Elemental Composition of Mnemiopsis leidyi A. Agassiz 1865 and Its Implications for Nutrient Recycling in a Long Island Estuary

The ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi is an ecologically important predator in temperate coastal environments. Their populations fluctuate seasonally, serving as sinks of nutrients during periodic blooms, but as sources via excretion and during population collapse. Ctenophores were analyzed for elemental composition (C, N, and P) during 2008 and 2009 in Great South Bay, NY, USA. Salt-free weight percent C, N, and P correlated positively with ctenophore sizes and zooplankton prey abundances. Nitrogen and P were higher at the onset of blooms than during collapse when prey were substantially fewer. Ctenophores collected during average to high zooplankton densities had atomic ratios averaging C/N ~6:1 and C/P ~66:1, but became C- and P-depleted (C/N ~5:1, C/P ~128:1) with decreasing zooplankton. Incubations demonstrated rapid remineralization of ctenophore biomass (as NH₄ ⁺, HPO₄ ^2?), following first order kinetics (e.g., k ~0.1–0.4 day^?1) with enriched stoichiometric N and P fractionation relative to biomass under both oxic and anoxic conditions. Based on reported excretion rates, nutrient regeneration from excretion by active populations greatly exceeds nutrients remineralized during population crashes. To our knowledge, this is the first study documenting natural seasonal patterns in ctenophore elemental stoichiometry as a function of ctenophore size and prey availability.     

Late Riphean age of conglomerates from the Kholbonur complex of Songino block, Central Asian Caledonides

The Early Caledonian folded area of Central Asia comprises a variety of continental crust fragments with Early to Late Precambrian crystalline basement. Crystalline rocks, which form part of the Songino block, outcrop at the junction between the Dzabkhan and Tuva-Mongolian terranes. The Bayannur zone in the southern part of the Songino block contains the Bayannur migmatite-gneiss and Kholbonur terrigenous-metavolcanic metamorphic complexes. Previous studies provide the 802 ± 6 Ma age for the regional metamorphism and folding within the Bayannur complex. On the basis of the minimum Nd model age of 1.5 Ga, gneisses from this complex cannot be regarded as Early Precambrian. Two main rock associations were distinguished in the Kholbonur complex. Mafic metavolcanics compose the dominant lithology of the first rock association, whereas the second association comprises terrigenous-volcanic and predominantly terrigenous suites. The rocks of the predominantly terrigenous suite, including mudstones, sandstones, and conglomerates, are interpreted to derive from the Late Riphean accretionary prism. The lithology and composition of metaterrigenous rocks suggest that they were possibly derived from erosion of a volcanic arc. The upper age limit of this suite is constrained by postkinematic granites (790 ± 3 Ma; U-Pb zircon), the lower age is given by plagiogranite (874 ± 3 Ma; U-Pb zircon) from comglomerate pebbles. Therefore, the timing of deposition of this terrigenous suite can be bracketed by the 874–790 Ma time interval. These ages and compositional features of the Kholbonur complex terrigenous rocks suggest that the convergence took place at around 870–880 Ma and thus it can be correlated with the divergent processes between the blocks of continental crust composing the supercontinent Rodinia.     

Evidence of palaeoseismicity in a flowstone of the Observatoire cave (Monaco)

Abstract

Monaco is a medium seismicity zone. The Observatoire cave, a well decorated show cave, is a good place for palaeoseismicity studies. On the floor of the cave it is possible to observe a great number of collapsed sodastraws. The breakages are attributed to the 1887 Ligurian earthquake. A borehole in a flowstone shows several levels of collapses that may indicate ancient earthquakes. © Elsevier, Paris     

Characteristics of tropical cyclones making landfall on the Pacific coast of Mexico: 1970-2010

This study evaluates impacts from tropical cyclone (TC) landfalls on populated areas located along the Pacific Ocean coast of Mexico. The period of interest is from 1970 through 2010 and an international disaster database is used to identify the impact from the landfalling TCs. More than 30 landfall events occurred during the period; we examined the top 25 TCs based on rainfall accumulation, as well as the top 10 TC-related disasters based on the affected population. Each event resulted in affected population from 20 000 to more than 800 000. Strong winds and heavy rainfall, during periods of one to three days, are associated with property damage and loss of lives. Our results indicate that excessive rainfall accumulations and daily rates, over highly populated areas, are important elements associated with the occurrence of disasters. Six of the top 10 TC-related disasters occurred during El Niño and three during neutral conditions; however, looking at the top 25 events, 10 occurred during El Niño and 10 during neutral conditions. Three case studies that occurred during El Niño events (Liza in 1976, Pauline in 1997, and Lane in 2006) are documented in more detail as they affected areas with different population densities in the southern and northwestern coasts of Mexico.     

Mineralogical criteria for the diamond potential of Upper Triassic placers on the northeastern margin of the Siberian Platform

Representative sampling of a diamond-bearing basal horizon in the Carnian Stage (Upper Triassic) on the northeastern margin of the Siberian Platform revealed a wide spectrum of indicator minerals, first of all, garnets, whose compositions are the same as in the inclusions in the regional diamonds. Of special interest are garnets of potential eclogite paragenesis with an abnormally high impurity of MnO (0.5–3.2 wt.%), which was earlier detected in more than 20% of garnets present as inclusions in diamonds of northern Quaternary placers and recommended as a new mineralogical criterion for diamond presence. Subcalcic Cr-pyropes of dunite–harzburgite paragenesis were also found in variable amounts, from 0.7 to 3.9 rel.%, in the sample of 973 grains of pyropes of lherzolite and websterite parageneses. Three grains contain 11.9, 12.6, and 16 wt.% Cr₂O₃, which corresponds to the presence of 30–34% of Mg–Cr-knorringite component. Such pyropes have been revealed for the first time in the study region. Cr-spinels are a mixture of compositions typical of kimberlites and the regional alkali-ultrabasic rocks. All studied samples contain picroilmenites with a variable content of Cr₂O₃ impurity. Since Mg–Fe–Ca-garnets with Mg# < 35 can be partly hosted in metamorphic rocks of the Anabar Shield, the elevated content of Na₂O impurity (> 0.09 wt.%) was also taken into account. The different contents of indicator minerals in the samples might be due to the variable composition of the diamond orebodies. The Carnian placers call for new systematic sampling. Special attention should be given to estimation of the composition of garnets of presumably eclogite paragenesis with elevated contents of TiO₂, MnO, CaO, and Na₂O and to search for perovskite and Nb-containing rutile. These minerals, together with zircons, are of interest for determining the U–Pb isotopic age of probable diamond orebodies—kimberlites.     

Petrology and geochemistry of gabbro and picrites from the Altai collisional system of Hercynides: Evidence for the activity of the Tarim plume

We present petrological, isotopic, and geochronological data on gabbro-picrite plutons from the Altai collisional system of Hercynides (eastern Kazakhstan). The geological, geochemical, and geochronological data suggest that these rocks are indicators of the activity of the Tarim plume. The gabbro and picrites formed in two stages (~293 and 280 Ma) in an acid-to-basic succession, explained by a model for the interaction of thermochemical plumes with the lithosphere. Early igneous activity, which gave rise to subalkalic gabbro plutons, reflects the first interaction between the ascending plume and the lithosphere, with low-melting sublithospheric protoliths. Further interaction was characterized by the sublithospheric spread of the plume head with intense heating of the lithospheric base and possible intrusion of deep melts, which resulted in the formation of Cu–Ni–PGE gabbro-picrite plutons in the Altai collisional system and Northwest China.     

A revised estimate of the life span for Lake Nasser

A number of estimates of the potential life span of Lake Nasser located in Egypt and Sudan have been made in the past several years. Published estimates range from as little as 20 years (Sterling 1970) to over 1500 years (Makary 1982). The wide range of differing values is a function of many variables, including computation method, input data, and theoretical assumptions underlying the mathematical approach taken. Such a broad range of values is typical of sedimentation studies performed for areas that lack an adequate historic data base.One of the chief constraints to development of a reliable estimate the Lake Nasser's case has been lack of sufficient historical data on which to construct a useful data base. Enough information of this type has been collected since the reservoir's formation in 1964 to permit a realistic assessment of its life span. Granted the obvious need to determine the useful lifetime of this or any other reservoir, it is now possible to assess the reliability of the current official estimate for Lake Nasser. By applying appropriate modifications and additional data to the official estimate, an improved estimate was made.The time forecasted for filling of the reservoir by the official estimate is 362 years, somewhat less than the original design life of 500 years. By taking into account changes in the hydrological regime of the Nile after 1964 and another compaction factor, an estimate of 535 years was made. The additional time before filling estimated in the revision is significant for decision rules governing operation of the Aswan High Dam.     

Tidal river sediments in the Washington,D.C. area. III. Biological effects associated with sediment contamination

Sediment toxicity and benthic macroinvertebrate community structure were measured as one component of a study cohceived to determine the distribution and effect of sediment contamination in tidal freshwater portions of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers in the Washington, D.C., area. Samples were collected at 15 sites. Analyses included a partial life cycle (28 d) whole sediment test using the amphipod Hyalella azteca (Talitridae) and an assessment of benthic community structure. Survival and growth (as estimated by amphipod length) were experimental endopoints for the toxicity test. Significant mortality was observed in 5 of 10 sites in the lower Anacostia River basin and at the main channel Potomac River site. Sublethal toxicity, as measured by inhibition of amphipod growth, was not observed. Toxicity test results were in general agreement with synoptically measured sediment contaminant concentrations. Porewater total ammonia (NH₃+NH₄ ⁺) appears to be responsible for the toxicity of sediments from the Potomac River, while correlation analysis and simultaneously extracted metals: acid volatile sulfide (SEM∶AVS) results suggest that the toxicity associated with Anacostia River sediments was due to organic compounds. Twenty-eight macroinvertebrate taxa were identified among all sites, with richness varying from 5 to 17 taxa per site. Groups of benthic assemblages identified by group-average cluster analysis exhibited variable agreement with sediment chemical and sediment toxicity results. Integration of toxicological, chemical, and ecological components suggests that adverse environmental effects manifest in the lower Anacostia River benthos result from chemical contamination of sediment.     

The microstructural properties and deformation environments of the Kugarchi folded complex,Southern Urals

The Kugarchi folded complex is located on the western slope of the Southern Urals; it is a region of complex disharmonic folding in the Lower Carboniferous limestones. We revealed and studied two systems of mineral veins and accompanying veinlets in limestones. The microstructural analysis was used to recognize several deformation stages and orientations of the principal strain directions. This folded complex is interpreted to have formed under conditions close to uniaxial compression accompanied by a progressive change in the extensional strain direction from vertical to horizontal.