Retreat dynamics of the eastern sector of the British–Irish Ice Sheet during the last glaciation

The findings of BRITICE-CHRONO Transect 2 through the North Sea Basin and eastern England are reported. We define ice-sheet marginal oscillation between ~31 and 16 ka, with seven distinctive former ice-sheet limits (L1–7) constrained by Bayesian statistical analysis. The southernmost limit of the North Sea Lobe is recorded by the Bolders Bank Formation (L1; 25.8–24.6 ka). L2 represents ice-sheet oscillation and early retreat to the northern edge of the Dogger Bank (23.5–22.2 ka), with the Garret Hill Moraine in north Norfolk recording a significant regional readvance to L3 at 21.5–20.8 ka. Ice-marginal oscillations at ~26–21 ka resulted in L1, L2 and L3 being partially to totally overprinted. Ice-dammed lakes related to L1–3, including Lake Humber, are dated at 24.1–22.3 ka. Ice-sheet oscillation and retreat from L4 to L5 occurred between 19.7 and 17.3 ka, with grounding zone wedges marking an important transition from terrestrial to marine tidewater conditions, triggered by the opening of the Dogger Lake spillway between 19.9 and 17.5 ka. L6 relates to ice retreat under glacimarine conditions and final ice retreat into the Firth of Forth by 15.8 ka. L7 (~15 ka) represents an ice retreat from Bosies Bank into the Moray Firth.     

Inland aeolian deposits of south‐west France: facies,stratigraphy and chronology

Archaeological investigations undertaken along a proposed highway together with the compilation of available geological and pedological data made it possible to give a first overview of the distribution of Pleistocene aeolian deposits in south‐west France. A chronological framework for deposition has been obtained using both radiocarbon (n = 24) and luminescence (n = 26) dating. It shows that aeolian transport was very active during the Late Pleniglacial, between 15 and ～23 ka, leading to sand emplacement over a 13 000‐m² area at the centre of the basin. The Pleniglacial coversands are typified by extensive fields of small transverse to barchanoid ridges giving way to sandsheets to the east. Subsequent aeolian phases, at ca. 12 ka (Younger Dryas) and 0.8–0.2 ka (Little Ice Age), correspond to the formation of more localized and higher, mainly parabolic dunes. At the southern and eastern margins of the coversand area, aeolian dust accumulated to form loess deposits, the thickness of which reaches ～3 m on the plateaus. Luminescence dates together with interglacial‐ranking palaeoluvisols between the loess units clearly indicate that these accumulations built up during the last two glacial–interglacial cycles. The chronology of sand and loess deposition thus appears to be consistent with that already documented for northern Europe. This suggests that it was driven by global climate changes in the northern hemisphere. The relatively thin aeolian deposits (and particularly loess) in south‐west France is thought to reflect both a supply‐limited system and a moister climate than in more northern and continental regions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Mechanistic evaluation of the sorption properties of endocrine disrupting chemicals in sewage sludge biomass

This study investigated the sorption behaviour of two endocrine disrupting chemicals; 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17β-ethinylestradiol and their thermodynamic properties in an activated sludge biomass. The partition coefficient values measured for E2 and EE2 at varying temperatures range from 245–604 L/kg ( log K_d 2.39–2.78) and 267–631 L/kg (Log K_d 2.43–2.80), respectively. The K_d values were inversely related to temperature. The average percentages of E2 and EE2 adsorbed to the solid phase at 4.3 % dry solid were 87.2 % and 92.5 %, respectively. Sorption of E2 and EE2 to the activated sludge biomass was found to be spontaneous and entropy retarded with ΔG values in the range of ?13 to ?16 KJ/mol and ΔS value of?105.2J/mol/K and 96.7 J/mol/k for E2 and EE2, respectively. The enthalpy changes for E2 and EE2 were ?45.7KJ/mol and ?43.4KJ/mol respectively, demonstrating that the sorption process is exothermic. The values of the enthalpy changes also show that the mechanism of sorption is physisorption with some element of chemisorption.     

Petrogenesis and syntectonic emplacement in the early Proterozoic of south-central Finland: a reversely zoned diorite-granodiorite and a granite

The Hernemäki and Sydänmaa granitoid plutons in southern Finland lie within the Svecokarelian metagreywackes, with an approximate age of 1.9 Ga. The Hernemäki porphyritic granite was emplaced and deformed early in the regional D₂ deformation, and acquired a rectilinear foliation. The Sydänmaa pluton has a mainly concentric foliation, and its intrusion spanned D₂. It was probably emplaced as a ballooning pluton. The magmas of the two plutons were possibly derived from a similar source, but evolved independently. Both plutons show plagioclasebiotite-hornblende fractionation. The Sydänmaa pluton is reversely zoned, with a granodiorite rim and a diorite core.Crystal-residual liquid segregation in a deep magma chamber produced a normal geochemical stratification. This fractionated magma was drained from the top down, and injected into a higher, final chamber. Hence, the granodiorite was emplaced before the diorite. There is a component of normal zonation, which suggests that early hornblende crystals were incorporated in the most fractionated granodiorite.

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Zusammenfassung Die Hernemäki- und Sydänmaa-Granite in Südfinnland liegen innerhalb der svecokarelischen Metagrauwacken und haben ein ungefähres Alter von 1,9 Ga. Der porphyrische Hernemäki-Granit intrudierte frühzeitig während der regionalen D, Deformation. Er wurde zur gleichen Zeit deformiert, woraus eine geradlinige Schieferung resultierte. Der Sydänmaa-Granit, dessen Intrusoin die D,-Phase überdauerte, zeigt dagegen eine überwiegend konzentrische Schieferung. Sehr wahrscheinlich stieg er als ballonförmiger Granit auf.Die Magmen der zwei Plutone entstammen eventuell derselben Quelle, entwickelten sich aber unabhängig voneinander. Beide zeigen Plagioklas-Biotit-Hornblende Fraktionierung. Der Sydänmaa-Granit ist umgekehrt zoniert, er hat einen Granodiorit-Rand und einen Diorit-Kern. Residuale Flüssigkeitsdifferenzierung in einer tiefgelegenen Magmenkammer erzeugte eine normale geochemische Abfolge. Dieses fraktionierte Magma floß vom Top des Plutons nach unten ab und wurde in eine höher gelegene Kammer injiziert. Also intrudierte der Granodiorit vor dem Diorit. Es existiert eine Komponente normaler Zonierung, was für eine Aufnahme früh gebildeter Hornblendekristalle in den am stärksten fraktionierten Granodiorit spricht.

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Résumé Les plutons granitoïdes de Hernemäki et Sydänmaa (Finlande méridionale) sont inclus dans les métagrauwackes svecocaréliennes, avec un âge approximatif de 1,9 Ga. Lors du début de la déformation régionale D₂, le granite prophyrique de Hernemäki s'est mis en place et a été déformé, acquérant ainsi une structure linéaire. Le pluton de Sydänmaa, dont l'intrusion a dépassé la phase D₂, possède une schistosité essentiellement concentrique. Il a été probablement mis en place par »ballooning«. Il est possible que les magmas des deux plutons dérivent d'une source similaire, mais ils ont évolué de manière indépendante. Les deux plutons montrent un fractionnement par cristallisation du plagioclase, de la biotite et de la hornblende. Celui de Sydänmaa présente une zonation inverse: bordure granodioritique et coeur dioritique. La séparation des cristaux et du liquide résiduel dans une chambre magmatique profonde a engendré une stratification géochimique normale. La partie supérieure de cet ensemble fractionné a ensuite été injectée dans une chambre définitive plus élevée, suivie des parties plus profondes: de la sorte, la granodiorite s'est mise en place avant la diorite. Il existe une composante de zonation normale, qui laisse supposer que de la hornblende, cristallisée lors des premiers stades, a été incorporée à la fraction granodioritique ultime.

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Hernemki Sydnmaa ; 1,9 Ga. Hernemaki , D₂, , . Sydnmaa, D₂, . . - , , . - . Sydnmaa , , - . . . , , — . , .

     

DATA ANALYSIS WITH MINIMAL ASSUMPTIONS

The computer has made it possible to scrutinize data rapidly by means of graphics. This should be doneprior to the application of any model to the data, since the model must be validated before using it asa means of analyzing the data. The procedure is illustrated in terms of two examples of real experimentaldata.     

Inhomogeneous distribution of REE in scheelite and dynamics of Archaean hydrothermal systems (Mt. Charlotte and Drysdale gold deposits, Western Australia)

Scheelite is a widespread accessory mineral in hydrothermal gold deposits, and its rare earth element (REE) patterns and Nd and Sr isotopic compositions can be used to constrain the path and origin of the mineralising fluids and the age of the hydrothermal activity. Micro-analyses by laser ablation high resolution inductively coupled mass spectroscopy and cathodoluminescence imaging reveal a very inhomogeneous distribution of the REE in single scheelite grains from the Mt. Charlotte and Drysdale Archaean gold deposits in Western Australia. Two end-member REE patterns are distinguished: type I is middle REE (MREE)-enriched, with no or minor positive Eu-anomaly, whereas type II is flat or MREE-depleted with a strong positive Eu-anomaly. The chemical inhomogeneity of these scheelites is related to oscillatory zoning involving type I and type II patterns, with zone widths varying from below 1 to 200 μm. Intra-sectorial growth discontinuities, syn-crystallisation brittle deformation, and variations in the relative growth velocities of crystallographically equivalent faces suggest a complex crystallisation history under dynamic hydraulic conditions. The co-existence of MREE-enriched and MREE-depleted patterns within single scheelite crystals can be explained by the precipitation of a mineral which strongly partitions MREE relative to light and heavy REE. Scheelite itself has such characteristics, as does fluorapatite, which is locally abundant and has REE contents similar to that of scheelite. In this context, the systematic increase of the Eu-anomaly between type I and type II patterns is produced by the difference between the partition coefficients of Eu²⁺ and Eu³⁺, and not by fluid mixing or redox reactions. Consequently, the high positive Eu-anomaly typical of scheelite from gold ores may not necessarily be inherited from the hydrothermal fluid, but may reflect processes occurring during ore deposition. This case study demonstrates that in hydrothermal systems characterised by low REE concentrations in the fluid, and by the precipitation of a REE-rich mineral which strongly fractionates the REE, the REE patterns of such a mineral will be highly sensitive to the dynamics of the hydrothermal system. Received: 1 November 1999 / Accepted: 4 February 2000     

Hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in flounder (Platichthys flesus) from contaminant impacted estuaries of the United Kingdom: continued monitoring 1999-2001

The determination of hepatic ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) has been used to assess the induction of the mixed function oxygenase system (MFO) of flounder (Platichthys flesus) in UK estuaries. Induction of the MFO system denotes possible exposure to certain organic contaminants (e.g. polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls) and its measure has been incorporated in national monitoring programmes. This study presents EROD monitoring data from 5 UK estuaries taken between 1999 and 2001 and builds on data from previous years. The results reveal that for all sampled estuaries EROD values have been significantly (p < 0.05) elevated on the majority of occasions in comparison with the reference estuary, the Alde in Suffolk, UK. However, the limited temporal scale of the reported monitoring does not allow any conclusions to be drawn with respect to trends in the data. Possible factors influencing the data (size, gender, seasonality, reproductive status, etc.) are discussed and recommendations for continued monitoring are made.     

Ecosystem modelling in the southern Benguela: comparisons of Atlantis,Ecopath with Ecosim,and OSMOSE under fishing scenarios

Ecosystem-based management of marine fisheries requires the use of simulation modelling to investigate the system-level impact of candidate fisheries management strategies. However, testing of fundamental assumptions such as system structure or process formulations is rarely done. In this study, we compare the output of three different ecosystem models (Atlantis, Ecopath with Ecosim, and OSMOSE) applied to the same ecosystem (the southern Benguela), to explore which ecosystem effects of fishing are most sensitive to model uncertainty. We subjected the models to two contrasting fishing pressure scenarios, applying high fishing pressure to either small pelagic fish or to adult hake. We compared the resulting model behaviour at a system level, and also at the level of model groups. We analysed the outputs in terms of various commonly used ecosystem indicators, and found some similarities in the overall behaviour of the models, despite major differences in model formulation and assumptions. Direction of change in system-level indicators was consistent for all models under the hake pressure scenario, although discrepancies emerged under the small-pelagic-fish scenario. Studying biomass response of individual model groups was key to understanding more integrated system-level metrics. All three models are based on existing knowledge of the system, and the convergence of model results increases confidence in the robustness of the model outputs. Points of divergence in the model results suggest important areas of future study. The use of feeding guilds to provide indicators for fish species at an aggregated level was explored, and proved to be an interesting alternative to aggregation by trophic level.     

Geostatistical modelling of the spatial life history of post-larval deepwater hake Merluccius paradoxus in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem

Optimal and sustainable management of fish resources cannot be ensured without a thorough understanding of the migration patterns and population (demographic stock) structure. Recent studies suggest that these aspects of the economically and ecologically important deepwater hake Merluccius paradoxus are not reflected in the current assessment and management practices for the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem. In this study, we compiled data from multiple demersal trawl surveys from the entire distribution area and applied state-of-the-art geostatistical population modelling (GeoPop) to estimate growth rate, mortality, and spatial and temporal distribution patterns of M. paradoxus. The data and the model enabled us to follow temporal and spatial changes in the distribution and infer movements from the recruitment/nursery areas, through the juvenile phase and the adults’ migration to the spawning areas outside/upstream of the nursery areas. The results indicated one primary recruitment/nursery area on the west coast of South Africa and a secondary less-productive recruitment/nursery area on the south coast near Port Elizabeth. Juveniles initially migrated away from the main recruitment area, followed by natal homing by larger individuals. This pattern was highly consistent through the time-series of the study. This perception of a, primarily, panmictic population that performs transboundary migrations between Namibia and South Africa corresponds largely to the hypothesis and data plots given in recent studies. We recommend that fisheries assessment, advice and management take into consideration these aspects of the distribution and population (stock) structure of M. paradoxus.     

A dating intercomparison study on Late Stone Age coastal midden deposits,South Africa

The southern and western coastlines of South Africa have an extensive archaeological record with many sites associated with widespread eolian deposits. While much of this rich archaeological record is based on cave sites, evidence of Late Stone Age occupation is additionally preserved in the form of open‐site shell middens. We present here a comparative study of the application of amino acid racemization (AAR), optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), and radiocarbon analyses to three Late Stone Age (LSA) midden sites found within dunes on the southern coastline of South Africa. Preliminary geochronological analyses suggest that middens offer opportunity to fill in gaps in what is still a fragmentary archaeological record. Results show OSL and radiocarbon ages in good agreement, illustrating the potential to date not only the middens but also the surrounding dunes that constituted the dwelling sites. AAR results show increasing ratios with age and also that the application of paired shell and “whole rock” AAR can provide insights into the degree of biogenic sediment recycling at buried midden sites. However, the work also highlights that caution is required when OSL sampling sediment associated with middens which may have undergone human disturbance and that further work is required to improve the regional marine reservoir correction for radiocarbon dating in this part of South Africa. The study also illustrates that AAR will only provide useful data provided that middens have been sufficiently deeply buried to overcome fluctuations in environmental variables that affect the racemization rate and that inter‐genus comparisons should be avoided. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.