Origin of a complex and spatially diverse dune-field pattern, Algodones, southeastern California

The Algodones Dune Field of southeastern California shows a complex and spatially diverse dune-field pattern that is superimposed upon a series of topographic lineations. Analysis of dune-field pattern parameters (dune crest length, crest orientation, dune spacing and defect density) derived from aerial images indicates that the dune-field pattern represents two constructional generations. Prominent compound crescentic dunes formed during the first constructional generation. A younger generation consists of a variety of simple crescentic dunes, linear dunes and zibars. Statistical differences in the pattern parameters between the dune groups within the second generation are resolved through consideration of the boundary conditions under which the dune pattern evolved, and provide explanations for: (1) diversity of dune types, (2) range in implied constructional times, (3) range in crest orientations, and (4) the anomalous nature of the population of linear dunes. The boundary conditions that have modified pattern development include orographic effects, grain size, vegetation, areal extent and antecedent conditions. Topographic lineations in the Algodones range from the Western Ramp, which defines the field margin, to subtle features masked by the pattern of dunes. Imaging of the Western Ramp using Ground Penetrating Radar shows high-angle cross-strata migrating perpendicular to the lineation trend. The most plausible hypothesis for the origin of the lineations is as dune ridges sequentially shed from adjacent Lake Cahuilla, which is the source of Algodones sands. The overall geomorphic complexity of the Algodones originates from the emplacement of the dune ridges during stages of Lake Cahuilla, the two generations of dune-field construction, and the controls exerted by boundary conditions.     

Dissolved Organic Carbon in Groundwater Overlain by Irrigated Sugarcane

Elevated dissolved organic carbon (DOC) has been detected in groundwater beneath irrigated sugarcane on the Burdekin coastal plain of tropical northeast Australia. The maximum value of 82 mg/L is to our knowledge the highest DOC reported for groundwater beneath irrigated cropping systems. More than half of the groundwater sampled in January 2004 (n = 46) exhibited DOC concentrations greater than 30 mg/L. DOC was progressively lower in October 2004 and January 2005, with a total decrease greater than 90% indicating varying load(s) to the aquifer. It was hypothesized that the elevated DOC found in this groundwater system is sourced at or near the soil surface and supplied to the aquifer via vertical recharge following above average rainfall. Possible sources of DOC include organic‐rich sugar mill by‐products applied as fertilizer and/or sugarcane sap released during harvest. CFC‐12 vertical flow rates supported the hypothesis that elevated DOC (>40 mg/L) in the groundwater results from recharge events in which annual precipitation exceeds 1500 mm/year (average = 960 mm/year). Occurrence of elevated DOC concentrations, absence of electron acceptors (O₂ and NO₃^–) and both Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺ greater than 1 mg/L in shallow groundwater suggest that the DOC compounds are chemically labile. The consequence of high concentrations of labile DOC may be positive (e.g., denitrification) or negative (e.g., enhanced metal mobility and biofouling), and highlights the need to account for a wider range of water quality parameters when considering the impacts of land use on the ecology of receiving waters and/or suitability of groundwater for irrigated agriculture.     

Behaviour of the geomagnetic field during the Matuyama–Brunhes polarity transition

The ability to derive Gauss coefficients, up to and including degree 3, and their variation through a geomagnetic polarity transition is studied using simulated palaeomagnetic data. It is concluded that for a specified distribution of palaeomagnetic sites reasonable estimates of the behaviour of the coefficients can be derived even when uncertainties in the data, and in the compilation of contemporaneous records, are considered. Published palaeomagnetic records of the Matuyama–Brunhes transition are then used as basis for deriving the variation of the Gauss coefficients over a 32 kyear period encompassing the reversal. Individual records are interpolated to uniform time intervals of 0.5 kyear and put on to a common time scale by correlating between sites the variation in the latitude of VGP's through the reversal. Relative palaeointensity data are scaled by the geocentric axial dipole field intensity for 2000 at each site, and the Gauss coefficients derived by a matrix inversion employing singular value decomposition. The derived variation with time of the Gauss coefficients suggests that, over the time span of the data, the dipole and non-dipole fields have approximately equal intensities. Plots of the variation of the surface vertical magnetic field through the reversal suggest that immediately prior to the reversal a large patch of reverse flux appears in the southern hemisphere. This may subsequently have been responsible for the weakening of the vertical field leading into the reversal. A similar patch of reverse flux is observed some 20–15 kyear prior to the actual reversal and may be associated with an observed excursion in VGPs at several sites.     

Do galaxy mergers form elliptical galaxies? A comparison of kinematic and photometric properties

We present near-infrared K -band imaging and spectroscopy of a sample of galaxy mergers, which we use to derive light profile indices, absolute magnitudes and central velocity dispersions. We find that the light distributions of mergers more nearly resemble those of ellipticals than those of bulges, but that the mergers lie well away from the Fundamental Plane defined by the ellipticals. We interpret this as being due to enhancement of the K -band surface brightness of the mergers by a significant population of supergiant stars, and independent evidence for such a population is inferred from measurements of the depth of the 2.3-μm CO absorption feature.     

Solute transport by surface runoff from low‐angle slopes: theory and application

The removal of chemicals in solution by overland flow from agricultural land has the potential to be a significant source of chemical loss where chemicals are applied to the soil surface, as in zero tillage and surface‐mulched farming systems. Currently, we lack detailed understanding of the transfer mechanism between the soil solution and overland flow, particularly under field conditions. A model of solute transfer from soil solution to overland flow was developed. The model is based on the hypothesis that a solute is initially distributed uniformly throughout the soil pore space in a thin layer at the soil surface. A fundamental assumption of the model is that at the time runoff commences, any solute at the soil surface that could be transported into the soil with the infiltrating water will already have been convected away from the area of potential exchange. Solute remaining at the soil surface is therefore not subject to further infiltration and may be approximated as a layer of tracer on a plane impermeable surface. The model fitted experimental data very well in all but one trial. The model in its present form focuses on the exchange of solute between the soil solution and surface water after the commencement of runoff. Future model development requires the relationship between the mass transfer parameters of the model and the time to runoff to be defined. This would enable the model to be used for extrapolation beyond the specific experimental results of this study. The close agreement between experimental results and model simulations shows that the simple transfer equation proposed in this study has promise for estimating solute loss to surface runoff. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Maintaining environmental quality in Chinese rural areas: the case of Sanshui County

This paper deals with the tension between national environmental objectives and rapid industrial growth in a Chinese provincial area. The case study relates to Sanshui County in Guangdong Province, where the authors worked for six months. The paper initially looks at the nature of Chinese national environmental objectives. It considers the legislation and administrative machinery in place to enforce such legislation and how effective this machinery is at the county level. It then argues that in Sanshui County, a rich and densely populated part of the Pearl River delta, there is a critical need for effective planning and strict control on industrial development, lest the overall continuing viability of the region is threatened. It concludes that, at present, there is both a lack of political will and environmental expertise at the county level to ensure protection of the environment.     

Determination of dead-time in photon counting photometers by a polarimetric method

Experiments are described which demonstrate that the dead-time constant associated with a photon counting stellar photometer/polarimeter is readily determinable by the application of the Malus law. It is also proposed that corrections for dead-time losses should be applied by an iteration technique to the exact equation rather than using the available approximation formulae.     

A computer-controlled geochemical analysis system for use with existing Perkin Elmer double-beam atomic absorption spectrophotometers

A system is described for the automated analysis of trace and major elements in geochemical samples. The signal at the photomultiplier tube of a Perkin Elmer model 303 double-beam atomic absorption spectrophotometer is decoded and digitized in a locally designed interface unit and input to a Texas Instruments model 960A minicomputer. This controls an automatic sampler and provides a computer compatible tape and printout of analytical data in concentration units for up to 200 samples in a run.     

Plate boundary deformation and continuing deflation of the Askja volcano,North Iceland,determined with GPS, 1987–1993

GPS geodetic measurements were conducted around the Askja central volcano located at the divergent plate boundary in north Iceland in 1987, 1990, 1992 and 1993. The accuracy of the 1987 and 1990 measurements is in the range of 10 mm for horizontal components; the accuracy of the 1992 and 1993 measurements is about 4 mm in the horizontal plane. Regional deformation in the Askja region is dominated by extension. Points located outside a 30–45 km wide plate boundary deformation zone indicate a displacement of 2.4±0.5 cm/a in the direction N 99°E±12° of the Eurasian plate relative to the North American plate in the period 1987–1990. Within the plate boundary deformation zone extensional strain accumulates at a rate of 0.8 strain/a. Displacement of control points next to Askja (>7 km from the caldera center) in the periods 1990–1993 and 1992–1993 show deflation and contraction towards the caldera. These results are in accordance with the results obtained by other geodetic methods in the area, which indicate that the deflation at Askja occurs in response to a pressure decrease at about 2.8 km depth, located close to the center of the main Askja caldera. A Mogi point source was fixed at this location and the GPS data used to solve for the source strength. A central subsidence of 11±2.5 cm in the period 1990–1993 is indicated, and 5.5±1.5 cm in the period 1992–1993. The maximum tensional strain rate, according to the point source model, occurs at a horizontal distance of 2.5–6 km from the source, at the same location as the main caldera boundary. Discrepancies between the observed displacements and predicted displacements from the Mogi model near the Askja caldera can be attributed to the regional eastwest extension that occurs at Askja.