Thermochronometry and palaeomagnetism of the Archaean Nelshoogte Pluton, South Africa

²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb single-grain zircon, ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar single-grain hornblende and biotite, and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar bulk-sample muscovite and biotite ages from the Nelshoogte trondhjemite pluton located in eastern Transvaal, South Africa, show that this granitoid had a protracted thermal history spanning 3213±4  Ma to about 3000  Ma. Whole-rock ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages from cross-cutting dolerite dykes indicate that these were intruded at about 1900  Ma. There is no evidence of this or other, later events significantly affecting the argon systematics of the minerals from the pluton dated by the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method.
  The pluton has a well-defined palaeomagnetic pole which is dated at 3179±18 (2 σ ) Ma by ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of hornblende. This pole (18°N, 310°E, A ₉₅=9°) yields a palaeolatitude of 0°, significantly different from other Archaean poles from the Kaapvaal Craton. The palaeolatitude difference implies that there was significant apparent polar wander during the Archaean. A second, overprinting magnetization seen in the pluton is also seen in the lower-Proterozoic dolerite dykes, and is consistent with other lower-Proterozoic (2150–1950  Ma) poles for southern Africa.     

How to drive roAp stars

Rapidly oscillating Ap stars constitute a unique class of pulsators with which to study non-radial oscillations under some — even for stars — unusual physical conditions. These stars are chemically peculiar, they have strong magnetic fields and they often pulsate in several high-order acoustic modes simultaneously. We discuss here an excitation mechanism for short-period oscillation modes based on the classical κ mechanism. We particularly stress the conditions that must be fulfilled for successful driving. Specifically, we discuss the roles of the chemical peculiarity and strong magnetic field on the oscillation modes and what separates these pulsators from δ Scuti and Am-type stars.     

Seasonal variation of particulate hydrocarbons in relation to biological parameters

Particulate matter was sampled for hydrocarbon analyses at three anchor stations in Kiel Bight during different seasons (autumn, winter and spring). Additionally, the following parameters were measured: salinity, temperature, nutrients, chlorophyll, dissolved organic carbon and phytoplankton composition. From these concomitant measurements showing normal hydrographic or meteorologic situations, it was concluded that no intrusions of water masses occurred during the sampling periods; all collected material was produced at or near the sampling location under biological conditions which are encountered normally in this region at these times. During every season the concentration of biogenic hydrocarbons exceeded that of the petrogenic ones. Among the biogenic hydrocarbons the concentration of heneicosahexaene (HEH) was predominant, but in highly variable concentrations, depending on phytoplankton activity. No direct correlation between individual hydrocarbons and plankton species could be established, but a quantitative relationship between the biogenic hydrocarbons and the biological summation parameter was obvious.     

12. Betrachtungen zur Großtektonik des subäquatorialen Afrika

Zusammenfassung Gegen die Einpassung des afrikanischen Werdeganges in den Rahmen eines uralten ONO gerichteten Felderbaues der Kruste werden Bedenken geltend gemacht. Einer Deutung der Großtektonik im Sinne der Verschiebungstheorie wird der Vorzug gegeben.     

Population Structure of Blennius incognitos BATH 1968 (Pisces: Teleostei: Blen-niidae) during the Reproductive Period with Comments on Age and Growth of Small Benthic Littoral Fishes

Abstract. Length frequency distribution, condition factor and parasite infection of Blennius incog-nitus from three different areas near Rovinj, Yugoslavia have been investigated. Differences between considered parameters in three populations of B. incognitus have been found and discussed. Fishes were aged by otolith reading. Mean life span, growth rate, sex ratio and a sexual dimorphism in body size were noted in this littoral blenny. Our findings are discussed and compared with data on comparable littoral fishes.     

Stable isotope compositions of organic carbon and nitrogen of two mangrove stands along the Tanzanian coastal zone

The stable isotopes of organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen, contents of OC and nitrogen for roots, bark, leaves, flowers and fruits of various mangrove species from Kisakasaka (Zanzibar) and Bagamoyo (mainland Tanzania) are used to assess (1) if some mangrove species are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen, (2) if there are differences between species in the same stand and in different stands and (3) if the mangrove signature is preserved in the sediments. Mean OC stable isotope results of various plant components range from −25.9‰ to −29.1‰ suggesting that mangrove trees in the two stands follow the C₃ type of photosynthetic pathway. Mean nitrogen isotope values for various plant components range from −1.5‰ to 3.2‰ suggesting atmospheric nitrogen fixation by mangrove plants, but δ¹⁵N values approaching −3‰ that are more negative than typical diazotroph biomass exclude this possibility. Mangrove species thriving further inland are enriched in ¹³C and ¹⁵N relative to those thriving near the shoreline owing to complete utilization of available nutrients.Sediments beneath the mangrove forest are characterized by lower C/N ratio values and enrichment in ¹³C and ¹⁵N relative to plant material owing to mixing of nitrogenous rich material from adjacent area. High concentration of OC is found in bark and roots, while high nitrogen concentration is found in fruits and flowers only.