Spatiotemporal changes in CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> emissions during the second ZERT injection,August–September 2008

This study reports the first field test of a multi-channel, auto-dilution, steady-state, soil–CO₂ flux monitoring system being developed to help understand the pathways by which fugitive CO₂ from a geologic sequestration site migrates to the surface. The test was conducted from late August through mid-October 2008 at the Zero Emissions Research and Technology project site located in Bozeman, MT. Twenty steady-state and five non-steady-state flux chambers were installed in a 10 × 15 m area, one boundary of which was directly above a shallow (2-m depth) horizontal injection well located 0.5 m below the water table. A total flux of 52 kg CO₂ day⁻¹ was injected into the well for 13 days and the efflux from the soil was monitored by the chambers before, during, and for 33 days after the injection. The results showed a rapid increase in soil efflux once injection started, with maximal values reached within 3–7 days in most chambers. Efflux returned to background levels within a similar time period after injection ceased. A radial efflux pattern was observed to at least 2 m from the injection well, and evidence for movement of the CO₂ plume during the injection, presumably due to groundwater flow, was seen. The steady-state chambers yielded very stable data, but threefold to fivefold higher fluxes than the non-steady-state chambers. The higher fluxes were attributed to vacuum induced in the steady-state chambers by narrow vent tubes. High winds resulted in significant decreases in measured soil CO₂ efflux, presumably by enhancing efflux from soil outside the chambers.     

Ground-based visible and near-IR observations of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 during the Deep Impact encounter

We present the results of our visible and near-IR observations of Comet 9P/Tempel 1 during the Deep Impact encounter. The comet was observed before, during, and after impact from Kitt Peak National Observatory (J, H, K) and Observatorio Astronómico Nacional-San Pedro Mártir, Mexico (B, V, R, I). High time-resolution images in R, J, H, and K the night of impact with a 3^.″5 radius aperture revealed a rapid brightening which had multiple slopes and lasted for approximately 25 min before leveling off. The brightness decreased on subsequent nights and returned to near pre-impact levels by July 8 UT. The R-J, R-H, R-K, J-H, J-K, and H-K colors became bluer the night of impact. The R-J, R-H, and R-K colors remained blue on the night after impact while the J-H, J-K, and H-K colors returned to baseline levels. The observed color changes suggest the bluening was due to an increase in small grains relative to the ambient coma, an increase in ice relative to refractory dust in the coma, or a combination of the two. The ejecta were initially directed towards the southwest but had been driven southeast by solar radiation pressure by the second night after impact. The mean projected ejecta velocity was estimated at 0.20-0.23 km s⁻¹ over the first 24 h after impact.     

Millimetre continuum observations of southern massive star formation regions – II. SCUBA observations of cold cores and the dust grain emissivity index (β)

We report the results of a submillimetre continuum emission survey targeted towards 78 star formation regions, 72 of which are devoid of methanol maser and UC H  ii  regions, identified in the Swedish ESO Submillimetre Telescope (SEST)/SEST IMaging Bolometer Array (SIMBA) millimetre continuum survey of Hill et al. At least 45 per cent of the latter sources, dubbed 'mm-only', detected in this survey are also devoid of the mid-infrared MSX  emission. The 450- and 850-μm continuum emission was mapped using the Submillimetre Common User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) instrument on the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope (JCMT). Emission is detected towards 97 per cent of the 78 sources targeted as well as towards 28 other SIMBA sources lying in the SCUBA fields.
In total, we have identified 212 cores in this submillimetre survey, including 106 previously known from the SIMBA survey. Of the remaining 106 sources, 53 result from resolving a SIMBA source into multiple submillimetre components, whilst the other 53 sources are submillimetre cores, not seen in the SIMBA. Additionally, we have identified two further mm-only sources in the SIMBA images. Of the total 405 sources identified in the SIMBA survey, 255 are only seen at millimetre wavelengths.
We concatenate the results from four (sub)millimetre continuum surveys of massive star formation, together with the Galactic plane map of Pierce-Price et al. in order to determine the dust grain emissivity index β for each of the sources in the SIMBA source list. We examine the value of β with respect to temperature, as well as for the source classes identified in the SIMBA survey, for variation of this index. Our results indicate that β is typically 2, which is consistent with previous determinations in the literature, but for a considerably larger sample than previous work.     

Trace metal contamination of Beaufort's Dyke, North Channel, Irish Sea: a legacy of ordnance disposal

Beaufort’s Dyke is a disused ordnance disposal ground within the North Channel of the Irish Sea. Over 1 million tonnes of ordnance were disposed of in the dyke over a 40 year period representing a substantial volume of trace metal pollutants introduced to the seabed. Utilising particle transport modelling software we simulated the potential transport of metal particles from Beaufort’s Dyke over a 3 month period. This demonstrated that Beaufort’s Dyke has the potential to act as a source for trace metal contamination to areas beyond the submarine valley. Trace metal analysis of sediments from the Dyke and surrounding National Marine Monitoring Programme areas demonstrate that the Dyke is not the most contaminated site in the region. Particle transport modelling enables the transport pathways of trace metal contaminants to be predicted. Implementation of the technique in other munitions disposal grounds will provide valuable information for the selection of monitoring stations.     

Structural geology of the Upper Cretaceous Chalk Central Mass, Isle of Wight, U.K.

Remapping the Chalk of the Central Chalk Mass of the Isle of Wight between Carisbrooke (Newport), Calbourne and Shalcombe, including the Bowcombe Valley, has identified a complex series of tectonic ‘rolls’ and ‘flats’ in a region that has been interpreted to be a relay ramp between the Needles and the Sandown faults. A major new WNW trending fault at Cheverton throws the Chalk down by >50 m to the SW in a 80-100 m wide zone of faulting within which some chalk blocks have near vertical dips. The fault location and trend closely follows the edge of the Cranbourne-Fordingbridge High and could also reflect, for the first time, the surface expression of part of the Needles Fault, a major inversion reverse fault. Located along this fault zone deep Quaternary weathering of the Chalk and Quaternary gravel deposits are present. The trend of the Cheverton Fault brings it towards Gotten Leaze where a groundwater pumping station is located and groundwater springs regularly cause flooding on the Brighstone-Calbourne Road. Analyses of the jointing in the Chalk show that stratabound fracture patterns typical of the Chalk formations elsewhere in Southern England are present in the Central Mass. In addition, there are numerous small faults along which valleys have formed. Tectonic structure and lithology have had a profound influence on the geomorphology and groundwater flow in the Chalk in the Central Mass.     

Geochemistry of hydrothermal fluids from the PACMANUS, Northeast Pual and Vienna Woods hydrothermal fields, Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea

Processes controlling the composition of seafloor hydrothermal fluids in silicic back-arc or near-arc crustal settings remain poorly constrained despite growing evidence for extensive magmatic-hydrothermal activity in such environments. We conducted a survey of vent fluid compositions from two contrasting sites in the Manus back-arc basin, Papua New Guinea, to examine the influence of variations in host rock composition and magmatic inputs (both a function of arc proximity) on hydrothermal fluid chemistry. Fluid samples were collected from felsic-hosted hydrothermal vent fields located on Pual Ridge (PACMANUS and Northeast (NE) Pual) near the active New Britain Arc and a basalt-hosted vent field (Vienna Woods) located farther from the arc on the Manus Spreading Center. Vienna Woods fluids were characterized by relatively uniform endmember temperatures (273-285 °C) and major element compositions, low dissolved CO₂ concentrations (4.4 mmol/kg) and high measured pH (4.2-4.9 at 25 °C). Temperatures and compositions were highly variable at PACMANUS/NE Pual and a large, newly discovered vent area (Fenway) was observed to be vigorously venting boiling (358 °C) fluid. All PACMANUS fluids are characterized by negative δD_H2O values, in contrast to positive values at Vienna Woods, suggesting substantial magmatic water input to circulating fluids at Pual Ridge. Low measured pH (25 °C) values (∼2.6-2.7), high endmember CO₂ (up to 274 mmol/kg) and negative δ³⁴S_H2S values (down to −2.7‰) in some vent fluids are also consistent with degassing of acid-volatile species from evolved magma. Dissolved CO₂ at PACMANUS is more enriched in ¹³C (−4.1‰ to −2.3‰) than Vienna Woods (−5.2‰ to −5.7‰), suggesting a contribution of slab-derived carbon. The mobile elements (e.g. Li, K, Rb, Cs and B) are also greatly enriched in PACMANUS fluids reflecting increased abundances in the crust there relative to the Manus Spreading Center. Variations in alkali and dissolved gas abundances with Cl at PACMANUS and NE Pual suggest that phase separation has affected fluid chemistry despite the low temperatures of many vents. In further contrast to Vienna Woods, substantial modification of PACMANUS/NE Pual fluids has taken place as a result of seawater ingress into the upflow zone. Consistently high measured Mg concentrations as well as trends of increasingly non-conservative SO₄ behavior, decreasing endmember Ca/Cl and Sr/Cl ratios with increased Mg indicate extensive subsurface anhydrite deposition is occurring as a result of subsurface seawater entrainment. Decreased pH and endmember Fe/Mn ratios in higher Mg fluids indicate that the associated mixing/cooling gives rise to sulfide deposition and secondary acidity production. Several low temperature (?80 °C) fluids at PACMANUS/NE Pual also show evidence for anhydrite dissolution and water-rock interaction (fixation of B) subsequent to seawater entrainment. Hence, the evolution of fluid compositions at Pual Ridge reflects the cumulative effects of water/rock interaction, admixing and reaction of fluids exsolved from silicic magma, phase separation/segregation and seawater ingress into upflow zones.     

Influence of Wind-Driven Inundation and Coastal Geomorphology on Sedimentation in Two Microtidal Marshes, Pamlico River Estuary, NC

Marsh sediment accumulation is predominately a combination of in situ organic accumulation and mineral sediment input during inundation. Within the Pamlico River Estuary (PRE), marsh inundation is dependent upon event (e.g., storms) and seasonal wind patterns due to minimal astronomical tides (<10 cm). A better understanding of the processes controlling sediment deposition and, ultimately, marsh accretion is needed to forecast marsh sustainability with changing land usage, climate, and sea level rise. This study examines marsh topography, inundation depth, duration of inundation, and wind velocity to identify relationships between short-term deposition (tile-based) and long-term accumulation (²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs) recorded within and adjacent to the PRE. The results of this study indicate (1) similar sedimentation patterns between the interior marsh and shore-side marsh at different sites regardless of elevation, (2) increased sedimentation (one to two orders of magnitude, 0.04–4.54 g m^?2 day^?1) within the interior marsh when the water levels exceeded the adjacent topography (e.g., storm berm), and (3) that short-term sea level changes can have direct effects on sediment delivery to interior marshes in wind-driven estuarine systems.     

Multi‐temporal AVHRR digital data: An approach for landcover mapping of heterogeneous landscapes

A multi‐temporal sequence of seven NOAA‐n, Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) satellite scenes (April 10, May 18, June 6, June 29, July 20, and August 18, 1987) were composited to derive cover‐type information in the heterogeneous landscape of University Lake Watershed, North Carolina, U.S.A. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated for each scene and merged into a seven‐dimensional dataset, representing each time period sampled. An unsupervised classification was performed on the multi‐temporal composite to derive five cover‐type classes. Similar classifications were generated on single scene information. Ground control information was derived from an unsupervised classification of one kilometer grid compositional percentages initially derived from photo‐interpreted landcover information. The multi‐temporal NDVI classification more consistently characterized phenologic responses on a spatially dissected landscape than single scene clustering. Sub‐pixel information showed how the algorithm separated compositional information between classes. Temporal vectors were plotted to illustrate differentiation on the basis of NDVI profiles.