Climate-related variations in crustal trace elements in Dome C (East Antarctica) ice during the past 672 kyr

Cr, Fe, Rb, Ba and U were determined by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) in various sections of the 3,270 m deep ice core recently drilled at Dome C on the high East Antarctic plateau as part of the EPICA program. The sections were dated from 263 kyr bp (depth of 2,368 m) to 672 kyr bp (depth of 3,062 m). When combined with the data previously obtained by Gabrielli and co-workers for the upper 2,193 m of the core, it gives a detailed record for these elements during a 672-kyr period from the Holocene back to Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 16.2. Concentrations and fallout fluxes of all elements are found to be highly variable with low values during the successive interglacial periods and much higher values during the coldest periods of the last eight climatic cycles. Crustal enrichment factors indicates that rock and soil dust is the dominant source for Fe, Rb, Ba and U whatever the period and for Cr during the glacial maxima. The relationship between Cr, Fe, Rb, Ba and U concentrations and the deuterium content of the ice appears to be similar before and after the Mid-Brunhes Event (MBE, around 430 kyr bp). Mean concentration values observed during the successive interglacials from the Holocene to MIS 15.5 appear to vary from one interglacial to another at least for part of the elements. Concentrations observed during the successive glacial maxima suggest a decreasing trend from the most recent glacial maxima (MIS 2.2 and 4.2) to the oldest glacial maxima such as MIS 14.2, 14.4 and 16.2, which could be linked with changes in the size distribution of dust particles transported from mid-latitude areas to the East Antarctic ice cap.     

Stable isotopes in deep-sea living (stained) foraminifera from the Mozambique Channel (eastern Africa): multispecies signatures and paleoenvironmental application

Oxygen and carbon isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) have been investigated in carbonate tests of deep-sea foraminifera living in the Mozambique Channel (eastern Africa) to understand how environmental constraints (e.g., organic matter, oxygenation) control the intra- and interspecific variability of isotopic signatures. 197 living individuals, including eight different species, from various microhabitats within the sediment were sorted from sediment samples gathered at two stations on the Malagasy upper slope. Results show that the δ¹⁸O values of foraminiferal taxa were not controlled by microhabitat pattern. They presented tremendous and intriguing intraspecific variability that is not explained by the classical ontogenetic effect. The δ¹³C values of infaunal foraminiferal taxa do not show a 1:1 relationship with the bottom water δ¹³C DIC and do not present a constant offset from it; instead, they appear to be mainly controlled by a microhabitat effect. The lower δ¹³C values of shallow, intermediate, and deep infaunal taxa at the deeper station compared to those seen at the shallower station reflect the enhanced exportation of sedimentary organic matter at the sediment–water interface, and its related mineralization within the upper sediments. The ?δ¹³C between shallow/very shallow infaunal species (i.e., Hoeglundina elegans, Uvigerina hispida) and intermediate/deep infaunal species (i.e., Melonis barleeanus, Globobulimina barbata) permits insight into (1) the exportation of organic matter to the seafloor and (2) the various degradation pathways for organic detritus in the benthic environments off NW Madagascar.     

Improving force resultant model for anchors in clays from large deformation finite element analysis

Abstract

This paper presents an improved plasticity force-resultant model for anchors deeply embedded in clays, developed from large deformation finite element analyses. The current available force-resultant models for anchors are mainly developed from small strain finite element analysis while experimental approach has not been used due to technical challenges. The advantage of large deformation finite element analysis is that it provides much more data points to fit the yield surface than small strain finite element analysis, in addition to avoiding excess mesh distortion problems. Furthermore, the flow rule or normality can be effectively checked in the large deformation finite element analysis and further used to improve the fitting quality. After validated against retrospective simulations, the better performance of the developed plasticity force-resultant model is demonstrated by comparing with available experimental observations from centrifuge test.     

Probability maps of landslide reactivation derived from tree-ring records: Pra Bellon landslide, southern French Alps

Probability maps of landslide reactivation are presented for the Pra Bellon landslide located in the southern French Alps based on results obtained with dendrogeomorphic analysis. Spatiotemporal patterns of past landslide activity was derived from tree-ring series of 403 disturbed mountain pine trees growing in the landslide body. In total, 704 growth disturbances were identified in the samples indicating 22 reactivation phases of the landslide body between 1910 and 2011. The mean return period was 4.5 years. Given the spatiotemporal completeness of the reconstruction, probabilities of landslide reactivation were computed and illustrated using a Poisson distribution model and for 5, 20, 50, and 100 years. Probability of landslide reactivation is highest in the central part of the landslide body and increases from 0.13 for a 5-year period to 0.94 for a 100-year period. Conversely, probabilities of reactivation are lower at its margins. The proposed method differs from conventional approaches based on statistical analyses or physical modeling that have demonstrated to have limitations in the prediction of spatiotemporal reactivation of landslides. Our approach is, in contrast, based on extensive data on past landslides and therefore allowed determination of quantitative probability maps of reactivation derived directly from the frequency of past events. This approach is considered a valuable tool for land managers in charge of protecting and forecasting people and their assets from the negative effects of landslides as well as for those responsible for land use planning and management. It demonstrates the reliability of dendrogeomorphic mapping that should be used systematically in forested shallow landslides.     

Evaluation of retention properties of a semi-synthetic fractured block from modelling at performance assessment time scales (Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory, Sweden)

Modelling of radionuclide transport in fractured media is a primary task for safety evaluation of a deep nuclear waste repository. A performance assessment (PA) model has been derived from site characterization data with the aim of improving confidence for quantifying transport of sorbing radionuclides at a safety time scale of 10⁶ y. The study was conducted on a 200?×?200?×?200 m semi-synthetic fractured block, providing a realistic system derived from the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (Sweden) dataset. The block includes 5,632 fractures ranging from 0.5 to 100 m in length and a heterogeneous matrix structure (fracture coating, gouge, mylonite, altered and non-altered diorite). The PA model integrates steady-state flow conditions and transport of released radionuclides during the safety time scale. An original simulation method was developed involving Eulerian flow and transport within fracture planes with a mixed hybrid finite element scheme and a semi-analytical source term to account for heterogeneous matrix diffusion. Total mass flux of radionuclides (conservative to strongly sorbing) was computed. A method to simplify the system was demonstrated, leading to a major path of 12 fractures. This is mainly due to the low connectivity of the fracture network. Matrix diffusion and sorption proved to have major impact on block retention properties for PA conditions.     

LA-ICPMS原位微区面扫描分析技术及其矿床学应用实例

LA-ICPMS原位微区面扫描技术的发展对解析具有包裹体、环带结构的矿物或受多期岩浆/热液活动影响形成的溶蚀再结晶的矿物具有重要的地质意义。黄铁矿作为最普遍的硫化物种类之一,可形成于各种类型矿床中,其微量元素组份记录了矿床形成过程的重要信息。通过LA-ICPMS原位微区面扫描技术获得的黄铁矿晶体内部结构组份信息可用来限定成矿流体的性质、厘定成矿流体的演化规律、示踪成矿物质来源、约束变形变质作用过程中元素的活化和迁移行为,以及约束矿床成因等。本次研究选取了内蒙古二连盆地中巴彦乌拉大型铀矿床、辽宁青城子地区榛子沟铅锌矿、加拿大Pardo砂金矿中的黄铁矿作为研究对象,运用原位微区LA-ICPMS元素面扫描技术揭示其内部组份及结构信息,探索该技术在不同类型矿床中的应用价值。巴彦乌拉大型砂岩型铀矿床中的黄铁矿的内部组构信息显示成矿体系的p H和Eh对硫酸盐还原细菌活动均有影响,并控制与之相关的铀矿化;且成矿体系的p H和Eh受到外界不断供给的地下水的影响,呈振荡性变化。辽宁榛子沟铅锌矿中的黄铁矿的内部组构信息显示矿化过程受到了至少两期流体活动的叠加影响,包括早期同沉积时期的流体以及晚期与燕山期岩浆活动有关的热液流体。加拿大Pardo金矿中黄铁矿的内部组构信息显示矿床中半自形-自形的黄铁矿实际包含碎屑成因的磨圆状核部及后期热液活动形成的增生边;金主要呈浸染状分布在碎屑成因的黄铁矿核部,后期热液活动对金矿化影响微弱。     

Synthesis of In‐House Produced Calibrated Silver Phosphate with a Large Range of Oxygen Isotope Compositions

The large range of stable oxygen isotope values of phosphate‐bearing minerals and dissolved phosphate of inorganic or organic origin requires the availability of in‐house produced calibrated silver phosphate of which isotopic ratios must closely bracket those of studied samples. We propose a simple protocol to synthesise Ag₃PO₄ in a wide range of oxygen isotope compositions based on the equilibrium isotopic fractionation factor and the kinetics and temperature of isotopic exchange in the phosphate–water system. Ag₃PO₄ crystals were obtained from KH₂PO₄ that was dissolved in water of known oxygen isotope composition. Isotopic exchange between dissolved phosphate and water took place at a desired and constant temperature into PYREX? tubes that were placed in a high precision oven for defined run‐times. Samples were withdrawn at desired times, quenched in cold water and precipitated as Ag₃PO₄. We provide a calculation sheet that computes the δ¹⁸O of precipitated Ag₃PO₄ as a function of time, temperature and δ¹⁸O of both reactants KH₂PO₄ and H₂O at t = 0. Predicted oxygen isotope compositions of synthesised silver phosphate range from ?7 to +31‰ VSMOW for a temperature range comprised between 110 and 130 °C and a range of water δ¹⁸O from ?20 to +15‰ VSMOW.     

Free-surface formulation of mantle convection—II. Implication for subduction-zone observables

Viscous and viscoelastic models for a subduction zone with a faulted lithosphere and internal buoyancy can self-consistently and simultaneously predict long-wavelength geoid highs over slabs, short-wavelength gravity lows over trenches, trench-forebulge morphology, and explain the high apparent strength of oceanic lithosphere in trench environments. The models use two different free-surface formulations of buoyancy-driven flows (see, for example, Part I): Lagrangian viscoelastic and pseudo-free-surface viscous formulations. The lower mantle must be stronger than the upper in order to obtain geoid highs at long wavelengths. Trenches are a simple consequence of the negative buoyancy of slabs and a large thrust fault, decoupling the overriding from underthrusting plates. The lower oceanic lithosphere must have a viscosity of less than to²⁴ Pa s in order to be consistent with the flexural wavelength of forebulges. Forebulges are dynamically maintained by viscous flow in the lower lithosphere and mantle, and give rise to apparently stiffer oceanic lithosphere at trenches. With purely viscous models using a pseudo-free-surface formulation, we find that viscous relaxation of oceanic lithosphere, in the presence of rapid trench rollback, leads to wider and shallower back-arc basins when compared to cases without viscous relaxation. Moreover, in agreement with earlier studies, the stresses necessary to generate forebulges are small (∼ 100 bars) compared to the unrealistically high stresses needed in classic thin elastic plate models.     

Insights on the Fort Davis — Mc Donald site stability: a GPS footprint

In june 1990, NASA's Crustal Dynamics Project (CDP) has established a geodetic footprint for the Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) systems located near Fort Davis, Texas using GPS measurements. The purpose of such a footprint is to assess both the tectonic and physical stability of the main observing monuments. Included in the survey were four new monuments forming a 20 to 30 km quadrilateral, as well as four existing monuments near the McDonald Laser Ranging System (MLRS), the Harvard Radio Astronomy (HRA) 85' antenna, and the new 85' antenna of the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA).This network was partly reoccupied by the University of Texas Austin in may 1992. Three additional sites not observed in 1990 were occupied, two of them being old monuments in the observatory area (Harvard-RM4 and VLBA-SLR), and a new monument 80 km away across the closest active fault near Valentine, Texas.Thanks to existing ties between nearby monuments in the observatory area, the comparison between the two epochs was made possible. Significant motion of more than 1 cm of any of the implied sites over a two year period can be ruled out. Despite this quite reassuring results, smaller displacements cannot be detected mainly because of the poor quality of the 1990 data. Therefore it is strongly advised that a third occupation of the footprint sites takes place in the close future. Such a survey, occuring five years after the first one and three years after the second one, should definitely answer the questions on the Fort Davis area stability at the millimeter per year level.     

A thermodynamic investigation of barium and calcium sulfate stability in sediments at an oceanic ridge axis (Juan de Fuca, ODP legs 139 and 169)

We have used a new thermodynamic model of barium and calcium sulfate solubilities in multicomponent electrolyte solutions (Monnin, 1999) to investigate the stabilities of barite and anhydrite in seawater or in marine sediment porewaters at high temperature and pressure. As a further test supplementing those previously carried out during model development, we have calculated the temperature at which standard seawater becomes saturated with respect to anhydrite. The model predicts that, upon heating at 500 bars, standard seawater becomes saturated with respect to anhydrite at 147 ± 5°C, which compares well with the literature value of 150°C (Bishoff and Seyfried, 1978). At 20 bars the calculated saturation temperature is 117 ± 3°C. This points to a non negligible pressure effect even at moderate pressures.We have calculated the barite and anhydrite saturation indices for the in situ temperatures and pressures, from the composition of porewaters collected at ODP Sites 855, 856, 857, 858, 1035 and 1036 during ODP Legs 139 and 169 (Juan de Fuca and Gorda ridges, NE Pacific). Calculated saturation indices for porewater samples collected at depths corresponding to temperatures between 70° and 110-120°C at an in situ pressure of about 260 bars yield equilibrium values for anhydrite and barite. Saturation indices of samples collected at depths where the temperature exceeds 110-120°C, however, yield values indicating supersaturation with respect to anhydrite and undersaturation with respect to barite. This result is consistent with the redissolution of anhydrite during cooling, leading to the well documented sampling artifact affecting porewater compositions in high temperature marine sediments: anhydrite dissolution increases the porewater sulfate content, which in turn induces a loss of barium from solution through barite precipitation (the common ion effect). We postulate that this redissolution occurs in sediment samples for which the in situ temperature exceeds 110-120°C: below this limit anhydrite remains at equilibrium or does not have time to significantly dissolve before porewaters are sampled.