Cosmic-ray streaming and anisotropies

The principal result of this paper is the demonstration that in interplanetary space the electric-field drifts and convective flow parallel to the magnetic field of cosmic-ray particles combine as a simple convective flow with the solar wind. In addition there are diffusive currents and transverse gradient drift currents. With this interpretation direct reference to the interplanetary electric-field drifts is eliminated and the study of steady-state and transient cosmic-ray anisotropies is both more systematic and simpler. Following a discussion of our present knowledge of the diffusion coefficient in the interplanetary medium, the theory is applied to steady-state anisotropies near Earth in the kinetic energy (T) range 7.5 MeV<T<20 GeV. First the theory of the diurnal variation atT>-2 GeV is examined and it is suggested that the azimuthal streaming associated with the observations be regarded simply as proof that there is no significant net radial flow of cosmic rays at these energies. Second, it is predicted that, near Earth, the radial anisotropy will have a (+?+) variation with energy and this prediction is very insensitive to the precise values of the parameters used: intensity spectrum, solar wind speed, radial density gradient, and diffusion coefficient. Then, third, the small and radial steady-state anisotropies reported by Raoet al. (1967) in the intervals 7.5<T<45 MeV and 45<T<90 MeV are re-examined and it is found that the gradients and diffusion coefficients required to produce the reported anisotropies in 7.5<T<45 MeV are inconsistent with those expected from other data.     

Groundwater flow in the transition zone between freshwater and saltwater: a field-based study and analysis of measurement errors

The quantification of groundwater flow near the freshwater–saltwater transition zone at the coast is difficult because of variable-density effects and tidal dynamics. Head measurements were collected along a transect perpendicular to the shoreline at a site south of the city of Adelaide, South Australia, to determine the transient flow pattern. This paper presents a detailed overview of the measurement procedure, data post-processing methods and uncertainty analysis in order to assess how measurement errors affect the accuracy of the inferred flow patterns. A particular difficulty encountered was that some of the piezometers were leaky, which necessitated regular measurements of the electrical conductivity and temperature of the water inside the wells to correct for density effects. Other difficulties included failure of pressure transducers, data logger clock drift and operator error. The data obtained were sufficiently accurate to show that there is net seaward horizontal flow of freshwater in the top part of the aquifer, and a net landward flow of saltwater in the lower part. The vertical flow direction alternated with the tide, but due to the large uncertainty of the head gradients and density terms, no net flow could be established with any degree of confidence. While the measurement problems were amplified under the prevailing conditions at the site, similar errors can lead to large uncertainties everywhere. The methodology outlined acknowledges the inherent uncertainty involved in measuring groundwater flow. It can also assist to establish the accuracy requirements of the experimental setup.     

The Impact of Herder Sedentarization on Natural Resource Access in Northeastern Ghana

The Fulani of West Africa have increasingly migrated to humid West Africa since the Sahelian droughts of the 1970s, drawing opposition from indigenous groups that are concerned about the deprivation of their livelihood and monopolization of resources for herders’ livestock. This research, which involved farmers, shepherds, and Fulani herders, addressed three issues: the nature of indigenous grazing and watering regimes, shepherd–herder relations, and herders’ impact on resource access for indigenes’ livestock. The research indicates that in-community and off-community platforms for resource access exist. The former has not been impacted by the herders; the latter has experienced changes insufficient to constitute an overhaul of resource access at the expense of indigenes’ livestock. Instead, a “shepherd–herder” category of resource access has emerged that is characterized by negotiation for resource space, opening avenues for addressing broader resource access issues, and typically tense indigene–herder relationships.     

Metal speciation in rivers affected by enhanced soil erosion and acidity

Dissolved (<1 kDa), colloidal (1 kDa–0.45 μm) and particulate (>0.45 μm) size fractions of 30 elements were determined for four rivers (Sirppujoki, Laajoki, Mynäjoki and Paimionjoki), including 12 low-order inflow streams, largely affected by soil erosion and acidity in SW Finland. In addition, geochemical modelling was used to predict the formation of free ions and complexes in these rivers. Total metal concentrations were relatively high but most of the elements occurred mainly in a colloidal or particulate form and even elements expected to be very soluble occurred to a large extent in colloidal form. According to geochemical modelling these patterns could be explained by in-stream metal complexation/adsorption only to a limited extent. Instead there were strong indications that the high metal concentrations and dominant solid fractions were largely caused by erosion of metal bearing phyllosilicates. A strong influence of acid sulphate (AS) soils, known to exist in the catchment, could be clearly distinguished in Sirppujoki river as it had very high concentrations of dissolved metals, while in the two nearby rivers (Laajoki and Mynäjoki) the influence of AS soils was largely masked by eroded phyllosilicates. In Paimionjoki river the colloidal and particulate fractions dominated very strongly, indicating that total metal concentrations are almost solely controlled by erosion of phyllosilicates. Consequently, rivers draining clay plains sensitive to erosion, like those in SW Finland, have generally high “background” metal concentrations due to erosion of relatively non-toxic colloidal/particulate phyllosilicates. Thus, relying on only semi-dissolved (<0.45 μm) concentrations obtained in routine monitoring and/or speciation modelling can lead to a great overestimation of the water toxicity in this environment.     

Unexpected phase assemblages in inclusions with ternary H2O-salt fluids at low temperatures

Phase assemblages and temperatures of phase changes provide important information about the bulk properties of fluid inclusions, and are typically obtained by microthermometry. Inclusions are synthesized in natural quartz containing an aqueous fluid with a composition in the ternary systems of H₂O-NaCl₂-CaCl₂, H₂O-NaCl-MgCl₂, and H₂O-CaCl₂-MgCl₂. This study reveals that these fluid inclusions may behave highly unpredictably at low temperatures due to the formation of metastable phase assemblages. Eutectic temperatures cannot be detected in most of the fluid inclusions containing these ternary systems. Nucleation of a variety of solid ice and salt-hydrate phases in single fluid inclusions is often partly inhibited. Raman spectroscopy at low temperatures provides an important tool for interpreting and understanding microthermometric experiments, and visualizing stable and metastable phase assemblages. Final dissolution temperatures of ice, salt-hydrates, and salt must be treated with care, as they can only be interpreted by purely empirical or thermodynamic models at stable conditions.     

A model for the bite mechanics in the herbivorous dinosaur Stegosaurus (Ornithischia, Stegosauridae)

Although the herbivorous dinosaur Stegosaurus (Ornithischia, Stegosauridae) is a well-described Late Jurassic taxon, little is known about the feeding habits and biomechanics of its homodont dentition. The presence of a rhamphotheca has been suggested, but it is still unknown how much such structure would have participated in the foraging behaviour of Stegosaurus. To better understand the feeding mechanism of this taxon, three-dimensional models of a Stegosaurus tooth were created, using the software ZBrush^®. One model was simple and lacked serrations, whereas the other model included serrations. Those models were then transferred to the software Strand7^®, where finite element analyses took place. The models were given material properties of enamel, based on studies done with crocodilian and mammalian teeth. In addition to that, bite forces were calculated for Stegosaurus, based on skull proportions. The results show little difference between the force distributions on the serrated and non-serrated models, indicating an efficient mechanism of stress dissipation that avoids high stresses being transferred to the jaw bones during biting. Digital plant models were also created to test the calculated bite forces in Stegosaurus, which suggests this animal was capable of biting through smaller branches. Computer modelling and analyses provide additional information about feeding habits and plant preferences for Stegosaurus, and can be adapted for studying other comparable herbivorous taxa.     

The behavior of arsenic and antimony at Pezinok mining site,southwestern part of the Slovak Republic

Arsenic and antimony contamination is found at the Pezinok mining site in the southwest of the Slovak Republic. Investigation of this site included sampling and analysis of water, mineralogical analyses, sequential extraction, in addition to flow and geochemical modeling. The highest dissolved arsenic concentrations correspond to mine tailings (up to 90,000 μg/L) and the arsenic is present predominately as As(V). The primary source of the arsenic is the dissolution of arsenopyrite. Concentration of antimony reaches 7,500 μg/L and its primary source is the dissolution of stibnite. Pore water in mine tailings is well-buffered by the dissolution of carbonates (pH values between 6.6 and 7.0) and arsenopyrite grains are surrounded by reaction rims composed of ferric iron minerals. Based on sequential extraction results, most solid phase arsenic is in the reducible fraction (i.e. ferric oxyhydroxides), sulfidic fraction, and residual fraction. Distribution of antimony in the solid phase is similar, but contents are lower. The principal attenuation mechanism for As(V) is adsorption to ferric oxide and hydroxides, but the adsorption seems to be limited by the competition with Sb(V) produced by the oxidation of stibnite for adsorption sites. Water in mine tailings is at equilibrium with gypsum and calcite, but far from equilibrium with any arsenic and antimony minerals. The concentrations of arsenic and antimony in the surrounding aquifer are much lower, with maximum values of 215 and 426 μg/L, respectively. Arsenic and antimony are transported by ground water flow towards the Blatina Creek, but their loading from ground water to the creek is much lower compared with the input from the mine adits. In the Blatina Creek, arsenic and antimony are attenuated by dilution and by adsorption on ferric iron minerals in stream sediments with resulting respective concentrations of 93 and 45 μg/L at the site boundary south of mine tailing ponds.     

A 3.5 ka record of paleoenvironments and human occupation at Angkor Borei,Mekong Delta,southern Cambodia

Microfossil and sedimentological data from a 3.1 m core extracted from a reservoir (baray) at the ancient Cambodian settlement of Angkor Borei in the Mekong Delta have provided a continuous record of sedimentation and paleoenvironments dating from about 2000 cal yr B.C. Palynological data indicate that for much of the cal. 1st and 2nd millennia B.C. mangroves dominated the regional vegetation, while extensively and regularly burnt grasslands dominated the local vegetation. Turbid, nutrient‐rich standing water characterized the core locality, perhaps suggesting a connection with rivers in the area. An abrupt change during the cal. 5th to 6th centuries A.D. involved a dramatic reduction in grasslands and the expansion of secondary forest or re‐growth taxa. These changes are synchronous with an abrupt decline in the concentration of microscopic charcoal particles in the sediments, and the colonization of the core locality by swamp forest plants. These changes are taken to indicate a shift in land‐use strategies or, possibly, a period of land abandonment. The age for the construction of the baray is interpreted to be in the 17th–19th centuries, but this dating remains speculative. Construction of the Angkor Borei baray exploited a preexisting body of standing water, so its construction was fundamentally different from the methods used at the Angkorian capital in northern Cambodia. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.