Postglacial climate and vegetation history, north-central Kola Peninsula, Russia: pollen and diatom records from Lake Yarnyshnoe-3

A sediment core from Lake Yarnyshnoe-3 (69°04'N; 36°04'E), an emerged coastal lake from the tundra of the north-central Kola Peninsula, has been analyzed for fossil pollen and diatoms. The pollen record shows the Younger Dryas event marked by increasing Artemisia coupled with decreases in Poaceae, Cyperaceae and Salix at c. 10 700 to 10 000 BP. This core provides the first well-defined palynological record of the Younger Dryas event on the Kola Peninsula. Stomates from Pinus were recovered from the core interval between 8000 and 6000 BP. The stomates, coupled with elevated values of pine pollen, indicate that Pinus sylvestris grew near the arctic coastline of the central Kola Peninsula in the middle Holocene. However, the small number of stomates suggests that pines were not plentiful. The diatom record from the core reflects basin isolation from the sea and indicates additional limnological changes during the climate transition between c. 5000 and 4000 BP. The broadly similar climate and vegetation history on the north-central Kola Peninsula and in Fennoscandia demonstrates the propagation of late glacial and Holocene climate events from the North Atlantic region into the Eurasian Arctic.     

Postglacial emergence and the Tapes transgression, north-central Kola Peninsula, Russia

The history of postglacial emergence on the Murman coast, Kola Peninsula, is reconstructed based on twelve new radiocarbon ages from three marine sections and regional shoreline observations. Two pronounced shore levels are recognized below the Late Weichselian marine limit. The lower shoreline (11 -16 m a.s.l.) is associated with a transgression dated to 6200–6600 BP, correlative to the Tapes transgression on the Norwegian coastline. The upper shoreline (36–47 m a.s.l.) is not yet dated directly but probably correlates to the Main (Younger Dryas) shoreline. Strandline elevations descend eastward along the Murman coast. Observed emergence trends suggest the greatest regional Late Weichselian glacier load over the west-central Kola Peninsula rather than in the southern Barents Sea.     

Holocene history of Lake Soldatskoje (Kola Peninsula, Russia) inferred from sedimentary diatom assemblages

A sediment core from Lake Soldatskoje, a small tundra lake located in the northern coastal area of the Kola Peninsula and surrounded by numerous archaeological dwelling sites, was analysed for diatom species. The core covers the entire Holocene, i.e. 10000 radiocarbon years. The diatom record has similarities with studies made earlier from tundra lakes of northern Russia and from Arctic lakes in general. The genus Fragilaria was dominant and many other small, benthic, nordic, cold-water diatom species typical of Arctic lakes were common, including Achnanthes minutissima Kützing, A. pusilla (Grunow) De Toni, Cyclotella tripartita Håkansson and Navicula absoluta Hustedt. Multivariable ordinations were used to characterize the changes in the diatom flora. Diatom-based pH and total phosphorus inferences indicate that the lake has become progressively more acidic and poorer in nutrients. Disturbances in the diatom stratigraphy of Lake Soldatskoje around 4000–5500 ¹⁴C yr BP may be related to human activity.     

Pleistocene marine deposits in the coastal areas of Kola Peninsula (Russia)

On the basis of field data, datings from both electron spin resonance – and optically stimulated luminescence, and micro- and macrofauna, in addition to presence of diatoms, three Late Pleistocene marine units have been identified in the coastal areas of the Kola Peninsula. The stratigraphically lowest sequence is correlated to the Ponoi Beds and the Boreal transgression, attributed to the marine isotope stages (MIS) 5e to 5d in the White Sea depression and to MIS 5e to 5c in the Barents Sea. Thermophilic fauna and diatoms indicate normal water salinity and a water temperature above zero. The second marine unit, referred as the Strel'na Beds, can be correlated with the Early Weischselian transgression, termed the Belomorian transgression. With low water salinity and a water temperature similar or colder than the present times, Belomorian transgressions are reliably detected in the White Sea and are not clearly found in the Barents Sea. The results obtained from the sediments of the Ponoi and Strel'na Beds indicate a continuously existing marine reservoir from 130 to 80–70 ka ago (entire MIS 5) in the White Sea depression. The early Middle Weichselian Barents–Kara ice-sheet invasion and its recession might have caused the glacioeustatic Middle Weichselian (MIS 3) transgression, and the third Late Pleistocene marine sequence has been deposited in the regressing shallow cold sea with less saline waters. The results help in the understanding of the history of Late Quaternary ice sheets in North Eurasia and provide evidence for the debatable Early and Middle Weichselian marine events.     

俄罗斯科拉半岛铬云母玉的宝石学特征

在2010年,美国图桑的矿物宝石化石展销会上出现了一种新的玉石品种,其产自俄罗斯科拉半岛的铬云母玉。利用偏光显微镜、X射线粉末衍射仪、激光诱导离解光谱仪、红外光谱仪等测试方法对俄罗斯科拉半岛铬云母玉样品进行了分析与研究,初步确定其矿物组成、结构特征及宝石学性质。结果表明,该铬云母玉的主要矿物组成为铬云母、石英、长石,并含有少量的蓝晶石、十字石、高岭石、黄铁矿等;具有不等粒变晶结构和片麻状构造。与东陵石（即含铬云母的石英岩）的矿物组成和宝石学特征对比后,提出以铬云母的质量分数20%作为铬云母玉与东陵石的分类界限,其相应的宝石学和物理性质也可以对二者加以区分。     

Amphiboles of the Khibiny alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia

The rocks of the Khibiny pluton contain 25 amphibole varieties, including edenite, fluoredenite, kaersutite, pargasite, ferropargasite, hastingsite, magnesiohastingsite, katophorite, ferrikatophorite, magnesiokatophorite, magnesioferrikatophorite, magnesioferrifluorkatophorite, ferrimagnesiotaramite, ferrorichterite, potassium ferrorichterite, richterite, potassium richterite, potassium fluorrichterite, arfvedsonite, potassium arfvedsonite, magnesioarfvedsonite, magnesioriebeckite, ferriferronyboite, ferrinyboite, and ferroeckermannite. The composition of rock-forming amphiboles changes symmetrically relative to the Central Ring of the pluton; i.e., amphiboles enriched in K, Ca, Mg, and Si are typical of foyaite near and within the Central Ring. The Fe and Mn contents in amphiboles increase in the direction from marginal part of the pluton to its center. Foyaite of the marginal zone contains ferroeckermannite, richterite, arfvedsonite, and ferrorichterite; edenite is typical of foyaite and hornfels of the Minor Arc. Between the Minor Arc and the Central Ring, foyaite contains ferroeckermannite, arfvedsonite, and richterite; amphiboles in rischorrite, foidolite and hornfels of the Central Ring are (potassium) arfvedsonite, (potassium) richterite, magnesiokatophorite, magnesioarfvedsonite, ferroeckermannite, and ferriferronyboite; amphiboles in foyaite within the Central Ring, in the central part of the pluton, are arfvedsonite, magnesioarfvedsonite, ferriferronyboite, katophorite, and richterite. It is suggested that such zoning formed due to the alteration of foyaite by a foidolite melt intruded into the Main (Central) Ring Fault.     

Rock-Forming feldspars of the Khibiny alkaline pluton,Kola Peninsula,Russia

This paper describes the structural-compositional zoning of the well-known Khibiny pluton in regard to rock-forming feldspars. The content of K-Na-feldspars increases inward and outward from the Main foidolite ring. The degree of coorientation of tabular K-Na-feldspar crystals sharply increases in the Main ring zone, and microcline-dominant foyaite turns into orthoclase-dominant foyaite. The composition of K-Na-feldspars in the center of the pluton and the Main ring zone is characterized by an enrichment in Al. This shift is compensated by a substitution of some K and Na with Ba (the Main ring zone) or by an addition of K and Na cations to the initially cation-deficient microcline (the central part of the pluton). Feldspars of volcanosedimentary rocks occurring as xenoliths in foyaite primarily corresponded to plagioclase An_15–40, but high-temperature fenitization and formation of hornfels in the Main ring zone gave rise to the crystallization of anorthoclase subsequently transformed into orthoclase and albite due to cooling and further fenitization. Such a zoning is the result of filling the Main ring fault zone within the homogeneous foyaite pluton with a foidolite melt, which provided the heating and potassium metasomatism of foyaite and xenoliths of volcanosedimentary rocks therein. The process eventually led to the transformation of foyaite into rischorrite-lyavochorrite, while xenoliths were transformed into aluminum hornfels with anorthoclase, annite, andalusite, topaz, and sekaninaite.     

The Turiy Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia: Isotopic and Geochemical Evidence for Multi-source Evolution

The Turiy Massif, lying within the Kandalaksha Graben, and onthe southern coast of the Kola Peninsula, contains carbonatites,phoscorites, melilitolites, ijolites and pyroxenites withinone central and four surrounding satellite complexes. Sr–Ndisotopic data from the central complex phoscorites and carbonatites,and the nearby Terskii Coast kimberlites, combined with otherrecently published data on the Devonian Kola Alkaline Province,allow us to redefine the position of the Kola Carbonatite Line(KCL) of Kramm (European Journal of Mineralogy 5, 985–989,1993). We propose that the revised-KCL mantle sources includea lower-mantle plume, and a second enriched source, which alsocontributed to the Terskii Coast and Archangelsk kimberlites.The Turiy Massif silicate rocks and northern complex carbonatiteshave more enriched isotopic signatures than the distinct, anddepleted signatures of the central complex phoscorites and carbonatites,particularly with respect to     

Late pleistocene and holocene history of the lakes in the Kola Peninsula, Karelia and the North-Western part of the East European plain

The paper reviews the work on paleolimnology in parts of the FSU over the last 40 years. It presents a short review of The History of the Lakes of the East European Plain, one of the books of the series The History of Lakes published by the Institute of Lake Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences. It describes the Late Pleistocene and Holocene history of these lakes based mainly on the study of lacustrine sediments. Amongst the samples Lake Nero near Moscow which is located near the marginal zone of the last glaciation, and includes records that go back as early as 190,000 BP. The main elements of lake evolution are shown in different territories: Byelorussia; Baltic countries; Karelia; and the Kola Peninsula. Special attention is given to palaeolimnological data because its use for Holocene and Late Pleistocene palaeoclimate reconstructions.     

事件沉积:沉积物补给及相对海平面变化的作用

本文为事件沉积综述,要点如下:(1)根据河流悬移载荷和床沙载荷简要总结了不同地形和气候区的剥蚀速率;(2)不同盆地充填物中泥砂的比例;(3)控制沉积物再活化的机理。在大陆环境中,事件沉积(冲积扇上的碎屑流、扇三角洲上的崩塌作用和漫滩上的泛滥作用)的粒度和频率直接反映了物源区的侵蚀作用和剥蚀面积与堆积面积之比率。在海洋环境中,沉积物补给和近滨容纳空间的变化在很大程度上控制着地层层序的性质。在沉积物大量补给和低频率海平面变化的情况下,巨厚的体系域内事件沉积(包括风暴岩)的差异很小。随着沉积物补给量减少,事件沉积在低水位体系内不断聚集。如一些模式(差异性沉降和盆地边缘抬升)所示,相对海平面的迅速下降突出反映了海岸及海底富砂沉积物的再活化(特别是在低水位早期)和延迟河谷下切,所形成的海底扇多半以砂为主。而河流供给的大型扇则以浊积泥岩为主。在海岸抬升的地区,河谷下切的时期比低水位期长,海平面变化可导致"上升脉动"和峭壁削蚀。三级或高频率海平面变化的低水位沉积,在碳酸盐建隆边缘通常为粗粒骨屑和巨角砾岩;在混合体系内通常为硅质碎屑浊积岩。在快速闭合的前陆盆地中,高频率海平面旋回通常只影响盆地边缘两侧;而三级海平面变化直接控制靠近逆冲前缘的沉积层序和事件沉积的可能性也有限。由于沉积物大量补给,各种事件沉积(如碎屑流沉积、砂质和钙质风暴岩和浊积岩)形成的时间间隔一般为几十年、几百年,甚至数千年。在沉积物补给量小或以大规模块体流和巨浊积岩为特征的环境中,其再现的时间间隔还更长。     

REE mineralogy and geochemistry of the Western Keivy peralkaline granite massif,Kola Peninsula,Russia

The authors have studied the geology, geochemistry, petrology and mineralogy of the rare earth elements (REE) occurring in the Western Keivy peralkaline granite massif (Kola Peninsula, NW Russia) aged 2674 ± 6 Ma. The massif hosts Zr- and REE-rich areas with economic potential (e.g. the Yumperuaiv and Large Pedestal Zr-REE deposits), where 25% of ΣREE are represented by heavy REE (HREE). The main REE minerals are: chevkinite-(Ce), britholite-(Y) and products of their metamict decay, bastnäsite-(Ce), allanite-(Ce), fergusonite-(Y), monazite-(Ce), and others. The areas contain also significant quantities of zircon reaching potentially economic levels. We have discovered that behavior of REE and Zr is controlled by alkalinity of melt/solution, which, in turn, is controlled by crystallization of alkaline pyroxenes (predominantly aegirine) and amphiboles (predominantly arfvedsonite) at a late magmatic stage. Crystallization of mafic minerals leads to a sharp increase of K₂O content and decrease of SiO₂ content that cause a decrease of melt viscosity and REE and Zr solubility in the liquid. Therefore, REE and zirconium immediately precipitate as zircon and REE-minerals. There are numerous pod- and lens-like granitic pegmatites within the massif. Pegmatites in the REE-rich areas are also enriched in REE, but HREE prevails over light REE (LREE), about 88% of REE sum.     

Anthropogenic noble-metal enrichment of topsoil in the Monchegorsk area, Kola Peninsula, northwest Russia

Eight catchments, an area of 15 to 35 km², have been studied within an ecogeochemical mapping programme in the western Kola Peninsula and contiguous parts of Finland and Norway. Three catchments, one northeast of Zapolyarniy (1) and two, 5 and 25 km south of Monchegorsk (2 and 4) show high levels of deposition of heavy metals, especially nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu), related to the metallurgical industry in these cities. Twenty-five topsoil samples, from sites evenly distributed over catchment 2, have mean contents of Ni and Cu 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than both C-horizon samples from the same sites and topsoil samples from catchment 4, providing strong evidence for the anthropogenic origin of the heavy metals. The same samples show geometric mean total contents for the noble metals analysed of: 1.4 μg/kg rhodium (Rh), 49.6 μg/kg platinum (Pt), 187.6 μg/kg palladium (Pd) and 9.5 μg/kg gold (Au). The pattern of concentration of the noble metals mirrors that found in published averages for ore from the Talnakh mineralizations in the Noril'sk province, though 1–2 orders of magnitude lower. This also clearly shows that the noble-metal contents of the topsoil are anthropogenic, and suggests that they emanate from the plants in Monchegorsk at an early stage in treatment of the ore, probably as a minor component of Ni-Cu rich particles. The noble-metal geochemistry of the topsoil in the other catchments also reflects the nature of the ore being processed at the plants nearby.     

A Pb isotope investigation of the Lovozero Agpaitic Nepheline Syenite,Kola Peninsula,Russia

For the first time Pb isotope composition was established in Lovozero rocks and raremetal ores, which is important for identifying their sources. The world’s largest layered intrusion of agpaitic nepheline syenite-the Lovozero alkaline massif—is located near the center of the Kola Peninsula in Russia. This superlarge complex plutonic body hosts the economically important loparite and eudiallyte deposits [1]. These deposits contain immense resources of REE, Nb, Ta, Zr, and constitute a world class mineral district. The Lovozero massif belongs to the Kola ultramafic alkaline and carbonatitic province (KACP) of Devonian age. Previous bulk rock studies have shown that the initial Sr and Nd isotope ratios of Lovozero rocks plot in the depleted mantle quadrant of Sr-Nd diagrams [2]. More recently, Hf isotope data obtained by Kogarko et al. (3) confirm that the Lovozero and Khibina massifs with ?_Hf between 6 and 8 are derived predominantly from a depleted mantle source. It was shown that Sr, Nd, and Hf abundances are significantly elevated in the Kola alkaline rocks, and thus their isotopic compositions are relatively insensitive to minor contamination by the overlying crustal rocks. By contrast, Pb in the KACP rocks is a much more sensitive indicator of a crustal component. In this paper we investigate the lead isotopic signature of all resentative types of Lovozero rocks (Table 1) in order to further characterize their mantle sources. The Lovozero massif consists of four intrusive phases. Rocks of phase I (mostly nepheline syenites) comprise about 5% of the total volume, phase II (urtites, foyaite, lujavrites) forms the main portion of the massif comprising 77% in volume, and phase III (eudialyte lujavrites) contributes about 18%. Country rocks are represented by Devonian effusive rocks and Archean gneisses.     

Emplacement processes and cooling history of layered cyclic unit II-7 from the Lovozero alkaline massif (Kola Peninsula, Russia)

The Lovozero alkaline massif (Kola Peninsula, Russia) is composed of three major units. The central unit (80% of the volume) comprises numerous well developed layers composed, from bottom to roof, of an urtite–juvite–foyaite–lujavrite continuous lithological sequence (ijolite–foid-bearing alkali feldspar syenite in IUGS nomenclature). The mode of emplacement of the massif and the mechanism of formation of the layering are still under debate. Petrological, mineralogical (two stages of crystallisation) and structural evidence from the detailed analysis of one of these layers (unit II-7) is interpreted in terms of both mechanical (magmatic to sub-solidus, non-coaxial deformation) and thermal differentiation operating on a crystal-laden (alkali feldspar, high T nepheline, aegirine-augite) material of foyaitic composition. Textural and mineralogical data suggest that a sheet of foiditic magma intruded into solidified earlier units of the Lovozero layered sequence and acquired a sill-like structure on cooling.     

Globular ferropicritic rocks at Pechenga, Kola Peninsula (Russia): Liquid immiscibility versus alteration

The uppermost volcanic unit of the early Proterozoic Pechenga Group comprises ferropicritic volcanic and hypabyssal rocks which possess well-developed, light-weathering globular (up to 10 cm in size) or layer-like structures mesoscopicly similar to those found in some Archean ocellar komatiites. These structures are superficially reminiscent of features attributed to liquid immiscibility including spheroidal aggregates in all stages of coalescence. However, several lines of field, microscopical, mineralogical and chemical evidence argue against the immiscibility hypothesis. These include identical modal proportions, grain sizes, morphologies and orientations of crystalline phases in the globules and matrix, as strikingly demonstrated, for example, by the spinifex-textured varieties of the globular rocks. A solid-state hydrothermal/metamorphic diffusional process that affected the originally glassy mesostasis is concluded to be the only feasable mechanism for the formation of the globular structures in the Pechenga ferropicrites.     

Lateglacial and Holocene environmental history of the central Kola region,northwestern Russia revealed by a sediment succession from Lake Imandra

Bolshaya Imandra, the northern sub-basin of Lake Imandra, was investigated by a hydro-acoustic survey followed by sediment coring down to the acoustic basement. The sediment record was analysed by a combined physical, biogeochemical, sedimentological, granulometrical and micropalaeontological approach to reconstruct the regional climatic and environmental history. Chronological control was obtained by ¹⁴C dating, ¹³⁷Cs, and Hg markers as well as pollen stratigraphy and revealed that the sediment succession offers the first continuous record spanning the Lateglacial and Holocene for this lake. Following the deglaciation prior to c. 13 200 cal. a BP, the lake's sub-basin initially was occupied by a glacifluvial river system, before a proglacial lake with glaciolacustrine sedimentation established. Rather mild climate, a sparse vegetation cover and successive retreat of the Scandinavian Ice Sheet (SIS) from the lake catchment characterized the Bølling/Allerød interstadial, lasting until 12 710 cal. a BP. During the subsequent Younger Dryas chronozone, until 11 550 cal. a BP, climate cooling led to a decrease in vegetation cover and a re-advance of the SIS. The SIS disappeared from the catchment at the Holocene transition, but small glaciers persisted in the mountains at the eastern lake shore. During the Early Holocene, until 8400 cal. a BP, sedimentation changed from glaciolacustrine to lacustrine and rising temperatures caused the spread of thermophilous vegetation. The Middle Holocene, until 3700 cal. a BP, comprises the regional Holocene Thermal Maximum (8000–4600 cal. a BP) with relatively stable temperatures, denser vegetation cover and absence of mountain glaciers. Reoccurrence of mountain glaciers during the Late Holocene, until 30 cal. a BP, presumably results from a slight cooling and increased humidity. Since c. 30 cal. a BP Lake Imandra has been strongly influenced by human impact, originating in industrial and mining activities. Our results are in overall agreement with vegetation and climate reconstructions in the Kola region.     

Unusual rocks and mineralisation in a new carbonatite complex at Kandaguba, Kola Peninsula, Russia

The paper presents the results from a reconnaissance investigation of carbonatites in a newly discovered alkaline complex in the Kola peninsula, Russia. The Kandaguba complex differs from other carbonatite plutons of the Kola alkaline province by (a) the absence of ultrabasic rocks, (b) widespread occurrence of nepheline-, cancrinite- and nepheline–cancrinite syenites and carbonatites and (c) presence of apatite–calcite ijolites and feldspar ijolites as separate intrusive phase. The Kandaguba carbonatites are notable for the predominance of late ferromagnesian varieties together with quartz and numerous accessory mineral species. The association of phosphates (monazite, gorseixite, goyazite, apatite), sulphides and tellurides (pyrite, sphalerite, galena, hessite), ilmenorutile, barite with quartz and ankerite is a remarkable feature of these carbonatites. The Kandaguba carbonatites are inferred to have been generated as the products of liquid immiscibility followed by differentiation of the carbonatite melt.     

Holocene glacial history and sea-level changes on James Ross Island,Antarctic Peninsula

A reconstruction of deglaciation and associated sea-level changes on northern James Ross Island, Antarctic Peninsula, based on lithostratigraphical and geomorphological studies, shows that the initial deglaciation of presently ice-free areas occurred slightly before 7400 ¹⁴C yr BP. Sea-level in connection with the deglaciation was around 30 m a.s.l. A glacier readvance in Brandy Bay, of at least 7 km, with the initial 3 km over land, reached a position off the present coast at ca. 4600 yr BP. The culmination of the advance was of short duration, and by 4300 yr BP the coastal lowlands again were ice-free. A distinct marine level at 16–18 m a.s.l. was contemporaneous with or slightly post-dates the Brandy Bay advance, thus indicating the relative sea-level around 4600–4500 yr BP. Our results from James Ross Island confirm that over large areas in this part of Antarctica the last deglaciation occurred late. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ore geochemistry,zircon mineralogy,and genesis of the Sakharjok Y-Zr deposit,Kola Peninsula,Russia

The Sakharjok Y-Zr deposit in Kola Peninsula is related to the fissure alkaline intrusion of the same name. The intrusion ∼7 km in extent and 4–5 km² in area of its exposed part is composed of Neoarchean (2.68–2.61 Ma) alkali and nepheline syenites, which cut through the Archean alkali granite and gneissic granodiorite. Mineralization is localized in the nepheline syenite body as linear zones 200–1350 m in extent and 3–30 m in thickness, which strike conformably to primary magmatic banding and trachytoid texture of nepheline syenite. The ore is similar to the host rocks in petrography and chemistry and only differs from them in enrichment in zircon, britholite-(Y), and pyrochlore. Judging from geochemical attributes (high HSFE and some incompatible element contents (1000–5000 ppm Zr, 200–600 ppm Nb, 100–500 ppm Y, 0.1–0.3 wt % REE, 400–900 ppm Rb), REE pattern, Th/U, Y/Nb, and Yb/Ta ratios), nepheline syenite was derived from an enriched mantle source similar to that of contemporary OIB and was formed as an evolved product of long-term fractional crystallization of primary alkali basaltic melt. The ore concentrations are caused by unique composition of nepheline syenite magma (high Zr, Y, REE, Nb contents), which underwent subsequent intrachamber fractionation. Mineralogical features of zircon-the main ore mineral—demonstrate its long multistage crystallization. The inner zones of prismatic crystals with high ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (90, on average) grew during early magmatic stage at a temperature of 900–850°C. The inner zones of dipyramidal crystals with average ZrO₂/HfO₂ = 63 formed during late magmatic stage at a temperature of ∼500°C. The zircon pertaining to the postmagmatic hydrothermal stage is distinguished by the lowest ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (29, on average), porous fabric, abundant inclusions, and crystallization temperature below 500°C. The progressive decrease in ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio was caused by evolution of melt and postmagmatic solution. The metamorphic zircon rims relics of earlier crystals and occurs as individual rhythmically zoned grains with an averaged ZrO₂/HfO₂ ratio (45, on average) similar to that of the bulk ore composition. The metamorphic zircon is depleted in uranium in comparison with magmatic zircon, owing to selective removal of U by aqueous metamorphic solutions. Zircon from the Sakharjok deposit is characterized by low concentrations of detrimental impurities, in particular, contains only 10–90 ppm U and 10–80 ppm Th, and thus can be used in various fields of application.     

Postglacial history of East European boreal forests in the mid-Kama region,pre-Urals,Russia

The Ural Mountains are an important climatic and biogeographical barrier between European and Siberian forests. In order to shed light on the postglacial formation and evolution of the boreal forests in the European pre-Urals, we obtained a peat sediment core, Chernaya, from the Paltinskoe bog located between the southern taiga and hemiboreal forest zone in the mid-Kama region. We carried out pollen analysis, non-pollen palynomorph analysis, loss-on-ignition tests and radiocarbon dating. Radiocarbon dated records provide centennial to decennial resolution of the vegetation and environmental history of the European pre-Urals for the last 8.8 ka. The postglacial formation of the pre-Uralian hemiboreal forests reveals four important phases: (i) the dominance of Siberian taiga and forest-steppe in the Early Holocene and beginning of the Middle Holocene (8.8–6.9 ka), indicating a dry climate; (ii) the spread of spruce and European broadleaved trees in the Middle Holocene (6.9–4 ka) under wetter climate conditions; (iii) the maximum extent of broadleaved trees coinciding with the arrival and spread of Siberian fir in the Late Holocene (4–2.3 ka); and (iv) the decline of broadleaved trees since the Early Iron Age (2.3 ka – present) possibly due to general climate cooling and logging. While temperate broadleaved trees possibly spread from local refugia in the Urals, fir arrived from Siberia and spread further west. The carbon accumulation rate of Paltinskoe bog (18.9±10.16 g C m⁻² a⁻¹) is close to the average value of carbon accumulation of northern peatlands. Local development of peat is characterized by non-gradual growth with a phase of intensive carbon accumulation between 3.5 and 2.3 ka. The vegetation was strongly influenced by fire in the Early Holocene and by humans since the Early Iron Age practicing deforestation, agriculture and pasture. Phases of increased anthropogenic activity correlate well with the local archaeological data.