An algorithm for the computer arrangement of reactions about invariant points

A computerised algorithm is used to arrange fluid-absent reactions about invariant points in P—T space for an end-member model of blueschist facies metamorphism at Port Macquarie, N.S.W., consisting of the nine phases quartz, albite, jadeite, lawsonite, zoisite, paragonite, glaucophane, pyrope and chlorite. Inspection of the print-out (a table of reaction take-off angles for each invariant point) indicates that this multisystem consists of two mutually exclusive sets of invariant points; lawsonite-absent, paragonite-absent and glaucophane-absent versus the other six. The algorithm is completely general for any two intensive variables and can treat solid solution minerals or degeneracy in reactions/invariant points.Terms ABS(X) Absolute value of X - A(J) Slope of reaction J in degrees - V(J) Denominator variable in the slope fraction for reaction J - R(K, J) Reaction coefficient of phase K in reaction J - S(K, J) Stability pointer for phase K in reaction J, in degrees - SGN (X) Library function: =–1 when X<0; =+1 when X0 - B(Q) Correct take-off angle for the Q-absent reaction in degrees     

Process recognition in multi-element soil and stream-sediment geochemical data

Stream-sediment and soil geochemical data from the Upper and Lower Coastal Plains of South Carolina (USA) were studied to determine relationships between soils and stream sediments. From multi-element associations, characteristic compositions were determined for both media. Primary associations of elements reflect mineralogy, including heavy minerals, carbonates and clays, and the effects of groundwater. The effects of groundwater on element concentrations are more evident in soils than stream sediments. A “winnowing index” was created using ratios of Th to Al that revealed differing erosional and depositional environments. Both soils and stream sediments from the Upper and Lower Coastal Plains show derivation from similar materials and subsequent similar multi-element relationships, but have some distinct differences. In the Lower Coastal Plain, soils have high values of elements concentrated in heavy minerals (Ce, Y, Th) that grade into high values of elements concentrated into finer-grain-size, lower-density materials, primarily comprised of carbonates and feldspar minerals (Mg, Ca, Na, K, Al). These gradational trends in mineralogy and geochemistry are inferred to reflect reworking of materials during marine transgressions and regressions. Upper Coastal Plain stream-sediment geochemistry shows a higher winnowing index relative to soil geochemistry. A comparison of the 4 media (Upper Coastal Plain soils and stream sediments and Lower Coastal Plain soils and stream sediments) shows that Upper Coastal Plain stream sediments have a higher winnowing index and a higher concentration of elements contained within heavy minerals, whereas Lower Coastal Plain stream sediments show a strong correlation between elements typically contained within clays. It is not possible to calculate a functional relationship between stream sediment–soil compositions for all elements due to the complex history of weathering, deposition, reworking and re-deposition. However, depending on the spatial separation of the stream-sediment and soil samples, some elements are more highly correlated than others.     

Origin of the high-temperature fraction of C2 chondrites

The coarse-grained fraction of C2 chondrites is composed mostly of single crystals and aggregates of crystals of Mg-rich olivine and pyroxene. They do not possess compelling textural evidence of being the solidification products of rapidly-quenched molten droplets. Metal inclusions in the silicates contain 3·82–8·88 mole% Ni, 0·16–0·70 per cent Co, 0·17–1·07 per cent Cr and up to 5·70 per cent P. Thermodynamic calculations show that alloys of these compositions may be condensates from the solar nebula. The implication is that the high-temperature fraction of C2 chondrites consists mostly of high-temperature condensates. Chemical data show that the high-temperature fraction has an Fe/Mg atomic ratio of ? 0·31 compared to 1·3 in the matrix, indicating that much of the iron has been lost from the high-temperature fraction and converted to the troilito and oxidized iron of the low-temperature fraction. The presence of low-Ni metal grains in the aggregates and high Ni/Fe and Co/Fe ratios in the matrix of some C2's indicates preferential loss of early NiCo-rich metal from the high-temperature fraction during condensation.     

Observed Effect of Magnetic Fields on the Propagation of Magnetoacoustic Waves in the Lower Solar Atmosphere

We study Hinode/SOT-FG observations of intensity fluctuations in Ca ii H-line and G-band image sequences and their relation to simultaneous and co-spatial magnetic field measurements. We explore the G-band and H-line intensity oscillation spectra both separately and comparatively via their relative phase differences, time delays and cross-coherences. In the non-magnetic situations, both sets of fluctuations show strong oscillatory power in the 3??C?7 mHz band centered at 4.5 mHz, but this is suppressed as magnetic field increases. A relative phase analysis gives a time delay of H-line after G-band of 20±1?s in non-magnetic situations implying a mean effective height difference of 140 km. The maximum coherence is at 4??C?7 mHz. Under strong magnetic influence the measured delay time shrinks to 11 s with the peak coherence near 4 mHz. A second coherence maximum appears between 7.5??C?10 mHz. Investigation of the locations of this doubled-frequency coherence locates it in diffuse rings outside photospheric magnetic structures. Some possible interpretations of these results are offered.     

Quantifying uncertainties in projections of extremes��a perturbed land surface parameter experiment

Uncertainties in the climate response to a doubling of atmospheric CO₂ concentrations are quantified in a perturbed land surface parameter experiment. The ensemble of 108 members is constructed by systematically perturbing five poorly constrained land surface parameters of global climate model individually and in all possible combinations. The land surface parameters induce small uncertainties at global scale, substantial uncertainties at regional and seasonal scale and very large uncertainties in the tails of the distribution, the climate extremes. Climate sensitivity varies across the ensemble mainly due to the perturbation of the snow albedo parameterization, which controls the snow albedo feedback strength. The uncertainty range in the global response is small relative to perturbed physics experiments focusing on atmospheric parameters. However, land surface parameters are revealed to control the response not only of the mean but also of the variability of temperature. Major uncertainties are identified in the response of climate extremes to a doubling of CO₂. During winter the response both of temperature mean and daily variability relates to fractional snow cover. Cold extremes over high latitudes warm disproportionately in ensemble members with strong snow albedo feedback and large snow cover reduction. Reduced snow cover leads to more winter warming and stronger variability decrease. As a result uncertainties in mean and variability response line up, with some members showing weak and others very strong warming of the cold tail of the distribution, depending on the snow albedo parametrization. The uncertainty across the ensemble regionally exceeds the CMIP3 multi-model range. Regarding summer hot extremes, the uncertainties are larger than for mean summer warming but smaller than in multi-model experiments. The summer precipitation response to a doubling of CO₂ is not robust over many regions. Land surface parameter perturbations and natural variability alter the sign of the response even over subtropical regions.     

Paleoclimate reconstruction in the Levant region from the geochemistry of a Holocene stalagmite from the Jeita cave, Lebanon

Dated oxygen and carbon isotopic profiles from a Holocene stalagmite (11.9–1.1 ka) from the Jeita cave, Lebanon, are compared to variations in crystallographic habit, stalagmite diameter and growth rate. The profiles show generally high δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values during the late-glacial period, low values during the early Holocene, and again high values after 5.8 ka. On the basis of the good correlation between the morphological and crystallographic aspect of the stalagmite and its isotopic records, as well as the isotopic response of speleothems from central and northern Israel, we relate high δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values to drier conditions. Between 6.5 and 5.8 ka an increase in isotopic values, a decrease in growth rate and stalagmite diameter suggest a transition from wet conditions in the early Holocene towards drier conditions in the mid-Holocene. The transition occurred in two steps, first a progressive change to drier conditions started at 6.5 ka but was interrupted by a short ( 100 years) return to wetter conditions, followed by an equally rapid (< 200 years) change to drier conditions.     

Amplifier arrays for CMB polarization

Cryogenic low noise amplifier technology has been successfully used in the study of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Monolithic millimeter wave integrated circuit (MMIC) technology makes the mass production of coherent detection receivers feasible. We have produced large numbers of MMIC amplifiers for CMB measurements. We have also demonstrated the viability of multi-function multi-chip modules as sensitive receiver front-ends. MMIC integration makes it possible to realize massive arrays of receivers suitable for measurements of the polarization of the CMB. We describe the development of the unit cell of such an array and the development plans for implementation.