循化-德地区新生代盆地发育及其对高原增生的指示

循化-贵德地区的循化盆地、贵德盆地和同仁盆地与拉鸡山和西秦岭北缘逆冲带相邻分布.盆地沉积地层主要由渐新统西宁群、渐新统上部至上新统贵德群和下更新统组成.它们由不整合界面分隔,划分为3个盆地相.盆地相1为西宁群,盆地相2为贵德群查让组、下东山组、贺尔加组和甘家砾岩组,盆地相3为共和组及下更新统.3个盆地相均在其中下部或底部发育湖泊沉积,向上转变为冲积扇-辫状河平原沉积体系,呈现出粒径向上不断加大的反序、进积沉积序列.盆地沉积、古流和沉积物碎屑成分分析表明,研究区在西宁群(盆地相1)沉积时期发育大型湖泊沉积盆地,盆地沉积物源主要来自于南侧的西秦岭逆冲带,而拉鸡山逆冲带处于沉积基准面之下,接受沉积;在贵德群(盆地相2)沉积时期,逆冲作用向北迁移,拉鸡山逆冲隆升,研究区盆地分割,主要沿拉鸡山逆冲带南北两侧发育点源扩散型冲积扇-辫状河平原沉积.研究区盆山系统演化对青藏高原远端增生过程具有重要的指示意义.研究结果表明,青藏高原新生代向北东的增生作用在渐新世(29～21.4Ma)已抵达西秦岭北缘地区,增生过程主要表现为向北的单向褶皱逆冲增厚隆升和前缘前陆盆地充填;中新世至上新世(20.8～2.6Ma)高原增生作用跨过研究区可能抵达祁连北缘和六盘山地区,增生过程主要表现为双向基底卷入式逆冲增厚隆升和分割式前陆盆地充填上新世至早更新世(2.6～1.7 Ma)高原远端主要表现为区域剥蚀夷平与山间盆地加积充填.     

Ductile deformation and development of andalusite microstructures in the Hongusan area: Constraints on the metamorphism and tectonics of the Ryoke Belt

Abstract   The main mesoscopic features of the ductile deformation in the Hongusan region of the Ryoke Belt can be explained in terms of a single deformation phase, Dm . The associated stretching lineation is roughly east–west and has an associated top-to-the-west sense of shear. This information fills an important gap in our knowledge about the deformational history of the Ryoke metamorphic belt. Andalusite porphyroblasts are well-developed in the Hongusan area and their microstructure can be used to link the deformational history with the metamorphism. However, the andalusite porphyroblasts show both intertectonic and post-tectonic microstructures. Some porphyroblasts have an intertectonic core and post-tectonic rim. Analysis of associated metamorphic minerals and bulk-rock chemistry suggests that the distinct types of microstructure can be explained in terms of distinct formation reactions related to regional and contact metamorphism. The intertectonic microstructure shows the presence of a deformation pre-dating Dm , referred to as Dc . These two deformation stages are sufficient to account for all the main deformation features. The distribution of post-tectonic andalusite growth shows a very broad thermal effect around an intrusion in the area. This can help place constraints on the thermal history of the Ryoke metamorphic belt.     

A comparative study of geothermal and meteorological records of climate change in Kamchatka

To reconstruct the recent climate history in Kamchatka, a series of repeated precise temperature logs were performed in a number of boreholes located in a broad east-west strip (between 52 and 54°N) in the central part of Kamchatka west of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatski. Within three years more than 30 temperature logs were performed in 10 holes (one up to six logs per hole) to the depth of up to 400 metres. Measured temperature gradients varied in a broad interval 0 to 60 mK/m and in some holes a sizeable variation in the subsurface temperatures due to advective heat transport by underground water was observed. Measured data were compared with older temperature profiles obtained in the early eighties by Sugrobov and Yanovsky (1993). Even when older data are of poorer precision (accuracy of about 0.1 K), they presented valuable information of the subsurface temperature conditions existing 20–25 years ago. Borehole observations and the inverted ground surface temperature histories (GSTHs) used for the paleoclimate reconstruction were complemented with a detailed survey of meteorological data. Namely, the long-term surface air temperature (SAT) and precipitation records from Petropavlovsk station (in operation since 1890) were used together with similar data from a number of local subsidiary meteo-stations operating in Central Kamchatka since 1950. Regardless of extreme complexity of the local meteorological/climate conditions, diversity of borehole sites and calibration of measuring devices used during the whole campaign, the results of the climate reconstruction supported a general warming of about 1 K characteristic for the 20th century, which followed an inexpressive cooler period typical for the most of the 19th century. In the last three to four decades the warming rate has been locally increasing up to 0.02 K/year. It was also shown that the snow cover played a dominant role in the penetration of the climate “signal” to depth and could considerably smooth down the subsurface response to the changes occurred on the surface.     

Influence of Zostera marina canopies on unidirectional flow,hydraulic roughness and sediment movement

Seagrasses develop extensive or patchy underwater meadows in coastal areas around the world, forming complex, highly productive ecosystems. Seagrass canopies exert strong effects on water flow inside and around them, thereby affecting flow structure, sediment transport and benthic ecology. The influence of Zostera marina canopies on flow velocity, turbulence, hydraulic roughness and sediment movement was evaluated through laboratory experiments in 2 flumes and using live Z. marina and a mobile sand bed. Profiles of instantaneous velocities were measured and sediment movement was identified upstream, within and downstream of patches of different sizes and shoot density and at different free-stream velocities. Flow structure was characterised by time-averaged velocity, turbulence intensity and Turbulent Kinetic Energy (TKE). When velocity data were available above the canopy, they were fitted to the Law of the Wall and shear velocities and roughness lengths were calculated. When a seagrass canopy was present, three layers were distinguishable in the water column: (1) within canopy represented by low velocities and high turbulence; (2) transition zone around the height of the canopy, where velocities increased, turbulence decreased and TKE was high; and (3) above canopy where velocities were equal or higher than free-stream velocities and turbulence and TKE were lower than below. Shoot density and patch-width influenced this partitioning of the flow when the canopy was long enough (based on flume experiments, at least more than 1 m-long). The enhanced TKE observed at the canopy/water interface suggests that large-scale turbulence is generated at the canopy surface. These oscillations, likely to be related to the canopy undulations, are then broken down within the canopy and high-frequency turbulence takes place near the bed. This turbulence ‘cascade’ through the canopy may have an important impact on biogeochemical processes. The velocity above the canopy generally followed a logarithmic profile. Roughness lengths were higher above the canopy than over bare sand and increased with increasing distance from the leading edge of the canopy; however, they were still small (<1 cm) compared to other studies in the literature. Within and downstream of the canopy, sediment movement was observed at velocities below the threshold of motion. It was likely caused by the increased turbulence at those positions. This has large implications for sediment transport in coastal zones where seagrass beds develop.     

Comparison of vegetation and stream sediment geochemical patterns in northeastern New South Wales

This study compares the geochemical response of stream sediments and adjacent vegetation samples, with variations in drainage catchment lithology and the occurrence of mineralisation, within a 14,000-km² block of the northeastern region of New South Wales, Australia. The area contains a range of lithologies within a Devonian–Permian accretionary complex and Mesozoic sedimentary basin, as well as a wide range of mineral deposits. Sampling was designed to confine each sub-catchment to a single lithological group (mafic and ultramafic rocks, acid intrusives, volcanics, metasedimentary and sedimentary rocks or alluvium). Leaves of over 20 genera, dominated by (Allo-)Casuarina, Eucalyptus, Acacia, Callistemon and Melaleuca, and the <250-μm fraction of the stream sediments were analysed by INAA. The uptake of most trace elements varied between genera, with Callistemon displaying the highest median As and La contents and Eucalyptus the highest Co contents. The stream sediment and vegetation geochemistry reflect both hydromorphic and mechanical dispersion within sub-catchments, with regional patterns dominant over local influences. The vegetation appears to be influenced to a greater extent by hydromorphic dispersion, as indicated by differences in the ratio of leaf to sediment Cr concentrations in sub-catchments draining serpentinites and basalts. Although most known mineral deposits in the region produced anomalies in at least one medium, there was little correlation between the trace element concentrations of the vegetation and stream sediments on a site-by-site basis. A number of Au targets were only detected on the basis of the biogeochemistry and others were only reflected in the stream sediment geochemistry. In general, vegetation displayed more extensive dispersion trains away from mineralisation than did the stream sediments. Differences in the response of the two sampling media suggest their joint use in exploration or environmental surveys to maximise the probability of detecting mineralisation.     

Carbon monoxide levels along roadway

This paper predicts and compares the carbon monoxide (CO) concentration levels along Sembulan Road for years 2004 and 2014 using CAL3QHC air dispersion model at two major locations, i.e., at Sembulan Roundabout and Sutera Harbour Intersection, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The CO concentration “hot-spots” were also identified at Sutera Harbour Intersection, and the highest maximum 1-hr average ground level concentrations of CO modeled for Kpg. Air Sembulan located in the northeast of idling road was 9.33 ppm for year 2004. This study showed that there would be no extreme changes in CO concentration trends for year 2014 although a substantial increase in the number of vehicles is assumed to affect the level of CO concentrations. It was also found that the CO levels would be well below the Malaysian Ambient Air Quality Guidelines of 30 ppm for 1-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Comparisons between the modeled and observed outputs using quantitative data analysis technique and statistical methods indicated that the CAL3QHC predicted results correlated well with measured data. It was predicted that receptors located near to the major intersection, in the long-term would be potentially exposed to relatively higher CO levels.     

Petrological-geophysical models of the internal structure of the lithospheric mantle of the Siberian Craton

Based on the simultaneous inversion of unique ultralong-range seismic profiles Craton, Kimberlite, Meteorite, and Rift, sourced by peaceful nuclear and chemical explosions, and petrological and geochemical data on the composition of xenoliths of garnet peridotite and fertile primitive mantle material, the first reconstruction was obtained for the thermal state and density of the lithospheric mantle of the Siberian craton at depths of 100–300 km accounting for the effects of phase transformation, anharmonicity, and anelasticity. The upper mantle beneath Siberia is characterized by significant variations in seismic velocities, relief of seismic boundaries, degree of layering, and distribution of temperature and density. The mapping of the present-day lateral and vertical variations in the thermal state of the mantle showed that temperatures in the central part of the craton at depths of 100–200 km are somewhat lower than those at the periphery and 300–400°C lower than the mean temperature of tectonically younger mantle surrounding the craton. The temperature profiles derived from the seismic models lie between the 32.5 and 35 mW/m² conductive geotherms, and the mantle heat flow was estimated as 11–17 mW/m². The depth of the base of the cratonic thermal lithosphere (thermal boundary layer) is close to the 1450 ± 100°C isotherm at 300 ± 30 km, which is consistent with published heat flow, thermobarometry, and seismic tomography data. It was shown that the density distribution in the Siberian cratonic mantle cannot be described by a single homogeneous composition, either depleted or enriched. In addition to thermal anomalies, the mantle density heterogeneities must be related to variations in chemical composition with depth. This implies significant fertilization at depths greater than 180–200 km and is compatible with the existence of chemical stratification in the lithospheric mantle of the craton. In the asthenosphere-lithosphere transition zone, the craton root material is not very different in chemical composition, thermal regime, and density from the underlying asthenosphere. It was shown that minor variations in the chemical composition of the cratonic mantle and position of chemical (petrological) boundaries and the lithosphere-asthenosphere boundary cannot be reliably determined from the interpretation of seismic velocity models only.     

N/N and O/O stable isotope ratios of nitrous oxide produced during denitrification in temperate forest soils

Anaerobic incubations of upland and wetland temperate forest soils from the same watershed were conducted under different moisture and temperature conditions. Rates of nitrous oxide (N₂O) production by denitrification of nitrate () and the stable isotopic composition of the N₂O (δ¹⁵N, δ¹⁸O) were measured. In all soils, N₂O production increased with elevated temperature and soil moisture. At each temperature and moisture level, the rate of N₂O production in the wetland soil was greater than in the upland soil. The ¹⁵N isotope effect (ε) _{(product − substrate)} ranged from −20‰ to −29‰. These results are consistent with other published estimates of ¹⁵N fractionation from both single species culture experiments and soil incubation studies from different ecosystems.A series of incubations were conducted with ¹⁸O-enriched water (H₂O) to determine if significant oxygen exchange (O-exchange) occurred between H₂O and N₂O precursors during denitrification. The exchange of H₂O-O with nitrite () and/or nitric oxide (NO) oxygen has been documented in single organism culture studies but has not been demonstrated in soils prior to this study. The fraction of N₂O-O derived from H₂O-O was confined to a strikingly narrow range that differed between soil types. H₂O-O incorporation into N₂O produced from upland and wetland soils was 86% to 94% and 64% to 70%, respectively. Neither the temperature, soil moisture, nor the rate of N₂O production influenced the magnitude of O-exchange. With the exception of one treatment, the net ¹⁸O isotope effect (ε_net) _{(product-substrate)} ranged from +37‰ to +43‰.Most previous studies that have reported ¹⁸O isotope effects for denitrification of to N₂O have failed to account for the effect of oxygen exchange with H₂O. When high amounts of O-exchange occur after fractionation during reductive O-loss, the ¹⁸O-enrichment is effectively lost or diminished and δ¹⁸O-N₂O values will be largely dictated by δ¹⁸O-H₂O values and subsequent fractionation. The process and extent of O-exchange, combined with the magnitude of oxygen isotope fractionation at each reduction step, appear to be the dominant controls on the observed oxygen isotope effect. In these experiments, significant oxygen isotope fractionation was observed to occur after the majority of water O-exchange. Due to the importance of O-exchange, the net oxygen isotope effect for N₂O production in soils can only be determined using δ¹⁸O-H₂O addition experiments with δ¹⁸O-H₂O close to natural abundance.The results of this study support the continued use of δ¹⁵N-N₂O analysis to fingerprint N₂O produced from the denitrification of . The utilization of ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios of N₂O to study N₂O production pathways in soil environments is complicated by oxygen exchange with water, which is not usually quantified in field studies. The oxygen isotope fractionation observed in this study was confined to a narrow range, and there was a clear difference in water O-exchange between soil types regardless of temperature, soil moisture, and N₂O production rate. This suggests that ¹⁸O/¹⁶O ratios of N₂O may be useful in characterizing the actively denitrifying microbial community.     

Zircon geochronology reveals polyphase magmatism and crustal anatexis in the Buchan Block,NE Scotland: Implications for the Grampian Orogeny

The type locality for high-temperature,low-pressure regional metamorphism,the Buchan Block in NE Scotland,exhibits profound differences to the rest of the Grampian Terrane.These differences have led some to regard the Buchan Block as an exotic crustal fragment comprising Precambrian basement gneisses and cover rocks thrust into their current position during Grampian orogenesis.Although rocks of the Buchan Block are now generally correlated with Dalradian strata elsewhere,the origin of the gneisses and the cause of the high heat flow and associated magmatism is debated.We report SIMS U-Pb and LA-ICPMS Hf isotopic data in zircon from high-grade rocks from the northeast(Inzie Head Gneiss)and northwest(Portsoy)corners of the Buchan Block.Around Inzie Head,upper amphibolite to granulite facies metasedimentary gneisses coexist with diorite sheets that were emplaced contemporaneously with partial melting of their host rocks,at least locally.U-Pb geochronology indicates a crystallisation age for the diorite of 486±9 Ma.Highly-deformed diorites within the Portsoy Gabbro have a crystallisation age of 493±8 Ma.Ages of ca.490 Ma for magmatism and high-grade metamorphism,which are broadly contemporaneous with ophiolite obduction and the onset of orogenesis,are significantly older than the established peak of Grampian metamorphism(ca.470 Ma).We propose a new model for the Grampian Orogeny involving punctuated tectonothermal activity due to tectonic switching during accretionary orogenesis.Rollback of a NW-dipping subduction zone at ca.490 Ma produced a back-arc environment(the Buchan Block)with associated arc magmatism and high dT/dP metamorphism.Arrival of an outboard arc resulted in shortening(the initial phase of the Grampian Orogeny)at ca.488 Ma.Rollback of a NW-dipping subduction zone to the SE of the ca.488 Ma suture began at 473 Ma and led to lithospheric-scale extension,decompression melting and advective heating of the middle crust,producing the widespread ca.470 Ma Grampian(classic Barrovian and Buchan)regional metamorphism.Resumed hinge advance and the final phase of shortening cut off the heat supply at ca.465 Ma,marking the end of the Grampian Orogeny.     

Some Biases in Sampling Multilevel Piezometers for Volatile Organics

Multilevel piezometers are cost-effective monitoring devices for determining the three-dimensional distribution of solutes in ground water. Construction includes flexible tubing (plastic or Teflon®). Their sampling is subject to a number of'potential biases, particularly: (1) losses of volatile organic solutes via volatilization, (2) sorption onto the flexible tubing of the piezometers, (3) leaching of organics from this tubing, and (4) collection of unrepresentative samples due to inadequate piezometer flushing. It is shown that these biases are minimal or are easily controlled in most situations.
Another source of bias has been recognized. Organic solutes present in ground water above the screened level can penetrate the flexible plastic or Teflon tubing and contaminate the sampled water being drawn through this tubing. Laboratory tests and field results indicate this transmission causes low organic contaminant concentrations to be erroneously attributed to ground water which is free of such contaminants. The transmitted organics apparently desorb from the plastic tubing during flushing of even 40 piezometer volumes.
Recognition of this transmission problem provides for a better interpretation of existing organic contaminant distribution data. Caution is advised when considering the use of these monitoring devices in organic solute contaminant studies.