Pleistocene tectonics inferred from fluvial terraces of the northern Upper Rhine Graben, Germany

This study of fluvial terraces of the River Rhine and tributaries aims to search for indications of Pleistocene tectonic activity. The study area includes the northern Upper Rhine Graben (URG), the Mainz Basin and the adjacent Rhenish Massif with the Middle Rhine Valley. High rates of Quaternary surface processes, large amount of human modifications, relatively slow tectonic deformation and presently low intra-plate seismic activity characterize this area. Therefore, the records of relatively slow tectonic deformation are less well preserved and thus difficult to detect. This study uses the relative position of fluvial terraces to determine the more local effects of fault movements on the terraces and to evaluate their displacement rates and patterns. The research is based on a review of previous terrace studies and new terrace mapping from the eastern Mainz Basin and the bordering URG using topographic map interpretations and field observations. This newly mapped sequence of terrace surfaces can be correlated to other terraces in the vicinity on the basis of relative height levels. Terrace correlation between the western Mainz Basin and Middle Rhine Valley relies on a single chronostratigraphic unit (Mosbach sands) and additional relative height correlations. This is the first study to present a continuous correlation of terraces from the western margin of the URG to the Rhenish Massif and enables the study of the transition from the subsiding graben to the uplifted Rhenish Massif. By means of a longitudinal profile, which ranges from the URG to the Rhenish Massif, the influence of individual fault movements on the terrace levels and the large-scale regional uplift is demonstrated. It is evident from the profile that the uplift of Early to Middle Pleistocene terraces increases northwards, towards the Rhenish Massif. The uplift was diachronic, with a significant pulse occurring first in the northern URG (Lower Pleistocene) and later in the Rhenish Massif (Middle Pleistocene). The largest vertical displacements are recorded for the boundary fault separating the Mainz Basin and the Rhenish Massif (Hunsrück–Taunus Boundary Fault) and for faults bounding the northeastern Mainz Basin. The motions and displacement rates calculated for individual faults indicate deformation rates in the order of 0.01–0.08 mm/year. At this stage, the calculation of displacement rates depends mostly on a single dated stratigraphic unit. Additional dating of terrace deposits is urgently needed to better constrain the temporal development of the terrace sequence and the impact of tectonic movements.     

Hydrogeological processes in seasonally frozen northern latitudes: understanding, gaps and challenges

The groundwater regime in seasonally frozen regions of the world exhibits distinct behavior. This paper presents an overview of flow and associated heat and solute transport processes in the subsurface, from the soil/vadose zone, through groundwater recharge to groundwater discharge processes in these areas. Theoretical developments, field studies and model development are considered. An illustrative conceptual model of the system is presented. From a groundwater perspective, the dominant effect is the extent of hydraulic isolation between the water above and that below the near-surface frozen zone. The spatial and temporal occurrences of this isolation are seasonally variable and may also be modified under a future changing climate. A good qualitative conceptual understanding of the system has been developed over numerous decades of study. A major gap is the inability to effectively monitor processes in the field, particularly unfrozen water content during freezing conditions. Modeling of field-scale behavior represents a major challenge, even while physically based models continue to improve. It is suggested that progress can be made by combining well-designed field experiments with modeling studies. A major motivation for improving quantification of these processes derives from the need to better predict the impacts of a future changing climate.     

Global change and the biogeochemistry of the North Sea: the possible role of phytoplankton and phytoplankton grazing

Phytoplankton plays a dominant role in shelf biogeochemistry by producing the major part of organic matter. Part of the organic matter will reach the sediment where diagenetic processes like denitrification, apatite formation or burial will remove nutrients from the biogeochemical cycle. In this article current knowledge on the decadal plankton variability in the North Sea is summarized and possible implications of these changes for the biogeochemistry of the North Sea are discussed. Most of the observed interdecadal dynamics seem to be linked to large-scale oceanographic and atmospheric processes. Prominent changes in the North Sea ecosystem have taken place around 1979 and 1988. In general, the phytoplankton color (CPRS indicator of phytoplankton biomass) reached minimum values during the end of the 1970s and has increased especially since the mid 1980s. Changes with a similar timing have been identified in many time series from the North Sea through the entire ecosystem and are sometimes referred to as regime shifts. It is suggested that the impact of global change on the local biogeochemistry is largely driven by the phyto- and zooplankton dynamics during spring and early summer. At that time the extent of zooplankton–phytoplankton interaction either allows that a large part of the new production is settling to the sediment, or that a significant part of the new production including the fixed nutrients is kept within the pelagic system. The origin of the extent of the phytoplankton–zooplankton interaction in spring is probably set in the previous autumn and winter. In coastal areas, both large-scale atmospheric and oceanographic changes as well as anthropogenic factors influence the long-term dynamics. Due to eutrophication, local primary production nowadays still is up to five times higher than during pre-industrial conditions, despite a decreasing trend. Recently, introduced species have strengthened the filter feeder component of coastal ecosystems. Especially in shallow coastal seas like the Wadden Sea, this will enhance particle retention, shift organic matter degradation to the benthic compartment and enhance nutrient removal from the biogeochemical cycle by denitrification or apatite formation.     

Sediment yield in South Africa — A preliminary geographical analysis

The study examines the spatial relationships between sediment yield and 15 independent environmental variables in 54 catchments in South Africa. Rooseboom's (1978) data on the sediment yield from the catchments were standardized for a single time period. Bivariate regression analyses reveal no simple relationships. Multivariate regression analyses conducted for the whole and various sub-areas of South Africa indicate that latitude and longitude are the primary variables affecting spatial variations in sediment yield. This may be as a result of latitude and longitude being surrogate variables reflecting variation in other environmental variables (e. g. geology, vegetation). Within the sub-areas, 43.4% to 97.8% of the variation in sediment yield is explained by the combined variation in a number of different environmental variables. This study highlights a need for the collection and analysis of more sediment yield data, which would allow the analyses to be refined, to predict sediment yields from ungauged catchments in South Africa.     

Geochemical and electron paramagnetic characteristics of quartz from a multi-stage vein environment, Cowarra gold deposit, New South Wales

The characterisation of quartz using trace element geochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements has been tested for different generations of quartz veining in the multi-stage hydrothermal vein system at Cowarra. Quartz closely associated with gold mineralisation can be distinguished from earlier and later quartz generations in the mineralised environment, and both types can be distinguished from regional, barren quartz veins. These separate stages of quartz veins are also recognised from their fluid inclusion characteristics. Geochemical differences in the quartz partly reflect the presence of minor mineral inclusions, particularly sulfides and arsenopyrite.The study highlights the importance of understanding the paragenetic sequence of quartz vein development in a mineralised environment and the need for careful, thorough sampling before attempting geochemical and EPR characterisation of quartz as an exploration technique.     

Pyrolysis-high resolution gas chromatography and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of kerogens and kerogen precursors

A series of kerogens and kerogen precursors isolated from DSDP samples, oil shales and Recent algal mats have been examined by Curie point pyrolysis-high resolution gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. This study has shown that the three main types of kerogens (marine, terrestrial and mixtures of both) can be characterized using these techniques. The marine (algal) kerogens yield principally aliphatic products and the terrestrial kerogens yield more aromatic and phenolic products with some n-alkanes and n-alkenes. The yields of n-alkanes and n-alkenes increase and phenols decrease with increasing geologic age, however, pyrolysis-GC cannot be used to characterize the influence of short term diagenesis on the kerogen structure.     

Microbially induced calcite precipitation along a circular flow channel under a constant flow condition

Biogrouting is a new ground improvement method that has been studied in recent years. This method involves mainly the use of a microbially induced calcite precipitation process to bind soil particles to increase the strength or to fill in the pores of soil or joints of rock for seepage control. There are two major challenges in the use of biogrout for seepage control through rock joints. The first is how to inject the biogrout solutions, and the second is to understand the mechanisms for the formation of calcite under seepage flow. In this paper, a study on the injection of biogrout solution and the formation of precipitates along a circular 1D flow channel is presented. To minimize the influence of flow, a new one-phase injection method to inject bacterial solution and cementation agents simultaneously was adopted in this study. Factors affecting the formation and distribution of precipitates along the flow channel such as flow velocity, flow rate, and aperture of flow channel were investigated. The experimental results indicated that less calcite was precipitated at locations further away from the injection point due to depletion of the reactants’ concentrations along the flow path. Using the one-phase injection method, the bacterial activity had a major effect on the accumulation of the calcite on the inner surface of the flow channel. The total calcite precipitated on the surface of the flow channel increased slightly with increasing bacterial activity or flow rate. An equation to predict the distance travelled by the biosolution has been derived based on the testing results.

     

New data on mammoth fauna mammals in the central Lena River basin (Yakutia,Lenskie Stolby National Nature Park and adjacent areas)

This paper considers the data on new findings of mammoth fauna remains in the Middle Lena basin used to specify the species composition of large Late Neopleistocene mammals represented by eleven species. The obtained range of radiocarbon dates made it possible to state that mass burials of Pleistocene mammal remains were formed in the region during the Karginsk Interstadial (24 000–55 000 years ago).     

Holocene and late-Pleistocene sedimentation in the Adriatic Sea

The following paper is a summary of sedimentological data on the Adriatic Sea (with the exception of the areas along the Jugoslavian and Albanian coasts). Because it is difficult to summarize a summary, only a few of the main conclusions will be mentioned here.Geophysical investigations indicate that the top of the limestone series, underlying the clayey and sandy deposits of the Pliocene and the Quaternary in the Adriatic area has a very uneven topography. Its greatest depths (4–6 km) are found a) between Ravenna and Rimini, b) between San Benedetto and Pescara, and c) below the Albanian shelf.Recent sands are mainly limited to the littoral zone; pleistocene sand, originally supplied by rivers, covers the greater part of the deeper shelf. Between these zones a terrace-shaped pro-littoral mud belt is present, where the bulk of the recent terrigenous mud is deposited. The maximum rate of accumulation in this belt is probably about 4 1/2 mm per year.The remaining part of the recent mud is transported in the sea water as floccules of such small size that they remain suspended over the deeper zones of the shelf. Most of it is deposited in the basins of the Central Adriatic (maximum accumulation rate for the Holocene on the average circa 1/2 mm per year) and in the bathyal basin in the southeast. The deepest area of the latter basin is formed by an almost horizontal plain (circa 1218 m deep). The longest core from this plain (240 cm of Holocene and 400 cm of late Pleistocene) is composed for roughly 61% of turbidite material, 5% of volcanic ash (coarser than fine silt), 0,2% of organic carbonate remains (coarser than silt) and 34% of normal terrigenous mud. The ash falls were limited to the central and southeastern parts of the Adriatic.

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Zusammenfassung Eine kurze Übersicht wird gegeben über die sedimentologische Kenntnis der Adria (mit Ausnahme der jugoslawischen und albanischen Küstengewässer).Geophysikalische Untersuchungen zeigen, daß die Kalkstein-Oberfläche unter den tonig-sandigen Ablagerungen des Pliozäns und des Quartärs, ein starkes Relief besitzt. Sie hat ihre größten Tiefen (4–6 km) a) zwischen Ravenna und Rimini; b) zwischen San Benedetto und Pescara und c) im Untergrund des Albanischen Schelfes.Rezente Sande sind in der Hauptsache auf eine schmale Küstenzone beschränkt. Dagegen haben pleistozäne Residual-Sande, ursprünglich von Flüssen herbeigebracht, eine große Ausdehnung auf dem Schelf. Zwischen diesen beiden sandigen Zonen findet man einen pro-littoralen Schlicksaum, wo die Hauptmasse des rezent ins Meer gebrachten terrigenen Schlickes abgelagert wird. Die maximale Akkumulationsgeschwindigkeit in dieser Zone beträgt wahrscheinlich ungefähr 4 1/2 mm pro Jahr.Der Anteil des terrigenen Schlickes, der nicht in diesem prolittoralen Schlicksaum zur Ablagerung kommt, besteht aus Flocken von so kleinen Abmessungen, daß sie während ihres Transportes über den äußeren Schelf-Regionen suspendiert bleiben. Sie sedimentieren größtenteils in den Becken der Zentral-Adria (mittlere Ablagerungsrate während des Holozäns maximal etwa 1/2 mm pro Jahr) und im bathyalen Becken der Südost-Adria.Der tiefste Teil dieses südöstlichen Beckens wird von einer fast horizontalen Ebene (auf etwa 1218 m Tiefe) eingenommen. Der längste Kern, der in dieser Ebene entnommen wurde (640 cm, wovon 240 cm Holozän), hat ungefähr die folgende Zusammensetzung: 61% Turbidit-Material, 5% vulkanische Asche (Sand- und grobe Schluff-Fraktionen), 0,2% organische Kalkreste (gröber als Schluff) und 34% normaler terrigener Schlick. Die Aschenfälle waren auf die mittleren und südöstlichen Teile der Adria beschränkt.

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Résumé L'auteur donne un bref résumé de la connaissance sédimentologique de la Mer Adriatique (à l'exception des parties le long des côtes Jugoslaves et Albanaises).Des recherches géophysiques indiquent que la surface du calcaire couvert par les dépôts argileux-sableux du Pliocène et du Quaternaire a un relief prononcé. Cette surface atteint des profondeurs maximales (4–6 km) a) entre Ravenna et Rimini, b) entre San Benedetto et Pescara et c) au-dessous du plateau continental Albanais.Les dépôts sableux d'âge Holocène sont limités pratiquement à l'étroite zone du littoral. Par contre, des sables pléistocènes résiduels, d'origine fluviale, couvrent de vastes étendues du plateau continental sous-marin. Entre ces deux zones sableuses, on trouve la bande vaseuse «pro-littorale», où se dépose la plus grande partie de la matière vaseuse terrigène, apportée à la mer sous les conditions actuelles. L'accumulation maximale dans cette zone est probablement de l'ordre de 4 1/2 mm par an.La partie de la vase terrigène qui dépasse cette bande pro-littorale est transportée dans la mer à l'état de flocons d'une taille si petite qu'ils restent en suspension au-dessus des parties extérieures du plateau continental. Ils sont déposés surtout dans les bassins de l'Adriatique Centrale (vitesse moyenne d'accumulation pendant l'Holocène au maximum environ 1/2 mm par an), et dans le bassin bathyal du Sud-Est.La partie la plus profonde dans ce dernier bassin est formée par une plaine presqu' horizontale (à environ 1218 m). La carotte la plus longue, tirée de cette plaine (640 cm, dont 240 cm d'Holocène) est constituée approximativement de 61% de matériel turbiditique, de 5% de matière volcanique (fractions de sable et de silt grossier), 0,2% de restes calcaires organiques (plus grossier que du silt) et 34% de vase terrigène normale. Les chutes de matière volcanique étaient limitées aux parties centrales et sud-orientales de l'Adriatique.

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Mica beards in three slates: Morphology,formation and bearing on the strain history

Beards are intergrowths of mica, chlorite and quartz or feldspar on detrital grains in weakly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks. The three samples studied contain beards of mica and quartz (or feldspar). Their internal morphology shows a variation in mica orientation related to the external foliation (matrix). Formation occurred during foliation development with a syntaxial growth history. In three dimensions, the beards have oblate shapes, so that they are present in all planes cut parallel to the shortening direction. This indicates flattening strain conditions around the detrital grains during the beard formation.Bulk inhomogeneous shortening, resulting in an anastomosing foliation, can explain the local extension within the plane containing the fold axis and the shortening direction. Concurrently, an approximately constant lenght in the direction of the fold axis is maintained on a regional scale (plane strain). Volume loss probably plays an important role during the formation history.

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Zusammenfassung Glimmerbärte in schwach metamorphen Sedimenten sind syntektonische Verwachsungen von Glimmer, Chlorit, Quarz oder Feldspat auf detritischen Körnern. Die drei hier untersuchten Proben enthalten Bärte aus Hellglimmer und Quarz (oder Feldspat). Die Glimmerorientierung zeigt Variationen in Relation zum umgebenden Schieferungsgefüge (Matrix). Die Bildung der Bärte fand mit syntaxialem Wachstum während der Schieferung statt. Dreidimensional haben die Bärte eine abgeplattete Gestalt, so daß sie in allen Schnittlagen parallel zur Verkürzungsrichtung zu beobachten sind. Dies weist auf plättende Verformung um detritische Körner während der Bildung der Bärte hin.Bulk inhomogeneous shortening führt zu einem linsigen Schieferungsgefüge und kann bei gleichzeitiger Annahme einer nicht volumenkonstanten Deformation als Erklärung für die im Korngefüge beobachtete Dehnung parallel zur Faltenachse herangezogen werden. Im regionalen Maßstab wird aber eine konstante Länge in Richtung der Faltenachse und damit ebene Deformation angenommen.

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Résumé Les barbes de mica sont des intercroissances de quartz (ou feldspath) et de mica sur des grains détritiques dans les roches sédimentaires peu métamorphisées. Elles ont été étudiées dans trois échantillons. Leur morphologie interne montre une variation dans l'orientation du mica en relation avec la schistosité externe (matrice). Leur formation s'est produite pendant le développement de la schistosité, avec une histoire de croissance «syntaxiale». Les barbes ont une forme oblongue en trois dimensions, de sorte qu'elles sont visibles dans toutes les sections parallèles à la direction de raccourcissement. Cela indique, pendant la formation des barbes, l'existence d'un aplatissement autour des grains détritiques.Le raccourcissement non homogène, qui entraîne une foliation anastomosée peut être invoqué, conjointement à une déformation avec perte de volume, pour expliquer l'allongement que présente localement la microstructure parallèlement à l'axe des plis. A l'échelle régionale, toutefois, on admet la constance de la longuer selon la direction des axes et, partant, le caractère plan de la déformation.

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