Holocene solifluction,climate variation and fire in a subarctic landscape at Pippokangas,Finnish Lapland,based on radiocarbon‐dated buried charcoal

A large number of radiocarbon dates from charcoal layers buried beneath stacked solifluction lobes at Pippokangas, in the northern boreal zone of Finnish Lapland, are used to reconstruct a Holocene history of solifluction. Although the site is surrounded by Scots pine forest, the solifluction lobes occur on the lower slopes of a kettle hole, the microclimate of which prevents the growth of trees. Samples from the upslope end of charcoal layers have enabled the recognition of four synchronous phases of solifluction lobe initiation: 7400–6700, 4200–3400, 2600–2100 and 1500–500 cal. yr BP. Rates of lobe advance are shown to be lobe‐dependent and age‐dependent: initially, average rates were commonly 0.14–0.19 cm yr^?1, later falling to 0.02–0.07 cm yr^?1 or less as the lobes approached the bottom of the slope. The absence of charcoal prior to 8000 cal. yr BP, together with single IRSL and TL dates, indicate a relatively stable early Holocene landscape. The onset of solifluction around 7400 cal. yr BP. appears to have followed the immigration of pine around the site, which increased the frequency of forest fires. Phases of solifluction activity seem to have been triggered by millennial‐scale variations in effective moisture (the climatic hypothesis), rather than episodic burning of the surface vegetation cover (the geoecological hypothesis), although climate may also have affected fire frequency and severity. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The first case study of 230Th/U and 14C dating of mid-valdai organic deposits

From the viewpoint of precision and reliability of radioisotopic dating, deposits whose quantitative age can be determined through several methods of geochronometry are of special interest. The mutually conforming finite ¹⁴C and ²³⁰Th/U dates of buried Neopleistocene organic deposits, taken from the Tolokonka section by the North Dvina River (100 km downstream from the city of Kotlas), have been obtained for the first time in Russia. The stratigraphical reference of these results to those obtained via the optically induced luminescence for upper and lower bedding layers has been established. The presented geochronometric data have allowed us to consider the age of oxbow lake organic deposits completely reliable and refer the time of their formation to the Tyrbei warming within the MIS-3. The applicability of the new version of the ²³⁰Th/U method for dating of interglacial and interstadial deposits, for the purpose of solving the Middle and Late Neopleistocene chronostratigraphy issues, is confirmed.     

小湖盆浅水三角洲沉积特征及其等时格架划分方案 ——以南堡4-3区东二段为例

南堡油田4-3区东二段原有开发方案以传统的扇三角洲沉积模式为指导,在层状模型的基础上依“相似性”原则划分地层单元、建立注采关系,但实际开发效果不佳,突出表现为:油水界面难统一,水驱油效率低。通过研究对比现代沉积学,综合岩芯和地球物理资料,确定东二段为典型的浅水三角洲沉积,研究区为三角洲前缘沉积相,沉积构造背景为断阶带下的浅水小湖盆。与大湖盆缓坡浅水三角洲相比,沉积特征受控于可容空间的变化明显,河道砂由分选差磨圆中等的次成熟中细砂岩组成,搬运距离相对较近,沉积构造以块状、平行、交错层理为主,沉积韵律表现为交互式的正旋回沉积。综合地震沉积学指导下的地震响应特征,证实该区为多条水动力较强的分流河道频繁横向摆动、改道而形成三角洲复合朵体,因此难以统一水流线和细分沉积微相。单河道摆动形成具有层状等时特征的单个沉积朵体,构成了三角洲沉积的基本单元。多个单朵体在三维空间叠置、拼接成更高一级的、内部空间复杂的复合朵体,则不具有层状等时特征,且朵体的接触关系及接触界面的渗流能力对注水开发效果影响明显。通过地震识别,受分辨率约束可识别高级次朵体,在其顶底界面约束下进一步利用测井识别,逐级解剖细化至具层状特征的朵体单元。依次识别出相当于砂组级别的3个朵体单元,相当于小层级别的28个朵体单元。并在朵体单元的基础上,重构注采对应关系,水驱采油效果明显改善。     

Dimensions and architecture of late Pleistocene submarine lobes off the northern margin of East Corsica

Sandy lobe deposits on submarine fans are sensitive recorders of the types of sediment gravity flows supplied to a basin and are economically important as hydrocarbon reservoirs. This study investigates the causes of variability in 20 lobes in small late Pleistocene submarine fans off East Corsica. These lobes were imaged using ultra‐high resolution boomer seismic profiles (<1 m vertical resolution) and sediment type was ground truthed using piston cores published in previous studies. Repeated crossings of the same depositional bodies were used to measure spatial changes in their dimensions and architecture. Most lobes increase abruptly down‐slope to a peak thickness of 8 to 42 m, beyond which they show a progressive, typically more gradual, decrease in thickness until they thin to below seismic resolution or pass into draping facies of the basin plain. Lobe areas range from 3 to 70 km² and total lengths from 2 to 14 km, with the locus of maximum sediment accumulation from 3 to 28 km from the shelf‐break. Based on their location, dimensions, internal architecture and nature of the feeder channel, the lobes are divided into two end‐member types. The first are small depositional bodies located in proximal settings, clustered near the toe‐of‐slope and fed by slope gullies or erosive channels lacking or with poorly developed levées (referred to as ‘proximal isolated lobes’). The second are larger architecturally more complex depositional bodies deposited in more distal settings, outboard more stable and longer‐lived levéed fan valleys (referred to as ‘composite mid‐fan lobes’). Hybrid lobe types are also observed. At least three hierarchical levels of compensation stacking are recognized. Individual beds and bed‐sets stack to form lobe‐elements; lobe‐elements stack to form composite lobes; and composite lobes stack to form lobe complexes. Differences in the size, shape and architectural complexity of lobe deposits reflect several inter‐related factors including: (i) flow properties (volume, duration, grain‐size, concentration and velocity); (ii) the number and frequency of flows, and their degree of variation through time; (iii) gradient change and sea floor morphology at the mouth of the feeder conduit; (iv) lobe lifespan prior to avulsion or abandonment; and (v) feeder channel geometry and stability. In general, lobes outboard stable fan valleys that are connected to shelf‐incised canyons are wider, longer and thicker, accumulate in more basinal locations and are architecturally more complex.     

Surface exposure dating of the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine system,western Swiss Alps,using the cosmogenic nuclide 10Be

Egesen moraines throughout the Alps mark a glacial advance that has been correlated with the Younger Dryas cold period. Using the surface exposure dating method, in particular the measurement of the cosmogenic nuclide ¹⁰Be in rock surfaces, we attained four ages for boulders on a prominent Egesen moraine of Great Aletsch Glacier, in the western Swiss Alps. The ¹⁰Be dates range from 10 460±1100 to 9040±1020 yr ago. Three ¹⁰Be dates between 9630±810 and 9040±1020 yr ago are based upon samples from the surfaces of granite boulders. Two ¹⁰Be dates, 10 460±1100 and 9910±970 yr ago, are based upon a sample from a quartz vein at the surface of a schist boulder. In consideration of the numerous factors that can influence apparently young ¹⁰Be dates and the scatter within the data, we interpret the weighted mean of four boulder ages, 9640±430 yr (including the weighted mean of two ¹⁰Be dates of the quartz vein), as a minimum age of deposition of the moraine. All ¹⁰Be dates from the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine are consistent with radiocarbon dates of nearby bog‐bottom organic sediments, which provide minimum ages of deglaciation from the moraine. The ¹⁰Be dates from boulders on the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine also are similar to ¹⁰Be dates from Egesen moraines of Vadret Lagrev Glacier on Julier Pass, in the eastern Swiss Alps. Both the morphology of the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine and the comparison with ¹⁰Be dates from the inner Vadret Lagrev Egesen moraine support the hypothesis that the climatic cooling that occurred during the Younger Dryas cold episode influenced the glacial advance that deposited the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine. Because of the large size and slow response time of Great Aletsch Glacier, we suggest that the Great Aletsch Glacier Egesen moraine was formed during the last glacial advance of the multiphased Egesen cold period, the Kromer stage, during the Preboreal chron. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Late quaternary of the middle Caquetá River area (Colombian Amazonia)

The late Quaternary history of the middle Caquetá River area in Colombia, northwestern Amazonia is described, based on observations of river bank sections, radiocarbon dates and palynological analyses of organic layers in floodplain and low terrace sediments of the Caquetá River. It is shown that the Late Pleistocene and Holocene climatic changes that took place in the Andean Cordilleras, were related to the depositional and erosional history of the Caquetá River in the Colombian Amazonian lowlands. The low terrace sediments consist of sandy and gravelly deposits covered by clays that sometimes contain lenses of peaty material. From these organic low terrace sediments, seven finite radiocarbon dates were obtained of Middle Pleniglacial age, between 56 000 and 30 000 yr BP. The coarse textured basal deposits of the low terrace apparently stem from the early part of the Middle Pleniglaciai period, during which the effective rainfall in the Andes was relatively high and the Andean glaciers had a considerable extension. Palynological data from silty sediments with organic remains at one site, show an interval when drier and more open types of vegetation on poor soils must have covered a larger area than today, but Amazonian forest was still the dominating type of vegetation. This interval might correspond to one of the Middle Pleniglacial savanna intervals from eastern Amazonia (Carajas). No organic sediments from the Upper Pleniglacial period were found and hence radiocarbon dates were not obtained. In the Andes this period had a very cold climate with low effective rainfall and in the east Amazonian Carajas area it is characterised by the relative extension of open savanna vegetation. The river run-off and sediment transport must have been much lower than in the Middle Pleniglacial and the Caquetá River cut itself down in its own sediments. Two Late-glacial radiocarbon datings obtained at one site (ca. 12 500 yr BP) indicate the existence of a Late-glacial sedimentation phase, separated from the Holocene sequence by a minor erosional phase. Organic layers in the Holocene floodplain sediments yielded 28 radiocarbon dates between 10 000 and 355 yr BP. Holocene sedimentation started with the rapid deposition of (sandy) clay possibly in a partly permanently inundated Caquetá valley. During the major part of the Holocene (silty) clays were deposited, with a dominant seasonal inundation cycle.     

The Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanic belt: Age of its northern part according to new Ar-Ar and U-Pb geochronological data

Current geochronological data on the Okhotsk-Chukotka volcanic belt (OCVB) and relevant problems are discussed. The belt evolution is suggested to be modeled based on ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and U-Pb dates more useful in several aspects than common K-Ar or Rb-Sr dates and methods of paleobotanical correlation. Based on new ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar and U-Pb dates obtained for volcanic rocks in the OCVB northern part, the younger (Coniacian) age is established for lower stratigraphic units in the Central Chukotka segment of the belt, and the eastward migration of volcanic activity is shown for terminal stages of this structure evolution.     

Rates of peat formation in relation to degree of humification and local environment, as shown by studies of a raised bog in Deninark

In the raised bog Draved Mose, rates of peat formation and degrees of humification were determined in two peat sections. Based on 59 calibrated C-14 dates, accumulation rates during the last 6500 years of 0.16 to 0.80 mm/year were found. The peat layers were analyscd for Sphagnum species, rhizopods, and pollen and spores. A clear relation between humification degrees and humidity at the time of formation was found, while the relation between measured growth rates and degrees of humification varied throughout the 2.5 m thick peat section. These variations are thought to be mostly a result of autocompaction.     

Frost creep and gelifluction features: A review

Frost creep and gelifluction are the cold-climate representatives of mass-wasting processes that occur in a broad range of environments. Neither process requires permafrost, and frost creep can be inhibited by its presence at shallow depth. Acting in various combinations, frost creep and gelifluction produce distinctive lobate and terrace-like landforms, which are easy to recognize while fresh and active, but difficult to distinguish from mudflow lobes, earthslides, and similar deposits after they have been modified by other processes. Large frost creep and gelifluction features are currently active in many tundra environments that experience only deep seasonal freezing; thus they are not generally considered to be indicators of permafrost. Most radio-carbon-dated lobes and terraces, however, seem to have originated at times when permafrost was more widespread than it is today. This is true in the Colorado Front Range, where the formation of lobes and terraces appears to have been initiated by rapid melting of ice-enriched permafrost during the warming phases of frost-heave cycles that were centuries or millennia in duration. There is growing evidence that lobes and terraces developed in many parts of the world between about 3000 and 2500 BP; the climatic significance of their formation during this interval is open to several interpretations. Long-term average rates of frontal advance, calculated for deposits in Colorado, Australia, Greenland, Yukon Territory, Alaska, Scotland, and Norway, range from 0.6 to 3.5 mm per calendar year, significantly slower than maximum rates of movement measured on the surfaces of active lobes and terraces in comparable environments; the features are clearly not as effective at transporting debris as was previously supposed. Variations in past rates of downslope soil movement, estimated from close-interval dating of buried humus horizons or plant remains overrun by the advancing fronts of lobes and terraces, provide a sensitive record of climatic change. The dated humus layers are also suitable for detailed pollen analyses and soil chronosequence studies.     

Reassessing the uranium decay constants for geochronology using ID-TIMS U-Pb data

As the internal precision of radiometric dates approaches the 0.1% level, systematic biases between different methods have become apparent. Many workers have suggested that calibrating other decay constants against the U-Pb system is a viable solution to this problem. We test this assertion empirically and quantitatively by analyzing U-Pb systematics of zircon and xenotime on the single- to sub-grain scale by high-precision ID-TIMS geochronology on 11 rock samples ranging from 0.1 to 3.3 Ga. Large statistically equivalent datasets give ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb dates that are systematically older than ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U dates by ∼0.15% in Precambrian samples to as much as ∼3.3% in Mesozoic samples, suggesting inaccuracies in the mean values of one or both of the U decay constants. These data are used to calculate a ratio of the U decay constants that is lower than the accepted ratio by 0.09% and is a factor of 5 more precise. Four of the samples are used to augment existing data from which the U-Pb and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar systems can be compared. The new data support most previous observations that U-Pb and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb dates are older than ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar by ?1%, though scatter in the amount of offset in samples as a function of age suggests that the bias is not entirely systematic, and may incorporate interlaboratory biases and/or geologic complexities. Studies that calibrate other decay schemes against U-Pb should include an assessment of inaccuracies in the U decay constants in addition to other systematic biases and non-systematic geologic uncertainty.     

Direct dating indicates a Mid‐Holocene Age for archaic rock engravings in arid Central Australia

Archaic rock engravings are found widely across the arid interior of Australia and are thought to represent an early pan‐continental tradition. A late Pleistocene age is assumed because of extensive weathering, but attempts to test this by direct dating have been unsuccessful. We use AMS ¹⁴C dating of calcium oxalate skins covering archaic engravings at two rock shelter sites in Central Australia (Wanga East and Puritjarra), constrained by ¹⁴C dates of charcoal in sedimentary layers beneath the same engraved slabs, to show this rock art is mid‐Holocene in age. Despite a limited range of simple geometric designs and uniformity across the arid interior, this corpus of rock art is not associated with the initial peopling of the Australian desert, but is a later development reflecting the dynamics of established desert societies. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Field-based monitoring of sediment runoff from natural gas well sites in Denton County,Texas, USA

This study evaluates sediment runoff from gas well development sites in Denton County, Texas. The magnitude of sediment runoff was investigated by intercepting sediment in traps and weirs at the periphery of each gas well site and by measuring the growth of debris lobes that formed down slope from two sites. Four debris lobes formed at one gas well site and one formed at a second site. Debris lobes ranged in size from 30 to 306 square meters. Sediment from one site entered local creek channels, either as a component of storm water runoff or, in one case, as a debris lobe that flowed into a channel. The study findings suggest that sediment movement is significantly diminished once areas disturbed by gas well construction become naturally re-vegetated. Based on estimates of debris lobe volumes, sediment loading rates of about 54 metric tonnes per hectare per year were calculated for one site. It is concluded that gas well development sites in areas similar to those studied, especially where vegetation has been removed and terrain has relatively steep slopes (greater than 6%), generate sediment runoff comparable to small construction sites and should therefore be considered for regulations requiring erosion and sediment control measures.     

Deepwater Turbidite Lobe Deposits: A Review of the Research Frontiers

Deepwater/deep-marine turbidite lobes are the most distal part of a siliciclastic depositional system and hold the largest sediment accumulation on the seafloor. As many giant hydrocarbon provinces have been discovered within deepwater lobe deposits, they represent one of the most promising exploration targets for hydrocarbon industry. Deepwater exploration is characterized by high cost, high risk but insufficient data because of the deep/ultra–deepwater depth. A thorough understanding of the deepwater turbidite lobe architecture, hierarchy, stacking pattern and internal facies distribution is thus vital. Recently, detailed outcrop characterizations and high–resolution seismic studies have both revealed that the deepwater lobe deposits are characterized into four–fold hierarchical arrangements from "beds", to "lobe elements", to "lobes" and to "lobe complex". Quantitative compilations have shown that hierarchical components of lobe deposits have similar length to width ratios but different width to thickness ratios depending on different turbidite systems. At all hierarchical scales, sand–prone hierarchical lobe units are always separated by mud–prone bounding units except when the bounding units are eroded by their overlying lobe units thus giving rise to vertical amalgamation and connectivity. Amalgamations often occur at more proximal regions suggesting high flow energy. A mixed flow behavior may occur towards more distal regions, resulting in deposition of "hybrid event beds". These synthesized findings could(1) help understand the lobe reservoir distribution and compartmentalization therefore benefit the exploration and development of turbidite lobes within the deep marine basins(e.g. South China Sea) and(2) provide rules and quantitative constraints on reservoir modeling. In addition, the findings associated with deepwater turbidite lobes might be a good starting point to understand the sedimentology, architecture and hierarchy of turbidites in deep lacustrine environment.     

Depositional architecture and evolution of progradationally stacked lobe complexes in the Eocene Central Basin of Spitsbergen

The down‐dip portion of submarine fans comprises terminal lobes that consist of various gravity flow deposits, including turbidites and debrites. Within lobe complexes, lobe deposition commonly takes place in topographic lows created between previous lobes, resulting in an architecture characterized by compensational stacking. However, in some deep water turbidite systems, compensational stacking is less prominent and progradation dominates over aggradation and lateral stacking. Combined outcrop and subsurface data from the Eocene Central Basin of Spitsbergen provide a rare example of submarine fans that comprise progradationally stacked lobes and lobe complexes. Evidence for progradation includes basinward offset stacking of successive lobe complexes, a vertical change from distal to proximal lobe environments as recorded by an upward increase in bed amalgamation, and coarsening and thickening upward trends within the lobes. Slope clinoforms occur immediately above the lobe complexes, suggesting that a shelf‐slope system prograded across the basin in concert with deposition of the lobe complexes. Erosive channels are present in proximal axial lobe settings, whereas shallow channels, scours and terminal lobes dominate further basinward. Terminal lobes are classified as amalgamated, non‐amalgamated or thin‐bedded, consistent with turbidite deposition in lobe axis, off‐axis and fringe settings, respectively. Co‐genetic turbidite–debrite beds, interpreted as being deposited from hybrid sediment gravity flows which consisted of both turbulent and laminar flow phases, occur frequently in lobe off‐axis to fringe settings, and are rare and poorly developed in channels and axial lobe environments. This indicates bypass of the laminar flow phase in proximal settings, and deposition in relative distal unconfined settings. Palaeocurrent data indicate sediment dispersal mainly towards the east, and is consistent with slope and lobe complex progradation perpendicular to the NNW–SSE trending basin margin.     

Ice‐free conditions in Sweden during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3?

Wohlfarth, B. 2010: Ice‐free conditions in Sweden during Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3? Boreas, 10.1111/j.1502‐3885.2009.00137.x. ISSN 0300‐9483 Published and unpublished ¹⁴C dates for Sweden older than the Last Glacial Maximum ice advance were evaluated. Acceptable ¹⁴C dates indicate that age ranges for interstadial organic material in northern and central Sweden are between c. 60 and c. 35 cal. kyr BP and for similar deposits in southern Sweden are between c. 40 and c. 25 cal. kyr BP, which is in good agreement with recently derived Optical Stimulated Luminescence ages. ¹⁴C dates on mammoth remains show a larger scatter, possibly as a result of incomplete laboratory pretreatment. A possible scenario based on calibrated ¹⁴C dates from interstadial deposits is that central and northern Sweden was ice‐free during the early and middle part of Marine Oxygen Isotope Stage 3 and that southern Sweden remained ice‐free until c. 25 cal. kyr BP. A first ice advance into northern and central Sweden might have occurred as late as around 35 cal. kyr BP, more or less coeval with the Last Glacial Maximum ice advance onto the Norwegian shelf. To test the conclusions drawn here, new multi‐proxy and high‐resolution investigations of several key sites in north, central and south Sweden are required.     

Variable style of transition between Palaeogene fluvial fan and lacustrine systems, southern Pyrenean foreland, NE Spain

Two Palaeogene fluvial fan systems linked to the south‐Pyrenean margin are recognized in the eastern Ebro Basin: the Cardona–Súria and Solsona–Sanaüja fans. These had radii of 40 and 35 km and were 800 and 600 km² in area respectively. During the Priabonian to the Middle Rupelian, the fluvial fans built into a hydrologically closed foreland basin, and shallow lacustrine systems persisted in the basin centre. In the studied area, both fans are part of the same upward‐coarsening megasequence (up to 800 m thick), driven by hinterland drainage expansion and foreland propagation of Pyrenean thrusts. Fourteen sedimentary facies have been grouped into seven facies associations corresponding to medial fluvial fan, channelized terminal lobe, non‐channelized terminal lobe, mudflat, deltaic, evaporitic playa‐lake and carbonate‐rich, shallow lacustrine environments. Lateral correlations define two styles of alluvial‐lacustrine transition. During low lake‐level stages, terminal lobes developed, whereas during lake highstands, fluvial‐dominated deltas and interdistributary bays were formed. Terminal lobe deposits are characterized by extensive (100–600 m wide) sheet‐like fine sandstone beds formed by sub‐aqueous, quasi‐steady, hyperpycnal turbidity currents. Sedimentary structures and trace fossils indicate rapid desiccation and sub‐aerial exposure of the lobe deposits. These deposits are arranged in coarsening–fining sequences (metres to tens of metres in thickness) controlled by a combination of tectonics, climatic oscillations and autocyclic sedimentary processes. The presence of anomalously deeply incised distributary channels associated with distal terminal lobe or mudflat deposits indicates rapid lake‐level falls. Deltaic deposits form progradational coarsening‐upward sequences (several metres thick) characterized by channel and friction‐dominated mouth‐bar facies overlying white‐grey offshore lacustrine facies. Deltaic bar deposits are less extensive (50–300 m wide) than the terminal lobes and were also deposited by hyperpycnal currents, although they lack evidence of emergence. Sandy deltaic deposits accumulated locally at the mouths of main feeder distal fan streams and were separated by muddy interdistributary bays; whereas the terminal lobe sheets expand from a series of mid‐fan intersection points and coalesced to form a more continuous sandy fan fringe.     

High-resolution analysis of submarine lobes deposits: Seismic-scale outcrops of the Lauzanier area (SE Alps, France)

The Lauzanier area represents the northernmost extension of the Annot Sandstone series and contains deposits between 650 and 900 m-thick. This basin was active from upper Bartonian or lower Priabonian to early Rupelian. It is composed of two superposed units separated by a major unconformity. The sediment supply is due to channelled flows coming from the south. Flow processes include mass flow to turbidity currents. The size of the particles and the absence of fine-grained sediment suggest a transport over a short distance. The Lower Unit is made of coarse-grained tabular beds interpreted as non-channelled lobe deposits. The Upper Unit is made of massive conglomerates interpreted as the channelled part of lobes. These lobe deposits settle in a tectonically confined basin according to topographic compensation that occurs from bed scale to unit scale. The abrupt progradation between the lower and the upper unit seems related to a major tectonic uplift in the area. This uplift is also suggested by a change in the petrographic nature of the source and an abrupt coarsening of the transported clasts.This field example allows providing high resolution analysis for depositional sedimentary sequences of terminal lobe deposits in a coarse-grained turbidite system. The outcrop analysis shows the lateral evolution of deposits and the system progradation allows a longitudinal analysis of facies evolution by superposing on the same outcrops the channelled lobe system and the non-channelled lobe system. These results of high-resolution outcrop analysis can be extrapolated to results obtained on sedimentary lobes in recent deep-sea turbidite system that are either restricted to cores, or with a lesser resolution (seismic).     

14C测年技术新进展

¹⁴C测年技术的进展主要表现为3个方面：1)¹⁴C常规测定技术向高精度发展比较成熟，目前已可以普及；2)加速器质谱技术的建立和普及，使测定要求的样品碳量减少到mg级，甚至μg级，虽然目前的精度尚未超过常规方法，但由于所需样品量极少，测定时间短而工效高，大大拓宽了应用范围；3)高精度¹⁴C－树轮年龄校正曲线的建立，不但可将样品的¹⁴C年龄转换到日历年龄，而且对有时序的系列样品的¹⁴C年龄数据通过曲线拟合方法转换到日历年龄时年龄误差大为缩小。     

尼日尔三角洲盆地深水沉积体系特征

尼日尔三角洲盆地深水沉积研究是目前世界油气勘探的热点问题之一.通过对三维地震资料、岩心及测井曲线分析,揭示了尼日尔三角洲盆地南部地区新近系深水沉积体系特征.基于不同属性的层序界面识别,研究区划分出SQ1-SQ6共6个三级层序,并建立层序地层格架,进而总结出研究区深水沉积模式.研究区除堆积正常半深海-深海泥岩外,还广泛发育海底扇沉积,海底扇由浊积水道和海底扇朵体组成,其中水道分支少、弯度大,外部形态类似曲流河;朵体平面上成朵叶状分布,可以划分为末端朵体和决口扇朵体.研究区新近系地层自下向上由老到新,相对海平面先下降再上升,SQ1-SQ4层序以海底扇朵体沉积为主,SQ5-SQ6层序以浊积水道沉积为主.      

The partitioning of 7beryllium in fresh water

Field observations and experimental measurements of the partitioning coefficient (K_d) of⁷Be in fresh water show that it varies inversely with the solids concentration at typical environmental values (up to 30 mg/1). This behavior is similar to that of many other metals and organic pollutants, which means that ⁷Be may be useful as a tracer of the movement of these substances in the water column. However, the wide range in the percentage of ⁷Be adsorbed by solids over this range of concentrations (over 50%) means that in order to use ⁷Be either to measure total sedimentation rates or to trace lateral sediment movement it will be necessary to monitor changes in sediment concentration over the area and time period of interest. The wide scatter in our data at both high and low solids concentrations suggests that other factors also affect K_d. Until these factors are identified, application of our results to other systems will be risky. At high (greater than 100 mg/1) solids concentrations over 90% of ⁷Be is associated with the solid phase, so it may be a useful tracer of reworking rates in bottom sediments. ⁷Be has a slightly greater affinity for the solid phase in fresh water than in seawater.