Geochemical fingerprint of the primary magma composition in the marine tephras originated from the Baegdusan and Ulleung volcanoes

The intraplate Baegdusan (Changbai) and Ulleung volcanoes located on the border of China, North Korea, and East/Japan Sea, respectively, have been explained by appeals to both hotspots and asthenospheric mantle upwelling (wet plume) caused by the stagnant Pacific plate. To understand the origin of the Baegdusan and Ulleung volcanism, we performed geochemical analyses on the tephra deposits in the East/Japan Sea basins originating from the Baegdusan and Ulleung volcanoes. The volcanic glass in the tephra from the Baegdusan and Ulleung volcanoes ranged from alkaline trachyte to peralkaline rhyolite and from phonolite to trachyte, respectively. The tephra from the two intraplate volcanoes showed highly enriched incompatible elements, such as Tb, Nb, Hf, and Ta, distinct from those of the ordinary arc volcanoes of the Japanese islands. The straddle distribution of the Th/Yb and Ta/Yb ratios of the tephra deposits from the Baegdusan volcano may originate from the alkali basaltic magma resulting from mixing between the wet plume from the stagnant Pacific plate in the transition zone and the overlying shallow asthenospheric mantle. In contrast, the deposits from the Ulleung volcano show a minor contribution of the stagnant slab to the basaltic magma, implying either partial melting of a more enriched mantle, smaller degrees of partial melting of a garnet-bearing mantle source, or a combination of both processes as the magma genesis. Our study indicated that the Baegdusan and Ulleung volcanoes have different magma sources and evolutionary histories.     

Geochemistry of surface sediments in the southwestern East/Japan Sea

We analyzed 77 surface sediment samples collected in the southwestern East/Japan Sea from the Korea Strait through the Ulleung Basin and the Korea Plateau for grain size, calcium carbonate, organic carbon, and major (Na, Mg, Al, Fe, K, Ca, and Ti) and trace elements (P, Mn, Sr, Li, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Zn, Cu, and Pb).The chemical composition of the surface sediments was found to be highly variable spatially. Cluster analysis of surface sediment chemical compositions indicated five major geochemical sedimentary environments: basin, lower slope, coast and upper slope, inner shelf, and outer shelf. Continental-shelf sediments were rich in shell fragments and had relict and coarse-grained characteristics. Recent fine-grained sediments were only distributed in coastal, slope, and basin areas. Concentrations of Al, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, and Sc were highest in the coastal and upper slope areas and decreased with water depth. Elemental ratios using major and trace elements indicated that coastal and upper slope detrital sediments were mixtures of sediments derived from the Changjiang (Yangtze) and Nakdong Rivers. Although the concentrations of organic carbon, P, Mn, V, Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb increased with water depth, their distribution patterns indicated authigenic (V, Cu, and Pb) and diagenetic (Fe, P, Mn, Co, and Ni) origins. The distribution pattern with water depth suggested that the chemical composition of surface sediment was determined by sedimentologic and geochemical processes, such as the supply of detrital and biogenic materials, and authigenic and post-depositional diagenetic processes in sediments.     

The Influx of the Tsushima Current into the Central Ulleung Basin of East Sea (Sea of Japan), Korea

A total of 85 samples, collected from the UBGH1-9 core taken from the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, Korea, were analyzed using diatom assemblages. 111 diatom species belonging to 46 genera were identified, and three diatom assemblage zones were established on the basis of occurrence and distribution pattern of diatoms. Diatom assemblage zone I(134.10–174 m) is characterized by a relatively high abundance of marine species, while the increased number of the brackish species is recorded in diatom assemblage zone II(75–125 m). The assemblage zones IIIa became drastic drop of valve abundances and brackish planktons, whereas it became increase during the IIIb. High Td values which indicate an influence of warm current are recorded both in diatom assemblage zone I and III, and low Td values in diatom assemblage zone II. Analysis of diatom assemblages indicating that the depositional condition moved from oceanic to littoral-neritic environments and that paleotemperature underwent a shift from warm to cold condition at the middle interval, and from cold to warm condition in the upper interval of the UBGH1-9 core. This suggests that the lower(130–162 m) and upper intervals(0–20 m) of the UBGH1-9 core were deposited in the warm current condition(Tsushima Warm Current).     

Orbital‐ and millennial‐scale paleoceanographic changes in the north‐eastern Japan Basin,East Sea/Japan Sea during the late Quaternary

Two gravity sediment cores (GH99‐1239 and GH99‐1246) obtained from the north‐eastern Japan Basin in the East Sea/Japan Sea were analyzed for the orbital‐ and millennial‐scale paleoceanographic changes. Chronostratigraphically, core GH99‐1239 represents a continuous sedimentary record since 32 ka, based on correlation of distinct lithological markers (i.e. dark layer or TL layer) with those in core GH98‐1232 collected nearby. For core GH99‐1246, the age model is constructed through correlation of lightness (L*) values and tephra (Aso‐4 and Toya) layers with those in the well‐dated Oki Ridge core (MD01‐2407), indicating about 134 ka of sedimentation since the latest Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 6. New geochemical data from both cores corroborate orbital‐scale paleoceanographic variation, such that surface‐water productivity, represented by biogenic opal and total organic carbon (TOC) contents, increased during MIS 1 and MIS 5; CaCO₃ contents do not show such distinct glacial–interglacial cycles, but were influenced by dissolution and preservation rather than foraminiferal production. During the glacial periods when sea ice was prevalent, surface‐water productivity was low, and bottom‐water conditions became anoxic, as indicated by high total sulfur (TS) contents and high Mo concentrations. The geochemical data further document millennial‐scale paleoceanographic variability, corresponding to a series of thin TL layers in response to Dansgaard–Oeschger cycles but irrespective of the glacial or interglacial periods. In particular, thin TL layers formed during MIS 3 are characterized by less TOC (about 1%) and TS (about 0.4%) contents and lower Mo (about 5 p.p.m.) concentration, whereas those during MIS 4 and MIS 5 exhibit more TOC (up to 4%) and TS (up to 5%) contents and higher Mo (up to 120 p.p.m.) concentration. Such a discrepancy is attributed to different degree of surface‐water productivity and of bottom‐water oxygenation, which is closely related to the sea level position and extent of ventilation. Flux of the East China Sea Coastal Water controlled by millennial‐scale paleoclimatic events is the most critical factor in deciding the properties of TL layers in the north‐eastern Japan Basin. Our results strongly confirm that TL layers in the Japan Basin also validate the unique feature of basin‐wide paleoceanographic signals in the East Sea/Japan Sea. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late Quaternary Paleoclimatic Change in the Ulleung Basin, East Sea, Korea

Paleoclimatic changes in the late Quaternary sediments deposited in the East Sea were analyzed by studying diatoms. A total of 95 species belonging to 47 genera were identified from the Core02GHP-02 of the Ulleung Basin in the East Sea, Korea. In the Core 02GHP-02, U-Oki(169–181 cm; 9.3 ka), AT(464–465.5 cm; 22 ka) and U–Ym(556–559 cm; 33 ka) tephra layers were recognized. The chronological divisions of 02GHP-02 may be correlated with the climatic changes from the glacial interval(730–620 cm; MIS3), to interstadial(620–500 cm; MIS3), to the last glacial maximum(500–390 cm; MIS 2), to the deglaciation(390–290 cm; MIS 2), to the late glacial(290–190 cm; MIS 1), and to the Holocene(190–10 cm; MIS 1). It is speculated that diatoms were rarely found during the glacial interval when the 02GHP-02 core was deposited; during the interstadial(MIS 3) and deglaciation, a mixture of warm-water and cold-water species were found. In particular, Fragilariopsis doliolus seems to have appeared in the East Sea after 8 ka BP. In the lower layers of the Holocene deposits, cold-water species such as Neodenticula seminae were frequently found, while in the upper layers, warm-water species such as Hemidiscus cuneiformis were found in relatively large abundance. Therefore, the findings indicate that the climate became warmer during the transition from the lower layer to the upper layer of the Holocene deposits.     

东海外陆架晚第四纪沉积物的稀土元素组成及物源示踪

为研究东海外陆架稀土元素地球化学信息对于地层划分与物源分析的指示意义,利用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)对东海外陆架西湖凹陷区SFK-1孔沉积物进行了15个稀土元素(REE)含量测定。东海外陆架SFK-1孔稀土元素含量及比值变化表现出一定的分层性,垂向上自上而下可分为8层,表明稀土元素特征对于地层划分具有良好的指示意义。稀土元素分配模式表明SFK-1孔沉积物物源主要为长江和黄河,Eu异常与稀土元素总量关系判别图解和物源判别指数(PI)揭示SFK-1孔上部28.00 m以上沉积物以长江源为主,中部28.00~47.20 m沉积物以黄河源为主,下部47.20~82.90 m沉积物以长江源为主。研究表明长江从晚更新世早期到现代对东海陆架起着主要作用,而黄河物质在晚更新世晚期已开始对东海陆架沉积作用有一定影响。     

东海陆缘(闽北段)晚第四纪沉积的硅藻学研究

对东海陆缘 (闽北段 )晚第四纪沉积 4口钻井岩心进行系统的硅藻分析研究,获得丰富的硅藻化石,共发现硅藻 117种和变种,分属于 33个属。根据剖面硅藻组合特征变化,结合最优分割法和对应序分法的计算机运算结果,可以详细划分为 12个硅藻带,自下而上为 :1.Cascinodiscusargus-Cos.wittiomus-Cyclotellastriata硅藻带,2.Cos.blandus-Cyclotellastriata硅藻带,3.Cos.excentricus-Trbliepteychuscocconiformis硅藻带,4.Gomphonema-Cos.blandus-Actnolychusralfsii硅藻带,5.Cos.-Cyclotellastriata-Actinocyclusralfsii硅藻带,6.Cos.-Actinolychusralfsii硅藻带,7.贫乏硅藻带,8.Cos.lineatus-Cos.rothii-Actinolyclusralfsii硅藻带,9.Gomphonema-Cyclotellastriata-Cocconeisplacentulavareuglypta硅藻带,10.Cos.rothii-Cyclotellastriata-Actinolychusralfsi,11.Cymbel laaffinis-Cyclotellastriata-Gomphonema硅藻带,12.Coscinodiscuswittinus-Cyclotellastriata-Epithemiahynd manii硅藻带,建立了该区晚第四纪硅藻组合序列,并探讨其相应的古环境演变。     

Late Quaternary distal tephra-fall deposits in lacustrine sediments, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Tephra-fall deposits from Cook Inlet volcanoes were detected in sediment cores from Tustumena and Paradox Lakes, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska, using magnetic susceptibility and petrography. The ages of tephra layers were estimated using 21 ¹⁴C ages on macrofossils. Tephras layers are typically fine, gray ash, 1-5 mm thick, and composed of varying proportions of glass shards, pumice, and glass-coated phenocrysts. Of the two lakes, Paradox Lake contained a higher frequency of tephra (0.8 tephra/100 yr; 109 over the 13,200-yr record). The unusually large number of tephra in this lake relative to others previously studied in the area is attributed to the lake's physiography, sedimentology, and limnology. The frequency of ash fall was not constant through the Holocene. In Paradox Lake, tephra layers are absent between ca. 800-2200, 3800-4800, and 9000-10,300 cal yr BP, despite continuously layered lacustrine sediment. In contrast, between 5000 and 9000 cal yr BP, an average of 1.7 tephra layers are present per 100 yr. The peak period of tephra fall (7000-9000 cal yr BP; 2.6 tephra/100 yr) in Paradox Lake is consistent with the increase in volcanism between 7000 and 9000 yr ago recorded in the Greenland ice cores.     

Late Quaternary cryptotephra detection and correlation in loess in northeastern Japan using cummingtonite geochemistry

We detected late Pleistocene cummingtonite-bearing cryptotephras in loess deposits in NE Japan and correlated them with known tephras elsewhere by using major-element compositions of the cummingtonite. This is the first time cryptotephras have been identified by analysis of a crystal phase rather than glass shards. In central NE Japan, four cummingtonite-bearing tephras, the Ichihasama pumice, the Dokusawa tephra, the Naruko–Nisaka tephra, and the Adachi–Medeshima tephra, are present in late Pleistocene loess deposits. Because the cummingtonite chemistry of each tephra is different and characteristic, it is potentially a powerful tool for detecting and identifying cryptotephras. An unidentified cummingtonite-bearing cryptotephra previously reported to be present in the late Pleistocene loess deposits at Kesennuma (Pacific coast) did not correlate with any of the known cummingtonite-bearing tephras in central NE Japan, but instead with the Numazawa–Kanayama tephra (erupted from the Numazawa caldera, southern NE Japan), although Kesennuma is well beyond the previously reported area of the distribution of the Numazawa–Kanayama tephra. Three new cummingtonite-bearing cryptotephras in the mid and late Pleistocene loess deposits (estimated to be less than 82 ka, 100–200 ka, and ca. 250 ka) on the Isawa upland were also detected.     

青藏高原东部和湄公河盆地晚第四纪风化剥蚀与东亚季风演化在南海中的记录

通过南海西南部湄公河口MD01—2393孔和MD97—2150孔的高分辨率粘土矿物和粒度分析,及铷、锶、钕同位素分析,揭示出青藏高原东部和湄公河盆地晚第四纪190ka以来的风化剥蚀和东亚季风演化历史。铷、锶、钕同位素研究证实这两个孔的陆源碎屑物质主要来源于湄公河流域的直接输入。蒙脱石／(伊利石 绿泥石)值和蒙脱石／高岭石值指示了化学风化历史,而陆源碎屑颗粒的粒径比值2．5～6．5μm／15～55μm则指示了湄公河沉积物的供给能力。相对高的比值发生在间冰期,表明强盛的夏季风降雨和减弱的冬季风环流;相对低的比值对应于冰期,表明强盛的冬季风和减弱的夏季风,揭示出东亚季风气候驱动的风化剥蚀演化历史。东亚季风演化的强弱与北半球夏季日射量基本呈线性关系,表明东亚季风演化的天文驱动机制。     

日本海陨击事件与新生代东亚大地构造演化

北太平洋及东亚地区在始新世左右发生了一系列重大地质事件:日本海发生开裂;日本西南和中国板块北部发生顺时针旋转(>20°);NNW向运动的太平洋板块突然改变方向开始NWW向运动;郯庐断裂带由强烈断陷造成快速冷却事件;渤海湾盆地出现地幔热异常开始形成裂谷系;阿尔金断裂开始脉冲式走滑;贝加尔湖裂谷开始形成。这些重大地质事件的发生都与日本海陨击事件相关。     

Geotechnical characterization of marine sediments in the Ulleung Basin,East Sea

The geotechnical characteristics of Ulleung Basin sediments are explored using depressurized samples obtained at 2100 m water depth and 110 m below the sea floor. Geotechnical index tests, X-ray diffraction, and SEM images were obtained to identify the governing sediment parameters, chemical composition and mineralogy. We use an instrumented multi-sensor oedometer cell to determine the small-strain stiffness, zero-lateral strain compressibility and electromagnetic properties, and a triaxial device to measure shear strength. SEM images show a sediment structure dominated by microfossils, with some clay minerals that include kaolinite, illite, and chlorite. The preponderant presence of microfossils determines the high porosity of these sediments, defines their microstructure, and governs all macroscale properties. The shear wave velocity increases as the vertical effective stress increases; on the other hand, porosity, permittivity, electrical conductivity, and hydraulic conductivity decrease with increasing confinement. All these parameters exhibit a bi-linear response with effective vertical stress due to the crushable nature of microfossils. Well-established empirical correlations used to evaluate engineering parameters do not apply for these diatomaceous sediments which exhibit higher compressibility than anticipated based on correlations with index properties. Settlements will be particularly important if gas production is attempted using depressurization because this approach will cause both hydrate dissociation and increase in effective stress.     

杭州湾晚第四纪沉积与古环境演变

通过对杭州湾第四系钻孔的年代地层学、沉积学、古环境学等多学科综合分析,认为XZK169孔全新世沉积始于孔深17.35m处(年代约为10～9kaBP),其下至孔深86.40m沉积属晚更新世。整个沉积层中可分出3个海进—海退旋回晚更新世早期以陆相沉积为主,出现河湖相—滨海湖泊相—河湖相沉积,气候为温凉干燥—温暖湿润—温凉干燥;晚更新世中晚期出现河湖相—潮滩湖相—浅海相—河口湾相沉积,气候为温凉干燥—寒冷干燥—温凉—暖热湿润—温热湿润;经历了末次冰期侵蚀后,全新世出现浅海相—河口湾相沉积,气候以暖热湿润—温暖湿润为主。约在5kaBP,杭州湾与长江口分离。     

内蒙东部晚第四纪火山活动与新构造

本文所指的晚第四纪包括晚更新世和全新世。内蒙东部晚第四纪火山活动强烈,北起大兴安岭北部的鄂伦春诺敏河火山群、经阿尔山-柴河、锡林浩特-阿巴嘎火山群,南抵察右后旗乌兰哈达火山群,断续延伸约1000km,分布着约390余座大小不一、形态各异的火山,构成了内蒙东部壮观的北北东向第四纪火山喷发带。火山类型包括玛珥式、夏威夷式、斯通博利式、亚布里尼式和冰岛式,以斯通博利式最为发育。爆破式火山作用包括射汽、射汽-岩浆爆发和岩浆爆发。火山岩类型主要为碱性玄武岩及其火山碎屑物(岩),火山岩具初期裂谷构造属性。火山活动主体受北北东向基底断裂控制,但就具体火山群而言,又多处于北东和北西向基底深断裂交会处。区内新构造与火山活动密切相关,深部岩浆的上侵,可能是控制本区新构造活动的主因。尤其是全新世火山的空间展布,显示了内蒙东部新构造的活动性。     

Provenance and depositional environments of Quaternary sediments from the western North Sea Basin

As the majority of the data on Quaternary sediments from the North Sea Basin are seismostratigraphical, we analysed the Elsterian Swarte Bank Formation, the Late Saalian Fisher Formation and the Late Weichselian (Dimlington Stadial) Bolders Bank Formation in order to determine genesis and provenance. The Swarte Bank Formation is a subglacial till containing palynomorphs from the Moray Forth and the northeastern North Sea, and metamorphic heavy minerals from the Scottish Highlands. The Fisher Formation was sampled from the northern and central North Sea. In the north, it is interpreted as a subglacial till, with glaciomarine sediments cropping out further south. These sediments exhibit a provenance signature consistent with the Midland Valley of Scotland, the Eocene of the North Sea Basin, the Grampian Highlands and northeast Scotland. The Bolders Bank Formation is a subglacial till containing palynomorphs from the Midland Valley of Scotland, northern Britain, and a metamorphic heavy‐mineral suite indicative of the Grampian Highlands, Southern Uplands and northeast Scotland. These data demonstrate that there was repeated glaciation of the North Sea Basin during the Middle and Late Pleistocene, with ice sheets originating in northern Scotland. There was no evidence for a Scandinavian ice sheet in the western North Sea basin. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

珠江三角洲晚第四纪沉积的OSL和14C年龄探讨

提要：珠江三角洲第四纪沉积的年代测定在三角洲的发育演化、古海平面变化以及断裂活动性研究等方面具有重要意义。对东江平原的7个钻孔岩心进行了14C和OSL测年以及孢粉和微体古生物分析。与前人主要根据14C年龄得到珠江三角洲沉积小于4万年的认识不同,OSL测年结果显示下部地层的年龄值为4.7~13.5万年。本文对年龄的信度以及晚第四纪两次海侵旋回的地层年代框架进行了初步分析,提出珠江三角洲地区第一次海侵旋回可能发生于距今4~10万年期间;在晚更新世与全新世两次海侵之间,三角洲地区长期暴露地表,出现较大跨度的地层缺失。     

Modern and late Quaternary clay mineral distribution in the area of the SE Mediterranean Sea

The present-day clay mineral distribution in the southeastern Levantine Sea and its borderlands reveals a complex pattern of different sources and distribution paths. Smectite dominates the suspended load of the Nile River and of rivers in the Near East. Illite sources are dust-bearing winds from the Sahara and southwestern Europe. Kaolinite is prevalent in rivers of the Sinai, in Egyptian wadis, and in Saharan dust. A high-resolution sediment core from the southeastern Levantine Sea spanning the last 27 ka shows that all these sources contributed during the late Quaternary and that the Nile River played a very important role in the supply of clay. Nile influence was reduced during the glacial period but was higher during the African Humid Period. In contrast to the sharp beginning and end of the African Humid Period recorded in West African records (15 and 5.5 ka), our data show a more transitional pattern and slightly lower Nile River discharge rates not starting until 4 ka. The similarity of the smectite concentrations with fluctuations in sea-surface temperatures of the tropical western Indian Ocean indicates a close relationship between the Indian Ocean climate system and the discharge of the Nile River.     

Late Quaternary climates of East Asia deduced from the total organic carbon contents of cored sediments (MD179-3304, 3312) off Joetsu City,Japan Sea

Total organic carbon (TOC) and total nitrogen (TN) concentrations are analyzed with high temporal resolution (ca. 100 years) for cores MD179-3304 and MD179-3312 taken from the Japan Sea off Joetsu City. The temporal changes in TOC and TN concentrations vary quasi-regularly in similar patterns. The age models are formed on the basis of the dates of ¹⁴C dating, marker tephra beds, TL layers, and marine isotope events with depth. TOC concentration is high in MIS 1 and 5, low in MIS 2 and 4, and slightly elevated in MIS 3 with frequent short fluctuations. This general trend is very similar to LR04 curve, except for the reduced dominance of TOC around the MIS 5.5 substage. As shown typically in MIS 3, there are many peaks of TOC in a short interval. The details of these TOC peaks can be correlated with the warm interstadials of the Greenland ice core. We can identify a sawtooth-like decreasing trend of TOC in MIS 3. In contrast, the decreasing trend of δ¹⁸O in the ice core corresponds to an increasing trend of TOC in MIS 5.The most plausible explanation for the correlation of climate changes between East Asia and the North Atlantic is oscillation of the Arctic polar front through time. The detailed correspondence of TOC concentrations of the Japan Sea sediments to other common paleoclimate proxies means that the TOC concentrations of these sediments is an excellent paleoclimate record in Far East Asia, although the genetic relationship between air temperature and biological productivity in the Japan Sea is as yet unknown.     

钱塘江北岸晚第四纪沉积与古环境演变

通过钱塘江北岸第四系钻孔岩心的岩石学、年代学以及孢粉带、有孔虫化石组合的综合分析,认为HQB7孔全新世沉积始于孔深35.7 m处(年代约为10.4 ka B.P.),其下至孔深71.1 m属晚更新世沉积,并将该孔31.2 ka B.P.以来的古环境演变划分为5个发展阶段.系统阐述了各阶段的古植被、古气候与古地理特征,指出第2阶段(20.1～10.4ka B.P.)处于低海面时期,气候凉冷干燥,其早期可能对应于末次盛冰期(LGM);第4阶段(7.5～2.5 ka B.P.)为高海面时期,气候温热潮湿,相当于与全球变化相一致的全新世气候适宜期.本区晚第四纪3万年以来的气候变化特点与中国南方的深圳湾地区有很好的可比性.     

热带东太平洋晚第四纪的古海洋及古气候记录

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