Major shoreline retreat and sediment starvation following Snowball Earth

While cap dolostones are integral to the Snowball Earth hypothesis, the current depositional model does not account for multiple geological observations. Here we propose a model that rationalises palaeomagnetic, sequence‐stratigraphic and sedimentological data and supports rapid deglaciation with protracted cap dolostone precipitation. The Snowball Earth hypothesis posits that a runaway ice‐albedo can explain the climate paradox of Neoproterozoic glacial deposits occurring at low palaeolatitudes. This scenario invokes volcanic degassing to increase atmospheric greenhouse gases to a critical threshold that overcomes the albedo effect and brings the planet back from the ice‐covered state. Once this occurs, Earth should shift rapidly from a snowball to an extreme greenhouse. However, cap dolostone units overlying glacial sediments, typically interpreted as transgressive deposits, exhibit multiple magnetic reversals indicating they accumulated in >10⁵ years. By reviewing modern post‐glacial systems, sequence stratigraphic concepts and principles of sedimentology, we suggest that cap dolostones are not restricted to the transgression but rather represent sediment starvation following a major landward shoreline migration associated with the demise of Snowball Earth. Thus, the duration in which cap dolostone accumulated is not directly coupled to the timescale of the Snowball Earth deglaciation.     

Preservation of high‐P rocks coupled to rock composition and the absence of metamorphic fluids

Eclogites, blueschists and greenschists are found in close proximity to one another along a 1‐km coastal section where the Cyclades Blueschist Unit (CBU) is exposed on SE Syros, Greece. Here, we show that the eclogites and blueschists experienced the same metamorphic history: prograde lawsonite blueschist facies metamorphism at 1.2–1.9 GPa and 410–530°C followed, at 43–38 Ma, by peak blueschist/eclogite facies metamorphism at 1.5–2.1 GPa and 520–580°C. We explain co‐existence of eclogites and blueschists by compositional variation probably reflecting original compositional layering. It is also shown that the greenschists record retrogression at 0.34 ± 0.21 GPa and T = 456 ± 68°C. This was spatially associated with a shear zone on a scales of 10–100‐m and veins on a scale of 1–10‐cm. Greenschist facies metamorphism ended at (or shortly after) 27 Ma. We thus infer a period of metamorphic quiescence after eclogite/blueschist facies metamorphism and before greenschist facies retrogression which lasted up to 11–16 million years. We suggest that this reflects an absence of metamorphic fluid flow at that time and conclude that greenschist facies retrogression only occurred when and where metamorphic fluids were present. From a tectonic perspective, our findings are consistent with studies showing that the CBU is (a) a high‐P nappe stack consisting of belts in which high‐P metamorphism and exhumation occurred at different times and (b) affected by greenschist facies metamorphism during the Oligocene, prior to the onset of regional tectonic extension.     

Spectral analyses of [WCL]-type central stars

The optical spectra of the seven late-type Wolf-Rayet central stars NGC-40 (PNG 120.0+09.8, subtype [WC8]), He 2-99 (PNG 309.0–04.2, [WC9]), BD+30°3639 (PN G 064.7+05.0, [WC9]), CPD-56°8032 (PNG 332.9–09.9, [WC11]), He2-113 (PNG 321.0+03.9, [WC11]), M4-18 (PNG 146.7+07.6, [WC11]) and K2-16 (PNG 352.9+11.4, [WC11]) are analyzed by means of spherically expanding model atmospheres. The NLTE simulations account for the elements hydrogen, helium, carbon and oxygen. As main results effective temperature, element abundances and final velocity of the wind are determined for each star. Assuming distances or luminosities for the objects, also the stellar radii and the mass-loss rates can be fixed. The results of these analyses establish empirical constraints for the evolutionary status of WC-type central stars as post-AGB objects and provide input for modeling their planetary nebulae.     

Biogeographical drivers of ragweed pollen concentrations in Europe

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - The drivers of spatial variation in ragweed pollen concentrations, contributing to severe allergic rhinitis and asthma, are poorly quantified. We analysed the...     

Stratigraphy of nutrients and metals in sediment profiles of two dimictic lakes in North-Eastern Germany

A sedimentological study of two dimitic lakes in North-Eastern Germany provided a record of anthropogenic impacts and historical changes of water quality. The upper 50 cm sediment profiles were compared for major nutrients and selected major trace elements. The sediments were dated by ²¹⁰Pb and ¹³⁷Cs measurement. The upper 50 cm sediment profiles represent approximately the last 100 years of history in both lakes. Element analyses show different characteristic stratigraphic patterns in both lakes. Based on the nutrient and metal stratification, three characteristic time periods can be documented for both lakes. In addition to agricultural use of the catchment area, atmospheric pollution greatly influenced the metal concentration in the sediment layers. Variation in the external loading and redox conditions in the hypolimnion explain the variation in the composition and accumulation of metals in the sediment stratigraphy. No increases or changes in the trophic level of either lake could be documented based on the accumulation of the nutrients C, N and P. The ratio of Fe/Mn and Fe/Ca characterized the changing redox conditions. The stratigraphy of Pb and Zn agrees with the historical variation in atmospheric pollution and confirms literature values for Central and North Europe. The drop in Pb and Zn over the last 10–15 years is a regional effect in North-Eastern Germany.     

Soil Carbon: Policy and Economics

Agricultural soils provide a prospective way of mitigating the increasing atmospheric concentration of CO₂. A number of agricultural practices are known to stimulate the accumulation of additional soil carbon and early indications are that some might sequester carbon at relatively modest costs with generally positive environmental effects. We discuss, under 10 themes, policy and economic issues that will determine whether programs for sequestration of carbon in agricultural soils can succeed. The issues involve contexts for implementation, economics, private property rights, agricultural policy, and institutional and social structures. Ultimately, success will depend on the incentive structure developed and the way in which carbon sequestration is integrated into the total fabric of agricultural policy.     

Methane emission measurements in urban areas in Eastern Germany

We have investigated methane emissions from urban sources in the former East Germany using innovative measurement techniques including a mobile real-time methane instrument and tracer release experiments. Anthropogenic and biogenic sources were studied with the emphasis on methane emissions from gas system sources, including urban distribution facilities and a production plant. Methane fluxes from pressure regulating stations ranged from 0.006 to 24. l/min. Emissions from diffuse sources in urban areas were also measured with concentration maps and whole city flux experiments. The area fluxes of the two towns studied were 0.37 and 1.9 g/m²/s. The emissions from individual gas system stations and total town emissions of this study are comparable to results of similar sites examined in the United States.     

A Comparison of In Situ Analytical Methods for Trace Element Measurement in Gold Samples from Various South African Gold Deposits

Trace element concentrations in gold grains from various geological units in South Africa were measured in situ by field emission‐electron probe microanalysis (FE‐EPMA), laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) and synchrotron micro X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (SR‐μ‐XRF). This study assesses the accuracy, precision and detection limits of these mostly non‐destructive analytical methods using certified reference materials and discusses their application in natural sample measurement. FE‐EPMA point analyses yielded reproducible and discernible concentrations for Au and trace concentrations of S, Cu, Ti, Hg, Fe and Ni, with detection limits well below the actual concentrations in the gold. LA‐ICP‐MS analyses required larger gold particles (> 60 μm) to avoid contamination during measurement. Elements that measured above detection limits included Ag, Cu, Ti, Fe, Pt, Pd, Mn, Cr, Ni, Sn, Hg, Pb, As and Te, which can be used for geochemical characterisation and gold fingerprinting. Although LA‐ICP‐MS measurements had lower detection limits, precision was lower than FE‐EPMA and SR‐μ‐XRF. The higher variability in absolute values measured by LA‐ICP‐MS, possibly due to micro‐inclusions, had to be critically assessed. Non‐destructive point analyses of gold alloys by SR‐μ‐XRF revealed Ag, Fe, Cu, Ni, Pb, Ti, Sb, U, Cr, Co, As, Y and Zr in the various gold samples. Detection limits were mostly lower than those for elements measured by FE‐EPMA, but higher than those for elements measured by LA‐ICP‐MS.     

Silicate liquid immiscibility in impact melts

We have investigated silicate emulsions in impact glasses and impact melt rocks from the Wabar (Saudi Arabia), Kamil (Egypt), Barringer (USA), and Tenoumer (Mauritania) impact structures, and in experimentally generated impact glasses and laser-generated glasses (MEMIN research unit) by scanning electron microscopy, electron microprobe analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. Textural evidence of silicate liquid immiscibility includes droplets of one glass disseminated in a chemically distinct glassy matrix; sharp phase boundaries (menisci) between the two glasses; deformation and coalescence of droplets; and occurrence of secondary, nanometer-sized quench droplets in Si-rich glasses. The compositions of the conjugate immiscible liquids (Si-rich and Fe-rich) are consistent with phase separation in two-liquid fields in the general system Fe₂SiO₄–KAlSi₃O₈–SiO₂–CaO–MgO–TiO₂–P₂O₅. Major-element partition coefficients are well correlated with the degree of polymerization (NBO/T) of the Si-rich melt: Fe, Ca, Mg, and Ti are concentrated in the poorly polymerized, Fe-rich melt, whereas K, Na, and Si prefer the highly polymerized, Si-rich melt. Partitioning of Al is less pronounced and depends on bulk melt composition. Thus, major element partitioning between the conjugate liquids closely follows trends known from tholeiitic basalts, lunar basalts, and experimental analogs. The characteristics of impact melt inhomogeneity produced by melt unmixing in a miscibility gap are then compared to impact melt inhomogeneity caused by incomplete homogenization of different (miscible or immiscible) impact melts that result from shock melting of different target lithologies from the crater's melt zone, which do not fully homogenize and equilibrate due to rapid quenching. By taking previous reports on silicate emulsions in impact glasses into account, it follows that silicate impact melts of variable composition, cooling rate, and crystallization history might readily unmix during cooling, thereby rendering silicate liquid immiscibility a much more common process in the evolution of impact melts than previously recognized.