Geological and pedological aspects of an Early-Paleolithic site: Revadim,Central Coastal Plain,Israel

An Early Paleolithic site was recently discovered within a sequence of paleosols in the Revadim Quarry, central coastal plain of Israel. The section is composed of three superimposed soils in a continuous sequence, but separated by two unconformity surfaces. The uppermost paleosol is a modern Dark Brown Grumusol (Vertisol), the middle is a Quartzic Gray Brown Soil (Haploxeralf), and the lower is a Red Hamra (Rhodoxeralf). Normal magnetic polarity was detected in the two lower soils, indicating that they are younger than the Brunhes–Matuyama boundary (<780 ka). A human occupation bed, enriched in secondary carbonate nodules, forms the lower part of the Quartzic Gray Brown Soil and overlies the Red Hamra. The living floor is located on top of the unconformity surface, separating the Red Hamra from the overlying Quartzic Gray Brown Soil. Middle to Late Acheulian handaxes, choppers, cores, and flake tools, including tools made by the Levallois technique, and man-laid flint pebbles were excavated in the human occupation bed. In addition, two elephant tusks, an elephant pelvis, an elephant tooth (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), tusk splinters, and bones of equid, suid, cervid, bovid, felid, and rodents were also collected. Based on well-documented nearby boreholes and on regional correlation, it appears that the underlying dune sands, the parent materials from which the Red Hamra developed, were deposited probably during a phase of high-stand sea level of Isotope Stage 9. The Red Hamra developed simultaneously with the human occupation of the site, probably during a phase of low-stand sea-level of Isotope Stage 8, before some 300–245 ka. The overlying dune sands, the parent materials from which the Quartzic Gray Brown Soil developed, were deposited probably during a phase of high-stand sea level of Isotope Stage 7. The climate prevailing in the area during Stage 8, as well as during the human habitation, was moist, with a dense vegetation cover of grassland and probably scattered trees. A small lake of trapped fresh water at a junction of two small tributaries of the Soreq River drainage system near the area occupied was available to hominids and animals. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Geographic signatures of North American West Coast estuaries

West Coast estuaries are geologically young and composed of a variety of geomorphological types. These estuaries range from large fjords to shallow lagoons; from large to low freshwater flows. Natural hazards include E1 Niños, strong Pacific storms, and active tectonic activity. West Coast estuaries support a wide range of living resources: five salmon species, harvestable shellfish, waterfowl and marine birds, marine mammals, and a variety of algae and plants. Although populations of many of these living resources have declined (salmonids), others have increased (marine mammals). West Coast estuaries are also centers of commerce and increasingly large shipping traffic. The West Coast human population is rising faster than most other areas of the U.S. and Canada, and is distributed heavily in southern California, the San Francisco Bay area, around Puget Sound, and the Fraser River estuary. While water pollution is a problem in many of the urbanized estuaries, most estuaries do not suffer from poor water quality. Primary estuarine problems include habitat alterations, degradation, and loss; diverted freshwater flows; marine sediment contamination; and exotic species introductions. The growing West Coast economy and population are in part related to the quality of life, which is dependent on the use and enjoyment of abundant coastal natural resources.     

Using GIS and Dispersion Modelling Tools to Assess the Effect of the Environment on Health

A feasibility study in progress to integrate health and air quality information is presented. The methods of using integrated GIS and air quality dispersion modelling tools to assess the effect of the environment on health are discussed. The main aim is to model human personal exposure to air pollutants and compare the predictions to respiratory health data for asthmatics in a health telematics project. The MEDICATE project develops and tests the feasibility of using a health telematic system for asthmatics. Key to this is the determination of the real-time health (lung function) response to the ambient environment. For this, air quality information is related to respiratory measurements by modelling personal exposure through a GIS. The methods of integrating environmental modelling and assessment tools (GIS) in this case are examined. ESRI's ArcView is used to locate and compile environmental information about the patients' locations and lifestyles in the study areas (London and Barcelona). A dispersion modelling extension to ArcView, ADMS Urban, is used to interrogate the spatial environmental databases (e.g. emission inventories) to model air pollution concentrations. Patients' personal exposure is modelled by time-weighted estimates of their exposure to ambient air quality at each defined location. Lung function data can be compared on a time-wise basis with these air quality indicators to see if there is a relationship on an hourly, daily or lagged-day basis. The aim of this paper is to propose a methodology and discuss the integration and practicalities of using air quality assessment tools (inventories, dispersion modelling and a GIS) in assessing the impacts of the environment on human health.     

The 'second parameter': a memory from the globular cluster formation epoch

We study the correlations between the distribution of stars on the horizontal branch (HB), the HB morphology, and some other properties of globular clusters (GCs) in a large sample of GCs. We strengthen previous results that a general correlation exists only between HB morphology and metallicity. Correlations with other properties, e.g. central density and core radius, exist only for GCs within a narrow metallicity range. We conjecture that the lack of correlations with present properties of GCs (besides metallicity) is because the variation of the HB morphologies between GCs having similar metallicities is caused by a process, or processes, the effect of which was determined at the formation time of GCs. This process (or processes) is historically termed the 'second parameter', metallicity being the 'first parameter'. We then argue that the 'planet second parameter' model, where the presence of planets and to a lesser degree brown dwarfs and low-mass main-sequence stars is the 'second parameter', fits this conjecture. This is because the processes that determine the presence of planets and their properties occur during the formation epoch of the star and its circumstellar disc.     

Chromium Augite - A New Microprobe Reference Sample

A microprobe reference sample was made from a portion of a large and homogeneous single crystal of augite which contains 0.85% of Cr₂O₃. The relatively high chromium content of this augite increases its usefulness as a microprobe reference sample.     

Modelling the DC electrical response of fully and partially saturated Permo-Triassic sandstone

Results from a laboratory investigation into the electrical properties of fully and partially saturated Wildmoor Triassic Sandstone have been modelled using the Archie, Waxman–Smits and Hanai–Bruggeman equations. The results demonstrate the limitation of using simple relationships to describe samples when the matrix resistivity ρ_r is not significantly greater than the saturating electrolyte resistivity ρ_w. In these situations Archie's parameters m and n are not accurately determined. Conversely, the more sophisticated Waxman–Smits and Hanai–Bruggeman models provide parameters that better describe the electrical properties of the rock and are able to identify heterogeneity between samples that would otherwise be missed. The ranges of values for matrix resistivity (49 < ρ_r < 161 Ωm) and cementation factor (1.6 < m < 2.1) obtained from the Hanai–Bruggeman model indicate significant variation between samples. Comparison of laboratory‐determined values for cation exchange capacity (0.06 < Q_v < 0.51 meq/mL) and those obtained from the Waxman–Smits model (0.09 < Q_v < 0.55 meq/mL) indicates a very strong correlation, suggesting this model is appropriate for describing the rock. There is good agreement between parameters modelled using fully and partially saturated versions of both the Hanai–Bruggeman and Waxman–Smits equations, indicating that the data are consistent with these models and that the assumptions made are appropriate.     

Shelf-margin clinoforms and prediction of deepwater sands

Early Eocene successions from Spitsbergen and offshore Ireland, showing well‐developed shelf‐margin clinoforms and a variety of deepwater sands, are used to develop models to predict the presence or absence of turbidite sands in clinoform strata without significant slope disturbance/ponding by salt or mud diapers. The studied clinoforms formed in front of narrow to moderate width (10–60 km) shelves and have slopes, 2–4°, that are typical of accreting shelf margins. The clinoforms are evaluated in terms of both shelf‐transiting sediment‐delivery systems and the resultant partitioning of the sand and mud budget along their different segments. Although this sediment‐budget partitioning is controlled by sediment type and flux, shelf width and gradient, process regime on the shelf and relative sea‐level behaviour, the most tell‐tale or predictive signs in the stratigraphic record appear to be (1) sediment‐delivery system type, (2) degree of shelf‐edge channelling and (3) character of shelf‐edge trajectory through time. The clinoform data sets from the Porcupine Basin (wells and 3‐D seismic) and from the Central Basin on Spitsbergen (outcrops) suggest that river‐dominated deltas are the most efficient delivery systems for dispersing sand into deep water beyond the shelf‐slope break. In addition, low‐angle or flat, channelled shelf‐edge trajectories associate with co‐eval deepwater slope and basin‐floor sands, whereas rising trajectories tend to associate with muddy slopes and basin floors. Characteristic features of the shelf‐edge, slope and basin‐floor segments of clinoforms for these trajectory types are documented. Seismic lines along the slope to basin‐floor transects tend to show apparent up‐dip sandstone pinchouts, but most of these are likely to be simply sidelap features. Dip lines aligned along the axes of sandy fairways show that stratigraphic traps are unlikely, unless slope channels become mud‐filled or are structurally partitioned. Another feature that is prominent in the data sets examined is the lack of slope onlap. During the relative rise of sea level back up to the shelf, the clinoform slopes are generally mud‐prone and they are characteristically aggradational.