Seabirds in the North Sea Demobilized and Killed by Polyisobutylene (C₄H₈)_n (PIB)     

Kees C.J Camphuysen  Hein Barreveld  Gerhard Dahlmann  Jan Andries Van Franeker 《Marine pollution bulletin》1999,38(12):677-1176

This paper reports on a mass stranding of seabirds in the North Sea in December 1998. Hundreds of birds were washed ashore alive in Zeeland (SW Netherlands), covered in a whitish, sticky substance, and were transported to a rehabilitation centre. About 10 days later, more (dead) casualties washed ashore further to the north on Texel and along the mainland coast, again covered in a glue-like substance. Common guillemots Uria aalge, northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis and common scoters Melanitta nigra were the most numerous birds affected in this incident. Both strandings were temporarily (10 days) and geographically separated (ca. 120 km apart), but were apparently caused by a single source of pollution. The meteorology at the time was consistent with the course of a single incident. At least 1100 seabirds were affected by this substance, soon identified as polyisobutylene (C₄H₈)_n. PIB is known as a non-toxic, non-aggressive substance. Volunteers cleaning the birds in the rehabilitation centre reported serious discomfort and dizziness and the soft parts of the PIB-affected birds found dead (bill, eye, throat, feet, webs) appeared to dissolve in a few days time. Both effects cannot be attributed to PIB, and are therefore unexplained. Although the dumping of PIB in the marine environment is not explicitly prohibited under MARPOL, the effects on wildlife observed are enough to plead for counter-measures.  相似文献   

Magma Intrusions and Earthquake Swarm Occurrence in the Western Part of the Bohemian Massif     

Špičák  A.  Horálek  J.  Boušková  A.  Tomek  Č.  Vaněk  J. 《Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica》1999,43(1):87-106

We are proposing a hypothesis that earthquake swarms in the West Bohemia/Vogtland seismoactive region are generated by magmatic activity currently transported to the upper crustal layers. We assume that the injection of magma and/or related fluids and gases causes hydraulic fracturing which is manifested as an earthquake swarm at the surface. Our statements are supported by three spheres of evidence coming from the western part of the Bohemian Massif: characteristic manifestations of recent geodynamic activity, the information from the neighbouring KTB deep drilling project and from the 9HR seismic reflection profile, and the detailed analysis of local seismological data. (1) Recent manifestations of geodynamic activity include Quaternary volcanism, rich CO ₂ emissions, anomalies of mantle-derived ³ He, mineral springs, moffets, etc. (2) The fluid injection experiment in the neighbouring KTB deep borehole at a depth of 9 km induced hundreds of micro-earthquakes. This indicates that the Earth's crust is near frictional failure in the western part of the Bohemian Massif and an addition of a small amount of energy to the tectonic stress is enough to induce an earthquake. Some pronounced reflections in the closely passing 9HR seismic reflection profile are interpreted as being caused by recent magmatic sills in the crust. (3) The local broadband seismological network WEBNET provides high quality data that enable precise localization of seismic events. The events of the January 1997 earthquake swarm are confined to an extremely narrow volume at depths of about 9 km. Their seismograms display pronounced reflections of P- and S-waves in the upper crust. The analysis of the process of faulting has disclosed a considerable variability of the source mechanism during the swarm. We conclude that the mechanism of intraplate earthquake swarms generated by magma intrusions is similar to that of induced seismicity. As the recent tectonic processes and manifestations of geodynamic activity are similar in European areas with repeated earthquake swarm occurrence (Bohemian Massif, French Massif Central, Rhine Graben), we assume that magma intrusions and related fluid and gas release at depths of about 10 km are the universal cause of intraplate earthquake swarm generation  相似文献   

Intersecting views of gully erosion in South Africa     

George Olivier  Marco J. Van De Wiel  Willem P. De Clercq 《地球表面变化过程与地形》2023,48(1):119-142

Gully erosion is an environmental problem recognized as one of the worst land degradation processes worldwide. Insight into regional gully perturbations is required to combat the serious on- and off-site impacts of gullying on a catchment management scale. In response, we intersect different perspectives on gully erosion-specific views in South Africa (SA), a country that exhibits various physiographic properties and spans 1.22 million km². While the debate surrounding gully origin continues, there is consensus that anthropogenic activities are a major contemporary driver. The anthropogenic impact caused gullying to transcend climatic, geomorphic, and land-use boundaries, although it becomes more prominent in central to eastern SA. Soil erodibility plays a crucial role in what extent of gully erosion severity is attained from human impact, contributing to the east–west imbalance of erosion in SA. Soil erosion rates from gullying and badlands are limited but suggest that it ranges between 30 and 123 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ in the more prominent areas. These soil loss rates are comparable to global rates where gullying is concerned; moreover, they are up to four orders of magnitude higher than the estimated baseline erosion rate. On a national scale, the complexity of gullying is evident from the different temporal timings of (re)activation or stabilizing and different evolution rates. Continued efforts are required to understand the intricate interplay of human activities, climate, and preconditions determining soil erodibility. In SA, more medium- to long-term studies are required to understand better how changing control factors affect gully evolution. More research is needed to implement and appraise mitigation measures, especially using indigenous knowledge. Establishing (semi)-automated mapping procedures would aid in gully monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of implemented mitigation measures. More urgently, the expected changes in climate and land-use necessitate further research on how environmental change affects short-term gully erosion dynamics.  相似文献   

CARBON IN DARK INCLUSIONS OF THE ALLENDE METEORITE     

D. Heymann  C.C.A.H. Van Der Stap  R.N. Vis  H. Verheul 《Meteoritics & planetary science》1987,22(1):3-15

Carbon contents of three Dark Inclusions (DI's) of the Allende meteorite, measured chemically, range from 0.56 to 1.17 weight %. When one includes the data reported by Bunch, Chang, and Ott (two DI's), the lower limit is 0.44%. The C-concentration map of a 1.6 × 1.6 mm² area straddling the boundary of a DI and matrix, or else of a DI and its dark halo, obtained with a ¹²C (d,p)¹³ C nuclear microprobe, shows that the C-content of the core of the DI is very uniform, and that the C-content of the rim is 2.9 ± 0.3 times larger. Variability of C-content of matrix and matrix-like areas of Allende appears to be the rule. DI's cannot be reworked bulk Allende, or precursor for bulk Allende without the addition, respectively removal of significant amounts of carbon. However, some Type 1 DI's might be reworked Allende matrix or precursor matter for that matrix.  相似文献   

The Global Standard Stratotype-section and Point （GSSP） for the base of the Eocene Series in the Dababiya section （Egypt）     

Marie-Pierre Aubry Khaled Ouda Christian Dupuis William A.  Berggren John A. Van Couvering 《《幕》》2007,30(4):271-286

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Late-glacial and Holocene sedimentation and fluctuations of river water level in the Caquetá River area (Colombian Amazonia)     

Thomas Van Der Hammen  Ligia E. Urrego  Nohora Espejo  Joost F. Duivenvoorden  Johanna M. Lips 《第四纪科学杂志》1992,7(1):57-67

The sequence of Late-glacial and Holocene alluvial sedimentation in the middle Caquetá River Basin of Colombian Amazonia is described, based on the study of the sediments and palynology of several river bank sections and on 30 radiocarbon dates. An early Late-glacial sedimentation cycle is recognised, followed by a minor late Late-glacial erosion phase. The Holocene valley fill consists of grey clays (often present in the lower part of the sections) deposited in open water and silty clays often with faint yellow mottling, deposited under a regime of seasonal flooding. The base of the Holocene sections is formed by sands, where exposed. In two places the transition of sand to open-water grey clay was dated around 10 000 yr BP and there is a suggestion that open water may have been more common at the beginning of the Holocene than later, when sedimentation by seasonal flooding became important. In many places much of the earlier Holocene sediments may have been removed by erosion and replaced by younger sediments, by a process of lateral aggradation. A considerable part of the present valley fill is younger than ca. 3500 yr. However, in several places older Holocene sediments are found, apparently only little affected by later erosion, lying below younger varzea silty clays. During the Holocene more organic sediments were formed in periods with reduced river discharge, related to drier climates in the Andes and possibly in Amazonia. These dry periods, deduced from data in the Caquetá River area, correspond well with dry phases in other parts of northwestern South America (e.g. between approximately 2700-1900 yr BP and approximately 3200-3800 yr BP). Rates of average net sedimentation, calculated from dated sections that apparently lack major hiatuses caused by erosion, were high in the lower Holocene, low during the middle Holocene and increase again in the upper Holocene. Levee deposits became coarser and the high river level of the Caquetá increased during the late Holocene. These phenomena may be explained by the increasing influence of man on the vegetation cover in the Andean headwater areas and possibly also in the Amazonian catchment area of the Caquetá River.  相似文献   

ISO Spectroscopy of AGB Stars in the Magellanic Clouds     

N.R. Trams  J.A.D.L. Blommaert  A. Heske  R. Siebenmorgen  J.Th. Van Loon  L.B.F.M. Waters  A.A. Zijlstra  P.A. Whitelock  C. Loup  M. Groenewegen 《Astrophysics and Space Science》1997,255(1-2):391-397

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An Hermitian finite element solution of the two-dimensional saturated-unsaturated flow equation     

M.Th. Van Genuchten 《Advances in water resources》1983,6(2):106-111

This paper describes a Galerkin-type finite element solution of the two-dimensional saturated-unsaturated flow equation. The numerical solution uses an incomplete (reduced) set of Hermitian cubic basis functions and is formulated in terms of normal and tangential coordinates. The formulation leads to continuous pressure gradients across interelement boundaries for a number of well-defined element configurations, such as for rectangular and circular elements. Other elements generally lead to discontinuous gradients; however, the gradients remain uniquely defined at the nodes. The method avoids calculation of second-order derivatives, yet retains many of the advantages associated with Hermitian elements. A nine-point Lobatto-type integration scheme is used to evaluate all local element integrals. This alternative scheme produces about the same accuracy as the usual 9- or 16-point Gaussian quadrature schemes, but is computationally more efficient.  相似文献   

Silt-sized quartz particles: a proposed source     

P.A. Riezebos  L. Van der Waals 《Sedimentary Geology》1974,12(4):279-285

The origin of quartz-silt particles is attributed especially to the development and the breakdown of the cracked, marginal parts of sand-sized grains and particles. Generally the breakdown of these cracked grain parts will take place subsequently to their genesis, but these processes may partly overlap one another. This breakdown may succesfully occur in glacial, but likewise in other environments.  相似文献   

Do comets have satellites?     

T.C. Van Flandern 《Icarus》1981,47(3):480-486

The recent evidence that many minor planets may have satellites, together with recently iscovered physical, chemical, and lightcurve similarities between minor planets and comets, lead naturally to the question, “Might comets have satellites also?” This paper explores several puzzling features of comets which do not fit easily into conventional cometary models, but which can be satisfactorily explained if it is assumed that comets have a full range of gravitationally bound masses, from dust size to the size of the nucleus, in orbit around the principal nucleus. This discussion also implies a higher probability of destruction of a spacecraft near a comet than is usually assumed.  相似文献