Comprehensive chemical analyses of natural cordierites: implications for exchange mechanisms

Cordierite samples from pegmatites and metamorphic rocks have been analysed for major [electron microprobe analysis (EMPA)] and trace elements [inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), secondary ion mass spectrometry analyses (SIMS)] as well as for H₂O and CO₂ (coulometric titration), and the results evaluated in conjunction with published data in order to determine which exchange mechanisms are significant. Apart from the homovalent substitutions FeMg₋₁ and MnMg₋₁ on the octahedral site, some minor KNa₋₁ on the Ch0 channel site, and Fe³⁺Al₋₁ on the T₁1 tetrahedral site, the three most important substitution mechanisms are those for the incorporation of Li on the octahedral sites (NaLi□₋₁Mg₋₁), and of Be and other divalent cations on the tetrahedral T₁1 site (NaBe□₋₁Al₋₁ and Na(Mg,Fe²⁺)□₋₁Al₋₁). The dominant role of the last vector is clearly demonstrated. We propose a new generalized formula for cordierite: ^Ch(Na,K)_0–1 ^VI(Mg,Fe²⁺,Mn,Li)₂ ^IVSi₅ ^IVAl₃ ^IV(Al, Be, Mg, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺)O₁₈ *x^Ch(H₂O, CO₂…). Our results show that the population of (Mg, Fe²⁺) on the T₁1-site is limited to about 0.08 a.p.f.u. Other exchange mechanisms that were encountered in experiments operate only under P–T conditions or in bulk compositions that are rarely realized in nature. Routine analyses by electron microprobe in which Li and Be are not determined can be plotted as (Mg+Fe+Mn) versus (Si+Al) to assess whether significant amounts of Li and Be could be present. These amounts can be calculated as Li (a.p.f.u.)=Al+Na–4 and Be (a.p.f.u.)=10–2Al–M²⁺–Na.     

Global change revealed by palaeolimnological records from remote lakes: a review

Over recent decades, palaeolimnological records from remote sites have provided convincing evidence for the onset and development of several facets of global environmental change. Remote lakes, defined here as those occurring in high latitude or high altitude regions, have the advantage of not being overprinted by local anthropogenic processes. As such, many of these sites record broad-scale environmental changes, frequently driven by regime shifts in the Earth system. Here, we review a selection of studies from North America and Europe and discuss their broader implications. The history of investigation has evolved synchronously with the scope and awareness of environmental problems. An initial focus on acid deposition switched to metal and other types of pollutants, then climate change and eventually to atmospheric deposition-fertilising effects. However, none of these topics is independent of the other, and all of them affect ecosystem function and biodiversity in profound ways. Currently, remote lake palaeolimnology is developing unique datasets for each region investigated that benchmark current trends with respect to past, purely natural variability in lake systems. Fostering conceptual and methodological bridges with other environmental disciplines will upturn contribution of remote lake palaeolimnology in solving existing and emerging questions in global change science and planetary stewardship.     

Astrometry and Photometry of Open Clusters: NGC 1746, NGC 1750 and NGC 1758

We present an astrometric and photometric analysis of a 5 square degree region around NGC 1746, NGC 1750 and NGC 1758, close to the Galactic anti-center (l = 179°, b = -10°), in Taurus. We describe the acquisition, reduction and analysis of the observational data, including the development of innovative data analysis tools. The data comprise CCD UBVRI photometry, photographic BVR photometry and proper motions. The clusters NGC 1750 and 1758 are poor and loose. We determine several physical parameters (distance, age, colour excess, positions, density profiles). The mutual separation, their relative velocity and their age difference allows us to conclude that these two clusters are physically independent. No real object in the area can be identified as NGC 1746. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

OSIRIS Imaging and Spectroscopy for the GTC

The characteristics of OSIRIS (Optical System for Imaging and low-Resolution Integrated Spectroscopy), an instrument for imaging and low resolution spectroscopy proposed for the GTC 10m telescope, are described. OSIRIS is a multi-purpose instrument that incorporates in a "classical design" several innovations, already tested in 4m-class telescopes, that will provide a powerful first light instrument for the GTC. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

General patterns of circulation, sediment fluxes and ecology of the Palamós (La Fonera) submarine canyon, northwestern Mediterranean

Currents, particle fluxes and ecology were studied in the Palamós submarine canyon (also known as the Fonera canyon), located in the northwestern Mediterranean. Seven mooring arrays equipped with current meters and sediment traps were deployed along the main canyon axis, on the canyon walls and on the adjacent slope. Additionally, local and regional hydrographic cruises were carried out. Current data showed that mean near surface and mid-depth currents were oriented along the mean flow direction (NE–SW), although at 400 and 1200 m depth within the canyon current reversals were significant, indicating a more closed circulation inside the canyon. Mean near-bottom currents were constrained by the local bathymetry, especially at the canyon head. The most significant frequency at all levels was the inertial frequency. A second frequency of about three days, attributed to a topographic wave, was observed at all depths, suggesting that this wave was probably not trapped near the bottom. The current field observed during the most complete survey revealed a meandering pattern with cyclonic vorticity just upstream from and within the canyon. The associated vertical velocity ranged between 10 and 20 m/day and was constrained to the upper 300 m. This latter feature, together with other computations, suggests that during this survey the meander was not induced by the canyon but by some kind of instability of the mean flow.In the canyon, suspended sediment concentration, downward particle fluxes, chlorophyll and particulate C and N were significantly higher up-canyon from about 1200 m depth than offshore, defining, along with the different hydrodynamics, two canyon domains: one from the canyon head to about 1200 m depth more affected by the canyon confinement and the other deeper than 1200 m depth more controlled by the mean flow and the shelf-slope front. The higher near-bottom downward total mass fluxes were recorded in the canyon axis at 1200 m depth along with sharp turbidity increases and are related to sediment gravity flows. During the deployment period, the increase in downward particle fluxes occurred by mid-November, when a severe storm took place. On the canyon walls at 1200 m depth, suspended sediment concentrations, downward particle fluxes, chlorophyll and particulate C and N were higher on the southern wall than on the northern wall inversely to the current’s energy. This could be caused by an upward water supply on the southern canyon wall and/or the mean flow interacting with the canyon bathymetry. In the swimmers collected by the sediment traps, the dominant species was an elasipod holothurian, which has not been recorded in other canyons or elsewhere in the Mediterranean, indicating particular speciation.     

Shelf-slope exchanges by frontal variability in a steep submarine canyon

We study the dynamics of a frontal jet and its short-timescale variability generated by the interaction with a submarine canyon using a limited-area fine-resolution three-dimensional coastal ocean model. The focus is on the steep and narrow Palamós Canyon located off the northeast Catalan coast (northwestern Mediterranean) that is characterized by the presence of a permanent along-slope density-driven current. First, we analyse the stationary circulation induced with different jet locations and show a deflection of the flow in the vicinity of the canyon. Significant vertical motions develop as a result of these current adjustments; the general pattern such as downwelling upstream of the canyon and upwelling downstream are always observed. Second, we analyse the circulation and exchanges associated with an onshore displacement of the jet; thus produces a meander propagating with the flow that interacts with the canyon. We find that the resulting three-dimensional patterns present an oscillation characterized by an intense downwelling followed by upwelling. As a result of this interaction, shelf-slope exchanges and vertical motions are enhanced in the area compared with the passing of a meander above a shelf that is not indented by a submarine canyon. The resulting horizontal transports through the Palamós canyon represent up to 10% of the along-shore fluxes on the shelf and appear to be sufficient to exchange the shelf water of the Gulf of Lions and Catalan sea in 2.5 years. Considering the number of canyons existing in the area, we can estimate an exchange of all the shelf waters in less than 3 months.     

A review of assessing landslide frequency for hazard zoning purposes

The probability of occurrence is one of the key components of the risk equation. To assess this probability in landslide risk analysis, two different approaches have been traditionally used. In the first one, the occurrence of landslides is obtained by computing the probability of failure of a slope (or the reactivation of existing landslides). In the second one, which is the objective of this paper, the probability is obtained by means of the statistical analysis of past landslide events, specifically by the assessment of the past landslide frequency. In its turn, the temporal frequency of landslides may be determined based on the occurrence of landslides or from the recurrence of the landslide triggering events over a regional extent. Hazard assessment using frequency of landslides, which may be taken either individually or collectively, requires complete records of landslide events, which is difficult in some areas. Its main advantage is that it may be easily implemented for zoning. Frequency assessed from the recurrence of landslide triggers, does not require landslide series but it is necessary to establish reliable relations between the trigger, its magnitude and the occurrence of the landslides. The frequency of the landslide triggers can be directly used for landslide zoning. However, because it does not provide information on the spatial distribution of the potential landslides, it has to be combined with landslide susceptibility (spatial probability analysis) to perform landslide hazard zoning. Both the scale of work and availability of data affect the results of the landslide frequency and restrict the spatial resolution of frequency zoning as well. Magnitude–frequency relationships are fundamental elements for the quantitative assessment of both hazard and risk.     

Petrology of eclogites from north of Shahrekord, Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, Iran

Summary Metabasic rocks were recently found within a ductile shear zone in the north of Shahrekord, being a part of the structural zone of Sanandaj-Sirjan, SW Iran. The rocks give evidence of a so far unrecognized eclogite facies metamorphic event and testify to high pressure metamorphism in the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone, near the Main Zagros Reverse Fault, which is the assumed suture zone between the Arabian plate and the Iranian block. The eclogites occur as lenses or blocks within ortho- and paragneisses. The petrographic features and reaction textures display at least two main metamorphic stages: (1) a peak eclogite facies stage, and (2) a subsequent amphibolite facies stage. The eclogite facies metamorphism is indicated by omphacite + garnet + sodic-calcic amphiboles (barroisite, magnesiokatophorite and magnesiotaramite) + phengite + rutile + (clino-)zoisite + quartz ± dolomite. The garnets are mainly almandine-rich, which fits with the C-type eclogite classification. Calcic amphiboles (hornblende, tschermakite and pargasite) + plagioclase are secondary phases formed during the retrograde amphibolite-facies metamorphism. P-T estimates for the eclogite facies give pressures of 21–24 kbar and temperatures of 590–630 °C (geothermometry) and 470–520 °C (THERMOCALC), respectively. Geothermobarometry for the amphibolite-facies metamorphism yields 10–11 kbar and 650–700 °C. Author’s address: Ali Reza Davoudian, Department of Natural Resources, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran