Biostratigraphy of the Upper Pleistocene (Upper Neopleistocene)–Holocene deposits of the Lemeza River valley of the Southern Urals region (Russia)

Numerous caves and terraces with late Late Pleistocene (Upper Neopleistocene according to the Russian stratigraphic scale)–Holocene deposits are located in the Lemeza River valley in the surroundings of the Atysh waterfall, the native reserve territory of the Bashkortostan Republic. Lemeza River runs in the southern part of the western slope of the Urals and belongs to the Belaya River valley system (Russian Federation). A summary of the biostratigraphical investigations between 1992 and 2007 in this area is given. Deposits of cave and fluvial origin are characterized in the framework of the regional stratigraphy. The results of mammalian investigations and radiocarbon dating provide the basis for the stratigraphical subdivision. Palynology, mollusca, fishes, amphibian and reptiles are used for the reconstruction the palaeoenvironments. The Southern Urals stratigraphic subdivisions are correlated with Western European (Weichselian-Holocene), Eastern European (Russia) (Leningrad–Ostashkov–Shuvalov) and Uralian (Nevyansk–Polar Urals–Gorbunovsky) stratigraphic schemes.     

Litho- and Biostratigraphy of the Middle Neopleistocene of the European Northeast of Russia

The materials on litho- and biostratigraphy (collared lemming, Dicrostonyx) of the Middle Neopleistocene of the northeast Russia were revised and litho- and biostratigraphic methods were mutually tested for determination of the age of geological bodies. The reasonable stratigraphic division and correlation of the Neopleistocene are especially topical because of the current preparation of a new common stratigraphic chart of Quaternary sediments. The petrographic composition of the coarse-clastic material and the orientation of clasts in moraines are regionally consistent lithostratigraphic criteria. In the Pechora (Dnieper) moraine, the elongated rock clasts are oriented in a sector of 20°–60° in contrast to an azimuth of 270°–360° of the Vychegda (Moscow) moraine, which, in addition to petrographic composition of rocks, indicates the contribution of terrigenous material from different glacial provenances during formation of moraines. Certain differences were revealed also in assemblages of heavy minerals. The Middle Neopleistocene rodent fauna was found between the Pechora and Vychegda moraines. The stratigraphic position of microtheriofauna is identified on the basis of evolution level of molars of collared lemmings. By proportion of simplicior and henseli morphotypes for M1 and M2, all fossils belong to three groups corresponding to three evolution stages of a tooth system: Late Pechora (Late Dnieper, MIS 8), Rodionovo (Shklov, MIS 7), and Early Vychegda (Early Moscow, MIS 6). They include D. simplicior morph 2 (Gavrilovka, Bol’shaya Sluda, Akis’, Laya-4 localities), D. simplicior morph 3 (Sercheiyu-1, Laya-3 localities), and D. ex gr. simplicior—gulielmi (Shapkina-4, Chuley, lower horizon of Kipievo localities) morphs. These evolution stages correspond to Late Pechora (Late Dnieper, MIS 8), Rodionovo (Shklov, MIS 7), and Early Vychegda (Early Moscow, MIS 6) intervals. Taking into account the paleoclimate data, the presence of the lemmings in the region during the Rodionovo time is rather plausible.     

Late Carboniferous lycopsids of the Karantrav locality (the Southern Urals)

Numerous plant remains as the imprints of lycopsid strobili and stems and the sporadic imprints of articulate stems were first found in the Upper Carboniferous deposits from the Western Slope of the Southern Urals (Karantrav Settlement area). The brief stratigraphic characteristic of the studied locality is given. The studied plant assemblage is represented by Lepidodendron ophiurus Brongniart, L. vaselgense Anikeeva et O. Orlova, sp. nov., Lepidodendron sp., Lepidostrobus tevelevii O. Orlova, Mamontov et Anikeeva, sp. nov., L. ronnaensis Bek et Oplustil, Knorria sp., Calamites sp., and Mesocalamites ramifer (Stur) Hirmer. In-situ microspores of the Lycospora type were discovered in the sporangia of some strobili of the genus Lepidostrobus. Four lycopsid species (two are new) were described.     

Late Pleistocene large mammal faunas from the Urals

The 121 local faunas of large mammals from Late Pleistocene sites of the South (56–51°N), Middle (59–56°N) and North (64–59°N) Urals have been studied. All local faunas were combined into eight chronological groups on the basis of radiocarbon dates and the evolutionary level of rodents present in them. On the basis of species composition analysis of the faunas, three chronological complexes have been distinguished: Mikulino, Early–Middle Valdai and Late Valdai. The first is characterized by the presence of Hystrix vinogradovi and Ursus thibetanus; the second, by the presence of a large form of horse (Equus (E.) cf. latipes), Crocuta crocuta, Ursus spelaeus and U. savini; the third, by the presence of a small horse (E. uralensis) and absence of U. spelaeus, U. savini and C. crocuta. The latter two complexes were represented by three geographical variants: southern (South Urals), northern (North Urals) and transitional (Middle Urals). Differences between theriocomplexes are related to changes in morphology and areas and extinctions of a series of species. The existence of chronological theriocomplexes and their geographical variants was determined by chronological and geographical change in structure of paleophytocoenoses. It should be noted that the role of human in changes of chronological complexes and species extinctions in the Late Pleistocene has not been demonstrated in the Urals. In the Urals U. savini probably became extinct at the end of the Middle Valdai, C. crocuta at the beginning of the last glacial maximum (LGM), U. spelaeus at the end of the LGM, Coelodonta antiquitatis at the beginning of the Preboreal and Megaloceros giganteus at the middle of the Atlantic.     

山东张夏期(中寒武世晚期)三叶虫生物地层

根据山东长清张夏虎头山至黄草顶、淄博市淄川区峨庄乡黑石寨谢家峪及新泰县九龙村九龙山的中寒武世晚期地层剖面的新材料 ,分析了山东张夏期三叶虫的地层分布 ,讨论了张夏组的顶底界线 ,扼要地比较了张夏期的 6个多节类三叶虫带与华南过渡区的 4个球接子带。     

Zirconology of izrandites (Southern Urals)

Doklady Earth Sciences -     

华北平原晚更新世以来岩石地层、生物地层及气候地层

前人对华北平原晚更新世以来的地层虽有较多的研究,但由于历史的原因,其所采的样品均过稀(一般为1个样品/2 m),所以,其地层界线的划分不够精细,争论也很大。对华北平原的HG1孔和HN1孔进行了加密采样(HG1孔1个样品/0.20 m,HN1孔1个样品/0.07 m),对HN1孔还加大了其微量14C年龄的测定数量(共测试17个样品),并对HG1孔的有孔虫进行了详细鉴定,对HN1孔的有孔虫进行了高分辨率鉴别。在此基础上,对华北平原晚更新世以来的岩石地层、生物地层及气候地层进行了进一步的研究,厘定了华北平原全新世与晚更新世地层的年龄界线。与此同时,结合前人的研究成果,建立了华北平原第四纪地层的标准模式地层层系。     

Late Pleistocene and Holocene small- and large-mammal faunas from the Northern Urals

Data from the mammal fauna of the North Urals during the Late Pleistocene and Holocene are synthesised. Analysis of differentiation the degree of small- and large-mammal faunas during this time has been undertaken. Only differences of mammal species composition were significant between the Late Pleistocene and Holocene complexes, and within these complexes, the distinction between faunas was insignificant. The transition from the Late Pleistocene to the Holocene complex small-mammal faunas occurred in the Middle Late Valdai due to expansion of the forest species. In large-mammal faunas, the process was recorded later (in Dryas 3-Early Holocene) because of the extinction of some species and others that changed their areas of occupation.     

New evidence of the Late Palaeozoic age of the quartzite-schist frame of the Ilmenogorsk complex (Southern Urals)

In the Ilmenogorsk metamorphic complex, Southern Urals, the Archean gneissic core and Riphean-Vendian quartzite-schist framing are traditionally distinguished. The age of the latter is not reliably determined. There were speculations about its possible Paleozoic age. Those are partially confirmed by isotopic data. The quartzite in the upper part of the section of schist strata detrital mineral grains were found, and they are similar to accessory minerals of the Kisegach Massif granitoids occurring among quartzite. The granitoids demonstrated to form phases of various age. It is assumed that the oldest of them (predating folding) could be intruded synchronously with sedimentation and serve as porvenance for the quartzite. The most informative of these minerals is monazite. Microprobe analyses results on monazite from quartzite and granite are given. Their REE distribution is demonstrated to be similar. This confirms the possibility of the granitoid erosion at the time of quartz sandstone deposition. Since the K-Ar age of granitoids Kisegach Massif is 252 ± 8 Ma, it was concluded that the Kyshtym quartzite-schist unit of Ilmeny has about the same age.     

Middle to Late Pleistocene palaeoenvironmental evolution of the southeastern Alpine Valeriano Creek succession (northeastern Italy)

The Middle–Late Pleistocene alluvial and lacustrine succession of Valeriano Creek (southeastern Alpine foothills, 190 m a.s.l.) documents the environmental evolution of the piedmont plain before the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). The sedimentary record was investigated by multidisciplinary stratigraphical and sedimentological studies coupled with petrographic and palaeobotanical analysis. A chronology has been provided by luminescence, radiocarbon dating and pollen biochronology. The succession developed at the valley mouth of a small catchment and is confined in the piedmont plain by the alluvial fans of major rivers. The oldest deposits were formed during a cold phase during the late Middle Pleistocene. This part of the piedmont plain was generally stable until Termination II, when it was trenched more than 15 m deep by watercourses. The infilling succession of the trench, mostly by low‐energy alluvial sediments interbedded with mire and peat deposits, documents, for the first time on the southern side of the Alps, the relationships between fluvial activity, vegetation and climate change at the foothills piedmont plain during late Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 5. The stadial–interstadial climate forcing implies a local reorganisation of fluvial dynamics and of forest composition, although substantial plant cover persisted even during cooler stadials. In accordance with coeval alluvial and speleothem records from the northern side of the Alps, this environmental evolution supports a very restricted Alpine glaciation of the main fluvial catchments of the southeastern Alps during MIS 5a–d. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New Data on Dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous Sediments of the Southern Urals

Doklady Earth Sciences - We describe a new find of a dinosaur in the Southern Urals, a fragment of long bone of a large dinosaur from the Upper Cretaceous (Upper Santonian–Lower Campanian)...     

Late Pleistocene Palaeoenvironments of the Southern Lake Agassiz Basin,USA

Macroscopic plant remains, pollen, insect and mollusc fossils recovered from a cut bank on the Red River in North Dakota, USA, provide evidence that an extensive wetland occupied the southern basin of Lake Agassiz from 10 230 to 9900 ¹⁴C yr BP. Marsh‐dwelling plants and invertebrates had colonised the surface of a prograding delta during the low‐water Moorhead Phase of Lake Agassiz. A species of Salix (willow) was abundant along distributary channels, and stands of Populus tremuloides (aspen), Ulmus sp. (elm), Betula sp. (birch), and Picea sp. (spruce) grew on the better‐drained sand bars and beach ridges. Most of the species of plants, insects, and molluscs represented as fossils are within their existing geographic ranges. Based on a few species with more northerly distributions, mean summer temperature may have been about 1–2°C lower than the present day. No change in species composition occurred in the transition from the Younger Dryas to Preboreal. At the time that the wetland existed, Lake Agassiz was draining either eastward to the North Atlantic Ocean or northwestward to the Arctic Ocean. The wetland was drowned during the Emerson Phase transgression that resulted in meltwater draining southward to the Gulf of Mexico after 9900 ¹⁴C yr BP. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Zirconology of serpentinites from Nyashevo massif (Southern Urals)

Zircons in serpentinites from Nyashevo massif of the Ilmenogorskii complex were dated for the first time by means of the SHRIMP technique. The maximum date of 1892 ± 23 Ma for the zircons accounts for the minimum age of their mantle substrate probably constituting the restite residue. The date is comparable to those for metamorphic rocks of the Selyankino group, as well as of fenite–sand amphibolites of the Ilmenogorskii complex. The Upper Ordovician age limit of 443 ± 12 Ma is adequate for formation of the massif and conforms to the age of the Buldym massif and miaskites. The Early Permian dates of zircons (275.8 ± 2.1 Ma) represent late shear processes in the Ilmenogorskii complex.     

南澜沧江带中三叠世叶肢介化石的发现及形态学研究

三叠纪火山-沉积岩是南澜沧江带的重要组成部分,长期缺乏可靠的生物地层学研究.首次报道了该地区忙怀组叶肢介化石,包括3个种和1个未定种:Euestheria minuta、Euestheria yipinglangensis、Euestheria dazuensis和Euestheria sp..对保存较好的叶肢介个体进行了8个特征参数的测量,并对叶肢介化石进行了定量和半定量描述.将获得的壳体长度和宽度进行压轴回归（RMA）线性拟合,发现二者具有明显的线性相关性.简单线性测量数据主成分分析和壳体轮廓傅里叶系数主成分分析结果均表明,E.minuta、E. sp.、E.yipinglangensis和E.dazuensis有较大程度的种内变化.结合化石组合和同位素测年结果,认为南澜沧江带忙怀组上部时代已延伸至中三叠世拉丁期.      

Seismites in Late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits of the northwestern Kola region (northern Baltic Shield)

New data on soft-sediment deformation in Late Pleistocene and Holocene deposits of the northwestern Kola Peninsula (Pechenga River valley) are reported and analyzed in terms of paleoseismicity implications. Soft-sediment deformation is assigned to paleoseismic triggers on the basis of special criteria. One sedimentary section in the Pechenga valley bears signature of several seismic events at the Late Pleistocene–Holocene boundary, constrained by radiocarbon dates. According to the morphology, sizes, and types of seismites, the earthquakes had an MSK-64 intensity at least VI–VII. The observed earthquake-induced deformation may be associated with tectonic subsidence of the Pechenga valley block.     

Zirconology of nepheline syenite of the Berdyaush Massif (Southern Urals)

Doklady Earth Sciences -