Unexpected records of ‘deep‐sea’ carnivorous sponges Asbestopluma hypogea in the shallow NE Atlantic shed light on new conservation issues

Marine cave communities have been a continued source of ecological surprises, among other things because of their close ecological and evolutionary ties with the deep sea. The discovery of cladorhizid sponges, the deepest occurring poriferan family, in shallow Mediterranean caves in the 1990s was one such surprise, leading to the generally accepted hypothesis that the whole family was carnivorous, an unprecedented feeding mode for sponges. The recent observation of the cave species Asbestopluma hypogea in the Mediterranean bathyal, confirmed the view that some shallow caves can occasionally shelter otherwise deep‐dwelling species. Here we present new distribution data of A. hypogea, from deep Mediterranean locations, and for the first time from Atlantic locations. Among the new Atlantic records, the most surprising ones are located in three different geographic areas (Ria de Arousa, Groix Island and Cherbourg) of the NW European coasts, from the Iberian Peninsula to the English Channel, where A. hypogea reaches SCUBA depths (5–50 m), while not sheltered in marine caves. The carnivorous sponge however reaches its shallowest occurrence (5 m), in a small cave at Groix Island. The ecological significance of these discoveries, particularly the very patchy distribution and peculiar dynamics, are noteworthy, and the shallow occurrence of A. hypogea, together with other deep‐water or uncommon species, constitute unique assemblages that must be considered in conservation plans.     

Cs baseline levels in the Mediterranean and Black Sea: A cross-basin survey of the CIESM Mediterranean Mussel Watch programme

The common mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis was selected as unique biomonitor species to implement a regional monitoring programme, the CIESM Mediterranean Mussel Watch (MMW), in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. As of today, and upon standardization of the methodological approach, the MMW Network has been able to quantify ¹³⁷Cs levels in mussels from 60 coastal stations and to produce the first distribution map of this artificial radionuclide at the scale of the entire Mediterranean and Black Seas. While measured ¹³⁷Cs levels were found to be very low (usually <1 Bq kg⁻¹ wet wt) ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations in the Black Sea and North Aegean Sea were up to two orders of magnitude higher than those in the western Mediterranean Basin. Such effects, far from representing a threat to human populations or the environment, reflect a persistent signature of the Chernobyl fallout in this area.     

Boron isotopic fractionation between minerals and fluids: New insights from in situ high pressure-high temperature vibrational spectroscopic data

Equilibrium boron isotopic fractionations between trigonal B(OH)₃ and tetragonal B(OH)₄⁻ aqueous species have been calculated at high P-T conditions using measured vibrational spectra (Raman and IR) and force-field modeling to compute reduced partition function ratios for B-isotopic exchange following Urey’s theory. The calculated isotopic fractionation factor at 300 K, α_3/4 = 1.0176(2), is slightly lower than the formerly calculated value of α_3/4 = 1.0193 (Kakihana and Kotaka, 1977), due to differences in the determined vibrational frequencies. The effect of pressure on α_3/4 up to 10 GPa and 723 K is shown to be negligible relative to temperature or speciation (pH) effects. Implications for the interpretation of boron fractionation in experimental and natural systems are discussed. We also show that the relationship between seawater-mineral B isotope fractionation and pH can be expressed using two variables, α_3/4 on one hand, and the pK_a of the boric acid-borate equilibrium on the other hand. This latter value is given by the equilibrium of boron species in water for the carbonate-water exchange, but could be governed by mineral surface properties in the case of clays. This may allow defining intrinsic paleo-pHmeters from B isotope fractionation between carbonate and authigenic minerals. Finally, it is shown that fractionation of boron isotopes can be rationalized in terms of the changes in 1) coordination of B from trigonal to tetrahedral in both fluids and minerals; and 2) the ligand nature around B from OH⁻ in the fluid and some hydrous minerals to non-hydrogenated O in many minerals. Relationships are established that allow predicting the isotopic fractionation factor of B between minerals and fluid.     

Detection of CH3D on Titan

We report the detection of ¹³CH₃D in Titan's stratosphere from Cassini/CIRS infrared spectra near 8.7 μm. Fitting simultaneously the ν₆ bands of both ¹³CH₃D and ¹²CH₃D and the ν₄ band of CH₄, we derive a D/H ratio equal to and a ¹²C/¹³C ratio in deuterated methane of , consistent with that measured in normal methane.     

Stratoid granites of Madagascar: structure and position in the Panafrican orogeny

Abstract

Stratoid granites constitute a major feature of the Precambrien basement of Madagascar. A detailed structural study was carried out NNW of Antananarivo. New zircon isotopic data on a typical alkaline granite ascertain their Panafrican age (585 Ma). The sheets of granites metric to kilometric of thickness, are interlayered with migmatitic gneisses and amphibolites. Their internal structures, determined by anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility measurements, everywhere yield foliations gently dipping to the west, and lineations striking WSW-ENE. These structures were mostly acquired at the magmatic stage in the granites, in the country-rocks they resulted from high-temperature plastic deformation.

The very constant structural pattern, interpreted in terms of shear deformation of a section of the crust, as well as the low P (P = 4 - 5 kb) - high T (T # 750°C) conditions, suggest that the emplacement of the stratoid granites was coeval with a late-orogenic stage in the Panafrican Mozambique belt, and possibly linked to the thinning of the lithosphere.     

Effects of buoyancy and mechanical layering on collisional deformation of continental lithosphere: Results from physical modeling

We use two suites of lithospheric-scale physical experiments to investigate the manner in which deformation of the continental lithosphere is affected by both (1) variations of lithospheric density (quantified by the net buoyant mass per area in the lithospheric mantle layer, M_B), and (2) the degree of coupling between the crust and lithospheric mantle (characterized by a modified Ampferer ratio, Am). The dynamics of the experiments can be characterized with a Rayleigh–Taylor type ratio, _CLM. Models with a positively buoyant lithospheric mantle layer (M_B > 0 and _CLM > 0) result in distributed root formation and a wide deformation belt. In contrast, models with a negatively buoyant lithospheric mantle layer strongly coupled to the crust (M_B < 0, 0 > _CLM > ≈ − 0.2, and Am > ≈ 10^{− 3}) exhibit localized roots and narrow deformation belts. Syncollisional delamination of the model lithospheric mantle layer and a wide deformation belt is exhibited in models with negatively buoyant lithospheric mantle layers weakly coupled to the crust (M_B < 0, _CLM < 0, and Am < ≈ 10^{− 3}). Syncollisional delamination of the continental lithosphere may initiate due to buoyancy contrasts within the continental plate, instead of resulting from wedging by the opposing plate. Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities dominate the style of deformation in models with a negatively buoyant lithospheric mantle layer strongly coupled to the crust and a slow convergence rate (M_B < 0 and _CLM > ≈ − 0.2). The degree of coupling (Am) between the model crust and lithospheric mantle plays a lesser role in both the style of lower-lithospheric deformation and the width of the crustal deformed zone with increasing density of the lithospheric mantle layer.     

High-pressure,low-temperature metamorphism in Alpujarride Units of southeastern Betics (Spain)Métamorphisme de haute pression et basse température dans les unités Alpujarrides du Sud-Est de la cordillère Bétique (Espagne)

We present the first occurrences of high-pressure, low-temperature ferro-magnesiocarpholite-bearing mineral assemblages associated to quartz segregations in the Alpujarride units of southeastern Betics (Sierra de Almagro, Sierra de los Pinos and Sierra Cabrera). Thermobarometric results show that the carpholite-bearing rocks underwent the same P–T conditions in the three outcrops, i.e. 8–10 kbar, 350–400 °C. Metamorphic and structural data allow us to conclude that these rocks belong to the same Alpujarride unit. In the Sierra de Almagro, tectonic units with carpholite-bearing rocks overlie low-pressure, low-temperature Alpujarride units, then forming a stack with an inverted tectono-metamorphic sequence, as observed in the central and western part of the Alpujarride complex. The preservation of carpholite-bearing assemblages in these rocks implies that no significant temperature increase occurred during the exhumation history. To cite this article: G. Booth-Rea et al., C. R. Geoscience 334 (2002) 857–865.     

Influence de l'hydrodynamique sur l'intrusion saline en aquifère karstique côtier

A new method of interpretation of the $Q\text{–}C$ hysteresis (discharge–salinity) during high water is proposed using the data recorded on coastal brackish karstic springs with salinity inversely proportional to the discharge. The method, based on the $Q_{\mathrm{mer}}\text{–}{C}_{\mathrm{T}}$ (seawater discharge–salinity) hysteresis, identifies the effect of the hydrodynamic changes on the flow and transport. Three phenomena are characterized: the emptying of the karstic conduit, the dilution by freshwater and the control of the seawater intrusion in the conduit by the hydraulic head variations. To cite this article: B. Arfib et al., C. R. Geoscience 338 (2006).     

High-resolution cyclostratigraphic analysis from magnetic susceptibility in a Lower Kimmeridgian (Upper Jurassic) marl–limestone succession (La Méouge,Vocontian Basin,France)

High-resolution magnetic susceptibility (MS) analysis was carried out on a Lower Kimmeridgian alternating marl–limestone succession of pelagic origin that crops out at La Méouge (Vocontian Basin, southeastern France). The aim of the study was to characterize the strong, dm-scale sedimentary cyclicity of the succession at a very high resolution, and to analyze the cycles for evidence of astronomical forcing. From marl to limestone, MS varies progressively and closely tracks the highest frequency cyclicity corresponding to the basic marl–limestone couplets. Long-term wavelength cycling modulates the high-frequency cyclicity (couplets), and appears to be controlled by clay content. Spectral analysis of the MS record reveals the presence of the complete suite of orbital frequencies in the precession, obliquity, and eccentricity (95–128 ka and 405 ka) bands with very high amplitude of the precession index cycles originating from dm-scale couplets. 405 ka-eccentricity cycles are very pronounced in the MS maxima of the marl members of the couplets, suggesting eccentricity-driven detrital input to the basin. 405 ka-orbital tuning of the MS maxima further sharpens all of the orbital frequencies present in the succession. These results are similar to those of previous studies at La Méouge that used carbonate content observed in field. Our results are also in accordance with cyclostratigraphic studies in Spain and Canada that report dominant precession index forcing. By contrast, in the Kimmeridge Clay (Dorset, UK), obliquity forcing dominates cyclic sedimentation, with weaker influence from the precession index. Ammonite zone duration estimates are made by counting the interpreted precession cycles, and provide an ultra-high resolution assessment of geologic time. In sum, this study demonstrates the power of the MS as a proxy in characterizing the high-resolution cyclostratigraphy of Mesozoic sections, particularly in alternating marl–limestone successions, and for high-resolution correlation and astronomical calibration of the geologic time scale.