Assessment of contaminants in Dubai coastal region, United Arab Emirates

Coastal uses and other human activities have inevitably impinged on the Gulf environment; therefore, these regions require continuous monitoring. The investigated area covered the maximum fragments of Dubai coastal region in the Arabian Gulf. The determination of major oxides and trace metal concentrations in Dubai sediments revealed three heavily and moderately contaminated regions. One is in the far northeastern part at Al-Hamriya Sts 1–3 and contaminated by Fe, Cu, Pb, and Zn; the second is in the mid-northeastern part at Dry Docks and contaminated by Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn; and finally, the third is in the near southwestern part at Dubal and contaminated by Fe, Mg, Cr, Ni, and Zn. Al-Hamriya St 3 represented the highest values of Cu, Pb, and Zn, whereas Dubal exhibited the maximum values of Fe, Mg, Ba, Cr, Mn, Ni, and V. The anthropogenic discharge and natural deposits are the main sources of contamination. In general, all trace and major elements showed the minimal levels at Jebel Ali Sanctuary (Sts 11, 12, 13) except for Sr and Ca, which showed their maximum values. The highest concentrations of Ca and Sr are mainly attributed to carbonate gravel sands and sands, which cover most stations. Each of V and Ni showed negative correlation with TPH, which may be indicated that the source of oil contamination in the region is not related to crude oil but mostly attributable to anthropogenic sources. The significant positive correlation, which was found between trace metals and TOC indicates that organic matter plays an important role in the accumulation of trace metals in case of Cu, Zn, and Pb.     

2016与1998年春季北大西洋海表温度异常的差异及成因

利用再分析资料以及混合层海温诊断方程, 研究1997—1998与2015—2016年超级厄尔尼诺次年北大西洋海表温度异常(sea surface temperature anomalies, SSTA)的差异及成因。结果显示, 北大西洋SSTA在1998年春季呈明显正负正三极型式分布, 而在2016年呈弱的负正负型态。诊断热带北大西洋SSTA的影响因素表明, 1998年春季暖SSTA除了之前研究强调的海洋表面向大气的潜热输送异常减少, 以及吸收太阳辐射的增加外, 海洋动力过程即Ekman纬向漂流也起着重要的作用。热力过程与厄尔尼诺峰值后出现的北大西洋涛动(North Atlantic Oscillation, NAO)负位相有关, 其可引起亚速尔高压减弱, 产生西南风异常, 通过风-蒸发-海表温度(sea surface temperature, SST)反馈机制使热带北大西洋蒸发减弱, 海表增暖, 沃克环流下沉支的东移对这一增暖也有贡献。与1997—1998厄尔尼诺事件不同, 2015—2016厄尔尼诺事件没有强迫出负位相NAO, 而是出现弱NAO正位相, 热带北大西洋为弱的东风异常, 使海表发生一定的冷却, 形成2016春季北大西洋SSTA与1998年的明显差异。     

Geochemical and isotopic characterization of trace fossil infillings: New insights on tracemaker activity after the K/Pg impact event

Geochemical and isotopic analyses of the Cretaceous–Paleogene (K/Pg) boundary deposits were conducted at the Caravaca section (External Subbetic, southeast of Spain) in order to evaluate the recovery of the macrobenthic tracemaker community and the bioturbational disturbance. Samples from the infilling material of several lower Danian dark-colored trace fossils (Chondrites, Planolites, Thalassinoides and Zoophycos) located in the uppermost 8-cm of the light upper Maastrichtian strata, as well as samples from the host sedimentary rock of these trace fossils, were analyzed and compared with data from the lower Danian deposits. The values of element ratios indicative of extraterrestrial contamination (Cr/Al, Co/Al and Ni/Al) are higher in the infilling trace fossil material than in the upper Maastrichtian and lower Danian deposits, which suggests a contribution of the ejecta layer. Regarding the isotope composition, the δ¹³C values are lower in the infilling material than in the Maastrichtian host sedimentary rocks surrounding the traces, while the δ¹⁸O are higher in the infilling material. The geochemical and isotopic compositions of the infilling material evidence the unconsolidated character of the sediment, including the red boundary layer. Softground conditions confirm a relatively rapid recovery by the macrobenthic tracemaker community, starting a few millimeters above the K/Pg boundary layer. The mixture of the infilling material of the trace fossils moreover reveals a significant macrobenthic tracemaker activity affecting K–Pg boundary transition sediments that may have significantly altered original signatures.     

Taenidium at the lower Barremian El Hoyo dinosaur tracksite (Teruel,Spain): Assessing palaeoenvironmental conditions for the invertebrate community

An analysis of lower Barremian invertebrate trace fossils at the El Hoyo dinosaur tracksite (Teruel, Spain) was conducted in order to interpret the macrobenthic tracemaker community and the palaeoenvironmental conditions during bioturbation. Abundant bioturbation structures are characterized by meniscate, cylindrical, straight to sinuous, unbranched epichnia, showing the absence of lining, mantle and longitudinal striations. These structures are included in the ichnogenus Taenidium. Burrow width, distance between menisci, type of their fill, and general shape, allow for identification of the ichnospecies Taenidium serpentinum and T. barretti. Dominance to near exclusiveness of Taenidium in the invertebrate trace fossil assemblage suggests assignation to the Scoyenia ichnofacies. This agrees with the presence of vertebrate tracks. Accordingly, a transitional zone between terrestrial and nonmarine aquatic environments, i.e., floodplain areas adjacent to rivers and affected by low energy conditions, could correspond to the El Hoyo site. The pervasive ichnofabric of Taenidium reveals an opportunistic behaviour of the tracemaker, bioturbating rapidly after deposition; bioturbation took place in moist to wet substrates—softgrounds—in shallow tiers, during favourable yet episodic conditions. The opportunistic strategy might owe to a rapid accumulation of nutrients buried within the sediment during alluvial discharges. After bioturbation, minor erosions during fluvial discharges or subaerial exposure may have caused differences in the preservation of the Taenidium.     

LINKAGE BETWEEN INDIAN OCEAN DIPOLE AND TWO TYPES OF El NI?O AND ITS POSSIBLE MECHANISMS

After compositing three representative ENSO indices,El Nio events have been divided into an eastern pattern(EP) and a central pattern(CP).By using EOF,correlation and composite analysis,the relationship and possible mechanisms between Indian Ocean Dipole(IOD) and two types of El Nio were investigated.IOD events,originating from Indo-Pacific scale air-sea interaction,are composed of two modes,which are associated with EP and CP El Ni o respectively.The IOD mode related to EP El Nio events(named as IOD1) is strongest at the depth of 50 to 150 m along the equatorial Indian Ocean.Besides,it shows a quasi-symmetric distribution,stronger in the south of the Equator.The IOD mode associated with CP El Nio(named as IOD2) has strongest signal in tropical southern Indian Ocean surface.In terms of mechanisms,before EP El Nio peaks,anomalous Walker circulation produces strong anomalous easterlies in equatorial Indian Ocean,resulting in upwelling in the east,decreasing sea temperature there;a couple of anomalous anticyclones(stronger in the south) form off the Equator where warm water accumulates,and thus the IOD1 occurs.When CP El Nio develops,anomalous Walker circulation is weaker and shifts its center to the west,therefore anomalous easterlies in equatorial Indian Ocean is less strong.Besides,the anticyclone south of Sumatra strengthens,and the southerlies east of it bring cold water from higher latitudes and northerlies west of it bring warm water from lower latitudes to the 15° to 25°S zone.Meanwhile,there exists strong divergence in the east and convergence in the west part of tropical southern Indian Ocean,making sea temperature fall and rise separately.Therefore,IOD2 lies farther south.     

南极普里兹湾表层沉积物微量元素分布特征及其物源指示意义

利用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪测定了中国南极科考21~27航次期间获取的普里兹湾表层沉积物中Cu、Pb、Zn、Cd、Cr、Co、Al、Fe、Mn的含量,分析了普里兹湾微量元素的分布特征,结合沉积物粒度分布、生物硅含量,并利用富集系数和主成分分析的方法,探讨了微量元素的物源指示意义。研究结果表明:普里兹湾沉积物中的微量元素含量与南大洋其他海域具有很好的可比性。Cu、Zn、Cr、Co、Fe、Mn含量在陆坡深海区明显高于冰架边缘区和陆架区;Al、Pb含量在冰架边缘区较高;而Cd含量在陆架区相对较高。人类活动对普里兹湾沉积物中的微量元素没有明显的影响,南极大陆岩石风化产物和海洋生物源性沉降是其主要来源。冰架边缘区及陆架破折处P2-9站位的微量元素主要为岩源性输入。陆架区、陆坡深海区的微量元素Cu、Zn、Cr、Co、Fe、Mn明显受到生源性物质输入的影响。而普里兹湾沉积物中Cd则主要来源于硅藻的吸收利用及硅质软泥的富集。     

橄榄石微量元素原位分析的现状及其应用

随着高精度EMPA和LA-ICP-MS分析技术的发展和矿物微量元素测试精度的提高,利用橄榄石中的微量元素示踪地幔部分熔融、地幔交代作用、岩浆早期结晶过程等地质问题成为近年来一个新兴的研究方向。一系列开拓性的研究发现也被陆续的发表,主要涉及橄榄石中Ni、Co、Al、Cr、Zn、Ti、Li、V、Sc、Mn、Ca和P等元素的示踪使用。一些卓有成效的示踪方法为:Ca、Al、Ti、Ni及Mn能够很好的用于区分橄榄石捕掳晶和斑晶;橄榄石-尖晶石地幔演化趋势线(OSMA:olivine-spinel mantle array)图解可以用于表征岩浆源区的亏损程度;玄武岩中橄榄石斑晶的Li同位素及Li含量可以很有效地指示岩浆源区是否存在地壳物质再循环及地幔交代作用;橄榄石斑晶中Ni、Ca、Mn、Cr和Al协变关系图解可以识别岩浆的辉石岩源区;利用橄榄石捕掳晶中Zr和Sc的含量差异特征可将橄榄岩中三种最主要的类型(尖晶石橄榄岩、石榴石橄榄岩以及尖晶石-石榴石橄榄岩)区分开来;一些元素的比值或组合(例如Ni/Co、Fe/Mn、V/Sc、Zr和Sc、Ca和Ti)可以指示源区交代作用、岩浆作用过程及氧化状态;基于橄榄石中Al、Cr及Ca的地质温度计可以为推算地幔热状态提供新方法;基于橄榄石分离结晶Fo-NiO演化线的原始岩浆计算模型可以较好的推算原始岩浆成分;利用橄榄石的环带及微量元素的扩散机制可以判别更多岩石成因信息,如识别交代介质、熔体类型以及地质构造背景等。基于上述最新研究的相关资料和已有成果,本文对橄榄石微量元素的地球化学示踪方法做系统性的归纳整理,并对橄榄石微量元素赋存状况、橄榄石微量元素测试方法、橄榄石微量元素的使用条件及需注意的问题等进行讨论,为读者在做相关研究时提供参考。     

新疆“帕米尔式”铁矿床成因与成矿背景分析

帕米尔式"铁矿床是新疆西昆仑地区重要的磁铁矿床类型之一,其矿床地质特征、形成时代明显有别于典型的BIFs类型磁铁矿床。本文以塔什库尔干地区翁吉勒磁铁矿床和孜勒依磁铁矿床作为研究对象,通过研究其赋矿围岩和岩体的岩石地球化学特征、矿石矿相学特征、磁铁矿微量元素地球化学特征和原位Pb-Pb同位素特征,探讨了"帕米尔式"磁铁矿床的矿床成因和成矿背景。岩石地球化学研究表明翁吉勒黑云母二长花岗岩具有高SiO_2、Al_2O_3、K_2O和Na_2O。低MgO、CaO和TiO_2,而Na_2O/K_2O值变化范围很小。铝饱和指数为(1.44~1.51),显示其具有为弱过铝质岩石的特征,稀土总量富集,具有强的负Eu异常。在微量元素蛛网图上显示其富集大离子亲石元素(LILE),如K、Rb、Sr、Ba及轻稀土元素(LREE),亏损Nb、Ta,P、Ti等高场强元素。而黑云母石英片岩稀土含量亦较富集,具有中等强度的负Eu异常。低的Rb/Sr比,明显的Th、Zr、Hf、Nb、Ta,P、Ti负异常,明显的Ba正异常,显示岩石具有古大陆边缘环境的富铝沉积岩特征。翁吉勒黑云母二长花岗岩和布伦阔勒岩群黑云母石英片岩地球化学性质非常相似,表明翁吉勒黑云母二长花岗岩的形成与布伦阔勒岩群黑云母石英片岩的重熔有关。锆石LA ICP-MS定年结果表明翁吉勒黑云母二长花岗岩形成于15.0±0.3Ma和15.4±0.2Ma。磁铁矿LA ICP-MS微量元素地球化学特征表明翁吉勒铁矿床中的磁矿床中主要Si、Mn、Zn、Sn、Hf和Pb相对较高,其中Mn和Ga变化范围较大,而孜勒依铁矿床中的磁铁矿具有相对较高的亲石元素,如Mg、Al、Ti、V、Co、Ni、Ga和Sc等,其Mn和Zn含量较低且变化范围较大,其它元素变化范围均相对较窄。二者相比,翁吉勒铁矿床中的磁铁矿中微量元素变化范围相对较大,而孜勒依铁矿床中的磁铁矿变化范围较小。两个矿床的磁铁矿的原位Pb-Pb同位素存在明显的不同,两类岩石全岩Pb同位素与两个矿床中磁铁矿Pb-Pb同位素研究表明翁吉勒铁矿床中磁铁矿可能与黑云母二长花岗岩有关,为热液成因。综上所述,在塔什库尔干地区不仅存在与沉积作用有关的铁矿床,还可能存在一部分与年轻岩浆岩有关的热液型磁铁矿床。     

Tracing the source of metals in Geogas from metal deposits in a loess-covered region北大核心CSCD

In order to test the distribution characteristics of metallogenic elements and the application effectiveness of the traee elements and REE for tracing the source of Geogas anomaly, the distribution characteristics of metallogenetic elements .trace elements and REE in different media of the Jiaolongzhang Pb-Zn deposit underneath the loess have been studied in this paper. Results indicate that the distribution characteristics of Geogas anomalous elements over the concealed orebodies are coincided with those of the enriched elements of ores, while the distribution characteristics of trace elements and REE in background Geogas samples are distinctly different from those of other media, indicating that the source of background Geogas materials is influenced by various factors( geological bodies, lab environment and blank reagent). The similar distribution characteristics of the trace elements in the Geogas samples of anomalous areas and in the ores suggested that Geogas anomaly is affected by concealed orebodies in depth. The difference between REE patterns of the Geogas samples of the anomalous area and those of other solid media might be caused by inadequate analytical precision and low collecting efficiency of the instrument. It is believed that the REE tracing method can provide the information on the source of Geogas anomaly if the analytical precision and collecting efficiency of REE could be constantly increased.     

Paleo-redox depositional conditions inferred from trace metal accumulation in two Cretaceous-Paleocene organic-rich sequences from Central Egypt

Cretaceous-Paleocene organic-rich sediments in Egypt occur as an east-west trending belt extending from the Quseir-Safaga district (Red Sea) to the Kharga-Dakhla (Western Desert) region. They are associated with the Duwi Formation (phosphate-bearing) and the overlying Dakhla Formation (deeper epicontinental shale/marl). This study aims to reconstruct the paleo-redox conditions during deposition of these thermally immature organic-rich sediments using carbon-sulfur-iron systematics and trace metal proxies in two cores, one each from the Quseir and Abu Tartur areas. Paleoproductivity, based on P content, seems to have been higher in the Quseir section than in the Abu Tartur section. The Quseir section also records a relatively greater occurrence of anoxic conditions during the accumulation of these sediments than the Abu Tartur section. This difference is indicated by its markedly higher total organic carbon (TOC) content as well as higher contributions of redox-sensitive and sulfide-forming metals (Mo, U, Ni, V, and Co). A weak correlation exists between S and TOC, and a positive S intercept (>1) was observed in most of the rock units of the study sections. A high consistency between the TOC-S-Fe relations and trace metals findings was found. The uppermost Duwi and the lowermost Dakhla strata, which have the highest TOC and represent a maximum sea transgression during the Late Cretaceous, have the highest contents of redox-sensitive trace metals. The carbonate-dominated transgressive Baris and Beida members of the Dakhla Formation record relatively stronger oxygen-depleted conditions during their accumulation than others, which led to relatively higher TOC contents and redox-sensitive metal accumulations. A scenario for the environmental conditions that existed during the deposition of these organic-rich successions, based on compiled trace metals and TOC-S-Fe implications, is reconstructed here.