Magmatic Evolution of the La Pacana Caldera System, Central Andes, Chile: Compositional Variation of Two Cogenetic, Large-Volume Felsic Ignimbrites

La Pacana is one of the largest known calderas on Earth, andis the source of at least two major ignimbrite eruptions witha combined volume of some 2700 km³. These ignimbrites have stronglycontrasting compositions, raising the question of whether theyare genetically related. The Toconao ignimbrite is crystal poor,and contains rhyolitic (76–77 wt % SiO₂) tube pumices.The overlying Atana ignimbrite is a homogeneous tuff whose pumiceis dacitic (66–70 wt % SiO₂), dense (40–60% vesicularity)and crystal rich (30–40 % crystals). Phase equilibriaindicate that the Atana magma equilibrated at temperatures of770–790°C with melt water contents of 3·1–4·4wt %. The pre-eruptive Toconao magma was cooler (730–750°C)and its melt more water rich (6·3–6·8 wt% H₂O). A pressure of 200 MPa is inferred from mineral barometryfor the Atana magma chamber. Isotope compositions are variablebut overlapping for both units (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_i 0·7094–0·7131;¹⁴³Nd/¹⁴⁴Nd 0·51222–0·51230) and are consistentwith a dominantly crustal origin. Glass analyses from Atanapumices are similar in composition to those in Toconao tubepumices, demonstrating that the Toconao magma could representa differentiated melt of the Atana magma. Fractional crystallizationmodelling suggests that the Toconao magma can be produced by30% crystallization of the observed Atana mineral phases. Toconaomelt characteristics and intensive parameters are consistentwith a volatile oversaturation-driven eruption. However, thelow H₂O content, high viscosity and high crystal content ofthe Atana magma imply an external eruption trigger. KEY WORDS: Central Andes; crystal-rich dacite; eruption trigger; high-silica rhyolite; zoned magma chamber     

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.     

Palaeomagnetism of the Guaniguanico Cordillera, western Cuba: a pilot study

A palaeo- and rock-magnetic study was carried out on the Jurassic–Cretaceous Guaniguanico Cordillera (15 sites, 112 oriented cores) in order to define a preliminary magnetostratigraphy and to obtain some constraints on the tectonic evolution of western Cuba. Rock-magnetic experiments indicate Ti-poor titanomagnetites as principal remanence carriers. Two magnetic phases seem to be present in a few samples: some spinels, which saturate at moderate magnetic fields and goethite, with higher coercivity. The presence of hematite (or mixture of spinels and hematite) is apparent in two units. In most cases the characteristic palaeodirections could be determined above 300°C. Eleven sites yield normal magnetic polarity and four reverse. The polarity zones can be tentatively correlated to chrons CM29–C24 in the reference geomagnetic polarity time scale. The mean palaeodirection calculated from all sites is Dm=335.7°, Im=43.1°, K=11, α₉₅=12.3 and N=15. The corresponding palaeopole is Plat=66.4°, Plong=205.8°, K=13, and A₉₅=11.1. This pole is not significantly different from North American Jurassic–Cretaceous poles. This suggests that no major latitudinal displacements and deformation have occurred since the Jurassic, in contrast to some previously proposed tectonic models.     

Application of the photoacoustic method for characterization of natural galena (PbS)

Electron transport properties of single crystal and polycrystalline natural mineral galena (PbS) samples from the Trep?a mine, Yugoslavia, were determined using the photoacoustic frequency transmission technique. Their thermal diffusivity (D _T≈0.16 × 10^?5 m² s^?1), the coefficient of diffusion (D between 0.15×10^?2 0.16×10^?2 m² s^?1) and lifetime of the excess carrier (τ≈35 μs and the front and rear recombination velocity (s _g≈65.5 m s^?1 and s _b≈66.4 m s^?1, respectively), were calculated by comparing the experimental results and the theoretical photoacoustic amplitude and phase signals. The lattice parameter obtained by X-ray work was a?=5.936?Å. The free carrier concentration of these single-crystal samples was measured using the Hall method (N?=?3×10¹⁸ cm^?3). Measurements of the optical reflectivity of the same samples, as a function of wavelength, in the infrared and far infrared ranges, were performed. In the far infrared range a free electron plasma frequency was observed and numerically analyzed, using the least-squares fitting procedure. The values of optical parameters were calculated and the value of the free carrier concentration obtained by the Hall method was confirmed.     

Reaction rims of orthopyroxene and plagioclase around chrome spinels in olivine from Skye and Rhum (NW Scotland)

Reaction between chrome spinel and its supernatant magma due to changes in magmatic composition or temperature is well known; its effects can be observed in these rocks. However, evidence of solid-solid reaction between chrome spinels and enclosing olivine is also present, in the form of relict diffusion profiles in some of the olivines, and an orthopyroxene reaction product rimming the spinel. In addition, the Rhum specimens contain rims of plagioclase resulting from solid-liquid reaction around chrome spinels within the margins of olivine. Detailed microprobe traverses and analysis of reaction products have been made in an attempt to determine the equations for these reactions.     

Modeling the Population Effects of Hypoxia on Atlantic Croaker (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Micropogonias undulatus</Emphasis>) in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico: Part 1—Model Description and Idealized Hypoxia

We developed a spatially explicit, individual-based model to analyze how hypoxia effects on reproduction, growth, and mortality of Atlantic croaker in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico lead to population-level responses. The model follows the hourly growth, mortality, reproduction, and movement of individuals on a 300 × 800 spatial grid of 1-km² cells for 140 years. Chlorophyll-a concentration, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen (DO) were specified daily for each grid cell and repeated for each year of the simulation. A bioenergetics model was used to represent growth, mortality was assumed stage- and age-dependent, and the movement behavior of juveniles and adults was modeled based on temperature and avoidance of low DO. Hypoxia effects were imposed using exposure effect submodels that converted time-varying exposures to low DO to reduced hourly growth, increased hourly mortality, and reduced annual fecundity. Results showed that 100 years of either mild or intermediate hypoxia produced small reductions in population abundance, while repeated severe hypoxia caused a 19% reduction in long-term population abundance. Relatively few individuals were exposed to low DO each hour, but many individuals experienced some exposure. The response was dominated by a 5% average reduction in annual fecundity of individuals. Under conditions of random sequences of mild, intermediate, and severe hypoxia years occurring in proportion to their historical frequency, the model predicted a 10% decrease in the long-term population abundance of croaker. A companion paper substitutes hourly DO values from a three-dimensional water quality model for the idealized hypoxia and results in a more realistic population reduction of about 25%.     

Sealing efficiency analysis for shallow-layer caprocks in CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> geological storage

The CO₂ migrated from deeper to shallower layers may change its phase state from supercritical state to gaseous state (called phase transition). This phase transition makes both viscosity and density of CO₂ experience a sharp variation, which may induce the CO₂ further penetration into shallow layers. This is a critical and dangerous situation for the security of CO₂ geological storage. However, the assessment of caprock sealing efficiency with a fully coupled multi-physical model is still missing on this phase transition effect. This study extends our previous fully coupled multi-physical model to include this phase transition effect. The dramatic changes of CO₂ viscosity and density are incorporated into the model. The impacts of temperature and pressure on caprock sealing efficiency (expressed by CO₂ penetration depth) are then numerically investigated for a caprock layer at the depth of 800 m. The changes of CO₂ physical properties with gas partial pressure and formation temperature in the phase transition zone are explored. It is observed that phase transition revises the linear relationship of CO₂ penetration depth and time square root as well as penetration depth. The real physical properties of CO₂ in the phase transition zone are critical to the safety of CO₂ sequestration. Pressure and temperature have different impact mechanisms on the security of CO₂ geological storage.     

Synthesis in Estuarine and Coastal Ecological Research: What Is It,Why Is It Important,and How Do We Teach It?

During the last two decades, there has been growing interest in the integration of existing ideas and data to produce new synthetic models and hypotheses leading to discovery and advancement in estuarine and coastal science. This essay offers an integrated definition of what is meant by synthesis research and discusses its importance for exploiting the rapid expansion of information availability and for addressing increasingly complex environmental problems. Approaches and methods that have been used in published synthetic coastal research are explored and a list of essential steps is developed to provide a foundation for conducting synthetic research. Five categories of methods used widely in coastal synthesis studies are identified: (1) comparative cross-system analysis, (2) analysis of time series data, (3) balance of cross-boundary fluxes, (4) system-specific simulation modeling, and (5) general systems simulation modeling. In addition, diverse examples are used to illustrate how these methods have been applied in previous studies. We discuss the urgent need for developing curricula for classroom and experiential teaching of synthesis in coastal science to undergraduate and graduate students, and we consider the societal importance of synthetic research to support coastal resource management and policy development. Finally, we briefly discuss the crucial challenges for future growth and development of synthetic approaches to estuarine and coastal research.     

Detection of smectites in ppm and sub-ppm concentrations using dye molecule sensors

Methylene blue and rhodamine 6G were used as molecular sensors for the spectrophotometric titrations of the aqueous colloids of clay minerals (montmorillonite, illite and kaolinite). The dyes adsorbed on colloid particles form molecular aggregates, which exhibit spectral properties significantly different from those of dye solutions. Spectrophotometric titrations provide the most sensitive detection of smectites in aqueous colloids (sub-ppm concentrations); and the sensitivity further increases using second derivative spectroscopy. The endpoint of spectrophotometric titrations can be used for the determination of exchange capacity of the mineral in colloids and in this way to estimate its amount. The method is selective only to expandable clays, which was proven by experiments with kaolinite and illite. Spectrophotometric titrations have promising future in the analysis of clays and can be applied in many fields of geology, mineralogy, chemistry, material sciences or in industry. Its application may expand to the analysis of other nanomaterials built from charged particles and exhibiting metachromasy in the systems with organic dyes.