Rotational contours of CH2X chain species compared with several diffuse interstellar bands

We have calculated synthetic spectra of perpendicular and parallel rovibronic bands of cumulene carbene molecules of the form C _n H₂. The perpendicular bands are consistent with a regularly spaced group of diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) near 6850 Å. Parallel bands calculated for these molecular structures are consistent with the intrinsic profile of the associated 6614-Å DIB. Both types of bands are expected for an electronic transition that these species should have at those energies. We could not determine if the molecule was charged or if an atom other than carbon terminated the chain-end. Constraints due to molecular geometry and temperature place the chain length at 7–15 carbons to fit the 6850-Å group and 9–13 carbons to fit the 6614-Å DIB.     

Methods for biological assessment of salt-loaded running waters - fundamentals, current positions and perspectives

Salinisation of running waters is a severe problem in many parts of the world. Monitoring and management of such waters require ecological methods which consider the hydrochemical effects of salinisation on the aquatic communities in order to set targets to protect habitats and biodiversity. Several bioassays have been developed for this purpose and are surveyed here. They are based on the salt sensitivity of the following groups of organisms: diatoms, ciliates and macroinvertebrates. In this paper experiences gained so far are also considered as well as practical applications originating from this research.     

Seasonal dynamics of CO2 profiles across a soil chronosequence,Santa Cruz,California

Concentrations of CO₂ in soil atmosphere and CO₂ efflux were measured across a marine terrace soil chronosequence near Santa Cruz, California. Soil development, specifically the formation of an argillic horizon, has created a two-tier soil gas profile in the older terrace soils. The soil above the argillic horizon has seasonal variations in soil CO₂ associated with plant respiration. The older soils with dense argillic horizons maintain a year round ～1%CO₂ below the argillic horizon. The CO₂efflux during the growing season is higher on the older terraces.     

Coal mine workers' pneumoconiosis

 The fibrogenic and cytotoxic potential of coal mine dust is independent of the amount of quartz and other inorganic parameters. Results of coal petrographical and organic geochemical investigations of coals and coal mine dust from the Ruhr and Ibbenbüren Region of Germany demonstrate variations of organic dust amount possibly influencing these noxious properties. Coal mine dust of high rank coals is characterized by a pronounced fibrogenic risk. This risk, independent of the quantity of quartz, is probably based on shape variations of different coal macerals. With increasing coalification of the corresponding seam, the vitrinite is enriched in its dust; however, lower concentrations have been determined for inertinite. Vitrinite shows constant shapes and sizes independent of the rank of coal. Inertinite particles with elongated to fibrous shapes tend to larger sizes with increasing coalification. Strikingly, coal mine dust from miners' lungs with high degrees of coal mine workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) is enriched in inertinite. In contrast, high cytotoxicities in cell tests are known for coal mine dust from low coalified coals. High concentrations of phenolic compounds can be extracted by dichloromethane from low coalified coal mine dust. These compounds, which are characterized by a high water solubility and therefore high bioavailability, explain the high cytotoxicities of coal mine dust. Contamination of dust by diesel emissions in the coal mine can act as additionally supporting parameters for extended cytotoxicities. Received: 18 August 1995 · Accepted: 15 October 1995     

Quantum statistical cluster abundances in hot nuclear matter and elemental composition of cosmic-ray sources

A simple model for superluminal double radio sources is presented. A relativistic electron-positron beam drives the expansion of an elongated magnetic loop configuration. This is treated using basic conservation laws. Relativistically expanding radio components on a scale of parsecs result for plausible physical parameters.     

The composite galaxy NGC 6764: Nuclear activity and circumnuclear star formation

We investigated the kinematics and ionization mechanism of the innermost arc seconds of the nucleus of NGC 6764 (SBb), using spatially-resolved optical spectra. The observed radial variations of the emission line ratios cannot be explained by one single-ionizing agent, but are consistent with circumnuclear ionizeation by hot stars in addition to a central power-law source. We conclude that NGC 6764 is a Composite Galactic Nucleus (CGN).Visiting Astronomer, German-Spanish Astronomical Center, Calar Alto, operated by the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie in Heidelberg jointly with the Spanish National Commission for Astronomy.     

Target rocks,impact glasses,and melt rocks from the Lonar crater,India: Highly siderophile element systematics and Sr‐Nd‐Os isotopic signatures

The Lonar crater is a ~0.57‐Myr‐old impact structure located in the Deccan Traps of the Indian peninsula. It probably represents the best‐preserved impact structure hosted in continental flood basalts, providing unique opportunities to study processes of impact cratering in basaltic targets. Here we present highly siderophile element (HSE) abundances and Sr‐Nd and Os isotope data for target basalts and impactites (impact glasses and impact melt rocks) from the Lonar area. These tools may enable us to better constrain the interplay of a variety of impact‐related processes such as mixing, volatilization, and contamination. Strontium and Nd isotopic compositions of impactites confirm and extend earlier suggestions about the incorporation of ancient basement rocks in Lonar impactites. In the Re‐Os isochron plot, target basalts exhibit considerable scatter around a 65.6 Myr Re‐Os reference isochron, most likely reflecting weathering and/or magma replenishment processes. Most impactites plot at distinctly lower ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os and ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios compared to the target rocks and exhibit up to two orders of magnitude higher abundances of Ir, Os, and Ru. Moreover, the impactites show near‐chondritic interelement ratios of HSE. We interpret our results in terms of an addition of up to 0.03% of a chondritc component to most impact glasses and impact melt rocks. The magnitude of the admixture is significantly lower than the earlier reported 12–20 wt% of extraterrestrial component for Lonar impact spherules, reflecting the typical difference in the distribution of projectile component between impact glass spherules and bulk impactites.     

Provenance of Austroalpine basement metasediments: tightening up Early Palaeozoic connections between peri-Gondwanan domains of central Europe and Northern Africa

International Journal of Earth Sciences - New U–Pb and Lu–Hf detrital zircon data together with whole-rock geochemical and Sm–Nd data were obtained for paragneisses of the...     

Daily accumulation rates of marine debris on sub-Antarctic island beaches

The worlds’ oceans contain a large but unknown amount of plastic debris. We made daily collections of marine debris stranded at two sub-Antarctic islands to establish (a) physical causes of strandings, and (b) a sampling protocol to better estimate the oceans’ plastic loading. Accumulation rates at some beaches were dependent on tide and onshore winds. Most of the 6389 items collected were plastic (Macquarie 95%, Heard 94%) and discarded or lost fishing gear comprised 22% of those plastic items. Stalked barnacles (Lepas spp.) were a regular attachment on Macquarie debris but not at Heard Island. The daily accumulation rate of plastic debris on Macquarie Island was an order of magnitude higher than that estimated from monthly surveys during the same 4 months in the previous 5 years. This finding suggests that estimates of the oceans’ plastic loading are an order of magnitude too low.