The enigma of the Uranian satellites' orbital eccentricities

Using recently published determinations of the diameters and orbital elements of the uranian satellites and assuming reasonable dissipation functions and rigidities for icy satellites, the eccentricity decay times for the satellites were calculated. For the inner three, decay times are on the order of 10⁷–10⁸ years, making it difficult to understand why these satellites still have their observed eccentricities. The three inner satellites have a near-commensurability in their mean motions that may be able to force their eccentricities at some time in the future, but cannot force them now. Several possible explanations exist: (1) The reported eccentricities are incorrect, and are in fact near-zero. (2) The reported mean motions are incorrect, and an exact commensurability exists. (3) The physical properties that we have assumed for the satellites are grossly in error (e.g., dissipation function Q is in reality very large). (4) The system is evolving very rapidly, perhaps from a previous state of higher eccentricity. Cases 1 and 2 are unlikely when one considers the quality of existing data. Case 3 would be more consistent with non-icy compositions. Cases 2 and 4 would imply some tidal heating of the satellites, particularly Ariel. A new lower bound of ～ 1.7 × 10⁴ on the Q of Uranus is calculated from the mass of Ariel and its proximity to Uranus.     

Remote sensing of lunar pyroclastic mantling deposits

Mantling deposits on the Moon are considered to be pyroclastic units emplaced on the lunar surface as a result of explosive fire fountaining. These pyroclastic units are characterized as having low albedos, having smooth fine-textured surfaces, and consisting in part of homogeneous, Febearing volcanic glass and partially crystallized spheres. Mantling units exhibit low returns on depolarized 3.8-cm radar maps, indicating an absence of surface scatterers in the 1- to 50-cm-size range. A number of reflectance spectra from several regional pyroclastic deposits are presented for the first time; these data support a previous interpretation that mantling units have a unique spectral signature which is indicative of the presence of a significant Fe-bearing volcanic glass component. The Rima Bode region is discussed as an example of an area in which several types of remote sensing data (including 3.8-cm radar, spectral reflectance, and multispectral vidicon data) were used to reconstruct the geologic events surrounding the emplacement of a regional pyroclastic mantling deposit. The recognition of numerous varieties of volcanic glass samples, especially relatively high-albedo (e.g., green, yellow) glasses, suggests the existence of additional, unrecognized mantling deposits with albedos higher than those studied to date. On the basis of the remote sensing data summarized and presented, five new areas have been identified which may represent higher-albedo regional pyroclastic deposits.     

ELECTROLYTIC CORROSION OF IRON METEORITES

Six iron meteorites were electrolyzed and the resulting corrosion was studied by a potentiostatic technique. It was found that both iron and nickel in the kamacite phase dissolve, and that neither iron nor nickel dissolve from taenite. The rate of corrosion was shown to be inversely proportional to the nickel content. However, structure, as well as nickel content, plays an important part in the electrolytic process. The Coya Norte, Chile meteorite dissolved more rapidly and more easily (at a lower potential) than did pure iron even though the Coya Norte meteorite contains 5.5% nickel.     

The structural and geochemical evolution of the Singhbhum granite batholithic complex, India

The Singhbhum granite batholithic complex of eastern India is composed mainly of (a) the Older Metamorphic Group, tonalite (-trondhjemite) gneiss (OMTG, 3800 Ma old), whch intruded synkinematically into the enveloping Older Metamorphic Group (OMG, > 3800 Ma old) and (b) the Singhbhum granite (SBG) consisting of three distinct but closely related phases of at least twelve separate magmatic units of granodiorite-granite (2950 Ma old), and a number of patches of granitised OMG orthoamphibolites. Geochemical studies including REE and LIL elements suggest that (a) the OMG orthoamphibolites were derived either by re-melting of a K-poor basalt (LKT) or of mantle peridotite with high concentration of LIL elements, (b) the OMG tonalite was derived by partial melting of amphibolite and (c) the Singhbhum granite magmas appear to have formed in two distinct modes: (i) partial melting of amphibolite for the magmas of phases I and II and (ii) partial melting of a siliceous, garnet-bearing granulite for magmas of the phase III units.     

An ion microprobe study of the partitioning of trace elements between clinopyroxene and liquid in the system diopside-albite-anorthite

The partitioning of trace elements (Sc, Ti, Sr and Sm) between diopsidic clinopyroxene and liquid was studied experimentally in the system diopside-albite-anorthite at 1250°C, 1300°C and 1345°C at 1 atm. Twelve different bulk compositions were selected to study the effects of temperature and chemical composition. A Cameca ion microprobe was used to determine trace element concentrations in both clinopyroxene and liquid. Experiments of different run duration $\text{1}\text{4}\text{8}\text{?}$ days) showed that equilibrium was approached in less than 4 days at 1275°C. Equilibrium was also evaluated by a reversal run. A series of runs of constant bulk composition but with variable trace element contents showed that Henry's Law was obeyed over concentration ranges of the trace elements similar to those encountered in natural systems. The partition coefficients show significant ranges: Sc, 0.345~2.61; Ti, 0.084~0.214; Sr, 0.075~0.136; Sm, 0.054~0.328; the values are comparable with those obtained experimentally by other investigators. The partition coefficients vary as a function of both temperature and chemical composition. The experimental results are discussed in terms of exchange equilibria using the Bottinga-Weill silicate melt model. It is demonstrated that analytical uncertainties of both major and trace elements play an important role in understanding trace element exchange equilibria; propagation of analytical errors in the thermodynamic treatment is equally important.     

Cadmium in tissues of lobsters captured near a lead smelter

Cadmium distribution among tissues of lobsters (Homarus americanus) from Belledune Harbour near a lead smelter was determined and compared with that of lobsters from uncontaminated areas of Stonehaven, N.B., Canada and from Maine, USA. The hepatopancreas contained more than 90% of the body burden of cadmium. High concentrations of cadmium were also present in green glands and gills. Cadmium concentrations in the hepatopancreas, gills, and green glands were correlated with the concentrations in most of the other tissues.     

IIb trioctahedral chlorite from the Barberton greenstone belt: crystal structure and rock composition constraints with implications to geothermometry

IIb trioctahedral chlorite in the Barberton greenstone belt (BGB) metavolcanic rocks was formed during pervasive greenschist metamorphism. The chem‐ical composition of the chlorite is highly variable, with the Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio ranging from 0.12 to 0.8 among 53 samples. The chemical variation of the chlorite results from the chemical diversity of the host rock, especially the MgO content of the rock, but major details of the variation pattern of the chlorite are due to the crystal structure of the chlorite. All major cation abundances in the chlorite are strongly correlated with each other. Sil‐icon increases with Mg and decreases with Fe, while Al^IV and Al^VI decrease with Mg and increase with Fe²⁺. A complex exchange vector explains over 90% of the chlorite compositional variation: Mg₄SiFe²⁺ ₋₃Al^VI ₋₁ Al^IV ₋₁, which has 3 parts Fe-Mg substitution coupled with one part tschermakite substitution. This ratio is required to maintain the charge and site balances and the dimensional fit between the tetrahedral and octahedral sheets. The subtle change in Al substitution in chlorite implies that Al^VI is preferentially ordered in the M(4) site, and about 84% of the Al^VI present is in the M(4) sites when they are nearly filled with Al^VI. Based on 47 analyzed chlorite-bearing rock samples, chlorite (Chl) composition is strongly correlated with the MgO content of the host rock. Calculated correlation coefficients are +0.91 for SiO_2Chl-MgO_Rock, −0.87 for Al₂O_3Chl-MgO_Rock, +0.89 for MgO_Chl-MgO_Rock, and −0.85 for FeO_Chl-MgO_Rock. Only weak correlations have been found between chlorite oxides and other oxides of rock (between same oxides in chlorite and rock: SiO₂−0.67, Al₂O₃ + 0.59, FeO −0.41). However, MgO_Chl is saturated at about 36 wt% in rocks that have MgO above 22 wt%.The MgO_Chl is about 5 wt% when the host rock approaches 0 wt% of MgO. This implies that Mg substituting into the chlorite is approximately limited to 1.5–9.2 Mg atoms per formula unit and 1.0–3.2 Al^IV. Chlorite geothermometers can not be applied to all BGB samples. However, the empirical chlorite geothermometer based on Al^IV of chlorite may be applicable to chlorites formed under metamorphic conditions because it can predict the chemical composition of the chlorite from basaltic and dacitic samples in this study. An estimated temperature of about 320°C for the greenschist metamorphism of the greenstone belt through this geothermometer is consistent with that obtained by other geothermometers. Received: 22 January 1996 / Accepted: 15 August 1996     

On the habitability of Europa

It has recently been suggested that tidal and radiogenic heating of Europa has led to formation and maintenance of a liquid water ocean overlain by a thin ice crust (S. W. Squyres, R. T. Reynolds, P. M. Cassen, and S. J. Peale (1983). Nature301, 225–226). The present work examines the environmental consequences of such a model with regard to the possible existence on Europa of regions that could satisfy the basic requirements for the survival of known organisms. Appropriate temperatures and long-term environmental stability are implied by the ocean model. The presence of necessary biogenic elements is assumed based on the expected origin of the ocean. The availability of biologically useful energy is assumed to be the principal limiting factor for life on Europa. Possible electrical, thermal, and chemical energy sources are discussed. Calculated resurfacing rates for the active crust model are used to estimate the quantity of photosynthetically active radiation that might reach the proposed ocean through crustal fractures. The amount of biomass that this energy could support, based on Antartic microorganism analogs, is estimated and discussed. Although these calculations cannot determine whether life forms exist or could exist on Europa, they do suggest that there may be regions on Europa, very limited on both space and time, with physical conditions that are within the range of adaptation of life on Earth.