Regional atmospheric circulation change in the North Pacific during the Holocene inferred from lacustrine carbonate oxygen isotopes, Yukon Territory, Canada

Analyses of sediment cores from Jellybean Lake, a small, evaporation-insensitive groundwater-fed lake, provide a record of changes in North Pacific atmospheric circulation for the last ∼7500 yr at 5- to 30-yr resolution. Isotope hydrology data from the southern Yukon indicate that the oxygen isotope composition of water from Jellybean Lake reflects the composition of mean-annual precipitation, δ¹⁸O_p. Recent changes in the δ¹⁸O of Jellybean sedimentary calcite (δ¹⁸O_ca) correspond to changes in the North Pacific Index (NPI), a measure of the intensity and position of the Aleutian Low (AL) pressure system. This suggests that δ¹⁸O_p variability was related to the degree of fractionation during moisture transport from the Gulf of Alaska across the St. Elias Mountains and that Holocene shifts were controlled by the intensity and position of the AL. Following this model, between ∼7500 and 4500 cal yr B.P., long-term trends suggest a predominantly weaker and/or westward AL. Between ∼4500 and 3000 cal yr B.P. the AL shifted eastward or intensified before shifting westward or weakening between ∼3000 and 2000 cal yr B.P. Rapid shifts eastward and/or intensification occurred ∼1200 and 300 cal yr B.P. Holocene changes in North Pacific atmospheric circulation inferred from Jellybean Lake oxygen isotopes correspond with late Holocene glacial advances in the St. Elias Mountains, changes in North Pacific salmon abundance, and shifts in atmospheric circulation over the Beaufort Sea.     

Evidence for a 55-50 ka (early Wisconsin) glaciation of the Cordilleran ice sheet, Yukon Territory, Canada

Cosmogenic ¹⁰Be ages on boulders of 54-51 ka (n = 4) on a penultimate Cordilleran ice sheet (CIS) drift confirm that Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage (MIS) 4 (early Wisconsin) glaciation was extensive in parts of Yukon Territory, the first confirmed evidence in the Canadian Cordillera. We name the glaciation inferred from the mapped and dated drift the Gladstone. These results are in apparent contrast to the MIS 6 (Illinoian) age of the penultimate Reid glaciation to the east in central Yukon but are equivalent to exposure ages on MIS 4 drift in Alaska. Contrasting penultimate ice extents in Yukon requires that different source areas of the northern CIS in Yukon responded differently to climatic forcing during glaciations. The variation in glacier extent for different source areas likely relates to variation in precipitation during glaciation, as the northern CIS was a precipitation-limited system. Causes for a variation in precipitation remain unclear but likely involve the style of precipitation delivery over the St. Elias Mountains possibly related to variations in the Aleutian low.     

Holocene glacial and tree-line variations in the White River Valley and Skolai Pass,Alaska and Yukon Territory

Complex glacier and tree-line fluctuations in the White River valley on the northern flank of the St. Elias and Wrangell Mountains in southern Alaska and Yukon Territory are recognized by detailed moraine maps and drift stratigraphy, and are dated by dendrochronology, lichenometry, ¹⁴C ages, and stratigraphic relations of drift to the eastern (1230 ¹⁴C yr BP) and northern (1980 ¹⁴C yr BP) lobes of the White River Ash. The results show two major intervals of expansion, one concurrent with the well-known and widespread Little Ice Age and the other dated between 2900 and 2100 ¹⁴C yr BP, with a culmination about 2600 and 2800 ¹⁴C yr BP. Here, the ages of Little Ice Age moraines suggest fluctuating glacier expansion between ad 1500 and the early 20th century. Much of the 20th century has experienced glacier recession, but probably it would be premature to declare the Little Ice Age over. The complex moraine systems of the older expansion interval lie immediately downvalley from Little Ice Age moraines, suggesting that the two expansion intervals represent similar events in the Holocene, and hence that the Little Ice Age is not unique. Another very short-lived advance occurred about 1230 to 1050 ¹⁴C yr BP. Spruce immigrated into the valley to a minimum altitude of 3500 ft (1067 m), about 600 ft (183 m) below the current spruce tree line of 4100 ft (1250 m), at least by 8020 ¹⁴C yr BP. Subsequent intervals of high tree line were in accord with glacier recession; in fact, several spruce-wood deposits above current tree line occur bedded between Holocene tills. High deposits of fossil wood range up to 76 m above present tree line and are dated at about 5250, 3600 to 3000, and 2100 to 1230 ¹⁴C yr BP. St. Elias glacial and tree-line fluctuations, which probably are controlled predominantly by summer temperature and by length of the growing and ablation seasons, correlate closely with a detailed Holocene tree-ring curve from California, suggesting a degree of synchronism of Holocene summer-temperature changes between the two areas. This synchronism is strengthened by comparison with the glacier record from British Columbia and Mt. Rainier, Likewise, broad synchronism of Holocene events exists across the Arctic between the St. Elias Mountains and Swedish Lappland. Finally, two sequences from the Southern Hemisphere show similar records, in so far as dating allows. Hence, we believe that a preliminary case can be made for broad synchronism of Holocene climatic fluctuations in several regions, although further data are needed and several areas, particularly Colorado and Baffin Island, show major differences in the regional pattern.     

Geochemistry of dust aerosol over the Eastern Pamirs

The Pamirs are situated in the inner part of the Asian continent, a region which plays a critical role in Asian dust emission and transport. This study measured the elemental composition of atmospheric dust aerosol samples collected during the period between July 2004 and April 2006 at Mt. Muztagata, Eastern Pamirs, at a high-altitude (38°17′N, 75°01′E, 4430 m). The Muztagata aerosol samples show Ca/Al (∼0.7) and Fe/Al (∼0.7) ratios that are distinguishable from those from other sites. The La/Th ratios (averaging 2.30-2.36) and Th/U ratios (averaging 2.75-3.11) indicate typical eolian deposition. The dust aerosol samples have very similar rare earth element (REE) patterns, with relative enrichment of light REE, a slight depletion of heavy REE, and a strongly negative europium anomaly (δEu values averaging 0.65). The Muztagata dust shows homogeneity of composition during the sampling period, with minor variations due to seasonal effects and possible different air mass, suggesting the possibility of a well-mixed atmospheric background dust on a regional scale. The zonal Westerlies dominate and the longitude circulations are relatively very weak for dust transport dynamics in the Pamirs and Tien Shan regions. Our results demonstrate a distinct difference in elemental composition between dust over the Eastern Pamirs and that over Inilchek, Central Tien Shan, indicating that the Asian dust emission regions have great variations in their chemical properties, and provide a better constraint on the climatic impact of Asian dust.     

Age constraints on the late Quaternary evolution of Qinghai Lake, Tibetan Plateau

Dating and geomorphology of shoreline features in the Qinghai Lake basin of northwestern China suggest that, contrary to previous interpretations, the lake likely did not reach levels 66-140 m above modern within the past ∼ 90,000 yr. Maximum highstands of ∼ 20-66 m above modern probably date to Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5. MIS 3 highstands are undated and uncertain but may have been at or below post-glacial highs. The lake probably reached ∼ 3202-3206 m (+ 8-12 m) during the early Holocene but stayed below ∼ 3202 m after ∼ 8.4 ka. This shoreline history implies significantly different hydrologic balances in the Qinghai Lake basin before ∼ 90 ka and after ∼ 45 ka, possibly the result of a more expansive Asian monsoon in MIS 5.     

Late Quaternary glaciation and equilibrium-line altitudes of the Mayan Ice Cap, Guatemala, Central America

The Sierra los Cuchumatanes (3837 m), Guatemala, supported a plateau ice cap and valley glaciers around Montaña San Juan (3784 m) that totaled ∼ 43 km² in area during the last local glacial maximum. Former ice limits are defined by sharp-crested lateral and terminal moraines that extend to elevations of ∼ 3450 m along the ice cap margin, and to ca. 3000-3300 m for the valley glaciers. Equilibrium-line altitudes (ELAs) estimated using the area-altitude balance ratio method for the maximum late Quaternary glaciation reached as low as 3470 m for the valley glaciers and 3670 m for the Mayan Ice Cap. Relative to the modern altitude of the 0°C isotherm of ∼ 4840 m, we determined ELA depressions of 1110-1436 m. If interpreted in terms of a depression of the freezing level during maximal glaciation along the modern lapse rate of − 5.3°C km^− 1, this ΔELA indicates tropical highland cooling of ∼ 5.9 to 7.6 ± 1.2°C. Our data support greater glacial highland cooling than at sea level, implying a high tropical sensitivity to global climate changes. The large magnitude of ELA depression in Guatemala may have been partially forced by enhanced wetness associated with southward excursions of the boreal winter polar air mass.     

Stratigraphy of Pleistocene glaciations in the St Elias Mountains,southwest Yukon,Canada

At least five Middle to Late Pleistocene advances of the northern Cordilleran Ice Sheet are preserved at Silver Creek, on the northeastern edge of the St Elias Mountains in southwest Yukon, Canada. Silver Creek is located 100 km up‐ice of the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2 McConnell glacial limit of the St Elias lobe. This site contains ~3 km of nearly continuous lateral exposure of glacial and non‐glacial sediments, including multiple tills separated by thick gravel, loess and tilted lake beds. Infrared‐stimulated luminescence (IRSL) and AMS radiocarbon dating constrain the glacial deposits to MIS 2, 4, either MIS 6 or mid‐MIS 7, and two older Middle Pleistocene advances. This chronology and the tilt of the lake beds suggest Pleistocene uplift rates of up to 1.9 mm a^?1 along the Denali Fault since MIS 7. The non‐glacial sediment consists of sand, gravel, loess and organic beds from MIS 7, MIS 3 and the early Holocene. The MIS 3 deposits date to between 30–36 ¹⁴C ka BP, making Silver Creek one of the few well‐constrained MIS 3‐aged sites in Yukon. This confirms that ice receded close to modern limits in MIS 3. Pollen and macrofossil analyses show that a meadow‐tundra to steppe‐tundra mosaic with abundant herbs and forbs and few shrubs or trees, dominated the environment at this time. The stratigraphy at Silver Creek provides a palaeoclimatic record since at least MIS 8 and comprises the oldest direct record of Pleistocene glaciation in southwest Yukon.     

Cementation of kerogen-rich marls by alkaline fluids released during weathering of thermally metamorphosed marly sediments. Part II: Organic matter evolution,magnetic susceptibility and metals (Ti,Cr, Fe) at the Khushaym Matruk natural analogue (Central Jordan)

Spontaneous combustion, less than 1 Ma ago, affected a 60-m thick sediment pile of biomicrite at the Khushaym Matruck site (Jordan). The present study shows that three retrograde alteration stages occurred: weathering, thermal stress and oxidative alkaline perturbation. μ-FT-i.r. spectra of isolated kerogens and oxygen index of whole rocks indicate that oxidation of organic matter occurred down to ∼10 m beneath the metamorphosed zone at Khushaym Matruck. The occurrence of the oxidative weathering bacterially mediated, as suggested by the mass chromatograms of saturated hydrocarbons, can explain high Rock-Eval T_max values and low petroliferous potential measured along the sedimentary pile. On the other hand, the thermal extent of combustion events was limited to the first 2 m from the contact. The mean reflectance of 0.20–0.24% and porosity of ca. 50% of the grey clayey biomicrites indicate that organic matter was very immature and sediments were unconsolidated at the time of the combustion event. Using mineralogy, microscopic analyses of vegetable debris and magnetic susceptibility, a suite of characteristic points corresponding to the thermal imprint can be assessed: (i) x = 0m, T ∼ 1000 °C, (ii) x = 1 m, T ∼ 350 °C, (iii) x = 2 m, T ∼ 150 °C and (iv) x > ∼ 8 m, T ∼ 30 °C. Paleocirculation of meteoric groundwater in the ‘cement-marbles’ generated high-pH fluids that have circulated via fractures and through the matrix porosity of the underlying biomicrites but have also induced alkaline hydrolysis and oxidative attack of the organic matter. The polysaccharide/lignin ratio derived from μ-FT-i.r. analyses shows that the delignification of vegetable debris and degradation of polysaccharides progressively decline in the indurated zone, which indicates a decrease in the pH of migrating solutions. The latter also severely oxidized organic matter at 2.10 and 3.05 m as revealed by the oxygen index and induced the generation of bitumen. The spatial correlation between the oxidation levels of organic matter and the metal contents (Fe, Ti and Cr) suggests that redox reactions were responsible for the immobilization of metals in the indurated biomicrites. The intensity of these reactions is attributed to changes in the fluid flow regime within the sedimentary column.     

Characteristics of aerosol dust in fresh snow in the Asian dust and non-dust periods at Urumqi glacier no. 1 of eastern Tian Shan,China

Windblown mineral aerosol dust derived from the crustal surface is an important atmospheric component affecting the earth’s radiation budget. Deposition of atmospheric dust was measured in the fresh snow on glacier no. 1 at the headwater of the Urumqi River in eastern Tian Shan, central Asia. An analysis of seasonal variation of concentrations of dust particles in the snow suggests that the number concentration of dust particle is significantly high from April to June, which may be caused by Asian dust storms in the spring. The comparison of mass-size distribution of dust particles from April to August shows an obvious seasonal change trend. The distribution of particles changes from single model (3–21 μm) in the non-dust period before dust events in April, to bi-model (3–21 and 20–80 μm) during the Asian dust period, and to single model (3–21 μm) after July in the non-dust period again. The Ca²⁺ concentration in the fresh snow is also very high from April to June, while NH₄ ⁺ and SO₄ ²⁻, as water-soluble constituents, have concentration changes that are different from each other. Backward trajectory was also employed to examine the transport process of air mass in this region.     

Seasonal variability in the input of lead, barium and indium to Law Dome, Antarctica

Lead (Pb) isotopic compositions and concentrations, and barium (Ba) and indium (In) concentrations have been determined at monthly resolution in five Law Dome (coastal Eastern Antarctica) ice core sections dated from ∼1757 AD to ∼1898 AD. ‘Natural’ background Pb concentrations in ∼1757 AD average ∼0.2 pg g⁻¹ and can be attributed to mineral dust and volcanic emissions, with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios reaching up to 1.266 ± 0.002. From ∼1887 AD to ∼1898 AD, Pb concentrations reached ∼5 pg g⁻¹ and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios decreased to 1.058 ± 0.001 as a result of additional inputs of Pb from anthropogenic sources. Seasonal variability in the late 1880s has been investigated by decoupling volcanic Pb from the total measured Pb concentrations, revealing spring and autumn maxima, and consistent winter minima, in anthropogenic Pb and mineral dust (Ba) concentrations. We link this variability to the annual cycle in the position and strength of the Antarctic Circumpolar Trough and, the Southern Ocean westerly winds to the north of the trough region. During the autumn and spring seasons, these systems increase in strength, transporting more impurity laden air from the Southern Hemisphere continental regions to Eastern Antarctica and Law Dome. As this Pb is isotopically identical to that emitted from south-eastern Australia (Broken Hill, Port Pirie) this implies a relatively direct air trajectory pathway from southern Australia to Law Dome (Eastern Antarctica).     

Surge moraines of the Klutlan Glacier,Yukon Territory,Canada: Origin,wastage, vegetation succession,lake development,and application to the late-glacial of Minnesota

The Klutlan Glacier in the St. Elias Mountains of the Yukon Territory has surged repeatedly during the last few hundred years, and its drift-covered stagnant ice provides an analog for the downwastage, landform development, vegetational succession, and lake formation on Late Wisconsin moraines of Minnesota. Melting of the buried ice caused collapse of the drift mantle and the formation of lakes, which become filled with sediment that slumps in from receding ice walls. Topographic reversals are common, as the sediment cover of drained lakes inhibits local under-melting, and collapse occurs elsewhere. As the drift mantle thickens the land surface becomes stabilized and pioneer herbs are succeeded by shrubs and then by white spruce. The oldest moraines (600–1200 yr old) have a multiple-generation spruce forest, yet melting of buried ice still locally forms young lakes. Cores of organic sediment from the oldest lakes contain a stratigraphic sequence of pollen, diatoms and cladocerans that record the early stages in lake and landscape succession.     

Late Pleistocene glaciers in Darhad Basin, northern Mongolia

Late Pleistocene glaciers around Darhad Basin advanced to near their maximum positions at least three times, twice during the Zyrianka glaciation (at ∼ 17-19 ka and ∼ 35-53 ka), and at least once earlier. The Zyrianka glaciers were smaller than their predecessors, but the equilibrium-line altitude (ELA) difference was < 75 m. End moraines of the Zyrianka glaciers were ∼ 1600 m asl; ELAs were 2100-2400 m asl. ¹⁴C and luminescence dating of lake sediments confirm the existence of paleolake highstands in Darhad Basin before ∼ 35 ka. Geologic evidence and ¹⁰Be cosmic-ray exposure dating of drift suggests that at ∼ 17-19 ka the basin was filled at least briefly by a glacier-dammed lake ∼ 140 m deep. However, lake sediments from that time have not yet been recognized in the region. A shallower paleolake briefly occupied the basin at ∼ 11 ka, but between ∼ 11 and 17 ka and after ∼ 10 ka the basin was probably largely dry. The timing of maximum glacier advances in Darhad appears to be approximately synchronous across northern Mongolia, but different from Siberia and western Central Asia, supporting the inference that paleoclimate in Central Asia differed among regions.     

Changing fire regimes in the temperate rainforest region of southern Chile over the last 16,000 yr

A high-resolution macroscopic charcoal record from Lago Melli (42°46′S, 73°33′W) documents the occurrence of forest fires in the lowlands of Isla Grande de Chiloé, southern Chile, over the last 16,000 yr. Our data suggest that fire activity in this region was largely modulated by the position/intensity of the southern westerlies at multi-millennial time scales. Fire activity was infrequent or absent between 16,000-11,000 and 8500-7000 cal yr BP and was maximal between ∼ 11,000-8500 and 3000-0 cal yr BP. A mosaic of Valdivian/North Patagonian rainforest species started at ∼ 6000 cal yr BP, along with a moderate increase in fire activity which intensified subsequently at 3000 cal yr BP. The modern transition between these forest communities and the occurrence of fires are largely controlled by summer moisture stress and variability, suggesting the onset of high-frequency variability in summer precipitation regimes starting at ∼ 5500 cal yr BP. Because negative anomalies in summer precipitation in this region are teleconnected with modern El Niño events, we propose that the onset of El Niño-like variability at ∼ 5700-6200 cal yr BP led to a reshuffling of rainforest communities in the lowlands of Isla Grande de Chiloé and an increase in fire activity.     

Petrological and geochronological constraints on the formation, subduction and exhumation of the continental crust in the southern Sulu orogen, eastern-central China

Detailed petrological, geochemical and geochronological studies were carried out for the core samples from the Chinese Continental Scientific Drilling Main Hole (CCSD-MH) with a final depth of 5158 m. This borehole has penetrated into an ultrahigh-pressure (UHP) metamorphic slice consisting mainly of eclogites, gneisses, garnet-pyroxenites and garnet-peridotites. Geochemical characteristics indicate that their protoliths are igneous rocks, and occur in a continental rifting tectonic setting. Quartz-, rutile- and ilmenite-rich eclogites from 0 to 710 m occur as alternating layers; the eclogites, together with interlayers of peridotites and gneisses form a layered ultramafic-mafic-acidic intrusion, which was formed by extensive fractional crystallization of basaltic magma in continental environments. The granitic gneisses from 1190 to 1505 m and 3460 to 5118 m show affinity to within-plate granite, whereas the granitic gneisses from 710 to 1190 m and 1505 to 3460 m exhibit characteristics of volcanic-arc granite. Zircon U-Pb dating demonstrates that the magmatic zircon cores, which have relatively high Th/U ratios (mostly > 0.4), from both eclogites and gneisses, yield the same age at c. 788.8 Ma, suggesting that the protoliths of UHP rocks were formed by bimodal magmatism in Neoproterozoic rifting tectonic zones along the northern margin of the Yangtze Plate, in response to the breakup of the supercontinent Rodinia. U-Pb dating of metamorphic zircons with coesite and other eclogite-facies mineral inclusions and with relatively low Th/U ratios (mostly < 0.14) gives similar Triassic ages, which define two main zircon-forming events at 221.1 Ma and 216.7 Ma. We suggest that the older weighted mean age represents the peak-UHP metamorphic event at a pressure of 5.0 GPa (corresponds to ∼ 165 km depth), whereas the younger mean age reflects the UHP/HP retrograde event at a pressure 2.8 GPa (∼ 92 km depth). Therefore, a maximum rate of vertical movement during early exhumation of the UHP rocks from the Sulu orogen would be 17 mm/year, which is quite similar to initial exhumation rates (16 to 35 mm/year) of many UHP terranes in the world.     

Stratigraphy, depositional environments and level reconstruction of the last interglacial Lake Samra in the Dead Sea basin

In this paper we describe the stratigraphy and sediments deposited in Lake Samra that occupied the Dead Sea basin between ∼ 135 and 75 ka. This information is combined with U/Th dating of primary aragonites in order to estimate a relative lake-level curve that serves as a regional paleohydrological monitor. The lake stood at an elevation of ∼ 340 m below mean sea level (MSL) during most of the last interglacial. This level is relatively higher than the average Holocene Dead Sea (∼ 400 ± 30 m below MSL). At ∼ 120 and ∼ 85 ka, Lake Samra rose to ∼ 320 m below MSL while it dropped to levels lower than ∼ 380 m below MSL at ∼ 135 and ∼ 75 ka, reflecting arid conditions in the drainage area. Lowstands are correlated with warm intervals in the Northern Hemisphere, while minor lake rises are probably related to cold episodes during MIS 5b and MIS 5d. Similar climate relationships are documented for the last glacial highstand Lake Lisan and the lowstand Holocene Dead Sea. Yet, the dominance of detrital calcites and precipitation of travertines in the Dead Sea basin during the last interglacial interval suggest intense pluvial conditions and possible contribution of southern sources of wetness to the region.     

Geochemistry of eolian dust and its elemental contribution to Lake Qinghai sediment

Located at the midpoint of the Asian “airborne dust corridor”, Lake Qinghai receives substantial dust annually, which may impact the biogeochemical cycles of the system. In order to determine quantitatively the flux and chemical contributions of dust to Lake Qinghai sediment, dust samples were collected monthly at two sites surrounding the lake from June 2009 to May 2011. The results demonstrate similar chemical compositions of dust samples to the local loess, implying strong representativeness of regional dust. The average dust deposition flux is 265.7 ± 55.0 g/m²/a, constituting 56.6 ± 11.7% of the modern sediment, approximating to previous estimates (∼65%). Contributions of dust-derived elements in the sediment differ substantially, with a minimum of 16.7% for Sr and a maximum of 83.9% for Cu. Among these elements, the contribution of lithophile elements (Na, Al, K, Ti, Mn, Fe and Rb) is close to that of the bulk dust; the contributions of mobile elements (Mg, Ca and Sr) are low, only 16.7% (Sr)–26.1% (Mg), whereas potentially harmful metals (Cu, Zn and Pb) have high contributions (70.3–83.9%). Seasonal variations of elemental inputs indicate that springtime contributions dominate the annual dust fluxes for all elements into the sediment, in agreement with the high dust flux in spring. These observations not only quantify the contribution of dust to the sediment of Lake Qinghai, but also highlight the important role of dust in the accumulation of various elements in the sediment, especially for potentially harmful metals.     

Complex magmatic and impact history prior to 4.1 Ga recorded in zircon from Apollo 17 South Massif aphanitic breccia 73235

Sample 73235 is one of several aphanitic impact melt breccias collected by the Apollo 17 mission at stations 2 and 3 on the slopes of the South Massif. This study presents a detailed investigation of internal structures and U-Pb ages of large zircon grains from this breccia sample. New data combined with the results of previous studies of zircon grains from the same location indicate that most zircon clasts in breccias from stations 2 and 3 formed during multiple magmatic events between 4.37 and 4.31 Ga, although the oldest zircon crystallized at about 4.42 Ga and the youngest at 4.21 Ga. In addition, zircons from the aphanitic breccias record several impact events prior to the ∼3.9 Ga Late Heavy Bombardment. The results indicate that the zircons probably crystallized at different locations within the Procellarum KREEEP Terrane and were later excavated and modified by several impacts and delivered to the same locality within separate ejecta blankets. This locality became a source of material that formed the aphanitic impact melt breccias of the South Massif during a ∼3.9 Ga impact. However, the zircons, showing old impact features, are not modified by this ∼3.9 Ga impact event suggesting that (i) this common source area was located at the periphery of excavation cavity, and (ii) the > 3.9 Ga ages recorded by the zircon grains could date large (basin-forming) events as significant as major later (∼3.9 Ga) collisions such as Imbrium and Serenitatis.     

Synergy of multiple geophysical approaches to unravel explosive eruption conduit and source dynamics - A case study from Stromboli

An effective approach to understanding the dynamics of explosive volcanic eruptions and the conduit systems that drive them is through synergy of multiple data sets. Three data sets that lend themselves to ease of integration are seismic, infrasonic and thermal. Although approaches involving these data have been used to record volcanological phenomena since 1862, 1955 and 1965, respectively, their integrated use has only developed since 1999. When combined, these three data sets allow constraint of shallow system geometry and the dynamics of the explosive events that occur within that system. Using Stromboli volcano (Italy) as a case study, we review the complete range of geochemical and geophysical studies that can be applied. In doing so, we aim to show how integration of these diverse studies allows insights into a plumbing system and the dynamics of the eruptive activity that the system feeds. When combined at Stromboli, these data provide constraint of multiple system parameters including chamber depths, gas and magma fluxes, shallow system magma residence times, explosion source depths, and the rise/ejection velocities of ascending gas slugs and ejecta. In turn, these results allow various conduit and eruption dynamic models to be applied and tested.The persistent and repeated mildly explosive events that characterize Stromboli have been modeled in terms of the coalescence of gas within the magma to form large gas slugs that ascend the remaining portion of the conduit to burst at the free surface. Our integrated seismic, infrasonic and thermal data sets indicate that gas coalescence occurs at a depth of ∼260 m, with a typical event frequency of ∼9/h. Infrasonic and thermal data show the explosion source to be located 20-220 m below the vent. Thermal data give emission velocities for the ejected fragments of 8-20 m/s, which converts to gas jet velocities of 23-39 m/s. Tracking these parameters in space and time shows that, although eruptions at Stromboli can be grouped into two characteristic types (simple and complex-each of which characterizes a particular crater, NE and SW, respectively), events within each type show significant short-term variability. The system does, however, appear robust, maintaining its characteristic strombolian eruption style after significant effusive phases and more energetic explosive events.     

Potential environmental issues of CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers: Geochemical results from the Frio-I Brine Pilot test,Texas, USA

Sedimentary basins in general, and deep saline aquifers in particular, are being investigated as possible repositories for large volumes of anthropogenic CO₂ that must be sequestered to mitigate global warming and related climate changes. To investigate the potential for the long-term storage of CO₂ in such aquifers, 1600 t of CO₂ were injected at 1500 m depth into a 24-m-thick “C” sandstone unit of the Frio Formation, a regional aquifer in the US Gulf Coast. Fluid samples obtained before CO₂ injection from the injection well and an observation well 30 m updip showed a Na–Ca–Cl type brine with ∼93,000 mg/L TDS at saturation with CH₄ at reservoir conditions; gas analyses showed that CH₄ comprised ∼95% of dissolved gas, but CO₂ was low at 0.3%. Following CO₂ breakthrough, 51 h after injection, samples showed sharp drops in pH (6.5–5.7), pronounced increases in alkalinity (100–3000 mg/L as HCO₃) and in Fe (30–1100 mg/L), a slug of very high DOC values, and significant shifts in the isotopic compositions of H₂O, DIC, and CH₄. These data, coupled with geochemical modeling, indicate corrosion of pipe and well casing as well as rapid dissolution of minerals, especially calcite and iron oxyhydroxides, both caused by lowered pH (initially ∼3.0 at subsurface conditions) of the brine in contact with supercritical CO₂.     

Petrology, geochemistry, and age of low-Ti mare-basalt meteorite Northeast Africa 003-A: A possible member of the Apollo 15 mare basaltic suite

Northeast Africa 003 (NEA 003) is a lunar meteorite found as a two paired stones (6 and 118 g) in Libya, 2000 and 2001. The main portion (∼75 vol%) of the 118 g meteorite, used for this study, (NEA 003-A) consists of mare-basalt and a smaller adjacent portion (∼25 vol%) is a basaltic breccia (NEA 003-B). NEA 003-A has a coarse-grained magmatic texture consisting mainly of olivine, pyroxene and plagioclase. The late-stage mineral association is composed mainly of elongated plagioclase, ilmenite, troilite, fayalite, Si-K-rich glass, apatite, and a rare SiO₂ phase. Other accessory minerals include ulvöspinel, chromite, and trace Fe-Ni metal. Olivine and pyroxene contain shock-induced fractures, and plagioclase is completely converted into maskelynite.The Fe/Mn values of the whole rock, olivines and pyroxenes, and the bulk-rock oxygen isotopic composition provide evidence for the lunar origin of NEA 003-A meteorite. This is further supported by the presence of Fe-Ni metal and the anhydrous mineral association.NEA 003-A is geochemically and petrographically distinct from previously described mare-basalt meteorites and is not paired with any of them. The petrography and major element composition of NEA 003-A is similar to the composition of low-Ti olivine mare basalts from Apollo 12 and olivine-normative basalts from Apollo 15. The NEA 003-A meteorite shows obvious geochemical similarities in trace elements contents with Apollo 15 olivine-normative basalts and could represent a yet unknown geochemically primitive member of the olivine-normative basalt series. The meteorite is depleted in rare earth elements (REE) and incompatible trace elements indicating a primitive character of the parental magma. The bulk-rock chemical composition demonstrates that the parent melt of NEA 003-A was not contaminated with KREEP components as a result of magma mixing or assimilation processes. Results of crystallization modelling and low minimum cooling rate estimates (∼0.07 °C/h) suggest that the parent melt of NEA 003-A crystallized in the lower part of a lava flow containing cumulate olivine (∼10%) and was probably derived from more primitive picritic magma by fractional crystallization processes.Sm-Nd dating yields an age of 3.09 ± 0.06 Ga which corresponds to the period of lower Eratosthenian lunar volcanic activity, and the near-chondritic ε_Nd value of −0.4 ± 0.3 indicates that the meteorite could be derived from a slightly enriched mantle source similar to the Apollo 15 green glasses. Ar-Ar step release results are inconsistent with Sm-Nd ages suggesting that NEA 003-A was exposed to one or more impact events. The most extensive event took place at 1.8 Ga and the shock intensity was likely between 28 and 45 GPa. The absence of solar Ar suggests that NEA 003-A has not been directly exposed at the lunar surface but the cosmic ray exposure age of 209 ± 6 Ma suggests that NEA 003-A resided in the upper regolith for part of its history.