Geochemical signature of the Cenomanian to Eocene rocks in Israel -a palaeoenvironmental indicator

Distinctive trace-metal concentrations characterize Cenomanian to Eocene marine carbonates from Israel. The Cenomanian-Turonian platform carbonates, including clayey formations, exhibit low average values ranging between 2 and 29 ppm for Zn, Cr, V, Ni, Cu, U and Co. The Santonian-Campanian and Early to Middle Eocene marine chalks show higher average concentrations of these trace-metals ranging between 3 and 56 ppm. The highest average concentrations of these metals (5–118 ppm) are found in the Maastrichtian and in the Palaeocene marine chalks and marls. The possible relationship between these metal background levels and the lithology, the biogenic productivity, the organic matter content, the iron oxide concentration, the rate of sedimentation of the studied time-rock units as well as the palaeogeographical changes are discussed. The extent of the exposed palaeo-landmasses due to tectonics, the intensity of weathering conditions and the detritus supply into the basin, control primarily the iron and trace-metal content in the studied sediments.     

Temporal and spatial variability of fecal indicator bacteria in the surf zone off Huntington Beach, CA

Fecal indicator bacteria concentrations measured in the surf zone off Huntington Beach, CA from July 1998-December 2001 were analyzed with respect to their spatial patterns along 23 km of beach, and temporal variability on time scales from hourly to fortnightly. The majority of samples had bacterial concentrations less than, or equal to, the minimum detection limit, but a small percentage exceeded the California recreational water standards. Areas where coliform bacteria exceeded standards were more prevalent north of the Santa Ana River, whereas enterococci exceedances covered a broad area both north and south of the river. Higher concentrations of bacteria were associated with spring tides. No temporal correspondence was found between these bacterial events and either the timing of cold water pulses near shore due to internal tides, or the presence of southerly swell in the surface wave field. All three fecal indicator bacteria exhibited a diel cycle, but enterococci rebounded to high nighttime values almost as soon as the sun went down, whereas coliform levels were highest near the nighttime low tide, which was also the lower low tide.     

Quantitative reconstruction of lake conductivity in the Quaternary of the Near East (Israel) using ostracods

Surface sediments, water samples and environmental data from 37 lakes, ponds and streams in Israel were analysed to determine the main variables controlling ostracod species distributions. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that the greatest amounts of variation in the distribution of the ostracod taxa among the 37 water bodies were explained by the host water δD value (12.9%), water temperature (11.0%), mean January air temperature (10.5%), electrical conductivity (9.5%), and the Mg and NO₃ concentrations (7.8 and 7.1%, ion concentrations as % of the anions or cations). A supplementary data set comprising ostracod species composition and electrical conductivity readings for 24 water bodies was available from previous research and was merged with the 37 samples data set to develop an ostracod-based transfer function for the reconstruction of electrical conductivities. A weighted averaging partial least squares regression (WA-PLS) provided the best results with a relatively high coefficient of determination (r ²) between measured and inferred electrical conductivity values of 0.73, a root mean square error of prediction of 0.13 (13.4% of gradient length) and a maximum bias of 0.24 (23.9% of gradient length), as assessed by leave-one-out cross-validation based on 56 water bodies. The application of the EC transfer function onto (sub)fossil ostracod assemblages from Holocene and early to mid Pleistocene lake sediments provided EC values consistent with other proxies and demonstrated that Quaternary ostracod assemblages from subaqueous sediments can now be used to trace the hydrological history of water bodies in the Near East. A better understanding of past hydrological conditions in response to the natural climate variability is crucial in regions that face restricted water resources and rising demands in times of rapid climate and environmental change.     

应用高分辨率质谱分析苏丹高酸值原油成因

苏丹Muglad和Melut盆地是苏丹乃至整个中、西非剪切带最富含油气的盆地,所发现的原油主要为中质油(重度为20°～34°API),其次为重质油(重度小于20°API),普遍高含沥青质、高含蜡、高酸值、低含硫。为了探讨高酸值原油的成因,选择了苏丹地区18个不同酸值的原油样品,尝试高分辨率质谱分析上述原油有机酸的组成。结果表明,高酸值原油的有机酸主要由环烷酸组成;环烷酸的平均相对分子质量随降解作用程度增加而增大,分子碳原子数分布范围变宽;环烷酸以一环、二环、三环环烷酸为主。生物降解作用是形成高酸值原油的主要原因。     

Monitoring of geomorphic effects of the 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens, Washington, USA

On 18 May 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted explosively with a blast that devastated a 410 km² area, and triggered a debris avalanche exceeding 2.5 billion m³ into the North Fork Toutle River valley. In addition, mudflows radiated out from the stratovolcano cone into all of the major drainages, destroying structures and filling stream channels with sediment. This paper examines the use of geomorphology in the creation of volcanic hazards maps prior to this eruption, the mitigation strategies used, and the subsequent role of geomorphology in subsequent recovery efforts. A sediment budget is presented that summarizes the yield estimated from many geomorphic sources, based on post-eruption aerial monitoring and ground measurements.     

Light scattering and extinction in a highly turbid coastal inlet

Multifactor regression analysis was used to test for relationships between chemical, physical and optical properties of the water column in the organically rich, highly turbid waters of Florida's Fort Pierce Inlet. Optical measurements were made at three visible light wavelengths (445 nm, 542 nm and 630 nm). Scattering by suspended particulate material was found to be the primary optical mechanism controlling downwelling irradiance at all three wavelengths. Larger particles showed constant scattering efficiencies of 2 when their diameters exceeded 3 to 5 microns, depending upon the wavelength used for observation. Selective absorption had a definite effect on the transmission of radiant energy in the 445 nm wavelength range. High correlation between extinction at 445 nm and the cross-sectional area of the suspended particulate material indicates particulate, rather than dissolved materials, are the major water column constituents that selectively absorb short wavelength radiant energy in this inlet. Spectral distribution of the downwelling radiant energy field was found to shift dramatically over a period of several months. These shifts in downwelling spectral irradiance were attributed to seasonal and/or event related shifts in concentrations of selectively absorbing compounds within the water column.     

Beobachtungen zur Stratigraphie des Schilfsandsteins im ost-lippischen Bergland

Zusammenfassung Die sandige Fazies des Schilfsandsteins ist in Ost-Lippe rhythmisch aufgebaut. Diese Abfolge ist so konstant, daß sie als stratigraphische Gliederung verwendbar ist. Einzelne Schichtglieder lassen sich bis maximal 2500 m Erstreckung verfolgen und als Leithorizonte benutzen. Das gilt auch beim Übergang in andere Faziesbereiche. Die Sandsteine selbst sind ebenfalls (z. T. undeutlich) rhythmisch entwickelt; die Zuordnung von Rhythmen ist in einigen Fällen möglich. Modalbestands-Analysen, Korngrößen- und Karbonat-Bestimmungen ergeben keine feinere Untergliederungsmöglichkeit der Schichtfolge. Sie vermögen die makroskopische Schichtgliederung teilweise zu stützen bzw. zu ergänzen. - Ausblick auf Sedimentationsverhältnisse im Untersuchungsgebiet und arbeitsmethodische Fragen.

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The sandstone-facies of the Schilfsandstein (km₂) in the eastern part of Lippe (eastern Westphalia) shows a rhythmic sedimentation, which may be used as a stratigraphic subdivision. Some layers continue on distances up to 2500 m and partly give the possibility to connect the silty and the sandstone-facies. The lithologic subdivision is only in some degree controlled by means of modal analysis, mechanical and carbonate analysis. - Short review of sedimentary and methodic problems.

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Résumé Le faciès gréseux du Schilfsandstein (km₂) dans la partie de l'est de Lippe (Westphalie orientale) est sédimenté rhythmiquement. Cette manière de sédimentation peut être usée à une subdivision stratigraphique. Quelques bancs peuvent être suiviès jusqu' à une distance de 2500 mètres; cela rend possible en partie une corrélation des faciès de silt et de grès. On peut contrôler la subdivision lithostratigraphique seulement en partie à l'aide d'analyses minérales et granulométriques et par détermination du carbonate. - Aperçu des problèmes sédimentologiques et méthodiques.

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Ground Water Contamination at Wood Treatment Facilities

Ground water contamination profiles from five wood treatment facilities across the country have been compared. The distributions of organic priority pollutants at the five sites are similar, with the most common contaminants being polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds. These contaminants are the predominant constituents of creosote, which is a common wood preservative. Inorganic contaminants have also been detected at these sites, but their distributions are not uniform across all sites. The distributions of the organic priority pollutants at the five sites appear to differ from those at other hazardous waste sites. Suggested recommendations for choosing monitoring parameters for wood treatment facilities are presented.     

Nutrient enrichment caused by in situ fish farms at Eilat, Red Sea is detrimental to coral reproduction

Recent studies report conflicting results concerning the effects of eutrophication on coral reproduction. The present study examines reproductive effort in the brooding coral Stylophora pistillata exposed to chronic eutrophication caused by in situ fish cages (FC) in the northern Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba). Histological studies of 20 S. pistillata colonies transplanted to each of two study sites, one close to the nutrient enriched FC site and the other at a reference site (IUI), 8 km southwest of the FC site, show that, overall, corals from the FC site have a significantly higher percentage of polyps containing oocytes and testes than corals from the IUI site. However, average oocyte size and the percentage of oocytes reaching the size at which fertilization occurs (i.e., >200 microm) were both significantly greater in colonies at the IUI site compared to the FC site. As the reproductive season progressed, colonies at the IUI site exhibited a decrease in the percentage of polyps containing oocytes, concomitant with an increase in the number of polyps containing planulae, indicating successful development of oocytes into planulae. In contrast, in colonies at the FC site oocyte numbers were greatest at the end of the reproductive season, and overall, numbers of planulae were significantly lower compared with the IUI colonies, suggesting relative failure of oocyte maturation, fertilization and ensuing larval development. The significantly higher lipid content found during the reproduction season in IUI colonies compared with FC colonies corroborates this assertion. This data strongly suggest that nutrients released from the fish farms have adverse effects on successful production of larvae of S. pistillata. In view of the recent severe deterioration of the coral reefs of Eilat and their present critical state of health, the only chance for their renewal is the use of immediate, prudent and rational protection measures against all man-made perturbations.