A New Model for Heat Flow in Extensional Basins: Estimating Radiogenic Heat Production

Radiogenic heat production (RHP) represents a significant fraction of surface heat flow, both on cratons and in sedimentary basins. RHP within continental crust—especially the upper crust—is high. RHP at any depth within the crust can be estimated as a function of crustal age. Mantle RHP, in contrast, is always low, contributing at most 1 to 2 mW/m² to total heat flow. Radiogenic heat from any noncrystalline basement that may be present also contributes to total heat flow. RHP from metamorphic rocks is similar to or slightly lower than that from their precursor sedimentary rocks. When extension of the lithosphere occurs—as for example during rifting—the radiogenic contribution of each layer of the lithosphere and noncrystalline basement diminishes in direct proportion to the degree of extension of that layer. Lithospheric RHP today is somewhat less than in the distant past, as a result of radioactive decay. In modeling, RHP can be varied through time by considering the half lives of uranium, thorium, and potassium, and the proportional contribution of each of those elements to total RHP from basement. RHP from sedimentary rocks ranges from low for most evaporites to high for some shales, especially those rich in organic matter. The contribution to total heat flow of radiogenic heat from sediments depends strongly on total sediment thickness, and thus differs through time as subsidence and basin filling occur. RHP can be high for thick clastic sections. RHP in sediments can be calculated using ordinary or spectral gamma-ray logs, or it can be estimated from the lithology.     

Global thermal and dynamical perturbations due to Cretaceous mantle avalanche

The numerical models of mantle convection agree to depict avalanches behaviour according to the level of endothermicity of the spinel → perovskite phase change. Their potential effects on the global thermal and dynamical states of the mantle have been computed thanks to a numerical code, which takes into account both the 400-km exothermic and the 660-km endothermic phase changes. The cycle followed by the avalanches is: local layering, destabilization of the 660-km thermal layer, travelling and spreading on the core, and reappearing of the local layering. Therefore, mantle convection is characterized by quiet periods of partial layering embedded in catastrophic events. During the avalanche, the amplitude of the surface velocity is multiplied by two, which would imply an enhanced plate tectonic and ridge activities. The global thermal effects of the avalanche are compatible with a high mantle temperature and an acceleration of Earth's rotation during the Cretaceous. They also offer a coherent explanation to locate the origin of mantle plumes both within the CMB and just below the transition zone.     

环电流区中性原子观测特性模拟研究

为了给双星计划中性原子(ENA)探测仪的研制提供可靠 的理论依据，并为未来中性原子探测数据的分析及研究做好准备，针对双星轨道初步模拟计 算了双星ENA探测仪对磁暴时中性原子的观测特性. 建立了磁暴主相期间环电流离子分布的 一 个近似理论模式，并模拟计算了极轨卫星在极区上空、赤道面以及其他位置上对不同强度磁 暴主相期间环电流区ENA空间角分布及能谱的观测结果. 研究表明，存在环电流区方向和南 北极区环电流粒子沉降带两个中性原子强度极大区域；磁暴越强烈，注入区高度越低，环电 流区观测到的ENA通量越高；处于有利位置的ENA探测器可分辨注入区内边界或注入前沿；EN A探测器能够分辨环电流带离子分布的不均匀性；由于离子交换截面的差异，H，O，He 3种E NA的能谱分布不同；在10～80keV能谱范围内通量较强，易于观测；环电流区H，O两种ENA 通 量较强，有利于观测；而环电流区He ENA通量很弱，不易于观测. 模拟计算研究表明，双星 极轨卫星能够对环电流区ENA进行有效探测；低纬轨道上的ENA探测器也能够对环电流区ENA 进行一些观测；ENA探测器的研制应重视低、中能量范围ENA的探测.     

Atmospheric Methyl Iodide at Cape Grim, Tasmania, from AGAGE Observations

Atmospheric mixing ratios of methyl iodide (CH₃I) and other methyl halides have been measured at Cape Grim, Tasmania (41°S, 145°E), since early 1998 as part of the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE). This paper analyses about 1700 ambient air CH₃I measurements from the 14-month period (March 1998–April 1999). Mixing ratios peaked during the summer, despite faster photolytic loss, suggesting local oceanic emissions were about 2.2–3.6 times stronger in summer than in winter. Back trajectories show that CH₃I levels are strongly dependent on air mass origin, with highest mixing ratios in air from the Tasman Sea/Bass Strait region and lowest levels in air originating from the Southern Ocean at higher latitudes. CH₃I mixing ratios were not well correlated with other methyl halides in unpolluted marine air. The large variations with season and air mass origin suggest that high frequency, continuous data from key locations will make a significant contribution to the understanding of sources and sinks of this important short-lived atmospheric species.     

上地幔变黏度小尺度对流的数值研究

基于二维模型，利用有限元方法，研究上地幔-岩石圈系统的变黏度小尺度对流. 考虑该系统的黏度随温度以指数形式变化，数值结果表明，当黏度随温度变化较剧烈时，由于低温高黏度，系统的最上部物质不参与对流，系统发育形成一个类似于岩石圈的静止盖层. 计算表面热流、地形起伏及重力异常与对流格局有较好的相关性，高热流、上升地形对应于对流的上升区，反之低热流、下降地形与对流的下降区对应.     

耦合海-气环流模式中双热带辐合带现象及其热收支分析

文中研究了耦合海-气环流模式中的双热带辐合带(Double ITCZ)现象,并对这一现象的成因从海洋热量收支的角度进行了初步分析。Double ITCZ现象是在热带太平洋赤道南北两侧各出现一条ITCZ的现象,这是耦合海-气环流模式中的较为普遍的一种异常现象,与实际气候中出现的Double ITCZ现象并非指同一问题。文中对比观测和模式结果,指出了Double ITCZ现象的主要特征,针对它的出现过程进行细致分析,再利用模式输出的热量收支各项进行统计,得到了从海洋热收支分析得到的海表温度变化原因。与观测到的正常模态相比,Double ITCZ是一个异常的模态,它的特征突出地表现为西太平洋暖池区的降温和东南太平洋10°S附近的升温。海洋热量收支分析表明,暖池区的降温主要是受到扩散的作用,而表层平流的异常增暖在决定异常辐合带区升温过程中占第一位的作用。     

A STUDY ON TYPHOON MOVEMENT PART Ⅲ:EFFECT OF THE HORIZONTAL MOMENTUM EXCHANGE BETWEEN TYPHOONS AND ENVIRONMENT

Two semi-asymmetric flow patterns of typhoons are chosen to qualitatively determine the effect of exchange of horizontal momentum between inflow and outflow layers and the environment on the motion of typhoons. The results show that only the asymmetric flow component (residual after azimuthal mean flow has been removed) could cause a net momentum input into or output from a typhoon and therefore contribute to the changes in speed and direction of the typhoon movement. A typhoon with major inflow and/or outflow channels on its right (left) side would tend to accelerate and turn left (decelerate and turn right); On the other hand, a typhoon with major inflow and/or outflow channels in the rear (front) semicircle would tend to accelerate and turn right (decelerate and turn left).     

The respiratory environment of the Namib Desert Golden Mole

We measured the partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂) in the interstitial gas surrounding the sand-swimming Namib moleEremitalpa granti namibensis. At a sand temperature of 26 °C, which produced a nearly maximal rate of oxygen consumption, thePO₂near the noses of the animals averaged only 0·9 kPa (6·7 Torr) below the level in the free atmosphere. High oxygen availability was a result of the notably low metabolic rate in the 20 g mammals and the dry, porous and metabolically inactive nature of dune sand. A mathematical model indicated that normal mammals weighing 200 g or more could comfortably exist completely encased in dune sand. We concluded that the moles' small size and low metabolic rate are not adaptations to hypoxia or hypercapnia underground but are probably related to low food availability and the energetic cost of foraging in their desert environment.     

Oxygen Isotope Exchange Kinetics Between Coexisting Minerals and Water in the Aral Granite Pluton of the Altay Mountains, Northern Xinjiang

Coexisting quartz, feldspar and biotite vary widely in their δ18O values and display a remarkable 18O/16O disequilibrium relation; especially, a quartz-feldspar reversal (△ 18OQUartz_feldspar< 0) exsists in the Aral granite pluton of the Altay Mountains, northern Xinjiang. The 18O / 16O exchange reaction definitely occurred between granite and water. Initial δ18O values of the granite and exotic fluid are evaluated by the mass balance consideration. The conventional method of discrimination between various magma derivations simply with δ18O values of either whole rock or separate minerals is misleading and unreliable. Experiments carried out by the authors show that the 18O / 16O exchange reaction is not accompanied by what geologists describe as petrological and mineralogical alteration effect. This decoupling relation implies that exchange reaction occurs at a relatively high temperature during subsolidus-postmagmatic cooling of magmas. The exchange mechanism is mainly diffusion-controlled. It is     

Hypolimnetic density currents traced by sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

The artificial tracer sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) has been used to study the density-driven deep water exchange between two sill-separated basins of Lake Lucerne, Gersauersee and Urnersee. The sources of the density gradients between the two basins are (1) salinity differences between the major inlets due to the different geology of their drainage areas, and (2) temperature differences due to spatial variation of wind forcing. Wind speeds are generally larger in Urnersee, especially in spring during the so-called Föhn events, when winds blow from the south. In contrast, Gersauersee is protected form these winds. In spring 1989, a total of 630 g of SF₆ was released at 80 to 120 m depth in the small Treib Basin located between Urnersee and Gersauersee. During about 100 days the distribution of SF₆ in the lake was determined by gaschromatography. Two models are used to quantify the exchange flow, (1) a one-box mass balance model for SF₆ in the deep part of Treib Basin, and (2) a one-dimensional diffusion/advection model describing the temporal and vertical temperature variation in Urnersee. According to the first model, the flow into the deep hypolimnion of Urnersee, decreases from 21·10⁶ m³·d^?1 at the end of March to about 8·10⁶ m³·d^?1 in late April. The second model yields similar flow rates. The decrease of the flow rate during spring, confirmed by both approaches, is consistent (1) with the decreasing strength of the density gradient above the sill during spring and early summer, and (2) with hydrographic information collected in Lake Lucerne during other years.