Succinite, Baltic Amber:A Chemical Masterpiece of Nature

Succinite,Baltic amber,is one of the most appreciated fossil resins.Its beauty has fascinated people since prehistoric times.It is a substance,and also gemstone,whose uniqueness is due to its compelling,though still not fully understood,physicochemical nature.In this article,some facts about the physical and chemical properties of succinite in order to find an answer for questions about the unique properties of this resin,such as color,transparency,texture etc.,are discussed.These properties are among the factors that determine the choice of Baltic amber as a gemstone.Commonly known properties of succinite,but also some less obvious features,have been linked to the organic and inorganic chemical composition and structural factors,including the sophisticated supramolecular structure masterfully created by nature.Changes of the properties of succinite used as a jewelry stone are discussed as a reflection of changes in its physicochemical nature.In this light,some methods that can be used to identify succinite(i.e.,infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy)and their relevance to the classification of fossil resins are briefly discussed.This article highlights an important point:only by understanding the chemical and physical nature of the material we able to identify,modify and effectively use the goods that have been given to us by mother nature.

NEUMAG(BALTIC520)卷曲机温水循环系统缺陷原因分析及改进

文章分析了NEUMAG(BALTIC520)卷曲机原设计缺陷和结构特点,对卷曲机温水循环系统所存在的问题及其产生的原因进行了深入的分析,提出了卷曲机温水循环系统技术改进的可行性,制定了详细的改进方案并予以实施。

A sensitivity study of the WRF model in offshore wind modeling over the Baltic Sea

Accurate wind modeling is important for wind resources assessment and wind power forecasting. To improve the WRF model configuration for the offshore wind modeling over the Baltic Sea, this study performed a sensitivity study of the WRF model to multiple model configurations, including domain setup,grid resolution, sea surface temperature, land surface data, and atmosphere-wave coupling. The simulated offshore wind was evaluated against LiDAR observations under different wind directions, atmospheric stabilities, and sea status. Generally, the simulated wind profiles matched observations, despite systematic underestimations. Strengthening the forcing from the reanalysis data through reducing the number of nested domains played the largest role in improving wind modeling. Atmosphere-wave coupling further improved the simulated wind, especially under the growing and mature sea conditions.Increasing the vertical resolution, and updating the sea surface temperature and the land surface information only had a slight impact, mainly visible during very stable conditions. Increasing the horizontal resolution also only had a slight impact, most visible during unstable conditions. Our study can help to improve the wind resources assessment and wind power forecasting over the Baltic Sea.

A New Species Group in the Genus Tanytarsus van der Wulp (Diptera:Chironomidae) Based on a Fossil Record from Baltic Amber

A new fossil chironomid, Tanytarsus serafini, found in Baltic amber is described and illustrated based on adult males. The new species and similar extant species of the genus Tanytarsus van der Wulp are compared. Due to several distinct characters of wing, legs and bypopygium, a new species group for Tanytarsus serafini is proposed, and its diagnostic features are evaluated.

A New Species of Dactylolabis (Eobothrophorus) from Baltic Amber(Diptera:Limoniidae)

A new species, Dactylolabis （Eobothrophorus） hoffeinsorum sp. nov. from the Baltic amber is described, based on one male. The distinctive characters are the shape of the discal cell in the wing and the shape of the process on tergite IX. The description of Dactylolabis （Eobothrophorus） lauryni Podenas, 2003 is amended, based on an additional specimen. With the new species added herein, the number of species of this subgenus totals four. The wing venation, antennae, and tergal processes of all four species of the subgenus described from the Baltic amber are compared.

New Hormaphididae(Hemiptera,Aphidomorpha) from the Baltic Amber and its Palaeogeographic Significance

The present study describes a new genus and species Unicohormaphis sorini,which belongs to the subfamily Cerataphidinae.The contemporary distribution of aphids belonging to the Hormaphididae family is summarized and analyzed.According to the obtained data,the climate warming in Eocene was conducive to the expansion of the family over the areas of Europe.Subsequent climate changes,resulting from epeirogenic and orogenic movements towards the end of Eocene,led to a considerable cooling and drying of climate in the northern hemisphere.These processes contributed to the shrinking down of areas covered by subtropical forests,which constituted the habitat of Hormaphididae（Cerataphidinae）.Retaining their way of life,the Cerataphidinae were forced to limit their distribution,and the representatives of the family in Europe became completely extinct.

Microelectrona cladara gen.et sp.nov.:A New Protodikraneurini from the Eocene Baltic Amber(Hemiptera:Cicadomorpha:Cicadellidae:Typhlocybinae)

A new genus Microelectrona gen. nov. and species Microelectrona cladara sp. nov. of the extinct tribe Protodikraneurini of the leafhoppers （Cicadellidae： Typhlocybinae） from the Eocene Baltic amber is described. The piece of amber containing leafhopper inclusion is broken, unveiling some of the morphological structures, and enabling their studies using scanning electron microscopy.

The effects of mean sea level rise and strengthened winds on extreme sea levels in the Baltic Sea

Mean sea level rise and climatological wind speed changes occur as part of the ongoing climate change and future projections of both variables are still highly uncertain. Here the Baltic Sea's response in extreme sea levels to perturbations in mean sea level and wind speeds is investigated in a series of simulations with a newly developed storm surge model based on the nucleus for European modeling of the ocean(NEMO)-Nordic. A simple linear model with only two tunable parameters is found to capture the changes in the return levels extremely well. The response to mean sea level rise is linear and nearly spatially uniform, meaning that a mean sea level rise of 1 m increases the return levels by a equal amount everywhere. The response to wind speed perturbations is more complicated and return levels are found to increase more where they are already high. This behaviour is alarming as it suggests that already flooding prone regions like the Gulf of Finland will be disproportionally adversely affected in a future windier climate.

Linkages between Arctic sea ice cover,large-scale atmospheric circulation,and weather and ice conditions in the Gulf of Bothnia,Baltic Sea

During years 1980/1981-2012/2013, inter-annual variations in sea ice and snow thickness in Kemi, in the northern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, Baltic Sea, depended on the air temperature, snow fall, and rain. Inter-annual variations in the November--April mean air temperature, accumulated total precipitation, snow fall, and rain, as well as ice and snow thickness in Kemi and ice concentration in the Gulf of Bothnia correlated with inter-annual variations of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation （PDO）, Arctic Oscillation （AO）, North Atlantic Oscillation （NAO）, Scandinavian Pattern （SCA）, and Polar / Eurasian Pattern （PEU）. The strong role of PDO is a new finding. In general, the relationships with PDO were approximately equally strong as those with AO, but rain and sea ice concentration were better correlated with PDO. The correlations with PDO were, however, not persistent; for a study period since 1950 the correlations were much lower. During 1980/1981--2012/2013, also the Pacific / North American Pattern （PNA） and E1 Nino-Southern Oscillation （ENSO） had statistical connections with the conditions in the Gulf of Bothnia, revealed by analyzing their effects combined with those of PDO and AO. A reduced autumn sea ice area in the Arctic was related to increased rain and total precipitation in the following winter in Kemi. This correlation was significant for the Pan-Arctic sea ice area in September, October, and November, and for the November sea ice area in the Barents / Kara seas.

Oil and Gas Potential of Eurasian Western Arctic Shelf/Exploration in the Nearshore Area of Northeastern Baltic Shield

A number of large and unique oil and gas fields were discovered over the western Arctic shelf of Eurasia. Some of them were partially appraised. Also, there are three potentially hydrocarbon-rich but insufficiently studied areas in the region. The discovery of commercial accumulations there would substantially increase the petroleum potential of the entire region. These areas are northern Murmansk Oblast, on the Rybachy Peninsula, the Franz-Joseph Land area, and?the North Kara Shelf. It is suggested that oil and gas field discoveries in the former two areas are most expedient under current conditions. The oil and gas potential of the northwestern Kola Peninsula is reviewed in more detail.

China and Russia on the Baltic Sea: Between Rivalry and Cooperation

The Russian-Chinese cooperation conducted on sea basin conducted in the 21st century is aimed at limiting the US ability to control global transport routes,especially energy transport carriers.The community of interests outlined in this way allows for undertaking a number of political and economic initiatives and the use of demonstration of strength in regions where the national interests of both countries are located.Its scope is limited by existing divergences,which particularly concern the European policy of both countries.Chinese plans to build the One Belt One Road transport system are violating the status quo in Eurasia in favour of Beijing.While under the Asian policy both countries have managed to reach a compromise regarding the way of economic activity and the formula for building this merger,the scale of divergence of interests in Europe limits the possibility of reaching a similar agreement.Russia’s goal is primarily to limit the US’s ability to control northern shipping routes,followed by maintaining political and economic influence in Europe in the context of China’s increasing activity and the gradual decrease in the demand for energy resources.For China,the goal is to make the most effective use of the transport system to Europe,ultimately based on the One Belt One Road project.Therefore,the only common strategic goals of both countries in relation to Europe are striving to transfer the burden of US maritime activity from Asian reservoirs to the waters of the Artic and North Atlantic the seas surrounding Europe.However,the Chinese from this group exclude the Baltic Sea,which is to be an area of political stability.However,in the assumptions of Russian policy,the Baltic is to be a substitute region for conducting Arctic rivalry.The existing discrepancies mean that the scope of European cooperation of both countries is limited and will focus on limiting the American dominance on maritime shipping routes and economic undertakings enabling the realization of the interests of both countries.

Observed Changes in Long-Term Climatic Conditions and Inner-Regional Differences in Urban Regions of the Baltic Sea Coast

This paper presents research outcomes from an investigation into climate change and urban impacts on climate development in urban regions of the Baltic Sea coast. The cities considered were Rostock and Stockholm, and their surrounding regions. The objectives were: 1) to determine whether significant changes in temperature and precipitation have occurred and, if so, to what extent;and 2) to establish whether there is a noticeable urban heat island effect in Stockholm and the medium-sized city of Rostock. Climatic trends were detected by linear regression and the Mann- Kendall test. Different precipitation trends were detected over the whole period of observation. Average annual temperatures increased significantly in both case studies, particularly from the 1970s with highest trends in winter and lowest in autumn (Rostock) and summer (Stockholm). Although changes in temperature extremes were detected for both regions, no overall long-term trend for precipitation extremes was observed. The average temperature in the city of Rostock (Stockholm) was approximately 0.3°C to 0.6°C (1.2°C) higher than in the surrounding rural areas had seasonal variations, with maxima in the warm season. The main outcomes were that significant changes in climatic conditions, particularly temperature patterns, have been occurring in the case study regions since the 1980s, and that there is a considerable urban heat island effect in both Stockholm and Rostock. This could encourage urban planners to consider specific climatic conditions and small-scale climatic influences also in relatively small coastal urban conglomerates in mid latitudes which can follow from land use changes.

Baltic Linen公司产品配套范围扩大

最近,纽约Valley Stream的Balic Linen 公司推出二只新的产品系列:盥洗配套产品及窗帘产品,这两个新系列都能与公司现有的产品及盥洗毛巾相配套的。新的窗帘是直接能与新的寝用产品配套的,新的窗帘有12种提花图案可供选择; 质地有微纤、小山羊皮、纱线染色的、雪尼尔纱线染色的及素色提花的。

Distribution of mercury in different environmental compartments in the aquatic ecosystem of the coastal zone of the Southern Baltic Sea

The aim of this study was to characterize mercury （Hg） contamination in the coastal waters of the Southern Baltic Sea, and to investigate transformations of Hg in the initial links of the marine food chain. Concentrations of Hg in water, particulate matter, plankton and macrophytes at various stations in the coastal zone （a bay with restricted water exchange, near an industrial city, river mouths, and the open sea） were measured in 2006–2008. Hg concentrations observed in the Southern Baltic varied greatly, showing the highest average values in all environmental compartments near the river mouths. In shallow, sheltered parts of the gulf, where water exchange is restricted, Hg concentrations in the water and in macrophytes were elevated relative to those in the coastal zone of the deeper part of the bay and in the open Baltic. Distance to the river mouth, terrestrial runoff, and quantity and quality of organic matter were more important than seasonal variations in controlling Hg and HgSPM concentrations in water samples. Mercury concentrations in the surface microlayer at the air/sea interface were over 10 times higher than those in the bulk surface water. Concentrations of Hg in macrophytes in the winter were significantly higher than those in the warm seasons （spring, summer, autumn）. This was probably the combined effect of higher availability of Hg in porewaters and leaf growth inhibition.

缅甸“有点咸”根珀与波罗的海蜜蜡的显微特征对比及意义

缅甸“根珀”是缅甸琥珀众多品种中的一类,其珀质油润、半透明-不透明,纹理多样,虽类似树根,但大多数没有树纹或者树木年轮的规律样式,故其样式及身世常给人们以神秘之感。通过扫描电子显微镜分析初步发现缅甸根珀内部近表面存在圆球形气孔,其直径变化在0.1~1.5μm之间,气孔所占体积百分数约为6%vol.。几乎在每个气孔内部,都发现含有一个立方体状NaCl晶体。上述特征说明形成琥珀的树脂可能曾经处于一个确定的高气温、高盐度环境,为其所处潟湖环境提供了重要依据。缅甸根珀的内部气泡特征与波罗的海蜜蜡的内部气泡特征有一定的相似性,但其透明度明显逊于后者。波罗的海白色蜜蜡中的气泡直径为0.1~0.3μm(气孔占7%vol.),尺寸远小于细小微粒直径1.0μm。微粒直径1.0μm对应于12500目,这个粒径级别的粉尘,若为透明矿物,其颜色表现为白色。借助透明矿物条痕色基本为白色的原理,我们认为白色蜜蜡的颜色是由直径极小(100~300 nm)的密集气泡所呈现的白色,并非真实琥珀物质颜色,并将此确定为白色蜜蜡现象。缅甸根珀的呈色机理与波罗的海白色蜜蜡区域有一定可比拟性,其更低的透明度可能归因于内部还包含岩盐晶体。白色蜜蜡中直径细小且密集(气孔占约7%vol.)的气泡特征,很好地解释了在摩擦时,白珀更容易散发琥珀气味的现象,因为在摩擦时,这些细密的气泡很容易爆破并释放其中气味。黄色蜜蜡中气泡直径较大(5.0~10.0μm),且气孔占体积百分数(约1%vol.)较低,进一步验证了气泡对透明度产生了明显影响的认识,但对其体色并未产生明显影响。综合以上特征,或许将缅甸“根珀”更名为“根蜜蜡”更为合适。

琥珀热压处理新方法及鉴定特征

近年来,随着琥珀市场的竞争愈演愈烈,为了降低加工成本、减少原料损耗,市场上出现了一种新型的琥珀热压处理技术,即将等同圆珠重量的波罗的海琥珀原料进行简单的不规则切割后,利用不同直径圆珠模具,经过加热、施压,一次成形,可批量生产出圆珠,减少了传统圆珠加工的流程和成本。这种新技术处理的琥珀品种可以细分为金绞蜜、蜜蜡、白蜜及带原皮的白花蜜等,粒径从12~20 mm或以上不等,常见15 mm以上的大珠。其外观与天然琥珀极其相似,不易识别,破坏了琥珀市场有序良性的发展。为了认识和鉴别琥珀热压处理的新方法、新产品,利用宝石偏光显微镜、红外光谱仪、光致发光光谱仪等仪器测试方法,揭示了新型热压处理琥珀的鉴别特征。研究发现:(1)经过热压处理的部分琥珀圆珠,后期会慢慢释放内压力回弹变形,外观形状不圆,表面可出现或浅或深的龟裂纹。新型热压琥珀的稳定性差,若在100℃下加热8-10分钟琥珀圆珠即可恢复至热压前的不规则形貌。(2)转动热压处理的金绞蜜和蜜蜡圆珠时,部分表面会呈现与琥珀光泽不同的似丝绢状光泽,推测是因为受到定向压力产生的微细流纹所致;透明度相对较高的琥珀,在偏光显微镜下通过消光现象,可以观察到原始刻面棱及模具咬合痕迹;热压过程会改变天然蜜蜡流动纹的流动状态,使其出现紊乱、不连续分布等现象。(3)热压处理琥珀的红外光谱与天然琥珀对比有细微的差异,显示有热处理琥珀的红外光谱特征,尤其是C=C双键上C-H面外弯曲振动所致的888 cm^(-1)的吸收峰大多消失或减弱;光致发光光谱发光峰位基本一致,只是在同等的测试条件下,发光强度有所减弱,鉴定意义不大。