Land tenure type as an underrated legal constraint on the conservation management of coastal dunes: examples from Ireland

Legal factors play an underrated but significant role as constraints on conservation management. In this paper, based on observations in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, mode of land tenure is assessed to determine its influence on the conservation management of coastal dunes. The tenure types considered are: private ownership, corporate private ownership, tenancy, secured tenancy, leasing, common (joint) ownership, uncertain ownership, public ownership and its subset military ownership. It is suggested that multiple private ownership is least likely to favour effective conservation management. Public ownership by a statutory conservation authority and corporate private ownership by a conservation-orientated NGO are regarded as the optimum tenure types for conservation management of coastal dunes.     

Hydrogen isotopic composition of water from fossil micrometeorites in howardites

We have measured the hydrogen isotopic composition (D/H ratios) of the water from 13 carbonaceous chondritic microclasts (CCMs, size <1 mm) trapped in two howardites (Kapoeta and Yamato-793497) early in the evolution of Solar System. The division into tochilinite-rich; magnetite-rich, olivine-poor; magnetite-rich, olivine-rich CCM types is corroborated by the hydrogen isotopic compositions. Both mineralogy and hydrogen isotopic compositions demonstrate that tochilinite-rich CCMs represent CM2 chondritic matter. In contrast, there is no good match between the isotopic and mineralogical properties of the magnetite-rich CCMs and the known groups of carbonaceous chondrites, suggesting that magnetite-rich CCMs represent a new kind of chondritic matter, not yet sampled in meteorite collections. This demonstrates that the view of the asteroid belt revealed by the collection of meteorites is incomplete. The study of (micro)clasts offers a unique opportunity to better decipher the nature and relative abundance of asteroids.The average hydrogen isotopic composition of water belonging to CCMs, D/H = (152.0 ± 4.8) × 10⁻⁶ (1σ_m), is similar to that of Antarctic micrometeorites (AMMs), D/H = (161.2 ± 3.8) × 10⁻⁶ (1σ_m). The similarity, in terms of mineralogy and hydrogen isotopic composition, between CCMs and AMMs demonstrates that the composition of the micrometeorites has not been modified over the whole history of the Solar System. It indicates that the composition of the micrometeorite flux onto Earth has been, and is, dominated by a mixture of CM2-like; magnetite-rich, olivine-poor; magnetite-rich, olivine-rich carbonaceous chondritic matter exemplified by CCMs found in howardites. Because CCMs have not suffered atmospheric entry, they provide an abundant source of pristine micrometeorites.The average D/H ratio of the whole population of CCMs is identical within errors to that of the Earth (149 ± 3 × 10⁻⁶). The match between the CCMs D/H ratio and that of the Earth is especially remarkable because 1) three different populations of CCMs are needed to make the D/H ratio of the Earth; 2) there is no single carbonaceous chondrite group for which a similar match exists. This observation suggests that CCMs population might be representative of the late veneer agent(s) that delivered water to the Earth.     

The effects of solution chemistry on the sticking efficiencies of viable Enterococcus faecalis: An atomic force microscopy and modeling study

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory in combination with the interaction force boundary layer (IFBL) model have been used to empirically and theoretically calculate sticking efficiencies (α) of Enterococcus faecalis cells against a silica glass surface. Sticking efficiencies were calculated in solutions of varying pH and ionic strength and related to maximum distances of transport through a hypothetical soil block using colloid filtration theory.AFM measurements show that the repulsive and attractive forces between E. faecalis cells and a glass surface are a function of ionic strength but are less sensitive to changes in solution pH. Zeta (ζ)-potential measurements of the cells and glass surfaces correlate with these trends. Calculated DLVO energy profiles predict much greater sensitivity to changing solution chemistry. Sticking efficiencies derived from AFM measurements range from 9.6 × 10⁻¹⁷ to 1 in solutions of low ionic strength (IS) and from 2.6 × 10⁻³³ to 1 at higher IS. Corresponding α values determined from DLVO theory are essentially zero in all tested solutions.Sticking efficiencies calculated in this study are smaller than values determined from column and field studies in similar systems; however, α derived from AFM data and the IFBL model more closely represent field data than do values calculated from DLVO energy values. A comparison with different methods of calculating α suggests that reversible adhesion may be significant in column-scale transport studies.     

Zircon M127 – A Homogeneous Reference Material for SIMS U–Pb Geochronology Combined with Hafnium,Oxygen and,Potentially, Lithium Isotope Analysis

In this article, we document a detailed analytical characterisation of zircon M127, a homogeneous 12.7 carat gemstone from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka. Zircon M127 has TIMS‐determined mean U–Pb radiogenic isotopic ratios of 0.084743 ± 0.000027 for ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U and 0.67676 ± 0.00023 for ²⁰⁷Pb/²³⁵U (weighted means, 2s uncertainties). Its ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age of 524.36 ± 0.16 Ma (95% confidence uncertainty) is concordant within the uncertainties of decay constants. The δ¹⁸O value (determined by laser fluorination) is 8.26 ± 0.06‰ VSMOW (2s), and the mean ¹⁷⁶Hf/¹⁷⁷Hf ratio (determined by solution ICP‐MS) is 0.282396 ± 0.000004 (2s). The SIMS‐determined δ⁷Li value is ?0.6 ± 0.9‰ (2s), with a mean mass fraction of 1.0 ± 0.1 μg g^?1 Li (2s). Zircon M127 contains ~ 923 μg g^?1 U. The moderate degree of radiation damage corresponds well with the time‐integrated self‐irradiation dose of 1.82 × 10¹⁸ alpha events per gram. This observation, and the (U–Th)/He age of 426 ± 7 Ma (2s), which is typical of unheated Sri Lankan zircon, enable us to exclude any thermal treatment. Zircon M127 is proposed as a reference material for the determination of zircon U–Pb ages by means of SIMS in combination with hafnium and stable isotope (oxygen and potentially also lithium) determination.     

Cumberland Falls chondritic inclusions: Mineralogy/petrology of a forsterite chondrite suite

As previously found for a chondritic inclusion of unknown affinity, mineralogic and petrologic properties of 9 inclusions in the Cumberland Falls enstatitc achondrite are primitive members of the forsterite (F) chondrite group, hitherto defined by 4 meteorites of similar redox state. The inclusions define a primitive suite with properties indicating 8 as F3 and one of even lower petrologic type. The abundant minerals include: low-Ca pyroxene, olivine, plagioclase, kamacite, taenite, schreibersite, troilite, ferroan alabandite and daubreelite. Diopside, oldhamite and a Ti-rich sulfide are present in one or two inclusions. Petrologic textures and jadeitic pyroxene, hitherto unidentified in meteorites, indicate substantial degree of shock. The inclusions acquired their chemical characteristics during nebular condensation and accretion over a broad redox range (metal-silicate trends in them verify Prior's Rules): their parent body later impacted the enstatite meteorite parent body. During impact, the inclusions were shocked and incorporated with enstatite achondrite host as a breccia that would become Cumberland Falls.     

Extraction procedure testing of solid wastes generated at selected metal ore mines and mills

Solid waste samples from a reconnaissance study conducted at ore mining and milling sites were subjected to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency extraction procedure (EP) leaching test Sites visited included mines and mills extracting ores of antimony (Sb), mercury (Hg), vanadium (V), tungsten (W), and nickel (Ni). Samples analyzed included mine wastes, treatment pond solids, tailings, low grade ore, and other solid wastes generated at these facilities Analysis of the leachate from these tests indicates that none of the samples generated leachate in which the concentration of any toxic metal parameter exceeded EPA criteria levels for those metals. By volume, tailings generally constitute the largest amount of solid wastes generated, but these data indicate that with proper management and monitoring, current EPA criteria can be met for tailings and for most solid wastes associated with mining and milling of these metal ores. Long-term studies are needed to determine if leachate characteristics change with time and to assist in development of closure plans and post closure monitoring programs.     

Experimental study of igneous and sedimentary apatite dissolution: Control of pH, distance from equilibrium, and temperature on dissolution rates

Apatite dissolution experiments were conducted using both a fluidized bed and stirred tank reactor over a range of pH, temperature, solution saturation state, and on non-carbonated and carbonated apatite compositions: igneous fluorapatite (FAP) and sedimentary carbonate fluorapatite (CFA), respectively. From 2 <pH <6, the rate of release from dissolution of all apatite components [calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and fluoride (F)] increased with decreasing pH for FAP. From 6 < pH < 8.5, the FAP dissolution rate is pH independent. Measuring apatite dissolution rates at pH > 8.5 were not possible due to detection limits of the analytical techniques used in this study and the high insolubility of FAP. For the CFA compositions studied, the dissolution rate decreased with increasing pH from 4 < pH < 7. During early stages of the dissolution reaction for both FAP and CFA, mineral components were released in non-stoichiometric ratios with reacted solution ratios of dissolved Ca:P and Ca:F being greater than mineral stoichiometric ratios, suggesting that Ca was preferentially released compared to P and F from the mineral structure during the early stages of dissolution. An increase in reacted solution pH accompanies this early elevated release of Ca. As the dissolution reaction proceeded to steady state, dissolution became congruent. When normalized to BET measured surface area, FAP dissolved faster from 4 < pH < 7 compared to CFA. The apparent Arrhenius activation energy (E_a) of FAP dissolution over the temperature range of 25-55°C at pH = 3.0, I = 0.1, and pCO₂ = 0 is 8.3 ± 0.2 kcal mol⁻¹. Both the apparent exchange of solution H⁺ for solid-bound Ca at low pH in the early stage of dissolution and the E_a of dissolution suggest a surface and not a diffusion controlled dissolution reaction for FAP and CFA. The degree of undersaturation of the solution, ΔG_R, with respect to FAP was important in determining the dissolution rate. At pH = 3.0, I = 0.1, and pCO₂ = 0, the dissolution rate of FAP was ∼ 5× greater in the far-from-equilibrium region compared to the near-equilibrium slope region.A simple apatite weathering model incorporating the experimental results from this study was constructed, and numerical calculations suggest that during the Phanerozoic both the surface area of igneous rock available for weathering and the average global temperature were important factors in determining the P weathering flux from apatite dissolution. It is possible that elevated global temperatures coupled with relatively high surface area of igneous rock during the early- to mid-Paleozoic resulted in elevated P weathering fluxes, which along with climatic evolutionary pressures of the Neoproterozoic, facilitated the radiation of multicellular organisms, large-scale phosphorite deposition, and abundance of calcium phosphate shelled organisms during the early Cambrian.     

Citizens as sensors: the world of volunteered geography

In recent months there has been an explosion of interest in using the Web to create, assemble, and disseminate geographic information provided voluntarily by individuals. Sites such as Wikimapia and OpenStreetMap are empowering citizens to create a global patchwork of geographic information, while Google Earth and other virtual globes are encouraging volunteers to develop interesting applications using their own data. I review this phenomenon, and examine associated issues: what drives people to do this, how accurate are the results, will they threaten individual privacy, and how can they augment more conventional sources? I compare this new phenomenon to more traditional citizen science and the role of the amateur in geographic observation.     

The Late Precambrian Timna igneous complex, Southern Israel: Evidence for comagmatic-type sanukitoid monzodiorite and alkali granite magma

New data from a geochemical, geochronological and isotopic study of the Late Precambrian Timna igneous complex suggest the formation of alkali granites from a LIL-enriched, mantle derived, sanukitoid-type monzodiorite (a silica oversaturated rock with Mg# >60). These data also provide new insights into the petrology, timing and regional tectonic control of the transition from the calc-alkaline to the alkaline magmatic activity in the northern Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS) during the Late Precambrian.

The Timna alkali granite was formed by fractional crystallization from the monzodioritic magma in a quasi-stratified magmatic cell which formed 610 Ma ago in the 625 Ma old calc-alkaline, porphyritic granite crust. These monzodiorites are mantle-derived, as demonstrated by their high Mg# (63), Cr (230 ppm), and Ni (120 ppm). They are characterized by initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.7034, ε-Nd (610 Ma) = +3.4, and are enriched in K₂O (2.9%), Sr (840 ppm), Ba (1290 ppm) and LREE [(La/Lu)_n= 10–25]. The chemical characteristics and REE patterns of the monzodiorites and andesitic dykes of Timna are very similar to Dokhan andesites from northeastern Egypt and the Archean sanukitoids from Canada. The isotopic, geochemical and geochronologic data all indicate that Timna monzodiorites are comagmatic with the alkali granite. The alkali granite is a typical post-orogenic, borderline A-type granite. It is enriched in potassium (K₂O=4.68–6.64%), has a negative europium anomaly (Eu/Eu^*=0.058–0.38) and ε-Nd (610 Ma) of +3.9. The calc-alkaline granite is a typical I-type granite with a small positive europium anomaly (Eu/Eu^*=1.02–1.16). Its age and the Sr, Nd and Pb isotopic characteristics with ε-Nd (625 Ma) of +5.6 to +5.9 are significantly different from these of the alkali granite and monzodiorites, and indicate little interaction with the monzodiorite during the formation of the alkali granite.

The alkali granites are correlative with the post-collisional extensional granites in Jordan and Egypt while the porphyritic granites can be correlated with the late orogenic types. Crustal thickening associated with orogenic compression resulted in crustal anatexis to form the I-type granitic rocks, whereas crustal thinning associated with extension allowed LIL-enriched mantle melts to rise very near to the surface, where space was available for these to pond and fractionate to alkali granite.