Planetary Process Research Articles

Stratigraphic framework for the plume mode of mantle convection and the analysis of interregional unconformities on geological maps

Mantle convection is a fundamental planetary process. Its plate mode is established and expressed by plate tectonics. Its plume mode also is established and expressed by interregional geological patterns. We developed both an event-based stratigraphic framework to illustrate the surface effects predicted by the plume model of Griffiths et al. (1989) and Griffiths and Campbell (1990) and a methodology to analyze continent-scale geological maps based on unconformities and hiatuses. The surface expression of ascending plumes lasts for tens-of-millions-of-years and rates vary over a few million years. As the plume ascends, its surface expression narrows, but increases in amplitude, leaving distinct geological and stratigraphic patterns in the geologic record, not only above the plume-head center, but also above its margins and in distal regions a few thousands-of-kilometers from the center. To visualize these patterns, we constructed sequential geological maps, chronostratigraphic sections, and hiatus diagrams. Dome-uplift with erosion (Şengör, 2001) and the flood basalts (Duncan and Richards, 1991; Ernst and Buchan, 2001a) are diagnostic starting points for plume-stratigraphic analyses. Mechanical collapse of the dome results in narrow rifting (Burke and Dewey, 1973), drainage-network reorganization (Cox, 1989), and flood-basalt eruption. In the marginal region, patterns of vertical movement, deformation and surface response are transient and complex. At first, the plume margin is uplifted together with the central region, but then it subsides as the plume ascents farther; With plume-head flattening, the plume margin experiences renewed outward-migrating surface uplift, erosion, broad crustal faulting, and drainage reorganization. Knickpoint migration occurs first inward-directed at ½ the rate of plume ascent and later outward-directed at the rate of asthenospheric flow. Interregional-scale unconformity-bounded stratigraphic successions document the two inversions. The distal regions, which did not experience any plume-related uplift, yield complete sedimentary records of the event; Event-related time gaps (hiatuses) in the sedimentary record increase towards the center, but the event horizon is best preserved in the distal region; it may be recognized by tracing its contacts from the center outwards. We extracted system- and series-hiatuses from interregional geological maps and built hiatus maps as proxies for paleo-dynamic topography and as a basis for comparison with results from numerical models. Interregional-scale geological maps are well suited to visualize plume-related geological records of dynamic topography in continental regions. However, geological records and hiatus information at the resolution of stages will be needed at interregional scales. The plume-stratigraphic framework is event-based, interregional, but not global, with time-dependent amplitudes that are significantly larger than those of global eustatic sea-level fluctuations. Global stratigraphic syntheses require integration of plate- and plume-stratigraphic frameworks before eustatic contributions may be assessed.

With the knowledge to the world of ecological development: Case of the 'Trepca' company, Kosovska Mitrovica

The modern era, in which humanity has encountered, is characterized by the numerous events, global economy, new world market, global ecological crisis, and permanent changes in all segments of business: in science, technique, technology, organization, management, etc., where the central place belongs to a key resource, that is the to human resources from which everything starts and everything depends. Today, it is necessary to have the high quality human resources that can ensure the effective realization of business and environmental policy objectives and are adequately related to the rapid technological changes that are increasingly turbulent and the changes in ownership transformation in which the Serbian society is still. Through the economic activity, the globalization of the world society more and more finds its foothold in all other spheres of life and work of modern man. As one planetary process it brings numerous criteria, standards and rules in all spheres of which the great emphasis is on the protection of the working and living environment as an inalienable property of humans, related to the life, health biological and spiritual integrity, survival and development. Today, there are many efforts in the world in order to make ecological problems crucial in the international and national legislation of every single country, and become the social responsibility of every enterprise, educational system and moral code of every individual. The Serbian society has encountered the ecological disaster caused by the war events in this area, as well as the other ecological problems caused by numerous industries. The region of Kosovo and Metohija with accent on the Kosovska Mitrovica area is concerned with numerous industrial waste materials resulted from various processes in the 'Trepca' company. These materials, by their structure and method of disposal in the landfills, cause a great ecological problems and threats to the life and health of people, which will also be discussed in this paper.

The challenges of globalization

Globalization is a planetary process because the steamroller of the computer revolution, the expansion of the world market, free circulation of goods and capital make society more and more an interdependent network. Contemporary society is in a deeper division of destiny with rising risks, as well as threats. On the one hand there is such increase of cooperation and connection between countries and nations, and on the other hand many new regional conflicts of wider scale threaten to happen. The existence of different nations, religions, traditions, interests, monopolies, values and morals is the destiny of all inhabitants of the planet. Globalization is the unavoidable historical course. It is the driving force of the world and all societies are confronted with a challenge of adaptation to the new world order. However, the path of modern society is open and uncertain; it can lead to either unification or fragmentation of the world, cooperation of civilization or conflicts of people. If the world wants to survive, it must cooperate regardless of many antagonisms, mistrust and military competition of the great powers. The modern world requires much wisdom and good will, concession and understanding in order to build brighter, shared future for all.

From the Nadir of Negativity towards the Cusp of Reconciliation

This contribution addresses the anthropocenic challenge from a dialectical perspective, combining a diagnostics of the present with a prognostic of the emerging future. It builds on the oeuvres of two prominent dialectical thinkers, namely Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) and Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955). Hegel himself was a pre-anthropocenic thinker who did not yet thematise the anthropocenic challenge as such, but whose work allows us to emphasise the unprecedented newness of the current crisis. I will especially focus on his views on Earth as a planetary process, emphasising that (in the current situation) the “spirit” of technoscience is basically monitoring the impacts of its own activities on geochemistry and evolution. Subsequently, I will turn attention to Teilhard de Chardin, a palaeontologist and philosopher rightfully acknowledged as one of the first thinkers of the Anthropocene whose oeuvre provides a mediating middle term between Hegel’s conceptual groundwork and the anthropocenic present. Notably, I will discuss his views on self-directed evolution, on the on-going absorption of the biosphere by the noosphere, and on emerging options for “sublating” the current crisis into a synthetic convergence towards (what Teilhard refers to as) the Omega point. I will conclude that (a), after disclosing the biomolecular essence of life, biotechnology must now take a radical biomimetic turn (a shift from domesticating nature to the domestication of domestication, i.e., of technology); that (b) reflection itself must become distributed and collective; and (c), that the anthropocenic crisis must be sublated into the noocene.

Experimental Research on Dressing Parameters of the Plate in Planetary Double-Sided Grinding Process

Dressing parameters, which directly affect the flatness of the plate, are very important in planetary double-sided grinding dressing process. In this paper, trajectory and velocity equations of grit are studied. By comparing to the trajectory density of different annular regions, this paper puts forward an evaluation method of the shape of the plate and explores the impact of rotation speed on the shape of the plate. Finally, the experiments are performed by adjusting the rotation speed of the sun wheel and the plate. The results show that the flatness of the plate can be dressed below 0.01 mm, which validates the correctness of the theory.

Planning for Planet or City?

If we now live with a planetary urban process (Brenner & Schmid, 2015a), the very idea of “future cities” must be brought into question. Indeed, we might ask whether urban planning has morphed into planetary planning, with its primary charge being the construction of vast networks of urban systems coordinating a global capitalist process. This commentary cautions against such over-extended theories of urbanization and related planning practices. Although global capitalism has engendered profound spatial changes, the concept of the city remains a crucial social and political idea. By outlining the continued centrality of the city to social and political life, the commentary argues for a democratic evaluation of the urban form in order to plan for, and realize, more just cities.

Handling of Human-Geosphere Intersections

This essay introduces the notion of “human-geosphere intersections”, describes “engineering” as an aspect of anthropogenic global change, and reflects on particular “paradigms” that may govern human-geosphere intersections. Seen conceptually, engineering is undertaken to meet needs and preferences of people within a composite framework of technological means, scientific insights, worldviews, and value system. Nowadays, the engineering of production systems, of consumption patterns, and of related intersections of human activities with the biotic and abiotic environments is a central feature of the anthropogenic global change process. In the last centuries, the cultural evolution of humankind took a development path that now is furthering an engineered planetary process to intersect properties of the geo-biosphere with the noosphere (“human-geosphere intersections”). Four paradigms, ”adjustment”, “dovetailing”, “decoupling” and “modulating” are discussed, which may frame the engineering of human-geosphere intersections. These paradigms convene different insights into how bio-geosphere and noosphere function, how to alter human-geosphere intersections, and how engineering mediates between both spheres. Whatever paradigm is retained to engineer human-geosphere intersections, geoscience know-how has to be part of the noosphere, and geo-ethics should provide an orientation how human activities and geosphere should intersect.

Surface Morphology of Herbal Prepared Using Nanotechnology

Herb have been the basis of traditional medicines throughout the world for thousands of years and continue to provide new remedies to humankind In this study, Polygonum minus (kesum) nanoparticles were prepared by using planetary ball mill and analysis for their physical and morphology properties. The size reduction method had a distinct effect on physical and morphology properties of Polygonum minus analyzed. The surface morphology and roughness of nanoherb was analyzed by using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FSEM) and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The result showed that after ball milling, the average size of particles was produced in range 227-241nm which was significantly smaller than the 100 μm prepared by conventional rotor mixer. Higher degree of granule surface fractured was observed as a result of a planetary ball milling process based on FESEM images.

Morphological Investigation and Fractal Properties of Realgar Nanoparticles

Some arsenic compounds can show extraordinary polymorphism. Realgar (As4S4) is among several minerals with various crystal forms and is one of the most important sources of arsenic for pharmaceutical use. Currently, realgar is used as an arsenic source in many industries, such as weaponry, publishing, textiles, cosmetics, and health products. In this paper, we used and reported new methods for the purification, nanonization, and structural morphological investigations of As4S4 by using planetary ball mills process for nanonization of the compound. The product was characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry spectra, and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) imaging. We investigated the morphological properties of FESEM‐imaged realgar nanoparticles by an image‐processing technique that calculates fractal dimensions using values on a computer with MATLAB software. We applied the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software for statistics data extracted from the FESEM image and obtained the statistics results of the fractal dimension and histogram plot for the FESEM image.

Geochemical evidence for active tropical serpentinization in the Santa Elena Ophiolite, Costa Rica: An analog of a humid early Earth?

AbstractSerpentinization is a planetary process that has important consequences on geochemical cycles, supporting microbial activity through the formation of H2 and CH4 and having the potential to sequester atmospheric CO2. We present geochemical evidence of active serpentinization in the Santa Elena Ophiolite, Costa Rica which is sustained by peridotites with a degree of serpentinization less than 50% with no evidence of an internal heat source. Average spring water temperatures are 29.1°C. Two hyperalkaline spring systems were discovered, with a spring fluid pH up to 11.18. The fluids are characterized by low Mg (1.0–5.9 mg/L) and K (1.0–5.5 mg/L) and relative high Ca (29–167 mg/L), Na (16–27 mg/L), Cl (26–29 mg/L), hydroxide (41–63 mg/L), and carbonate (31–49 mg/L). Active CH4 (24.3% v/v) vents coupled with carbonate deposits ( ; ) also provide evidence for active serpentinization and carbonation. Isotope ratios of the alkaline fluids (δ18O = −7.9‰, δ2H = −51.4‰) and groundwater (δ18O = −7.6‰; δ2H = −48.0‰) suggests that, during base flow recession, springs are fed by groundwater circulation. Methanogenic Archaea, which comprises a relatively high percentage of the 16S rRNA gene tag sequences, suggests that biological methanogenesis may play a significant role in the system. Santa Elena's extreme varying weather results in a scenario that could be of significant importance for (a) improving the knowledge of conditions on a humid early Earth or Mars that had periodic changes in water supply, (b) revealing new insights on serpentinizing solute transport, and (c) modeling hydrogeochemical responses as a function of recharge.

Evidence for multiple magma ocean outgassing and atmospheric loss episodes from mantle noble gases

The energy associated with giant impacts is large enough to generate global magma oceans during Earth's accretion. However, geochemical evidence requiring a terrestrial magma ocean is scarce. Here we present evidence for at least two separate magma ocean outgassing episodes on Earth based on the ratio of primordial 3He to 22Ne in the present-day mantle. We demonstrate that the depleted mantle 3He/22Ne ratio is at least 10 while a more primitive mantle reservoir has a 3He/22Ne ratio of 2.3 to 3. The 3He/22Ne ratios of the mantle reservoirs are higher than possible sources of terrestrial volatiles, including the solar nebula ratio of 1.5. Therefore, a planetary process must have raised the mantle's 3He/22Ne ratio.We show that long-term plate tectonic cycling is incapable of raising the mantle 3He/22Ne ratio and may even lower it. However, ingassing of a gravitationally accreted nebular atmosphere into a magma ocean on the proto-Earth explains the 3He/22Ne and 20Ne/22Ne ratios of the primitive mantle reservoir. Increasing the mantle 3He/22Ne ratio to a value of 10 in the depleted mantle requires at least two episodes of atmospheric blow-off and magma ocean outgassing associated with giant impacts during subsequent terrestrial accretion. The preservation of a low 3He/22Ne ratio in a primitive reservoir sampled by plumes suggests that the later giant impacts, including the Moon-forming giant impact, did not generate a whole mantle magma ocean.Atmospheric loss episodes associated with giant impacts provide an explanation for Earth's subchondritic C/H, N/H, and Cl/F elemental ratios while preserving chondritic isotopic ratios. If so, a significant proportion of terrestrial water and potentially other major volatiles were accreted prior to the last giant impact, otherwise the fractionated elemental ratios would have been overprinted by the late veneer.

The formation of infilled craters on Mars: Evidence for widespread impact induced decompression of the early martian mantle?

Flat-floored craters have long been recognized on Mars with early work hypothesizing a sedimentary origin. More recently, high-resolution thermal inertia measurements show that these craters contain some of the rockiest materials on the planet, inconsistent with poorly consolidated sedimentary materials. In this study, the distribution, physical properties (morphology and thermal inertia), and composition of these craters are thoroughly investigated over the entire planet. The majority of the ∼2800 rocky crater floors identified are concentrated in the low albedo (0.1–0.17), cratered southern highlands. These craters were infilled at ∼3.5Ga and are associated with the highest thermal inertia values and some of the most mafic materials identified on the planet. Although several processes may have led to the formation of the crater floors, the most likely scenario is volcanic infilling through fractures created by the impact event. The primitive magma source directly results from decompression melting of the martian mantle by the removal of the crustal material excavated by the impactor. Volcanic infilling of craters by decompression melting appears to only have occurred in early martian history when the lithosphere was still relatively thin and the thermal gradient was high. This process was widespread and responsible for the eruption of significant volumes of primitive material, inside and likely outside of craters. Impact induced decompression melting of the martian mantle accounts for the unusual infilling of martian craters and is a widespread planetary process that has gone previously undocumented.

FEA of Planetary Pipe Rolling Process for Stainless Steel

Planetary Pipe rolling process for AISI 304 stainless steel has been studied by using finite element method. Three-roll Mannesmann method is applied to this study. Commonly, rolling process has started from the cold working and finished to the hot one. The rolling process can provide excellent combinations of cost and process reduction than existing one. The process includes various and complex parameters. Each of the process parameters affects forming result. Therefore, all of the process parameters should be considered in FEA.

Oxygen Tracer Diffusion in BaTiO<sub>3</sub> Ceramics - Effect of Zr Impurity from Planetary Ball Milling

We investigated the effect of Zr impurities on the oxygen diffusion pathway in BaTiO3 ceramics by using an ion-imaging technique. Zr impurities were introduced into BaTiO3 ceramics by a planetary ball milling process. The oxygen tracer diffused quickly from the surface up to the grain boundary and then appeared as discontinuous steps at the grain boundary. The results indicate that the grain boundary acted as a blocking layer against oxygen diffusion. The blocking for oxygen diffusion at the grain boundary is thought to originate during the formation and distribution of complex defects between the charged oxygen vacancies and the Ba vacancies near the grain boundary.

The process of demographic ageing in Vojvodina and central Serbia during the last two decades of the 20th century

After five decades of insufficient reproduction of Vojvodina?s and Central Serbia?s population, the process of demographic ageing, came into the focus of the broadest public at last. Current Serbia?s population (without Kosovo and Metohija?s population) belongs to the group of the oldest populations in the world according to a number of indicators of demographic change. Considering population ageing as a planetary process without precedent in the human history, we tried to point out the main features of its evolution regarding spatial implications on population living in this part of Europe. The evolution of the process of population ageing during the 1981-2002 period was considered through functional relations between specific age groups. It was ascertained that the process started its spreading over Vojvodina at first, but continued to spread over Central Serbia afterwards moving the pole of demographic ageing to that part of the country. Some specific centres of demographic ageing as well as the regions which are still demographically more vital than the others were located by the analysis at the municipality level.

Dust Storms and Their Impact on Ocean and Human Health: Dust in Earth?s Atmosphere

Satellite imagery has greatly influenced our understanding of dust activity on a global scale. A number of different satellites such as NASA’s Earth-Probe Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) and Sea-viewing Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) acquire daily global-scale data used to produce imagery for monitoring dust storm formation and movement. This global-scale imagery has documented the frequent transmission of dust storm-derived soils through Earth’s atmosphere and the magnitude of many of these events. While various research projects have been undertaken to understand this normal planetary process, little has been done to address its impact on ocean and human health. This review will address the ability of dust storms to influence marine microbial population densities and transport of soil-associated toxins and pathogenic microorganisms to marine environments. The implications of dust on ocean and human health in this emerging scientific field will be discussed.

An archaeology of the global era: constructing a belief

Beliefs in the coming of the global era confuse our understanding of the complexity of contemporary processes of world integration. Absorption in the latest that high-tech IT has to offer is conjoined with the flourishing of mythologies that celebrate the virtues of techno-global networks. By resituating the planetary process of unification in the longue durée, we may escape a one-sided vision of the destiny of the so-called ‘great human family’. It is against this fatalism that the new social movements are presently mobilizing themselves.

Dust in the Wind: Long Range Transport of Dust in the Atmosphere and Its Implications for Global Public and Ecosystem Health

Movement of soil particles in atmospheres is a normal planetary process. Images of Martian dust devils (wind-spouts) and dust storms captured by NASA's Pathfinder have demonstrated the significant role that storm activity plays in creating the red atmospheric haze of Mars. On Earth, desert soils moving in the atmosphere are responsible for the orange hues in brilliant sunrises and sunsets. In severe dust storm events, millions of tons of soil may be moved across great expanses of land and ocean. An emerging scientific interest in the process of soil transport in the Earth's atmosphere is in the field of public and ecosystem health. This article will address the benefits and the potential hazards associated with exposure to particle fallout as clouds of desert dust traverse the globe.

Planetary volcanism: a study of volcanic activity in the solar system

The nature of volcanic activity, theoretical models of its role in planetary evolution, and the evidence for volcanism on the planets and planetary satellites are examined in an introductory overview for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. Chapters are devoted to volcanism as a planetary process, the generation and evolution of magmas, magma ascent and eruption, the properties and behavior of volcanic flows, volcanic landforms, the distribution of volcanic rocks in the solar system, and volcanic plains and their development. Consideration is given to lunar volcanism, shield volcanoes and paterae, volcanism on Io, volcanism on icy satellites, and the rheological analysis of volcanic flows.

Tracking Global Climate Change: Microfossil Record of the Planetary Heat Pump

The objective of this exercise set is to integrate knowledge from several scientific disciplines and learn something interesting about the way the world works. I want to use some basic principles from physics, biology, and geology to see how a large scale planetary process, the transport of heat over the earths surface, operates and has operated over time. This topic is of basic scientific interest, and it has real importance to the growing societal interest in global climate change. This applies whether natural variation in climate or human induced change are under discussion. The set of exercises that follows will examine how energy is absorbed by the earth from the sun; how and why this energy is distributed over the earth's surface; what controls energy distribution; how we can track the energy distributing process using the oceanic microfossil record; and what that record shows us about variation of heat distribution with time. This is an exercise in global climate change because the climate system is driven by the heat distribution process.