The effect of gross primary production, net primary production and net ecosystem exchange on the carbon fixation by chemical weathering of basalt in northeastern Iceland

The overall objective of this study is to define and interpret the annual dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) flux in selected river catchments in North Eastern Iceland. The flux stems primarily from chemical weathering of basalt. The DIC flux out of the catchments is compared with the spatial distribution of the various vegetation communities and their gross primary production (GPP), net primary production (NPP) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE). There is no correlation between the DIC flux and the GPP, but one between DIC and NPP. The DIC flux is highly dependent on the NEE, which in turn is governed by the area extent of wetlands in these catchments. A variation by a factor 5 of the NEE results in a variation by a factor 2.8 in the river dissolved inorganic flux.     

The 1972–1974 eruption of klyuchevskoy volcano,Kamchatka

A new Klyuchevskoy volcano eruptive cycle encompasses terminal (March 30, 1972 to August 23, 1974) and lateral (August 23, 1974 to December, 1974) eruption stages. The terminal eruption stage resulted in lava flows and parasitic cones that formed on the south-western flank of the volcano. Eruption products are moderately alkalic high-alumina olivine-bearing andesite-basalts. The terminal eruption stage was accompanied by volcanic earthquakes and volcanic tremor. The lateral eruption was accompanied by explosive earthquakes. Volcanic tremor was the most useful prognostic sign indicating the onset of the lateral eruption. Eruptive mechanisms are discussed.     

A sensor for the spatial registration and measurement of particles parameters in near and deep space—Experimental investigation of SiO2-aerogel characteristics

The paper describes a new sensor for the spatial registration and measurement of particle parameters in near and deep space. The following modern materials are applied in the sensor structure: a PVDF piezoactive film and lightweight heat-shielding high-temperature aerogel. The results from studying the aerogel morphology as well as its thermal conductivity depending on the air temperature are presented. The thermal conductivity of a SiO₂-aerogel is compared with one of foreign aerogels and air. Its elemental quantitative chemical composition is determined.     

The Sr,Nd, and Hf isotopic geochemistry of rocks of the gabbro–diorite–tonalite association from the Eastern Segment of the Middle Urals as an indicator of the age of the continental crust in this area

According to isotopic analysis of rocks of the Reft gabbro–diorite–tonalite complex (Middle Urals), gabbro and related diorite and dikes and vein-shaped bodies of plagiogranitoids, crosscutting gabbro, are similar to the depleted mantle substance in ε_Nd(T) = 8.6–9.7 and ε_Hf(T) = 15.9–17.9. Their model Hf ages are correlated with the time of crystallization. Here, the tonalites and quartz diorites constituting most of the Reft massif are characterized by lower values: ε_Nd(T) = 3.7–6.0, ε_Hf(T) = 11.1–12.7, and T _DM values significantly exceeding the age datings. This is evidence that Neoproterozoic crustal rocks were a source of parental magma for these rocks. The primary ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in rocks of both groups is highly variable (0.70348–0.70495). The data obtained allow us to reach the conclusion that the Reft gabbro–diorite–tonalite complex was formed as a result of nearly synchronous processes occurring in the crust and the mantle within a limited area.     

The resource potential of Russian lands for crop farming

Geoinformational analysis shows that the fraction of lands that are optimal for farming of the main crops in Russia is about 10% of the available land at best (for summer wheat, buckwheat). For the majority of other crop cultures, this value is a few percent at most. The available resources are used very incompletely. The index of completeness of land resource potential use is no more than 10% for the majority of crops. Only in the case of soy are the available resources almost completely involved, whereas available land resources of winter wheat, grain maize, and sunflowers are used at 20–30%.     

Eclogite trace in evolution of Late Cenozoic alkaline basalt volcanism on the southwestern flank of the Baikal Rift Zone: Geochemical features and geodynamic consequences

Eclogitized material from the oceanic lithosphere are the most likely source of alkaline basalt magmas in the formation of Late Cenozoic volcanic areas on the southwestern flank of the Baikal Rift Zone. Basaltic trachyandesites of the early stage of volcanism (Pg₃² ~ 28–23 Ma) are rich in high field strength elements (HFSE), P₂O₅, F, Zn, Ga, Sr, Sn, and light rare earth elements (LREE); they are characterized by high values of the following ratios: Fe/Mn = 72–77, Sm/Yb = 7.7–8.5, Sr/Y = 57–63, and Ga/Sc = 2.1–2.3. At this stage, magmas are formed under conditions with a 2–8% degree of partial melting of the mantle substrate enriched with the material of the eclogite source (50–70%) (Cpx/Grt = 1.5–1.7). Basaltoid magmas of the final stage of volcanism (N₁³–N₂¹ ~ 6–4 Ma) are formed from melting (1.5–4%) of a less fertilized mantle (Cpx/Grt = 2.1–3.1, Fe/Mn = 62–71, Sm/Yb = 3.5–4.6, Sr/Y = 29–44, Ga/Sc = 1.0–1.4). The directed variations of the compositions of the successive basaltoid magmas, which were formed in the Late Cenozoic, create an “eclogite trace” in this area.