Stellar kinematics and populations of early-type galaxies with the SAURON and OASIS integral-field spectrographs

We summarise the results and achievements of integral-field spectroscopy of early-type galaxies, observed as part of a survey using both the SAURON and OASIS spectrographs. From the perspective of integral-field spectroscopy, these otherwise smooth and featureless objects show a wealth of structure, both in their stellar kinematics and populations. We focus on the stellar content, and examine properties on both kiloparsec scales with SAURON, and scales of 100’s of parsecs with OASIS. These complementary studies reveal two types of kinematically distinct components (KDCs), differing primarily in their intrinsic sizes. In previous studies, KDCs and their host galaxies have generally been found to be unremarkable in other aspects. We show that large KDCs, typical of the well-studied cases, indeed show little or no age differences with their host galaxy. The KDCs detected with the higher spatial-resolution of OASIS are intrinsically smaller and include, in contrast, a significant fraction of young stars. We speculate on the relationship between KDCs and their host galaxies, and the implications for young populations in early-type galaxies.     

Comparative study of the kinetics and mechanisms of dissolution of carbonate minerals

The influence of pH on the rate of dissolution of various carbonates (calcite, aragonite, witherite, magnesite and dolomite) has been investigated at 25°C using a continuous fluidized bed reactor. The general rate dependence on pH observed for the simple carbonates is very similar and is in agreement with the results observed for calcite and aragonite by L.N. Plummer and coworkers. However, the rate of dissolution of magnesite is approximately four orders of magnitude lower than calcite.

For simple carbonates, the elementary steps involved in the dissolution reaction are:

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where M represents the metal ion which can be Ca, Mg and Ba. According to the stoichiometry of the three reaction steps and the thermodynamic constraints, the total forward and backward rates can be expressed as:

R_f=k₁a_H+k₂a_H2CO3^*+K₃

r_b=k_-1^aM²+^aHCO₃^-+k_-2^aHCO3^-+k_{-3^aM²+^aCO3^2-}

The rate constants (k₁, k₂, k₃ and k₋₃) determined with our experimental results for calcite, aragonite and witherite show that the dissolution rates are similar for these three minerals and that the nature of the cations does not play a significant role. The good agreement between the K_sp calculated from the measured k₃/k₋₃ ratio and the theromodynamic value suggests that our dissolution mechanism is coherent.

The rate dependence on pH of the dissolution of dolomite obeys a fractional order at low pH's and confirms previously published observations therein. However, the two-step reaction mechanism proposed does not explain the fractional reaction order observed, which is likely due to a more complex surface reaction.     

Experimental partitioning of halogens and other trace elements between olivine, pyroxenes, amphibole and aqueous fluid at 2 GPa and 900–1,300 °C

We present new partition coefficients for various trace elements including Cl between olivine, pyroxenes, amphibole and coexisting chlorine-bearing aqueous fluid in a series of high-pressure experiments at 2 GPa between 900 and 1,300 °C in natural and synthetic systems. Diamond aggregates were added to the experimental capsule set-up in order to separate the fluid from the solid residue and enable in situ analysis of the quenched solute by LA–ICP–MS. The chlorine and fluorine contents in mantle minerals were measured by electron microprobe, and the nature of OH defects was investigated by infrared spectroscopy. Furthermore, a fluorine-rich olivine from one selected sample was investigated by TEM. Results reveal average Cl concentrations in olivine and pyroxenes around 20 ppm and up to 900 ppm F in olivine, making olivine an important repository of halogens in the mantle. Chlorine is always incompatible with Cl partition coefficients D _Cl ^{olivine/fluid} varying between 10^?5 and 10^?3, whereas D _Cl ^{orthopyroxene/fluid} and D _Cl ^{clinopyroxene/fluid} are ~10^?4 and D _Cl ^{amphibole/fluid} is ~5 × 10^?3. Furthermore, partitioning results for incompatible trace element show that compatibilities of trace elements are generally ordered as D ^amph/fluid ≈ D ^cpx/fluid > D ^opx/fluid > D ^ol/fluid but that D ^{mineral/fluid} for Li and P is very similar for all observed silicate phases. Infrared spectra of olivine synthesized in a F-free Ti-bearing system show absorption bands at 3,525 and ~3,570 cm^?1. In F ± TiO₂-bearing systems, additional absorption bands appear at ~3,535, ~3,595, 3,640 and 3,670 cm^?1. Absorption bands at ~3,530 and ~3,570 cm^?1, previously assigned to humite-like point defects, profit from low synthesis temperatures and the presence of F. The presence of planar defects could not be proved by TEM investigations, but dislocations in the olivine lattice were observed and are suggested to be an important site for halogen incorporation in olivine.     

Hydrogen incorporation in enstatite in the system MgO–SiO2–H2O–NaCl

The incorporation of hydrogen in enstatite in a hydrous system containing various amounts of NaCl was investigated at 25 kbar. The hydrogen content in enstatite shows a clear negative correlation to the NaCl-concentration in the system. The most favourable explanation is the reduction of water fugacity due to dilution. Other reasons for the limited hydrogen incorporation at high NaCl levels, such as a significant influence of Na⁺ on the defect chemistry or an exchange between OH^- and Cl⁻in enstatite, appear much less important. A partition coefficient D _Na ^En/Fluid = 0.0013 could be determined, demonstrating that Na is less incompatible in enstatite than H. The new results support the idea that dissolved components have to be considered when the total hydrogen storage capacity in nominally anhydrous minerals is estimated, especially in geological settings with high levels of halogens, such as subduction zones.     

Isotopic and Elemental Imaging of Geological Materials by Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry

Laser ablation ICP-MS represents a promising new development for the acquisition of elemental and isotopic images from a variety of different materials. Compared to existing methods for imaging, it offers relatively rapid throughput, very wide dynamic range, a relatively clean mass spectrum, utility at a variety of scales (from μm to cm) and multi-element/isotopic capability. Although developing rapidly in the biological sciences, the method has not yet seen widespread application to geological materials. This contribution documents some preliminary experiments aimed at understanding the fundamental aspects of elemental and isotopic image acquisition using laser ablation ICP-MS. In particular, we note that ablation cell designs must be optimised to promote rapid system response, in contrast to the signal-smoothing that is often preferred for simple spot analyses. Furthermore, experimental parameters must be carefully evaluated on a system-by-system basis to avoid the blurring effects of re-sampling phenomena. With careful attention to these details, and development of appropriate data processing software, laser ablation ICP-MS imaging has much to offer workers in the Earth and environmental sciences.     

Global change revealed by palaeolimnological records from remote lakes: a review

Over recent decades, palaeolimnological records from remote sites have provided convincing evidence for the onset and development of several facets of global environmental change. Remote lakes, defined here as those occurring in high latitude or high altitude regions, have the advantage of not being overprinted by local anthropogenic processes. As such, many of these sites record broad-scale environmental changes, frequently driven by regime shifts in the Earth system. Here, we review a selection of studies from North America and Europe and discuss their broader implications. The history of investigation has evolved synchronously with the scope and awareness of environmental problems. An initial focus on acid deposition switched to metal and other types of pollutants, then climate change and eventually to atmospheric deposition-fertilising effects. However, none of these topics is independent of the other, and all of them affect ecosystem function and biodiversity in profound ways. Currently, remote lake palaeolimnology is developing unique datasets for each region investigated that benchmark current trends with respect to past, purely natural variability in lake systems. Fostering conceptual and methodological bridges with other environmental disciplines will upturn contribution of remote lake palaeolimnology in solving existing and emerging questions in global change science and planetary stewardship.     

Joint determination of K decay constants and Ar∗/K for the Fish Canyon sanidine standard, and improved accuracy for Ar/Ar geochronology

⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and K-Ar geochronology have long suffered from large systematic errors arising from imprecise K and Ar isotopic data for standards and imprecisely determined decay constants for the branched decay of ⁴⁰K by electron capture and β⁻ emission. This study presents a statistical optimization approach allowing constraints from ⁴⁰K activity data, K-Ar isotopic data, and pairs of ²³⁸U-²⁰⁶Pb and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data for rigorously selected rocks to be used as inputs for estimating the partial decay constants (λ_ε and λ_β) of ⁴⁰K and the ⁴⁰Ar∗/⁴⁰K ratio (κ_FCs) of the widely used Fish Canyon sanidine (FCs) standard. This yields values of κ_FCs = (1.6418 ± 0.0045) × 10⁻³, λ_ε = (0.5755 ± 0.0016) × 10⁻¹⁰ a⁻¹ and λ_β = (4.9737 ± 0.0093) × 10⁻¹⁰ a⁻¹. These results improve uncertainties in the decay constants by a factor of >4 relative to values derived from activity data alone. Uncertainties in these variables determined by our approach are moderately to highly correlated (cov(κ_FCs, λ_ε) = 7.1889 × 10⁻¹⁹, cov(κ_FCs, λ_β) = −7.1390 × 10⁻¹⁹, cov(λ_ε, λ_β) = −3.4497 × 10⁻²⁶) and one must take account of the covariances in error propagation by either linear or Monte Carlo methods. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age errors estimated from these results are significantly reduced relative to previous calibrations. Also, age errors are smaller for a comparable level of isotopic measurement precision than those produced by the ²³⁸U/²⁰⁶Pb system, because the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar system is now jointly calibrated by both the ⁴⁰K and ²³⁸U decay constants, and because λ_ε(⁴⁰K) < λ(²³⁸U). Based on this new calibration, the age of the widely used Fish Canyon sanidine standard is 28.305 ± 0.036 Ma. The increased accuracy of ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar ages is now adequate to provide meaningful validation of high-precision U/Pb or astronomical tuning ages in cases where closed system behavior of K and Ar can be established.     

An evaluation of the hysteresis in chemical concentration–discharge (C–Q) relationships from drained,intensively managed grasslands in southwest England

This study examined the hysteresis exhibited in concentration–discharge (C–Q) relationships in the runoff from four hydrologically separated fields (catchments) at an intensively managed grassland. The objectives were to examine C–Q relationships constructed from high-resolution time series of flow, temperature, pH, conductivity, nitrate and turbidity, and their implications for hydrological processes. High-resolution datasets from the quality assured records of the Rothamsted Research North Wyke Farm Platform in the UK were examined using a graphical method and cross-correlation statistics. The study found that storm events based C–Q hysteresis reflects the cross-correlation that is generally hidden in time series analysis of large datasets, and that although Q and water quality variables can be effectively influenced by catchment size, the C–Q relationship is less significantly influenced. The dominant C–Q relationships of the water variables in the study area reflect that saturated overland flow was prevalent during the study period in the catchments, while the CCF results indicate coupled transfer of sediments and solute in the area at lag ≥ 0.

EDITOR D. Koutsoyiannis

ASSOCIATE EDITOR M. D. Fidelibus     

Wave refraction–diffraction effect in the wind wave model WWM

Based on the extended mild-slope equation, the wind wave model (WWM; Hsu et al., 2005) is modified to account for wave refraction, diffraction and reflection for wind waves propagating over a rapidly varying seabed in the presence of current. The combined effect of the higher-order bottom effect terms is incorporated into the wave action balance equation through the correction of the wavenumber and propagation velocities using a refraction–diffraction correction parameter. The relative importance of additional terms including higher-order bottom components, the wave–bottom interaction source term and wave–current interaction that influence the refraction–diffraction correction parameter is discussed. The applicability of the proposed model to calculate a wave transformation over an elliptic shoal, a series of parallel submerged breakwater induced Bragg scattering and wave–current interaction is evaluated. Numerical results show that the present model provides better predictions of the wave amplitude as compared with the phase-decoupled model of Holthuijsen et al. (2003).     

Late Quaternary glacial and climate history of the Pamir Mountains derived from cosmogenic Be exposure ages

Moraines southwest of Lake Yashilkul, Pamir, Tajikistan, were dated using ¹⁰Be exposure ages of boulder surfaces. We found evidence for (1) an extensive glaciation ∼60,000 yr ago; (2) a less extensive glacial advance, which deposited a characteristic hummocky moraine lobe with exposure ages ranging from ∼11,000 to 47,000 yr, probably deposited at or before 47,000 yr ago; and (3) lateral moraines with exposure ages of ∼40,000 yr, 27,000 yr and 19,000 yr, respectively. Increasing aridity in the Pamir is most likely responsible for the progressively limited extent of the glaciers during the Late Pleistocene.