Chert and its sodium-silicate precursors in sodium-carbonate lakes of East Africa

Chert has formed from two sodium-silicate minerals, magadiite (NaSi₇,O₁₃(OH)₃·3H₂O) and kenyaite (NaSi₁₁O_20.5(OH)₄·3H₂O), in uppermost Pleistocene deposits of lakes Magadi and Natron in Kenya and Tanzania. The chert consists of finely crystalline quartz and characteristically forms nodules of irregular shape with white coatings having reticulate surface patterns. Similar nodules are widespread in lower and middle Pleistocene lacustrine deposits in the vicinity of Lake Magadi, Lake Natron, and Olduvai Gorge. Although magadiite and kenyaite are absent in the lower and middle Pleistocene deposits, the chert in these beds probably formed from a sodium-silicate precursor. All of the chert-bearing sediments were deposited in saline, alkaline lakes rich in dissolved sodium carbonate-bicarbonate.Magadiite (and chert) may form either thin, widespread deposits or localized masses which may be cross-cutting. Thin, widespread layers of magadiite have been precipitated by mixing of silica-rich brine with fresh water in a chemically stratified lake; localized masses may have been formed by interaction of brine with fresher water entering the floor or margin of the lake. Magadiite and kenyaite can alter to chert in contact with sodium-carbonate brine and possibly by leaching with relatively fresh water over a period of 20,000 years or less.The siliceous zeolites clinoptilolite and erionite predominate in trachyte tuffs associated with magadiite and chert; less-siliceous phillipsite predominates in trachyte tuffs of chert-free sequences.     

Boron in chert and Precambrian siliceous iron formations

In order to assess the importance of siliceous sediments as a sink for oceanic B and to determine the effect of diagenesis on the mobilization of B, samples were analysed from chert nodules, bedded cherts, and siliceous banded iron formations from a variety of sedimentary environments and geologic ages. Boron analyses on bulk samples were made by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis. The distribution of B in rocks was mapped using α-track methods.Nodular Phanerozoic cherts typically contain 50–150 ppm B, and bedded cherts somewhat less. The B is initially concentrated in tests of silica-secreting organisms, but some is lost in early diagenesis as silica progressively recrystallises to quartz.Banded iron formation silica of Archean and Proterozoic age usually contains < 2 ppm B. This conforms with the view that such silica is not of biogenic origin but, since many iron formations are undoubtedly of marine origin, raises the question whether Precambrian oceans were impoverished in B. Analyses of Precambrian marine argillaceous sediments, averaging 70 ppm B, do not resolve this question.     

Petrology and geochemistry of chert on the marginal zone of Yangtze Platform,western Hunan,South China,during the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition

The Ediacaran–Cambrian transition was one of the most critical intervals in Earth history. During this interval, widespread chert was precipitated, commonly as a stratal wedge in carbonates, along the southern margin of the Yangtze Platform, South China. The chert wedge passes into a full chert succession further basinward to the south‐east. Four lithotypes of chert are identified across the marginal zone in western Hunan: mounded, vein, brecciated and bedded chert. The mounded chert is characterized by irregular to digitiform internal fabrics, generally with abundant original vesicles and/or channels that mostly are lined by botryoidal chalcedony cements with minor quartz and barite crystals. The host chert (or matrix) of these mounds is dominated by amorphous cryptocrystalline silica, commonly disseminated with pyrite. The vein chert, with minor quartz locally, generally cross‐cuts the overlying dolostone and chert horizons and terminates under the mounded and/or bedded chert bodies. The brecciated chert commonly occurs as splayed ‘intrusions’ or funnel‐shaped wedges and cross‐cuts the topmost dolostones. The bedded chert, the most common type, generally is thin to medium‐bedded and laminated locally; it is composed of amorphous silica with minor amounts of black lumps. Microthermometry of fluid inclusions from vein and void‐lining minerals (mainly quartz and barite) revealed homogenization temperatures from 120 to 180°C for the trapped primary fluids. Compositionally, these chert deposits generally are pure, with SiO₂ > 92 wt%, and only minor Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ contents, most of which show positive Europium anomalies in rare earth element patterns, especially for the mounded chert. All these data suggest that the marginal zone chert deposits resulted from a low‐temperature, silica‐rich hydrothermal system, in which the mounded chert was precipitated around the releasing vents, i.e. as silica chimneys. The vein and splayed brecciated chert, however, was formed along the syndepositional fault/fracture conduits that linked downward, while the bedded chert was precipitated in the quieter water column from the fallout of hydrothermal plumes onto the sea floor. These petrological and geochemical data provide compelling evidence and a new clue to the understanding of the extensive silica precipitation; rapid tectono‐depositional and oceanic changes during the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition in South China.     

Influence of the economic activities on coasts upon the coastal waters of the Black Sea

The contemporary state of the ecosystem, coastal waters and coasts of the Black Sea can be assessed as critical. The main causes of unfavourable ecological changes of the sea, and especially its shelf waters, are the natural and anthropogenic changes in river runoff increase of biogenic compounds, organic matter, pollutants and toxic agents carried to the sea in river waters, pollution of the sea water basin with petroleum. This work is devoted to an assessment of the role of sea coasts in the change of its ecological state because up till now the majority of researchers considered the influence of quantitative and qualitative changes of the river runoff produced by the economic activities to be decisive. It is shown that even according to at present incomplete data the contribution of coasts of biogenic compounds to the coastal sea waters is comparable with the contribution of the runoff of large rivers; it is significant for oil hydrocarbons, and decisive with regard to surface acting agents (SAA), phenols and pesticides. In a number of areas the ecological state of the coastal waters is almost completely determined by the inflow of pollutants from coasts. The integral assessment of the quality of coastal sea waters on different areas of the sea proved that the quality of the water along the coasts of Georgia, Russia and the Ukraine varies from moderately polluted to extremely dirty.     

西藏南部硅质岩的特征及相关问题探讨

西藏南部广泛发育中生代古海洋沉积硅质岩,在空间上集中分布于雅鲁藏布江缝合带和喜马拉雅沉积带,呈东西向条带状分布,断断续续延伸达数千公里。可大致厘定出3条硅质岩带:缝合带蛇绿岩北侧早白垩世硅质岩带、缝合带蛇绿岩南侧三叠纪至白垩纪硅质岩带和喜马拉雅沉积带白垩纪硅质岩带,产出块状、层状、角砾状和结核状4种类型的硅质岩。在沉积建造特征上,缝合带蛇绿岩北侧硅质岩带以蛇绿岩-硅质岩建造为主;缝合带蛇绿岩南侧硅质岩带主要以火山岩-硅质岩建造和改造型硅质岩建造为主;喜马拉雅沉积带硅质岩则以浊积岩-硅质岩建造为特征。藏南硅质岩具有重要的研究意义,其薄弱环节和科学问题主要包括:硅质岩的成因问题、硅质岩的微组构问题、硅质岩中的古海洋沉积事件信息、硅质岩对沉积环境的指相意义等。     

Partition of Ni between olivine and sulfide: equilibria with sulfide-oxide liquids

The partition of Ni between olivine and monosulfide-oxide liquid has been investigated at 1300–1395° C, =10^–8-9–10^–6.8, and =10^–2.0–10^–0.9, over the composition range 20–79 mol. % NiS. The product olivine compositions varied from Fo98 to Fo59 and from 0.06 to 3.11 wt% NiO. The metal/sulfur ratio of the sulfide-oxide liquid increases with increase in , decrease in , and increase in NiS content. The Ni/Fe exchange reaction has been perfectly reversed using natural olivine and pure forsterite as starting materials. The FeO and NiO contents of olivine from runs equilibrated at the same and form isobaric distributions with NiS content, which, to a first approximation, are dependent at constant temperature and total pressure on a variable term, –0.5 log ( / ). The Ni/Fe distribution coefficient (K _D3) exhibits only a weak decrease from 35 to 29 with increase in from the IW buffer to close to the FMQ buffer. At values higher than FMQ, the sulfide-oxide liquid has the approximate composition (Ni,Fe)₃±_xS₂K _D358. The present K _D3 vs O/(S+O) data define a trend which extrapolates to K _D320 at 10 wt% oxygen in the sulfide-oxide liquid. The compositions of olivine and Ni-Cu sulfides associated with early-magmatic basic rocks and komatiites are consistent, at 1400° C, with a value of -log ( / ) of about 7.7, which is equivalent to 0.0 wt% oxygen in the hypothesized immiscible sulfide-oxide liquid. Therefore, K _D3 would not be reduced significantly from the 30 to 35 range for sulfide-oxide liquids with low oxygen contents.     

Simulation of Stratigraphic Architecture from Statistical and Geometrical Characterizations

Stratigraphic modeling based on physical and geologic principles has been improved by more sophisticated process models and increased computer power. However, such efforts may reach a limit in their predictive power because of the stochastic, multiscaled nature of the physical processes involved. Building on techniques from the geostatistical literature, a conditional simulation method, dubbed SimStrat, has been developed to improve predictions of stratigraphic architecture from limited data. No physical processes are invoked. Rather, the prediction is based solely on geometric and statistical principals. The method takes as input sonar bathymetry, seismically defined stratigraphic horizons, and core-defined horizons. Each stratigraphic horizon is characterized using spectral modeling and coherence modeling for adjacent horizons. Predictions of subsurface horizons are improved where seafloor bathymetry conforms with the underlying strata. Conditional simulations can then be generated that conform to available data constraints and statistical characterization. Tests with synthetic data in one and two dimensions for differing spectral models confirm the reliability of the method.     

Chemistry and Sulfur Isotopes in a Chert-dominant Sequence around the Stratiform Manganese Deposit of the Noda-Tamagawa Mine, Northern Kitakami Terrane, Northeast Japan: Implication for Paleoceanographic Environmental Setting

Abstract. Chemistry and sulfur isotopes are analyzed for a series of rocks in the chert‐dominant sequence around the stratiform manganese ore deposit of the Noda‐Tamagawa mine in the northern Kitakami Terrane, northeast Japan. The sequence is litholog‐ically classified into six units in ascending order: lower bedded chert, lower black shale, massive chert, manganese ore, upper black shale, and upper bedded chert. The rocks around the manganese ore deposit exhibit anomalous enrichment in Ni (max. 337 ppm), Zn (102) and U (30) in the upper part of lower bedded chert, Mo (122), Tl (79) and Pb (33) in the lower black shale, MnO, Cu (786) and Co (62) in the manganese ore, and As (247) and Sb (17) in the upper black shale. The aluminum‐normalized profiles reveal zonal enrichment of redox‐sensitive elements around the manganese bed: Zn‐Ni‐Fe‐Mo‐U(‐Co), Tl‐Pb(‐Mo), Mn‐Fe‐Cu‐V‐Cr‐Co(‐Zn) and As‐Sb in ascending order. The uppermost part of the lower bedded chert and black shale exhibit negative Ce/Ce* values, whereas the massive chert, manganese ore and lower part of the upper bedded chert display positive values. The isotopic δ³⁴S values are 0±6 % in the lower part of the lower bedded chert, ‐19 to ‐42 % in the upper part of the lower bedded chert, ‐36 to ‐42 % in the lower black shale, ‐28 to ‐35 % in the massive chert, manganese ore and upper black shale, and ‐23±5 % in the upper bedded chert. Thus, there is a marked negative shift in δ³⁴S values in the lower bedded chert, and an upward‐increasing trend in δ³⁴S through the manganese ore horizon. The present data provide evidence for a change in the paleoceanographic environmental resulting from inflow of oxic deepwater into the stagnant anoxic ocean floor below the manganese ore horizon. This event is likely to have triggered the precipitation of manganese oxyhydroxides. The redistribution of redox‐sensitive elements through the formation of metalliferous black shale and manganese carbonate ore may have occurred in association with bacterial decomposition of organic matter during early diagenesis of initial manganese oxyhydroxides.     

Oxyanion Concentrations in Eastern Sierra Nevada Rivers – 2. Arsenic and Phosphate

Water samples were collected from the Truckee River-Pyramid Lake system, the Walker River-Walker Lake system, and the Carson River, all located in eastern California and western Nevada, U.S.A., at three different times (i.e., summer 1991, spring 1992, and autumn 1992) over a two year period. The concentrations of As, Na, Cl, PO4, and pH were measured in these river samples and the associated terminal lakes. Arsenic values ranged from below 13 nmol/kg near Truckee, California to 160 nmol/kg at Nixon, Nevada in the Truckee River, from 40 nmol/kg in the headwaters of both West and East Walker Rivers to 270 nmol/kg below Weber Reservoir on the main branch of the Walker River, and from <27 nmol/kg to 234 nmol/kg for the lower Carson River system. Arsenic concentrations in Steamboat Creek (0.91 mol/kg–1.80 mol/kg) in the Truckee River catchment are above the U.S. EPA drinking water maximum contaminant level of 0.67 mol/kg, as are the As concentrations in both Pyramid Lake (1.33 mol/kg–1.57 mol/kg ) and Walker Lake (13.7 mol/kg–18.7 mol/kg). Sources of As for all three rivers include weathering of As-rich rocks and/or regolith and input of high-As geothermal spring waters, both processes primarily, although not exclusively, adding As to the headwater regions of these rivers. Steamboat Hot Springs (29 mol/kg As 54.5 mol/kg), for example, is identified as a source of As to the Truckee River via Steamboat Creek. The high As concentrations in Pyramid and Walker Lakes are likely due to (1) desorption of arsenate from aquatic particulate matter in these high pH waters (9.0 pH 9.5), (2) limited biologic uptake of arsenate, and (3) evaporative concentration of the lake waters. Evaluation of molar PO4}/As ratios of river waters and geothermal spring waters (e.g., Steamboat Hot Springs), indicates that phosphate is substantially enriched in Steamboat Creek as well as the mid to lower reaches of the Walker and Carson Rivers. These regions of each river are dominated by agricultural interests and, additionally, in the case of Steamboat Creek, residential areas and golf courses. Our data strongly imply that phosphate-rich agricultural return flow has likely added P to these streams and, consequently, increased their respective P:As ratios.     

粤西古水剖面震旦系顶部层状硅岩的热水成因属性:岩石学和地球化学证据

古水剖面震旦系顶部硅岩主要发育层状构造、纹理状构造、块状构造和假角砾状构造,化学成份以ＴｉＯ_２、Ａｌ_２Ｏ_３和大部分微量元素亏损（相对地壳克拉克值）为特征。但Ｂａ、Ａｓ和Ｓｂ等少数已知的热水沉积特征元素显示富集。在Ａｌ－Ｆｅ－Ｍｎ三元图上,古水硅岩投映在“热水沉积”域内。因子分析和对应分析显示了大部分金属元素在代表热水淋滤作用的因子上均有反映。稀土元素以低含量为特征,在对北美页岩组合样（ＮＡＳＣ）正规化后的稀土配分模式落在典型热水沉积的上、下限之间,而在正常沉积的之外。各种岩性和地球化学证据表明,古水硅岩具有热水成因。     

Sulfur isotope evidence for penetration of MVT fluids into igneous basement rocks,southeast Missouri,USA

Previous studies of galena and sphalerite from Paleozoic MVT deposits in the Viburnum Trend, southeast Missouri documented large variations in ³⁴S values throughout the ore-forming event. The present study of Cu-Fe-sulfides reveals a similar ³⁴S variation that reflects two end-member sulfur reservoirs whose relative importance varied both temporally and spatially. More ³⁴S-enriched sulfides (³⁴S approaching 25) indicate introduction of sulfur from basinal sedimentary sources, whereas more ³²S-enriched sulfides (³⁴S < 5) may reflect fluids moving through underlying granitic basement. Two areas containing Precambrian, igneous-hosted FeCu mineralization in southeast Missouri (West and Central Domes of Boss-Bixby) were investigated to elucidate their relationship to Cu-rich MVT orebodies hosted nearby within the overlying Cambrian Bonneterre Dolomite. Mineralization at Boss-Bixby is composed of an early phase of iron oxide deposition followed by Cu-Fe-sulfides. The Central Dome is faulted and its mineralization is more fracture-controlled than the typically podiform ores of the West Dome. The ³⁴S values of West Dome sulfides are 0.9 to 6.5 and pyrite-chalcopyrite indicate a temperature of 525° ± 50 °C. These data indicate an igneous source of sulfur during Precambrian ore deposition. In contrast, ³⁴S values of Central Dome sulfides are 9.4 to 20.0 and pyrite-chalcopyrite indicate temperatures of 275° ± 50 °C. Similar ³⁴S values are obtained for chalcopyrite from the overlying MVT deposits. We speculate that deeply circulating, basin-derived MVT fluids mobilized sulfur and copper from the underlying igneous basement and redeposited them in overlying Curich MVT orebodies, as well as overprinting earlier Precambrian sulfides of the Central Dome with a later, Paleozoic MVT sulfur isotope signature. Many models for MVT fluid circulation in the Midcontinent region of North America assume that igneous basement rocks are an impermeable boundary, but in southeast Missouri, evidence exists for structurally controlled MVT fluid movement > 600 m vertically through underlying Precambrian igneous rocks. Such basement involvement has been suggested for other carbonate-hosted base-metal districts (e.g. Irish base metal deposits) and should be considered an integral part of the ore-forming process in southeast Missouri.     

Radioelement (U,Th, Rn) concentrations in Norwegian bedrock groundwaters

Twenty-eight samples of groundwater from bedrock boreholes in three distinct Norwegian geological provinces have been taken and analyzed for content of Rn, U, and Th, together with a wide variety of minor and major species. Median values of 290 Bq/1, 7.6 g/1, and 0.02 g/1 were obtained for Rn, U, and Th respectively, while maximum values were 8500 Bq/1, 170 g/1, and 2.2 g/1. Commonly suggested drinking water limits range from 8 to 1000 Bq/1 for radon and 14 to 160 g/1 for uranium. Radioelement content was closely related to lithology, the lowest concentrations being derived from the largely Caledonian rocks of the Trøndelag area, and the highest from the Precambrian Iddefjord Granite of southeast Norway (11 boreholes) where median values of 2500 Bq/1, 15 g/1 and 0.38 g/1, respectively, were obtained. The Iddefjord Granite is not believed to be unique in Norway in yielding high dissolved radionuclide contents in groundwaters, and several other granitic aquifers warrant further investigation in this respect.     

Sub-sea-floor metamorphism,heat and mass transfer

The ophiolitic rocks of E. Liguria, Italy contain a spilitic metamorphic assemblage sequence, cross-cut by hydrothermal veins, which developed in the oceanic environment. Metamorphic parageneses indicate that temperatures as high as 400°C were realised at depths as shallow as 300 m below the original rock/water interface. The inferred temperature interval was equivalent to a geothermal gradient of 1300°C/km.It is suggested that metamorphism took place in a sub-sea-floor geothermal system, and that such systems are an integral part of the sea-floor spreading process. Modern evidence is provided to support this hypothesis, and to suggest that heavy metal rich solutions discharged from such systems are responsible for the formation of a metal enriched sedimentary component. A unified model of sub-sea-floor metamorphism and mass transfer is proposed, and possible differences between sub-sea-floor and terrestial geothermal systems are discussed. In the light of the model, the origins of certain aspects of bedded cherts found associated with ophiolitic rocks, of ophiolitic massive sulphide deposits and of certain trace element patterns are considered.     

湘西地区前寒武纪—寒武纪转折期碳酸盐—硅泥质沉积体系的截然转换：地层—沉积样式|形成机理及意义

前寒武纪—寒武纪转折期是地球历史演化的重要阶段之一,不仅纪录了后生动物的产生、灭绝以及加速分异的过程,同时也伴随着海洋地球化学明显的变化、长期全球性海洋缺氧等。为了更好地认识这一重要时期地球表层环境演变及动力机制,我们对湘西地区台地—盆地转换带不同沉积类型及空间变化进行了重点解剖,发现寒武纪最早期该地区在台—盆转换带上,碳酸盐岩与硅质岩地层呈现一种截然接触,显示硅岩的形成受张性同生断层控制; 该带内硅质岩成分、结构独特,主要有富管、孔丘状硅质岩、漏斗状/楔状硅质岩和脉状硅质岩体,为深部富硅热液流体沿（同生）断裂向上运移到海底喷流后沉淀（硅烟囱）而形成的一套硅质沉积。此带向盆地方向,主要发育层状硅质岩,反映热液活动衰减而海水影响增强。考虑到扬子北缘及南缘台—盆转换带的硅质岩广泛分布,因此,热液活动很有可能沿着台地边缘发育,规模巨大。在这种情况下,大量热液来源的富金属和非金属元素的还原性流体和温室气体进入海洋或大气,加速气候变暖以及海洋缺氧和富营养化。热液活动后期,由于地壳热力衰减、盆地沉降导致大规模海平面上升,深部富营养盐随上升洋流被输送至浅部,促使生物产率得到极大地提高,进而形成牛蹄塘组富有机质黑色岩系沉积。     

湘西地区前寒武纪-寒武纪转折期碳酸盐-硅泥质沉积体系的截然转换:地层-沉积样式,形成机理及意义

前寒武纪一寒武纪转折期是地球历史演化的重要阶段之一,不仅纪录了后生动物的产生、灭绝以及加速分异的过程,同时也伴随着海洋地球化学明显的变化、长期全球性海洋缺氧等.为了更好地认识这一重要时期地球表层环境演变及动力机制,我们对湘西地区台地一盆地转换带不同沉积类型及空间变化进行了重点解剖,发现寒武纪最早期该地区在台一盆转换带上...     

Isotopic Composition of Oxygen and Carbon and Formation Temperature of Accessory Minerals from Evaporitic Sediments in the Pripyat Trough

The isotopic composition of oxygen and carbon was studied in accessory carbonates and quartz separated from salts in Upper Devonian halogenous formations of the Pripyat Trough (Belorus). It is established that isotopic characteristics vary in a wide range. Values of ¹⁸O vary in the following range (SMOW): from 18.2 to 29.2 in calcites, from 15.7 to 32.5 in dolomites, and from 17.4 to 27.2 in quartz. Values of ¹³C range from –13.4 to 1.4 in calcites and from –11.1 to 1.7 in dolomites (PDB). Results obtained indicate highly variable isotope-geochemical conditions of sedimentation and early diagenesis during the formation of evaporitic sediments. Accessory minerals were repeatedly formed in a wide temperature range and probably at various stages of the lithogenesis.     

The geological structure and the tectonic evolution as factors of instability in the Pindos zone area (Greece)

SummaryThe Geological Structure and the Tectonic Evolution as Factors of Instability in the Pindos Zone Area (Greece) The zone of flysch in western Greece is known as a terrane bearing the most frequent landslide manifestations. Nevertheless, extensive landslide phenomena have been observed in the trunk of central-western continental Greece, where the Olonos-Pindos isopic zone dominates. These take place on formations which, in contrast with the flysch, would be assumed as solidstable rocks on first consideration.In the present study the geologic-lithological structure, as well as the tectonic evolution of the above mentioned formations (mainly thin plated Upper Cretaceous limestones) are examined in correlation with the acting mechanism and causes of the observed mobilization. In addition, it is argued that the principal factors of instability, which prepare certain locations in long-term process for landslide manifestations, are connected with the geological structure and tectonic evolution of the Pindos zone and some particular characteristics of it. These features constitute inherent alpine factors of instability which, acting at places in conjunction with certain secondary exogene ones, progressively generate conditions of critical looseness of the rock.Finally, the observed general instability of the Corinthian gulf coastal slopes is mentioned, which is also closely connected with the prevailing vertical neotectonic movements and the accumulation of stresses in this active trough.With 3 Figures     

La Formation glaciaire de la Mambéré (République Centrafricaine): Reconstitution paléogéographique et implications à l'échelle du Paléozoique africain

The Mambéré Formation constitutes a horizontal unit located in the western and southwestern part of the Central African Republic. Stratigraphical and sedimentological study provides strong argument to attribute these deposits a glacial origin. A palaeogeographical reconstruction has been outlined in order to precise the age of the formation. Two main categories of glacial deposits have been recognized:

glaciogenic deposits made of basal tills (with facetted pebbles) and flow tills (with flattened blunt pebbles);

reworked glacial deposits formed of sandstones and conglomeratic sandstones, in continuous beds, lenses or isolated blocks, together with siltstones and bedded sandstones.

The southerly provenance of the detrital material is demonstrated by quartz grain surface analysis and heavy-mineral study. This material results essentially from the dismantling of the Precambrian Schistoquartzitic Complex and secondarily from the Granitogneissic Complex. According to the palaeomagnetic polar paths and the migration of the glacial centers over the African continent during the Palaeozoic, the Mambéré Formation may be attributed a Lower Silurian age by reference to similar formations observed in Cameroon or a Lower Carboniferous age by comparison with the glacial formations reported from Niger and Egypt.     

Geomicrobiology of Blood Falls: An Iron-Rich Saline Discharge at the Terminus of the Taylor Glacier, Antarctica

Blood Falls, a saline subglacial discharge from the Taylor Glacier, Antarctica provides an example of the diverse physical and chemical niches available for life in the polar desert of the McMurdo Dry Valleys. Geochemical analysis of Blood Falls outflow resembles concentrated seawater remnant from the Pliocene intrusion of marine waters combined with products of weathering. The result is an iron-rich, salty seep at the terminus of Taylor Glacier, which is subject to episodic releases into permanently ice-covered Lake Bonney. Blood Falls influences thegeochemistry of Lake Bonney, and provides organic carbon and viable microbes to the lakesystem. Here we present the first data on the geobiology of Blood Falls and relate it totheevolutionary history of this unique environment. The novel geological evolution of thissubglacial environment makes Blood Falls an important site for the study of metabolic strategiesin subglacial environments and the impact of subglacial efflux on associated lake ecosystems.