Paleosecular variations 12–20 Kyr as recorded by sediments from Lake Moreno (Southern Argentina)

We present results of paleomagnetic and sedimentological studies carried out on three cores Lmor1, Lmo98-1, Lmor98-2 from bottom sediments of Lake Moreno (south-western Argentina), and integrate them with data from our previous studies. Measurements of directions (declination D and inclination I) and mass specific intensity of natural remanent magnetization (NRM intensity), magnetic susceptibility (specific, χ and volumetric, κ), isothermal remanent magnetization (IRM), saturation of isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), and back field remanent coercivity (B_0CR) were performed. The stability of the NRM was investigated using alternating-field demagnetization. The results show that these sediments meet the criteria required to construct a reliable paleomagnetic record. The cores were correlated very well based on magnetic parameters, such as χ and NRM intensity, as well as with lithological features. Tephra layers were identified from the lithological profiles and magnetic susceptibility logs. We obtained the D and I logs of the characteristic remanent magnetization for the cores as a function of shortened depth. The data from the three cores were combined to form a composite record using the Fisher method. A comparison between stacked inclination and declination records of Lake Moreno and those obtained in previous works on Lake Escondido and Lake El Trébol shows good agreement. This agreement made it possible to transform the stacked curves into time series spanning the interval 12–20 kyr. The results obtained improved our knowledge of SV and the behaviour of the geomagnetic field and also allowed us to determine the range of past inclination variations from −70° to −45° for the southern hemisphere, where data are scarce.     

Magnetic monitoring of top soils of Merida (Southern Mexico)

This paper focuses on the study of the correlation between magnetic parameters with the level of contamination by heavy metals in urban soils. We report a magnetic investigation of urban soil samples from Merida, state of Yucatan, Southern Mexico. It appears that most of our samples contain ferrimagnetic minerals as the magnetic carriers, probably coming from the titanomagnetites/titanomaghemites series. This is inferred by the acquisition of isothermal remanent magnetization, which shows that most of samples are almost completely saturated at about 200 mT. The S₋₂₀₀ value (factor characterizing stability of remanent magnetization) is between 0.8 and 1.0, characteristic of ferrimagnetic minerals. The susceptibility vs. temperature measurements also point to some titanomaghemites and titanomagnetites as probable responsible for magnetization. On the other hand, measurements of magnetic susceptibility at high and low frequencies helped us to determine the high content of superparamagnetic grains in the majority of the samples, although not all of these showed high values of magnetic susceptibility. We found that the most contaminated samples by Pb and Zn showed the higher saturation isothermal remanent magnetization values, whereas the higher values in magnetic susceptibility correspond to samples contaminated by Cr. Finally, we noted that a high level in Sr decreases the magnetic susceptibility.     

Separation of magnetic anomalies into induced and remanent magnetization contributions

Inversion of magnetic data is complicated by the presence of remanent magnetization, and it provides limited information about the magnetic source because of the insufficiency of data and constraint information. We propose a Fourier domain transformation allowing the separation of magnetic anomalies into the components caused by induced and remanent magnetizations. The approach is based on the hypothesis that each isolated source is homogeneous with a uniform and specific Koenigsberger ratio. The distributions of susceptibility and remanent magnetization are subsequently recovered from the separated anomalies. Anomaly components, susceptibility distribution and distribution of the remanent and total magnetization vectors (direction and intensity) can be achieved through the processing of the anomaly components. The proposed method therefore provides a procedure to test the hypotheses about target source and magnetic field, by verifying these models based on available information or a priori information from geology. We test our methods using synthetic and real data acquired over the Zhangfushan iron-ore deposit and the Yeshan polymetallic deposit in eastern China. All the tests yield favourable results and the obtained models are helpful for the geological interpretation.     

强剩磁强退磁条件下的二维井中磁测反演

强剩磁、强退磁改变了总磁化强度的大小和方向,给磁测资料解释带来困难.为此,本文利用二维井中磁测数据反演磁化强度矢量的二维分布.首先利用井中磁测的磁异常模量反演磁化强度大小的分布.然后,在已知磁化强度大小分布的前提下,拟合磁场分量,反演磁化强度方向的分布.其中,磁化强度大小和方向均用共轭梯度法求解,并通过预优矩阵改善磁化强度大小的反演效果.理论模拟说明,该方法能准确获得磁化强度矢量分布.磁化强度矢量反演结果包括感磁、剩磁及退磁的影响,这为研究强剩磁、高磁化率矿床提供了一种有效方法.     

Magnetic signature of different vegetation species in polluted environment

Detailed magnetic study on vegetation samples from several strongly polluted and clean sites in Bulgaria is carried out in order to evaluate suitability of different species as passive dust collectors in magnetometry. From each location, available species among lichens, mosses, poplar leaves, dandelion, needles have been sampled. Magnetic susceptibility calculated on mass-specific basis shows wide variability between diamagnetic signal up to 846 × 10⁻⁸ m³/kg. Lichens and mosses are found to be the species, showing magnetic signals with the strongest contrast between clean and polluted environment. The main magnetic phase is magnetite-like according to the results from thermomagnetic analysis of susceptibility on magnetic extracts. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microphotographs reveal the presence of abundant particulate matter on vegetation surface both with anthropogenic (spherules) and lithogenic origin. Magnetic grain size deduced by the ratio of saturation remanent magnetization (SIRM) and mass-specific magnetic susceptibility (χ) and coercivities (B_c and B_cr) suggest that different species accumulate preferentially small SD-like grains from pollution emissions. Contrasting relationship of the ratio of anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) and χ for polluted vs clean sites deduced by needles and lichens may be related to transformation of the accumulated dust particles within lichens’ tissue. This finding indicates that the exact species used as biological dust collector is of importance when studying spatial grain size distribution of magnetic dust particles. Pilot study on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) content and its relation to magnetic parameters shows good correspondence between high levels of PAHs and high SIRM values for locations affected by non-ferrous industrial production.     

Response of the paleomagnetic record to environmental changes in the late Pleistocene

During revisiting the Upper Pleistocene Pekla loess-soil section located on the Sea of Azov coast of the Taman Peninsula, its lower 6 m were continuously sampled, which led to an increase in the age range from ∼50 to 400 ka. The detailed rock magnetic study of the structure, grain-size, and concentrations of magnetic mineral (natural remanent magnetization (NRM) carrier) in the collected rock samples revealed regular changes in rock magnetic characteristics along the section and their correlation with climatic fluctuations. Magnetite and hematite both deposited during the transport of sedimentary material and formed during pedogenesis, which involved the entire section to a varying extent, represent the main magnetic minerals in the examined rocks. Automorphic paleosoils that were formed during warm and humid periods corresponding to odd stages of the MIS scale are characterized by elevated concentrations of magnetic mineral (NRM, magnetic susceptibility (K _lf), saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM), and anhysteresis (ideal) remanent magnetization (ARM)) parameters and share of superparamagnetic particles (up to 80%, according to elevated values of the frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility K _td) as well as by lowered rigidity parameter (B _cr) and grain size (ARM/K parameter). Such changes in the paleosoils may be explained by the occurrence of newly formed fine-grained magnetite particles close in size to its superparamagnetic and single-domain varieties due to the activation of bio/geochemical processes during warm stages. The growth of the above-mentioned rock magnetic parameters in automorphic soils may be considered as serving a quantitative criterion for defining the boundary between warm and cold periods even in poorly developed soils.     

Rock magnetic properties of Nihewan sediments at Xujiayao

Rock magnetic measurements of Nihewan sediments from Xujiayao section demonstrate that magnetite, hematite and maghemite are dominant remanent magnetization carriers. Monitoring the variations of magnetic susceptibility (MS) and saturating isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) at low temperature are the attractive ways of detecting the presence of magnetite, maghemitization and superparamagnetic grain sizes. Low-temperature MS investigations suggest that susceptibility enhancement for Xujiayao samples is mainly due to the remarkable presence of SD/MD magnetite to some degree though some magnetite grains have been partially oxidized at some depths. It is tentatively concluded that both SD/MD magnetite and hematite are of detrital origin and carry a characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM), whereas maghemite can be attributed to be chemical origin, overprinting a reversed polarity component of Matuyama age.     

数据空间磁异常模量三维反演

强剩磁的存在通常导致了总磁化强度方向未知,进而影响了磁异常的反演和解释.磁异常模量是一种受磁化方向影响小的转换量,可以在强剩磁条件下通过反演三维磁化强度大小分布来推测场源分布状态.我们提出了一种数据空间磁异常模量反演算法来减少剩磁的影响.与标准的模型空间L2范数正则化反演方法相比,我们的方法有两个优点:一是无需搜索正则化参数(需要反复求解非线性反演问题),因而可以减少计算时间;二是反演结果更加聚焦,深度分辨率更高,我们对此进行了原因分析.通过模型和实测数据测试证明了该算法的有效性和更好的反演效果.     

毛乌素沙地风沙沉积物磁学特征及其古环境意义

在沙漠沉积环境中,成土作用对磁化率的贡献较小,往往被原生磁信号掩盖,因此分离两种磁组分对气候和粉尘代用指标的提取至关重要.本研究选取位于毛乌素沙地东缘的锦界风沙沉积剖面为研究对象,利用多变量一元线性回归中的"平均值概念"进行磁化率的原生碎屑组分0和次生成土组分Xpedo的分离,并探讨磁学参数所承载的气候和环境意义.结果显示,磁学比值参数(如Xpedo/X0、Xfd/HIRM、Xfd%和XARM/SIRM)彼此之间存在显著线性或指数/对数相关关系,它们对成土强度指示明确,可以在一定程度上减小或避免磁性矿物背景值差异所产生的误差,与磁化率相比更适宜用于该区的古降水量重建.HIRM主要由碎屑赤铁矿含量控制,HIRM与X0存在明显正相关关系,表明碎屑赤铁矿随原生磁性矿物总体含量的增加(减少)而增加(减少),在粉尘成因磁性矿物中所占比例大致稳定,从而HIRM可以指示源区粉尘通量的变化.锦界剖面的原生和次生磁性矿物浓度均明显低于黄土高原黄土,不同地层X0和Xpedo在磁化率中所占的比例存在较大差异,因此磁化率的环境意义比较复杂,在使用其恢复古气候古环境时需慎重.     

On the interpretation of magnetic anomalies for strong remanent magnetizations

In this paper some aspects concerning the interpretation of magnetic anomalies are treated, particularly when the remanent magnetization intensity is strong. In this case, since total and induced magnetization vectors can have very different directions, a correct anomaly interpretation strictly depends on the knowledge of their declinations and inclinations.Thus, a specific procedure is described to determine such parameters from well-known semi-empirical techniques and vectorial relations.Furthermore, the classical definition of apparent susceptibility is shown to be inadequate to this problem and a more general formulation is suggested, which is not only related to the true susceptibility and to the Koenisberger ratio, but also to the declinations and inclinations of the induced and remanent magnetization vectors.The two apparent susceptibilities are then compared for some synthetic magnetic anomalies and significant differences are found.     

The relationship between the magnetic and strain fabrics of some haematite-bearing Welsh slates

The anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility and the natural remanent magnetization of haematite-bearing Welsh Cambrian slates, showing a gradation in degree of deformation, have been related to the known strain of these rocks. An approximate quantitative relationship between strain and magnetic susceptibility anisotropy has been deduced, which would allow rapid strain estimation in this region by magnetic analysis.     

Magnetic properties of a freshly fallen LL ordinary chondrite: the Bensour meteorite

A comprehensive rock magnetic, magnetic anisotropy and paleomagnetic study has been undertaken in the brecciated LL6 Bensour ordinary chondrite, a few months only after its fall on Earth. Microscopic observations and electronic microprobe analyses indicate the presence of Ni-rich taenite, tetrataenite and rare Co-rich kamacite. Tetrataenite is the main carrier of remanence. Magnetization and anisotropy measurements were performed on mutually oriented 125 mm³ sub-samples. A very strong coherent susceptibility and remanence anisotropy is evidenced and interpreted as due to the large impact responsible for the post-metamorphic compaction of this brecciated material and disruption of the parent body. We show that the acquisition of remanent magnetization postdates metamorphism on the parent body and predates the entering of the meteorite in Earth’s atmosphere. Three components of magnetization could be isolated. A soft coherent component is closely related to the anisotropy of the meteorite and is interpreted as a shock remanent magnetization acquired during the same large impact on the parent body. Two harder components show random directions at a few mm scale. This randomness is attributed either to the formation mechanism of tetrataenite or to post-metamorphic brecciation. All components are likely acquired in very low (≈μT) to null ambient magnetic field, as demonstrated by comparison with demagnetization behavior of isothermal remanent magnetization. Two other LL6 meteorites, Kilabo and St-Mesmin, have also been studied for comparison with Bensour.     

Relative paleointensity of the geomagnetic field during the past 200 ka from the West Philippine Sea and its chronological significance

Our rock magnetic analysis of core Ph05 from the West Philippine Sea demonstrates that the core preserves a strong, stable remanent magnetization and meets the magnetic mineral criteria for relative paleointensity (RPI) analyses. The magnetic minerals in the sequence are dominated by pseudosingle-domain magnetite, and the concentration of magnetic minerals is at the same scale. Both the conventional normalizing method and the pseudo-Thellier method were used in conjunction with the examination of the rock magnetic properties and natural remanent magnetization. Susceptibility (χ), anhysteretic remnant magnetization (ARM) and saturation isothermal remnant magnetization (SIRM) were used as the natural remanent magnetization normalizer. However, coherence analysis indicated that only ARM is more suitable for paleointensity reconstruction. The age model of core is established based on oxygen isotope data and AMS¹⁴C data, which is consistent with the age model estimated from RPI records. The relative paleointensity data provide a continuous record of the intensity variation during the last 200 ka, which correlates well with the global references RPI stacks. Several prominent low paleointensity values are identified and are correlated to the main RPI minima in the SINT-200 record, suggesting that the sediments have recorded the real changes of geomagnetic field. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 90411014) and Pilot Project of the Knowledge Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. KZCX2-YW-211)     

海原断裂带老虎山段断层岩磁学研究及其构造意义

断层岩,尤其是断层泥的磁性异常近年来被研究人员广泛关注,但关于其磁性异常的形成原因尚没有统一的解释．海原断裂是青藏高原东北缘一条重要的走滑断裂,前期研究发现海原断裂带景泰段出露有数十米至上百米的断层岩,是理想的研究材料．本研究选取海原断裂带景泰段老虎山山前一个断层岩剖面作为研究对象,拟通过测量断层岩的磁化率（χ）、非磁滞剩磁（ARM）、饱和等温剩磁（SIRM）、等温剩磁（IRM）以及磁化率随温度变化曲线（χ-T曲线）等磁学参数并结合粒度、碳含量、X射线衍射（XRD）等分析方法来探究海原断裂带老虎山段不同颜色断层岩的磁性特征及其形成机制．磁学研究显示黑色、红色及杂色断层泥相较于围岩和破碎带显示了低磁性,尤其是黑色断层泥,其磁化率值均小于10×10~(-8 )m~3·kg~(-1)．碳含量及矿物相分析结果指示黑色断层泥与断裂带附近石炭系煤层具有相似的矿物相组成,结合相似的χ-T曲线推断石炭系煤层为黑色断层泥的母岩．石炭系煤层经断层活动卷入断层,在断层强烈剪切摩擦作用下不断细化,形成伊利石等黏土矿物,并促使一部分顺磁性含铁硅酸盐矿物或其他含铁矿物发生化学变化形成亚铁磁性矿物,使得黑色断层泥的磁化率较其母岩石炭系煤层有一定升高．通过黑色断层泥的铁磁性磁化率结合χ-T曲线计算获得断层泥所经历的最高温度约为420℃,不超过450℃．老虎山段厚层碳质断层泥的存在为该地区发现的浅层蠕滑现象提供了一种解释．     

On the theory of depositional remanent magnetization in sedimentary rocks

The effects of various factors such as thermal agitation, coagulation, anisotropy of susceptibility, and shape irregularity on the alignment of magnetic carrier grains during the process of acquisition of depositional remanent magnetization in sedimentary rocks is discussed.     

Magnetic anomalies and rock magnetism of basalts from Reykjanes (SW-Iceland)

This study presents rock magnetic properties along with magnetic field measurements of different stratigraphic and lithologic basalt units from Reykjanes, the southwestern promontory of the Reykjanes peninsula, where the submarine Reykjanes Ridge passes over into the rift zone of southwestern Iceland. The basaltic fissure eruptions and shield lava of tholeiitic composition (less than 11500 a old) show a high natural remanent magnetization (NRM, J_r) up to 33.6 A/m and high Koenigsberger ratio (Q) up to 52.2 indicating a clear dominance of the NRM compared to the induced part of the magnetization. Pillow basalts and picritic shield lava show distinctly lower J_r values below 10 A/m. Magnetic susceptibility (κ) ranges for all lithologies from 2.5 to 26×10⁻³ SI.     

Paleomagnetic record in the Late Pleistocene loess-soil deposits of the Pekla section in the time interval 425–50 Ka

The composition, granulometry data, and concentration of grains that carry the natural remanent magnetization (NRM) are studied in the bottom 6.5 meters of the loess-soil deposits of the Pekla section (Azov coast, Krasnodar region). It was shown that these strata, which correspond to the 9th–11th marine oxygen isotope stages (MIS) and cover the time interval ∼425–300 ka, are suitable for further paleomagnetic investigation. The deposits in the upper portion of the Inzhavino paleosoils (Likhvin Interstadial) contain the records of anomalous deviations of the direction of magnetization from the dipole field at the sampling site. The studied interval was sampled by taking two hand blocks from four sampling levels, which minimizes the errors due to the specimen cutting. This anomaly dated ∼300 ka possibly corresponds to the Biva-II geomagnetic excursion. However, the studies of implications of anisotropy in magnetic susceptibility (AMS) for the direction of natural remanent magnetization (NMR) have shown that parts of the samples from the Inzhavino paleosoils and the underlying loess horizon are magnetically anisotropic, which is characteristic for biogenic magnetite grains, while other parts of the samples exhibit plane anisotropy typical for natural sedimentary structures. A weak correlation between the time series of averaged curves of relative paleointensity, NRM₂₀/ARM₂₀ (and NRM₂₀/K) for the loess horizons of the Pekla section and the global composite reference curve of relative paleointensity, Sint-800, in the time intervals 200–130 ka and 370–320 ka indicates that the paleomagnetic records have been imprinted not only on the detritic magnetic grains but also on the grains produced by chemical reactions and the life processes of bacteria.     

CBD方法对天然样品磁性矿物影响

本研究选择川西高原、天山和西伯利亚Kurtak剖面的黄土古土壤样品及亚热带非风成样品进行CBD处理,系统测量并对比处理前后的磁学参数,包括低频磁化率、频率磁化率、非磁滞剩磁、饱和等温剩磁、剩磁矫顽力和热磁曲线(J-T曲线),分析处理前后磁性矿物种类、含量和磁畴的变化.结果表明,CBD方法对于磁性矿物的溶解并无明显的选择性,在温度与反应时间一定的条件下,磁性矿物的溶出量主要受控于其粒径分布.CBD方法可以非常有效地去除具有更大比表面积的细粒(< 1 μm)磁性矿物,同时溶解粗粒(>1 μm)磁性矿物外缘,使其粒径变细.CBD处理后磁化率变化存在多种可能,对于成土作用较强的古土壤,CBD方法可以较为准确地提取成土成因的磁性信息;而干旱和过度湿润条件下的风积黄土,不宜使用CBD方法区分原生与次生磁性矿物.     

Magnetic properties of natural Mn-oxides

Summary The paper is devoted to the study of the magnetic properties, of the volume magnetic susceptibility in a weak magnetic field, of the specific magnetic susceptibility in a strong magnetic field, of natural remanent magnetization and its stability in A.C. fields, and of the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility of natural Mn-oxides. Samples of pyrolusite, polianite, manganite, hausmannite, psilomelan and wad from different localities all over the world were studied; the measured values are statistically treated so that the given values are valid in general. Hausmannite displayed typical values of the magnetic susceptibility, different from the values of the other Mn-oxides. In general, many natural Mn-oxides contain heterogeneous admixtures of Fe-oxides, which are responsible for their ferromagnetic properties. A high degree of magnetic hardness, predetermining the minerals for palaeomagnetic research, was proved with many of the natural Mn-oxides.     

Self-reversal of isothermal remanent magnetization in a pyrrhotite (Fe7S8) crystal

The remanent magnetization induced at room temperature (IRM) was measured for powder and massive specimens separated from a Fe₇S₈ crystal. To characterize the crystal, several methods were used including Mössbauer spectroscopy, thermomagnetic analysis, low-field susceptibility anisotropy and magnetic colloid method. Self-reversals of IRM were revealed in the massive crystal fragment after its magnetization in magnetic fields of the order of 10–10² mT. Both normal and reverse IRM vectors lay in the maximum susceptibility plane perpendicular to the crystallographic c′-axis of the crystal. A twinning also perpendicular to the crystal's c′-axis and a very low coercivity in each twin (monocrystallic layer) probably support the origin of the reverse IRM in the crystal.