Microscale Simultaneous Measurement of Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes on Natural Diamond

Simultaneous analysis of carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios by SIMS was applied for the first-time to a natural diamond from the Kelsey Lake kimberlite, State Line Distinct, Colorado (UWD-1). This in situ procedure is faster, reduces sample size for analysis, and measures both isotope ratios from a single ~ 10 μm diameter pit, a critical advantage for zoned diamonds. The carbon isotope ratio (expressed as δ¹³C_VPDB) of the bulk UWD-1 crystal, determined by the conventional combustion method in the present study, is -5.9‰ ± 0.2‰ (VPDB, 2s). Nitrogen mass fraction ([N]) and isotope ratio (expressed as δ¹⁵N_Air) were determined by stepwise combustion and gas-source mass-spectrometry, resulting in 553 ± 64 μg g^-1 and -6.7‰ ± 1.1‰ (Air, 2s), respectively. Secondary ions of ¹²C₂^-, ¹²C¹³C^-, ¹²C¹⁴N^-, and ¹²C¹⁵N^- were simultaneously measured by SIMS using three Faraday cups and one electron multiplier. The spot-to-spot reproducibility of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values for the UWD-1 (178 spots on sixteen chips, 10 μm spots), were 0.3‰ and 1.6‰, respectively (2s). While ¹²C¹⁴N^-/¹²C₂^- ratios, which are an indicator for [N], varied up to 12% among these sixteen chips, such variation did not correlate with either δ¹³C or δ¹⁵N values. We propose that UWD-1 is a suitable reference sample for microscale in situ analysis of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N values in diamond samples.     

Quantifying the Tetrad Effect,Shape Components,and Ce–Eu–Gd Anomalies in Rare Earth Element Patterns

Mathematical Geosciences - Plots of chondrite-normalised rare earth element (REE) patterns often appear as smooth curves. These curves can be decomposed into orthogonal polynomial functions (shape...     

Compromise not consensus: designing a participatory process for landslide risk mitigation

With the escalating costs of landslides, the challenge for local authorities is to develop institutional arrangements for landslide risk management that are viewed as efficient, feasible and fair by those affected. For this purpose, the participation of stakeholders in the decision-making process is mandated by the European Union as a way of improving its perceived legitimacy and transparency. This paper reports on an analytical-deliberative process for selecting landslide risk mitigation measures in the town of Nocera Inferiore in southern Italy. The process was structured as a series of meetings with a group of selected residents and several parallel activities open to the public. The preparatory work included a literature/media review, semi-structured interviews carried out with key local stakeholders and a survey eliciting residents’ views on landslide risk management. The main point of departure in the design of this process was the explicit elicitation and structuring of multiple worldviews (or perspectives) among the participants with respect to the nature of the problem and its solution. Rather than eliciting preferences using decision analytical methods (e.g. utility theory or multi-criteria evaluation), this process built on a body of research—based on the theory of plural rationality—that has teased out the limited number of contending and socially constructed definitions of problem-and-solution that are able to achieve viability. This framing proved effective in structuring participants’ views and arriving at a compromise recommendation (not, as is often aimed for, a consensus) on measures for reducing landslide risk. Experts played a unique role in this process by providing a range of policy options that corresponded to the different perspectives held by the participants.

     

A macro-scale flood risk model for Jamaica with impact of climate variability

Floods account for more than half of the global hydrometeorological risks. Severe floods cause significant economic shocks and loss of lives, particularly for developing countries such as Jamaica. There is need for more information on the present and projected flood risks to justify macro-scale planning for climate change adaptation and facilitate the decision-making processes. In this study, a catalogue of 198 flood events occurring between 1678 and 2010 is compiled for Jamaica and used to examine the climatology, occurrence, trends, causes and duration of the island’s severe events. The annual flood risk is estimated to be a loss of life rate of 4 persons and estimated annual damage of USD96.3 million per annum in 2010 values and approximately 0.84 % of GDP per annum. Macro-scale models for flood risks (deaths and damages) are also developed using data from the flood catalogue and maximum precipitation at the town and parish level. The models examine the relationship between flood risks (death and damages) and extreme rainfall depths and intensities. Future climate risks of loss of lives and damages are predicted to increase 11 and 9 %, respectively, to 4.4 persons and USD105.2 million per annum.     

Changes in bedrock channel morphology driven by displacement rate increase during normal fault interaction and linkage

We attribute changes in the morphology of relay ramp channels (increased slope and decreased width) to variations in displacement rate on ramp‐adjacent normal faults. We map the faults and fluvial channels associated with four sites in different stages of fault interaction and linkage on the Volcanic Tableland, a Late Pleistocene ash‐flow tuff in east‐central California. Because these channels are inactive today, we estimate downstream changes in channel width and depth using HEC‐RAS, a one‐dimensional open channel flow model. Our results show that channel slope must be greater than about 0.05 before there are substantial decreases in width or substantial increases in depth. Displacement rate increases during interaction between en echelon segments results in the increases in channel slope and decreases in channel width. Moreover, our data show that these changes begin to occur during the very early stages of fault interaction, well before the fault geometry would indicate ongoing or imminent linkage.