Molybdenum isotope composition from Yangtze block continental margin and its indication to organic burial rate

The paper presents the molybdenum isotope data, along with the trace element content, to investigate the geochemical behavior of authigenic Mo during long-term burial in sediments in continental margin settings of the Yangtze block, as well as their indication to the burial of original organic carbon. The burial rate of original organic carbon was estimated on the basis of the amount of sedimentary sulfur (TS content), whilst the carbon loss by aerobic degradation was estimated according to calculated Mn contents. On these points, the original organic carbon flux was calculated, exhibiting a large range of variation (0.17–0.67 mmol/m²/day). The strong correlation between sedimentary Mo isotope values and organic carbon burial rates previously proposed on the basis of the investigations on modern ocean sediments, was also used here to estimate the organic carbon burial rate. The data gained through this model showed that organic carbon burial rates have large variations, ranging from 0.43–2.87 mmol/m²/day. Although the two sets of data gained through different geochemical records in the Yangtze block show a deviation of one order of magnitude, they do display a strong correlation. It is thus tempting to speculate that the Mo isotope signature of sediments may serve as a tracer for the accumulation rate of original organic carbon in the continental margin sediments. __________ Translated from Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 2007, 32(6) [译自: 地球科学—中国地质大学学报]     

Sediment oxygen consumption and benthic nutrient fluxes on the Louisiana continental shelf: A methodological comparison

There has been considerable discussion but little experimental evidence regarding the comparability of in-situ and remote (shipboard or laboratory) incubations for the determination of sediment oxygen consumption and benthic nutrient flux rates. This paper presents the results of such a comparison, using in situ chamber and shipboard chemostatic systems, for a shallow station on the Louisiana, continental shelf during April 1992. Results indicated no methodological differences between rates of sediment oxygen consumption and nutrient flux (NH₄ ⁺, NO₅ ^?, NO₂ ^?, PO₄ ^3?, and SiO₂/Si(OH)₂) that could be attributed to the removal of cores from shelf sediments. This conclusion implies that subcoring from box cores is no more destructive of sediment structure and salient environmental characteristics than chamber emplacement. Differences between the methods occurred when ambient oxygen concentrations were low (<2 ml l^?1). These differences were caused by initial reaeration of bottom water in the shipboard system and reflect the sensitivity of heterotrophic metabolism, dissolution kinetics, and diffusive fluxes to low oxygen concentrations. The differences in exchange rates observed in this study reiterate the importance in maintaining ambient conditions in the experimental apparatus. The results of this study corroborate the small body of, data that addresses this issue and extends methodological similarities to include nutrient exchanges. Given the comparability of rates, use of remote chemostatic systems is more advantageous for work in shelf environments than in-situ batch methods due to increased statistical rigor, logistical convenience, and the ability to minimize changes in experimental conditions during incubations.     

Speciation and spatial distribution of solid-phase iron in surface sediments of the East China Sea continental shelf

Speciation and reactivity characterization of solid-phase Fe in marine sediments are of significance to understanding its heterogeneous mineralogy and crystallinity, the diagenetic cycling of Fe and its regulating roles on many other elements in sediments. In this study, a combination of sequential and single-step extractions was used for the determination of seven Fe pools in surface sediments of the East China Sea (ECS) continental shelf: (1) carbonate associated Fe (Fe(II)_carb) plus acid volatile sulfide-Fe (Fe(II)_AVS), (2) easily reducible amorphous/poorly crystalline Fe oxides (Fe_ox1), (3) reducible crystalline Fe oxides (Fe_ox2), (4) magnetite (Fe_mag), (5) poorly reactive sheet silicate Fe (Fe_PRS), (6) pyrite-Fe (Fe_py), and (7) unreactive silicate Fe (Fe_U). Total Fe (Fe_T) in the sediments is largely determined by terrestrial aluminosilicate particles as indicated by a great similarity of the Fe_T with that of the Yangtze River and global riverine particulates. The size of Fe_PRS is found to be the largest pool, followed by Fe_U, Fe_ox2, Fe_mag, Fe(II)_AVS+carb, Fe_ox1 and Fe_py. The large Fe_PRS may result from neoformation of Fe-rich clay minerals via reverse weathering and subsequent ageing. The small sizes of Fe(II)_AVS+carb and Fe_py pools is believed to be the result of low SO₄ reduction due to generally low labile organic matter together with the oxic/suboxic, dynamic environments of the surface sediments. The occurrence of Fe_ox1, Fe_ox2 and Fe_PRS in the sediments is closely associated with the clay fraction as indicated by a high spatial correlation between the former and the latter. Highly reactive Fe(Fe_HR) in the sediments is comparable to that in global marine sediments, but apparently lower than in the Yangtze River and global riverine particulates due probably to sequestration in the Yangtze Estuary. The ratios of Fe_HR/Fe_T, Fe_PR/Fe_T and Fe_U/Fe_T in the ECS surface sediments consistently show more similarity to those in the Yangtze River particulates than in the global continental margin or deep-sea sediments. The surface sediments maintain a high level of buffering capacity toward sulfidation suggested by a large fraction of highly reactive Fe(III) oxides (Fe(III)_HR) in Fe_HR.     

内蒙古白云鄂博稀土、铁矿床的硅同位素组成

主矿、东矿矿石及其中的钠辉石、钠闪石、黑云母的δ30Si值相近，大多在-1.0‰--0.3‰之间，低于H1-H2石英砂岩、石英岩的δ30Si值（0-0.1‰）。北铁矿石为0-0.1‰，北矿区塞乌素金矿的δ30Si值为-0.5%--0.2‰；它们之间无成因联系。     

Thallium isotope composition of the upper continental crust and rivers—An investigation of the continental sources of dissolved marine thallium

The thallium (Tl) concentrations and isotope compositions of various river and estuarine waters, suspended riverine particulates and loess have been determined. These data are used to evaluate whether weathering reactions are associated with significant Tl isotope fractionation and to estimate the average Tl isotope composition of the upper continental crust as well as the mean Tl concentration and isotope composition of river water. Such parameters provide key constraints on the dissolved Tl fluxes to the oceans from rivers and mineral aerosols.The Tl isotope data for loess and suspended riverine detritus are relatively uniform with a mean of ε²⁰⁵Tl = −2.0 ± 0.3 (ε²⁰⁵Tl represents the deviation of the ²⁰⁵Tl/²⁰³Tl isotope ratio of a sample from NIST SRM 997 Tl in parts per 10⁴). For waters from four major and eight smaller rivers, the majority were found to have Tl concentrations between 1 and 7 ng/kg. Most have Tl isotope compositions very similar (within ±1.5 ε²⁰⁵Tl) to that deduced for the upper continental crust, which indicates that no significant Tl isotope fractionation occurs during weathering. Based on these results, it is estimated that rivers have a mean natural Tl concentration and isotope composition of 6 ± 4 ng/kg and ε²⁰⁵Tl = −2.5 ± 1.0, respectively.In the Amazon estuary, both additions and losses of Tl were observed, and these correlate with variations in Fe and Mn contents. The changes in Tl concentrations have much lower amplitudes, however, and are not associated with significant Tl isotope effects. In the Kalix estuary, the Tl concentrations and isotope compositions can be explained by two-component mixing between river water and a high-salinity end member that is enriched in Tl relative to seawater. These results indicate that Tl can display variable behavior in estuarine systems but large additions and losses of Tl were not observed in the present study.     

The seismicity of the norwegian and Greenland Seas and adjacent continental shelf areas

The seismic activity of the Norwegian and Greenland Seas and adjacent areas has been examined in view of the tectonic evolution of the North Atlantic. The 529 earthquakes used covered the period 1955–1972, and for fifteen of these events fault-plane solutions were available. An analysis was made of the location precision which turned out to be better than 20 km in most cases. Expectedly, little new evidence was obtained at the midoceanic ridges and major fracture zones, with possible exceptions of the Knipovich Ridge showing a well-defined seismicity belt supporting the idea of an active spreading ridge, and the Spitsbergen Fracture Zone, which seems to be a system of en-echelon faults. Most interesting is a weak linear event pattern in the Lofoten Basin, possibly giving evidence of unknown structures parallel to the Greenland and Senja Fracture Zones, although sediment loading also may be important. Earthquakes along the shelf edge off Norway are located at or near isostatic gravity belts which may act as hinge lines for the marginal subsidence, thus implying stress release caused by differential subsidence of the continental crust. Part of the seismicity of eastern Greenland and western Norway appears to be related to zones of weakness of pre-Cenozoic age. The seismic activity along the edges of the Norwegian Channel is very limited.     

锂同位素分析方法及其在大陆裂谷环境碳酸岩研究中的应用

锂同位素在地质学、地球化学研究中有着广阔的应用前景,壳-幔相互作用过程的锂同位素地球化学研究已经成为近年来国际上研究的热点之一。锂同位素在自然界中的变化较大,δ⁷Li 值为-45‰～+45‰。锂同位素分析手段目前主要有TIMS、Ion Probe、SIMS、MC-ICPMS等4种技术,其中MC-ICPMS仪器的出现,使锂同位素发展速度明显加快。自然界中很多地质作用过程均能使锂同位素发生分馏。目前,锂同位素已在陨石和宇宙化学、陆壳风化过程、洋壳热液活动及蚀变、板块俯冲及壳幔物质循环、地表水地球化学、卤水来源与演化、热液成矿作用等领域的研究中取得了显著成效,并将成为地球科学中具有巨大应用前景的一种新的地球化学手段。文章对锂同位素在大陆裂谷环境碳酸岩研究中的应用作了较全面介绍,内容包括研究意义、锂含量和锂同位素组成以及取得的主要认识,比如蚀变作用、岩浆分异作用、地壳同化作用和扩散分馏作用均未对碳酸岩、硅酸盐的锂同位素组成造成影响、俯冲作用和地壳循环均没有明显影响地幔的锂同位素组成、地幔温度条件下锂扩散模拟表明地幔中的锂更均一等等。最后简单对比了大陆裂谷环境和碰撞造山环境两类碳酸岩在锂同位素组成上的差别。     

干旱化对成土碳酸盐碳同位素组成的影响

土壤碳酸盐的碳同位素组成可以作为古环境变化的指标.本文对黄土高原地区S1以来成土碳酸盐和红粘土中碳酸盐的碳同位素进行了研究.根据渭南、吉县、长武和会宁4个剖面末次间冰期以来土壤碳酸盐的碳同位素分析结果,探讨了不同气候条件下成土碳酸盐碳同位素组成的特征及其环境意义,指出气候的干湿程度可能是影响黄土地区成土碳酸盐δ13C值的主要原因;西峰红粘土序列碳酸盐的碳同位素记录表明,δ13C值在4.0Ma B.P.前后有一个明显增加的趋势,反映了我国西北地区上新世干旱化的发展,可能与青藏高原在这一时期发生较大规模的隆升有关.     

The morphology and late Quaternary paleogeomorphology of the continental shelf off Sydney,NSW

Shallow seismic-reflection profiling and proton-precession magnetometry have been conducted over the continental shelf off Sydney between Broken Bay (in the north) and Bate Bay (in the south) as well as over part of the upper continental slope in the area east of the coastline between Narrabeen and Port Hacking. In this area, four major paleodrainage channels incise the bedrock, within the coastal estuaries and on the inner and mid-shelf:

1. the Hawkesbury paleo-watercourse, which is joined offshore by four lesser paleochannels, that we call the Newport, Mona Vale, Narrabeen and Long Reef paleo-watercourses;

2. the Parramatta paleo-watercourse, which is joined by the Bondi paleo-watercourse;

3. the Botany paleo-watercourse and

4. the Georges paleo-watercourse, which is joined under the Kurnell Peninsula land isthmus by the Cooks paleo-watercourse, and then by the Hacking paleo-watercourses in Bate Bay.

Of these paleodrainages, only that of the Hawkesbury River has discernible expression at depths >120 m, the sea-level low and inferred paleo-shoreline of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) at ca 20 ka. Some of the lesser paleo-watercourses are manifested only at depths shallower than the ?120 m paleo-shoreline and include those of the Maroubra paleo-watercourse and the combined Manly/North Head paleo-watercourses. Paleochannels detected below the LGM shoreline are those of:

• the ancestral Hawkesbury River;

• the minor Peak paleo-watercourse east of Coogee, which is discernible at depths shallower than the ?100 m isobath and is maintained to depths greater than ?210 m; and

• the minor Island paleo-watercourse whose head terminates at ～?140 m east of Bronte, lies entirely below the LGM paleo-shoreline, and can be traced to a depth of ?260 m.

Based on the paleotopographic and sediment-infill geophysical records obtained, 10 stages in the evolution of the paleo-watercourses are proposed.     

The sulfur isotope composition of basaltic rocks

The sulfur isotope composition of tholeiitic basalts, olivine alkali basalts and alkalirich undersaturated basalts were investigated. A method of preparation was devised

1. for the extraction of the small amounts of sulfur contained in the rock samples (about 100 ppm S),
2. for the separation of sulfide- and sulfate-sulfur.

Tholeiitic and olivine alkali basalts show a predominance of sulfide-sulfur. Alkali-rich undersaturated basalts show sulfide- and sulfate-sulfur. The oxidation potential of the magma is reflected in the proportions of sulfide- and sulfate-sulfur. Differences in the conditions of oxidation are also the cause of the sulfur isotope fractionation observed. The mean in the isotope composition of the sulfur in the olivine alkali basalts (with the exception of two samples which show extreme deviation) is δ ³⁴S= +1.3 per mil. The values for the olivine alkali basalts are concentrated around this mean in a remarkable way, showing only small deviation for the individual samples. When the tholeiitic basalts deviate from this mean, it is only with a relative enrichment in the ³²S isotope. With a pronounced variation of the individual values, the mean for the sulfide-sulfur is δ ³⁴S=?0.3 per mil. The few sulfate values of both types of basalt are without significance for the discussion of their origin. However, this does not apply to the alkali-rich undersaturated basalts. Due to the higher water content, this basaltic magma had a higher oxygen partial pressure which favoured the formation of SO₂ and SO ₄ ^2? besides H₂S while pressure was released during the ascent of the magma. The sulfur isotope fractionation connected with this oxidation led to a total enrichment of ³⁴S in the rock, (δ ³⁴S for total sulfur: +3.1 per mil) with particular favouring the sulfate (δ ³⁴S=+4.2 per mil). It is accepted that the sulfur of all three types of basalts derives directly from the mantle. The olivine alkali basalts show the least deviation from the mantle value, which, in the place of origin of the basalts from the region investigated, would probably have been δ ³⁴S=+1.3(±0.5) per mil. From this it may be concluded that the olivine alkali basalts — the most frequent type of basalt in this region — had their origin in the partial melting of the mantle without further differentiation. From the sulfur isotope data we concluded that the primary isotope composition of the continental tholeiitic basalts probably corresponds to that of the olivine-alkali basalts, and to that of the mantle. However, due to degasing in the layers near to the surface, some samples lost ³⁴S, which may be related to the formation of SO₂ during the release of pressure. There is no positive indication of a differentiation in shallow depths (<15 km — in the sense of Green and Ringwood, 1967). The reason for the obvious isotopic fractionation of the alkali-rich undersaturated basalts may be seen in their higher primary water content. This is a pronounced indication of the origin of this type of magma. Bultitude and Green (1968) proved by experiment, that the formation of alkali-rich undersaturated basaltic magma is possible in the mantle in the presence of water. Only a small amount of water is available for the formation of magma in the mantle. With a water content higher than normal for basalts, only small amounts of magma can be formed, but at lower temperatures this would allow the melting of a larger fraction of mantle material. By reaction with the wall rock, these magmas could be enriched in those components of mantle minerals which have the lowest melting point. This may help to explain their geochemical characteristics.     

The sediment infill of subglacial meltwater channels on the West Antarctic continental shelf

Subglacial meltwater plays a significant yet poorly understood role in the dynamics of the Antarctic ice sheets. Here we present new swath bathymetry from the western Amundsen Sea Embayment, West Antarctica, showing meltwater channels eroded into acoustic basement. Their morphological characteristics and size are consistent with incision by subglacial meltwater. To understand how and when these channels formed we have investigated the infill of three channels. Diamictons deposited beneath or proximal to an expanded grounded West Antarctic Ice Sheet are present in two of the channels and these are overlain by glaciomarine sediments deposited after deglaciation. The sediment core from the third channel recovered a turbidite sequence also deposited after the last deglaciation. The presence of deformation till at one core site and the absence of typical meltwater deposits (e.g., sorted sands and gravels) in all three cores suggest that channel incision pre-dates overriding by fast flowing grounded ice during the last glacial period. Given the overall scale of the channels and their incision into bedrock, it is likely that the channels formed over multiple glaciations, possibly since the Miocene, and have been reoccupied on several occasions. This also implies that the channels have survived numerous advances and retreats of grounded ice.     

Biological uptake and accumulation of silica on the Amazon continental shelf

Water column and seabed samples were obtained from 92 stations on the Amazon continental shelf during October of 1979. Uptake of silica near and southeast of the river mouth began at a salinity of 8%. and accounted for 17% of the riverine silica flux to this region. Uptake northwest of the river mouth began at a salinity of 20%. and resulted in 33% removal of the riverine silica flux. Examination of filtered suspended solids revealed abundant diatoms in the surface waters, including Coscinodiscus. Skeletonema, Synedra. and Thalassiosira. The biological uptake of silica appears to be dependent on three factors: turbidity, turbulence, and nutrient availability. There was no evidence of abiological removal of silica in the Amazon estuary. 75 to 88% of the silica removed from surface waters by diatoms dissolves prior to accumulation in the seabed. Based on the mean biogenic silica content of shelf sediment (0.25%) and estimates of rates of sediment accumulation, the biogenic silica accumulation rate on the shelf is 2 × 10¹² g/yr, which represents only 4% of the dissolved silica supplied by the Amazon River. Biological uptake of silica in estuarine surface waters may not accurately reflect permanent removal of biogenic silica to the seabed because of dissolution which occurs in bottom waters and near the sediment-water interface.     

On the iron isotope heterogeneity of lithospheric mantle xenoliths: implications for mantle metasomatism, the origin of basalts and the iron isotope composition of the Earth

With the aim to better understand the cause of the iron isotope heterogeneity of mantle-derived bulk peridotites, we compared the petrological, geochemical and iron isotope composition of four xenolith suites from different geodynamic settings; sub-arc mantle (Patagonia); subcontinental lithospheric mantle (Cameroon), oceanic mantle (Kerguelen) and cratonic mantle (South Africa). Although correlations were not easy to obtain and remain scattered because these rocks record successive geological events, those found between δ⁵⁷Fe, Mg#, some major and trace element contents of rocks and minerals highlight the processes responsible for the Fe isotope heterogeneity. While partial melting processes only account for moderate Fe isotope variations in the mantle (<0.2 ‰, with bulk rock values yielding a range of δ⁵⁷Fe ± 0.1 ‰ relative to IRMM-14), the main cause of Fe isotope heterogeneity is metasomatism (>0.9 ‰). The kinetic nature of rapid metasomatic exchanges between low viscosity melts/fluids and their wall-rocks peridotite in the mantle is the likely explanation for this large range. There are a variety of responses of Fe isotope signatures depending on the nature of the metasomatic processes, allowing for a more detailed study of metasomatism in the mantle with Fe isotopes. The current database on the iron isotope composition of peridotite xenoliths and mafic eruptive rocks highlights that most basalts have their main source deeper than the lithospheric mantle. Finally, it is concluded that due to a complex geological history, Fe isotope compositions of mantle xenoliths are too scattered to define a mean isotopic composition with enough accuracy to assess whether the bulk silicate Earth has a mean δ⁵⁷Fe that is chondritic, or if it is ~0.1 ‰ above chondrites as initially proposed.     

The next frontiers in research on submerged prehistoric sites and landscapes on the continental shelf

Submerged prehistory has emerged as a key topic within archaeology over the last decade. During this period the broader academic community has become aware of its potential for revolutionising our understanding of the past. With recent technological and scientific developments has come an opportunity to investigate larger areas and learn more than previously thought possible. When charting the future of the subject, however, it is also necessary to consider its historical trajectory. This sense of opportunity and optimism has been experienced before, but not sustained. As such, our greatest challenge lies not in adopting technological developments, but in maintaining momentum.     

The deglaciation of the western sector of the Irish Ice Sheet from the inner continental shelf to its terrestrial margin

This paper provides a new deglacial chronology for retreat of the Irish Ice Sheet from the continental shelf of western Ireland to the adjoining coastline, a region where the timing and drivers of ice recession have never been fully constrained. Previous work suggests maximum ice-sheet extent on the outer western continental shelf occurred at ~26–24 cal. ka BP with the initial retreat of the ice marked by the production of grounding-zone wedges between 23–21.1 cal. ka BP. However, the timing and rate of ice-sheet retreat from the inner continental shelf to the present coast are largely unknown. This paper reports 31 new terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide (TCN) ages from erratics and ice-moulded bedrock and three new optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages on deglacial outwash. The TCN data constrain deglaciation of the near coast (Aran Islands) to ~19.5–18.5 ka. This infers ice retreated rapidly from the mid-shelf after 21 ka, but the combined effects of bathymetric shallowing and pinning acted to stabilize the ice at the Aran Islands. However, marginal stability was short-lived, with multiple coastal sites along the Connemara/Galway coasts demonstrating ice recession under terrestrial conditions by 18.2–17. ka. This pattern of retreat continued as ice retreated eastward through inner Galway Bay by 16.5 ka. South of Galway, the Kilkee–Kilrush Moraine Complex and Scattery Island moraines point to late stage re-advances of the ice sheet into southern County Clare ~14.1–13.3 ka, but the large errors associated with the OSL ages make correlation with other regional re-advances difficult. It seems more likely that these moraines are the product of regional ice lobes adjusting to internal ice-sheet dynamics during deglaciation in the time window 17–16 ka.     

The study of chemical composition of 35 iron meteorites and its application in taxonomy

Reported in this paper are structural and compositional data as the basis for the classification of 35 iron meteorites. The Xingjiang iron meteorite, previously labelled IIIAB, is reclassified as IIIE on the basis of its lower Ga/Ni and Ge/Ni ratios, its wider and swollen kamacite bands and the ubiquitous presence of haxonite, (Fe, Ni)₂₃C. IIICD Dongling appears not to be a new meteorite, but to be paired with Nandan. Four Antarctic iron meteorites IAB Allan Hills A77250, A77263, A77289 and A77290 are classified as paired meteorites based on their similarities in structure, and the concentrations of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Ga, Ge, As, Sb, W, Re, Ir and Au. It is found that Cu shares certain properties with Ga and Ge, which makes it an excellent taxonomic parameter. BecauseK _Cu is near unity, Cu displays a small range of variation within most magmatic groups (less than a factor of 2.2) and, because of its high volatility, large variations can be noticed among groups.     

辽北辽河群碳酸盐岩碳-氧同位素特征及其地质意义

辽宁省关门山地区辽河群形成时代限于2.3～1.85Ga之间,辽河群关门山组白云岩的42件样品的δ13C介于3.5～5.9‰之间,具有明显的正异常特征,δ18O值为15.4‰～24.8‰,指示了对Jatulian事件的响应.其中,未遭受后期流体作用的35件样品的δ18和δ13C明显高于受到流体作用的7件样品,表明流体作用使碳酸盐岩δ18O和δ13C降低.在地质历史中,以2.33～2.06Ga时期的全球性δ13Ccarb正漂移最强烈,而辽河群强烈的δ13Ccarb正漂移现象指示辽河群沉积于2.33～2.06Ga之间.     

西天山智博铁矿床黄铁矿成分特征及硫同位素研究

智博大型磁铁矿床位于新疆西天山阿吾拉勒铁铜成矿带东段,主要矿石矿物为磁铁矿,主要共生金属矿物为黄铁矿。文章通过对黄铁矿进行矿物成因研究来推测矿床成因及特征。本次研究选择2个成矿期的矿石及围岩中的黄铁矿进行电子探针及硫同位素研究。电子探针数据显示岩浆期黄铁矿w(Co)平均为4703×10~(-6),大于热液期w(Co)(735.71×10~(-6)),Co/Ni比值(平均18.53)也大于热液期黄铁矿Co/Ni比值(平均0.96);S/Se比值多数集中于1000～8000之间。部分Co/Ni、Se/Te、S/Se比值落入热液成因范围内,暗示了热液流体参与成矿的可能性。而Co-Co/Ni图解显示岩浆期矿石和热液期矿石具有一定的继承性。黄铁矿中δ~(34)S值介于-1.2‰和0.3‰之间,表明硫主要来源于幔源硫。智博铁矿床矿石主要为岩浆成因,但岩浆期后热液及其他热液流体也参与了晚阶段的成矿作用。     

The global hydrologic cycle and its continental links

The terms of “the Global Hydrologic Cycle” and “the river flow”, that is the continental stage of this cycle, are made more exact in this article. The possibility to regard the river flow as a consecutive change of the genetically and qualitatively different water masses is based here. Processes of mixing of the river water masses and transformation of their chemical composition take place in lakes and reservoirs. As a result of it some complicated structures, which consist of water masses of various genesis, form there. It was shown by calculations that it is an especially multicomponent one in man-made lakes with the residence time of approximately 0.5 yr. The structures of the continental links of the Global Hydrologic Cycle are compared. It is shown that the greater is the capture of advective moisture by the continent the more intensive is the continental water cycle and the higher is the river flow from the continent. Simultaneously these processes effect the mean chemical composition of water and the quantity of dissolved matter, flowing from each continent. It is supposed that the growing water consumption will cause different trends of water resources increase for different continents.     

The hafnium isotope composition of Pacific Ocean water

The first Hf isotope data for seawater are reported for a series of stations in the Northwestern Pacific and define a range from ε_Hf = 3.5 ± 1.4 to 8.6 ± 1.6. Most samples have values within error of the average of ε_Hf = 5.9, but significant variations are found in intermediate waters at a depth of 600 m, as well as in deep waters. The Nd and Hf isotope compositions of the deep waters fall within the range of values found for surfaces of hydrogenetic ferromanganese crusts in the region, confirming that Hf in the Fe-Mn crusts has been derived from the overlying water column, which thus provide an archive of past seawater compositions. Although the seawater samples are generally close to the global ε_Nd-ε_Hf correlation obtained from ferromanganese crusts, there are significant deviations from this correlation indicating that there is some additional decoupling between Nd and Hf isotope signals, most likely caused by local water mass mixing and differences in residence times. This is not resolved in the crust samples, which integrate seawater signals over 10⁴ years. The combined use of these two isotope systems in seawater therefore provides an additional dimension for tracing water masses in the oceans. Studies of the distribution of oceanic Hf isotope compositions that have been confined to deep water and boundary waters, as recorded in seafloor ferromanganese crusts, can now be extended and aimed at characterising the entire present-day water column. Average Hf concentrations measured in this study are somewhat lower than previously reported, suggesting a shorter residence time for Hf in the global oceans, although the uncertainty in the extent of Hf removal from the water column during estuarine mixing as well as a lack of data on hydrothermal and dust inputs remains a limit on how well the residence time can be defined.