The conditions of chondrule formation, Part I: Closed system

Mixing was an important process in the early solar nebula and is often used as an argument to explain the compositional scatter among chondrules—mm-sized, once molten silicate spherules in chondritic meteorites. If it is hypothesized that chondrules only acted as closed systems and the scatter in chondrule bulk chemical compositions is only the result of mixing heterogeneous precursor grains—the basic components of chondrules—, it is in turn possible to determine the sizes of the precursor grains using statistical calculations. In order to reproduce the observed compositional scatter in chondrules not more than ∼10 precursor grains should contribute to a single chondrule, each with a diameter of several 100 μm. This finding has important implications for the conditions of chondrule formation and replaces the so far widely accepted model that chondrules formed from fine-grained “dust-balls”. Chondrules rather formed from coarse-grained precursor aggregates with variable amounts of μm-fine matrix material. As a consequence, only chondrite matrix or interstellar material winnows as precursor material. Large grains of variable composition serving as precursor grains must have been formed prior to chondrule formation. Chondrules probably have not been their immediate precursors, as only 1-2 chondrule recycling steps would have homogenized bulk chondrule compositions. Chondrule recycling can therefore only have occurred to a limited extent. Chondrule formation needed at least three steps: (1) production of large and heterogeneous chondrule precursor grains, (2) agglomeration of large precursor grains and fine-grained precursors into aggregates, (3) formation of chondrules during transient heating events. Al-rich chondrules can in this context be explained by the admixture of CAIs to either chondrule precursors or a population of existing chondrules.     

Sub-seasonal scale fluctuations of theITCZ over the Indo-Pacific region during the summer monsoon season. Part I: Features over the Indian region

Monex-79 andISMEX-73 data have been analysed to study the sub-seasonal scale fluctuation of near equatorial oceanic intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) over the North Indian ocean during the summer monsoon of 1979 and 1973. The oceanicITCZ is characterised by a narrow shear zone between the equatorial westerlies and the tropical easterlies, associated with organised convective clouds. Synoptic analysis presented in this paper shows the steady northward propagation of the oceanicITCZ from its near equatorial position (5–10°N) to the continental position (20–25°N) during the onset and mid-season revivals of monsoon after breaks. The northward propagation is initiated by the strengthening of the equatorial westerlies which result in the intensification of the shear zone and the embedded disturbances. The establishment of the northward propagating mode near normal monsoon trough position over the continent characterises the active phase of monsoon. As the monsoon cycles from active to weak/break phase, the monsoon trough (continentalITCZ) dissipates near the foothills of the Himalayas and the oceanicITCZ gets emphasised once again near the equatorial region. The major phase changes in theITCZ occur at an interval of about 30–50 days which dominantly control the intra-seasonal fluctuation of the Indian summer monsoon. The paper also discusses the characteristic features of the oceanicITCZ during different phases of the monsoon.     

Experimental growth of quartz in petroleum environment. Part I: Procedures and Fluid Trapping

The quartz-water-oil-gas system has been experimentally studied with the objective of investigating the trapping of petroleum and aqueous inclusions in quartz at different water/oil (W/O) ratios (0/100, 5/95, 10/90, 20/80, 50/50, 100/0). Experiments were carried out in both a gas-pressure autoclave (GPA) under CH₄ pressure control, up to 250°C and 212 bar, and in a fluid-pressure autoclave (FPA) up to 350°C and 400 bar. High p-T conditions have notably allowed the growth of quartz at high oil saturation levels (W/O ratios from 10/90 to 50/50). Petroleum inclusions have been synthesised inside quartz microfractures (W/O ratios from 0/100 to 50/50; 209-350°C; 175-400 bar), and also inside quartz overgrowths (W/O ratios from 10/90 to 50/50; 289-350°C; 350-400 bar). Aqueous inclusions have been synthesised in presence of oil inside quartz microfractures from 185°C-163 bar up to 400°C-400 bar, and inside quartz overgrowth from 277°C-330 bar. Synthesised petroleum inclusions are representative of the parent oil up to 250°C. At 350°C, evidence of a cracking process has been observed with the consequent formation of methane. The segregation of the oil/gas/water column inside the GPA autoclave may also have prevented methane diffusion into the water phase when oil is present. This experimental approach shows that the trapping of fluid inclusions and the formation of quartz cement, under conditions of high oil saturation, have not been suppressed or prevented.     

Diffusion of Li in olivine. Part I: Experimental observations and a multi species diffusion model

There are an increasing number of studies that focus on the systematics of the distribution of Li and its isotopes among different geochemical reservoirs. These studies have found that Li is relatively mobile compared to many other elements (e.g., Fe, Mg), and diffusion has been considered as a mechanism to generate large isotopic fractionations even at high temperatures. In order to quantify some of these aspects, we have measured Li diffusion rates experimentally along [0 0 1] of single crystals of olivines from San Carlos, Arizona and Pakistan, at 800-1200 °C at a total pressure of 100 kPa and fO₂ ≈ WM buffer. A complex diffusion behavior of Li is observed, indicating that two mechanisms of diffusion (a fast and a slower one) operate simultaneously. The behavior is well described by a model that partitions Li between two different sites in olivine - an octahedral site (Li_Me) and an interstitial site (Li_i). Transport of Li is a combination of hopping within and between each of these kinds of sites involving also vacancies on the octahedral site (V_Me). It is assumed that the homogeneous reaction (Li_Me = V_Me + Li_i) that maintains equilibrium distribution of Li between the sites is instantaneous compared to the timescales of all other processes associated with diffusive transport. One consequence of this mode of transport of Li in olivine is that the shape and length of diffusion profiles depend on the boundary conditions imposed at the surface of a crystal; i.e., the chemical environment (e.g., fO₂, aLi₄SiO₄), in addition to temperature and pressure. Our model describes the variable experimentally determined Li-profile shapes produced at different temperatures and with different boundary conditions, as well as their time evolution, quantitatively. Modeling the observed isotopic fractionation shows that ⁶Li diffuses about 5% faster than ⁷Li on the interstitial site. Inspection of published data on Li distribution in natural olivines that are available until now indicates that the fast (interstitial) mechanism of Li diffusion is unlikely to be dominant in most natural systems; Li rich, oxidizing environments (e.g., fluids?) may be exceptions. However, when it operates it can decouple the equilibration of Li isotopic gradients from the time scale of equilibration of overall Li concentrations. Diffusion dominated by the slower mechanism will occur on the average at a rate that is about an order of magnitude faster than diffusion of Fe, Mg and most other divalent cations in olivine; such diffusion of Li in olivine will be much slower than the rates of diffusion in clinopyroxene and plagioclase crystals at the same conditions. Fractionation of isotopes of Li by diffusion is likely to be a transient phenomenon and is more likely to be observed in crystals showing zoning of Li concentrations.     

Some aspects of the large scale fluctuations of summer monsoon rainfall over India in relation to fluctuations in the planetary and regional scale circulation parameters

Year-to-year fluctuations of summer monsoon (June–September) rainfall of India are studied in relation to planetary and regional scale features. Anomalous epochs in the monsoon rainfall have been found to coincide with the epochs having anomalous patterns of temperature distribution in the northern hemispheric extratropics as well as with the spells of years having anomalous patterns of sea surface temperature distribution in the equatorial Pacific Ocean (EL-Nino phenomenon). Relationship between monsoonal rainfall and regional atmospheric circulation features is studied by compositing data of five good and five bad monsoon rainfall years over India. A comparison of the two data sets yields interesting relationships between the anomalous patterns of rainfall on the one hand and atmospheric parameters on the other. On the average parameters of monsoon depressions are more or less the same among the two types of composites. The most important distinguishing feature of good monsoon years is the greater frequency of cyclogenesis (monsoon lows included) on the regional scale which keeps the monsoon trough near its normal position and with concomitant higher cyclonic vorticity in the trough zone contributes to greater seasonal rainfall on the regional scale during good monsoon years.     

Morphological patterns of Aptian Lithocodium–Bacinella geobodies: relation to environment and scale

Lithocodium aggregatum and Bacinella irregularis are now extinct, shallow marine life forms of unknown taxonomic origin. Forming part of the tropical platform biota during much of the Mesozoic, these organisms experienced bloom periods and temporarily replaced rudist–coral assemblages during parts of the Early Aptian. Within the limitations of time resolution, this ‘out‐of‐balance’ facies is coeval with the Oceanic Anoxic Event 1a‐related black shale deposition in oceanic basins but the triggering factors remain poorly understood. Here, a platform‐wide comparison of Lithocodium–Bacinella geobodies and morphotypes from the Sultanate of Oman is presented and placed in its environmental, bathymetric and physiographic context. Lithocodium–Bacinella geobodies reach from kilometre‐scale ‘superstructures’ to delicate centimetre‐sized growth forms. Clearly, scale matters and care must be taken when drawing conclusions based on spatially limited observational data. Whilst the factors that cause Lithocodium–Bacinella expansion should probably be considered in a global context, regional to local factors affected growth patterns in a more predictable manner. Here, the unresolved taxonomic relationship remains the main obstacle in any attempt to unravel the response of Lithocodium–Bacinella to specific or interlinked environmental parameters as different organisms respond differently to changing environment. Acknowledging these limitations, the following tentative patterns are observed: (i) Lithocodium–Bacinella tolerated a wide range of hydrodynamic levels and responded to differences in energy level or physiographic settings (margin, intrashelf basin, inner platform) by obtaining characteristic growth forms. (ii) Lithocodium–Bacinella favoured low‐sediment input but had the ability to react to higher sedimentation rates by enhanced upward growth; a feature perhaps pointing to a phototrophic metabolism. Circumstantial evidence for continuous growth within the upper‐sediment column is debated. (iii) The availability of accommodation space had a direct influence on the maximum size of geobodies formed. (iv) Fluctuating nutrient levels and sea water alkalinity may have affected the growth potential of Lithocodium–Bacinella. Understanding the relationship between Lithocodium–Bacinella morphogenesis on a wide range of scales and local environmental parameters allows for better prediction of the spatial distribution of reservoir properties and also results in an improved interpretation of palaeoenvironments. This study might represent a useful first step in this direction.     

The chemistry of pyrite formation in aqueous solution and its relation to the depositional environment

Experimental investigations on pyrite synthesis indicate that before pyrite can be produced by a reaction involving ferrous iron, the disulphide ion must be formed; in experiments described the ion was obtained by the action of H₂S in aqueous solution on elemental sulphur. Conditions under which the experiments were conducted indicate that pyrite will not form above pH 6.0. The reaction to produce pyrite is fastest when oxygen is excluded and elemental sulphur is produced from the oxidation of H₂S by ferric iron. A reaction between FeS and elemental sulphur will yield pyrite at a much slower rate, although the same basic reaction is involved. An attempt has been made to relate the occurrence of pyrite in different sedimentary environments to this basic chemistry.

---

Zusammenfassung Wie Versuche zeigen, ist die Voraussetzung der Pyrit-Bildung das Vorliegen von S ₂ ^2– -Ionen, die dann mit Fe^II reagieren. Die S ₂ ^2– -Ionen wurden durch Einwirken einer verdünnten H₂S-Lösung auf elementaren Schwefel erhalten. Pyrite entstehen in diesen Experimenten somit nur unterhalb pH 6. Pyrit erhält man am schnellsten, wenn Sauerstoff abwesend ist und der H₂S durch Fe^III oxidiert wird. Die Umsetzung von FeS mit elementarem Schwefel liefert Pyrit wesentlich langsamer, wenn auch die zugrunde liegenden Reaktionen sich entsprechen. Es wird versucht, sedimentäre Pyrit-Vorkommen entsprechend diesen Reaktionsabläufen zu deuten.

     

Growth kinetics of enstatite reaction rims studied on nano-scale,Part I: Methodology,microscopic observations and the role of water

The kinetics of (Mg, Fe)SiO₃ pyroxene layer growth within silicate thin films with total thickness <1 μm was studied experimentally at 0.1 MPa total pressure, controlled fO₂ and temperatures from 1,000 to 1,300°C. The starting samples were produced by pulsed laser deposition. Layer thickness before and after the experiments and layer composition as well as microstructures, grain size and shape of the interfaces were determined by Rutherford back scattering and transmission electron microscopy assisted by focused ion beam milling. Due to the miniaturization of the starting samples and the use of high resolution analytical methods the experimentally accessible temperature range for rim growth experiments was extended by about 300°C towards lower temperatures. The thickness of the layers at a given temperature increases proprotional to the square root of time, indicating a diffusion-controlled growth mechanism. The temperature dependence of rim growth yields an apparent activation energy of 426 ± 34 kJ/mol. The small grain size in the orthopyroxene rims implies a significant contribution of grain boundary diffusion to the bulk diffusion properties of the polycrystalline rims. Based on microstructural observations diffusion scenarios are discussed for which the SiO₂ component behaves immobile relative to the MgO component. Volume diffusion data for Mg in orthopyroxene from the literature indicate that the measured diffusivity is probably controlled by the mobility of oxygen. The observed reaction rates are consistent with earlier results from dry high-temperature experiments on orthopyroxene rim growth. Compared to high pressure experiments at 1,000°C and low water fugacities, reaction rates are 3–4 orders of magnitude smaller. This observation is taken as direct evidence for a strong effect of small amounts of water on diffusion in silicate polycrystals. In particular SiO₂ changes from an immobile component at dry conditions to an extremely mobile component even at very low water fugacities.     

The formation and alteration of the Renazzo-like carbonaceous chondrites I: Implications of bulk-oxygen isotopic composition

To better understand the role of aqueous alteration on the CR chondrite parent asteroid, a whole-rock oxygen isotopic study of 20 meteorites classified as Renazzo-like carbonaceous chondrites (CR) was conducted. The CR chondrites analyzed for their oxygen isotopes were Dhofar 1432, Elephant Moraine (EET) 87770, EET 92042, EET 96259, Gao-Guenie (b), Graves Nunataks (GRA) 95229, GRA 06100, Grosvenor Mountains (GRO) 95577, GRO 03116, LaPaz Ice Field (LAP) 02342, LAP 04720, Meteorite Hills (MET) 00426, North West Africa (NWA) 801, Pecora Escarpment (PCA) 91082, Queen Alexandra Range (QUE) 94603, QUE 99177, and Yamato-793495 (Y-793495). Three of the meteorites, Asuka-881595 (A-881595), GRA 98025, and MET 01017, were found not to be CR chondrites. The remaining samples concur petrographically and with the well-established oxygen-isotope mixing line for the CR chondrites. Their position along this mixing line is controlled both by the primary oxygen-isotopic composition of their individual components and their relative degree of aqueous alteration. Combined with literature data and that of this study, we recommend the slope for the CR-mixing line to be 0.70 ± 0.04 (2σ), with a δ¹⁷O-intercept of −2.23 ± 0.14 (2σ).Thin sections of Al Rais, Shi?r 033, Renazzo, and all but 3 samples analyzed for oxygen isotopes were studied petrographically. The abundance of individual components is heterogeneous among the CR chondrites, but FeO-poor chondrules and matrix are the most abundant constituents and therefore, dominate the whole-rock isotopic composition. The potential accreted ice abundance, physico-chemical conditions of aqueous alteration (e.g. temperature and composition of the fluid) and its duration control the degree of alteration of individual CR chondrites. Combined with literature data, we suggest that LAP 02342 was exposed to lower temperature fluid during alteration than GRA 95229. With only two falls, terrestrial alteration of the CR chondrites complicates the interpretation of their whole rock isotopic composition, particularly in the most aqueously altered samples, and those with relatively higher matrix abundances. We report that QUE 99177 is the isotopically lightest whole rock CR chondrite known (δ¹⁸O = −2.29‰, δ¹⁷O = −4.08‰), possibly due to isotopically light unaltered matrix; which shows that the anhydrous component of the CR chondrites is isotopically lighter than previously thought. Although it experienced aqueous alteration, QUE 99177 provides the best approximation of the pristine CR-chondrite parent body’s oxygen-isotopic composition, before aqueous alteration took place. Using this value as a new upper limit on the anhydrous component of the CR chondrites, water/rock ratios were recalculated and found to be higher than previously thought; ratios now range from 0.281 to 1.157. We also find that, according to their oxygen isotopes, a large number of CR chondrites appear to be minimally aqueously altered; although sample heterogeneity complicates this interpretation.     

The Mg-carbonate-Fe interaction:Implication for the fate of subducted carbonates and formation of diamond in the lower mantle

The fate of subducted carbonates in the lower mantle and at the core-mantle boundary was modelled via experiments in the MgCO3-Fe^0 system at 70-150 GPa and 800-2600 Kin a laser-heated diamond anvil cell.Using in situ synchrotro n X-ray diffraction and ex situ transmission electron microscopy we show that the reduction of Mg-carbonate can be exemplified by:6 MgCO3+19 Fe=8 FeO+10(Mg0.6Fe^0.4)O+Fe7 C3+3 C.The presented results suggest that the interaction of carbonates with Fe^0 or Fe^0-bearing rocks can produce Fe-carbide and diamond,which can accumulate in the D"region,depending on its carbon to Fe ratio.Due to the sluggish kinetics of the transformation,diamond can remain metastable at the core-mantle boundary(CMB)unless it is in a direct contact with Fe-metal.In addition,it can be remobilized by redox melting accompanying the generation of mantle plumes.     

Relation between colloid composition and the environment of their formation: application to the El Berrocal site (Spain)

In the framework of nuclear waste topics, the role of colloids is more and more emphasized in relation to the transport of radioelements in natural groundwaters. We attempt here to check if the nature and physico-chemical characteristics of the colloids from the granitic site of El Berrocal are closely related to the bedrock composition.The colloids are studied in three types of groundwaters (sulfate and carbonate waters in different redox conditions) as well as colloidal suspensions extracted from clayey materials present in the fractures. The particle size distributions are performed by photon correlation spectroscopy. Their chemical composition is obtained by X-ray microanalysis after transversal ultrafiltration.The main results deal with the chemical composition of colloids. They are mainly composed of silica, aluminosilicate phases, and Fe, Ti, Al oxyhydroxides. In the case of the carbonate and oxidized hydrofacies, traces of Mg, Cu, Zn, Ba, S as well as carbonate phases (Zn, Ca) occur. In the particular case of the sulfate hydrofacies, traces of S, Mg, Cu are identified. Finally in the less oxidized and carbonate groundwater, a lot of phases consist of sulphur with Cu, Zn, Fe as well as of carbonate with Cu, Zn, Fe, Ca and Mg. For the clayey suspensions, colloids are mainly composed of illite and silica.In conclusion, the contribution of the bedrock as well as the influence of the physico-chemical conditions are discussed in order to decipher the role of neoformation and dispersion processes in the colloid formation.     

Time series analysis of mantle cycles Part Ⅱ:The geologic record in zircons,large igneous provinces and mantle lithosphere

Igneous and detrital zircons have six major U/Pb isotopic age peaks in common(2700 Ma,1875 Ma.1045 Ma,625 Ma,265 Ma and 90 Ma).For igneous rocks,each age peak is comprised of subpeaks with distinct geographic distributions and a subpeak age range per age peak ≤100 Myr.There are eight major LIP age peaks(found on≥10 crustal provinces)of which only four are in common to major detrital zircon age peaks(2715 Ma,1875 Ma,825 Ma,90 Ma).Of the whole-rock Re depletion ages,58% have correspo nding detrital zircon age peaks and 55% have corresponding LIP age peaks.Ten age pea ks are fou nd in common to igneous zircon,detrital zircon,LIP,and Re depletion age time series(3225 Ma,2875 Ma,2145 Ma,2085 Ma,1985 Ma,1785 Ma,1455 Ma,1175 Ma,825 Ma,and 90 Ma).and these are very robust peaks on a global scale as recorded in both crustal and mantle rocks.About 50% of the age peaks in each of these time series correspond to predicted peaks in a 94-Myr mantle cycle,including four of the ten peaks in common to all four time series(2875 Ma,1785 Ma,825 Ma and 90 Ma).Age peak widths and subpeak ranges per age peak suggest that mantle events responsible for age peaks are100 Myr and many50 Myr in duration.Age peak geographic distributions show three populations(≤1000 Ma,2500-1000 Ma,2500 Ma),with the number of new provinces in which age peaks are represented decreasing with time within each population.The breaks between the populations(at 2.5 Ga and 1 Ga)fall near the onsets of two transitions in Earth history.The First Transition may represent a change from stagnant-lid tectonics into plate tectonics and the Second Transition,the onset of subduction of continental crust.The major factor controlling geographic distribution of age peaks is the changing locations of orogeny.Before ～2 Ga,age subpeaks and peaks are housed in orogens within or around the edges of crustal provinces,mostly in accretionary orogens.but beginning at 1.9 Ga,collisional orogens become more important.The coincidence in duration between magmatic flare-ups in Phanerozoic arcs and duration of age subpeaks(10-30 Myr)is consiste nt with subpeaks representing periods of enhanced arcrelated magmatism.probably caused by increased subduction flux.The correlation of isotopic age peaks between time series supports a cause and effect relationship between mantle plume activity,continental magma production at convergent margins,and crustal deformation.Correlation of over half of the detrital zircon age peaks(and six of the nine major peaks)with Re depletion age peaks supports an interpretation of the zircon peaks as crustal growth rather than selective preservation peaks.     

鞍本地区大孤山条带状铁建造含铁矿物和相分带特征及形成环境分析

鞍山-本溪条带状铁建造(Banded Iron Formation,简称BIF)位于华北克拉通东北缘,是世界上典型BIF之一,也是我国最重要的铁矿资源基地。大孤山位于鞍山地区南部矿带,为新太古代典型的Algoma型BIF,与华北克拉通其它大多数BIF相比,具有较低变质程度(绿片岩相-低角闪岩相)和较完整的沉积相分布特征。因此,通过大孤山BIF的研究有利于追踪Algoma型BIF的原生矿物组成及其后期成岩-变质过程,进而通过分析原生矿物形成的物理化学条件探讨古海洋环境。依据原生矿物共生组合及产出特征,可将大孤山BIF沉积相划分为氧化物相(30%)、硅酸盐相(50%)和碳酸盐相(20%)。氧化物相主要分布于主矿体南部,主要矿物组成为磁铁矿和石英;硅酸盐相分布于主矿体中部,主要矿物组成除了石英和磁铁矿之外,还有黑硬绿泥石、绿泥石、镁铁闪石等;碳酸盐相分布于矿体北部,主要矿物组成为菱铁矿、磁铁矿和石英等。本文通过大孤山BIF岩相学观察和含铁矿物化学成分研究,推测原生沉积物的组成为无定形硅胶、三价铁氢氧化物和富铝粘土碎屑,在经历了成岩和低级变质作用后转变为具不同相带的条带状铁建造。通过分析磁铁矿、菱铁矿和黑硬绿泥石等矿物在不同P_(O_2)-P_(CO_2)和pH-Eh条件下的共生相图可知,这些矿物均是在较低氧逸度、中到弱碱性环境下形成。综合考虑矿物成分、共生组合及受变质作用较弱等信息,本文推测制约原生矿物形成的控制因素主要是古海水氧化还原状态、酸碱度、CO_2含量和硫逸度。     

南黄海大型潮汐水道动力地貌环境对人类活动响应——以小庙洪水道为例

辐射沙脊群内潮汐水道由于没有固定的边界，其稳定性对人类活动影响更加敏感。通过收集近20年来辐射沙脊群南翼小庙洪海域实测高分辨率水下地形资料，结合数学模型分析研究人类活动对小庙洪海域水动力和地形冲淤累积影响。研究结果表明：近20年来小庙洪水域边滩匡围面积达126.09 km²，边滩匡围导致小庙洪尾部、中部及口门段断面流量分别减小14.2%、15.79%和9.13%；尾部、中部及口门段深槽区平均流速分别减小20~30 cm/s、10~20 cm/s和5~10 cm/s。小庙洪水道南侧-5 m等深线变化幅度较小，基本保持稳定状态；-10 m等深线继续向西延伸，向南拓展。近20年来小庙洪边滩匡围虽导致水道内纳潮量和水动力有所减弱，但由于目前匡围区均处于高滩区域，各匡围工程所引起的泥沙冲淤仅限于工程区附近，对小庙洪水道整体稳定性、深槽主轴南逼、口门水道整体北淤南冲的演变趋势没有产生明显影响。     

Bayes estimation: A novel approach to derivation of internally consistent thermodynamic data for minerals,their uncertainties,and correlations. Part I: Theory

Computation of phase diagrams in mineral systems and quantitative geothermobarometry thrive on the availability and accuracy of internally consistent thermodynamic datasets for minerals. The prevailing two methodologies applied to derive them, mathematical programming (MAP) and least squares regression (REG), have their very specific advantages and deficiencies which are to some extent complementary. Bayes estimation (BE), the novel technique proposed here for obtaining internally consistent thermodynamic databases, can combine the advantages of both MAP and REG but avoid their drawbacks. It optimally uses the information on thermochemical, thermophysical, and volumetric properties of phases and experimental reaction reverals to refine the thermodynamic data and returns their uncertainties and correlations. Therefore, BE emerges as the method of choice. The theoretical background of BE, and its relation to MAP and REG, is explained. Although BE is conceptually simple, it can be computationally demanding. Fortunately, modern computer technology and new stochastic methods such as Gibbs sampling help surmount those difficulties. The basic ideas behind these methods are explored and recommendations for their use are made using the Al₂SiO₅ unary as an example. The potential of BE and its future perspective for application to multicomponent-multiphase systems appear very promising. For the convenience of readers not interested in the mathematical details of BE, an illustrative example is given in the Appendix to promote an intuitive understanding of what BE is all about.     

A Study of Macro-Rhythmic Layering and Cumulate Processes in the Jimberlana Intrusion, Western Australia. Part I: The Upper Layered Series

The upper layered series of the Jimberlana Intrusion rests unconformablyon the lower layered series and has resulted from a major newpulse of magma which entered the magma chamber during the finalstages of crystallization of the lower series. All parameterswhich vary systematically with fractionation are sharply reversedat the contact between the two layered series. The lower portion of the ultramafic zone of the upper layeredseries is composed of a repeated macro-rhythmic succession ofolivine cumulates, bronzite-olivine cumulates, and bronzitecumulates. A detailed investigation was made of this sequenceso that the contacts between the units could be compared withthe contact between the upper and lower layered series. Cu,Ni, Cr, P, and U were measured on a whole rock basis; the Mg/Mg?Feratios of the pyroxenes and olivines, the Cr content of pyroxenesand the Ni content of olivines were determined by the electronmicroprobe. Each of the macro-rhythmic units is associated witha reversal in mineral variation and in the Ni-Cr trends andhas a zone of high sulphide values at its base. These featuresare also found at the contact between the upper and lower layeredseries and, if the upper series is due to a new influx of magma,it follows that the macro-units are also due to multiple injection.This conclusion is strongly supported by the size of the reversalswhich are too large to be explained by the alternative hypothesesto multiple injection suggested by Jackson (1961) and Wager(1959). The anomalous sulphide-rich zones at the contacts between theupper and lower layered series and between the macro-rhythmicunits are thought to have formed from a narrow supercooled zonewhich developed for a brief period at the bottom of the magmachamber following each new magma pulse. The olivines from thesesulphide-rich zones are depleted in Ni, suggesting that Ni hasbeen scavenged by the sulphides. This is only possible if theolivine grains crystallized with the sulphides in the restrictedsupercooled zone at the bottom of the magma chamber.     

Flow, sediment transport and bedform dynamics over the transition from dunes to upper-stage plane beds: implications for the formation of planar laminae

Preliminary results are reported from an experimental study of the interaction between turbulence, sediment transport and bedform dynamics over the transition from dunes to upper stage plane beds. Over the transition, typical dunes changed to humpback dunes (mean velocity 0–8 ms^-1, depth 01 m, mean grain size 0.3 mm) to nominally plane beds with low relief bed waves up to a few mm high. All bedforms had a mean length of 0.7–0.8 m. Hot film anemometry and flow visualization clearly show that horizontal and vertical turbulent motions in dune troughs decrease progressively through the transition while horizontal turbulence intensities increase near the bed on dune backs through to a plane bed. Average bedload and suspended load concentrations increase progressively over the transition, and the near-bed transport rate immediately downstream of flow reattachment increases markedly relative to that near dune crests. This relative increase in sediment transport near reattachment appears to be due to suppression of upward directed turbulence by increased sediment concentration, such that velocity close to the bed can increase more quickly downstream of reattachment. Low-relief bedwaves on upper-stage plane beds are ubiquitous and give rise to laterally extensive, mm-thick planar laminae; however, within such laminae are laminae of more limited lateral extent and thickness, related to the turbulent bursting process over the downstream depositional surface of the bedwaves.