Ternary feldspars: Kinetics and possible equilibria at 800° C

The ternary feldspar system KAlSi₃O₈ - NaAlSi₃O₈ - CaAl₂Si₂O₈ was reinvestigated at 650 ° C and 800 ° C (P _H2O = 1 kb) using mixtures of crystalline plagioclases and alkali feldspars as starting materials. The compositions of plagioclases and alkali feldspars of the run products were determined by X-ray means. The Or-content of the feldspar phases was determined by measuring the position of the (201) X-ray peak of the unexchanged feldspars, whereas the An-content was determined by measuring the same X-ray peak of the K-exchanged feldspars. The reaction rate of a reaction leading to a more An-rich plagioclase (type II reaction) is much faster than a reaction producing a more Ab-rich plagioclase (type I). In a type II reaction run times of approximately 20 days are needed to reach new constant plagioclase and alkali feldspar compositions at 650 ° C, and 10 days are needed to reach constant compositions at 800 ° C. In a reaction of type I only the outer zone of the plagioclases reacts to more Abrich compositions. A diffuse zone with a wide range of compositions was observed in 650 ° C runs. Equilibrium could not be reached in these experiments within 45 days. At 800 ° C a new zone having a specific composition develops in 42 days. This new zone is believed to be in equilibrium with the coexisting alkali feldspar. The depth of reaction is calculated as 0.03 μm after 42 days (800 ° C, P _f= 1 kb). The reaction between the two feldspar phases could be reversed at 800 ° C. The following compositions are considered to represent equilibrium data at 800 ° C and P _t = 1 kb:

An 43 Ab 51 Or 6 coexisting with Or 79 Ab 20 An 1, and

An 40 Ab 54 Or 6 coexisting with Or 75 Ab 24 An 1.

Recent data obtained with gels of ternary feldspar composition as starting materials do not agree with the results presented in this paper. Gels obviously crystallize spontaneously forming coexisting feldspars of non - equilibrium composition - alkali feldspars too rich in Ab and plagioclases too rich in An.     

Zur Erfassung und Statistik der kleinsten Niederschläge

Zusammenfassung H?ufigkeitsverteilungen nach logarithmischen Merkmalsskalen er?ffnen für die Niederschlagsstatistik das bisher nicht bekannte Gebiet kleinster Niederschlagsmengen unter 0.05 mm, dessen Erfassung nach Tropfenbildregistrierungen m?glich wird. Nahezu die H?lfte aller Einzelniederschl?ge fallen in diesen Bereich. Das H?ufigkeitsmaximum der Tages- und Terminsummen von einigen mm rückt bei den Einzelniederschl?gen in den Bereich von 0.03 bis 0.04 mm. Der Erfassung der kleinsten Niederschl?ge kommt neben einer praktischen (Pflanzenphysiologie, Sch?dlingsbiologie) auch eine theoretische Bedeutung zu.

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Summary The use of logarithmic scales in statistical precipitation research introduces in the unknown range of diminutive and minute amounts of precipitation less than 0.05 mm, the catch of which is possible by raindrop recordings. Nearly half of single rainfalls belongs to this class. Regarding to daily sums the maximum in frequency distribution amounts a range of some mm. In single rainfalls the maximal range shifts to 0.03–0.04 mm. The investigation of minute precipitation amounts is important with regard to practical and theoretical use.

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Dipl. Ing. Dr.Johannes Grunow, Meteorologisches ObservatoriumHohenpeissenberg (Oberbayern).     

A Spectrum-Independent Procedure for Correcting Eddy Fluxes Measured with Separated Sensors

We investigate flux underestimates in eddy correlation measurements that are caused by horizontal separation of the sensors. A common eddy correlation setup consists of a sonic anemometer and a humidity sensor which, because of its bulk, must be placed some distance away from the sonic path, leading to a flux loss (of latent heat). Utilizing an additional fast temperature sensor placed near the humidity sensor, we develop a procedure for correcting for this loss. The procedure simultaneously corrects the sensible heat flux for the difference between true temperature and sonic temperature. Our correction procedure, which does not depend on the shape of the cospectrum, is then compared to the widely-used procedure following Moore (1986), which assumes a cospectral model ('Kansas Model). Both correction methods are applied to data collected within the internal boundary layer over a rice paddy, downwind of arid land. Under conditions of good fetch, they were found to agree well. Under poor fetch conditions, the model-based correction tended to be too small, while the spectrum-independent combined correction was robust. The latter is thus recommended for situations where the cospectral shape can be expected to deviate from the 'Kansas shape.     

Equilibrium-disequilibrium relations in the Monte Rosa Granite,Western Alps: Petrological,Rb-Sr and stable isotope data

Nine samples from the Monte Rosa Granite have been investigated by microscopic, X-ray, wet chemical, electron microprobe, stable isotope and Rb-Sr and K-Ar methods. Two mineral assemblages have been distinguished by optical methods and dated as Permian and mid-Tertiary by means of Rb-Sr age determinations. The Permian assemblage comprises quartz, orthoclase, oligoclase, biotite, and muscovite whereas the Alpine assemblage comprises quartz, microcline, albite+epidote or oligoclase, biotite, and phengite. Disequilibrium between the Permian and Alpine mineral assemblages is documented by the following facts: (i) Two texturally distinguishable generations of white K-mica are 2 M muscovite (Si=3.1–3.2) and 2 M or 3 T phengite (Si=3.3–3.4). Five muscovites show Permian Rb-Sr ages and oxygen isotope fractionations indicating temperatures between 520 and 560 ° C; however, K-Ar ages are mixed or rejuvenated. Phengite always shows mid-Tertiary Rb-Sr ages, (ii) Two biotite generations can be recognized, although textural evidence is often ambiguous. Three out of four texturally old biotites show mid-Tertiary Rb-Sr cooling ages while the oxygen isotopic fractionations point to Permian, mixed or Alpine temperatures, (iii) Comparison of radiogenic and stable isotope relations indicates that the radiogenic isotopes in the interlayer positions of the micas were mobilized during Alpine time without recrystallization, that is, without breaking Al-O or Si-O bonds. High Ti contents in young muscovites and biotites also indicate that the octahedral (and tetrahedral) sites remained undisturbed during rejuvenation. (iv) Isotopic reversals in the order of O¹⁸ enrichment between K-feldspar and albite exist. Arguments for equilibrium during Permian time are meagre because of Alpine overprinting effects. Texturally old muscovites show high temperatures and Permian Rb-Sr ages in concordancy with Rb-Sr whole rock ages. For the tectonically least affected samples, excellent concordance between quartz-muscovite and quartz-biotite Permian temperatures implies oxygen isotope equilibrium in Permian time which was undisturbed during Alpine metamorphism. Arguments for equilibrium during the mid-Tertiary metamorphism are as follows: (i) Mid-Tertiary Rb-Sr mineral isochrons of up to six minerals exist, (ii) Oxygen isotope temperatures of coexisting Alpine phengites and biotites are concordant.The major factor for the adjustment of the Permian assemblages to Alpine conditions was the degree of Alpine tectonic overprinting rather than the maximum temperatures reached during the mid-Tertiary Alpine metamorphism. The lack of exchange with externally introduced fluid phases in the samples least affected by tectonism indicates that the Monte Rosa Granite stewed in its own juices. This seems to be the major cause for the persistence of Permian ages and corresponding temperatures.     

Reconnaissance geochronology of basement rocks from the Amazonas and Maranhão Basins in Brazil

Rb/Sr whole rock as well as K/Ar whole rock and mineral age determinations have been carried out on drill core samples obtained from the crystalline basement underlying the Amazonas and Maranhão Basins in Brazil. The data confirm the existence of an ancient basement under the Upper and Middle Amazonas Basin. The primary age of the granitic rocks is estimated at about 1560 Ma which correlates with recent age data obtained on granitic rocks on both sides of the Amazonas syneclise. In some areas the K/Ar ages show a decrease probably due to the effect of the Nickerie thermal episode described previously in the Guayana Shield.In the basement of the interconnected Lower Amazonas and Maranhão Basins Late Precambrian (Caririan) metamorphism and igneous activity seems to have been pervasive. The data allow the continuation of the Brazilian age province known in northeastern Brazil under the Maranhão Basin, linking this province to the Brasilia-Paraguay orogenic belt of similar age.     

Late-Pleistocene and Holocene remains of Hysterocarpus traski (Tule Perch) from Clear Lake,California, and inferred Holocene temperature fluctuations

The remains of scales of Hysterocarpus traski Gibbons (Tule perch) were found throughout a 27.44-m core from Clear Lake. Most scales occurred between the mud surface and deposits approximately 11,000 years old. Changes in growth rates of the animals were examined by measuring scale annuli and applying an empirically established regression of fish length on scale radius. The data indicate a pattern of accelerating growth rates, reaching a peak between ?4000 and 2800 BP. After ?2800 BP, growth rates decline markedly. Because the growth rates of these animals are essentially dependent on temperature, the changes observed in the patterns of growth probably reflect changes in climate in the northern Coast Range. The general pattern of inferred temperature increase during the early and middle Holocene, ending between ?4000 and 2800 BP, is consistent with evidence from tree-line studies and palynology indicating higher temperatures in parts of the western United States during this period.     

Gefüge und Entstehung der Ringdünen in den grauen Tuffen des Laacher Vulkans

The last products of the pleistocene Laach volcano (Eifel, about 40 kms SW of Bonn, Germany) are grey tuffs. Outcrops in the rim show characteristic cross-bedding in these tuffs. It is in discussion whether these structures are produced by wind or by phreato-magmatic outbursts. At all larger outcrops in the rim we measured numerous depositional elements of the tuffs, and analyzed their geometrical structure. So we are able to reconstruct shape, structure and orientation of dunes in the tuffs. They show transport vectors in centrifugal orientation, radially to the vent. The dunes are orientated concentrically to the vent, we intruduce the term “concentrical dune” for this dune type. This points out that the dunes in the Laach tuffs are of volcanic origin. But our geometrical results give no authorization to assume phreato-magmatic processes during the activity of the Laach volcano. We think that the grey Laach tuffs are no base surge deposits, but products of gas-rich eruptions in the phase of decreasing volcanic energy.     

Tracing variability of run‐off generation in mountainous permafrost of semi‐arid north‐eastern Mongolia

The headwaters of mountainous, discontinuous permafrost regions in north‐eastern Mongolia are important water resources for the semi‐arid country, but little is known about hydrological processes there. Run‐off generation on south‐facing slopes, which are devoid of permafrost, has so far been neglected and is totally unknown for areas that have been affected by recent forest fires. To fill this knowledge gap, the present study applied artificial tracers on a steppe‐vegetated south‐facing and on two north‐facing slopes, burned and unburned. Combined sprinkling and dye tracer experiments were used to visualize processes of infiltration and water fluxes in the unsaturated zone. On the unburned north‐facing slope, rapid and widespread infiltration through a wet organic layer was observed down to the permafrost. On the burned profile, rapid infiltration occurred through a combusted organic and underlying mineral layer. Stained water seeped out at the bottom of both profiles suggesting a general tendency to subsurface stormflow (SSF). Ongoing SSF could directly be studied 24 h after a high‐intensity rainfall event on a 55‐m hillslope section in the burned forest. Measurements of water temperature proved the role of the permafrost layer as a base horizon for SSF. Repeated tracer injections allowed direct insights into SSF dynamics: A first injection suggested rather slow dispersive subsurface flow paths; whereas 18 h later, a second injection traced a more preferential flow system with 20 times quicker flow velocities. We speculate that these pronounced SSF dynamics are limited to burned slopes where a thermally insulating organic layer is absent. On three south‐facing soil profiles, the applied tracer remained in the uppermost 5 cm of a silt‐rich mineral soil horizon. No signs of preferential infiltration could be found, which suggested reduced biological activity under a harsh, dry and cold climate. Instead, direct observations, distributed tracers and charcoal samples provided evidence for the occurrence of overland flow. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Jet Deflection by a Quasi-Steady-State Side Wind in the Laboratory

We present experimental data on the steady state deflection of a highly supersonic jet by a side-wind in the laboratory. The use of a long interaction region enables internal shocks to fully cross the jet, leading to the development of significantly more structure in the jet than in previous work with a similar setup (Lebedev et al., 2004). The ability to control the length of the interaction region in the laboratory allows the switch between a regime representing a clumpy jet or wind and a regime similar to a slowly varying mass loss rate. The results indicate that multiple internal oblique shocks develop in the jet and the possible formation of a second working surface as the jet attempts to tunnel through the ambient medium.