Tidal dwarfs in the M81 group: the second generation?

We present a quantitative star formation history derivation of the four suspected tidal dwarf galaxies in the M 81 group: Holmberg IX, BK3N,Arp-loop (A0952+69) and Garland using HST/WFPC2 images of these galaxies. We construct a library of synthetic Colour-Magnitude Diagrams(CMDs) based on theoretical isochrones and data-derived determinations of photometric errors. These synthetic CMDs were combined linearly andχ²-compared to observed photometry. All the galaxies show continuous star formation between about 20 and 200 Myr ago with star formation rates between 7.5⋅10^-3 M_⊙/yr and 7.67⋅10^-4 M_⊙/yr. The metallicity of the detected stars is spanning rather a wide range, being lower than solar abundance. We suppose, that all the galaxies were formed out of material from metal-poor outer part of the giant spiral galaxy M81after tidal interaction about 200 Myr ago. However, this suggestion requires significantly more deep color-magnitude diagrams to be sure with the scenario of the galaxy evolution. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Testing fundamental physics with distant star clusters: theoretical models for pressure-supported stellar systems

We investigate the mean velocity dispersion and the velocity dispersion profile of stellar systems in modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND), using the N -body code n-mody , which is a particle-mesh-based code with a numerical MOND potential solver developed by Ciotti, Londrillo & Nipoti. We have calculated mean velocity dispersions for stellar systems following Plummer density distributions with masses in the range of 10⁴ to  10⁹ M_⊙  and which are either isolated or immersed in an external field. Our integrations reproduce previous analytic estimates for stellar velocities in systems in the deep MOND regime  ( a _i, a _e≪ a ₀)  , where the motion of stars is either dominated by internal accelerations  ( a _i≫ a _e)  or constant external accelerations  ( a _e≫ a _i)  . In addition, we derive for the first time analytic formulae for the line-of-sight velocity dispersion in the intermediate regime  ( a _i∼ a _e∼ a ₀)  . This allows for a much-improved comparison of MOND with observed velocity dispersions of stellar systems. We finally derive the velocity dispersion of the globular cluster Pal 14 as one of the outer Milky Way halo globular clusters that have recently been proposed as a differentiator between Newtonian and MONDian dynamics.     

Strain coupling between upper mantle and lower crust: natural example from the Běstvina granulite body, Bohemian Massif

Strain patterns within mantle rocks and surrounding coarse‐grained felsic granulites from the Kutná Hora Crystalline Complex in the Variscan Bohemian Massif have been studied in order to assess their strain coupling. The studied rock association occurs within low‐strain domains surrounded by fine‐grained granulite and migmatite. The Doubrava peridotite contains closely spaced and steeply dipping layers of garnet clinopyroxenite, which are parallel to the NE–SW‐striking, high‐temperature foliation in nearby granulites, while the Úhrov peridotite lacks such layering. The Spa?ice eclogite is not associated with peridotite and shows upright folds of alternating coarse‐ and fine‐grained varieties bearing NE–SW‐striking axial planes. Electron back‐scattered diffraction measurements revealed full strain coupling between clinopyroxenites and coarse‐grained granulites in the S₁ fabric that is superposed on the S₀ fabric preserved in peridotites. The B‐type olivine lattice preferred orientation (LPO) characterizes the S₀ fabric in peridotites and its reworking is strongly controlled by the presence of macroscopic clinopyroxenite layering. The S₁ in clinopyroxenites and coarse‐grained granulites is associated with the LS‐type clinopyroxene LPO and prism <c> slip in quartz respectively. While the S₁ fabric in these rock types is accompanied invariably by a sub‐vertical stretching lineation, the S₁ fabric developed in reworked Úhrov peridotite is associated with strongly planar axial (010) type of olivine LPO. The peridotites with the S₀ fabric are interpreted to be relicts of a fore‐arc mantle wedge hydrated to a various extent above the Saxothuringian subduction zone. The prograde metamorphism recorded in peridotites and eclogites occurred presumably during mantle wedge flow and was reaching UHP conditions. Strain coupling in the S₁ fabric between clinopyroxenites and granulites at Doubrava and upright folding of eclogites at Spa?ice document a link between tectonic and magmatic processes during orogenic thickening, coeval with intrusions of the arc‐related calcalkaline suites of the Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex (c. 360–345 Ma). Juxtaposition of peridotites and granulites could be explained by a rheological heterogeneity connected to the development of clinopyroxenite layering in the upper mantle and a previously published model of a lithospheric‐scale transpressional arc system. It invokes vertical shearing along NE–SW trending, sub‐vertical foliations in the upper mantle that could have led to an emplacement of mantle bodies into the granulitized, orogenic root in the sub‐arc region. Clearly, such a transpressional arc system could represent an important pathway for an emplacement of deep‐seated rocks in the orogenic lower crust.     

Climate stability during the Eemian – new pollen evidence from the Nidzica site,northern Poland

Bińka, K., Nitychoruk, J. & Dzier?ek, J. 2010: Climate stability during the Eemian – new pollen evidence from the Nidzica site, northern Poland. Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2010.00179.x. ISSN 0300‐9483 Interglacial sediments at Nidzica, northern Poland were investigated by means of pollen and isotope analysis. These deposits accumulated in an extensive basin through most of the Eemian and Early Weichselian, practically without stratigraphic gaps. Continuous subsidence of the basin floor has resulted in the accumulation of a great thickness of lacustrine sediments, consisting mostly of calcareous gyttja. The course of pollen and isotope curves in the interglacial interval does not indicate the abrupt climatic shifts reported from some other continental climatic archives. Particularly important has been the reconstruction of the final stages of the Eemian, a potential analogue for future climatic change in the late Holocene. At Nidzica, this period is registered as a gradual modification of forest composition, devoid of any pulsations in which temperate forest is followed by terminal, boreal pine–birch communities.     

比利时勒穆尚洞穴沉积的孢粉研究

勒穆尚洞是位于列日市东南的一个巨大的喀斯特洞穴,作者对位于上层与下层通道连接处的沉积物进行了孢粉研究,根据沉积物性质不同,剖面可分两部分,下部由河流相的砂砾组成,上层为数层石笋质盖板。最上层的石笋质盖板经放射性钍(?)铀(?)法测定,年代为距今10.5万a。 根据孢粉分析,石笋质盖板层可能形成于距今10.5万a的里斯—玉木间冰期中期,当时气候温暖潮湿,生长有以榛、栎、赤杨、千金榆为主,伴有一些椴、榆、常春藤等的阔叶林,洞穴处于低洼积水的环境。剖面下部的砂砾是在此温暖期之前由地下河在不同气候条件下多次堆积而成。 此外,本文还讨论了古植被及古气候的变化以及该洞穴的演化历史。      

Impact of halides on the photobleaching of dissolved organic matter

Understanding absorbance photobleaching of marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) is important because DOM chromophores impact oceanic primary productivity by affecting the depth of the photic zone, absorb UV radiation and affect ocean color used in remote sensing. However, the fundamental mechanisms which account for this bleaching are largely unknown. Controlled laboratory studies demonstrated that the presence of seawater concentrations of chloride and bromide ions enhanced absorbance photobleaching reaction rates by ~ 40%, regardless of DOM source or the presence or absence of carbonate ions. In contrast, halide ions generally did not affect fluorescence bleaching rates. Variations in ionic strength did not alter the enhancement in absorbance photobleaching by halide ions. Accordingly, the enhancement in absorbance photobleaching was specific to halide ions, rather than a generalized salinity effect. We confirmed the formation of hydroxyl radical (HO^•) in illuminated samples, and its significant scavenging in the presence of halide salts. Gamma-radiolysis experiments and associated modeling indicated that a small component (~ 12%) of the photobleaching enhancement by halides was consistent with the hypothesis that halide scavenging of HO^• will form reactive halogen radicals that target electron-rich chromophores within DOM more selectively than HO^•. The mechanism responsible for the major component of absorbance photobleaching rate enhancement by halides remains unresolved.