Glacial meltwater cooling of the Gulf of Mexico: GCM implications for Holocene and present-day climates

An atmospheric general circulation model, the NCAR CCM, has been used to investigate the possible effects that reduced Gulf of Mexico sea surface temperatures (SST) could have on regional and hemispheric climates. ¹⁸O records and terrestrial evidence indicate at least two major glacial meltwater discharges into the Gulf of Mexico subsequent to the last glacial maximum. It is probable that these discharges reduced Gulf of Mexico SST. We have conducted three numerical experiments, with imposed gulf-wide SST coolings of 3°C, 6°C, and 12°C, and find in all three experiments significant reductions in the North Atlantic storm-track intensity, along with a strong decrease in transient eddy water vapor transport out of the Gulf of Mexico. Surface pressures are higher over the North Atlantic, indicating a reduction of the climatological Icelandic low. The region is generally cooler and drier, with a reduction in precipitation that agrees well with evidence from Greenland ice cores. Other statistically significant changes occur across the Northern Hemisphere, but vary between the three experiments. In particular, warmer, wetter conditions are found over Europe for both the 6°C and 12°C SST reductions, but cooler conditions are found for the 3°C reduction. This indicates a dependence, in both the sign and magnitude of the model response, on the magnitude of the imposed SST anomaly. The results suggest that the present-day North Atlantic storm track is dependent on warm Gulf of Mexico SST for much of its intensity. They also suggest that meltwater-induced coolings may help account, in part, for some of the climatic oscillations that occurred during the last glacial/interglacial transition.     

Nonlinear least-squares method via an isomorphic geometrical setup

The resolution of a nonlinear parametric adjustment model is addressed through an isomorphic geometrical setup with tensor structure and notation, represented by a u-dimensional “model surface” embedded in a flat n-dimensional “observational space”. Then observations correspond to the observational-space coordinates of the pointQ, theu initial parameters correspond to the model-surface coordinates of the “initial” pointP, and theu adjusted parameters correspond to the model-surface coordinates of the “least-squares” point . The least-squares criterion results in a minimum-distance property implying that the vector Q must be orthogonal to the model surface. The geometrical setup leads to the solution of modified normal equations, characterized by a positive-definite matrix. The latter contains second-order and, optionally, thirdorder partial derivatives of the observables with respect to the parameters. This approach significantly shortens the convergence process as compared to the standard (linearized) method.     

Inversion of arrival-times in a region of dilatancy anisotropy

Shear-wave splitting has been identified in many three-component seismograms from two separate field experiments on a section of the North Anatolian Fault in North-West Turkey. These observations are consistent with shear-wave propagation through a zone of extensive-dilitancy anisotropy. A preliminary attempt has been made to confirm this interpretation by simultaneously inverting suites of arrival-times for hypocentral locations and for parameters describing an anisotropic halfspace. Although the inversion procedure is not globally convergent, it is possible to recognize the true solution by systematically varying the initial conditions. Applied to selected data sets, the inversion defines several anisotropic models that fit the data significantly better than a simple isotropic model, and display the anisotropy required by the shear-wave splitting. However, most of these anisotropic models are not superior when they are used to individually locate events in a much larger data set. However, for each experiment, there is a single model that produces clearly superior locations for the larger data sets than those of other anisotropic or simple isotropic models. Both models display similar velocity variations which are characteristic of propagation through distributions of biplanar cracks displaying orthorhombic symmetry. The principal axes of the two models are oriented in similar directions and are within 20° of the principal axis of regional stress derived from fault-plane solutions. The solutions indicate low velocities close to the tensional axis, as would be expected in extensive-dilatancy anisotropy.     

Crystal structure refinement of hendricksite,A Zn- and Mn-rich trioctahedral potassium mica: A contribution to the crystal chemistry of zinc-bearing minerals

Summary The crystal structure of hendricksite, a trioctahedral mica of biotite type, characterized by high Zn²⁺ and Mn²⁺ contents has been refined by least square methods. The structural formula is: (K_0.89Na_0.10Ba_0.04)(Mg_1.57Zn_0.54Mn _0.40 ²⁺ Fe _0.25 ²⁺ Al_0.07Ti_0.07Cr_0.01)(Si_2.92Al_1.08)O₁₀ (OH)₂. The space group isC2/m and the cell parameters are:a=5.340(2) Å,b=9.524(2) Å,c=10.235(3) Å, =100.07(2)^o, the cell volume isV=497.98 ų. The final unweightedR=0.072. Average cation-anion distances in polyhedra are: T–O=1.659 Å, M(1)–O=2.093 Å, M(2)–O=2.088 Å, A–O_long=3.316 Å and A–O_short=3.004 Å; A is the alkaline cation. The rotation angle of tetrahedra is =6.7°. The analysis of electron densities, of the dimensions and distorsions of polyhedra shows that Zn²⁺ is exclusively in octahedral sites; there is no order between six-fold coordinated cations. A comparison between the structural features of hendricksite and those of the two main end-members of biotites, phlogopite and annite, is presented.The effect of the strong covalence of Zn–O bonds is particularly visible on the dimensions and orientations of the thermal ellipsoids of octahedral sites M(1) and M(2) which contain zinc. In all the published structures of trioctahedral micas, the ellipsoids of cationic sites are uniaxial positive, elongated parallel toc ^*. In hendricksite, this is observed only for the two zinc-free sites (T and A; in the octahedra M(1) and M(2), which contain zinc, the ellipsoids are approximately uniaxial negative, flattened parallel toa, which is a unique situation.Zinc which habitually favours the tetrahedral coordinations with oxygen, enters the octahedra only, i.e. the chemically anisotropic sites, in hendricksite. The strong polarizability of Zn²⁺ is proposed to explain this behaviour.An examination of the behaviour of Zn²⁺ in other compounds shows that this situation is general, zinc favours chemically anisotropic sites and specially those adjacent to OH or H₂O.

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Affinement de la structure cristalline de la hendricksite, mica trioctaédrique potassique riche en Zn et Mn; une contribution à la connaissance cristallochimique des minéraux zincifères

Résumé On a affiné par moindres carrés la structure de la hendricksite, mica trioctaédrique de type biotite, caractérisé par une teneur élevée en Zn²⁺ et Mn²⁺. La formule structurale de ce mica est: (K_0m89Na_0,10Ba_0,04)(Mg_1,57Zn_0,54Mn _0,40 ²⁺ Fe _0,25 ²⁺ Al_0,07Ti_0,07Cr_0,01)(Si_2,92Al_1,08)O₁₀(OH)₂. Le groupe spatial estC2/m et les paramètres de la maille:a=5,340(2) Å,b=9,254(2) Å,c=10,235(3) Å, =100,07(2)°; le volume de la maille estV=497,98 ų. Le résidu final non-pondéré estR=0,072. Les distances cation-anion moyennes dans les polyèdres sont les suivantes: T–O=1,659 Å, M(1)–O=2,093 Å, M(2)–O=2,088 Å, A–O_long=3,316 Å et A–O_court=3,004 Å où A désigne le cation alcalin. L'angle de rotation tétraédrique, =6,7°, est très semblable à celui de la phlogopite. L'analyse des densités électroniques, des dimensions et distorsions des polyèdres montre que Zn²⁺ est exclusivement en coordinance octaédrique et qu'il n'y a pas d'ordre entre les cations hexacoordonnés. On présente une comparaison des caractères structuraux de la hendricksite avec ceux des deux principaux pôles des biotites, la phlogopite et l'annite.L'effet de la forte covalence de la liaison Zn–O est particulièrement visible sur les dimensions et orientations des ellipsoides d'agitation thermique des deux sites octaédriques, sites zincifères. Dans toutes les structures de micas trioctaédriques publiées, les ellipsoides des sites cationiques sont uniaxes positifs, allongés parallèlement àc ^*, ce qui s' observe effectivement dans les deux sites non-zincifères (T et A) de la hendricksite, par contre, dans les octaèdres M(1) et M(2), qui contiennent le zinc, les ellipsoides sont approximativement uniaxes négatifs, applatis parallèlement àa, ce qui est une situation unique.Le zinc, qui se fixe généralement en sites tétraédriques dans les structures de type oxyde, occupe les sites octaédriques, c'est-à-dire les sites chimiquement anisotropes dans la hendricksite. La forte polarisabilité de Zn²⁺ est proposée pour expliquer ce comportement.Un examen du comportement de Zn²⁺ dans d'autres phases montre que cette situation est tout à fait générale, le zinc privilégiant les sites chimiquement anisotropes et en particulier ceux adjacents à OH où H₂O.

     

Volcano hazards program in the United States

Volcano monitoring and volcanic-hazards studies have received greatly increased attention in the United States in the past few years. Before 1980, the Volcanic Hazards Program was primarily focused on the active volcanoes of Kilauea and Mauna Loa, Hawaii, which have been monitored continuously since 1912 by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. After the reawakening and catastrophic eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980, the program was substantially expanded as the government and general public became aware of the potential for eruptions and associated hazards within the conterminous United States. Integrated components of the expanded program include: volcanic-hazards assessment; volcano monitoring; fundamental research; and, in concert with federal, state, and local authorities, emergency-response planning.In 1980 the David A. Johnston Cascades Volcano Observatory was established in Vancouver, Washington, to systematically monitor the continuing activity of Mount St. Helens, and to acquire baseline data for monitoring the other, presently quiescent, but potentially dangerous Cascade volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest. Since June 1980, all of the eruptions of Mount St. Helens have been predicted successfully on the basis of seismic and geodetic monitoring.The largest volcanic eruptions, but the least probable statistically, that pose a threat to western conterminous United States are those from the large Pleistocene-Holocene volcanic systems, such as Long Valley caldera (California) and Yellowstone caldera (Wyoming), which are underlain by large magma chambers still potentially capable of producing catastrophic caldera-forming eruptions. In order to become better prepared for possible future hazards associated with such historically unpecedented events, detailed studies of these, and similar, large volcanic systems should be intensified to gain better insight into caldera-forming processes and to recognize, if possible, the precursors of caldera-forming eruptions.     

Sediment yield estimated from reservoir siltation in the Ochil hills,Scotland

Measurements made on the floors of the temporarily-drained Glenfarg and Glenquey Reservoirs indicate that sediments with wet volumes of 63.94 × 10³ m³ and 12.64 × 10³ m³ were deposited in 56 and 73 years respectively. These figures represent 2.5 per cent and 1.1 per cent losses of original storage capacity. When corrected for water, organic, and diatom skeleton contents, and reservoir trap efficiency inorganic sediment yields of at least 31.3 tonnes km^?2 yr^?1 and of 9.0 tonnes km^?2 yr^?1 are suggested. The difference is probably related to contrasts of land use.     

Macrophyte detritus in the winter diet of the estuarine mysid,Neomysis americana

Neomysis americana, a common prey item in the diet of estuarine fish, is seasonally abundant in saltmarsh tidal creeks of North Inlet, South Carolina. Visual examination of mysids collected in winter revealed only diatom tests in their guts, with nearly all of the ingesta unidentifiable. Immunological diet analysis provided strong evidence that proteins fromSpartina alterniflora detritus were present in the guts of field-collected mysids. Laboratory determinations of weight-specific ingestion rates for male and female mysids fed particulateS. alterniflora were best described by a curvilinear quadratic function. Ingestion rates ranged from zero to 0.116 mg C ingested per mg C body weight per hr, or greater than 200% of body carbon per day if continuous feeding is assumed. These high ingestion rates may indicate low assimilation efficiency, but ifN. americana’s assimilation efficiency is similar to that of other mysid species, then this mysid may represent an efficient trophic link between saltmarsh macrophyte production and higher trophic levels. The occurrence ofSpartina detritus in the guts of winter mysids suggests that detritivory may be important during periods of scarce food.     

Preferential leaching and the age of radiation damage from alpha decay in minerals

Preferential release into solution of radionuclides that result from alpha decay is a contributor to natural isotopic disequilibrium. Such release is critical to geochemical understanding of alpha-decay products and would be an undesirable characteristic of solidified nuclear waste in deep geological formations. Spontaneous annealing of the radiation damage that is responsible for the preferential release is shown to diminish the effect in thorianite and uraninite which we have found to be 550 to 1000 M.y. old, respectively. Leaching experiments and measurements of the thorium and uranium isotopes show that there is strongly enhanced release of short-lived ²²⁸Th relative to ²³²Th, but only slight enhancement of long-lived ²³⁴U and ²³⁰Th relative to ²³⁸U and ²³²Th. These results are interpreted in terms of natural annealing of damage occurring on a time scale between the ~10 and 10⁵ years of the alpha-decay products. With a simple assumption actual times for the survival of the enhanced leaching in these minerals are ~ 15,000 years.     

Copper(II) carbonate complexation in seawater

Cupric carbonate and cupric bicarbonate complexation constants were determined in natural seawater and in a variety of synthetic media. The formation constants of CuHCO₃⁺, CuCO₃⁰ and Cu(CO₃)₂^2? at 25°C and zero ionic strength are: log β_H⁰ = 1.8, log β₁⁰ = 6.82 and log β⁰₂ = 10.6. Formation constants of these species appropriate to 0.7 molar ionic strength and 25°C are log β_H ～- 1, log β₁ = 5.73, log β₂ = 9.3. Our results indicate that the inorganic speciation scheme of Cu(II) in seawater is dominated by CuCO₃⁰ and that the ternary species, CuCO₃OH^?, is of substantial importance.     

Association of subsurface radon changes in Alaska and the northeastern United States with earthquakes

Changes of radon concentration in the ground have been reported to correlate with seismic activity in many places over widely varying distances from the earthquake epicenters, sometimes over 100's and occasionally over 1000's of km depending on the magnitude M of the earthquakes. For proper use of such correlations in forecasting the location and size of impending earthquakes, it would be useful to establish a relation between M and the maximum distance x_M at which radon can be significantly altered by preseismic effects.We have monitored radon in the ground continuously at Blue Mountain Lake, NY starting Dec. 3. 1975 and at three locations in Alaska—Icy Bay, Yakataga, and Sand Point (starting Nov. 12, 1979; March 5, 1980; and June 29, 1980 respectively). Sample correlations from visual examination of the recent radon record and tentative use of a proposed scaling relation show a number of possible earthquake-related signals at these locations. The data are compatible with scaling relations that were derived from two separate models of premonitory elastic strains. In this work x_M = 10^0.48M, where x_M is in units of km and M ≥ 3. Since tilt and strain signals correlate similarly with magnitude and distance, it is likely that most earthquake-related radon signals are mechanically induced.