Distribution of secondary minerals in crusts developed on sandstone exposures

Previous research on rock weathering crusts has revealed their large variability depending on the type of host rocks and development of weathering processes. The composition of crusts developed on natural sandstone exposures is less documented in the literature in comparison to those developed on architectonic stones. In both cases, previous research has focused mainly on the progress of salt weathering. This study considers the surfaces of sandstone tors in the Polish Outer Carpathians. The exposed parts of the rocks in this area are often covered by crust, which is up to several centimetres thick, and differs from the internal part in colour and composition. The crusts were characterized using light and electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, thermal analyses, Mössbauer spectroscopy, bulk chemical analyses and sequential chemical extractions. Porosity was estimated by digital image processing. The following two hardened zones were observed: (1) thin (up to 30 µm), black, external layer, rich in carbon and composed of opal‐type silica, covered in places by sulphate incrustations and numerous spherical particles of anthropogenic origin; (2) thicker (up to several millimetres), internal part composed of a set of laminae of variable colouration, enriched in iron (oxyhydr)oxides (goethite and hematite) in comparison to the rock interior. Development of the crust results from silicon and iron redistribution during the sandstone alteration. The chief source of silica is hydrolysis of aluminosilicates, whilst that of iron is decomposition of aluminosilicates, carbonates and sulphides. Hematite is probably a result of goethite transformation. However, air pollutants may play an important role in the formation of sulphates. Silica and iron compounds affect the properties of the rock, hardening the surface and lowering porosity by formation of secondary cement. Crystallization of sulphate salts, in turn, may contribute to mechanical disintegration of the rock. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies of aerosol optical depth with the use of Microtops II sun photometers and MODIS detectors in coastal areas of the Baltic Sea

In this paper we describe the results of a research campaign dedicated to the studies of aerosol optical properties in different regions of both the open Baltic Sea and its coastal areas. During the campaign we carried out simultaneous measurements of aerosol optical depth at 4 stations with the use of the hand-held Microtops II sun photometers. The studies were complemented with aerosol data provided by the MODIS. In order to obtain the full picture of aerosol situation over the study area, we added to our analyses the air mass back-trajectories at various altitudes as well as wind fields. Such complex information facilitated proper conclusions regarding aerosol optical depth and Ångström exponent for the four locations and discussion of the changes of aerosol properties with distance and with changes of meteorological factors. We also show that the Microtops II sun photometers are reliable instruments for field campaigns. They are easy to operate and provide good quality results.     

Clustering of mining-induced seismic events in equivalent dimension spaces

High energy release during seismic events induced by mining operation is one of the major dangers perturbing production in underground mines. In this work, temporal changes of seismic event parameters for one of the Rudna Mine (Poland) panels are investigated. The study aim was to find whether the temporal clustering of smaller events in different parameters can be observed before and after the high energy events (M_l?≥?3) in the mining panel. The method chosen for analysis was the study of temporal variation of fractal dimension of the seismic events parameter sets composed from: the interevent epicentral distance (dr), logarithm of seismic energy (lE), and interevent energy coefficient (dlE), which is the absolute difference between logarithms of energy of two consecutive events. Temporal variations study was performed in equivalent dimension (ED) space. The transformation of the seismic source parameters into ED space allowed to estimate and compare the temporal changes of the fractal dimension of different parameter spaces using the same method—correlation fractal dimension, and then easily compare the obtained temporal changes of fractal dimension of different parameter sets. The effect of grouping is expressed by decrease of fractal dimension, which is connected with the similarity of events parameter values. The temporal changes of the fractal dimension of seismicity before the strong induced events would indicate some initiation phase of the process leading to the high energy release. In the case of the studied Rudna Mine panel, the temporal behavior of the fractal dimension values in different parameter spaces before seismic events showed significant changes before three out of four events with CLVD dominant source mechanisms.     

Application of Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves to S-Phase Wave Anisotropy Estimation

The Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) is an increasingly used technique for recognition of a shallow geological structure and estimation of geotechnical parameters, e.g., S-wave velocity, layer density, layer thickness, shear modulus, estimated P-wave velocity, and estimated Poisson ratio. MASW surveys were carried out in two limestone quarries in the southern part of Poland. The experimental areas are characterised by a simple geological structure: consolidated Triassic limestone. Measurement profiles were arranged as a shapely six-pointed star. For each survey line, 12 geophones with 2-meter (Deposit 1) and 3-meter (Deposit 2) spacing were applied. The research allowed to compare P- and S-wave velocity changes with the main crack systems in the studied rock masses.     

Erroneous GNSS Strain Rate Patterns and their Application to Investigate the Tectonic Credibility of GNSS Velocities

The paper concerns investigation of the credibility of tectonic interpretation of GNSS strain rates. The analysis was focused on stable regions, where the crustal deformations are small and the reliability of GNSS velocities is questionable. We are showing how the unreliable motion of stations affects calculated strains around them. We expressed distribution of local principal strains by a sinusoidal function and used them to investigate the significance of strain distortion. Then we used this method to investigate real motions of GNSS stations. As a test object we used Polish GNSS stations belonging to the ASG-EUPOS network. Station velocities were estimated on the basis of the 4.5 years of observations. The results let us identify stations that disturb the obtained local GNSS strain rate field. After verification and exclusion of some stations, the new GNSS strains show a much greater internal compatibility and also better fit to the directions of lithosphere stresses.     

The influence of meander bend evolution on the formation of multiple cutoffs: findings inferred from floodplain architecture and bend geometry

The evolution of meander bends and formation of cutoffs, including a series of cutoffs developed simultaneously in a number of bends, have been investigated by many researchers. However, relatively little is known about factors that lead to the development of multiple cutoffs that are formed subsequently at one location. The present study aims to determine the influence of meander bend development on multiple chute cutoff formation in a single bend. The research is based on the sedimentary record of meander migration and cutoffs preserved in a lowland river floodplain (the lower Obra River, Poland). Analysis of changes in meander geometry was conducted to describe the influence of their migration on cutoff formation and in other rivers where multiple cutoffs occurred. The results showed that multiple cutoffs in the lower Obra River have occurred during the last 3000 years, owing to the interaction of upstream and downstream controls: migration of meander bends in opposing directions accompanied by an increase of flood frequency and sediment supply. The flow and sediment supply has been further altered since the nineteenth century due to anthropogenic impacts: an artificial cutoff of the downstream bend and elevation of channel levées. Similar mechanisms driving the formation of multiple cutoff have been found in other river courses, despite significantly higher energy of the compared rivers. Moreover, development of a confined‐shape bend (caused by artificial barrier or autogenic bend behaviour) may also favour the formation of multiple cutoffs. However, counter migration of meanders enhanced by increased flood frequency and sediment supply are primary triggers for such events. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tidal Heating and Convection in the Medium Sized Icy Satellites

Surface features of some icy satellites indicate that the satellites are modified due to the internally driven tectonic activity. Convection could be one of the processes responsible for the formation of the surface features. The potential sources of energy inside the satellites are discussed. For the medium sized icy satellites the radiogenic and tidal heat sources seem to be of primary importance. To investigate the problem, a 3D model of convection is developed based on the Navier–Stokes equation, the equation of thermal conductivity, the equation of continuity, and the equation of state. The model includes both the tidal and the radiogenic heating. It can be applied to the homogeneous, non-differentiated medium sized satellites. The 3D formulae for tidal heat generation and stress tensor based on the results of Peale and Cassen (1978) and others are applied. A new dimensionless number C _t is introduced. It measures the relative importance of tidal and radiogenic heat sources. The systematic investigation of the steady-state convection is performed for different values of the Rayleigh number and for 0C _t 1. The results indicate that the convection pattern for low Rayleigh number driven by tidal heating in the medium sized icy satellites consists of two cells. The pattern of tidally driven convection is oriented, that is, the regions of downward motion are situated at the center of the near- and of the far-side of the satellite.     

Resik: A Bent Crystal X-ray Spectrometer for Studies of Solar Coronal Plasma Composition

We describe the RESIK (REntgenovsky Spektrometr s Izognutymi Kristalami) instrument, consisting of two double-channel X-ray spectrometers, designed to observe solar active region and flare plasmas. RESIK is one of the instruments making up the scientific payload of the Russian CORONAS-F solar mission. The uncollimated spectrometer uses two silicon and two quartz bent crystals observing flare, active region and coronal spectra in four wavelength bands with a resolving power (/ ) of 1000. The wavelength coverage, 3.3–6.1 Å, includes emission lines of Si, S, Cl, Ar, and K and in the third diffraction order, the wavelength range includes He-like Fe lines (1.85 Å) and Ni lines (1.55 Å) with dielectronic satellites, emitted during intense, hot flares. The instrument is believed to be the best calibrated space-borne crystal spectrometer flown to date. The spectrometer dynamically adjusts the data gathering intervals from 1 s to 5 minutes, depending on the level of solar X-ray emission at the time of observation. The principal aims of RESIK are the measurements of relative and absolute element abundances in the emitting plasma and the temperature distribution of plasma (differential emission measure) over the temperature interval 3 and 50 MK. This paper summarizes the scientific objectives of RESIK and describes the design, characteristics, and performance of the instrument.