Periodic pattern in the residual-velocity field of OB associations

An analysis of the residual-velocity field of OB associations within 3 kpc of the Sun has revealed periodic variations in the radial residual velocities along the Galactic radius vector with a typical scale length of λ = 2.0 ± 0.2 kpc and a mean amplitude of f _R = 7 ± 1 km s^?1. The fact that the radial residual velocities of almost all OB associations in rich stellar-gas complexes are directed toward the Galactic center suggests that the solar neighborhood under consideration is within the corotation radius. The azimuthal-velocity field exhibits a distinct periodic pattern in the 0°<l<180° region, where the mean azimuthal-velocity amplitude is f _θ = 6 ± 2 km s^?1. There is no periodic pattern of the azimuthal-velocity field in the 180°<l<360° region. The locations of the Cygnus arm, as well as the Perseus arm, inferred from an analysis of the radial-and azimuthal-velocity fields coincide. The periodic patterns of the residual-velocity fields of Cepheids and OB associations share many common features.     

Brown dwarf populations in open clusters

We present the results of multiple simulations of open clusters, modelling the dynamics of a population of brown dwarf members. We consider the effects of a large range of primordial binary populations, including the possibilities of having brown dwarf members contained within a binary system. We also examine the effects of various cluster diameters and masses. Our examination of a population of wide binary systems containing brown dwarfs, reveals evidence for exchange reactions whereby the brown dwarf is ejected from the system and replaced by a heavier main-sequence star. We find that there exists the possibility of hiding a large fraction of the brown dwarfs contained within the primordial binary population. We conclude that it is probable that the majority of brown dwarfs are contained within primordial binary systems which then hides a large proportion of them from detection.     

Macrobenthic associations in a South Atlantic Brazilian enclosed bay: the historical influence of shrimp trawling

This study characterized the macrobenthos of Tijucas Bay and related the distribution and dominance patterns with historical trawling activities. Fifteen sampling sites were established in the bay and were sampled in summer and winter for the characterization of the macrobenthos. To evaluate the trawling effects, three passages were established at each site with control and impacted areas analyzed before and after trawl-net action in impacted area. Seasonal differences occurred in macrobenthos, possibly influenced by rainfall where the relative water level of the Tijucas River was directly associated with the discharge of freshwater and particulate matter. The associations identified in the bay were distinct in comparison with the Zimbros Embayment. The trawling assessment showed no significant variation in the macrobenthos after the trawl, possibly due to decades of shrimp exploitation in the bay. Trawling and instable environmental conditions inside the bay make the establishment of a stable macrobenthic community difficult.     

Origin and geodynamic evolution of Late Paleogene magmatic associations along the Periadriatic-Sava-Vardar magmatic belt

Abstract

Along the Periadriatic Lineament in the Alps and the Sava-Vardar Zone of the Dinarides and Hellenides, Paleogene magmatic associations form a continuous belt, about 1700 km long. The following magmatic associations occur: (1) Eocene granitoids; (2) Oligocene granitoids including tonalites; (3) Oligocene shoshonite and calc-alkaline volcanics with lamprophyres; (4) Egerian-Eggenburgian (Chattian) calc-alkaline volcanics and granitoids. All of these magmatic associations are constrained by radiometric ages, which indicate that the magmatic activity was mainly restricted to the time span between 55 and 29 Ma. These igneous rocks form, both at surface and in the subsurface, the distinct linear Periadriatic-Sava-Vardar magmatic belt, with three strikes that are controlled by the indentation of Apulia and Moesia and accompanying strike-slip faulting. The geology, seismicity, seismic tomography and magnetic anomalies within this belt suggest that it has been generated in the African-Eurasian suture zone. Based on published analytical data, the petrology, major and trace element contents and Sr, Nd and O isotopie composition of each magmatic association are briefly defined. These data show that Eocene and Oligocene magmatic associations of the Late Paleogene Periadriatic-Sava-Vardar magmatic belt originated along a consuming plate margin. Based on isotopie systems, two main rock groups can be distinguished: (1) ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7036–0.7080 and δ¹⁸O = 5.9–7.2‰, indicating basaltic partial melts derived from a continental mantle-lithosphere, and (2) ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7090–72131 and δ¹⁸O = 7.3–11.5‰, indicating crustal assimilation and melting. The mantle sources for the primary basalt melts are metasomatized garnet peridotites and/or spinel lherzolites and phlogopite lherzolites of upper mantle wedge origin. The geodynamic evolution of the plutonic and volcanic associations of the Periadriatic-Sava-Vardar magmatic belt was related to the Africa-Eurasia suture zone that was dominated by break-off of the subducted lithospheric slab of Mesozoic oceanic crust, at depths of 90–100 km. This is indicated by their contemporaneity along the 1700 km long belt. © 2002 Éditions scientifiques et médicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.     

Fluvial morphology and reservoir sand-body architecture in lacustrine rift basins with axial and lateral sediment supplies: Oligocene fluvial–lacustrine succession in the Xihu sag,East China Sea Shelf Basin

Abstract

The Xihu sag, which is the largest petroliferous sub-basin of the East China Sea Shelf Basin, formed in a continental back-arc setting. The Oligocene Huagang Formation consisting of a fluvial–lacustrine succession deposited during the compressional stage is the prime hydrocarbon-bearing interval in the Xihu sag. A third-order sequence-stratigraphic framework has been built, and component sand-body characteristics were investigated based on seismic attribute analysis and well-log correlation. Two overall upward-fining sequences, and an internal low-accommodation systems tract (LAST) (fluvial successions characterised by amalgamated fluvial channel sand bodies interlayered with rare overbank deposits) and high-accommodation systems tract (HAST) (intervals dominated by overbank or lacustrine deposits) have been identified. The thick, multi-storied channel-fill sandstone bodies deposited along the central depression belt, capped by extensive overbank or lacustrine mud deposits, characterise each sequence and form favourable reservoir–seal associations. Proximal-to-distal changes in lithofacies associations were also analysed. The sequence-stratigraphic and lithofacies analysis suggest the existence of an axial, large-scale river channel system in the Oligocene Xihu sag. On the basis of the restoration of basin geomorphology and seismic facies analysis, the depositional architectures of the axial paleodrainage system have been reconstructed. Overall, the Huagang sequences represent the sedimentary evolution of a large-scale fluvial system sourced from axial and lateral supply areas, to form river deltas into an interior-draining basin-centre lake. Two major fluvio-lacustrine transgression–regression cycles have been recorded. During the transgression cycle, the fluvial morphology was dominated by braided fluvial style; whereas during the regression cycle, the fluvial morphology was characterised by a combination of multiple fluvial channel styles in the LAST, from upstream to downstream low-sinuosity braided, high-sinuosity braided and anastomosing fluvial channel patterns were distributed and then replaced by large-scale lake flooding in the HAST. The braided channel centre, paleobathymetric lows of channel networks and delta-front bodies are sand-prone units. The fluvial sedimentation was governed by multiple parameters: tectonics, paleogeomorphology and climate fluctuations. This integrated study on fluvial sedimentation and evolution of the Oligocene drainage system enable us to propose a conceptual model depicting fluvial channel styles and component sand-body architecture in lacustrine rift basins with axial plus transverse sediment supplies. This model can serve as a reference to illustrate channel-sand-body and associated reservoir architecture in similar types of drainage systems in terrestrial basins.     

The massive star binary fraction in young open clusters – I. NGC 6231 revisited

We present the results of a long-term high-resolution spectroscopy campaign on the O-type stars in NGC 6231. We revise the spectral classification and multiplicity of these objects and we constrain the fundamental properties of the O-star population. Almost three quarters of the O-type stars in the cluster are members of a binary system. The minimum binary fraction is 0.63, with half the O-type binaries having an orbital period of the order of a few days. The eccentricities of all the short-period binaries are revised downward, and henceforth match a normal period–eccentricity distribution. The mass ratio distribution shows a large preference for O + OB binaries, ruling out the possibility that, in NGC 6231, the companion of an O-type star is randomly drawn from a standard initial mass function. Obtained from a complete and homogeneous population of O-type stars, our conclusions provide interesting observational constraints to be confronted with the formation and early evolution theories of O-stars.