The Magmatic–Hydrothermal Transition and Origin of Brine in the Oceanic Core Complex of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 13° N

New data on local mineral associations and the microheterogeneity of minerals and fluid inclusions in gabbro were obtained for the gabbro–peridotite oceanic core complex with a long-lived detachment fault controlling the hydrothermal activity. It is assumed that the hydrothermal hydrogen-bearing fluid with a NaCl content of >30 wt % is formed in the seawater/harzburgite (~1/5) reaction of serpentinization. The brine residual after serpentinization interacted with gabbro at the final stages of crystallization of an intrusion and assimilated some components (K, REEs, and Ba) from the residual melt. The interaction was resulted in metamorphic transformations of gabbro at decreasing temperature below 500°C. The reaction of the decomposition of magmatic titanomagnetite with the transition of iron reduced to Fe²⁺ into newly formed chlorinebearing amphibole at 540–450°C and logf(O₂) from–20 to–24 is shown.

     

Geochemical Constraints for the Bulk Composition of the Moon

Doklady Earth Sciences - The bulk composition of the silicate Moon (crust + mantle, BSM) is determined on the basis of inversion of gravitational and seismic data. It is shown that the mantle...     

Aerosols in the Near-Water Surface Layer of the Caspian Sea

The first data on the concentrations, fluxes, and mineral and chemical compositions of aerosols from the near-water surface layer of the Caspian Sea are presented. It is shown that the aerosol fluxes onto the sea surface are comparable to the fluxes of a lithogenic substance in a water column. The mineral and chemical compositions of aerosols depend on the carrying air masses that pass through different regions. The coefficients of enrichment of aerosols with chemical elements relative to the upper lithosphere and their correlation relationships are studied.

     

Carbon Isotope Characteristics as Evidence of an External Source of High-Temperature Granitoids in Granulite Complexes

Doklady Earth Sciences - Data on the carbon isotope composition of graphite and CO2 from inclusions in quartz of granitoids of the Southern Marginal Zone (SMZ) of the Limpopo granulite belt, South...     

Fine-Grained Aluminosiliciclastic Rocks of the Middle Riphean Stratotype Section in the Southern Urals: Formation Conditions,Composition and Provenance Evolution

General trends of the formation of Middle Riphean fine-grained aluminosiliciclastic rocks in the Bashkir Meganticlinorium are considered. It is shown that Yurmatinian shales do not contain any significant pyroclastic admixture. Judging from the relatively constant Th/Cr ratio throughout the Yurmatinian section, the tectonic regime in the study territory during the early Middle Riphean is suggested to be rather stable. The main paleoclimatic indices and indicators of the pelitic material maturity (CIA, CIW, IVC, PIA, and Ce/Y) suggest that paleodrainage systems in the early Middle Riphean were dominated by humid climate that gave way to the arid or semiarid type in the middle Yurmatinian. The low Mo/Mn ratio and some other indicators of redox conditions in shales from all Yurmatinian lithostratigraphic units show that no explicit reducing conditions existed in the basin during the early Middle Riphean. The shales were characterized by the increase in K₂O/Al₂O₃ ratio, gradual enrichment in REE, and growth of LREE/HREE and La_N/Yb_N ratios toward the middle Yurmatinian, indicating the gain of an appreciable amount of slightly weathered arkosic aluminosiliciclastic material in the sedimentary basin about 1220–1200 Ma ago. The REE distribution and the UCC- and AUC-normalized shale compositions suggest that the eroded upper crust was compositionally close to the UCC. The occurrence of mafic and ultramafic rocks is also inferred. Data points of Yurmatinian shales plotted in the Cr–Ni, Eu/Eu*–Gd_N/Yb_N, and (La/YB)_N–Yb_N diagrams are localized between the fields of Upper Archean and post-Archean rocks or within the latter field. Hence, post-Archean igneous and metamorphic complexes prevailed in paleodrainage systems of the early Middle Riphean. This is also confirmed by the model Nd ages.     

Hydro-thermal performance of multilayer capillary barriers in arid lands

In this study, a capillary barrier system was designed and tested for an arid land environment. To simulate arid land conditions of high temperature and sub-irrigation systems, the barrier was subjected to thermal and hydraulic gradients in opposite directions; to test the barrier system under these severe conditions, an experimental apparatus was designed and fabricated. The multilayer capillary barrier consisted of three layers made of silica sand, a mixture of sand and bentonite in equal portions, and a mixture of clay (25%) and aggregate (75%). Several one dimensional coupled heat and moisture tests were performed. Temperature variations along the thickness of the barrier were recorded as a function of time, and at the end of each test, the barrier was sliced into small sections, for the determination of volumetric water content as a function of distance from the heat source. The experimental results were discussed in view of the barrier's intended purpose of its ability to store moisture for long time durations. Coupled heat and moisture flow equations were developed and solved numerically via a finite difference method. Diffusivity parameters were calculated by using experimental results, a numerical model, and Powell's conjugate directions method of nonlinear optimization. The model was calibrated and the results were discussed. Good agreement between calculated and experimental results was obtained. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Magnetic-field variations in the active region NOAA 10486 and their relationship to X-ray flares and coronal mass ejections

SOHO/MDI magnetograms are used to analyze the time variations in the magnetic parameters of the active region (AR) NOAA 10486, which was part of a large activity complex that passed over the solar disk from October 26 to 31, 2003, during solar cycle 23. The results are compared with X-ray flares in the AR and the parameters of coronal mass ejections associated with the AR. The time variations in the distributions of themagnetic-field strengths associated with the total magnetic flux (Fa), the flux imbalance between the northern and southern polarities (Im), the complexity of the field, as a measure of the mutual overlapping of the opposite polarities (Co), and the tilt angle of the magnetic axis (An) are considered. The time variations in the free energy accumulated in current sheets of ARs were traced using a parameter introduced for this purpose (Sh). The following results were obtained. First, the parameters Fa, Im, Co, An, and Sh quantitatively describe the current state of the AR and can be used to trace and analyze the dynamical evolution of its magnetic field. Second, variations in the magnetic-field-strength distributions and the mean values of Fa, Im, Co, An, and Sh are associated with flares and coronal mass ejections, and the variations have considerable amplitudes. Third, the parameter Sh characterizing the degree to which the magnetic field is non-potential in regions adjacent to the main neutral line increases before eruptive events, and is thus particular interest for monitoring the states of ARs in real time. Fourth, the magnetic field of the AR manifests a sort of quasi-elasticity, so that the field structure is restored after active events, on average, within 1–3 h.     

Ophiolites of the Eastern Peninsulas zone (Eastern Kamchatka): Age, composition, and geodynamic diversity

Abstract   The geological, geochemical and mineralogical data of dismembered ophiolites of various ages and genesis occurring in accretionary piles of the Eastern Peninsulas of Kamchatka enables us to discriminate three ophiolite complexes: (i) Aptian–Cenomanian complex: a fragment of ancient oceanic crust, composed of tholeiite basalts, pelagic sediments, and gabbroic rocks, presently occurring in a single tectonic slices (Afrika complex) and in olistoplaques in Pikezh complex of the Kamchatsky Mys Peninsula and probably in the mélange of the Kronotsky Peninsula; (ii) Upper Cretaceous complex, composed of highly depleted peridotite, gabbro and plagiogranite, associated with island arc tholeiite, boninite, and high-alumina tholeiitic basalt of supra-subduction origin; and (iii) Paleocene–Early Eocene complex of intra-island arc or back-arc origin, composed of gabbros, dolerites (sheeted dykes) and basalts produced from oceanic tholeiite melts, and back-arc basin-like dolerites. Formation of the various ophiolite complexes is related to the Kronotskaya intra-oceanic volcanic arc evolution. The first ophiolite complex is a fragment of ancient Aptian–Cenomanian oceanic crust on which the Kronotskaya arc originated. Ophiolites of the supra-subduction zone affinity were formed as a result of repeated partial melting of peridotites in the mantle wedge up to the subduction zone. This is accompanied by production of tholeiite basalts and boninites in the Kamchatsky Mys segment and plagioclase-bearing tholeiites in the Kronotsky segment of the Kronotskaya paleoarc. The ophiolite complex with intra-arc and mid-oceanic ridge basalt geochemical characteristics was formed in an extension regime during the last stage of Kronotskaya volcanic arc evolution.     

Community perception and participation,prospects in management of forests in marginal lands of Sudan

Fuelwood Development for Energy in Sudan project (GCP/SUD/033/NET) is undertaking research to formulate management plans for Sudan ecologically marginal forests. Rawashda and Wad Kabu forests are taken as examples to initiate sound plans. It is believed that the study of socio-economic parameters of forests users is an essential component to achieve such plan. This study is also fundamental for attaining an integrated land use system, as a prime option of natural resource use. This study is, consequently, aiming at:

1. Providing the base line information of the different communities identified in Tab 3 and using the two forests.
2. Examine people's attitude, perception, participation options in maintenance and management of the two forests. Such parameters are also vital for adoption of an integrated land use strategy in the future.
3. Based on (i) and (ii) to outline broadly the most relevant plan of management land use strategy to be adopted, based on community self-generated options of institutions and objectives of use.

The main findings in this context can be summarized in the following:

1. A complex pattern of economic activities (Tab 3) ranging from pure pastoral nomadism to modern mechanized farming, still characterized by combination of related activities of agricultural/livestock breeding, agriculture/forest resource use, etc. This diversity in activities, which is mostly dependent on the natural resource base, gives a sound base for any option of an integrated land use system.
2. Perception and attitude analysis have revealed a growing awareness of the role of the forest resources in the economy as source of grazing, domestic needs and source of income. This awareness is supported by willingness to participate in any integrated land use plan, yet from a different stand point and objective. Preference of self-generated channels is quite evident, but with a specified role of the government.
3. The major finding is that, and among all communities, the situation is mature for action, although at different levels.

Therefore, each community could be approached along relevant lines of action, as an initial phase before attaining a comprehensive land use plan. On-farm trials (OFTs) or in-herd trials seem to be more relevant compared with expert controlled trials. Any plan of action needs to be preceded by revision of present land tenure systems, establishing grass-root institutions, reorientation of concerned government departments, intensive extension programme and careful formulation of projects, execution and follow-up plans. Such steps need to be geared to narrow the ‘Perception gap’ of development between participants or users and planners.