The reaction of carbonates in contact with laser-generated,superheated silicate melts: Constraining impact metamorphism of carbonate-bearing target rocks

We simulated entrainment of carbonates (calcite, dolomite) in silicate impact melts by 1-bar laser melting of silicate–carbonate composite targets, using sandstone, basalt, calcite marble, limestone, dolomite marble, and iron meteorite as starting materials. We demonstrate that carbonate assimilation by silicate melts of variable composition is extremely fast (seconds to minutes), resulting in contamination of silicate melts with carbonate-derived CaO and MgO and release of CO₂ at the silicate melt–carbonate interface. We identify several processes, i.e., (1) decomposition of carbonates releases CO₂ and produces residual oxides (CaO, MgO); (2) incorporation of residual oxides from proximally dissociating carbonates into silicate melts; (3) rapid back-reactions between residual CaO and CO₂ produce idiomorphic calcite crystallites and porous carbonate quench products; (4) high-temperature reactions between Ca-contaminated silicate melts and carbonates yield typical skarn minerals and residual oxide melts; (5) mixing and mingling between Ca- or Ca,Mg-contaminated and Ca- or Ca,Mg-normal silicate melts; (6) precipitation of Ca- or Ca,Mg-rich silicates from contaminated silicate melts upon quenching. Our experiments reproduce many textural and compositional features of typical impact melts originating from silicate–carbonate targets. They reinforce hypotheses that thermal decomposition of carbonates, rapid back-reactions between decomposition products, and incorporation of residual oxides into silicate impact melts are prevailing processes during impact melting of mixed silicate–carbonate targets. However, by comparing our results with previous studies and thermodynamic considerations on the phase diagrams of calcite and quartz, we envisage that carbonate impact melts are readily produced during adiabatic decompression from high shock pressure, but subsequently decompose due to heat influx from coexisting silicate impact melts or hot breccia components. Under certain circumstances, postshock conditions may favor production and conservation of carbonate impact melts. We conclude that the response of mixed carbonate–silicate targets to impact might involve melting and decomposition of carbonates, the dominant response being governed by a complex variety of factors.     

Geophysical signature of Målingen,the minor crater of the Lockne–Målingen doublet impact structure

Målingen is the 0.7 km wide minor crater associated to the 10 times larger Lockne crater in the unique Lockne–Målingen doublet. The craters formed at 458 Ma by the impact of a binary asteroid related to the well-known 470 Ma Main Belt breakup event responsible for a large number of Ordovician craters and fossil meteorites. The binary asteroid struck a target sequence including ~500 m of sea water, ~80 m of limestone, ~30 m of dark mud, and a peneplainized Precambrian crystalline basement. Although the Lockne crater has been extensively studied by core drillings and geophysics, little is known about the subsurface morphology of Målingen. We performed magnetic susceptibility and remanence, as well as density, measurements combined with gravity, and magnetic field surveys over the crater and its close vicinity as a base for forward magnetic and gravity modeling. The interior of the crater shows a general magnetic low of 90–100 nT broken by a clustered set of high-amplitude, short wavelength anomalies caused by bodies of mafic rock in the target below the crater and as allogenic blocks in the crater infill. The gravity shows a general −1.4 mgal anomaly over the crater caused by low-density breccia infill and fractured crystalline rocks below the crater floor. The modeling also revealed a slightly asymmetrical shape of the crater that together with the irregular ejecta distribution supports an oblique impact from the east, which is consistent with the direction of impact suggested for the Lockne crater.     

The Chelyabinsk meteorite: Thermal history and variable shock effects recorded by the 40Ar-39Ar system

We studied three lithologies (light and dark chondritic and impact melt rock) differing in shock stage from the LL5 chondrite Chelyabinsk. Using the ⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar dating technique, we identified low- and high-temperature reservoirs within all samples, ascribed to K-bearing oligoclase feldspar and shock-induced jadeite–feldspar glass assemblages in melt veins, respectively. Trapped argon components had variable ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios even within low- and high-temperature reservoirs of individual samples. Correcting for trapped argon revealed a lithology-specific response of the K-Ar system to shock metamorphism, thereby defining two distinct impact events affecting the Chelyabinsk parent asteroid (1) an intense impact event ~1.7 ± 0.1 Ga ago formed the light–dark-structured and impact-veined Chelyabinsk breccia. Such a one-stage breccia formation is consistent with petrological observations and was recorded by the strongly shocked lithologies (dark and impact melt) where a significant fraction of oligoclase feldspar was transformed into jadeite and feldspathic glass; and (2) a young reset event ~30 Ma ago particularly affected the light lithology due to its low argon retentivity, while the more retentive shock-induced phases were more resistant against thermal reset. Trapped argon with ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios up to 1900 was likely incorporated during impact-induced events on the parent body, and mixed with terrestrial atmospheric argon contamination. Had it not been identified via isochrons based on high-resolution argon extraction, several geochronologically meaningless ages would have been deduced.     

Distinct petrographic responses to basin reorganization across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary in the southwestern Barents Sea

A general shift towards higher mineralogical and textural maturity changes the reservoir character across the Triassic–Jurassic transition in the southwestern Barents Sea basin (SWBSB), largely affecting the hydrocarbon prospectivity in the region. Petrographic and geochronological provenance data presented in this paper suggest that the shift from mineralogically immature to mature sandstones initiated during the deposition of the Norian–Rhaetian Fruholmen Formation, and varies with basin location. Strong contrasts between the Fruholmen Formation and underlying formations are associated with proximity to the rejuvenated Caledonian and Fennoscandian hinterlands and are mainly restricted to the southern basin margins. In the basin interior, subtle petrographic variations between the Fruholmen Formation and older Triassic sandstones reflect a distal position relative to the southern hinterland. The long-lived misconception of a regional compositional contrast in the Arctic at the turn of the Norian can be attributed to higher sampling frequency associated with hydrocarbon exploration activity along the southern basin margins, and masking by increased annual precipitation and subsequent reworking during the Jurassic. Geothermal signatures and rearrangement of ferric clay material across the Carnian–Norian transition support a recycled origin for the Fruholmen Formation in the basin interior. As the closest tectonically active region at the time, the Novaya Zemlya fold-and-thrust belt represents the best provenance candidate for polycyclic components in Norian–Rhaetian strata. In addition to recycling in the hinterland during the Late Triassic, local erosion of exposed intrabasinal highs and platforms at the Triassic–Jurassic transition represents a second process where thermodynamically unstable mineral components originally sourced from the Uralides may be removed. Textural and mineralogical modification may also have occurred in marginal-marine depositional environments during periods with elevated sea level. Mature sediment supply from the rejuvenated hinterland in the south, multiple cycles of reworking and gradual accumulation of polycyclic grains have likely led to the extreme compositional maturity registered in the Tubåen, Nordmela and Stø formations in the SWBSB. It is likely that increased annual precipitation since the latest Carnian had an amplifying effect on sandstone maturation across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary, but we consider the effect to be inferior compared to provenance shifts and reworking. Findings from this study are important for understanding compositional and textural maturity enhancement processes in siliciclastic sedimentary basins.     

Role of effective permeability distribution in estimating overpressure using basin modelling

Overpressure generation is a function of the rates of sedimentation, compaction, fluid generation from kerogen and dehydration of minerals, and most importantly the lateral distribution of permeability within a basin as this controls lateral drainage. Sedimentary basins, however, are typically highly heterogeneous with respect to primary sedimentary facies, diagenesis and tectonic development. While fluid flow models based on idealised homogeneous basins may further our understanding of the processes that influence overpressure development, the results are very sensitive to the distribution of rock properties, particularly permeability. The absolute permeability of sedimentary rocks varies from more than 1 Darcy to less than 0.01 nanodarcy (nD) (10⁻¹¹ Darcy).     

Local effects of blue mussels around turbine foundations in an ecosystem model of Nysted off-shore wind farm, Denmark

The development of off-shore wind farms along the coastline of north-west Europe is rapidly increasing; it is therefore important to study how this will affect the marine environment. The present study modelled the growth and feed-backs of blue mussels in natural beds and on turbine foundations in an off-shore wind farm (OWF) located in a shallow coastal ecosystem by coupling a dynamic energy budget (DEB) model to a small-scale 3D hydrodynamic–biogeochemical model. The model results showed that blue mussels located higher up in the water column on turbine pillars achieved a 7–18 times higher biomass than those located on the scour protection because the former experience an enhanced advective food supply. Secondly, the high biomasses of blue mussels on foundations created local ‘hot spots’ of biological activity and changed ecosystem dynamics due to their feed-backs e.g. ingestion of microplankton and copepods, excretion of ammonium and egestion of faecal pellets. The model results were supported by field measurements around foundations of Chl a concentrations and biomasses of the fauna community. Our study emphasised that OWFs seem to be particularly favourable for blue mussels in the western Baltic Sea and that the functioning of the OWFs as artificial reef ecosystems depends upon how the blue mussels interact with their local pelagic and benthic environment.     

A data archive of GPS navigation messages

Since 18 June 2007 navigation data messages transmitted by the GPS constellation are recorded by five receivers within GeoForschungsZentrum’s global groundstation network. We describe the recording, processing, validation, analysis and archiving of the navigation data. During the 197 days between 18 June 2007 and 31 December 2007 a total of 125,723,666 subframes were collected. By taking into consideration that the same data set frequently is observed by two or more receivers concurrently, 65,153,955 unique subframes could be extracted from the observations. With an estimated 88,099,200 subframes transmitted by the constellation during this time period a data yield of about 74% was achieved. Simulation studies suggest that with two additional GPS receivers, which are scheduled for addition to the network in 2008, about 95% of the transmitted subframes will be retrieved. The message data archive is open to the scientific community for non-commercial purposes and may be accessed through GFZ’s Information System and Data Center ().

62kaBP以来湖光岩玛珥湖沉积物有机碳同位素记录及古气候环境意义

湖光岩玛珥湖HUG-B孔岩心记录了62kaBP以来的古气候、古环境变化信息。全岩有机碳同位素组成(δ^13CTOC)分析表明，62kaBP以来δ^3CTOC值变化比较明显，其变化范围为-28．5‰～-15．5％0。结合孢粉和有机地球化学指标进行综合分析，湖光岩玛珥湖δ^13CTOC变化曲线可划分为6个演化阶段：62～58和48～40．5kaBP两个时段的δ^13CTOC值偏负，沉积物中有机质主要来源于热带-亚热带地区的陆生C13森林植被，反映了温暖潮湿的气候环境；58～48和40．5～17．2kaBP期间δ^13CTOC值明显偏正，沉积物中有机质主要源自C4草本植物，反映了湖光岩地区有效降水量减少、干旱程度增加导致湖光岩玛珥湖湖面下降，大量C4草本植物生长在暴露的湖滨岸；17．2～4kaBP时段内δ^13CTOC值尽管存在更加频繁的波动，但总体呈现逐渐偏负的趋势，反映了暖湿和冷干气候多次交替但总体上逐渐变暖、变湿的气候环境；4kaBP以来δ^13CTOC值存在逐渐偏正的趋势，虽然不排除人类活动的影响，但很可能反映了干旱程度的再次增加。综合分析表明，有效降水量(降水量-蒸发量)是控制湖光岩玛珥湖地区C3／C4植物相对生物量变化的主导因素。湖光岩玛珥湖有机碳同位素的研究结果支持区域气候环境而不是大气CO2浓度变化是末期冰期以来热带低纬度地区C3／C4植被相对生物量变化的主要原因。     

A multi-method approach for the identification and quantification of water balance components of two lentic small water bodies

The protection of the globally widespread lentic small water bodies (LSWB) must be based on detailed knowledge about their hydrological connectivity and water balance. The study aimed to identify and quantify water balance components as well as surface-groundwater interaction of two LSWB in a characteristic lowland region with a combination of different methods. This includes the collection of hydrological data and the use of bromide and water stable isotopes (δ²H and δ¹⁸O) as tracers. With their help, mixing models were established, and daily water balances were assessed. The results show a strong bidirectional interaction of both LSWB systems with shallow groundwater. Bromide and stable isotope tracers allowed for the identification of the most relevant in- and outflow sources and pathways. Thereby, isotope data revealed isotopic enrichment typical for open-water bodies and only minor precipitation inputs mainly relevant at the end of the dry season. Water balance calculations suggested accentuated seasonal dynamics that were strongly influenced by shallow groundwater, which represented large inputs into both LSWB. By that, different phases could be identified, with high inflow rates in winter and spring and decreasing fluxes in summer. In one LSWB, a drainage system was found to have a major impact next to the shallow groundwater interaction. The findings of this research provide detailed insights into the influence and importance of shallow groundwater for LSWB in lowland regions. This impacts the diffuse input of agricultural pollutants into these ecologically important landscape features.     

A comparative review of hydrologic issues involved in geologic storage of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and injection disposal of liquid waste

The paper presents a comparison of hydrologic issues and technical approaches used in deep-well injection and disposal of liquid wastes, and those issues and approaches associated with injection and storage of CO₂ in deep brine formations. These comparisons have been discussed in nine areas: injection well integrity; abandoned well problems; buoyancy effects; multiphase flow effects; heterogeneity and flow channeling; multilayer isolation effects; caprock effectiveness and hydromechanics; site characterization and monitoring; effects of CO₂ storage on groundwater resources. There are considerable similarities, as well as significant differences. Scientifically and technically, these two fields can learn much from each other. The discussions presented in this paper should help to focus on the key scientific issues facing deep injection of fluids. A substantial but by no means exhaustive reference list has been provided for further studies into the subject.