Two-feldspar geothermometry: a review and revision for slowly cooled rocks

Recent improvements in the experimental and thermodynamic basis of two-feldspar geothermometry allow one to recover temperatures of coexistence more reliably. Some problems, however, persist: (1) the experimental solvi by Seck (1971a) and Elkins and Grove (1990) differ from each other; (2) it is not known to what extent Na–K–Ca exchange equilibrium is approached; (3) both solvi are probably metastable with regard to Al, Si order; (4) it is difficult to judge how closely high-temperature natural feldspars compare to this situation; (5) the thermodynamic treatment neglects phase transformations; (6) the temperature dependence of the Margules parameters used to model non-ideal mixing behaviour may not be linear; (7) it is not clear which expressions should be used to describe ideal activities. With these caveats in mind we treat the problem of retrograde resetting in high-grade metamorphic rocks that were slowly cooled under essentially dry conditions. Coexisting feldspars from such rocks commonly do not plot on a common isotherm. Thus temperatures derived from such pairs using any of the proposed two-feldspar geothermometers will necessarily be in error. We suggest that the non-equilibrium compositions result from retrograde intercrystalline K–Na exchange. This exchange continues after the plagioclase and alkali feldspar have already become essentially closed systems with respect to Al–Si exchange, which is a prerequisite for (Na,K)–Ca exchange. We use a modified version of the Fuhrman and Lindsley (1988) programme to reverse the K–Na exchange and derive concordant temperatures.     

APu heat source in marine coastal sediment: formation of a protective concretion

The effect of the marine environment upon a vented Ir-encapsulated²³⁸Pu heat source was investigated. The heat source was emplaced in coastal submarine feldspathic sediment. In less than a month it became encased in a rock-like concretion. The capsule was cemented initially with a white deposit of anhydrite, a mineral identified with high temperature deep-sea springs. As the concentration increased in thickness sedimentary particles were incorporated by the cementing agent. A non-porous barrier was formed such that decay product He was impeded from escape. This property protected the heat source against intrusion by the corrosive marine waters.As determined by neutron activation, the major and minor elements within the coastal sediment, various fractions of the concretion, and certain discrete entities within or on the surface of the concretion, are included.     

The Precision of Classical Rock Analysis

Three rock reference samples. W-2, DNC-1, and BIR-1, were analysed five times over several months by classical chemical methods using a Youden Square as the experimental design. A significant variation for the data classified by months was found for SiO₂, CaO, H₂O^-, and TiO₂ among the 15 constituents determined. Nevertheless, most standard deviations for the five data for each oxide in any sample, as well as the error standard deviations from the analyses of variance, are less than or approximately equal to the allowable difference between duplicate determinations traditionally used as limits of error. We also determined nine constituents in three portions each of two samples, W-2 and DNC-1, the six portions being analysed concurrently. F ratios for 16 comparisons of the variances of the five data for an oxide obtained over several months and of the three data determined as a group were significant for only one oxide, total iron as Fe₂O₃ in W-2. We conclude that, if a chemist analyses rock samples carefully, the variation of the determinations will be the same for portions analysed as a group, or analysed over a time interval.     

Shortwave aerosol optical depth of Arctic haze measured on board the NOAA WP-3D during AGASP-II,April 1986

Measurements of spectral aerosol optical depth in the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic were made from the NOAA Lockheed WP-3D aircraft as part of the second Arctic Gas and Aerosol Sampling Program (AGASP-II) during April 1986. The flight tracks and altitudes flown enabled measurements of the vertical and horizontal distribution of aerosol optical depth in the troposphere as well as direct determination of the stratospheric component. Tropospheric aerosol optical depth ranged from about 0.1 to 0.7. The factor of 7 variability sometimes occurred within 50 km horizontally; comparable variability occurred within less than 1 to 2 km vertically. The Angstrom exponents of the spectral optical depths ranged from 0.5 to 2.0, and some of the variability was apparently related to distinct aerosol regimes.     

Temporal Gravity Variations near Shrinking Vatnajökull Ice Cap, Iceland

Repeated gravity measurements were carried out from 1991 until 1999 at sites SE of Vatnajökull, Iceland, to estimate the mass flow and deformation accompanying the shrinking of the ice cap. Published GPS data show an uplift of about 13 ± 5 mm/a near the ice margin. A gravity decrease of –2 ± 1 μGal/a relative to the Höfn base station, was observed for the same sites. Control measurements at the Höfn station showed a gravity decrease of –2 ± 0.5 µGal/a relative to the station RVIK 5473 at Reykjavík (about 250 km from Höfn). This is compatible, as a Bouguer effect, with a 10 ± 3 mm/a uplift rate of the IGS point at Höfn and an uplift rate of ~20 mm/a near the ice margin. Although the derived gravity change rates at individual sites have large uncertainties, the ensemble of the rates varies systematically and significantly with distance from the ice. The relationship between gravity and elevation changes and the shrinking ice mass is modelled as response to the loading history. The GPS data can be explained by 1-D modelling (i.e., an earth model with a 15-km thick elastic lithosphere and a 7·10¹⁷ Pa·s asthenosphere viscosity), but not the gravity data. Based on 2-D modelling, the gravity data favour a low-viscosity plume in the form of a cylinder of 80 km radius and 10¹⁷ to 10¹⁸ Pa·s viscosity below a 6 km-thick elastic lid, embedded in a layered PREM-type earth, although the elevation data are less well explained by this model. Strain-porosity-hydrology effects are likely to enhance the magnitude of the gravity changes, but need verification by drilling. More accurate data may resolve the discrepancies or suggest improved models.