Suprathermal oxygen and hydrogen atoms in the upper Martian atmosphere

The processes of kinetics and transport of hot oxygen and hydrogen atoms in the transition (from the thermosphere to the exosphere) region of the upper Martian atmosphere are studied. The reaction of dissociative recombination of the principal ionospheric ion O ₂ ⁺ with thermal electrons in the ionosphere of Mars served as the source of hot oxygen atoms. The process of momentum and energy transfer in elastic collisions between hot oxygen atoms and atmospheric hydrogen atoms with thermal energies was regarded as the source of hot hydrogen atoms. The kinetic energy distribution functions are determined for suprathermal oxygen and hydrogen atoms. It is shown that the exosphere is populated with a significant number of suprathermal oxygen atoms with kinetic energies ranging up to the escape energy of 2 eV (i.e., the hot oxygen Martian corona is formed). The transfer of energy from hot oxygen atoms to thermal hydrogen atoms creates an additional nonthermal flux of atomic hydrogen escaping from the Martian atmosphere.     

Deposition of finely disseminated gold mineralization in black shales: A hypothesis of microstructural control

The deposition of finely disseminated gold in the deposits hosted in black shales is considered. It is suggested that gold deposition is controlled by microstructure of pore space in host rocks. The pore space structure of tight shales indicates that most pore volume is occupied by nanopores with hundredths of micrometers in characteristic dimension. The balance calculations show that deposition of native gold in nanopore channels of filtration is hampered by shortage of number of atoms necessary to overcome a nucleation threshold of the future gold crystal in the pore volume. When ore-transporting solution meets on its way the cavities (pores, micro- and macrofractures), whose volume is sufficient to overcome the nucleation threshold, the excess content of ore component, which exceeds equilibrium concentration, is released with formation of crystallization centers and further precipitation of gold. The conditions of ore deposition are exemplified in the reference Sukhoi Log deposit hosted in black shales. On the basis on the PT conditions of ore deposition and physical features of fluid heat and mass transfer, it is suggested that ore disseminations were deposited at the early high-temperature stage under a fluid pressure close to lithostatic and at a host rock permeability markedly exceeding its present-day value.     

Thermodynamic study of calcic amphiboles

The paper reports original thermochemical data on six natural amphibole samples of different composition. The data were obtained by high-temperature melt solution calorimetry in a Tian–Calvet microcalorometer and include the enthalpies of formation from elements for actinolite Ca_1.95(Mg_4.4Fe _0.5 ²⁺ Al₀₁)[Si_8.0O₂₂](OH)₂(–12024 ± 13 kJ/mol) and Ca_2.0(Mg_2.9Fe _1.9 ²⁺ Fe _0.2 ³⁺ )[Si_7.8Al_0.2O₂₂](OH)₂, (–11462 ± 18 kJ/mol), and Na_0.1Ca_2.0(Mg_3.2Fe _1.6 ²⁺ Fe _0.2 ³⁺ )[Si_7.7Al_0.3O₂₂](OH)₂ (–11588 ± 14 kJ/mol); for pargasite Na_0.5K_0.5Ca_2.0-(Mg_3.4Fe _1.8 ²⁺ Al_0.8)[Si_6.2Al_1.8O₂₂](OH)₂ (–12316 ± 10 kJ/mol) and Na_0.8K_0.2Ca_2.0(Mg_2.8Fe _1.3 ³⁺ Al_0.9) [Si_6.1Al_1.9O₂₂](OH)₂ (–12 223 ± 9 kJ/mol); and for hastingsite Na_0.3K_0.2Ca_2.0(Mg_0.4Fe _1.3 ²⁺ Fe _0.9 ³⁺ Al_0.2) [Si_6.4Al_1.6O₂₂](OH)₂ (?10909 ± 11 kJ/mol). The standard entropy, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy of formation are estimated for amphiboles of theoretical composition: end members and intermediate members of the isomorphic series tremolite–ferroactinolite, edenite–ferroedenite, pargasite–ferropargasite, and hastingsite.     

Control over natural resources in ecological economical systems

We consider the problem of stable development of natural economical complexes from the viewpoint of basic balances in an ecological economical system. We construct a basic dynamical model of the complex capable of predicting various scenarios of the industrial development, consumption of natural resources, and pollution of the environment and propose a mechanism of control over the process of development by introducing rent payments for the use of natural resources and ecological fines for the pollution of the environment. The efficiency of the applied model is demonstrated by analysing the process of control over the concentration of biological resources in marine media as an example. We describe the results of numerical experiments performed to show the possibility of creation of the information technology of control over marine bioresources. Translated by Peter V. Malyshev and Dmitry V. Malyshev     

The dynamics of wave induced ship motions in shallow water

The analytical method developed by Svendsen (1968) for a forced heave motion is extended to the general problem of wave induced heave, roll and sway motions of a long ship at a depth of water which is only slightly larger than the draught of the ship. This corresponds, for example, to the situation of a fully loaded ship in a harbour area.After linearization of the problem, the water motion is considered for each of the three individual motions and for the wave reflection-transmission problem for a fixed ship. The ensuing results for the forces on the ship are then synthesized to form the equations of motion, which are presented with all coefficients given, including mooring forces.Analytical and numerical results are given for the three components of motion, for the associated resonance frequencies, and for the hydrodynamic masses and moments of inertia. Finally, the assumptions used are analyzed and evaluated by comparison with measurements and with other results for a special case.     

Fish Zona radiata (eggshell) proteins: evaluation and validation as a biomarker for xenoestrogen monitoring

New cellular and molecular tools are enabling researchers to study the basic mechanisms of action of natural reproductive hormones, and of endocrine disrupters, including xenoestrogens. Zonagenesis is defined by the hepatic synthesis of the eggshell Zona radiata proteins (Zrp), their secretion and transport in the blood and their uptake by maturing oocytes. Zrps are comprised of three-to-four protein monomers in the 50–60 kDa MW range and show structural similarity to proteins of the Zona pellucida; an extracellular envelope that lies immediately outside the plasma membrane in the eggs of placental mammals. We studied the xenoestrogen-induced elevation in hepatic mRNA and plasma levels of Zrp and vitellogenin (Vtg) in several fish species. Eggshell Zrp protein and mRNA was induced in juvenile salmon by exposure to nonylphenol (NP: given singly or in combination with other xenoestrogens/xenobiotics). In English sole (Pleuronectes vetulus), Zrp was induced in the plasma of mature female, E₂- and NP-treated male fish. We are currently using salmon cDNA probes to study estrogen-receptor, Zrp and Vtg mRNA expression in English sole treated with E₂- and NP. Validation in a semi-field experiment showed that effluent from an oil refinery treatment plant caused a dose-dependent induction of Zrp and Vtg in juvenile salmon. However, a component corresponding to Zrp-β was more responsive than Zrp-α and Zrp-γ and also more than Vtg. Zrp seem to be a sensitive complement to Vtg analysis, and appear to be a more ecologically significant biomarker of estrogenicity.     

Assessment of village-wise groundwater draft for irrigation: a field-based study in hard-rock aquifers of central India

Extracted groundwater, 90% of which is used for irrigated agriculture, is central to the socio-economic development of India. A lack of regulation or implementation of regulations, alongside unrecorded extraction, often leads to over exploitation of large-scale common-pool resources like groundwater. Inevitably, management of groundwater extraction (draft) for irrigation is critical for sustainability of aquifers and the society at large. However, existing assessments of groundwater draft, which are mostly available at large spatial scales, are inadequate for managing groundwater resources that are primarily exploited by stakeholders at much finer scales. This study presents an estimate, projection and analysis of fine-scale groundwater draft in the Seonath-Kharun interfluve of central India. Using field surveys of instantaneous discharge from irrigation wells and boreholes, annual groundwater draft for irrigation in this area is estimated to be 212 × 10⁶ m³, most of which (89%) is withdrawn during non-monsoon season. However, the density of wells/boreholes, and consequent extraction of groundwater, is controlled by the existing hydrogeological conditions. Based on trends in the number of abstraction structures (1982–2011), groundwater draft for the year 2020 is projected to be approximately 307 × 10⁶ m³; hence, groundwater draft for irrigation in the study area is predicted to increase by ～44% within a span of 8 years. Central to the work presented here is the approach for estimation and prediction of groundwater draft at finer scales, which can be extended to critical groundwater zones of the country.     

First record of 1.2 Ga quartz dioritic magmatism in the Archaean Yilgarn Craton,Western Australia,and its significance

Farming of southern bluefin tuna in South Australia currently contributes to more than 30% of the value of the aquaculture production in Australia. This study investigated the natural sedimentary setting of the area designated for this important industry in coastal waters off Port Lincoln, and explored the links between the natural distribution of sediments and potential environmental effects and risks to the industry. Sediments were mostly composed of poorly sorted silts and fine sands, predominantly skeletal remains of carbonate-secreting organisms. The contribution of plankton to the organic matter remaining in the sediments was calculated to be in excess of 80% using concentration-dependent stable-isotope mixing models. An erosional area was identified south of Rabbit Island where sediments contained up to 50% siliciclastic material, grainsize distributions were better sorted and coarser, and organic carbon and total nitrogen contents were very low. In contrast, deeper waters north of Cape Donington were identified as a depocentre for fine sediments, which contained organic matter levels twice those elsewhere in the region despite the extremely high carbonate contents (>80%). The heavier stable isotopic signature of nitrogen suggested that this organic matter comprised a greater fraction of weathered components, probably advected to the area by suspended and bedload transport. This local variability of sediment characteristics in the farming zone suggests that the benthic assimilative capacity of farmed sites will depend on their location. Wastes from pens located south of Rabbit Island in particular are likely to be quickly winnowed out by wave and tidal action. These pens are also less likely to be affected by resuspension of fine sediments that might be associated with unusually severe storms.     

Large and giant hydrocarbon accumulations in the transitional continent-ocean zone

The petroleum resource potential is considered for the Atlantic, West Pacific, and East Pacific types of deepwater continental margins. The most considerable energy resources are concentrated at the Atlantic-type passive margins in the zone transitional to the ocean. The less studied continental slope of backarc seas of the generally active margins of the West Pacific type is currently not so rich in discoveries as the Atlantic-type margin, but is not devoid of certain expectations. In some of their parameters, the margins bounded by continental slopes may be regarded as analogs of classical passive margins. At the margins of the East Pacific type, the petroleum potential is solely confined to transform segments. In the shelf-continental-slope basins of the rift and pull-apart nature, petroleum fields occur largely in the upper fan complex, and to a lesser extent in the lower graben (rift) complex. In light of world experience, the shelf-continental-slope basins of the Arctic and Pacific margins of Russia are evaluated as highly promising.