Structure and Stability of Non-Transform Discontinuities on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 24° N and 30° N

Observations of the median valley within the 24–30° N area ofthe Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR), using the IOSDL high resolutionside-scan sonar instrument TOBI, image four separate areas of themedian valley, containing part or all of nine spreading segments, and fivenon-transform discontinuities between spreading segments (NTDs).These high resolution side scan images were interpreted in parallel withmultibeam bathymetry (Purdy et al., 1990), giving a greater degree ofstructural precision than is possible with the multibeam data alone. Threedistinct types of NTD were identified, corresponding in part to typespreviously identified from the multibeam bathymetric survey of the area.Type 1 NTDs are termed septal offsets, and are marked by a topographic ridgeseparating the two spreading segments. The offset between the spreadingsegments ranges from 9 to 14 km. These can be further subdivided into Type1A in which the septa run parallel to the overall trend of the MAR and Type1B in which the septa lie at a high angle to the bulk ridge trend. Type 1ANTDs are characterised by overlap of the neovolcanic zones of the segmentson each side, and strong offaxis traces, while Type 1B NTDs show no overlapof neovolcanic zones, and weak offaxis traces. Type 2 NTDs arebrittle/ductile extensional shear zones, marked by oblique extensionalfractures, and associated with rotation of tectonic and volcanic structuresaway from the overall trend of the MAR. Type 3 NTDs are associated withoffsets of less than 5 km, and show no sign of any accommodating structure.In this type of NTD, the offset zone is covered with undeformed volcanics.The type of NTD developed at any locality along the ridge axis appears todepend on the amount of segment offset and segment overlap, the overalltrend of the mid-ocean ridge, the width of the zone of discontinuity, themedian valley offset and the longevity of the offset. These factorsinfluence the mechanical properties of the lithosphere across thediscontinuity, and ultimately the tectonic style of the NTD that can besupported. Thus brittle/ductile extensional shear zones are long-livedstructures favoured by large segment offsets, and small or negative segmentoverlaps. Septa can be short or long lived, and are associated with largesegment offsets. Segment overlaps vary from negative (an along axis gap) tozero, for Type 1B septal offsets, or positive to zero for Type 1A septaloffsets. Non-tectonised NTDs are generally short lived structures,characterised by small segment offsets and zero or positive overlaps.     

Dilute-acid trace-metal fraction in northeastern Gulf of Mexico sediments

Variations in dilute-acid (partial digest) metal concentrations in bottom sediments from 49 stations on the Mississippi, Alabama and Florida continental margin are investigated with the aid of ordination and other multivariate statistical techniques. Total iron, carbonate content, clay fraction and water depth correlate well with the overall leachable sediment metal values for pooled station replicates over four sampling periods. Individual metal concentrations also are correlated with these and other environmental parameters using stepwise multiple linear regression techniques. A weak positive association between Ba, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, and V burdens in the demersal fishSyacium papillosum and the dilute-acid leachable sediment metal TOC and carbonate concentrations is demonstrated.     

The distribution of brachyuran crustacean megalopae in the waters of the York river, lower Chesapeake Bay and adjacent shelf: Implications for recruitment

Vertical and horizontal distributions are described for megalopae of 11 brachyuran taxa common to the lower Chesapeake Bay and adjacent shelf. Three distribution patterns are apparent from horizontal distribution.

1. (1) More than 75% of the megalopae of estuarine adults, such as Hexapanopeus angustifrons, Neopanope sayi, Panopeus herbstii, Rhithropanopeus harrisii and Pinnotheres ostreum, are retained in estuarine waters.

2. (2) The megalopae of three estuarine taxa, Callinectes sapidus, Uca spp. and Pinnixa sp., are most abundant on the shelf.

3. (3) More than 90% of the megalopae of the shelf species, Portunus sp., Cancer irroratus and Libinia spp. remained in shelf waters.

Vertical distributions indicate the megalopae of a majority of estuarine crabs are epibenthic when waters are stratified. Exceptions include the megalopae of both Rhithropanopeus which are found slightly shallower in well mixed waters and Callinectes sapidus which are generally most abundant in the neuston. The megalopae of two shelf species, Portunus sp. and Cancer irroratus, reach highest densities in surface waters, while those of Libinia spp. are common in the epibenthos.Megalopal distributions analyzed with respect to water column stratification show megalopae never reached highest densities within the layer of the pycnocline. The megalopae of five species show significant shifts in vertical distributions between stratified and homogeneous water columns.     

Seasonal and Interannual Variability in the Distribution of Surface Nutrients and Dissolved Inorganic Carbon in the Northern North Pacific: Influence of El Niño

The seasonal and interannual changes in surface nutrients, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and total alkalinity (TA) were recorded in the North Pacific (30–54°N) from 1995 to 2001. This study focuses on the region north of the subarctic boundary (∼40°N) where there was extensive monthly coverage of surface properties. The nutrient cycles showed large interannual variations in the eastern and western subarctic gyres. In the Alaska Gyre the seasonal depletion of nitrate (ΔNO₃) increased from 8–14 μmol kg⁻¹ in 1995–1999 to 21.5 μmol kg⁻¹ in 2000. In the western subarctic the shifts were similar in amplitude but more frequent. The large ΔNO₃ levels were associated with high silicate depletions, indicating enhanced diatom production. The seasonal DIC:NO₃ drawdown ratios were elevated in the eastern and central subarctic due to calcification. In the western subarctic and the central Bering Sea calcification was significant only during 1997 and/or 1998, two El Ni?o years. Regional C/N stoichiometric molar ratios of 5.7 to 7.0 (>40°N) were determined based on the years with negligible or no calcification. The annual new production (NP_a) based on ΔNO₃ and these C/N ratios showed large interannual variations. NP_a was usually higher in the western than in the eastern subarctic. However, values of 84 gC m⁻²yr⁻¹ were found in the Alaska Gyre in 2000 which is similar to that in the most productive provinces of the northern North Pacific. There were also large increases in NP_a around the Alaska Peninsula in 1997 and 1998. Finally, the net removal of carbon by the biological pump was estimated as 0.72 Gt C yr⁻¹ in the North Pacific (>30°N). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Petrogenesis of Variscan high-temperature Group A eclogites from the Moldanubian Zone of the Bohemian Massif,Czechoslovakia

High-temperature (HT), Group A eclogites from three localities in the Moldanubian Zone of the Bohemian Massif are interpreted to have formed in the mantle and to have been transported into the crust by their enclosing garnet peridotites during Variscan orogenesis. Garnet and omphacite are compositionally zoned and contain homogeneous cores and retrograde rims. Cores of minerals yield minimum temperatures and pressures of 850 to 985°C and 16.0 to 22.5 kb, based on Fe–Mg exchange between garnet and clinopyroxene and the jadeite content of clinopyroxene. Sugh high temperatures indicate equilibration in, and derivation from, the upper mantle. Trace element compositions, including the REEs, high MgO contents, and high Mg numbers suggest that the rocks formed by high pressure accumulation of garnet and clinopyroxene and variable amounts of trapped melt. Sm-Nd ages determined on four garnet-clinopyroxene pairs from the three localities are 377±20, 342±9, 336±16, and 323±7 Ma. _Nd and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr are negatively correlated, varying from +6.7 to -0.1 and 0.7027 to 0.7057, respectively. Field, compositional, and isotopic data indicate that the eclogites were derived from heterogeneous mantle that included depleted and enriched compositions; this heterogeneity may have resulted from subduction processes that occurred prior to the late Variscan collision of Gondwana and Baltica.     

Advances in interpretation of subsurface processes with time‐lapse electrical imaging

Electrical geophysical methods, including electrical resistivity, time‐domain induced polarization, and complex resistivity, have become commonly used to image the near subsurface. Here, we outline their utility for time‐lapse imaging of hydrological, geochemical, and biogeochemical processes, focusing on new instrumentation, processing, and analysis techniques specific to monitoring. We review data collection procedures, parameters measured, and petrophysical relationships and then outline the state of the science with respect to inversion methodologies, including coupled inversion. We conclude by highlighting recent research focused on innovative applications of time‐lapse imaging in hydrology, biology, ecology, and geochemistry, among other areas of interest. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.