The effect of coherency stress on the mechanism of the reaction albite+K+⇌K-feldspar+Na+ and on the mechanical state of the resulting feldspar

Coherency stress and coherency strain energy generated by Na⁺?K⁺ ion exchange in alkali feldspars are calculated using an isotropic model, and deformation of single crystals of alkali feldspars exposed to molten alkali chlorides at \(P_{H_2 O} \) < 1 bar is described. Coherency stress in alkali feldspars can reach 10–20 kb. When it is large, partial relaxation by fracture and/or plastic deformation takes place under anhydrous conditions, but temporary build-up of stress is unavoidable even under hydrothermal conditions. Because of coherency strain energy, a thin layer of an end-member alkali feldspar produced by cation exchange on a grain of the other end-member alkali feldspar would be unstable with respect to dissolution. Therefore, under hydrothermal conditions one end-member alkali feldspar replaces the other by dissolution and precipitation. The mechanism of the reaction $$Na_x K_{1 - x} AlSi_3 O_{8_{(feld.)} } + yK^ + \rightleftharpoons Na_{x - y} K_{1 + y - x} AlSi_3 O_{8_{(feld.)} } + yNa^ + $$ is primarily controlled by \(P_{H_2 O} \) and by ΔK/(Na + K), the difference between the equilibrium value and the initial value of the atomic K/(Na + K) ratio of the feldspar. When ¦ΔK/(Na + K)¦ is small, the reaction proceeds by cation exchange. When ¦ΔK/(Na + K)¦ is large, cation exchange still occurs if \(P_{H_2 O} \) is very low, but under hydrothermal conditions replacement by dissolution and precipitation occurs.     

Line Shape Variability in a Sample of AGN with Broad Lines

The spectral variability of active galactic nuclei (AGN) is one of the key features that enables us to study in more detail, the structure of AGN emitting regions. Especially, the broad line profiles that vary both in flux and shape, give us invaluable information about the kinematics and geometry of the broad line region (BLR) where these lines are originating from. We give here a comparative review of the line shape variability in a sample of five type 1 AGNs, those with broad emission lines in their spectra, of the data obtained from the international long-term optical monitoring campaign coordinated by the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Science. The main aim of this campaign is to study the physics and kinematics of the BLR on a uniform data set, focusing on the problems of the photoionization heating of the BLR and its geometry, where, in this paper, we give for a first time, a comparative analysis of the variabilty of five type 1 AGNs, discussing their complex BLR physics and geometry in the framework of the estimates of the supermassive black hole mass in AGN.     

Some Consequences of a Class of Gase0us Galactic Halo Models

If a significant fraction of QSO absorption line systems arises in halos of normal galaxies, absorber statistical data will tell us a lot about the structure of the gaseous envelopes of galaxies. Comparison of a class of density profile models for the metal-absorbing halos of luminous galaxies with the recent Lyα empirical data is presented. Cosmological mass fraction contained in such gas is also briefly discussed. It is shown that important constraints on the model parameters can be inferred in this way. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The chronostratigraphy of the latest Middle Pleistocene aeolian and alluvial activity on the Island of Hvar,eastern Adriatic,Croatia

Pleistocene aeolian sands and alluvial deposits can frequently be traced along the Mediterranean coast. Such deposits also exist along the eastern Adriatic coast and the nearby islands. Four stratigraphical sections of these deposits were studied on the Island of Hvar with the purpose of establishing a chronological framework of the aeolian–alluvial depositional system, using luminescence dating and magnetic susceptibility stratigraphy. Luminescence dating was applied on coarse‐grained feldspar and quartz grains separated from the sands. Both quartz optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and feldspar post‐IR infrared stimulated luminescence (pIRIR) age estimates are in good agreement, with values ranging between 167±24 to 120±12 ka (OSL) and 179±18 to 131±18 ka (pIRIR measured at 290 °C) after a fading correction for the pIRIR signal. The results can be clearly correlated to around the end of oxygen isotope stage (OIS) 6 and the beginning of OSI 5, indicating that the aeolian accumulation of sands was a result of the Penultimate Glacial and climate fluctuations at the beginning of the Last Interglacial. Variations in magnetic susceptibility (MS) data can be interpreted alongside these dating results; several stronger peaks detected at the very end of the Penultimate Glacial and the initial stage of the Last Interglacial cycle most probably indicates more intensive pedogenesis resulting from a more favourable climate, probably because of climate changes. Breccias related to major bounding surfaces in association with evidence of soil formation and bioturbation could be the result of more favourable climate conditions and changes during the transition from OIS 6 to OIS 5 (Penultimate Glacial–Last Interglacial). These results are in agreement with similar data from the wider Mediterranean area.     

A method for estimating microporosity of fine‐grained sediments and sedimentary rocks via scanning electron microscope image analysis

This study presents a method of two‐dimensional scanning electron microscope image analysis that directly quantifies microporosity abundance in clay‐rich, fine‐grained sediments. The method is novel in that it is specifically designed to circumvent the challenge to porosity quantification posed by mineral surface charging and topographical artifacts created during Ar‐ion cross‐section polishing. It utilizes the finding that differences in circularity values can be used to distinguish micropores from blemishes in a thresholded image. This method is powerful because it is fast and provides a direct microporosity estimation technique to augment or replace experimental data. The pore size range to which the method is applicable is clear and can be selected depending on the application of the analysis. When used appropriately, the method can be implemented on microporous sediments and sedimentary rock in general. The method is developed using marine muds of Pliocene and Miocene ages from the Nankai margin (burial depths from approximately 200 to 1100 m). The close match between imaging‐derived microporosity and bulk N₂ microporosity measurements shows that porosity in these young and relatively shallowly buried sediments is dominated by pores of sizes that can be imaged by scanning electron microscopy. In Kumano, forearc basin sediments of the Nankai Trough, results of this method show a significant increase in microporosity with burial depth, probably due to microporosity preservation during compaction and possibly early volcanic ash diagenesis.     

Study of vertical structure of aerosol optical properties with sun photometers and ceilometer during the MACRON campaign in 2007

This paper presents the measurements of a vertical structure of aerosol optical properties performed during the MACRON (Maritime Aerosol, Clouds and Radiation Observation in Norway) campaign, which took place in July and August 2007 at ALOMAR observatory on Andøya island (69.279°N, 16.009°E, elevation 380 m a.s.l.). The mean value of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) at 500 nm during campaign was 0.12. Significant increase of the AOT above longtime mean value was observed on 7 and 8 August 2007 when the AOT exceeded 0.4 at 500 nm. Analyses of back trajectories show the aerosol transported from over Africa and Central Europe. The aerosol extinction coefficient obtained from the synergy of ceilometer and sun photometer observations reached 0.05–0.08 km^?1 (at 1064 nm) in the dust layer. The single scattering albedo at the ALOMAR observatory decreased during the dust episode to 0.93–0.94, which indicates some absorptive aerosols in the lower PBL.     

Macroseismic practice in Slovenia

In 1986, a project was started concerning the improvement of macroseismic data management in Slovenia. It was decided to establish a network of collaborators all over Slovenia (20 251 km², approx. 2 million inhabitants), dense enough to allow the use of the MSK scale. Since the uniform spatial distribution with desired density of collaborators is hard to achieve, several methods are being used to obtain new collaborators. At present we have approximately 4100 collaborators in our computer supported database.When an earthquake is felt in Slovenia, the seismologist decides to what areas the questionnaires are to be sent. The prospective observers can be chosen by two criteria: density and quality marks. The density mark allows us to choose a number of observers in the same town or village, based mostly on the quality of answers and demographic conditions. The quality mark is computed, combined with the previous marks, and updated every time a completed questionnaire is returned.The average number of shocks for which the questionnaires are being sent is about 25 per year during the normal seismic activity. The average number of questionnaires is approximately 300 per event. The percentage of the returned questionnaires is above 66%. A user-friendly, interactive program has been developed to manage the database with information about collaborators, to select an area, density and quality threshold of inquiry, and to print addresses onto questionnaires.     

Orbital eccentricity study for the spherical component of our galaxy

An analysis of the data concerning high-velocity stars from Eggen's catalogue aimed at a determination of the approximate slope of the mass function for the spherical component of our Galaxy, and at estimating the local circular velocity, as well as the local rotation velocity, as by-products, has been performed. Our conclusions are that:

1. A linear dependence of the mass on the radius is very likely;
2. the value of the limiting radius is most likely equal to (40±10) kpc;
3. the two local velocities are approximately equal to each other, being both equal to (230±30) km s^?1;
4. the local escape velocity appears to be most likely equal to (520±30) km s^?1;
5. the total mass of a corona, obtained in this way, is (5±1)×10¹¹ M _⊙.

     

An analysis of naturally occurring radionuclides and <Superscript>137</Superscript>Cs in the soils of urban areas using gamma-ray spectrometry

This study of environmental radioactivity was carried out in the soils of an urban area. Naturally occurring gamma-emitting radionuclides and man-made ¹³⁷Cs were found in the soil profiles collected from four parks in the central Belgrade city area and the soil layer was examined every 10 cm and to a depth of 50 cm. Radioisotope activity concentrations (Bq kg^?1) in the samples of urban soil using the gamma-ray spectrometry method were in the range of 14–46 for ²³⁸U, 33–50 for ²²⁶Ra, 29–63 for ²¹⁰Pb, 1.2–3.4 for ²³⁵U, 28–50 for ²³²Th, 424–576 for ⁴⁰K and 0.7–35.8 for ¹³⁷Cs. Some of the basic physicochemical soil properties (pH, organic matter content, calcium-carbonate content, particle size distribution) were determined to investigate the impact on the vertical distribution of radionuclides. The results of this investigation showed that variations of activity concentration ratios of radionuclides that belong to the same (²³⁸U/²²⁶Ra) or different radioactive series (²³²Th/²²⁶Ra; ²³⁵U/²³⁸U), including ²¹⁰Pb/¹³⁷Cs ratios could well be explained by the properties of the soil. Alkaline pH reaction, the accumulation of organic matter in the uppermost and of carbonates in the deepest layers of urban soil had an effect on ²³⁸U/²²⁶Ra, and ²¹⁰Pb/¹³⁷Cs activity concentration ratio values, while ²³²Th/²²⁶Ra and partially ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios were associated with the particle sizes vertical distribution. A study of radionuclides in the samples of leaves of two deciduous tree species common for these parks was also conducted and ²¹⁰Pb and ⁴⁰K were found concentrated in leaves rather than other investigated radionuclides.