Modeling alternative paths of chemical evolution of Na-HCO3-type groundwater near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA

 This paper demonstrates that both cation exchange, a commonly invoked mechanism, and silicate hydrolysis, which is less commonly considered, can produce Na-HCO₃-type water in sedimentary rocks. Evolution of Na-HCO₃ groundwater beneath the Oak Ridge Reservation, Tennessee, USA, was studied by comparing observed end-member groundwater composition from multiport samplers to compositions generated by reaction-path geochemical models. Observed groundwater compositions could be reproduced by either the silicate-hydrolysis model or the cation-exchange model. Secondary minerals precipitated in the silicate-hydrolysis model are similar to those present along fractures in the shale and carbonate host rocks, and observed molar Sr²⁺/Ca²⁺ ratios more closely resemble evolution from shale weathering. Both mechanisms should be considered to understand the evolution of Na-HCO₃ groundwater. Received, April 1998 · Revised, January 1999 · Accepted, March 1999     

Measurements of the Henry's Law Coefficients of 2-Methyl-3-buten-2-ol, Methacrolein, and Methylvinyl Ketone

Using an equilibrium headspace technique, Henry's law coefficients were measured for methacrolein (H = 6.5 ± 0.7 M atm-1) and methylvinyl ketone (41 ± 7.0 M atm-1) in water at 25 °C. In addition, 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol was studied at 30 °C in water and in an aqueous ionic solution representative of plant tissue. Similar values were found in deionized water (65 ± 3.5 M atm-1) and in a 0.05 mol kg-1 Ca2+, K+, NO3-, SO42- solution (62 ± 0.8 M atm-1). These Henry's Law coefficients are too small to allow for significant partitioning of methacrolein, methylvinyl ketone or methylbutenol into cloud water under equilibrium conditions.     

Numerical experiments on the Rayleigh-Ritz method when applied to doubly connected plates in the case of free edge holes

Numerical experiments are performed on the determination of the fundamental frequency of transverse vibration of simply supported rectangular plates having rectangular holes with free edges. This constitutes a rather common technological situation since holes are present in plates or slabs due to operational conditions, namely passage of conduits or ducts, electric conductors, etc., Satisfying exactly the governing natural boundary conditions at the hole edges is practically an impossible task. This study reviews numerical experiments where the displacement function is expanded into a double Fourier series which constitutes the exact solution when the plate is simply connected. Satisfactory convergence is achieved when the plate is doubly connected.     

Black Hole Spin in AGN and GBHCs

We discuss constraints on black hole spin and spin-related astrophysics as derived from X-ray spectroscopy. After a brief discussion about the robustness with which X-ray spectroscopy can be used to probe strong gravity, we summarize how these techniques can constrain black hole spin. In particular, we highlight XMM-Newton studies of the Seyfert galaxy MCG-6-30-15 and the stellar-mass black hole GX 339-4. The broad X-ray iron line profile, together with reasonable and general astrophysical assumptions, allow a non-rotating black hole to be rejected in both of these sources. If we make the stronger assertion of no emission from within the innermost stable circular orbit, the MCG-6-30-15 data constrain the dimensionless spin parameter to be a > 0.93. Furthermore, these XMM-Newton data are already providing evidence for exotic spin-related astrophysics in the central regions of this object. We conclude with a discussion of the impact that Constellation-X will have on the study of strong gravity and black hole spin.     

Sediments and pollution in the Northern Adriatic Sea: a statistical analysis

Data concerning grain-size distribution, mineralogy, geochemistry, and chlorinated hydrocarbon concentrations, obtained from 246 surface sediment samples collected in the Northern Adriatic sea (Italian area), provide the basis for a multivariate statistical analysis which evaluates the influence of riverine inputs, the differences among various depositional environments and the presence of polluted zones.Cluster analysis applied to grain size has identified nine groups of lithotypes associated with the morphology and the hydrology of the basin.In the Gulf of Venice, principal component analysis on clay minerals and carbonates has permitted recognition of two main areas located north and south of the Brenta river. More subareas correspond to other lithological types.Principal component analysis of nine metal (Hg, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, Fe, Ni, and Co) concentrations reveals that the studied sea area is more complex from the geochemical point of view. Three geochemical zones related to riverine inputs, different lithotypes and specific forms of contamination are identified. High pollution of both halocarbons and heavy metals is associated with fine grain size.     

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Minimum continental velocities with respect to the pole since the Archean

Paleomagnetic apparent polar wander paths provide a method for estimating minimum plate velocities which can be extended much further into the geologic past than can be estimated based on sea-floor magnetic anomalies. Minimum velocities can be determined from the rate of change of latitude as derived relative to a fixed pole. Such latitudinal velocities have been determined for the center of mass of the North American, Baltic, Siberian and African shields since the Archean. The results indicate that plate velocities in the past have at times easily exceeded those for present-day continents, and that they often were equivalent to present-day oceanic velocities, although there are peaks and troughs through time. North American velocities are significantly greater prior to one billion years ago than those of Siberia or Baltica.     

Image analysis and circular statistics for shape-fabric analysis: applications to lithified ignimbrites

 Computer-assisted image analysis can be successfully used to derive quantitative textural data on pyroclastic rock samples. This method provides a large number of different measurements such as grain size, particle shape and 2D orientation of particle main axes (directional- or shape-fabric) automatically and in a relatively short time. Orientation data reduction requires specific statistical tests, mainly devoted to defining the kind of particle distribution pattern, the possible occurrence of preferred particle orientation, the confidence interval of the mean direction and the degree of randomness with respect to pre-assigned theoretical frequency distributions. Data obtained from image analysis of seven lithified ignimbrite samples from the Vulsini Volcanic District (Central Italy) are used to test different statistics and to provide insight about directional fabrics. First, the possible occurrence of a significant deviation from a theoretical circular uniform distribution was evaluated by using the Rayleigh and Tukey χ ² tests. Then, the Kuiper test was performed to evaluate whether or not the observation fits with a unimodal, Von Mises-like theoretical frequency distribution. Finally, the confidence interval of mean direction was calculated. With the exception of one sample (FPD10), which showed a well-developed bimodality, all the analysed samples display significant anisotropic and unimodal distributions. The minimum number of measurements necessary to obtain reasonable variabilities of the calculated statistics and mean directions was evaluated by repeating random collections of the measured particles at increments of 100 particles for each sample. Although the observed variabilities depend largely on the pattern of distribution and an absolute minimum number cannot be stated, approximately 1500–2000 measurements are required in order to get meaningful mean directions for the analysed samples. Received: 9 April 1996 / Accepted: 26 December 1996