scholarly journals Properties of Impact-Related Pseudotachylite and Associated Shocked Zircon and Monazite in the Upper Levels of a Large Impact Basin: a Case Study From the Vredefort Impact Structure

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1053
Author(s):  
Elizaveta Kovaleva ◽  
Roger Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Impact Crater ◽  
Shock Pressure ◽  
Initial Structure ◽  
Impact Structure ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Host Rocks ◽  
The Impact

The Vredefort impact structure in South Africa is deeply eroded to its lowermost levels. However, granophyre (impact melt) dykes in such structures preserve clasts of supracrustal rocks, transported down from the uppermost levels of the initial structure. Studying these clasts is the only way to understand the properties of already eroded impactites. One such lithic clast from the Vredefort impact structure contains a thin pseudotachylite vein and is shown to be derived from the near-surface environment of the impact crater. Traditionally, impact pseudotachylites are referred to as in situ melt rocks with the same chemical and isotopic composition as their host rocks. The composition of the sampled pseudotachylite vein is not identical to its host rock, as shown by the micro-X-ray fluorescence (µXRF) and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry mapping. Mapping shows that the melt transfer and material mixing within pseudotachylites may have commonly occurred at the upper levels of the structure. The vein is spatially related to shocked zircon and monazite crystals in the sample. Granular zircons with small granules are concentrated within and around the vein (not farther than 6–7 mm from the vein). Zircons with planar fractures and shock microtwins occur farther from the vein (6–12 mm). Zircons with microtwins (65°/{112}) are also found inside the vein, and twinned monazite (180°/[101]) is found very close to the vein. These spatial relationships point to elevated shock pressure and shear stress, concentrated along the vein’s plane during impact.

scholarly journals Assessing the efficiency of a “buried wall” barrier in the establishment of near-surface long-term storage and disposal facilities for RW

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 96-105
Author(s):  
V. V. Suskin ◽  
◽  
I. V. Kapyrin ◽  
F. V. Grigorev ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Near Surface ◽  
Transfer Processes ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Mass Transfer Processes ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Term Storage

The article evaluates the impact of a “buried wall” barrier on the long-term safety during the long-term storage1 or in-situ disposal of nuclear legacy facilities, in particular, industrial reservoirs, as well as during the development of near-surface disposal facilities for radioactive waste (RWDF). For assessment purposes, filtration and mass transfer processes have been numerically modelled in the GeRa code based on a case study of a reference near-surface facility. The study explores in which way the available covering screen affects the dynamics of contaminant spread. It evaluates the sensitivity of the results to the dispersion parameter commonly characterized by a high degree of uncertainty.

scholarly journals Tracking Metamorphic Dehydration Reactions in Real Time with Transmission Small- and Wide-Angle Synchrotron X-ray Scattering: the Case of Gypsum Dehydration

2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
C E Schrank ◽  
K Gioseffi ◽  
T Blach ◽  
O Gaede ◽  
A Hawley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Wide Angle ◽  
Length Scales ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Rock Samples ◽  
X Ray Scattering ◽  
Dehydration Reactions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ray Scattering

Abstract We present a review of a unique non-destructive method for the real-time monitoring of phase transformations and nano-pore evolution in dehydrating rocks: transmission small- and wide-angle synchrotron X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS). It is shown how SAXS/WAXS can be applied to investigating rock samples dehydrated in a purpose-built loading cell that allows the coeval application of high temperature, axial confinement, and fluid pressure or flow to the specimen. Because synchrotron sources deliver extremely bright monochromatic X-rays across a wide energy spectrum, they enable the in situ examination of confined rock samples with thicknesses of ≤ 1 mm at a time resolution of order seconds. Hence, fast kinetics with reaction completion times of about hundreds of seconds can be tracked. With beam sizes of order tens to hundreds of micrometres, it is possible to monitor multiple interrogation points in a sample with a lateral extent of a few centimetres, thus resolving potential lateral spatial effects during dehydration and enlarging sample statistics significantly. Therefore, the SAXS/WAXS method offers the opportunity to acquire data on a striking range of length scales: for rock samples with thicknesses of ≤ 10-3 m and widths of 10-2 m, a lateral interrogation-point spacing of ≥ 10-5 m can be achieved. Within each irradiated interrogation-point volume, information concerning pores with sizes between 10-9 and 10-7 m and the crystal lattice on the scale of 10-10 m is acquired in real time. This article presents a summary of the physical principles underpinning transmission X-ray scattering with the aim of providing a guide for the design and interpretation of time-resolved SAXS/WAXS experiments. It is elucidated (1) when and how SAXS data can be used to analyse total porosity, internal surface area, and pore-size distributions in rocks on length scales from ∼1 to 300 nm; (2) how WAXS can be employed to track lattice transformations in situ; and (3) which limitations and complicating factors should be considered during experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation. To illustrate the key capabilities of the SAXS/WAXS method, we present a series of dehydration experiments on a well-studied natural gypsum rock: Volterra alabaster. Our results demonstrate that SAXS/WAXS is excellently suited for the in situ tracking of dehydration kinetics and the associated evolution of nano-pores. The phase transformation from gypsum to bassanite is correlated directly with nano-void growth on length scales between 1 and 11 nm for the first time. A comparison of the SAXS/WAXS kinetic results with literature data emphasises the need for future dehydration experiments on rock specimens because of the impact of rock fabric and the generally heterogeneous and transient nature of dehydration reactions in nature. It is anticipated that the SAXS/WAXS method combined with in situ loading cells will constitute an invaluable tool in the ongoing quest for understanding dehydration and other mineral replacement reactions in rocks quantitatively.

scholarly journals Fuel economy assessment tool for auxiliary kite propulsion of merchant ship

2018 ◽  
pp. 5-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent Podeur ◽  
Damien Merdrignac ◽  
Morgan Behrel ◽  
Kostia Roncin ◽  
Caroline Fonti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Economy ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Round Trip ◽  
Merchant Ship ◽  
Added Resistance In Waves ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Engine Power

A tool dedicated to assess fuel economy induced by kite propulsion has been developed. To produce reliable results, computations must be performed on a period over several years, for several routes and for several ships. In order to accurately represent the impact of meteorological trends variations on the exploitability of the kite towing concept, a time domain approach of the problem has been used. This tool is based on the weather database provided by the ECMWF. Two sailing strategies can be selected for assessing the performance of the kite system. For a given kite area, the simulation can be run either at constant speed or at constant engine power. A validation has been made, showing that predicted consumption is close from in-situ measurement. It shows an underestimation of 11.9% of the mean fuel consumption mainly due to auxiliary consumption and added resistance in waves that were not taken into account. To conclude, a case study is performed on a 2200 TEU container ship equipped with an 800m² kite on a transatlantic route between Halifax and Le Havre. Round trip simulations, performed over 5 years of navigation, show that the total economy predicted is of around 12% at a speed of 16 knots and around 6.5% at a speed of 19 knots.

scholarly journals Lanthanoid Complexes Supported by Retro-Claisen Condensation Products of β-Triketonates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Abad Galán ◽  
Alexandre N. Sobolev ◽  
Eli Zysman-Colman ◽  
Mark Ogden ◽  
Massimiliano Massi
Keyword(s):  
Chelating Ligands ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Reaction Conditions ◽  
Claisen Condensation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Condensation Products ◽  
Complexation Reactions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Solubility

<i>β</i>-Triketonates have been recently used as chelating ligands for lanthanoid ions, presenting unique structures varying from polynuclear assemblies to polymers. In an effort to overcome low solubility of the complexes of tribenzoylmethane, four <i>β</i>-triketones with higher lipophilicity were synthesised. Complexation reactions were performed for each of these molecules using different alkaline bases in alcoholic media. X-ray diffraction studies suggested that the ligands were undergoing decomposition under the reaction conditions. This is proposed to be caused by <i>in situ</i>retro-Claisen condensation reactions, consistent with two examples that have been reported previously. The lability of the lanthanoid cations in the presence of a varying set of potential ligands gave rise to structures where one, two, or three of the molecules involved in the retro-Claisen condensationreaction were linked to the lanthanoid centres. These results, along with measurements of ligand decomposition in the presence of base alone, suggest that using solvents of lower polarity will mimimise the impact of the retro-Claisen condensation in these complexes. <br>

scholarly journals The impact of near-surface soil moisture assimilation at subseasonal, seasonal, and inter-annual timescales

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 4831-4844 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Draper ◽  
R. Reichle
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Data Assimilation ◽  
Surface Soil ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Surface Soil Moisture ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. A 9 year record of Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer – Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) soil moisture retrievals are assimilated into the Catchment land surface model at four locations in the US. The assimilation is evaluated using the unbiased mean square error (ubMSE) relative to watershed-scale in situ observations, with the ubMSE separated into contributions from the subseasonal (SMshort), mean seasonal (SMseas), and inter-annual (SMlong) soil moisture dynamics. For near-surface soil moisture, the average ubMSE for Catchment without assimilation was (1.8 × 10−3 m3 m−3)2, of which 19 % was in SMlong, 26 % in SMseas, and 55 % in SMshort. The AMSR-E assimilation significantly reduced the total ubMSE at every site, with an average reduction of 33 %. Of this ubMSE reduction, 37 % occurred in SMlong, 24 % in SMseas, and 38 % in SMshort. For root-zone soil moisture, in situ observations were available at one site only, and the near-surface and root-zone results were very similar at this site. These results suggest that, in addition to the well-reported improvements in SMshort, assimilating a sufficiently long soil moisture data record can also improve the model representation of important long-term events, such as droughts. The improved agreement between the modeled and in situ SMseas is harder to interpret, given that mean seasonal cycle errors are systematic, and systematic errors are not typically targeted by (bias-blind) data assimilation. Finally, the use of 1-year subsets of the AMSR-E and Catchment soil moisture for estimating the observation-bias correction (rescaling) parameters is investigated. It is concluded that when only 1 year of data are available, the associated uncertainty in the rescaling parameters should not greatly reduce the average benefit gained from data assimilation, although locally and in extreme years there is a risk of increased errors.

scholarly journals Aircraft measurements of bromine monoxide, iodine monoxide, and glyoxal profiles in the tropics: comparison with ship-based and in situ measurements

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 623-687 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Volkamer ◽  
S. Baidar ◽  
T. L. Campos ◽  
S. Coburn ◽  
J. P. DiGangi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tropospheric Chemistry ◽  
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽  
Reference Spectrum ◽  
Validation Data ◽  
Tropical Ocean ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Oxygenated Hydrocarbons ◽  
Iodine Monoxide

Abstract. Tropospheric chemistry of halogens and organic carbon over tropical oceans modifies ozone and atmospheric aerosols, yet atmospheric models remain largely untested for lack of vertically resolved measurements of bromine monoxide (BrO), iodine monoxide (IO), and small oxygenated hydrocarbons like glyoxal (CHOCHO) in the tropical troposphere. BrO, IO, glyoxal, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), water vapor (H2O) and O2-O2 collision complexes (O4) were measured by the CU Airborne Multi AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (CU AMAX-DOAS) instrument, in situ aerosol size distributions by an Ultra High Sensitivity Aerosol Spectrometer (UHSAS), and in situ H2O by Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser hygrometer (VCSEL). Data are presented from two research flights (RF12, RF17) aboard the NSF/NCAR GV aircraft over the tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean (tEPO) as part of the "Tropical Ocean tRoposphere Exchange of Reactive halogens and Oxygenated hydrocarbons" (TORERO) project. We assess the accuracy of O4 slant column density (SCD) measurements in the presence and absence of aerosols, and find O4-inferred aerosol extinction profiles at 477 nm agree within 5% with Mie calculations of extinction profiles constrained by UHSAS. CU AMAX-DOAS provides a flexible choice of geometry which we exploit to minimize the SCD in the reference spectrum (SCDREF, maximize signal-to-noise), and to test the robustness of BrO, IO, and glyoxal differential SCDs. The RF12 case study was conducted in pristine marine and free tropospheric air. The RF17 case study was conducted above the NOAA RV Ka'imimoana (TORERO cruise, KA-12-01), and provides independent validation data from ship-based in situ Cavity Enhanced- and MAX-DOAS. Inside the marine boundary layer (MBL) no BrO was detected (smaller than 0.5 pptv), and 0.2–0.55 pptv IO and 32–36 pptv glyoxal were observed. The near surface concentrations agree within 20% (IO) and 10% (glyoxal) between ship and aircraft. The BrO concentration strongly increased with altitude to 3.0 pptv at 14.5 km (RF12, 9.1 to 8.6° N; 101.2 to 97.4° W). At 14.5 km 5–10 pptv NO2 agree with model predictions, and demonstrate good control over separating tropospheric from stratospheric absorbers (NO2 and BrO). Our profile retrievals have 12–20 degrees of freedom (DoF), and up to 500 m vertical resolution. The tropospheric BrO VCD was 1.5 × 1013 molec cm−2 (RF12), and at least 0.5 × 1013 molec cm−2 (RF17, 0–10 km, lower limit). Tropospheric IO VCDs correspond to 2.1 × 1012 molec cm−2 (RF12) and 2.5 × 1012 molec cm−2 (RF17), and glyoxal VCDs of 2.6 × 1014 molec cm−2 (RF12) and 2.7 × 1014 molec cm−2 (RF17). Surprisingly, essentially all BrO, and the dominant IO and glyoxal VCD fraction was located above 2 km (IO: 58 ± 5%, 0.1–0.2 pptv; glyoxal: 52 ± 5%, 3–20 pptv). To our knowledge there are no previous vertically resolved measurements of BrO and glyoxal from aircraft in the tropical free troposphere.

scholarly journals In Situ Observation of Stress Accumulation during Sub-Merged Arc Welding

2014 ◽  
Vol 996 ◽  
pp. 417-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arne Kromm ◽  
Thomas Kannengiesser
Keyword(s):  
Arc Welding ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Residual Stress State ◽  
Testing Facility ◽  
Large Scale Testing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Stress Accumulation

Results obtained from laboratory tests mostly need to be verified under fabrication conditions in order to incorporate design specifics (joint configuration and restraint), which effect the residual stress state considerably. For this purpose, multi-pass sub merged arc welding was performed in a special large-scale testing facility. The impact of varying interpass temperatures could be proven in-situ by means of a pronounced stress accumulation during welding and subsequent heat treatment accompanied by stress determination using X-ray diffraction.

scholarly journals Carbide-Modified Pd on ZrO2 as Active Phase for CO2-Reforming of Methane—A Model Phase Boundary Approach

Catalysts ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1000
Author(s):  
Norbert Köpfle ◽  
Kevin Ploner ◽  
Peter Lackner ◽  
Thomas Götsch ◽  
Christoph Thurner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Boundary ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Batch Reactor ◽  
Ambient Pressure ◽  
Composite Layer ◽  
Reaction Rates ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Zro2 Phase

Starting from subsurface Zr0-doped “inverse” Pd and bulk-intermetallic Pd0Zr0 model catalyst precursors, we investigated the dry reforming reaction of methane (DRM) using synchrotron-based near ambient pressure in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (NAP-XPS), in-situ X-ray diffraction and catalytic testing in an ultrahigh-vacuum-compatible recirculating batch reactor cell. Both intermetallic precursors develop a Pd0–ZrO2 phase boundary under realistic DRM conditions, whereby the oxidative segregation of ZrO2 from bulk intermetallic PdxZry leads to a highly active composite layer of carbide-modified Pd0 metal nanoparticles in contact with tetragonal ZrO2. This active state exhibits reaction rates exceeding those of a conventional supported Pd–ZrO2 reference catalyst and its high activity is unambiguously linked to the fast conversion of the highly reactive carbidic/dissolved C-species inside Pd0 toward CO at the Pd/ZrO2 phase boundary, which serves the role of providing efficient CO2 activation sites. In contrast, the near-surface intermetallic precursor decomposes toward ZrO2 islands at the surface of a quasi-infinite Pd0 metal bulk. Strongly delayed Pd carbide accumulation and thus carbon resegregation under reaction conditions leads to a much less active interfacial ZrO2–Pd0 state.

Zircon Microstructures Record Deformation History of Shock- and Tectonically-generated Pseudotachylites: a Case Study from the Vredefort Impact Structure, South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 2529-2546 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Kovaleva ◽  
M S Huber ◽  
G Habler ◽  
D A Zamyatin
Keyword(s):  
Tectonic Deformation ◽  
Impact Structure ◽  
Deformation Bands ◽  
Deformation History ◽  
Meteorite Impacts ◽  
History Of ◽  
Tectonic Settings ◽  
New Criterion

Abstract High-strain rate deformation can cause in situ melting of rocks, resulting in the formation of dark, micro- to nanocrystalline pseudotachylite veins. On Earth, pseudotachylite veins form during meteorite impacts, large landslides, and earthquakes. Within the Vredefort impact structure, both impact-generated and (pre-impact) tectonically-generated pseudotachylite veins have been described, but are challenging to distinguish. Here, we demonstrate a genetic distinction between two pseudotachylite veins from Vredefort by studying their petrography, degree of recrystallization and deformation, cross-cutting relationships and the deformation microstructures in associated zircon. We conclude that Vein 1 is pre-impact and tectonically-generated, and Vein 2 is impact-generated. In agreement, zircon microstructures in Vein 1 contain planar deformation bands (PDBs), attributed to tectonic deformation, whereas zircon microstructures in Vein 2 reveal microtwin lamellae, indisputable evidence of shock metamorphism. Thus, deformation microstructures in zircon may provide a new criterion for distinguishing the genetic origin of pseudotachylite veins. Zircons that have been removed from their context (i.e., alluvial or detrital zircon, zircon from Lunar breccia) should be interpreted with caution in terms of their deformation history. For example, zircon with PDBs cannot reliably be used as a marker for shock deformation, because this feature has been shown to form in purely tectonic settings.

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