Magnetic measurements in electrical prospecting by resistivity methods

The electrical resistivity and induced polarization (IP) methods are widely used in geological mapping, prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits, engineering geology, hydrogeology, archaeology, and geotechnical and environmental applications. Historically, these methods have formed the basis of the electrical prospecting technique. In these methods, a DC or low-frequency AC electrical current is introduced into the earth through a grounded transmitter line. The measured quantity is the electric field. However, if the earth’s resistivity or chargeability changes horizontally, this change gives rise to an anomalous magnetic field, which is studied by the magnetometric resistivity (MMR) and magnetic induced polarization (MIP) methods, respectively. Along with advantages, some shortcomings are inherent in the MMR and MIP techniques. Apparently, the main drawback of these methods is that the magnetic fields of both the transmitter line wire and ground electrodes on the surface are several orders of magnitude greater than the anomalous magnetic field response. This introduces a significant “noise” to magnetic-resistivity data. We investigate the potential of using a circular electric dipole (CED) in magnetometric resistivity techniques. It has been found that the application of a CED, instead of a conventional transmitter line, dramatically enhances the signal-to-noise ratio.     

The main structure and tectonic features of the Chernorud-Mukhor site on the western shore of Lake Baikal from TEM and SP measurements

Transient electromagnetic (TEM), self-potential (SP) and geoelectrical mapping measurements were carried out at the Chernorud-Mukhor site in the Priolkhonje area on the western shore of the Lake Baikal. All measurements were made along several profiles across the main strike of the regional Primorsky fault. TEM measurements were carried out in a time range from a few tens of microseconds to several tens of milliseconds. The most important result of the 1D modelling of TEM soundings is the discovery of nearly horizontal boundaries that divide high resistive overlying and well conducting underlying rocks. The resistivity of the former is in the range from 100 Ωm to 1000 Ωm, while the resistivity of the latter varies from less than 1 Ωm to several tens of Ωm. This good conductive zone could also be verified by geoelectrical mapping using Schlumberger array (AB/2=100 m). Due to high conductivity of the underlying rocks only the upper boundary of the conductive layer could be determined by TEM soundings. A regional SP anomaly with amplitude of about −450 mV has also been observed above the low resistivity zone indicating the electron nature of its conductance. Geologically, the conductive zone is represented by a graphite-bearing layer within the region of archean rocks. Since that layer extends over a large area, it may be used as a key in studying structures and tectonics of the Priolkhonje area. A 1D TEM geoelectric section shows a wide, gently sloping syncline as a probable base structure of the Chernorud-Mukhor site. Neotectonic faults divide the syncline into vertically displaced blocks that form a wide complicated graben with a total amplitude of about 250 m.     

Detection of a coherent oscillation with a 769.63-s period in the intermediate polar EI UMa (PG 0834+488)

Recently, it has been shown that the cataclysmic variable EI UMa should be attributed to intermediate polars on the basis of its X-ray spectrum. However, no short-period oscillations with a high degree of coherence typical of intermediate polars could be detected in this star. Therefore, it was suggested to call it a “hidden” intermediate polar. Using a multichannel photometer and a 70-cm telescope, we performed observations of EI UMa for 60 h. Analysis of the observations has clearly revealed a brightness oscillation with a period of 769.63±0.10 s and a mean semiamplitude of 0_· ^m 008 completely coherent during one month of our observations that was detectable during each of the 13 observing nights. On the basis of this detection, EI UMa should be considered a classical intermediate polar rather than a hidden one. In addition, we have managed to detect the orbital variability of EI UMa for the first time. The orbital light curve is extremely interesting, showing evidence of partial eclipses of the accretion flow.     

Controlling factors of volumetrically important marine carbonate cementation in deep slope settings

The controlling parameters of early marine carbonate cementation in shoal water and hemipelagic to pelagic domains are well‐studied. In contrast, the mechanisms driving the precipitation of early marine carbonate cements at deeper slope settings have received less attention, despite the fact that considerable volumes of early marine cement are present at recent and fossil carbonate slopes in water depths of several hundreds of metres. In order to better understand the controlling factors of pervasive early marine cementation at greater water depths, marine carbonate cements observed along time‐parallel platform to basin transects of two intact Pennsylvanian carbonate slopes are compared with those present in the slope deposits of the Permian Capitan Reef and Neogene Mururoa Atoll. In all four settings, significant amounts of marine cements occlude primary pore spaces downslope into thermoclinal water depths, i.e. in a bathymetric range between some tens and several hundreds of metres. Radial, radiaxial and fascicular optic fibrous calcites, and radiaxial prismatic calcites are associated with re‐deposited facies, boundstones and rudstones. Botryoidal (formerly) aragonitic precipitates are common in microbially induced limestones. From these case studies, it is tentatively concluded that sea water circulation in an extensive, near‐sea floor pore system is a first‐order control on carbonate ion supply and marine cementation. Coastal upwelling and internal or tidal currents are the most probable mechanisms driving pore water circulation at these depths. Carbonate cements precipitated under conditions of normal to elevated alkalinity, locally elevated nutrient levels and variable sea water temperatures. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future work are discussed.     

Hadean-archean detrital zircons from Jatulian quartzites and conglomerates of the Karelian craton

Using local procedures, the new results on the isotope ages and composition of mineral inclusions were obtained for detrital zircons from Paleoproterozoic Jatulian terrigenous quartzites and polymictic conglomerates in Central and Western Karelia. For Eastern Laurasia, signs of the existence of Hadean and ancient Eoarchean matter were found for the first time (zircon grains of 3871 ± 38.6 and 3837 ± 42.1 Ma concordant ages). The multimodal distribution of ages within 3.45−2.61 Ga was revealed. The discovery of the oldest zircon grains provides the conditions for valid global correlations of geological events that determined the deposition and formation of the continental crust of the North Atlantic supercraton.     

Detection of eclipses in the suspected V Sge star IPHAS J025827.88+635234.9

We report results of photometry of the suspected V Sge star IPHAS J025827.88+635234.9. The observations were obtained over 25 nights in 2011 and 2012. The total duration of the observations was 153 h. We discovered eclipses typical of cataclysmic variables and flickering, which is also a hallmark of cataclysmic variables. These discoveries characterise this star as a normal cataclysmic variable but not as a star of the V Sge type, as was previously supposed. The eclipse period is equal to 5.882274±0.000008 h. Its depth is equal to 0.3 mag. The full eclipse width is quite large and equal to $(0.160\pm0.011)P_{\rm orb}$ . We obtained an eclipse ephemerid with a formal shelf life of about 500 yr (a 1σ confidence level). This ephemerid is good for investigations of long-term period changes. The eclipse has a complicated two-component V-shaped profile. This profile suggests that the accretion disc is very structured and can consist of an extended disc halo and a quite distinct central part. The off-eclipse light curve is also complicated. It shows two orbital humps at the orbital phases 0.4 and 0.9 and a deep depression at the orbital phase 0.14. By using the period-luminosity-colours relation found by Ak et al., we estimate the distance of this star in the range 660–730 pc. The corresponding absolute visual magnitude is roughly by 1 mag brighter than that for an average cataclysmic variable with the same orbital period. The noted unusual properties of the eclipse profile and off-eclipse light curve can be related with this enlarged luminosity.     

Detection of superhumps in the cataclysmic variable V378 Peg (PG 2337+300)

The cataclysmic variable V378 Peg is known since 15 years. Although V378 Peg is a rather bright star (14 mag), it underwent no detailed study. We performed photometric observations of V378 Peg during 75 h with the goal to detect periodic brightness variations. The obtained light-curves clearly showed changes with a period of about 3 h. The Fourier analysis reveals that this oscillation occurs with a period of 3.238 h and a semiamplitude of 0.07 mag. Although the detected oscillation possesses certain coherence, it appears to have a slightly unstable period or phase. Therefore, the detected period cannot be the orbital period of the V378 Peg system. Because such instability is typical of superhumps, we must consider the detected oscillation as superhumps. Furthermore, V378 Peg shows no outbursts and has to be a nova-like variable rather than a dwarf nova. Hence, the detected superhumps have to be regarded as permanent superhumps. Because superhump periods in cataclysmic variables are close to orbital periods, we can find the place of V378 Peg in the orbital period distribution of cataclysmic variables. V378 Peg is a permanent superhump system above the upper edge of the 2-3 h period gap in the orbital period distribution.     

Mountain wave-induced variations of ozone and total nitrogen dioxide contents over the Subpolar Urals

Doklady Earth Sciences - Wavy spatial variations in the contents of trace gases are identified using plane measurements of O3 concentrations in the medium troposphere and the total content (TC) of...