Grain-scale melt distribution in two contact aureole rocks: implications for controls on melt localization and deformation

The grain‐scale spatial arrangement of melt in layer‐parallel leucosomes in two anatectic rocks from two different contact aureoles located in central Maine, USA, is documented and used to constrain the controls on grain‐scale melt localization. The spatial distribution of grain‐scale melt is inferred from microstructural criteria for recognition of mineral pseudomorphs after melt and mineral grains of the solid matrix that hosted the melt. In both rocks, feldspar mimics the grain‐scale distribution of melt, and quartz is the major constituent of the solid matrix. The feldspar pockets consist of individual feldspar grains or aggregates of feldspar grains that show cuspate outlines. They have low average width/length ratios (0.54 and 0.55, respectively), and are interstitial between more rounded and equant (width/length ratios 0.65 for both samples) quartz grains. In two dimensions, the feldspar pockets extend over distances equivalent to multiple quartz grain diameters, possibly forming a connected three‐dimensional intergranular network. Both samples show similar mesoscopic structural elements and in both samples the feldspar pockets have a shape‐preferred orientation. In one sample, feldspar inferred to replace melt is aligned subparallel to the shape‐preferred orientation of quartz, indicating that pre‐ or syn‐anatectic strain controlled the grain‐scale distribution of melt. In the other sample, the preferred orientation of feldspar inferred to replace melt is different from the orientations of all other mesoscopic or microscopic structures in the rock, indicating that differential stress controlled grain‐scale melt localization. This is probably facilitated by conditions of higher differential stress, which may have promoted microfracturing. Grain‐scale melt distribution and inferred melt localization controls give insight into possible grain‐scale deformation mechanisms in melt‐bearing rocks. Application of these results to the interpretation of deep crustal anatectic rocks suggests that grain‐scale melt distribution should be controlled primarily by pre‐ or syn‐anatectic deformation. Feedback relations between melt localization and deformation are to be expected, with important implications for deformation and tectonic evolution of melt‐bearing rocks.     

Effects of magnetic interactions in anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility: Models, experiments and implications for igneous rock fabrics quantification

Besides granites of the ilmenite series, in which the anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) is mainly controlled by paramagnetic minerals, the AMS of igneous rocks is commonly interpreted as the result of the shape-preferred orientation of unequant ferromagnetic grains. In a few instances, the anisotropy due to the distribution of ferromagnetic grains, irrespective of their shape, has also been proposed as an important AMS source. Former analytical models that consider infinite geometry of identical and uniformly magnetized and coaxial particles confirm that shape fabric may be overcome by dipolar contributions if neighboring grains are close enough to each other to magnetically interact. On these bases we present and experimentally validate a two-grain macroscopic numerical model in which each grain carries its own magnetic anisotropy, volume, orientation and location in space. Compared with analytical predictions and available experiments, our results allow to list and quantify the factors that affect the effects of magnetic interactions. In particular, we discuss the effects of (i) the infinite geometry used in the analytical models, (ii) the intrinsic shape anisotropy of the grains, (iii) the relative orientation in space of the grains, and (iv) the spatial distribution of grains with a particular focus on the inter-grain distance distribution. Using documented case studies, these findings are summarized and discussed in the framework of the generalized total AMS tensor recently introduced by Cañon-Tapia (Cañon-Tapia, E., 2001. Factors affecting the relative importance of shape and distribution anisotropy in rocks: theory and experiments. Tectonophysics, 340, 117–131.). The most important result of our work is that analytical models far overestimate the role of magnetic interaction in rock fabric quantification. Considering natural rocks as an assemblage of interacting and non-interacting grains, and that the effects of interaction are reduced by (i) the finite geometry of the interacting clusters, (ii) the relative orientation between interacting grains, (iii) their heterogeneity in orientation, shape and bulk susceptibility, and (iv) their inter-distance distribution, we reconcile analytical models and experiments with real case studies that minimize the role of magnetic interaction onto the measured AMS. Limitations of our results are discussed and guidelines are provided for the use of AMS in geological interpretation of igneous rock fabrics where magnetic interactions are likely to occur.     

火成岩结构的二维定量化分析方法

近些年,定量化火成岩结构研究表明,利用常规的岩矿鉴定设备,获取不同尺度的火成岩二维岩相学照片,通过肉眼识别矿物颗粒,并借助图像处理和结构分析软件,可以准确地量化火成岩的结构特征。本文结合近些年国内外同行的研究成果,对火成岩二维定量化结构分析方法中常用的多种观测方式优缺点进行了总结。粒度在毫米级以下的火成岩的定量化结构参数,可以用偏光显微镜下的透射光、反射光、阴极发光和电子探针背散射成像中的两种或两种以上观测方式进行分析,并具有较高的精度和准确度。粒度小于0.03 mm的各种镁铁质矿物可用反射光和背散射图进行分析,灰度近似的镁铁质矿物可以利用图像处理软件赋予不同的彩色,提高颗粒间的辨识度。常规偏光显微镜下不易区分的长英质矿物和多数副矿物可用偏光显微镜阴极发光进行分析。粒度在毫米级以上的造岩矿物可以用光片或野外测量的方式进行定量分析。为了方便相关领域学者使用火成岩二维定量化结构分析方法,本文详细列出了具体的分析步骤,并结合一个玄武岩样品中的橄榄石斑晶数据结果,重点分析以下4个方面的问题:(1)如何准确识别矿物颗粒边界;(2)矿物含量和形态的确定;(3)分析区域面积和颗粒数的确定;(4)不同晶体群的区分。分析结果表明,颗粒数100~500颗时,晶体粒度分布(CSD)的截距和斜率、矿物含量、定向程度和粒状矿物的三轴比在误差范围内没有显著区别,但颗粒最大长度和聚集程度会被低估。当颗粒数小于300颗时,晶体空间聚集程度的R值会被高估0.05~0.2,这一点在以往的研究中没有得到充分重视。当颗粒数大于500颗时,所有结构参数都趋于稳定,且精度和准确度都会显著提高。目前多数研究者提供的结构参数往往与观测和统计方式有关,缺乏对应的原始数据,不方便同行间的对比研究,建议学者今后发表相关成果时,提供详细的分析步骤和最原始的数据。分析步骤重点说明包括:(1)聚集矿物边界的识别和处理方式;(2)晶体三维形态的确定方法,样品间CSD参数的变化是否是由形态参数变化引起;(3)能够准确识别的矿物颗粒最小粒度;(4)利用颗粒数较多的样品选取较小的不同区域重复分析3到5个不同区域,评估样品的均一性,并据此估计样品的分析精度。原始数据方面包括:(1)提供同一个样品至少一个不同区域的分析结果,如果是多个作者的研究成果,建议提供至少两人独立分析的结果用来评估数据的精度和准确度;(2)文章正文或附件中应该提供每个样品不同粒度间隔的颗粒数,样品原始的高分辨率矿物轮廓描绘图或图片分析的相关原始参数。火成岩出现复杂晶体群时,定量化的结构参数往往体现的是多种晶体群的混合特征,并且与不同晶体群的比例有关。未来的研究需要结合多种观测方式和微区成分分析重点识别不同晶体群的结构参数,对粒度和成分近似的多种晶体群的识别,还需要开发更多有效的方法,这对准确认识火成岩结构多样性的成因和岩浆作用过程都有重要意义。     

The petrological significance of misorientations between grains

Misorientation analysis quantifies microstructural features in tectonites, metamorphic and igneous rocks, and allows hypotheses on their formation to be tested. The misorientation between two lattices can be expressed by a rotation axis and rotation angle. For lattices with symmetry, it is conventional to take the minimum angle that enables one lattice to be rotated into the other. For a group of lattice measurements two types of misorientation distribution can be calculated. Selecting random pairs of grains gives the random-pair misorientation distribution. Selecting neighbouring pairs gives the neighbour-pair misorientation distribution. The forms of both distributions are visualised using histograms or cumulative frequency diagrams. They are strongly influenced by any overall crystallographic preferred orientation and by intrinsic crystal symmetry. In many rocks, the random-pair misorientation distribution and neighbour-pair misorientation distribution are statistically significantly different (quantified using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test). Differences between the random-pair misorientation distribution and neighbour-pair misorientation distribution imply that adjacent grains have physically interacted or are inherited from a precursor microstructure. Interactions include (1) reduction in surface energy by lattice alignment. We show this may have occurred in garnet clusters in schist, and olivine in a cumulate. It is well-known in metals and may be a common geological process. (2) Nucleation, where those nuclei have influenced the orientation of adjacent nuclei. (3) Mechanical rotations of facetted grains in compacting crystal mushes, so that faces become parallel. (4) Growth twinning. Inheritance includes (1) subgrain rotation recrystallisation in tectonites deforming by crystal plastic processes. (2) Mechanical and transformation-related twinning. (3) Domainal microstructures, e.g. where grains have formed from a few large original grains, may give rise to spurious correlations when the orientation data cover more than one domain. With this proviso, misorientation analysis can be used to investigate many important microstructural processes.     

Crystal Size Distributions and Scaling Laws in the Quantification of Igneous Textures

This study demonstrates the value of the combined use of scalinganalysis and crystal size distribution (CSD) measurements inthe interpretation of igneous textures and outlines applicationsof these methods to other fundamentally important problems.Theoretical calculations and measurements of natural samplesare used to characterize the relationship between igneous textureand cooling history. The total number (N_T) and mean length (     

The Nakhla Martian meteorite is a cumulate igneous rock. Comment on “Glass-bearing inclusions in Nakhla (SNC meteorite) augite: heterogeneously trapped phases” (2001) by M. E. Varela, G. Kurat, and R. Clocchiatti

Summary ?All the properties of the Nakhla Martian meteorite suggest that it is a cumulate igneous rock, formed from a basaltic parental magma. Anomalous magmatic inclusions in Nakhla’s augite grains (Varela et al., 2001) can be explained by disequilibrium processes during crystal growth, and have little significance in the geological history of the meteorite. Received January 17, 2002; revised version accepted April 12, 2002     

EVOLUTION OF ZIRCONS IN SEDIMENTARY AND METAMORPHIC ROCKS

Zircons have been studied in the sedimentary rocks of the Sparagmite Group (Eocambrian) and their metamorphic associates from the Trondheim area and the adjacent regions in Norway and Sweden. The majority of zircon population (type B) has been formed in the sediments by authigenesis. Another authigenic associate is rutile. The authigenic zircons have irregular, round and ellipsoidal habits. In metamorphic rocks the same grains show a greater tendency of euhedrism, forming drum-like crystals with acute (331) pyramids and short prisms. Authigenic zircons are usually clear and transparent but some grains may show cloudy appearance. A few other grains (type A) with different habit and many inclusions appear to be of detritai nature. Dissolution of a metamictized zircon population in the source rock is possible in many ways. An important possibility is the dissolution of zircons in alkaline solution. Carbonated lime-rich waters or other acidic solutions could be equally effective. Zirconates, so formed, are transported to the basin of deposition as colloidal particles or as ionic complexes. The authigenic process is visualized as a deposition of the zirconates by adsorption or by precipitation as zirconium hydroxide, possibly due to change in the Eh and pH in the environment. The hydrated oxide subsequently reacts with silica to form metastable hydrozircon. In course of time hydrozircon dehydrates and becomes a normal zircon. Numerous growths have been noted and are classified genetically into (l) late authigenic growths, and (2) growths syngenetic with metamorphism. The shape of the host grain usually controls the final shape of the overgrown grain. There is some effect of metamorphism on the morphology of the authigenic zircons. In view of the characters of the newly generated zircons, the use of shape, size, zoning and such other parameters of zircons in petrogenetic problems, has to be retested to ensure its reliability. Rather than being a mineral of igneous derivation only, zircon is from three parentages: igneous, authigenic and metamorphic. It is argued that the persistence of the authigenic zircons should be greatest because of very low concentration of radioactive elements.     

A statistical analysis of the distribution of cordierite and biotite in hornfels from the Bugaboo contact aureole: implications for the kinetics of porphyroblast crystallization

The three‐dimensional disposition of cordierite and biotite crystals in a hornfels from the contact aureole of the Bugaboo Batholith is quantified using high‐resolution X‐ray micro‐computed tomography and global as well as scale‐dependent pattern statistics. The results demonstrate a random distribution of cordierite and biotite crystal sizes for all scales across the entire rock volume studied indicative of interface‐controlled prograde metamorphic reaction kinetics. The reaction considered responsible for the mineral assemblage and the formation of cordierite and biotite in the hornfels is Ms + Chl + Qtz = Crd + And + Bt + . Rock‐specific phase equilibria point to metamorphic conditions of ~520 –550 °C and 3 kbar for this reaction. The common approach to approximate the shape of crystals as spherical underestimates the influence of the Strauss hard‐core process on rock texture and may be misinterpreted to reflect ordering of crystal sizes by inhibition of nucleation and growth commonly associated with diffusion‐controlled reaction kinetics. According to our findings, Strauss hard‐core ordering develops at length scales equal to and less than the average major axis of the crystal population. This is significantly larger than what is obtained if a spherical crystal geometry would be assumed, and increases with deviation from sphericity. For the cordierite and biotite populations investigated in this research, Strauss hard‐core ordering developed at length scales of up to ～2.2 and 1.25 mm, respectively, which is almost 1 mm longer than the scales that would be obtained if a spherical geometry would have been assumed. Our results highlight the importance of a critical assessment of the geometrical model assumptions commonly applied in the three‐dimensional analysis of crystal size distributions, and underline the need for a quantitative understanding of interface processes in order to appreciate their role in the kinetics of contact metamorphic reactions and rock texture formation.     

Grain‐scale dependency of metamorphic reaction on crystal plastic strain

The Breaksea Orthogneiss in Fiordland, New Zealand preserves water‐poor intermediate and mafic igneous rocks that were partially recrystallized to omphacite granulite and eclogite, respectively, at P ≈ 1.8 GPa and T ≈ 850°C. Metamorphic reaction consumed plagioclase and produced grossular‐rich garnet, jadeite‐rich omphacite, clinozoisite and kyanite. The extent of metamorphic reaction, identified by major and trace element composition and microstructural features, is patchy on the grain and outcrop scale. Domains of re‐equilibration coincide with areas that exhibit higher strain suggesting a causal link between crystal plastic strain and metamorphic reaction. Quantitative orientation analysis (EBSD) identifies gradual and stepped changes in crystal lattice orientations of igneous phenocrysts that are surrounded by homophase areas of neoblasts, characterized by high grain boundary to volume ratios and little to no internal lattice distortion. The narrow, peripheral compositional modification of less deformed garnet and omphacite phenocrysts reflects limited lattice diffusion in areas that lacked three‐dimensional networks of interconnected low‐angle boundaries. Low‐angle boundaries acted as elemental pathways (pipe diffusion) that enhanced in‐grain element diffusion. The scale of pipe diffusion is pronounced in garnet relatively to clinopyroxene. Strain‐induced mineral transformation largely controlled the extent of high‐T metamorphic reaction under relatively fluid‐poor conditions.     

Quantifying the Building Blocks of Igneous Rocks: Are Clustered Crystal Frameworks the Foundation?

Most phenocryst populations in volcanic rocks, and those preservedin shallow-level igneous intrusions, are clustered (variouslyreferred to as clots, clumps or glomerocrysts). These clustersof crystals are the building blocks that accumulate to formthe high-porosity, touching crystal frameworks from which igneouscumulates form. Examination of touching crystal frameworks inolivine- (komatiite cumulates and experimental charges) andplagioclase-dominant crystal populations (Holyoke flood basalt,Connecticut, USA) reveal complex, high-porosity, clustered crystalarrangements. Olivine touching frameworks in komatiite flowsare interpreted to form in hundreds of days. Plagioclase frameworksare calculated to have formed in less than 17 years for a crystalgrowth rate of 1 x 10^-10 mm/s to less than 3 years for a growthrate of 5 x 10^-10 mm/s based on crystal size distributions.The origin of crystal clusters is likely to involve either (ora combination of) heterogeneous nucleation, remobilization ofcumulate mushes or crystals sticking together during settlingand/or flow. The spatial distribution pattern of clustered crystalframeworks from both natural and experimental examples constrainsfields on spatial packing diagrams that allow the identificationof touching and non-touching crystal populations, and furtherimprove our understanding of crystal packing arrangements andcluster size distributions. KEY WORDS: cumulates; CSD; komatiite; basalt; spatial packing; textural analysis     

A note on the generation of periodic granular microstructures based on grain size distributions

This short communication discusses an algorithm suited for the generation of periodic microstructures of granular media. Its particular features are a user‐defined grain size distribution, a representative volume element which is intrinsically periodic ab initio and a user‐defined termination criterion, controlled by an increase of volume fraction. For low densities our particle packings resemble fluids or gases, while we aim to reach for rather dense particle packings, similar to granular solids. The generated microstructures can thus be readily incorporated into large multiscale simulations, e.g. on the integration point level of a finite element analysis of a particular sand or concrete. The individual grain size distribution of the granular medium is incorporated through the introduction of different growth rates governing the final particle size distribution. We briefly sketch the generation of the representative volume element within a serial event‐driven scheme and demonstrate how periodic boundary conditions are ensured throughout the representative volume element generation process. The potential of the suggested algorithm will be illustrated through the generation of two different periodic multi‐disperse microstructures. They are based on different given grain size distributions, one for a quartz sand with a low non‐uniformity index and one for concrete aggregates classified as A32 by the German standard norm DIN 1045 to have a rather large variation in grain size. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heating duration of igneous rim formation on a chondrule in the Northwest Africa 3118 CV3oxA carbonaceous chondrite inferred from micro-scale migration of the oxygen isotopes

Due to their common occurrence in various types of chondrites, igneous rims formed on pre-existing chondrules throughout chondrule-forming regions of the solar nebula. Although the peak temperatures are thought to reach similar values to those achieved during chondrule formation events, the heating duration in chondrule rim formation has not been well defined. We determined the two-dimensional chemical and oxygen isotopic distributions in an igneous rim of a chondrule within the Northwest Africa 3118 CV3_oxA chondrite with sub-micrometer resolution using secondary ion mass spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The igneous rim experienced aqueous alteration on the CV parent body. The aqueous alteration resulted in precipitation of the secondary FeO-rich olivine (Fa_40–49) and slightly disturbed the Fe-Mg distribution in the MgO-rich olivine phenocrysts (Fa_11–22) at about a 1 μm scale. However, no oxygen isotopic disturbances were observed at a scale greater than 100 nm. The MgO-rich olivine, a primary phase of igneous rim formation, has δ¹⁷O = −6 ± 3‰ and δ¹⁸O = −1 ± 4‰, and some grains contain extreme ¹⁶O-rich areas (δ¹⁷O, δ¹⁸O = ∼−30‰) nearly 10 μm across. We detected oxygen isotopic migration of approximately 1 μm at the boundaries of the extreme ¹⁶O-rich areas. Using oxygen self-diffusivity in olivine, the heating time of the igneous rim formation could have continued from several hours to several days at near liquidus temperatures (∼2000 K) in the solar nebula suggesting that the rim formed by a similar flash heating event that formed the chondrules.     

Details of the gabbro‐to‐eclogite transition determined from microtextures and calculated chemical potential relationships

Permian‐aged metagabbros from the eclogite type‐locality in the eastern European Alps were partially to completely transformed to eclogite during Eoalpine intracontinental subduction. Microtextures developed along a preserved fluid infiltration and reaction front in the gabbros record the incipient gabbro‐to‐eclogite transition, allowing the details of the eclogitization process to be investigated. Original, anorthite‐rich igneous plagioclase is pervasively replaced by fine‐grained intergrowths of clinozoisite, kyanite and Na‐rich plagioclase. Where plagioclase was in contact with igneous orthopyroxene, 100–200 μm thick bimineralic coronae of symplectic kyanite and diopsidic clinopyroxene form along the edges of the grains. The rims of igneous orthopyroxene develop a complementary bimineralic corona of diopsidic clinopyroxene and garnet. Igneous clinopyroxene does not show any breakdown textures; however, jadeite content gradually increases towards the rims. In addition, exsolution lamellae inherited from the igneous clinopyroxene become progressively more jadeitic as eclogitization proceeds. Given that the igneous plagioclase is pervasively replaced by clinozoisite, kyanite and Na‐rich plagioclase, whereas kyanite–diopside symplectites are confined to narrow rim zones, we suggest that the development of these textures was controlled by the (im)mobility of different elements on different length scales. The presence of hydrous minerals in the core of anhydrous plagioclase indicates that H₂O diffusivity occurred on a mm‐scale. By contrast, the size of the anhydrous diopside–kyanite and diopside–garnet symplectites indicate that Fe–Mg–Ca–Na diffusivity was limited to a 10s of μm scale. Chemical potential relations calculated in the idealized NCASH chemical system show that the clinozoisite–kyanite–albite intergrowths formed due to an increase of μH₂O to plagioclase, whereas all other elements remained effectively immobile on the scale of this texture. Fluid conditions indicated by this texture span from virtually dry conditions (0.15) to H₂O‐saturation, and therefore does not imply that the rocks were ever fluid‐saturated. Calculations in the CMAS and NCFMAS systems show that the gabbro‐to‐eclogite transition is characterized by the growth of garnet, diopsidic clinopyroxene and kyanite due to diffusion of Ca (+ Na) and Mg (+ Fe) along a μCaO (+ Na₂O)–μMgO (+ FeO) chemical potential gradient developed between orthopyroxene and plagioclase compositional domains. The anhydrous nature of the textures indicate that the gabbro‐to‐eclogite transition is not driven by hydration; however, increased μH₂O acts as a catalyst that increases diffusivity of all elements and rates of dissolution–precipitation, allowing the overstepped metamorphic reactions to occur. Our results show that crustal eclogite formation requires low H₂O content, confirming that true eclogites are dry rocks.     

Igneous rims on micrometeorites

Melting of micrometeorites (MMs) due to atmospheric entry heating causes significant changes in the textures, mineralogies and compositions of particles that obscure their primary properties and greatly complicate interpretation of these extraterrestrial materials. Despite the abundance of melted MMs, the nature of melting processes in these materials is poorly constrained. In this study, mineralogical, textural, and compositional data on 77 MMs with igneous rims are presented, which suggest that fusion of micrometeorites during atmospheric entry occurs initially by surface melting. Textural and mineralogical evidence are presented that demonstrate unequivocally that igneous rims crystallized from a melt surrounding a largely unmelted core and establish melting as a gradational process. The compositions of igneous rims on fine-grained MMs (fgMMs) are broadly similar to those of the unmelted core except for depletions in volatile and moderately volatile elements produced by partial evaporation and suggest the formation of the rims by melting of the fine-grained matrix core. Enrichments in Fe/Si, Ni/Si, and Mn/Si in igneous rims compared with unmelted cores within fgMMs are suggested to occur due to the migration of Fe-S eutectic liquids from the core of the particle into the surface melt layer. The sulphide liquids are probably generated in the core of the particle under reducing conditions resulting by the pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials. The presence of igneous rims on fgMMs is enabled by the thermal decomposition of phyllosilicates and, therefore, indicates that fgMMs were hydrated particles prior to atmospheric entry. In contrast the compositions of igneous rims on coarse-grained MMs (cgMMs) are difficult to reconcile with those of the unmelted core and instead closely resemble those of fgMMs. The igneous rims of cgMMs are, therefore, suggested to form by melting of fine-grained matrix that was present on the exterior of these particles prior to atmospheric entry. Coarse-grained MMs with igneous rims thus were originally composite micrometeoroids, which consist of both fine-grained and coarse-grained materials, and are thought to be samples of chondrule-like objects. The abundance of composite MMs to cgMMs allows a first estimate of the mean chondrule radius within the parent bodies of MMs of ∼625 μm to be made.     

Interpretation of neovolcanic versus palaeovolcanic sand grains: an example from Miocene deep-marine sandstone of the Topanga Group (Southern California)

Despite abundant data on volcaniclastic sand(stone), the compositional, spatial and temporal distribution of volcanic detritus within the sedimentary record is poorly documented. One of the most intricate tasks in optical analysis of sand(stone) containing volcanic particles is to distinguish grains derived by erosion of ancient volcanic rocks (i.e. palaeovolcanic, noncoeval grains) from grains generated by active volcanism (subaqueous and/or subaerial) during sedimentation (neovolcanic, coeval grains). Deep-marine volcaniclastic sandstones of the Middle Topanga Group of southern California are interstratified with 3000-m-thick volcanic deposits (both subaqueous and subaerial lava and pyroclastic rocks, ranging from basalt, andesite to dacite). These rocks overlie quartzofeldspathic sandstones (petrofacies 1) of the Lower Topanga Group, derived from deep erosion of a Mesozoic magmatic arc. Changes in sandstone composition in the Middle Topanga Group provide an example of the influence of coeval volcanism on deep-marine sedimentation. Volcaniclastic strata were deposited in deep-marine portions of a turbidite complex (volcaniclastic apron) built onto a succession of intrabasinal lava flows and on the steep flanks of subaerially emplaced lava flows and pyroclastic rocks. The Middle Topanga Group sandstones are vertically organized into four distinctive petrofacies (2–5). Directly overlying basalt and basaltic-andesite lava flows, petrofacies 2 is a pure volcanolithic sandstone, including vitric, microlitic and lathwork volcanic grains, and neovolcanic crystals (plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine). The abundance of quenched glass (palagonite) fragments suggests a subaqueous neovolcanic provenance, whereas sandstones including andesite and minor basalt grains suggest subaerial neovolcanic provenance. This petrofacies probably was deposited during syneruptive Periods, testifying to provenance from both intrabasinal and extrabasinal volcanic events. Deposited during intereruptive periods, impure volcanolithic petrofacies 3 includes both neovolcanic (85%) and older detritus derived from plutonic, metamorphic and palaeovolcanic rocks. During post-eruptive periods, the overlying quartzofeldspathic petrofacies 4 and 5 testify to progressive decrease of neovolcanic detritus (48–14%) and increase of plutonic-metamorphic and palaeovolcanic detritus. The Upper Topanga Group (Calabasas Formation), conformably overlying the Middle unit, has dominantly plutoniclastic sandstone (petrofacies 6). Neovolcanic detritus is drastically reduced (4%) whereas palaeovolcanic detritus is similar to percentages of the Lower Topanga Group (petrofacies 1). In general, the volcaniclastic contribution represents a well-defined marker in the sedimentary record. Detailed compositional study of volcaniclastic strata and volcanic particles (including both compositional and textural attributes) provides important constraints on deciphering spatial (extrabasinal vs. intrabasinal) and temporal relationships between neovolcanic events (pre-, syn-, inter- and post-eruptive periods) and older detritus.     

珠江口西部海域表层沉积物重金属元素多尺度空间变化特征

笔者应用因子克里格分析方法,研究了珠江口西部海域388个表层沉积物中7种重金属元素Cd, Ni,Cu,Zn,Pb,Cr和As的空间结构特征,识别并分离了重金属元素不同尺度的空间主成分及其分布特征,探讨了不同空间尺度重金属的物源及控制因素。结果显示,研究区7种重金属元素在空间上存在块金尺度、局部尺度(变程为60 km的球状结构)和区域尺度(变程为160 km的球状结构)3种尺度的空间变化。以迭代算法模拟了研究区重金属元素线性协同区域化模型。根据不同尺度上区域化因子的主成分得分分布特征可知:局部尺度上,F₁因子(Zn,Cr,Ni,Cu)和F₂因子(As)的高值区表现为"牛眼"状局部特征,并分布在陆地沿海的河口或者港湾区,指示了可能受人为污染成分影响的重金属区域。其中,雷州半岛东部沿海是最可能的重金属污染区,其空间分布主要受控于局部的地形、海流等因素。F₂因子不同于F₁的空间分布,主要在于As不同于Zn,Cr,Ni,Cu等的地球化学行为。区域尺度上,F₁(Zn,Cr,Ni)和F₂(As)因子主要反映了不同陆源母岩物质的影响。Zn,Cr,Ni等主要源于华南大陆陆源母岩物质,而As主要受到海南岛陆源母岩物质的控制。F₁和F₂因子得分高值区整体上表现为NNE向自陆地向较深海域延伸的"片状"分布特征,推测其主要受到海平面变化及NNE向区域性海洋环流的控制。     

Distribution of the potential and concentration of electrons in low-temperature plasma with hollow microparticles

Using approximation of a uniform background (the jellium model) for a condensed dispersed phase, the analytical expressions describing a spatial distribution of the potential of the electric field and electron concentration in the low-temperature plasma at equilibrium which contains hollow spherical microparticles are obtained. The influence of heating temperature of plasma on the above distributions is studied, and the dependencies of the charge on microparticle radius, the size of the microparticle cavity and the absolute temperature of plasma are calculated. It is shown that electrons can be emitted not only into the surrounding plasma but also into the cavity of the particles.     

Understanding heavy mineral enrichment using a three‐dimensional numerical model

Layered deposits of relatively light and heavy minerals can be found in many aquatic environments. Quantification of the physical processes which lead to the fine‐scale layering of these deposits is often limited with flumes or in situ field experiments. Therefore, the following research questions were addressed: (i) how can selective grain entrainment be numerically simulated and quantified; (ii) how does a mixed bed turn into a fully layered bed; and (iii) is there any relation between heavy mineral content and bed stability? Herein, a three‐dimensional numerical model was used as an alternative measure to study the fine‐scale process of density segregation during transport. The three‐dimensional model simulates particle transport in water by combining a turbulence‐resolving large eddy simulation with a discrete element model prescribing the motion of individual grains. The granular bed of 0·004 m in height consisted of 200 000 spherical particles (D50 = 500 μ m). Five suites of experiments were designed in which the concentration ratio of heavy (5000 kg m⁻³) to light particles (i.e. 2560 kg m⁻³) was increased from 6%, 15%, 35%, 60% to 80%. All beds were tested for 10 sec at a predefined flow speed of 0·3 m sec⁻¹. Analysis of the particle behaviour in the interior of the beds showed that the lighter particles segregated from the heavy particles with increasing time. The latter accumulated at the bottom of the domain, forming a layer, whereas the lighter particles were transported over the layer forming sweeps. Particles below the heavy particle layer indicated that the layer was able to armour the particles below. Consequentially, enrichment of heavy minerals in a layer is controlled by the segregation of a heavy mineral fraction from the light counterpart, which enhances current understanding of heavy mineral placer formation.