XMM–Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer observations of the prototypical starburst galaxy M82

We present results from XMM–Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer observations of the prototypical starburst galaxy M82. These high-resolution spectra represent the best X-ray spectra to date of a starburst galaxy. A complex array of lines from species over a wide range of temperatures is seen, the most prominent being due to Lyman α emission from abundant low- Z elements such as N, O, Ne, Mg and Si. Emission lines from helium-like charge states of the same elements are also seen in emission, as are strong lines from the entire Fe L series. Further, the O vii line complex is resolved and is seen to be consistent with gas in collisional ionization equilibrium.
Spectral fitting indicates emission from a large mass of gas with a differential emission measure over a range of temperatures (from ∼ 0.2 to ∼ 1.6 keV, peaking at ∼ 0.7 keV), and evidence for super-solar abundances of several elements is indicated. Spatial analysis of the data indicates that low-energy emission is more extended to the south and east of the nucleus than to the north and west. Higher energy emission is far more centrally concentrated.     

Sedimentology in metamorphic rocks,the Willyama Supergroup,Broken Hill,Australia

In the upper greenschist to granulite grade rocks of the Willyama Supergroup at Broken Hill, Australia, earlier recognition of metamorphosed graded bedding in siliciclastic metasedimentary rocks led to interpretations of these rocks as deep-water turbidites. However, graded beds can also be deposited in shelfal environments below storm wave base. This study identified other tempestite features including wave oscillation ripples, hummocky cross-stratification and swaley cross-stratification indicating that deposition took place above the wave base of the larger storms.

Albitised metasedimentary rocks of the upper Thackaringa Group show structures such as swaley cross-stratification typical of shallow-water conditions above fair-weather wave base. Deposition of the Broken Hill Group commenced with muddy Allendale Metasediments conformable on the Thackaringa Group. The Ettlewood Calc-Silicate Member, originally a dolomitic, siliceous sediment, is interpreted as coastal sabkha indicating onset of a marine transgression. The Parnell Gneiss represents a volcanic or volcaniclastic interruption, heralding gradually increasing input of sand in the Freyers Metasediments reaching a maximum in middle Freyers Metasediments, followed by an abrupt reversion to mud, still influenced by wave action. An open marine shelf is interpreted, possibly 30 m deep (no more than 100 m) in the final stage of a developing rift. The Broken Hill Group terminated with the massive Hores Gneiss volcanic unit.

Sedimentation of the siliciclastic Sundown Group took place in similar conditions, commencing with a muddy interval overlying the Hores Gneiss. The shallowing produced by ～90 m thickness of volcanic/volcaniclastic Hores Gneiss was compensated by subsidence.

Paragon Group deposition commenced with substantial black mud, resulting from isolation from the sand supply and probably isolation from the sea. A fresh connection to the sea led first to the deposition of dolomitic carbonate (King Gunnia Calc-Silicate Member), then to deposition of parallel-laminated fine sand below wave base (upper Cartwrights Creek Metasediments), followed by ripple cross-laminated sand above wave base (Bijerkerno Metasediments). The Dalnit Bore Metasediments show abundant very thin graded silt–mud units possibly deposited below storm wave base, and thicker units of stacked wave oscillation ripples deposited above the wave base of larger storms.

The Broken Hill orebody is hosted by altered Broken Hill Group metasedimentary rocks deposited at water depths of ～30 m. Unless the ore fluid temperature was less than 150°C, it is likely that the orebody formed below the seafloor: at such shallow-water depths, the confining pressure would be inadequate to suppress boiling of hotter rising hydrothermal fluids.     

Development of a Multimetric Index for Integrated Assessment of Salt Marsh Ecosystem Condition

Tools for assessing and communicating salt marsh condition are essential to guide decisions aimed at maintaining or restoring ecosystem integrity and services. Multimetric indices (MMIs) are increasingly used to provide integrated assessments of ecosystem condition. We employed a theory-based approach that considers the multivariate relationship of metrics with human disturbance to construct a salt marsh MMI for five National Parks in the northeastern USA. We quantified the degree of human disturbance for each marsh using the first principal component score from a principal components analysis of physical, chemical, and land use stressors. We then applied a metric selection algorithm to different combinations of about 45 vegetation and nekton metrics (e.g., species abundance, species richness, and ecological and functional classifications) derived from multi-year monitoring data. While MMIs derived from nekton or vegetation metrics alone were strongly correlated with human disturbance (r values from ?0.80 to ?0.93), an MMI derived from both vegetation and nekton metrics yielded an exceptionally strong correlation with disturbance (r = ?0.96). Individual MMIs included from one to five metrics. The metric-assembly algorithm yielded parsimonious MMIs that exhibit the greatest possible correlations with disturbance in a way that is objective, efficient, and reproducible.     

Composite methodology for interpreting sediment transport pathways from spatial trends in grain size: A case study of the Lithuanian coast

To achieve a more robust interpretation of sediment conditions and transport based on grain size, this study combines the perspectives of two different interpretation techniques that have been developed separately and applied in the literature: (i) ‘grain size trend analysis’ interprets changes between interrelated sampling sites assuming that sediment in the direction of transport should become either coarser, better sorted and more positively skewed, or finer, better sorted and more negatively skewed; and (ii) the ‘population anomalies’ method, which estimates the balance between erosion and accumulation processes at each sampling site based on individual site deviations compared with average values for grain‐size parameters in the area of interest. The simultaneous use of both approaches enables sedimentological conditions and transport alternatives to be distinguished. This improvement is necessary because site‐specific changes and general textural trends provide information that complements the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective. The methods are implemented here using two‐dimensional Geographic Information System tools and illustrated for the Lithuanian coast. Grain‐size characteristics of 712 surface samples of sandy sediments are used to interpret sediment transport pathways and predominant sedimentological conditions in the Lithuanian coastal zone. In general, coast‐parallel sediment transport dominates the entire investigation area, although wave‐induced movement perpendicular to the coastline is inferred in the shallow nearshore zone. The deepest areas offshore are characterized by sea floor erosion in the north, whereas an accumulation zone occurs in the relatively deep central part of the study area.     

Seasonal controls on sediment transport and deposition in Lake Ohau,South Island,New Zealand: Implications for a high‐resolution Holocene palaeoclimate reconstruction

Laminated sediments in Lake Ohau, Mackenzie Basin, New Zealand, offer a potential high‐resolution climate record for the past 17 kyr. Such records are particularly important due to the relative paucity of detailed palaeoclimate data from the Southern Hemisphere mid‐latitudes. This paper presents outcomes of a study of the sedimentation processes of this temperate lake setting. Hydrometeorological, limnological and sedimentological data were collected over a 14 month period between 2011 and 2013. These data indicate that seasonality in the hydrometeorological system in combination with internal lake dynamics drives a distinct seasonal pattern of sediment dispersal and deposition on a basin‐wide scale. Sedimentary layers that accumulate proximal to the lake inflow at the northern end of the lake form in response to discrete inflow events throughout the year and display an event stratigraphy. In contrast, seasonal change in the lake system controls accumulation of light (winter) and dark (summer) laminations at the distal end of the lake, resulting in the preservation of varves. This study documents the key processes influencing sediment deposition throughout Lake Ohau and provides fundamental data for generating a high‐resolution palaeoclimate record from this temperate lake.     

Spatial quick-clay predictions using multi-criteria evaluation in SW Sweden

The transformation of marine and glaciomarine clay deposits into high sensitive and quick clays is largely dependent on the influence of local and regional geologic history and the resulting stratigraphy. The general conditions that facilitate quick-clay development are well known from numerous laboratory investigations during the last century, but their local and regional in-field variation is less understood. In this study, the geographic distribution of quick clay in SW Sweden is predicted using a multicriteria evaluation model that incorporates both qualitative information (established theory and expert judgment concerning the influences on both quick-clay development and the stratigraphic and geomorphologic distribution of sediment types) and observational data (maps of surficial deposits, geotechnical records and digital elevation data). This information duality cannot be avoided if knowledge from different disciplines is utilized. Considering this, model transparency is important for improvements and for characterizing its reliability for risk analysis. The model was constructed stepwise by an initial parameterization with subsequent hierarchical structuring, weighting and standardization of criteria, before running the full analysis. Comparisons between regional model results and geotechnically documented localities have yielded promising results concerning the model’s ability to predict general trends. However, the large natural and site-specific variability of clay sensitivities is not always captured by the model. These deviations are examined and suggestions are given for minimizing their effect. Applications of model methodology and results are briefly discussed.