High salinity fluid inclusions in the Yinshan polymetallic deposit from the Le–De metallogenic belt in Jiangxi Province, China: Their origin and implications for ore genesis

A fluid inclusion investigation of the polymetallic mineralization at Yinshan from the Le–De metallogenic belt in Jiangxi Province of China has been carried out using petrographic and microthermometric techniques. The data obtained here indicate that three major types of fluids were involved during the formation of the deposit. They are type I vapor-rich, type II liquid-rich and type III halite-bearing inclusions within the H₂O–NaCl system. The high salinity fluids represented by type III inclusions, being unusual to the distal part of an intrusion-centered ore-forming system such as Yinshan, have been interpreted as the product of direct exsolution of a crystallizing magma, rather than a result of fluid immiscibility from a low salinity fluid. Evidence used to support such an interpretation includes the mode of homogenization of type III inclusions exclusively via halite dissolution, spatial separation of type I and type III inclusions on microscopic scale, the consistent phase ratios within the inclusions concerned, and considerable deviation in homogenization temperature for both type I and type III inclusions. Trapping conditions for type I inclusions were estimated to be around 440 °C and 260 bars, while type III inclusions were constrained to be trapped at least above 900 bars and > 500 °C. The formation temperatures for type II inclusions range from 270 to 390 °C if a lithostatic pressure of 260 bars is assumed. Pressure fluctuation determined by this fluid inclusion study coupled with decreases in salinity and temperature as result of the potential fluid mixing are supposed to have played an important role in triggering the precipitation of ore minerals from the hydrothermal solution.     

The timing of regional Lateglacial events and post-glacial sedimentation rates from Lake Superior

We analyze both new and previously published paleomagnetic records of secular variation (PSV) from Lake Superior sediment cores and compare these records to correlated rhythmite (varve) thickness records to determine post-glacial sedimentation rates and to reassess the termination of glaciolacustrine varves in the basin. The results suggest that offshore sedimentation rates have exhibited considerable spatial variation over the past 8000 years, particularly during the mid-Holocene. We attribute offshore, mid-Holocene sedimentation changes to alterations in whole basin circulation, perhaps precipitated by a greater dominance of the Gulf of Mexico air mass during the summer season. Nearshore bays are characterized by high sedimentation rates for at least 1000 years after varve cessation and during a period between around 4500 and 2000 cal. BP. After 2000 cal. BP, sedimentation rates subsided to earlier rates. The increases between 4500 and 2000 cal. BP are probably due to lake level fall after the Nipissing II highstand.The older glaciolacustrine varve thickness records suggest that the influx of glacially derived sediment ended abruptly everywhere in the lake, except near the Lake Nipigon inlets. Multiple sediment cores reveal 36 anomalously thick varves, previously ascribed to the formation of the Nakina moraine, which were deposited just prior to varve cessation in the open lake. The PSV records support the observation that the cessation of these thick varves is a temporally correlative event, occurring at 9035±170 cal. BP (calibrated years before 1950, ca 7950–8250 ¹⁴C BP). This date would correlate to the eastern diversion of Lake Agassiz and glacial meltwater into Lake Ojibway.     

Seasonal patterns of nitrification and denitrification in a natural and a restored salt marsh

Seasonal patterns of microbially-mediated nitrogen cycling via the nitrification-denitrification pathway were compared between a natural and a restored salt marsh. Sedimentary denitrification rates, measured with a modification of the acetylene block technique, were approximately 44 times greater in the natural marsh relative to an adjacent transplanted marsh. Nitrification rates were similar at both sites. The difference in denitrification rates was attributed to oxygen inhibition at low tide and tidal flushing of porewater nutrients at high tide in the coarse sediments of the restored marsh. Denitrification was positively correlated with nitrification throughout the year in the natural marsh with a seasonal fall peak in denitrification corresponding to a maximum in porewater ammonia concentration. A weak correlation existed between the two processes in the restored marsh, where nitrification rates exceeded denitrification rates by a factor of 20. Transplanted marsh denitrification rates exhibited a spring peak, corresponding to elevated porewater ammonia concentrations. Our findings demonstrate functional differences in microbial nitrogen dynamics of a young (0–3 yr) restored marsh relative to a mature (>50 yr) salt-marsh system. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A01BY070 00008     

The Siberian lithosphere traverse: mantle terranes and the assembly of the Siberian Craton

The kimberlite fields scattered across the NE part of the Siberian Craton have been used to map the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM), as it existed during Devonian to Late Jurassic time, along a 1000-km traverse NE–SW across the Archean Magan and Anabar provinces and into the Proterozoic Olenek Province. 4100 garnets and 260 chromites from 65 kimberlites have been analysed by electron probe (major elements) and proton microprobe (trace elements). These data, and radiometric ages on the kimberlites, have been used to estimate the position of the local (paleo)geotherm and the thickness of the lithosphere, and to map the detailed distribution of specific rock types and mantle processes in space and time. A low geotherm, corresponding approximately to the 35 mW/m² conductive model of Pollack and Chapman [Tectonophysics 38, 279–296, 1977], characterised the Devonian lithosphere beneath the Magan and Anabar crustal provinces. The Devonian geotherm beneath the northern part of the area was higher, rising to near a 40 mW/m² conductive model. Areas intruded by Mesozoic kimberlites are generally characterised by this higher, but still ‘cratonic' geotherm. Lithosphere thickness at the time of kimberlite intrusion varied from ca. 190 to ca. 240 km beneath the Archean Magan and Anabar provinces, but was less (150–180 km) beneath the Proterozoic Olenek Province already in Devonian time. Thinner Devonian lithosphere (140 km) in parts of this area may be related to Riphean rifting. Near the northern end of the traverse, differences in geotherm, lithosphere thickness and composition between the Devonian Toluopka area and the nearby Mesozoic kimberlite fields suggest thinning of the lithosphere by ca. 50–60 km, related to Devonian rifting and Triassic magmatism. A major conclusion of this study is that the crustal terrane boundaries defined by geological mapping and geophysical data (extended from outcrops in the Anabar Shield) represent major lithospheric sutures, which continue through the upper mantle and juxtapose lithospheric domains that differ significantly in composition and rock-type distribution between 100 and 250 km depth. The presence of significant proportions of harzburgitic and depleted lherzolitic garnets beneath the Magan and Anabar provinces is concordant with their Archean surface geology. The lack of harzburgitic garnets, and the chemistry of the lherzolitic garnets, beneath most of the other fields are consistent with the Proterozoic surface rocks. Mantle sections for different terranes within the Archean portion of the craton show pronounced differences in bulk composition, rock-type distribution, metasomatic overprint and lithospheric thickness. These observations suggest that individual crustal terranes, of both Archean and Proterozoic age, had developed their own lithospheric roots, and that these differences were preserved during the Proterozoic assembly of the craton. Data from kimberlite fields near the main Archean–Proterozoic suture (the Billyakh Shear Zone) suggest that reworking and mixing of Archean and Proterozoic mantle was limited to a zone less than 100 km wide.     

Preservation of cross-sets due to migration of current ripples over aggrading and non-aggrading beds: comparison of experimental data with theory

An experimental study of the preservation of cross-sets during the migration of current ripples under aggrading and non-aggrading conditions was conducted in order to test the modified Paola–Borgman theory for distribution of cross-set thickness as a function of distribution of bed-wave height. In a series of flume experiments, the geometry and migration characteristics of the ripples did not vary systematically with aggradation rate and are comparable to other flume and river data.
Mean cross-set thickness/mean formative bed-wave height is less than 0·4, and mean cross-set thickness/mean bed-wave height is less than 0·53. In the present experiments, the primary control of cross-set thickness is the variability of ripple height. Aggradation rate accounts for only 1–7% of the total cross-set thickness.
A two-parameter gamma density function was fitted to histograms of ripple height to determine the value of parameter a needed for the modified Paola–Borgman model. This model underestimates cross-set thickness because of its assumption that bed-form height spreads evenly above and below the mean bed level, which is not the case in reality. Mean cross-set thickness is predicted quite well if the model constant is increased to 1·3.     

Biogeomorphology in the marine landscape: Modelling the feedbacks between patches of the polychaete worm Lanice conchilega and tidal sand waves

Tidal sand waves are dynamic bedforms found in coastal shelf seas. Moreover, these areas are inhabited by numerous benthic species, of which the spatial distribution is linked to the morphological structure of sand waves. In particular, the tube-building worm Lanice conchilegais of interest as this organism forms small mounds on the seabed, which provide shelter to other organisms. We investigate how the interactions between small-scale mounds (height ∼dm) and large-scale sand waves (height ∼m) shape the bed of the marine environment. To this end, we present a two-way coupled process-based model of sand waves and tube-building worm patches in Delft3D. The population density evolves according to a general law of logistic growth, with the bed shear stress controlling the carrying capacity. Worm patches are randomly seeded and the tubes are mimicked by small cylinders that influence flow and turbulence, thereby altering sediment dynamics. Model results relate the patches with the highest worm densities to the sand wave troughs, which qualitatively agrees with field observations. Furthermore, the L. conchilegatubes trigger the formation of sandy mounds on the seabed. Because of the population density distribution, the mounds in the troughs can be several centimetres higher than on the crests. Regarding sand wave morphology, the combination of patches and mounds are found to shorten the time-to-equilibrium. Also, if the initial bed comprised small sinusoidal sand waves, the equilibrium wave height decreased with a few decimetres compared to the situation without worm patches. As the timescale of mound formation (years) is shorter than that of sand wave evolution (decades), the mounds induce (and accelerate) sand wave growth on a similar spatial scale to the mounds. Initially, this leads to shorter sand waves than they would be in an abiotic environment. However, near equilibrium the wavelengths tend towards their abiotic counterparts again. © 2020 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd     

Tributary valley impoundment by trunk river floodplain development: a case study from the KwaZulu‐Natal Drakensberg foothills,eastern South Africa

This paper investigates the origin and geomorphic evolution of Stillerust Vlei, a 189 ha wetland located approximately 150 km northwest of Durban in the temperate submontane foothills of the KwaZulu‐Natal Drakensberg Mountains. The investigation confirms the findings of previous research on the arid to semi‐arid South African interior, which established that many floodplain wetlands in eastern South Africa are located upstream of resistant rock barriers (dolerite intrusions) that cross river courses and form stable local base levels. Upstream of these barriers, rivers laterally plane less resistant Karoo sedimentary rocks (sandstones, mudstones), creating broad, low gradient valleys conducive to the formation of floodplain wetlands. In addition, the study examines how local levee and alluvial ridge accretion on the floodplain of Stillerust Vlei has impounded a small tributary valley, and drawing on observations of similar wetlands in the region, the paper explains the origin and geomorphic evolution of wetlands in floodplain‐abutting valleys, and associated streams that commonly become discontinuous toward their confluence with the trunk (floodplain) river. Controls on the origin and geomorphic evolution of Stillerust Vlei are placed within the context of slope‐channel decoupling and (dis)connectivity in sediment delivery, illustrating that wetlands are environments of deposition. As a result of dynamic trunk‐tributary relations, Stillerust Vlei holds a diversity of geomorphic features, and thus provides potential habitat for a diversity of biota. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lamprey (Geotria australis; Agnatha) reddening syndrome in Southland rivers,New Zealand 2011–2013: laboratory findings and epidemiology,including the incidental detection of an atypical Aeromonas salmonicida

From 2011, lamprey (Geotria australis) populations in Southland, New Zealand have been affected by reddening along the length of the body and increased mortalities, termed lamprey reddening syndrome (LRS). Molecular testing, bacteriology, histopathology and epidemiology were used to determine if an infectious agent was present and to increase the understanding of this syndrome. An atypical Aeromonas salmonicida was detected from affected lamprey in 2011. This organism has not previously been reported from New Zealand. Investigative molecular testing indicated the organism was an uncharacterised, unculturable, atypical A. salmonicida and a likely incidental finding. Histopathology did not indicate an infectious process was involved, but suggested the reddening may be due to blunt trauma. Epidemiological investigation found the Mokoreta River had a significantly higher prevalence of LRS than others in the Southland region, but there was no clear reason why. To date, no infectious aetiology for this syndrome has been identified.     

On the parameterization of biological influences on offshore sand wave dynamics

The bed of the North Sea is covered by sand waves and houses a great number of macrobenthic animals. These bio-engineers are known to have a significant influence on the stability of the bed and thereby on the geomorphology of the seabed. This paper proposes a parameterization of these bio-geomorphological interactions. Given the abundance of three dominant bio-engineers on the Dutch Continental Shelf, the predicted occurrence of sand waves, in which the parameterization is included, shows significantly better results, compared to the prediction for the default case without biology. Therefore, the inclusion of biological activity could be important to predict the occurrence of sand waves.