Rapid screening of Zr-containing particles from Chang’e-5 lunar soil samples for isotope geochronology: Technical roadmap for future study

New samples returned by China Chang’e-5 (CE-5) mission offer an opportunity for studying the lunar geologic longevity, space weathering, and regolith evolution. The age determination of the CE-5 samples was among the first scientific questions to be answered. However, the precious samples, most in the micrometer size range, challenge many traditional analyses on large single crystals of zircon developed for massive bulk samples. Here, we developed a non-destructive rapid screening of individual zirconium-containing particle for isotope geochronology based on a Micro X-ray fluorescence analysis (µXRF). The selected particles were verified via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), 3D X-ray microscopy (XRM), and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) techniques, which showed that zirconium-bearing minerals with several microns were precisely positioned and readily suitable for site-specific isotopic dating by second ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). Such protocol could be also applicable in non-destructively screening other types of particles for different scientific purposes. We therefore proposed a correlative workflow for comprehensively studying the CE-5 lunar samples from single particles on nanometer to atomic scales. Linking various microscopic and spectromicroscopic instruments together, this workflow consists of six steps: (1) single-particle selection with non-destructive µXRF technique, (2) 2D/3D morphological and structural characterization with a correlative submicron 3D XRM and nanoscale resolution FIB-SEM imaging methods, (3) SEM analysis of the surface morphology and chemistry of the selected particle, (4) a series of microscopic and microbeam analyses (e.g., SEM, electron probe microanalysis, and SIMS) on the cross-section of the selected particle to obtain structural, mineralogical, chemical, and isotopic features from the micron to nanometer scale, (5) advanced 2D/3D characterization and site-specific sample preparation of thin foil/tip specimens on a microregion of interest in the selected particle with FIB-SEM technique, and (6) comprehensive analyses on the FIB-milled specimens at nanometer to atomic scale with synchrotron-based scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, analytic transmission electron microscopy, and atom probe tomography. Following this technical roadmap, one can integrate multiple modalities into a uniform frame of multimodal and multiscale correlated datasets to acquire high-throughput information on the limited or precious terrestrial and extraterrestrial samples.     

分层土中裙式吸力基础吸力沉贯特性模型试验研究

针对一种新型海上风电基础形式-裙式吸力基础,开展模型试验,研究其在分层土地基中的沉贯特性。讨论了土层分布形式（砂土、黏性土、上层砂土及下层黏性土（简称上砂下黏）、上层黏性土及下层砂土（简称上黏下砂））、沉贯方式的影响。研究表明：裙式吸力基础在分层土中具有良好的沉贯性能。与传统吸力基础相比,裙式吸力基础在砂土、黏性土、上砂下黏和上黏下砂地基中最终沉贯深度较传统吸力基础分别增加10.0%、2.3%、3.0%和9.6%,沉贯最大吸力值分别增加0.9%、14.4%、66.2%和92.2%。黏性土层位置和厚度对基础沉贯特性影响显著。上黏下砂地层中,基础最大吸力值出现在土层分界面处,最大吸力值随土层分布系数t（上层土厚度与土体总厚度的比值）的增加而逐渐增大,最终沉贯深度随土层分布系数增加而逐渐减小。上砂下黏地层中,裙式吸力基础最大吸力值出现在最大沉贯深度处,吸力最大值随土层分布系数的增加而逐渐减小,最终沉贯深度受土层分布系数影响较小。此外,同时抽吸主桶和裙结构内水体进行沉贯,最终沉贯深度大于只抽主桶情况。在砂土、黏性土、上黏下砂（ 0.4）和上砂下黏（ 0.4）等4种地基中,裙式吸力基础采用同时抽主桶和裙结构的沉贯方式,最终沉贯深度较只抽主桶情况分别增大了13.8%、3.4%、16.4%和4.6%。研究成果为进一步阐明吸力基础在分层土中沉贯机制及指导工程实践,具有借鉴意义。     

热力学计算模拟对初始月幔结构的约束SCIEI北大核心CSCD

月球岩浆洋结晶形成的初始月球内部结构是其后续演化过程的开端,其结晶过程受月球岩浆洋的初始深度和物质组成这两个参数的制约。由于缺少直接来自月球深部的岩石样品,目前关于月球岩浆洋演化过程的探讨主要依赖实验和计算模拟手段。岩浆洋模型中形成的月壳厚度是否与探测结果一致是月球岩浆洋演化模型合理性的重要约束。最新的GRAIL(Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory)探测数据推算月壳厚度为34~43km,低于阿波罗时期认为的约70km,这对已有的月球岩浆洋演化模型提出了挑战。本文采用并修正FXMOTR程序包,针对月球岩浆洋在不同的初始深度和物质组成情况下的结晶过程,进行了一系列热力学计算模拟。通过量化月球岩浆洋的初始深度和物质组成对月壳厚度的影响,结合关于月球内部微量元素分配的研究结果,对比了月球岩浆洋结晶后期的残余熔体与原始克里普组分(urKREEP)的成分。本文的模拟结果显示,一个全月幔熔融且初始成分为月球初始上月幔组成(LPUM)的岩浆洋将在其深部结晶2.5%石榴子石,形成的月壳厚度符合GRAIL的约束,并且结晶出了合适的urKREEP成分。在此模型的基础上获取了月球初始的内部成分和密度结构,并对后期月幔翻转(Overturn)的程度进行了探讨。     

Diurnal Variation of Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Western North Pacific in 2008-2010

Diurnal variation of tropical cyclone (TC) rainfall in the western North Pacific (WNP) is investigated using the high-resolution Climate Prediction Center's morphing technique (CMORPH) products obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). From January 2008 to October 2010, 72 TCs and 389 TC rainfall days were reported by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center's (JTWC) best-track record. The TC rain rate was partitioned using the Objective Synoptic Analysis Technique (OSAT) and interpolated into Local Standard Time (LST). Harmonic analysis was applied to analyze the diurnal variation of the precipitation. Obvious diurnal cycles were seen in approximately 70% of the TC rainfall days. The harmonic amplitude and phase of the mean TC rainfall rate vary with TC intensity, life stage, season, and spatial distribution. On the basis of intensity, tropical depressions (TDs) exhibit the highest precipitation variation amplitude (PVA), at approximately 30%, while super typhoons (STs) contain the lowest PVA, at less than 22%. On the basis of lifetime stage, the PVA in the decaying stage (more than 37%) is stronger than that in the developing (less than 20%) and sustaining (28%) stages. On the basis of location, the PVA of more than 35% (less than 18%) is the highest (lowest) over the high-latitude oceanic areas (the eastern ocean of the Philippine Islands). In addition, a sub-diurnal cycle of TC rainfall occurs over the high-latitude oceans. On the basis of season, the diurnal variation is more pronounced during summer and winter, at approximately 30% and 32%, respectively, and is weaker in spring and autumn, at approximately 22% and 24%, respectively.     

Diurnal Variation of Tropical Cyclone Rainfall in the Western North Pacific in 2008–10

Diurnal variation of tropical cyclone (TC) rainfall in the western North Pacific (WNP) is investigated using the high-resolution Climate Prediction Center’s morphing technique (CMORPH) products obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). From January 2008 to October 2010, 72 TCs and 389 TC rainfall days were reported by the Joint Typhoon Warning Center’s (JTWC) best-track record. The TC rain rate was partitioned using the Objective Synoptic Analysis Technique (OSAT) and interpolated into Local Standard Time (LST). Harmonic analysis was applied to analyze the diurnal variation of the precipitation. Obvious diurnal cycles were seen in approximately 70% of the TC rainfall days. The harmonic amplitude and phase of the mean TC rainfall rate vary with TC intensity, life stage, season, and spatial distribution. On the basis of intensity, tropical depressions (TDs) exhibit the highest precipitation variation amplitude (PVA), at approximately 30%, while super typhoons (STs) contain the lowest PVA, at less than 22%. On the basis of lifetime stage, the PVA in the decaying stage (more than 37%) is stronger than that in the developing (less than 20%) and sustaining (28%) stages. On the basis of location, the PVA of more than 35% (less than 18%) is the highest (lowest) over the high-latitude oceanic areas (the eastern ocean of the Philippine Islands). In addition, a sub-diurnal cycle of TC rainfall occurs over the high-latitude oceans. On the basis of season, the diurnal variation is more pronounced during summer and winter, at approximately 30% and 32%, respectively, and is weaker in spring and autumn, at approximately 22% and 24%, respectively.     

Transition of Zonal Asymmetry of the Arctic Oscillation and the Antarctic Oscillation at the End of 1970s

In this study,the interdecadal changes in the zonal symmetry of both Arctic Oscillation(AO) and Antarctic Oscillation(AAO) were analyzed.To describe the zonal asymmetry,a local index of AO and AAO was defined using the normalized sea level pressure(SLP) differences between 40° and 65°(latitudes) in both hemispheres.The zonal covariability of local AO and AAO can well represent the zonal symmetry of AO and AAO.Results show that the zonal asymmetry of both AO and AAO significantly changed in the late 1970s.AO was less asymmetric in the zonal direction in the boreal winter season during the latter period,while in the boreal summer it became more asymmetric after 1979.The zonal symmetry of AAO in both austral summer and winter has also significantly decreased since the late 1970s.These changes may imply interdecadal transition in the atmospheric circulation at middle and high latitudes,which is of vital importance to understanding climate variability and predictability across the globe,including the African-Asian-Australian monsoon regions.     

Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics CONTENTS

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SOME ANALYSES OF RECENT CHINESE PROVINCIAL DATA

A complete set of Chinese provincial data has recently been published and may be employed to study the regional variations in China. Great regional inequalities are found in industrial outputs, provisions of university places and distribution of qualified doctors.     

On mean sea-level along the Brazilian coast

Summary. (Part 1) Fourier analyses of mean monthly sea-level data from Belém, Fortaleza, Salvador and Imbituba, ports on the Brazilian coast, are made with simultaneous data of air temperature, sea surface atmospheric pressure, atmospheric precipitation and evaporation. Results show that the mean monthly sea-levels of ports below Recife's latitude show peaks in February-March and April-May which are apparently related to the seasonal temperature changes and the combined action of precipitation, winds and oceanographic large-scale changes. The port of Belém showed a stronger semi-annual seasonal component, which seems to be related to the alternate southern and northern hemispheres' influences of the atmospheric precipitation. (Part 2 of the paper presented at the Symposium concerned the longer term changes of sea-level, including an analysis of principal components. These subjects will be treated in a separate paper.)