Topographic Transition Research Articles

Tectono‐Magmatic Evolution of Asymmetric Coronae on Venus: Topographic Classification and 3D Thermo‐Mechanical Modeling

AbstractVenus is the only other Earth‐sized planet in the Solar System but it does not exhibit evidence of plate tectonics that dominates geological processes on Earth. Surface deformation on Venus is mainly driven by mantle convection and plume‐lithosphere interactions, likely represented by the widespread development of the circular volcano‐tectonic features known as coronae. Here, we present a joint study of mission data analysis and 3D modeling of asymmetric coronae on Venus. We systematically analyze 155 of the largest coronae on Venus in terms of surface topography and morphology. We establish that 75% of those coronae are radially asymmetric, and further sub‐categorize them based on their adjacent topography. This analysis reveals that many asymmetric coronae are positioned at a topographic transition between a lowland and plateau (termed topographic margin). With state‐of‐the‐art 3D numerical models, we investigate the physical processes behind plume‐margin interactions on Venus. We find that several tectonic styles may be responsible for asymmetric coronae at topographic margins, including lowland‐sided subduction, plateau‐sided lithospheric dripping, and an embedded plume. The gradient in lithospheric strength across the topographic margin controls these tectonic styles, and larger gradients enhance lithospheric resurfacing and the lifetime of the coronae. We also find that the density increase associated with the basalt‐to‐eclogite phase change provides the extra negative gravitational force required for downgoing crust to be recycled into the mantle. The models presented in this study reproduce a wide set of asymmetrical corona features found on Venus and suggest that they are generally more long‐lived than symmetric coronae.

Tibetan Plateau growth linked to crustal thermal transitions since the Miocene

Abstract The topographic transition of central–northern Tibet since the early Miocene has created a consistently high and flat plateau similar to that of today. However, to date, the associated deep crust and/or /mantle events are poorly understood, mainly due to an early Miocene metamorphic–magmatic lull within the Qiangtang Block. To address this issue, we undertook a study of crustal xenoliths and zircon xenocrysts in 6.0–2.3 Ma lavas in the Qiangtang Block. The occurrence of 22.6–12.9 Ma high-temperature–low-pressure granulite xenoliths implies that the middle crust of the block has been very hot since that time. Zircon xenocrysts and granitic xenoliths from 6.0–2.3 Ma lavas were studied and shown to have high δ18O values, which supports Miocene crustal melting and the formation of unexposed, coeval felsic plutons. Combined with paleoelevation data from the Tibetan Plateau, our results suggest that the early Miocene cold–hot thermal transition of the middle–lower crust was near-synchronous with topographic evolution from high-relief mountains to a flat plateau, which supports crustal flow as the main topographic smoothing mechanism for central–northern Tibet.

Devonian to Triassic tectonic evolution and basin transition in the East Kunlun–Qaidam area, northern Tibetan Plateau: Constraints from stratigraphy and detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology

ABSTRACT The late Paleozoic to Triassic was an important interval for the East Kunlun–Qaidam area, northern Tibet, as it witnessed prolonged subduction of the South Kunlun Ocean, a major branch of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean whose closure led to the formation of Pangea. However, the geologic history of this stage is poorly constrained due to the paucity of tectonothermal signatures preserved during a magmatic lull. This article presents a set of new provenance data incorporating stratigraphic correlation, sandstone petrology, and zircon U–Pb dating to depict changes in provenance that record multiple stages of topographic and tectonic transition in the East Kunlun–Qaidam area over time in response to the evolution of the South Kunlun Ocean. Devonian intra-arc rifting is recorded by bimodal volcanism and rapid alluvial-lacustrine sedimentation in the North Qaidam Ultra High/High Pressure Belt, whose sources include the Olongbuluke Terrane and southern North Qaidam Ultra High/High Pressure Belt. Southward transgression submerged the East Kunlun–Qaidam area during the Carboniferous prior to the rapid uplift of the Kunlun arc, which changed the provenance during the Early Permian. This shift in provenance for the western Olongbuluke Terrane and thick carbonate deposition throughout the North Qaidam Ultra High/High Pressure Belt in the late Early Carboniferous indicate that the North Qaidam Ultra High/High Pressure Belt should have been inundated, terminating an ~95 m.y. erosion history. The closure of the South Kunlun Ocean in the late Triassic generated a retroarc foreland along the Zongwulong Tectonic Belt, which is represented by the development of a deep-water, northward-tapering flysch deposystem that was supplied by the widely elevated Kunlun–Qaidam–Olongbuluke Terrane highland. This new scenario allows us to evaluate current models concerning the assembly of northern Tibet and the tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean.

Geomorphology of the southwest Sinus Sabaeus region: evidence for an ancient hydrological cycle on Mars

ABSTRACT We have produced a 1:650,000 scale geomorphological map of the southwest Sinus Sabaeus, a region of Mars approximately centered at 25.0°S and 6.5°E and located in the topographic transition between Arabia Terra and Noachis Terra, in the Martian highlands. This heavily cratered region, subjected to extensive surface erosion, shows a complex valley network system known as Marikh Vallis. In this work, we study the history and role of water in and around Marikh Vallis, focusing on the modification and evolution of this area during the earliest Martian times, the Noachian period. The map described in this paper was produced through the analysis of a combination of available imagery data, topography, and thermal inertia, which together allow defining different geomorphological units in this area. This new map provides a basis for identifying the ancient presence of water in the region, both in the liquid state and in the ice phase.

Azo Molecular Glass Patterning from Chiral Submicron Pillar Array to Self‐Organized Topographic Transition via Irradiation with Circularly Polarized Light

AbstractThis work reports chiral structure formation and self‐organized surface patterning upon submicron pillar arrays of an azo molecular glass, induced by irradiation with a circularly polarized laser beam at 488 nm. After the irradiation for 2–3 min, the chiral spiral structures form on the wall of every pillar in the hexagonal array. The spiral direction induced by the right‐handed circularly polarized light is mirror‐symmetrical to that caused by the left‐handed circularly polarized light. Upon further irradiation and gradual erasure of the original pillars, which is caused by mass transfer along the electric vibration direction of the circularly polarized light, a new set of pillars emerges through splitting every original pillar into four equivalent pillars with smaller size. A series of the well‐organized surface patterns appear in the intermediate stage of the topographical transition process. In the final stage, the highly regular pillar array with quadruple area density is formed and stabilized. The structure formation and self‐organized topographic transition are thoroughly investigated by experiments and optical simulation. These intriguing observations are found to be correlated with several unique light–matter interaction effects. The discoveries can provide a new approach to create hierarchical surface patterns and detect the handedness of light.

Variable Crustal Production Originating From Mantle Source Heterogeneity Beneath the South East Indian Ridge and Amsterdam‐St. Paul Plateau

AbstractThe Amsterdam‐St. Paul (ASP) Plateau formed by interaction between the South East Indian Ridge (SEIR) and the ASP mantle plume during the last 10 Myr. The combined bathymetry and gravity‐derived crustal thickness anomalies along the present and paleoaxes of the SEIR atop the plateau indicate: (1) a thicker crust and shallower water depth along the southern part of segment I2 during much of the last 10 Myr; (2) an earlier decrease (~1.4 Ma) in crustal thickness along the southern part of I2 compared to the northern part (~0.9 Ma) during the most recent period of reduced magmatism; (3) a topographic transition at ~0.7 Ma and during the last 0.1 Myr; and (4) an approximately uniform crustal thickness (8 km) along the entire I2 segment today. These observations require spatial and temporal variations in magma production during construction of the ASP Plateau over the last 3 Myr. We propose that during periods of weaker plume magma flux, spatial variations in upper mantle temperature and composition are small, and lead to small variations in crustal thickness along‐axis. In contrast, during periods of stronger plume magma flux, spatial contrasts in upper mantle temperature and composition (fertility) are large, leading to significant variations in crustal thickness. Along‐axis variations of 3He/4He, Δ8/4Pb, K/Ti, and Na8 in “zero‐age” basalts indicate that there is a gradient in the underlying mantle material, from a “common” mantle plume component (Δ8/4Pb~60) stronger in the north to a DUPAL component (Δ8/4Pb~110) dominating in the south.

Topographic gradients and lode gold sourcing recorded by placer gold morphology, geochemistry, and mineral inclusions in the east fork San Gabriel River, California, U.S.A

Topography plays a major role in the morphology, geochemistry, and mineral inclusion profiles of placer gold from the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. These trends are consistent with a significant change in topographic gradient over a short distance, and coincident with the break in slope along the range-front of the San Gabriel Mountains. Placer gold from above this topographic transition is more rounded and 3-dimensional, with elevated silver in the alloy of the native gold, little evidence of gold enrichment rims, and abundant inclusions of brittle and reactive minerals. Below the topographic transition, placer gold assumes a distinctly flattened form, with lower silver alloy content, thin gold enrichment rims, and rare inclusions of relatively inert minerals. This relationship is observed for placer gold shed from two inferred lode sources within the river catchment, with placer gold from each of these sources being traceable as a unique population over at least 8 km of the river. Significantly, these placer gold properties are distinctive enough to fingerprint gold from specific portions of the placer deposit. These identifying characteristics, with virtually identical morphology and chemical trends, are observed in the large nuggets of the Mel Fisher collection of purported San Gabriel gold. These similarities appear to confirm the provenance of the collection, including identification of the specific locations where each nugget originated.

Self-organization of surfaces on the nanoscale by topography-mediated selection of quasi-cylindrical and plasmonic waves

Abstract Using coupled electromagnetic and hydrodynamic calculations, we elucidate theoretically the topographic transition from a random metallic surface to a periodic sub-wavelength grating by ultrashort laser ablation. The origin of this transition lies in the successive selection of hybrid surface waves scattered by random nanoholes. Contrary to the common belief that surface plasmon polaritons play the dominant role in the process and define the grating periodicity, we show that both quasi-cylindrical and surface plasmon waves are involved, whereas the diversity in the resulting spacings λ/2–λ (λ is the laser wavelength) is the manifestation of a broad frequency overlap of these waves, controlled by their relative phase shifts with respect to the plasmonic counterparts. The topography evolution imposes the dominant contribution to the surface sub-wavelength pattern by selecting the appropriate wave character from plasmonic modes to evanescent cylindrical waves. With the radiation dose, the grating periodicity exhibits a pronounced blue shift due to reinforced dipole–dipole coupling between the nanoholes and surface curvatures in the laser-processed area. This allows the creation of regular patterns with tunable periodicity.

Fault activity, tectonic segmentation, and deformation pattern of the western Himalaya on Ma timescales inferred from landscape morphology

The location and magnitude of Himalayan tectonic activity has been debated for decades, and several aspects remain unknown. For instance, the spatial distribution of crustal shortening that ultimately sustains Himalayan topography and the activity of major fault zones remain unknown at Ma timescales. In this study, we address the spatial deformation pattern in the data-scarce western Himalaya. We calculated catchment averaged, normalized river-steepness indices of non-glaciated drainage basins with tributary catchment areas between 5 and 200 km(2) (n = 2138). We analyzed the spatial distribution of the relative change of river steepness both along and across strike to gain information about the regional distribution of differential uplift pattern and relate this to the activity of distinctive fault segments. For our study area, we observe a positive correlation of averaged k(sn) values with long-term exhumation rates derived from previously published thermochronologic datasets combined with thermal modeling as well as with millennial timescale denudation rates based on cosmogenic nuclide dating. Our results indicate three tectono-geomorphic segments with distinctive landscape morphology, structural architecture, and fault geometry along the western Himalaya: Garhwal-Sutlej, Chamba, and Kashmir Himalaya (from east to west). Moreover, our data recognize distinctive fault segments showing varying thrust activity along strike of the Main Frontal Thrust, the Main Boundary Thrust, and in the vicinity of the steep topographic transition between the Lesser and Greater Himalaya. In this region, we relate out-of-sequence deformation along major basement thrust ramps, such as the Munsiari Thrust with deformation along a mid-crustal ramp along the basal decollement. We suggest that during the Quaternary, all major fault zones in the Western Himalaya experienced out-of-sequence faulting and have accommodated some portion of crustal shortening.

Do along-strike tectonic variations in the Nepal Himalaya reflect different stages in the accretion cycle? Insights from numerical modeling

Whereas the large-scale morphology and dynamics of orogenic wedges are well explained by critical-taper theory, many questions remain unanswered regarding the details of how deformation is accommodated internally. Here, we investigate the dynamics of a collisional orogenic wedge bounded by an over-thickened continental plateau, using two-dimensional thermo-mechanical numerical models. These models, applied to the Himalayan orogen and compared with reference cross-sections, lead us to propose a new hypothesis to explain along-strike variations in tectonic style, topography and exhumation patterns observed along the Himalayan range by a combination of two mechanisms. First, numerical models produce a cycle of crustal ramp formation and advection toward the rear of the wedge. The asynchronous evolution of this cycle along different segments of the range may account for the well-documented lateral variations in the geometry of the Main Himalayan Thrust (MHT) and for the existence of a well-defined topographic transition in some segments of the range. Second, the models suggest that the formation of duplexes leading to the isolation of klippen along the range front may be controlled by rheological contrasts between the Tibetan plateau and/or the Greater Himalayan Sequence and the colliding Indian plate.

Quantifying seismic vulnerability, dynamical shear strain and liquefaction of the Quaternary deposits in the Doon valley near the Main Boundary Thrust in the Northwest Himalaya, India

Erosion and deposition are two conjugate surface dynamical processes that affect differently to the soft soil site characteristics of Quaternary deposits in the Doon valley and at its northern topographic transition zone near the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT). During an impending large magnitude earthquake, what would be the seismic vulnerability and liquefaction susceptibility of the soft soil at both the regions? We quantified Seismic Vulnerability Index, effective dynamical shear strain and the expected ground deformation in the valley soft soil through H/V site characteristics using seismic ambient noise data. At the in-accessible topographic transition zone near the MBT, site effects were studied using Moderate and Light magnitude earthquakes recorded by three Broad Band Seismographs (BBS). Results show unique dual peak mean resonant frequencies (1.11 and 1.38 Hz) and amplification factors (1.69 and 1.51) at the topographic transition zone, which highlights a bimodal distribution of site effects, where the top soil formation is influenced by erosion and deposition due to topographic slope instability apart from fluvial re-working. Here, relatively compact Oldest Doon gravel is present in the foothill terraces with the re-worked fluvial deposition of the Youngest Doon gravel. However, in the valley and its terraces the soft soil formed under fluvial environ is relatively thick (10 to < 535 m) and show a distinct single peak mean amplification factor >2 and mean resonant frequency of 1.1 Hz.The spot resonant frequencies increases from 1 Hz to more than 6 Hz from the HFT region to the MBT, while the amplification factor decreases from 14 to 1. In general, the valley soft soil is susceptible for liquefaction because the estimated dynamical shear strain is 15–25 millistrains under medium (2.2 m/s2, 225 years) and long (4.6 m/s2, 2500 years) term strong motion conditions, which is much higher than the soil plasticity limit of ten millistrains that lead to liquefaction. Dynamical shear strain distribution with depth at eight boreholes in the valley indicate ∼20 m is the liquefaction potential depth, where the pore pressure induced peak shear strain exceeds the threshold shear strain of 0.01% during the passage of seismic waves. Isolated locations in the valley like that at Dharmawala (H1), where all site parameters are very high, and would be hazardously vulnerable to liquefaction. However near the MBT the liquefaction possibility of soft soil is less, but would experience ground deformation of more than 50 cm.

Detection and analysis of morphotectonic features utilizing satellite remote sensing and GIS: An example in SW Jordan

This study investigates the dominant orientations of morphological features and the relationship between these trends and the spatial orientation of tectonic structures in SW Jordan. Landsat 8 and hill-shaded images, constructed from 30m-resolution ASTER-GDEM data, were used for automatically extracting and mapping geological lineaments. The ASTER-GDEM was further utilized to automatically identify and extract drainage network. Morphological features were analyzed by means of azimuth frequency and length density distributions. Tectonic controls on the land surface were evaluated using longitudinal profiles of many westerly flowing streams. The profiles were taken directly across the northerly trending faults within a strong topographic transition between the low-gradient uplands and the deeply incised mountain front on the east side of the Dead Sea Fault Zone. Streams of the area are widely divergent, and show numerous anomalies along their profiles when they transect faults and lineaments. Five types of drainage patterns were identified: dendritic, parallel, rectangular, trellis, and modified dendritic/trellis. Interpretation and analysis of the lineaments indicate the presence of four main lineament populations that trend ~E–W, ~N–S, NE–SW, and NW–SE. Azimuthal distribution analysis of both the measured structures and drainage channels shows similar trends, except for very few differences in the prevailing directions. The similarity in orientation of lineaments, drainage system, and subsurface structural trends highlights the degree of control exerted by underlying structure on the surface geomorphological features. Faults and lineaments serve as a preferential conduit for surface running waters. The extracted lineaments were divided into five populations based on the main age of host rocks outcropping in the study area to obtain information about the temporal evolution of the lineament trends through geologic time. A general consistency in lineament trends over the different lithological units was observed, most probably because repeated reactivation of tectonism along preexisting deep structural discontinuities which are apparently crustal weakness zones. The reactivation along such inherited discontinuities under the present-day stress field is the most probable explanation of the complicated pattern and style of present-day landscape features in SW Jordan.

Focus on the interlude between topographic transition and cell response on shape-memory surfaces

Shape-memory surfaces with on demand, tunable nano-patterns have been developed to observe time dependent changes in fibroblast cell alignment using temperature-responsive poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) films. The PCL films were prepared by crosslinking tetra-branched and linear PCLs, each with acrylate end-groups. Permanent surface patterns were generated by crosslinking the PCLs in a mold. Temporary surface patterns were later embossed into the crosslinked PCL. NIH 3T3 cells cultured on the temporal nanopatterns showed marked alignment along the pattern direction, regardless of their ridge and groove widths. Then, the direction of grooves was suddenly transitioned 90° to the temporary ridges. Holographic microscope revealed that the application of heat quickly and completely transitioned temporal to permanent patterns within 30 s. However, it took more than 2 h for cells on substrate with 500 nm grooves to change their orientation, while it took more than 8 h on substrate with 2000 nm grooves. This different alignment behavior can be explained by the different adhesion strength and reorganization of cytoskeletal proteins on nano-v.s. micro-patterns. Dynamically tunable nano-structured surfaces, therefore, can be used to study the effects of surface nano-geometries on time-dependent cytoskeleton remodeling under biological relevant conditions.

The taming of the cell: shape-memory nanopatterns direct cell orientation.

We report here that the direction of aligned cells on nanopatterns can be tuned to a perpendicular direction without use of any biochemical reagents. This was enabled by shape-memory activation of nanopatterns that transition from a memorized temporal pattern to the original permanent pattern by heating. The thermally induced shape-memory nanopatterns were prepared by chemically crosslinking semi-crystalline poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) in a mold to show shape-memory effects over its melting temperature (Tm = 33°C). Permanent surface patterns were first generated by crosslinking the PCL macromonomers in a mold, and temporary surface patterns were then embossed onto the permanent patterns. The temporary surface patterns could be easily triggered to transition quickly to the permanent surface patterns by a 37°C heat treatment, while surface wettability was independent of temperature. To investigate the role of dynamic and reversible surface nanopatterns on cell alignment on the PCL films before and after a topographic transition, NIH 3T3 fibroblasts were seeded on fibronectin-coated PCL films with a temporary grooved topography (grooves with a height of 300 nm and width of 2 μm were spaced 9 μm apart). Interestingly, cells did not change their direction immediately after the surface transition. However, cell alignment was gradually lost with time, and finally cells realigned parallel to the permanent grooves that emerged. The addition of a cytoskeletal inhibitor prevented realignment. These results clearly indicate that cells can sense dynamic changes in the surrounding environments and spontaneously adapt to a new environment by remodeling their cytoskeleton. These findings will serve as the basis for new development of spatiotemporal tunable materials to direct cell fate.

Late Quaternary deformation features along the Anninghe Fault on the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau

On the eastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, the Anninghe, Zemuhe and Xiaojiang faults comprise a N–S-trending active left-lateral fault system extending more than 700km. The northernmost Anninghe Fault extends for ∼200km, consisting of two sub-parallel N–S trending strands. Along the western strand, the fault traces occur almost strictly along the broad and flat Anninghe valley, displacing high terraces, alluvial fans and tributary channels of the Anninghe River. The eastern strand, on the other hand, cuts through the steep mountain slopes, with prominent rectilinear upslope-facing scarps and shutter ridges against pounded fluvial sediments from the east. The displacements along the eastern strand are much larger than that along the western strand, indicating the eastern strand is the major fault absorbing the E–W shortening. This study demonstrates that the Anninghe Fault is now acting as a relief-building boundary fault and absorbing the E–W compression under the eastwards motion of the Tibetan Plateau. Accordingly, the Anninghe region is a topographic transition area from steep relief to low gradient topography. The variation in topographic gradient is consistent with the differing tectonic regime between southern and northern parts of the Tibetan Plateau.

Exhumation history and faulting activity of the southern segment of the Longmen Shan, eastern Tibet

The Longmen Shan (LMS), which constitutes the eastern border of the Tibetan Plateau, is about 400km in length and characterized by a steep topographic transition from the Sichuan Basin to the plateau. The 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake and 2013 Mw6.6 Lushan earthquake were associated with the central to northern segments and southern segment of the LMS fault belt, respectively. In this paper, zircon and apatite fission track (ZFT and AFT, respectively) dating in combination with previously published low temperature thermochronology studies are used to constrain both the exhumation history and fault activity along the LMS, with a special focus on the southern segment. In the southern segment of the LMS, the ZFT ages in the hanging wall of the Wulong-Yanjing fault 10–14Ma, increasing to ca. 30Ma to the northwest of the faults and to 100–200Ma in the plateau region. The AFT ages are 3–5Ma at the mountain front and increase to 8–26Ma in the plateau. We show that these age distributions are controlled by fault geometry. Two stages of rapid exhumation were identified using apatite fission track length modeling and the age distributions in the southern segment of the LMS. The first stage is from ca. 30Ma and the second stage is from 3–5Ma to present. In contrast with the middle segment of the LMS, the Cenozoic exhumation rate is higher in the southern segment of the LMS, which may be due to the influence of the collision between the India and Eurasia plates and/or different faulting mechanisms in the different segments.

Correlations of fluvial knickzones with landslide dams, lithologic contacts, and faults in the southwestern Annapurna Range, central Nepalese Himalaya

We investigate the role of landslide dams, spatial changes in lithology, and rock uplift on faults in the formation of knickzones on bedrock rivers. We focus our analysis in the southwestern Annapurna Range of the central Nepalese Himalaya where detailed geologic maps, topographic data, field observations, and aerial photographs are available. We identified knickzones in our study area from normalized river steepness indices (ksn values) extracted from river longitudinal profiles derived from a 25 m digital elevation model we interpolated from digitized topographic map contours. We compared the location of these knickzones with (1) lithologic contacts and faults from a detailed geologic map of the Modi Khola valley and (2) inferred ancient landslide dam features mapped from field observations and aerial photographs. The steepest location on the Modi Khola occurs near the same latitude as the steepest reach on the Mardi Khola located directly to the east, potentially highlighting a major topographic transition across the Annapurna. However, we find that landslide dams once blocked the flow of the Modi Khola, and damming followed by incision after landslide breaching can explain the location of these knickzones without the need for active faulting near the Main Central thrust. We also conclude that (1) knickzones do not correlate with any spatial changes in lithology and (2) knickzones generated by rock uplift on unmapped faults cannot be ruled out. We emphasize that disentangling the processes responsible for knickzone formation remains challenging even when high‐resolution geologic and topographic data are available.

The Genus Aloe L. (Asphodelaceae: Alooideae) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

The Eastern Cape is extremely diverse and is a climatic, topographic and geological transition zone. This transitional nature of the environment is reflected in the phytogeographical and phytosociological complexity of the Eastern Cape. The region has a very diverse flora comprising ca. 8 300 taxa (species and infraspecific taxa). A total of 39 aloes occur in the Eastern Cape of which ten (26%) are endemic to the area, with a further four (10%) being near-endemic. A key to the aloes of the Eastern Cape is provided, as well as a short description, distribution map and information on habitat, flowering time, and conservation status for each of the species.

Is groundwater flow a controlling factor of denitrification process?

Denitrification is one of important processes of nitrate attenuation in groundwater. We reviewed published studies on effect of groundwater flow conditions for the denitrification and discussed future directions of this study topic. The results were summarized as follows: 1) significant denitrification zone in groundwater flow system mainly corresponds to discharge area of shallower groundwater including topographic transition area and deeper aquifers (both confined and unconfined aquifers), 2) residence time of groundwater controls the amount of nitrate removed from the groundwater flow system by the denitrification process, 3) groundwater velocity (e.g, Darcy flux) might be a critical factor controlling occurrence of the denitrification in the flow system. On the basis of these results, we conclude that a future direction of the research topics is the quantification and scale-up of the quantitative evaluation of the denitrification process by considering spatial and temporal variations in groundwater flow conditions. For the quantification, estimation of critical velocity of groundwater required for controlling the denitrification would be important. For the scale-up of the quantitative evaluation, it would be necessary to clarify the relation between geographical factors such as topographic gradient and the denitrification in groundwater.

Early Error Detection Predicted by Reduced Pre-response Control Process: An ERP Topographic Mapping Study

Advanced ERP topographic mapping techniques were used to study error monitoring functions in human adult participants, and test whether proactive attentional effects during the pre-response time period could later influence early error detection mechanisms (as measured by the ERN component) or not. Participants performed a speeded go/nogo task, and made a substantial number of false alarms that did not differ from correct hits as a function of behavioral speed or actual motor response. While errors clearly elicited an ERN component generated within the dACC following the onset of these incorrect responses, I also found that correct hits were associated with a different sequence of topographic events during the pre-response baseline time-period, relative to errors. A main topographic transition from occipital to posterior parietal regions (including primarily the precuneus) was evidenced for correct hits ~170-150ms before the response, whereas this topographic change was markedly reduced for errors. The same topographic transition was found for correct hits that were eventually performed slower than either errors or fast (correct) hits, confirming the involvement of this distinctive posterior parietal activity in top-down attentional control rather than motor preparation. Control analyses further ensured that this pre-response topographic effect was not related to differences in stimulus processing. Furthermore, I found a reliable association between the magnitude of the ERN following errors and the duration of this differential precuneus activity during the pre-response baseline, suggesting a functional link between an anticipatory attentional control component subserved by the precuneus and early error detection mechanisms within the dACC. These results suggest reciprocal links between proactive attention control and decision making processes during error monitoring.