Environmental evaluation of MODIS-derived land units

A land stratification of the French territory had been previously performed based on time series of vegetation and texture indices. This stratification led to 300 radiometrically homogenous regions that were considered as land units (LUs). In this paper, we present a quantitative analysis of the LUs, with the aim of testing if these LUs are linked to landscape. In this sense, an evaluation of their thematic meaning in terms of environmental variables and land cover was performed. In order to achieve this, we first conducted a statistical analysis at national scale using a set of environmental variables and land cover by means of Moran’s autocorrelation index and Spearman rank correlation index. Second, to analyze the quality of the boundaries between neighboring LUs, we developed a method based on the Spearman rank correlation index calculated on test areas across the boundaries. The first analyses showed that the most explanatory variables of the LUs were land cover, topography and parent material. The boundaries analysis was applied at a regional scale (Pyrenean region), and showed that 89% of the boundaries were well explained by the land cover compositions. The results obtained support the hypothesis that time series of broad resolution remote-sensing images can capture landscape identities and produce LUs maps that have an environmental and land occupation sense.     

Regional VS30 model for the St. Lawrence Lowlands,Eastern Canada

Shear-wave velocity of the top 30?m, V_S30, is commonly used for prediction of the seismic site response. This paper presents development, validation and uncertainty assessment of a regional V_S30 model based on a combination of simplified 3D geology and statistically representative velocity values. Results identify soft marine sediments in deep sedimentary basins as zones most susceptible to seismic shaking. Compared to the available urban-scale seismic zonation studies, the regional model showed a success rate of roughly 64% in predicting local site category. The standard deviation was in average 30% of the expected V_S30 value.     

A minimization procedure applied to population synthesis in galaxy nuclei using a star cluster library: M31, M32

We apply the MINOS optimization system to the population synthesis of galactic nuclei, using a grid of star cluster equivalent widths as a function of age and metallicity. For some classes of red galaxy nuclei, this observational approach to population synthesis produces results similar to those predicted by the theoretical approach of Arimoto and Yoshii (1987). The synthesis results for blue nuclei tend to scatter more in the age vs metallicity plane, probably because we use only visible and near-infrared spectral data. Additional information at shorter wavelengths will possibly produce better-focused solutions in the plane. However, strong bursts of star formation can easily be identified. We provide in this contribution population synthesis for the central regions of M31 and M32. The bulge and the semi-stellar nucleus of M31 are dominated by the old metal-rich population: the semi-stellar nucleus has reached up [Z/Z ]0.6 and the bulge [Z/Z ]0.3. In the central region of M32, a metallicity up to the solar value has been reached and the synthesis indicates that the intermediate age component is not dominant.     

A Middle Devensian woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis) from Whitemoor Haye Quarry,Staffordshire (UK): palaeoenvironmental context and significance

This paper reports the discovery of a rare partial skeleton of a woolly rhinoceros (Coelodonta antiquitatis Blumenbach, 1799) and associated fauna from a low Pleistocene terrace of the River Tame at Whitemoor Haye, Staffordshire, UK. A study of the sedimentary deposits around the rhino skeleton and associated organic‐rich clasts containing pollen, plant and arthropod remains suggests that the animal was rapidly buried on a braided river floodplain surrounded by a predominantly treeless, herb‐rich grassland. Highlights of the study include the oldest British chironomid record published to date and novel analysis of the palaeoflow regime using caddisfly remains. For the first time, comparative calculations of coleopteran and chironomid palaeotemperatures have been made on the same samples, suggesting a mean July temperature of 8–11 °C and a mean December temperature of between ?22 and ?16 °C. Radiocarbon age estimates on skeletal material, supported by optically stimulated luminescence ages from surrounding sediments, indicate that the rhino lived around 41–43 k cal a BP. The combined geochronological, stratigraphic and palaeoenvironmental evidence places the assemblage firmly within the Middle Devensian (Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3). This would agree with other regional evidence for the timing of aggradation for the lowest terrace of the Trent and its tributary systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the presence of leucite in basaltic rocks from central France

The existence of interstitial leucite is demonstrated in a number of alkali-basalts and basanites from the tertiary and quaternary volcanic province of central France. This leucite occurs in nepheline-normative, K₂O-rich basaltic rocks. Available experimental data show that the assemblage nepheline_ss+leucite_ss+ alkali feldspar_ss would be a frequent one, and our observations tend to support the view that it is indeed common in basaltic rocks of appropriate composition.     

Sector-zoned phlogopites in igneous rocks

Sector-zoned micas are described in three occurrences of igneous rocks. Basal sectors (001) and lateral sectors (010) are well defined. Analyses of probably isochronous growth points indicate that there are consistent chemical composition differences between the sectors, the (010) sector being richer in Si and poorer in Ti, Fe, Al and Ba relative to the (001) sector. Within each sector type Fe/ (Fe + Mg) increases from core to rim. These differences vary in amplitude from one occurrence to the other, but are systematic for micas with extremely different tetrahedral cations. Possible factors influencing this type of crystallization are briefly reviewed: growth rate, geometry of protosites and bulk composition of the liquid.     

Petrology and U/Pb geochronology of the Telohat migmatites,Aleksod, Central Hoggar,Algeria

The Aleksod region is composed of metasedimentary rocks and large areas of biotite and hornblende-bearing migmatites. Anatexis associated with the main deformation stages, occurred under high pressure and temperature conditions estimated at 13±2 Kbar and 750±50° C. The bulk mineralogical composition of the Telohat migmatites shows that their protolith was granodioritic. Internal structures of zircons and U-Pb data suggest a polyphased evolution, with a 2131±12 Ma age for the protolith and a 609±17 Ma age for the Pan-African tectono-metamorphic evolution, thus precluding any Kibaran event in the Aleksod area. Leucosomes are richer in Sr and display lower Rb, Zr, Nb, Y, Th, U and REE contents than melanosomes wherein accessory phases are stored. Eu contents are also lower in the leucosomes but in lesser proportion than the other rare earth's, leading to a significant positive anomaly. Petrogenetic modelling accounting for accessory mineral phases clearly shows that the trace element contents of leucosomes and melanosomes follow a distribution law consistent neither with equilibrium nor fractional melting. Their trace element patterns are best explained by the model of disequilibrium melting, with mixing of a few residual phases. The present results and previous Sr isotopic data as well raise the question of disequilibrium melting in anatexis of crustal material CRPG Contribution no 782     

New insights into the heterogeneity of the Tagish Lake meteorite: Soluble organic compositions of variously altered specimens

The Tagish Lake carbonaceous chondrite exhibits a unique compositional heterogeneity that may be attributed to varying degrees of aqueous alteration within the parent body asteroid. Previous analyses of soluble organic compounds from four Tagish Lake meteorite specimens (TL5b, TL11h, TL11i, TL11v) identified distinct distributions and isotopic compositions that appeared to be linked to their degree of parent body processing (Herd et al. 2011; Glavin et al. 2012; Hilts et al. 2014). In the present study, we build upon these initial observations and evaluate the molecular distribution of amino acids, aldehydes and ketones, monocarboxylic acids, and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, including compound‐specific δ¹³C compositions, for three additional Tagish Lake specimens: TL1, TL4, and TL10a. TL1 contains relatively high abundances of soluble organics and appears to be a moderately altered specimen, similar to the previously analyzed TL5b and TL11h lithologies. In contrast, specimens TL4 and TL10a both contain relatively low abundances of all of the soluble organic compound classes measured, similar to TL11i and TL11v. The organic‐depleted composition of TL4 appears to have resulted from a relatively low degree of parent body aqueous alteration. In the case of TL10a, some unusual properties (e.g., the lack of detection of intrinsic monocarboxylic acids and aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons) suggest that it has experienced extensive alteration and/or a distinct organic‐depleted alteration history. Collectively, these varying compositions provide valuable new insights into the relationships between asteroidal aqueous alteration and the synthesis and preservation of soluble organic compounds.