The concentration and isotopic composition of hydrogen,carbon and nitrogen in carbonaceous meteorites

Concentrations and isotopic compositions were determined for H₂, N₂ and C extracted by stepwise pyrolysis from powdered meteorites, from residues of meteorites partially dissolved with aqueous HF, and from residues of meteorites reacted with HF-HCl solutions. The meteorites treated were the carbonaceous chondrites, Orgueil, Murray, Murchison, Renazzo and Cold Bokkeveld. Data determined for whole rock samples are in approximate agreement with previously published data. Acidification of the meteorites removed the inorganic sources of H₂, so that H₂ in the HF-HCl acid residues came primarily from insoluble organic matter, which makes up 70–80% fraction of the total carbon in carbonaceous meteorites. The δD in the organic matter differs markedly from previously determined values in organic matter in meteorites. The δD values of organic matter from acid residues of C1 and C2 carbonaceous chondrites range from +650 to + 1150%. The acid residues of the Renazzo meteorite, whose total H₂ has a δD of +930‰, gave a δD value of +2500‰. Oxidation of the HF-HCl residue with H₂O₂ solution removes the high δD and the low δ¹⁵N components. The δ¹³C values range between ?10 and ?21 and δ¹⁵N values range between +40 and ?11. The δ¹⁵N of Renazzo is unusual; its values range between +150 and ?190.There is good correlation between δD and the concentration of H₂ in the acid residues, but no correlation exists between δD, δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N in them. A simple model is proposed to explain the high δD values, and the relationships between δD values and the concentration of H₂. This model depends on the irradiation of gaseous molecules facilitating reaction between ionic molecules, and indicates that an increase in the rate of polymerization and accumulation of organic matter on grains would produce an increase in the deuterium concentration in organic matter.     

Une methode de mesure de la stabilite verticale de l'atmosphere pres du sol

For a ground-level continuous release of a trace substance like ²²²Rn, for which the vertical profile of concentrations is exponential, a quantity, equivalent mixing height h, is defined in this paper in the following way. If the substance were to be redistributed uniformly through a layer such that the concentration were to be equal to that at the surface, then the top of the layer would be h.Relative values of h can be obtained from surface measurements of Radon concentrations, but absolute values require estimates of the vertical fluxes of Radon. A comparison is given of the estimates of h obtained from surface measurements with estimates derived from the vertical profile of Radon from the surface to 100 m.Practical methods are proposed for estimating the surface flux of Rn.     

The chemistry of magmatic gases from Erta'Ale,Ethiopia

The chemical composition of the gases emitted from a hornito close to the active lava lake of Erta'Ale, Ethiopia, as derived from chemical analyses on 18 samples collected on 23 January 1974, was found to be (in mol-%): H₂O: 79.4, CO₂: 10.4, total S: 7.36, HCl: 0.42, H₂: 1.49, N₂: 0.18, Ar: 0.001, CO: 0.46, and COS: 0.009. Thermodynamic considerations, based on the equilibria CO₂ + H₂ ? CO + H₂O and CO₂ + 3H₂ + SO₂ ? COS + 3H₂O show that the analytical values represent the equilibrium composition of a gas mixture at the measured temperature of around 1130°C under close to the surface pressure conditions. Comparison of the Erta'Ale gas emissions with those from other volcanoes suggests a close similarity in their chemical composition. This similarity is considered to be due to common processes governing the release of gaseous species from a magma.     

Tantalite in Suzhou Granite：mineralogy and Geological Implications

Tantalite,occurring as intergranular tabular crystals,was reported for the first time in the Suzhou granite.Electron microprobe analyses show that it is rich in W and Ti,with a Ta/(Ta Nb) ratio ranging from 0.5 to 0.73 and a Mn(Mn Fe) ratio between 0.20 and 0.40.It is structurally distinct from isomorphic tapiolite by a remarked Ag Raman peak at 880cm^-1.The associated zircon is striking by significant enrichment of Hf,with the HfO2 content amounting up to 35%-40%,The discovery of tantalite suggests that the Suzhou granite should be classified as a S-type granite instead of A-type as considered previously.     

Brood patch temperature during provocation of common eiders in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

In this short note we describe the behaviour and body changes of three incubating female common eiders ( Somateria mollissima ) during provocation made by humans approaching the nest. The study site was near the settlement of Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard. Temperture transmitters were implanted subcutaneously at the brood patch and data recorded using a VHF receiver. We found that the female experiment exhibited a passive defence response ("freezing"), accompanied by a significant drop in brood patch temperature (0.6 °C) during provocation; this temperature drop lasted for 5 minutes. These accord with other studies of the physiological changes which the passive defence response in birds and other animals.     

The Albera zoned pegmatite field,Eastern Pyrenees,France

Summary Four types of pegmatites comprise the zoned pegmatite field in the eastern sector of the Albera Massif. Type I is represented by barren pegmatites with graphic textures; type II comprises transitional varieties with Li-Fe-Mn phosphates, Be (chrysoberyl) and scarce Nb-Ta and U oxide minerals; type III consists of pegmatites with significant zones of replacement containing Li-Fe-Mn phosphates, beryl and more abundant Nb-Ta oxide minerals; and type IV, muscovite-quartz-albite pegmatites are highly mineralized with Be, Nb-Ta and HREE. REE mineralization is strongly related to abundance of graphite in the late pegmatite units and in the host-rock. The individual pegmatite types are distributed within four subparallel zones concentric around anatectic muscovite-biotite leucogranites, with type I within the granites or close to the contact, and type IV pegmatites in the outermost areas. The zoning from type I to type IV could relate to fractionation processes which generated the pegmatites and is characterized by an enrichment of Mn, Ta, Na, Li, P, Be and REE. According to the pegmatite distribution and their fractionation trends, we propose an origin by differentiation of a granitic melt.

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Résumé On a établi quatre types de pegmatites dans le champ pegmatitique zoné du secteur est du Massif des Albères (Pyrénées Orientales, France). Celles de type I sont des pegmatites non minéralisées avec des textures graphiques, celles de type II sont des variétés intermediaires avec des phosphates à Li-Fe-Mn, Be (chrysobéryl) et des rares oxides à Nb-Ta et U; celles de type Ill sont des pegmatites avec des zones de réplacement bien dévéloppées et qui contiennent des phosphates à Li-Fe-Mn, du béryl et des oxides à Nb-Ta plus abondants; celles de type IV sont des pegmatites bien minéralisées à Be, Nb-Ta et des T.R. La minéralisation à T.R. est liée à des phénomènes de graphitisation répandus dans les unités tardives de la pegmatite et dans l'encaissant. La distribution de chaque type de pegmatite correspond à quatre zones à peu près parallèles et concentriques autour des granites anatectiques à muscovite-biotite, avec le type I dans les granites ou prochain au contact, et les pegmatites à type IV dans la bande plus externe. La zonation serait due à des processus de fractionnement qui auraient généré les pegmatites et qui sont caracterisés par un enrichissement en Mn, Ta, Na, Li, P, Be et T.R. dès les pegmatites de type I vers celles de type IV. On propose un origine par différentiation des granites en vue de la distribution des pegmatites.

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With 5 Figures     

Comparative high-resolution chemostratigraphy of the Bonarelli Level from the reference Bottaccione section (Umbria-Marche Apennines) and from an equivalent section in NW Sicily: Consistent and contrasting responses to the OAE2

The Bonarelli Level (BL) from the upper Cenomanian portion of the reference Bottaccione section (central Italy) is characterized by the presence of black shales containing high TOC concentrations (up to 17%) and amounts of CaCO₃ near to zero. In the absence of carbonate and, consequently, of relative carbon- and oxygen-isotopic data, the elemental geochemistry revealed to be a very useful tool to obtain information about the palaeoclimatic and palaeoceanographic evolution of the Tethys Ocean during the OAE2. Based on several geochemical proxies (Rb, V, Ni, Cr, Si, Ba), the BL is interpreted as a high-productivity event driven by increasingly warm and humid climatic conditions promoting an accelerated hydrological cycle. The enrichment factors of peculiar trace metals (Zn, Cd, Pb, Sb, Mo, U) provide further insight about the H₂S activity at the seafloor during the organic-rich sediment deposition and permitted us to evaluate the use of Ba as palaeoproductivity tracer in conditions of high rate of sulphate reduction.By comparing geochemical records from the reference Bottaccione section (central Italy) with those previously obtained for the coeval Calabianca section (northwestern Sicily), different degrees of oceanic anoxia were delineated and ascribed to different abundance and type (degradable or refractory) of organic matter, which are limiting factors in the bacterial sulphate reduction reactions and in subsequent euxinic conditions at seafloor in the Tethys realm. Based on a ciclostratigraphic approach, consistent fluctuations at 100 ky scale in the chemostratigraphic signals from the two sections are inferred to be expression of a strong orbital-climatic forcing driving changes in the oceanic environment during the BL deposition.     

The role of economic sectoral structure as a policy mechanism towards more resilient peripheral regions: the case of South Africa

The role of economic sectoral structure in regional growth and development is widely acknowledged. However, there has been scarce reflection on its role as a policy instrument, particularly for peripheral regions. In reaction, this paper investigates the role of economic sectoral structure as a policy instrument towards more resilient peripheral regions. Through a multiple country policy analysis, the paper determines to what degree economic sectoral structure is reflected in regional development policies of 18 countries with predominantly rural characteristics and lagging regions. Moreover, the role of economic sectoral structure towards more resilient regions is quantified and measured for a specific peripheral region case in South Africa as developing country exhibiting poor economic resilience. The paper highlights related variety as a key ingredient for a region to reach a state of dynamic stability between adaptation and adaptability towards enhanced long-term resilience capacity of the peripheral region. The research concludes that policy focus should support the maintenance of the sectors and industries of comparative advantage on the regional scale, but strongly focus on sectoral comparative advantage within the national scale (if present) to establish a more robust region. This will establish and strengthen the identified peripheral growth centres as centres of national competitiveness and specialisation. Primary policy actions as emanated from the literature and the multiple country policy analysis will promote more efficient sectoral composition as key towards more resilient peripheral regions. It is acknowledged that these policy actions must be informed by a detailed regional economic analysis for different peripheral regions to determine inherent and latent economic potential and link with interdependent industries. This paper will highlight that regional policy should become more explicit by exploiting the role of economic and natural resources as growth engines for the peripheral regional economy in a more effective way through a multi-centred territorial structure.

     

Thermal and exhumation histories of the northern subalpine chains (Bauges and Bornes—France): Evidence from forward thermal modeling coupling clay mineral diagenesis,organic maturity and carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47) data

Assessing the thermal evolution of sedimentary basins over time is a major aspect of modern integrated basin analysis. While the behavior of clay minerals and organic matter with increasing burial is well documented in different geological and thermal settings, these methods are often limited by the temperature ranges over which they can be precisely applied and by the available material. Here, we explore the emergent Δ₄₇ clumped isotope geospeedometry (based on the diffusional redistribution of carbon and oxygen isotopes in the carbonate lattice at elevated temperatures) to refine time‐temperature paths of carbonate rocks during their burial evolution. This study provides a reconstruction of the thermal and exhumation history of the Upper Cretaceous thrust belt series in the western subalpine massifs (Bauges and Bornes, French Alps) by a new approach combining for the first time available data from three independent geothermometers. The investigated area presents two zones affected by contrasting thermal histories. The most external zone has undergone a relatively mild thermal history (T < 70°C) and does not record any significant clay mineral diagenetic transformation. By contrast, the internal zone has experienced tectonic burial (prealpine nappes) in response to thrusting, resulting in overheating (T > 160–180°C) that induced widespread clay mineral diagenetic transformations (progressive illitization from R0 to R1 and R3 illite‐smectite mixed‐layers), organic matter maturation (oil window) and Δ₄₇ thermal resetting with apparent equilibrium temperatures above 160°C. The three employed geothermal indicators conjointly reveal that the investigated Upper Cretaceous rocks have suffered a wide range of burial temperatures since their deposition, with a thermal maximum locally up to 160–180°C. High temperatures are associated with the tectonic emplacement of up to 4 km of prealpine nappes in the northern part of the studied area. Finally, a forward thermal modeling using Δ₄₇, vitrinite reflectance and clay mineral data, is attempted to precisely refine the burial and exhumation histories of this area.