Low-field variation of magnetic susceptibility measured by the KLY-4S Kappabridge and KLF-4A magnetic susceptibility meter: Accuracy and interpretational programme

The KLY-4S Kappabridge and KLF-4A Magnetic Susceptibility Meter enable automated measurement of susceptibility variation with field in the ranges of 2–450 A/m and 5–300 A/m (in effective values), respectively. Unfortunately, the measurement accuracy decreases with decreasing field and it is not easy to decide whether the susceptibility variation at the lowest fields is natural phenomenon or results from measuring errors. To overcome this problem, the accuracies of both the above instruments were investigated experimentally using artificial specimens (mixture of pure magnetite and plaster of Paris) with variable susceptibilities ranging from 1 × 10⁻⁵ to 5 × 10⁻². The complete curve of the field variation of susceptibility of each specimen was measured 10 times and the relative error was calculated for each field. In the KLY-4S Kappabridge, in specimens with susceptibilities higher than 100 × 10⁻⁶, the relative errors are lower than 3% in all fields and lower than 1% in the fields stronger than 10 A/m. In the KLF-4A Magnetic Susceptibility Meter, in relatively strongly magnetic specimens with susceptibilities 5 × 10⁻⁴ to 5 × 10⁻², the relative error is less than 1.5% in the entire field range. While the former instrument is convenient for investigating almost all rock types, the latter instrument is convenient for measuring moderately and strongly magnetic specimens. To facilitate work with field variation of susceptibility curves, showing variable accuracies with field, the programme FieldVar was written. One of its options is plotting the measured data with corresponding field-variable error bars. In this way, a tool is offered for interpreting such susceptibility changes that are sound and reasonable from the point of view of measuring accuracy.     

Bartington MS2和Kappabridge MFK1-FA不同频率的磁化率在黄土、红粘土和湖相沉积物中的应用

通过Bartington MS2 和Kappabridge MFK1-FA两种仪器对黄土-古土壤、红粘土和湖相沉积物样品进行了5个频率的磁化率测试,并计算得到了4个频率磁化率.通过对比分析不同类型样品磁化率-频率变化曲线可知,当样品中细颗粒磁性矿物含量较高时,磁化率在较低频率即可达到峰值,而当样品中细颗粒磁性矿物含量较低时,磁化率在较高频率时才能达到峰值.因此,在黄土-古土壤等样品的应用中,成壤作用较强,细颗粒亚铁磁性矿物含量较高,Bartington MS2的低频(465 Hz)与Kappabridge MFK1-FA的F₁(976 Hz)和F₂(3905 Hz)频率均处于磁化率峰值区域,可以检测到SP/SD阀值区域颗粒的信息,但是对于红粘土和湖相沉积物等细颗粒亚铁磁性矿物含量较低的样品,磁化率峰值对应的频率较高,MS2型磁化率仪无法有效地检测其中细颗粒的含量,而MFK1-FA中F₂(3905 Hz)和F₃(15616 Hz)两个频率间的频率磁化率则可以较好地完成这一任务.     

Expansion of a Plane Wave into Gaussian Beams

Magnetic susceptibility measurements on topsoils have often been used during the last few years to detect anthropogenic pollution. In most cases, a Bartington susceptibility meter for field measurements was used. However, up to now, no standard procedure has been developed for carrying out such investigations. The purpose of our study was to test the compatibility of different set-ups of instruments used for this purpose and the possible influences of subjective (human) factors. Field magnetic susceptibility measurements, carried out with four different Bartington MS2D instruments in strictly defined positions, are very consistent both for low and high values. The correlation coefficient between the magnetic susceptibility values recorded with different Bartington MS2D probes reached 97–98%. A test area was mapped independently by two groups, without any restrictions concerning the choice and distribution of the measured points, but respecting a few standard conditions (e.g., measuring at a distance from tree trunks; on the flattest place possible; recording between 10–30 values per point). The resulting susceptibility maps show the same general features in both cases, suggesting that the measuring strategy applied is suitable for topsoil magnetic screening. The methodology proposed can be used to map magnetic susceptibility on a larger scale—for example Europe—providing large sets of representative data and eliminating border-transition biases and human errors.     

Low-field variation of magnetic susceptibility as a tool for magnetic mineralogy of rocks

Low-field variation of magnetic susceptibility was investigated on a collection of several hundreds specimens of various minerals and rocks using the KLY-4S Kappabridge. The measurement is fully automated, being executed in 21 distinct fields ranging from 2 to 450 A/m (in one frequency of 875 Hz). The measurement is rapid, 7 min per specimen, so that large collections of specimens can be investigated. The results can be processed both graphically and mathematically. For the latter processing, parameters of two kinds were introduced. One characterizes the susceptibility change with field, the other one characterizes the field in which the susceptibility no longer obeys the Rayleigh law and starts becoming more complex.The results were evaluated statistically. Remarkable differences were revealed between individual minerals and between some rock types. For example, the field variation of susceptibility of pyrrhotite is in general an order of magnitude larger than that of titanomagnetite. The susceptibility increase in pyrrhotite starts at the field an order of magnitude lower than that of titanomagnetite. Low-field variation of susceptibility then appears as an interesting phenomeon that helps in the identification of magnetic minerals and in some cases also in assessing the compositional variation of them.     

Comparison of in-situ Field Measurements of Soil Magnetic Susceptibility with Laboratory Data

Results of magnetic susceptibility mapping around a coal-burning power plant were used to verify the field in situ measurements with data acquired in laboratory on soil samples collected at approximately the same measurement grid sites at different distance from the source. This comparison enables quantifying the field data obtained using the Bartington MS2 meter and to relate them, at least approximately, to mass specific values. Moreover, it is shown that certain diversity in the grid points of field measurements and soil sampling can slightly bias the field measurements. However, this shift is of minor significance and Bartington field readings can be considered as reliable.     

Magnetic properties and heavy metal pollution of soils in the vicinity of a cement plant,Xuzhou (China)

This study characterized the magnetic property and levels of heavy metals of the topsoils near a cement plant. The concentrations of five selected heavy metals (Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd) were measured on 32 topsoil samples (0–20 cm) collected near a cement plant via inductively coupled plasma/mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The orders of enrichment factors (EF), on average, were Cd (7.3) > Cu (3) > Zn (2.9) > Pb (2.1), respectively. A self-organizing map (SOM) was applied to the concentrations of heavy metals for “correlation hunting”. Mineral magnetic concentration parameters, such as the specific magnetic susceptibility (χ), susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (χ_ARM), saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), together with interparametric ratios (such as IRM_− 100mT/SIRM, SIRM/χ, χ_ARM/SIRM) show that ferrimagnetic, superparamagnetic (SP) and multi-domain (MD) minerals dominated the soils. The results of correlation analysis indicate that copper showed a significant correlation with χ, χ_ARM and SIRM but such a relationship with χ, χ_ARM and SIRM was only weakly identified for Zn, Cd and Pb.     

Iron ions Fe<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Fe<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in a magnetic model of the sedimentary medium

The concentration of rock-forming elements, the static magnetic susceptibility κ, spectra of electron paramagnetic resonance, and their relative intensities I are studied in samples from a borehole drilled in Cenozoic sedimentary deposits of southern Western Siberia. All measured values experience appreciable irregular variations with depth. A linear dependence exists between κ and I within the range of their medium and large values; κ and I have maximum values in the same sample, and κ_max = 1920 × 10^?6SI, κ_min = 210 × 10^?6 SI, and κ_av = 630 × 10^?6 SI. The magnetic properties of the samples are controlled by Fe²⁺ ions present in clastic material and by microphases (clusters) with Fe³⁺ ions of the goethite and lepidocrocite type present in the cement. The theoretically possible magnetic susceptibility of the Fe²⁺ ion system (provided that all iron exists in this form) is quite comparable with κ_min but, even with very high concentrations of Fe²⁺, does not reach half of κ_av: (154 < κ(Fe²⁺) < 254) × 10^?6 SI. Anomalously high values of κ are due to a large number of clusters with Fe³⁺ ions if structural units FeOOH do not dissociate and the interaction of the clusters with hydroxides of aluminum and precipitation medium impedes the process of their coagulation. Otherwise, the cluster sizes gradually increase, an antiferromagnetic structure develops in clusters, and the magnetic susceptibility decreases.     

Inversion of multi-frequency electromagnetic induction data for 3D characterization of hydraulic conductivity

Electromagnetic induction (EMI) instruments provide rapid, noninvasive, and spatially dense data for characterization of soil and groundwater properties. Data from multi-frequency EMI tools can be inverted to provide quantitative electrical conductivity estimates as a function of depth. In this study, multi-frequency EMI data collected across an abandoned uranium mill site near Naturita, Colorado, USA, are inverted to produce vertical distribution of electrical conductivity (EC) across the site. The relation between measured apparent electrical conductivity (EC_a) and hydraulic conductivity (K) is weak (correlation coefficient of 0.20), whereas the correlation between the depth dependent EC obtained from the inversions, and K is sufficiently strong to be used for hydrologic estimation (correlation coefficient of ? 0.62). Depth-specific EC values were correlated with co-located K measurements to develop a site-specific ln(EC)–ln(K) relation. This petrophysical relation was applied to produce a spatially detailed map of K across the study area. A synthetic example based on EC_a values at the site was used to assess model resolution and correlation loss given variations in depth and/or measurement error. Results from synthetic modeling indicate that optimum correlation with K occurs at ~ 0.5 m followed by a gradual correlation loss of 90% at 2.3 m. These results are consistent with an analysis of depth of investigation (DOI) given the range of frequencies, transmitter–receiver separation, and measurement errors for the field data. DOIs were estimated at 2.0 ± 0.5 m depending on the soil conductivities. A 4-layer model, with varying thicknesses, was used to invert the EC_a to maximize available information within the aquifer region for improved correlations with K. Results show improved correlation between K and the corresponding inverted EC at similar depths, underscoring the importance of inversion in using multi-frequency EMI data for hydrologic estimation.     

A preliminary magnetic study of soil samples from west-central Minnesota

Various rock magnetic techniques were applied to characterize magnetically the samples of a soil profile taken from west-central Minnesota. There is a marked change in magnetic properties as a function of depth in the core. X-ray analysis and Curie temperature measurements carried out on the magnetic fractions indicate that magnetite is the dominant iron oxide in both the top soil and the subsoil. The intensity of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) decreases sharply as the depth increases. In contrast, the stability of ARM was found to be higher for the subsoil. The surface soil sample was capable of acquiring a significant amount of viscous remanent magnetization (VRM). The VRM acquisition coefficient (S_a) of the subsoil (S_{a= 3.18 × 10^?6emu g^?1, 3.18 × 10^?6A m² kg^?1}) was about ten times weaker than that of the top soil sample (S_a = 3.868 × 10^{?7emu g?1, 3.868 × 10?7A m2 kg?1}). The magnetic domain state indicator, the ratio of coercivity of remanence to coercive force, H_cr/H_c, was 1.5 and 3.85 for the top soil and subsoil, respectively. It appears that the observed variations in magnetic properties down the present soil core is due only to a difference in grain size. We conclude that the magnetic grains in surface soil samples were more single-domain (SD) like whereas the magnetite grains in the subsoil samples were more likely in pseudo-single-domain (PSD) or small multidomain (MD) range. The observed lower stability for the surface soil samples is attributed to the presence of superparamagnetic grains whose presence was confirmed by transmission electron micrographs.     

Gradual late stage deepening of Gega ice-dammed lake,Tsangpo gorge,southeastern Tibet,indicated by preliminary sedimentary rock magnetic properties

Gega lake, in southeastern Tibet, was formed by the blocking of Yarlung Tsangpo gorge by a glacier and is a well-known example of geomorphological damming. However, the evolution of the damming process at the site is still not understood in detail. Here, we use measurements of multiple magnetic parameters of the sediments from the Yusong (YS) 3 section, which is well-dated by optically stimulated luminescence, to provide a detailed history of the late stage of Gega dammed lake since 17.0 ka. Low-frequency field magnetic susceptibility (χ_lf) increases upwards gradually from 25 to 79?×?10^?8 m³/kg above 5.5 m, but other magnetic properties, such as frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility (χ_fd % and χ_fd), susceptibility of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (χ_ARM), and saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) did not show a similar degree of enhancement. The magnetic grain size indicators of χ_ARM/χ_lf, χ_ARM/SIRM, and χ_lf/SIRM all indicate a trend of increasing magnetic grain size from the 5.5 m to the top of section; however, the bulk sediment grain size decreases gradually within the same interval. The total organic carbon is very low (0.2–0.7%), and thus, it is unlikely that the sedimentary environment is sufficiently strongly reducing to lead to the dissolution of magnetic minerals. Therefore, we infer that the coarsening-upwards of the magnetic grain size, and the increasing magnetic susceptibility from 5.5 m, reflect the gradual preferential preservation of magnetic minerals, caused by the deepening of the lake. Thus, we interpret the magnetic record of the section as reflecting the gradual deepening of the late stage of Gega ice-dammed lake. Last, the abrupt disappearance of the lake may have resulted in an outburst flood.     

Compressibility of brownmillerite (Ca2Fe2O5): effect of vacancies on the elastic properties of perovskites

The evolution with pressure of the unit-cell parameters brownmillerite (Ca₂Fe₂O₅), a stoichiometric defect perovskite structure, has been determined to a maximum pressure of 9.46 GPa, by single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements at room temperature. Brownmillerite does not exhibit any phase transitions in this pressure range. A fit of a third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation-of-state to the P–V data yields values of K_T0=127.0(5) GPa and K₀′=5.99(13). Analysis of the unit-cell parameter data shows that the structure compresses anisotropically. Compressional moduli for the axes are K_a0=141(1) GPa, K_b0=118(3) GPa and K_c0=122.2(2) GPa, with K_a0′=8.9(3), K_b0′=6.2(6) and K_c0′=4. The stiffest direction (i.e. along a) coincides with the direction of the FeO₄ tetrahedral chains. Comparison of these data with the elasticity systematics of Ca-perovskites shows that the presence of oxygen vacancies in the brownmillerite structure softens the structure by ∼25% and that the ordering of vacancies in the perovskite structure increases the anisotropy of compression.     

The magnetic fabric of some dolerite intrusions,northeast Spitsbergen; implications for their mode of emplacement

The titanomagnetite fabric of some dolerites from two areas of northeast Spitsbergen, Lomfjorden and the Bastian, and Rønnbeck islands have been studied by means of magnetic susceptibility anisotropy measurements. The shape and orientation of the susceptibility ellipsoids were determined with an a.c. bridge. Both areas showed a dominating magnetic foliation in the horizontal plane. A weakly developed preferred orientation of the maximum (K^I) and intermediate (K^II) susceptibility axis within the magnetic foliation plane was found, the K^I-axis striking predominantly E-W and the K^II-axis striking N-S. The magnetic fabric is interpreted as resulting from horizontal movement of magma. It is concluded that the Bastian and Rønnbeck islands are the relics of one or more larger sills.     

Determination of domain structure in igneous rocks by alternating field and other methods

AF (alternating field) demagnetization, ARM (anhysteretic remanent magnetization) and strong-field hysteresis properties of a large collection of mostly continental igneous rocks are reported here. The collection included rocks whose magnetic carriers were believed from previous work to be of one of three types: MD (multidomain); SD/PSD (single-domain/pseudo-single-domain); or a bimodal mixture of MD grains (e.g., discrete opaques) and SD/PSD material (e.g., silicate inclusions). Two series of subaerial basalts with a full range of deuteric oxidation classes included examples of all three classes of behaviour. SD/PSD rocks have relatively hard inflected AF decay curves (decay rate initially increasing, then decreasing), MD rocks have soft, exponential-like decay curves, and bimodal rocks have a combination of these characteristics. Relative hardnesses of normalized decay curves of remanences acquired in weak, intermediate and strong fields (the Lowrie-Fuller test) are also distinctively different for the three classes, and the results support the theory developed in an accompanying paper [1] that Lowrie-Fuller characteristics are an expression of the shapes of decay curves. The Lowrie-Fuller test, although its result can be expressed as a numerical parameter, is not capable of fine-scale classification of domain structure or grain size. The shape of the ARM induction curve does have a quasi-continuous variation with grain size, however. The parameter χ_ar/J_rs (initial anhysteretic susceptibility normalized to saturation remanence), which is easily measured with standard paleomagnetic instrumentation, is potentially useful for magnetic granulometry, although χ_ar itself was not diagnostic of grain size.     

用旋转式磁化率仪和卡帕桥对岩样磁组构的比测

磁化率各向异性(AMS)是岩石的普遍特性,它反映岩石磁性矿物的择优取向,即磁组构(Magnetic fabric).近三十年来,磁组构技术逐渐应用于地质和地球物理学,显示广阔的研究前景.测量磁组构的仪器有多种,原理不一,故有必要用同一样品在不同原理的仪器上进行比测,以便确认数据的一致性和可靠性.用黄土、变质岩、玄武岩及掺有铁粉的断层泥制成正方体或圆柱体样品,在卡帕桥(KLY-1和KLY-2)和旋转式磁化率仪(Minisep)上进行比测发现:(1)前者的精度(即重复性)在多数情况下优于后者;2)用旋转式磁化率仪测量之前,必须先测得样品z轴的体磁化率,其标定值取决于厂家在标准样品上标示的数值及被测样品与标准样品的相对体积.就旋转样品测量AMS而言,其标定值应为z轴体磁化率测量标定值的一半.      

A comparison of different magnetic methods for determining the relative grain size of magnetite in natural materials: Some results from lake sediments

A new rapid method for identifying relative grain size variations in magnetic involves the parameter anhysteretic susceptibility (χ_ARM, i.e. specific ARM obtained in a 1 Oe steady field), which is particularly sensitive to the single domain (SD) and small pseudo-single domain (PSD) grains of the finer magnetite fraction. A second parameter, low-field susceptibility (χ), is relatively more sensitive to the coarser magnetite fraction (larger PSD and smaller multidomain (MD) grains). We can then obtain a measure of the ratio of coarse- to fine-grain magnetite for large numbers of samples by plotting χ_ARversusχ. A simple idealized model based on sized magnetite samples is proposed to explain the use of the χ_ARMversusχ plot for detecting relative grain-size changes in the magnetic content of natural materials. The sediments of three lakes that contain magnetite or a similar magnetic carrier and have a wide range of values of χ_ARM and χ are used to test the model.The model is used to interpret the magnetic variations observed, and the interpretations are supported by high-field hysteresis measurements of the same sediments. The combination of the high-field hysteresis method of Day et al. [1] and the χ_ARM vs. χ method is a powerful technique allowing the rapid identification of both the relative grain size and domain state for large numbers of samples containing magnetite. The χ_ARMvs.χ method should be used as an intial means of identifying distinct groups of samples.The high-field hysteresis method should then be applied to a few representative samples from each group to confirm the initial interpretation.     

Attenuation of UVR and PAR in a clear and deep lake: Spatial distribution and affecting factors

Light attenuation is considered as a sentinel for environmental change in lakes and has a profound influence on aquatic ecosystems. However, the spatial distribution of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) attenuation, and the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. We carried out a field investigation with 60 sampling sites covering the entire Lake Qiandaohu from November 29 to December 1, 2013, during the weak stratification period to elucidate the spatial pattern and driving mechanisms. The diffuse attenuation coefficient of UVB (K_d(313)), UVA (K_d(340)) and PAR (K_d(PAR)) varied from 1.48 to 4.63 m⁻¹, 1.09 to 3.43 m⁻¹, and 0.26 to 0.94 m⁻¹, respectively. The corresponding ranges for the 1% attenuation depths were from 0.10 to 3.11 m, 1.34–4.21 m and 4.87–17.58 m, respectively. Total suspended matter (TSM) concentration was highly significantly correlated with K_d(313), K_d(340) and K_d(PAR) indicating that TSM was the main driver of UVR and PAR attenuation in Lake Qiandaohu in the late autumn and early winter. TSM concentration, K_d(313), K_d(340) and K_d(PAR) had obvious horizontal spatial heterogeneity presenting a decreasing trend from the estuary area to the center area in the lake. These results suggested that the spatial distribution of TSM from the inflow drived the spatial distribution of UVR and PAR attenuation. Significantly positive correlations were also observed between the chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption coefficient and K_d(313). TSM and CDOM absorption spectra showed that in the UVR waveband (350–400 nm), the mean relative contribution rates of CDOM (a_g(λ)), non-algal particles (a_nap(λ)), phytoplankton (a_ph(λ)) and pure water (a_w(λ)) to the total absorption were 67.5 %, 24.0 %, 5.0 % and 3.5 %, respectively. In the PAR waveband, the mean relative contribution rates of a_g(λ), a_nap(λ), a_ph(λ) and a_w(λ) to the total absorption were 25.4 %, 18.6 %, 9.4 % and 46.6 %, respectively. Our findings could provide support for ecological environment protection in Lake Qiandaohu considering the importance of UVR and PAR attenuation in aquatic ecosystems.     

Magnetic signature of different vegetation species in polluted environment

Detailed magnetic study on vegetation samples from several strongly polluted and clean sites in Bulgaria is carried out in order to evaluate suitability of different species as passive dust collectors in magnetometry. From each location, available species among lichens, mosses, poplar leaves, dandelion, needles have been sampled. Magnetic susceptibility calculated on mass-specific basis shows wide variability between diamagnetic signal up to 846 × 10⁻⁸ m³/kg. Lichens and mosses are found to be the species, showing magnetic signals with the strongest contrast between clean and polluted environment. The main magnetic phase is magnetite-like according to the results from thermomagnetic analysis of susceptibility on magnetic extracts. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microphotographs reveal the presence of abundant particulate matter on vegetation surface both with anthropogenic (spherules) and lithogenic origin. Magnetic grain size deduced by the ratio of saturation remanent magnetization (SIRM) and mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (χ) and coercivities (B_c and B_cr) suggest that different species accumulate preferentially small SD-like grains from pollution emissions. Contrasting relationship of the ratio of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and χ for polluted vs clean sites deduced by needles and lichens may be related to transformation of the accumulated dust particles within lichens’ tissue. This finding indicates that the exact species used as biological dust collector is of importance when studying spatial grain size distribution of magnetic dust particles. Pilot study on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content and its relation to magnetic parameters shows good correspondence between high levels of PAHs and high SIRM values for locations affected by non-ferrous industrial production.     

Contribution of rock magnetism to stratigraphy and palaeoenvironment of the Karaïn cave infill,Antalya, Turkey

The magnetic properties of the infill of the Karaïn cave in Turkey were compared to the results of a sedimentological study on three longitudinal sections. The sediments of this site, namely cavity E, cover a period of ca. 500 ka and correspond to a large part of the Middle and Upper Pleistocene. The evolution observed for the various magnetic parameters is mainly related to climatic changes which followed one another during the infilling history of the cave. Two preconditions are necessary to understand the environmental magnetism, namely both the identification and the quantification of different magnetic phases (components) in the sediments, expressed by the ratio of the various magnetic parameters and the analysis of the magnetization curves. The results obtained through the study of the different magnetic parameters (low-field initial bulk (κ_lf) and mass (χ_lf) magnetic susceptibility, frequency dependence of the magnetic susceptibility (χ_fd), anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM), hysteresis parameters, anhysteretic susceptibility, ...) on 171 samples allowed us: 1 — to follow the nature, size and source of the grains at each level, and 2 — to identify six alternating levels, having different magnetic susceptibility signatures during warm, damp periods, in which the contribution of prehistorical hominidae (Homo Sapiens or Homo Neandertalensis) and animals, could have modified the original sedimentary structures.This study, in agreement with the sedimentological results, suggests a significant difference between sandy or sandy-silty levels (3 and 5) and those rich in clays and concretions. The sandy or sandy-silty levels are mainly characterized by a low amount of antiferromagnetic type grains, likely goethite and hematite, dominated by single-domain size (SD) and a small content of ferrimagnetic type grains, likely magnetite of multidomain size (MD), inherited from the host rock. Antiferromagnetic grains did not develop and were a priori drifted by the wind. They could be contemporaneous with a cold climate.The clays and clayey-silty levels are characterized by a large amount of superparamagnetic (SP) and SD grains, and a high content of low coercivity magnetic grains (magnetite, maghemite and Ti-magnetite). The saturation remanent magnetization (SIRM) of clayey levels is 5 to 10 times higher than that of sandy levels. The clayey levels are contemporaneous with a humid climate, which favoured the formation of secondary iron oxides, of stalagmitic floors and calcite concretions and of the emplacement of local pedogenesis phenomena, mainly at the top of the infill, i.e. in Level 6.     

Magnetic susceptibility mapping of the Cambrian El Hongo pluton,Eastern Sierras Pampeanas,Argentina

A map of bulk magnetic susceptibility was obtained on El Hongo trondhjemite, a small Cambrian pluton intruding the metamorphic basement in Eastern Sierras Pampeanas, Argentina, based on systematic magnetic susceptibility measurement at 450 sites using a SM30 susceptibility meter. Samples were collected on 58 sites and their bulk magnetic susceptibility was measured in laboratory with a Bartington MS2 system. Point-to-point comparison showed differences, that were attributed to the effect of roughness of the surveyed surfaces, and to the development of a weathered cap. However, the difference was systematic and in accordance with expected values predicted by manufacturer tables, whereby, once corrected with the appropriate factor, the obtained values with SM30 susceptibility meter were regarded as representative of fresh rocks. The resulting map was interpreted in terms of variation in abundance of magnetite, which is present in the rocks as a magmatic mineral, altered to hematite (martitized) in varying degrees. The map revealed that El Hongo trondhjemite is a weakly magnetic pluton, with a typical bulk susceptibility of about 500 × 10^?6 SI, which would correspond to an abundance of magnetite below 0.2 vol%, but with conspicuous variations. Lows in the outer sector and in the vicinity of metamorphic xenoliths were interpreted as due to destruction of magnetic minerals linked to reactions between magma and host rock. A distinct concentric pattern in the western area could indicate the presence of a separate intrusion. Finally, alternate highs and lows in susceptibility follow the undulations in regional schistosity, which in turn would have controlled the emplacement of the pluton. Thus we provide a good example of the utility of magnetic susceptibility mapping in granitoid terrains, as an expeditious way for preliminary mapping that could guide further and more detailed research.     

Thermal equation of state of majorite with MORB composition

In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments were conducted using the SPEED-1500 multi-anvil press at SPring-8 on majoritic garnet synthesized from natural mid-ocean ridge basalt (MORB), whose chemical composition is close to the average of oceanic crust, at 19 GPa and 2200 K. Pressure-volume-temperature data were collected using a newly developed high-pressure cell assembly to 21 GPa and 1273 K. Data were fit to the high-temperature Birch-Murnaghan equation of state, with fixed values for the ambient cell volume (V₀ = 1574.14(4) Å³) and the pressure derivative of the isothermal bulk modulus (K^′T = 4). This yielded an isothermal bulk modulus of K_T0 = 173(1) GPa, a temperature derivative of the bulk modulus (∂K_T/∂T)_P = −0.022(5) GPa K⁻¹, and a volumetric coefficient of thermal expansivity α = a + bT with values of a = 2.0(3) × 10⁻⁵ K⁻¹ and b = 1.0(5) × 10⁻⁸ K⁻². The derived thermoelastic parameters are very similar to those of pyrope. The density of subducted oceanic crust compared to pyrolitic mantle at the conditions in Earth's transition zone (410-660 km depth) was calculated using these results and previously reported thermoelastic parameters for MORB and pyrolite mineral assembledges. These calculations show that oceanic crust is denser than pyrolitic mantle throughout the mantle transition zone along a normal geotherm, and the density difference is insensitive to temperature at the pressures in lower part of the transition zone.