Geothermal Energy from the Main Karoo Basin (South Africa): An Outcrop Analogue Study of Permian Sandstone Reservoir Formations

The geothermal potential of the Main Karoo Basin has not been addressed in the past. A first assessment of Permian sandstone formations in the Eastern Cape Province, including down-hole temperature data from deep boreholes, and evaluation of groundwater temperature and heat flow values from literature leads to 3130 TWh (11.3 EJ) of power generation potential within the central and southern parts of the basin. The low permeability lithotypes may be operated as enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), depending on the fracture porosity in the deeper subsurface. In some areas auto-convective thermal water circulation might be expected and direct heat use becomes reasonable

Histological Study of the First Seven Days of Skin Wound Healing in Rats

The aim of this study was to elaborate a histological model of incisional skin wound healing in Sprague-Dawley rats. Under aseptic conditions two paravertebral full thickness skin incisions were performed on the back of 42 anesthetized male rats. Histological sections from tissue specimens were stained by hematoxylin and eosin, van Gieson, PAS + PSD, Mallory's phosphotungstic hematoxylin and azur and eosin and evaluated during the first seven days after surgery. Histological evaluation revealed that the regeneration of injured epidermis was completed five days after surgery. The inflammatory phase was recorded during the first three days of healing with the culmination of this phase between day one and day two. The beginning of the proliferative phase was dated to the first day and the peak during day five and day six. The initiation of the maturation and remodeling phase of the healing process was observed six days after wounding. At the layer of striated muscle, the centronucleated cells were described for the first time six days after surgery. The wound healing process of rat skin was histologically described during the first seven days. Results of this work can serve as an experimental model for further research using external pharmacological and physical factors (laser light, magnetic field) by which the wound healing can be favourably influenced

Different melt source regions for the volcanics of the bushveld large igneous province: New observations from MELTS modeling of the palaeoproterozoic Rooiberg Group (South Africa)

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordThe volcanic Rooiberg Group represents the extrusive phase of the Bushveld Magmatic Province in South Africa, forming the roof as well as the floor of the mafic-ultramafic 2057 Ma Rustenburg Layered Suite. Typically, the volcanic rocks of the Rooiberg Group vary from mafic compositions in the oldest unit (the Dullstroom Formation) to felsic compositions in the younger overlying units (the Damwal, Kwaggasnek and Schrikkloof formations). The lower parts of the Dullstroom Formation (including a basal rhyolitic unit) occur beneath the Rustenburg Layered Suite (RLS) in the southeastern part of the Bushveld Province, whereas the remainder of the Rooiberg Group occurs above the RLS. In this study, petrographic descriptions, whole rock geochemistry and MELTS modeling are used to show that the Dullstroom rhyolite could have evolved from fractional crystallisation of a siliceous and magnesian mafic liquid such as the so-called B1 liquid, parental to the lower parts of the Rustenburg Layered Suite. Due to its unique position at the base of the otherwise andesitic to dacitic Dullstroom Formation, the focus of this contribution is on the Dullstroom rhyolite and a comparison thereof with the rhyolites of the upper formations. Consistent with previous studies, the new data generated in this study show that a clear distinction can be made between the rhyolite in the Dullstroom, and those of the Damwal, Kwaggasnek and Schrikkloof formations. The Dullstroom rhyolite exhibits higher MgO contents (1.41–1.87 wt%) compared to the distinctly ferroan rhyolites of the Damwal, Kwaggasnek and Schrikkloof formations (0.01–0.91 wt% MgO). Similarly, immobile trace elements such as Y and Nb range from 9.72 to 12.7 ppm and 4.43–4.53 ppm, respectively, for the Dullstroom rhyolite, and are significantly different to the upper rhyolites (Y - 12.6–87.2 ppm and Nb - 12.3–24.2 ppm) suggesting likely petrogenetic differences. MELTS modeling shows that the Dullstroom rhyolite could not have evolved from the same liquids that generated the rhyolites of the Damwal, Kwaggasnek and Schrikkloof formations. The modeling suggests that the Dullstroom rhyolite formed through ∼20% assimilation of upper continental crustal rocks during fractional crystallisation of the B1 composition, and not from the low-Ti basaltic andesite, as previously proposed for the overlying rhyolites. The modeling aspects of this study provide evidence for different sources and melting-fractionation pathways throughout the evolution of the Bushveld Magmatic Province, consistent with characteristics recorded by the volcanic edifice of this large igneous province.DST-NRF Centre of Excellence for Integrated Mineral and Energy Resource Analysis (DST-NRF CIMERA)National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF)University of Pretori

Structural and Dynamic Numerical Models of Rockslides in the Carpathians and the Alps

peer reviewedThe stability of rock slopes is often guided by the structural geology of the rocks composing the slope. In this work, we analyse the influence of structural characteristics, and of their seismic response, on large and deep-seated rock slope failure development. The study is focused on the Tamins and Fernpass rockslides in the Alps and on the Balta and Eagles Lake rockslides in the southeastern Carpathians. These case studies are compared with catastrophic rock slope failures with ascertained or very likely seismic origin in the Tien Shan Mountains. The main goal is to identify features allowing to identify seismically induced deformation modes based on the source zone rock structures. We will present examples of classical anti-dip slope and along-strike rock structures that hint at a possible/partial seismic origin, but we will also consider a series of mixed structural types, which are more difficult to be interpreted. This morpho-structural study is supported by distinct element numerical modelling results showing that seismic shaking typically induces deeper seated deformation in initially ‘stable’ rock slopes. In addition, for failures partially triggered by dynamic shaking, these studies can help identify the contribution of the seismic factor to slope movements. The identification of the partial seismic origin on the basis of the dynamic response of rock structures can be particularly interesting for case histories in less seismically active mountain regions (in comparison with the Andes, Tien Shan, Pamirs), such as in the Alps and the Carpathian Mountains

Goldilocks or Plain Jane? The PGE metallogeny of the Bushveld LIP as recorded by the Rooiberg lavas

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record

Occurence of Anguillicola crassus, ematoda: Dracunculoidea, in eels of lake Ohrid, Macedonia

The first record of the eel parasite Anguillicola crassus Kuwahara (Niimietltagaki, 1974) from Lake Ohrid and the Republic of Macedonia is reported here. Parasitological examinations comprised 68 specimens of the eel Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus, 1758 of which 39.71% were infected with Anguillicola crassus. The prevalence varied depending on the season, with the highest value occuring during the autumn (47.06%). Average intensity of infection was 10.33. Anguillicola crassus was probably introduced into the lake by the artificial stocking with eel young, imported from abroad. It has found convenient conditions for development and multiplication in the lake due to the presence of transitional and paratenic hosts.U periodu od aprila 1995. do marta 1996. godine, na makedonskom delu Ohridskog jezera, parazitološkompretragomobuhvaćenoje68primerakajegulja (Anguilla anguilla Linnaeus, 1758), od kojih je 27 bilo inficirano nematodom Anguillicola crassus (ekstenzitet infekcije je iznosio 39,71%). Ekstenzitet infekcije je varirap u zavisnosti od sezone. Najveći je bio u toku jeseni. Intenzitet infekcije je iznosio između 1-90, a prosecan intenzitet infekcije je iznosio 10,33. Anguillicola crassus je najverovatnije uneta u jezero veštačkim poribljavanjem podmlatkom jegulja, uvezenim iz inostranstva. U jezeru je ovaj parazit našao povoljne uslove za razvoj i razmnožavanje prisustvo prelaznih i parateničnih domaćina. Anguillicola crassus je po prvi put spomenuta u ihtioparazitofauni Ohridskog jezera i Makedonije.nul

Build it, but will they come? A geoscience cyberinfrastructure baseline analsys

Understanding the earth as a system requires integrating many forms of data from multiple fields. Builders and funders of the cyberinfrastructure designed to enable open data sharing in the geosciences risk a key failure mode: What if geoscientists do not use the cyberinfrastructure to share, discover and reuse data? In this study, we report a baseline assessment of engagement with the NSF EarthCube initiative, an open cyberinfrastructure effort for the geosciences. We find scientists perceive the need for cross-disciplinary engagement and engage where there is organizational or institutional support. However, we also find a possibly imbalanced involvement between cyber and geoscience communities at the outset, with the former showing more interest than the latter. This analysis highlights the importance of examining fields and disciplines as stakeholders to investments in the cyberinfrastructure supporting science

Blaming Active Volcanoes or Active Volcanic Blame? Volcanic Crisis Communication and Blame Management in the Cameroon

This chapter examines the key role of blame management and avoidance in crisis communication with particular reference to developing countries and areas that frequently experience volcanic episodes and disasters. In these contexts, the chapter explores a key paradox prevalent within crisis communication and blame management concepts that has been rarely tested in empirical terms (see De Vries 2004; Brändström 2016a). In particular, the chapter examines, what it calls, the ‘paradox of frequency’ where frequency of disasters leads to twin dispositions for crisis framed as either: (i) policy failure (active about volcanic blame on others), where issues of blame for internal incompetency takes centre stage, and blame management becomes a focus of disaster managers, and/or: (ii) as event failure (in this case, the blaming of lack of external capacity on active volcanoes and thereby the blame avoidance of disaster managers). Put simply, the authors investigate whether perceptions of frequency itself is a major determinant shaping the existence, operation, and even perceived success of crisis communication in developing regions, and countries experiencing regular disaster episodes. The authors argue frequency is important in shaping the behaviour of disaster managers and rather ironically as part of crisis communication can shape expectations of community resilience and (non)-compliance. In order to explore the implications of the ‘paradox of frequency’ further, the chapter examines the case of the Cameroon, where volcanic activity and events have been regular, paying particular attention to the major disasters in 1986 (Lake Nyos Disaster - LND) and 1999 (Mount Cameroon volcanic eruption - MCE)

Two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations in central Pb-Pb collisions at sNN\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76 TeV

The first measurement of two-pion Bose-Einstein correlations in central Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76$ TeV at the Large Hadron Collider is presented. We observe a growing trend with energy now not only for the longitudinal and the outward but also for the sideward pion source radius. The pion homogeneity volume and the decoupling time are significantly larger than those measured at RHIC.Comment: 17 pages, 5 captioned figures, 1 table, authors from page 12, published version, figures at http://aliceinfo.cern.ch/ArtSubmission/node/388

Suppression of charged particle production at large transverse momentum in central Pb-Pb collisions at sNN=2.76\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}} = 2.76 TeV

Inclusive transverse momentum spectra of primary charged particles in Pb-Pb collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{\rm NN}}}$ = 2.76 TeV have been measured by the ALICE Collaboration at the LHC. The data are presented for central and peripheral collisions, corresponding to 0-5% and 70-80% of the hadronic Pb-Pb cross section. The measured charged particle spectra in $|\eta|<0.8$ and $0.3 < p_T < 20$ GeV/$c$ are compared to the expectation in pp collisions at the same $\sqrt{s_{\rm NN}}$, scaled by the number of underlying nucleon-nucleon collisions. The comparison is expressed in terms of the nuclear modification factor $R_{\rm AA}$. The result indicates only weak medium effects ($R_{\rm AA} \approx$ 0.7) in peripheral collisions. In central collisions, $R_{\rm AA}$ reaches a minimum of about 0.14 at $p_{\rm T}=6$-7GeV/$c$ and increases significantly at larger $p_{\rm T}$. The measured suppression of high-$p_{\rm T}$ particles is stronger than that observed at lower collision energies, indicating that a very dense medium is formed in central Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC.Comment: 15 pages, 5 captioned figures, 3 tables, authors from page 10, published version, figures at http://aliceinfo.cern.ch/ArtSubmission/node/98