Spatio-temporal variability in debris-flow activity: a tree-ring study at Geisstriftbach (Swiss Alps) extending back to AD 1736

Past debris-flow activity on the forested cone of the Geisstriftbach torrent (St. Niklaus, Valais, Swiss Alps) was assessed from growth disturbances in old conifer trees, providing a much improved record of past events. The study of 633 tree-ring sequences sampled from 252 European larch (Larix decidua Mill.), Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) and Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) trees allowed reconstruction of 53 debris-flow events since AD 1736. The spatial analysis of trees affected during particular events on the geomorphic map allowed for a spatial representation of individual events and a reconstruction of four flow patterns. Based on our results and Siegfried maps, we believe that before the formation of a dogleg near the cone apex in the late 1890s, debris flows preferentially used the channels located in the west-southwestern part of the Geisstriftbach cone. This study contributes to our understanding of debris-flow processes on cones and provides an example of how dendrogeomorphic techniques may help in the reconstruction and understanding of debris flows in Alpine areas.     

Groundwaters of the Central Ethiopian Rift: diagnostic trends in trace elements, δ<Superscript>18</Superscript>O and major elements

The Ethiopian Rift (a major portion of the Great East African Rift) is characterized by a narrow elongated depression bounded by highlands from both sides. This topographic configuration leads to a monsoon redistribution which resulted in an arid rift floor and humid high rainfall highlands. The rifting and associated volcanism also caused a thinning of the crust and facilitates influx of CO₂ and other mantle gases as diffuse sources or along faults from deeper sources. Groundwaters in the rift floor are usually of high mineral content (high F, U, As and salinity) while those on the plateau are of low mineral content. Among many factors, groundwater availability and quality in the rift floor aquifers is the function of their connection to the aquifers in the high rainfall plateau and the residence time of groundwater prior to reaching the rift floor. This entails the need for addressing one basic hydrologic question in such a setting: at what depth and rate does recharge from the high rainfall highland reach the lowland rift aquifers? This study uses spatial variations in trace elements and relates them to ¹⁴C variations, thereby investigating the suitability of using trace elements as proxies for residence time estimation of groundwaters of relatively short (1,000–2,000 years) residence time. This work also investigates the behavior of trace element trends along the groundwater flow path in a rifted setting and compares them with such trends in sedimentary aquifers elsewhere. The comparison shows a clear difference in behavior of trace elements along the groundwater flow path when compared with such variations in big sedimentary basins with no prominent rifting and volcanism, suggesting the need of calibrating the relation between trace elements and any direct residence time indicators. An integrated use of major elements, trace elements, and environmental isotopes reveals that the main recharge of the aquifers originates from mountain blocks and that recharge takes place via fractures with no evidence of evaporation prior to recharge. Redox processes appear to play a limited role in trace element geochemistry of groundwaters in the region. Progressive trends in trace element composition along the groundwater flow path suggest continuous groundwater flow from the plateau.     

Heat and moisture budgets from airborne measurements and high-resolution model simulations

High-resolution simulations with a mesoscale model are performed to estimate heat and moisture budgets of a well-mixed boundary layer. The model budgets are validated against energy budgets obtained from airborne measurements over heterogeneous terrain in Western Germany. Time rate of change, vertical divergence, and horizontal advection for an atmospheric column of air are estimated. Results show that the time trend of specific humidity exhibits some deficiencies, while the potential temperature trend is matched accurately. Furthermore, the simulated turbulent surface fluxes of sensible and latent heat are comparable to the measured fluxes, leading to similar values of the vertical divergence. The analysis of different horizontal model resolutions exhibits improved surface fluxes with increased resolution, a fact attributed to a reduced aggregation effect. Scale-interaction effects could be identified: while time trends and advection are strongly influenced by mesoscale forcing, the turbulent surface fluxes are mainly controlled by microscale processes.     

The localization of electronics manufacturing in the Greater Pearl River Delta, China: Do global implants put down local roots?

Against the background of a recent shift in growth dynamics from export-oriented activities towards the domestic market in Chinese regions, it is the aim of this paper to demonstrate how the spatial organization of the electronics industry in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta has evolved over time and to assess the impact of the institutional setting and differences between Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta on localization and upgrading of the industry. The empirical findings suggest a strong trend towards the localization of business activities in China and a differentiated perspective regarding the kinds of activities that are more likely to be localized. An advanced front shop, back factory model with complementary, but intertwined assets has been identified. The institutional interpretation of spatial processes has proven its potential to further develop contextually sensitive concepts for the economic geography of China.     

40Ar‐39Ar and cosmic‐ray exposure ages of nakhlites—Nakhla,Lafayette, Governador Valadares—and Chassigny

Abstract– We present ⁴⁰Ar‐³⁹Ar dating results of handpicked mineral separates and whole‐rock samples of Nakhla, Lafayette, and Chassigny. Our data on Nakhla and Lafayette and recently reported ages for some nakhlites and Chassigny ( Misawa et al. 2006 ; Park et al. 2009 ) point to formation ages of approximately 1.4 Ga rather than 1.3 Ga that is consistent with previous suggestions of close‐in‐time formation of nakhlites and Chassigny. In Lafayette mesostasis, we detected a secondary degassing event at approximately 1.1 Ga, which is not related to iddingsite formation. It may have been caused by a medium‐grade thermal event resetting the mesostasis age but not influencing the K‐Ar system of magmatic inclusions and the original igneous texture of this rock. Cosmic‐ray exposure ages for these meteorites and for Governador Valadares were calculated from bulk rock concentrations of cosmogenic nuclides ³He, ²¹Ne, and ³⁸Ar. Individual results are similar to literature data. The considerable scatter of T₃, T₂₁, and T₃₈ ages is due to systematic uncertainties related to bulk rock and target element chemistry, production rates, and shielding effects. This hampers efforts to better constrain the hypothesis of a single ejection event for all nakhlites and Chassigny from a confined Martian surface terrain ( Eugster 2003 ; Garrison and Bogard 2005 ). Cosmic‐ray exposure ages from stepwise release age spectra using ³⁸Ar and neutron induced ³⁷Ar from Ca in irradiated samples can eliminate errors induced by bulk chemistry on production rates, although not from shielding conditions.     

Two-dimensional simulations of surface deformation caused by slab detachment

Detachment of the deeper part of subducted lithosphere causes changes in a subduction zone system which may be observed on the Earth's surface. Constraints on the expected magnitudes of these surface effects can aid in the interpretation of geological observations near convergent plate margins where detachment is expected. In this study, we quantify surface deformation caused by detachment of subducted lithosphere. We determine the range of displacement magnitudes which can be associated with slab detachment using numerical models. The lithospheric plates in our models have an effective elastic thickness, which provides an upper bound for rapid processes, like slab detachment, to the surface deformation of lithosphere with a more realistic rheology. The surface topography which develops during subduction is compared with the topography shortly after detachment is imposed. Subduction with a non-migrating trench system followed by detachment leads to a maximum surface uplift of 2–6 km, while this may be higher for the case of roll-back preceding detachment. In the latter situation, the back-arc basin may experience a phase of compression after detachment. Within the context of our elastic model, the surface uplift resulting from slab detachment is sensitive to the depth of detachment, a change in friction on the subduction fault during detachment and viscous stresses generated by sinking of the detached part of the slab. Overall, surface uplift of these magnitudes is not diagnostic of slab detachment since variations during ongoing subduction may result in similar vertical surface displacements.     

Atmospheric input of nitrogen into the North Sea: ANICE project overview

The aim of the atmospheric nitrogen inputs into the coastal ecosystem (ANICE) project is to improve transport–chemistry models that estimate nitrogen deposition to the sea. To achieve this, experimental and modelling work is being conducted which aims to improve understanding of the processes involved in the chemical transformation, transport and deposition of atmospheric nitrogen compounds. Of particular emphasis within ANICE is the influence of coastal zone processes. Both short episodes with high deposition and chronic nitrogen inputs are considered in the project. The improved transport–chemistry models will be used to assess the atmospheric inputs of nitrogen compounds into the European regional seas (the North Sea is studied as a prototype) and evaluate the impact of various emission reduction strategies on the atmospheric nitrogen loads. Assessment of the impact of atmospheric nitrogen on coastal ecosystems will be based on comparisons of phytoplankton nitrogen requirements, other external nitrogen inputs to the ANICE area of interest and the direct nitrogen fluxes provided by ANICE. Selected results from both the experimental and modelling components are presented here. The experimental results show the large spatial and temporal variability in the concentrations of gaseous nitrogen compounds, and their influences on fluxes. Model calculations show the strong variation of both concentrations and gradients of nitric acid at fetches of up to 25 km. Aerosol concentrations also show high temporal variability and experimental evidence for the reaction between nitric acid and sea salt aerosol is provided by size-segregated aerosol composition measured at both sides of the North Sea. In several occasions throughout the experimental period, air mass back trajectory analysis showed connected flow between the two sampling sites (the Weybourne Atmospheric Observatory on the North Norfolk coast of the UK and Meetpost Noordwijk, a research tower at 9 km off the Dutch coast). Results from the METRAS/SEMA mesoscale chemistry transport model system for one of these cases are presented. Measurements of aerosol and rain chemical composition, using equipment mounted on a commercial ferry, show variations in composition across the North Sea. These measurements have been compared to results obtained with the transport–chemistry model ACDEP which calculates the atmospheric inputs into the whole North Sea area. Finally, the results will be made available for the assessment of the impact of atmospheric nitrogen on coastal ecosystems.     

Characteristics of turnover of carbonyl sulfide in four different soils

Release and uptake of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) were measured at 25°C in samples of three forest soils (BL, BW, PBE) and one soil from a rape field (RA). The soil samples were flushed with a constant flow of either air (oxic conditions) or nitrogen (anoxic conditions) containing defined concentrations of OCS. A cryogenic trapping technique with liquid argon (-186 °C) was used to collect gas samples for analysis in a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame-photometric detector. The dependence of net OCS fluxes between soil and atmosphere could be described by a simple model of simultaneous OCS production and OCS uptake. By using this model, production rates (P), uptake rate constants (k) and compensation concentrations (m _c ) of OCS could be determined as function of the soil type and the incubation conditions. Under oxic conditions, OCS production (P) and uptake were observed in all soils tested. However, the compensation concentrations (<166 ng l^-1; 1 ng OCS l^-1=0.41 ppbv) that were calculated from the model were high relative to the ambient OCS concentration (ca. 0.5 ppbv). The production rates (0.16–1.9 ng h^-1 g^-1 dw) that were actually measured when flushing the soil samples with air containing zero OCS were smaller than those (17–114 ng h^-1 g^-1 dw) calculated from the model. This observation was explained by two different concepts: one assuming the existence of a threshold concentration (m _t ) below which OCS was no longer consumed in the soil; the other assuming the existence of two different OCS consumption processes, of which only the process active at elevated OCS concentrations was covered by the experiments. The latter concept allowed the estimation of OCS compensation concentrations that were partially low enough to allow the uptake of atmospheric OCS by soil. Both OCS production and uptake in PBE soil were dependent on soil temperature (optimum 20 °C) indicating a microbial process. However, both production and consumption of OCS were not consistently inhibited by sterilization of the soil, suggesting that they were not exclusively due to microbiological processes. Under anoxic conditions, OCS was also produced, but was not consumed except in one soil (RA). Production of OCS in the soils was stimulated after addition of thiocyanate, but not thiourea, thiosulfate, thioglycolate, tetrathionate, sulfate, elemental sulfur, cysteine and methionine.     

Chloride retention in forest soil by microbial uptake and by natural chlorination of organic matter

Inorganic chlorine (i.e. chloride; Cl_in) is generally considered inert in soil and is often used as a tracer of soil and ground water movements. However, recent studies indicate that substantial retention or release of Cl_in can occur in soil, but the rates and processes responsible under different environmental conditions are largely unknown. We performed ³⁶Cl tracer experiments which indicated that short-term microbial uptake and release of Cl_in, in combination with more long-term natural formation of chlorinated organic matter (Cl_org), caused Cl_in imbalances in coniferous forest soil. Extensive microbial uptake and release of Cl_in occurred over short time scales, and were probably associated with changes in environmental conditions. Up to 24% of the initially available Cl_in within pore water was retained by microbial uptake within a week in our experiments, but most of this Cl_in was released to the pore water again within a month, probably associated with decreasing microbial populations. The natural formation of Cl_org resulted in a net immobilization of 4% of the initial pore water Cl_in over four months. If this rate is representative for the area where soil was collected, Cl_org formation would correspond to a conversion of 25% of the yearly wet deposition of Cl_in. The study illustrates the potential of two Cl_in retaining processes in addition to those previously addressed elsewhere (e.g. uptake of chloride by vegetation). Hence, several processes operating at different time scales and with different regulation mechanisms can cause Cl_in imbalances in soil. Altogether, the results of the present study (1) provide evidence that Cl_in cannot be assumed to be inert in soil, (2) show that microbial exchange can regulate pore water Cl_in concentrations and (3) confirm the controversial idea of substantial natural chlorination of soil organic matter.