The research agenda of the European Science Foundation's GISDATA scientific programme

Abstract

In January 1993 the European Science Foundation launched a four-year scientific programme on geographical information systems. The programme aims at overcoming the existing fragmentation of GIS research in Europe and addresses three key areas: European-wide data base design, data integration, and social and environmental applications. In each of these areas a number of priorities have been identified which provide the focus of the initiatives and collaborative ventures envisaged by the programme. This article describes the programme's research agenda and sets it in the context of the activities of the European Science Foundation.     

Crystal recycling in the steady-state system of the active Stromboli volcano: a 2.5-ka story inferred from in situ Sr-isotope and trace element data

In situ Sr-isotope data by microdrilling, coupled with major and trace element analyses, have been performed on plagioclase and clinopyroxene from seven samples collected during the 2002–2003 eruptive crisis at Stromboli volcano (Aeolian Islands, Italy). On 28 December 2002, the persistent moderate explosive activity was broken by an effusive event lasting about 7 months. A more violent explosion (paroxysm) occurred on 5 April 2003. Two magma types were erupted, namely a volatile-poor and highly porphyritic magma (HP-magma) poured out as scoria or lava and a volatile-rich, phenocryst-poor magma (LP-magma) found as pumice. LP-magma differs from the HP-magma also for its slightly less-evolved chemistry, the groundmass composition and the lower Sr-isotope ratios. Micro-Sr-isotope data show the presence of zoned minerals in strong isotope disequilibrium, as previously found in products erupted in 1984, 1985 and 1996 AD, with ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values generally decreasing from cores to rims of minerals. Only some outer rims testify for equilibrium with the host groundmass. The internal mineral zones with high Sr-isotope ratios (0.70665–0.70618) are interpreted as ‘antecrysts’, crystallised during the previous activity and recycled in the present-day system since the opening shoshonitic activity of the Recent Period, which occurred at about 2.5 ka ago. This result has implications for the dynamics of the present-day plumbing system of Stromboli at intermediate pressure (about 2–3 km depth) and allows us to propose a model whereby an HP-magma reservoir is directly interconnected at the bottom with a cumulate crystal much reservoir. Efficient mixing between residing HP- and input LP-magmas can occur in this reservoir, due to more similar rheological characteristics of the two magmas than in the conduit, where crystallisation is enhanced by degassing. Antecrysts (and possibly melts) re-enter in the HP-magma reservoir both from the bottom, recycled by ascending LP-magmas crossing the crystal mush, and from the top, recycled by descending degassed and dense HP-magma, residual of the periodic Strombolian explosions at the surface. The isotope variation measured in the groundmasses allows calculating the proportion of the LP-magma entering the shallow HP-magma reservoir at ~20%. From this proportion, we estimate that the total volume of LP-magma input during 2002–2003 closely matches the magma volume erupted in the effusive event, suggesting a steady-state system at broadly constant volume. The comparison with estimates of the LP-magma volume ejected by the paroxysm indicates that the LP-magma amount directly reaching the surface during the 5 April paroxysm is minimal with respect to that entering the system.     

Trace element and Pb–B–Li isotope systematics of olivine-hosted melt inclusions: insights into source metasomatism beneath Stromboli (southern Italy)

We studied the elemental and isotopic (Pb, B and Li isotopes) composition of melt inclusions hosted in highly forsteritic (Fo_83–91) olivines that were collected from San Bartolo lava and pumice (ST79p, ST82p and ST531p) samples erupted by Stromboli in historical times. The studied melt inclusions have primitive calcalkaline to shoshonitic basaltic compositions. They cover a compositional range far wider than that exhibited by the whole-rocks and differ in key trace element ratios. San Bartolo melt inclusions are characterized by lower incompatible trace element abundances, higher ratios between fluid-mobile (B, Pb, U and LILE) and less fluid-mobile (REE, Th, HFSE) elements and lower La/Yb ratios relative to the pumice-hosted melt inclusions and pumiceous melts erupted during paroxysmal events. Trace elements, along with different Pb, B and Li isotopic signatures, attest to source heterogeneity on the small scale and provide new insights into subducted components beneath Stromboli. Results of a mixing model suggest that metasomatism of the mantle source of pumice-hosted melt inclusions was driven by solute-rich high-pressure fluids (<20%) expelled from the deep portion of the slab. Heterogeneous Pb isotopic composition together with light δ¹¹B (−8.6 to −13.7‰) and δ⁷Li (+2.3 to −1.7‰) indicates that high-pressure liquids were released in variable proportions from highly dehydrated metabasalts and metasediments. On the other hand, the elemental and isotopic (δ¹¹B ~ −1.9 to −5.9‰) composition of San Bartolo melt inclusions is better explained by the addition of a prevalent aqueous component (~2 to 4%) escaped at shallower depths from sediments and altered basaltic crust in almost equivalent proportions, with a smaller contribution by high-pressure fluids. Owing to the high-angle dip of the subducted cold Ionian slab, aqueous fluids and high-pressure fluids would rise through the mantle wedge and locally superimpose on each other, thus giving origin to variously metasomatized mantle domains.     

A two-phase model for fast geomorphic shallow flows

The paper introduces a 2D shallow water model based on a two-phase formulation for the analysis of fast geomorphic transients occurring in the context of river morphodynamics.Mass and momentum conservation principles are separately imposed for both phases.The model naturally accounts for non-equilibrium solid transport,since neither instantaneous adaptation hypothesis nor any lag equation is employed to represent sediment dynamics.The hyperbolic character of the proposed model is shown to be preserved independently on the flow conditions.Results from numerical simulations of both 1D and 2D test-cases are compared with literature experimental data and with available numerical solutions.     

Evaluating TCE Abiotic and Biotic Degradation Pathways in a Permeable Reactive Barrier Using Compound Specific Isotope Analysis

A pilot‐scale zero valent iron (ZVI) Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) was installed using an azimuth‐controlled ‐vertical hydrofracturing at an industrial facility to treat a chlorinated Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) plume. Following ZVI injection, no significant reduction in concentration was observed to occur with the exception of some multilevel monitoring wells, which also showed high levels of total organic carbon (TOC). These patterns suggested that the zero valent iron was not well distributed in the PRB creating leaky conditions. The geochemical data indicated reducing conditions in these areas where VOC reduction was observed, suggesting that biotic processes, associated to the guar used in the injection of the iron, could be a major mechanism of VOC degradation. Compound‐Specific Isotope Analysis (CSIA) using both carbon and chlorine stable isotopes were used as a complementary tool for evaluating the contribution of abiotic and biotic processes to VOC trends in the vicinity of the PRB. The isotopic data showed enriched isotope values around the PRB compared to the isotope composition of the VOC source confirming that VOC degradation is occurring along the PRB. A batch experiment using site groundwater collected near the VOC source and the ZVI used in the PRB was performed to evaluate the site‐specific abiotic isotopic fractionation patterns. Field isotopic trends, typical of biodegradations were observed at the site and were different from those obtained during the batch abiotic experiment. These differences in isotopic trends combined with changes in VOC concentrations and redox parameters suggested that biotic processes are the predominant pathways involved in the degradation of VOCs in the vicinity of the PRB.     

Facies analysis of Pleistocene sediments from the Bannock Basin area: A key to the reconstruction of its tectonic evolution

Facies analysis was carried out on 21 selected cores from the Bannock area in order to investigate the relationships between sedimentation and tectonism. Bannock Basin is a large, > 3500 m (uncorrected) deep subcircular depression near the deformation front of the Mediterranean Ridge facing the Sirte Abyssal Plain. The basin is divided into several sub-basins aligned along a rim-syncline surrounding a central elevated area (salt dome?). High-density brines and anoxic sediments occupy the deepest part of the depressions.

The facies distribution is controlled by the bottom configuration in that pelagic facies typically occur on plateaus and domes, debris-flow deposits in base-of-slope settings, and turbidites in basinal settings. The facies distribution may therefore be used to reconstruct the evolution of the various parts of the rim-syncline.

Erosional gaps may be related to tectonism or may be features created by the passage of major turbiditic events.

The results of our study of the facies associations, and of the rates of sediment accumulation, indicate that the collapse of the eastern part of the rim-syncline pre-dates the collapse of the western part. The western basins are deeper and larger than the eastern ones and (unlike the latter) are aligned at the foot of a strike-slip fault with a vertical offset of at least 700 m.     

The value of technology and of its evolution towards a low carbon economy

This paper assesses the economic value associated with the development of various low-carbon technologies in the context of climate stabilization. We analyze the impact of restrictions on the development of specific mitigation technologies, comparing three integrated assessment models used in the RECIPE comparison exercise. Our results indicate that the diversification of the carbon mitigation portfolio is an important determinant of the feasibility of climate policy. Foregoing specific low carbon technologies raises the cost of achieving the climate policy, though at different rates. CCS and renewables are shown to have the highest value, given their flexibility and wide coverage. The costs associated with technology failure are shown to be related to the role that each technology plays in the stabilization scenario, but also to the expectations about their technological progress. In particular, the costs of restriction of mature technologies can be partly compensated by more innovation and technological advancement.     

Hydrogeochemical and multi-tracer investigations of arsenic-affected aquifers in semi-arid West Africa

The semi-arid Sahel regions of West Africa rely heavily on groundwater from shallow to moderately deep(100 m b.g.l.)crystalline bedrock aquifers for drinking water production.Groundwater quality may be affected by high geogenic arsenic(As)concentrations(10μg/L)stemming from the oxidation of sulphide minerals(pyrite,arsenopyrite)in mineralised zones.These aquifers are still little investigated,especially concerning groundwater residence times and the influence of the annual monsoon season on groundwater chemistry.To gain insights on the temporal aspects of As contamination,we have used isotope tracers(noble gases,~3H,stable water isotopes(~2 H,~(18)O))and performed hydrochemical analyses on groundwater abstracted from tube wells and dug wells in a small study area in southwestern Burkina Faso.Results revealed a great variability in groundwater properties(e.g.redox conditions,As concentrations,water level,residence time)over spatial scales of only a few hundred metres,characteristic of the highly heterogeneous fractured underground.Elevated As levels are found in oxic groundwater of circum-neutral pH and show little relation with any of the measured parameters.Arsenic concentrations are relatively stable over the course of the year,with little effect seen by the monsoon.Groundwater residence time does not seem to have an influence on As concentrations,as elevated As can be found both in groundwater with short(50 a)and long(10~3 a)residence times as indicated by ~3He/~4He ratios spanning three orders of magnitude.These results support the hypothesis that the proximity to mineralised zones is the most crucial factor controlling As concentrations in the observed redox/pH conditions.The existence of very old water portions with residence times10~3 years already at depths of50 m b.g.l.is a new finding for the shallow fractured bedrock aquifers of Burkina Faso,suggesting that overexploitation of these relatively low-yielding aquifers may be an issue in the future.     

Late Cretaceous porphyry Cu and epithermal Cu–Au association in the Southern Panagyurishte District,Bulgaria: the paired Vlaykov Vruh and Elshitsa deposits

Vlaykov Vruh–Elshitsa represents the best example of paired porphyry Cu and epithermal Cu–Au deposits within the Late Cretaceous Apuseni–Banat–Timok–Srednogorie magmatic and metallogenic belt of Eastern Europe. The two deposits are part of the NW trending Panagyurishte magmato-tectonic corridor of central Bulgaria. The deposits were formed along the SW flank of the Elshitsa volcano-intrusive complex and are spatially associated with N110-120-trending hypabyssal and subvolcanic bodies of granodioritic composition. At Elshitsa, more than ten lenticular to columnar massive ore bodies are discordant with respect to the host rock and are structurally controlled. A particular feature of the mineralization is the overprinting of an early stage high-sulfidation mineral assemblage (pyrite ± enargite ± covellite ± goldfieldite) by an intermediate-sulfidation paragenesis with a characteristic Cu–Bi–Te–Pb–Zn signature forming the main economic parts of the ore bodies. The two stages of mineralization produced two compositionally different types of ores—massive pyrite and copper–pyrite bodies. Vlaykov Vruh shares features with typical porphyry Cu systems. Their common geological and structural setting, ore-forming processes, and paragenesis, as well as the observed alteration and geochemical lateral and vertical zonation, allow us to interpret the Elshitsa and Vlaykov Vruh deposits as the deep part of a high-sulfidation epithermal system and its spatially and genetically related porphyry Cu counterpart, respectively. The magmatic–hydrothermal system at Vlaykov Vruh–Elshitsa produced much smaller deposits than similar complexes in the northern part of the Panagyurishte district (Chelopech, Elatsite, Assarel). Magma chemistry and isotopic signature are some of the main differences between the northern and southern parts of the district. Major and trace element geochemistry of the Elshitsa magmatic complex are indicative for the medium- to high-K calc-alkaline character of the magmas. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) ratios of igneous rocks in the range of 0.70464 to 0.70612 and ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd_(i) ratios in the range of 0.51241 to 0.51255 indicate mixed crustal–mantle components of the magmas dominated by mantellic signatures. The epsilon Hf composition of magmatic zircons (+6.2 to +9.6) also suggests mixed mantellic–crustal sources of the magmas. However, Pb isotopic signatures of whole rocks (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.13–18.64, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.58–15.64, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 37.69–38.56) along with common inheritance component detected in magmatic zircons also imply assimilation processes of pre-Variscan and Variscan basement at various scales. U–Pb zircon and rutile dating allowed determination of the timing of porphyry ore formation at Vlaykov Vruh (85.6 ± 0.9 Ma), which immediately followed the crystallization of the subvolcanic dacitic bodies at Elshitsa (86.11 ± 0.23 Ma) and the Elshitsa granite (86.62 ± 0.02 Ma). Strontium isotope analyses of hydrothermal sulfates and carbonates (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70581–0.70729) suggest large-scale interaction between mineralizing fluids and basement lithologies at Elshitsa–Vlaykov Vruh. Lead isotope compositions of hydrothermal sulfides (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 18.432–18.534, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 15.608–15.647, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb = 37.497–38.630) allow attribution of ore-formation in the porphyry and epithermal deposits in the Southern Panagyurishte district to a single metallogenic event with a common source of metals.     

卫星遥感藏北高原非均匀陆表地表特征参数和植被参数

卫星遥感在研究青藏高原北部地区(藏北高原地区)非均匀陆表地表特征参数和植被参数时有其独到的作用.作者提出了基于NOAA-14 AVHRR资料推算藏北高原地区地表特征参数和植被参数的方案,并把其用于全球能量水循环之亚洲季风青藏高原试验(GAME/Tibet)试验区.同时利用3个景的NOAA-14 AVHRR资料进行了分析研究,得到了一些有关藏北地区非均匀地表的区域地表特征参数(地表反射率、地表温度)和植被参数(INDV、植被覆盖度和叶面指数ILA).