Eos, Vol. 66, No.

28, July 9, 1985

onstrate how chemical and isotopic con-

1983. this book brings together 10 articles
contributed bv 20 British and South African
~ ~~ -------- straints can be inteerated into a refined mod-~ ~
NitrOgen in the Marine
petrologists aAd geochemists of eminence. As el of basalt petrog&esis. Also, the Mesozoic Environment
recognized by the editors, a common theme Karoo flood basalts and the kimberlite-hosted
throughout most of the articles is "the pre- xenoliths of southern Africa serve as natural E. J. Carpenter and D. G. Cap0ne
sent controversy between crustal contamina- probes for understanding the formation and (Eds.)! Academic! New YOrk,xvii + PP.2
tion and trace element enrichment in the up- bubsequent modificationiof this ancient ter-
per mantle" as a determining factor basal- rane. Both studies conclude that fundamental
tic composition. Proponents of both sides of differences among mantle source reservoirs Reviewed by Allan H . Devol
this controversy have the:,. say in this book, must be called upon to explain the heteroge- PAGE 538
and strong cases can be built for both mecha- neity in the basalts, whose diversity could not
nisms, although their relative importance is be solely explained by fractional crystalliza- Although the perception that nitrogen
yet to be decided. Except for the unavoidable tion or crustal contamination. In "Continental plays a major role in the ecology of the sea
differences in writing style and nomenclature Flood Basalts. . .Arachnids Rule OK?" by goes back at least to the turn of the century,
that characterize multiauthor volumes, I R. N. Thompson (Imperial College, London), it is only in the past 2 decades, after signifi-
found Continental Basalts and Mantle Xenoliths M. A. Morrison (University of Birmingham, cant advances in analytical methodologies,
to be particularly delightful and informative U.K.), A. P. Dickin (Scottish University Re- that the importance of nitrogen to marine
reading. Of course, one needs also to track search and Reactor Centre, U.K.), and G. L. primary production and the importance of
the more formal literature of these and other Hendry (University of Birmingham), we are the oceans in the global nitrogen cycle have
authors for comprehensive understanding of treated to the spidergram diagram of chon- begun to be quantified. Articles on marine ni-
the subject; a good but by no means complete drite-normalized trace element abundances, trogen cycling studies have appeared, and
list of references is provided for that pur- which illustrates incompatible element pat- continue to appear, in every major journal
pose. terns in flood basalts attributable to "the ad- dealing with the environment. The book Nz-
The first chapter, "Compositional Differ- dition of a few percent of various types of trogen in the Marine Environment is a compila-
ences Between Oceanic and Continental Basic fusible continental crust. . .to oceanic mag- tion of the major results and insights of these
Lavas and Their Significance," by M. J. mas." studies.
Norry (University of Leicester) and F. G. Fit- A classical British locality is discussed by The book ~onsistsof 24 chapters, each
ton (University of Edinburgh, U.K.) sets the M.F. Thirlwall (University of Leeds,U.K.) and written by a noted expert in the field, and is
stage for the crustal assimilation versus in- N. W. Jones (Oxford University) in "Isotope divided into five sections. The first, obliga-
compatible element-enriched subcontinental Geochemistry and Contamination Mecha- tory section contains two chapters on the spa-
lithosphere controversy. Geochemical com- nisms of Tertiary Lavas from Skye, North- tial and temporal distributions of the various
parison among various volcanic environments west Scotland." Here, if anywhere, the case nitrogen species in the oceans. Fortunately,
clearly demonstrate the major element, trace has been made for extensive lower crustal the editors have elected to keep this section
element, and isotopic distinctions between ba- granulite contamination of basaltic magma, short. It covers the basics and leaves the de-
salts derived in oceanic and continental envi- and varying degrees of selective crustal con- tails to the comprehensive reference lists.
ronments. A look at "Stable Isotope Evidence tamination are still preferred by these au- The first four chapters of the second sec-
on the Nature of Crust-mantle Interactions" thors. The time factor is dealt with next in tion, "Processes," deal with nitrogen fixation,
is provided by C. M. Graham (University of "Chemistry of the Subcontinental Mantle: In- nitrification, and denitrification. I found
~ d i n b u r ~and
h ) R. S. Harmon (Southern ferences from Archaean and Proterozoic these chapters especially interesting because
Methodist University, Dallas, Tex.), who find Dykes and Continental Flood Basalts" by B.L. in addition to the review of the current litera-
in hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of subduc- Weaver and J. Tarney (both University of ture, each author derives a quantitative esti-
tion-related volcanic rocks an indication of Leicester), who see a general similarity in the mate of the importance of the particular
crustal material introduced both as recycled petrogenic processes of basalt formation since process in the marine nitrogen budget. The
sediments and as contamination of ascending the Archaean. They conclude that a mantle next four chapters of this section cover the
magmas. In light of a swing of the pendulum source chemistry that evolves in parallel to nitrogen uptake and metabolism by marine
toward a more heterogeneous subcontinental the overlying crust can be recognized in most organisms, while the last three deal with zoo-
mantle, sensed in many of the other articles, flood basalts. Finally, G. A. Pearce (The plankton nitrogen excretion, benthic remin-
one does wonder if perhaps too narrow a Open University) gives a scenario for the eralization, and man's impact on the marine
range in stable isotopes for mantle sources is "Role of the Subcontinental Lithosphere in nitrogen cycle.
being considered. B. Harte (University of Ed- Magma Genesis at Active Continental Mar- The third section is entitled "Systems." The
inburgh) gives us some insight into just how gins" in which midocean ridge basalt-normal- first four chapters of this section indeed deal
chemically and isotopically heterogeneous ized geochemical patterns are deconvoluted with systems: open ocean near-surface waters,
that mantle can be in his examination of into components of fractional crystallization, upwelling regions, estuaries, and salt
"Mantle Peridotites and Processes: The Kim- partial melting, subducted crust, upper man- marshes. These chapters are excellent, not
berlite Sample." Coarse (granular) and de- tle, subcontinental lithosphere, and crustal only with respect to their summary of the ex-
farmed, hot and cold, chemically variable, contamination. isting literature but also in terms of synthesis.
and withlwithout superimposed metasoma- I finished Continental Basalts and Mantle Xe- The last two chapters, on symbiosis and ma-
tism-all these textural and compositional noliths with a distinct feeling of amazement, croalgae, seem to fit better in the "Processes"
variations of ultramafic and mafic xenoliths both for the complexity of basalts and xeno- section than in the "Systems" section.
from southern Africa localities attest to the liths and for the vast quantity of geochemical The final section covers current methods
complex nature of the subcontinental mantle. information contained in them. Perhaps we used in marine nitrogen cycle studies and in-
Another strong case for mantle heterogeneity are on the verge of coordinating this infor- cludes both the methods for the quantifica-
is made by M. Menzies (The Open Universi- mation in ways that will allow the definitive tion of different nitrogen compounds and
ty, Milton Keynes, U.K.) through evidence answers needed to determine the composition many state-of-the-art measurements and as-
gained from "Mantle Ultramafic Xenoliths in and structure of the lithosphere to be discov- says used for the estimation of rates of pro-
Alkaline Magmas: Evidence for Mantle Het- ered. This concisely written and well illustrat- cesses involved in the nitrogen cycle. Also in-
erogeneity Modified by Magmatic Activity." ed book is a bargain at its price and offers the cluded in this section are chapters on ecosys-
Excellent articles on "Evolution of the Con- reader a good current perspective from tem modeling and the enzymology of
tinental Lithosphere: Evidence from Volcan- which to push forward toward this ultimate nitrogen assimilation.
ics and Xenoliths in Southern Africa" by C. J. goal. Each of the chapters in this book is well
Hawkesworth (The Open University), A. J. written and thoroughly reviews and summa-
Erkland (University of Cape Town, South Af- rizes the literature up to the 1983 publication
rica), J. S. Marsh (Rhodes University, Gra- date. Additionally, many of the chapters pre-
hamstown, South Africa), M. A. Menzies, and sent some new information not previously
P. van Calsteren (The Open University) and available. Although many of the chapters dis-
"The Karoo Province of Southern Africa: Or- Robert E . Zartman is with the Branch of Isotope cuss certain aspects of the marine and global
igin of Trace Element Enrichment Patterns" Geology of the U.S. Geological Suruqr, Denver, nitrogen budget, there is no single chapter in
by K. G. Cox (Oxford University, U.K.) dem- Colo. which all the pieces are put together. Also

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 Eos, Vol. 66, No. 28, July 9, 1985

omitted is a chapter discussing the natural 0% view and synthesis of research conducted from the standpoint of the extensive refer-
currence of stable nitrogen isotopes and their during the past 15 years. Although the book ence lists. For the graduate student or investi-
fractionations during uptake and remineral- probably has a useful life of 5 to 8 years, I gator in a related field, the book provides an
ization. T o some extent this omission is un- would recommend it to anyone interested in excellent summary of our current under-
derstandable, as much of this information has nitrogen in the oceans. For the experienced standing.
come out since the time of-writing. researcher the book is an excellent reference Alhn H. ~ l of ocean
~ the~ college
eis with and
Despite these minor omissions, Nitrogen in (and memory Jogger), both from the stand- Fishey Sciences, University of Washington, Seat-
the Marine Environment represents a major re- point of the contents of the chapters and tle.

John Adam Geophysical Union. He received the Alexan-

der Von Humboldt Senior Scientist Award
covered near the magnetic equator with these
instruments. The first came to be known as
from the Max-Planck-Institut fiir Aeronomie bubbles; they have horizontal scales of tens of
Fleming Medal in Lindau, Federal Republic of Germany. kilometers and density depletions as great as
four orders of magnitude. They are bounded
One of Dr. Hanson's principal scientific
PAGES 539,540 contributions was in recognizing the key fac- by walls with,steep density gradients, and
tors in the energy pathways that control elec- they contain plasma moving vertically upward
tron and ion heating in the ionosphere. His with velocities up to several hundred meters
early calculations yielded the first indication per second. They are caused by convection
that the electron, ion, and neutral gas tem- from the bottom side of the ionosphere, the
peratures were different. Ultraviolet radiation nearly empty flux tubes being buoyant in
from the sun ionizes atmospheric particles, their surroundings. The second type of irreg-
releasing electrons with considerable ener- ularity is called BSS (bottom side sinusoids).
gies. Because of the mass ratios, energetic They are extremely uniform, usually smooth
photoelectrons d o not transfer much energy irregularities with approximately 1 km scale
to heavier particles when they collide with sizes that can permeate the entire bottomside
them. However, the energetic electrons do of the F layer for several thousand kilometers
transfer energy efficiently to other electrons in the east-west direction. Both of these irreg-
when they collide with them, thus raising the ularity classes appear to be caused by the
temperature of the electron gas. Because of gravitational Rayleigh-Taylor instability, but
the effectiveness of coulomb forces, the elec- they are influenced differently by a meridio-
tron gas transfers energy more readily to the nal wind.
ion gas than to the neutral gas, so the ion Another area of major contribution has
temperature rises above the neutral gas tem- been the role of vertical motions of plasma in
perature. The normal situation in the pres- affecting the structure of the ionosphere.
ence of sunlight then is for the electron gas These are important in controlling the pro-
to be characterized by the highest tempera- tonosphere (the upward extension of the ion-
ture, the ion gas by the next highest, and the osphere consisting mainly of protons) and
neutral gas by the lowest. maintaining the nighttime ionosphere. Iono-
William B. Hanson not her important aspect of Dr. Hanson's spheric time-dependent calculations within a
work in this area was his identification of in- drifting magnetic flux tgbe provided a verifi-
terhemispheric transport of photoelectrons cation of Martyn's suggestion that the Apple-
Citation and of ionospheric plasma, which can greatly ton anomaly (a peculiar latitudinal variation
William B. Hanson has made numerous affect the electron and ion temperatures. in the maximum electron concentration in
important contributions to the field of iono- Photoelectrons from the summer hemisphere the ionosphere) is caused by upward drift
spheric and space physics, not only for the can travel to the eclipsed winter hemisphere due to interaction of electric and magnetic
planet earth, but also for Mars and Venus. along the magnetic field lines and deposit fields (E X B). The same computational tech-
Dr. Hanson was born in Warroad, Minn., their energy there, raising the local electron nique, now widely used by modelers, provid-
on December 30, 1923. He attended the Uni- temperature, as has been observed. He also ed a ready explanation of the presence of
versity of Minnesota, where he earned a measured large interhemispheric ion drifts metallic ions in the upper ionosphere, which
bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and adiabatic cooling of ions down to half the Dr. Hanson discovered with measurements
and a master's degree in physics. He received neutral gas temperature as they moved up from the OGO 6 satellite.
his Ph.D. degree from George Washington over the apex of the magnetic field lines. Dr. Hanson's measurements in the Viking
University in Washington, D. C. His earliest He developed exceedingly sensitive satel- orbiter of the ion temperature, composition,
scientific work was in the field of low-tem- lite-borne instruments to measure the ion and concentration in the Martian ionosphere
perature physics at the National Bureau of temperature, ion drift, and ion irregularities were the first for another planet. His electron
Standards, but he abandoned that field of re- in the ionosphere. These have contributed measurements on the Viking landers are now
search in 1956 and entered into the field of greatly to our knowledge of the overall con- proving to be important in understanding the
ionospheric and ypace research at Lockheed vective behavior of the ionosphere and the interaction between that planet and the solar
Missiles and Space Gornpany. In 1962 he magnetosphere and of the scale sizes of the wind.
went to the Southwest C a t e r for Advanced irregularities that are common in the iono- Francis S. Johnson
Studies in DaUas, which in 1969 became the sphere. His instrument measured the vector
University of Texas at Dallas. There he is the ion drift velocity, including the components Response
Director of the Center for Space Sciences and of velocity both perpendicular and parallel to
Professor of Physics. the satellite velocity vector. Satellite measure- I unashamedly admit that I am extremely
He has been influential In many national ments using electric field sensors can in prin- pleased to be this year's John Adam Fleming
and international scientific endeavors, having ciple determine the component of ion drift awardee. I liken this award to happiness, of
served on the Viking, Atmosphere Explorer, perpendicular to the magnetic field, but they which it is said that it is not a goal to be pur-
and Dynamics Explorer science teams. He has have not generally been successful even in sued, but something that overtakes one when
played an influential role in the San Marco this more limited objective. Dr. Hanson's in- he (or she) reaches full stride. The names on
satellite project. He has served on the Areci- strument has become a standard for satellites the list of previous awardees are intimidating,
bo Observatory Advisory Board and Visiting designed to investigate the ionosphere. and since I know the measure of many of
Committee and as president of the Solar-Ter- Two truly remarkable classes of magnetic them personally, I feel deeply honored to
restrial Relations Section of the American field aligned nighttime irregularities were dis- join them tonight.

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