Biodiversity and ecosystem functions in wetlands: A case study in the estuary of the Seine River, France

The integrity of estuarine wetlands is maintained by physical connections between river and sea to floodplain. Their ecological importance can be assessed through plant biodiversity and such ecosystem functions as primary productivity and nitrate removal capacity. Multivariate analysis were used to establish a hierarchy of environmental factors related to the vegetation structure and diversity. Four different measures of plant diversity (both structural and functional) were made on a Seine River wetland. Key functions of estuarine floodplain (productivity and denitrification capacity) were either measured directly or assessed using remotely sensed data. The richest plant communities correspond to mesophilous grasslands which have an intermediate position between natural and anthropogenic disturbance regimes. These species assemblages occur in ecosystems presenting both a regular productivity in time and space and the highest denitrification potentiality.     

Modelling of fractured carbonate reservoirs: outline of a novel technique via a case study from the Molasse Basin, southern Bavaria, Germany

Fluid flow in low-permeable carbonate rocks depends on the density of fractures, their interconnectivity and on the formation of fault damage zones. The present-day stress field influences the aperture hence the transmissivity of fractures whereas paleostress fields are responsible for the formation of faults and fractures. In low-permeable reservoir rocks, fault zones belong to the major targets. Before drilling, an estimate for reservoir productivity of wells drilled into the damage zone of faults is therefore required. Due to limitations in available data, a characterization of such reservoirs usually relies on the use of numerical techniques. The requirements of these mathematical models encompass a full integration of the actual fault geometry, comprising the dimension of the fault damage zone and of the fault core, and the individual population with properties of fault zones in the hanging and foot wall and the host rock. The paper presents both the technical approach to develop such a model and the property definition of heterogeneous fault zones and host rock with respect to the current stress field. The case study describes a deep geothermal reservoir in the western central Molasse Basin in southern Bavaria, Germany. Results from numerical simulations indicate that the well productivity can be enhanced along compressional fault zones if the interconnectivity of fractures is lateral caused by crossing synthetic and antithetic fractures. The model allows a deeper understanding of production tests and reservoir properties of faulted rocks.     

Sources and composition of organic matter for bacterial growth in a large European river floodplain system (Danube, Austria)

Dissolved and particulate organic matter (DOM and POM) distribution, lignin phenol signatures, bulk elemental compositions, fluorescence indices and microbial plankton (algae, bacteria, viruses) in a temperate river floodplain system were monitored from January to November 2003. We aimed to elucidate the sources and compositions of allochthonous and autochthonous organic matter (OM) in the main channel and a representative backwater in relation to the hydrological regime. Additionally, bacterial secondary production was measured to evaluate the impact of organic carbon source on heterotrophic prokaryotic productivity. OM properties in the backwater tended to diverge from those in the main channel during phases without surface water connectivity; this was likely enhanced due to the exceptionally low river discharge in 2003. The terrestrial OM in this river floodplain system was largely derived from angiosperm leaves and grasses, as indicated by the lignin phenol composition. The lignin signatures exhibited significant seasonal changes, comparable to the seasonality of plankton-derived material. Microbially-derived material contributed significantly to POM and DOM, especially during periods of low discharge. High rates of bacterial secondary production (up to 135 μg C L(-1) d(-1)) followed algal blooms and suggested that autochthonous OM significantly supported heterotrophic microbial productivity.     

A case study on the correlation of micro-contaminants and potassium in the Leine River (Germany)

River monitoring with focus on the correlation of 41 micro-contaminants with K⁺ and its temporal and spatial variation was carried out in the Leine River (Germany). A positive correlation of concentrations of wastewater-related micro-contaminants and K⁺ is to be expected in receiving waters of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent since urine is a significant source of K⁺ in WWTP effluent. This correlation was found for compounds, which meet the following criteria: (1) WWTP effluent is the dominating source of the compound, (2) variability of its mass flux in the WWTP is negligible, and (3) the compound is persistent in WWTPs and in the environment. The excellent positive correlation of carbamazepine with K⁺ resulted in the fitting of a universal linear equation to the summer and winter data. For almost all other correlating compounds (1H-benzotriazole, citalopram, diclofenac, metoprolol, sotalol, sulfamethoxazole and tolyltriazole), slopes of the line fittings were steeper in winter (x-axis: K⁺, y-axis: respective micro-contaminant). This has been attributed to a presumed lower degree of degradation and attenuation within WWTPs and in the environment due to low temperatures as well as an increase in consumption of these compounds in the winter months. As part of this research, a sampling event along the entire flow path of the Leine River (∼280 km) was conducted to identify compounds demonstrating stable ratios of various respective micro-contaminants with K⁺. Among other compounds, carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, and tolyltriazole demonstrated the best correlations with R² > 0.89. Potassium-equivalents of the individual micro-contaminants depended on land use and population structure of the investigated river section.     

Integrated stratigraphy and 40Ar/39Ar chronology of the early to middle Miocene Upper Freshwater Molasse in western Bavaria (Germany)

A detailed integrated stratigraphic study (biostratigraphy and magnetostratigraphy) was carried out on five sections from the western part of the Bavarian Upper Freshwater Molasse of the North Alpine Foreland Basin (NAFB), greatly improving the chronostratigraphy of these sediments. The sections belong to the lithostratigraphic units Limnische Untere Serie (UL) and Fluviatile Untere Serie (UF) and contain 19 (mostly new) small-mammal bearing levels, significantly refining the local biostratigraphy. Radiometric ages obtained from glass shards from tuff horizons are used together with the biostratigraphic information for constructing and confirming the magnetostratigraphic correlation of the studied sections to the Astronomical Tuned Time Scale (ANTS04; Lourens et al. in Geologic Time Scale 2004, Cambridge University Press, 2004). This correlation implies that the UL lithostratigraphic unit corresponds to the latest Ottnangian and the Early Karpatian, whereas the UF corresponds to the Karpatian and the Early Badenian. This indicates that the Brackish- to Freshwater Molasse transition already occurred during the late Ottnangian. The pre-Riesian hiatus occurred in the latest Karpatian and lower Early Badenian in Eastern Bavaria and Bohemia and in the Late Karpatian and earliest Badenian in Western Bavaria. The geochemical and Ar–Ar data of volcanic ashes suggest that highly evolved silicic magmas from a single volcano or volcanic center, characterized by a uniform Nd isotopic composition, erupted repetitively over the course of at least 1.6 Myr. Three phases of eruptive activity were identified at 16.1 ± 0.2 Ma (Zahling-2), 15.6 ± 0.4 Ma (Krumbad), and 14.5 ± 0.2 Ma (Heilsberg, Hegau). The correlation of the local biostratigraphic zonation to the ANTS04 enables further the characterization of both the Ottnangian–Karpatian and Karpatian–Badenian boundaries in the NAFB by small-mammal biostratigraphy. According to these results the Ottnangian–Karpatian boundary is contemporaneous with the first appearance datum of Megacricetodon bavaricus (in the size of the type population) and the first common occurrence of Keramidomys thaleri, whereas Ligerimys florancei, Melissiodon dominans and Prodeinotherium aff. bavaricum have been already disappeared during the late Ottnangian. The Karpatian–Badenian boundary is characterized by a significant size increase of the large Megacricetodon lineage and possibly a (re-)immigration of Prodeinotherium bavaricum.     

Historical record of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals in floodplain sediments from the Rhine River (Hessisches Ried, Germany)

The depth-related content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals was determined for two soil profiles (i.e. one Fluvisol and one Gleyic Cambisol) which developed in sediments from floodplains located at an old meander of the Rhine river. The meander had been cut off from the main river in 1829. The separation of the meander from the main river caused a change in sediment deposition (i.e. from sand to silt) which is clearly visible in the soil-profiles. Since that time, approximately 100 cm of sediments have accumulated due to temporary flooding of the area. Each soil profile was separated into 18 samples. The samples were analysed for their content of PAH after solvent extraction. Additionally, several trace elements (Co, Ni, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr and Cu) were determined in the same sample set, and depth-related concentration profiles for both PAH and trace elements were developed. The distribution patterns of PAH with more than 3 condensed rings did not provide any evidence for PAH biodegradation or vertical transport after deposition of the sediments. Thus, in the case of PAH, the historical record can be derived not only from subhydric sediments but also from floodplain sediments. It was not possible to distinguish between atmospheric and fluvial input of PAH into the sediments from the observed distribution patterns due to the same origin of PAH from pyrolytic processes. A source determination of the PAH was not possible except for perylene, for which biogenic formation can be assumed. A comparison of the results shows that the depth-related PAH and trace element concentrations display similar trends over most of the total profiles. In the uppermost section of the profiles, the concentration of most trace elements declines whereas the PAH concentration remains high. This indicates the presence of different sources for PAH and trace elements in the last decades.     

Hydrology models approach to estimation of the groundwater recharge: case study in the Bulgarian Danube watershed

The groundwater (GW) makes an important part of a region runoff. GW bodies playing the role of accumulating reservoirs regulate the GW discharge enabling the river flow to have more uniform long-term distribution. Along with other important advantages, the GW offers the users stable water abstraction rate independent from the recharge rate. The GW recharge quantification belongs to the uneasy tasks in the water resource management. Applying the conventional methods needs multiyear observation records of the variation of the groundwater body (GWB) characteristics. The employment of hydrology models avoids that necessity but requires great amount of data related to the soil hydraulic properties, the land topography and cover of the GWB watershed and long-term records of the climatic effects. The paper presents an introduction of the mathematical model CLM3 into the GW recharge estimation problem. It is a complex and advanced model with adequate interpretation of the water-related processes in the soil and on the land surface under atmospheric effects. The input is available from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis atmosphere data and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP) data base. The model is applied to GW recharge assessment of the Bulgarian Danube district for the year 2013. The obtained monthly and yearly total district values and the areal distribution of the infiltration intensity are matched to the existing field observation-based estimates. The study shows that the CLM3 model approach leads to encouraging results. The method comes very useful with GWB lacking regime observation data as well as for GW recharge prognostic assessments under climatic scenarios.     

Three-dimensional sedimentary architecture of Quaternary sand and gravel resources: a case study of economic sedimentology (SW Germany)

Quaternary sands and gravels form important, yet often highly heterogeneous economic deposits. Detailed 3-D analysis of the sedimentary structure and stratigraphy of these deposits allows for an accurate estimation of exploitable material. This paper presents a case study in SW Germany reconstructing the 3-D distribution of glacial sediments based on a high-resolution, process-orientated sedimentary facies classification and lithostratigraphy integrated within the geo-modelling package gOcad. Situated along the maximal ice-extent of the Rhine glacier during the last glaciation, the study area is characterised by a morphologically prominent terminal moraine and its associated sandur, which form the stratigraphically youngest sediments of a glacial basin, partially exposed in two gravel pits. These outcrops helped to reconstruct the complex sedimentary architecture of the northern part of the glacial basin. The regional analysis is based on core data, as well as geoelectric and geomagnetic surveys. All data were integrated into km-scale, high-resolution geological 3-D models, depicting the large-scale dynamics of multiple glacier advances and retreats during the Early to Late Pleistocene. These models allow quantifying the thickness and volume distribution of exploitable sandy gravel and help to evaluate the occurrence of non-exploitable interbedded diamicton horizons. The high quality and quantity of gravels particularly north of the terminal moraine classifies the investigated area as very prospective for raw materials exploitation in the future.     

Constraints on Variscan granite emplacement in north-east Bavaria,Germany: further clues from a petrogenetic study of the Mitterteich granite

Petrochemical and Rb-Sr, K-Ar and Sm-Nd isotopic data presented for the Mitterteich granite provide information on whole rock and mineral compositional characteristics, intrusion and cooling history, and protolith nature and put further constraints on the Variscan magmatic evolution in north-east Bavaria.The compositional characteristics classify the Mitterteich granite as a peraluminous (monzo-)granite (SiO₂ 67.3–73.5 wt.% ). Values for K₂O/Na₂O (> 1.2 and Al₂O₃/(CaO + N₂O + K₂O) (>1.1) are in the range of S-type granites. The rare earth elements show fractionated chondrite-normalized patterns (La _N /Yb _N =24–19) with negative Eu anomalies (Eu _N /Eu _N ^*=0.35–0.19). The micas have restricted ranges of major element composition, but reveal notable variations in trace element concentrations. Different biotite fractions of single specimens show a trend to lower concentrations of compatible elements in the finer fraction which can be explained as a result of asynchronous growth during the fractionation process. The PT conditions of crystallization of the magma based on muscovite and biotite is 600–640°C at 3 kbar. Regression of the whole rock samples gives an isochron corresponding to a ⁸⁷Rb-⁸⁷Sr age of 310 ± 7 Ma, initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of 0.7104±0.0010 (2 errors) and MSWD =0.03. Muscovite and biotite yield concordant K-Ar ages between 310 and 308 Ma, indicating a fast cooling rate of the granite intrusion. _{Nd T310}values average –4.2±1.0. Nd model ages of 1.4 Ga suggest a source region of mid-Proterozoic age.The Rb-Sr isochron age and initial Sr ratio of the Mitterteich granite are indistinguishable from those of the adjacent Falkenberg granite, establishing a genetic link. However, the K-Ar mica ages suggest that the Mitterteich granite must have undergone a faster uplift or cooling history than Falkenberg. Confronted with the geochronological record of granite emplacement in north-east Bavaria, the new results substantiate the view of three key periods of magmatic activity around 330–325, 315–305 and 290 Ma.     

Solution-precipitation creep and fluid flow in halite: a case study of Zechstein (Z1) rocksalt from Neuhof salt mine (Germany)

Zechstein (Z1) rocksalt from the Fulda basin, from the immediate vicinity of the Hessen potash bed is folded into tight to isoclinal folds which are cut by an undeformed, 1 cm thick, coarse-grained halite vein. Microstructures were investigated in etched, gamma-irradiated thin sections from both the wall rock and the vein. The lack of synsedimentary dissolution structures and the widespread occurrence of plate-shaped and hopper grains in the wall-rock suggests that the sedimentary environment was perennial lake. Deformation microstructures are in good agreement with solution-precipitation creep process, and salt flow under very low differential stress. Strength contrast between anhydrite-rich and anhydrite-poor layers caused the small scale folding in the halite beds. The vein is completely sealed and composed mainly of euhedral to subhedral halite grains, which often overgrow the wall-rock grains. Those microstructures, together with the presence of occasional fluid inclusion bands, suggest that the crystals grew into a solution-filled open space. Based on considerations on the maximum value of in-situ differential stress, the dilatancy criteria, the amount of released fluids from the potash bed during metamorphism and the volume change, it is proposed that the crack was generated by hydrofracturing of the rocksalt due to the presence of the salt-metamorphic fluid at near-lithostatic pressure.     

Mine waste water self-purification (arsenic) in neutral hydrogeochemical ecosystem: A case study from V-Ti-Fe mine tailings

The fate of the arsenic (As) under neutral hydrogeochemical conditions in the mining ecosystem has attracted increasing concern, as the ecological restoration of As provides a possibility for safe use of mine water. However, successful cases are still inadequately reported worldwide. Therefore, to investigate the As-behavior in the mine tailings ecosystem, a study of the Wanniangou tailings pond (regional largest V-Ti-Fe mine tailings pond, Sichuan province, China) and the downstream (Rehe River) was conducted. It involves hydro-geochemistry, mineralogy, biogeochemistry, and the Geographically Weighted Regression model (GWR). The results reveal that: (1) the pH range of the mine water is 6.32 to 7.21. The chemical weathering of tailings resulted in an abnormal As concentration in water (e.g., transport pipe wastewater 76.5 μg L⁻¹, the outlet of tailings pond 28.4 μg L⁻¹), and it declines to the national water quality guideline (<10 μg L⁻¹) after 2.59 km from the pond outlet. (2) Although sulfide oxidation boosts As migration in the tailings, As ecological refixation is promoted by tailings particle percolation, river sediment absorption, and aquatic plant uptake. The As refixation behaviors vary spatially, corresponding with the diversity of precipitation and absorption. Besides, Manganese (oxides or/and hydroxides) is conducive to As coprecipitation in the neutral hydrogeochemical environment. (3) The site selection of the V-Ti-Fe mine tailings pond with a downstream longer than 3 km creates a toxic metals self-restoration buffer zone, which could relieve the contamination probability and make the mining wastewater re-utilization feasible.     

The origin of rutile-ilmenite aggregates (“nigrine”) in alluvial-fluvial placers of the Hagendorf pegmatite province, NE Bavaria, Germany

Summary Titanium placer deposits occur in alluvial-fluvial drainage systems which dissect Moldanubian gneisses intruded by Late Variscan pegmatites (Hagendorf province) in southern Germany. Based upon their texture (zonation, exsolution lamellae, intergrowth), microchemical data (Nb, Cr, Ta, V, Fe, W, Sn) and mineral inclusions, two major grain types of intergrown rutile and ilmenite have been established. Grains of type A are always zoned and consist of rutile cores enveloped by ilmenite containing small inclusions of wolframite. A core-rim transition zone is characterized by complex relations of rutile and ilmenite, with rutile lamellae being rich in Nb, V and Fe. Types B1 and B2 aggregates consist of ilmenite with lamellae of niobian rutile and/or ilmenorutile, and additionally have inclusions of ferrocolumbite, pyrochlore, betafite, sphalerite, pyrrhotite and Fe oxides. Such grain types featuring an intimate intergrowth of rutile and ilmenite were called nigrine. Type-C grains are quite similar in their morphological appearance but consist of W-enriched rutile devoid of mineral inclusions and reaction products. Pseudorutile and leucoxene replacing minerals of the nigrine aggregates are presumably caused by supergene alteration under fluctuating redox conditions. Phosphate and aluminum remobilized by supergene processes led to the formation of hydrous Ti-rich phases containing Al, P and Fe. High Nb and W concentrations in nigrine aggregates and in rutile type C may be taken as a marker for highly differentiated granites or pegmatites. This has implications for both, heavy-mineral-based provenance analysis and stream sediment exploration.     

Sealing of fluid pathways in overpressure cells: a case study from the Buntsandstein in the Lower Saxony Basin (NW Germany)

We studied veins in the Triassic Buntsandstein of the Lower Saxony Basin (NW Germany) with the aim of quantifying the evolution of in-situ stress, fluids and material transport. Different generations of veins are observed. The first generation formed in weakly consolidated rocks without a significant increase in fracture permeability and was filled syntectonically with fibrous calcite and blocky to elongate-blocky quartz. The stable isotopic signature (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) indicates that the calcite veins precipitated from connate water at temperatures of 55–122°C. The second vein generation was syntectonically filled with blocky anhydrite, which grew in open fractures. Fluid inclusions indicate that the anhydrite veins precipitated at a minimum temperature of 150°C from hypersaline brines. Based on δ³⁴S measurements, the source of the sulphate was found in the underlying Zechstein evaporites. The macro- and microstructures indicate that all veins were formed during subsidence and that the anhydrite veins were formed under conditions of overpressure, generated by inflation rather than non-equilibrium compaction. The large amount of fluids which are formed by the dehydrating gypsum in the underlying Zechstein and are released into the Buntsandstein during progressive burial form a likely source of overpressures and the anhydrite forming fluids.     

Forebulge dynamics and environmental control in Western Amazonia: The case study of the Arch of Iquitos (Peru)

The Iquitos Arch corresponds to a broad topographic high in the Western Amazonia. Morphostructural and geophysical data and flexural modeling show that the Iquitos Arch is the present-day forebulge of the Northwestern Amazonian foreland basin. A detailed tectono-sedimentary study of the Neogene and Quaternary deposits of the Iquitos area has been carried out in order to circumscribe the timing of the forebulge uplift and its environmental consequences. The Neogene and Quaternary sedimentary succession of the Iquitos Arch consists of six formations that evolved from tidal to fluvial environments. The first three formations exhibit Late Miocene gliding features and synsedimentary normal faults. Such soft-sediment deformations bear witness to tectonic activity ascribed to the growth of the forebulge. Regional erosive surfaces that separate the Neogene and Quaternary formations recorded the progressive forebulge emersion and the evolution of Amazonian drainage system. This uplift is related to an increase in tectonic activity within the Andes, which has provoked the eastern propagation of the orogenic wedge and caused an orogenic loading stage in the Amazonian foreland basin system. The emersion of the forebulge induced the retreat of the Pebas “marine megalake” nearby the Iquitos area and consequently caused important environmental changes in the Amazonian basin. From the end of the Late Miocene to the Pliocene, the forebulge acted as a barrier inducing the deposition of fluvial deposits in the forebulge depozone and the deposition of the “White Sand” deposits in the backbulge depozone. Since about 6 Ma, the forebulge is incised and crossed over by the modern Amazon River. The Iquitos forebulge is still growing as shown by the faulted Holocene terrace deposits.     

Rates and patterns of contemporary floodplain sedimentation: A case study of the river Culm,Devon, UK

A variety of methids have been used to document contemporary rates of overbank sedimentation along an 11 km reach of the floodplain of the River Culm in Devon, UK. These have included measurements of the conveyance loss of suspended sediment between upstream and downstream measuring stations, the use of sediment traps, and the application of caesium-137 measurements to estimate the rate of accumulation of fine sediment over the past 30 years. The resultant data point to sedimentation rates typically of the order of 1500 g m^–2 year^–1 or 1.5 mm year^–1. Values in excess of 15000 g m^–2 year^–1 or 15 mm year^–1 have been documented in closed depressions and in backwater embayments close to the channel, whereas minimal deposition and even scour may occur along those areas that function as secondary channels during floodplain inundation.     

Bivariate frequency analysis of low flow using copula functions (case study: Dez River Basin,Iran)

Accurate estimation of low flow as a criterion for different objectives in water resource management, including drought is of crucial importance. Despite the complex nature of water deficits, univariate methods have often been used to analyze the frequency of low flows. In this study, low flows of Dez River basin were examined during period of 1956–2012 using copula functions at the upstream of headbranches’ junction. For this purpose, at first 7-day series of low flow was extracted at the studied stations, then their homogeneity was examined by Mann–Kendall test. The results indicated that 7-day low flow series of Dez basin were homogenous. In the next stage, 12 different distribution functions were fitted onto the low flow data. Finally, for Sepid Dasht Sezar (SDS), Sepid Dasht Zaz (SDZ), and Tang Panj Bakhtiyari (TPB) stations, logistic distribution had the best fit, while for Tang Panj Sezar (TPS) station, GEV distribution enjoyed the best fit. After specifying the best fitted marginal distributions, seven different copula functions including Ali–Mikhail–Haq (AMH), Frank, Clayton, Galambos, Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern (FGM), Gumbel–Hougaard (GH), and Plackett were used for bivariate frequency analysis of the 7-day low flow series. The results revealed that the GH copula had the best fitness on paired data of SDS and SDZ stations. For TPS and TPB stations, Frank copula has had the best correspondence with empirical copula values. Next, joint and conditional return periods were calculated for the low flow series at the upstream of branches’ junction. The results of this study indicated that the risk of incidence of severe drought is higher in upstream stations (SDZ and SDS) when compared with downstream stations (TPB and TPS) in Dez basin. Generally, application of multivariate analysis allows researchers to investigate hydrological events with a more comprehensive view by considering the simultaneous effect of the influencing factors on the phenomenon of interest. It also enables them to evaluate different combinations of required scenarios for integrated management of basin and planning to cope with the damages caused by natural phenomena.     

不同土地利用型态下潜在蒸散发量比较——以二次林生态系统与茶园生态系统为例

于栖兰山庄二次林与宜兰县大同乡之玉兰茶园内,以蒸发皿法量测与估算此二试验区之日潜在蒸散发量,了解在不同土地利用型态下,其日潜在蒸散发量的表现差异情况。研究结果发现,茶园生态系统之日潜在蒸散发量明显高于二次林生态系统之日潜在蒸散发量。究其原因为,茶园生态系统的经营型态属开放式经营型态,故整体茶园生态系统均匀曝晒于阳光下,因此接收足量之太阳辐射能,导致其日潜在蒸散发量较高。而栖兰山庄二次林生态系之表现情形则不尽相同,由于二次林生态系统内,其高、矮茎植物丛生,此差异性结构将产生互相遮阴现象,使得土壤之蒸发量与矮茎植物之蒸散量减少。此外,二次林生态系统的组成中亦多含深根性植物,其水土保持特性相对于茶园生态系统也有较佳的表现。研究中亦发现,在冬季时期,若将二次林生态系统开辟为茶园生态系统时,二次林生态系统每公顷土地之水分逸失量将增加100~150 t。     

Geochronology of a polymetamorphic and anatectic gneiss region: The moldanubicum of the area Lam-Deggendorf,eastern Bavaria,Germany

Rb-Sr isotopic analyses of whole-rocks and biotite and U-Th-Pb analyses of zircon and monazite reveal regional metamorphic events for the Ordovician (Caledonian metamorphism) and the Carboniferous (Variscan=Hercynian orogeny), both accompanied by anatexis. The extent of the Caledonian and Variscan anatexis, however, cannot be evaluated, so far, because the field petrographic criteria are not sufficient to distinguish clearly between early and late Paleozoic anatexites. Evidence for a Precambrian metamorphism has not been found. Rb-Sr whole-rock isochrons obtained on leucosomes and melanosomes of partially molten paragneisses are interpreted as a minimum age of the second, early Variscan anatexis. The alternative explanation of the isochrons as a result of local Sr isotopic redistribution without a melt involved is considered less likely. Concordant and nearly concordant zircon ages (318–335 m.y.) of a coarse-grained granite and of diatexites are regarded as evidence for an intensive early Variscan granitization and palingenesis. Concordant zircon ages of diorite dykes, crosscutting the anatexites, establish a lower time limit of 309–312 m.y. for the Variscan anatexis. Rb-Sr ages of biotite (310-290 m.y.) indicate the end of the Variscan metamorphism. Estimates of the time of sedimentation or diagenesis based on Rb-Sr whole-rock analyses for some metasediment series in the north of the area yield maximum ages of 550 m.y., provided that Rb and Sr migration did not exceed substantially the extent of the outcrops (30–500 m) between the time of diagenesis and the Ordovician metamorphism. Otherwise, an upper limit of 2000–2300 m.y., which is the primary age of detrital zircon populations, can be established. Zircon populations of paragneisses and their anatectic derivatives were separated into size and shape fractions. From morphologic studies and U-Pb isotopic analyses, they were found to be composites of young concordant (318–325 m.y.) and old, highly discordant zircon components, with more than fifty per cent of young crystals in some anatexites. The apparent ages of the composites are 320–750 m.y. The U concentrations of the newly formed crystals can be higher, equal, or lower than those of the inherited zircon component. Some peculiarities in the concordia plot of the zircon data of paragneisses and migmatites (curved pattern; inversion of the generally observed systematics with respect to U concentration, grain size, degree of discordance) are interpreted as the result of polyepisodic disturbances of the inherited crystals in connection with new zircon growth. In the concordia diagram, the data points of the individual zircon grains containing inherited components appear to plot in band or wedgelike areas, and not on lines as the patterns of size fractions of the same zircon populations could pretend. Consequently, ages obtained by extrapolation of the regression curves to the concordia are not necessarily meaningful and require verification by other methods.