Organic carbon isotope ratios (δ13C) of Arctic Amerasian Continental shelf sediments

Organic matter origins are inferred from carbon isotope ratios ('¹³C) in recent continental shelf sediments and major rivers from 465 locations from the north Bering-Chukchi-East Siberian-Beaufort Sea, Arctic Amerasia. Generally, there is a cross-shelf increase in '¹³C, which is due to progressive increased contribution seaward of marine-derived organic carbon to surface sediments. This conclusion is supported by the correlations between sediment '¹³C, OC/N, and '¹⁵N. The sources of total organic carbon (TOC) to the Amerasian margin sediments are primarily from marine water-column phytoplankton and terrigenous C₃ plants constituted of tundra taiga and angiosperms. In contrast to more temperate regions, the source of TOC from terrigenous C₄ and CAM plants to the study area is probably insignificant because these plants do not exist in the northern high latitudes. The input of carbon to the northern Alaskan shelf sediments from nearshore kelp community (Laminaria solidungula) is generally insignificant as indicated by the absence of high sediment '¹³C values (-16.5 to -13.6‰) which are typical of the macrophytes. Our study suggests that the isotopic composition of sediment TOC has potential application in reconstructing temporal changes in delivery and accumulation of organic matter resulting from glacial-interglacial changes in sea level and environments. Furthermore, recycling and advection of the extensive deposits of terrestrially derived organic matter from land, or the wide Amerasian margin, could be a mechanism for elevating total CO₂ and pCO₂ in the Arctic Basin halocline.     

Tin–polymetallic sulfide deposits in the eastern part of the Dachang tin field (South China) and the role of black shales in their origin

The Dafulou and Huile vein and stratabound cassiterite-sulfide deposits and sheeted ore veins at the Kangma cassiterite-sulfide deposit are located in the eastern part of the Dachang tin field. These deposits are hosted in a sedimentary sequence containing significant concentrations of organic matter in the form of Lower Devonian calcareous black shales and hornfels. These rocks together with the younger intrusion of Longxianggai granite (91DŽ Ma) actively participated in the formation of Sn-polymetallic deposits. The following three major stages have been distinguished in stratiform and vein-type orebodies at Dafulou, Huile and Kangma: stage I (cassiterite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, tourmaline, carbonate), stage II - main sulfide stage (quartz, cassiterite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, stannite, pyrite, carbonates) and stage III (native Bi, galena, electrum, sulfosalts). Stage IV (post-ore), recognized at Huile is represented by barren carbonates and zeolites. Whole rock geochemistry has revealed that at Dafulou, Bi and Cu correlate strongly with S, whereas V and Pb correlate well with C_org (organic carbon). The similar distribution patterns of selected elements in average slightly mineralized low-Ca black shales indicate a fluid composition similar for all deposits studied. Studies of graphitization of the organic matter in black shales adjacent to orebodies indicate that d₍₀₀₂₎ and FWHM (full width in half maximum)/peak height values gradually decrease in the following sequence: Dafulou deposit M Kangma deposit M Huile deposit. The pyrolysate of wall rocks at the Dafulou deposit is relatively enriched in asphaltenes and maltenes (55.6-72.0% of the pyrolysate) comparable with pyrolysate obtained from more distal black shales (19.2-28.5%). Typical GC-MS spectra of pyrolysate from distal black shales are dominated by alkanes in the n-C15 to n-C25 range, aromatic molecules being represented mostly by alkyl-naphthalenes. In contrast, only traces of aliphatic hydrocarbons in the n-C14 to n-C18 range and elemental sulfur were identified in pyrolysates from pyrrhotitized wall rocks. The earliest fluid inclusions of the studied system occur in the quartz-tourmaline-cassiterite assemblage of stage I at Dafulou. These inclusions are H₂O-CO₂-CH₄-rich, with 10 to 20 vol% of aqueous phase. P-T conditions of the trapping of inclusions are estimated to be up to 400 °C and 1.3 to 2.0 kbar (between 5.0 and 7.5 km under lithostatic pressure). In contrast, the presence of a low density gaseous CO₂-CH₄ phase indicates relatively low pressures during the formation of the breccia-type quartz-calcite-cassiterite-sulfide mineralization (stage II), when P-T conditions probably reached approx. 380 to 400 °C and 0.6 kbar (up to 6 km under hydrostatic pressure). Fluid inclusion data and oxygen isotope thermometry indicate that cassiterite-sulfide ores of the main sulfide stage (stage II) formed from aqueous-carbonic fluid (CO₂/CH₄ =ᄺ) at temperatures of up to 390 °C at Dafulou and in a temperature range of 250 to 360 °C at Huile and 260 to 370 °C at Kangma. The '³⁴S values of sulfides from Dafulou range mostly between -1 and -6‰, whereas sulfides from the Kangma and Huile deposits are characterized by more negative '³⁴S values (between -8 and -11‰, and between -9 and -12‰, respectively). These data suggest that bacteriogenic sulfides of black shales were a dominant source of reduced sulfur for epigenetic (vein and replacement) mineralization. Oxygen isotopic compositions of five quartz-cassiterite pairs from Dafulou and Huile show a relatively narrow range of calculated oxygen isotope temperatures (250-320 °C, using the equation of Alderton 1989) and high '¹⁸O_fluid values between +8 and +10‰ (SMOW), which are in agreement with fluid derivation from and/or high temperature equilibration with the Longxianggai granite. The carbon and oxygen isotope composition of carbonates reflects variable carbon sources. Stage I calcite is characterized by narrow ranges of '¹³C (-7.0 to -9.5‰ PDB) and '¹⁸O (+15.0 to +17.5‰ SMOW). This calcite shows ubiquitous deformation, evidenced by intense development of twins. Fluid compositions calculated at 330 °C for the Dafulou and Huile deposits and at 270-300 °C for the Kangma deposit ('¹⁸O_fluid between +10.0 and +11.5‰ SMOW, '¹³C_fluid between -5.5 and -7.5‰ PDB), agree with fluid derivation from and/or equilibration with the peraluminous, high-'¹⁸O Longxianggai granite and suggest a significant influence of contact metasedimentary sequences (carbon derived from decomposition and/or alteration of organic matter of calcareous black shales). The '¹³ C values of organic matter from the Lower to Upper Devonian host rocks at the Dafulou deposit (-24.0 and -28.0‰) fit with a marine origin from algae. However, organic matter adjacent to the host rock-ore contact displays a slight enrichment in ¹³C. The organic carbon from the Huile and Kangma deposits is even more ¹³C enriched (-24.6 to -23.5‰). The most heavy '¹³ C values (-16.5‰) were detected in hornfels sampled at the contact of the Upper Devonian sediments with the Longxianggai granite. The '¹³C data broadly correlate with the degree of structural ordering (degree of graphitization) of organic matter, which indicates that both variables are related to thermal overprint.     

Late Quaternary ice-rich permafrost sequences as a paleoenvironmental archive for the Laptev Sea Region in northern Siberia

Ice-rich permafrost sequences with large polygonal ice wedges represent excellent archives for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Such deposits contain numerous well-preserved records (ground ice, paleosols, peat beds, different types of fossils), which permit characterization of environmental conditions during a clearly defined period of the past 60 ka. Based on field investigations carried out within framework of the German-Russian project "Laptev Sea System 2000" on the Bykovsky Peninsula (SE of the Lena Delta) results from cryolithological studies, sedimentological analyses, as well as new radiocarbon data are presented. For the first time it is shown that the Ice Complex accumulated without significant interruptions from approximately 60 k.y. B.P. until the end of the Pleistocene. Geochemical data (total organic carbon, C/N, '¹³C_org) and the mass-specific magnetic susceptibility clearly show changing environmental conditions from stadial to interstadial times in the Late Pleistocene and during the transition to the Holocene. These results permit us to reconstruct the development of an Arctic periglacial landscape in the coastal lowland during Ice Complex formation in the Late Quaternary. This evolution coincided generally with the global environmental trend up to marine isotope stage 4.     

Genesis of organic and carbonate carbon in sediments of the North and Middle Caspian basins inferred from the isotope data

Isotopic compositions of organic (δ¹³C-C_org) and carbonate (δ¹³C-C_carb) carbon were analyzed in the particulate matter (hereafter, particulates) and sediments from the North and Middle Caspian basins. Isotopic composition of C_org was used for assessing proportions of the allochthonous and autochthonous organic matter in the particulates. Difference between the δ¹³C-C_org values in surface sediments and particulates is explained by the aerobic and anaerobic diagenetic transformations. Isotopic composition of C_org in sediments may be used as a tool for reconstructing the Quaternary transgressive-regressive history of the Caspian Sea.     

Spatial and temporal variation of organic carbon in the northern South China Sea revealed by sedimentary records

Three sediment cores were taken from the Pearl River estuary and adjacent northern South China Sea (SCS). These sediment cores span the time interval 1900–2000 AD. The stratigraphy of the concentration, the ratio of total organic carbon (TOC) to total nitrogen (TN) and stable isotope (δ¹³C_org) of organic carbon (OC) from three high-resolution sediment cores were analyzed. The stratigraphic profiles of OC concentration, TOC/TN ratios and δ¹³C_org for the near past 100 yrs indicate that terrestrial organic matter decreases from 68.3% to 27.4% of the TOC in the Pearl River estuary, while Dapeng Bay (offshore east of Hong Kong) apparently had throughout little terrestrial organic matter input. The highest deposited OC occurs at the Humen River mouth and the OC concentrations are higher in the outer estuary than in the inner shelf of the northern SCS. The deposited OC at the River mouth increased with time, which could be caused by the high precipitation of land-derived organic matter and the high input of terrestrial organic matter, which is likely related to the rapid urbanization and industrial development in the Pearl River Delta since the 1970s. The OC concentrations did not exhibit an obvious increase with time in most areas of the Pear River estuary and adjacent inner shelf of the SCS, but the algal-derived OC concentration inferred from the δ¹³C_org values increased with time especially from 1980 to 2000 in the outer Pearl River estuary and Dapeng Bay. This increase is presumably caused by enhanced primary marine productivity supported by higher anthropogenic nutrient inputs.     

The Molecular Composition of Lignin as an Indicator of Subaqueous Permafrost Thawing

The concentration and molecular composition of phenols, lignin derivatives, were analyzed. The material for the study was sampled from bottom sediments and subaqueous perennial frozen rocks from a well drilled in the Buor-Khaya Gulf of the Laptev Sea. The analysis was undertaken on the basis of calculation of the molecular factor. The principal difference in the molecular composition of organic matter is shown. This difference is manifested in the decrease in the total concentration of the vanillic lignin derivatives in the thawed formations in comparison with the perennial frozen rocks. This phenomenon is explained by activation of the bacterial transformation of organic matter caused by thawing of the subaqueous permafrost. It was established that the weight percentage of lignin in the organic matter of the analyzed sediments is 17% C_org.

     

Sediment transport to the Laptev Sea (Siberian Arctic) during the Holocene — evidence from the heavy mineral composition of fluvial and marine sediments

Heavy mineral studies of East Siberian river sediments, Laptev Sea surface sediments, and a sediment core of the western Laptev Sea were carried out in order to reconstruct the pathways of modern and ancient sediment transport from the Siberian hinterland to the Laptev Sea. The modern heavy mineral distribution of Laptev Sea surface sediments reflects mainly the riverine input. While the eastern and central part of the Laptev Sea is dominated by amphibole, which is supplied by the Lena River, the western part is dominated by pyroxene imported from the Siberian Trap basalts by the Khatanga River. The distribution of garnet and opaque minerals is additionally influenced by hydrodynamic processes. As a consequence of their high density, these minerals are predominantly deposited close to the river mouths. Heavy mineral and sedimentological studies of a sediment core of the western Laptev Sea were applied to reconstruct the postglacial history of the shelf area during the last 11 ka. In the lowermost interval of the core (> c. 10 ka), high accumulation rates and a heavy mineral composition similar to that of the modern Khatanga river indicate fluvial conditions. Additionally, the high mica content in this interval may indicate meltwater inflow from the Byrranga mountains. Strong variations in accumulation rates, grain-size distribution, and heavy mineral composition are observed in the time interval between c. 10 and 6 ka, which represents the main transgression of the Laptev Sea shelf. During the uppermost interval (<6 ka), rather stable conditions similar to the modem situation prevailed.     

Depositional environment of the Laptev Sea (Arctic Siberia) during the Holocene

The Holocene depositional setting of the Laptev Sea was studied using three marine sediment cores from water depths between 77 and 46 m. Based on sedimentary parameters (TOC content, δ¹³C_org, sedimentation rates) controlled by radiocarbon age models the palaeoenvironment of a strongly coupled river-shelf system was reconstructed since ˜11 ka BP. Caused by a transgressing sea after the last glaciation, all cores reveal progressive decreases in sedimentation rates. Using the sedimentary records of a core from the Khatanga-Anabar river channel in the western Laptev Sea, several phases of change are recognized: (1) an early period lasted until ˜10 ka BP characterized by an increased deposition of plant debris due to shelf erosion and fluvial runoff; (2) a transitional phase with consistently increasing marine conditions until 6 ka BP, which was marked at its beginning near 10 ka BP by the first occurrence of marine bivalves, high TOC content and an increase in δ¹³C_org; (3) a time of extremely slow deposition of sediments, commencing at ˜6 ka BP and interpreted as Holocene sea-level highstand, which caused a southward retreat of the depositional centres within the now submerged river channels on the shelf; (4) a final phase with the establishment of modern conditions after ˜2 ka BP.     

Coastal erosion vs riverine sediment discharge in the Arctic Shelf seas

This article presents a comparison of sediment input by rivers and by coastal erosion into both the Laptev Sea and the Canadian Beaufort Sea (CBS). New data on coastal erosion in the Laptev Sea, which are based on field measurements and remote sensing information, and existing data on coastal erosion in the CBS as well as riverine sediment discharge into both the Laptev Sea and the CBS are included. Strong regional differences in the percentages of coastal erosion and riverine sediment supply are observed. The CBS is dominated by the riverine sediment discharge (64.45᎒⁶ t a^-1) mainly of the Mackenzie River, which is the largest single source of sediments in the Arctic. Riverine sediment discharge into the Laptev Sea amounts to 24.10᎒⁶ t a^-1, more than 70% of which are related to the Lena River. In comparison with the CBS, the Laptev Sea coast on average delivers approximately twice as much sediment mass per kilometer, a result of higher erosion rates due to higher cliffs and seasonal ice melting. In the Laptev Sea sediment input by coastal erosion (58.4᎒⁶ t a^-1) is therefore more important than in the CBS and the ratio between riverine and coastal sediment input amounts to 0.4. Coastal erosion supplying 5.6᎒⁶ t a^-1 is less significant for the sediment budget of the CBS where riverine sediment discharge exceeds coastal sediment input by a factor of ca. 10.     

Anhydrite-bearing rocks from the Rožná district (Moldanubian zone,Czech Republic): high-grade metamorphosed exhalites?

Several types of anhydrite-bearing rocks have been found in the amphibolite-facies metamorphosed rocks at the north-eastern margin of the Moldanubian Zone. Anhydrite either forms monomineralic bands up to 40 cm thick, or occurs in the form of disseminated grains in surrounding calc-silicate gneiss together with feldspar, scapolite, amphibole, pyroxene, epidote and pyrite. The isotopic composition of sulphur ('³⁴S=30.6 to 32.3‰) and strontium (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr=0.70797 to 0.70781) in anhydrite may indicate a marine source of sulphate. The isotopic ratio of strontium is in the same range as that of metamorphosed strata-bound barite-sulphide ores, which have been previously described in the same area. The '³⁴S values of coexisting pyrite range from 21.4 to 22.5‰, the (³⁴S_{anhydrite-pyrite} corresponding to the metamorphic temperature of 600 to 660 °C. In contrast to many submarine-exhalative deposits, the oxygen isotopic compositions of anhydrite ('¹⁸O=9.3 to 10.2‰) are lighter than that of barite ('¹⁸O=10.4 to 13.8‰). This indicates that the both minerals are not in isotopic equilibrium. Therefore, it is probable that anhydrite and barite from the Ro—ná district were deposited from fluids that contained different proportions of seawater and hydrothermal fluids or from hydrothermal fluids that underwent variable extent of oxygen isotope exchange with seafloor rocks. The '¹³C values in calcite ('¹³C=-17.2 to -18.7‰) from anhydrite-bearing rock are lower than those in distant marbles. As graphite is absent in anhydrite- and calcite-bearing rocks, impoverishment in the ¹³C isotope cannot be attributed to the graphite-carbonate isotopic exchange during metamorphism. It is proposed that low '¹³C values in carbonates are caused by pre-metamorphic oxidation of organic matter in course of hydrothermal processes. Anhydrite and anhydrite-bearing calc-silicate gneiss from the north-eastern part of the Moldanubian Zone are interpreted to be the high-grade metamorphosed analogue of anhydrite-rich exhalites commonly found in submarine-exhalative hydrothermal deposits.     

Composition and genesis of the organic matter in the bottom sediments of the East Siberian Sea

The chemical composition of organic matter (C_org, N_org, δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and n-alkanes) was studied in the top layer of bottom sediments of the East Siberian Sea. Possible ways were proposed to estimate the amount of the terrigenous component in their organic matter (OM). The fraction of terrigenous OM estimated by the combined use of genetic indicators varied from 15% in the eastern part of the sea, near the Long Strait, to 95% in the estuaries of the Indigirka and Kolyma rivers, averaging 62% over the sea area.     

Influence of the Yangtze River and grain size on the spatial variations of heavy metals and organic carbon in the East China Sea continental shelf sediments

Bulk heavy metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd), Al, organic carbon and carbonate concentrations, grain sizes, and δC¹³ of the organic carbon distributions were studied in sediments collected throughout the East China Sea continental shelf and the Yangtze River Delta. The results demonstrated that terrigenous sediments from the Yangtze River is a dominating factor controlling the spatial variations of heavy metals and organic carbon concentrations on the East China Sea continental shelf. In addition, grain size and recent anthropogenic influences are also major factors modifying the spatial and vertical variations of heavy metals.Large spatial variations with a band type distribution of heavy metals, grain size, organic carbon and carbonate were observed. Higher concentrations of heavy metal and light δC¹³ of the organic carbon were found primarily in the Deltaic and inner shelf sediments. The band type distribution generally followed the coastline with little variations in the north–south direction. Away from the Delta and inner shelf (west–east direction), most heavy metal concentrations decreased rapidly with the exception of Cd where high concentrations of Cd were also found in the carbonate-rich shelf break sediments. Coarse-grained relict sediments and biogenic carbonate are two primary diluting agents for the fine-grained aluminosilicate sediments from the Yangtze River with high concentrations of heavy metals.Unusually high concentrations of Cu, Pb, and Cd showed both spatially and vertically that more pollution prevention measures are needed in the Yangtze River drainage basin in order to prevent further heavy metal pollution of the East China Sea inner continental shelf.     

Soil organic matter as an important contributor to Late Quaternary sediments of the tropical West African continental margin

The contribution of soil organic matter (SOM) to continental margins is largely ignored in studies on the carbon budget of marine sediments. Detailed geochemical investigations of late Quaternary sediments (245-0 ka) from the Niger and Congo deep-sea fans, however, reveal that C_org/N_tot ratios and isotopic signatures of bulk organic matter (δ¹³C_org) in both fans are essentially determined by the supply of various types of SOM from the river catchments thus providing a fundamentally different interpretation of established proxies in marine sciences. On the Niger fan, increased C_org/N_tot and δ¹³C_org (up to −17‰) were driven by generally nitrogen-poor but ¹³C-enriched terrigenous plant debris and SOM from C₄/C₃ vegetation/Entisol domains (grass- and tree-savannah on young, sandy soils) supplied during arid climate conditions. Opposite, humid climates supported drainage of C₃/C₄ vegetation/Alfisol/Ultisol domains (forest and tree-savannah on older/developed, clay-bearing soils) that resulted in lower C_org/N_tot and δ¹³C_org (< −20‰) in the Niger fan record. Sediments from the Congo fan contain a thermally stable organic fraction that is absent on the Niger fan. This distinct organic fraction relates to strongly degraded SOM of old and highly developed, kaolinite-rich ferallitic soils (Oxisols) that cover large areas of the Congo River basin. Reduced supply of this nitrogen-rich and ¹²C-depleted SOM during arid climates is compensated by an elevated input of marine OM from the high-productive Congo up-welling area. This climate-driven interplay of marine productivity and fluvial SOM supply explains the significantly smaller variability and generally lower values of C_org/N_tot and δ¹³C_org for the Congo fan records. This study emphasizes that ignoring the presence of SOM results in a severe underestimation of the terrigenous organic fraction leading to erroneous paleoenvironmental interpretations at least for continental margin records. Furthermore, burial of SOM in marine sediments needs more systematic investigation combining marine and continental sciences to assess its global relevance for long-term sequestration of atmospheric CO₂.     

Transformation of particulate organic matter at the water-bottom boundary in the Russian Arctic seas: Evidence from isotope and radioisotope data

Complex biogeochemical studies including the determination of isotopic composition of C_org in both suspended particulate matter and surface horizon (0–1 cm) of sediments (more than 260 determinations of δ¹³C-C_org) were carried out for five Arctic shelf seas: White, Barents, Kara, East Siberian, and Chukchi. The aim of this study is to elucidate causes that change the isotopic composition of particulate organic carbon at the water-sediment boundary. It is shown that the isotopic composition of C_org in sediments from seas with a high river runoff (White, Kara, and East Siberian) does not inherit the isotopic composition of C_org in particles precipitating from the water column, but is enriched in heavy ¹³C. Seas with a low river runoff (Barents and Chukchi) show insignificant difference between the value of δ¹³C-C_org in both suspended load and sediment because of a low content of the isotopically light allochthonous organic matter (OM) in particulates. Complex biogeochemical studies with radioisotope tracers (¹⁴CO₂, ³⁵S, and ¹⁴CH₄) revealed the existence of specific microbial filter formed from heterotrophic and autotrophic organisms at the water-sediment boundary. This filter prevents the mass influx of products of OM decomposition into water column, as well as reduces the influx of a part of OM contained in the suspended particulate matter from water into sediment.     

Variation and paleoclimatic significance of organic carbon isotopes of Ili loess in arid Central Asia

As an indicator for terrestrial paleovegetation, the stable isotopic composition of total organic matter (δ¹³C_org) in loess sediments has been widely used for paleoclimatic reconstruction in western Europe, the Great Plains of North America and the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). However, little is known about the variation and paleoclimatic significance of the loess δ¹³C_org in arid Central Asia (ACA). We report δ¹³C_org data from an Axike (AXK) loess/paleosol profile from the eastern Ili Basin, eastern Central Asia. Along the profile, the δ¹³C_org values were more negative in the paleosol layers observed in the field and were confirmed by environmental magnetic proxies and a higher concentration of total organic carbon (TOC), consistent with results for western Europe and the northwestern CLP. Our results demonstrate that the loess δ¹³C_org in this region documents mainly the response of δ¹³C of locally predominant C₃ plants to paleoclimatic variation, especially paleoprecipitation. Our results also suggest that the loess δ¹³C_org values in the area have the potential for quantitative paleoprecipitation reconstruction on the basis of detailed δ¹³C_org results from modern plants and surface soils in the future.     

Environmental changes in the eastern shelf of the Laptev Sea in the late-glacial time

Data on the interaction of the land-sea system have been obtained based on complex palynological analysis (pollen and spores of terrestrial plants and cysts of dinoflagellates and green algae) and the SEM analysis of sediments from boreholes drilled on the Laptev Sea’s eastern shelf and dated by the radiocarbon method. The spore and pollen ensemble revealed for the first time in late-glacial sediments of the boreholes indicates that warming which started within the time interval 15.6–10.7 ka ago was accompanied by short-term cooling events. Sedge and herb phytocoenosis predominated in the vegetation cover of East Arctic Siberia during the cooling. The climate warming favored the distribution of shrub birch tundra. The results of the analysis of organic-walled phytoplankton and the low value of the AH criterion indicate cold-water conditions with a longstanding ice sheet at sea. After the interval that ended 10.7 ka ago, thermophilic species of dinocysts appeared on the outer shelf, and the AH-criterion value increased, which suggests an active inflow of relatively warm North-Atlantic water to the shelf. Based on the comparison of the obtained results, an inference has been made about frequent changes of the climate in the region and the environment in the eastern part of the Laptev Sea during the deglaciation epoch.     

Petrographic, REE, fluid inclusion and stable isotope study of magnesite from the Upper Triassic Burano Evaporites (Secchia Valley, northern Apennines): contributions from sedimentary, hydrothermal and metasomatic sources

Sparry and microcrystalline magnesite are minor constituents of the Upper Triassic Burano Evaporite Formation of the northern Apennines in Italy. Petrography and geochemistry of magnesite suggest three modes of formation. (1) Evaporitic precipitation of stratified microcrystalline magnesite layers associated with sulfate and carbonate rocks. Most REE are below ICP-MS detection limits. '¹⁸O is +20.2‰ (SMOW) and '¹³C is -2.6‰ (PDB). (2) Hydrothermal infill of Fe-rich (9.78 wt% FeO) lenticular sparry magnesite. This type of magnesite is characterized by very low LREE concentrations, whereas HREEs are relatively high. The fluid inclusion composition is NaCl-MgCl₂-H₂O, salinity is ~30 wt% NaCl equiv., and total homogenization temperatures range from 204-309 °C; '¹⁸O is +17.5‰ and '¹³C is +1‰. (3) The partial or total replacement of dolostones by lenticular sparry magnesite. LREEs are lower in magnesite compared with the partly replaced dolostones. Magnesite yields '¹⁸O and '¹³C compositions of +17.3 to +23.6‰ and +0.5 to +1.4‰, respectively, whereas the partly replaced dolostones yield '¹⁸O and '¹³C values of +25.0 to +26.2 and +1.3 to +1.9, respectively. Complete replacement of dolostones produced massive lenticular sparry magnesite rock containing ooids and axe-head anhydrite relicts; LREEs are depleted compared to unaffected dolostones; '¹⁸O and '¹³C compositions range from +16.4 to +18.4‰ and +0.4 to +0.9‰, respectively. These data and the association between fracture-filling and replacive magnesite suggests a metasomatic system induced by hydrothermal circulation of hot and saline Mg-rich fluids. These processes probably occurred in the Oligocene-Miocene, when the Burano Formation acted as main detachment horizon for the Tuscan Nappe during the greenschist facies metamorphism of the Apuane complex. Thrusting over the Apuane zone produced large scale fluid flow focused at the Tuscan Nappe front. Sources of Mg-rich fluids were metamorphic reactions in the Apuane complex and dissolution of Mg-salts at the thrust front. Considering a maximum tectonic burial depth of 10 km, as inferred from the geometry of the chain, the pressure-corrected temperature of magnesite precipitation (380 to 400 °C) and the calculated fluid composition ('¹⁸O=+13.3ǃ.2‰) are in the range of the published Apuane metamorphic temperatures (300-450 °C) and fluid compositions ('¹⁸O=7-16‰). The results of this study support the hydrothermal-metasomatic model for the formation of sparry magnesite deposits at the expense of dolostone units involved in thrusting and low-grade metamorphism, as proposed for the Northern Graywacke Zone (Alps) and the Eugui deposit (western Pyrenees).     

Organic matter and nutrients in an altered subtropical marsh system,Chiricahueto, NW Mexico

Seven sediment push-cores were extracted from Chiricahueto, a marsh affected by urban, industrial and agricultural wastes. Concentrations of total phosphorus (300-1,620 µg g^-1), organic carbon (4-39 mg g^-1) and total nitrogen (0.5-4.5 mg g^-1) in the sediments showed an exponential decrease with depth, related to the decomposition of organic matter (OM). Between 20 and 40% of OM initially deposited is degraded at the sediment-water interface under oxic conditions. Another fraction (40-60%) of non-refractory OM is decomposed within the sediments by oxidants other than oxygen. Likewise, the preservation of OM (<20%) was estimated as burial concentrations of C, N and P linked to organic compounds. The C/N ratios, '¹³C and '¹⁵N suggested that the major source of OM to the sediments derives from marine phytoplankton. The allochthonous sources of OM were overprinted by the high flux of marine autochthonous OM. However, an indirect terrestrial influence is recognised, in which high nutrient load derived from agricultural, domestic and industrial activities promoted high productivity.     

Isotopic study of sulfate sources and residence times in a subalpine watershed

Stable sulfur and oxygen isotope ratios and naturally occurring ³⁵S_SO4 activities were used to examine sulfate sources, address the role of sulfur dynamics, and estimate residence times of atmospherically derived sulfate in Loch Vale Watershed, Colorado. In 1996, surface water samples from small streams flowing through talus, forest, and wetland areas had '³⁴S_SO4 values ranging from 1.8 to 3.7‰. Values of '¹⁸O_SO4 at the three sites ranged from -1.3 to 3.7‰. Average '³⁴S_SO4 and '¹⁸O_SO4 values in Loch Vale precipitation (1991-1999) are higher (5.2 and 13.6, respectively) than surface water values, indicating that some of the deposited sulfate is transformed and/or mixed with other sulfur sources in the watershed (e.g. mineral and organic sulfur). Sulfate ages determined by ³⁵S_SO4 activities support this and show that deposited sulfate may be stored on a timescale of 1 year or more prior to being released to surface waters.     

南海表层沉积物与沉降颗粒物中有机碳的δ13C对比研究及其古环境再造意义

对南海表层沉积物与沉降颗粒物有机碳的δ13C进行了对比研究,从古环境再造方面探讨了陆源和海源对南海表层沉积物的贡献。南海表层沉积物有机碳的δ13C比沉降颗粒物中有机碳的δ13C偏重表明,Suess效应对南海现代过程的影响不可忽视,两者的δ13C差值反映了Suess效应对南海现代过程的影响程度。利用两者的δ13C差值,对现代陆源和海源有机碳的δ13C进行修正后,计算得到,在南海陆架周围表层沉积物的有机碳中,陆源的比例为48%,海源的比例为52%;在远离陆架的表层沉积物的有机碳中,陆源的比例为14%,海源的比例为86%。