Experimental reactions between olivine and orthopyroxene with phonolite melt: implications for the origins of hydrous amphibole + phlogopite + diopside bearing metasomatic veins

Amphibole + phlogopite + diopside bearing veins are observed in a large number of upper mantle xenoliths, but the composition of the melt that forms them is poorly constrained. Recent data from the Heldburg Phonolite, Central Germany, has shown that phonolite melt will react with olivine and orthopyroxene xenocrysts to form reaction rims of amphibole + phlogopite + diopside at mid-lower crustal pressures. This is the first example of where a melt has reacted with peridotite to form the mineralogy of the metasomatic veins. It is therefore necessary to explore whether a phonolite melt could be the parent melt that forms amphibole + phlogopite + diopside metasomatic veins. Experimental reactions between single crystals of olivine and orthopyroxene with phonolite melt were conducted at upper mantle conditions of 1.0–1.5 GPa and 900–1,000 °C. Melt water contents were varied from anhydrous to >12 wt. H₂O. Olivine reacts to form phlogopite reaction rims with overgrowths of diopside <1,000 °C or rims of secondary olivine >1,000 °C. Orthopyroxene reacts to form amphibole with epitaxial diopside overgrowths <1,000 °C. No reaction rims form when the bulk melt H₂O is lower than ~3.8 wt%. Pressure has little effect over the small range tested. These experiments reproduce reaction rims on olivine and orthopyroxene observed in the Heldburg Phonolite, Central Germany, and suggest that a relatively narrow range of temperatures and melt water contents is required for rim formation. The compositions of rim amphibole, phlogopite and diopside from the experiments have very similar compositions to those from Heldburg but do not match those from metasomatic veins. Phenocrysts from Heldburg are similar to the metasomatic veins, suggesting that a phonolite could potentially form the veins if vein formation is dominated by crystallization rather than reaction and replacement of wall rock phases.     

Characterization and sources of extractable organic matter from sediment cores of an urban lake (Tasik Perdana), Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia

The extractable organic matter of sediment samples from six sampling sites in Lake Perdana, Kuala Lumpur, was analyzed to characterize the source inputs. The analysis of aliphatic homologous series indicated that terrestrial higher plant waxes can be assigned as the major sources of the identified aliphatic components in the lake sediments. The presence of an unresolved complex mixture of branched and cyclic compounds and a series of hopanes ranging from C₂₇ to C₃₅ reflected the contamination by petroleum residues from urban vehicular emissions brought in by runoff and fallout. The steroids present included stenols and stanols and showed an input of organic matter from higher plants. The detected pentacyclic triterpenoids comprised oleanane, ursane, lupane and friedelane skeletons including unsaturated oxygenated, mono-, di- and triaromatic counterparts. They are recognized as biomarkers for angiosperms. The presence of des-A-triterpenoids and their aromatized derivatives as the major diagenetic products of triterpenoids reflected the degradation of natural organic matter in the sediments occurring under mainly anoxic conditions. In addition, the presence of tetrahymanol and ββ-bishomohopan-32-ol indicated a minor algal/plankton and bacterial input to the sediments.     

Web-based 4D visualization of marine geo-data using WebGL

For marine logistics and maintenance of extensive and expensive marine engineering projects in the coastal zone, it is essential that institutions provide the public with relevant information in an easily understandable yet comprehensive manner over the web. A perennial challenge, however, has been the development of spatio-temporal (four-dimensional (4D)) geo-visualization algorithms to enable the integration of time-varying geo-information in map-based visualizations on the Internet. In this paper, we address the challenge of visualizing marine spatial data in web-based applications through a 4D visualization concept, focusing on usability criteria, performance parameters, the required implementation effort, and delivering a breath of spatial information that supports decision-making on multiple levels. We used Web Graphic Library (WebGL) to validate our concept through a prototypical implementation. In our technology evaluation, WebGL proved highly suitable for the development of interactive, responsive, efficient, and mobile web-based Geographic Information applications, including 2D, 3D, and 4D (spatiotemporal) content. During our research, we identified a number of open research questions, including mapping graphic variables to thematic expressivity, representation of the time dimension in 4D systems, generic temporal generalization, and integration of (pseudo-)photorealistic illustrations in web-based geo-visualization systems.     

2D and 3D Polar Plume Analysis from the Three Vantage Positions of STEREO/EUVI A, B, and SOHO/EIT

Polar plumes appear as elongated objects starting at the solar polar regions. Here we analyze these objects from a sequence of images taken simultaneously by the three spacecraft telescopes STEREO/EUVI A and B, and SOHO/EIT. We establish a method capable of automatically identifying plumes in solar EUV images close to the limb at 1.01?–?1.39?R _⊙ in order to study their temporal evolution. This plume-identification method is based on a multiscale Hough-wavelet analysis. Then two methods to determine the 3D localization and structure of the plumes are discussed: first, tomography using filtered back-projection and including the differential rotation of the Sun and, second, conventional stereoscopic triangulation. We show that tomography and stereoscopy are complementary for studying polar plumes. We also show that this systematic 2D identification and the proposed methods of 3D reconstruction are well suited to identify plumes individually and also to analyze the distribution of plumes and inter-plume regions. Finally, the results are discussed, focusing on plume position and cross-sectional area.     

Temperature dependence of the OH-stretching frequencies in topaz-OH

Hydrogen bonding in topaz-OH, Al₂SiO₄(OH)₂, was investigated by IR spectroscopic analysis of the temperature dependence of the OH-stretching frequencies. Low-temperature spectra ranging from −196 to −160°C prove the existence of four non-equivalent H-positions in the crystal structure from the occurrence of four different OH-bands. With increasing temperature, these bands merge first, above −160°C, into two OH-bands and then above 400°C into one asymmetric broad band. Shifting of the OH-bands is caused by thermally induced hydrogen order–disorder. Low temperature fixes the protons in their positions; increasing temperature induces proton movement and allows switching between the different positions. Autocorrelation analysis of the IR spectra reveals two phase transitions, one at about −155°C from P1 to Pbn2 ₁ characterized as static–dynamic change and the second at about 380°C from Pbn2 ₁ to Pbnm caused by disordering of the protons. The increasing symmetry with temperature is due to advanced proton movement and dynamical averages over the proton distribution densities.     

Uptake of uranium and trace elements in pyrite (FeS2) suspensions

Pyrite dissolution and interaction with Fe^(II), Co^(II), Eu^(III) and U^(VI) have been studied under anoxic conditions by solution chemistry and spectroscopic techniques. Aqueous data show a maximal cation uptake above pH 5.5. Iron (II) uptake can explain the non-stoichiometric [S]_aq/[Fe]_aq ratios often observed during dissolution experiments. Protonation data corrected for pyrite dissolution resulted in a proton site density of 9 ± 3 sites nm⁻². Concentration isotherms for Eu^(III) and U^(VI) sorption on pyrite indicate two different behaviours which can be related to the contrasted redox properties of these elements. For Eu^(III), sorption can be explained by the existence of a unique site with a saturation concentration of 1.25 × 10⁻⁶ mol g⁻¹. In the U^(VI) case, sorption seems to occur on two different sites with a total saturation concentration of 4.5 × 10⁻⁸ mol g⁻¹. At lower concentration, uranium reduction occurs, limiting the concentration of dissolved uranium to the solubility of UO₂(s).Scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectrometry of U^(VI)-sorbed pyrite indicate a heterogeneous distribution of U at the pyrite surface and a close association with oxidized S. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the partial reduction of U and the formation of a hyperstoichiometric UO_2+x(s). Our results are consistent with a chemistry of the pyrite surface governed not by Fe^(II)-bound hydroxyl groups, but by S groups which can either sorb cations and protons, or sorb and reduce redox-sensitive elements such as U^(VI).     

Mobility and potential bioavailability of traffic-derived trace metals in a ‘wet–dry’ tropical region,Northern Australia

The aqueous mobility and potential bioavailability of metals and metalloids in road runoff in a ‘wet–dry’ tropical location were assessed by analysing metal and metalloid concentrations in particulate, total dissolved and labile dissolved phases in runoff waters. Road-derived Al, Cu, Pb, Sb and Zn concentrations were substantially elevated in runoff when compared to receiving creek waters. Median dissolved concentrations in road runoff exceeded those in creek waters by up to an order of magnitude. Leaching experiments of road sediments confirmed that several metals and metalloids were released in high concentrations from road sediments. Labile Zn and Cu concentrations measured by diffusion gradients in thin films (DGT) showed that almost all dissolved Zn and up to half of dissolved Cu in runoff waters and in road sediment leachate were potentially bioavailable. Comparisons of dissolved metal concentrations in receiving waters affected by road runoff with ecosystem guideline levels, indicated a risk of reaching toxic levels of Cu and Zn in the receiving waters in the absence of adequate treatment or dilution. Low dilution rates of road runoff are likely to occur during late ‘dry’ season/early ‘wet’ season storms which have the potential to produce high metal concentrations derived from long periods of accumulation of road sediment at a time when creek flow rates are at their annual minimum.     

湖南芙蓉锡矿床锡矿石和有关花岗岩的40Ar-39Ar年龄及其地球动力学意义

在研究和介绍湖南芙蓉锡矿矿床地质特征的基础上,对云英岩型锡矿石中的白云母和与成矿有关的骑田岭角闪黑云花岗岩中的黑云母进行了40Ar-39Ar年龄测定,获得角闪黑云花岗岩的坪年龄为(157.5±0.3)Ma;三门云英岩锡矿石的坪年龄为(156.1±0.4)Ma;淘洗窝云英岩锡矿石的坪年龄(160.1±0.9)Ma.这3组测年数据很一致,不仅精确地反应出成岩成矿的时间限制,而且表明了花岗岩成岩与锡矿成矿的密切关系.此外,三组数据坪年龄一致显示出,在成岩成矿之后矿体未受到后期热事件的扰动.芙蓉锡矿床是湘南大型钨锡多金属矿集区的组成部分,也是华南地区中生代钨锡成矿两大高峰期之一的160～135 Ma期间形成的代表性矿床,可能为中国东部地球动力学体制调整时晚期岩石圈减薄过程中的产物.     

Glass-iron-clay interactions in a radioactive waste geological disposal: An integrated laboratory-scale experiment

Glass-iron-clay setups were reacted at 90 °C for 6-18 months to investigate the coupled interactions between glass alteration, Fe corrosion and clay transformation. The reacted interfaces were probed at the microscopic level using complementary characterization methods (scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, micro-Raman spectroscopy, micro X-ray diffraction, micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, and micro X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectroscopy). The 10-μm thick Fe foil was fully corroded within 10 months, exposing glass to the pore solution. Iron corrosion led to the formation of a layer containing mostly magnetite, siderite and Fe-rich phyllosilicates with one tetrahedral and one octahedral sheet (TO) or two tetrahedral and one octahedral (TOT) sheet per layer. The clay in contact with this corrosion layer was enriched in siderite (FeCO₃). Glass alteration resulted in the formation of a gel layer whose thickness increased with reaction time (from 20 μm after 6 months to 80 μm after 18 months) and a thin layer of secondary precipitates that concentrated lanthanides, P, and Mo. Assuming conservative behavior of Zr, the Si molar concentration in the gel is about 57% that in the glass. Glass dissolution remained at a rate close to the initial dissolution rate r₀. The data are consistent with glass dissolution sustained by the uptake of dissolved Si and charge-compensating cations on secondary (corrosion) products, thus maintaining the gel porosity open and facilitating the leaching of easily soluble elements.     

Mollusc and brachiopod skeletal hard parts: Intricate archives of their marine environment

The biogenic carbonate hard parts of fossil bivalves, cephalopods and brachiopods are among the most widely exploited marine archives of Phanerozoic environmental and climate dynamics research. The advent of novel analytical tools has led many workers to explore non‐traditional geochemical and petrographic proxies, and work performed in neighbouring disciplines sheds light on the complex biomineralization strategies applied by these organisms. These considerations form a strong motivation to review the potential and problems related to the compilation and interpretation of proxy data from bivalve, cephalopod and brachiopod hard parts from the viewpoint of the sedimentologist and palaeoceanographer. Specific focus is on the complex biomineralization pathways of a given dissolved ion or food particle from its aquatic environment via the digestion and biomineralization apparatus in molluscs and brachiopods and its incorporation into a biomineral. Given that molluscs and brachiopods do not secrete their hard parts from seawater but rather from their mantle and periostracum, this paper evaluates differences and similarities of seawater versus that of body fluids. Cephalopods, bivalves and brachiopods exert a strong biological control on biomineralization that, to some degree, may buffer their shell geochemistry against secular changes in seawater chemistry. Disordered (amorphous) calcium carbonate precursor phases, later transformed to crystalline biominerals, may be significant in carbonate archive research due to expected geochemical offset relative to the direct precipitation of stable phases. A reasonable level of understanding of the related mechanisms is thus crucial for those who use these skeletal hard parts as archives of the palaeo‐environment. The impact of what is commonly referred to as ‘biological factors’ on the geochemistry of mollusc and brachiopod hard parts is explored for conventional isotope systems such as carbon, oxygen, strontium and traditionally used element to calcium ratios. In particular, the often used δ¹³C_carb or the Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca elemental proxies are fraught with problems. An interesting new research field represents the analysis, calibration and application of non‐traditional proxies to mollusc and brachiopod hard parts. Examples include the carbonate clumped isotope (Δ₄₇) approach and the analysis of the isotopes of Ca, Mg, N, Li, S or element to Ca ratios such as Li/Ca or B/Ca and rare earth elements. Based on considerations discussed here, a series of “do's and don'ts” in mollusc and brachiopod archive research are proposed and suggestions for future work are presented. In essence, the suggestions proposed here include experimental work (also field experiments) making use of recent archive organisms or, where possible, a reasonable recent analogue in the case of extinct groups. Moreover, the detailed understanding of the architecture of mollusc and brachiopod hard parts and their ultra‐structures must guide sampling strategies for geochemical analyses. Where feasible, a detailed understanding of the diagenetic pathways and the application of multi‐proxy and multi‐archive approaches should form the foundation of fossil carbonate archive research. The uncritical compilation of large data sets from various carbonate‐shelled organisms collected at different locations is not encouraged.