Subarctic Pacific evidence for a glacial deepening of the oceanic respired carbon pool

Measurements of benthic foraminiferal cadmium:calcium (Cd/Ca) have indicated that the glacial–interglacial change in deep North Pacific phosphate (PO₄) concentration was minimal, which has been taken by some workers as a sign that the biological pump did not store more carbon in the deep glacial ocean. Here we present sedimentary redox-sensitive trace metal records from Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Site 882 (NW subarctic Pacific, water depth 3244 m) to make inferences about changes in deep North Pacific oxygenation – and thus respired carbon storage – over the past 150,000 yr. These observations are complemented with biogenic barium and opal measurements as indicators for past organic carbon export to separate the influences of deep-water oxygen concentration and sedimentary organic carbon respiration on the redox state of the sediment. Our results suggest that the deep subarctic Pacific water mass was depleted in oxygen during glacial maxima, though it was not anoxic. We reconcile our results with the existing benthic foraminiferal Cd/Ca by invoking a decrease in the fraction of the deep ocean nutrient inventory that was preformed, rather than remineralized. This change would have corresponded to an increase in the deep Pacific storage of respired carbon, which would have lowered atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) by sequestering CO₂ away from the atmosphere and by increasing ocean alkalinity through a transient dissolution event in the deep sea. The magnitude of change in preformed nutrients suggested by the North Pacific data would have accounted for a majority of the observed decrease in glacial atmospheric pCO₂.     

Orbital identification of clays and carbonates in Gusev crater

Gusev crater was selected as the landing site of one of the two NASA Mars Exploration Rovers because water once could have ponded within the crater and partly filled it with sediments as suggested by the presence of a feeder channel and the fluvial-lacustrine morphology of the in-filling. However, the paucity of mineralogical evidence for fluvial-lacustrine activity revealed by the Spirit rover has remained a puzzle for years. Using orbital, near-infrared imaging spectroscopy, we report the detection of phyllosilicates and carbonates within and around the landing site of Spirit on the floor of Gusev crater. Placed in their geomorphological context, these minerals shed new light on the aqueous history of this crater, and offer a framework for the Spirit in situ measurements.     

Ferric/ferrous ratio in silicate melts: a new model for 1 atm data with special emphasis on the effects of melt composition

The effect of MgO and total FeO on ferric/ferrous ratio in model multicomponent silicate melts was investigated experimentally in the temperature range 1300–1500 °C at 1 atm total pressure in air. We demonstrate that the addition of these weak network modifier cations results in an increase of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio in both mafic and silicic melts. Based on present and published experimental data, a new empirical equation is proposed to predict the ferric/ferrous ratio as a function of oxygen fugacity, temperature and melt composition. In contrast to previous equations, the compositional effect of melts on the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratio is not only modeled by the sum of the molar fraction of the individual oxide components. Additional interactions terms have also been incorporated. The main advantage of the proposed model is its applicability for a wide compositional range. However, its application to felsic melts (>?68 wt% SiO₂) is not recommended. Other advantages of this equation and differences when compared with previous models are discussed.     

Simulations of an isolated two-dimensional thunderstorm: Sensitivity to cloud droplet size and the presence of graupel

Cloud Resolving Models (CRMs) which are used increasingly to make operational forecasts, employ Bulk Microphysics Schemes (BMSs) to describe cloud microphysical processes. In this study two BMSs are employed in a new Nonhydrostatic σ-coordinate Model to perform two hour simulations of convection initiated by a warm bubble, using a horizontal grid resolution of 500 m. Different configurations of the two BMSs are applied, to test the effects of the presence of graupel with one scheme (2-configurations) and of changing the cloud droplet sizes in the second scheme (4-configurations), on the simulation of idealised thunderstorms. Maximum updrafts in all the simulations are similar over the first 40 minutes, but start to differ beyond this point. The first scheme simulates the development of a second convective cell that is triggered by the cold pool that develops from the outflow of the first storm. The cold pool is more intense in the simulation with graupel because of melting of graupel particles, which results in relatively large raindrops, decreases the temperature through latent heat absorption, causing stronger downdrafts, which all contribute to the formation of a more intense cold pool. The second scheme simulates the development of a second cell in two of its configurations, while two other configurations do not simulate the redevelopment. Two configurations that simulate the secondary redevelopment produce a slightly stronger cold pool just before redevelopment. Our results show that small differences in the microphysics formulations result in simulations of storm dynamics that diverge, possibly due nonlinearities in the model.     

Magnetic tracers,a probe of the solar convective layers

Abstract

A meridional circulation of sunspots has been measured through the digital analysis of the Meudon spectroheliograms from 1978 to 1983. Old and young sunspots follow a zonal meridional circulation, in several bands of latitude, in which two adjacent bands have opposite motions. This meridional circulation pattern is time-dependent. Using the H _α filaments as magnetic field tracers, a large-scale magnetic pattern has been found that was also obtained independently by direct measurement of the magnetic field (Hoeksema, 1988).

The coincidence of a large-scale magnetic pattern with a zonal meridional circulation suggests the existence of azimuthal rolls below the surface, and these azimuthal rolls can explain a number of properties of the solar cycle. New rolls occur with increasing proximity to the Equator, thereby indicating the direction of propagation of the dynamo wave. The occurrence of rolls is very favorable to the emergence of the magnetic regions. The rolls also influence the magnetic complexity of the active regions. They modulate the surface rotation through the Coriolis force, which accelerates or decelerates the fluid particles. They therefore offer a plausible explanation of the torsional oscillation pattern.

There are a number of problems raised by such an unexpected circulation pattern: for example, the coexistence of axisymmeric rolls with hypothetical giant cells, the location of the dynamo source below or within the convective zone, and the coupling of the radiative interior and the convective layers. To resolve these important issues, continuous observational studies are needed of the manifestation of solar activity, as well as of radius and luminosity variations. So, we have aimed our paper at an audience of theoreticians in the hope that they take up the challenges we describe.     

Iron Distribution in Size‐Resolved Aerosols Generated by UV‐Femtosecond Laser Ablation: Influence of Cell Geometry and Implications for In Situ Isotopic Determination by LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS

The influence of ablation cell geometry (Frames single‐ and HelEx two‐volume cells) and laser wavelength (198 and 266 nm) on aerosols produced by femtosecond laser ablation (fs‐LA) were evaluated. Morphologies, iron mass distribution (IMD) and ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratios of particles generated from magnetite, pyrite, haematite and siderite were studied. The following two morphologies were identified: spherules (10–200 nm) and agglomerates (5–10 nm). Similarity in IMD and ablation rate at 198 and 266 nm indicates similar ablation mechanisms. ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratios increased with aerodynamic particle size as a result of kinetic fractionation during laser plasma plume expansion, cooling and aerosol condensation. The HelEx cell produces smaller particles with a larger range of ⁵⁶Fe/⁵⁴Fe ratios (1.85‰) than particles from the Frames cell (1.16‰), but the bulk aerosol matches the bulk substrate for both cells, demonstrating stoichiometric fs‐LA sampling. IMD differences are the result of faster wash out of the HelEx cell allowing less time for agglomeration of small, low‐δ ⁵⁶Fe particles with larger, high‐δ ⁵⁶Fe particles in the cell. Even with a shorter ablation time, half the total Fe ion intensity, and half the ablation volume, the HelEx cell produced Fe isotope determinations for magnetite that were as precise as the Frames cell, even when the latter included an aerosol‐homogenising mixing chamber. The HelEx cell delivered a more constant stream of small particles to the ICP, producing a more stable Fe ion signal (0.7% vs. 1.5% RSE for ⁵⁶Fe in a forty‐cycle single analysis), constant instrumental mass bias and thus a more precise measurement.     

Summary of the Mars recent climate change workshop NASA/Ames Research Center,May 15–17, 2012

This note summarizes the results from the Mars recent climate change workshop at NASA/Ames Research Center, May 15–17, 2012.     

Evidence for Amazonian northern mid-latitude regional glacial landsystems on Mars: Glacial flow models using GCM-driven climate results and comparisons to geological observations

A fretted valley system on Mars located at the northern mid-latitude dichotomy boundary contains lineated valley fill (LVF) with extensive flow-like features interpreted to be glacial in origin. We have modeled this deposit using glacial flow models linked to atmospheric general circulation models (GCM) for conditions consistent with the deposition of snow and ice in amounts sufficient to explain the interpreted glaciation. In the first glacial flow model simulation, sources were modeled in the alcoves only and were found to be consistent with the alpine valley glaciation interpretation for various environments of flow in the system. These results supported the interpretation of the observed LVF deposits as resulting from initial ice accumulation in the alcoves, accompanied by debris cover that led to advancing alpine glacial landsystems to the extent observed today, with preservation of their flow texture and the underlying ice during downwasting in the waning stages of glaciation. In the second glacial flow model simulation, the regional accumulation patterns predicted by a GCM linked to simulation of a glacial period were used. This glacial flow model simulation produced a much wider region of thick ice accumulation, and significant glaciation on the plateaus and in the regional plains surrounding the dichotomy boundary. Deglaciation produced decreasing ice thicknesses, with flow centered on the fretted valleys. As plateaus lost ice, scarps and cliffs of the valley and dichotomy boundary walls were exposed, providing considerable potential for the production of a rock debris cover that could preserve the underlying ice and the surface flow patterns seen today. In this model, the lineated valley fill and lobate debris aprons were the product of final retreat and downwasting of a much larger, regional glacial landsystem, rather than representing the maximum extent of an alpine valley glacial landsystem. These results favor the interpretation that periods of mid-latitude glaciation were characterized by extensive plateau and plains ice cover, rather than being restricted to alcoves and adjacent valleys, and that the observed lineated valley fill and lobate debris aprons represent debris-covered residual remnants of a once more extensive glaciation.