A possible case of Sporadic Aurora in 1843 from Mexico

In recent years, some authors have shown that some auroras can be observed at relatively low latitude when the geomagnetic activity is quiet or moderate. This very special type of aurora is called “sporadic aurora”. We present and analyze in this work a possible case of “sporadic aurora” observed in Mexico on the 19 April 1843. Moreover, we study the solar and auroral activity around this event.     

New method for estimating reference evapotranspiration and comparison with alternative methods in a fruit-producing hub in the semi-arid region of Brazil

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Analysing alternative methods for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ET0) is essential for improving the management of water resources, especially where...     

Geochemical processes and mobilization of toxic metals and metalloids in an As-rich base metal waste pile in Zimapán,Central Mexico

The geochemistry and mineralogy of samples collected along depth profiles from an As-rich tailing deposit with abundant calcite was studied to determine the processes that influence the mobility of Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, As, Sb, Cr and Tl. In spite of their near neutral pH, almost all of them are acid potential generators. Total concentrations decreased as: Fe > As > Zn > Pb > Cu > Sb > Cd > Cr > Ni > Tl. Soluble contents were lower and followed a slightly different order. Mobility decreased as: Tl > Cd, Zn, Cu, Sb, Ni, As > Fe, Pb > Cr. Higher soluble concentrations of Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, and Ni were found in low-pH samples and of Sb and Tl in near-neutral samples. Sulfide oxidation processes are developing in the tailing’s dam. These processes do not have a trend with depth but occur mainly in acid layers. Near neutral layers formed by primary sulfides and calcite probably correspond to wastes produced from the processing of ore coming mainly from pods within the skarn, and acid layers with abundant secondary minerals from material mined from chimneys and mantos. The presence of calcite influences speciation, neutralizes acid mine drainage (AMD), and decreases the mobility of most toxic metals and metalloids (TMMs). However, a hard-pan layer was not observed in the studied profiles. Retention of TMM within tailings probably occurs through the formation of low solubility metal carbonates and from elevation of pH that promotes Fe hydroxides precipitation that may retain As, Sb and metals. Calcite occurrence promotes As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd and Cr retention, does not play a role on Tl and Ni mobilization, and increases Sb release.     

Time series data for Canadian arctic vertebrates: IPY contributions to science, management, and policy

Long-term data are critically important to science, management, and policy formation. Here we describe a number of data collections from arctic Canada that monitor vertebrate population trends of freshwater and marine fish, marine birds, marine and terrestrial mammals. These time series data cover the last ca. 30?years and capture a period from the onset of global changes affecting the Arctic up to recent years with a rapid increase in temperature. While many of these data collections were initiated through a variety of government and university programs, they also include a surge in polar research launched with the recent International Polar Year (2007?C2008). We estimated the long-term vertebrate index from our data that summarizes various taxa abundance trends within a global context and observed a continuous decline of about 30?% in population abundance since the 1990s. Though most data collections are biased towards few taxa, we conduct time-series analyses to show that the potential value of long-term data emerges as individual monitoring sites can be spread across space and time scales. Despite covering a handful of populations, the different time series data covered a large spectrum of dynamics, cyclic to non-cyclic, including coherence with the North Atlantic Oscillation, lag effects, and density dependence. We describe a synthesis framework to integrate ecological time-series research and thereby derive additional benefits to management, science, and policy. Future requirements include: (1) continuation of current observation systems; (2) expansion of current monitoring sites to include additional trophic links and taxonomic indicators; (3) expansion beyond the existing program to include greater spatial coverage into less-sampled ecosystems and key representative locations; and (4) integration of circumpolar observations and comprehensive analyses. Development of a circumpolar observation system is necessary for innovative science, large-scale adaptive management, and policy revision essential to respond to rapid global change.     

Modal response analysis of multi‐support structures using a random vibration approach

A formulation is developed for modal response analysis of multi‐support structures using a random vibration approach. The spectral moments of the structural response are rigorously decomposed into contributions from spectral moments of uncoupled modal responses. An advantage of the proposed formulation is that the total dynamic response can be obtained on the basis of mode by mode uncoupled analyses. The contributions to the total response from modal responses under individual support ground motions and under cross‐correlated pairs of support ground motions can be recognized explicitly. The application and performance of the formulation is illustrated by means of an example using a well‐established coherency spectrum model and widely known power spectra models, such as white noise and Kanai–Tajimi. The first three spectral moments of displacement, shear, and bending moment responses are computed, showing that the formulation produces the same results as the exact solution. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

基于Gabor-Daubechies小波束叠前深度偏移的角度域共成像道集

传统炮检距域共像集（CIG）在复杂介质中因波传播的多路径而存在反射体位置不确定的问题. 角度域CIG由于克服了这一缺陷而逐步成为速度分析、AVA以及振幅保真偏移成像等研究的主要手段. 以波动理论为基础的地震偏移成像方法的发展为获得高质量的角度域CIG提供了可靠的实现途径. 其中,基于波场局域化分解和传播的小波束域波场延拓和偏移成像方法,因其波场分解基本函数和传播算子在空间和方向上的双重局域特性,而成为角度相关分析研究的有效工具. 本文在采用Gabor Daubechies框架分解的小波束叠前角度域偏移成像基础上,利用不同的叠加方法由局部角度域像矩阵得到了反射角域CIG（CRAIG）和倾角域CIG（CDAIG）. 以SEG EAGE二维盐体模型为例,通过对CRAIG和CDAIG的对比,探讨了这两种角度域CIG的特点及其在地震偏移成像中的潜在应用.     

Contrasting marine policies in the United States, Mexico, Cuba and the European Union: Searching for an integrated strategy for the Gulf of Mexico region

The three nations surrounding the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) are experiencing rapidly expanding populations and economic development. Problems associated with governing a transboundary body of water such as the GoM are becoming increasingly evident. Despite various attempts within each nation to establish more integrated ocean and coastal governance mechanisms within their own jurisdictions, there has been very little cooperation between the U.S., Mexico and Cuba in developing coordinated maritime policies for the GoM Region. After providing an overview of current marine policy initiatives in the three nations, a brief analysis of recent efforts by the European Union is presented. The paper contends that this European initiative may provide guidance for future integrated management policies in the GoM, but notes that progress depends on reducing legal and political obstacles to international collaboration in the Region.     

Oxygen isotope systematics of gem corundum deposits in Madagascar: relevance for their geological origin

The oxygen isotopic composition of gem corundum was measured from 22 deposits and occurrences in Madagascar to provide a gemstone geological identification and characterization. Primary corundum deposits in Madagascar are hosted in magmatic (syenite and alkali basalt) and metamorphic rocks (gneiss, cordieritite, mafic and ultramafic rocks, marble, and calc-silicate rocks). In both domains the circulation of fluids, especially along shear zones for metamorphic deposits, provoked in situ transformation of the corundum host rocks with the formation of metasomatites such as phlogopite, sakenite, and corundumite. Secondary deposits (placers) are the most important economically and are contained in detrital basins and karsts. The oxygen isotopic ratios (¹⁸O/¹⁶O) of ruby and sapphire from primary deposits are a good indicator of their geological origin and reveal a wide range of δ¹⁸O (Vienna Standard Mean Ocean Water) between 1.3 and 15.6‰. Metamorphic rubies are defined by two groups of δ¹⁸O values in the range of 1.7 to 2.9‰ (cordieritite) and 3.8 to 6.1‰ (amphibolite). “Magmatic” rubies from pyroxenitic xenoliths contained in the alkali basalt of Soamiakatra have δ¹⁸O values ranging between 1.3 and 4.7‰. Sapphires are classified into two main groups with δ¹⁸O in the range of 4.7 to 9.0‰ (pyroxenite and feldspathic gneiss) and 10.7 to 15.6‰ (skarn in marble from Andranondambo). The δ¹⁸O values for gem corundum from secondary deposits have a wide spread between −0.3 and 16.5‰. The ruby and sapphire found in placers linked to alkali basalt environments in the northern and central regions of Madagascar have consistent δ¹⁸O values between 3.5 and 6.9‰. Ruby from the placers of Vatomandry and Andilamena has δ¹⁸O values of 5.9‰, and between 0.5 and 4.0‰, respectively. The placers of the Ilakaka area are characterized by a huge variety of colored sapphires and rubies, with δ¹⁸O values between −0.3 and 16.5‰, and their origin is debated. A comparison with oxygen isotope data obtained on gem corundum from Eastern Africa, India, and Sri Lanka is presented. Giant placer deposits from Sri Lanka, Madagascar, and Tanzania have a large variety of colored sapphires and rubies with a large variation in δ¹⁸O due to mingling of corundum of different origin: mafic and ultramafic rocks for ruby, desilicated pegmatites for blue sapphire, syenite for yellow, green, and blue sapphire, and skarn in marbles for blue sapphire.