Biological and granulometric controls on sedimentary organic matter of an intertidal mudflat

A variety of measures of organic matter concentration and quality were made on samples collected from the top few mm of intertidal mudflat sediment over the course of a year, in order to assess the relative importance of biological and sedimentological influences on sedimentary organic matter. Winter and summer were times of relatively fine-grained sediment accumulation, caused by biological deposition or stabilization processes and resulting in higher organic matter concentrations. Stable carbon isotope and Br:C ratios indicated a planktonic source of bulk organic matter. Ratios of organic carbon to specific surface area of the sediments were consistent with an organic monolayer coverage of sediment grains. Correction for changing grain size during the year showed no change in the organic concentration per unit surface area, in spite of organic matter inputs by in situ primary production, buildup of heterotroph biomass and mucus coatings, and biodeposition of organic-rich seston. There were also no indications of changes in bulk organic quality, measured as hydrolyzable carbohydrates and amino acids, in response to these biological processes. It is concluded that biological processes on a seasonal time scale affect the bulk organic matter of these sediments via a modulation of grain size rather than creation or decay of organic matter.     

Sr-isotope stratigraphy of the Upper Jurassic of central Portugal (Lusitanian Basin) based on oyster shells

Strontium isotope stratigraphy was performed on oyster shells from the Late Jurassic of the Lusitanian Basin (central Portugal). This represents the first approach to obtain numerical ages for these strata. The new chronostratigraphic data provide a more precise age determination of several units. After a basin-wide hiatus sedimentation in the Late Jurassic is proven in the Cabo Mondego and Cabaços formations to resume as early as the Middle Oxfordian. The Alcobaça formation can be placed in the latest Late Oxfordian to Late Kimmeridgian, while data from the upper part of the Abadia Formation indicate an Early to Late Kimmeridgian age. The Farta Pao formation ranges from the latest Kimmeridgian to the latest Tithonian. The largely synchronous Sobral, Arranhó I, and Arranhó II members are overlain by the late Early to Late Tithonian Freixial Member. The brief, local carbonate incursion of the Arranhó I member marks the Kimmeridgian–Tithonian boundary. Oysters are shown once more to be suitable for strontium isotope studies. Their calcitic shells are often unaffected by diagenesis. In particular for marginal marine Jurassic and Cretaceous strata, where belemnites are usually absent, oysters may serve as a valuable tool for isotope stratigraphy.     

The Application of Telemetry to Large-Scale Horizontal Anisotropic Permeability Determinations by Surface Tiltmeter Survey

An advanced two-way radio link (transceiver units) and data logging system have provided a powerful means of real-time series data collection and analysis. The application of this telemetry system to surface tiltmeter surveys provides significant cost savings for testing and analysis of deep, large-scale horizontal anisotropic permeability and heterogeneity determinations.
The determination of horizontal anisotropic properties requires one pumping well and eight to 10 tiltmeter monitoring stations. The validity of the depth of the test may reach 4,000 feet below land surface. With the addition of one partially penetrating observation well, the entire three-dimensional anisotropic permeability can be determined. With the addition of a fully penetrating well, the storage coefficient can be determined as well as leakage property (including vertical permeability of the confining layers). An example test case was analyzed for horizontal anisotropic permeability with remarkable success despite relatively unfavorable detection conditions.
A thorough understanding of the geology overlying the aquifer system must be made in order to assess the applicability of the surface tiltmeter survey to large-scale horizontal anisotropic permeability determinations.     

Scanning electron microscopy,cathodoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy of experimentally shock‐metamorphosed quartzite

Abstract— We studied unshocked and experimentally (at 12, 25, and 28 GPa, with 25, 100, 450, and 750°C pre‐shock temperatures) shock‐metamorphosed Hospital Hill quartzite from South Africa using cathodoluminescence (CL) images and spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy to document systematic pressure or temperature‐related effects that could be used in shock barometry. In general, CL images of all samples show CL‐bright luminescent patchy areas and bands in otherwise nonluminescent quartz, as well as CL‐dark irregular fractures. Fluid inclusions appear dominant in CL images of the 25 GPa sample shocked at 750°C and of the 28 GPa sample shocked at 450°C. Only the optical image of our 28 GPa sample shocked at 25°C exhibits distinct planar deformation features (PDFs). Cathodoluminescence spectra of unshocked and experimentally shocked samples show broad bands in the near‐ultraviolet range and the visible light range at all shock stages, indicating the presence of defect centers on, e.g., SiO₄ groups. No systematic change in the appearance of the CL images was obvious, but the CL spectra do show changes between the shock stages. The Raman spectra are characteristic for quartz in the unshocked and 12 GPa samples. In the 25 and 28 GPa samples, broad bands indicate the presence of glassy SiO₂, while high‐pressure polymorphs are not detected. Apparently, some of the CL and Raman spectral properties can be used in shock barometry.     

Proterozoic–Paleozoic development of the basement of the Central Andes (18–26°S) — a mobile belt of the South American craton

The Late Precambrian–Early Paleozoic metamorphic basement forms a volumetrically important part of the Andean crust. We investigated its evolution in order to subdivide the area between 18 and 26°S into crustal domains by means of petrological and age data (Sm–Nd isochrons, K–Ar). The metamorphic crystallization ages and t_DM ages are not consistent with growth of the Pacific margin north of the Argentine Precordillera by accretion of exotic terranes, but favor a model of a mobile belt of the Pampean Cycle. Peak metamorphic conditions in all scattered outcrop areas between 18 and 26°S are similar and reached the upper amphibolite facies conditions indicated by mineral paragensis and the occurrence of migmatite. Sm–Nd mineral isochrons yielded 525±10, 505±6 and 509±1 Ma for the Chilean Coast Range, the Chilean Precordillera and the Argentine Puna, and 442±9 and 412±18 Ma for the Sierras Pampeanas. Conventional K–Ar cooling age data of amphibole and mica cluster around 400 Ma, but are frequently reset by Late Paleozoic and Jurassic magmatism. Final exhumation of the Early Paleozoic orogen is confirmed by Devonian erosional unconformities. Sm–Nd depleted mantle model ages of felsic rocks from the metamorphic basement range from 1.4 to 2.2 Ga, in northern Chile the average is 1.65±0.16 Ga (1σ; n=12), average t_DM of both gneiss and metabasite in NW Argentina is 1.76±0.4 Ga (1σ; n=22), and the isotopic composition excludes major addition of juvenile mantle derived material during the Early Paleozoic metamorphic and magmatic cycle. These new data indicate a largely similar development of the metamorphic basement south of the Arequipa Massif at 18°S and north of the Argentine Precordillera at 28°S. Variations of metamorphic grade and of ages of peak metamorphism are of local importance. The protolith was derived from Early to Middle Proterozoic cratonic areas, similar to the Proterozoic rocks from the Arequipa Massif, which had undergone Grenvillian metamorphism at ca. 1.0 Ga.     

Provenance of Palaeozoic sandstones from the Carnic Alps (Austria): petrographic and geochemical indicators

An integrated approach of petrographic analysis, whole rock geochemistry and microprobe analysis has been applied to obtain information on the geodynamic development and the provenance for Ordovician to Permian siliciclastic successions exposed within the Carnic Alps (Austria). Sandstone detrital mode and geochemical results refine previous geodynamic interpretations. Late Ordovician samples indicate a stable craton and recycled orogenic and, possible, extensional setting. The Early Carboniferous is interpreted to represent a compressional environment, followed by a Late Carboniferous molasse-type foreland basin, and a Permian extensional geodynamic setting. Contrasting geochemical patterns of post-Variscan and Permian sequences suggest a rift setting. Electron microprobe data of detrital white mica also indicate changes in the provenance. Compositional data reflect a shift from low- to medium-grade metamorphic (Ordovician) to high-grade metamorphic (Carboniferous) to low- to medium-grade metamorphic and plutonic source rocks (Permian). Additionally, our data show that various chemical discrimination diagrams do not include all possible ranges of sandstones, and that high contents of detrital mica and ultra-stable heavy minerals may cause misclassification. Consequently, we propose the use of multi-method approach for provenance studies, including the control of geochemical data by modal analysis and heavy mineral investigations.     

Metamorphic evolution of the palaeozoic series of the Betic Cordilleras (Nevado-Filabride complex,SE Spain) and its relationship with the alpine orogeny

The Palaeozoic rocks of the Veleta nappe (Nevado-Filábride complex, Betic Cordilleras, Southern Spain) consist of graphite-mica schists with oxychlorite — chloritoid — albite — garnet porphyroblasts. Crystal chemistry of the minerals, their phase relations and microfabrics are consistent with a normal prograde metamorphic evolution and a slight retrograde overprint. The basis of the overlying Mulhacén nappe consists also of Palaeozoic graphite-mica schists, but with clear signs of polymetamorphic development. An early low-pressure metamorphism with andalusite and chloritoid is overprinted by high-pressure metamorphism with kyanite and Mg-rich chloritoid. This later development is of Alpine age, which is demonstrated by the metamorphic conditions of Permo-Triassic rocks in the upper part of the Mulhacén nappe, included formation of eclogites, followed by an amphibolite facies overprint. The metamorphism of the Veleta nappe is regarded as pre-Alpine: a possible Alpine overprint did not cause an increase in temperatures. No inverse metamorphic gradient exists between Veleta and Mulhacén nappes, because of the different ages of metamorphism.

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Zusammenfassung Die paläozoischen Gesteinsserien der Veletadecke im Nevado-Filábride Komplex (Betische Kordillere, Südspanien) bestehen aus Graphitglimmerschiefern mit Oxichlorit — Chloritoid — Albit — Granat — Porphyroblasten. Die Kristallchemie der Minerale, ihre Phasenbeziehungen und Mikrogefüge sind konsistent mit einer normalen prograden Metamorphoseentwicklung und leichter retrograder Überprägung. Die Basis der darüberliegenden Mulhacendecke besteht ebenfalls aus paläozoischen Graphitglimmerschiefern, die jedoch deutliche Anzeichen für polymetamorphe Entwicklung zeigen: Eine frühe Niedrigdruckmetamorphose mit Andalusit und Chloritoid wird überprägt von einer Hochdruckmetamorphose mit Disthen und Mg-reichem Chloritoid. Diese spätere Entwicklung ist, wie die Metamorphosebedingungen der im Hangenden folgenden permotriadischen Gesteine der Mulhacendecke zeigen, frühalpin und schließt Eklogitbildung mit ein, gefolgt von einer amphibolitfaziellen Überprägung. Die Metamorphose der Veletadecke wird als präalpine Metamorphose angesehen: Eine mögliche alpine Überprägung hat keinen Temperaturanstieg verursacht. Zwischen Mulhacendecke und Veletadecke besteht kein inverser Metamorphosegradient, sondern ein Sprung in den Metamorphosealtern.

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Résumén El Paleozoico del Manto del Veleta (complejo Nevado-Filábride, Cordilleras Béticas, suroeste de España) está formado por micasquistos grafitosos con porfiroblastos de oxicloritas — chloritoide — albita — granate. La cristalquímica de los minerales, sus relaciones de fase y microfábrica son coherentes con una evolución metamórfica progresiva normal y con un ligero retrometamorfismo. La base del suprayacente Manto del Mulhacén está también formado por micasquistos grafitosos paleozoicos, pero muestran signos evidentes de un desarrollo polimetamórfico. El metamorfismo más antiguo tiene unas caracteristicas de baja presión con la formación de andalucita y cloritoide. Estas rocas sufren los efectos de un nuevo proceso metamorfico de edad alpina, lo que puede ser demostrado por comparación con las rocas Permo-Triásicas de la parte superior del Manto del Mulhacén, en las cuales las eclogitas formadas en la primera fase son afectadas por otra en la facies de las anfibolitas. El metamorfismo del Manto del Veleta puede ser probablemente considerado como pre-Alpino: si está afectado por el metamorfismo alpino, éste no ha causado un incremento de temperatura. No existe, por tanto, inversión del gradiente metamórfico entre los Mantos del Veleta y del Mulhacén puesto que la edad del metamorfismo en ambos es diferente.

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Genesis and distribution of mineral waters as a consequence of recent lithospheric dynamics: the Rhenish Massif,Central Europe

Three major, interdependent processes control the genesis and distribution of mineral and thermal waters in the Rhenish Massif, Central Europe: (a) Magmatic processes in the upper mantle provide most of the CO₂ to produce bicarbonate waters in shallow aquifers. (b) Extension of the brittle upper crust enables the ascent of sodium chloride waters. (c) Uplift and erosion shape the massif's relief, which determines the extent of flow systems and the distribution of thermal springs. The chemistry of mineral waters further depends on the aquifers' mineral composition. A comprehensive set of hydrological, chemical, tectonic and geophysical data on the Rhenish Massif has been compiled. It was used to classify the mineral waters and to map the spatial distribution of water properties. The composition of cuttings from several representative wells producing different water types shows that the hydrothermal alteration of the aquifer rocks consists mainly of kaolinization of chlorite and dissolution of feldspar. Numerical transport simulations favour two modes of groundwater flow: topography-driven flow and the pressure-driven ascent of basement brines along active faults. Thermal convection is less important.