A Loop Current experiment: Field and remote measurements

An overview of a new comprehensive observational study of the Loop Current (LC) in the eastern Gulf of Mexico that encompassed full-depth and near-bottom moorings, pressure-equipped inverted echo sounders (PIES) and remote sensing is presented. The study array was designed to encompass the LC from the Campeche Bank to the west Florida escarpment. This overview centers about principal findings as they pertain to mesoscale dynamics. Two companion papers provide in-depth analyses. Three LC anticyclonic eddy separation events were observed with good 3D spatial coverage over the 2½ year extent of the field study; the three separations exhibited similar processes after the LC had extended into the eastern Gulf. Large scale (∼300 km wavelength, 40–60 day periods) southward propagating meanders developed on the eastern side of the LC over deep (∼3000 m) water that were the result of baroclinic instability between the upper layer meandering jet and lower layer cyclones and anticyclones. The lower layer was only highly energetic during relatively short (∼2–3 months) intervals just prior to or during eddy detachments because of baroclinic instability. The steepening of the meanders lead to a pinch-off of LC eddies. The deep lower-layer eddies, constrained by the closed topography of the southeastern Gulf, propagated westward across the detachment zone and appear to assist in achieving separation. Small scale (∼50–100 km, periods ∼10 days) frontal eddies, observed on the western side of the LC along the Campeche Bank slope, decay over the deep water of the northern part of an extended LC, and have little influence on lower layer eddies, the east side meanders and the eddy detachment processes.     

Magma associations in Ediacaran granitoids of the Cachoeirinha‒Salgueiro and Alto Pajeú terranes,northeastern Brazil: Forty years of studies

Granitic magmatism in the Cachoeirinha‒Salgueiro and Alto Pajeú terranes in the Transversal Zone Domain of the Borborema Province, northeastern Brazil, occurred in three main time intervals: 650–620 Ma, 590–560 Ma and 545–520 Ma. The oldest one is characterized by intrusions of magmatic-epidote (mEp) bearing calc-alkalic (some with trondhjemitic affinities) and high-K calc-alkalic plutons, synkinematic to the main regional foliation, under contractional tectonic regime, and exhibits T_DM < 2.0 Ga and ƐNd (0.6 Ga) from −1 to −4, and δ¹⁸O (zircon) values from 7.1 to 10‰_VSMOW. O- and Nd-isotope data for the 650‒620 Ma group of plutons is compatible with partial fusion of subducted oceanic basaltic crust (mEp-bearing calc-alkalic tonalites/granodiorites, equivalent to adakites). Voluminous intrusions in the 590–560 Ma interval are represented by abundant mEp-free high-K calc-alkalic, peralkalic, ultrapotassic, mEp-bearing high-K calc-alkalic, and less abundant shoshonitic magmas. Nd-model ages for this group of plutons vary from 1.5 to 2.5 Ga and ƐNd (0.6 Ga) ranges from −8 to −20; δ¹⁸O (zircon) varies from 6.4 to 7.9‰_VSMOW. Values of δ¹⁸O (zircon) for the 590‒560 Ma old group of plutons coupled with Nd isotope data are compatible with remelting of crustal (negative ƐNd, 1.6 to 2.0 Ga old) source rocks. O- and Nd-isotope data for this group of plutons are compatible with underplating of basaltic magma in the base of the lower crust for the high-K calc-alkalic granitoids, coeval to transcurrent movements along sigmoidal shear zones. Intrusion of one shoshonitic (Serrote do Arapuá), one calc-alkalic (Riacho do Icó) plutons besides the peralkalic Manaíra-Princeza Isabel dike set have witnessed this transition from contractional to transcurrent movements along shear zones, around 610‒600 Ma.     

Magnetic properties of the remagnetized Middle-Ordovician limestones of the Ponón Trehué Formation (San Rafael Block,central-western Argentina): Insights into the Permian widespread Sanrafaelic overprint

The widespread Sanrafaelic remagnetization reset most of the early Cambrian to mid-Ordovician carbonate platform of the Argentine Precordillera and the calcareous units of the San Rafael Block. We conducted a detailed rock-magnetic study on the Middle-Ordovician limestones of the Ponón Trehué Formation at both limbs of a tight anticline exposed in the San Rafael Block (Mendoza province, central-western Argentina) that are carriers of a syntectonic magnetization of Permian age. We found that the magnetic overprint in the Ponón Trehué Formation is carried by both pyrrhotite and magnetite, with goethite and subordinate haematite likely related to weathering. Hysteresis parameters, frequency dependence of magnetic susceptibility, Cisowski and modified Lowrie-Fuller tests suggest the presence of ultrafine particles of chemical origin. Demagnetization of natural remanent magnetization and of three-axis isothermal remanence confirm pyrrhotite and magnetite as important contributors to the remanence. Both minerals carry the same magnetic syntectonic component suggesting a coeval or nearly coeval remanence acquisition and therefore mineral formation. This and the results of the magnetic fabric analyses indicate an authigenic origin of the magnetic minerals during folding associated with the Sanrafaelic tectonic phase (ca. 280 Ma). Although the chemically active (oxidizing?) fluids expelled from the orogen as it developed in the early Permian is a viable explanation for the Sanrafaelic remagnetization, the role of the nearly coeval magmatism in Precordillera and the San Rafael Block remains to be properly evaluated.     

Magnetic Influences of Cement Dust on Soil in Industrial Area and Its Environmental Implications

To monitor environmental implications of cement dust on soil in industrial area, magnetic parameters and mineral compositions were measured by the samples of the cement dust, cement factory dustfall, cement, coal ash, topsoil of green space in the factory and topsoil outside the factory. Results showed that the major magnetic minerals in the samples were magnetite, the magnetic mineral particle size of cement dust, dustfall, cement and coal ash was coarse Multi-Domian (MD) and Pseudo-Single-Domain (PSD). As topsoil of green space in the factory and topsoil outside the factory were polluted by cement dust, their magnetic properties had been obviously changed; the concentration of magnetic minerals elevated and particle size became coarser. The magnetic parameters (χ_fd,χ_ARM/χ,χ_ARM/SIRM) value can reflect the pollution level of the soil, the lower its value was, the more serious soil was polluted. X-ray diffraction results showed that the mineral compositions of the topsoil of green space in the factory and topsoil outside the factory were quartz and calcite, which were the same as cement dust. Magnetic parameters combination characteristics of topsoil can monitor the soil environmental changes in cement industry area.     

Dynamics and role of the Durban cyclonic eddy in the KwaZulu-Natal Bight ecosystem

The semi-permanent Durban Eddy is a mesoscale, lee-trapped, cold-core cyclonic circulation that occurs off the east coast of South Africa between Durban in the north and Sezela, some 70 km to the south. When present, strong north-eastward countercurrents reaching 100 cm s^–1 are found inshore. It is hypothesised that the cyclone is driven by the strong south-westward flowing Agulhas Current offshore of the regressing shelf edge near Durban. Analysis of ADCP data and satellite imagery shows the eddy to be present off Durban approximately 55% of the time, with an average lifespan of 8.6 days, and inter-eddy periods of 4 to 8 days. After spin-up the eddy breaks loose from its lee position and propagates downstream on the inshore boundary of the Agulhas Current. The eddy is highly variable in occurrence, strength and downstream propagation speeds. There is no detectable seasonal cycle in eddy occurrence, with the Natal Pulse causing more variability than any seasonal signal. A thermistor array deployed in the eddy centre, together with ship CTD data, indicates upward doming of the thermal structure in the eddy core associated with cooler water and nutrients being moved higher in the water column, stimulating primary production. Together with the use of satellite imagery, our findings indicate a second mechanism of upwelling, viz. divergent upwelling in the northern limb of the eddy. Satellite-tracked surface drifters released in the eddy demonstrated the potential for nutrient-rich eddy water to be transported northwards along the inshore regions of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Bight, thus contributing to the functioning of the bight ecosystem, as well as southwards along the KZN and Transkei coasts – both by the eddy migrating downstream and by eddy water being recirculated into the inshore boundary of the Agulhas Current itself.     

Natural ring structures on the Baikal ice cover: Analysis of experimental data and mathematical modeling

Hydrophysical studies and mathematical modeling of ring structures during ice cover on Lake Baikal have shown that their existence at the stage of ice cover degradation is due to anticyclonic currents. Such currents can be generated as a result of local upwelling, which we associate with the rise of methane hydrates from the top layer of bottom sediments and their dissociation. Analysis of satellite images shows that the radii of ice rings range from 1300 to 2400 m, which is close to the baroclinic Rossby radius. The measured ice thicknesses in the area of the rings are in agreement with model calculations. Deep water renewal in Lake Baikal can also be associated with the rise of hydrates.     

聂拉木地区高喜马拉雅岩石磁组构及其构造含义

利用岩石磁化率量值椭球体与岩石构造应变椭球体的共轴性,在缺乏岩性标志层的高喜马拉雅结晶基底（聂拉木地区）进行岩石磁组构研究,进而研究喜马拉雅造山带的变形期次和过程.磁组构特征表明：磁化率各向异性度P在樟木镇北1km处的片岩最高为172,在康山桥南1km处最低,为113;百分率各向异性度H在1182%～4507%之间;磁性线理L在102～109之间,磁性面理F在106～160之间,磁性面理F比磁性线理L发育;磁化率椭球体的形状因子T在019～076之间,磁化率椭球的扁率E在104～149之间,磁化率椭球体的形状为一压扁椭球;樟木镇北1km到肉切村,平均最小磁化率主轴方向D3为S－N（除聂拉木北1km的MA9外）,大多数样品最小磁化率主轴方向倾角I3＞51°,最高达726°,局部发育有拉长形磁化率量值椭球体.本文研究结果表明,聂拉木地区早期经历强烈的韧性变形,推测可能是一条巨大的右旋逆冲韧性变形带,晚期构造掀斜.     

磁场重联中电子加速问题的物理分析和数值研究

观测表明耀斑中电子加速发生在软X射线耀斑环上方的磁重联区域.在重联电流片中被super Dreicer电场直接加速似乎是产生能量在10keV～10MeV之间高能电子的最直接的方式.本文的结果证明纵向电磁场可以有效地将电子“锁”在重联电流片上,使得横向电场得以直接加速电子.对于解释产生相对论性粒子的脉冲式耀斑,这可能是一个有效的机制.     

2004年3月18日高纬磁层顶多重通量管事件分析

2004-03-18 23:10～23:50 UT期间,“双星（Double Star）”探测一号卫星（TC 1）在向阳面磁层顶高纬晨侧由内向外穿越磁层顶,其时TC_1的GSM坐标为 (75RE, -55RE, -54RE), RE为地球半径.穿越过程中TC_1观测到了8个通量管和1个磁通量传输事件（FTEs）.在此期间Cluster星簇位于向阳面太阳风内,其GSM坐标为(180RE, -31RE, -62RE),其4颗卫星监测到行星际磁场（IMF）的BZ分量持续南向,BＹ有较大的负值.本文的研究表明：TC_1观测到的前7个通量管具有准周期重现性,周期大约是1～4 min,明显小于以前所观测到的FTEs的平均周期(8～11 min);所有的通量管都具有较强的核心场.本文分别使用最小方差分析法（MVA）和Grad_Shafranov反演方法（GSR）对通量管的轴向进行了分析和对比,发现所有的通量管主轴基本沿晨昏向,结果显示GSR方法在轴向分析上比MVA优越.本文使用GSR方法对通量管的磁场结构进行了分析,恢复出了通量管的磁场在卫星穿越面的结构图;此外,本文还对这次多重通量管事件进行了deHoffmann Teller(HT)分析,结果表明,所有通量管大致朝南极方向运动,均来源于向日面低纬区域.这说明它们可能起源于向日面低纬区,由该区的磁场分量重联产生.     

关于暴时电离层电流分布的南北半球不对称性

采用国际上广泛认可的高层大气和电离层经验模式提供的各种参数, 通过电离层电流连续方程, 计算出强磁暴条件下6月至日和12月至日内, 磁纬±72°和磁地方时00:00～24:00之间电离层电场、电流等的分布. 计算中考虑了地磁和地理坐标间的偏离; 除中性风场感生的发电机效应外, 还包含了磁层耦合(极盖区边界的晨昏电场和二区场向电流)的驱动外源. 结果表明, 6月至日时, 磁层扰动自极光区向中低纬的穿透情况在南、北半球内基本接近, 北半球内略强; 但12月至日时, 呈现明显的不对称性, 南半球的电流穿透远强于北半球, 而电场的穿透则是在北半球更强. 无论南北半球, 在中高纬地区, 午夜至黎明时段出现较强的东向电场分量, 其[WTHX]E×B[WTBZ]的向上漂移效应, 正是解释我们以往不少研究现象中所期盼的物理机制.