Oxygen isotope heterogeneity in chondrules from the Mokoia CV3 carbonaceous chondrite

We report a study of the oxygen isotope ratios of chondrules and their constituent mineral grains from the Mokoia, oxidized CV3 chondrite. Bulk oxygen isotope ratios of 23 individual chondrules were determined by laser ablation fluorination, and oxygen isotope ratios of individual grains, mostly olivine, were obtained in situ on polished mounts using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Our results can be compared with data obtained previously for the oxidized CV3 chondrite, Allende. Bulk oxygen isotope ratios of Mokoia chondrules form an array on an oxygen three-isotope plot that is subparallel to, and slightly displaced from, the CCAM (carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous minerals) line. The best-fit line for all CV3 chondrite chondrules has a slope of 0.99, and is displaced significantly (by δ¹⁷O ∼ −2.5‰) from the Young and Russell slope-one line for unaltered calcium-aluminum-rich inclusion (CAI) minerals. Oxygen isotope ratios of many bulk CAIs also lie on the CV-chondrule line, which is the most relevant oxygen isotope array for most CV chondrite components. Bulk oxygen isotope ratios of most chondrules in Mokoia have δ¹⁸O values around 0‰, and olivine grains in these chondrules have similar oxygen isotope ratios to their bulk values. In general, it appears that chondrule mesostases have higher δ¹⁸O values than olivines in the same chondrules. Our bulk chondrule data spread to lower δ¹⁸O values than any ferromagnesian chondrules that have been measured previously. Two chondrules with the lowest bulk δ¹⁸O values (−7.5‰ and −11.7‰) contain olivine grains that display an extremely wide range of oxygen isotope ratios, down to δ¹⁷O, δ¹⁸O around -50‰ in one chondrule. In these chondrules, there are no apparent relict grains, and essentially no relationships between olivine compositions, which are homogeneous, and oxygen isotopic compositions of individual grains. Heterogeneity of oxygen isotope ratios within these chondrules may be the result of incorporation of relict grains from objects such as amoeboid olivine aggregates, followed by solid-state chemical diffusion without concomitant oxygen equilibration. Alternatively, oxygen isotope exchange between an ¹⁶O-rich precursor and an ¹⁶O-poor gas may have taken place during chondrule formation, and these chondrules may represent partially equilibrated systems in which isotopic heterogeneities became frozen into the crystallizing olivine grains. If this is the case, we can infer that the earliest nebular solids from which chondrules formed had δ¹⁷O and δ¹⁸O values around -50‰, similar to those observed in refractory inclusions.     

A survey of Karin cluster asteroids with the Spitzer Space Telescope

The Karin cluster is one of the youngest known families of main-belt asteroids, dating back to a collisional event only 5.8±0.2 Myr ago. Using the Spitzer Space Telescope we have photometrically sampled the thermal continua (3.5-22 μm) of 17 Karin cluster asteroids of different sizes, down to the smallest members discovered so far, in order to make the first direct measurements of their sizes and albedos and study the physical properties of their surfaces. Our targets are also amongst the smallest main-belt asteroids observed to date in the mid-infrared. The derived diameters range from 17.3 km for 832 Karin to 1.5 km for 75176, with typical uncertainties of 10%. The mean albedo is pv=0.215±0.015, compared to 0.20±0.07 for 832 Karin itself (for H=11.2±0.3), consistent with the view that the Karin asteroids are closely related physically as well as dynamically. The albedo distribution (0.12?pv?0.32) is consistent with the range associated with S-type asteroids but the variation from one object to another appears to be significant. Contrary to the case for near-Earth asteroids, our data show no evidence of an albedo dependence on size. However, the mean albedo is lower than expected for young, fresh “S-type” surfaces, suggesting that space weathering can darken main-belt asteroid surfaces on very short timescales. Our data are also suggestive of a connection between surface roughness and albedo, which may reflect rejuvenation of weathered surfaces by impact gardening. While the available data allow only estimates of lower limits for thermal inertia, we find no evidence for the relatively high values of thermal inertia reported for some similarly sized near-Earth asteroids. Our results constitute the first observational confirmation of the legitimacy of assumptions made in recent modeling of the formation of the Karin cluster via a single catastrophic collision 5.8±0.2 Myr ago.     

Occurrence and distribution of shortnose sturgeon,Acipenser brevirostrum,in the upper tidal Delaware River

Sampling in the upper tidal Delaware River between Trenton, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from July 1981 through December 1984 demonstrated the existence of a significant population of shortnose sturgeon. The sturgeon aggregate in the river channel during daylight hours, especially in the area between Trenton and Florence, New Jersey (river km 211.8 to 198.8). Occurrence in the river downstream of Florence appears to be restricted by poor water quality during summer months. Sturgeon were present in the study area throughout the year, but largest numbers were collected from May though November. No spawning was observed during this study, but presence of males with milt suggests that spawning possibly occurs in the Trenton area. Preliminary population estimates (Peterson, Schnabel and Seber-Jolly) indicate an adult population of approximately 6,000–14,000 shortnose sturgeon occupying the upper tidal Delaware River.     

Methods for medium-term prediction of the net sediment transport by waves and currents in complex coastal regions

Medium-term prediction of sediment transport and morphological behaviour in the coastal zone is becoming increasingly important as a result of human interference and changing environmental conditions. The interaction of waves and tides is shown to play a pivotal role in the net (annual) sediment transport and morphodynamics of the coastal zone. The Telemac Modelling System has been applied to the Dyfi Estuary and neighbouring coastline, mid Wales, to recreate the annual wave–current conditions and the resulting sediment fluxes. ‘Input reduction’ methods have been required to produce realistic schematisations of events in practical computation times. A field campaign carried out in 2006 provided data for validation of the flow module (Telemac-2D) and also observations to verify the patterns predicted by the wave module (Tomawac). To improve model accuracy refinements were implemented with regard to the sand transport formulation used in the sand transport module (Sisyphe). Here, a parameterisation of the results from the UWB 1DV sand transport ‘research’ model, for the conditions in the Dyfi Estuary, has been introduced, allowing Sisyphe to provide greater realism in the morphological predictions. The model predictions are presented along with a discussion of the success/failure and limitations of the modelling methods applied.     

Three varieties of alpine-type ultramafic rocks in the Norwegian Caledonides and basal gnesis complex

Three varieties of alpine-type ultramafic rocks are distinguish in the Norwegian Caledonides associated Basal Gneiss Complex. Type one rocks have primary (magmatic) olivine, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene and chromite, and are partly or completely serpentinised. They are found exclusively in rocks of Cambro-Silurian age. Type two are polymetamorphic metaperidotites or sagvandites consisting of olivine, enstatite and carbonate minerals, with talc and amphibole commonly being present. They are found in medium- to high-grade metamorphic rocks. Type three also show a metamorphic mineral association of olivine, orthopyroxene and minor chromite, while clinopyroxene, amphibole and chrome-bearing chlorite may also be present in some samples. Garnet may or may not occur and, where present, is often surrounded by reaction rims of spinel and amphibole. The type three ultramafic bodies are serpentinised to varying degrees and occur in high-grade metamorphic gneisses which may also contain eclogites and anorthosites. Distinction of these three varieties of ultramafic body may be useful for correlation purposes and for more detailed studies on the nature of their metamorphism.     

An evaluation of models of apatite compositional variability using apatite from the Middle Banded series of the Stillwater Complex,Montana

 Apatite is a relatively common accessory mineral in the olivine-bearing zones (OB-III and OB-IV) of the Middle Banded series of the Stillwater complex, occurring interstitial to cumulus grains, as monomineralic inclusions in cumulus grains, and in polymineralic clusters which may or may not be included in the cumulus grains. Eighty-nine of 185 samples examined were found to contain some apatite. The F-Cl-OH content of the apatite show distinct stratigraphic variations. XClAp (mole fraction Cl in apatite) of interstitial apatite increases upsection in both OB-III and OB-IV with average values ranging from 0.15 to 0.85 in OB-III and from 0.03 to 0.60 in OB-IV. XFAp varies inversely with XClApwith average values ranging from 0.00 to 0.70, while XOHAp remains relatively constant near 0.40 or decreases slightly with height. These variations are remarkable given that no appreciable stratigraphic variations in either the major or trace element compositions of any of the cumulus minerals are found in the 800 m of section that comprise OB-III and OB-IV. Within-sample variation of XClAp for samples containing Cl-rich apatite is substantially larger (up to 0.65 XClAp) than for samples with more F-rich apatite (XClAp varies by approximately 0.15). Although interstitial apatite is found throughout OB-III and OB-IV, apatite occurring as monomineralic inclusion in cumulus grains or in polymineralic clusters is almost exclusively found in samples with Cl-rich apatite. The data are best explained by a model involving the degassing of a Cl-rich volatile phase from the crystallizing interstitial liquid. The up-section migration of this fluid resulted in the crystallization of F-rich apatite in the lower portion and progressive Cl-enrichment in the apatite with height. The presence of hornblende-bearing dikes, veins and pegmatoids at the level of maximum Cl-enrichment is consistent with a fluid migration model. Received: 5 October 1995 / Accepted: 19 March 1996     

Transverse Oscillations in Coronal Loops Observed with TRACE – II. Measurements of Geometric and Physical Parameters

Solar Physics - We measure geometric and physical parameters oftransverse oscillations in 26 coronal loops, out of the 17 events described in Paper I by Schrijver, Aschwanden, and Title (2002)....     

Large-scale structure, the cosmic microwave background and primordial non-Gaussianity

Cosmic microwave background and large-scale structure data will shortly improve dramatically with the Microwave Anisotropy Probe and Planck Surveyor , and the Anglo-Australian 2-Degree Field and Sloan Digital Sky Survey. It is therefore timely to ask which of the microwave background and large-scale structure will provide a better probe of primordial non-Gaussianity. In this paper we consider this question, using the bispectrum as a discriminating statistic. We consider several non-Gaussian models and find that in each case the microwave background will provide a better probe of primordial non-Gaussianity. Our results suggest that if microwave background maps appear Gaussian, then apparent deviations from Gaussian initial conditions in galaxy surveys can be attributed with confidence to the effects of biasing. We demonstrate this precisely for the spatial bispectrum induced by local non-linear biasing.     

Active regions losing their moorings by subsurface reconnection

Eleven microwave spike events observed with the 2.6–3.8 GHz spectrometer of Beijing Astronomical Observatory (BAO) are analysed. The polarization degrees of spikes are variable, some spikes have frequency drift with the drift rate of several GHz s^–1. In particular, the time delay (8 ms) between the two polarization modes of spike is detected, which is different from previous results. According to the leading spot rule, we conclude that the o-modes arrive first. Moreover, the reversal of polarization sense versus frequency is also found. A change of the emission mode may be the cause of the polarization reversal.