Composition,environment, and economic value of the Permian to Cretaceous coated grains from Zagros and the Persian Gulf

Ooid grainstone/packstone carbonate facies of the Dalan, Kangan, and Arab formations are the main hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Persian Gulf. Based on detailed petrographic and petrophysical analyses,sedimentological and mineralogical features of the Permian to Late Cretaceous carbonate and iron-rich coated grains from Zagros and the Persian Gulf were investigated. Frequent ooids in these formations indicate a high-energy environment and a wave-dominated shallow carbonate platform. Because of wi...     

Sedimentary rocks at Meridiani Planum: Origin, diagenesis, and implications for life on Mars

The MER rover Opportunity has carried out the first outcrop-scale investigation of ancient sedimentary rocks on Mars. The rocks, exposed in craters and along fissures in Meridiani Planum, are sandstones formed via the erosion and re-deposition of fine grained siliciclastics and evaporites derived from the chemical weathering of olivine basalts by acidic waters. A stratigraphic section more than seven meters thick measured in Endurance crater is dominated by eolian dune and sand sheet facies; the uppermost half meter, however, exhibits festoon cross lamination at a length scale that indicates subaqueous deposition, likely in a playa-like interdune setting. Silicates and sulfate minerals dominate outcrop geochemistry, but hematite and Fe3D3 (another ferric iron phase) make up as much as 11% of the rocks by weight. Jarosite in the outcrop matrix indicates precipitation at low pH. Cements, hematitic concretions, and crystal molds attest to a complex history of early diagenesis, mediated by ambient ground waters. The depositional and early diagenetic paleoenvironment at Meridiani was arid, acidic, and oxidizing, a characterization that places strong constraints on astrobiologial inference.     

Provenance and diagenesis of the evaporite-bearing Burns formation, Meridiani Planum, Mars

Impure reworked evaporitic sandstones, preserved on Meridiani Planum, Mars, are mixtures of roughly equal amounts of altered siliciclastic debris, of basaltic provenance (40 ± 10% by mass), and chemical constituents, dominated by evaporitic minerals (jarosite, Mg-, Ca-sulfates ± chlorides ± Fe-, Na-sulfates), hematite and possibly secondary silica (60 ± 10%). These chemical constituents and their relative abundances are not an equilibrium evaporite assemblage and to a substantial degree have been reworked by aeolian and subaqueous transport. Ultimately they formed by evaporation of acidic waters derived from interaction with olivine-bearing basalts and subsequent diagenetic alteration. The rocks experienced an extended diagenetic history, with at least two and up to four distinct episodes of cementation, including stratigraphically restricted zones of recrystallization and secondary porosity, non-randomly distributed, highly spherical millimeter-scale hematitic concretions, millimeter-scale crystal molds, interpreted to have resulted from dissolution of a highly soluble evaporite mineral, elongate to sheet-like vugs and evidence for minor synsedimentary deformation (convolute and contorted bedding, possible teepee structures or salt ridge features). Other features that may be diagenetic, but more likely are associated with relatively recent meteorite impact, are meter-scale fracture patterns, veins and polygonal fractures on rock surfaces that cut across bedding. Crystallization of minerals that originally filled the molds, early cement and sediment deformation occurred syndepositionally or during early diagenesis. All other diagenetic features are consistent with formation during later diagenesis in the phreatic (fluid saturated) zone or capillary fringe of a groundwater table under near isotropic hydrological conditions such as those expected during periodic groundwater recharge. Textural evidence suggests that rapidly formed hematitic concretions post-date the primary mineral now represented by crystal molds and early pore-filling cements but pre-date secondary moldic and vug porosity. The second generation of cements followed formation of secondary porosity. This paragenetic sequence is consistent with an extended history of syndepositional through post-depositional diagenesis in the presence of a slowly fluctuating, chemically evolving, but persistently high ionic strength groundwater system.     

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

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

Sandstone diagenesis of the Lower Cretaceous Sindong Group, Gyeongsang Basin, southeastern Korea: Implications for compositional and paleoenvironmental controls

Abstract The Gyeongsang Basin is a non‐marine sedimentary basin formed by extensional tectonism during the Early Cretaceous in the southeastern Korean Peninsula. The sediment fill starts with the Sindong Group distributed along the western margin of the basin. It consists of three lithostratigraphic units: the Nakdong (alluvial fan), Hasandong (fluvial) and Jinju (lacustrine) formations with decreasing age. Sindong Group sandstones are classified into four petrofacies (PF) based on their detrital composition: PF‐A consists of the lower Nakdong Formation with average Q₇₃F₁₂R₁₅; PF‐B the upper Nakdong and lower Hasandong formations with Q₆₆F₁₅R₁₈; PF‐C the middle Hasandong to middle Jinju formations with Q₄₉F₂₉R₂₂; and PF‐D the upper Jinju Formation with Q₂₆F₃₄R₄₁. The variations of detrital composition influenced the diagenetic mineral assemblage in the Sindong Group sandstones. Illite and dolomite/ankerite are important diagenetic minerals in PF‐A and PF‐B, whereas calcite and chlorite are dominant diagenetic minerals in PF‐C and PF‐D. Most of the diagenetic minerals can be divided into early and late diagenetic stages of formation. Early diagenetic calcites occur mostly in PF‐C, probably controlled by arid to semiarid climatic conditions during the sandstone deposition, no early calcite being found in PF‐A and PF‐B. Late‐stage calcites are present in all Sindong Group sandstones. The calcium ions may have been derived from shale diagenesis and dissolution of early stage calcites in the Hasandong and Jinju sandstones. Illite, the only diagenetic clay mineral in PF‐A and lower PF‐B, is inferred to be a product of kaolinite transformation during deep burial, and the former presence of kaolinite is inferred from the humid paleoclimatic conditions during the deposition of the Nakdong Formation. Chlorites in PF‐C and PF‐D are interpreted to be the products of transformation of smectitic clay or of precipitation from alkaline pore water under arid to semiarid climatic conditions. The occurrence of late‐stage diagenetic minerals largely depended on the distribution of early diagenetic minerals, which was controlled initially by the sediment composition and paleoclimate.     

Magnetisation history of lower old red sandstones from the Gamrie Outlier,Scotland

Red beds in the Lower Old Red Sandstone Gamrie Outlier on the southern margin of the Orcadian Basin originated through the diagenetic breakdown of iron silicates. The magnetic evidence indicates that haematite pigment was produced over a long time period because both normal and reversed components of magnetisation are present in individual specimens. A part of the magnetisation in these rocks is carried by coarse particle specularite but there is no evidence that this is DRM or PDRM. The composite nature of the magnetisation and its acquisition over a relatively long time period is also indicated by the fact that all sample/site mean directions are of the same polarity (reversed) but originated over a period when normal and reversed polarities were common. There is evidence that the production of early diagenetic pigment was necessary for the preservation of Devonian magnetisations in these sandstones.Another group of sandstones acquired their magnetisation in Permo-Carboniferous times and these occur in intimate association with those which retain the original composite Devonian direction. The stable NRM of these rocks is carried by specularite and they are thought to have been remagnetised because they originally contained a greater proportion of magnetite than those sandstones which retain the original magnetisation and also an unstable pigment magnetisation. In-situ oxidation of magnetite in Permo-Carboniferous times is thus thought to be responsible for the remagnetisation of these rocks.     

Late Paleozoic brachiopod faunas of the South Kitakami Belt, northeast Japan, and their paleobiogeographic and tectonic implications

Abstract    Late Paleozoic (Middle Devonian, Early Carboniferous and Middle Permian) brachiopod faunas of the South Kitakami Belt, northeast Japan, are closely related paleobiogeographically to those of the Xinjiang–Inner Mongolia–Jilin region, northwest–northeast China. This relationship suggests that the South Kitakami Belt was part of the trench or continental shelf bordering the northern and eastern margins of North China (Sino-Korea) during the Middle Devonian to Middle Permian times. Among the three models on the origin and tectonic development of the South Kitakami Belt, the strike–slip model is most consistent, but both the microcontinent model and the nappe model have considerable inconsistencies with the above paleobiogeographic and paleogeographic evidence.     

Geochemistry of Devonian–Carboniferous clastic sediments of the Tsetserleg terrane,Hangay Basin,Central Mongolia: Provenance,source weathering,and tectonic setting

The Devonian–Carboniferous Tsetserleg terrane of Mongolia forms part of the complex Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). The Tsetserleg terrane consists mainly of clastic sediments, and is situated in the southern Hangay–Hentey Basin. Internally the terrane is divided into the Erdenetsogt (Middle Devonian), Tsetserleg (Middle‐Upper Devonian) and Jargalant (Lower Carboniferous) Formations. Provenance and tectonic setting of the Hangay–Hentey Basin remains controversial, with proposals ranging from passive margin through to island‐arc. A suite of 94 Tsetserleg sandstones and mudrocks was collected with the aim of constraining provenance, source weathering, and depositional setting, using established petrographic and whole‐rock geochemical parameters. Petrographically the sandstones are immature, with average compositions of Q₂₂F₁₄L₆₄, Q₁₄F₁₇L₆₉, and Q₁₈F₁₂L₇₀ in the Erdenetsogt, Tsetserleg, and Jargalant Formations, respectively. Lv/L ratios range from 0.81 to 1.00 (average 0.95), and P/F from 0.68 to 0.93 (average 0.83). Framework compositions indicate deposition in an undissected or transitional arc. Geochemically, the sandstones are classified as greywackes. Geochemical contrasts between sandstone and mudrock averages in each formation are small, with lithotype means for SiO₂ ranging only from 65.54 to 68.62 wt.%. These features and weak trends on variation diagrams reflect the immaturity of the sediments. Comparison of elemental abundances with average upper continental crust, major element discriminant scores, and immobile element ratios indicate a uniform average source composition between dacite and rhyolite. The maximum value for the Chemical Index of Alteration in the Erdenetsogt Formation is about 78 after correction for K‐metasomatism, indicating moderate source weathering. Lower maximum values (61 and 63, respectively) in the Tsetserleg and Jargalant Formations indicate they were derived from a virtually unweathered and tectonically active source. Tectonic setting discrimination parameters indicate a continental island‐arc environment, similar to several other CAOB suites of similar age. This arc source may have been built on a continental fragment situated within the Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean during Middle Devonian‐Lower Carboniferous time.     

The blueberry (iron nodule) from the Shark Bay area,Western Australia and its implication to the genetic environments of iron nodules on Mars

Fist-sized iron nodules, extensively found on the ground of Western Australia, were investigated by element analysis (XRF, ICP-MS and ICP-AES), electron microscopes, X-ray diffraction and Mössbauser spectroscopy. Loosely-packed pisoidic structures of a few to >10 mm in size were observed in the cross-section of nodules. Chemically, the nodules are majorly made of O, Si, Fe and Al, and share similar REE pattern with the loess sourced Greatford concretions from New Zealand. Angular quartz particles, nano-sized goethite and hematite are found to be the major mineral phases. Other minerals, such as detrital zircon, barite and Ce-containing particles can also be observed but of very low abundance. No detectable carbonate or amorphous silica implies that these nodules have experienced little underground fluid alteration. The quartz particles showing particularly three sections of fractal size-distributions, together with their extensive broken features and conchoidal fractures, strongly suggest in situ fragmentation of the host rock with minimum later dynamic sorting. These observations indicate the genetic environment of those nodules is always close to the surface of the tectonically stable ground since their formation. Because of the similarity of climatic and geological features, the genesis and preservation environment of these nodules in Western Australia may provide clues on the formation of Martian iron concretions     

Origin of iron-rich olivine in the matrices of type 3 ordinary chondrites: an experimental study

In order to understand the origin of iron-rich olivine in the matrices of type 3 ordinary chondrites, the reaction of metallic iron and enstatite, with and without forsterite and SiO₂, has been experimentally reproduced at temperatures between 1150° and 800°C and P_O2 between 10⁻¹¹ and 10⁻¹⁶ atm (between the IQF and MW buffers). The olivine produced ranges from Fo₅₈ to Fo₃₄ and this composition does not change significantly with temperature and time of the runs. The magnesian olivine which forms does become more magnesian with increasing forsterite/enstatite ratio of the starting materials. Iron-rich olivine (Fo< 35) cannot be formed by the reaction of enstatite and metallic iron, with or without forsterite as starting materials but it can be formed in the presence of free silica. The composition of olivine becomes more iron-rich with increasing silica/enstatite ratio. The compositional range of olivine formed from each mixture is 25–30 mole% Fo regardless of the temperature, composition, mineral assemblage, and run duration.From these experimental results, two possibilities suggested for the origin of the iron-rich olivine in the matrices of type 3 ordinary chondrites: (1) free silica must have been present if the iron-rich olivine was formed by solid-state reactions under oxidizing condition in the solar nebula; (2) reaction of silicon-rich gas with metallic iron took place under oxidizing condition in the solar nebula. Though it is difficult to define which alternative was dominant, the formation of free silica or silicon-rich gas may be a result of fractional condensation. This is possible if there is a reaction relation between forsterite and gas to produce enstatite. The suggested fractional condensation is supported by the fact that the compositions of the fine-grained matrices of type 3 ordinary chondrites are more silica-rich than the bulk compositions of the chondrites. Though it is not known whether such conditions were established all over the nebula or locally in the nebula, both fractionation and more oxidizing conditions than the average solar nebula are required for the formation of matrix olivine.     

亚热带山地垂直地带土壤的磁性特征及其环境响应

土壤中磁性矿物的形成转化对环境变化具有指示意义,定量分析土壤磁性对环境因子的响应机制是目前该领域的重要问题.本文综合相关研究及野外实地考察,采集福建南部亚热带地区戴云山垂直地带相同母质的土壤剖面进行环境磁学和漫反射光谱测试分析.结果表明：研究区土壤剖面中磁铁矿和磁赤铁矿主导其磁性变化,当海拔至1320 m以上,土壤中出现次生纤铁矿.当排除地形的影响后,相关磁学参数指示磁畴颗粒在低海拔区域以SP颗粒为主,而较高海拔区域土壤中以粗SD颗粒为主.漫反射光谱结果表明,研究区土壤中赤铁矿和针铁矿对气候梯度变化较为敏感,其中赤铁矿含量随海拔增加显示出降低趋势,并且至海拔1320 m以上赤铁矿消失而主要以针铁矿和纤铁矿为主.对比加热前后针铁矿和赤铁矿特征峰变化,并进行半定量分析认为,当年均降水量超过1900 mm且年均温低于13℃时达到赤铁矿形成的临界值,而针铁矿和纤铁矿则继续呈增加趋势.本研究论证了赤铁矿、针铁矿及纤铁矿对气候梯度具较强的敏感性,可作为研究低纬区域古环境变化的重要指标.     

Clay mineral formation in DSDP Leg 34 basalt

A blue-green smectite (iron-rich saponite) and green mica (celadonite) are the dominant sheet silicates in veins within the 10.5 m of basalt cored during DSDP Leg 34, Site 321, in the Nazca plate. Oxygen isotopic analyses of these clays, and associated calcite, indicate a formation temperature of≤25°C.Celadonite contains appreciable Fe₂O₃, K₂O and SiO₂, intermediate MgO, and very little Al₂O₃. Celadonite is commonly associated with goethite and hematite, which suggests that this phase formed by precipitation within a dominantlyoxygenated environment of components leached from basalt and provided by seawater. A mass balance estimate indicates that celadonite formation can remove no more than 15% of the K annually transported to the oceans by rivers. In contrast, iron-rich saponite containing significant Al₂O₃ appears to have precipitated from anon-oxidizing, distinctly alkaline fluid containing a high Na/K ratio relative to unmodified seawater.Seawater-basalt interaction at low temperatures, resulting in the formation of celadonite and smectite may explain chemical gradients observed in interstitial waters of sediments overlying basalts.     

Geochemical features and genesis of the natural gas and bitumen in paleo-oil reservoirs of Nanpanjiang Basin, China

Bitumen from the Nanpanjiang Basin occurs mainly in the Middle Devonian and Upper Permian reef limestone paleo-oil reservoirs and reserves primarily in holes and fractures and secondarily in minor matrix pores and bio-cavities. N2 is the main component of the natural gas and is often associated with pyrobitumen in paleo-oil reservoirs. The present study shows that the bitumen in paleo-oil reservoirs was sourced from the Middle Devonian argillaceous source rock and belongs to pyrobitumen by crude oil cracking under high temperature and pressure. But the natural gas with high content of N2 is neither an oil-cracked gas nor a coal-formed gas generated from the Upper Permian Longtan Formation source rock, instead it is a kerogen-cracked gas generated at the late stage from the Middle Devonian argilla- ceous source rock. The crude oil in paleo-oil reservoirs completely cracked into pyrobitumen and methane gas by the agency of hugely thick Triassic deposits. After that, the abnormal high pressure of methane gas reservoirs was completely destroyed due to the erosion of 2000--4500-m-thick Triassic strata. But the kerogen-cracked gas with normal pressure was preserved under the relatively sealed condition and became the main body of the gas shows.     

Coevolution of brachiopod paleobiogeography and tectonopaleogeography during the late Paleozoic in Central Asia

Patterns of brachiopod paleobiogeographic regionalization in Central Asia reveal a coevolution between brachiopod paleobiogeography and tectonopaleogeography during the Early Devonian,Early Carboniferous,Late Carboniferous,Early Permian,and Middle Permian.The coevolutionary relationship reasonably accounts for the formation mechanisms of brachiopod paleobiogeography in this region,and also provides a basis for studies on the location and configuration of oceans and plates(blocks)during the late Paleozoic in Central Asia.     

苏北盆地兴化1#钻孔沉积物的岩石磁学特征

对苏北盆地兴化1#钻孔岩心沉积物进行了质量磁化率、频率磁化率、变化曲线、等温剩磁和磁滞回线等参数的测试分析,结果表明,粘土质沉积物中的主要载磁矿物为磁铁矿和赤铁矿;砂质沉积物中的磁性矿物除了磁铁矿和赤铁矿外,还含有少量的磁赤铁矿和针铁矿.针铁矿普遍存在于钻孔下部的样品中.整个钻孔沉积物中的磁性矿物颗粒都是介于单畴和多畴之间的准单畴颗粒,但粘土质沉积物中的磁性矿物颗粒更趋近于单畴颗粒,而砂质沉积物中的磁性矿物颗粒更趋近于多畴.根据不同的磁性矿物组合特征,选择合理的温度和磁场强度区间对古地磁退磁结果进行分析,得到沉积物可靠的特征剩磁方向,为古地磁年代学提供依据.     

非均匀物性条件下多尺度窗口修正法换算磁源重力异常及在寻找DSO的应用

DSO(Direct Shipping Ore,直运块矿)是一种高品位的富铁矿.在加拿大拉布拉多(Labrador)地槽谢菲尔威利(Schefferville)铁矿成矿带,含铁建造苏克曼(Sokoman)组地层全铁含量低、具高密度、强磁性,能够引起高重力异常与高磁异常;而风化淋滤后富集的赤铁矿和针铁矿等(也称DSO)全铁含量高,具高密度、无磁性,仅能够引起高重力异常.采用一般的滤波方法不能提取DSO的重、磁异常.本文采用基于泊松(Poisson)公式的磁场换算磁源重力异常(pseudo-gravity anomaly)方法,由磁场换算磁源重力异常,再与实测重力异常对比,得到纯粹由高密度、无磁性的DSO产生的剩余重力异常,对剩余重力异常采用密度成像与2.5D反演方法解释DSO.泊松公式虽然提出时间很长,但迄今为止仅仅用在资料解释中的定性分析,本文推导并实现了密度磁性非均匀条件下经典泊松公式的形式与实现过程,提出了多尺度窗口滑动线性回归修正的磁场换算磁源重力异常方法,使该公式的数学原理能够对重、磁异常的反演解释定量化.最后本文将多尺度窗口滑动线性回归修正的换算磁源重力异常方法用于加拿大拉布拉多地槽谢菲尔威利铁矿成矿带铁矿勘探,较好地解决了寻找高密度、无磁性DSO的问题.     

The Jinshajiang suture zone: tectono-stratigraphic subdivision and revision of age

Integrated study of rock assemblage, tectonic setting, geochemical feature, fossil contained and isotopic geochronology on the metamorphic mixed bodies, exposed in the Jinshajiang suture zone, suggests that one informal lithostratigraphic unit, the Eaqing Complex, and three tectono-stratigraphic units, the Jinshajiang ophiolitic melange, the Gajinxueshan Group and the Zhongxinrong Group, can be recognized there. It is first pointed out that the redefined Eaqing Complex might represent the Meso- to Neo-Proterozoic remnant metamorphic basement or mi-crocontinental fragment in the Jinshajiang area. The original rocks of it should be older than (1627 ±192) Ma based on the geochronological study. The zircon U-Pb age of plagiogranites within the Jinshajiang ophiolitic assemblage is dated for the first time at (294 ± 3) Ma and (340 ± 3) Ma respectively. The Jinshajiang ophiolite is approximately equivalent to the Ailaoshan ophiolite in the formation age, covering the interval from the Late Devonian to the Carboniferous. Dating of U-Pb age from basalt interbeds indicates that the redefined Gajinxueshan Group and Zhongxinrong Group may be considered Carboniferous to Permian and latest Permian to Middle Triassic in age. In geotectonic terms the Jinshajiang suture zone is thought to be a back-arc basin in the eastern margin of the Paleo-Tethys. This back-arc basin started in the Late Devonian, and formed in the Devonian-Carboniferous. The collision event around the Permian/Triassic boundary to the Middle Triassic led to the closure of the back-arc basin and formation of suture.     

Simulation of the impacts of diagenesis or low-grade metamorphism on neutrophilic microaerobic Fe(II)-oxidizing biofilm

The microaerobic iron-oxidizing bacteria in circumneutral environment produce extracellular polymeric substances(EPS)with unique morphologic features,such as stalks or sheaths,which can be regarded as geobiological signatures.The Archean and early Palaeoproterozoic oceans were anoxic with high soluble Fe(II)that were suggested to have been oxidized through the metabolism of Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria.The precursor of the ultrafine hematite in banded iron formation(BIF),e.g.,ferrihydrite,was suggested to be the mineral record of microbial Fe(II)-oxidation at that time.However,both the biological materials and primary iron minerals were prone to being altered by diagenetic or low-grade metamorphic processes.This makes it difficult to interpret the genesis of Precambrian BIFs.Here,we report experimental simulation on the effects of diagenesis or low-grade metamorphism on neutrophilic microaerobic Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria and their biomass.Stalks,sheaths,and iron oxide spheroidal aggregates are partially preserved after the 100 MPa/300°C treatments,which indicates the mixed organic matters and iron oxides could survive the diagenetic or low-grade metamorphic processes.Some organic-mineral mixing structures carry information on microbial processes,though they appear similar to pseudomorphs of fossilized bacteria.     

Rotation of the Iberian arc: Palaeomagnetic results from North Spain

NRM directions measured from 32 sites in Middle Cambrian, Upper Silurian/Lower Devonian and Lower Carboniferous redbeds follow the trend of the Variscan arc in North Spain. Thermal demagnetisation does not significantly alter this pattern. Fold tests show that the NRM is earlier than the ?₁ folds which form the arc; consistency of angle between bedding and the tilt-corrected NRM inclination (22–28°), similarity of the corresponding palaeolatitudes to Carboniferous values and microscopic evidence of Variscan redistribution of hematite indicates that the magnetisation is post-Lower Carboniferous. A statistical plot of the orientation of ?₁ fold traces against angle between ?₁ fold traces and declination of NRM shows that where these folds curve through 165° the NRM has been rotated through 110°: the arc is an orocline. Restoration of this rotation, and that needed to close the Bay of Biscay, brings the calculated mean palaeomagnetic pole reasonably close to the Upper Carboniferous part of the apparent polar wander path for Europe.