A newly developed seismic microzonation model of Erbaa (Tokat, Turkey) located on seismically active eastern segment of the North Anatolian Fault Zone (NAFZ)

A methodology to model seismic microzonation maps is required in the hazard mitigation decision plans of the earthquake prone areas. The stage of disaster preparedness for new residential places is of great importance for detailed seismic microzonation models. The effects of local geological and geotechnical site conditions were considered in order to establish site characterization as the initial stage of the models in this study. Dynamic soil properties based on the empirical correlations between shear wave velocity (V _s) and standard penetration test blow counts were taken into account in order to define representative soil profiles extending down to the engineering bedrock. One-dimensional site response analyses were performed to analyze earthquake characteristics on the ground surface. The layers for soil classification, geology, depth to groundwater level, amplification, distance to fault, slope and aspect, and liquefaction-induced ground deformation potential of the study area were prepared in seismic microzonation models. The study area, Erbaa, is placed along the seismically active North Anatolian Fault Zone. Final seismic microzonation map of the study area was evaluated applying different GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) techniques. Two of the MCDA techniques, simple additive weighting and analytical hierarchical process (AHP), are considered during the evaluation step of the final seismic microzonation map. The comparison is made in order to distinguish two different maps based on these MCDA techniques. Eventually, AHP-based seismic microzonation map is more preferable for the seismic design purposes in this study.     

Molecular line mapping of the giant molecular cloud associated with RCW 106 – III. Multimolecular line mapping

We present multimolecular line maps obtained with the Mopra telescope towards the southern giant molecular cloud (GMC) complex G333, associated with the H  ii region RCW 106. We have characterized the GMC by decomposing the 3D data cubes with gaussclumps , and investigated spatial correlations among different molecules with principal component analysis (PCA). We find no correlation between clump size and linewidth, but a strong correlation between emission luminosity and linewidth. PCA classifies molecules into high- and low-density tracers, and reveals that HCO⁺ and N₂H⁺ are anticorrelated.     

Vadose Zone Monitoring with the Neutron Moisture Probe

The neutron moisture probe is widely applicable to vadose zone monitoring problems which require measuring variable moisture contents. Neutron data are proportional to hydrogen density (modified by local chemistry) and sensitive to wetting fronts as well as changing volumes of hydrocarbon liquids. They cannot, however, be used to confirm contaminant chemistry, nor to detect steady-state flow. Neutron data are amenable to statistical analysis, providing a measure of the significance of data variations. Detection of incipient moisture changes at numerous monitoring locations is more practical using raw neutron data than data calibrated for moisture content because calibrations suffer from uncertainties associated with soil heterogeneities. When properly applied, the neutron probe is an effective monitoring tool as illustrated by three example applications described in this paper: (1) neutron moisture logs are used to detect subtle lithologic changes and identify monitoring horizons; (2) sequential neutron data are used to track induced saturation at a soil flushing pilot study; and (3) neutron logs from a horizontal access tube beneath a waste facility are used to pinpoint moisture anomalies.     

Adsorption of xenon and krypton on shales

Parameters for the adsorption of Xe and Kr on shales and related samples have been measured by a method that uses a mass spectrometer as a manometer. The gas partial pressures used were 10^?11 atm or less; the corresponding adsorption coverages are only small fractions of a monolayer, and Henry's Law behavior is expected and observed. Heats of adsorption in the range 2–7 kcal/mol were observed. Henry constants of the order of magnitude 1 cm³ STP g^?1 atm^?1 at 0 to 25°C are obtained by extrapolation.Adsorption properties are variable by sample, but the general range suggests that shales might be sufficiently good adsorbents that equilibrium adsorption with modern air may account for a nontrivial fraction of the atmospheric inventory of Xe (perhaps even Kr). It seems doubtful, however, that this effect can account for the deficiency (approximately a factor of 25) of atmospheric Xe in comparison with the planetary gas patterns observed in meteorites. If gas is adsorbed on interior surfaces in shale clays and can communicate with sample exteriors only through very narrow (10^?7 to 10^?6 cm) channels, and thus only very slowly, equilibrium adsorption may make substantial contributions to experimentally observed ‘trapped’ gases without the need for any further trapping mechanism.     

Potentiometric Determination of Silver Thiolate Formation Constants Using a Ag2S Electrode

Formation constants for silver thiolates were obtained by titration of the ligand in a constant temperature, ionic strength and pH medium and measuring the potential change at a Ag2S electrode. A non-linear equation was derived from which the first and second silver formation constants, 1 and 2, and the sulfide group acid dissociation constant, Ka, were determined. An overall estimate of the uncertainty in the derived parameters was obtained using a Monte Carlo approach. The procedure was compared to a previous work on AgHS°. Log 1, log 2 and - log Ka results were obtained for cysteine (11.9 ± 0.5, 15.2 ± 0.4, 7.8 ± 0.1), glutathione (12.3 ± 0.3, 14.3 ± 0.8, 8.8 ± 0.3) and 3-mercaptopropanoic acid (12.0± 0.4, 14.0 ± 0.4, 10.5 ± 0.3) at 20 °C and 0.01 m ionic strength.     

Applications of Phenological Models to Predict the Future Carbon Sequestration Potential of Boreal Forests

Changes in the duration of the photosynthetically active period strongly influence the changes in the carbon sequestration potential of boreal forests under climatic warming. In this paper, current theories on the effects of environmental variables such as spring air and soil temperature, photoperiod and chilling temperatures on the timing and initiation of photosynthesis in boreal deciduous and coniferous trees are discussed. Different dynamic phenological modeling approaches are reviewed, and model simulations are utilized to demonstrate model predictions under changing climatic conditions. A process-based forest ecosystem model is applied to estimate the relative importance of the duration of the photosynthetically active period on the amount of annual gross primary production and net primary production of boreal coniferous forests. All applied modeling approaches predict an increasing duration of the photosynthetically active period as a result of climatic warming. However, the magnitude of the response to increasing temperature varies between models and therefore affects the predictions of the changes in production.     

Geochemical and isotopic characteristics and evolution of the Jurassic volcanic arc between Arica (18°30′S) and Tocopilla (22°S), North Chilean Coastal Cordillera

The present-day North Chilean Coastal Cordillera between 18°30′S and 22°S records an important part of the magmatic evolution of the Central Andes during the Jurassic. Calc-alkaline to subordinate tholeiitic members from four rock groups with biostratigraphically constrained age display incompatible element pattern characteristic of convergent plate-margin volcanism, whereas alkaline basalts of one group occurring in the Precordillera show OIB-type trace element signatures. The correlation of biostratigraphic ages, regional distribution, and composition of the volcanic rocks provides a basis for the discussion on geochemical evolution and isotope ratios.Major and trace element distributions of the volcanic rocks indicate their derivation from mantle-derived melts. LILE and LREE enrichments in calc-alkaline basaltic andesites to dacites and some of the tholeiites hint at the involvement of hydrous fluids during melting and mobile element transport processes. A part of the Early Bajocian to ?Lower Jurassic and Oxfordian andesites and dacites are adakite-like rocks with a substantial participation of slab melt and are characterized by high Sr/Y ratios and low HREE contents. The Middle Jurassic tholeiitic and calc-alkaline basalts and basaltic andesites have been transported and partly stored within a system of deep-seated feeder fissures and crustal strike-slip faults before eruption.The isotopic composition of Sr (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i=0.7032-0.7056) and Nd (εNd_i=2.2-7.1) of the Jurassic volcanic rocks mostly fall in the range characteristic for mantle melts although some crustal components may have been involved. A few samples show slightly more radiogenic Sr isotopic composition, which is probably due to interaction with ancient sea-water. The Pb isotopic composition of the arc rocks is uncoupled from the isotopic composition of Sr and Nd and is dominated by the crustal component. Since the Cretaceous and Modern arc volcanic rocks show Pb isotopic compositions that can be largely explained by in situ Pb isotope growth of Jurassic arc volcanic rocks, we argue that the various Andean arc systems between 18°30′S and 22°S formed on the same type of basement.Most of the investigated samples have high Ba, Zr, and Th concentrations compared to island arc mafic volcanic rocks. About 20% of the Jurassic arc volcanics comprise of dacitic to rhyolitic rocks. These characteristics combined with the Pb isotopic composition that shows the influence of a Palaeozoic (or partly older) basement point to a continental margin setting for the North Chilean Jurassic arc. The distribution of the magmatic rocks throughout time, their textures, and the character of intercalated sedimentary rocks reflect westward movement of the magma sources and of the arc/back-arc boundary relative to the current coast line during the Early Bajocian on a broad front between 19°30′ and 21°S.     

Organochlorines and dioxin-like compounds in green-lipped mussels Perna viridis from Hong Kong mariculture zones

Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine (OC) pesticides and dioxin-like compounds were measured in green-lipped mussels, Perna viridis, collected from seven mariculture zones in Hong Kong between September and October in 2002 in order to evaluate the status, spatial distribution and potential sources of pollution in these areas. Concentrations ranged from 300 to 4400 ng/g lipid weight for total OCs and 170–1000 ng/g lipid weight for total PCBs (based on 28 congeners). Relatively smaller DDT concentrations in mussels compared with previous studies suggest reduced discharges of DDTs from nearby regions into Hong Kong waters. Detection of a mixture of HCH isomers in the mussels indicated that Hong Kong waters were predominantly contaminated by technical HCHs rather than lindane. Mussel samples from all sampling locations elicited significant dioxin-like activity in the H4IIE-luc bioassay. The greatest magnitude of dioxin-like response (39 pg TEQ/g wet wt.) was detected in mussels from Ma Wan in the western waters of Hong Kong, which is strongly influenced by the Pearl River discharge. Human health risk assessment was undertaken to evaluate potential risks associated with the consumption of the green-lipped mussels. Risk quotient (RQ) for dioxin-like compounds was greater than unity suggesting that adverse health effects may be associated with high mussel consumption.     

A Systematic Approach to Designing a Multiphase Unsaturated Zone Monitoring Network

A systematic approach is presented for the design of a multiphase vadose zone monitoring system recognizing that, as in ground water monitoring system design, complete subsurface coverage is not practical. The approach includes identification and prioritization of vulnerable areas: select ion of cost-effective indirect monitoring methods that will provide early warning of contaminant migration: selection of direct monitoring methods for diagnostic confirmation; identification of background monitoring locations; and identification of an appropriate temporal monitoring plan. An example of a monitoring system designed for a solid waste landfill is presented and utilized to illustrate the approach and provide details of system implementation. The example design described incorporates the use of neutron moisture probes deployed in both vertical and horizontal access tubes beneath the lcachate recovery collection system of the landfill. Early warning of gaseous phase contaminant migration is monitored utilizing whole-air active soil gas sampling points deployed in gravel- filled trenches beneath the subgrade. Diagnostic confirmation of contaminant migration is provided utilizing pore- liquid samplers. Conservative tracers can be used to distinguish between chemical species released by a landfill from those attributable to other (e.g. off-site) sources or present naturally in the subsurface. A discussion of background monitoring point location is also presented.