C14 Ages of sediment from the Rud Hilla delta area, Persian Gulf

Six sediment cores from the submarine delta of the Rud Hilla River in the northern part of the Persian Gulf consist of fine grained,homogeneous Holocene marls. The coarse (> 63 ~) fraction varies from 0.3 - 3.5 %. The cores are 2 - 4 m long and were taken in water depths of 8 - 56 m. In spite of the great similarity and homogeneity of the cored sediments, correspondence analysis (an extension of factor analysis) of the coarse fraction reveals the presence of four distinctive sedimentary facies: (1) a minerogenic facies, 10 km from the estuary; (2) an ophiuroidostracod facies near a lateral margin of the delta, 12 - 15 km from the estuary, (3) a benthic foraminiferal-molluskan facies, in the central part of the delta 20 km from the estuary, and near its seaward margin 120 km from the estuary, (4) a gastropod-epibiotic facies, in an area of relatively slow sedimentation on the border of the delta, 90 km from the estuary. A seventh core, taken near the seaward margin of the delta of the Rud Hilla River, penetrated homogeneous, aragonite-rich mud of late Pleistocene age. Correspondence analysis of the sand fraction of the Pleistocene sediments leads to the definition of two facies that can be readily compared with the facies identified in the Holocene cores.

Abundance of bacteria and endospores in surface sediments of Josephine Seamount area (Table 1)

During the 19th cruise of the research vessel "Meteor" between Madeira and Lisbon 260 strains of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria have been isolated from sediment samples collected from different depths. These strains have been identified mainly as members of the genera Marinovibrio, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus. The majority of bacteria isolated from shallow areas (Josephine Seamount) were sea water media requiring Marinovibrio and Pseudornonas spp. but in sediment samples taken from depths exceeding 1000 m the probably terrestrial sporeforming Bacillus spp. predominated. Further investigations in the same region during the 23rd cruise of the "Meteor" demonstrated that about 30 to 50% of the sporeforming bacteria found in the sediment samples could be isolated from dormant spores in situ. The remaining more than 50 % of sporeformers in the deep sea region examined are believed to be metabolic active cells.

Hydrochemical properties of groundwater samples in Semarang area, Java Island, Indonesia (1992, 1993, 2003, 2006, and 2007)

In Semarang City, groundwater has been exploited as a natural resource since 1841. The groundwater exploited in deep wells is concentrated in confined aquifers. The previous hydrogeological model was developed in one unit of aquifer and refined then by using several hydrostratigraphical units following a regional hydrogeological map without any further analysis. At present, there is a lack of precise hydrogeological model which integrates geological and hydrogeological data, in particular for multiple aquifers in Semarang. Thus, the aim of this paper is to develop a hydrogeological model for the multiple aquifers in Semarang using an integrated data approach. Groundwater samples in the confined aquifers have been analyzed to define the water type and its lateral distribution. Two hydrogeological cross sections were then created based on several borelog data to define a hydrostratigraphical unit (HSU). The HSU result indicates the hydrogeological model of Semarang consists of two aquifers, three aquitards, and one aquiclude. Aquifer 1 is unconfined, while Aquifer 2 is confined. Aquifer 2 is classified into three groups (2a, 2b, and 2c) based on analyses of major ion content and hydrostratigraphical cross sections.

(Table) Argon isotope ratios and argon ages of rocks obtained from the Chernorud zone, western Baikal area

Structural-petrologic and isotopic-geochronologic data on magmatic, metamorphic, and metasomatic rocks from the Chernorud zone were used to reproduce the multistage history of their exhumation to upper crustal levels. The process is subdivided into four discrete stages, which corresponded to metamorphism to the granulite facies (500-490 Ma), metamorphism to the amphibolite facies (470-460 Ma), metamorphism to at least the epidote-amphibolite facies (440-430 Ma), and postmetamorphic events (410-400 Ma). The earliest two stages likely corresponded to the tectonic stacking of the backarc basin in response to the collision of the Siberian continent with the Eravninskaya island arc or the Barguzin microcontinent, a process that ended with the extensive generation of synmetamorphic granites. During the third and fourth stages, the granulites of the Chernorud nappe were successively exposed during intense tectonic motions along large deformation zones (Primorskii fault, collision lineament, and Orso Complex). The comparison of the histories of active thermal events for Early Caledonian folded structures in the Central Asian Foldbelt indicates that active thermal events of equal duration are reconstructed for the following five widely spiced accretion-collision structures: the Chernorud granulite zone in the Ol'khon territory, the Slyudyanka crystalline complex in the southwestern Baikal area, the western Sangilen territory in southeastern Tuva, Derbinskii terrane in the Eastern Sayan, and the Bayankhongor ophiolite zone in central Mongolia. The dates obtained by various isotopic techniques are generally consistent with the four discrete stages identified in the Chernorud nappe, whereas the dates corresponding to the island-arc evolutionary stage were obtained only for the western Sangilen and Bayankhongor ophiolite zone.

Photographs and videos snippets of incirrate octopods observed during SONNE cruise SO242/2 to the DISCOL Experimental Area, Peru Basin

This dataset contains photographs and videos snippets of all observations of incirrate octopods that were made during SONNE cruise SO242/2 to the DISCOL manganese nodule area in the Peru Basin, South Pacific (7°S, 88.5°W; 4150 m water depth). The photographs and videos were taken with the AWI Ocean Floor Observation System (OFOS "Launcher") and the GEOMAR Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV "Kiel 6000").

Cape Lookout cold-water coral area, coral ages and environmental parameters for the last glacial cycle

Climatic and oceanographic changes, as occurring at a glacial-interglacial scale, may alter the environmental conditions needed for the development of prolific cold-water coral reefs and mounds. Studies constraining the temporal distribution of cold-water corals in the NE Atlantic suggested the cyclic changes of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation as the main driver for the development and dispersal of cold-water coral ecosystems. However, conclusions were hindered by lack of data from the NW Atlantic. Aiming to overcome this lack of data, the temporal occurrence of cold-water corals in the Cape Lookout area along the southeastern US margin was explored by U-series dating. Furthermore, the local influence of the regional water masses, namely the Gulf Stream, on cold-water coral proliferation and occurrence since the Last Glacial Maximum was examined. Results suggest that the occurrence of cold-water corals in the Cape Lookout area is restricted to interglacial periods, with corals being present during the last ~7 kyr and also during the Eemian (~125 ka). The reconstructed local environmental conditions suggest an offshore displacement of the Gulf Stream and increased influence from the Mid-Atlantic Bight shelf waters during the last glacial period. During the deglacial sea level rise, the Gulf Stream moved coastward providing present-day-like conditions to the surface waters. Nevertheless, present-day conditions at the ocean sea floor were not established before 7.5 cal ka BP once the ultimate demise of the Laurentide ice-sheet caused the final sea level rise and the displacement of the Gulf Stream to its present location. Occasional presence of the Gulf Stream over the site during the Mid- to Late Holocene coincides with enhanced bottom current strength and a slightly higher bottom water temperature, which are environmental conditions that are favorable for cold-water coral growth.

Pore water measurements of sediment cores from the Helgoland mud area, North Sea

Iron reduction in subseafloor sulfate-depleted and methane-rich marine sediments is currently a subject of interest in subsurface geomicrobiology. While iron reduction and microorganisms involved have been well studied in marine surface sediments, little is known about microorganisms responsible for iron reduction in deep methanic sediments. Here, we used quantitative PCR (Q-PCR)-based 16S rRNA gene copy numbers and pyrosequencing-based relative abundances of bacteria and archaea to investigate covariance between distinct microbial populations and specific geochemical profiles in the top 5 m of sediment cores from the Helgoland mud area, North Sea. We found that gene copy numbers of bacteria and archaea were specifically higher around the peak of dissolved iron in the methanic zone (250-350 cm. The higher copy numbers at these depths were also reflected by the relative sequence abundances of members of the candidate division JS1, methanogenic and Methanohalobium/ANME-3 related archaea. The distribution of these populations was strongly correlated to the profile of pore-water Fe2+ while that of Desulfobacteraceae corresponded to the pore-water sulfate profile. Furthermore, specific JS1 populations also strongly co-varied with the distribution of Methanosaetaceae in the methanic zone. Our data suggest that the interplay among JS1 bacteria, methanogenic archaea and Methanohalobium/ANME-3-related archaea may be important for iron reduction and methane cycling in deep methanic sediments of the Helgoland mud area and perhaps in other methane-rich depositional environments. .

Annotated record of the detailed examination of Mn deposits on the coral banks of the continental shelf in the south-western coastal area of the Gulf of Mexico off Texas

During U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) public hearings held in 1973, 1974 and 1975 prior to Texas Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas lease sales, concern was expressed by the National Marine Fisheries Service, scientists from Texas A&M and the University of Texas and private citizens over the possible environmental impact of oil and gas drilling and production operations on coral reefs and fishing banks in or adjacent to lease blocks to be sold. As a result, certain restrictive regulations concerning drilling operations in the vicinity of the well documented coral reefs and biostromal communities at the East and West Flower Gardens were established by BLM, and Signal Oil Company was required to provide a biological and geological baseline study of the less well known Stetson Bank before a drilling permit could be issued. Considering the almost total lack of knowledge of the geology and biotic communities associated with the South Texas OCS banks lying in or near lease blocks to be offered for sale in 1975, BLM contracted with Texas A&M University to provide the biological and geological baseline information required to facilitate judgments as to the extent and nature of restrictive regulations on drilling near these banks which might be required to insure their protection. In pursuit of this, scientists from Texas A&M University were to direct their attention toward assessments of ground fish populations, unique biological and geological features, substratum type and distribution, and the biotic and geologic relationships between these banks and those farther north.

Impedancias basales registradas durante la denervación renal por radiofrecuencia en pacientes con hipertensión arterial resistente

Objetivo: Determinar diferencias en las impedancias basales registradas durante los procedimientos de denervación renal por radiofrecuencia de los pacientes sometidos a este procedimiento en la Fundación Cardioinfantil de Bogotá durante los años 2012 a 2015. Materiales y métodos: Estudio observacional, analítico de corte retrospectivo, donde se analizaron todas las impedancias basales medidas durante los procedimientos de denervación renal, buscando diferencias significativas entre los segmentos de las arterias intervenidas, estratificados en proximal, medio distal y superior, lateral, inferior u ostial. Con seguimiento a los pacientes a tres, seis y doce meses en cuanto a presión arterial de consultorio. Resultados: Se evaluaron 150 puntos de denervación renal exitosos, correspondientes a 23 arterias renales de 11 procedimientos. La mediana de edad fue 56 años. Al realizar un modelo de regresión lineal no se encontró ninguna diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre las impedancias de ninguno de los segmentos de las arterias ni sitios anatómicos. Se documentó disminución de presión arterial sistólica a tres meses, seis meses y doce meses de 14 mmHg (RIQ 10-33mmHg), 21 mmHg (RIQ 12-42mmHg) y 19 mmHg (RIQ 11-42 mmHg) respectivamente

Geochemistry Of Acid Mine Drainage From A Coal Mining Area And Processes Controlling Metal Attenuation In Stream Waters, Southern Brazil.

Acid drainage influence on the water and sediment quality was investigated in a coal mining area (southern Brazil). Mine drainage showed pH between 3.2 and 4.6 and elevated concentrations of sulfate, As and metals, of which, Fe, Mn and Zn exceeded the limits for the emission of effluents stated in the Brazilian legislation. Arsenic also exceeded the limit, but only slightly. Groundwater monitoring wells from active mines and tailings piles showed pH interval and chemical concentrations similar to those of mine drainage. However, the river and ground water samples of municipal public water supplies revealed a pH range from 7.2 to 7.5 and low chemical concentrations, although Cd concentration slightly exceeded the limit adopted by Brazilian legislation for groundwater. In general, surface waters showed large pH range (6 to 10.8), and changes caused by acid drainage in the chemical composition of these waters were not very significant. Locally, acid drainage seemed to have dissolved carbonate rocks present in the local stratigraphic sequence, attenuating the dispersion of metals and As. Stream sediments presented anomalies of these elements, which were strongly dependent on the proximity of tailings piles and abandoned mines. We found that precipitation processes in sediments and the dilution of dissolved phases were responsible for the attenuation of the concentrations of the metals and As in the acid drainage and river water mixing zone. In general, a larger influence of mining activities on the chemical composition of the surface waters and sediments was observed when enrichment factors in relation to regional background levels were used.

Changes In The Connective Tissue Sheath Of Wistar Rat Nerve With Aging.

The alterations due to aging in the peripheral nerves can affect the physiology of these structures. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to describe the activity of the MMP-2 and MMP-9, as well as the structure and composition of the extracellular matrix of the rat sciatic nerve during maturation and aging. Our results have shown that the extracellular matrix of the sciatic nerve of 30-, 180- and 730-day-old Wistar rats present ultrastructural, morphometrical and biochemical changes during aging. The perineurium was the structure most affected by age, as evidenced by a decrease in thickness and in collagen fibril content. Cytochemical analysis detected proteoglycans in the basal membrane of Schwann cells and around perineural cells, as well as on the collagen fibrils of the perineurium and endoneurium at all ages. Biochemical analyses showed that the quantity of non-collagenous proteins was higher in 730-day-old animals compared to other ages, while the uronic acid content was higher in 30-day-old animals. Morphometrical analysis detected greater numbers of myelinated fibers and increased myelin thickness in 180-day-old animals. Zymography analysis detected greater amounts and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in 180- and 730-day-old animals compared to younger rats. In conclusion, our results showed changes in the structural organization and composition of extracellular matrix of the sciatic nerve during aging, such as increase in the non-collagenous protein content and higher MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity, decrease in uronic acid concentration and in collagen fibril content in the perineurium, as well as degeneration of nerve fibers.

Granulocyte Colony-stimulating Factor (g-csf) Positive Effects On Muscle Fiber Degeneration And Gait Recovery After Nerve Lesion In Mdx Mice.

G-CSF has been shown to decrease inflammatory processes and to act positively on the process of peripheral nerve regeneration during the course of muscular dystrophy. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of treatment of G-CSF during sciatic nerve regeneration and histological analysis in the soleus muscle in MDX mice. Six-week-old male MDX mice underwent left sciatic nerve crush and were G-CSF treated at 7 days prior to and 21 days after crush. Ten and twenty-one days after surgery, the mice were euthanized, and the sciatic nerves were processed for immunohistochemistry (anti-p75(NTR) and anti-neurofilament) and transmission electron microscopy. The soleus muscles were dissected out and processed for H&E staining and subsequent morphologic analysis. Motor function analyses were performed at 7 days prior to and 21 days after sciatic crush using the CatWalk system and the sciatic nerve index. Both groups treated with G-CSF showed increased p75(NTR) and neurofilament expression after sciatic crush. G-CSF treatment decreased the number of degenerated and regenerated muscle fibers, thereby increasing the number of normal muscle fibers. The reduction in p75(NTR) and neurofilament indicates a decreased regenerative capacity in MDX mice following a lesion to a peripheral nerve. The reduction in motor function in the crushed group compared with the control groups may reflect the cycles of muscle degeneration/regeneration that occur postnatally. Thus, G-CSF treatment increases motor function in MDX mice. Nevertheless, the decrease in baseline motor function in these mice is not reversed completely by G-CSF.