Expedition 302 summary

The first scientific drilling expedition to the central Arctic Ocean was completed in September 2004. Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 302, Arctic Coring Expedition (ACEX), recovered sediment cores to 428 meters below seafloor (mbsf) in water depths of ~1300 m, 250 km from the North Pole. Expedition 302’s destination was the Lomonosov Ridge, hypothesized to be a sliver of continental crust that broke away from the Eurasian plate at ~56 Ma. As the ridge moved northward and subsided, marine sedimentation occurred and continues to the present, resulting in what was anticipated from seismic data to be a continuous paleoceanographic record. The elevation of the ridge above the surrounding abyssal plains (~3 km) ensured that sediments atop the ridge were free of turbidites. The primary scientific objective of Expedition 302 was to continuously recover this sediment record and to sample the underlying sedimentary bedrock by drilling and coring from a stationary drillship. The biggest challenge during Expedition 302 was maintaining the drillship’s location while drilling and coring in 2–4 m thick sea ice that moved at speeds approaching 0.5 kt. Sea-ice cover over the Lomonosov Ridge moves with one of the two major Arctic sea-ice circulation systems, the Transpolar Drift, and responds locally to wind, tides, and currents. Until now, the high Arctic Ocean Basin, known as “mare incognitum” within the scientific community, had never before been deeply cored because of these challenging sea-ice conditions. Initial results reveal that biogenic carbonate is present only in the Holocene–Pleistocene interval. The upper 198 mbsf represents a relatively high sedimentation rate record of the past 18 m.y. and is composed of sediment with ice-rafted debris and dropstones, suggesting that ice-covered conditions extended at least this far back in time. Details of the ice type (e.g., iceberg versus sea ice), timing, and characteristics (e.g., perennial versus seasonal) await further study. A hiatus occurs at 193.13 mbsf, spanning a 25 m.y. interval from the early Miocene to the middle Eocene between ~18 Ma and 43 Ma. The sediment record during the middle Eocene is of dark, organic-rich biosiliceous composition. Isolated pebbles, interpreted as ice-rafted dropstones, are present down to 239 mbsf, well into this middle Eocene interval. Around the lower/middle Eocene boundary an abundance of Azolla spp. occurs, suggesting that a fresh and/or low-salinity surface water setting dominated the region during this time period. Although predrilling predictions based on geophysical data had placed the base of the sediment column at 50 Ma, drilling revealed that the uppermost Paleocene to lowermost Eocene boundary interval, well known as the Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), was recovered. During the PETM, the temperature of the Arctic Ocean surface waters exceeded 20°C. Drilling during Expedition 302 also penetrated into the underlying sedimentary bedrock, revealing a shallow-water depositional environment of Late Cretaceous age

Charting NeuLAND: Towards multi-neutron reconstruction with the New Large Area Neutron Detector and The virtual γ-ray spectrometer G4Horus

This thesis presents work on the New Large Area Neutron Detector NeuLAND, which will be used at the upcoming Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR), Germany. Assembly steps for detector modules are described, followed by experiments performed with the NeuLAND Demonstrator in Japan. The detector is also assembled virtually for Monte Carlo simulations, including a conversion process from energy depositions to experimental look-alike events. This detector response is in good agreement with experimental data from Japan. Performance and behavior of newly developed reconstruction methods are mapped out for different detector sizes. These algorithms can reconstruct multiplicity and primary interaction points for many incoming neutrons. In addition, the groundwork for event reconstruction with neural networks is laid. In the second part, the Geant4 application G4Horus is presented, which implements a virtual version of the HORUS γ-ray spectrometer used at the Institute for Nuclear Physics, University of Cologne. The high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors in this spectrometer are often used to measure γ-rays from 5 MeV to 10 MeV. No standardized calibration sources are available at these energies, and the efficiency calibration is challenging. G4Horus alleviates this problem with easy to use efficiency simulations. More complex experiments with particle detectors and respective data analysis procedures can be understood and improved with matching simulations. Here, G4Horus provides listmode data with simulated particle-γ coincidences

Climatic cyclicity at Site 806; the GRAPE record

We used the continuous saturated bulk density records collected by the gamma-ray attenuation porosity evaluator (GRAPE) at Ocean Drilling Program Site 806 on the top of the Ontong Java Plateau to evaluate the continuity of the recovered cores and to splice together a complete section from the multiple holes drilled at the site (for the upper 165 m, this is equivalent to approximately 0-5 Ma). The lack of offset in core breaks (between the 9.5-m-long, successive cores) from hole to hole made splicing difficult, and the results are not unambiguous. The composite section was converted to a time series by using biostratigraphy and supplementing this with oxygen-isotope datums for the interval between 2 and 5 Ma. Evolutionary spectra generated from the composite section clearly indicate the presence of Milankovitch frequencies throughout the record. We chose a final age model that was most consistent with a Milankovitch model but have not, as yet, spectrally tuned the data. The GRAPE (saturated bulk density) changes at Site 806 are the result of changes in grain size, with density decreasing as grain size increases. We attribute this to the removal of fine particles by winnowing, leaving a greater percentage of large hollow foraminifers behind— the winnowing effect. This is in contrast to the dissolution effect, which breaks up large hollow foraminifers into fragments but merely transfers intraparticle porosity to interparticle porosity and thus shows significant changes in grain size without significant changes in density. A 300-k.y. piston core record reveals that during this time interval increased winnowing has been associated with glacials and 100-k.y. cyclicity. For the time interval from 5 to 2 Ma, enhanced winnowing continues to be associated with isotopically heavy intervals dominated by 41-k.y. (obliquity) variance. In this band, the winnowing record is highly correlated with the ice-volume record, particularly since the onset of Northern Hemisphere glaciations. Before that time, the grain-size record continues to show variance in the obliquity band whereas the oxygen isotope record shows a shift to the dominance of precessional frequencies. We suggest that the winnowing signal is a response to increased thermohaline circulation and benthic storm activity associated with enhanced north-south thermal gradients during times of climatic degradation

Evolution of Pliocene climate cyclicity at Hole 806B (5-2 Ma); oxygen isotope record

A detailed Pliocene oxygen isotope record from the Ontong Java Plateau, based on measurements of the surface-dwelling planktonic foraminifer Globigerinoides sacculifer, was produced for the period from 5 to 2 Ma. The record documents major long and short-term climate changes. The results show periods of enhanced ice volume at 4.6 to 4.3 Ma and after 2.85 Ma, a long-term warming trend from 4.1 to 3.7 Ma, and a distinct cooling trend that was initiated at 3.5 Ma and progressed through the initiation of large-scale Northern Hemisphere glaciation after 2.85 Ma (according to the time scale of Shackleton and others proposed in 1990). Periods of high average ice volumes also show the highest δ 1 8 amplitudes. The pattern of climate cyclicity changed markedly at about 2.85 Ma. Earlier times were marked by high-frequency variability at the precessional frequencies or even higher frequencies, pointing to low-latitude processes as a main controlling factor driving planktonic δ 1 8 variability in this period. The high-frequency variability is not coherent with insolation and points to strong nonlinearity in the way the climate system responded to orbital forcing before the onset of large scale Northern Hemisphere glaciation. After 3 Ma, stronger 41-k.y. cyclicity appears in the record. The shift in pattern is clearest around 2.85 Ma (according to the time scale proposed by Shackleton and others in 1990), 100-200 k.y. before the most dramatic spread of Northern Hemisphere ice sheets. This indicates that high-latitude processes from this point on began to take over and influence most strongly the δ 1 8 record, which now reflects ice-volume fluctuations related to the climatic effects of obliquity forcing on the seasonality of high-latitude areas, most probably in the Northern Hemisphere. The general Pliocene trend is that high-latitude climate sensitivity and instability was increasing, and the causal factors producing the intensified glacial cyclicity during the Pliocene must be factors that enhance cooling and climate sensitivity in the subarctic areas

Gesprächsreihe zu Strukturreformen im Europäischen Bankensektor: Managementvergütung im Bankensektor

In der ersten Veranstaltung der „Gesprächsreihe zu Strukturreformen im europäischen Bankensektor“ diskutierten Professor Dr. Jan Krahnen und Dr. Thomas Mayer den im Liikanen-Bericht enthaltenen Vorschlag zur Managervergütung im Bankensektor. Der Vorschlag baut auf einem der Kernvorschläge der Liikanen-Kommission auf, nach dem Finanzinstitute gehalten sein sollen, einen Teil ihres Fremdkapitals so zu strukturieren, dass, bei Schieflage des Finanzinstituts, eine Inhaftungnahme der Gläubiger dieses Fremdkapitals möglich wird. Um dies zu erreichen, empfiehlt die Liikanen-Kommission für alle Banken, dass diese einen festgelegten Prozentsatz ihres Kapitals als „Bail-in Anleihen“ begeben müssen. Der Vorschlag zur Managervergütung sieht vor Bail-in Anleihen für die leistungsorientierte und anreizorientierte Entlohnung von Managern einzusetzen, um Anreize zu geben, die Risikopolitik des Unternehmens so zu verankern, dass auch längerfristig keine exorbitanten Risiken auftreten

Quality Test Procedures & Emissions with DPF+SCR Systems

The combined exhaust gas aftertreatment systems (DPF+SCR) are the most efficient way and the best available technology (BAT) to radically reduce the critical Diesel emission components particles (PM&NP) and nitric oxides (NOx). SCR (selective catalytic reduction) is regarded as the most efficient deNOx-system, diesel particle filters are most efficient for soot abatement. Today, several suppliers offer combined systems for retrofitting of HD vehicles.Quality standards for those quite complex systems and especially for retrofit systems are needed to enable decisions of several authorities and to estimate the potentials of improvements of the air quality in highly populated agglomerations.The present paper informs about the VERTdePN *) quality test procedures, which were developed in an international network project with the same name (dePN … decontamination, disposal of PM / NP and of NOx) 2007-2011. Some interesting results of research on the engine dynamometer from the last test period 2011-2013 are given as a complement of the already published results.The objective to introduce the SCR-, or combined DPF+SCR-systems in the VERT verification procedure was accomplished.During the tests additionally to the regulated gaseous emissions several unregulated components such as NH3, NO2 and N2O were measured. The analysis of nanoparticle emissions was performed with SMPS and NanoMet.The most important statements are:•the procedures for the quality verification of SCR-, or (DPF+SCR) - systems are developed and confirmed,•these test procedures on HD-chassis dynamometer and on-road are useful for OEM- and for retrofit systems,•engine dynamometer testing enables the deepest insight in the investigated system concerning: secondary- and non-legislated emissions, variations of feed factor, analysis on different sampling positions and at specific engine operating conditions (like legal test procedures),•testing on HD-chassis dynamometer can partially replace the engine dynamometer depending on the possibilities of the installation,•testing of SCR-systems on vehicle is important, because of urea dosing, urea mixing and electronic control, •the filtration efficiency of a DPF is independent of the operating condition (except of regeneration period, or passing over the maximum space velocity),•the NOx reduction efficiency of SCR-systems is dependent on the operating conditions, because of the optimaltemperature window of the SCR-catalysis; at the conditions with exhaust temperature below 200°C the urea dosing is stopped.There is an intense further development of those aftertreatment systems and their electronic control, which opens further potentials of improvements

Nanoparticle Counts Emissions of Trucks: EURO 3 with and without DPF Compared to EURO 4 and EURO 5

Investigations of emissions from three modern HD vehicles (HDV) were carried out on a chassis-dynamometer. One of the vehicles uses PM-Kat and is certified according to EURO4. The second one is EURO5 compliant and uses SCR. The third one is was a EURO3 HDV, which was tested with and without VERT-certified DPF. The investigation focussed on solid particles in the mobility size range of 10-400nm. The instruments were SMPS, NanoMet, PASS and ELPI. Sampling conformed to PMP for SMPS and NanoMet, PASS and ELPI were used with FPS-dilution. Metallic emissions were measured using ICP-MS. Also measured were inherent secondary emissions, especially NO2 and NH3. Compared to EURO3 without DPF a moderate curtailment of nanoparticle emissions was observed for the majority of operating points for EURO4 with PM-Kat and EURO5 with SCR. However, at full load the EURO5 engine emitted higher concentrations than a EURO3 engine without DPF. A stochastic particle release was observed from the PM-Kat of the EURO4 engine. Its penetration scatter was very much dependant on the soot burden and the testing history. Compared to a EURO3 engine with a DPF conforming to VERT criteria, both modern engines EURO4 and EURO5 emitted 100-500 times more nanoparticles. Very good results of the gaseous emissions – a significant reduction of NOx – showed the EURO5 engine. There were no deleterious effects observed due to the SCR. The concentrations of NH3 and N2O remained close to the detection limit. However, the EURO4 engine emitted rather high concentrations of NO2 at about half load range. Emissions of Vanadium with EURO5 and Platinum with EURO4 were low in both cases, even below detection limit

Annual Policy Report 2011

Der Politikbericht 2011 der deutschen nationalen Kontaktstelle für das Europäische Migrationsnetzwerk (EMN) gibt einen Überblick über die wichtigsten politischen Diskussionen und Entwicklungen in den Bereichen Migration, Integration und Asyl in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland für das Jahr 2011. Der Bericht nimmt besonderen Bezug auf Maßnahmen, welche die Bundesrepublik Deutschland zur Umsetzung des Europäischen Pakts zu Einwanderung und Asyl und des Stockholm Programms des Europäischen Rats beschlossen hat (eine gesonderte Übersicht zur Umsetzung der konkreten Zielvorgaben befindet sich im Anhang des Berichts). Diese Maßnahmen werden durch weitere Gesetze und Initiativen der Bundesregierung in den Bereichen Migration, Integration und Asyl ergänzt. Außerdem stellt der Bericht die allgemeine Struktur des politischen und rechtlichen Systems in Deutschland dar und skizziert die wichtigsten politischen und institutionellen Veränderungen im Jahr 2011.The 2011 Policy Report by the German National Contact Point for the European Migration Network (EMN) provides an overview of the most important political discussions and developments in migration, integration and asylum in the Federal Republic of Germany for the year 2011. The report focuses in particular on measures enacted by the Federal Republic of Germany for implementing the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum and the Stockholm Programme of the European Council (a separate report on implementing concrete goals is in the appendix to this report). These measures are supplemented by additional laws and initiatives by the Federal Government in the areas of migration, integration and asylum. Furthermore, the report describes the general structure of the political and legal system of Germany, and outlines the most important political and institutional changes of 2011