Dynamical stability of convection cells in the upper mantle

Summary A two-dimensional flow model of an incompressible fluid with constant viscosity has been used to study the changes in the large-scale flow pattern (aspect ratio 4). Implications for convection in the Earth's mantle are discussed.

---

a ¶rt; mn uuu ua u¶rt;mu nm m unm ¶rt; uu uu mu ama¶rt;a. ¶rt;am mam ¶rt; uu amuu u.

     

Desertification as a Global environmental issue

Compared to other environmental issues, such as Global Warming/Climatic Change, and the Ozone Hole, Desertification has been neglected by both scientists and funding agencies. The reasons are the complexity of the problem and the poverty and marginality of the arid lands. The author suggests a policy-oriented definition and draws attention to the differences between drought, desiccation and dry-land degradation.     

Suspended particulate grain size dynamics and their implications for trace metal sorption in the Don River

We examined particle size distributions of suspended particulate matter (SPM); physical and environmental influences on the observed distributions; and relationships between particle size and geochemical partitioning of metals, over the fall and winter period in a small urban river (Don River, Toronto, Ontario, Canada). For this dataset, the majority of particles (80%) in suspension were less than 10 µm in size. In addition, while total SPM concentrations showed a positive trend with increasing discharge (Q); the proportions of particles found within given size classes were independent of both SPM concentration and Q. Temperature was the only measured environmental variable related to the particle concentrations within size classes. As water temperature increased, the concentration of particles in the smallest size class (1–4 µm) decreased, while the concentration of silt and/or algae sized particles (10–50 µm) increased. Increasing water temperatures may promote bacterial attachment to particles and their subsequent flocculation into larger sized particles. Decreasing concentrations of leachable (most labile) Cd, Zn and Mn were associated with increasing concentrations of the largest particles (70–150 µm) in suspension. In contrast, higher reducible (oxides) associated concentrations of Cd, Zn and Mn occurred with increasing concentrations of smaller particles (1–10 µm) in suspension. Both of these trends are speculated to reflect the importance of particle surface area for metal sorption reactions.     

An integrated data-directed numerical method for estimating the undiscovered mineral endowment in a region

An integrated data-directed numerical method has been developed to estimate the undiscovered mineral endowment within a given area. The method has been used to estimate the undiscovered uranium endowment in the San Juan Basin, New Mexico, U.S.A. The favorability of uranium concentration was evaluated in each of 2,068 cells defined within the Basin. Favorability was based on the correlated similarity of the geologic characteristics of each cell to the geologic characteristics of five area-related deposit models. Estimates of the undiscovered endowment for each cell were categorized according to deposit type, depth, and cutoff grade. The method can be applied to any mineral or energy commodity provided that the data collected reflect discovered endowment.     

High-frequency sequences and their stacking patterns: sequence-stratigraphic evidence of high-frequency eustatic cycles

A hierarchy of interpreted eustatic cyclicity in siliciclastic sedimentary rocks has a pattern of superposed cycles with frequencies in the ranges of 9–10 m.y., 1–2 m.y., 0.1–0.2 m.y., and 0.01–0.02 m.y. (second- through fifth-order cyclicity, respectively). Stratigraphic units displaying this cyclicity include composite sequences, sequences, and parasequences. On the Exxon global cycle chart, fundamental third-order cycles (1–2 m.y. average duration) stack into related groups (second-order cycles: 9–10 m.y. duration). A much larger pattern (about 200 m.y.) is interpreted as tectonically controlled eustasy probably related to sea-floor spreading rates.

One and probably two higher orders of cyclicity (fourth-order: 0.1–0.2 m.y.; and fifth-order: 0.01–0.02 m.y.) are now observed in work with well logs, cores, and outcrops in areas of very rapid deposition. These frequencies are in the range of Milankovitch cycles, and may represent part of the Milankovitch hierarchy which has been widely interpreted for cyclical units in carbonate rocks.

High-frequency (fourth-order) sequences, which form at a 0.1–0.2 m.y. cyclicity, have all the stratal attributes of conventional sequences, including constituent parasequences and systems tracts, and play a dominant role controling reservoir, source, and sealing rock distribution. A consistent hierarchy of stratigraphy is observed. Parasequences (probable fifth-order cyclicity) stack into sets to form systems tracts in fourth-order sequences. Groups (sets) of fourth-order sequences are deposited between major third-order boundaries within third-order composite sequences. Sequences in these sets stack in prograding and backstepping patterns to form third-order lowstand, transgressive, and highstand sequence sets.

Third-order sequence boundaries are marked by greater basinward shifts in facies, by larger more widespread incised valleys, and by more extensive onlap than are fourth-order sequence boundaries. Third-order condensed sections commonly are widespread, faunally rich, and widely correlated biozone and mapping markers. Fourth-order sequence analysis helps to understand reservoir, source, and seal distribution at the play and prospect scale. An example from the Gulf of Mexico is discussed.