An Investigation of the Reliability of HF Acid Mixtures in the Bomb Digestion of Silicate Rocks for the Determination of Trace Elements by ICP‐MS

The influence of the mixtures HF‐HNO₃ and HF‐NH₄F‐HNO₃ in bomb digestion for trace element determination from different rock types was studied using ICP‐MS. It is shown that the HF concentration, not the ratio of reagents in the decomposing mixture, controls the digestion process of a rock. Data for Zr in the granite G‐2 as a function of HF concentration gave the same results as reaction mixtures of various compositions. A complete digestion in 50‐mg sample bombs was achieved by 1.0 ml of HF alone, or with a mixture of other acids at a HF concentration of at least 35% m/m at 196 °C over 18 h. The results of the analysis of basalts BCR‐1, BIR‐1, mica schist SDC‐1, shale SBC‐1, granites G‐2, SG‐1A, garnet‐biotite plagiogneiss GBPg‐1, rhyolite RGM‐1, granodiorite GSP‐1, trachyandesite MTA‐1 and rhyolite MRh‐1 are given and compared against available data. The reproducibility of the element determinations by ICP‐MS and XRF as an independent non‐destructive analysis for a quality check in the range of concentrations typical for routine rock samples is given.     

Archaean Kuru-Vaara eclogites in the northern Belomorian Province,Fennoscandian Shield: crustal architecture,timing, and tectonic implications

This paper addresses the relationships between relic amphibole-eclogite facies (AE) eclogites and their host units, Archaean amphibolites, enveloped by Archaean tonalite–trondhjemite–granodiorite (TTG) gneisses, in the Kuru-Vaara study area in the northern Belomorian Province. According to observational constraints, the crystallization of the relic peak omphacite + Mg-garnet ± kyanite assemblage and the subsequent replacement of omphacite by clinopyroxene–plagioclase symplectite occurred before the earliest deformational, metamorphic, and migmatization events that are recorded in the amphibolites. The amphibolites and their TTG hosts have a shared deformational and metamorphic history that is composed of the Archaean and Palaeoproterozoic periods. This history favours the conclusion that the AE metamorphism recorded in the relic eclogites within the amphibolites occurred during the Mesoarchaean to Neoarchaean periods. The deformation and metamorphism of the amphibolite facies of the second period resulted from the Lapland–Kola collisional orogeny at 1.91–1.93 Ga, which led to eclogite–high-pressure granulite (E–HPG) facies conditions in the lowermost portions of the over-thickened crust in Belomorian Province (the southwestern foreland of the Lapland–Kola collisional orogen). The Palaeoproterozoic E–HPG overprint was reported from the Palaeoproterozoic Gridino mafic dikes. Although the ages of the oldest low Th/U zircons are close to the time of the Lapland–Kola collision, the low Th/U 1.9–1.8 Ga zircons reflect a zircon response to regional fluid infiltration in the eclogites during slow exhumation following the Lapland–Kola orogeny and do not record any metamorphic event. Contrary to the Palaeoproterozoic E–HPG overprint, the areal occurrence of the 2.7–2.8 Ga AE eclogites with mid-ocean ridge basalt-like chemistry and their paragenetic link with the TTG gneisses suggest a tectonic regime that involves subduction. This research favours concepts suggesting that the modern-style plate tectonics has operated in some places, at least since the late Mesoarchaean.     

Photosynthetic community responses to upwelling in mesoscale eddies in the subtropical North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

In this paper we summarise the photo-physiological responses of phytoplankton to upwelling of macronutrients in mesoscale eddies in the subtropical North Atlantic (EDDIES project, Sargasso Sea) and subtropical North Pacific (E-FLUX project, Hawaii). The observations, obtained on two sets of cruises over 2 years, occupied six cyclonic eddies and two mode-water eddies. The photosynthetic physiological parameters were measured using a bench-top fluorescence induction and relaxation (FIRe) system and a submersible in situ fast repetition rate fluorometer (FRRF) deployed on an undulating towed vehicle. Both of these instruments were used to provide highly sensitive and well-resolved data on community responses. The responses are dependent on both the type of eddy and its stage of development. Our results indicate that, while cyclonic eddies in the Atlantic and Pacific can increase primary photosynthetic production early in their development, mode-water eddies in the subtropical North Atlantic can support patchy blooms of large diatoms for long periods of time (more than 3 months).     

The Results of Observing the Astroclimate on the Crimean Peninsula in the Shortwave Part of the Millimeter Wavelength Range

We present the results of a study of the astroclimate on the Crimean Peninsula in the vicinity of the UNN Kara-Dag radioastronomical station (located at a height of 105 m above sea level). The measurements were taken in semi-automatic mode every 2 minutes from July 22 to September 21, 2017. We consider the variation trends of the atmospheric transparency parameters and plot statistical charts.We obtained statistical data characterizing the astroclimate. Their analysis allows us to forecast the possibility of radioastronomical observations in the millimeter and submillimiter wavelength range transparency windows.     

Cosmos-243 as the Starting Point for the Development of Microwave Radiometry Methods of the Earth’s Atmosphere and Surface

On September 23, 1968, the Cosmos-243 satellite was launched into orbit with four radio telescopes directed to the nadir on board. They were designed to measure the microwave radiation of the Earth’s surface and its atmosphere at wavelengths of 0.8, 1.35, 3.4, and 8.5 cm. The onboard infrared radiometer measured radiation in the band of 10–11 µm in the same solid angle as the radio telescopes. This experiment, which was initiated by scientists from the Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics (IRE) and Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP) and, in particular, academicians V.A. Kotel’nikov and A.M. Obukhov, broke new ground in the remote sensing of the Earth from space, which is being actively developed.     

Deposits of the 1983 and 1993 tsunamis on the coast of Primorye

Deposits of the two strongest tsunamis of the 20th century have been found on the eastern coast of Primorye. The tsunamis had epicenters in the Sea of Japan west of the coast of Hokkaido. The distribution and preservation of deposits in bays of different geomorphological structure have been analyzed. The best defined sedimentary covers occur in the upper part of sections in low-lying areas of bay shores, where the wave runup was more than 3 m. The best preserved deposits have been observed in bays attributed to loworder streams. Variations of the structural composition of tsunami deposits formed by traction processes associated with the tsunamis have been analyzed depending on distance from the shoreline; the sources of material have been identified. Tsunami waves transported sand not only from beaches, ancient storm ridges, and terraces, but also from the underwater coastal slope; waves also grabbed material from estuarine lagoons and lakes located in the shore inundation zone. Deposits include marine diatoms with dominant sublittoral planktonic and benthic species, which suggests that the material was transported from a depth no more than 15 m. Deep-sea species of diatoms and their fragments have been encountered. Among freshwater diatoms are species with different ecological identities, indicating erosion and redeposition of material transported from various sources.     

Manifestation of holocene tsunamis on the Lesser Kuril Ridge

The data on the paleotsunami manifestations on some islands of the Lesser Kuril Ridge are presented. The sedimentation features during the different-intensity tsunamis are analyzed and the timing of the most significant events and their recurrence in the middle-late Holocene were determined.