Short-term (≤2 yrs) estuarine mudflat and saltmarsh sedimentation: High-resolution data from ultrasonic altimetery, rod surface-elevation table, and filter traps

Rates of short-term (up to 2 years) bed elevation change and sedimentation from mudflats to salt marshes were measured in a rapidly infilling macrotidal estuary using an original combination of three high-resolution techniques: an ultrasonic altimeter, the Rod Surface-Elevation Table (RSET) method, and filter traps. The Authie estuary is located on a straight, sand-rich coast and is undergoing rapid infill under the influence of flood-dominant tides reinforced by wave action. The estuarine sediment suite consists of both mud and sand derived from the sea, of sand derived from storm wave erosion of dunes lining the north bank of the estuary, and, to a much smaller extent, of mud from the river catchment. Bed elevation change and sedimentation rates show an expected increase with the duration of tidal flooding (hydroperiod) in both space and time. The estuarine bed sediment suite changes from sandy at the mouth to muddy within the low-energy inner estuary, where mudflats are rapidly accreting, paving the way for the formation of increasingly denser and mature salt marshes from the high-sedimentation pioneer zone to the upper marsh where annual sedimentation is very low. Recorded variability in rates of bed elevation change and sedimentation reflect the influence of estuarine macro-scale and local sediment transport and depositional processes in a macrotidal context dominated by high inputs of allochthonous sediments.     

Estimation of water-vapor and ozone transport in the upper troposphere-lower stratosphere and fluxes through the tropopause during the field campaign at the Sodankyla station (Finland)

Processes of mass exchange through the tropopause at extratropical latitudes are studied. For this purpose, balloon data on ozone and water vapor obtained during the LAUTLOS field campaign were analyzed and a trajectory model was used to analyze the origin of air masses and to calculate fluxes through the tropopause. The results of observations and trajectory modeling showed that tropospheric air masses penetrated into the stratosphere by no more than ～2.5 km above the tropopause level during the campaign. Both tropospheric and stratospheric particles are present in this mixing layer. Backward trajectories showed that, at the anticyclone boundary, tropospheric air penetrates into the stratosphere in the form of fine fibrous structures (filaments). The fluxes through the tropopause were also quantitatively estimated by the Wei method with the use of forward and backward trajectories. The spatial structure of the fluxes through the tropopause coincides with the regions of the tropopause inclination and its folds. The absolute values of the fluxes calculated with the use of the Wei method decrease, depending on the length of trajectories at the expense of the filtering-out of a shallow reversible exchange. It is shown that the exchange depth can be controlled by both vertical fluxes in the troposphere and changes in the level of the tropopause itself. The use of isentropic and three-dimensional trajectories made it possible to estimate the contribution of nonadiabatic processes to the stratosphere-troposphere exchange.     

New evidence of orographic precipitation suppression by aerosols in central China

The correlation between light precipitation events and visibility at Mt. Hua, (Shannxi Province, China) and at the surrounding plains stations was analyzed. Trends and changes in visibility, precipitation, the precipitation difference between Mt. Hua and the plains stations (De) and wind speed over the study area during the years 1980–2009 were also investigated. The significant positive correlation between visibility and light precipitation throughout the study period indicates that light precipitation events, notably orographic precipitation, are suppressed by aerosol pollution in this region. The trend of increasing air pollution aerosols since 1980, represented by visibility at Mt. Hua, ended in 2002 with a decreasing trend observed in more recent years. These changes were mirrored by corresponding changes in De. However, the total precipitation trends at Mt. Hua and the plains stations are consistent in both frequency and amount during the two periods, suggesting that the suppressive effect of pollution aerosols on light and moderate precipitation is the most likely cause for the changes in orographic precipitation at Mt. Hua during this time. The analysis of wind strength suggests that the increase in winds at Mt. Hua is highly related to the aerosol radiative effects; this increase of mountain winds is therefore a potential cause for the reduction in precipitation at Mt. Hua. This research provides further support for the hypothesis that aerosol microphysical effects can reduce orographic precipitation and suggests that aerosol radiative effects might act to suppress orographic precipitation through changes in wind speed.     

Modeling hot spring chemistries with applications to martian silica formation

Many recent studies have implicated hydrothermal systems as the origin of martian minerals across a wide range of martian sites. Particular support for hydrothermal systems include silica (SiO₂) deposits, in some cases >90% silica, in the Gusev Crater region, especially in the Columbia Hills and at Home Plate. We have developed a model called CHEMCHAU that can be used up to 100 °C to simulate hot springs associated with hydrothermal systems. The model was partially derived from FREZCHEM, which is a colder temperature model parameterized for broad ranges of temperature (<−70 to 25 °C), pressure (1-1000 bars), and chemical composition. We demonstrate the validity of Pitzer parameters, volumetric parameters, and equilibrium constants in the CHEMCHAU model for the Na-K-Mg-Ca-H-Cl-ClO₄-SO₄-OH-HCO₃-CO₃-CO₂-O₂-CH₄-Si-H₂O system up to 100 °C and apply the model to hot springs and silica deposits.A theoretical simulation of silica and calcite equilibrium shows how calcite is least soluble with high pH and high temperatures, while silica behaves oppositely. Such influences imply that differences in temperature and pH on Mars could lead to very distinct mineral assemblages. Using measured solution chemistries of Yellowstone hot springs and Icelandic hot springs, we simulate salts formed during the evaporation of two low pH cases (high and low temperatures) and a high temperature, alkaline (high pH) sodic water. Simulation of an acid-sulfate case leads to precipitation of Fe and Al minerals along with silica. Consistency with martian mineral assemblages suggests that hot, acidic sulfate solutions are plausibility progenitors of minerals in the past on Mars. In the alkaline pH (8.45) simulation, formation of silica at high temperatures (355 K) led to precipitation of anhydrous minerals (CaSO₄, Na₂SO₄) that was also the case for the high temperature (353 K) low pH case where anhydrous minerals (NaCl, CaSO₄) also precipitated. Thus we predict that secondary minerals associated with massive silica deposits are plausible indicators on Mars of precipitation environments and aqueous chemistry. Theoretical model calculations are in reasonable agreement with independent experimental silica concentrations, which strengthens the validity of the new CHEMCHAU model.     

Resolution of impact‐related microstructures in lunar zircon: A shock‐deformation mechanism map

Abstract– The microstructures of lunar zircon grains from breccia samples 72215, 73215, 73235, and 76295 collected during the Apollo 17 mission have been characterized via optical microscopy, cathodoluminescence imaging, and electron backscatter diffraction mapping. These zircon grains preserve deformation microstructures that show a wide range in style and complexity. Planar deformation features (PDFs) are documented in lunar zircon for the first time, and occur along {001}, {110}, and {112}, typically with 0.1–25 μm spacing. The widest PDFs associated with {112} contain microtwin lamellae with 65°/<110> misorientation relationships. Deformation bands parallel to {100} planes and irregular low‐angle (<10°) boundaries most commonly have <001> misorientation axes. This geometry is consistent with a dislocation glide system with <100>{010} during dislocation creep. Nonplanar fractures, recrystallized domains with sharp, irregular interfaces, and localized annealing textures along fractures are also observed. No occurrences of reidite were detected. Shock‐deformation microstructures in zircon are explained in terms of elastic anisotropy of zircon. PDFs form along a limited number of specific {hkl} planes that are perpendicular to directions of high Young’s modulus, suggesting that PDFs are likely to be planes of longitudinal lattice damage. Twinned {112} PDFs also contain directions of high shear modulus. A conceptual model is proposed for the development of different deformation microstructures during an impact event. This “shock‐deformation mechanism map” is used to explain the relative timing, conditions, and complexity relationships between impact‐related deformation microstructures in zircon.     

New igneous zircon Pb/Pb and metamorphic Rb/Sr ages in the Yaounde Group (Cameroon, Central Africa): implications for the Central African fold belt evolution close to the Congo Craton

Three meta-igneous bodies from the Yaounde Group have been analyzed for their petrography, geochemistry, and ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb zircon ages. According to their geochemical patterns, they represent meta-diorites. The meta-plutonites yielded identical zircon ages with a mean of 624?±?2?Ma interpreted as their intrusion age. This age is in agreement with previously published zircon ages of meta-diorites from the Yaounde Group. The meta-diorites derived mainly from crustal rocks with minor contribution from mantle material. The ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr isochron ages of one meta-diorite sample and three meta-sedimentary host rocks are significantly younger than the obtained intrusion age. Therefore, they are not related to igneous processes. ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr isochron ages differ from sample to sample (599?±?3, 572?±?4, 554?±?5, 540?±?5?Ma) yielding the oldest Neoproterozoic age (~600?Ma) for a paragneiss sample at a more northern location. The youngest Rb/Sr isochron age (~540?Ma) was obtained for a mica schist sample at a more southern location closer to the border of the Congo Craton. The ⁸⁷Rb/⁸⁶Sr whole rock-biotite ages are interpreted as cooling ages related to transpressional processes during exhumation. Therefore, several discrete metamorphic events related to the exhumation of the Yaounde Group were dated. It could be shown by Rb/Sr dating for the first time that these late tectonic processes occurred earlier at more distant northern locations of the Yaounde Group and lasted at least until early Cambrian (~540?Ma) more closely to the border of the Congo Craton.     

Cathodoluminescence microanalysis of silica and amorphized quartz

Cathodoluminescence (CL) techniques are used to investigate the defect structures of pure synthetic silicon dioxide (SiO₂) polymorphs. Pure, synthetic Types I, II, III and IV amorphous SiO₂ polymorphs, pure, synthetic crystal α-SiO₂ and pure, synthetic amorphized crystal α-SiO₂ have been investigated and their characteristic defects have been determined and compared. The CL emission from pure SiO₂ polymorphs is generally related to local point defects in the tetrahedrally coordinated SiO₂ host lattice. A range of CL emissions associated with non bridging oxygen defects, oxygen deficient defects and the radiative recombination of self trapped excitons are observed from both the pure synthetic crystal and amorphous SiO₂ polymorphs. In addition CL emissions associated with residual concentrations of Aluminium impurities are also observed from α-SiO₂ (quartz) and Type I and II a-SiO₂ (fused quartz). Localised amorphous micro-volumes may exist within natural α-SiO₂ due to the presence of a high concentration of pre-existing or induced defects. Amorphization of α-SiO₂ diminishes the difference between the defect structures and associated CL from α-SiO₂ and a-SiO₂. Thus CL investigation of the defect structure of a-SiO₂ polymorphs provides useful insight into the microstructure of amorphized α-SiO₂.     

Low signal-to-noise event detection based on waveform stacking and cross-correlation: application to a stimulation experiment

We study the microseismicity (M _L ?<?2) in the region of Landau, SW Germany. Here, due to thick sediments (~3?km) and high cultural seismic noise, the signal-to-noise ratio is in general very low for microearthquakes. To gain new insights into the occurrence of very small seismic events, we apply a three-step detection approach and are able to identify 207 microseismic events (?1?<?M _L ?<?~1) with signal-to-noise ratios smaller than 3. Recordings from a temporary broadband network are used with station distances of approximately 10?km. First, we apply a short-term to long-term average detection algorithm for data reduction. The detection algorithm is affected severely by transient noise signals. Therefore, the most promising detections, selected by coinciding triggers and high-amplitude measures, are reviewed manually. Thirteen seismic events are identified in this way. Finally, we conduct a cross-correlation analysis. As master template, we use the stacked waveforms of five manually detected seismic events with a repeating waveform. This search reveals additional 194 events with a cross-correlation coefficient exceeding 0.65 which ensures a stable identification. Our analysis shows that the repeating events occurred during the stimulation of a geothermal reservoir within a source region of only about 0.5?km³. Natural background seismicity exceeding our detection level of M _L ?~?0.7 is not found in the region of Landau by our analysis.     

Composition and heterogeneity of anorthositic impact melt at Mistastin Lake crater, Labrador

Anorthositic impact melt rocks, their target rocks (principally anorthosite, mangerite, granodiorite) and zircon clasts from the ∼36-Ma-old, 28-km-wide Mistastin Lake crater of northern Labrador (55°53′N; 63°18′W) have been examined in order to evaluate the scale and origin of compositional heterogeneities in impact melts produced in craters of moderate size. In particular we assess whether and, if so, how the initial composition of the impact melt was modified as it entrained mineral clasts derived from the underlying rocks over which it flowed when it moved away from the shock-induced, central melting zone. A secondary goal was to determine if zircon clasts in the impact melts are present in the proportions of their target rock sources and/or the substrate lithologies over which they flowed. Chemical compositions of bulk samples of 33 melt rocks and 14 target rocks were measured by XRF and SN-ICPMS. Matrix compositions of nine samples of impact melt rocks were determined by EPMA and LA-ICPMS. Zircon grains from four samples of target rock and zircon clasts from three samples of impact melt rock were measured for multi-element composition, U-Pb age and Hf-isotopic composition by LA-(MC)-ICPMS.The data reveal compositional heterogeneities in the impact melts on the scales of both bulk samples and matrices. Bulk samples can be divided into compositions with high and low concentrations of high-field-strength elements (HFSE; Ti, Zr, Nb) and Fe, Ba, Ce and Y. High HFSE-type melt rocks formed when impact melt entrained large quantities of clasts from mangerite, which is rich in HFSE. Matrix compositions of bulk samples do not show the HFSE distinction but are affected by the introduction of low-temperature melts from the clasts to form dispersed, micron-scale silica-rich heterogeneities.The best estimate of sources of the initial impact melt is ∼73% anorthosite, ∼7% mangerite and ∼20% granodiorite, based on least-squares modeling of major-element compositions of the matrices of thinner flows. Zircon derived from anorthosite can be distinguished from zircon from mangerite and granodiorite by higher Nb/Ta and Eu/Eu* ratios and more negative initial ε Hf values. Zircon clasts >40 mm in size in the impact melt rocks are dominantly or exclusively derived from mangerite and granodiorite rather than from anorthosite. Because anorthosite was the principal source of impact melt at Mistastin, zircon may be a poor provenance indicator for anorthosite contributions to impact melts, particularly where grains smaller than 40 microns are not analyzed.     

Distribution and chronology of Pleistocene permafrost features in France: Database and first results

Numerous periglacial features (polygons, nets, soil stripes, ice‐wedge pseudomorphs and sand‐wedge casts, involutions) have been recorded in France by examining bibliographical sources and aerial photographs. These data show that a large part of France was affected by permafrost during the Pleistocene and only the southern Aquitaine Basin and Languedoc seem to have been beyond its maximum extent. The first OSL ages obtained from the aeolian infill of wedge structures indicate that at least two phases of thermal contraction cracking occurred in southwestern France between ～25 and 36 ka. Chronostratigraphical data from loess in northern France indicate that these episodes correspond to the formation of ice‐wedge networks associated with tundra gleys. In the latter region, two additional permafrost episodes probably occurred during the Last Glacial, the older one corresponding to the end of Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 4 around 60 ka and the more recent one to MIS 2 around 19–16 ka. Although stratigraphical data indicate that these episodes were relatively short (about one millennium), relict permafrost may have existed for longer periods in northern France.