Line-broadening effects in the powder infrared spectrum of apatite

The crystallinity of natural and synthetic apatite samples is often determined from the broadening of ν ₄ PO₄ infrared absorption bands. However, various physical mechanisms contribute to the observed linewidth. In the present study, the factors determining the linewidth in the powder spectrum of synthetic fluorapatite and hydroxyapatite samples are investigated. The temperature dependence of the infrared spectrum (10–270 K) is used to assess the respective contributions of homogeneous broadening, related to the decay of phonons through anharmonic coupling, and heterogeneous broadening related to elastic strain and macroscopic electrostatic effects. This latter contribution is dominant in the investigated samples and depends on the shape of powder particles. It is discussed under the light of the theoretical modeling of the low-frequency dielectric properties of apatite based on first-principles density functional theory calculations. The linewidth of the weak ν ₁ PO₄ absorption band provides a reliable information on microscopic sources of broadening, i.e., apatite crystallinity. In comparison, the other more intense PO₄ bands are more sensitive to long-range electrostatic effects.     

Photometric correction and in-flight calibration of Chang’ E-1 Interference Imaging Spectrometer (IIM) data

The main objective of this study is to develop a new photometric correction that is suitable for global Chang’ E-1 (CE-1) Interference Imaging Spectrometer (IIM) data. We considered two improvements in the accuracy of the photometric correction: (1) classifying the whole Moon’s surface into four classes (very bright rays, mature highlands, low FeO basalts, and high FeO basalts) based on the FeO contents; (2) decoupling the combined effects of the solar photometry and the detector responsivity along the cross-track. The results showed that our decoupling method could correct the non-uniformity of detector response but retain the cross-track photometry. Based on these in-flight calibrated data, spectrally continuous photometric functions of the four classes were obtained. By eliminating the contamination from highlands ejecta and low FeO basalts, the opposition surge of the high FeO maria was evident for the first time. The amplitude and width of the opposition surge presents wavelength dependence, which suggests that shadow hiding is the mechanism responsible for the opposition surge. A global lunar reflectance map whose boundaries between adjacent orbits are invisible was generated using the new four-type photometric functions. The quality of the global mosaic and the consistency of the reflectance spectra of the same area obtained in different orbits indicate the effectiveness of our photometric correction method. Although our method was specifically applied to the IIM data, the photometric correction method and the parameter values derived in this study is expected to be suitable for other optical instruments.     

Discrimination of Nuclear Explosions against Civilian Sources Based on Atmospheric Xenon Isotopic Activity Ratios

A global monitoring system for atmospheric xenon radioactivity is being established as part of the International Monitoring System that will verify compliance with the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) once the treaty has entered into force. This paper studies isotopic activity ratios to support the interpretation of observed atmospheric concentrations of ¹³⁵Xe, ^133mXe, ¹³³Xe and ^131mXe. The goal is to distinguish nuclear explosion sources from civilian releases. Simulations of nuclear explosions and reactors, empirical data for both test and reactor releases as well as observations by measurement stations of the International Noble Gas Experiment (INGE) are used to provide a proof of concept for the isotopic ratio based method for source discrimination.     

Assessment of climate information needs in the Argentinean Agro-business sector

The present investigation aims at identifying the needs of the Argentinean agro-business sector for climate research and information. Our approach is focused on any type of climate information from past observations to seasonal prediction and climate change projections. We tried, in particular, to evaluate the possible existence of specific research themes that would be of major interest for these agriculture end-users. We interviewed representatives of seventeen companies from three major agrobusiness sectors: (1) regional/national entities such as agricultural associations, cooperatives and commercial trade boards; (2) insurance companies in the Argentinean agro-insurance market; and (3) large national and international companies representing cereal producers, agro-chemistry and agro-seeds. While all the interviewees recognized the strong influence of climate on their activities, they all pointed out that, at the time of making decision, they considered the political and economic risks rather than the climate one. In many aspects, climate is often considered as a fatality against which it is difficult to be protected. An interesting result is the confidence of the private sectors in the climate information provided by public sources (INTA, SMN, Universities) although they contract private consultants for frequent reports and tendencies. Finally, we explain how such sectors could make a better use of climate information (seasonal prediction, climate change scenarios) that could be integrated in their business projections. In particular, the development of new financial contracts (climate derivatives) open in countries with a relatively poor insurance history new ways to protect the different agricultural sectors, from the producer to large companies.     

The Middle-Pleistocene (~300 ka) Rodderberg maar-scoria cone volcanic complex (Bonn,Germany): eruptive history,geochemistry, and thermoluminescence dating

The Rodderberg volcanic complex (RVC) is located within the city limits of Bonn (Germany) approximately 20 km to the north of the Quaternary East Eifel Volcanic Field (EEVF). It is the product of intense phreatomagmatic volcanism forming a 90 m deep maar crater and strombolian eruptions. Deposit features indicate that the location of the vent(s) shifted from N to S during the strombolian phase. The erupted leucite-nephelinite magma (on the order of ca. 1 × 10⁻² km³) was largely homogenous with minor, stratigraphically controlled, variation in olivine and clinopyroxene microphenocryst content. Stratigraphic evidence and thermoluminescence dating indicate that the RVC erupted during the glacial MIS 8 at around 300 ka. During this time, the EEVF experienced a transitional stage between two major phases of volcanic activity involving a change in magma sources. This is consistent with the RVC geochemical data which show affinities to both the older EEVF leucite-nephelinite association (430–380 ka) and the younger basanite association (<215 ka). In the Eifel, magma ascent through the upper crust is apparently linked to tectonic fractures. It may be speculated that a tectonically controlled diking event channeled magma to the north of the main EEVF and that the RVC represents an exceptional surficial expression of a significantly larger subsurface intrusion. This scenario would be consistent with recent observations of diking-related volcanism in the East African Rift zone and previously inferred models for magma ascent in similar intraplate volcanic fields.     

Rare earth and trace element geochemistry of a fragment of jurassic seafloor,Point Sal,California

A suite of rocks from the Point Sal ophiolite, California, were analyzed for rare earth elements (REE), Sc, Co, Na₂O, Cr, Zn and FeO. The lavas all have either flat or slightly light REE (LREE) depleted profiles relative to chondrites. The lavas contain smectite or greenschist facies mineralogy and some have radiogenically enriched ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios. This is interpreted as evidence of basaltseawater interaction (Hopsonet al., 1975; Davis and Lass, 1975). The smectite and zeolite bearing lavas that have been exposed to seawater for prolonged periods have anomalous Ce abundances. At higher grades of metamorphism, the lavas show no marked changes in light REE. The plutonic igneous rocks vary from early cumulus dunite to late stage, noncumulus diorite. All the plutonic rocks are light REE depleted with total REE abundance varying by a factor of 100 × between the dunites and diorites. Analyses of clinopyroxene and hornblende separates indicate that these two minerals strongly influence the REE characteristics of the early cumulates and late stage fractionates, respectively.In general, REE contents are: hornblende > clinopyroxene > plagioclase > orthopyroxene > olivine. Estimates of the REE compositions of parental lavas were obtained by calculating the REE contents of liquids in equilibrium with early cumulate clinopyroxenes. This reveals that the parent to the stratiform sequence was more depleted in light REE than the parent to the lava pile.     

Inhibition of estuarine bacteria by metal refinery effluent

Water samples from the Humber Estuary adjacent to a discharge of metal refinery effluent were found to have high dissolved metal concentrations and low pH. Bacterial activities and concentrations of viable bacteria were low, indicating inhibition of bacteria and reduction in self-purification. Toxicity tests demonstrated that acid conditions and copper and arsenic amongst metals probably contributed to bacterial inhibition.     

Un nouveau critere de sens de mise en place dans une caisse filonienne: Le “pincement” des mineraux aux epontes : Orientation des minéraux dans un magma en écoulement

The flow of a magma into a dike, sill, laccolite, pipe or batholith leads to a preferential orientation of crystals in the magma. A study by computer simulation has brought to light certain types of fabric for oblate and prolate minerals in the case of a plane deformation, on the one hand by pure shear, and on the other hand by simple shear. Theoretical and practical studies suggest a new method for determining the direction of injection (“injection axis”) in a dike, based on the angular relations of minerals near the walls.New developments are proposed on the relations between plane and linear flow-lines, on the distinction between “apparent flow-lines” and the transport-plane of the magma (“real flow-lines”) and on the amount of magma deformation.

Résumé

La mise en place d'un magma dans une caisse filonienne (ou dans des sills, dykes, laccolites, batholites, etc.) s'accompagne d'une orientation préférentielle des minéraux déjà formés. Une étude par simulation sur ordinateur a mis en évidence certains types de fabrique pour les minéraux phylliteux et les minéraux aciculaires dans le cas d'une déformation plane, d'une part par aplatissement pur et d'autre part, par cisaillement simple.En application théorique puis pratique, un nouveau critère de sens de mise en place (axe d'injection) dans une caisse filonienne est défini: le pincement des minéraux aux épontes; en effet, à chacune d'elles, les fluidalités apparentes, observées sur les minéraux, font un angle avec la paroi du filon.Des développements nouveaux sont proposés concernant les relations entre fluidalités planaire et linéaire, la distinction entre fluidalité apparente et plan de transport du magma (fluidalité réelle), le taux de déformation subi par le magma,....     

Major,minor, and trace element compositions of peridotitic and basaltic komatiites from the precambrian crust of Southern Africa

Major and trace element compositional data are reported for nine mafic and ultramafic rock samples from the Barberton greenstone belt. Rocks from this province are among the oldest fragments of the Earth's crust (3.5 b.y.). The data are consistent with an oceanic crust related origin for these rocks. The high abundances of Ni in these samples make their origin by fractional crystallization of a primitive magma unlikely but are consistent with their generation by partial melting of an upper mantle source. The basaltic samples from the Komati formation can be related by small degrees of partial melting of a primitive upper mantle source to the peridotitic komatiite which probably derived from much more extensive partial melting of a similar source. REE and especially Ni abundances limit the proportion of olivine that is permitted in the residue.