Archeological evidence for pimple (pralrie) mound genesis

Archeological deposits have been discovered in three pimple mounds on the upper Texas coast. Such incorporation indicates that (i) these particular mounds are aggradational rather than erosional in origin; (ii) mound formation continued until at least A.D. 1100 to 1200; (iii) each mound took 300 to 500 years to form; (iv) mounds within the same mound field did not form simultaneously; (v) certain Gulf Coast pimple mounds have archeological research potential; and (vi) archeological data also offer a means for investigating mound formation.     

Oxygen isotope ratios in trees reflect mean annual temperature and humidity

Values of the oxygen isotope ratios (delta(18)O) in tree-ring cellulose closely reflect the delta(18)O values in atmospheric precipitation and hence mean annual temperature. The change in delta(18)O in cellulose is 0.41 per mil per degree Celsius for selected near-coastal stations. The values of delta(18)O in precipitation and cellulose also change with altitude, as demonstrated for Mount Rainier, Washington. A temperature lapse rate of 5.2 degrees +/- 0.5 degrees C per 1000 meters calculated from cellulose delta(18)O values agrees with the accepted mean annual lapse rate of 5 degrees C per 1000 meters for this region. Cellulose delta(18)O values and delta(18)O values of carbon dioxide equilibrated with leaf water differ by a fixed 16 per mil.