The metamorphosed mafic-ultramafic complex of Mokuro, Ilesha Schist Belt, southwestern Nigeria

In the Proterozoic Schist Belt of Nigeria, lenticular bodies of metabasites and meta-ultramafics are frequently intercalated within staurolite bearing metapelitic schists. Such a metamorphosed mafic-ultramafic complex is particularly well exposed in the Mokuro riverbed between the towns of Ife and Ilesha. These outcrops display contact relationships with the surrounding metasediments, as well as between the individual mafic and ultramafic rock types. The most common mafic rocks are indistinctly layered amphibolites, accompanied by apatite rich amphibolites and massive amphibolites, in part rich in ilmenite and pyrrhotite. Among the generally massive ultramafic rocks, nearly monomineralic amphibole rocks predominate, while chlorite-amphibole, talc-chlorite-amphibole and talc bearing olivine-chlorite-amphibole rocks occur in subordinate amounts.Field, textural and geochemical evidence suggest that the mafic-ultramafic complex derived from a thick, structurally differentiated basaltic sill that contained doleritic portions in its interior. Slow cooling rates in these inner parts enabled crystal settling with the formation of ultramafic cumulates. Due to the enrichment of volatiles during the crystallisation process, higher amounts of apatite and sulphides, as well as late magmatic amphibole, were formed in parts of the mafic-ultramafic body.Mineral assemblages in the mafic-ultramafic complex testify to a metamorphic overprint under amphibolite-facies conditions. Thermodynamic modelling in the system CMFASH leads to an estimated P–T range of 1.5–3 kbar and 550–620°C for the metamorphic peak assemblage talc-olivine-chlorite-Ca amphibole-orthoamphibole.     

Relationship between waterfowl and the seagrassRuppia maritima in a Southwestern Atlantic coastal lagoon

We evaluated the distribution of waterfowl in relation to a seagrass (Ruppia maritima) patch, to infauna, and on its relationship with substrate characteristics. An experiment performed in the Mar Chiquita coastal lagoon (37°46′S, 57°27′W; Argentina) was used to evaluate the effect of herbivory on widgeon grass,R. maritima. Control plots of equal size, located between bird exclosures, were exposed to herbivory. The experiment ran for 31 d, starting on December 1, 1994. Censuses showed that black-necked swan ( $\bar x = 50$ birds ha^?1, SD = 37, n = 10) and coots ( $\bar x = 42$ birds ha^?1, SD = 28, n = 10) were the most important (always present) of the waterfowl seen feeding onR. maritima. The results of the experiment showed greater leaf lengths, lower belowground (rhizomes and roots) biomass, greater aboveground (leaves and shoots) biomass, and greater abundance of the polychaeteHeteromastus similis in exclosure plots. There were no exclosure effects on total biomass (belowground plus aboveground), reproductive parts (fruits and pre- and postpollination flowers), or abundance of most benthic infauna. Topographic surveys showed that sediment surface was higher within theR. maritima patches, but there were no significant differences in granulometric composition. Surveys also showed that bird distribution was strongly associated with the presence ofR. maritima.     

遥感技术在南盘江地区油气烃类检测中的应用

应用陆地卫星 TM 资料对南盘江地区进行了烃类微渗漏蚀变信息检测研究。岩石土壤地球化学特征分析表明,该区不同程度地存在着“褪红”、“粘土矿化”、“碳酸盐矿化”等烃类蚀变异常现象。选择 FeO/Fe_2O_3作为褪红的成分因子;(K_2O+Na_2O+Al_2O_3)、(K_2O+Na_2O)/Al_2O_3、(K_2O+Na_2O+Al_2O_3)/S∶O_2和 K_2O/Na_2O 等作为粘土矿化的成分因子;CaO+MgO 和 CaO/MgO 作为碳酸盐矿化的成分因子。利用 TM1/TM3、TM1/TM4识别褪红蚀变信息,TM5/TM7、TM5/TM4用干识别粘土矿化和碳酸盐矿化蚀变信息。建立了地球化学—光谱—遥感图像三位一体的遥感找油气模式,根据油气遥感色调异常对南盘江地区进行了评价和分类。     

Spectroscopic Survey of δ Sct Stars

The methods used to derive effective temperatures, projected rotational velocities and surface gravities of a sample of low and high-amplitude δ Sct stars are presented here. Effective temperatures were derived using Hα and Hβ line profiles whereas rotational velocities were calculated following the method described in Solano & Fernley (1997). Surface gravities were obtained using Hipparcos parallaxes and evolutionary models (Claret 1995). The results of this analysis will be published in a subsequent paper (Solano & Pintado 1999). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Modulation and symmetry changes in stellar dynamos

Stellar dynamos are governed by non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs) which admit solutions with dipole, quadrupole or mixed symmetry (i.e. with different parities). These PDEs possess periodic solutions that describe magnetic cycles, and numerical studies reveal two different types of modulation. For modulations of Type 1 there are parity changes without significant changes of amplitude, while for Type 2 there are amplitude changes without significant changes in parity. In stars like the Sun, cyclic magnetic activity is interrupted by grand minima that correspond to Type 2 modulation. Although the Sun's magnetic field has maintained dipole symmetry for almost 300 yr, there was a significant parity change at the end of the Maunder Minimum. We infer that the solar field may have flipped from dipole to quadrupole polarity (and back) after deep minima in the past and may do so again in the future. Other stars, with different masses or rotation rates, may exhibit cyclic activity with dipole, quadrupole or mixed parity. The origins of such behaviour can be understood by relating the PDE results to solutions of appropriate low-order systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Type 1 modulation is reproduced in a fourth-order system while Type 2 modulation occurs in a third-order system. Here we construct a new sixth-order system that describes both types of modulation and clarifies the interactions between symmetry-breaking and modulation of activity. Solutions of these non-linear ODEs reproduce the qualitative behaviour found for the PDEs, including flipping of polarity after a prolonged grand minimum. Thus we can be confident that these patterns of behaviour are robust, and will apply to stars that are similar to the Sun.     

Alkaline ultramafic lamprophyres and associated carbonatite dykes from the Kalix area,northern Sweden

Alkahne ultramafic lamprophyres and associated carbonatite dykes form north-south trending dyke swarms. The lamprophyres are sub-divided into micaceous, picritic and breccia varieties. Carbonatites sensu stricto (beforsites) occur very subordinate.The dykes of the Kalix area show great similarities to petrographically related rocks from other Scandinavian occurrences (Sokli, Alnö and Fen). Major differences are found in their tectonic setting (regularly striking dyke swarms) and the REE-pattern (distinctly negative cerium anomalies).The following petrogenetic model is advanced for the Kalix dykes: (1) partial melting of upper mantle material, (2) Intrusion into a crustal magma chamber, fractional crystallization, (3) Interactions between crystallized material and the volatile phase (light REE depletion, oxidation of cerium), (4) Intrusion in fracture zones under horizontal tension.

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Zusammenfassung Alkalin-ultrabasiscbe Lamprophyre und begleitende KarbonatitgÄnge bilden nordsüdlidi streichende GangschwÄrme. Die Lamprophyre zeigen gewisse Ähnlichkeiten zu alnöitischen und kimberlitischen Gesteinen; sie wurden unterteilt in glimmerreiche und pikritische Lamprophyre sowie Brekzien. Karbonatite im engeren Sinn treten nur sehr untergeordnet auf; sie sind als Beforsite charakterisiert.Die Ganggesteine des Kalix-Gebiets weisen gro\e Ähnlichkeiten mit petrographiscb verwandten Gesteinen von anderen skandinavischen Vorkommen (Sokli, Alnö und Fen) auf. GrundsÄtzliche Unterschiede finden sich vor allem im tektonischen Auftreten (ziemlich konstant streichende GangschwÄrme) und im Verteilungsmuster der seltenen Erden (deutlich negative Cer-Anomalien).Die Bildung der Kalix-GÄnge wird folgenderweise erklÄrt: (1) Partielle Aufschmelzung des oberen Mantels, (2) Intrusion der Schmelze in eine krustale Magmakammer, gefolgt von fraktionierter Kristallisation, (3) Reaktion zwischen vorzugsweise kristallisiertem Material und der volatilen Phase (Entarmung an leichten seltenen Erden, Oxidation des Cers), (4) Intrusion in Bruchzonen, die horizonteller Dehnung ausgesetzt sind.

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Résumé Des lamprophyres alcalins ultrabasiques accompagnés de carbonatites forment des essaims de dykes de direction nord-sud. Les lamprophyres se subdivisent en variétés micacée, picritique ainsi que brÊchique. Les carbonatites sensu stricto sont rares et sont plutÔ des beforsites.Les dykes de la région de Kalix présentent de grandes similitudes avec des roches pétrographiquement apparentées d'autres localités Scandinaves (Sokli, Alnö et Fen). Les différences essentielles sont dues à leur situation tectonique (essaims de dykes de direction régulière) ainsi qu'à la distribution des Terres Rares (anomalie négative distincte de cérium).Le modèle pétrogénétique suivant est proposé pour les dykes de Kalix: (1) fusion partielle de matériau du manteau supérieur, (2) intrusion dans une chambre magmatique de l'écorce et cristallisation fractionnée, (3) interaction entre le material déjà cristallisé et la phase volatile (appauvrissement des éléments légers des Terres Rares, oxydation du cérium), (4) intrusion le long de zones de fracture dans des conditions d'extension horizontale.

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Strain rate, temperature, and sample size effects on compression and tensile properties of frozen sand

Selection of material properties for use in design of frozen earth structures has been a limiting factor for some field applications. In particular, the mechanical properties governing the behavior of a frozen soil structure subjected to bending stresses are of interest. The effects of strain rate, temperature, and sample size on the compressive and tensile properties of frozen silica sand have been determined experimentally using uniaxial compression and split cylinder tests. Data included on the initial tangent modulus, compressive strength, failure strains, and tensile strength help delineate some limitations of available test procedures. Failure modes for various test conditions are described.

Data analysis shows that the initial yield stress, the compressive peak strength, and the initial tangent modulus increase with decreasing temperatures and increasing strain rates. Tensile strengths from split cylinder tests appear to be independent of deformation rates. Uniaxial compressive strengths decreased slightly and the initial tangent modulus increased with increasing sample diameter (constant length to diameter ratio). Deformation and failure modes changed from a plastic to a brittle behavior when strain rates were increased from low to high values. Larger failure strains at slower strain rates (more time available) appear to be a result of pressure melting, water migration and refreezing, permitting more particle readjustments before development of the peak strength. Observations on failure strains suggest limiting values for design situations.     

The geochemistry of the leached capping of the La Granja porphyry copper deposit, Peru

Ninety rock samples from the La Granja porphyry copper in northern Peru have been analyzed for 30 elements, 10 of which are discussed here. Although intense weathering has produced a leached capping up to 200 m thick, the distribution of Mg, Ca, Na, K, Rb and Sr can still be correlated with different phases of hydrothermal alteration.There has been complete supergene leaching of sulphides; Cu has been depleted 10 to 30 times and Mo up to twice with respect to hypogene ore, Fe has been enriched in some parts of the leached capping, whereas Au remained stable. The coincidence of low Fe, high Mo and high Au contents with a high Cu/Fe ratio in the capping indicates the approximate centre of the underlying orebody. Also, high K, Rb, Mg and low Sr indicate high-grade copper ore.     

The origin and isotopic composition of dissolved sulfide in groundwater from carbonate aquifers in Florida and Texas

The δ³⁴S values of dissolved sulfide and the sulfur isotope fractionations between dissolved sulfide and sulfate species in Floridan ground water generally correlate with dissolved sulfate concentrations which are related to flow patterns and residence time within the aquifer. The dissolved sulfide derives from the slow in situ biogenic reduction of sulfate dissolved from sedimentary gypsum in the aquifer. In areas where the water is oldest, the dissolved sulfide has apparently attained isotopic equilibrium with the dissolved sulfate (Δ³⁴S = 65 per mil) at the temperature (28°C) of the system. This approach to equilibrium reflects an extremely slow reduction rate of the dissolved sulfate by bacteria; this slow rate probably results from very low concentrations of organic matter in the aquifer.In the reducing part of the Edwards aquifer, Texas, there is a general down-gradient increase in both dissolved sulfide and sulfate concentrations, but neither the δ³⁴S values of sulfide nor the sulfide-sulfate isotope fractionation correlates with the ground-water flow pattern. The dissolved sulfide species appear to be derived primarily from biogenic reduction of sulfate ions whose source is gypsum dissolution although upgradient diffusion of H₂S gas from deeper oil field brines may be important in places. The sulfur isotope fractionation for sulfide-sulfate (about 38 per mil) is similar to that observed for modern oceanic sediments and probably reflects moderate sulfate reduction in the reducing part of the aquifer owing to the higher temperature and significant amount of organic matter present; contributions of isotopically heavy H₂S from oil field brines are also possible.