Analisi periodale della serie pluviometrica di Mantova (1841–1941)

Riassunto Alla serie dei valori annui delle precipitazioni atmosferiche avute a Mantova dal 1841 al 1941 si applica l'analisi periodale del Vercelli. Si ottengono onde componenti quasi-periodiche e quasi-persistenti di anni 34, 21, 16.5, 11.4, 8, 5.6, 4.4, 3, 2. Le onde trovate si confrontano con quelle corrispondenti di Trieste e Padova.

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Summary To the series of yearly values of rainfall happened in Mantua from 1841 to 1941 has been applied the periodal analysis after the method of Vercelli. From this are derived compounded waves almost periodical and almost persistent of 34, 21, 16.5, 11.4, 8, 5.6, 4.2, 3, 2 years. The waves found by these means are compared with the corresponding ones of Triest and Padua.

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Zusammenfassung An Hand der jährlichen Werte der Niederschläge, welche in Mantua von 1841 bis 1941 gefallen sind, wird die Vercelli Periodal-Analyse angewendet. Man erhält fast-periodische und fast-beständige Komponentewellen, die Perioden von 34, 21, 16.5, 11.4, 8, 5.6, 4.4, 3, 2 Jahre haben. Die gefundenen Komponenten werden mit den entsprechenden Wellen von Triest und Padua verglichen.

     

The role of magma mixing/mingling and cumulate melting in the Neapolitan Yellow Tuff caldera-forming eruption (Campi Flegrei,Southern Italy)

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the generation of chemical gradients in high-volume ignimbrites is key to retrieve information on the processes that control the maturation and eruption of large silicic magmatic reservoirs. Over the last 60 ky, two large ignimbrites showing remarkable zoning were emplaced during caldera-forming eruptions at Campi Flegrei (i.e., Campanian Ignimbrite, CI, ~?39 ka and Neapolitan Yellow Tuff, NYT, ~?15 ka). While the CI displays linear compositional, thermal and crystallinity gradients, the NYT is a more complex ignimbrite characterized by crystal-poor magmas ranging in composition from trachy-andesites to phonolites. By combining major and trace element compositions of matrix glasses and mineral phases from juvenile clasts located at different stratigraphic heights along the NYT pyroclastic sequence, we interpret such compositional gradients as the result of mixing/mingling between three different magmas: (1) a resident evolved magma showing geochemical characteristics of a melt extracted from a cumulate mush dominated by clinopyroxene, plagioclase and oxides with minor sanidine and biotite; (2) a hotter and more mafic magma from recharge providing high-An plagioclase and high-Mg clinopyroxene crystals and (3) a compositionally intermediate magma derived from remelting of low temperature mineral phases (i.e., sanidine and biotite) within the cumulate crystal mush. We suggest that the presence of a refractory crystal mush, as documented by the occurrence of abundant crystal clots containing clinopyroxene, plagioclase and oxides, is the main reason for the lack of erupted crystal-rich material in the NYT. A comparison between the NYT and the CI, characterized by both crystal-poor extracted melts and crystal-rich magmas representing remobilized portions of a “mature” (i.e., sanidine dominated) cumulate residue, allows evaluation of the capability of crystal mushes of becoming eruptible upon recharge.     

Correlation of welded ignimbrites on Pantelleria (Strait of Sicily) using paleomagnetism

Although the oldest volcanic rocks exposed at Pantelleria (Strait of Sicily) are older than 300 ka, most of the island is covered by the 45–50 ka Green Tuff ignimbrite, thought to be related to the Cinque Denti caldera, and younger lavas and scoria cones. Pre-50 ka rocks (predominantly rheomorphic ignimbrites) are exposed at isolated sea cliffs, and their stratigraphy and chronology are not completely resolved. Based on volcanic stratigraphy and K/Ar dating, it has been proposed that the older La Vecchia caldera is related to ignimbrite Q (114 ka), and that ignimbrites F, D, and Z (106, 94, and 79 ka, respectively) were erupted after caldera formation. We report here the paleomagnetic directions obtained from 23 sites in ignimbrite P (133 ka) and four younger ignimbrites, and from an uncorrelated (and loosely dated) welded lithic breccia thought to record a caldera-forming eruption. The paleosecular variation of the geomagnetic field recorded by ignimbrites is used as correlative tool, with an estimated time resolution in the order of 100 years. We find that ignimbrites D and Z correspond, in good agreement with recent Ar/Ar ages constraining the D/Z eruption to 87 ka. The welded lithic breccia correlates with a thinner breccia lying just below ignimbrite P at another locality, implying that collapse of the La Vecchia caldera took place at ~130–160 ka. This caldera was subsequently buried by ignimbrites P, Q, F, and D/Z. Paleomagnetic data also show that the northern caldera margin underwent a ~10° west–northwest (outwards) tilting after emplacement of ignimbrite P, possibly recording magma resurgence in the crust.     

Groundwater overexploitation and soil subsidence monitoring on Recife plain (Brazil)

Facing natural disasters is a priority challenge for cities, exacerbated by increases in urban population and climate change. Improving the resilience of cities is a critical need for the international community and especially for territories exposed to multiple risks, such as Chile. Although disasters are always tragic, the recovery and reconstruction post-disaster may provide a unique opportunity to prevent future suffering, enhancing the resilience of local communities. This paper presents the analysis of two Chilean reconstruction programmes applied in Mehuin and Dichato, after the earthquake and tsunami of 22 May 1960 and 27 February 2010, respectively. In both cases, reconstruction programmes were supported by the Chilean Government, but using different approaches: one focused on providing housing for people injured in the earthquake, while the other also included urban amenities and services. This article proposes an urban morphology analysis framework; in addition, it presents the assessment of the two case studies before and after a disaster, thus evaluating their resilience. By comparing urban morphology resilience pre- and post-disaster, a discussion about the effectiveness of two reconstruction approaches is presented. Finally, conclusions and recommendations to better integrate resilience into urban planning are proposed, with the aim of opening the discussion about how to make cities more resilient to natural disasters.     

Petrology of an ophiolitic cumulate sequence from Pindos,Greece

The ophiolitic sequence which crops out along the Aspropotamos Valley, Northern Pindos, Greece is composed from the bottom to the top of cumulates, dolerites, basaltic lavas, upper pillow lavas with basaltic/andesitic composition, and scarce basaltic dykes. The intrusive sequence, which is the subject of the present paper, exhibits magmatic layering more pronounced at the bottom than at the top where isotropic gabbros occur; they grade into the overlying dolerites. Troctolites with rare ultramafites prevail in the lower section and olivine gabbros in the upper section; at the top two-pyroxene gabbros appear. The rocks are mainly adcumulates and mesocumulates with subordinate heteradcumulates. The cumulus phases separated in the order: olivine and Cr-spinel, plagioclase, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene. Olivine, plagioclase and pyroxenes frequently exhibit adeumulus overgrowth. Intercumulus phases may be plagioclase, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, pale brown amphibole and magnetite. Where pore material is present, it is composed of plagioclase, clinopyroxene, orthopyroxene, hornblende and ores. Cr-spinel occurs mainly at the bottom of the sequence (Cr₂O₃ between 30·5 and 39·8 per cent), while magnetite appears as a very rare phase in the upper section. Olivine, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene exhibit slight cryptic variation (Mg × 100/(Mg + Fe) in the range 90–79, 90–70, 93–72 respectively). The investigated dolerites are non-cumulus rocks where clinopyroxene may be more magnesian than in the uppermost gabbros. The cumulate sequence and dolerites underwent variable but generally slight spilitization, in contrast to the overlying lavas. The sequence was generated through crystal accumulation probably from periodic pulses of tholeiitic magma; newly injected magma batches mixing with magma fractions already differentiated in the magma chamber. The high fluid pressure evidenced by the fluid inclusions in plagioclase and the whole chemical trend of the cumulate sequence are consistent with a genesis above a subduction zone, as already hypothesized for the overlying lavas.     

Environmental assessment and nano-mineralogical characterization of coal,overburden and sediment from Indian coal mining acid drainage

The deterioration of environmental conditions is the major contributory factor to poor health and quality of life that hinders sustainable development in any region.Coal mining is one of the major industries that contribute to the economy of a country but it also impacts the environment.The chemical parameters of the coal,overburden,soil and sediments along with the coal mine drainage(CMD)were investigated in order to understand the overall environmental impact from high sulphur coal mining at northeastern coalfield(India).It was found that the total sulphur content of the coal is noticeably high compared to the overburden(OB)and soil.The volatile matter of the coal is sufficiently high against the high ash content of the soil and overburden.The water samples have a High Electrical Conductivity(EC)and high Total Dissolve Solid(TDS).Lower values of pH,indicate the dissolution of minerals present in the coal as well as other minerals in the mine rejects/overburden.The chemical and nano-mineralogical composition of coal,soil and overburden samples was studied using a High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscopy(HR-TEM),Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy(EDS),Selected-Area Diffraction(SAED),Field Emission-Scanning Electron Microscopy(FE-SEM)/EDS,X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy(FTIR),Raman and Ion-Chromatographic analysis,and Mossbauer spectroscopy.From different geochemical analysis it has been found that the mine water sample from Ledo colliery has the lowest pH value of 3.30,Tirap colliery samples have the highest electrical conductivity value of5.40 ms cm~(-1)Both Ledo and Tirap coals have total sulphur contents within the range 3-3.50%.The coal mine water from Tirap colliery(TW-15 B)has high values of Mg~(2+)(450 ppm),and Br~-(227.17 ppm).XRD analysis revealed the presence of minerals including quartz and hematite in the coals.Mineral analysis of coal mine overburden(OB)indicates the presence both of pyrite and marcasite which was also confirmed in XRD and Mossbauer spectral analysis.The presented data of the minerals and ultra/nano-particles present shows their ability to control the mobility of hazardous elements,suggesting possible use in environmental management technology,including restoration of the delicate Indian coal mine areas.     

Tabelle per il calcolo delle derivate seconde del potenziale relativo a settori di anelli cilindrici omogenei

Riassunto Le tabelle numeriche contenute in questa Nota, costruite per facilitare il calcolo delle derivate seconde del potenziale generato da masse che si possono scomporre in settori di anelli cilindrici omogenei coassiali con la verticale del punto di stazione, sono precedute da brevi cenni sul loro impiego e sulle formole assunte a fondamento di esse.

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Zusammenfassung Zur Berechnung der zweiten partiellen Ableitungen des Schwerepotentials von Massen welche sich in gleichartige zylindrische Ringsektoren, konzentrisch mit der Vertikallinie der Station (Nullpunkt), zerlegen lassen, gibt der Verf. zwei numerische Tafeln, die diese Rechnungen erleichtern. Erläuterungen betreffs der Formeln die zu Grunde gelegt wurden und die betreffenden Anwendungsmöglichkeiten der angegebenen numerischen Wertestehen den Tafeln voran.

     

The Gulf of California: Review of ecosystem status and sustainability challenges

The Gulf of California is unique because of its geographical location and conformation. It hosts diverse ecosystems and important fisheries that support industry and provide livelihood to coastal settlements. It is also the site of interests and problems, and an intense interaction among managers, producers, and conservationists. In this report, we scrutinize the abiotic (hydrography, climate, ocean circulation, and chemistry) and biotic (phyto- and zooplankton, fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, and turtles) components of the marine ecosystem, and some particular aspects of climate variability, endemisms, harmful algal blooms, oxygen minimum layer, and pollution. We also review the current conditions and conflicts around the main fisheries (shrimp, small and large pelagic fishes, squid, artisanal and sportfishing), the most important human activity in the Gulf of California. We cover some aspects of management and conservation of fisheries, especially the claimed overexploitation of fish resources and the ecosystems, and review proposals for creating networks of marine protected areas. We conclude by identifying main needs for information and research, particularly the integration of data bases, the implementation of models and paleoreconstructions, establishment of monitoring programs, and the evaluation of fishing impacts and management actions.     

Biogeochemistry of surface sediments off Concepción (∼36°S), Chile: El Niño vs. non-El Niño conditions

We compared the signals of several water column properties (upwelling intensity, sea level anomaly, temperature, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, and surface sediments) of the continental shelf off Concepción (36°S) during the 1997-1998 El Niño with those of a normal year (2002-2003). We found that the primary hydrographic effect of El Niño 1997-1998 was a reduction in the input of nutrient-rich, oxygen-poor Equatorial Subsurface Water over the shelf. This affected the biology of the water column, as evidenced by the reduced phytoplankton biomass. Surface sediment properties (biogenic opal, organic carbon, bulk δ¹⁵N) observed during El Niño 1997-1998 reflected a reduced export production and the sediments failed to show the water column seasonality that occurs under normal conditions. In addition, weakened denitrification and/or upper water column fertilization could be inferred from the sedimentary δ¹⁵N. Although diminished, export production was preserved in the surface sediments, revealing less degraded organic matter in the upwelling period of the El Niño year than in the normal year. We suggest that the fresher organic material on the seafloor was probably associated with a severe reduction in the polychaete Parapronospio pinnata, which is considered to be the most important metazoan remineralizer of organic carbon at the sediment-water interface in the study area.