A new model for flux emergence and the evolution of sunspots and the large-scale fields

Existing models for the evolution of sunspots and sunspot groups, describing the subsurface structure of the magnetic fields and their interactions with the convective motions, are briefly reviewed. It is shown that they are generally unable to account for the most recent data concerning the relationship between the large-scale solar magnetic field structures and the magnetic fields of active regions. In particular, it is shown that the former do not arise directly from the decay of the latter, as required by the Babcock model and all other models based on it. Other observations which are not adequately explained by current models are also cited.A new model is put forward based on the expulsion of toroidal magnetic flux by the dominant (i.e. giant) cells of the convection zone. The flux expelled above these cells forms the large-scale field and thus the configuration of this field provides a clue to the structure of the giant cell patterns. The flux expelled below the cells becomes twisted into a rope as in the Babcock model but a loop or stitch forms only in the region of upflow of the giant cells. The interaction of this loop with intermediate-sized cells as it rises to the surface determines the configuration and extent of the active region which appears at the surface. The compatibility of the model with other observations is discussed and its implications for theories of the solar cycle are noted.     

Geoarchaeological evidence for multidecadal natural climatic variability and ancient Peruvian fisheries

Understanding the influence of natural climatic variability on modern fisheries is complicated by over a century of industrial fishing. Archaeological data provide unique opportunities for assessing precolonial and preindustrial fisheries. Records show that anchoveta-vs sardine-dominated fisheries correlate with 20th-century climate change in the Pacific Basin and are linked to multidecadal climatic variability. The “anchovy regime” is characterized by cooler conditions and lower frequency El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events, while the “sardine regime” is associated with warmer conditions and higher frequency ENSO. Fish remains excavated at Lo Demás, an Inca-period (ca. A.D. 1480–1540) fishing site at 13°25′S on the Peruvian coast, document a shift from an anchoveta-to a sardine-dominated fishery at about A.D. 1500. This shift correlates with records for increasing ENSO frequency at the same time. Middle and late Holocene sites have archaeofish assemblages that also suggest regime changes. Here we show that changes in fish regimes can result from natural variability and we support the potential role of archaeological assemblages in tracking multidecadal climate change in the Pacific Basin throughout the Holocene (0–11,500 cal yr B.P.).     

Pleistocene recharge to midcontinent basins: effects on salinity structure and microbial gas generation

The hydrogeochemistry of saline-meteoric water interface zones in sedimentary basins is important in constraining the fluid migration history, chemical evolution of basinal brines, and physical stability of saline formation waters during episodes of freshwater recharge. This is especially germane for interior cratonic basins, such as the Michigan and Illinois basins. Although there are large differences in formation water salinity and hydrostratigraphy in these basins, both are relatively quiescent tectonically and have experienced repeated cycles of glaciation during the Pleistocene. Exploration for unconventional microbial gas deposits, which began in the upper Devonian-age Antrim Shale at the northern margin of the Michigan Basin, has recently extended into the age-equivalent New Albany Shale of the neighboring Illinois Basin, providing access to heretofore unavailable fluid samples. These reveal an extensive regional recharge system that has profoundly changed the salinity structure and induced significant biogeochemical modification of formation water elemental and isotope geochemistry.New-formation water and gas samples were obtained from Devonian-Mississippian strata in the Illinois Basin. These included exploration wells in the New Albany Shale, an organic-rich black shale of upper Devonian age, and formation waters from over- and underlying regional aquifer systems (Siluro-Devonian and Mississippian age). The hydrostratigraphic relations of major aquifers and aquitards along the eastern margin of the Illinois Basin critically influenced fluid migration into the New Albany Shale. The New Albany Shale formation water chemistry indicates significant invasion of meteoric water, with δD values as low as −46.05‰, into the shale. The carbon stable isotope system (δ¹³C values as high as 29.4‰), coupled with δ¹⁸O, δD, and alkalinity of formation waters (alkalinity ≤24.08 meq/kg), identifies the presence of microbial gas associated with meteoric recharge. Regional geochemical patterns identify the underlying Siluro-Devonian carbonate aquifer system as the major conduit for freshwater recharge into the fractured New Albany Shale reservoirs. Recharge from overlying Mississippian carbonates is only significant in the southernmost portion of the basin margin where carbonates directly overlie the New Albany Shale.Recharge of dilute waters (Cl⁻ <1000 mM) into the Siluro-Devonian section has suppressed formation water salinity to depths as great as 1 km across the entire eastern Illinois Basin margin. Taken together with salinity and stable isotope patterns in age-equivalent Michigan Basin formation waters, they suggest a regional impact of recharge of δ¹⁸O- and δD-depleted fluids related to Pleistocene glaciation. Devonian black shales at both basin margins have been affected by recharge and produced significant volumes of microbial methane. This recharge is also manifested in different salinity gradients in the two basins because of their large differences in original formation water salinity. Given the relatively quiet tectonic history and subdued current topography in the midcontinent region, it is likely that repeated cycles of glacial meltwater invasion across this region have induced a strong disequilibrium pattern in fluid salinity and produced a unique class of unconventional shale-hosted gas deposits.     

Amenability of nitrilotriacetic acid to biodegradation in a marine simulation

The behaviour of the detergent builder nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) has been studied in the presence of a marine bacterial population potentially associated with a sewage discharge to coastal waters. Additions of 500 μg l^?1 NTA were made over a period of 80 days and 7500 μg l^?1 NTA over 40 days in both aerobic and anoxic environments. It was concluded that NTA was not degraded at either concentration under aerobic or anoxic conditions, despite the presence of a significant bacterial population under aerobic conditions. Possible effects of NTA recalcitrance and its accumulation in coastal marine waters are discussed.     

Fine scale distributions of porosity and particulate excessPb, organic carbon and CaCO3 in surface sediments of the deep equatorial Pacific

Sediment samples were recovered from the central equatorial Pacific Ocean, sectioned at 1-mm intervals, and analyzed for porosity, organic carbon, excess²¹⁰Pb and CaCO₃. Steep porosity gradients were measured in the upper 1 cm of the sediment column with extremely high values observed near the sediment surface. Similarly, particulate organic carbon contents are highest at the sediment surface, decrease sharply in the upper 1 cm, and are relatively constant between 1 and 5 cm. CaCO₃ values, on the other hand, are lowest at the sediment surface and increase to a constant value below 5–10 mm depth. At the carbonate ooze sites, excess²¹⁰Pb is present throughout the upper 5 cm of the sediments suggesting relatively rapid particle mixing rates. However, extremely high excess²¹⁰Pb activities (> 100 dpm/g) are observed at the sediment surface with sharp gradients present in the upper 1 cm which would suggest slow rates of mixing. This apparent contradiction along with the major features of the CaCO₃ and particulate organic carbon profiles can be explained by a particle-selective feeding mechanism in which organic carbon, excess²¹⁰Pb-enriched particles are preferentially maintained at the sediment surface via ingestion and defecation by benthic organisms.     

Regionalizing spain's continuous and discontinuous settlement

The expected increase of the world's population will be accompanied by a growth of the rural part. Some of the latter will be reflected in expansion of the inhabited area into the uninhabited. To provide knowledge for efficiency of this expansion a classification of the areally continuous and discontinuous settlement of Spain is delineated. The Continuous Settlement Region is in the north, east of a Léon-Bilbao line, north of the latitude of Toledo, and split in two by a NE-SW line through Teruel. The rest is the Discontinuous Settlement Region comprised of four occurrences of Inner Fringe Zone near the country's corners, two of the Middle Fringe Zone, and three of Outer Fringe Zone. Though new rural settling began in Spain in 1907 the principal effort has been during the past two decades under the National Colonization Institute whose work has been concentrated in the Inner Fringe Zone. It is there that continuing study is needed to provide guides for new rural settling elsewhere in the world.     

Daily variability in abundance and population characteristics of tidal salt-marsh fauna

Nekton and macrocrustacean population levels and characteristics were studied in two similar tidal marsh creeks. Absolute and area-adjusted data were analyzed to determine variability resulting from daily population fluctuations. Two sampling schemes—intensive 3-d seasonal and periodic 1-d—were examined by constructing probability matrices to compare the accuracy of data comparisons resulting from each scheme. The probability of inaccuracies in comparisons of abundance using nonreplicated sampling schemes ranged from 0% to 100%. Significant differences between consecutive day data were observed for population characteristics such as blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) sex ratios, spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) length-weights, killifish: sciaenid ratios, and killifish: blue crab ratios. These data support the need to account for short-term variability when assessing mobile aquatic fauna abundance in estuarine wetlands.     

Large precipitation event variability among headwater SNOTEL sites and impacts on streamflow in the Upper Colorado River Basin

This exploratory study defines and characterizes large precipitation events (LPEs) at a sample of snow telemetry (SNOTEL) sites located in headwater subbasins of the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB) and assesses the relationships of interannual LPE variability on basin streamflow. LPE thresholds are defined as the 80th percentile of daily precipitation increments observed at each SNOTEL site from 1981 to 2014. On average, LPEs accounted for more than half (55.5%) of annual precipitation. Total precipitation, total LPE precipitation, LPE count, and LPE magnitude are assessed annually at each SNOTEL site. Statistical analysis shows that these LPE metrics, observed at the headwater SNOTEL sites, are strongly correlated with total annual streamflow downstream, as measured at river gages on major tributaries in the UCRB and at Lake Powell. Further analysis of streamflow during the early twenty-first century drought suggests that drought conditions have coincided with lower precipitation observed at the SNOTEL sites, due in part to fewer and drier LPEs in recent years. Investigation of upper air patterns during LPEs reveals that such events most commonly coincide with zonal, onshore flow among the northern subbasins and amplified troughs towards the south of the UCRB, patterns which have been less common during the drought.