Lime incrustingHapalosiphon intricatus (Cyanophyceae) and phosphate availability in a Florida cave

Hapalosiphon intricatus (Cyanophyceae) with lightly calcified sheaths, is the dominant filamentous alga reported from a humid, dimly-lighted limestone cave in northcentral Florida (USA). Within the limestone substrate, hydroxyapatite is the form of the phosphate mineral providing nutrient to the algae. Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal series No. 4381.     

Numerical experiments with alternative boundary layer formulations using bomex data

The basic numerical air-sea boundary-layer model described in Pandolfo (1969a, b) was varied to produce a set of models with differing atmospheric boundary-layer formulas, four of which are discussed here. Model I is the basic model itself, with stability and sea-state dependent eddy viscosity, conductivity and diffusivity which may, in certain ranges ofRi, be unequal. This model is applied on a relatively fine grid. Model II, applied on the same grid, uses formulas which yield equal eddy conductivity, diffusivity, and viscosity. The calculated eddy coefficients depend only on the height and wind shear. Model III uses the same exchange coefficient formulas as Model II. However, the surface-layer eddy flux in Model III is calculated by assuming that logarithmic profiles of the transported variables are present in this layer. Model IV is the same as Model III in these respects, but employs a relatively coarse vertical grid. This model, therefore, includes boundary layer formulas most like those conventionally used in large scale atmospheric models (e.g. Miyakoda, 1969).The four models were integrated numerically with identical inputs of initial, boundary, and auxiliary data prepared from observations made over the eastern half of the BOMEX observational area during June 21–25, 1969.Models I and IV are, in general, in better agreement with each other than either is with Model II. This is true for the model-generated upper and lower boundary fluxes of mean momentum and latent heat; and for the internal boundary layer production of mean kinetic energy by the cross-isobaric flow component. Model I agrees, on balance, about as well with Model IV as does Model III. The solutions for Models I, III, and IV are also, in general, more consistent with observed data, viz. 5-day average temperature profiles in the layer from the surface to 1000 meters, and 5-day averages of sea surface temperature and of surface-layer atmospheric humidity. Solutions for Model I are in better overall agreement with the observed data, and with the average observed surface-layer wind.The results show that, under the limitations implicit in these preliminary experiments, accurate simulations of observed data are possible with boundary-layer formulas of the type used in Model IV, and even more accurate simulation with the modest refinements represented by Model I. Piecemeal imposition of such refinements could, however, lead to models, like Model II, with significantly different energetic properties and less simulative accuracy. Specifically, the results support the speculation (Miyakodaet al., 1969) that the shallowness of the simulated Trades noted in some large-scale models is due to deficiencies in the boundary-layer eddy stress formulations used.     

The Tucson meteorite

Tucson is an unusual iron meteorite which contains highly reduced silicate inclusions and elemental silicon and chromium in solution. The metal matrix of Tucson was found to be chemically uniform, suggesting that homogenization has occurred at elevated temperatures. The microstructure of the metal consists of plessite and thin ribbons of kamacite. Nickel and phosphorus concentrations indicate that kamacite nucleated along prior taenite grain boundaries at ~650°C, and grew upon cooling to 500°C. Kamacite growth calculations show that Tucson cooled at ~1°C/1000 yr, a rate which corresponds to a depth of burial at the center of a 15 km radius parent body or closer to the surface of parent bodies of larger sizes. The shapes of the Tucson irons, and the presence and distribution of silicate inclusions in the Fe-Ni matrix appear to be a result of a solidification process.     

An introductory account of Suswa Volcano,Kenya

The authors have visited Suswa, a complex caldera-volcano situated thirty miles north-west of Nairobi, a feature surprisingly neglected by geologists. While they do not pretend to do more than present an introductory account of the general geology of this unique volcano, they are able to augment the brief references of earlier workers, Gregory, Spink and Richard. The principal rock types are described in general terms, and are found to include unusual rhomb-porphyry types of lava, vitrophyres of phonolitic composition (closely related to the kenytes, but devoid of modal nepheline). The earliest eruptions were of quite normal lava type, phonolites of Kenya type, erupted over a wide area in central Kenya in Plio-Pleistocene times (not later than 1.7 m.y. ago), and the rhomb-porphyries are restricted to a secondary eruptive sequence, of probable Pleistocene age. There was a minor reactivation in recent times, represented by restricted, bare, fresh flows, of type at present unknown. Chemical analyses of representative specimens of the two major suites are provided, and are supported by modal analyses of related specimens. Two summit calderas have been recognised, both apparently subsidence structures related to cauldron subsidence in depth. The earlier and larger caldera covers about 40 square miles, and is interpreted as ofGlencoe type with weakly developedKrakatoan characteristics. The inner caldera covers seven square miles, and is interpreted as aGlencoe type structure: it is not a simple caldera but contains an island — block of four square miles extent — a feature which may perhaps be reasonably compared with island features within the Lake Toba cauldron, Sumatra and Nyamlagira caldera, Congo. The terminal eruptions of the first volcano seem to have largely stemmed from a ring feeder, analogous with a body reported from Crater Lake caldera, Oregon, U.S.A. The outer caldera is now partly obscured by products of later eruption, from a secondary cone eccentric to the first caldera — Ol Doinyo Nyukie — and from minor parasitic vents. Ol Doinyio Nyukie volcano possessed an axial pit-crater, nearly a mile in diameter, now transected by the boundary fault of the inner caldera: this might reasonably be regarded as a third,Kilauean, summit caldera, since it was apparently drained by low-level, adventive eruptions. Fumarolic activity is rife within Suswa at the present time: steam is being emitted, probably derived from meteoric water but charged with CO₂ and probably nitrogen. Analogies between the Suswa pattern of calderas and certain lunar crater patterns are briefly mentioned.     

Variation of albedo with solar incidence angle on planetary surfaces

While it has been known for a long time that in general the albedo of a surface depends on incidence angle, this fact is commonly neglected in many calculations of planetary surface temperatures. We show that the effect is especially pronounced for bright surfaces. For objects such as Ganymede and Io, the effect produces substantially cooler temperatures near the poles and terminators that would be calculated under the assumption of a constant albedo—a factor which may be important in determining the stability of frosts on such surfaces.