Formal subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch: a Discussion Paper by a Working Group of INTIMATE (Integration of ice‐core,marine and terrestrial records) and the Subcommission on Quaternary Stratigraphy (International Commission on Stratigraphy)

This discussion paper, by a Working Group of INTIMATE (Integration of ice‐core, marine and terrestrial records) and the Subcommision on Quaternary Stratigraphy (SQS) of the International Commission on Stratigraphy (ICS), considers the prospects for a formal subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch. Although previous attempts to subdivide the Holocene have proved inconclusive, recent developments in Quaternary stratigraphy, notably the definition of the Pleistocene–Holocene boundary and the emergence of formal subdivisions of the Pleistocene Series/Epoch, mean that it may be timely to revisit this matter. The Quaternary literature reveals a widespread but variable informal usage of a tripartite division of the Holocene (‘early’, ‘middle’ or ‘mid’, and ‘late’), and we argue that this de facto subdivision should now be formalized to ensure consistency in stratigraphic terminology. We propose an Early–Middle Holocene Boundary at 8200 a BP and a Middle–Late Holocene Boundary at 4200 a BP, each of which is linked to a Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP). Should the proposal find a broad measure of support from the Quaternary community, a submission will be made to the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), via the SQS and the ICS, for formal ratification of this subdivision of the Holocene Series/Epoch. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of source material,rock type and diagenesis on the n-alkane content of sediments

The effects of diagenesis on marine organic material have been compared to those on terrestrial organic material in three Australian oil exploration wells. n-Alkaae distributions obtained for limestones ranged from C₁₅ to C₂₅ with no odd-even predominance and showed little variation with depth. n-Alkane distributions obtained for shales ranged from C₁₅ to C₃₃ and frequently had a pronounced odd-even predominance. Differences in the rates of hydrocarbon diagenesis between different rock types may be due to variations in either clay mineral content or the nature of the parent organic material. The individual n-alkane distributions of the sediments are determined by source material, degree of diagenesis and lithofacies.     

Response of saturated and nearly saturated porous media: Different formulations and their applicability

The response of saturated porous medium is of significant interest in many fields ranging from geomechanics to biomechanics. Biot was the first to formulate the basic equations governing the process of coupled flow and deformation in porous media. Depending on the nature of loading vis‐à‐vis the characteristics of the media, different formulations (fully dynamic, partly dynamic, quasi‐static) are possible. In this study, analytical solutions are developed for the response of saturated and nearly saturated porous media under plane strain condition. The solutions for different formulations are developed in terms of non‐dimensional parameters. The response is studied for various conditions and the regions of validity for various formulations are identified in a parametric space. An assessment of the needed formulation for few important problems is also presented. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carbohydrates in recent marine sediments—II. Occurrence and fate of carbohydrates in a recent stromatolitic deposit: Solar Lake,Sinai

In a study on the diagenesis of carbohydrates in a recent stromatolitic deposit (Solar Lake, Sinai) monosaccharides are quantitated after mild acid hydrolysis and gas chromatographic analysis as alditol acetates. From the depth profiles of the individual monosaccharides relative to the total organic carbon three categories of carbohydrates can be distinguished. The behaviour of the various categories upon burial is discussed in terms of their potential to become a part of the organic matter that survives geological periods. The distribution patterns of especially the mono-O-methyl monosaccharides at various depths are characteristics for the bacterial communities present in the corresponding parts of the sediment column.     

A model for earth science data structures designed to promote generalization of earth science data processing systems

During the past 15 years earth science survey data compilation has gradually changed from a manual process to one almost entirely computer automated. Computer methods were at first an optional means for improvement of the speed and efficiency of certain phases of the work. They eventually became mandatory as in-flight digital acquisition devices were introduced and rates of data acquisition increased to the point where manual methods became totally inadequate. As a consequence of the phased replacement of manual systems with digital ones, and the pressing need to avoid interruptions to the work, the resulting software is highly specialized. Software systems are incompatible between different organizations compiling the same kind of data and even between systems for different kinds of data within one organization. The result is wastage of manpower in maintaining, learning to use, and improving the great variety of existing systems, and wastage of man and computer time in converting data to a form compatible with the peculiarities of each particular system. Comparative analysis of highly specialized compilation systems form several different earth science disciplines reveals that processes do exist at the fundamental level which are generally applicable to a range of disciplines. Hence a generalized compilation system capable of eradicating the problems inherent in multiple specialized systems is at least conceptually feasible. The most serious obstacle to its realization however, is the diversity of data content and structure among the various disciplines. To surmount this obstacle, a system with a great degree of physical and logical independence of data from software will be necessary. Existing methods of achieving such independence within data base management systems are found to be largely inapplicable to earth science survey compilation, the principle reasons being the very large quantities of data involved and significant differences between the data retrieval requirements of compilation systems and data base management systems. It is found that, although the data contents and structures vary greatly between the various compilation systems examined, a general abstract model can be constructed which adequately represents all of them and which incorporates the means for achievement of data independence. The logical data structures of current data base management systems are based variously on relational calculus, set theory, and graph theory. The compilation data structure model is based on simple algebra with the addition of some components of vector algebra. It is further found that simple algebraic manipulation of the model expressions faith-fully simulates the actual data manipulation processes which are applied by the various compilation systems. Furthermore, unlike the logical models of the data base management systems, the logical structure of the compilation data model also represents the actual physical structure exhibited by the data in its most common, sequential form.     

Testing for quantized redshifts. I. The project

A project intended to examine the long-standing claims that extragalactic redshifts are periodic or quantized was initiated some years ago at the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh. The approach taken is outlined, and the main conclusions to date are summarized. The existence of a galactocentric redshift quantization is confirmed at a high confidence level.     

The densest prestellar condensations: H2CO Studies ofρ Oph B1

We present new images of the well-known molecular outflow and Herbig-Haro complex L 1551-IRS 5. Deep, high-resolution images of the central region of the flow in [SII] 6716,6731 and H (6565 Å) are complemented by a mosaic of much of the CO outflow in H₂ v=1-0 S(1). While the optical data trace the intermediate-to-high excitation shocks in the flow (v _shock > 30 – 50 km s^–1), the near-IR data reveal the lower-excitation, molecular shocks (v _shock 10–50 km s^–1). In particular, the H₂ data highlight the regions where the flow impacts and shocks ambient molecular gas.