady supply of sediment that is quickly replenished, resulting in more frequent sediment‐mobilizing low flow and relatively constant SSC between floods. In contrast, SSC of a gravel‐dominated reach vary widely between events, with high SSC generally associated with only one or two high‐flow events. Results lend support to the idea that fine sediment is both more available and more easily transported from sand‐dominated streambeds, especially during low flows, providing evidence that bed composition and in‐channel sediment supplies may play important roles in the mobilization and transport of fine sediment. In addition, the analysis of low‐flow conditions, an approach unique to this study, provides insight into alternative and potentially significant factors that control fine sediment dynamics. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Boron isotope composition of melt inclusions from porphyry systems of the Central Andes: a reconnaissance study

Quartz-hosted melt inclusions from latite dykes of the Eocene El Salvador copper porphyry system in northern Chile display wide ranges in both boron concentration (15–155 p.p.m. B) and isotope composition (δ¹¹B −7 to +12‰; n  = 10), likely reflecting slab-derived fluid input from seawater-altered oceanic crust. In contrast, the major Miocene tin-silver and tin porphyry systems in the Bolivian back-arc region (Cerro Rico de Potosi, Chorolque, Llallagua) have distinctly different melt inclusion compositions with δ¹¹B of −11.4 ± 2.7‰ ( n  = 10), and magmatic boron enrichment up to several hundred p.p.m. B. The `seawater' signature in the El Salvador melt inclusions explains the oxidized mineral assemblage of the copper porphyry system, as opposed to the more reduced nature of the Bolivian tin porphyry systems, which reflect intracrustal melting of pelitic rocks.     

An approach to estimate Lower Jurassic seawater oxygen‐isotope composition using δ18O and Mg/Ca ratios of belemnite calcites (Early Pliensbachian,northern Spain)

Palaeotemperature estimates from the oxygen‐isotope compositions of belemnites have been hampered by not knowing ancient seawater isotope compositions well enough. We have tackled this problem using Mg/Ca as a proxy for temperature and here, we present a ~2 Ma record of paired Mg/Ca and δ¹⁸O measurements of Jurassic (Early Pliensbachian) belemnites from the Asturian basin as a palaeo‐proxy of seawater oxygen‐isotope composition. From the combined use of the two approaches, we suggest a δ¹⁸O_w composition of about ?0.1‰ for the Jamesoni–Ibex zones. This value may have been increased by about 0.6‰ during the Davoei Zone due to the effect of waters with a different δ¹⁸O_w composition. These findings illustrate the inaccuracy of using a globally homogeneous ice‐free value of δ¹⁸O_w = ?1‰ for δ¹⁸O_carb‐based palaeotemperature reconstructions. Our data suggest that previous palaeotemperatures calculated in the region from δ¹⁸O values of belemnites may have been underestimated as the seawater oxygen isotopic composition could have been higher.     

Intramontane basin development related to contractional and extensional structure interaction at the termination of a major sinistral fault: The Huércal-Overa Basin (Eastern Betic Cordillera)

Among the classical minor structural associations on the termination of transcurrent faults are horsetail splays formed by reverse, normal or strike-slip faults developing duplexes. However, temporal and spatial coexistence of contractional and extensional structures is very rarely documented. We discuss the relationships of contractional and extensional structures and associated sedimentary depocenters at the termination of a major strike-slip fault in the Eastern Betic Cordillera. Field mapping, kinematic fault analysis, paleostress determination and gravity prospecting in the Huércal-Overa Basin, at the southern termination of the NE–SW Alhama de Murcia transcurrent fault (AMF), are used to establish the relationships of tectonic structures and associated sedimentary depocenters. Here, ENE–WSW and WNW–ESE folds interact with two sets of normal faults having the same orientation as well as ENE–WSW reverse faults. Progressive unconformities associated with folds reveal that the beginning of the AMF activity occurred in the Tortonian. The folds progressively grew and rotated from ENE–WSW up to WNW–ESE close to the transcurrent fault. We propose that the development of the normal faults developed during short-term episodes characterized by vertical major stress axis and are, in turn, related to gravitational instability linked to the thickening of a crust relatively hot at depth. This setting may have become predominant in between the main activity, compressive pulses along transcurrent faults.     

Paleoenvironmental reconstruction of a Late Quaternary lagoon system in southern Brazil (Jaguaruna region,Santa Catarina state) based on multi‐proxy analysis

This paper provides a paleoenvironmental reconstruction of a Late Quaternary lagoon system in the Jaguaruna region of Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. Integrated results of bulk sedimentary organic matter characterization (δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N and C/N), microfossil (pollen and diatom) and grain‐size analysis from three shallow cores (～2.5 m depth) allowed us to propose an evolving paleogeographic scenario in this coastal region for the last ca. 5500 cal a BP. The lagoonal system in this area was more extensive during the mid‐Holocene than today, with a gradual and continuous lagoon–sea disconnection until the present. We add to the debate regarding relative sea‐level (RSL) variations for the Brazilian coast during the Holocene and discuss the importance of sedimentary dynamics for interpreting changes in coastal ecosystems. The multi‐proxy analysis suggests that changes in coastal ecosystems could be directly related to local sedimentary processes, which are not necessarily linked to RSL fluctuations and/or to climatic variations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Late Pleistocene distribution of vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) and the “extinction” of the gracile llama (“Lama gracilis”): New molecular data

We present the results of a palaeogenetic analysis of two Late Pleistocene camelids originating in southern Chile. Our analysis of two mitochondrial DNA fragments (control region and cytochrome b gene) reveals that these specimens do not belong to an extinct taxon, but rather to extant vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), whose modern distribution is restricted to the extreme elevations of the Andes, more than 3500 km to the north of where these specimens originated. Our results also suggest fossil specimens from Patagonia that are currently assigned to the extinct taxon Lama gracilis, may actually belong to V. vicugna, implying a continuous distribution of the latter from the southern tip of South America to the Andes during the Final Pleistocene. The haplotypes of both specimens are not present in modern populations, suggesting a loss of genetic diversity concomitant with the contraction of the vicuña geographical distribution during the Final Pleistocene or early Holocene.