The new mineral wiperamingaite, NaCaFe3+Al(PO4)F5(OH)·H2O, was found at the Wiperaminga Hill West Quarry, Boolcoomatta Reserve, Olary Province, South Australia, Australia where it has formed by hydrothermal alteration of triplite–zwieselite. Wiperamingaite occurs in a matrix of quartz, minor triplite and pyrite in association with fluorite, bermanite, leucophosphite and phosphosiderite. Crystals are transparent to translucent, brownish-orange to brownish-pink tablets, up to 0.25 mm across. The mineral has a white streak and vitreous lustre. It is brittle with a splintery fracture. The calculated density is 3.11 g/cm3. Optically, the mineral is biaxial (–) with α = 1.538(2), β = 1.599(2), γ = 1.614(2) (white light); 2V = 52(2)°; distinct r > v dispersion; orientation: X = a, Y = b, Z = c; pleochroism: X colourless, Y brown yellow, Z yellow; Y > Z > X.

Electron microprobe analysis provided the empirical formula Na0.97Ca1.01Fe3+0.92Al1.11(PO4)0.97F4.85(OH)1.32·0.95H2O. Wiperamingaite is orthorhombic, P212121, a = 5.3537(11), b = 5.5911(11), c = 26.279(5) Å, V = 786.6(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The structure of wiperamingaite contains chains of cis-corner connected Feφ6 octahedra (φ = O, OH and H2O) running parallel to [010] decorated with corner-connected PO4 tetrahedra. Adjacent chains link by corner-connection between the octahedra and tetrahedra to form sheets parallel to the (001) plane. Alφ6 octahedra (φ = O and F) attach to both sides of the sheets via corner-sharing with PO4 tetrahedra. Naφ11 polyhedra share edges and faces to form a layer between the sheets that links to the sheets via Alφ6 octahedra and Caφ8 polyhedra.

Two desert cyanobacterial strains, Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 010 and CCMEE 130, capable far-red light photoacclimation (FaRLiP), were investigated for the stability of biosignatures after six years of desiccation. Biosignature detectability was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy and Raman spectroscopy thus highlighting that these two FaRLiP cyanobacteria are a novel reservoir of an array of pigments, encompassing canonical chlorophyll a, far-red shifted chlorophylls, phycobilins and carotenoids. The recorded signals were comparable to those of dried cells of Chroococcidiopsis sp. CCMEE 029, CCMEE 057 and CCMEE 064, not capable of FaRLiP acclimation and previously reported for biosignature stability and survivability after exposure to space and Mars-like conditions during the BIOMEX (BIOlogy and Mars EXperiment) and BOSS (Biofilm Organisms Surfing Space) low Earth orbit missions. Since infrared-light driven photosynthesis has implications for the habitability of Mars as well as exoplanets, the stability of far-red shifted chlorophylls in dried Chroococcidiopsis is a prerequisite for future experimentations under simulated planetary conditions in the laboratory or directly into space. It is anticipated that post-flight investigations of FaRLiP cyanobacteria as part of the BioSigN (Bio-Signatures and habitable Niches) space mission will contribute to gather novel insights into biosignature degradation/stability and thus prepare future planetary exploration missions to Mars. In addition, the scored viability of strains CCMEE 010 and CCMEE 130 after prolonged desiccation is relevant to investigate life endurance under deep space conditions, as planned by the BioMoon mission that aims to expose dried and rehydrated extremophiles on the Moon surface after exposure to deep space.

Developing reduced-order models for the transport of solid particles in turbulence typically requires a statistical description of the particle–turbulence interactions. In this work, we utilize a statistical framework to derive continuum equations for the moments of the slip velocity of inertial, settling Lagrangian particles in a turbulent boundary layer. Using coupled Eulerian–Lagrangian direct numerical simulations, we then identify the dominant mechanisms controlling the slip velocity variance, and find that for a range of Stokes number ${S{\kern-0.5pt}t}^+$, Settling number ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+$ and Reynolds number $\textit{Re}_\tau$ (based on frictional scales),the slip variance is primarily controlled by local differences between the ‘seen’ variance and the particle velocity variance, while terms appearing due to the inhomogeneity of the turbulence are subleading until ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+$ becomes large. We also consider several comparative metrics to assess the relative magnitudes of the fluctuating slip velocity and the mean slip velocity, and we find that the vertical mean slip increases rapidly with ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+$, rendering the variance relatively small – an effect found to be most substantial for ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+\gt 1$. Finally, we compare the results with a model of the acceleration variance (Berk & Coletti 2021 J. Fluid Mech. 917, A47) based the concept of a response function described in Csanady (1963 J. Atmos. Sci. 20, 201–208), highlighting the role of the crossing trajectories mechanism. We find that while there is good agreement for low ${S{\kern-0.5pt}v}^+$, systematic errors remain, possibly due to implicit non-local effects arising from rapid particle settling and inhomogeneous turbulence. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of this work for modelling the transport of coarse dust grains in the atmospheric surface layer.

The use of nanoparticles in the composition of drilling fluids can improve some of their properties (e.g. thermal, mechanical, electrical and rheological) due to their small size and high surface area, which can diminish the loss of fluid to the formation, thereby increasing thermal conductivity, reducing friction and improving well stability. In this work, we investigated the rheological and static filtration properties and the thermal performance of non-aqueous drilling fluids with organo-palygorskite-containing hydrophobic alumina (Al2O3) and amphiphilic strontium nickelate (SrNiO3) nanoparticles in varying concentrations. The results indicate that the fluids with nanoparticles had greater plastic viscosity and lower filtrate volumes. With regard to thermal performance, the fluids with nanoparticles absorbed more heat when subjected to higher temperatures. However, this excess energy was more easily released upon cooling. This study demonstrates the affinity of nanoparticles with the solvent phase of a drilling fluid and how this interaction affects their properties, with a particular emphasis on amphiphilic nanoparticles, which have been shown to have better performance in non-aqueous fluids with organo-palygorskite.

Temporal storm surge clustering refers to a series of events affecting the same region within a short period of time, which can strongly influence coastal flooding impacts and erosion. Here, we analyze global storm surge clustering from tide gauges and a state-of-the-art global model hindcast to identify geographical hotspots of extreme storm surge clusters and assess event frequencies. We study the spatial distribution as well as the contribution of different event intensities to clustering. On average, globally, 92% of coastal locations show significant temporal clustering for 1-year return period events, and 25% for 5-year return level events, although notable spatial differences exist. Our results reveal two distinct clustering regimes: (i) short timescale clustering, where events occur in rapid succession (intra-annual), and (ii) long timescales (inter-annual), providing varying recovery times between events. We also test the validity of assuming a Poisson distribution, commonly used in storm surge frequency analyses. Our results show that >80% of the stations analyzed do not follow a Poisson distribution, at least when including events that are not the most extreme but exceeded, for example, the 1-year return level. These findings offer insights into temporal clustering dynamics of storm surges and their implications for coastal hazard assessments.

Understanding microbial adaptations to the extreme conditions of space is crucial for both astronaut health and the integrity of spacecraft materials. This study comparatively analyses the cosmic radiation resistance and growth responses to simulated microgravity (SMG) of a wild-type strain and an International Space Station (ISS) isolate of Penicillium rubens. Resistance to helium- and iron-ion radiation was determined, alongside growth under SMG using clinorotation. The results revealed that the ISS isolate exhibited higher resistance to both helium- and iron-ion radiation than the wild-type strain, suggesting adaptive mechanisms that enhance survival in space environments. Additionally, while the ISS isolate demonstrated significantly increased growth in SMG compared to normal gravity conditions, the wild-type strain showed no difference between the two conditions. These findings indicate that prolonged exposure to the space environment may select for traits that enhance resistance to cosmic radiation and alter growth dynamics under microgravity. Such adaptations could have implications for microbial monitoring in space habitats, planetary protection policies, and potential biotechnological applications in space. Further investigations into the genetic and metabolic differences between both strains may provide deeper insights into fungal adaptation to space environments.

During the last decade, early Neolithic sites with unique flat-bottomed pottery as distinguishing feature were discovered in the southern part of Western Siberia at the Baraba forest-steppe and identified as the Early Neolithic Baraba Culture (briefly, Baraba culture). The culture is represented in settlements and ritual complexes, has households, as well as implements made of stone and bone. Samples of mammal bones, bird bones and bone artifacts were collected from three sites of the Baraba Culture: Vengerovo-2, Tartas-1, and Ust-Tartas mounds, and dated by accelerator mass-spectrometry (AMS) to reconstruct the chronology of the sites. 36 reliable radiocarbon dates were obtained: 12 of them at the Curt-Engelhorn-Centre of Archaeometry (Mannheim, Germany) and 24 at the AMS Golden Valley (Novosibirsk, Russia). Minimal-to-no differences between radiocarbon dates assessed at GV and MAMS facilities were identified by Bayesian analysis of covariance/analysis of variance. Bayesian chronological modeling supports existence of the Baraba culture between the middle of 8th millennium BC till the start of 6th millennium BC. Two stages of sites’ use were identified, separated by the transitory period of uncertain duration lasting since the end of 7th millennium. The end of the first stage was followed by abandonment of the Tartas-1 site, which we suggest coincided with the start of the 8.2k climatic event.1

Given the ongoing global extinction crisis, preserving genetic diversity is critical for long-term ecosystem resilience. A large, openly available DNA barcoding database could support this goal by allowing the identification of ‘genetic hotspots’ for conservation planning. We studied 77 woody species in the Monte Desert, South America’s largest dryland, using ITS2 and rbcLa markers to identify haplotypes for each species. We modified a previously published genetic diversity criterion, which prioritizes uniqueness, to also consider species ubiquity. We then mapped this genetic diversity metric, calculated Faith’s phylogenetic diversity (PD) index and overlaid our map with protected areas and permanent plantations. We identified five robust genetic hotspots, three of which coalesced into a central ‘mega-hotspot’. Alarmingly, most hotspots lay outside existing protected areas, and two overlapped with permanent plantations. As expected, high PD did not consistently align with high genetic diversity or species richness, suggesting that in the Monte Desert current protected areas overlook key genetic and PD. Our study highlights the importance of integrating DNA barcoding from understudied geographic regions into conservation plans.

Understanding the developmental and occupational histories of Ancestral Maya settlements is crucial for interpreting their roles in broader social, political, and economic dynamics. This article presents 62 new accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) 14C dates from residential groups in the outlying settlement zone at Alabama, a major inland Ancestral Maya center in East-Central Belize. Alabama is a rare example of a “boomtown” in the Maya lowlands, experiencing rapid development primarily during the 8th and 9th century CE, corresponding to the Late to Terminal Classic periods. Using Bayesian stratigraphic sequence models, we construct detailed developmental and occupational histories for the townsite, clarifying the timing of its development, occupation, and abandonment. Our analysis reveals complex residential histories, confirming a rapid tempo of Late and Terminal Classic settlement growth and indicating continuities in occupation into the 10th century CE and beyond. Furthermore, we identify two separate periods of occupation during the Early Classic (cal AD 345–545) and the Late Postclassic (cal AD 1325–1475), demonstrating that parts of the settlement were inhabited at different intervals over many centuries. These results offer the first detailed deep-history perspective for the East-Central Belize region, establishing a framework that addresses challenges in chronology-building posed by poor pottery preservation and the complexities of earthen-core architecture at the site and enabling future chronological modeling in this lesser-known frontier of the eastern Maya lowlands.

This study presents a series of new radiocarbon dates and the first stable carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements of C3 cereal grains from Roman Iron Age (1–400 AD) archaeobotanical assemblages in Lithuania, southeastern Baltic region. These data are complemented by stable isotope measurements of faunal remains to assess local environmental conditions and evaluate human impact on the landscape through agricultural practices. The δ15N and δ13C values indicate that agriculture during this period relied heavily on intensive manuring and cultivation in open, well-irrigated landscapes. The results also reveal diverse cultivation strategies across sites, with isotopic differences between rye and barley suggesting the possible use of an infield–outfield cultivation system. Radiocarbon dates indicate that these agricultural innovations may have started as early as the 1st to mid-2nd century AD with the introduction of rye, however the evidence points to a gradual and uneven adoption rather than a rapid uniform shift.

The James Ross Basin, situated in the northwestern portion of the Antarctic Peninsula, holds one of the most complete sedimentary records of the Cretaceous, and hosts exceptionally well-preserved and diverse fossil assemblages, particularly notable for high southern latitudes. The Santa Marta Formation (Santonian–Campanian) harbors a rich decapod crustacean fauna, including Anomura, Astacidea, Achelata, Brachyura, and Glypheidea. Among brachyuran crabs, only four families have been described on James Ross Island: Homolodromiidae, Necrocarcinidae, Prosopidae, and Raninidae. This work focuses on a brachyuran from the Marambio Group, a part of the Santa Marta Formation. The material presented here was collected during the 41st Brazilian Antarctic Operation by researchers of the PALEOANTAR project. The site consists of a sequence of intercalated volcanic sandstones, siltstones, and tuffs, interpreted as a set of volcanoclastic deposits formed in a deltaic environment. The specimen described here with a well-preserved ventral surface, Sabellidromites santamarta new species, is assigned to the Dynomenidae based on uropods as calcified dorsal plates, a reduced, obliquely subdorsal fifth pereopod (fourth pereopod not reduced), and characteristics of the dorsal carapace. The occurrence of Sabellidromites santamarta n. sp. in the Santonian–Campanian of Antarctica suggests biogeographic exchanges of the dynomenid fauna between the Northern and Southern hemispheres during the Late Cretaceous.

UUID: http://zoobank.org/5c53c84a-af78-432f-ba1a-795008a3db70

Microbial O2 production via oxygenic photosynthesis was vital in oxygenating the Earth’s surface environment during the Great Oxygenation Event (GOE) ca. 2.5 to 2.3 billion years ago. However, geochemical, paleontological and genomic data suggest the emergence of oxygenic photosynthesis precedes the GOE by at least 500 million years. This demonstrates that the first appearance of microbial O2 in the environment cannot explain the timing of atmospheric oxygenation. Instead, the GOE was facilitated by Earth’s geodynamic evolution, expanding cyanobacterial habitats and the changing redox state of the mantle, decreasing the abundance of reduced surface rocks, volcanic gases and aqueous solutes. These trends ultimately resulted in magnified O2 production rates and diminished O2 consumption rates. Thus, the GOE can be understood as a misbalance between O2 sources and sinks. One of the most critical O2 sinks on modern Earth is microbial O2 consumption via aerobic respiration, and accumulating evidence suggests its emergence well before the GOE. However, the role of aerobic microorganisms as an O2 sink delaying the GOE remains poorly explored. Here, we review the redox evolution of Earth’s mantle and surface environments, as well as the Archean evolution of aerobic microbial metabolisms. Oxygenic photosynthesis released O2 to the environment, but the secular oxidation of the solid Earth was critical in allowing O2 accumulation. Aerobic respiration expanded in response to the GOE, but our survey suggests it could have been a critical O2 sink even earlier. Hence, aerobic respiration can be seen as geobiological feedback to changes in the Earth system from deep in the mantle up to the surface. However, the timing and rate of O2 consumption by aerobic respiration before the GOE remain poorly constrained. We conclude by highlighting open questions and future research directions to understand the role of the aerobic O2 sink in delaying the GOE.

In recent years, the increasing accumulation of radiocarbon dating data in Jomon research has progressed, creating a foundation for more detailed chronological estimates of the Jomon period’s high-resolution typo-chronology. However, there remains a gap between relative chronologies based on typology and radiocarbon data. A key issue arises from discrepancies between the concept of keishiki (“type” in Japanese) as a time unit of relative chronology, defined based on production period, and the radiocarbon dates, which reflect various events that occurred to the pottery after its production. To overcome the gap, this study introduced a new Bayesian chronological model, the one-sided sequential model, which sequentially orders only the start boundaries of each typological group. When this model was applied to a case study from the Middle Jomon period in the Kanto region, it estimated more reasonable date ranges for each phase of the typo-chronology than the contiguous model. Additionally, the resulting estimated duration of each pottery type was shorter during periods of higher estimated populations and longer during periods of lower estimated populations, providing new insights into the temporal aspects of Jomon society While Bayesian chronological modeling is not prevalent in Jomon research, appropriate models make it possible to make chronological estimates consistent with the high-resolution Jomon chronology, which is considered to approach a generational scale. Such attempts enable detailed clarification of various social and cultural changes. The temporality of the past thus revealed provides a new approach to a deeper understanding of Jomon society.