Extended planar defects and the rapid incorporation of Ti4+ into olivine

The formation of extended planar defects in minerals such as olivine is related to high point defect concentration and can be driven by large gradients in chemical potential, where the energy of the system is lowered by the ordering of defects along specific planes in the crystal. The presence of extended defects has the potential to create the (apparently) anomalous ionic diffusion in olivine as reported recently (Spandler and O’Neill in Contrib Mineral Petrol 159(6):791–818, 2010). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and energy-filtered imaging were done using experimental samples designed to examine the impact of a _TiO2 and f _O2 on the potential to form such defects in ferromagnesian olivine. Doped basalt (5 wt% TiO₂)–olivine reaction couple experiments were run at 1 atm and 1,310 and 1,410 °C for 50 h at various f _O2, ranging from 10² below to 10² above the quartz–fayalite–magnetite buffer. Our results show that extended planar defects in olivine, parallel to {101}_ol and occurring in ordered “clusters” with a prolate spheroid geometry ~5–25 nm across and extending up to 150 nm into the olivine, are present near the olivine–glass interfaces in all of our experimental high-TiO₂ basalt–olivine samples. Increased Ti content in the olivine is associated with the defects; ordering of Ti⁴⁺ and octahedral site vacancies leads to a two- or three-layer superstructure in the olivine. Defect nucleation and growth is driven by the large TiO₂ chemical potential gradient across the phase boundary at the start of the experiments, which provides access to microstructures not otherwise present.     

Desert Pavement Disturbance and Artifact Taphonomy: A Case Study from the Eastern Libyan Plateau,Egypt

Accretionary desert pavements on the eastern Libyan Plateau of central Egypt support a rich Middle and Upper Paleolithic artifact assemblage exhibiting intensive blank production and minimal tool production. These assemblages appear to be in primary context with numerous examples of lithic refits showing on‐site lithic production. However, the smallest (length ≤2.5 cm) archaeological fragments are recovered at a much lower rate on this desert pavement surface than expected given comparable data from lithic assemblages in cave and shelter contexts in France. Excavation of archaeological contexts on the Libyan Plateau reveals the loss of small artifact fragments into the subsurface due to aeolian accumulation of silts, whereas geomorphic examination of desert pavement surfaces suggests a potential for relatively isolated bioturbation as a source of lateral and vertical disturbance of desert pavement surfaces over small areas. Archaeologists should be aware of the potential for long‐term assemblage stability as well as small artifact burial in surficial desert pavement contexts.     

Bioenergy in energy transformation and climate management

This study explores the importance of bioenergy to potential future energy transformation and climate change management. Using a large inter-model comparison of 15 models, we comprehensively characterize and analyze future dependence on, and the value of, bioenergy in achieving potential long-run climate objectives. Model scenarios project, by 2050, bioenergy growth of 1 to 10 % per annum reaching 1 to 35 % of global primary energy, and by 2100, bioenergy becoming 10 to 50 % of global primary energy. Non-OECD regions are projected to be the dominant suppliers of biomass, as well as consumers, with up to 35 % of regional electricity from biopower by 2050, and up to 70 % of regional liquid fuels from biofuels by 2050. Bioenergy is found to be valuable to many models with significant implications for mitigation and macroeconomic costs of climate policies. The availability of bioenergy, in particular biomass with carbon dioxide capture and storage (BECCS), notably affects the cost-effective global emissions trajectory for climate management by accommodating prolonged near-term use of fossil fuels, but with potential implications for climate outcomes. Finally, we find that models cost-effectively trade-off land carbon and nitrous oxide emissions for the long-run climate change management benefits of bioenergy. The results suggest opportunities, but also imply challenges. Overall, further evaluation of the viability of large-scale global bioenergy is merited.     

The role of renewable energy in climate stabilization: results from the EMF27 scenarios

This paper uses the EMF27 scenarios to explore the role of renewable energy (RE) in climate change mitigation. Currently RE supplies almost 20 % of global electricity demand. Almost all EMF27 mitigation scenarios show a strong increase in renewable power production, with a substantial ramp-up of wind and solar power deployment. In many scenarios, renewables are the most important long-term mitigation option for power supply. Wind energy is competitive even without climate policy, whereas the prospects of solar photovoltaics (PV) are highly contingent on the ambitiousness of climate policy. Bioenergy is an important and versatile energy carrier; however—with the exception of low temperature heat—there is less scope for renewables other than biomass for non-electric energy supply. Despite the important role of wind and solar power in climate change mitigation scenarios with full technology availability, limiting their deployment has a relatively small effect on mitigation costs, if nuclear and carbon capture and storage (CCS)—which can serve as substitutes in low-carbon power supply—are available. Limited bioenergy availability in combination with limited wind and solar power by contrast, results in a more substantial increase in mitigation costs. While a number of robust insights emerge, the results on renewable energy deployment levels vary considerably across the models. An in-depth analysis of a subset of EMF27 reveals substantial differences in modeling approaches and parameter assumptions. To a certain degree, differences in model results can be attributed to different assumptions about technology costs, resource potentials and systems integration.     

Fossil resource and energy security dynamics in conventional and carbon-constrained worlds

Fossil resource endowments and the future development of fossil fuel prices are important factors that will critically influence the nature and direction of the global energy system. In this paper we analyze a multi-model ensemble of long-term energy and emissions scenarios that were developed within the framework of the EMF27 integrated assessment model inter-comparison exercise. The diverse nature of these models highlights large uncertainties in the likely development of fossil resource (coal, oil, and natural gas) consumption, trade, and prices over the course of the twenty-first century and under different climate policy frameworks. We explore and explain some of the differences across scenarios and models and compare the scenario results with fossil resource estimates from the literature. A robust finding across the suite of IAMs is that the cumulative fossil fuel consumption foreseen by the models is well within the bounds of estimated recoverable reserves and resources. Hence, fossil resource constraints are, in and of themselves, unlikely to limit future GHG emissions this century. Our analysis also shows that climate mitigation policies could lead to a major reallocation of financial flows between regions, in terms of expenditures on fossil fuels and carbon, and can help to alleviate near-term energy security concerns via the reductions in oil imports and increases in energy system diversity they will help to motivate. Aggressive efforts to promote energy efficiency are, on their own, not likely to lead to markedly greater energy independence, however, contrary to the stated objectives of certain industrialized countries.     

Professor,dr. phil. et scient. Axel Schou 70 år 18.8.1972

Prior, D. D. &; Eve, R. M. 1975: Coastal landslide morphology at Røsnæs, Denmark. Geografisk Tidsskrift 74: 12–20. København, Juni, 1, 1975.

Based on the field studies the coastal landslide morphology and the moss movement types in the Røsnæs area are described and classified, followed by a general discussion of the factors which promote slope instability.     

Finite-element mesh generation from mappable features

Abstract

A vector-based geographical information system (GIS) is used to generate a variably-sized triangular element finite-element mesh from mappable features. Important digitally-mapped features are automatically linked to nodes in the finite-element model, ensuring an efficient, virtually error-free alternative to the tedious process of mesh design and data-input preparation by other methods. The procedure permits the user to work interactively with graphically-displayed hydrologic information about the study area allowing different mesh sizes to be used as needed, based on hydrologic complexity. The mesh-generaiion programs are stand-alone macros within the GIS that set up the basic data defining a finite-element mesh for many different finite-element model programs.     

CHANGES IN THE FOREST-ALPINE TUNDRA ECOTONE: COLORADO FRONT RANGE

On Niwot Ridge, alpine climatic factors dominate today within the upper part of the forest-alpine tundra ecotone on the east slope of the Colorado Front Range. This study provides evidence that the climatic conditions controlling the distribution of the upper limit of tree species and growth forms within the ecotone have changed through time. It appears that much of the present forest-alpine tundra ecotone is a relict of past warm climate episodes. There is much evidence that, in the past, tree forms were more symmetrical and less deformed, tree trunks with larger diameters existed, and the trees were more extensive in areal coverage. However, no evidence exists to show that the upper limit of tree species growth was more than marginally higher in the past than today. The treeline appears to be stable to historical and Holocene climatic fluctuations, but the altitudinal limits of seedling establishment and survival are not stable. The liming of climatic changes in the Front Range and their possible influence on the distribution of the trees within the ecotone are reviewed. Because of its extreme easterly location, slight but significant climatic variations may be observed within the forest-alpine tundra ecotone of Niwot Ridge, but are not observed elsewhere.     

How do management alternatives of fast-growing forests affect water quantity and quality in southeastern Brazil? Insights from a paired catchment experiment

Fast-growing forest plantations have been expanding in Brazil in the last 50 years, which reach productivities by over 40 m³ ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in reduced rotation between 5 and 15 years. In the 1990s, environmental warnings about these plantations guided research projects seeking to understand their effects on water and propose forest management actions to minimize them. The assessment of forest management effects on water resources is conducted by long-term experiments in paired catchments. In this paper we present results of some studies conducted at the hydrological monitoring centre of Itatinga Experimental Forest Station, of the University of São Paulo, where hydrological monitoring began in 1987, and currently include three catchments (83–98 ha) under different forest management regimes: short-rotation Eucalyptus plantation, long-term forest plantation mosaic and native forest restoration. Results show that at similar conditions observed at study area including deep soils and good natural water regulation, hydrological effects vary according to the forest management regime adopted, increasing water consumption and making the flow regime vulnerable to intra- and inter-annual seasonality. Regarding water quality, weekly sampling results showed suspended sediments and nitrate concentrations below water quality thresholds criteria by silvicultural operations, and the effects were transient but higher concentrations of nutrients were observed in intensive management regime. In the study area, reducing the management intensity of forest plantation by increasing the rotation time, adopting forest age mosaic and avoiding the coppice technique are alternative choices that reduced water use and increased flow regulation. Different adopted forest management schemes directly affected water use, showing that in water-deficit tropical regions, management regime of fast-growing forest plantations controls water availability.     

The distribution and residence time of suspended sediment stored within the channel margins of a gravel‐bed bedrock river

Previously undocumented deposits are described that store suspended sediment in gravel‐bedded rivers, termed ‘fine‐grained channel margin’ (FGCM) deposits. FGCM deposits consist of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter that accumulate behind large woody debris (LWD) along the margins of the wetted perimeter of the single‐thread, gravel‐bed South River in Virginia. These deposits store a total mass equivalent to 17% to 43% of the annual suspended sediment load. Radiocarbon, ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷C dating indicate that sediment in FGCM deposits ranges in age from 1 to more than 60 years. Reservoir theory suggests an average turnover time of 1·75 years and an annual exchange with the water column of a mass of sediment equivalent to 10% to 25% of the annual sediment load. The distribution of ages in the deposits can be fitted by a power function, suggesting that sediment stored in the deposits has a wide variety of transit times. Most sediment in storage is reworked quickly, but a small portion may remain in place for many decades. The presence of FGCM deposits indicates that suspended sediment is not simply transported downstream in gravel‐bed rivers in agricultural watersheds: significant storage can occur over decadal timescales. South River has a history of mercury contamination and identifying sediment sources and sinks is critical for documenting the extent of contamination and for developing remediation plans. FGCM deposits should be considered in future sediment budget and sediment transport modeling studies of gravel‐bed rivers in agricultural watersheds. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.