Regional grain size variations in aeolian sediments along the transition between Tibetan highlands and north‐western Chinese deserts – the influence of geomorphological settings on aeolian transport pathways

Sediment distribution is investigated applying grain size analysis to 279 surface samples from the transitional zone between high mountains (Qilian Shan) and their arid forelands (Hexi Corridor) in north‐western China. Six main sediment types were classified. Medium scale (10³ m) geomorphological setting is carefully considered as it may play an important role concerning sediment supply and availability. A tripartite distribution of sedimentological landscape units along the mountain to foreland transition is evident. Aeolian sediments (e.g. loess and dune sands) are widespread. They are used to identify aeolian transport pathways. The mU/fS‐ratio (5–11 µm/48–70 µm) among primary loess opposes the two grain size fractions being most sensitive to varying accumulation conditions. The first fraction is attributed to long‐distance transport in high suspension clouds whereas the latter represents local transport in saltation mode. The ratio shows strong correlation with elevation (R² = 0.77). Thus, it indicates a relatively higher far‐traveled dust supply in mountainous areas (>3000 m above sea level [a.s.l.]) compared to the foreland. The contribution of westerlies to high mountain loess deposits is considered likely. Hereby, the influence of the geomorphological setting on grain size composition of aeolian sediments becomes apparent: the contribution from distant dust sources is ubiquitous in the study area. However, the far‐distance contribution may be reduced by the availability of fine sand provided in low topography settings. Plain foreland areas support fine sand deflation from supplying river beds, allowing the formation of sandy loess in foreland areas and intramontane basins. In contrast, high mountain topography inhibits strong sand deflation into loess deposits. Eastern parts of the Hexi Corridor show higher aeolian sand occurrence. In contrast, the western parts are dominated by gravel gobi surfaces. This is attributed to higher sand supply in eastern parts provided by the Badain Jaran Desert and fluvial storages as sand sources. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mitigation of Oceanic Tidal Aliasing Errors in Space and Time Simultaneously Using Different Repeat Sub-Satellite Tracks from Pendulum-Type Gravimetric Mission Candidate

This contribution investigates two different ways for mitigating the aliasing errors in ocean tides. This is done, on the one hand, by sampling the satellite observations in another direction using the pendulum satellite mission configuration. On the other hand, a mitigation of the temporal aliasing errors in the ocean tides can be achieved by using a suitable repeat period of the sub-satellite tracks.The findings show, firstly, that it is very beneficial for minimizing the aliasing errors in ocean tides to use pendulum configuration; secondly, optimizing the orbital parameter to get shorter repeat orbit mode can be effective in minimizing the aliasing errors. This paper recommends the pendulum as a candidate for future gravity mission to be launched in longer repeating orbit mode with shorter “sub-cycle” repeat periods to improve the temporal resolution of the satellite mission.     

Automated mapping of rock slope geometry,kinematics and stability with RSS-GIS

A GIS-implemented, deterministic approach for the automated spatial evaluation of geometrical and kinematical properties of rock slope terrains is presented. Based on spatially distributed directional information on planar geological fabrics and DEM-derived topographic attribute data, the internal geometry of rock slopes can be characterized on a grid cell basis. For such computations, different approaches for the analysis and regionalization of available structural directional information applicable in specific tectonic settings are demonstrated and implemented in a GIS environment. Simple kinematical testing procedures based on feasibility criteria can be conducted on a pixel basis to determine which failure mechanisms are likely to occur at particular terrain locations. In combination with hydraulic and strength data on geological discontinuities, scenario-based rock slope stability evaluations can be performed. For conceptual investigations on rock slope failure processes, a GIS-based specification tool for a 2-D distinct element code (UDEC) was designed to operate with the GIS-encoded spatially distributed rock slope data. The concepts of the proposed methodology for rock slope hazard assessments are demonstrated at three different test sites in Germany.     

Lippmann Diagrams: Theory and Application to Carbonate Systems

Since 1980 when F. Lippmann's seminal paper appeared, ourunderstanding of solubility equilibria involving ionic solidsolutions has been advanced by theoretical considerations as wellas careful experimental studies designed to determine excess Gibbsfunctions. A unified theory of solid-solution aqueous-solutionequilibria as well as the thermodynamic background of thephenomenon of ``stoichiometric saturation' are reviewed.It is shown that Lippmann diagrams effectively summarize thethermodynamic basis of solid-solute aqueous-solution equilibria ofsparingly soluble metal carbonate systems. Clearly, the predictivepower of these diagrams may be limited due to kineticrestrictions. Only when dissolution and precipitation areessentially reversible, favourable conditions to synthesizehomogeneous solid phases can be derived from studies of equilibria.     

Organized bacterial assemblies in manganese nodules: evidence for a role of S-layers in metal deposition

Polymetallic/ferro-manganese nodules (Mn-nodules) reach sizes of up to 10 cm in diameter and are abundantly found on the seabed. To date, the origin of Mn-nodules remains unclear, and both abiogenic and biogenic origins have been proposed. In search of evidence for a contribution of microbial processes to the formation of Mn-nodules, we analyzed those spherical nodules which contain a concentrically banded texture in their interior. The Mn-nodules were collected at a depth of 5,152 m from the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Our high-resolution scanning electron microscopy analyses reveal first published evidence that endolithic microorganisms exist and are arranged in a highly organized manner on plane mineral surfaces within the nodules. These microorganisms are adorned on their surfaces with S-layers, which are indicative for bacteria. Moreover, the data suggest that these S-layers are the crystallization seeds for the mineralization process. We conclude that the mineral material of the Mn-nodule has a biogenic origin, and hope that these data will contribute to the development of biotechnological approaches to concentrate metals from seawater using bacteria in bioreactors.     

Delimiting the eastern extent of the Altyn Tagh Fault: Insights from structural analyses of seismic reflection profiles

The Altyn Tagh Fault (ATF) serves as a key continental‐scale controlling structural element of the Tibetan Plateau. However, its eastward extent remains controversial. Here we use high‐resolution seismic reflection profiles to investigate the subsurface structures of the easternmost ATF and use these to delimit the easternmost extent of the fault. The structural analyses show an eastward geometric change from transpressional positive flower structures to compressional thrusts, with transpression‐induced shortening magnitudes decreasing eastwards from a maximum of ~5.3 km to being absent. Stratigraphic controls indicate that the deformation took place over the last ~<1.2 Ma. Our wider findings lead us to: (a) reject the suggestion that the ATF previously extended beyond the Kuantan Shan‐Hei Shan to link with the Alxa‐East Mongolia Fault; and (b) propose that the rigid block model used to describe the Tibetan Plateau crust is not consistent with the extent and structural details of the easternmost ATF.     

A weathering index for CK and R chondrites

Abstract— We present a new weathering index (wi) for the metallic‐Fe‐Ni‐poor chondrite groups (CK and R) based mainly on transmitted light observations of the modal abundance of crystalline material that is stained brown in thin sections: wi‐0, <5 vol%; wi‐1, 5–25 vol%; wi‐2, 25–50 vol%; wi‐3, 50–75 vol%; wi‐4, 75–95 vol%; wi‐5, >95 vol%; wi‐6, significant replacement of mafic silicates by phyllosilicates. Brown staining reflects mobilization of oxidized iron derived mainly from terrestrial weathering of Ni‐bearing sulfide. With increasing degrees of terrestrial weathering of CK and R chondrites, the sulfide modal abundance decreases, and S, Se, and Ni become increasingly depleted. In addition, bulk Cl increases in Antarctic CK chondrites, probably due to contamination from airborne sea mist.     

Observations of Lunar Transient Phenomena (LTP) in 1972 and 1973

A list of reports of Lunar Transient Phenomena (LTP) which have been observed in 1972 and 1973 by an international group of amateur astronomers is given. From 907 monitoring observations (1972: 526, 1973: 381) 92 LTP (74 reliable, 18 possible individual sightings) have been reported (1972: 52, 1973: 40) including parallel observations of the same event. The LTP were brightenings, shadings, flashes, colours, moving clouds and brightness diminutions of stars before occultations. 45 LTP events may be expected to be real in a catalogue of criteria for the reliability of observations. Sixteen events have been reported by several independent observers. A short examination of the temporal distributions of monitoring observations and recorded LTP is given.