Agricolaite, a new mineral of uranium from J��chymov, Czech Republic

The new mineral agricolaite, a potassium uranyl carbonate with ideal formula K₄(UO₂)(CO₃)₃, occurs in vugs of ankerite gangue in gneisses in the abandoned Giftkiesstollen adit at Jáchymov, Czech Republic. The name is after Georgius Agricola (1494?C1555), German scholar and scientist. Agricolaite occurs as isolated equant irregular translucent grains to 0.3?mm with yellow color, pale yellow streak, and vitreous luster. It is brittle with uneven fracture and displays neither cleavage nor parting. Agricolaite is non-fluorescent. Mohs hardness is ~4. It is associated with aragonite, brochantite, posnjakite, malachite, rutherfordine, and ??pseudo-voglite??. Experimental density is higher than 3.3?g.cm^?3, Dcalc is 3.531?g.?cm^?3. The mineral is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with a 10.2380(2), b 9.1930(2), c 12.2110(3) ?, ?? 95.108(2)°, V 1144.71(4) ?³, Z?=?4. The strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are d(I)(hkl): 6.061(55)(002), 5.087(57)(200), 3.740(100)(202), 3.393(43)(113), 2.281(52)(402). Average composition based on ten electron microprobe analyses corresponds to (in wt.%) UO₃ 48.53, K₂O 31.49, CO₂(calc) 22.04 which gives the empirical formula K_3.98(UO₂)_1.01(CO₃)_3.00. The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R ₁?=?0.0184 on the basis of the 1,308 unique reflections with F _o?>?4??F _o. The structure of agricolaite is identical to that of synthetic K₄(UO₂)(CO₃)₃ and consists of separate UO₂(CO₃)₃ groups organized into layers parallel to (100) and two crystallographically non-equivalent sites occupied by K⁺ cations. Both the mineral and its name were approved by the IMA-CNMNC.     

How a sharp rostral dimorphism affects the life history,population structure and adaptability of a small shrimp: the case study of Hippolyte sapphica

The rostrum shows a large variation across caridean shrimps; however, our knowledge about the biological significance of this morphological structure is very limited, and information on its genetic control is completely absent. The present study concentrates on an unusual rostral dimorphism in a population of small Mediterranean caridean shrimp and combines laboratory and field observations. Analysis of lab‐reared offspring supports the hypothesis that the post‐larval elongation of the rostrum is controlled by a single genetic locus, with the long dentate rostrum representing the recessive state and the short larval‐like rostrum representing the completely dominant state. The short rostrum is a sparsely distributed character; our results obtained from field studies suggest that it reduces the viability and probability of egg‐bearing among large females but, unexpectedly, the specimens with a short rostrum show consistently more rapid sex differentiation and a significantly higher propensity to become males. Therefore, it has to be concluded that, under certain conditions, a single emergent character could influence the species evolution in a rather complex manner, thus affecting the life history, population structure and dynamics and mortality in certain subgroups. In turn, the genetic factors responsible for the different phenotypes would tend to be segregated through different subpopulations and size classes, thus partially escaping the negative selective pressure.     

Estimating water volume discharge through salt-marsh tidal channels: An aspect of material exchange

Water volume discharge estimates were made at a sample cross-section of the Canary Creek salt marsh (Lewes, Delaware). To account for cross-sectional velocity variations, a dense spatial array of current meters was used. Simultaneous measurements were taken at hourly intervals over three complete tidal cycles. A practical method is presented whereby instantaneous average cross-sectional velocity, instantaneous cross-sectional discharge and tidal cycle discharge can be estimated from a dense current meter array, orideal data set. Based on theseideal estimates, it is shown that a simplified spatial array can be used to estimate water discharges within acceptable error limits. Instantaneous cross-sectional discharges and total tidal cycle discharges were estimated with uncertainties of ±11% and ±7%, respectively. To minimize errors when estimating material exchange between salt marshes and adjacent waters, it is suggested that a comprehensive assessment of cross-sectional lateral current velocity variations be conducted.     

A family of zero-velocity curves in the restricted three-body problem

The equilibrium points and the curves of zero-velocity (Roche varieties) are analyzed in the frame of the regularized circular restricted three-body problem. The coordinate transformation is done with Levi-Civita generalized method, using polynomial functions of n degree. In the parametric plane, five families of equilibrium points are identified: \(L_{i}^{1}, L_{i}^{2}, \ldots, L_{i}^{n}\) , \(i\in\{ 1,2,\ldots,5 \}, n \in\mathbb{N}^{*}\) . These families of points correspond to the five equilibrium points in the physical plane L ₁,L ₂,…,L ₅. The zero-velocity curves from the physical plane are transformed in Roche varieties in the parametric plane. The properties of these varieties are analyzed and the Roche varieties for n∈{1,2,…,6} are plotted. The equation of the asymptotic variety is obtained and its shape is analyzed. The slope of the Roche variety in \(L_{1}^{1}\) point is obtained. For n=1 the slope obtained by Plavec and Kratochvil (1964) in the physical plane was found.     

Physical and mechanical properties of selected amphibolite core samples from the Kola Superdeep Borehole KSDB-3

Laboratory tests of physical and mechanical properties were performed on amphibolites representing two units from the Kola Superdeep Borehole KSDB‐3 (Russia) ? the Proterozoic Karelian Complex (depths of 3043 m, 3530 m and 4389 m) and the Archean Kola–Belomorian Complex (depths of 7951 m, 8942 m and 9904 m). Obtained grain density and bulk density values are nearly identical for all tested samples, but porosities increased slowly with depth. Marked differences in strength properties were found between amphibolite samples from the Karelian Complex and amphibolite samples from the Kola–Belomorian Complex. The uniaxial compressive strength of the samples from the lower part of the borehole is significantly smaller than in samples from the upper part; a similar trend was found for triaxial tests. The values of the deformation modulus, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio obtained from samples of the Karelian Complex are considerably higher than those from the Kola–Belomorian Complex. Observed mechanical properties are explained by the variable grain‐size distribution and by the spatial arrangement of main rock‐forming minerals. These properties are also influenced by recovery of rocks from great depths.     

Lagrangian floats as sea floor imaging platforms

There is a persistent need for high resolution photographic images of the sea floor and associated biota for marine habitat classification and fisheries stock assessment. This paper presents a novel low cost Lagrangian imaging platform that offers high quality images with reduced operational demands in comparison to existing methodologies such as diver surveys, drop cameras, ship towed systems and dedicated remote or autonomous underwater vehicles. The platform consists of a recently developed bottom following Lagrangian float fit with down looking stereo cameras and strobe lighting. The float can use active ballasting to perform constant altitude photographic drift surveys in coastal waters over varying bathymetry. Images from the float can be used to create large photomosaics, stereographic bathymetry estimates and image-derived current measurements. Test data are presented to demonstrate the operation of the Lagrangian float and summarize the data products.     

Earthquake fragmentation and slip processes: Spin and shear-twist wave mosaic

We follow our former considerations on rotational processes and emission of rotation and shear-twist waves as occurring in earthquake source zones. A concise presentation of the motion and constitutive relations is given for each type of the four fundamental point deformations: displacements, rotations, point stretch/squeeze, and string-string point deformations (shear nuclei).     

Lightning climatology in Colombia

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Colombia’s lightning climatology was studied using 16 years of high-resolution data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Lightning Imaging Sensor...     

北美地热井高温硬岩钻井技术

近年来,在全球能源转型的大背景下,高温地热发电得到世界各国极大的重视,前景广阔。要实现对高温地热能源的开采,采用的钻井技术是关键。北美从20世纪50年代开始,对地热能源商业化开采、并用以发电的技术进行了持续性的研究和试验。在高温硬岩地热钻井技术上形成了完整的体系,比如高温地热井设计与井筒完整性技术,高温、超高温坚硬岩石钻头设计与生产技术,高温井底动力钻具,高温井下测量工具,高温泥浆与堵漏技术,高温水泥浆体系以及高温井控技术等。本文结合作者在国内地热井钻完井及北美地热井的工作经验,概要介绍北美的地热钻井技术现状、地热钻井技术难点以及与之相关的关键技术。