Hydrochemical characteristics of Lastochka Spa (Primorye, Far East of Russia)

This study presents new data on major, trace and REE element concentration of groundwaters in Lastochka spa located in the northern part of Primorye, Far East of Russia. The studied area is characterized by two types of groundwaters issued from a spring and wells: fresh waters with low mineralization (Total Dissolved Solids is up to 400 mg/l) and high pCO₂ waters with high mineralization (TDS is up to 4700 mg/l). New data and previous δ¹³C_(TIC), oxygen (δ¹⁸O) and hydrogen (δ²H) isotope data indicate that these waters result from meteoric water infiltration in the Sikhote–Alin mountain, circulating at shallow depths in sedimentary rocks. CO₂ in groundwater is of mantle origin.     

Accumulation and fractionation of rare earth elements in surface waters of the Russian Far East under the conditions of natural and anthropogenic anomalies

The distribution and fractionation of rare earth elements were studied in surface waters from areas with different anthropogenic impacts in the southern part of the Russian Far East and in natural anomalous waters from areas with intense volcanic-hydrothermal activity. The levels of REE contents and their fractionation in the sequence from the light to heavy REE were estimated in different waters, and their connections with major ions and other trace elements, primarily Al, Fe, and Mn, were determined. The relations of the main forms of REE migration (dissolved and suspended) in surface waters were evaluated, and fundamental differences were detected in the accumulation of REE in the natural acid waters of the Kuril Islands and under continental conditions related to their deep input and redistribution in streams.     

Oxygen depletion in Long Island Sound: A historical perspective

A retrospective analysis of available data was conducted to characterize the spatial distribution and temporal trends in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in Long Island Sound (LIS) over the past four decades. A general east-to-west gradient of decreasing bottom DO was evident in all historical data examined. In our review of data from the 1950s, collected by Gordon Riley and colleagues, and from contemporary surveys, we found no evidence of hypoxia (DO≤0.3, mg 1^?1) in the Eastern Basin; however, in the deeper waters of the Central Basin, there is some evidence for a recent (1986) emergence of moderate hypoxia. The Western Basin experienced episodes of hypoxia during the 1970s which became more recurrent and possibly more severe in the late 1980s. The most severe, persistent and chronically recurrent hypoxia occurred throughout the water column of the East River and in bottom waters of the Western Narrows. An unprecedented episode of anoxia was observed in both the Western and Eastern Narrows regions of LIS in 1987. Previously, anoxia occurred rarely, was short-lived, and was confined to the East River. Statistical trend analyses revealed a significant increase in the summer minimum bottom DO in the lower and middle reaches of the East River over the past 20 years. Beginning in 1981, however, DO declined markedly in the adjacent Narrows bordering the Nassau County nearshore. The improvements in East River water quality over the previous 15–20 years appear to have been gained at the, expense of poorer water quality in the western sound. Mechanisms potentially responsible for the recent decline in bottom DO in western LIS are suggested.     

The salt composition of rivers in Wrangel Island

Pioneer information about the chemical composition of river water in Wrangel Island has been obtained. It is shown that the water composition reflects the lithogeochemical specifics of primary rocks and ore mineralization. In contrast to many areas of the Russian Far North, river waters of the island are characterized by an elevated background value of total mineralization (i.e., total dissolved solids, TDS) (0.3–2 g/l) and specific chemical type (SO₄-Ca-Mg). This is related to abundance of Late Carboniferous gypsiferous and dolomitic sequences in the mountainous area of the island. It has also been established that the salt composition of some streams is appreciably governed by supergene alterations of the sulfide mineralization associated with the quartz-carbonate vein systems. They make up natural centers of surface water contamination. Waters in such streams are characterized by low pH values (2.4–5.5), high TDS (up to 6–23 g/l) and the SO₄-Mg composition. These waters are also marked by anomalously high concentrations of heavy and nonferrous metals, as well as REE, U, and Th.     

A Unique Find of Rhenium-bearing Wolframite in Ongonites of the Russian Far East

Doklady Earth Sciences - Accessory wolframite with an extraordinarily high rhenium content (2.93–3.52%) in ongonite from the Badzhal area in the Far East is described. The capacity of...     

East African Rift System (EARS) Plume Structure: Insights from Quaternary Mafic Lavas of Turkana, Kenya

Quaternary mafic lavas from Lake Turkana (northern Kenya) provideinformation on processes operating beneath the East AfricanRift in an area of anomalous lithospheric and crustal thinning.Inferred depths of melting beneath Turkana (15–20 km)are shallower than those recorded elsewhere along the rift,consistent with the anomalously thin crustal section. The maficlavas have elevated incompatible trace element contents whencompared with mid-ocean ridge basalts, requiring an enrichmentevent in the source region. Basalts with low Sr isotopic ratios(     

Effects of hypoxia, and the balance between hypoxia and enrichment, on coastal fishes and fisheries

A reduction in dissolved oxygen concentration is one of the most important direct effects of nutrient over-enrichment of coastal waters on fishes. Because hypoxia can cause mortality, reduced growth rates, and altered distributions and behaviors of fishes, as well as changes in the relative importance of organisms and pathways of carbon flow within food webs, hypoxia and anoxia can lead to large reductions in the abundance, diversity, and harvest of fishes within affected waters. Nutrient enrichment, however, typically increases prey abundance in more highly oxygenated surface waters and beyond the boundaries of the hypoxic zone. Because of this mosaic of high and low oxygen areas within a system, not only the actual oxygen concentration of bottom waters, but the spatial arrangement, predictability, and persistence of highly oxygenated, high productivity habitats, and the ability of fishes to locate and use those favorable habitats, will determine the ultimate effect of low oxygen on fish populations. Negative effects of hypoxia on fish, habitat, and food webs potentially make both fish populations and entire systems more susceptible to additional anthropogenic and natural stressors.     

Investigation of precious metal inclusions in highly carbonaceous rocks by the SEM and X-Ray spectrum analysis methods

The results of special-purpose investigations of the informativity of the SEM-XRSA method in the study of PGE- and Au-rich inclusions in highly carbonaceous rock matrixes are presented. As exemplified by the black schists of the Late Proterozoic-Early Cambrian Kimkan and Sutyr rock sequences of the Bureya massif in the Russian Far East, the SEM-XRSA method is an efficient tool for the prospecting and study of such inclusions. The method yields correct estimates of their chemical composition characterized by the presence of a substantial amount of admixtures, including oxygen and carbon.     

中-东西伯利亚及俄罗斯远东地区构造和成矿作用的研究进展

俄罗斯地质学家在近20年来以岩石圈板块构造理论和地体分析方法,对中-东西伯利亚和俄罗斯远东地区构造和区域成矿作用的研究取得了一系列重要进展。这些进展集中体现在2个多国合作项目取得的成果和2部最新的科学专著中。作者重点介绍了中-东西伯利亚和俄罗斯远东地区区域构造演化、区域构造和区域成矿单元及一些重要金属矿床的基本特征,并对本区地质演化的某些重要问题（转换陆缘、蒙古-鄂霍茨克造山带等）做了讨论,以此向读者提供一个有关俄罗斯东部地区上述领域基本研究现状的梗概。     

Nitrogen-15 Isotope Enrichment in Benthic Boundary Layer Gases of a Stratified Eutrophic Iron and Manganese Rich Lake

The applicability of the natural abundance of nitrogen gas isotope ratios was used to indicate the spatial distribution of nitrogen transformations in the water column and sediment pore waters of Lake Ngapouri, a small (area 0.19 km²), monomictic, eutrophic lake in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, North Island, New Zealand. Samples were collected from the epilimnion, hypolimnion, benthic boundary layer and at 5-cm intervals from the sediment pore waters at monthly intervals for 1 year. Values of δ¹⁵N [N₂] ranged from −1 to 0.28‰ in the epilimnion, −1.5 to 1.25‰ in the hypolimnion, −1.8 to 12.2‰ in the benthic boundary layer and −0.7 to 3.5‰ in sediment pore waters. Values of δ¹⁵N [N₂] showed a strong seasonal pattern that was related to the loss of dissolved oxygen in the hypolimnion during seasonal stratification. Increases in ¹⁵N-enriched dinitrogen take place in the benthic boundary layer during the periods of anoxia (taken to be dissolved oxygen concentrations <6.3 μM) and may be related to abundant ammonium substrate (up to 275 μM) to support denitrification. Nitrate concentrations increased up to 36 μM with increasing duration of anoxia. We hypothesise that an alternative electron acceptor besides oxygen is required to support the nitrification needed for the production of nitrate. Iron and manganese hydroxides and oxides from material sedimenting out of the water column may have induced chemo-nitrification sufficient to oxidise ammonium in the anoxic benthic boundary layer. The nitrate formed would mostly be rapidly denitrified so that the δ¹⁵N [N₂] would continue to become enriched during the presence of anoxia, as observed in hypolimnion and benthic boundary layer of Lake Ngapouri. The changes in δ¹⁵N [N₂] values indicate the potential use of isotope ratios to identify and quantify potential chemo-nitrification/denitrification in the water column and sediment pore waters of lakes.     

Flora development in Northeastern Asia and Northern Alaska during the Cretaceous-Paleogene transitional epoch

Study of floral succession from the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary interval in Russian Far East (Zeya-Bureya depression), Northeastern Russia (Koryak Upland), and Northern Alaska (Sagavanirktok River basin) is crucial for better understanding palaeoclimatic and palaeogeographic factors, which controlled events in vegetation evolution at that time. The succession of fossil floras in the Zeya-Bureya depression includes plant assemblages of the Santonian, Campanian, early Danian, Danian, and Danian-Selandian age. The early Danian Boguchan Flora keeps continuity in composition and dominating taxa with the Campanian Late Kundur Flora. The Koryak Flora of the Amaam Lagoon area (Northeastern Russia) is dated as late Maastrichtian based on correlation of plant-bearing beds with marine biostratigraphy, whereas the Early and Late Sagwon floras of Northern Alaska are dated back to the Danian-Selandian and early Paleocene based on palynological and macrofloristic data. The Early Sagwon Flora is most close to the late Maastrichtian Koryak Flora of the Amaam Lagoon area in composition and main dominants, while the Late Sagwon Flora is comparable with the Danian or Danian-(?) Selandian flora from the Upper Tsagayan Subformation of the Amur area. In a florogenic aspect, trans-Beringian plant migrations from northeastern Asia and southern palaeolatitudes of the Far East, which became possible due to Paleocene climate warming in Arctic, have played an important role in forming of the Paleocene floras of Northern Alaska. Floras of the Far East and high latitudes of Asia and North America show no evidence of catastrophic event at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. Their development was most probably controlled by climate changes, plant evolution and migration.     

Global Review of Permian Tyloplecta Muir-Wood and Cooper, 1960 (Brachiopoda): Morphology, Palaeobiogeographical and Palaeogeographical Implications

A global review of the stratigraphical and geographical distribution of Tyloplecta reveals that the genus ranges in age from Kungurian to Changhsingian (Middle to Late Permian). Tyloplecta first evolved in South China in the Kungurian (late Early Permian). The genus went through its first diversification in the Guadalupian, suffered a major extinction at the end of the Guadalupian, and re-diversified in the Wuchiapingian. T. yangtzeensis persisted into the Changhsingian as the only survivor of the genus involved in the end-Permian mass extinction. Palaeogeographically, South China is not only the centre of origin for the genus but also an area of diversification and evolution. In addition to South China, Tyloplecta has also been recorded from the Far East Russia, Japan, central Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Qiangtang Terrane of Tibet, Salt Range, Iran, Armenia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Slovenia. This geographic spread suggests that Tyloplecta was primarily restricted to the Palaeotethys and is indicative of warm-water palaeoequatorial conditions. Its presence in some of the northeast Asian terranes (e.g., parts of Japan and Far East Russia) and in the Salt Range (Pakistan) and central and north Iran (part of the Cimmerian microcontinents) demonstrate that the genus invaded the middle palaeolatitudinal regions in both hemispheres during the late Middle Permian in response to increased shallow marine biotic communications between Cathaysia in the eastern Palaeotethys and southern Angaraland, and between Cathaysia and Peri-Gondwanaland. The invasion of Tyloplecta (and some other taxa) into the southern shore waters of Angaraland may be explained by assuming ocean surface current connections and close palaeogeographical proximities between the South China, Sino-Korea and Bureya blocks. In comparison, the invasion of Tyloplecta into the Peri-Gondwanaland region is more likely a result of reduced palaeogeographical distance between South China and Peri-Gondwanaland and the appearance of the Cimmerian microcontinents as migratory stepping stones.     

Distribution of indium in ores of some base metal and tin–sulfide deposits in Siberia and the Russian Far East

The study of base-metal massive sulfide and tin–sulfide deposits in Siberia and the Russian Far East has revealed that the indium content in ores exceeding the average statistical value at similar deposits worldwide could be economically important. Sphalerite and chalcopyrite and chalcopyrite, bornite, and sphalerite are the major indium carriers in the base-metal massive sulfide and tin–sulfide ores, respectively. In addition, base-metal massive sulfide ores have high Cd, Ag, and Te contents, whereas tin–sulfide ores have elevated Ge, Ga, and Nb contents. This has stimulated the investment attractiveness of these deposits.     

Tungsten accessory minerals in lithium-fluoric granites of the Russian Far East

By means of the technique of local analysis, the presence of a wide variety of tungsten and tungsten-containing accessories was first revealed in the composition of lithium-fluoric granites of the Far East, which represents a substantial similarity and regional peculiarity of these rocks. It was concluded that the tungsten accessory mineralization might be considered as an indication of the genetic relationship of the mineralization of the East Asian tin-tungsten zone to the Pacific rare-metal granites.     

Cenozoic “radiobarite” occurrences in the Ohře (Eger) Rift, Bohemian Massif: Mineralogical and geochemical revision

Barite occurrences related to the Cenozoic (Late Alpine) low-temperature hydrothermal activity are present in the continental Ohře (Eger) Rift area. A specific, Ra-bearing type of barite has been known under the name “radiobarite” from this area since 1904. Revision of 12 localities revealed the presence of alleged radiobarite only in the Teplice (Lahošť–Jeníkov) and Karlovy Vary areas. Barite from other localities is radium-poor. Barite crystals showing concentric oscillation colour zoning totally prevail. Isomorphous substitution of Sr (X×10⁻¹ to X×wt%), Ca (X×10⁻² wt%) and Fe (X×10⁻¹ wt%) for Ba was proved. Average SrO contents of 0.4 wt% are markedly exceeded in some samples from Lahošť–Jeníkov (max. 3.2 wt%) and Karlovy Vary (max. 4.9 wt%). Besides inclusions of stoichiometric iron disulphide, the same samples also contain iron disulphides with unusual high contents of Co (max. 12.2 wt%) and Ni (max. to 8.4 wt%). Specific activity of ²³⁸U in the studied barites is very low while that of ²²⁶Ra reaches 8 Bq/g in several samples. Therefore, ²²⁶Ra is not in equilibrium with its parent uranium. These “radiobarites” or their parts must be therefore relatively young, not older than 10–15 ka. Very low uranium contents (<0.4 ppm) were also confirmed by neutron activation analyses of barite samples.

Unit-cell dimensions refined from X-ray powder diffraction data do not show any systematic variation with the measured chemical composition. Their values agree with the data given in the literature. Reflection half-widths, however, seem to correlate with chemistry. Peaks are wider in samples from Lahošť–Jeníkov and Karlovy Vary.

Sulphur and oxygen stable isotope compositions of the Cenozoic barite mineralization of Teplice area are very uniform (δ³⁴S values between 3.9‰ and 7.1‰ CDT, and δ¹⁸O values between 6.1‰ and 7.7‰ SMOW), while the barites of Děc˘ín area show more variable sulphur sources. Sulphate derived from sediments of the Tertiary Most Basin seems to dominate for the Teplice area, while Cretaceous sediments are a more probable sulphur source in the Děc˘ín area. Calculation of oxygen isotope composition of hydrothermal fluids based on fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures and barite δ¹⁸O data shows δ¹⁸O_fluid values in the range of meteoric waters or δ¹⁸O – shifted deep circulating meteoric or basinal waters.     

Rare-Earth Elements from Modern Mineral–Organic Associations in the Zone of Sulfide Ore Hypergenesis

The REE composition of modern mineral–organic associations in the sulfide ore hypergenesis zone of the Berezitovoe deposit in the Russian Far East was studied for the first time. It is shown that the mineral–organic associations widely abundant in the valley of Konstantinovskii Creek and represented by bright brown crusts on the surface of deluvial deposits were formed at the expense of the influence of acid highly mineralized mine waters from the Berezitovoe deposit. The mineral–organic associations found in the Creek valley may be considered as a new indicator for evaluation of the geoecological state of modern technogenic landscapes.     

Deep structures in the Maritime Territory-Sea of Japan continental margin from seismic data

This paper discusses the results of interpreting seismic profiles on the Earth’s crust of the Maritime Territory and Sea of Japan performed during the 20th century by the Sakhalin Integrated Research Institute and by the Schmidt Joint Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences. The seismic profiles confirmed the presence of structural features under the Maritime Territory and the Sea of Japan that were revealed previously from geological data, such as spreading zones, rifts, deep-seated faults, overthrusts, and subduction zones, suggesting an active type of continental margin in the Far East region. We assumed that a high occurrence of the asthenospheric layer enclosing magmatic chambers explains the high activity of tectonic processes in the Far Eastern continental margin. The identified system of rifts and spreading centers supports this assumption.     

Pleistocene raised marine deposits on Wrangel Island, northeast Siberia and implications for the presence of an East Siberian ice sheet

Two previously undocumented Pleistocene marine transgressions on Wrangel Island, northeastern Siberia, question the presence of an East Siberian or Beringian ice sheet during the last glacial maximum (LGM). The Tundrovayan Transgression (459,000–780,000 yr B.P.) is represented by raised marine deposits and landforms 15–41 m asl located up to 18 km inland. The presence of high sea level 64,000–73,000 yr ago (the Krasny Flagian Transgression) is preserved in deposits and landforms 4–7 m asl in the Krasny Flag valley. These deposits and landforms were mapped, dated, and described using amino acid geochronology, radiocarbon, optically stimulated luminescence, electron spin resonance, oxygen isotopes, micropaleontology, paleomagnetism, and grain sizes. The marine deposits are eustatic and not isostatic in origin. All marine deposits on Wrangel Island predate the LGM, indicating that neither Wrangel Island nor the East Siberian or Chukchi Seas experienced extensive glaciation over the last 64,000 yr.     

Resource-based development in the Russian Far East: Problems and prospects

The paper examines the prospects for resource-based development in the Russian Far East. It adopts a critical perspective on the potential for resource-based development by examining problems with Far East resource industries, specifically by looking at the experience of the other resource economies more generally. In particular, it highlights the new geo-economic context for resource development in the Far East of Russia as the world economy approaches the much touted, and now questioned, ‘Pacific Century’.