The Epochs of Early-Type Galaxy Formation

By means of population synthesis models with variable α/Fe ratios we derive average ages, metallicities, and [α/Fe] element enhancements for a sample of 126 field and cluster early-type galaxies. We find a clear positive relation between [α/Fe] and velocity dispersion. Zero-point, slope, and scatter of this correlation are the same for cluster and field galaxies. In particular, the [α/Fe] ratios and mean ages of cluster ellipticals are positively correlated. This strongly reinforces the view that the [α/Fe] element enhancement in ellipticals is produced by star formation timescales rather than by variations of the initial mass function. These results indicate that the more massive the galaxy, the shorter is its star formation timescale, and the higher is the redshift of the bulk of star formation. This finding is not compatible with the predictions from models of hierarchical galaxy formation. The lenticular and field galaxies of the investigated sample do not follow the correlation between age and [α/Fe], but contain a non-negligible fraction of galaxies with young average ages and high [α/Fe] ratios. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

On the presence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stephanodiscus niagarae</Emphasis> Ehrenberg in central Mexico

Stephanodiscus niagarae is frequently reported from late Pleistocene (>10,000 yr BP) sediments in central Mexico, with lower abundances through the Holocene. Its presence in Holocene and modern environments in central Mexico was not well documented until our study, where we report on three populations of S. niagarae, one middle Holocene population with particularly high abundance from the Upper Lerma Basin, and two modern sites, Valle de Bravo and Santa Elena. The three sites are located in the same geographical area, in the State of Mexico. The fossil material dates to ca. 6600–4900 yr BP, with S. niagarae reaching up to 90% of the diatom counts. Stephanodiscus niagarae is present in association with Fragilaria pinnata, F. brevistriata, and Aulacoseira granulata. In Valle de Bravo (ca. 30 m deep) S. niagarae is present in very low numbers in water column and surface sediments samples (<1%); the diatom assemblage is dominated by Fragilaria crotonensis in association with A. granulata, A. granulata var. curvata and Cyclotella ocellata. In Santa Elena, a shallow, intermittent irrigation channel, S. niagarae is the second most abundant alga; the diatom assemblage is dominated by S. niagarae in association with A. granulata, A. granulata var. curvata and F. crotonensis. Both modern sites show a trend to eutrophy and these diatom assemblages are taken as indicative of this trend. It is suggested researchers should be cautions when the presence of S. niagarae in sedimentary records is taken as indicative of deep waters conditions, as the present data show that this species can thrive in rather shallow environments in Mexico.     

Three Decades of Seismic Activity at Mt. Vesuvius: 1972–2000

We analyse the seismic catalogue of the local earthquakes which occurred at Somma-Vesuvius volcano in the past three decades (1972–2000). The seismicity in this period can be described as composed of a background level, characterised by a low and rather uniform rate of energy release and by sporadic periods of increased seismic activity. Such relatively intense seismicity periods are characterised by energy rates and magnitudes progressively increasing in the critical periods. The analysis of the b value in the whole period evidences a well-defined pattern, with values of b progressively decreasing, from about 1.8 at the beginning of the considered period, to about 1.0 at present. This steady variation indicates an increasing dynamics in the volcanic system. Within this general trend it is possible to identify a substructure in the time sequence of the seismic events, formed by the alternating episodes of quiescence and activity. The analysis of the source moment tensor of the largest earthquakes shows that the processes at the seismic source are generally not consistent with simple double-couples, but that they are compatible with isotropic components, mostly indicating volumetric expansion. These components are shown to be statistically significant for most of the analysed events. Such focal mechanisms can be interpreted as the effect of explosion phenomena, possibly related to volatile exsolution from the crystallising magma. The availability of a reduced amount of high quality data necessary for the inversion of the source moment tensor, the still limited period of systematic observation of Vesuvius micro-earthquakes and, above all, the absence of eruptive events during such interval of time, cannot obviously permit the outlining of any formal premonitory signal. Nevertheless, the analysis reported in this paper indicates a progressively evolving dynamics, characterised by a generally increasing trend in the seismic activity in the volcanic system and by a significant volumetric component of recent major events, thus posing serious concern for a future evolution towards eruptive activity.     

Variability and fluxes of nitrogen and organic carbon at the mouth of a coastal lagoon

This work examines the tidal exchanges of heat, inorganic nitrogenous nutrients and various forms of organic matter at the mouth of San Quintin Bay, Baja California, Mexico. It also attempts to elucidate the main factors responsible for the short-term fluctuations of these seawater properties. To accomplish this, a time series sampling was carried out at the mouth of the bay from 25 June to 5 July, 1979. The bay systematically exported heat, with an average of 1·2×10¹⁰ kcal per half tidal cycle during the sampling period. Inputs of nitrite and nitrate during upwelling were of major importance to the productivity of the lagoon. During non-upwelling conditions the trend was toward a dynamic equilibrium in the oxidized inorganic nutrient fluxes. There were significant exports of ammonia. These ammonia exports were, on average, about 20% of the nitrate plus nitrite imports. Ammonia concentrations were related to metabolic and mixing processes. Ammonia might be an important export product throughout the year, as a result of the reduced state of the sediments. During the sampling, there were imports of particulate organic carbon and nitrogen. The C/N ratio suggests that the main origin of organic detritus was other than the breakdown of eelgrass in the bay. There were mostly imports of diatom carbon, but fluxes of dinoflagellate carbon were always near equilibrium. Zooplankton showed both exports and imports. Variability in the zooplankton carbon was mostly related to diel vertical migration. There were no significant exports of floating seagrass, not even during spring tides.     

Rigorous Analysis of Available Data from Cerro Prieto and Las Tres Virgenes Geothermal Fields with Calculations for Expanded Electricity Generation

Changes in legislation have opened the Mexican geothermal resources for exploitation to private companies; therefore the evaluation of the known geothermal areas has a high priority to plan further exploitation and possibly the expansion of the well fields. The calculation of the remaining productivity of geothermal fields currently in exploitation can be achieved with less uncertainty using the parameters obtained from production and injection wells, as well as the production efficiency of the installed plants. No information about previous volumetric evaluation is available for the fields presently being exploited, and there is the possibility that they may support an increase in their energy output or extend further their production life. The most widely used calculation technique is the USGS volumetric method that requires the knowledge of parameters that can be measured only after exploitation started. Heat in place-volumetric evaluation was undertaken for two fields in Mexico: Cerro Prieto and the Las Tres Vírgenes geothermal fields, using all information obtained by exploration surveys and exploitation drilling. The obtained values allow planning a possible expansion of the fields based on their estimated mean potential output that is 1397 MWe for Cerro Prieto and 48 MWe for Las Tres Vírgenes compared to the presently installed capacity of 580 MWe.