Clinoform mechanics in the Gulf of Papua, New Guinea

The largest islands of the Indo-Pacific Archipelago are estimated to account for 20–25% of the global sediment discharge to the ocean, and much (>50%) of this sediment is supplied to wide (>150 km) continental shelves. These conditions are conducive to creation of large-scale morphologic features known as clinoforms—sigmoidal-shaped deposits on the continental shelf. The Gulf of Papua (GOP) receives 3.84 ×10⁸ tons of sediment annually from three principal sediment suppliers, the Fly, Kikori and Purari Rivers, and its prograding clinoform is the focus of this study. During three research cruises, 80 cores and 37 CTD/optical backscatter casts were collected, and an instrumented tripod was deployed twice. Sedimentological and radiochemical results indicate that the GOP clinoform has characteristics similar to those seaward of other major rivers (e.g., Amazon, Ganges–Brahmaputra), specifically sand/mud interbedding on the topset, rapidly accumulating muds on the foreset, and siliciclastic mud mixed with carbonate sand on the bottomset.Using core data and field observations, the mechanics of clinoform progradation are examined. Discrete, large sedimentation events are identified as processes building the clinoform feature. X-radiographs from foreset cores reveal thick beds (>5 cm) between bioturbated sections. Detailed ²¹⁰Pb and grain-size data indicate that low activities and increased clay contents are associated with these beds. They are hypothesized to be formed by fluid–mud deposition in response to periods of large wave-tide bed shear stresses, more likely during the SE-tradewind season, and their regular occurrence produces high rates of mean accumulation (4 cm/y). Bed preservation is determined by the rates of sediment accumulation and bioturbation.To assess the influence of physical oceanographic factors on clinoform shape, bottom shear stresses from tides and surface waves were calculated using available wave and tripod data. This effort reveals that the depth range (25–40 m) of the clinoform rollover point (seaward edge of the topset region) is roughly consistent with the sediment-transport regime. Furthermore, calculations corroborate the core data that suggest possible seasonal sediment storage in the inner topset region (<15-m water depth, during the NW-monsoon winds) with subsequent transfer to foreset beds (more probable during SE-tradewind conditions).A 100-yr sediment budget created with accumulation rate data suggests approximately 20% of the total sediment supplied to the GOP accumulates on the clinoform (creating the clinoform morphology). Less than 5% is believed to escape to the adjacent slope, and much of the remaining 75% is likely trapped on the inner-topset region (<20 m water depth) and within the mangrove forests and flood/delta plains of the northern GOP.     

Stratospheric Photolysis Frequencies: Impact of an Improved Numerical Solution of the Radiative Transfer Equation

Numerical schemes for the calculation of photolysis rates are usually employed in simulations of stratospheric chemistry. Here, we present an improvement of the treatment of the diffuse actinic flux in a widely used stratospheric photolysis scheme (Lary and Pyle, 1991). We discuss both the consequences of this improvement and the correction of an error present in earlier applications of this scheme on the calculation of stratospheric photolysis frequencies. The strongest impact of both changes to the scheme is for small solar zenith angles. The effect of the improved treatment of the diffuse flux is most pronounced in the lower stratosphere and in the troposphere. Overall, the change in the calculated photolysis frequencies in the region of interest in the stratosphere is below about 20%, although larger deviations are found for H₂O, O₂, NO, N₂O, and HCl.     

Evaluation of the impact of atmospheric pressure loading modeling on GNSS data analysis

In recent years, several studies have demonstrated the sensitivity of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) station time series to displacements caused by atmospheric pressure loading (APL). Different methods to take the APL effect into account are used in these studies: applying the corrections from a geophysical model on weekly mean estimates of station coordinates, using observation-level corrections during data analysis, or solving for regression factors between the station displacement and the local pressure. The Center for Orbit Determination in Europe (CODE) is one of the global analysis centers of the International GNSS Service (IGS). The current quality of the IGS products urgently asks to consider this effect in the regular processing scheme. However, the resulting requirements for an APL model are demanding with respect to quality, latency, and—regarding the reprocessing activities—availability over a long time interval (at least from 1994 onward). The APL model of Petrov and Boy (J Geophys Res 109:B03405, 2004) is widely used within the VLBI community and is evaluated in this study with respect to these criteria. The reprocessing effort of CODE provides the basis for validating the APL model. The data set is used to solve for scaling factors for each station to evaluate the geophysical atmospheric non-tidal loading model. A consistent long-term validation of the model over 15 years, from 1994 to 2008, is thus possible. The time series of 15 years allows to study seasonal variations of the scaling factors using the dense GNSS tracking network of the IGS. By interpreting the scaling factors for the stations of the IGS network, the model by (2004) is shown to meet the expectations concerning the order of magnitude of the effect at individual stations within the uncertainty given by the GNSS data processing and within the limitations due to the model itself. The repeatability of station coordinates improves by 20% when applying the effect directly on the data analysis and by 10% when applying a post-processing correction to the resulting weekly coordinates compared with a solution without taking APL into account.     

Improving noble gas based paleoclimate reconstruction and groundwater dating using Ne/Ne ratios

The interpretation of noble gas concentrations in groundwater with respect to recharge temperature and fractionated excess gas leads to different results on paleo-climatic conditions and on residence times depending on the choice of the gas partitioning model. Two fractionation models for the gas excess are in use, one assuming partial re-equilibration of groundwater supersaturated by excess air (PR-model, Stute et al., 1995), the other assuming closed-system equilibration of groundwater with entrapped air (CE-model, Aeschbach-Hertig et al., 2000). In the example of the Continental Terminal aquifers in Niger, PR- and CE- model are both consistent with the data on elemental noble gas concentrations (Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe). Only by including the isotope ratio ²⁰Ne/²²Ne it can be demonstrated that the PR-model has to be rejected and the CE-model should be applied to the data. In dating applications ³He of atmospheric origin (³He_atm) required to calculate ³H-³He water ages is commonly estimated from the Ne excess presuming that gas excess is unfractionated air (UA-model). Including in addition to the Ne concentration the ²⁰Ne/²²Ne ratio and the concentration of Ar enables a rigorous distinction between PR-, CE- and UA-model and a reliable determination of ³He_atm and of ³H-³He water ages.     

2-D and 3-D modelling of wide-angle seismic data: an example from the Vøring volcanic passive margin

This study presents the modelling of 2-D and 3-D wide-angle seismic data acquired on the complex, volcanic passive margin of the Vøring Plateau, off Norway. Three wide-angle seismic profiles were shot and recorded simultaneously by 21 Ocean Bottom Seismometers, yielding a comprehensive 3-D data set, in addition to the three in-line profiles. Coincident multi-channel seismic profiles are used to better constrain the modelling, but the Mesozoic and deeper structures are poorly imaged due to the presence of flood basalts and sills. Velocity modelling reveals an unexpectedly large 30 km basement high hidden below the flood basalt. When interpreted as a 2-D structure, this basement high produces a modelled gravity anomaly in disagreement with the observed gravity. However, both the gravity and the seismic data suggest that the structure varies in all three directions. The modelling of the entire 3-D set of travel times leads to a coherent velocity structure that confirms the basement high; it also shows that the abrupt transition to the slower Cretaceous basin coincides in position and orientation with the fault system forming the Rån Ridge. The positive gravity anomaly over the Rån Ridge originates from the focussed and coincident elevation of the high velocity lower crust and pre-Cretaceous basement. Although the Moho is not constrained by the seismic data, the gravity modelled from the 3-D velocity model shows a better fit along the profiles. This study illustrates the interest of a 3-D acquisition of wide-angle seismic over complex structures and the benefit of the subsequent integrated interpretation of the seismic and gravity data.     

The changing geography of traditional medicine: Urban herbalism on the Witwatersrand,South Africa

While medical geographers have generally ignored medical pluralism in developing countries, a small but significant geographical literature on traditional medicine has emerged. Progress for research by geographers on traditional medicine lies through a broader contextualisation of medical pluralism sensitive to the socio-economic and political context of health and disease. In this paper, a brief overview of medical pluralism in South Africa is presented. Issues surrounding the changing geography of traditional medicine are illustrated with reference to urban herbalism on the Witwatersrand.     

Marine seismics with a pulsed combustion source and Pseudo Noise codes

There has been a long-standing debate concerning how dangerous seismic surveys are with respect to marine life. Marine seismic work today is dominated by airgun technology, where high energy is generated by a release of compressed air into the water. The objective of the “Time coded impulse seismic technique” project is to examine whether a new low energy acoustic source can be used for seismic purposes. If the method turns out to be successful, the low output energy and continuous operation will make the source suitable in environmental sensitive areas. The Low level Acoustic Combustion Source (LACS) is a petrol driven pulsed underwater acoustic source. It operates at a few meters depth, and each shot can be digitally controlled from the surface by a computer located in the mother vessel. A presentation of the recorded LACS signal characteristics, the modulation, the Pseudo Noise coding/decoding principles and field test results, is given. The importance of using an optimized code with fine resolution and of using the near field recording as a correlator sequence is demonstrated. Clear correlation peaks could then be seen from the bottom and sub bottom reflectors.     

An ice breeze mechanism for boundary-layer jets

The existence of a low-level (z=~1000 m) jet adjacent to a sea-ice boundary is investigated with a two-dimensional numerical model. A thermally-direct ice breeze circulation is induced by specifying an ice-sea surface temperature gradient, with the mean geostrophic wind parallel to the ice edge. Pressure changes associated with over-water mixed-layer development create an increase in geostrophic velocity that accounts for most of the increase in wind speed. A change in initial geostrophic wind direction has significant effects on location and intensity of the low-level jet; geostrophic winds parallel to the ice edge result in stronger jets than occur with cross-ice geostrophic winds. An inertial oscillation simulated by the model in 1-D makes a negligible contribution to the low-level jet.     

The rhombohedral framework of the Scandinavian Caledonides and their foreland

The Baltic Shield of northern Europe is transsected by approximately N-S and NW-SE striking Proterozoic fault and fracture zones that were remobilized during the Late Precambrian opening of the Iapetus ocean and the SE-directed thrusting of the Caledonian nappes in Mid-Paleozoic time. Remobilizations of these older structures account for a distinct subsidence history and sedimentological evolution over each fault-bounded basement segment during opening of the Iapetus and for a distinct metamorphic and structural development found within each block during overthrusting of the Caledonian nappes and the exhumation of the orogen. The two fault sets define basement blocks with rhombus-like plan sections which had individual subsidence histories during Iapetus rifting as is expressed by their Late Precambrian (Riphean and Vendian) to Silurian sedimentary cover of contrasting thickness and facies. This contrasting subsidence history of the various basement blocks may have contributed to differences in thrusting level, thrust excision (nappe size), and tectonic style. Correlative Caledonian nappes from adjacent faultbounded basement blocks were thrust diachronously resulting in transport transverse to the general thrusting direction. Thrusting oblique to the NW-SE fault zones and orogen parallel extension resulted in lateral-ramp folds in the cover and reactivation along the NW-SE faults imbricated the overlying nappes. The extent of basement imbrication and duplex formation is variable in the different segments. Within single segments, the basement imbrication and duplex-formation defined basement highs that roughly align in two parallel zones within the orogen. The site of the basement duplexes is probably controlled by older N-S fracture zones while the pinch- and-swell structure parallel to the orogen is caused by the individual deformation and thrusting behavior of the basement and cover sequences that are bound by the NW-SE fault zones. Thus the Caledonian orogen appears to have inherited the Precambrian structural grain of the underlying, Baltic Shield.

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Zusammenfassung Der Baltische Schild Nordeuropas ist von im Proterozoikum angelegten Verwerfungen und Scherzonen mit nördlichem sowie und nordwestlichem Streichen durchzogen, welche während der spätpräkambrischen Öffnung des Iapetus-Ozeanes und der anschließenden, südöstlich gerichteten Überschiebung der kaledonischen Decken im ausgehenden Alt-Paläozoikum reaktiviert worden sind. Die Wiederbelebung dieses ererbten, durch steilstehende Störungen gekennzeichneten, rhombenförmigen Strukturmusters führte zu unterschiedlichen Absenkungsraten der Störungsbegrenzten Grundgebirgsblöcke und steuerte somit die Ablagerungsbedingungen in entstehenden Sedimentationströgen während der Öffnungsphase des Iapetus-Ozeans. Durch diesen Prozeß lassen sich latterale Unterschiede in Mächtigkeit und Fazies der jungpräkambrischen bis altpaläozoischen Deckensedimente entlang dem Nordwestrande des damaligen Kontinentes Baltica, sowie Differenzen in der metamorphen und strukturellen Entwicklung der durch Störungen begrenzten Blöcke während der Überschiebung der kaledonischen Decken und der Hebung des Gebirges erklären. Vertikale Blockverschiebungen und Kippungen von Blöcken relativ zueinander können beobachtete Unterschiede in den Abscherungs- und Überschiebungsniveaus, sowie unterschiedliche tektonische Baustile auf und vor (vor allem) zwischen Blöcken erklären helfen. Untereinander korrelierbare kaledonische Deckensegmente haben, in Bezug auf Transportrichtung und Strecke, voneinander unterschiedliche Wege oberhalb ihrer Untergrundsegmente zurückgelegt. Während dieser Überschiebung auf ein sich simultan veränderndes Relief ist es dabei zu Teilbewegungen schräg zur Hauptüberschiebungsrichtung gekommen, was seinerseits zu seitlichen Verzahnungen benachbarter Deckensegmente geführt hat. Die NWSE streichenden Blockgrenzen haben während lokaler Überschiebungen leicht schräg zu dieser Hauptrichtung als Widerlager und Rampen (lateral ramps) für die darübergleitenden Decken gewirkt, welche sich ihrerseits bei diesem Prozeß in orogentransversale Falten gelegt haben. Je nach ihrer Lage und Neigung sind die verschiedenen Segmente während der Kollisionsphase des kaledonischen Orogens in unterschiedlichem Grade von internen Störungen betroffen worden. Die durch intensive Internscherung hervorgerufenen Krustenverdickungen zeigen eine perlschnurartige Anordnung in zwei orogenparallele zonen, deren Anlage sich auf unterliegende und mitverfrachtete N-S Störungszonen zurückführen lassen kann. Das Anschwellen und Ausdünnen (pinch- and-swell) von tektonischen Einheiten entlang der Längsrichtung des Orogens läßt sich durch unterschiedliche Deformationsverhalten innerhalb der durch NW-SE Störungen begrenzten Segmente erklären. Die Kaledoniden Skandinaviens haben offensichtlich das strukturelle Gepräge ihrer präkaledonischen Unterlage ererbt.

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Résumé Le bouclier baltique est traversé par des fractures protérozoïques orientées approximativement N-S et NW-SE. Ces failles furent réactivées d'abord au Précambrien tardif lors de l'extension correspondant à l'ouverture de l'Océan lapétus, ensuite au Protérozoïque moyen lors du charríage des nappes calédoniennes vers le SE. La réactivation de ces vieilles structures explique qu'on observe pour chaque bloc du socle faillé une subsidence et une sédimentation différente pendant la phase d'extension (ouverture du lapétus), ainsi qu'une évolution métamorphique et structurale distincte pendant le charriage des nappes calédoniennes et l'exhumation de l'orogène. Les deux groupes de failles définissent dans le socle des blocs à sections rhombiques qui présentaíent chacun une subsidence particulière pendant l'ouverture du lapétus, comme l'indiquent les variations d'épaisseur et de facies de leur couverture sédimentaire tardi-précambrienne (vendienne) à silurienne. Cette subsidence variable selon les blocs pourrait avoir contribué à induire des différences dans les niveaux de décollement et de charriage des nappes, ainsi que dans le style tectonique. Les unités tectonostratigraphiques des blocs adjacents furent charriées de façon diachronique avec comme résultat un transport transverse par rapport à la direction dominante du charriage. Ce déplacement oblique vers les zones de failles NW-SE et l'extension parallèle de l'orogène ont produit des plis transversaux dans la couverture; la réactivation des failles NW-SE s'est traduite par l'imbrication des nappes surincombantes. L'importance de cette imbrication et de la formation de duplex est variable selon les différents segments du socle. Pour chaque segment particulier, l'imbrication du socle et la formation de duplex ont engendré des culminations de socle alignés selon deux zones parallèles dans l'orogène. La position des duplex est probablement régie par de vieilles failles N-S alors que la structure en «pinch- and-swell» le long de l'orogène est causée par le caractère individuel de la déformation et du charriage du socle et de sa couverture, propre à chaque bloc limité par des failles NW-SE. L'orogenèse calédonienne a été ainsi fortement afffectée par les structures précambriennes du bouclier baltique sous-jacent.

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