Lipid biogeochemistry of Phormidium and Microcoleus mats

A study on the predominant sources of organic matter and the main diagenetic processes in two different cyanobacterial mats from evaporite-controlled environments was performed. Fatty acids, hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones and aldehydes were anlyzed in selected millimetre and submillimetre core sections. The changes in lipid composition were evaluated by comparison with the vertical distributions of the populations observed by optic microscopy and with the lipid patterns of enrichment cultures of species such as cyanobacteria, diatoms, purple bacteria, sulphate-reducers and methanogens obtained from the mats.The cyanobacteria Phormidium valderianum and Microcoleus chthonoplastes are the predominant primary producers, and occur almost as monocultures in the respective top layers. However, these mat-forming organisms only leave minor features in the solvent-extractable lipid sedimentary record. The predominant fatty acid distributions parallel the composition observed in the enrichment cultures of purple bacteria and appear mixed with acids characteristic of heterotrophic eubacteria such as sulphate-reducers. The concentrations of these lipids are, however, 5–10 times lower than the cyanobacterial acids from the top layer. De novo heterotrophic eubacterial synthesis is also observed in cases such as the highly branched isoprenoid eicosenes, the major hydrocarbon in the deep layers (>2 mm) of the Phormidium mat. Other major diagenetic changes involve dehydration and hydrogenation. These two processes take place concurrently under anoxic conditions and have been observed among the sterols and the isoprenoid alcohols. Significant amounts of 5ß(H)-stanols were observed in the more reducing sections where molecular indicators of methanogenic bacteria were also found.     

Calibration of the climatic signal in a new pollen sequence from La Grande Pile

A new core, GPXX, from La Grande Pile (Vosges, France) has enabled a more precise evaluation of pollen data concerning the last climatic cycle at this site and has enabled reconstruction of the monthly temperature and precipitation. This paper shows that the various components of the reconstructed climatic signal are clearly separated and that they are coherent with the vegetation dynamics. The Eemian interglacial was influenced first by an oceanic climate and second by a more continental one. The two interstadials, St-Germain I and II, were mainly continental. These three temperate periods ended with a cool and humid transition period dominated by boreal forests, which may have been favourable to ice accretion. The Dansgaard-Oeschger oscillations from 55 to 25 Kyr BP are not significantly recorded in La Grande Pile.Contribution to Clima Locarno — Past and Present Climate Dynamics; Conference September 1990, Swiss Academy of Sciences — National Climate Program     

Geochemical evolution of laterites from two areas of the semiarid region in Bahia State, Brazil

Lateritic covers developed during the Pleistocene in two distinct areas (Gentio do Ouro District and Sento Sé) of the State of Bahia, Brazil, have been investigated geochemically. Samples of the bedrock (gabbros, from the Gentio do Ouro District, and silicate facies iron formation and associated iron-rich banded carbonates, from the Sento Sé Area) and the lateritic products (latosols, cuirasses and pisolites) were analyzed for major and selected trace elements (Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, V, Pb, Ba, Au and ree). The purpose of the research was to study the geochemical evolution of the laterites and the relationship of weathering processes to secondary gold mineralization.Four types of element mobilities are recognized, defined by progressive depletion (type A) or enrichment (type C) in the sequence latosol-cuirasse-pisolite or by extreme enrichment (type B) or depletion (type D) in the cuirasse. Cr and V have similar behavior (type C), whatever the type of parent rock: however, when the original rocks are gabbros, Co, Cu and Ni demonstrate behavior A, B and A, respectively. Also Ti has the same type of mobility (type A), whatever the type of parent rock.The concentrations of some residual elements, e.g., Ti, V, Mn, Fe and Au, are inherited from the original rocks, that is, they exhibit higher values in the lateritic materials on parent rocks in which their contents are high.The enrichment of ree in the lateritic materials on iron-rich carbonates is attributed to relatively basic and reducing conditions at depth. This environment allowed the ions of these elements (Ce, Sm, Eu and Yb in the reduced ionic form) to stay in solution along with Fe²⁺. At shallow depht, under oxidizing conditions, the iron oxyhydroxides adsorbed the ree ions. This adsorption was more effective for La, Ce and Yb ions.The ree contents in the lateritic products from gabbros indicate a depletion of hree plus Eu, Nd and Sm are also depleted in cuirasses and Ce is depleted in pisolites. The loss of these ree and the slight concentration of lree in the red latosol of the Gentio do Ouro District are attributed to partial leaching of ree by a relatively acidic solution. The adsorption of ree by iron oxyhydroxides was less intense here than in the weathering of the iron-rich carbonates at Sento Sé Area. It was also more effective for La and Ce (ions). This type of weathering solution may be generated from oxidation of the accessory pyrite present in the gabbros of the Gentio do Ouro District. It may dissolve primary gold which then precipitates on encountering basic conditions at depth.     

ON THE USE OF MOVABLE-BED MODELS FOR RIVER PROBLEMS:A STATE-OF-THE-ART

I. INTRODUCTIONMore than a decade ago, under tile auspices of DELFT HYDRAULICS an overview on the use ofmodels for river problems was given (de Vries & van der Zwaard. 1975). Since then a better understanding of morphological processes in rivers has been obtained, their mathematical formulation hasbeen improved and computer facilities have been expended. Scale models and mathematical models arein use. but their field of application is gradually changing. It seems that the better ma…     

Preparation and application of engineering and environmental geological maps in The Netherlands

The Netherlands has no nation-wide mapping programme for either engineering geology or environmental geology, but on request the Geological Survey of The Netherlands, together with other geoscientific institutes, prepares: (1) detailed (1:5,000) engineering geological maps of urban areas, specifically meant for urban planning and management as well as for feasibility studies for civil engineering works; and (2) small-scale (1:250,000 to 1:50,000) thematic environmental geological maps, meant for regional landuse planning. The preparation and application of these maps is discussed, and some examples are given.     

Model-free estimation from spatial samples: A reappraisal of classical sampling theory

A commonly held view among geostatisticians is that classical sampling theory is inapplicable to spatial sampling because spatial data are dependent, whereas classical sampling theory requires them to be independent. By comparing the assumptions and use of classical sampling theory with those of geostatistical theory, we conclude that this view is both false and unfortunate. In particular, estimates of spatial means based on classical sampling designs require fewer assumptions for their validity, and are therefore more robust, than those based on a geostatistical model.     

Characterization of Estonian Kukersite by spectroscopy and pyrolysis: Evidence for abundant alkyl phenolic moieties in an Ordovician, marine, type II/I kerogen

The kerogen of a sample of Estonian Kukersite (Ordovician) was examined by spectroscopic (solid state ¹³C NMR, FTIR) and pyrolytic (“off-line”, flash) methods. This revealed an important contribution of long, linear alkyl chains in Kukersite kerogen. The hydrocarbons formed upon pyrolysis are dominated by n-alkanes and n-alk-1-enes and probably reflect a major contribution of selectivity preserved, highly aliphatic, resistant biomacromolecules from the outer cell walls of Gloeocapsomorpha prisca. This is consistent with the abundant presence of this fossilized organism in Kukersite kerogen. In addition high amounts of phenolic compounds were identified in the pyrolysates. Series of non-methylated, mono-, di- and trimethylated 3-n-alkylphenols, 5-n-alkyl-1,3-benzenediols and n-alkylhydroxybenzofurans were identified. All series of phenolic compounds contain long (up to C₁₉), linear alkyl side-chains. Kukersite kerogen is, therefore, an aliphatic type II/I kerogen, despite the abundance of free phenolic moieties. This study shows that phenol-derived moieties are not necessarily associated with higher plant-derived organic matter.The flash pyrolysate of Kukersite kerogen was also compared with that of the kerogen of the Guttenberg Oil Rock (Ordovician) which is also composed of accumulations of fossilized G. prisca. Similarities in the distributions of hydrocarbons and sulphur compounds were noted, especially for the C₁–C₆ alkylbenzene and alkylthiophene distributions. However, no phenolic compounds were detected in the flash pyrolysate of the Guttenberg kerogen. Possible explanations for the observed similarities and differences are discussed.     

Travel time tomography inversion and the deep structure of the southern Tibet

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