The structure of the natural fossil resins of North Eurasia according to IR-spectroscopy and microscopic data

Molecular and supermolecular structures of fossilized resins from the North Eurasia have been studied in detail by IR-spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron (HRTEM) microscopy. The analysis of the IR-spectroscopy data allowed to identify the types of the fossil resins (succinite, rumanite, retinite, etc.). In the succinites and rumanite, the supermolecular structure was observed by AFM. Sizes of the supermolecular particles are 50–120 nm. Some chain-like and cluster-like aggregates can be observed when globules contact with each other. Using SEM and HRTEM techniques, it has been shown that mineral impurities are mainly located as scattered inclusions (from one nanometers up to several tens micrometers in size) in an amorphous organic matrix of the resin.     

Pyrological Situation in the Steppes of Northern Eurasia

Doklady Earth Sciences - The emergence and spreading of grass fires in the steppe regions of Northern Eurasia occurs against the background of spatial heterogeneity of landscapes and differences in...     

The nature and origin of sesquiterpenoids in some tertiary fossil resins

Analyses of two Tertiary fossil resins and a Tertiary montan wax have revealed the presence of a number of sesquiterpenoids. Using gas chromatographic retention data obtained on both polar and non-polar stationary phases and mass spectral comparisons with authentic compounds, the sesquiterpenoids α-cedrene, cedrane, cuparene, cedren-10-one, 8βH cedran-9-one and cuparenic acid have been identified in the fossil resin retinellite and a montain wax (both Oligocene) from lignite beds in the Bovey basin of Devon, England, and in the Pliocene fossil resin ionite from the lone valley of California. U.S.A.The sesquiterpenoids α-cedrene, cuparene and cuparenic acid are characteristic constituents of the essential oils of the Cupressaceae, a family of trees and shrubs of the order Coniferales, and it is argued that these fossil resins, and the montan wax, were derived from older forms of this family of plants. The ketones cedren-10-one and 8βH cedran-9-one, and the saturated hydrocarbon cedrane, are not reported to be constituents of modern genera of Cupressaceae and may have been formed during diagenesis. The cedrane occurring in these deposits appears to be a chemical hydrogenation product of α-cedrene. The ketones, on the other hand, may have resulted from the oxidation of α-cedrene although the mechanism of these reactions is not clear. If the ketones are not undetected constituents of these plants, then the presence in these deposits of both oxidised and fully-reduced α-cedrene products infers that separate phases of oxidation and reduction occurred during the diagenesis of the fossil resins and the montan wax.     

Recent and fossil resins from New Zealand and Australia

The carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of fossil resins from New Zealand and Australia have been compared with those of modern and semifossilized materials. The great majority of the fossilized samples have strong spectral similarities to modern Agathis resins and to North American fossil resins, which have been attributed to Agathis. The Agathis-related spectra are different from those of modern Hymenaea and Araucaria. A small subgroup of Late Cretaceous resins from Australia and Papua New Guinea appears to derive from a different botanical source and shows strong resemblances to Claiborne amber from Arkansas. The spectral resonances of the exomethylene carbons degrade over time and on average provide an approximate measure of the geological age of Agathis-related fossil resins. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Holocene Treeline History and Climate Change Across Northern Eurasia

Radiocarbon-dated macrofossils are used to document Holocene treeline history across northern Russia (including Siberia). Boreal forest development in this region commenced by 10,000 yr B.P. Over most of Russia, forest advanced to or near the current arctic coastline between 9000 and 7000 yr B.P. and retreated to its present position by between 4000 and 3000 yr B.P. Forest establishment and retreat was roughly synchronous across most of northern Russia. Treeline advance on the Kola Peninsula, however, appears to have occurred later than in other regions. During the period of maximum forest extension, the mean July temperatures along the northern coastline of Russia may have been 2.5° to 7.0°C warmer than modern. The development of forest and expansion of treeline likely reflects a number of complimentary environmental conditions, including heightened summer insolation, the demise of Eurasian ice sheets, reduced sea-ice cover, greater continentality with eustatically lower sea level, and extreme Arctic penetration of warm North Atlantic waters. The late Holocene retreat of Eurasian treeline coincides with declining summer insolation, cooling arctic waters, and neoglaciation.     

Influence of long-period oscillations on the development of droughts in Northern Eurasia

Doklady Earth Sciences - Estimates of the influence of the Atlantic long-period oscillation (ALO) on the formation of droughts in Northern Eurasia were obtained using the results of numerical...     

Mineralogy of carbonaceous chondritic microclasts in howardites: identification of C2 fossil micrometeorites

Seventy-one carbonaceous chondritic microclasts of average size 150 μm have been found in three howardites (Yamato-793497, Jodzie, Kapoeta). All carbonaceous chondritic microclasts are made of a fine-grained phyllosilicate-rich matrix supporting a variety of minerals such as olivine, pyroxene, spinel, iron oxides, iron-nickel sulfides, and calcium carbonates. Such a mineralogy is typical of chondritic C2 matter. Half of the carbonaceous chondritic microclasts are tochilinite-rich, and have been tentatively called CM2 microclasts. The other half are magnetite-rich, and have been tentatively called CR2 microclasts. The absence of a correlation between the CM2/CR2 ratio in carbonaceous chondritic microclasts and in numerous millimeter-sized clasts found in the same sections argues for carbonaceous chondritic microclasts being true micrometeorites rather than fragments of larger objects. Dynamical simulations show that it is possible for asteroidal dust to encounter Vesta (the howardite’s putative parent-asteroid) at velocity low enough (<1 km.s⁻¹) to prevent fragmentation. Because the micrometeorite flux in the inner Solar System has been decreasing with time, we argue that carbonaceous chondritic microclasts have been trapped in Vesta’s regolith early in the history of the Solar System and are fossil micrometeorites. Because both microclasts and clasts found in howardites are related to C2 chondritic matter, we propose that C2 matter represents the bulk, or at least a significant fraction of the primordial howardite parent-asteroid. Considering the abundance of C2 matter among fossil micrometeorites, we speculate that the C2 fossil micrometorites are the so far unidentified agent of the late chondritic veneer that endowed the Earth’s mantle with an excess of siderophile elements relative to the contents predicted by the core-mantle separation models. The discovery that C2 fossil micrometeorites are similar to C2 modern Antarctic micrometeorites supports recent models proposing a micrometeoritic origin for the Earth’s oceans and volatile species.     

Variations in the Aboveground Phytomass in Northern Eurasia in the 21st Century

Doklady Earth Sciences - Changes in the phytomass of the ecosystems of Northern Eurasia were traced based on the results of modeling and analysis of multispectral satellite imagery (MODIS archives...     

Upper mantle structure of the Northern Eurasia from peaceful nuclear explosion data

Several long-range seismic profiles were carried out in Russia with Peaceful Nuclear Explosions (PNE). The data from 25 PNEs recorded along these profiles were used to compile a 3-D upper mantle velocity model for the central part of the Northern Eurasia. 2-D crust and upper mantle models were also constructed for all profiles using a common methodology for wavefield interpretation. Five basic boundaries were traced over the study area: N1 boundary (velocity level, V = 8.35 km/s; depth interval, D = 60–130 km), N2 (V = 8.4 km/s; D = 100–140 km), L (V = 8.5 km/s; D = 180–240 km) and H (V = 8.6 km/s; D = 300–330 km) and structural maps were compiled for each boundary. Together these boundaries describe a 3-D upper mantle model for northern Eurasia. A map characterised the velocity distribution in the uppermost mantle down to a depth of 60 km is also presented. Mostly horizontal inhomogeneity is observed in the uppermost mantle, and the velocities range from the average 8.0–8.1 km/s to 8.3–8.4 km/s in some blocks of the Siberian Craton. At a depth of 100–200 km, the local high velocity blocks disappear and only three large anomalies are observed: lower velocities in West Siberia and higher velocities in the East-European platform and in the central part of the Siberian Craton. In contrast, the depths to the H boundary are greater beneath the craton and lower beneath in the West Siberian Platform. A correlation between tectonics, geophysical fields and crustal structure is observed. In general, the old and cold cratons have higher velocities in the mantle than the young platforms with higher heat flows.Structural peculiarities of the upper mantle are difficult to describe in form of classical lithosphere–asthenosphere system. The asthenosphere cannot be traced from the seismic data; in contrary the lithosphere is suggested to be rheologically stratified. All the lithospheric boundaries are not simple discontinuities, they are heterogeneous (thin layering) zones which generate multiphase reflections. Many of them may be a result of fluids concentrated at some critical P–T conditions which produce rheologically weak zones. The most visible rheological variations are observed at depths of around 100 and 250 km.     

Anomalies in the Atmospheric Methane Content over Northern Eurasia in the Summer of 2016

Doklady Earth Sciences - Using data from the AIRS satellite instrument for the period of 2003–2016, the correlation between the regional anomalies of methane content in the atmosphere and the...     

Variations in the subsidence of buried soils in cyclic loess in the Northern Eurasia Region

The subsidence of buried soils in cyclic loess sequences in the Northern Eurasia Region was described. Two types of variations in the relative subsidence of the buried soils were established. The relationships between the subsidence indexes of buried soils, over- and underlying loess were studied.     

On the results of engineering geological research of loess-soil massifs of Northern Eurasia

This paper reports on the total results obtained in solving morphological, retrospective, and engineering geological forecast tasks for loess-soil massifs. It is shown that the maximum relative subsidence ranges from 0.17 to 0.21, the thickness of subsiding loess massifs is 55 m under a natural load, the maximum number of cyclites composed of subsiding loess soils reaches ten, and more often the number of buried subsiding soils does not exceed four to five in a section of a loess massif. The main result in solving these retrospective engineering-geological tasks was the development of eight hypotheses and mechanisms of loess-soil subsidence, on the basis of which a general theory and four particular theories on the formation of loess subsidence were formulated. The result of solving the forecast tasks was the elaboration of methods for the calculation of the expected settlement of loess massifs under different conditions of wetting and the development of hydrogeochemical, geochemical, geotechnical, and integrated techniques for the improvement of the properties of loess-soil massifs.     

湖北省随州市北部变质岩中石英的找矿矿物学

湖北省随州市北部的变质岩中，发育有不同期的矿化与非矿化石英脉。本文通过对石英的电子顺磁共振谱、热发光曲线及中子活化分析结果的研究，系统探讨了不同时代及产状石英的差异及其与金矿化之间的关系。指出石英晶格中出现Ｆｅ￣（３＋）杂质，Ａｌ－Ｏ￣－心自旋浓度大于１．３×１０￣（１４）ｓｐｉｎｓ／ｍｇ、有Ａｕ和Ａｇ检出且Ｋ／Ｎａ值大于３，其所在蚀变带为含矿蚀变破碎带。     

Mineralogy of the continental shelf sediments of Abu-Quir Bay Northern Coast of Egypt

This paper deals with the mineralogy of the continental shelf sediments of Abu-Quir Bay, N Coast of Egypt. The three dimentional distributions (normal to the shore line, in the breaker and offshore zones and along profiles E-W0 of different material individuals for twelve profiles were discussed. The patternal distribution of the recorded minerals along the bay was controlled by selective transport of the sediments by the E-W littoral current. A general trend for the decrease of the heaviest minerals from the source area (Rosetta Mouth) was observed. The opaques, garnet, zircon and epidote are concentrated in the breaker zone sediments, while the other (pyroxens and mica) are concentrated in the offshore zone sediments. Considerable amounts of opaques, amphiboles, monazite, garnet, staurolite and tourmaline were concentrated near Maadia Outlet, this is most probably attributed to the subsurface old sediments of Canopic Branch. Correlation between the present work (1978–1979) and other mineralogical work during (1971–1973), Rashed 1978) was attemptted.     

Contribution of Grenvillian events to the formation of most complete Riphean sedimentary successions in Northern Eurasia

The Grenvillian orogeny (～1250 to 980 Ma) was one of the most significant Riphean events. It determined the formation of many structures observable now in North and South America, northwestern Europe, South Africa, Western Australia, Antarctica, and other regions. Nevertheless, its reflections in the most complete and relatively well investigated Upper Precambrian sedimentary sections of northern Eurasia such as the Riphean stratotype (Bashkir meganticlinorium) and hypostratotype (Uchur-Maya region) still remain unknown. This is primarily true of the petrographic and chemical compositions of terrigenous rocks. This work is dedicated to the analysis of peculiar features in variations of the whole-rock chemical composition of sandstones and fine-grained clastic rocks (shales, mudstones, fine-grained clayey siltstones) that constitute Middle-Upper Riphean boundary layers of the Bashkir meganticlinorium, Kama-Belaya aulacogen, and Uchur-Maya region. The analysis reveals no tendency for the decrease in the degree of the chemical and, consequently, mineralogical maturity in the upward direction through the Middle-Upper Riphean sections in the above-mentioned regions. The whole-rock compositions of fine-grained clastic rocks associated with sandstones correspond mostly to that of “common” Upper Precambrian clayey rocks. The formation of practically the entire Yurmatinian-Karatavian succession in the Bashkir meganticlinorium proceeded under relatively stable T_DM and ?_Nd(T) values. The period of 1250 to 980 Ma in the central and eastern parts of the Siberian Platform was marked by repeated rifting episodes alternating with accumulation of mature platformal sediments, although repercussions of Grenvillian collisional processes are missing from this region as well. The performed analysis provides grounds for the conclusion that contribution of the Grenvillian events to the formation of most complete Riphean successions in northern Eurasia was insignificant.     

Mineralogy of metamorphosed carbonatite of the Vesely occurrence, Northern Transbaikal region, Russia

Metamorphism of carbonatite is exemplified in the Vesely occurrence. According to available data, the age of the carbonatite is 596 ± 3.5Ma, whereas metamorphism is dated at 550 ± 14 Ma. The rocks at the Vesely occurrence were metamorphosed under conditions of greenschist facies (epidote-muscovite-chlorite subfacies) under elevated pressure. Microthermometry of fluid inclusions in minerals indicates that the temperature of metamorphism is 377−450°C and the pressure estimated from phengite geobarometer is 6−8 kbar. The low-grade metamorphism led to the partial recrystallization of carbonates and apatite with removal of trace elements. This process resulted in a change of the oxygen isotopic composition of the studied minerals. Metamorphism was accompanied by formation of talc, phengite, chlorite, quartz, tremolite-actinolite, and anthophyllite, which are not typical of carbonatite. The data obtained show that the metamorphism exerted an effect on the mineralogical, isotopic, geochemical, and technological properties of the carbonatite. The effect of metamorphism should be taken into account in determination of the nature of ore mineralization and estimation of ore quality and perspective of the occurrence.     

Analysis of changes in tornadogenesis conditions over Northern Eurasia based on a simple index of atmospheric convective instability

Doklady Earth Sciences - A simple index of convective instability (3D-index) is used for analysis of weather and climate processes that favor to the occurrence of severe convective events including...     

陕西北部发现多个新近纪哺乳动物化石新地点及其意义

在陕北黄土高原下部的红土堆积中新发现29个新近纪哺乳动物化石地点,自北向南包括神木、榆阳、佳县、横山、子洲、志丹、安塞、甘泉等地,基本覆盖整个陕北黄土高原,填补了中新世时期中国哺乳动物地理格局中东西分界线附近的大片空白。动物组合以新近纪中国北方常见的三趾马动物群成员为主,包含有三趾马(Hipparion)、大唇犀(Chilotherium)、萨摩麟(Samotherium)、巨鬣狗(Dinocrocuta)、弓颌猪(Chleuastochoerus)、羚羊(Gazella)等,其组合特点类似于府谷老高川中部动物群。新发现的、多地点的化石材料进一步表明,在陕西北部晚中新世约6.7 Ma左右,森林-草原混合型三趾马动物群的分布可能相当广泛,而约7.8 Ma和约5.7 Ma两期的哺乳动物群的分布可能相对局限。

     

Mineralogy of the Boroo Gold Deposit in the North Khentei Gold Belt,Central Northern Mongolia

Mineral assemblages and chemical compositions of ore minerals from the Boroo gold deposit in the North Khentei gold belt of Mongolia were studied to characterize the gold mineralization, and to clarify crystallization processes of the ore minerals. The gold deposit consists of low‐grade disseminated and stockwork ores in granite, metasedimentary rocks and diorite dikes. Moderate to high‐grade auriferous quartz vein ores are present in the above lithological units. The ore grades of the former range from about 1 to 3 g/t, and those of the latter from 5 to 10 g/t, or more than 10 g/t Au. The main sulfide minerals in the ores are pyrite and arsenopyrite, both of which are divisible into two different stages (pyrite‐I and pyrite‐II; arsenopyrite‐I and arsenopyrite‐II). Sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and tetrahedrite are minor associated minerals, with trace amounts of bournonite, boulangerite, geerite, alloclasite, native gold, and electrum. The ore minerals in the both types of ores are variable in distribution, abundance and grain size. Four modes of gold occurrence are recognized: (i) “invisible” gold in pyrite and arsenopyrite in the disseminated and stockwork ores, and in auriferous quartz vein ores; (ii) microscopic native gold, 3 to 100 µm in diameter, that occurs as fine grains or as an interstitial phase in sulfides in the disseminated and stockwork ores, and in auriferous quartz vein ores; (iii) visible native gold, up to 1 cm in diameter, in the auriferous quartz vein ores; and (iv) electrum in the auriferous quartz vein ores. The gold mineralization of the disseminated and stockwork ores consists of four stages characterized by the mineral assemblages of: (i) pyrite‐I + arsenopyrite‐I; (ii) pyrite‐II + arsenopyrite‐II; (iii) sphalerite + galena + chalcopyrite + tetrahedrite + bournonite + boulangerite + alloclasite + native gold; and (iv) native gold. In the auriferous quartz vein ores, five mineralization stages are defined by the following mineral assemblages: (i) pyrite‐I; (ii) pyrite‐II + arsenopyrite; (iii) sphalerite + galena + chalcopyrite; (iv) Ag‐rich tetrahedrite‐tennantite + bournonite + geerite + native gold; and (v) electrum. The As–Au relations in pyrite‐II and arsenopyrite suggest that gold detected as invisible gold is mostly attributed to Au⁺¹ in those minerals. By applying the arsenopyrite geothermometer to arsenopyrite‐II in the disseminated and stockwork ores, crystallization temperature and logfs₂ are estimated to be 365 to 300 °C and –7.5 to –10.1, respectively.     

Anomalous transboundary transport of the products of biomass burning from North American wildfires to Northern Eurasia

Doklady Earth Sciences - An analysis of smoke in the atmosphere over the Russian Far East and Eastern Siberia in August 2004 was carried out. The results of the analysis indicate that the cause of...