ALBERT

Description: The dissociation of dolomite into magnesite and aragonite has been regarded as a useful indicator for ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphism. In this study we investigate an unusual texture involving magnesite and calcite intergrowths with dolomite relicts in a garnet-bearing dunite block from the Sulu UHP terrane, eastern China. The carbonate intergrowths typically occur as interstitial grains with low dihedral angles against surrounding olivines and have a dolomitic precursor composition. Our observations indicate that the carbonate intergrowths were initially inherited from the well-documented magnesite and aragonite assemblage after dolomite dissociation. The initial dolomite grains were likely to crystallize during the dolomitic melt metasomatism within the shallow lithospheric mantle. A series of experimental studies have well determined the equilibrium boundary of dolomite = magnesite + aragonite greater than 5 GPa along a wide temperature range, which provides direct evidence that the dunite block was subducted to depths greater than 150 km during the Triassic continental subduction. The preservation of magnesite and aragonite (now calcite) intergrowths without dolomite synthesis reaction during exhumation is probably due to the lack of fluid and rapid decompression from the peak stage to the calcite stability field. In this study, we suggest that dunite blocks from high-pressure and UHP terranes could have subducted to UHP conditions similar to garnet lherzolite and pyroxenite and were then entrained into slab slices rapidly en route to the surface.

Description: The replacement of rutile by Fe-Ti oxides is a common phenomenon during the retrogression of eclogites. Here, we report an unusual case regarding the replacement of Fe-Ti oxides by rutile during greenschist-facies metamorphic overprinting of veins in amphibolites (retrograded eclogites) from the Dabie ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) terrane, eastern China. The veins mainly consist of plagioclase, Fe-Ti oxides, and quartz, which crystallized from a Ti-rich amphibolite-facies fluid that formed during exhumation of the eclogites. Two types of textures involving the replacement of Fe-Ti oxides by rutile are recognized in the veins: (1) the first type is characterized by the development of rutile coronas (Rt-C) and other silicates (high-Fe epidote, muscovite, and chlorite) around the external boundaries of the Fe-Ti oxide grains, and (2) the second type is characterized by the formation of symplectitic intergrowths of rutile (Rt-S) and magnetite after exsolved hemo-ilmenite (H-Ilm) lamellae in the Fe-Ti oxides. The micro-textures, mineral assemblages, and Zr-in-rutile thermometry indicate that both replacement reactions involved mineral re-equilibration processes in the presence of an infiltrating fluid phase at ~476–515 °C, taking place by an interface-coupled dissolution-precipitation mechanism. Thermodynamic modeling reveals that both replacement reactions occurred during oxidation processes under relatively high-oxygen fugacity ( f O 2 ) conditions, approximately 2.5–4.5 log f O 2 units higher than the fayalite-magnetite-quartz (FMQ) reference buffer. In situ Sr isotopic analyses of epidote (Ep-C) coexisting with the Rt-C suggest that the infiltrating fluid involved in the greenschist-facies replacement reactions was externally derived from the surrounding granitic gneisses (the wall rocks of the amphibolites). Compared with the rutile in the UHP eclogites (Rt-E) and amphibolites (Rt-A), the Rt-C is characterized by distinctly lower contents of Nb (〈10 ppm) and Ta (〈2 ppm) and Nb/Ta ratios (〈10) and higher contents of Cr (〉340 ppm) and V (〉1580 ppm). These results provide a geochemical fingerprint for distinguishing the low-pressure (LP) rutile from relic high-grade phases in retrograded HP-UHP rocks. Our results reveal that rutile can form during LP retrograde stage in UHP rocks by high- f O 2 fluid-induced replacement reactions. The unusual replacements of Fe-Ti oxides by rutile-bearing assemblages during retrogression provide important constraints on fluid-mineral reactions and f O 2 variations in exhumed UHP slabs.

Description: Sensible and latent heat fluxes are often calculated from bulk transfer equations combined with the energy balance. For spatial estimates of these fluxes, a combination of remotely sensed and standard meteorological data from weather stations is used. The success of this approach depends on the accuracy of the input data and on the accuracy of two variables in particular: aerodynamic and surface conductance. This paper presents a Bayesian approach to improve estimates of sensible and latent heat fluxes by using a priori estimates of aerodynamic and surface conductance alongside remote measurements of surface temperature. The method is validated for time series of half-hourly measurements in a fully grown maize field, a vineyard and a forest. It is shown that the Bayesian approach yields more accurate estimates of sensible and latent heat flux than traditional methods.

Description: In this study, hydrological long-term dry and wet periods are analyzed for the Xijiang River basin in South China. Daily precipitation data of 118 stations and data on daily discharge at Gaoyao hydrological station at the mouth of the Xijiang River for the period 1961–2007 are used. At a 24-month timescale, the standardized precipitation index (SPI-24) for the six sub-basins of the Xijiang River and the standardized discharge index (SDI-24) for Gaoyao station are applied. The monthly values of the SPI-24 averaged for the Xijiang River basin correlate highly with the monthly values of the SDI-24. Distinct long-term dry and wet sequences can be detected. The principal component analysis is applied and shows spatial disparities in dry and wet periods for the six sub-basins. The correlation between the SPI-24 of the six sub-basins and the first principal component score shows that 67% of the variability within the sub-basins can be explained by dry and wet periods in the east of the Xijiang River basin. The spatial dipole conditions (second and third principal component) explain spatiotemporal disparities in the variability of dry and wet periods. All sub-basins contribute to hydrological dry periods, while mainly the northeastern sub-basins cause wet periods in the Xijiang River. We can also conclude that long-term dry events are larger in spatial extent and cover all sub-basins while long-term wet events are regional phenomena. A spectral analysis is applied for the SPI-24 and the SDI-24. The results show significant peaks in periodicities of 11–14.7 yr, 2.8 yr, 3.4–3.7 yr, and 6.3–7.3 yr. The same periodic cycles can be found in the SPI-24 of the six sub-basins but with some variability in the mean magnitude. A wavelet analysis shows that significant periodicities have been stable over time since the 1980s. Extrapolations of the reconstructed SPI-24 and SDI-24 represent the continuation of observed significant periodicities at given magnitudes until 2030. The projected hydrological long-term dry and wet periods can be used for planning purposes in water resources management. The applied methodologies prove to be able to identify spatial disparities, and to detect significant periodicities in hydrological long-term dry and wet periods in the Xijiang River basin.

Description: Floods and droughts are frequently causing large economic losses in China. These conditions vary in space, time, and magnitude. In this study, long-term meteorological and hydrological dryness and wetness conditions are analyzed for the Xijiang River Basin which is the largest tributary of the Zhujiang (Pearl) River. A very similar inter-annual course of precipitation and discharge can be observed. The standardized precipitation index (SPI) is used to show dryness and wetness pattern in the six sub-basins of the Xijiang River. The SPI-24 correlates high with the standardized discharge index (SDI-24) for Gaoyao hydrological station at the mouth of Xijiang River. Distinct long-term dryness and wetness sequences are found in the time series for the SPI-24 and SDI-24. The principal component analysis reveals many spatial interdependencies in dryness and wetness conditions for the sub-basins and explains some spatio-temporal disparities. Moderate dryness conditions have a larger spatial impact than moderate wetness conditions in the sub-basins. The loading pattern of the first principal component shows that the correlation with the entire Xijiang River Basin is highest in the eastern and lowest in the western sub-basins. Further spatial dipole conditions explain the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of dryness and wetness conditions. Accordingly, the precipitation in the eastern sub-basins contributes more to the hydrological wetness conditions than in the western sub-basins, which mainly contribute to dryness patterns. The spectral analysis for the SPI-24 (entire Xijiang River Basin) and SDI-24 shows similar peaks for periods of 11–14.7 yr, 2.8 yr, 3.4–3.7 yr, and 6.3–7.3 yr. The same periods can be found for the SPI-24 of Xijiang River's six sub-basins with some variability in the magnitude. The wavelet analysis shows that the most significant periods are stable over time since the 1980s. The extrapolations of the reconstructed time series do not suggest any spatial or temporal changes in the occurrence of dryness and wetness conditions in the next two decades but a continuation of the observed cycles at given magnitude. It can be concluded that long-term hydrological dryness and wetness conditions are directly caused by periodic cycles of meteorological conditions (i.e. precipitation). The applied methodologies prove to be able to identify spatial interdependencies and corresponding regional disparities, and to detect significant periodicities in long-term dryness and wetness conditions in the Xijiang River Basin.

Description: This study investigates future changes of dryness/wetness in China during the first 50 years of the 21st century according to the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), which is calculated by monthly precipitation data of ECHAM5/MPI-OM. Three anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission scenarios SRES-A2, SRES-A1B and SRES-B1 have been considered. The frequency of dry/wet periods in ten river basins is counted and the trend is analyzed and detected by a linear regression model and the Mann-Kendall non-parametric test. The results reveal that there is a trend towards drier conditions from Northeast to Southwest China in scenario A2 and a similar spatial distribution pattern in scenario A1B and B1. Areas with a high frequency of drought are detected under three scenarios. In the next half century, the Haihe River basin is expected to show a significant trend towards drier conditions, which pass the 95% confidence level in scenario A2. In the Yellow River basin, the Huaihe River basin, the Yangtze River basin and the Pearl River basin an obvious trend towards wetter conditions has been detected in scenario A1B. The Songhuajiang River basin, the Haihe River basin, the Yellow River basin and the Huaihe River basin show a trend towards wetter conditions, which passed the 90% confidence level in scenario B1. In addition, a decadal variation of dryness/wetness is projected for all the river basins.

Description: Surface fluxes are important boundary conditions for climatological modeling and the Asian monsoon system. Recent availability of high-resolution, multi-band imagery from the ASTER (Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) sensor has enabled us to estimate surface fluxes to bridge the gap between local scale flux measurements using micrometeorological instruments and regional scale land-atmosphere exchanges of water and heat fluxes that are fundamental for the understanding of the water cycle in the Asian monsoon system. A Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) method based on ASTER data and field observations has been proposed and tested for deriving net radiation flux (Rn), soil heat flux (G0), sensible heat flux (H) and latent heat flux (λ E) over heterogeneous land surface in this paper. As a case study, the methodology was applied to the experimental area of the WATER (Watershed Allied Telemetry Experimental Research), located at the mid-to-upstream sections of the Heihe River, northwest China. The ASTER data of 3 May and 4 June in 2008 was used in this paper for the case of mid-to-upstream sections of the Heihe River Basin. To validate the proposed methodology, the ground-measured land surface heat fluxes (net radiation flux (Rn), soil heat flux (G0), sensible heat flux (H) and latent heat flux (λ E)) were compared to the ASTER derived values. The results show that the derived surface variables and land surface heat fluxes in different months over the study area are in good accordance with the land surface status. It is therefore concluded that the proposed methodology is successful for the retrieval of land surface heat fluxes using the ASTER data and filed observation over the study area.

Description: Sensible and latent heat fluxes are often calculated from bulk transfer equations combined with the energy balance. For spatial estimates of these fluxes, a combination of remotely sensed and standard meteorological data from weather stations on the ground is used. The success of this approach depends on the accuracy of the input data and on the accuracy of two variables in particular: aerodynamic and surface conductance. This paper presents a Bayesian approach to improve estimates of sensible and latent heat fluxes by using a priori estimates of aerodynamic and surface conductance alongside remote measurements of surface temperature. The method is validated for time series of half-hourly measurements in a fully grown maize field, a vineyard and a forest. It is shown that the Bayesian approach yields more accurate estimates of sensible and latent heat flux than traditional methods.

Description: Local coupling between nitrogen fixation and denitrification in current biogeochemical models could result in a run-away feedback in open-ocean oxygen minimum zones (OMZs), eventually stripping OMZ waters of all fixed nitrogen. This feedback does not seem to operate at full strength in the ocean, as nitrate does not generally become depleted in open-ocean OMZs. To explore in detail the mechanism that prevents nitrogen depletion in the OMZ of the Eastern Tropical South Pacific (ETSP), we develop a box model with fully prognostic cycles of carbon, nutrients, and oxygen in the upwelling region and its adjacent open ocean. Ocean circulation is calibrated with Δ14C data of the ETSP. The sensitivity of the simulated nitrogen cycle to nutrient and oxygen exchange and ventilation from outside the model domain and remineralization scales inside an OMZ is analysed. For the entire range of model configurations explored, we find that the fixed-N inventory can be stabilized at non-zero levels in the ETSP OMZ only if the remineralization rate via denitrification is slower than that via aerobic respiration. In our optimum model configuration, lateral oxygen supply to the model domain required at rates sufficient to oxidize at least about a fifth of the export production in the model domain to prevent anoxia in the deep ocean. Under these conditions, our model is in line with the view of phosphate as the ultimate limiting nutrient for phytoplankton, and implies that for the current notion of nitrogen fixation being favored in N-deficit waters, the water column of the ETSP could even be a small net source of fixed-N.

Description: Both atmospheric deposition and benthic remineralization influence the marine nitrogen cycle, and hence ultimately also marine primary production. The biological and biogeochemical relations of the eastern tropical South Pacific (ETSP) to nitrogen deposition, benthic denitrification and phosphate regeneration are analysed in a prognostic box model of the oxygen, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in the ETSP. In the model, atmospheric nitrogen deposition based on estimates for the years 2000–2009 is offset by half by reduced N2 fixation, with the other half transported out of the model domain. Both model- and data-based benthic denitrification are found to trigger nitrogen fixation, partly compensating for the NO3− loss. Since phosphate is the ultimate limiting nutrient in the model, enhanced sedimentary phosphate regeneration under suboxic conditions stimulates primary production and subsequent export production and NO3− loss in the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). A sensitivity analysis of the local response to both atmospheric deposition and benthic remineralization indicates dominant stabilizing feedbacks in the ETSP, which tend to keep a balanced nitrogen inventory, i.e., nitrogen input by atmospheric deposition is counteracted by decreasing nitrogen fixation; NO3− loss via benthic denitrification is partly compensated by increased nitrogen fixation; enhanced nitrogen fixation stimulated by phosphate regeneration is partly removed by the stronger water-column denitrification. Even though the water column in our model domain acts as a NO3− source, the ETSP including benthic denitrification might become a NO3− sink.