The youngest basic oceanic magmatism in the Alps (Late Cretaceous<Emphasis Type="Italic">;</Emphasis> Chiavenna unit,Central Alps): geochronological constraints and geodynamic significance

Cathodoluminescence-controlled radiometric dating (U–Pb SHRIMP) was carried out on zircon domains from metabasic rocks of the Chiavenna unit, a major mafic/ultramafic-bearing unit in the Central Alps. Co-magmatic zircon domains from amphibolites near Chiavenna and Prata areas yielded weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages at 93.0±2.0 and 93.9±1.8 Ma, respectively, interpreted as the age of crystallization of the magmatic protoliths. These ages fit well with the time of late spreading in the Valais Ocean, as suggested by previous paleogeographic reconstructions. Inherited zircon grains and/or core domains (Permo-Triassic, Carboniferous, Proterozoic) are abundant, indicating proximity of the Chiavenna unit to thinned continental crust. This is in line with the origin of this unit from subcontinental mantle sources, as suggested previously on petrological and structural grounds. Metamorphic zircon domains from one amphibolite near Chiavenna yielded a weighted mean ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U age at 37.1±0.9 Ma, identical to the 38.5±0.9 Ma SHRIMP age of an amphibolitized eclogite of the Antrona ophiolites (Valais domain, Western Alps). Precise metamorphic ages were difficult to obtain from the composite (poly)metamorphic rim domains of the Prata amphibolite. This is attributed to the location of the Prata area close to the granulite-facies Gruf unit (metamorphosed at ca. 33 Ma) and to the 24–25 Ma old Novate granite, where metamorphic/fluid events probably caused multiple resetting to various degrees. The ca. 93 Ma old magmatism, identified for the first time in the Chiavenna unit, is the youngest basic oceanic magmatism reported in the Alps. The 37.1±0.9 Ma old metamorphism in the Chiavenna unit, attributed to the Valais domain, confirms the model suggesting stepwise younging of metamorphic ages from the south (Adriatic plate) to the north (European plate). It is older than metamorphism in the European margin (ca. 35–31 Ma) lying to the north of the Valais domain and younger than that in the Piemont–Ligurian Ocean (ca. 44–45 Ma) lying to the south of the Valais domain.Editorial responsibility: W. Schreyer     

The solar system abundances of phosphorus and titanium and the nebular volatility of phosphorus

Abstract— The bulk chemical composition of Orgueil and 25 other carbonaceous chondrites was determined by x‐ray fluorescence analysis. The sample sizes of the analyzed meteorites were in all cases 120 mg. The abundances of P and Ti in Orgueil and Ivuna were precisely determined by the standard addition method. The new P CI abundance is 926 ± 65 ppm. Excluding the low P of Ivuna and one Orgueil sample with unusual chemistry gives a CI P content of 930 ± 23 ppm. A CI abundance of 926 ppm corresponds to a P/Si wt ratio of 8.66 times 10^?3 (atomic ratio 7.85 times 10^?3). For Ti a CI content of 458 ± 18 ppm and a Ti/Si wtratio of 4.28 times 10^?3 (atomic ratio 2.51 times 10^?3) were found. A Si content of 10.69% was obtained for average CI. The new P CI abundance is 20 to 30% below earlier estimates, while the Ti CI abundance is in agreement with earlier determinations. From the results of the analyses of bulk carbonaceous chondrites it is concluded: (1) Refractory element/Mg ratios increase from CI through CM and C3O to C3V, but ratios among Al, Ca and Ti are constant, except for low Ca/Al ratios in the reduced subgroup of C3V. (2) The Si/Mg ratios are constant in all groups of carbonaceous chondrites. (3) There is a volatility related depletion of Cr and Fe, but the Cr/Fe ratios are constant. (4) The sequence of volatility related depletions of the moderately volatile elements P, Au, As, Mn, and Zn follows condensation temperatures (except for As), if in condensation calculations non‐ideal solid solution in the host phase is considered.     

A nonlinear analysis of the moon's physical libration in longitude

The Euler equations for the forced physical librations of the Moon have already been solved by using a digital computer to perform the semi-literal mathematical manipulations. Very near resonance, the computer solution for the physical libration in longitude is complemented by the solution of the appropriate Duffing equation with a dissipation term. Because of its apparent proximity to a resonant frequency, the term whose argument is 2 - twice the mean angular distance of the Moon's perigee from the ascending node of its orbit - is especially important. Its phase, which soon should be measurable, is related to the Moon's anelasticity. The term's frequency, in units of the sidereal month, increases as the semi-major axis of the Moon's orbit about the Earth increases. Using the Moon's mechanical ellipticity of Koziel and the rate of increase of the semi-major axis of MacDonald, it is estimated that the 2 term will cross the resonant frequency in 130 million years and, if the rate of energy dissipation is sufficiently low, a transient libration will be induced.     

Announcement Internatioal Society for Diatom Research and Nederlands-Vlaamse Kring van Diatomisten

Announcement Internatioal Society for Diatom Research and Nederlands-Vlaamse Kring van Diatomisten     

Comment on the Brans-Dicke-Bianchi type-III vacuum solution

We wish to point out that the Brans-Dicke-Bianchi type-III vacuum solution recently given by Tiwari and Singh (1984) is not new. Moreover, the solution given has no correct Einstein limit, contrary to what is claimed by these authors. The Ellis-MacCallum vacuum solution in the Einstein case can be obtained from the Brans-Dicke solution first given by Lorenz-Petzold (1984a).     

Thermal characteristics of coal fires 2: Results of measurements on simulated coal fires

In this paper we present thermal characteristics of coal fires as measured during simulated fires under an experimental setting in Germany in July 2002. It is thus a continuation of the previously published paper “Thermal surface characteristics of coal fire 1: Results of in-situ measurement”, in which we presented temperature measurements of real subsurface coal fires in China [Zhang, J., Kuenzer, C., accepted for publication. Thermal Surface Characteristics of Coal Fires 1: Results of in-situ measurements. Accepted for publication at Journal of Applied Geophysics.]. The focus is on simulated coal fires, which are less complex in nature than fires under natural conditions. In the present study we simulated all the influences usually occurring under natural conditions in a controllable manner (uniform background material of known thermal properties, known ventilation pathways, homogeneous coal substrate), creating two artificial outdoor coal fires under simplified settings. One surface coal fire and one subsurface coal fire were observed over the course of 2 days. The set up of the fires allowed for measurements not always feasible under “real” in-situ conditions: thus compared to the in-situ investigations presented in paper one we could retrieve numerous temperature measurements inside of the fires. Single temperature measurements, diurnal profiles and airborne thermal surveying present the typical temperature patterns of a small surface-and a subsurface fire under undisturbed conditions (easily accessible terrain, 24 hour measurements period, homogeneous materials). We found that the outside air temperature does not influence the fire's surface temperature (up to 900 °C), while fire centre temperatures of up to 1200 °C strongly correlate with surface temperatures of the fire. The fires could heat their surrounding up to a distance of 4.5 m. However, thermal anomalies on the background surface only persist as long as the fire is burning and disappear very fast if the heat source is removed. Furthermore, heat outside of the fires is transported mainly by convection and not by radiation. In spatial thermal line scanner data the diurnal thermal patterns of the coal fire are clearly represented. Our experiments during that data collection also visualize the thermal anomaly differences between covered (underground) and uncovered (surface) coal fires. The latter could not be observed in-situ in a real coal fire area. Sub-surface coal fires express a much weaker signal than open surface fires and contrast only by few degrees against the background. In airborne thermal imaging scanner data the fires are also well represented. Here we could show that the mid-infrared domain (3.8 μm) is more suitable to pick up very hot anomalies, compared to the common thermal (8.8 μm) domain. Our results help to understand coal fires and their thermal patterns as well as the limitations occurring during their analysis. We believe that the results presented here can practicably help for the planning of coal fire thermal mapping campaigns — including remote sensing methods and the thermal data can be included into numerical coal fire modelling as initial or boundary conditions.     

Is dissolved Mn2+ being oxidized by O2 in absence of Mn-bacteria or surface catalysts?

Homogeneous Mn(II) solutions that are not oversaturated with respect to MnCO₃ or Mn(OH)₂, in the absence of catalysts, remain in the presence of dissolved oxygen unoxidized for periods in excess of seven years. Measurable oxygenation rates are observed in solutions that are oversaturated with respect to MnCO₃ or in waters containing “Mn-bacteria” or other surface catalysts.     

Systematics of chromitite occurrences in Central Palawan,Philippines

The chromitite occurrences in the Central Palawan ophiolite can be classified into four groups based on their chemistry and geological relationships. Group-I chromites from a deep tectonite level of the ophiolite complex show Cr/(Cr+Al) values of between 0.78 and 0.90, whereas group II from a shallower level gives values of 0.64–0.78, and group III from the immediate gabbro lower contact (dunite: cumulates and diapirs) show values of 0.5–0.64. Group-IV chromites from the gabbro zone have ratios around 0.38–0.5. Larger orebodies (type A), representing a first stage of partial melting of a primordial mantle, show Cr/Fe ratios between 2.5 and 4.5, whilst those of small chromitite bodies with a thin dunite envelope (type B) lie below 2.5. These small bodies belong to a second stage of magma generation. For both types the Cr/Fe ratio increases with the chromite/silicate ratio within individual occurrences. An additional method which may help to subdivide these chromitites involves their silicate and ore inclusions. The platinum-group minerals, for example, occur mainly in chromites of group II, type A. The intensive Tertiary tectonic activity to which the ophiolite was subjected during and after emplacement disturbs the regular pattern of the ophiolite stratigraphy and its chromitite occurrences.     

Die sogenannte «Moorschnecke»Leptobasis goesingense Palikein Pilzkonidium

Zusammenfassung Bau, Entwicklungsgeschichte (in Reinkulturen!) und ?kologie zeigen:Steinekkes ?Moorschnecke?, seineHelicosporium-Konidien,Leptobasis goesingense Palik undFortiea spirulina f. goesingense (Palik) Poljanskij geh?ren zusammen und stellen das Konidium einerHelicoonart dar. Es besteht keine Beziehung zuFortiea spirulina (Steinecke)J. De Toni.

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Summary Morphology, development (in pure cultures) and ecology show thatSteinecke’s ‘Moorschnecke’, hisHelicosporiumconidium,Leptobasis goesingense Palik andFortiea spirulina f.goesingense (Palik) Poljanskij belong together and represent the conidium of a species ofHelicoon. There is no connection to theFortiea spirulina (Steinecke)J. De Toni.

     

Über die mineralischen,nichtkarbonatischen Bestandteile des Cenoman und Turon der mitteldeutschen Kreidemulden und ihre Verteilung

Zusammenfassung Die nichtkarbonatischen Bestandteile von 26 Kalkproben aus dem Cenoman und Turon der westfälischen und niedersächsischen Oberkreideablagerungen wurden qualitativ wie auch quantitativ auf ihre mineralische Zusammensetzung hin untersucht.Hierzu wurde der karbonatische Anteil in verdünnter Salzsäure gelöst und der unlösliche Rückstand mit Sieb, Atterberg-Zylinder und zum Teil auch mit der Zentrifuge in mindestens 6 Korngrößenklassen zerlegt. Diese wurden nun einzeln mit optischen, röntgenographischen und chemischen Verfahren untersucht; zur Erhärtung der Ergebnisse ist auch die Differentialthermoanalyse hinzugezogen worden. Weiterhin wurde diskutiert, ob sich der ursprüngliche Mineralbestand eventuell durch die Säurevorbehandlung verändert haben könnte und diesbezügliche Versuche ausgeführt.Die optischen Untersuchungen an den gröberen Fraktionen ergaben, daß diese verhältnismäßig eintönig aus - Quarz, Muskovit, Organismenresten und daneben zurücktretend aus Feldspat, Glaukonit und Limonit zusammengesetzt sind. Bei den röntgenographischen Untersuchungen der feinen Tonfraktionen wurde in allen Proben neben Quarz und Glimmer noch Montmorillonit oder Kaolinit gefunden, häufig auch beide Tonminerale zusammen. Allgemein jedoch ist der Montmorillonit weitaus reichlicher vertreten, die montmorillonitreichste Probe enthält 34% vom Kalkrückstand, während der Kaolinit im höchsten Falle etwa 6% erreicht. Einige Proben vom westlichen Eggegebirgsrand enthielten Wechsellagerungsstrukturen zwischen Illit und Montmorillonit.Eine qualitative Untersuchung von 2 Mergeln aus, dem Emscher und dem Mukronatensenon ergab als wesentlichen Anteil der feinsten Korngrößen ebenfalls Montmorillonit. In einem Grünsandstein der küstennahen Turonfazies am Haarstrang in Westfalen wurde dagegen; als Hauptkomponente der feinsten Fraktionen und als färbender Bestandteil ein eisenreicher Chlorit gefunden.Eine vergleichende Untersuchung der verschiedenen Proben ergab, daß für den genauer untersuchten Bereich Altenbeken-Neuenbeken-Lichtenau am Eggegebirgsrand zwar das Auftreten einer bestimmten Tonmineralfazies charakteristisch für einen stratigraphischen Horizont sein kann, in einem größeren Raum aber jede stratigraphische Beständigkeit der Tonmineralanteile aufhört. Nach rein mineralogischen Merkmalen lassen sich dagegen die hier untersuchten Sedimentationsräume des Cenoman und Turon unterscheiden. So zeichnen sich die Ablagerungen am Eggegebirge durch das fast völlige Fehlen von Feldspat, Biotit und Montmorillonit aus, weiterhin durch den relativ hohen Kaolinitgehalt und die niedrige Lichtbrechung ihrer Muskovite. Alle Proben aus den niedersächsischen Kreidemulden dagegen zeigen hohe Montmorillonit- und (mit einer Ausnahnie) sehr niedrige Kaolinitanteile; die Feldspäte sind hier ebenso wie die an sich in der oberen Kreide nur sehr seltenen Biotite am häufigsten und am besten erhalten. Die Proben aus der Umgebung von Lengerich am Nordostrand des Westfälischen Beckens weisen in vieler Hinsicht die Eigenschaften beider Ausbildungen auf. So kommt hier stets Kaolinit neben Montmorillonit vor, doch beide in relativ geringen Mengen. Der Feldspat ist in diesen Proben zwar nicht annähernd so selten wie in denen vom Eggegebirge, erreicht jedoch im allgemeinen auch nicht die Häufigkeit der Feldspäte in den niedersächsischen Kreidemulden.