Palaeoecology and Archaeology of the Kärlich–Seeufer Open-Air Site (Middle Pleistocene) in the Central Rhineland, Germany

The Kärlich–Seeufer archaeological site in Germany's central Rhineland was excavated between 1980 and 1992. The site provides evidence for hominid activity during a Middle Pleistocene interglaciation known up to now only from the Kärlich clay pit and therefore defined as the Kärlich Interglaciation, which is considered to be post-Cromer IV and pre-Holstein (sensu stricto) in age. The site is characterized by Acheulean artifacts, a fauna dominated byElephas (Palaeoloxodon) antiquus,and a unique and outstanding preservation of wooden and other palaeobotanical remains. Assuming all finds are associated, the site previously was interpreted as an elephant hunting camp with a wooden structure, together with wood and bone implements preservedin situ.Recent analysis of the same features has shown that the site can also be interpreted as a reworked archaeological sample. Hominid occupation occurred in the vicinity of a small lake with prevailing meso-oligotrophic conditions. Expanding boreal forests and fen vegetation characterized the landscape.     

Radiometric characteristics of heavy mineral deposits along the west coast of South Africa

During the last decade, exploration and mining of modern-Tertiary heavy mineral beach and raised beach sands along the west coast of South Africa has developed into a major industry. High resolution radiometric techniques have demonstrated their use as a quantitative indicator of total heavy mineral concentration (THM) and also have the ability to discriminate between sediments derived from different provenance terrains. Results indicate that it is possible to calculate the total heavy mineral concentration from high resolution radiometric measurements, but the ability to quantify the concentration of individual mineral fractions, such as ilmenite, requires further refinement of the method. Radiometric characteristics of the light mineral fraction made it possible to distinguish between sediments from mixed marine-aeolian palaeoplacers and active present beach placers. The effects of in situ alteration of the ilmenite fraction in the palaeoplacers were also reflected by subtle contrasts in the radiometric character of the deposits. Furthermore, the uniform radiometric character of the sample population indicates a common provenance for the heavy mineral suite and supports previous results which indicate the metamorphites of the mid-Proterozoic Namaqua Province as the primary source terrain. The high resolution radiometric techniques discussed offer a broad spectrum of applications in sedimentology and have the potential to aid heavy mineral exploration. With further refinement it can possibly be used quantitatively in grade control during mining and beneficiation of heavy mineral deposits. Received: 19 July 1996 / Accepted: 7 January 1997     

Early Archean processes: evidence from the South African Kaapvaal craton and its greenstone belts (extended abstract)

Geologie en Mijnbouw -     

Geochemical exploration for platinum-group elements in the Bushveld Complex, South Africa

Analyses of stream sediment and soil samples from the Bushveld Complex, South Africa have revealed enhanced precious metal concentrations, which can be related both to mining activities and the presence of hidden concentrations of platinum-group elements (PGEs) and gold. The economically important PGE deposits hosted by the Upper Critical Zone of the Rustenburg Layered Suite are revealed by a high PGE and Au content in the overlying soils. A second zone of elevated precious metal concentrations straddles the boundary between the Main and Upper Zones and has to date been traced for more than 100 km. This zone follows the igneous layering of the Rustenburg Layered Suite and is offset by the Brits Graben. It is therefore thought to be the reflection of a magmatic PGE-Au mineralisation. Received: 31 May 1996 / Accepted: 7 January 1997     

ASPI experiment: measurements of fields and waves on board the INTERBALL-1 spacecraft

The plasma-wave experiment ASPI (analysis of spectra of plasma waves and instabilities) on board the INTERBALL spacecraft is a combined wave diagnostics experiment. It performs measurements of the DC and AC magnetic field vector by flux-gate and searchcoil sensors, the DC and AC electric field vector by Langmuir double probes and the plasma current by Langmuir split probe. Preliminary data analysis shows the low noise levels of the sensors and the compatibility of new data with the results of previous missions. During several months of in-orbit operation a rich collection of data was acquired, examples of which at the magnetopause and plasma sheet are presented in second part of the paper.     

The ClBrI composition of 3.23 Ga modified seawater: implications for the geological evolution of ocean halide chemistry

Fluid inclusion leachates obtained from vug and vein quartz samples from an Archean (3.23 Ga) Fe-oxide hydrothermal deposit in the west-central part of the Barberton greenstone belt, South Africa, were analyzed by ion chromatography for chloride, bromide, and iodide. The deposit, known as the ironstone pods, formed by seafloor hydrothermal activity and fluid discharge. Quartz is dominated by type I liquid-vapor, aqueous inclusions with a bimodal salinity distribution (0–0.25 M_Cl⁻ and 0.9–1.8 M_Cl⁻). Bulk analytical salinities range from 0.45 to 0.99 M_Cl⁻ represent averages of type I inclusions. Bulk fluid inclusion bromide and iodide concentrations are 1.44–3.32 mM and 0.01–0.12 mM, respectively. For comparison, modern seawater has halogen contents of 590 mM chloride, 0.9 mM bromide, and 0.5 μM total iodine. In the fluids from the ironstone pods, bromide and iodide are enriched relative to chloride, when compared with modern seawater.Approximate Br⁻Cl⁻ and I⁻Cl⁻ ratios of 3.2 Ga Barberton seawater are 2.5 × 10⁻³ and 40 × 10⁻⁶, respectively. Dispersion to higher values was caused principally by reaction with organic sediments whose trends are similar to those seen for modern vent fluids at unsedimented and sedimented ridges, relative to modern seawater. These halide ratios are greater than those of modern seawater, suggesting a change in the halide ratios of seawater over geological time. The analytical data are consistent with a model in which marine organic sedimentation has fractionated bromine and iodine out of seawater relative to chloride, thereby causing the halide ratios of seawater to decrease from high early and mid-Archean values towards their present day values.     

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Hydroelectric Reservoirs in Tropical Regions

This paper discusses emissions by power-dams in the tropics. Greenhouse gas emissions from tropical power-dams are produced underwater through biomass decomposition by bacteria. The gases produced in these dams are mainly nitrogen, carbon dioxide and methane. A methodology was established for measuring greenhouse gases emitted by various power-dams in Brazil. Experimental measurements of gas emissions by dams were made to determine accurately their emissions of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) gases through bubbles formed on the lake bottom by decomposing organic matter, as well as rising up the lake gradient by molecular diffusion.The main source of gas in power-dams reservoirs is the bacterial decomposition (aerobic and anaerobic) of autochthonous and allochthonous organic matter that basically produces CO₂ and CH₄. The types and modes of gas production and release in the tropics are reviewed.