Suevite of the ries crater,Germany: Source rocks and implications for cratering mechanics

Suevites are impact breccias with a montmorillonitic matrix that contains shocked and unshocked mineral and rock fragments from the crystalline basement, glass inclusions and a small amount of sedimentary clasts. Data are given of the modal composition of fall-out suevites (deposited at isolated points around the crater) and crater suevite (forming a layer below post-impact lake sediments in the crater cavity). Fall-out suevites contain aerodynamically shaped bombs which are absent in crater suevite. Taking into account not only large glass fragments and bombs, but also the finer fractions, the glass content of fall-out and crater suevites amounts to 47 and 29 vol%, respectively. Crystalline clasts in suevites consist of all igneous and metamorphic rock types that constitute the local basement which consists of an upper layer of igneous rocks (mainly granites) and a lower series of gneisses and amphibolite. Based on a collection of 1 200 clasts from 13 suevite occurrences the average crystalline clast population of suevites was determined. Suevites contain on the average 46 % igneous and 54 % metamorphic clasts. In constrast, weakly shocked and unshocked crystalline ejecta of the Ries structure consist of 82 % igneous and 18 % metamorphic rocks. From 138 analyses of crystalline rock samples average compositions of the major rock types were calculated. Comparison of these averages with the average glass composition leads to the conclusion that suevite glasses were formed by shock melting of gneisses in deeper levels of the basement. Suevite matrices consist in most cases of 80 to 90 % montmorillonite, in special cases of celadonite. Chemical analyses are given of some matrices and montmorillonite formulas calculated. It is supposed that montmorillonite was formed by early hydrothermal alteration of rock flour or fine glass particles. In the latter case the original glass content of suevites was higher than at present. Of all ejecta from the Ries crater only crystalline rocks contained in suevites occur in all stages of shock metamorphism up to complete fusion. The overwhelming majority of the ejecta from the sedimentary sequence (about 580 m) show no indications of shock pressures above 10 GPa. The same holds true for crystalline megablocks and breccias around the crater which consist mainly of granites from upper levels of the basement. We assume that the Ries impact can be approximated by a deep-burst model: The projectile penetrated through the sedimentary cover into the basement in such a way that the highest pressures and temperatures developed within the gneiss complex below the upper, predominately granitic layer and that rocks of the sedimentary sequence experienced weak shock compression. Numerical data are given for such a model of the Ries impact on transient crater geometry and volumes of vaporized, melted, shocked and excavated rocks. Fall-out suevites are supposed to have been lifted from the central zone by an expanding plume of vaporized rocks and deposited as fluidized turbulent masses outside the crater whereas the main mass of crater suevite was not removed from the crater cavity.     

Lower Cretaceous turbiditic sediments from the Rif chain (Northern Marocco) — palynology,stratigraphy and palaeogeographic setting

The paper describes the palynology, stratigraphy, sedimentology and palaeogeographic setting of Lower Cretaceous turbiditic and terrigenous deep-sea sediments at the Tethyan margins of Africa and Alboran (External Domain of the Rif, and Flysch Nappes). During the Early Cretaceous terrigenous turbiditic deep-water sedimentation characterizes two different palaeogeographic domains in the southern part of the western Tethys:

In the northern area of the External Domain (Ketama Unit of the Rif) alternating turbiditic arenites and pelites are interpreted as sediments of a distal part of a fan system on the Tethyan margin of Africa. The main sources for the terrigenous material were situated in Central and Western Algeria; only little sand transited through the Prerif and the Mesorif zones of Morocco. The terrigenous sedimentation began in the Hauterivian, but the main turbiditic cycles are of Aptian to Lower and Middle Albian age.

The Flysch Domain probably was situated far to the Northeast with respect to the Rif basin, at the western and southern margins of the Alboran microplate. Relatively proximal turbidites form most of the Tisirène Nappe, whereas more distal turbidites constitute the series of the Melloussa and the Chouamat Nappes. The existence of two different source areas is demonstrated, one to the NE and the other to the NW of the depositional area. The turbidites probably were deposited on a E-W oriented fan system which progradated into a longitudinal trench-like trough. In the Central Rif area, the Tisirène Flysch is of Valanginian to Albian (pre-Vraconian) age. In the Western Rif and in the Melloussa and Chouamat Nappes of the whole area no sediments older than Aptian have been found.

The stratigraphy of the investigated series is based on a new tentative palynostratigraphic zonation, using pollen, spores and dinoflagellate cysts. Rich and well preserved assemblages have been found in the Western Rif only, whereas the samples of the Tisirène Nappe and the Chouamat Nappe in the Central and Eastern Rif have been affected by some thermal alteration. Black and mostly opaque palynomorphs from the Ketama Unit reflect the strong thermal influence in the External Domain of the Central and Eastern Rif.     

Gas chromatographic determination of peroxyacetyl nitrate: Two convenient calibration techniques

Two procedures for the calibration of an electron capture detector (ECD) for peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) are discussed. One is based on the first-order decay rate of the the PAN mixing ratio in conditioned glass storage vessels. The other method makes use of the photochemical generation of PAN in mixtures of acetone and NO₂ in air. For this purpose a Penray Hg lamp was inserted into a glass vessel filled with 1 atmosphere of air containing 10 ppm NO₂ and 1% acetone. After 3 min of irradiation, the average PAN mixing ratio formed was 8.87±0.25 ppmv as determined in six separate runs.     

Experimental investigation of atmospheric dispersion over the Swiss Plain — Experiment “SIESTA”

Between November 15 and 30, 1985, an international mesoscale transport experiment was performed on the Swiss Plain. Seven meteorological groups from Denmark, Germany, Italy and Switzerland measured diffusion properties of near neutral planetary boundary layers during six completely overcast days: four Bise (north-east wind) situations, one transitional situation and one west-wind situation. Diffusion was measured using SF₆ as tracer, which was released at the meteotower of the Gösgen nuclear power plant at 6 m above ground level. One hundred automatic samplers plus a mobile gas chromatograph were used to measure the concentration fields at distances up to 90 km downwind. Meteorological parameters were observed using radar-tracked constant-level balloons, tethered balloon soundings, sonic anemometers, an acoustic sounder and several meteorological ground stations, including a 110 m mast. All data were collected on a magnetic tape with free access to interested persons.The aim of the experiments was to obtain knowledge about the general nature of the turbulence, advection and atmospheric dispersion during neutral weak-wind situations over complex terrain. The collected data set will be useful for testing mesoscale transport and diffusion models. The results clearly show the channelling effect of the Jura mountains and the hilly prealpine region. An interesting result is that the SF₆ plumes showed intensive horizontal spread but only limited diffusion in the vertical direction.     

Measurements of tropospheric OH concentrations: A comparison of field data with model predictions

Using long path UV absorption spectroscopy we have measured OH concentrations close to the earth's surface. The OH values observed at two locations in Germany during 1980 through 1983 range from 0.7×10⁶ to 3.2×10⁶ cm^-3. Simultaneously we measured the concentrations of O₃, H₂O, NO, NO₂, CH₄, CO, and the light non methane hydrocarbons. We also determined the photolysis rates of O₃ and NO₂. This allows calculations of OH using a zero dimensional time depdendent model. The modelled OH concentrations significantly exceed the measured values for low NO _x concentrations. It is argued that additional, so far unidentified. HO _x loss reactions must be responsible for that discrepancy.     

Refractory- and metallurgical-type chromite ores,Zambales ophiolite,Luzon, Philippines

The Zambales ophiolite is the major source of chromite ore in the Philippines. The chromitites are concordant cumulates and are associated with distinct chromitite-bearing sequences within the mantle peridotites. Refractory and metallurgical chromite deposits are spatially separated and related to different lithologic associations, which crystallized from different parental magmas. — Refractory chromite ores (30–44 wt% Cr₂O₃; 20–30 wt% Al₂O₃) are linked with the peridotite-troctolite-olivine gabbro lineage. Two main types were found: (1) Al-rich refractory ores associated with harzburgites and feldspathic periodotites and (2) more Cr-rich varieties associated with lherzolites. — Metallurgical chromite ores (45–53 wt% Cr₂O₃; 12–18 wt% Al₂O₃) are linked with the peridotite-pyroxenite-norite lineage. Two main types were also found: (1) Cr-rich metallurgical ores associated with orthopyroxenites and (2) more Al-rich varieties related to clinopyroxenites. — The chemical composition of chromite within the deposits varies depending on the chromite/silicate ratios of the ore types and grades continuously into accessory chrome spinels in the wall-rock peridotites. — The geochemistry of accessory chrome spinels in various peridotites and mafic cumulates depends on the mineralogical composition and the stratigraphic position of their host rocks.New address: BEB Erdgas und Erdöl GmbH, Riethorst 12, D-3000 Hannover 51The terms chrome-spinels and chromite are used as follows: 1. Chrome-spinel is only used for those occuring as accessory minerals in various ultramafic and mafic rocks (= accessory chrome-spinels). Their chemical composition has been determined only by microprobe analysis. — 2. Chromite is used for ore and ore deposits (=chromitites); the chemical composition has been determined by wet chemistry (AAS) or by microprobe analysis     

A calcite dissolution pulse in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea during the last deglaciation

Carbonate preservation profiles in the Atlantic Ocean and the Norwegian-Greenland Sea seem to be out-of phase during the last deglaciation. A possibly time transgressive deglacial preservation spike in the N-Atlantic overlaps with a major calcite dissolution pulse in the Norwegian Sea. Contemporaneously major changes in surface and bottom water circulation of the Norwegian-Greenland Sea occurred. Isotopic and sedimentological evidence suggests that bottom water formation in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea was almost shut down during the last maximum glaciation and probably also during the first part of the last deglaciation. During that time corrosive bottom waters might have filled the Norwegian Sea deep sea basins causing carbonate dissolution at the sea floor. Subsequently, the reinitiation of deep water formation could have been coupled with increased resuspension of organic matter and/or reworking of older organic matter rising the p CO₂ of bottom waters and contributing to carbonate dissolution at the sea floor. Additionally, large volumes of atmospheric CO₂ stored before the Younger Dryas might have been pumped into the deep sea possibly by downwelling of surface waters and been neutralized against carbonate at the sea floor.

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Zusammenfassung Erhaltungsprofile des Karbonatlösungszustandes, bestimmt an der planktonischen Foraminif ere N. pachyderma aus Sedimenten, die während der letzten Abschmelzphase der letzten Eiszeit abgelagert wurden, zeigen im Atlantik und in der Norwegisch-Grönländischen See eine deutliche Phasenverschiebung der Erhaltungszustände. Ein möglicherweise zeittransgressiver Erhaltungspeak im Atlantik tritt in zeitlicher überlappung mit einer Phase erhöhter Karbonatlösung in der Norwegischen See auf. Aufgrund verschiedener sedimentologischer Parameter (Korngrö\enspektren, C-org Gehalte, Sedimentstrukturen) und deutlicher Veränderungen der stabilen Sauerstoff- und Kohlenstoffisotopenverhältnisse benthonischer Foraminiferen erscheint es wahrscheinlich, da\ die Tiefenwasserproduktion in der Norwegisch-Grönländischen See während des Höchststandes der letzten Vereisung und möglicherweise auch während des ersten Abschnittes des Abschmelzvorgangs gestoppt war. Während dieses Zeitraumes war die vertikale Durchmischung der Wassermassen stark herabgesetzt und altes korrosives Bodenwasser füllte die Tiefseebecken der Norwegischen See und verursachte eine intensive Karbonatlösung am Meeresboden. Nachdem die Bodenwasserzirkulation und Tiefenwasserbildung später erneut einsetzte, wurde zunächst eine verstärkte Ventilation durch absinkendes, sauerstoffreiches Oberflächenwasser am Meeresboden verursacht. Die Oxidation von resuspendiertem und die Aufarbeitung von bereits abgelagertem organischem Material bedingte einen letzten starken Anstieg des CO₂ Partialdrucks im Bodenwasser und verstärkte die Karbonatlösung am Meeresboden. Eine mögliche zusätzliche Quelle liefert vor der Jüngeren Dryas in der Atmosphäre angereichertes CO₂, das möglicherweise durch »downwelling« von Oberflächenwasser zusätzlich in die Tiefsee gepumpt wurde.

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Résumé Au moyen den l'examen des foraminifères planctoniquesN. pachyderma, des profils de l'état de conservation des carbonates ont été établis dans les sédiments déposés dans l'Atlantique et dans la Mer de Norvège au cours de la phase de fusion de la dernière glaciation. Ces profils ne sont pas en corrélation: dans l'Atlantique apparaÎt un maximum de stabilité des carbonates, probablement transgressif dans le temps, qui correspond à une phase de forte dissolution dans la Mer de Norvège. Certains paramètres sédimentologiques (granularité, teneur en C organique, structures sédimentaires) ainsi que des variations de la composition isotopique de l'O et du C des foraminifères benthoniques permettent de penser que la production d'eau profonde s'est arrÊtée dans la Mer de Norvège au cours du maximum de la dernière glaciation et sans doute aussi pendant le début de la fusion qui a suivi. Pendant cette période, le mélange vertical des masses d'eau était fortement ralenti et une ancienne eau de fond à caractère corrosif occupait le bassin de la Mer de Norvège où elle induisait une forte dissolution des carbonates. Plus tard, lorsque se rétablirent la circulation de l'eau de fond et la formation d'eau profonde, on assita à une aération de la partie profonde de la mer, par l'effet de la descente d'eau superficielle riche en oxygène. L'oxydation de la matière organique provoqua un accroissement de la pression partielle de CO₂ dans l'eau de fond, ce qui y accentua la dissolution des carbonates. Une autre source possible pourrait Être le CO₂ accumulé dans l'atmosphère avant le Dryas supérieur et entraÎné vers la profondeur par la descente des eaux de surface.

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