Application of Kriging Interpolation for Glacier Mass Balance Computations

In order to compute the specific mass balance of a glacier, point measurements of mass balance need to be integrated and thus interpolated over the entire glacier. In this study kriging was applied as interpolation technique to mass balance data of Storglaciren, a 3 km² valley glacier, focusing on the sensitivity of results to the choice of some kriging parameters. Although the spatial means varied only little in most cases, the spatial distribution of the mass balance quantities was sensitive to the assumption on kriging parameters, suggesting that the kriging parameters need to be carefully optimized for each case if the spatial distribution is of interest.     

Important crustal growth in the Phanerozoic: Isotopic evidence of granitoids from east-central Asia

The growth of the continental crust is generally believed to have been essentially completed in the Precambrian, and the amount of juvenile crust produced in the Phanerozoic is considered insignificant. Such idea of negligible growth in the Phanerozoic is now challenged by the revelation of very large volume of juvenile crust produced in the period of 500 to 100 Ma in several orogenic belts. While appreciable volumes of juvenile terranes in North America (Canadian Cordillera, Sierra Nevada and Peninsular Range, Appalachians) have been documented based on Nd isotopic data, the mass of new crust formed in the East-Central Asian Orogenic Belt (ECAOB), eastern part of the Altaid Tectonic Collage, appears to be much greater than the above terranes combined. New and published Nd-Sr isotope data indicate that the Phanerozoic granitoids from the southern belt of the ECAOB (Xinjiang-West Mongolia-Inner Mongolia-NE China) as well as from Mongolia and Transbaikalia were generated from sources dominated by a depleted mantle component. These granitoids represent a significant growth of juvenile crust in the Phanerozoic. Although most plutons in this huge orogenic belt belong to the calc-alkaline series, the ECAOB is also characterized by the emplacement of voluminous A-type granites. The origin of these rocks is probably multiple and is still widely debated. However, the isotopic data (Sr-Nd-O) and trace element abundance patterns of A-type granites from the ECAOB clearly indicate their mantle origin. The evolution of the ECAOB and the entire Altaid Collage is most likely related to successive accretion of arc complexes. However, the emplacement of a large volume of post-tectonic A-type granites requires another mechanism—probably through a series of processes including underplating of massive basaltic magma, partial melting of these basic rocks to produce granitic liquids, followed by extensive fractional crystallization. The proportion of juvenile to recycled, as well as that of arc-related to plume-generated, continental crust remains to be evaluated by more systematic dating and isotope tracer studies.     

Sequence of magmatic events in the Late Paleozoic of Transbaikalia,Russia (U-Pb isotope data)

The Late Paleozoic intrusive rocks, mostly granitoids, totally occupy more than 200,000 km² on the territory of Transbaikalia. Isotopic U-Pb zircon dating (about 30 samples from the most typical plutons) shows that the Late Paleozoic magmatic cycle lasted for 55–60 m.y., from ~330 Ma to ~275 Ma. During this time span, five intrusive suites were emplaced throughout the region. The earliest are high-K calc-alkaline granites (330–310 Ma) making up the Angara–Vitim batholith of 150,000 km² in area. At later stages, formation of geochemically distinct intrusive suites occurred with total or partial overlap in time. In the interval of 305–285 Ma two suites were emplaced: calc-alkaline granitoids with decreased SiO₂ content (the Chivyrkui suite of quartz monzonite and granodiorite) and the Zaza suite comprising transitional from calc-alkaline to alkaline granite and quartz syenite. At the next stage, in the interval of 285–278 Ma the shoshonitic Low Selenga suite made up of monzonite, syenite and alkali rich microgabbro was formed; this suite was followed, with significant overlap in time (281–276 Ma), by emplacement of Early Kunalei suite of alkaline (alkali feldspar) and peralkaline syenite and granite. Concurrent emplacement of distinct plutonic suites suggests simultaneous magma generation at different depth and, possibly, from different sources. Despite complex sequence of formation of Late Paleozoic intrusive suites, a general trend from high-K calc-alkaline to alkaline and peralkaline granitoids, is clearly recognized. New data on the isotopic U-Pb zircon age support the Rb-Sr isotope data suggesting that emplacement of large volumes of peralkaline and alkaline (alkali feldspar) syenites and granites occurred in two separate stages: Early Permian (281–278 Ma) and Late Triassic (230–210 Ma). Large volumes and specific compositions of granitoids suggest that the Late Paleozoic magmatism in Transbaikalia occurred successively in the post-collisional (330–310 Ma), transitional (305–285 Ma) and intraplate (285–275 Ma) setting.     

Evolution of the Solonker suture zone: Constraints from zircon U–Pb ages,Hf isotopic ratios and whole-rock Nd–Sr isotope compositions of subduction- and collision-related magmas and forearc sediments

The Solonker zone in northern Inner Mongolia (China) is considered as the suture between the North China Craton and the South Mongolian microcontinent. Two magmatic belts are recognized along the suture zone: a subduction-related magmatic belt (represented by the Baolidao arc rocks), and a younger, collision-related granite belt (represented by the Halatu granites). We use zircon U–Pb ages, zircon in-situ Hf isotopic analyses and whole-rock Nd–Sr isotopic data of the two magmatic belts and related forearc sediments (the Xilinhot metamorphic complex) to constrain timing of the suturing and to discuss the petrogenesis of the magmatic rocks. A gabbroic diorite (BLD-1) of the Baolidao arc was dated at 310 ± 5 Ma (by SHRIMP). This sample shows an ε_Nd(t) value of +2.5 and I_Sr of 0.7052. Hf isotopic analyses on 25 zircons from the same sample show ε_Hf(t) = +5.4 to +11.5. Another diorite sample (XH-2) of the same arc from south of Xilinhot displays even more “depleted” isotopic compositions, with ε_Nd(t) = +5.6 and I_Sr = 0.7037. The main population of zircons from this sample have highly variable and depleted Hf isotopic compositions (ε_Hf(t) = 0–18.3). The large variation in Hf isotopic composition of zircons (with largely the same crystallization age) from a single pluton is explained by a mixing process between depleted mantle-derived magma and continental crust in an active continental arc setting. The Halatu granite (HLT-2) was dated at 234 ± 7 Ma (by SHRIMP). Zircons from the granite also show a large variation of ε_Hf(t) values (+9.1 to ?26), despite most samples having whole-rock ε_Hf(t) > +2. The large variation in ε_Hf(t) values suggests that the granite formed probably by partial melting of two source regions – a dominant juvenile crust and a subordinate old continental crust. Most zircons from the Xilinhot metamorphic complex show ages comparable with those of the Baolidao arc rocks, suggesting that the protolith of the metamorphic complex was probably deposited during or after arc magmatism. Some zircons, however, show Precambrian ages that fall into two groups: one with ages of 780–900 Ma, resembling those from the South Mongolian microcontinent, and the other with ages of 1524–2900 Ma, similar to those of the North China Craton. Thus, the protolith of the metamorphic complex probably formed in a forearc basin during convergence of the two continents, and metamorphosed subsequently during collision in the late Paleozoic. Our zircon age data thus constrain timing of collision between the South Mongolian microcontinent and the North China Craton to have been between 296 and 234 Ma.     

Lithium speciation in aqueous fluids at high P and T studied by ab initio molecular dynamics and consequences for Li-isotope fractionation between minerals and fluids

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study the speciation changes in lithium bearing aqueous fluids at high temperature (T = 1000 K) and high pressures, P, between about 0.3 and 6.0 GPa. The simulations show a linear increase in Li coordination with fluid density, from 3.2 to about five in the considered pressure range. Towards low densities, associated LiF complexes are becoming increasingly stable, which is quantified by evaluating the dynamic behavior of the respective species. In the high-density region, HF complexes are observed. The differences in speciation may be related to structural changes of the solvent under compression. At a fluid density of 1.2 g/cm³, kinks in the pressure dependences of the oxygen–oxygen nearest neighbor distance and the oxygen–oxygen coordination are observed, which indicates a change in compaction mechanism. Assuming that the Li coordination difference between crystal and fluid is a major determinant for the isotopic fractionation between minerals and fluids, we expect only a small pressure dependence of the Li isotopic fractionation between Li bearing fluids and minerals. Our simulation results are consistent with experimental data that show reverse fractionation of ⁷Li between fluid and mineral, when Li is in tetrahedral instead of octahedral coordination in the crystal.     

Prediction of equilibrium Li isotope fractionation between minerals and aqueous solutions at high P and T: An efficient ab initio approach

The mass-dependent equilibrium stable isotope fractionation between different materials is an important geochemical process. Here we present an efficient method to compute the isotope fractionation between complex minerals and fluids at high pressure, P, and temperature, T, representative for the Earth’s crust and mantle. The method is tested by computation of the equilibrium fractionation of lithium isotopes between aqueous fluids and various Li bearing minerals such as staurolite, spodumene and mica. We are able to correctly predict the direction of the isotope fractionation as observed in the experiments. On the quantitative level the computed fractionation factors agree within 1.0‰ with the experimental values indicating predictive power of ab initio methods. We show that with ab initio methods we are able to investigate the underlying mechanisms driving the equilibrium isotope fractionation process, such as coordination of the fractionating elements, their bond strengths to the neighboring atoms, compression of fluids and thermal expansion of solids. This gives valuable insight into the processes governing the isotope fractionation mechanisms on the atomic scale. The method is applicable to any state and does not require different treatment of crystals and fluids.     

Ti K-edge XANES study on the coordination number and oxidation state of Titanium in pyroxene,olivine, armalcolite,ilmenite, and silicate glass during mare basalt petrogenesis

Lunar mare basalts are a product of partial melting of the lunar mantle under more reducing conditions when compared to those expected for the Earth’s upper mantle. Alongside Fe, Ti can be a major redox sensitive element in lunar magmas, and it can be enriched by up to a factor of ten in lunar basaltic glasses when compared to their terrestrial counterparts. Therefore, to better constrain the oxidation state of Ti and its coordination chemistry during lunar magmatic processes, we report new X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy measurements for a wide range of minerals (pyroxene, olivine, Fe–Ti oxides) and basaltic melt compositions involved in partial melting of the lunar mantle. Experiments were conducted in 1 bar gas-mixing furnaces at temperatures between 1100 and 1300 °C and oxygen fugacities (fO₂) that ranged from air to two orders of magnitude below the Fe–FeO redox equilibrium. Run products were analysed via electron microprobe and XANES Ti K-edge. Typical run products had large (>?100 µm) crystals in equilibrium with quenched silicate glass. Ti K-edge XANES spectra show a clear shift in energy of the absorption edge features from oxidizing to reducing conditions and yield an average valence for Fe–Ti oxides (armalcolite and ilmenite) of 3.6, i.e., a 40% of the overall Ti is Ti³⁺ under fO₂ conditions relevant to lunar magmatism (IW ??1.5 to ??1.8). Pyroxenes and olivine have average Ti valence of 3.75 (i.e., 25% of the overall Ti is trivalent), while in silicate glasses Ti is exclusively tetravalent. Pre-edge peak intensities also indicate that the coordination number of Ti varies from an average V-fold in silicate glass to VI-fold in the Fe–Ti oxides and a mixture between IV and VI-fold coordination in the pyroxenes and olivine, with up to 82% ^[IV]Ti⁴⁺ in the pyroxene. In addition, our results can help to better constrain the Ti³⁺/∑Ti of the lunar mantle phases during magmatic processes and are applied to provide first insights into the mechanisms that may control Ti mass-dependent equilibrium isotope fractionation in lunar mare basalts.     

Eocene Granitoids of the Okhotsk Granodiorite Complex (South Sakhalin)

Doklady Earth Sciences - As a result of U–Pb dating by LA-ICP-MS, the age of zircons from granitoids was determined to be 42.1–44.3 Ma for the rocks of first phase and 42.4–42.7...     

Detection of nonylphenol and persistent organic pollutants in fish from the North Pacific Central Gyre

Despite scientific and public concern, research on food web contamination from chemicals in plastic is limited, and distinguishing plastic sources from prey remains a challenge. We analyzed juvenile yellowtail (Seriola lalandi) from the North Pacific Central Gyre for plastic ingestion and tissue concentrations of persistent organic pollutants and nonionic surfactants to investigate potential contamination from plastic exposure. Ingestion of synthetic debris occurred in ∼10% of the sample population. PCBs and DDTs were 352 ± 240 (mean ± SD) and 1425 ± 1118 ng/g lw, respectively. PBDEs were 9.08 ± 10.6 ng/g lw, with BDEs-47, 99, and 209 representing 90% of PBDEs. Nonylphenol (NP) was detected in one-third of the yellowtail with a mean of 52.8 ± 88.5 ng/g ww overall and 167 ± 72.3 ng/g ww excluding non-detects. Because environmental NP is strongly associated with wastewater treatment effluents, long-range transport is unlikely, and NP was previously measured in gyre plastic, we concluded that plastic-mediated exposure best explained our findings of NP in yellowtail.     

Petrogenesis of the Mesozoic intrusive complexes from the southern Taihang Orogen,North China Craton: elemental and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopic constraints

A geochemical and isotopic study was carried out for three Mesozoic intrusive suites (the Xishu, Wuan and Hongshan suites) from the North China Craton (NCC) to understand their genesis and geodynamic implications. The Xishu and Wuan suites are gabbroic to monzonitic in composition. They share many common geochemical features like high Mg# and minor to positive Eu anomalies in REE patterns. Initial Nd–Sr isotopic compositions for Xishu suite are _Nd(135 Ma)=–12.3 to –16.9 and mostly I_Sr = 0.7056–0.7071; whereas those for Wuan suite are slightly different. Pb isotopic ratios for Xishu suite are (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i = 16.92–17.3, (²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i=15.32–15.42, (²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb)_i=37.16–37.63, which are slightly higher than for Wuan suite. The Xishu–Wuan complexes are considered to originate from partial melting of an EM1-type mantle source, followed by significant contamination of lower crustal components. The Hongshan suite (mainly syenite and granite) shows distinctly higher _Nd(135 Ma) values (–8 to –11) and slightly higher Pb isotopic ratios than the Xishu–Wuan suites. It was formed via fractionation of a separate parental magma that also originated from the EM1-type mantle source, with incorporation of a small amount of lower crustal components. Partial melting of the mantle sources took place in a back-arc extensional regime that is related to the subduction of the paleo-Pacific slab beneath the NCC.