The Adhi Kot breccia and implications for the origin of chondrules and silica-rich clasts in enstatite chondrites

The Adhi Kot EH4 enstatite chondrite breccia consists of silica-rich clasts (12+mn; 5 vol.%), chondrule-rich clasts (55+mn; 10 vol.%) and matrix (35+mn; 10 vol.%). The silica-rich clasts are a new kind of enstatite chondritic material, which contains more cristobalite (18–28 wt.%) than enstatite (12–14 wt.%), as well as abundant niningerite and troilite. The bulk atomic Mg/Si ratios of the clasts (0.22–0.40) are much lower than the average for enstatite chondrites (0.79). Kamacite and martensite (with 8–11 wt.% Ni and a martensitic structure) occur in all three breccia components. The clasts have kamacite-rich rims, and kamacite-rich aggregates occur in the matrix.A unidirectional change in the ambient pS₂/pO₂ ratio in the region of the solar nebula where Adhi Kot agglomerated can explain many of the breccia's petrologic features. If this region initially had a very high pS₂/pO₂ ratio in a gas of non-cosmic composition, sulfurization of enstatite and metallic Fe (e.g., MgSiO₃ + 2Fe + C + 3H₂S = MgS + SiO₂ + 2FeS + H₂O + CH₄) may have occurred, producing abundant niningerite, free silica and troilite at the expense of enstatite and metallic Fe. The Ni content of the residual metal would have increased, perhaps to ～ 8–10 wt.%. The silica-rich clasts agglomerated under these conditions; a significant fraction of the originally produced niningerite was lost (perhaps by aerodynamic size-sorting processes), lowering the clasts' bulk Mg/Si ratios.The pS₂/pO₂ ratio then decreased (perhaps because of infusion of additional H₂O) and sulfurization of metallic Fe and enstatite ceased. The chondrule-rich clasts agglomerated under these conditions, acquiring little free silica and niningerite. An episode of chondrule formation occurred at this time (by melting millimeter-sized agglomerates of this relatively silica-poor enstatite chondrite material and concomitant fractionation of an immiscible liquid of metallic Fe,Ni and sulfide). The chondrule-rich clasts agglomerated many such chondrules. Subsequently, the matrix agglomerated, acquiring the few remaining chondrules. Kamacite-rich aggregates formed, after the cessation of metal sulfurization, and agglomerated with the matrix. The kamacite-rich clast rims were acquired at this time.The components of Adhi Kot accreted to the EH chondrite parent body, where the breccia was assembled, buried beneath additional accreting material, and metamorphosed at temperatures of ? 700°C. Impact-excavation of the breccia and deposition onto the surface caused the formation of martensite from taenite inside the clasts and the matrix. At the surface, impact-melting produced an albite glass spherule, which was incorporated into the matrix. However, the absence of solar-wind-implanted rare gases in bulk Adhi Kot indicates that the breccia spent little time in a regolith.     

Mineralogy and petrology of chondrules and inclusions in the Mokoia CV3 chondrite

All objects >100 μm in apparent diameter in five polished thin sections of the Mokoia CV3 chondrite were studied and classified. Number and volume percentages and mean apparent size of each type of chondrule and inclusion were determined. Three major types of olivine chondrules were observed: igneous chondrules, recrystallized chondrules, and chondrules that appear to be accretional aggregates. Coarse-grained CAI's have igneous textures and mineral parageneses, while fine-grained CAI's are aggregates containing varying proportions of Al-rich concentric objects, Ca-rich chaotic material, and inclusion matrix. Chondrules and refractory inclusions in Mokoia and Allende are broadly similar in texture and mineral chemistry, but Mokoia refractory inclusions contain phyllosilicates rather than feldspathoids, and melilite-rich CAI's are more abundant in Allende.We think that most CAI's formed during the metamorphism, partial melting, and incomplete distillation of primitive dust aggregates when they were heated in the solar nebula. In the process, Ca-rich melt appears to have been physically separated from Al-rich residues, producing the observed fractionation of Ca from Al into distinct constituents of CAI's. Some CAI's may be aggregates of devitrified, amorphous metastable condensates. Inclusion matrix may have condensed from silicate-rich vapors produced during distillation. Mokoia inclusion matrix contains phyllosilicates that are probably primitive nebular material.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Australian coals. I. Angularly fused pentacyclic tri- and tetraaromatic components of Victorian brown coal

Analysis of the tri- and tetraaromatic hydrocarbon fractions of a brown coal sample from the Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia indicate the predominance of pentacyclic hydroaromatic components. Many of these have not been previously reported in the literature, but are obviously diagenetically related to triterpenoids naturally occurring in the biosphere. The components whose molecular structures have been confirmed, together with those for which tentative structural assignments are given, offer strong support for a theory of progressive diagenetic aromatization of C-3 oxygenated triterpenoids, commencing from ring A. Other compounds present in smaller amounts suggest that 1,2-methyl shift reactions also occur prior to or during aromatization. There is a notable absence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH's) which can be diagenetically related to the steroid or extended-side-chain hopane skeletons.     

Stable isotopic fingerprint of a hyporheic–hypolentic boundary in a reservoir

Stable isotopes of H₂O are used to define the hyporheic–hypolentic boundary in Ledbetter Creek as it discharges to Kentucky Lake, a constructed reservoir in western Kentucky, USA. High-resolution (centimeter-scale) sample collection and analysis were utilized to determine one-dimensional variations in δ²H and δ¹⁸O of H₂O and chloride (Cl⁻) across the boundary. During reservoir low stand in winter, the hyporheic–hypolentic zone contains water from Ledbetter Creek and groundwater separated by an interface at ~10 cm below the channel bottom. Following reservoir-stage increase in spring and summer, water from Kentucky Lake infiltrates into the hyporheic–hypolentic zone to a depth of at least 18 cm below the channel bottom. Reservoir-stage decline in autumn causes source-water mixing, largely obscuring the hyporheic–hypolentic boundary. Stable isotopes provide an effective complement to conventional tracers for delineation of water masses within the hyporheic–hypolentic zone.

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Resumen Se han utilizado isótopos estables del agua para definir el límite hiporreico-hipoléntico en Ledbetter Creek, que constituye una zona de descarga del lago Kentucky, una presa construida al Oeste de Kentucky, USA. Se ha llevado a cabo una recogida de muestras de alta resolución (a escala centimétrica) y se utilizaron los resultados para determinar las variaciones unidimensionales en δ²H y δ¹⁸O del H₂O y los cloruros (Cl⁻) alrededor del límite. Durante la época de niveles bajos en invierno, la zona hiporreica-hipolentica tiene agua procedente de Ledbetter Creek y de agua subterránea separada por una interfase de ~10 cm debajo del límite del canal. Siguiendo el incremento de los niveles en la presa en primavera y verano, el agua del Lago Kentucky se infiltra en la zona hiporreica-hipoléntica hasta una profundidad de, al menos, 18 cm bajo el límite hiporreico-hipoléntico. Los isótopos estables aportan un complemento efectivo a los trazadores convencionales para la delimitación de masas de agua dentro de la zona hiporreica-hipoléntica.

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Résumé L’utilisation des isotopes stables de la molécule d’eau a permis de définir l’interface hyporhéique-hypolentique dans la Ledbetter Creek, au point de déversement dans le réservoir artificiel que constitue le Kentucky Lake (Ouest du Kentucky, Etats-Unis). Une campagne de prélèvements à haute résolution (échelle centimétrique) a contribué à déterminer les variations unidimensionnelles des valeurs de δ2H et de δ18O de la molécule d’eau et de la concentration en chlorures (Cl⁻) de part et d’autre de l’interface. En hiver, lorsque le niveau du réservoir est minimal, la zone hyporhéique-hypolentique contient de l’eau de la Ledbetter Creek et de l’eau souterraine, séparées par un interface situé environ 10 cm sous le fond du chenal. Suite aux recharges printanières et estivales, l’eau du Kentucky Lake envahit la zone hyporhéique-hypolentique sur plus de 18 cm sous le fond du chenal. En automne, la baisse de niveau dans le réservoir occasionne un mélange des eaux, rendant diffus l’interface hyporhéique-hypolentique. Les isotopes stables constituent ainsi un complément efficace aux traceurs conventionnels pour la délimitation des masses d’eau dans la zone hyporhéique-hypolentique.

     

Microstructure mechanism map of dynamically recrystallized marble

The relative nucleus density (RND) model of dynamically recrystallized grain size [Sakai, T., Jonas, J.J. 1984. Dynamic recrystallization: mechanical and microctructutal consideration. Acta metallurgica, 32, 198–209] was applied to experimentally and to naturally deformed marbles that have undergone dynamic recrystallization. The model shows that a relationship between initial grain size (D₀) and stable dynamically recrystallized grain size (D_S) for a given value of temperature-corrected strain-rate (Z) controls grain size evolution during dynamic recrystallization. New microstructural mechanism maps (MM-maps) for experimentally and naturally deformed marbles (based on previously published data) were defined in log grain size–log Z space and show two distinct regions of grain reduction and grain coarsening. The boundary between these two regions corresponds to an equation relating dynamically recrystallized grain size and temperature corrected strain rate, as proposed in this work. The new MM-map was used to trace semi-quantitatively microstructural and grain size evolution in naturally deformed marbles that underwent dynamic recrystallization at different thermal conditions. The boundary between grain coarsening and grain reduction does not necessarily coincide with the boundary between rotation and migration recrystallization mechanisms. Assessment of available natural data shows that the boundary condition D₀ = 2D_S between grain-coarsening and grain-reduction introduced by Sakai and Jonas [Sakai, T., Jonas, J.J. 1984. Dynamic recrystallization: mechanical and microctructutal consideration. Acta metallurgica, 32, 198–209] is not required for naturally deformed marble.     

Source constraints of Tungurahua volcano explosion events

The most recent eruptive cycle of Tungurahua volcano began in May 2004, and reached its highest level of activity in July 2004. This activity cycle is the last one of a series of four cycles that followed the reawakening and major eruption of Tungurahua in 1999. Between June 30 and August 12, 2004, three temporary seismic and infrasonic stations were installed on the flanks of the volcano and recorded over 2,000 degassing events. The events are classified by waveform character and include: explosion events (the vast majority, spanning three orders of pressure amplitudes at 3.5 km from the vent, 0.1–180 Pa), jetting events, and sequences of repetitive infrasonic pulses, called chugging events. Travel-time analysis of seismic first arrivals and infrasonic waves indicates that explosions start with a seismic event at a shallow depth (<200 m), followed ∼1 s later by an out-flux of gas, ash and solid material through the vent. Cluster analysis of infrasonic signals from explosion events was used to isolate four groups of similar waveforms without apparent correlation to event size, location, or time. The clustering is thus associated with source mechanism and probably spatial distribution. Explosion clusters do not exhibit temporal dependence.     

Promoting species persistence through spatial association optimization in nature reserve design

An important concern for certain species in reserve network design is ensuring that selected sites are either clustered or dispersed. The task of structuring a clustered or dispersed reserve system is often achieved without considering the spatial distribution of the species involved. To address this issue, we develop a probabilistic design model that considers species-specific persistence in selecting reserve sites in order to enhance survival probability. The application results illustrate how the model accounts for spatial association between reserve sites. Differences to related approaches are discussed, focusing on how long-term species representation in reserve design is promoted.     

Groundwater flow patterns in the San Luis Valley,Colorado, USA revisited: an evaluation of solute and isotopic data

Groundwater systems in the San Luis Valley, Colorado, USA have been re-evaluated by an analysis of solute and isotopic data. Existing stream, spring, and groundwater samples have been augmented with 154 solute and isotopic samples. Based on geochemical stratification, three groundwater regimes have been identified within 1,200 m of the surface: unconfined, upper active confined, and lower active confined with maximum TDS concentrations of 35,000, 3,500 and 600 mg/L, respectively. The elevated TDS of northern valley unconfined and upper active confined systems result from mineral dissolution, ion exchange and methanogenesis of organic and evaporate lake sediments deposited in an ancient lake, herein designated as Lake Sipapu. Chemical evolutions along flow paths were modeled with NETPATH. Groundwater ages, and δ¹³C, δ²H and δ¹⁸O compositions and distributions, suggest that mountain front recharge is the principle recharge mechanism for the upper and lower confined aquifers with travel times in the northern valley of more than 20,000 and 30,000 ¹⁴C years, respectively. Southern valley confined aquifer travel times are 5,000 ¹⁴C years or less. The unconfined aquifer contains appreciable modern recharge water and the contribution of confined aquifer water to the unconfined aquifer does not exceed 20%.     

Effectiveness of coir-based rolled erosion control systems in reducing sediment transport from hillslopes

Accelerated soil erosion is ubiquitous on human-modified hillslopes. A variety of erosion control products have been developed to reduce on-site soil resource degradation, and off-site transport of sediment and sediment-associated contaminants to receiving water bodies. However, limited quantitative data are available to assess erosion reduction effectiveness, and to establish the salient properties of the erosion control products. A replicated field-based rainfall simulation study was conducted to compare the runoff and erosion effectiveness of three coir (coconut) fiber rolled erosion control systems (RECSs) with a bare (control) treatment. Detailed temporal measurements of runoff and sediment transport were made during two phases of each experiment: (1) a 110-min application of rainfall via a rainfall simulator at 35 mm h⁻¹ after runoff initiation and (2) a 30-min period, at 3 times the flow rate of phase 1, applied via an overland flow generator. All coir treatments enhanced infiltration, delayed time to runoff generation, reduced intensity of rill incision, and reduced sediment output compared to bare treatments. More importantly, statistically significant differences were observed between coir RECSs of different architecture. For the two open weave coir systems tested, the most effective design had a higher mass per area, and less open space between the regularly aligned grid of fibers. The random fiber coir architecture was the most effective, having significantly lower runoff sediment concentrations, lower sediment yields, and a lower frequency of rill initiation. The differences in system architecture are examined in light of fundamental controls on runoff and erosion processes.     

Features of faults in the central and northern Tibetan plateau based on results of INDEPTH (III)-MT

The features of the faults in the central and northern Tibetan plateau are discussed, based on two super-wide band magnetotelluric (MT) sounding profiles belonging to the INDEPTH (III)-MT project, which were finished between 1998 and 1999: one is from Deqing to Longweicuo (named line 500), the other is from Naqu to Golmud (line 600). This work assists research on the collision and subduction mode between the India and Asia plates. The MT results show that there is a series of deep faults, F1 to F10, in the central and northern Tibetan plateau. Of these faults, F2 is an earlier main fault which leans to the north, and F1 is a later main overriding fault. The Jiali deep fault zone, which has a very complex space structure, is composed of these two faults. F3, F4 and F5 are super-deep faults. They are high-angle faults and lean a little to the south. The main fault zone of the Bangong-Nujiang suture is composed of these three faults. Because of later activity in the structure, several shallow faults formed in the upper crust within the Bangong-Nujiang suture. The Tanggula fault zone is composed of two main faults, F6 and F7, and a series of sub-faults. The shallow segments of the main faults are in high angles and the deep segments of main faults are in low angles. These two faults generally lean to the south and extend into the lower crust. The Jinshajiang suture is composed of the Jinshajiang fault (F8) and the Kekexili fault (F9), and there is a series of sub-faults in the upper crust between these two faults. The Jinshajiang suture is a very wide suture caused by continent-continent collision. The Middle Kunlun fault (F10), which is the main structure of the Kunlun fault zone, is a high angle, super-deep fault. It is the north boundary of the Songpan-Ganzi-Kekexili block. Based on the conductive structure of the profile, the southern part of the Middle Kunlun fault belongs to the Tibetan plateau, but it is not certain whether the northern part of the Middle Kunlun fault belongs to the Tibetan plateau. There are conductive bodies stretching from the crust into the upper mantle below the Bangong-Nujiang suture and Jinshajiang suture. This may suggest heat exchange between the crust and mantle. Translated from Earth Science—Journal of China University of Geosciences, 2006, 31(2): 257–265 [译自: 地球科学—中国地质大学学报]