Stable chlorine isotopes in Phanerozoic evaporites

Modern seawater has a uniform δ³⁷Cl value (0.0‰), with an exception in the upper current of the Bosphorus (0.4‰). Marine halite ranging in age from Cambrian to Miocene has δ³⁷Cl values of 0.0 ± 0.9‰, with most of the data in the range 0.0 ± 0.5‰. Mean δ³⁷Cl values differ measurably between basins, with no evident relationship to basin size or to age. Smaller evaporite bodies have the largest δ³⁷Cl ranges. Potash facies halite has mean δ³⁷Cl values lower than those of halite facies salt in the East Siberia and Zechstein basins. The bulk δ³⁷Cl of bedded halite preserving sedimentary textures cannot be shifted measurably after deposition under plausible natural conditions. During the Phanerozoic, a detectable change in the δ³⁷Cl values of the oceans is unlikely as a result of Cl fluxes to and from the mantle and evaporites. In halite, the values of δ³⁷Cl that cannot be explained by fractionation occurring on crystallization are best explained by the addition of non-marine Cl with δ³⁷Cl ≠ 0.0‰ to evaporite brine.     

The distribution, speciation and geochemical cycling of selenium in a sedimentary environment, Kesterson Reservoir, California, U.S.A.

The well-defined and intensively studied episode of Se contamination at Kesterson Reservoir (Merced County, California, U.S.A.) provided a unique opportunity to describe the distribution, speciation and geochemical transformations of Se in a variety of geochemical and ecological settings, ranging from permanent ponds to semi-arid grasslands and salt flats. Kesterson Reservoir comprises 500 ha of land contaminated with Se from agricultural drain water. In most places. Se was concentrated in surficial organic detritus and the surficial decimeter of mineral soil. At dry sites, selenate ion predominated below 20 cm depth. Elemental selenium (Se⁰) also was prominent. The amount of zero-valent Se increased slowly with time. Although selenate is thermodynamically stable in the vadose zone in the presence of oxygen, Se⁰ is an additional, metastable product of the mineralization of organic selenium. Thiols and inorganic sulfides dramatically increase the solubility of Se⁰. Decreasing pH inhibits the reaction, explaining the observed decrease in solubility and biological availability of Se in soil and aquatic systems at low pH. Adding thiols or methionine to soil increases the emission of volatile Se compounds several-fold, suggesting that thiols play a major role in the microbial cycling of Se in soil.     

Wind Farm Support Vessel Extreme Roll Assessment While Docking in the Bohai Sea

Robust prediction of extreme motions during wind farm support vessel(WFSV)operation is an important safety concern that requires further extensive research as offshore wind energy industry sector widens.In particular,it is important to study the safety of operation in random sea conditions during WFSV docking against the wind tower,while workers are able to get on the tower.Docking is performed by thrusting vessel fender against wind tower(an alternative docking way by hinging is not studied here).In this paper,the finite element software AQWA has been used to analyze vessel response due to hydrodynamic wave loads,acting on a specific maintenance ship under actual sea conditions.Excessive roll may occur during certain sea conditions,especially in the beam sea,posing a risk to the crew transfer operation.The Bohai Sea is the area of diverse industrial activities such as offshore oil production,wave and wind power generation,etc.This paper advocates a novel method for estimating extreme roll statistics,based on Monte Carlo simulations(or measurements).The ACER(averaged conditional exceedance rate)method and its modification are presented in brief detail in Appendix.The proposed methodology provides an accurate extreme value prediction,utilizing available data efficiently.In this study the estimated return level values,obtained by ACER method,are compared with the corresponding return level values obtained by Gumbel method.Based on the overall performance of the proposed method,it is concluded that the ACER method can provide more robust and accurate prediction of the extreme vessel roll.The described approach may be well used at the vessel design stage,while defining optimal boat parameters would minimize potential roll.