Plate Tectonics and mineralization in the Tethyan region

The association between mineralization and plate movements is becoming evident in the American Cordillera and the Pacific Island Arcs. This paper attempts to show how these ideas apply to the zone along which the Eurasian and Afro-Arabia plates collided during the late Mesozoic, between the Alps and the Himalayas. The study highlights some of the outstanding problems concerned with plate collision and the important question of the origin of ophiolite complexes. Some of the major mineralized districts in Greece, Turkey and Iran can be related to active plate edges, to island arc development and to related tectonism around pre-Mesozoic crystalline massifs. The study reinforces the view that the younger tectonic zones traversing the Middle East will become major mineral-producing areas in the future.     

A numerical method for the study of shear band propagation in soft rocks

This paper investigates the possibility of interpreting progressive shear failure in hard soils and soft rocks as the result of shear propagation of a pre‐existing natural defect. This is done through the application of the principles of fracture mechanics, a slip‐weakening model (SWM) being used to simulate the non‐linear zone at the tips of the discontinuity. A numerical implementation of the SWM in a computation method based on the boundary element technique of the displacement discontinuity method (DDM) is presented. The crack and the non‐linear zone at the advancing tip are represented through a set of elements, where the displacement discontinuity (DD) in the tangential direction is determined on the basis of a friction law. A residual friction angle is assumed on the crack elements. Shear resistance decreases on elements in the non‐linear zone from a peak value at the tip, which is characteristic of intact material, to the residual value. The simulation of a uniaxial compressive test in plane strain conditions is carried out to exemplify the numerical methodology. The results emphasize the role played by the critical DD on the mechanical behaviour of the specimen. A validation of the model is shown through the back analysis of some experimental observations. The results of this back analysis show that a non‐linear fracture mechanics approach seems very promising to simulate experimental results, in particular with regards to the shear band evolution pattern. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interannual variability in the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of the spider crab Maja brachydactyla (Decapoda,Majidae)

The spider crab Maja brachydactyla is an important commercial species in Europe and supports intensive fisheries in the NE Atlantic. A field survey was performed to assess long‐term and consecutive interannual (2005–2010) variation of the biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae of M. brachydactyla. Larval biochemical profiles differed significantly among years, with pronounced differences being recorded in 2010. Differences among batches of newly hatched larvae were mainly explained by the contribution of triacylglycerols and, to a lesser degree, by protein and lipid content. The use of different nutrition indices is discussed. The biochemical composition of newly hatched larvae from M. brachydactyla was highly variable, even though surveyed broodstock was obtained from the same local population and was always sampled during the same season. The unpredictable biochemical profiles of newly hatched larvae may condition their survival and recruitment. This largely overlooked aspect of larval variability should be considered in future fisheries management strategies and captive production of marine organisms that still rely on wild seeds.     

Changes in extremes and hydroclimatic regimes in the CREMA ensemble projections

We analyze changes of four extreme hydroclimatic indices in the RCP8.5 projections of the Phase I CREMA experiment, which includes 21st century projections over 5 CORDEX domains (Africa, Central America, South America, South Asia, Mediterranean) with the ICTP regional model RegCM4 driven by three CMIP5 global models. The indices are: Heat Wave Day Index (HWD), Maximum Consecutive Dry Day index (CDD), fraction of precipitation above the 95th intensity percentile (R95) and Hydroclimatic Intensity index (HY-INT). Comparison with coarse (GPCP) and high (TRMM) resolution daily precipitation data for the present day conditions shows that the precipitation intensity distributions from the GCMs are close to the GPCP data, while the RegCM4 ones are closer to TRMM, illustrating the added value of the increased resolution of the regional model. All global and regional model simulations project predominant increases in HWD, CDD, R95 and HY-INT, implying a regime shift towards more intense, less frequent rain events and increasing risk of heat wave, drought and flood with global warming. However, the magnitudes of the changes are generally larger in the global than the regional models, likely because of the relatively low “climate sensitivity” of the RegCM4, especially when using the CLM land surface scheme. In addition, pronounced regional differences in the change signals are found. The data from these simulations are available for use in impact assessment studies.     

Variability over time in the sources of South Portuguese Zone turbidites: evidence of denudation of different crustal blocks during the assembly of Pangaea

This study combines geochemical and geochronological data in order to decipher the provenance of Carboniferous turbidites from the South Portuguese Zone (SW Iberia). Major and trace elements of 25 samples of graywackes and mudstones from the Mértola (Visean), Mira (Serpukhovian), and Brejeira (Moscovian) Formations were analyzed, and 363 U-Pb ages were obtained on detrital zircons from five samples of graywackes from the Mira and Brejeira Formations using LA-ICPMS. The results indicate that turbiditic sedimentation during the Carboniferous was marked by variability in the sources, involving the denudation of different crustal blocks and a break in synorogenic volcanism. The Visean is characterized by the accumulation of immature turbidites (Mértola Formation and the base of the Mira Formation) inherited from a terrane with intermediate to mafic source rocks. These source rocks were probably formed in relation to Devonian magmatic arcs poorly influenced by sedimentary recycling, as indicated by the almost total absence of pre-Devonian zircons typical of the Gondwana and/or Laurussia basements. The presence of Carboniferous grains in Visean turbidites indicates that volcanism was active at this time. Later, Serpukhovian to Moscovian turbiditic sedimentation (Mira and Brejeira Formations) included sedimentary detritus derived from felsic mature source rocks situated far from active magmatism. The abundance of Precambrian and Paleozoic zircons reveals strong recycling of the Gondwana and/or Laurussia basements. A peri-Gondwanan provenance is indicated by zircon populations with Neoproterozoic (Cadomian-Avalonian and Pan-African zircon-forming events), Paleoproterozoic, and Archean ages. The presence of late Ordovician and Silurian detrital zircons in Brejeira turbidites, which have no correspondence in the Gondwana basement of SW Iberia, indicates Laurussia as their most probable source.     

Experimental study on the mechanical behaviour of a heat exchanger pile using physical modelling

This study aims to provide knowledge on the thermo-mechanical behaviour of heat exchanger piles, through a laboratory scale model. The model pile (20 mm in external diameter) was embedded in dry sand. The behaviour of the axially loaded pile under thermal cycles was investigated. After applying the axial load on the pile head, the pile temperature was varied between 5 and 30 °C. Seven tests, corresponding to various axial loads ranging from 0 to 70 % of the pile estimated bearing capacity, were performed. The results on pile head displacement show that heating under low axial load induced heave and cooling induced settlement; the pile temperature-displacement curve was found to be reversible and compatible with the thermal expansion curve of the pile. However, at higher axial loads, irreversible settlement of the pile head was observed after a few thermal cycles. The axial load profile measured by the strain gauges evidenced that the pile head load was mainly transferred to the pile toe. Nevertheless, thermal cycles modified significantly the mobilised skin friction along the pile. The total pressure measured at various locations in the soil mass was also slightly influenced by the thermal cycles.     

Natural Variability of Shear Strength in a Granite Residual Soil from Porto

The renewal imposed by the Eurocodes regarding the methodologies of safety evaluation requires a statistical analysis of the variability of ground geotechnical parameters. However, the studies published in the reviewed literature do not cover the typical materials from the northeast region of Portugal—residual soils from granite—to which a strong heterogeneity is associated. Hence, a statistical characterization of the natural variability of a granite residual soil from Porto has been made through a significant amount of experimental tests, focusing on its geomechanical properties. In order to provide a database for probabilistic analysis of problems involving this type of soils, an appropriate statistical law has been used to model its variability, which has been quantified by means of coefficients of variation and scales of fluctuation.     

The role of two sediment-dwelling invertebrates on the mercury transfer from sediments to the estuarine trophic web

The annual total and organic mercury bioaccumulation pattern of Scrobicularia plana and Hediste diversicolor was assessed to evaluate the potential mercury transfer from contaminated sediments to estuarine food webs. S. plana was found to accumulate more total and organic mercury than H. diversicolor, up to 0.79 mg kg⁻¹ and 0.15 mg kg⁻¹ (wet weight) respectively, with a maximum annual uptake of 0.21 mg kg⁻¹ y⁻¹, while for methylmercury the annual accumulation was similar between species and never exceeded 0.045 mg kg⁻¹ y⁻¹. The higher organic mercury fraction in H. diversicolor is related to the omnivorous diet of this species. Both species increase methylmercury exposure by burrowing activities and uptake in anoxic, methylmercury rich sediment layers. Integration with the annual biological production of each species revealed mercury incorporation rates that reached 28 μg m⁻² y⁻¹, and to extract as much as 11.5 g Hg y⁻¹ (of which 95% associated with S. plana) in the 0.4 km² of the most contaminated area, that can be transferred to higher trophic levels. S. plana is therefore an essential vector in the mercury biomagnification processes, through uptake from contaminated sediments and, by predation, to transfer it to economically important and exploited estuarine species.