Ozone content over the russian federation in the second quarter of 2012

The review is compiled on the basis of the results of the operation of the total ozone (TO) monitoring in the CIS and Baltic countries functioning in the operational regime at the Central Aerological Observatory (CAO). The monitoring system uses the data from the national network with M-124 filter ozonometers under methodological supervision of the Main Geophysical Observatory. The quality of the functioning of the entire system is under operational control based on the observations obtained from the OMI satellite equipment (NASA, the United States). The basic TO observation data are generalized for each month of the first quarter of 2012 and for the quarter as a whole. Some results of regular observations of surface ozone content carried out at different organizations in Russia are also considered.     

Rb–Sr Age of Riphean Glauconites of the Kamo Group (Baikit Anteclise,Siberian Craton)

Doklady Earth Sciences - A mineralogical-geochemical study of globular phyllosilicates (GPS) of the glauconite-illite series of the Dolgokta Formation from the stratigraphic well Chunkinskaya Well...     

Inclusions in diamonds from Snap Lake kimberlites (Slave Craton,Canada): Geochemical features of crystallization

The results of integrated studies of inclusion-containing diamonds from kimberlites of the Snap Lake dike complex (Canada) are presented. Features of the morphology, defect–impurity composition, and internal structure of the diamonds were determined by optic and scanning microscopy. The chemical composition of crystalline inclusions (olivine, garnet, and pyroxene) in diamonds was studied using a microanalyzer with an electronic probe. The inclusions of ultramafic paragenesis in the diamond (87%) are predominant. Carbonates, sulfide and hydrated silicate phases were found only in multiphase microinclusions. The large phlogopite inclusion studied was similar in composition to earlier studied nanosize inclusions of high-silica mica in diamonds from Snap Lake kimberlites. Revealed features of studied diamonds and presence of high-silica mica suggest that diamonds from Snap Lake have formed as the result of interaction between enriched in volatile and titanium high-potassium carbonate–silicate melts and peridotitic substrate at the base of thick lithospheric mantle.     

The earthquake history of the Koryak Upland and the aftershock process of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">M</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">W</Emphasis></Subscript> 7.6 April 20(21), 2006 Olyutorskii earthquake

We investigated the seismicity in the aftershock area of a great earthquake occurring on April 20, 2006 (21:04 LT) in the area of the Koryak Autonomous Okrug. This analysis of the aftershock process was based on a complete catalog of the earthquakes that were recorded during April–May 2006 by the regional network of seismic stations operated by the Kamchatka Branch of the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences. We also made use of a catalog of low magnitude events for May 2–17 as recorded by a mobile seismic network deployed in the rupture zone. We provide a review of seismicity for the Koryak Upland for the period of instrumental observations in the 20th and early 21st centuries.     

Ozone content over the Russian federation in 2009

The review is compiled based on the results of the operation of the total ozone (TO) monitoring system in the CIS and Baltic countries, functioning in the operational regime at the Central Aerological Observatory (CAO). The monitoring system uses the data from the national network of filter ozonometers, M-124 type under supervision of the Main Geophysical Observatory (MGO). The proper operation of the entire system is under an operational control from observations with the OMI satellite equipment (US NASA). Basic TO observation data for each month of the fourth quarter of 2009 and for the quarter and the year as a whole are generalized. The data on the development of the Spring Antarctic Ozone Anomaly are presented. The results of regular observations of the surface ozone in the Moscow region and in Kiev are considered.     

Satellite Monitoring of Sea Ice Cover and Water Parameters for the Caspian Sea

A number of technologies have been developed in the Planeta Research Center for Space Hydrometeorology to provide the satellite monitoring of sea ice cover and water parameters for the Caspian Sea. These technologies produce maps of sea ice, sea ice drift, tracking of near-surface water fluxes, automated classification of ice and water objects, surface wind, and sea surface temperature. Satellite-based products are used for operational hydrometeorology and climate studies of the Caspian Sea environment. A specialized web service for the preparation and comprehensive analysis of satellite data on hydrometeorological and ice conditions in the Caspian Sea was developed to provide information on ice cover characteristics, surface wind, and sea surface temperature.     

The blocking anticyclones: the state of studies and forecasting

In connection with analysis of anomalous weather in summer of 2010, the state-of-the-art is reviewed of climatology of the blocking anticyclones, of mechanism for their onset and persistence, as well as possibilities of their forecasting. The main results are quoted on occurrence frequency, intensity, and duration of blockings and on their connection with features of general circulation of the atmosphere in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. As the primary cause of the blocking formation, nonlinear instability of the Rossby waves is considered with intense energy exchange with planetary waves and with synoptic-scale eddies. Mathematical means have been developed to investigate the energy exchange on the real data of objective analysis (reanalysis). This approach can be applied to analyze causes of anomalous duration of the summer blocking. From the point of view of forecasting, blockings do not differ much from other atmospheric pressure systems. Namely, within the framework of medium-range forecasting, the blocking onset, under condition of its absence in the initial fields, can be predicted with a projection of several days; also, the ensemble forecasts are generally more successful than those obtained with any single model. The blocking duration and decay can be predicted successfully within the medium-range forecasting.     

Magnesioneptunite, KNa2Li(Mg,Fe)2Ti2Si8O24, a new mineral species of the neptunite group

A new mineral of the neptunite group, magnesioneptunite KNa₂Li(Mg,Fe)₂Ti2Si₈O₂₄, a Mg-dominant analogue of neptunite and manganoneptunite, has been found in the Upper Chegem caldera near Mount Lakargi, Kabardino-Balkaria, the North Caucasus, Russia in a xenolith of altered sandstone located between skarnified carbonate xenoliths and ignimbrite. Magnesioneptunite occurs as nearly isometric grains and aggregates up to 0.1 mm in size in the cores of some grains of a Mg-rich variety of neptunite with Mg/(Fe + Mn) = 0.7?1.0. The chemical composition of magnesioneptunite with a maximum Mg content is as follows, wt %: 3.63 K₂O, 8.21 Na₂O, 1.73 Li₂O, 6.47 MgO, 0.04 MnO, 5.87 FeO, 0.07 Al₂O₃, 18.73 TiO₂, 56.88 SiO₂, 99.62 in total. The empirical formula is (K_0.67Na_0.32Ca_0.01)_Σ1.00Na_2.06Li_1.00 · (Mg_1.39Fe _0.71 ²⁺ )_Σ2.10(Si_7.90Al_0.01)_Σ7.91O₂₄. Grains of magnesioneptunite are dark brown to red-brown, translucent, with vitreous luster. D _calc = 3.15 g/cm³, and the Mohs hardness is 5–6. Cleavage parallel to the (110) is perfect. The new mineral is optically biaxial, positive, α = 1.697(2), β = 1.708 (3), γ = 1.725(3), 2V _meas = 45(15)°. The mineral is associated with quartz, alkali feldspar, rutile, aegirine, and neptunite. Magnesioneptunite and the Mg-rich variety of neptunite were formed as products of ilmenite alteration. Magnesioneptunite is monoclinic, C2/c; unit-cell parameters: a = 16.327(7), b = 12.4788(4), c = 9.9666(4) Å, β = 115.6519(5)°, V = 1830.5(1) ų, Z = 4. The type specimen is deposited at the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.     

Martian meteorite Dhofar 019: A new shergottite

Abstract— Dhofar 019 is a new martian meteorite found in the desert of Oman. In texture, mineralogy, and major and trace element chemistry, this meteorite is classified as a basaltic shergottite. Olivine megacrysts are set within a groundmass composed of finer grained olivine, pyroxene (pigeonite and augite), and maskelynite. Minor phases are chromite‐ulvöspinel, ilmenite, silica, K‐rich feldspar, merrillite, chlorapatite, and pyrrhotite. Secondary phases of terrestrial origin include calcite, gypsum, celestite, Fe hydroxides, and smectite. Dhofar 019 is most similar to the Elephant Moraine (EETA) 79001 lithology A and Dar al Gani (DaG) 476/489 shergottites. The main features that distinguish Dhofar 019 from other shergottites are lack of orthopyroxene; lower Ni contents of olivine; the heaviest oxygen‐isotopic bulk composition; and larger compositional ranges for olivine, maskelynite, and spinel, as well as a wide range for pyroxenes. The large compositional ranges of the minerals are indicative of relatively rapid crystallization. Modeling of olivine chemical zonations yield minimum cooling rates of 0.5‐0.8 °C/h. Spinel chemistry suggests that crystallization took place under one of the most reduced conditions for martian meteorites, at an fO₂ 3 log units below the quartz‐fayalite‐magnetite (QFM) buffer. The olivine megacrysts are heterogeneously distributed in the rock. Crystal size distribution analysis suggests that they constitute a population formed under steady‐state conditions of nucleation and growth, although a few grains may be cumulates. The parent melt is thought to have been derived from partial melting of a light rare earth element‐ and platinum group element‐depleted mantle source. Shergottites, EETA79001 lithology A, DaG 476/489, and Dhofar 019, although of different ages, comprise a particular type of martian rocks. Such rocks could have formed from chemically similar source(s) and parent melt(s), with their bulk compositions affected by olivine accumulation.