Fish assemblages in natural versus well-established recolonized seagrass meadows

Studies of fish assemblages between natural and newly recolonized (<4 yr) seagrass meadows have shown no significant differences in community composition between meadow types. However, comparison of natural and well-established (31 yr) recolonized seagrass meadows in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, showed that, although patterns in fish assemblages are complex and not always consistent, differences were evident. Species richness was higher in natural meadows during spring and autumn while density and species richness were higher in recolonized meadows during summer. Juveniles of all but the five most abundant species were more common in one or the other meadow type. Additionally, species composition was distinctly different between recolonized and natural seagrass meadows, as indicated by UPGMA cluster analysis based on the Morisita-Horn similarity index, Spearman'sr _s (r _s>0.05 in all but one case), and a maximum of only 58.5% species in common. There were also significant differences in the length-frequency distribution for six of seven abundant species. Our results suggest that a well-established recolonized seagrass meadow has the potential to maintain species complements distinct from nearby natural meadows. Reasons for our differing results may include differences in seagrass morphology and collecting techniques between our study and the former studies. Additionally, species may have a longer time to establish specific habitat-use patterns in well-established compared to newly-formed recolonized meadows. Recolonized seagrass meadows appear to be as suitable a habitat as natural meadows for juvenile and small adult fishes.     

Genetic reinterpretation of crystallographicintergrowths of jacobsite andhausmannite from natural assemblages

Summary Crystallographic intergrowths of jacobsite and hausmannite (vredenburgite) occur in association with braunite in the Precambrian Sausar Group of rocks, India, that were metamorphosed under 600-700°C and P 6 kb. Quartz, hematite, rhodochrosite and a later hausmannite may occasionally occur as minor associates. Detailed characterization of the intergrown phases reveals that hausmannite lamellae, oriented in 4 or 5 crystallographic directions in the jacobsite host, show a wide variation in thickness and tapered intersections at low angles. The lamellae may be locally deformed. Analytical data reveal that the composition of natural hausmannite and jacobsite in the intergrowths cannot be approximated within the system Fe₃O₄ -Mn₃O₄, as has been conventionally done. These really belong to the Fe₂O₃-Mn₃O₄ subsystem. In the two phase intergrowths, hausmannite is depleted and the jacobsite is enriched in Fe in higher grade rocks. Mineral associations and petrographic considerations suggest that the jacobsite-hausmannite intergrowth originated through prograde decarbonation-oxidation reactions of a carbonatic precursor in an unbuffered X CO₂ situation, but f O₂ was held between hematite-magnetite and bixbyite-hausmannite buffers at the ambient physical conditions of metamorphism. Subsequent oxidation yielded a strong oxygenbuffering assemblage jacobsite, hausmannite, braunite, hematite and quartz. This study negates the commonly held idea that hausmannite jacobsite crystallographic intergrowth (vredenburgite) originates through unmixing of a high ([ldvredenburgite) originates through unmixing of a high temperature spinel_ss temperature spinel_ss during cooling.

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Genetische Reinterpretation der kristallographischen Verwachsungen von Jakobsit und Hausmannit in natürlichen Vorkommen

Zusammenfassung Kristallographische Verwachsungen von Jakobsit und Hausmannit (Vredenburgit) treten in Verbindung mit Braunit in Gesteinen der präkambrischen Sausargruppe in Indien auf. Die Gesteine wurden bei Drucken von ca. 6 kbar und Termperaturen von 600–700°C metamorphosiert. Quarz, Hämatit, Rhodochrosit, und Hausmannit als Spätphase treten gelegentlich als untergeordnete Gemengteile auf. Hausmannit-Lamellen, die in vier oder fünf kristallographischen Richtungen in Jakobsit orientiert sind, haben sehr unterschiedliche Durchmesser und bilden versetzte Zwickel in kleinem Winkel mit dem Jakobsit. Die Lamellen können lokal deformiert sein. Analytische Daten zeigen, daß die Zusammensetzung von natürlichem Hausmannit und Jakobsit in Verwachsungen nicht, wie bisher angenommen, in dem System Fe₃O₄-Mn₃O₄ dargestellt werden kann. Diese Verwachsungen gehören vielmehr in das Fe₂O₃-Mn₃O₄ System. In höher-gradigen metamorphen Gesteinen ist Fe in zwei-phasigen Verwachsungen im Hausmannit ab- und im Jakobsit angereichert. Die Mineralzusammensetzung und petrographische Gesichtspunkte lassen darauf schließen, daß die Jakobsit/Hausmannit Verwachsung durch prograde Dekarbonatisierung/Oxydationsreaktion eines karbonatischen Vorläufers in einem nicht gepufferten X CO₂ Milieu entstanden ist. F O₂ wurde durch Hämatit-Magnetit und Bixbyit-Hausmannit Puffer unter den gegebenen physikalischen Bedingungen der Metamorphose stabil gehalten. Eine nachfolgende Oxydation führte zu einer starken Sauerstoff-puffernden Assoziation von Jakobsit, Hausmannit, Braunit, Hämatit und Quarz. Diese Untersuchungen widerlegen die allgemein verbreitete Ansicht, daß die kristallographische Verwachsung von Hausmannit und Jakobsit (Vredenburgit) durch Entmischung eines Hochtemperatur-Spinells während der Abkühlung entstanden ist.

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With 1 figure     

Mineral assemblages and oxygen and sulphur fugacities in natural water-rock interaction processes

Several mineral assemblages capable of buffering oxygen and sulphur fugacity and theoretical calculations were used to determine the fugacities of these two gas species over a temperature range between 150° and 350°C. Computed values were compared with those calculated from the composition of the geothermal fluids of Larderello, Travale, Bagnore and Piancastagnaio (Italy), The Geysers (USA) and Cerro Prieto (Mexico). The possible hydrothermal mineral assemblages that best fit the field data are those containing minerals frequently found in many geothermal fields: epidote, chlorite, K-feldspar, quartz and pyrite. These assemblages can be used in place of the classical buffers based on iron oxides and sulphides.     

Ultraviolet-B radiation effects on natural phytoplankton assemblages of central San Francisco Bay

Since the discovery of a depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer over Antarctica in 1979, scientific attention has been directed towards the effects of increased doses of ultraviolet radiation on phytoplankton in other ecosystems. Little is known about the effects of ultraviolet-B (280–320 nm) radiation (UVBR) on temperate estuarine phytoplankton. Freshly collected phytoplankton samples from Central San Francisco Bay were exposed to ambient UVBR in quartz bottles and monitored for biomass and nutrient uptake rates for comparison with phytoplankton dispensed into bottles made of polycarbonate that effectively filtered out the UVBR to evaluate response to natural UVBR exposure. Short-term (10–12 h) exposure experiments were carried out monthly from October 1998 to October 1999. No significant effect of UVBR on chlorophylla concentrations was found but a clear deleterious effect of UVBR on nutrient uptake was observed.     

Estimating contamination potential at waste-disposal sites using a natural tracer

Chloride is a conservative, natural tracer found in precipitation, soil water, and groundwater. The chloride mass-balance approach, long used to estimate groundwater recharge, also provides a downward flux of moisture and solute at sites where there is a potential for groundwater contamination. The flux is obtained by dividing the product of the mean annual precipitation and total annual chloride input (via precipitation and dust) by the mean soil-water chloride content. Chlorideversusdepth profiles can also be used to determine optimum depth of waste burial to minimize deterioration of waste containers. The method has been applied to three sites in arid alluvial-basin settings in New Mexico, U.S.A.: a proposed landfill, a battery recycling plant, and a hazardous-waste disposal facility. It is concluded that the method is reliable, economical, and practical. Furthermore, it can be applied at any stage in the development of a site. The chloride method should apply in any recharge area where the base of the root zone is separated from the water table by at least 3 m or so and chloride in soil water comes only from precipitation and dust.     

Selective feeding and grazing rates of oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae on natural phytoplankton assemblages

Results of laboratory feeding experiments suggest that oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae select small phytoplanktonic organisms (<10 μm) over larger-celled forms from natural estuarine assemblages, but that little selection occurs within the small phytoplankton fraction. Laboratory-reared larvae grazed each of five small-celled phytoplankton groups enumerated (coccoids, centrate diatoms, pennate diatoms, dinoflagellates, and flagellates) at rates proportional to phytoplankton group densities in controls (no larvae added). Larval grazing rates (number of cells removed per larva per hour) were inversely proportional to both larval density and experimental duration.     

Redistribution of archaeological assemblages in plowzones

Archaeological surface surveys have located open‐air sites on cropland in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain). To what degree agricultural disturbances have impacted archaeological site integrity is poorly defined and may greatly affect interpretations of prehistoric land use. This paper presents the results of three experiments concerned with the effects of tillage on artifact distribution, focusing specifically on lateral and vertical artifact displacement. We demonstrate highly variable horizontal displacement of artifacts by plowing and overall downward movement of lithic materials within the soil. This results in an expansion of site boundaries and reduction of surface artifact density, yielding a biased and unrepresentative picture of past human activity. More experimental studies are needed to better define agricultural disturbances to surface archaeological assemblages. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Holocene pollen assemblages from coastal wetlands: differentiating natural and anthropogenic causes of change in the Thames estuary,UK

Simultaneous changes in the representation of wetland and dry land taxa are a common feature of mid and late Holocene pollen diagrams from the coastal wetlands of North‐West Europe. Distinguishing both the areas affected and between natural and anthropogenic causes can be problematic. High temporal resolution, improved taxonomic procedures and multivariate statistics have been applied to two Thames estuary sites, along with simulation models, to resolve these issues. Large Poaceae pollen grains appear to be derived from wild grasses rather than cereals, while modelling indicates that even extensive clearance in dry land areas produces relatively minor changes in pollen assemblages where fen carr is the in situ vegetation. It is concluded that rapid/abrupt simultaneous pollen stratigraphic events in coastal wetlands are likely to have been caused by wetland vegetation changes alone. Simultaneous events, dating from c. 2150–1300 cal a BC, can be distinguished at 12 Thames estuary pollen sites. During this interval inter‐tidal environments expanded creating areas attractive to human populations for pasturage. This exploitation is likely to have led to further changes in wetland vegetation and increased clearance activity on adjacent dry land areas. In such circumstances disentangling the processes causing vegetation change is challenging, although considerably aided by the techniques adopted in this paper. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sb- Li组合：罕见的矿化组合及锂的赋存状态

湖北柘坪锑矿勘查区发现有具一定规模的断裂破碎带型共伴生锂矿,锂主要以锂绿泥石的方式充填在断层破碎带的石英颗粒之间,属于低温热液充填成因。锂与锑的成矿作用均受到断裂破碎带的控制,二者之间在总体上是正相关关系,成矿物质可能均来自于南侧的幕阜山大岩基。这一发现,不但丰富了我国锂矿的类型,而且开拓了找矿思路,为我国新类型锂矿的勘查提供了新的切入点。今后既要注意在锑矿区综合评价锂及其他稀有金属成矿的可能性,也要注意在柘坪锑矿深部及邻区方山锑矿等地对断裂破碎带控制的热液型稀有金属矿化带进行普查勘探,同时还要注意矿化的垂向分带和侧向分带。不排除深部存在隐伏花岗伟晶岩型锂矿的可能性,也不排除柘坪的热液型锑矿与断峰山的伟晶岩型锑矿属于同一成矿系列的可能性。柘坪Sb-Li矿床本身位于幕阜山锂铍铌钽稀有金属矿集区的外围,与断峰山伟晶岩型铌钽锂矿床相隔仅12 km,区域充分的成矿物质来源为多种类型锂矿的形成创造了条件。     

Callovian foraminiferal assemblages in West Siberia

The paper presents data on Callovian foraminiferal assemblages from several wells in two localities of the West Siberian plain (Shaim oil and gas district, northwestern West Siberia, and Mykhpai field, central West Siberia). The assemblages are compared and studied in terms of space and time changes of their stratigraphy, which can make basis for a more detailed zonal subdivision as more data become available. The taxonomic compositions of the assemblages are summarized in tables for specific wells to highlight their geographic variations.     

Orthopyroxene-olivine assemblages in diogenites and mesosiderites

Diogenites contain equilibrated orthopyroxene-olivine assemblages. Mn is very regularly partitioned between olivine and orthopyroxene in pallasites, diogenites and synthetic eucrite melts, with an $\text{FeO}\text{MnO}$ partition ratio for olivine versus orthopyroxene of 1.6 by weight over a very wide range of FeO contents. In contrast to diogenites, Fe and Mn are not regularly partitioned between the olivine and orthopyroxene of mesosiderites and these minerals were not in equilibrium. Mesosiderite olivine differs from diogenite olivine in $\text{Fe}\text{Mn}$ and $\text{Ca}\text{Mn}$ ratios. Lack of olivine-orthopyroxene equilibrium suggests that olivine in mesosiderites was derived not from a pyroxenite component analogous to diogenites but from dunites.     

Fe-Ti-oxides in metamorphic basites from the Eastern Alps,Austria: a contribution to the formation of solid solutions of natural Fe-Ti-oxide assemblages

The development of Fe-Ti oxide assemblages in basic rocks from the Penninic series of the southern Venediger rea, Austria, during polyphase Alpine metamorphism has been studied. Textural and compositional relations indicate thorough reequilibration of the opaque mineral assemblages during late Barrovian metamorphism at essentially static conditions of lower amphibolite to greenschist facies. In contrast, silicate mineralogy of the preceeding blueschist to eclogite facies metamorphism might still be preserved to a large extent. Chemical adjustment of the Fe-Ti oxide minerals to decreasing P-T conditions is characterized by (1) formation of complex intergrowths of ilmenite and hematite solid solutions (<550° C), (2) the decomposition of hemo-ilmenite ₁ to ferrianilmenite₂+magnetite+rutile and of ilmeno-hematite₁ to titanhematite₂+rutile±magnetite (<450° C), and (3) low-grade oxidation of ferrianilmenite₂ to magnetite+hematite-rutile intergrowths or hematite +rutile and of titanhematite₂ to hematite-rutile intergrowths (≦400° C). Chemical equilibrium is suggested by the regular partitioning of Cr, V, Mg and Mn between coexisting hemo-ilmenite, ilmeno-hematite, and magnetite. The hematite-ilmenite miscibility gap has been delimited on the basis of the bulk compositions of the exsolved phases and the temperature estimates obtained from Fe-Ti oxide thermometry.     

The determination and use of condition index of oysters

Oyster condition measures should be standardized through use of Hopkins’ formula: Condition Index = (dry meat weight in g) (100)/(internal cavity volume in cm³). Cavity volumes, previously measured chiefly as capacity by a water displacement method, may be determined by subtracting the weight in air of the oyster’s valves from the weight in air of the intact oyster (both in g). This method is valid because the effective density of cavity contents is close to 1g per cm³. The technique is simple and time-efficient and could promote more widespread use of oyster condition studies.     

A study of natural and experimental metasomatic assemblages in an ultramafic-quartzofeldspathic metasomatic system from the haast schist,South Island,New Zealand

The mineralogy of a metasomatic sequence formed between ultramafic and quartzofeldspathic protoliths from the Southern Alps of New Zealand consists of a forsterite-antigorite core surrounded concentrically by zones of antigorite-magnesite, magnesite-talc, talc, tremolite, chlorite and muscovite with discontinuous pods of albite associated with the muscovite zone. On the basis of trace element data the original ultramafite-schist contact is positioned between the present tremolite and chlorite zones.An experimental study of a metasomatic system was undertaken in an attempt to clarify diffusion relationships during the metasomatic event. To simulate the natural event, ultramafic and quartzofeldspathic natural starting materials were tightly packed in a gold tube with a graphite layer between to allow later identification of the original lithological interface. Run conditions were 450° C at 2 kb for 40 days. Phase dissolution and formation were analysed petrographically and component migration was examined with the electron-microprobe. The following hierarchical scheme of component migration, phase dissolution and phase formation is delineated: CO₂ migrates from the schist into the ultramafite forming first the antigorite-magnesite zone and then the magnesite-talc zone at higher values of CO₂. These zones are then partially overprinted by the formation of talc due to SiO₂ metasomatism. The SiO₂ is supplied from the schist by the dissolution of quartz and albite in the region adjacent to the ultramafite. The tremolite zone forms at the expense of the metasomatic talc zone upon the introduction of CaO from the schist into the ultramafite. Concurrent with tremolite formation, MgO migrates from the ultramafite into the schist to form the chlorite metasomatic zone. The growth of the chlorite zone causes dissolution of the pre-metasomatic micas and displaces K₂O from the chlorite zone further into the schist. Displaced K₂O and Na₂O are responsible for the formation of the muscovite zone and the albitite pods.     

A thermodynamic model for Fe–Mg dioctahedral K white micas using data from phase-equilibrium experiments and natural pelitic assemblages

The purpose of this study is to derive a solid-solution model for potassic white micas (KWM) encountered in rocks of various bulk compositions, over a wide range of P-T conditions. A compilation of phengite compositions lead us to propose a seven-thermodynamic-component (muscovite, Fe²⁺-Al-celadonite, Mg-Al-celadonite, annite, phlogopite, pyrophyllite and paragonite) ionic solid-solution model which accounts for the Tschermak, Fe-Mg, di/trioctahedral, pyrophyllitic and paragonitic substitutions observed in nature. A four-site mixing model with symmetric Margules parameters to model the Tschermak substitutions, asymmetric Margules parameters to model the other substitutions, and ideal intersite interaction has been adopted. In contrast to previous models, the relevant thermodynamic data and solid-solution properties are calibrated with independent sets of published experiments conducted for the KMASH, KFASH, KFMASH, and KNASH systems, as well as about 200 natural data involving KWM assemblages. The constraints span a wide range of pressure and temperature conditions (150 to 750 °C, 0.5 to 30 kbar), so that our model does not need to be extrapolated outside the calibration range to be used for P-T thermobarometric purposes. The calculated thermodynamic data are interconsistent with the TWQ thermodynamic database and solid-solution models, including that recently published for chlorites.     

The distribution of microfossil assemblages in Proterozoic rocks

A biostratigraphic model of the temporal distribution of distinctive Proterozoic microfossil assemblages is suggested, based on studies of upper Precambrian chert-embedded and compression-preserved organic-walled microfossils from the reference sections of Eurasia, North America and Australia. Microfossils from 2.0 to 0.542 Ga can be divided into seven successive informal global units which can be compared to standard units of the International and Russian time scales. Each unit is characterized by a particular association of taxa, typified by the fossil assemblage that gives it its name. These form broad biostratigraphic units comparable to assemblage zones of Phanerozoic successions; in general (but with minor differences) they correspond to chronostratigraphic units accepted by the Internal Commission on Stratigraphy. The units are: (1) Labradorian, the upper part of the Paleoproterozoic (Orosirian and Statherian), 2.0–1.65 Ga; (2) Anabarian, lower Mesoproterozoic (Calymmian–Ectasian)/Lower Riphean–lower Middle Riphean, 1.65–1.2 Ga; (3) Turukhanian, upper Mesoproterozoic (Stenian)/upper Middle Riphean, 1.2–1.03 Ga; (4) Uchuromayan, lower Neoproterozoic (late Stenian–Tonian)/lower Upper Riphean, 1.03–0.85 Ga; (5) Yuzhnouralian, upper Neoproterozoic (Cryogenian)/upper Upper Riphean, 0.85–0.63 Ga; (6) Amadeusian, lower Ediacaran/lower Vendian, 0.63–0.55 Ga; (7) Belomorian, upper Ediacaran/upper Vendian, 0.55–0.542 Ga.     

Principal ammonoid assemblages of Carboniferous period

Ammonoids constituted one of the most important marine faunal groups in the Carboniferous period; their assemblages can be used to identify and substantiate the main biostratigraphic boundaries of and within the Carboniferous system. The Devonian-Carboniferods boundary is marked by the extinction of ammonoids of the order Clymeniida and,other Devonian,types and the appearance of the suborder Prolecanitina. During the Early Carboniferbus epoch five major faunal assemblages were present, in ascending order: the Gattendorf (6 genera), Tournaisian (9 genera), Saourian (14 genera), Viséan (28 genera), and Namurian (47 genera). The boundary between the Early and Late Carboniferous is marked by general decrease in taxonomic variety and emergence of genera with more complex sutures (10 to 20 lobes). The major faunal assemblages during the Late Carboniferous epoch include the Bashkirian (28 genera), Moscovian (24 genera), Zhigulian (36 genera), and Orenburgian (27 genera). The upper boundary of die Carboniferous is not nearly so sharply expressed in terms of ammonoid changes as the lower one. AVailable eVidenCe 'favors' -placing it at the top of the Orenburgian stage, as the principal families of Permian ammonoids are all present in the overlying beds of the Asselian stage. Two new genera are diagnosed briefly; Winchelloceras n. gen. (type species, Goniatites allei Winchell, 1862) and Arcanoceras n. gen. (type species, Girtyoceras burmai Miller and Downs, 1950) and one new family, Orulganitidae (genus Orulganites). -- M. Gordon, Jr.