Phospholipid ester-linked fatty acids composition of size-fractionated particles at the top ocean surface

Surface microlayer and subsurface water samples were collected at an oligotrophic Mediterranean site during a diel cycle. The composition of phospholipid ester-linked fatty acids (PLFA) was determined in size-fractionated particles (0.2–0.7 μm; 0.7–200 μm) in order to characterize the major contributors of organic matter to different size fractions. GF/F-retained particles (0.7–200 μm) from the surface microlayer were consistently enriched in PLFA relative to the underlying water. Molecular markers revealed a substantial difference in biological assemblages in both particle sizes. The larger particles were dominated by dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria, microzooplankton and attached bacteria, whereas particles filtered through GF/F and collected on 0.2 μm porosity Durapore filters (0.2–0.7 μm) were mostly bacteria and heterotrophic flagellates. Bacterial PLFA associated with 0.7–200 μm particles were more abundant than those in the 0.2–0.7 μm particles. Specific markers in the branched series appeared more representative of bacteria of smaller particle size.     

Rôle du fluor dans la formation des gisements d'émeraude de Mananjary (Est de Madagascar)

The Mananjary emerald deposits are hosted in phlogopite-rich rocks formed through metasomatic alteration of meta-ultrabasites (hornblendites) at about 500 °C and 2 kbar due to infiltration of fluoride-rich fluids. A thermodynamic model explains the role of fluoride-complexation in the transport of Be and points to co-precipitation of F-phlogopite as the cause of beryl deposition. To cite this article: B. Moine et al., C. R. Geoscience 336 (2004).     

Late Quaternary climatic control on erosion and weathering in the eastern Tibetan Plateau and the Mekong Basin

High-resolution siliciclastic grain size and bulk mineralogy combined with clay mineralogy, rubidium, strontium, and neodymium isotopes of Core MD01-2393 collected off the Mekong River estuary in the southwestern South China Sea reveals a monsoon-controlled chemical weathering and physical erosion history during the last 190,000 yr in the eastern Tibetan Plateau and the Mekong Basin. The ranges of isotopic composition are limited throughout sedimentary records: ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7206–0.7240 and ε_Nd(0) = −11.1 to −12.1. These values match well to those of Mekong River sediments and they are considered to reflect this source region. Smectites/(illite + chlorite) and smectites/kaolinite ratios are used as indices of chemical weathering rates, whereas the bulk kaolinite/quartz ratio is used as an index of physical erosion rates in the eastern Tibetan Plateau and the Mekong Basin. Furthermore, the 2.5–6.5 μm/15–55 μm siliciclastic grain size population ratio represents the intensity of sediment discharge of the Mekong River and, in turn, the East Asian summer monsoon intensity. Strengthened chemical weathering corresponds to increased sediment discharge and weakened physical erosion during interglacial periods. In contrast, weakened chemical weathering associated with reduced sediment discharge and intensified physical erosion during glacial periods. Such strong glacial–interglacial correlations between chemical weathering/erosion and sediment discharge imply the monsoon-controlled weathering and erosion.     

Zinc mobility and speciation in soil covered by contaminated dredged sediment using micrometer-scale and bulk-averaging X-ray fluorescence, absorption and diffraction techniques

The mobility and solid-state speciation of zinc in a pseudogley soil (pH = 8.2-8.3) before and after contamination by land-disposition of a dredged sediment ([Zn] = 6600 mg kg⁻¹) affected by smelter operations were studied in a 50 m² pilot-scale test site and the laboratory using state-of-the-art synchrotron-based techniques. Sediment disposition on land caused the migration of micrometer-sized, smelter-related, sphalerite (ZnS) and franklinite (ZnFe₂O₄) grains and dissolved Zn from the sediment downwards to a soil depth of 20 cm over a period of 18 months. Gravitational movement of fine-grained metal contaminants probably occurred continuously, while peaks of Zn leaching were observed in the summer when the oxidative dissolution of ZnS was favored by non-flooding conditions. The Zn concentration in the <50 μm soil fraction increased from ∼61 ppm to ∼94 ppm in the first 12 months at 0-10 cm depth, and to ∼269 ppm in the first 15 months following the sediment deposition. Higher Zn concentrations and enrichments were observed in the fine (<2 μm) and very fine (<0.2 μm) fractions after 15 months (480 mg kg⁻¹ and 1000 mg kg⁻¹, respectively), compared to 200 mg kg⁻¹ in the <2 μm fraction of the initial soil. In total, 1.2% of the Zn initially present in the sediment was released to the environment after 15 months, representing an integrated quantity of ∼4 kg Zn over an area of 50 m². Microfocused X-ray fluorescence (XRF), diffraction (XRD) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy techniques were used to image chemical associations of Zn with Fe and Mn, and to identify mineral and Zn species in selected points-of-interest in the uncontaminated and contaminated soil. Bulk average powder EXAFS spectroscopy was used to quantify the proportion of each Zn species in the soil. In the uncontaminated soil, Zn is largely speciated as Zn-containing phyllosilicate, and to a minor extent as zincochromite (ZnCr₂O₄), ^IVZn-sorbed turbostratic birnessite (δ-MnO₂), and Zn-substituted goethite. In the upper 0-10 cm of the contaminated soil, ∼60 ± 10% of total Zn is present as ZnS inherited from the overlying sediment. Poorly-crystalline Zn-sorbed Fe (oxyhydr)oxides and zinciferous phyllosilicate amount to ∼20-30 ± 10% each and, therefore, make up most of the remaining Zn. Smaller amounts of franklinite (ZnFe₂O₄), Zn-birnessite and Zn-goethite were also detected. Further solubilization of the Zn inventory in the sediment, and also remobilization of Zn from the poorly-crystalline neoformed Fe (oxyhydr)oxide precipitates, are expected over time. This study shows that land deposition of contaminated dredged sediments is a source of Zn for the covered soil and, consequently, presents environmental hazards. Remediation technologies should be devised to either sequester Zn into sparingly soluble crystalline phases, or remove Zn by collecting leachates beneath the sediment.     

Stratigraphie séquentielle du Carbonifère inférieur du Haut Atlas central et des Jebilet (Maroc): un exemple de bassins à turbidites contrôlées par la tectonique

Marine deposits of Visean age are well exposed in the Marrakesh area. Two third order sequences are identified in the central High Atlas and Jebilet: SA, which is of Middle Visean age (CM); SB of Upper Visean age (Cf6αβγ); and a complex with olistoliths of Upper Visean-Lower Namurian age (Cf6δ-Cf7). The SA and SIB sequences consist of a relative low-lying system tract with turbidites, a retrograde transgressive system tract and a prograde high-lying system tract. The relative low level comprises a turbiditic fan fed by tectonic uplift, which does not strictly coincide with eustatic processes. The transgressive system tract retrogrades firstly on the slope during tectonic reactivation with slumps, channels and silty levees, secondly on the shelf edge with a mixture of turbiditic and storm deposits and finally on the shelf with storm deposits and reef building. The high level system tract progrades on the shelf by a delta fan. This model is similar to sequences described in Spain and Italy by Mutti (1992), where tectonism is dominant.Nevertheless, eustasy, as described by Vail et al. (1977) played a part, since the same sequences are found in the chart of Ross and Ross (1987): S1, which of Middle Visean age (Cf5) and S2 which is of Upper Visean age (Cf6αβγ). Only the comparison between regional sequences described in Morocco and the sequences of the European platform allow tectonics and eustasy to be taken into consideration.     

Radiative surface temperature and convective flux calculation over crop canopies

The analysis presented in this paper aims at a better understanding of the potential role of radiative temperature, as measured by a radiometer over crops, in sensible heat flux calculation. Defining radiative temperature as the mean temperature of the surfaces viewed by the radiometer (leaves and soil surface) and assuming that an Ohm's law type formula can be used to express sensible heat flux as a function of the difference between air temperature and radiative temperature, the aerodynamic resistance which divides this temperature difference has been analytically defined. The parameters which appear in the resistance expression depend essentially on wind velocity and canopy structure but also on the inclination angle of the radiometer. Finally an experimental verification is presented with data obtained over a potato crop.     

Volcanological and petrological evolution of Nyiragongo volcano,Virunga volcanic field,Zaire

Three major phases are distinguished during the growth of Nyiragongo, an active volcano at the western limit of the Virunga Range, Zaire. Lavas erupted during phase 1 are strongly undersaturated melilitites characterized by the presence of kalsilite phenocrysts, perovskite, and the abundance of calcite in the matrix. Such lavas crop out mainly on the inner crater wall and progressively evolve toward more aphyric melilite nephelinites well represented on the flanks of the volcano. Adventive vents lying at the base of the cone developed along radial fracture systems and erupted olivine and/or clinopyroxene – rich melilitites or nephelinites. Stage 2 lavas are melilite-free nephelinites. Clinopyroxene is the main phenocryst and feldspathoids are abundant in the lavas exposed on the crater wall. These flows result from periodic overflowing of a magma column from an open crater. Extensive fissure flows which erupted from the base of the cone at the end of this stage are related to widespread draining out of magma which in turn induces the formation of the summit pit crater. Magmas erupted during stage 3 are relatively aphyric melilite nephelinites and the main volcanological characteristic is the permanent lava lake observed into the pit crater until the 1977 eruption. Fluctuations of the level of the lava lake was responsible for the development of the inner terraces. Periodic overflowing of the lava lake from the central pit formed the nepheline aggregate lava flows. Petrography and major element geochemistry allow the determination of the principal petrogenetic processes. Melilitites and nephelinites erupted from the summit crater are lavas derived, via clinopyroxene fractionation, from a more primitive melt. The abundance of feldspathoids in these lavas is in keeping with nepheline flotation. Aphyric melilite nephelinites covering the flanks and the extensive fissure flows have a homogeneous chemical composition; rocks from the historical lava lake are slightly more evolved. All these lavas differentiated in a shallow reservoir. Lavas erupted from the parasitic vents are mainly olivine and/or clinopyroxene-phyric rocks. Rushayite and picrites from Muja cone are peculiar high-magnesium lavas resulting from the addition of olivine xenocrysts to melilitic or nephelinitic melts. Fluid and melt inclusions in olivine and clinopyroxene phenocrysts indicate a crystallization depth of 10–14 km. A model involving two reservoirs located at different depths and periodically connected is proposed to explain the petrography of the lavas; this hypothesis is in accordance with geophysical data. Received: July 8, 1993/Accepted: September 10, 1993     

A Pliocene–Quaternary compressional basin in the Interandean Depression, Central Ecuador

The segment of the Interandean Depression of Ecuador between Ambato and Quito is characterized by an uppermost Pliocene–Quaternary basin, which is located between two N-S trending reverse basement faults: the Victoria Fault to the west, and the Pisayambo Fault to the east. The clear evidence of E-W shortening for the early Pleistocene (between 1.85 and 1.21 Ma) favours a compressional basin interpretation. The morphology (river deviations, landslides, folded and flexure structures) demonstrates continuous shortening during the late Quaternary. The late Pliocene-Quaternary shortening reached 3400 ± 600 m with a rate of 1.4 ± 0.3 mm yr⁻¹. The E-W shortening is kinematically consistent with the current right-lateral reverse motion along the NE-SW trending Pallatanga Fault. The Quito-Ambato zone appears to act as a N-S restraining bend in a system of large right-lateral strike-slip faults. The compressive deformation which affects the Interandean Depression during the Pliocene is apparently coeval to the beginning subduction of very young oceanic lithosphere north of the Gulf of Guayaquil. The relatively buoyant new crust may have significantly increased the mechanical coupling in the subduction zone from Pliocene to Present.     

Low-frequency transfer of seismic energy by superficial soil deposits and soft rocks

Recordings of recent strong earthquakes obtained on alluvial sites show that the maximum horizontal accelerations tend towards a limit of about 0.45 to 0.50g, associated with large displacements. by contrast, vertical accelerations do not appear to be subject to such a limit (1.7g for the 1979 Imperial Valley earthquake). Theoretical linear elasticity models, when applied to superficial layers of low strength, seem to be inadequate for the prediction of near-field ground motions in alluvial deposits. A good approximation for the horizontal component of certain Imperial Valley records was, however, obtained through a non-linear approach, using local soil properties together with a reasonable hypothesis for motion at the base of the superficial layers in question that included large values of acceleration for high-frequency shear waves.