Mammalian femora across the Cretaceous–Paleogene boundary in eastern Montana

Our understanding of latest Cretaceous and earliest Paleogene mammalian evolution is based almost entirely on the dental fossil record. Mammalian postcranial fossils are rare and mostly found as isolated elements in latest Cretaceous and earliest Paleogene vertebrate microfossil assemblages of North America. Although placing these fossils in a tooth-based taxonomic framework is difficult, they can provide insight into locomotor diversity and habitat preference to complement diet reconstructions and diversity estimates from dental fossils. Here, we describe 64 femora of mammals recovered from latest Cretaceous (Lancian) and earliest Paleogene (Puercan) localities in eastern Montana. We sorted these based on morphology and size (morphotypes). In some cases, morphotypes were tentatively assigned to dentally based taxa that are known from these strata.Although our resulting femoral dataset is small relative to the study area's dental dataset, we show several key findings. First, there is a greater morphological diversity of multituberculate femora than previously recognized, especially in the latest Cretaceous sample. In contrast, metatherians, which have a high relative abundance in Lancian Hell Creek Formation dental assemblages, are absent from our postcranial samples; eutherian femora are only present in the Puercan assemblages. Second, we record a minor decrease in morphotype richness across the K–Pg boundary that is associated with an increase in mean specimen size, due to the appearance of a few significantly larger-bodied, immigrant taxa. Among the eutherians, there are two specimens of larger-bodied early Puercan archaic ungulates, a very large specimen of a middle/late Puercan taeniodont, pantodont, or triisodontid, as well as a specimen possibly attributed to a “plesiadapiform” archaic primate. Third, preliminary functional morphologic analyses of the more complete specimens suggest that locomotor diversity increased from mainly arboreal or terrestrial/saltatorial multituberculates in the latest Cretaceous to include a fossorial multituberculate and potentially an arboreal eutherian in the early Paleocene. These patterns parallel those previously reported from a dental dataset and indicate that postcranial data are valuable as an independent means to test hypotheses of taxonomic and ecomorphological diversity across the K–Pg boundary.     

Mineralogy and geochemical behaviour during weathering of greenstone belt under tropical dry conditions in the extreme North Cameroon (Central Africa)

Mineralogy, major, trace and rare earth elements of a weathering profile developed on tertiary greenstone belt in the extreme North Cameroon are reported. The aim of which was to investigate mineralogical evolution and element mobilization and redistribution during weathering under dry tropical climate. The weathering profile consists of four main horizons: (1) a spheroidal weathering zone constituted by a corestone–shell complex, (2) a C horizon, (3) a Bw horizon and an Ah horizon. The results indicate that nontronite, a Fe-rich smectite, is the exclusive clay mineral formed in the exfoliated shells and the C horizon. It is associated with kaolinite in the upper horizons. The coexistence of these two clay minerals induced a decrease of CEC and pH which becomes neutral. The weathering index (WI) values reveal that weathering becomes more and more intensive from the corestone up to Bw horizon, which is the most weathered horizon in the weathering profile. Mass balance calculations, using Th as immobile element, indicate that Ti is quite mobile and that Al and Fe are relatively enriched at the bottom and strongly leached at the top of the profile. Alkalis and alkaline earth elements are strong leached through out the profile, except Ca which displays similar trend as Al and Fe. The same goes for LILE (Cs, Sr), TTE (Cr, Co, Ni) and HSFE (Y, Nb, Hf). In opposite, REE are depleted at the bottom and enriched in the upper horizons, with more enrichment for LREE than for HREE. It appears that weathering of greenstone belt causes a fractionation of HREE and induces a concentration of LREEs. Ce and Eu anomalies display opposite behaviour.     

夏季黄海冷水团海域的丙烯酸分布与海洋环境因子和叶绿素a变化之间的关系

海水中主要含硫化合物β-二甲基巯基丙酸内盐(DMSP)降解可产生丙烯酸(AA)和活性气体二甲基硫(DMS)。2011年8月对黄海冷水团海域的AA及相关参量的分布特征进行了研究。结果表明,该海域表层海水中AA的浓度为0~0.208μmol/L,平均值为(0.081±0.075)μmol/L。AA的高值区出现在海域的东南部,可能是受到长江冲淡水的影响。AA的浓度总体上呈现出由南到北递增的趋势,与Chl-a较为一致,表明该海域的AA主要是由DMSP裂解产生的。表层海水中AA与温度表现出明显的负相关性。AA的垂直分布表现为:中层底层表层,这可能是产生AA的浮游植物与消耗AA的细菌共同作用的结果。海域中AA浓度与DMSP或DMS无明显的相关性。AA浓度远高于DMS,AA/DMS平均为106∶1,初步估算出DMSP降解产生的AA约为66.5%。AA/Chl-a平均为126.6 mmol/g,比DMSP/Chl-a高1个数量级,比DMS/Chl-a高2个数量级。     

超浅层顶管施工诱发地表沉降规律分析

随着社会化进程的推进,顶管法在各类城市地下管线的施工中得到广泛应用。超浅层顶管施工。绝大多数是在已建道路下进行的,施工时,易发生地表沉降,且沉降量很大,易破坏路面。为此,超浅层顶管施工对周围环境的影响已引起人们足够的重视,其施工及控制技术是目前迫切需要掌握的。利用有限差分软件FLAC3D对顶管施工过程中地表沉降进行模拟,旨在了解超浅层顶管施工引起的力学效应。对超浅层顶管施工引起的地表沉降作出预测,为采取措施减小地表沉降提供依据。     

Mass and density of Asteroid 121 Hermione from an analysis of its companion orbit

We report on Adaptive Optics observations of the satellite of Asteroid 121 Hermione with the ESO-Paranal UT4 VLT and the Keck AO telescopes. The binary system, belonging to the Cybele family, was observed during two observing campaigns in January 2003 and January 2004 aiming to confirm its trajectory and accurately determine its orbital elements. A precessing Keplerian model was used to describe the motion of S/2002 (121) 1. We find that the satellite of Hermione revolves at a=768±11 km from the primary in P=2.582±0.002 days with a roughly circular and prograde orbit (e=0.001±0.001, i=3±2° w.r.t. equator primary). These extensive astrometric measurements enable us to determine the mass of Hermione to be 0.54±0.03×¹⁰¹⁹ kg and its pole solution (λ₀=1.5°±2.00, β₀=10°±2.0 in ecliptic J2000). Additional Keck AO observations taken close to the asteroid opposition in December 2003 give us direct insight into the structure of the primary which presents a bilobated shape. Since the angular resolution is limited to the theoretical angular resolution of the telescope (43 mas corresponding to a spatial resolution of 80 km), two shape models (called snowman and peanut) are proposed based on the images which were deconvolved with MISTRAL deconvolution process. Assuming a purely synchronous orbit and knowing the mass of the primary, the peanut shape composed of two separated components is quite unlikely. Additionally the J₂ calculated from the analysis of the secondary orbit is not in agreement with the peanut model, but close to the snowman shape. The bulk density of the primary as derived from the observed size of the snowman shape is estimated to ρ∼1.8±0.2 g/cm³ implying a porosity ∼14% for this C-type asteroid, corresponding to a fractured asteroid. Considering the IRAS diameter, the density is lower (ρ=1.1±0.3 g/cm³) leading to a high porosity (p=30-60%) with a nominal value of p=48%, which indicates a completely loose rubble-pile structure for the primary. Further work is necessary to better constrain the size, shape, and then internal structure of Hermione's primary.     

Paleo-oil reservoir pyrolysis and gas release in the Yangtze Block imply an alternative mechanism for the Late Permian Crisis

The causes of the global mass extinction that occurred around the Permian–Triassic boundary have been widely studied through the geological record and in various locations. The results show that volcanic activity was a key factor in initiating the crisis during the Late Permian. Compared to other thermal events triggered by volcanic activity, pyrolysis of petroleum in Pre-Permian reservoirs has rarely been suggested as a significant source of the greenhouse gases that caused the mass extinction. In this study, geochemical analysis is carried out of a huge paleo-oil reservoir in the Yangtze Block (YB), South China. The detection of mineral inclusions and pyrobitumens is evidence of rapid pyrolysis of accumulated oil in the Ediacaran reservoir. New evidence from hydrothermal minerals and the presence of domain mesophase in the pyrobitumen suggest that the pyrolysis process occurred abruptly and that greenhouse gases were rapidly released through venting pipes. The dating of such a complex geological event in this old and deeply buried reservoir is inevitably difficult and potentially unreliable. However, cross-validation of the multiple evidence sources, including hydrothermal minerals and domain mesophase, indicates that the rapid oil pyrolysis must have been driven by a major thermal event. Reconstruction of burial and thermal histories suggests that the thermal event was most likely to have been triggered by the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP), which was in a period of significant volcanic activity during the Late Permian. Massive volumes of gases, including methane, carbon dioxide, and possibly hydrogen sulfide, were released, causing a significant increase in greenhouse gases that may have contributed to global warming and the resulting mass extinction during the Late Permian Crisis (LPC).     

西秦岭阳山金矿带安坝矿床热液蚀变作用

安坝金矿床是阳山金矿带内已探明金资源储量最大的金矿床,矿体受NEE向的区域性安昌河-观音坝断裂带及其次级断裂-裂隙系统控制,主要赋存于紧邻断裂带的千枚岩和斜长花岗斑岩中。围绕断裂-裂隙系统的赋矿围岩硫化、硅化、绢云母化、碳酸盐化、绿泥石化、绿帘石化和粘土化蚀变发育,其中前三种蚀变与金成矿作用关系最为密切。论文在厘定安坝金矿床热液蚀变类型、矿物组合特征、以及断裂变形与蚀变空间变化关系的基础上,通过对蚀变岩及其原岩的地球化学分析,剖析了热液蚀变作用过程与机理。研究结果表明,硅化蚀变贯穿发育于成矿前、成矿期和成矿后,绢云母化蚀变为成矿前和成矿期的产物,碳酸盐化蚀变主要发育于成矿晚阶段和成矿后,而粘土化蚀变为成矿后的产物。在长石蚀变为绢云母的过程中,有少量Al2O3带出,而TiO 2在蚀变过程中相对稳定,为此选取TiO 2作为不活动组分,开展质量平衡计算得出:在硅化过程中,明显带入的组分有SiO 2、Fe2O3、FeO、MgO、CaO、C、S、Au、As、Hg、Pb和Zn,而被带出的元素为Rb和Ba;在绢云母化过程中,明显带入的组分为SiO 2、Fe2O3、CaO、C、S、Au、As、Hg、Pb、Zn、Rb和Ba,带出组分为Na2O。稀土元素地球化学特征显示千枚岩原岩稀土元素含量比硅化和绢云母化千枚岩的稀土元素含量高,表明在蚀变过程中有稀土元素的流失。此外,千枚岩原岩的δEu=0.70,δCe=0.95;硅化千枚岩的δEu=0.72,δCe=1.00;绢云母化千枚岩的δEu=0.76,δCe=0.95。硅化、绢云母化千枚岩与千枚岩原岩的REE球粒陨石标准化配分模式曲线变化趋势相似,表现为明显的Eu负异常、无Ce异常的富轻稀土的右倾型曲线。含矿流体沿断裂带运移并与围岩反应,形成了石英和绢云母等蚀变矿物。硅化过程中,含矿流体中还原硫活度降低导致金沉淀;而绢云母化过程中,含矿流体的pH增大及K+和H+含量的减少和CO2含量的增加,致使载金黄铁矿、毒砂和金的沉淀。     

Study of dispersion of mass distribution of ultra-high energy cosmic rays using a surface array of muon and electromagnetic detectors

We consider a hypothetical observatory of ultra-high energy cosmic rays consisting of two surface detector arrays that measure independently electromagnetic and muon signals induced by air showers. Using the constant intensity cut method, sets of events ordered according to each of both signal sizes are compared giving the number of matched events. Based on its dependence on the zenith angle, a parameter sensitive to the dispersion of the distribution of the logarithmic mass of cosmic rays is introduced. The results obtained using two post-LHC models of hadronic interactions are very similar and indicate a weak dependence on details of these interactions.     

GRAPES_GFS中三维参考大气的研究：参考态构造和实际预报试验

GRAPES_GFS（Global Regional Assimilation and PrEdiction System, Global Forecast System）采用基于等温大气构造的一维参考大气,前期的研究工作已在GRAPES_GFS的动力框架中引入了三维参考大气,并通过一系列理想试验检验了新方法的正确性以及计算精度。本部分研究工作,主要针对实际资料的预报试验,对比分析了不同三维参考态给定方法的优劣,并采用气候平均法,进行夏季两个月的四维变分循环预报试验。检验结果显示,使用三维参考大气后,模式的综合预报性能得到了提升,对流层高度场、温度场的预报偏差有所减小,长期积分过程中模式质量损失较为严重的问题也得到了明显的缓解。另外,通过动能谱的对比也可以看到使用三维参考大气后,模式在高层的能量耗散明显较小,能谱变化与观测更加吻合。      

Making sense of the politics in the climate change loss & damage debate

The Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (L&D) associated with Climate Change Impacts (WIM) was established in 2013 to advance i) knowledge generation; ii) coordination and iii) support to address losses and damages under the UNFCCC. So far, the work undertaken by the WIM Executive Committee (ExCom) has focused on enhancing understanding and awareness of the issue and promoting collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Delivering on the WIM’s third function on action and support has lagged behind, and ‘the political’ nature of L&D has often been blamed for this. Key terrains of contention among Parties have included the positioning of L&D governance vis-à-vis the adaptation space and struggles around state liability and compensation. As a way to facilitate discussion on implementation options, recent research has suggested de-politicising aspects of the L&D debate; yet we have very little insight into how the politics are understood within the realm of international L&D governance. This paper brings an analysis of ‘the political’ into the picture by identifying the complex and underlying issues that fuel contention within UNFCCC L&D negotiations. It gives centre stage to the way different framings of norms and material interests affect the debate, and challenges the tendency in current L&D literature to overlook the socio-historical and political underpinnings of this area of policy-making. We employ a qualitative multi-methods research design which draws on content analysis of 138 official Parties’ submissions and statements, 14 elite interviews with key current and former L&D negotiators and is built on a foundation of 3 years of participant observation at COPs and WIM meetings. We approach this data with a political ethnographic sensibility that seeks to explore how meanings are constructed within and across different sources of data. Our empirical results show that, rather than being a monolithic dispute, L&D catalyses different yet intertwined unresolved discussions. We identify five areas of contention, including continued disputes around compensation; conflicts on the legitimacy of L&D as a third pillar of climate action; tensions between the technical and political dimension of the debate; debates over accountability for losses and damages incurred; and the connection of L&D with other unresolved issues under the Convention.