Correlation of the absorption coefficient with a reduction in mean mass for dissolved organic matter in southwest Florida river plumes

Results are presented from an investigation of the relationship between molecular mass distribution and optical properties for colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM); a complex assembly of organic macromolecules of marine and freshwater origin found throughout the surface ocean. Unique data are derived from the application of a new technique, a combination of a hydrophilic–lipophilic copolymer-based solid phase extraction (SPE) with electrospray ionization (ESI) continuous flowing ion trap mass spectrometry (cf-MS), for the direct determination of CDOM mass distribution. An evaluation of this copolymer-based extraction technique for the analysis of Suwannee River Natural Organic Matter (SRNOM) reference material revealed that the current method compares favorably with C₁₈ modified silica or XAD resin-based extraction methods reported in the literature when considering extraction efficiency or low extraction bias for CDOM. The mass distribution of CDOM in several freshwater to marine transition zones along coastal southwestern Florida has been determined with this technique. All rivers in the study region had a bimodal distribution of masses. A case study of the Caloosahatchee River outflow CDOM mass distribution data are presented as an example of the modification in mass distributions. The lower mass mode of the bimodal distribution was observed to have a relatively stable mean throughout the study region at 406±9 Da, while decreasing in concentration in a non-conservative manner with salinity. In contrast, the upper mass mode of the bimodal distribution was observed to have a variable mean, reaching 1408 Da in the least saline waters and decreasing by 174 Da through the transect toward higher salinity coastal waters. Coinciding with this reduction in mean mass for the upper distribution is a non-conservative reduction in concentration when compared with salinity. We define apparent organic carbon (AOC) as a function of the cf-MS determined total integrated area and use this value to determine concentration of the total extracted CDOM. Unique correlations between the CDOM fluorescence (350-nm excitation/450-nm emission) and the AOC for these coastal samples have been observed for each of three rivers in the study region. The steepest slope and highest correlation between optical and mass spectral properties are observed in rivers with strongly absorbing waters originating in the Florida Everglades and lowest in rivers draining clearer waters from widely variable and anthropogenic influenced regions. The trends in molecular mass distribution and corresponding optical properties support the theory that CDOM in coastal zones is environmentally processed material from terrestrial sources. Probable cause of the reduction in mean mass and suggestions for further investigation of sources and transformations of CDOM are discussed.     

台西南盆地的构造演化与油气藏组合分析

本文根据台西南盆地的地质、地球物理资料，对台西南盆地的地壳结构、基底特征、沉积厚度、断裂构造等基本地质构造特征＾［１］作了研究，探讨了台西南盆地的构造发展演化及及油气藏组合。认为该盆地的构造演化为幕式拉张。幕式拉张可分为三大张裂幕，相应的热沉降作用使盆地在不同的张裂幕时期发展为断陷，裂陷，裂拗－拗陷。它们分别与板块作用下的区域构造运动阶段相对应，说明区域构造运动不但控制了盆地的发展演化，同时也制约     

Mantle Bouguer Anomaly Along an Ultra Slow-Spreading Ridge: Implications for Accretionary Processes and Comparison with Results from Central Mid-Atlantic Ridge

A three-dimensional analysis of gravity andbathymetry data has been achieved along the Southwest Indian Ridge (SWIR)between the Rodriguez Triple Junction (RTJ) and the Atlantis II transform,in order to define the morphological and geophysical expression ofsecond-order segmentation along an ultra slow-spreading ridge(spreading rate of 8 mm/yr), and to compare it with awell-studied section along a slow-spreading ridge (spreadingrate of 12.5 mm/yr): the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) between 28°and 31°30 N.Between the Atlantis II transform and theRTJ, the SWIR axis exhibits a deep axial valley with an 30°oblique trend relative to the north–south spreading direction. Onlythree transform faults offset the axis, so the obliquity has to beaccommodated by the second-order segmentation. Alongslow-spreading ridges such as the MAR, second-order segmentshave been defined as linear features perpendicular to the spreadingdirection, with a shallow axial valley floor at the segment midpoint,deepening to the segment ends, and are associated with Mantle BouguerAnomaly (MBA) lows. Along the SWIR, our gravity study reveals the presenceof circular MBA lows, but they are spaced further apart than expected. Thesegravity lows are systematically centred over narrow bathymetric highs, andinterpreted as the centres of spreading cells. However, along some obliquesections of the axis, the valley floor displays small topographicundulations, which can be interpreted as small accretionary segments frommorphological analysis, but as large discontinuity domains from thegeophysical data. Therefore, both bathymetry and MBA variations have to beused to define the second-order segmentation of an ultraslow-spreading ridge. This segmentation appears to be characterisedby short segments and large oblique discontinuity domains. Analysis of alongaxis bathymetric and gravimetric profiles exhibits three different sectionsthat can be related to the thermal structure of the lithosphere beneath theSWIR axis.The comparison between characteristics of segmentationalong the SWIR and the MAR reveals two major differences: first, the poorcorrelation between MBA and bathymetry variations and second, the largerspacing and amplitude of MBA lows along the SWIR compared to the MAR. Theseobservations seem to be correlated with the spreading rate and the thermalstructure of the ridge. Therefore, the gravity signature of the segmentationand thus the accretionary processes appear to be very different: there areno distinct MBA lows on fast-spreading ridges, adjacent ones on slowspreading ridges and finally separate ones on ultra slow-spreadingridges. The main result of this study is to point out that 2nd ordersegmentation of an ultra slow-spreading ridge is characterised bywide discontinuity domains with very short accretionary segments, suggestingvery focused mantle upwelling, with a limited magma supply through a cold,thick lithosphere. We also emphasise the stronger influence of themechanical lithosphere on accretionary processes along an ultra slow-spreading ridge.     

Seismic velocity and Poisson’s ratio tomography of the crust beneath southwest Anatolia: an insight into the occurrence of large earthquakes

The western part of Anatolia is one of the most seismically and tectonically active continental regions in the world, and much of it has been undergoing NS-directed extensional deformation since the Early Miocene. In this study, we determine 3-D tomographic images of the crust under the southwestern part of the North Anatolian Fault Zone by inverting a large number of arrival time data of P and S waves. From the obtained P- and S-wave velocity models, we estimated the Poisson’s ratio structures for a more reliable interpretation of the obtained anomalies. Our tomographic results confirmed the major tectonic features detected by previous studies and revealed new structural heterogeneities related to the active seismotectonics of the studied area. High P-wave velocity anomalies are recognized near the surface, while at deeper crustal layers, low P-wave velocities are widely distributed. The crustal S-wave velocity and Poisson’s ratio exhibit more structural heterogeneities compared to the P-wave velocity structure. Microearthquake activity is intense along highly heterogeneous zones in the southwestern part, which is characterized by low to high P-wave velocity, low S-wave velocity, and high Poisson’s ratio anomalies. Large earthquakes are also concentrated in zones dominated by low velocities and low to high Poisson’s ratios. Results of the checkerboard and synthetic tests indicate that the imaged anomalies are reliable features down to a depth of 25 km. Moreover, they are consistent with many geological and geophysical results obtained by other researchers along the southwestern part of the North Anatolian Fault Zone. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Eruptive styles and inferences about plumbing systems at Hidden Cone and Little Black Peak scoria cone volcanoes (Nevada,U.S.A.)

We describe two small scoria cone volcanoes, Hidden Cone and Little Black Peak (ages between ~320–390 ka), in the Southwestern Nevada Volcanic Field and discuss their eruption mechanisms and inferences about their plumbing systems. Cone-forming pyroclastic deposits are consistent with eruptive styles ranging from Strombolian to violent Strombolian, and lavas emanated from near the bases of the cones. The volcanoes are monogenetic (rather than polycyclic, as allowed by previous geomorphic interpretations). Vents at each volcano appear to coincide with pre-existing normal faults, consistent with observations at older, deeply eroded volcanoes in the region. The existence of these two volcanoes on a topographically high area (particularly Hidden Cone) provides evidence for short feeder dike lengths (~500 m at the surface). We infer that this short length reflects the small length scale of the mantle source region that was tapped to feed each volcano. Editorial responsibility: J Stix     

中尺度斜交不稳定的波动性质及其数值模拟

使用三维中小尺度扰动动力学方程组,讨论了一类与基本气流方向成任意夹角的纬向线状扰动的斜交不稳定问题,其主要分析结论如下:(1)在基本气流的切变为线性切变的情况下,可以发生斜交不稳定。但是发生斜交不稳定必须要求沿着线状扰动方向的基本气流存在切变或者垂直于线状扰动方向的基本气流存在切变。此时,斜交不稳定的波动性质是重力惯性内波,而不存在涡旋Rossby波。(2)对于基本气流具有非线性二阶切变的情形,此时斜交型不稳定中的扰动除了包含重力惯性内波之外,还包含了涡旋Rossby波。对于本文所讨论的纬向线状扰动来说,涡旋Rossby波产生的物理根源是基本流场的经向风速V二次切变(β*=Vzz≠0),该涡旋Rossby波相对于基本气流V0是单向传播的。在中尺度斜交不稳定中,涡旋Rossby波的产生主要是由于在与线状扰动相垂直的方向上存在基本气流的二阶切变,而与线状扰动相平行的方向上基本气流是否存在二阶切变无关。(3)对于通常讨论的纬向线状扰动的情况,在基本流场的南北风速V存在二次切变(β*=Vzz≠0)时,即与线状扰动相垂直的方向上存在基本气流的二阶切变,则斜交不稳定有可能是混合的涡旋Rossby—重力惯性内波的不稳定。最后采用WRF模式,对2006年6月的一次福建闽江暴雨过程进行了数值模拟,部分验证了上述结论。通过分析6月6日13时降水区域平均的东西方向风速U随高度变化的曲线,发现在950—100 hPa的大气中,纬向风速U随高度的变化具有二次切变,在对流层低层以及高层附近纬向风速较小,而在对流层中层400 hPa附近的纬向风速则较大。在这种情况下,平均纬向风速随高度变化的二阶导数不为零,因此激发产生沿着纬向传播的涡旋Rossby波,这对于暴雨区域中β中尺度雨团的移动起到比较重要的作用。再分析6月5日23时和6月6日13时的850 hPa以及500hPa降水区域平均纬向风随南北方向的变化,发现在6月5日23时和6月6日13时的850 hPa层次上,都显示出平均纬向风速在南北方向具有二次切变;而在这两个时次的500 hPa层次上,平均纬向风速在南北方向不具有二次切变,只具有线性切变。说明在垂直方向上,对流层低层涡旋Rossby波容易被激发产生;而在对流层中层以上,由于不具备产生涡旋Rossby波的条件,因此不容易激发产生涡旋Rossby波,波动只是具有重力惯性内波的特征。     

Glacial/interglacial changes in the East Australian current

The East Australian Current (EAC) is the western boundary current of the south Pacific gyre transporting warm tropical waters to higher southern latitudes. Recent modelling shows that the partial separation of the EAC (~32°S) and the coupled formation of the Tasman Front (~34°S) are caused by a steep gradient in the zonally integrated wind stress curl. Analysis of oxygen isotope ratios (δ¹⁸O) in the planktonic foraminifer, Globigerinoides ruber, from sediment cores from the Coral Sea and Tasman Sea indicates that the EAC separation shifted northward to between 23 and 26°S during the last glacial. We suggest these results indicate a significant change in the Pacific wind stress curl during the glacial. Given recent evidence for El Niño-like conditions in the Pacific during the last glacial, with a reduction in the east–west sea surface temperature (SST) gradient, we suggest that weaker trade winds combined with more northerly, stronger westerlies were associated with a change to the wind stress curl, which repositioned the EAC separation and Tasman Front. In contrast, by ~11 ka BP, the EAC separation was forced south of 26°S. This southward shift was synchronous with a rapid warming of tropical SSTs, and the onset of a La Niña-like SST configuration across the tropical Pacific. It appears that the south Pacific trade winds strengthened accordingly, causing the EAC to readjust its flow. This readjustment of the EAC marks the onset of modern surface-ocean circulation in the southwest Pacific, but the present EAC transport was only achieved in the late Holocene, after 5 ka BP.     

Study of Finite Element Modeling of Strong Earthquake Activities and Its Preliminary Application—Taking Southwest China as an Example

Based on research result concerning the preparation and activity of strong earthquakes in groups and using the finite element method, a finite element dynamic model for Southwest China is established in this paper. Using this model, the stress adjustment in the whole of the Southwest China region in response to the stress change due to strong earthquake occurrence is studied. The preliminary result shows that many strong earthquakes occurred in areas where the stress heightened after the last strong earthquake. So, the finite element model set up in this paper is useful for judging the regions where strong earthquakes are likely to occur in future.     

Remote Sensing Observations of Effects of Mountain Blocking on Travelling Gravity-Shear Waves and Associated Clouds

Trapped Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) waves and vortices were monitored as they were generated immediately upwind of a mountain and driven into the barrier by a low-level jet. A stratus cloud visually revealed the embedded, propagating, gravity-shear waves. Interactions of the waves with the mountain were deciphered using remote sensing measurements of the structure, motions, and microphysics within the cloud and conceptual models based on existing theories. The observations show that the mountain acted as a dam to the flow that was primed for, but did not spontaneously induce, the waves. In response to the blocking, the waves spatially developed a pattern of formation, amplification, and breakdown between the upstream flow and the barrier, and altered the associated clouds in the process. Notably, radar signatures of velocity variance depicted organized, intertwined ribbons of relatively large vorticity within the wave layer. These provided measured evidence of the vortex sheet and streamwise vortex tubes predicted by advanced K–Hinstability theory, the three-dimensional version of Scorer's `stripe', the layer of rotational fluid between opposed flows that led to the wave generation. A theory of resonant interaction of wave trains, but with blocking imposed, appears to explain the internal structure of the pile-up of the flow and wave amplification approaching the barrier. Evolution of the supporting atmospheric thermal structure and introduction of a boundary-layer flow reversal follow a current model of blocking, although some features may have developed more directly from wave-driven mixing. The remote sensors also measured the influence of the waves on the cloud liquid water, including a cumulative enlargement of droplets as they were carried through a series of waves.