The Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer: First results

We present X-ray fluorescence observations of the lunar surface, made by the Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer during two solar flare events early in the mission (12th December 2008 and 10th January 2009). Modelling of the X-ray spectra with an abundance algorithm allows quantitative estimates of the MgO/SiO₂ and Al₂O₃/SiO₂ ratios to be made for the two regions, which are in mainly basaltic areas of the lunar nearside. One of these ground tracks includes the Apollo 14 landing site on the Fra Mauro Formation. Within the 1σ errors provided, the results are inside the range of basaltic samples from the Apollo and Luna collections. The Apollo 14 soil composition is in agreement with the results from the January flare at the 1σ uncertainty level. Discrepancies are observed between our results and compositions derived for the same areas by the Lunar Prospector gamma-ray spectrometer; some possible reasons for this are discussed.     

Meteotsunamis in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico and their possible link to El Niño Southern Oscillation

Analysis of 20-year time series of water levels in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico has revealed that meteotsunamis are ubiquitous in this region. On average, 1–3 meteotsunamis with wave heights >0.5 m occur each year in this area. The probability of meteotsunami occurrence is highest during March–April and June–August. Meteotsunamis in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico can be triggered by winter and summer extra-tropical storms and by tropical cyclones. In northwestern Florida most of the events are triggered by winter storms, while in west and southwest Florida they appear both in winter and summer. Atmospheric pressure and wind anomalies (periods <6 h) associated with the passage of squalls originated the majority of the observed meteotsunami events. The most intense meteotsunamigenic periods took place during El Niño periods (1997–1998, 2009–2010 and 2015–2016). Meteotsunamis were also active in 2005, a year characterized by exceptionally intense tropical cyclone activity. Meteotsunami incidence varied yearly and at periods between 2 and 5 years. Results from cross-wavelet analysis suggested that El Niño and meteotsunami activity are correlated at annual and longer-period bands.     

A seismogenic zone in the deep crust indicated by pseudotachylytes and ultramylonites in granulite-facies rocks of Calabria (Southern Italy)

Pseudotachylyte veins frequently associated with mylonites and ultramylonites occur within migmatitic paragneisses, metamonzodiorites, as well as felsic and mafic granulites at the base of the section of the Hercynian lower crust exposed in Calabria (Southern Italy). The crustal section is tectonically superposed on lower grade units. Ultramylonites and pseudotachylytes are particularly well developed in migmatitic paragneisses, whereas sparse fault-related pseudotachylytes and thin mylonite/ultramylonite bands occur in granulite-facies rocks. The presence of sillimanite and clinopyroxene in ultramylonites and mylonites indicates that relatively high-temperature conditions preceded the formation of pseudotachylytes. We have analysed pseudotachylytes from different rock types to ascertain their deep crustal origin and to better understand the relationships between brittle and ductile processes during deformation of the deeper crust. Different protoliths were selected to test how lithology controls pseudotachylyte composition and textures. In migmatites and felsic granulites, euhedral or cauliflower-shaped garnets directly crystallized from pseudotachylyte melts of near andesitic composition. This indicates that pseudotachylytes originated at deep crustal conditions (>0.75 GPa). In mafic protoliths, quenched needle-to-feather-shaped high-alumina orthopyroxene occurs in contact with newly crystallized plagioclase. The pyroxene crystallizes in garnet-free and garnet-bearing veins. The simultaneous growth of orthopyroxene and plagioclase as well as almandine, suggests lower crustal origin, with pressures in excess of 0.85 GPa. The existence of melts of different composition in the same vein indicates the stepwise, non-equilibrium conditions of frictional melting. Melt formed and intruded into pre-existing anisotropies. In mafic granulites, brittle faulting is localized in a previously formed thin high-temperature mylonite bands. migmatitic gneisses are deformed into ultramylonite domains characterized by s-c fabric. Small grain size and fluids lowered the effective stress on the c planes favouring a seismic event and the consequent melt generation. Microstructures and ductile deformation of pseudotachylytes suggest continuous ductile flow punctuated by episodes of high-strain rate, leading to seismic events and melting.     

Natural and Anthropic Middle-term Variations in the Delta System at the Mouth of the Goro River (Po Delta, Italy)

Abstract. The modern delta system of the Po River is the result of an evolution strictly controlled by anthropic factors and mainly developed during a period of climatic deterioration (Little Ice Age 1550/1850).
At the beginning of the 17^th century the main branch of the Po River, Fornaci Po, was modified with the "Cut of Viro" in order to avoid landfill of the Venetian Lagoon. Simultaneously, the southernmost branch of Ariano, or Goro, was forced to flow southwards. Subsequent sedimentary variations, caused by changes in the climatic conditions, contributed to make the area supplied by the Goro Po River increasingly lagoonary. In the second half of the 19^th century (end of the Little Ice Age – L.I.A. –), the first coastal spits started to take shape and developed in different systems throughout the entire following century. Coastal spits turned out to produce in the original bay, a progressive closure towards the sea. The strong decrease in solid loads, characterising the second half of the 20^th century and mainly due to anthropic factors, marks the beginning of a new phase extending to the overall Po Delta system, in which the mouth layout is controlled by wave energy.     

Electron oscillations in the induced martian magnetosphere

The Analyzer of Space Plasmas and Energetic Atoms (ASPERA-3) experiment flown on the Mars Express (MEX) spacecraft includes the Electron Spectrometer (ELS) as part of its complement. The ELS instrument measures the differential electron flux spectrum in a 128-level logarithmic energy sweep within a time period of 4 s. The orbital path of MEX traverses the martian sheath, cusps, and tail where ELS recorded periodic electron intensity oscillations. These oscillations comprised periodic variations of up to an order of magnitude (peak to valley) in energy flux, with the largest amplitudes in the tens to hundreds of eV range. The observed oscillations displayed periods ranging from minutes down to the instrument sweep resolution of 4 s. In the cases analyzed here, the frequency of the integrated electron energy flux typically peaked between 0.01 and 0.02 Hz. This frequency range is nearly the same as the typical O⁺ gyrofrequency in the magnetosheath, calculated using magnetometer data from Mars Global Surveyor. Due to the motion of the spacecraft, it is unclear if the wave structures observed were permanent standing waves or rather constituted waves propagating past the spacecraft.     

LunarEX—a proposal to cosmic vision

While the surface missions to the Moon of the 1970s achieved a great deal, scientifically much was also left unresolved. The recent plethora of lunar missions (flown or proposed) reflects a resurgence in interest in the Moon, not only in its own right, but also as a record of the early solar system including the formation of the Earth. Results from recent orbiter missions have shown evidence of ice or at least hydrogen within shadowed craters at the lunar poles.     

Contrast of evolution models for agricultural contaminants in ground waters by means of fuzzy logic and data mining

This work aims at contrasting, by means of a set of fuzzy logic- and data mining-based algorithms, the functioning model of a detritic aquifer undergoing overexploitation and nitrate excess input coming from strawberry and citrus intensive crops in its recharge zone. To provide researchers unskilled in data mining techniques with an easy and intuitive interpretation, the authors have developed a computer tool based on fuzzy logic that allows immediate qualitative analysis of the data contained in a data mass from the water chemical analyses, and serves as a contrast to functioning models previously proposed with classical statistics. M.L. de la Torre and J.A. Grande belongs to Water Resources and Quality Research Group. J.M. Andujar and J. Aroba belongs to Control and Robotics Research Group     

The paradigm of Circular Mining in the world: the Iberian Pyrite Belt as a potential scenario of interaction

Water is one of the receptors most affected by the impacts caused, especially in the case of mining sulphides and, to a lesser extent, of coal. Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) is the main problem associated with these mining operations, producing extremely high impacts, and in many cases irreversible impacts, until now. A new concept of mining can make this activity compatible with the environmental preservation and also to the recovery of the environment affected by the old mining operations that today are in the process of reopening. This new concept implicates the paradigm of Circular Mining as a derivative of the concept of Circular Economy, considered as a strategy that aims to reduce both the entry of materials and the production of virgin waste, closing the “loops” or economic and ecological flows of resources. The present work discusses the paradigm of Circular Mining, focused on the Iberian Pyrite Belt, one of the most paradigmatic metallogenetic regions in the world. Based on some examples, expeditious calculations show the possibility of recovering base metals as well as strategic elements from acid mine drainage, thus obtaining important economic assets.     

First ENA observations at Mars: Charge exchange ENAs produced in the magnetosheath

Measurements of energetic neutral atoms (ENA) generated in the magnetosheath at Mars are reported. These ENAs are the result of charge exchange collisions between solar wind protons and neutral oxygen and hydrogen in the exosphere of Mars. The peak of the observed ENA flux is . For the case studied here, i.e., the passage of Mars Express through the martian magnetosheath around 20:15 UT on 3 May 2004, the measurements agree with an analytical model of the ENA production at the planet. It is possible to find parameter values in the model such that the observed peak in the ENA count rate during the spacecraft passage through the magnetosheath is reproduced.