Possible contribution of leakage currents from the Atlantic Ocean to the magnetic-field variations observed in Devon

It is suggested that leakage currents flow across Devon, north of Exeter, from large-scale electric-current systems induced in the Atlantic Ocean by the geomagnetic variations incident on the Atlantic Ocean from the ionosphere. This model can account for the variation with period of the contribution of induced current flow to the differences in the magnetic H variations of period > 30 s observed at Exeter and Sidmouth.     

The Cloud Ice Mountain Experiment (CIME) 1998: experiment overview and modelling of the microphysical processes during the seeding by isentropic gas expansion

The second field campaign of the Cloud Ice Mountain Experiment (CIME) project took place in February 1998 on the mountain Puy de Dôme in the centre of France. The content of residual aerosol particles, of H₂O₂ and NH₃ in cloud droplets was evaluated by evaporating the drops larger than 5 μm in a Counterflow Virtual Impactor (CVI) and by measuring the residual particle concentration and the released gas content. The same trace species were studied behind a round jet impactor for the complementary interstitial aerosol particles smaller than 5 μm diameter. In a second step of experiments, the ambient supercooled cloud was converted to a mixed phase cloud by seeding the cloud with ice particles by the gas release from pressurised gas bottles. A comparison between the physical and chemical characteristics of liquid drops and ice particles allows a study of the fate of the trace constituents during the presence of ice crystals in the cloud.In the present paper, an overview is given of the CIME 98 experiment and the instrumentation deployed. The meteorological situation during the experiment was analysed with the help of a cloud scale model. The microphysics processes and the behaviour of the scavenged aerosol particles before and during seeding are analysed with the detailed microphysical model ExMix. The simulation results agreed well with the observations and confirmed the assumption that the Bergeron–Findeisen process was dominating during seeding and was influencing the partitioning of aerosol particles between drops and ice crystals. The results of the CIME 98 experiment give an insight on microphysical changes, redistribution of aerosol particles and cloud chemistry during the Bergeron–Findeisen process when acting also in natural clouds.     

Behaviour of H2O2, NH3, and black carbon in mixed-phase clouds during CIME

We investigated the partitioning of trace substances during the phase transition from supercooled to mixed-phase cloud induced by artificial seeding. Simultaneous determination of the concentrations of H₂O₂, NH₃ and black carbon (BC) in both condensed and interstitial phases with high time resolution showed that the three species undergo different behaviour in the presence of a mixture of ice crystals and supercooled droplets. Both H₂O₂ and NH₃ are efficiently scavenged by growing ice crystals, whereas BC stayed predominantly in the interstitial phase. In addition, the scavenging of H₂O₂ is driven by co-condensation with water vapour onto ice crystals while NH₃ uptake into the ice phase is more efficient than co-condensation alone. The high solubility of NH₄⁺ in the ice could explain this result. Finally, it appears that the H₂O₂–SO₂ reaction is very slow in the ice phase with respect to the liquid phase. Our results are directly applicable for clouds undergoing limited riming.     

The Central Andean gravity high, a relic of an old subduction complex?

The Central Andean gravity high (CAGH) is a positive anomaly in isostatic residual gravity with its center located at the western flank of the Central Andes at about 24°S. The gravity was analyzed by various methods to draw quantitative conclusions about the sources of this anomaly and their process of formation. Methods include the analysis of the gravity gradients, power spectrum, wavelength filters, and Euler deconvolution.Numerical investigations of gravity field in the area of the CAGH indicate the presence of a dense body of nearly 400 km length and about 100–140 km width, that masses lie at varying depths between 10 and 38 km. A correlation between the location of the residual anomalies and the topographic lows in the area between the Salars de Atacama and Pipanaco is observed, which indicates the strong influence of the anomalous-causing rocks of the CAGH within the formation process of the Andean orogen. An influence of these causing bodies of rock on the trend of Holocene volcanic arc is likely. Genesis of the anomalous dense formations of rock could be traced back to Ordovician–Silurian time when a pre-Andean subduction zone is postulated in the region of northern Chile with its corresponding volcanic arc in the region of the CAGH.

Zusammenfassung

El campo de gravedad alto de los Andes Centrales (CAGH) consiste en una pronunciada anomalía positiva de la gravedad isostática, cuyo centro se encuentra en el borde oeste de los Andes Centrales a los 24°S. En este estudio se analizó el campo de gravedad mediante distintos métodos, de manera de poder establecer conclusiones cuantitativas sobre el causante de esta anomalía y el proceso de formación de este causante.La investigación numérica de las anomalías gravimétricas del CAGH indica la presencia de un cuerpo de alta densidad con aproximadamente 400 km de largo y 100–140 km de ancho, que se encuentra a profundidades variables entre 10 y 38 km. Se observa una correlación entre la posición de la anomalía residual y los bajos topográficos en los areas de Salares de Atacama, Arizaro, Antofalla y Pipanaco, la cual indica una fuerte influencia de rocas productoras de la anomalía en el CAGH, dentro del proceso de formación del orógeno andino. Es probable que estos cuerpos de rocas causantes de la anomalía tengan incluso influencia en el alineamiento del arco volcánico holocénico. La generación de cuerpos de rocas con una densidad anómala puede remontarse al Ordovícico–Silúrico, tiempo para el que postula una subducción pre-Andina en la región del norte de Chile y que corresponde con el arco volcánico en la región del CAGH.     

A disturbed molecular disc in the Circinus galaxy

We have used the Swedish ESO Submillimeter Telescope to observe the molecular gas in the Circinus galaxy using the CO(1 → 0) transition as a tracer. The central region and major axis have been mapped and several other points were also observed. The gas in the galaxy is concentrated towards the nucleus, the peak being coincident with the radio/optical core. The inclination of the molecular galactic disc is more comparable to that of the radio continuum than to that of the large-scale H  i emission. Evidence for an anomalous spur structure pointing radially away from the galactic centre is presented, and may indicate a causal link between it and similar features seen in optical lines and radio continuum. Our data suggest the presence of a central molecular ring or disc with radius 300 ± 50 pc and a rotation velocity of about 200 km s⁻¹ (assuming i  = 73°). The dynamical mass of the nucleus is estimated to be no greater than 3.9 × 10⁹ M_⊙. Assuming that the distribution of gas varies smoothly in the outer regions, we calculate the mass of molecular gas in the galaxy to be at least M _mol = 1.1 × 10⁹ M_⊙, and the star-forming efficiency to be 11 ± 2 L_⊙ M_⊙⁻¹. These results imply that Circinus is undergoing a massive central starburst which may be, at least partially, responsible for its extended minor axis emission seen in several wavebands.     

Seismic gaps and plate tectonics: Seismic potential for major boundaries

The theory of plate tectonics provides a basic framework for evaluating the potential for future great earthquakes to occur along major plate boundaries. Along most of the transform and convergent plate boundaries considered in this paper, the majority of seismic slip occurs during large earthquakes, i.e., those of magnitude 7 or greater. The concepts that rupture zones, as delineated by aftershocks, tend to abut rather than overlap, and large events occur in regions with histories of both long- and short-term seismic quiescence are used in this paper to delineate major seismic gaps.In detail, however, the distribution of large shallow earthquakes along convergent plate margins is not always consistent with a simple model derived from plate tectonics. Certain plate boundaries, for example, appear in the long term to be nearly aseismic with respect to large earthquakes. The identification of specific tectonic regimes, as defined by dip of the inclined seismic zone, the presence or absence of aseismic ridges and seamounts on the downgoing lithospheric plate, the age contrast between the overthrust and underthrust plates, and the presence or absence of back-arc spreading, have led to a refinement in the application of plate tectonic theory to the evaluation of seismic potential.The term seismic gap is taken to refer to any region along an active plate boundary that has not experienced a large thrust or strike-slip earthquake for more than 30 years. A region of high seismic potential is a seismic gap that, for historic or tectonic reasons, is considered likely to produce a large shock during the next few decades. The seismic gap technique provides estimates of the location, size of future events and origin time to within a few tens of years at best.The accompanying map summarizes six categories of seismic potential for major plate boundaries in and around the margins of the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean, South Sandwich and Sunda (Indonesia) regions for the next few decades. These categories range from what we consider high to low potential for being the site of large earthquakes during that period of time. Categories 1, 2 and 6 define a time-dependent potential based on the amount of time elapsed since the last large earthquake. The remaining categories, 3, 4, and 5, are used for areas that have ambiguous histories for large earthquakes; their seismic potential is inferred from various tectonic criteria. These six categories are meant to be interpreted as forecasts of the location and size of future large shocks and should not be considered to be predictions in which a precise estimate of the time of occurrence is specified.Several of the segments of major plate boundaries that are assigned the highest potential, i.e., category 1, are located along continental margins, adjacent to centers of population. Some of them are hundreds of kilometers long. High priority should be given to instrumenting and studying several of these major seismic gaps since many are now poorly instrumented. The categories of potential assigned here provide a rationale for assigning prorities for instrumentation, for future studies aimed at predicting large earthquakes and for making estimates of tsunami potential.Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Contribution No. 2906.     

Nitratbestimmung im Trinkwasser nach dem flow-stream-Prinzip mittels einer ionensensitiven Meßzelle

Beschrieben wird eine automatisierte Methode zur Bestimmung des Nitrats in Trinkwässern mittels einer ionensensitiven Meßzelle. Mit dem vorgestellten Verfahren können 80 Proben pro Stunde auf ihren Nitratgehalt im Konzentrationsbereich von 1,5 · 10^–5 bis 1,0 · 10^–3 Mol/l analysiert werden. Der Aufbau der Automateneinheit, der Durchflußmeßzelle, sowie das Meßprinzip weiden erläutert.     

Die Gasvakuolen der BlaualgeMicrocystis aeruginosa

Zusammenfassung Lichtoptisch sind inMicrocystis aeruginosa Zellen mit und ohne Gasvakuolen vorhanden. Dieses Ph?nomen kann erkl?rt werden durch die Abbildungsverh?ltnisse der gasgefüllten, submikroskopischen Elemente der Gasvakuolen, der Hohlspindeln, die mehr oder weniger geh?uft auftreten und dadurch das Vorkommen verschiedener Zelltypen vort?uschen.

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Summary Cells ofMicrocystis aeruginosa have been investigated by light- and electron-microscopy. In the light-microscope cells with and without gas vacuoles are observed. This fact can be confirmed by submicroscopic findings.

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Résumé En observantMicrocystis aeruginosa avec le microscope photonique on voit des cellules avec et sans vacuoles gazeuses. Ce fait s'explique par les observations submicroscopiques.

     

Zur Resistenz von Blaualgen gegen kurzwellige Strahlung

Zusammenfassung 13 Klone von Blaualgen verschiedener taxonomischer Stellung (Chroococcales, Chamaesiphonales, Nostocales) und verschiedener ?kologischer Gruppen (Plankter, Litoralformen, Aerophyten schattiger und sonniger Standorte), wurden mit Gamma-und UV-Strahlen behandelt. Plankter erwiesen sich unabh?ngig von ihrer taxonomischen Stellung als wenig widerstandsf?hig: Die maximale Gammastrahlentoleranz betrug je nach Klon 65 bis 260 krad bei Bestrahlungszeiten von rund 10 bis 40 Minuten, die maximale UV_Strahlentoleranz belief sich (mit einer Ausnahme) unter unseren Versuchsbedingungen auf eine Bestrahlungszeit von 32 Minuten. Begleitbakterien tolerierten durchwegs h?here Strahlendosen. Dagegen erwiesen sich Aerophyten bzw. Lithophyten von Standorten mit extremem natürlichem Strahlungsklima auch im Experiment als sehr resistent. So überlebtenChamaesiphon polonicus undScytonema burmanicum siebenstündige Exposition in Gammastrahlen (totale Dosis 2500 krad) sowie vierstündige UV-Bestrahlung. Begleitbakterien überlebten zwar die UV-Behandlung, nicht aber die hohen Gammastrahlendosen. Behandlung mit Gammastrahlen eignet sich daher zur Gewinnung axenischer Kulturen von Cyanophyten extremer Naturstandorte. Mehrere Monate alte axenische Kulturen vonScytonema burmanicum und vonS. lyngbyoides riechen übel, w?hrend bakterienhaltige Kulturen geruchlos bleiben. Vermutlich bauen die Begleitbakterien von den Algen ausgeschiedene, übelriechende Stoffwechselprodukte zu geruchlosen Verbindungen ab.

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Summary Thirteen strains of blue-green algae including members of the Chroococcales, Chamaesiphonales and Nostocales and belonging to various ecological groups have been exposed to various doses of gamma and UV radiation. Tolerances were independent of the taxonomic position but correlated with the ecological behaviour of the taxa involved. While planktonic species were quite sensitive to both UV and gamma radiation (maximum tolerance in the range of 65 to 260 krad) aerophytic and lithophytic species tolerated up to more than 2500 krad of gamma radiation and more than 4 hours of exposition to UV radiation. In cultures of planktonic species, gamma radiation killed the algae prior to the associated bacteria so that no axenic cultures could be obtained. In some cultures of aerophytic and lithophytic taxa however, bacteria were killed prior to the algae. Thus, axenic cultures of these strains could be obtained. Old axenic cultures ofScytonema burmanicum and ofS. lyngbyoides display a bad smell, whereas cultures with bacteria are odourless. Probably, the bacteria are reducing to odourless compounds the smelling substances excreted by the algae.

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Résumé Treize souches cloniques de Cyanophycées d’eau douce appartenant aux ordres des Chroococcales, des Chamaesiphonales et des Nostocales et représentant divers types écologiques à savoir des formes du plancton et du littoral ainsi que des espèces saxicoles aériennes et subaériennes de habitats ombreux et fort ensoleillés ont été traité aux rayons et UV. Les espèces planctoniques se montraient peu résistantes, indépendemment de leur position taxonomique: Dans nos conditions, elles supportaient au maximum 32 minutes d’irradiation de rayons UV, et, selon la souche clonique, de 65 à 260 krad de rayons gamma. Les bactéries accompagnant les algues supportaient partout des doses d’irradiation plus élevées. Par contre, les espèces saxicoles provenant de stations aériennes ou subaériennes se montraient très résistantes.Chamaesiphon polonicus etScytonema burmanicum par exemple supportaient dans nos conditions une irradiation UV de 4 heures et une exposition aux rayons gamma de 6 heures (dose totale: 2500 krad). Les bactéries accompagnant ces espèces supportaient les rayons UV, mais non les rayons gamma. Le traitement avec des rayons gamma peut donc aboutir à des cultures axéniques de Cyanophycées d’habitats aériens ou subaériens. Les cultures axéniques deScytonema burmanicum et deS. lyngbyoides agées de quelques mois sentent mauvais, tandis que les cultures parallèles dont les algues sont accompagnées de bactéries restent sans odeur. Il semble que les bactéries décomposent les substances d’odeur désagréable produites par les deux espèces.