Rare-Earth Abundances in Basalts and Metabasalts from the Troodos Massif,Cyprus

Abundances of some rare-earth elements (REE) in twelve pillow lavas from the Upper Pillow Lavas and Axis Sequence of the Troodos Massif are reported. The samples consist of three fresh basalts and nine zeolite facies metabasalts, metamorphosed at temperatures between 0 and 200° C. All give similar light rare-earth element (LREE) depleted patterns, indicating that hydrothermal metamorphism within this temperature range does not appreciably affect these REE patterns. The LREE depletion is consistent with a petrogenetic model in which Troodos formed at a spreading axis. Variations in profile shape indicate that mantle melting beneath the axis may have taken place during a series of discrete episodes.     

Strontium isotopic contamination and oxidation during ocean floor hydrothermal metamorphism of the ophiolitic rocks of the Troodos Massif,Cyprus

Twenty-six new high precision ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ratio determinations and existing analyses are used to discuss the strontium isotopic composition of the Upper Cretaceous ophiolitic rocks of the Troodos Massif, Cyprus. Relative to initial magmatic ${}^{87}\text{Sr}{}^{86}\text{Sr}$ ratios (0.70338 ± 0.00010 to 0.70365 ± 0.00005), the hydrothermally metamorphosed pillow lavas and dyke complex have been contaminated by isotopically heavier strontium.This observation confirms the hypothesis that hydrothermal metamorphism was a consequence of sea water-rock interaction, since sea water was the only readily accessible reservoir of isotopically heavier strontium. The fact that metagabbros and altered trondhjemites were also Sr isotopically contaminated shows that sea water penetrated approximately 2 km into the oceanic crust represented by the ophiolitic sequence.The amount of Sr isotopic contamination requires that the bulk sea water: rock ratio was at least ~15:1 and shows that water-rock interaction occurred in a flow system. The degree of oxidation decreases with increasing depth. This shows that the vertical component of fluid flow was downward. The absolute bulk water/rock ratio (for water at S.T.P.), as estimated from the oxidation profile, may have been as large as ~3 × 10³:1 —a large figure which independently confirms that rocks showing strong δ¹⁸O shifts have interacted with large volumes of water.The sites of discharge of the hot fluid, which must have come out of the system, are identified as the cupriferous pyrite ore deposits. This process of mass transfer corresponds to hydrothermal convection in a permeable medium with an open upper boundary surface.     

Genomic resources for the spotted ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus

Genomic data can be a useful tool in the management and conservation of biodiversity. Here, we report the development of genomic resources for the spotted ragged-tooth shark Carcharias taurus using genome-wide DNA data from Illumina next-generation sequencing. We explored two commonly used genetic marker types: microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA. A total of 4 394 putative microsatellites were identified, of which 10 were tested on 24 individuals and found to have ideal properties for population genetic analyses. Additionally, we reconstructed the first complete mitochondrial genome of a South African spotted ragged-tooth shark, and highlight the most informative gene regions to facilitate future primer design. The data reported here may serve as a resource for future studies and can ultimately be applied in the sustainable conservation and fisheries management of this apex predator.     

Molecular mechanics and quantum mechanical modeling of hexane soot structure and interactions with pyrene

Molecular simulations (energy minimizations and molecular dynamics) of an n-hexane soot model developed by Smith and co-workers (M. S. Akhter, A. R. Chughtai and D. M. Smith, Appl. Spectrosc., 1985, 39, 143; ref. 1) were performed. The MM+ (N. L. Allinger, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1977, 395, 157; ref. 2) and COMPASS (H. Sun, J. Phys. Chem., 1998, 102, 7338; ref. 3) force fields were tested for their ability to produce realistic soot nanoparticle structure. The interaction of pyrene with the model soot was simulated. Quantum mechanical calculations on smaller soot fragments were carried out. Starting from an initial 2D structure, energy minimizations are not able to produce the observed layering within soot with either force field. Results of molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the COMPASS force field does a reasonably accurate job of reproducing observations of soot structure. Increasing the system size from a 683 to a 2732 atom soot model does not have a significant effect on predicted structures. Neither does the addition of water molecules surrounding the soot model. Pyrene fits within the soot structure without disrupting the interlayer spacing. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), such as pyrene, may strongly partition into soot and have slow desorption kinetics because the PAH-soot bonding is similar to soot–soot interactions. Diffusion of PAH into soot micropores may allow the PAH to be irreversibly adsorbed and sequestered so that they partition slowly back into an aqueous phase causing dis-equilibrium between soil organic matter and porewater.     

华南西部地区晚中生代与W-Sn矿有关花岗岩的年代学格架及地质意义

华南西部地区是我国重要的大型-超大型锡多金属矿床分布区。本文根据近年来新获得的花岗岩LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb数据,结合近几年以来新报道的高精度成岩成矿年代学资料和地球动力学研究进展,总结发现华南西部地区中生代岩浆-成矿作用的时代主要集中在晚白垩世(76～98Ma)。通过分别总结华南东、西部地区晚白垩岩浆作用及相应的成矿作用的特征,发现华南东、西部的成岩成矿作用特征表现出明显的差异,但是这两地内部各自却表现出高度的一致性;且东部地区明显要比西部地区更为复杂,但二者之间的共同点在于该时期均处于岩石圈伸展的环境和壳幔间的相互作用明显。晚白垩世华南西部地区主要受控于华南陆块陆内背景下岩石圈伸展而导致的岩浆-成矿作用这一因素,而东部地区除此之外还受到太平洋古板块北北东向走滑带来的影响。     

O18 enriched ophiolitic metabasic rocks from E. Liguria (Italy), Pindos (Greece), and Troodos (Cyprus)

Low grade hydrothermally metamorphosed ophiolitic basic rocks from E. Liguria (Italy), Pindos (Greece) and Troodos (Cyprus) are enriched in O¹⁸ relative to the oxygen isotope ratio of fresh basalt (6.0±0.5‰). The maximum observed δO¹⁸ value of +13.22‰ corresponds to a positive isotope shift of 7‰ Enrichments in Sr⁸⁷ relative to Sr⁸⁶ correlate with hydrothermal alteration. The δC¹³ values of secondary calcite from E. Liguria are positive, and fall in the range from +0.2% to +3.6‰ Since ophiolitic rocks are considered to be fragments of the oceanic crust and upper mantle, and since the secondary metamorphic assemblages were produced before mechanical emplacement, it is considered that the hydrothermal metamorphism which affected these rocks occurred in the sub-sea-floor environment. The isotope data are directly consistent with the hypothesis that the alteration was produced by interaction of the basaltic material with introduced sea water. Water: rock ratios were sufficiently large to produce the observed isotope shifts. In the Troodos ophiolite sequence δO¹⁸ values decrease steadily downwards and change to progressively larger depletions in the Sheeted Intrusive Complex. The trend of δO¹⁸ decrease correlates with the original direction of increasing temperature. The O¹⁸ depletions, which have also been observed for oceanic “greenstones” (Muehlenbachs and Clayton, 1972b), resulted from water/rock interaction at temperatures greater than the particular temperature range above which whole rock-water fractionations became less than the isotopic difference between fresh basalt and sea water. Since this isotope geochemistry indicates that the water responsible for hydrothermal metamorphism was of sea water origin, the data support the more general hypothesis that convection of sea water within the upper 4–5 kms of the oceanic crust is a massive and active process at oceanic ridges. This process may be completely or partially responsible for (a.i.), the local scatter and low mean value of the conductive heat flux measured near ridges, (a.ii), the transfer of considerable quantities of heat from spreading oceanic ridges, (b) hydrothermal metamorphism, metasomatism and mineralization of oceanic crust, (c), the production of metal enriched, relatively reduced brines during sea water/basalt interaction, d), the high degree of scatter and low mean value of the compressional wave velocities of oceanic basement layer 2 and (e), the low natural remanent magnetization (NRM) intensity of the lower part of layer 2 and upper part of layer 3 of oceanic crust.     

Metabasalts from the Troodos Massif,Cyprus: Genetic implication deduced from petrography and trace element geochemistry

A wide variety of data support the contention that the Troodos massif, Cyprus is a fragment of oceanic lithosphere formed at a constructive margin some 85 m.y. ago. However, Troodos rocks differ significantly in major and trace element content and mineral parageneses from those formed at present day active constructive margins. It is here argued that the geochemical and petrographic characteristics of the massif are compatible with its formation at the axis of a slow spreading ridge within a small, marginal ocean basin.     

Willingness to pay for marine-based tourism in the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve,Mozambique

Marine and coastal ecosystems face widespread degradation largely because market failure hides the economic value of the goods and services they provide. Marine protected areas (MPAs) can serve as structures that ensure the continued functioning of marine and coastal ecosystem goods and services. Yet, to be effective and sustainable, MPAs must be able to prove their economic worth and generate revenue. User-fee systems are used commonly to partially finance multi-use MPAs. This study applies contingent valuation as a method of economic valuation within an MPA in southern Mozambique. Using a payment card and questionnaire from November 2012 to April 2013, this study determined the willingness to pay (WTP) of three user groups for access to the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve. The study also investigated the potential for the reserve to increase revenues for conservation through the implementation of a user fee for marine-based activities. Probit and ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions were used to determine the effects of various independent variables on WTP. The OLS model found income, African residency and environmental awareness to be significant factors that influenced visitors' WTP for access to the reserve. The mean WTP was R 43.75 (South African rands) per person per day. Using data supplied by the reserve management, conservative estimated annual revenues based on the implementation of this fee amount ranged between R 1.46 million and R 3.3 million.     

Quantifying the largest aggregation of giant trevally Caranx ignobilis (Carangidae) on record: implications for management

The giant trevally Caranx ignobilis (Forsskål) is an important apex predatory fish typically associated with coral reef communities. It is prized in recreational and commercial fisheries, yet little is known about its aggregation dynamics and susceptibility to fishing pressure. This study reports on a previously undocumented aggregation of mature giant trevally observed over a period of eight years (2010–2017) at Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve in southern Mozambique. The aggregation is one of the few recorded for this carangid in the western Indian Ocean and represents the first subtropical aggregation of giant trevally. The aggregation is also the largest recorded for this species, with up to 2 413 individuals representing an estimated biomass of approximately 30 tonnes. The size and predictability of this annual aggregation make it vulnerable to overexploitation and point towards the need for an appropriate conservation management strategy.