Reasons for the outbreak of microphytoplankton productivity in the late Oligocene Turtas Lake–Sea,Western Siberia

Palynological (dinocysts) and geochemical data were compared for the first time for Paleogene sediments of borehole no. 8 (settlement of Russkaya Polyana, Omsk oblast). The layers with a concentrated amount of dinocysts of the genus Pseudokomewuia (20.5% of the palynocomplex) are characterized by higher contents of Fe, P, Ti, Nb, Ta, and W. The microphytoplankton bloom (an analog of the present-day red tides) in the late Oligocene Turtas Lake–Sea was probably caused by a greater contribution of nutrient substances from the continent during the transgression of this basin. Comparative analysis of the geochemical features of marine and continental Paleogene sediments from borehole no. 8 showed that the Turtas basin was either freshwater or had brackish water.     

Stratigraphy of the Maikop Group and Pteropoda Beds in northern Azerbaijan

Deepwater sections of the Maikop Group (Oligocene-lower Miocene) and overlying lower-middle Miocene sediments are studied near the Perekishkyul Settlement in lower reaches of the Sumgait River, northern Azerbaijan. Several lithological reference levels and the Spiratella (Pteropoda) Beds are used to correlate preliminarily these uniform clayey sections barren of benthic fossils. Based on distribution of the organicwalled and calcareous phytoplankton, spores, pollen and ichthyofossils, the sections are first subdivided in detail and dated. Distinguished in the sections are two regional levels characterizing distortions in the basin hydrological regime during the late Oligocene (level with large Leiosphaeridia and Pterospermella) and Burdigalian (level with dominant dinocysts of the genus Batiacasphaera), and separate intervals with diverse phytoplankton and ichthyofossils. The Tarkhanian sediments are marked by first-appearing oceanic nannoplankton with Sphenolithus heteromorphus and deepwater ichthyofauna with Vinciquerria merklini. The Karaganian is established at the first occurrence level of peculiar endemics (Sardinella karaganica W. Dan. and Mugil karaganicus Swich.) among ichthyofauna.     

Morphological features of Cretaceous dinocysts of genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Vesperopsis</Emphasis>, Bint, 1986, their facies confinement,and stratigraphic significance

A comparative morphological analysis is performed for 13 valid dinocyst species of genus Vesperopsis. Their distribution over Eurasia and North America in the Hauterivian–Cenomanian is traced and the characteristics of these deposits are given. Three species of the most stratigraphically significant dinocysts are distinguished: V. fragilis for the Upper Hauterivian of Western Siberia and V. mayi and V. longicornis for the Aptian of East Greenland. Analysis of facies confinement of the dinocysts Vesperopsis made it possible to group species of the considered genus over conditionally preferable paleosettings. Continental facies (freshwater, brackish-water) are characterized by species V. yanjiensis, V. glabra, V. sanjiensis, and V. jixianensis, while V. zhaodongensiis, V. didaoensis, and V. dolabella are typical of the coastal–marine facies, and V. digitatа, V. nebulosa, and V. mayi are typical of marine facies.     

Paleogene biostratigraphy of the North Circum-Caspian region (implication of the dinocysts and nannoplankton from the Novouzensk reference borehole), Part 1: Age substantiation and correlation of deposits

Eight zonal dinocyst assemblages and three bio stratigraphic units ranked as “beds with flora” are first distinguished in the Danian—lower Lutetian interval of the Paleogene succession, penetrated by the reference borehole Novousensk no. 1, where eight standard and one local nannoplankton zones are simultaneously recognized. The direct correlation of nannoplankton and dinocyst zones is used to refine the paleon-tological substantiation and stratigraphic position of regional lithostratigraphic units, ranges of hiatuses, and the correlation with the general stratigraphie scale. The nannoplankton of the Danian NP2 Cruciplacolithus tenuis and NP3 Chiasmolithus danicus zones is characteristic of the Algai Formation (Fm). The nannoplankton of the NP4 Coccolithus robustus Zone and dinocysts of the D3a Alterbidinium circulum Zone from the Tsyganovo Fm characterizes the Danian top. The Lower Syzran Subformation (Subfm) corresponds to the upper part of the NP4 Coccolithus robustus Zone (Neochiastizygus junctus local zone) and to the D3b (part) Cerodinium depressum Zone of the Selandian dinocysts. The latter spans part of the Upper Syzran Subformation, whose characteristic nannofossils are the nannoplankton of the NP5 Fasciculithus tympaniformis Zone and the dinocysts of the D3b (part) Isabelidinium? viborgense Zone of the Selandian. The Novouzensk Fm is represented by a succession of the dinocyst Cerodinium markovae Beds and the standard D4c Apectodinium hyperacanthum Zone of the upper Thanetian. The coccolitophorids of the lower Thanetian NP6 Heliolithus kleinpelli Zone occur at the formation base. The Bostandyk Fm includes successive bio stratigraphie units of the Ypresian. In the dinocyst scale, these are the D5a Apectodinium augustum Zone, the Pterospermella Beds (DEla Zone of the North Sea scale), and zones DBlb-c Deflandrea oebisfeldensis, D7c Dracodinium varielon-gitudum, and D8 Dracodinium politum—Charlesdowniea coleothrypta, while units of the nannoplankton scale correspond to the NP12 Martasterites tribrachiatus and NP13 Discoaster lodoensis zones. The Kopterek Fm yields Lutetian nannofossils: the nannoplankton of the NP14 Discoaster sublodoensis Zone and the dinocysts of the Wetzeliella coronata—Areosphaeridium diktyoplokum Beds. Three meaningful hiatuses are established at the Danian base, Selandian top, and in the lower Ypresian.     

Ammonites from the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Deshayesites</Emphasis> genus from Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) sediments in the Mountainous Crimea

Stratigraphically important ammonites Deshayesites ex gr. deshayesi (d’Orbigny, 1840), Deshayesites sp. juv., and Paradeshayesites aff. callidiscus [Casey, 1961] from lower Aptian pelagic sediments at the Verkhorech’e Village have been described and depicted. The new finds and revision of previously found ammonites allow the recognition of ammonite zones Deshayesites volgensis and Deshayesites deshayesi in the Southwestern Crimea.     

Prevalence of pathogenic microorganisms and their correlation with the abundance of indicator organisms in riverbed sediments

The present study investigated the prevalence of pathogenic organisms (Salmonella spp, Vibrio cholerae, and Shigella spp) and their correlation to the abundance of faecal indicator organisms in water and riverbed sediments in the Apies River, South Africa. In all, 558 water and sediment samples were collected from 10 sites in the river (May 2013–February 2014) and analysed through culture and molecular (real-time PCR) techniques. Concentrations of faecal indicator organisms in sediments reached 1.39 × 10⁵ (±standard deviation) CFU/100 mL. All three pathogens were detected in water and sediments. Pathogens were mostly detected in sediments at sites influenced either by wastewater treatment works or by informal settlements. During the wet and dry seasons (water column), a strong positive correlation was observed between E. coli and all pathogens; C. perfringens only correlated with V. cholerae. Within sediments, strong positive correlations were only observed between E. coli and Salmonella spp, E. coli and V. cholerae (dry season); E. coli and V. cholerae and E. coli and Shigella spp (wet season). No correlation was observed between sediments C. perfringens counts and all the pathogens. Thus, sediments of the Apies River harbour pathogenic organisms. Correlation between E. coli and pathogenic organisms in the sediments suggests that E. coli could also be an indicator of pathogens’ presence. However, the lack of a correlation between E. coli and some pathogens in sediments and between C. perfringens and all the pathogens highlights the need to investigate for more indicators of pathogens’ presence in this complex matrix.     

Palynological characteristics of Upper Cretaceous and Paleogene deposits on the west of the Sambian Peninsula (Kaliningrad region), Part 1

The results of studying dinocysts in the Upper Cretaceous-Lower Paleogene succession of the Kaliningrad region are considered. Distinguished in the succession are seven biostratigraphic units in the rank of the Palaeohystrichophora infusorioides, Chatangiella vnigrii, Cerodinium diebelii, Alisocysta margarita, Deflandrea oebisfeldensis, Areosphaeridium diktyoplokum, and Rhombodinium perforatum beds and one Charlesdowniea clathrata angulosa Zone.     

Representatives of genera <Emphasis Type="Italic">Malbosiceras</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pomeliceras</Emphasis> (Neocomitidae,Ammonoidea) from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains

The revised representatives of ammonite genera Malbosiceras and Pomeliceras from the Berriasian of the Crimean Mountains are classed with seven species, four of the first genus [M. malbosi (Pictet), M. chaperi (Pictet), M. broussei (Mazenot), M. pictetiforme Tavera] and three of the second one [P. aff. boisseti Nikolov, P. breveti (Pomel), P. (?) funduklense Lysenko et Arkadiev sp. nov.]. The identified species are described. The genus Mazenoticeras is considered as synonym of Malbosiceras. The above species prove that all the Berriasian zones (jacobi, occitanica and boissieri) are characteristic of corresponding deposits in the Crimean Mountains.     

Influence of physico-chemical components on the consolidation behavior of soft kaolinites

Pore solution salinity has important bearing on engineering behavior of marine sediments as they influence electrochemical stress (A–R) and differential osmotic stress (?π) of the salt-enriched clays. The electrochemical stress (A–R) is contributed by van der Waals (A) attraction and diffuse ion layer repulsion (R), while the differential osmotic stress (?π) is governed by the differences in dissolved salt concentrations in solutions separated by osmotic membrane. The paper examines the relative influence of differential osmotic stress (Δπ) and electrochemical stress (A–R) on the consolidation behavior of slurry consolidated kaolinite specimens, which are known to be encountered in recent alluvial marine sediments. Methods are described to evaluate the magnitudes of these physico-chemical components and their incorporation in true effective stress. Results of the study demonstrate that differential osmotic stress finitely contributes to true effective stress. The contribution from differential osmotic stress enables kaolinite specimens to sustain larger void ratio during consolidation.     

The first finding of reliable Jurassic radiolarians in the Crimea

Radiolarians of Leugeonidae Yang et Wang, 1990, which represent a morphologically distinctive group of spherical radiolarians of the Spumellaria order, were found for the first time in Crimea and reliably confirm the Jurassic age of the finding. The nodules, which host the Jurassic radiolarians, were collected by A.S. Alekseev in 1983 in the terrigenous sequence of the Lozovskaya tectonic zone. The radiolarian assemblage in the nodules includes Levileugeo ordinarius Yang et Wang, Triactoma jonesi Pessagno, Pseudocrucella aff. prava Blome, Paronella kotura Baumgartner, P. ex gr. mulleri Pessagno, and Praeconocaryomma sp. The Levileugeo genus is easily identified due to its unique hexagonal element, which is typical only of the Jurassic, in particular, Upper Bajocian–Lower Tithonian radiolarians.     

Some Calloporid (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) species from the Cenozoic sediments of western Kachchh,Gujarat

Seven species of Calloporid (family Calloporidae Norman, 1903) Bryozoa are described from the Cenozoic sediments of the western Kachchh, Gujarat, India. Among these Planicellaria walsariensis, Dionella sp., Pyriporella charopadiensis, P. vadsariensis and Wilbertopora sp. are new and the other species viz; Crassimarginatella blandfordi and Reptoporina chhasraensis are reported for the second time from these sediments. The phylogenetic analysis suggests all the species of Calloporid bryozoans are monophyletic i.e. all of these species have common ancestor.     

Analysis of magnetic activity of the rapidly rotating stars He 373 and AP 225

Spectroscopic and photometric data for the two rapidly rotating members of the α Persei cluster He 373 and AP 225 are analyzed. Improved estimates have been obtained for the projected equatorial rotation velocities: v sin i = 164 km/s for He 323 and v sin i = 129 km/s for AP 225. Multi-band photometric mapping is used to map the spot distributions on the surfaces of the two stars. The fractional spotted areas S and mean temperature difference ΔT between the unspotted photosphere and the spots are estimated (S = 7% and ΔT = 1000 K for He 373; S = 9% and ΔT = 800 K for AP 225). The H _α line profiles of both stars have variable emission components whose widths are used to deduce the presence of extended regions of emission reaching the corotation radius.     

Helium and argon isotopes in lower crustal xenoliths from the belomorian mobile belt

The isotopic systematics of noble gases (He and Ar) were studied in Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic lower crustal xenoliths from the Belomorian mobile belt. The xenolith suite is dominated by garnet granulites (Grt + Cpx + Pl ± Opx ± Qtz ± Kfs ± Phl ± Hbl) and two-pyroxene or garnet pyroxenites (Cpx + Pl ± Grt ± Opx ± Hbl ± Qtz). The xenoliths and the host Devonian ultramafic lamprophyres forming diatremes and explosion dikes contain fluid with similar He and Ar isotopic compositions. It was found that the fluid was trapped by the rocks and xenolith minerals approximately simultaneously with the formation of the lamprophyres. This conclusion is based on the identical K-Ar ages of the majority of xenoliths and ultramafic lamprophyres. When the xenoliths were transported toward the surface by high-temperature ultrabasic melts, the noble gases occurring in them were partly (Ar) or completely (He) lost. The melts were contaminated by meteoric waters during their emplacement in the upper crust, which resulted in that the Ar isotopic composition of lamprophyres approached the composition of atmospheric Ar. The fluid phase that was liberated during melt crystallization severely affected the xenoliths, diminishing the difference between the isotope compositions of He and Ar in the xenoliths and ultramafic lamprophyres. The He isotope composition includes an admixture of mantle ³He, which is suggested by the high measured ³He concentrations, exceeding the calculated values, and high ³He/³⁶Ar ratios in the xenoliths and their host lamprophyres. The fraction of the mantle component in the fluid trapped by the xenoliths was estimated as ～20%.     

Accounting for mudflow genesis in preliminary assessment of the maximum volume of solid mudflow sediments in the North Caucasus

The area of investigation was subject to multifactor analysis of the relationship between the maximum amount of mudflow solid sediments (W) and parameters such as the mudflow basin area (S), average channel slope (α), and mudflow channel length (L). They were used to obtain analytical expressions in order to approximate the W(S, L, α) relation based on the mudflow genesis and source height. Statistical data on mudflow manifestations in different basins in the North Caucasus covering more than fifty years were used to obtain the analytical expressions in order to assess the maximum volume of mudflow solid sediments.     

The Early Callovian genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Сadochamoussetia</Emphasis> (Ammonoidea,Cardioceratidae) in the lower reaches of the Anabar River,Northern Central Siberia

The species Cadochamoussetia aff. subpatruus (Nik.), Cadochamoussetia surensis (Nik.), and Cadoceras cf. simulans Spath are found for the first time in the lower reaches of the Anabar River. The first two species are characteristic of the Lower Callovian Cadochamoussetia subpatruus Subzone of Central Russia, which is equivalent to the Siberian Cadochamoussetia tschernyschewi Zone. Species of the genus Cadochamoussetia, found for the first time in the Arctic, are described. Shells of Siberian representatives of Cadochamoussetia are distinguished from the typical East European species by their larger umbilicus, which is similar to that of the ancestral genus Cadoceras. It is suggested that the Siberian taxa belong to the oldest representatives of this genus, which appeared in the early Callovian Arctic seas and later migrated to seas of Central Europe and England.     

New data on stratigraphy (palynomorphs,ostracods, paleomagnetism) of Cenozoic continental deposits of the Ishim plain,Western Siberia

New micropaleontological and paleomagnetic data were obtained by studying core samples of Cenozoic continental deposits from two boreholes drilled in the south of Tyumen oblast (Western Siberia). Palynological assemblages in deposits of the Tavda (upper part), Novomikhailovka, Turtas, Abrosimovka, Tobolsk, Smirnovka, and Suzgun formations were described. Deposits of these formations are enriched in spore-pollen assemblages, which can be correlated with assemblages of regional palynozones of the West Siberian Plain. Ostracods were described in Quaternary deposits. On the basis of biostratigraphic and paleomagnetic data, the Late Eocene (Priabonian)–Holocene age of deposits was substantiated. For the first time, beds with dinocysts of genus Pseudokomewuia were identified in deposits of the Turtas Formation (Upper Oligocene) of the Ishim lithofacial area. In total, nine regional magnetozones were distinguished in the paleomagnetic section. On the basis of palynological and paleomagnetic data, sections of two boreholes were correlated, and hiatuses in sedimentation were revealed. A large hiatus is at the Eocene-Oligocene boundary (Western Siberia): the Lower Oligocene Atlym Horizon and Miocene–Pliocene and Eopleistocene sediments are missing. The Oligocene interval of the section is represented in a reduced volume.     

Sulfate Reduction and Sulfur Cycles at Two Seagrass Beds Inhabited by Cold Affinity <Emphasis Type="Italic">Zostera marina</Emphasis> and Warm Affinity <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halophila nipponica</Emphasis> in Temperate Coastal Waters

To evaluate the impact of invading seagrass on biogeochemical processes associated with sulfur cycles, we investigated the geochemical properties and sulfate reduction rates (SRRs) in sediments inhabited by invasive warm affinity Halophila nipponica and indigenous cold affinity Zostera marina. A more positive relationship between SRR and below-ground biomass (BGB) was observed at the H. nipponica bed (SRR = 0.6809 × BGB ? 4.3162, r ² = 0.9878, p = 0.0006) than at the Z. marina bed (SRR = 0.3470 × BGB ? 4.0341, r ² = 0.7082, p = 0.0357). These results suggested that SR was more stimulated by the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) exuded from the roots of H. nipponica than by the DOC released from the roots of Z. marina. Despite the enhanced SR in spring-summer, the relatively lower proportion (average, 20%) of acid-volatile sulfur (AVS) in total reduced sulfur and the strong correlation between total oxalate-extractable Fe (Fe_(oxal)) and chromium-reducible sulfur (CRS = 0.2321 × total Fe_(oxal) + 1.8180, r ² = 0.3344, p = 0.0076) in the sediments suggested the rapid re-oxidation of sulfide and precipitation of sulfide with Fe. The turnover rate of the AVS at the H. nipponica bed (0.13 day^?1) was 2.5 times lower than that at the Z. marina bed (0.33 day^?1). Together with lower AVS turnover, the stronger correlation of SRR to BGB in the H. nipponica bed suggests that the extension of H. nipponica resulting from the warming of seawater might provoke more sulfide accumulation in coastal sediments.     

Paleoweathering and Paleoclimatic Reconstructions using Neoproterozoic Paleosol in the Eastern Margin of the Pranhita-Godavari Basin,India

Paleogene sediments of the inner fold belt, Naga hills, have very well preserved ichnofossils. 16 ichnospecies have been documented among 13 ichnogenera such as Arenicolites isp., Chondrites targionii, Cylindrichnus isp., Diplocraterion parallelum, Gyrochorte isp., Ophiomorpha annulata, O. irregulaire, O. nodosa, O. rudis, Palaeophycus tubularis, Planolites beverleyensis, Scolicia palaeobullia, Skolithos linearis, Trypinites weisei, Thalassinoides horizontalis and Zoophycos isp. The ichnofossil assemblages comprise mostly domichnia and fodinichnia benthos of the Skolithos and Cruziana ichnofacies. A shallow marine nearshore to offshore marine environment with fluctuating energy condition has been envisaged.     

The Influence of Benthic Macrofauna on the Erodibility of Intertidal Sediments with Varying mud Content in Three New Zealand Estuaries

Fine sediment inputs can alter estuarine ecosystem structure and function. However, natural variations in the processes that regulate sediment transport make it difficult to predict their fate. In this study, sediments were sampled at different times (2011–2012) from 45 points across intertidal sandflat transects in three New Zealand estuaries (Whitford, Whangamata, and Kawhia) encompassing a wide range in mud (≤63 μm) content (0–56 %) and macrofaunal community structure. Using a core-based erosion measurement device (EROMES), we calculated three distinct measures of sediment erosion potential: erosion threshold (? _c ; N m^?2), erosion rate (ER; g m^?2 s^?1), and change in erosion rate with increasing bed shear stress (m _e ; g N^?1 s^?1). Collectively, these measures characterized surface (? _c and ER) and sub-surface (m _e ) erosion. Benthic macrofauna were grouped by functional traits (size and motility) and data pooled across estuaries to determine relationships between abiotic (mud content, mean grain size) and biotic (benthic macrofauna, microbial biomass) variables and erosion measures. Results indicated that small bioturbating macrofauna (predominantly freely motile species <5 mm in size) destabilized surface sediments, explaining 23 % of the variation in ? _c (p ≤ 0.01) and 59 % of the variation in ER (p ≤ 0.01). Alternatively, mud content and mean grain size cumulatively explained 61 % of the variation in m _e (p ≤ 0.01), where increasing mud and grain size stabilized sub-surface sediments. These results highlight that the importance of biotic and abiotic predictors vary with erosion stage and that functional group classifications are a useful way to determine the impact of benthic macrofauna on sediment erodibility across communities with different species composition.     

The age of the Nodular Limestone Formation (Late Cretaceous), Narmada Basin,central India

The age of the marine Nodular Limestone Formation of the Bagh Group is refined at Substage level through ammonoid and inoceramid index taxa. The study is based on the fresh collections from three well-defined successive intervals (Lower Karondia, Upper Karondia and Chirakhan members) of this formation having excellent exposures in different localities of the Narmada Basin, central India. The first record of the widely distributed Turonian ammonoid genera Spathites Kummel and Decker and Collignoniceras Breistroffer from the Nodular Limestone Formation constrained its age exclusively to Turonian. The Early Turonian species Spathites (Jeanrogericeras) aff. revelieranus (Courtiller) and Mytiloides labiatus (Sclotheim) occur in the lower part, while the Middle Turonian marker Collignoniceras cf. carolinum (d’Obrbigny) and Inoceramus hobetsensis (Nagao and Matsumoto) occurs in the upper part of the Karondia Member. The record of the index species Inoceramus teshioensis (Nagao and Matsumoto) in association with Placenticeras mintoi Vredenburg from Chirakhan Member allows a definite Late Turonian age. The present contribution is an attempt to resolve the controversies in the age of the Nodular Limestone Formation and also demarcation of the three divisions (Early, Middle and Late) of the Turonian Stage in the Narmada Basin, central India.