Integrated provenance analysis of a convergent retroarc foreland system: U–Pb ages,heavy minerals,Nd isotopes,and sandstone compositions of the Middle Magdalena Valley basin,northern Andes,Colombia

Sediment provenance analysis remains a powerful method for testing hypotheses on the temporal and spatial evolution of uplifted source regions, but issues such as recycling, nonunique sources, and pre- and post-depositional modifications may complicate interpretation of results from individual provenance techniques. Convergent retroarc systems commonly contain sediment sources that are sufficiently diverse (continental magmatic arc, fold–thrust belt, and stable craton) to enable explicit provenance assessments. In this paper, we combine detrital zircon U–Pb geochronology, heavy mineral identification, Nd isotopic analyses, conventional sandstone petrography, and paleocurrent measurements to reconstruct the clastic provenance history of a long-lived sedimentary basin now exposed in an intermontane zone of the northern Andean hinterland of Colombia. The Middle Magdalena Valley basin, situated between the Central Cordillera and Eastern Cordillera, contains a 5–10 km-thick succession of Upper Cretaceous to Quaternary fill. The integrated techniques show a pronounced change in provenance during the Paleocene transition from the lower to upper Lisama Formation. We interpret this as a shift from an eastern cratonic source to a western Andean source composed of magmatic-arc rocks uplifted during initial shortening of the Central Cordillera. The appearance of detrital chloritoid and a shift to more negative ε_Nd(t=0) values in middle Eocene strata of the middle La Paz Formation are attributed to shortening-related exhumation of a continental basement block (La Cira–Infantas paleohigh), now buried, along the axis of the Magdalena Valley. The diverse provenance proxies also show distinct changes during middle to late Eocene deposition of the Esmeraldas Formation that likely reflect initial rock uplift and exhumation of the fold–thrust belt defining the Eastern Cordillera. Upsection, detrital zircon U–Pb ages and heavy mineral assemblages for Oligocene and younger clastic deposits indicate that the Mesozoic sedimentary cover of the Eastern Cordillera was recycled during continued Cenozoic shortening. Our multidisciplinary provenance study refines the tectonic history of the Colombian Andes and demonstrates that uncertainties related to sediment recycling, nonunique sources, source heterogeneity, and climate in interpreting provenance data can be minimized via an integrated approach.     

Analysis of anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility in iron-oolitic beds: a potential tool for paleocurrent identification

A combined sedimentological, shape-preferred orientation and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS) analysis has been performed at the Arroyofrío Bed (Callovian–Oxfordian boundary level) in the locality of Moneva (Iberian Range, NE Spain). The Arroyofrío bed is a widespread iron-ooid limestone interval forming a condensed sequence. The present study has focused on the analysis of the potential presence of a preferred ooid orientation at the Arroyofrío bed. The obtained data show that ooids were originally ellipsoidal and had an imbricate disposition with respect to the bedding/lamination surface. The main ooid orientation within the bedding plane shows a NNE–SSW trend. Results of AMS analyses show a magnetic foliation parallel or slightly imbricated with respect to bedding and magnetic lineation parallel to the main ooid orientation. Magnetic mineralogy of studied samples shows that AMS is mainly controlled by magnetite with minor contributions of hematite and paramagnetic minerals (that can reach contributions of 35 %). The analyzed ooids show axial ratios between 1.4 and 2.8 (intrinsic anisotropy), while the anisotropy of their distribution shows lower anisotropies (e.g., Rs = 1.15) or very low values of the anisotropic magnetic parameters (e.g., P′ < 1.01). Sedimentary texture, matrix features, bioturbation and fossil content influenced both ooid main orientation and the magnetic fabric. Magnetic lineation and main orientation of long ooid axes are transverse to the inferred coastline in the studied area and parallel to the expected paleocurrent direction with respect to the Ejulve-Maestrazgo paleogeographic high. The direct correlation between AMS magnetic lineation and the ooid analysis permits to demonstrate that the paleocurrent imprint can be recorded by means of AMS despite the highly ferromagnetic context fabric and at coarse deposits. Obtained results support the interest and reliability of AMS to unravel paleocurrent imprints for paleogeographic reconstructions.     

Bioenergy potentials from forestry in 2050

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the global energy production potential of woody biomass from forestry for the year 2050 using a bottom-up analysis of key factors. Woody biomass from forestry was defined as all of the aboveground woody biomass of trees, including all products made from woody biomass. This includes the harvesting, processing and use of woody biomass. The projection was performed by comparing the future demand with the future supply of wood, based on existing databases, scenarios, and outlook studies. Specific attention was paid to the impact of the underlying factors that determine this potential and to the gaps and uncertainties in our current knowledge. Key variables included the demand for industrial roundwood and woodfuel, the plantation establishment rates, and the various theoretical, technical, economical, and ecological limitations related to the supply of wood from forests. Forests, as defined in this study, exclude forest plantations. Key uncertainties were the supply of wood from trees outside forests, the future rates of deforestation, the consumption of woodfuel, and the theoretical, technical, economical, or ecological wood production potentials of the forests. Based on a medium demand and medium plantation scenario, the global theoretical potential of the surplus wood supply (i.e., after the demand for woodfuel and industrial roundwood is met) in 2050 was calculated to be 6.1 Gm³ (71 EJ) and the technical potential to be 5.5 Gm³ (64 EJ). In practice, economical considerations further reduced the surplus wood supply from forests to 1.3 Gm³ year⁻¹ (15 EJ year⁻¹). When ecological criteria were also included, the demand for woodfuel and industrial roundwood exceeded the supply by 0.7 Gm³ year⁻¹ (8 EJ year⁻¹). The bioenergy potential from logging and processing residues and waste was estimated to be equivalent to 2.4 Gm³ year⁻¹ (28 EJ year⁻¹) wood, based on a medium demand scenario. These results indicate that forests can, in theory, become a major source of bioenergy, and that the use of this bioenergy can, in theory, be realized without endangering the supply of industrial roundwood and woodfuel and without further deforestation. Regional shortages in the supply of industrial roundwood and woodfuel can, however, occur in some regions, e.g., South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa.     

Least-squares prediction of horizontal coordinate distortions in Canada

A least-squares prediction method is described to estimate horizontal coordinate distortions at lower order points of a network using known coordinate differences (NAD27 coordinate distortions Δϕ′s and Δλ′s) at higher order points between NAD27 coordinates and coordinates derived from a recent (MAY 76), relatively distortion free, adjustment of these points. Empirical autocovariance functions of Δϕ and Δλ and crosscovariance function between Δϕ and Δλ are derived from some 5,250 data points and modelled using series of exponential functions. Empirical mean square values of Δϕ and Δλ, which are a measure of the distortions in NAD27 ϕ and λ, are 0.051 and 0.645 arcsecs² respectively. The corresponding mean value of the product ΔϕΔλ, which is a measure of the correlation between Δϕ and Δλ, is 0.056 arcsecs². The accuracy obtainable for predicted Δϕ and Δλ at an arbitrary point (e.g., lower order station) is a function of the accuracy and configuration of known Δϕ′s and Δλ′s in the surrounding area. Accuracies obtainable for various types of data configuration are given. Under favorable conditions taking place in about 60% of cases, accuracies in terms of ms agreement with known values of 0″.02 (0.6 m) and 0″.01 (0.2 m along parallel at latitude 50°) for the predicted latitude and longitude distortions are obtainable. Finally, a comparison with a method based on the use of complex polynomials is made. Presented at International Symposium on Geodetic Networks and Computations, Munich, August–September 1981.     

A Truncated Pareto Model to Estimate the Under Recovery of Large Diamonds

The metallurgical recovery processes in diamond mining may, under certain circumstances, cause an under-recovery of large diamonds. In order to predict high quantiles or tail probabilities we use a Bayesian approach to fit a truncated Generalized Pareto Type distribution to the tail of the data consisting of the weights of individual diamonds. Based on the estimated tail probability, the expected number of diamonds larger than a specified weight can be estimated. The difference between the expected and observed frequencies of diamond weights above an upper threshold provides an estimate of the number of diamonds lost during the recovery process.     

Organisation hydrochimique,biologique et sédimentologique d’un lac intracontinental à peuplements lagunaires : la Birket Karoun (Fayoum,Egypte)

Résumé

La Birket Karoun a été étudiée d’un point de vue biogéologique sur une période de 12 mois. Les données ainsi obtenues, ajoutées à celles de la littérature disponible, permettent de présenter les caractéristiques biogéologiques essentielles de ce bassin original.

Le lac n’est alimenté actuellement que par des eaux continentales issues du système nilotique ce qui entraîne des propriétés hydrochimiques assez différentes des corps d’eau paraliques influencés par la mer. Cependant, les caractéristiques hydrologiques, biologiques et sédimen-taires de la Birket Karoun la classent parmi les écosystèmes de type lagunaire. Il est même possible d’y reconnaître une organisation biogéologique zonale très semblable à celle des lagunes, la partie la plus « marine » (ou la moins confinée) se situant à l’opposé de la zone des apports d’eau douce. Une connexion entre le lac et la mer, actuelle ou passée, étant à peu près exclues, il faut admettre que les eaux continentales concentrées peuvent présenter, dans certains cas, des caractéristiques chimiques et biochimiques presque marines vis-à-vis des êtres vivants.

Dans cette optique, la Birket Karoun apparaît comme un modèle actuel susceptible de fournir une alternative à l’hypothèse d’une « Mer Saharienne » pour rendre compte de l’existence des lacs sahariens pleistocènes à faunes fossiles lagunaires.