ALBERT

Description / Table of Contents: This book presents a series of review articles on nine important ancient orogens on Earth. Comparison of these mountain belts provides a wealth of information for the debate on whether there has been a change in mountain-building processes through the history of the Earth. As a precursor to these papers, the rheology of the Earth’s lithosphere through time is reviewed. Theoretical analysis and insight into the behaviour of the lithosphere of other planets constrain mechanical considerations of the Earth’s lithosphere. It is clear from these overviews that geodynamic concepts and modelling, and new techniques such as deep seismic profiling and geochronology are having a profound impact on orogenic studies. It is also clear that orogenesis must not be equated with the Wilson cycle, culminating in continent-continent collision. Subduction-related orogens and intraplate orogens are also significant.

Description / Table of Contents: В сборнике опубликованы расширенные тезисы докладов российских, немецких, японских, китайских, монгольских, шведских и американских ученых на Международной конференции «Современные проблемы и будущее геокриологии», посвященной 100-летmо со дня ро)lщения одного из основоположников геокриологической науки, организатора и первого директора Института мерзлотоведения СО РАН, первого президента Международной ассоциации по мерзлотоведенmо, Героя Социалистического Труда, заслуженного деятеля науки Российской Федерации и Республики Саха (Якутия), действительного члена Академии наук СССР и РАН Павла Ивановича Мельникова (1908-1994 гг.). Материалы конференции посвящены вопросам региональной и исторической геокриологии, криогенным процессам и явлениям, гидрологии и гидрогеологии криолитозоны, динамике криогенных ландшафтов и эволюции криолитозоны под влиянием климата и антропогенных воздействий, устойчивости инженерных сооружений на мерзлых основаниях. Сборник предназначен для ученых, студентов и аспирантов в целях эффективного решения современных вопросов геокриологии и разработки программ развития научных исследований на перспективу.

Description / Table of Contents: This volume contains the extended abstracts submitted to the International Geocryological Conference "The Present and Future of Geocryology" from Russia, Germany, Japan, China, Mongolia, Sweden and the USA. This Conference is organized to commemorate the 100th birthday of Pavel I. Melnikov (1908-1994), Full Member of the USSR and Russian Academy of Sciences, who was one of the pioneers of geocryological science, founder and first director of the Permafrost Institute at Yakutsk and first president of the International Permafrost Association. The conference papers discuss the issues related to regional and historical geocryology; periglacial processes and forms; hydrology and hydrogeology in cold regions; landscape dynamics and permafrost evolution under the effects of climate change and human activities; and stability of engineering structures built on frozen ground. This volume is intended for researchers, students and post-graduates to help them efficiently solve the current geocryological problems and devise future research lines.

Description / Table of Contents: This volume represents a review of the key topics that are important to the continuing successful exploitation of gas from one of Europe's oldest hydrocarbon provinces. In a mature hydrocarbon province such as the southern North Sea, advanced techniques are needed for stratigraphic correlation and for improving the efficiency of production. Exploration in the SNS now aims for subtle traps and satellite structures. Explorers are re-evaluating the economic value of marginal and existing fields, and they are continually searching for, and applying, new techniques and technologies for enhanced productivity. Detailed techniques in diagenesis play an important role. Re-evaluation also includes examination of old plays, using detailed knowledge of the connectivity, spatial extent and correlation of known prospective strata to make reliable predictions.

Description / Table of Contents: Modern seismology has faced new challenges in the study of earthquakes and their physical characteristics. This volume is dedicated to the use of new approaches and presents a state of the art in historical seismology. Selected historical and recent earthquakes are chosen to document and constrain related seismic parameters using updated methodologies in the macroseismic analysis, field observations of damage distribution and tectonic effects, and modelling of seismic waveforms. A critical re-evaluation of historical accounts and early seismograms provides us with the basis for a realistic seismic hazard assessment.- A glimpse into the seismicity of the Ionian Islands between 1658 and 1664.- The earthquake of April 4, 1640 in the Lower Rhine Embayment.- The Value of Descriptive Earthquake Catalogues of the Eastern Mediterranean Region and the Middle East.- Sources of the 1692 and 1907 earthquakes in Jamaica.- Quantitative analysis of early seismograph recordings.- The Late 17th century earthquakes in Northwest Africa: how many (if any)?.- Richter magnitude evaluation: from historical macroseismic data to seismic waveform modelling.- In troubled times, in a divided country: the Upper Tiber Valley earthquake of 1789.- Can we improve the knowledge of historical seismicity of France, and elsewhere?.- The seismicity of Central Alps: seismological and archaeological traces, geological evidence and open problems.- The 1855 Visp (Switzerland) Earthquake: A Milestone in Macroseismic Methodology?.- Large Historical Earthquakes in Eastern/Central North America: Fact and Fiction.- Benson Making Seismograms Accessible from Historical Seismogram Filming to the Online SeismoArchives.- Attenuation of intensity for the Zemmouri earthquake of May 2003 (Mw 6.8): Insights for the seismic hazard assessment in northern Algeria.- Earthquake Fault Ruptures and Historical Seismology : A decisive step for a better constraint of the active deformation.- The case for large (M〉7) earthquakes felt in the UK in historical times.- Earthquake effects on nature and macroseismic intensity scales.- Interpretation of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake based on the historical observations of different physical phenomena.- Review of historical earthquakes in the lower middle age: earthquakes of the XIV and XV centuries in Catalonia (NE Spain).- What is the lowest magnitude threshold at which an earthquake can be felt or heard, or objects thrown into the air?

Description / Table of Contents: Microorganisms cause mineral precipitation and dissolution and control the distribution of elements in diverse environments at and below the surface of the Earth. Conversely, mineralogical and geochemical factors exert important controls on microbial evolution and the structure of microbial communities. This was the rationale for the Short Course on Geomicrobiology presented by the Mineralogical Society of America on October 18 and 19, 1997, at the Alta Peruvian Lodge in Alta, Utah. Minerals have been known and honored since humans realized their essential contributions to the "terra firma" and stone tools thrust our species on the path of cultural evolution. Microbes are the oldest living creatures, probably inhabiting at least a few salubrious environments on the earth as early as 3.8 billion years ago. At this moment in history we are only beginning to appreciate the intimate juxtaposition and interdependence of minerals and microbes. We have been nudged into this position by the realization that our earth is finite, and the recognition of many global environmental problems that minerals and microbes contribute to, both positively and negatively. In addition, our globe may not be the only site in the solar system where 'life' arose, or may persist. What all of these concerns enunciate is that we as scientists only dimly comprehend our own dynamic "terrestrial halls." This short course and volume have been generated with great enthusiasm for grasping as much as possible of the whole panorama of possibilities that involve both the inorganic and biologic realms . Over 3600 mineral species have been defined and their relationships to each other and the environments in which they form have been documented. This vast data base, collected over the past several hundred years and constantly added to and upgraded, is a monument to the research efforts of many geoscientists focused on the inorganic realm. Much of this data has come from investigators intrigued by the novelty, beauty, and versatility of minerals, direct expressions of the chemistry and physics of geologic processes. We are now adding a new dimension to questions of mineral formation, dissolution, and distribution: what were, are, and will be the contributions of microbes to these basic components of the environment. Microbes have also been known for hundreds of years. However, their small size (0.5 to 5 µm in diameter) and the difficulties associated with identifying a species unless it was grown in the laboratory (cultured), precluded thorough analysis. The advent of molecular biology has only recently made it possible to evaluate microbial evolutionary relatedness (phylogeny) and physiological diversity. These techniques are now being applied to study of microbial populations in natural environments. It is becoming very clear that the surface of Earth is populated by far more species of microbes than there are types of minerals. We are now exploring every portion of the globe and finding the relationships under the rubric "geomicrobiology." The ocean deeps are characterized by a diversity of microorganisms, including those associated with manganese nodules. The profusion and concentration of minerals created at ocean ridges and vents matches the variety of microorganisms, large animals, and plants there. The snowy tops of mountain ranges and glaciers of Antarctica harbor not just ice but whole bacterial communities whose cellular types and activities need elucidation. The equatorial jungles and the deserts, with their enormous diversity of ecological niches, further challenge us. The diversity of geographic, geologic, and biologic environments, including some contributed by humans (e.g. mines, air-conditioning equipment), can now also be explored in detail. Modern studies use protocols developed to preserve or measure in situ chemical and physical characteristics. Electron microscopes allow direct characterization of mineral and biological morphology and internal structures. Spectroscopic techniques permit complimentary chemical analysis, including determination of oxidation states, with very high spatial resolution. Other studies quantitatively measure isotopic abudances. These data serve to distinguish biologically mediated, or biologically controlled formation of the mineral from an abiotic process and mechanism. Each ecological niche requires accurate characterization of the mineralogic and biologic entities in order for us to begin to understand the range of dynamic relationships. We can pose many questions. Is the mineral only a substrate, or is its occurrence and stability impacted by microbiologic activity and metabolic requirements? Which minerals are of microbiological rather than inorganic origin and what are the mechanisms by which organisms dictate the morphology and structure of the solid phase formed? How do organic metabolic products bind metals and change their form and distribution, with implications for metal toxicity and geochemical cycles? How do inorganic reactions such as mineral dissolution and precipitation impact microbial populations through control of their physical and chemical environments? Clearly, new and excitingly research areas exist for all varieties of scientists. Although published by the Mineralogical Society of America, the authors of this volume include microbiologists, molecular biologists, biochemists, biophysicists, bioengineers as well as biomineralogists. Here, they bring together their respective expertise and perspectives to provide disciplinary and interdisciplinary background needed to define and further explore the topic of geomicrobiology. The volume is organized so as to first introduce the nature, diversity, and metabolic impact of microorganisms and the types of solid phases they interact with. This is followed by a discussion of processes that occur at cell surfaces, interfaces between microbes and minerals, and within cells, and the resulting mineral precipitation, dissolution, and changes in aqueous geochemistry. The volume concludes with a discussion of the carbon cycle over geologic time. In detail: Nealson and Stahl acquaint us with the basic properties of prokaryotes, including their size and structure. They define the types and ranges of microorganisms and their metabolisms and describe their impacts on some important biogeochemical cycles. Barns and Nierzwicki-Bauer document the phylogenetic relationships and evolution of microorganisms, begging some fundamental questions that might be now just beyond our grasp: What was the 'last common ancestor'? The physiology, biochemistry and ecology of hyperthermophilic, and the many diverse geologically important microbial species from the lithosphere and hydrosphere, as well as some of the techniques employed, are presented. Banfield and Hamers describe and integrate the processes acting on minerals and at surfaces relevant to microorganisms, examining the factors that control mineralogy, mineral forms, and the stability of phases. Surface properties and reaction rates for dissolution, precipitation, and growth of important classes of minerals are discussed. The possible role of mineral surfaces in formation of prebiotic molecules needed to explain the origin of life is examined. Little, Wagner and Lewandowski describe biofilms, an essential interface between microbes and minerals. They demonstrate that these membranes, with their unique morphological and structural attributes, are sites where much activity related to dissolution and/or formation of minerals takes place. Biology makes it possible to move molecules and elements against a gradient. Many questions regarding the transfer of elements from minerals to microbes at this important heterogeneous interface remain. Fortin, Ferris and Beveridge review surface-mediated mineral development by bacteria. Fresh or oceanic waters, anaerobic or aerobic environments provide discretely different ecologies, bacterial entities, and resulting mineralogies. It is obvious from this presentation that investigators have just scratched the surface of microbial mineralization processes. Bazlinski and Moskowitz review the magnetic biominerals and provide insights into the environmental and biological significance of these few tens of nanometer-sized mineral products. The magnetosome chemistry and biochemistry is probably the best understood of any biologically precipitated mineral. Their formation and unique properties underscore the roles these biomaterials play in the rock magnetic record and in geochemical cycles. Tebo, Ghiorse, van Waasbergen, Siering and Caspi contribute data on the roles of Mnminerals and Mn(II) oxidation in geologic environments. Their chapter encompasses molecular genetic and biochemical investigations. Manganese oxides and oxyhydroxides are notoriously difficult to identify and the crystal chemistry of these phases is a research effort on its own. The prospect of learning how microbes utilize the multiple oxidation states of Mn (2+, 3+ and 4+) as a source of energy sharpens the motivation for interdisciplinary study. Manganese is also known as a cofactor in the production and activation of the enzymes that digest large biomolecules that must be the source of the smaller molecular species and ultimately the building blocks of C, N, 0, H required by all species. How have the mechanisms identified in the bacterial systems been transferred up the phylogenetic tree to plants and humans? This is an expanding and intriguing area for further investigation. DeVrind-de Jong and de Vrind address silicate and carbonate deposition by algae (eukaryotic photosynthetic microorganisms). This chapter documents the mechanisms of biomineralization of diatoms and coccoliths. These abundant aquatic organisms are responsible for huge volumes of siliceous sediments and calcium carbonate deposits world wide. The implications of algal biomineralization for climatic variation throughout much of the Earth's history may be quite significant. Stone leads us though a quantitative approach to evaluating reactions between organic molecules and cations. He considers available extracellular organic ligands and the roles these play in uptake of metals. He documents the basic chemical speciation and complexation for several elements, making metal to metal comparisons. Remaining challenges involve coordinating the organic and inorganic results of biologic activity. Following the discussion of biomineralization and interactions between organic compounds and cations, Silver discusses the strategies microorganisms have evolved to deal with toxic metal concentrations in solution. Beyond the fundamental biological significance, this has important implications for understanding microbial populations in contaminated environments. The impact on the geochemical form (speciation) and distribution of elements is also discussed. Nordstrom and Southam summarize sulfide mineral oxidation and dissolution kinetics and devote considerable effort to describing the specific contributions of microorganisms, mostly bacteria. Despite the vast amount of accumulated information, many unanswered questions remain. Barker, Welch and Banfield address weathering of silicate minerals. This topic encompasses not only mineralogy but geomorphology, microbiology, and geochemistry. The necessary interdisciplinary mode of these investigations is highlighted by discussion of the role(s) of bacterial nutrition, groundwater chemistry, and biochemistry. There are obvious implications for hazardous waste storage, a currently daunting and politicized topic that requires predictions over thousands to millions of years. Finally, Des Marais treats the long term evolution of the carbon cycle, adopting a biogeochemical view. He discusses the sources, sinks and the transfer of the element over geologic time. Consideration of such a basic series of questions relating to the partitioning of carbon necessitate interdisciplinary crossovers. It is a fitting conclusion to a dialogue in progress.

Description / Table of Contents: Petrophysics is the study of the physical properties of rocks in the broadest sense. As such it provides the fundamental understanding that enables geologists to describe the physical state of a rock, to predict its behaviour and to interpret geophysical data. Traditionally the emphasis has been on hydrocarbon reservoir evaluation, but it is equally applicable to the evolution of the Earth at all scales. This volume includes developments in pore-scale studies, electrical properties, seismic methods and measurement techniques, as well as reviewing aspects of petrophysical prediction and interpretation.

Description / Table of Contents: Contens: Preface: H. S. Wheater, S. Sorooshian and K. D. Sharma; 1. Modelling hydrological processes in arid and semi-arid areas - an introduction H. Wheater; 2. Global precipitation estimation from satellite imagery using artificial neural networks S. Sorooshian, K.-L. Hsu, B. Imam and Y. Hong; 3. Modelling semi-arid and arid hydrology and water resources - the southern Africa experience D. A. Hughes; 4. Use of the IHACRES rainfall-runoff model in arid and semi-arid regions B. F. W. Croke and A. J. Jakeman; 5. KINEROS2 and the AGWA modelling framework D. J. Semmens, D. C. Goodrich, C. L. Unkrich, R. E. Smith, D. A. Woolhiser and S. N. Miller; 6. A distributed spatial sediment delivery model for arid regions K. D. Sharma; 7. The Modular Modeling System (MMS): a toolbox for water and environmental resources management G. H. Leavesley, S. L. Markstrom, R. J. Viger and L. E. Hay; 8. Calibration, uncertainty and regional analysis of conceptual rainfall-runoff models H. Wheater, T. Wagener and N. McIntyre; 9. Real-time flow forecasting P. C. Young; 10. Real-time flood forecasting - Indian experience R. D. Singh; 11. Groundwater modeling in hard-rock terrain in semi-arid areas: experience from India S. Ahmed, J.-C. Maréchal, E. Ledoux and G. de Marsily;