Geochemical constraints on depth of origin of oceanic carbonatites: The Cape Verde case

We present new Sr-Nd isotope compositions together with major- and trace element concentrations measured for whole rocks and mineral separate phases (apatite, biotite and calcite) from fifteen Cape Verde oceanic carbonatites (Atlantic Ocean). Trace element patterns of calcio- and magnesio-carbonatites present a strong depletion in K, Hf, Zr and Ti and an overall enrichment in Sr and REE relative to Cape Verde basalts, arguing for distinct source components between carbonatites and basalts. Sr and Nd isotopic ratios show small, but significant variations defining a binary mixing between a depleted end-member with unradiogenic Sr and radiogenic Nd values and a ‘‘enriched’’ end-member compatible with old marine carbonates. We interpret the depleted end-member as the Cape Verde oceanic lithosphere by comparison with previous studies on Cape Verde basalts. We thus propose that oceanic carbonatites are resulting from the interaction of a deep rooted mantle plume carrying a lower ⁴He/³He signature from the lower mantle and a carbonated metasomatized lithosphere, which by low degree melting produced carbonatite magmas. Sr-Nd compositions and trace element patterns of carbonatites argue in favor of a metasomatic agent originating from partial melting of recycled, carbonated oceanic crust. We have successfully reproduced the main geochemical features of this model using a Monte-Carlo-type simulation.     

Capability of Paraguaçu estuary (Todos os Santos Bay,Brazil) to form oil–SPM aggregates (OSA) and their ecotoxicological effects on pelagic and benthic organisms

For experiments concerning the formation of oil–suspended particulate matter (SPM) aggregates (OSA), oil and sediment samples were collected from Campos Basin and six stations of Paraguaçu estuary, Todos os Santos Bay, Brazil, respectively. The sediments samples were analyzed for organic matter determined by the EMBRAPA method, nitrogen determined by the Kjeldahl method, and phosphorus determined by the method described by Aspila. The oil trapped in OSA was extracted following the method described by Moreira. The experiment showed a relationship between the amount of organic matter and OSA formation and consequently the dispersion of the studied oil. On the basis of the buoyancy of OSA and the ecotoxicological effects on pelagic and benthic community, the priority areas for application of remediation techniques are Cachoeira, Maragogipe, and Salinas da Margarida because of the large amount of oil that accumulated at the bottom of the experiment flask (5.85%, 27.95%, and 38,98%; 4.2%, 17.66%, and 32.64%; and 11.82%, 8.07%, and 10.91% respectively).     

A LA-ICP-MS Comparison of Reference Materials Used in Cassiterite U-Pb Geochronology

Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is used to compare the suitability of four cassiterite (SnO₂) materials (SPG, Yankee, AY-4 and Jian-1), and three matrix-mismatched reference materials (NIST SRM 612, NIST SRM 614 and 91500 zircon) for normalisation of U-Pb and Pb-Pb isotope ratios in cassiterite. The excess variance of ages determined by LA-ICP-MS is estimated to be ±0.33% for ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb vs. ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb isochron ages and ± 1.8% and for U-Pb ages. Incorporation of this excess variance in cassiterite ages is necessary for realistic uncertainties. ²⁰⁷Pb-²⁰⁶Pb ages are advantageous for dating Precambrian cassiterite such as SPG compared with U-Pb ages as matrix effect on instrumental mass fractionation of Pb isotopes are generally considered to be minor. We note minor bias in ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁶Pb vs. ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁶Pb isochron ages (~ 0.6%) when using either the NIST SRM 614 or 91500 zircon reference materials and emphasise the requirement for uncertainty propagation of all sources of error and reference materials with comparable U and Pb mass fraction to the cassiterite. The ²³⁸U/²⁰⁶Pb isotopic ratios from normalisation to matrix-mismatched reference materials show varied results, which emphasises the need to use matrix-matched reference materials for calculating U-Pb ages. When cross-calibrated against each other, LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages of the ca. 1535 Ma SPG, ca. 245 Ma Yankee and ca. 155 Ma Jian-1 cassiterites are all consistent with their ID-TIMS values.     

Re‐interpretation of the existence of a primitive plume under Australia based on neon isotope fractionation during step heating

ABSTRACT The origin of the volcanism in south‐eastern Australia is poorly understood. Matsumoto and collaborators found near solar neon isotope values in measurements obtained by step heating apatites in ultramafic xenoliths from Bullenmerri (SE Australia), and proposed that these values result from the presence of a primitive plume. However, the results of simple diffusion models indicate that the neon isotopic signature observed by Matsumoto et al. can be generated by mass fractionation during step heating. If such mass fractionation does occur during step heating, then neither neon nor helium isotopes require the presence of primitive mantle, and the rare gas observations are consistent with the involvement of MORB‐source mantle in the generation of south‐eastern Australian volcanics. These results show that both the acquisition and the interpretation of step heating data should be carefully controlled and that a mineral crushing technique may yield more reliable analyses.     

Evidence for a mantle component shown by rare gases, C and N isotopes in polycrystalline diamonds from Orapa (Botswana)

In an attempt to constrain the origin of polycrystalline diamond, combined analyses of rare gases and carbon and nitrogen isotopes were performed on six such diamonds from Orapa (Botswana). Helium shows radiogenic isotopic ratios of R/Ra = 0.14–1.29, while the neon ratios (²¹Ne/²²Ne of up to 0.0534) reflect a component from mantle, nucleogenic and atmospheric sources. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios of between 477 and 6056 are consistent with this interpretation. The (¹²⁹Xe/¹³⁰Xe) isotopic ratios range between 6.54 and 6.91 and the lower values indicate an atmospheric component. The He, Ne, Ar and Xe isotopic compositions and the Xe isotopic pattern are clear evidence for a mantle component rather than a crustal one in the source of the polycrystalline diamonds from Orapa. The δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N isotopic values of − 1.04 to − 9.79‰ and + 4.5 to + 15.5‰ respectively, lie within the range of values obtained from the monocrystalline diamonds at that mine. Additionally, this work reveals that polycrystalline diamonds may not be the most appropriate samples to study if the aim is to consider the compositional evolution of rare gases through time. Our data shows that after crystallization, the polycrystalline diamonds undergo both gas loss (that is more significant for the lighter rare gases such as He and Ne) and secondary processes (such as radiogenic, nucleogenic and fissiogenic, as well as atmospheric contamination). Finally, if polycrystalline diamonds sampled an old mantle (1–3.2 Ga), the determined Xe isotopic signatures, which are similar to present MORB mantle – no fissiogenic Xe from fission of ²³⁸U being detectable – imply either that Xe isotopic ratios have not evolved within the convective mantle since diamond crystallization, or that these diamonds are actually much younger.     

Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) in the marine environment: prioritizing HNS that pose major risk in a European context

Increases in the maritime transportation of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS), alongside the need for an effective response to HNS spills have led environmental managers and the scientific community to focus attention on HNS spill preparedness and responsiveness. In the context of the ARCOPOL project, a weight-of-evidence approach was developed aimed at prioritizing HNS that pose major environmental risks to European waters. This approach takes into consideration the occurrence probability of HNS spills in European Atlantic waters and the severity of exposure associated with their physico-chemical properties and toxicity to marine organisms. Additionally, a screening analysis of the toxicological information available for the prioritization of HNS was performed. Here we discuss the need for a prioritization methodology to select HNS that are likely to cause severe marine environmental effects as an essential step towards the establishment of a more effective preparedness and response to HNS incidents.     

Combined hydrochemical,isotopic, and multivariate statistics techniques to assess the effects of discharges from a uranium mine on water quality in neighboring streams

The Caldas Uranium Mine (CUM), located on the Poços de Caldas Plateau in the southeastern region of Brazil, is presently undergoing a decommissioning process. The aim of the present investigation is to identify and characterize the effects of acid mine drainage (AMD) originating from the CUM on surface water quality. To achieve these aims, sampling stations were located at two AMD sources: the retention pond at the foot of waste rock pile#4 (WRP#4) and the settling pond that receives effluents from the tailings dam (TD). Ten additional sampling stations were located along watercourses in the vicinity, both downstream and upstream of the mine. Sampling was performed during the rainy and dry seasons in 2010 and 2011. The water analysis detected significant changes in pH, electrical conductivity, F^?, Cd, U, Zn, Al, Mn, As, Ca, SO₄ ^2?, Pb, ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²¹⁰Pb, ²³²Th, ²²⁸Ra, and Mo in waters downstream of both pond discharge sites. It was demonstrated that the disequilibrium between ²²⁶Ra and ²³⁸U can be used to trace the extent of AMD impacts in nearby streams. Variations in ¹⁸O and ²H enabled the flow of mining-impacted water to be traced from the ponds to nearby streams. Multivariate analysis yielded a three-factor model: Factor 1 was interpreted as being associated with AMD (from WRP#4) and Factor 2 with a Ca–Mo relationship associated with the chemical constitution of the ore and with the treatment of tailings wastes in the area (from TD); Factor 3 was interpreted as being associated with the natural influence of geogenic processes on water quality in the area. The results of this study provide a scientific basis for recommending appropriate remedial actions during mine decommissioning.     

Spatial and temporal changes of TBT pollution along the Portuguese coast: inefficacy of the EEC directive 89/677

Nucella lapillus imposex (superimposition of male characters onto prosobranch females) and organotin body burden were surveyed in the Portuguese coast in 1997 and 2000. Time comparisons of the available data on Nucella lapillus imposex in the Portuguese coast indicate a global increase of TBT pollution in recent years, revealing the inefficacy of the 1993 legislation that bans the use of TBT paints on small boats (<25 m). The absence or scarcity of the species inside harbours, which are the most polluted sites in Portugal, is probably a consequence of extinction due to female sterilisation by TBT.     

Evaluating cost-effective strategies for meeting regional CO2 targets

Various climate protocol proposals oblige different industrialized countries to reduce CO₂ and other greenhouse gas emissions. In principle, the total costs of these obligations could be substantially reduced if emission reductions are implemented in regions with low marginal costs for CO₂ reduction. This has been difficult to quantify because of lack of models with suitable regional and sectoral detail. In this paper we perform these calculations by taking advantage of the capability of the IMAGE 2 model to compute regional emissions and costs. Two main options are examined for allocating emission reductions required of industrialized regions in a cost effective manner: (1) allocating them among industrialized regions (2) allocating them among all world regions. The cost savings for each of these options are presented. The main conclusions are that (a) it is of great importance for the cost comparisons of protocols to use a well defined baseline scenario and clearly formulated targets, and (b) large economic benefits, in the order of 35–65%, can accrue from joint-implementation agreements which allocate investments on the basis of net marginal costs of CO₂ emission reduction.