QSO lensing magnification associated with galaxy groups

We simulated both the matter and light (galaxy) distributions in a wedge of the Universe and calculated the gravitational lensing magnification caused by the mass along the line-of-sight of galaxies and galaxy groups identified in sky surveys. A large volume redshift cone containing cold dark matter particles mimics the expected cosmological matter distribution in a flat universe with low matter density and a cosmological constant. We generate a mock galaxy catalogue from the matter distribution and identify thousands of galaxy groups in the luminous sky projection. We calculate the expected magnification around galaxies and galaxy groups and then the induced quasi-stellar object (QSO)–lens angular correlation due to magnification bias. This correlation is observable and can be used both to estimate the average mass of the lens population and to make cosmological inferences. We also use analytical calculations and various analyses to compare the observational results with theoretical expectations for the cross-correlation between faint QSOs from the 2dF Survey and nearby galaxies and groups from the Automated Plate Measurement and Sloan Digital Sky Survey Early Data Release. The observed QSO–lens anticorrelations are stronger than the predictions for the cosmological model used. This suggests that there could be unknown systematic errors in the observations and data reduction, or that the model used is not adequate. If the observed signal is assumed to be solely due to gravitational lensing, then the lensing is stronger than expected, due to more massive galactic structures or more efficient lensing than simulated.     

Modelling the H Lyman lines in evolved late-type stars

The importance of partial redistribution (PRD) in the modelling of the Lyman α and Lyman β emission lines of hydrogen in stellar atmospheres is examined using simple atmospheric models of a range of late-type stars. These models represent the subgiant Procyon (F5 IV–V), and the two giants β Gem (K0 III) and α Tau (K5 III). These stars are selected to span a wide range of surface gravities: 1.25< log  g <4.00 . The calculations are performed using the computer code multi with the modifications made by Hubeny & Lites. It is found that PRD effects are highly significant, both in the direct prediction of the Lyman line profiles and in the application of hydrostatic equilibrium to calculate the atmospheric electron density in static atmospheric models.     

Flux and polarization reflected from a nonconservative Rayleigh-scattering planetary atmosphere

Assuming that the Rayleigh-scattering atmosphere of a planet is homogeneous and plane-parallel we estimate the influence of non-conservativeness of the atmosphere and the state of polarization of the incident radiation upon the phase curves both for flux and polarization.     

Rayleigh-Cabannes scattering in planetary atmospheres II. Constant internal sources in nonconservative atmospheres

The vector equation of radiative transfer is solved for non-conservative homogeneous plane-parallel atmosphere using the method of discrete ordinates. The scattering processes in the atmosphere bounded by a Lambert bottom are described by the Rayleigh-Cabannes phase matrix. The primary radiation field is generated by constant internal sources. A package of FORTRAN subroutines is compiled to find the axial radiation field for such an atmosphere at arbitrary optical depth.     

Products and Mechanism of the NO<Subscript>3</Subscript> Reaction with Thiophene

Products of the gas-phase reaction of the NO₃ radical with thiophene have been investigated using different experimental systems. On the one hand, experiments have been conducted in our laboratory using two different methods, a Teflon static reactor coupled to a gas chromatograph combined with mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) and a discharge flow tube with direct MS spectroscopic detection. A qualitative analysis in these cases indicates that possible products for the reaction of thiophene+NO₃ at room temperature include: sulphur dioxide, acetic and formic acids, a short-chain aldehyde, 2-nitrothiophene and 3-nitrothiophene. On the other hand, quantitative experiments have been performed in the European Photoreactor (EUPHORE) in Valencia, Spain. In this case, the major products were: HNO₃ (≈80%), nitrothiophenes (≈30%), SO₂ (≈20%), propanal (3%) and a fraction of particles (≈10%). The results obtained indicate that at least 70% of the reaction of NO₃ with thiophene proceeds by an H-abstraction process at room temperature. The mechanism of the reaction studied is proposed on the basis of experimental results.     

Petrology of titanian clinohumite and olivine at the high-pressure breakdown of antigorite serpentinite to chlorite harzburgite (Almirez Massif,S. Spain)

Rocks of the Cerro del Almirez ultramafic massif (Sierra Nevada, Betic Cordillera, S. Spain) record the high-pressure dehydration of antigorite–olivine serpentinite to form chlorite harzburgite (ol + opx + chl). In the field, these two rock types are separated by a well-defined isograd. Titanian clinohumite (TiCl) and olivine show textural and compositional differences depending on the rock type. OH–TiCl occurs in the serpentinite as disseminated grains and in veins. F–OH–TiCl is observed exclusively in the chlorite harzburgite, where it occurs as porphyroblastic grains and within prograde olivine as irregular and lamellar, planar intergrowths at microscopic and submicroscopic scales. Petrological evidence of partial to complete breakdown of TiCl to olivine + ilmenite is preserved in both rock types. Chlorite harzburgite is characterized by a brown pleochroic olivine with abundantally oriented microscopic to submicroscopic oxide particles. The mean Ti-content of the brown olivine is 144 ppm. The brown olivine preserves TiCl lamellae that sometimes grade into ghost lamellae outlined by the oxide trails. This observation suggests that some of the oxide inclusions in the brown olivine are derived from the breakdown of TiCl intergrowths. Thermodynamic modelling of selected Almirez bulk rock compositions indicates a temperature increase from 635°C to 695°C, at pressures ranging from 1.7 GPa to 2.0 GPa, as the cause for the compositional adjustment of TiCl between the Almirez antigorite serpentinite and chlorite harzburgite. These P–T estimates are in good agreement with the sequence of phase relations observed in the field. The computed phase diagrams in conjunction with the geothermal conditions envisaged for different subduction settings indicate that TiCl is stable in the vicinity of the antigorite serpentinite/chlorite harzburgite phase boundary in some subduction settings. In these circumstances, clinohumite–olivine intergrowths in chlorite harzburgite may act as a sink for high field strength elements, and probably other elements, that are present in the mantle–wedge fluids.     

Microgranular enclaves as evidence of rapid cooling in granitoid rocks: the case of the Los Pedroches granodiorite,Iberian Massif,Spain

Microgranular enclaves from the Los Pedroches granodiorite (LPG) (Los Pedroches Batholith, Iberian Massif, Spain) have Sr-Nd isotopic and mineral chemical compositions close to those of their host. This similarity is not related to restite unmixing, as indicated by the igneous textures of the enclaves. A number of other geological and geochemical lines of evidence, including the high REE and HFSE contents of the microgranular enclaves relative to the host granitoid, strongly suggest that this similarity cannot be explained by magma mixing. Alternatively, a crystallization process by rapid cooling within the host granitoid magma could explain the geochemical and textural characteristics of the microgranular enclaves, including shape, grain size, mineralogy, texture, chemistry and Sr-Nd isotopic composition. Such a crystallization occurred at the walls of the magma conduits through which the granitic magmas were emplaced in the upper crust. This process should be considered as an alternative hypothesis to magma mixing for the generation of some microgranular enclaves, especially where no direct evidence exists for the presence of basic magmas coeval with granitoids, and where there is a lack of isotopic contrast between hosts and enclaves. As the process is favoured by feeder-dyke related emplacement, we suggest that abundance of microgranular enclaves can be related to the mechanism of emplacement of granitoid bodies.This revised version was published online in March 2005 with corrections to the accepted date.

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Microtremor Analyses at Teide Volcano (Canary Islands,Spain): Assessment of Natural Frequencies of Vibration Using Time-dependent Horizontal-to-vertical Spectral Ratios

We use time-dependent horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios (HVSR) of microtremors to determine the dominant frequencies of vibration of the geological structures beneath several recording sites in the vicinity of Teide volcano (Canary Islands, Spain). In the microtremors, the time-dependent HVSRs (ratiograms) are a useful tool to discriminate between the presence of real dominant frequencies linked to resonances of the subsurface structure and the spurious appearance of peaks due to local transients. We verified that the results are repeatable, in the sense that microtremors recorded at the same site but at different times yield a very similar HVSR function. Two types of results are found: (1) sites where there is no resonance of the propagating microtremors, and therefore no value of a dominant frequency can be assessed; and (2) sites where a stationary peak in the HVSR is found and a dominant frequency related to resonance of the shallow structure can be estimated. These resonant frequencies show substantial spatial variations even for nearby sites, which reflects the complexity of the shallow velocity structure in the Las Cañadas area. Large dominant frequencies occur near the caldera walls and also at a few locations that coincide with the intersections of the inferred rims of the three calderas forming Las Cañadas. Small dominant frequencies also occur near the caldera rim, and may be due to discontinuities in the caldera wall and/or to local velocity anomalies. Intermediate frequencies are mostly found in the eastern part of the caldera, where a tentative profile of the basement depth has been obtained. Intermediate frequencies have also been measured south of Ucanca and south of Montaña Blanca. In view of the present results, we conclude that the use of ratiograms constitutes an improvement of the HVSR method and provides an appropriate tool to investigate the shallow velocity structure of a volcanic region.     

A Free Boundary Problem Related to the Location of Volcanic Gas Sources

A mathematical model of general gas emitting systems is derived, and a sample of relevant mathematical results is offered. The present paper indicates that shallow subsurface gas sources in typical volcanic areas can be located if appropriate physico-chemical measurements are made on the Earths surface and put to use.