The distribution of heavy metal was analyzed in water column particles collected in autumn (October 1985) and spring (March 1986) by two series of sediment traps from a mooring located in the northeastern Mediterranean Sea continental slope. Four traps were set, at 50, 100, 300, 600 m depths on the mooring in 645 m deep water in the Lacaze-Duthier canyon. The total metal concentrations were determined by ICP-MS. Results show that Rb and Sc contents display typical shale values. As, Cd, Pb, Sb, Zn (normalized to Sc) display high enrichment factors (up to 50) over shale compositions. Distinctive temporal variability as well as the respective contributions of local (Têt, Aude) and remote (Rhône) rivers and Sahara-derived aerosols have been identified. Fluxes of most elements observed in the upper 100 m can be attributed to atmospheric fluxes. In the deepest traps (300 and 600 m) these fluxes are, however, mostly dominated by riverine particles advected from the continental shelf. Most of the trace-element enrichments are more likely to be related to the anthropogenic input rather than to biological cycling. Isotopic composition of lead determined by ICP-MS enabled to evaluate that the proportion of anthropogenic lead derived from European gasoline consumption ranged between 50 and 100%. 相似文献
The Gulf of Patti and its onshore sector represent one of the most seismically active regions of the Italian Peninsula. Over the period 1984–2014, about 1800 earthquakes with small-to-moderate magnitude and a maximum hypocentral depth of 40 km occurred in this area. Historical catalogues reveal that the same area was affected by several strong earthquakes such as the Mw = 6.1 event in April 1978 and the Mw = 6.2 one in March 1786 which have caused severe damages in the surrounding localities. The main seismotectonic feature affecting this area is represented by a NNW–SSE trending right-lateral strike-slip fault system called “Aeolian–Tindari–Letojanni” (ATLFS) which has been interpreted as a lithospheric transfer zone extending from the Aeolian Islands to the Ionian coast of Sicily. Although the large-scale role of the ATLFS is widely accepted, several issues about its structural architecture (i.e. distribution, attitude and slip of fault segments) and the active deformation pattern are poorly constrained, particularly in the offshore. An integrated analysis of field structural geology with marine geophysical and seismological data has allowed to better understand the structural fabric of the ATLFS which, in the study area, is expressed by two major NW–SE trending, en-echelon arranged fault segments. Minor NNE–SSW oriented extensional structures mainly occur in the overlap region between major faults, forming a dilatational stepover. Most faults display evidence of active deformation and appear to control the main morphobathymetric features. This aspect, together with diffused continental slope instability, must be considered for the revaluation of the seismic and geomorphological hazard of this sector of southern Tyrrhenian Sea.
In order to unravel the tectonic evolution of the north-central sector of the Sicily Channel (Central Mediterranean), a seismo-stratigraphic analysis of single- and multi-channel seismic reflection profiles has been carried out. This allowed to identify, between 20 and 50 km offshore the central-southern coast of Sicily, a ~80-km-long deformation belt, characterized by a set of WNW–ESE to NW–SE fault segments showing a poly-phasic activity. Within this belt, we observed: i) Miocene normal faults reactivated during Zanclean–Piacenzian time by dextral strike-slip motion, as a consequence of the Africa–Europe convergence; ii) releasing and restraining bend geometries forming well-developed pull-apart basins and compressive structures. In the central and western sectors of the belt, we identified local transpressional reactivations of Piacenzian time, attested by well-defined compressive features like push-up structures and fault-bend anticlines. The reconstruction of timing and style of tectonic deformation suggest a strike-slip reactivation of inherited normal faults and the local subsequent positive tectonic inversion, often documented along oblique thrust ramps. This pattern represents a key for an improved knowledge of the structural style of foreland fold-and-thrust belts propagating in a preexisting extensional domain. With regard to active tectonics and seismic hazards, recent GPS data and local seismicity events suggest that this deformation process could be still active and accomplished through deep-buried structures; moreover, several normal faults showing moderate displacements have been identified on top of the Madrepore Bank and Malta High, offsetting the Late Quaternary deposits. Finally, inside the northern part of the Gela Basin, multiple slope failures, originated during Pleistocene by the further advancing of the Gela Nappe, reveal tectonically induced potential instability processes.
Abstract In this paper, starting from the spectral DIA equations obtained by Veltri et al. (1982), describing the spectral dynamical evolution of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in the presence of a background magnetic field B0, we have derived an approximate form of these equations (shell model) more appropriate for numerical integration at high Reynolds numbers. We have studied the decay of an initially isotropic state, with an initial imbalance between the energies for the two signs of the cross-helicity. Reynolds numbers up to 105 have been considered. Numerical results show that the nonlinear energy cascade behaves anisotropically in the k-space, i.e. in the spectra there is a prevalence of the wavevectors perpendicular to B0 with respect to the parallel wavevectors. This anisotropic effect, which is due to the presence of the background magnetic field, can be understood in terms of the so-called ‘‘Alfvén effect''. A different source of anisotropy, due to the difference of the energy transfer for the two polarizations perpendicular to k, is recovered, but its effect is found to be mainly concentrated in the injection range. Only little differences have been found, in the inertial range, in the spectral indices from the Kraichnan 3/2 value, which is valid for an isotropic spectrum. A form for the anisotropic spectrum can be recovered phenomenologically from our results. Values of the spectral indices quite different from the Kraichnan 3 2 value are obtained only when we consider stationary states with different forcing terms for the two modes of Alfvén wave propagation. The comparison of our results with the observations of the v and B fluctuations in the interplanatery space shows that the anisotropy found in interplanetary fluctuations might be attributed only partially to the result of a nonlinear energy cascade. 相似文献
The occurrence of a nonlinear turbulent energy cascade in solar wind plasma has been recently established through the observation of an exact law from spacecraft measurements. The main results obtained in the fast, polar wind measured by Ulysses spacecraft are reviewed here. In particular, the turbulent cascade is seen as the mean to provide the energy necessary for the local heating in the non-adiabatic expansion of the solar wind. The importance of the density fluctuations in enhancing the turbulent energy transport is also evidenced. The ecliptic wind data measured by Ulysses are studied here in the same framework. This has been done by separating fast and slow streams, in order to avoid mixing of different physical conditions. The results further support the need for separate analysis of the two types of wind. 相似文献
We present an analysis of the density profile in the central region of the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy. A strong density enhancement of Sgr stars is observed. The position of the peak of the detected cusp is indistinguishable from the centre of M54. The photometric properties of the cusp are fully compatible with those observed in the nuclei of dwarf elliptical galaxies, indicating that the Sgr dSph would appear as a nucleated galaxy independently of the presence of M54 at its centre. 相似文献
Ambient noise measurements performed on the western flank of Mt. Etna are analyzed to infer the occurrence of directional amplification effects in fault zones. The data were recorded along short (<500 m) profiles crossing the Ragalna Fault System. Ambient noise records were processed to compute the horizontal-to-vertical noise spectral ratio as a function of frequency and direction of motion. Wavefield polarization was investigated in the time–frequency domain as well. Peaks of the spectral ratios generally fall in the frequency band 1.0–6.0 Hz pointing out directional amplifications that are also confirmed by the results of the time–frequency analysis, the largest amplification occurring with high angle to the fault strike. A variation of the frequency of the spectral peak is observed between the two sides of the fault, possibly related to a damage fault asymmetry. Measurements performed several kilometers away from the fault zone do not show behavior that is as systematic as in the fault zone, and this suggests that the observed directional effects can be ascribed to the fault fabric. We relate the polarization effect to compliance anisotropy in the fault zone, where the presence of predominantly oriented fractures makes the normal component of ground motion larger than the transversal one. In order to test the direction and the type of fractures that are expected in the fault zone, we modeled the brittle deformation pattern of the investigated fault. Theoretical results are in good agreement with field observations of the fracture strike. 相似文献
This work reports the results of a geomorphological study on the River Paglia (Tiber basin, Central Italy), to analyse the historical evolution of the riverbed/floodplain system in its lower valley reaches, upstream the confluence of River Tiber. A morphological–sedimentological approach has been used, starting with an historical analysis and a survey of the forms and sediments in the riverbed/alluvial plain system, in order to reconstruct the current evolutionary trend and to identify the causes and processes leading to changes in natural trends. This approach is not in contrast to the hydrologic–hydraulic one, normally applied in engineering fields, but it is integrated with it in a complementary and parallel manner, in order to achieve the complete knowledge of the river system, result of an investigation multidisciplinary, aimed to define its physical state. Historical data (cartographic documents, digital terrain models—DTM, topographic surveys, aerial photographs, etc.) indicate clear-cut narrowing and deepening of the active channel, manifested after the Second World War and due to the considerable changes which affected the entire fluvial system (from the recovery of land for agriculture near the river, to sediments taken from its bed over the past few decades). The result is a state of great disequilibrium, which is shown in the passage from a braided morphology, observed in the 1950s, to a single channel with low sinuosity (wandering type). This type of morphology is certainly more unstable: in fact, the narrowing and deepening of fluvial sections provide a better hydraulic efficiency for the upstream, so the peak discharge does not overflow. Such peak discharge arrives downstream, next to the confluence with the Tiber River, not laminated, causing serious flooding effects. An increased vulnerability is observed in the last reach, in the areas pertaining to the river, where most of the industrial-economic activities are concentrated and where transportation infrastructures of nationwide importance (Italy’s most important motorway, the A1, and the Rome–Florence–Milan high-speed rail links) are located. The evolution of the Paglia (which is not substantially different from that of many streams in Italy and in general throughout Europe) is affected by severe anthropic constraints and intense exploitation of resources, which have produced a state of disequilibrium approaching irreversibility in an already vulnerable system. Finally, some suggestions for the correct management of the river system are pointed out, with the aim of mitigating the flood risk in the lower Paglia valley. 相似文献
