Uninhabited habitats on Mars     

Charles S. Cockell  Matt Balme  John C. Bridges  Alfonso Davila  Susanne P. Schwenzer 《Icarus》2012,217(1):184-193

Investigations of Mars as a potential location for life often make the assumption that where there are habitats, they will contain organisms. However, the observation of the ubiquitous distribution of life in habitable environments on the Earth does not imply the presence of life in martian habitats. Although uninhabited habitats are extremely rare on the Earth, a lack of a productive photosynthetic biosphere on Mars to generate organic carbon and oxygen, thus providing a rapidly available redox couple for energy acquisition by life and/or a lack of connectivity between habitats potentially increases the scope and abundance of uninhabited habitats for much of the geological history of the planet. Uninhabited habitats could have existed on Mars from the Noachian to the present-day in impact hydrothermal systems, megaflood systems, lacustrine environments, transient melted permafrost, gullies and local regions of volcanic activity; and there may be evidence for them in martian meteorites. Uninhabited habitats would provide control habitats to investigate the role of biology in planetary-scale geochemical processes on the Earth and they would provide new constraints on the habitability of Mars. Future robotic craft and samples returned from Mars will be able to directly show if uninhabited habitats exist or existed on Mars.  相似文献   

Precursors to dyke-fed eruptions at basaltic volcanoes: insights from patterns of volcano-tectonic seismicity at Kilauea volcano,Hawaii   总被引：2，自引：2，他引：0  

Andrew F. Bell  Christopher R. J. Kilburn 《Bulletin of Volcanology》2012,74(2):325-339

To investigate the physical controls on volcano-tectonic (VT) precursors to eruptions and intrusions at basaltic volcanoes, we have analyzed the spatial and temporal patterns of VT earthquakes associated with 34 eruptions and 23 dyke intrusions that occurred between 1960 and 1983 at Kilauea, in Hawaii. Eighteen of the 57 magmatic events were preceded by an acceleration of the mean rate of VT earthquakes located close to the main shallow magma reservoir. Using a maximum-likelihood technique and the Bayesian Information Criterion for model preference, we demonstrate that an exponential acceleration is preferred over a power-law acceleration for all sequences. These sequences evolve over time-scales of weeks to months and are consistent with theoretical models for the approach to volcanic eruptions based on the growth of a population of fractures in response to an excess magma pressure. Among the remaining 40 magmatic events, we found a significant correlation between swarms of VT earthquakes located in the mobile south-flank of Kilauea and eruptions and intrusions. The behaviour of these swarms suggests that at least some of the magmatic events are triggered by transient episodes of elevated rates of aseismic flank movement, which could explain why many eruptions and intrusions are not preceded by longer-term precursory signals. In none of the 57 cases could a precursory sequence be used to distinguish between the approach to an eruption or an intrusion, so that, even when a precursory sequence is recognized, there remains an empirical chance of about 40% (24 intrusions from 57 magmatic events) of issuing a false alarm for an imminent eruption.  相似文献   

Transverse Aeolian Ridges (TARs) on Mars     

Matt Balme  Daniel C. Berman  Mary C. Bourke  James R. Zimbelman 《Geomorphology》2008,101(4):703-720

Aeolian processes are probably the dominant ongoing surface process on Mars; Large Dark Dunes (LDDs), particularly common aeolian landforms, were first recognized in the early 1970s. Recent, higher resolution images have revealed another, morphologically distinct, large population of smaller, ripple-like aeolian bedforms that have been termed “Transverse Aeolian Ridges” (TARs) as it is unknown whether they formed as large ripples or small dunes. We have begun a new study of TARs that examines their distribution, orientation, and morphology using > 10,000 high-resolution Mars Orbiter Camera (1.5 to 8 m/pixel resolution) images in a 45° longitude wide, pole-to-pole survey. The aim of this study is to assess whether TARs are active, to identify possible sediment sources and pathways, and to determine the volumes of sediment that they comprise. We present results from the first half of this study, in which we examine the northern hemisphere, and describe a new three-part classification scheme used to aid the survey.Our results show that TARs are abundant but not ubiquitous: preferentially forming proximal to friable, layered terrains such as those found in Terra Meridiani — the location of the ongoing Mars Exploration Rover “Opportunity” mission. TAR distribution in the northern hemisphere shows a strong latitudinal dependence with very few TARs being found north of  30° N. We also find that in most cases TARs are less mobile than LDDs, a conclusion possibly explained by Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity observations that show TAR-like ripples to have a core of fine material armored by a monolayer of granule-sized particles. This could disallow significant bedform movement under the current wind regime. That TARs are essentially inactive is confirmed by superposition relations with slope streaks and LDDs and by observations of superposed impact craters. We suggest that observations made by the Opportunity Rover in Terra Meridiani indicate that the small aeolian bedforms common here are ripples and not small dunes. Farther south, these bedforms transition into larger features indistinguishable from TARs, suggesting that TARs (in the Meridiani area at least) are ripples and not dunes.  相似文献   

NGC 3147: a 'true' type 2 Seyfert galaxy without the broad-line region     

S. Bianchi  A. Corral  F. Panessa  X. Barcons  G. Matt  L. Bassani  F. J. Carrera  E. Jiménez-Bailón 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2008,385(1):195-199

We report on simultaneous optical and X-ray observations of the Seyfert galaxy, NGC 3147. The XMM–Newton spectrum shows that the source is unabsorbed in the X-rays  ( N _H < 5 × 10²⁰ cm⁻²)  . On the other hand, no broad lines are present in the optical spectrum. The origin of this optical/X-rays misclassification (with respect to the Unification Model) cannot be attributed to variability, since the observations in the two bands are simultaneous. Moreover, a Compton-thick nature of the object can be rejected on the basis of the low-equivalent width of the iron Kα line (≃130 eV) and the large ratio between the 2–10 keV and the [O  iii ] fluxes. It seems therefore inescapable to conclude that NGC 3147 intrinsically lacks the Broad-Line Region, making it the first 'true' type 2 Seyfert galaxy.  相似文献   

尼泊尔用于缓解人与野生动物冲突之电篱笆经济效用分析     

Saraswoti SAPKOTA  ;Achyut ARYAL  ;Shanta Ram BARAL  ;Matt W.HAYWARD  ;David RAUBENHEIMER 《资源与生态学报(英文版)》2014,5(3):237-243

人与野生动物冲突是全世界自然保护工作所面临的最大挑战之一。为降低这些冲突的影响,各国采取了各种保护策略,但这些策略常常得不到足够的监测,其效力也得不到充分的评估。近年来,作为降低人与野生动物冲突的一项措施,尼泊尔各保护区周围建起了电篱笆。到目前为止,未见有其他针对保护工作中采用电篱笆的成本效率及其功效开展分析的研究。本研究的目的是检验尼泊尔近年来设立于旺国家公园东区的电篱笆的成本效率。印度犀牛（Rhinoceros unicornis）、野猪（Sus scrofa）、亚洲象（Elephas maximus）、老虎（Panthera tigris）是该国家公园周边缓冲区涉及人与野生动物冲突的主要物种,这里建有电篱笆。电篱笆使庄稼受损减少78%,家畜损失减少30%-60%。研究区的人类死亡数未表现出显著下降,而是继续维持较低数值。我们的分析表明,至2009/2010财政年度,电篱笆成本的总净现值,卡根社区（KMUC）为1 517 959尼泊尔卢比（21 685美元）,姆瑞加社区（MKUC）为3 530 075卢比（50 429美元）;而净现收益,卡根社区为16 301 105卢比（232 872美元）,姆瑞加社区为38 304 602卢比（547 208美元）。至2009/2010基准财政年度,电篱笆的成本-效益比率,卡根社区为10.73,姆瑞加社区为10.85。这些结果表明,在大型哺乳动物出没的保护区周围,电篱笆计划在降低人与野生动物冲突方面,既有经济效益,又有很好的社会效益。  相似文献   

An integrated field and numerical modelling study of controls on Late Quaternary fluvial landscape development (Tabernas,southeast Spain)          下载免费PDF全文

Martin R. Geach  Willem Viveen  Anne E. Mather  Matt W. Telfer  William J. Fletcher  Martin Stokes  Odile Peyron 《地球表面变化过程与地形》2015,40(14):1907-1926

The variability of Quaternary landforms preserved in the Tabernas basin of southeast (SE) Spain raises numerous questions concerning the roles of external forcing mechanisms (e.g. tectonics and/or climate) and internal landscape properties (e.g. lithological controls) in the evolution of the basin‐wide fluvial system over Late Quaternary timescales. In this study, we apply the FLUVER2 numerical model to investigate the significance of these landscape controls upon patterns of landscape evolution. We highlight the complications of generating realistic input datasets for use in the modelling of long‐term landscape evolution (e.g. discharge and runoff datasets). Model outputs are compared to extensive field mapping of fluvial terraces, their sedimentary architecture and optically stimulated luminescence dating results of the terraces. The results demonstrate the significance of non‐linear rates of flexural tectonic uplift towards the west of the Tabernas Basin which have controlled base levels throughout the Quaternary and promoted the formation of a series of diverging fluvial terraces. Our numerical model results further highlight the importance of climate cycles upon river terrace formation. Basin‐wide aggradation events were modelled during the transition from Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6 to 5 and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) as supported by field evidence. This aggradational pattern supports the regional hypothesis of terrace formation during global glacial cycles and cold‐to‐warm stage transitions and supports the use of sea surface temperature climate proxy data in the modelling exercise. The availability of sediments derived from the surrounding hillslopes and adjacent alluvial fans explains the generation of substantial terrace aggradations. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

The influence of habitat structure on juvenile fish in a New Zealand estuary     

Darren M. Parsons  Mark A. Morrison  Simon F. Thrush  Crispin Middleton  Matt Smith  Keren T. Spong  Dane Buckthought 《Marine Ecology》2013,34(4):492-500

Estuarine and sheltered coastal habitats that contain physical structure are potentially important nurseries for juvenile fish. Many of these structured habitats, however, are potentially vulnerable to stressors such as elevated turbidity. Quantifying the benefits that structured habitats provide to juvenile fish may therefore be an important step in the management process. We investigated the value of structured habitat for juvenile fishes in northeastern New Zealand, using artificial seagrass units (ASUs) with varying blade density. ASUs were predominantly settled by juvenile snapper (Pagrus auratus) and spotty (Notolabrus celidotus). The density of both snapper and spotty was greatest on ASUs with the highest blade density. For snapper, a gradient in abundance was present (with higher abundance closer to the harbour mouth), suggesting either a gradient in the supply of recruits or a potential recruitment shadow effect. The size distribution of juvenile snapper (12–70 mm fork length) was very similar on both sampling trips, despite the 2‐month interim period, suggesting an ontogenetic habitat shift dependent on size. The condition of juvenile snapper from ASUs with the highest blade density was also greater than the other ASU treatments. Overall, these results provide new empirical evidence that habitats with physical structure within shallow estuarine systems are important to early stage juvenile fishes such as snapper, and indicate that the location‐specific context of that habitat is also likely important.  相似文献   

Climate change alters growing season flux dynamics in mesic grasslands     

Matt D. Petrie  Nathaniel A. Brunsell  Jesse B. Nippert 《Theoretical and Applied Climatology》2012,107(3-4):427-440

Changing climate could affect the functioning of grassland ecosystems through variation in climate forcings and by altering the interactions of forcings with ecological processes. Both the short and long-term effects of changing forcings and ecosystem interactions are a critical part of future impacts to ecosystem ecology and hydrology. To explore these interactions and identify possible characteristics of climate change impacts to mesic grasslands, we employ a low-dimensional modeling framework to assess the IPCC A1B scenario projections for the Central Plains of the United States; forcings include increased precipitation variability, increased potential evaporation, and earlier growing season onset. These forcings are also evaluated by simulations of vegetation photosynthetic capacity to explore the seasonal characteristics of the vegetation carbon assimilation response for species at the Konza Prairie in North Central Kansas, USA. The climate change simulations show decreases in mean annual soil moisture and and carbon assimilation and increased variation in water and carbon fluxes during the growing season. Simulations of the vegetation response show increased variation at the species-level instead of at a larger class scale, with important heterogeneity in how individual species respond to climate forcings. Understanding the drivers and relationships behind these ecosystem responses is important for understanding the likely scale of climate change impacts and for exploring the mechanisms shaping growing season dynamics in grassland ecosystems.  相似文献   

Pilot studies for the North American Soil Geochemical Landscapes Project – Site selection, sampling protocols, analytical methods, and quality control protocols   总被引：10，自引：10，他引：0  

David B. Smith  Laurel G. Woodruff  Richard M. O&#x;Leary  William F. Cannon  Robert G. Garrett  James E. Kilburn  Martin B. Goldhaber 《Applied Geochemistry》2009,24(8):1357-1368

In 2004, the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the Geological Survey of Canada sampled and chemically analyzed soils along two transects across Canada and the USA in preparation for a planned soil geochemical survey of North America. This effort was a pilot study to test and refine sampling protocols, analytical methods, quality control protocols, and field logistics for the continental survey. A total of 220 sample sites were selected at approximately 40-km intervals along the two transects. The ideal sampling protocol at each site called for a sample from a depth of 0–5 cm and a composite of each of the O, A, and C horizons. The <2-mm fraction of each sample was analyzed for Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, S, Ti, Ag, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Ga, In, La, Li, Mn, Mo, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sn, Sr, Te, Th, Tl, U, V, W, Y, and Zn by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry following a near-total digestion in a mixture of HCl, HNO₃, HClO₄, and HF. Separate methods were used for Hg, Se, total C, and carbonate-C on this same size fraction. Only Ag, In, and Te had a large percentage of concentrations below the detection limit. Quality control (QC) of the analyses was monitored at three levels: the laboratory performing the analysis, the USGS QC officer, and the principal investigator for the study. This level of review resulted in an average of one QC sample for every 20 field samples, which proved to be minimally adequate for such a large-scale survey. Additional QC samples should be added to monitor within-batch quality to the extent that no more than 10 samples are analyzed between a QC sample. Only Cr (77%), Y (82%), and Sb (80%) fell outside the acceptable limits of accuracy (% recovery between 85 and 115%) because of likely residence in mineral phases resistant to the acid digestion.A separate sample of 0–5-cm material was collected at each site for determination of organic compounds. A subset of 73 of these samples was analyzed for a suite of 19 organochlorine pesticides by gas chromatography. Only three of these samples had detectable pesticide concentrations. A separate sample of A-horizon soil was collected for microbial characterization by phospholipid fatty acid analysis (PLFA), soil enzyme assays, and determination of selected human and agricultural pathogens. Collection, preservation and analysis of samples for both organic compounds and microbial characterization add a great degree of complication to the sampling and preservation protocols and a significant increase to the cost for a continental-scale survey. Both these issues must be considered carefully prior to adopting these parameters as part of the soil geochemical survey of North America.  相似文献   

Combining biology,chemistry, and meteorology in modeling and measuring dry deposition     

B. B. Hicks  D. R. Matt 《Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry》1988,6(1-2):117-131

The range of chemical, biological, and meteorological processes contributing to the net exchange of trace chemical species between the atmosphere and the underlying surface is examined, in the context of a multiple-resistance exchange model. For those chemical species known to be always depositing, the resistance model provides a means to formulate appropriate deposition velocities in a convenient manner; however, extension to other situations is not straightforward. Field data indicate that the multiple-resistance approach is appropriate for application to assess the dry deposition of ozone and sulfur dioxide, but is not as appropriate for nitrogen dioxide. Data obtained over agricultural crops suggest that canopy factors frequently dominate the overall exchange process. A trial program of dry deposition measurement based on application of parameterized deposition velocities was initiated late in 1984, and has demonstrated shortcomings in under-standing concerning several factors, most importantly the roles of surface emissions and wetness, and the scaling-up of laboratory results to describe vegetative canopies.  相似文献