Theoretical study of OH-defects in pure enstatite

The infrared spectroscopic properties of selected defects in orthoenstatite are investigated by first-principles calculations. The considered defects include doubly protonated Mg vacancies at M1 and M2 sites, fully protonated SiA and SiB vacancies (hydrogarnet defects), and doubly protonated SiA and SiB vacancies associated with interstitial Mg²⁺ cations. The bands observed at 3,070 and 3,360 cm^?1 in the spectrum of synthetic enstatite samples are ascribed to O2A–H and O2B–H groups, respectively, associated with M2 vacancies. The theoretical models suggest that bands observed at 3,590 and 3,690 cm^?1 in the spectrum of enstatite samples synthesized under low silica-activity conditions correspond to O2H and O1H groups associated with SiB vacancies partially compensated by interstitial Mg²⁺ cations in fivefold coordination. The theoretical relation between the integrated absorption coefficient of OH-defects and vibrational frequencies is consistent with previous observations indicating that the absorption coefficients of OH-defects are comparatively stronger in enstatite than in the olivine polymorphs.     

The last Eurasian ice sheets – a chronological database and time‐slice reconstruction,DATED‐1

We present a new time‐slice reconstruction of the Eurasian ice sheets (British–Irish, Svalbard–Barents–Kara Seas and Scandinavian) documenting the spatial evolution of these interconnected ice sheets every 1000 years from 25 to 10 ka, and at four selected time periods back to 40 ka. The time‐slice maps of ice‐sheet extent are based on a new Geographical Information System (GIS) database, where we have collected published numerical dates constraining the timing of ice‐sheet advance and retreat, and additionally geomorphological and geological evidence contained within the existing literature. We integrate all uncertainty estimates into three ice‐margin lines for each time‐slice; a most‐credible line, derived from our assessment of all available evidence, with bounding maximum and minimum limits allowed by existing data. This approach was motivated by the demands of glaciological, isostatic and climate modelling and to clearly display limitations in knowledge. The timing of advance and retreat were both remarkably spatially variable across the ice‐sheet area. According to our compilation the westernmost limit along the British–Irish and Norwegian continental shelf was reached up to 7000 years earlier (at c. 27–26 ka) than the eastern limit on the Russian Plain (at c. 20–19 ka). The Eurasian ice sheet complex as a whole attained its maximum extent (5.5 Mkm²) and volume (~24 m Sea Level Equivalent) at c. 21 ka. Our continental‐scale approach highlights instances of conflicting evidence and gaps in the ice‐sheet chronology where uncertainties remain large and should be a focus for future research. Largest uncertainties coincide with locations presently below sea level and where contradicting evidence exists. This first version of the database and time‐slices (DATED‐1) has a census date of 1 January 2013 and both are available to download via the Bjerknes Climate Data Centre and PANGAEA ( www.bcdc.no ; http://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.848117 ).     

Late glacial and holocene 10Be production rates for western Norway

We present a new regional calibration of the ¹⁰Be production rate from two well‐dated surfaces in southern Norway: a rock avalanche with ¹⁴C‐dated wood and a precisely dated Younger Dryas moraine. Calculated ¹⁰Be production rates are 4.26 ± 0.13 and 4.65 ± 0.14 at g^?1 a^?1 for the Lal/Stone and Lifton scaling models, respectively. Our regional production rate for southern Norway is 5% lower than the canonical global ¹⁰Be production rate with lower uncertainties. Our ¹⁰Be production rate agrees with regional ¹⁰Be production rates from north‐eastern North America and New Zealand. The ¹⁰Be production rate estimate presented here can be used to improve the precision and accuracy of exposure‐dated ice‐marginal features, as well as other surfaces, in northern Europe. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

C.C. Mei, The applied dynamics of ocean surface waves, Wiley, New York (1983) xvii + 740 pp., £ stg. 66.75.

A theoretical model is developed for wave heights and set-up in a surf zone. In the time-averaged equations of energy and momentum the energy flux, radiation stress and energy dissipation are determined by simple approximations which include the effect of the surface roller in the breaker and the actual shape of the waves. To the first approximation the roller represents a volume of water moving with the wave speed. It significantly changes both energy flux and radiation stress of the surf zone waves. The equations of energy and momentum are solved simultaneously to give the wave height variation and the set-up. Comparison with measurements shows good agreement. Also the transitions immediately after breaking are analyzed and shown to be in accordance with the above-mentioned ideas and results.     

An ecosystem modeling approach to predicting cod recruitment

The Norwegian Ecological Model (NORWECOM) biophysical model system implemented with the ROMS ocean circulation model has been run to simulate conditions over the last 25 years for the North Atlantic. Modeled time series of water volume fluxes, primary production, and drift of cod larvae through their modeled ambient temperature fields have been analyzed in conjunction with VPA estimated time series of 3-year-old cod recruits in the Barents Sea. Individual time series account for less than 50% of the recruitment variability; however, a combination of simulated flow of Atlantic water into the Barents Sea and local primary production accounts for 70% of the variability with a 3-year lead. The associated regression predicts increased recruitment between 2007 and 2008 from about 450–700 million individuals with a standard error of nearly 150 million.     

High-temperature X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy of diopside and pseudowollastonite

Diopside (CaMgSi₂O₆) and pseudowollastonite (CaSiO₃) have been studied by X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy up to their respective melting points. In agreement with previous unit-cell parameters determinations below 1100 K, thermal expansion of diopside along the a and c axis is much smaller than along the b axis. For pseudowollastonite, the axis expansivity increases slightly in the order b>a>c. For both minerals, the change in unit-cell angles is very small and there are no anomalous variations of the other unit-cell parameters near the melting point. With increasing temperatures, the main changes observed in the Raman spectra are strong increases of the linewidths for those bands which mainly represent Si−O−Si bending (near 600 cm⁻¹) or involve Ca−O or Mg−O stretching, in the range 270–500 cm⁻¹ for diopside, and 240–450 cm⁻¹ for pseudowollastonite. At temperatures near the onset of calorimetric premelting effects, this extensive band widening results in a broad Raman feature that can no longer be deconvoluted into its individual components. No significant changes affect the Si−O streching modes. For both diopside and pseudowollastonite, premelting appears to be associated with enhanced dynamics of the alkaline-earth elements. This conclusion contrasts markedly with that drawn for sodium metasilicate in which weaker bonding of sodium allows the silicate framework to distort and deform in such a way as to prefigure the silicate entities present in the melt. Received 16 July 1997 / Revised, accepted: 6 March 1998     

Wave heights and set-up in a surf zone

A theoretical model is developed for wave heights and set-up in a surf zone. In the time-averaged equations of energy and momentum the energy flux, radiation stress and energy dissipation are determined by simple approximations which include the effect of the surface roller in the breaker and the actual shape of the waves. To the first approximation the roller represents a volume of water moving with the wave speed. It significantly changes both energy flux and radiation stress of the surf zone waves. The equations of energy and momentum are solved simultaneously to give the wave height variation and the set-up. Comparison with measurements shows good agreement. Also the transitions immediately after breaking are analyzed and shown to be in accordance with the above-mentioned ideas and results.     

Polarization effects in seaice signatures

Observations of microwave emissivities of multiyear sea ice showed anomalies at horizontal polarization in the frequency range from 5 to 35 GHz during the Norwegian Remote Sensing Experiment (NORSEX) [1] in September and October 1979. The effect can be explained by layers of solid ice present in the dry snow cover throughout the NORSEX area. A special experiment made on a typical multiyear floe confirms this explanation. Since the results also indicate that at 94 GHz the layers do not affect the radiation, a dual-polarized radiometer in the 90-GHz window is a promising sea-ice sensor.     

Contribution of interstitial OH groups to the incorporation of water in forsterite

Water incorporation in forsterite samples synthesized under low to medium silica-activity conditions mostly occurs via a substitutional mechanism in which a Si vacancy is compensated by four protons. Corresponding IR absorption spectra display a cluster of narrow and weakly anharmonic OH-stretching bands at wavenumbers above 3,500 cm^?1. However, this diagnostic spectrum is often superimposed to one broader absorption band, rarely two, displaying pronounced temperature-dependent properties and tentatively assigned to H atoms in interstitial position (Ingrin et al. in Phys Chem Miner 40:499–510, 2013). Here, we investigate the structural and vibrational properties of selected interstitial H-bearing defects in forsterite using a first-principles modeling approach. We show that the broad bands discussed by Ingrin et al. (Phys Chem Miner 40:499–510, 2013) are most likely related to interstitial OH groups in the vacant octahedral sites alternating with the M2 sites along the c axis of the forsterite structure. The corresponding OH defects lead to the formation of fivefold coordinated Si species. Their peculiar thermal properties stem from the vibrational phase relaxation due to the anharmonic coupling of the high-energy local OH-stretching mode with a low-energy vibrational mode. This “exchange mode” corresponds to the hindered longitudinal translation of the OH group. These results suggest that at high pressure, hydrogen incorporation in forsterite is dominated by coexisting interstitial OH groups and (4H)_Si defects.