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40Ar/39Ar dating of Silurian and late Devonian cleavages in lower greenschist-facies rocks in the Westminster terrane, Maryland, USA 40Ar/39Ar dating of Silurian and late Devonian cleavages in lower greenschist-facies rocks in the Westminster terrane, Maryland, USA

40Ar/39Ar dating of muscovite, biotite, and K-feldspar combined with microstructural analysis of lower greenschist-facies, polymetamorphic, phyllitic rocks, and marbles were successfully used to decipher the thermal and tectonic histories of the Westminster and adjacent terranes in western Maryland. The presence of unreset detrital muscovite in some samples demonstrates that temperatures...
Authors
R. P. Wintsch, Michael J. Kunk, Brian Mulvey, C. Scott Southworth

Modeling migratory energetics of Connecticut River American shad (Alosa sapidissima): implications for the conservation of an iteroparous anadromous fish Modeling migratory energetics of Connecticut River American shad (Alosa sapidissima): implications for the conservation of an iteroparous anadromous fish

We present a simulation model in which individual adult migrant American shad (Alosa sapidissima) ascend the Connecticut River and spawn, and survivors return to the marine environment. Our approach synthesizes bioenergetics, reproductive biology, and behavior to estimate the effects of migratory distance and delays incurred at dams on spawning success and survival. We quantified both...
Authors
Theodore Castro-Santos, Benjamin H. Letcher

Methods for development of planning-level estimates of stormflow at unmonitored stream sites in the conterminous United States Methods for development of planning-level estimates of stormflow at unmonitored stream sites in the conterminous United States

This report documents methods for data compilation and analysis of statistics for stormflows that meet data-quality objectives for order-of-magnitude planning-level water-quality estimates at unmonitored sites in the conterminous United States. Statistics for prestorm streamflow, precipitation, and runoff coefficients are used to model stormflows for use with the Stochastic Empirical...
Authors
Gregory E. Granato

The impact of hydrate saturation on the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of hydrate-bearing sand, silts, and clay The impact of hydrate saturation on the mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of hydrate-bearing sand, silts, and clay

Proper understanding of the physical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments is required for interpretation of borehole logs and exploration geophysical data, the analysis of borehole and submarine slope stability, and the formulation of reservoir simulation and production models. Yet current knowledge of geophysical and geotechnical properties of hydrate-bearing sediments is still...
Authors
J. Carlos Santamarina, Carolyn D. Ruppel

Historic and paleo-submarine landslide deposits imaged beneath Port Valdez, Alaska: Implications for tsunami generation in a glacial fiord Historic and paleo-submarine landslide deposits imaged beneath Port Valdez, Alaska: Implications for tsunami generation in a glacial fiord

During the 1964 M9.2 great Alaskan earthquake, submarine-slope failures resulted in the generation of highly destructive tsunamis at Port Valdez, Alaska. A high-resolution, mini-sparker reflection profiler was used to image debris lobes, which we attribute to slope failures that occurred both during and prior to the 1964 megathrust event. In these reflection profiles, debris lobe...
Authors
H. F. Ryan, H. J. Lee, Peter J. Haeussler, C. R. Alexander, Robert E. Kayen

Evidence of weak contaminant-related oxidative stress in glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) from the Canadian arctic Evidence of weak contaminant-related oxidative stress in glaucous gulls (Larus hyperboreus) from the Canadian arctic

Environmental contaminants are transported over great distances to Arctic ecosystems, where they can accumulate in wildlife. Whether contaminant concentrations in wildlife are sufficient to produce adverse effects remains poorly understood. Exposure to contaminants elevates oxidative stress with possible fitness consequences. The glaucous gull (Larus hyperboreus), an Arctic top predator...
Authors
Mark Wayland, David J. Hoffman, Mark L. Mallory, Ray T. Alisauskas, Katherine R. Stebbins

Fish guidance and passage at barriers Fish guidance and passage at barriers

Habitat fragmentation resulting from human activities is a major factor contributing to reductions in biodiversity and species abundance worldwide. When movements are restricted, subpopulations become isolated, leading to reduced breeding opportunities, inbreeding depression, and interruption of key life stages. This problem is particularly ubiquitous in riverine ecosystems, where dams...
Authors
Theodore R. Castro-Santos, Alexander Haro

The biostratigraphic importance of conchostracans in the continental Triassic of the northern hemisphere The biostratigraphic importance of conchostracans in the continental Triassic of the northern hemisphere

Conchostracans or clam shrimp (order Conchostraca Sars) are arthropods with a carapace consisting of two chitinous lateral valves. Triassic conchostracans range in size from 2 to 12.5 mm long and are common in deposits that formed in fresh water lakes, isolated ponds and brackish areas. Their dessication- and freeze-resistant eggs can be dispersed by wind over long distances. Therefore...
Authors
H. W. Kozur, Robert E. Weems

Mineral resource of the month: silicon Mineral resource of the month: silicon

The article offers information about silicon, a metalloid element which is considered the second-most abundant element in the Earth crust.
Authors
Water Resources Division U.S. Geological Survey

Ball clay Ball clay

The article reports on the global market performance of ball clay in 2009 and presents an outlook for its 2010 performance. Several companies mined ball call in the country including Old Hickey Clay Co., Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Co., and H.C. Spinks Clay Co. Information on the decline in ball clay imports and exports is also presented.
Authors
Robert L. Virta
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