Granulometric analysis of glacial sediments,Schirmacher Oasis,East Antarctica

Granulometric analysis of nineteen sediment samples has been carried out for their statistical and textural parameters. The samples are collected from the northern and southern margins of Schirmacher Oasis extending below the polar ice sheet and grading to coastal area respectively and main rocky land of Schirmacher including lakes. The analysis shows that most of the sediments are of medium grain size and fall in poor to very poor sorted category. An attempt has been made to interpret the depositional set-up by plotting the scatter patterns between various textural parameters, including C-M plot and arithmetic log-probability curves. The influence of physical parameters viz. low to high velocity winds, ice and meltwater on sediment characteristics has been discussed.     

Geochemistry and petrology of ultramafic lamprophyres from Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica

Summary Petrographic and geochemical data are presented for some ouachitites from the Schirmacher Oasis. The studied dike intruded into the metamorphic basement of the East Antarctic craton. The ouachitite samples contain substantial amounts of zoned phlogopite and diopsidic to salitic pyroxene as phenocrysts. K-rich nepheline is the predominant phase of the matrix. The rocks are characterized by low SiO₂ concentrations (up to 36.5 wt.%), low mg# and high abundances of Al²O³, alkalis and volatiles. Trace element compositions of the Schirmacher ouachitites differ from those of ultramafic lamprophyres from other regions in that they contain significantly lower Cr and Ni concentrations and relatively low enrichments in LILE and LREE. The studied rocks have low¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd and enhanced⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios. Pb isotope compositions of the ouachitites closely resemble those of MORB. The ¹⁸O values range between 4.1 and 4.7⁰/₀₀ which may be due to interactions with meteoric water. Because the Schirmacher ouachitites are only represented by a few samples it is impossible to discuss the petrogenesis of this magma. However, according to trace element and isotopic characteristics, it can be ruled out that Schirmacher ouachitites and associated minettes (documented inHoch, 1997;Hoch andTobschall, 1998) were derived from the same mantle reservoir.

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Geochemie und Petrologie von Ouachititen aus der Schirmacher Oase, Ostantarktika

Zusammenfassung In dieser Arbeit werden petrologische und geochemische Daten von Ouachititen aus der Schirmacher Oase vorgestellt. Der beprobte Gang intrudierte in das metamorphe Basement des ostantarktischen Kratons. Zonierte Phlogopite und diopsidische bis salitische Pyroxene sind die häufigsten mafischen Einsprenglinge. K-reiche Nepheline bilden die Hauptmineralphase der Grundmasse. Charakteristisch für die Ouachititproben sind niedrige SiO₂-Konzentrationen (bis 36.5 Gew.%) und mg#, aber hohe Gehalte an Al₂O₃ Alkalien und volatilen Bestandteilen. Die Spurenelementzusammensetzung der Schirmacher Ouachitite unterscheidet sich von UML-Proben aus anderen Regionen durch ihre extrem geringen Cr- und Ni-Konzentrationen und die vergleichsweise niedrigen Anreicherungen an LILE und LREE. Die bearbeiteten Gesteine zeigen niedrige¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd- und erhöhte⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr-Verhältnisse. Die Pb-Isotopie der Ouachitite entspricht der von MORB. 6180-Werte variieren zwischen 4.1 und 4.7⁰/₀₀, was auf eine eventuelle Beeinflussung durch meteorische Wässer hindeutet. Da von den Schirmacher Ouachititen nur wenige Proben für eine Bearbeitung zur Verfügung standen, ist es nicht möglich, die Petrogenese des Magmas zu diskutieren. Aber aufgrund der Spurenelement- und Isotopensignaturen kann ein gemeinsames Mantelreservoir der Schirmacher Ouachitite und Minette (beschrieben inHoch, 1997;Hoch undTobschall, 1998) ausgeschlossen werden.

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With 6 Figures     

Clay mineralogy of the ocean sediments from the Wilkes Land margin,east Antarctica: implications on the paleoclimate,provenance and sediment dispersal pattern

Core U1359 collected from the continental rise off Wilkes Land, east Antarctica, is analyzed for the clay mineralogy and carbon content. The temporal variation of the clay mineralogical data shows a dominance of illite with chlorite, smectite and kaolinite in decreasing concentration. Clay mineral illite is negatively correlated with smectite which shows enrichment during 6.2–6.8, 5.5–5.8, 4.5 and 2.5 Ma. The mineralogical analyses on the silt size fraction (2–53 μm) of some selected samples were also carried out. The combined result of both the size fractions shows the presence of chlorite and illite in both size fractions, smectite and kaolinite only in clay size fraction (<2 μm) and similarity in the crystallinity and chemistry of illite in both fractions. Similar nature of illite in both fractions suggests negligible role of sorting probably due to the deposition from the waxing ice sheet. During times of ice growth, nearby cratonic east Antarctica shield provided biotite-rich sediments to the depositional site. On the other hand, the presence of smectite, only in the clay size fraction, suggests the effective role of sorting probably due to the deposition from distal source in ice retreat condition. During times of ice retreat, smectite-rich sediment derived from Ross Orogen is transported to the core site through surface or bottom water currents. Poor crystallinity of illite due to degradation further corroborates the ice retreat condition. The ice sheet proximal sediments of U1359 show that in the eastern part of Wilkes Land, the ‘warming’ was initiated during late Miocene.     

福建闽江和九龙江现代沉积物重矿物特征及其物源意义*

通过对闽江和九龙江沿岸沉积物中重矿物的分析,发现重矿物组合与源区岩石具有极好的相关性。两条河流流域重矿物组合为不透明铁矿类—绿帘石—锆石—电气石—角闪石,特征矿物为绿帘石,含量高达原生透明重矿物比重的70%,其成因除与高级变质岩有关外,还与中酸性岩浆岩及其与围岩接触蚀变发生的绿帘石化有关。从重矿物组合、重矿物特征指数以及与锆石年龄谱系的比对分析发现,闽江流域重矿物源自闽西北武夷山前寒武纪的变质岩、闽东广泛出露的燕山期岩浆岩和接触变质岩,而九龙江流域重矿物源自闽西南的印支—燕山期花岗岩。闽江上游沉积物重矿物以源自高级变质岩的重矿物为特征,中下游由上游来源的重矿物和下游酸性岩浆岩及接触变质岩形成的重矿物共同构成;九龙江以印支—燕山期花岗岩中的副矿物组合为特征。研究结果显示,对于中小流域面积的河流,由于搬运距离有限,重矿物组合保存的源岩信息量大,可作为研究流域内构造演化和源汇对比的重要手段。     

Trend-surface analysis of distribution of some heavy minerals in shelf sediments off Mangalore, India

The mineralogy of the 0.062–0.125 and 0.125–0.25 mm fractions of 58 selected samples from a set of 78 samples collected at a spacing of 1–2 km in the inner shelf of Mangalore were studied. Trend-surface analysis of distribution of the heavy minerals, hornblende, muscovite, garnet, and sillimanite, were made to determine the various factors controlling the mineral-distribution patterns in the area. Parts of the area showing contrasting environments were analyzed separately to determine the relationship of the regional and local trends and the various factors controlling the trends. The linear, quadratic and cubic trends for hornblende, garnet, and sillimanite were controlled by the source, westerly river flow and southerly currents; for mica, the response to processes has been the main factor. The mineral distribution in this area is mainly the result of dynamic interaction of process and response elements and a process-response model is suggested.Published with permission of the Director General, Geological Survey of India.     

青藏高原东缘宜宾地区第四纪河流沉积物中铁质重矿物特征及物源意义

大河流域的发育史和演化在地学界广受关注。探讨宜宾地区第四纪沉积物中铁质重矿物的特征,可为长江流域的演化提供重要证据,同时对于了解青藏高原东缘的隆升及沉积响应具有重要意义。本文以金沙江和岷江交汇处的宜宾地区第四纪沉积物中的铁质重矿物为研究对象,分析其在电子探针和背散射图像中的化学和形貌学特征,探究长江及其支流的物源演化过程。研究结果显示:岷江下游Ⅴ级阶地至Ⅳ级阶地沉积以磁铁矿为主,物源主要来自龙门山构造带;Ⅲ级阶地沉积以钛铁矿为主,物源仍然主要来自龙门山构造带;现代沉积中蓝晶石、磷灰石等包裹体的铁质矿物增多,其物源来自龙门山构造带和松潘—甘孜褶皱带。岷江Ⅴ级至Ⅲ级阶地形成时,岷江的源头主要位于龙门山构造带;Ⅲ级阶地形成以后,岷江不断向上溯源侵蚀,深入松潘—甘孜褶皱带内,逐渐形成现代岷江。金沙江Ⅴ级阶地和长江Ⅴ级阶地中均未出现攀枝花钒钛磁铁矿,此时金沙江攀枝花—宜宾河段未贯通,长江此时在研究区的物源主要由发源于龙门山构造带的岷江提供。金沙江Ⅳ级阶地中攀枝花钒钛磁铁矿大量出现,表明此时金沙江攀枝花—宜宾河段已经贯通,时间为Ⅳ级阶地开始沉积的时间,即0.5~0.3 Ma BP。     

Textural characteristics of the Krishna River sediments,India

To evaluate the magnitude of variation in grain size distribution in the Krishna river, bed sediments and suspended sediments collected along the length of the river have been studied. There are both temporal and seasonal variation in the grain size distribution of suspended sediments. The statistical parameters show the change along the river in a non-linear fashion which may be due to human interference and due to different types of sediments contributed by tributaries to the Krishna river. The suspended sediments are mostly fine silt (4 to 16m), poorly sorted, showing coarse to fine skewed and are platyto leptokurtic. The bed sediments are mostly medium sand (350m) showing moderate to well sorted, coarse to fine skewed and are platy- to leptokurtic. The CM diagram of Krishna river bed sediments suggests that deposition takes place by (1) rolling (2) rolling and suspension and (3) graded suspension. The suspended sediments represent deposits of uniform suspension.     

Textural studies on red sediments of Bhimunipatnam,Andhra Pradesh,east coast of India

The study presents the textural characteristics of late Quaternary red sediments of Bhimunipatnam to understand the process of formation of these sediments. The red sediments are classified into (a) yellow sediments (b) reddish brown sediments (c) brick red sediments and (d) light yellow sediments sequence in the vertical litho section. The yellow sediments, rests on the khondalite basement, comprises of medium grained, moderate to poorly sorted and positively skewed. The rounded pebble beds with trough cross bedding indicate high energy turbulent conditions of deposition. The fining upward sequences indicate sediments were deposited under decreasing energy conditions under fluvial regime.The iron bearing minerals like garnets and pyriboles have undergone chemical weathering under high oxidizing environment resulting in addition of silt and clay to the reddish brown and brick red sediments and concretions were formed by carbonate precipitation. These processes caused changes in the mean grain size and sorting nature of these sediments which are originally aeolian in origin. The light yellow sediments were medium to fine grained, well sorted and similar to modern dune sands in terms of textural parameters. These sediments were deposited under low oxidation environmental conditions and acquired yellow colour due to Fe hydroxides.     

广西典型近岸海域表层沉积物碎屑矿物分布及其物源意义

基于"我国重点海岸带滨海环境地质调查与评价"项目,分析了广西典型岸段20 m以浅的海域表层沉积物和地貌类型及其分布特征,并在此基础上探讨了碎屑矿物含量和种类的分布、变化以及组合.研究结果表明:研究区水动力较强,作用方式多样,有近30种碎屑矿物,其中主要有石英、长石、钛铁矿、云母、锆石、黄铁矿以及海绿石等,重矿物较为丰富;自全新世早期海侵以来,研究区先后进入了浅海海湾相沉积环境,但碎屑矿物种类与之前基本相似,其含量变化是由于气候和海平面的波动而致;研究区碎屑矿物在以沉积物和地貌类型为单位的各类地质单元中,其含量和种类均有所不同,尤以重矿物的变异性最为突出;各研究区重矿物组合可分为2~3个亚分区,均反映出与沉积环境关系密切.结果表明,研究区碎屑物质主要源于周缘陆区风化剥蚀、海岸侵蚀和河流输入,碎屑物质具有陆源性.     

Sr, Nd, Pb and O Isotopes of Minettes from Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica: a Case of Mantle Metasomatism involving Subducted Continental Material

Numerous minette dykes intersect the Precambrian crystallinebasement of Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica. This study presentsnew Sr, Nd, Pb and O isotope data for 11 minette samples fromfour different dykes. The samples are characterized by relativelyhigh ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr (0·7077–0·7134), ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb(15·45–15·55) and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb (37·8–39·8),combined with low ¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd (     

南海西部表层沉积物碎屑矿物分布特征及其物源

南海西部海域的物源研究程度相对较低,尤其对中段的物源有较大的争议。通常认为中部没有大河注入,其物源主要来自其南北的湄公河和红河。笔者通过对该区表层沉积物的系统取样及碎屑矿物分析鉴定认为,碎屑矿物主要分布于南部陆架区和中部陆坡区域。根据因子分析,南海西部碎屑矿物可以明显分为南部、中部、北部三区。南区陆架碎屑矿物主要由重矿物金红石、锐钛矿、白钛矿、锆石、透闪石、十字石及轻矿物石英、长石等组成,原岩应以岩浆岩类为主,包括部分变质岩;中区陆坡以十字石、透闪石、电气石、褐铁矿及黑云母、白云母为主,原岩可能主要为变质岩类;北区陆坡碎屑矿物少,组合特征不明显。各区不仅组合特征明显不同,且各区分界明显,表明其物质来源明显不同,南区物源主要来自红河和加里曼丹岛;中部海域的碎屑矿物组合与中南半岛大量出露的变质岩基本吻合,表明其物源主要来自中南半岛,而不是来自其南北的湄公河和红河。     

Methods for measuring components of radiative-heat balance of the surface and depths of seasonal thawing in the area of Schirmacher Oasis (Antarctica)

This article is based on the results of seasonal field works during 2007–2008 in the area of the Schirmacher Oasis, as well as on the Aerodromnaya (Air Port), Palets (Finger), Nunataki, and Bazisnaya (Base) Mountains near the Novolazarevskaya Station (Antarctica). The methods used to perform research on the components of the radiative-heat balance of the surface, thermal conductivity, and depths of seasonal thawing are discussed.     

Metamorphic Evolution of Charnockites and Felsic Gneisses from the Schirmacher Region,East Antarctica

The structural and petrographic studies of the metamorphic rocks of the Schirmacher region, East Antarctica, indicate polyphase metamorphism, dominantly of an early granulite and later amphibolite facies metamorphism. In order to understand the metamorphic evolution of the region, the temperature and pressure of metamorphism has been estimated for felsic gneisses and charnockites using conventional models of geothermometry and geobarometry. The studies showed that, the early granulite facies metamorphism and charnockitization took place around 827±29°C at 7.3±0.3 kbar, while the later amphibolite facies metamorphism and granitization took place around 654±27°C at 5.4±0.4 kbar. The pressure and temperature recorded in these rocks suggest that metamorphism was initiated at 20 to 27 km depth, with a geothermal gradient of around 32°C/km. The P-T conditions reflect isobaric cooling path, with a gentle dP/dT slope (∼10±1 bar/°C). The isobaric cooling path owes its origin to the underplating of crust by mantle derived magmas.     

云蒙湖表层沉积物重金属分布特征及风险评价

为了解云蒙湖表层沉积物中重金属的污染状况,选取云蒙湖沉积物中6种重金属(Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Cd、As)作为研究对象,测定并分析其在云蒙湖表层沉积物中的分布、来源及生态风险,以期为云蒙湖沉积物中重金属污染治理及饮用水安全保障提供依据。采用富集系数法、相关性分析及聚类分析对重金属来源进行分析,并选用富集系数法、地累积指数法和潜在生态危害指数法对重金属污染程度及潜在生态危害进行了评价。结果表明:云蒙湖表层沉积物中6种重金属Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr、Cd、As平均含量分别为20.9、73.1、23.1、62.0、0.4和4.5 mg/kg;与临沂市土壤背景比较,Cd、Zn和Cr的含量超过临沂市土壤背景值,Cd污染最严重。重金属来源分析结果显示:Cd受人类活动影响较大,可能与区域农业和林业施肥有关;Cu、Zn、Pb、Cr和 As这几种重金属以自然来源为主。综合富集系数法、地累积指数法和潜在生态危害指数法3种评价方法的结果得出,云蒙湖表层沉积物中Cd 为最主要的污染元素,且具有较强的生态危害。     

Sedimentological characteristics, heavy metal distribution and magnetic properties in subtidal sediments, Ria de Pontevedra, NW Spain

The rias of NW Spain are coastal ecosystems of high biological productivity and great economic importance. They are intensively exploited by man for fish and shellfish. There are a number of important centres of population and industrial activity along their margins, which serve as sources of contamination. In this context, it is desirable to achieve the best possible understanding of the physico‐chemical processes that control spatial and temporal variations in the geochemical, mineralogical and sedimentological characteristics of near‐surface sediments in the Ria de Pontevedra and, in particular, the distribution and mobility of heavy metal contaminants. Thus, adequate environmental planning can be achieved for this site and understanding gained for comparable contexts. Core samples were examined from the inner, middle and outer parts of the ria. Grain‐size distributions reflect the presence of two main populations, one dominated by silt and clay, derived mainly from terrestrial sources, and the other by fine sand to coarse silt, which is derived mainly from continental shelf and ria mouth sources. Mineralogical analysis shows an abundance of terrestrial intensive‐weathering products near the ria head, a dominance of shelf‐derived sediment towards the mouth and the presence of several diagenetic minerals whose nature varies with location within the ria. In the inner ria, the near‐surface sediments are slightly enriched in Pb, Cu and Zn from anthropogenic sources. These sediments are fine grained and have a high organic content; hence, they have a higher potential to sorb contaminants than the coarser grained, less organic‐rich sediments of the mid and outer ria. The estimated sedimentation rates for the fine‐grained organic‐rich sediments from the inner part of the ria are about 1 mm year^–1. The dominant authigenic minerals in the inner ria are iron sulphides, whereas in the mid and outer ria, iron silicates and oxyhydroxides are more important. These differences in authigenic iron mineralogy are clearly reflected by the magnetic properties of the sediments.     

Textural characteristics and genesis of the aeolian sediments in the Kuwaiti desert

Several types of aeolian deposits have been recognized in Kuwait: (a) smooth sand sheets that resemble desert floor sand, (b) immobile sands that include rugged vegetated sand sheets and wadi fill deposits, and (c) mobile sands that form active sand sheets and sand dunes. Simple size frequency curves illustrate the genetic relationship between the various aeolian sediment types. The four size parameters, namely, mean size, sorting, skewness and kurtosis, were calculated. Scatter plot diagrams of sorting versus mean size and sorting versus kurtosis are effective in differentiating smooth sand sheet deposits from dune sands. Active sand sheet deposits can also be recognized because they are usually located between the two end members–smooth sand sheets and dune sands. Size parameters change with location regardless of their types. Coarsening and positive skewness usually increase downwind. Mineralogical and textural characteristics of the aeolian deposits in Kuwait revealed that they are mostly derived from the lower Mesopotamian muddy flood plain deposits, the sand fraction of the Al-Dibdibba gravelly deposits and the disintegrated material from calcretic and gypcretic duricrusts. Distribution of depositional and deflational areas indicates that the northern desert of Kuwait is characterized by a positive sand budget, whereas the southern desert has a negative sand budget.     

南海北部湾全新世以来沉积物地球化学特征及物源分析

为探讨全新世以来南海北部湾沉积物的沉积环境变化,对北部湾海域的SO-31沉积物柱状样进行了元素地球化学分析。根据元素地球化学的垂向分布特征,将SO-31沉积柱划分为3个单元,反映了全新世不同时期的区域海平面波动以及沉积物物源的变化。SO-31沉积柱的稀土元素配分曲线和La/Co与La/Sc散点图分析表明:111 400~12 800 a BP(全新世前期),研究区海平面较低,红河、其他周边河流及海岸侵蚀物均为本区的主要物源;28 500~1 1400 a BP(全新世早期),随着海平面的逐渐上升,河口和岸线逐渐后退,各物源供给区对本区沉积物的贡献量也发生了相应变化,相对而言红河贡献率有所下降;30~8 500 a BP(中全新世至今),区域海平面持续上升导致了琼州海峡打开,北部湾水动力环境和物源供给发生了剧变,红河对本区的物源贡献逐渐变小,而来自北部湾东部的物质成为本区沉积物的主要物源。     

Textural and geochemical characteristics of the Ajali Sandstone,Anambra Basin,SE Nigeria: Implication for its provenance

This study presents the mineralogical, textural and geochemical characteristics of the regional Maastrichtian Ajali Sandstone in Anambra Basin, SE Nigeria. The intent is to highlight possible constraints on the chemical weathering conditions of the source materials on one hand, and to infer the provenance on the other hand. The investigation approach involved field studies and collection of samples from 12 different outcrop locations, followed by laboratory studies involving grain-size analysis (GSA), major and trace elements analyses using the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method as well as thin section petrography. Field studies show that the sandstones are friable at all locations and range in color from white in freshly cut stone, to reddish brown on weathering. In addition, the sandstone units are cross-bedded and show graded bedding exemplified by fining upward sequence. Textural examination indicates that the sandstones range from fine to medium sands, constituting about 76 to 99% sand fraction, with graphic mean grain size of 0.23 to 0.53 mm. Standard deviation (sorting) ranges from 0.56 to 1.24 Ø and implies moderately well sorted sediments. Inferred from the textural indices, the depo-environmental discrimination of the Ajali Sandstone revealed a fluvial/river system-dominated sedimentary process. The sandstones are quartz arenite with quartz greater than 90% and less than 5% K-feldspar which indicate a predominant basement source as also revealed by the heavy mineral assemblages. In addition, major elemental oxides shows SiO₂ content greater than 96% for the fresh Ajali Sandstone samples with extreme depletion of mobile oxides such as Na₂O, CaO and the ferromagnesian minerals through weathering and sedimentary processes. Provenance and tectonic setting discrimination using geochemical data and compositional maturity revealed typical felsic igneous-dominated cratonic environment while inter-elemental ratios (such as Zr/Cr, Y/Ni, Th/Sc, La/Sc and La/Co) and ternary plots (e.g. Th–Sc–Zr; La-Th–Sc and Th-Co-Zr) reflect passive continental margin setting for the Ajali Sandstone. Consequently, the source area is constrained to the Precambrian basement rock units of Adamawa-Oban massif areas to the east of the Anambra Basin and the adjacent Abakaliki Anticlinorium.     

溧阳盆地东南缘永坞头地区自然重砂异常圈定及其物源区分析

自然重砂测量是矿产勘查的重要手段之一,以往的自然重砂测量工作主要侧重于目标矿物量的研究,圈定的异常仅有矿物含量的意义,忽视了矿物迁移、富集规律,很大程度上影响了找矿效果。以溧阳永坞头地区为例,从重矿物剥蚀、迁移、富集规律出发,对自然重砂数据进行整理,重新圈定重砂异常,并利用重矿物组合特征、稳定系数及特征指数（ZTR）对异常源区进行判断。研究表明,圈定的2处锡石自然重砂异常源区分别为永坞头404.60高地—413.10高地一带以及387.60高地一带。