The Stellar Content of Active Galaxies

We present the results of a long-slit spectroscopic study of 38 active and four normal galaxies. Stellar absorption features, continuum colours and their radial variations are analysed in an effort to characterize the stellar population in these galaxies and detect the presence of a featureless continuum underlying the starlight spectral component. Spatial variations of the equivalent widths of conspicuous absorption lines and continuum colours are detected in most galaxies. Star-forming rings, in particular, leave clear fingerprints in the equivalent widths and colour profiles. We find that the stellar populations in the inner regions of active galaxies present a variety of characteristics, and cannot be represented by a single starlight template. Dilution of the stellar lines by an underlying featureless continuum is detected in most broad-lined objects, but little or no dilution is found for most of the 20 type 2 Seyferts in the sample. Colour gradients are also ubiquitous. In particular, all but one of the observed Seyfert 2s are redder at the nucleus than in its immediate vicinity. Possible consequences of these findings are briefly outlined.     

A possible theoretical explanation of metallicity gradients in elliptical galaxies

Models of chemical evolution of elliptical galaxies taking into account different escape velocities at different galactocentric radii are presented. As a consequence of this, the chemical evolution develops differently in different galactic regions; in particular, we find that the galactic wind, powered by supernovae (of Type II and I) starts, under suitable conditions, in the outer regions and successively develops in the central ones. The star formation is assumed to stop after the onset of the galactic wind in each region. The main result found in the present work is that this mechanism is able to reproduce metallicity gradients, namely the gradients in the Mg₂ index, in good agreement with observational data. We also find that in order to honour the constant [〈Mg/Fe〉] ratio with galactocentric distance, as inferred from metallicity indices, a variable initial mass function as a function of galactocentric distance is required. This is only a suggestion, as trends on abundances inferred purely from metallicity indices are still uncertain.     

Distribution of colloidal trace metals in the San Francisco Bay estuary

The size distribution of trace metals (Al, Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sr, and Zn) was examined in surface waters of the San Francisco Bay estuary. Water samples were collected in January 1994 across the whole salinity gradient and fractionated into total dissolved (<0.2 μm colloidal (10 KDa–0.2 μm) and < 10 kDa molecular weight phases. In the low salinity region of the estuary, concentrations of colloidal A1, Ag, and Fe accounted for ≥84% of the total dissolved fraction, and colloidal Cu and Mn accounted for 16–20% of the total. At high salinities, while colloidal Fe was still relatively high (40% of the dissolved), very little colloidal Al, Mn, and Cu (<10%) and no colloidal Ag was detectable. Colloidal Zn accounted for <3% of the total dissolved along the estuary, and colloidal Ni was only detectable (<2%) at the river endmember. All of the total dissolved Cd and Sr throughout the estuary consisted of relatively low molecular weight (<10 kDa) species. The relative affinity of metals for humic substances and their reactivity with particle surfaces appear to determine the amounts of metal associated with colloids. The mixing behavior of metals along the estuary appears to be determined by the relative contribution of the colloidal phase to the total dissolved pool. Metals with a small or undetectable colloidal fraction showed a nonconservative excess (Cd, Cu, Ni, and Mn) or conservative mixing (Sr) in the total dissolved fraction, relative to ideal dilution of river water and seawater along the estuary.

The salt-induced coagulation of colloidal A1, Fe, and Cu is indicated by their highly nonconservative removal along the salinity gradient. However, colloidal metals with low affinity for humic substances (Mn and Zn) showed conservative mixing behavior, indicating that some riverine colloids are not effectively aggregated during their transport to the sea. While colloidal metal concentrations correlated with dissolved organic carbon, they also covaried with colloidal Al, suggesting that colloids are a mixture of organic and inorganic components. Furthermore, the similarity between the colloidal metal:A1 ratios with the crustal ratios indicated that colloids could be the product of weathering processes or particle resuspension. Distribution coefficients for colloidal particles (K_c) and for large, filter-retained particles (K_d) were of the same magnitude, suggesting similar binding strength for the two types of particles. Also, the dependence of the distribution coefficients on the amount of suspended particulate matter (the so-called particle concentration effect) was still evident for the colloids-corrected distribution coefficient (K_p+c) and for metals (e.g., Ni) without affinity for colloidal particles.     

Central Chile: An example of quasi-static crustal behavior

Abstract Indications of transient crustal displacement associated with the 3 March 1985, M, = 7.8, Central Chile earthquake are evidenced by various observational devices. Almost half a meter of coastal uplift at localities close to the epicentral region was detected by repeated leveling lines. A tide gauge at Valparaiso revealed minor coseismic coastal subsidence (∼ 10 cm) continuously developing after the earthquake. Two limnigraphs, 27 km apart, that were situated at the extremes of Rapel Lake to the south of the leveling line, have recorded continuously the equipotential lake level for more than 10 years, providing a permanent very-long-base tiltmeter. The water level difference at the two limnigraphs as a function of time resembles a ramp function, beginning approximately at the time of the earthquake occurrence and gradually developing over a period of 10 months with a maximum amplitude of 120 mm or 4.4 p radians in tilt. The shape of the time-dependent tilt is mimicked by the sea level signal recorded at Valparaiso, ∼ 100 km away from Rapel Lake, showing a maximum coastal subsidence of 0.6 m. Comparisons of sea level changes produced by the 1971, M, = 7.5, earthquake indicates that they represent rupture in different portions along the seismogenetic region as well as a different rupture mode. Gravity surveys carried out in three different pre- and post-seismic epochs, along the segment of the leveling line which shows major coseismic uplift, indicate that the whole region has subsided, post-seismically, 10 em in 5 years. These observations are interpreted in terms of a variable slip dislocation model. Inversions show that it is the more than 2 m of fault displacement in 10 months of post-seismic movement along the contact between the Nazca and South America plates, which is interpreted to be responsible for the time-dependent elevation changes.     

Inelastic seismic analysis of a building structure designed by argentine codes

A reinforced concrete frame-wall structure of a building designed in accordance to standard practice in Argentina was analysed by the procedures prescribed by current Argentine Codes. In addition, the inelastic step-by-step response of the structure to design spectrum-compatible accelerograms was studied by means of a special element for inelastic dynamic analysis of reinforced concrete frames. Results obtained by the different methods of analysis are presented.     

Stratospheric final warmings in the Southern Hemisphere and their energetics

Summary.  Using 9 years (1985–1993) data, final stratospheric warmings in the Southern Hemisphere are studied. Interannual variations in the onset date and the temperatures are noted. In 1985 the stratosphere was colder by about 5 K and the wave activity was less. This year the final warming got delayed. In contrast in 1988 the final warming occurred earlier when compared with the mean picture and the wave activity was more. An examination of Eliassen-Palm fluxes showed the important role of planetary waves in the wave-mean flow interaction. In the energetics the most spectacular change is the reduction of zonal kinetic energy. Before the warming the energy exchanges were P_z → P_e → K_e → K_z ← P_z and after the warming they were P_z ← P_e ← K_e → K_z ← P_z. The dramatic reduction of zonal kinetic energy seems to be due to two effects: the reduction in K_e → K_z conversion and the weakening of direct meridional circulation. Received October 3, 2001; revised June 5, 2002     

Single Particle Characterisation of the Aerosol in the Marine Boundary Layer and Free Troposphere over Tenerife, NE Atlantic, during ACE-2

In the framework of the 2nd Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE-2), in June and July 1997, size segregated samples were collected for single particle analysis on the island of Tenerife, in both the marine boundary layer (MBL) and the free troposphere (FT), to study the characteristics of the North Atlantic aerosol. A systematic assessment was made of the aerosol under background conditions and when the environment was perturbed by European emissions and/or Saharan dust. The aerosol particles were analysed by automated and manual SEM-EDX, followed by cluster analysis to identify the different particle types and their abundance. Basing on back trajectory calculations, particle numbers and volume concentrations, different periods can be identified regarding the origin of the sampled air masses. In the FT, the air masses were classified as clean Atlantic, Saharan dust from Africa or pollution from Europe. In the MBL, air masses were classified as clean, polluted or perturbed by emissions from Europe. For both the FT and MBL samples, the main changes in chemical composition were observed between the fine and coarse mode aerosol. The FT fine mode aerosol is dominated by S-poor aluminosilicates (62%) in the event of the dust samples or sulphates, carbonaceous particles (20%) and S-rich aluminosilicates (46%) in the polluted samples. For the larger fractions, a strong decreasing trend was observed for the sulphates (less than 20%) and carbonaceous particles (10%) in the polluted samples. The MBL fine mode was completely dominated by S-rich particles (polluted 55% and perturbed 59%), and to a lesser extent, carbonaceous and aged sea salt particles. In the coarse mode, the polluted air mass is dominated by sea salt particles (62%). Contrary to the fine fraction, the polluted air mass in the coarse fraction contained 5.3% of S-rich particles. The combined interpretation of the data from the analysis of size-fractioned particles and the calculated backward trajectories for air masses coming from Europe, Africa and the Atlantic, results in better insights on aerosol chemistry, especially for the comparison of the particle composition in the FT and the MBL.     

Provenance, environmental and paleogeographic controls on sandstone composition in an incised-valley system: the Eocene La Meseta Formation, Seymour Island, Antarctica

The Eocene La Meseta Formation is the youngest exposed unit of the back-arc James Ross Basin, Antarctic Peninsula, cropping out in Seymour (Marambio) Island. The formation comprises 720 m of clastic sedimentary rocks of deltaic, estuarine and shallow marine origin. It was subdivided into six unconformity-based units (Valle de Las Focas, Acantilados, Campamento, Cucullaea I, Cucullaea II and Submeseta Allomembers) grouped into three main facies associations. Facies association I represents valley-confined deposition in a progradational/aggradational tide-dominated and wave-influenced delta front/delta plain environment. Facies association II includes tidal channels, mixed tidal flats, tidal inlets and deltas, washover and beach environments. Facies association III represents nonconfined tide- and storm-influenced nearshore environments. La Meseta Formation sandstones are quartzofeldspathic with some hybrid arenites (glauconite and carbonate bioclasts-rich). Sandstone detrital modes are subdivided into two distinctive petrofacies: the low quartz petrofacies (petrofacies I, Q<55% and L>12%), interpreted to retain the original provenance signal, and the high quartz petrofacies (petrofacies II, Q>55% and L<12%), representing the reworking product of the former after selective elimination of the more labile components. Petrofacies I sandstone framework grains were mainly derived from a dissected magmatic arc and an associated metamorphic belt. Textural evidence for recycling of some grains (e.g. garnet) from older sedimentary units during valley incision is not conclusive. Changes in the relative participation of source areas during the evolution of the incised-valley system are evaluated from the relative proportions of lithic fragments and monomineralic clasts derived from each rock type. Two lithic assemblages were recognized. The mixed lithic assemblage (Rv/Rm+Rp<1.4) shows participation of all rock types; it represented valley-confined environments, either during the initial stage of valley development, or after main episodes of incision. The volcanic lithic assemblage (Rv/Rm+Rp>1.4) is clearly dominated by volcanic-derived clasts; it developed at times of high sea level and/or during later stages of the valley fill, when an “energy fence” at the shoreline prevented delivery of sediment from the Antarctic Peninsula, thus enhancing the relative participation of local volcanic sources.