北京平原沉积物稀土元素地球化学特征及物源意义

文中总结了北京平原永定河、潮白河流域钻孔沉积物中稀土元素分布特征,两流域沉积物稀土元素总量∑REE、轻重稀土比(LREE/HREE)及轻(La/Sm)N、重(Gd/Yb)N稀土分馏特征差异较为显著。粒度对沉积物稀土分布(总量、轻重稀土比及分馏特征)有一定影响;各流域沉积物均表现为轻稀土相对富集、弱Eu负异常的球粒陨石标准化曲线。细颗粒沉积物稀土分馏特征(La/Yb)N有较好的物源示踪意义。根据沉积物(La/Yb)N值对永定河、潮白河交互沉积区不同深度沉积物进行了物源示踪,不同深度上沉积物来源不同。此外,同一流域上、中、下游沉积物稀土分馏特征不同。常量元素Al2O3/Fe2O3与稀土元素(La/Yb)N划分结果相符,但精度低于稀土元素物源分析。     

Rare earth element geochemistry of South Atlantic deep sea sediments: Ce anomaly change at ~54 My

The geochemistry of the REE (rare earth elements) in oceanic sediments is discussed, based mainly on samples from DSDP Holes 530A and 530B, Leg 75, and Hole 525A, Leg 74. The proposed mechanisms for incorporation of the REE into the marine carbonate phases are adsorption, chiefly onto the carbonate minerals and on Sc, Hf, and Ta-rich Fe-Mn hydroxide flocs as carbonate coatings.The Ce anomaly of marine carbonate was used as an indicator of paleo-ocean water redox conditions: the bottom water of the Angola Basin was in a reducing condition in the Cretaceous. At ca. 54 My, the South Atlantic water condition became oxidizing, similar to the present seawater redox condition. This change was related to the improvement of circulation due to the widening of South Atlantic and the subsidence of water circulation barriers such as the Walvis Ridge and perhaps the Romanche Fracture Zone.The younger (Eocene-Recent) and older (Albian-Santonian) argillaceous sedimentary rocks from 530A (denoted as YSAB and OSAB respectively) show different degrees of Eu depletion with a transition period in between. The REE patterns of OSAB suggest a basaltic origin. The possible sources are Kaoko basalt in Southwest Africa or Namibia and the basaltic Walvis Ridge itself. The decrease in the area covered by Kaoko basalt due to erosion, the subsidence of the Walvis Ridge, and the improvement of water circulation led to changes in the Eu anomaly from Campanian to Paleocene, and resulted in the YSAB REE pattern. Changes in the Sm/Eu, La/Th, Th/Yb, Ti/Al₂O₃, FeO/Al₂O₃, and Hf/Al₂O₃ ratios suggest changes of average source rock composition from and esite to granodiorite.The REE abundances and patterns of younger sediments in the Angola Basin (YSAB) are very similar to those observed in NASC, PAAS, and ES sediments. The YSAB REE abundances and patterns may represent the average REE distribution of the exposed African continental crust. The strong resemblance of REE distributions of YSAB, NASC, PAAS and ES suggests thorough REE mixing from different sources and the uniformity of the average crustal compositions of different continents: Africa, North America, Australia, and Europe     

Rare earth element geochemistry of scleractinian coral skeleton during meteoric diagenesis: a sequence through neomorphism of aragonite to calcite

Rare earth element geochemistry in carbonate rocks is utilized increasingly for studying both modern oceans and palaeoceanography, with additional applications for investigating water–rock interactions in groundwater and carbonate diagenesis. However, the study of rare earth element geochemistry in ancient rocks requires the preservation of their distribution patterns through subsequent diagenesis. The subjects of this study, Pleistocene scleractinian coral skeletons from Windley Key, Florida, have undergone partial to complete neomorphism from aragonite to calcite in a meteoric setting; they allow direct comparison of rare earth element distributions in original coral skeleton and in neomorphic calcite. Neomorphism occurred in a vadose setting along a thin film, with degradation of organic matter playing an initial role in controlling the morphology of the diagenetic front. As expected, minor element concentrations vary significantly between skeletal aragonite and neomorphic calcite, with Sr, Ba and U decreasing in concentration and Mn increasing in concentration in the calcite, suggesting that neomorphism took place in an open system. However, rare earth elements were largely retained during neomorphism, with precipitating cements taking up excess rare earth elements released from dissolved carbonates from higher in the karst system. Preserved rare earth element patterns in the stabilized calcite closely reflect the original rare earth element patterns of the corals and associated reef carbonates. However, minor increases in light rare earth element depletion and negative Ce anomalies may reflect shallow oxidized groundwater processes, whereas decreasing light rare earth element depletion may reflect mixing of rare earth elements from associated microbialites or contamination from insoluble residues. Regardless of these minor disturbances, the results indicate that rare earth elements, unlike many minor elements, behave very conservatively during meteoric diagenesis. As the meteoric transformation of aragonite to calcite is a near worst case scenario for survival of original marine trace element distributions, this study suggests that original rare earth element patterns may commonly be preserved in ancient limestones, thus providing support for the use of ancient marine limestones as proxies for marine rare earth element geochemistry.     

河南周庵铂族-铜镍矿床的稀土和铂族元素地球化学特征: 热液成矿的证据

河南周庵超基性岩体蕴含大型Ni-Cu-(PGE)硫化物矿床,矿化带位于超基性岩体边缘与围岩的接触带.周庵超基性岩体轻稀土富集,其La/Sm_N比值为1.3～4.7,Sm/Yb_N比值为1.9～4.4,显示一定程度的LREE/HREE分异.原始地幔标准化的微量元素配分型显示弱的负Nb异常.岩体的M含量为70×10~(-60～2120×10~(-6),Cu含量为15×10~(-6)～1056×10~(-6);矿石的Ni含量为2592×10~(-6)～6549×10~(-6),Cu含量为1147×10~(-6)～3239×10`(-6).矿石的Ni/Cu比值(2.0～2.3)低于岩石样品(5-83).强蚀变矿化样品的PGE元素含量高于弱蚀变样品约一个数量级,所有样品的Pd/Ir和Pt/Ir比值高,Pd/Ir=1.4～21,Pt/Ir=2.4～22,表明PPGE相对IPGE富集.上述特征显示周庵岩体是构造侵位的地幔岩,岩体与围岩发生了较强烈的物质交换,含水流体交代作用导致了岩体-围岩物质交换和岩体边缘矿化.     

Rare earth element and strontium isotope geochemistry in Dujiali Lake,central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China: Implications for the origin of hydromagnesite deposits

Rare earth element (REE) and strontium isotope data (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr) are presented for hydromagnesite and surface waters that were collected from Dujiali Lake in central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), China. The goal of this study is to constrain the solute sources of hydromagnesite deposits in Dujiali Lake. All lake waters from the area exhibit a slight LREE enrichment (average [La/Sm]_PAAS = 1.36), clear Eu anomalies (average [Eu/Eu*]_PAAS = 1.31), and nearly no Ce anomalies. The recharge waters show a flat pattern (average [La/Sm]_PAAS = 1.007), clear Eu anomalies (average [Eu/Eu*] _PAAS = 1.83), and nearly no Ce anomalies (average [Ce/Ce*]_PAAS = 1.016). The REE+Y data of the surface waters indicate the dissolution of ultramafic rock at depth and change in the hydrogeochemical characteristics through fluid-rock interaction. These data also indicate a significant contribution of paleo-groundwater to the formation of hydromagnesite, which most likely acquired REE and Sr signatures from the interaction with ultramafic rocks. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr data provide additional insight into the geochemical evolution of waters of the Dujiali Lake indicating that the source of Sr in the hydromagnesite does not directly derive from surface water and may have been influenced by both Mg-rich hydrothermal fluids and meteoric water. Additionally, speciation modeling predicts that carbonate complexes are the most abundant dissolved REE species in surface water. This study provides new insights into the origins of hydromagnesite deposits in Dujiali Lake, and contributes to the understanding of hydromagnesite formation in similar modern and ancient environments on Earth.     

末次间冰期ENSO对全球海平面上升响应的模拟研究

末次间冰期的全球年平均地表气温比现今高0~2 ℃, 这一增温幅度与未来预估的增温幅度相当。因此, 末次间冰期气候往往被认为是未来气候的一个类比。本研究利用挪威地球系统模式(NorESM1-F)开展末次间冰期模拟, 并进一步讨论全球平均海平面上升5 m和10 m时末次间冰期的ENSO海温变率。模拟结果表明: 模拟的末次间冰期热带太平洋年平均海表面温度较工业革命前普遍偏低, 这与地质记录重建基本一致。与工业革命前相比, 模拟的末次间冰期El Niño事件强度偏弱, 极端El Niño事件偏少; 而La Niña事件强度偏强, 极端La Niña事件偏多; 随着全球平均海平面的上升, 海表温度异常出现变化, 表现为小于0.5 ℃的海温异常出现的频率减少, 而大于0.5 ℃的海温异常出现频率增加, 表明全球平均海平面的上升会使海温的异常更加明显, 但全球平均海平面的上升对模拟的末次间冰期ENSO事件的频次及平均强度影响并不显著。

     

Rare earth element geochemistry of the Betts Cove ophiolite,Newfoundland: complexities in ophiolite formation

The Betts Cove ophiolite includes the components of typical ocean crust: pillow lavas, sheeted dikes, gabbros and ultramafics. However, the trace element geochemistry of basaltic rocks is unusual. Three geochemical units are recognized within the lava and dike members. Within the pillow lavas, the geochemical units correspond to stratigraphic units. Upper lavas have ‘normal’ (i.e., typical for ocean floor basalts) TiO₂ contents (0.75 to 2.0 wt%), heavy rare earth elements (HREE) values in the range 6–20× chondrites and chondrite-normalized REE patterns with relative LREE depletion. Intermediate lavas have TiO₂ contents between 0.30 and 0.50 wt%, HREE contents from 4–7× chondrites and extreme relative LREE depletion. Lower lavas have anomalously low TiO₂ contents (<0.30 wt%) and unusual convex-downwards REE patterns with REE abundances around 2–5 × chondrite. These geochemical differences can be explained if the three groups were derived from different mantle sources. Independent mantle sources for the three units are consistent with their different ${}^{143}\text{Nd}{}^{144}\text{Nd}$ ratios varying at 480 m.y.B.P. from 0.51222 in a lower lava to 0.51238 in an upper lava. The upper lavas may be partial melts of a source similar in composition to that of modern MORB, the intermediate lavas may be from a very depleted oceanic mantle (second stage melt), and the lower lavas may have formed by melting an extremely depleted mantle that had been invaded by a LREE-enriched fluid. A possible tectonic environment where these different sources could be juxtaposed is a back-arc or inter-arc basin.     

New evidence for a reduced water balance in East Africa during the Last Glacial Maximum: implication for model-data comparison

Some syntheses of lake-level data for the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) in East Africa (10°N and 30°S, East of 25°E) show apparently wetter conditions than present for some basins, whereas palaeovegetation reconstruction indicates a generally dry climate. PMIP GCM simulations for the LGM support both scenarios for this region when run under different boundary conditions. Here, we compare three new records from lakes in the data-poor southern part of East Africa; Lake Malawi, Lake Massoko, and Lake Rukwa. We also re-assess previously published lake-level data and apply a salinity transfer function to the diatom record from Lake Manyara. Our results show that in contrast to previous interpretations, these lakes were at least as low as today at the LGM and are thus in agreement with the palaeovegetation data. Relative drought across East Africa is best simulated by GCMs that use computed SSTs rather than the higher CLIMAP values. Lower SSTs and the presence of the Northern Hemisphere ice sheets must have been dominant over any monsoon precipitation rise caused by astronomically induced summer insolation enhancement in the southern African tropics.     

High-time resolution AMS C data sets for Lake Baikal and Lake Hovsgol sediment cores: Changes in radiocarbon age and sedimentation rates during the transition from the last glacial to the Holocene

High-time resolution ¹⁴C dating of Lake Baikal sediment cores indicates negative and positive anomalies of calculated linear sedimentation rate (LSR; 1.1 and 35.6 cm/ka, respectively) during the period of climate transition from the last glacial to Holocene. The timing of the Lake Baikal apparent LSR anomalies is consistent with that of the changes in the atmospheric radiocarbon concentration (Δ¹⁴C) during Younger Dryas rapid cooling event. ¹⁴C dating of lipids in the Lake Baikal surface sediments revealed that the sources of sedimentary lipids were different in each basin. In the Northern Basin of Lake Baikal, the ¹⁴C age of total lipids from the surface sediment (4.0 ¹⁴C ka) was found to be older than that of TOC (1.6 ¹⁴C ka). By contrast, the ¹⁴C age of total lipids in the Southern Basin was younger than that of the TOC by ca. 0.7–3.0 ka.In the Lake Hovsgol sediment cores, ages of the main lithologic boundaries during the last glacial–interglacial transition were estimated based on new ¹⁴C data sets. TOC concentration in the cores started to rapidly increase at 13.8 ± 0.3 ¹⁴C ka at the base of the basinwide finely laminated layer deposited during Bølling/Allerød. The base of the layer diatomaceous mud corresponds to the end of Younger Dryas event (10.6 ± 0.1 ¹⁴C ka).     

Rare earth element geochemistry of dolomites in the Middle Devonian Presqu'ile barrier, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin: implications for fluid-rock ratios during dolomitization

Rare earth elements (REE) were determined in fine, medium and coarse crystalline replacement dolomites, and for saddle dolomite cements from the Middle Devonian Presqu'ile barrier from Pine Point and the subsurface of the Northwest Territories and north-eastern British Columbia. REE patterns of the fine crystalline dolomite are similar to those of Middle Devonian limestones from the Presqu'ile barrier. Fine crystalline dolomite occurs in the back-barrier facies and may represent penecontemporaneous dolomitization at, or just below, the sea floor. Medium crystalline dolomite is widespread in the lower southern and lower central barrier. Medium crystalline dolomite is slightly depleted in heavy REE compared with Devonian marine limestones and fine crystalline dolomite, and has negative Ce and Eu anomalies. Medium crystalline dolomites replaced pre-existing limestones or were recrystallized from earlier fine crystalline dolomites. During these processes, the REE patterns of their precursors were modified. Late stage, coarse crystalline replacement dolomite and saddle dolomite cements occur together in the upper barrier and have similar geochemical signatures. Coarse crystalline dolomites have negative Eu anomalies, and those from the Pine Point area also have positive La anomalies. Saddle dolomites are enriched in light REE and have positive La anomalies. The REE patterns of coarse crystalline dolomite and saddle dolomite differ from those of marine limestones and fine and medium crystalline dolomites, suggesting that different diagenetic fluids were responsible for these later dolomites. Although massive dolomitization requires relatively large volumes of fluids in order to provide the necessary amounts of Mg^2-. dolomitization and subsequent recrystallization may not necessarily modify the REE signatures of the precursor limestones because of the low concentrations of REE in most natural fluids. Thus, relative fluid-rock ratios during diagenesis may be estimated from REE patterns in the diagenetic and precursor minerals. Fine crystalline dolomites retain the REE patterns of their limestone precursors. In the medium and coarse crystalline dolomites the precursor REE patterns were apparently altered by large volumes of fluids involved during dolomitization. This study suggests that REE compositions of dolomites and their limestone precursors may provide important information about the relative amounts of fluids involved during diagenetic processes, such as dolomitization.     

Rare earth element geochemistry of the Scourian complex N.W. Scotland — Evidence for the granite-granulite link

Medium-to high-pressure granulite facies complexes represent samples of lower crustal material and are, therefore, important in the study of crustal processes. New rare earth element data for the Scourian granulite facies terrain of the Precambrian Lewisian complex of N.W. Scotland indicate that:

1. Overall, the Scourian complex has a light rare earth enriched pattern with a small but distinct positive Eu anomaly;
2. While some rare earth element trends for the complex as a whole (e.g., Σ REE vs SiO₂) are similar to those observed in upper crustal cogenetic sequences, others (e.g., Eu/Eu* vs SiO₂) are reversed;
3. Compared to average upper crust, the Scourian complex is depleted in REE (except Eu) by a factor of 2 to 3.

These new data, along with previously reported major and trace element data, isotopic abundances, and trace element modelling support the hypothesis that the Scourian terrain is the residuum left after genesis and removal of granitic melts.     

珠江三角洲南部晚第四纪环境变化的稀土元素记录

珠江三角洲南部平原PRD05孔稀土元素（REE）的分布特征与晚第四纪沉积环境变化密切相关。随着不同时期沉积环境的波动,稀土元素分布也发生相应的变化。约31000 cal a BP 以前,研究区发育河流环境,受矿物组成和沉积物粒度的影响,REE含量偏低,且重稀土元素（HREE）相对富集。31000-16600 cal a BP 期间,REE含量明显高于前一阶段,并显示轻稀土元素（LREE）富集;稀土元素分布模式表现为河口半咸水环境特征;其上部沉积物经历了末次冰盛期的风化作用,稀土元素分布模式与下部近平行,但LREE的富集程度略高。16 600-10 300 cal a BP 为冰后期海平面上升初期,研究区发育沼泽环境,由于有机质含量高而导致稀土元素含量普遍较高。10 300-5600 cal a BP 为全新世海侵期,研究区持续发育河口湾-浅海环境,其REE含量总体较高,并显示LREE富集;随着水体深度和盐度条件发生多次波动,稀土元素分布特征也表现出小幅度变化。5600 cal a BP 以来,河流作用逐渐增强,并受到潮汐作用间歇性影响,其含量显著下降,但波动频繁。     

Climate signals in sediment mineralogy of Lake Baikal and Lake Hovsgol during the LGM-Holocene transition and the 1-Ma carbonate record from the HDP-04 drill core

Modeling the bulk sediment XRD patterns allows insight into the environmental and depositional histories of two neighboring rift lake basins within the Baikal watershed. Parallel ¹⁴C-dated LGM-Holocene records in Lakes Baikal and Hovsgol are used to discuss the mineralogical signatures of regional climate change. In both basins, it is possible to distinguish ‘glacial’ and ‘interglacial’ mineral associations. Clay minerals comprise in excess of 50% of layered silicates in bulk sediment.The abundance of smectite (expandable) layers in mixed-layer illite–smectites and the total illite abundance are the main paleoclimatic indices in the clay mineral assemblage. Both indices exhibit coherent responses to the Bølling–Allerød and the Younger Dryas. The smectite layer index is not equivalent to the abundance of illite–smectite, because illite–smectite tends to transform into illite. Repeated wetting–drying cycles in soils and high abundance of expandable layers in illite–smectites (>42%) favor the process of illitization. This relationship is clearly shown in both Baikal and Hovsgol records for the first time. The opposite late Holocene trends in illite abundance in Lake Baikal and Lake Hovsgol records suggest that a sensitive optimal regime may exist for illite formation in the Baikal watershed with regard to warmth and effective moisture.The Lake Hovsgol sediments of the last glacial contain carbonates, suggesting a positive trend in the lake's water budget. A progressive change towards lower Mg content in carbonates indicates lowering mineralization of lake waters. This trend is consistent with the lithologic evidence for lake-level rise in the Hovsgol basin.The pattern of mineralogical changes during the past 20 ka is used to interpret bulk sediment and carbonate mineralogy of the long 81-m Lake Hovsgol drill core (HDP-04) with a basal age of 1 Ma. The interglacial-type silicate mineral associations are confined to several thin intervals; most of the sediment record is calcareous. Carbonates are represented by six main mineral phases: calcite, low-Mg calcite, intermediate/high-Mg calcite, dolomite, excess-Ca dolomite and metastable monohydrocalcite. These mineral phases tend to form stratigraphic successions indicative of progressive changes in lake water chemistry. Five sediment layers with abundant Mg-calcites in the HDP-04 section suggest deposition in a low standing lake with high mineralization (salinity) and high Mg/Ca ratios of lake waters. Lake Hovsgol sediments contain the oldest known monohydrocalcite, found tens of meters below lake bottom in sediments as old as 800 ka. This unusual find is likely due to the conditions favorable to preservation of this metastable carbonate.     

川北元坝气田二叠系长兴组白云岩稀土元素地球化学特征及其指示意义

川北元坝气田二叠系长兴组49个碳酸盐岩样品的稀土元素(REE)和钇(Y)含量的测试结果表明:稀土元素总量(ΣREE)普遍较低(平均1.50×10^-6),说明岩石样品几乎无陆源碎屑的混入,且未受到深部热液的影响。页岩标准化后的白云岩REE特征表现为轻稀土(LREE)亏损、正La异常、负Ce异常(0.49～1.08,平均0.75)、普遍的正Eu异常(0.89～46.00,平均4.68)及较高的Y/Ho值(28.82～63.47,平均43.04),总体表现出与海水的REE配分特征类似,表明白云化流体为还原性的海源流体,白云岩形成环境为埋藏环境。元坝气田长兴组构造平缓,白云岩横向上连续分布,碳酸盐岩δ¹⁸O(-7.07‰～-2.92‰,平均-4.95‰)相对较重,岩心与岩石薄片未观察到角砾状或条带状的热液白云岩典型构造,均说明元坝气田长兴组未受到深部热液流体的影响,白云岩较高的正Eu异常与深部热液流体无关;电子扫描显微镜下观察到大量的热化学硫酸盐还原反应(TSR)的产物单质硫和富硫沥青,表明元坝气田长兴组基质白云岩形成之后的TSR作用导致了地层水极度还原的环境,从而造成了白云岩较高程度的正Eu异常,反过来说明了TSR作用对白云岩储集层具有一定的改造作用。     

辽东辽河群大石桥组碳酸盐岩稀土元素地球化学及其对Lomagundi事件的指示

2.33～2.06Ga期间发生了全球性大气圈充氧作用及其相关的占δ~(13)C_(carb)正异常,被称为Lomagundi事件.2.2～2.174Ga的辽河群大石桥菱镁矿及其围岩显示了δ~(13)C_(carb)正异常,是运用REY(REE+Y)指纹技术研究Lomagundi事件的良好对象.本文研究表明,6件白云岩围岩样品∑REE为0.988×10-6～2.744×10-6;Y/Ho比值为37.9～49.4(平均42.5±4.7);(La/La~*)_(SN)为1.075±0.317,(Gd/Gd~*)_(SN)为1.390±0.166,均为正异常;HREE富集(Nd_(SN)/Yb(_SN)=0.38～0.78).所有上述特征与现代海水REY配分模式一致,表明这些样品记录了Lomagundi时期海水的REY特征.6件菱镁矿样品∑REE为4.549±2.239,高于围岩白云岩;HREE弱亏损(Nd_(SN)/Yb_(SN)=1.141±0.265),Y/Ho平均值为40.2±3.2;(La/La~*)_(SN)为0.657～1.149(平均0.919±0.203),(Gd/Gd~*)_(SN)=1.036±0.081,正异常程度弱于白云岩,但仍显示以海水来源为主.矿体顶板滑石白云岩∑REE含量最高(10.758);页岩标准化稀土配分模式为平坦型,(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)正异常高达1.97,Gd和Y正异常最小,Y/Ho比值最低(31.3),(Nd/Yb)_(SN)为0.89,显示受后期热流体交代影响.菱镁矿(Sm/Yb)_(CN)值(2.61±0.45)高于白云岩(1.19±0.27),指示海水由深变浅,大石桥菱镁矿及其围岩白云岩REY主要来自陆源溶解物,洋底热液贡献微弱,制约REY特征的主导因素为大气圈-水圈的性质,如fO_2,pCO-2等.白云岩和菱镁矿(Ce/Ce~*)_(SN)值平均分别为1.11±0.13和1.04±0.08,表明2.2～2.174Ga期间大陆风化作用加剧,海水呈碱性,pH值＞8.2.2.33Ga前的化学沉积物(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)＞1.53,2.06Ga后的化学沉积物(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)＜1.53,大石桥组白云岩和菱镁矿(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)均值分别为1.44±0.11和1.58±0.20.表明2.2～2.174Ga时海相沉积物(Eu/Eu~*)_(SN)≈1.53,2.33～2.06Ga是地球水圈-气圈系统由还原向氧化转变的关键时期.     

Rare earth element geochemistry of feldspars: examples from Fe-oxide Cu-Au systems in the Olympic Cu-Au Province,South Australia

Mineralogy and Petrology - Rare earth element (REE) fractionation trends in feldspars are reported from Olympic Dam (including Wirrda Well and Phillip’s Ridge) and Cape Donington (Port...     

Chronology of the Mediterranean sea-level highstand during the Last Interglacial: a critical review of the U/Th-dated deposits

Relative sea-level (RSL) evolution during Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 5 in the Mediterranean basin is still not fully understood despite a plethora of morphological, stratigraphic and geochronological studies carried out on highstand deposits of this area. In this review we assembled a database of 323 U/Th-dated samples (e.g. corals, molluscs, speleothems) which were used to chronologically constrain RSL evolution within MIS 5. The application of strict geochemical criteria to the U/Th samples indicates that only ~33% of data available for the Mediterranean Sea can be considered ‘reliable’. Most of these data (~65%) refer to the MIS 5e highstand, while only ~17% could be related to the MIS 5a. No attribution to MIS 5c can be unequivocally supported. Nevertheless, the resulting framework does not allow us to define a satisfactory RSL trend during the MIS 5e highstand and subsequent MIS 5 substages. Overall, the proposed selection of reliable/unreliable data would be useful for detecting areas where MIS 5 substage attributions are not supported by confident U/Th chronological data and thus the related reconstructions need to be revised. In this regard, the resulting framework calls for a reappraisal and re-examination of the Mediterranean records with advanced geochronological methodologies.     

Late Glacial fluvial response of the Niers‐Rhine (western Germany) to climate and vegetation change

The Niers valley was part of the Rhine system that came into existence during the maximum Saalian glaciation and was abandoned at the end of the Weichselian. The aim of the study was to explain the Late Pleniglacial and Late Glacial fluvial dynamics and to explore the external forcing factors: climate change, tectonics and sea level. The sedimentary units have been investigated by large‐scale coring transects and detailed cross‐sections over abandoned channels. The temporal fluvial development has been reconstructed by means of geomorphological relationships, pollen analysis and ¹⁴C dating. The Niers‐Rhine experienced a channel pattern change from braided, via a transformational phase, to meandering in the early Late Glacial. This change in fluvial style is explained by climate amelioration at the Late Pleniglacial to Late Glacial transition (at ca. 12.5 k ¹⁴C yr BP) and climate‐related hydrological, lithological and vegetation changes. A delayed fluvial response of ca. 400 ¹⁴C yr (transitional phase) was established. The channel transformations are not related to tectonic effects and sea‐level changes. Successive river systems have similar gradients of ca. 35–40 cm km^?1. A meandering river system dominated the Allerød and Younger Dryas periods. The threshold towards braiding was not crossed during the Younger Dryas, but increased aeolian activity has been observed on the Younger Dryas point bars. The final abandonment of the Niers‐Rhine was dated shortly after the Younger Dryas to Holocene transition. Traces of Laacher See pumice have been found in the Niers valley, indicating that the Niers‐Rhine was still in use during the Younger Dryas. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Redating the advance of the New Zealand Franz Josef Glacier during the Last Termination: evidence for asynchronous climate change

Dating climatic and environmental records with accuracy and precision is critical if we are to robustly test hypotheses of synchronous change between the hemispheres. In the southern hemisphere, the advance of the New Zealand Franz Josef Glacier to the Waiho Loop terminal moraine has been used as evidence of synchronous global change during the Younger Dryas Chronozone. However, radiocarbon ages for wood incorporated into the sediments associated with the advance span an interval of 900 years. Here we demonstrate that weathered ‘old’ wood was incorporated into the deposit prior to, or during, the advance, and that this material is highly susceptible to contamination by young carbon, resulting in the wide range of age estimates reported previously. We have identified material with little evidence of reworking (well-preserved wood with bark attached) that provides a statistically robust mean radiocarbon age of 11,062±30 BP (13.1 ka) for the advance of the Franz Josef Glacier. The timing of this event falls within the later part of the Antarctic Cold Reversal. Comparison with local, regional and global records suggests that cold conditions in the Southern Ocean were probably experienced in New Zealand at this time, driving the glacial advance.     

Rare earth element geochemistry and strontium isotopic composition of a massif-type anorthositic-charnockitic body: the Hidra Massif (Rogaland,SW Norway)

The Hidra Massif (Rogaland Complex, SW Norway) mainly consists of plagioclase cumulates (anorthosites and leuconorites), which grade progressively into a fine-grained (200 μm). locally porphyritic, jotunitic rock towards the contact with the granulite facies gneisses. The massif is cross-cut by thin (10 cm up to 1 m) charnockitic dykes.The petrographical and geochemical evolution of the Hidra Massif can be explained by fractional crystallization of a jotunitic parental magma. Major and trace element constraints indicate that mafic phases are underabundant in the exposed levels of the massif, most likely as a result of plagioclase flotation in the early stages of solidification. Partitioning into the cumulate minerals (mainly plagioclase and orthopyroxene) governs the trace element contents of the leuconoritic adcumulates. However, the trace element geochemistry of the apparently early formed anorthositic orthocumulates largely depends upon the amount of a trapped intercumulus liquid. On the basis of trace element abundances (high REE, Rb, Th, U; negative Eu anomalies) the silicic charnockitic dykes can be considered as the residual liquid of the anorthositic fractionation trend. The higher initial ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios (0.7086 ± 0.0006 vs 0.7055 ± 0.0004 for the plagioclase cumulates and jotunites) point to contamination of the charnockitic liquids by surrounding gneissic material.