Vertical directionality of ambient noise at 32°N as a functionof longitude and wind speed

Measurements of the ambient-noise field between 50 and 300 Hz with vertical arrays at 32°N (124°W, 136°W, and 150°W) have been made. Substantial differences in the vertical distribution of noise have been measured (especially at the higher frequencies), which can be interpreted in the context of attenuation by seawater sound absorption of coastal shipping noise. Under low wind-speed conditions, the vertical distribution of ambient noise is clearly concentrated within approximately ±15° of the horizontal. High wind speed has the effect of filling in the higher vertical angles, while leaving the level within the low-angular region unchanged     

Influence of the seagrass,Zostera marina L., on current flow

A salt-water flume was used to describe the mechanics of current flow around an articial Zostera marina meadow. Shear velocity and roughness height were positively correlated with seagrass surface area, and were positively/negatively correlated with current velocity. Current velocity intrusion into the meadow before diminution and maximum reduction (both at the 2 cm height line) proceed by factors of 1·25 and 2·07 cm into the meadow per cm s^?1 of current velocity, respectively.Froude number was correlated with mean bending angle of the canopy as a whole. Maximum bending had occurred with Froude = 1, but most bending had taken place by Froude = 0·4, a velocity of 40–50 cm s^?1 in this experiment.The meadow edge is the most dynamic zone of a seagrass meadow in regard to current flow. Bending of the shoot canopy is a mechanism for re-direction of current flow and in-canopy reduction of current velocity. Meadow dimensions may be regulated by scouring processes in different hydraulic regimes. Shoot bending and subsequent in-meadow current velocity reduction are mechanisms that affect self-shading and photosynthetic capabilities as well as providing habitat stability.     

Graphical methods for investigating the fit of a Fisher distribution to spherical data

Summary. Ordered-value plotting (probability plotting, Q-Q plotting, etc.) is well known for its utility as a diagnostic technique with data samples on the line. It can be used to give a visual indication of goodness of fit (sometimes as a prerequisite to a more formal statistical analysis), to provide quick graphical estimates of parameters, and to disclose the presence of outliers and give a visual assessment of their import. Following a résumé of plotting procedures for distributions on the line such as normal and exponential, three procedures are given for use with spherical data assumed to follow a Fisher distribution. These are illustrated by application to two palaeomagnetic data samples.     

A chronology for glacial Lake Agassiz shorelines along Upham's namesake transect

Four traditionally recognized strandline complexes in the southern basin of glacial Lake Agassiz are the Herman, Norcross, Tintah and Campbell, whose names correspond to towns in west-central Minnesota that lie on a linear transect defined by the Great Northern railroad grade; the active corridor for commerce at the time when Warren Upham was mapping and naming the shorelines of Lake Agassiz (ca.1880–1895). Because shorelines represent static water planes, their extension around the lake margin establishes time-synchronous lake levels. Transitions between shoreline positions represent significant water-level fluctuations. However, geologic ages have never been obtained from sites near the namesake towns in the vicinity of the southern outlet. Here we report the first geologic ages for Lake Agassiz shorelines obtained at field sites along the namesake transect, and evaluate the emerging chronology in light of other paleoclimate records. Our current work from 11 sampling sites has yielded 16 independent ages. These results combined with a growing OSL age data set for Lake Agassiz's southern basin provide robust age constraints for the Herman, Norcross and Campbell strandlines with averages and standard deviations of 14.1 ± 0.3 ka, 13.6 ± 0.2 ka, and 10.5 ± 0.3 ka, respectively.     

3D representation of geochemical data, the corresponding alteration and associated REE mobility at the Ranger uranium deposit, Northern Territory, Australia

Interrogation and 3D visualisation of multiple multi-element data sets collected at the Ranger 1 No. 3 uranium mine, in the Northern Territory of Australia, show a distinct and large-scale chemical zonation around the ore body. A central zone of Mg alteration, dominated by extensive clinochlore alteration, overprints a biotite–muscovite–K-feldspar assemblage which shows increasing loss of Na, Ba and Ca moving towards the ore body. Manipulation of pre-existing geochemical data and integration of new data collected from targeted ‘niche’ samples make it possible to recognise chemical architecture within the system and identify potential fluid conduits. New trace element and rare earth element (REE) data show strong fractionation associated with the zoned alteration around the deposit and with fault planes that intersect and bound the deposit. Within the most altered portion of the system, isocon analysis indicates addition of elements including Mg, S, Cu, Au and Ni and removal of elements including Ca, K, Ba and Na within a zone of damage associated with ore precipitation. In the more distal parts of the system, processes of alteration and replacement associated with the mineralising system can be recognised. REE element data show enrichment in HREE centred about a characteristic peak in Dy in the high-grade ore zone while LREEs are enriched in the outermost portions of the system. The patterns recognised in 3D in zoning of geochemical groups and contoured S, K and Mg abundance and the observed REE patterns suggest a fluid flow regime in which fluids were predominately migrating upwards during ore deposition within the core of the ore system.     

Distribution of platinum-group elements in magmatic and altered ores in the Jinchuan intrusion, China: an example of selenium remobilization by postmagmatic fluids

The division of platinum-group elements (PGE) between those hosted in platinum-group minerals (PGM) versus those in solid solution in base metal sulfides (BMS) has been determined for ores from the PGE-bearing Ni-Cu-rich Jinchuan intrusion in northwest China. All the BMS are devoid of Pt and Ir, and magmatic BMS are also barren of Rh. These PGE may have been scavenged by arsenic to form PGM during magmatic crystallization of the BMS. Pd, Os, and Ru are recorded in BMS and Pd is predominantly in solid solution in pentlandite. Unlike the fresh magmatic ores, in altered or serpentinized ores, Pd-PGM are present. Froodite is hosted in magnetite, formed during alteration of BMS, accompanied by sulfur loss and liberation of Pd. Michenerite ([Pd,Pt]BiTe), sperrylite (PtAs₂), and Au-bearing PGM are located in altered silicates. Irarsite (IrAsS) occurs mainly enclosed in BMS. Padmaite (PdBiSe), identified at the junctions of magnetite and BMS, was the last PGM to form and locally partially replaces earlier non-Se-bearing PGM. We propose that padmaite formed under oxidizing conditions during late local remobilization of Se from the BMS. Se-bearing PGM are rare and our review shows they are frequently associated with carbonate, suggesting that Pd and Se can be mobilized great distances in low pH oxidizing fluids and may be precipitated on contact with carbonate. S/Se ratios are used by researchers of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE ores to determine sulfur loss, assuming Se is immobile and representative of magmatic sulfur content. This study shows that Se as well as S is potentially mobile and this should be considered in the use of S/Se ratios.