Rapid sea level and climate change at the close of the Last Interglaciation (MIS 5e): evidence from the Bahama Islands

The geology of the Last Interglaciation (sensu stricto, marine isotope substage (MIS) 5e) in the Bahamas records the nature of sea level and climate change. After a period of quasi-stability for most of the interglaciation, during which reefs grew to +2.5 m, sea level rose rapidly at the end of the period, incising notches in older limestone. After brief stillstands at +6 and perhaps +8.5 m, sea level fell with apparent speed to the MIS 5d lowstand and much cooler climatic conditions. It was during this regression from the MIS 5e highstand that the North Atlantic suffered an oceanographic “reorganization” about 118±3 ka ago. During this same interval, massive dune-building greatly enlarged the Bahama Islands. Giant waves reshaped exposed lowlands into chevron-shaped beach ridges, ran up on older coastal ridges, and also broke off and threw megaboulders onto and over 20 m-high cliffs. The oolitic rocks recording these features yield concordant whole-rock amino acid ratios across the archipelago. Whether or not the Last Interglaciation serves as an appropriate analog for our “greenhouse” world, it nonetheless reveals the intricate details of climatic transitions between warm interglaciations and near glacial conditions.     

Progressive niedriggradige Metamorphose glaukonitführender Horizonte in den helvetischen Alpen der Ostschweiz

Glauconite-bearing formations of Cretaceous and Tertiary age in the Helvetic zone of the Glarus Alps have been investigated by microscopic, X-ray, wet chemical, electron microprobe, Mössbauer spectroscopic, and K-Ar dating methods. 3 different metamorphic zones with increasing grade can be distinguished (Fig. 3). Original, unmetamorphosed sediments containing glauconite-calcite-quartz±chlorite comprise zone I. The glauconite is very rich in potassium (8–9 wt.%) and the chlorite is Fe-rich. In zone II green stilpnomelane forms by the reaction: glauconite±chlorite + quartz = stilpnomelane + k-feldspar + H₂O + O₂. The green stilpnomelane contains as much as ten times the amount of K found in brown stilpnomelane, which is believed to be a weathering feature. In zone III biotite appears by the reaction: chlorite + k-feldspar = biotite + stilpnomelane + quartz + H₂O. Riebeckite is a possible additional phase in all three zones. Generally, zones I–III are arranged nearly parallel to the Alpine border with metamorphic grade increasing to the south. In the Glarnisch Massif, however, the transition from zone I to zone II is clearly controlled by the overburden of the nappe pile (Fig. 6). The beginning of zone II also seems to coincide with the middle of the anchizone, as defined by illite-crystallinity measurements in adjoining marly shales and slates; this corresponds approximately to the transition from the zeolite facies to the prehnitepumpellyite facies.K-Ar-ages on glauconites regularly decrease when approaching the zone I/II-transition. Field evidence and combined K-Ar age determinations on glauconites, stilpnomelanes and riebeckites point to a peak of the metamorphism during Lower to Middle Oligocene, shortly after the main orogenic phase in this part of the Helvetic Alps.

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Die Autoren danken Herrn Prof. E. Niggli für das fördernde Interesse an dieser Arbeit, die Überlassung der Probe EN 8999 sowie die kritische Durchsicht des Manuskriptes. Für wertvolle Diskussionen und Hinweise danken wir den Prof. E. Jäger, R. Herb und P. M. Orville sowie Dr. W. D. Brückner und Dr. N. Clauer. M.F. möchte Herrn E. Weber herzlich für die Einführung auf der Mikrosonde danken. Herrn Prof. Th. Hügi danken wir für die Benützung des geochemischen Labors, Herrn Prof. H. Schwander für einige Na-Bestimmungen auf der Basler Mikrosonde und Herrn Dr. F. Hofmann für die Bestimmung der C-Gehalte. Den Herren Theo Küpfer und J. Fuhrimann verdanken wir verschiedene Laborarbeiten. Diese Arbeit wurde durch die folgenden Stipendien des Schweizerischen Nationalfonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung unterstützt: Nr. 5358.2 an M.F., Nr. 2.367.70 an J.H. sowie Nr. 2598 an P.R. Die Durchführung der Mikrosondenanalysen wurden zudem möglich dank eines Studienaufenthaltes von M. F. an der Yale Universität, New Haven, Connecticut, wofür dieser Autor der Forschungskommission der Universität Bern zu großem Dank verpflichtet ist.     

Charles Franklin Brooks

Ohne Zusammenfassung

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Charles Franklin Brooks

     

A study to explain the emission of nitric oxide from a marsh soil

In the period 18–21 September 1989, soil NO emission was studied at Halvergate Marshes, Norfolk (U.K.) within the framework of the BIATEX-LOVENOX joint field experiment. Using a dynamic chamber technique, 186 measurements at four plots were performed showing a net NO flux of 7.2–14.6×10^–12 kgN m^–2 s^–1. Soil samples from a soil profile (1.0 m) at a representative site and from the uppermost layer (0.1 m) of each of the four plots were sent to the laboratory for (a) detailed physical and chemical soil analysis, (b) determination of NO production rates, NO uptake rate constants, and NO compensation mixing ratios, and (c) characterization of the microbial processes involved. A diffusive model (Galbally and Johansson, 1989) was applied to the laboratory results to infer NO fluxes of the individual soil samples. When we compared these fluxes with those measured in the field, we found agreement within a factor 2–4. Furthermore, laboratory studies showed, that NO was produced and consumed only in the upper soil layer (0–0.1 m depth) and that the NO production and consumption activities observed in the Halvergate marsh soil were most probably due to the anaerobic metabolism of denitrifying bacteria operating in anaerobic microniches within the generally aerobic soil.     

Microscopic feather fractures in the faulting process

The nature and development of microscopic feather fractures (mff) are investigated in experimentally deformed intact and precut cylinders of room-dry Tennessee and Coconino Sandstone. All specimens are deformed at 25° C, and at a shortening rate of 10⁻⁴ sec⁻¹ ; the intact ones are at confining pressures from 0.5 to 2.5 kbar; and the precut specimens at 1.0 and 1.5 kbar. Mff occur in grains adjacent to induced shear fractures or faults; they are wedge-shaped and die out within one or two grain diameters from the fault; and they make acute angles with the fault such that arrows directed into the apices of these angles on either side of the fault define its sense of shear. Occurrence of mff only after slip on precut surfaces clearly demonstrates that they form as a result of shear displacement. The average angle between the mff and fault is 10° greater than that between the load axis and the fault, and it increases with increasing confining pressure in initially intact specimens. Data suggest that the abundance of mff (mean number per grain) increases with increasing normal stress across the fault and with displacement. The wedgeshaped character of many mff and their consistent orientation at 10° to the load axis are distinguishing characteristics. Mff are shown to be parallel to the local maximum compressive stress and thus are extension microfractures. They are not to be confused with precursive micro fractures developed prior to macroscopic fracture, nor to Riedel shears developed during faulting.     

Silica Springs,Tongariro National Park,New Zealand—analyses of the spring water and characterisation of the alumino-silicate deposit

The creamy-white deposit in the stream bed below Silica Springs outlet on Mount Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand, has been identified as a hydrous, X-ray-amorphous, aluminosilicate (allophane). The SiO₂/Al₂O₃ mole ratio varies from close to one, to close to two. The elements K, Ca, Mn and Fe are present in low concentrations relative to those in allophanic soil clays, and tend to increase in concentration downstream from where the deposit first occurs. The concentration of S decreases downstream from 0.5% to 0.1%. Surface areas of samples, measured by the ethylene glycol desorption method, are about 200–300 m²/g. The outlet water at Silica Springs contains low dissolved solids and is undersaturated with respect to amorphous silica, but is supersaturated with respect to several alumino-silicate minerals (of which allophane may be considered the precursor) and with respect to CO₂. Gas bubbling at the outlet contains about 10% CO₂ which has a δC¹³_PDB value of ?7.5%..Silica Springs water is derived from the addition of geothermal CO₂ (and possibly H₂S) to near-surface meteoric water from the lava flow above the outlet, and the chemical attack of this water on the andesitic rocks and soil through which it passes. The pH of water at Silica Springs increases from 5.45 at the outlet, to 5.90 where deposition first occurs, to 6.80 below the region of maximum deposition. This rise in pH correlates with loss of excess CO₂ in turbulent regions of the stream, and, through surface charge effects, is probably an important influence on the site of deposition, which begins approx. 100m downstream from the outlet.     

Magma mixing in the Aleutian arc: evidence from cognate inclusions and composite xenoliths

The complexity of igneous processes in the Aleutian calc-alkaline magma series can be inferred from study of xenolithic fragments. Composite xenoliths and cognate inclusions provide direct evidence for magma—magma and wall-rock—magma mixing processes. Using distributions of Cr in clinopyroxene, compositional endmembers involved in mixing are identified within the xenoliths. The basaltic mixing endmember is more mafic than calc-alkaline lavas in the arc. Magma mixing and wall-rock assimilation within calc-alkaline basaltic to andesitic magmas is identified in phenocrystic assemblages as well as in xenoliths, and appears to be a widespread phenomenon in Aleutian calc-alkaline magmas.     

A new criterion of relative homogeneity of climatological series

Summary When investigating, as a random sample, a series of differences between rather relatively homogeneous series of annual temperatures at two places, about 70 miles distant from one another it can be shown that the frequency distribution of the differences can be approximated by a normal distribution.Conversely, a normal distribution of the elements of the series of differences can be taken as a new criterion for the relative homogeneity of two series of average temperatures. This conclusion is verified by the agreement between other criteria for relative homogeneity and the new one.

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Zusammenfassung Die Häufigkeitsverteilung der Differenzen zweier synchroner Reihen von Jahrestemperaturen wurde untersucht. Sie stammten von zwei zirka 110 km voneinander entfernten Orten in einem einheitlichen (kohärenten) Klimagebiet der Atlantischen Küste der Vereinigten Staaten. Die Häufigkeitsverteilung zeigt eine ausgesprochen negative Schiefe (Abb. 1). Kritische Durchsicht der Differenzenreihe, wie sieJ. v. Hann empfiehlt, zeigte außer einigen mehr oder minder vielleicht unbedeutenden Inhomogenitäten zwei Perioden, die durch scharfe (entgegengesetzte) Diskontinuitäten von der übrigen Reihe abgetrennt erschienen. Die aufgezeigten Sprünge ließen sich im nachhinein durch in der Stationsgeschichte angeführte Aufstellungsänderungen der Instrumente erklären. Die Ausschaltung dieser gestörten Perioden reduzierte die 100jährige auf eine 85jährige Differenzreihe. Die von der letzteren abgeleitete Häufigkeitsverteilung ließ sich in zureichender Weise (Abb. 2) durch eine Gaußsche Kurve approximieren.Die vom Autor zur Prüfung relativer Homogenität verwendeten Kriterien (Abbe, Helmert, Met. Z. S. 1925, p. 482) ergaben das Resultat: nichthomogen im Falle der 100jährigen, und annähernd homogen für die 85jährige Reihe. Dieses Resultat führte zu der Annahme, daß das Problem umkehrbar wäre: wenn die Differenzenreihe sich durch eine Gaußsche Kurve annähernd darstellen läßt, können die ursprünglichen Temperaturreihen als relativ homogen angesehen werden. Weitere mathematisch-statistische Untersuchungen in dieser Richtung wären zu begrüßen, besonders wenn auch Quotientenreihen (Niederschlag) einbezogen würden.

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Résumé En étudiant une série de différences dérivées des séries plus ou moins relativement homogènes de températures annuelles à deux endroits l'un de l'autre à peu près 110 kms comme exemple de hasard, on peut démontrer que la distribution de la fréquence des différences peut être approximée par une distribution normale.Au contraire, une distribution normale des éléments des séries de différences pourrait être considérée comme un nouveau critérium de la homogénéité relative de deux séries de la température moyenne. Cette conclusion est vérifiée par l'accordance avec d'autres critériums.De plus, une continuation des études de ces problèmes au moyen de méthodes statistiques est désirable, en particulier, si l'on peut faire usage aussi de séries de quotients (précipitation).

     

Observations and Numerical Simulations of Urban Heat Island and Sea Breeze Circulations over New York City

Observations from two SOund Detection And Ranging (SODAR) units, a 10 m micrometeorological tower and five Automated Surface Observing Stations (ASOS) were examined during several synoptic scale flow regimes over New York City after the World Trade Center disaster on September 11, 2001. An ARPS model numerical simulation was conducted to explore the complex mesoscale boundary layer structure over New York City. The numerical investigation examined the urban heat island, urban roughness effect and sea breeze structure over the New York City region. Estimated roughness lengths varied from 0.7 m with flow from the water to 4 m with flow through Manhattan. A nighttime mixed layer was observed over lower Manhattan, indicating the existence of an urban heat island. The ARPS model simulated a sea-breeze front moving through lower Manhattan during the study period consistent with the observations from the SODARs and the 10-m tower observations. Wind simulations showed a slowing and cyclonic turning of the 10-m air flow as the air moved over New York City from the ocean. Vertical profiles of simulated TKE and wind speeds showed a maximum in TKE over lower Manhattan during nighttime conditions. It appears that this TKE maximum is directly related to the influences of the urban heat island.