Rb-Sr dating of Paleozoic glauconite from the Llano region,central Texas

Glauconite from eight stratigraphic horizons (Cambrian to Pennsylvanian) in the Llano Uplift, central Texas and two Cretaceous glauconites were analyzed by the Rb-Sr method. Only two untreated samples provide ages in agreement with those anticipated from current best estimates of the geologic time scale. With one exception all the other apparent ages fall short of the estimated age of deposition by as much as 22%. Low ages, the pattern customarily observed, are attributed to postdepositional loss of radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr from expandable layers by weathering or during diagenesis.Detailed leaching experiments using a variety of reagents were performed to characterize the behavior of glauconite. The most promising treatment, which we recommend as standard procedure in all future studies, is with ammonium acetate which is able to purge the mineral of loosely-bound Rb and Sr while leaving tightly-bound components intact. After appropriate leach, three other Rb-Sr ages were brought into coincidence with their estimated ages of deposition.In contrast an Upper Cambrian glauconite was found to be extremely resistant to further alteration by chemical attack′, providing an age of 429 ± 17 M yr. Although 17% short of the age of deposition, this age is interpreted as the time of a real event: diagenetic recrystallization induced by burial. Comparison of data from four samples indicates that for Paleozoic glauconite, conditions exist in which the Rb-Sr system is less susceptible to mild disturbance than is the K-Ar system.     

Improving the indoor air quality using the individual air supply system

Indoor air quality attracts great interest. Many dwellings are ventilated naturally. The article presents the gravity system conversion into individual air supply system, which can be equipped with air fan. This solution’s impact on the interior microclimate was analyzed. The proposed solution uses the lower natural ventilation ducts sections, which are not normally used as air supply channels to bring air to the housing. Exhaust grilles were located in the adjacent rooms. Individual air supply system with switched off fan improves indoor air quality insufficiently; however, switching on the device causes a very significant change. A large carbon dioxide concentration reduction (which was used as an air quality indicator) has been confirmed by rigorous statistical analysis, the results of which were presented in the article.     

The spectacular fossils of the ‘water margin’: the Cambrian biota of Chengjiang,Yunnan, China

Shi Nai'an's fourteenth century Chinese epic ‘Water Margin’ tells of the release of 36 heavenly spirits and 72 baleful stars from their captivity beneath a tablet of stone at Mount Longhu in Jiangxi Province. They are reincarnated as the 108 heroes of the Liangshan marsh in Shandong Province, who rise against an unjust world. The virtuous exploits of the ‘108’ were brought to life through the cathode‐ray screens of 1970s television sets, as the TV series The Water Margin introduced heroes like Lin Chong battling his evil nemesis Gao Qiu. Far to the west of Jiangxi Province and several hundred years after the Water Margin during the summer of 1984, a young scientist from Nanjing was working amongst the hills and lakes of southern Yunnan Province. He too overturned a stone slab, releasing from their half‐billion year captivity a cornucopia of new Chinese legends. His name was Xianguang Hou and he had made one of the most momentous fossil discoveries in history, uncovering the exceptionally preserved marine fossils of the Chengjiang biota from the ancient water margin of Cambrian seas.     

Opportunities for satellite remote sensing in hydrology and water management

Abstract

Hydrology and Water Management are key areas of applied science in the current world economy. Increasingly hydrologiste are looking to satellite remote sensing to help meet their needs for near real‐time data to measure, monitor and model water in the environment. However, progress has been hindered by the lack of a dedicated series of hydro‐logical satellites.

The paper summarises studies undertaken on an international basis in order to influence satellite, sensor and ground segment design operations to suit the needs of water management.     

Untersuchungen zur Metamorphose in den westlichen Hohen Tauern (Österreich)

Zusammenfassung In einem metamorphen Gebiet (westliche Hohe Tauern, Österreich), das P-T-Bedingungen von der niedrigen Grünschieferfazies bis zur Amphibolitfazies zeigt, wird die aufsteigende Metamorphose in ehemals pelitischen, mergeligen sowie in basaltischen und ultramafitischen Gesteinen beschrieben.Vergleiche mit experimentell ermittelten Gleichgewichtsdaten erlauben die Abschätzung einer Metamorphose-Temperatur von ca. 400 bis 600°C. Verschiedene Mineralparagenesen deuten auf eine druckbetonte Metamorphose.

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Petrological investigation of metamorphic rocks of the Western part of the Hohe Tauern (Austria)

Summary In the Western part of the Hohe Tauern (Austria) P-T-conditions of metamorphism range from low greenschist facies to amphibolite facies. Progressive metamorphism is demonstrated in rocks of pelitic, calcareous, and basaltic composition and in ultramafic rocks.Comparison with experimental data indicate temperatures of 400 to 600°C. Various mineral parageneses indicate high-pressure metamorphism.

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Mit 6 Abbildungen     

基于高光谱遥感数据提取森林结构参数的研究

以位于三峡库区的龙门河森林自然保护区为研究区,综合利用线性光谱混合模型和几何光学模型,基于高光谱遥感数据提取森林结构参数是本文研究的重点。在研究区地面调查数据的基础上,通过高光谱数据和混合光谱分解法,获得反演几何光学模型所需的四分量参数,根据背景光照分量与森林植被冠层各参数间的关系,反演得到森林冠层郁闭度及平均冠幅的定量分布图,并利用37个野外实测样本进行结果验证。     

First magnetic determinations in Afghanistan

Résumé La première partie de l'article contient les résultats des mesures magnétiques, effectuées à Kaboul par Monsieur D.S.A.Adams et par l'auteur indépendamment. À cause du manque des instruments magnétiques de campagne, nous avons exécuté les mesures au moyen des appareils de laboratoire. On a obtenu les valeurs approximatives suivantes pour l'époque 1948.0 à Kaboul: et une variation séculaire de la déclinaison magnétique de—3 par an. Dans la deuxième partie l'auteur discute les mesures magnétiques exécutées dans la Province du Nord de l'Afghanistan et publiées parWeinberg etZimmermann. Les chiffres en question montrent une variation annuelle de la déclinaison magnétique en Turkestan Afghan de +1.0 jusqu'à –0.6, de 4.9 jusqu'à 6.0 pour l'inclinaison, et de –37 jusqu'à –52 pour la composante horizontale. L'auteur suppose que le terrain afghan soit anomral au point de vue magnétique et mentionne que certaines anomalies magnétiques ont été découvertes près d'Achkhabad, au voisinage de la frontière d'Iran, par les géologues Russes.     

Monitoring Large-Scale Tests for Nuclear Waste Disposal

Two large-scale “in situ” demonstration experiments and their instrumentation are described. The first test (FEBEX Experiment) involves the hydration of a compacted bentonite barrier under the combined effect of an inner source of heat and an outer water flow from the confining saturated granite rock. In the second case, the progressive de-saturation of Opalinus clay induced by maintained ventilation of an unlined tunnel is analyzed. The paper shows the performance of different sensors (capacitive cells, psychrometers, TDR’s) and a comparison of fill behaviour with modelling results. The long term performance of some instruments could also be evaluated specially in the case of FEBEX test. Capacitive sensors provide relative humidity data during long transient periods characterised by very large variations of suction within the bentonite.