The Lithospheric Mantle beneath Continental Margins: Melting and Melt-Rock Reaction in Canadian Cordillera Xenoliths

Seven alkali basalt centers in the southern Canadian Cordilleracontain mantle xenolith suites that comprise spinel Cr-diopsideperidotites, spinel augite-bearing wehrlites and orthopyroxene-poorlherzolites, and minor pyroxenites. The Cr-diopside peridotitesappear to be residues of the extraction of Mg-rich basalts byup to 15% partial melting (median 5–10%) of a pyrolite-likesource in the spinel stability field. The xenoliths are similarto other mantle xenolith suites derived from beneath convergentcontinental margins, but are less depleted, less oxidized, andhave lower spinel mg-number than peridotites found in fore-arcsettings. Their dominant high field strength element depletedcharacter, however, is typical of arc lavas, and may suggestthat fluids or melts circulating through the Canadian Cordilleralithosphere were subduction related. Modeling using MELTS isconsistent with the augite-bearing xenoliths being formed byinteraction between crystallizing alkaline melts and peridotite.Assimilation–fractional crystallization modeling suggeststhat the trace element patterns of liquids in equilibrium withthe augite xenoliths may represent the initial melts that reactedwith the peridotite. Moreover, the compositions of these meltsare similar to those of some glasses observed in the mantlexenoliths. Melt–rock interaction may thus be a viablemechanism for the formation of Si- and alkali-rich glass inperidotites. KEY WORDS: Canadian Cordillera; mantle xenolith; peridotite; wehrlite; melt–rock reaction     

Overbank sedimentation rates in former channel lakes: characterization and control factors

Overbank sedimentation rates were studied in former channels of three rivers in south-eastern France. Depth and spatial distribution of sediment, as well as geometry, hydrological connectivity and age of 39 lakes, were both measured and calculated. The mean sedimentation rate of lakes varied between 0 and 2·57 cm year⁻¹. Sedimentation rates are linked to water depth and often undergo a decreasing gradient from the downstream outlet to the inner part of the lake. Multiple regression modelling demonstrates that sediment depth is essentially a function of overbank flow frequency. The greater the difference between upstream and downstream overbank flow frequency, the faster the sedimentation rate. These differences in sedimentation rates also correspond to different former channel geometry: the rates are slower in narrow and straight channels (former braided, and point-bar backwater channels), and faster in large and sinuous channels (exhibiting meanders, anastomosing channels and coves). The suspended sediment flux is variable from one reach to another, the middle reach of the Rhône conveying more sediment than the upper reaches, the Doubs or the Ain reaches. The suspended sediment flux does not explain a statistical difference in lake sedimentation rates between the reaches, which also provide clear evidence of the importance of local connectivity controls. Sedimentation patterns were also complicated by temporal changes in lake connectivity associated with geomorphological or anthropogenic changes operating within the main channel.     

CONDITIONAL SAMPLING AND SCALE ANALYSIS OF THE MARINE ATMOSPHERIC MIXED LAYER -- SOFIA EXPERIMENT

During the SOFIA experiment, performed in the Azores region in June1992, airborne missions were conducted in the atmospheric boundary layerwith two aircraft instrumented for turbulence measurements. We show howthe conditional sampling technique, applied to the velocity, temperatureand moisture fluctuations, is able to describe the various parcels whichconstitute the turbulent field. Each parcel, so identified, is characterized byits fractional area and by its contribution to the transfers of sensible heat andlatent heat. On the other hand, a scale analysis is conducted by filteringthe turbulent signals in five non-overlapping frequency bands, definedaccording to the characteristic turbulent scales. The contribution of eachband to the turbulent energy and to the transfers is thus presented. Theimportance of the lowest frequencies, which are generally removed fromthe signals by high-pass filtering before computing turbulent fluxes, isshown. In the final section, the conditional sampling technique is applied tothe signals filtered in the various bands. Despite a slight deformation of theeddies due to the filtering technique, the contribution of each parcel can beestimated at the various scales analysed.     

SUSPENDED SEDIMENT DYNAMICS IN THE MORTERATSCH PRO‐GLACIAL ZONE,BERNINA ALPS,SWITZERLAND

Suspended sediment concentration (SSC) in the Ova da Morteratsch, Switzerland, measured during July 2007 was closely associated with discharge (Q) and showed statistically significant relationships at the p < 0.001 level at the proximal and distal ends of the 600 m pro‐glacial zone. SSC predicted from 10‐minute turbidity records gives a much more detailed insight into SSC fluctuations and identified SSC peaks which do not coincide with discharge peaks. Net (proximal – distal) 10‐minute suspended sediment loads (SSL) are predominantly positive (i.e. suspended sediment is being stored in the reach) for most of the 7–19 July 2007 record. Net (proximal – distal) SSLs correlate closely with discharge for the first part of the record (7–13 July) but from 14 to 19 July suspended sediment exhaustion is in evidence and discrete phases of negative net SSL (i.e. sediment flushing) are likely for up to six hours on three separate days which coincide with phases of high discharge and exhaustion of the glacial suspended sediment sources. Analysis of Q at the Berninabach–Pontresina gauging station (5 km downstream) for the past five years revealed that maximum monthly discharges capable of generating sediment flushing events occur in an average of four months each year. The study emphasises the rapid change in suspended sediment transport and yields with distance from the glacier snout and highlights the importance of measurements as close to the glacier snout as possible if data are to be representative of the glaciated land up‐valley. A better understanding of the processes of sediment exchange and the colonisation and stabilisation of sediment stores by vegetation in such pro‐glacial zones is essential if we are to improve predictions of the impacts of climate change on river sediment dynamics and the subsequent effects on aquatic ecology.     

Evolution of the Nile deep‐sea turbidite system during the Late Quaternary: influence of climate change on fan sedimentation

This paper presents an overview of the evolution of the Nile deep‐sea turbidite system during the last 200 kyr, over a series of glacial to interglacial cycles. Six individual deep‐sea fans were identified from an extensive field data set. Each fan comprises a canyon, channel system and terminal lobes. Two of these fan systems were possibly active at the same time, at least during some periods. Large‐scale slope failures destroyed channel segments and caused the formation of new submarine fan systems. These slope failures thus played an important role in the overall evolution of the turbidite system. During the last glacial maximum (ca 25 to 14·8 ka) the central and eastern parts of the Nile deep‐sea turbidite system were relatively inactive. This inactivity corresponds to a lowstand in sea‐level, and a period of arid climate and relatively low sediment discharge from the Nile fluvial system. Rapid accumulation of fluvial flood‐derived deposits occurred across the shallower part of the submarine delta during sea‐level rise between ca 14·8 and 5 ka. The most recent deep‐sea channel–lobe system was very active during this period of rising sea‐level, which is also associated with a wetter continental climate and increased sediment and water discharge from the Nile. Increased sediment deposition in shallower water areas led to occasional large‐scale slope failure. The Nile deep‐sea turbidite system was largely inactive after ca 5 ka. This widespread inactivity is due to retreat of the coastline away from the continental shelf break, and to a more arid continental climate and reduced discharge of sediment from the Nile. The Nile deep‐sea turbidite system may be more active during periods of rising and high sea‐level associated with wetter climates, than during lowstands, and may rapidly become largely inactive during highstands in sea‐level coupled with arid periods. These acute responses to climate change have produced sedimentary/stratigraphic features that diverge from traditional sequence models in their nature and timing. This large‐scale sedimentary system responded to monsoon‐driven climate change and sea‐level change in a system‐wide and contemporaneous manner.     

Facies effects on the behaviour of Nd and Sr isotope systems in turbidite mudrocks during diagenesis

A detailed Sm/Nd, epsilon Nd and Rb/Sr profile through a 30-cm thick section of Silurian (Llandovery) interbedded turbiditic and hemipelagic mudrocks from the central Wales Basin shows well-marked chemical and isotopic trends. The variations reflect an interplay of depositional mode and diagenetic fractionation. Sm and Nd values are substantially higher and Sm/Nd ratios tend to be lower in the organic-rich hemipelagite layers due to diagenetic concentration in the hemipelagites. There is a corresponding depletion in the turbidite mudstones. Epsilon Nd values range from −0·8 to −7·1 and this is attributed to diagenetic modification of Sm/Nd ratios causing scatter in back-calculated epsilon values. Rubidium–strontium ratios in this succession fall within a narrow range, due to homogenization during diagenesis. By contrast, data from a hemipelagite-dominated (condensed) succession near the northern margin of the Welsh Basin show a lower range of epsilon Nd values and a higher scatter of Rb/Sr values, consistent with less fluid throughput during burial compaction and hence less diagenetic redistribution in these rocks. These patterns demonstrate the sensitivity of mudrock trace element and isotope compositions to both small-scale sedimentary structure and large-scale basin architecture.