Compositional gradients in large reservoirs of silicic magma as evidenced by ignimbrites versus Taylor Creek Rhyolite lava domes

The Taylor Creek Rhyolite of southwest New Mexico consists of 20 lava domes and flows that were emplaced during a period of a few thousand years or less in late Oligocene time. Including genetically associated pyroclastic deposits, which are about as voluminous as the lava domes and flows, the Taylor Creek Rhyolite represents roughly 100 km³ of magma erupted from vents distributed throughout an area of several hundred square kilometers. Major-element composition is metaluminous to weakly peraluminous high-silica rhyolite and is nearly constant throughout the lava field. The magma reservoir for the Taylor Creek Rhyolite was vertically zoned in trace elements, ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, and phenocryst abundance and size. Mean trace-element concentrations, ranges in concentrations, and element-pair correlations are similar to many subalkaline silicic ignimbrites. However, the polarity of the zonation was opposite that in reservoirs for ignimbrites, for most constituents. For example, compared to the Bishop Tuff, only ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr and Sc increased upward in both reservoirs. Quite likely, a dominant but nonerupted volume of the magma reservoir for the Taylor Creek Rhyolite was zoned like that for the Bishop Tuff, whereas an erupted, few-hundred-meter-thick cap on the magma body was variably contaminated by roof rocks whose contribution to this part of the magma system moderated relatively extreme trace-element concentrations of uncontaminated Taylor Creek Rhyolite but did not change the sense of correlation for most element pairs. The contaminant probably was a Precambrian rock of broadly granitic composition and with very high ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr. Although examples apparently are not yet reported in the literature, evidence for a similar thin contaminated cap on reservoirs for large-volume silicic ignimbrites may exist in the bottom few meters of ignimbrites or perhaps only in the pumice fallout that normally immediately precedes ignimbrite emplacement. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in sanidine phenocrysts of the Taylor Creek Rhyolite is higher than that of their host whole rocks. Covariation of this isotope ratio with sanidine abundance and size indicates positive correlations for all three features with decreasing distance to the roof of the magma reservoir. The sanidine probably is more radiogenic than host whole rock because growing phenocrysts partly incorporated Sr from the first partial melt of roof rocks, which contained the highly radiogenic Sr of Precambrian biotite ± hornblende, whereas diffusion was too slow for sanidine to incorporate much of the Sr from subsequently produced less radiogenic partial melt of roof rocks, before eruption quenched the magma system. Disequilibrium between feldspar phenocrysts and host groundmass is fairly common for ignimbrites, and a process of contamination similar to that for the Taylor Creek Rhyolite may help explain some of these situations.     

Model for the Processing and Estimation of Dual Frequency Echo Sounder Observations in Detailed Bathymetries

The dataset acquired by an echo sounder generally comprises outliers and erroneous measurements which must be automatically processed. The main aim of this research is the development and validation of an algorithm which permits detecting outliers, estimating their real value from data acquired with a multifrequency echo sounder, and verifying the measure according to the desired accuracy. The process considers the nature of the seabed and improves the density and number of lectures without globally compromising the precision, but enhancing it in areas with anomalous measurements. Twenty-nine percent of this type of measurements, which would have been otherwise rejected, have been estimated.     

Probabilistic estimation of maximum inelastic displacement demands for performance‐based design

A probabilistic approach to estimate maximum inelastic displacement demands of single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) systems is presented. By making use of the probability of exceedance of maximum inelastic displacement demands for given maximum elastic spectral displacement and the mean annual frequency of exceedance of elastic spectral ordinates, a simplified procedure is proposed to estimate mean annual frequencies of exceedance of maximum inelastic displacement demands. Simplifying assumptions are thoroughly examined and discussed. Using readily available elastic seismic hazard curves the procedure can be used to compute maximum inelastic displacement seismic hazard curves and uniform hazard spectra of maximum inelastic displacement demands. The resulting maximum inelastic displacement demand spectra provide a more rational way of establishing seismic demands for new and existing structures when performance‐based approaches are used. The proposed procedure is illustrated for elastoplastic SDOF systems having known‐lateral strength located in a region of high seismicity in California. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vorticity patterns for rainy and dry episodes in Argentina

Summary A synoptic climatological study of precipitation in some regions of Argentina based on 500-hPa relative vorticity fields derived from geopotential heights produced at the National Meteorological Service of Argentina is performed. Some climatic-synoptic inferences concerning the association between large and synoptic-scale behavior of the upper-level flow and the occurrence of precipitation at a given place through the construction of composite/biserial correlation fields are drawn. In general, the results indicate that the correlation between vorticity and precipitation is nearly null in the vicinity of each one of the stations examined, and becomes increasingly negative to the west (cyclonic circulation associated with precipitation), and increasingly positive to the east (anticyclonic circulation). Then, almost all region of Argentina is affected by the westerly wind regime with precipitation usually associated with cyclonic vorticity advection. However, each locality exhibits some proper features that condition the occurrence of precipitation as well as a marked regional variation. Geographical and seasonal inferences are highlighted. For central and eastern Argentina vorticity anomalies are well defined: cyclonic anomalies to the west and anticyclonic anomalies to the east, generally more significant to the west sector. For the subtropical northeastern region the inter-relationship between vorticity and precipitation is something smaller. The importance of cyclonic vorticity maxima increases southwards. The northwestern region fits a different spatial configuration of maxima and minima vorticity with the anomaly axis in the north–south direction as a consequence of the deep alterations of the synoptic-scale systems induced by the Andes. For moderate to heavy precipitation the dynamics of the midtroposphere is still a decisive factor in all of the regions of Argentina. It is emphasized that the vorticity anomaly patterns as a manifestation of large and synoptic-scale upper-level circulation capture a considerable amount of information that allows us to classify precipitation data.     

Parametric time‐domain identification of multiple‐input systems using decoupled output signals

Civil engineering structures are often subjected to multidirectional actions such as earthquake ground motion, which lead to complex structural responses. The contributions from the latter multidirectional actions to the response are highly coupled, leading to a MIMO system identification problem. Compared with single‐input, multiple‐output (SIMO) system identification, MIMO problems are more computationally complex and error prone. In this paper, a new system identification strategy is proposed for civil engineering structures with multiple inputs that induce strong coupling in the response. The proposed solution comprises converting the MIMO problem into separate SIMO problems, decoupling the outputs by extracting the contribution from the respective input signals to the outputs. To this end, a QR factorization‐based decoupling method is employed, and its performance is examined. Three factors, which affect the accuracy of the decoupling result, including memory length, input correlation, and system damping, are investigated. Additionally, a system identification method that combines the autoregressive model with exogenous input (ARX) and the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) is proposed. The associated extended modal amplitude coherence and modal phase collinearity are used to delineate the structural and noise modes in the fitted ARX model. The efficacy of the ARX‐ERA method is then demonstrated through identification of the modal properties of a highway overcrossing bridge. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evaluation of Zerovalent Zinc for Treatment of 1,2,3‐Trichloropropane‐Contaminated Groundwater: Laboratory and Field Assessment

The efficacy and feasibility of using zerovalent zinc (ZVZ) to treat 1,2,3‐trichloropropane (TCP)‐contaminated groundwater was assessed in laboratory and field experiments. In the first portion of the study, the reactivity of commercially available granular ZVZ toward TCP was measured in bench‐scale batch‐reactor and column experiments. These results were used to design columns for on‐site pilot‐scale treatment of contaminated groundwater at a site in Southern California. Two of the ZVZ materials tested were found to produce relatively high rates of TCP degradation as well as predictable behavior when scaling from bench‐scale to field testing. In addition, there was little decrease in the rates of TCP degradation over the duration of field testing. Finally, no secondary impacts to water quality were identified. The results suggest that ZVZ may be an effective and feasible material for use in engineered treatment systems, perhaps including permeable reactive barriers.     

Hydro‐morphologic Revision of the Cuautla Channel at Nayarit,Mexico

Pollution, habitat modification, and species migration are some of the results of human activities on natural environments which can be mitigated or compensated with proper planning. Irresponsibility or ignorance in planning coastal projects too often produces damage to natural systems which can be unpredictable and sometimes irrevocable. The specific site analyzed in this paper is the Cuautla littoral sub‐system which was originally a lagoon that diverted river water to other lagoons and estuaries, thus irrigating the Mexican Marismas Nacionales system, in the states of Nayarit and Sinaloa, Mexico. In the 1970s social and economic considerations motivated the construction of a small breaching canal from the sea to the lagoon. The subsequent growth of this channel was unforeseen and has produced an irreversible impact not only in the sub‐system but probably in the entire area of Marismas Nacionales. A lack of understanding of the present balances in the damaged system and of the impacts the changing morphology has on future change has created the need to study this area using numerical hydrodynamic simulation. The present distribution of water in the sub‐system was established and the governing processes were detected. By means of an analytical estimation of equilibrium conditions it was found that if nothing is done, the channel will continue eroding and the ecosystem will continue to degrade. Only by understanding the dramatic perturbations caused by the construction of the channel to the hydrologic and morphologic equilibriums can there be any hope of rescuing the ecosystem, including its human activities.     

Biomonitoring of coastal areas in Tunisia: Stable isotope and trace element analysis in the Yellow-legged Gull

We used Yellow-legged Gull (YLG) chicks to monitor trace elements in Tunisian areas subject to different pollution stresses: urban contamination (Chikly), industrial pollution (Thyna) and an unpolluted area (Kneis).We measured trace element concentrations (Hg, Se and Pb) in chick feathers. We also assessed their feeding ecology by analyzing both regurgitates and stable isotopes (SIA) in chick feathers and in their prey, to determine the main entry route of pollutants. SIA revealed that YLG feed mainly on aquatic resources from the Lake of Tunis (Chikly colony) and the Gulf of Gabès (Thyna and Kneis colonies). Moreover, the enriched δ¹⁵N found in feathers from Chikly are attributed to the eutrophication of the Lake of Tunis. Hg and Se were higher in Kneis and Thyna colonies, in agreement with the higher consumption of marine resources and the greater availability of these elements resulting from the impact of the industrial activity in the area. Pb concentrations were higher in Chikly, related to the heavier traffic around the Lake of Tunis and the use of leaded gasoline.     

Oceanographic and meteorological forcing of the pelagic ecosystem on the Gulf of Cadiz shelf (SW Iberian Peninsula)

The spatial and temporal distribution of physical, chemical and biological variables of the NE continental shelf of the Gulf of Cadiz were analyzed monthly during almost three annual cycles. This analysis was performed with the aim of deriving the main forcing factors controlling variability at inter-annual, seasonal and short-time scales. Meteorological forcing related to heavy episodes of rainfall that affected river discharges and the wind regime, controlled both the currents along the shelf together and the nutrient concentrations of the surface waters. Meteorological forcing in turn determined the subsequent development and maintenance of phytoplankton blooms. Superimposed on the seasonal cycle typical of temperate latitudes, the inputs of continental nutrients mainly from the Guadalquivir River, along with episodes of upwelling favored by the predominance of westerly winds triggered phytoplankton growth on the shelf, highlighting the markedly relevant role of this large estuary in the control of the biological activity on the shelf.     

Testing for spatial association of qualitative data using symbolic dynamics

Qualitative spatial variables are important in many fields of research. However, unlike the decades-worth of research devoted to the spatial association of quantitative variables, the exploratory analysis of spatial qualitative variables is relatively less developed. The objective of the present paper is to propose a new test (Q) for spatial independence. This is a simple, consistent, and powerful statistic for qualitative spatial independence that we develop using concepts from symbolic dynamics and symbolic entropy. The Q test can be used to detect, given a spatial distribution of events, patterns of spatial association of qualitative variables in a wide variety of settings. In order to enable hypothesis testing, we give a standard asymptotic distribution of an affine transformation of the symbolic entropy under the null hypothesis of independence in the spatial qualitative process. We include numerical experiments to demonstrate the finite sample behaviour of the test, and show its application by means of an empirical example that explores the spatial association of fast food establishments in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada.