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Inproceedings Reference Tintigny: A Polymict Eucrite from Belgium
In February 1971, a meteorite fell on the roof of a barn belonging to Mr. E. Schmitz in Tintigny, a village in southern Belgium. Upon its recovery, its meteoritic origin was confirmed by the schoolteacher, Mr. A. Rossignon who then looked after the sample. In 2017, for the first time, the meteorite was given to specialists for a detailed examina-tion and classification. We used various analytical techniques to characterize its mineralogy, elemental, and isotopic composition. Based on the obtained data, we classified it as a polymict eucrite, a meteorite originating from 4 Vesta, and named it Tintigny [1]. Tintigny is partly covered by shiny black fusion crust. Its interior mainly exhibits a light grey color and shows a brecciated texture composed of a fine-grained matrix, hosting darker crystals and cm-sized dark grey clasts. Under the microscope, a brecciated sub-ophitic basaltic texture mainly composed of plagioclase/maskelynite and clinopy-roxene is dominant. In addition to the dominant sub-ophitic texture, at least three distinct textures exposed in clasts are observable. At least two generations of shock effects (such as fractures), are present in the sample: those limited to clasts and large crystals, and those that crosscut both the large grains and the matrix. The accessory minerals include troilite, ilmenite, chromite, FeNi metal, and silica. Mineral chemistry calculations of pyroxene end-members show ranges from 8.5 to 60.7 mol% for enstatite, 30.1–70.0 mol% for ferrosilite, and 2.6–38.4 mol% for wollastonite. Based on these values, most pyroxenes in Tintigny are pigeonite and augite [2]. The Fe/Mn ratios of pyroxenes range from 27.1 to 39.3, with the highest ratio observed in pyroxene from the symplectitic clast. Fe/Mn and Fe/Mg ratios in low-Ca pyroxene (Wo<10) are 30.2±4.4 and 0.8±0.3, respectively. These ratios in high-Ca pyroxene (n=8) are 34.3±3.7 for Fe/Mn and 2.6±2.4 for Fe/Mg. The average pyroxene Fe/Mn ratio for all pyroxene is 32.5±4.4 (SD, n=14). Fe/Mg ranges from 0.6 to 8.2, with an average value of 1.8±2.0 (SD, n±14). Considering pyroxene Fe/Mn ranges of 40±11, 62±18, 32±6, and 30±2 for basaltic rocks from the Earth, Moon, Mars, and 4 Vesta (eucrites), respectively, and based on our data, particularly those of low-Ca py-roxene, Tintigny falls in the range of basaltic eucrites [3]. The bulk rock Fe/Mn and Fe/Mg ratios of Tintigny are 33.9 and 3.1, respectively. These values overlap with those measured for howardite-eucrite-diogenite (HED) and martian meteorites [4]. With a Ga/Al ratio of 4.17×10-5, Tintigny falls within the range of those of eucrites. Using the CI-normalized elemental concentration, we can see strong simi-larities between Tintigny and noncumulate eucrites, which is also reflected based on the abundance of TiO2 (0.63) and FeO/MgO ratio (2.66) in Tintigny. The bulk oxygen isotopic composition of Tintigny, as determined by laser fluorination, is also consistent with it being an HED (δ17O=1.72±0.04 ‰; δ18O=3.76±0.08‰; Δ17O=-0.25±0.01 ‰ (n=2, errors 2SD)), with a composition that plots close to the Eucrite Fractionation Line [5]. Based on the Meteoritical Bulletin Database, only 70 HED falls have been reported so far. Including Tintigny, only 39 eucrite falls are known to date, 11 of them occurred in Europe, with Tintigny being the only one from Belgium. In addition to the scientific importance of studying a eucrite fall like Tintigny, we emphasize the significance of the discovery of a historical meteorite fall by drawing attention to national scientific heritage that must be properly un-derstood and safeguarded for generations of scientists, scholars, and amateurs to come. Nowadays, together with four other meteorites from Belgium (Hautes Fagnes LL5, Lesves L6, St. Denis Westrem L6, and Tourinnes-la-Grosse L6), the Tintigny achondrite is exhibited in the meteorite gallery of the Institute of Nat-ural Sciences in Brussels and is open to the public for visits.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Proceedings Reference FORENSIC CLASSIFICATION OF METEORITES: THE CASE OF AN ORIENTED SPECIMEN FROM THE BELGIAN ANTARCTIC METEORITE COLLECTION
Introduction: The meteorite classification processes require a sequence of semi-destructive to destructive analyses to elucidate the internal texture and chemical composition of the sample. Several methods have been proposed for classifying meteorites using a non-destructive approach such as magnetic susceptibility [1] or 3D petrographic analysis [2]. Specimens with unique orientation forms such as cone or shield-shaped, are often prioritized for non-destructive classification due to their significant exhibition value and insight into the aerodynamics of extraterrestrial material during their atmospheric entrance [3,4]. In this study, we present a description employing non-destructive analysis to classify a newly found flattened shield-shaped Antarctic meteorite discovered during the Belgian meteorite reconnaissance expedition 2022-2023 in the Sør Rondane area, East Antarctica [5]. This approach promises to provide detailed internal structural and information on physical properties without compromising the integrity of the sample. Methods: We utilized the X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) RX Solutions EasyTom150 device at the Institute of Natural Sciences (Brussels, Belgique) to analyze the sample with dimensions of 37.1 mm x 44.0 mm x 52.6 mm (Fig. 1). A copper filter of 0.4 mm was used. The sample was scanned at a voxel size of 58.2 μm using the large focal spot mode at 145 kV, 38 W and 260 μA. We employed the program 3D Slicer [6] to analyze the three-dimensional properties and calculate the physical parameters. Additionally, magnetic susceptibility measurements were conducted on the field using an SM30 instrument. Preliminary results: Various forms of deformation, notably radial extension features, were detected, likely indicative of shock experiences undergone by the sample before entering the Earth’s atmosphere, hence corroborating its extraterrestrial origin (Fig. 1). Preliminary magnetic susceptibility measurement on the field indicated a value typical of L chondrites (log χ ~ 4.7 [5]). The interior XCT slices reveal that the sample comprises a dense metallic phase with few non-metallic inclusions, primarily located on the face opposite to the entry direction (red arrow in Fig. 1b). The total volume measures 22.09 cm3, with a corresponding mass of 151.1 g, indicating a meteorite bulk density of 6.8 g cm-3 comparable to iron meteorites (bulk density between 7 and 8 g cm-3 [7]). This is at odds with the preliminary magnetic susceptibility measurement. Additional non-destructive analyzes will be needed, notably μ-XRF measurements to offer a better comprehension of the origin of the sample. This underlines the difficulty of classifying a sample in a non-destructive manner
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2024
Article Reference Protomedetera, a new genus from the Oriental and Australasian realms (Diptera, Dolichopodidae, Medeterinae)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Article Reference New data on the marine genera Cymatopus Kertesz and Thambemyia Oldroyed (Insecta, Diptera, Dolichopodidae) from rocky shores in southern Thailand with the description of a new species
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Article Reference A strikingly coloured new species of Hemisphaerius Schaum, 1850 from Thailand (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Issidae)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference A new species of Drapetis Meigen from calcareous grassland in southern Netherlands (Diptera, Hybotidae, Tachydromiinae)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2020
Article Reference On Prophoca and Leptophoca (Pinnipedia, Phocidae) from the Miocene of the North Atlantic realm: redescription of Belgian material, phylogenetic affinities and paleobiogeographic implications
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2017
Article Reference A critical revision the fossil record, stratigraphy and diversity of the Neogene seal genus Monotherium (Carnivora, Phocidae)
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Article Reference Do private coffee standards ‘walk the talk’ in improving socio-economic and environmental sustainability?
Private sustainability standards cover an increasingly large production area and involve an increasing number of farmers worldwide. They raise expectations among consumers about the economic, ethical and environmental implications of food production and trade; and attract donor funding to certification schemes. The sustainability impact of standards remains unclear as research focuses on either economic or environmental implications. We analyze both the socio-economic and environmental impacts of coffee standards in Uganda and show that these are not in line with expectations created towards consumers. We find that standards improve either productivity and farm incomes or biodiversity and carbon storage but fail to eliminate trade-offs between socioeconomic and environmental outcomes, even when combined in multiple certification. Our analysis is based on a unique combination of economic survey data and ecological field inventory data from a sample of certified and noncertified coffee farms. Our findings are relevant for farmers, food companies, policy-makers, donors and consumers. They imply that combining different standards in multiple certification is counterproductive; that the design of standards could improve to mitigate observed trade-offs between economic and environmental outcomes; and that this requires increased productivity within ecological boundaries, rather than a price premium and added control mechanisms through multiple certification
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018
Article Reference Investigating urban ant community (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in port cities and in major towns along the border in Côte d’Ivoire: a rapid assessment to detect potential introduced invasive ant species
Objective: This study aimed at examining ant communities of port and border cities in order to identify introduced and potential invasive ant species and microhabitats likely to contribute to the spread of these ant species. Therefore, the sampling design are linear transects of 200 metres on which ants were collected using tuna baits at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes in the two port cities of Abidjan and San Pedro, and seven cities that are Man, Touba, Odienne, Ferkéssedougou, Bouna, Bondoukou and Abengourou located near the borders of Côte d’Ivoire. The results showed 83 ant species including 9 potential introduced or invasive ant species. These invasive ants contributed importantly to the ant assemblage in port cities (23.95±2.7 % of total richness and 37±6.1 % of total abundance) and border cities (20.17±4.7 % / 30.6±7 %). In addition two notorious invaders, Solenopsis geminata (Fabricius, 1804) (Tropical fire ant) and Pheidole megacephala (Fabricius, 1793) (Big-headed ant) were detected during this study. The results also indicated that potential introduced or invasive ant species were mostly detected in microhabitats where human activities are uninterrupted such port zones, markets, domestic streets and residential. Conclusion: In the end, this study has shown that ant communities in port and border cities harbour invasive potential ant species, particularly microhabitats characterized by high human activities such as port areas, markets, domestic streets and residential areas.
Located in Library / RBINS Staff Publications 2018