Habitat suitability curves for benthic macroinvertebrates from a small New Zealand river

We developed habitat suitability curves (HSC) using generalised additive models (GAMs) for nine benthic macroinvertebrate taxa from a small New Zealand river for hydraulic-habitat modelling assessments of instream flow requirements. We included interaction terms between the primary variables (water depth, velocity, substrate) when significant, to address a longstanding criticism of univariate HSC. To date, only large-river univariate HSC have been available and these have been used in hydraulic-habitat applications on small rivers, despite doubt over the transferability of HSC between rivers of different size and type. We tested the outcome on the predicted abundance–flow relationship of applying the small-river habitat suitability GAMs versus large-river GAMs for two taxa on the same small river. We found the effects of flow allocation were overestimated by the large-river GAMs relative to the small-river GAMs. Further research to develop general HSC for categories of river size and type is needed to better inform hydraulic-habitat modelling applications.     

Underground opening damage from earthquakes

A summary of worldwide qualitative data regarding the behavior of underground openings during earthquakes is presented. This information has been collected for 192 reports of underground behavior from 85 earthquakes throughout the world. The data have been assembled into a data base to determine some of the significant factors that may affect underground stability. The parameters of interest are: (1) extent of damage; (2) overburden cover; (3) predominant rock type; (4) form of support (i.e. type of internal liner or opening support); (5) geographic location; and (6) magnitude and epicentral distance of the affecting earthquake. A significant contribution to this study is the development of a correlation between peak ground acceleration at the surface, overburden depth and damage. This relationship will allow for preliminary assessment of stability of new underground structures prior to extensive dynamic analyses. Also, the vulnerability of existing underground facilities may be assessed rapidly on the basis of the qualitative data presented herein.     

Environmental change in the Ría de Vigo,NW Iberia,since the mid‐Holocene: new palaeoecological and seismic evidence

Pollen analyses (pollen, dinocysts and others) were combined with high‐resolution seismic‐stratigraphy sequences to reconstruct environmental dynamics and regional sea‐level (RSL) changes in a ria in NW Iberia. The chronological framework was established using radiocarbon dating and pollen markers that are related to a number of historical events. Major intensifications of the regional upwelling regime occurred during predominant NAO positive stages, dated to c. 4600–4300, 3800–3600, 3200–2700 and 2600–2400 cal. a BP. The regional Early Highstand System Tract spans from before 4500 to c. 3200 cal. a BP. During this period RSL was still rising, but several short episodes of higher terrestrial influence were detected between c. 4300–3800 and 3600–3200 cal. a BP. A readjustment occurred between 3200 and 2300 cal. a BP, including the first stage of relative sea‐level drop (2.8 ka event) dated to 3200–2800 cal. a BP, with the RSL recovering between 2800 and 2300 cal. a BP. The subsequent Later Highstand System Tract, after 2300 cal. a BP, corresponds to a final period of rising sea level that caused the final inundation of San Simón Bay. Since then, only minor changes in relative sea level can be postulated (e.g. towards the end of the Roman Period, in the Middle Ages and during the Little Ice Age). This new evidence is consistent with most of the available palaeoecological and historical information, but it provides a more detailed, near‐complete succession of simultaneous changes occurring in both the terrestrial and the marine ecosystems.     

Measurement of vertical noise directionality with a mixed-polarity vertical array

A novel array was designed and tested in the eastern Pacific Ocean for the measurement of the vertical directionality of ambient noise. The results of the test, conducted in 1983, illustrate the existence of a 5-dB "noise notch" for arrival angles associated only with submerged acoustic sources. A measurement system based on improvements to the design and processing is described.     

Mud volcanoes of Italy

The locations and information about the sizes of 61 mud volcanoes on the Italian mainland and Sicily, plus an area of mud diapirism in the Italian Adriatic Sea, are presented. Data about the emission products are also provided. The majority of these mud volcanoes are found where thick sedimentary sequences occur within a zone of tectonic compression associated with local plate tectonic activity: the movement of the Adriatic microplate between the converging African and Eurasian plates. The principal gas emitted by these mud volcanoes is methane, which probably originates from deep within the sediments. Other mud volcanoes, associated with igneous volcanism, produce mainly carbon dioxide. The mud diapirs in the Adriatic Sea are thought to form as a result of the mobilization of shallow gassy sediments. It has been shown that radon emissions from mud volcanoes are indicators of forthcoming earthquake events. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

云南瓦渣钨矿区老君山花岗岩体的SHRIMP锆石U-Pb定年、地球化学特征及成因探讨

云南省瓦渣钨矿区位于老君山花岗岩体的东北接触带,属于滇东南-桂西白垩纪钨锡多金属成矿区中的组成部分。该矿床与矿区西部大面积分布的老君山第一期中粗粒二云二长花岗岩在时间和成因上有着密切联系。本文通过SHRIMP锆石U-Pb测年、岩石主量元素、微量元素和稀土元素的系统研究,进而探讨该花岗岩的形成年龄和动力学背景、岩石物质来源以及形成温度和压力。研究表明,与瓦渣钨矿床有关的中粗粒二云二长花岗岩属于高钾钙碱性岩系,为强过铝质S型花岗岩。岩体形成时代为83.3±1.5Ma,属于晚白垩世,形成于岩石圈伸展环境,其源岩为富粘土的泥质来源,其形成温度为875～900℃,压力约为7×108Pa,相当于深度为26km。     

Extensive methane-derived authigenic carbonates in the Irish Sea

Extensive areas of methane-derived authigenic carbonate (MDAC) have been mapped in the Irish Sea. In the Irish Sector, 23 seabed mounds associated with the Codling Fault Zone were identified by multi-beam echo sounder mapping. Inspection by ROV-mounted video showed that these mounds are rocky features rising 5–10 m above the normal seabed; sampling showed that they are comprised of quartz grains bound together by carbonate cement, probably MDAC. Two separate locations have been mapped in the UK Sector. At Texel 11, seabed mounds and a 6–8 m high cliff were mapped geophysically (MBES, SSS and seismic profiler surveys). Video surveys showed that both the mounds and the cliff are rocky reefs colonised by a prolific fauna. Samples proved to be carbonate-cemented sediments, and carbon isotope analysis (δ¹³C −41 to −46% PDB) showed that the cement was MDAC. Similar surveys of the Holden’s Reefs area proved the presence of similar rocky reefs which are also cemented by MDAC. The total area covered by these two MDAC occurrences is estimated to be >500,000 m². These MDAC occurrences are comparable in nature and formation to the ‘bubbling reefs’ of the Kattegat. As the bubbling reefs are “seabed features formed by leaking gas”, one of the marine habitats identified by the European Commission’s Habitats Directive as being sensitive and worthy of protection, it is suggested that the Irish Sea carbonate reefs should also be considered as special habitats.     

An improved method for 21-cm foreground removal

21-cm tomography is expected to be difficult in part because of serious foreground contamination. Previous studies have found that line-of-sight approaches are capable of cleaning foregrounds to an acceptable level on large spatial scales, but not on small spatial scales. In this paper, we introduce a Fourier space formalism for describing the line-of-sight methods, and use it to introduce an improved new method for 21-cm foreground cleaning. Heuristically, this method involves fitting foregrounds in Fourier space using weighted polynomial fits, with each pixel weighted according to its information content. We show that the new method reproduces the old one on large angular scales, and gives marked improvements on small scales at essentially no extra computational cost.