Sea‐surface conditions in northernmost Baffin Bay during the Holocene: palynological evidence

The analysis of cores collected in northernmost Baffin Bay, from within the area of the North Water Polynya, permits definition of a composite sedimentary sequence ca. 12 m thick spanning the last 10 000 ¹⁴C yr, with only a few discontinuities. Palynological analyses were performed in order to reconstruct changes in surface water conditions and biogenic production. Transfer functions, using dinocyst assemblages, were applied to estimate sea‐surface temperature (SST) and salinity, as well as the seasonal duration of sea ice cover. At the base of the record, prior to 9300 ¹⁴C yr BP, dinocysts and organic linings of benthic foraminifers are sparse, indicating harsh conditions and low productivity. After ca. 9300 ¹⁴C yr BP, the increased concentration of benthic foraminifers (up to 10³ linings cm^?3) and dinocyst fluxes (10²–10³ cysts cm^?2 yr^?1) reveals high biological productivity related to open‐water conditions. The early to middle Holocene, from ca. 9000 to ca. 3600 ¹⁴C yr BP, is marked by relatively high species diversity in dinocyst assemblages and the significant occurrence of autotrophic taxa such as Spiniferites elongatus, Pentapharsodinium dalei and Impagidinium pallidum. This assemblage suggests conditions at least as warm as at present. From ca. 6400 to ca. 3600 ¹⁴C yr BP, transfer functions indicate warmer conditions than at present, with SST in August fluctuating up to 5.5°C. After 3600 ¹⁴C yr BP, the dinocyst record suggests a trend of decreasing temperature toward modern values, marked by recurrent cooling events. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Study of cavernous underground conduits in Nam La (Northwest Vietnam) by an integrative approach

This paper presents the result of an investigation of underground conduits, which connect the swallow holes and the resurgence of a blind river in the tropical, highly karstified limestone Nam La catchment in the NW of Vietnam. The Nam La River disappears underground in several swallow holes near the outlet of the catchment. In the rainy season this results in flooding upstream of the sinkholes. A hypothesis is that the Nam La River resurges at a large cavern spring 4.5 km east of the catchment outlet. A multi-thematic study of the possible connections between the swallow holes and the resurgence was carried out to investigate the geological structure, tectonics, cave structure analysis and discharge time series. The existence of the underground conduits was also tested and proven by tracer experiments. On the basis of a lineament analysis the location of the underground conduits were predicted. A remote sensing derived lineament-length density map was used to track routes from the swallow holes to the resurgence, having the shortest length but highest lineament density. This resulted in a plan-view prediction of underground conduits that matches with the cave and fault development. The functioning of the conduits was further explained by analysing flooding records of a nearby doline, which turns out to act as a temporary storage reservoir mitigating flooding of the catchment outlet area.

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Resumen Este artículo presenta el resultado de una investigación de conductos subterráneos, los cuales conectan dolinas y la resurgencia de un río ciego en la cuenca tropical Nam La, compuesta por calizas altamente karstificadas, en el noroeste de Vietnam. El Río Nam La desaparece en el subsuelo por medio de varias dolinas cerca de la salida de la cuenca. Durante la estación lluviosa esto resulta en inundaciones aguas arriba de las dolinas. Una hipótesis es que el Río Nam La resurge en un manantial de caverna grande a 4.5 km al oriente de la salida de la cuenca. Se llevó a cabo un estudio multi-temático de las conexiones posibles entre las dolinas y la resurgencia para investigar la estructura geológica, tectónica, análisis estructural de cavernas, y series de tiempo de descarga. Se evalúa y se demuestra también la existencia de conductos subterráneos por medio de experimentos con trazadores. En base a análisis de lineamientos se predice la localización de los conductos subterráneos. Se utiliza un mapa de densidad de longitudes de lineamientos construido a partir de sensores remotos para seguir las rutas de las dolinas a la resurgencia, teniendo longitudes más cortas pero densidad de lineamientos más altas. Esto da por resultado una predicción en vista de planta de conductos subterráneos que se ajustan con el desarrollo de cavernas y fallas. El funcionamiento de los conductos se explica posteriormente mediante el análisis de registro de inundaciones de una dolina cercana la cual actúa como un reservorio de almacenamiento temporal que mitiga inundaciones en el área de salida de la cuenca.

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Résumé Cet article présente les résultats de linvestigation de conduits souterrains, qui mettent en connexion les pertes et les résurgences dune rivière souterraine dans le bassin versant de Nam La, dans une région tropicale fortement karstique du NW du Vietnam. La rivière Nam La disparaît dans le sous-sol via plusieurs pertes à proximité de lexutoire du bassin. Durant la saison des pluies, les pertes se mettent en charge et des inondations apparaissent. Une hypothèse serait que la rivière ressort 4.5 km à lEst de lexutoire du bassin, dans une grande caverne. Une étude multi-thématique visant les connexions possibles entre les pertes et les résurgences a été réalisée. Elle comprend létude de la structure géologique, la tectonique, lanalyse de la structure karstique et des chroniques de débits. Lexistence des conduits souterrains est également testée et prouvée par des essais de traçages. Sur base de lanalyse des linéaments, la localisation des conduits souterrains est prédite. Grâce à la télédétection et une cartographie de la densité et de la longueur des linéaments, on peut deviner le cheminement de leau entre les pertes et la résurgence (via le chemin le plus court et la densité de fracturation la plus importante). Il en résulte une vue en plan prédisant la localisation des conduits, qui correspond par ailleurs avec le développement des cavités et des failles. Le fonctionnement des conduits est ensuite expliqué sur base de lanalyse des chroniques de débits enregistrés à proximité dune doline, qui joue le rôle dun réservoir temporaire, mitigeant les inondations à la zone de lexutoire du bassin-versant.

     

The 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey: the power spectrum and the matter content of the Universe

The 2dF Galaxy Redshift Survey has now measured in excess of 160 000 galaxy redshifts. This paper presents the power spectrum of the galaxy distribution, calculated using a direct Fourier transform based technique. We argue that, within the k -space region     , the shape of this spectrum should be close to that of the linear density perturbations convolved with the window function of the survey. This window function and its convolving effect on the power spectrum estimate are analysed in detail. By convolving model spectra, we are able to fit the power-spectrum data and provide a measure of the matter content of the Universe. Our results show that models containing baryon oscillations are mildly preferred over featureless power spectra. Analysis of the data yields 68 per cent confidence limits on the total matter density times the Hubble parameter     , and the baryon fraction     , assuming scale-invariant primordial fluctuations.     

Zoned finite strip method and its applications in geomechanics

The technique of Finite Strip method has been extended for zoned strips. One strip can have several different materials in horizontal direction including dummy materials. The new developed zoned Finite Strip (Z.F.S.) method has many engineering applications, particularly in geomechanical problems. The formulation is presented and three different geotechnical problems have been solved using the new Z.F.S. method, which could not be solved by the original Finite Strip method. The results are compared with the solution for the same problems obtained by analytical and/or numerical (Finite Element) methods. The reduced input and output for the Z.F.S. method compared to the Finite Element method makes this method attractive particularly for practising engineers. However the results can be as good as the well known Finite Element method.     

A NEW SPECIMEN OF THE MOUNT DOOLING IRON METEORITE FROM MOUNT MANNING,WESTERN AUSTRALIA

A 701 kg iron meteorite has recently been discovered near the Mount Manning Range in Western Australia. The meteorite has a fan-shaped or delta wing configuration, one side being smooth and slightly concave with a well-defined fusion crust, whilst the other side is rough, convex and possesses numerous regmaglypts. It is probable that the meteorite pentrated much of the earth's atmosphere in an aerodynamically stable orientation, typical of the stalled attitude of delta wing aircraft. The meteorite is a member of Chemical Group 1C. A comparison of the chemical composition, surface features, microstructure and location of this meteorite with the Mount Dooling meteorite confirms that the find is a larger specimen of Mount Dooling. It is possible that other fragments of the Mount Dooling meteorite may be found in the Mount Manning Range region.     

Compact Groups of Galaxies: Evolution of the Stellar Population

We present a study focusing on the nature of compact groups (CGs) through the study of their elliptical (E) galaxies. Parameters describing the internal dynamics and the stellar populations of the galaxies are compared with their counterparts in other environments. Our sample has24 bright E galaxies located in the core of Hickson CGs and 11 bright ‘bona fide’ Es, located in the field or very loose groups. Their spectra were obtained with the 2.1 m Telescope at KPNO and have a 4.1 Å resolution over the wavelength range 3500–7000 Å. We have found that, from the dynamical point of view, E galaxies in CGs are essentially similar to those in dense clusters. Moreover, the stellar populations of Es in CGs seem to be older and less metal rich than those in the field, behaviour which has also been observed by Rose et al. (1994).     

On the applicability of Goldberg and Unno's method to the determination of microturbulent velocities in an atmosphere with convection

The method of Goldberg and Unno for the determination of microturbulent velocities in a stellar atmosphere is only applicable if there are no macroturbulent or convective motions.If such motions occur, as in the solar photosphere, the derived results are false and may lead to misinterpretations such as an increase of the microturbulent velocity with depth or anisotropic microturbulence.     

On the evolutionary time scale of the accreting component in massive close binaries

The remaining core hydrogen burning lifetime after mass exchange is computed for the mass gaining component in massive close binary systems. Results are obtained for various modes of mass accretion, for a wide range of initial masses and mass ratios, and for different values of mass loss from the system. The effect of mass loss by stellar wind is included. By use of general properties of massive close binary evolution, the position in time of four events is determined: the end of core hydrogen burning of the primary and the secondary, and the occurrence of the supernova of the primary and the secondary. It is found that the two supernova event occur rather close in time, compared to the Main Sequence time scales of the components.This research is supported by the National Foundation of Collective Fundamental Research of Belgium (FKFO) under No. 2.9009.79.