Anthropogenic debris on beaches in the SE Pacific (Chile): Results from a national survey supported by volunteers

Anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) is an ubiquitous problem, which has motivated public participation in activities such as beach surveys and clean-up campaigns. While it is known that beaches in the SE Pacific are also affected by this problem, the quantities and types of AMD remain largely unknown. In the context of an outreach project, volunteers (1500 high-school students) participated in a nation-wide survey of AMD on 43 beaches distributed randomly along the entire Chilean coast (18°S to 53°S). The mean density of AMD was 1.8 items m⁻² and the major types were plastics, cigarette butts and glass. Densities in central Chile were lower than in northern and southern Chile, which could be due to different attitudes of beach users or to intense beach cleaning in central regions. We suggest that public participation in surveys and cleaning activities will raise awareness and thereby contribute to an improvement of the situation.     

Quiet-time periods observed by EPHIN/SOHO during the minimum of the 22nd solar cycle

An analysis of the hydrogen and helium isotopic composition from EPHIN data, during the quiet-time period from January 1 to June 1, 1996, is presented. An isotopic discrimination and background rejection have been applied and relationships between the abundances of ²H/¹H, ³He/⁴He, and ⁴He/¹H have been calculated. The energy spectra in the 4–50 MeV nucl^–1 range have been obtained and the contribution of the different spectral components have been analysed in this energy range. We conclude that the main contribution to the ⁴He spectrum is of anomalous origin, while the proton and ³He spectra have contributions mainly from particles of solar origin at low energies and from the galactic cosmic radiation modulated by the heliosphere at high energies. The deuterium spectrum is mainly of galactic origin.     

The Požarevac loess–paleosol sequence: a record of increased aridity in the south-eastern margin of the Carpathian Basin during the last 350 ka

The loess sequence preserved in the Požarevac brickyard in north-eastern Serbia comprises eight loess units separated by seven paleosols. Geochronological investigation using amino acid racemization and luminescence dating support stratigraphic correlations of loess units L3, S2LL1 and L1 at the Požarevac section with loess of glacial cycles E [Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 10], D (MIS 9–8), C (MIS 7–6) and B (MIS 5–2) across central Europe. Correlation with the marine oxygen-isotope stratigraphy and associated paleoclimatic inferences are further supported by magnetic susceptibility, particle size and carbonate content measured in Požarevac sediments. Malacological investigations at the Požarevac section reveal the continuous presence of the Chondrula tridens and Helicopsis striata faunal assemblages throughout the last 350 ka. The loess malacological fauna, which is characterized by the complete absence of cold-resistant and cold-preferring species, suggests a stable, dry and relatively warm glacial and interglacial climate, compared with other central European loess localities. Together these data suggest that the south-eastern part of the Carpathian (Pannonian, Middle Danube) Basin was a refugium for warm-preferring and xerophilous land-snails during the generally unfavorable glacial climates of the late Middle and Late Pleistocene.     

Polymetallic Nodule Mining, Waste Disposal, and Species Extinction at the Abyssal Seafloor

The size of individual mining blocks for polymetallic nodule extraction seems to be rather small, not more than 100 km² in the French mining claim. Even when adding an additional resedimentation zone to the directly impacted area, the size of the affected seabed would remain below 200 km². We assume that even rare species in the abyss inhabit larger areas and propose discussions of the International Seabed Authority and other stakeholders for the different subregions on mining strategies from the perspective of exploitation versus species extinction and conservation. Although impacts of waste disposal at the abyssal seafloor are different from those of nodule mining, the 200 km² concept may also be applied.     

Traces of NO 3 ′ ions contained in ice crystals influence charge separation upon crystal fragmentation

Summary If needle-shaped ice crystals are grown in an atmosphere containing traces of nitrous gases, the amount of electrical charge generated when sharp crystal points break away, is between 10 and 50 times as high as in the case of crystals grown in absence of nitrous gases A definite relation has been found to exist between the NO ₃ ion concentration of the ice crytals and the amount of charge (average value 2.7×10^–8, maximum value 13×10^–8 coulombs per gram of ice splinters) generated upon fragmentation. The relation found is possibly of importance with respect to thunderstorm electricity generation.Physikalisch-Bioklimatische Forschungsstelle der Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Garmisch-Partenkirchen.     

Die elektrische Ladung eines ausgedehnten,isolierten Cirrus nothus

Zusammenfassung Bis heute vorliegende direkte Messungen von Grösse und Polarität elektrischer Ladungen in verschiedenen Stockwerken von Gewitterwolken mittels Sondierungen verschiedener Art liefern noch kein widerspruchsfreies Bild. Unter gewissen günstigen Umständen erlauben kontinuierliche synoptisch-luftelektrische Registrierungen an Stationen in verschiedenen Höhen wertvolle ergänzende Einblicke. Es wird über Meßergebnisse unter einem weit ausladenden, vom inzwischen abgestorbenen Gewitterherd abdriftenden Amboßschirm (Cirrus nothus) berichtet. Seine Ladung war einheitlich positiv und betrug maximal 2.5·10^–8 Cb/m² (die Wolke als sehr dünne Schicht betrachtet). Sie schwankte jedoch stark als Folge von Turbulenz und der Inhomogenität der Ladungsverteilung. In Übereinstimmung mit anderen, ähnlichen Beobachtungen kann der Amboß einer Gewitterwolke als grundsätzlich positiv geladen gelten. Als Gesamtladung des Cirrus nothus über dem Generator können +150 Cb geschätzt werden.

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Summary The results of direct measurements of the magnitude and sign of electrical charges at different levels in thunderstorm clouds, as derived from soundings of various types, do not, as yet, furnish a consistent picture. Under specific favorable circumstances, valuable additional information may be gained by using continuous, synoptic atmospheric-electrical recordings made at fixed sites at different elevations. — Results of measurements below an extensive anvil cloud (cirrus nothus) are stated. This cloud was drifting away from its source — an extinct thunderstorm cell — at the time the observation was made. The charge of this sheet cloud was consistently positive with a maximum of 2.5·10^–8 Cb/m². — In this study, the cloud is treated as a very thin layer; we must, however, bear in mind that there are marked intracloud variations on account of turbulence and irregular charge distribution. As in other, similar cases, the anvil of a thunderstorm cloud may be regarded as bearing positive space charge. The total charge of the anvil cloud above the generator cell may be estimated to be +150 Cb.

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Physikalisch-Bioklimatische ForschungsstelleGarmisch-Partenkirchen der Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung.     

Solar flares and their impact on potential gradient and air-earth current characteristics at high mountain stations

Summary Recordings of potential gradient and air-earth current in fair-weather conditions were made at high-elevation mountain stations; the latter were generally above the vertical-mixing layer and not disturbed by local sources. Both electrical quantities increased significantly from the day of appearance of a solar flare (or a maximum incidence of flares) till the fourth day after the event. Peak potential gradient and air-earth current exceed the normal levels measured during quiet-sun conditions by 50–60% in terms of averages. This result was compared with sferics incidence data and daily geomagnetic coefficients grouped around the selected (flare) dates. Both of the latter quantities show time histories (for the days preceding and following the selected dates) closely correlated with the atmospheric-electrical histories of the same intervals. We may conclude from these results that the total potential between the ground and the upper atmosphere increases for several days after solar flares. The results obtained by previous studies on Mauna Loa confirm this inference. The cause of the phenomenon is presumed to be enhanced thunderstorm activity attendant on solar disturbances.We wish to thank the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for a grant taht enabled us to carry out the studies described in this paper     

Registrierung des Potentialgradienten,Messung der polaren elektrischen Leitfähigkeit der Luft sowie der relativen Luftradioaktivität und Bestimmung des No2′-Gehaltes von Niederschlägen und Nebeln auf dem Zugspitzplatt (2580 m NN) im Sommer 1955

Zusammenfassung Es wird über die Ergebnisse einer Exkursion auf das Zugspitzplatt (2580 m NN, Wettersteingebirge, Nordalpen) im Sommer 1955 (15.August-21. . September) berichtet. Es wurden dort registriert: Potentialgradient, Temperatur, Feuchte, Windgeschwindigkeit, Sonnenstrahlung. Es wurden gemessen: totale, sowie positive und negative elektrische Leitf?higkeit der Luft (je 950 Messungen), Zahl der Kondensationskerne (1025 Messungen), relative Radioaktivit?t der Luft (70 Messungen über je 4 Stunden), Gehalt von Niederschl?gen und Nebeln (Wolken) an NO′₂-Ionen. Die Auswertung der Ergebnisse erfolgte nach synoptischen Gesichtspunkten unter Verwendung der station?ren luftelektrischen Registrierungen an 6 weiteren Stationen zwischen 3000 und 700 m NN. Es wird anhand von Beispielen gezeigt, dass luftelektrische Registrierungen an Stationen in gr?sserer H?he die M?glichkeit bieten, den elektrischen Aufbau der Atmosph?re in verschiedenartigen Wolken (Schichtwolken, Schauer, Gewitter) und w?hrend Niederschl?gen zu studieren. Das Verhalten des elektrischen Feldes und des Leitungsstromes in Wolken verschiedenen Typs sowie beim übergang des Niederschlages von der festen zur flüssigen Phase und umgekehrt wird beschrieben. Zahlreiche Messungen der elektrischen Leitf?higkeit geben Aufschluss über ihr Verhalten im Bereich sonnenbeschienener Nebel und Wolkenteile, im Bereich von Abwind aus Quellwolken-K?pfen und im Bereich von Abwind unter n?chtlichen Inversionen. Die gemessenen NO′₂-Konzentrationen in Niederschl?gen und Nebeln stehen in eindeutiger Korrelation zum elektrischen Aufbau und der elektrischen Aktivit?t der Wolken. Die Radioaktivit?t der Luft wird in den Nordalpen stark von der Windrichtung bestimmt; Maximum besteht bei Wind aus SE-SW (Herkunft der radioaktiven Stoffe: Eruptivgesteine der Zentralalpen). Zahlreiche meteorologische Einflüsse auf die Luftradioaktivit?t werden diskutiert. Es wird nachgewiesen, dass zum Verst?ndnis der Beziehung zwischen luftelektrischen Gr?ssen und Konvektion allein die Erfassung meteorologischer Indikatoren (Dampfdruck, Kernzahl) nicht ausreicht. Der Zusammenhang wird durch die schwankende Luftradioaktivit?t stark modifiziert. Dies gilt nicht nur für die reine Konvektion sondern auch für den Durchgang von Inversionen. An der Oberseite von Inversionen fanden wir eine dünne Schicht mit sehr hoher Leitf?higkeit. Auch in der Inversionsschicht selbst ist die Leitf?higkeit trotz grossem Kerngehalt relativ hoch. Bei Darstellung des Zusammenhanges zwischen Leitf?higkeit der Luft und Kernzahl ist die Luftradioaktivit?t als Parameter einzuführen. Die Tagesg?nge luftelektrischer Gr?ssen (7 Stationen) und meteorologischer Gr?ssen (3 Stationen) an Strahlungstagen werden synoptisch betrachtet.

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Summary The results of an excursion are reported, which was carried out to the ?Zugspitzplatt? (2580 m NN; Wetterstein Mountains, Northern Alps) from 15 August to 21 September 1955. Potential gradient, temperature, humidity, wind velocity, and solar radiation were recorded there, and moreover measurements were carried out of the magnitudes: total as well as positive and negative electric conductivity of the air (950 measurements each), number of condensation nuclei (1025 measurements), relative radioactivity of the air (70 measurements, each covering four hours), and NO′₂-ion contents of precipitations and fogs (clouds). For the synoptic evaluation of the results, the records of 6 further atmospheric electric stations were used, which are situated at fixed places between 700 and 3000 m NN. Examples are given to show that atmospheric electric recordings at high level stations enable us to study the electric structure of the atmosphere during precipitations and in clouds of different kind (sheet clouds, shower and thunderstorm clouds). The behaviour of electric field and conduction current in clouds of different types is described as well as in cases where precipitation changes from the solid into the liquid state and vice versa. Numerous measurements give information about the behaviour of the electric conductivity of the air in the areas of: fogs and cloud fragments irradiated by the sun, downward currents from cumulus congestus tops, and downward currents below nocturnal inversions. There is a clear correlation between the NO′₂-ion concentration measured in precipitations and fogs, and the electric structure and electric activity of the clouds. In the Northern Alps, the radioactivity of the air is highly influenced by the wind; the maximum of radioactivity is found when the wind comes from SE-SW (origin of the radioactive substances: igneous rocks in the Central Alps). Numerous meteorological influences on the atmospheric radioactivity are discussed. It is shown that the consideration of meteorological indicators alone, as pressure of water vapour and number of nuclei, is not sufficient to account for the correlation between atmospheric electric magnitudes and convection. This correlation is modified, to a high degree, by the fluctuations of atmospheric radioactivity. This is true not only of convection processes but also of inversion passages. On the upper surface of inversions we found a thin layer of very high conductivity. In the inversion layer itself, the conductivity is also relatively high, though there are many nuclei. When the correlation between atmospheric conductivity and number of nuclei is represented, the atmospheric radioactivity has to be introduced as a parameter. - The diurnal variations of atmospheric electric (7 stations) and meteorological (3 stations) magnitudes, on radiation days, are studied synoptically.

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The research reported in this article has been sponsored by the Geophysics Research Directorate of the Air Force Cambridge Research Center, Air Research and Development Command, United States Air Force, under Contract AF (514)-732-C, through the European Office, ARDC.

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Dr. rer. nat.Reinhold Reiter,München, 9, Ravennastrasse, 62.     

Das Chausib-Turbiditbecken am Südrand des Damara-Orogens,Südwest-Afrika

Zusammenfassung Am Südrand des Damara-Orogens ist innerhalb der Hakos Subgroup eine Turbiditserie von 1500 m Mächtigkeit entwickelt. Sie stellt als neudefiniertes Chausib Member eine Faziesvertretung der Hakos-Quarzite (Chaibis Member) dar.Die Zusammensetzung der Turbitbänke ist quarzitisch. Infolge metamorpher und tektonischer Überprägung ist eine Gradierung nach der Korngröße nicht mehr vorhanden; sie kann aber aus einer typischen Änderung des Stoffbestandes vom Liegenden zum Hangenden einer Bank abgeleitet werden.Die an sich hochfaltbare Serie liegt in einer einfach gebauten Großstruktur von 10 km Wellenlänge vor; die Faltung wurde durch eine mächtige unterlagernde Quarzitfolge gesteuert. Einige für eine Wechselfolge kompetenter und inkompetenter Lagen charakteristische kleintektonische Phänomene werden beschrieben.Für die paläogeographische Situation wird ein Modell entwickelt, nach dem die Chausib-Turbidite als Beckenablagerungen den Chaibis-Quarziten als gleichalte Schwellensedimente gegenüberstehen.

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A 1500 m thick turbidite series, developed within the Hakos Subgroup at the southern margin of the Damara Orogen, is defined as the Chausib Member. It represents a timeequivalent of the Hakos-Quartzite (Chaibis Member) in a different facies.The turbidites are quartzitic. As a result of the metamorphic and tectonic overprint, they no longer show a grading of grain size. However, a former graded bedding can be inferred from a typical compositional change from the base to the top within each bed.The turbidite series is potentially very susceptible to folding, but occurs in a simple structure with a wave-length of about 10 km. The style of folding was determined by an underlying, thick, quartzite unit. Several small-scale tectonic phenomena are described, which are characteristic for such an alternation of competent and incompetent layers.A palaeogeographic model is envisaged in which the Chausib turbidites are basinal deposits bordering the time-equivalent sediments of a submarine rise, represented by the Chaibis quartzites.

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Résumé A la bordure sud de l'orogène de Damara, on trouve une série de turbidites d'une épaisseur de 1500 m intercalée dans le Hakos Subgroup. En tant que Chausib Member, nouvellement défini, elle représente un faciès équivalent des quartzites de Hakos (Chaibis Member).Les bancs de turbidite ont une composition quartzitique. Mais la superposition métamorphique et tectonique ne permet plus de discerner le granoclassement qui peut cependant être déduit du changement typique dans la composition chimique et minéralogique du matériau d'un banc, du bas vers le haut.La série dont la capacité de plissement est certaine, se présente avec une structure majeure simple, d'une longueur d'onde de 10 km, le plissement ayant été handicapé par une puissante série sous-jacente de quartzite. Quelques phénomènes microtectoniques caractéristiques d'une série interstratifiée de couches compétentes et incompétentes, sont décrits.Un modèle de situation paléogéographique est développé, d'après lequel les turbidites de Chausib s'opposent comme dépôts sédimentaires de bassin contemporains, aux quartzites de Chaibis, considérés comme sédiments de seuil de même âge.

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Hakos Turbidite 1500 . , Chausib, « Hakos». Turbit . . . 10 . , . ., Chausib-Turbidite , Chaibis . .

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Diese Arbeit ist im Sonderforschungsbereich 48 der Universität Göttingen (Entwicklung, Bestand und Eigenschaften der Erdkruste, insbesondere der Geosynklinalräume) entstanden.Die Förderung erfolgte aus Mitteln, die dem Sonderforschungsbereich 48 durch die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) zur Verfügung gestellt wurden.