Sedimentation processes on the Antarctic continental margin at Kapp Norvegia during the Late Pleistocene

Sedimentological analyses concerning ice rafted debris, grain size distribution, biogeneous components, and clay mineral composition of four sediment cores from the Antarctic continental margin off Kapp Norvegia reveal a cyclical pattern of three different sediment facies. These are classified into warm and cold types, representing warm and cold climatic periods and a short transition period from cold to warm events.The sedimentological parameters reflect the variations with the cryosphere and the hydrosphere, which are directly influenced by the climatic fluctuations. The unusually high content of carbonaceous planktonic and benthonic foraminifera in these polar sediments, as well as the interfingering of terrigeneous and biogeneous-rich sediments with increasing distance from the continent, might reflect the influence of the Weddell Sea Polynya and the oscillations of polynya, pack ice and ice shelf extent during the late Pleistocene

Internal structure and origin of the double reefs of North Bohol and the Olango reef flat (Philippines)

Nine holes were drilled with a submersible hydraulic drill into the slopes and reef flats of the Caubyna and Calituban reefs as well as of Olango Flat. The maximum depth of core penetration was 11 m. 14C ages showed that the Caubyan and Caltituban reefs were formed within the last 6,000 years. Corals settled on a pre-existing relief prallel to the island of Bohol, building a framework for other carbonate-producing organisms. The reef flat south of Olango has a different structure. Formation took place during a Pleistocene high sea level, e.g. 125,000 years ago

Electron-spin dynamics in elliptically polarized light waves

We investigate the coupling of the spin angular momentum of light beams with elliptical polarization to the spin degree of freedom of free electrons. It is shown that this coupling, which is of similar origin as the well-known spin-orbit coupling, can lead to spin precession. The spin-precession frequency is proportional to the product of the laser-field's intensity and its spin density. The electron-spin dynamics is analyzed by employing exact numerical methods as well as time-dependent perturbation theory based on the fully relativistic Dirac equation and on the nonrelativistic Pauli equation that is amended by a relativistic correction that accounts for the light's spin density

Quaternary sediment patterns in the Weddell Sea: relations and environmental conditions

Sediment patterns such as texture, composition, and facies from three selected areas of the Antarctic continental margin of the Weddell Sea are discussed in relation to environmental variations of the Quaternary hydrosphere and kryosphere. Advance and retreat of ice shelves as well as oscillations in sea ice coverage are reflected by particular sediment facies. The distribution of ice-rafted detritus tracks the Antarctic Coastal Current, and the Weddell Sea Bottom water contour current can be recognized by its distinctive winnowing and erosion pattern. Distribution and abundance of biogenic sediment components are mainly controlled by duration of sea ice coverage reflecting the long-term climatic evolution

CONSUMER RISK PERCEPTION PROFILES FOR THE FOOD-RELATED BIOTECHNOLOGY, RECOMBINANT BOVINE GROWTH HORMONE (rbGH)

Consumer risk perception, biotechnology, bovine growth hormone, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,