4He diffusion in specular hematite

In order to test the chronometer qualities of speculante for the (U + Th)/He dating method, ⁴He release experiments by stepwise heating of two specularites from the Rimbach mineralization locality in the southern Vosgues (France) have been carried out. The diffusion coefficients define linear Arrhenius plots within a temperature interval of 250 to 830 °C, which is suggestive of volume diffusion. Extrapolation of the diffusion behavior to 20° C yields diffusion coefficients (D₂₀ values) smaller than 10^?26 [cm² s^?1] for both hematites with activation energies at 116 [kJ/mole]. The results of our study suggest that specularite is a very helium retentive hematite variety which is capable of quantitatively retaining radiogenic helium over geologic periods of time.     

Using paleoclimate proxy-data to select optimal realisations in an ensemble of simulations of the climate of the past millennium

We present and describe in detail the advantages and limitations of a technique that combines in an optimal way model results and proxy-data time series in order to obtain states of the climate system consistent with model physics, reconstruction of past radiative forcing and proxy records. To achieve this goal, we select among an ensemble of simulations covering the last millennium performed with a low-resolution 3-D climate model the ones that minimise a cost function. This cost function measures the misfit between model results and proxy records. In the framework of the tests performed here, an ensemble of 30 to 40 simulations appears sufficient to reach reasonable correlations between model results and reconstructions, in configurations for which a small amount of data is available as well as in data-rich areas. Preliminary applications of the technique show that it can be used to provide reconstructions of past large-scale temperature changes, complementary to the ones obtained by statistical methods. Furthermore, as model results include a representation of atmospheric and oceanic circulations, it can be used to provide insights into some amplification mechanisms responsible for past temperature changes. On the other hand, if the number of proxy records is too low, it could not be used to provide reconstructions of past changes at a regional scale.     

Using subsurface metazoan fauna to indicate groundwater–surface water interactions in the Nakdong River floodplain, South Korea

Hydrological interactions between surface water and groundwater (GW) can be described using hydrochemical and biological methods. Surface water–groundwater interactions and their effects on groundwater invertebrate communities were studied in the Nakdong River floodplain in South Korea. Furthermore, the GW-Fauna-Index, a promising new index for assessing the strength of surface-water influence on groundwater, was tested. The influence of surface water on groundwater decreased with increasing depth and distance from the river. While hydrochemistry prevailingly reflected the origin of the waters in the study area (i.e. whether alluvial or from adjacent rock), faunal communities seemed to display an affinity to surface-water intrusion. Fauna reacted quickly to changes in hydrology, and temporal changes in faunal community structure were significantly linked to the hydrological situation in the floodplain. The metazoan faunal community and the GW-Fauna-Index allow a distinction between surface and subsurface waters with varying degrees of exchange. The results indicate that hydrological conditions are reflected by faunal assemblages on a high spatiotemporal resolution, and that surface-water intrusion can be estimated using the GW-Fauna-Index.     

Transparent Exopolymer Particles (TEP) in a River-Dominated Estuary: Spatial–Temporal Distributions and an Assessment of Controls upon TEP Formation

Transparent exopolymer particle (TEP) distributions were examined in North Carolina’s Neuse River Estuary (NRE) over a 1-year period, and experiments were conducted to examine controls upon TEP formation. TEP-carbon averaged 16% of the total organic carbon pool in the NRE. From May to early August 2007, TEP ranged from 805 to 1,801 μg xanthan gum (XG) L⁻¹. A large phytoplankton bloom peaked in early August and then subsequently declined. Within 2 weeks of the bloom’s peak, TEP concentrations increased to >3,500 μg XG L⁻¹ and remained elevated through mid-December. Decreasing water temperatures and enhanced retention due to drought conditions in Fall 2007 likely aided in the persistence of TEP concentrations during this timeframe. Thereafter, TEP decreased coincident with increased river flow and flushing of the estuary that began in January 2008, and TEP remained low (ranging from 991 to 1,712 μg XG L⁻¹) until the end of April 2008. TEP was positively correlated with salinity, suggesting that cation availability (which co-varies with salinity and stabilizes the structural integrity of TEP) may play a role in estuarine TEP formation. In two cation addition experiments using water from the mesohaline region, TEP concentrations tended to be higher in treatments with vs. without cations added. Statistically significant relationships were also found between in situ TEP concentrations and pH, mixing, and temperature, suggesting that a complex suite of environmental parameters affect TEP formation and its distribution in estuaries.     

The stream function and Gauss' principle of least constraint: Two useful concepts for structural geology

To the extent that rock deformation can be approximated by a two-dimensional Newtonian model, a powerful stream-function simulation method is applicable. The significance of stream functions is that velocity, strain, stress and energy derived from the same stream function satisfy automatically three basic conditions of dynamics:

1. (1) the condition of continuity.

2. (2) the Navier-Stokes equations.

3. (3) conservation of energy.

Hence we state with Jaeger: “If a stream function can be found which satisfies the boundary conditions of a dynamic model the complete solution follows.” All pertinent bits of dynamic information are implied in the stream function from which they can be directly derived, guaranteed—so to speak—not to violate the basic conditions of dynamics. Stream functions useful in structural geology are solutions of: A double-polynomial solution of max. degree 14 is developed, in which the coefficients are related controlled by the ⁴ψ = 0 constraint, and their absolute values are determined by the boundary conditions of specific models and by the condition of maximum rate of energy dissipation or maximum rate of decline of potential energy. The polynomial stream function is applied to a collapsing viscous “nappe” consisting of a thin basal layer with low viscosity on which a thicker layer with high viscosity slides due to gravitational spreading. The velocity of forward movement depends upon absolute and relative values of the following parameters: viscosity, thickness, the aspect ratio and density. The velocity of a variety of nappes with different thicknesses, aspect ratios, viscosities and densities is determined.     

Denitrification rates measured along a salinity gradient in the eutrophic Neuse River estuary, North Carolina, USA

Denitrification rates along a salinity gradient in the eutrophic Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, were quantified using membrane inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) within short-term batch incubations. Denitrification rates within the system were highly variable, ranging from 0 to 275 μmol N m⁻² h⁻¹. Intrasite variability increased with salinity, but no significant differences were observed across the salinity gradient. Denitrification rates were positively correlated with sediment oxygen demand at the upstream sampling site where sediment organic carbon levels were lowest. This relationship was not observed in the more saline sampling sites. Denitrification rates were highest during winter. On an annual basis, denitrification accounted for 26% of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and 12% of the total nitrogen supplied to the system.     

Electrical conductivity of orthopyroxene and plagioclase in the lower crust

The electrical conductivities of lower crustal orthopyroxene and plagioclase, as well as their dependence on water content, were measured at 6–12 kbar and 300–1,000°C on both natural and pre-annealed samples prepared from fresh mafic xenolith granulites. The complex impedance was determined in an end-loaded piston cylinder apparatus by a Solarton-1260 Impedance/Gain Phase analyzer in the frequency range of 0.1–10⁶ Hz. The spectra usually show an arc over the whole frequency range at low temperature and an arc plus a tail in the high and low frequency range, respectively, at high temperature. The arc is due to conduction in the sample interior, while the tails are probably due to electrode effects. Different conduction mechanisms have been identified under dry and hydrous conditions. For the dry orthopyroxene, the activation enthalpy is ~105 kJ/mol, and the conduction is likely due to small polarons, e.g., electrons hopping between Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺. For the dry plagioclase, the activation enthalpy is ~161 kJ/mol, and the conduction may be related to the mobility of Na⁺. For the hydrous samples, the activation enthalpy is ~81 kJ/mol for orthopyroxene and ~77 kJ/mol for plagioclase, and the electrical conductivity is markedly enhanced, probably due to proton conduction. For each mineral, the conductivity increases with increasing water content, with an exponent of ~1, and the activation enthalpies are nearly independent of water content. Combining these data with our previous work on the conductivity of lower crustal clinopyroxene, the bulk conductivity of lower crustal granulites is modeled, which is usually >~10⁻⁴ S/m in the range of 600–1,000°C. We suggest that the high electrical conductivity in most regions of the lower crust, especially where it consists mostly of granulites, can be explained by the main constitutive minerals, particularly if they contain some water. Contributions from other highly conducting materials such as hydrous fluids, melts, or graphite films are not strictly necessary to explain the observed conductivities.     

Sedimentationszyklen und stratigraphisch-fazielle Probleme der Randfazies des Unteren Muschelkalkes (Kernbohrung Mersch/ Luxemburg)

Zusammenfassung Ausgehend von einem Vergleich randnaher Normprofile und der faziellen Analyse eines vollständigen Bohrprofils wird für die Randfazies des Unteren Muschelkalkes ein Sedimentationsmodell entwickelt, das auf der Basis klimatisch und epirogenetisch bedingter Untergliederungen des Profils neue Parallelisierungsmöglichkeiten mit beckenwärtigen Faziesbereichen eröffnet.Hervorstechendste Merkmale des Bohrprofils sind rhythmisches Auftreten von Magnesit — der als sedimentäre Bildung bislang nur in Zusammenhang mit chloridischen Evaporiten bekannt war —, eine sedimentologisch und geochemisch begründete zyklische Gliederung sowie intensive Bioturbation und zugleich durchgehende Vergipsung.Die Zyklen sind formal gekennzeichnet durch Koppelung von tonigem Sandstein mit geringen Eisen- und hohen Magnesiumgehalten einerseits und von rotem Ton und Silt mit hohen Eisen- und niedrigen Magnesiumwerten andererseits. Die Zyklen werden als Wechselfolge von litoralen Sedimentationsphasen in subtropischem Klima und Abschnürungsphasen mit Hungersedimentation in aridem Klima interpretiert. Der syndiagenetisch gebildete Magnesit ist dabei Tonsedimentationsphasen genetisch zugeordnet. Anhand der Verteilung der vier nicht-detritischen Hauptminerale Dolomit, Gips, Anhydrit und Magnesit wird der Diageneseablauf rekonstruiert.Nach einer Diskussion der Bildungsumstände und der Korrelierbarkeit bieten sich die Werksteinzone der Randfazies und die Spiriferinabank der Beckenfazies als sedimentologische Zeitmarke an.

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A depositional model of the marginal facies of the Lower Muschelkalk (Middle Triassic) is developed by comparison of near-marginal profiles and a facies analysis of a complete drilling record. It is based upon climatologically and epirogenetically caused partitions of the profile and opens new possibilities of correlation with basinal areas.Significant features of the drilling record are rhythmic occurrences of magnesite in sediments only known in connection with chloridic evaporites, a cyclic deposition based on sedimentological and geochemical criteria, and intensive bioturbation with a gypsification throughout.The cycles are formally marked by the correlation of clayey sandstone with low iron and high magnesium contents at the one hand and of red clay and silt with high iron and low magnesium values at the other hand. The cycles are interpreted as an alternation of littoral sedimentation under a subtropical climate and of stages of lagoonal conditions or emersion under an arid climate. The magnesite syndiagenetically formed is genetically attached to stages of clay sedimentation. The process of diagenesis is reconstructed studying the distribution of four main non-detrital minerals: dolomite, gypsum, anhydrite, and magnesite.After discussion of the depositional conditions and the possibilities of correlation, the Werkstein-Zone of the marginal facies and the Spiriferina-Bank of the basinal facies are thought to be sedimentological time markers.

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Résumé Une conception de la formation du facies marginal du Muschelkalk inférieur est développée sur la base d'une comparaison entre les profils normés de la région de sondage Mersch/Luxembourg et l'analyse facielle du profil complet de la carotte de ce sondage. A partir des divisions en partie causées par les climats et par des mouvements épirogénétiques, cette conception donne une nouvelle possibilité de corrélation avec le facies situé plus au centre du bassin sédimentaire.Le forage étudié est caractérisé par la présence rythmique de magnésite, qui, jusqu'à présent, était seulement connu en tant que formation sédimentaire, avec des évaporites, par une répartition cyclique basée sur des observations sédimentologiques et géochimiques et par une bioturbation intensive ainsi qu'une gypsification générale.Les cycles sont caractérisés formellement par le couplage d'un grès argileux à faible teneur en fer et à forte teneur en magnésium d'une part et d'argile rouge à forte teneur en fer et à faible teneur en magnésium d'autre part. Les cycles sont interpretés comme une séquence alternante comprenant une sédimentation littorale en climat subtropical et une sédimentation lagunaire ou d'émersion en climat aride. La magnésite formée syndiagénétiquement est donc coordonnée à une phase sédimentaire argileuse. Le cours de la diagénèse est reconstruit à partir de l'étude de la répartition des quatre minéraux principaux non-détriques: dolomite, gypse, anhydrite et magnésite.A la suite de la discussion des conditions de formation et des possibilités de corrélation la « Werkstein-Zone » du facies marginal et la « Spiriferina-Bank » du facies central apparaissent comme des indicateurs sédimentologiques chronostratigraphiques.

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