The location of infinite electrodes in pole–pole electrical surveys: consequences for 2D imaging

In 2D-multielectrode electrical surveys using the pole–pole array, the distance to ‘infinite electrodes' is actually finite. As a matter of fact, the available cable length generally imposes a poor approximation of theoretical location of these electrodes at infinity. This study shows that in most of the cases, the resulting apparent resistivity pseudosection is strongly distorted. Numerical simulation validated by field test also shows that a particular finite array provides results that are as close as possible to the ones of the ideal pole–pole array. This is achieved when two conditions that are weaker than an infinite location are fulfilled: (i) the ‘infinite electrodes' are placed symmetrically on both sides of the in-line electrodes with a spread angle of 30° and (ii) the length of ‘infinite lines' is at least 20 times the greatest distance between in-line electrodes. The electrical 2D image obtained with this enhanced array is the least distorted one with respect to the pole–pole image. The apparent resistivities are generally underestimated, but this deviation is almost homogeneous. Though the shift cannot be determined a priori, the interpretation of such an image with direct or inverse software designed for pole–pole data provides an accurate interpretation of the ground geometry.     

IGS Earth Rotation Parameters

Since its official start in January 1994, the International GPS Service (IGS) has been distributing, as part of its product combination, two distinct Earth rotation parameter (ERP) series: the IGS Rapid series and the IGS Final series. Initially, the IGS Rapid ERP values were interpolations of the International Earth Rotation Service (IERS) Bulletin A, whereas the IGS Final ERP series was based on the IERS Bulletin B. Since June 1996, the IGS has been generating its own Final ERP series consistent with the IGS combined orbit products and based on weighted means of individual IGS analysis center (AC) solutions. At first, only the polar motion (PM) coordinates and their rates were combined. Length of Day (LOD) and Universal Time (UT) solutions, also based on separate weighted mean combinations, followed in March 1997. Currently, the IGS Rapid and Final combinations are produced and made available within 17 hours and 11 days, respectively, after the last observation. Both IGS and the best AC series are consistent and precise at the 0.1-milliarcsecond (mas) level for PM and at about 30 μs for LOD. Biases in some AC solutions may exceed these consistency levels. Comparisons of both IGS ERP series with external standards, such as the IERS multitechnique Bulletins and atmospheric angular momentum series, confirm the estimated precisions. ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Modèle de lithosphère pour l'île de Madagascar (océan Indien occidental): nouvelle interprétation des données gravimétriques

A survey of the transfer function between the relief and anomalies of Bouguer and a direct modelling of six gravimetric profiles permits the deduction of the isostatic compensation mechanism for the island of Madagascar and a model of the lithosphere. These results are compared to the other geophysical and geological data.     

Young asteroid mixing revealed in ordinary chondrites: The case of NWA 5764, a polymict LL breccia with L clasts

Polymict chondritic breccias—rocks composed of fragments originating from different chondritic parent bodies—are of particular interest because they give insights into the mixing of asteroids in the main asteroid belt (occurrence, encounter velocity, transfer time). We describe Northwest Africa (NWA) 5764, a brecciated LL6 chondrite that contains a >16 cm³ L4 clast. The L clast was incorporated in the breccia through a nondestructive, low‐velocity impact. Identical cosmic‐ray exposure ages of the L clast and the LL host (36.6 ± 5.8 Myr), suggest a short transfer time of the L meteoroid to the LL parent body of 0.1 ± 8.1 Myr, if that meteoroid was no larger than a few meters. NWA 5764 (together with St. Mesmin, Dimmitt, and Glanerbrug) shows that effective mixing is possible between ordinary chondrite parent bodies. In NWA 5764 this mixing occurred after the peak of thermal metamorphism on the LL parent body, i.e., at least several tens of Myr after the formation of the solar system. The U,Th‐He ages of the L clast and LL host, identical at about 2.9 Ga, might date the final assembly of the breccia, indicating relatively young mixing in the main asteroid belt as previously evidenced in St. Mesmin.     

Residual and tidal circulation revealed by VHF radar surface current measurements in the southern Channel Isles region (English Channel)

Two very high-frequency radars (VHFRs), operating in the southern Channel Isles region (English Channel) in February–March 2003, provided a continuous 27-day long dataset of surface currents at 2 km resolution over an area extending approximately 20 km offshore. The tidal range in the region of study is one of the highest in the world and the coastal circulation is completely dominated by tides. The radar data resolve two modes which account for 97% of the variability of the surface current velocities, with the major contribution of the first mode. This mode accounts for oscillating tidal currents whereas the second mode represents motions emerging from the interaction of tidal currents with capes and islands (eddy in the vicinity of the Point of Grouin and jet south of Chausey). A fortnightly modulation of the modal amplitudes causes the exceptional (more than 600%) variability of currents which is well captured by the VHFR observations. The radar data revealed that tidal circulation in the region is flood-dominated with a strong asymmetry of current velocity curve. Wind events and fortnightly variability affect the course of tidal cycle by modifying the magnitude and duration of ebb and flood. In addition to expected features of coastal circulation (tidally dominated flow, eddies) and high wind-current coupling, the residual currents revealed a strong cross-shore structure in the mean and a significant variability which has the same order of magnitude.     

Effect of the wind on the shelf dynamics: Formation of a secondary upwelling along the continental margin

In this paper, the authors study the influence of the wind on the dynamics of the continental shelf and margin, in particular the formation of a secondary upwelling (or downwelling) front along the shelf break.Observations during the MOUTON2007 campaign at sea along the Portuguese coast in summer 2007 reveal the presence of several upwelling fronts, one being located near the shelf break. All upwellings are characterized by deep cold waters close to or reaching the surface and with high chlorophyll concentrations. Simplified numerical models are built in order to study a possible physical mechanism behind this observation. First, a simple shallow water model with three distinct layers is used to study the formation of secondary upwelling fronts. We show that the physical mechanism behind this process is associated with onshore transport of high potential vorticity anomalies of the shelf for upwelling favorable conditions. Sensitivity studies to bottom friction, shelf width, continental slope steepness, shelf “length” are analysed in terms of potential vorticity dynamics. In particular bottom friction is analyzed in detail and we find that, even though bottom friction limits the barotropic velocity field, it enhances the cross-shore circulation, so that no steady state is possible when stratification is taken into account. Bottom friction accelerates the onshore advection of high potential vorticity, but also drastically reduces its amplitude because of diabatic effects. The net effect of bottom friction is to reduce the secondary upwelling development. Based on similar mechanisms, previous results are then extended to downwelling favorable conditions. Finally a more realistic configuration, with bottom topography, wind forcing and stratification set up from observations, is then developed and the results confronted to the observations. Simulations overestimate the velocity amplitude but exhibit good agreement in terms of density ranges brought over the shelf and general isopycnal patterns.The application and extension of the results to more general oceanic regions is discussed and we conclude on the influence of such process on the dynamics of wind driven circulation over a shelf.     

Temporal study of estrogenic responses of mussel (Mytilus galloprovinciallis) extracts applied to reporter cell lines

In vitro bioassays would facilitate monitoring of estrogen-like compounds in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) since they tend to accumulate lipophilic compounds in their fat and muscle tissue. However, estradiol (E2) steroid (already identified in mussels) could induce false positive responses. This study focuses on temporal variability in estrogenic responses of mussel extracts and the possible relation of this response with E2 levels. The reproductive cycle and growth were thus monitored for six months in sexed mussels. E2 levels were similar between genders and these levels varied with reproductive stages. human estrogen receptor (hER) activities were similar at all stages except in February. E2 present in male and female extracts accounted for part of the hER activation observed, but no correlation was found between E2 levels and hER activities.     

Nickel Isotope Variations in Terrestrial Silicate Rocks and Geological Reference Materials Measured by MC‐ICP‐MS

Although initial studies have demonstrated the applicability of Ni isotopes for cosmochemistry and as a potential biosignature, the Ni isotope composition of terrestrial igneous and sedimentary rocks, and ore deposits remains poorly known. Our contribution is fourfold: (a) to detail an analytical procedure for Ni isotope determination, (b) to determine the Ni isotope composition of various geological reference materials, (c) to assess the isotope composition of the Bulk Silicate Earth relative to the Ni isotope reference material NIST SRM 986 and (d) to report the range of mass‐dependent Ni isotope fractionations in magmatic rocks and ore deposits. After purification through a two‐stage chromatography procedure, Ni isotope ratios were measured by MC‐ICP‐MS and were corrected for instrumental mass bias using a double‐spike correction method. Measurement precision (two standard error of the mean) was between 0.02 and 0.04‰, and intermediate measurement precision for NIST SRM 986 was 0.05‰ (2s). Igneous‐ and mantle‐derived rocks displayed a restricted range of δ^60/58Ni values between ?0.13 and +0.16‰, suggesting an average BSE composition of +0.05‰. Manganese nodules (Nod A1; P1), shale (SDO‐1), coal (CLB‐1) and a metal‐contaminated soil (NIST SRM 2711) showed positive values ranging between +0.14 and +1.06‰, whereas komatiite‐hosted Ni‐rich sulfides varied from ?0.10 to ?1.03‰.