X-ray clusters of galaxies in conformal gravity

We run adiabatic N -body/hydrodynamical simulations of isolated self-gravitating gas clouds to test whether conformal gravity, an alternative theory to general relativity, is able to explain the properties of X-ray galaxy clusters without resorting to dark matter. We show that the gas clouds rapidly reach equilibrium with a density profile which is well fitted by a β-model whose normalization and slope are in approximate agreement with observations. However, conformal gravity fails to yield the observed thermal properties of the gas cloud: (i) the mean temperature is at least an order of magnitude larger than the observed and (ii) the temperature profiles increase with the square of the distance from the cluster centre, in clear disagreement with real X-ray clusters. These results depend on a gravitational potential whose parameters reproduce the velocity rotation curves of spiral galaxies. However, this parametrization stands on an arbitrarily chosen conformal factor. It remains to be seen whether a different conformal factor, specified by a spontaneous breaking of the conformal symmetry, can reconcile this theory with observations.     

Daily and annual cycle of CO2 concentration near the surface depending on boundary layer structure at a rural site in Spain

CO₂ in the rural atmosphere is related to respiration–photosynthesis processes, although the evolution of the low atmosphere is also a determinant factor. CO₂ concentrations were measured at surface and meteorological variables obtained from a radio acoustic sounding system sodar at a flat rural site during a 3-year campaign. Yearly and daily cycles of CO₂ were described. Maxima were observed in spring and autumn during the night. Wind speed and thermal structure of the lower atmosphere were analysed. Low level jets were observed during the night, their core proving lower in summer. Surface inversions observed with low winds reached up to 100 m. The turbulence layer which developed during the day extended up to 300–400 m and was capped by a stable layer. Median vertical wind speed reached 1 m s^?1 in super-adiabatic conditions in summer. Determination of decoupled low level jets proved difficult with the device used and corresponding concentrations were slightly higher than medians calculated with all the observations. The bulk Richardson number was calculated in the lower atmosphere and four intervals were considered: drainage, transitional, shear flows and unstable conditions. Median CO₂ concentrations were split according to these intervals. Higher values corresponded to drainage flow, which was associated to more stable conditions being less frequent and lower values to shear flow and unstable conditions, revealing a satisfactory link between the bulk Richardson number as a turbulence indicator in the low atmosphere and CO₂ surface concentrations.     

New experimental determination of Li and B partition coefficients during upper mantle partial melting

Despite the growing interest for Li and B as geochemical tracers, especially for material transfer from subducting slabs to overlying peridotites, little is known about the behaviour of these two elements during partial melting of mantle sources. In particular, mineral/melt partition coefficients for B and to a lesser extent Li are still a matter of debate. In this work, we re-equilibrated a synthetic basalt doped with ~10 ppm B and ~6 ppm Li with an olivine powder from a spinel lherzolite xenolith at 1 GPa–1,330°C, and we analyzed Li and B in the run products by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). In our experiment, B behaved as a highly incompatible element with mineral/melt partition coefficients of the order of 10⁻² (D ^ol/melt = 0.008 (0.004–0.013); D ^opx/melt = 0.024 (0.015–0.033); D ^cpx/melt = 0.041 (0.021–0.061)), and Li as a moderately incompatible element (D ^ol/melt = 0.427 (0.418–0.436); D ^opx/melt = 0.211 (0.167–0.256); D ^cpx/melt = 0.246 (0.229–0.264)). Our partition coefficients for Li are in good agreement with previous determinations. In the case of B, our partition coefficients are equal within error to those reported by Brenan et al. (1998) for all the mineral phases analyzed, but are lower than other coefficients from literature for some of the phases (up to 5 times for cpx). Our measurements complement the data set of Ds for modelling partial melting of the upper mantle and basalt generation, and confirm that, in this context, B is more incompatible than previously anticipated.     

Secondary flow in anabranch confluences of a braided,gravel-bed stream

Measurements of the primary and secondary velocity components were máde in two, active, braided river anabranch confluences with a simple Y-shaped plan form, in the gravelly Sunwapta River (D₅₀ of approximately 30 mm). Flow velocity was measured at regularly-spaced intervals using a bidirectional electromagnetic current meter and the measured downstream and cross-stream velocities were converted to primary and secondary velocities to yield the secondary circulation. The primary (downstream) velocity field shows two high velocity streams from the two tributaries which merge (and, in some cases, accelerate) into a single high velocity core over the thalweg. Primary flow velocity declines as the flow expands and diverges at the downstream end of the confluence. The secondary circulation is dominated by two helical cells, back-to-back, plunging over the thalweg and diverging at the bed. This is the first confirmation of this flow structure in confluences, based on field measurements. The strength of the secondary cells declines downstream through each confluence, and laterally away from the thalweg area in cross-section. There is also a tendency for one cell, from the larger of the tributaries, to override the other. The secondary and primary flow structure and strength differs slightly between the two confluences and this is reflected in differences in scour hole form.     

Sillimanite-potash feldspar assemblages in graphitic pelites,Strontian area,Scotland

Graphitic pelites of the western Moinian were metamorphosed at the time of emplacement of the Strontian Granodiorite intrusion, at a late stage of the Caledonian Orogeny, producing a metamorphic zonation. The Sillimanite Zone (in which K feldspar does not occur with sillimanite) is succeeded by the Muscovite-Sillimanite-K feldspar Zone, Sillimanite-K feldspar Zone (without primary muscovite) and Cordierite-K feldspar Zone. Secondary muscovite from retrograde hydration of sillimanite+K feldspar is distinguished texturally from primary muscovite, but is compositionally similar. Primary porphyroblastic muscovite, inherited from the regional metamorphic textural evolution of the rocks, disappears abruptly at the muscovite-out isograd. Migmatites of earlier regional origin, with recrystallized textures, are distinguished from those associated with the late Caledonian metamorphism, which are confined to the Sillimanite-K feldspar and Cordierite-K feldspar Zones. Muscovite compositions are inferred to be very low in Fe³⁺. There are no marked changes in muscovite composition at the entry of sillimanite+K feldspar. Higher Na contents than in some other muscovites coexisting with sillimanite+K feldspar are interpreted in terms of relatively low P in the Strontian area. Andalusite is found at two localities. From cordierite-garnet-sillimanite-biotite-K feldspar-quartz assemblages, a P estimate of 4.1±0.4 kbar is obtained, with the aqueous fluid having , and the T at the cordierite-K feldspar isograd is estimated as 690° C. T at the muscovite-out isograd is inferred to the maximum for muscovite-quartz-sillimanite-K feldspar equilibrium with graphite at P4.1 kbar: T 645° C, with . The well-defined lower boundary of the Muscovite-Sillimanite-K feldspar Zone is attributed to regionally rather homogeneous fluid composition at . The low P prevented melting in the Muscovite-Sillimanite-K feldspar Zone. Migmatites in the higher zones are attributed to partial melting, which accounts for the low necessary to produce the cordierite assemblages. Obscurity of these migmatites is attributed to deformation during and after the migmatization. A breccia structure in and near the Cordierite-K feldspar Zone, where pelites have flowed around disrupted pieces of psammite and amphibolite, can be explained by presence of grain-boundary melts in the pelites.     

Plagioclase and other mineral equilibria in a contact metamorphic aureole

Plagioclase, microcline, amphibole, clinozoisite, clinopyroxene and biotite from alternating pelitic and calcareous hornfelses of the Wyman Formation, Blanco Mountain Quadrangle, California, were analyzed using an electron microprobe. The metamorphic aureole formed at temperatures of 300–600° C, total pressure 2–3 Kb, and low but variable partial pressure of CO₂. The minerals show some compositional changes with metamorphic grade as well as differences from one assemblage to another. The plagioclases developed in the aureole do not form a continuous series. Rather, coexisting grains of plagioclase in individual rock layers form at certain distinct compositions: An 1–3, 15–17, 28–32, 38–45, 51–55, 59–65, 75 and 80. There is no evidence of disequilibrium in the rocks, although diffusion was limited; the volume for chemical equilibrium for most samples was less than 1 mm. Inspection of the changes in mineral assemblages with increasing degree of metamorphism and with changes in fluid composition suggests a number of reactions between the phases. Neither these reactions nor the compositions of coexisting minerals provide an obvious explanation for the observed gaps in the plagioclase series. Therefore it is postulated that the compositional clustering is structurally controlled.     

Melt migration in the upper mantle along the Romanche Fracture Zone (Equatorial Atlantic)

Textural and petrological data of mantle peridotites sampled in the central and western parts of the Romanche Fracture Zone (Equatorial Atlantic) during the oceanographic expedition PRIMAR-96 (Russian R/V Gelendzhik) are presented. The studied rocks are mantle peridotites carrying patches, pockets and veins/dikes of magmatic origin, interpreted to be the product of various extents of magma impregnation on mantle partial melting residues. Estimated partial melting degrees based on clinopyroxene Ti/Zr ratios are in the ranges 5–13% and 18–20%. In highly impregnated samples, refertilization of residual peridotite minerals precludes a correct evaluation of the degree of melting. Magmatic products occur as pl±cpx±opx±ol±sp aggregates with various textural features. Interstitial pl-rich patches and gabbroic pockets are interpreted to derive from magma migration through the upper mantle by diffusive porous flow in the ductile part of the lithosphere and melt–rock reactions. Metasomatism of the host peridotites is testified by Ti and Cr increase in spinel and Ti, Sr, Zr, Y and LREE increase in clinopyroxene. Veins and dikes reflect channeled magma migration focused by brittle failures at shallower lithospheric levels. Minor or no chemical changes occurred in peridotites impregnated along fractures. The compositions of magmatic minerals in impregnated peridotites are consistent with derivation from variably fractionated melts of probably MORB type. Barometric estimates suggest that the Romanche peridotites were impregnated at minimum depths of ca. 9–12 km. Thermometric estimates for the peridotite hosts are in the range 750–1050 °C. The spread in temperature values is partly ascribed to localized heating by migrating melts of relatively cold peridotites. Our data and the occurrence of both fertile and depleted peridotites in a neighbouring area along the western Romanche FZ are in accord with the hypothesis of small-scale (<100 km) mantle heterogeneity along this fracture zone.