Evolution of polycyclic alkanes in the Espirito Santo Basin

The distributions of polycyclic alkanes were monitored in a Neocomian sequence (well 1-ESS-34) from the Espirito Santo Basin, southeast Brazil. The profiles included, apart from regular hopanes, significant concentrations of 18α(H), 28,30-bisnorhopane and subordinate amounts of gammacerane. Sterane concentrations, normally with hopane/sterane <5, were compatible with other geochemical data indicating a predominantly planktonic/microbial source of the deposited organic matter. Sample maturities ranged from very immature to the onset of oil generation, allowing biomarker distributions to be followed along a broad maturation range. The ability of certain molecular ratios (e.g. C₂₇ 17α(H)/17β(H)hopanes) to reflect a maturity sequence with depth in the closely-spaced strata of the immature upper levels (Jiquiá Stage) showed the value of molecular techniques over classical geochemical methods (e.g. vitrinite reflectance) for the study of immature sequences. The presence in the oils of southern Espirito Santo of 28,30-bisnorhopane, gammacerane and methyl steranes in similar concentrations as in extracts of the deepest levels of the 1-ESS-34 well qualify the Jiquia Stage as the probable source rock of oils accumulated in the basin.     

On granitoid emplacement and related structures. A review

Granitoid magmas are emplaced at the upper crust under a complex interaction of gravitational processes and horizontal tectonics. Natural intrusive bodies show a wide variety of structural patterns that must be strongly related with their dynamic history of ascent and emplacement. Comparisons of natural structural patterns with experimental and numerical models are necessary to interpret in a coherent fashion the emplacement mechanism involved.From natural, experimental, numerical and theoretical considerations one can reach important conclusions on the problem of ascent and final emplacement of granitoid magmas in the Earth's crust. The present paper reviews the principal emplacement mechanisms referred to in the literature; that is, doming, diapirism, ballooning, stoping, cauldron subsidence and dike propagation.Dike propagation is the most effektive process in magma transport from deep zones in the crust and upper mantle. Extensional fractures for dike propagation and magma ascent can be developed at depth in the crust according to the modern dike propagation theory. In orogenic domains, magmas reach the upper crust through narrow channels or dikes and are accumulated in a final reservoir in the form of a discordant supracrustal pluton or a ballooning pluton if, during emplacement, any regional deformation acts simultaneously.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Intrusion granitischer Magmen in die obere Krust ist das Ergebnis eines komplexen Zusammenspiels von schwerkraftbedingten Prozessen und horizontalen, tektonichen Bewegungen. Die gro\e Vielfalt tektonischer Strukturen von granitischen Plutonen spiegelt die Geschichte der Dynamik, ihres Aufstieges und ihrer Platznahme wider. Um den jeweils vorhandenen Intrusionsmechanismus zusammenhängend deuten zu können, sind Vergleiche der natürlichen, tektonischen Elemente mit experimentellen und numerischen Modellen notwendig. Hieraus lassen sich gegebenenfalls weitreichende Schlüsse zum Problem des Aufstiegs und der endgültigen Platznahme der Magmen in der Erkruste ziehen.In dieser Arbeit werden die wesentlichen Aufstiegsmechanismen von Magmen aus der Literatur diskutiert. Im Einzelnen sind dieses: Aufwölbung, Diapirismus, Aufweitung, Abbau, Kraterbildung und Gangentwicklung.Das Vordringen von Gängen ist der wirksamste Proze\ des Magmentransports aus tieferen Zonen der Kruste und des oberen Mantels. Ausdehnungsklüfte lassen sich als Ursache für das Vordringen von Gängen und den Magmenaufstieg nach der heutigen Theorie über die Entwicklung von Gängen in der tiefen Kruste herleiten. In orogenen Zonen erreichen Magmen die obere Erdkruste durch enge Kanäle oder Gänge und reichern sich dort auch in Form eines dikordanten, subkrustalen oder aufgweiteten Plutons an, wenn gleichzeitig mit der Platznahme regionaltektonische Deformationen ablaufen.

---

Resumen Los magmas graníticos se emplazan en la corteza superior bajo una compleja interaccion entre procesos gravitatorios y tectónica horizontal. Los cuerpos intrusivos naturales muestran una amplia variedad de patrones estructurales que pueden estar directamente relacionados con la dinámica de ascenso y emplazamiento. Para explicar de forma cohérente el mecanismo de emplazamiento implicado en un plutón es necesario establecer comparaciones entre patrones estructurales de plutones y modelos experimentales y numéricos.A partir de consideraciones naturales, experimentales, numéricas y teóricas, se pueden extraer importantes conclusiones sobre el problema del ascenso y emplazamiento de magmas en la corteza. En este trabajo se revisan los principales mecanismos de emplazamiento referidos en la literatura; es decir, doming, diapirismo, ballooning, stoping, cauldron subsidence y propagación de diques.Propagación de diques es el proceso más efectivo en el transporte de magmas desde zonas profundas en la corteza y manto superior. De acuerdo con la moderna teoría de propagación de diques, las fracuras extensionales pueden producirse en profundidad en la corteza. En dominios orogénicos, los magmas alcanzan la corteza superior a través de estrechos canales o diques y se acumulan en un reservorio final, bien en forma de plutones discordantes supracrustales, o bien en la forma de un »ballooning pluton« si durante el emplazamiento actûa alguna deformación regional.

---

, . . , . . , , . : , , , , . . . . , , , , .

     

Kinetics of reactions between aqueous sulfates and sulfides in hydrothermal systems

The rates of chemical reactions between aqueous sulfates and sulfides are essentially identical to sulfur isotopic exchange rates between them, because both the chemical and isotopic reactions involve simultaneous oxidation of sulfide-sulfur atoms and reduction of sulfate-sulfur. The rate of reaction can be expressed as a second order rate law: R = k·[∑SO₄^2?]·[∑S^2?], where R is the overall rate, k is the rate constant and [∑SO₄^2?] and [∑S^2?] are molal concentrations. We have computed the rate constants from the available experimental data on the partial exchange of sulfur isotopes between aqueous sulfates and sulfides using the rate law established by us: $\text{ln(}\text{α}{}^{\mathrm{e}}\text{? α}\text{α}{}^{\mathrm{e}}\text{? α}{}^0\text{) = ? kt([∑SO}{}_4{}^{\mathrm{2?}}\text{] + [∑S}{}^{\mathrm{2?}}\text{])}$, where t is time and α⁰, α, and α^e are, respectively, the fractionation factors at t = 0 (the initial condition), at the end of experiment, and at equilibrium. The equilibrium fractionation factor can be expressed as: $\text{1000 ln α}{}^{\mathrm{e}}\text{=}\text{6.463 × 10}{}^6\text{T}{}^2\text{+ 0.56 (±.5)}$ (T in Kelvin).The rate constants are strongly dependent on T and pH, but not in as simple a manner as suggested by Igumnov (1976). Our rate constants in Na-bearing hydrothermal solutions decrease by 1 order of magnitude with an increase in pH by 1 unit at pH's less than ~3, remain constant in the pH range of ~4 to ~7, and again decrease at pH >7. The activation energy for the reaction also depends on pH: 18.4 ± 1 kcal/mole at pH = 2, 29.6 ± 1 kcal/mole at pH = 4 to 7, and between 40 and 47 kcal/mole at pH around 9. The observed pH dependence of the rate constant and of the activation energy can be best explained by a model involving thiosulfate molecules as reaction intermediates, in which the intramolecular exchange of sulfur atoms in thiosulfates becomes the rate determining step.The rate constants obtained in this study were used to compute the changes in the isotopic fractionation factors between aqueous sulfates and sulfides during cooling of fluids. Comparisons with data of coexisting sulfate-sulfide minerals in hydrothermal deposits, suggest that simple cooling was not a likely mechanism for coprecipitation of sulfate and sulfide minerals at temperatures below 350°C. Mixing of sulfide-rich solutions with sulfate-rich solutions at or near the depositional sites is a more reasonable process for explaining the observed fractionation.The degree of attainment of chemical equilibrium between aqueous sulfates and sulfides in a hydrothermal system, and the applicability of a_O2-pH type diagrams to mineral deposits, depends on the ∑S content and the thermal history of the fluid, which in turn is controlled by the flow rate and the thermal gradient in the system.The rates of sulfate reduction by non-bacterial processes involving a variety of reductants are also dependent on T, pH, [∑SO₄^2?], and [∑S^2?], and appear to be fast enough to become geochemically important at temperatures above about 200°C.     

Frequency relationship for seismic Qβ of central southern Italy from accelerograms for the Irpinia earthquake (1980)

The frequency dependence of Q_β for seismic waves in a distance range with a maximum of 150 km from the epicentre of the Irpinia earthquake of November 23, 1980 has been sought using displacement spectral ratios computed from strong-motion accelerograms recorded in the region. The method has been applied to calculate the behaviour of Q_β as a function of frequency in the band 0.1–25 Hz, and to investigate whether azimuthal variations appear in seismic Q_β for the lithosphere in central southern Italy. The same result is obtained using data from stations in western south Italy as using data from eastern south Italy, namely,

$\text{Q}{}_{\mathrm{\beta }}\text{(f) = 40f (}\text{Hz}\text{)}$

The linear relationship suggest that apparent Q_β depends more on the scale of heterogeneity of the lithosphere, affecting reflection and scattering mechanisms, than on intrinsic energy losses related to the anelasticity of the materials through which the seismic waves propagate.The existence of a peak in Q_β^?1 has been investigated in the low-frequency band (0.1–2.5 Hz) using a higher resolution power. A stable result in this low-Q_β zone is not possible on the basis of the available data: only in six Q_β(f) profiles does an evident minimum exist, between 0.2 and 1 Hz, while in nine cases the curves are monotonically increasing from the lowest observable frequencies; a further nine cases appear of uncertain interpretation.     

Granulite-amphibolite facies metasediments from the Serre (Calabria,Southern Italy): their protoliths and the processes controlling their chemistry

In the northwestern Serre, a near continuous section through the Palaeozoic lower continental crust crops out. This paper deals with granulite facies metasedimentary rocks of this section. Fifty-five chemical analyses (major elements, Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Rb, Sr, Y, Nb and Ba) are given. Chemical data indicate that the original sedimentary sequence was made up of arenites in the lower part and mainly Fe and Mg rich pelites in the upper part. The metapelites experienced anatexis and removal of some melt, whereas the meta-arenites suffered only incipient anatexis and became dehydration granulites. The various rock types display an overall relatively low K/Rb ratio due mainly to the stability of K- and Rb-retaining phases. A weighted mean composition of the fragment of the lower continental crust outcropping in the Serre has been established by integrating the chemical data for metasediments (55 analyses), metabasites (92 analyses) and dioritic and tonalitic gneisses (10 analyses) with the field data. This composition compared to the compositions of the bulk continental crust and of other sections considered as belonging to the lower crust, confirms the hypothesis that (1) the lower crust is heterogeneous, and (2) it is more basic than the continental crust.     

Morphology of the Itapeva to Tramandai transgressive dunefield barrier system and mid‐ to late Holocene sea level change

The surface morphology of the transgressive dunefield barrier extending from Itapeva to Tramandai along the northern littoral of Rio Grande do Sul, is examined and an attempt is presented to link morphological changes across the barrier to Holocene sea level changes. The 4·5 km wide Holocene barrier displays two typical morphologies: an inner part dominated by large‐scale, continuous alongshore, overlapping dunefield phases comprising sand sheets, dunes, deflation plains and precipitation ridges; and an outer part dominated by discontinuous, medium‐ to small‐scale, triangular to lobate transgressive dunefield phases, cut by both active and relict (palaeo‐) creeks or washouts. Holocene sea level in the region rose to c. +1 to +3 m above present reaching a maximum around 5100 years bp and then progressively fell to the present level. We argue that the effect on barrier development was to suppress the development of a drainage system during the rising and maximum stages, and encourage the development of an organized drainage system in the form of regularly spaced washouts during the falling period, and that this change in sea level from rising to falling therefore produced the large‐scale differences in barrier morphology. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of the weightiness of site effects on reinforced concrete (RC) building seismic behaviour: The Adra town example (SE Spain)

The damage distribution in Adra town (south‐eastern Spain) during the 1993 and 1994 Adra earthquakes (5.0 magnitude), that reached a maximum intensity degree of VII (European Macroseismic Scale (EMS scale)), was concentrated mainly in the south‐east zone of the town and the most relevant damage occurred in reinforced concrete (RC) buildings with four or five storeys. In order to evaluate the influence of ground condition on RC building behaviour, geological, geomorphological and geophysical surveys were carried out, and a detailed map of ground surface structure was obtained. Short‐period microtremor observations were performed in 160 sites on a 100m × 100m dimension grid and Nakamura's method was applied in order to determine a distribution map of soil predominant periods. Shorter predominant periods (0.1–0.3 s) were found in mountainous and neighbouring zones and larger periods (greater than 0.5 s) in thicker Holocene alluvial fans. A relationship T = (0.049 ± 0.001)N, where T is the natural period of swaying motion and N is the number of storeys, has been empirically obtained by using microtremor measurements at the top of 38 RC buildings (ranging from 2 to 9 storeys). 1‐D simulation of strong motion on different soil conditions and for several typical RC buildings were computed, using the acceleration record in Adra town of the 1993 earthquake. It is noteworthy that all the aforementioned results show the influence of site effects in the degree and distribution of observed building damage. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Present, Past, and Future Contributions to Global Warming of CO2 Emissions from Fuels

The objective of this paper is to emphasize theresponsibility of developed countries to implement the Climate Convention, as well as the role ofdeveloping countries in CO₂ emissions controlwhile sustaining their rights to increase energyconsumption per capita during the development process. Itis shown that the growth in CO₂$ emissions fromfossil fuel consumption in North America, excludingMexico, from 1990 to 1996 was 3.7 times higherthan that of Latin America in absolute terms. Thecumulative contribution to global warming, expressedas the mass of the gas multiplied by time (GtCy), can becalculated as the integration of the atmosphericconcentration of the emitted gas along time, witha weight function in the integrand to simulate theclimate response. To simulate climate response,we used the superposition of exponential decay functions with different decay constants. Thehistorical contributions of the OECD countries,the Eastern European countries and theex-Soviet Union, and from all developingcountries are considered. The future contributionsare computed in three scenarios. All of them showthat emissions from Non-Annex I countrieswill become higher than those of Annex I countriessoon after 2010, while the curves of atmosphericconcentration will cross one another later, not muchbefore 2050, and the respective contributions toglobal temperature increase will cross about 2090.