Testing the gamma-ray burst variability/peak luminosity correlation on a Swift homogeneous sample

We test the gamma-ray burst (GRB) correlation between temporal variability and peak luminosity of the γ-ray profile on a homogeneous sample of 36 Swift /Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) GRBs with firm redshift determination. This is the first time that this correlation can be tested on a homogeneous data sample. The correlation is confirmed, as long as the six GRBs with low luminosity (  <5 × 10⁵⁰   erg s⁻¹  in the rest-frame 100–1000 keV energy band) are ignored. We confirm that the considerable scatter of the correlation already known is not due to the combination of data from different instruments with different energy bands, but it is intrinsic to the correlation itself. Thanks to the unprecedented sensitivity of Swift /BAT, the variability/peak luminosity correlation is tested on low-luminosity GRBs. Our results show that these GRBs are definite outliers.     

Geochemical processes controlling silica concentrations in groundwaters of the Salado River drainage basin, Argentina

Chemical analyses of dissolved silica in the shallow groundwater of the lower part of the Salado River drainage basin indicate that silica values averaged 60 ppm. The groundwaters are oversaturated in relation to quartz, Na-plagioclase, K-feldspar, and the weathering of quartz and aluminosilicates appear to have little control on silica concentrations in solution. Groundwater is undersaturated with respect to amorphous silica present in the loessic sediments, and these sediments are specially important in the control of the groundwater composition. The sources of amorphous silica are volcanic glass shards and biogenic silica derived from plant (silicophytoliths, diatom frustules) or animal remains (sponge spicules) also present in the Pampean loess. Silicophytoliths and diatoms have also been reported in A soil horizon samples. The dissolution of amorphous silica most likely controls the high dissolved silica concentrations in groundwater.     

Probabilistic assessment of travel times in groundwater modeling

A Monte Carlo approach is described for the quantification of uncertainty on travel time estimates. A real (non synthetic) and exhaustive data set of natural genesis is used for reference. Using an approach based on binary indicators, constraint interval data are easily accommodated in the modeling process. It is shown how the incorporation of imprecise data can reduce drastically the uncertainty in the estimates. It is also shown that unrealistic results are obtained when a deterministic modeling is carried out using a kriging estimate of the transmissivity field. Problems related with using sequential indicator simulation for the generation of fields incorporating constraint interval data are discussed. The final results consists of 95% probability intervals of arrival times at selected control planes reflecting the original uncertainty on the transmissivity maps.     

A statistical analysis in time of the eruptive events on mount Etna (Italy) from 1323 to 1980

A statistical analysis of the eruptive events occured on Mount Etna from 1323 to 1980 has been made. The statistical methods used are: i) the goodness of fitting tests, and ii) the calculation of the probability value «p» for confidence intervals of 95%. The result was a non-equiprobable distribution of eruptive events with a greater concentration in November, March and May. This concentration could be correlated to cyclic factors of astronomical nature connected with variations in the Earth velocity rate, whereas it does not seem to be affected by variations in the amount of rainfall and snowfall.     

Evaluation of groundwater availability and sustainable extraction rate for the Upper Santiago Valley Aquifer,Chile

The use of groundwater as water supply has increased dramatically in Santiago, Chile, during the last decades, and there is a need for accurately estimating the actual groundwater supply capacity in the upper Santiago Valley aquifer. The behavior of this aquifer was studied in order to determine the availability of water and the long-range sustainable extraction rate.Water-table depths were simulated using a numerical model with information on recharge from the last 48 years under different extraction policies. With this series of groundwater level data, groundwater level probability distribution functions were determined and extraction statistics were estimated by fitting time series models and by using the crossing theory. With this information, it has been possible to calculate the risk of being unable to supply groundwater demand because the results verify that only 67% of the water rights granted are able to be extracted on a sustained basis with a 90% exceedance probability. Furthermore, the results obtained demonstrate that the method is adequate for determining exceedance probabilities of groundwater flow.

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Resumen El uso de las aguas subterráneas como fuente de abastecimiento se ha incrementado enormemente en Santiago de Chile durante las últimas décadas, por lo que se necesita estimar de forma adecuada la capacidad actual de suministro del acuífero superior del Valle de Santiago. Se ha estudiado el comportamiento de este acuífero para determinar la disponibilidad de recursos y la tasa de extracción sustentable a largo plazo.Se ha simulado los niveles freáticos del acuífero utilizando un modelo numérico con información de la recarga en los últimos 48 años bajo diferentes regímenes de extracción. Con esta serie de datos de los niveles en el acuífero, se ha determinado la distribución de probabilidad de los niveles de las aguas subterráneas y se ha estimado las estadísticas de las extracciones mediante el ajuste de modelos de series temporales y la teoría de cruce. Con esta información, se ha podido calcular el riego de no satisfacer la demanda de abastecimiento, puesto que los resultados verifican que sólo se podría extraer el 67% de las concesiones de agua existentes de manera sustentable con un 90% de probabilidad de excedencia. Aún más, los resultados obtenidos demuestran que el método es adecuado para determinar las probabilidades de excedencia del flujo de las aguas subterráneas.

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Resumé Lutilisation de leau souterraine pour leau potable sest considérablement accrue à Santiago (Chili) au cours des derniers lustres; cest pourquoi il est maintenant nécessaire destimer avec précision la capacité réelle dalimentation de la nappe de laquifère supérieur de la vallée de Santiago. Le fonctionnement de cet aquifère a été étudié afin de déterminer la disponibilité en eau et le taux dextraction durable à long terme.Les niveaux de la nappe ont été simulés avec un modèle numérique à partir dinformation sur la recharge au cours des 48 dernières années pour différentes politiques dextraction. A partir de cette série de données piézométriques, des fonctions de distribution de probabilité des niveaux de la nappe ont été déterminées et des statistiques dextraction ont été estimées par ajustement de modèles de séries chronologiques en utilisant la théorie du croisement. Avec ces informations, il a été possible de calculer le risque de ne pas pouvoir satisfaire la demande deau souterraine, puisque les résultats vérifient que seulement 67% des droits deau attribués peuvent être extraits sur une base durable avec une probabilité de dépassement de 90%. En outre, les résultats obtenus démontrent que la méthode est adaptée à la détermination des probabilités de dépassement de lécoulement souterrain.

     

Lithospheric transition from the Variscan Iberian Massif to the Jurassic oceanic crust of the Central Atlantic

A 1000-km-long lithospheric transect running from the Variscan Iberian Massif (VIM) to the oceanic domain of the Northwest African margin is investigated. The main goal of the study is to image the lateral changes in crustal and lithospheric structure from a complete section of an old and stable orogenic belt—the Variscan Iberian Massif—to the adjacent Jurassic passive margin of SW Iberia, and across the transpressive and seismically active Africa–Eurasia plate boundary. The modelling approach incorporates available seismic data and integrates elevation, gravity, geoid and heat flow data under the assumptions of thermal steady state and local isostasy. The results show that the Variscan Iberian crust has a roughly constant thickness of 30 km, in opposition to previous works that propose a prominent thickening beneath the South Portuguese Zone (SPZ). The three layers forming the Variscan crust show noticeable thickness variations along the profile. The upper crust thins from central Iberia (about 20 km thick) to the Ossa Morena Zone (OMZ) and the NE region of the South Portuguese Zone where locally the thickness of the upper crust is <8 km. Conversely, there is a clear thickening of the middle crust (up to 17 km thick) under the Ossa Morena Zone, whereas the thickness of the lower crust remains quite constant (6 km). Under the margin, the thinning of the continental crust is quite gentle and occurs over distances of 200 km, resembling the crustal attitude observed further north along the West Iberian margins. In the oceanic domain, there is a 160-km-wide Ocean Transition Zone located between the thinned continental crust of the continental shelf and slope and the true oceanic crust of the Seine Abyssal Plain. The total lithospheric thickness varies from about 120 km at the ends of the model profile to less than 100 km below the Ossa Morena and the South Portuguese zones. An outstanding result is the mass deficit at deep lithospheric mantle levels required to fit the observed geoid, gravity and elevation over the Ossa Morena and South Portuguese zones. Such mass deficit can be interpreted either as a lithospheric thinning of 20–25 km or as an anomalous density reduction of 25 kg m⁻³ affecting the lower lithospheric levels. Whereas the first hypothesis is consistent with a possible thermal anomaly related to recent geodynamics affecting the nearby Betic–Rif arc, the second is consistent with mantle depletion related to ancient magmatic episodes that occurred during the Hercynian orogeny.     

Distribution of cacti in Larrea spp. shrublands in Mendoza, Argentina

In three Larrea shrublands, cacti grow under Larrea canopy at northern and southern exposures and in open spaces were counted. Cacti distribution was related to environmental variables. Seven out of the 15 cacti present were found to be associated with shrubs, whereas the other species were found in the open spaces. The lower temperature and radiation occurring under shrubs at south exposures would explain the absence of cacti in these places. The higher organic matter, nutrients, and moisture in the soils under shrubs appeared to be correlated with higher cacti density. The presence of cacti seedlings only under shrubs could be attributed to the favourable environmental conditions for cacti seed germination and seedling survival that occurred in these places.