TOPO-EUROPE: The geoscience of coupled deep Earth-surface processes

TOPO-EUROPE addresses the 4-D topographic evolution of the orogens and intra-plate regions of Europe through a multidisciplinary approach linking geology, geophysics, geodesy and geotechnology. TOPO-EUROPE integrates monitoring, imaging, reconstruction and modelling of the interplay between processes controlling continental topography and related natural hazards. Until now, research on neotectonics and related topography development of orogens and intra-plate regions has received little attention. TOPO-EUROPE initiates a number of novel studies on the quantification of rates of vertical motions, related tectonically controlled river evolution and land subsidence in carefully selected natural laboratories in Europe. From orogen through platform to continental margin, these natural laboratories include the Alps/Carpathians–Pannonian Basin System, the West and Central European Platform, the Apennines–Aegean–Anatolian region, the Iberian Peninsula, the Scandinavian Continental Margin, the East-European Platform, and the Caucasus–Levant area. TOPO-EUROPE integrates European research facilities and know-how essential to advance the understanding of the role of topography in Environmental Earth System Dynamics. The principal objective of the network is twofold. Namely, to integrate national research programs into a common European network and, furthermore, to integrate activities among TOPO-EUROPE institutes and participants. Key objectives are to provide an interdisciplinary forum to share knowledge and information in the field of the neotectonic and topographic evolution of Europe, to promote and encourage multidisciplinary research on a truly European scale, to increase mobility of scientists and to train young scientists. This paper provides an overview of the state-of-the-art of continental topography research, and of the challenges to TOPO-EUROPE researchers in the targeted natural laboratories.     

Sublimation extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: A new technique for future in situ analyses of purines and pyrimidines on Mars

We have developed a sublimation technique coupled with chemical derivatization and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to detect nucleobases and other volatile organic compounds derived from bacteria in Mars analog materials. To demonstrate this technique, a sample of serpentine inoculated with Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells was heated to 500 °C for several seconds under Martian ambient pressure. The sublimate was collected on a cold finger, then derivatized and analyzed by GC-MS. We found that adenine, cytosine, thymine and uracil were the most abundant molecules detected in the sublimed E. coli extract by GC-MS. In addition, nucleobases were also detected in sublimed extracts of a deep-sea sediment sample, seawater, and soil collected from the Atacama Desert in Chile after heating the samples under the same conditions. Our results indicate that nucleobases can be easily isolated directly from natural samples using sublimation and then detected by GC-MS after chemical derivatization. The sublimation-based extraction technique is one approach that should be considered for use by future in situ instruments designed to detect organic compounds relevant to life in the Martian regolith.     

Fractal dimension estimations of drainage network in the Carpathian–Pannonian system

The development of drainage network in the intra-Carpathian realm is influenced by a complex Quaternary tectonic evolution manifested with differential vertical motions. The present-day configuration of the left-hand side tributary system of the Tisza river was studied by means of fractal analysis. Fractal dimensions describing the complexity of the network were obtained by different methods. These include the early estimations based on stream ordering hierarchy and the application of the box-counting and sandbox algorithms representing fixed-size algorithms considered as efficient tools in fractal set analysis. Besides calculations made for the entire drainage system, the region was subdivided into three distinct areas characterised by different Quaternary uplift history. These are the Apuseni Mts., the Transylvanian basin and a part of the Eastern Carpathians, investigated separately. The concept of multifractality was also taken into consideration and dimensions of both higher and lower orders were determined along with the corresponding singularity spectra. Non-space-filling and multifractal behaviour of the network structure was validated. However, small but tendentious variations of the support dimensions (D₀) were observed in the three sub-regions. The Transylvanian basin is characterised by the lowest estimated dimensions, while higher values represent the Apuseni Mts., and the western slopes of the Eastern Carpathians. In addition, fractal dimension values showed consistency within each sub-region. Correlation of these measures with average uplift rates was performed. As a major outcome, differential uplift, affecting the morphology of catchments, appears to influence the obtained fractal dimensions, whereas surface lithology conceivably plays only a secondary role.     

Present-day stress field and tectonic inversion in the Pannonian basin

This paper presents a latest compilation of data on the present-day stress pattern in the Pannonian basin, and its tectonic environment, the Alpine–Dinaric orogens. Extensional formation of the basin system commenced in the early Miocene, whereas its structural reactivation, in the form of gradual basin inversion, has been taking place since Pliocene to recent times. Reconstructed compression and associated horizontal contraction are mainly governed by the convergence between Adria and its buffer, the Alpine belt of orogens. The resulting contemporaneous stress field exhibits important lateral variation resulting in a complex pattern of ongoing tectonic activity. In the Friuli zone of the Southern Alps, where thrust faulting prevails, compression is orthogonal to the strike of the mountain belt. More to the southeast, intense contraction is combined with active strike–slip faulting constituting the dextral Dinaric transpressional corridor. Stresses are transferred far from Adria into the Pannonian basin, and the dominant style of deformation gradually changes from pure contraction through transpression to strike–slip faulting. The importance of late-stage inversion in the Pannonian basin is interpreted in a more general context of structural reactivation of back-arc basins where the sources of compression driving basin inversion are also identified and discussed. The state of recent stress and deformation in the Pannonian basin, particularly in its western and southern part, is governed by the complex interaction of plate boundary and intra-plate forces. The counterclockwise rotation and north-northeast-directed indentation of the Adriatic microplate appears to be of key importance as the dominant source of compression (“Adria-push”). Intra-plate stress sources, such as buoyancy forces associated with an elevated topography, and crustal as well as lithospheric inhomogeneities can also play essential, yet rather local role.     

The determination of α-keto acids and oxalic acid in sea-water by reversed phase liquid chromatographic separation of fluorescent quinoxilinol derivatives

A sensitive technique for the analysis of α-keto acids and oxalic acid in seawater is described. Preliminary results are reported for Scripps Institution of Oceanography Pier water and several coastal stations off California and Peru. Although standard recoveries are moderate to low, these measurements represent the first attempt to measure these compounds in seawater.     

北山柳园地区中志留世埃达克质花岗岩类及其地质意义

北山柳园地区发育的埃达克质片麻状花岗闪长岩为钙碱性岩浆系列,具有较高SiO₂ (>56%),Al₂O₃ (>15%)和较低的MgO (<3%)含量,Na₂O>K₂O; 并且具有高的Sr含量(>400×10^-6)和Sr/Y比值; 样品轻重稀土强烈分异(La/Yb)_N ＝18~86,强烈亏损重稀土Yb与Y,具有不明显的Eu异常(δEu＝0.90~0.95); 富集LREE和大离子亲石元素(LILE),而亏损HREE、高场强元素(HFSE: Nb、Ta),与世界上典型的俯冲洋壳熔融形成的埃达克岩相似。然而样品具有相对高的(⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_I (0.70635~0.70636)和相对低的ε_Nd(t) (-0.8~-0.9),以及锆石具有相对较低的ε_Hf (t) (-0.8~+2.7)同位素特征,比典型的俯冲洋壳熔融形成埃达克岩具有更多的放射成因,推测可能是源区加入了地壳物质/沉积物/或特殊的洋壳(OIB/E-MORB)熔融,以及侵位过程中地壳物质的混染所造成的。埃达克质片麻状黑云母花岗岩锆石LA-ICPMS年龄为424±4Ma,代表了花岗岩埃达克花岗岩的结晶年龄。花牛山岛弧带在中晚志留世时期具有较高的地热梯度,发育了大面积高ε_Nd(t)钙碱性花岗岩和区域围岩发生了高温变质作用。因此,柳园埃达克岩是由于热的洋壳向花牛山岛弧地体俯冲过程中熔融形成的,俯冲洋壳熔融是本地区早古生代大规模地壳增生的重要方式之一。     

Quantification of Quaternary vertical movements in the central Pannonian Basin: A review of chronologic data along the Danube River, Hungary

This study aims at a new quantification of neotectonic deformation of the central part of the Pannonian Basin. We use terrace levels and associated travertine as well as speleothem data along the Danube River to quantify its incision rate and thus, estimate the amount and rate of uplift at the axis of the Hungarian Mountain Range (HMR).

Several terrace levels and other geomorphic features along the Danube river are indicative for Quaternary uplift of the axial part of the emerging Hungarian Mountain Range. While the correlative terraces are at considerable height at the axis of the HMR, the terraces are gradually dipping below the basin fill of the adjacent lowlands. The correlation of the terrace segments is difficult because of their poor preservation, small size and variable height. The geomorphologic horizons indicate gradual incision of the river throughout the Quaternary during simultaneous deformation. However, no reliable chronological data have been available so far to quantify landscape-forming processes such as uplift, incision or erosion rates.

A reconsideration of existing published data for three consecutive segments of the Danube valley yields incision rates between 0.14 and 0.41 mm/year for the last 360 ky, with the highest value for the area of the Danube Bend. Accordingly, the middle to late Quaternary uplift rate of the axial zone of the HMR exceeded significantly that of the marginal areas. These rates represent an approximation as some quantitative data are still controversial. Our results suggest that formation of the Danube terraces is result of river incision triggered by the uplift of the HMR and modified by periodic climate changes.     

Low molecular weight α-hydroxy carboxylic and dicarboxylic acids in reducing marine sediments

The occurrence and distribution of low molecular weight α-hydroxy carboxylic and dicarboxylic acids was studied in reducing marine sediments collected in the Santa Barbara Basin and the Cariaco Trench. Four compounds were found to occur in both basin sediments: glycolic, lactic, oxalic and succinic acids. In general concentrations were low (? 1 μmol/g for the hydroxy acids and ? 100μmol/g for the dicarboxylic acids), and generally decreased with depth. Subsurface maxima were observed for lactate and succinate in the Santa Barbara Basin. Both the vertical profiles and lactate enantiomer ratios suggested microbial origin and control for the distribution of these compounds. A preliminary model for the microbial mediation of the early diagenesis of organic compounds in reducing marine sediments is presented.     

Combined amino acids in Pacific Ocean waters

Filtration and extraction indicate that the bulk of the combined amino acids in Pacific Ocean waters are a constituent of a dissolved component, and that they cannot be efficiently extracted from seawater by the macroreticular XAD-2 resin. In deep waters of the Pacific Ocean, alanine accounts for～60–70% of the combined amino acids, while in surface waters alanine makes up only～30% of the combined amino acid fraction. Serine is present in the combined fraction in surface waters, but is essentially absent in deep waters. These differences in the serine and alanine abundances between surface and deep waters are possibly the result of the dehydration of serine, which produces racemic alanine. Threonine can also undergo dehydration producing racemicα-amino-n-butyric acid, a non-biological amino acid which has been detected in deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. Estimates of the rate of serine and threonine dehydration in the oceans suggest that these reactions may have half-lives at 0°C of less than 100 years. As a consequence of dehydration, the dissolved organic material in which this diagenetic reaction has occurred may have reduced biological degradability.