Modelling of major elements in mantle-melt systems using trace element approaches

Major elements can be modelled in ways similar to the quantitative petrogenetic modelling used for trace elements. In contrast to modelling with trace elements, however, modelling with major elements is constrained by the stoichiometry of the solid phases. Within these constraints, the same equations for partial melting and crystallization which have been used to such advantage for trace elements may be used for major elements.Calculated MgO and FeO abundances in a mantle-melt system are used as an example of the modelling technique. Such modelling yields limited fields of permissible melts and residues for a given parent composition, but does not give the paths of melting. It does allow the temperature and extent of melting which gave rise to a melt to be determined from the MgO and FeO abundances of the melt or residual solid. Applying the results of the modelling to igneous rocks and ultramafic nodules leads to the following conclusions, which are subject to the uncertainties in the available distribution coefficients. Least differentiated basalt glasses from the ocean floor are derived from parent melts with less than 15.5 weight % MgO and 8.2 wt. % FeO. Komatiites may be derived by less than 60% melting of a pyrolite source leaving a residue of olivine and pyroxene. Many nodules from the subcontinental mantle appear to be residues of large fractions of melting (>30%) at high temperature and pressure, whereas ultramafic nodules from oceanic basalts appear to be residues of smaller fractions of melting (<30%) at lower temperatures and pressures.     

Particulate dispersion from sources within a forest

Particulate dispersion from sources within a 10- to 13-m tall pine forest was studied experimentally at Brookhaven National Laboratory using stained ragweed pollen and other tracers ranging from 14 to 58 m in size. Forty-seven continuous point source releases lasting from 22 to 55 min were made at heights from 1.75 to 14.0 m from locations having a long fetch through the forest. In most experiments, differently colored ragweed pollen were emitted simultaneously from three locations. In other tests, several particle types were released from a single point. The sampling network consisted of 119 rotoslide samplers at heights from 0.5 to 21.0 m at 57 positions within and at the edge of the forest. Deposition to the ground was sampled by greased microscope slides at each position. Meteorological measurements were taken in and near the forest.Data were classified by particle characteristics, source height and meteorological parameters. Concentration patterns were illustrated on scale diagrams of the sampling grid. Changes in centerline and crosswind integrated concentrations, plume width and height, mass flux, deposition and deposition velocity were studied as a function of distance, particle size and wind speed. Results were compared to those obtained from similar releases over open terrain.In the forest, vertical predominates over lateral dispersion and considerable interchange occurs through the canopy. Flow is channelled somewhat by vegetation density differences but is generally in the direction of the mean wind above the forest. No systematic turning of the wind with height was observed. Most particles are lost to the foliage rather than to the ground and large particles are lost more rapidly than smaller ones. Rate of change in mass flux is similar to that over open terrain and is greater with light than with stronger wind speeds.This research was carried out under the auspices of the New York State Museum and Science Service and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission (now Energy Research and Development Administration) and was partially supported by Research Grant No. R-800677 from the Division of Meteorology, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.     

Cyclic triaxial tests on frozen sand

Strain-controlled cyclic triaxial tests were performed on a one-size silica (Ottawa) sand artificially frozen into 71.1-mm-diameter cylindrical samples. Ice-saturated samples with three different sand contents were tested under the following conditions: axial strains ranging from 3 × 10⁻³ to 3 X 10⁻²%, confining pressures from zero to 1.378 MPa, frequencies of 0.05–5.0 cps and temperatures from −1 to −10 °C.

Test equipment included (1) an MTS electrohydraulic closed-loop testing system which applies the load to the sample, (2) a triaxial cell completely immersed in a low-temperature coolant for temperature control, (3) a refrigeration unit for control of the coolant temperature and constant coolant circulation and (4) measuring devices including an LVDT and load cell, together with recording devices such as a digital multimeter, an oscilloscope, a strip-chart recorder and a minicomputer.

Test results indicate that the dynamic Young's modulus increases with increasing frequency, confining pressure and sand content, but decreases with increasing strain and temperature. The damping ratio decreases with increasing frequency, sand content and lower temperatures. The influence of confining pressures and axial strain on the damping ratio are less explicit for the ranges considered. The experimental results are compared with data from other sources.     

Alteration in CM carbonaceous chondrites inferred from modal and chemical variations in matrix

The modal abundance of matrix in CM chondrites appears to vary from 57–85 vol%. The concentrations of volatile elements that should occur in matrix remain approximately constant despite differences in the proportions of matrix, suggesting that the differing matrix contents may not be real primary variations but are optical effects due to aqueous alteration processes that make other petrologic components unrecognizable. Apparent matrix content can be used as a qualitative measure of the degree of alteration experienced by each CM chondrite. Fe/Si ratios in matrices decrease progressively with increasing alteration due to the formation of new phyllosilicate phases with higher Mg/Fe ratios and optically recognizable opaque minerals that are not counted as matrix. The aqueous alteration process in CM chondrites appears to have been largely isochemical if the bulk meteorites are considered as the reacting systems, although depletion patterns and isotopic anomalies indicate open-system behavior for a few highly mobile components.     

Sedimentation and structure of the Izu-Ogasawara (Bonin) Trench off Tokyo: new lights on the results of a diving campaign with the bathyscape “Archimede”

Direct observations from submersible prove that in the explored areas, the Izu-Ogasawara Trench is devoid of any significant sediment cover. The effects of the tensional forces affecting the oceanic crust have been observed in the outer wall of this trench, especially near its foot between 8200 and 8500 m depth. They lead to a staircase morphology (with rock exposures) corresponding probably with vertical faulting parallel to the trend of the trench axis. The inner wall, at about 5000 m depth, shows large rock exposures that have been sampled. These rocks are volcanic lavas of the tholeiitic series (icelandites). The staircase morphology observed in this part of the overriding plate seems to prove the occurrence of distensive forces induced probably by the underthrusting of the oceanic crust. No indication of compressive stress has been registered in the whole investigated area.     

Rank of coal beds of the Narragansett basin,Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Coal of the Narragansett basin generally has been considered to be anthracite and/or meta-anthracite. However, no single reliable method has been used to distinguish these two ranks in this basin. Three methods — chemical, X-ray, and petrographic — have been used with some degree of success on coal of the Narragansett basin, but too often the results are in conflict. Chemical methods have been limited by inadequate sampling on a coal-bed-by-coal-bed basis and by a lack of analyses made according to (American Society for Testing and Materials, 1974) standard specifications.In addition, when corrections are made by using the Parr formulas, as required by the ASTM (1974) procedures, the generally high to very high ash content of coal from the Narragansett basin causes the fixed-carbon content to appear higher than it actually is. X-ray methods using the degree of graphitization as a measure of rank are not reliable because some of the graphite is related to shearing and brecciation associated with folding and faulting. Petrographic methods using reflectance on vitrinite give results that are generally consistent with results from chemical determinations. However, it is not clear whether the mean maximum reflectance or mean bireflectance is a better indicator of similar rank of such high-rank coals that have been structurally deformed.Coal from the Cranston Mine, RI, is probably meta-anthracite and coal from the Portsmouth Mine is probably anthracite. These ranks are based on chemical,X-ray, and petrographic data and are supported by associated metamorphic mineral assemblages that indicate that the Cranston Mine is in a higher metamorphic zone than the zone containing the Porthmouth Mine. Interpretation of the rank of Mansfield, MA, coal on the basis of extant chemical data is difficult because it is an impure coal with an ash content of 33 to 50%. Reflectance data indicate that the Mansfield, Foxborough, and Plainville coals in the northern part of the Narragansett basin are meta-anthracite but this is in disagreement with the rank suggested by the low degree of metamorphism of the associated rocks.     

A new type of chondritic meteorite found in lunar soil

A fragment found in soil from the Apollo 12 site (12037, from the rim of Bench Crater) appears to be a unique type of chondrite, petrologically and chemically distinct from other chondrites and lunar rocks. Inclusions consisting of shocked pyroxene rimmed by euhedral troilite crystals are set in a black aphanitic matrix. Abundant magnetite in the matrix exhibits microscopic morphologies (framboids and plaquets) characteristic of C1 chondrites. The bulk composition of this sample has high Mg/Si and low Fe/Si relative to other chondrites, and P and S are strongly enriched. Most compositional differences between this meteorite and other chondrites may be explained by fractionation of Fe phases, such as magnetite and troilite. Low refractory element contents preclude mixing with lunar materials. This sample may be a surviving fragment of the meteoritic component present in the lunar regolith. Its characteristics suggest that ancient meteoritic debris sampled by the moon may be significantly different from that captured by the present-day earth.