Middle Pleistocene temperate deposits at Dingé, Ille-et-Vilaine,northwest France: pollen,plant and insect macrofossil analysis

Nine cores were taken from a damp depression at Dingé, Ille-et-Vilaine, northwest France. Analyses of the pollen, plant macrofossil and Coleoptera remains preserved in the same organic samples of two profiles suggest a temperate vegetation characterised by a mixed deciduous forest with mesophilous taxa (Carpinus, Fagus, Quercus) followed by a coniferous forest with Pinus and Picea. The determination of plant taxa to species was made either directly through the identification of plant macrofossil remains and pollen or indirectly through the identification of phytophagous Coleoptera specifically related to certain plants. Stratigraphical information derived from pollen, plant macrofossil and insect data indicates that this sequence may be correlated with a temperate episode older than the Eemian and younger than the Holsteinian, possibly the Bouchet 2 (Oxygen Isotope Stage 7c) or Bouchet 3 (Oxygen Isotope Stage 7a) temperate periods or the Landos Interglacial (Oxygen Isotope Stage 9 pro parte). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A 35,000 Year Vegetation and Climate History from Potato Lake, Mogollon Rim, Arizona

A new record from Potato Lake, central Arizona, details vegetation and climate changes since the mid-Wisconsin for the southern Colorado Plateau. Recovery of a longer record, discrimination of pine pollen to species groups, and identification of macrofossil remains extend Whiteside's (1965) original study. During the mid-Wisconsin (ca. 35,000-21,000 yr B.P.) a mixed forest of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and other conifers grew at the site, suggesting a minimum elevational vegetation depression of ca. 460 m. Summer temperatures were as much as 5°C cooler than today. During the late Wisconsin (ca. 21,000-10,400 yr B.P.), even-cooler temperatures (7°C colder than today; ca. 800 m depression) allowed Engelmann spruce alone to predominate. Warming by ca. 10,400 yr B.P. led to the establishment of the modern ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest. Thus, the mid-Wisconsin was not warm enough to support ponderosa pine forests in regions where the species predominates today. Climatic estimates presented here are consistent with other lines of evidence suggesting a cool and/or wet mid-Wisconsin, and a cold and/or wet late-Wisconsin climate for much of the Southwest. Potato Lake was almost completely dry during the mid-Holocene, but lake levels increased to near modern conditions by ca. 3000 yr B.P.     

遥感岩性识别研究的发展趋势--遥感与航空放射性信息集成

岩石的吸收光谱主要是由杂质、包体、蚀变及替代成分产生的,每种岩石都难以形成象它的组成成分那样具有可分辨的很清晰的光谱特征;不同类型的岩石放射性元素的含量和分布特征是不同的,岩石放射性信息是岩性识别研究的重要判据。遥感与航空放射性信息的集成．既能提取光谱图像中的光语信息和空间纹理信息。又可利用航空放射性信息常常具有的甚至是诊断性的岩性识别能谱标志。能明显提高识别岩性的精度,更重要的是能谱不受值被的影响,有利于识别植被覆盖区的岩性。因此,这可能是遥感岩性识别研究的发展趋势之一。     

Late Quaternary sediments and stratigraphy on the continental shelf off Troms and west Finnmark, northern Norway

Lithologic, paleontologic, and chronostratigraphic investigation of 13 gravity cores indicates the following environmental evolution: a high- (mid-) arctic period with a slight influx of ice-rafted debris occurred during the early middle Weichselian followed by a mid- (high-) arctic environment with a high influx of iceberg-rafted debris during the remainder of the middle Weichselian. The continental ice sheet probably did not extend beyond the inner shelf during middle Weichselian and a minimum relative sea level was ca. −120 m. A low-arctic environment occurred during (parts of) the late Weichselian with an initial winnowing of the sediments. The Norwegian Current entered the area during this substage. A high- (mid-) boreal environment occurred during the Holocene with high winnowing activity in the early Holocene. Winnowing is still very active on the shallower banks in contrast to the deeper banks where it has ceased. Relatively high percentages of carbonate in the form of biogenic skeletal remains occur in the Holocene sediments.     

The vertical dimensions of Late Devensian glaciation on the mountains of Harris and southeast Lewis,Outer Hebrides,Scotland

On North Harris and southeast Lewis a weathering limit separates glacially-moulded bedrock on low ground from frost-shattered bedrock and blockfields on high plateaux. Analysis of the depths of horizontal stress-release joints demonstrates significant contrasts in bedrock weathering above and below this boundary, and the survival of gibbsite only in soils above the weathering limit indicates that it represents the upper limit of Late Devensian glacial erosion. The weathering limit declines regularly in altitude on either side of the former ice shed, and is therefore interpreted as a periglacial trimline defining the upper limit of a locally-nourished ice mass at its maximum extent, rather than a former thermal boundary between protective cold-based and erosive warm-based ice. Calculated basal shear stress values are consistent with this interpretation. The configuration of the trimline indicates that at the last glacial maximum the area supported an ice cap that achieved a maximum altitude of ca. 700 m above present sea level and declined in altitude to the west-northwest and east-southeast at an average gradient of ca. 20 m km^?1. Extrapolation of the dimensions of this ice cap suggests that it terminated ca. 7–10 km west of the present coast of Harris, and was confluent with mainland ice a short distance east of the present coastline.     

Late Quaternary Stratigraphy, Glacial Limits, and Paleoenvironments of the Marresale Area, Western Yamal Peninsula, Russia

Stratigraphic records from coastal cliff sections near the Marresale Station on the Yamal Peninsula, Russia, yield new insight on ice-sheet dynamics and paleoenvironments for northern Eurasia. Field studies identify nine informal stratigraphic units from oldest to youngest (the Marresale formation, Labsuyakha sand, Kara diamicton, Varjakha peat and silt, Oleny sand, Baidarata sand, Betula horizon, Nenets peat, and Chum sand) that show a single glaciation and a varied terrestrial environment during the late Pleistocene. The Kara diamicton reflects regional glaciation and is associated with glaciotectonic deformation from the southwest of the underlying Labsuyakha sand and Marresale formation. Finite radiocarbon and luminescence ages of ca. 35,000 to 45,000 yr from Varjakha peat and silt that immediately overlies Kara diamicton place the glaciation >40,000 yr ago. Eolian and fluvial deposition ensued with concomitant cryogenesis between ca. 35,000 and 12,000 cal yr B.P. associated with the Oleny and the Baidarata sands. There is no geomorphic or stratigraphic evidence of coverage or proximity of the Yamal Peninsula to a Late Weichselian ice sheet. The Nenets peat accumulated over the Baidarata sand during much of the past 10,000 yr, with local additions of the eolian Chum sand starting ca. 1000 yr ago. A prominent Betula horizon at the base of the Nenets peat contains rooted birch trees ca. 10,000 to 9000 cal yr old and indicates a >200-km shift northward of the treeline from the present limits, corresponding to a 2° to 4°C summer warming across northern Eurasia.     

Reconstructing mid-to-recent Holocene paleoenvironments in the vicinity of ancient Amarynthos (Euboea,Greece)

This article examines the shoreline evolution and human occupation in the vicinity of the important archeological site of Amarynthos (Euboea Island, Greece) over the last six millennia. Archeological evidence indicates a continuous occupation of the site from the Bronze Age to the Roman period and the site is well-known, thanks to the existence of a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Based on the study of four boreholes, a paleogeographic reconstruction of the coastal landscape is proposed. Facies were determined based on mollusc identification, and sedimentology based on grain-size measurements (hand sieving for the fraction above 2?mm and LASER technique for particles below 2?mm) and loss-on-ignition. In addition, a series of 12 AMS radiocarbon dates define a reliable chronostratigraphy. Results suggest the presence of a fully marine environment from the early Holocene to ca. 2600–2400?cal. BC, which developed into a brackish environment from ca. 2600–2400?cal. BC to ca. 750?cal. BC due to the deltaic progradation of the nearby stream (Sarandapotamos River). From ca. 750?cal. BC onward, coastal swamps prevailed in the study area. Human-environmental interaction is discussed and particular attention is paid to the paleolandscape configuration of Amarynthos.     

Last-five-decade heavy metal pollution records from the Rewalsar Lake,Himachal Pradesh,India

The lakes of the Himalaya are degrading due to increase in toxic heavy metal loading. This study reports the last 50-year heavy metal pollution loading in the Rewalsar Lake, Himachal Pradesh, India. Sediment cores were recovered to study the pollution loading in the lake sediments. The ¹³⁷Cs and ²¹⁰Pb isotope-based sedimentation rate suggest rapid sedimentation in the lake during the last ~50 years. The concentrations of Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Co, Ni, Cr metals in the lake sediments owe its contributions both to the natural and anthropogenic sources. Prior to ca 1990 AD, metal loading was dominated by the lithogenic input, whereas post ca 1990 AD the metal loading was controlled by the anthropogenic factors. The Pb concentration in the lake gradually increased during 1990–2004 and then decreased significantly till present. The higher concentration of Pb seems to be derived from the fossil fuel burning, while the Cr concentration in the lake indicates the use of fertilizer in the catchment area. The lowest concentrations of elements around ca 1990 AD seem to have occurred due to channelization of the lake feeding system.     

Early Palaeozoic high-Mg basalt-andesite suite in the Duobaoshan Porphyry Cu deposit,NE China: Constraints on petrogenesis,mineralization, and tectonic setting

High-Mg basalt-andesite suites are extremely rare in the modern Earth but genetically important for indicating essential crust-mantle interactions, ascertaining critical geodynamic settings, and understanding the formation of porphyry copper deposits. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U-Pb dating and geochemistry document an early Palaeozoic high-Mg basalt-andesite suite from the Duobaoshan porphyry Cu deposit, eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). Dating results reveal that the Duobaoshan high-Mg basalt and andesite erupted ca. 506 Ma and ca. 485 Ma, respectively. These high-Mg samples are typical subduction-related volcanic rocks with SiO₂ contents of 47.73 to 55.16 wt%, high MgO (6.08 to 10.82 wt%), and high Mg# (58 to 67) and feature enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and depletions in high field strength elements (HFSEs). The samples have juvenile whole-rock initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.70272 to 0.70451, ɛ_Nd(t) of 4.8 to 8.7 (average 7.23), and zircon ɛ_Hf(t) of 7.3 to 15.9. Additionally, they have high Sr (average 619.36 ppm) and low Y (average 11.92 ppm) and Yb (average 1.21 ppm) contents that show affinity with adakitic high-Mg basalts and andesites worldwide. These high-Mg, depleted mantle-like isotopic and adakitic geochemical features imply a depleted mantle source variably assimilated by slab-derived melts under a sustained subduction tectonic setting. We also propose that the Duobaoshan high-Mg basalt-andesite suite, as the parental source magma, fertilized the overlying Duobaoshan porphyry Cu deposit by providing water, copper, and sulphur and high oxygen fugacity. A comprehensive comparison of the post-ore volcanic rocks shows that they might have originated from the slab-derived fluid metasomatized depleted mantle wedge, which had different properties from the mantle that produced the pre- and syn-ore volcanic intrusive rocks. The post-ore volcanic rocks underwent little crustal evolution en route to the surface during a reworked subduction event, which indicates a relatively immature island arc environment.     

A review of Late Pleistocene and Holocene biogeography of highland Mediterranean pines (Pinus type sylvestris) in Portugal, based on wood charcoal

The historical biogeography of highland Mediterranean pines is explored based on Late Pleistocene and Holocene charcoal from Portugal (Iberian Peninsula, SW Europe). The earliest presence of Pinus type sylvestris (including P. nigra, P. sylvestris and P. uncinata) is recorded in archaeological layers dated at ca 23,900 BP, during the Full Glacial. The abundance of remains identified as Pinus type sylvestris suggests that this was a frequent taxon, at least at middle altitudes. Significant occurrences were recorded up until ca 11,000 BP, at the end of the Lateglacial warming period. From the early Holocene onwards the presence of Pinus type sylvestris is recorded only sporadically, but at least up to 2000 years ago. The competition with other tree and shrub species favoured by the Holocene warming may have triggered the decline of highland pines in Portugal. Eventual anthropogenic impact is also considered as playing a role in its regional decline, such as increasing fire frequency resulting from amplified land use since the Neolithic.     

云南小江流域不同土地利用类型土壤微量元素的对比分析

文章对云南小江流域不同土地利用类型（耕地、林地、园地、建设用地、裸地）土壤的微量元素进行空间插值、方差分析和相关性研究,旨在探讨云南小江流域不同土地利用类型微量元素的分布和迁移规律。结果表明:除Mo的含量较低外,小江流域土壤中Cu、Mn、Ni和Zn的含量普遍较高。各微量元素含量在不同土地利用类型中具有明显的差异性,园地土壤微量元素含量最高。微量元素的变异程度均属于中等变异。Cu、Mn、Mo、Ni、Zn的空间分布具有一定的相似性,高值区主要集中在海拔较低的岩溶河谷区右侧和盆底沉积平坝区,主要土壤类型为碳酸盐岩红壤;低值区集中在海拔较高的河谷区左侧和中山区,主要土壤类型为碎屑岩。地貌、土壤母岩和人为活动是影响微量元素分布和迁移的重要因素。      

松潘—甘孜造山带南缘江浪穹窿文家坪花岗岩的成因及地质意义

为厘定江浪穹窿文家坪花岗岩的侵位时代并探讨岩石成因,开展了地球化学、锆石U Pb年代学和Hf同位素研究。文家坪花岗岩岩性为黑云母花岗岩,由石英(约40%)、钾长石(约35%)、黑云母(约15%)及斜长石(<10%)等矿物组成。主微量元素分析表明,江浪穹窿文家坪花岗岩具有高的SiO2含量(6770%~7009%)、Na2O+K2O含量(743%~784%)、Zr+Nb+Ce+Y含量(363×10-6~476×10-6)、Mg#指数(359~387)及10 000×Ga/Al比值(258~284),显示右倾的稀土配分型式,富集大离子亲石元素、亏损高场强元素。锆石U Pb定年与Hf同位素示踪表明,花岗岩结晶年龄为(1646±09) Ma(n=21,MSWD=32),εHf(t)值介于-130~+14之间。综合研究提出,文家坪花岗岩属后造山A2型花岗岩,形成于岩石圈伸展构造背景,岩浆源区主要为江浪穹窿核部的中元古界里伍岩群及少量的幔源物质。结合其他地质成果,认为江浪穹窿成穹时代为早—中侏罗世,且区域Cu、W成矿作用很可能与约165 Ma花岗质岩浆活动具有成因联系。     

陕西蓝田地区新第三纪地层划分的几点讨论

蓝田地区灞河组和蓝田组的时代归属是我国三趾马动物群分期的关键问题之一。通过与府谷老高川三趾马动物群的对比及古地磁测定，该区新第三纪地层可分为上新统静乐组（原蓝田组上部）、蓝田组（原蓝田组下部）和灞河组．蓝田组的地质时代可归保德期庙梁亚期，地质年龄约为距今５．３—５．０Ｍａ期间．灞河组的地质时代可与喇嘛沟动物群的对比，为保德早期或稍早．     

江西会昌岽背玄武岩地球化学和Sr-Nd同位素特征及其地质意义

江西会昌岽背地区晚中生代玄武岩的SiO2含量为49.06%～50.14%,K2O含量为1.26%～1.63%.其微量元素显示出大离子亲石元素富集,高场强元素亏损,尤以明显的Nb、Ta亏损为特征;REE总量为(135.5～146.8)×10-6,(La/Yb)N≈10,表现出LREE富集的稀土元素配分模式,且无明显的Eu异常;Sr-Nd同位素具有高(87Sr/86Sr)i(0.70678～0.70695)和低εNd(t)(-2.46～-2.18)的特征.据以上特征并结合区域地质背景,反映出岽背玄武岩的源区可能为EMⅡ型富集型大陆岩石圈地幔,其形成的构造环境为活动大陆边缘.较低的Nb/U比值(7～8)暗示该玄武质岩浆在形成过程中遭受了一定程度的大陆地壳混染或与俯冲过程有关的物质的加入.岽背玄武岩具有陆缘弧型地球化学特征,指示会昌地区在晚白垩世晚期(约85 Ma)处于活动大陆边缘的构造环境,该玄武岩的形成可能与燕山晚期古太平洋板块向欧亚大陆的俯冲消减作用关系密切.底侵作用可能为会昌地区燕山晚期成矿岩浆的生成提供了流体和热,有利于铜多金属矿的形成.     

In search for fingerprints of an extraterrestrial event: Trace element characteristics of sediments from the lake Medvedevskoye (Karelian Isthmus,Russia)

Concentration and distribution of trace elements across the sequence of the Late Pleistocene sediments from the lake Medvedevskoye suggest the addition of materials other than those from a common source for the lake sediments of the region. The sediments of the lake Medvedevskoye carry some geochemical fingerprints which could be related the ET event that occurred at ca. 12.9 ka. Because such fingerprints are extremely subtle, the NW Russia can be considered to be the most remote eastern region of the extent of the Late Pleistocene airborne ET material. The sediments of the lake Medvedevskoye can also contain volcanic material from the eruption of the Laacher See (Germany) volcano and probably from other Late Pleistocene volcanoes of Western Europe and/or Iceland.     

Granulites and related rocks in variscan median Europe: A dualistic interpretation

On the basis of differences in structural, petrological and radiometric features, two main clear-cut groups can be distinguished for the granulites of the Variscan median Europe.Group I comprises lenses of eclogite-granulite scattered in the internal zones of the Hercynian belt, whereas Group II includes granulitic slices related to deep-seated Alpine lineaments and xenoliths scavenged by recent volcanoes.Group I granulites belong to early thrust nappes of the Variscan orogen; they display high-pressure assemblages and are commonly associated with eclogites and garnet-peridotites. From radiometric data, this HP granulitic-eclogitic metamorphism happened around 450-400 Ma throughout median Europe. A subduction context is suggested by the low T/P gradient, the occurrence of eclogites and the contemporaneity with some blueschist-facies rocks.Group II granulites are characterized by massive occurrences, intermediate-pressure granulite-facies parageneses and the absence of eclogites. Granulitic paragneisses often display a pronounced depletion in granitophile elements and may appear as degranitized restites. Numerous basic-ultrabasic complexes occur and are interpreted as deep-seated, layered igneous intrusions emplaced during the granulitic metamorphism. Radiometric dating indicates a late Hercynian (ca. 300 Ma) age. The high T/P gradient, the occurrence of synchronous basic intrusions and the post-collision context suggest a granulitic event due to a major thermal anomaly.The Variscan cycle is thus characterized by two granulite-forming episodes. “Older granulites” of the HP type result from an early compressive stage in a crustal subduction context and “younger granulites”, from a major thermal event which originated in the upper mantle and annealed the deepest parts of the Variscan belt. A broadly similar duality in the genesis of granulitic rocks may be anticipated in other collisional belts.     

萍乐坳陷中部GFD1井页岩气富集模式

为调查评价萍乐坳陷中部二叠系乐平组页岩气资源潜力,于丰城地区部署了页岩气地质调查井——GFD1井。以GFD1井的资料为基础,对乐平组富有机质页岩有机地球化学、岩石学、含气性等特征进行系统分析。结果表明：丰城地区二叠系层序完整,乐平组富有机质页岩厚度大,有机质类型以Ⅱ₂-Ⅲ型为主,有机碳质量分数高,热演化程度已进入高成熟生气阶段;脆性矿物平均质量分数为34.84%,具有后期压裂改造的前提条件;随钻气测录井曲线可见两段明显异常。对岩心进行实时现场解吸,煤层气含气量普遍大于1.00 m³/t,平均达3.54 m³/t;页岩气含气量介于0.10~1.50 m³/t之间,平均为0.54 m³/t;致密砂岩气含气量一般小于0.30 m³/t。GFD1井所处的曲江向斜北翼完整,南翼被一条逆断层挤压,具有较好的封堵性,有利于页岩气保存,形成原地宽缓斜坡型页岩气富集模式。     

Glacial forest refugium in Howard Valley,South Island,New Zealand

Fossils of forest habitat beetles and leaves of Nothofagus menziesii provide evidence of a forest refugium at times between ca. 34 000 and ca. 18 500 cal. a BP at an upland site in Howard Valley, located adjacent to glaciated valleys in South Island, New Zealand. The stratigraphy of the glacial‐aged terrace sequence of organic‐rich silts and fluvial sand/gravels indicates that soil development occurred episodically for around 15 000 a. Fifty‐four beetle taxa represent seven habitat types: forest, forest or scrub, riparian and aquatic, litter, grass/tussock, marshland and moss habitats. Leaf and beetle fossils indicate that forest dominated by N. menziesii persisted at the site for most of the time period represented, and tree line taxa such as Taenarthrus sp. 1 (Carabidae) and Podocarpus sp. (Podocarpaceae) indicate that the site may represent the upper tree limit for full‐glacial time. The finding of forest at this elevated site adds to the growing fossil evidence for multiple forest refugia in New Zealand during the last glaciation and is consistent with the pollen records, which have consistently indicated the presence of forest species during the last glaciations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lithornithid birds (Aves,Palaeognathae) from the Lower Palaeogene of Denmark

An incomplete sternum and imprints of a right part pelvis and an associated left femur from the uppermost Palaeocene/lowermost Eocene (Fur Formation) of Denmark are assigned to the extinct palaeognath bird order Lithornithiformes Houde 1988, and to the single described family thereof, the Lithornithidae. Morphological features indicate that both individuals were adult birds, smaller than Lithornis cf. nasi, which is represented by an incomplete humerus from the largely contemporaneous, marine Olst Formation in Denmark, and corresponding in size to the smallest known lithornithid, Lithornis hookeri. Lithornithiformes, common in the Palaeocene and Eocene of North America and Europe, were terrestrial birds capable of flight whose remains are often found in aquatic sediments. Both the depositional environment in which the Danish lithornithids were found, and the associated faunal components suggest that the birds were not transported by rivers. Some of the lithornithid species inhabiting NW Europe may have lived and foraged along the shores of the North Sea Basin.     

柴达木察尔汗盐湖贝壳堤剖面介形类组合及其环境意义

柴达木盆地察尔汗贝壳堤剖面记录了约39.7～17.514CkaB.P.期间古湖泊高湖面扩张、收缩的演化历史。剖面中丰富的介形类,皆为我国东部山间盆地～平原区系与西部高原区系常见种。依据青海地区现代介形类分布调查,可知研究剖面高湖面发育期为淡水湖,其中高分异度介形类组合代表近静水的浅湖环境,单种或近单种土星介大量出现层位指示缓流水环境,大量原生双壳类共生可能指示静水、较深水环境。据地层中介形类分布,自下而上划分为7个组合-沉积环境带,分别为:①少量湖沼种出现（积水洼地形成带）——湖泊前期,②单种缓流水种连续出现（湖泊初始形成带）——高湖面初始形成期,③高分异度组合、介形类富集（浅水大湖带）——高湖面水深加大期,④中分异度组合、介形类少量出现（深湖带）——高湖面最盛期,⑤中分异度组合、介形类少量出现、双壳类连续富集（湖泊变浅带）——高湖面略下降期,⑥缓流水介形类繁盛、双壳类多少不等（湖泊水位下降带）——古湖泊退缩期和⑦介形类稀少带——古湖泊快速消亡期。贝壳堤剖面所见双壳类在现代介形类调查区域没有发现,它们在地层中的出现,进一步指示大体相当MIS3阶段时期柴达木盆地比现代更温暖的气候背景,降水条件好于现代。