Palynostratigraphy of the Chapada Group and its significance in the Devonian stratigraphy of the Paraná Basin,south Brazil

The Alto Garças Sub-basin in the northern part of the Paraná Basin evolved differently from the Apucarana Sub-basin in the south. The marine environment was shallower in the Alto Garças Sub-basin, which contains proportionately more silty and arenaceous rocks. The formations and members defined in the Apucarana Sub-basin are therefore difficult to apply in the Alto Garças Sub-basin, where the Chapada Group (units 1–4) is more applicable. An integrated miospore and chitinozoan biozonation of the Chapada Group facilitates direct correlation between the Chapada Group’s units and the classical formations of the Paraná Basin as defined in the Apucarana Sub-basin. The Furnas Formation and Chapada unit 1 constitute the same lithostratigraphic unit. Beds with rhyniophytes in the uppermost part of the Furnas Formation contain palynomorphs representative of the Si phylozone within the MN spore Zone (late Lochkovian), and the rhyniophyte beds occupy the same stratigraphic interval within Chapada unit 1 (the Lochkovian of the Paraná Basin lacks chitinozoans). The lower part of Chapada unit 2 contains spores of the PoW Su spore Zone and chitinozoans of the Ramochitina magnifica and Ancyrochitina pachycerata zones, together indicating a late Pragian–early Emsian age-span. The upper part of Chapada unit 2 corresponds to the GS (AP) and Per (AD pre-Lem) spore Zones, and chitinozoans of the Ancyrochitina parisi, the informal Ancyrochitina varispinosa and Alpenachitina eisenacki chitinozoan zones, thus suggestive of a late Emsian – earliest Givetian age-span. Unit 3 is a proximal and lateral facies equivalent of the upper part of unit 2. The lower part of unit 4 includes spores typical of the early Givetian Lli (AD Lem) spore Zone and chitinozoans of the Ramochitina stiphrospinata chitinozoan Zone; the uppermost (early late Frasnian) part contains spores of the lower BMu (IV) spore Zone and chitinozoans of the Lagenochitina avelinoi chitinozoan Zone. The sandstones of unit 3 were inundated during the earliest Givetian, and the resultant flooding surface marks the base of unit 4 basin-wide. Clearly, the two sub-basins were distinct depositional centers during the Devonian.     

Soil discrimination using diffuse reflectance Vis–NIR spectroscopy in a local toposequence

Vis–NIR spectroscopy is nowadays presented as a possible routine method for soil sample analysis. However, there is still no consensus on which is the best multivariate statistical method to use. We propose to use principal component analysis to complete the spectral data treatment. The soil samples came from a pedological cover made up of red–yellow Latosols: 88 samples of 11 soil profiles on four toposequences were collected; clay, organic matter, silica, iron, aluminum and titanium total contents were determined; the contents of goethite, hematite, gibbsite, and kaolinite were calculated. Diffuse reflectance Vis–NIR spectroscopy at wavelengths from 400 to 2400 nm combined with principal component analysis (PCA) was sufficiently sensitive to discriminate different Latosols. Wavelengths of 700 nm and 2200 to 2300 nm were influenced by content ratios of organic matter and iron oxides (700 nm), and kaolinite and gibbsite absorption (2200 and 2300 nm). The spectral responses were affected not only by the content of these constituents, but also by the composition of the minerals, so that the same class of Latosol may have different or similar spectral responses. The role of microaggregation is discussed.     

Track of fluid paleocirculation in dolomite host rock at regional scale by the Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS): An example from Aptian carbonates of La Florida,Northern Spain

The present study aims to apply the AMS method (Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility) at a regional scale to track the fluid circulation direction that has produced an iron metasomatism within pre-existing dolomite host rock. The Urgonian formations hosting the Zn–Pb mineralizations in La Florida (Cantabria, northern Spain) have been taken as target for this purpose. Sampling was carried out, in addition to ferroan dolomite host rock enclosing the Zn–Pb mineralizations, in dolomite host rock and limestone to make the comparison possible between magnetic signals from mineralized rocks, where fluid circulation occurred, and their surrounding formations. AMS study was coupled with petrofabric analysis carried out by texture goniometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) observations and also Shape Preferred Orientation (SPO) statistics. SEM observations of ferroan dolomite host rock illustrate both bright and dark grey ribbons corresponding respectively to Fe enriched and pure dolomites. SPO statistics applied on four images from ferroan dolomite host rock give a well-defined orientation of ribbons related to the intermediate axis of magnetic susceptibility K₂. For AMS data, two magnetic fabrics are observed. The first one is observed in ferroan dolomite host rock and characterized by a prolate ellipsoid of magnetic susceptibility with a vertical magnetic lineation. The magnetic susceptibility carrier is Fe-rich dolomite. These features are probably acquired during metasomatic fluid circulations. In Fe-rich dolomite host rock, ?c? axes are vertical. As a rule, (0001) planes (i.e. planes perpendicular to ?c? axes) are isotropic with respect to crystallographic properties. So, the magnetic anisotropy measured in this plane should reflect crystallographic modification due to fluid circulation. This is confirmed by the texture observed using the SEM. Consequently, AMS results show a dominant NE–SW elongation interpreted as the global circulation direction and a NW–SE secondary elongation that we have considered as sinuosities of the fluid trajectory. The second type of magnetic fabric is essentially observed in the limestone and characterized by an oblate form of the ellipsoid of magnetic susceptibility, a horizontal magnetic foliation and mixed magnetic susceptibility carriers. It is interpreted as a sedimentary fabric.     

RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SEDIMENT SUSPENSIONS FROM ECKERNFRDE AND KIELER FRDE BAYS,WESTERN BALTIC SEA

1 INTRODUCTION Fluid mud is defined as a dense suspension of fine-grained sediment particles averaging in density between 1.03 to 1.30 g/cm3 and between 10 to 480 g/l in concentrations by weight (Ingliss and Allen, 1957). It overlies a substrate of densit…     

Modelling larval dispersal and settlement of the reef-building polychaete Sabellaria alveolata: Role of hydroclimatic processes on the sustainability of biogenic reefs

The honeycomb worm Sabellaria alveolata forms biogenic reefs which constitute diversity hotspots on tidal flats. The largest known reefs in Europe, located in the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel (English Channel), are suffering increasing anthropogenic disturbances which raise the question of their sustainability. As the ability to recover depends partly on the recolonization of damaged reefs by larval supply, evaluating larval dispersal and the connectivity between distant reefs is a major challenge for their conservation. In the present study, we used a 3D biophysical model to simulate larval dispersal under realistic hydroclimatic conditions and estimate larval retention and exchanges among the two reefs of different sizes within the bay. The model takes into account fine-scale hydrodynamic circulation (800×800 m²), advection–diffusion larval transport, and gregarious settlement behaviour. According to the field data, larval dispersal was simulated for a minimal planktonic larval duration ranging from 4 to 8 weeks and the larval mortality was set to 0.09 d⁻¹. The results highlighted the role played by a coastal eddy on larval retention within the bay, as suggested by previous in situ observations. Very different dispersal patterns were revealed depending on the spawning reef location, although the two reefs were located only 15 km apart. The settlement success of the larvae released from the smallest reef was mainly related to tidal conditions at spawning, with the highest settlement success for releases at neap tide. The settlement success of the larvae from the biggest reef was more dependent on meteorological conditions: favourable W and SW winds may promote a ten-fold increase in settlement success. Strong year-to-year variability was observed in settlers’ numbers, with favourable environmental windows not always coinciding with the main reproductive periods of Sabellaria. Settlement kinetics indicated that the ability to delay metamorphosis could significantly improve the settlement success. Although bidirectional exchanges occurred between the two reefs, the highest settlers’ numbers originated from the biggest reef because of its stronger reproductive output. Because of the recent decline of this reef due to increasing anthropogenic disturbances larval supply in the bay may not be sufficient enough to ensure the sustainability of the remarkable habitat formed by Sabellaria alveolata reefs.     

RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SEDIMENT SUSPENSIONS FROM ECKERNF(O)RDE AND KIELER F(O)RDE BAYS, WESTERN BALTIC SEA

Local areas of fine-grained organic-rich sediments in Eckernforde and Kieler Forde Bays may experience disturbances which cause fluidization of the substrate and create a dense suspension （fluid mud） which exists temporarily as a component of the benthic boundary layer before becoming incorporated into the permanent bottom. Laboratory studies indicate this material behaves rheologically as a non-Newtonian substance, and both shear thinning （pseudoplastic） and shear thickening （dilatant） flow behavior can occur （ofien within the same sample） under low to intermediate shear stresses （2 - 40 Pa） and shear rates （0.46 - 122.49 s^-1）. Detailed granulometric analyses （1/4 phi intervals） of the fraction 〈63 μm show differences in the silt/clay ratio （clay 〈2 μm） between the two environments. Little change in the silt/clay ratio is seen in the Kieler Forde sediments （from 0.74 to 0.95）; however, at Eckernforde, the ratio changed from 0.73 to 2.19. Fine silt particles are lacking or were removed from the 4 to 16 μm fraction of the Eckernforde but not from the Kieler Forde sediments. Both shear thickening and shear thinning flow was observed in the Eckernforde sediments. Shear thickening flow behavior was not observed in the Kieler Forde sediments. Samples of organic-rich （10 to 20%） interface sediments from both areas were analyzed rheologically prior to, and atier removal of organic matter by H2O2 treatment. Reduction in ‘apparent＇ viscosity occurred through the entire range of shear rates and stresses, shear thickening behavior was reduced or became nonexistent, and yield stress decreased significantly compared to the natural samples. The differences in yield stress and flow behavior of dense suspensions result primarily from differences in grain size distributions but the role of organic matter on those properties is very significant and adds to the effects of the grain size distribution of the sediment.     

Seasonal dynamics of trophic relationships among co-occurring suspension-feeders in two shellfish culture dominated ecosystems

The temporal dynamics of carbon and nitrogen isotope values of co-occurring suspension-feeders in two shellfish culture areas (Normandy, France) were investigated over two years to evaluate the inter-specific trophic partitioning and relative contributions of organic matter sources to benthic suspension-feeders' diet. Oysters (Crassostrea gigas), mussels (Mytilus edulis), cockles (Cerastoderma edule), slipper limpets (Crepidula fornicata), and sand-mason worms (Lanice conchilega) were sampled in an estuarine environment (Baie des Veys, east Cotentin, Normandy), while oysters, mussels, slipper limpets, and honeycomb worms (Sabellaria alveolata) were sampled in an open-marine environment (Lingreville-sur-mer, west Cotentin, Normandy). Whatever the sampling period, the bivalves, C. gigas and M. edulis, exhibited the lowest values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N compared with the other species. Feeding relationships among suspension-feeders in both C. gigas culture areas exhibited temporal variations due to the marine/estuarine influence and seasonal changes in food supply. In the open-marine ecosystem, the contribution of phytoplankton remained the most important for all species except S. alveolata, while in the estuarine ecosystem, microphytobenthos and/or macroalgae detritus contributed a larger extent to the organisms' diets. During phytoplankton bloom periods (e.g. May and July) suspension-feeders, except for S. alveolata, relied strongly on phytoplankton; however, the majority of suspension-feeders exhibited different opportunistic behaviour in winter when phytoplankton biomass might be a limiting factor. We hypothesized that differences in particle capture and selection by the suspension-feeders influenced their isotopic values. Feeding ecology of suspension-feeders partly explained why competition was limited and why ecosystems can often support unexpectedly large numbers of suspension-feeders. We also showed that understanding ecosystem characteristics of the organic matter sources is of primary importance to determine the extent to which members of the suspension-feeding guild potentially compete for food.     

Factors influencing subaqueous dunes in the Scheldt Estuary

The size (wavelength and height) and the factors influencing the characteristics of subaqueous dunes in the river Scheldt between Antwerp and the Belgian-Dutch border were studied. More than 60 dune clusters (each cluster represented by a mean height and wavelength of mostly 10 to 20 or more observations) were analysed. A very good exponential correlation between dune height and wavelength was observed (r=0.90) which can be described by H _mean=0.0321L ^0.918. Length/depth ratios vary between 0.2 and 9, height/depth ratios between 0.25 and 0.01. There was no clear relationship between current velocity and dune size, as dunes of various sizes co-exist at the same current velocities. Twenty-two dunes were sampled and show grain sizes (d50) ranging between 0.1 and 0.7 mm. Seven out of eight large scale dune fields were found in sandy and/or hard bottom (gravel, coarse sand and shell fragments) environments, whereas small and medium dunes were found in muddy sand and sandy mud environments.     

Textural Characterization Using Gy’s Heterogeneity Functions

A solid can be regarded as a set of contiguous elementary units. The distribution within the solid of any properties, measurable within each elementary unit, can be characterized using two parameters. These parameters are built using the constitution and distribution heterogeneities of Gy. The former account for the granularity of the elementary units, whereas the latter assess the spatial distribution of the property. A texture which definition involves several properties can be described using a diagram where both parameters work as variables. Potential applications encompass (i) the textural classification of soils, ore, breccia, and concrete and (ii) the monitoring of textural transformation during process like dolomitization, metamorphism, weathering, deformation, or annealing.