The Uppsala urban meteorology project

An extensive urban meteorology project in Uppsala, Sweden, is described. The city itself is considered suitable as a kind of model city, being almost circular, having sharp urban/rural boundaries and being situated in a relatively flat area. The project incorporates numerous measurements. A main station with a 100-m mast is situated at the NE urban/rural border. Its instrumentation consists of a slow-response (profile) system and a turbulence system. The profile instrumentation is described in detail. In addition to the main station, the project comprises: measurements from two 14-m masts, one on the top of a centrally located building, the other mobile; pilot balloon ascents; tethered balloon soundings, car-borne temperature traverses etc. Some preliminary results are presented: analyses of wind profiles from the mast and three-dimensional heat island studies.     

The effect of crystal field stabilization on the olivine→spinel transition in the system Mg2SiO4 - Fe2SiO4

Crystal field stabilization (CFS) plays a significant role in determining equilibrium phase boundaries in olivine→spinel transformations involving transition-metal cations, including Fe²⁺ which is a major constituent of the upper mantle. Previous calculations for Fe₂SiO₄ ignored pressure and temperature dependencies of crystal field stabilization enthalpies (CFSE) and the electronic configurational entropy (S _CFS). We have calculated free energy changes (ΔG _CFS) due to differences of crystal field splittings between Fe₂SiO₄ spinel and fayalite from: ΔG _CFS=?ΔCFSE?TΔS _CFS, as functions of P and T, for different energy splittings of t _2g orbital levels of Fe²⁺ in spinel. The results indicate that ΔG _CFS is always negative, suggesting that CFS always promotes the olivine→spinel transition in Fe₂SiO₄, and expands the stability field of spinel at the expense of olivine. Because of crystal field effects, transition pressures for olivine→spinel transformations in compositions (Mg_1?x Fe _x )₂SiO₄ are lowered by approximately 50x kbar, which is equivalent to having raised the olivine→spinel boundary in the upper mantle by about 15 km.     

Post-depositional metal enrichment processes inside manganese nodules from the north equatorial Pacific

Interiors of manganese nodules from siliceous ooze beneath the Pacific equatorial high-productivity region, when examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron microprobe, display post-depositional recrystallization textures and metalliferous oxide bands (diameter 1–10 μm, 30–40 wt.% Mn, 4–5% Ni, 3–4% Cu). SEM has revealed biogenic siliceous matter in all stages of degradation and dissolution within nodule interiors, creating cavities and voids. Often these miniature vugs contain authigenic phillipsite crystallites which are coated with delicate clusters of crystalline Mn-Fe oxides (todorokite) containing significant amounts of Ni and Cu. We postulate the following diagenetic processes and mechanism of uptake of transition metals inside manganese nodules: (1) palagonite + biogenic silica + pelagic clay → phillipsite + montmorillonite; (2) biogenic matter + amorphous FeOOH or δ-MnO₂ → Fe_aq²⁺ and/or Mn^IIMn^IV oxide (todorokite); (3) aerated seawater or δ-MnO₂ + Fe_aq²⁺ → FeOOH and/or todorokite (deposited on phillipsite); (4) (Ni^II and Cu^II) organic chelates (adsorbed on clays, etc.) + amorphous FeOOH or δ-MnO₂ → Ni-Cu-todorokite + phillipsite, etc.This mechanism explains the well-known positive Mn-Ni-Cu and negative Fe-Ni, Fe-Cu correlations in nodules. By analogy with terrestrial todorokites, which require about 8 wt.% Mn to be in the divalent state to stabilize the crystal structure, as much as 8 wt.% (Ni + Cu) could be accommodated in todorokite-bearing deep-sea manganese nodules. However, although such nodules beneficiate Ni and Cu with respect to marine sediments and seawater, they remain undersaturated in these divalent cations.     

Influence of ion exchange on dissolved load of alpine meltwaters

Meltwaters were collected in Switzerland at the border of two alpine glaciers, the Tsanfleuron glacier resting on limestones and the Tsijiore Nouve glacier flowing over gneissic rocks. Waters were analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the four major cations. Cation exchange appears to be an essential mechanism in the explanation of the dissolved cationic content of meltwaters in the frontal zone of glaciers. This is indicated by a study of the rate and characteristics of water enrichment. The rate-determining step in the process seems to be film diffusion. The influence of this diffusion is put forward in an analysis of the rates of change in concentration of the four major cations with discharge. Glacier grinding is considered as a factor favouring cation exchange in a proglacial environment.     

Cadmium levels and carbohydrate metabolism in limpets

Limpets from several sites in the Bristol Channel exhibiting varying degrees of cadmium contamination have been studied. Investigations involved glucose levels and certain aspects of glucose metabolism. The results tentatively suggest that there may be a correlation between cadmium levels and reduced ability to utilize glucose.     

A model for the evolution of the axial zone of mid-ocean ridges as suggested by icelandic tectonics

In Iceland tectonic activity in the neovolcanic zone leads to the formation of three kinds of parallel structures: open fissures, emissive fissures, and normal faults.This observation is used to built a kinematic model which is based on the superposition of lava flows generated from an active central belt of finite width. The results are in good agreement with the recent results in magnetism and tectonic observations of both subaerial and underwater active ridges.     

Application of some correlation coefficient techniques to time-series analysis

Application of the sliding correlation technique has permitted detailed stratigraphic correlation over entire basins. The main values of the technique are to (1) demonstrate correlation statistically, (2) extend the range of visual correlation, and (3) establish precise correlation where correlation is known to exist but is difficult to establish visually. The technique is especially valuable in aiding correlation of stratigraphic sequences such as varves and turbidites, which are characterized by monotonous repetition of two or more lithologic components. The moving correlation technique is a valuable aid in examining variations in degree of correlation between correlative sections, and in analysis of component associations within a single stratigraphic sequence.