Effects of peat on the shapes of alluvial channels: examples from the Cumberland Marshes, Saskatchewan, Canada

An avulsion of the lower Saskatchewan River in the 1870s inundated a large segment of peat-covered floodplain that subsequently has become aggraded with a broad (500 km²) belt of alluvium deposited by the redirected flow. Routing of water and sediment discharge through the avulsion-affected area has been accomplished mainly by networks of sandy bedded anastomosed channels that have formed, evolved, and abandoned as the alluvial belt prograded down the floodplain slope. These processes continue today, though at a much-reduced rate. New channels, formed by crevassing and basinward extension of distributaries, are initially small and shallow, with bottom elevations situated within the avulsive alluvium but above the pre-avulsion peat (floodplain) surface. Subsequent enlargement and downcutting of many of these channels eventually uncovers the underlying peat layer whose resistance to erosion exerts significant influence on cross-sectional shape and further channel development. Peat-floored channels tend to have rectangular cross-sections, high ratios of average to maximum depth (D/D_max), and a large range of width-to-depth ratios. If the channel continues to enlarge, the peat layer eventually becomes breached, commonly leading to temporarily irregular cross-sections caused by localized scouring at the breach sites. Eventually, the peat layer is completely eroded from the channel floor by undercutting and slumping, after which channel shape becomes governed mainly by other perimeter characteristics. Channels unaffected by peat, either before the peat layer is encountered during early channel development or after it is entirely removed, tend to have low width/depth ratios and a large range of D/D_max values.     

Linear mechanism of generation and intencification of internal gravity waves in the ionosphere at their interaction with a nonuniform zonal wind: 1. Model of the medium and initial dynamic equations

The specific features of the generation and intensification of internal gravity wave structures in different atmospheric-ionospheric regions, caused by zonal local nonuniform winds (shear flows), are studied. The model of the medium has been explained and an initial closed system of equations has been obtained in order to study the linear and nonlinear dynamics of internal gravity waves (IGWs) when they interact with the geomagnetic field in a dissipative ionosphere (for the D, E, and F regions).     

Local‐government data sharing: Evaluating the foundations of spatial data infrastructures

This paper presents a typology of local‐government data sharing arrangements in the US at a time when spatial data infrastructures (SDI) are moving into a second generation. In the first generation, the US National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) theoretically involved a pyramid of data integration resting on local‐government data sharing. Availability of local‐government data is the foundation for all SDI‐related data sharing in this model. However, first‐generation SDI data‐sharing activities and principles have gained only a tenuous hold in local governments. Some formalized data sharing occurs, but only infrequently in response to SDI programmes and policies. Previous research suggests that local‐government data sharing aligns with immediate organizational and practical concerns rather than state or national policies and programmes. We present research findings echoing extending these findings to show that local‐government data sharing is largely informal in nature and is undertaken to support existing governmental activities. NSDI principles remain simply irrelevant for the majority of surveyed local governments. The typology we present distinguishes four distinct types of local‐government data sharing arrangements that reflect institutional, political, and economic factors. The effectiveness of second generation, client‐service‐based SDI will be seriously constrained if the problems of local government take‐up fail to be addressed.     

Correlation of the Meishucunian Stage in South Asia

The determination of boundary points and their correlation are prerequisites for defining the PrecambrianCambrian boundary and the intercontinental correlation. A large number of good Precambrian-Cambrian boundary sections in South Asia not only possess the conditions for selection of a boundary stratotype, but also provide the basis for the long-distance correlation of those boundary sections.Through a detailed study of the latest data obtained from the typical sections in South China, the Lesser Himalaya Mountains and the Alborz Mountains. the locations of boundary points have been defined, and a correlation scheme is proposed, which contributes to the solution of the problem of worldwide correlation of boundary sections.     

Correlation of trace elements with hydrocarbon microseepage

Direct correlation have been observed between certain trace element and hydrocarbon anomalies in the near subsurface soils of Vindhyan basin, India. This relationship with hydrocarbon is very useful in hydrocarbon exploration. 52 soil samples from Vindhyan basin were collected from a depth of 2.5m. All the soil samples were analyzed for light hydrocarbon, isotope and trace element concentrations. The adsorbed light gaseous hydrocarbon analyses show the presence of methane (8–328 ppb), ethane (0–27 ppb) and propane (0–11 ppb) respectively and these values indicate the presence of hydrocarbon micro-seepage in the study area. The carbon isotopic values determined for methane and ethane for these soil samples are (?26.41 to ?47.70 ‰ PDB) and (?20.07 to ?35.30 ‰ PDB) respectively and they are thermogenic in nature. The trace element concentrations of nickel (33–220 ppm), vanadium (72–226 ppm), copper (20–131 ppm), chromium (94–205 ppm), zinc (66–561 ppm) and cobalt (9–39 ppm) have higher than the normal concentrations in soils. Trace element concentrations are used to plot with the data obtained from light gaseous hydrocarbon concentrations and carbon isotopic values of soil samples of the Vindhyan basin. Trace element anomalies have been observed around the hydrocarbon anomalies in the study area.     

Old, Low-Mass, Metal-Rich (SMR) Stars

The authors of this paper try to disentangle the many problems arisen from a new enlarged sample of nearby low-mass,metal-rich-stars. These stars have reliable absolute magnitudes, deduced from Hipparcos parallaxes, precise bolometric corrections, effective temperatures and metal abundances from high resolution detailed spectroscopic analyses. Their ages have been derived from a grid of isochrones calculated with up to date physics. The main goal of this paper is to determine the ages of the slightly evolved SMR stars. Among those with well determinated ages about 80% of them have intermediate ages of (2 to 5 Gyr), but only 20% have ages of 8 Gyr or more. Nevertheless, the existence of very old metal-rich stars is confirmed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Holocene record of climate change,fire ecology and human activity from montane Flat Top Bog,Maui

A sediment core from a high-elevation bog on Maui in the Hawaiian Islands contains evidence for drier conditions between 9.4–5.8 kyr BP, followed by a wetter interval between 5.8–2.2 kyr BP, and a variable late Holocene. These precipitation changes may be a reflection of vertical displacements of the upper boundary of the mid-Pacific Trade Wind Inversion (TWI) cloud layer. Fires, probably volcanically ignited, occurred in the forests prior to human arrival. Polynesian activity in this high-elevation, remote site was apparently limited, with no pollen, charcoal, or sedimentological evidence for local anthropogenic disturbance. After European contact, grass fires increased and introduced plant species invaded the site. Values for Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn in sediments throughout the Holocene indicate low trace-metal deposition from atmospheric particulates at the site, even in the twentieth century.This paper is one of a series of papers guest edited by Dr. Mark Brenner on tropical paleolimnology