Crystal field spectra and jahn teller effect of Mn3+ in clinopyroxene and clinoamphiboles from India

Blanfordite (I), winchite (II), and juddite (III), all showing vivid colors and pleochroism, from highly oxidized parageneses of Indian gondites were studied by microprobe, Mössbauer, and microscope-spectrophotometric techniques and by X-ray structure refinements. The compositions of the Mn-bearing minerals were close to diopsideacmite (I) and magnesio-arfvedsonite to magnesio-riebeckite (II and III). Transition metal ions are located inM(1)-octahedra (I) or predominantlyM(2)-octahedra (II, III). Mössbauer spectra of⁵⁷Fe(IS, ΔE _Q) are typical of octahedral Fe³⁺ only. Polarized absorption spectra in the UV/VIS/NIR ranges explain color and pleochroism of the minerals. The position of the UV-“edge” is correlated with Fe³⁺-contents of the minerals, except for judditeE ∥Z, where the edge shows an unusual low energy position. This is most likely due to Mie-scattering of submicroscopic inclusions of braunite with nearly uniform dimensions. In the VIS range, the spectra are dominated by a complex band system between 15,000 and 20,000 cm^?1. Energies and ?-values of component bands are compatible with those of Mn³⁺ d-d transitions in other Mn³⁺-bearing silicates. The polarization behavior of component bands can best be explained by aC ₂(C2″) symmetry of the crystal field. The Jahn-Teller splitting (<9,000 cm^?1) of the⁵ E _g ground state of Mn³⁺ inO _h crystal fields is appreciably smaller than in other Mn³⁺-silicates. Crystal field parameters 10Dq, (I) 13,650, (II) ca. 11,640, and (III) 11,925 cm^?1, are near to that in piemontite. The crystal field stabilization energy of Mn³⁺, (I) 146, (II) ca. 140, (III) 142 \({{{\text{kJ}}} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{{\text{kJ}}} {\text{g}}}} \right. \kern-0em} {\text{g}}}{\text{ - atom}}_{{\text{Mn}}^{{\text{3 + }}} } \) , is appreciably smaller than that found in other Mn³⁺-silicates (piemontites and manganian andalusites, viridines and kanonaite).     

Search for strange attractors in magnetic field data: An example from a tertiary volcanic area near Bonn, Germany

Spatial variations of the magnetic field, measured at the Earth's surface, are mainly due to geological inhomogeneities within the crust. The present state of the crust, in turn, reflects its past dynamical processes and evolution. We analyzed the magnetic field intensity along a few but densely sampled profiles in a Tertiary volcanic province near Bonn, Germany. The aim was to find out whether the variation of the magnetic intensity can be related to a deterministic, although chaotic, generating system or to a stochastic one. In the former case, the geodynamical history would depend on a few degrees of freedom, whereas in the latter case, the parameters to take into account were so many that a statistic approach appears to be more suitable. Since strange attractors do not emerge from the analyzed data, we exclude the presence of a chaos generating system. Autocorrelation functions and a rescaled-range analysis, on the other hand, reveal and quantify a certain degree of correlation among successive data points and allow calculation of a range of spectral exponents in log-log diagrams, which are clearly distinct from those of white noise and Brownian motion. Only one of the profiles exhibits similarity to uncorrelated or white noise. In this case, the signal variations do not result from the local geology but from a buried gas pipe-line, aligned subparallel to that profile. If self-organized crustal evolution generally produces signatures that can be described as correlated noise, within a limited bandwidth of spectral exponents, erraneous or disturbed data could eventually be discriminated from records containing purely natural data by applying analysis tools of the dynamic system theory together with autocorrelation tests.     

Image processing of explosive activity at Stromboli

A new way to study the dynamics of explosive behaviour at different vents of Stromboli volcano is proposed. The method is based on computer processing of images taken by an infrared film camera, at a rate of 4 pictures per second. Each picture has been digitized by use of an image scanner with a 75 d.p.i. (dots per inch) resolution and 256 levels of gray, then processed and the total mass of the ejected material has been calculated for each photograph. With this procedure the flux of ejected matter throughout every single explosive event has been reconstructed. The analysis of trajectories made on adequate samples of ejecta has allowed us to evaluate the ejection velocity. The mode of the mass flux distribution and the mean value of the velocities calculated for individual particles quantify the kinetic energy of an explosion. Vents nos. 1 and 3, which remained active after the last effusive eruption of 1985–1986, show several explosive patterns, the energy of which is measured. The observed flux distributions have been checked both numerically and experimentally by modelling impulsive events.The computer simulations of the mass distributions have allowed us to speculate on the possible explosive dynamisms. Two different models have been used: a single impulse model confirms the behaviour actually shown by one of the two vents, while the behaviour of the other is better depicted by a cumulative trend of successive impulses in rhythmic sequence.Moreover, through the experimental approach we have had the opportunity to test the overall resolution of the method.The observed matter flux distribution has then been associated to the seismic signals in order to correlate the dynamics involved in the explosions with the seismic source mechanisms.     

Molecular abundances and nucleation in protostellar envelopes

This work is basically concerned with grain nucleation occurring in protostellar envelopes. On the basis of the dissociation equilibrium theory, molecular and atomic abundances are obtained for massive protostar envelopes. Application of time-independent homogeneous nucleation theory results in the possibility of atomic Fe condensation.     

Clinopyroxenes from mantle-related xenocrysts in alkaline basalts from Hannuoba (China): augite–pigeonite exsolutions and their thermal significance

Optically homogeneous augite xenocrysts, closely associated with spinel–peridotite nodules, occur in alkali basalts from Hannuoba (Hebei province, China). They were studied by electron and X-ray diffraction to define the occurrence and significance of pigeonite exsolution microtextures. Sub-calcic augite (Wo₃₄) exsolved into En_62–62Fs_25–21Wo_13–17 pigeonite and En_46–45Fs_14–14Wo_40–42 augite, as revealed by TEM through diffuse coarser (001) lamellae (100–300 Å) and only incipient (100) thinner ones (<70 Å). C2/c augite and P2₁/c pigeonite lattices, measured by CCD-XRD, relate through a(Aug)?a(Pgt), b(Aug)?b(Pgt), c(Aug)≠c(Pgt) [5.278(1) vs 5.189(1)Å] and β(Aug)≠β(Pgt) [106.55(1) vs 108.55(2)°]. Cell and site volumes strongly support the hypothesis that the augite xenocrysts crystallised at mantle depth from alkaline melts. After the augite xenocrysts entered the magma, (001) lamellae first formed by spinodal decomposition at a T_min of about 1,100 °C, and coarsened during very rapid transport to the surface; in a later phase, possibly on cooling, incipient (100) lamellae then formed.     

Pedogeochemical models on prognosis and control of radon fluxes from humid tropical landscapes over granite

The principal relationships between radon (²²²Rn and ²²⁰Rn) exhalation intensities and the morpho-dynamic elements of humid tropical landscapes have been established and analyzed with the objective of elaborating Rn exhalation models, which can be used on the scale of small habitational nuclei. The current radioactive processes of generation, emanation and migration of Rn, in relation to its exhalation rates on a landscape slope of granitic rock having normal U and Th contents, were correlated with the latosol-podzolic soil association developed as a product of supergene processes during geological and pedological times and also with the water regime of an overlying phreatic aquifer. This approach, encompassing pedogeochemical models of radionuclide dispersion linked to soil systems and surface geochemistry, was framed within a tridimensional, interdisciplinary and systemic focus, using concepts of nuclear physics, climate and hydrogeology. The characteristic signatures of elementary landscapes include (1) different landforms, namely eluvial, transeluvial and superaqual, (2) residual soils having varying types, thicknesses and perma-porosities and (3) radioanomalies corresponding to different U and Th concentrations, secondary hosting minerals and also to different pedological ages. Considering these factors and their spatial relationships and on the basis of moisture content of soils, it is postulated that the highest Rn exhalation rates, especially of ²²²Rn, are confined to superaqual and transeluvial landscapes. In an eluvial landscape, the Rn fluxes are found to be less important even though gamma anomalies exist mainly due to the presence of resistant minerals containing U and Th. In short, the products of supergene alteration organized in a sloping system can exhibit Rn exhaling intensities higher than that measured on unaltered subjacent rock. Hence, the understanding of U, Th, Ra and Rn behavior on a surface environment is fundamental for the formulation of prognostic Rn exhalation models associated with the elementary humid tropical landscapes. Further, the pedogeochemical information provides important clues supplementing the lithostructural data for delineating preferential sites of Rn fluxes especially on scales compatible to small habitational nuclei or unitary dwellings.     

Chromian spinel in the Ivrea-Verbano layered igneous complex,western Alps,Italy

Summary Spinel occurs in the pyroxenitic, peridotitic and gabbroic layers of the Ivrea-Verbano layered igneous complex. Its composition varies between picotite and Mg-hercynite. Maximum Cr₂O₃ contents are found in the spinels of the dunitic cumulitic layers occurring at some height above the base of the complex. Chromium deposits are absent. The lack of chromite and of chromium deposits is attributed to the early fractionation of clinopyroxene (which depleted the residual liquid in chromium) instead of olivine, as a consequence of the relatively high pressure prevailing during crystallization (8 kb). The relationships betweenfO₂-composition of spinel-composition of the silicate phases indicate thatfO₂ exerted a major control on the internal stratigraphy of the single layers and on the pattern of fractionation. The variation offO₂ are on their turn related to accidental variations of the pressure acting on the magma.It is finally suggested that chromium deposits are limited to low pressure layered intrusions, where the magma has been emplaced rapidly into a shallow magma chamber. No chromium concentration is to be expected in those complexes that crystallized into deep-seated magma chambers and that fractionated at relatively high pressure, not markedly different from that at which the magma was produced. One of the major controls on the presence of chromium deposits results, therefore, to be the geotectonic environment of intrusion.

---

Chrom-Spinell im geschichteten vulkanischen Komplex von Ivrea-Verbano, Westalpen, Italien

Zusammenfassung Für die Spinelle der Pyroxenit-, Peridotit- und Gabbro-Lagen des Ivrea-Verbano-Intrusivkomplexes wurde eine Zusammensetzung im Bereich Picotit und Mg-Herzynit bestimmt. Die Dunit-Lagen im basalen Anteil des Komplexes führen Spinelie mit Cr₂O₃-Gehalten bis zu 30 Gew-%. Chromerz-Konzentrationen fehlen jedoch, was auf die fraktionierte Kristallisation von Klinopyroxen (und Entstehung Cr-Restschmelzen) an Stelle von Olivin, als Folge der bei relativ hohem Druck (8 kbar) erfolgten Intrusion, zurückzuführen ist. Die Beziehungen zwischen Sauerstoffpartialdruck und Spinell- und Silikat-Zusammensetzung zeigen den bedeutendenfO₂-Einfluß auf den stratigraphischen Aufbau der einzelnen Gesteinslagen und auf die fraktionierenden Kristallisationsvorgänge. Die schwankendenfO₂-Werter stehen in Zusammenhang mit den ebenfalls variierenden auf das Magma wirkenden Drücken.Es ist anzunehmen, daß Chromerzkonzentrationen nur in geschichteten Intrusivkomplexen vorkommen, die sich unter niederem Druck bzw. in einer oberflächennahen Magma-Kammer bildeten, und nicht in jenen, die tiefer intrudierten und bei hohem Druck kristallisierten. Von großer Bedeutung für die Bildung von Chromerzlagerstätten ist also das geotektonische Milieu der Intrusion.

---

---

With 7 Figures     

Physical investigation of the potentially hazardous Asteroid (144898) 2004 VD17

In this paper we present the observational campaign carried out at ESO NTT and VLT in April and May 2006 to investigate the nature and the structure of the near-Earth object (144898) 2004 VD17. In spite of a great quantity of dynamical information, according to which it will have a close approach with the Earth in the next century, the physical properties of this asteroid are largely unknown. We performed visible and near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy, as well as polarimetric observations. Polarimetric and spectroscopic data allowed us to classify 2004 VD17 as an E-type asteroid. A good agreement was also found with the spectrum of the aubrite meteorite Mayo Belwa. On the basis of the polarimetric albedo (pv=0.45) and of photometric data, we estimated a diameter of about 320 m and a rotational period of about 2 h. The analysis of the results obtained by our complete survey have shown that (144898) 2004 VD17 is a peculiar NEO, since it is close to the breakup limits for fast rotator asteroids, as defined by Pravec and Harris [Pravec, P., Harris, A.W., 2000. Icarus 148, 12-20]. These results suggest that a more robust structure must be expected, as a fractured monolith or a rubble pile in a “strength regime” [Holsapple, K.A., 2002. Speed limits of rubble pile asteroids: Even fast rotators can be rubble piles. In: Workshop on Scientific Requirements for Mitigation of Hazardous Comets and Asteroids, Washington, September, 2002].     

A comparative analysis of three habitat suitability models for commercial yield estimation of Tapes philippinarum in a North Adriatic coastal lagoon (Sacca di Goro, Italy)

Habitat Suitability (HS) models have been extensively used by conservation planners to estimate the spatial distribution of threatened species and of species of commercial interest. In this work we compare three HS models for the estimation of commercial yield potential and the identification of suitable sites for Tapes philippinarum rearing in the Sacca di Goro lagoon (Italy) on the basis of six environmental factors. The habitat suitability index (HSI) is based on expert opinion while the habitat suitability conditional (HSC) is calibrated on observational data. The habitat suitability mixed (HSM) model is a two-part model combining expert knowledge and regression analysis: the first component of the model uses logistic regression to identify the areas in which clams are likely to be present; the second part applies the same parameter-specific suitability functions of the HSI model only in the areas previously identified as productive by the logistic component. The HS models were validated on an independent data set and estimates of potential yield of the Goro lagoon were compared. The effectiveness of the three approaches is then discussed in terms of predicted yield and identification of suitable sites for farming.