Limits on the ventilation rate for the deep ocean over the last 12000 years

In this paper we present accelerator radiocarbon measurements on hand picked benthic and planktonic foraminifera separated from two deep sea cores raised from the South China Sea. From the benthic-planktonic age differences we are able to place limits on the extent to which the ventilation rate of the deep Pacific Ocean has changed over the last 12000 years. While much work remains to be done before any definitive answers for the global oceans can be given, these results on cores with sedimentation rates suitably high to avoid major corrections for bioturbation effects suggest that the ventilation rate of the deep Pacific Ocean has remained nearly the same throughout Holocene time. Further, there is no suggestion that the rate was slower during the period of major glacial retreat. These results confirm that the changes in atmospheric¹⁴C/C ratio over the last 10000 years owe their origin to radiocarbon production rate changes.     

XMM–Newton observations of UW CrB: detection of X-ray bursts and evidence for accretion disc evolution

UW CrB (MS 1603+2600) is a peculiar short-period X-ray binary that exhibits extraordinary optical behaviour. The shape of the optical light curve of the system changes drastically from night to night, without any changes in overall brightness. Here we report X-ray observations of UW CrB obtained with XMM–Newton . We find evidence for several X-ray bursts, confirming a neutron star primary. This considerably strengthens the case that UW CrB is an accretion disc corona system located at a distance of at least 5–7 kpc (3–5 kpc above the Galactic plane). The X-ray and Optical Monitor (ultraviolet–optical) light curves show remarkable shape variation from one observing run to another, which we suggest are due to large-scale variations in the accretion disc shape resulting from a warp that periodically obscures the optical and soft X-ray emission. This is also supported by the changes in phase-resolved X-ray spectra.     

Funding low carbon cities: local perspectives on opportunities and risks

There are compelling reasons for policy makers to be interested in the low-carbon agenda. More than half of the world's population lives in, and more than half of the world's economic output comes from, cities. Up to 70% of global carbon emissions can also be attributed to consumption that takes place in cities. Recent research has shown that cost-effective investments in low-carbon options could deliver a 40% reduction in GHG emissions from cities by 2020, while also providing wider economic benefits such as enhanced competitiveness and increased employment. As yet, however, investments in low-carbon cities have not been made at scale due mainly to the scale of the finance required, local government budgetary constraints, and perceptions about their costs and benefits. With a focus on the UK, a contemporary account is provided of what local authorities see as the major financial risks associated with funding low-carbon cities. Practical proposals – which also have more general relevance to the future financing of low-carbon cities around the world – are offered on how local authorities, in conjunction with central government, the private sector, and institutional investors, can effectively manage these risks.

Policy relevance

Cities house more than half of the world's population, generate more than half of the world's economic output, and produce between 40% and 70% of all anthropogenic GHG emissions. In the UK, 70% of such emissions are under the influence of its local authorities. Thus, one of the key public policy challenges for the low-carbon transition is how it should be financed. There are several obstacles and related risks to this transition, including financial and legal obstacles and the differing views and perceptions of stakeholders. These can be attenuated, somewhat, by national government support at scale, local authority leadership, and cooperation between other authorities and the private sector, and the development of tools and guidance to reduce transaction costs.     

SCAP meeting no.10

Mike Bode , Phil Charles and Carlos Frenk report the minutes of the tenth meeting of the Standing Conference of Astronomy Professors, held at the RAS, Burlington House on 30 January 2001.     

Die fazielle und paläogeographische Entwicklung der infrakambrischen bis ordovizischen Sedimente im Mittleren Antiatlas um Agdz (S-Marokko)

Zusammenfassung Die Entwicklung des Adoudounien (Infrakambrium) und Géorgien (Unterkambrium) ist im Mittleren Antiatlas durch einen Wechsel von marinen und kontinentalen Sedimenten gekennzeichnet. Wildbachablagerungen an der Basis und an den Beckenrändern werden von marin-marginalen stromatolithischen Karbonaten abgelöst. Ignimbrite belegen wiederholte terrestrische Sedimentation.Mit fluviatilen Sanden und wiederum Stromatolithen und lagunären Karbonaten (mit ersten Trilobiten!) setzt ein zweiter transgressiver Großzyklus ein, der an der Wende Infra-/Unter-Kambrium einen ersten Höhepunkt erreicht. Durch regressive Kleinzyklen charakterisierte Abfolgen leiten zu Sandsteinen über, die als Ablagerungen eines Deltas gedeutet werden.Vom Mittelkambrium bis Ordovizium dominiert marine Schelfsedimentation.

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The formations of Adoudounien (Infra Cambrian) and Géorgien (Lower Cambrian) of the middle Anti-Atlas are characterized by an alternation of marine and continental sediments. Torrent conglomerates at the base and the margins of the basin took turns to marine-marginal stromatolitic carbonates. Ignimbrites prove repeated terrestrial sedimentation.A second transgressiv megasequence begins with fluviatil sands and goes on with stromatolites and lagoon carbonates (first Trilobites). This transgression reachs his first culmination at the Infra-/Lower-Cambrian boundary. Typical regressiv cycles form a transition to sandstones, which are interpreted as sediments of a delta.Marine shelf environment dominates from Middle Cambrian to Ordovician beds.

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Résumé Dans le moyen Anti-Atlas, l'évolution de l'Adoudounien et du Géorgien est caractérisée par un changement des sédiments marins et continentaux. Les dépôts des torrents à la base et dans la bordure du bassin font place à des carbonates marins marginaux stromatolithiques. Les ignimbrites marquent le retour fréquent à la sédimentation terrestre.Une deuxième mégaséquence transgressive débute avec des sables fluviatiles, des stromatolithes et des carbonates lagunaires (premiers trilobites). La transgression atteint une première phase culminante à la transition de l'Adoudounien au Géorgien. Des séquences caractérisées par de petits cycles régressifs conduisent à des grès qui pourraient être interpré tés comme des sédiments deltaïques.A partir du Cambrien moyen jusqu'à l'Ordovicien prédomine un milieu de plate-forme externe.

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Adoudounien — — Géorgien — — . — — . , - , , . , , . .

     

Biodegradation of palmarosa oil (green oil) by Serratia marcescens

Biodegradation of oil depends on the nature of the oil, the type of microbial community and a variety of environmental factors. Green oils are being used as consumer goods and as raw materials in industries such as food processing, pharmaceutical and cosmetic. Microbial contaminations of green oils have been the cause of degradation problems. Serratia Marcessens produced cytochrome oxidase, catalase, Dextrose, Lactose, Manose and sorbitol enzymes were the main reason for the degradation af palmarosa oil. Changes of colour and turbidity was also the evidence for green oil degradation by bacteria. More oxygen included protons (0-CH²) group was produced in the presence of bacterial species and the addition of oxygen took place during bacterial degradation of palmarosa oil. The biodegradation of palmarosa oil by Serratia marcescens have been carried out using High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic spectroscopy analysis. Carboxyl group present in the palmorasa oil is utilised as a sole carbon sources for the Serratia marcescens.