Surface distribution of M stars with different IRAS colour

The surface distribution of M stars is studied by differentiating them according to whether they show a circumstellar dust shell (CS) or not. Analysis shows that galactic latitudinal and longitudinal distributions are not determined by spectral subclasses alone. The study also indicates that M-type stars with CS have higher luminosities in the K band than those without CS. The M stars used in the study are obtained from theTwo-Micron Sky-Survey Catalogue (IRC) which is a most unbiased sample with respect to the interstellar extinction. The CS feature is identified by the ratio of flux densities at 12 and 25 m in the IRAS point source catalog.     

ASTER mapping of gypsum deposits of Thumrait region of southern Oman

This study demonstrates the use of ASTER data for the mapping of gypsum deposits and associated geological formations that occurred in the Thumrait region of southern Oman. The measurement of spectra over samples of gypsum in the 1,300–2,500 nm wavelength using a PIMA spectrometer showed the presence of distinct absorptions at 1400–1600, 1750, 1940, 2,100, and 2,400 nm characteristics to O? H stretching, H₂O combinations, and S? O bending overtones and stretching, respectively. Studying the unique spectral absorption characters of gypsum samples, we developed a false color composite (FCC) and an image by decorrelation stretch using the spectral bands 7, 3, and 2 of ASTER. The results FCC showed the regions of gypsum occurrences, and the decorrelated image discriminated the gypsum occurrences from other geological formations of the area. The study of surface mineralogy of the region using the VNIR‐SWIR bands by the spectral angle mapper method showed the presence of sulfate, carbonate, and clay minerals of the geological formations in the study area. We compared the results of ASTER with the results obtained using spectral bands 12, 8, and 4 of Sentinel‐2A processed by the same methods. The study showed that the spectral bands of ASTER can be used for mapping the gypsum and associated geological formations.     

Geochemical and oxygen isotope perspective of a new R chondrite Dhofar 1671: Affinity with ordinary chondrites

Dhofar 1671 is a relatively new meteorite that previous studies suggest belongs to the Rumuruti chondrite class. Major and REE compositions are generally in agreement with average values of the R chondrites (RCs). Moderately volatile elements such as Se and Zn abundances are lower than the R chondrite values that are similar to those in ordinary chondrites (OCs). Porphyritic olivine pyroxene (POP), radial pyroxene (RP), and barred olivine (BO) chondrules are embedded in a proportionately equal volume of matrix, one of the characteristic features of RCs. Microprobe analyses demonstrate compositional zoning in chondrule and matrix olivines showing Fa‐poor interior and Fa‐rich outer zones. Precise oxygen isotope data for chondrules and matrix obtained by laser‐assisted fluorination show a genetic isotopic relationship between OCs and RCs. On the basis of our data, we propose a strong affinity between these groups and suggest that OC chondrule precursors could have interacted with a ¹⁷O‐rich matrix to form RC chondrules (i.e., ?¹⁷O shifts from ~1‰ to ~3‰). These interactions could have occurred at the same time as “exotic” clasts in brecciated samples formed such as NWA 10214 (LL3–6), Parnallee (LL3), PCA91241 (R3.8–6), and Dhofar 1671 (R3.6). We also infer that the source of the oxidation and ¹⁷O enrichment is the matrix, which may have been enriched in ¹⁷O‐rich water. The abundance of matrix in RCs relative to OCs, ensured that these rocks would be apparently more oxidized and appreciably ¹⁷O‐enriched. In situ analysis of Dhofar 1671 is recommended to further strengthen the link between OCs and RCs.     

Design and installation of a combined automatic tensiometer-piezometer system

Currently available systems for monitoring both negative and positive pore pressures have certain restrictions as to their use. A system design is described that seeks to overcome some of the potentially more restrictive elements insofar as site investigations in tropical slopes are concerned. In particular, the system uses an integrated approach to both pore pressure and ancillary (e.g. raingauge) monitoring. Initial trials of the instrumentation suggest its suitability for pore pressure recording where high temporal resolution is needed in both negative and positive pressures.     

Geochronology of the Spessart Crystalline Complex,Mid-German Crystalline Rise

Summary New Rb-Sr and K-Ar datings help to clarify the geologic history of the Spessart Crystalline Complex, Mid-German Crystalline Rise. The oldest dates, refined by new measurements, are recorded by whole-rock Rb-Sr analyses of the orthogneisses of the Rotgneiss Complex. These confirm a late Ordovician to Silurian age which is interpreted as the time of intrusion of the granitic precursors.Hornblendes, muscovites. and biotites from different lithostratigraphic units and rock types of the Spessart Crystalline Complex yielded K-Ar dates mainly in the range 324 to 318 Ma, an interval which conforms to the analytical precision. Two hornblendes and one muscovite show slightly older dates up to 328 Ma. On the other hand, there is a tail of younger hornblende dates towards 311 Ma, and two hornblendes gave dates as low as 293 and 274 Ma for no immediately obvious reason.The concordant dates around 324 Ma on the three different minerals may be interpreted as marking the time of a rapid uplift and cooling at about the boundary between Early and Late Carboniferous, presumably soon after culmination of the Variscan deformation and amphibolite facies metamorphism.

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Geochronologie des Spessart-Kristallins, mitteldeutsche Kristallinschwelle

Zusammenfassung Neue Rb-Sr- und K-Ar-Datierungen liefern einen Beitrag zum Verständnis der geologischen Geschichte des Spessart-Kristallins. Die älteste radiometrische Datierung, die bislang im Spessart-Kristallin zur Verfügung steht, leitet sich aus Rb-Sr-Gesamtgesteinsanalysen von Orthogneisen des Rotgneis-Komplexes ab. Die bereits von früheren Bearbeitern gefundenen spät-ordovizischen bis silurischen Daten wurden durch neuere Messungen bestätigt. Sie werden als Intrusionsalter des granitischen Ausgangsmaterials der Rotgneise interpretiert.Hornblenden, Muscovite und Biotite aus unterschiedlichen lithostratigraphischen Einheiten und Gesteinstypen des Spessartkristallins erbrachten K-Ar-Daten vorwiegend zwischen 324 und 318 Ma, d. h. einen Streubereich, der etwa der analytischen Genauig keit entspricht. Zwei Hornblenden und ein Muscovit ergaben etwas ältere Daten bis 328 Ma. Auf der anderen Seite beobachtet man eine Reihe von jüngereren Hornblendedaten bis 311 Ma, und zwei Hornblenden von nur 293 und 274 Ma, die sich nicht ohne weiteres erklären lassen.Die konkordanten Alterswerte um 320 Ma, die für die drei Mineralarten gewonnen wurden, können als die Zeit einer raschen Hebung und Abkühlung etwa an der Grenze Unter-/Oberkarbon interpretiert werden, die vermutlich bald nach dem Höhepunkt der variscischen Deformation und amphibolit-faziellen Metamorphose erfolgte.

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Dedicated to Borwin Grauert on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

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With 6 Figures     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in sediments and biota from the coastal area of Dar es Salaam city,Tanzania

Sediment and biota samples were collected from Msimbazi and Kizinga rivers and from the coastal marine environment of Dar es Salaam during both dry and wet seasons. The samples were analyzed for various organochlorine pesticide residues using GC-ECD and GC-MS. Dieldrin, p,p^′-DDT, p,p^′-DDE, p,p^′-DDD, o,p^′-DDT and γ-HCH were detected at significantly greater concentrations above the method detection limits. Recoveries of pesticide residues ranged 86.5–120% in sediments and 62–102% in biota. The average concentrations of total DDT in sediments for the two seasons were almost the same. Biota samples showed significant difference in levels of residues depending on mode of feeding and age of analyzed biota. p,p^′-DDT to total DDT ratios in all matrices indicated recent use of DDT. The levels of residues in sediments suggest possible adverse effects to humans consuming biota that are directly exposed to the sediments. This effect, which is associated with bio-concentration of residues in the tissues of edible aquatic biota, should not affect wildlife. In spite of concern on the adverse effect to humans posed by pesticide residues in sediments, edible biota from the examined water bodies were found to be safe for human consumption.     

The NdSr isotopic correlation in mantle materials and geodynamic consequences

The neodymium-strontium isotopic correlation observed in most of the Earth mantle materials is evaluated by means of direct modelling. Several geochemical models are quantitatively developed to explain the observations. The main results of this modelling are that such a correlation is not geochemically trivial and that it corresponds to specific conditions in chemical fractionation. These specific conditions seem to be satisfied by solid-liquid partitioning in magmatic conditions. The discussion of the experimental data supports a continuous convecting-magmatic fractionation model for a large proportion of the mantle.     

Biogeochemical and hydrographic controls on chromophoric dissolved organic matter distribution in the Pacific Ocean

Recent in situ observations of chromophoric dissolved organic material (CDOM) in the Pacific Ocean reveal the biogeochemical controls on CDOM and indicate predictive potential for open-ocean CDOM in diagnosing particulate organic matter (POM) remineralization rates within ocean basins. Relationships between CDOM and concentrations of dissolved oxygen, nutrients and inorganic carbon in the subthermocline waters of the Pacific reflect the relative influences of water mass ventilation and water-column oxidative remineralization. Apparent in situ oxygen utilization (AOU) accounts for 86% and 61% of variance in CDOM abundance, respectively, in Antarctic Intermediate Water and North Pacific Intermediate Water. In the deep waters of the Pacific below the zone of remineralization, AOU explains 26% of CDOM variability. The AOU–CDOM relationship results from competing biogeochemical and advective processes within the ocean interior. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) is not statistically linked to the CDOM or AOU distributions, indicating that the majority of CDOM production occurs during the remineralization of sinking POM and thus potentially provides key information about carbon export. Once formed in the ocean interior, CDOM is relatively stable until it reaches the surface ocean where it is destroyed by solar bleaching. Susceptibility to bleaching confers an additional tracer-like quality for CDOM in water masses with active convection, such as mode waters that appear as subsurface CDOM minima. In the surface ocean, atypically low CDOM abundance highlights a region of unusually extreme oligotrophy: the subtropical South Pacific gyre. For these hyper-oligotrophic waters, the present CDOM observations are consistent with analysis of in situ radiometric observations of light attenuation and reflectance, demonstrating the accuracy of the CDOM spectrophotometric observations. Overall, we illustrate how CDOM abundance in the ocean interior can potentially diagnose rates of thermohaline overturning as they affect regional biogeochemistry and export. We further show how relative surface ocean CDOM abundances are driven in large part by processes occurring in the deep layers of the ocean. This is particularly significant for the interpretation of the global surface distribution of CDOM using satellite remote sensing.