The geochemistry of primary and weathered oil shale and coquina across the Julia Creek vanadium deposit (Queensland, Australia)

A significant resource of vanadium and molybdenum exists near Julia Creek, Australia, where the middle Cretaceous organic-rich Toolebuc Formation lies between 0 and 25 m of the surface. We present and discuss a comprehensive geochemical study of the Toolebuc Formation and its enclosing stratigraphy near Julia Creek to understand this ore deposit. V and Mo contents in fresh facies are strongly associated with total organic carbon (TOC) contents, but not with Al or CaCO₃; this suggests that V and Mo were originally concentrated in the organic fraction. However, chemical extractions using H₂O₂ indicate that Mo was originally concentrated in pyrite. The data also suggest that V was mobilised from organic matter during early diagenesis and became associated with clays as little V was extracted by H₂O₂ in the fresh samples. TOC contents in the Toolebuc Formation were removed during weathering, residually enriching trace metals including V and Mo, and as a result, the TOC relationship with V and Mo disintegrates. With weathering, both V and Mo predominantly became associated with iron oxide/hydroxide phases (and possibly other unidentified phases) as these elements in the weathered facies were highly soluble in the sodium citrate–sodium dithionite digestion. Large shale-hosted V and Mo deposits such as Julia Creek offer a potentially viable alternative to the currently mined magnetite-hosted deposits. A thorough understanding of the formation and host mineral phases for V and Mo of these shale deposits, however, is critical to ensure that these valuable metals can be feasibly extracted.     

The growth of the continental crust: Constraints from zircon Hf-isotope data

A worldwide database of over 13,800 integrated U–Pb and Hf-isotope analyses of zircon, derived largely from detrital sources, has been used to examine processes of crustal evolution on a global scale, and to test existing models for the growth of continental crust through time. In this study we introduce a new approach to quantitatively estimating the proportion of juvenile material added to the crust at any given time during its evolution. This estimate is then used to model the crustal growth rate over the 4.56 Ga of Earth's history. The modelling suggests that there was little episodicity in the production of new crust, as opposed to peaks in magmatic ages. The distribution of age-Hf isotope data from zircons worldwide implies that at least 60% of the existing continental crust separated from the mantle before 2.5 Ga. However, taking into consideration new evidence coming from geophysical data, the formation of most continental crust early in Earth's history (at least 70% before 2.5 Ga) is even more probable. Thus, crustal reworking has dominated over net juvenile additions to the continental crust, at least since the end of the Archean. Moreover, the juvenile proportion of newly formed crust decreases stepwise through time: it is about 70% in the 4.0–2.2 Ga time interval, about 50% in the 1.8–0.6 Ga time interval, and possibly less than 50% after 0.6 Ga. These changes may be related to the formation of supercontinents.     

A major element,PGE and Re–Os isotope study of Middle Atlas (Morocco) peridotite xenoliths: Evidence for coupled introduction of metasomatic sulphides and clinopyroxene

We present major element and PGE (platinum-group-element) abundances in addition to Re–Os isotope data for 11 spinel-facies whole rock peridotites from a single maar from the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco.Major element systematics of these xenoliths are generally correlated with indices of depletion. FeO–MgO systematics appear to suggest spinel-facies melting in the range of 5 to 25%. However, Al₂O₃ abundances in these xenoliths appear elevated relative to primitive mantle (Prima). The Al₂O₃ abundances in conjunction with other major elements require distinct re-enrichment of the Middle Atlas continental mantle root due to melt/rock reaction and precipitation of amphibole and/or clinopyroxene from passing silicate melts akin to MORB or OIB that evolved in reverse direction along the melting curves in e.g. FeO–MgO space. Sc and V confirm the range of apparent depletion and also indicate that the currently preserved fO₂ in these peridotites is distinctly different from fO₂ conditions observed in subduction zones.The majority of these xenoliths have low Os and Ir (I-PGEs) concentrations relative to Prima and modelled sulphide- and clinopyroxene-depleted residues of mantle melting under low fO₂, mid-ocean ridge-like conditions. Moreover, Pt and Pd (P-PGE) abundances are elevated when compared to their expected abundances after substantial melt extraction. Importantly, the systematically low Ir abundances in the majority of samples show well-correlated trends with Al₂O₃, MgO and Cu that are inconsistent with established melting trends. Os isotopes in the Middle Atlas xenoliths range from ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os = 0.11604 to 0.12664 although most samples are close to chondritic. The Os isotope ratios are decoupled from ¹⁸⁷Re/¹⁸⁸Os but, together with Re abundances, also exhibit a good correlation with Al₂O₃, MgO and Cu.The major element, I-PGE and Os isotope correlations suggest that the initial melt depletion led to the exhaustion of sulphide and clinopyroxene (20 to 30%) without significant stabilization of I-PGE-rich alloys. During later modal metasomatism of the refractory Middle Atlas continental mantle root with silicate melts akin to MORB or OIB the introduction of clinopyroxene/amphibole reduced the volume of the melt inducing sulphur saturation in these melts causing precipitation of secondary sulphides. This coupled crystallization of pyroxenes and sulphides (chalcopyrite) resulted in the two-component mixing systematics exhibited by I-PGEs, Os isotopes with major elements and Cu preserved in the Middle Atlas continental mantle root.     

Macrozooplankton Community Dynamics in Relation to Environmental Variables in Willapa Bay,Washington, USA

Willapa Bay is a large, economically and ecologically important estuary on the Washington coast, USA for which the zooplankton community has not previously been studied. Thus, in 2006 and 2007, six stations within Willapa Bay were sampled biweekly for macrozooplankton, chlorophyll, and various abiotic variables to elucidate the processes underlying community composition and dynamics. Non-metric multidimensional scaling identified water temperature and upwelling values as major factors defining two distinct temporal communities. High densities and a community dominated by oceanic species (Calanus pacificus, Centropages abdominalis) marked the winter season, while summer (or the upwelling season) was dominated by estuarine species (Palaemonidae, Clevelandia ios). Smaller scale changes in the community were characterized by variation in chlorophyll a concentration and salinity and were marked by the presence of other taxa (Neotrypaea californiensis, Mysidae). These results point to the importance of physical processes, including the import of marine organisms and retention of estuarine organisms, in the structuring of the macrozooplankton community in Willapa Bay.     

Adaptation to climate change in glaciated mountain regions

Understanding of the human dimensions of climate change (HDCC) in glaciated mountain regions is limited by a deficit in systematically collated information on where, to what stressors, by whom, at what scale, and with what effect adaptation is occurring. This paper presents a systematic literature review of the recent English language peer-reviewed scholarship on adaptation in glaciated mountain regions. 4050 potentially relevant articles were examined, with 36 included for full review. Results indicate that scholarly investigation into adaptation in glaciated mountains is presently limited to only 40 % of countries with alpine glaciation. Seventy-four discrete adaptation initiatives were identified, with most occurring in Peru (28 %), Nepal (22 %) and India (17 %). Many documented adaptations were initiated in response to intersecting stressors related to cryospheric change and socio-economic development; were autonomous and initiated in reaction to experienced climatic stimuli; and were carried out at the individual, family, or community scale. The study contributes to an emerging literature tracking on-the-ground adaptation processes and outcomes, and identifies a need to raise the profile of human adaptation in glaciated mountain regions within the HDCC scholarship. A research agenda for addressing key knowledge gaps and questions is developed, providing a framework for future investigation.     

Arsenic within the secondary environment resulting from geogenic inputs,Harlech Dome,United Kingdom

There has been a growing awareness of As in the environment due to both anthropogenic and geogenic loading. This study quantifies the presence of As in river water, river sediment and groundwater within the Harlech Dome region of the UK, an area underlain by Cambro–Ordovician aged mineralization. Published data regarding As levels in UK groundwater are relatively rare compared to elsewhere. Arsenic levels in groundwater (0.1–18 µg l^?1) and river sediment (1.5–142 mg kg^?1) exceed environmental quality guidelines and indicate the release of As into the secondary environment from predominantly geogenic sources. Modelling of dissolved As speciation using ORP–pH diagrams predicts the presence of As in both arsenate (As⁵⁺) and arsenous acid (As³⁺) species, which possess differing solubilities and mobilities. Calculation of enrichment factors (EFs) for As in river sediments, using Al as a reference element, indicates highest EFs, and therefore As release, occurs in streams draining the Coed-y-Brenin region in the south-east of the Harlech Dome. This area is underlain by an as yet unexploited porphyry copper deposit. Data indicate that the presence of potentially harmful elements within the environment may occur with or without the presence of major anthropogenic activity.     

Mineralogy and major-element geochemistry of the lower Permian Greta Seam,Sydney Basin,Australia

The mineralogy of the high-volatile bituminous coals and associated strata from the Greta seam, Sydney Basin, Australia, has been evaluated in this study. Although the seam is not immediately overlain by marine strata, percolation of marine water into the original peat bed is indicated by the petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, which resemble those of coals with marine roof strata. The upper and lower sections of the seam have contrasting mineralogy. Pyrite typically comprises 40 to 56 wt% of the mineral assemblage in the marine-influenced upper part of the seam section. The lower part contains much less pyrite (typically <5 wt%, organic-free basis), and also relatively abundant dawsonite (up to 14 wt%, organic-free basis). The minerals within most coal plies are largely of authigenic origin. These include pyrite, siderite, clay minerals (mainly kaolinite and Na-rich mixed-layer illite/smectite), and quartz, most of which have a relatively early, syngenetic origin. Minor Ti-bearing minerals, anatase or rutile, and phosphate minerals, fluorapatite and goyazite, were probably also formed during early diagenesis. Other minerals have features that indicate late-stage precipitation. These include abundant cleat- and fracture-filling dawsonite, which may be the result of reactions between earlier-precipitated kaolinite and Na₂CO₃- or NaHCO₃-bearing fluids. Minor albite may also be epigenetic, possibly precipitated from the same Ca–Al bearing fluids that formed the dawsonite. The most abundant detrital minerals in the Greta coals are quartz, poorly ordered kaolinite, illite and mixed-layer illite/smectite (I/S). These occur mainly in the floor, roof and other epiclastic horizons of the seam, reflecting periods of greater clastic influx into those parts of the original peat-forming environment. Detrital minerals are rare in the coals away from the epiclastic horizons, probably owing to almost complete sediment bypassing in the depositional system. Alternatively, any detrital minerals that were originally present may have been leached from the peat bed by diagenetic or post-diagenetic processes.     

Inference of Solar Magnetic Field Parameters from Data with Limited Wavelength Sampling

We investigate the diagnostic potential of polarimetric measurements with filtergraph instruments. Numerical simulations are used to explore the possibility of inferring the magnetic field vector, its filling factor, and the thermodynamics of model atmospheres when only a few wavelength measurements are available. These simulations assume the magnetic Sun to be represented by Milne–Eddington atmospheres. The results indicate that two wavelength measurements are insufficient to reliably determine the magnetic parameters, regardless of whether magnetograph techniques or least-squares fitting inversions are used. However, as few as four measurements analyzed with the inversion technique provide enough information to retrieve the intrinsic magnetic field with an accuracy better than 10% in most cases.     

Use of GIS and dasymetric mapping for estimating tsunami-affected population to facilitate humanitarian relief logistics: a case study from Phuket,Thailand

Natural Hazards - The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami led to improvements in Thailand’s early warning systems and evacuation procedures. However, there was no consideration of better aid delivery,...     

The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) Vector Magnetic Field Pipeline: Overview and Performance

The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) began near-continuous full-disk solar measurements on 1 May 2010 from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). An automated processing pipeline keeps pace with observations to produce observable quantities, including the photospheric vector magnetic field, from sequences of filtergrams. The basic vector-field frame list cadence is 135 seconds, but to reduce noise the filtergrams are combined to derive data products every 720 seconds. The primary 720 s observables were released in mid-2010, including Stokes polarization parameters measured at six wavelengths, as well as intensity, Doppler velocity, and the line-of-sight magnetic field. More advanced products, including the full vector magnetic field, are now available. Automatically identified HMI Active Region Patches (HARPs) track the location and shape of magnetic regions throughout their lifetime. The vector field is computed using the Very Fast Inversion of the Stokes Vector (VFISV) code optimized for the HMI pipeline; the remaining 180^° azimuth ambiguity is resolved with the Minimum Energy (ME0) code. The Milne–Eddington inversion is performed on all full-disk HMI observations. The disambiguation, until recently run only on HARP regions, is now implemented for the full disk. Vector and scalar quantities in the patches are used to derive active region indices potentially useful for forecasting; the data maps and indices are collected in the SHARP data series, hmi.sharp_720s. Definitive SHARP processing is completed only after the region rotates off the visible disk; quick-look products are produced in near real time. Patches are provided in both CCD and heliographic coordinates. HMI provides continuous coverage of the vector field, but has modest spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution. Coupled with limitations of the analysis and interpretation techniques, effects of the orbital velocity, and instrument performance, the resulting measurements have a certain dynamic range and sensitivity and are subject to systematic errors and uncertainties that are characterized in this report.