江汉平原江陵剖面有机碳含量、碳同位素和磁化率的古气候意义

湖泊中的有机碳及其同位素与磁化率指标广泛应用于古气候的重建,但由于各地自然条件的差异,其气候意义具有一定的区域性.对江汉平原江陵剖面沉积物中磁化率参数、总有机碳(TOC)、总氮(TN)及其碳同位素δ(13C)值影响因素与环境气候关系的研究结果表明:沉积物总有机碳(TOC)的变化与总氮(TN)呈正相关关系,而总有机碳(TOC)与同位素δ(13C)、磁化率值则呈负相关关系,其组合可以很好地反映江汉平原地区的环境演变.在暖湿期,沉积物中总有机碳、总氮较高,有机质的δ(13C)值偏负,磁化率偏低;反之,在凉干期,沉积物中总有机碳、总氮较低,有机质的δ(13C)值偏正,磁化率偏高.江汉平原地区6 000 a PB以来的古气候演化经历了3个阶段:即冷干-暖湿-凉干的变化过程.     

京山屈家岭地区全新世中晚期环境变化及其对人类活动的影响

通过对江汉平原北部的野外考察,结合屈家岭剖面粒度、Rb/Sr比值、磁化率和已有孢粉结果的综合分析,揭示了该地区全新世中晚期沉积环境和气候变化特征。结果表明,该剖面沉积物中粉砂(62.5～4μm)、粘粒(<4μm)约占其总量的95%以上,属于略含细砂的粘土质粉砂,概率累积曲线以三段式为主。结合地貌和岩性分析,确认该剖面以河流相沉积为主。沉积物粒度组成以粒径<30μm组分为主,同黄土的众数组分类似。也有部分样品的概率累积曲线呈现出北方黄土和下蜀黄土多见的两段式,但概率累计曲线段的斜率和中、细粒组分的相对含量都同黄土有差异。粒度组成方面同黄土沉积的某些相似特征说明,青木垱河流域广泛分布的黄土沉积可能影响了该剖面的沉积特征。沉积样品的磁化率、Rb/Sr比值和已有的孢粉分析结果反映的气候变化趋势基本上是同步的。5.2kaBP以来屈家岭遗址附近区域气候变化可以分成3个阶段:5.2～4.2kaBP期间,是较为温暖湿润的时期,水热条件好于现在,后期暖湿程度有波动性降低的趋势;4.2kaBP开始气候暖湿程度明显下降,气候转向干凉;2.0kaBP以来,本地区气候暖湿程度有所回升。该地区包括气候在内的环境变化,一定程度上影响了新石器晚期文化的演化历史。     

湖北松滋关洲遗址沉积环境演化及长江河道变迁

关洲古文化遗址位于长江松滋段江心洲地表之下,是江汉平原地区迄今最早的新石器时期文化遗址,也是同时期规模最大的遗址,是长江中游史前文明化进程的重要佐证.江心洲何以引来古人类栖居,尚未得到很好的解释.为了探讨该古文化遗址与长江关洲段河道变迁历史及其沉积环境演化过程之间的关系,对关洲遗址典型剖面的沉积物样品进行了14C测年和粒度分析.结果表明:剖面沉积年代为约12 783 cal.a B.P.至近现代;剖面下部（11.65~6.70 m）沉积物粒度偏细,粒度曲线反映出水动力较弱、低能的河流漫滩沉积环境;中部（6.70~2.10 m）沉积物粒度粗细互层交替出现,粒度曲线反映水动力较强的边滩-漫滩交替沉积环境,属于河床堆积;上部（2.10~0 m）沉积物粒度偏细,粒度曲线反映水动力较弱、低能的河流漫滩沉积环境.基于以上分析,关洲遗址沉积演化及长江关洲段河道变迁可分为3个阶段:第一阶段（11.65~6.70 m）,约12 783 cal.a B.P.至明清,关洲与陆地相连,且城背溪文化期至明清之间古人类倚河而居,该阶段关洲位于长江主河道南侧的高河漫滩环境;第二阶段（6.70~2.10 m）,明清后期,为动荡的河道沉积环境,关洲处于河流凹岸,侵蚀作用加剧,长江主河道逐渐往南迁移,河道河床沉积出现,关洲逐渐演化成心滩;第三阶段（2.10~0 m）,近现代期间,关洲正式演变成江心洲,长江主河道迁移至关洲岛南侧.      

武汉天兴洲近代沉积物的磁性特征及其环境意义

利用多磁性参数(包括质量磁化率、频率磁化率、饱和等温剩磁、退磁系数以及热磁曲线)及磁组构分析,以长江中游武汉天兴洲近代河流沉积物为研究对象, 探讨了近100年以来沉积物磁性参数变化特征及其对长江中上游水文变化及气候环境的指示.结果表明,上部组合带(0.60~1.50 m)和下部组合带(2.40~3.30 m)沉积物的磁性载体以亚铁磁性矿物磁铁矿为主,同时存在少量较稳定的不完整反铁磁性物质,中部(1.50~2.40 m)亚铁磁性矿物相对较少,且剖面上部沉积物的超顺磁(SP)颗粒对沉积物χ贡献较大.整个沉积剖面自下而上磁性矿物含量呈“C”字型变化,反映了“软”-“硬”-“软”的磁性特性.沉积物磁组构组合带研究显示,历史时期沉积环境水动力强度、颗粒排列有序化程度以及长江流速发生了明显的变化,沉积环境水动力强度经历了“不稳定”－“稳定”－“不稳定”的变化过程,反映了长江古水文状况的变化.近代沉积物磁性特征变化格局与1900年以来以来长江中上游“暖湿”-“温凉”-“暖湿”气候环境变化和“强降水”-“弱降水”-“强降水”以及长江汉口站流量变化过程相吻合.这一研究成果为深刻认识历史时期长江流域气候环境变迁其及对长江古水文和沉积环境的影响提供了重要的参考资料.      

衡水地区咸水层沉积物粒度及氘氧同位素的古气候指示

衡水地区的咸水层特征一直备受关注.为了探讨咸水层分布区的沉积环境与咸水形成期的古气候特征,利用钻孔(深度130 m)采集了衡水地区咸水层沉积物,进行了沉积物粒度和粘性土孔隙水氘氧同位素测试.沉积物粒度标准偏差显示,剖面上由深至浅,沉积时期水动力呈由弱到强再到弱的变化趋势,其中水动力强段为90~65 m,为厚层砂砾层.孔隙水TDS和δ18O特征显示在6 m以上受到大气降水和人类活动的影响,并且主要是以淡水灌溉影响为主.剖面上粘性土孔隙水的δ18O在130~90 m平均值为-11.5‰,65~29 m平均值为-12.1‰,23~0 m为-10.6‰,而下部淡水含水层地下水δ18O为-9.8‰,上部咸水含水层地下水δ18O为-8.2‰,粘性土孔隙水δ18O明显偏负于含水层的地下水,反映保存记录了古气候信息.130~90 m,δ18O先增大后减小反映温度先升高后降低;65~29 m,δ18O反映温度偏低的气候特征;23~0 m,δ18O相对比较稳定,总体偏正,反映了全新世为一个相对较为稳定但较高的温度.      

华南埃迪卡拉纪陡山沱海洋中无机碳同位素组成变化

报道了贵州江口桃映深水相剖面陡山沱组碳酸盐岩δ13C值的变化特征,结合其他已报道的数据,分析了华南扬子地区埃迪卡拉纪陡山沱海洋不同沉积环境,包括盆地相、斜坡相、台地相、台地边缘相碳酸盐岩中δ13C变化趋势及绝对值的异同,发现浅水区剖面记录的δ13C漂移次数多于深水区剖面,且不同相区δ13C值也有差异。δ13C值的差异与埃迪卡拉纪陡山沱海洋的阶段性演化密切相关。基于不同相区的δ13C值变化,埃迪卡拉纪陡山沱海洋的演化历史可分为3个时期:1)陡山沱组1段盖帽白云岩沉积期华南扬子地区很可能为一个开阔台地,白云岩中δ13C值可能继承于幔源CO2的碳同位素特征,深水区和浅水区碳酸盐中δ13C值无显著差异;2)陡山沱组2段和陡山沱组3段下部沉积时期盆地深水区中δ13C值显著低于浅水区,且深水区δ13C值与陡山沱组1段时期无显著差异,浅水区的δ13C值则显著升高;3)陡山沱组3段上部和陡山沱组4段沉积时期陡山沱盆地中δ13C值均显著下降,且不同沉积环境中的δ13C值差异度降低。盖帽后埃迪卡拉纪陡山沱海洋阶段性演化主要与不同时期深水区DOC库的逐步氧化有关。     

珠江三角洲陈村钻孔剖面沉积特征及有机碳同位素古环境意义

陈村剖面位于佛山市陈村镇。AMS14C及OSL测年结果显示,剖面自晚更新世中晚期以来开始沉积,结束于全新世晚期,由老至新经历了河流相—河口湾相—三角洲相沉积环境。根据有机碳同位素曲线变化特征,结合孢粉、有孔虫等鉴定结果及沉积环境综合分析,将剖面划分为4个演化阶段:1晚更新世,34.15~24.5ka BP,属河流相沉积环境,δ13Corg平均值为-28.13‰,对应MIS 3期冷—稍湿气候,期间小幅波动;2晚更新世—全新世早期,24.5~9ka BP,属河流相沉积环境,δ13Corg平均值为-29.8‰,对应MIS 2期干冷气候及全新世早期温—干气候,YD事件得以记录;3全新世早—中期,9~6.7ka BP,属于河口湾—三角洲相沉积环境,δ13Corg平均值为-27.97‰,变化幅度小,对应暖—湿气候;4全新世中—晚期,6.7~0.44ka BP,属于三角洲相沉积环境,δ13Corg平均值为-26.94‰,变化幅度大,冷暖变化显著,气候特征为热湿—偏凉—暖干。     

梁子湖沉积物有机质碳同位素特征及其古气候指示意义

分析了梁子湖8.35 kaB.P.以来沉积物中有机质δ(13C)的组成特征,并与代表印度洋季风的四川红原泥炭δ(13C)序列及代表东亚季风的长白山哈尼泥炭δ(13C)序列进行了对比,探讨了早全新世以来不同阶段的气候特点及古东亚季风与印度洋季风对该区的影响.研究表明,梁子湖在其形成演化过程中存在两种典型的湖泊沉积环境.5.98 kaB.P.以前δ(13C)值偏负,气候温暖湿润,有机质以湖泊内源水生生物为主,δ(13C)值与湖泊生产力有关.其早期东亚季风对该区的影响占较大优势.全新世大暖期中期(5.98～3.67 kaB.P.),气候持续暖湿,温度与降水达到顶峰,δ(13C)值也达到序列中的最小阶段,其δ(13C)值偏负与浮游生物生产力的增加有很大的关系.3.67～3.29 kaB.P.是气候突变期,δ(13C)值变幅达6‰.3.29 kaB.P.以后δ(13C)值逐渐偏正,气候逐渐变冷干,沉积环境发生较大变化,有机质以陆源C3植物碎屑为主,此时期东亚季风开始加强,印度洋季风持续减弱,但该区受印度洋季风影响更强烈.研究显示,东亚季风与印度洋季风强弱转换和时空迁移的影响对长江中游地区气候环境的演化具有重要作用.     

湘西寒武系鼓山阶底界附近碳同位素组成演化趋势

湘西王村剖面寒武系鼓山阶(Drumian)底界附近碳酸盐岩的δ~(13)C值分布于0.5‰~–3.0‰之间,δ~(18)O值分布于–4.0‰~–12.0‰之间,少数碳酸盐岩样品的δ~(18)O值低于–10.0‰,指示岩石经历成岩期后蚀变作用影响,但δ~(13)C、δ~(18)O之间的非协变关系指示碳同位素组成比较稳定。鼓山阶底界附近δ~(13)C表现为负漂移演化趋势,负漂移幅度为4.0‰,最低值出现在鼓山阶底界之上9 m处,与美国犹他州Drum Mountains剖面鼓山阶负漂移(DICE)出现的位置基本一致,负漂移幅度可与美国内华达州Desert Range剖面、Panaca Hills剖面、犹他州House Range剖面、Drum Mountains剖面对比,表明DICE负漂移具有洲际可对比性,可作为寒武系鼓山阶划分与对比的工具。湘西王村剖面寒武系第二统顶部清虚洞组、第三统底部敖溪组白云岩为海平面下降期形成的进积序列,寒武系第三统花桥组下部黑色泥灰岩、钙质泥岩夹富含黄铁矿结核的硅质条带为深水斜坡相沉积,超覆于白云岩之上。因此,寒武系鼓山阶底部附近的DICE负漂移发生在寒武纪第三世鼓山期海侵时期,与美国Drum Mountains剖面鼓山阶DICE负漂移所处的沉积环境相似。     

新疆罗布泊湖盆沉积物剖面粒度与磁学特征及沉积环境

通过对新疆罗布泊东南部阿奇克谷地西部LB剖面沉积物中的粒度组分及磁化率特征进行研究,综合沉积序列及岩性变化特征,分析了罗布泊阿奇克谷地第四系以来的沉积环境。结果表明,LB剖面湖相沉积物粒度组分主要集中于粉砂粒级,沉积物含有少量亚铁磁性矿物,超顺磁颗粒物含量较高。沉积物磁化率值的大小与粒度存在相关性,沉积物的中值粒径、粘土组分(小于2μm)及砂组分(大于63μm)含量与磁化率呈正相关,粉砂组分(2~63μm)含量与磁化率呈负相关。根据沉积物的粒度与磁化率组合的变化特征,结合岩性特征,将LB剖面划分为4个阶段:新近系末期(4.14~3.32m)气候以暖干为主;中更新世晚期(3.32~2.93m)粗颗粒呈现先降低后增加的趋势,水动力增强,磁化率的波动升高并保持较高水平,气候转向暖湿;晚更新世(2.93~1.44m)气候湿润,入湖的河道与水流量不断的发生改变,河流带入湖中的的外源物质的量不稳定,粒度和磁化率值波动变化较大,气候呈现暖干—暖湿的波动变化;全新世时期(1.44~0m)沉积物颗粒偏粗,磁化率值呈波动增加趋势,气候向冷湿转变,最终向干旱化发展。第四系以来沉积环境与古气候均有明显变化,本区气候环境经历了暖干—暖湿—暖干—冷湿的变迁过程,并最终向干旱趋势发展,体现为冷期湿润、暖期干旱的特征。     

沉积过程中有机碳及Globigerinoides ruber氧、碳同位素变化特征--以南海南部为例

由水体到沉积物,不同沉积阶段的沉积过程也有所不同。通过对比南海南部（SCS-S）水体沉降颗粒物、海底表层沉积物和岩芯柱状沉积物（上部3 m）中Globigerinoides ruber氧、碳同位素（δ18O、δ13C）值和有机碳（TOC）含量及堆积速率的变化,系统分析了TOC、δ18O、δ13C等环境演变指标参数在沉积过程中的变化特征。结果显示:1）整个沉积过程中,TOC及同位素等环境演变指标参数的变化情况并不一致。不过,由下层水体沉降到海底表层的过程中,TOC及堆积速率（分别由4.20%、0.38 g/（cm2·ka）下降到1.182%、0.039 g/（cm2·ka）、δ18O、δ13C值（分别偏重0.196 ‰、0.855 ‰） 均出现了明显变化。而一旦形成表层沉积物并被埋藏覆盖形成海底沉积物层（以岩芯柱状沉积物代表）以后,在不考虑冰期-间冰期气候旋回的影响下,除TOC外,δ18O、δ13C值等则基本保持不变;2）不同沉积阶段,TOC含量变化与δ18O、δ13C值的相关性分析表明,岩芯柱状沉积物中TOC含量变化与δ18O、δ13C变化之间的相关性最为明显,特别是TOC含量与δ18O 变化间呈显著正相关（r=0.74）,即由下层水体到表层沉积物这一沉降过程中,TOC含量与堆积速率的突变及其对应的底层水中溶解氧（O₂）、二氧化碳（CO₂）含量变化可能是诱导δ18O、δ13C大幅偏重的主要因素。因此,利用TOC等指标参数进行古环境变化分析时有必要考虑不同沉积过程的影响。     

Late Cenozoic Chemical Weathering and Environmental Changes Recorded in the Co Ngoin Sediments,Central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

A series of faulted inland basins were developed in the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, among which the Co Ngoin Basin containing thick lacustrine sediments is located in the peripheral area of the Indian monsoon. In this paper, we present the weathering history and paleoclimatic changes in the last 2.8 Ma based on studies of high-resolution temporal distributions of Sr, Rb and Zr concentrations, Rb/Sr and Zr/Rb ratios and δ ^13C and TOC for the Co Ngoin sediments, in combination with the sediment properties, grain size distribution and clay mineralogy. The sedimentary records indicate three environmental stages in the last 2.8Ma. At the core depth of 197-170m (about 2.8-2.5Ma), low-intensity chemical weathering in the Co Ngoin catchment was experienced under warm-dry to cool-wet climate conditions with relatively low Sr concentration and high Rb/Sr and Zr/Rb ratios. The sudden occurrence of both subalpine coniferous forest and coarses and and gravel sediments in the Co Ngoin core reflects a strong tectonic uplift. The high Sr concentrations and low Rb/Sr and Zr/Rb ratios reflect a relatively strong chemical weathering between 2.5Ma and 0.8Ma (at the core depth of 170-38.5m) under a temperate/cool and wet climate, characterized by mud and silt with fine sand, probably indicating a stable process of denudation and planation of the plateau. Above the depth of 38.5m (about 0.8-0Ma), the coarsening of sediments indicates a strong tectonic uplift and a relatively low intensity of chemical weathering as supported by the record of sediments having relatively low Sr concentrations and high Rb/Sr and Zr/Rb ratios. Since then, the plateau has taken the shape of the modern topographic pattern above 4000m a.s.l.     

西沙群岛西科1井碳酸盐岩稳定同位素地层学

西科1井由于矿化重结晶作用和白云岩化作用普遍发育, 无法采用传统的氧同位素地层学方法进行地层年代标定.但是该井δ13C变化曲线与南海及全球主要大洋的碳同位素变化曲线完全相同, 可以用来准确标定200 ka以来的地层年龄.该井0~50 m深度对应全球氧同位素1~7期, 5 m处地层时代为14 ka, 为氧同位素1期的底界年龄; 11.70 m处为氧同位素2期的底界, 年龄为29 ka; 13.90 m深度年龄为57 ka; 到35.65 m为氧同位素6期底界, 年龄为191 ka, 同时δ13C值表现出冰期低而间冰期高的特点, 取自25.21 m的珊瑚U-Th定年年龄为131.062±2.320 ka.通过碳同位素定年发现, 石岛缺失近代5 ka以来的沉积物, 在间冰期向冰期转换时因海平面下降造成碳酸盐台地暴露剥蚀.全球气候变化是石岛碳酸盐台地δ13C值发生突变的主要原因.      

燕山地区1.6～1.0Ga时期碳酸盐岩碳、氧同位素组成、演化及其地质意义

依据实测的燕山地区(1.6～1.0Ga)高于庄组—景儿峪组114个碳、氧同位素数据,研究、讨论了中、新元古界碳酸盐岩碳、氧同位素组成、演化及其地质意义。研究表明,燕山中、新元古界由下至上的地层序列上,碳、氧同位素表现明显的旋回性演化特征,二者多显正相关关系;δ13C在-3‰～3‰区间低幅、高频振荡;δ18O则表现为-2‰～-8‰的高幅、高频波动;δ13C值的增大与沉积环境由潮间向潮下演变、海平面上升、海水变淡、生物量增多相关;降低的δ13C多代表潮间—潮上环境。高于庄组瘤状灰岩及洪水庄组页岩δ13C为低负值,代表最大海泛期沉积。氧同位素组成和变化指示研究区总体为咸化环境,杨庄组上部和雾迷山组下部古海水盐度最高,之后盐度逐渐降低,至雾迷山组上部又有所升高。研究区与天津蓟县和北京十三陵地区的中、新元古代碳酸盐岩碳、氧同位素组成与演化表现出明显的相似性,反映了它们共同受燕山裂陷槽发育的控制;同时,与北美Belt超群和俄罗斯乌拉尔里菲期碳酸盐岩碳、氧同位素组成、演变的高度协同性,又说明了中、新元古代碳酸盐岩中碳、氧同位素组成、演化响应于全球古海洋背景和地球化学条件。     

河西猪野泽沉积物有机地化指标之间的关系及古环境意义

探讨了河西走廊石羊河终端湖泊--猪野泽晚冰期以来沉积物总有机碳(TOC)、碳氮比(C/N)、有机碳同位素(δ13C)三种有机地球化学指标之间的关系及古环境意义.结果表明:猪野泽QTH01剖面沉积物TOC指标主要代表湖泊及流域的植被初级生产力;C/N值受到周围区域表土C/N值和沉积物成岩过程的双重影响,总体较低,并不能直...     

Eustatic and climatic controls on the development of the Wahiba Sand Sea, Sultanate of Oman

Aeolian sand sea accumulations can serve as valuable archives of climate change in continental environments. The Wahiba Sand Sea is situated at the northern margin of the area presently affected by Indian Summer Monsoon Circulation and it records environmental changes associated with this major climatic boundary over the last 160 000 years. The internal stratigraphy and evolution of the sand sea is investigated using a combination of outcrop, borehole, seismic and luminescence data. Proximity to the Indian Ocean means that the sand sea succession shows the influence of sea level changes on the sedimentary architecture and composition of the dune deposits. During the last two glacial periods, low global sea level was associated with a high input of bioclastic grains, reflecting the significance of subaerially exposed shelf areas as one of the main sources of aeolian sediment. The onset of aeolian sediment transport and deposition was related to the breakdown of stabilizing vegetation during arid periods that equate with sea level lowstands. The preservation of aeolian sediments by the formation of supersurfaces and associated palaeosoils took place during times of increased wetness and elevated groundwater tables. This interplay of constructive and destructive periods greatly influenced the sedimentary architecture. Oscillations of wet and dry periods between 160 000 and 130 000 years and 120 000–105 000 years ago are attributed to the evolution of a wet aeolian system. Younger periods of aeolian deposition around and after the last glacial maximum were characterized by dry aeolian conditions. No soil horizons developed during these times.     

利用石笋δ13C重建岩溶石漠化研究进展

岩溶石漠化的形成演化机制是被关注的科学问题,对脆弱的岩溶区生态环境恢复具有重要的现实意义。洞穴石笋δ13C受到多种因素影响,能敏感响应地表生态环境以及岩溶水文条件的变化。因此,利用石笋δ13C研究岩溶地区生态环境演变历史成为一个重要方向。本文从地表环境和洞穴沉积两个方面梳理了影响石笋δ13C的主要因素。结合现代洞穴监测及模型模拟研究,分析整理了影响洞穴滴水和沉积物中δ13C的主要因素和机理。在多重因素的影响下,石笋δ13C的环境意义具有多解性,文章从时间尺度、空间分布、沉积环境三方面归纳了石笋δ13C的指示意义。为了准确解释石笋δ13C环境意义,提出了综合分析、现代监测以及模型模拟的解决方案。通过对岩溶石漠化概念、成因、发展过程、以及环境效应的讨论,分析了地表石漠化与石笋δ13C记录的密切联系。总结了已经发表的利用石笋δ13C重建区域石漠化的研究成果,讨论了目前研究中面临的主要问题:(1) 如何正确解译石笋δ13C的指示意义？这是石笋δ13C能够用于重建区域石漠化历史的前提;(2) 在空间上,石笋δ13C记录反映上覆地表的面积是有限的,需考虑石笋能否代表目标研究区域的环境变迁;(3) 石漠化可在年—十年际时间尺度上快速发展,而石笋测年存在一定的年龄误差,石笋δ13C是否能够敏感记录地表的石漠化过程？为了准确重建区域岩溶环境以及石漠化演变历史,提出以下主要建议:(1) 为了避免石笋δ13C重建古环境的不确定性,可加强石笋δ13C与δ18O、微量元素、矿物结构等指标的综合对比分析,与现代监测以及模型模拟的解决方案综合集成,能更加准确重建研究区岩溶水文变化过程,判定石漠化的演化历史;(2) 通过区域和同一洞穴的多根石笋记录对比,减少单一石笋记录的区域代表性问题;(3) 高精度年代控制的高分辨率多指标石笋记录,有助于捕捉快速发生的石漠化过程。      

Distribution, morphology, and origin of sedimentary furrows in cohesive sediments, Southampton Water

Patches of sedimentary furrows are developed at several locations in the cohesive estuarine sediments of Southampton Water (water depth 1–12 m). These furrows apparently result from short periods of erosion followed by long periods of deposition. Although all the furrows are similar, regularly spaced, parallel troughs, 0.5–15 m wide aligned with the dominant current, furrows in different patches have different characteristics. In some areas furrow width is 1/5–1/15 of furrow spacing (termed ‘narrow’), whereas in other areas furrow width is about 1/2 of the spacing (termed ‘wide’). Narrow furrows have developed where sediment accumulation rates are greater than 3–6 cm yr^?1; wide furrows where accumulation rates are lower. Cockle shells, and other coarse sediments, concentrated on the furrow floors and on floors of smaller (2–10 cm wide) minifurrows, play an important role in furrow formation and evolution as they act to widen the furrows when mobilized during current episodes. Uniform sedimentation across the profile during slack periods tends to narrow the furrow. Some of the larger furrows have remained in the same position for 12 years, while mini-furrows have duration scales of a few months or less. Well-developed furrows are also found in a recently dredged channel. Bedforms similar to those described here may be preserved in the sedimentary record. While no analogues to the larger furrows are presently known, minifurrows may be morphologically similar to the ‘gutter casts’ described from ancient rocks.     

Carbon, oxygen, strontium, and sulfur isotopic compositions in late Precambrian rocks of the Patom Complex, central Siberia: Communication 2. Nature of carbonates with ultralow and ultrahigh δ13C values

The Patom Complex is characterized by a unique association of carbonate rocks with ultralow (≤8‰) and ultrahigh (>6‰) δ¹³C values. The thickness, stable isotopic composition along the strike, and lithological and geochemical parameters suggest that these rocks could not form as a result of short-term local events or epigenetic processes. Ultralow δ¹³C values (less than ?8‰) in carbonate rocks of the Zhuya Group, which substantially exceed all the known negative C isotope anomalies in thickness (up to 1000 m) and amplitude (δ¹³C = ?10 ± 2‰), point to sedimentation under conditions of extreme “contamination” of water column by oxidized isotopically light organic (hereafter, light) carbon. The decisive role in this contamination belonged to melting and oxidation of huge volumes of methane hydrates accumulated in sediments during the powerful and prolonged Early Vendian glacial epoch. The accumulation of δ¹³C-depleted carbonates was preceded by the deposition of carbonates with anomalously high δ¹³C values. These carbonates formed at high rates of the burial of organic matter and methane in sediments during periods when the sedimentation basin consumed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and organic carbon was conserved in sediments.     

Arsenic associations in sediments from shallow aquifers of northwestern Hetao Basin,Inner Mongolia

Understanding the mechanism of arsenic mobilization from sediments to groundwater is important for water quality management in areas of endemic arsenic poisoning, such as the Hetao Basin in Inner Mongolia, northern China. Aquifer geochemistry was characterized at three field sites (SH, HF, TYS) in Hangjinhouqi County of northwestern Hetao Basin. The results of bulk geochemistry analysis of sediment samples indicated that total As concentrations have a range of 6.8–58.5 mg/kg, with a median of 14.4 mg/kg. The highest As concentrations were found at 15–25 m depth. In the meanwhile, the range of As concentration in the sediments from background borehole is 3–21.8 mg/kg, with a median value of 9 mg/kg. The As sediments concentrations with depth from the SH borehole were correlated with the contents of Fe, Sb, B, V, total C and total S. Generally, the abundance of elements varied with grain size, with higher concentrations in finer fractions of the sediments. Distinct lithology profile and different geochemical characteristics of aquifer sediments indicate the sediments are associated with different sources and diverse sedimentary environments. Up to one third of arsenic in the sediments could be extracted by ammonium oxalate, suggesting that Fe oxyhydroxides may be the major sink of As in the aquifer. Sequential extraction results indicate that arsenic occurs as strongly adsorbed on and/or co-precipitated with amorphous Fe oxyhydroxides in sediments accounting for 35 and 20%, respectively, of the total contents of arsenic. The release of As into groundwater may occur by desorption from the mineral surface driven by reductive dissolution of the Fe oxide minerals. Furthermore, small proportions of As associated with iron sulfides occur in the reductive sediments.