Potential transport of plaice eggs and larvae between two apparently self-contained populations in the Irish Sea

A coupled physics particle-tracking model, driven by realistic meteorological forcing was used to examine the dispersal and transport of plaice eggs and larvae in the year 2000 from two spawning grounds in the Irish Sea. The model included passive transport of eggs and early stage larvae, diel vertical movements for larvae between 7 and 10.5 mm in body-length and tidally synchronised, vertical movements for larger larvae (>9 mm body-length). The year 2000 was chosen because of the availability of ichthyoplankton data with which to initialise the model. The majority of larvae originating from spawning in the eastern Irish Sea settled into nursery grounds along the Scottish, English and Welsh coasts, in agreement with previous findings. In contrast, a significant portion of larvae originating from spawning in the western Irish Sea was transported eastwards to these same nursery grounds. Transport across the Irish Sea resulted from the onset of tidally synchronised vertical behaviour encoded in the model for older larvae. Settlement of larvae into local nursery grounds along the Irish coast was limited. Because of the prevailing winds and currents in the region, plaice eggs and larvae are unlikely to be transported from east to west; in most years spawning in the western Irish Sea probably acts as an additional source of juveniles for nursery grounds along the Scottish, English and Welsh coasts.     

The role of climate in the spread of modern humans into Europe

The spread of anatomically modern humans (AMH) into Europe occurred when shifts in the North Atlantic meridional overturning circulation triggered a series of large and abrupt climate changes during the last glacial. However, the role of climate forcing in this process has remained unclear. Here we present a last glacial record that provides insight into climate-related environmental shifts in the eastern Mediterranean region, i.e. the gateway for the colonisation of Europe by AMH. We show that the environmental impact of the Heinrich Event H5 climatic deterioration c. 48 kyr ago was as extreme as that of the glacial maximum of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 4 when most of Europe was deserted by Neanderthals. We argue that Heinrich H5 resulted in a similar demographic vacuum so that invasive AMH populations had the opportunity to spread into Europe and occupy large parts before the Neanderthals were able to reoccupy this territory. This spread followed the resumption of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation at the beginning of Greenland Interstadial (GIS) 12 c. 47 kyr ago that triggered an extreme and rapid shift from desert-steppe to open woodland biomes in the gateway to Europe. We conclude that the extreme environmental impact of Heinrich H5 within a situation of competitive exclusion between two closely related hominids species shifted the balance in favour of modern humans.     

Limnology of Lake Waikaremoana with special reference to littoral and pelagic primary producers

Lake Waikaremoana, the North Island's deepest lake (248 m), lies in a natural forested catchment, but the lake itself has been modified for hydro‐electric power generation and by the introduction of trout, smelt, and adventive aquatic plants. The lake is a warm monomictic water body of low conductivity (82 μS cm^‐1) and a high seasonal water column stability. The waters are oligotrophic, with epilimnetic dissolved reactive phosphorus concentrations typically < 1 mg m^‐3. The concentration of NO₃‐N is seasonally variable but generally high in winter and spring with maximum epilimnetic values approaching 70 mg m ³. This contrasts with other central North Island lakes. Horizontal variability in surface chlorophyll a is low as are the absolute values (< 1–2 mg m^‐3). A notable feature is the formation of a deep chlorophyll maximum within the metalim‐nion comprised largely of Sphaewcystis schweteri as opposed to diatoms and flagellates which normally dominate the epilimnion. Vascular macro‐phytes (maximum biomass 659 g m² dry weight) extended to 9 m and characeans (maximum biomass 447 g m²dry weight) to 16 m. Total phyto‐plankton primary production was calculated as 4524 tCy^‐1 and macrophyte production as 578 t C y^‐1. The proportion of macrophyte to phy‐toplankton production (0.14) is higher than in the other deep lakes of the central North Island.     

Basalt generation at the Apollo 12 site,Part 1: New data,classification, and re-evaluation

Abstract— New data are reported from five previously unanalyzed Apollo 12 mare basalts that are incorporated into an evaluation of previous petrogenetic models and classification schemes for these basalts. This paper proposes a classification for Apollo 12 mare basalts on the basis of whole-rock Mg# [molar 100*(Mg/(Mg+Fe))] and Rb/Sr ratio (analyzed by isotope dilution), whereby the ilmenite, olivine, and pigeonite basalt groups are readily distinguished from each other. Scrutiny of the Apollo 12 feldspathic “suite” demonstrates that two of the three basalts previously assigned to this group (12031, 12038, 12072) can be reclassified: 12031 is a plagioclase-rich pigeonite basalt (Nyquist et al, 1979); and 12072 is an olivine basalt Only basalt 12038 stands out as a unique sample (Nyquist et al., 1981) to the Apollo 12 she, but whether this represents a single sample from another flow at the Apollo 12 site or is exotic to this site is equivocal. The question of whether the olivine and pigeonite basalt suites are co-magmatic is addressed by incompatible trace-element chemistry: the trends defined by these two suites when Co/Sm and Sm/Eu ratios are plotted against Rb/Sr ratio demonstrate that these two basaltic types cannot be co-magmatic. Crystal fractionation/accumulation paths have been calculated and show that neither the pigeonite, olivine, or ilmenite basalts are related by this process. Each suite requires a distinct and separate source region. This study also examines sample heterogeneity and the degree to which whole-rock analyses are representative, which is critical when petrogenetic interpretation is undertaken. Sample heterogeneity has been investigated petrographically (inhomogeneous mineral distribution) with consideration of duplicate analyses, and whether a specific sample (using average data) plots consistently upon a fractionation trend when a number of different compositional parameters are considered. Using these criteria, four basalts have been identified where reported analyses are not representative of the whole-rock composition: 12005, an ilmenite basalt; 12006 and 12036, olivine basalts; and 12031 previously classified as a feldspathic basalt, but reclassified as part of the pigeonite suite (Nyquist et al., 1979).     

Comparison of wind-stress algorithms and their influence on wind-stress curl using buoy measurements over the shelf off Bodega Bay, California

The main objectives of this study were to compare three wind-stress algorithms of varying intricacy and estimate the extent to which each method altered computed wind-stress curl. The algorithms included (1) a simple bulk formula for neutral conditions that is dependent only on wind velocity components; (2) a formula that in addition to dependence on wind components includes a simplified effect of thermal stability through differences in air and sea temperatures; and (3) an algorithm that includes full treatment of dynamics and atmospheric stability. Data for the analysis were from a field program that used a special buoy network off Bodega Bay during 28 June–4 August 2001.A diamond-shaped setup of five closely separated buoys in Bodega Bay allowed for one of the first attempts to compute wind-stress curl over the ocean using buoy measurements. Based on an analysis of the available dataset, the marine layer over Bodega Bay is characterized by positive wind-stress curl with a median value around 0.2 Pa (100 km)⁻¹ and maximum values reaching 2.5 Pa (100 km)⁻¹. Positive wind-stress curl was observed for all wind speed conditions, whereas negative wind-stress curl episodes were associated mostly with low-wind conditions.Comparison of wind-stress curl computed using the three algorithms showed that differences among them can be significant. The first and third algorithms indicated similar stress curl (difference around 10%), but the differences between these two and the second algorithm were much higher (approximately 40%). The reason for the difference is the stability correction, which in the third algorithm strongly decreases with an increase in wind speeds, but stays at a similar level for all wind speeds in the second algorithm. Consequently, for higher wind speeds the variability of wind stress calculated using the second algorithm is greater than for the other two algorithms, causing significant differences in computed wind-stress curl (root mean-square error equal to 0.19 Pa (100 km)⁻¹).Despite the apparent biases in computed wind stress and wind-stress curl among the algorithms, all of them show a significant trend of decreasing sea-surface temperature (SST) with increasing wind-stress curl. The bootstrapping analysis has revealed that both the along-shore wind stress and wind-stress curl have noticeable correlation with the changes in the sea-surface temperature as an indirect indication of the upwelling. An additional analysis, based on the low-pass filtered data, showed also significant agreement between the measured divergence in the cross-shore surface transport and the wind-stress curl computed for all three algorithms.     

Elusive security: The military and political geography of South Lebanon

Israel's quest for security on its northern border with Lebanon has a history dating back to the foundation of the Palestine mandate. In the early period from the First World War to the end of the 1960s the quest was dominated with attaining economic and environmental security by seeking to acquire rights to the waters of South Lebanon. Recent decades in contrast have witnessed the rise in importance of border security and strategic security requirements in the face of military threats to northern Israel. Israel's interventionist policy in South Lebanon has been formalised to include a permanent presence on Lebanese territory in the form of the security zone. It is argued that despite the positive events that have occurred in the region in the early 1990s, it remains unlikely that Israel will easily relinquish its security shield in South Lebanon thus ultimately undermining the possibility of moving away from elusive to permanent security.     

Comparison of COSPEC and two miniature ultraviolet spectrometer systems for SO2 measurements using scattered sunlight

The correlation spectrometer (COSPEC), the principal tool for remote measurements of volcanic SO₂, is rapidly being replaced by low-cost, miniature, ultraviolet (UV) spectrometers. We compared two of these new systems with a COSPEC by measuring SO₂ column amounts at Kīlauea Volcano, Hawaii. The two systems, one calibrated using in-situ SO₂ cells, and the other using a calibrated laboratory reference spectrum, employ similar spectrometer hardware, but different foreoptics and spectral retrieval algorithms. Accuracy, signal-to-noise, retrieval parameters, and precision were investigated for the two configurations of new miniature spectrometer. Measurements included traverses beneath the plumes from the summit and east rift zone of Kīlauea, and testing with calibration cells of known SO₂ concentration. The results obtained from the different methods were consistent with each other, with <8% difference in estimated SO₂ column amounts up to 800 ppm m. A further comparison between the COSPEC and one of the miniature spectrometer configurations, the ‘FLYSPEC’, spans an eight month period and showed agreement of measured emission rates to within 10% for SO₂ column amounts up to 1,600 ppm m. The topic of measuring high SO₂ burdens accurately is addressed for the Kīlauea measurements. In comparing the foreoptics, retrieval methods, and resultant implications for data quality, we aim to consolidate the various experiences to date, and improve the application and development of miniature spectrometer systems.     

Velocity anisotropy and attenuation of shale in under- and overpressured conditions

The seismic velocity and attenuation of fully saturated shales were measured for the first time under overpressured conditions, using the ultrasonic reflection technique. Shale cores from naturally overpressured horizons in the North Sea were tested in the laboratory, at confining and pore pressures relevant to in situ conditions.
A single-frequency tone-burst pulse wave was used to determine the seismic wave velocities and quality factors of the shale samples, with errors less than 0.3% and 0.1 dB/cm, respectively, at a frequency of 0.75 MHz. Sample length changes with varying confining and pore pressure were measured and the pore pressure equilibration time was monitored for each sample.
The anisotropy of the seismic attributes ( V _p, V _s, Q _p and Q _s) was determined over a range of differential pressures from 5 to 60 MPa, with respect to the predominant foliation. The ultrasonic velocity data followed a transversely isotropic pattern depending on the direction of wave propagation with respect to the laminations. The Poisson's ratio was found to rise by 5% as the shale material progressed from a normally pressured to an overpressured state. The quality factor ( Q ) characteristics were interpreted in terms of pore geometry and connectivity as well as the directional permeability of the transversely isotropic shale material. The results were converted to bulk and shear loss modulus defects, and a positive bulk loss was observed for waves propagating perpendicular to the lamination plane even above differential pressures of 20 MPa. This indicates different levels of Biot-flow and squirt-flow attenuation mechanisms acting within the shale structure, depending on the wave propagation and vibration directions.     

The Petrography and composition of phlogopite micas from the Blue Ball Kimberlite,Arkansas: A record of chemical evolution during crystallization

Summary The Blue Ball kimberlite, Scott County, Arkansas, contains between 23 and 36 modal % phlogopite. Phlogopite is present as phenocrysts, a groundmass phase, and as coronas around serpentinized olivine phenocrysts. Intermediate and reverse pleochroism, seen in phenocryst cores and the majority of groundmass phlogopites, can be correlated with the mineral chemistry. Reverse pleochroism, exhibited by phenocryst rims, rare groundmass grains, and phlogopites forming coronas around olivine, is generally accompanied by an increase in total Fe (as FeO) and a decrease in Al₂ O₃. Analyses of those phlogopites whoch exhibit reverse pleochroism have high cation totals, indicative of the presence of Fe³⁺. We suggest that these pleochroic schemes are a function of Fe³⁺ in the tetrahedral site, which is expressed in terms of T = [8 - (Si + Al)]. All Blue Ball phlogopites have positive values for T, but reverse pleochroism is found only when T > 0.6, indicative of increased Fe³⁺ in the residual magma. It is concluded that phlogopite was on the liquidus throughout practically all of the kimberlite crystallization, because of the wide range in phlogopite compositions and the general decrease in Ba from micas exhibiting intermediate to reverse pleochroism. Variations of MG #, Ti, Ba, Si, and Al within the phlogopites have been used to trace the crystallization of other phases present in the kimberlite, namely olivine and spinel (chromite and titanomagnetite). Olivine was an early crystallizing phase, causing a decrease in MG # and Si, and an increase in Ti and Al in the phlogopites, a reflection of residual magma composition. Minor chromite also crystallized at this time, but was not of sufficient quantity to override the effect of olivine fractionation on the residual magma. Widespread Titano-magnetite crystallization occurred as olivine fractionation ceased, causing an increase in MG # and Si, and a decrease in Ti and Al. By examining these chemical variations with T, the evolution of the Blue Ball kimberlite has been determined.

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Petrographie und zusammensetzung phlogopitischer Glimmer aus dem Blue Ball Kimberlit, Arkansas: chemische evolution während der kristallisation

Zusammenfassung Der Blue Ball Kimberlit, Scott County, Arkansas, enthält zwischen 23 und 36% Phlogopit (modal). Dieser kommt in idiomorphen Kristallen, als Grundmasse, und als Coronas um serpentinisierte Olivinkristalle vor. Verschiedene Arten von Pleochroismus, die man in den Kernen von Kristallen und in der Mehrzahl der Phlogopite in der Grundmasse erkennen kann, lassen sich mit der Mineralehemie korrelieren. Reverser Pleochroismus ist an den Rändern von Kristallen, selten in Grundkörnern der Grundmasse, und in Phlogopiten die Coronas in Olivin bilden, zu beobachten. Diese Erscheinung wird im allgemeinen von einer Zunahme des Gesamt-Eisens (als FeO) und einer Abnahme der Al₂ O₃-Gehalte begleitet. Analysen jener Phlogopite, die reversen Pleochroismus zeigen, haben hohe Gesamtwerte an Kationen und dies weist auf die Anwesenheit von Fe³⁺ hin. Wir interpretieren diesen Pleochroismus als eine Funktion des Fe³⁺ in der Tetraeder-Position, die sich als T = 8 - (Si + Al) ausdrücken läßt. Alle Phlogopite von Blue Ball haben positive Werte für T, aber reverser Pleochroismus tritt nur dort auf, wo T > 0.6, was widerum auf eine Zunahme von Fe³⁺ im residualen Magma hinweist. Phlogopit war praktisch während der gesamten Kristallisation des Kimberlits am Liquidus, und diese Annahme wird auch durch das weite Feld der PhlogopitZusammensetzungen und durch die allgemeine Abahme der Ba-Gehalte in Glimmern mit intermediärem bis reversem Pleochroismus unterstützt. Variationen von MG #, Ti, Ba, Si und Al in den Phlogopiten wurden benutzt, um die Kristallisation von Olivin und Spinellen (Chromit und Titanomagnetit) zu verfolgen. Olivin hat früh kristallisiert und führte zu einer Abnahme von MG# und Si und einer Zunahme von Ti und Al in den Phlogopiten. Auch kleinere Mengen von Chromit kristallisierten zu dieser Zeit, dies war jedoch nicht ausreichend, um den Effekt der Olivin-Fraktionierung auf die Restschmelze aufzuheben. Titanomagnetit-Kristallisation setzte mit aufhörender Olivinfraktionierung ein und führte zu einer Zunahme von Mg und Si und einer Abnahme von Ti und Al. Eine Überprüfung der chemischen Variationen und Vergleich mit T Werten tragen wesentlich zur Kenntnis der Evolution des Blue Ball Kimberlites bei.

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With 8 Figures