Boron contents and boron, carbon, and oxygen isotope data for ODP Sites 160-970 and 160-971

Products of two mud volcanoes from the distal part of the Mediterranean Ridge accretionary complex have been investigated regarding their B, C, and O stable isotope signatures. The mud breccias have been divided into mud matrix, lithified clasts, biogenic deposits, and authigenic cements and crusts related to fluid flow and cementation. Isotope geochemistry is used to evaluate the depth of mobilization of each phase in the subduction zone. B contents and isotope ratios of the mud and mud clasts show a general trend of B enrichment and decreasing d11B values with increasing consolidation (i.e., depth). However, the majority of the clast and matrix samples relate to moderate depths of mobilization within the wedge (1-2 km below seafloor). The carbonate cements of most of these clasts as well as the authigenic crusts, however, provide evidence for a deep fluid influence, probably associated with the décollement at 5-6 km depth. This interpretation is supported by d13C ratios of the crust, which indicate precipitation of C from thermogenic methane, and by the d11B ratios of pore-water samples of mud-breccia drill cores. Clams (Vesicomya sp.) living adjacent to fluid vents have d11B and d18O values corresponding to brines known in the area, which acted as the parent solution for shell precipitation. Such brines are most likely Miocene pore waters trapped at deep levels within the backstop to the accretionary prism, probably prior to desiccation of the Mediterranean in the Messinian (6-5 Ma). Combining all results, deep fluid circulation and expulsion are identified as the main processes triggering mud liquefaction and extrusion, whereas brines contribute only locally. Given the high B contents, mud extrusion has to be considered a major backflux mechanism of B into the hydrosphere.

Organic carbon analyses of ODP Site 160-971 in the Mediterranean Sea

Mud volcanism on the Mediterranean Ridge is caused by extrusion of overpressured sediments, with consequent formation of spectacular dome-shaped features composed of mud breccias at the seafloor. The organic material in the mud breccia of the Napoli mud volcano is a mixture of different facies, stratigraphic origin and thermal maturities. One portion is synsedimentary organic material with only minor diagenetic alterations and represents sedimenting material that was embedded into the mud volcano during its extrusion. The mud breccia also contains thermally mature organic material of mainly terrestrial provenance with algae of fresh- and brackish-water origin. Vitrinite reflectance data of this maturity generation range from 0.65 to 0.90% R(oil) and thus characterize thermally mature source rocks, a rank which is corroborated by fluorescence and molecular characteristics. The predominance of vitrinite in the maceral assemblages and the occurrence of biomarkers of terrigenous origin suggest that the major part of the mud matrix derives from a lacustrine or riverine sedimentary unit in the subsurface, possibly from the Messinian stage. A third generation of organic material includes inertinites and vitrinites of high reflectance, which represent recycled organic matter present in any marine sediment. By use of the Lopatin method for modelling the thermal maturation of hydrocarbon source rocks from the vitrinite reflectance data, we calculated that the depth of mobilization ranges from 4900 m to 7500 m, depending upon the temperature gradient used.

Oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of pore waters from ODP sites in the Mediterranean Sea

Pore fluids from two ODP sites at Eastern Mediterranean mud volcanoes have been analyzed for their Cl concentration and their delta18O and deltaD isotopic composition. The Cl data span a wide range of concentrations, from extremely depleted with respect to seawater (as low as 60 mM) at the crest of Milano dome (site 970) to strongly enriched (up to 5.4 M) at Napoli dome (site 971). Chloride enrichment is known to be due to dissolving Messinian evaporites, whereas the source of the low-Cl fluid is deduced from stable isotope data presented here. The isotopic composition of the endmember fluid is found to be +10? for delta18O and -32? for deltaD for low- as well as for high-Cl waters. From this signature it can be concluded that neither gas hydrates nor meteoric water play a significant role in the freshening of the pore water. Several other processes altering the delta18O/deltaD composition of pore waters are discussed and considered to be of only negligible influence. The process characterizing the isotopic composition of the fluid is found to be clay mineral dehydration (mainly smectite-illite transformation), corresponding to a depth range of 3.5-7 km and an elevated temperature of about 120-165°C. A quantitative estimate shows that this reaction is capable of producing the observed extreme Cl depletion.

Concentrations of major and minor constituents of samples from the lower end of the cores from the eastern Mediterranean Sea (Table 2)

The pore water chemistry of mud volcanoes from the Olimpi Mud Volcano Field and the Anaximander Mountains in the eastern Mediterranean Sea have been studied for three major purposes: (1) modes and velocities of fluid transport were derived to assess the role of (upward) advection, and bioirrigation for benthic fluxes. (2) Differences in the fluid chemistry at sites of Milano mud volcano (Olimpi area) were compiled in a map to illustrate the spatial heterogeneity reflecting differences in fluid origin and transport in discrete conduits in near proximity. (3) Formation water temperatures of seeping fluids were calculated from theoretical geothermometers to predict the depth of fluid origin and geochemical reactions in the deeper subsurface. No indications for downward advection as required for convection cells have been found. Instead, measured pore water profiles have been simulated successfully by accounting for upward advection and bioirrigation. Advective flow velocities are found to be generally moderate (3-50 cm/y) compared to other cold seep areas. Depth-integrated rates of bioirrigation are 1-2 orders of magnitude higher than advective flow velocities documenting the importance of bioirrigation for flux considerations in surface sediments. Calculated formation water temperatures from the Anaximander Mountains are in the range of 80 to 145 °C suggesting a fluid origin from a depth zone associated with the seismic decollement. It is proposed that at that depth clay mineral dehydration leads to the formation and advection of fluids reduced in salinity relative to sea water. This explains the ubiquitous pore water freshening observed in surface sediments of the Anaximander Mountain area. Multiple fluid sources and formation water temperatures of 55 to 80 °C were derived for expelled fluids of the Olimpi area.

Bounded rationality and voting decisions over 160 years : voter behavior and increasing complexity in decision-making

Using a quasi-natural voting experiment encompassing a 160-year period (1848–2009) in Switzerland, we investigate whether a higher level of complexity leads to increased reliance on trusted parliamentary representatives. We find that when more referenda are held on the same day, constituents are more likely to refer to parliamentary recommendations when making their decisions. This finding holds true even when we narrow our focus to referenda with a relatively lower voter turnout on days on which more than one referendum is held. We also demonstrate that when constituents face a higher level of complexity, they follow the parliamentary recommendations rather than those of interest groups. "Viewed as a geometric figure, the ant’s path is irregular, complex, hard to describe. But its complexity is really a complexity in the surface of the beach, not a complexity in the ant." ([1] p. 51)

Plan uchastka kolonizat︠s︡ionnogo fonda pod Nº 160/7, Krivorogskogo okruga Mikhaĭlovskogo raĭona ploshchadiʻ︠u︡ 864, 1188 gektarov

Digital image

Diário da Constituinte [gravação de vídeo] : [programa n. 160]

A Confederação Nacional dos Bispos do Brasil (CNBB) apresentou as emendas populares com o maior número de assinaturas até o momento. Elas tratam dos seguintes assuntos: preservação da vida desde a concepção, uso de verbas públicas para escolas públicas e escolas sem fins lucrativos, liberdade de ensino religioso e um último conjunto sobre a ordem econômica. Dom Candido Padim afirma que a reforma agrária é questão fundamental para o atendimento das aspirações populares. Todos os constituintes concordam que as relações no campo devem ser mudadas, mas cada um tem uma visão diferente do problema. O Deputado Virgílio Galassi (PDS-MG) defende uma reforma agrária sem objetivos políticos, mas com inteligência e objetividade para criar novos proprietários rurais. O Deputado Evaldo Gonçalves (PFL-PB) considera que, no Nordeste, uma grande reforma agrária seria realizar programas de irrigação e açudagem. O Deputado Oswaldo Almeida (PL-RJ) diz ser preciso desenvolver uma política agrícola que possa fixar o homem no campo. O Deputado Ulysses Guimarães, Presidente da Assembleia Nacional Constituinte (ANC), anunciou a pauta das sessões extras para tratar dos temas polêmicos. O Deputado Plínio Arruda Sampaio (PT- SP) informa que preferiria que as sessões fossem pela manhã ou pela tarde, para permitir que a imprensa tivesse melhores condições de colher os depoimentos. O Deputado Tito Costa (PMDB-SP) afirma que as sessões extras serão benéficas para o aprimoramento da Constituição.

Science-based restoration monitoring of coastal habitats, Volume One: A framework for monitoring plans under the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000 (Public Law 160-457)

Executive Summary: The Estuary Restoration Act of 2000 (ERA), Title I of the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000, was created to promote the restoration of habitats along the coast of the United States (including the US protectorates and the Great Lakes). The NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science was charged with the development of a guidance manual for monitoring plans under this Act. This guidance manual, titled Science-Based Restoration Monitoring of Coastal Habitats, is written in two volumes. It provides technical assistance, outlines necessary steps, and provides useful tools for the development and implementation of sound scientific monitoring of coastal restoration efforts. In addition, this manual offers a means to detect early warnings that the restoration is on track or not, to gauge how well a restoration site is functioning, to coordinate projects and efforts for consistent and successful restoration, and to evaluate the ecological health of specific coastal habitats both before and after project completion (Galatowitsch et al. 1998). The following habitats have been selected for discussion in this manual: water column, rock bottom, coral reefs, oyster reefs, soft bottom, kelp and other macroalgae, rocky shoreline, soft shoreline, submerged aquatic vegetation, marshes, mangrove swamps, deepwater swamps, and riverine forests. The classification of habitats used in this document is generally based on that of Cowardin et al. (1979) in their Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States, as called for in the ERA Estuary Habitat Restoration Strategy. This manual is not intended to be a restoration monitoring “cookbook” that provides templates of monitoring plans for specific habitats. The interdependence of a large number of site-specific factors causes habitat types to vary in physical and biological structure within and between regions and geographic locations (Kusler and Kentula 1990). Monitoring approaches used should be tailored to these differences. However, even with the diversity of habitats that may need to be restored and the extreme geographic range across which these habitats occur, there are consistent principles and approaches that form a common basis for effective monitoring. Volume One, titled A Framework for Monitoring Plans under the Estuaries and Clean Waters Act of 2000, begins with definitions and background information. Topics such as restoration, restoration monitoring, estuaries, and the role of socioeconomics in restoration are discussed. In addition, the habitats selected for discussion in this manual are briefly described. (PDF contains 116 pages)