Os isotope systematics in ocean island basalts

New ReOs isotopic results for Os-poor basalts from St. Helena, the Comores, Samoa, Pitcairn and Kerguelen dramatically expand the known range of initial ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁷Os ratios in OIBs to values as high as 1.7. In contrast to the Os isotopic uniformity of Os-rich basalts from the HIMU islands of Tubuai and Mangaia found by Hauri and Hart [1], our values for St. Helena span most of the known range of Os isotopic variability in oceanic basalts (initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁶Os ranges from 1.2 to 1.7). Generation of such radiogenic Os in the mantle requires melting of source materials that contain large proportions of recycled oceanic crust. The very low Os concentrations of most of the basalts analyzed here, however, leave them susceptible to modification via interaction with materials containing radiogenic Os in the near-surface environment. Thus the high ¹⁸⁶Os/¹⁸⁷Os ratios may result from assimilation of radiogenic Os-rich marine sediments, such as Mn oxides, within the volcanic piles traversed by these magmas en route to the surface. Furthermore, the Os isotopic signatures of Os-rich, olivine-laden OIBs may reflect the accumulation of lithospheric olivine, rather than simply their mantle source characteristics. The extent to which these processes alter the view of the mantle obtained via study of ReOs systematics in oceanic basalts is uncertain. These effects must be quantified before ReOs systematics in OIBs can be used with confidence to investigate the nature of mantle heterogeneity and its causes.     

Professional conduct of scientists during volcanic crises

Stress during volcanic crises is high, and any friction between scientists can distract seriously from both humanitarian and scientific effort. Friction can arise, for example, if team members do not share all of their data, if differences in scientific interpretation erupt into public controversy, or if one scientist begins work on a prime research topic while a colleague with longer-standing investment is still busy with public safety work. Some problems arise within existing scientific teams; others are brought on by visiting scientists. Friction can also arise between volcanologists and public officials. Two general measures may avert or reduce friction: (a) National volcanologic surveys and other scientific groups that advise civil authorities in times of volcanic crisis should prepare, in advance of crises, a written plan that details crisis team policies, procedures, leadership and other roles of team members, and other matters pertinent to crisis conduct. A copy of this plan should be given to all current and prospective team members. (b) Each participant in a crisis team should examine his or her own actions and contribution to the crisis effort. A personal checklist is provided to aid this examination. Questions fall generally in two categories: Are my presence and actions for the public good? Are my words and actions collegial, i.e., courteous, respectful, and fair? Numerous specific solutions to common crisis problems are also offered. Among these suggestions are: (a) choose scientific team leaders primarily for their leadership skills; (b) speak publicly with a single scientific voice, especially when forecasts, warnings, or scientific disagreements are involved; (c) if you are a would-be visitor, inquire from the primary scientific team whether your help would be welcomed, and, in general, proceed only if the reply is genuinely positive; (d) in publications, personnel evaluations, and funding, reward rather than discourage teamwork. Models are available from the fields of particle physics and human genetics, among others.     

Kinematics of Gould's Belt: Model and Observations

Using the available data for nearby stars we derive the velocity ellipsoid of dwarf O-B5.5 stars belonging to the Gould Belt (GB). The resulting vertex deviation for the whole sample is negative (l _v ≈ −70^°) and this value is modified to l _v≈ 20^° when the members of the Pleiades moving group are removed from the sample. This implies the existence of, at least, two different kinematic groups defining the GB system. We also model the evolution of a supershell in the solar neighborhood, and obtain a fit to the shape and kinematics of the gas in GB. Assuming that the expanding shell is also forming stars, we obtain the corresponding velocity fields for the shell and its newly formed stars. The average vertex deviation value resulting from these models for the new stars is l _v≈ 20^°, and is consistent with the observed value when the Pleiades moving group members are excluded from the GB. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Flounder growth and production as indicators of the nursery value of marsh habitats in a Mediterranean lagoon

Estuarine marshes are known as suitable nursery areas for many marine migrant fishes, such as flounder. The potential nursery value of such habitats was investigated in the Venice lagoon, by using growth and production of 0-group flounder as indicators. Size–frequency distribution analysis was performed on fish samples collected fortnightly, from March 2004 to June 2005, in two marsh sites, Dese and Tessera, differing in their origin and environmental conditions. Samples were mostly composed of juvenile individuals, belonging to 0- and 1-group cohorts (the latter being present in Tessera only). A higher total production, either annual or monthly, and faster growth of 0-group flounder was observed in Dese, associated to a higher ecological performance of 0-group individuals in this site, as indicated by the higher P:B ratio values. Dese is a site located in a marsh complex characterized by the relevant influence of a nearby river, and the observed higher potential nursery value of this marsh area with respect to the other is discussed in the light of the higher trophic status and other environmental conditions in this site. The production results were also compared to those from other estuarine environments commonly acknowledged as important nurseries for European flounder.     

Study of the effect of temperature, irradiance and salinity on growth and yessotoxin production by the dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum in culture by using a kinetic and factorial approach

A complete first order orthogonal plan was used to optimize the growth and the production of yessotoxin (YTX) by the dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum in culture by controlling salinity, temperature and irradiance. Initially, an approach to the kinetic data of cellular density and YTX production for each one of the experimental design conditions was performed. The P. reticulatum growth and YTX production were fitted to logistical equations and to a first-order kinetic model, respectively. The parameters obtained from this adjustment were used as dependent variables for the formulation of the empirical equations of the factorial design tested. The results showed that in practically all the cases for both, P. reticulatum growth and YTX production, irradiance is the primary independent variable and has a positive effect in the range 50-90 micromol photons m(-2) s(-1). Additionally, in certain specific cases, temperature reveals significant positive effects when maintained between 15 and 23 degrees C and salinity in the range of 20-34 displays negative effects. Despite the narrow ranges used in the work, results showed the suitability of factorial analysis to evaluate the optimal conditions for growth and yessotoxin production by the dinoflagellate P. reticulatum.     

Hydro‐morphologic Revision of the Cuautla Channel at Nayarit,Mexico

Pollution, habitat modification, and species migration are some of the results of human activities on natural environments which can be mitigated or compensated with proper planning. Irresponsibility or ignorance in planning coastal projects too often produces damage to natural systems which can be unpredictable and sometimes irrevocable. The specific site analyzed in this paper is the Cuautla littoral sub‐system which was originally a lagoon that diverted river water to other lagoons and estuaries, thus irrigating the Mexican Marismas Nacionales system, in the states of Nayarit and Sinaloa, Mexico. In the 1970s social and economic considerations motivated the construction of a small breaching canal from the sea to the lagoon. The subsequent growth of this channel was unforeseen and has produced an irreversible impact not only in the sub‐system but probably in the entire area of Marismas Nacionales. A lack of understanding of the present balances in the damaged system and of the impacts the changing morphology has on future change has created the need to study this area using numerical hydrodynamic simulation. The present distribution of water in the sub‐system was established and the governing processes were detected. By means of an analytical estimation of equilibrium conditions it was found that if nothing is done, the channel will continue eroding and the ecosystem will continue to degrade. Only by understanding the dramatic perturbations caused by the construction of the channel to the hydrologic and morphologic equilibriums can there be any hope of rescuing the ecosystem, including its human activities.     

Evaluation of diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGTs) as a monitoring tool for the assessment of the chemical status of transitional waters within the Water Framework Directive

In this contribution, the potential use of diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGTs) for the chemical evaluation of transitional water bodies within the Water Framework Directive (WFD) has been studied. The water metal concentration has been evaluated in 13 estuaries in the southeastern Bay of Biscay. The DGTs were deployed in triplicate at two stations in each estuary, delimiting the tidal influence. The DGT results were in the ranges of 2-1570 ng L(-1) for cadmium, 66-515 ng L(-1) for copper, 30-3650 ng L(-1) for nickel and 0.8-95.5 μg L(-1) for zinc. The DGTs provided reliable average labile metal concentrations in highly dynamic systems that were comparable with DGT measurements in coastal and estuarine waters worldwide. In addition, it was possible to discriminate those estuaries more susceptible to environmental impacts, being consistent with the historical contamination of each estuary. Based on the obtained results, a sampling strategy for the monitoring of transitional water bodies using DGTs is proposed.     

Site amplification in the Kathmandu Valley during the 2015 <Emphasis Type="Bold">M</Emphasis>7.6 Gorkha,Nepal earthquake

The 25th April 2015 M7.6 Gorkha earthquake caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure in both Kathmandu and surrounding areas as well as triggering numerous, large landslides. This resulted in the loss of approximately 8600 lives. In order to learn how the impact of such events can be reduced on communities both in Nepal and elsewhere, the Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) reconnaissance mission was undertaken, aiming to look at damage patterns within the country. Passive, microtremor recordings in severely damaged areas of the Kathmandu Valley, as well as at the main seismic recording station in Kathmandu (USGS station KATNP) are used to determined preliminary shear wave velocity (V_s) profiles for each site. These profiles are converted into spectral acceleration using the input motion of the Gorkha earthquake. The results are limited, but show clear site amplification within the Siddhitol Region. The resulting ground motions exceed the design levels from the Nepalese Building Codes, indicating the need for site-specific hazard analysis and for revision of the building code to address the effect of site amplification.     

The relationship of mantle-derived fluids to gold metallogenesis in the Jiaodong Peninsula: Evidence from D–O–C–S isotope systematics

The largest gold district in China is the Jiaodong Peninsula, where three types of gold deposits are recognized: quartz vein, fracture-altered and breccia types. The first two developed along a group of NE-trending faults and are hosted by granitic intrusions, dated at 160 to 150 Ma (biotite granite) and 130 to 126 Ma (granodiorite), and by metamorphic rocks of the Precambrian crystalline basement. The breccia-type gold system is mainly located around the northern margin of the Jiaolai Cretaceous basin, where mineralisation is controlled by both detachment fractures and NE-trending faults. This study is based on stable isotope determinations from ten gold deposits, including Linglong, Jiaojia, Sanshandao, Cangshang, Wang'ershan, Dayigezhuang, Denggezhuang, Pengjiakuang, Fayunkuang and Dazhuangzi, as well as the Linglong Jurassic biotite granite, Guojialing Cretaceous granodiorite and Archean gneiss. The stable isotope systematics reflect the style of the three types of gold deposits, but also show that they belong to the same metallogenic system, in which the hydrothermal fluids were derived from a mantle fluid reservoir and mixed with crustal fluids. The ore-forming age is later than both the Jurassic biotite granite and Cretaceous granodiotite, but overlaps with the 121 to 114 Ma ages of lamprophyre and diabase dykes. The hydrothermal fluids that were responsible for both gold mineralisation and the retrograde alteration of the diabase and lamprophyre dykes are similar, and represent a CO₂ and potassium-rich system. This fluid system is interpreted to be the consequence of Cretaceous lithospheric thinning, asthenospheric upwelling and mantle degassing in Eastern China.