Creating an isotopically similar Earth–Moon system with correct angular momentum from a giant impact     

Bryant M. Wyatt  Jonathan M. Petz  William J. Sumpter  Ty R. Turner  Edward L. Smith  Baylor G. Fain  Taylor J. Hutyra  Scott A. Cook  John H. Gresham  Michael F. Hibbs  Shaukat N. Goderya 《Journal of Astrophysics and Astronomy》2018,39(2):26

The giant impact hypothesis is the dominant theory explaining the formation of our Moon. However, the inability to produce an isotopically similar Earth–Moon system with correct angular momentum has cast a shadow on its validity. Computer-generated impacts have been successful in producing virtual systems that possess many of the observed physical properties. However, addressing the isotopic similarities between the Earth and Moon coupled with correct angular momentum has proven to be challenging. Equilibration and evection resonance have been proposed as means of reconciling the models. In the summer of 2013, the Royal Society called a meeting solely to discuss the formation of the Moon. In this meeting, evection resonance and equilibration were both questioned as viable means of removing the deficiencies from giant impact models. The main concerns were that models were multi-staged and too complex. We present here initial impact conditions that produce an isotopically similar Earth–Moon system with correct angular momentum. This is done in a single-staged simulation. The initial parameters are straightforward and the results evolve solely from the impact. This was accomplished by colliding two roughly half-Earth-sized impactors, rotating in approximately the same plane in a high-energy, off-centered impact, where both impactors spin into the collision.  相似文献   

Time-dependent greenhouse warming computations with a coupled ocean-atmosphere model     

Ulrich Cubasch  Klaus Hasselmann  Heinke Höck  Ernst Maier-Reimer  Uwe Mikolajewicz  Benjamin D Santer  Robert Sausen 《Climate Dynamics》1993,9(3):165-165

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Doublet craters on Venus     

Cheryl M Cook  William F Bottke Jr. 《Icarus》2003,165(1):90-100

Of the impact craters on Earth larger than 20 km in diameter, 10-15% (3 out of 28) are doublets, having been formed by the simultaneous impact of two well-separated projectiles. The most likely scenario for their formation is the impact of well-separated binary asteroids. If a population of binary asteroids is capable of striking the Earth, it should also be able to hit the other terrestrial planets as well. Venus is a promising planet to search for doublet craters because its surface is young, erosion is nearly nonexistent, and its crater population is significantly larger than the Earth's. After a detailed investigation of single craters separated by less than 150 km and “multiple” craters having diameters greater than 10 km, we found that the proportion of doublet craters on Venus is at most 2.2%, significantly smaller than Earth's, although several nearly incontrovertible doublets were recognized. We believe this apparent deficit relative to the Earth's doublet population is a consequence of atmospheric screening of small projectiles on Venus rather than a real difference in the population of impacting bodies. We also examined “splotches,” circular radar reflectance features in the Magellan data. Projectiles that are too small to form craters probably formed these features. After a careful study of these patterns, we believe that the proportion of doublet splotches on Venus (14%) is comparable to the proportion of doublet craters found on Earth (10-15%). Thus, given the uncertainties of interpretation and the statistics of small numbers, it appears that the doublet crater population on Venus is consistent with that of the Earth.  相似文献   

The geochemistry of gem opals as evidence of their origin     

Eloïse Gaillou  Aurlien Delaunay  Benjamin Rondeau  Martine Bouhnik-le-Coz  Emmanuel Fritsch  Guy Cornen  Christophe Monnier 《Ore Geology Reviews》2008,34(1-2):113

Seventy-seven gem opals from ten countries were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) through a dilution process, in order to establish the nature of the impurities. The results are correlated to the mode of formation and physical properties and are instrumental in establishing the geographical origin of a gem opal. The geochemistry of an opal is shown to be dependant mostly on the host rock, at least for examples from Mexico and Brazil, even if modified by weathering processes. In order of decreasing concentration, the main impurities present are Al, Ca, Fe, K, Na, and Mg (more than 500 ppm). Other noticeable elements in lesser amounts are Ba, followed by Zr, Sr, Rb, U, and Pb. For the first time, geochemistry helps to discriminate some varieties of opals. The Ba content, as well as the chondrite-normalized REE pattern, are the keys to separating sedimentary opals (Ba > 110 ppm, Eu and Ce anomalies) from volcanic opals (Ba < 110 ppm, no Eu or Ce anomaly). The Ca content, and to a lesser extent that of Mg, Al, K and Nb, helps to distinguish gem opals from different volcanic environments. The limited range of concentrations for all elements in precious (play-of-color) compared to common opals, indicates that this variety must have very specific, or more restricted, conditions of formation. We tentatively interpreted the presence of impurities in terms of crystallochemistry, even if opal is a poorly crystallized or amorphous material. The main replacement is the substitution of Si⁴⁺ by Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺. The induced charge imbalance is compensated chiefly by Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ba²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺. In terms of origin of color, greater concentrations of iron induce darker colors (from yellow to “chocolate brown”). This element inhibits luminescence for concentrations above 1000 ppm, whereas already a low content in U (≤ 1 ppm) induces a green luminescence.  相似文献   

Coupled redox transformations of catechol and cerium at the surface of a cerium(III) phosphate mineral     

Javiera Cervini-Silva  Benjamin Gilbert  Sirine Fakra  Stephan Friedlich  Jillian Banfield   《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2008,72(10):2454-2464

Highly insoluble Ce-bearing phosphate minerals form by weathering of apatite [Ca₅(PO₄)₃.(OH,F,Cl)], and are important phosphorous repositories in soils. Although these phases can be dissolved via biologically-mediated pathways, the dissolution mechanisms are poorly understood. In this paper we report spectroscopic evidence to support coupling of redox transformations of organic carbon and cerium during the reaction of rhabdophane (CePO₄·H₂O) and catechol, a ubiquitous biogenic compound, at pH 5. Results show that the oxic–anoxic conditions influence the mineral dissolution behavior. Under anoxic conditions, the release of P and Ce occurs stoichiometrically. In contrast, under oxic conditions, the mineral dissolution behavior is incongruent, with dissolving Ce³⁺ ions oxidizing to CeO₂. Reaction product analysis shows the formation of CO₂, polymeric C, and oxalate and malate. The presence of more complex forms of organic carbon was also confirmed. Near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy measurements at Ce-M_4,5 and C-K absorption edges on reacted CePO₄·H₂O samples in the absence or presence of catechol and dissolved oxygen confirm that (1) the mineral surface converts to the oxide during this reaction, while full oxidation is limited to the near-surface region only; (2) the Ce valence remains unchanged when the reaction between CePO₄·H₂O and O₂ but in the absence of catechol. Carbon K-edge spectra acquired from rhabdophane reacted with catechol under oxic conditions show spectral features before and after reaction that are considerably different from catechol, indicating the formation of more complex organic molecules. Decreases in intensity of characteristic catechol peaks are accompanied by the appearance of new π^* resonances due to carbon in carboxyl (ca. 288.5 eV) and carbonyl (ca. 289.3 eV) groups, and the development of broad structure in the σ^* region characteristic of aliphatic carbon. Evolution of the C K-edge spectra is consistent with aromatic-ring cleavage and polymerization. These results further substantiate that the presence of catechol, O₂ (aq) causes both the oxidation of structural Ce³⁺ and the transformation of catechol to more complex organic molecules. Scanning Transmission X-Ray Microscopy measurements at the C K and Ce M_4,5 edges indicate three dominant organic species, varying in complexity and association with the inorganic phase. Untransformed catechol is loosely associated with CeO₂, whereas more complex organic molecules that exhibit lower aromaticity and stronger CO π^* resonances of carboxyl-C and carbonyl-C groups are only found in association with the grains. These results further serve as basis to postulate that, in the presence of O₂, CeO₂ can mediate the oxidative polymerization of catechol to form higher molecular weight polymers. The present work provides evidence for a pathway of biologically-induced, non-enzymatic oxidation of cerium and formation of small CeO₂ particles at room temperature. These findings may have implications for carbon cycling in natural and cerium-contaminated soils and aqueous environments.  相似文献   

Evidence for crustal degassing of CF₄ and SF₆ in Mojave Desert groundwaters     

Daniel A. Deeds  Martin K. Vollmer  Justin T. Kulongoski  Benjamin R. Miller 《Geochimica et cosmochimica acta》2008,72(4):999-1013

Dissolved tetrafluoromethane (CF₄) and sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) concentrations were measured in groundwater samples from the Eastern Morongo Basin (EMB) and Mojave River Basin (MRB) located in the southern Mojave Desert, California. Both CF₄ and SF₆ are supersaturated with respect to equilibrium with the preindustrial atmosphere at the recharge temperatures and elevations of the Mojave Desert. These observations provide the first in situ evidence for a flux of CF₄ from the lithosphere. A gradual basin-wide enhancement in dissolved CF₄ and SF₆ concentrations with groundwater age is consistent with release of these gases during weathering of the surrounding granitic alluvium. Dissolved CF₄ and SF₆ concentrations in these groundwaters also contain a deeper crustal component associated with a lithospheric flux entering the EMB and MRB through the underlying basement. The crustal flux of CF₄, but not of SF₆, is enhanced in the vicinity of local active fault systems due to release of crustal fluids during episodic fracture events driven by local tectonic activity. When fluxes of CF₄ and SF₆ into Mojave Desert groundwaters are extrapolated to the global scale they are consistent, within large uncertainties, with the fluxes required to sustain the preindustrial atmospheric abundances of CF₄ and SF₆.  相似文献   

Variations in exospheric density at heights near 1100km, derived from satellite orbits     

G. E. Cook  Diana W. Scott 《Planetary and Space Science》1967,15(12):1933-1956

In an earlier paper, values of exospheric density were obtained from the orbit of Echo 2 for the years 1964–1965. The results indicated a semi-annual variation in density by a factor of between 2 and 3, considerably larger than predicted by existing atmospheric models.

These studies have now been extended to the beginning of 1967, using both Echo 2 and Calsphere 1, to show how the density is responding to increasing solar activity. Variations in density during 1964 have been analysed in more detail. The long-term variation associated with the solar cycle and the short-term variations associated with magnetic and solar disturbances agree with the variations expected on the basis of current models. The semi-annual variation is persisting to higher levels of solar activity, and although its amplitude is diminishing the factor of variation was still 1.6 in 1966.  相似文献   

Temporal variability in phytodetritus and megabenthic activity at the seabed in the deep Northeast Atlantic     

Brian J. Bett  M. Gabriella Malzone  Bhavani E. Narayanaswamy  Benjamin D. Wigham   《Progress in Oceanography》2001,50(1-4)

We report a ten-year study of the abundance and activity of megabenthos on the Porcupine Abyssal Plain, northeast Atlantic, together with observations on the occurrence of phytodetritus at the deep-sea floor (4850 m). Using the Southampton Oceanography Centre time-lapse camera system, ‘Bathysnap’, we have recorded a radical change in the abundance and activity of megabenthos between the two periods of study (1991–1994 and 1997–2000). In 1991–1994, the larger megabenthos occurred at an abundance of c. 71.6/ha and were dominated by large holothurians. In addition, there were very substantial populations of smaller megabenthic ophiuroids (c. 4979/ha). Together, the total megabenthos are estimated to track over some 17 cm²/m²/d (exploiting 100% of the surface of the seabed in c. 2.5 years). In 1997–2000, the larger megabenthos increased to an abundance of c. 204/ha and were joined by exceptional numbers of a small holothurian species (Amperima rosea, 6457/ha) and ophiuroids (principally Ophiocten hastatum, 53,539/ha). The total megabenthos population was tracking at an estimnated rate of c. 247 cm²/m²/d (exploiting 100% of seabed in just 6 weeks). Coincident with these increases in the abundance and activity of the megabenthos, there were apparently no mass depositions of aggregated phytodetritus to the seabed in the summers of 1997–1999. Mass occurrences of phytodetritus had been noted during the summer months of the three years previously studied (1991, 1993 and 1994), with covering between 50 and 96% of the sediment surface. There is a statistically significant (p<0.02) negative correlation between maximum extent of this seabed cover of phytodetritus and seabed tracking by megabenthos. Additional studies [Lampitt et al., Progr. Ocean. 50 (2001)], indicate that there were no substantial changes in surface ocean primary productivity, in export flux, or in the composition of the flux that might otherwise account for the apparent absence of observable concentrations of phytodetritus during the summers of 1997–1999. We postulate that the marked increase in megabenthic tracking activity resulted in the removal (via consumption, disaggregation, burial etc.) of the bulk of the incoming phytodetrital flux during these years. A simple conceptual model, based on the apparent phytodetrital fluxes observed in 1991 and 1993, suggests that the megabenthos tracking rates estimated for 1997–1999 are sufficient to account for near-total removal of this flux. However, we are not able to estimate other processes removing phytodetritus (i.e. other elements of the benthos) that may also have increased between 1991–1994 and 1997–1999. Other independent studies [e.g. Ginger et al., Progr. Ocean. 50 (2001)] of flux constituents support the possibility that just a few species of megabenthos (e.g. A. rosea, and O. hastatum) could well have consumed a major proportion of the incoming flux and so substantially modified the composition of the organic matter available to other components of the benthos.  相似文献   

Assessment of North Sea industrial fish stocks with incomplete catch-at-age data     

Cook  R. M.; Reeves  S. A. 《ICES Journal of Marine Science》1993,50(4):425-434

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Seasonality and selectivity in the feeding ecology and reproductive biology of deep-sea bathyal holothurians     

Ian R. Hudson  Benjamin D. Wigham  David S. M. Billett  Paul A. Tyler 《Progress in Oceanography》2003,59(4):381-407

Chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments were determined from the gut sediments of five species of bathyal holothurian in the NE Atlantic, sampled shortly after the spring/summer phytoplankton bloom in 2001 and prior to the spring bloom in 2002. Three species, Laetmogone violacea, Paroriza pallens and Bathyplotes natans, sampled within a similar depth range (900–1100 m) in the summer of 2001 showed significant differences in their chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment concentrations. This suggests they may select for slightly different components from the available food resource. Four species sampled in early spring 2002, Laetmogone violacea, Paroriza pallens, Benthogone rosea and Benthothuria funebris, also had significant differences in their pigment concentrations. These species were sampled over a wider depth range (1000–3100 m) showing a bathymetric trend in pigment concentrations. There was a distinct seasonal change in the composition and concentration of the pigments, linked to a reduction in the availability of fresh organic material during autumn and winter periods.Ovarian tissue was also examined. The carotenoid pigments found in the ovary also occurred in the OM ingested by the holothurians. The dominant gonadal carotenoid pigments were β-carotene, echinenone and zeaxanthin. The potential for using these carotenoids to gain a competitive advantage through selectivity of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment biomarkers are discussed in relation to competition for food resources by deposit-feeders. The results were also compared with selectivity in abyssal species.  相似文献