Observed intra-seasonal to interannual variability of the upper ocean thermal structure in the southeastern Arabian Sea during 2002–2008

The southeastern Arabian Sea (SEAS), located in the Indian Ocean warm pool, is a key-region of the regional climate system. It is suspected to play an important role in the dynamics of the Asian summer monsoon system. The present study reports the salient features derived from a newly harvested observational dataset consisting of repeated fortnightly XBT transects in the SEAS over the period 2002–2008. The fortnightly resolution of such a multi-year record duration is unprecedented in this part of the world ocean and provides a unique opportunity to examine the observed variability of the near-surface thermal structure over a wide spectrum, from intra-seasonal to interannual timescales. We find that most of the variability is trapped in the thermocline, taking the form of upwelling and downwelling motions of the thermal stratification. The seasonal variations are consistent with past studies and confirm the role of the monsoonal wind forcing through linear baroclinic waves (coastally-trapped Kelvin and planetary Rossby waves). Sub-seasonal variability takes the form of anomalous events lasting a few weeks to a few months and occurs at two preferred timescales: in the 30–110 day band, within the frequency domain of the Madden–Julian oscillation and in the 120–180 day band. While this sub-seasonal variability appears fairly barotropic in the offshore region, the sign of the anomaly in the upper thermocline is opposite to that in its lower part on many occasions along the coast. Our dataset also reveals relatively large interannual temperature variations of about 1 °C from 50 to 200 m depth that reflect a considerable year-to-year variability of the magnitude of both upwelling and downwelling events. This study clearly demonstrates the necessity for sustained long-term temperature measurements in the SEAS.     

The distribution of oxygen and hydrogen sulfide in Black Sea waters during winter-spring period

Regularities of oxygen and hydrogen sulfide are examined, using the method of spatial isopycnic analysis. The contribution that ventilation of winter-time surface waters over the domes of cyclonic gyres makes to the transfer of O₂ towards the upper boundary of the constant pycnocline and to the oxicline layer is demonstrated. The paper provides spatial scales of this phenomenon and indicates the areas where the upper boundary of the anoxic layer in the Black Sea, relative to the conventional density, is located much higher compared with the rest of the sea. The suboxic zone is shown to be a specific feature of the O₂/H₂S distribution in the Black Sea waters, typical, at least, of the northern part of the basin. Analysis of the suboxic spatial variability in the vertical has been conducted. Translated by Vladimir A. Puchkin.     

Estimates of Extragalactic Background and Confusion Noise Parameters for the Millimetron Telescope

Astronomy Letters - The sensitivity of future far-infrared telescopes, such as Millimetron, will be limited by the confusion noise produced by distant galaxies. We have constructed a model of the...     

Deep seismic studies in the central Karelian Craton

On the basis of analysis and generalization of the extensive seismic information obtained over the last forty years, the modern concept of the deep crustal structure in the central Karelian Craton is developed. The tomographic models are reconstructed, the stratification of the Earth’s crust and geometry of seismic boundaries are refined, and the subsidence of the boundary between the crust and mantle down to a depth of 60 km is noted. The comparison and integrated interpretation of the sections studied by the common depth point (CDP), deep seismic sounding (DSS), and converted-wave methods together with the available geological data shows that the results derived by different seismic methods differ markedly. However, since various methods have revealed the different characteristics of the medium, the entire body of seismic evidence can be used for geological interpretation.     

Genesis of the Paleoproterozoic Rare-Metal Granites of the Katugin Massif

We studied the petrography, mineralogy, and geochemistry of the Paleoproterozoic (2.06 Ga) granites of the Katugin massif (Stanovoy suture zone), which hosts the combined rare-metal Katugin deposit. Three groups of granites were distinguished: (1) biotite (Bt) and biotite–riebeckite (Bt–Rbk) granites of the western block of the massif; (2) biotite–arfvedsonite (Bt–Arf) granites of the eastern block; and (3) arfvedsonite (Arf), aegirine–arfvedsonite (Aeg–Arf), and aegirine (Aeg) granites of the eastern block. The Bt and Bt–Rbk granites of the first group are mainly metaluminous and peraluminous rocks with rather high CaO contents and the minimum F contents among the granites described here. It was suggested that the granites of this group could be derived from a source dominated by crustal rocks with a small addition of mantle materials. These granites probably crystallized from a metaluminous–peraluminous melt with elevated CaO and moderate F contents. Melts of such compositions are least favorable for the crystallization of ore minerals. The Bt–Arf granites of the second group are mainly peralkaline and show high contents of CaO and Y and low contents of Na₂O and F. A mixed mantle–crust source was proposed for the Bt–Arf granites. The initial melt of the Bt–Arf granites could have a peralkaline composition with elevated CaO content and moderate to high F content. The Arf, Aeg–Arf, and Aeg granites of the third group are enriched in ore mineral and were classified as peralkaline granites with very low CaO contents, elevated Na2O and F contents, and usually very high contents of Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta. Based on the geochemical and isotopic data, it was supposed that the source of the granites of the third group could be derivatives of basaltic magmas produced in an OIB-type source with a minor addition of crustal material to the magma generation zone. It was suggested that the primary melt of this granite group could be a peralkaline CaO-poor and F-rich silicic melt, which is most favorable for the crystallization of ore minerals. Based on the analysis of the geochemical characteristics of the three granite groups and their relationships within the Katugin massif, a qualitative model of its formation was proposed. According to this model, the Bt and Bt–Rbk granites of the western block crystallized first, followed by the Bt–Arf granites of the eastern block and, eventually, the Arf, Aeg–Arf, and Aeg granites enriched in ore minerals.     

Mineral composition of gold-bearing veins and typomorphic features of their minerals in the Kirovskoe deposit (Upper Amur region)

A collection of quartz veinlets with ore mineralization sampled from the dumps of the abandoned pit of the Kirov mine was analyzed with defining the mineral assemblages productive for gold mineralization and determining the composition of the main ore minerals and their typomorphic features, which are used for interpreting the genesis of the mineral associations and the deposit as a whole.     

The Nature and Age of Plagioclasites in the Ultrabasic Rai-Iz Massif (Polar Urals)

Corundum-containing and corundum-free plagioclasites localized in chromite-bearing ultramafites of the Rai-Iz Massif were explored for the composition and age. The composition of rock-forming minerals was studied, and the geochemical characteristics of the rocks were ascertained. The isotope age of plagioclasites determined by zircons using the U–Pb mode with a SHRIMP II device was equal to 398 ± 3 Ma. The age found conformed to the boundary on most of the Rai-Iz Massif took place against the background of a starting powerful collision, which caused the formation of the chromium mineralization of a high-chromic type, as well as the separation of a series of essentially plagioclase rocks of ruby mineralization at the discharge zones of the vein series.     

Next Generation Space Gravimetry: Scientific Tasks,Concepts, and Realization

Astronomy Reports - A review of the achievements of space geodesy in the 21st century, represented by the successful realization of the CHAMP, GOCE, and GRACE missions, is presented. The main...