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Vertical effective stress and temperature as controls of quartz cementation in sandstones: Evidence from North Sea Fulmar and Gulf of Mexico Wilcox sandstones

Here we present quantitative petrographic data, high spatial resolution oxygen isotope analyses of quartz cement, basin modelling and a kinetic model for quartz precipitation for two Paleocene-Eocene Wilcox Group sandstones from Texas and two Jurassic Fulmar Formation sandstones from the Central North Sea. At each location, one sandstone has been buried to ca. 145 °C and one to ca. 185 °C. A key difference between the Wilcox and Fulmar burial histories is that the Wilcox sandstones are currently at higher vertical effective stresses and, from basin modelling studies, have been subjected to generally higher vertical effective stresses through their burial history. The amounts of quartz cement in the Wilcox sandstones are between 12 and 18%, and between 2 and 6% in the Fulmar sandstones. High-spatial-resolution oxygen isotope data obtained from the quartz cements suggest temperature ranges for quartz precipitation from 60 to 80 °C to values approaching maximum burial temperature. Factors such as grain coatings or the timing of petroleum emplacement cannot explain the differences in the amounts of quartz cement. Petrographic data show that most of the silica for quartz cement can be derived from intergranular pressure dissolution. Although the sample set is small, we interpret the results to suggest that the differences in quartz cementation in Fulmar and Wilcox sandstones can be explained better by differences in their vertical effective stress history than their temperature history; in this case, the supply of silica rather than the precipitation of quartz becomes an important control on the rate and extent of cementation.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Climatic forcing of carbon-oxygen isotopic covariance in temperate-region marl lakes

Carbon and oxygen stable isotopic compositions of lacustrine carbonate from a southeastern Michigan marl lake display linear covariance over a range of 4.0% Peedee belemnite (PDB) in oxygen and 3.9% (PDB) in carbon. Mechanisms of delta 13 C-delta 18 O coupling conventionally attributed to lake closure in arid-region basins are inapplicable to hydrologically open lake systems. Thus, an alternative explanation of isotopic covariance in temperate region dimictic marl lakes is required. We propose that isotopic covariance is a direct record of change in regional climate. In short-residence-time temperate-region lake basins, summer meteoric precipitation is enriched in 18O relative to winter values, and summer organic productivity enriches epilimnic dissolved inorganic carbon in 13C. Thus, climate change toward longer summers and/or shorter winters could result in greater proportions of warm-month meteoric precipitation, longer durations of warm-month productivity, and net long-term enrichment in carbonate 18O and 13C. Isotopic covariance observed in the Michigan marl lake cores is interpreted to reflect postglacial warming from 10 to 3 ka followed by cooler mean annual temperature, a shift toward greater proportions of seasonal summer precipitation, a shortening of the winter season, or some combination of these three factors.

NASA Discipline Number 52-30↗

Life sciences and space research XXIII(2): Planetary biology and origins of life; Proceedings of the Topical Meeting and Workshops XX, XXI and XXIII of the 27th COSPAR Plenary Meeting, Espoo, Finland, July 18-29, 1988

This volume includes chapters on exobiology in space, chemical and early biochemical evolution, life without oxygen, potential for chemical evolution in the early environment of Mars, planetary protection issues and sample return missions, and the modulation of biological evolution by astrophysical phenomena. Papers are presented on the results of spaceflight missions, the action of some factors of space medium on the abiogenic synthesis of nucleotides, early peptidic enzymes, microbiology and biochemistry of the methanogenic archaeobacteria, and present-day biogeochemical activities of anaerobic bacteria and their relevance to future exobiological investigations. Consideration is also given to the development of the Alba Patera volcano on Mars, biological nitrogen fixation under primordial Martian partial pressures of dinitrogen, the planetary protection issues in advance of human exploration of Mars, and the difficulty with astronomical explanations of periodic mass extinctions.

Schwartz, A. W.↗

Assessment of the quality of nuclear data for stable oxygen isotopes for Intentional Forensics applications

The Intentional Forensics (IF) project seeks to design a suite of tagging materials that can be used to unobtrusively “barcode” nuclear fuel. The idea being that, if the fuel leaves institutional controls and is later recovered, the “barcode” can be used to determine the provenance of the fuel. The IF project is investigating several schemes for this “barcode” and taggants with tailored isotopic compositions are once leading concept. Recently 18 O was suggested as a potential taggant [IF2023]. This report assesses the quality of 16,17,18 O evaluations in the ENDF/B-VIII.0 library [ENDF8.0]. In a neutron-rich environment such as a nuclear reactor, we are interested in two main processes – neutron scattering and neutron absorption (or capture). For the typical neutron energies encountered in a reactor, absorption is determined exclusively by the neutron radiative capture cross section (in which a neutron is absorbed, and the residual nucleus emits one or more gamma rays). The capture cross sections are described by and can be completely determined from R-matrix parameters in the ENDF evaluations. Therefore, it is sufficient to consider the quality of the neutron resonance part of these evaluations. Neutron scattering is determined mainly by the elastic scattering cross section which is very similar for all oxygen isotopes and is essentially constant until around 100 keV. The cross section varies from 3-4 barns, depending on the isotope, and 16 O has the largest elastic cross section of all isotopes. Therefore, we expect that significant amounts of 17 O and 18 O could diminish the moderating role of oxygen in fuel. We note that, in traditional power reactor, the hydrogen in the coolant water provides the vast majority of the moderation in the reactor, so the impact of 17 O and 18 O in any taggant would be minimal. At higher energies, neutron resonances start to play a role and the R-matrix parameters determine the cross sections. Fig. 1 shows the mass region near stable oxygen isotopes. As nuclei capture neutrons, they transmute into a different isotope, one unit to the right. In particular, 16 O transmutes to 17 O, 17 O transmutes to 18 O and 18 O transmutes to 19 O. 19 O, being unstable, beta decays in 27 s to 19 F. So, even if the 18 O neutron capture data is good, the fact that it transmutes into 19 F may be problematic and needs investigation. Fig. 2 from [NuDat] shows the thermal neutron capture cross sections for all nuclei in the ENDF/B-VII.1 library [ENDF7.1]. Clearly oxygen thermal capture values are quite small compared to other nuclei. Note, there is no 18 O evaluation in the ENDF/B-VII.1 library. In any event, given that neutron capture events lower the reactor reactivity and potentially induce chemical changes in the fuel, we will focus our attention on the capture part of the neutron resonances.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Synthesis, Processing, and Use of Isotopically Enriched Epitaxial Oxide Thin Films

Isotopic engineering has emerged as a key approach to study the nucleation, diffusion, phase transitions, and reactions of materials at an atomic level. It aims to uncover mass transport pathways, kinetics, and operational and failure mechanisms of functional materials and devices. Understanding these phenomena leads to deeper insights into important physical processes, such as the transport of ions in energy conversion and storage devices and the role of active sites and supports during heterogeneous catalytic reactions. Likewise, isotopic engineering is being pursued as a means of modifying functionality to enable future technological applications. In this Account, we summarize our recent work employing isotope labeling (e.g., 18 O 2 and 57 Fe) during thin film synthesis and postgrowth processing to reveal growth mechanisms, defect chemistry, and elemental diffusion under working and extreme conditions. Isotope-resolved analysis techniques with nanometer-scale spatial resolution, such as time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry and atom probe tomography, facilitate the accurate quantification of isotopic placement and concentration in our well-defined heterostructures with precisely positioned, isotope-enriched layers. By measuring the nanometer-scale redistribution between natural abundance and isotopically enriched oxygen layers during the deposition of Fe 2 O 3 and Cr 2 O 3 by molecular beam epitaxy, we identified intermixing processes driven by surface adatoms occurring both at the film growth surface and within the first few layers below the surface. Further insights into synthesis mechanisms were gained by studying the tungsten oxide thin films grown by evaporating WO 3 powder in the presence of background 18 O 2 , revealing minimal incorporation of background oxygen during the film formation process. Thermal and radiation-enhanced diffusion in epitaxial Fe and Cr oxides were precisely tracked using 18 O and 57 Fe tracer layers incorporated into model epitaxial oxide thin films. This approach has allowed us to access thermal diffusion behavior at lower temperatures than previously measured, revealing a potential changeover in diffusion mechanism. Understanding radiation-enhanced diffusion in model oxides that represent the surface layers on the structural components of nuclear reactors informs our understanding of their corrosion behavior under irradiation. Isotopic labeling can also provide unique insights into the surface exchange reactions and defect chemistry of electrocatalysts. For instance, tracking the change in 18 O concentration at the surface of an epitaxial LaNiO 3 thin film after the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction revealed the participation of lattice oxygen, confirming a hypothesis that had been proposed previously. Lastly, we highlight a new direction wherein we perform in situ processing studies utilizing isotopic tracers in conjunction with model epitaxial thin films within the atom probe tomography instrument. Additionally, this Account illustrates the great potential of isotopic engineering to enable fundamental mechanistic insights into physical processes and engineer functional properties in epitaxial films, heterostructures, and superlattices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Phosphorus-containing imide resins - Modification by elastomers

The syntheses and general features of addition-type maleimide resins based on bis(m-aminophenyl)phosphine oxide and tris(m-aminophenyl)phosphine oxide have been reported previously. These resins have been used to fabricate graphite cloth laminates having excellent flame resistance. These composites did not burn even in pure oxygen. However, these resins were somewhat brittle. This paper reports the modification of these phosphorus-containing resins by an amine-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer (ATBN) and a perfluoroalkylene diaromatic amine elastomer (3F). An approximately two-fold increase in short beam shear strength and flexural strength was observed at 7 percent ATBN concentration. The tensile, flexural, and shear strengths were reduced when 18 percent ATBN was used. Anaerobic char yields of the resins at 800 C and the limiting oxygen indexes of the laminates decreased with increasing ATBN concentration. The perfluorodiamine (3F) was used with both imide resins at 6.4 percent concentration. The shear strength was doubled in the case of the bisimide with no loss of flammability characteristics. The modified trisimide laminate also had improved properties over the unmodified one. The dynamic mechanical analysis of a four-ply laminate indicated a glass transition temperature above 300 C. Scanning electron micrographs of the ATBN modified imide resins were also recorded.

Varma, I. K.↗

Carbon and Oxygen Isotope Measurements of Ordinary Chondrite (OC) Meteorites from Antarctica Indicate Distinct Carbonate Species Using a Stepped Acid Extraction Procedure

The purpose of this study is to characterize the stable isotope values of terrestrial, secondary carbonate minerals from five Ordinary Chondrite (OC) meteorites collected in Antarctica. These samples were identified and requested from NASA based upon their size, alteration history, and collection proximity to known Martian meteorites. They are also assumed to be carbonate-free before falling to Earth. This research addresses two questions involving Mars carbonates: 1) characterize terrestrial, secondary carbonate isotope values to apply to Martian meteorites for isolating in-situ carbonates, and 2) increase understanding of carbonates formed in cold and arid environments with Antarctica as an analog for Mars. Two samples from each meteorite, each approximately 0.5 grams, were crushed and dissolved in pure phosphoric acid for 3 sequential reactions: a) R times 0 for 1 hour at 30 degrees Centigrade (fine calcite extraction), b) R times 1 for 18 hours at 30 degrees Centigrade (course calcite extraction), and c) R times 2 for 3 hours at 150 degrees Centigrade (siderite and/or magnesite extraction). CO (sub 2) was distilled by freezing with liquid nitrogen from each sample tube, then separated from organics and sulfides with a TRACE GC using a Restek HayeSep Q 80/100 6 foot 2 millimeter stainless column, and then analyzed on a Thermo MAT 253 Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (IRMS) in Dual Inlet mode. This system was built at NASA/JSC over the past 3 years and proof-tested with known carbonate standards to develop procedures, assess yield, and quantify expected error bands. Two distinct species of carbonates are found: 1) calcite, and 2) non-calcite carbonate (future testing will attempt to differentiate siderite from magnesite). Preliminary results indicate the terrestrial carbonates are formed at approximately sigma (sup 13) C equal to plus 5 per mille, which is consistent with atmospheric CO (sub 2) sigma (sup 13) C equal to minus 7 per mille and fractionation of plus12 per mille based upon polar temperature of -20 degrees Centigrade. The oxygen values fractionate sigma (sup 18) O equal to minus 10-20 per mille lighter between the R times 0 and R times 1 reactions at 30 degrees Centigrade. The carbonate oxygen isotope measurements are consistently heavier than expected with meteoric water and temperatures from Antarctica, perhaps due to secondary carbonate formation during curation in Houston, TX.

Evans, Michael E.↗

Electron stimulated desorption of atomic oxygen from silver

The electron stimulated desorption (ESD) of neutral oxygen atoms from polycrystalline silver and of oxygen ions from Ag(110) has been studied. Polycrystalline Ag charged with (16)O2 and (18)O2 and bombarded by low-energy electrons (approx 100 eV) under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) conditions emitted O atom flux levels of 1 x 10 to the 12th power/sq cm/s at a Ag temperature of 300 C. The flux was detected with a quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in the appearance potential mode. The neutral cross section at about 100 C was determined to be 7 x 10 to the -19 sq cm. Ancillary experiments conducted in a UHV chamber equipped with a cylindrical mirror analyzer and rigged for ion energy distribution and ion angular distribution were used to study O ions desorbed from Ag(110). Two primary O(+) energies of 2.4 and 5.4 eV were detected from the Ag(110) after having been dosed with 2500 L of (16)O2. It also appears that in both experiments there was strong evidence for directionality of the emitted flux. The results of this study serve as a proof of concept for the development of a laboratory atomic oxygen beam generator that simulates the gas flux environment experienced by orbiting vehicles.

Outlaw, R. A.↗

Determination of spectroscopic properties of atmospheric molecules from high resolution vacuum ultraviolet cross section and wavelength measurements

Progress is given on work on: cross section measurements in the transmission window regions of the Schumann-Runge bands of oxygen; the determinations of predissociation linewidths; the theoretical calculation of band oscillator strengths of the Schumann-Runge absorption bands of O-16O-18; the determination of molecular spectroscopic constants; and the combined Herzberg continuum cross sections. The experimental investigations relevant to the cross section measurements, predissociation linewidths, and molecular spectroscopic constants are effected at high resolution with a 6.65 m scanning spectrometer which is, by virtue of its small instrumental width (FWHM = 0.0013 nm), suitable for cross section measurements of molecular bands with discrete rotational structure. Such measurements are needed for accurate calculations of the stratospheric production of atomic oxygen and heavy ozone formed following the photo-predissociation of O-16O-18 by solar radiation penetrating between the absorption lines of O-16(sub 2).

Parkinson, W. H.↗

Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy and Differential Phase Contrast Imaging with Active Decision in Multimodal Electron Microscopy: Isotopic detection at the atomic scale

Isotopic engineering provides a powerful route to control phonon behavior in crystalline solids, enabling fundamental studies of lattice dynamics and heat transport at the atomic scale. Here, we directly visualize isotope-dependent phonon propagation in epitaxial Cr 2 O 3 using aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) combined with monochromated, high-energy-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). Guided by ab initio phonon calculations, we demonstrate that optical phonon modes above 70 meV are predominantly oxygen-derived and exhibit measurable redshifts upon substitution of natural 16 O by enriched 18 O. Spatially resolved vibrational spectrum imaging reveals isotope-enriched tracer layers within Cr 2 O 3 thin films, correlating isotope concentration with phonon intensity variations and vibrational energy shifts. At the nanometer and atomic scales, vibrational EELS mapping uncovers coherent phonon propagation across isotopic interfaces, consistent with theoretical phonon density of states and dispersion relations. These results establish vibrational EELS as a quantitative probe for isotope-dependent phonon transport in materials, opening new possibilities for studying energy dissipation and lattice dynamics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Auroral Observations by the Polar Ultraviolet Imager UVI

We present and discuss first results from the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) experiment launched oil the Polar spacecraft. The Polar spacecraft has an apogee of 9 Re, a perigee of 1.8 Re and the orbit period is ? 18 hours. The UVI camera, mounted on a despun platform, will image the auroral Oxygen lines at 130.4 nm and 135.6 nm, and the Nitrogen Lyman-Birge-Hopfield bands, at 160.0 - 190.0 nm. The camera has an 8-degree total field of view, an angular resolution of 0.036 degrees, and auroral images will be obtained with a time resolution of 37 seconds. The discussion will include how the UVI images are used to obtain quantitative information on the characteristic and total energies of global auroral precipitation.

Brittnacher, M. J.↗

Spring-Summer Temperatures Since AD 1780 Reconstructed from Stable Oxygen Isotope Ratios in White Spruce Tree-Rings from the Mackenzie Delta, Northwestern Canada

High-latitude delta(exp 18)O archives deriving from meteoric water (e.g., tree-rings and ice-cores) can provide valuable information on past temperature variability, but stationarity of temperature signals in these archives depends on the stability of moisture source/trajectory and precipitation seasonality, both of which can be affected by atmospheric circulation changes. A tree-ring delta(exp 18)O record (AD 1780-2003) from the Mackenzie Delta is evaluated as a temperature proxy based on linear regression diagnostics. The primary source of moisture for this region is the North Pacific and, thus, North Pacific atmospheric circulation variability could potentially affect the tree-ring delta(exp 18)O-temperature signal. Over the instrumental period (AD 1892-2003), tree-ring delta(exp 18)O explained 29% of interannual variability in April-July minimum temperatures, and the explained variability increases substantially at lower-frequencies. A split-period calibration/verification analysis found the delta(exp 18)O-temperature relation was time-stable, which supported a temperature reconstruction back to AD 1780. The stability of the delta(exp 18)O-temperature signal indirectly implies the study region is insensitive to North Pacific circulation effects, since North Pacific circulation was not constant over the calibration period. Simulations from the NASA-GISS ModelE isotope-enabled general circulation model confirm that meteoric delta(exp 18)O and precipitation seasonality in the study region are likely insensitive to North Pacific circulation effects, highlighting the paleoclimatic value of tree-ring and possibly other delta(exp 18)O records from this region. Our delta(exp 18)O-based temperature reconstruction is the first of its kind in northwestern North America, and one of few worldwide, and provides a long-term context for evaluating recent climate warming in the Mackenzie Delta region.

Canada↗

Sub-Zero Alteration in an Isotopically Heavy Brine Preserved in a Pristine H Chondrite Xenolith

Introduction: Brecciated H chondrites host a variety of xenoliths, including unshocked, phyllo- silicate-rich carbonaceous chondrites (CCs). The brecciated H chondrite Zag (H3-6) is one of two chondrites to host macroscopic (1 - 5mm), xenolithic crystals of halite (NaCl) with aqueous fluid inclusions and organics. A ~1cm CC xenolith in Zag (Zag clast) has mineralogy similar to CI chondrites, but it has a unique bulk oxygen isotopic composition among all meteorites (Δ(exp 17)O = 1.49 ± 0.04 ‰, δ(exp 18)O = 22.38 ± 0.17 ‰). The Zag clast encloses halite in its matrix, linking the coarse, matrix halite and the xenolith to the same parent object, suggested to be hydrovolcanically active. Its bulk C and N contents are the highest among chondrites and bulk δ(exp 15)N is similar to CR chondrites and Bells. Insoluble organic material (IOM) in the Zag clast has δD and δ(exp 15)N “hotspots”, also similar to CR chondrites and Bells (C2-ung.). We provide further isotopic characterization of the Zag clast to constrain the formation temperature and origin of its primary and secondary components.

Frank, D. R.↗

Molecular beam epitaxy of PdO on MgO (001)

PdO, widely used in catalysis in powder form for decades, has been predicted recently to be a Dirac semimetal. Synthesis of high-quality single crystals of this material is thus of great interest. Here, by using ozone-assisted molecular beam epitaxy, PdO thin films were grown on a MgO (001) substrate. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy indicate the film is a / b axis oriented, with the c axis lying in plane. Fully oxygenated PdO films have a low density of holelike carriers, and are insulating at the lowest temperatures. Our density functional theory calculations using the Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof exchange-correlation functional suggest a ~1.0 eV band gap at the M point, where the gap can be reduced by tensile strain along the c axis and the bands begin to invert when the tensile strain is as high as 18%. Although tensile strain of this magnitude is experimentally not viable using epitaxy, electrons can be doped by oxygen reduction. Finally, our results emphasize the need for careful consideration of electron correlation effects and stoichiometry in ab initio modeling of topological semimetals involving transition metal oxides.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Pressure-Induced Superconductivity In Polycrystalline La 3 Ni 2 O 7 − δ

We synthesized polycrystalline La 3 Ni 2 O 7 − δ ( δ ≈ 0.0 7 ) samples by using the sol-gel method without postannealing under high oxygen pressure, and then measured temperature-dependent resistivity under various hydrostatic pressures up to 18 GPa by using the cubic anvil and two-stage multianvil apparatus. We find that the density-wave-like anomaly in resistivity is progressively suppressed with increasing pressure and the resistivity drop corresponding to the onset of superconductivity emerges at pressure as low as ∼ 6 GPa . Zero resistivity is achieved at 9 GPa below T c zero ≈ 6.6 K , which increases quickly with pressure to 41 K at 18 GPa. However, the diamagnetic response was not detected in the ac magnetic susceptibility measurements up to 15 GPa, indicating a filamentary nature of the observed superconductivity in the studied pressure range. The constructed T − P phase diagram reveals an intimate relationship between superconductivity, density-wave-like order, and the strange-metal-like behaviors. The observation of zero-resistance state in the polycrystalline La 3 Ni 2 O 7 − δ samples under high pressures not only corroborates the recent report of superconductivity in the pressurized La 3 Ni 2 O 7 crystals but also facilitates further studies on this emerging family of nickelate high- T c superconductors. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

One man electrochemical air revitalization system

An integrated water vapor electrolysis (WVE) hydrogen depolarized CO2 concentrator (HDC) system sized for one man support over a wide range of inlet air conditions was designed, fabricated, and tested. Data obtained during 110 days of testing verified that this system can provide the necessary oxygen, CO2 removal, and partial humidity control to support one man (without exceeding a cabin partial pressure of 3.0 mmHg for CO2 and while maintaining a 20% oxygen level), when operated at a WVE current of 50 amperes and an HDC current of 18 amperes. An evaluation to determine the physical properties of tetramethylammonium bicarbonate (TMAC) and hydroxide was made. This provides the necessary electrolyte information for designing an HDC cell using TMAC.

Huddleston, J. C.↗

Pulmonary tolerance in man to continuous oxygen exposure at 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, and 1.5 ATA in Predictive Studies V

Oxygen effects on pulmonary function were measured in normal, resting men who breathed oxygen continuously at 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, and 1.5 ATA to predefined limits of CNS, cardiac, or pulmonary tolerance. Rates of pulmonary symptom intensification and decrease in vital capacity (VC) increased progressively with elevation of inspired oxygen pressure. Although VC decrements occurred concurrently with symptoms, the lung volume changes became prominent when symptoms were still mild. The observed effects were consistent with the interpretation that small airway function is impaired more selectively by oxygen exposure at 3.0 and 2.5 ATA than by exposure at 2.0 and 1.5 ATA. Despite similar VC changes after oxygen exposure at 2.0 ATA for nearly 10 hr and exposure at 1.5 ATA for almost 18 hr, the 2.0 ATA exposure caused greater impairment of pulmonary function and required a longer recovery period.

Clark, J. M.↗