Pyroxenes microstructure in comet 81P/Wild 2 terminal Stardust particles

Abstract— We report the examination by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of four Stardust terminal particles extracted from two neighboring tracks (32 an 69). The particles are made of well‐preserved crystalline grains dominated by low‐Ca pyroxene ranging from nearly pure enstatite to pigeonite. Some olivine grains are also found, in chemical equilibrium with the surrounding pyroxenes. Various microstructures are observed, as a function of the composition of the grains. They include (100)‐twinned pigeonite, clino/ortho domains in enstatite and exsolution in a Ca‐rich grain. The microstructures are mostly consistent with a formation by cooling from high‐temperature phases, which could be associated to igneous processes. Some dislocations in glide configuration are also present, probably attesting for small intensity shocks. Possible effects of the rapid heating/cooling stage and thermal shock associated to the collect are discussed. It appears that most of the microstructural features reported here are plausibly pristine.     

Analyzing the agricultural transition in Mato Grosso, Brazil, using satellite-derived indices

The Amazonian state of Mato Grosso is the main production area for soybeans in Brazil and contains 31.3% of the national production as of 2009. The rapid evolution of the agricultural systems in this area shows that the region is experiencing a rapid agricultural transition. In this paper, we broke down this transition process into three steps: crop expansion, agricultural intensification and ecological intensification. We used remote sensing products to develop and compute satellite-derived indices describing the main agricultural dynamics during the cropping years from 2000-2001 to 2006-2007. Our results indicated that Mato Grosso is continuing to expand its agricultural sector, with a 43% increase in the net cropped area during the study period. Although this expansion mainly occurred in the cerrado ecoregion until the early 2000s, the forest ecoregion is experiencing expansion at this time. We observed that 65% of the crop expansion in Mato Grosso from 2000 to 2006 occurred in this ecoregion. However, we did not identify this crop expansion as the major driver of deforestation in Mato Grosso because only 12.6% of the cleared areas were directly converted into croplands. Agricultural intensification also evolved rapidly, as the proportion of the net cropped area cultivated with double cropping systems harvesting two successive commercial crops (i.e., soybean and corn or soybean and cotton) increased from 6% to 30% during the study period. Finally, we found that ecological intensification occurred because the region’s farmers planted a non-commercial crop (i.e., millet or sorghum) after the soybean harvest to prevent soil erosion, improve soil quality, break pest cycles, maintain soil moisture and set the conditions for high-quality no-tillage operations. In 2006-2007, 62% of the net cropped area was permanently covered by crops during the entire rainy season. This practice allowed the farmers to diversify their production, as shown by the positive evolution of the Area Diversity Index. Future scholars can use the method proposed in this paper to improve their understanding of the forces driving the agricultural dynamics in Mato Grosso.     

Oxidation state of iron and extensive redistribution of sulfur in thermally modified Stardust particles

Two representative thermally modified Stardust samples were investigated by analytical transmission electron microscopy in order to decipher their iron oxidation state after the strong thermal episode due to the capture in aerogel. Their dominant microstructure consists of evenly distributed rounded Fe-Ni-S nano-droplets within a silica-rich glassy matrix. The mineralogy and associated redox state of iron is assessed using a Fe-Mg-S ternary diagram on which ferromagnesian silicates, sulfides and metal can be represented and potentially compared with any other extraterrestrial material. In this diagram, all the data (bulk and local analysis of silicates, sulfide + metal) scatter along a mixing line between the Mg corner and the average composition of the iron-sulfide. There is an obvious genetic relationship between the different phases observed in such samples, further supported by the very low concentration of iron in the glassy matrix. Silicate glasses contain a significant concentration of dissolved sulfur probably present as MgS complexes. This chemical signature is typical of highly reduced environments. These secondary microstructures were established during the high temperature stage of the capture. A significant part of the Fe-droplets formed in situ by reduction at high temperature of ferromagnesian silicates (olivine and pyroxenes) during the impact. At this stage, the indigenous sulfides destabilized and sulfur readily volatilized as S₂, diffused into molten materials and condensed later onto the Fe-precipitates that formed in the silicate melt. This scenario is supported by the structure of Fe-Ni-S beads with a metal core and a sulfide rim. It will be difficult to derive reliable information on the redox state of 81P/Wild 2 particles based on bulk analyses of whole tracks because particles found along the walls of tracks suffered strong reduction reactions, contrary to terminal particles that may have preserved their pristine redox state. The capture effect must be taken into account for comparison of Wild 2 particles with other chondritic material.     

Earliest record of rhinocerotoids (Mammalia: Perissodactyla) from Switzerland: systematics and biostratigraphy

Earliest rhinocerotoids from Switzerland are reviewed on the basis of dental remains from the earliest Oligocene north-central Jura Molasse localities of Bressaucourt (MP21/22) and Kleinblauen (top MP22). The record in Bressaucourt is restricted to Ronzotherium and Cadurcotherium, representing Switzerland’s oldest, well-dated post-“Grande Coupure” large mammal association, the only occurrence of Cadurcotherium, and the earliest occurrence of rhinocerotoids in Switzerland. The correlation with high-resolution stratigraphy of this locality permitted a dating of the fauna to ca. 32.6 Ma, less than a million years after the “Grande Coupure” event. The rhinocerotoids of Kleinblauen are represented by Epiaceratherium, Ronzotherium and Eggysodon. With the presence of Plagiolophus ministri, they are the only well-dated Swiss post-“Grande Coupure” large mammal assemblage with the persistence of an endemic pre-“Grande Coupure” taxon. Moreover, the coexistence of Epiaceratherium magnum and E. aff. magnum could indicate a new speciation within the Epiaceratherium lineage around the top of MP22. The rhinocerotoid associations of Bressaucourt with Ronzotherium – Cadurcotherium on the western side of the southernmost Rhine Graben area, and Kleinblauen with Epiaceratherium – Ronzotherium – Eggysodon on the eastern side, respectively, reveal a possible environmental barrier constituted by the Early Oligocene Rhenish sea and its eventual connection with the Perialpine sea. This one could have separated an arid area in central-eastern France from a humid area in Switzerland and Germany. These results, combined with the repartition of similar rhinocerotoid associations in Western Europe, also give new insights into an alternative earliest Oligocene dispersal route of rhinocerotoids from Asia towards Western Europe via North Italy.     

Evaporation and Sublimation of Boric Acid: Application for Boron Purification from Organic Rich Solutions

We report in this paper a series of experiments whose purpose is to test the long held idea of boron volatility when neutral to acidic solutions containing traces of boron are evaporated. Boron recoveries have been measured precisely by isotopic dilution and boron isotopic ratios have also been determined. Most of the evaporations have been conducted at 60-65 °C. It was found that no loss of boric acid occurs when c. 1 μg of B is evaporated in water, HCl, HF and acetone solutions. At the same time, we did not observe any associated B isotopic fractionation. In contrast to previous studies on B volatilisation, it was not found necessary to use mannitol to prevent B losses during the evaporation of acidic solutions. Important losses of boron were observed from solutions of methanol, ethanol and organic-rich natural solutions. In the presence of methanol and ethanol, a volatile methyl (or ethyl) borate is likely to be formed. In contrast to these studies, we show that boron is highly volatile when the dried residues of an evaporation are heated further. The sublimation of boron that then occurs can be moderated by the use of mannitol, but a slight increase of the temperature allows B volatilisation. Despite the substantial losses of B by sublimation, no B isotopic fractionation was observed at 60-65 C. The property of boron to sublime was used to separate B from an organic matrix. A miniaturized sublimation apparatus, comprising a 5 ml Teflon beaker, and the associated microsublimation technique are described. The 100% boron recovery and the absence of B isotopic fractionation make this method suitable for extracting B from organic-rich samples.     

Sédimentologie, paléontologie et paléoenvironnements c?tiers de la région de Porrentruy (Sud-Rhénan, Paléogène, Jura, Suisse): implications géodynamiques

Resume. Situés dans la partie la plus distale du bassin molassique suisse et dans le prolongement sud du fossé rhénan, les dép?ts conglomératiques appartenant au groupe stratigraphique des Gompholithes & Conglomérats ont fait l’objet d’une étude sédimentologique et paléontologique détaillée. La multitude des affleurements réalisés lors des travaux de construction de l’autoroute Transjurane dans la région de Porrentruy (Jura), permet d’appréhender ces paléoenvironnements rupéliens (Oligocène inférieur). Les études sédimentologiques et paléontologiques révèlent l’existence d’environnements c?tiers avec des falaises de calcaires mésozo?ques entaillées par des canyons où se trouvent des rivières au régime torrentiel. Ces rivières qui érodent les couches du Mésozo?que créent des galets qui sont déposés sous la forme de deltas marins progradant vers le nord. A l’abri des exutoires des canyons se développent quelques environnements lacustres. Ces dép?ts conglomératiques sont fortement liés à l’activité tectonique rupélienne. La distension rhénane et l’activité de la faille transformante située entre le fossé rhénan et le bassin de la Bresse subdivisent les différents blocs mésozo?ques en horsts et grabens, permettant ainsi l’érosion des sédiments dans les parties hautes (horst) et leur transport dans les zones basses (graben). La découverte de rares galets de roches endogènes et effusives dans les dép?ts conglomératiques montre un transport du socle des Vosges vers le sud dans la région de Porrentruy par l’intermédiaire sans doute d’une dérive littorale. Bien que la surrection des Vosges et de la Forêt-Noire et leur mise à l’érosion soient connues dès la base du Miocène, la présence de ces galets atteste l’existence de failles dès le début du Rupélien qui mettent à l’érosion le socle du massif des Vosges.

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Located in the distal part of the Swiss Molasse Basin and in the southern extension of the Rhine Graben, the conglomeratic deposits belonging to the Gompholithes & Conglomérats stratigraphic group have been the object of detailed sedimentological and paleontological studies. The great number of outcrops that came into sight during the building works of the Transjurane highway in the vicinity of Porrentruy (Swiss Jura) lead to a better understanding of Rupelian paleoenvironments (Early Oligocene). The sedimentological and paleontological studies reveal the existence of coastal environments with Mesozoic limestone cliffs notched by canyons with torrential rivers. Those rivers eroding the Mesozoic series create pebbles deposits forming marine deltas prograding towards North. In protected areas, some lacustrine environments can develop. These conglomeratic deposits are strongly bound to the Rupelian tectonic activity. The rhenish distension and the activity of the transform faults located between the Rhine Graben and the Bresse basin divide the Mesozoic blocks in horst and graben structures, thus allowing the erosion of sediments in higher regions (horst) and their transport in lower zones (graben). The discovery of rare pebbles made of endogene and effusive rocks in those conglomeratic deposits shows a transport coming from the Vosges massifs towards south to the Porrentruy region, probably with the support of a littoral drift. Although the surrection of the Vosges and Schwarzwald massifs (and the beginning of their erosion) is normally attributed to the base of the Miocene, the presence of those pebbles attests the existence of faults putting the basement of the Vosges massif to erosion since the base of Rupelian.

Manuscrit re?u le 4 février 2003 Révision acceptée le 30 mars 2005     

Failles normales Paléocène à Lutétien en zone sud-pyrénéenne (Aragon,Espagne) et flexuration de la plaque ibérique

Close to the South Pyrenean thrust front, synsedimentary normal faults develop in the ‘Garumnian’ continental deposits (Maastrichtian to Palaeocene) and in the carbonate platform during the Lutetian. During the Lutetian, this deformation is accompanied by a change in the sedimentation characterized by the deposit of two series of laminated limestones associated to monogenetic breccias. These normal faults would have formed at the bending of the Iberian plate subducting under Europe. They may also be considered as the starting point for the megaturbidites that deposited further north in the Eocene turbiditic basin. To cite this article: Y. Hervouët et al., C. R. Geoscience 337 (2005).     

Spatial and temporal relationships between compression, strike-slip and extension in the Central Venezuelan Andes: Clues for Plio-Quaternary tectonic escape

The geometry of tectonic structures, attributed to the Neogene–Quaternary time interval, is described in the active setting of the Venezuelan Andes. Our methodology is based on the analysis of radar satellite and Digital Elevation Model imagery, complemented by structural fieldwork and the compilation of seismotectonic data to make a structural analysis on a regional scale. Radar images provide first class data for morphostructural analysis in areas of dense vegetation and frequent cloud covering, like the Venezuelan Andes. We focused our analysis in the Burbusay–Río Momboy and Boconó faults corner located in the central part of the belt.We have described three stages of deformation during the Neogene–Quaternary. The first one, Mio-Pliocene in age, is a NW–SE compression responsible for the uplift of the Venezuelan Andes. The second tectonic stage corresponds to a strike-slip regime of deformation marked by shearing along the Boconó, Burbusay and Valera faults, which separates two triangular wedges in the larger Trujillo block. This strike-slip faulting-dominated compressional-extensional tectonic regime allowed the Trujillo crustal block to move towards the NE. Wrenching has therefore started at some point between the Pliocene and the Quaternary. These two tectonic events are consistent with ongoing strain partitioning in the Venezuelan Andes. The third stage corresponds to extensional deformation limited to the Trujillo block and is still active today. Extension is associated with the motion of crustal blocks moving relative to each other, probably above the upper-lower crust boundary. Such extensional deformation can be understood considering that the crust extends and stretches at the same time as it moves towards the NE. The combination of both horizontal lateral motion and extension is characteristic of a tectonic escape process. The northeastward escape of the Trujillo block, which belongs to the larger North Andes block, occurs as a result of the combination of the NW–SE intracontinental convergence between the South-American plate and the Maracaibo block, and the presence to the north of the Caribbean oceanic plate considered as a free boundary. We have showed that the kinematics of the Caribbean plate offers not only a favorable environment, but may also be considered as the driving force of the tectonic escape of the North Andes block.     

New biostratigraphical data for the Burdigalian Montchaibeux Member at the locality Courrendlin-Solé (Canton of Jura,Switzerland)

Geological surveys were carried out in the Miocene deposits at the place known as “En Solé” east of the village Courrendlin (Delémont Basin, Canton of Jura, Switzerland). This resulted in the discovery of new Miocene small mammal assemblages. The association of the rodents Megacricetodon aff. collongensis and Melissiodon sp. allows to biochronostratigraphically correlate for the first time the so-called “Rote Mergel des Mont Chaibeux” representing the lower part of the Montchaibeux Member of the Bois de Raube Formation to the regional M. collongensis–Keramidomys interval zone (MN 4; early Miocene).