Assessing Possibilities and Limitations for Biomarker Analyses on Outcrop Samples: A Case Study on Carbonates of the Shibantan Member (Ediacaran Period,Dengying Formation,South China)

Abstract: The Shibantan Member (Dengying Formation, South China) represents one of only two carbonate settings with Ediacara-type organisms and offers a rare opportunity to study the biogeochemistry of these ecosystems. To evaluate possibilities and limitations for future biomarker studies on fossil-bearing outcrop samples of the Shibantan Member, we analysed the spatial distribution of hydrocarbons in extractable organic matter (i.e. bitumen) on a millimetre scale. Our study demonstrates that the sample and most likely also other rocks from the same setting are contaminated with petroleum-derived compounds that bear the potential for erroneous interpretations in palaeo-reconstructions. The contamination was revealed by distribution patterns and amounts of extractable n-alkanes and acyclic isoprenoids. The contamination is linked to the external weathering surfaces but also to cracks within the rock, and the extent most likely depends on concentration gradients between these contamination sources. Here we show that contamination can successfully be distinguished from syngenetic signals obtained from non-extractable organic matter (i.e. kerogen) using catalytic hydropyrolysis (HyPy). However, we observed that decalcification is necessary to achieve sufficient yields of kerogen-bound hydrocarbons and to avoid artificial alteration of the biomarker signals due to matrix effects.     

Critical taper behaviour and out‐of‐sequence thrusting on orogenic wedges – an example of the Eastern Alpine Molasse Basin

We demonstrate that increasing erosion during the kinematic evolution of a thrust wedge will lead to out‐of‐sequence thrusting as a result of backwards critical taper movement. In‐sequence thrusting in the Subalpine German Molasse Basin built a critical‐tapered foreland Coulomb thrust wedge. Later, out‐of‐sequence thrusts dissected all but the frontal duplex stacks. The footwall/hangingwall relation visible on seismic data proves the out‐of‐sequence nature of the latest thrusting stage. Establishing a stable drainage system leads to increased erosion in elevated areas of the thrust wedge, resulting in flattening of the critical wedge. In order to keep its predefined angle, the critical wedge repositions and the tip of the taper moves towards the hinterland. Thus, thrusting will also reposition and move towards the hinterland.     

Zur Genese neuentdeckter Vulkanschlote in der Umgebung des Donnersberges/Pfalz

Zusammenfassung Einige neuentdeckte Vulkanschlote im Rotliegenden der Umgebung des Donnersberges in der Saar-Nahe-Senke/Pfalz wurden hinsichtlich Aufbau, Alter und Genese untersucht. Es sind calderaartig abgesunkene Pyroclastica von Schlotbreccien zu unterscheiden, von denen Ablagerung aus einer Gas-Partikel-Suspension angenommen wird. Die Breccien setzen sich aus einer Mischung von Lapilli und z. T. aufgearbeitetem Nebengestein zusammen. In fast allen Schloten wurde die Aktivität durch das Eindringen von Schmelzen abgeschlossen.Als Beispiel wird der Schlot des Rödern beschrieben.

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In the Lower Permian of the Saar-Nahe-Senke (Palatinate, SW Germany) several recently discovered volcanic necks have been investigated. In this preliminary report structure, composition, and age relationship of the breccias are described as well as their mode of emplacement which is believed to be due partly to fluidization and partly to calderalike subsidence of subaerially deposited tephra. In some of the necks magmatic intrusion terminated the volcanic activity.The volcanic neck of the Rödern is described as an example.

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Résumé Plusieurs cheminées récemment découvertes dans le Permien inférieur des alentours du Donnersberg dans la Saar-Nahe-Senke (Palatinat, Sud-ouest d'Allemagne) ont été étudiées. Leur composition et les problèmes de l'âge et de la genèse sont discutés. Il faut distinguer des sédiments pyroclastiques des caldères d'effondrement et des brèches formées à l'intérieur des cheminées. Celles-ci se composent des lapillis et des fragments des roches encaissantes. Leur formation est le résultat d'un dégagement de gaz tenant en suspension des particules solides.La fin de l'activité est marquée en général par l'intrusion des laves. La cheminée du Rödern est décrite à titre d'exemple.

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Thermodynamics of Al/Al avoidance in the ordering of Al/Si tetrahedral framework structures

The main driving force behind Al/Si ordering in tetrahedral framework aluminosilicates is nearest-neighbour Al/Al avoidance. Computer simulation is used to explore the direct consequences of such Al/Al avoidance. The main result is that the order-disorder transition temperature T _c falls dramatically as the concentration x of Al in the structure is reduced, and if the only interactions are those associated with nearest-neighbour Al/Al avoidance, T _c becomes zero for x less than some critical value x _c , where x _c =0.31 for the feldspar framework and x _c =0.34 for cordierite. Also a large degree of short range order is found above T _c . Both results differ radically from the standard Bragg-Williams model. Plots of entropy and enthalpy of ordering are given as functions of x and T, which may be used to interpret experimental data or for extrapolation into ranges of x and T inaccessible to experiment. Received: 14 May 1997 / Revised, accepted: 2 June 1997     

Geoelektrische Tiefsondierungen und ihre Übereinstimmung mit Bohrbefunden

Zusammenfassung Es werden Messanordnungen beschrieben, die für geoelektrische Tiefsondierungen bis ungefähr 4000 m geeignet sind. Anschliessend werden die erzielten Messergebnisse besprochen. Die Übereinstimmung zwischen der geoelektrischen Prognose und dem Ergebnis der Bohrung ist eine sehr gute. Die Abweichung schwankt im Mittel um ungefähr 8–13%.

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Summary Some measurement methods are described for geoelectrical deepinvestigations down to a depth of 4000 m. Then the obtained results are discussed. The results of the geoelectrical deep-investigations were confirmed in a very satisfactory manner by deep drillings. The average limit of error of the geoelectrical predictions was ±8–13%.

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Aus einem Vortrag gehalten am 4. April 1959 auf der 7. Allgem. Versammlung der Società Italiana di Geofisica e Meteorologia (Genova: 3.–5. April 1959).     

Der nördliche Harzrand — flache Abscherbahn oder wrench-fault-system?

Zusammenfassung Der nördliche Harzrand stellt eine tektonische Grenze dar zwischen dem varistischen Grundgebirge und dem triassischmesozoischen Deckgebirge des süd-niedersächsischen Berglandes. Der Charakter dieser Störungslinie wurde in der Vergangenheit vielfach diskutiert. Es läßt sich zeigen, daß der nördliche Harzrand keine mehr oder weniger flach nach Süden einfallende Schaufelfläche darstellt. Durch den Vergleich mit ähnlichen tektonischen Elementen, die in den Steinkohlenlagerstätten Nordrhein-Westfalens aufgeschlossen sind, ergibt sich vielmehr das Bild eines bereits varistisch angelegten und saxonisch reaktivierten wrench-fault-Systems.

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The northern margin of the Harz-Mountains is the tectonic border between the Variscan basement and the Triassic-Mesozoic sequence of southern Lower Saxony. The nature of this fault-zone has been controversial. It can be demonstrated by comparison with similar tectonic features exposed in the coal-mining areas of Northrhine-Westphaha that it is part of a wrench-fault-system rather than a shallow dipping décollement-structure. This fault system has been generated during the Variscan orogeny and has been reactivated by Saxonian movements.

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Résumé Le bord du nord du Harz se présente comme une limite tectonique entre le soubassement varisque et les couches de couverture mésozoïques-triasiques du pays vallonné de la Basse-Saxe du Sud. Le caractère de cette ligne de dislocation a fait l'objet de discussions multiples dans le passé. On peut montrer que la limite nord du Harz n'est pas un décollement à pendage sud plus ou moins faible. Au contraire, par comparaison avec des structures tectoniques analogues, exposées dans le district houiller de la Rhénanie du Nord-Westphalie, le modèle s'impose d'un système de failles de décrochement (wrench-faults), engendrées pendant l'orogenèse varisque et réactivées par les mouvements saxoniens.

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