Thallium isotope composition of the upper continental crust and rivers—An investigation of the continental sources of dissolved marine thallium

The thallium (Tl) concentrations and isotope compositions of various river and estuarine waters, suspended riverine particulates and loess have been determined. These data are used to evaluate whether weathering reactions are associated with significant Tl isotope fractionation and to estimate the average Tl isotope composition of the upper continental crust as well as the mean Tl concentration and isotope composition of river water. Such parameters provide key constraints on the dissolved Tl fluxes to the oceans from rivers and mineral aerosols.The Tl isotope data for loess and suspended riverine detritus are relatively uniform with a mean of ε²⁰⁵Tl = −2.0 ± 0.3 (ε²⁰⁵Tl represents the deviation of the ²⁰⁵Tl/²⁰³Tl isotope ratio of a sample from NIST SRM 997 Tl in parts per 10⁴). For waters from four major and eight smaller rivers, the majority were found to have Tl concentrations between 1 and 7 ng/kg. Most have Tl isotope compositions very similar (within ±1.5 ε²⁰⁵Tl) to that deduced for the upper continental crust, which indicates that no significant Tl isotope fractionation occurs during weathering. Based on these results, it is estimated that rivers have a mean natural Tl concentration and isotope composition of 6 ± 4 ng/kg and ε²⁰⁵Tl = −2.5 ± 1.0, respectively.In the Amazon estuary, both additions and losses of Tl were observed, and these correlate with variations in Fe and Mn contents. The changes in Tl concentrations have much lower amplitudes, however, and are not associated with significant Tl isotope effects. In the Kalix estuary, the Tl concentrations and isotope compositions can be explained by two-component mixing between river water and a high-salinity end member that is enriched in Tl relative to seawater. These results indicate that Tl can display variable behavior in estuarine systems but large additions and losses of Tl were not observed in the present study.     

Modelling of uranium and neptunium chemistry in a deep rock environment

According to the present concept for final storage of spent nuclear fuel in Sweden, the spent fuel, encapsulated in copper or copper/steel canisters, will be placed in tunnels in a deep rock formation. The canisters will be surrounded by compacted bentonite clay acting as a buffer material. In connection with a safety analysis of such a storage facility, the total solubility of certain elements (e.g., uranium) as well as the transport properties (e.g., retardation due to sorption on mineral surfaces) of the long-lived radionuclides released from the canister have to be predicted or measured. The chemical conditions, governing the solubility and speciation of trace elements encountered in and around the repository depend on interactions between the ground water and the engineering materials in the repository and a production of oxidants due to radiolysis in the spent fuel. In the present study the speciation and solubility of uranium and neptunium in a bentonite-ground water system and in ground waters with compositions measured at a site at äspö, SE Sweden, have been calculated. The calculations have been carried out using a recent version of the geochemical computer code PHREEQE and the database HATCHES 5.0. Predictions of the uranium and neptunium concentrations in the ground water in the vicinity of a damaged high level waste repository have also been performed. The uranium concentration in the water in the bentonite barrier is predicted to be of the same order of magnitude or lower than that found in some granitic ground waters. For neptunium the calculations are uncertain due to the small amount of experimentally determined thermodynamic data and few verifications under the conditions (pH - Eh - carbonate concentration) considered. The predicted concentrations (ca 10^–12 m, corresponds to ca 0.006 Bq/l) may be regarded as high, considering the high toxicity of neptunium and its long half-life.     

Levels and patterns of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls in surface sediments from the western Baltic Sea (Arkona Basin) and the Oder River estuarine system

Surface sediment samples were collected from the western Baltic Sea (Arkona Basin) and the Oder River estuarine system in May and August 1995 and analysed for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls. Contents of PCDF (sum) and PCDD (sum) varied from 2.5 to 820.0 pg g⁻¹ dw and from 12.7 to 2991.0 pg g⁻¹ dw, respectively. PCB contents (sum of 23 congeners) ranged between < 130.0 and 16267.0 pg g⁻¹ dw. Only slight variations in PCDF/D and PCB contents on dry weight basis were found between the Oder River estuarine system and the open Baltic Sea. TOC-normalization of the data showed an approximately homogen PCDF/D distribution in the study area. The distribution pattern for PCDF/D and PCB may be attributed to high sediment dynamics combined with transport processes from the temporary sedimentation basin (Oderhaff) to the deeper parts of the Baltic Sea.     

Chronometric calibration of a comparative time scale for the mesozoic and paleozoic

The relationship between radiometric and biostratigraphic ages is analyzed by local empirical methods and illustrated in chronograms for the mesozoic and paleozoic stages. The chronograms allow estimates for stage boundaries and their errors. Consequently, the ages for epoch boundaries and their errors are discussed which, for several reasons, may not be identical with the age and error of the oldest stage of an epoch.The analysis results in a comparative time scale which could be a compromise between the time scales currently under discussion. A specific feature of the derived time scale is its rather strong cyclicity with periods around 74 (73±1) ma.

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Zusammenfassung Alter und Fehlergrenzen für mesozoische und paläozoische Stufengrenzen werden mittels einer lokalen empirischen Schätzmethode neu berechnet. Daraus ergeben sich Schätzungen für die Alter und Fehler der Epochengrenzen, die aus verschiedenen Gründen nicht mit denen derältesten Stufe einer Epoche zusammenfallen.Die Auswertung der Chronogramme führt zu einer vergleichenden Zeitskala, die im wesentlichen einen Kompromi\ zwischen den gegenwärtig gängigen Zeitskalen darstellt. Bemerkenswert ist, da\ die Zeitskala ein hohes Ma\ an Zyklizität aufweist, wobei sich Perioden von 74 (73±1) ma ergeben.

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Résumé Les relations entre les âges radiométriques et les âges biostratigraphiques sont analysées par des méthodes locales et empiriques. Elles sont présentées dans des chronogrammes se référant aux étages du MésozoÏque et du PaléozoÏque. Ces chronogrammes permettent d'estimer les limites d'étages et les erreurs de cette estimation. Les âges des limites de systèmes et leurs erreurs sont discutés en conséquence. Pour diverses raisons ils ne sont pas identiques à ceux de l'étage le plus ancien d'un système.L'analyse des chronogrammes aboutit à une échelle de temps comparative qui représente un compromis entre les échelles de temps couramment discutées. Une propriété remarquable de cette échelle est de faire apparaÎtre une cyclicité dont la période est de 74 (73±1) Ma.

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Sediment compaction in large scale systems

The classical partial differential equation for compaction proves to provide a rather singular model, if the deformations caused by overload become reasonably large. An alternative model for compaction is derived by adapting an Eulerian view and by deriving the model equations from integral equations rather than from a priori differentiability assumptions. The result is not — as usual — a single partial differential equation, but an infinite set of differential equations, interesting in both mathematical and geological terms.Although there are still several simplifications and linearizations in the derived model, the model illustrates at least that the classical Terzaghi equation and mathematical models in its vicinity are highly idealized and probably instable, if applied to large scale systems.

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Zusammenfassung Die klassische partielle Differentialgleichung für die Kompaktion stellt ein sehr vereinfachtes Modell dar, zumindest für den Fall, daß die Deformationen infolge Auflast sehr groß werden. Hier wird ein alternatives Modell entwickelt, das nicht von der Voraussetzung der Differenzierbarkeit ausgeht, sondern über Integralgleichungen entwickelt wird, wobei die Eulersche Sicht des Raum-Zeitbezuges zur Anwendung kommt. Das Resultat ist dann nicht mehr eine einfache partielle Differentialgleichung, sondern ein unendliches System solcher Gleichungen.Obwohl auch das entwickelte Modell vereinfachte Annahmen erfordert und stark linearisiert, so verdeutlicht es doch zumindest, daß die klassische Therzaghi Gleichung und modifizierte Modelle, die auf diese Gleichung aufbauen, sehr wahrscheinlich instabil sind, wenn sie auf Systeme mit großen Deformationen angewandt werden.

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Résumé L'équation classique aux dérivées partielles de la compaction fournit un modèle très simplifié, particulièrement dans le cas où les déformations dues à la surcharge deviennent considérables. L'auteur propose en alternative un modèle, adapté des conceptions eulériennes, qui repose sur les équations intégrales plutót que sur la présomption de différenciabilité. Le résultat n'est plus une simple équation aux dérivées partielles, mais un système infini de telles équations.Bien que le modèle présenté implique des hypothèses simplificatrices et des linéarisations, on peut néanmoins en déduire que l'équation classique de Terzaghi, ainsi que les modèles modifiés qui en découlent, sont très probablement instables s'ils sont appliqués à des systèmes à forte déformation.

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Turbulent exchange above a pine forest,I: Fluxes and gradients

Measurements of gradients of wind, temperature and humidity and of the corresponding turbulent fluxes have been carried out over a sparse pine forest at Jädra»s in Sweden. In order to ascertain that correct gradient estimates were obtained, two independent measuring systems were employed: one system with sensors at 10 fixed levels on a 51 m tower and another with reversing sensors for temperature and humidity, covering the height interval 23 to 32 m. Turbulent fluxes were measured at three levels simultaneously. Data from three field campaigns: in June 1985, June 1987 and September 1987 have been analyzed. The momentum flux is found on the average to be virtually constant from tree top level, at 20 to 50 m. The average fluxes of sensible and latent heat are not so well behaved. The ratio of the non-dimensional gradients of wind and temperature to their corresponding values under ideal conditions (low vegetation) are both found to be small immediately above the canopy (about 0.3 for temperature and 0.4 for wind). With increasing height, the ratios increase, but the values vary substantially with wind direction. The ratios are not found to vary systematically with stability (unstable stratification only studied). The ratio of the non-dimensional humidity gradient to the corresponding non-dimensional potential temperature gradient (equivalent to k _h /k _w ) is found to be unity for (z – d)/L _v less than about –0.1 and about 1.4 for near neutral stratification, but the scatter of the data is very large.     

Directional interpolation of multicomponent data

A method for interpolation of multicomponent streamer data based on using the local directionality structure is presented. The derivative components are used to estimate a vector field that locally describes the direction with the least variability. Given this vector field, the interpolation can be phrased in terms of the solution of a partial differential equation that describes how energy is transported between regions of missing data. The approach can be efficiently implemented using readily available routines for computer graphics. The method is robust to noise in the measurements and particularly towards high levels of low‐frequent noise that is present in the derivative components of the multicomponent streamer data.     

Fish assemblages in Tanzanian mangrove creek systems influenced by solar salt farm constructions

Deforestation of mangrove forests is common occurrence worldwide. We examined fish assemblage composition in three mangrove creek systems in Tanzania (East Africa), including two creeks where the upper parts were partly clear-cut of mangrove forest due to the construction of solar salt farms, and one creek with undisturbed mangrove forest. Fish were caught monthly for one year using a seine net (each haul covering 170 m²) within three locations in each creek, i.e. at the upper, intermediate and lower reaches. Density, biomass and species number of fish were lower in the upper deforested sites compared to the mangrove-fringed sites at the intermediate and lower parts in the two creeks affected by deforestation, whereas there were no differences among the three sites in the undisturbed mangrove creek system. In addition, multivariate analyses showed that the structure of fish assemblages varied between forested and clear-cut sites within the two disturbed creeks, but not within the undisturbed creek. Across the season, we found no significant differences except for a tendency of a minor increase in fish densities during the rainy season. At least 75% of the fishes were juveniles and of commercial interest for coastal fisheries and/or aquaculture. Mugil cephalus, Gerres oyena and Chanos chanos were the most abundant species in the forested sites. The dominant species in the clear-cut areas were M. cephalus and Elops machnata, which were both found in relatively low abundances compared to the undisturbed areas. The conversion of mangrove forests into solar salt farms not only altered fish assemblage composition, but also water and sediment conditions. In comparison with undisturbed areas, the clear-cut sites showed higher salinity, water temperature as well as organic matter and chlorophyll a in the sediments. Our results suggest that mangrove habitat loss and changes in environmental conditions caused by salt farm developments will decrease fish densities, biomass and species numbers as well as alter the overall fish assemblage composition in the salt farm area but not downstream in the creek.     

Seismostratigraphy and structural framework of the SW Baltic Sea

The SW part of the Baltic Sea between Scania, Rügen, Bornholm and Mön constitutes a complex crustal transition between the Baltic Shield and the accreted Phanerozoic provinces of the West European Platform. An integrated interpretation of marine reflection seismic data sets from the BABEL AC line and two commercial surveys offshore NE Germany and S Sweden have resulted in a complete view of the structural framework in the area. The general seismic picture can best be detected by two characteristic sets of reflection phases. The lower set is dominated by slightly dipping and vertically displaced prominent reflectors corresponding to downfaulted Lower Palaeozoic strata on top of the Precambrian basement. The upper set represents Mesozoic and Cenozoic coherent reflection phases including a thick Upper Cretaceous unit. The Caledonian deformation front is identified in the southern part of the investigated area as the border against which basement rocks have been affected by Caledonian metamorphism and deformation. Major structural elements also include the N–S trending Agricola–Svedala Fault and North Rügen-Skurup Fault. Several NW–SE trending faults are also identified including the Nordadler–Kamien Fault, Jutland–Mön Fault, Carlsberg Fault, Romeleåsen Fault Zone and the Fyledalen Fault Zone. The sedimentary record from NE German offshore wells and Scanian boreholes is compared with the seismic data. The Cambro-Silurian strata are composed mainly of quartzitic sandstones, shales and biomicritic limestones. The Silurian is dominated by grey, micaceous shale and micaceous siltstone deposited in a marginal basin. Upper Palaeozoic strata are merely encountered in the southernmost part of the investigated area. These include Zechstein strata. The Mesozoic deposits are dominated by a thick Cretaceous sequence of mainly limestones with interbedded sandstones.