Analyses of nitrogen and argon in single lunar grains: towards a quantification of the asteroidal contribution to planetary surfaces

We performed nitrogen and argon isotopic analyses in single 200-μm-sized ilmenite grains of lunar regolith samples 71501, 79035 and 79135. Cosmogenic and trapped components were discriminated using stepwise heating with a power-controlled CO₂ laser. Cosmogenic ¹⁵N and ³⁸Ar correlate among different ilmenite grains, yielding a mean ¹⁵N_c/³⁸Ar_c production ratio of 14.4±1.0 atoms/atom. This yields a ¹⁵N production rate in bulk lunar samples of 3.8-5.6 pg (g rock)⁻¹ Ma⁻¹, which agrees well with previous estimates. The trapped δ¹⁵N values show large variations (up to 300‰) among different grains of a given soil, reflecting complex histories of mixing between different end-members. The ³⁶Ar/¹⁴N ratio, which is expected to increase with increasing contribution of solar ions, varies from 0.007 to 0.44 times the solar abundance ratio. The trapped δ¹⁵N values correlate roughly with the ³⁶Ar/¹⁴N ratios from a non-solar end-member characterized by a ³⁶Ar/¹⁴N ratio close to 0 and variable but generally positive δ¹⁵N values, to lower δ¹⁵N values accompanied by increasing ³⁶Ar/¹⁴N ratios, supporting the claim of Hashizume et al. (2000) that solar nitrogen is largely depleted in ¹⁵N relative to meteoritic or terrestrial nitrogen. Nevertheless, the ³⁶Ar/¹⁴N ratio of the ¹⁵N-depleted (solar) end-member is lower than the solar abundance ratio by a factor of 2.5-5. We explain this by a reprocessing of implanted solar wind atoms, during which part of the chemically inert rare gases were lost. We estimate that the flux of non-solar N necessary to account for the observed δ¹⁵N values is comparable to the flux of micrometeorites and interplanetary dust particles estimated for the Earth. Hence we propose that the variations in δ¹⁵N values observed in lunar regolith can be simply explained by mixing between solar wind contributions and micrometeoritic ones infalling on the Moon. Temporal variations of δ¹⁵N values among samples of different antiquities could be due to changes in the micrometeoritic flux through time, in which case such flux has increased by up to an order of magnitude during the last 0.5 Ga.     

A modal α2-dynamo in the limit of asymptotically small viscosity

Abstract

A spherical α²-dynamo is presented as an expansion in the free decay modes of the magnetic field. In the limit of vanishing viscosity the momentum equation yields various asymptotic expansions for the flow, depending on the precise form of the dissipation and boundary conditions applied. A new form for the dissipation is introduced that greatly simplifies this asymptotic expansion. When these expansions are substituted back into the induction equation, a set of modal amplitude equations is derived, and solved for various distributions of the α-effect. For all choices of α the solutions approach the Taylor state, but the manner in which this occurs can vary, as previously found by Soward and Jones (1983). Furthermore, as hypothesized by Malkus and Proctor (1975), but not previously demonstrated, the post-Taylor equilibration is indeed independent of the viscosity in the asymptotic limit, and depending on the choice of a may be either steady-state or oscillatory.     

The opposing effects of climate change and socio-economic development on the global distribution of malaria

The current global geographic distribution of malaria results from a complex interaction between climatic and non-climatic factors. Over the past century, socio-economic development and public health measures have contributed to a marked contraction in the distribution of malaria. Previous assessments of the potential impact of global changes on malaria have not quantified the effects of non-climate factors. In this paper, we describe an empirical model of the past, present and future-potential geographic distribution of malaria which incorporates both the effects of climate change and of socio-economic development. A logistic regression model using temperature, precipitation and gross domestic product per capita (GDPpc) identifies the recent global geographic distribution of malaria with high accuracy (sensitivity 85% and specificity 95%). Empirically, climate factors have a substantial effect on malaria transmission in countries where GDPpc is currently less than US$20,000. Using projections of future climate, GDPpc and population consistent with the IPCC A1B scenario, we estimate the potential future population living in areas where malaria can be transmitted in 2030 and 2050. In 2050, the projected population at risk is approximately 5.2 billion when considering climatic effects only, 1.95 billion when considering the combined effects of GDP and climate, and 1.74 billion when considering GDP effects only. Under the A1B scenario, we project that climate change has much weaker effects on malaria than GDPpc increase. This outcome is, however, dependent on optimistic estimates of continued socioeconomic development. Even then, climate change has important effects on the projected distribution of malaria, leading to an increase of over 200 million in the projected population at risk.     

In situ U-series dating by laser-ablation multi-collector ICPMS: new prospects for Quaternary geochronology

The capabilities and potential applications of in situ dating of Quaternary materials using laser ablation-MC-ICPMS are explored. ²³⁴U/²³⁸U and ²³⁰Th/²³⁴U can be measured with precision sufficient for dating at a spatial resolution of 100 μm or better in samples that contain as a little as 1 ppm uranium. Moreover, U and Th concentrations and U-series isotope ratios can be continuously profiled to determine changes in age that occur with sample growth (e.g. in speleothems). These capabilities additionally permit the dating of bones, teeth and possibly molluscs, which are subject to post-mortem open-system behaviour of U-series isotopes, and can be employed to elucidate processes of U-series migration during weathering and diagenesis. A drawback of laser ablation-MC-ICPMS is that it cannot in general provide U-series age estimates with the high precision and accuracy of conventional TIMS or solution MC-ICPMS methods. However, sample preparation is straightforward, the amount of sample consumed negligible, and it can be used to rapidly characterise or screen and select samples from which more precise and accurate dates can be obtained using conventional methods. Given further instrumental developments and the establishment of suitable matrix-matched standards for carbonates and other materials, we foresee that laser ablation-MC-ICPMS will play an increasingly important role in Quaternary dating research.     

玻璃和熔体包裹体中水含量的拉曼光谱定量测定方面的进展评述

This paper is focused on the progress in the determination of water in glasses and melt inclusions with Raman spectroscopy. Using the presented ＂Comparator Technique＂ the water content of a sample is determined by siruple comparison with a known standard. A calibration curve is not necessary. Furthermore, with this technique the water concentration in silicate melt inclusions can be determined without exposing the inclusions for measurements. This is very important for extremely water-rich melt inclusions, which would loose H2O on exposure.     

Dating multiply overprinted Sn-mineralized granites—examples from the Erzgebirge,Germany

Granites and primary tin mineralization in the Erzgebirge were dated using (1) conventional U–Pb dating of uraninite inclusions in mica, (2) Rb–Sr dating of inclusions in quartz that represent highly evolved melts, (3) Re–Os dating of magmatic–hydrothermal molybdenite, and (4) chemical Th–U–Pb dating of uraninite. Conventional isotope dilution and thermal ion mass spectrometry and chemical Th–U–Pb dating of uraninite in granites from the Ehrenfriedersdorf mining district provide ages of 323.9 ± 3.5 Ma (2σ; Greifenstein granite) and 320.6 ± 1.9 and 319.7 ± 3.4 Ma (2σ, both Sauberg mine), in agreement with U–Pb apatite ages of 323.9 ± 2.9 and 317.3 ± 1.6 Ms (2σ, both Sauberg mine). Rb–Sr analysis of melt inclusions from Zinnwald gives highly radiogenic Sr isotopic compositions that, with an assumed initial Sr isotopic composition, permit calculation of precise ages from single inclusions. The scatter of the data indicates that some quartz-hosted melt inclusions have been affected by partial loss of fluid exsolved from the melt inclusion. Re–Os dating of two molybdenite samples from Altenberg provides ages of 323.9 ± 2.5 and 317.9 ± 2.4 Ma (2σ). Together with age data from the literature, our new ages demonstrate that primary tin mineralization and the emplacement of the large Sn-specialized granites in the Erzgebirge fall in a narrow range between 318 and 323 Ma. Primary Sn mineralization occurred within a short interval during post-collisional collapse of the Variscan orogen and was essentially synchronous over the entire Erzgebirge. In contrast to earlier claims, no systematic age difference between granites of the eastern and western Erzgebirge was established. Furthermore, our data do not support a large age range for Late-Variscan granites of the Erzgebirge (330–290 Ma), as has been previously suggested.     

Contrasting P-T conditions recorded in ultramafic high-pressure rocks from the Variscan Schwarzwald (F.R.G.)

 This paper presents mineralogical and textural data as well as thermobarometric calculations on ultramafic high-pressure rocks from the Variscan basement of the Schwarzwald (F.R.G.). The rocks form small isolated bodies within low-pressure / high-temperature gneisses and migmatites. The results of this study constrain contrasting P-T evolutions for four garnet-bearing ultramafic high-pressure rocks. Two magnesian garnet-spinal peridotites sampled near the southern margin of the Central Schwarzwald Gneiss Complex (CSGC) were equilibrated at 670–740^° C and 1.4–1.8 GPa. These P-T conditions are similar to those recorded by eclogites intercalated in the same basement unit. Two garnet websterites sampled from the northern part of the CSGC have comparatively low Mg/(Mg+Fe) and low Cr and Ni abundances and are interpreted as former cumulates. These rocks most probably experienced an initial high-temperature stage within the spinel peridotite stability field, followed by re-equilibration at 740–850^° C / 3.2–4.3 GPa and subsequent recrystallization at lower pressures. Further petrologic studies have to reveal whether ultramafic high-pressure rocks of the Schwarzwald can generally be assigned to these two groups which are mainly defined by contrasting peak pressures. Received: 22 August 1994 / Accepted: 19 January 1995     

Observations of helium and hydrogen emission in quiescent prominences

Observations of a number of helium triplet ( 10830, 4713, 4471, 3889, 4026) and hydrogen (H, , , ) emission line intensities in six quiescent prominences are presented. The regions of prominence and neighboring corona were raster-scanned by the telescope, and all lines were measured concurrently at each point. The instrumental field of view was 5 × 20. The results are compared with previous observations and theory. In particular, the intensity of the 10830 emission relative to the other triplets is found to differ strongly from the predictions of the recent detailed calculations of Heasley et al. (1974) for model quiescent prominences.     

An evaluation of void‐filling interpolation methods for SRTM data

The Digital Elevation Model that has been derived from the February 2000 Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) has been one of the most important publicly available new spatial data sets in recent years. However, the ‘finished’ grade version of the data (also referred to as Version 2) still contains data voids (some 836,000 km²)—and other anomalies—that prevent immediate use in many applications. These voids can be filled using a range of interpolation algorithms in conjunction with other sources of elevation data, but there is little guidance on the most appropriate void‐filling method. This paper describes: (i) a method to fill voids using a variety of interpolators, (ii) a method to determine the most appropriate void‐filling algorithms using a classification of the voids based on their size and a typology of their surrounding terrain; and (iii) the classification of the most appropriate algorithm for each of the 3,339,913 voids in the SRTM data. Based on a sample of 1304 artificial but realistic voids across six terrain types and eight void size classes, we found that the choice of void‐filling algorithm is dependent on both the size and terrain type of the void. Contrary to some previous findings, the best methods can be generalised as: kriging or inverse distance weighting interpolation for small and medium size voids in relatively flat low‐lying areas; spline interpolation for small and medium‐sized voids in high‐altitude and dissected terrain; triangular irregular network or inverse distance weighting interpolation for large voids in very flat areas, and an advanced spline method (ANUDEM) for large voids in other terrains.     

A geophysical survey of the De Gerlache Seamounts: preliminary results

 The De Gerlache Seamounts actually consist of two medium-sized guyots, with summits at depths of 350–600 m. Acoustic profiler data show no significant sediment on these guyots. Alkaline basalts dredged from the summit of the eastern guyot yield K/Ar ages between 20.1±1.0 and 23.2±1.2 Ma. Basement ridges and sediment-filled troughs between the guyots are associated with the prominent gravity anomaly extending north from the Antarctic margin. This structure possibly played a role in the guyot formation, however, the question of how the De Gerlache Seamounts are related to this gravity anomaly remains uncertain. Received: 13 February 1997 / Revision received: 30 September 1997