Patterns in seasonal abundance,growth and biomass of the atlantic silverside,Menidia menidia,in a New England estuary

Patterns in seasonal abundance (no. per m² surface area), growth and biomass (g per m² surface area) of an annual fish, the Atlantic silverside, Menidia menidia (L.) were investigated in a marsh and more seaward bay region of Essex Bay, Massachusetts from August 1976 to May 1978 using a quantitative beach seining technique. Silverside abundance varied greatly by season and year class during the study period. Abundance was high in 1976 but winter mortality (99%) left an adult density of only .01 per m² surface area in the marsh during spring 1977. Resultant 1977 year class density in the marsh was 1.88 per m² by late fall 1977 but winter mortality again produced an adult density of .01 per m² in spring 1978. Abundance was generally higher in the marsh than in the bay region especially during spring and late fall when catches in the bay were negligible. Based on catch rate comparisons, the summer and fall juvenile abundance of the 1976 year class was much higher than the juvenile abundance of the 1977 year class. Coincidentally, mean lengths and condition of the abundant 1976 year class in the late fall were significantly lower than those of the 1977 year class, suggesting density dependent population regulation. In both years, juveniles grew rapidly and reached full adult size by November when an offshore movement to deeper waters outside Essex Bay occurred. Biomass peaked in the marsh region in late fall 1977 at 7.8 g per m² wet weight. Winter mortality was size selective, favoring larger individuals. The annual life history design of M. menidia including an offshore winter movement and high winter mortality suggests that silversides represent an important pathway of energy flow from marsh to offshore trophic systems.     

Onset of seafloor spreading in the Iapetus Ocean at 608 Ma: precise age of the Sarek Dyke Swarm, northern Swedish Caledonides

The Sarek Dyke Swarm (SDS) crops out in the Sarektjåkkå Nappe (SN) of the Seve-Kalak Superterrane in the northern Swedish Caledonides. The SN has two main components: (1) a 4–5 km thick succession of rift-related sedimentary rocks, which is intruded by (2) a suite of tholeiitic dykes (the SDS) constituting 70–80% of the nappe. The nappe was deformed during Caledonian thrusting, but dykes and sedimentary rocks in the interior of the eastern parts of the SN are preserved in a pristine state. The tholeiitic dykes of the SDS commonly occur in sheeted dyke complexes, and up to 11 successive generations can be identified from crosscutting relations. The SN represents the fossil continent–ocean transition between the Baltic craton and the Iapetus Ocean, marking the initiation of seafloor spreading. Bubble-shaped pods and veinlets of diorite are present in the SDS sheeted dyke complexes. The pods are absent in the oldest dykes, but the younger a dyke, the more frequent the pods. The diorite pods are the equivalent of gabbro pegmatites, and both cogenetic and coeval with the dykes. The rapid successive emplacement of tholeiitic magma raised the ambient temperature in the dyke complex, so that crystallization in the youngest dykes mimicked similar processes in gabbro plutons. Six zircon fractions, from the diorite pods including two single grains, were analysed geochronologically by the U–Pb thermal ionization mass spectrometry method. The data yield a linear array of points that are 0.4–0.8% normally discordant, indicating a crystallization age of 608±1 Ma (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb=607.9±0.7 Ma, MSWD=0.33). This age is inferred to date the onset of seafloor spreading in the Iapetus Ocean along the Baltoscandian margin.     

On the origin of inhomogeneity of anomalous birefringence in mixed crystals: an example of alums

 Optical anomalies (deviations of the symmetry of optical properties from the ideal symmetry of the crystal) occur in many minerals and synthetic compounds and have been under investigation since the last century. An important feature of optically anomalous mixed crystals is a high degree of optical inhomogeneity, whereas the optical patterns of mixed crystals without anomalies are usually rather uniform. This work is devoted to the study of this phenomenon. As a model object we have chosen mixed alum crystals, which were known for their anomalous birefringence and which revealed the following types of optical inhomogeneities: (1) sector zoning; (2) concentric zoning; (3) subsector zoning; (4) stripes normal to growth front. The inhomogeneity of anomalous birefringence of mixed crystals of alums can be explained by superposition of several effects: mismatch strain, strain along dislocations and growth ordering of isomorphous components. Optical inhomogeneities due to the sector zoning of crystals and their dislocation structure arise even under stationary growth conditions and stationary micromorphology of the growing face. Both variable growth conditions and the relief of the growing face strongly intensify the optical inhomogeneity due to three interrelated factors: (1) a significantly inhomogeneous mismatch strain; (2) a variable degree of ordering of isomorphous components due to the compositional inhomogeneities; (3) different degrees of ordering of isomorphous atoms caused by different orientations, heights and velocities of growth steps. These effects lead to the formation of subsector zoning and zoning superimposed on the optical sector zoning. These optical structures are crossed by birefringent stripes arising from dislocations. Received: 29 March 2000 / Accepted: 11 March 2001     

Biogenic and lithogenic magnetic minerals in Atlantic and Pacific deep sea sediments and their paleomagnetic significance

The carrier of the natural magnetization of deep sea sediments was characterized by mineralogical, electron microscopic, and rock magnetic investigations. Magnetic single domain (SD) and pseudo single domain (PSD) particles which are most important for the stable remanent magnetization were separated from the magnetic »coarse fraction« and concentrated as magnetic »fine fraction«. The magnetic coarse fraction consists of lithogenic magnetite and titanomagnetite, which often contains exsolution-lamellae of ilmenite. Both minerals are partially maghematized and occur isolated in the sediment or embedded in rock particles, in regionally different concentrations. The magnetic fine fraction consists of lithogenic magnetite and titanomagnetite and biogenic magnetite (magnetofossils = fossil bacterial magnetosomes), the latter generally maghematized.A graphical method is described which allows the classification and characterization of the magnetic fine fraction by demagnetization of the anhysteretic remanent magnetization (ARM) of whole sediment samples. Three groups with different magnetic properties can be distinguished, characterized by three ARM type-curves: Type A curves are associated with sediments from abyssal plaines. They show nearly identical ARM properties and are typical for magnetofossils.Type B curves are produced by sediments from the vicinity of volcanic regions. Their shapes are variable to a certain degree and indicate two lithogenic magnetic phases.Type C curves are found for sediments from submarine ridges and regions with input of terrigenous detritus. These curves have the largest deviations among each other indicating a magnetic multi-phase assemblage including magnetofossils.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Träger der Magnetisierung von Tiefseesedimenten wurden mineralogisch, elektronenmikroskopisch und gesteinsmagnetisch untersucht. Magnetische Eindomänen (SD) und Pseudo-Eindomänen (PSD) Partikel, die für eine stabile remanente Magnetisierung wichtig sind, wurden als magnetische »Feinfraktion« von der magnetischen »Grobfraktion« abgetrennt. Die magnetische Grobfraktion besteht aus lithogenem Titanomagnetit und Magnetit die teilweise maghemitisiert sind und teilweise auch Ilmenit-Entmischungslamellen aufweisen. In regional unterschiedlichen Konzentrationen liegen sie frei im Sediment oder in silikatischer Matrix eingebettet vor. Die magnetische Feinfraktion besteht sowohl aus lithogenem Titanomagnetit und Magnetit, als auch aus biogenem Magnetit (Magnetofossilien = fossile bakterielle Magnetosomen); letzterer ist größtenteils maghemitisiert.Es wird eine grafische Darstellungsmethode beschrieben, die anhand von Untersuchungen der anhysteretischen remanenten Magnetisierung (ARM) von Sedimentproben eine Charakterisierung der magnetischen Feinfraktion erlaubt. Es lassen sich dadurch drei Gruppen mit unterschiedlichen magnetischen Eigenschaften unterscheiden, die durch drei Gruppen von ARM-Kurventypen charakterisiert sind.Kurventyp A wird bei Sedimenten aus Tiefsee-Ebenen beobachtet. Die ARM-Daten sind nahezu identisch und zeigen ein Verhalten, wie es für Magnetofossilien typisch ist. Kurventyp B tritt bei Sedimenten aus dem Einzugsbereich vulkanischer Gebiete auf. Er zeigt eine größere Variation und die Form der Kurven spricht für ein System aus zwei lithogenen magnetischen Komponenten.Kurventyp C gehört zu Sedimenten aus submarinen Rücken und dem Einzugsgebiet terrigener Schüttungen. Die Kurvenverläufe sind uneinheitlich und sprechen für ein magnetisches Mehrkomponenten-System mit Beteiligung von Magnetofossilien.

---

Résumé Les minéraux porteurs du magnétisme dans les sédiments de mer profonde ont été explorés par les méthodes de la minéralogie, de la microscopie électronique et du magnétisme des roches. Les particules qui correspondent à un domaine magnétique unique (SD) et pseudo-unique (PSD), significatives pour un magnétisme rénanent stable, ont été concentrées comme «fraction magnétique fine» après séparation de la «fraction magnétique grossière». Cette dernière consiste en magnétite et titanomagnétite lithogéniques, qui renferment souvent des lamelles d'exsolution d'ilménite. Ces deux minéraux sont partiellement maghémitisés; ils se présentent isolés ou inclus dans des fragments de roches, avec des concentrations régionales diverses. La fraction magnétique fine consiste en magnétite et titanomagnétite lithogéniques, ainsi qu'en magnétite biogénique (magnétofossile = magnétosome fossile bactérien), cette dernière ordinairement maghemitisée.Les auteurs présentent une méthode graphique qui permet de caractériser la fraction magnétique fine à partir de l'examen du magnétisme rémanent anhystérique (ARM) de l'échantillon de sédiment. Cette méthode permet de distinguer trois groupes de propriétés magnétiques différentes, caractérisés par trois types de courbes ARM. Les courbes de type A caractérisent les sédiments de plaines abyssales; elles montrent des propriétés ARM presque identiques et sont typiques pour les magnétofossiles. Les courbes de types B sont fournies par les sédiments voisins des régions volcaniques; leurs formes varient dans une certaine mesure et indiquent un système à deux composants magnétiques lithogéniques. Les courbes de type C correspondent aux sédiments des crêtes sous-marines et des régions à apports terrigènes; ces courbes présentent entre elles des différences plus marquées, ce qui indique un système magnétique à composants multiples, comportant des magnétofossiles.

---

, - . (SD) (PSD) , , » « » «. . . , . , , . » « , , — , , ; . (ARM) , . , ARM. , . - , .

     

Effects of water on strength and failure mode of coarse-grained granites at 300°C

Summary Deformation experiments have been performed in a triaxial compression cell at a temperature of 300°C and confining pressures up to 65 MPa using samples of homogeneous, fresh two-mica-granite (RM) and monzogranite (CM). The cylindrical specimens (d=70 mm, h=140 mm, V=540 cm³) were tested undrained under dry (105°C), as received, and water saturated conditions at deformation rates between and . The mechanical behaviour of the two types of coarse-grained, crystalloblastic granites is critically influenced by mineralogical composition, porosity, and the amount of intergranular water present in the samples. The failure stress of the CM granite is at about 65% of that of the RM granite; in both rocks strength decreases with increasing porosity and water content.The presence of interstitial water causes a failure mode of non-localized, homogeneously distributed microcracking in the central parts of the samples, whereas, in runs with dry granites, strain localization along a single shear fracture was observed. When aqueous fluids are present, the macroscopic style of deformation of granites appears to be ductile even at lowP andT conditions. Strength and angle of internal friction are reduced to very low values. The style of deformation, as well as the reduction of strength of the water-saturated rock samples, is due to mechanical and chemical effects of intergranular water at elevated temperatures.The maximum differential stresses measured for these coarse-grained granites are much lower than the strength commonly reported for other granites, e. g. Westerly and Charcoal granites. Our data suggest that the strength of the granitic crust under differential stress is lower than currently deduced from laboratory experiments.     

Magma mixing,the petrogenetic link between anorthositic suites and rapakivi granites, Åland,SW Finland

Summary The Åland, rapakivi batholith consists of several granites that differ texturally and mineralogically from quartz-porphyritic varieties to rapakivi varieties with K-feldspar ovoids (wiborgites and pyterlites) and aplitic granites. Closely associated with the batholith there is a mafc magmatic series of dolerite dykes, norites, anorthosites and monzodiorites.The earliest major intrusive phase of the Åland, rapakivi batholith consists of quartzporphyritic hornblende rapakivi. This rock contains small amoeboidal mafc enclaves, labradorite megacrysts, quartz ocelli, amphibole-mantled xenoliths and irregular clots of granophyric granite. These disequilibrium features are products of mixing between basaltic and granitic magmas. Geochemical modelling indicates that the quartzporphyritic hornblende rapakivi is a mixture of 15% hi-Fe monzodiorite (mafic endmember) and 85% quartz-feldspar porphyry (felsic end-member). The monzodiorite is derived from a norite-anorthosite-monzodiorite series. The quartz-feldspar porphyry is produced by partial melting of the country rock caused by intrusions of hot basic magma.Structural, textural and geochemical features suggest that magma mixing was an important petrogenetic process in the formation of the earliest rapakivi granite intrusions in the Åland, rapakivi batholith. Petrographic evidence of magma mixing can also be found in the major intrusion of the batholith, the wiborgite rapakivi granites. Chemically the mixing is difficult to specify in these rocks because of a high proportion of felsic component. Zircon and apatite fractionation trends, however, indicate that the wiborgite rapakivis also contain components from a mixed source.

---

Magmamixing, die petrogenetische Verbindung zwischen Anorthositen und RapakiviGraniten, Åland, SW Finnland

Zusammenfassung Der Rapakivi Batholit von Åland besteht aus verschiedenen Graniten, die in ihrer Textur und Zusammensetzung das Feld von quarzporphyritischen über Rapakivigranite mit K-Feldspat-Ovoiden (Wiborgite und Pyterlite) und aplitischen Graniten abdecken. Eine mafische magmatische Serie von Dolerit-Gängen, Noriten, Anorthositen und Monzodioriten ist mit diesen Batholiten eng verbunden.Die erste größere Intrusivphase des Åland, Rapakivi Batholiten besteht aus quarzporphyritischem Hornblende Rapakivi. Dieses Gestein enhält kleine Amöboide, mafische Enklaven, Labradorit Megakristalle, Quarzocelli, Xenolithe mit Amphibolrändern und unregelmäßige Aggregate von granophyrischem Granit. Diese Produkte von Ungleichgewichts-Bedingungen gehen auf die Mischung zwischen basaltischen und granitischen Magmen zurück. Geochemische Modelle zeigen, daß der quarzporphyritische Hornblende-Rapakivi eine Mischung von 15%. eisenreichen Monzodiorit (mafisches Endglied) und 85% Quarz-Feldspatporphyr (felsisches Endglied) ist. Der Monzodiorit stammt von einer Norit-Anorthosit-Monzodiorit Serie. Der QuarzFeldspat-Porphyr entstand durch teilweise Aufschmelzung des Nebengesteines, die durch Intrusionen heißen basischen Magmas verursacht wurden.Strukturelle, texturelle und geochemische Daten zeigen, daß Magmamischung ein wichtiger petrogenetischer Prozeß der Bildung der frühesten Rapakivi-Granit-Intrusionen im Åland, Batholith waren. Petrographische Hinweise auf Magmamischung können auch in der größten Intrusion des Batholiths, dem Wiborg Rapakivi Granit, gefunden werden. Wegen des hohen Anteils felsischer Komponenten ist es schwierig, das Magmamixing in diesen Gesteinen chemisch zu quantifizieren. Zirkon- und Apatitfraktionierungs-Trends weisen jedoch darauf hin, daß auch die WiborgitRapakivis Komponenten aus einer gemischten Quelle enthalten.

---

---

With 5 figures     

Geochemical characteristics of Cocos Plate seamount lavas

A wide compositional continuum of basalts has been erupted from near-ridge seamounts constructed on the Cocos Plate between the Clipperton and Orozco Francture Zones. They range from highly evolved to moderately primitive (3.0–7.8% MgO), LREE-enriched alkali basalts, to moderately evolved to near-primary (5.2–9.5% MgO) tholeiites indistinguishable from N-type MORB. The data set of 159 quench glass analyses exhibits a remarkably consistent variation in both major and trace element composition that is keyed to variations in (La/Sm). Modeling of potential liquid lines of descent at pressures ranging from 1 bar to 8 kbar shows that this covariation is partially due to systematic differences in liquid lines of descent, where the alkaline lavas have undergone substantially more high pressure clinopyroxene fractionation and substantially less low pressure plagioclase fractionation than the tholeiites. In addition, systematic variation in the composition of the more primitive glasses indicates that they were derived from mixing of discrete enriched and depleted melts in the heterogenous seamount mantle source at pressures of 8–10 kbar and greater, and that clinopyroxene may be a residual phase during partial melting. These results show that porous media flow in the seamount mantle source is minor and that melt transport is accomplished primarily through cracking and diking. This study supports suggestions that the general homogeneity of basalt along the EPR is due to mixing in sub-axial magma chambers and mush zones, with additional mixing during partial mantle melting and melt segregation.     

3He4He ratio,noble gas abundance and K-Ar dating of diamonds—An attempt to search for the records of early terrestrial history

The ${}^3\text{He}{}^4\text{He}$ ratios measured in 27 Southern Africa diamond stones, four from Premier Mine and the rest of unidentified origin, range from 4.2 × 10^?8 to 3.2 × 10^?4, with three stones above 1 × 10^?4. We conclude that the initial helium isotopic ratio (${}^3\text{He}{}^4\text{He)}{}_0$ in the earth was significantly higher than that of the planetary helium-A (${}^3\text{He}{}^4\text{He = 1.42 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?4}}$), but close to the solar helium (${}^3\text{He}{}^4\text{He ? 4 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?4}}$).The apparent K-Ar ages for the twelve diamonds of unidentified origin show enormously old age, indicating excess argon-40. ${}^3\text{He}{}^4\text{He}$ evolution in diamonds suggests that the diamonds with the high ${}^3\text{He}{}^4\text{He}$ ratio (>2 × 10^?4) may be as old as the earth.Noble gas elemental abundance in the diamonds relative to the air noble gas abundance shows monotonie decrease with a decreasing mass number.This paper discusses the implications of these observations on the early solar system and the origin of diamonds.     

Acid mine drainage contaminates groundwater of a Tennessee watershed

Water samples were collected from 18 natural springs within the West Fork of the Obey River watershed. Overton County, Tennessee, to determine if groundwater was adversely affected by runoff from abandoned surface coal mines Six springs were found to be affected severely and deemed unfit as a source of potable water Water quality of the remaining springs was essentially unaffected it appeared that proximity to surface mines, elevation at the outflow, and geology of the surrounding strata determined the quality of the groundwater The unit is jointly supported by Tennessee Technological University, the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency, and the US. Fish and Wildlife Service