Estimating external magnetic field differences at high geomagnetic latitudes from a single station

Providing an accurate estimate of the magnetic field on the Earth's surface at a location distant from an observatory has useful scientific and commercial applications, such as in repeat station data reduction, space weather nowcasting or aeromagnetic surveying. While the correlation of measurements between nearby magnetic observatories at low and mid‐latitudes is good, at high geomagnetic latitudes () the external field differences between observatories increase rapidly with distance, even during relatively low magnetic activity. Thus, it is of interest to describe how the differences (or errors) in external magnetic field extrapolation from a single observatory grow with distance from its location. These differences are modulated by local time, seasonal and solar cycle variations, as well as geomagnetic activity, giving a complex temporal and spatial relationship. A straightforward way to describe the differences are via confidence intervals for the extrapolated values with respect to distance. To compute the confidence intervals associated with extrapolation of the external field at varying distances from an observatory, we used 695 station‐years of overlapping minute‐mean data from 37 observatories and variometers at high latitudes from which we removed the main and crustal fields to isolate unmodelled signals. From this data set, the pairwise differences were analysed to quantify the variation during a range of time epochs and separation distances. We estimate the 68.3%, 95.4% and 99.7% confidence levels (equivalent to the 1σ, 2σ and 3σ Gaussian error bounds) from these differences for all components. We find that there is always a small non‐zero bias that we ascribe to instrumentation and local crustal field induction effects. The computed confidence intervals are typically twice as large in the north–south direction compared to the east‐west direction and smaller during the solstice months compared to the equinoxes.     

象牙海岸Issia地区铌钽砂矿的研究(英文)

在西非的象牙海岸Issia地区分布着许多铌钽矿床,包括原生矿和砂矿。原生矿产在分带很好的伟晶岩中。这个地区发育着许多花岗岩和花岗伟晶岩。伟晶岩可分为:(1)分异不好的伟晶岩,无矿化;(2)含Be伟晶岩,分带较好,见绿柱石;(3)含Be-Nb-Ta的伟晶岩,分带很好,是矿体;(4)Be-Nb-Ta-Li伟晶岩,分带很好,是矿体。除了10多个原生矿外,还有许多砂矿。砂矿有两种类型:一种近原生矿的坡积砂矿,另一种是经河流冲刷搬运后的冲积砂矿。我们选择了Etienne-Meguhe砂矿作为近原生矿的坡积砂矿的代表,Bemadi矿作为河流冲积型的砂矿的代表,对这两种类型的砂矿的风化、搬运、沉积机理进行了比较研究。研究发现不同的搬运距离和搬运模式对铌钽砂矿的主要矿物——铌钽铁矿的化学性质没有什么影响,而其物理形态则发生了变化。坡积型砂矿的铌钽铁矿常与石英、长石等矿物连生,其颗粒大小与原生的Nb-Ta伟晶岩中的铌钽铁矿一致;经河流冲积而形成的砂矿中,铌钽铁矿颗粒变小、轮廓变得圆滑,几乎无连生矿物,但矿体集中,常在河流的冲积扇中分布,易开采。     

Sediment type distribution in reservoirs: sediment source versus morphometry

 Bottom sediments were collected from seven Texas reservoirs to assess the spatial distribution of sediment types in reservoirs. The sediment samples were analyzed for water content, organic content, and grain-size distributions. The reservoirs are characterized by distinct water content patterns (referred to in this paper as Types I, II, and III) that reflect the lithologic units comprising their drainage area. The water content, organic content, and percent mud decreases from Type I (shale, marl) through Type II (limestone-marl-sandstone) to Type III (granite-gneiss-schist-sandstone) reservoirs. Reported elemental concentrations in the reservoir sediments are consistent with concentrations in the dominant rocks within their drainage area. While water depth accounts for part of the spatial distribution, sediment source explains the overall distribution of sediment types. Coarse-grained source rocks, multiple source rocks, and multiple tributaries which input sediment at different points contribute to an inconsistent sediment type distribution. Depending on the sediment source, sand and gravel-size sediments are present in the deeper regions of some reservoirs. This disrupts the classical morphometry (water depth, slope) controlled sediment distribution pattern (coarser sediments in shallower regions and finer sediments in deeper regions) of natural lakes. Thus, the location of tributaries and the type of sediments they carry are the dominant factors that control the sediment type distribution in reservoirs. Received: 16 June 1998 · Accepted: 24 August 1998     

Long-Term Geochemical Monitoring of the Source of the Angara River (Runoff from Lake Baikal)

The long-term data (1950–2017) on the chemical composition of the water from the source of the Angara River, which is the only run-off from Lake Baikal, a large and clean fresh water reservoir, are presented. The absence of water contamination despite the anthropogenic influence is shown. The similarity and constancy of the current composition of the waters in the lake and the Angara River are recorded. It is recommended to continue geochemical studies of this unique world heritage site.     

Geochemistry constraints of Mesozoic–Cenozoic calc-alkaline magmatism in the South Shetland arc, Antarctica

Geochemical data from basalts, basaltic andesites, and andesites of the Mesozoic–Cenozoic (143–44 Ma) from Livingston, Greenwich, Robert, King George, and Ardley Islands of the South Shetland archipelago, Antarctica, are presented. The rocks have variable SiO₂ of approximately 46–61 wt%, Al₂O₃ of 15–26 wt%, and total alkali (K₂O+Na₂O) of 2–6 wt%. Most samples have low Mg#, Cr, and Ni, which indicates that they have undergone significant fractional crystallization from mantle-derived melts. The presence of olivine cumulatic in the samples from Livingston and Robert Islands explains some high MgO, Ni, and Cr values, whereas low Rb, Zr, and Nb values could be related to undifferentiated magmas. N-MORB-normalized trace element patterns show that South Shetland Islands volcanic rocks have a geochemical pattern similar to that found for other island arcs, with enrichment in LILE relative to HFSE and in LREE relative to HREE. The geochemistry pattern and presence of calcic plagioclase, orthopyroxene, Mg-olivine, and titanomagnetite phenocrysts suggest a source related to the subduction process. The geochemical data also suggest magma evolution from the tholeiitic to the calc-alkaline series; some samples show a transitional pattern. Samples from the South Shetland archipelago show moderate LREE/HREE ratios relative to N-MORB and OIB, depletion in Nb relative to Yb, and high Th/Yb ratios. These patterns probably reflect magma derived from a lithospheric mantle source previously modified by fluids and sediments from a subduction zone.

Resumo

Dados geoquímicos de basaltos, andesitos basálticos e andesitos mesozóicos–cenozóicos (143–44 Ma) das ilhas Livingston, Greenwich, Robert, King George e Ardley do Arquipélago Shetland do Sul, Antártica são discutidas neste artigo. As rochas tem conteúdos de SiO₂ variando de 46 a 61%, Al₂O₃ de 15 a 26% e álcalis (K₂O+Na₂O) de 2 a 6%. A maior parte das amostras tem conteúdos baixos de Mg#, Cr e Ni, indicando que sofreram significante cristalização fracionada de fusões derivadas do manto. A presença de fases cumuláticas nas amostras das ilhas Livingston e Robert explicaria os elevados valores de MgO, Ni, Cr, enquanto que baixos valores de Rb, Zr e Nb observados nas amostras destas ilhas poderiam estar relacionados a magmas não diferenciados. Os padrões de elementos-traço normalizados pelo N-MORB mostram que as rochas vulcânicas das Ilhas Shetland do Sul têm padrão geoquímico similar àqueles encontrados em outros arcos de ilhas com enriquecimento em LILE em relação aos HFSE e em ETRL em relação aos ETRP. O padrão geoquímico e a ocorrência de fenocristais de plagioclásio cálcico, ortopiroxênio, olivina magnesiana e titanomagnetita sugerem origem relacionada a processos de subducção. Dados geoquímicos obtidos para as amostras do arquipélago Shetland do Sul sugerem um magma evoluindo de toleítico para cálcico-alcalino, observando-se em algumas amostras um padrão transicional. As amostras do arquipélago Shetland do Sul mostram em relação ao N-MORB e OIB, moderadas razões ETRL/ETRP, empobrecimento em Nb relativo a Yb e elevada razão Th/Yb Estes padrões refletem, provavelmente, magma derivado de uma fonte mantélica litosférica, que foi modificada por fluídos e sedimentos da zona de subducção.     

Ice-core pollen record of climatic changes in the central Andes during the last 400 yr

This paper presents a high-resolution ice-core pollen record from the Sajama Ice Cap, Bolivia, that spans the last 400 yr. The pollen record corroborates the oxygen isotopic and ice accumulation records from the Quelccaya Ice Cap and supports the scenario that the Little Ice Age (LIA) consisted of two distinct phases—a wet period from AD 1500 to 1700, and a dry period from AD 1700 to 1880. During the dry period xerophytic shrubs expanded to replace puna grasses on the Altiplano, as suggested by a dramatic drop in the Poaceae/Asteraceae (P/A) pollen ratio. The environment around Sajama was probably similar to the desert-like shrublands of the Southern Bolivian Highlands and western Andean slopes today. The striking similarity between the Sajama and Quelccaya proxy records suggests that climatic changes during the Little Ice Age occurred synchronously across the Altiplano.     

翼龙重建：方法论的一个研究例子

Reconstructions of fossil animals are widespread and often very high profile, yet many of these reconstructions exhibit low standards of scientific accuracy.     

Phenanthrene biomarkers in the organic matter of Precambrian and Phanerozoic deposits and in the oils of the Siberian Platform

The composition and distribution of phenanthrenes (polyaromatic compounds) have been studied in chloroform extracts from dispersed organic matter (OM) of clayey, siliceous, carbonate, and terrigenous rocks of different ages and facies and from some oils of the Siberian Platform. Phenanthrenes have been analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. High contents of 1,7,8-trimethylphenanthrene and 1,1,7,8-tetramethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrene are present in the OM of Vendian and Cambrian carbonate-shale deposits and in ancient oils of the Nepa-Botuobiya and Anabar anteclises. The OM of Permian continental deposits and oils of the Vilyui syneclise is dominated by 1-methyl-7-isopropylphenanthrene (retene). A triangular diagram for identification of the types of original OM of rocks and classification of genetically related oils has been constructed based on the assessment of phenanthrene biomarker distribution. Putative pathways of the formation of phenanthrene biomarkers are discussed.     

High‐temperature gold‐copper extraction with chloride flux in lava tubes of Tolbachik volcano (Kamchatka)

Subvolcanic environments in supra‐subduction zones are renowned for hosting epithermal deposits that often contain electrum and native gold, including bonanza examples. This study examined mineral assemblages and processes occurring in shallow‐crust volcanic settings using recent eruption (2012–2013) of the basaltic Tolbachik volcano in the Kamchatka arc. The Tolbachik eruptive system is characterized by an extensive system of lava tubes. After cessation of magma input, the tubes maintained the flow of hot oxidized gases that episodically interacted with the lava surfaces and sulphate‐chloride precipitates from volcanic gases on these surfaces. The gas‐rock interaction had strong pyrometamorphic effects that resulted in the formation of molten salt, oxidized (tenorite, hematite, Cu‐rich magnesioferrite) and skarn‐like silicate mineral assemblages. By analogy with experimental studies, we propose that a combination of these processes was responsible for extraction of metals from the basaltic wall rocks and deposition of Cu‐, Fe‐ and Cu‐Fe‐oxides and native gold.