Anelastic parameters of the mantle and Love numbers consistent with modern VLBI data

Summary The domain of the possible values of the mantle's anelasticity parameters and Love numbers based on modern VLBI-data is found. A new method of the joint analysis of VLBI- and tidal data is suggested, which gives possibility to obtain better estimations of the Q-factor of the free core nutation.     

Neogene magnetic polarity stratigraphy of some fluviatile Siwalik sections, Nepal

The magnetostratigraphy of five new sections through the Neogene Siwalik Group of Nepal is presented. Rock magnetic experiments and detailed thermal demagnetization experiments prove that haematite is the carrier of a primary DRM or a PDRM. After stepwise thermal demagnetization of specimens from all sections, directions of characteristic remanent magnetization were obtained. The results show a positive reversal test and exhibit inclination errors of about 20. Due to gaps in exposures and extremely variable demagnetization behaviour of the haematite-bearing sediments, the resulting polarity sequences are poorly defined for some parts of the sections. However, double-sampled parts of some sections yield similar results. A correlation with the Surai Khola section (Appel, Rösler & Corvinus 1991) is proposed, based on rock magnetic parameters. AMS results from three of the sections prove the existence of primary sedimentary magnetic fabrics in these sections with systematic orientations of minimum and maximum susceptibility axes. Correlation with a standard polarity timescale indicates that the ages of all new sections lie within the age limits of the Surai Khola section.     

Morphologically based sampling designs for zoned orthopyroxenes

Compositional data of orthopyroxene crystals obtained by the electron microprobe may be biased unless zoning morphologies are taken into account in the sampling design. Statistical models (predictive or interpretative) based on such data are open to question because the input data, such as correlations, are spurious. In an attempt to propose sampling designs two established crystal zoning morphologies are considered which are (a) the concentric shell-type and (b) sectoral zonations. These zonational types lend themselves well to statistical population modeling and graphical interpretation provided assumptions of chemical invariance hold or are approximated by a stratified sampling design. The statistical designs may be regarded as limiting cases in the sense that relaxations of certain assumptions lead to other population models. Hypersthene crystals from a central portion of the mafic norite formation at the Strathcona Mine, Sudbury irruptive, are examined for zonation. It appears that the trace elements have a different zoning morphology than the major elements of hypersthene.     

Bed morphology and generation of step–pool channels

Flume experiments have been carried out to study the formation processes and the bed morphology of step–pool channels. From the experiments different step types and step configurations could be distinguished depending on the stream power. These step types can be seen as an image of the generation mechanisms of step–pool systems. These results suggest that the bed roughness geometry develops towards a condition that provides the maximum possible bed stability for a given grain size distribution. In contrast to a variety of other studies, antidunes did not contribute to the generation of the step structures. However, the data of the presented study fits well into the region of antidune formation proposed by Kennedy for sand‐bed rivers. This observation points out that step–pool field‐data located in the Kennedy region do not inevitably prove that antidunes played a role in step development. It is rather proposed that in Kennedy's region of antidune formation there exist hydraulic conditions where the flow resistance is maximized. It is suggested that such maximum flow resistance is associated with an optimal distance between the bedforms and their height, independently of whether these are antidunes in sand‐ and gravel‐bed rivers or step–pool units in boulder‐bed streams. The considerations of the Kennedy region of antidune formation and the analysis of planform step types depending on stream power both suggest that steep channels have a potential for self‐stabilization by modifying the step–pool structure towards a geometry that provides maximum flow resistance and maximum bed stability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Differential developmental toxicity of naphthoic acid isomers in medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread persistent pollutants that readily undergo biotic and abiotic conversion to numerous transformation products in rivers, lakes and estuarine sediments. Here we characterize the developmental toxicity of four PAH transformation products each structural isomers of hydroxynaphthoic acid: 1H2NA, 2H1NA, 2H3NA, and 6H2NA. Medaka fish (Oryzias latipes) embryos and eleutheroembryos were used to determine toxicity. A 96-well micro-plate format was used to establish a robust, statistically significant platform for assessment of early life stages. Individual naphthoic acid isomers demonstrated a rank order of toxicity with 1H2NA>2H1NA>2H3NA>6H2NA being more toxic. Abnormalities of circulatory system were most pronounced including pericardial edema and tube heart. To determine if HNA isomers were AhR ligands, spatial-temporal expression and activity of CYP1A was measured via in vivo EROD assessments. qPCR measurement of CYP1A induction proved different between isomers dosed at respective concentrations affecting 50% of exposed individuals (EC50s). In vitro, all ANH isomers transactivated mouse AhR using a medaka CYP1A promoter specific reporter assay. Circulatory abnormalities followed P450 induction and response was consistent with PAH toxicity. A 96-well micro-plates proved suitable as exposure chambers and provided statistically sound evaluations as well as efficient toxicity screens. Our results demonstrate the use of medaka embryos for toxicity analysis thereby achieving REACH objectives for the reduction of adult animal testing in toxicity evaluations.