Progressive niedriggradige Metamorphose glaukonitführender Horizonte in den helvetischen Alpen der Ostschweiz

Glauconite-bearing formations of Cretaceous and Tertiary age in the Helvetic zone of the Glarus Alps have been investigated by microscopic, X-ray, wet chemical, electron microprobe, Mössbauer spectroscopic, and K-Ar dating methods. 3 different metamorphic zones with increasing grade can be distinguished (Fig. 3). Original, unmetamorphosed sediments containing glauconite-calcite-quartz±chlorite comprise zone I. The glauconite is very rich in potassium (8–9 wt.%) and the chlorite is Fe-rich. In zone II green stilpnomelane forms by the reaction: glauconite±chlorite + quartz = stilpnomelane + k-feldspar + H₂O + O₂. The green stilpnomelane contains as much as ten times the amount of K found in brown stilpnomelane, which is believed to be a weathering feature. In zone III biotite appears by the reaction: chlorite + k-feldspar = biotite + stilpnomelane + quartz + H₂O. Riebeckite is a possible additional phase in all three zones. Generally, zones I–III are arranged nearly parallel to the Alpine border with metamorphic grade increasing to the south. In the Glarnisch Massif, however, the transition from zone I to zone II is clearly controlled by the overburden of the nappe pile (Fig. 6). The beginning of zone II also seems to coincide with the middle of the anchizone, as defined by illite-crystallinity measurements in adjoining marly shales and slates; this corresponds approximately to the transition from the zeolite facies to the prehnitepumpellyite facies.K-Ar-ages on glauconites regularly decrease when approaching the zone I/II-transition. Field evidence and combined K-Ar age determinations on glauconites, stilpnomelanes and riebeckites point to a peak of the metamorphism during Lower to Middle Oligocene, shortly after the main orogenic phase in this part of the Helvetic Alps.

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Die Autoren danken Herrn Prof. E. Niggli für das fördernde Interesse an dieser Arbeit, die Überlassung der Probe EN 8999 sowie die kritische Durchsicht des Manuskriptes. Für wertvolle Diskussionen und Hinweise danken wir den Prof. E. Jäger, R. Herb und P. M. Orville sowie Dr. W. D. Brückner und Dr. N. Clauer. M.F. möchte Herrn E. Weber herzlich für die Einführung auf der Mikrosonde danken. Herrn Prof. Th. Hügi danken wir für die Benützung des geochemischen Labors, Herrn Prof. H. Schwander für einige Na-Bestimmungen auf der Basler Mikrosonde und Herrn Dr. F. Hofmann für die Bestimmung der C-Gehalte. Den Herren Theo Küpfer und J. Fuhrimann verdanken wir verschiedene Laborarbeiten. Diese Arbeit wurde durch die folgenden Stipendien des Schweizerischen Nationalfonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung unterstützt: Nr. 5358.2 an M.F., Nr. 2.367.70 an J.H. sowie Nr. 2598 an P.R. Die Durchführung der Mikrosondenanalysen wurden zudem möglich dank eines Studienaufenthaltes von M. F. an der Yale Universität, New Haven, Connecticut, wofür dieser Autor der Forschungskommission der Universität Bern zu großem Dank verpflichtet ist.     

The permanent tide in GPS positioning

The treatment of the permanent tidal deformation of the Earth in GPS computation has been an almost unmentioned topic in the GPS literature. However, the ever increasing accuracy and the need to combine the GPS based coordinates with other methods requires a consistent way to handle the tides. Our survey shows that both the ITRF-xx coordinates and the GPS based coordinates are nowadays reduced to a non-tidal crust, conventionally defined using physically meaningless parameters. We propose to use instead the zero-crust concept which corresponds to concepts already accepted in the resolution of IAG in 1983 for gravimetric works.     

Ground motion prediction with the empirical Green's function technique: an assessment of uncertainties and confidence level

An assessment of uncertainties for ground motion predictions with the aid of the empirical Green's function (EGF) technique is presented. The main input parameters were identified, and their respective uncertainties were assessed by means of an international expert inquiry. The repercussion of these input uncertainties on the final ground motion estimates were investigated by means of the Latin Hypercube Sampling technique. The mean ground motion estimates (response spectra) and their standard deviations were compared with results obtained from empirical attenuation laws. The most sensitive input parameter turned out to be the seismic moment corresponding to the EGF. In general, if the source parameters are well determined, equivalent uncertainties, statistically speaking, can be expected from the EGF technique and from the application of attenuation laws. Therefore, if EGFs with well known source parameters are available, the EGF technique seems to be preferable: site effects are automatically taken into account, and physically realistic acceleration time histories can be obtained. However, further investigations on the reliability of the EGF technique should be performed, and finally, it is recalled that the EGF technique is based on the assumption of linearity. If conditions are such that this assumption cannot be maintained, the EGF technique should be combined with non-linear geotechnical methods.     

Lithogenic thallium behavior in soils with different land use

In order to evaluate the effect of different land use on lithogenic Tl geochemistry, two forest and grassland soils developed on an identical Tl-rich substrate were examined. For this purpose a complex soil-plant investigation supplemented by mineralogical methods was performed. The modified BCR sequential extraction combined with X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and voltammetry of microparticles (VMP) were performed for a detailed insight on lithogenic Tl speciation and availability in both contrasting soils. It was revealed that soil forming processes like bioturbation and probably dust deposition may influence the increased input of lithogenic Tl into the forest floor. Thallium was predominantly bound within the residual fraction (up to 95%) corresponding to primary silicates (mainly orthoclase and muscovite) and probably secondary illite, which were detected by XRD in all studied horizons. Thus, stable silicates can be thought as the phases controlling the solubility of lithogenic Tl in both the forest and grassland soils. The highest portion (~ 5%) of “labile” Tl was found in the organic horizons of the forest soil indicating a distinct role of forest soil organic matter (SOM) on Tl mobilization and availability. Thallium adsorption was dominated by an identified non-crystalline Mn(III,IV) oxide detected by VMP proving thus its strong affinity for Mn oxides in mineral soils. On the contrary, Tl adsorption by more abundant Fe(III) oxides (goethite and ferrihydrite) was evaluated to be negligible. Organically bound Tl in the forest floor was found to be associated with primary SOM corresponding to the raw and partially decomposed litter of Norway spruce (Picea abies L.). Moreover, a relatively high Tl uptake was recorded by this species. In contrast, lithogenic Tl uptake by common grasses like red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) or timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.) seems to be very low.     

Carbon Isotope Analysis to Evaluate Nanoscale Fe(O) Treatment at a Chlorohydrocarbon Contaminated Site

Remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons via in situ technologies such as direct injection of nanoscale zero valent iron (ZVI, Fe(O)) particles is increasingly common. However, assessing target compound degradation by abiotic processes is difficult because (1) the injection may displace the contaminant plume so that concentration measurements alone are often inconclusive and (2) biodegradation may also occur, making it challenging to identify and evaluate the abiotic degradation component. In this study, trichloroethylene (TCE) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) were treated in a highly heterogeneous hydrogeologic setting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential for compound-specific stable isotope analysis (CSIA) to monitor the effectiveness of ZVI injection by assessing TCE and 1,1,1-TCA degradation. Prior to ZVI injection, carbon isotope measurements demonstrated biodegradation of TCE by native microorganisms. This in situ biodegradation was quantified by measuring the enrichment of ¹³C in TCE samples downstream of the suspected source. When ZVI was injected through only two injection wells, no changes in TCE and 1,1,1-TCA isotope signatures were detected compared to preinjection values. In contrast, when ZVI was injected through 11 wells covering a greater portion of the contaminated area, 5 out of 10 monitoring wells showed further enrichment of ¹³C in either TCE or 1,1,1-TCA, indicating additional target compound transformation. The abiotic nature of this TCE transformation was confirmed through temporal trends in carbon isotope values of the putative transformation products cis-dichloroethylene (cis-DCE), ethene and ethane. This demonstrates the usefulness of CSIA in distinguishing abiotic vs. biotic transformation in the field.     

Penetrometry of granular and moist planetary surface materials: Application to the Huygens landing site on Titan

The Huygens probe landed on the then unknown surface of Titan in January 2005. A small, protruding penetrometer, part of the Surface Science Package (SSP), was pushed into the surface material measuring the mechanical resistance of the ground as the probe impacted the landing site. We present laboratory penetrometry into room temperature surface analogue materials using a replica penetrometer to investigate further the nature of Titan’s surface and examine the sensor’s capabilities. The results are then compared to the flight instrument’s signature and suggest the Titan surface substrate material consists of sand-sized particles with a mean grain size ～2 mm. A possible thin 7 mm coating with mechanical properties similar to terrestrial snow may overlie this substrate, although due to the limited data we are unable to detect any further layering or grading within the near-surface material. The unusual weakening with depth of the signature returned from Titan has, to date, only been reproduced using a damp sand target that becomes progressively wetter with depth, and supports the suggestion that the surface may consist of a damp and cohesive material with interstitial liquid contained between its grains. Comparison with terrestrial analogues highlights the unusual nature of the landing site material.     

Water level and atmospheric humidity history of Lake Ichkeul (northern Tunisia) during the last 3000 years

Changes in paleoecology and climate of northern Tunisia during the last 3000 years were reconstructed based on the flood history interpreted from a 172-cm sediment core of Lake Ichkeul (NW Tunisia). Seven wet/dry episodes were identified based on biological (ostracods, foraminifera and mollusks) and biotic indices (H and E index, species richness and abundance). These proxy-based environmental changes were supported by correspondence analyses (CAs) and ecophenotypic responses of the brackish taxon Cyprideis torosa in addition to a grain-size study. Two dry episodes were identified in the lower (EP1) and upper (EP7) parts of the core. These were marked by the dominance of the brackish ostracod C. torosa. High water salinity was indicated by the presence of the brackish ostracod Loxoconcha elliptica, the foraminifer Ammonia sp. and lagoonal mollusks. The occurrence of the freshwater ostracods Ilyocypris sp., Herpetocypris sp., Dawinula stevensoni and Limnocythere inopinata was associated with high species richness and ecophenotypic changes of C. torosa valves indicating lower salinity during three major wet episodes (EP2, EP4, and EP6). The ecological and environmental changes, occurring between 3050 and 50 cal. year BP, are most likely linked to an increase of fluvial inputs which are also recognized in several other Mediterranean lakes. The humid episodes were interrupted by two saline periods (EP3 and EP5) during which freshwater ostracod assemblages declined, diversity indices dropped to the lowest values, and fine-grained sediments became dominant. The top of the core is characterized by the remarkable dominance of L. elliptica coupled with C. torosa, the absence of freshwater ostracods, and the changes in grain-size sediment parameters which are most likely the result of anthropogenic activities. The changes in hydrochemistry and sedimentology were attributed to the deepening of the Bizerte navigation canal, main wadis damming, and Tinja sluice construction which mostly occurred in the XX^th century.     

Relative importance of ozone energy transfer processes in the middle and upper atmosphere

The relative importance of different processes and transitions in the appearance of non-LTE populations for the fundamental levels of ozone was studied by quantifying the kinetic law of every process and transition that affect each level population. The vibrational temperatures and the relative contribution of every transition are presented as a function of altitude. The results show that the appearance of non-LTE populations for the fundamental levels is not produced by a direct imbalance between absorption and emission but as a consequence of imbalanced collisional transitions provoked by the overpopulation of O₃(0 v₂ 0) levels. This fact confirms that the relaxation cascade drives through the bending mode ν₂.