A deep-sea in-situ suspended sediment sampling system: Comment

A recent article by Beer et al. (1974) in Marine Geology describes an in-situ suspended sediment sampling system which utilizes a pump/motor unit, filter holders, and a lead-acid battery power source. Two aspects of their article may be misleading: the use of certain filter material as X-ray diffraction mounts, and the technique by which an oil-filled battery case may be operated.     

The holstein interglaciation: Time-stratigraphic position and correlation to stable-isotope stratigraphy of deep-sea sediments

Marine molluscan shells from para-type and other loclities of the Holsteinian interglaciation were dated by Th/U and the electron spin resonance (ESR) method to more than 350,000 and 370,000 yr B.P., beyond the limit of Th/U dating. The high age estimate is corroborated by a K/Ar age of 420,000 yr B.P. determined from volcanic ash near the base of the Ariendorf paleosol in the Middle Rhine valley believed to be a pedostratigraphic equivalent of the Holsteinian. Shells from the Herzeele marine unit III, an equivalent of the Wacken (Dömnitz) warm stage in northern France and subsequent to the Holsteinian, revealed ages between 300,000 and 350,000 yr B.P. A correlation of these two warm stages with marine oxygen-isotope stages 11 and 9 on the SPECMAP and CARTUNE time scales is suggested. From the benthic oxygen-isotope record one may infer that no exceptionally high global sea-level rise corresponds to the large transgressions of the Holstein Sea in northern Germany. Therefore, a significant proportion of the transgression was probably the result of an unusually large local glacial-isostatic depression caused by the extreme buildup of ice during the preceding Elster glaciation (stage 12). According to the deep-sea record, it lasted approximately 50% longer than the subsequent cold stage 10. The outstanding soil formation with Braunlehm and the well-developed thermal optimum of the Holsteinian are tentatively related to a phase of minimum sea-ice cover in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea, as deduced from long benthic carbon-isotope records from the central Atlantic.     

Beobachtungsergebnisse der Berliner Arbeitsgemeinschaft für veränderliche Sterne e. V. (BAV)

In this 8th compilation, the following results of observations are given: 207 observed minima of 56 eclipsing binaries, 100 maxima of 21 RR Lyrae- and δ Cephei-stars, 82 results of 32 Mira stars and long period variables, and 47 results of 9 RV Tauri stars, semiregular, and irregular variables, from the years 1966 up to 1968.     

Zur Dynamotheorie stellarer und planetarer Magnetfelder I. Berechnung sonnenähnlicher Wechselfeldgeneratoren

Non-reflectionsymmetric turbulent motions in an electrically conducting fluid provide for an average electromotoric force α parallel to the average magnetic field . This effect – furthermore called α-effect – can lead to a self-excited built-up of magnetic fields by dynamo action. Since by actions of Coriolis forces turbulent motions in rotating systems generally are non-reflectionsymmetric, the explanation of stellar and planetary magnetic fields becomes possible. – In this first part spherical alternating field dynamos are calculated on conditions similar to those at the sun; α-effect and differential rotation provide for dynamo action. – The basic equations, which form a system of partial differential equations, are treated by a separation method; in this way our problem is transformed into a two-parametric eigenvalue problem for an infinite system of ordinary differential equations. The two eigenvalues determine the frequency and the amount of the induction actions necessary for the field maintenance. The solution of this problem was made by an electronic computer. – The results give evidence for the possibility of magnetohydrodynamic alternating field dynamos. Furthermore the magnitude of the calculated eigenvalues and the similarities between the calculated field and the observed solar magnetic field are showing that the sun realizes a dynamo of this kind.     

The radio luminosity function and the luminosity diameter function of extragalactic radio sources

On the basis of a radio index-surface brightness diagram recently published, the luminosity function and the luminosity diameter function are obtained. The uncertainties due to the incompleteness of the sample are of the same order as the statistical uncertainties. The luminosity function differs considerably from a simple power law and supports the distinction of two populations. The density of the weak population (P<10³⁵ W Hz⁻¹ ster⁻¹ at 1400 MHz) follows nearly a power law in P and increases towards small diameters at least down to I kpc. The density of the strong population (the high luminosity and small diameter part of which is occupied by the quasars) has a maximum between 10²⁵ and 10²⁸ W Hz⁻¹ ster⁻¹ and around 100 kpc. A strong evolution effect is clearly present and is in a good agreement with the models obtained from the log N-log S counts.     

Extraction and recovery of precious metals from electronic waste printed circuit boards by bioleaching acidophilic fungi

Printed circuit boards contain precious metals. They are produced in large volumes, rendering them an important component of the electronic waste. In view of the heterogeneity of the metals present, reprocessing of electronic waste is a heinous task. The present study focused on leaching of valuable metals from electronic waste printed circuit boards using Aspergillus niger DDNS1. The adaptation phases began at 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0% of fine powder of printed circuit boards with 10% inoculum and were optimized with three effective factors, viz. initial pH, particle size and pulp density, to achieve the maximum simultaneous recovery of the valuable metals. The interactions of these metals were also deciphered using scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrum and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The results indicated that extraction of the precious metals was accomplished mainly through the unique organic acids originating from A. niger DDNS1. The initial pH played an important role in the extraction of the precious metals and the metals precipitate formation. The leaching rate of the metals was generally higher at low powder dosage of printed circuit boards. The toxicity of the printed circuit boards had little effect on two-step bioleaching at the pulp density of 0.1% compared to one-step bioleaching. The two-step bioleaching process was followed under organic acid-forming conditions for the maximum mobilization of metals. Thus, the precious metals from printed circuit boards could be mobilized through fungal bioleaching which promises an important industrial application in recycling of electronic wastes.     

Rare earth elements in the clay fraction of coaliferous sediments of the Arkagalinskoe (Magadan district) and Dolinskoe (Sakhalin Island) coalfields

The study of REE distribution in the clay fraction of sedimentary rocks from two coalfields made it possible to distinguish several types of REE distribution, which correlate with their mineral composition. It is shown that the REE fractionation was related to the mineral reconstruction of the primary clay fraction and some detrital minerals in the course of postsedimentary transformations of rocks during diagenesis, early catagenesis, and beginning of late catagenesis. These transformations were governed by several factors, such as the composition of sediments; hydrochemical features of accumulation environment; the chemical composition, dynamics, and feeding sources of pore solutions; the porosity and permeability of sediments and rocks; and the content of organic matter and its reaction ability.     

Sodian stellerite from Capo Pula,Sardegna

The sodian stellerite (a zeolite) occurs as lustrous white or slightly pink, easily cleavable lamellae, filling cavities and fractures in an acid lava (andesite or rhyolite) in the cliff below S. Efisio Tower, near Capo Pula, Cagliari, Sardegna, Italy. The principal forms present are {010}, {011}, {111}. Single crystal photographs show an orthorhombic symmetry and Ammm (or Ammm) space group. An indexed X-ray diffraction powder pattern is provided. Unit cell dimensions, chemical formula, density, optical properties and thermal behaviour are given.     

Groundwater Resources In Hard Rock; Experiences from The Hvaler Study,Southeastern Norway

Investigations in a newly constructed subsea road tunnel in the Iddefjord granite at Hvaler and test-pumping of boreholes on land indicate that a topographic or geophysical anomaly is no guarantee of a substantially transmissive fracture zone. Many prominent fracture zones appear to have depressed transmissivity due to secondary swelling-clay mineral infillings. No current geophysical technique can adequately distinguish these zones from transmissive ones. Given that siting of boreholes on the basis of geology alone can be unreliable, hydrogeologists should concentrate on quantifying the chances of a successful boring, and optimizing those chances by sensible location, favourable borehole orientation and use of artificial enhancement techniques.