Search

• Data from first stand-alone strapdown gravity survey in Antarctica is presented. • Magnetic data and digital enhancements further constrain sub-ice shelf geology. • Aerogeophysical data show 80 × 30 × 6 km mafic intrusion on margin of East Antarctica. • Pattern of regional intrusions consistent with lithospheric control on mantle melting. Massive volumes of mafic magmatism forming the Karoo-Ferrar Large Igneous Province (LIP) in Southern Africa and Antarctica preceded Jurassic breakup of the Gondwana Supercontinent. This widespread LIP magmatism is attributed to a major mantle plume, or plumes, impacting an area thousands of kilometres across. Magmas in lava flows and shallow sills, which flowed laterally hundreds to thousands of kilometres, form most of the exposed LIP. Hence, the distribution of shallow level mafic rocks may not reflect the location of mantle melting. In contrast, large deep-seated mafic intrusions such as gabbros likely more directly overlie areas of mantle melting. Antarctic exposures of such intrusions are limited to the Dufek Intrusion and outcrops >1000 km to the north, hence the true pattern of mantle melting is poorly constrained. Regional aeromagnetic and aerogravity data suggest other Jurassic mafic intrusions are present, but detailed analysis of these bodies is lacking. To define more precisely the distribution of mafic intrusions we use data from the first stand-alone strapdown gravity survey in Antarctica. This innovative technique allows collection of aerogravity data during draped flight, resolving anomalies with a wavelength of ∼6 km and a root-mean-square error of 1.8 mGal. Combining this new gravity data with coincident aeromagnetic data we investigate a ∼50 mGal gravity and associated >1000 nT magnetic high in Coats Land, East Antarctica. Our interpretation is that the so called 'Halley High' reflects a large gabbroic body ∼80 km long, 30 km wide and ∼6 km thick, equivalent to the inferred total size to the better known Stillwater layered mafic intrusion in the US. Our interpretation of a large mafic intrusion supports the suggestion from reconnaissance aeromagnetic data that this and other similar anomalies are Jurassic mafic intrusions. These large mafic intrusions, and hence underlying mantle melting, appear restricted to a linear band parallel to the continental margin. This structured pattern of mantle melting is consistent with shallow mantle convection and lithospheric extension playing a significant role in the later stages of the Karoo-Ferrar magmatism. An apparent 650 km gap in mafic intrusions adjacent to the continental Weddell Sea Rift System suggests different mantle processes were occurring here. Future joint magnetic and strapdown gravity surveying presents a key opportunity to fully constrain the location and extent of mantle melting during Gondwana breakup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution of heat flow in Antarctic continental crust is critical to understanding continental tectonics, ice sheet growth and subglacial hydrology. We identify a group of High Heat Production granites, intruded into upper crustal Palaeozoic metasedimentary sequences, which may contribute to locally high heat flow beneath the West Antarctic Ice Sheet. Four of the granite plutons are exposed above ice sheet level at Pagano Nunatak, Pirrit Hills, Nash Hills and Whitmore Mountains. A new U Pb zircon age from Pirrit Hills of 178.0 ± 3.5 Ma confirms earlier Rb Sr and U Pb dating and that the granites were emplaced approximately coincident with the first stage of Gondwana break-up and the developing Weddell rift, and ~ 5 m.y. after eruption of the Karoo-Ferrar large igneous province. Aerogeophysical data indicate that the plutons are distributed unevenly over 40,000 km 2 with one intruded into the transtensional Pagano Shear Zone, while the others were emplaced within the more stable Ellsworth-Whitmore mountains continental block. The granites are weakly peraluminous A-types and have Th and U abundances up to 60.7 and 28.6 ppm respectively. Measured heat production of the granite samples is 2.96–9.06 μW/m 3 (mean 5.35 W/m 3 ), significantly higher than average upper continental crust and contemporaneous silicic rocks in the Antarctic Peninsula. Heat flow associated with the granite intrusions is predicted to be in the range 70–95 mW/m 2 depending on the thickness of the high heat production granite layer and the regional heat flow value. Analysis of detrital zircon compositions and ages indicates that the high Th and U abundances are related to enrichment of the lower-mid crust that dates back to 200–299 Ma at the time of the formation of the Gondwanide fold belt and its post-orogenic collapse and extension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Weddell Sea Rift was a major focus for Jurassic extension and magmatism during the early stages of Gondwana break-up and underlies the Weddell Sea Embayment, which separates East Antarctica from a collage of crustal blocks in West Antarctica. Newly-collected aerogeophysical data over the catchments of Institute and Möller ice streams reveal the inland extent of the Weddell Sea Rift against the Ellsworth-Whitmore block and a hitherto unknown major left-lateral strike slip boundary between East and West Antarctica. Aeromagnetic and gravity anomalies define the regional subglacial extent of Proterozoic basement, Middle Cambrian rift-related volcanic rocks, Jurassic intrusions and sedimentary rocks of inferred post-Jurassic age. 2D and 3D magnetic depth-to-source estimates were used to help constrain joint magnetic and gravity models for the region. The models reveal that Proterozoic crust similar to that exposed at Haag Nunataks, extends southeast of the Ellsworth Mountains to the margin of the Coastal Basins. Thick granitic Jurassic intrusions are modelled at the transition between the Ellsworth-Whitmore block and the thinner crust of the Weddell Sea Rift and within the Pagano Shear Zone. The crust beneath the inland extension of the Weddell Sea Rift is modelled as being either ~4km thinner compared to the adjacent Ellsworth-Whitmore block or as underlain by an up to 8km thick mafic underplate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Methanesulfonic acid (MSA) is an important product from the oxidation of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and thus is often used as a tracer for marine biogenic sources and secondary organic aerosol. MSA also contributes to aerosol mass and potentially to the formation of cloud condensation nuclei and new particles. However, measurements of MSA at high temporal resolution in the remote Arctic are scarce, which limits our understanding of its formation, climate change impact and regional transport. Here, we applied a validated quantification method to determine the mass concentration of MSA and non-sea salt sulfate (nss-SO 4) in PM 2.5 in the marine boundary layer, using a high resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) during a research cruise to the Arctic and North Atlantic Ocean, between 55 °N and 68 °N (26th May to June 23, 2022). With this method, the concentrations of MSA in the remote Arctic marine boundary layer were determined for the first time. Results show that the average MSA concentration was 0.025 ± 0.03 μg m−3, ranging from <0.01 to 0.32 μg m−3. The lowest MSA level was found towards the northern leg of the cruise (near Sisimut (67 °N)) with air masses from sea ice over the northern polar region, and the highest MSA concentrations were observed over the Atlantic open ocean. The diurnal cycles of gas MSA, particulate MSA and nss-SO 4 peaked in the afternoon, about one hour later than that of peak of solar radiation, which suggests that photochemical process is an important mechanism for the conversion of DMS into MSA above the remote ocean. The mass ratio of MSA to nss-SO 4 (MSA/nss-SO 4) presents a temperature dependence, which indicates that the addition branching pathway favors MSA formation, while thermal decay of intermediate radicals could be a possible pathway for sulfate formation. Finally, we found that the MSA/nss-SO 4 ratio is around 0.22-0.25 in the remote northern marine atmosphere. [Display omitted] • A validated quantification method was employed to determine the particulate MSA mass concentration by HR-TOF-AMS. • The OH-initiated pathway is an important mechanism for the conversion of DMS into MSA above the remote ocean. • Mass ratio of MSA to nss-SO 4 presents temperature dependence during the whole cruise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Wilkes Subglacial Basin represents an approximately 1400 km-long and up to 600 km wide subglacial depression, buried beneath the over 3 km-thick East Antarctic Ice Sheet. Contrasting models, including rift models and flexural models, have been previously put forward to explain the tectonic origin of this enigmatic basin, which is located in the largely unexplored hinterland of the Transantarctic Mountains. A major aerogeophysical survey was flown during the 2005–06 austral summer to explore the Wilkes Subglacial Basin. Our new airborne radar dataset reveals that the Wilkes Subglacial Basin contains several subglacial basins, which are considerably deeper than previously mapped. Major aeromagnetic lineaments are detected from total field, pseudo-gravity, tilt derivative and Euler Deconvolution maps. These aeromagnetic lineaments reveal that the Wilkes Subglacial Basin and its sub-basins are structurally controlled. Comparison between aeromagnetic signatures over the Wilkes Subglacial Basin region and the Cordillera in North America, suggests that the basin contains a former broad backarc basin and fold-and-thrust belts, forming the transition between a Precambrian craton and the Ross Orogen. The eastern margin of the Wilkes Subglacial Basin is imposed upon the Prince Albert Fault System and the Priestley Fault. These faults may have been reactivated in the Cenozoic, as major strike–slip faults. The western margin of the Wilkes Subglacial Basin is located along the southern extension of the Precambrian-age Mertz Shear Zone and marks the edge of the Terre Adélie Craton. High-frequency aeromagnetic anomalies in the Wilkes Subglacial Basin image large volumes of Jurassic tholeiites, which were intruded into and extruded over Beacon sediments in a possible rift setting. Depth-estimates of magnetic anomaly sources and forward modelling indicate that major Cretaceous and Cenozoic rift basins with thick sedimentary infill, comparable to the deep Ross Sea Rift basins, are however unlikely beneath this part of the Wilkes Subglacial Basin. More localised graben-like features, with up to 1.5 km of sedimentary infill are identified in the Central Basins. These grabens may be transtensional features related to regional Cenozoic intraplate strike–slip deformation, which has been extensively mapped over the adjacent Transantarctic Mountains, and/or older Cretaceous grabens. Over 3 km deep sedimentary basins are also imaged beneath the Western Basins and are inferred to contain older sedimentary infill of Ross-age, based on recent dating of glacial erratics between Mertz and Ninnis Glacier. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose The aim of this work was to determine whether a commercial knowledge-based treatment planning (KBP) module can efficiently produce IMRT and VMAT plans in the pelvic region (prostate & cervical cancer), and to assess sensitivity of plan quality to training data and model parameters. Methods Initial benchmarking of KBP was performed using prostate cancer cases. Structures and dose distributions from 40 patients previously treated using a 5-field IMRT technique were used for model training. Two types of model were created: one excluded statistical outliers (as identified by RapidPlan guidelines) and the other had no exclusions. A separate model for cervix uteri cancer cases was subsequently developed using 37 clinical patients treated for cervical cancer using RapidArc™ VMAT, with no exclusions. The resulting models were then used to generate plans for ten patients from each patient group who had not been included in the modelling process. Comparisons of generated RapidPlans with the corresponding clinical plans were carried out to indicate the required modifications to the models. Model parameters were then iteratively adjusted until plan quality converged with that obtained by experienced planners without KBP. Results Initial automated model generation settings led to poor conformity, coverage and efficiency compared to clinical plans. Therefore a number of changes to the initial KBP models were required. Before model optimisation, it was found that the PTV coverage was slightly reduced in the superior and inferior directions for RapidPlan compared with clinical plans and therefore PTV parameters were adjusted to improve coverage. OAR doses were similar for both RapidPlan and clinical plans ( p > 0.05). Excluding outliers had little effect on plan quality ( p ≫ 0.05). Manually fixing key optimisation objectives enabled production of clinically acceptable treatment plans without further planner intervention for 9 of 10 prostate test patients and all 10 cervix test patients. Conclusions The Varian RapidPlan™ system was able to produce IMRT & VMAT treatment plans in the pelvis, in a single optimisation, that had comparable sparing and comparable or better conformity than the original clinically acceptable plans. The system allows for better consistency and efficiency in the treatment planning process and has therefore been adopted clinically within our institute with over 100 patients treated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET)–guided focal dose escalation in oropharyngeal cancer may potentially improve local control. We evaluated the feasibility of this approach using volumetric-modulated arc therapy (RapidArc) and compared these plans with fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) focal dose escalation plans. Materials and methods: An initial study of 20 patients compared RapidArc with fixed-field IMRT using standard dose prescriptions. From this cohort, 10 were included in a dose escalation planning study. Dose escalation was applied to 18F-FDG-PET–positive regions in the primary tumor at dose levels of 5% (DL1), 10% (DL2), and 15% (DL3) above standard radical dose (65 Gy in 30 fractions). Fixed-field IMRT and double-arc RapidArc plans were generated for each dataset. Dose-volume histograms were used for plan evaluation and comparison. The Paddick conformity index (CIPaddick) and monitor units (MU) for each plan were recorded and compared. Both IMRT and RapidArc produced clinically acceptable plans and achieved planning objectives for target volumes. Dose conformity was significantly better in the RapidArc plans, with lower CIPaddick scores in both primary (PTV1) and elective (PTV2) planning target volumes (largest difference in PTV1 at DL3; 0.81 ± 0.03 [RapidArc] vs. 0.77 ± 0.07 [IMRT], p = 0.04). Maximum dose constraints for spinal cord and brainstem were not exceeded in both RapidArc and IMRT plans, but mean doses were higher with RapidArc (by 2.7 ± 1 Gy for spinal cord and 1.9 ± 1 Gy for brainstem). Contralateral parotid mean dose was lower with RapidArc, which was statistically significant at DL1 (29.0 vs. 29.9 Gy, p = 0.01) and DL2 (29.3 vs. 30.3 Gy, p = 0.03). MU were reduced by 39.8–49.2% with RapidArc (largest difference at DL3, 641 ± 94 vs. 1261 ± 118, p < 0.01). 18F-FDG-PET–guided focal dose escalation in oropharyngeal cancer is feasible with RapidArc. Compared with conventional fixed-field IMRT, RapidArc can achieve better dose conformity, improve contralateral parotid sparing, and uses fewer MU. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]